MERLIN'S VOICE

"Don't be a fool, young one," said Lilia with a smirk. "Even a Wandmaster can't be a match for me. What do you think you can achieve by doing this? In fact, you're completely lost, right now, aren't you?"

"On the contrary, Lilia," said Kenneth. "You're the second person today to make that mistake. For the first time in my life, I know exactly what I have to do."

"Noble thinking, Lionheart, but it won't save you," mocked Lilia, preparing for a fight.

Kenneth began to gather his will, but something happened that he hadn't expected. Something other than his wand started to react to his will. Kenneth felt the power run in his left hand! He didn't waste any time thinking about it and thrust the Staff right at Lilia. A huge wave of force shot out of it, and hit the witch, slamming her to the wall behind her.

Kenneth heard Thierry gasp in surprise. Lilia got on her feet, with a hazy look in her eyes.

"Impossible," she said. "You cannot wield the Staff! Crucio!" she shouted madly.

Kenneth waved the Staff again, and it created a huge barrier of light that stopped the Cruciatus curse. Lilia screamed in rage and the duel began. Lilia was attacking with every spell she could. Kenneth blocked each one of them with the Staff and retaliated with his wand, forcing Lilia to step back.

They stopped for a moment. Kenneth was beginning to feel tired. The duel against Gareth, and now this, this was too much for him. He was drawing heavy breaths, his chest rising and falling struggling to regulate.

"You can't hold on for long, boy," said Lilia, between heavy breaths as well. "You can surrender now, and I will be merciful. I respect what you have done so far. Using the Staff of Merlin on your own is impressive. But your cause is lost."

"You won't find me as gullible as Gareth," said Kenneth.

"So you did kill him, in the end?" said Lilia. "He was afraid of you, you know. I thought he was a coward, or a fool, but now I understand that he saw what you had in you. Too bad he wasn't as strong as you. I could have done with an ally of your power, once properly tamed, of course."

"What did you do to him?" asked Kenneth, furious.

"I didn't have much to do," said Lilia, smiling. "He was so spiteful against your family, for not understanding him. And there was that girl he loved. Your cousin, too. And she was the key. I simply inflamed his frustration into hatred and blind greed and that did the trick. It was rather easy."

"You destroyed him!" shouted Kenneth.

"And you killed him," said Lilia, mocking him. "Who's to blame, then? Me for corrupting him, or you for depriving him of a chance at redemption?"

"I didn't kill him," said Kenneth, coldly. "He killed himself. Because of you."

"I see," said Lilia, with a malevolent smile. "So, it's on me, then? And if I kill your little friend, here, it will be one more thing to add to your vengeance, won't it?"

She raised her wand and waved it quickly. Kenneth reacted in turn.

At the very second she was uttering "Avada Kedavra," Kenneth invoked his Fire whip and lashed it at her wand. The line of pure energy hit the tip at the moment the spell was going out.

The wand exploded with a huge flash of green light. Kenneth shut his eyes, and all he heard was a terrifying scream. The light went out. Kenneth opened his eyes again, and saw what had happened.

Lilia was kneeling on the floor, holding her shoulder with a face contorted by pain. Below the shoulder, the skin on her arm was charred and mangled so bad that the bones were visible on some parts. Lilia dropped on the floor, screaming endlessly.

Thierry walked to Kenneth's side.

"Wow," he said. "I'd like to feel sorry for her, but…"

"Yeah," said Kenneth. "But we can't leave her suffering like this."

Thierry nodded. He waved his Staff and some magical bandages appeared on Lilia's arm, and the scream ended, giving way to a painful moan. Lilia was now just breathing heavily, her face terribly tensed, sweat pouring from her face. She threw them a confused look.

"You'd better kill me while you still have the chance," she said between her teeth, crawling on the stone floor to reach and rest against the wall.

"I'm not like you," said Kenneth.

Thierry's attention was drawn to footsteps in the corridor to his right. Kenneth immediately was on his guard. Too late for the kill, anyway, he thought with an ironic smile. He was ready to face whoever would come out of the corridor.

But it was Professor Potter. He had a cut above his right eyebrow causing a slow trickle of blood on his face, but he seemed alright. Potter looked around him.

"What happened in here?" he asked. "Are you alright?"

"We are, she isn't," said Kenneth, nodding toward Lilia.

Potter cast her an incredulous look. He seemed torn between helping her and just leaving her to die here. But he seemed in a hurry.

