The Purpose, Rewritten, Chapter 30 At full speed
April 30, 1960, Vulken Island
Seth stood up, his father's crown on his head shining brightly. It was made of a silver metal composed of three filaments that looked like flower stems and formed a triangle at the forehead. He felt that the crown made him feel light, as if he could apparate wherever he wanted without the slightest effort. The crown had been made by the goblins, after all, and perhaps magic that only a wizard could use had been put into the crown. He turned towards the hundreds of vampires and servants who dropped to one knee, bowing before their new king.
He wore long black boots and a navy tunic with golden threads. A heavy cape was held on his shoulder with the Vulken crest, the head of a golden wolf. On his fingers shone three rings: his wedding ring, his father's ring, and his blood pact.
His parents, along with all the other victims, had just been buried under the weeping willows near the castle. These trees where he had spent so much time alone as a child. Who would have thought that one day he would bury the only people he had loved under these trees?
Shortly after, there was a ceremony to crown him king. He never thought he would feel such... admiration from so many souls and auras around him. So much devotion, pride, and by many, love.
Was he ready to have such importance? Did he rely too often on what his father knew what to do... what others did for him, or for his nation? He no longer had the right to make mistakes... every decision or gesture would be watched by his own people. He felt his heart skip a beat, then Corban's reassuring thoughts. His eternal humming was like a blanket to soothe him.
His gaze lingered on the only wizards present in the ceremony, namely the Flamels, Dumbledore, the Malfoys, Mijuu Me, Mérébelle and Daevion Blackwell. Although they were not kneeling, their heads were bowed in respect. Corban held their daughter in his arms, a smile on his lips. Their daughter, yes, and Corban who always carried her in his arms for hours. His emotions were racing, and he couldn't believe he was a father.
''You're beautiful to look at.'' Corban thought.
Seth smiled weakly in return. Lazarus got up and gave a short speech to which he ended with the classic sentence:
"Long live the king." Lazarus finished.
"LONG LIVE THE KING!" the crowd cheered.
A moment later the crowd dispersed. A lot of vampires were coming from elsewhere and since it was evening to accommodate the vampires' sensitivity to sunlight, they would return via the floo system or leave at the marina.
Nicholas moved closer to Seth while Perenelle spoke with Corban. The Flamels seemed to have aged and appeared frailer than before. Seth wondered if they were still taking their life elixirs diligently.
"Seth, I'm...so sorry about your parents...for not being there." Nicholas began.
"You couldn't have known…" Seth said softly. "You have already done so much for my family. Your presence warms my heart."
Seth placed a hand over his heart but narrowed his eyes at the pain.
''Your wounds... Are you not healed?'' Nicholas asked.
Because of the sands of time, the burns on his hand healed more slowly and his hand was covered in a bandage.
''Your... time turner broke, and I was burned.'' Seth said sadly.
''Oh, I understand.''
Nicholas glanced at Ruma.
"Your daughter?" asked Nicholas.
Seth nodded.
"Monica Greengrass… her mother. She came to see me before leaving for Norway. I... always had feelings for her, but I never thought it was possible for me to... well... she died giving birth to Ruma. Her father took revenge...and that's why we are here.'' Seth explained grimly.
"How is this possible?" Nicholas asked.
Seth pursed his lips and shook his head.
''I can't tell you why. No one should ever know how Greengrass did it, Nicholas.'' Seth said.
"I see." The alchemist replied.
A vampire approached Seth and curtsied before speaking.
''My king, forgive my intrusion. My name is Deverell. The phoenixes that your mother looked after are agitated and require care. They need a magizoologist as soon as possible.'' Deverell said.
''Magizoologist? Maybe I could help you with that.'' Nicholas said.
"The only one I know is Scamander. He must already be busy, popular as he is.'' Seth said.
''On the contrary, I'm sure he will be happy to see these phoenixes, and the other creatures in the center.'' Nicholas said.
''Good. Send an owl for Newt Scamander as quickly as possible, Deverell.'' Seth ordered.
"Yes, sir." Said Deverell before turning on his heel and heading towards the castle.
