Chapter 21 – What Lies Hidden
For someone who'd grown accustomed to the dim light of the caves, the sudden blinding intensity of Narcissus proved far too overwhelming for Harry to simply ignore. His first impression of the city was of a grand creation. Something built from dreams. Harry stood perilously on the edge of a cliff, overlooking a vast expanse of white tiled spires, constructed ominously beneath the ceiling of a great dug out cavity some two kilometers across at it's widest point, and stretching so high that Harry had difficulty seeing the top. As Marius slowly made his way down a dirt pathway from the cliff, Harry couldn't help but stare at the scope of the city. Though it wasn't as large as a modern day muggle city, he felt absolutely certain that Narcissus was an incredible feat of engineering for it's time, whether by use of magic or not. Following Marius down a long, winding dirt pathway, Harry couldn't help but stare at the city in awe. Many of the buildings seemed to be standing at near impossible angles, but all built with such precision that any fault in them, whether through construction, or merely time, seemed every bit the intention of whomever designed them. They were all pleasing to the eye. So incredible in their aesthetic appeal, that Harry found himself at times, falling behind as Marius kept up a brisk pace.
Slowly they entered the city's outskirts, and Harry's eyes darted everywhere, the absolute perfection of Narcissus even more apparent from his close up vantage point. It almost seemed to him that the city was held in something of a time freeze. Some of the merest objects looking as though dropped during the peak of a busy day. Shop fronts stood wide open, with food and wares still arranged for sale. Buildings under construction, some with broken scaffolding hanging haphazardly in the air, as if awaiting the next shift of workers to continue the building. Ominous looking road signs, etched with unrecognizable, yet familiar runes, swayed dreamily in a seemingly non-existent breeze. A hundred things and more pulled at his attention, and he found it increasingly difficult to keep his mind on following Marius through the labyrinth of streets and passageways that made up the city. The old man's commanding silhouette would suddenly change direction every so often as though he knew precisely where he was headed, or what he was searching for.
'Professor?' he started, his eyes still glued to his surroundings, 'Exactly how far underground are we?'
And at once Harry started as Marius turned quickly and lunged at him, clasping a strong hand over his mouth.
'Quiet!' he hissed through gritted teeth, his voice no louder than a whisper. Marius's eyes were wide now, and hastily scanning the city streets around him, as though expecting attack at any moment. Closely he whispered in Harry's ear. 'We are not alone here Harry, the walls themselves have ears. Speak quietly if you must and be close by when you do. Needless to say that far stealthier wizards than you have lost their lives to the Narcissans for a lot less.'
Harry gulped loudly as Marius released him, earning another grinding stare from the old wizard as his commanding form turned on spot and continued on, his pitch black cloak rippling behind him. Harry followed, if somewhat reluctantly, yet made a point to stay as close by as possible. He hadn't felt it before, though now he realized it he felt shocked he hadn't recognized the feeling earlier… They WERE being watched, and Harry could feel the presence of over a hundred different pairs of eyes studying him intently, all at once. Staring into him… through him even. Shutting his eyes tightly, Harry willed his mind to forget the existence of the faceless stares from just beyond his vision, and abruptly, they stopped. Only to be replaced by the soft crackling of old cobblestones from beneath his feet as he walked. Each step making permanent footprints into three thousand year old dirt.
'Where are we… uh… going?' Harry asked is as quiet a voice as he could muster. Marius looked to him slightly over his shoulder, not slowing his stride.
'We'll know as soon we arrive Harry. I know it may sound ambiguous to you but I fear there's no other explanation I can give you. Voldemort is down here for a reason, and I intend to find out what that is. That he did not kill Dumbledore on site is evident enough of what he seeks. Put simply enough, I'm searching the city in a pattern. The size of this place will make the going much harder I know, but I'm confident I'll discover something soon enough. Whether it be Voldemort himself or evidence of him. So, unless we plan for him to find us chatting, I suggest we continue on, hmm?'
Harry knew that looking for Voldemort was looking for trouble. Regarding their past encounters, Harry realized that each was an escape even less probable than the one before it, and it was a definite certainty that the dark wizard would be more enraged than ever that a boy in his teens could elude him so easily, when within his grasp. A thought tickled the back of Harry's mind to exactly how powerful Marius was. It would be difficult to tell for certain, but some things he'd seen Marius do seemed beyond the power of any wizard he'd seen previously. Perhaps the two might be of equal strength, but that would put into question as to why he hadn't heard of the man before this year. And what of himself? What was he to do should the dark lord appear around the next bend, wand pointed and preparing a curse?
Slinking a little out of Marius's vision, Harry concentrated, and conjured a small naked flame over his hand, that danced for a moment before winking out. Leaving his hand feeling nicely warmed. A sense of completeness rushed through him as he did it, as it had when he'd practiced it before. Wandless magic? The idea was still incomprehensible to him, though Marius seemed just the contradiction to his thoughts that he needed to prove it's existence. Casually he continued on, Marius never switching a step in front of him, the flame going unnoticed. Yet just as soon as he'd sighed a breath of relief, another familiar feeling swept over him… Those eyes. Again they stared at him from every direction, and Harry found himself turning his head every which way, looking for the sources of those stares, but he could see nothing. Only the angelic forms of buildings long since abandoned stood before him… Over him. As though looming. Marius though, continued walking on ignorantly, with an occasional glance this way, and another that way. Perhaps he'd forgotten he was with him all together? He sure enough acted it, or perhaps he was just trying to keep as quiet as possible, who knew?…
All of a sudden, movement caught the corner of his eye, drawing his gaze around to a dark alley, where a small huddling shadow stood there for a moment, before turning quickly at being seen and disappeared around another dark corner as though never there in the first place…
Harry just stood there surprised and blinked. If he didn't know any better, he would've sworn that had been… a child. What in blazes was a child doing here, of all places? Marius should know, he seemed ever wary of his surroundings, but was it possible he could overlook someone so small? Perhaps it had followed them in. A possibility to be considered, and before Harry knew it, his feet were walking him away from Marius towards the alley, his slow pace quickly turning to a run along the old cobblestone road, his feet crunching every step he made. As he neared the end of the alley way and turned the corner, again all he saw before him was that small shadow, standing there trembling for a moment before running away once more, down another alley way.
Harry pursued once more, his legs catching every so often within his robes. Oh, but he had to warn the child, Narcissus was no place for the unwary, Marius had driven that into him quite well enough. Around one corner, down a small back street… around another corner, another back street… the shadow, staring at him, scared. It continued to evade him, and he thought for a moment that the kid was perhaps faster than he, always ducking in and out of alley ways and abandoned streets, yet never making a sound. Sometimes eluding his vision all together, as if melding into the shadows.
The child might never really be there at all had Harry not trusted his vision so much, it was usually good in the dark so long as he had his glasses on. But always Harry found it the child again, just at the end of his sight, small eyes glowing from reflected night, winking out once more at being seen, to disappear around another abandoned street and beyond his grasp once more. Harry cursed himself for not being able to catch up with them, his legs failing him at the most critical time. But regardless, he followed, the streets and alleys along with their ever present houses, beginning to get narrower and narrower, the atmosphere darkening as well for each step he took forwards.
'Where are you going?!' he hissed beneath his breath, that feeling of watching eyes never leaving him as he ran flat out, almost tripping on raised cobblestones as he went. Another corner he turned, and behind the wall of a stone house, he saw that same, small shadow disappear again, though he found it more difficult to see the child now. Darkness wanted to shroud everything, shadows merging where they shouldn't and on top of it all, the child's own shadow melting in between them. But as always, Harry could pick it out and followed at a run, though his breath was starting to give out. He wasn't the fittest of people in the world. Definitely not. Around another set of dark corners and pitch black alley ways, his feet drove him on, ceaselessly pounding at the black cobblestones beneath him. The ever present question pounding in his head as to where this kid was taking him. He didn't have time for this, he had to get back soon, with or without this kid. But he would not leave him to die in this wretched, yet beautiful city.
At last Harry came to a stop… at an empty, dead end street.
'What in the world?' he wondered briefly, staring about himself. The child had completely disappeared into nothing, though he knew it was impossible, the road only led to this alleyway, nowhere else. He was certain the kid came in through here, there was just simply no other way for them to go. 'Where did you go…?'
