Garo Dark Hollow
ESKK: Well new chapter let's begin.
(Start Road)
The group was in their car as they continued their journey. The main reason Tonks was with them was to make sure Alex got the help he needed and so far, they had nary any incidents with him. Taking semi-regular stops so Alex can vent out the excess magic build up was a good way to start. If he can cut loose without fear of harming someone it should ease the damage to himself somewhat. From what Zaruba said Obscurious tended to be beacons for Horror's to gather. Thankfully unlike becoming a Horror this ailment was treatable, but it took time and patience. Since these creatures had been thought to be extinct any information on them was lost or difficult to locate.
If there anywhere should have the information on a proper treatment to this ailment it should be the Land of Guidance. That was of course assuming they can get pass the guards of the place. The guards weren't something to fear the problem was they were stubborn about certain things. Two of those things being the fact that Tonks and Alex were considered outsiders to the order. Hopefully they would give them a pass to allow them through if it meant getting Alex the help he needed.
They continued to drive as Tonks then had to ask about the Land of Guidance while on the Passenger Side. "So, this, 'Land of Guidance,' what can you tell about it?" Dora asked as the Auror looked to Lucas curious as to what it entailed.
"Simple it's a secret place right on top of an area rich with magical aura." Lucas said as he drove the car. "It's like Hogwarts but without the EMP effect, yearly dangers, a new Defense Teacher every year, or being a regular school." Lucas said as he drove the car. "Believe it or not many Makai Priests and Alchemists come here to train so it's a very special location to them." Lucas said showing that it had a unique trait to it. "But as the name implies it will lead you to where you need to go but never where you WANT to go." Lucas added and thus it became clear what made this place so special.
"Will the people there be able to help me?" Alex asked from the backseat between Harry and Hermione.
"Nope, if you don't meet the qualifications... it will drop you into a pit so deep your screams will be the only thing you hear for years to come as you fall endlessly into a deep dark abyss." Lucas said causing Dora and Alex to go wide eye in fear.
As fear began to set in Lucas serious face began to crack and thus, he started laughing. "Blimey you should have seen your faces!" Lucas laughed as he continued driving the car.
Seeing that Lucas duped her Tonks glared and hit him in the arm. "You blood git!" She snapped and thus Lucas yelped to this.
"Easy I'm driving here." Lucas went on as he did his best to keep control of the car. "You want us to wreck?" Lucas asked as Dora then stopped and huffed knowing Lucas as grating as he can be, had a point. Harry sighed a little frustrated with Lucas and his antics but let it be for now. After all they shouldn't be too far off from their destination.
(Meanwhile the hidden Location)
Horrors were seen flying through this dark realm as the sound of armor was heard. As the Horror's looked for a meal they were soon met with a figure clad in black who, with a sword similar to the Garoken, cut the foes back before landing on the ground. When the armored figure did so he was soon attacked by more Horrors.
Using the given chance, the unknown Knight slashed his way through each of the Horrors cutting them down as they attacked. That was when a large one showed up and with a roar went after the Dark Warrior. The Unknown Knight jumped upward and sliced the Horror in two ending its life with one quick strike. As it vanished the figure walked away while his body began to glow and thus the armor retracted. As he walked out it was revealed the Knight was once more the unknown man who had been deep in shadows plotting and planning.
As he walked on forth, he soon passed by his ally who bowed her head to him in waiting. He then stopped in front of her but did not look directly to her. "I'll be taking a brief trip to the Land of Guidance. Hold down the fort until my return." He said and in turn the woman nodded to her lord and master.
"As you command." She said and thus he began to leave and head off to the Land of Guidance. While one cannot teleport directly there, there are loopholes that exist that can be used to get one to such a destination sooner. Besides he'd been meaning to pay the Golden Knight a visit and if his theory was correct then the current Golden Knight possessed one of the three which he needed for his plans.
(Scene Break back with the group)
The group was now seen on a hiking path of sorts making their way upward. Hermione's expanding satchel had all they would need but even if she was crazy prepared the group who were aware did not expect a long walk. Of course, that did not stop Alex from making his displeasure of this known. The main reason they were walking was because they went as far as they could by car thus their only option was to walk.
"Are we there yet?" Alex asked complaining about the trip.
"Soon just bear with it." Hermione urged as she knew Alex was still a child in spite of everything, he had endured this past week.
"So, you think the guards will let us through?" Dora asked as she walked with them.
"Doubt it, like I said their stubborn and I heard their teacher is worse." Lucas said as he walked with the group.
"By the book sort of person?" Harry asked as he never met or heard of this guy.
"Perhaps I heard of him but never actually met him." Lucas said and in turn Hermione noticed something ahead.
As the group stopped, they were met with the sight of two young men wielding weapons blocking their path appearing from the wood line. "This path leads to the Alchemist Village of the Land of Guidance." One said as he looked to the new arrivals.
"If you lot require passage then send away the outsiders." The other said as Harry looked to the guards and hoped to get them to let them pass peacefully.
