Hi! so I was asked to so I added Adra's age at the of the chapters!
Chapter VIII. Fourth Rite
Adrasteia hadn't seen the years go by, she mused.
She had recently given Piper, Frank and Jason access to Chaos game, on each seventh' birthday, just like she had for Percy and Annabeth.
As for herself – today was her birthday, and Pyxis and her were rather surprised to still not have received her letter for Hogwarts. A fact that found it's answer by itself later during the day, as while guests were milling about the buffet, a house elf came discreetly to inform Pyxis that an unexpected guest was calling.
Brother and sister shared a glance, then gestured for the man to be brought.
"Ah, Pyxis, little Adrasteia." the old man greeted them genially "I couldn't stop myself from delivering this letter personally." twinkling blue eyes were shinning 'Though I had hope for a bit more privacy..."
"Then you shouldn't have come during a birthday party, Albus." the Black Head of House answered blandly
Adra had to hide her amused smile as Dumbledore's eyes widened in surprise at being called to familiarly – he really shouldn't be, when he'd started it by using their name without observing any of the admittedly rather heavy wixen etiquette!
Still – it was the first time she was seeing the man in this life, and she was founding herself rather curious.
Unleashing a bit more of power than usual – and barely managing to keep a hold on her eyes' color – she peered in the sky blue piercing eyes.
Albus Dumbledore – wasn't a bad guy, which given how powerful and influential he was, was rather a good news… Not that she'd really doubted it.
Just as expected, he was a powerful wizard - he was also stubborn, opinionated, and suffering from an old curse that had drasticaly depleted his life-force, which explained why he looked like a wizard nearing the end of his life when he should still have quite a few decades left.
He was also biased, that much was evident from the wariness he felt toward her brother, and curious, hopeful and wary about her all at the same time.
"I could probably get rid of this left-over curse." she said to the man directly – deliberately choosing to address him as an equal just like her brother
She may have greatly respected the man once upon a time – and probably always would a bit deep inside, she had a job to do, and wouldn't be subservient to him this life around.
"Though I don't doubt brother already offered." she completed musingly
"He refused." Pyxis answered, tone still devoid of any emotion – his business tone in other words
Adra raised an eyebrow, surprised he hadn't gotten rid of the curse all the same – while it wasn't powerful enough to scream at her senses, it was still an unpleasant niggling, which must have been rather tiring during the seven years her brother spent at Hogwarts.
"I deserved this curse." Dumbledore interjected, interruption the silent discussion between siblings "So I refused."
"I sincerely doubt you deserved this." Adra contradicted him, before shrugging "But well, I guess I'll have seven years to convince you."
"I look forward to it." the old-looking wizard agreed with a small, rather fond smile – whatever he was looking for, he had clearly found it as his wariness toward her, while not gone, had considerably diminished
"Well," Adra gestured him forward "this is a party after all, why don't you stay a bit?" a smile as she waved the heavy envelope now in her hands "As for me I've got some mail!"
"I wouldn't wish to impose."
"One more guest won't be enough to upset Remus' organization." she reassured him easily, Pyxis nodding along
"Then I guess I'll indulge a bit." the headmaster relented
Adra smiled brightly, and went back toward the area where the children, having caught on the envelope in her hands, were eagerly waiting for her. Her senses, far stronger, still caught Dumbledore's soft murmur to her brother despite the distance…
"I own you some apologies." the old wizard admitted "I was afraid of what kind of environment you would provide for young Adrasteia, you who were so proud of your family…"
"It's not me you need to apologize to, but Remus." Pyxis contradicted him "I always knew of your bias against people of dark alignment."
"Somehow, in the aftermath of Grindewald's war, I seem to have forgotten that dark didn't always equate evil. Something your alliance in the Wizengamot reminded me of, even if we don't always agree."
Adra smiled – she hadn't even stepped foot in Hogwarts yet, but things were already far different.
The most blatant example being the new Introductory Course to the Wixen World that was going to be introduced in the school starting this year, and was going to be mandatory to all from first through third year.
The course could be tested out of – but the tests had been prepared that even wixen-raised children had to put for some effort on it. After all – while Adra and her family already knew most of what was in said course, not all wixen were part of the noble families that still taught all those customs, just like not all family still taught about the yearly celebrations or the gods.
[Secondary Quest Updated! The Best Wixen School...
Goal Complete: help the children learn more about the Wixen world
Reward: +5 XP, +1PP]
¤.¤.¤
This wasn't the only progress made – as Remus had also finally hit pay-dirt on Voldemort's method of immortality, thanks to some notes on the digging site they'd visited during their vacation in Egypt. Mesopotamia, and it's very old, nearly forgotten wixen ruins had been the place to look into…
Things hadn't been easy, as Mesopotamia was a land forgotten by the gods.
Magic was erratic in the place, the Mist barely kept in place by the not so numerous wixen that dared live in the area – monsters not kept in check by magicians, heroes nor gods as it appeared that all the gods around had faded…
In old Babylonia, and current Irak, Remus had been gone for months at a time. After his first trip alone, from which he'd come worse for wear, Bianca had put her foot down, and despite her distaste for violence, had followed him in his travels ever since, becoming along the way quite well-versed in old forgotten magics, and faded deities.
It was during these travels that Bianca and Remus had encountered an unexpected ally.
Taking advantage of the fact the nearly twenty year old half-blood bore the touch of death, a nearly faded, barely clinging to her own mind and remaining powers, goddess came to Bianca in dreams and visions.
While understandably weary, given her ill-name – after being shown enough memories of the goddess' past, she eventually decided to trust her enough to host the goddess.
Ereshkigal, now anchored to her soul, was slowly getting back more powers – though she'd never be again the power-house of the old days since she had already lost most of her powers, teared away by her by a fellow god of her pantheon, long before she'd started to fade.
Because the goddess they'd stumbled upon – was the wife of Nergal, former queen of an Underworld that didn't even exist anymore. And most of her powers and authority as a goddess of death had been stolen by the god himself when he realized that their pantheon was starting to fade.
He'd started by her, she'd explained – but hadn't stopped there.
Eventually, his mad quest for power was stopped by the Egyptian Empire, led by the Pharaoh and his family, that thanks to the Way of the Gods hosted their pantheon.
