Chapter 5
Harry Fights Back




As Altashir sat at the Ravenclaw table, a great horned owl swooped down with a letter. The letter dropped into Altashir's hand, as he recognized the owl as Sun Wolf's. Altashir opened the letter, to find only one written line. Meet me in the courtyard NOW! was all it said.

Whatcha get? asked Mandy, who had noticed the puzzled look on Altashir's face.

lied the Master of Magic and Wisdom. Only a prior commitment. If you will excuse me? Altashir stood up, and walked out of the great hall to find Sun Wolf.

As Altashir stepped into the courtyard, he saw Sun Wolf sitting in the same location of their last Samor game. Striding over to him, he noticed the look of concern on Sun Wolf's face.

What's the problem? Altashir asked his friend.

Have you noticed any magic failures lately? Sun Wolf asked Altashir.

Altashir thought to when it took more power than it should have to revive Harry. What kind of failures? Altashir asked Sun Wolf.

I knew exactly how much it would take to revive our Sun Wolf clarified. Yet both times I revived him, it took more than was necessary. It was as if some of my power was being redirected to some unknown place.

And the redirection only occurred during revivals? Altashir asked the Kai Supreme Master.

Sun Wolf responded, how did you know?

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Sun Wolf and Harry reached the Gryffindor common room at about the same time. Since no one else was there, Harry kept his eye on Sun Wolf. Having died three times, Harry was beginning to realize that his deaths were not accidental. He also realized that he was always being brought back by the same person who was killing him, so he didn't consider it as much of a threat as he would consider, say, Voldemort. Now there was someone Harry was certain would not bring him back. Still, it was rather annoying to die in the first place, and Harry was determined not to be killed again.



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Altashir wandered down a hall, looking for his next idea in the game. Poisoning had been fun, but he knew it wasn't enough to win. Altashir needed something that would definitely make one stop and take notice.

You were so cute at that age, came a familiar voice from behind him. Altashir turned around, to see a painting of a lovely elven woman smiling at him. All you need now, the elf continued, is your old pick axe and lantern.

Altashir rolled his eyes. I'm not seven years old anymore, he grumbled to the elf in the painting.

I know, the elf replied, but to me, you'll always be my little boy.

Stop it Mother, Altashir urged. What if the others hear? And what are you doing in a Hogwarts painting? Did you go to Hogwarts, too?

said Eleanor with a smile. I only came here to see you! I saw you at your Quidditch match. I disguised myself as a student, and was sitting with the Slytherins. I felt right at home among them, even though that Malfoy fellow kept trying to hit on me. Kinda hard to say you're married, when you're disguised as a thirteen year old mortal.

Altashir allowed himself an amused grin. How true, he said, how very true.

Eleanor suddenly became very serious. she addressed him, I wanted to remind you that turning Exilus runs in families. Your sister and two of her children had turned Exilus at one point or another, and yes I admit it, I am Exilus as well. You are at risk as well.

I know that, Altashir retorted. I'm being careful, and keeping myself in check.

You know why I bring it up, right? Eleanor asked, warningly.

Because I killed that Potter boy? Seeing Eleanor nod, he continued, It's just a game. And besides, I'm reviving him after each death. I'll be stopping when the game is over.

Altashir heard a gasp from around the corner, and looked in time to see two Gryffindors running down a hallway. Someone heard us, he said as he turned back to Eleanor. The entire painting was gone.

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Ron and Hermione were out of breath by the time they got to the portrait of the fat lady. It was a few minutes before they finally managed to tell her the password, and get into the common room. They saw Sun Wolf meditating by the window, and Harry was watching him carefully.

Ron puffed.

We found out who's been killing you! Hermione added.

Sun Wolf stopped, and listened in.

Is it who I think it is? Harry asked his friends.

Ron told him, it's not Kai at all.

It's that Ravenclaw Kai is always with, Hermione added. It's Rubicant.

Ron address Sun Wolf, You have to avoid Rubicant. He's dangerous!

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That night, Sun Wolf donned his cloak, and prepared to go out after hours. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were talking in the common room when he walked in. They stopped and stared when they saw his prismatic cloak changing colors in the light.

What are you up to? Harry asked Sun Wolf as he headed for the portrait door.

