# Chapter 3: Into the Abyss
The air inside the chamber felt thick and heavy, as though it were pressing down on Harry's chest. The dark expanse before him was unsettling, a void that seemed to swallow the dim light from his wand. He gripped the Elder Wand tightly, his senses heightened, heart pounding as Yue stood beside him. Her calm presence was oddly reassuring, but there was no mistaking the danger that awaited them.
"So, what exactly are we facing?" Harry asked, trying to keep his voice steady as they moved deeper into the chamber.
Yue's gaze remained fixed ahead. "This is one of the labyrinth's trials. Each chamber you pass grants you greater power, but at a cost. The deeper you go, the more difficult it becomes. You'll need to rely on more than just your magic."
"Great," Harry muttered. "And what's the trial in this room?"
As if in response to his question, the ground beneath their feet trembled. A deep rumbling sound echoed through the chamber, followed by the sound of stone grinding against stone. The void in front of them began to shift, revealing a massive stone bridge stretching across a chasm so deep, Harry couldn't see the bottom.
Yue stepped forward, her expression unreadable. "This is a test of willpower. The bridge looks solid, but it's an illusion. If you hesitate, if you doubt yourself even for a moment, you'll fall."
Harry swallowed hard, staring at the seemingly endless drop. "So, no pressure then."
Yue nodded. "If you want to survive here, you must trust your instincts. Hesitation leads to death. This world is unforgiving."
Harry glanced at her, taking in her calm demeanor. She had survived here for centuries, trapped, alone. There was no room for fear or doubt in her world, and now he had to learn the same lesson. He wasn't just fighting to survive anymore—he was fighting to adapt.
Without another word, Harry stepped onto the stone bridge. The moment his foot touched the surface, he felt the strange pull of magic. It wasn't the kind of magic he was used to in the wizarding world; this felt primal, wild, as though the very ground beneath him was testing his resolve.
The bridge beneath his feet seemed to shift, warping in his peripheral vision, making it difficult to focus. His pulse quickened, but he forced himself to keep moving forward, one step at a time. Each step felt heavier than the last, as if the air itself was dragging him down.
"Don't stop," Yue's voice came from behind, steady and calm.
Harry nodded, pushing forward. His mind raced with thoughts of Hogwarts, of Ron and Hermione, and of how he had always relied on them to ground him. But here, in this world, he was alone in a way he had never been before.
As he reached the center of the bridge, his foot slipped for just a moment. Panic flared in his chest, and the stone beneath him rippled like water. His heart pounded in his ears as he teetered on the edge, staring down into the abyss below.
*Focus, Harry* he told himself, taking a deep breath. *Don't let fear control you.*
Slowly, he righted himself and continued forward, pushing past the doubt that threatened to consume him. The moment his mind steadied, the bridge became solid again, and he quickened his pace.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Harry stepped off the bridge and onto the other side. His legs shook, his breath coming in ragged gasps, but he had made it. He glanced back at Yue, who crossed the bridge effortlessly, her movements as fluid as water.
"Not bad," Yue said when she reached his side. "Most people hesitate too long and fall before they reach the halfway point."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Harry replied, wiping sweat from his brow. "So, what now?"
Yue gestured to the far side of the chamber. "Now we face the true test."
At the edge of the chamber, a large stone door loomed, covered in ancient runes that glowed faintly with a soft blue light. The closer they got, the more Harry could feel the magic humming in the air, powerful and alive.
Yue placed her hand on the door, her golden eyes narrowing. "Behind this door is an artifact of great power, but it's guarded by something far worse than the creatures we've faced so far."
"Worse?" Harry asked, trying to suppress the dread creeping up his spine. "Like what?"
"The labyrinth's guardians," Yue said. "They're bound by ancient magic, designed to test the strength of those who seek the power hidden here. If you defeat them, you'll gain access to abilities that will make you stronger."
"And if we lose?" Harry asked, though he already knew the answer.
Yue's gaze was cold and steady. "Then we die."
Harry nodded, bracing himself. He had faced death before—Voldemort, Dementors, the Horcruxes—but this was different. Here, there was no prophecy guiding him, no destiny to fulfill. This was survival, pure and simple.
Yue pushed the door open, revealing a vast chamber bathed in a pale blue light. In the center stood a massive stone pedestal, atop which rested a shimmering crystal orb. The air around it crackled with energy.
But Harry's attention was immediately drawn to the figure standing in front of the pedestal—a towering figure made entirely of stone, its eyes glowing a bright, molten orange. The guardian.
"It won't let us take the artifact without a fight," Yue said, her voice low. "Be ready."
The stone guardian took a slow, deliberate step forward, the ground shaking beneath its weight. Harry raised his wand, his heart racing. This wasn't like fighting Death Eaters or dark creatures—this was raw, brutal power, and he needed to think quickly.
Without warning, the guardian lunged at them, its massive stone fists crashing toward Harry. He dived to the side, rolling across the ground just as the stone slammed into the floor where he had been standing.
Yue darted forward, moving with inhuman speed. She launched a barrage of magical energy from her hands, striking the guardian in its chest. The blasts barely made a dent in the creature's thick stone hide, but they distracted it long enough for Harry to get to his feet.
"*Reducto!*" Harry shouted, aiming at the creature's legs.
The spell hit with a burst of energy, and cracks spider-webbed across the guardian's leg. It stumbled slightly, but remained standing, its molten eyes locked onto Harry.
Yue's voice cut through the chaos. "Its core is in its chest! We have to destroy it to stop it!"
Harry's mind raced. If they didn't act fast, the guardian would overwhelm them with sheer power. He needed to find a way to amplify his magic—something stronger than what he was used to.
Then, in a flash of inspiration, he remembered the strange connection he felt earlier—the way his magic had transformed into something more. His hand tightened around the Elder Wand as he focused, willing his magic to respond.
Suddenly, a surge of energy coursed through him, and he felt the Deathly Hallows resonate in unison. With a burst of determination, Harry raised his wand, and instead of casting a spell, he channeled his magic directly into the air in front of him.
A blade of pure magical energy formed in his hand, crackling with raw power. It was like nothing he had ever done before—his magic wasn't just casting a spell, it was shaping reality itself.
Without hesitation, Harry charged forward, the blade humming with destructive force. The guardian swung its massive arm at him, but this time, Harry was ready. He dodged beneath the blow, the magical blade slicing through the air. With a swift, powerful strike, he drove the blade into the guardian's chest, right where Yue had indicated.
There was a deafening crack as the blade pierced the stone, and the guardian let out a thunderous roar. Its molten eyes flared brightly before dimming, and with a final shudder, the massive creature crumbled into dust.
Panting, Harry stood over the remains, the magical blade in his hand slowly dissipating. Yue stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with approval.
"Well done," she said softly.
Harry glanced at the pedestal where the shimmering orb still rested, undisturbed. "What now?" he asked, his voice still shaky from the fight.
Yue approached the orb, her expression thoughtful. "Now you claim your reward."
She picked up the crystal orb, and a pulse of energy radiated through the room. Harry felt it deep in his core—a surge of power unlike anything he had ever experienced before. This world was changing him, reshaping his magic, and with it, his understanding of what he was capable of.
As the energy settled, Harry knew that this was just the beginning. Tortus was a world filled with danger, but also immense potential. And if he was going to survive, he needed to embrace that power, no matter what it cost.
Yue handed him the orb, her eyes locking onto his. "You're not like the others who have come before. You're different. Stronger. But you'll need every bit of that strength for what's to come."
Harry nodded, accepting the orb's power as it flowed into him. He wasn't the boy who lived anymore. He was something more now.
And in this world, only the strong survived.