Levi sat on the edge of a grimy, flickering streetlamp, the night air heavy with an oppressive silence. She could still feel the burn of the fire from hours ago, the acrid smell of smoke clinging to her clothes, but more than anything, she could feel the unease stirring within her. Rue hadn't said much after their escape from the inferno, and that only made the tension in the air heavier. Now, they were in an old, rundown alley near the edge of the city—a place Levi knew well, but where the magic felt different tonight.
Rue stood across from her, leaning against a rusted metal gate, his dark eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her skin prickle. The soft glow from the streetlight cast shadows over his sharp features, deepening the mystery around him. She had barely known the guy, yet it felt like there was so much he wasn't telling her. The way he acted, how he looked at her—there was a hidden connection that both unsettled and intrigued her.
"You're still processing, I can see that," Rue said, his voice low, smooth like velvet. "But you need to understand something important, Levi. You're not just some ordinary witch. Your bloodline…" He paused, running a hand through his dark hair, clearly reluctant to continue. "Your bloodline is tied to an old prophecy. One that's been passed down for centuries."
Levi frowned, trying to push past the exhaustion that was creeping up on her. "What prophecy?"
Rue's gaze darkened, and he stood up straighter. "It's not something I'd usually tell anyone, but…" He met her eyes. "I think it's time. You need to know what you're dealing with."
Levi felt a chill run down her spine as the words hung in the air. She hadn't known her family's history beyond the usual stories of witches and magic, but this felt different—important in a way that sent a ripple of fear through her.
"That sigil on your wrist—the one you've been seeing in your dreams—it's a mark. A mark that's tied to the prophecy of the Crimson Witch," Rue continued, his voice hardening. "The witch born in crimson will either break the world or save it. Your bloodline has always been connected to the balance between the realms. Witches like you are rare, Levi. Almost extinct, in fact."
Levi's pulse quickened. Her hand instinctively went to her wrist, where the sigil burned faintly beneath her skin. It had come to life in a way she couldn't explain—alive with power, with purpose. But this? A prophecy?
"How do you know this?" Levi asked, her voice trembling slightly despite her attempts to stay calm.
"I've been around long enough to know things," Rue said cryptically, crossing his arms over his chest. His face was unreadable, but there was something else there—a hidden regret. "I've seen what happens when this prophecy comes to light. I've seen witches rise with this power, and I've seen what it can do. And I've seen them fall."
Levi's mind reeled with questions, each one more overwhelming than the last. "So… what? I'm supposed to be some kind of… savior? Or destroyer?" Her voice was laced with disbelief. "How am I supposed to know what to do with all of this?"
Rue took a step forward, closing the distance between them. His presence was imposing, but for a moment, his eyes softened. "You don't get a choice, Levi. Not really. The magic within you is ancient. And it's growing stronger by the day. That power—your power—it's bound to the prophecy. And the world won't let you ignore it forever."
Levi took a shaky breath, trying to process the weight of his words. She didn't know what to believe, but she couldn't deny the strange energy that pulsed through her, the sensations she had felt ever since the fire, ever since the sigil had appeared. The magic inside her was real, and it was undeniable. But the thought of a prophecy, a role she had no say in—it terrified her.
"So, what now?" she asked quietly. "What am I supposed to do with this?"
Rue's eyes darkened, and for the first time, Levi saw the flicker of something more dangerous in him. "Now, you have to choose, Levi. The power within you can either be a gift or a curse. But either way, you won't be able to stop it. And there are others who won't let you survive long enough to figure it out. You're already marked, and the Council of Shadows won't rest until they control you, or worse."
Levi swallowed hard. The weight of his words hit her like a ton of bricks. The Council of Shadows—she had heard whispers of them, but never anything concrete. They were a secretive, powerful group of beings that governed magic in the hidden corners of the world. And if they were after her…
"I don't even know where to start with all of this," Levi muttered, her voice shaking.
Rue's expression softened again, just for a second, before he hardened once more. "I'll help you. I owe you that much. But you need to trust me, Levi. You're not alone in this, but the longer you fight it, the harder it's going to get. The prophecy is already unfolding."
