LAST TIME
A humongous dark dome, taller than Hagrid's brother, burst out of the waves. Two dark orange eyes opened, and a pair of sharp, ivory tusks, longer than Harry, glowed in the darkness. A roar pierced through the air, loud enough to send Harry's ears ringing as tentacles of dark mass burst out, sticking into the water.
Harry felt power roll over his skin, and his head felt heavy, and bile rose in his throat. 'The magic's wrong. This is worse than dark magic.'
The figure seemed to grow as it waddled forward, the tusks and eyes glowing brighter, the faint outline of its mouth visible.
Harry heard the sound of leaves rustling and twisted around to see a line of skeletal people break out of the grove, the skin on their rotting and black. Their arms were stretched toward him as they limped forward in the sand, and Harry felt his gut sink further with each step.
'Oh, Merlin.'
Ch.24 N'Gabthoth
24th March 2008
Maine, New England
"Take those skeletons. They are brimming with N'Gabthoth's energy." The Ancient One's voice cut through the howl of the wind and the churn of the waves. "Ensure they don't disturb me."
"Shouldn't be a problem." Harry stepped toward the shambling line of skeletons, drawing a crimson star, feeling the spell thrum between his fingers. "Blaze of Toulin!" He thrust his arm, as heat bubbled at his fingertips. "Burn all that's undead."
A torrent of flames surged forward, crashing into the skeletal horde like a wave of red, sending them hurtling to the ground. Harry poured energy into the spell and clenched his fist. The flames rose and swirled, drowning them under till the stench of burning flesh stung Harry's nose, and he let go of the spell.
Thin, charred skeletal hands rose from the dying flames as the skeletons rose back, their bodies glowing a dark orange like the flames in their skulls. Dead flesh regenerated over the smoking bones, some of which snapped back into place, repairing themselves, and Harry scowled.
'So they don't burn like the usual necromantic constructs.'
Harry shot a blasting curse at the nearest skeleton, whose skull blew to pieces before reassembling in a swirl of orange that glowed through the eye sockets. The skeleton raised a hand, and a bolt of orange shot toward Harry, who twisted away, feeling it prickle past his skin.
The bolt hit a clump of bushes, tearing through the branches, through which rot spread, the leaves withering and turning to black dust, as smoke and fire devoured it at the same time.
Harry felt a chill run down his spine and clenched his fist, a wave of force from his sling ring pushing the skeletons back. 'These things are not normal by any means. They might've been humans once, but they're worse than Quirrell. Worse than the Inferi in the cave.'
Behind him, an ear-splitting screech rang, followed by a loud sizzle, but Harry paid it little heed.
Harry crossed his arms as the skeletons lurched forward, their bodies glowing orange, a faint shade of N'Gabthoth's eyes. Behind him, the crack of thunder echoed, followed by a rumbling screech that shook the ground beneath his feet, little pebbles bouncing and rolling away.
"By the Seven rings of Raggadorr, from indigo to the deepest black," Harry intoned, power flooding down his veins as dark purple runes curved around his arms, cracking with power that thrummed through his body. "Destroy them."
Ribbons of dark purple curved toward the skeletons, blowing chunks of dead meat and cleaving through bones. They hazed over the glow of orange, smothering it, pounding the skeletons to the ground, bones splintering into fragments, the hazes of orange disappearing into purple, which turned to flames, devouring them, till nothing but ashes remained, which scattered over the ground, blowing over the leaves as the spell died.
Harry stumbled back, feeling the spell's power gutter away.
Weariness clung to his muscles, and he took a deep breath. The amulet thrummed around his neck, and warmth spread through his chest, the tiredness bleeding away.
"That's one thing handled," Harry muttered, flicking his fingers, the remains of the bodies vanishing. "Now—"
A loud roar cut him off, and a blur of yellow skidded past him, an orange bolt withering through the grove of trees where the ritual had been taking place, leaving a blackened crater.
The Ancient One's robes flapped in the wind as her eyes glowed a brilliant blue, discs of energy soaring from her hands, severing through N'Gabthoth's tentacles.
"Look out!"
Harry whirled around, raising a hasty shield. A burst of dark orange magic struck against it, and the shield shattered, the beam hitting the lines of gold that flared around Harry. A slight gong reverberated through his bones as he skidded across the mud.
