Odyssey of a Mage Part III

by mootjeman7

Part III of Odyssey of a Mage. Post Grindelwald era. Atticus Sayre, reincarnated soul has chosen to carry the fate of all Magical-Kind onto his shoulders. A weight that bears heavy on his soul for all that must be done. And it is a weight he intends carry all the way to the very stars. Ruthless, Determined SI-OC. Fem Riddle. Pre-Halo Crossover.

12. Chapter 76

Responses:

- informational chapter detailing the government structure of Illios and it's membership

I will add A/Ns in the next posting that breaks down the government structure(s)

Scyfly & HughJasz - RE: Quantum Entanglement Communication

The Forerunners had QEC for definite and it is likely Ancient Humans had QEC. However for now, it is not worth it. Plus, there will be a tendency to solve problems magically first and if its not easy, then technology will be a fallback.

M2CR - thank you for the interesting info on Indonesia

Visual Bliss - Archmages being more common is going to be a certainty. A bit of a headache RE: Power creep haha

Vilgax - She has been missing for a long time! As has Seraya. Both will feature a lot more once this plotline is gone and the tone is lighter in some ways.

Joaheah - He doesn't. Halo never existed in Atticus' origin universe

Without further adieu, please enjoy the post!

Note: If you would like to read ahead, the next chapter is available on discord whilst at least the next three chapters after it are available on P^A^T^R^E^O^N / Boombox117

The discord channel is d^i^s^c^o^r^d^.^g^g^/^v^r^8^8^t^6^4^Y^e^7

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14th of March 1954 – Illos, Celestis Mount

The cold air tickled against him, the cold this high up, the highest peak in all of Illos, only feeling like glancing touches despite it being minus ten degrees Celsius.

He liked being here…in solitude yet not alone.

He breathed in the cool air as he sat on the rough rocks at the peaks of Mount Celestis, his legs crossed in a lotus position, his magic rising and coursing out of him like tendrils of spider-silk dancing in freezing air, interacting, meshing with the streams of magical energies that permeated through and throughout Illos.

He breathed out with a heave that felt like it was able to move mountains, and his magic was dancing to the tune of the universal song, his blood humming and thrumming to the metronomic rhythm of time.

The tendrils of magic grew into tree-trunk thick strands of purple green energy, swirling and twisting around him as the air grew heavy with his magic.

He opened his eyes and like the very moment of creation, the universe in all its magnificent layers opened up to him with blinding light.

And the layered…no…the deeply entwined magic within the very fabric of the universe felt like an old friend, an old friend that sunk into his bones, into his flesh and into his soul, welcoming him with all that he was and is and would be, inviting him to its bosom of profoundness, of infiniteness.

Profoundness sunk into him just as kaleidoscopic array of colours with infinity variety, of infinite spectrum dominated his vision, gentle ebbing physical currents of energy touching all that was, all that is, behaving like great plumes of smoke guided and taken away by complex patterns that not even he could hope to predict.

And in those great plumes of smoke, there were red hot embers that shone like beacons in a radiated sea of colour, bright and vibrant, like infant stars surrounded by iridescent gasses left over like amniotic fluids surrounding new born life.

His gaze fell on where he knew the city resided.

And if there were red hot embers that shone through the great haze of magic with a radiance, then the city below shone like the surface of a fiery sea of magma, glittering and radiating fiery liquid rock, their structures woven with magic that bore their own unique spectrum of magic, each building, each home slightly different than the other, each family unknowingly altering, changing the base structures to take on some qualities of those who resided within them.

And in those base structures, he could see the faint outlines, the faint threads that connected those homes, threads that crisscrossed throughout Illos, threads that connected people to places they begun to call home and to people they considered part of it.

A city people called home…and as more and more people began to fill the city many had started to call the Eternal City, more and more threads and connections were created that would persist until the day they faded away into the Domain.

His gaze went away to beyond the city, towards the rising buildings that housed various projects, research or production that were taken root on the outskirts of the city, far out into the hilly hinterlands of Illos before his gaze fell on the habitat domes that were now halfway filled with both magical and mundane animals until his gaze settled towards the stars.

He never tired to look at the stars…

He never tired of gazing at the cosmos that was of an unbounded magnitude, filled with worlds upon worlds, systems upon systems, all entangled in unimaginable complexity.

Even if he knew what lay there in the dark, in the crevices of space.

How could he tire of it all when he had such great admiration and reverence for all that each of those distant stars and galaxies represented?

That while stars and galaxies were of grand macroscale, those same stars and galaxies were not so different to that of the microscopic, where in each day, in each minute, in each second that passed, our pursuits, our relationships, our choices, all of it, all of that complexity all had moving parts that can be approached or could happen in so many different ways…

…just as those distant stars and galaxies were subject and vulnerable to endless moving parts, of sizes great and small.

A large star goes supernova and its impact is felt light years away, planets of neighbouring system are irradiated, perhaps even stripped of atmosphere whilst the newly formed black hole will affect entire solar systems with its gravitational pull for billions years to come.

One event impacts dozens, hundreds of others.

Just as one act, one seemingly insignificant choice made here on Earth impacts dozens…hundreds of lives that go on to erase or create so many other things, other choices.

A microcosmic cosmos yet it was more…connected.

Everyone, in their own way, constructed a cosmos out of chaos but it was within a greater cosmic chaotic tesseract with unbounded magnitude.

Unknowingly affecting things no matter how small or seemingly inconsequential, often done without a second thought of what it means, what it could mean.

People made sense of the world and found meaning in it despite the near vastness of choice existence gave and acted on that sensibility, on their understanding of what existence was, unknowing of the vast network each choice and decision existed in.

And it was that, that occupied his mind.

Amongst many other things.

His hand rose, his palm faced towards the sky and wisps of magic began to form within his palm. So much of magic was becoming expressional…unbound for him.

Rules of magic didn't exist for him and they had not for some time.

Perhaps they never really existed at all, and merely were limiters imposed when it became 'known' as laws and later 'observed' as rules. Perhaps they were little more like moral values, rules that merely were a product of the human mind, brought into existence through half-finished reasoning and observation.

The wisps of magic began to form into translucent blue light, crisscrossing channels of light connecting to one another until it began to resemble like the cross section of an ant colony.

Living time…

How apt a description, he thought musingly as he stared at the construct in his palm.

Life lived and through time Life linked.

Links and lines were formed from one moment to another, through Life and Death, through choice and by force.

Human thought, human experience, human action.

Boundless in complexity yet just as motions and events of cosmological scale are guided by gravity, electromagnetism, strong and weak nuclear forces, human thoughts, human experiences and human actions are guided by similar unseen threads.

Choice was choice yet choice was not choice and like planets caught in orbit of a sun, there were lines and bounds that tied individuals to one another that influenced and directed one's path towards a destination, towards a choice.

All entangled in infinite possibilities that could take place in any universe, in every universe with time as the medium through which it took form and in which it took place.

It was not an easy concept to understand…even for he who Saw Time in the form of threads…in the form of possibilities.

It was paradoxical, how everything was connected yet at the same time not.

It was only through his unique connection to the infinity that was magic that he was getting a glimpse of what governed the universe…of what Living Time was…

It was like a whisper…less than a whisper but there still, the comprehension magic was guiding him towards.

The same method it used to make him comprehend the nature of the cycles the universe was tormenting existence with…that the universe tormented itself with.

The phrase that individuals were not drops of water in the ocean but rather the individuals were the entire ocean in a drop was eerily righter than wrong.

Consciousness was more than what it seemed, more than what they understood…more than he understood. There was a vastness to it that tangled his thoughts in knots he was unable to straighten out despite his best attempts.

It gotten to the point that he was delving into texts and understandings of ancient peoples, those peoples who held a deep core of spirituality in their beliefs.

And it was helping…in a matter of speaking anyway.

Concepts such the world being merely a projection from a transcendent domain of being, that it was more consciousness than it was physical or that nature, existence had intentionality, that it was purposeful and teleological.

Concepts that he felt was closer to the truth than not.

From his own perspective, it posed an interesting consideration, he mused to himself as he stared at the spectrum of magic that hung just above his palm.

Being reborn into another universe, one that was meant to be fictional, made him understand intrinsically that existence was not as simple as life or universal laws.

Nor was it certain to make sense.

But all of his considerations all seemed to lead back towards the same destination, that consciousness was more than it appeared and none more so than the fact of how closely it was tied to the understanding of the soul, to magic and to reality itself.

Like the laws that govern the universe, there was evidence there were laws that govern the other…the non-physical for a lack of a better word.

Laws that seemed to thread and link people through Living Time like how particles could be quantum entangled, each particle capable of affecting in an instant no matter how far apart they are, even if they were each on opposite sides of the universe.

Choices were expressional acts of consciousness but even without input from someone like him, there were tangles connected to those choices, tangles that had always been there and always would be, indicating towards greater meaning and even greater plans.

It was all connected…magic, consciousness and reality.

It was a universal trifecta, the key to something more.

His contemplation continued for some time, thoughts that seemed to theorise without much progress and it wasn't long until he would be relieved from his thoughts when he felt her fly towards him.

She stepped down a few metres away from him and he rose from his lotus position.

"Lazing about?" Emily asked as she walked up to him, a faint smirk on her expression.

"A little." Atticus said with a tired smile "If you can call thinking on our studies of consciousness lazing about." He told her and she lost the smirk and a calculating glint entered her eyes.

"Have you made any new headway?"

Atticus shook his head "No."

The pair of them had begun to theorise on 'the keys' not long after what happened to him in his duel with Grindelwald even if they had not known what exactly they were looking for. Only after his experiences with the Domain and his increasing abilities with Time, were they able to put a name to it.

There was a membrane of consciousness that connected everything together and magic was a layer on top that membrane whilst reality was the upper most layer.

If they were able to figure it out, maybe they could truly end the endless cycles he was warned about by the shards and shades of billions of years old dead beings.

"I don't know if we'll make any further headway…I haven't seen us do it." Atticus admitted.

"But that doesn't stop you." Emily stated as she scrutinised him.

His face split and allowed a hint of a smile to take root "It won't. Did you think just because I didn't See it, I wouldn't keep it up?"

"The thought crossed my mind. You rely on your Sight a tremendous amount. It's an integral part of you…just as parseltongue is at this point. It wouldn't surprise me if you never followed on with something because you didn't see it."

"We both know that I am not omniscient and we both know that thinking that nothing escapes my Sight is foolish. I can't see everything. I do not even see a fraction of a fraction of all possibilities. The Monk made that clear and I am far from being able to reach his level." Atticus told her.

He may see more likely possibilities now, especially with his different way of viewing Time but that was hardly all that impressive given that he was far from being able see what that Monk had been able to see…or do…like manipulating threads of possibilities…threads of fate.

She nodded "Good. I think it's important we try and keep this up as much as possible. It might take decades but in the end…" she didn't finish but she didn't need to.

If they were able to understand…

They would have the keys to the universe.

"Anyway, shall we?" Emily enthused, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "I've been waiting impatiently all day on this." She said and Atticus chuckled.

"Let's go." Atticus said with a nod and soon enough they both rose in the air and snaked around the mountain towards a pass that was nearly entirely hidden by a jagged cliff edge.

They descended down and began to traverse the uneven path.

They stopped before a rock face, indistinct from the rest of the Mount, and Atticus raised his hand. A glowing round dot with orange and red hues of light came into existence and it grew into lines which grew into symbols.

