The night was still, with a cool breeze whispering through the empty streets. Almost everyone had gone to bed, leaving only the security guards patrolling under dim streetlights. These guards were especially vigilant along the borders, the invisible line that separated ordinary humans from the magical clans lurking beyond. No one expected trouble; after all, the Diviner's powerful barrier had stood strong for years, safeguarding them from any threat.
Yet, on this night, Lucius, the feared leader of the Magic Clan, appeared at the outskirts of the barrier. His dark, flowing robe blended into the night, and his long brown hair framed a face filled with grim determination. Unable to teleport inside due to the barrier's enchantment, he muttered strange incantations under his breath, raising his wand towards the shimmering wall.
A sharp crack echoed through the air as a beam of white light shot from Lucius's wand, striking the barrier. At first, it resisted, shimmering defiantly, but then the protective magic began to fracture like delicate glass.
High above, in a watchtower overlooking the border, John was keeping watch. He sat up with a jolt, alerted by the sudden crackling sound. Snatching his binoculars, he scanned the dark horizon.
"What the hell...?" he muttered, his eyes widening as he spotted the source of the disturbance. Grabbing his walkie-talkie, he barked into it, "This is John speaking , we are under attack, I repeat we are under attack at the border!"
With the alarm raised, law enforcement officers stationed across the town moved swiftly into position. But it was too late. Within seconds, the barrier shattered, sending a pulse of magic rippling through the air. Lucius stepped into human territory, his eyes gleaming with a singular purpose: to eliminate the next Diviner.
John's heart pounded as he continued to observe through his binoculars. The robed figure moved with an eerie calm, deflecting a hail of bullets with effortless swipes of his wand. Then, Lucius turned, his gaze locking directly onto John's position. Recognition dawned, and John's stomach sank.
"Lucius," John whispered, dread curling in his gut. He didn't need to guess why the Magic Clan leader was here he was after John's son.
John bolted down the watchtower steps, adrenaline pumping through his veins. Memories of a similar night years ago flashed before his eyes, when he had fled his old life, leaving behind the world of magic to protect his family. Now, history was repeating itself, he was determined to save his son.
****
John burst through the front door of his small home, his chest heaving. His wife, Lucy, rushed to meet him, her eyes wide with fear.
"Thank God you're safe," she breathed, relief momentarily softening her features. "I heard about the attack."
"Lucius," John gasped, catching his breath. "He's here for the baby. For our son."
Lucy's face went pale. "This is bad," she whispered, biting her lower lip. "What do we do?"
John's mind raced. He knew they couldn't simply run. Lucius was relentless, and the magical bond to the next Diviner was something no ordinary car could outrun.
"We can't escape," John said, pacing. "He'll track the baby no matter where we go. There's only one way to protect him."
Lucy's eyes filled with confusion. "What do you mean?"
John took a deep breath, steeling himself. "I'll have to shapeshift into our son," he said, his voice steady but laced with sadness.
Lucy's eyes widened in shock. "What? No! We can just drive away, hide somewhere"
"It won't work, Lucy!" John cut her off. "He'll sense the baby's power. But if I take his place, I can buy you time to escape."
Tears welled up in Lucy's eyes. "John, you can't... I can't lose you."
John stepped closer, cupping her face with his hands. "This is the only way," he said softly. "I should have died years ago, but you gave me a reason to live. Now, I need you to protect him. Promise me."
Lucy nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Okay," she whispered, her voice breaking. "If this is what you want..."
John nodded, swallowing hard. Then, with a deep exhale, he closed his eyes and concentrated. A soft glow enveloped him, his form shifting and shrinking until a small, crying baby lay in his place. Lucy's hands trembled as she picked up their real son and hurriedly hid him in the bedroom.
She placed John, now in the form of their infant, in the living room crib. Leaning over, she kissed his forehead gently, her tears falling on his tiny face.
****
The front door exploded inward with a burst of magic. Lucius stepped through the shattered doorway, a cruel smile curling his lips. "I can sense the Diviner's power here," he said, his voice smooth and mocking.
Lucy fell to her knees, blocking his path. "Please, spare him!" she pleaded, her voice breaking. "He's just a child he doesn't have to become the next Diviner."
Lucius looked down at her, cold amusement in his eyes. "Do you think I'd let a mere human child grow into a power that could rival mine? No. This ends now."
He raised his wand, aiming it directly at the baby in the crib. "Mortis," he whispered, his voice filled with malice.
A beam of dark light shot from the wand, striking the baby. John, in his infant form, screamed in agony, his cries piercing the air. Lucy covered her mouth to stifle her sobs, unable to bear the sight.
As the spell finished, the baby's cries abruptly ceased. The room fell silent, except for Lucy's quiet weeping. A powerful shockwave rippled out, causing lights to flicker and die as the entire town was plunged into darkness.
Lucius smiled in satisfaction. "It's done," he muttered, turning on his heel. With a final glance at Lucy, he disappeared into the night, teleporting away in a flash of green light.
Lucy collapsed to the ground, cradling the lifeless form of her husband. The weight of her grief crushed her, but somewhere deep inside, she clung to the hope that this sacrifice had not been in vain. Now, she had to protect their real son because the prophecy wasn't over yet.