Another vampire arrived and informed him of another problem in another country. When he answered him with a solution, he wondered if he could speak with Abraxas and Dumbledore afterwards, but another came to him.
Was it always like this with his father?
''Your father was the creator of many vampires.'' Nicholas mentioned. "With a simple thought, he could solve many problems while you will have to answer each of them in person, by owl, or by telephone, I believe."
"I…I have a job at the ministry. I'll never be able to do both if it's like that.'' Seth said with a frown.
''I can take care of it. With Crouch.'' Danyck replied through his thoughts while he was in the ministry with Crouch. ''Besides, there are missing ingredients for the potion production laboratory for the hospital. The supplier has been sick for over a week and…"
"It's up to the supplies buyer in the purchasing department to take care of it and find another supplier!" Seth replied.
''She's overwhelmed and no one told her he was sick, so she relied on him and, well, we're running out of potions.'' Danyck said.
Seth ran a hand over his face.
"It seems you already have other problems at the ministry too." Nicholas replied, half-smiling.
He also knew that if there was a problem with the supply of potions for the hospital, it would be the same with the inhabitants of his island.
"Danyck, find another herb harvester as quickly as possible." Seth ordered.
"Right away." Danyck replied.
"Yes, but I can sort it out quickly with Danyck."
"It saddens me to see how little time you will have with your daughter… what about Monica's husband? Karkaroff… I think?'' asked Nicholas.
Seth gritted his teeth before answering.
"Sergei was informed that… his wife died. As for the child, she would have died with her. As for Igor, he was inconsolable...'' Said Seth.
''You went to Durmstrang yourself to tell him?!'' Nicholas asked with a stunned look.
''No... not me... I... I was in no condition to confront the one who mistreated her, nor to tell my godson that he had lost his mother, when I had just lost mine.'' Said Seth .
"Mistreated?" Nicholas said.
Seth sighed and nodded.
''Igor knows he has a sister, and I'm sure he's not going to tell his idiot father. He wanted to go with us, but that's the only thing I asked him... is to stay with him while he studies.'' Seth explained.
''I rather think you didn't want to have another enemy either.'' Nicholas said.
"Indeed." Seth said.
''What about Grindelwald?'' Nicholas asked after looking at Dumbledore who was most likely waiting to speak to Seth.
''He's in Egypt, at Vulken Manor, again... he's a big help right now.'' Seth said.
Nicholas looked at him unconvinced.
''It's very surprising to even think of him as being of much help... Don't you think it's suspicious that he got away with it, and the others didn't?'' Nicholas asked.
Seth obviously thought so. Although Emmanuel drank vampire blood and was more powerful and faster than any vampire or wizard, only Corban and Gellert could have intervened and been able to stop him. He thought he would surely have a good explanation when he talked to him.
''I know. I'm not done with him, but there were more pressing things.'' Seth said.
Nicholas pursed his lips.
"Only the fact that you have control over him reassures me, but the loss of Nathaniel creates a void. I spent over a hundred years with your parents and even though we didn't... always agree... he was an amazing person.'' Nicholas said.
Seth sniffed and shook his head.
''You've been amazing to us, Nicholas.'' Seth said before glancing at Dumbledore and nodding for him to come closer, but Merebelle was quicker than him and he was caught in a big hug from her.
Of course, she was the only one to act like this, or dared to.
"All this pain, all this anger, Seth… you will have to let it out one day or another." Merebelle murmured against his chest.
Seth was silent as he stroked his friend's hair, feeling a tremendous amount of warmth coming from her. She had always known how he felt. He looked towards Blackwell, still imposing both physically and with his powerful aura, and he gave him a compassionate smile before turning on his heel to return to Uagadou. It was Dumbledore who broke the silence by clearing his throat.
"My condolences, Mr. Vulken, or should I say King Vulken?" Dumbledore said bowing his head.
"No, professor, you can still call me Seth. For the few people who call me by my first name, you can be part of it.'' Said Seth.
''Very well, then you will do the same by calling me Albus?'' said Albus smiling.
"Very well." Seth said.