Illosian Runes.

Runes manipulated magic, neurophysical energy, to create effects that were manifested by the symbolism that was ascribed to their runic symbol and it drew and manipulated this energy from the air, from the streams of magic that permeated the Earth and the Cosmos itself.

This symbolism, the runic symbols fixed in their meanings and representations, was etched into the membrane of the neurophysical field, the magical field, and it allowed them manipulate reality and the local magical fields to bring about the effects desired, whatever they may be.

Mediums for runes mattered, of course, particularly if you wanted a more permanent effect to take root, like how they had inscribed runes into the diamond obelisks that had held up Illos, but it did not come into effect because of the mediums.

Mediums only affected the permanence of runes, not the effect of runes themselves.

Mediums for the most part were static and like the riverbeds of rivers, they moulded the path of magic into the direction and application desired.

Dynamic use of Runes was…different, he thought as he watched the symbols bend the fringes of reality around them. With a push of the hand, he sent them forth and into the rock face.

The Atlanteans had thoroughly mastered this form of Runes – Grindelwald's silver meteor-esque spell had been a very visible proof of that – and many of the ancient remnants of Runic Battle magic had their roots from their interpretation and application of magic.

Atticus greatly suspected that spells were heavily derived from the Atlantean mastery of dynamic Runes. After all…

Dynamic Runic magic altered reality just as spells did but where it all differed was the power that fed the alteration, the changes made onto reality. Dynamic runes wrote changes and alterations onto the physical reality itself, the changes induced was tangible as the laws of the physical reality were changed and it fed from the magic that existed and permeated in the cosmos.

Spells were given power by the individual's own magic – for the most part – and its effects a result of manipulation of magical frequencies through wand movements and meaning given through similar but different forms of ascription in the form of words and sentences.

Gestures and words and the individual's magic combined to alter reality or bring something into reality.

Different causes, similar effects and the survival of Runes as a branch of magic, a branch of magic that nearly every magical society around the world incorporated in their way of life only solidified his suspicion.

Over time, most remnants of Atlantean knowledge was lost and only concepts remained. Runes diversified when writing scripts formed and in that time, the use of dynamic Runes became less understood and thus less and less useful when magical peoples began to form their own applications of magic that once would have been given effect through dynamic Runes.

With the creation of Illosian Runes, a vastly more expanded vocabulary with meanings that functioned better than any other ancient runic language in existence, they could now use dynamic application of Runes to create combinations of meaning that otherwise would require spells to be created for the targeted effect and…

And with the expanded vocabulary with 147 runic symbols that could combine to form complex representation of concepts and phenomenon such as slipspace mechanics to spatial manipulation of dimensions to spiritual phenomenon to simple manifestation of elements, the applications of Illosian Runes were endless.

Most learned and capable mages were able to alter spells in some way as their understanding reached a certain point.

Wordless and gesture-less spells were often indicators of this.

His own fluidic mastery of Transfiguration was an example of this, and Grindelwald's and Emily's mastery of all kinds of charms and darker magicks proved a similar point.

Magic became more like something to mould instead of something to use.

Yet with this dynamic application of Illosian Runes, it took one's capabilities in magic to another degree. Reality became a canvas with the magic of the universe the paint brushes that one's own understanding and thought used to bring change into effect.

And once one mastered the Illosian Runes, particularly the dynamic form…

Reality was nothing but putty in your hands.

Of course, it required an intuitive grasp of magic and an intensive understanding of more than just the laws and rules of magic taught in school. One had to be in tune with magic in a way that most would never accomplish but in time…in time he hoped it would become something all Illosians would be capable of.

After all…

He believed it to be the next stage of magical evolution…

Both in the understanding of magic and within the makeup of his people themselves.

The runes sank into the rock face and the symbols lit up across the rock face before the face began to shimmer and then undulate like the surface of water until it faded away and left behind a clear path leading into a downward tunnel with the same grey metal walls as the rims of Illos.

Atticus turned towards her and he extended out his hand to Emily and she took hold of it, anticipation clear in her eyes.

He could understand.

He had felt the same many times when he watched this moment again and again.

"Tweenie!" Atticus called out and with a pop, his most loyal arrived.

"Your Graces?" Tweenie questioned whilst he bowed his head towards them.

Atticus smiled fondly at the well dressed elf. The elf – or rather all of the elves here in Illos – had taken to call them 'Your grace' or 'Your majesty' as a result of the increasing chatter amongst the Illosians themselves about choosing both him and Emily as their Royals.

As Lord and Lady of Illos, the lands and Illos itself belonged to him and Emily but the people nor the state were not part of that. People became citizens and were governed by the state where Emily and Atticus were the heads of but not its rulers, not unlike how Queen Elizabeth was the head of state of the United Kingdom but not its ruler, at least beyond a certain scope.

But as more and more people arrived, in particular former squibs turned magicals that were sworn to vassalage to House Sayre, the conversation was shifting to make what many citizens already thought what he and Emily already were.

"It's time Tweenie for us to activate the Mithril veins." Atticus told the elf.

"Yes, Your Grace" the elf said with an excited expression on his face. Atticus knew better than to try and dissuade the elf from trying to call him royal titles, titles that he had not even taken.

Tweenie snapped his fingers and after several pops, three elves appeared. The elves bowed "Your Graces" they said as one before they looked at Tweenie for instructions.

Tweenie remained the Head Elf of House Sayre and as such he retained a leadership position amongst all elves in Illos. He was very much the ruler of the Elves, something that the little man had taken on very admirably and ably.

In time, he would see Tweenie installed as a kind of Chief of the Elves when he transferred the bonds of the elves towards Illos itself.

Like Hogwarts, the elves would be able to bond with the worldship and begin their first steps towards creating an independent elf identity. It wasn't complete independence, not quite but that was something left to time and their own desires.

"The Royal masters are going to activate the Great Magic Rivers. Every elf is to stand by their positions!" Tweenie said sternly and the elves looked at Tweenie with huge wide eyes and quickly they bopped their heads affirmatively rapidly before they bowed towards Atticus and Emily and popped away.

"Great Magic Rivers?" Emily asked very curiously.

Tweenie looked a little embarrassed and even sported a bit of green tinge on his cheeks. "Yes Queenie Emily" the elf babbled, a hallmark of his nervousness as he tended to return back to his infantile way of speaking when he was unsure and nervous. "The Mithril is very very magical, more magical than anything we elves have ever heard about! Even old tales taught to every elf about the first elves never mentioned such great magic. To us it is like being sailing away on sugar clouds in a sky made out of honey!" Tweenie said dreamily before he flushed awkwardly.

"Well…" Atticus said with a little hesitant smile "Thank you for the…descriptive way of what it feels like to the elves." He imagined it probably would feel very similar to many other magical beings including mages were sensitive to magic like Hypatia or Parelius.

Tweenie bobbed his head and he bowed towards them "I shall go now, Your Graces. Tweenie will make sure the elves do exactly as planned." The elf said firmly before he popped away.

He turned to Emily, his hand that held hers rising slightly "Shall we go, Queenie?" Atticus said with a small grin. She narrowed her eyes as she tightened her grip on his hand.

"Do you really want me to tell the elves what little Marie calls you sometimes?" Emily said with a subdued tone, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "King…"

"OK!" Atticus said as he tapped her hand gently "Point taken." He said with a grimace much to her satisfaction. Honestly, the little she-devil had a talent for making the most ridiculous nicknames. It didn't help his mother only egged the little she-devil on.

Soon enough, they began their journey through the tunnel.

They arrived at the centre of the chamber where there was nothing but a podium with a Runic scheme on its surface that stood at waist height connected to dozens of channels of glowing silver metallic liquid that sunk away into the bottom of the walls and into the floor itself, most of it pooling in a basin not far from below their feet, waiting for the moment they are set to run through Illos like blood coursing through veins.

Emily's released a shuddering breath and he turned to her. Her cheeks were a tinge of red, her pupils wide and he saw her magic reaching out to the room.

"The magic here…" Emily trailed off, momentarily closing her eyes. "I never tire from it. It's pure…purer than I have ever felt anywhere else. Far more potent too…several orders of magnitude greater than Hogwarts…than even that of the Dinosaur reserve. Still feels…dormant though."

"Yes." Atticus said with a small smile on his face, his own magic emanating from within to seek out the incredible dense magic, and she turned to him, meeting his gaze as she opened her eyes. "It'll remain like this until something changes" he told her.

"Until we activate it after which it'll interacts with the whole of Illos." Emily mused and Atticus inclined his head slightly.

She stepped forward and gazed at the runic scheme. "How long until all of Illos feels even a quarter of this potency?" she questioned as he arrived next to her.

"Perhaps several years." Atticus said musingly. "It could be sooner but I think it's best for it to increase slowly over time. We also need to inform the High Council of this so that they're at least preparing for it."

After all, the magical density on Illos would be at the very least be twenty fold more than it was now. There would be effects. Even in the short term.

People would have more energy, they would feel more energised and capable of recovering much faster magically speaking and quite likely elderly people would find themselves healthier than they've ever been as the ambient magic nurtured them and reduced the pressure on their own personal magic to compensate for their age.

She nodded before she turned to him "The Guardian Array however will have its wards transferred within moments?" she gazed back at the runic scheme "The spell work we did was unclear how long the transference from the diamond anchor stones would take though I imagine that is what you adjusted" she said as she glanced at him.

"The minor adjustment made to the spell work was indeed to hasten it…without it causing any detrimental effects." Atticus confirmed "I wasn't comfortable with the Array being down for longer than a few minutes."

His expression changed subtly, his eyes taking her in "Are you certain you do not want to share being the keeper of the Wards?"

She turned to him, her own eyes inspecting him "No." she said after a few moments.

"You have said it's…intimate, this connection you'll share with Illos."

"Yes." Atticus confirmed. "It'll be several factors greater than being a ward holder of a home or for example Hogwarts." Atticus frowned as he paused, attempting to put into words what was most likely very indescribable

"It'll be like…almost like the magical bond we share."

Emily remained silent for a few moments as she stared at him until she wrenched her gaze away from him "I'm sure. Besides, I will be tied into the Wards anyway through blood even if I won't have the same level of control as you will have. I'm not as keen to tie my magic to Illos as freely as you will." She said to him.

Emily would be tied through blood but not through blood and magic, not like he will. Even though she knew there was little harm in doing this – he'd assured her of that long ago, she wasn't comfortable sharing her magic to that extent.

"Alright." Atticus said after a few moments before he stepped forward and stood before the podium. There were twenty seven Illosian Runes etched on the podium surface though the runes that were core were 'Guardian', 'Right of Blood' and 'Oecumene'.

He raised his hand as he drew on his magic, his hand beginning to glow dimly before with a simple expression of will, amethyst and emerald wisps of magic began to rise from his hand before they formed into thick vibrant strands of magic.

With effortless focus, he directed these strands towards the surface of the podium as if they were nothing but snaking limbs and the podium hungrily took in his magic and the runes glowed in violent orange hues.

The liquid Mithril began to stir, to shake at a high frequency, so much so that its surface began to undulate like how heavy bass shook the surface of water, and it began to fill the entire chamber with an incandescent silver blue glow, as radiant as a star on the precipice of going supernova.

He began to feel…a connection to the Mithril, a thrumming thread that connected him to the vast pools of Mithril that sat below and to the few veins that were already coursing through Illos like arteries.

