Logain fell down a rocky slope, his body hitting the jagged edges and tearing his clothes. The rocks cut his skin, and when Logain finally came to a halt, his body was sore, and he didn't know if he could get back up again. The warlock lay there, breathing heavily and in pain, but at least he was alive. He could deal with a few scratches and bruises.
He thought this would be the end of him, so he was surprised that he didn't die. The queen's prophecy didn't say how he would die, just that Meredith would be the one who kills him. When Logain heard a growl behind him, he remembered the demon that brought him to this place.
Quickly, Logain got to his feet despite the pain shooting through his body. He looked behind him to see the beast coming down the hill towards him. The demon was large and wolf-like, but it was anything but a wolf. The creature had long limbs, patches of fur all over its body, and its skin was cut and bloody with symbols Logain recognized. The symbols were binding seals, meant to keep the demon under Meredith's control and to prevent it from escaping this place. It was sealed away in this shadow realm.
The creature had its eyes on the warlock, ready to tear into its next meal. Logain wasn't about to stick around and try to fight the demon. Fighting a demon this powerful would be a death sentence, and he had no intentions of dying today. Without hesitating, Logain turned and ran away from the demon. He barely paid attention to where he was running. All he knew was that he needed to get far away. If he could escape the demon, then he could create his own portal to escape this realm. He didn't know where he would end up, but anywhere was better than here.
Logain could hear the monster gaining on him. No matter how fast he ran, the creature was faster. The only way he would be able to slow it down was if he used his magic to create a barrier, but that would only stop the beast for so long. With the monster draining him of his magic simply by being near it, Logain didn't know if he was even capable of casting a spell. He wouldn't know if he didn't try. At this point, he was willing to try anything to get away from it.
The warlock had to concentrate as he ran. As he did when facing the chimera, he focused on creating a shield from the ground that would slow down the monster. However, in the shadow realm, Logain had to concentrate more than when he was on the other side with the living. His powers might have come from the darkness, but while he was still alive, his powers wouldn't work well in this realm. This was the land where the dead thrived, and using his powers would come with consequences. Any creature who sensed his magic and presence would be drawn to him. The demon he was running away from wasn't the only threat in this realm.
Just before the demon was able to grab him with its long limbs, Logain created an ice shield just in time. The barrier shot up from the ground, preventing the creature from grabbing the warlock. Logain was able to put some distance between himself and the beast, but it wouldn't last for long. He could hear the demon banging itself against the large shield. The ice would shatter eventually. The warlock hoped he was far enough away from the creature by then. He didn't dare to look back to see the demon's progress. He was only focused on escaping the creature. Logain saw ruins in front of him. He didn't hesitate to run towards them. Perhaps he could escape the beast inside.
When he heard the ice shattering in the distance, he knew he didn't have much time. As he ran through the ruins, he noticed how large this place was. There would be plenty of places for him to hide, but he still wanted to get as far away as possible. He ran past many buildings that had been destroyed and crumbled from years of neglect. While he ran, he didn't sense any other presence besides the demon in the distance behind him. After using his magic, that wouldn't last for long. Once Logain found somewhere he could create a portal back to his realm, he could only do it while nothing else was around. He didn't want to risk bringing an undead creature back home with him.
The further he ran through the ruins, Logain began to realize that these weren't any ordinary remains. This place was once a kingdom; a kingdom Logain traveled to once before in his life. The warlock was aware that the shadow realm was an alternate version of the real world, but he didn't expect to end up in this kingdom. If anything, Logain should have been in the other version of Ambria. Instead, he found himself in the fallen kingdom of Zuvelia. This was where the demon made its home. With a demon this powerful, it made sense why there weren't any other demons or undead around. The creatures of the shadow realm avoided other beings this powerful. Unlike his world, everything was prey here, even their own kind.
He didn't have time to ponder why he was in this kingdom. Logain just knew that he needed to get out of here as quickly as possible. With the demon gaining on him, it was only a matter of time before Logain would be forced to face the creature. Using an ice spell wouldn't work a second time. Using a single spell was already too draining for him while he remained in this realm. Casting another would only get him in deeper trouble.
Logain looked ahead of him and decided on where he would try to make his escape. The palace wasn't much farther away. If he could get inside and head to the deepest part of the castle, then he might stand a chance of escaping without losing his life. With his destination decided, Logain made his way to the castle.
Once inside, Logain closed the doors behind him. Just before the doors closed, he caught a glimpse of the creature chasing him. It was still far enough away from him, but he still caught sight of it with its massive size. If the demon caught him, he would be dead in an instant. He didn't know why it didn't end his life the moment it caught him the first time. The warlock wouldn't question it either. Now that he was in the castle, he needed to keep going. There wasn't any time to fool around.
Logain wasn't sure where to go, but he kept running. He lost track of how many hallways he ran down as he began to pant heavily. The warlock knew he shouldn't, but he couldn't help slowing down. After running for so long to get away from the monster, he didn't think he could run anymore. His legs would give out at any moment. Logain had to walk, and he looked behind him multiple times to make sure that nothing was following him.
But everything was silent. He didn't even hear the demon that was chasing him. By now, he should have heard the monster banging on the front doors to get inside. Yet, there was nothing.
Something was off about the palace. It was eerily quiet, even for the shadow realm. Logain couldn't help feeling on edge as he glanced around, expecting something to jump out at him at any moment. His heart was beating fast, but he kept going. Once he found somewhere that seemed safe enough, he would finally be able to create a portal back home. He needed to get back as quickly as possible. After Amaris' betrayal, Logain dreaded the worst. The royal family would be targeted next.
Logain felt foolish for trusting the clergyman for a moment. After how brainwashed he was from the High Priestess' abuse, Logain should have known better than to think that Amaris would betray Meredith. He was loyal to her regardless of all the awful things she put him through. He wouldn't side with a warlock that easily. Logain wouldn't make the mistake of trusting him ever again.
As he continued to walk through the palace, Logain was eventually met with a dead end. He opened the final door at the end of one of the hallways and entered a large room. Unlike the rest of the shadow realm, this room wasn't dead like the rest of it. This room had live plants and flowers running up the length of the walls, and it was brightly lit. At the end, Logain noticed a crystal casket sitting on top of a long pedestal. There was a small energy coming from the casket that was wrapped in vines and blooming flowers. Logain knew he should make haste to escape, but curiosity got the better of him as he approached the casket.
Inside the crystal casket was a man who appeared to be sleeping peacefully. However, Logain knew that he wasn't sleeping. The man inside was dead, but it looked like his body hadn't decayed a single day. Logain reached out and touched the crystal, feeling the energy that flowed through him. He recognized this material and the magic that radiated off the crystal. The man inside didn't decay because this material prevented him from doing so. It was to preserve his body, keeping him exactly the same as the day that he died. Logain didn't know who he was, but he must have been important if he was left in this casket. Since this was the kingdom of Zuvelia, Logain could take a guess that this man was part of the royal family who once ruled.
As Logain took in the man's flawless features, he was in for a surprise when, slowly, the man opened his eyes.
YOU ARE READING
The Warlock (BxB)
Fantasi[Completed in 2025] Prince Casimir has always longed for a life of adventure, but instead, he is stuck with his duties as the crown prince, a title he never wanted in the first place. His wish to escape his dull life is granted when he is accidental...
