Abyssal Salvation

Chapter Six: The Wandering Guardian Returns

He had been travelling this accursed deer trail for what seemed to be ages I am wasting time here, a hut surrounded by a fence of bone; it sounds like one of the Grim Faerie Tales that the Dursleys had tried to read to their Duddikens.. This better not be a random goose chase, I only have two days left to accomplish my task. Tripping amongst the brambles, a faint curse seemed to die upon his lips as he came face to face with a young doe that looked on with eyes that didn't have cause to fear I almost forget how isolated we are here… It is remarkable that this creature has no idea of the depths of cruelty in which mankind can truly sink… Removing his training wand from its forearm holster, a murmured "Diffindo" sliced the creatures throat in a quick and economical fashion "I was told to not enter the hut empty handed, so this will have to do" Making an absent flicking motion with his wand, the carcass seemed to jerk itself upright in a grim mockery of life as another murmured cutting curse allowed it's innards to spill upon the earth "Can't have it spoiling before I present it to my host now can I?" Thinking for a moment, a faint smirk of satisfaction crossed his lips as a whispered "Glacius" escaped his lips The freezing charm should keep the rot from setting in… Continuing down the path, the doe simply followed behind in a grotesque mockery of what it once was.

The sun had nearly begun to set upon the third day when Hadrian, almost spent both from his physical and magickal exertion, finally espied his target Seems that the redcap hadn't been lying after-all, will wonders never cease? With his goal well in sight, a new source of energy seemed to course through his wearied limbs as he approached the gate Made of femurs and skulls, the cliché for any good faerie tale; if the house is made of gingerbread then I am gone no questions asked. Resting a wearied hand upon the gate, it seemed to creak of its own accord, as he finally took in his surroundings; the hut seemed to have a personality of its own and was spinning about on what appeared to be avian legs that were carved into the very wood "While this is all well and good…" His voice seemed to break the rhythm of creaks and groans that went hand in hand with this bizarre performance "I have a gift for my grandmother and would hate to see her go empty handed come the brutal winters here." Taking his cue from the redcap that had sent him, Hadrian seemed determined not to offend someone directly out of hand I can almost smell the dark magicks surrounding this place… If anyone can offer their advice or guidance, here would be the place. Shifting his balance to either foot, he would not have to wait long for a response as the small hut seemed to slow it's rotations until finally, the door turned to face the young man that had been brazen enough to seek out a master of the Art in their own lair "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea…"

Anything else that Hadrian had to say was quickly stifled when the door to the hut was finally opened. Standing in the threshold was a creature of such ugliness that even the Black Annis of Leicestershire would be considered a rare beauty. Truly a bold statement but with the only discernible feature of this woman being her gender, one could tell by the way she moved, the sallow and emaciated figure would have caused a lesser hag to look on in true jealousy. With flanks scraggy and breasts sinking low towards the earth, her hair was thin and almost balding while her nose was so large and hooked that it seemed (whether from a trick of the light or no) to nearly touch the earth. Standing shock still as this wizened being finally stood upon the porch and allowed the door to close behind, he watched with a sort of horrid bemusement as the creature swept any hint of her passing aside with a silver birch broom "Not the Russian scent I smell nor the Turk… But something else…" Turning her hideous gaze towards Hadrian she continued with her musings "A mix of Norman and Anglo-Saxon but there is something else… Tell me child were you compelled to come here or came of your own accord?'

Gripping the wand in his hand firmly, his words came out in a frightened staccato "A bit of both Grandmother, another sent me here and yet it seems I was destined to come regardless." Absently wetting his lips, the only thought that raced through his mind was Oh what great teeth you have grandmother, made of iron through and through, all the better to crack bone and suck marrow my dear… Feeling for his wand, as if to reassure himself, he quickly continued "I was sent from the Scholomance to seek out materials for my first of three tests Grandmother and it was said that you would be willing to assist if your price was met." Motioning slightly with his wand, the deer carcass stood before him now "Before I go any further Grandmother, I brought a tender morsel for you to enjoy as an elder such as yourself should be treated with respect."