''I'll be brief, but I think you know what I want to tell you...'' Albus began.
"Gellert." Seth mentioned.
Albus nodded. Merebelle let go of Seth who regretted not being able to enjoy this soothing warmth even longer.
"The African Minister sent me an owl and I spoke with Minister Tuft. We will have to summon you, along with Grindelwald, on September 17th.'' Dumbledore said seriously.
Seth nodded.
''Alright.''
''You'll excuse me, I have to go back to Hogwarts.'' Albus said before greeting Nicholas and heading towards the castle to apparate.
The wards did not allow to apparate anywhere other than the castle lounge. For several minutes, he had felt vampires leaving his island by the dozens, like a distant twinge in his magic, each time the floo system was used. A few seconds later, he knew that Dumbledore had left too, but by apparition.
Merebelle squeezed his uninjured hand in hers.
''You need to come see me more often... I'm in the archives of the Ministry of African Magic, but also, I helped your mother at the center...'' Said Merebelle.
"I didn't know you were going to the center." Seth said.
''It's only been a few months... we haven't exchanged owls since.'' Said Merebelle before looking towards Corban. "She's your daughter, isn't she?"
''Yes. I don't know if I'll be able to take care of her like I should.'' Seth said.
"I can do it… if you want." Said Merebelle without hesitation.
Seth opened his mouth, then closed it. He trusted Merebelle completely and he would never have dared to ask a witch to take care of his own daughter. This idea pleased him much more than having muggles do it, even if they were servants of the castle. He had seen Kathleen much more often than his own mother.
"You will have everything you want if you do this for us." Seth said.
"Oh, I don't doubt you any less, Seth." Said Mérébelle, laughing. "I'm going to come back, so in a few weeks, to give me time to prepare if you want."
"Yes, Merebelle, I would appreciate it." Said Seth.
Merebelle gave him a kiss on the cheek.
''You never went to get a tattoo... Selena told me that you never went to see her, it's a shame.'' Said Merebelle before winking at him and returning to the castle.
Seth had wanted to tell her something, but he already had a large purple star on his shoulder, and he didn't want an enchanted tattoo to mix in with the one he already had.
"Even on your butt?" Corban sneered.
Seth mentally rolled his eyes at that. Another vampire came towards Seth.
"My king, my name is Galvin…" The vampire began.
Seth recognized him.
''I know you. I often saw you with my father, especially during...'' Said Seth, remembering that this vampire had been present during the war against the Zeliths.
Galvin nodded briefly.
''Yes, war, but... actually, I'm responsible for the vampiric irritant elimination team in the London area, and Donovan has been creating more in the city of Birmingham in recent months. Should we eliminate them, your majesty?'' Galvin continued.
Seth frowned. The hubbub of villagers and vampires was fading away.
"Vampiric irritants?" Seth asked.
Nicholas cleared his throat and nervously moved closer to Seth.
"The Zeliths." Said Nicholas.
Seth could hear Nicholas' heart beating faster.
"Nicholas. Why are you nervous? If I have to do what my father did...'' Seth said.
''The Zeliths... are not what you think, your majesty.'' Said Galvin. "And Nicholas Flamel is nervous because your father lied to you. It is false to believe that these vampires do not have consciousness. They are vampires who refuse the authority of wizards, and the laws of your father. We must therefore regularly eliminate ours. The truth was hidden from you for a long time in order to protect you, because you are a wizard.''
Galvin had spoken in a cold, detached tone, and Seth just couldn't believe it. He looked at Nicholas who was red with shame. What did wizards really know about Zeliths, then? Why had his parents come back full of blood during this war, telling him with so much emotion that they had killed their people because they were... out of control?
Uncontrollable…
''Your father's sense of self-preservation was incomparable, your majesty.'' Galvin added, seeming to read his thoughts. ''If you decide to change the laws, it's up to you now. Rest assured that even if these vampires are not what you initially thought, they are truly harmful because they bring us problems." Galvin said, looking at the alchemist.
"Lazarus…" Seth muttered while looking around, looking for his advisor all along.
