Title: Saishū
Yume
Author:
Ex-Professor Remus Lupin
Rating: R
Genre:
Action/Adventure/Alternate Universe/Romance
Era: None
Pairing(s):
Remus/Sirius, Severus/Harry
Summary: It
starts, as a simple kidnapping. It will become an adventure unlike
any other as a group of mismatched heroes find themselves drawn into
a war for not only their lives, but also their very souls.
Disclaimer: This
story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK
Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury
Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc.
No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is
intended.
Author's
Note: I am so cool: two chapters in one sitting...oh yeah!
-
Chapter
Fifteen
True
Power
-
"What
are you doing here?" Sirius asked.
Walking along the thick branch, he could see Ginevra standing at the end of the curved branch, resting carefully against the wooden railing of the round balcony. The elven maiden was lost in thought, her blue eyes gazing out at the matching sky.
"Did you know," she said slowly, "that the sandstorm has been here for a thousand years. Not once has it ceased?"
"Really," Sirius said interestedly as he joined her on the balcony.
"I wonder if Cornelius is behind this."
He nodded. No doubt, the Gryffindor king was behind this strange occurrence. Gazing out into the blue sky, his thoughts wandered back to the black robed figure they had met in Hufflepuff. Ultimately, though, he admitted somewhat reluctantly, his thoughts returned to Remus. Where had he gone if he wasn't here?
"Right now," he said slowly, not wanting to address that issue, "I would worry more about that Regulus guy that was with Cornelius."
"Who was that man?" Ginevra asked, blue eyes narrowing slightly.
"Ginny," both Sirius and Ginevra looked up to find George running toward them, long red hair flying, "Gryffindor soldiers coming up the trunk!"
"No!" the Dragon Knight maneuvered around Sirius and dashed off to get her spear, left back at the inn while Sirius looked curiously at George.
"You okay?"
"Fine," a Gryffindor knight, dressed in tight, form fitting silver armor, appeared behind the elven prince, her sword drawn. Beside her was a black mage, looking grimly at them from beneath the shadow of their cowl. "Damn it, I thought I'd gotten them off my tail."
"No time!" Sirius yelled as he shoved the elf aside. The knight swung her sword.
Ducking out of the range of the weapon, he didn't see the Firaga spell coming. Heat and pain burst along his right side and he stumbled back, nearly knocking George down. The knight stepped forward again, ready to make another strike. Just as she swung the blade, a staff flashed into sight, knocking the knight off her feet and too the ground.
"A dirty trick, Gryffindor," Severus growled.
"Kettle black, traitor!" the mage howled, throwing another fire spell toward him. Severus called up a blast of water magic to shield himself from the spell and swinging the metal staff full circle, hit the black mage upside the head, knocking him out cold.
The Gryffindor knight was easily dispersed with a carefully sought out weakness in the armor. Bloody splashed across the ground and the black mage stepped back looking to Sirius and George expectantly.
"They just keep coming," he said. "They're Apparating in with the soldiers. We should fall back to the cathedral."
"You have my gratitude," George said, looking down at the dead knight.
"Don't mention it," Severus grumbled wiping the sharp end of his staff off with his robe and grimacing as he did it, "Ever."
"Where'd you get that?" Sirius asked as he drew his own double-bladed sword, the blades snapping out with a sharp click.
"I bought it at the weaponry," was the reply as Severus buried the end of the staff into the ground and began searching through his bag for something. He pulled out a softly glowing bottle of blue liquid and tossed it to Sirius. "Drink that."
Nodding, Sirius broke the wax seal and pulled the cork free with his teeth, spitting it onto the ground. He downed the contents of the bottle, shuddering as the healing potion took effect. His burn disappeared, leaving behind freshly healed pink flesh in its place, and he felt suddenly rejuvenated, almost all-powerful.
"All right, let's go," he said, twirling his weapon one handedly. He really could get used the euphoria that came every time someone took a potion. "Wander what would happen to you if you took a hi-potion?"
"You would spend more than just a few minutes in that high," Severus growled, grabbing his arm and shaking him.
He sobered immediately and glancing once at the elf standing nearby looking thoroughly confused, he grinned.
"Let's head to the cathedral, we'll make our stand there," he said looking at Severus and than at George.
The made dash through the branches over bridges and up winding stairs, was a difficult one, interrupted by several run-ins with Gryffindor soldiers and black mages. Several times they had been forced to use the potions that Severus had stocked up on and the elven prince dropped his mourning façade and stole a sword from one of the soldiers they had left behind.
They arrived at the cathedral, panting and covered with blood. There, they found Ginevra, Hagrid, and Seamus holding off several soldiers and mages. Hagrid seemed to be spending his time casting the healing white wind that he had used before and Ginevra and Seamus went back and forth with their blows.
All of them were bleeding and sore looking as they three joined the fray, Sirius' weapon cutting down the mages before they could send another spell his way. Severus cast spell after spell, his face paling as he used up his energy and George, still unused to the human weapon was wounding soldiers left and right, his hair sticking to his neck and face. Sirius, turning around and just barely avoided having his own head cut off, thought that he must look the same.