The Egyptian had though they were done with him – that he would fade quietly in the desert.
It was under-estimating Nergal.
Time and again, he'd tried to come back – pushed back first by the Greek Titans, then once he'd gathered power once more by the Roman gods.
Those that vanquished him never realized who he truly was, as the god was cunning and quite good at whispering in the mind of monsters and heroes, possessing them to palliate to his weak state.
The last time he'd been active – was when another wixen had made his way to the desert, decades ago…
And now, even as weak as she was, Ereshkigal could feel that the world was changing – that just like her sister Innana had foretold before passing on the last of her powers to her and definitely fading out, Nergal was once more growing in power.
And that he would need to be stopped, or the world would be doomed.
Adrasteia could feel as soon as she heard it – that this was the divergence, the nigh on unseen moment that had condemn this world despite it's heroes best effort.
Because Voldemort may have thought he was simply gaining immortality when he cut away his soul from his body and hid it away in a place unknown under the Mesopotamian god's instruction…
But for Ereshkigal, it was evident that the wizard was but the latest of the mortal used by the god to come back to life.
And it made so much sense – why none of the heroes had been able to save the world, nor the High Gods able to see why the word was doomed…
A nearly faded god, hidden by his lack of powers until he'd become strong enough to take over thanks to Voldemort.
Taking care of her old enemy had become that much more important – and that much more difficult.
But at least, they now knew what they truly faced.
¤.¤.¤
"Come on Adra, open the letter!"
The goddess turned her mind back to the present, and finally opened her invitation to Hogwarts.
[Life Quest updated! The Girl Who Lived…
Goal Complete: Confirm your enrollment at Hogwarts
Reward: +10XP]
"I was getting worried I'd have to head to school alone." teased Sirius
"So," Fred asked "what House do you think you'll be in?"
"I really couldn't say." Adra admitted
Loki, without much surprise, had ended up in Slytherin – and while Adra had been a proud Gryffindor once upon a time, she did think she quite fitted the house of the brave just as much as before.
Chaos ensued, as all the children, alright at Hogwarts, or too young to attend, were soon speculating – Adra smiled fondly.
Soon enough, the party was calming down, guests heading back home – and with the night, once more, Adrasteia found herself back into the Dream World of the Spirit Guardians.
Today wouldn't just be her Fourth Rite – she was also taking on the title of Heiress in the eyes of Magic – even for the Black House, as Pyxis and Sirius had reminded her earlier, given that Sirius didn't have a mortal body, and as such couldn't go through the rites. This – honestly wasn't that unusual, as magic and society had different rules, and it happened here and there that a magical heir did take the official title, and vice-versa.
[Fourth Rite unlocked
- Black House: +2 PERC, Black Familiar Bond or Black Magical Potency or Black Light Metamorphmagus unlocked
- Lovegood House: +2 PERC, Lovegood Familiar Bond or Lovegood Avian Beastspeak or Lovegood Light Magic Seeing unlocked
- Moon House: +2 AG, Moon Blood Stealing Aura or Moon Shadow-Steps or Moon Ki Potency unlocked
- Peverell House: +2 FORT, Peverell Familiar Bond or Peverell Reiki Potencyor Aneket's Favor unlocked
- Potter House: +2 FORT, Potter Familiar Bond or Potter Rune Potency or Potter Reiki Potency unlocked
- Ravenclaw House: +2 INT, Ravenclaw Familiar Bond orTrópos Aéras
or RavenclawLight Magic Seeing unlocked]
[New Perk unlocked
Black/Lovegood/Peverell/Potter/Ravenclaw Familiar Bond (4PP): grants a familiar bond
Black Magical Potency (4PP): Grants +10% to MP
Black Light Metamorphmagus (4PP): unlocks the Metamorphmagus skill line up to 25
Lovegood/Ravenclaw Light Magic Seeing Ability (4PP): unlocks magic seeing skill up to 25
Lovegood Avian Beastspeak (4PP): unlocks avian beastspeak language skill
Moon Blood-stealing Aura (4PP): the Moon aura now allows the user to get back your Blood Skill % of HP per attack
Moon Shadow-Step(4PP): unlocks the shadow-step skill line
MoonKi Potency (4PP): grants +10% to KP
Peverell/Potter Reiki Potency (4PP): grants +10% to RP
Aneket's Favor(4PP): grants +10 to all healing skills
Potter Rune Potency (4PP): all runes effects are 10% stronger
Trópos Aéras (4PP): unlocks Air Manipulation skill up to 50
Available: 24PP]
[Heir Rites unlocked!
- Black House: +5INT, unlocks Black Heir Perk
- Moon House: +5ST, unlocks Moon Heir Perk
- Peverell House: +5INT, unlocks Peverell Heir Perk
- Potter House: +5INT, unlocks Potter Heir Perk]
[New Perk unlocked
Black Heir (free): grants +5% MP, one free bloodline talent to be chosen
Moon Heir (free): grants +10% KP, one free bloodline talent to be chosen
Peverell Heir (free): grants +5% RP, one free bloodline talent to be chosen
Potter Heir (free): grants +5% MP, one free bloodline talent to be chosen
Available: 24PP]
The choices – were getting harder to make, Adra mused, rather thankful that her Past Life Perk helped her ruling out a few of them – taking a new elemental manipulation would be redundant for now, while her Metamorphosis skill went far beyond what metamorphmagus or shape-shifters could do and her Shadow-Walking could already mimic the shadow-steps she'd used in her first incarnation…
For the rest, she understood easily while Pyxis had told her as soon as she had unlocked Chaos Game to stack up on Perk Points.
With that, her choice was made – and the Black Magic Potency, Lovegood Light Magic Seeing, Moon Blood-Stealing Aura, Peverell Reiki Potency and Potter Reiki Potency were chosen, along with the Black Regeneration Potency, Peverell Life Potency and Potter Reiki Potency.
The Moon Perk available had made Adra's eyes widen – she knew all to well how powerful Atavism could be after all.
She had hesitated a bit – she didn't particularly want to get saddled with the long life-expectancy of a daiyoukai as most the people around her were humans…
Pushing the perk to the side, she resolved to wait a bit to think about it.
