Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own ideas and quite expectedly I do not profit monetary from this story in any way.
About the story: This will be very AU verse of very different schools and systems of magic that will not follow canon at all. Simple example - Harry and Tom will be born the same year, no blood war; Tom will be Dumbledore's apprentice, Harry will be Grindelwald's. There will be one more main male character born the same year as them. No pairings at the moment and I don't think romance will be major part of the story.
About me: I am in the process of creating this story and dabbling in the scary dimension of fanfiction writing for two main reasons. Firstly, I need somewhere to relieve my stress and this will be one such outlet. Secondly, I need practice in writing for my own books and this is once again an outlet for that need. Keep in mind I do not speak English as a first language and errors will be probably (and sadly) much more common than me and you would like. But until the story grows somewhat and that elusive and mythical creature (beta reader) is caught in it's grip, we will have to endure somehow.
Prologue
A long forgotten, by almost everyone. That's what the ancient Pythia has become in the centuries following the destruction of her beloved Temple of Apollo. By the muggles and their shortsightedness, forever running after the horizon, trying to reach the stars. By the wizards, prideful in their ancestry and blood, all the while spiting knowingly and unknowingly on everything their fore bearers stood for. By the creatures of magic, skulking and hiding in the shadows, waiting for a time that will never come if all they did was wait for it. Some might wonder what were the sins that forced the Pythia to judge them all so harshly. But one only needed to see, with clear eyes.
Destruction of Magic, the spark that originated life and that keeps the endless dark of the Abyss at bay. Fouled by the gifted. The others? They left them be. Destruction of Gaia, the very earth all life stood and flourished upon. Fouled by the earthborn. The others? They left them be. Destruction of Spirit that brought balance and fought chaos since the beginning of time. Once again by the very children it sired – the creatures of magic. The others? They left them be.
Complacency, the melody that was permeating the very earth and air of the world. For all their struggles, daily battles and accomplishments, they all were complacent. Oh, don't get it wrong, they hated each other with passion. They built walls to keep the others separate and wasted no effort to spite them, hurt them, humiliate them. But in all things that mattered? They left each other be. Centuries of persecution, death, wars and treaties for even the smallest of perceived threats and insults. Rivers of blood that grew into oceans of misery and death, stinking of decay and inevitability but perfumed with the sweet scent of righteousness and honor.
If her knowledge to all this madness was able to lift the veil of blindness that was willfully allowed to exist by all the free races that walked this world. Alas, it was not to be and follow the divine will she must in all things and in all times, just as she had since her birth. But the veil soon will find itself in a precarious position indeed for the world was at a precipice. One, that was just as inevitable as her enforced silence.
The ancient glory and mystic of the moment was sublime, the very spiritual excellence it exuded breathtaking. But the hidden stones engraved with letters of magic were hidden long ago from the world. Along with the Pythia. So no eyes saw the majestic dagger born from Dementor bone, quenched in phoenix blood and infused with thousands of spirits, all of them whispering of prophecies long gone and some, still yet to come.
-From all the Gods this world has seen worshiped and called upon… Only four has ever been true.
The Pythia whispered, her words afraid to break the divine silence that was enshrouding the altar she painstakingly built the last two centuries. The shadows somehow enriched by the moment, danced around her, reminding her of many things long ago forgotten. Of things she once knew and pains she swore she won't revisit anymore. With a shuddering breath, her lips cracked open once again.
-I have picked you, my Lord, through all the struggles of my life and all the pains of Sight I had bestowed upon me. And now I plead you! Be with me one more time as I join you in the deep slumber you have fallen!
The rays of moonlight reflected from the dagger as the Pythia raised it above her head and changed the atmosphere surrounding the altar. A moment ago so pure, now forever tainted by the ominous sacrifice waiting to happen. A sudden glint of light, forceful movement that promised to change the fates of the world forever, and the dagger buried deep in her heart.
Ancient power arose like a hurricane, tidal wave that can not be denied by any means, be it mortal or divine. The body of the priestess floated above the altar and glowed as if she herself has become the Moon. Her lips opened, speaking words without sound, for no sound was needed when her message was uttered by hundreds of voices, by every Seer and Oracle gifted that was currently alive on this world. Be it human, goblin, centaur or muggle. Her voice was many, a cacophony to send her away from the mortal plane with one last prophecy.
The ancient eyes of cold
will be awaken by the Priests of Old!
With magic and desire,
nevermore in sleep to retire…
With bodies merged, gifted -
the Fates shall be changed, shifted!
Balance, Destruction and Domination
will battle for the right to be Creation!
Beware the sibilant speech
for all life it will surely leech…
Beware the all seeing eyes
for you will never stop their rise…
Beware the changer of shape
or mediocrity you'll never escape…
A Triad shall be twice born,
world divided, forever sworn!
A side you will have to pick…
your time runs out, be quick!
Constructive criticism will be much appreciated but grammatical errors won't be counted as such, I have stated English isn't my first nor even my second language. And criticism based on what is diverging from canon will join the dismissed pile, I have stated this will be AU where I will let my imagination run wild.