"This boy is a host to a Obscuriual we need entry so he can be treated." Harry said gesturing to Alex knowing at the very least they can help him.
"Why tell us such a blatant lie, the last sighting of an Obscurious was decades ago." the first one said as Lucas knew that they were stubborn.
"If you had intended to sneak outsiders in, then you should not have used such an obvious lie." The other said and thus it was clear that they may not be able to do this peacefully.
"Ok Plan A didn't work, so here's how it will go." Lucas cut in as he pointed an accusing finger at the two guards. "You two blokes are going to let us in, then you elders will decide if we're lying capiche." Lucas said and thus Hermione face palmed herself over Lucas's total lack of tact.
"What did you say?" The second Guard asked as he saw they would not leave without a fight. The two then charged at the group causing Alex to gasp over what he saw next.
(Meanwhile nearby)
A young man in his mid to late 20's felt a disturbance as he was meditating on a lone rock. Opening his topaz-colored eyes, he looked to the source of the disturbance as he got on his feet. His combed down black hair framed his face as he knew that someone or something had met his students and whatever it was it was powerful. Taking off he followed the trail and was ready for a fight should it come down to it.
(Back with the group)
For Lucas and Harry dealing with the novice's was child's play as all they had to do was send a few well-placed strikes on them and used a hold to flip them to, the ground. The two were struggling to get up as Lucas dusted off his hands over his handywork.
"Now please let us through. We rather avoid a fight if we can help it." Harry said and in turn Zaruba and Silva sensed it.
"Harry! A strong force is approaching." Zaruba said much to the groups shock.
"Look out, Zero!" Silva warned and in turn a bow staff came flying at them. Acting fast Harry deflected it and thus saw how it stabbed into the ground.
From the wood line a man in a white and red duster jumped in and laned on the staff before jumping off and landing on the ground. HE then took his staff and pointed it at the new arrivals ready for a fight if needed. "You identify yourselves and explain your reasons for attacking my students." The young man said as he glared at the group clearly wanting answers from them.
"They forced our hands we would have avoided the fight if they just let us through." Harry said calmly as he looked to the man surprised with how young he looked, no doubt expecting a Knight with this sort of reputation to be... older.
"You cur, you dare come here with outsiders and attacked my students, these actions cannot go unpunished," the staff user said as he suddenly attacks harry as everyone back away from the two as they went at each other with Lucas let harry handle it for a time and will jump in if needed.
Tonks was confused and amazed to what she is watching, as she never seen a fight like this before as she sees Harry blocking and dodging the staff user with some major skills, no doubt he learnt it from the Order he is apart, as she never seen a wizard fight like that before.
Harry dodge the staff with ease as he backs away from the makai knight that's attacking him while quickly pulling out his sword while still in the scabbard to block the staff from striking him, as the staff user stop for a moment as his madou partner spoken up saying, "Hold on Simon, that red scabbard and the symbol upon it, there's no doubt about it, he is the Golden knight Garo."
The now known makai knight Simon was surprised by this as he heard this and turns to Harry as he said, "Your Harry Potter."
"I guess you figure out who I am," Harry said to Simon as the makai knight step closer to him as their weapon grind against each other creating sparks, as their true weapon aren't even out yet showing how intense the moment is right now as Simon said to him, "Tell me Potter, why did you come here for."
"I'm on a mission to save a life," Harry said as he pushed against Simon surprise to see the new golden knight pushing back at him as he went on saying, "And I won't stop until he is safe!"
Alex was in awe to Harry, as he stood his ground against Simon well enough but soon to be overpowered by the Golden Knight. Then with his second wind Simon began pushing the current Golden Knight back down and said, "Then see if you can withstand this."
Suddenly Simon let off making harry fall forwards while also using his staff to hit the back of harry and about to strike him again until Harry dodge it and try to counter, but Simon jump over harry while also kick at him, making Harry fall back from the hit with Tonks and Hermione cringing at this, with Tonks thinks Harry got it while Hermione was just worrying about her boyfriend as by the look of things Simon was a very skilled makai knight with an unusual fighting style that she or harry had never seen before.
Simon swung his staff around before stabbing it into the ground, making it stand on its own as he said, "Right now, the title of Garo has no power here."
Simon took a fighting stance against his foe as it shows he was switching to hand-to-hand combat. Harry obliges him in return as he stabbed Garoken into the ground as well and took his stance. Once they were ready both knights came at each other, as they both kick at each other negating their hits at each other.
They keep going at each other as they either dodging, countering or blocking each other moves before they came at each other with a reverse spin kick, locking their legs together as they soon started to punch at each other before they broke apart, as Simon landed a strike at harry that make him drop to the ground giving Simon an opening to get to his weapon.
Upon reaching him, Simon didn't grab it as he turns around to face Harry while he said to him, "Harry Potter, I heard the stories of slaying a mighty beast while you were still in that school of yours, thinking you were very strong but I see now you just get by with sheer luck, so now your luck ran out."