The Wardrobe System had also been unlocked, which Adra appreciate all that much that going to Hogwarts, she may have to be able to switch outfit quickly before entering a fight in the years to come…
She wondered briefly if she would ever be able to unlock the Holy System that usually kept her connected to her Holy Servants, and appraised of the prayers and bargain requests from mortals under her purview in this world – or if she somehow was going to have a mountain of mail to catch up with once back in the Immortal Realms…
¤.¤.¤
The next day, Luke and Thalia were back to Camp – Luke had recently become the Main Advisor to his cabin, after a successful quest sent by his father that he'd done, quite naturally, with Thalia.
While the idea of repeating old quest was one more proof that the Olympians were somewhat stuck in their old glory days – he'd recognized what his own father was doing: after all, a successful hero could be congratulated… Say by gifting him a new Celestial Bronze sword that had the nifty ability to change into an all-purpose skeleton-key...
Nico had declined the offered position in the quest, as he was quite happy to have finally caught the attention of his long time crush Adrastos Green and knew quite well something so dangerous was a good way to accidentally reveal his parentage– so Luke invited instead his latest sibling to have arrived in camp, Maia Garcia.
The quest had gone well – but Nico had been comforted in his decision not to go as Zeus has claimed Thalia as soon as she'd came back successful.
The girl had been rather unhappy, as it meant going to the quite empty Cabin Number One – but thankfully there hadn't been too much backlash from the campers, as she'd become rather popular over the years. Most of the half-bloods didn't even know why the Big Three had made their vow not to father demi-gods anymore, and none was surprised to note that Zeus was the first to fall out of the wagon…
As for those that knew about the Great Prophecy – well most were children of Apollo, that by now also knew that all old prophecies, this one included, had been invalidated.
Percy and Annabeth, who'd both convinced their parent to let them attend camp for the first time, after hearing the stories of their older half-bloods friends, were quite jealous that Luke and Thalia had gotten to go on a quest – and quite determined to quickly be chosen for a quest too…
Jason and Frank were getting quite curious about their own camp – though the only echo they'd had about Camp Jupiter, for now, came from grand-ma Lan Lei, who held it from her father Shen Lun. The Roman camp, she explained, was organized as a Legion, which meant they wouldn't able to leave at all during their initial training, which could last for more than a year.
This had hardly quenched their enthusiasm – but only encouraged them to train harder thanks to Chaos Game in order to go through training as quickly as possible.
Both Remus and Emily had quickly reaffirmed to the children that no matter how skillful they were, they weren't going anywhere before ten year old – it would have been more, but Jason had argued that children went to Hogwarts, that was a boarding school, as yearly as eleven year old, then Frank had reminded them that Thalia herself had been only ten when she went to Camp Half Blood… The argument had work – to a certain point.
In order to reassure the worried parents, Adra had made a note to work on a cover to go and check the Roman Camp – as she'd been warned that it wasn't a place she could just stroll in for to take a look like she had done for the Greek camp…
Leifr and his child were at the Weasley – all used by now to hear the little one call Leifr 'mama' whether they were male or female that day, and simply assuming that she was just like Leifr another of Loki's offsprings…. Which wasn't wrong, per se.
Adra was still rather amused to note that Molly had made her peace with the chaotic ways of the twins once she'd learned they'd been blessed by Loki – finally understanding that asking them not to wreak havoc everywhere was but a lost cause. Paradoxically, this newfound acceptance had in turn made the twins more reasonable – while just as chaotic as before, they understood better how to keep their experiments to a controlled area, or to avoid to make things explode in the middle of the night...
Luna was spending the day home with Ginny – making like always, Adra wonder at the unending patience of her friend… Though she ahd to admit that Ginny was getting better – after having thrown several temper tantrums when the confirmation of the twin's blessing had come, not understanding how anyone could want to bless them rather than her, her parents had realized that, so happy were they to finally have a daughter, they had been more lax in her education than that of her brothers.
The situation had been remedied to quickly – and it had been quite a shock for the little girl to realize she wasn't the center of the world as she'd previously though. By now, the change in education had done wonder, and though she still had relapses from time to time, this Ginny was closer to the more mature girl she'd been when older than the brat Ron had quite often described as a child.
Speaking about Ron – this Weasley too had changed, albeit rather accidentally.
His parents finally taking in hands Ginny's education, they had realized that the poor boy's own education had been quite lacking too, and they'd felt quite guilty – having many children was alright only as long as you managed to care for all equally, and for a few years, they'd failed in this task, they belatedly realized.
The newfound attention had done wonders for the boy's ego, that until now had been rather lacking, so used he was to be compared to his elder brothers.
With everyone busy around, Adra, Sirius and Pyxis were going to Diagon Alley for their Hogwarts shopping as a family.
¤.¤.¤
The trip to Diagon Alley had been even worse than usual – the idea of catching the Girl-Who-Lived doing her school shopping for her first year at Hogwarts making the press go wild. Adra had had to reluctantly agree to one short interview, as she knew how important it could be to keep the vultures happy – she remembered all to well her fourth and fifth Hogwarts years in he first world after all…
Books, potions ingredients and uniforms had been bought, all the shopping disappearing as soon as it was done in enchanted messenger bags rather similar to those Thalia, Luke and Nico used to go to camp, and soon all that was left was what would surely the more delicate part of their shopping…
Pyxis had confirmed that his wand had had to be hand made – and that Ollivander, quite evidently, wasn't quite human thought the elder god didn't know what precisely he was.
As such, it wasn't unexpected to feel, and see the air change around them as their entered the old workshop of the wand-maker.
"Welcome, welcome, and well met!" he greeted them rather enthusiastically, turning the sign indicating that the shop was open to 'Close' "I think we're going to need some calm and privacy, but I'm sure we'll do great work!" the not-quite human being affirmed, clearly looking forward to what would be a challenge
he gestured them toward the back shop, not even bothering with the ready-made wands.
"Those would never work, no, no, no…" he rolled his eyes "Not all things can handle the touch of Death and woods are quite finicky in that!" glancing toward Adra "Add Chaos to this and oh! This is going to be grand!"
Where the front of the store was dusty, and full of neatly piled wand-cases – this part was quite different.
