"Tom…" The Voldemort (remnant soul) looked at Tom Riddle with pathetic eyes, thinking, Didn't you promise you wouldn't kill me?
"Don't disgust me! Get lost!"
If Tom Riddle could have killed the creature then and there, he would have sent him packing to meet Death for tea, and then beat him to a pulp during the visit.
"…"
Seeing the depth of Tom's aversion, the Voldemort (remnant soul) was rendered speechless. Anyone else daring to show such blatant dislike would have been devoured instantly, but against Tom Riddle, he didn't even dare to get angry. Just as he was contemplating a fresh approach to beg for mercy…
"Very well."
Tom Riddle waved his hand dismissively. "Be gone."
? ???
!! !!!
"Really…?"
The Voldemort (remnant soul) regarded Tom Riddle with open suspicion. He could just leave? He seriously suspected a trap.
"Leave, or die."
Tom Riddle offered no further explanations, simply drew the Elder Wand.
"No—" The Voldemort (remnant soul) scrambled away. "Fine, I'm going!"
"He runs fast."
"Quite the talent."
Harry Potter and the others wisely refrained from questioning Tom Riddle's reasons; their master undoubtedly had his reasons. Subordinates need not question, only obey and execute. – From The Self-Cultivation of a Death Eater, by Harry Potter.
"So, where to now?"
Cassandra Volle, nestled in Tom Riddle's arms, looked up at him expectantly.
"We shall return for now; Nagini has been waiting long enough." Tom Riddle mused. "As for later, we await someone's arrival."
...
As the Voldemort (remnant soul) fled, Tom Riddle's voice echoed in his mind, "Do not say I did not warn you. Be careful."
Holy crap! Not again!
He froze mid-air, face contorted in rage, frantically scanning his surroundings. The clouds, stirred by a gentle breeze, remained unchanged. The sky, blindingly bright, betrayed nothing.
So… I imagined it? Misheard? The Voldemort (remnant soul) preferred to doubt his own senses rather than risk encountering that creature again. But he knew with absolute certainty, as a legendary wizard, he was unlikely to be mistaken. No! It was him!
He replayed the warning and, after careful consideration, realized it wasn't a taunt but a genuine caution. So… he was telling the truth? Tom Riddle wasn't lying to me! He doesn't want to kill me! I knew it! How could another version of myself want me dead?! We're best friends!
"Hmph!"
Now invigorated, the Voldemort (remnant soul) resumed his flight. He even attempted Apparition. Although still unusable, he detected faint flows of magic. Meaning my Apparition block isn't permanent, but merely time-delayed.
In my current state, I should be able to Apparate in about half an hour.
"So, for now, I still have to fly?" The Voldemort (remnant soul) thought helplessly. But then, he spotted a figure ahead!
Tom Riddle's warning flashed through his mind.
Upon closer inspection, the figure sported a black trench coat, short, silver-white hair, and weathered skin, but his eyes burned brightly.
"Hi~"
The old man waved, as if to say, "Surprised? Unexpected?"
"Gellert Grindelwald!"
The Voldemort (remnant soul) instantly tensed, drawing his wand and glaring warily at the old man.
"Don't be like that." Gellert Grindelwald seemed disinclined towards hostility. "We've met before, haven't we? I recall it being a rather pleasant encounter."
"That's not how I remember it!"
Despite Gellert Grindelwald's casual tone, the Voldemort (remnant soul) didn't lower his guard. "What do you want?!"
He discreetly surveyed the area but saw no sign of the other equally sinister old man! Those two old men are cunning beyond measure. I am not afraid of either one, but they are practically joined at the hip and masters of sneak attacks! Dumbledore, the hypocrite, might at least pretend, but Gellert Grindelwald would stoop to anything!
As the Voldemort (remnant soul) weighed his options, an Avada Kedavra hurtled toward him.
Fortunately, the Voldemort (remnant soul) anticipated the attack, but his opponent was his equal. The spell's power, speed, and angle were all impeccably executed, so even when dodged, he was still discomfited.
"Oh? You dodged it?"
Although an exclamation of mild surprise, Gellert Grindelwald's tone was utterly calm.
"Damn Gellert Grindelwald!"
The Voldemort (remnant soul) cursed under his breath but remained vigilant. Knowing Dumbledore, that hypocritical old man, he wouldn't hesitate to strike from the shadows. After all, the old man isn't above such tactics.
But, if that were the case, he should find a chance to escape.
"Stop looking; he's not here."
The instant Gellert Grindelwald spoke, a sickening green bolt of lightning lashed out like a whip!
The Voldemort (remnant soul)'s Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) was executed with artistry, not a fleeting moment, but a continuous barrage, like a crackling lightning whip! He slashed his wand, unleashing five more "Avada Kedavra" strikes!
But Gellert Grindelwald held one advantage: he could Apparate.
"Damn it!"
The Voldemort (remnant soul) grew increasingly frustrated.
Crack!
Gellert Grindelwald materialized behind him, unleashing three swift spells!
After dodging one Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) and deflecting the other two, the Voldemort (remnant soul) immediately countered.
The three Unforgivable Curses varied in speed and duration; some were swift, some languid, some short-lived, some sustained—any one of them would inflict excruciating pain!
Alas, Apparition remained a formidable defense.
Gellert Grindelwald consistently used Apparition to evade spells and create attacking angles.
After exchanging blows, both combatants halted.
"Not bad."
Gellert Grindelwald's tone held a hint of amusement, but his eyes had grown serious.
The Voldemort (remnant soul) was in poor condition, unable to use Apparition, and yet Gellert Grindelwald had failed to gain any real advantage. Has my time in Nurmengard dulled me? Has my body become rusty?
Gellert Grindelwald dismissed the notion; he hadn't fallen that far. But in terms of raw magical power, the Voldemort (remnant soul) in peak condition was undoubtedly stronger. He only held a slight edge because his opponent was weakened.
If we continue… I cannot say I'd win, but I certainly would not lose.
---