Evangeline's hands moved with precision, the glow intensifying as she focused on the puncture wound near Liam’s heart. Her face was set in grim determination, sweat beading on her forehead from the effort of combating the dark magic. "This spell... it's ancient," she murmured. "Whoever did this knew exactly how to inflict the maximum amount of damage."
Liam groaned, his breath coming in shallow gasps as Evangeline's magic worked to stabilize him. Despite her efforts, it was clear he was still teetering on the brink of death. Evangeline's eyes flicked up to meet Arin's, a silent message of urgency passing between them.
“We’re not out of the woods yet,” Evangeline said, her voice thick with worry. “This curse, called the Twilight Hex, is driven by an effigy. It’s slowly leeching away Liam’s life force. If we don’t destroy the effigy by sunrise, he will die and rise as a shade that would most likely kill us.”
Arin’s heart clenched with a mix of fear and determination. She knelt beside Liam, her voice trembling with urgency. “Where is it? Where’s the source?”
Liam groaned, pain etched into every line of his face. He struggled to speak, each word a battle. “The Berkshire Bank on Broadway” he managed to whisper. “I tried to break in... It’s a front for one of the Council’s operations. They keep a ledger there...should have names”
Arin’s mind raced, piecing together the fragments of information. She turned to Evangeline, who nodded, her expression grim.
“If there’s an effigy, it’s likely there,” Evangeline said, her voice resolute. “Wherever he was cursed, that's where the effigy would be. The bank is heavily guarded, but it’s our best shot.”
Liam groaned, forcing his eyes open, a flicker of desperation mingling with the pain. “They’ve got wards... and guards. Magical and otherwise,” he croaked. “You’ll need to be prepared for anything.”
Noah stepped forward, his features set in determination. “Then we raid the bank. We find the effigy, break the curse, and get those documents.”
Evangeline nodded, her jaw set in determination. “We’ll need to be quick and precise. The Council will have anticipated this move.”
They gathered around the table, their faces tense with concentration. Noah disappeared into the dusty depths of the bookstore, muttering under his breath. “I know I’ve got something useful here somewhere,” he grumbled, brushing cobwebs aside and digging through old boxes filled with forgotten tomes and ancient artifacts.
Minutes stretched into what felt like hours as he rummaged, the sound of his frustrated huffs and the occasional thud of heavy books hitting the floor echoing through the room. Finally, a triumphant cry pierced the silence. “Found it!”
He emerged, a worn, yellowed map clutched in his hands. Dust motes danced in the air as he hurried back to the table, spreading the fragile parchment out with care. “I got it off a warerat trader a couple of months ago, I had no idea I would actually need it” he admitted, his hazel eyes flickering with a mixture of surprise and satisfaction.
The map was a detailed layout of the city’s old sewer systems, a labyrinth of tunnels and passages long forgotten by most. Noah traced a route with his finger, highlighting a path that led directly beneath the Ridgewood Savings Bank. “We can use these tunnels to get close without being seen,” he suggested, his tone now filled with a renewed sense of purpose.
Evangeline stepped forward, her expression focused and intense. She began to cast a scrying spell, her hands moving in intricate patterns over the map. Soft, glowing runes appeared, illuminating the ancient parchment. As the spell took effect, the map shimmered, and the blueprints of the bank began to overlay the sewer layout.
“There,” she pointed, her voice steady. “These are the main entrances and exits. But look,” she traced her finger over several dark spots scattered throughout the blueprints. “These areas are heavily warded. Dark magic, likely to prevent any magical or physical intrusion.”
Arin leaned in closer, her eyes narrowing as she studied the map. “So, we avoid those spots?”
“Exactly,” Evangeline confirmed. “The wards are strong, but they also act as markers. We can navigate around them if we’re careful.”
Liam, still grimacing in pain but determined to contribute, interjected from his position on the couch. “The vault... it’s here,” he pointed weakly to a heavily warded section.
Noah nodded, jotting down notes on a piece of scrap paper. “We’ll need a diversion to draw some of the guards away. Evangeline, can you handle the wards?”
“I can,” she replied, her voice resolute. “But I’ll need time. You’ll have to keep the guards occupied while I work.”
Arin’s mind raced, piecing together the plan. “What about the human guards?”
