Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter.
Chapter 12 Set Sail For the Kingdom Come
The Creator of Paradise stood atop a balcony in Sanctuary, glancing at his creation. In the distance, he could hear the cry of a drake, see a massive wurm devour the tree line as it chased a small group of undistinguishable dots.
Behind, the Guardian continued her silent, unceasing vigil.
Moving his mind into the stones of the castle, he asked for a drink.
The stones, moving more like quicksilver instead of rock, became tendrils of earthy material as they brought forth a glass.
Harry smiled, and took a deep drink.
It was his own creation, a filling, deep blue concoction that tasted of spring and rain. The goblet was his own as well, shimmering, prism-like crystal that glimmered with all the colors man had ever known... and some that it had never dreamed.
Watching the concoction as he swirled the glass about, he briefly considered an old idea of his. This was his creation, sprung from the depths of his mind. Now it was returned to his body. Ideas becoming real, and real returning to idea.
Madness.
Harry laughed, either bitterly or insanely, he could not tell.
Everything was madness. His Paradise, his castle, his creations, everything is madness when the Creator is mad.
Hermione Granger was widely known for her commitment to academics and her near unparalleled logistic mind.
What was less widely known but no less impressive was her steel like determination when one was hiding a secret from her.
Setting her jaw, she glared at the decidedly uncomfortable Ginny Weasley. "Why, may I ask again, do you want to borrow Harry's invisibility cloak and the map?" She growled.
Ginny, thinking fast, said brightly, "I want to pull a prank."
From the look of things, the bushy haired girl didn't buy it for one second. "Ginny, even I could tell that was a lie." Ron cut in, rolling his eyes.
A laser-like glare struck Ron, who was eerily reminded of his mother being corrected. "Shut. Up. Ron." His little sister nearly growled, each word punctuated by an obstinate stomp of her foot.
"Okay, what's really going on?" Hermione demanded adamantly.
Ginny glanced at the determined glint in her friend's eyes, and then to her brother's suspicious look. She sighed.
"Fine. Don't bother sitting down."
Two days later (and a few castings of Enervate), Ron, Ginny, and Hermione found themselves in a smallish cabin. It was Dumbledore's (i.e. the Order's) ship, known as the Destiny Seeker, complete with white sails and a phoenix flag. They had been allowed onboard after a rather peculiar meeting...
"Quiet Ron!" Hermione admonished with a harsh whisper underneath the Invisibility cloak.
"No, you be quiet!" Ron retorted.
"How about both of you be quiet!" Ginny nearly screamed, kicking her brother in the shin, hard. "They'll catch us!"
The trio had tailed the Headmaster using the Marauder's Map and the cloak, out of the castle and onto Hogwart's lake. There, they had snuck aboard the ship that was already waiting for Dumbledore.
It should be noted that they were unaware of the fact that Albus Dumbledore has the innate ability to see through Invisibility Cloaks. Of course, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny were not aware of this fact at the time, so their surprise was expected.
It happened as they were about to sneak away and find a place to hide aboard the ship.
Dumbledore, who had been discussing something with Remus Lupin, said, "Oh, Miss Granger? Your cabins are to the right."
Needless to say, they had been quite shocked.
"Where do you think we're headed?" Ron asked quietly, glancing out the window.
"I don't know Ron." Hermione replied aimlessly, also looking out the window. She gave both her friends a slight glare when they gave her a gaping look. "I really don't!"
"First time for everything." Ron muttered. Ginny giggled, and laughed out loud when Hermione struck Ron's arm.
"Prat." She retorted.
"Bossy." The redhead shot back.
Ginny rolled her eyes and placed a pillow over her head. "Its going to be a long trip." She groaned.
Lucius Malfoy shivered as he was once more called before his master, his god. Entering a chamber deep within the fortress, the only light was a massive Dark Mark that glowed eternally, a macabre symbol of its creator.
"You called for me, my lord?" He whispered softly, but his words echoed about the darkened chamber.
Crimson eyes opened, blood bright in the chamber light.
"Lucius... my spies have informed me that Dumbledore has left Hogwarts." Death hissed quietly, but his voice was projected about the room and became a roaring winter wind.
An eager glint appeared in Malfoy's eyes. "When do we strike?"
