Well, you've waited, you've wondered, and quite a number have speculated, but the hour of darkness has arrived. Sit back and enjoy as the culmination of act one in The Stornreavers strikes its climax! as ever, please enjoy! ~F

Chapter Fifty One

The Black Gate

Albus landed heavily from where his rushed portkey had deposited himself, Sirius and Severus, and he was instantly on alert, the rain fall of the area hampering their line of vision and hearing, but the Arcane was humming around them in torrents. Something heavily magical was afoot, and Albus knew that they had found the right place.

He still did not expect for them to be attacked so soon upon their arrival however, and the magical sphere of flame caught him off guard, exploding between the three of them and sending all the mages to the ground hard.

Scrambling for his wand, Albus was horrified to spot it soaring through the air, straight to the hand of one clad in a black cloak. "I must thank you for delivering the last artifact that I required, Albus," Nobu'tan said, amusement heavy in his voice, "Who'd have thought that manipulating you would prove easier than anyone could realize."

Albus was still not defenseless however, and his original wand slapped into his hand, its power less than that of the Elder wand rightfully claimed in the hand of Nobu'tan, but he had won it once before in a duel, and could do so again.

A blast of Arcane magic in Nobu'tan's direction, and Albus leapt to his feet. The boy had dodged back, red eyes gleaming under his hood, as lightning flashed overhead, revealing the landscape all around them.

Albus stood rooted to the spot, horrified at what was momentarily revealed. Hundreds if not thousands of creatures, all varying in shape and size, ready to fight and die for their master, and beyond that toward the stone circle there were cages of rough wood filled with muggles, all screaming for help and to be released, watched over by more warlocks.

"How long have you prepared for this moment?" Albus found himself asking, even as he tightened his grip on his wand.

"The moment I arrived…" Nobu'tan admitted, still backing away with the Elder Wand clutched tightly in his grip, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a demonic horde to summon…"

Rage exploded outward from Albus, and he fired several spells at the retreating form, but something else imposed itself between the two, parrying spells with a large scepter with a gleaming red gem set in it.

"Albus Dumbledore…. We meet again…" the creature hissed, and Albus knew the voice from anywhere. Tom Riddle, self styled as the Dark Lord Voldemort, was here defending Nobu'tan from him. Even more questions than answers at this point, but there was nothing that he could do to get answers now, as Voldemort immediately went upon the attack, the jeweled scepter slinging spells of necromantic energy at Albus, who had to defend with both his wizardry and skill in the arcane.

Around him, Sirius and Severus were too hampered by additional foes that started upon their position. At least Albus was safe in the thought that the Ministry was arriving soon, even though they were now racing against time before Nobu'tan succeed in contacting the Legion and bringing them through to this world.

So he fought like a madman, unleashing all the magical energy that he had kept tightly controlled since those days when he was friends with Gellert, that he had locked away after that titanic duel, never to use unless the need was great enough. If ever there was a time for his full power in the magical arts, it was now.

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Nobu'tan did not flee from Dumbledore' presence, he convinced himself. There were matters that he alone could attend to, and he knew that against all the forces that were coming, they would inevitably fail unless they called upon the Legion to fulfill their bargain.

Running hard, Nobu'tan carrying the precious wand to the stone circle, where his minions had been carefully carving the runes that they would need into the rock faces, and arranging their prisoners in the gaps for easy access.

Portal magic, he had learned from the Grimoire of Merlin, delved heavily into the Fel, and required much life essence to generate. To cut across the cosmos and breach the homeworld of the Legion therefore, he would need much. The ogres were there to move cages as more of their newfound muggle prisoners died and were rendered useless, which the Fel Veela had spent these months capturing for him.

Lucius was waiting for him within the runes upon the ground in the midst of the circle, carrying the other artifacts. "We are assembled," he said, the formality in his voice rather odd for this moment, but Nobu'tan had noticed the strange behavior of magic when a ritual of some magnitude was about to commence.

Spreading his arms, one hand still white knuckling over the wand, just in case Dumbledore tried to summon it back, Nobu'tan spoke softly, "clothe me in the artifacts…"

Lucius obeyed, placing the Diadem upon Nobu'tan's head, the Torque around his neck, and the Grimoire in his opposite hand. Each were a powerful item in their own right, but together, as magic welled up inside him, Nobu'tan felt the power to rend the land beneath him, conquer mountains and subject the entire world to his will.