A tentacle reared, glowing brightly, and Harry reacted on instinct.
"Sectumsempra!" A flash of orange magic exploded with a bright bang, and the tentacle fell into the water, chopped into pieces. "Bombarda maxima!"
A deafening explosion tore through the air as the spell collided with a searing burst of orange energy, detonating in a blinding cascade. The clouds above roared with jagged lightning, and the wind howled like a furious beast as the waters surrounding N'Gabthoth churned and bubbled violently.
The Ancient One stepped forward, a bolt of blue power lancing against N'Gabthoth's torso, sending the monster staggering.
Its tentacles lashed out, diving under the water, and Harry froze, the hairs on his neck pricking.
N'Gabthoth's eyes blazed like an inferno, and he screamed something incoherent. Orange power burned up its tentacles, like orange juice through a straw, and Harry heard the very air scream, as if the very life was being sucked out of Earth. Carcasses of fish floated up in the water, and animals howled in the distance.
Harry's chest tightened, and he felt the Soul Stone pulsate against his chest, wanting to be used. He shoved the urge down, feeling his heart pummel as the monster's gaping maw opened wide, revealing a churning core of molten orange energy that writhed and bubbled.
'Oh dear,' Harry burst into action. 'Shield of Seraphim. Protego maxima. Protego Horribilis.'
Layers of magic rose in front of him and the Ancient One, enveloping them in a cocoon of shields as the monster reared its head.
The next moment, it unleashed a colossal blast of power that tore through the air, its power echoing through worlds.
Many took notice.
In the golden throne room of Asgard, Odin's single eye snapped up, the Gungnir banging against the floor, the soldiers in the room scrambling as the Warriors three rushed forth.
Across the palace, his son, Loki, looked up from his book as he felt his senses tingle, shuddering as bile rose in his throat. With a swirl of his cape, he appeared in the citadel, where Heimdall stood, his knuckles white against the hilt of his sword, his all-seeing eyes fixed upon the monster who had awoken, causing Midgard to scream.
Worlds away, Thor whirled around, the Mjolnir slamming into his hands, as the princes of Alfheim around him felt the disturbance shudder through the Yggdrasil.
Deep below the roots of the Yggdrasil, in the realm of the dead, spirits swirled restlessly, and their queen took notice, a pair of dark swords appearing in her hands.
Far above the earth, in a golden city anchored to it, many gods rose from their thrones, and some screamed, clutching their heads in agony.
On the moon, a pair of dark eyes widened and flicked toward Earth, where storms swirled, tinged with the sheen of burning orange.
Sorcerers on Earth took notice and prepared for battle as the gong of Kamar Taj rang, and they scrambled for the Sorcerer Supreme, unknowing of what was happening.
Deep under the oceans on Earth, a man upon a coral throne shot up, fury rising in his chest and barking orders, the wings on his feet flapping.
In a secluded corner of Africa, King T'Chaka frowned as the panther within him growled.
And in the triskelion, agents in black and scientists in coats ran up and down as Fury cursed, the readings from the satellites spitting gibberish. On the side, Coulson dialed Harry, the call going straight to voicemail, and felt dread fill his chest.
All as the organizer of the events, the Ancient One, Sorceress Supreme, threw out her hands and met the colossal blast head-on.
Before the blast could hit Harry's shields, the world cracked like fragments of a mirror, drinking in the orange energy, which filled like glasses of orange juice. Beside him, the Ancient One let out a yell, her arms buckling as the air continued to crack, sweat pouring off her brow as she was forced to one knee.
'The cracks are filling with energy faster than they can form.' Harry poured magic into his shields, stepping closer to the Ancient One, dread filling his chest. 'This thing isn't pulling any punches. And if we fail, N'Gabthoth will eat Europe for breakfast. Followed by Earth. And it'll be our fault.'
Shards of a few mirrors shattered, and beams of orange burst through, hammering against the layers of shield, whorls of golden and orange magic cascading down their length. A pair of orange beams leaked and tore through the land behind them, the ground beneath their feet cracking.
"No. No." Harry felt the magic burn around him as the Ancient One slashed her hands down.
