Garo Dark Hollow
ESKK: Well, here you go another new chapter let's get this started, folks.
(Start On the Road)
On a dirt road the group of four was seen walking to their desired destination. "You know if something happens the car will be left behind right." Lucas said as quite frankly he liked that car.
"It cannot be helped." Simon said with a calm tone in his voice. "The rest of the way can only be reached by foot." Simon said as they had a destination in mine. Earlier they had stopped by a muggle town and left the car there when an urgent message had reached Harry and Hermione.
"Yeah, why do the wizards have to be so old style like this?" Lucas asked and thus Hermione gave him an incredulous look.
"Says the Knight who hunts Horrors in secret for an order who had done so in secret for centuries." Hermione said and thus Silva chuckled to this.
"She has you pegged, Zero." Silva said with a small chuckled in her voice.
"We best focus, after all if what the letter said was true then we are in danger." Simon said focusing on the task at hand.
"Yeah whatever." Lucas said with a relaxed yet tired tone.
Harry meanwhile had a cold look on his face as he knew that this was bad. The message they had received the night before had gotten all of them on edge since it brought Harry into the war he wanted to avoid.
(Flashback)
The quartet were seen in a Tavern as they were eating a meal. Thankfully, the Makai Order supplied them with ample funds, so they had very little reason to fear going broke anytime soon. "Ok so we have our plan, we'll go to London enter Gringotts under disguise and speak to the Goblins about acquiring the soul fragment inside." Simon said after swallowing his food.
"Yes, seeing as the Goblin Nation and Order have a close relationship acquiring their aid in the acquisition of this Horcrux will be child's play and if worse comes to worse we can use Sirius in his compacity as Lord Black to acquire it." Hermione said making it clear that she studied every viable way to pull a win out of this.
"It sounds simple on paper but... we don't have the best track record of things going our way." Simon said noting the fact that things hardly ever go their way like that.
"Regrettably, he has a point." Zaruba said knowing things hardly ever go their way. "We best keep several other plans in the works in case we need a backup plan to the backup plan." Zaruba added making sure everyone understood that they needed to be ready for anything.
Still as they ate their food something caught their attention that was not there before. On a small empty plate was a letter which carried the Orders crest on a wax seal. Taking it Harry lit his Madou Lighter and turned the letter to ash to read its contents. Thankfully since it was late at night no one would notice either being tired or drunk out of their minds.
"A breach has occurred; the raven moon seer has been abducted from her home. Travel to her home, investigate, and retrieve her." Hermione read and in turn she and Harry went wide eyed knowing who this Raven Moon Seer was.
"Luna!?" Harry and Hermione both gasped realizing Luna was in danger.
(End Flashback)
When the order came in it brought many fears to them, was Luna being used as bait or did the Death Eaters learn something about the order. Whatever the reason or cause maybe they had to do what they could to rescue her. So here they were walking up the path to the Rookery in which where the Lovegood's called home which was not that far away from the Burrow that by the look of things had recovered quite nicely since the Death Eater attack during the wedding.
Walking up to the front door Harry was the first to act as he banged his fist onto the door. "Mr. Lovegood are you home?" Harry asked aloud as he tried to get Xenophilius Lovegood to respond. When no answer came, Harry tried knocked on the door again hoping to get a response. "Mr. Lovegood it's Harry and the order can you let us in?" Harry asked again and not long after the door opened in which Xenophilius saw the group.
"Ah Harry, Ms. Granger it's so good to see you two and friends." He said and thus began to usher the group in. "Please come in, come in." He said bringing the group inside before closing the door behind them.
(Later in the Printing Room)
The group were meeting in Printing Room for the Quibbler as Xenophilius brought them tea which Lucas turned down upon being offered. "It's so good to see you all again. I have not seen any of you since the wedding." The Lovegood patriarch greeted as he entertained his guests.
"It's good to see you too but we're not here for pleasantries." Harry said as he looked to Xenophilius. "We got word Luna was taken do you know what happened?" Harry asked as he looked to Xenophilius hoping he had any information to give on Luna's whereabouts and situation.
"I... I'm not sure." HE spoke as Zaruba noticed something amiss here. "The day started out as it normally did, I was printing copies of the Quibbler my little eggplant was helping, and when things slowed, I continued my research into the Deathly Hallows." Xenophilius explained and in turn this got Simon's attention.
"The Deathly Hallows?" Simon as the tone he used was one of familiarity on the subject.
"You know about them?" Xenophilius asked as he looked to Simon with mild surprise.
"I know that the lore behind them is a tad bit obscure." Simon confessed as he looked to the group. "Among wizarding culture, it's been turned into a story within the Beetles and the Bard." Simon said and in turn he looked to the group. "It tells the story of three brothers who met with the entity of Death who tricked them into dying after they used magic to cross a bridge where many would die." Simon said giving a brief summary of the tale. "The First brother arrogantly had Death make him an unbeatable Wand fashioned from an Elder Tree, the second brother sought to humiliate Death by demanding a stone to allow him to call back the dead, and finally the third brother asked for a cloak to escape Death unnoticed." Simon spoke and thus Hermione knew the rest.
"The first brother grew drunk on the wands power and was killed in his sleep with the wand stolen from him, the second brother committed suicide after failing to resurrect his dead love as the stone only called back her spirit, and finally the third brother reached an old age before giving his cloak of invisibility to his son before death took him next." Hermione finished as Zaruba chuckled to this.
