Disclaimer: I don't own anything that you recognize
A/N: Thanks a lot to all of those who reviewed and to Ally Serenity for betaing this chapter
Chapter Thirty-three
Back in the Chamber of Secrets, both Lily and Voldemort were still fighting a battle of will.
Lily was feeling the crystal power flowing through her body, something that was quite distracting as she was trying to maintain her shield at the same time.
Suddenly a burning feeling distracted her attention for a second, but she did not lose her grasp on her shield.
Looking at her hands, her eyes widened as she saw a sliver of crystal liquid run on her skin and penetrate it. Looking up, she saw the crystal of destiny was literally melting. The liquid crystal was like liquefied metal. Sparks were flying around what still remained of the stone.
The liquid continued its way on her body, running up her right arm, down her body and left arm, tracing patterns and runes on its way.
It was slightly painful, her whole body seemed on fire as her skin appeared to absorb the liquid crystal, leaving silver pattern on her skin as the testimony of its existence.
She felt the power of the crystal spread over her, and then gather and circle her own core.
Dread filled her mind as she realized what would happen.
She was still focusing her powers on holding her shield, and couldn't stop it. Bracing her self for the magical backlash she was about to endure, she steeled her resolve.
At that moment, the crystal energies merged with her own in a magical blast, and all went white.
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She blinked a few times, trying to adjust to heavy light surrounding her.
Was she dead?
She looked around.
She was still in the Chamber of Secrets, but this time the room was brightly lit.
Everything seemed petrified, as if time had been stopped.
"And time has indeed been stopped, Lilyaris."
Startled, Lily jumped, whirling on her heels to face two women. They were familiar…
Then she remembered: the cave where she had gone to find her staff. These two women had been there too…
"You remember then, good." said the one with ebony hair, "Then you know why we are here…."
"The choice."
"Not exactly… But yes, you shall have to make a choice, young one," nodded her companion.
"What choice? Why am I the one to choose?"
"Why does the sun rise and fall? Why do birds fly? Who knows? Magic cannot be explained… as for your choice, two paths are now opened to you, and it is up to you to decide which to follow."
"Which paths?"
The woman with red smiled gently.
"We shall show you."
They joined hands and extended their other ones to Lily.
As if moved by invisible strings, Lily walked to them and clasped her hands with theirs. As soon as she did so, her surroundings dissolved in a whirl of colors.
"Two choices are offered to you, Lilyaris. Your friends are fighting a battle they cannot win," started Athenesa, as the battle scene formed before their eyes. "The dragons are too few, and reinforcements are going to come to the Dark troops. Voldemort enlisted the help of mercenaries. Assassins are going to strike the King and his counselors, leaving your army without leaders."
Lily saw those men. They were the perfect killers. Their features were common, a face among hundreds of others. They seemed to move in the shadows, never noticed unless they desired to be.
"They are well-trained, and they will not fail."
Anguish tore through Lily's heart.
"What can I do?"
This time it was Diavera who answered.
"You can use the power the crystal gifted you with. It is now a part of you and something you will be able to gift whomever you want later in your life. But you shall only have access to its powers once so think your decision through."
Her sister nodded.
"Think over it indeed…"
She raised her hand and a ball of light formed itself.
"If you choose to kill Voldemort, this will be the result…"
The ball expanded, and suddenly Lily found herself watching as she fought with Voldemort; then suddenly started to glow brightly. Rays of blinding light shot out of her body as she was arched backward under the strain, her mouth opened in a silent scream.
The rays started to swirl in the room before latching at Voldemort who stood, dumbfounded before what was happening.
He was soon encircled by the rays that started to swirl faster around him, forming a small vortex.
Suddenly a ray shot towards him and pierced through his torso, like a spear made of light, and remained embedded in him. A second followed, a third, a fourth, more and more rays pierced through him, each time eliciting a blood-chilling scream from the Dark Lord.
Finally, the rays started to glow brighter, as the vortex seemed to get smaller and smaller; it was finally reduced to a man-size.