The guy jingled his earing as it rang out, with Tonks is soon shocked to see what was happening, as Harry stood up and grab his sword as he said, "I don't really care what people think of me anymore."
Suddenly Harry noticed a rock floating around him before it floated by with another in the other direction as Zaruba said, "Watch it, he casted a spell."
"People in your order can cast wandless spells?" Tonks said as she was surprised by this as Hermione said, "No that not it, that earing of his, it small but he used it as a catalyst to cast a wordless spell, it may not be used to cast spells like witches or wizards can, but it can be useful for many other things such as this."
Simon raised his hand and turned it over, commanding the rocks to fly at Harry, as he drew his sword and slash them away with a few going unnoticed by him strike his sides, causing him much pain when they struck him even try to block one by hand but that didn't work out too well for him.
Simon stood up as he grab his staff and flip it around while hitting a button that made a blade pop out from the end of the staff turning it into a spear before he charged at Harry with him, as it look like he was going to kill him until Hermione quickly rushes out while cast a bold of energy at Simon, making him back off quickly as she gotten in front of harry as she said, "That's enough, you will not harm him again!"
"Your, Makai Priestess I presume." Simon said glaring at Harry who glared back at him. "As a Priestess you should know our laws forbid outsiders from entering this place." Simon added but Hermione glared at him.
"We have our reasons for being here, a life may hang in the balance, and this is the only place we can travel to that can provide us with the tools we need." Hermione said as she looked to Simon almost daring him to try to stop them.
Just then a new voice cut in getting the groups attention. "That is enough!" An elderly voice called out and from there the group looked and saw an old woman began to approach them. "Makai Knights should not be fighting amongst themselves." The woman said as she used a walking stick while approaching them while accompanied by two young woman.
"Priestess Keria." Simon said which showed the group this woman's name.
"If you had paid attention to your Madou you would have seen Sir Potter's words held truth of the boys plight." Keria said as she approached the group which surprised Simon who looked at young Alex in shock. "Furthermore, we have been expecting them and as far as I see the 'outsider,' is our guest here." Keria said as this surprised Simon and Tonks this time.
"Well, someone is a right arse." Tonks said as she whispered to Lucas who then snickered to this.
"Now come along we rather not keep your lot waiting out here much longer." Keria said and thus she gestured for the group to follow. "I have sent word ahead to prepare for the boy, he will be in good hands." Keria promised as they took things like Obscurious seriously here.
"I do not approve of this Harry Potter." Simon said and thus Keria smirked to this.
"Then I suppose you will be in charge of keeping our guest here company." Keria said gesturing to Dora making Simon and Tonks go wide eyed.
"WHAT?!" Both the Knight and Witch gasped as the bracelet chuckled to this.
"You walked into that one Simon." The Madou Bracelet, Goruba, said as she found this funny.
"My apologies for the harsh welcome, please this way." Keria said gesturing for the group to follow.
(Later)
The group was seen walking up the hill as Simon stood near Tonks as the two gave sideway glares to each other. While they climbed the path Keria began to speak to Harry, Hermione, and Simon. "Please don't hold his actions against him, Simon tends to be a tad bit by the book at times." Keria said as she led the group to their destination.
"I personally don't like him nor the old man Madou with him." Zaruba said as it was just a personal opinion on his part.
"Never are there two Knights who are exactly the same." Keria simply said with a smile and closed eyes. "Now then as for the Madou Tool you had requested we have devised a way to make it and extract what is needed for its creation." The woman said as she led them before opening her eyes. "Ah it seems we are here." She announced and thus the group got to the top of the hill and in turn Alex and Dora were wide eyed at what they saw.
"Wow." Alex gasped at what he saw.
"Welcome to Arcana Village, a Makai Priest village of Trials." Keria announced much to the surprised of the group there.
(Later in the village)
The group arrived as Hermione looked around the village with a smile on her face. "I read about this place when I studied here for a time. The entire village was built on the water even the islands holding it was built this way." Hermione said as they got to the water's edge ready to enter the village.
"Of, course how can we forget our brightest of Priestesses." Keria said with a smile on her face making Hermione blush.
Of, course that was until a familiar voice of panic reached her eyes making her scowl. "WAIT I CAN EXPLAIN GOOD SIR!" Came the voice Hermione really wanted to strangle at times. Looking to the source Dora shielded Alex' eyes as Hermione's teacher Edward as naked as the day of his birth running away from what may be an angry husband with nothing but a pillow to hide his decency. "Your wife had a most awful and painful stiffness in her shoulders a most troubling ailment and I simply tried to ease her of it." Edward tried to explain which Hermione knew was a ball face lie from the man.
"That does NOT explain your own stiffness!" The angry Priest yelled chasing after Edward intent to harm him.
"Oh well you see... oh good lord, look it's a Horror!" Edward cried out and thus the far Priest looked to the source.