"That was but a tale to deceive many to keep them from looking deeper into the truth." Zaruba said as he looked to Harry. "Seeing as you are the latest inheritor of the cloak Harry its best you hear this tale now." Zaruba added showing he knew the truth of the Hollows. "The truth is the Deathly Hallows are in fact parts of an exceptionally powerful Horror from days of yore." Zaruba spoke which got everyone's attention. "This Horror was known for the countless number of deaths it brought with it; some had even called it a horseman of the Messiah." Zaruba told with everyone now showing concern and worry.
"It rained terror upon the British Isles for centuries until one day a group of Knights and a single Priest came forth and ended its reign." Zaruba spoke and thus he got to the climax of the tale. "They stood victorious over the beast and to strip it of its power they skinned it, carved out its heart, and removed its bones before sealing the rest away under a lone Elder Tree by a River where many had met grisly ends at." Zaruba spoke and in turn this got the groups concern.
"I suppose that meant Death in the tale of the Beetle and the Bard was..." Hermione trailed off and thus Zaruba confirmed her suspicion.
"Yes, the Priest who was protecting these artifacts, his life was weighing and the temptations the artifacts brought were tearing his soul asunder thus he divided them between the unsuspecting Wizards know that through them they would be lost to the pages of time." Zaruba spoke and thus brought the unwelcome news. "Since Dumbledore had the bone or as it is called the 'Death Stick,' I suspect someone must have made the connection since his wand was missing." Zaruba said as he remembered reading the news after Harry got the newspaper.
"Wait so I've been carrying Horror Skin all these years?!" Harry asked as he now felt a tad bit sick over this fact.
"Harry, I don't think that is our biggest concern." Hermione said as something troubling occurred to her. "If Dumbledore's wand was the bones, and you have the flesh through your cloak... what about the heart?" Hermione asked and in turn Simon scoffed to this.
"Impossible the heart has been missing for centuries, the flesh and bone have been accounted for ever since the conception of the three why should we worry about it?" Simon asked but then Lucas actually used his brains.
"Because maybe snake boy unknowingly found it." Lucas began as he looked to the image of the Deathly Hollows nearby. "And in turn the old goat found it." Lucas added and in turn this put a troubling perspective to them.
"Are you saying Dumbledore was killed because someone knew what he had?" Harry asked as he may have no love loss for him it also put something concerning in their mind.
"That he had two of the artifacts and was killed for it would suggest one of our own was involved with it." Lucas said as this suggested that the Order had a traitor among them. "Either that... or someone believes in that Master of Death Hogwash." Lucas said and in turn they had more to worry about and that was a possible conspiracy within the Order.
"We can focus on that later." Simon cut in getting back onto the reason they were here. "Xenophilius is there anything you can tell us about Luna and those who took her was there anything off about her prior?" Simon asked as Xenophilius then realized they were back on the original topic of discussion.
"Well, you see I was researching the Deathly Hollows when she vanished, and I fear V-Voldemort." He began but was then cut off by the Makai Knights who all swung weapons at him and held him at blade point. Harry then held his Madou Lighter in front of Xenophilius eyes and saw there was no reaction from it. Hermione checked his arms and saw no Dark Mark on either of them meaning that he was clean.
"I... I can explain." Xenophilius said as Lucas glared at him for saying the jinx.
"You give thirty seconds." Lucas said and thus Xenophilius explained himself.
"They took her, the Dark Lords followers took my daughter." Xenophilius confessed as he looked to the group. "They said they'd free her if I give you up." Xenophilius said as Harry glared at the man.
"And you took them at their word?" Harry asked but Xenophilius was defensive here.
"What choice did I have?!" He demanded as it was clear he wanted to save his daughter.
"He has a point." Lucas said as he eased up a bit and in turn, they knew they had to save Luna by any means available to them.
"Two birds... one stone." Hermione said as she began to realize how they could use this. "The Horcrux Nagini, and Luna might be located at the same place because we know You-Know-Who would not allow anyone but himself to kill you, Harry." Hermione said and thus she began to formulate a plan. "I have an idea." Hermione said and thus they knew they had to take a dive. "But it includes using you as live bait, Harry." Hermione said warning Harry of what was to come if they do this.
"Let's hear it." Harry said without even a moment of hesitation in his voice.
"Alright but I'd like to say... sorry in advance." Hermione said knowing she would have to do it later in the forest.
(Scene Break Later in the Woods)
The group was seen running through the woods to seemingly avoid the Snatchers coming for them. The group had made ample sure to have as big of a head start as possible so to draw them Snatchers away from Xenophilius. The had thankfully used a Madou Tool to send word to the Watchdog and Senate to get Xenophilius out as soon as possible. Thus, as they ran, they made sure to lead their chasers on a goose chase making sure to get them all nice and tired for the eventual catch.
"Is this far enough?" Harry asked as he looked around the clearing, they stopped at.
"Yeah, should be good." Lucas said as they got ready for the Snatchers.
"Here they come." Simon spoke and thus from the wood line spell fire came at them to stun them. Thankfully, they moved out of the way in time as the Snatchers moved in no doubt under Voldemort's command. Of course, they opted to put up a bit of a fight with Harry and Hermione firing off spells to return fire while Simon and Lucas opted to use hand-to-hand combat while using the occasional rock as a makeshift weapon.
They had to make it look like they put up a fight here hence why they were doing it like this. Hermione had taken precautions to hide their weapons inside her expanded satchel so as to avoid them being taken or left behind. Thank goodness for the expansion charm since it would not register to the Soul Metal that someone other than their intended Knight was carrying it.
Lucas then jumped from the side of a tree and kicked a Snatcher in the face before punching another down. He made sure to hold back as Simon then flicked his earring to send stones forth to attack the Snatchers. He intentionally missed as Hermione's plan had them getting captured.