He let out a shaky breath as the connection deepened.

If light equated to magic, then in this moment in time, it was as if he were standing atop a star made of magic, its power and magnificence forming threads to his very core of being. The magnitude of the magical density was immense.

Emily stepped closer to him and took his hand with her own before she conjured a knife. Atticus angled his hand towards her and she sliced it across his palm.

Blood trickled from his hand towards the indent at the centre of the podium surface.

The connection deepened even more, like a seed taking hold of fertile soil, each second that passed felt like days as his magic tied itself to the dormant, pure magic that seemed like it had always waited for this momentous occasion.

And like a seed, it began to sprout.

He heard her soft gasp as the air grew heavy as magic rose with a strength that could only be compared to how it might feel to be in the presence of the emergence of existence itself.

His nerves, their nerves were on fire, almost as if they were hosting an electric firestorm underneath their skin. Despite the intensity, despite the feeling of nerves being prickled, his magic and blood sung, nearly an ode of reverence as they both meshed and blended with the tune of the no longer dormant great pool of magic beneath their feet.

Waves upon waves of timeless grey blue magic began to emanate from the podium, from Atticus, until both of them began radiating amethyst and emerald and grey blue hued magic that thickened the air so much that it felt like they existed, waded in thick oil.

"Emily…" Atticus began in a voice that sounded disembodied, his eyes aglow with pure white light. "Tie yourself."

Emily stepped forward and with a sharp cut, her blood also dropped into the pool of blood. The hues of magic began to change, dark green hues of magic began to twist and orbit around the amethyst, the emerald and the grey-blue streams of magic.

Atticus closed his eyes and he sunk deep into the magic that was being radiated around them. He was weightless in time, in this moment, as he swam through the streams of magic. His heartbeat slowed to a crawl, life beyond him faded away into a haze as he reached out to his secondary body, this body made out from a pool of Mithril.

The concentration of magic was immense and it felt as if he was in the presence of divinity itself. He wasn't sure how long he stayed like this but it must have been long for he felt her reach out to him with her hands and her magic and then he decided.

Like an avalanche of snow racing down the slopes of mountains, the great pools of Mithril shifted and raced through the channels below the surface of Illos, channels that were thousands of miles long, humming and thrumming and brimming with untold levels of magic, all of it intended to act as red and white blood cells, all of it intending to course through the veins and arteries and organs of its new body that was Illos.

And Atticus felt it all, as readily as one might feel with their fingertips, all of it intensely and with great sensitivity.

He felt the presence of his elves as they stood waiting, waiting to slam the rune carved bisected pipelines made out of Adamantite against the surface of the Mithril rivers, pipelines that would act like a great copper wire from which the Guardian Array would emanate from akin to the electromagnetic field formed when current is ran through copper wires.

And just as the last of the Mithril reached the very end of Illos, he spoke up "Tweenie…now" he called out, knowing the elf was listening in to his commands.

He felt the pipelines slam into the Mithril rivers and he felt the runes activate all while the wardstones that powered the Array were deactivated.

He reopened his eyes and he saw that the waves of waves of magic were gone, now only an absent presence missed and felt like a phantom limb. "It's done." Atticus said tiredly. He could feel the wards already forming. It wouldn't take long before it was completely done.

"I can feel it." Emily said and he turned towards her. She was a small frown. "It's strong, my connection to the wards."

"Yes. It's tied to your blood. You might not be the ward keeper but you have as much authority over the wards as I do." Atticus said.

Emily nodded a little hesitantly before she looked at him curiously "I know we prevented blood-kin from being able to have similar connections to the wards but are we sure they won't be able to feel anything like we do?"

Atticus shook his head "I'm sure. The way we wrote the runic schemes made sure that it was tailored specifically to us. Not even our children would be able to control the wards." He told her as he met her gaze.

She said nothing for a little and after a few moments she nodded before she broke eye contact. Atticus felt a little disappointed that it was still a difficult subject for her.

"There won't be much else to do here now." Atticus said as he sidestepped the issue and Emily turned towards him "Shall we? I'm feeling a little barbeque at the moment." Atticus said with an easy smile as he held out his hand.

Emily took the hand "You're lucky your metabolism is as enhanced as it is. What you call barbeque is really an early grave for normal people." She said with a hint of a smile, the corners of her lips rising.

Atticus chuckled "That is exactly why I have it so fatty." Atticus with a dreamy sigh. Honestly, eating the kinds of food he could eat without really having to do any working out to maintain his body was very underrated.

He spied at her as they began to walk towards the exit "You can't really talk either. You eat more than a few slices of chocolate fudge a couple days a week."

She gave him a mild glare "There is a difference to a few slices of fudge and stacks of barbeque rib racks."

"Makes no difference to the waistline, dear wife." Atticus said with a teasing grin. "I doubt you'd be able to keep that waist either if it wasn't for the rituals."

Her head nearly swivelled as her glare turned acidic and he almost regretted it.

"Don't worry" Atticus said with still a grin on his face though he pulled her into him as they walked "I would still love you and all, even with a little extra" he said as his hand went to her backside.

It did the job as planned and she rolled her eyes as her glare melted away. "Sometimes you really are a fool" she said though with no bite to her words.

And as they reached the outside again, Atticus kissed her forehead "Your fool."

She looked at him, vague amusement shining in her eyes "Unfortunately" she drawled and he laughed as they began to rise in the air and soon enough they were on their way home.

-Break-

25th of May 1954 – Provence, France

Jean Delacour POV

He watched with a proud if bittersweet smile as his son and heir Francois exchanged vows with Antoinette Blaugrad. He felt a delicate hand on his arm and he turned towards his wife who smiled warmly at him, a knowing look on her face.

She knew how much this meant to him.

After the vows, it hadn't been long until the party begun and politics resumed its ceaseless

The years since the war had been very fortunate for House Delacour, his own imprisonment and subsequent actions as part of the Knights of Mimpost in the liberation of France and in the greater war itself had won him significant prestige and personal political influence.

His Médaille de la vaillance medallion, the equivalent of the British Order of Merlin First Class or MACUSA's Medal of Honour, had only aided in enhancing his reputation and that of House Delacour.

And with the prestige and reputation he personally bore, House Delacour enjoyed political power and public support that allowed him to influence policies of the French Ministry.

He had not sought the office of Minister for Magic, in truth, he had not wanted to.

And in truth…he had not needed to.

Matthieu Blaugrad, Christopher's father, had been elected Minister a few years ago and he'd always had the ear of his late friend's father.

Matthieu had been a champion for the rights of all French citizens and after tales of French resistance of all blood statuses, even by those in the fringes of society that bore creature blood, such laws and policies favouring equalisation of rights had been received well.

The man's political nose was perfect and he knew how to balance pureblood rights with the rights of others and it was the reason why many consider him as one of the best Ministers in recent memory.

It helped that any collaborators, even those just slightly rumoured to have aided the Grindelwaldite occupiers, were distrusted by the public and it was something Jean had utilised to discredit many of those who stood against him politically.

"Jean!" Harfang boomed jubilantly as Harfang walked away from the people he subjected himself to, Jean thought to himself amusedly. Lord Longbottom wasn't the only British noble in attendance…or the sole former member of the Knights.

As the years went by, Jean had kept up contact with many of the comrades he'd fought with, even if it only been a short period of time though in reality it had felt like an age. Longbottom, Bones, Potter, Bulstrode and even Hirahito, who had not come but sent money – something he called Goshugi – as a wedding gift, were those he had often spoke with.

Atticus Sayre had also been one of them…before his exile.

Harfang came over and offered out his oversized hand and Jean took it before Harfang pulled him in a hug. As always, Harfang cared not for propriety and decorum. Jean cynically thought that Harfang knew that he could get away with it if only for the charm and affable charisma that he exuded so effortlessly.

Naturally, it helped that he had a fearsome reputation.

And a rather large axe that he was more than keen to swing.

"Harfang." Jean said with a small smile as they separated and Jean looked over the giant of a man. He was a little more overweight than the last time he'd seen him which had been at his heir Harold's wedding to Augusta Rosier of a minor branch of the English Rosiers a few years ago.

Though the man still looked like he could do all of the ridiculous athletic and reckless manoeuvres the man had become known for during the war. No doubt he kept up practicing with that ridiculous weapon of his.

"Congratulations are in order" Harfang said with a great grin, the beard only slightly parting to show off pearly white teeth "Finally uniting your bloodline with that of your late friend eh? She's a looker too." Harfang said with a knowing smile.

Jean smiled. Yes…Antoinette was indeed a comely woman though it was not the reason why he had his heir marry the girl. He owed a debt to Christopher, his friend who had died during the liberation of the political prisoners held by Grindelwald.

He would have gone mad during his imprisonment without the persistent presence of Christopher…even if they had been separated by a wall and could only speak to each other. Antoinette was Christopher's little niece, Matthieu's granddaughter.

They had promised and joked with each other during their darkest times that they would look back to their imprisonment as nothing but a bad episode in their lives, sharing and joking in their old age as they were surrounded by grandchildren and great grandchildren who shared both of their blood.

He hoped somewhere Christopher would see that this small gesture kindly for what it was, that he was seeing it fulfilled even if was through his niece.

"Thank you Harfang. They are a good match." Jean said as he turned towards his son and daughter-in-law who were speaking with other French nobility.

Francois was not a martial man nor particularly business inclined. He was more of the adventurous kind. It seemed like his time in MACUSA had inspired a sense of adventure within him and he often said he'd like to travel the world.

He hoped with his marriage to Antoinette he'd settle down a little. He was still young and Jean still had many decades in him to lead the family but he hoped starting a family would inspire some amount of familial responsibility in him that was lacking a little too much for Jean's taste.

Still, given that he seemed to have warmed to Antoinette, he had high hopes that his wishes could come to fruition without needing to do anything in particular.

Jean turned back to Harfang, a curious expression on his face "Speaking of matches…how is your heir and daughter-in-law?" he asked of Harfang.

Harfang's smile widened "Augusta is a few months pregnant now." Harfang said in a proud voice.

Jean's eyes widened in surprise before his smile turned warm "Congratulations. Do you know the sex?"

Harfang shook his maned head "No. They do not want to know until they've passed the second trimester." Harfang told Jean and Jean understood. Pregnancy was difficult, especially for the upper nobility. Rarely did women have more than two scions despite the fact that women could have children well into their eighties, a main contributor to their low population despite magical society having largely eliminated illness and injuries.

It was an old superstition to remain ignorant of the child's sex until the child was developed enough that it was unlikely to die in the womb.

He'd been surprised that Harfang even told him of his daughter-in-law's pregnancy as families' kept such information to themselves, not only to protect the family line but also to save 'face' in a small way should the pregnancy be a failure. He supposed that it was Harfang's very telling way of letting Jean know that he valued and trusted the Frenchman.

It was a nice gesture.

"Well, I hope your grandchild is born hearty and hale with magic's blessing, Harfang." Jean said before he smiled a little "He'll need to be hale with you for a grandfather."

Booming laughter erupted from Harfang's maw "Aye and I have no worries that he'll be as hale as a Longbottom!"

Jean smiled at Harfang before his expression fell "Speaking of hale…how are things in Britain?" Britain had many eyes on them and had done ever since Atticus' defeat of Grindelwald. The past ten years had been…eventful to say the least.

Many in the upper echelons of French politics had been surprised that it took so long for conflict to break out, especially when the economy had been wrecked after Atticus had pulled financially and economically out of Britain and many other European countries that had worked with the ICW to isolate the Sayres from power.