"What where!?" He asked clearly not the brightest of the bunch since it was day light outside. But when he saw nothing, he looked back and saw Edward had vanished. "What the where did that Snake slither off to?!" The man asked as Edward was hiding on the roof attempting to escape his pursuer. He soon got to the group as Simon rubbed his eyes in frustration as Dora continued to cover the ever confused and naive Alex' eyes. "Ah good day everyone and welcome my wayward students." Edward said as he was no longer trying to hide his shame.
Hermione was just embarrassed to have ever been trained by this man to hunt Horrors which Harry understood and shared. "He's been a menace ever since he arrived here." Simon said as he had been looking for an excuse to be rid of this swine for nearly two months.
(Later)
In the main hut the now dressed Simon was with the group as they all gathered around a fire. "However, a woman of the Order could marry such a man is beyond me." Edward said as he rubbed his head a bit. Nearby on his perch Zaruba rolled his eyes to Edward's antics.
"However, you could go after any woman especially a married one is beyond me." Hermione said as she made her dislike of Edward clear due to his objectivation of woman.
"I'm afraid he has always been like this, Hermione." Zaruba said as he had long since accepted that fact about Edward.
"Ah my dear student it is a desire only a man would truly enjoy." Edward said only for Harry to hold Hermione back from lashing out at him. Hermione had her Madou Brush out ready to attack as Harry was struggling to hold his girlfriend/partner back. "Now then I assume you all came her for the tool, correct?" Edward asked as he had been here working on it without end.
"Yes..." Hermione growled as she sat back down. "Do you, have it?" She asked and thus Edward sighed.
"Alas not yet I'm afraid." Edward said as he then looked to Harry. "I still lack the main ingredient." Edward said looking to Harry's scar.
"And you have a solution to remove it safely then?" Harry asked and thus Edward nodded to this.
"Why yes you're currently the holder of it after all." Edward said as Keria then spoke up.
"The force the dark fragment out of you we must use Garo as a focus and an intersection point to transfer the Fragment into the Madou Tool. This would in turn leave you vulnerable to attack hence why we need to do it here." Keria said as Edward took out the took which looked somewhat like a compass.
"Good." Zaruba suddenly spoke as he looked to the group. "The sooner we can get this done the sooner we may deal with the man who desires Harry's death." The Madou Ring said just before much to everyone's shock Zaruba lit aflame causing him to cry out in pain from it.
"Wow?!" Alex gasped as he saw what was happening.
"Huh it's happening sooner than I thought." Edward said as Hermione nodded to this no doubt having been given warning as well.
"Um why are you calm he's bloody well on fire!" Dora called out looking to Zaruba.
"Oh, worry not my dear." Edward said as he pulled out a Madou Brush and got to work while Zaruba continued to cry out in pain. "A Mystical liquid the Japanese called Sisui has simply grown stale within him it need only to be purified and reapplied to him." Edward said as soon the fire went out and Zaruba was gasping for air from the pain suddenly ending. "My brother, god rest his soul, warned me of this happening and I had since prepped Hermione to perform the needed ritual." Edward said as he put his Madou Brush away.
"Yes, but wait isn't the Land of Guidance activating tonight?" Hermione asked and thus Edward heard this.
"Why yes what a most opportune time cleansing our Golden Knight of the Horcrux, acquiring a Tool to track other Horcrux's, reapplying the Sisui for Zaruba, and finally acquiring guidance from the trials." Edward said as for him it would seem the groups arrive was killing four birds with one stone.
"But that would mean I would need to undergo the trials to begin with." Hermione said knowing how difficult the trials can be.
"Well, nothing ventured nothing gained I always say." Edward said as he smiled to this. "And once all is said and done perhaps you and our new Golden Knight may begin the conception of the next Golden Knight, this village does possess several places for a proper love." He began and thus Hermione had enough of him.
(Outside)
Edward cried out as he was launched out of the hut into the water outside much to the shock of the two aids guarding the door.
(Inside)
"It would seem my old teacher needed to cool off, the heat is quite deadly for a man of his age." Hermione weaved with her eyes closed after throwing her teacher out with her bare hands. She then walked over to Zaruba and picked up the Madou Ring. "I will be happy to do so Garo should never be without Zaruba after all." Hermione said and thus Kerea nodded the girl.
"Good I suggest you exercise caution the trials are not for the faint of heart." Kerea said to which Simon understood the given order.
"I understand." Hermione responded with a nod knowing full well she was risking her life here. But if the reward was worth the risk, then best to dive straight on in headfirst.
Just then a voice was heard from the door. "Pardon me." One of Kerea's aids spoke as the two bowed to the woman.
"We are ready to begin Alexander's treatment." The second one said and Hermione in turn understood the order.
"Very well I do need to prepare after all." Hermione said and thus it was time to move on.