"Well whoever taught you how to approach me did his job well child…There were a time when an empty handed supplicant would leave without a hand or more." Poking the carcass with her broom, she seemed to nod for a moment "The kill is too fresh and would be sore on my gums, bring it inside and let it hang until its high." Turning towards her hut once more, a wave of her wizened hand caused the doors to open "And no more of this 'Grandmother' term, you will call me by my name and title or you will speak no more."

Fortune seemed to favor the brave, but Hadrian was no fool as he conspicuously cast the strongest shielding spell he knew, before following the hag into her own domain "Please forgive my ignorance then dear lady, but I wasn't told of your names and titles, allow me the pleasure of learning them now."

"Oh you know them child…" If she had noticed the shield charm that had been cast, she made no mention of it "Every man, woman and infant knows of me, even if they think that I have been forgotten." Moving towards a high backed chair, a wizened hand abruptly tossed the cat that had been lounging there to the floor "I am the creature that all hags emulate, the wanderer that steals children and cracks their bones with iron teeth, and the unwilling guide of Vassilisa the fair." Squinting as she tried to make out Hadrian's form as he struggled to raise the deer, tears of strain came unbidden from her milky white eyes "I am Baba Yaga and I will be until the end of days."

Suddenly at a loss, what else would you expect when having heard that particular speech, Hadrian simply let go of the secured line that held the carcass aloft "Then Baba Yaga…" Thinking for a moment he continued "I humbly request your assistance; I have but one more day to find what I require to create my own focus instead of this lackluster piece of wood in my hands and time is quickly running out." Motioning towards one of the few rickety chairs that sat at his hosts table, he slid into it once she gave the nod "I have the core, but no casing and the individual that sent me…"

Cut off from further explanation as his host raised a wizened finger, what she would say next would have shocked the doughtiest of hearts "I can provide you with the final piece man-child but everything comes with a cost equal to the prize does it not?" Leaning in close, so close that he could smell the long pig upon her breath, a wicked smile appeared on her abhorrent features " A kiss tiny man child, just a little kiss and I will see about helping my little grandsonwith his problems…"

Refusing to wait for Hadrian's yea or nay on the matter, the primordial being reached out and gripped him tightly behind the head with both hands, with her mumbled words of "Now where is it… I could smell it as he walked in." doing nothing to assuage or better his situation. Finally, as her lips seemed to rest lightly upon his brow in a perverse mockery of a mother giving her child a kiss goodbye, the seconds faded into minutes as a sharp pain that seemed reminiscent to that of having been pricked by a needle, erupted upon Hadrian's brow. Screaming even as gnarled hands held him tight, his body flailed in a fit akin to apoplexy until finally he was thrown upon the weathered floor. As his eyes began to close, her words reached besotted ears "Flesh is well and good, but what you carried within your scar was a far tastier meat then long pig; we will not meet again."

A loud groan escaped his lips as Hadrian pushed himself off the ground; there was no sign of either hut or hag as he struggled to ascertain his surroundings, just a dull ache where his now reddened scar resided "Just once I would like to have a conversation without it ending in pain… Is that too much to ask?" Said to no one in particular; he no longer believed in the grand mysteries of the Church of England or it's carpenter god after all, his struggle towards standing upright was halted as he glanced at the broomstick handle that had been left behind Now it's just a matter of combining the two in an effective manner… I must get back. Griping the wood tightly in his right hand, both his will and his thoughts came to rest upon the gates of the Scholomance as his apparition point. Doing now out of practice and determination what had once only been achieved through fear and sheer dumb luck, he quickly disappeared from view with nary a sound.

It was approaching twilight when he suddenly appeared at the gates of his alma mater; no words were spoken and no one sought to give him pause as he strode towards the laboratories held upon the lower levels. Striding passed his fellow students who even now were engrossed in their own fields of study, he quickly espied an empty table and set his various components down upon the granite finish Patience and discipline, any foul ups now will cost me my life… Heading towards the various cupboards and closets that held the proverbial tools of the trade, he took a few moments to compose his breathing and himself before this; the final portion of his first task was finally completed. As his slender hand reached for the mortar and pestle it then hesitated Perhaps it would be best if the core remained whole as opposed to being crushed… Maybe smelting it into a proper form would maintain the integrity of it while also allowing it to be fitted within the silver birch? Deciding upon a proper course of action, he instead reached for a small leather satchel complete with various chisels and blades, the small smelting apparatus that was seldom used and a series of vials "Now or never it seems… Time is running out."

