Disclaimer: I in no way own Harry Potter, although I wouldn't mind one bit if I did.
– Separator –
30: final battle
Luna, Alice, and I exit the manner and head for the south gate. Once there we locate the entrance to the sewers we have used before and make our way underground.
Glancing at my map I see we need to head north. However that way is blocked by a wall, so we start by heading west. Upon reaching a wall we turn north. Just before reaching another wall, we turn east. As we walk we are attacked by 3 Bandit Woodsman and 1 Bandit Marauder. After the battle, we continue east.
As we near the spot marked on my map, Luna speaks up. "I feel a chill in my blood. We near the end of our quest... I can sense it."
I nod in agreement. "We don't know what to expect; let's proceed with caution."
With that declaration ringing in our ears, we turn south/ Just before reaching the wall, we turn west.
As we near the spot Alice examines a campfire where we were told to meet Adrianus's men. "Something isn't right. The fire was lit recently, but there's no other sign of an encampment."
Without warning the hairs on the back of my head stand up. Tilting my head I become aware of a sound approaching us. "Listen! Back in the tunnel... Someone's coming!"
To my surprise, some of Farhaven's guards emerge into the firelight. "Well, well. I see you beat us here. That wasn't part of the plan."
I raise 1 eyebrow. "Neither was the fact that Cedric isn't here."
The leading guard laughs at my words. "Cedric? Ha! You think we're here to capture that old man? No, Lord Adrianus sent us to silence a real threat."
Luna looks alarmed. "I don't understand. What's happening?"
Alice pulls her bow with an angry gesture. "We've been betrayed."
The leading guard turns to his men. "You have your orders, men. No survivors!"
With that, we are attacked by 5 City Guards. I am thankful that Wilhelm isn't among them.
After finishing the easy fight Alice looks to me. "What's our next move? Clearly, we've been betrayed."
I nod with determination. "We don't know Lord Adrianus was actually responsible. We need to confront him and learn the truth."
Luna bows her head in prayer. "Then may the Divine smile on us today."
Before we can leave the sewers words flash in gold over my head. "The quest, Betrayed, complete. We've been attacked by a party of guards, claiming to be under Lord Adrianus' orders. It appears that he may have been responsible for the attacks on Farhaven all along."
We return to Farhaven and head east along the south wall. As we pass the forge I notice that Jerome's apprentess isn't hammering at the forge. Entering through the gate to speak with Jerome we are attacked by 3 more City Guards. I hope this doesn't interfere with whatever is wrong with Jerome's apprentice.
As we walk up to Jerome he looks up. "What? What do you want? Oh - sorry; I'm not buying or selling today."
I look around. "Is something wrong?"
Jerome shrugs. "My apprentice has gone missing. He's the most dependable employee I've ever had - but today, he just didn't show up. Now I'm trying to figure out how to keep things running without him. I'm at my wit's end. Could you look around, see if there's any clue where he got to?"
I nod while smiling at Jerome. "I'll do whatever I can."
Jerome relaxes. "Thank you. I'll be here if you find him - trying to figure out how to do two men's work with one pair of hands."
As I step back from Jerome words flash over my head. "A new quest, Actually Love, has been added. The armorer's apprentice has disappeared. I need to find him in order for the smith to open his shop for business."
Remembering the noble woman I saw hanging around the forge I decide to try finding her house. Glancing at my map I find a house that isn't marked. Deciding it's as good a place to start as any we head north until we see a small gate on our right. Turning east we head toward it and after a short walk exit the forge. After exiting through the gate we turn north.
As we walk we are attacked by another City guard. After the battle, I notice I had leveled up to 28. I place my attribute point into my Intelligence, bringing it up to 28. I then use my skill point to raise my Heat Wave skill to rank 4.
However, I wasn't the only 1 to level up. Luna reached level 27. She placed her attribute point into her Constitution, bringing it up to 20. As for her skill point, she uses it to raise her Healing Rain skill to its maximum rank of 4.
With all that finished we continue north. After a long walk, we approach the wall of a house. Examining the house I discover it is the house belonging to Captain Lucian. Since that isn't the house we are looking for we turn east. A few steps later we enter an intersection and turn north.
As we walk we are once again attacked by a City guard. After the battle, Alice leveled up to 25. She places 2 attribute points into her Constitution, bringing it up to 18. With her skill points, she raises her Assassin's Arrow skill to its maximum rank of 5.
