Celestial Ascendancy
Chapter 69: Death comes to all.
Elias Black.
Hogwarts.
"So, how are you feeling, Headmaster?" I asked hesitantly, glancing at the old man walking beside me with the help of a cane as we made our way through the school.
It was… hard, honestly. Seeing him like this. Even if, in the grand scheme of things, Dumbledore wasn't some absurdly powerful figure in the world I lived in now, he was still a legend to us. And even though I'd surpassed him months ago, I respected him. Seeing him look so frail… that was rough.
Dumbledore chuckled softly, shaking his head with a complicated smile. "That, my dear Elias, I'm not quite sure of."
I stayed quiet, waiting for him to go on, all while channeling a steady stream of healing energy into his body. It didn't seem to make much difference.
And to be honest, that just made me feel worse.
"You can stop with that, young man," he said gently, glancing at me with a small smile. "I'm… at peace with the situation."
"Really?" I asked confusedly.
If something like that happened to me, I wouldn't be fine. Hell… I'd probably do some pretty dark shit to get back what I lost. I didn't know if that made me respect him more or just showed how egotistical I'd become.
"Indeed," he said thoughtfully, pausing to look at me. "There were times when I regretted the weight of responsibility, you know. After my duel with Gellert… it felt like the entire Wizarding World was on my back. I knew I wasn't long for this world, and I feared leaving it in disarray."
"And you believe you've left it in order?" I raised an eyebrow, almost amusedly.
"Of course not," he laughed. "But I'm at peace knowing that you will be here to take care of our people."
He flashed that infuriating little smirk and kept walking. I followed in silence.
"I know how you feel about that," he added after a moment of silence, "but tell me, young Elias… would you allow the Wizarding World to suffer if there was anything you could do to stop it?"
I stopped for a moment, then chuckled. "No… I wouldn't. You know, ever since we learned about the supernatural world, the girls and I decided to give up everything here. We wanted to explore, meet new races, and new people. Grow stronger, too. But we all have a soft spot for where we came from. And I feel… obligated to skewer Voldemort once and for all."
"And I'm sure Miss Potter feels the same," Dumbledore chuckled. "She's quite an admirable young lady. I'm proud of her growth, even if I didn't have much to do with it."
He took a breath, then nodded to the side. "That's why I'm at peace, Elias. I've seen how people change around you. Your presence alone pushes others to improve… something I never quite managed, and you could say that I even stopped it. Look over there."
He gestured with his chin toward the tall window overlooking the grounds.
I looked, and something stirred inside me. Maybe pride. Maybe accomplishment. I wasn't sure.
A group of over fifty people filled the courtyard, training as hard as they could. It looked like a small army, looking all focused and determined. Entire families were out there, some from my year, others older or younger. The whole Weasley family was present.
It was a sight to behold.
"You see it, don't you?" he asked with a bright smile. "You and the young women you have the honor of calling your girlfriends pushed for this. It's quite something, no?"
"I have to agree," I said with a small laugh. "Even if you're giving us a bit too much credit for the professors' work."
I glanced outside one last time. Asia was using her Sacred Gear to heal two students who had just finished dueling. The fact that they were fighting that hard, thanks to Asia, meant something. They weren't afraid of pain anymore. I didn't know if that made me more nervous or not.
Then Dumbledore's voice turned serious.
"And now, the most important question, young man," he said as I rejoined him. "Seeing how much they've grown, and knowing how much help they could offer in the final battle… will you let them follow you?"
"The children. Your peers. Their families. They want to fight to protect the ones they love. Will you let them?" He continued somberly.
"No," I said quietly. "No, I won't. I'm tired, Headmaster."
I closed my eyes almost painfully as the memories flashed by. The Ottery, Manchester, Diagon Alley.
"I'm tired of seeing people die. People who don't deserve it. I don't revel in the bloodshed… but I'll do what I must to cleanse Voldemort's filth from the earth. I'm done with this."
"And that," he said softly, but with a seriousness that caught me off guard, "That is why I was ready to die today. You are an admirable man, and I'm proud to call you my student. Take care of them, Elias. Please."