(Later at one of the shops)
Hermione stood in a shop with Dora by her side as the Witch was surprised by the number of weapons stored away from classical swords to deadly looking guns. There was so much Tonks even began to wonder if having this many weapons was even legal out here. "Just developed that one about a week ago and got the golden seal of approval." The man behind the desk said as he showed off the newest product. "I brand new Anti-Horror hand cannon the Wire Gun has reached it end because not only can this bad boy be used for ranged combat." The man said as he was boasting about the new weapon. "It can also help you get up close and personal to a Horror, as long as you have its twin." The man said adjusting his summer sunglasses as Hermione looked the weapon over.
"Hmm." Hermione hummed looking the guns over. She had been a proud supporter of gun control laws but even she had to admit brushes and wires can only get so far with Horrors. "I'll take them." Hermione announced as she then slammed down a large wad of bills onto the table.
"Good, thank you." He said happy that his gear was still selling. "Also got another bit of new equipment." The man said as he then put on the table what looked to be a case of bullets as he then took one out. "These little fuckers here can be used in a gun as normal but have more piercing advantage to it or you can be used as a wide range explosive." The man said as Hermione heard this and was actually impressed.
"Impressive." Hermione said as she added another wad of bills to the table.
Tonks was surprised to see how much money Hermione carried as the business continued. Hermione on the other hand was happy to use some of these tools. Yes, she can create her own tools no problem but some of the better tools could only be made by others hence why she likes to come here and spew her savings a bit on this. Thankfully Harry gave Hermione direct access to his account that he can deactivate at any point he chooses and best part the Makai Order pays a handsome amount of money for their work. Besides fighting Horrors with clear sign of death at any moment should have the ones working paid a large sum of money.
"Well while you're on a shopping spree Ms. Granger how about this mother fucker." The man said and thus slammed a massive gatling gun onto the table.
Tonks was wide eyed as Hermione looked a bit nervous now. "Thank you... but no thank you it's far too large for how I fight." Hermione said and thus the man was upset now.
"Dammit." He cursed as he took the massive weapon off the table. "One of these days I'll get you to buy it." He said knowing that bad boy costs a lot of money. "But since that day is not today how about something up your alley." He said as he placed a riffle on the table. "This weapon is a semi-auto durable for combat but light as a feather." The man said as Hermione picked up the gun and was shocked how easy it was for her to wave it around with one hand without struggle.
"Can switch between semi and full auto at the drop of a dime and that blade at the end will tear into a Horror like a lion to a warthog." the man said gesturing to the jagged sharp edge at the end of the weapon just under the barrel. "Not as pricey as my big boy but..." He trailed off and thus a few more stacks of money were added to the table.
"I'll take it." Hermione said and in turn the man smiled to this.
"Thanks for the business!" He cheered as no doubt Hermione was one of his favorites. A girl who knows what she wants AND what she needs his favorite combination.
'Bloody Hell what have you been doing, Hermione?' Tonks wondered as she saw how large those wads of money were.
(Scene Break Back with Harry)
"So, someone is actively causing all of this?" Harry asked as he looked to Kerea as Simon and Lucas.
"All clues we've uncovered points to this, and Voldemort has proven to be a pawn in a much larger game." Kerea said as she looked to the group.
"So, offing old snake face won't do shit so we gotta find the actual head." Lucas said as he crossed his arms and tilted his head while sitting around the fire.
"It would seem that way." Simon said as he sat with his spear resting against his shoulder.
"I fear the battles to come may require more than Garo can provide." Kerea said fearing the worse and in turn thought long and hard on how to approach this. Just then a familiar cry was heard causing Kerea to smile a bit. "Hmm it seems our singing fire has returned again." Kerea said and in turn Harry was confused by this.
(Outside)
The group arrived and in turn Harry was wide eyed at what he saw. "An odd one that Phoenix he just showed up out of nowhere one day and has yet to leave us for long." Kerea said as she looked to the phoenix whom Harry recognized.
"Fawkes?" Harry asked as he looked to the firebird in question while approaching him. As Harry got close enough, he reached out his hand and began to rub under the bird's head to which it rubbed closer to Harry's hand. "Fawkes what are you doing here?" Harry asked as he looked to the Firebird.
"You know this fried chicken?" Lucas asked causing the Phoenix to snap at Lucas when he got close.
"Yes, he was Dumbledore's Phoenix." Harry said as he looked to the bird. "When he died Fawkes must have left for greener pasters." Harry said as he rubbed the top of the Phoenix head. "But that does not explain why he is here." Harry said as he was wondering why Fawkes would come all the way to this place.
"Harry." Came the voice of Hermione as Harry looked and saw his girlfriend standing there with a smile to her boyfriend. "You ready for the ritual?" She asked before looking to Fawkes. "Wait Fawkes?" Hermione asked as she looked to the Phoenix in question.
(Scene Break that Night)
The rest of the day was spent relaxing by the group as the sun eventually began to set. When sun set arrive, it seems the village had a tendency to have a large meal with each other. It almost looked like a family reunion among them as all was well. Simon was calm collected as he ate his food while children were nearby laughing. Alex was dressed in their garb as well as he and the children ran over to Lucas. Lucas looked asleep and when the kids were about to poke him, he grabbed the stick and make a fake roar as he used the stick and a second one to make it look like he had horns.