Once Alice is finished with her points we continue north. Approaching the northeast watch tower we turn west and find a house directly ahead. Entering the house we find a cooking pot with a stew. Spotting another door nearby we walk through it and find the missing apprentice with the noble woman from before.
As I approach she looks up. "I remember you! Did you hear the good news? We're married!"
I smile at her. "I take it you didn't tell the armorer? He's in a panic wondering where your husband has gone."
The woman blushes. "Oh, how silly of us. We were so excited, we forgot to tell, well, anyone. He'll be back to work in a day or two - whenever I'm done with him."
I smile at the happy couple. "I'll let Jerome know to expect him back to work soon."
The woman returns my smile. "Thank you. Like I said, he'll be back to work soon enough. Now, I really don't mean to be rude - but do you think you could give us some privacy? We did just get married, after all."
I give the couple 1 last smile. "Of course - I'm already gone." With that, we exit the house.
With that, we return to the blacksmith. As I approach Jerome he looks at me with hope in his eyes. "Any word on my missing apprentice?"
I nod at his question. "I found your apprentice - he should be back within a day or two."
Jerome sighs in relief. "Oh, thank the Divine. I can hold things together here until he gets back. Tell me - he didn't run off and marry that Linarrio girl, did he?"
I grin. "As a matter of fact, he did."
Jerome smiles as well. "It's about time. He never stops talking about that girl."
As we leave the forge words flash in gold over my head. "The quest, Actually Love, complete. All is well, and Jerome can get back to work now that he knows where his apprentice is."
No longer willing to wait we head for Adrianus manner. As we enter the manner we are attacked by another City Guard. Wanting to get Ginny back first, we head west. Reaching a wall, we turn south. Reaching another wall, we turn west again. As we approach Ginny's bedroom door we are attacked by another City Guard. After the battle we enter the room to find Ginny isn't here. Unsure where she would be we head for Adrianus's study.
Leaving Ginny's bedroom we turn west. We continue west until we head outside. Out here we head north for a short time, before turning east. Entering a door we are attacked by 3 City Guards. After the battle, we turn south and enter the study. Entering the study we find Adrianus isn't here either. Now we have 2 people to find.
As we exit the study Ginny comes running up. "You're alright! I knew he'd underestimate you, too."
I pull Ginny into a hug, before holding her at arm's length. "Your father set a trap for you, too?"
Ginny nods. "He had his guards try to grab me as soon as you left. I don't think they expected me to put up such a fight."
Well, that would explain why the guards were late to the ambush sight. I give Ginny a sorrowful look. "I'm so sorry, Gin. Your father has to be stopped."
Ginny nods. "When father wants to be alone, he goes to the basement; there's a door in his bedroom."
I straighten up in determination. "He won't get away. Show me this door!"
After I send Alice back to the tavern to bring Romilda up to date, and Ginny rejoins Luna and I we turn east. As we approach the wall we turn north. We head north until we reach a wall, at which point we turn west. Passing through the door we turn south. Reaching a wall, we turn west. Reaching another wall, we turn north. After a short walk, we find the entrance to the basement.
Descending the stairs down we end up turning east. After walking a few steps we can hear Adrianus's voice.
"I see you survived the sewers. No matter. Out of one trap, and into another."
Ginny glares in the direction of Adrianus's voice. "All this time, Father? You turned on Farhaven - tried to have me killed?"
Adrianus steps into the light. "Don't be so dramatic, Gwen. The guards had orders to keep you alive - alive, and safe. In time, you will come to share my vision. Your friends, on the other hand... I'm afraid they need to be removed."
White-hot anger courses through my veins. "You let me think I was helping, but all this time, you were Farhaven's secret enemy!"
Adrianus gives me a pitying glance. "I don't expect you to understand, but I'm no monster. Everything I've done, I've done for the good of Farhaven."
Luna returns Adrianus's look. "What good could ever come of subjugation?"
Adrianus looks us all over. "The citizens of Farhaven have become unruly, difficult to govern. Divided, they are nothing - but united, they could be great once more."
Ginny's eyes blaze. "United? What - in fear? In death?"
Adrianus glares at Ginny. "I gave the people of Farhaven a common enemy. Confined within these walls, united by the common goal of survival, they would become strong once more."
Adrianus gains a faraway look. "I had little trouble persuading the goblins to join my cause. They practically leaped at the chance to expand their territory."
This man is beginning to annoy me. "And the people who died in the goblin attack? You don't care about them at all?"