For a long moment, Levi didn't know what to say. Everything felt so out of control. But one thing was clear: Rue wasn't lying. She could feel the truth in his words, even if they terrified her. This wasn't just about magic anymore. This was about fate—and whatever role she was meant to play in the chaos that was about to unfold.
The night seemed to hold its breath as Rue and Levi stood there, two people bound by something far bigger than either of them. The weight of destiny pressed down on her, but Levi wasn't sure if she was ready to face it.
But she didn't have a choice, did she?
Rue turned his back on her, leading her deeper into the alley. "We have to move. If the Council is coming for you, we don't have much time."
Levi followed, her heart heavy with a mix of fear and resolve. She didn't know where this path would lead. But for the first time, she understood something: she was no longer just a witch. She was the key to something far greater—and far more dangerous—than she could ever imagine.
Prairie sat hunched over the dimly lit desk in the corner of the old library basement, the dust in the air tickling her nose as she flipped through stacks of yellowed papers. The library had always been her sanctuary—an old building with more secrets than shelves, filled with ancient texts and forgotten records. But today, it felt different. As the weight of Levi's situation pressed heavily on her, Prairie had decided to dig deeper. The more she uncovered, the more questions seemed to emerge, each one spiraling into darker territories.
The glow from the desk lamp flickered once, then steadied as Prairie found another folder buried in the back of the archive drawer. This one was marked with a symbol—a crescent moon entwined with thorns. She paused, a chill running down her spine. It was a symbol she had seen before, in the grimoires Levi had uncovered. But the question was: why was it here?
With trembling hands, Prairie opened the folder, her breath catching in her throat as she scanned through the papers. A lot of it was indecipherable, filled with codes and names that meant nothing to her. But then, her eyes stopped on a single photograph. Her heart skipped a beat.
The photo was black and white, worn at the edges, and unmistakably old. It showed a woman in a dark coat and wide-brimmed hat, standing in front of a building that looked strangely familiar—an old mansion-like structure, its ivy-covered walls fading into the mist behind it. The woman in the photo was striking, with high cheekbones and sharp eyes that seemed to pierce straight through the camera lens. Prairie didn't need to ask who she was. She knew.
Selene Graves.
The name was scrawled across the bottom of the photo in faded ink. The date, however, was what caught her attention. 1920. How could this be? Selene had seemed so... modern when Prairie had first encountered her. The witch-hunter leader, ruthless and unyielding, had been around for far longer than anyone had guessed.
But the most chilling part was the file that followed. It detailed the Council of Shadows' efforts to maintain control over witches and the forbidden magics that were now awakening. As Prairie skimmed the documents, she found a reference to a group of "guardians"—a mysterious faction within the Council that was believed to have been wiped out in the early 20th century. Their mission was to keep track of powerful witches and ensure the balance of magic didn't tip in favor of chaos. It seemed, however, that some of them had never truly disappeared.
Her breath hitched. Selene wasn't just a hunter. She was part of something older, something connected to the very heart of the Council.
Prairie pulled out another file, this one marked "The Unseen Prophecy." It was clear from the jagged handwriting inside that someone had been tracking Levi's bloodline for years, observing the slow rise of power that now seemed to be centered around her. The more Prairie read, the more she realized how much Levi—and the people around her—had already been entangled in a web spun long before they even knew it.
Selene's involvement in the Council wasn't a coincidence. It was no accident that the witch-hunters were after Levi. They knew exactly who she was.
Prairie closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the weight of the knowledge settle in her chest. This wasn't just about Levi anymore. This was a war that had been brewing for decades. And it was coming to a head.
Her fingers trembled as she turned the last page of the file. The final entry was a cryptic message, dated just a week ago:
"The Crimson Witch's return will break the seal. Selene must not allow it. The hour of reckoning approaches."
Prairie stared at the words, her mind spinning. It was all connected—the Council, Selene, Levi, the prophecy—and it was all heading toward something inevitable. The only question now was whether they could stop it before it was too late.
