Chapter 105 105

Chapter 105 105
Draven's POV 
Drawing upon my deepest reserves of strength, I launched myself at Richard, razor-sharp claws slashing through the air. With a snarl, I managed to land a telling blow on his side, causing him to stagger. It was the opening I needed.
I sprinted towards Hazel, my heart pounding in my chest. With a surge of desperate determination, I reached out and tore through the magical barrier surrounding her. As her limp body fell into my waiting arms, a surge of relief washed over me.
The battle continued to rage around us, but my focus was solely on Hazel. With each second that passed, her body became warmer and more vibrant, the colour returning to her cheeks. She was returning to me.
Richard, realising his defeat was imminent, let out a feral roar and retreated, disappearing into the shadows of the cave. Jason, Rachel, and I exchanged a brief nod of victory before turning our attention to the task of safely escaping the treacherous lair.
"Hazel, how did you get here? Was he able to get you?" I asked, trying my best to get her to keep her eyes open.
"Maddy, she betrayed us." She whispered. 
"Maddy? " Jason said, his voice dripping with anger that is unmatched by mine.
Suddenly, Zac's sinister laughter filled the air as he emerged out of the darkness. His eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and I could sense the raw power of blood magic emanating from him.
Before we could react, Zac unleashed his dark powers, enveloping us in a swirling vortex of crimson energy. The force was overwhelming, and I felt my limbs grow heavy as I struggled to resist its grip. 
Rachel and Jason were also caught in the grip of Zac's blood magic, their magical defenses crumbling.
Hazel's weak body was drawn back towards Zac, her form floating gracefully through the air. Panic surged through me as I fought against the invisible bonds that held me captive. I reached out desperately for Hazel, but my efforts were in vain.
Richard's triumphant laughter echoed through the cavern as Hazelcame to rest at his side. He held her gently, a sickening smile curling his lips. "Oh, Draven, did you think you could ruin my plans so easily? Your futile attempts only make victory taste sweeter."
Rachel struggled against the blood magic, her voice strained with defiance as she directed her gaze towards Richard. "You may have her for now, but we will never stop fighting. You cocky, thick-headed scumbag!" She yelled at him.
Richard’s eyes narrowed, his grip on Alyssa tightening. "Do not waste your breath, dear," he sneered. 
"Because they are no match for the power I possess. You will witness my transformation into something far greater than a mere werewolf."
A surge of anger and desperation coursed through me as I strained against the blood magic's hold. I refused to accept this outcome. With a growl, I summoned every ounce of strength within me, the burning determination to save Hazel fueling my resolve.
I shifted to my wolf. A surge of energy erupted from deep within, shattering the bonds that had held me captive. I lunged forward, claws extended, aiming to tear Zac apart first.
But before I could reach him, a wave of dark energy exploded from Richards outstretched hand, slamming into me with unforgiving force. Pain ripped through my body as I was thrown backward, crashing against the cave wall. 
The impact left me momentarily stunned, gasping for breath. Rachel, still locked in her struggle against Richard's magic, summoned her final reserves of power. A blinding light erupted from her. 
The force of her magic disrupted his concentration, causing him to stagger, his grip on Hazel faltering. Seizing the opportunity, I pushed through the pain, using every ounce of strength to charge at him once more. 
With a primal roar, I slammed into him, knocking him off balance. Hazels slipped from his grasp, her body falling towards the ground. I caught her with desperate arms, holding her close and willing her to awaken. 
As if in response to my plea, a soft gasp escaped her lips, and her eyes fluttered open. Relief washed over me as I gazed into her eyes, knowing she was back where she belonged. My side.
But our victory was short-lived. Richard, recovering from the shock, unleashed a torrent of dark energy. It crashed against us, sending us sprawling to the ground. The cave trembled with his malevolent power as he advanced, a cruel smile etched on his face.
"You may have won this battle, but the war is far from over," he hissed, his voice dripping with venom. "Remember this moment of fleeting triumph, for it will be the last shred of hope you cling to."
Hazel pressed herself closer to me, her soft breaths mingling with mine. Jason stood by our side, his eyes glinting with determination and yet looming with anger.
Zac's dark laughter echoed through the cavern, causing the walls to tremble. "You believe you can win against me, Draven? I trained you when we were just kids. I thought you knew everything you knew. 
I tightened my grip around Hazel, drawing strength from her presence. 
We had faced countless trials in just a week, and I sincerely felt guilty about letting Hazelget in the middle of all this. She had been kidnapped twice already, right under my nose.
Hazel's eyes widened with fear, her voice barely above a whisper. "Draven, we cannot let him win. We must find a way to defeat him."
Hazel's POV 
Just as I thought we'd lose Richard, my viewing suddenly turned red, and Draven began to glow with a crimson light.
Zac suddenly moved away from him, a look of repulsion contorting his face as he left the cave. Draven and I shared the same confused expression as we locked gazes. I had no idea what was going on, and neither did he.
Jason's voice suddenly brought me back to what's more important: finishing off Richard. "Enough, Richard! It's over!" he declared, his voice echoing with anger.
Jason's voice ignited something in me, probably a part that doesn't want to be subjected to being the damsel in distress once more. I won't be letting Richard victimize me in any way. His expression twisted into anger as he glared at Jason.
I could feel the tension in the air as Draven's gaze locked onto Richard, his eyes burning with anger. The moment seemed to stretch on forever before he shifted into his wolf form and stood before him, his stance that of one preparing to attack its prey.
Without hesitation, I shifted too, readying myself for this battle. I glanced back at Jason; his eyes were filled with a mix of anger, concern, and warmth as he glanced back at me. And then I gasp back at Rachel.
As Draven lunged at Richard, teeth bared, I followed close behind, my heart pounding with a mix of anger and determination. Jason and Rachel also followed suit.
Richard's eyes widened as he also prepared himself for battle. With a wave of his hand, he conjured a swirling vortex of dark magic that kept him cocooned in a weird-looking ball.
With every swipe of Draven's claws, Jason's fangs, and every snap of my jaws, we closed in on Richard, driving him back. His shield wasn't able to hold up much, and as soon as I saw a crack, I attacked that spot fiercely. 
He fought back as hard as he could, wielding his magic with precision and skill. Yet, despite his efforts, we outnumbered him, and the tide of battle began to turn in our favor.
I was just about to land the final blow that was sure to crack open the shield. He let out a shrieking sound as the shield volunteer blasted out, the force pushing us backward. Then suddenly, 
I noticed a black smoke was seeping out of him and gathering up in a particular direction right at me. I laid down on myself and took notice of the fact that the dark smoke was getting into my body and I had begun emmitting a crimson-red glow.
The smoke was gathering up and suddenly divided into two directions as it moved right into Draven. It was as if we were drawing power from the very essence of Richard's wicked magic.
That's bad. I tried to break free of this smoke, but the force pushed me back, and I landed a few feet close to Richard. I gazed up at him; his attention shifted momentarily as the surprised look on his face shifted to that of wickedness. 
The anger evident in his eyes was now replaced by mischief and evil as he conjured a bolt of dark energy, aiming it directly at me. I was sure I was going to die.