And many of them, including Jean, had been surprised at the short but devastating attacks that turned Magical Britain on its head, especially with the way powerful heads of families were massacred. The death of Arcturus Black in particular, and Cassiopeia Black not long afterwards, had shaken many on the continent.

The thought that Arcturus Black, the Black Wand that liberated most of Norway could die so easily at the hands of what many consider as rabble had been unthinkable…until it happened.

And then for it to cause the events that lead and ushered in massive change in the British political system was something no one could exactly pinpoint as to how it came to be.

Most did however have an inkling of understanding, none more than Jean himself.

Emily Sayre-Slytherin remaining in Britain whilst the rest of the Sayres were exiled spoke volumes that the Sayres were not done in Britain, no matter what the agreement of non-political interference from House Slytherin had spelled out.

Of course, they weren't the only ones to understand this…Houses Black and McKinnon were too smart not to have known this also but with the Ministry eager to agree to end hostilities and uninterested in exiling a Founder House that many in Britain held incredible respect for, especially for the woman herself who became a cultural icon, well…

Plus, Archmages were very hard to dislodge even on the best of times.

They had known they were lucky Atticus' disposition prevented him from conquering Magical Britain outright and Jean knew all too well that had Atticus desired, even without the aid of his wife, he would have been able to do it.

In a grim way, this was perhaps the best way it could have ended…a short revolution not unlike the French Magical Revolution instead of a devastating civil war that would have caused many more thousands of deaths instead of a few hundred.

Of course, it also meant that now with Britain in the hands of Ouroboros, it also meant that Emily Slytherin-Sayre was effectively in control of Britain…and by relation, Atticus Sayre himself. A fact that did not escape the more astute.

Not that France would have much to worry.

France's position towards the Sayres had been positive though that had been the extent of their support…for the most part. Still, it was telling that France's economy was left more or less intact despite the massive flight of capital in Europe.

Just as it was telling that Jean held the licences to M-TVs and other Magi-tech inventions, something that allowed France to propel as one of the leading countries of magi-tech advancements putting them on par with Ireland and MACUSA.

Though with Britain's sudden shift in both attitude and economic interests, it wouldn't be long until they joined the world again with their own inputs into magi-tech especially as they repealed many of the bans against the branch of magic.

It wasn't the only repealing they were doing either.

Magical Britain, relatively speaking, had been considered progressive compared to many European Ministries but at heart they had always been pureblood dominated in their typical stiff manner.

…Something that was changing with laws and initiatives put in place to equalise opportunity based on merit and skill instead of pureblood status which Jean had never foreseen possible especially given their extreme reaction to the published findings about the true origins of muggleborns.

They had even consulted the French Ministry in regards to some of the laws towards those with creature blood and magical beings.

It was rare for any nation to react in such a way that didn't crack down even harder on the groups that perpetuated such horrible crimes and none more so than the British who were notoriously slow to adopt new ideas.

It had seemed the outcries of the public after years of economic and social turmoil had finally reached a point that great change was needed…lest a true civil war blooms into reality like what had happened during the French Magical Revolution.

Such quick change over such a small period of time, in both economic and in social context, was something that was gaining a lot of interest…and attention…not just from the French.

The ICW was very interested in the sudden shift.

Even when they should be focused on what is happening in Eastern Europe, particularly with the growing intolerance of magical beings and those of non-pureblood origin there…along with the reports of these dark group of wizards known as Ravenites.

Harfang's laughter petered up and his expression sobered and he let off a grunt "Much better…in fact better than it's been in for a long while." He looked at Jean meaningfully "Ouroboros has been strangely very progressive and even amongst the nobility in the Council of Lords there has been grudging acceptance of laws that none of them would have supported even just a few years ago."

Jean narrowed his eyes as he eyed Harfang meaningfully "House Slytherin's influence must be tremendous." He commented and Harfang only smiled.

"Even with the loss of her noble title and refusal to take up a noble title granted by the British Ministry of Magic as the lawful government of Magical Britain, her influence is very strong. There is a reason why most refer to her still as Lady Slytherin or Lady Sayre." Harfang said with a noncommittal grunt.

For all of Harfang's…abrasive nature, he was far from a fool.

Jean looked at Harfang with a surprised glint in his eyes "I didn't know that calling her Lady Sayre in the open was acceptable."

"The Sayre name is no longer taboo…at least not completely. The country is different now and given that it is actually passing many of the laws he advocated for, it's becoming clear to most of the public that he'd been treated unfairly." Harfang intoned.

Harfang had never been happy with how things went down and from what he heard from their mutual associates, it took Atticus speaking to Harfang directly to dissuade him from acting out as he felt.

He had wondered what Atticus had told Harfang but Harfang had never spoken of it, even to Charlus or to Albert. Not that Harfang would have spoken to either beyond a certain degree given how much those relationships soured.

"Enough to see him return from exile?" Jean asked seriously.

Harfang remained silent for a few moments "Yes." He admitted, a sober smile on his face "though I think we both know our friend won't come out of exile until he's ready"

'And we better all be ready for it' Jean thought to himself.

"I'm curious to know what he's been up to." Jean admitted "I have not spoken to him since his exile."

"Neither have I." Harfang laughed "and Emily is rather tight-lipped whenever I asked, only that he is well and that he expects me to have mastered Desolation in his absence." Harfang grinned, his jovial nature returning.

Jean's lips twitched as he looked at Harfang's wide grin.

That battle-axe of his was honestly ridiculous in its size and Harfang loved it utterly. It also helped that the thing was perhaps the most powerful magical weapon he'd ever seen.

He'd been there when Atticus had gifted the large man the weapon and for a moment, he was sure Atticus had been afraid for his virtue from the way Harfang had eyed him.

"In any case" Harfang continued "I expect that when he is ready, it'll be a damn blast." Harfang's eyes glinted "No doubt the ICW will be roused like angry little bees."

Jean looked at Harfang meaningfully "I take it you'll be there to dip your hands in honey if there is a need for it?"

Harfang's smile turned predatory "Longbottoms do not renege on their alliances." He only said and Jean understood very well what that implied and in truth…given how closely the upper echelons of the British Ministry were tied to House Slytherin, he doubted that there would be many in the British Isles – including the Irish Ministry – that would not stand with the Sayre couple.

The political climate was very different to what it was in the late '40s.

The two parted not long after, both of them promising to keep in touch and as the wedding part neared its end, he was approached by an ambassador of the Japanese Ministry. "Mr Delacour" Ozutsuki Taneko said with a heavy accented in French.

"Ambassador." Jean greeted as the guests he was speaking to continued their conversation a little distance away from them.

"Join me?" the ambassador said as he gestured towards the gardens, away from the guests. Jean eyed the ambassador carefully but the man gave little away. Jean nodded his acceptance.

They'd walked for several minutes as they entered deeper into the gardens and it was at that stage the ambassador spoke up. "Has there been any movement in your Ministry to accept our offer of joint research?" the ambassador asked.

With Jean's relationship with Shinji Hirahito, he was often used as the point of contact for the more…unofficial communications with the French Ministry. The Japanese Ministry looked kindly to House Delacour, especially with its commitment to aid Japan with its trade when most of its neighbours reneged and embargoed trade on the back of their…unsavoury actions in Manchuria.

Jean glanced at the short man. "Not yet. Our…experts are deliberating the value to be gained from the research." Jean paused momentarily "We understand the…usefulness of the magic but from our point of view, we do not see why you might want this." Jean came to a stop and the ambassador turned to face Jean, a non-descriptive expression on his face.

"Japan is by far one of the most fertile lands in the world. This kind of magic…it is usually used by the Bedouins or historically used in Persia or Egypt." Jean eyed the man carefully "So for us…it's surprising."

The Japanese man said nothing for a few moments "Japan has no need of it at present but in time…" the ambassador met Jean's gaze "In time, we will have need of it and we will remember the aid given by France should your Ministry agree."

Jean stayed silent as he contemplated what the ambassador said. 'No need of it yet…' Curious…

Jean eyed the man "I will speak with the Minister. Perhaps I can help both of our people." Jean said to the man and the short man smiled before he bowed to Jean.

"Lord Ieyasu-sama will be pleased to hear this." Ozutsuki said to Jean.

Ah…that was right, the Japanese magical community elected Ieyasu Geiwa Genio as Lord Protector of Japanese Magical people not too long ago.

After that, the conversation more or less ended and Jean returned to the wedding. When his elves had sorted through the gifts, there had been one that was left nameless and after they confirmed it to be benign, they discovered that it was a priceless gift. An antique bracelet of Gallic origin with Gaulish Runic inscriptions.

There were very few remaining records of this ancient runic system let alone artefacts that were had such runes – the Romans under Caesar had been thorough in wiping out the Gallic mages and their way of life – and it was absolutely priceless especially amongst the nobility. Yet they did not know who had gifted them this.

It was days afterwards that he received a message that took him by complete surprise, one that bore the symbol of a purple Sphinx, Atticus' personal seal.

And it was why he was walking the quiet park in Marseille on his lonesome in the early hours past midnight, his footsteps the sole noise beyond the rustling leaves.

It wasn't long before he neared his destination and he saw an only figure sitting on a bench before a small pond illuminated faintly by muggle streetlights.

He did not have to question who it was…he could feel it even this far out…the same magical presence that had seared into his mind and his body remembered long ago.

He walked towards him.

"I hope your son liked the gift." Atticus said, his back still facing towards the pond as Jean neared. Jean rounded around the bench and looked at Atticus.

The years had been good to him. His hair was long, reaching his shoulders and his boyish looks that had still dominated even a few short months before his exile had gone and in its place there was a man who was the image of aristocracy.

Atticus turned towards him, his unique purple green eyes aglow with barely restrained magic were set on Jean, a small warm smile on his face. "Hello Jean."

"Atticus." Jean said, unable to keep his surprise off of his face.

Atticus turned away his gaze from Jean and pieces of what looked like bread floated towards the ducks. "Please sit, will you? You're hovering, old friend." Atticus said even as he didn't look at Jean and Jean blinked himself out of his stupor and sat down.

"What gift?" he asked, remembering what Atticus said to him.

"The bracelets."

"That was you." Jean said in understanding before he looked at Atticus with intense focus "Where did you even find such priceless artefacts?"

"You'd be surprised what you can find when you've travelled the world Jean."

Jean said nothing to that as he stared at the side of Atticus' face who kept looking at the pond. Jean sat back on the bench and turned his gaze to the same pond where the ducks were feeding themselves on the bread.

"Why did you reach out to me?" Jean asked finally.

"I would say that I missed talking to an old friend but somehow I don't think that explanation will be accepted" Atticus said with humour in his voice as he glanced at Jean before he sent the next round of bread pieces towards the ducks.

Jean snorted before Atticus continued "I'm here to let you know that my people and I will be coming back to the magical world soon." He said and Jean stilled as he absorbed that information.

"The people who left with you…" Jean said trailing off and Atticus inclined his head slowly as he turned to Jean.

"The people that left with me and the people who found a home with me."

Jean's eyes snapped to Atticus, his mind working a thousand metres a second "Other people than those who left with you?"

Atticus only smiled at Jean before he turned his gaze away from Jean "And when we return, we want a cordial relationship with those who we see as friends. Those such as France."