A curious glint resonated in Voldemort's pupils. "We will not. I wish you to commission a group to follow Dumbledore."
Lucius' head snapped up, blond hair whipping about wildly. "My Lord?" He asked, stupefied.
A smirk snaked its away across the god of Death's countenance. "Was I not clear, Lucius?"
Swallowing, the Death Eater bowed lower. "Of course not, my lord. It shall be done." He stood up, and bowed again, and left, more confused than ever.
On his throne, the avatar of Death smiled, and sank deeper into his throne.
The minds of men are forever questioning.
Who am I?
Why am I here?
What is my purpose?
Is there a higher power in this mundane existence?
If the minds of mere mortals are so confused, how much more are the minds of mortals with the power of God?
The mind of Harry James Potter (Though he does not know his full name as of yet), is endlessly filled with an ever rampantly growing abyss of questions. Such thoughts are things that many mortals have not yet dreamed...
For most would go Mad.
Idly, this man-boy-god watched a golden spark dance across his finger, going from the tip and down, and then back, and then to his middle finger. A mere insignificant, unimportant, and ultimately tiny portion of his power.
The terrifying force of Creation, in the hands of a mortal boy.
With a thought, he knew he could bring down this castle, or use it to annihilate everything in his way. With a thought, he could rise a tide to wash the world clean. With a thought, hundreds, thousands, millions, billions of beings could come into existence in the blink of Time.
With a thought.
All this unlimited potential...
In the hands of a boy teetering on the edge of sanity.
Whoever's in charge of the universe obviously screwed up... badly.
"You realize Molly is going to kill you, right?" Remus said amusedly, glancing at where the three students' cabin was situated.
"Will she?" The Headmaster replied lightly, fingering his beard.
The werewolf shook his head. "I understand your reasoning, of course." He paused, and swallowed down memories of happier times like a bitter pill. "They are extremely determined, and far too smart for their own good. Harry chose his friends wisely."
"I do not believe it was choice," Dumbledore replied, smiling in a way that was different than all the smiles he had given to his students, to the school as he opened a feast, and very unfamiliar to most. It was a very genuine, very real smile, almost like a parent's pride. "I believe that it was fate."
Lupin found that he could not disagree.
Turning, the Headmaster said, "Come. We'd best get on our way."
Nodding, Remus followed, a feeling much like eagerness bouncing in his step.
At a distance, situated just outside the wards, a group of five Death Eaters, headed by Bellatrix Lestrange, watched the ship closely. The Inner Circle member stood still, only the eager (or perhaps insane) glint in her eye betraying the anticipation she felt.
Nearby, other Death Eaters were not so calm. Jugson, the next senior rank, fidgeted quietly, but barely noticeably. For some reason, a quiet, deep dread had sunk into his gut about this mission.
However, Bellatrix and more importantly, the Dark Lord had no such sentiments.
"It is time." Lestrange whispered, a tinge of satisfaction and eagerness in her soft voice as she watched the ship begin to sink into the water.
"How will we follow?" A recruit asked, no such anticipation in his voice.
The senior Death Eater gave him a condescending, superior look. "The Dark Lord has taken precautions. We know where the ship will resurface. From there we will track that ship by broom. Now activate your Portkeys."
Nodding, the fanatic followers of Death, as one, disappeared.
Two forces, racing towards a third, none fully aware of the other two.
Three powers about to collide.
Destiny's axis has begun to shift again.
The war between Life and Death, the god of Creation and the god of Death, shall begin anew.
The world shall burn into ash and dust and smoke. The old gods will give way to the new.
And then Sin shall rise, and take the world and strangle it with its embrace.
The unholy, fish belly colored abomination laughed, feeling its tentacles that had burrowed half way across the world, deep into the earth, like a cancer.
The war of the gods was about to begin... all it needed was a little Sin to start.
"From the looks of the talisman, we're nearing our target." Albus Dumbledore murmured, looking directly at a small, glowing vial that, without any breeze or outside movement, was tugged by an invisible force towards a direction. A special concoction, designed to track the movements of a person by their blood. Usually wards easily interfered with this, but, as Albus had gambled on, there were no wards protecting the angel. After a moment, he looked up, and his gaze darkened.