It was humbling to think that such energy was needed to free the Legion to this world, but he refocused himself, understanding of what he must do filtering in from the Diadem on his brow.

Standing in the center, he raised the wand and the ancient Tome, chanting in the tongue of the Demonic Legion, beginning to charge the runes carved all around him.

In time, the other warlocks joined him, adding their strength to his own. Teg'Ramm and the ogre magi, as well as those warlocks of the Fel Centaur, and a few Fel Veela that were especially gifted were among them, totaling eighteen casters at once, three sets of six.

Slowly, over their heads and over the stone pillars around them, clouds began to gather, thunderous and angry, and Nobu'tan was directed to harvest the life energy of one of the cages of prisoners, which he did so, ignoring the screams of the dying victims as he channeled their very life force into the cloud overhead, the stones creating a ward of permanency to the portal as he went.

The battle cries away from the stones told him that their enemies had come upon them in the form of the Ministry, but he was confident that they would be too late to stop their progress now, even as the next set of prisoners were required to fuel the Fel.

The incantation was supplied directly to his mind, whether from the Legion or the Diadem Nobu'tan was not certain, but among the information was the sacred name of the Legion command world: Argus.

Lightning flashed from the cloud overhead with each new supply of Fel magic, striking the stones and becoming empowered by the runes inscribed thereupon, and Nobu'tan could feel a powerful force building just out of reach, stretching out to meet them in the great dark beyond.

The Legion was coming for them.

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Alastor appeared in a whirl of blue, alongside half a dozen of the first wave of Aurors and Unspeakables. Amelia had been more than eager to make a move, and when she heard that Albus Dumbledore himself had gone to battle against a force marshalling around Stonehenge, she had leapt at the chance. Now they had nearly the entire force of wizarding police and Unspeakables marshalling as he went as vanguard, after sending out the word for the Order of the Phoenix to assemble and aid them in defending their world.

Most of these that came with him had faced demons and their warlock masters before, and therefore they were not afraid when they saw the multitude laid out before them, and the plumes of fire and frost that erupted from the middle where Albus and the other Mages were battling for their lives.

Sending off a fireball at the nearest foe, a demon with a squashed face, Alastor signaled for them to attack, and clear the way for their reinforcements to arrive. The spells rained down from their position in torrents, and the Aurors, having been given the green light for heavy handed spells, although nothing dark or Unforgivable, they still packed quite a better punch against their new enemies more than before.

The Unspeakables on the other hand, had no restraint from their department, and had brought all manner of devices and trinkets to unleash upon the demons and their Fel-touched allies. Still, Alastor had his focus on the frightening cloud of slowly growing green energy that hovered over the stone circle, where he could feel a rising tide of Fel energy building among all the madness of the battle as it unfolded around them.

The warlocks were already working on their ritual to summon the Legion, and they were racing against the clock to stop them. Blasting another demon with a jab of his wand and a muttered curse, Alastor finally broke through the lines of vile creatures that separated the Ministry from Dumbledore, Snape and Black, and while the Aurors were probably confused at the appearance of a notorious convict, they didn't have opportunity or desire to try and stop someone helping them, especially with the white glow in the man's eyes as he hurled spheres of fire at the foes on all sides.

But it was the enemy that Albus was dueling that caught Alastor's eye, shrouded in what seemed almost a deathly visage, the red glowing corpse moved almost unstably, the rod of power in its hand sending out jets of sickly red and black magic at the Headmaster, even as Albus used all his skill and power in both wizardry and the Arcane to duel him and any demon that got in their way.

"You were a fool to move against him Tom," Albus cried over the din of war, "Do you even know what Nobu'tan plans to unleash upon this world, a world that even you care for, in your own way."

Alastor realized with a start that this creature, the undead monster had to then be Voldemort, reborn from his own defeat nearly thirteen years ago, and he fought harder to reach Albus' side and defend his longtime friend from their mutual foe.

"Not that I have much of a choice, but that no longer matters to me," Voldemort hissed in response, conjuring a vile wind filled with blades and life stealing essence, which Albus threw a powerful purple shield of Arcane around them to capture until it vanished away.