Just then Lucas yelped as he was stunned and sent falling to the ground where he laid their perfectly still. Seeing Lucas as the signal Hermione ran to the wide firing off a few more spells as Harry got ready for what came next. "This is gonna hurt." Harry growled and thus he let one of the spells Hermione fired hit him in the face knocking him down hard. Harry hit the ground causing Simon to go wide eyed and then got hit by another stunner while Hermione was the next to fall.
Harry began to get back up and soon found himself grabbed by the Snatchers. "So, we find Granger, those two mudbloods, and..." The Snatcher leading them began but trailed off when he saw Harry who looked like he could pass as Quasimodo if he got a hunchback to go with the face. "Who the heck are you ugly?" HE asked looking at Harry as his scar had long since faded.
"Wilhelm." Harry lied and in turn they were in. Of course, since they were 'mudbloods,' the Snatchers had no problem taking the four to where the Death Eaters forces were based. So, grabbing one each they side along apparated to the location in which Harry hoped they'd find Nagini as well as Luna.
(Scene Break Malfoy Manor)
Needless to say, Harry was surprised when they were brought before the home of Draco Malfoy his old rival. So being pushed in Harry noticed a few things about it. For starters from what he heard Narcissa, and Bellatrix were no longer considered part of the Black family ever since Sirius Black had taken the lordship and cast them both out. With Narcissa cast out Draco was no longer an heir to Black and by extension Lucius could not use the funds to support the Death Eaters.
"You." Came the voice of one Bellatrix Lestrange as the group looked to see Bellatrix had taken note of them.
"Oh, great so we're in Death Muncher central and Voldie's number 1 broad is here." Lucas said only to be hit with a Cruciatus from Bellatrix causing him to cry out in pain.
"You will watch your tongue filthy mudblood." Bellatrix snapped but instead Lucas began to laugh a bit.
"Of course, you're all high and mighty now because I'm tied up and you got friends around to back you up if I lash out." Lucas taunted as he smirked at Bellatrix not letting her have the satisfaction of seeing him break. "SO much for the 'superior pureblood,' if you can't handle little old me without restraining me first." Lucas taunted as Bellatrix then growled and forced Lucas to his feet via magic. But all the Silver Fanged Knight did was smirk at Bellatrix edging her own further. "How's about untying me and putting me down so we can go a few rounds." Lucas taunted before winking and clicking his mouth at her.
"Lucas don't antagonize the bigots." Simon added in as he was not at all scared of these people. Bellatrix heard this and dropped Lucas who made a yelp when he fell. "While your words hold true, we can't have her frothing in the mouth here." Simon said while glaring at the woman who was no better than a rabid dog to him.
"Bellatrix, stop." Narcissa said as she looked to her sister after arriving. "They're just trying to instigate you." Narcissa said as she made sure her sister did not play into the muggle's hands.
"Ok let me see if I got this right, the Black Sisters, the crazy dumb one, the quite spineless one, and the kind smart one who's currently living it up with her husband." Lucas listed off as Bellatrix roared and fired off another Crucio at Lucas who after crying out in pain laughed as he was clearly not giving Bellatrix any satisfaction with her past time of torturing mundane born.
"Where is Potter!" Bellatrix demanded as she glared at the four before her.
"Who knows we got separated when your mooks caught us." Lucas taunted as the Snatchers heard this and glared at her. "How about asking them if they did get everyone there." Lucas added as Bellatrix fired the torture curse on him again.
"Do not play games!" Bellatrix yelled as she held her wand at Lucas.
"Hey, you're playing the game I'm just better at it then you!" Lucas countered thanking years of training for his high pain tolerance.
"Quiet, frankly these two have not known Harry for very long!" Hermione voiced as she knew even Lucas had a limit to how much he could take.
"Oh, is that so." Bellatrix said directing her attention to Hermione. "How about we have a discussion girl to girl." Bellatrix said as she then pulled out a wicked looking Silver Dagger and using magic to untie Hermione. "Now answer me where did Potter run off to now?" Bellatrix asked as she glared at Hermione.
"Piss off." Hermione snapped as she glared at Bellatrix.
Bellatrix got angry and had her wand out. "Crucio!" Bellatrix roared firing the spell off on Hermione who in turn cried out in pain. "The Dark Lord is furious, and I know Potter had something to do with it so where is he!?" Bellatrix yelled as Harry stayed silent through the whole thing. But unaware to any of them Hermione fogged mind heard the cries of a child if only for a moment opting her to clear it fast.
"I can't tell you I'm not allowed to talk to inbred bigots." Hermione snapped and thus Bellatrix roared and fired off another curse at Hermione causing her pain. When that was done, she grabbed Hermione by the throat and began to squeeze with her one free arm. Gasping for air Hermione began to claw at the hand to get herself free. "How about I show you the price for withholding information from me?!" Bellatrix said before pulling up Hermione's sleeve.
Hermione then smirked before grabbing Bellatrix arm violently. "Better idea how about I show you how it's done." Hermione said and in turn wrapped her arms and legs around Bellatrix's arm and in turn threw her off using momentum. She then pinned Bellatrix arm with her body and applied pressure causing the mad witch pain.
"Not so fun when the shoe is on the other foot now is it?" Hermione taunted as Bellatrix then roared. This opted the Death Eaters to move as they began to send off hexes at Hermione who in turn let go and dodged it. Acting fast Hermione threw the dagger Bellatrix dropped at the chandelier up top and had it fall down upon Bellatrix. Seeing this Bellatrix acted and rolled out of the way to avoid being crushed by it. Hermione was not done as she drew her Madou Brush and charged her magic before unleashing a mass disarming charm to the area.
