An unfamiliar owl swooped down and dropped a letter onto my plate. Before I could even reach for it, a golden blur shot through the Great Hall, my familiar, shrieking angrily as she chased off the intruder. Her iridescent feathers gleamed in the morning light, and she made her displeasure known with a series of sharp cries that echoed off the enchanted ceiling. Everyone knew my familiar, and those who didn't quickly figured it out from the stares directed at me. More whispers, more suspicious glances, as if being a Parselmouth wasn't enough to set me apart.
I tried to drown out the noise, but one glance caught my eye, Lily, smiling softly, a mix of amusement and something warmer. She turned her head, masking her expression, but that fleeting grin stayed with me, echoing in the back of my mind.
I picked up the letter, immediately suspicious. You couldn't just send letters to anyone; magical correspondence was supposed to be secure, tied to the recipient's connections or established relationships. Otherwise, every paranoid witch and wizard would be dead from poisoned parchment or worse. Whoever sent this had put in the work to reach me.
The envelope was simple, unmarked, and the handwriting inside was elegant, almost too neat. My eyes skimmed the words, but what stopped me wasn't the letter's contents, it was the sudden ping of my gamer interface, the translucent screen flashing into view over the parchment.
Quest Unlocked: Changing What's to Come – The world is embroiled in harsh times; change what's to come, for better or worse.
Objective: Become strong. Strong enough to conquer death himself.
Reward: You survive.
Optional Rewards:
- Increase the chance of Astra Geur surviving.
- Increase the chance of Artic Geur surviving.
- Increase the chance of Lily Evans surviving.
- Increase the chance of James Potter surviving.
- Increase the chance of Sirius Black surviving.
- Increase the chance of Remus Lupin surviving.
- Increase the chance of...
The list continued, scrolling down like a morbid roll call of everyone I'd ever cared about, or even known in passing. My mother, Uncle Artic, Lily, Pandora, my dormmates. Even their parents. Each name was like a gut punch. What the hell was coming?
Everyone I loved… hell, even people I barely tolerated or didn't know beyond their family names. The names just kept coming, a relentless, merciless tally of lives at risk. And yet, I checked through, skimming it, looking for her, and yet she wasn't there.
Bellatrix. I blinked, my stomach twisting. What the hell does that mean? What does any of it mean?
I forced myself to focus back on the letter. It was an invitation, vague and clandestine, to a meeting spot during the summer at Malfoy Manor. My first instinct was to burn it right then and there. I didn't need a quest prompt to tell me I had no business associating with their kind, and the last thing I wanted was to be pulled into whatever schemes that ponce Lucius was plotting.
But the quest remained. A constant, insistent reminder: "Increase the chance of Lily Evans surviving."
"Alton." Lily's voice pulled me from my thoughts. She was standing beside me, closer than I realized, her green eyes filled with concern. I hadn't even noticed her approach, but she must have been watching me from the corner of her eye, as always. Despite the strain in our friendship, despite her pointed attempts to keep her distance, she couldn't help but worry. Lily was complicated like that, a complicated girl, like all girls really, at worst, a sweetheart at best. "Are you okay?"
She placed a hand on my arm, a light touch that sent a rush of conflicting emotions through me. The quest notification flickered again in my peripheral vision: "Increase the chance of Lily Evans surviving."
I swallowed hard, nodding weakly. "I'm fine," I lied, but it was clear she didn't believe me.
"Alton, we've got a free period, right?" Lily asked, her voice gentle but probing. I knew she'd memorized my timetable, just as I knew she had an eidetic memory. It was one of the reasons she was top of our year, nothing got past her. "Do you want to, "
'Increase the chance of Lily Evans surviving.'
I couldn't escape it. The words kept flashing, taunting me. Every second I spent hesitating felt like another second closer to losing everything. "I've got to train," I said abruptly, standing up so fast that my chair scraped against the stone floor. I pushed my empty plate away and turned toward the exit, not daring to look back at her. "I'll see you next period, Lils."
She called after me, her voice tinged with frustration and hurt, but I didn't turn around. I couldn't. I walked out of the Great Hall, each step feeling heavier than the last, the weight of the quest hanging over me like a curse.