“They change shifts every four hours,” Liam said, his breath hitching. “But the magical ones... they’re on constant watch. Expect enchantments and possibly golems.”
Noah glanced at the clock, calculating the time they had left. “We’ve got until sunrise. That’s less than six hours. We need to move now.”
****
The night was cloaked in silence as they arrived at The Berkshire Bank on Broadway. It stood like a fortress of opulence in the heart of the city, the stone pillars framing its imposing golden metal door glinting under the streetlights. American flags fluttered gently above, casting long shadows over the steps leading up to this temple of wealth. The clock read 2 a.m., and the streets were deserted, a stark contrast to the usual hustle and bustle of the city.
Arin, Noah, and Evangeline sat on a bench in the small park opposite the bank, their eyes scanning the surroundings. Despite the late hour, the bank wasn’t completely lifeless. Through the glass doors, shadows moved, evidence of increased security measures following Liam’s earlier breach. Guards patrolled the lobby, their silhouettes a reminder of the danger they faced.
The trio waited, observing the rhythms and patterns of the guards’ movements. The air was thick with tension, each minute stretching into an eternity. The city, usually a cacophony of noise and activity, was eerily quiet, save for the distant hum of traffic and the occasional rustle of leaves in the park.
Noah broke the silence, his voice low. “Everything seems as expected. Time to move.”
They rose from the bench, moving with purpose toward the 24-hour liquor and wine store nestled in the basement of the building next door. The neon sign buzzed faintly, casting a dull glow over the entrance. Inside, the store was dimly lit, shelves stocked with bottles of all shapes and sizes. A lone clerk stood behind the counter, his eyes glazed with boredom.
Evangeline stepped forward, her fingers subtly tracing a pattern in the air. The clerk’s expression changed instantly, his gaze becoming unfocused as the magic charm took hold. “Go take a break,” she said softly, her voice carrying an otherworldly echo.
The clerk nodded, his movements mechanical as he shuffled towards the back room, leaving the store deserted. Evangeline wasted no time, leading Arin and Noah to the far wall. The air was thick with the scent of aged wood and spirits, adding to the surreal atmosphere.
Noah pulled out a piece of chalk and began drawing a complex ritual diagram on the wall, his strokes precise and deliberate. Symbols of ancient magic intertwined, forming a gateway that would bypass the bank’s formidable defenses. As he worked, Evangeline kept a watchful eye on the entrance, her senses alert for any sign of disturbance.
Arin’s heart pounded in her chest, a mix of adrenaline and fear coursing through her veins. She glanced at the intricate symbols, feeling a twinge of awe at the sheer complexity of the magic involved. “How long will this take?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
“Not long,” Noah replied, his focus unwavering. “Just a few more strokes…”
With a final flourish, the diagram was complete. The symbols glowed faintly, the air shimmering with latent energy. Noah stepped back, wiping the sweat from his brow. “Ready.”
Evangeline placed her hands on the wall, chanting in a language Arin didn’t recognize. The diagram pulsed, the light intensifying until it became almost blinding. A moment later, the wall rippled and a portal began to form, its edges crackling with arcane energy.
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“Let’s go” Evangeline said, her tone resolute. “We don’t have much time.”
As they stepped through the portal, the sensation was akin to traversing a veil of frigid mist, sending shivers down their spines. Emerging on the other side, they found themselves within the lower levels of the bank, enclosed by towering opaque glass walls and doors that created a glass labyrinth. The air was laced with the sterile scent of polished marble and gleaming metal, assaulting their senses as they navigated the dimly lit corridors. Shadows danced ominously on the walls, their movements swift and silent as they pressed forward, the portal closing behind them leaving a faint sigil on the wall.
Arin’s senses were heightened, every sound amplified in the oppressive silence. The weight of the mission pressed down on her, but she steeled herself, knowing that Liam’s life depended on their success. With Evangeline’s guidance and Noah’s expertise, they advanced deeper into the heart of the bank, each step bringing them closer to the effigy and the documents that could turn the tide in their battle against the Council.
As they reached a heavily guarded door, Evangeline turned to Arin, her eyes fierce with determination. “This is it. Are you ready?”
Arin nodded, drawing a deep breath. “Let’s do this.”
