Author's Note: I want to say thank you for the comments guys. It definitely keeps me going and feeds into my writing frenzy!
I apologize for the long wait for this chapter to be posted. Certain life events happened which made it almost impossible for me to make anything creative for some time and I've only recently been able to start typing again. Not only that but I've rewritten this chapter so many times that I can almost recit it in my sleep.
For those of you who are wondering I changed the title of this story from Lady of Miracles into Age of Miracles mostly because the original title no longer fits the mold of the story I'm planning to write. As this story continues it will be obvious why I decided to have the title change.
Good news! I was able to find a beta reader for this chapter thanks to the wonderful astrangeevent02!
So any mistakes are the fault of the author.
Chapter Four: Begin at the beginning
With a scream of frustration, Harry blasted concentrated magical energy at an axe swinging, shambling corpse. Behind him, he heard Valor give a bellowing cry as he cleaved one of the creatures in two with a swing of a their blade.
"What are these things?!" Harry cried out, swinging his staff in a simple arc catching another in the skull.
The group had only taken a few stumbling steps out of Knowledge's portal before they were ambushed in a frenzy of claws, swords, and axes by these creatures. They looked more like
dried out husks of old withered human flesh with unnatural sharp protruding bones, nothing more than moving corpses. Their mouths opened up to blackened horror and howls of fury as they attacked with a very forward fevered enthusiasm.
"Demons. Minions of Rage," Valor grunted out absently. Their full attention on the three flanking corpses. "Destroy them."
One of the creatures lunged forward with a horrible shriek that transformed into fury as it was impaled on Valor's blade. With a twist of their handle, the shrinking corpse made one last death cry as the body went limp. Without a backward glance, Valor moved to the next target with another twirl of their sword.
"Don't have to tell me twice," muttering under his voice, Harry brought he staff up in a fast slashing motion. "Sectumsempra." A bright flash of light launched out from his staff, arching forward towards one of the creatures that were rushing towards him.
The demon came to an abrupt halt as it staggered forward to its knees. Dark liquid spewed forward from shoulder to chest as it fell to the floor with a sickening flop and one last gurgle of dissipating life. Harry forced himself to continue, ignoring the picture of gore before him.
The scent of blood and death were all too familiar.
Inhaling a breath Harry took a glance around the room wildly before coming to a halt in disbelief. "Mouse! What in Merlin's name are you doing?!"
On the other side of the room, Mouse was clutching a wooden stool in hand, staving off two of the creatures who were intent on chasing him around a table. It was almost comical. "What does it look like I'm doing!"
With a yelp, he stumbled back trying to avoid a claw to the face, "A little help would be appreciated!"
"Sod it." With a snarl, Harry hurled himself across the room casting another burst of magic from his staff with a violent wave. "Alarte Ascendare." Caught off guard, one of the creatures shrieked as it rose into the air violently colliding with the ceiling. Its screams ended abruptly in a picture of splintering bone and torn flesh, spattered in gore.
His running momentum brought him within striking distance of the crazed creature. With a cry, he brought his staff up in a swinging position he swung it down with all his strength. The end of the staff caught the side of its rotting jaw on the way down, sending it flying across the other end of the room. Giving it no time to recover Harry came back around for another swing which broke its skull with a hollow thud. It made another feeble attempt to reach for Mouse before falling forward.
"Well," Mouse drawled in disbelief, wooden stool still in hand, "that was impressive."
"Your welcome," Harry said warily, "But next time how about you use something a little more threatening?"
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Well done," Harry had to keep himself from jumping as Valor stepped behind them. "The threat is ended." It seemed in the moment that Harry had gone to Mouse's aid Valor had effortlessly killed the rest. Their bodies littered the stone floors in severed positions of violence.
The room was decorated with the bodies of slain corpses. A mess of blood and spewed organs covered stone walls like a flood. Harry hurriedly glanced away, before his eyes landed on his blood-soaked staff clutched tightly in his hands. The immediate danger done with, Harry allowed himself a moment to sag against his staff. His breath coming out laboring and ragged from the battle and his adrenaline rush.