"You will all die, when my new master unleashes his allies from across the cosmos…" Voldemort said, almost spitting the words out as he advanced. Alastor joined Albus at last, kicking the last creature that attempted to block his passage through the melee, even as the Aurors and Unspeakables gained their first wave of reinforcements, led by Scrimgeour.

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Voldemort eyed the added nuisance of Mad-Eye Moody. He had learned to expect the unexpected from his long time as the Dark Lord of Britain, but this change at the hands of Potter had brought with it a slew of opportunities and eye opening possibilities, which made the man doubt his old powers already. His new magic, reeking of death and the chill of the grave, were strong, but he was not nearly competent enough with them to effectively kill the Headmaster, and with another mage at his side, Voldemort knew that he would be defeated unless he did something rash.

To that end, he swung his scepter high, channeling his new necromantic magic as it came to rest, not upon the mages before him, but the assembling forces of the Ministry, directly at their newest leader, Scrimgeour. The blast of power as a jet of screaming death rocketed out was something of a delight to him, seeing the lion-manned man fall to the mud as the storm rolled overhead and pelted them all with rain.

Unfortunately, it had not had the effect that he desired from the pair before him, who took the opportunity to attack him two on one, and Voldemort was forced to throw up some defensive measures, a shield of blackness to catch the bolts of purple magic and the flames from Moody.

But he was slowly learning his abilities. The curse of death was still his to use, and it was a favored ally and weapon, among other newfound abilities that would wreak havoc across a battlefield scale region, but as their forces were more dominant here, they were less than effective to put to the test now.

The newly formed Death Knight therefore launched into a salvo of magic, hoping to break through his opponent's defenses and kill at least one, preferable Dumbledore but Voldemort would settle for Moody, so that he could focus all his power at the other without distraction.

Their battle however was interrupted, when with a sharp crack of lightning the portal was activated back at the standing stones, and most of the battlefield turned to watch as the shimmering green energy dominated the region between the two largest stones, opening ever wider as something massive started to make its way through.

The warlocks had backed away in respect and almost reverence, and the first thing seen was a massive hoofed foot, which shattered stone as it stepped through. The being was impossibly tall, towering over even the height of giants, with blue skin and several face tendrils that set his face off with the deadly green Fel energy in his eyes.

The massive being lifted an arm to the heavens, Fel energy crackling off of it with ease, and declared in a booming voice that shook the very ground beneath the warring factions. "Tremble mortals and despair! Doom has come to this world!"

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Teg'Ramm backed away with the other warlocks as the Defiler arrived. The great Eredar had announced the destruction of this world at last, and their design had been fulfilled. Even Nobu'tan looked on in awe as the demonlord waded forth through their forces, which moved away in fear and respect of their master.

The only knot of forces that stood defiantly were those of the Ministry, and the Hogwarts mages, Archimonde continued to speak, "My coming heralds the end of your pathetic world, insects. Your meager forces shall be the first of many to be consumed by the Burning Legion!"

To their great surprise, and even apparently Archimonde's himself, the Mages did not back down or quail in fear, but rather seemed to rally and lash out. an orb of magical fire flashed out and struck the Defiler in the body, easily doing very little to actually wound the powerful Warlock and Demon, but enough of a stance of resistance that the Lord of the Burning Legion roared in anger and rage at the defiance.

A massive Fel mace appeared in the hand of the great Eredar, and he stormed forward to do battle himself against the Mages, "Let the echoes of doom resound across this wretched world, that all who love may hear them and despair!"

"We must prepare the portal to allow many demons through," Nobu'tan said, returning his attention to the black gate that they had opened, "Archimonde will want to set this world to the flame as soon as he has finished with Dumbledore and his pitiful band."

Tearing his eyes from the glorious form of the demon lord, Teg'Ramm obey his master, trying to ignore the cries of anger and rage as the titanic Lord fought with the mages and their wizard allies.

Soon enough demons were slowly spewing out of the portal, ever increasing as they pulled the portal wider and made it more stable, anchoring it to the gateway of the stone circle.

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Severus had never seen such a massive being in his life. Even more frightening however, was Black's audacity to throw a ball of fire at the creature as it announced its victory over them arrogantly, inciting the creature to attack them. Apparating back as the massive mace smashed into the ground where they had stood, Severus had little choice but to fight, as he knew that Albus planned to die defending their world here now.

