Trail of Secrets

Chapter 20

Harry moved through the forest of Otherworld, thin crystals with needles on the end clutched between his fingers. Cool air caressed his paper white skin and ruffled his blood colored hair. His green eyes locked on an ogre spirit as it lumbered towards him. He tensed as its arm went inside him, its body dispersing into tendrils of smoke that flowed into his flesh.

As it disappeared into his body, its memories flowed into his mind becoming part of him, he felt his powers grow as new ideas in the ways to use them blossomed in his mind.

Ever since he was engulfed by that golden light that changed his parents into their true forms, spirits had been coming to him slipping into his body and fading away.

He had no idea why, but the experience gave him access to another type of energy, Nether, it was the opposite of Aether, it contained the darker aspects of life in the universe. He had no idea why he had suddenly gained this power, but he can only assume that it had something to do with learning the final truth of his family.

With a flick of his wrist, he sent one of the crystallized needles flying through the air. It stabbed into a unicorn dissolving as it sunk into his body.

These needles were a new type of technology he had developed in order to save as many inhabitants of other world as he could.

The needles were synchronized with his mother's energy. When the needles hit an organic life form, they would sink into the body, dispersing into Nanites that attach to every cell. Then when his mother traveled to her home universe, she would pull everyone synchronized by the Nanites with her.

A clearing opened up before him, a stream cutting through the lush fertile land. Large red feathered birds appeared in a burst of fire.

Spreading their mighty wings, they leapt off branches to snatch heart-shaped red fruit from the trees around them.

Raising his left hand, Harry flicked his fingers, pulling out two crystallized needles from a holster around his wrist. "Phoenixes, you don't see them very often."

Another flick and a third needle slipped between his fingers. Flinging his arm forward, he sent the needles sailing through the air.

Just as they were about to impact his two targets, a swirl of fire surrounded both birds, his needles disintegrated from the heat as the flame took on a feminine humanoid shape, a long trail of flame flowing back from its head to create a majestic mane.

The figure strode forward, her curvaceous hips swaying, her white eyes never leaving his form.

Surprisingly, each step did not burn the ground. As a matter of fact, the forest seemed to grow healthier wherever she walked.

She paused before him, her head cocking to one side, "So, you are the being that I now share aspects with."

Unconsciously, Harry relaxed, feeling no threat from the strange woman before him he mimicked her movements, cocking his head to the opposite side, "What do you mean?"

The woman narrowed her eyes.

Leaning forward, she seemed to peer inside him, "You don't know what you have become." A small smile spread across her face, "how strange, but also exciting, it is not often a new facet to the universe appears".

"New facet to the universe? What are you talking about? Who are you?"

The woman drew back, her hands sliding to her hips, "I am Phoenix, avatar of life for the universe."

Harry's eyes widened. The Phoenix had been attached to the grey bloodline for a long time. However, he didn't know what it could want with him.

He inclined his head, "Nice to meet you, but shouldn't you be speaking to my cousin?"

Phoenix's lips drew together, "Jean has decided that she wants to live a normal life, so I will have to find another vessel," she shook her head, "but that's not why am here."

"Okay, why are you here?"

Phoenix looked around, "Do you mind if we sit down? This could take a bit."

With a wave of his hand, Harry pulled roots up from the ground.

They twisted and turned transforming into two high backed chairs a short distance apart.

Phoenix inclined her head as they sat, "Thank you, I could have made them myself, but even that small bit of power could draw unwanted attention."

"You're welcome, but you were going to explain why you are here?"

Phoenix's lips curled, "You should learn patience, your immortal now, truly immortal, the long game could become your friend."

Harry sat back in his chair his arms crossed over his chest.

Phoenix exhaled, "Fine"

"Two days ago, your parents returned to their true forms. The energy released during this transformation revealed your true form and purpose. You are now the aspect of Rebirth."

Harry inclined his head, "What does that exactly mean?"

"It means you will absorb the souls of the restless dead, absorbing the experiences and powers of their lives, before expelling them from your body as a clean slate to be reborn into the world."

Harry interlocked his fingers, "Okay, so why are you here telling me this?"

"I am Phoenix, the embodiment of life for the universe, your ascension, or birth whichever you want to call it affects my domain, I came here to see what was going on, and to explain it to you."

Harry ran a hand through his hair, the embodiment of rebirth. That was the last thing he wanted. All he wanted was to explore and find adventure, but it looks like he didn't have a choice. Destiny had other plans for him.

"I'll keep an eye on the souls. Do I have to do anything?"

Phoenix shook her head, "I don't really know, this is new territory for me as well." She stood to her feet, "well, it was nice to meet you, but I've got a job to get back to."

Harry rose to his feet, stretching forth his hand, "Thank you for telling me this, Phoenix."

Phoenix grasped his hand, her touch feeling like his hand was bathed in sunlight, "Welcome to the fold."

Releasing his hand, she vanished in a swirl of fire.

XX –

Harry floated in the air above the wizarding city that now surrounded TírnanÓg waving his hands through the air. With each movement grooves appeared in the walls and crystal dome covering the city, forming a distinct large runic pattern.

