Chapter 177 Key To The Divided Treasure

"Temple, starlight..." Evan also wanted to inquire about that, but before he could speak, he was interrupted by Firenze.

"I don't think it's appropriate to continue discussing this matter now. There are more pressing matters waiting for us to address." Firenze looked worriedly at the distant fire, and occasionally the noisy clicks of the Acromantulas could be heard from the trees. He said softly, "Evan, you mentioned Peter Pettigrew. If I'm not mistaken, shouldn't he be dead?"

"He's not dead; it was all a conspiracy." Evan quickly recounted what had happened twelve years ago and recently at the castle.

Firenze listened in silence, his face devoid of expression.

What Evan revealed about the astonishing truth involving James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, and Sirius Black seemed to be instantly believed by Firenze, as if he had known the truth already.

"So everything was orchestrated by Peter Pettigrew, Sirius has been unfairly accused," Evan spoke quickly, "We must catch him and not let him escape. This is crucial as the fate of many people depends on it."

"The fate of all is already sealed. For instance, regarding Peter Pettigrew, the celestial omen spoke to me about this unfortunate matter twenty years ago." Firenze stepped forward, "I warned James and Sirius at the time, but they didn't believe me."

The celestial omen, twenty years ago!

Evan had no doubt in believing Firenze, although he wasn't sure if he could truly see glimpses of the future. Still, it seemed he had not entered a true prophetic state; unlike Professor Trelawney, who generally was not worth believing at all.

"Where is Peter Pettigrew?"

"He should have been seriously injured near the lair of Aragog, but he will arrive soon. Many Acromantulas are pursuing him." Evan, lost in his thoughts, snapped back to reality. He pointed ahead and said, "We are heading in that direction, to an open space he will pass through in half an hour."

"Time is of the essence!" Firenze didn't inquire how Evan knew this. He crouched on his front hooves. "We must hurry! You may climb on. It will be faster this way." Firenze said, allowing Evan to mount his back.

Evan had never had such an experience. Riding the Centaur felt like riding a horse, but slightly different. He felt no slightest jolt. Firenze was as graceful as a deer, and very swift.

Walking through the jungle, it took them less than five minutes to reach the place where Evan had previously used Mr. Weasley's old car.

The dark woods were quiet, and what was happening at the distant lair of Aragog seemed unrelated to this. Through the sparse trees, the starry sky could be seen.

"Well, let's wait here. Thank you for helping me, Firenze!" Evan slipped off his back. "I just ran into Ronan and Bane. Both of them refused to help me..."

"It's not surprising that Centaurs generally do not assist humans. We must never disobey what the heavens dictate. If the path of a planet has foreseen your death, then even if you die beside it, they will never aid you."

"But you helped me, you are different from the other Centaurs."

"Everyone has different interpretations of the signs in the sky, so our practices differ. I once said that if necessary, I would stand beside humans." Firenze looked towards the sky. "I must admit, however, that I am different within my ethnic group."

After his words, silence reigned for a while, as neither of them uttered a word.

In the darkness, Evan pondered on the thing preserved within the Centaur tribe, the magical object that was said to hold immense power, the Key to the Secret Treasure left by Gryffindor.

"Firenze, if I want to obtain the thing kept in your tribe, what must I do?" Evan asked suddenly, "I have heard that I need the approval of the Centaurs, what does that truly mean?"

"For those who are chosen by destiny, the planets will give a clear omen, and then the elders will make specific requests and ask you to do something for us," Firenze replied gently, still gazing at the sky.

"An omen from the planets?"

Evan was left speechless at that moment.

He longed for acceptance, and the Centaurs had specific requirements for it. He could comprehend as long as they were feasible tasks.

But, what is the clear omen from the planets?

He couldn't discern any link between the planets and his own fate. These mysterious things were truly a headache.

Firenze did not directly answer Evan's question. He pointed to the brightest star in the sky and calmly stated, "Mars shines tonight."

"I know, Ronan and Bane just mentioned that. What does this signify?" sighed Evan. The Centaurs were all like this. He had thought Firenze would be a bit more conventional, but it seems that his normalcy has its limits after all.

"That is an omen," Firenze simply replied, "The harbinger of calamity, the worst omen of all. It is no coincidence that you have appeared here tonight, Evan. Perhaps you are the chosen one by destiny, but I must warn you..."

Evan stayed silent; he waited for Firenze to continue.

"Whatever your purpose may be, the one that drives you to obtain that powerful magical object." Firenze gazed down at Evan from above, his eyes blue as sapphires shining under the night sky, "I must remind you that it is completely different from what you think."

"Completely different?!"

As for Gryffindor's Secret Treasure Key, Evan had some guesses, but Firenze insisted it was entirely different from what he imagined. Why did he say that? He hadn't even heard Evan's conjectures, yet he dared to draw that conclusion?

"Yes, it is entirely different! In fact, it isn't even whole. It was split in the past due to internal division among the Centaurs. We failed to uphold our original oath. For centuries, the elders of our tribe have been troubled by this."

"What did you say? It's not complete?" Evan was taken aback.

"This is a very long story, a dark tale about the Centaurs."

Firenze turned away, evading Evan's question.

He simply vaguely mentioned that Gryffindor's Secret Treasure Key was split due to internal strife within the Centaur tribe. Obviously, he didn't want to delve into the matter in detail.

It was evident from his expression that, for the Centaurs, this was not something to be proud of.