The Chamber of Secrets
I spent the rest of the day in a haze, barely aware of my surroundings as I drifted through classes. The words of my professors faded into background noise, drowned out by the incessant buzzing of my thoughts. Each new spell or potion recipe was just another distraction from the looming quest, from the endless list of names and percentages that haunted the corner of my vision. My mind kept wandering back to the Chamber, to the steady rhythm of training that was the only thing that made sense anymore.
When the final bell rang, signaling the end of the day, I didn't hesitate. I made my way back to the Chamber of Secrets, its hidden entrance only accessible to me.
Exploring the place, I discovered that the old crackpot Slytherin practically lived here, a series of chambers dedicated to different purposes. One, in particular, stood out: a training room filled with self-fixing statues.
I took a moment to steady myself, calling up my status page once more. I needed to see where I stood, what I still lacked. The numbers stared back at me, unforgiving and honest.
Name: Alton Geur
HP: 1350
MP: 1550 - [10 MP Per Second]
SP: 300
GP: 100
EXP: 0/2000
Level: 20
Points: 6
Perk Points: 5
I tightened my grip on my wand, feeling the familiar weight of it, and dove into training. The room responded to my presence, shifting and adapting as I moved. Targets sprang up from the ground, enchanted dummies brandishing wands and claws, each designed to simulate real-world threats. I started with the basics, running through spell sequences and blocking attacks. It was all muscle memory now, Defence Against the Dark Arts and Transfiguration had become second nature, but I pushed harder, faster, until sweat dripped down my brow and my limbs ached.
New Skill Progress: Defence Against the Dark Arts - 71.
New Skill Progress: Transfiguration - 77.
But those were just numbers, just small steps toward something greater. My true focus was on the earth beneath me, on the stubborn, unyielding power of Hades that I'd only begun to scratch the surface of.
Godling Skills: Earth Control - 19.
I slammed my foot down, willing the ground to shift, and the floor rippled in response. Boulders emerged, jagged and sharp, rising like fangs ready to strike. I focused, sweat beading on my forehead as I extended my control, trying to mold the stone into something useful, a barrier, a weapon, anything. But it fought me, every inch a battle of will and determination. I could feel the magic pulling at my strength, draining my MP like water through a sieve.
MP: 850 - [15 MP Per Second]
I gritted my teeth, pouring everything I had into the task. The rocks shifted, but only barely, moving sluggishly as if mocking my efforts. This wasn't like casting a spell or waving a wand; this was raw power, elemental and untamed. I knew that if I could master this, I'd have an edge unlike any other wizard. But every attempt felt like dragging the earth itself up a mountain.
Still, I refused to relent. I called upon my gamer interface, activating abilities unlocked in the godling section, ones that boosted my control, even if only for a moment.
Skill Activated: Stone's Embrace - Temporarily increases Earth Control by 5 points.
The ground responded more eagerly now, the stone taking shape with less resistance. I moved it like an extension of my own body, blocking incoming projectiles and hurling boulders with newfound precision. But the strain was immense, each movement sapping my strength at an alarming rate. My health dipped slightly, the toll on my body becoming painfully evident.
HP: 1200 - Minor Fatigue.
I staggered back, panting heavily, but a fierce sense of satisfaction filled me. I was getting there, inch by grueling inch.
Hours passed, and I was barely aware of the sun setting outside the castle walls. Slytherin's training dummies were on a whole other level. They seemed almost sentient, as if they were learning from my attacks, forcing me to adapt or fall.
New Enemy Encountered: Hogwarts Guardian (Training Dummy) - Level 22.
The golems lumbered toward me, their bodies glowing with magical heat, a clunky design that somehow felt deliberate, like they were testing me. I raised my wand, but I knew that spells alone wouldn't be enough. I needed everything, wizardry, demigod powers, and the gamer system all working in sync.
Skill Activated: Gaze of the Underworld - Intimidate and weaken enemies within a 10-meter radius.
The golems slowed, their movements hindered as my gaze bore into them, shadows flickering at the edges of their forms. I followed up with rapid spellwork, combining blasting curses with earth manipulation, hurling jagged rocks at their cores. Each impact chipped away at their health, visible bars hovering above their heads.
Golem 1: HP 150/500.
Golem 2: HP 300/500.