He nearly jumped out of his skin when another elf dropped down from above, his spear at the ready.
"Run!" he cried, killing another of the knights and wounding a nearby black mage in the same strike. Sirius turned, grabbing Ginevra's arm and pulling her away from the battle. The other's followed suite and they rushed into the cathedral.
Collapsing to the floor with a huff, Sirius allowed one of the elven red mages, learned in both white and black magic, to heal him. His sword clattered to the floor beside him and he looked up at Severus and grinned.
"Well, that was interesting," he said. "Who was that guy?"
"Ginevra's betrothed," George said, his eyes upon his sister as she stood at the door, ignoring the red mage's plea to come to the healing room for the open wound at the back of her skull that had matted her hair with blood.
A moment later, the elf that had been named Ginevra's betrothed entered the cathedral's open windowed entry hall. His helmet had been dented in on one side and he was covered in blood and gore. Removing the helm, he set it aside, shaking out his dark brown hair from his forehead. He was unlike any elf that Sirius had ever seen. His eyes black and his mouth; he had a beard.
That was something that no elf could or even would have.
"Dean Half-Elven," someone whispered. Severus, half-elf as well, scowled as he lowered himself carefully into a chair.
"You came back, I see," the King of Hufflepuff stood at the back of the room, scowling at the half-elf. He bowed his head shamefully and leaned his blood-covered spear against the wall.
"I had to, My Lord," he said softly. "I heard that our kingdom was under attack and I wanted–"
"You wanted to protect my daughter."
"Cousin," the High Priestess had appeared, dressed in red and yellow robes and looking worriedly at Dean, "he has done nothing but save our lives."
"He dares come here and flaunt his human heritage," the king said with a scowl.
"Father," Ginevra had stepped forward finally, grasping Dean's arm in her hands. "He is my betrothed."
Narrowing his blue eyes at his daughter, he turned and stalked away from the entry hall into the inner room where the ceremony had been held earlier. The High Priestess followed him, looking worriedly back at the two before she disappeared down the hall. Ginevra's blue eyes, normally cold, had softened as Dean gathered her into his arms.
"You came earlier than expected," she said softly.
"Of course, I have no hope of defeating General Grange now, but I wanted to protect your kingdom," Dean answered.
A yell of surprise and pain sounded from the back room. Sirius and Severus jumped up and without waiting for the others, dashed down the hall, breaking down the door with a surprising show of strength. Dean, Ginevra, and Seamus followed.
General Granger stood on the dais where the harp stood, in her hands the red jewel that had controlled the sands. Her sword was pointed at the throat of the High Priestess and she was smiling coldly at the elf.
"You fail to grasp the true power of this jewel," she said darkly, tucking the gem into a hidden pocket on her armor. "Now that the king has the jewel, he is through with your city!"
Jumping casually from the dais, she ran from the room, surprising the others as she passed. Sirius was the first to act, following her as she broke through the crowd of survivors; he managed to grab his double-ended sword before following her out into the bright sunlight.
Severus and Ginevra followed closely behind, weapons found and readied as Granger turned to meet them, her hazel eyes glinting with triumph.
"This ends now," she said harshly, lifting her sword up and bringing it down with a sharp slash. The three fell back as the attack hit its mark, flesh opening under the magical assault. Collapsing to the ground, they could only watch as Granger called her soldiers back.
The soldiers nearby were quickly Apparated out of the area by black mages standing nearby. Severus, looking grimly on as he held his hand over a gaping wound across his chest, watched them closely.
As Granger was Apparated from the area by another mage, Sirius turned back to Severus. "Can you get us onto that ship?" he demanded, pointing toward a floating red shape in the distance.
"Hopefully," Severus said as he struggled to his feet, digging into his bag and pulling out three hi-potions, the liquid a deep blue color as it glowed softly. He handed two of the bottles to Sirius and Ginevra and then downed his own.
Drinking delicately, Ginevra swayed on her feet as the potion took effect. Her wounds healed and she giggled like a child, leaning heavily against Sirius' shoulder even as he gasped with delighted laughter. Severus, looking scarily cheerful, closed his eyes and shook his head.
"I don't know if I can manage the both of you," he said grabbing Ginevra's left hand in his right hand and Sirius right with his left.
"Dean and Seamus," Ginevra said the same time Sirius said, "Hagrid!"
"We will be fine," Dean said, appearing from inside the cathedral. "We are leaving the city in the hopes of getting aid from the Ravenclaw emperor."
"Course," Sirius said, still grinning a bit childishly. "Well, off we go, Sev'."
"Never call me that again, or I'll be sure you leave behind something important," the mage growled, eyes glittered dangerously.
Closing his eyes, he concentrated on his body and the two he was holding onto as well, feeling for them, and holding onto their shape. At the same time, he tried to image his destination: the Red Rose, King Cornelius' airship that floated off in the distance, holding the king's most valuable soldiers. With a crack of magic, the three disappeared.
Hagrid sighed.