'Where did who go?'
Harry spun around quickly at the voice, his breath catching so sharply in his chest that he feared he might have a heart attack. There before him at the mouth of the alley, stood a small child. A girl, of no more than six years old he assumed, dressed in a white, flower embroidered dress, her long brown hair arranged in twin pigtails down her back, and bright red bows tied neatly into them. Though the alley was dark, there was light enough to see tiny patches of red on her cheeks below her wide blue eyes, and a small basket of flowers in her hands that she held on to gingerly as though she feared Harry to be a thief.
'I… I won't hurt you.' Harry blurted out, still rather taken in by the child's appearance. For someone who'd managed to outrun him and then duck around behind, she never showed any signs of running at all. The little girl held herself up straight and breathed normally, staring innocently at Harry with her round encompassing eyes, 'My name's Harry… err… what's yours?'
She just stood there, looking at him with that innocence stare, not saying a word… she was probably just scared of him. That had to be it. Nothing more.
'I'm sorry if I startled you girl, I didn't mean to if I did.' Harry didn't know what else to say, his mind wanted to lock up every time he looked at her. Despite her age, she was incredibly cute, though in a way a father might see his daughter. Still she stood there, not making a sound, but her mouth curled into a small rosebud smile that warmed Harry's heart.
'I think, I startled you…' she said simply, being overcome by a slight giggle. Harry felt the urge to smile. He could tell this little girl would grow to twirl men around her fingers. One day. Though he could not make out the slight tingle on his skin, and goosebumps that rose whenever she stared at him. More so, that same feeling of being watched was stronger than he'd felt before, with only the ominous creaking of an open door distracting him from the girl's presence.
'I…' the little girl seemed rather torn, 'I… don't remember my name.'
Harry's eyes widened in surprise.
'Oh… I'm, sorry to hear that. What about your parents? Are they here too?'
The girl shook her head more vigorously this time, a few flower petals in her basket falling out over the ground.
'My parents are dead.' She spoke again, a small tear welling up in her eye. Quickly she reached behind and pulled out a handkerchief, which she wiped away her tears with. Harry couldn't help but feel sympathy for the girl having lost her parents, as not a day went by that he didn't think of his own parents at least once, and what they would've been like.
'Again, I'm sorry. I… I didn't realize.' Harry spoke soothingly, the girl putting away her handkerchief as though she'd never wept at all. 'But… no, I was looking for you. I'm sorry if I've upset you, but, you're not safe in this town. It's dangerous, there are things crawling the streets like animals. They'll take you if you aren't careful.'
The girl looked to him, seeming rather surprised and dropped her basket.
'Things?! What things, I haven't seen any animals here? Not here.' And she looked about, biting her fingers nervously. Harry didn't know what it was, but her fear seemed contagious, and looking around, he just realised exactly how far into the city he'd run. Here it seemed almost like night, small amounts of light reflected off stone buildings to create a twilight sort of atmosphere, that utterly chilled him to the bone. How could he have lost his way so easily? There could be a hundred creatures chasing him right now for all he knew. Trust him to be foolish. Yet there was still the matter at hand. The girl was still in danger.
'Come, I have to get you out of here. There's no telling what danger you're in just talking to me in this alley, do you know what's out there?!' and he reached out his hand to her. If need be, he was prepared to drag her along by force if he had to, he'd lingered too long already as far as he was concerned. Yet unbelievably, the girl stepped backwards from him, avoiding his grasp.
'When my mommy was alive, she told me not to walk away with strangers.'
The statement shocked him, though her own expression never changed. Her big, round blue eyes stared into him, making him sweat slightly… or was that just his nervousness, he couldn't tell. But one thing was for certain and that was he could little abide by a petulant child.
'You already know my name. It's Harry, and for your information, someone told me the exact same advice, so if anything, you're the stranger here.'
"There, that oughta make her think, enough time for me to get her out." Harry thought quickly, yet despite the girl's giggles, she stepped back again when Harry reached for her, and began staring intently at his hand, her mouth working slightly.
'It was you…' she said suddenly, making Harry stop in his tracks, 'Was it really you who made the fire? I think it was, I saw you from the dark.'
Harry furrowed his brow slightly at her, his thoughts racing.
'Err… yes. Yes that was me.' He spoke, watching the girl's eyes intently. Her expression never changed, but once he could've sworn she licked her lips. Harry wasn't comfortable with the way this conversation was going. He didn't want Marius knowing anymore than he should of his powers when he got the girl back to him. He had to change the subject somehow, quickly.
'Why did you run when I came after you?' he began, knowing that he couldn't think of a better topic to talk on. The girl bit her lip momentarily and smiled a little wider than he remembered, his heart feeling warmer still. And she took a step closer to him.
'I was playing a game… Will you play with me? Will you play my game?'
It felt more of a statement than a question, but Harry stood there with his legs locked up and his mouth hanging open.
'Uh… well, I really don't think this is the best time or place really, I…' the girl took another step towards him, '…You should come with me to safety!'
She nodded dismissively, and stared at him with those big, pretty blue eyes that just seemed to make him melt inside. Oh she was so cute. In the haze of his own mind he wondered what it'd be like to have a sister like her. A sister he could protect at every opportunity. For him to be a big brother. She took another step forwards, her bright red bows beginning to blow in the wind.
'It'll only take a minute, we'll be finished really, really fast. I swear. Really I do. Will you play with me?'
Harry's mind started to toy with him, his thoughts coming through more slowly than he'd have wanted. Nothing seemed clear to him anymore. Exactly what would it be like to have a sister like her? Maybe playing the game would help him find out! Yeah, that's what would help. He should play the game and, and… "What about getting her to safety?…" his mind continued to wander. Play the game, must play. She's a nice girl really, what's a few minutes anyway. Just a little out of your way. Nothing to worry about really… And he nodded.
'Yeah, sure… ok, I'll play.' He spoke faintly, his heart beating quickly as he let down his guard. The girl smiled that little rose bud of hers. Splashes of red colour blooming on her cheeks. She stepped forwards again and reached out slowly to him, oh so slowly…
"Yes… yes…" Harry's mind continued hazily, the child's hand nearing him, closer… closer… closer…
'NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!' a harsh voice yelled from above, and out of nowhere, Marius dropped down onto the street between them, instantly grabbing Harry by the scruff of his robes and pulled him just millimeters away from the child's hand, before in a whirl of swishing robes, he raised one heavy metal clad hand, and launched a bolt of super heated electricity at the girl's surprised form, striking her fully on the chest and launching her several meters into the masonry of a brick wall.
'WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! Harry shouted aloud, struggling against Marius's iron grip, beating his hands uselessly. The child laid sprawled against the broken wall with small columns of steam rising from her body, invigorating Harry to continue the struggle. Marius took none of it, and effortlessly dragged the boy's fretting face up to his own. The mage's cold, black eyes staring harshly into him.
'Get a hold of yourself boy!' he spoke harshly through gritted teeth, his patience quickly disintegrating. 'Your mind is weak, you never listened to me, even when I made it clear this city was dangerous! You have to learn the true from the false, who knows what would've happened if I hadn't have…'
Marius's grating tone was suddenly cut off, as the sound of falling rubble came to their ears. Harry looked to the child's crumpled body with shock as the battered, smoking form suddenly wretched and pushed itself up slightly, the girl's hair splayed haphazardly in different directions, static electricity producing odd sparks every so often in the air.
'Essence…' she spoke, in a voice much deeper and strangled than Harry remembered, but not looking up into his face, 'So long to wait… the hunger… oh the hunger… sooooo HUNGRY!' and she looked up, her eyes glowing like bright, yellow orbs as her skin began rapidly changing colour to a pallid white texture, in some areas so translucent, that the bones beneath could be easily seen. Raising slowly, her limbs lengthened and muscles grew, her hands splaying out into long, cruelly clawed talons.
Harry couldn't believe what he was seeing, but his mind was slowly beginning to think clearly again, and he realized the immediate error he'd made in taking off into the city in the first place. Marius's gauntleted hand dug deeply into his shoulders, his own gaze firmly fixed on the horrible creature forming before him, a sneer curling at the edges of his mouth. And at once the creature's stare centered on Harry, paralyzing the teen with fear and light headedness. It's rosebud mouth slowly stretching to double it's width to reveal row after row of razor sharp teeth, dripping with saliva.