I moved in a blur, using my Shadow Step to blink between their swings, countering with precise strikes. It was a chaotic dance, one that pushed my reflexes and stamina to their limits. My interface kept track of every hit, every miss, the data streaming in like a silent coach guiding my every move.
MP: 300 - Severe Exhaustion Imminent.
I finished the last golem with a final, desperate push, conjuring a massive spike of earth that pierced through its core. It crumbled into a pile of smoldering rock, and I dropped to one knee, utterly spent but victorious.
New Skill Progress: Earth Control - 21.
EXP Earned: 1500/2000.
I leaned back, feeling the weight of the grind settle into my bones. It wasn't just about power anymore; it was about surviving the unending trials that my life had become. The quest's ominous message flashed briefly in the corner of my vision, reminding me of why I was doing this.
'Increase the chance of Lily Evans surviving.'
As I caught my breath, I knew one thing: I'd keep pushing, keep fighting against every obstacle. Because every second spent training wasn't just for me, it was for everyone on that list. And I wasn't about to let the quest dictate who made it and who didn't.
I rose, still panting, and began the next set of drills. There was no time to waste.
The Hogwarts Courtyard, Evening
After a week of exhausting training in the Chamber of Secrets, whenever I could afford the time, I'd step out into the cool evening air of the Hogwarts courtyard, taking a moment to feel the cool breeze. Tonight, the sky was streaked with the last hues of sunset, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch endlessly.
My muscles ached, my mind heavy with the weight of the quest and the constant pressure of leveling up. My status screen still lingered in my peripheral vision, the blinking notifications a reminder that my work was far from over.
As I walked, I absently swiped away the interface, feeling the sting of exhaustion deep in my bones. I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I didn't notice Lily approaching until she was right beside me, her expression a mixture of worry and frustration.
"Alton, this has to stop," Lily said, stepping into my path. Her voice was firm, but there was an undercurrent of fear that she couldn't quite hide. "You're wearing yourself down to nothing, and no one knows why."
What could I say? *Hey Lils, I've got a quest that involves increasing everyone's chances of surviving. Oh yeah, I have a gamer system, by the way. This quest told me I needed to get strong. How strong? Well, Albus Fucking Dumbledore was also listed.*
Instead, I just tried to brush her off, offering a strained smile that didn't reach my eyes. "I'm fine, Lils. Just… training, you know. Gotta stay sharp."
But Lily wasn't having it. She placed a hand on my chest, forcing me to stop and look at her. "You're not fine. You've been avoiding everyone, throwing yourself into whatever this is, and you look like you haven't slept in days. Remus says you haven't been to the dorms in ages. Sirius says you're not with her," she added, with a hint of relief. "Talk to me."
I hesitated, torn between the urge to confide in her and the need to keep my burdens to myself. The quest's warnings flashed in my mind, 'Increase the chance of Lily Evans surviving.'
My mum was on the list, my uncle, Pandora and her mum, yet the thought of Lily… I would die for them all, but Lily…
But confiding in her, I'd just put her at risk. That's how it worked, right? I needed to protect her. Every second I spent with her felt like a gamble, another moment where she was at risk because of me.
"It's complicated," I finally admitted, my voice low. "There's… a lot going on. Things I can't explain. Things I have to do."
Lily's eyes softened, but her resolve didn't waver. "You don't have to do it alone, whatever it is. You have people who care about you. Me, Sirius, Remus, Pandora… we're all here, whether you like it or not."
Ignoring the fact they were avoiding me because of my own actions, I knew they'd still come through when it mattered. Even I could see it objectively, they were worried. She was worried.
I let out a shaky breath, the weight of everything I'd been carrying pressing down on me. For a moment, I considered telling her about the quest, but I stopped myself, knowing that revealing too much could put her in more danger.
Instead, I took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Thanks, Lils. But I need you to promise me something: no matter what happens, you have to keep looking out for yourself. Don't get caught up in my mess."
Lily frowned, sensing the gravity of my words. "Alton, I'm not going anywhere. And I won't let you push me away."
Before I could respond, she pulled me into a tight hug, and for a brief moment, the tension in my shoulders eased. It was a small comfort, but it reminded me that I wasn't completely alone in this.
"Just promise me you'll be careful," she whispered, her voice laced with unspoken fears. "I'm not blind; I know you're worried about something. So I'm expecting you to suddenly get into a fight or something."
