NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12: Chapter 11: Shadows of Salvation
The green light of the Killing Curse surged toward Arthur, a wave of finality in its glow. Time seemed to slow, the sound of his heartbeat pounding in his ears. Just as he braced himself for impact, a surge of black and violet magic erupted from the shadows, colliding with the curse mid-air.
The clash of spells sent a shockwave rippling through the forest, shaking the ground and scattering leaves like a sudden storm. Arthur staggered back, his vision clearing just in time to see tendrils of darkness wrapping around the green light, swallowing it whole.
A voice, cold yet confident, broke the tense silence.
"Looks like you owe me one, Pendragon."
Arthur turned, his heart still racing, to see Magnus Grindelwald-Riddle stepping into the clearing. His five-leaf clover grimoire hovered beside him, its pages flipping with an eerie rhythm. Tendrils of shadowy magic seeped from its surface, dancing in the air around him. In his hand, Magnus gripped an ornate staff, its tip glowing faintly with residual magic.
"Magnus?" Arthur breathed, caught between relief and disbelief. "What are you doing here?"
Magnus smirked, his crimson eyes gleaming in the dim light. "Saving your reckless hide, obviously. Wandering into the Forbidden Forest at night? Truly inspired."
The Cloaked Figure
The dark-robed figure who had cast the Killing Curse stood motionless for a moment, their head tilting slightly as they regarded Magnus. The aura around them grew heavier, oppressive.
"You dare to interfere, Grindelwald?" the figure hissed, their voice dripping with venom.
Magnus's smirk deepened. "Interfere? No, no. I'm simply cleaning up a mess. You see, this one—" he motioned toward Arthur with his staff "—happens to be quite important to my plans. And I don't take kindly to interruptions."
The figure raised their wand again, but Magnus's shadows flared, coiling around him protectively. "You think you can best me, boy?"
Magnus chuckled darkly, the sound sending chills down Arthur's spine. "Best you? No. But I can keep you busy long enough for Pendragon here to recover his wits."
Arthur's Rising Resolve
Arthur's mind was racing, trying to process the sudden shift in the battle. He glanced at Daphne, now safely cradled in the roots of a nearby tree, seemingly untouched by the chaos. Magnus had bought him precious moments, but the sheer power of the dark figure was overwhelming.
The shadows Magnus wielded were unlike anything Arthur had ever seen. They moved with purpose, forming shields and striking out like serpents, clashing with the figure's curses in bursts of light and darkness.
"Don't just stand there gawking!" Magnus shouted, his voice strained as he parried another curse. "Get your magic under control and help me, or neither of us is getting out of here alive!"
Arthur clenched his fists, summoning his Blackthorn wandless magic. He had always relied on raw power, but now he needed precision, focus. Drawing on the still-foreign connection to his grimoire, he visualized the swirling winds and protective barriers he'd practiced in secret.
With a deep breath, he raised his hands, and a powerful gust surged forward, forcing the figure to step back.
Magnus shot him a quick grin. "About time."
A Battle of Wits and Magic
The forest became a battleground, filled with bursts of magic and the sounds of spells colliding. Magnus's shadows worked in tandem with Arthur's wind, creating a deadly combination that kept the cloaked figure on the defensive.
"Who are you?" Arthur shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.
The figure laughed—a chilling, hollow sound. "Someone who knows your destiny, Arthur Pendragon. And I intend to ensure you never fulfil it."
Arthur's eyes narrowed, his resolve hardening. "You'll have to try harder than this."
The Figure Retreats
After a particularly powerful attack—a fusion of Arthur's wind and Magnus's shadows—the figure was forced to retreat, their robe singed and their curses faltering.
"This isn't over," they spat, their form dissolving into the shadows of the forest. "Enjoy your reprieve while it lasts."
As the forest fell silent, Arthur collapsed to his knees, the adrenaline draining from his body. Daphne's unconscious form remained untouched, and he crawled over to check her pulse.
"She'll be fine," Magnus said, his voice softer now. His grimoire floated back into his hands, its dark magic retreating into its pages.
Arthur looked up at him. "Why did you help me?"
Magnus shrugged. "Because I could. And because I have my reasons. Let's just say keeping you alive benefits me as much as it does you."
Arthur's gaze hardened. "You knew about this, didn't you? About them coming after me."
Magnus met his eyes, his expression unreadable. "I know more than you think, Pendragon. And so do they. You'd best be ready for what's coming."
Cliffhanger
Magnus turned to leave, his grimoire glowing faintly as it settled by his side. "Get her to safety. And next time, try not to be so predictable."
Arthur watched him disappear into the shadows, the weight of his words settling heavily on his shoulders. The encounter had raised more questions than answers, and the figure's ominous warning echoed in his mind.
Who were they, and why were they after him?
As he gathered Daphne into his arms, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far more dangerous than he'd ever imagined.