Using a combination of alchemical compounds and well placed sorcery, the dark Fae metal was slowly beginning to lose its static form and rested upon the verge of the mercurial, even as Hadrian was slowly measuring and setting the silver birch to length; that fallacy of the wand choosing the wizard was all well and good if one hadn't sought the ingredients for its composition themselves, indeed it was perhaps the only way that lazy conjurers would ever gain a focus but… For those who had the will to stay the course and earn what they needed as opposed to buying it, it was the price they pain in gaining their components that made it suitable, as opposed to any sort of meshing of personalities "Once again the laziness of wizards prove to be their downfall…" The words were softly murmured under his breath as the wood finally began to take shape Crude but effective, any sort of beautification will have to wait until it is finished, but what of the core? Placing the silver birch casing down,he glanced within the smelting apparatus "The red cap, by nature, requires blood for their own survival, so to shall this wand." Drawing blade across wrist, he watched without a wince as his blood entered into the bubbling mass and drew steam, before smirking "Now all that remains is to cast it."

Now gentle reader, I could easily go into minute detail about what was done here or there, how many times a particular tool was used in the wands creation and bore us all to tears. Fortunately for us all, I seldom see the need for it but will say that if any a wand held a dark inclination, this wand above all others certainly bore that moniker; the Fae metal of a redcap's pole arm encased within the silver birch broom of Baba Yaga… Not even the most twisted of wand makers could think of such a combination, let alone gain the materials for such a monstrosity. In the years that would follow, this wand would be an heirloom to the Potter Household with one child in every generation destined to wield it; no more shall be said on this matter. ..

Taking up his wand, for it was truly his and his alone now, an arrogant caste to his features seemed to descend as he motioned towards his previous focus with a murmured "Dilabor" Watching with a certain smugness as a sickly brown light erupted and enveloped the training wand, it literally fell apart and decayed before his eyes as he adjusted his grip ever so slightly Only two tests remain, I must remain vigilant. Looking down upon the wonder he had created, he slowly strode towards the main hall; it was time to report his success.

Waiting patiently within, his newly created focus was hidden inside the long sleeves of his robes as one of the ever silent instructors motioned for him to follow. Inclining his head for the briefest of moments, Hadrian fell into an easy stride beside his silent guide as they made for the outer courtyard. Stepping out onto the flagstones, the one he had been accompanying indicated for him to wait before fading from view A lot of mummery and showmanship… Never knew they had it in them… Smirking faintly at the realization that a lot of his black humor and sardonic wit had been gleaned from his absentee guardian, Hadrian almost missed the new arrival; clad completely in black robes that lacked any sense of grandeur, the trespasser's face was hidden behind a masque of burnished silver replete with various glyphs and runes that even a novice would recognize as a means of gaining the wearer's compliance "Death Eater…" The words seemed to escape from Hadrian's lips in a drawn out hiss, as if chewing upon each syllable caused him great pain. How dare they come here and disrupt my studies… They can have the world I have no use for it but this place is sacrosanct! Allowing his wand to drop into a ready hand, Hadrian's eyes seemed to glow as they often did when he was angry or excited; the first place he had been able to call home in years was now being invaded by a buffoon in party dress and it shook the child who would be a man right down to his very core.

Not bothering to wait or to issue a challenge that was all too common amongst 'heroes', Hadrian's wand was drawn back and then descended upon the interloper in a wide arc, his wrist providing the necessary twist to finish the incantation "Distineo Ingredior!" Not bothering to revel in his success in erecting a barrier to prevent arcane means of escape, Hadrian continued to stalk towards his prey with a curious glint in his eyes Why hasn't he done anything… He seems almost intoxicated or befuddled… Surely they are better trained then this?

Unable to question the circumstances, as his innate loyalty and conformity to the rules of the Scholomance took hold Trespassers must be either killed outright or incapacitated no matter what their intention. His rotating of the wrist counter clockwise alongside the words which escaped without preamble or hesitation heralded his attack "Latronibus Patibulis!" Called the 'thieves gallows' curse in the common language of man, it's use harkened back to Roman times when spectacle often outweighed utility; the curse would cause the afflicted prisoner to choke him or herself with their own hands even unto the point of death whilst in coliseum, but was easily countered by onlookers. Often times it would be countered by those observing and thus caused the afflicted to be subjected to it several times in the course of an evening's entertainment. With none such audience present, Hadrian's victim began to choke himself without the slightest struggle or outcry; only the wheezing of breath and ultimately silence filled the courtyard.