Danyck and Corban had been listening intently through Seth's thoughts, although Corban was slightly distracted by Ruma fidgeting in his arms. Lazarus got the message from Corban and quickly stepped forward before curtsying.
''At your service.'' Said Lazarus.
"You don't have to treat me any different, Lazarus. Besides, explain to me why my father lied to me about the Zeliths?'' Seth asked with a bit of anger, since there was one thing he had feared since his early childhood, which was becoming a Zelith if he ran out of blood.
Lazarus glanced at Galvin and Flamel before taking a deep breath before speaking.
"It's a long discussion, starting from our history with Emrick. However, I can summarize for you that since the presence of the Flamels in our lives, a lot has changed, and Nathaniel has had to make many sacrifices in order to preserve the presence of vampires among wizards. When you were born, he saw that everything was going to change once again, and seeing your... humanity, he had to not tell you everything, to distort the truth so that you still wanted us to get rid of the Zeliths. Unfortunately, all the wizards know, or want to know, about us is a bad portrait of the past.'' Lazarus explained.
Seth wasn't even aware that the Zeliths were still present, regularly, even while working at the ministry... The department of magical creatures was previously led by Emmanuel and the one who had replaced him... he didn't know his name. What he did know was that Graves had been much more harassing about this department, and perhaps he would learn more if he had bothered to investigate, but his work had largely taken over, directing his attention elsewhere. He remembered very well that Graves had crossed the line by going to his island. He looked at Nicholas before speaking.
"Are they really a threat?" Seth asked, wanting to decide based on his answer.
''In the sense that they kill muggles without regret, yes. And that should be enough.'' Nicholas said confidently.
Not for him.
''Lazarus, what about the venom?'' Seth asked.
Lazarus snorted. When he spoke, he was proud and looked at Flamel almost mockingly.
''Nothing more than the symptoms of starvation, the longer you wait. However, note that all good manners are quickly forgotten, and our primal instincts will quickly take over. I can't allow myself to say the same thing about you, because you are... unique, but I believe that the desire to abandon yourself to this hunger... is never far away.'' Lazarus added with a smirk, not without looking down on Flamel.
Seth felt betrayed, misled by those close to him. He, who had been afraid of becoming a bloodthirsty being without brains. He was angry with his father for lying to him, but especially with Nicholas who had certainly pushed him to act in this way to protect these muggles. He had a bitter taste in his mouth.
"Glenn-ed." He ordered towards Flamel, using the Venthyr language although he knew the ineffectiveness on non-vampires. "You and your wife... glenn- ed. I don't care what you plan to do now, Nicholas, but your presence on this island is hostile.''
Nicholas seemed to be getting older. Perenelle immediately joined him and looked at Seth with a confused look.
"Seth…" Perenelle began.
Nicholas took his wife's hand.
"Out of here, Perenelle. I'm not about to forgive you, not now.'' Seth said.
Perenelle raised her hand to touch his cheek, but Seth pulled back. She curled her fingers and placed her hand over her heart.
''You're not like them! I know you are not animals.'' Said Perenelle, looking at each of the vampires present in turn.
''Zeliths aren't either.'' Seth added through his teeth.
"Come on, sweetheart, we're not welcome." Nicholas whispered, pulling her hand.
Seth followed them with his gaze and waited for the magical barriers of the island to tell him that they were gone.
''Galvin. Tell them that the laws are going to change and that I want to talk to them.'' Seth said.
Galvin smiled slyly and nodded.
OoOoO
Vulken Manor, Egypt, May 8, 1960
Seth hung up the phone abruptly and the receiver caught fire. He hit the desk with a fist and the table broke into several pieces. The two maids present in the office were frightened and let out a small cry, closing their eyes. Gellert stood with his hands behind his back and did not move, a semblance of a smirk on his face.
''Looks like we need a new phone.'' Gellert said looking at the maid named Jade.
She got the message and left the room apologizing.
Seth was asked to return to Egypt as quickly as possible to resume everything his father did. The phone never stopped ringing. His father used to do everything through his thoughts. Seth sat in the chair with his hands in his face. Gellert waved his wand and the desk repaired itself, then made another wave of his wand and all the papers, ink, pen, and files returned to their places. Seth leaned back in his chair and sighed.