Shakily, Harry brought his hands to his robes, trying to wipe the blood off but little avail. It just soaked his robes. With a sigh, he placed his hands on the wooden table for support, making sure to avoid any of the spattered blood.
Ignoring Harry's dilemma, Valor continued, "We are far from finished. Each moment that passes is a moment for Rage to take notice."
"Ugh," Mouse groaned out, "give me a moment. Traveling through that split in the Fade was uncomfortable." Harry had to agree with Mouse on that point. There was hardly any time for them to recover before they were treated to a room of corpses.
He was not too sure if it was due to the unfamiliar travel accommodations or the aftermath of their fight but he was feeling a bit light headed.
"I don't suppose we could walk up to it and ask politely," Harry murmured. "Probably with a cup of tea and a nice chat about anger management."
"Hah! Not likely," Mouse replied. "Far too easy and convenient."
"Wonderful." It would just be Harry's luck if he was eaten by some demon. He could imagine the postcard home. "So whats next?"
"Whelp, you lot are gonna have to wade through these little fellows, while I go do some real work," Mouse bounced to his feet with renewed enthusiasm.
"Wait? What!? You're not coming with us?" Harry cried out in disbelief. "Why the heck did you come in the first place?!"
"This battle was never his place," Valor interrupted. "His skills lie in the shadows. He will lead us to Rage."
"And as much fun as it would be to watch you two trample around blindly. Or worse. Some of us gave a finer things to do. Besides," Mouse said. "I'm more of a lover than a fighter." With that, a bright flash emanated from his body engulfing him and dissipating to reveal a brown mouse. Mouse's ears twitched in momentary amusement.
"Is that really the best option." Harry could imagine a number of ways that could go wrong. "What if you get caught snooping around by one of these horrors? And how in Merlin's name will you find us?"
"Unlikely. Trust me I'm good at what I do. All the big bads like to hold themselves up in a nice safe location that I can dig up and in this form I'm not worth the effort." Mouse squeaked out. "And Rage finding will be easy. Something of that power is hard to miss. I'll find it and tell you about it. Don't worry you lot aren't that hard to locate."
"What was that supposed to mean?" They had no idea how big this place was or how it worked. Just how sure are they that they would not find his decapitated corpse scattered in a room.
"Let's just say you release your own unique sort of scent."
"What?"
"Enough," Valor commanded. "Mouse. Go."
With another squeak, they watched as Mouse scampered off seemingly disappearing into a small unassuming hole Harry had not taken notice of in the room.
"Will he really be alright?" Harry couldn't keep his concern concealed. "I mean he could barely handle himself in a fight." It was obvious that Mouse was never built for combat, in almost every regard.
"Faith." Valor intoned. "Trust in his abilities, if nothing else."
"Okay then," Harry took a steady breath. "I'm assuming that means we're gonna go-"
"Forward," Valor said. "Mouse will find us in due time."
"Than lead the way"
-LINEBREAK-
Harry was starting to really despise the Fade and all of its spiritual nonsense.
"I swear we passed this door at least four right turns ago," Harry grumbled. "Look at that blood spatter. This is where you skewered that corpse earlier."
"Yes." Valor pointed to a long dark hallway that was empty but decorated with ice on the floor and walls. "There is the ice blast you did to the three flanking us from the left."
With no other choice, the two companions had to walk aimlessly through Rage's territory. The only excitement was encountering a few patrolling corpses that they dispatched quickly and without remorse.
"I'm not sure how much more of this I can take," Harry leaned back on the stone wall with an air of frustration.
"Indeed."
The place had the same ethereal atmosphere that he came to attribute to the Fade. The numerous halls were decorated with portraits and cloth of fine material and gold trimming. He almost felt a bit guilty painting it with dead bodies and showering in the entrails of rotting corpses.
"You know," Harry muttered, "I kinda figured there'd be more fire and death. But this looks more like a fancy looking castle. Are we sure this is the right place?"
"Do not let appearances fool you," Valor spoke, "This is the territory of Rage, created by their power alone. Come." They moved forward one hand clutching at the neck of their blade.
"But why a castle?" Harry wondered as he followed Valor. "Why go through all the trouble?" Knowledge had built her place as a forest, while it was vast it did not have the same level of detail.