Eyes filled with fear, Voldemort was now eyeing the vortex, horror filling his face.
Suddenly the vortex seemed to be sucked in his body, through the rays. This wrenched a horrible cream from the Dark Lord as burns appeared on his skin.
In a matter of seconds, it had disappeared, only leaving a breathless Voldemort panting, his skin horribly burnt.
For a few seconds nobody moved, not a sound was made.
As nothing happened, the dark Lord started to laugh, maniacally. There was a brief flash, so brief that he was barely visible, then an explosion.
The blast was so powerful that nothing remained of the Dark Lord. A shock wave started to spread itself.
Lily and the two women followed it. Once it reached the Battle field, the Dead army and the hybrids started to glow the same light then exploded, killing everything in the vicinity.
The shock waves continued to spread, cleaning the land and erasing any trace of Voldemort magic. All those bearing the Dark Mark were knocked out.
"You will win this war, Voldemort will be dead once for all, and his servants will be punished," Lily looked as the Death Eaters underwent their trials and faced their sentence, "peace will reign, but this will not come without a price…"
Lily barely refrained herself from breaking as she saw a graveyard, hundreds of tombstones had been erected recently. She saw herself walk through them, stopping here and then to place a flower and pay her respects, but her undoing where the names on the tombstones before which her other self knelt.
Prince James of Erkanswald
Son of Regis and Dorilys, King and Queen of Erkanswald.
Deceased while defending his country, he will be remembered.
Loving son, loyal friend, honorable man, he will be missed
Love, honor and courage were his attributes,
His memory will be cherished by those who loved him.
Lady Arabella of Orthein
Daugher of Sir Dominic and Lady Sabyn of Orthein
Died fighting for her friends and kingdom
Belle of the court, she shone through her life by her brillance
Loving Daughter, friend rarely seen,
She loved the world and was dearly loved.
Let us remember this Belle whose memory will be cherished.
Sir Sirius, killed
Sir Remus, deceased
Queen Dorilys, victim of an assassin
Sir Exer, died doing his duty
Master Kermal, dead
Mistress Derna…..
The list went on and on.
Most of her friends, dead.
"Many would die," finally said Diavera, "But Peace would be back, the King would survive and rebuild the kingdom."
The scene changed. And she saw herself kneeling before the King before standing at his right where usually stood the heir.
"He would adopt you as his daughter and made you Princess Lily, Heiress of Erkanswald," said Athenesa. "He would rule for many years before dieing, and you would take his place as Queen," continued Athenesa.
The scene changed again.
She was sitting on the throne, her crown shining on her head. Ambassadors were kneeling before her.
"You would accept an alliance with Kalesie by marrying his second son, Erik. Your marriage would be political but would not be too bad, the two of you would be friends. You would give two daughters and a son to the kingdom," Athenesa's voice was ringing to her ear.
Another flash, She was older, gray had made her way through her hair. A tall dark blond man was at her side, their three children standing next to them.
Suddenly they were back to the chamber.
Athenesa and Diavera were looking piercingly at her.
The younger of the two spoke.
"This is the first path available to you… a second one is also offered, should you decide to use your power to defeat the Dark Army while protecting your friends."
This time it was Diavera who produced the ball of light.
Once again, Lily found herself witnessing what could happen.
She was in the Chamber of Secrets once more. Again, rays of light shot from her and gathered, but this time around her. The vortex tightened around her, and with a small blast she disappeared. The shock wave was strong enough to knock out the Death eaters within a certain range, but luckily, the castle was in this perimeter. Voldemort was also knocked out.
She saw herself appear on the fringe of the battlefield and Amaris appearing at her side.
"You would fight with your friends and thanks to the crystal and the dragons, would manage to destroy the Dead Army and spare most of the soldiers." Athenesa's voice brought her out of her musings. The woman resumed her speech. "Once the Dead Army is vanquished, the Death Eaters and remaining Dark creatures would be subdued. But there would also be a price. Lives would be lost or cursed." Lily watched as the Light soldiers cheered as the remaining Dark soldiers tried to flee. She watched as the soldiers started to pick up the bodies, as Remus woke up and learned of his new lycantrophy.