Contemplating on maintaining the incantation to the point of death, any decision Hadrian had chosen to make was quickly interrupted by a somewhat familiar voice shattering the silence and countering the curse with a murmured "Ignoscentia!" Turning to face yet another possible interloper, the curse Hadrian had been prepared to cast died upon his lips "Jason?"

Watching as his erstwhile guardian stepped out of the shadows with a sardonic smirk upon his features, Hadrian seemed at once suspicious and pleased to see his benefactor in the flesh; Jason Cruor, also known as the Etrigan to those well learned in the history of Britain's sorcerous circles, seldom had the opportunity to see his charge and had been often quoted as saying that it would impede Hadrian's learning if he stayed. Still dapper as ever in his personally tailored suits and immaculate hair, the clipping of his shoes striking the flagstone as he approached seemed utterly ridiculous in comparison to the aesthetic living conditions of the school "They still teach that curse? One would think that they would stop doing it after a century or two…" Peering at Hadrian for a long moment, he simply indulged himself in a cigarette "Seems you've grown quite a bit since I've seen you last Hadrian, what's it been a year?"

"A bit longer Jason but then I suspect that you already know that." Ignoring his target now that it had been neutralized, a look of suspicion seemed to grace his facial features "Just what is your purpose showing up here Jason and was that…" Motioning towards the unconscious man that even now was being brought away for interrogation, he continued with a slight tilt of his head towards the prisoner "You're doing?" Waiting impatiently for an answer, he was about to give his guardian a verbal thrashing when the look upon Jason's face told him that this hadn't been his usual hijinks.

"No that was a test of the Scholomance's devices and not mine; a test of loyalty that outweighs a man's common morality… I'd say you probably passed but I am here on different matters." Clearing his throat as if trying to decide how to breach a sensitive topic of conversation, he finally spoke "It's time to return Hadrian… Your godfather is dead and the powers that be are using that to contest the guardianship." Watching for any sign of reaction from his charge, he continued "We have two days at the most before they start seeding the lands with Aurors and we cannot afford the chance, no matter how unlikely, of one of them stumbling upon this place; both your instructors and myself are in agreement that you have to depart for the time being so that this center of learning remains hidden from prying eyes."

The world seemed to stop as the words sunk in "Then I am being kicked out Jason?" The once confident student was now momentarily replaced with a quivering child "I guess that's my lot in life." Holding back any further emotional backlash, he took on a semi-professional and despondent tone "I'll get my things and…. "

Anything further said was halted by the sound of an open hand striking Hadrian's cheek; there had been little to no pain as it had been cupped to prevent such, but it served a purpose in snapping the remaining Potter back into reality "Did anyone say you were being kicked out you little idiot?" Said with affection, Jason's hands came to rest on Hadrian's shoulders "No, once a member of the Solomonari, always a member of the Solomonari." Lifting the young man's chin with his left hand, Jason's tone was firm and yet indulgent at the same time "There have been periods within this institution's history, where a member had been forced by outside sources to either go into sabbatical or give up their studies all together in order to deal with the rigors of the outside world. For those unlucky few, there is another conduit that allows them to glean all the basic knowledge of this place and afford them to graduate early from these halls, but it is a path wrought with dangers and madness." His once playful demeanor was now gone "I warned you once that coming here would leave you irrevocably changed Hadrian and you agreed to it, now the question is whether you have the will to see it through to the bitter end."

Releasing his grip, Jason simply stood back, hoping that his charge would simply take the easier route of returning later on to his studies, but such hope was dashed "I told you Jason that I would become a power no matter what the cost and my answer hasn't changed." As Hadrian holstered his wand, he simply stood erect and full of pride "What must I do?"

Not speaking for several minutes, Jason finally allowed the wind to escape his lungs "You must undergo the Harrowing and I cannot aid you there." Ignoring the inquisitive look in Hadrian's eyes, Jason simply turned towards the gates with his last words hanging in the wind "You must enter the summoning circle…"