The shadow-creature slammed into Rudra, its claws tearing through the air as Roohi dove between them, blue energy crackling from her hands. The force of her telekinesis sent the corrupted flying into a far wall; splinters exploded from the point of impact. Gauri whimpered, curled on the floor, her skin pulsing with sickly veins.
Bunty grabbed a heavy wooden chair and swung it at the corrupted's head as it scrambled back up. The chair shattered, but the thing barely flinched, tiny shards catching in its matted fur. Its putrid breath hit Rudra like a slap—hot, rotten, and unnatural.
Roohi's hands glowed brighter. The corrupted hissed, its attention sliding to her, sensing a threat greater than muscle or courage. Roohi barked a word Rudra didn't recognize and the air shimmered—suddenly the thing was trapped in a ring of electric-blue fire. It shrieked, lashing out, but could not cross the flames.
Rudra dragged Gauri to her feet, slinging her arm over his shoulder. Her fever was raging, sweat pouring from her brow. "We have to get her out," he gasped, blinking back panic. "Roohi—how long will that hold?"
"Not long if there are more outside," she said grimly, sweat dripping down her temple. "Go! Bunty—help them."
Bunty nodded, guiding Rudra and Gauri toward the back door. In the darkness outside, the forest was alive with movement: flashes of shifting eyes, pale shapes darting between trees. The protective wards flickered as if struggling to hold against a rising tide.
They burst out, running pell-mell toward the path back to the Institute's perimeter. Bunty scanned the shadows, his body tensed for attack.
"Keep moving!" he hissed. "Gauri, stay with me—just a bit further."
Every step felt like a lifetime. Branches whipped their faces; roots threatened to trip them. The forest around them seethed—everywhere, the sound of claws and low growls.
Behind them, the cabin exploded in a bloom of blue-white light—Roohi's last stand. The shockwave rattled the trees. Bunty cursed softly under his breath but kept running, half-carrying Gauri.
A corrupted wolf leapt from the gloom, teeth bared, cutting off their path. Bunty roared, swinging the only weapon on hand—a broken branch. The corrupted knocked him aside effortlessly, pouncing on Rudra and Gauri.
Rudra held up his arms, desperate. "Don't touch her!" he screamed, expecting to die.
But something else took hold of him—a chill, clear awareness, like ice in his veins. The wolf lunged, claws reaching, but halted inches from his throat, as if caught by an invisible wall. The air shimmered around Rudra; blue veins of light ran across his skin, pulsing in time with his heartbeat.
Bunty's eyes widened. "Rudra! You're—glowing!"
The corrupted recoiled, howling in agony. All around them, the other shadowy creatures paused, as if startled by the sudden flare of power.
Rudra staggered, dizzy. The world lurched. Still holding Gauri, he stumbled forward as the path sloped uphill, the Institute's walls now visible between the trees. Lights flickered at the gates—a search party, mystics wielding lanterns and staves, shouting their names.
Roohi appeared at their side, limping, blood at her temple, but alive. She thrust her hand out and the nearest corrupted was hurled through the air, crashing into a pine trunk with a sickening crunch.
"Hurry!" she yelled, voice ragged. "Inside the gates! They can't cross the old wards!"
Rudra, Bunty, and Gauri tumbled through the gate as the corrupted surged forward and shattered against an invisible barrier. The air sizzled, the smell of scorched fur and ozone filling their nostrils. Gauri collapsed into the arms of a healer who darted to her side.
Before Rudra could catch his breath, a figure stepped into their midst: a tall woman dressed in a scarlet cloak, her pale skin almost luminous, eyes burning with a crimson light. Her lips curled in a smile that showed far too many sharp teeth.
Roohi froze in terror. "Red Council," she whispered.
The woman's voice was silk over steel—gentle, patient, infinitely dangerous. "Welcome home, Rudra," she said. "It's time for you to fulfill your legacy."
She raised a slender hand. The air inside the barrier crackled and twisted. The Institute's walls shuddered, lantern glass exploding. All around them, students screamed as the world seemed to tilt and buckle.
Rudra tried to move, but invisible bonds snapped him still. The Red Council's leader leaned close, her breath cold as winter. "We have waited a long, long time. The choice is yours—but the clock is running out."
Lightning struck the Institute's highest spire, sending a cascade of glowing runes tumbling through the air like shattering stars. The sky split open above the campus—and something vast and ancient began to slip through.