Diavera continued the narrative.
"Despite this victory, the war would not be over. Voldemort would escape and with him some of his Death Eaters. He would go to Tarelys and rebuild his forces and delve deeper in Evil practices."
"Back in Erkanswald, the Death Eaters captured would meet their punishment and manage to weasel their way out. You would be ennobled and marry your prince."
Lily watched with wonder as people started to rebuild the country and as she walked down the aisle towards a beaming James.
"For six years, calm and peace would reign; your wedding would be blessed with the birth of a son, Harold James." Diavera smiled at the wonder that passed on Lily's face as she saw her son.
"Soon after his birth, Voldemort would strike again and war would start once more."
Scene of small battles flashed before them.
"In the end, Voldemort, with his assassination elite would manage to infiltrate the castle thanks to the betrayal of a man. He would first kill your husband, than yourself before turning to your son."
With tears in her eyes, she watched as the Dark Lord killed her love then herself before turning to her baby.
"But what he would not know would be your gift to your child who would be the new bearer of the Destiny's Crystal whose power would flow through his blood. This would save him, leaving him only a scar on his forehead," told Athenesa.
Lily watched as her son cried as she lay dead at the feet of his crib.
"Ten years would pass in peace. For his protection, your son would be sent to your sister where he would grow up, scorned by his relative, starved, and humiliated."
She watched as Petunia treat her only son as a slave.
"But he would find support with the servants, as you did yourself, and with the animals," stated Diavera. "On his eleventh birthday he would be asked to enter Hogwarts, making lifelong friends."
Athenesa continued the story as flashes of her son life in Hogwarts flashed before her.
"During his studies, he would meet Voldemort on several occasions, managing to thwart his plans more than once. But the Dark Lord will be reborn by some of his servants, as your son would reach his fourteenth year, learning his true heritage. After that, the war would start again, slowly at first, but intensifying as the years would pass."
The red head resumed the narrative.
"On his seventeenth birthday, he would be the youngest to ever bond himself to a golden Dragon. He would join the Army with his friends while keeping his study of future King."
"He would face losses, pain, but found joy, friends… when he would reach his twenty-first birthday, he would reach his true power as he would became the heir of Erkanswald."
Athenesa cut her sister.
"He would face Voldemort one more time and be the victor of this battle as he would unlock the true power of the Crystal of Destiny, thus reinstating the Balance."
Diavera finished their story telling, as Lily watched transfixed the life of her son displaying itself before her eyes.
"He would become King and marry soon after. His reign would be peaceful and he would be hailed in the centuries to come as one of the greatest rulers of the past. His children would succeed to him, the kingdom would flourish."
Slowly the scene faded away and they were back to the Chamber of secrets, Voldemort still petrified in front of them, as well as the two guards.
"So, Lilyaris, what will be your choice, what path will you take, which future will you embrace?"
Lilyaris, aware of both their gazes piercing through her, kept her eyes downcast.
Minutes passed in silence as she pondered on this, her mind racing trying to find another way.
Finally she reached her decision and looked up to the two women.
"I have made my choice."
The women smiled. Both of them extended a hand and the two balls reappeared.
"Then, follow your decision, Pure, may it be the right. You will not retain any memories of what was showed to you."
Steeling her resolve, Lily walked to Diavera and touched the second ball.
As the two women faded away, she heard a whisper.
"Good luck, Lilyaris…."
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Lilyaris looked at Voldemort, a bit dizzy…. What had just happened? Shaking her head, she pushed those thoughts away, concentrating on the task at hand.
She could feel the energies building up inside her.
CLANK. CLANK.
The two bracelets fell to the floor, unable to contain her powers any longer.
The rush of magic was so big was her hands were literally sparkling.
She summoned her staff, enlarging her and focused on her intent. She had to help her friends... they needed her help.