Jean stared at Atticus for a few seconds before he snapped out of it "France…you want to be friends with France?" Jean said slowly.

"As much as I would like us to be allies, I believe such is probably too early and politically difficult…once the ICW learns of us." Atticus said with a shade of a smile.

Jean let out a shaky breath. "You've really created a nation…haven't you?" he asked with a dawning understanding.

Atticus turned to Jean, a small smile on his face "Yes, old friend." His smile widened slightly "You would like what we have built, I'm sure." He said as he sent another volley of bread pieces to the ducks.

"Where?" Jean asked, his mind trying to think where Atticus might have taken root.

Throughout the years, the ICW and many other people – and Ministries – who looked because of the hefty bounty the ICW had placed, any search for Atticus and his people had come up short.

Jean had also looked, if only to satisfy his curiosity and he had no clue where they might have gone. He might have thought that they might have settled somewhere in the Pacific where there were limited Ministries or magical communities but nothing had been found.

No islands were missing from maps, both modern and centuries old, and no regions unsettled were found to have any magical presence.

"In time, you will know. If France is…amenable, you may learn sooner than when the rest of the world will know." Atticus told Jean.

"It will be difficult." Jean said after a while. "France has not forgotten the debt it owes you and the many of the Knights who left with you." Jean paused for a moment. Even with ICW and European pressure, France had not repealed the Médaille de la vaillance it had given Atticus.

"But the ICW has…is…growing more and more influential, especially here in Europe." Jean said hesitantly to Atticus.

The ICW had even established a base in Switzerland in recent years though they kept its Headquarters in Alexandria. For now. Germany, Poland, Austria, the Scandinavian countries were all working closer with the ICW as time went by…and it was telling the effect it was having on the organisation.

With the once Grindelwald followers incorporated within the organisation, there was a slow but certain shift in the organisation's attitudes. Shifts that the central and northern Ministries were actively encouraging as they reverted back to how things used to be before the ICW had gutted the aristocratic structures of the countries.

"I'm aware." Atticus said as he turned to Jean, his expression serious "I have been watching closely about what is happening…what will happen, old friend." A dark expression came across his face, one that worried Jean immensely.

He knew of Atticus' talents in Divination…his Sight.

It was part of the reason why many in France had listened to his words of the consequences of division and pureblood dogma, especially when mages talented in Divination confirmed that Atticus was truthful. No one in France wanted to go through another war, especially another war that decimated so many of the noble families.

There was already an appetite to liberalise somewhat after the heroics of muggleborns and half breeds during the occupation and Atticus' words of equality had resonated with many in France.

So to hear Atticus talk about something that will happen worried him immensely.

"The next few decades, my old friend, will be a challenging time and it will not be because us" Atticus told Jean.

Jean looked away from Atticus' gaze and towards the pond.

'And you would drag France into it' Jean thought to himself.

He wasn't about to believe his words that rang of prophecy on a whim. Even if they were from a friend. Even if he trusted that Atticus meant him and France little harm.

Jean knew that what Atticus was telling him was geared towards tying France closer to Atticus and his people.

Given the hostility that will emanate from much of the former Grindalwaldite European nations and the ICW, having France as an ally would offer a strong deterrent to immediate action.

He was tempted in refusing out of hand completely.

The headache Atticus would bring France made it very tempting to do so but he also knew that Atticus was a once in a lifetime wizard capable of what most could not even imagine, let alone actually do…and he was honourable and loyal. France would benefit greatly if this nation bore the fruits of Atticus' labours.

Years may have passed but Jean knew that for someone like Atticus, loyalty meant everything. He gave loyalty when loyalty was returned. That was part of his nature.

And alliances…well, that was a loyalty of a kind.

Still...

He had to remain cautious for France's sake.

"I will speak with Matthieu." Jean said finally as he glanced at Atticus from the corner of his eyes. He might have to convince Matthieu to prepare France for when Atticus revealed his new nation to the world for there was no doubt that it was going to cause some kind of impact.

"You can tell him everything I just told you. Naturally, I would like it to be kept a Ministry secret." Atticus said with a mild smile.

Jean snorted. "Naturally." He said tiredly. Yes…it'll definitely be a Ministry secret. The last thing they needed was the ICW hounds sniffing around in France. He still remembered the near inquisition the bastards had tried to force on them for having the rights to Atticus' inventions.

Speaking off…

"Do you want buy back your licences?" Jean asked him. That was a right that Atticus reserved when he handed over the businesses and the spell work for a pittance.

House Delacour would not need it, they made enough of the licences to last them generations alone, but he would rather not lose it.

Atticus stood up and turned towards Jean, his head shaking "No. Consider them yours in perpetuity." Atticus raised his hand and pointed it away from Jean. He paused for a moment, taking a moment to look at Jean. "It was good seeing you Jean. I'm glad that you could make good on your promise to Christopher." Atticus said quietly and Jean stood up as well.

He'd told Atticus at some point, a few years after the war.

It did not surprise him that Atticus remembered.

"So am I." Jean said soberly.

Atticus' hand began to glow and what seemed like sharp lines that formed into strange symbols hovered in the air until…

Until the air became distorted and shimmered until what seemed like a window formed. Tall grass and hilly lands were on the other side of the window though that was not what was strange…no what was strange was that he could not see a sky…only a grey something that seemed to stretch endlessly into the distance.

"It might be a while until we see each other again, Jean. Until then…may magic light your way." Atticus said to him with a smile before he turned around and walked through the window.

Jean stepped forward a little, his gaze intent on Atticus' back but within moments, the window closed and all evidence of Atticus being present was gone.

Jean stood there for a few moments, staring at where the window once was.

He snapped out of it and he chuckled softly to himself, his head shaking as he chuckled. Of course the man ended up making a new form of travel.

His chuckles petered out and he let off a sigh.

It seemed like things were going to be very complicated, he mused to himself.

-Break-

30th of January 1955 – England, Prince Manor

Emily POV

She stepped out of the floo, ashes vanishing before they could settle on her with a simple twist of the wrist and she turned her gaze towards the waiting person. She'd been invited and to be 'shown' something.

"Emily!" Eileen Prince said with a beaming smile. She was dressed in robes with fading splots and stains and Emily knew she had been in the midst of something in her lab. Eileen quickly walked over to Emily. Eileen curtsied quickly before she hugged Emily, a hug that Emily awkwardly returned before they separated.

There weren't many were so…affectionate with Emily. Really, other than Eileen, there was only Atticus, little Marie and her mother-in-law Anne. The latter two could be excused as people important to Atticus but Eileen…?

She hadn't been sure when she'd started to care for the young woman. Perhaps it had been even as early as Hogwarts when she was still attending it as a student.

Still, it didn't mean that she tolerated such open displays of affection in the presence of others, especially in front of Lord Prince and his heir who were her subordinates for all intents and purposes.

She cleared her throat "Are your father and brother around?" Emily asked with a stern expression.

"Of course not" Eileen said to her, clear understanding etched on her face and Emily relaxed and allowed a small smile to bloom across her face and she nodded to Eileen.

Eileen at least understood her well enough.

Eileen's lips twitched slightly but she kept whatever was on the forefront on her mind to herself. "Let's head towards my lab, I've got much to show you!" Eileen said excitably as she turned on her heels and made way towards her labs at the right wing of the manor.

Emily watched her go with a fond glint in her eyes before she followed though at a sedate pace. Soon enough they were in Eileen's lab, a lab that was filled with cauldrons and racks filled with potion ingredients, filled with glasses and beakers, and other equipment suitable for potions.

"As you know" Eileen began as she towered over a simmering cauldron "I've been experimenting with wolfsbane and Artemisia as primary bases" she said as she grabbed a notepad and shoved into Emily's direction.

Emily grabbed it and Eileen returned her attentions towards the cauldron, Eileen waving her wand over the cauldron. Emily opened the notepad and began to go over her notes.

Potions were a delicate art…one that required immense patience and experimentation. It was not enough to know what each ingredient did…one plus one did not equal two with it came to potions…no…

Sometimes one plus one equalled ten…or four…or twenty.

Ingredients interacted with one another that were not predictable, often causing different reactions in different combinations, even in different sequences. It was…infuriating and though Emily had talents for the art, she did not have the patience or time to spend on creating new potions.

And it was why she had some of the Seelie to map reactions of ingredients interacting in different circumstances, conditions, magic and stirring patterns along with coming up with a predictive model that would 'spit out' expected reactions not unlike a calculator would spit out numbers within fractions of fractions of microseconds.

That was still a little way away of course. Perhaps within a few years it would become standard she thought as she looked over the notes. Her eyes grew sharper as she read the notes.

"You've finally found a way to stabilise the transformation?" Emily asked sharply as she looked up from the notes. Eileen turned to her, a large grin on her face before she bobbed her head up and down.

"Yes!" Eileen said delightedly "Oh, when I got it, I hit myself for not getting it sooner!" She said with a shake of the head. "I failed to factor the moon cycles in the stirring patterns. The curse is intricately linked with the moon – especially magically."

"You've managed to fabricate the magical resonance within the potion?" Emily asked astutely and Eileen nodded fervently before she frowned "It was difficult and I'm not so sure many will be able to brew it. I think I may be able to make it simpler"

"That can come after." Emily said as she returned the notes. "If your notes are right…the transformations should remove the rabidity and the infectiousness during their transformation."

"Yes!" Eileen said excitedly "They become more like transformed animagi."

Emily suppressed a smile as she looked at the notes. This was what she needed to entice werewolf communities to her side. "But it isn't permanent." Emily only stated.

"No." Eileen said with a frown. "I'm not sure the curse is ever going to be reversible…only manageable I think"

Emily looked at Eileen. "I wouldn't be so sure of that." Part of the werewolf curse was soul magic. With this potion, or at least the combination of ingredients, they would be a step closer in figuring out how to reverse or alter the curse into something more useful.

Something she'll look into once she moved back to Illos where there were more resources for her to work with.

"I'm leaving soon" Emily said after a little while.

"Oh that's alright. You can come by later if you wish. The potion will take another seventeen hours before its finished. I can let you know when it is finished." Eileen rambled on "I'm sure you know where to get candidates ready for tri-"

"No I mean I will be leaving Britain." Emily interjected, stopping Eileen in her tracks.

As much as she was loathed to leave behind all of the fruits of her labour, she knew that it was time to let things ferment.

Her rights over Hogwarts would not disappear not would the work she's carried out in the lands surrounding Hogwarts, particularly in Hogsmeade and with the directions she'd leave behind, her work with the schools and cultural identity she was fomented would remain.

It was time she dedicated more time to more pressing work anyway…like her research in mass alchemic transformation. With the availability of Mithril, alchemy now had powerful application…maybe even alter entire biospheres.

Eileen blinked a few times.

"Oh." She said dumbly before she shook herself clear, a concerned look on her face "Where? Why?" she asked quickly one after the other.

"I'm sure you have an idea, Eileen." Emily said with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh." Eileen said, understanding clear in her eyes before she began to nibble on her lip "Will it be long until you're back?" she asked a little quietly, the shy girl she once was coming back to the forefront.

"It may be a few years." Emily admitted and she didn't have to use her magic to tell that this was distressing the woman and it made her a little uncomfortable.

She hadn't wanted her to be so…dependent on her companionship. It didn't help that Eileen hadn't been able to make other bonds with people despite her brilliance.

"I have spoken with Headmaster Dippet and Horace." Emily began again, ending the silence. "Naturally with my departure, it leaves the Deputy position open." She paused briefly "Horace will be elevated to Deputy."