"Operation Trojan Horse Bitches!" Lucas called out as Hermione acted fast and untied the three Makai Knights before opening her Satchel.
"Accio Garoken!" Harry invoked and thus the Garoken flew out and into Harry's hand. Hermione then performed her own magic to launch Simon his spear and Lucas his short swords. "Now then new question." Harry said as the spell had come undone. "Where is your master?" Harry asked as he smirked at the group of disarmed Death Eaters who found their wands being drawn towards a ball of magic made by Hermione.
"Let's see how powerful you are without your previous wands." Hermione said and in turn blasted the magic out scattering them all over the mansion.
But before anything else could be done something unexpected happened. It was darkened out and from that the windows all began to shatter as something began to make its way inside. Everyone was panicked as from this the doors were blasted open from the outside as someone began making his way inside. Entering the mansion was a new face that carried a certain darkness in it. His pale white skin and ebony black hair brought forth and aloof indifference from him, but his crimson red eyes show a deep malice in them.
His Madou Robes could be seen as his cloak over it fluttered as it carried a regal aura to it. Behind him was a young woman who oddly enough was dressed almost like a nun with her hand held together keeping a few paces behind the young man. "Hmm it seems I'm a tad bit early." The young man said with a calm tone in his voice. "Well, no matter at least ONE of my targets are here." He added looking upon Harry who took note to this as well.
"Who... How dare you come in here unannounced!" Came Lucius Malfoy as he went forth with his newly reclaimed Wand. But instead, the young man ignored him and thus Lucius glared. "Don't ignore your betters' boy!" He yelled as the young man then looked to Lucius.
"No... don't assume you can talk to YOUR Betters in such a tone." He said as Lucius heard this.
"Don't even dare I can have you killed without even a..." Lucius trailed off before he noticed blood dropping down his head.
"Sorry but... your already dead." He said and in turn Lucius head exploded into a mess of gore that stained the house of Malfoy with it.
"Lucius!" Narcissa cried out in horror as her husband was slain in a manner, she thought impossible. Seeing this the Death Eaters in fear began to back off as the young man entered the room.
"Who... who are you?!" Bellatrix demanded shocked over what she just witnessed.
"You may call me... Baldur." The young man now known as Baldur introduced as he looked upon the Death Eaters.
Baldur looked upon Harry who was clearly on edge at the moment. "Now then for the one I wish to speak with." Baldur said making his way towards Harry. "The famous Golden Knight returning to his roots." Baldur spoke as he began to circle around the Golden Knight inspecting him. "For one whose, supposed to stand in my way I must admit, not bad." Baldur said as he finished up with Harry.
Just then a Death Eater found his wand and thus swung it top cast a curse. "DIE!" HE called out only for Baldur to snap his fingers and from it a wall similar to the one Hermione made rose up around the Knights, Priestess, and new arrival. Following this up a woman appeared and stood next to Baldur as he smiled to her.
"Well done, my dear." Baldur praised and in turn the woman nodded and stood close to Baldur.
"Who are you?" Harry asked as he looked to the new arrival.
"A Makai Knight much like yourself." Baldur said as Harry then looked to Lucious Malfoy's remains.
"You're lying." Harry announced as he glared at Baldur and Lucius Malfoy's rotting corpse.
"Oh, I assure you I most certainly am a Makai Knight." Baldur said as he then gestured to Lucius body. "This is what a Makai Knight should be, doing whatever it takes to eliminate the Horror scourge." Baldur said as he glared at Harry with a calm yet sinister aura around him. "They called me mad or insane for my views and methods." Baldur said turning away from Harry. "Yes, at the same time history has proven time and time again that the Horrors won't stop coming forth." Baldur said as he then looked back to Harry and his ilk.
"Your Wizarding World is a cesspool of human greed, arrogance, and bigotry." Baldur said as he then turned to face them. "Surely Harry Potter you who had suffered by human hands would agree that humans have proven time and time again of their shortcomings being the cause of all Horrors to come to our world?" Baldur said hoping to get Harry to agree with him.
Harry was quiet for a moment as he glared at Baldur. "Ok I'll admit that humanity isn't perfect." Harry said as he then pointed an accusing hand at Baldur. "But it's not our place to play judge jury and executioner." Harry added making it clear that Baldur was not going to gain allies here.
"I see... so they have also convinced you of this idealistic nonsense of being one who protects." Baldur said making it clear that he did not subscribe to the orders thoughts of being shields instead of swords. Baldur then signaled for his cohort to lower the wall and with a nod she did as she was told. "Regrettably for you I did not come to argue philosophy I have a purpose for being here you see we share the same targets." Baldur said meaning Voldemort and his snake.
"Yeah, good luck fighting your way out of here!" Lucas said as he had his short swords ready for battle.
Baldur then smirked as he heard those words and was about to ruin Lucas' day. "Don't worry WE will be just fine." Baldur said raising his hands and in turn the windows were shattered by the sudden appearance of two more figures. One of them held a spear in his hand much like Simon's while the other was seen holding a sword and a buckler for battle.
"I believe this is called a Mexican standoff." Baldur said and thus it was clear a fight was about to break out.
All was calm yet tensed as everyone was ready to make the first move. Harry, Lucas, and Simon had their weapons drawn with Hermione wielding her Madou Brush while their opponents bar Baldur were the same. In turn with a movement of Harry's foot the battle began as both sides charged in to do battle. Harry went after Baldur, Simon went after the shield holder, Lucas went for the spear wielder, and Hermione was attacked by the opposing fallen Priestess.