'Go boy!' Marius ordered, pushing in front of him, 'I'll meet you soon, just GO!'
And Harry ran, rounding the corner just in time to see Marius raise another hand, a bolt of liquid fire melting the creature as it lunged at him, jaws open.
The streets seemed more enclosing than they had when he'd run this way before, the buildings looming closer to the road, and the crackling cobblestones beneath his feet making horrible echoes as he went. But still he kept his pace, now more than ever being driven by need… or was that fear? His mind couldn't have cared less, but he felt that the girl, or whatever it had been, had somehow addled with his brains. He couldn't remember precisely which way he'd come as he rounded a corner and neared a dark intersection, five different pathways joining up and leading to who knew where. Straining his mind he struggled to remember, going over the numerous turns and twists he'd made since leaving Marius in the first place…
Suddenly he caught movement down two of the roads, and when he turned his head, he saw to his horror the small childlike forms of seven, six year old girls, walking slowly towards him. All them with long, brown hair, and blood, red bows tied neatly into twin braided pigtails, whilst wearing white, flower embroidered dresses and each carrying a small basket of flowers. Everyone was unbearably cute, and every one of them was… the same! They all looked exactly the same, all staring at him with big, pretty blue eyes, and Harry could almost feel their gaze beginning to overwhelm him where he stood. They licked their lips hungrily as they studied him. His hands in particular.
'Will you play with us?' they spoke in unison, beginning to close in on him with a hungry look about their eyes… Harry stood his ground.
'Not this time!' he grated through his teeth, raising his wand. 'REDUCTO!' he roared, a bright spell flying from his wand and taking one of the children in the side of the face, hurling her a few feet backwards.
The others stopped suddenly and looked down at their companion. For a moment all was still, until the crumpled form moved slightly and pulled itself up to face Harry again, who's mouth widened in shock. Half the girl's face had been blasted away, though she showed no signs of pain or realization. Then after a few tense seconds, her face slowly began to grow back. Bone, flesh and skin reintegrating over her face, until she looked once more like she had before.
'Impossible!' Harry mouthed to himself, but the girl he'd struck just smiled back at him. All of them smiled that same that little rosebud, and continued to walk forwards towards him, their skin slowly turning pale as Harry took tentative steps backwards.
'Come play with us, we won't take long. We swear. Really, really we do. We swear!'
And their smiles mouths widened to reveal rows of serrated teeth, as their hands extended to touch Harry…
'NOOO!!!' he screamed, and ran in the opposite direction down an abandoned road, the girls behind him mutating into agile, four legged predators, before they too began pursuing him in leaps and bounds behind him. Harry ran down the old, dark street as fast as his legs could carry him, not noticing his dark surroundings want to close in on him further and further. Twisting and turning the road went, past open shop fronts and abandoned houses, Harry bolted past, his attention coming swiftly to him as he saw a T-intersection spring up suddenly before him, a right and left turn possible.
In the rush to slow down, Harry's feet buckled on him and he tripped on a raised cobblestone, sprawling to the ground with a crash and tangle of robes, coming to rest with his face staring upwards into the cavern ceiling, his breath coming from him in wheezes.
'You look friendly…' A giggling voice suddenly spoke in his ear, and he scrambled back to his feet, his wand already outstretched towards another small girl, staring at him with big, blue eyes. 'We can be best friends… Will you play with me?' And she abruptly dropped her basket, baring her razor sharp teeth as she let go a deafening scream that echoed throughout the city streets.
'Damn you! Damn you all to hell! INCENDIO!' Harry shouted aloud, setting the creature on fire where it stood, cutting out the screams as it fell suddenly and began writhing on the ground in mocking pain. Harry stepped back some more, finding himself backed against a wall, he had to make a choice as to which street he would take…
Abruptly he heard another scream, this one more distant, coming from his right.
"Not that way then."
Only then it was answered by a second scream, coming closer to him from his left… and then another, and another, and another! He was trapped! There was no other way out! Hastily he rose his wand… some good that would do, he'd already seen those things shrug off massive injuries, though it felt better than to have nothing at hand. Worth a little to go down fighting, he thought. Gulping, he stared back down the dark street he'd just run, a distinct feeling passing through him that those creatures were somehow attracted to him. To magic… And then he saw one, a massive predatory shape with powerful hind legs and rasping jaws, three meters above the ground, leaping to and fro between the narrows buildings that crowded the narrow alley way, others bounding up from behind towards him. Then to his left, and to his right, running with incredible speed, leaping up to four meters at a time with each bound. There WAS no way out! But he stood his ground nonetheless, and prepared to fire off a curse, when something strong gripped him from above and he screamed in horror, only to come face to face with the dark, commanding silhouette of Marius, long gashes dripping blood down his forehead as he stilled Harry with one steely gaze.
'This way!' he ordered, looking upwards at the top of the two story building Harry had backed himself into. Harry couldn't figure out precisely what Marius meant until both he and the old mage shot suddenly into the air, Marius driving his metal hands into the stone walls and rafters every so often, before leaping upwards again, soon finding himself landing on the tiled roof of the house with a crash some twenty meters high.
'Whoa!' Harry breathed, the blood leaving his face in disorientation. Marius disregarded him, and inched himself over the edge to see the street below. The creatures stood confused at the bottom of the street, roaring guttural growls, and threatening each other with gnashing teeth. Suddenly one looked upwards and saw Marius standing on the roof staring down at them. Arching it's head back, it screamed loudly, making Marius hold his ears, before it rose up to stand on it's powerful hind legs, it's full height easily taller than any man Harry had ever seen.
'You want us Screamer?!' Marius shouted to the creatures below, contempt rife in his voice. The creature standing on it's hind legs stared at Marius with it's glowing, yellow eyes.
'Essence…' it sneered, beneath it's growls. Teeth bared and snarling, it let loose another ear splitting scream, before it flung itself bodily against the stone wall, and began climbing, it's sharp claws pounding into the ancient stonework as it ascended, tooth filled jaws wide open in hunger.
Marius turned to Harry's shocked form and picked him up, staring into his eyes.
'Enough of exploring the city for one day I think,' and drawing an invisible circle in the air with his finger, a blue, glowing portal suddenly materialized out of nothingness, and he threw Harry bodily into it, before turning once more to stare over the roof edge at the snarling beast that quickly climbed it's way up to meet him, it's slippery tongue wiping it's snapping jaws in anticipation. Marius smiled cruelly.
'May you taste my righteous Essence Screamer… And choke on it!' he spoke acidly, as he weaved a complex thread of magic in the air, his hands whipping in countless directions to produce an electrified sphere of purple, rippling energy that hovered in mid air near eye level.
'Bon-apetite!' and he flung himself through the portal, wind and earth rushing past him in howling waves…
Harry sat curled up in anxiety on the other side of the portal. Marius hadn't come through yet, and he was beginning to worry. What if those things got to him just as he left? That was a thought too horrible to contemplate, even as he stared over the entire city from his vantage point, a sheer cliff face different to the first he'd stood upon. This was the destination of that strange portal, the blue, glowing mass of energy that rippled in the air, occasionally flickering as time slowly bore on, beads of anxious sweat beginning to slide down his face. What had happened to him? Getting to his feet he began pacing, counting every second go by, the time becoming unbearable, until at last, Marius stepped out of the portal in a more controlled fashion than he, and made it disappear into the air with a wave of his fingers.
He breathed a relieving sigh and pulled out a small packet of cigarettes from his robe pocket, which Harry was amazed he hadn't lost.
'I need a smoke…' he groaned, pulling one out and lighting it with a small flame that danced on his fingertip. Breathing in the nicotine, he blew out white, smoky rings into the air, his breath slowing down in ecstasy. 'Oh yes, that's what I needed…' and at once he turned and rounded on Harry.
'I don't suppose you remember me telling you this city was dangerous, hmm?!'
Marius might as well have shouted, his calmly controlled voice driving into Harry like nails. The boy could almost feel the sweat beginning to pour off his forehead like a stream.