As they stepped through the portal and into the dimly lit corridors of the bank’s lower levels, the sterile smell of polished marble and metal filled their nostrils. The walls were a stark contrast to the opulence above, a maze of utilitarian passages designed to be both secure and disorienting.
Evangeline took the lead, her hands glowing with a faint, ethereal light. “Stay close,” she whispered, her voice barely carrying over the sound of their footsteps. “This place is a labyrinth. We need to move quickly and quietly.”
Arin’s senses were sharper than ever, a residual gift from the ghouls she had defeated. She could hear the faintest rustle of fabric, the distant murmur of voices, and the hum of magical wards embedded in the walls. Her heightened awareness made every detail crystal clear, a double-edged sword that both helped and unnerved her.
“Two guards up ahead,” Arin whispered, her eyes narrowing as she strained to catch every sound. “One on the left, the other moving towards us.”
Noah nodded, his expression tense. “We’ll have to time it perfectly. Evangeline?”
Evangeline closed her eyes, muttering a series of incantations. The air around them shimmered, a subtle distortion that made them harder to see. “A concealment spell,” she explained softly. “It won’t last long, but it should get us past the guards.”
They moved as one, their steps synchronized and silent. As they approached the junction where the guards patrolled, Arin could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins, her heart pounding in her chest. The guard on the left passed by, oblivious to their presence, while the other turned and walked away, his footsteps fading into the distance.
Evangeline gestured for them to follow, and they slipped through the corridor like shadows. The deeper they went, the more intricate the defenses became. Magical wards glowed faintly on the walls, each one a potential trap.
“Hold up,” Evangeline said, raising a hand. She stepped forward, her fingers tracing the air in front of a glowing rune. “This ward is designed to trigger an alarm if crossed. Give me a moment.”
Arin watched in awe as Evangeline’s fingers moved with precision, her lips murmuring counter-spells. The rune flickered, then dimmed, its power neutralized. “It’s safe now. Let’s keep moving.”
They navigated the vault levels with methodical precision. Evangeline’s magic dismantled the wards, while Arin’s heightened senses alerted them to any approaching threats. Noah’s knowledge of the bank’s layout, enhanced by the scrying spell on the old map, guided them through the labyrinthine passages.
At one point, they encountered a group of guards stationed near a particularly secure area. Arin’s breath caught in her throat as she signaled their presence. Evangeline cast a sleep spell, and the guards slumped to the floor, unconscious.
“This is the main vault,” Noah whispered, pointing to a heavy, reinforced door ahead. “The effigy and the documents should be in there.”
Evangeline stepped forward, her hands glowing once more as she worked on the complex locking mechanism. “This is it,” she said, her voice tinged with urgency. “Once we’re inside, we need to move quickly. The concealment spell won’t hold forever, and those guards will wake up soon.”
Arin nodded, her resolve hardening. They had come too far to fail now. “We’re ready.”
With a final surge of magic, the vault door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit chamber beyond. Rows of safety deposit boxes lined the walls, and in the center, atop a pedestal, sat the effigy—an eerie, twisted figure that seemed to pulse with dark energy.
“There,” Evangeline said, her eyes locked on the effigy. “Destroying that will break the curse.”
Noah moved to a nearby table, rifling through documents. “We need to find any information on the Council while we’re here. This might be our only chance.”
Arin approached the effigy, her heart pounding. She could feel its malevolent presence, a tangible weight in the air. “How do we destroy it?”
“Use the pendant,” Evangeline instructed. “Its power should be enough to counteract the dark magic.”
Arin reached for the pendant, feeling its warmth against her skin. With a deep breath, she channeled her energy into it, directing the power towards the effigy. The air crackled with electricity as the pendant’s magic clashed with the effigy’s.
The effigy began to tremble, cracks spreading across its surface. With a final, thunderous crack, it shattered, releasing a burst of dark energy that dissipated into the air.
“It’s done,” Evangeline said, relief washing over her features. “The curse is broken.”
Noah emerged from the pile of documents, clutching a handful of papers. “I’ve got what we need. Let’s get out of here.”
But as they turned to leave, the alarm system activated, a shrill siren echoing through the corridors. The guards they had evaded earlier were waking, and their escape route was about to be cut off.