Far cleaner, with not a speck of dust in sight – yet far more chaotic, with branches from various woods hanging around, piles of hairs coming from different creatures stacked precariously near a mount of phials containing unidentified liquids and other items.
"I usually have to do custom-made work for all the little demi-gods," the wand-maker explained with a fond smile "Of course, even their wands are less complicated that one for you, but that's what makes the challenge interesting!"
He eagerly dragged them to the middle of the room, where Adra noticed a rather complicated magical circle, full of oghams and esoteric symbols. She tilted her head to try and divine what it's use was – but it became quite clear as soon as she stepped inside – as suddenly, her senses extended around the room as if she'd unleashed her aura.
"I usually only need one wood, sometimes two for the particularly powerful half-bloods." he went on explaining "But Death here needed three! Cypress, Pear and Pine, a rather unusual composition..." he mused
"You should have seen a few things, right?" Anubis and Shadow both nodded "Good, great! Start by the woods!"
Sharing an unsure glance, the two gods left the circle. Anubis quickly gathered three different woods - a red, white and black wood for the Egyptian, while the green-eyed goddess found herself hesitating a bit more before gathering her own set of three light woods.
"Yew," a nod "rather logically," Ollivander mused, taking in Sirius' choice "Black walnut, for insight and…" he raised an eyebrow "Willow? A wood for healers, and people that have unwarranted insecurities." he finished in a thoughtful near whisper
Knowing Sirius as they knew, it wasn't that unexpected – in Egyptian Magic, Life and Death were quite tightly linked together, healing and necromancy two arts learned best side by side, and they'd learned rather early on that the young god did have some left-over insecurities because of his parentage…
Ollivander turned toward Adra next "You were rather interested in the Dogwood, Maple and Reed..." he noted "But these… Fir, a wood for those that survive against all odds, vine, for those both unpredictable, and with a higher purpose, and hawthorn… a wood of contradictions." a decisive nod "Yes, yes, of course, quite fitting. Well, back to the circle!"
"I use far more cores for those of godly blood than the regular wixen. Quite often, young demi-gods ends up with a core from the first monster they've fought, but it's not a law. Some can gain a core directly from their parent, or even as a spoil of war, not to mention familiars… Death here uses a Cerberus hair and a Banshee's hair."
Anubis tilted his head. While a few things called to him, nothing was as strong as previously. Noticing it, Ollivander mused "Maybe a whisker from your true form?" his eyes lit up "This would truly be a wand befitting of a god!"
The Egyptian eyed him warily, nearly stepping back in apprehension – but dutifully dispelled his glamour, getting back to his usual teen-aged looks, before calling a bit more of power, the jackal head he was know for appearing.
He whimpered as the bristle was snatched, rather skillfully, by the wand-maker.
As for Adra, encountering a rather similar problem, she mentioned "I've got three familiars..."
An enthusiastic nod – and a moment later, Padfoot, Blanche and Kagetsu, called with but a thought, were eyeing here with accusatory eyes.
"With so many components, we'll need a binding agent… Maybe a focusing gem too…" mused the wand-maker, before shaking his head "No, no, no focusing crystal, what am I saying, what gem could endure such power? The gems I've got here aren't as resilient as my woods, you know."
It was – both entertaining and impressive to see the man fly around in his working area, not even bothering to pretend to appear human any more, as translucent wings were barely visible in his back – yet quite clear to feel with magic.
It was quite evident now, what Ollivander was – but it only rose more question than it answered, as Adra hadn't even been aware that there were fey in this world...
¤.¤.¤
"You'll be able to put your own runes and other symbols on the wand as you bond with it." he explained "And come back to me if you find a gem that calls to you, I'll see what I can do. Those wands will be solely bound to each of you, after all… Anubis' power won't turn against him, neither would your familiars… All that's left is a good binding agent and I'll be able to create your new partners."
He went nearly diving under a pile of phials full of multicolored liquids...
"Where did I put the Styx phial… Oh some water from the Nile's Duat layers, perfect, perfect…" a grumble, as the man did find the vial he was looking for before pushing it aside "No, not this..."
Eventually he stumbled on a small phial, a powerful and quite familiar magic humming inside.
"Yes…" a whisper "Water from the Sea of Chaos in the Dram Worlds, where all of the pantheons sprang from." he said with reverence in his eyes
He gestured to Anubis to get back in the circle, alone this time – and now the powers weaving around was so potent even regular wixen would see it, humming with Life and Magic. The water was now shinning with the potent power, the few phial somehow now a torrent that took both wood and whisker core with it, the three woods twisted and turned, taking a spiraling three-colored shape ending in a question-mark like curve.
"Mmm…. Both wand and staff in one." Ollivander mused with a proud smile – all three gods easily realizing he was talking about the Egyptian magicians wand and staff, their tool for defensive and offensive magic
"It's not going to stay this size right?" Sirius couldn't help but ask despite the awe clear in his eyes at the beautiful item that now hummed with powers echoing his own
After all – no matter how disconnected from mortals he'd been a few years ago, he'd learned more than enough since then to realize that going to Hogwarts with a sixty inches staff was going to turn some heads...
The wand-maker let out an earthy laugh "You aren't the first one to ask this question!" he reassured him – given the faint blush on Pyxis' cheek, it was pretty evident that he too had asked it once upon a time "And I'll told you the same thing I answered last time…"
A grand hand gestured, en-globing the whole work shop "Once a tree has given a branch, I never cut it anymore."
All the branches around were somewhere between forty and eighty inches, Adra mused, eyes wide, before asking "Do you mean…"
"That all of my wands can be turned to staves? Of course!" he said pridefully "This is why I'm the best around!" his eyes dimmed a bit "But most wixen nowadays are so lazy they don't get to know their wand well enough to ever come near to achieve the kind of harmony needed to call this form…" he turned his attention back to Anubis, and indeed, the magnificent staff was still echoing with his magic, growing smaller by the second
"There it is," Ollivander said reverently, the staff now the size of a wixen wand, question-note ending now the pommel of the tool "Willow, Yew and Black Walnut with a core of Egyptian jackal, twelve inches, reasonably supple..." an encouraging smile "shall you try it?"