'I… I didn't mean to. It just, happened. I saw a shadow in one of the alleys and I followed… I don't even remember why I went after it!' Harry stuttered to the man, who seemed to be growing in anger despite not moving a muscle in his face. A rock would have a hard time of out staring him. But his voice remained cool.
'I admit now I took my own sense of control for granted to believe a student could master it. Narcissus can call to people in ways you can never imagine. Never physically drawing them in, but luring them to follow shadows in the dark, to places were they cannot escape. You were unfortunate enough to be caught in that I'm afraid, so I'll let it pass for now… though I will not deny that you almost died just then, you're very lucky to be alive. If I hadn't pulled you out, then…'
He made a throat cutting motion with his fingers and continued to smoke, drawing deeper and deeper breaths in. Harry breathed a sigh of relief, he was expecting Marius to tear his head off. In truth, he'd lied to the man about why he went into the city, and it was only when he first saw that girl that his mind went awry. He suspected that Marius knew so as well, but he never said anything above the hollow breathing in and out of putrid smoke. Curiosity suddenly bugged at Harry's mind.
'Professor, err… what were those things back there, in the city?!' Harry's face went an odd green colour as he cast his eye over the masses of white topped buildings. Marius gave him a sidelong glance as he puffed, another smoky ring forming in the air.
'Those were Screamers Harry.' He spoke simply, making Harry cringe a little, 'Juvenile Narcissans, no more than a few years old I'd say.'
'Juveniles? You mean those were only kids?!'
Marius nodded gravely, dropping the cigarette butt to the ground and grinding it into the dirt with his boot.
'Yes Harry, only juveniles. Whoever passes through Narcissus usually gets taken by one of them. I assume they just kill you, though it is clear that they crave for the inner strength of their victims just as much as the adults. Had you encountered an adult Narcissan, it would have killed you on the spot, with or without my assistance, or worse perhaps, nobody knows exactly what drives them apart from hunger. As I said before Harry, you're lucky to be alive.'
Harry shivered inwardly, and looked to his hand.
'They… tried to touch me. One said it felt Essence inside.' He dug his hand into his robe pocket, the memory proving difficult to grasp. Marius groaned sympathetically.
'Yes, had you been touched by one you would die immediately, or at least, your soul would die, I personally haven't seen what they do to people they hunt down.'
Harry nodded uncomfortably, casting a rueful glance across the buildings. Somewhere out there, a pack of Screamers was howling in rage at having lost their prey so easily. Marius coughed loudly, cigarette smoke having a distinct affect on his lungs.
'Should give up that habit,' he groaned emphatically, coughing loudly again, pounding his chest, 'Well, at any rate I think it best we not enter Narcissus again. Those portals are rather draining to produce, and I don't like the possibility of having to escape again…' he cast an odd look to Harry, who'd sat down and begun staring at the city, 'What's wrong Harry, you seem puzzled?'
Harry looked up from his reverie, the blood still drained from his face.
'Well… it's just, I couldn't help but notice that the Screamers could melt into shadows. When I was chasing the first, it sprung up on me after I was running flat out after it. I still can't understand how it could do it.'
Marius frowned resignedly, furrowing his brow.
'That Harry, is probably the east known fact about Narcissans that anyone knows about. Narcissans are able to kill you through mere touch because they're ethereal… wraithlike even. They can bend light, disappear, melt into shadows, or just materialize anywhere there is darkness. They almost always despise brightness, though they'll kill people who walk in the light if they have to. It isn't one of their weaknesses, but then, it's not their element either. They're a dangerous enemy Harry, and no one who's been taken alive by a Narcissan has returned to tell the tale. They could merely kill you, though I think it likely they do far worse. I've heard rumors that they're able to kill Dementors, but then, I haven't seen any proof to suggest it. Though, considering what they can do, it is a high possibility. This Harry is what happened to the Narcissans when they dug too deep for their magic. Without new blood to share the inner strengths, they turned on each other. Have you ever wondered why they can do all I said they're capable of Harry?'
The boy nodded his head hesitantly, Marius sighing.
'They are not of the living so they cannot die. They can feel pain but never be consumed by it. They are no longer people as such… they're ghosts.'
Harry went (if it was possible) even greener than before, looking as though he would throw up there and then. Marius gave him more information than he was willing to listen to, but nevertheless, he could still hardly believed he'd escaped from the Screamers. But the notion that they were only juveniles and not adults shocked him to the core. Seeing as they didn't like light, he could only assume that adults lived below ground where light was non-existent. One thing was for certain however, and that was that he wasn't looking forward to encountering one any time soon. Again, he shuddered inwardly.
'Oh and Professor?' Marius turned to face him, 'When you threw me through that portal, it took you like a minute to follow, why did you take so long?'
Marius's mouth worked a little, but seemed overall, quite satisfied.
'When I sent you through Harry, the Screamers began climbing the walls after me. I knew that should they lay hands on me, they'd either kill me, or suck me dry of Essence, or both. I could've gone through the portal right after you, but I felt the need to give the Screamers what they wanted.'
Harry narrowed his eyes suspiciously, not sure of what he was saying.
'You gave them what they wanted? You mean Essence?!'
Marius nodded, a small satisfied smile beginning to stretch across his face.
'Yes. I gave them Essence. Enough I think so as they could all be accommodated satisfactorily.'
'What do you mean,' Harry asked confusedly, 'Why did you give it to them for, were you mad or something?!'
Marius's face became suddenly hard as rock, and his warm smile became instantly hate filled. Arching back slightly, he laughed like a maniac, leaving Harry to stew in his own confusion.
'Mad?! Oh no Harry, not mad. Gee, that's a laugh… No Harry, I wasn't mad. And dare I say it was worth the extra time and effort to leave it for them. A good lesson to learn Harry is that appeasement for every wrong your enemy commits, will only make your enemy more aggressive. Once is enough. So given that, I handed them a convenient package of Essence that would satisfy… PERMANENTLY!'
And at once a giant purple explosion blasted the inner half of the city apart, a solid shockwave spreading out across the old streets, leveling buildings that had stood for millennia. Harry yelled in shock and fell over backwards, while a giant mass of glowing purple energy expanded for over a kilometer, saturating the city, and pulling up a cloud of dust that shrouded the devastation…
When the dust had settled Harry stared in awe across Narcissus, or rather, where Narcissus used to be. Over eighty percent of the city laid in absolute ruins, perhaps somewhere of up to a hundred separate city blocks annihilated in a single blast. Harry could hardly believe his eyes. Marius never moved an inch, his back facing the inferno. Casually he withdrew another cigarette and lighted up, breathing another soothing puff of nicotine, while an entire city burned behind him, his face looking as though carved from stone.
'Yes Harry,' he spoke suddenly, as if mirroring the boy's thoughts, 'Appeasement never bodes well when you have an enemy that's hard to satisfy. The Narcissans are like that. Besides, permanent measures tend to be more, how should I say… convenient.' And he breathed another puff of smoke.
'Anyway, we've lingered long enough I think Harry. We should make haste, by now Voldemort should be aware of our presence here, let's go…'
And in a swish of cloak he turned on his heel, walking in long strides towards the opening of another dark tunnel. Behind him, Harry walked, muttering beneath his breath.
'Yeah, Voldemort knows we're here alright. Him and every other bloody person on this planet.'
Though it was impossible to overhear, Marius's step faltered slightly, yet he kept his pace strict. He may have looked cold and calculating outside, but on the inside…
………he was smiling.
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Chapter 21 down and going strong. I estimate that I should finish The Dark Veil of Hatred in about three more chapters or so. It won't take long for us to reach the finale. But you'll all have to wait for that unfortunately. I wrote this chapter on the spur of the moment, so if you notice it's out sooner than you've been expecting, then you're right. I know exactly where the story is going now, though I won't be able to start the next for a few days yet, I'm due away from my computer for tomorrow at least. But rest assured, everything in this story, every unexplained topic I've ever raised, will be exposed in the next few chapters, and with any luck, it will be incentive for you all to read the sequal when it comes out. I will mention the name of the story in the ending comment of my last chapter. Well, with that said, I hope you all find my newest chapter to your liking. I know they're long and perhaps hard to read, but I think in the end you'll agree it's better to update a story with 7000 words rather than to update with on 800. Lord knows I've seen some people do it. Happy reading.