"He'd be good at it" Eileen murmured.

Yes…Horace would be well suited for the position…if he can control his more unsavoury impulses. He'd been able to since she'd joined the Hogwarts staff, a few choice words had been enough then and leaving him a few choice words now with the greater power and influence she wielded would solidify him from seeking to abuse his new position…beyond a certain degree.

Emily only nodded "And that leaves us with the Potions position. Horace can manage the Head of Slytherin and Potions professor positions but he cannot manage three." Not when Horace likely to be taking more responsibilities from Dippet who was likely to retire within the next five or so years.

Eileen's eyes widened "I-I can't!" Eileen exclaimed "I'm not old enough, I haven't done enough!"

Emily looked at Eileen disappointedly "Eileen, you became a Potions Mistress at age twenty, the youngest in centuries and the only reason why you're not the youngest is because back then children were often apprenticed from a very young age in one specific field of magic."

Emily continued "You've also already improved five different potions making them several times cheaper to produce and you've created three new potions, including a Night Vision potion that's managed to become a requisite potion to have within the DLME. You are absolutely worthy of becoming a Hogwarts professor. Do not doubt your talents or your worth."

Eileen smiled as she flushed slightly under Emily's words.

Emily narrowed her eyes "Or was I wrong to believe in you all this time?" Emily said lowly.

"No!" Eileen defended before she cleared her throat and composed herself "No." she said firmly before her expression softened "You weren't wrong. I…Thank you Emily." She said warmly.

Emily looked away from Eileen's warm gaze before she nodded and returned her gaze to Eileen "Good. Then you will accept?"

Eileen nodded slowly "I will." She hesitated for a moment "I have never really taught anyone though."

"I'm aware." Emily said drily. For all of Eileen's brilliance, she was a terrible explainer of things. Some people had a talent for it, and Eileen's…well, they'd definitely have to at least teach her how to teach.

"Horace has agreed to help you until you're capable." Emily's expression shifted slightly "You won't be teaching all of the classes either. You have the choice to teach either until OWLS level or take the NEWTS classes. Both Horace and I prefer you to take the NEWTS classes since it should free up more of your time to still do research however it is your choice."

"Do I have to make the choice now?" Eileen asked after a few moments.

"No. You can take your time until May. We intend to finalise our choice of secondary Professor by that time." Emily told her.

Eileen nodded before she frowned "What about this potion? Will you still be around for us to conduct trials?"

"Yes." Emily confirmed "I will at least be around until the summer where we can conduct the trials. I know a few werewolves who would happily partake in the trials."

"Excellent! I can also start working on figuring out a way to make easier to brew in my spare time." Eileen said thoughtfully.

"You know it'll make you a household name…once you figure this out." Emily stated with a raised eyebrow.

Eileen grimaced. Emily knew the woman never liked the attentions her talent gave her. Particularly after a lot of the marriage offers were submitted to Lord Prince.

She had to…dissuade Lord Prince from accepting any. She wasn't concerned that any would mistreat Eileen...all of the noble families worth any salt knew that she favoured the young Potion Mistress and to displease her was a pain at best none wanted to experience.

No, her defence of the woman came because she did not want Eileen to waste her talents because she had to spend decades rearing children. Not when she had not accomplished what Emily believed her capable of.

Like this partial treatment of one of the most ancient and persistent curses in existence.

"Hogwarts is beginning to sound like a wonderful decision." Eileen muttered and Emily allowed a faint smile.

Eileen shook her head "What will be, will be." She said finally before she looked at Emily a little uneasily.

"Would I be able to visit?" she asked quietly.

Emily hadn't told Eileen anything at all really about Illos. Or much about anything else. Their…companionship never really delved into areas of those kinds of things.

It was more a mutually beneficial companionship that was…pleasant.

Eileen had been a project at first…a curiosity geared towards Eileen's obvious talents in Potions but over time Emily realised that Eileen was…different to the others. She liked Emily for Emily.

At least the Emily that she showed to Eileen.

She would have liked Emily if she was still a Riddle and talentless.

And from that realisation, Emily had grown a little attached to the awkward and shy girl, now woman.

"Yes." Emily said after a few moments "It may take some time but you will be able to visit at some point. Perhaps during next year's summer break."

Eileen smiled warmly at Emily and Emily knew that if the woman was restraining herself from hugging Emily. "Great! I look forward to it! I know it'll be amazing!"

"You don't even know where or what it is." Emily said a little exasperated.

"Ah, I know it'll be great! You and Lord Sayre are amazing! Wouldn't surprise me if you guys did find Atlantis!" Eileen laughed merrily.

Emily rolled her eyes though inwardly she was a little amused. There'd always been rumours about where Atticus and the people that left with him might have gone.

No one explicitly ever said it of course, no one wanted to draw the ire of the Ministry back then, but there was a deep fascination with the events of the exile itself and the mysteries afterwards.

It hadn't been easy to navigate through the subtle inquisitions back then and more than a few times she had to stamp probes out before she was forced to do something drastic. She had learnt much about her capacity for patience during those years.

As much as her own links to many of the noble families and personal allegiances she was owed helped, when the ICW was interested, it would have served little barrier had it not been their own over-cautiousness however wise it might have been.

Her performances at the duelling competitions had been more helpful than whatever barriers being politically powerful served and their overreaction through the recruitment of former Grindelwald followers over the years, especially when Atticus was still in Britain, was going to cause them a lot of trouble over the coming years.

She didn't need Atticus' Sight to see that for herself, not when they were tying themselves closer to the growing dogma of Northern and Central Europe.

Nonetheless, Britain would be exempt from this dogma, particularly now that they had steered the ship towards the direction they wanted and soon enough they would arrive at the shores of the future.

People were hopeful and invested in the future of the British Isles and that was going to be important for the years to come. And useful.

As magicals, there was little need for true nationhood.

Only worthless magicals were unable to feed themselves if they truly needed to and gold for the vast majority of the public was simply enough unimportant and only useful to have and want.

The majority of people craved forms of power in order to survive and most magicals had all that they needed with simply just a wand and a bit of knowledge.

Creating the series of crisis over the years had been useful in completely shaking that all up. The Ministry overreaching with what they could do in the affairs of the people, the economic crisis that made basic needs expensive to obtain – not enough to make it prohibitive but enough to make people unhappy – and of course the continuous civil unrest that boiled over into violence that reached even most isolated villages and farms, all of that contributed towards gearing Magical Britain in a more conscious society that took active practice in the governance of the people.

A redistribution of power, or at least perceived power, that would make people invested in the affairs of the country.

And now it was time to leave and let things settle though always curious of where she and Atticus were. By now, she had as much a social presence as Atticus once did and when she left, the curiosity about them would peak.

With a lot of the plays that were acted out in the Nine Realms Theatre being very familiar and many of the 'heroes' being able to be superimposed on her and Atticus, especially that of the Tale of the Saviour, they would always be in the back of the minds of the public.

And in a few years' time when Illos emerged with all of its splendour and similarities to Avalon and Atlantis, eventual talks of union would become something serious to consider.

The Ministry was already geared towards being amenable to such with all of the people who were sworn to her in key positions in power and before she left, she would provide directions to her inner circle…and 'invite' them periodically to Illos.

"Anyway" Emily began as she refocused "Your notes are unclear on when they need to take the potion" she stated to Eileen who settled down and began to explain the intricacies of the potion.

-Break-

16th of March 1955 – Unnamed Planet, Epsilon Eridani

They descended down from the bay of the ship with full air tight suits on. Atticus looked down at his arm and saw that the temperature was minus fifty eight degrees Celsius.

He dismissed it and looked towards the landscape. The place they landed was solid ice hundreds of metres thick, nestled in between ice sheets and glaciers whilst in the background there were rising jagged peaks of mountainous rock blanketed by ice as hard as stone.

They were on the north side of the massive crater that could be seen with the naked eye hundreds of thousands of miles away, larger than any crater he'd seen anywhere in the Sol system.

Still, it had potential. It was only twenty percent larger in diameter than Earth and it was geologically stable with an atmosphere and magnetic field that made it a prime candidate for terraforming.

"The target is embedded within the ice shelf. From the readings it is several hundred metres below the surface of the ice sheet" Alice said next to him.

"Will we tunnel our way down with the beam weaponry?" Emily asked.

"No." Moira said to her over the comms as she stepped forward. "There would too great a risk of collapsing the ice shelf potentially damaging the derelict vessel."

"I thought Forerunner ships were nearly indestructible?" Emily questioned with a frown.

"Nothing is indestructible." Moira said to Emily with a glance before she continued "But ordinarily Forerunner ships were difficult to damage" Moira admitted

"But from our scans, it's quite obvious that this vessel was already heavily damaged prior to impact. On our first journey through this star system, scans have shown debris scattered thousands of miles across this region. It is quite likely that the vessel is critically damaged if not entirely inoperable." She turned to him with curiosity in her gaze.

"That was until you confirmed that there was something here of value." She said with an inscrutable expression on her face.

"The information that will lead us to understand what could have happened to the Forerunners?" Emily asked as she stared at him "information you've refused to divulge?"

He already knew what was here and what would likely happen, what they would likely do. It was a gift and a curse that made it difficult for those close to him. Emily had coped with it well and shared nearly all with her but this…this was something that she needed to learn first hand.

Atticus met her gaze. "You know I wouldn't keep you in ignorance if not for a very good reason."

She stared at him for a moment before she nodded her acceptance "Let's go then." She said as she began to walk, Alice following in close pursuit.

Moira remained though and she looked at him with the same expression on her face.

"How much more have you seen now since I have returned?" she questioned him.

"More than enough to know that you keep far more secrets than you should. And that is coming from someone who keeps many." Atticus said to her calmly.

Moira only smiled slightly "You're not just seeing possibilities any more, are you?" she asked knowingly.

"You've always known that possibilities were more than what I called them."

Moira nodded slowly. "So you know about…"

"That what you have shared about what you've discovered in your journeys with my mother is not even half covered yet?" Atticus said with a raised eyebrow.

Moira dipped her head "I see." She said slowly, her gaze still intently on him.

He knew that she'd always suspected that he was actively seeking out alternate…possibilities. Possibilities that with the right application of words would get him the truth of what she'd learned. Possibilities that no longer needed to be played out now that he already Seen what they may hold.

Possibilities that were now wiped out.

"We may talk…after this." Moira said diplomatically and Atticus smiled tightly, somewhat unkindly before he dipped his head and began to walk towards his wife and Alice.

He caught up with them and not long after, they stopped when they arrived at the ice shelf though Emily began to walk forward on her lonesome, closer to the ice shelf wall. She spared a look over her shoulder and Atticus nodded his confirmation that this was the right place and she turned around, her hands raised.

Nothing happened for a few seconds until the ice began to creak hauntingly.

The face of the ice shelf before them shifted until a gaping hole formed. The bottom of the hole turned translucent though with a faint glow and they were just about to see that it was heading all the way down.

"The passage is stable" Emily said after a few moments and her arms dropped. "I will able to counteract any sudden movements now so we have little to fear from the ice collapsing on top of us."

A small drone raced forward and into the hole, light emitting from all of its surfaces and touched the walls of the newly made passage way before it disappeared into the distance. "We should know soon where we should break through" Alice said.