"The reason escapes me," Valor confessed taking a glance around the corner for any enemies, "Perhaps it is the same for Rage. Regardless, they are here. Listen. You can sense the foul beast in the air."
There was a faint buzzing sensation trickling his senses putting him on edge, it felt like Quidditch. Wind ruffling through his air and adrenaline pumping through his vein. The effortless floating sensation of weightlessness and tickle of a snitch just out of reach. Harry could not properly feel the particular sensation Valor spoke of but he would be hard-pressed to not feel something in the air.
CatchmeFindmeSeekmeHELP ME!
"I feel something." Harry had to suppress the seductive pull of that energy. The dark visage of Valor's helmet stared at Harry with a contemplative air before turning back at the task at hand.
"Then you are learning." Coming around to a large wooden door they pushed it open beckoning Harry to follow. "We will a take a moment here."
Before the two armed warriors was a cozy room filled with shelves of books and a few chairs laid scattered throughout the room. Without further ado, Harry eagerly took a seat in the chair, with a deep a sigh of relaxation he leanined his full weight into its comfortable folds. His staff placed at his feet. Walking around on constant watch was far too exhausting. It reminded him of backpacking with his friends while they were running from Voldemort's forces.
It was awful then and it's awful now. It's why he took a desk job in the first place.
With a small grunt of effort, Harry reached for one of the books nestled on the shelf. The book was worn from use and the book cover held no title to identify its contents. Taking a small curious glance through it, he muttered a small curse as he encountered pages empty of writing. With a snort, he placed it back on the shelf. Knowledge would probably have loved this place, if nothing else, for the chance to fill it.
"Blimey, this place is lovely," Harry cocked an eyebrow at Valor's formidable form, "All the blood and guts and lovely reading material. How you must love it." He banged his head back, eyes closed in an effort to rest his eyes. Things like sleep had not been an issue since he got here but that did not mean he could not feel the wear and tear of a horrible workout.
"Is combat not common in your world." Cracking an eye open Harry looked at them with a raised brow. "The Spirit of Knowledge spoke of your abilities. Are you unique from your people in that regard?"
"Yeah, you could say that." Spending a childhood with a madman and his cult of followers out to see you dead was never going to equal a normal upbringing. "I mean yeah we have our magical duels but that was never in sense of 'to the death', or at least not anymore. Stuff like this just isn't part of our lives. Well, not since the war anyway."
"Yes, the Spirit of Knowledge spoke of it. You were the one to bring an end to the reign of evil. Fought him in singular combat." Was that a note of approval in their tone?
"Yep." Harry put emphasis on the 'p' with a bitter laugh. "With one spell. Wham." He waved his hand in a sarcastic manner. "Very dramatic and all that."
"You do not approve of your victory."
Harry had to snort at that. "Well, when you spend your whole life running from a madman who's been trying to kill you since you were baby, only to find out the reason why the crazy psycho is chasing is that you were prophesied to kill him, so you have no other choice but to fight him and die by his hand, the same hand that murdered your loved ones for years. Many innocent people, because if they died it would be all your fault. While those who should be responsible just send you to die like a lamb on a freshly made sacrifice. Well, it puts a damper on things."
"I see."
"No, you don't." Harry bit out. "You really don't. There was no battle of honor or two people on equal footing. There was no valor." His words dripped like poison from his lips. "People were dying in the streets. Men, women, and children butchered like animals. Those who were supposed to keep us safe did nothing!"
"But you did."
"What choice did we have." Age old anger bubbled up and the memories came back in full force. The panic and fear that he lived with after all those passing years, renewed. The memory of being made helpless as he tried to warn the others. And the cost of it all to state the ego of a madman. "We all had to pay a price for it."
I must not tell lies.
Even after the victory the scars of it still remained with him, with all of them. The Weasley family still wept for their lost children every year since their death. Neville still carried the scars of Nagini's fangs on his body. The scars of Bellatrix Lestrange's twisted hospitality and torture still resided on Hermione's skin, including all the others she had marked during the war. So much of it still followed them a familiar ghost that lingered in the room.