I sighed as something firm settled in my chest. "I will, old man. I don't plan to become their leader like you did… but I'll keep an eye on them."
"What's your plan now?" I asked.
"Well… I can't fight in the open anymore. My reserves are nearly gone. It's a miracle you managed to keep me a wizard at all. You have my deepest thanks for that." He looked around the school with something like wistfulness. "Once this is over… I'll focus everything on the next generation. It's time I step away from politics and everything else."
"That's why there's something we must do before you march to the Ministry," he continued. "I want you to take this."
He patted his robes, then pulled out his wand and looked at it almost longingly before shaking his head firmly. "My deepest secret… but it's time I pass it on. Disarm me, young man."
I stared in surprise… then chuckled. I couldn't help it. God, I respect him so much more now.
I raised my hand toward the Deathly Hallows in front of me, but then I stopped.
"I think I might have a better idea," I said, lowering my hand. "I know what it is, and your trust means more to me than you know… but this wasn't meant for me."
"One day, you'll have to tell me how you know these things," he said with a chuckle, shaking his head. But he didn't press. "Show me one last surprise, then… I trust you know what you're doing."
Elias Black.
Room of requirements.
It took us about ten minutes to reach the painting of the dancing trolls. We could've just teleported here, but honestly? I was enjoying the walk. And so was the old man.
So much so that I felt stupid for even thinking of suggesting we skip it. There was something in his eyes as he looked at the school… something that made my chest tighten.
I walked past the wall three times and nodded as the door appeared. Then I turned back to the Headmaster, rubbing the back of my neck almost sheepishly. "Give me a moment. I want them to look presentable."
The old man burst out laughing, amusement twinkling in his eyes as he nodded.
Pretty sure I was blushing, but I soldiered on and slipped inside. The sight made me smile. My girls were tangled together in a storm of limbs across the bed.
I stepped softly, even using a bit of magic to silence my movements. Then I leaned down and kissed each of them gently on the forehead.
"Girls," I whispered, brushing their hair aside, "I need you to wake up."
Iris groaned and turned over, doing her best to ignore me. Fleur blinked awake groggily before offering me a sleepy smile.
"Did something happen, Eli?" she murmured.
"We've got a visitor," I said with a grin. "The Headmaster wants to do something, and I'd appreciate it if he doesn't see you all like this… You all are mine and only mine."
I winked, doing my best not to lock eyes with the absolute vision of perfection lying in front of me.
Fleur and I hadn't done anything yet, as things had been… complicated, but there was always this spark when we were together. As much as I hated waiting, I knew that when the time came, we'd make it count.
She giggled at my staring, which did something spectacular to her chest, then sat up with a stretch. She yawned, raised a hand, and summoned clothes from across the room with a flick of her fingers.
"Give me one second," she yawned again and started changing, giving me a view that should've been illegal.
"Take all the time you need, love," I said with a grin. "Pretty sure the old man won't mind waiting a minute or two more."
She laughed, and the sound hit something in my chest hard enough to make me shiver. God… she was something else. Even if her allure didn't affect me, I was absolutely smitten by her.
Once Fleur finished changing and stood tall with her usual grace, I turned back to Iris and Mione, who were still curled up and hugging each other like they hadn't been peeking as Fleur changed.
I smirked, coated my hand with a thin layer of ice, and dragged it across their backs in one swift motion.
Both of them yelped.
"What the hell, Eli?!" Hermione glared at me, rubbing her back as she sat up. Iris just growled and tossed a fireball at me. I snuffed it out with a flick of my fingers and smirked at the irate green-eyed goddess.
"The old man's outside," I said, still chuckling. "We learned some important things, and he's got a gift to give. So, get dressed, loves."
I turned around, smiling as I heard the rustle of clothes and half-hearted complaints behind me.
By the time I reached the entrance, Dumbledore was still sitting on a conjured stool, waiting patiently.
"Come on in," I said, waving him in. "We're ready."
He nodded and stood up a little bit stiffly before following me inside. The girls were already sitting at a tea table, and Dobby was running around putting plates and cups in each seat.
"So, what happened? I guess it's important enough to wake me up from my beauty sleep," Iris cleaned her eyes sleepily before glaring at me.