It may be impossible for them to stop the Legion, but they would give it their all in the effort. Dashing to the side to stay out of any range of the massive demon's abilities, Severus launched as many spells as he could think of at the hulking form, quickly learning what would or wouldn't work, as the golden armor that the demon wore seemed to shield it from many lesser spells and charms.

Moody had rallied the Ministry wizards, and as one they charged in, wands and other items waving and shooting everything they could muster at the angry titan that towered over them.

There was a flash of flame, and a sharp cry light some battle anthem, as a streak of flame shot towards Albus, which Severus momentarily registered was Fawkes the Phoenix, leading the charge of the Order of the Phoenix, suddenly, Albus leapt into battle, and a silver sword was in his hands, even as the ancient wizard moved to engage the demon, seeming like a tiny toy in comparison to the hulking monstrosity that hurled terrible magic at them.

Then Severus' view was blocked as he was forced to dodge, even as the massive creature bellowed a spell, taunting them even as green Felfire poured out in all directions, "Witness the flames that have consumed countless worlds!"

Encasing himself within a block of ice, Severus watched in horror as the demonic fire swept over him, unable to cause him harm, but the forces of the Ministry weren't nearly as lucky, and their screams filled the sky.

"You fall so easily…" the great demon taunted, even as Albus finally charged, the shining sword in his hand raised to strike, and the massive creature swung the mace in its hand downward, ready to crush the aged Headmaster.

Albus dodged, revealing the agility that he still retained despite his age, and hacked several quick strokes at the blue hand grasping the weapon, causing the demon to grunt in irritation less than actual pain.

"You are powerless to stop me!" the demon spoke, and Severus wondered for a moment why it was stalling for so long, if it was capable of fulfilling all its threats and words. Realizing that Albus had already been cued into this notion emboldened him, and he continued to attack, summoning an elemental of water and relying as much as he dared on the arcane power of frost.

Suddenly, the demon slammed the mace into the ground, even as Albus dodged back again, but striking the much smaller wizard seemed to have not been the goal of the creature, even as tainted Fel magic flowed through the hammer into the ground itself. "This meaningless world has already succumbed to my corruption. The land itself seethes with the mark of the legion!" The creature announced, and as he did so, the earth rumbled, even as Fel tainted spikes ruptured from the ground all around them.

Severus felt a searing pain in his back as one erupted just behind him, knocking him forward and drenching him with blood. Their formation and flow had been throw off from that attack, and the demon leapt at the moment of weakness, the massive hammer sweeping the sword right out of Albus' grasp, even as Severus fell to his knees from the pain lancing up and down his back. He had potions for pain, and his hands groped quickly through his robes, but even as he did so his vision was growing darker.

The red colored potion he had made so long ago was in his hands, slippery from the blood loss he was experiencing. Pressing it to his lips, he prayed to whatever deity would hear him that he was right about this mixture, and drank.

The pain slowly stopped, but he was unable to prevent himself from losing consciousness regardless, the trauma overwhelming his mind. Someone skidded to a halt near him, but Severus was fading from the waking world fast and could hear who it was before the blue glow of a portkey took him, and he knew no more.

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Hermione almost screamed when the shattering force of Fel Magic ran across the surface of the world. Many of her Mages did, sensing the tremendous force that invaded their world. eyes aflame with magic, Hermione gazed to the south, unable to see beyond sight but knowing that something massive had happened, and they were in mortal danger.

"Hermione, what is it?" Hannah asked, trembling slightly for fright of whatever it was.

Soon enough however they were answered as a terrible voice ran over the entire castle, reverberating and seeming to emanate from the very ley lines beneath them, "Tremble mortals and despair! Doom has come to this world!"

"The creatures who took Harry have succeeded with their design, if I was to guess," Hermione said grimly. "And that is the sound of some invader from another world, which seeks to destroy our world…"

"What shall we do?" Colin Creevey said, standing swiftly and looking fierce despite his small size, the others around him nodding in agreement. They all turned to her, looking for guidance and instruction, as they had up to this point.

Hermione knew what she wanted to say, but she feared the death of them all if they chose the path of battle. Reaching out with the Arcane, she sensed that none of the adult mages were present for the chaos of the aftermath of the Tournament end, and she could only surmise that they were already moving to try and quell whatever bout of Dark Magic was threatening to envelope the world.