Sirius did just this, the power humming gently coming to life as the wand bonded to him as he touched it for the first time. Around them, an illusion shimmered, called by the wand – a familiar river, though how it must have appeared several millennia ago, with several people enjoying themselves on a richly decorated river boat…
With a hint of nostalgia in his eyes, Anubis smiled at his long imprisoned family – and let the illusion fall, stepping out of the circle and bowing respectfully to the artisan "This will be a great partner." he said softly "You have my thanks."
"Thank you for letting me craft such interesting wand." retorted the wand-maker, echoing his bow – before turning with a mischievous smile toward Adra "Well, come now child of Death and Chaos, don't shy from my circle!"
"I am rather impressed you are managing to attuned your powers of life so well with our touch of Death." said child had to admit as she entered the circle, rather curious to see what the other's magic would do of her own ingredients
"All's a question of balance," the other pointed out simply
She nodded – impressed nonetheless, as none knew better than them Old Ones, how hard it was to keep balance.
Once more, Life and Magic flared – but more importantly, now in the circle, Adra could clearly hear the song of the ingredients gathered for her, calling to be given a new life.
Her three chosen woods all but fused together, the vine swirling gently around a body where fir and hawthorn were nearly indistinguishable one from the other, ending in a tangle of root-like branches that smoothed in a familiar crescent moon shape.
"Mmm…" Ollivander mused thoughtfully "This is a partner that'll grow with you, yes, yes…" Adra felt a twinge of regret as the sixty-three inches staff started to condense – and just knew hours would be spent working with the wand until she'd once more unlocked it's staff form
"Here it is." Ollivander said just as reverently as earlier "Fir, Hawthorn and Vine with a heart of Grimm, Kitsune and Inugami's hair, twelve inches and three quarters, slightly springy."
¤.¤.¤
As she touched the wand, she felt it bond with her powers, realizing with wide eyes that in time she would be able to use it not only with her magic – but even with reiki, or her godly powers. Just like Sirius had said, this truly was going to be a great partner – and one that would follow her even in the Immortal Realm…
Once more, she wondered about the mystery that was this Ollivander – a man of a specie that wasn't suppose to exist on this world, able to give life to tools like Life brought new souls to life, and an artisan skilled enough to craft items fits for the gods!
[Soul-Boundaffinity-leveling Staff-Wand acquired!
Staff-Wand affinity LV1: +10% MP regeneration
Fir Wood: +10 to Battle and War Magic
Hawthorn wood: +10 to Curse and Healing
Vine: +10 to Divination and Rituals
Grimm's Hair: +10 to Curse
Inugami's Hair: +10 to Healing
Kitsune's Hair: +10 to Illusions
Sea of Chaos Water: +5 to LUCK]
Pyxis had been rather amused at how enamored both Sirius and Adra were with their new wand – but truth be told, he did love his own, as just like the other two had discovered, Ollivander truly did work of arts.
Adrasteia had always known – and faintly felt – in her first life, that wands were nearly sentient tools, which explains how they could choose their wielder.
But no matter how great an artisan that Ollivander had been, he hadn't been nearly skill in all but bringing alive his wands like Ollivander did.
Speaking of her previous life – she'd pause as they were heading out of the shop after having paid – the artisan asking nor for money but for crafting ingredients, that had to be taken on the monsters before they were vanquished, a challenge that should be rather interesting to take on – as something tingled her senses.
"Oh," mused Ollivander "I'd wondered…"
A wand-case flew out of the wall-shelves and landed in his hand, and he opened it, revealing a very familiar wand to Adra.
She felt a wave of sadness, for the Harry Potter she'd replace – for the young soul that had been sent to another life, and would never know the joy of holding the Holly and Phoenix Feather wand in his hands for the first time.
"You aren't her intended partners." the wand-maker said, Adra nodding, not surprised "But since he won't come…"
This time, the sadness was for the wand – did it mean that it was condemned to wait in vain for a partner that wouldn't come?
"She'll come with you." Adra's eyes widened, and she made to protest "Yes, you'll never be able to use this wand." Ollivander agreed easily "Your aura would all but burn it… But!" he raised a finger "As you grow more familiar with your own wand, I'm sure you'll find a use for her."
Adra had nodded, not quite understanding yet – but knowing enough about wand-lore and wand-makers to know his decision was made. And so, she left with two wands.
Loki had been able to feel the power of the new wands, and had been suitably impressed – the Norse god curious about what the man would have crafted for him if he'd chosen to go to him… But Loki already had a staff, beloved and attuned to him enough that it had easily accessed to his wish and turned into a wand when he'd decided to attend Hogwarts.
¤.¤.¤
Adrasteia had spent quite a bit of time with the Kane during the following months, knowing she wouldn't be seeing much of them - and Carter - during the school year.
They'd enjoyed the tales she made of her school shopping trip – and had been rather intrigued by the fact that Sirius' wand would also in time be able to double as the wands and staves used by the Egyptian Magician.
The couple talked about their own projects – the latest one, both a bit mad and rather impressive, to free a goddess.
Urged on by Ruby's visions, the family felt that Apophis was about to rise – and the new prophecies from the Norse, Celt and Greek pantheons all pointed toward the fact that the end of the decade would made or fail their world, comforting them in their opinion.
And the Per Ankh was far from ready to take on the chaotic being.
The numerous magicians of old had dwindled as they sealed their own gods and forbid the study of their more powerful magics. The only chance they had, the Kane felt – was to renew the alliance of old, free the gods and re-learn the old magics.
Something the House of Life firmly disagreed with of course… Or would disagree with, should they hear of it. Because true to their word, the Kane family had cut ties with them, only seeing Amos himself from time to time – the man becoming more and more disheartened as the years went by and the shesh remained unchanged despite his best efforts.
So the Kane had decided to take the fate of the Egyptian magical world in their own hands – starting by freeing the gods.
Of course something like this wasn't going to be easy, so they'd try with only one god first, then go for the rest.
Carter had been appalled when he'd realized how basic the couple's preparations were – and it had truly brought home how much knowledge had been lost by the Per Ankh.
He understood all too well now his wife's complains about being young. Even knowing how intelligent their child was, and that he'd literally been sent by the gods, they didn't think to consult him on their rather ambitious project! The young magician had only guessed something was wrong when they'd been dropped by their grand-parents for baby-sitting...