I sighed and explained what we learnt at Spinner's End, mainly focusing on Alaric.
"Who could he be, though?" Mione asked the important question, and I shrugged.
"Who knows, but we can't allow him to gain more foothold within Britain. That's why we will make him show his true face during his speech at the Ministry tomorrow," I breathed out.
"He might be a Ministry official or Voldemort himself, I honestly don't care," I waved my hand through the air in irritation, "I'll just make him show his true face then."
"Got it," Iris nodded, "Then what is this about? You should not be outside the infirmary, old man."
"I know, my dear. But I owed this to Severus. It was the least I could do," he didn't explain much, and the girls didn't pry.
Dumbledore took a deep breath before putting his wand on the table.
"Have you heard of the tale of the Deathly Hallows?" He asked, and I saw my girl's eyes widening
Iris blinked, then snorted. "You're joking, right?"
Hermione was already nodding. "The Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone, and the Cloak of Invisibility."
"I read Beedle the Bard before it was cool," Iris added smugly, earning a small smile from Fleur.
Dumbledore's lips twitched in barely concealed amusement, but there was a seriousness in his gaze that didn't fade.
I didn't say a word. I just reached into my coat and placed the Resurrection Stone in the center of the table. The sound it made as it hit drowned almost everything else.
The girls fell silent.
Dumbledore's eyes locked with the stone in shock, but he kept his silence momentarily.
Then Iris sighed and summoned the clock with a wave of her hand. She laid it next to the stone without a word, her fingers brushing over the fabric almost longingly as she always did with something that originated from her family.
For a moment, none of us spoke.
The Hallows sat there quietly, not doing anything at all. As if they were just everyday wizarding objects, even as we knew they weren't.
Dumbledore stared at them for a long moment, then looked up at us, showing more nervousness than I had ever seen in his expression.
"May I use it?" he asked softly, his voice almost trembling as his hand gripped the table.
Iris nodded without hesitation. "After everything you had done for us, old man? Don't even ask."
Hermione reached out and placed her hand lightly over his. "You should, Headmaster."
He smiled gratefully, a few stray tears falling from his eyes as he closed his fingers slowly around the stone.
He took a deep breath before standing up with renewed vigor and walking a distance away.
Iris Potter
Dumbledore returned to the table a few minutes later with red, almost puffy eyes. Still, the smile on his face was unmistakable.
Not a forced smile, not the kind adults give to seem strong. No… this one was real. Like he had done everything he wanted in life, just now. I didn't understand what he needed it for, but I was happy for the old bastard.
As much as it pissed me off that he had known about the Horcrux in my scar and stayed silent, he had done so much for us that I couldn't help but be happy for him. I was almost angrier that Eli and he thought I had not noticed them exchanging glances in the war room.
I didn't ask who he saw or what he said. I just smiled back, quietly glad he'd gotten the chance to say something that he clearly needed.
He placed the Resurrection Stone gently on the table, then reached for his wand with a steady hand.
"So," he said, glancing at Elias, "what's your plan, my boy?"
Eli exhaled almost giddily, running a hand through his beautiful hair. "The Potters are descended from the Peverells. I think we all knew that at this point. Realistically? I don't need the Hallows. My magic's already... too much sometimes. I'd feel more at peace knowing at least one of the girls got something from all this."
I looked at him in surprise, another of those bullshit things he somehow knew. I didn't care much, and more importantly, it didn't change anything for me, so whatever.
Dumbledore's eyes lit up with a quiet sort of approval. He turned to me next, expression curious but not forceful.
"And you, Miss Potter? Do you want to shoulder the burden?"
"Will it give me some sort of power boost or something?" I shook my head firmly as soon as those words left my mouth. I didn't hesitate for a second longer, "Yes. I'll do so, old man."
He nodded slowly, then tilted his wand toward me. "Then disarm me. It must be your choice."
I raised my hand. The wand leapt from his fingers into mine with a quiet flick of magic.
Nothing exploded. Nothing flared.
If anything... I felt underwhelmed. My grip tightened slightly. "I don't feel different."
But my heart was pounding.
