# Chapter 4: Echoes of Power
The cold, radiant energy from the orb coursed through Harry's veins like liquid fire. It wasn't like the magic he knew—it felt older, rawer, as if it belonged to the very bones of this world. His breath hitched as the power settled in him, fusing with his magic in a way that made the Elder Wand hum in his hand, vibrating with a newfound strength.
Yue stood silently by his side, her golden eyes watching him intently as the last pulses of energy faded. The orb had disappeared the moment it touched him, dissolving into light and becoming one with him. Harry could still feel it—a reservoir of power that he could tap into if needed, but it was volatile, dangerous even. He wasn't sure what he had just absorbed.
"That felt… different," Harry said, his voice tight, trying to mask the surge of emotion and uncertainty that came with the new power.
Yue nodded, her gaze unwavering. "The labyrinth's magic will change you. With each trial you overcome, you'll gain strength, but it will test your resolve. This place is as much a trial of your spirit as it is of your abilities."
Harry rubbed his chest, where the echo of the orb's power still lingered. He had expected some kind of magical artifact, something tangible to hold and use, but this… this was different. It felt as if the very magic of this world was altering him, binding itself to him. It was both exhilarating and terrifying.
"And what about you?" Harry asked, glancing at Yue. "Did you take this power too? Is that why you're…"
"Immortal?" she finished, her expression unreadable. "Yes. The power I took from the labyrinth made me what I am. But it also trapped me here. The price of power is never clear at first."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Harry had been here only a short time, but already he could sense the danger of this world—the seductive lure of power, the way it tempted you with strength but demanded something in return. He had seen it in the past, with the Deathly Hallows, with Voldemort. Power could corrupt. It could consume.
But this world didn't give him a choice. He had to survive. And to do that, he needed power.
Harry pushed his doubts aside and looked around the chamber. Now that the guardian was defeated and the orb's power absorbed, the atmosphere had changed. The oppressive weight that had filled the air was gone, replaced by an almost eerie calm. The chamber's exit was now visible—a large, arching doorway that led deeper into the labyrinth.
Yue followed his gaze. "We're not done yet. The deeper we go, the stronger the challenges become. But the rewards will match them."
Harry let out a breath, his mind already preparing for the next trial. "Right. No point in turning back now."
Together, they stepped through the archway and into the next passage. The corridor was long and narrow, with flickering torches lighting the way. The air grew colder as they walked, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. There was an unease in the air, a sensation that they were being watched by something unseen.
Harry's senses were on high alert. He wasn't sure if it was the labyrinth's magic or his own heightened awareness from the orb's power, but every shadow felt like a threat, every distant sound like a warning.
After what felt like hours of walking, they entered a new chamber. This one was smaller than the last, with high ceilings and walls covered in ancient runes, glowing faintly in the dim light. In the center of the room stood a large stone tablet, and surrounding it, several pedestals, each with a different artifact resting on top—a sword, a shield, a staff, and a strange crystalline object that resembled a heart.
Harry approached the tablet cautiously, eyeing the artifacts warily. "What is this?"
Yue stepped closer, studying the runes etched into the walls. "Another trial. But this one is different. It offers you a choice."
"A choice?" Harry echoed, his eyes flicking back to the artifacts. "What kind of choice?"
Yue's expression darkened. "Each of these artifacts holds great power, but they come with a price. Choose carefully. One will aid you, but the others may destroy you if you are not prepared for their power."
Harry's stomach twisted. He had seen this before—temptation wrapped in the guise of strength. The Triwizard Tournament had been full of such traps, challenges designed to test your judgment as much as your skills.
His eyes moved over the artifacts, each one gleaming in the faint light. The sword was long and gleaming, its blade etched with runes that pulsed with a fiery energy. The shield, round and sturdy, seemed to radiate a sense of protection, while the staff was tall and regal, crowned with a glowing gem at its top. But the heart-shaped crystal intrigued him the most—it pulsed faintly, like a living thing, and its magic felt almost… familiar.
"What does the heart do?" Harry asked, his eyes narrowing as he studied the crystalline object.
Yue's gaze followed his. "The Heart of Magic. It is said to amplify the power of the one who wields it, binding their magic to the labyrinth's very core. But it is also the most dangerous. If your will is not strong enough, it will consume you."
Harry swallowed hard, his fingers itching to reach for it. The allure of more power was strong, especially here, where every step was a fight for survival. But there was a part of him—a deeper, quieter part—that urged caution. He had learned from the Hallows that sometimes, power wasn't the answer. Sometimes, it was a trap.
He shifted his gaze to the other artifacts, considering his options. The sword was tempting—direct, straightforward. A weapon he could wield in battle. The shield promised protection, a defense against the dangers of this world. And the staff… it hummed with magical energy, but it felt cold, distant. Powerful, but impersonal.
Yue watched him in silence, giving no indication of which choice was the right one. This was his trial, and his alone.
Finally, Harry made his decision. His hand extended, not toward the sword or the shield, but toward the Heart of Magic. There was something about it—a sense of connection, of familiarity—that called to him. He was already bound to the magic of this world, and he needed to understand it if he was going to survive.
The moment his fingers brushed the crystal, a shockwave of energy surged through him. The Heart pulsed violently, and Harry gasped, his vision going white as the power flooded him. For a moment, it felt like he was drowning in raw magic, his own abilities clashing with the labyrinth's ancient energy.
But then, something shifted. His connection to the Deathly Hallows—his mastery over death—flared to life, pushing back against the overwhelming force of the Heart. The two magics collided for a heartbeat, and then, slowly, they began to merge, weaving together into something new, something stronger.
The pain faded, and Harry opened his eyes, panting but alive. The Heart of Magic was now a part of him, its power fused with his own. His magic felt different—stronger, more fluid, as though it responded to his will in ways it hadn't before.
Yue nodded approvingly, though there was a flicker of something in her eyes—concern, perhaps. "You've chosen well. But be careful. The Heart will test you. If you falter, it will destroy you."
Harry nodded, still catching his breath. "I know. But I need this power if I'm going to survive here."
Yue's expression softened slightly. "Then we move forward. The deeper we go, the closer we get to the true heart of the labyrinth. And the closer we get to finding out why you were brought here."
Together, they left the chamber, Harry feeling the weight of the Heart's power thrumming in his chest. His magic had evolved, and with it, the stakes had risen. This world wasn't just testing his strength—it was testing his very soul.
And deep down, Harry knew that whatever awaited him at the end of the labyrinth would demand everything he had.