Something their parents never did, as they didn't got along with the Faust, that were rather old, set in their ways – not to mention intolerant and bordering on racists.
Even little Saddie, all of four year old, had realized something wrong was going on!
Promising to himself to find a way one day to use his light manipulation – or anything else really, he wasn't picky – just like Adra did the shadows, he called for the girl via Chaos Game.
"Bambina," he greeted with a smile "we need a lift, my parents are about to be Stupid."
The Potter Heiress raised an amused eyebrow at hearing the capital letter in his words, then focused on the feel, rather familiar, of the couple's souls, and opened a portal.
"We're coming!" Zya proclaimed, Saddie nodding along, a stubborn glint in her eyes
And so they launched what Carter was sure was going to be a rescue mission – with an eleven year old witch, two six year old and a four year old magicians.
They emerged from the shadow near Cleopatra's needle, by the Thames.
The Mist was struggling to cope with the power show that was going on.
The area was several layers deep in the Duat – far deeper, Carter realized, than he'd ever reached during his studies.
They were in dangerous territory, and with a thought, he called the wand and staff he was training with and unhesitantly handed them to – well Zya at first, but his not-twin already had his own weapons, he was impressed to note – Saddie.
The little girl looked somewhat comical, with the staff taller than her – but more importantly, she already knew what they were used for even if she was but starting her studies, and had already proved a keen affinity for Egyptian magic, strong enough that it even made Carter and Zya jealous sometimes.
As for himself – he didn't stay weaponless long, his Sun and Star Blades falling into his hands for the first time in this life, the familiar weight of the two daggers rather comforting in front of the danger ahead.
¤.¤.¤
Because Julius and Ruby Kane had decided to start their freedom crusade – which Carter otherwise deeply agreed with, quite evidently - by Bast.
The goddess that had been imprisoned by a god rather than by magicians…
The goddess that had been battling Apophis himself for countless years and centuries.
Clearly, the couple had thought through how to free the goddess – without freeing her enemy too.
Adra, coming to the same conclusion as he had at the same time at him let out a groan.
"I…" Zya was stunned herself at what she was saying, but turned toward Adrasteia "I think I can help seal this."
The witch nodded – Carter and her shared a glance, as both had felt a sliver of unknown, nearly faded, yet quite clearly godly power swirl around the Egyptian girl as she stated as much.
"Then do it." her brother agreed, I'll get our parents out of here."
Zya nodded, dark eyes shining with resolve, hints of sunny golden sparkling here and there.
Saddie – his little sister was focused on the woman, or rather the goddess, fighting to prevent Apophis from getting free.
She must have bee beautiful, once upon a time – not tall, but lithe and agile like a cat, golden eyes gleaming in the light as she held on her twin daggers and attacked with ferocity, dark hair donned in a multitude of little braids dancing around her face.
But she was weakened – having fought for so long, against such a powerful opponent that it had taken a toll even on a goddess like her, numerous scars littering her arms, and an old, Egyptian get-up worn and damaged from so many different places it was a wonder she still had any clothes at all.
Carter's eyes widened as he rushed toward his parents to realize that there was an echo of power – like calling to like, as little Saddie's eyes widened as Bast let out a roar of agony, serpentine fangs as tall as a man sinking in her middle rim – and the youngest Kane was suddenly moving, rushing toward the goddess past her brother that was now by his parents' side – past Adrasteia and Zya, that stood each on a side of the needle that had opened the breach through the Duat.
A childish voice full of anger shouted "Get back!"
And Ha-di burned in the air, the Divine Word surprising even the destructive god enough that he was sent back a few meters.
Just enough, that with wide eyes Bast took in the little girl that had wandered in the depths of the Duat, realized the danger she was in – and with the last of her strenght got up once more, daggers disolving into nothingness as she swept Saddie up and rushed through the oppening Zya and Adra were struggling to both keep close to Apophis – and opened to her and the little girl in her arms.
Carter – that had to drag his mother away from the breach where she'd been burning heself away, sturbbornly trying to close the breach alone – felt his stomach settled back in place, and focused back on the healing, Sunny properties of his powers, struggling to keep his mother alive.
Julius was barely conscious, having tried to save his wife – an attempt doomed to fail hadn't they arrived when they had – and used far more magic than reasonable.
Zya fell on her rear, the last of the foreign power slipping away – Adra wasn't faring much better, and eyeing the young magician with respect for the powerful magical act they just performed together.
This, she realized, must have been why the shesh had grown afraid of the godlings…
"This won't last." Zya mused, proving how much she'd been in-tune with the godly powers she'd used "This seal was already failing, and now… Well what we just did was but a stop-gap measure."
Adra nodded tiredly.
They had won a few years, at most.
[Life Quest Updated! Blood of the Pharaoh / Burning Brightly / Child of Egypt...
Goal Complete: free Bast (done by Saddie Kane)
Reward: +10XP, grants Bast's Approval
Bonus Goal complete: save Ruby Kane (done by Carter Kane)
Reward: +20XP, unlocks A child's Love
Goal Complete: close the breach (done by Adrasteia Potter-Black)
Reward: +10XP, +1 PP
Bonus Goal Complete: reinforce the seal (done by Zya Rashid-Kane)
Reward: +20XP, +5 PP]
[New perks unlocked
Bast's Favor(5PP): +2 PERC, +10 Dodging
A child's Love (1PP): unlocks Shield skill
Available: 14 PP]
Shadows swirled, and her brother stepped out, eyebrow raised "You didn't even need to tell me to keep an eye on the situation." Pyxis mused "The storm of power was strong enough that every god in the area felt it!"
"Well, time to move out then." Adra sighed
Magic hummed, and Ruby Kane was floating behind Pyxis, everyone else dragging themselves through the portal – and in the Ottery Saint Catchpole Moon Residency.
Alerted by the show of power, all the family had already been converging on them – and Pandora, on Luna's urging, had come with quite a few healing potions that were soon put to good use.
"Honestly," the Lovegood woman mused "She should be dead."
Adra and Carter nodded – she and her brother were tying the woman's soul to her body, while Carter was keeping it alive, but it honestly wasn't easy.