I reached out and took the Resurrection Stone, then let the Cloak slide around my shoulders. My other hand still held the Elder Wand. One by one, I pulled the Hallows to me.
And the world went dark.
The last thing I heard was someone calling my name.
Scene Break
I stood in... somewhere. I tried to look around but felt myself unable to move. I tried Eli's trick with Occlumency to calm myself, but I realized that my magic isn't working. At all.
I was about to start hyperventilating, but I did my best to calm myself, somehow being able to take a deep breath. I looked, really looked, past the fog around me.
It wasn't dark or light. Just empty. Like the world had forgotten to exist here. Like I was in the middle of nothingness, quite literally speaking.
Whispers circled around me, soft and distant, making me unable to understand anything. But not threatening… not kind either. Just there. Inevitable.
Then I felt as if something was watching me.
Something ancient, something I wasn't capable of understanding. Not alive per se, but aware of me.. Like it had been waiting for this moment.
My legs felt weak. I couldn't move, couldn't speak. My magic didn't respond. I was nothing here.
Just a girl. Small. Absolutely powerless.
Then I heard them.
My parents, somehow, their voices I could recognize. It helped keep me grounded, not going mad over the nothingness around me. I felt like I was living something no one should have. Something a mortal, or perhaps even a god, would fail to understand.
I wanted to cry out. To run toward them. But I couldn't. My body didn't feel like it was mine anymore.
And that presence… the thing watching, it didn't move.
But it saw everything, it was everywhere. Just waiting.
And it wasn't angry. Or happy for that matter, just there.
It just… waited.
Then everything snapped back into place, and I woke up.
Scene Break.
Air rushed into my lungs as I bolted upright, gasping. My skin tingled like I'd been pricked by needles, and everything felt off. Not wrong. Just... different.
The room was too loud, even though no one was speaking.
I looked around. The girls were crowding beside me. Dumbledore stood back, quiet. Eli was kneeling next to me, his forehead furrowed.
"I'm fine," I said quickly, breath still shaky. "I think."
Hermione offered me a cup of water. "You fainted. For like, twenty minutes, Iris."
I nodded slowly. I wasn't sure how to explain what I'd seen.
"Your magic has grown considerably," Eli murmured beside me. "Higher than even Rias, the last time we saw her. Almost reaching Voldemort's level, even if you're still a bit behind."
"I feel…" I paused, narrowing my eyes as I looked at Elias.
There was something around him. Like his magic wasn't sitting right. Or maybe it wasn't even his magic at all. Something about it felt wrong. Familiar and alien at the same time.
"I feel something weird around you," I murmured, my hand brushing over his chest where the feeling was strongest.
He blinked at me. "What are you talking about, love?"
I wanted to tear my hair out. I had no idea what it was, just that it felt unnatural. "There's something here. It's giving me this strange sensation… like I should understand what it means, but I can't."
No one said anything for a moment. Dumbledore's smile faded, but he stayed silent.
"I don't know what it means," I admitted quietly.
Eli placed a hand on my shoulder. "We'll figure it out. Later."
I nodded and exhaled slowly.
That's when I noticed the Hallows were gone.
Not moved. Just... gone. The wand, the stone, the Cloak. None of them were on me anymore.
But I could still feel them. Like they were part of me now.
Not physically, but like a pressure at the back of my mind. Waiting to be called.
I raised my hand and reached inward. The Elder Wand flickered into existence between my fingers for just a second before vanishing again when I let go.
I looked up. All eyes were still on me.
Then, suddenly, they weren't.
Their eyes went glassy, confused, as they looked around like I had vanished. Only Eli was still staring directly at me, his expression frozen.
I blinked and reached inward again, realizing the truth.
I let go of the Cloak.
And just like that, their eyes snapped back to me.
I knew I was grinning, already feeling a spark of excitement for a spar. The magic felt different now. Clean. Complete.
But even through the pride, I felt it again.
Death was watching me.
Not angry. Not impatient.
Just... welcoming, as always.
Elias Black.
Ministry of Magic.
I walked inside with almost a skip in my steps. I was feeling giddy for so many reasons, most of them thanks to the changes Iris suffered yesterday. She gained… so many things when she united the Hallows, enough to surprise me, to be honest.
