Warlock Ch 24. Destructive
He walked down the street with Evelyn beside him. They made their way back toward the alley, the one they had used earlier to enter the Magic City. But as they approached, Damian slowed down, his brow furrowing. There were people in the alley—two guys smoking, chatting casually.
Evelyn sighed softly, her eyes scanning the scene. "We'll have to find another empty place," she said quietly, her voice laced with mild frustration.
Damian glanced at her. "Is this why people with magic prefer doing this stuff at night?"
She gave him a small, amused smile. "Exactly. It's easier to slip in and out without anyone noticing when there are fewer eyes on you. Most people with magic avoid moving between worlds during the day unless absolutely necessary."
"Great," Damian muttered under his breath, his gaze shifting to the crowded street around them.
They walked again, searching for a quieter place to cross back into the Magic City. A few seconds later, Damian's eyes caught something up ahead. His heart skipped a beat. It was the building from last night—or rather, what was left of it. The place was now a pile of rubble, debris scattered across the ground, police tape crisscrossing the area to keep people out.
Damian stopped dead in his tracks, his stomach twisting. "That's..."
Evelyn followed his gaze, her expression grim. "The place from last night," she said softly, finishing his thought.
It didn't even look like the same building. It was completely destroyed. The damage had done more damage than Damian had realized. He stared at the ruins, his mind racing as he tried to process it.
"I never thought it would be this bad," he admitted, his voice quieter now. "It was a crazy fight, but... I don't know. Seeing it like this makes it real. People could've been inside. If that was my bar..."
Evelyn nodded, her eyes never leaving the wreckage. "Magic can be destructive, Damian. Especially when it's uncontrolled or used in a way that tears through reality. This is the kind of danger you're stepping into. And you know the bad news is? That's not even his full power."
Damian swallowed hard. He didn't want to leave his old life behind. He didn't want to give up the simple, predictable world he'd known. But seeing the destruction in front of him made it clear… he didn't have a choice. If he stayed in the normal world, if he tried to hold on to what was, he'd be putting people—innocent people—at risk.
"I get it," he said softly, his gaze lingering on the ruins. "Ya know… I may be an orphan, but I have a good life. I have good friends, a nice boss, a fun job, and a roof over my head. I even don't have debt. It was a good life. I don't want to leave everything behind, but I know I have to. "
Evelyn turned to him, her expression softening. "You're not losing everything, Damian. You're gaining something, too. You just can't see it yet."
He didn't reply, just nodded. The truth was, he wasn't sure if he believed her. The losses felt more immediate, more real, than whatever gains might come in the future. But he knew he had to move forward.
They walked a little further, managing to find a quiet alley away from prying eyes. This one was empty, just a narrow space between two tall buildings, perfect for slipping out unnoticed. Evelyn stepped forward, muttering a few words under her breath, her hand glowing faintly with magic. A shimmer spread through the air, and Damian felt the familiar pull as the world shifted around them.
One moment they were standing in the alley, the next they were back in the Magic City. The streets were quieter here, more subdued than the chaotic morning bustle of Haven City. Damian let out a breath, the transition always feeling a bit disorienting, like stepping from one dimension into another.
"We're back," Evelyn said simply.
"Yeah," Damian muttered. He followed her back to the house, his mind still lingering on the wreckage they'd seen earlier.
When they got back to the house, Damian dropped his duffel bag on the bed and made a beeline for the bathroom.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"I'm going to shower first. I smell like a dumpster," he announced. He needed a moment to breathe, to clear his head. Everything was happening so fast, and it felt like his life was spiraling out of control.
He stepped into the bathroom and turned on the water, letting it run for a moment before stripping off his clothes and stepping into the shower. The hot water hit his skin, and for a brief second, it felt like he could wash away everything. But even as he stood there, eyes closed, the thoughts kept coming.
After a few minutes, Damian stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist. His phone was sitting on the sink, and out of habit, he reached for it. But when he checked, there was no signal. Not even a single bar.
He stared at the blank screen for a moment, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I really did get cut off, didn't I?" he muttered to himself.
He tossed the phone aside, running a hand through his damp hair. This was it. With a deep breath, Damian stepped out of the bathroom, the steam swirling around him. He dressed quickly, opting for something casual—a plain T-shirt and sweatpants. Evelyn had mentioned training, and while he didn't know if it was going to be physical or not, he figured it was better to be prepared. If this warlock, Cassius Thorn, turned out to be the kind of guy who made him sprint laps or do drills, Damian didn't want to be caught off guard.
Once he finished getting ready, he heard a soft knock on the door. Evelyn stepped in, holding a small wooden box in her hands. It was plain, almost rustic-looking, with no visible hinges or locks. She held it out toward him.