Soon enough, they made their way through the passage, descending down and down. Emily adjusted the passage way several times, turning left and then further down at a sharper angle before they broke through the ice shelf and into an ice cavern.

Blue light tinged the surfaces of the ice cavern, blue light that flickered and reflected against the surfaces. They continued their journey, most of it in silence save for Alice's reports of how close they were.

It wasn't long before they stepped on solid metal and through metal hallways and soon enough they arrived at a central chamber. Above them, the source of the blue light shone heavily, an orb with tinges of orange rotating along its circumference held by four structures that seemed to keep it in place, structures that connected it from the ground to the ceiling.

"An intact Data Core." Moira said with audible surprise in her voice.

"Data core?" Emily questioned and Moira turned to her.

"A Forerunner Data Core. Only Forerunner Capital vessels or above had these." She said seriously before she tapped on her wrist and began to type into the Holo.

Flashes of light sprang forth from her wrist before they ended almost as soon as they arrived. Moira's expression shifted very noticeably as she turned her gaze towards the Core "The data that core may hold could be invaluable. Carbon dating suggests that this crash happened about 227,000 Earth years ago…thousands of years after our war with Forerunners and about the time of their disappearance of the galaxy."

"That data core may have evidence that would lead us to what might have happened" Emily enthused, interest clear in her voice and she glanced at Atticus calculatingly.

Moira nodded before she frowned "Yes but we'll need to be careful…the Forerunners had difficult encryptions." An irritated expression came on her face

"And we only ever managed to get one intact Data Core during the war."

Atticus turned to Alice "Can you try?" he asked his AI.

"I can, Creator." Alice said affirmatively. "Please bring me closer to the Data Core. I may also need to build an interface should none be compatible."

"I brought a small mobile manufacturing hub with me." Atticus said as his hand went into his pocket and a shrunk trunk exited. It resized itself and Alice descended down into the trunk. The manufacturing hub was capable of fabricating low tier complex machinery much of which would suffice in this instance.

Emily gestured with her hands and the floor began to bow before a pillar began to form, a pillar that grew in size and then grew into a staircase that reached the Data Core.

It was a little later after when Alice determined she made what she needed and reached the top of the staircase which had been morphed into a small platform at the top though the rest of them remained.

It wouldn't be long before Alice broke through, he thought as he stared at her working at the base of the ship.

"You look agitated." Emily commented and he turned to her. She wore a calculating expression on her face "What she'll uncover…it worries you doesn't it?"

"Yes." Atticus admits. "I haven't yet seen where it leads" he turned to Moira a complicated expression on his face "But I do know every possibility where you leave, you do not return." Atticus clenched his teeth. He'd never seen any possibility that he'd go himself which was odd to say the least but even now, even when his curiosity was high, he couldn't even bring himself to even consider it.

It simply was too dangerous for him…for them.

"I have not been able to look further than fifty or so years in the future but in none of those possibilities do you return in all that time."

Moira's expression was neutral but he knew exactly what she was thinking.

"The Forerunners?" Emily questioned before she paused meaningfully "The parasites?" she asked a little more quietly.

"It's likely the Forerunners. Or whatever remains of them." Moira said after a moment, after she broke eye contact with Atticus and turned to Emily. "If the parasites still survived until now…we would not be here."

"I wouldn't be so sure…" Atticus trailed off capturing both of their attentions. "We know by now the parasites are the greatest danger in existence. They have brought empires hundreds of thousands of years old to their knees…and they have felled the greatest empire and technologically advanced people millions of years old." He paused momentarily, his eyes scanning them both.

"I wouldn't be surprised if the Forerunners had been unable to completely wipe them out despite all of their efforts." He finished.

And it was on that sober thought that they waited.

Alice descended down from the platform after nearly an hour of waiting. "I have decrypted the Data Core." Alice paused as she reached the bottom "However I have not yet integrated the data extracted completely. It may take…several days until I have processed it completely."

Alice looked up "However I have processed the themes of the data. Technological data is the most significant portion of the data."

"What about navigational data?" Atticus asked seriously.

"I can have that processed within seconds. It is a small portion of the data."

"Please do so." Atticus requested firmly and Alice's eyes flickered before she looked at Atticus again.

"I have navigational data to a number of Forerunner installations. Including what they refer to as Installation 04." 'Installation 04'…

"Are you able to parse through the data and call up everything related to that Installation?" Atticus asked firmly, his eyes intently on Alice.

Alice took a second to consider "Yes. Stand by." Alice said as she stood still.

He turned to Moira and Emily "Installation 04 is where you went, Moira. Where you never returned from."

"And you really don't know what's there? You've never Seen yourself go there?" Emily asked. Atticus shook his head.

"I have never found any possibilities that lead me there." Not surprising given that the Domain refused to give him any answers on what was on Installation 04…

It wasn't the first time the Domain didn't respond to his 'requests'. The creature that controlled the Domain…Manu or whatever it was, had not tried to dominate his psyche ever since he got control of his connections to the Domain and learnt how to interact with it…even if his interactions were only shades and shards of knowledge.

"The chances of that…" Emily said surprised and Atticus smiled grimly.

"Knowing that Moira never returns when she goes there, despite any precautions taken, ensures that neither of us go there ourselves in the near future." He told her before he looked to Moira who seemed deep in thought.

Alice began to move again and drew all of their attentions "Installation 04 is a superweapon." Alice said a deep frown on her face

"It is the mechanism they used to annihilate biodiversity in the galaxy to prevent the parasites from consuming the galaxy whole."

Silence reigned for a few moments as the truth was unveiled to both Emily and Moira.

"Though that is not its only purpose. It is also an artificial habitat capable of housing organic life." Alice continued and from the way comprehension dawned on Moira's face, she began to understand as she turned to him, her look of comprehension morphing into horror.

"Not even they were foolish enough" Moira tried, her voice uncharacteristically uneven.

"I don't know" Atticus said to Moira grimly but the look on his face made it clear that he thought he suspected that they did not complete the job.

"We will need to go eventually." Emily said after a few moments. She continued before anyone else said anything "Of course not any time soon…especially not until we are settled on our world." Emily's lips thinned as she stared at Moira.

"You would be a liability if you left, Moira." Emily said sharply "You know where our new homeworld will be and if the parasites get a hold of you…even if you destroy the ship..." she trailed off though it was clear where she was going with this.

"The Covenant must not be allowed to find the installation." Moira responded. "To not secure this installation is of the greatest of follies."

"I agree." Emily said "The Covenant must not be allowed anywhere near this installation. But they have not found it for thousands of years. It is entirely possible they will not find it in another thousand years." Emily turned to Alice.

"Are you able to wipe out the Data Core entirely?" she asked of the AI.

"I am capable of corrupting and purging the data." Alice confirmed.

"It does not mean that this is the sole vessel or Forerunner remnant that would contain information that could lead towards the weapon." Moira said.

"It doesn't. You're right." Atticus interjected "And I fully agree that we must be ready to hunt down these weapons to either destroy or to control fully. But it is not something we are capable of doing now, not with how few we are."

"The universe does not wait until you are ready." Moira warned.

"It does not." Atticus said with a sigh "But what choice do we have? We do not know for certain what is there…and we do not have the people yet to be able to deal with this. Moira, we cannot be rash. If something went wrong, we may well open up the galaxy for a second infection, this time without the Forerunners to delay them again."

Moira's expression changed to displeased before she seemed to relent. "Very well." She said before she looked at him with hard expression on her face.

"I want you increase the endeavours to uplift Illos. I will assist you in this." She said firmly and there was nothing he could say to change her mind.

Atticus shared a glance with Emily whose lips had narrowed to a thin line. Eventually she sent him an affirmative through their bond and he turned back to Moira "I agree." He said before he paused "The Office of Space will be able to utilise your talents the most."

"Alice" Atticus called as he turned to her "How long will it take you to purge the data?"

"Fourteen hours." Alice said after a few moments.

"Then do so." Atticus said before he turned to Emily "We should be able to damage some of the internal structures."

Emily looked thoughtful until she spoke up "We can transfigure the metal alloys into cast iron. Let time and environment rust away at the structures." She turned to him "Of course we'll need to make sure we pick the right spots so that collapse is accelerated." She said knowingly.

Atticus nodded with a small smile "I know just the places." He turned to Moira "Are you staying?" he asked the Ancient Human.

"Yes." Moira confirmed "I will parse through some of the data obtained by Alice. There may be navigational data to other Forerunner facilities of interest." She said with a long look towards him. He wouldn't confirm otherwise. Neither would Alice give her the navigational data to what the Forerunners referred to as 'shield worlds'.

He'd already talked with Alice about what exactly to divulge and what to hold back.

"Alright" Atticus said before he and Emily walked away. When they were some distance away.

"Will she do as was agreed?" Emily asked him intently.

"Yes." He said as he glanced at her "For now." He sighed as they walked "I will need to speak to her again soon in order to deal with her more…"

"Cowboy tendencies?" Emily said with a raised eyebrow. Atticus snorted as he turned to her.

"Cowboy?" he said a little amused.

She shrugged elegantly "It is apt to describe her. She can't seem to quit in her pursuits even if it is proven that doing nothing is the better course of action. It also doesn't help that she is only tangibly working with us." She said as she glanced at him

"I imagine that will be difficult to change."

Atticus smiled at her, a half grimace on his face "Quite." He confirmed "It doesn't help that we are effectively children in her eyes."

"We would still be children in her eyes a hundred years from now." Emily said disdainfully "If we're meant to be her people's triumph, then she should step back and let us work towards our destiny."

For the next few hours, both he and Emily worked to weaken the structures of the derelict vessel and soon enough fourteen hours passed. Alice completed the purge and not long after they were back on the ship and heading towards orbit.

-Break-

15th of August 1955 – Illos

Tirtayasa POV

His knee bounced up and down, his impatience having turned physical as he nursed his drink in his hand. Tirtayasa heard a chuckle and he turned towards his never unhappy friend, the same smile that showed off his pearly white teeth worn like always. "Relax" Kwame said easily "They'll get down soon enough."

"We'll be late at this rate" Tirtayasa said a little irritated "We should have been out nearly an hour ago. They said they'd be done in five minutes an hour ago."

"Friend, you should know by now that women operate on a different timescale. They say they'll be ready in five minutes, they really mean an hour." Kwame said with a laugh. "Not even the coronation will change that."

Tirtayasa shook his head. He had no idea what they were doing that took so long. With magic, it took less than a few seconds to look perfect. He sighed before he glanced at Kwame, a curious expression on his face "How's the academy anyway?" he asked. Kwame had only recently joined the Illosian Guards.

Kwame's smile dropped a little "Hard." Kwame admitted "I never thought that I'd be dead on my feet so much despite my pretty good fitness level."

"Really?" Tirtayasa asked surprised. Kwame had been a star Threepeller player at Pandrosion, a game that was very demanding physically with the way you had to manoeuvre at high speeds and strike the ball in the air.

"Yes." Kwame said with a grimaced nod before he smiled "I love it though. I'm learning a lot, not just laws and procedures but also a lot of combat magic. Despite Illos being so peaceful, it is required that any officer of the Law is capable of Grade Three combat."

"Isn't that mid-tier competitive duelling level?" Tirtayasa asked with slightly widened eyes. The duelling competitions in Illos were honestly amazing and a lot of veterans of the Grindelwald war participated in it. For the past two years since the competition had been running, every last eight competitors had been veterans of the war which wasn't surprising but to even get into the competition you had to be Grade Three combat magicks capable.