"We don't have time for this," he said. "Reinforcements are on their way, unfortunately for her. We must prepare to fight. Where is the Staff hidden?" he asked Thierry.

"Actually, it's not hidden anymore," said Thierry, pointing to the Staff in Kenneth's hand.

Professor Potter looked impressed.

"Can you use it, Thierry?" he asked, urgently.

"He can't," said Kenneth. "I can."

"You can wield the Staff of Merlin?" repeated Potter, incredulously.

"I'm the Knight," said Kenneth. "Apparently I have the right to do so."

"Can it protect us?" asked Potter.

"I'm not sure," said Kenneth.

"We'll have to try," said the Defence Teacher. "Thierry," he said. "Something in the writings I saw across the temple, says that there is a Force hidden in the Core for those who are true friends of Merlin. Where exactly is the Core?"

"We're standing in the middle of it," said Thierry.

"The writing's on the walls said something about the Trust," said Potter.

"The ritual of Trust," said Thierry. "I know how to do it. It's written all around the Altar. But I'll need some time to invoke it."

"How much do you need?" asked Kenneth.

"I'd say hours," said Thierry with a smile.

"How about minutes?" said Potter.

"Give me all the time you can," said Thierry.

Professor Potter turned to Kenneth, as Thierry was turning to the altar. Footsteps were echoing in the corridor.

"The Permanent Shield," he instructed him.

"I'm not sure I have the strength for that," said Kenneth, on very tired voice.

Potter put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Kenneth could tell he was tired too, but either they were tired or they were dead, so… Kenneth raised the Staff and hit the floor with the wood, using the same pattern of thought he used with his wand. A wave of energy was cast around them, surrounding the Altar.

Behind them, Thierry began to move his Staff in the air, tracing very delicate symbols.

A barrier was formed just as a troop of warlocks entered the Core. They were all Leno's, judging by their robes. Harry had crossed path with some of them while fighting through the temple. The High Priest made his entrance after his men, and saw Lilia recoiling against the wall. He walked to her and saw her deeply burnt arm.

He turned to Harry with a look of pure hatred.

"Elastare!" he shouted at him.

"Sphere!" countered Harry, and the shocking Spell went ricocheting around the whole room, except in the Shield area, knocking out warlocks as it went.

"You'll pay for this offence, Potter," said Leno, his deep voice seeping with menace.

"Offence? Who is this guy?" asked Kenneth, in disbelief.

"The big wig around here apparently," said Harry, with a twisted smile. "His name is Leno, and that's pretty much all we know."

Behind them, he could hear Thierry chanting incantations. Leno's gaze fell on the young Initiate as he recognize this ritual. His eyes widened in shock and fury.

"Break that shield!" he ordered. "Someone see to Dame Lilia."

The Warlocks started to cast shockers, lightning bolts, fire and everything they had on the shield, but the shield generated by the Staff held. Harry was retaliating by stunning as many of the Warlocks as he could, but he could tell they were in a bad situation. They needed more time, and Kenneth wouldn't last that long.

Mercifully, a whole group of Warlocks flew off their feet, and were knocked against the walls of the Core. Alexander came floating into the room, lightning surrounding him. He looked very frightening, right now, as if he was possessed by some terrible force.

"Glad to see me?" he asked Harry.

Harry smiled back.

"Kenneth needs support," he told his friend, stunning one more warlock, behind Alexander's shoulder.

Alexander nodded.

Leno seemed to be shocked by Alexander's arrival. The Entropist stepped between the Warlocks and his friends. He then waved his hands and another shield came to reinforce the first. Kenneth let out a deep sigh of relief. He breathed in before he knocked the Staff against the floor one more time. A shockwave exploded in the room and threw the closest attackers to the ground, pushing the others against the walls.

Alexander pulled his wand out and threw it to Harry. Harry used it to stun two warlocks at the same time. He smiled at the thought he was able to use Alexander's wand, which, according to Minerva, was pretty special. Alexander held on his shield, while Kenneth was waving his Staff, stunning Warlocks after Warlock.

"You won't escape me!" shouted Leno, growing enraged.

"Myraya, Taliea Amborea, rise up to our Aid, heir of the Prince, Master of Wisdom," Thierry's voice shouted, at the conclusion of his incantation.

"NO!" screamed Leno.