Regards: Richard.
For someone who'd grown accustomed to the dim light of the caves, the sudden blinding intensity of Narcissus proved far too overwhelming for Harry to simply ignore. His first impression of the city was of a grand creation. Something built from dreams. Harry stood perilously on the edge of a cliff, overlooking a vast expanse of white tiled spires, constructed ominously beneath the ceiling of a great dug out cavity some two kilometers across at it's widest point, and stretching so high that Harry had difficulty seeing the top. As Marius slowly made his way down a dirt pathway from the cliff, Harry couldn't help but stare at the scope of the city. Though it wasn't as large as a modern day muggle city, he felt absolutely certain that Narcissus was an incredible feat of engineering for it's time, whether by use of magic or not. Following Marius down a long, winding dirt pathway, Harry couldn't help but stare at the city in awe. Many of the buildings seemed to be standing at near impossible angles, but all built with such precision that any fault in them, whether through construction, or merely time, seemed every bit the intention of whomever designed them. They were all pleasing to the eye. So incredible in their aesthetic appeal, that Harry found himself at times, falling behind as Marius kept up a brisk pace.
Slowly they entered the city's outskirts, and Harry's eyes darted everywhere, the absolute perfection of Narcissus even more apparent from his close up vantage point. It almost seemed to him that the city was held in something of a time freeze. Some of the merest objects looking as though dropped during the peak of a busy day. Shop fronts stood wide open, with food and wares still arranged for sale. Buildings under construction, some with broken scaffolding hanging haphazardly in the air, as if awaiting the next shift of workers to continue the building. Ominous looking road signs, etched with unrecognizable, yet familiar runes, swayed dreamily in a seemingly non-existent breeze. A hundred things and more pulled at his attention, and he found it increasingly difficult to keep his mind on following Marius through the labyrinth of streets and passageways that made up the city. The old man's commanding silhouette would suddenly change direction every so often as though he knew precisely where he was headed, or what he was searching for.
'Professor?' he started, his eyes still glued to his surroundings, 'Exactly how far underground are we?'
And at once Harry started as Marius turned quickly and lunged at him, clasping a strong hand over his mouth.
'Quiet!' he hissed through gritted teeth, his voice no louder than a whisper. Marius's eyes were wide now, and hastily scanning the city streets around him, as though expecting attack at any moment. Closely he whispered in Harry's ear. 'We are not alone here Harry, the walls themselves have ears. Speak quietly if you must and be close by when you do. Needless to say that far stealthier wizards than you have lost their lives to the Narcissans for a lot less.'
Harry gulped loudly as Marius released him, earning another grinding stare from the old wizard as his commanding form turned on spot and continued on, his pitch black cloak rippling behind him. Harry followed, if somewhat reluctantly, yet made a point to stay as close by as possible. He hadn't felt it before, though now he realized it he felt shocked he hadn't recognized the feeling earlier… They WERE being watched, and Harry could feel the presence of over a hundred different pairs of eyes studying him intently, all at once. Staring into him… through him even. Shutting his eyes tightly, Harry willed his mind to forget the existence of the faceless stares from just beyond his vision, and abruptly, they stopped. Only to be replaced by the soft crackling of old cobblestones from beneath his feet as he walked. Each step making permanent footprints into three thousand year old dirt.
'Where are we… uh… going?' Harry asked is as quiet a voice as he could muster. Marius looked to him slightly over his shoulder, not slowing his stride.
'We'll know as soon we arrive Harry. I know it may sound ambiguous to you but I fear there's no other explanation I can give you. Voldemort is down here for a reason, and I intend to find out what that is. That he did not kill Dumbledore on site is evident enough of what he seeks. Put simply enough, I'm searching the city in a pattern. The size of this place will make the going much harder I know, but I'm confident I'll discover something soon enough. Whether it be Voldemort himself or evidence of him. So, unless we plan for him to find us chatting, I suggest we continue on, hmm?'
Harry knew that looking for Voldemort was looking for trouble. Regarding their past encounters, Harry realized that each was an escape even less probable than the one before it, and it was a definite certainty that the dark wizard would be more enraged than ever that a boy in his teens could elude him so easily, when within his grasp. A thought tickled the back of Harry's mind to exactly how powerful Marius was. It would be difficult to tell for certain, but some things he'd seen Marius do seemed beyond the power of any wizard he'd seen previously. Perhaps the two might be of equal strength, but that would put into question as to why he hadn't heard of the man before this year. And what of himself? What was he to do should the dark lord appear around the next bend, wand pointed and preparing a curse?
Slinking a little out of Marius's vision, Harry concentrated, and conjured a small naked flame over his hand, that danced for a moment before winking out. Leaving his hand feeling nicely warmed. A sense of completeness rushed through him as he did it, as it had when he'd practiced it before. Wandless magic? The idea was still incomprehensible to him, though Marius seemed just the contradiction to his thoughts that he needed to prove it's existence. Casually he continued on, Marius never switching a step in front of him, the flame going unnoticed. Yet just as soon as he'd sighed a breath of relief, another familiar feeling swept over him… Those eyes. Again they stared at him from every direction, and Harry found himself turning his head every which way, looking for the sources of those stares, but he could see nothing. Only the angelic forms of buildings long since abandoned stood before him… Over him. As though looming. Marius though, continued walking on ignorantly, with an occasional glance this way, and another that way. Perhaps he'd forgotten he was with him all together? He sure enough acted it, or perhaps he was just trying to keep as quiet as possible, who knew?…
All of a sudden, movement caught the corner of his eye, drawing his gaze around to a dark alley, where a small huddling shadow stood there for a moment, before turning quickly at being seen and disappeared around another dark corner as though never there in the first place…
Harry just stood there surprised and blinked. If he didn't know any better, he would've sworn that had been… a child. What in blazes was a child doing here, of all places? Marius should know, he seemed ever wary of his surroundings, but was it possible he could overlook someone so small? Perhaps it had followed them in. A possibility to be considered, and before Harry knew it, his feet were walking him away from Marius towards the alley, his slow pace quickly turning to a run along the old cobblestone road, his feet crunching every step he made. As he neared the end of the alley way and turned the corner, again all he saw before him was that small shadow, standing there trembling for a moment before running away once more, down another alley way.
Harry pursued once more, his legs catching every so often within his robes. Oh, but he had to warn the child, Narcissus was no place for the unwary, Marius had driven that into him quite well enough. Around one corner, down a small back street… around another corner, another back street… the shadow, staring at him, scared. It continued to evade him, and he thought for a moment that the kid was perhaps faster than he, always ducking in and out of alley ways and abandoned streets, yet never making a sound. Sometimes eluding his vision all together, as if melding into the shadows.
The child might never really be there at all had Harry not trusted his vision so much, it was usually good in the dark so long as he had his glasses on. But always Harry found it the child again, just at the end of his sight, small eyes glowing from reflected night, winking out once more at being seen, to disappear around another abandoned street and beyond his grasp once more. Harry cursed himself for not being able to catch up with them, his legs failing him at the most critical time. But regardless, he followed, the streets and alleys along with their ever present houses, beginning to get narrower and narrower, the atmosphere darkening as well for each step he took forwards.
'Where are you going?!' he hissed beneath his breath, that feeling of watching eyes never leaving him as he ran flat out, almost tripping on raised cobblestones as he went. Another corner he turned, and behind the wall of a stone house, he saw that same, small shadow disappear again, though he found it more difficult to see the child now. Darkness wanted to shroud everything, shadows merging where they shouldn't and on top of it all, the child's own shadow melting in between them. But as always, Harry could pick it out and followed at a run, though his breath was starting to give out. He wasn't the fittest of people in the world. Definitely not. Around another set of dark corners and pitch black alley ways, his feet drove him on, ceaselessly pounding at the black cobblestones beneath him. The ever present question pounding in his head as to where this kid was taking him. He didn't have time for this, he had to get back soon, with or without this kid. But he would not leave him to die in this wretched, yet beautiful city.
At last Harry came to a stop… at an empty, dead end street.
'What in the world?' he wondered briefly, staring about himself. The child had completely disappeared into nothing, though he knew it was impossible, the road only led to this alleyway, nowhere else. He was certain the kid came in through here, there was just simply no other way for them to go. 'Where did you go…?'