I nodded, but in the back of my mind, I knew that "careful" was the last thing I could afford to be. There was too much at stake, too many lives hanging in the balance, and my only option was to keep pushing forward, no matter the cost.
Just as our conversation ended, my Danger Sense flared up, interrupting the moment.
Danger.
My senses went on high alert. My eyes darted around the courtyard, scanning the shadows for any signs of danger. But it wasn't a physical enemy that the system had detected, it was a presence, dark and familiar, one that sent a chill down my spine.
Bellatrix stepped into view, her wand lazily twirling between her fingers, a smirk tugging at her lips. The look in her eyes told me that her intentions were far from innocent. We shared a tense, loaded stare, each assessing the other. Bellatrix had always been unpredictable, but lately, her interest in me had taken on a more dangerous edge.
She sneered, her voice dripping with mockery. "Training all alone, are we, darling?" I'd been avoiding Bellatrix more than anyone else. I was still trying to figure out what it meant that so many people I barely knew were on that list, yet Bellatrix's name was absent. And it was clear as day now, she was the one who had sent the invite, or she had arranged it.
I stood my ground, shielding Lily slightly, though I tried to remain casual. "What do you want, Bellatrix? I'm not in the mood." I tried to shuffle Lily behind me, but had I mentioned that the fiery redhead had the worst danger sense out there?
Bellatrix tilted her head, amusement flickering in her eyes. "Oh, just checking up on you. Word is you've been pushing yourself rather hard lately. Perhaps I can help… or maybe I'll just watch you burn yourself out." She teased with a lick of her lips.
My eyes widened at Lily's eloquent rebuttal, "Fuck off!"
The tension was palpable, and I knew Bellatrix was testing me, and now Lily, too, probing for weaknesses. She wasn't just here to taunt; she was gathering information, looking for any sign that I might be vulnerable.
Lily stepped up, her wand subtly drawn, ready to back me if things got out of hand. But Bellatrix only laughed, dismissing the threat with a wave. "Oh, don't worry, Evans. I'm not here to play with you. My interest lies elsewhere."
"Tell that ponce Malfoy I'm not interested," I muttered low.
A flicker of something fierce burned in her eyes before she schooled it. Bellatrix shrugged, turning on her heel as she headed back toward the castle. "Careful, Alton. Keep this up, and you'll find yourself all alone on the wrong side of the fight. And trust me… it's a lot less fun when you're the prey."
As she disappeared into the shadows, my gamer system pinged one last time, displaying a new quest update.
Quest Unlocked - Neutralize the Threat of Bellatrix Lestrange.
Reward: ?
The message sent a shiver through me, but I quickly dismissed it, knowing that my focus needed to stay on what mattered most, protecting those I cared about and becoming strong enough to change the fate that loomed over us all.
"And you had a sexual relationship with her," Lily snipped, watching Bellatrix walk off. She puffed out her chest, staring up at me with a firm look.
I let out a long sigh. "You're always going to bring that up, aren't you?"
She scrunched up her lower lip. "Yes, most likely." She then poked me in the stomach. "You owe me a date."
"Yeah, I… what?"
"I'm not playing coy any longer, Alton. And I'm not waiting for you to get your act together," she said, shrugging casually. "We're going on a date this weekend, Hogsmeade. You'll rest up, and then you'll wait for me outside the dorms at nine."
I blinked, caught off guard, but Lily's determined smile left no room for argument. I nodded, feeling a strange mix of dread and hope as the quest's warnings continued to flash in my mind. This was one fight I couldn't afford to lose.
A/N - Published - 2024/09/02 - Edited - 2024/09/02 - Because my dumb arse kept switching in between first and third person during the last section.
Yo, thanks all for the support shown to this story.
Yeah, I felt guilty about the huge delay, so here's this chapter, especially with all the kind words for Ch 12.
So I figured I should point this out because a few people have asked. The Fates Revenge is an alternative universe/alternative future if that helps people think about it.
...Who the fuck said Alton is thinking straight, at this point if you think he makes good choices, well I really don't know what to tell you.
Him trying to solve shit on his own, is his cope, especially when he saw Dumbledore's name on the list, okay I guess I have to say it, he'll see sense soon enough.