I have to investigate something in the Dark Forest, Sun Wolf told Harry.

What do you mean? Hermione inquired.

It's my duty as a Kai Lord, Sun Wolf remarked as he disappeared through the portrait door.

So what are we going to do about him? Ron asked his friends. Ron and Hermione both looked to Harry.

Harry answered, I'm going to get my father's cloak. Then we're going to follow him.

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The forest was darker than usual as Sun Wolf made his way through the heavy foliage. Twice, Sun Wolf was forced to alter his course. The track was changing. Whatever he had sensed was definitely on the move.

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whispered Ron, that was my foot !

Sorry Ron, whispered Hermione. Harry, can you get your elbow out of my ribs?

The three made their way after Sun Wolf, in slight discomfort. While the cloak was large enough to cover all three of them, it was still a bit on the cramped side.

Everyone stopped struggling when they saw Sun Wolf stop up ahead. Keeping their distance, they watched and listened to every detail.

Sun Wolf walked over to a figure leaning against a fallen tree. It took Harry a moment to recognize the person as Rubicant.

What are you doing here? Sun Wolf asked Altashir.

Same as you, Altashir explained. I sensed a tremendous evil here, and came to investigate.

Find anything? Sun Wolf asked.

Altashir grumbled. How about you?

Only thing I found, Sun Wolf told his friend, is standing right over there. Sun Wolf extended his arm, and pointed to the exact spot Harry and his friends were standing. As Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked behind them to see what Sun Wolf was pointing at, the Kai Supreme Master stepped over to his fellow Gryffindors. Before they could react, Sun Wolf had snatched the invisibility cloak off of them.

Such an obvious trick, Altashir commented with a smirk, that even you saw through it, eh Kai?

Sun Wolf threw the cloak at Harry. Go back to the tower, Sun Wolf told the three Gryffindors. This isn't a good time for you to be following me.

Let them stay, Altashir chimed in. This should be rather interesting.

Harry stepped forward, wand at the ready. I've had just about enough of you, Rubicant! shouted Harry. Harry sent a shower of sparks at Altashir.

Oh no! laughed the Master of Magic and Wisdom. The amateur wants to fight me, and the best he can do are harmless sparks! I'd be embarrassed if it wasn't so funny!

Harry sent another shower of sparks at Altashir.

Let it not be said that I don't fight fair, Altashir announced. Reaching into his robes, Altashir pulled out his personal spellbook. He tossed it to Harry. That ought to even the odds, Altashir remarked.

Harry wasted no time in opening the book, and reading through the spells inscribed there. He tried a basic Fire spell, and felt the sheer force as a fireball the size of Dudley erupted from his wand. Altashir moved just in time for the fireball to incinerate the trees behind him.

Well met! Altashir called out with pride. Better than those useless sparks of yours, eh Potter? Altashir waved his hand, and an outline of Altashir flashed red, then yellow, then blue, black, silver, and white.

Harry tried the same spell again, and hit Altashir dead center. Harry watched as the flames flared with a radiance that turned night into day in the Dark Forest. A feeling of great relief swept over Harry. This was it. At last the killing was over.

But it was not to be. The flames died down, and Altashir emerged unscathed. Brushing ashes off his robes, he raised his arms in a deliberate manner.

Your master is here, come forth my servant! called Altashir in a loud, deliberate, commanding voice. Let your damage come full circle on my command!

Harry felt panic welling up inside him. He knew he had to act now, or he would be killed by whatever servant was coming to Altashir's assistance. Harry quickly flipped through the spellbook, reading spell names as he went. Flameshaft... Electrify... Resurrection... Poisoned Apple... Utter Annihilation... Effigy... Wait, go back!

Harry pointed his wand at Altashir, and invoked Utter Annihilation. Harry was immediately engulfed by black flames. The blood curdling screams Harry gave vent to, only lasted a few seconds.

Sun Wolf walked over to the charred remains of Harry. He glanced at him, then to Altashir. I don't get it, the Kai Supreme Master said to the Master of Magic and Wisdom, I've seen you cast that spell several times. You never got hit by it. What went wrong?

Easily explained, Altashir replied. When I cast that spell, I didn't have a self infliction curse on my wand.