A sudden noise from behind made Prairie jump. She quickly shoved the files back into their folder and slammed it shut. Her heart was racing, and her mind screamed at her to run. But before she could move, a shadow fell across the doorframe, and Prairie froze.
"Looking for something, Prairie?"
The voice was smooth, dangerous—Selene.
Scout leaned against the brick wall of an alley, his sharp eyes scanning the streets for any signs of unusual activity. It was late, the city streets were nearly empty, and the cool night air hung heavy with the scent of rain. But even the damp air couldn't mask the strange surge of magic in the air. It was subtle, like a whisper in the wind, but Scout's senses were finely tuned. Something was off, and it was leading him straight to Levi.
He'd been tracking her movements for the past few days, keeping a low profile. There was no question about it: Levi Rose was special. Too special. The raw magic she'd unleashed had sent ripples through the city's magical community. Every spell she cast left a trace, and Scout knew better than to ignore the signs.
As he rounded the corner near the university campus, he paused, catching sight of something—or rather, someone—standing at the edge of the street. The figure was cloaked in dark, flowing fabric, the hood pulled low to obscure their features. They stood motionless, watching Levi from across the street. The dim streetlights barely illuminated the figure, but Scout could feel the dark pulse of magic emanating from them. It wasn't just a passerby or an innocent bystander. This person was there for a reason.
He slid into the shadows, his movements smooth and deliberate. With a vampire's predatory grace, he closed the distance without making a sound. The cloaked figure didn't react, remaining completely still, focused on Levi who was standing just outside a coffee shop, completely unaware of the watcher. Scout's instincts kicked in. Whoever this person was, they were dangerous. And they were connected to Levi's growing power.
"Who the hell are you?" Scout muttered under his breath as he edged closer.
The figure shifted, and for the briefest moment, their head turned slightly to acknowledge him. Scout's heart stilled for a split second. The stranger's eyes glinted beneath the hood—piercing, silver eyes that glowed faintly in the darkness, reflecting the same otherworldly energy that Scout had sensed earlier. There was no mistaking it now. This person wasn't human.
Before he could make another move, the cloaked figure spoke, their voice low and smooth, as if it were a mere echo of the night.
"You should stay out of this," they said, their words deliberate. "She's not ready."
Scout froze, his fangs itching to extend, his senses screaming at him to react. But there was something in the way the stranger spoke—calm, measured, like they knew exactly what Scout was capable of and were not afraid. He narrowed his eyes, his grip tightening on the hilt of the dagger hidden beneath his jacket.
"Who are you?" he demanded again, his voice colder this time. "And why are you watching her?"
The figure didn't flinch. They stepped back slowly, their movements fluid and eerie. For a moment, Scout thought they might disappear into the shadows entirely, but instead, they lifted their hand and reached for the hem of their cloak. A soft whisper of magic crackled through the air, and the cloak seemed to shimmer for a moment before vanishing entirely—revealing the person beneath.
They were tall, with pale skin and a lithe, almost ethereal build. Their hair, silver-white and long, flowed down their back like threads of moonlight. But it was their eyes that captivated Scout the most—shifting from silver to an unnatural shade of violet in the darkness, as if they could see straight through him. They were a creature of magic, but of a kind he couldn't quite place.
"Xio," the figure said, their voice still calm but tinged with something dangerous. "I am here to watch. You will learn soon enough that she is not the only one who holds power."
Scout's instincts screamed at him to move—attack, take control. But something about Xio's presence stilled him. They weren't an enemy to underestimate. Whoever they were, they had been watching Levi for a long time, and now they were waiting for her to awaken completely.
"Don't interfere," Xio added softly, as if reading Scout's thoughts. "The game is in motion, and you are only a pawn."
With that, Xio turned and began to walk away, fading into the night as silently as they had appeared. Scout stood frozen for a moment, his mind racing. What had just happened? Who was this Xio, and what was their connection to Levi? Was this person a friend? Or an enemy?
But one thing was certain—Xio wasn't the only force watching Levi now. The pieces were moving, and they were far more dangerous than anything Scout had imagined.