That they didn't consider her or her followers once again seemed to ignite a fury within Hermione that wasn't about to be easily stifled. "We fight…" she declared.

Rising to her feet, she concentrated hard upon the location of the eclipsing power of darkness, channeling the pure power of the Arcane to warp time and space to her location. Before her, and to the amazement of her fellow Mages, a rift appeared, almost as it were a window to a hideous battlefield, rain pouring down as fire and ice shot through the air at a titanic blue creature.

Around the massive figure, Hermione saw many others, wizards all, scrambling to avoid the massive attacks and deadly dark magic that the giant threw at them. Colin, bless his small heart, was the first to charge through with a yell of rage, which was the moment that all of her assembled mages, of many different degrees of strength and power, to charge as one through the gateway to battle. Hermione followed quickly, making sure that all got through the portal before it closed behind her.

The giant had just spoken as she arrived, its words shaking the ground beneath them with its power, "I grow tired of this pointless game. You face the immortal Legion, scourge of a thousand worlds."

The figure gestured at a massive gateway in the center of what Hermione realized was Stonehenge, where other figures were casting more Fel magic to widen and stabilize what seemed to be a massive gateway. Figures were already starting to emerge from the portal, all hideous in their appearance and tainted with the deadly Fel magic.

"We have no time to wait, attack!" Hermione yelled, and her mages surged forward, slinging their spells at those guards that formed a wide circle around the cluster of wizards that faced the massive blue demon.

Caught off guard, the Fel touched beings fell away, clearing a path through for her group to reinforce the Ministry wizards, easily recognizable by their red, blue, and grey cloaks, even if they were caked in blood and mud from the ground around them.

Headmaster Dumbledore was before the massive creature, having fallen down from a massive blow from the mace-like scepter in the creature's hand.

Hermione didn't have time to think through her actions, but attacked immediately, throwing missiles of arcane power at the titan, backed up by fire and frost from her friends and assistants. The demon was caught by surprise, if not injured by their power, and fell back a step, allowing the Professor to rise to his feet and fall back.

"Your foolish resolve will break." The demon intoned, thrusting a hand toward Hermione and her forces, and they split quickly to dodge the spell that erupted in the middle of them, trying to bind several of them with spectral chains and drag them back to the location the spell originated from.

Even still, some of the Ministry wizards, seeing children coming to their aid, had charged in to get them away, and were caught by the backlash of magic, falling to the ground withered and exhausted of their life and magic. "Pathetic…" the demon taunted as he watched them.

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Nobu'tan gazed on in awe as Lord Archimonde waged his battle against the Mages and Wizards that had come to stop the Burning Legion's glorious arrival. He could tell that the Archdemon was merely delaying for the time that the Dark Gate was finished, and that the full might of his armies could be unleashed.

Otherwise, the fools would have been crushed instantly. Soon enough the energy in the air snapped into place at last, and the portal neared completion, permanent upon this world and marking it a dominion of the Legion forever.

Archimonde knew this, and took the opportunity to taunt the mortals that challenged him, "Your foolish crusade ends here, mortals. The legion comes and with it this world breathes its dying breath! Look upon the endless forces of the Burning Legion and know the folly of your resistance."

And as he spoke the words of command, the demons pouring from Argus intensified an hundred fold, even as the portal flashed its completion, and the denizens of the dark world spilled forth to fight the enemies of their master. The warlocks stepped aside, watching in a mixture of horror and amusement as the armies of the Legion spilled over the battlefield, Felhunters and other hounds charging for the wizards while great Fel Lords and Doomguards charged for the mages, who could do little but watch in horror as their doom approached.

"Your fate is sealed!" Archimonde said at last, stepping back and letting his minions fight the battle that was indeed beneath him to participate personally to the end.

Rather, the Demonlord turned and approached Nobu'tan, who bowed respectfully to his master's master, even if he had his reservations of their true desires for him.

"You have done well, little Warlock," the Lord of the Legion stated, looking down at him with his Fel touched eyes.

"Thank you, Lord Archimonde," Nobu'tan replied, hoping that he would not have need to mention the reward promised him, as that would lessen the likelihood of him receiving it. The Eredar seemed to be able to sense his thoughts and chuckled appreciatively, the ground rumbling even with the slight noise.