'Where did who go?'
Harry spun around quickly at the voice, his breath catching so sharply in his chest that he feared he might have a heart attack. There before him at the mouth of the alley, stood a small child. A girl, of no more than six years old he assumed, dressed in a white, flower embroidered dress, her long brown hair arranged in twin pigtails down her back, and bright red bows tied neatly into them. Though the alley was dark, there was light enough to see tiny patches of red on her cheeks below her wide blue eyes, and a small basket of flowers in her hands that she held on to gingerly as though she feared Harry to be a thief.
'I… I won't hurt you.' Harry blurted out, still rather taken in by the child's appearance. For someone who'd managed to outrun him and then duck around behind, she never showed any signs of running at all. The little girl held herself up straight and breathed normally, staring innocently at Harry with her round encompassing eyes, 'My name's Harry… err… what's yours?'
She just stood there, looking at him with that innocence stare, not saying a word… she was probably just scared of him. That had to be it. Nothing more.
'I'm sorry if I startled you girl, I didn't mean to if I did.' Harry didn't know what else to say, his mind wanted to lock up every time he looked at her. Despite her age, she was incredibly cute, though in a way a father might see his daughter. Still she stood there, not making a sound, but her mouth curled into a small rosebud smile that warmed Harry's heart.
'I think, I startled you…' she said simply, being overcome by a slight giggle. Harry felt the urge to smile. He could tell this little girl would grow to twirl men around her fingers. One day. Though he could not make out the slight tingle on his skin, and goosebumps that rose whenever she stared at him. More so, that same feeling of being watched was stronger than he'd felt before, with only the ominous creaking of an open door distracting him from the girl's presence.
'I…' the little girl seemed rather torn, 'I… don't remember my name.'
Harry's eyes widened in surprise.
'Oh… I'm, sorry to hear that. What about your parents? Are they here too?'
The girl shook her head more vigorously this time, a few flower petals in her basket falling out over the ground.
'My parents are dead.' She spoke again, a small tear welling up in her eye. Quickly she reached behind and pulled out a handkerchief, which she wiped away her tears with. Harry couldn't help but feel sympathy for the girl having lost her parents, as not a day went by that he didn't think of his own parents at least once, and what they would've been like.
'Again, I'm sorry. I… I didn't realize.' Harry spoke soothingly, the girl putting away her handkerchief as though she'd never wept at all. 'But… no, I was looking for you. I'm sorry if I've upset you, but, you're not safe in this town. It's dangerous, there are things crawling the streets like animals. They'll take you if you aren't careful.'
The girl looked to him, seeming rather surprised and dropped her basket.
'Things?! What things, I haven't seen any animals here? Not here.' And she looked about, biting her fingers nervously. Harry didn't know what it was, but her fear seemed contagious, and looking around, he just realised exactly how far into the city he'd run. Here it seemed almost like night, small amounts of light reflected off stone buildings to create a twilight sort of atmosphere, that utterly chilled him to the bone. How could he have lost his way so easily? There could be a hundred creatures chasing him right now for all he knew. Trust him to be foolish. Yet there was still the matter at hand. The girl was still in danger.
'Come, I have to get you out of here. There's no telling what danger you're in just talking to me in this alley, do you know what's out there?!' and he reached out his hand to her. If need be, he was prepared to drag her along by force if he had to, he'd lingered too long already as far as he was concerned. Yet unbelievably, the girl stepped backwards from him, avoiding his grasp.
'When my mommy was alive, she told me not to walk away with strangers.'
The statement shocked him, though her own expression never changed. Her big, round blue eyes stared into him, making him sweat slightly… or was that just his nervousness, he couldn't tell. But one thing was for certain and that was he could little abide by a petulant child.
'You already know my name. It's Harry, and for your information, someone told me the exact same advice, so if anything, you're the stranger here.'
"There, that oughta make her think, enough time for me to get her out." Harry thought quickly, yet despite the girl's giggles, she stepped back again when Harry reached for her, and began staring intently at his hand, her mouth working slightly.
'It was you…' she said suddenly, making Harry stop in his tracks, 'Was it really you who made the fire? I think it was, I saw you from the dark.'
Harry furrowed his brow slightly at her, his thoughts racing.
'Err… yes. Yes that was me.' He spoke, watching the girl's eyes intently. Her expression never changed, but once he could've sworn she licked her lips. Harry wasn't comfortable with the way this conversation was going. He didn't want Marius knowing anymore than he should of his powers when he got the girl back to him. He had to change the subject somehow, quickly.
'Why did you run when I came after you?' he began, knowing that he couldn't think of a better topic to talk on. The girl bit her lip momentarily and smiled a little wider than he remembered, his heart feeling warmer still. And she took a step closer to him.
'I was playing a game… Will you play with me? Will you play my game?'
It felt more of a statement than a question, but Harry stood there with his legs locked up and his mouth hanging open.
'Uh… well, I really don't think this is the best time or place really, I…' the girl took another step towards him, '…You should come with me to safety!'
She nodded dismissively, and stared at him with those big, pretty blue eyes that just seemed to make him melt inside. Oh she was so cute. In the haze of his own mind he wondered what it'd be like to have a sister like her. A sister he could protect at every opportunity. For him to be a big brother. She took another step forwards, her bright red bows beginning to blow in the wind.
'It'll only take a minute, we'll be finished really, really fast. I swear. Really I do. Will you play with me?'
Harry's mind started to toy with him, his thoughts coming through more slowly than he'd have wanted. Nothing seemed clear to him anymore. Exactly what would it be like to have a sister like her? Maybe playing the game would help him find out! Yeah, that's what would help. He should play the game and, and… "What about getting her to safety?…" his mind continued to wander. Play the game, must play. She's a nice girl really, what's a few minutes anyway. Just a little out of your way. Nothing to worry about really… And he nodded.
'Yeah, sure… ok, I'll play.' He spoke faintly, his heart beating quickly as he let down his guard. The girl smiled that little rose bud of hers. Splashes of red colour blooming on her cheeks. She stepped forwards again and reached out slowly to him, oh so slowly…
"Yes… yes…" Harry's mind continued hazily, the child's hand nearing him, closer… closer… closer…
'NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!' a harsh voice yelled from above, and out of nowhere, Marius dropped down onto the street between them, instantly grabbing Harry by the scruff of his robes and pulled him just millimeters away from the child's hand, before in a whirl of swishing robes, he raised one heavy metal clad hand, and launched a bolt of super heated electricity at the girl's surprised form, striking her fully on the chest and launching her several meters into the masonry of a brick wall.
'WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! Harry shouted aloud, struggling against Marius's iron grip, beating his hands uselessly. The child laid sprawled against the broken wall with small columns of steam rising from her body, invigorating Harry to continue the struggle. Marius took none of it, and effortlessly dragged the boy's fretting face up to his own. The mage's cold, black eyes staring harshly into him.
'Get a hold of yourself boy!' he spoke harshly through gritted teeth, his patience quickly disintegrating. 'Your mind is weak, you never listened to me, even when I made it clear this city was dangerous! You have to learn the true from the false, who knows what would've happened if I hadn't have…'
Marius's grating tone was suddenly cut off, as the sound of falling rubble came to their ears. Harry looked to the child's crumpled body with shock as the battered, smoking form suddenly wretched and pushed itself up slightly, the girl's hair splayed haphazardly in different directions, static electricity producing odd sparks every so often in the air.
'Essence…' she spoke, in a voice much deeper and strangled than Harry remembered, but not looking up into his face, 'So long to wait… the hunger… oh the hunger… sooooo HUNGRY!' and she looked up, her eyes glowing like bright, yellow orbs as her skin began rapidly changing colour to a pallid white texture, in some areas so translucent, that the bones beneath could be easily seen. Raising slowly, her limbs lengthened and muscles grew, her hands splaying out into long, cruelly clawed talons.
Harry couldn't believe what he was seeing, but his mind was slowly beginning to think clearly again, and he realized the immediate error he'd made in taking off into the city in the first place. Marius's gauntleted hand dug deeply into his shoulders, his own gaze firmly fixed on the horrible creature forming before him, a sneer curling at the edges of his mouth. And at once the creature's stare centered on Harry, paralyzing the teen with fear and light headedness. It's rosebud mouth slowly stretching to double it's width to reveal row after row of razor sharp teeth, dripping with saliva.