I wasn't sure what the real origin of those trinkets was, but I genuinely doubted they were the same as in the original story. Mainly because what she gained was entirely outside of my wildest imagination.
Her body was stronger by more than fifty percent, and I doubted that it was her limit. But that wasn't all. She gained some sort of Healing factor that made her a complete monster in a fight. It was probably faster than my own healing perk I obtained from the Grimoire many months ago. We didn't want to push too hard because of this moment, but it was scary how fast she could heal herself completely unconsciously.
Then her magic… it was so much more potent than before, and denser too. It felt almost similar to demonic power, but without the taint. It wasn't holy like my Aetherius, no, if I had to look for a word to describe it, it would be final… just like death.
She wasn't on my level, but she grew a lot, enough that in a fight between the two of us, I would have to give a lot of effort, primarily because of how much her damn body fought foreign magic by itself.
And that wasn't speaking about the damn hallows. They had changed enough that she could use them without calling for them, just like I was a conduit for the Aetherius; she, too, was for whatever she was using. The wand could even change shape, which surprised all of us.
Mostly when she managed to cut me deeply with a black sword she imagined… and I had trouble healing from it. It took a surprising amount of magic to expel whatever necrotic energy that blade had.
But that wasn't important right now… We were ready for whatever tonight brought us. And I had messaged two people that might be able to help, just in case.
I sent a message to Lavina Reni, the woman I had met during my first fight against Walburga, just to let her know that maybe tonight she would appear. But also for her to use her contacts to send a message to the other forces inside Britain that things might get ugly tonight. Even if they wouldn't interfere in the open, just keeping the place empty would help.
The atrium was quiet, far too quiet.
I stepped in, my combat boots echoing against marble as the others followed behind me. Sirius, Remus, Hermione, Fleur, and Iris were all moving with purpose. The professors were ready to apparate in as soon as Iris sent her Patronus, with Asia in tow. She was probably our hidden ace, since I was going to be busy and couldn't heal everyone by myself.
There were already dozens gathered. From Ministry workers, foreign delegates, even some families, all waiting for the speech that would 'change the course of Wizarding Britain.'
They didn't know. We decided to keep it to ourselves, not even telling Bones, just in case she was compromised.
Alaric stood on the raised platform at the center, with pristine robes and a confident smile. His hand was resting lightly on the railing like he was meant to be there. He looked the part of a savior. A leader. He was even greeting a few younger witches with a charming smirk.
Disgusting.
I slowed, letting the others fan out slightly behind me. None of them spoke, but I felt the tension rippling between us like a blanket weight above me. They knew what was coming. And like me, they were all ready.
I met Iris's eyes. She gave me a slight nod.
I stepped forward.
"I think that's enough theater for one day, don't you think?" I said, my voice cutting through the murmurs.
The room froze. I was known by everyone here, even if a surprise smear campaign had happened overnight after my small slip-up in Diagon Alley. Was I surprised? No. Did it feel bad? Surprisingly, yes. They had thrown me to the wolves after I killed Bellatrix and like thirty of the prisoners, somehow giving Alaric views more support.
It was too timed… and I wondered if it was Voldemort or another force working on the shadows.
Alaric turned to look at me, perfectly composed. "Elias Black. What a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting you to join us today. Though judging by your expression, I assume this isn't a congratulatory meeting."
He was good. I had to give him that. The fake concern, the casual posture… it would've fooled anyone who didn't trust Snape.
I took another step forward, letting my magic bleed into the air. "No more lies. We know you're not who you say you are."
A few heads turned sharply.
Alaric's brow furrowed slightly, looking genuinely confused. "I'm afraid I don't know what you mean."
I kept my gaze fixed on him. "Snape found your trail. Spinner's End wasn't empty after all. We discovered the truth. The real Lord Macmillan's brother never returned from the last war. He was killed. And the memories of your supposed peers back in America? They don't hold up under scrutiny."
"That's why the old man isn't here. He was enquiring back in the States," I sneered at him.
Gasps rang out. A few people stood in their seats. Others looked between me and Alaric with growing confusion.