"That's not what I thought." Seth whispered.
"And that's only Africa, and part of France. Everyone who was in China and Japan came back here and in Europe.'' Gellert mentioned.
Seth quickly stood up, knocking over his chair and slammed his fist into the wall, creating a gaping hole. He had used his still bandaged hand and a flash of pain shot through his arm.
''Are you crazy? Your wound was almost healed!'' Corban yelled in his thoughts.
"Shit." Seth muttered, taking his bloody hand in the other.
He whispered the healing spell and the blood stopped, but could still see the cuts.
"Seth." Gellert said softly.
"What?" Seth replied, turning back to Gellert, still irritated that Gellert hadn't acted to save his parents.
''There is a project I wanted to start.'' Gellert said before looking towards the servant Zoanna.
Seth understood and shooed her away with one hand. Zoanna bowed before leaving the room. Gellert did a privacy spell and a spell to block the door. Seth sat back in the chair. These servants had always been there for his parents, and he was not used to it, unlike them.
"What?" Seth repeated in a tired tone.
''I want to go to America and take over MACUSA.'' Gellert said, straight to the point.
Seth raised his eyebrows.
"Want to repeat what you tried?" Seth said. ''And get fooled by Dumbledore again? Because I am definitely NOT going to try to stop him."
Gellert smiled weakly before shaking his head negatively.
"I have visions, as you know. Your father knew it too, and although you are still angry with me for what I did not do against Emmanuel, I had warned him several years ago. That's why he… talked to you more often about what vampires did, but not enough. However, I still believe that it was inevitable that you would be the king. I have been working on a way to exert control over recalcitrant wizards for a long time, and although the Imperius Curse is unreliable, I believe I have found a way, but to do so I must no longer be locked away here.'' Gellert said.
Despite his anger, Seth's curiosity was taken, but he knew very well what Gellert was asking him then.
"Your case must be won on September 17, if I understand correctly." Seth said.
Gellert raised his hands in front of him as if he wanted to point out the obvious.
"I already know it's won. Whether you like it or not, everyone is sorry for you...the wizards owe you, and my release is but dust against the death of your parents.'' Said Gellert.
Seth then realized that Gellert had seen him, in his visions, and that was one of the reasons for his inaction. If he had acted, his parents would probably still be alive, but Gellert would still be locked up here and he would have lost his case in December.
''How are you going to do it, then?'' Seth asked dryly. "Why will you succeed where it took me several years to rise in the Ministry of Magic to have so much influence?"
"A Triune. An object with runes that will be inserted into the mouth of wizards or muggles. These specific runes of control will let me master the victims... and thus ensure... my ascension.'' Said Gellert, his eyes filled with malice.
A permanent Imperius?
''It won't affect their lives in any way, except that whatever decision I make, I will get it easily.'' Gellert explained.
''I take it the prototype hasn't been created yet?'' Seth asked.
''No. I tried various metals to put my runes in, without success. I know there is a wizard who will be able to bring this project to fruition.'' Said Gellert.
Seth vaguely remembered Corban telling him about Rookwood, who had made a comment along the lines of Grindelwald wanting to meet him.
"Rookwood?" Seth said.
"Nothing escapes you."
''Why him? Corban also works in the department of mysteries.'' Said Seth.
''As of now, I don't know the reason for my visions about him.'' Gellert said.
Seth remained silent and began to think about the visions Gellert might have had. Did he know anything about Tom? He had wanted to go looking for him, but he couldn't stay in Norway when he had been asked to come back as quickly as possible. He didn't know any wizard, other than Corban and Gellert, who could have gone looking for him, and that had only irritated him even more. He knew that the mark he saw on Emmanuel's arm was Tom's, or at least that he had created it.
He also realized that Gellert had spent an enormous amount of time with his parents, perhaps more than his parents had ever been present in his own life. He had been practically raised by the Flamels and Kathleen.
