Empyreal, Book 1

Chapter 19

The forest loomed dark and haunted around Kai and Max as they raced through the tangled underbrush, their pounding footsteps and ragged breaths echoing in the still night air. Kai's heart hammered in his chest as he glanced back over his shoulder, searching the dark for any sign of the monstrous night Crawler's pursuit.

He could almost feel the creature's fetid breath on the back of his neck, its gnashing teeth snapping at his heels. Beside him, Max's eyes were wide with fear, his face pale in the moonlight that filtered down through the canopy above.

"We have to stop it," Max gasped, ducking under a low-hanging branch.

Kai nodded, his mind racing as he tried to formulate a plan. If they could just combine their fledgling magical abilities, perhaps they could contain the beast long enough to get to safety.

"Get ready," he told Max through gritted teeth. "On my mark, hit it with an immobilization spell."

The Night Crawler's shriek split the air, far too close for comfort. Kai and Max skidded to a halt in a small moonlit clearing, whirling around to face the monstrosity barreling towards them through the trees. It was an enormous, hulking creature, all claws and teeth and soulless black eyes.

"Now!" Kai yelled.

He thrust his hands outward, channeling every ounce of lunar energy he could summon. Max did the same beside him, his face screwed up in concentration. Twin beams of silver light erupted from their palms, encircling the Night Crawler in glowing tethers. The creature thrashed and bellowed, but the bonds held fast.

"It's working!" Max laughed incredulously.

But their triumph was short-lived. With an ear-splitting roar, the Night Crawler ripped through the magical bindings and charged straight for them.

Kai barely had time to shout, "Look out!" before he and Max were forced to dive in opposite directions to avoid being mauled. They tumbled to the ground as the Night Crawler barreled past, its claws swiping at empty air.

"That the best you got?" Kai taunted as he sprang back to his feet, though his voice shook slightly. He raised his glowing hands once more. Beside him, Max did the same, a determined grin on his face.

Together, they advanced on the creature, their magic at the ready. This time, they would not let it escape.

Kai and Max unleashed torrents of silver energy at the Night Crawler, weaving the moonbeams together to form an impenetrable cage. The creature thrashed and threw itself against the bars, but the prison held strong.

"We did it!" Max cheered, wiping sweat from his brow. He clapped Kai on the back.

"That big ugly brute didn't stand a chance against us."

Kai allowed himself a relieved smile. "Yeah, we make a pretty good team. The Night

Crawler picked the wrong wizards to mess with tonight."

They approached the cage cautiously, keeping a wary eye on the enraged creature within. It snarled and snapped at them, clawing in vain at the shimmering bars.

"Not so tough now, are you?" Kai taunted. "Looks like we win this round."

"Maybe next time don't pick a fight with someone way out of your league," Max added with a smug grin.

The nightcrawler let out an indignant huff and turned its back on them, pacing the confines of its prison.

Kai and Max shared an amused look. "I think we hurt its feelings," Kai laughed.

"Come on, let's get out of here before it decides to try busting out again," Max said.

The wind howled through the barren trees as Max and Kai huddled behind a moss covered boulder. They spread the ancient map across their knees, squinting to read the faded ink by the light of the moon.