Before she could say anything, a ray of light shot up from her chest. It was painful. Biting back a scream, she arched backward, trying to ease her self, but a second ray shot out, followed by others.
The blinding white light started to swirl around her, lazily at first then quicker and quicker, even forming a small vortex around her body.
Voldemort was starring at her. He tried to curse her, but the curse rebounded on the vortex and nearly hit him.
Suddenly, her body started to burn. The patterns burnt into her skin while the crystal had entered her body started to glow, becoming visible to all. The vortex started to close itself on her.
Hesitantly, she touched it with her forefinger, expecting to be burnt; but she only felt acceptance, and warmness.
Taking a deep breath, she lowered her defenses, closing her eyes, surrendering himself to this power she knew she could not tame.
As if sensing this, the vortex rushed inside her until nothing was left.
She opened her eyes and the two guards observing this display of power took a few steps back. Her eyes were not their usual shade of green, but swirling silver.
She just look at them and in a blast of power which knocked the three unconscious, she disappeared from the Chamber of Secrets, bypassing all the wards Salazar Slytherin had placed upon this room.
She reappeared, staff in hand on the borders of the battlefield. A few seconds later, Amaris was at her side.
Lily! How!
Seeing her rider, the silver dragon stopped, and after a few seconds, bowed.
Pure, I await your command.
Lily turned to her bonded.
Let's go Amaris.
With this she jumped on the dragon's back and both of them took flight, launching themselves in the air.
Quickly, Amaris brought her to the dragons, which were circled by the hybrids.
Raising her staff, Lily pointed it to the clouds of bugs that were throwing themselves at her.
They were turned into snowflakes, which melted under the sunrays.
A cheer rose from the soldiers as they recognized Amaris.
This seemed to boost the Light side's spirit.
Without their bugs, the hybrids were far less dangerous. In groups of three or four, the dragons started to attack them, killing them one by one.
As soon as a dragon was wounded, a green or a blue one was appearing and saving him.
Soon no hybrids were left and the hydrias had fled a long time ago
Then, Lily turned to the battleground under her.
Raising her staff again, a burst of light erupted from it and headed for the ground, dividing itself on its way.
Explosions were heard as the beams hit the grounds. And slowly, domes of white light appeared, protecting the Light soldiers, but also the Death Eaters and the Dark Creatures.
Once it was done, Lily looked around.
Bella had flown to her side, a large smile threatening to split her face in two.
"Lily…."
Lilyaris allowed a small smile on her face.
"Let's burn this filth."
With these words she motioned to Amaris who fell into a sharp dive, heading straight for the grounds. Meters away she pulled back and flew just above the Dead Army,
"BURN THEM NOW AMARIS!"
Too happy to do so, the silver dragon breathed a huge tongue of fire as Lily cast spells to enhance the flames.
From everywhere in the skies, dragons were rising and diving, showering the undead fighters with fire.
Screams echoed everywhere as the dragons took their places back in the sky to survey the destruction of the Dead army as meters of flames reduced the undead soldiers to ashes. After ten minutes of watching the wonders of the fire, while containing it to the area occupied by the Dead Army, Lily turned to her fellow riders.
"We have to stop the fire now."
Joining their efforts, the riders combined their powers and slowly the fire died down, only leaving ashes and scorched land of black and brown.
With a wave of her staff, Lily undid the dome and the Light soldiers launched themselves at their enemies, some managed to flee, apparating away before Lily could place anti-apparition wards on the place. Others, in particular those from Tarelys, preferred to surrender. Their tamers out of the way, the Dark Creatures started to leave the battlefield, led by the vampires and Werewolves.
The Dragons surveyed the scene, but seeing that their army had the upper hand and nearly had gained control of the battlegrounds, they landed, wing after wing, the Lions being the last ones.
As she did so, Lily felt the power fade, only a pulsing point in her magical core. She blinked a few times, as if emerging from the fog.
Amaris landed and her rider jumped to the ground, patting her bonded on the neck and leaning against her shoulder, drawing strength from the love radiating from her dragon.
"Lily!"