A light knock was heard at the door. Seth brought in the servant who brought a new telephone. Zoanna followed Jade, who curtsied. Zoanna went to sit down again while Jade plugged in the new phone, which started ringing again as soon as it was done.
''Alright. We'll talk about it again after your hearing. Know that your project will be done first on humans, hm?'' Said Seth looking at the two servants.
"That goes without saying." Gellert said, half-smiling, as Seth answered the phone.
OoOoO
June 14, 1961 Isolated house, Italy
As Seth responded to the vampires' demands, he realized he could no longer perform his job at the Ministry. Danyck assured him that Crouch had taken great pleasure in replacing him, but that the latter still asked him questions, to which Seth answered anyway through thoughts and Crouch saw nothing but fire, taking all the answers from Danyck for his own and the minister, as well as the other employees, quickly forgot the man who had done so much for them.
''Can I hurt Graves?'' Danyck asked.
''No.''
"Break his leg?"
''No.''
"Take his wife?"
"Danyck." Seth sighed mentally.
"He just said again that floo transportation was improved by him, while it was you who said that adding floo oil…"
"DANYCK!"
Danyck said nothing more, but Seth felt his rage through his thoughts. What didn't help was that Corban was running out of patience with Rookwood's absence from the Department of Mysteries, and that was spilling over into Seth's behavior.
Gellert had been right and the African minister as well as the members of the legal headquarters had taken… pity on him. Asking him how he was taking the death of his parents, and when they asked him what he wanted to do with Gellert, he only answered one sentence.
"He's…useful." Seth mumbled.
"Should he stay locked up, Mr. Vulken?" asked the minister.
Seth looked at Albus Dumbledore who was staring at him intently, firmly believing his judgment. Although Seth knew full well Gellert's sinister intentions, a part of him wanted it too, and he looked away from Dumbledore before responding.
''No.''
And so he now found himself in front of a table where a mechanism, used to hold the muggle heads still, was fixed on this table. Five muggles were gagged and tied along the wall, under the effect of the stunning spell. Gellert had spoken with Rookwood, in person, and had been informed of his… plan.
Rookwood held prototypes of the Triune in a small box, having worked for several months, following Gellert's request. Seth watched as Vinda grabbed one of the muggles, a woman, and put her on the chair and her head into the mechanism. She removed the gag, but kept her hands tied behind her back.
''Augustus' father worked with the goblins in artifact metallurgy.'' Gellert began to explain to Seth. ''It didn't take him more than a few weeks to find the right metals for the runes without it exploding. It remains to be seen if I used the right runes that won't overload the brains of these humans.''
Seth frowned, since he had always known goblins, and so did his father, and he wondered why he had never asked the question himself of the goblins who came to the mansion.
''Grindelwald is not liked by the goblins.'' Corban reminded him who was observing the scene through Seth's eyes.
''Hm. It is true that wizards like Grindelwald never considered goblins as their equals, which is far from the value that vampires place on them.'' Seth replied to Corban before responding to Gellert. "I have good knowledge of runes. I myself put all the runes on the houses of Meadowlands, and strengthened those on my island that Flamel had placed.''
Gellert had a facial twitch when Seth had mentioned Flamel, the one who had put him in and out of Nurmengard, only to be imprisoned again.
''You're going to see Seth. It'll work, and all these humans won't be able to do anything against us.'' Gellert said.
Vinda placed a metal object in the woman's mouth and returned to Grindelwald's side, glancing at Seth. Seth tried to remember where he had seen or heard this woman's name, and then it all came back to him. The same cold gray eyes, the same nose and that frown beyond above her eyebrows: she was the mother of Abraxas.
He wondered if she knew about Lucius, but then he remembered that his own daughter was already a year old, and he hadn't seen her in the last year either, except through Corban's eyes.
''It's not like you're doing it on purpose, and Merebelle takes care of her very well.'' Corban thought.
He couldn't help but feel bad though. Having a witch know of Gellert's plans, as well as Rookwood, made him uncomfortable, but Gellert had assured him of their loyalties.