A huge flash of white exploded in the room. Everyone was suddenly blinded by the clear white light. When it faded, there was a magical presence in the room. Harry could feel it. The Warlocks ceased to attack, watching in awe for some of them, in terror, for the others. Leno had now a discouraged look upon his face. Lilia had a vacant expression, still lost in her pain.

Harry slowly turned to look at the presence he had felt behind him. In the middle of the altar, surrounded by a strange white halo, stood a tall, thin man with a long dark grey beard and hair, and eyes that seemed to see beyond the farthest star in the sky.

He was Merlin Ambrosius, the Enchanter.

"Who summoned my form to this place?" asked the spectral form, on a soft voice, that still echoed through the walls of the Core like thunder.

Thierry knelt in front of the apparition.

"Master Merlin," he said respectfully. "I humbly beg for thy help to protect thy Legacy to this World. We need to protect thy sacred Staff, from the Warlocks of Atlantis, your enemies."

"Thou art an Initiate of the Unicorn," said Merlin. "Thy words are true and thy heart is pure. I shall help thee."

He raised his hands, and another wave of energy spread from the Altar. A new shield came to form right beyond Alexander's. Suddenly silence fell around them.

Astonished, Alexander lowered his hands, and walked to the shield. He knocked on it with a knuckle. It felt like knocking on a solid wall.

"Wow," he said.

"A wonderful thing to still get surprised at your age, old man," said Harry, joining him.

Leno screamed in rage but the sound came through only strongly muted. He faced Alexander, and raised his wand. Alexander felt the confidence in the look that the apparition sent him when he turned to him. So he didn't raise any shield. He didn't hear the incantation from Leno's voice, but the green flash from his wand left no doubt. It simply exploded on the surface of the shield, without any effect.

It was Harry's turn to be impressed, now.

"Wow," he said.

"I said that first," replied Alexander.

The Warlocks tried different spells on the shield, but none succeeded in breaking the protection.

Alexander turned to Merlin's image.

"I love this thing," he said with a smile.

Then he walked to the altar, followed by Harry, who was supporting Kenneth. The young Gryffindor looked completely exhausted. Alexander was impressed by the Wandmaster, who had maintained a major defensive spell, using a Staff, which was usually impossible for a wand wielder, and moreover one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful Staff in the world. The boy was only sixteen, for Merlin's sake!

His mental swearing just brought him back to the fact he was actually facing the real Merlin.

The legendary Magi looked at the four wizards.

"Who are you?" he asked. "This one follows the Unicorn, I can read it in his heart. But none of you follow that path, and yet you are no enemies. I shall have your names."

"My name is Harry Potter, Lord Merlin," said Harry, bowing his head respectfully.

"Lord? I'm no Lord," said Merlin, with a smile. "The House of nobility I have descended from has renounced power millennia ago. Harry Potter... The Spirits whispered thy name in my sleep… Thou hast faced great Darkness, born out of hatred and greed for power."

Merlin was speaking with a curious accent, something like old English or something like that. His way of addressing them sounded very solemn. Harry fought the funny urge to speak with him on the same tone.

"Indeed," he just said.

Merlin then turned to Alexander, who smiled.

"Thou hast the power of ancients, Wizard," he said. "What is thy name?"

"My name is Alexander Lockenburn," replied Alexander.

"Where dost the power thou wieldest come from?" asked Merlin.

"Chaos Magic," said Harry in Alexander's place. "Alexander is a Chaotician."

"Is the Magic of the Builders back in the blood of Man?" said Merlin, surprised.

"Alexander is one of the firsts," said Harry. "But the Seal of Chaos has been broken, so Chaos Magic is now loose upon the world."

"Then the time of the Storm closes in," said Merlin.

"The Storm?" said Thierry.

"A time where Ancient powers shall ally with new blood to bring ruin upon the World. The rise of these forces will echo through all the realms. By that time, a handful shall decide the fate of all," said Merlin. "Those are the words revealed to me through my most faithful disciple."

The words echoed in Alexander and he thought of the words revealed to him by Madam Hemlock, in the Department of Mysteries, the year before.

"A prophecy?" asked Harry.

"What do you mean by a handful?" Alexander asked at the same time.

"It is not my task to reveal you this," said Merlin.

"It's strange, he reminds me of someone," said Alexander, rolling his eyes.

Harry nodded with an ironic smile.

"If the Warlocks are back, then you must all be cautious," said Merlin. "The Bane of Atlantis, if brought back to life, would endanger the whole world. Who is the third one? The one who carries my Staff…"

Kenneth stepped forward.