"I suppose you are ever eager to move on newer worlds and leave this miserable dust ball before we finish our work… I suppose I can grant you that reprieve for your service to us, until the way is opened for us to send you to our glorious prize." He stated, gesturing at the Black Gate.

Nobu'tan was surprised, thinking that they would send him and his directly to Azeroth, but a stay on the prime world of Argus beforehand was not a reward to balk at, and humble he accepted, signaling for his minions to prepare all their things and summon the last fringes of their forces away from the battle.

They were to depart as soon as the tide of demons slowed, which would be once Archimonde decided that the initial resistance was crushed utterly. In the meantime, Nobu'tan opened a portal to the subterranean kingdom of Gringotts, sending the predetermined signal for the Goblins to prepare themselves. It could take days or longer before the Demonlord was satisfied that they had no more resistance on this world, or else open other portals that would permit them access to the Black Gate without hindrance by the flow of demons washing over their world.

Lucius and Draco, along with the rest of the Order of the Black Harvest shared looks of unsettled fear on their faces, even through their Pureblood masks, at the proximity of the Demonlord of the Legion, but the mighty Archimonde paid them no mind, focusing his attention back on the pitiful resistance before their gate, which was somehow holding their own against an endless tide of minions and underlings.

"We will leave this place the moment we are ready and the Portal is clear," Nobu'tan informed them, knowing that they would have to make certain that they took the soonest advantage to capitalize on their reward. The Legion was powerful, but they still could not be trusted.

Nobu'tan was distracted when a familiar winged demon approached him from the portal, freshly appearing upon their world. "Mephistroth, welcome to our world properly for the first time," Nobu'tan said as he faced the Nathrezim.

"Young Nobu'tan, our mutual master Kil'jaeden is very pleased with your success in bringing our strength to this world at last." The Dreadlord replied, wings twitching slightly as he oriented himself to the world's gravity. "I know what Lord Archimonde has promised you, but you fall under the instruction of Kil'jaeden, and he will deal with how swiftly you are rewarded."

Nobu'tan feared for a moment that the Legion was about to betray them, but the vampiric demon held up a claw to stop him, "Clam yourself, we will hold true to our bargain, but your time spent on Argus will be short, as we already have our forces both on our worlds and upon Azeroth itself working to find a limited pathway that would allow your mortal forces through, even if we cannot utilize them to enter the world ourselves."

It was actual good news, and Nobu'tan nodded, relaxing from the shock that he had felt previously. "However," the Dreadlord announced and Nobu'tan tensed again, "We already have your orders for when you arrive in the world of Azeroth…"

Nobu'tan wasn't sure if he was going to like these instructions, but had little choice but to listen if he wanted to see the green of his homeland once again.

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Albus heaved the sword of Gryffindor once more, having quickly recovered the blade before the unending ranks of demons fell upon them, and cut the goblin steel along the unprotected belly of yet another foe, the creature slumping to the ground dead.

All around him, Mages and Wizards continued to fight desperately, but their numbers were waning already. Granger and her resources had been a needed asset, arriving at the right moment, and Albus knew he was wrong to ever try to shield these specific young ones from this terror, or the world as a whole for that matter.

They had to get away and fortify their defenses, as he was already certain that victory here was lost to them, but not all had Portkeys to escape, and portals took time that they did not have with the unending forces pitted against them.

Then there was the fear Albus had burning in the back of his mind, which capitulated even as he spotted the blue titan wading back toward the front. "I am the defiler! Lord of the Burning Legion!" he announced, the arrogance radiating off of his form like heat from a star,"This world will feel my wrath and burn!"

Fawkes was there, fighting alongside him, but even with the Phoenix aiding them, they couldn't get everyone away in time before they were overwhelmed. There was simply nothing he could do, and the weight of failure seemed to press upon him heavily.

Almost as though sensing his despiar, the Demon chuckled as he approached, "You have failed this world! The Legion cannot be stopped!" he stated flatly, raising the hammer in his hand once more.

Albus was too tired to dodge, and he watched as time seemed to slow infinitely as the hammer descended upon him. Utterly defeated, he started to close his eyes in acceptance of his fate.

"It is not time for you to fall, young Mortal," a voice sang within his mind, and Albus' eye snapped open, unable to see where such a melodic and pure voice came from.