Rookwood revived the woman while Gellert moved closer to her. The woman looked around with a panicked look, unable to move and began to moan. The pliers that Rookwood had in his hands, held a small, thin triangular metal object with runes and curses infusing it. It glowed a dark purple hue and the muggle moaned as she saw the thing approach her mouth. A deranged smile spread across Rookwood's face as the Triune was thrusted into the muggle woman's mouth and a sizzling sound was heard, burning the flesh.
Clearly, Rookwood was a real psychopath.
''I already told you.'' Corban said through his distant thoughts.
When a great distance separated them, thoughts always seemed to pass in whispers.
The woman screamed in pain and struggled against her bonds. She gurgled blood and a handkerchief was placed in her mouth after Rookwood removed the pliers, then whispered a quick healing spell.
The muggle retched, then a mixture of blood and vomit splattered in front of her as Rookwood removed the bloody handkerchief. Then, the victim had several spasms before no longer moving. Her heart had stopped and Gellert sniffled.
"Too bad." Gellert muttered.
Rookwood grunted then waved his wand several times, freeing the muggle from her restraints, then moving the body to a corner of the room. Rookwood looked around, then brought more light, muttering about the spell Seth had created so long ago.
''L-Let me try another prototype, I didn't make five different ones for nothing. I'm not... discouraged yet.'' Rookwood said as he went to revive another muggle and tie him to the chair like the last one.
The wizard's voice had trembled and Gellert smiled at the heart that was struggling in Rookwood's chest. Gellert placed a hand on Augustus' shoulder, who jumped.
''I don't doubt you... doctor.'' Gellert said, naming his new supporter.
Rookwood blinked stupidly. Seth stopped himself from laughing and sighed, rolling his eyes. Rookwood moved on to the second muggle, and his second prototype, this time glowing a dark green. The muggle reacted the same way as the first, but didn't survive either.
Gellert went and sat down in a summoned chair and crossed his legs and arms. Rookwood growled, pulling the dead muggle away again. After the third and fourth muggles died, Rookwood threw the pliers across the room in frustration, sweat dripping down his forehead.
"Doctor, you still have one left. After all, that's the one I suggested to you, isn't it? My runes? I'm sure this one will succeed, unless you think you'll succeed without my runes, hm?'' Gellert said with a smile.
"N-No." Rookwood shook his head and took a deep breath, casting an enervate spell on the last muggle after tying her to the chair.
She looked around in confusion before her head was forcefully brought forward and restrained by a device. Rookwood took pleasure in pushing the metal part that held it open into the human's mouth. She groaned and struggled against her bonds, panic in her eyes. Rookwood took a seat in front of her and patted her cheek.
''There, now, you will behave, miss.'' Rookwood said eagerly.
He waved his wand, bringing the pliers back into his hands, then took out the last Triune, a metallic blue, and placed it in her mouth. The air smelled of burning flesh and was once again filled with screams. Gellert smiled, feeling the muggle's fear and desperation, but ultimately, he felt that mental spark coming from the Triune he had personally helped make. His runic words were always impeccable, and the color of the Triune was the same as his visions.
Rookwood removed the wet and bloody handkerchief from the woman's mouth and healed the wound with a spell. The woman's heart was racing and panicked, but the Triune did not seem to kill her. She gurgled again as Rookwood removed the metal part holding her mouth and he waved his wand, removing her head from its restraints. She had a dazed expression, looking directly ahead of her.
"Can you feel that anything?'' Rookwood asked Gellert.
''Let's see the console.'' Gellert said as he stood up.
On another table was a small screen with a keyboard. Gellert had imbued it with magic, stones and runic words. It only opened if Gellert activated it first. On the screen were written several categories such as muggle, wizard, creatures, then subdivided into several folders. In the Muggle file appeared a female name and her current position. If this option was selected, other options appeared, such as ending the subject. Gellert gave a spine-chilling laugh as he looked at the muggle who fell to the ground and knelt in front of him.
"Looks like we succeeded, doctor." Gellert said before glancing at Seth.
Seth didn't know what to think. Certainly, the Imperius had its limits, but if the Triune truly worked, would it be the only possible option to protect the wizarding world?