She had barely time to brace herself when a handful of Bella hit her full force, hugging her to death amid the laughter of those around.
Sirius joined in, followed by Remus, Yvan and others from the Lions.
"Air, I need air!"
Slowly they let go of the young woman as the King made his way towards them, leaning on his son who had gone looking for him as soon as he landed.
Upon seeing Liy, James froze. Sure he had seen her as she had come to their rescue, but to see her standing in from of him, a large smile on her face, her green eyes twinkling, it was almost painful.
He felt himself go numb as his father let go of him, standing transfixed.
Then, the realization that she was alive made his way to his brain and he ran to her, shouting her name. He took her in his arms, spinning her and before one of them could stop the other, he was kissing her deeply, not caring about the fact that the whole army was watching them.
Lily was well, she was there, she was in his arms, and he could feel her.
Laughter and cheers erupted around them as well as whistles and cat calling, under the amused gaze of the King, Exer, and Albus.
Nobody saw one of the bodies littering the grounds rise up and creeping towards the King. None of them saw his hazel eyes and crazed look as he snarled, coming closer and closer to the King. None did, except Remus, who was looking around trying to see who had come out of this unscathed.
Derna was sporting a few bruises on her face, a split lips, a cut on her forehead and gash on her right side. Kermal was cradling his broken left arm and supported an angry red cut on the side of his neck. This guy approaching the King with a blade had a heavily bleeding wound on the side of his head. Geran…
What!
Without thinking, Remus ran towards the King and as the assassin launched himself at the monarch, pushed Regis out of the way. He stumbled to the ground, taking the killer with him. He heard a stunner being cast among other curses but blacked out as a searing pain shot from his shoulder.
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After the attack on the King, people started to organize themselves.
Prisoners were gathered, bound, and guarded until they could put them in cells and give them a trial. Bodies were gathered and identified. Those that could not be, either because not enough was left or because they were from Tarelys, were put aside. The dwarves helped erect funeral pyres on the plain to get rid of the bodies of the creatures that could not be used in potions and for the fallen soldiers.
The wounded were taken care of by the healers, the families of those fallen on the field were warned and would assist at the burning of the pyres.
Lily and her friends finally found themselves in the infirmary after having helped either collecting the bodies, erecting the pyres or assisting the healers.
Remus had not been the only one to be bitten during the battle; a lot of men had also been infected.
Their friend stirred in his bed and they came closer.
Remus opened his eyes and they fell on his friends. He managed a weak smile as he tried to sit up. Helping hands came to his help.
"Easy there, mate."
"Thanks."
"So how are you feeling Remus?"
"Like I was trampled by a herd of hippogriffs… What happened to me?"
Silence fell on the room.
"James, Sirius… what happened?"
James avoided his gaze as Lily sat next to him and took his hand into hers.
"The assassin you took to the grounds…."
"Yes, I remember him!" cut Remus, impatiently.
"He was a werewolf, Remus and he bit you before we could stun him."
Remus felt his mind go blank…. He was bitten by a werewolf but that would mean that…
"He infected you… there was not anything we could do, not even the elves know how to cure the bite of a werewolf."
"So… I am…. I am…."
Her hand squeezed him trying to give him strength to overcome this.
"You are a werewolf Remus, like all the soldiers who got bitten during the battle," answered Bella with a soft voice.
Taking a shuddering breath, Remus tried to prevent the bubble of hysteria, which threatened to burst and not to break down.
"S-So, what will happened? Do my parents know?"
"Your Father was killed as was Arabella's. Sirius' father is currently between death and life. But your mother was told what happened and is extremely proud of you. She is with your father now, but will come to visit you a bit later," reassured Lily.
A bit of relief flooded through him. His mother was not repulsed by him, she still loved him.
"Remus," James sat on the other side of his friend, "whatever happens, we will be here."
He clasped his hand on his friend's shoulder.
Bella and Sirius joined them, each of them expressing their support to their friends.
Finally after a few seconds.
"Is it over?" suddenly said Bella.