'Go boy!' Marius ordered, pushing in front of him, 'I'll meet you soon, just GO!'
And Harry ran, rounding the corner just in time to see Marius raise another hand, a bolt of liquid fire melting the creature as it lunged at him, jaws open.
The streets seemed more enclosing than they had when he'd run this way before, the buildings looming closer to the road, and the crackling cobblestones beneath his feet making horrible echoes as he went. But still he kept his pace, now more than ever being driven by need… or was that fear? His mind couldn't have cared less, but he felt that the girl, or whatever it had been, had somehow addled with his brains. He couldn't remember precisely which way he'd come as he rounded a corner and neared a dark intersection, five different pathways joining up and leading to who knew where. Straining his mind he struggled to remember, going over the numerous turns and twists he'd made since leaving Marius in the first place…
Suddenly he caught movement down two of the roads, and when he turned his head, he saw to his horror the small childlike forms of seven, six year old girls, walking slowly towards him. All them with long, brown hair, and blood, red bows tied neatly into twin braided pigtails, whilst wearing white, flower embroidered dresses and each carrying a small basket of flowers. Everyone was unbearably cute, and every one of them was… the same! They all looked exactly the same, all staring at him with big, pretty blue eyes, and Harry could almost feel their gaze beginning to overwhelm him where he stood. They licked their lips hungrily as they studied him. His hands in particular.
'Will you play with us?' they spoke in unison, beginning to close in on him with a hungry look about their eyes… Harry stood his ground.
'Not this time!' he grated through his teeth, raising his wand. 'REDUCTO!' he roared, a bright spell flying from his wand and taking one of the children in the side of the face, hurling her a few feet backwards.
The others stopped suddenly and looked down at their companion. For a moment all was still, until the crumpled form moved slightly and pulled itself up to face Harry again, who's mouth widened in shock. Half the girl's face had been blasted away, though she showed no signs of pain or realization. Then after a few tense seconds, her face slowly began to grow back. Bone, flesh and skin reintegrating over her face, until she looked once more like she had before.
'Impossible!' Harry mouthed to himself, but the girl he'd struck just smiled back at him. All of them smiled that same that little rosebud, and continued to walk forwards towards him, their skin slowly turning pale as Harry took tentative steps backwards.
'Come play with us, we won't take long. We swear. Really, really we do. We swear!'
And their smiles mouths widened to reveal rows of serrated teeth, as their hands extended to touch Harry…
'NOOO!!!' he screamed, and ran in the opposite direction down an abandoned road, the girls behind him mutating into agile, four legged predators, before they too began pursuing him in leaps and bounds behind him. Harry ran down the old, dark street as fast as his legs could carry him, not noticing his dark surroundings want to close in on him further and further. Twisting and turning the road went, past open shop fronts and abandoned houses, Harry bolted past, his attention coming swiftly to him as he saw a T-intersection spring up suddenly before him, a right and left turn possible.
In the rush to slow down, Harry's feet buckled on him and he tripped on a raised cobblestone, sprawling to the ground with a crash and tangle of robes, coming to rest with his face staring upwards into the cavern ceiling, his breath coming from him in wheezes.
'You look friendly…' A giggling voice suddenly spoke in his ear, and he scrambled back to his feet, his wand already outstretched towards another small girl, staring at him with big, blue eyes. 'We can be best friends… Will you play with me?' And she abruptly dropped her basket, baring her razor sharp teeth as she let go a deafening scream that echoed throughout the city streets.
'Damn you! Damn you all to hell! INCENDIO!' Harry shouted aloud, setting the creature on fire where it stood, cutting out the screams as it fell suddenly and began writhing on the ground in mocking pain. Harry stepped back some more, finding himself backed against a wall, he had to make a choice as to which street he would take…
Abruptly he heard another scream, this one more distant, coming from his right.
"Not that way then."
Only then it was answered by a second scream, coming closer to him from his left… and then another, and another, and another! He was trapped! There was no other way out! Hastily he rose his wand… some good that would do, he'd already seen those things shrug off massive injuries, though it felt better than to have nothing at hand. Worth a little to go down fighting, he thought. Gulping, he stared back down the dark street he'd just run, a distinct feeling passing through him that those creatures were somehow attracted to him. To magic… And then he saw one, a massive predatory shape with powerful hind legs and rasping jaws, three meters above the ground, leaping to and fro between the narrows buildings that crowded the narrow alley way, others bounding up from behind towards him. Then to his left, and to his right, running with incredible speed, leaping up to four meters at a time with each bound. There WAS no way out! But he stood his ground nonetheless, and prepared to fire off a curse, when something strong gripped him from above and he screamed in horror, only to come face to face with the dark, commanding silhouette of Marius, long gashes dripping blood down his forehead as he stilled Harry with one steely gaze.
'This way!' he ordered, looking upwards at the top of the two story building Harry had backed himself into. Harry couldn't figure out precisely what Marius meant until both he and the old mage shot suddenly into the air, Marius driving his metal hands into the stone walls and rafters every so often, before leaping upwards again, soon finding himself landing on the tiled roof of the house with a crash some twenty meters high.
'Whoa!' Harry breathed, the blood leaving his face in disorientation. Marius disregarded him, and inched himself over the edge to see the street below. The creatures stood confused at the bottom of the street, roaring guttural growls, and threatening each other with gnashing teeth. Suddenly one looked upwards and saw Marius standing on the roof staring down at them. Arching it's head back, it screamed loudly, making Marius hold his ears, before it rose up to stand on it's powerful hind legs, it's full height easily taller than any man Harry had ever seen.
'You want us Screamer?!' Marius shouted to the creatures below, contempt rife in his voice. The creature standing on it's hind legs stared at Marius with it's glowing, yellow eyes.
'Essence…' it sneered, beneath it's growls. Teeth bared and snarling, it let loose another ear splitting scream, before it flung itself bodily against the stone wall, and began climbing, it's sharp claws pounding into the ancient stonework as it ascended, tooth filled jaws wide open in hunger.
Marius turned to Harry's shocked form and picked him up, staring into his eyes.
'Enough of exploring the city for one day I think,' and drawing an invisible circle in the air with his finger, a blue, glowing portal suddenly materialized out of nothingness, and he threw Harry bodily into it, before turning once more to stare over the roof edge at the snarling beast that quickly climbed it's way up to meet him, it's slippery tongue wiping it's snapping jaws in anticipation. Marius smiled cruelly.
'May you taste my righteous Essence Screamer… And choke on it!' he spoke acidly, as he weaved a complex thread of magic in the air, his hands whipping in countless directions to produce an electrified sphere of purple, rippling energy that hovered in mid air near eye level.
'Bon-apetite!' and he flung himself through the portal, wind and earth rushing past him in howling waves…
Harry sat curled up in anxiety on the other side of the portal. Marius hadn't come through yet, and he was beginning to worry. What if those things got to him just as he left? That was a thought too horrible to contemplate, even as he stared over the entire city from his vantage point, a sheer cliff face different to the first he'd stood upon. This was the destination of that strange portal, the blue, glowing mass of energy that rippled in the air, occasionally flickering as time slowly bore on, beads of anxious sweat beginning to slide down his face. What had happened to him? Getting to his feet he began pacing, counting every second go by, the time becoming unbearable, until at last, Marius stepped out of the portal in a more controlled fashion than he, and made it disappear into the air with a wave of his fingers.
He breathed a relieving sigh and pulled out a small packet of cigarettes from his robe pocket, which Harry was amazed he hadn't lost.
'I need a smoke…' he groaned, pulling one out and lighting it with a small flame that danced on his fingertip. Breathing in the nicotine, he blew out white, smoky rings into the air, his breath slowing down in ecstasy. 'Oh yes, that's what I needed…' and at once he turned and rounded on Harry.
'I don't suppose you remember me telling you this city was dangerous, hmm?!'
Marius might as well have shouted, his calmly controlled voice driving into Harry like nails. The boy could almost feel the sweat beginning to pour off his forehead like a stream.