"I don't understand why she's in this state." Carter said blandly "With all her talks of freeing the gods, why didn't she ask for help?"
"Ruby doesn't like the idea of the gods wandering in the mortal world." a weak, but awake Julius explained tiredly "She wants to free them and work with them, but she's against going back to the days of the godlings, she wants a new era."
"How wonderfully stubborn." Carter sighed bitterly "For a woman who gave birth to a god and a girl particularly well predisposed toward being a godling." he rolled his eyes "For a woman that would do well as a godling herself!"
Julius' eyes widened, at his son admittance that he was a god – but right now, it clearly wasn't the most important thing…
"We were foolish." he admitted "She'd Seen that Bast would be vanquished, and that Apophis would use his victory to tear through Ra's seal, so we decided to save Bast, so she could heal and help us fight him once he got free…" he hanged his head in shame "We over-estimated our power. We thought the two of us would be enough to just open a tear through the seal for Bast to slip through, but instead Apophis took advantage of it, and would have broken free here and there if not for Bast herself, and Ruby nearly killed herself in trying to close back the tear…"
"It was stupid." Bast agreed, voice harsh but not unkind "But you were also the first to try and save me when my master himself threw me away." she said, a hint of bitterness in her voice "I was so proud when Ra chose me to battle Apophis for eternity, so sure that it proved his trust in me…" the golden eyes dimed "All he wanted was someone to keep him at bay long enough for him to start to fade, he never intended for me to win, or even to ever get out of this seal." a harsh laugh "He sacrificed me, and then abandoned his own duty, and look at the state of Egypt now!"
Saddie, who was checking on her mother a few feet away, glanced toward the goddess and said "It's alright to cry you know. You're not alone anymore."
The goddess smiled fondly at her "I'm a cat, little girl, cat don't cry, we get even." she smiled "If I ever see Ra again, I'll draw whiskers on his face and tell him I'm not a domesticated cat!"
Saddie laughed happily, while Zya mused hesitantly "I don't think he just wanted to get you killed you know…" she said "After all, the god he put against Apophis really had to be the strongest, to last long enough against him, right?" she asked
"Maybe," Bast shrugged "But I doubt I'll ever know, and honestly… I'm not sure I could ever forgive him anyway."
"Forgiveness isn't born in a day or two." Loki explained to Zya, that felt unexplainably disheartened to hear the cat-goddess words "But you know… After vowing to destroy the world for hundreds of year, I realize that wasn't really what I wanted." a shrug "And I was sure I'd never ever talk to my brother again…" a fond sigh "Yet somehow he ends up sharing at least one meal's a week with us nowadays… Eternity is a long time to hold on your hate."
"I've been wondering something…" Remus mused "I mean, Sirius holds on his human form because he's anchored himself to the feel of Death emanated by Adra and Pyxis… How are you managing to keep your shape without a host?"
There was a faint blush dusting her cheek when Sirius was the one to answer "Children. From what you said, she anchored herself to Saddie thanks to her role as a protector of children."
Carter nodded, not too surprised as he'd felt the link.
"Usually we're all but useless without a host… Except for death-boy here…" Anubis turned his nose up at the comment "But well," she eyed the group "Since there's quite a few of you, and all rather powerful, it's not too hard to keep this form. Mind you, I wouldn't be worth much in a fight, but maintaining a human appearance I can do."
"Anyway, right now fighting is the last thing you should do." Carter pointed out "Mum and dad were quite right in that you need to heal and rest for now."
"And prepare." the goddess couldn't help but put in – she hadn't missed Zya and Adra agreeing on the fact that the seal was inevitably going to break
"And we'll all prepare." Adra corrected her, the rest of the family nodding along
¤.¤.¤
That night, she'd stepped out of the mortal realm.
She wanted a place hidden to do this, as she wasn't quite sure about what would happen – but the talk with Bast had opened her eyes. Hanging on her human form when they were trying to prevent the world for ending – was utterly selfish, and she was somewhat ashamed of herself to have pushed the decision away, if only for a few days.
She'd warned Carter and Pyxis – but while not happy about what she was going to go through both agreed that it was a logical step to take – though of course he disagreed quite vehemently with her self-assessment of selfishness.
Carter was rather annoyed at his young age, and vowing to himself not to tease his mate so much the next time she was younger, as the limitation it imposed on him were rather frustrating. Pyxis wasn't any happier that he couldn't come – but Ruby was still in a bad enough state that it was safer for him to stay by her side.
All three agreed that there had to be a reason why the House of Moon had been reborn in this world, and it could well be this. Because shape-shifting – while useful – could help her better her body for a few moments, but would always be but skin-deep.
Atavism…
Atavism would remake her whole body – and while useful in the long run, this wasn't going to be a painless experience. Adrasteia remembered all too well the screams of Yuusuke when it had happened to him.
Better do it now, when she could still afford days off without anyone batting an eye at it, than once in Hogwarts where everyone would notice should something go awry…
Which was why she'd hidden away in the depths of the Greek Underworld, the strongest one currently among the various Hells of this world – in other words a place where her powers were the most powerful.
[ Main Characteristic (LV42)
You gain 1 point in each Stat every year until you reach rank 10 in this time, then 1 point each two years until rank 20, and so on... and 2 points to spent however you like every five level
BODY STAT
Agility: 11(16, 10%): 30
Strength: 10(9, 10%): 21
Endurance: 11(2): 13
SPIRIT STAT
Intelligence: 11(28): 39
Wisdom: 13(7): 20
Fortitude: 10(19): 29
HEART STAT
Empathy: 12(2): 14
Perception: 10(20): 30
Sociability: 10(7): 17
LUCK: 10(17): 27
Available: 0
Secondary Characteristic
They are calculated based on the Main Characteristics
Health Points (HP): 163(10%):179
HP regeneration: 21,6(4,9, 5%):27,8/hour
Mana Points (MP): 293(100, 10%): 432
MP regeneration: 28,1(10, 15%): 43,8/hour
Ki Points (KP): 204(10%):224
KP regeneration: 23,7(5%): 24,9/hour
Reiki Points (KP): 293(35%):396
RP regeneration: 28,1(5%):29,6/hour
Critical Chance: 28,2%
Critical Power: 21,8%]
[Atavism activated!]