The nightmares persisted and festered. The terror clung to their skin like slick oil
"And through it all, you still prevailed," Valor stated almost kindly, "You survived."
"I guess you could say that," Harry laughed. What else could he have done? In the end there was never a choice for any of them.
He thought back to his home and all the things waiting for him. He thought of Hermione alone out there, probably worried out of her mind. More than likely trying to find a way to bring him back while threatening to wring his neck. He thought of Ron and how their friendship was tentatively getting back to more comfortable terms, after years of cold silence. Only recently had their stiff interaction turn less awkward.
His decision to forgo the path laid out for him had disappointed a number of people. Not marrying Ginny. Not taking the Auror position that was practically stamped with his name. So many paths and planning and assumptions he had walked away from with shake of his head. Many had called him selfish, foolhardy, and few other fouler things. The loudest of them was Ron, and Harry had yelled out a few words of his own right back. Some of it was justified and some of it was not but by then they were both too worn and brittle from the unexpected turn of their lives. From becoming to soldiers, to martyrs, to sacrifice, to hero. There was no salvaging what they once shared.
He thought of his small office filled to the brim with reports that needed to be filled and experiments waiting to be finished. He had a paper due to the possible effects of Hour-Reversal Charms to turn in by the end of the month. An essay on the magical properties of unicorn blood that he had been procrastinating. He had some other things that Hermione needed him to complete or she would have his head.
"Well don't you two make a cozy couple of blood and horror." A sarcastic voice rang out between them. Jumping up in surprise, Harry grabbed his staff, turning towards the voice with his magic at the ready. Looking around the room wildly, Harry's eyes landed on the small form of Mouse. "But some of us have work to do."
"Mouse!" Harry cried. "What are you doing sneaking up on us. Did you know he was there?" He turned an accusatory stare at Valor's form.
Instead of answering Harry's question Valor just shrugged their shoulders. The faint sound of metal scraping on metal.
"Did you locate the demon?"
"Why yes, I'm fine. Thank you for asking. There's nothing like sneaking past hordes of demon to make you feel alive. Your concern, as always, is appreciated." With a flash of familiar light, Mouse turned to them in human form crossing his arms with a frown.
"Well I'm happy you're not a smear on the ground."
"Thank you."
"Enough." Valor said. "What news do you bring."
"I think I may have found our Rage demon or, at least, the door to their bedroom." Mouse shrugged with a grin.
"You think or you know." Harry gave Mouse a skeptical stare.
"Well, it was a nice big ole' fancy door," Mouse shrugged, "But I think the amount of power emanating from it was a good indicator."
"Could you get us there?" Valor said.
"Of course I could," Mouse gave Valor a confident smile, "What do you to take me for."
"Show us."
"As you wish. Follow me."
"Wait wait wait." The two spirits stopped in their tracks to turned towards Harry. "It can't be that easy? I mean we're just going to walk up to its door and what."
"Kill it."
"Well yeah, I get that. But what if it's a trap? Or some elaborate ruse? I mean this is too simple. Isn't it?" Harry looked at them both, desperately trying to get his point across.
"I mean it's a Rage Demon. Elaborate planning isn't really their thing." Mouse shrugged carelessly.
"Rage is powerful but has yet to cultivate much. This dream of theirs is limited." Valor waved their hands vaguely.
"And besides there's still a wall of demons you have to get through."
"Ugh."
Thanks for the comments everyone! imgonnadie, Guest000, Blind sharingan, BrotherCaptainSheperd, FuZzvKiNgZz, , Mangahero18, Prince Sheogorath.
Guest000; Thank you for the feedback. I hope you will return as I continue to write this story. And don't worry about Mouse (without spoilers) he's still a bit of a special snowflake.
BrotherCaptainSheperd; This story will definitely be going to the world of Thedas and there will be interactions with major characters down the line. Don't worry about that. And where that goes, well you'll just have to wait and see. :)
And in the vein of romance, that is still undecided.
FuZzvKiNgZz; Dragons are always cool and a staple to the Dragon Age franchise. :)
This is the first time I've ever written a fight scene! So feedback/critic would be ap