Adrianus doesn't spare me a glance. "The deaths of those caught in the goblin invasion were necessary losses. I treasure each as the life of a soldier, laid down in service of a stronger Farhaven."
Adrianus continues. "Once the goblins attacked, I had to ensure that the Great North Road could not be traveled. A well-brewed poison, delivered where it would do the most damage, ensured that the forest itself would guard the road for me."
Adrianus gains a gleam in his eyes. "That only left the east front free from trouble. Few people realize what terrible power slumbers in the graveyard; I could not turn away from such an opportunity."
Luna gasps. "You violated the very laws of nature, to restore to life one of the most dangerous men who has ever walked the earth. You are mad."
Adrianus seems undeterred. "Alastaire Ulcano was a dangerous puppet, I admit. But his usefulness outweighed the risks, and my power was more than sufficient to control him. Though I admit, I did not expect him to be defeated when I sent you to investigate. I thought he would remove you as a threat, as he has so many others."
Ginny gains an understanding look. "Cedric found out. That's why you fought—why he left."
I give Adrianus a disgusted look. "And what about the guards? They're part of your mad scheme, too?"
Adrianus focuses on me. "Most of them have no notion of the true events unfolding. They defend Farhaven, because it is their duty. A few who share my great vision have pledged me their fealty. But I should have known they would be no match for you."
I draw my wand. "You're right. And you will regret that mistake."
Adrianus draws a staff. "I'm afraid your confidence is unfounded. I will herald Farhaven into a glorious new era, and you will not stop me. You are not the hero in this story... Simply a nuisance. One I will now remove, once and for all."
With that, we are attacked by Lord Adrianus and 4 City guards.
I used Heat Wave to deal extreme damage to all enemies. Ginny focused Artic Blast on Adrianus. And Luna kept us healed. Whenever we were at full health she would use her Light of Purity on Adrianus. For some reason, he kept reviving when we killed him. After the fourth or fifth time, Adrianus finally laid still.
Without warning Alice and Romilda entered the basement.
Romilda looks around, as though searching for treasure. "Hey! What did we miss?"
Alice looks us over. "When you didn't return, we tracked you here. Is that-?"
Ginny fights back tears. "My father. All this time...my own father was Farhaven's true enemy."
Alice pulls Ginny into a hug. "But it's over now. For good."
Luna looks up toward the sky, even though we can't see it from here. "Praised be the Divine."
Romilda places a hand on Ginny's shoulder. "Look, Gin...I'm sorry about how things turned out. I mean..."
Ginny smiles at Romilda. "Thanks, Romilda - but I'll be alright. Like Alice said...it's finally over." She turns to me. "So - what happens now? You're a hero, you know."
I shutter at Ginny's words. "A hero? I don't think so."
Luna smiles at me. "She's right. Your bravery brought us together. Don't think we would have allowed you to go to the Department of Mysteries without the rest of your friends."
Alice pulls me into a tight hug. "I'm so proud of you. I know your parents would be as well."
Romilda gives me a bow. "What they said. Bunch of saps, all of you - but still."
I laugh as I pull away from Alice. "Ok, ok. You're right - I am a hero."
Romilda gives me a thumbs up. "Confidence! I like it! So, like the lady said - what happens now?"
I shrug. "Honestly? I have no idea. I don't even know if we can get back to our original world, or if we are stuck here."
Ginny grins. "Well, there's one thing I learned from all the adventure stories I read as a girl..."
I feel a shutter go down my spine. "And what is that?"
Ginny smiles at me. "There's always another adventure!"
As we make our way out of the basement words flash in gold over my head. "The quest, A Hero's Call, complete. We've defeated Lord Adrianus, who was behind the attacks on Farhaven all along. The city should finally be safe."
As we enter Lord Adrianus's old bedroom a whirlwind suddenly springs up around me. I can see my friends trying to get to me, yelling something but All I can hear is a quiet voice before I disappear from Farhaven. It seems someone else needs my help.
– Separator –
An: and that is it for A Witch's call. Ivy was able to complete all but 1 quest in the game, and that is because I made the mistake of talking to Petunia instead of Nigel. Other than that this story can guide anyone who plays the game through this world.
Yes, that ending is deliberate. There will be a sequel sometime in the future. Although I don't know when just yet.
As always if you have a comment or questions you can leave me a review, or send me a PM. I hope you enjoyed this story, and I will see you all in the next 1.