noveldrama
Chapter 103: Found You…
Chapter 103: Found You…
Warlock Ch 103. Found You…
Excitement buzzed through him, washing away the exhaustion or annoyance. He carefully packed the books into the enchanted bag, the magic making it lighter than it had any right to be. He swung it over his shoulder, his grin widening as he thought about the treasure trove of knowledge waiting for him at home.
"Thanks," Damian said, shooting Cassius a genuine smile as he turned to leave. He didn't expect a reply, and Cassius didn't offer one, just a silent nod and his usual unreadable expression.
The evening sky was darker than it had been yesterday, the horizon painted in deep purples and blues as stars began to dot the sky. The streets were still bustling, though. People moved in every direction, some chattering animatedly, others rushing past with focused determination.
Damian walked quickly, weaving through the crowd as he kept his head on a swivel. His thoughts kept drifting to the silver-haired girl and the vampire woman he'd encountered. He really didn't want a repeat of that encounter tonight.
Every few steps, he glanced over his shoulder, scanning the faces around him. Just people—ordinary people rushing home or heading to wherever it was they went this time of day. Still, he couldn't shake the unease that prickled at the back of his neck, like someone was watching him.
'Relax,' he told himself. 'You're just being paranoid.'
But his pace quickened anyway, his boots clicking against the cobblestone streets as he turned down a quieter road. The crowd thinned out here, the noise of the city fading into a soft murmur. He was only a block from home, and the thought of diving into Kaelan Voidweaver's books made him push forward.
Then, he heard it.
"Found you…"
The voice was low, smooth, and male. It wasn't loud, but it cut through the quiet like a blade. Damian froze, his blood running cold as goosebumps raced over his skin. His grip tightened on the strap of his bag as he scanned the empty street around him.
"Who's there?" he called, trying to keep his voice steady. It came out firmer than he expected, though his heart was pounding in his chest.
Silence.
He turned in a slow circle, his eyes darting to every shadow, every corner, every window. The street was empty, eerily so, the kind of quiet that felt wrong. He tightened his grip on the strap of his bag, his senses on high alert.
Then it happened.
A shadow darted out from the wall to his left, moving so fast that Damian barely registered it. Before he could react, it grabbed him. Strong, cold hands wrapped around his body, pulling him with unnatural force. He saw no face, no form—just a mass of writhing darkness.
The bag slipped from his shoulder, hitting the cobblestones with a dull thud. He tried to scream, but the shadow clamped a hand over his mouth, silencing him. Panic surged in his chest as he struggled against its grip, but it was no use. The thing was too strong.
Worse still, the street was completely deserted. No one was around to see what was happening to him.
'[Arcane Bolt!]' he thought desperately, summoning his magic without hesitation. Energy surged through him, crackling in his palm as he fired the bolt point-blank at the shadow. For a split second, he thought he had a chance—until the notification appeared.
[Umbra Devourer used Mana Leech to nullify your attack!]
His eyes widened in shock as the bolt dissipated into nothing, absorbed by the shadow, like water into sand. The thing pulled him closer, dragging him toward the darkness inside the wall, its grip unrelenting.
'Oh no…' he thought, his heart pounding in his chest. The edges of his vision seemed to dim as a strange, heavy feeling settled over him, like the shadow was seeping into his very being.
'Spectral Surge!' he used his skill again, but the grip was too tight. He thrashed in its grip, his mind racing. In desperation, he reached out for his servants. 'Raven…'
The moment he thought of it, Bloodwing Raven materialized above him with a sharp caw, its wings cutting through the air. The bird was about to dive toward the shadow, claws extended, ready to strike.
'Go!' Damian managed to grunt, motioning toward Cassius's house. He knew this shadow creature was out of his league, but Cassius might stand a chance. 'He has to know what's happening,' Damian thought, his hope pinned on his mentor's intervention.
The raven hesitated for a fraction of a second before banking sharply and flying off toward Cassius's place. Damian's heart twisted as he watched it go. The world around him grew darker as the shadow tightened its hold, dragging him deeper into its suffocating grip.
"Trying to ask for help, huh?" the male voice came again, smooth and mocking, right next to his ear. It sent chills down his spine. "Do you think that will save you?"
Damian gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay calm. 'Stay awake. Stay conscious. Cassius said my summons disappear if I pass out… I can't let that happen.'
But the shadow wasn't done with him. He felt a sharp, prickling sensation at the back of his neck, like a needle breaking skin. A new notification appeared before his eyes.
[Warning! Umbra Devourer is using Sleeping Injection on you!]
Sleepiness hit him, crashing over his body with terrifying intensity. His limbs felt heavy, his thoughts sluggish, and his vision blurred at the edges.
'No…' Damian thought, fighting against the pull of unconsciousness. 'Please, wake up…'
The male voice chuckled, its tone dripping with malice. "Give in, little warlock. You can't fight it."
Damian tried to resist, tried to summon the last reserves of his willpower, but his eyelids grew heavier. His body betrayed him, his muscles slackening as the darkness closed in around him.
The last thing he saw was the faint glow of Bloodwing Raven's distant form, disappearing into the night as it sped toward Cassius's house. Then, the world went black.