It'd been two weeks since Phoenix had explained to Harry why he was seeing and absorbing souls. Over that time, he was surprised how many restless spirits were in other world. More surprising was the spirits that made their way from earth or even other planets.

While his knowledge and power expanded, Harry didn't use it, only using what was necessary to get Otherworld ready for the transition to his mother's home universe.

His mother and father had talked to the ruling wizarding counsel, explaining to them the tears in the sky and the unknown dangers they posed. Most didn't believe the dangers since they couldn't see them, but the more cautious ones were willing to let Harry get the city ready just in case.

Slowly, he drifted towards the ground, while raising his hands to waist level.

Minerals floated up from the earth flowing into the giant rune Harry had carved on the city's walls and protective dome, filling it with silver metal.

It had been discovered some years ago that the soil of Otherworld had minute amounts of magically conductive metal in it. This metal only gathered in large quantities in certain places, so most people couldn't use it, but with his power that limitation didn't apply to Harry.

Touching the ground, Harry flicked his wrist sending crystals flying through the air.

They sunk into the metal that made up the rune, spreading out to form complicated circuits.

"Still ever the creative genius, huh?"

A tingle went down Harry's spine at the familiar voice, "I don't know about creative genius," he began slowly turning around, "but I do what I can." He stared into her purple eyes as the wind gathered up her curly black hair causing it to fly out behind her.

Part of him wished the he hadn't reverse engineered the technology that extended their lifespans. It would have made this so much easier if she didn't look exactly how she did all those years ago.

Then again it may not have helped, Bellatrix was an Empath, a being that could absorb and channel the emotions of others. By doing this, she could increase her physical strength, vitality, and the amount along with potency of her magical energy.

"Hello Bella."

XX –

Lucius Malfoy clutched his wand in a leather gloved hand, its pale light illuminating the path before him. His other hand ran along the grime covered brick. His pale blonde hair was draped over his left shoulder in a neat braid.

His grey eyes stayed locked on the hunched figure of Herpo before him, "for Clarice," he repeated over and over in his mind.

A squeak and a splash drew his attention to the water running through a channel on his left, the greenish brown liquid left a greasy grime residue on the stone.

Lucius tore his gaze away from the water, wondering again why someone would willingly live down here.

The path before them opened into a circular crossroads, a concrete hallway ran in each direction before him.

"Give me a moment," Herpo said kneeling down.

Stretching forth his right hand, he ran a gnarled finger along the grey stone.

Purple energy followed the path of his finger. Slowly and with more difficulty than he would've liked, Herpo drew a circle on the floor.

Once the circle was completed, he drew a variety of runes around it in a second circle, some were curved, some were blocky, some were a combination of the two, and others were zigzagged combined with diamonds.

Done with his design, he leaned down, blowing air onto the symbols.

Purple flames shot from the runic designs heading towards the tunnels.

The one in front of him and to his right stopped, but the one to his left transformed into a humanoid with tentacles for its left arm. Its right foot was like an insect, and two insect-like wings emerged from its back.

Herpo rose to his feet, slowly making his way to the being displayed by his fire, "So you are Kenji, interesting way to use your powers."

Lucius came up behind him, "This is who were after?" He exclaimed in disbelief.

Herpo raised his hand, "Quiet," he hissed.

There was a reason he used the runes instead of a simple tracking spell. This runic array allowed him to get a look at his prey before actually meeting him in person, it gave him a chance to prepare.

He lowered his fist, "let's move."

They moved down the tunnel.

This tunnel was different than the others, bones of rats and other small animals crunched under their feet, and the smell of death hung heavy in the air so thick that it seemed to stick to their lungs.

Lucius raised his wand. A flash of silvery white light outlined his body. He took a deep breath, savoring the clean air as the aura around him purified it.

Herpo glanced over his shoulder, peering out from beneath his hood to freeze Lucius in place, "Are you trying to get us caught?"

"No," Lucius ground out, his free hand curling into a fist.

He hated the way Herpo treated him, but Herpo promised to return Clarice to him, for his wife he would do anything, he deserved to have her back, and his son deserved to have his mother. Nothing else mattered, the whole world could burn as long as he had her back.

Slowly, he lowered his wand, stowing it in an inner pocket. Making sure to keep the aura that cleans the air around him, he concentrated dimming its light.

Herpo nodded.

They continued on, eventually they came to a large open space, the brick forming a square before them.

Sitting back against the far wall on a pile of skulls was their prey, but his form was different.

Herpo cocked his head to the side.

The man before them was of Asian descent, silver eyes with a slitted pupils stared at the two of them, his pointed nose flared as he took in their scents. Slowly, he rose to his feet pushing down on the skulls.

They exploded in small puffs of white powder.

He crossed his arms over his chest, the lighting attached to the walls reflecting off his bald head.

"Who are you?" He asked, his voice containing a slight accent.

A smile split Herpo's face, the only thing visible in the new light.

His teeth flashed.

"Should I call you Kenji, or do you prefer Zero?"