"Er… I'm Kenneth," he said. "Kenneth Lionheart."

"He's the Knight, Master," said Thierry. "He's the direct scion of Johan."

"And thus can he hold my Staff," said Merlin. "Wilt thou keep it for thy own Greatness?"

"Huh?" asked Kenneth, too tired to clearly understand the stakes of the question. "Keep it? Of course not! We're here to keep it safe! Didn't nobody explain that to him?"

Merlin smiled.

"Thy heart is sincere, young Lion," he said. "If thou indeed wish to keep the Staff safe, thou must understand that once it will rest in my hands, it will be out of thy reach forever. Dost thou really want to sacrifice such a power? Imagine what thou could accomplish. Thou could heal the wounds of the World, fashion it following thy wishes…"

"I have enough power to deal with for now," said Kenneth. "and I don't think my wishes would be the best for the rest of the world. Why are you asking me this?"

"Thou art the one who carries the Staff," said Merlin.

"Only because I stopped the Warlocks from getting their hands on it," said Kenneth. "I never sought it."

"Again thou speak thy true mind," said Merlin.

"I'm way too tired to try and lie to you," said Kenneth.

"Indeed," said Merlin, smiling again. "Thou make the pride of thy blood, young Lionheart. Thou hast honoured the Pledge beyond any doubt. Thierry," he said, turning to the Initiate.

"Yes, Master Merlin," said Thierry, taking a step ahead.

"Thou and the Knight shall have to entrust the Staff to me again. Thy touch shall mean the Brotherhood surrenders the Staff to me, and the Knight's shall lift the Spell that imprisoned the Staff on this plane of existence."

"The spell?" said Harry, puzzled.

"I brought forth no heir into the world, Harry Potter," said Merlin. "My Staff should have followed me after I went away from this World. But I gave it to Morgane, my pupil who thus inherited the Staff and her line after her. But her line died with Mordred the rebellious, and the Staff was again bound to join mew, when she indeed departed this world. But one amongst the Brotherhood bewitched it so it would remain on this plane of existence, which is why this Staff is so powerful. It has gathered power for centuries on its own. Now this spell must be broken. The Time of the Staff has finally come to an end, now that the Brotherhood and the Knight are both willing to renounce it."

"But I'm not worthy to be a Initiate," protested Thierry. "Who am I to decide for the entire order?"

"I've read in thou, young Thierry," said Merlin on a very strong voice. "Thou hast been convinced that thou were insignificant, but thy heart is the stuff of greatness. Thou hast always served the right cause. Thy soul conceals more wisdom than the one of this Anselme, who thinks he is better than thee. For me, thou art the voice of the Brotherhood, for thou stand for them in thy heart."

Thierry was shut down by that. Kenneth smiled.

"Now, both of you put your hands on the Staff," commanded Merlin.

Alexander heard the muted protest of Leno, but Merlin didn't seem to care about the Warlocks. Thierry and Kenneth placed themselves in front of Merlin, and, both holding the Staff, held it out to the spectre.

"Dost thou renounce freely to this Staff?" asked Merlin.

"I do," said Thierry, with shaking voice.

"I do," said Kenneth, trying to sound assured, despite his tiredness.

The Staff started to glow, and the light was blinding and when it went out, Kenneth's hands were empty. The form of Merlin was now standing, his Staff in his hands. Kenneth smiled. Alexander had the sudden impression that the picture was now complete.

"Finding an old friend again?" he said.

"Aye," said Merlin. "My journey shall not be so solitary any more. I will go now, but you shall be safe until you're back in your home. Remember my words, beware of the Storm. The Bane must not rise again. Listen to the words but do not let them rule your life. Nothing is ever written, except warnings. You, of all people can always change the Course of Fate."

"Why us?" asked Harry.

"You have all the Mark of Fate on you. Thou, Harry Potter, hast been marked by thy fight against the Darkness, and thy scar bears the sign of it. Thou, Alexander Lockenburn, carry a power that shapes the world. Thou art the essence of Chaos. Thou can bring salvation or destruction, like those of your kind. And you two, young ones, are marked now by your greatness of heart. Your wrists now bear it clearly."

Kenneth undid his glove, and Thierry looked down at both their wrists and gasped. A golden mark was engraved there. It was a unicorn head.

"This is the sign that I am in debt with you," said Merlin. "There are powers in this World you're living in that will recognize it. Before I go, I shall speak some advice."