[Daiyoukai legacy (ookami, kitsune, inu, ryu) updated to Kitsune Spirit
+4AG, +3WIS every decade
canine daiyoukai senses unlocked
dragon soul-fire unlocked
Spirit legacy (fire) updated to Fire Spirit
+4 SOC, +3 LUCK every decade
spirit core unlocked
spirit element manipulation unlocked]
[Specie updated from Witch to Half-Blood(witch/spirit)
Note that half-blood are susceptible to both sacred metals and regular weapons, your body is also stronger, your senses and reflexes keener, and your life expectancy longer.
As a half-nature spirit you also retain both regular organs and a core which means deadly wound will take hold only if your core is also damaged.]
[Soul Fire Skill unlocked!
Soul Fire (LUCK): 1
Note that Soul Fire is a rare kind of Mind Magic that unveils the ties between people.
The bonds between Soul-Fire users strengthen each other according – more powerfully as the bond deepen.]
[Soul-Fire Bonds Initiated
Storm (recipient unknown): +5% to all BODY MC
Rain (inactive due to distance)
Sun (Carter Kane): +5% to all SPIRIT MC
Lightning (inactive due to distance)
Mist Bond (Luna Lovegood): +5% to all MIND MC
Cloud (inactive due to distance)]
[Main Characteristic updated!]
[ Main Characteristic (LV42)
You gain 1 point in each Stat every year until you reach rank 10 in this time, then 1 point each two years until rank 20, and so on... and 2 points to spent however you like every five level
BODY STAT
Agility: 15(16, 15%): 37
Strength: 10(9, 15%): 22
Endurance: 11(2, 5%): 14
SPIRIT STAT
Intelligence: 11(28, 5%): 41
Wisdom: 16(7, 5%): 24
Fortitude: 10(19, 5%): 30
HEART STAT
Empathy: 12(2, 5%): 15
Perception: 10(20, 5%): 32
Sociability: 14(7, 5%): 22
LUCK: 13(17): 30
Available: 0
Secondary Characteristic
They are calculated based on the Main Characteristics
Health Points (HP): 175(10%):193
HP regeneration: 23,7(4,9, 5%):30,1/hour
Mana Points (MP): 317(100, 10%): 459
MP regeneration: 30,1(10, 15%): 47/hour
Ki Points (KP): 227(10%):250
KP regeneration: 26,4(5%): 30,6/hour
Reiki Points (KP): 317(35%):428
RP regeneration: 30,1(5%):32,4/hour
Critical Chance: 30,6%
Critical Power: 23,9%]
Without any surprise – the pain had been excruciating.
Daiyoukai in this world were quasi-immortal spirits that lived mainly in the Japanese Pantheon Dream World, Takamanohara – not immortals, as only gods were really immortals – that were quite different from their counterparts in Shadow's world. But they still shared the same strong senses, and overall better body.
The nature spirits could be found in most of the pantheons, though given the updates she'd read before the pain started, they kept the feature from her world of having, rather than internal organs, a core, that had to be destroyed to kill them – though she would keep her regular organs too, as was considered only as half-blood and not fully spirit…
The fact was rather surprising, given that she remembered Yuusuke ending up as a full-blood daiyoukai, but well – this had been a different world.
Finally – blissfully, she fainted.
The last thing she heard – was a surprisingly familiar voice.
"Still so stubborn, Xiao Tian."
ADRASTEIA LV 42 (11 YO)
BODY
Agility 15(37)
Strenght 10(22)
Endurance 11(14)
SPIRIT
Intelligence 11(41)
Wisdom 16(24)
Fortitude 10(30)
HEART
Empathy 12(15)
Perception 10(32)
Sociability 14(22)
LUCK 13(30)
PERK ACQUIRED (67PP spend, 14PP available)
Black First Rite (1PP): grants Easy Black Magic Potency (+10 to Easy Spells of Battle Magic, War Magic and Curse)
Moon First Rite (1 PP): unlocks Light Battle Aura (+10 to all damages)
Potter First Rite (1 PP): unlocks Sensing Skill up to 25 SP
Ravenclaw First Rite (1 PP): unlocks +10 to easy memory tests and +5 to Mentamancy Skill
Moon Aura (2PP): unlocks a battle aura that grants +10% to all damages when active, and drains 25 MP per minute active
Khonsou'Small Favor (2PP): grants Easy Shielding Magic Potency (+10 damages parried by Easy shield spells)
Thot's Small Favor (2PP): grants Easy Healing Magic Potency (+10 healing done by Easy spells of all Healing Schools)
Black Curse Magic Understanding (3PP): grants +10 to curse
Lovegood Divination Magic Understanding (3PP): grants +10 to divination
Moon Strategy Understanding (3PP): grants +10 to strategy
Peverell Healing Understanding (3PP): grants +10 to healing
Potter Transfiguration Understanding (3PP): grants +10 to transfiguration
Ravenclaw Rune Understanding (3PP): grants +10 to rune
Black Magical Potency (4PP): Grants +10% to MP
Lovegood Light Magic Seeing Ability (4PP): unlocks magic seeing skill up to 25
Moon Blood-stealing Aura (4PP): the Moon aura now allows the user to get back your Blood Skill % of HP per attack
Peverell Reiki Potency (4PP): grants +10% to RP
Potter Reiki Potency (4PP): grants +10% to RP
Black Heir (free): grants +5% MP, one free bloodline talent to be chosen (All Regen rate +5%)
Moon Heir (free): grants +10% KP, one free bloodline talent to be chosen (Atavism)
Peverell Heir (free): grants +5% RP, one free bloodline talent to be chosen (HP +10%)
Potter Heir (free): grants +5% MP, one free bloodline talent to be chosen (RP +10%)
Jack of All Trade (5 PP): +1 SP per level
Natural Genius (2 PP): double book learning rate (locks Hard Work Genius Perk)
A Father's Strength (5 PP):+5 to all Communication
Blood of the Pharao (5PP): unlocks all Egyptian Magics
Cyclop's Skin (2PP): +5 to Physical and Elemental Resistance
FIRST PATH - Mind(+10 and RP, +5 to SPIRIT MC, +10 to Magic Skills)