Lucas began a funny monster walk as the kids laughed and ran from Lucas who was playing along with them. Near Simon Tonks was seen as she began to wonder why he seems so wound up but at least he wasn't in self-pity mode 24/7 like Remus was. As Harry ate his food, he and Hermione sat next to each other as Zaruba saw the interaction and knew for a fact the lineage of the Golden Knight was in good hands.
Eventually the celebrations ended as Hermione was approaching a canoe to depart for her journey to the Land of Guidance. As Hermione stood there Simon stood off to the side as on her Madou Brush Zaruba was seen since he had a place in this at the moment. On either side of her were members of this village dressed in robes holding torches that all formed a path to the canoes which Hermione was approaching. But just before the Canoes was a shrine of sorts awaiting her.
At the end of it, Kerea was there waiting for her holding a torch in one hand and her walking stick, now looking fit for a ceremony, in the other. Once Hermione stood before her, she kneeled down and in turn the elderly Priestess waved her staff over Hermione causing a rattling sound to come from it.
She then lifted her torch and swung it over Hermione showing a tradition among the Order. "Makai Priestess. You, who wish to challenge the Land of Guidance." Kerea said as she waved the torch about. "May the correct path open up to you." Kerea said and in turn Hermione opened her eyes to begin her trial.
She would have to do this on her own, Knights were not normally permitted into the Land without special permission first. Harry was currently undergoing the cleansing to remove the Horcrux from his body, Simon was to watch over it and act as Dora's escort, and Lucas was keeping an eye on Alex as he begins his treatment to remove the magical parasite, he had.
Thus, Hermione made her way over to the Canoes to begin his journey to the Land of Guidance. Unaware to her Fawkes saw this and took flight once more when no one was paying attention silently following Hermione.
(Scene Break Hermione)
Hermione arrived at the island docks which the canoes ferryman allowed her to depart. "Thankyou." Hermione thanked the Priest who nodded and took his leave from the docks. "Well, Zaruba are you ready to be rejuvenated?" Hermione asked as she looked to the Madou Ring.
"As I'll ever be." Zaruba said as he knew it had to be done. Thankfully it's done so rarely that its hardly much of a problem for the Madou Ring. With a nod Hermione began to walk knowing that she would be on her own for this trial. The path would be a long hence why she needed to start moving because once the Full Moon reached its apex then the path will be made clear.
(Later)
Hermione had been walking for a good hour in silence as she kept her eyes peeled for any problems. She shouldn't expect anything, but the Witch turned Makai Priestess could never be too careful. Once she acquired the information the Land had to offer, she would bring it back to Harry and they can make their next move there.
"Hermione." Zaruba began as he got Hermione's attention. "I may be so bold, why did you choose this path in life?" Zaruba asked as Hermione heard the Madou Ring.
"Why do you want to know?" Hermione asked with a raised brow.
"Humor an old man." Zaruba responded but Hermione chuckled a bit.
"You're not that old." Hermione said and in turn Zaruba returned to chuckle. "I suppose I chose it because I was selfish." Hermione admitted much to Zaruba's shock. "Without Harry the magical world lost its luster and I actually looked at the darkness that it was." Hermione said as she told her story to Zaruba. "I wanted to support Harry in whatever he chose to do and with this path I knew he would most likely kill himself without someone to watch over him." Hermione said as she knew Harry's saving people thing correlated with the Knights path as one who protects.
"So, you followed him to fight by his side." Zaruba said as he chuckled to this. "I don't think that is selfish Hermione, but it is in fact loyal." Zaruba said as he found Hermione to be intriguing. "I believe Harry is in good hands with you and I by his side." Zaruba added as Hermione heard this.
Taking a moment Hermione smiled to the Madou Rings words until she suddenly stopped. Before her was a large valley where no life seems to grow. As she looked to the scene she then looked upward where she saw the clouds began to part. "Under the light of the Full Moon the Land of Guidance shall appear." Hermione said and in turn once the full moon was revealed it shined down a powerful light upon the ground below that would blind all those without proper protection.
The light covered the valley until it eventually began to dye down. When the light vanished, it left behind a large structure in its wake... the Temple of the Land of Guidance. "Hmm flashy." Zaruba chuckled and in turn Hermione began to approach the structure before her.
(Later at the Temple)
Hermione approached the temple as she saw it was empty and deserted save for the alter that caught her attention. "Huh?" Hermione asked walking over to the alter.
"What is it?" Zaruba asked the Makai Priestess.
"Inscriptions." Hermione said as she began to read them aloud. "Those who seek guidance must display resolve." Hermione read and in turn knew what this meant. Soon growling was heard around her as from the shadows a pack of white furred green eyes wolves appeared snarling all of them ready to kill the Priestess for even daring to enter this sacred place.