One unimportant man dressed in Ministry robes shouted, "This is a smear campaign! The Black Scion is losing influence, and he's jealous! Lord Alaric is the only one who can fight against his growing Tyranny! He is the only one who can save us from such a violent young man!"
Several others agreed. A few supported me, the majority looked in confusion and growing dread. I could see Tonks and Bones in the background looking at me with widening eyes. They grabbed their wands tightly as they looked around us.
The crowd divided, with some walking towards me and standing behind me.
I was thankful that everyone important to me was coming. Some others, including the pink abomination, threw venomous glares at me before walking towards Alaric.
And then he laughed.
The sound was wrong. Not charming like before, not soft. Just wrong. Twisted. He slowly clapped his hands as his body began to morph disgustingly..
"I suppose this charade has run its course," he said smoothly.
A heartbeat later, his features twisted and cracked like glass. Flesh sloughed off in a ripple of dark magic, reforming into something leaner, paler. And then there he stood. Tom Marvolo Riddle.
Voldemort.
Screams echoed as dozens began to back away. Others stood in place, too shocked to move.
"You were so eager to crown a new hero," he sneered, his eyes shining malevolently for a second as he mocked the people in his group. "All it took was a few charming speeches and hollow reforms, and you handed me the keys to your world. How delightful."
He raised his wand lazily. "You called me a monster. Yet you cheered as I offered you 'peace.' What a farce."
His grin widened. "Of course, I knew it would fall apart eventually. Killing Severus rather ruined the illusion. But I must admit… hearing his screams while I peeled the skin from his body?" He let out a soft, almost nostalgic sigh. "Delicious."
He waved his hand, and I was too far away to do anything more than send a beam of light that he evaded quite easily.
The people around him turned into glass before shattering, the pinkish red pieces scattering across the atrium after another wave of his hand. I clenched my teeth, seeing some of the ones left alive smirking mockingly at the dead before they transfigured their robes into the everyday Death Eater attire.
Then I felt it.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood straight. The air turned heavy, almost foreboding. Something was coming.
NOW.
"Rho Aias!" I roared, slamming my hand into the ground while opening the gates to the Aetherius as wide as I comfortably could.
Seven glowing petals of translucent violet magic unfurled before me, just in time for the spell to hit.
The atrium exploded. No, the whole Ministry did.
The shockwave shredded the walls behind me. Flames licked the ceiling. Glass, dust, and debris spiraled outward in a tidal wave of pure destruction. Only my shield kept the others from being torn apart. And even with the unlimited magic pumping into it, it was showing cracks before they fixed it.
This wasn't an attack made by Voldemort or even Walburga, no, it was too destructive to be.
Out of the smoke stepped another Voldemort.
One by one, figures began teleporting in.
Not all of them were Death Eaters. Magicians. A lot of them.
I turned to look at my group and a few survivors in alarm, "Get away from my fight!"
Before anyone could argue, I unleashed a gale of magic that swept through the atrium like a hurricane. Civilians, Aurors, even Sirius and the girls were pushed a fair distance.
The wind carried them away, far from the explosion, far from me.
I turned back to the unknowns. They were already advancing.
Then I moved.
I didn't wait.
The moment they started to move, I surged forward like a bolt of lightning. Fifteen figures walked with purpose toward me, ignoring my flailing allies. The other fifty or so began attacking my girls. I smiled seeing Iris taking the lead in the fight before I frowned deeply,
Hexennacht.
They didn't hesitate either.
Three staff snapped toward me. The spells were complex and surprisingly strong, easily at the level of Voldemort if not a bit higher.
But I wasn't here to play safe.
"Durindana." I closed my eyes for a second before I allowed myself a slight smirk, "Deathloop."
My sword flashed into my hand. A single step, and I closed the distance, too fast for them to adjust. I rammed into the first caster before his shield fully manifested.
A wet, meaty, and satisfying swipe.
His head flew through the air, torn from his shoulders by the sheer force of the impact. Blood sprayed across the others like paint. His body collapsed in a limp heap, his magic sputtering out like a candle snuffed by yours truly.
One of them stumbled back, his voice trembling beneath the mask. "W-What the…?"