The veterans were all Grade Fours whilst as far as he knew none were Grade Five though it was rumoured to be that good, you had to be able to last for some time against the Lord and Lady Sayre. Something that everyone pretty much agreed was impossible.

Kwame laughed "Yes." He said with a nod "I will have to be that good in the next few years if I want to be graduate from Trainee to Junior Guard." Kwame turned serious. "I'll be able to do it just fine, I'm confident about it."

"Well, I have faith in you" Tirtayasa said as he raised his cup. Kwame smiled gratefully and leaned forward to touch his cup against his.

"Cheers, pal. I appreciate it." Kwame said to him with a genuine smile which Tirtayasa returned.

When he moved here first over a year ago, at the same time as Fatimah, he'd been so uncomfortable and uneasy about moving to such a truly strange but wonderful place. It felt like he was in a place of legend. It still sometimes felt like that.

But that unease soon fell away when he met the family that was hosting him…Kwame's family. There were many young people who were made recently magical and part of the process was to ease people into Illos by joining families who were already well rooted into Illos.

And it was something that really did help. He'd met quite a few people who had been students at the same academy and all of them had agreed that the people they were staying with helped them a lot in adjusting.

It was the same for him. Kwame's parents were very kind people and never made him feel like a stranger and Kwame himself had taken him under his wing, helping him make friends with other young people and helping him with his studies in magic which he had been very behind on.

Not that the government didn't help with that.

They'd set up the Centre of Magical Studies, a separate school for late bloomers – which really meant newly made magicals – that catered classes specifically for older students. He'd found that there were many kinds of people that were newly made magical though there was about a fifty-fifty split between older people and teenagers.

Though one thing they had all in common was that they had all agreed to the same agreements in order to be made magical, one of them including swearing oaths of vassalage to House Sayre.

The oath had made him uncomfortable and though it was explained to him well why it was necessary, it set him slightly easier at ease that everyone was getting the same requirements, even those who lived in Illos for years before becoming magical.

"What yourself?" Kwame asked, drawing back his attentions. "Have you decided yet if you're going to apply for Office of Space?"

Tirtayasa remained silent for a few moments until he said "I have decided." He said with a slow nod "I will apply for the Maginaut apprenticeship."

Kwame whistled as he eyed Tirtayasa intently "That's not an easy program. I know you're smart enough for it, hell you're probably one of the best scoring student in Physics but are you sure you're…" Kwame trailed off uneasily.

"Strong enough magically?" Tirtayasa finished for him and Kwame smiled apologetically and Tirtayasa waved him off "It's a valid concern to have." Tirtayasa hesitated for a moment "It's a concern I also have."

His magical rating at present was only that of a middling Warlock and though he had not reached his final magical maturity yet, it was quite likely that he'll only increase somewhat in magical strength.

Most thought you needed to be at least Low Sorcerer in magical strength to be selected but Tirtayasa was sure that was not true. It was only because people thought of how prestigious it was to join the Office of Space, especially the programs that would train people for planetary missions, that people believed you also had to be quite strong magically to be selected.

He disagreed vehemently with that kind of thinking.

And he hoped that the Directors and officials of the Office of Space agreed with him.

"Still, I am confident that I will be accepted and that I will succeed" Tirtayasa said with a confidence he didn't completely feel. 'I just need to be given the chance' he thought to himself.

Kwame's smile bloomed "Hear! Hear!" Kwame said as he raised his cup "To our successful futures!" he said loudly and Tirtayasa laughed before he joined in raising his cup.

"What this noise you boys are making?" he heard from the hallway. He turned towards the voice and saw both Fatimah and Louise walk in, both of them dressed splendidly and both of them looking so beautiful…especially Fatimah.

He stood up and he looked at her, her hair was up in a bun whilst the dress she wore tastefully hugged her body and he thought she was the most beautiful thing alive.

He felt a slap on his back and he blinked out and he saw that he was being looked at a little amusedly by Louise and Fatimah and he flushed red as he turned away from their gaze.

"Ladies" Kwame said as he walked over to Louise and kissed her on the cheek "Fatimah you look stunning as I'm sure Tirta will agree" he said with a wink, one that only caused him to flush even more and glare at Kwame though he continued "And you, Louise, look like a million stars." Kwame said as he pulled Louise in for a hug.

"Aww, thank you." Louise said with a blinding smile.

"Fatimah you uh…you look wonderful." Tirtayasa said and he felt like kicking himself for how lame he sounded.

"Thank you." Fatimah said a little quietly and she even smiled at him which made his stomach flutter. Even to this day, he had still not gotten over the crush he held for her.

And even to this day, he never really acted on it. He was really a coward. Afraid of her saying no especially now that they were close friends.

Louise cleared her throat "Shall we go?" she asked them and they all quickly agreed.

Illos' streets were never busier than they were now, especially as they headed towards the central boulevard where everyone was congregating. It seemed like everyone and their mother was going to the same place.

Not surprising given the momentous occasion.

Soon enough they were in the midst of a large crowd of thousands, tens of thousands and it was quite likely that everyone from Illos was here.

And as the time ticked away, the loud conversations and cheers died away as the ceremony began until all that remained was a deafening silence.

Illosian flags, a strange flag that bore a purple tree like stump with white roots growing from the stump reaching out to blue, yellow and green stars, were as still as a stalking panther.

All eyes were pointed towards the podium. All mouths were closed and all ears were listening for the slightest noise to emanate from those who stood on the podium.

And on that podium, there were only four people.

The Chief Representative Rowe, the Priest Kalsaric and of course the Sayres…for whom all had come to witness sworn in as King and Queen of the Illosian people.

They were attired in the finest clothing he'd ever seen, wearing combinations of purple and dark greens that seemed to command one's deference.

The priest, who wore grey white robes and wore a headband that ran through the middle of his forehead, stepped forward and stood in front of them.

Any remnants of sound from the crowd was sucked out like air in a vacuum and total dead silence took its place.

"Will you solemnly swear to govern the peoples of Illos according to the laws and customs of the peoples of Illos?" The priest from the Commune of Magic asked, his voice reverberated even towards the farthest reach of the gathered crowd.

"I solemnly swear to do so" He said, his voice patient, cultured, as smooth as the finest of velvet yet as authoritative as that of a general.

"I solemnly swear to do so" She said, her voice musical, ringing like silver bells yet at the same time commanding and demanding of respect and deference.

"Will you, by the grace of magic, to all of your power, through magic or through position, execute fair and just judgement in the name of Law and Justice?" The priest questioned solemnly.

"I Will" "I Will" They said

"Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the sanctity of Magic? Will you stand true to the Rights of all Magicals, irrespective of race or of species, to worship and to live freely as by the Laws established in Illos?"

"All this I promise to do" "All this I promise to do"

The Chief Representative brought out a scroll to them.

They each took a quill and signed onto the scroll, the scroll that amended the constitution and brought the peoples of Illos under the governance of the Royal House of Sayre though the Council of Representatives and the Council of Magical Races would govern the peoples in Their Name for the most part.

It was something that happened not long after his arrival, the conversation of turning the Lord and Lady of Illos into royalty. From what he understood, most had already considered them as such but it was only after a conversation on a morning talk show that it really began to be discussed amongst the public.

To the point that it was discussed in the Representatives Chambers.

And from there, it just really snowballed until a referendum was had and 92% of the voting population voted to have Atticus and Emily Sayre rule over the people of Illos as Monarchs.

"Then, I, the acting voice of all peoples of Illos, by the power vested by those same peoples, I confirm you as King and Queen of the Peoples of Illos!" The priest said loudly.

"May Magic Light Our Way!" The priest finished loudly.

"May Magic Light Our Way!" the crowd exploded before shouts of King Atticus and Queen Emily erupted all around him.

He wasn't sure how long it went on but the cheers were deafening and long lasting. Illosian flags were waving like crazy as shouts of their names continued on and on.

The energy of the crowd was unlike he had seen before thus far since he'd moved to Illos. It didn't surprise him, really. If there was anyone these people loved that wasn't family but loved them like family anyway, some perhaps loving them more than they loved their own family, it was these two, he thought to himself as he stared at the podium where they stood and waved at the crowd.

He couldn't really blame them either. Everything he'd learned since he became magical pointed towards them being incredible.

"I wish I brought my kit" he heard just barely over the noise and he turned to his left. Fatimah had a sour expression on her face.

"Cheer up" Kwame said loudly behind them, his voice just loud enough to be heard over the crowd. "There'll be plenty of pictures and holos to commemorate this moment in history, I'm sure you'll have enough to help you paint today" Tirtayasa turned around and saw Kwame's arm looping over Louise Ricard's shoulders, a wide grin on his face.

Louise rolled her eyes good-naturedly before she smiled kindly at Fatimah "This big buffoon may talk a lot" she said with a cheeky smile, one that garnered a big kiss on her head from the affable Kwame which also ended up causing Louise' smile to widen even more, before she continued "but he is right. I doubt you won't find many pictures and holos in all kinds of angles to inspire you."

Fatimah smiled a little "You're right. Thanks Louise" she said though her eyes flittered amusedly at Kwame who put on a false sullen expression before he looked down at his girlfriend.

"This situation" Kwame began waving between himself and the rest of them "isn't right" Kwame said dramatically and Louise pulled Kwame's head down and gave him a big kiss on the cheek.

"Don't be a baby, big guy" she said cheekily as she tapped his chest causing them all to laugh.

It wasn't long before the crowd hushed again and the speech began.

"This is a special day for both my husband and I" Queen Emily said as her voice reached far and wide into the crowd "When we decided to build Illos, we did not envisage what we have become and promise still to become. It had been simpler than that. We simply wanted to build a home." Queen Emily said as she looked to her husband with a fond expression before she turned her attentions back at the crowd.

"We wanted a home that we could call our own, a home where the politics of our ancestral lands wouldn't follow us, politics that served the country little and the people even less." Queen Emily said to a silent but listening crowd.

"And as fate had it, many of you had wanted the same when the time came for my husband to leave for our home." Queen Emily said, a small smile growing on her face "A decision that has made Illos so much more and continues to be more."

"And just like then" the new King picked up from where his wife left of "You have once more put your faith in us to make us your King and Queen, deepening this union between us to something unbreakable."

"And just like I once promised you prosperity and opportunities that would make kings and emperors weep at their poverty in comparison to you all, we make this new promise to you." King Atticus said, his voice lulling them all into absolute silence "We shall never abandon you nor shall we ever not fight for you." The King declared, his voice steeped with deafening solemnity and far reaching honesty.

"Your blood spilt shall be our wound to heal. Your pain shall be our pain to soothe. Your happiness shall be our joy to witness. Your achievements shall be ours to celebrate." The king said, each sentence sounding like proclamations that spoke to every heart present. Tirtayasa looked around and saw how much it meant to all of these people, how much they loved the two who stood in front of them.

"For this is what it means be your King and Queen" Queen Emily picked up as she took King Atticus' hand "A union with the people that shares all of its triumphs and all of its hardships yet it is certain, just as we have come so far already in such short years, together, we will rise to such heights of greatness they will sing of our generations ten thousand years from now!" Queen Emily finished powerfully.

The crowd responded with loud, nearly animalistic cheers.

"May Magic Light our Way!" the King and Queen shouted out.

"May Magic Light our Way!" the crowd responded and chanted again and again…and again.

And Tirtayasa joined in the chants.