He looked in Harry's eyes.

"Thou must keep thy heart pure, Harry Potter, for the power inside of it is what will save thy life."

Harry nodded. Merlin turned to Alexander.

"Thou must be a warder for thy kind, for the time will come when the sons of chaos shall decide the balance of the world."

Alexander thought immediately of Ian, Susan, Sven, Christine and Lily, and the Prophecy that he had been given. Merlin must have felt it, as he nodded seriously. Alexander nodded and bowed. Merlin then turned to Kenneth.

"Thy Gifts have always been used wisely and with honour. Do not fear what thou are. Thy deeds are matter of pride, not of doubt. Thy path is righteous."

Then, he had a gentle smile for Thierry.

"Thy heart suffered a great loss, today," he said. "And thy path, so far, has been hard. Thou must free thyself from these chains thou keep carrying. Only this way, will thou reach happiness."

Thierry bowed deeply.

Merlin then waved his hand with dignity.

"I hope I was not too pompous," he said. "I am sure that in these days, my way of speaking must sound odd. But all that I said was truth and you have all a lot ahead of you. Be sure of that."

Then, he winked at them. He threw a look at the Warlocks, and he waved his Staff, as if to tease them. Leno threw him a look full of hatred.

"Too bad, dear Lords," Merlin said. "And the worst in that, is that you shall not get another chance. Oh, by the Great Lady! It is good to taste another victory over them after all these centuries!"

Then with an aerial laugh, Merlin vanished in a bright light. When the light faded, there was nothing left of him, only an echo. The echo of laughter. But the shield remained. Merlin was true to his word. This place would protect them as long as they were here.

"Now, that was what I expected from Merlin," said Alexander, chuckling.

"Wow," said Harry. "Did I just dream the whole thing?"

"I don't think so," said Kenneth, very seriously.

He and Thierry were exchanging a long meaningful look. Kenneth put his glove back over the Mark of Merlin. The mark seemed to burn the fabric, and the golden symbol appeared over the black of his Wandmaster glove. He looked bewildered for a second, and then he smiled.

"I guess I have no choice but to be proud of it, then," he said.

"The Mark of Merlin," said Thierry. "Anselme will have a stroke when he sees that."

Then he must have thought of Walter, for his face darkened suddenly. Harry saw it, too. He took them by the arms.

"Come now, Gryffindors," he said. "You've faced enough for one lifetime in one evening. Let's go home."

They stepped down the stairs from the Altar. Alexander extended his senses and felt that the commotion outside had ended. They were back in Brocéliande. He sensed the possibility to travel back to Hogwarts. Upon being told so, Harry summoned a stone and bewitched it into a portkey to the Castle. Alexander looked at the Warlocks, who stood, some in a defeated stance. Leno was holding his gaze from beyond the barrier.

"You will pay for this," said the High Priest, which they heard, though it was muffled by the magic shield. "None can deny us what we seek, and live."

"You had no right to the Staff, Warlock," said Thierry. "It is now back to his true place."

"You pathetic vermin," spat Leno, his voice still muted by the shield. "You think you're powerful because you've seen Merlin?"

"I'm not powerful," said Thierry. "But neither are you, Warlock. You only seek a power you don't deserve. That will only bring you pain."

Thierry threw a look of compassion to Lilia, who was very pale, leaning her back against the wall. She and Kenneth exchanged a long look with her, even if the witch's gaze seemed clouded by the pain, and somewhat lost. Leno caught the look, and turned to Kenneth.

"You mark my word, Wandmaster," he said. "I'll make you pay for what you have done to my granddaughter."

The four of them raised their eyebrows in surprise. Kenneth was the first to get a grip on himself.

"She did that to herself," he said. "She tried to kill with Magic. She paid the price. I don't want to kill her, despite everything she's done. But should she cross my path again, I won't hesitate."

While he was saying that, he wasn't looking at Leno but at Lilia. She didn't say a word.

"Come on, Kenneth," said Harry, putting a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You're exhausted. Let's go home."

As Alexander, Thierry and Harry were gathering next to Kenneth, the young man turned to the Master of the Warlocks. Determination was clear in his eyes.

"From now on, you really want to stay clear from Hogwarts. We'll be ready for you," he said.

He put his hand on the stone that Harry was now holding. Alexander put his finger on the stone, and so did Thierry.

"One, two, three," said Harry.

The Portkey took them out of the Core.