Following the elder's gaze, Remus Lupin gaped at what he saw. Massive, impossibly tall obsidian spires that punctured the womb of the sky, all in an equally impossible . "By all the gods new and old," He murmured unconsciously, "What in the name of Merlin built that?"
Dumbledore, on the other hand, was unusually quiet, his brows furrowed in deep thought.
A soft patter alerted the werewolf that there were others on deck.
"Bloody hell, what's that!" Ron cried out in surprise and a bit of fear.
Hermione didn't correct him, her own jaw currently meeting its new friend, the floor. Ginny was in much the same way.
"I honestly don't know, Mister Weasley." The Headmaster said quietly. "Captain! Take us to that island!"
This, of course, did nothing to help the unease.
Unbeknownst to those who were onboard the Destiny Seeker, five Death Eaters, led by Bellatrix, was tracking them, and by proxy, tracking the angel as well.
The journey had been fairly smooth, and quick, thankfully, Dumbledore's vessel was magical, and thus, much faster.
However, they were about to encounter the first of the formidable defenses Harry had erected around his creation.
Harsh, violent winds began to strike at the Death Eaters, who struggled with all their might to hang onto their brooms.
Jugson was the first to fail, the broom slipping from his grip and he fell to the ocean floor, striking it with hard, solid crack. He was dead long before the depths of the ocean claimed him.
Bellatrix screamed in fury as two more Death Eaters toppled to the bottom of the ocean, and she barely hung on. Finally, she was faced with no other alternative, than to face a word that in all the time she had been with the Dark Lord, she had never been forced to use.
"RETREAT!"
Nodding gratefully, the final Death Eater activated his second Portkey.
With one final scream of rage and a prayer that the Dark Lord would be satisfied with the location of Dumbledore, Bellatrix was gone.
For a good hour, the magically enhanced vessel sped along towards the target. Then, they ran into the first defense that had defeated the Death Eaters.
"Professor! The winds picking up!" The captain, a cognac haired man by the name of Trowa Barton, yelled.
Wincing, Remus felt his robes whip about him violently. "This isn't natural, Albus!" He shouted, glancing at the clear sky.
Next to him, Hermione gasped as she was sent crashing backwards, barely managing to be caught by both Weasleys.
Instead of responding, the Headmaster raised his wand, straight into the sky. "Aeroga!"
Immediately, the winds ceased, due to a visible barrier of air that had whipped itself into life, and was now deflecting the winds away from the ship.
Everyone breathed an audible sigh of relief, feeling safe... for the moment.
"I see an opening! I'm going to land!" Trowa declared loudly, and the ship smoothly turned towards the opening, obscured by the jet black wall of stone.
The feeling of safety deserted all aboard.
What would they find on this island?
Even higher, in the heavens, the person everyone on the ship were all secretly hoping was on the island watched from one of Sanctuary's balconies with impassive eyes.
Lily flapped her wings, the only indication of her anxiety. "Master, they will land on Paradise soon." She said quietly, looking off the railing towards the small shape of the ship.
The Creator sighed. "You will go to meet them. I will stay nearby."
The Guardian shot him a quizzical look. "But Master-" Realizing she was about to correct her creator, she bit back her words. "What if they are hostile?"
Harry gave her a sad smile. "Then they must die."
With a final lurch, the Destiny Seeker landed on Paradise. Most were still immersed in the impressive expanse of jungle that swept out to encompass the horizon.
Cautiously, a gangplank descended onto the ground.
"Captain, wait for us here." Professor Dumbledore instructed. Trowa nodded, no expression on his face. The Headmaster with Remus, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione following began to descend the gangplank.
Hestia Jones and a few other Order members shot the students a curious look, and made to follow. However, Dumbledore forestalled any more followers.
"Hestia, your in charge. You and the others watch the ship. We'll be back soon." Dumbledore said, but it was obviously an order.
Nodding reluctantly, she nodded to the others. "You heard the professor."
As the group descended and neared the woods, a loud flapping noise cut the air apart, like a startled bird's flight. The Headmaster glanced quickly at the vial in his hands, which was now still. Shocking everyone save him, the creature with the visage of Lily Potter descended in front of them her feet hovering inches from the unworthy ground as she used her wings effortlessly.