Lily looked at her friend and nodded.
"For now."
Voldemort was not dead, of this she was sure; and some of his Death Eaters were still free and would help him. But for now they would be able to enjoy some peace, for a few years at least.
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A week later, the castle had nearly been restored to its usual state. The servants had been freed as soon as possible, and the Death Eaters still unconscious had been sent to the dungeons with the others, waiting for their trials.
Reports of sightings of Voldemort in Tarelys had reached the King, and as a result, the guard on the border had been tripled, and a wing of dragons had been posted there.
A ball was being thrown to celebrate the victory. The first part would be opened to everyone and would take place in the yard, which was huge enough to host everyone. The second part would be reserved to the court and army's leaders and would take place in the ballroom.
Remus and Sirius were taking the same ladies as their previous date. Bella had once more accepted Sir Yvan's demand, and James had asked Lily as soon as his father had told him of it.
They arrived late as usual. Arabella was stunning in a lovely violet color; her long raven hair falling in loose curls down her back. The sleeves hugged her arms before flaring at the elbow. Pale purple gloves, some jewelry and slippers completed her outfit. Lily was absolutely glowing as she entered the room on James' arm. There was no mistaking the feelings between the two of them as they gazed into each other's eyes. She was wearing a pearl-gray gown, which hugged her every curve. Like Bella's, her sleeves flared at the elbow and she wore white gloves. With each of her steps, her white lacy skirts, covered by the gown were flapping against her legs and as the gown followed the movements; its color seemed to sparkle under the lights of the ballroom. Strauss was spread on the bodice, as well as rows of small amethysts.
On the hem and the handcuff, small rose's patterns had been embroidered with extreme care and details. Lily wore her red hair down, with small claps keeping it in place.
She was wearing an intricate pearl necklace and had put her Elvin necklace under the gown; she had her usual bracelet and ring, plus a set of pearl earrings.
The evening was spent dancing, talking, and remembering… Even if the evening was dedicate to celebration, the losses were not forgotten.
Two days before, several people had been ennobled since a lot of dominions had found themselves without a master if the noble governing it had betrayed the Kingdom and had had no direct successor or close loyal family to take the place.
Lily had been one of them, as well as Derna and Kermal. But the latters had refused a dominion, and had accepted a farmland instead.
Lily had been given the Nearth dukedom. But she had been writing to some distant relative of the former Duke which had cut contact with their family, years ago, as she had the inkling that she would not remain Duchess Lilyaris for long.
Indeed, the court had been waiting for their engagement to be announced any day now. Lady Cyrielle and Queen Dorylis along with Lady Sabyn of Orthein, Arabella's mother, and Bella herself had taken on teaching Lily how to behave, act, and move in court.
After a few hours of dancing, talking and enjoyment, James led Lily outside and brought her to the spot where they had kissed for the first time. On their way, they talked, joked before sitting on a bench, under lilacs.
The garden was tended to with the help of magic, so the trees and flowers never wilted. The scent of the lilac flowers was slightly dizzy, and Lily was grateful for the bench.
James squeezed her hands in his as he knelt at her feet and leveled his eyes and locked them with the green orbs of the woman he loved and opened his mouth to ask the question that had been running through his head for the past week.
Shock passed through Lily's features. She had been waiting for this question, yearning for these words, but this did not lessen the shock. Then a bubble of joy filled her and she felt a large smile break on her face. Cupping his head in her hands, she lowered her lips to his own, whispering a soft yes as she kissed him, trying to show him all the love she felt for him.
They kissed some more, and made their way inside, a new ring adorning Lily's hand, and both of them radiating happiness.
As soon as their friends saw them, they noticed a change, but Bella was the first to spot the ring, before launching at Lily, beaming with happiness.
She was the first of all those who would congratulate them.
As Lily smiled, thanking a well-wisher, her head on James' shoulder as his hand was firmly settled around her waist, she sighed in continent.
She had found were she belonged. She was Lilyaris, fiancée of Prince James, rider of Amaris, and now a new life was starting for her.