First up Simon was swinging his spear at his foe who blocked his attacks with the buckler. The way he moved it was not hard for Simon to figure out that his opponent was a Fallen Knight. As the two did battle Simon glared at his foe as they're weapons grinded against each other. They then parted and thus Simon proceeded to flick his earring to summon forth his magic.
The shield user in response tapped the pommel of his blade to the buckler and thus summoned stones and debris with magic of his own. The result was the two magics clashing and in turn cancelling each other out. Simon then followed it up by drawing forth talismans which he flung at his foe. The sword and shield user in response slashed through the Talismans until he got to one that began to sizzle followed up by an explosion. Simon was ready for more and in turn saw his foe charged out of the smoke with his weapons at the ready forcing Simon to block the attack and forced his opponent away.
"Impressive seems I'm not the only one who practiced magic and uses it in combination with his fighting style." The unknown Fallen Knight said with a smirk on his face. "Though I suspect there is more to the story then first glance." The foe added and thus Simon gritted his teeth with a growl before roaring and attacking.
Meanwhile Lucas and his opponent were going at it as he held his weapons in a reversed grip. This gave him a bit of momentum to avoid his attack where he could, but Lucas had to admit that his opponent was good with that spear. Lucas blocked a swing from the spear user before changing the grip of his free sword and went for a stab at thee Fallen Knight. The Fallen Knight in questions saw this and moved away to avoid the attack from Lucas.
Lucas spun his weapons in his hand before going back to a combat pose. Just then Death Eaters who managed to reacquire their wands move in to attack and thus the unnamed Knight sliced through each of them before they could attack. "Hey that was uncalled for!" Lucas called out as he glared at his foe.
"They dared to intervene in this battle." The young man said flicking the blood off of his spear. "Their fate is their fault." He added before pointing his spear at Lucas. "Now then shall we continue?" The man asked and thus Lucas growled to this.
"Yes, we shall!" He roared out and once more went on the attack.
Nearby Hermione was taking on the unknown Fallen Makai Priestess as both were using their Madou Brushes to do battle here. Hermione found that her foes brush was a pitch-black color with red hairs as it gave off an ominous aura to Hermione. The two continued to fight it out as they launched spell after spell at each other before switching back to close range fighting. Hermione smirked as the fallen Priestess looked to her feet and in turn saw the ground glowing.
Pushing back the fallen Priestess jumped out of the way before Hermione's trap could take her. The result was an explosion that destroyed the floor they were on. Once they parted Hermione took a second to catch her breath before she saw several mystic seals appearing around her opponent. From them the woman fired off several shots of magic that exited the portals coming at Hermione like Vulcan fire. Hermione was barely able to get her shields up to block the onslaught. The fire continued until the entire area was covered in smoke shielding both of them from each other.
From the smoke Hermione fired off another spell almost hitting the Fallen Priestess. As the smoke cleared up it began to reveal Hermione wearing what looked to be a tactical visor now. "Impressive." The woman said as she had a bit of respect for her opponent. "But I cannot allow for you to stand in the way of Lord Baldur's ambition." The woman said standing straight up glaring at her foe.
"And what is his ambition?" Hermione asked as she stored the visor away.
"What my lord desires..." The priestess spoke and in turn got ready to fight on. "Is a new EDEN!" She called out and thus charged back in to do battle.
Not too far away was Harry and Baldur as the Golden Knight was seen swinging the Garoken at his foe who simply stepped aside to avoid the attacks. In fact, Baldur was hardly even trying against Harry as the wizard turned Knight was facing a seasoned veteran by the looks of it.
"Hmm splendid swing." Baldur spoke as he avoided a slash. "Perfect form." He added when Harry went for a stabbing attack that Baldur side stepped from.
"Your master taught you well." Baldur went on leaning back from a side form strike to the waist. Harry glared at Baldur as the Dark Knight seemed more intrigued by Harry then annoyed or rageful towards him. "But unlike Horrors a true Knight would know well enough to adapt to an opponent who can plan and strategize." Baldur said as Harry smirked to this.
"Alright." Harry then came at Baldur to strike him but then as Baldur got ready to block Harry threw his sword upward and then spun down for a sweeping kick catching Balder off guard. Once that was done Harry went to swing his blade down upon Baldur who rolled out of the way and spun back to his feet before blocking another strike from Harry. Switching his grip Harry let his left hand free and in turn drew the Garoken's sheath before slamming it into Baldur's side and thus forced him back. He then threw the sheath at Baldur who was then hit in the face by it knocking him back further.
The Golden Knight charged towards his opponent and grabbed the sheath with the Garoken sheathing it. Slamming the sheathed sword into Baldur Harry then freed his right hand and drew his wand. "Bombarda Maxima!" Harry invoked and thus sent Baldur flying with a blasting hex. Baldur hit the wall and for a moment looked to be out of it when Harry charged into the fight. Baldur then smirked and thus freed himself before drawing his own sword on Harry blocking his attack.
"That's more like it." Baldur said with a smirk on his face before forcing Harry back and in turn took a battle stance with his sword. "This first battle would have been of no interest if you had been so easily bested." Baldur added as he was clearly looking forward to facing Harry. "After all a good fight every now and again makes life more interesting don't you think?" Baldur asked and in turn Harry found himself pushed back by the now armed Baldur.
"What is with this guy?" Harry asked as he was on edge here.
"Be careful Harry, I sense a great darkness emanating from this one." Zaruba said as he could literally taste the darkness that this foe was giving off.