"What do you want with this place?" The angel demanded harshly, made all the more imposing by her shimmering golden armor and massive ivory sword.
"Lily? Is that you?" Remus asked hoarsely.
Turning her head towards him, the Guardian shot him a quizzical glance. "My name is Lily... but you must be referring to the Other Lily."
Nodding weakly, the werewolf felt a string of questions rise to his throat.
What are you! Who are you! Why do you look like one of my dead best friends!
Bitterly, a cynical part of Lupin's mind asked him which dead friend.
"We wish to negotiate an alliance with you... and your master." Dumbledore said loudly, taking over Lupin's place.
Lily turned her head towards the Headmaster, a defensive gleam in her eyes. "You will leave this place at once." She responded stoically.
"Please, Lily, I merely wish to-" The Headmaster began, but then the angel interrupted him.
"If you are adamant, then I will-" Lily stopped, and cocked her head as if listening to an unheard voice. Nodding reluctantly, she began again.
"You may meet with my master."
A figure stepped forward from the shadows of the trees as Lily finished her statement. From the build, it was most likely a young man. "Who are you, and what business do you have in Paradise?" He demanded, but the words were unheard as every eye was riveted to the tell-tale eyes and famous scar on the face of the newcomer.
It wasn't possible.
It couldn't be -
Merlin.
It was.
"Harry!"
Thanks to Pleione, japanese-jew, Zeromaru Chaos Mode, arekuruu-inabikari-no-She, Cows are my friends, reviewer, Emma Barrows, moonlightwitch, SeekerTLK, knuckz, angelkitty77, PinkyTheSnowman, FroBoy, Wren Truesong, SilverWarrior, Crysania Fay, OniLion, e.a.v., PersonaJXT, mashimaromadness, Lady of Masbolle, samuraiduck27, Dreamsprite5, darkangelgep, for reviewing!
Q&A
arekuruu-inabikari-no-She- No Oblivion Stone... but that Darksteel Colossus sounds nice. But its metal, and so is most of the Mirrodin set. No, I'll (and have) dip into the older piles. I've already used Bone Shredder (Urza Set), Simian Grunt (also Urza), and Wind Drake (multiple sets). More to come! (Hint: Sin is going to have a bit of Yawgmothian characteristics)
reviewer- Its okay. I don't know if I can work romance, but there is going to be H/G moments (not a kiss or anything like that).
SeekerTLK- You've got that one right. But by what, you'll have to find out. I promise it'll be surprising.
PinkyTheSnowman- Softy? (Snorts) Right... and I'm a big fan of writing fluff. Really. I am.
SilverWarrior- (grins) Don't underestimate Voldemort. He's smart here. He's a Slytherin, after all. They know how to and when they in turn are being manipulated. There doesn't look to be a sequel as of yet, and I can tell you for sure the Harry and Sin fight will be unorthodox and in here. Yup! I am a proud Dogma fan, along with an assortment of other fandoms.
e.a.v.- The confusion is key here. Is Harry insane? Is he a creator or divine? Or both?
PersonaJXT- Sin is not more powerful than Voldemort in any conventional terms. And as for why Harry can't destroy Sin... a few reasons that if I told you, would spoil a lot of things.
Dreamsprite5- Yes... awful blow. Awful indeed. (insane laugh) You understand the limits (or lack there of) of Harry's powers. Ask yourself. Does he? Does he know he can do that? And an angel has failed to kill his mortal foe. Logically, more may fail as well.
darkangelgep- Insanity may help you read this story. Yes, Lily is an embodiment of Harry's love for his mother, but she is also his protector, and since Lily is also the embodiment of unconditional protection at all costs, that is why she takes that visage. Now, Harry knows, just as he knows everything else he creates, that Sin is part of him. So ask yourself? What might happen if that part is destroyed?
AN: Hello everybody! Long time no see! (Sees glares) Right... sorry about that. Can anyone tell me what anime Trowa Barton belongs to (I don't own him, btw). I also don't own the spell Aeroga, which is property of Square Enix. Any guesses what game? (If you've played it, then you had to have used it... otherwise you would have died) Finally, join my yahoo group (link in profile).