"Where's Walburga?" I hissed, my eyes shining gold as I stepped forward, ignoring the blood dripping from my blade. "Tell me the bitch didn't run again."
Another cackled, twirling a wicked-looking knife. "She's quite busy, I'm afraid. Something far more important than you."
Spells flew in every direction. No incantations. They were beyond that. Layers upon layers of magic stacked in ways that hurt to even perceive. Curse upon curse. Constructs that would take ordinary wizards minutes to build snapped into reality in seconds.
I matched them.
I didn't block, I destroyed. My flames surged forth, tinged with blue and amped up with threads of the Aetherius. They swallowed spells whole. My shield of light absorbed a direct curse meant to turn my blood into tar, then I lashed back with a pillar of white fire.
But there were many.
One struck me with a hex that buckled my left knee. I healed it mid-spin, shoving Durindana through his ribcage and ripping it out the other side. Another tried to cage me in a rotating prism of darkness, only for me to flash-freeze the entire construct until it shattered like crystal, along with him.
Every second was painful. Every breath was as if I were underwater.
They began to whisper, even through the battle.
"What is he…?"
"He is healing faster than we're damaging him!"
But even they didn't believe that anymore.
I sent a burst of magic through the floor, cracking the stone and erupting a gale so cold it made two of them shudder, frost coating their limbs. Another wave of heat followed, consuming them and reducing them to nothing but ash.
Light flared around me, not conjured but let go. A third of them were gone now.
But I felt myself slowing..
The Aetherius was still there. But my body wasn't. My head throbbed like a drum.
My limbs shook, not from fear but from strain. I poured everything into every movement, every block, every counterattack… and the cost was catching up.
One curse struck home, a sickly green mist that clung to my chest and pulsed in time with my heartbeat. I tried to purge it, but the corruption resisted, burrowing deeper like it deserved to be there.
Still, I moved. I had to move.
I ducked beneath a storm of arrows made of golden flame, countered with an orb of compressed gravity that cracked ribs and sent two of them flying. Another spell burned part of my side clean off.
My flesh just gone and I bit down a scream, healing with gritted teeth and raw force of will.
They were staggering now. Uncoordinated. Afraid.
One fell back, shaking but scowling in my direction. "How is he?! He's not dying!"
"He should be dead! He should be dead already! What the fuck did Walburga start?!"
I killed another, my sword through his chest, and turned to face the last half dozen.
I wasn't calm anymore. I was shaking.
From pain. From exhaustion. From the knowledge that I kept them busy because no one else could. I could see from a distance my girls advancing slowly but surely towards the two Voldemorts.
My vision swam. I could feel my pulse through my head.
Then one of them laughed, a venomous sound that made me alert.
"It's ready."
I froze.
My soul screamed.
Magic circles burst to life beneath me, too many to count.
They didn't just target me, they claimed the space I stood on.
Chains erupted upward, glowing with the same light as the spell that took part of my torso off. My limbs resisted for half a heartbeat, then buckled. Curses wormed through my legs. Lightning ripped across my back. A jet of molten lava burst from the side and caught my arm, flinging Durindana from my grip.
I groaned in pain, opening the gate to the Aetherius more and more until I felt something crack inside of me, making me throw up a copious amount of blood.
More circles bloomed overhead, filling the sky of the atrium. They pulsed once… then opened fire.
Dozens. Hundreds. A rain of destruction.
I tried to move. To teleport. But the ground held me like iron. One spell sliced across my face, another through my ribs.
I screamed in pain as the Aetherius began burning me from the intensity.
Another spell snapped bones in my right leg, and the last one… A glistening spear pierced through my chest.
I staggered, coughing up blood as I tried to look down.
A shaft of cursed metal jutted out from my sternum, gleaming with runes that pulsed in time with my heartbeat.
I choked on my own fluids.
Blood filled my throat.
My knees hit the ground.
I looked up and saw the last four of them watching me with wide eyes, like they couldn't believe it had worked.
Neither could I.
I coughed up more blood. My vision swam.
And then, the world dimmed.
The last thing I saw was the atrium, Iris fighting against Voldemort himself.
And then…
Nothing.
So this was what Iris watched last night.
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