"Noted." Harry responded as he agreed with the Madou Ring on this.
The two then continued their fight as they were now doing battle between swords. Soul Metal clashed against soul metal as the two did battle with every intent of overpowering the other. That was until something caught Baldur's attention and thus, he acted fast. He pushed Harry back and thus followed it up by deflecting a familiar killing curse away from himself and Harry.
"Well, I was starting to wonder when you might show up." Baldur said as he looked to none other than Voldemort himself.
"Do I know you?" Voldemort asked acting like Baldur was a speck.
"No but I know you... your fragile little ego caused me the Dark Lord I was aiming to use." Baldur said as he knew how Voldemort killed Grindelwald. "So now I have to make do with you, my second choice the weaker Dark Lord." Baldur said as he looked to Voldemort who growled to this.
"Watch your tongue." He spoke only to nearly be hit by a killing curse as well. Looking to Baldur Voldemort saw a familiar wand in his hand as the Dark Lord did not even see him draw it.
"No, you watch it, see I wanted prime cut and now I'm forced to make do with sloppy seconds, you." Baldur said as he sheathed the wand in question.
"Where did you get that wand from?" Voldemort asked as he glared at Baldur.
"Where do you think?" Baldur taunted as he smirked at Voldemort.
"Nagini; kill!" Voldemort ordered in Parseltongue only for Baldur to grab Nagini by her neck making her thrash about unable to do her masters bidding.
"Thank you I was hoping to grab this while I was here." Baldur said as he then pulled out a small object that transformed into a large container big enough for the snake. Baldur then had Nagini placed into a containment unit where she found herself trapped inside it.
"Release her now!" Voldemort yelled as he had his wand pointed at Baldur.
"Come and make me." Baldur said and in turn Voldemort roared and fired off a spell at Baldur who easily deflected the spell with his sword. "You should consider yourself honored that I even dine to use my blade against you." Baldur said as he kept deflecting the spells left and right. Voldemort growled at this Dark Knight and went further into his attack only for Baldur to easily avoid his spells that came his way. With each spell flying towards him Baldur was carefully making his way towards Tom. Just as it seemed like Tom was about to hit Baldur with the killing curse the Dark Knight had grabbed a Death Eater and used him as a human shield. Once the Death Eater was dead Baldur jumped over him and then landed behind Voldemort.
"That should shut you up." Baldur said and in turn Voldemort felt a piercing pain coursing through him. Before his eyes, his wand arm was flying severed from his body causing him to look to where it was supposed to be. Instead of his arm Voldemort found only a stump which then proceeded to spew out blood like a geyser. Voldemort roared in pain as he grabbed his stump and then reached for his wand. But Baldur instead stomped on the Dark Lords arm and caused Voldemort even more pain.
"Oh, I'm sorry were you gunning for that?" Baldur taunted and in turn he began to laugh at Voldemort's suffering. He then kicked Voldemort to the side and then had his sword at his neck. Using it he forced Voldemort back on his feet as he continued to laugh at the Dark Lord. "If I didn't have a need for you, I'd end you here and now, a relic of a bygone age best left forgotten to the sands of time." Baldur spoke as he was ready to end Voldemort. He then kicked Voldemort down the steps and thus Baldur smirked at the Dark Lord. "Look at you exactly where you belong on the ground groveling before your betters." Baldur said and thus Voldemort had enough of him.
"ENOUGH!" Voldemort roared and in turn a flurry of flames exited his maw and formed into a snake.
"Fiendfyre!" Zaruba announced recognizing the spell that was used.
The flame snake charged at Baldur with its fangs open ready to end the Dark Knight. When the snake bit down on Baldur Voldemort thought he had finally dealt with him once and for all. He was in fact ready to turn his attention on Harry when a bone chilling laugh began to echo. The fire began to twist and turn and thus began a tornado of flames. Baldur stood in the center with his blade guiding and absorbing the fire as he had an evil grin on his face.
"My turn." Baldur announced and thus swung his sword causing the fire to form into a mad wolf snarling and setting the entire mansion ablaze. Voldemort was shocked at the display of power this boy had shown and not once did he draw the Elder Wand since he originally used it to case the killing curse as a warning shot. "Now you will be coming with me, Voldemort." Baldur said as he began to approach the one-armed dark lord.
But before he could get closer Harry came back in and rejoined the battle and forced Baldur back. Harry glared at Voldemort who he had just saved with a glare telling him to get out. Voldemort growled to this, but he was smart enough to know when he lost and hopefully Baldur and Harry would kill each other somehow or leave the other weakened enough to deal with. Baldur saw Voldemort vanish causing him to sigh in frustration.
"Really saving your mortal enemy?" Baldur asked as he was unimpressed with what Harry did.
"Trust me I'd rather have ended him here." Harry admitted as he glared at Baldur.
"It seems we're starting to run out of time." Baldur said looking to the blazing house. "Well then I suppose it's time that we ended this." Baldur said as he then yanked off his amulet and then blew upon it. The amulet began to glow and thus Harry looked ready for about anything. Baldur proceeded to spin the amulet in the air above his head and in turn it created a familiar portal to Harry.
In turn a suit of pitch-black armor came forth that was a dead ringer to Garo. It was in fact a demonic parody of the Golden Knight as its soulless white eyes glared upon Harry. "Dark Knight... Kiba." Kiba introduced himself as he stood ready for battle.
Harry in response raised the Garoken upward and in turn cut open the portal to summon his armor. Not long after Garo appeared with an ebony black cape billowing behind him. Garo took a battle stance as he was ready for battle.