"You seek to renew your people, and protect them from the corruption of the Legion, do you not?" the voice asked. Albus did not hesitate to answer in the affirmative. Even now, at the very end, he would do anything to preserve Wizard and Muggle alike, this world was united in their desperation against the power of the Legion.

"Then accept this gift, and preserve then through the power of the Light!" the voice sang our, changing in power to that of a battle anthem, and pure magical power flowed into Albus' form, quite unlike anything he had experienced before.

Without purely thinking, a hand raised to the heavens, as though to ward off the blow of the demon lord's hammer, and a dome of pure Light erupted over him, catching and deflecting the hammer blow, and sending the titanic form reeling back in surprise. The minions that were rushing him at the same time, burned to ashes as they struck the golden dome, although his allies were free to pass as they chose.

Quickly, the surrounding mages and wizards spotted the safety of the shield and fell behind it, while Moody and Miss Granger took charge, ordering portals and Portkeys to be used to get them all away. Soon enough only Albus remained, with Fawkes on his shoulder, watching the tide of angry demons literally throw themselves to their death upon his shield.

"Take us home Fawkes," Albus said, dropping the shield even as the Phoenix flame took them back to Hogwarts.

Stumbling from his many wounds and the exhaustion of so much magic used, Albus sank to his knees in his office, wondering how they could defeat such a foe.

"By not being alone," replied a voice, and Albus realized that his office was far brighter than he had remembered it to be. Turning to look, he behind a creature that radiated the same magical energy he had been infused with, while its crystallized body floated above the ground. Fawkes was crooning softly, as though basking within the light of the other creature.

"I am K'uri, a Naaru," the creature explained, offering light and hope to Albus for the first time that evening. "And now that your people are safe, we must plan for the assault of the Legion upon your world, for the immediate and the prolonged siege that is sure to come once they realize you can and will resist them."

Albus was not sure what the creature was referring to with the final part of its statement, but he agreed that their defenses must immediately be looked to. Standing, he realized as well that his injuries had all been mended by the mysterious power of the Light that seemed to weave all about the creature.

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Mephistroth didn't stay on the primitive human world for very long. As one of the supreme leaders of the Nathrezim he had greater duties to be taking care of, and with Archimonde in direct control of the invasion there was no need for one such servant of Kil'jaeden to waste their time on such a matter.

He had been perfectly honest with the human boy Nobu'tan, as they did indeed have the means to get him and his forces onto Azeroth proper, once their forces on that world found a suitable location to open a Fel portal without the other races growing too suspicious. The Undead Scourge was making a nice enough amount of havoc across the northern portions of Lordaeron, and soon enough the Lich King would make his move on Dalaran, and generate the long awaited portal for Archimonde to begin their advance on the crowning jewel of the cosmos.

Kil'jaeden had little care for the other beings of this world, so their destruction would simply be handed off to another lesser Eredar underling of Archimonde to finish what the General of the Legion had started, while he went personally to advance on their true prize.

In the midst of that chaos, all their resources were greatly tied up, it might have some major delays for when the orc-raised human could journey safely to the Legion conquered Azeroth, but that was the trick of the Legion was it not. They would fulfill their bargain, but that did not mean an end to their need of useful servants.

The boy was far too trusting, like his old master had been, up until the end, when the wily old orc had tried to enter the Tomb of Sargeras without the Legion's blessing, and take the power of the Tomb for himself. Still, Mephistroth knew that this child would be an excellent pawn for the many worlds that they had yet to take control of, and if the residents of Azeroth proved to put up a greater struggle than Archimonde supposed, he would be held in reserve to prepare the way for yet another invasion down the line.

The Legion had the time to be as patient as they wanted, even if it was contrary to their need to take the powerful worlds out of the grasp of the darker elements of the universe before it was a problem too great for them to handle.

The Dark Titan had shared some of his intended plans with the rulers of the Legion, and as the Nathrezim were the intelligence gatherers for their Crusade, it was natural that they had some facets of the truth behind all their wars and strife across the stars. But for now, the boy and his allies would wait, first on their world for a time, then extremely briefly on Argus, before they were sent off to their next assignment. Mephistroth knew that Archimonde would be heading for Azeroth soon enough, and then their work would begin at last.