Each flicker cast dancing shadows over the faces of my allies. My chest tightened as I gripped the silver dagger in my hand. This was it—the moment everything would either fall apart or somehow hold together.
Alaric stood beside me, his shoulders tense. He adjusted the grip on his sword, its edge catching the faint moonlight. "We've come too far to back down now," he said, his voice low but firm.
I nodded, though I wasn't sure if it was to him or to reassure myself. My gaze flickered to Thalia, who stood a few steps away. Her lips moved silently, whispering a spell under her breath. A faint shimmer surrounded her, a shield of magic ready to deflect whatever was coming.
Across the field, Magnus stood at the center of his forces. He looked completely at ease, as if this was all beneath him. His dark robes billowed around him, even though there was no wind. Next to him loomed Lucien, his towering figure casting a shadow even in the dim light. Behind them, their army waited, a chaotic mix of snarling wolves, hissing witches, and dark shapes I didn't even want to name.
Magnus raised a hand, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "Ronan Blackwood," he called, his tone mocking, "you've brought your little band of misfits to face me? Brave—or foolish."
"Maybe both," I shouted back, forcing my voice to stay steady. "But we're here to end this."
His laughter echoed across the clearing, cold and sharp. "End this? You barely understand what you've walked into. Elias is already mine, and soon, the rest of your pathetic world will be too."
My grip on the dagger tightened. The mention of Elias stung more than it should have, but I couldn't let Magnus see that. "You underestimate us," I said, stepping forward.
Magnus's smirk didn't waver. "Let's test that, shall we?"
With a flick of his wrist, a surge of dark energy erupted from his palm, rushing toward us like a tidal wave.
"Scatter!" Alaric shouted, diving to the side.
I threw myself to the ground as the blast passed overhead, scorching the air. When I looked up, chaos had erupted around me. Magnus's forces surged forward, a mass of teeth, claws, and glowing eyes. Alaric was already in the thick of it, his sword flashing as he parried an attack from a snarling wolf.
Thalia raised her hands, a barrier of light flaring up to shield a group of our allies from incoming spells. "I can't hold this forever!" she shouted, her voice strained.
"I'm on it!" I yelled back, pushing myself to my feet.
A rogue wolf lunged at me, its claws reaching for my throat. I ducked just in time, slashing upward with my dagger. The wolf yelped as the blade connected, collapsing to the ground. I didn't stop to see if it would get back up.
Ahead of me, Magnus stood untouched, watching the battle unfold with a cold detachment. His eyes glowed faintly, a sign of the dark power he was channeling. I knew I had to get to him, but Lucien blocked the way, cutting down anyone who got too close.
Alaric saw me moving and carved a path through the chaos to join me. "You're not going alone," he said, panting but determined.
I nodded, grateful for his presence. Together, we pushed forward, dodging spells and cutting through Magnus's forces. My heart pounded as we closed the distance, every step feeling like a victory.
Lucien turned to face us, his lips curling into a cruel smile. "You two think you can take me?"
"Not think," Alaric said, lunging forward.
Their blades clashed with a deafening ring, sparks flying as they exchanged blows. I tried to find an opening, but Lucien was fast—too fast. He parried Alaric's strikes with ease, his movements almost lazy.
"Go!" Alaric shouted, blocking a heavy swing from Lucien. "I'll hold him off!"
I hesitated for a moment, torn between staying and moving forward. Then I saw Magnus raise his hands, the air around him darkening. I couldn't waste time.
"Be careful!" I shouted to Alaric before darting around Lucien.
Magnus noticed me then, his glowing eyes narrowing. "Ronan," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "You're persistent. I'll give you that. But persistence won't save you."
"Maybe not," I said, gripping my dagger tighter. "But it might stop you."
He laughed, a sound that made my skin crawl. "You're welcome to try."
With a wave of his hand, he sent another blast of energy toward me. I dove to the side, the force of the attack ripping through the ground where I'd been standing.
Thalia appeared beside me, her magic deflecting a second strike. "We have to work together," she said, her voice urgent.
I nodded, and together we advanced on Magnus. Thalia's spells kept him off balance, forcing him to focus on her while I closed the gap.
When I was close enough, I lunged, aiming for his chest. Magnus twisted away at the last second, but my blade grazed his arm, drawing blood. His expression darkened, his smirk replaced by a snarl.
"You'll regret that," he hissed, his hands glowing with power.
Before he could attack, Alaric joined us, his sword slicing through the air. Magnus blocked the strike with a shield of energy, but the effort left him vulnerable.
"Now!" Thalia shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.
With all my strength, I drove my dagger into Magnus's chest. His eyes widened, the glow fading as his power unraveled. He staggered back, clutching at the blade.
"This… isn't over," he rasped, his voice weak.
"Yes, it is," I said, pulling the dagger free.
Magnus collapsed, his body hitting the ground with a final thud. Around us, his forces began to retreat, their courage crumbling without him to lead them.
The battlefield grew still, the air heavy with the weight of what we'd just done. I looked at Alaric, then at Thalia, both of them battered but alive.
"We did it," Alaric said, his voice filled with relief.
I nodded, but my heart felt heavy. This wasn't the end—not really. Magnus was gone, but the prophecy was still unfolding. And Elias was still out there, caught in the middle of it all.
There was no time to celebrate. The real fight was just beginning.