Meanwhile Hermione saw what was happening as she was still locked in battle with the mysterious priestess. Both of them saw Voldemort escaping and in turn the priestess pushed Hermione away as the house was burning around them. The Fallen Priestess then bowed to Hermione before vanishing with a pop and a flash. Hermione was unable to get her before she escaped and thus growled to this. "I need to find Luna." Hermione said and thus she began to take her leave of the area to hopefully rescue Luna from the fire.
(Over with Lucas)
Lucas slid across the ground by his feet that created sparks on the ground due to the steel built in them. The Silver Fanged Knight was pushed back by the attack from the spear wielding Knight against which he was currently fighting. "Well, that hurt." Lucas said as he was a bit bruised from the tussle.
"Surrender we only want the Horcrux and its creator." His foe said as Lucas then smirked and got back up.
"Sorry but Lucas doesn't know the meaning of quieting." Lucas said as he was ready to fight further.
"I see, Lucas." The Knight said and thus he pointed his spear at Lucas. "Then allow me to introduce myself, I am Exdeath for the name I once bore had died with my light." The Knight now known as Exdeath introduced as he looked on at Lucas.
"Jeez Edgy much?" Lucas taunted as he looked at the foe before him. Exdeath then slammed his spear on the ground and glared at his foe. "Well, whatever I think it's about time you and I cut loose." Lucas said and thus Exdeath smirked to this.
"Perhaps you are correct." Exdeath said and in turn Exdeath spun his body around grinding the blade of his spear on the ground creating a portal bellow his feet via sparks. Once that was done the portal opened and in turn his armor came forth.
"This is my armor, the Knight of Black Sun, Zem!" Zem introduced as he was ready to do battle. "Well then then, Zem." Lucas said as he then cut open his portal and summoned his armor to become Zero. "Let's rock!" Zero spoke and thus the two warriors charged at each other to fight it out.
(With Simon)
Simon and his foe were still doing battle as they were intent on besting the other. Sword met spear, spear clashed with shield, and neither Knights were willing to back down. Simon then forced his foe to back off but as the unknown Knight slid on the ground, he began grinding his sword against the shield creating a resonance of sorts. This in turn formed into a portal which opened up before him and in turn released a suit of armor for him.
The Knight had now donned his armor which Simon knew what the armor was. This was the corrupted Knight of Cunning Zex once a silver green armor was now pitch black and corrupted by darkness. Simon seeing his foe was taking the kid gloves off he proceeded to cut open his own portal to summon his armor. Not long after Dan the Knight of White Night took the stage as he spun his spear and took a battle stance. They then charged at each other weapons bore and both ready to strike down the other.
(Back with Hermione)
Hermione blasted her way into the basement and thus ran down to look for Luna. "Luna!" Hermione cried out trying to find her before the flames reached them.
Hearing her name Luna ran to the bars and swung her arm out. "I'm right here!" Luna responded and thus Hermione looked to find Luna here.
"Thank goodness." Hermione said using magic to unlock the cell. "We don't have time, there's a fire upstairs and will reach down here soon." Hermione said and thus Luna nodded.
"There are other people down here as well." Luna said and thus Hermione nodded.
"Dobby!" Hermione called and in turn Dobby appeared at her call with a pop.
"Hermy calls for Dobby?" Dobby asked as he looked to Hermione.
"I need you to get these people out of here take them all to a Makai Outpost and explain the situation." Hermione said urgently to which Dobby understood. "Hurry!" Hermione urged and thus Dobby got to work.
"Right away." Dobby said and thus Luna got to work on getting the cells opened up to let everyone out.
(Garo Vs Kiba)
Garo and Kiba were doing battle with Garo being launched into a hallway curtesy of Kiba. Kiba went after Garo who avoided the attack and thus, they the two had a battle of blades through the halls of Malfoy Manor. With each clash of their sword's sparks flew and as the fire grew closer to them the sparks helped fuel it.
They continued through the hall fighting it out with everything on the line. The mansion burned around them but neither foe cared as they continued to clash blades. "I must confess Golden Knight, I've nary had this much fun in a long time." Kiba said just before they parted only to clash again.
"Well enjoy it, you won't get it again!" Garo responded and with a roar forced Kiba back. But Kiba was on it as he used his free hand to punch Garo in the gut and then followed it up with a spin kick to the head. Kiba then turned his weapon to a reverse grip and slammed the pommel into Garo's stomach launching him through the hall where he crashed into another room.
As Garo began to get back up with the fires blazing around him, he heard the sound of an infant crying making him go wide eyed. Looking to the source Garo saw that he crashed into a nursery that was now burning with a child left behind in the chaos. The other Death Eaters must have already escaped the chaos and they must have left the child behind either on purpose or by accident. Kiba arrived and saw the child before chuckling to this. "Well Golden Knight what's it going to be fight me and let it burn or save it and let me leave?" Kiba taunted and in turn Garo sliced the doorframe causing it to collapse locking Kiba out. Outside Kiba smirked before he began to take his leave knowing that they got one of the targets and if all goes well his beloved number 2 will get the other target.
Inside the nursery Garo ran over to the crib and saw the infant child was crying from the fire licking her a bit too close. Garo managed to stop it and knew he had to act fast. Taking the child from her crib Garo stabbed the Garoken into the ground before tearing up his cape and wrapping the child in the cloth to protect her. Once the child was secured in his arm Garo picked his sword back up and proceeded to slice his way out of the room.