In response to the new arrivals Hermione drew her twin guns and glared at her foes knowing what was coming and was in turn set for battle. The wolf creatures roared and began to attack Hermione who retaliated with the guns and began to shoot the creatures around her. The way she moved was like art for each shot she made met its target without end. With each one that fell the more ferocious the survivors grew against the intruder. The remaining few in turn saw what Hermione was doing and thus began to surround her.
The entire pack then charged and in response Hermione jumped upward holstering the twin pistoles and drew the rifle. What followed as a rain of bullets curtesy of Hermione as they took out more of these beasts for, her. Once Hermione landed in a clear spot, she began running about jumping and firing at the creatures around her as the wolf spirits were not able to keep up with her like they hoped. It wasn't until she thinned their numbers enough that Hermione started to let loose a bit more. Going skyward once more Hermione drew her Madou Brush and aimed it and her rifle at the wolf creatures summoning a circle at the barrel for a special attack. Pulling the trigger, a spread shot came down and hit the remaining few that were still on the ground.
These past few years had done the Witch turned Priestess well as she calmly fell back to the ground and landed in a crouching position. The last few that managed to survive moved in on Hermione who in response took out sealed vials of some sort of substance which flew between the pack of wolves.
Firing her gun once more the exposure to air caused a reaction and thus the vials all exploded taking the last few of those monsters with it. The result was Hermione seemingly by herself as she sighed in relief over her victory... at least until Zaruba spoke up. "Hermione it's not over yet, look out!" Zaruba called out and thus Hermione looked in time to see a massive minotaur-based beast swinging its hatchet down on Hermione. Hermione jumped out of the way in time to see it destroy the ground where Hermione once stood prior. Acting fast Hermione opened fire on the beast but much to her shock her attacks did nothing to it.
Growling Hermione fired a few more rounds until the clip was empty showing the creature was unscathed by her attacks. "Dammit." Hermione said reached into her expansive satchel where she then drew out a spear weapon. Holding it at the ready Hermione proceeded to charge and thus began fighting her foe and to her joy managed to hurt it this time. She continued to do so until the creature had enough and swung its weapon against the Makai Priestess forcing her to jump back from it. Once she had some distance Hermione summoned up a second spear and ran around her foe grinding the weapons on the ground creating sparks as she did so.
Then with a war cry Hermione jumped upward and came down swinging on the monster. But her attack was blocked by the surprisingly agile beast who force her back before bashing her away. Hermione cried out in pain when she flew through the air just before she hit a wall nearby busting through it. "Hermione! Are you ok!?" Zaruba asked with concern for the Witch turned Priestess.
"No... I'm not done yet." Hermione said as she began to get back up before pointing her right index and middle fingers at the creature having it rest on her left wrist with her left hand as a fist. In response beams of magic shot out from the wall via seals that all hit the monster one after the other intent on ending it here and now. "I'll show you, my resolve." Hermione growled as she glared at the creature while the laser fire continued. "I will do whatever it takes to fight by Harry's side as one who protects!" Hermione announced as she glared at her foe.
"I will aid Garo and eliminate all Horrors who stand in our way!" Hermione called out as she glared at her foe. "Even if I must abandon my beliefs and morals to eliminate the Horrors so be it, I'll endure that punishment and exile!" She announced showing her resolve against her foe.
Soon rubble came down upon the creature and on each piece of it, runes began to glow before detonating on it. The smoke covered the area for but a moment before the creature rose up again clearly far from defeated. In her hand was a ceremonial dagger as she began to draw her power and begin an invocation. "O Mana of the Earth." Hermione began in the language of the Makai as the dagger gave off a glow of sacred energy. "Obey me and destroy the enemy before me!" She invoked and in turn stabbed the dagger into the ground thus erecting a massive circle covered in the symbols of the Order. "Turn him to dust!" She finished and in turn the entire area went up in a massive explosion.
It was so mighty that it even blasted a hole through the roof of this fortress allowing for moonlight to flow in. Once the smoke settled Hermione began to catch her breath as she stood back up and wiped off the blood dripping from her head. "Impressive." Zaruba announced as he saw Hermione had done it.
"Yes, it was." Hermione said and in turn looked to the Alter.
"Good." A new voice spoke with a deep ancient tone as on the alter Fawkes was seen but his eyes were now glowing. "You have proven your valor and strength Makai Priestess Hermione Granger." The voice spoke using Fawkes as a medium for it.
"Seems the Land of Guidance had summoned Fawkes here to possess him." Zaruba said as he saw what was going on here.
"Yes." The Land of Guidance spoke as Hermione paid attention to what it had to say to her. "Hear my words carefully the darkness of Voldemort is but a prelude to an evil yet to come." The spirit spoke as he looked to the group through the glowing eyes that Fawkes now had.
"So... do you know what the outcome is?" Hermione asked but the Spirit had to regrettably disappoint the Priestess.
