NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13: Chapter 13: The Gathering Storm
Levi had always been careful.
Careful to keep his abilities hidden.Careful to avoid getting too close to the others.Careful to make sure that no one knew what he was truly capable of.
But after what happened at the warehouse, after coming face-to-face with an evolved fragment of the Mind Flayer's influence, he realized something.
Being careful wouldn't be enough.
Not anymore.
Nightfall in Hawkins
A chill ran through Hawkins that night, the kind that made the streetlights flicker and the air feel wrong.
Levi stood at the edge of the woods, gazing into the darkness. His fingers twitched at his side, itching to summon his wand, to call forth his power and see what lurked beyond.
He had been tracking it all day.
The residual energy from the warehouse had spread, like ripples in a pond. Whatever the Mind Flayer was doing, it was no longer just waiting—it was testing the boundaries, pushing into their world more aggressively.
A crackle of static filled the air.
Levi turned sharply, eyes narrowing. The air behind him shimmered for a split second, like the space itself had bent—
Then a shape lunged at him.
Levi reacted instantly.
"Protego!"
A barrier of translucent energy flared to life around him, stopping the creature's claws inches from his throat.
It was another one—different from the thing he had destroyed at the warehouse. This one was thinner, more skeletal, its limbs elongated and twitching unnaturally, as though it wasn't meant to exist in this dimension.
And it was fast.
It circled the barrier, clawing at the edges, looking for a weakness. Levi didn't give it time.
With a flick of his wand, he dropped the shield and struck.
"Confringo!"
A fiery explosion erupted from his wand, slamming into the creature's side. It screeched as it was blasted back, crashing through the underbrush.
Levi didn't let up.
He sprinted forward, flipping the wand in his hand.
"Expulso!"
Another concussive blast sent the creature tumbling deeper into the woods, but as the dust settled, Levi felt something was wrong.
The creature wasn't alone.
It had been bait.
A deep rumble filled the night air.
Levi's eyes widened as the trees behind him shook, something massive stirring within the darkness. He turned just in time to see a hulking silhouette emerge—twice the size of the Demogorgons, its flesh a swirling mass of shadow and decay.
For the first time in a long time, Levi felt something close to fear.
"Shit."
The Rescue
Before Levi could act, bright headlights cut through the woods, followed by the roar of an engine.
Steve Harrington's car skidded to a stop on the dirt path.
"Levi! Move!" Dustin's voice yelled.
Levi didn't argue. He bolted toward the car, leaping into the backseat just as Steve slammed on the gas. The tires kicked up dirt as they sped away, the monstrous figure giving chase, its distorted limbs stretching unnaturally, closing the distance too fast.
"Dustin, what the hell is that?!" Steve yelled, gripping the wheel.
"No clue, but it's pissed!"
Levi pressed his hands against the back window, calculating.
They weren't going to outrun it.
Time to end this.
He grabbed something from his pocket—a small, smooth stone engraved with ancient runes. He had been saving it for something big.
He whispered a single word.
"Fulminis."
The rune glowed—and the sky answered.
A lightning bolt tore through the clouds, striking the road right behind them. The shockwave sent the creature flying, its twisted body convulsing in the electrical surge before it finally went still.
Silence.
Only the sound of Steve's labored breathing and the hum of the engine filled the car as they sped back toward town.
Levi sat back, exhaling.
"Okay," Steve said after a long moment. "What. The. Hell?"
Dustin was staring at Levi, wide-eyed.
"Dude…you're a wizard."
Levi sighed.
So much for staying careful.