(With Zero vs Zem)
Zero was seen slashing his swords down on Zem who blocked the attack with the shaft of his spear before pushing Zero off of him. Once Zero landed he charged in and in turn began to slash at Zem who spun his spear and blocked the attacks before Zero tripped him up. With an opening made Zero sliced upward and managed to graze Zem's faceplate creating a gash in the armor yet somehow avoid hitting the eyes. Zem held the gash and saw that while it was not bleeding his armor still took damage.
"Impressive." Zem said as Zero smirked to this while spinning one sword and using the other to point at Zem.
"Yeap I'm full of surprises." Zero said and thus Zem looked ready to up the ante.
"Well then I suppose I can stop pulling my punches." Zem said as his armor began to release a dark energy. But before he could fully unleash, he was stopped by Kiba.
"Exdeath." Kiba said while he held Zem's shoulder. "We're leaving." Kiba said forcing Zem back.
"But..." Zem began and thus sighed knowing they got one of their objectives already. "As you wish, Lord Baldur." Zem said and thus Dan was seen flying in as he held his spear at the Dark Knights who were joined by Zex.
Kiba scoffed to this and pointed his sword at his foes. "You best get stronger, next time we meet won't end in a draw." Kiba said making it clear that they had no reason to stay here anymore. Then a dark shadow formed around the Fallen Knights and before Zero and Dan could attack the dark trio vanished from sight.
"Wait!" Zero called out and thus all they got was the house starting to collapse.
"We need to leave now!" Dan said and thus they saw their exit.
"What about Hermione?!" Zero asked only for more of the building to come down on them. Before they could stop it, a magical barrier appeared curtesy of Hermione.
"Go! GO!" Hermione called out as she had Luna's hand. With a nod the two Knights were ready to leave.
(Outside)
"Bellatrix! Stop!" Narcissa called out trying to physically stop her sister from entering the house again.
"But she's still inside!" Bellatrix cried out in a panic as someone she cared for was still inside.
"It's too late!" She urged knowing with how far the fire had spread Delphini was most likely a charred corpse. Draco was on his rump horrified over what was happening. His home was burning, his father was killed, and their supposed Dark Lord was nowhere to be seen.
Just then the sound of horses was heard before from the walls Zero and Dan came out on their Madou Horses. Hermione was seen riding with Dan on his Madou Horse, Hayate while Luna was riding with Zero on the Madou Horse Ginga. The riders got out of the burning house and to safer area with wet grass.
"Where's Harry?" Hermione asked with concern as Luna seemed oddly calm about this.
Just then to answer her Gouten was heard and following suit Garo rode out of the building carrying a bundle in his armored arms. "Let's go!" Garo called out and in turn the three Makai Knights began to ride off escaping the fire. Bellatrix saw the bundle Garo was carrying and in turn snarled at the apparent kidnapper of her child. But the Madou Horses were fast, and the Death Eaters were severely crippled and thus the mad witch was unable to give chase with magic.
(Later with the Makai Group)
The group had made their escape as they got far away enough to calm down. "We made it." Zero said as he then reverted to Lucas while making sure Luna was ok.
"That we have." Dan said while reverting to Simon with Hermione next to him.
"Did we get everyone out?" Garo asked as he reverted back to Harry with the bundle still safe in his arms.
"Yes, everyone is out and save." Luna said as she then looked the bundle as did Harry.
"Harry what are you?" Hermione began to ask as she took notice of the bundle. In response the bundle began to whine and thus Harry in response shushed it gently allowing for the child to calm down.
Lucas was wide eyed in shock while Simon was giving an incredulous look to Harry. "Harry, mate did you just abduct a baby?!" Lucas asked with a raised voice.
"Y-yes." Harry admitted as Hermione then put the pieces together.
"That's her isn't it... Delphini." Hermione said as she looked at the child.
"Yes." Harry admitted as he didn't know why she was left behind nor did he know why he went out of his way to save her.
"Don't worry." Luna said as she looked to the child and the one who liberated her. "She's in good hands, after all an eye for an eye makes everyone blind." Luna said as she looked to Harry.
"What?" Harry asked as he looked to Luna in confusion.
"The Golden Knight might have suffered but he'd never force his suffering on another even the child of his nemesis." Luna said and thus Hermione went towards Harry as he removed the cloth from his cape to reveal Delphini inside it and the burns she got. Hermione was already casting the healing charms on the burns, but they would no doubt scar over. Unknown to any of them Harry had changed the fate of this child forever. Where one future she would have grown vengeful and lonely now she would come to grow just and loved and then into one who protects.
(Scene Break with Voldemort)
Voldemort was stumbling through the woods as he tried to regroup with his Death Eaters. His missing limb was causing him great pain. But as he stumbled, he heard movement from nearby. Scoffing he got to the clearing that was to be their meeting point only to find himself bound by mystical chains.
"Oh, Voldemort leaving us so soon?" Baldur asked as Voldemort had a sword and a spear pointed at his neck. "Now that we got you, I'm going to need you for a special ritual I have planned." Baldur said as he crouched down to speak to Voldemort. "Originally Grindelwald was supposed to be in your place but since he's no longer available I got to use the understudy, you." Baldur said and thus the Priestess walked forward.
"What do we do with the Death Eaters?" She asked knowing they might become a problem.
"They might prove useful as ritual components and if not, the Horrors could use some feed to help keep those mindless demons in line." Baldur said and thus Maria nodded and bowed to her lord. "Exdeath, Jeanne we're leaving." Baldur said and thus with a pop the group departed with Voldemort and Nagini to their hidden base of operations to make all the preparations for the ritual.
(TBC)
ESKK: Well, another chapter done glad it's published for my readers to enjoy. Anyway, be sure to leave a review for me and as I always say on here, ja-ne.