"I do not for I am not Omnipotent." He began as he looked upon Hermione. "But I know the name of the foe you face. A shadow that has troubled Garo for countless generations its form always changing but its hatred never changing." The Being said as he looked upon the duo. "Many have fell to his dark promises and honey-soaked whispers turning the most noble of knights and priests to whatever cause the Golden Knight fights for." The Land of guidance revealed as Hermione heard every word it spoke.
"Does this, being of darkness have a name?" Hermione asked as she looked to the Spirit.
"Its name... is Dark Knight Kiba." The Land of Guidance revealed and in turn Hermione was surprised by those words how it spoke showed that even this ancient entity saw the evil that Kiba brings to the world. "Be wary of his latest inheritor he will no doubt come seeking to expunge the light of Garo." The Land of Guidance revealed and in turn Hermione knew to be on the lookout for this supposed Dark Knight Kiba. "Seek out the last Horcruxes and beyond that seek out the Deathly Hollows they are the latest of many instruments Kiba seeks to use to empower his own Darkness." The Land of Guidance said just as the entire fortress began to go up in light. Hermione felt the wind blow around her and in turn felt something appear in her hand. Soon the particles turned into doves and flew off into the night as Hermione smiled to the scene. Looking at her hand she saw a vial of the water she needed to fix up Zaruba.
"Finally, it would seem that our journey this evening ends here." Zaruba said as he was looking forward to not being on fire anymore.
"I suppose so." Hermione smiled and in turn they got ready for the next part. The ritual to follow would not take them to long to perform.
(Scene Break the next day)
Harry began to wake up as he felt himself to be in pain. The night for him was a long one as the order worked to remove the Horcrux from his body. It would seem since the fragment was not dealt with sooner it had time to set root, inside the boy and needless to say it was not leaving without a fight. As Harry looked around, he saw that he was alive for the most part as he looked around and saw his gear nearby.
"Good your awake." Hermione was heard as Harry looked and saw Harry waiting by his bed side for him to awaken. Hermione was also sporting bandages as Harry began to worry for her.
"The Horcrux was it." Harry began but Simon was then heard.
"Worry not it's been dealt with." Simon said with Lucas next to him.
"In fact, we got the fucker right here." Lucas said and thus showed to Harry a small, sealed flask with the Horcrux snarling and raging inside it. "And look who else is back." Lucas gestured and in turn Hermione presented to Harry Zaruba.
"Welcome back... Zaruba." Harry said taking the Madou Ring and putting him back on his left middle finger.
"Good to be back." Zaruba responded with a happy tone. "I'm ready to return to work hopefully you are." Zaruba said and thus Edward walked in to see the group.
"One last thing first." The man said and thus they all knew what he meant.
(Later)
The group was surrounding a cauldron as the fragment was transferred from the vial to a containment sphere where it banged on the wall trying to get free. Edward held it in the air with his Madou Brush before joining it within the contents of the Cauldron. Adding to it the Makai Priest and in turn it began to mix with the other ingredients and start glowing. "Quickly a map!" Edward called out and thus Hermione pulled out a map with symbols on either side in the Makai language. Pulling the glow from the concoction he hovered it over to the map and in turn on the map three dots of light appeared in the areas of Scotland, London, and one in Wiltshire.
"Are those?" Simon began and thus Harry nodded.
"Yes, Riddle's last three Horcruxes." Harry said as he looked to the two.
"One is in Hogwarts." Hermione announced as she pointed to the one in Scotland.
"Wait weren't we already in London?" Lucas asked as he looked to the dot back in London.
"What about the one here?" Simon asked as he pointed to the one in Wiltshire.
"It has to be where Tom is based out at Death Eater Headquarters." Harry said as he saw that it had to be the place. "And knowing Riddle the only way we're going to get there is if we knew the secret or... get captured." Harry said as he needed a plan.
In turn Hermione was reminded of the Land of Guidance warning to her. "Harry... Riddle isn't our biggest problem." Hermione said and in turn she began to regal the group of what the Land of Guidance told her.
(Scene Break Kiba)
The Dark Figure entered his shadowed room and took his seat once more. "Well, it seems that Garo is on my trail." The man said with a sigh.
"Are you worried milord?" The Priestess asked as she looked to her master.
"Not at all... But I fear we may need to contact the others." He said only for the doors to open.
"No need to do so." One of them said walking in with a spear.
"Your partner told us enough and thankfully we finished up on our end." The other said with a buckler on his left arm causing the leader to smile.
"Well then... welcome home." He greeted and in turn it was clear that they were at the halfway point of the grand scheme. But the questioned remained that were yet answered. But until the last battle all that was left was speculations from both sides of the coin. But the time will come where battle lines will be drawn and Kiba will ensure his darkness shall finally consume Garo's light.
(TBC)
ESKK: Well, here we are Chapter 10 I hope you all enjoy it and will join us for the next chapter. But until then I ask you all to leave a review for me and as I always say ja-ne.