'I… I didn't mean to. It just, happened. I saw a shadow in one of the alleys and I followed… I don't even remember why I went after it!' Harry stuttered to the man, who seemed to be growing in anger despite not moving a muscle in his face. A rock would have a hard time of out staring him. But his voice remained cool.
'I admit now I took my own sense of control for granted to believe a student could master it. Narcissus can call to people in ways you can never imagine. Never physically drawing them in, but luring them to follow shadows in the dark, to places were they cannot escape. You were unfortunate enough to be caught in that I'm afraid, so I'll let it pass for now… though I will not deny that you almost died just then, you're very lucky to be alive. If I hadn't pulled you out, then…'
He made a throat cutting motion with his fingers and continued to smoke, drawing deeper and deeper breaths in. Harry breathed a sigh of relief, he was expecting Marius to tear his head off. In truth, he'd lied to the man about why he went into the city, and it was only when he first saw that girl that his mind went awry. He suspected that Marius knew so as well, but he never said anything above the hollow breathing in and out of putrid smoke. Curiosity suddenly bugged at Harry's mind.
'Professor, err… what were those things back there, in the city?!' Harry's face went an odd green colour as he cast his eye over the masses of white topped buildings. Marius gave him a sidelong glance as he puffed, another smoky ring forming in the air.
'Those were Screamers Harry.' He spoke simply, making Harry cringe a little, 'Juvenile Narcissans, no more than a few years old I'd say.'
'Juveniles? You mean those were only kids?!'
Marius nodded gravely, dropping the cigarette butt to the ground and grinding it into the dirt with his boot.
'Yes Harry, only juveniles. Whoever passes through Narcissus usually gets taken by one of them. I assume they just kill you, though it is clear that they crave for the inner strength of their victims just as much as the adults. Had you encountered an adult Narcissan, it would have killed you on the spot, with or without my assistance, or worse perhaps, nobody knows exactly what drives them apart from hunger. As I said before Harry, you're lucky to be alive.'
Harry shivered inwardly, and looked to his hand.
'They… tried to touch me. One said it felt Essence inside.' He dug his hand into his robe pocket, the memory proving difficult to grasp. Marius groaned sympathetically.
'Yes, had you been touched by one you would die immediately, or at least, your soul would die, I personally haven't seen what they do to people they hunt down.'
Harry nodded uncomfortably, casting a rueful glance across the buildings. Somewhere out there, a pack of Screamers was howling in rage at having lost their prey so easily. Marius coughed loudly, cigarette smoke having a distinct affect on his lungs.
'Should give up that habit,' he groaned emphatically, coughing loudly again, pounding his chest, 'Well, at any rate I think it best we not enter Narcissus again. Those portals are rather draining to produce, and I don't like the possibility of having to escape again…' he cast an odd look to Harry, who'd sat down and begun staring at the city, 'What's wrong Harry, you seem puzzled?'
Harry looked up from his reverie, the blood still drained from his face.
'Well… it's just, I couldn't help but notice that the Screamers could melt into shadows. When I was chasing the first, it sprung up on me after I was running flat out after it. I still can't understand how it could do it.'
Marius frowned resignedly, furrowing his brow.
'That Harry, is probably the east known fact about Narcissans that anyone knows about. Narcissans are able to kill you through mere touch because they're ethereal… wraithlike even. They can bend light, disappear, melt into shadows, or just materialize anywhere there is darkness. They almost always despise brightness, though they'll kill people who walk in the light if they have to. It isn't one of their weaknesses, but then, it's not their element either. They're a dangerous enemy Harry, and no one who's been taken alive by a Narcissan has returned to tell the tale. They could merely kill you, though I think it likely they do far worse. I've heard rumors that they're able to kill Dementors, but then, I haven't seen any proof to suggest it. Though, considering what they can do, it is a high possibility. This Harry is what happened to the Narcissans when they dug too deep for their magic. Without new blood to share the inner strengths, they turned on each other. Have you ever wondered why they can do all I said they're capable of Harry?'
The boy nodded his head hesitantly, Marius sighing.
'They are not of the living so they cannot die. They can feel pain but never be consumed by it. They are no longer people as such… they're ghosts.'
Harry went (if it was possible) even greener than before, looking as though he would throw up there and then. Marius gave him more information than he was willing to listen to, but nevertheless, he could still hardly believed he'd escaped from the Screamers. But the notion that they were only juveniles and not adults shocked him to the core. Seeing as they didn't like light, he could only assume that adults lived below ground where light was non-existent. One thing was for certain however, and that was that he wasn't looking forward to encountering one any time soon. Again, he shuddered inwardly.
'Oh and Professor?' Marius turned to face him, 'When you threw me through that portal, it took you like a minute to follow, why did you take so long?'
Marius's mouth worked a little, but seemed overall, quite satisfied.
'When I sent you through Harry, the Screamers began climbing the walls after me. I knew that should they lay hands on me, they'd either kill me, or suck me dry of Essence, or both. I could've gone through the portal right after you, but I felt the need to give the Screamers what they wanted.'
Harry narrowed his eyes suspiciously, not sure of what he was saying.
'You gave them what they wanted? You mean Essence?!'
Marius nodded, a small satisfied smile beginning to stretch across his face.
'Yes. I gave them Essence. Enough I think so as they could all be accommodated satisfactorily.'
'What do you mean,' Harry asked confusedly, 'Why did you give it to them for, were you mad or something?!'
Marius's face became suddenly hard as rock, and his warm smile became instantly hate filled. Arching back slightly, he laughed like a maniac, leaving Harry to stew in his own confusion.
'Mad?! Oh no Harry, not mad. Gee, that's a laugh… No Harry, I wasn't mad. And dare I say it was worth the extra time and effort to leave it for them. A good lesson to learn Harry is that appeasement for every wrong your enemy commits, will only make your enemy more aggressive. Once is enough. So given that, I handed them a convenient package of Essence that would satisfy… PERMANENTLY!'
And at once a giant purple explosion blasted the inner half of the city apart, a solid shockwave spreading out across the old streets, leveling buildings that had stood for millennia. Harry yelled in shock and fell over backwards, while a giant mass of glowing purple energy expanded for over a kilometer, saturating the city, and pulling up a cloud of dust that shrouded the devastation…
When the dust had settled Harry stared in awe across Narcissus, or rather, where Narcissus used to be. Over eighty percent of the city laid in absolute ruins, perhaps somewhere of up to a hundred separate city blocks annihilated in a single blast. Harry could hardly believe his eyes. Marius never moved an inch, his back facing the inferno. Casually he withdrew another cigarette and lighted up, breathing another soothing puff of nicotine, while an entire city burned behind him, his face looking as though carved from stone.
'Yes Harry,' he spoke suddenly, as if mirroring the boy's thoughts, 'Appeasement never bodes well when you have an enemy that's hard to satisfy. The Narcissans are like that. Besides, permanent measures tend to be more, how should I say… convenient.' And he breathed another puff of smoke.
'Anyway, we've lingered long enough I think Harry. We should make haste, by now Voldemort should be aware of our presence here, let's go…'
And in a swish of cloak he turned on his heel, walking in long strides towards the opening of another dark tunnel. Behind him, Harry walked, muttering beneath his breath.
'Yeah, Voldemort knows we're here alright. Him and every other bloody person on this planet.'
Though it was impossible to overhear, Marius's step faltered slightly, yet he kept his pace strict. He may have looked cold and calculating outside, but on the inside…
………he was smiling.
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Chapter 21 down and going strong. I estimate that I should finish The Dark Veil of Hatred in about three more chapters or so. It won't take long for us to reach the finale. But you'll all have to wait for that unfortunately. I wrote this chapter on the spur of the moment, so if you notice it's out sooner than you've been expecting, then you're right. I know exactly where the story is going now, though I won't be able to start the next for a few days yet, I'm due away from my computer for tomorrow at least. But rest assured, everything in this story, every unexplained topic I've ever raised, will be exposed in the next few chapters, and with any luck, it will be incentive for you all to read the sequal when it comes out. I will mention the name of the story in the ending comment of my last chapter. Well, with that said, I hope you all find my newest chapter to your liking. I know they're long and perhaps hard to read, but I think in the end you'll agree it's better to update a story with 7000 words rather than to update with on 800. Lord knows I've seen some people do it. Happy reading.
Regards: Richard.