“We need to move, now!” Arin shouted, urgency propelling them forward.
They raced through the labyrinthine corridors, Evangeline’s spells and Arin’s heightened senses guiding their every step. As they neared the portal location, the echoing shouts of guards closed in, a cacophony of threats and determination. Suddenly, a group of magical golems emerged from a side passage, their stone bodies crackling with arcane energy.
"Stay back!" Evangeline shouted, her hands glowing with a fierce light. She launched a barrage of magical projectiles at the golems, each impact sending shards of enchanted stone flying.
Arin, her senses heightened, noticed the subtle shifts in the air and the faint hum of power. “More guards coming!” she warned, pivoting to face a new threat.
A contingent of guards armed with magical blades and staffs appeared at the end of the corridor, their weapons glowing with deadly enchantments. One guard swung a blade that hummed with dark energy, narrowly missing Arin as she dodged to the side.
Evangeline cast a quick shield spell to deflect a volley of magical bolts from the guards' staffs. “We need to get to the portal!” she yelled, her voice strained with the effort of maintaining the shield and attacking the golems.
Noah's voice rang out above the chaos. "I knew it was too easy!" he yelled, his words a mixture of frustration and determination as he parried blows with skillful precision.
Arin’s eyes darted around, assessing the situation. With a swift, fluid motion, she dispatched a guard with a well-placed strike, the pendant around her neck pulsing with absorbed power. She could feel the essence of the ghouls she had defeated earlier, lending her strength and speed.
Noah, gripping a dagger enchanted with runes, parried an incoming strike from a guard’s blade. “Evangeline, the portal!” he shouted, sweat dripping down his brow.
Evangeline nodded, releasing a wave of energy that sent the remaining golems crashing into the walls. She turned her focus to the portal, her hands moving in intricate patterns as she began to reopen it.
“Hold them off!” she commanded, her voice unwavering despite the chaos around them.
Arin and Noah moved to form a protective barrier around Evangeline. Arin’s heightened senses allowed her to anticipate the guards’ movements, deflecting their attacks with uncanny precision. Noah, though less skilled in combat, fought with fierce determination, his dagger flashing as he defended against the relentless assault. As Arin and Noah fought against the guards and golems, the pendant seemed hungrier than ever, its dark silver crescent pulsating with an ominous glow as it absorbed the essence of each fallen foe almost as soon as they hit the ground.
Finally, the portal flickered into view, its unstable energy crackling with power. Evangeline's hands moved with practiced speed as she worked to stabilize it, her expression tense with concentration.
"We're running out of time!" Noah shouted, his voice tinged with urgency as he deflected another blow from a guard's blade.
With a final surge of magic, Evangeline completed the spell, the portal shimmering with an eerie light. "Go!" she yelled, her voice urgent as she jumped through the opening.
“Go, go, go!” Noah urged, pushing Arin toward the portal first.
One by one, they leaped through the portal, the world blurring around them as they escaped the confines of the bank. As the last of them passed through, Evangeline cast a final spell, sealing the portal behind them and cutting off the guards’ pursuit.
Arin tumbled back into the wine store, breathless and shaken but triumphant. The lingering scent of aged wood and wine was a stark contrast to the adrenaline-fueled chaos they had just escaped. “We did it,” Arin said, a sense of relief washing over her.
As the portal snapped shut, severing Noah's left arm in a blinding flash of light, a gut-wrenching scream tore from his lips. The pain was overwhelming, crashing over him like a tidal wave, threatening to consume him whole. He clutched at the stump where his arm once was, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he fought to stay conscious.
Evangeline wasted no time, her training kicking in as she rushed to Noah's side. With steady hands and a determined expression, she began to administer triage, her movements swift and precise despite the chaos that surrounded them. Using what magical healing she could muster, she worked to staunch the bleeding and stabilize Noah's condition, her brow furrowed with concentration.
Evangeline nodded, her eyes shining with determination. “We’re not done yet, but this is a victory. Let’s get back to Liam.”
"We have to go," she said, her voice urgent but gentle as she finished her ministrations.
Noah nodded weakly, his vision swimming as he struggled to stay conscious. With Evangeline and Arin supporting him, he managed to stand, his steps unsteady but determined as they made their way back to the car, cloaked by Evangeline’s spell.