"We best get everyone moving."
-
King Cornelius stood at the helm of his airship, glaring down at the tree city. Regulus stood nearby, looking pale. He was breathing heavily, his hand pressed tightly over his heart even as General Granger appeared, looking irritated.
"Do you have it?" he growled.
"Yes," he offered the red gem that she had stolen from the city to him and with a growl, Regulus grabbed the jewel, clutching it tightly in his hands. A moment later, the jewel flashed brightly and it grew hot in his hands.
"The last of the Eidolons, Bahamut is now in your possession, Your Majesty," Regulus said smugly, color returned to his face as he offered the jewel to King Cornelius.
"Excellent," accepting the jewel, he tucked it away into his robes and then turned back to the city. "Without his summoning powers, Remus is helpless," he pulled out a black stone glowing vibrantly in his hands. "With the dark matter, I have the power to summon."
He held the gem carefully before him.
"Odin! Come to me!"
The jewel flared to life at the command and Regulus feared for a moment that he had done the spell incorrectly. A black speck appeared in the sky above the Burrow, growing in mass. The black mage sighed with relief and smiled cockily at Granger as she watched in horror as what could only be a god dressed in black armor riding astride an eight-legged horse and holding aloft a spear of black fire, rode out of the portal.
Raising his spear, Odin took aim at the city. The weapon flew true and with an explosion that shook the ground, the city disappeared in a wave of fire. Odin saluted his summoner and he disappeared in a wave of black light.
King Cornelius smiled.
-
Sirius watched in horror as the Burrow disappeared. Never in his life has he seen such a display of power. The god of death on his fiery steed had taken the city down in a traumatic wave of destruction.
"Did you see that?" he asked, looking to Ginevra and Severus.
The mage had collapsed panting against the wall of the airship. Apparating the three of them had taken its toll on him. He had only enough energy to do it once more maybe. Ginevra though, had fallen to her knees, tears streaming down her face, all things forgotten.
"Dean...Seamus...Hagrid...they're all gone," she whispered brokenly.
"Damn it!" Sirius howled, punching the wooden railing. Bowing his head, the wind rushed up suddenly to whip his hair violently free from its binding as the airship moved suddenly, heading southeast toward...
"We're being taken to Gryffindor," Severus panted. "We need to hide, someone is coming."
"Let me alone," Ginevra moaned as Sirius grasped her arm.
"We have to move," he said softly, tugging her to her feet as he gathered his weapon and then hers before leading her behind the stairs that led up to the next deck. Severus stumbled to their side, still looking pale and drawn, but better than he had before.
"King Cornelius demands to see you, General," a Gryffindor soldier had appeared, knocking on one of the doors in the airships upper deck. "I suspect he wishes to shower you with praise for your victory. Weasley has nothing on you, lady."
"Enough!" Granger yelled.
"Sorry, Ma'am," the soldier nodded curtly.
"Tell His Majesty that I will report to him shortly," turning away from the female soldier as she disappeared down a hall to the helm, Granger shook her head. "That was ridiculous. My soldiers would have been more than enough to defeat the Burrow."
She pounded her fist lightly on the railing.
"Why does His Majesty insist on using black magic and eidolons? I did not study the art of swordsmanship all these years so that I could take backseat to these – these puppets!" she glared out at the remains of the Burrow. "That is all they are, blindly following orders."
She cursed and brushing her hair from her face, stalked down the hall toward the helm. Sirius jumped up and ascended the stairs. The other's followed him as he made his way to the door through which Granger had disappeared.
-
General Granger sighed as she approached her king, kneeling in respect as he ignored her in favor of examining his newest jewel. "Your Majesty," she said, reminding his of her presence.
"Granger, we are returning to Gryffindor," Cornelius said not looking at her.
"Yes, the ship will arrive by nightfall," she replied. "Your Majesty, may I ask how the prince is doing?"
"Now that all the eidolons have been drawn from him and are under my control, I have no need for him," Granger looked up at him in surprise.
"What do you mean?"
"He is a werewolf, a vicious one at that and I will have him beheaded and burned when we get back to Gryffindor!" King Cornelius said wildly, glaring at Granger. The general cringed.
"Your Majesty?"
-
"Remus!" Ginevra placed a calmly hand on the thief's arm and he looked at her, gray eyes wide with fear.
"We can not fight them," she said simply.
"What are you saying?" he said hysterically. "They're going to kill him! Are we just supposed to stand here? We've got to get to Gryffindor before Cornelius!"
"I can get us there," Severus said, grasping Sirius' hand and closing his eyes.
"Are you certain?" Ginevra asked as she took the mage's free hand, closing her eyes and offering a prayer to the gods.
"Not really, but if you're missing an eyebrow, you can blame me."
-
Author's
Note: What the shit is this? I managed to write two chapters! Here I
was struggling with the last chapter and then...boom! Two chapters
done in one sitting and of course that makes me a very happy, happy
writer. They're also both up on Monday so I'm not going to be
beaten with a newspaper... Go me.
Next Chapter: The rush to save the prince continues...