The mirrors saturated with N'Gabthoth's power burst into shards of flaming orange that pierced N'Gabthoth's flesh, tearing through a few long tentacles. The boom that followed was drowned under the monster's howls of agony that pierced Harry's ears, sending them ringing before the sound vanished entirely.
Warmth crept up his chest, the Soul's Stone magic thrumming in his veins, and a moment later, the sounds returned, causing Harry to wince.
"I think it deafened me. Bloody hell." He muttered, feeling warm water seep into his robes, dead fish floating and bumping against his legs. He glanced down, and his eyes widened as the water around them continued to rise, hot waves washing against Harry's knees. "Oh, hell no."
He flicked his fingers, lifting himself off the sinking ground, above the water, levitating the Ancient One with him.
"Any ideas to take it down?" Harry hollered. "This was your plan after all!"
"Go high! Let's not let him get to the land. Push him deeper into the sea if you can and cut his tentacles." She drew purple and red runes in the air. "It won't have much to destroy in water, nor the ground to stabilize itself. Also, you can let go. I'll be fine."
A platform of crisscrossing dimensional energy formed under her feet, and Harry released her, floating higher in the air, avoiding a flash of orange that screamed past his shoulder.
"By the hoary hosts of Hoggoth," Harry drew his arms closer, golden energy pouring through his fingers. "I summon the Hammer of Hoggoth!"
The golden light shaped itself into a war hammer as tall as Harry, thrumming in his hands as he floated higher. With a swing, Harry threw the hammer, which soared through the wind, growing bigger as it neared N'Gabthoth. With a swing of Harry's arm, the hammer reared and crashed into the monster, an earth-shattering boom following in its wake.
N'Gabthoth, almost as tall as New York's tallest buildings and broad as a hill, was lifted off his webbed feet, which flailed in the air. The splash of water drenched Harry, filling his mouth with seaweed, which he spat away, coughing harshly. The Ancient One rose on the platform beside him, her robes dry, not a speck of water on them.
"Nicely done." Her lips twitched in amusement. "Though most sorcerers would have avoided being drenched."
Harry scowled and muttered a drying charm, steam billowing from his robes. "I didn't realize that the thing was this big. I thought the water was shallow enough that the thing was at least halfway or more out."
"He will be now." She said as tentacles and a large hand broke out of the waves, followed by burning orange eyes. "You see? Where it stood had been where the monster slept for centuries. It was a trench, a deep one, saturated with his magic. You knocked him out of it."
A tentacle lunged at them, and she waved her hand, severing it. A wave of orange energy rolled over the waters below, sending it bubbling and swirling as N'Gabthoth rose to his feet, rising higher, his tentacles writhing.
"Why do they always have tentacles?" Harry muttered. "Can't they just have hands and legs for once? Or something else?"
"N'Gabthoth is an Ancient being, older than the Nine Realms. Older than this galaxy." The Ancient One replied. "He was formed from the cosmic nothingness alongside many other monsters like him. And like life started on Earth under the water, theirs did amongst chaos and bubbling magic, fresh from the explosion of the Big Bang. And as a result, many had a likeness to each other. Dark mass, humongous sizes, energy bursts, mindlessness, thick skins, and of course, tentacles."
A burst of orange energy flew past them, and the creature roared, gathering a ball of energy between a clump of tentacles.
"Is it me, or is this one not as mindless as he should be?" A whip of crimson lashed from his hands, bursting the ball of energy, sending N'Gabthoth staggering, tearing a lump of tentacles apart. "Because he is preparing spells now."
"He seems to be coming—" The Ancient One stopped, wincing as N'Gabthoth roared. "—coming to terms with the fact that raw power can be turned against him. He is, for all his faults, not unintelligent. Not on par with humans, but smarter than, say, monkeys."
"So he knows that he's in danger and may flee?"
"Perhaps. But he has nowhere to flee to." The Ancient One's lips curved into a sharp smile. "Had we been in the mirror dimension, he would've sought to escape. But he's in the physical plane. He's on Earth."
She flicked her fingers, and lightning flashed in the sky, and Harry felt the hairs on his arms prickle. The clouds over them glowed, and a blinding flash of white seared his eyes, followed by the boom of thunder.
Harry floated back, blinking the spots out of his eyes and wiggling his finger in his ear, which rang. The pungent odor of ozone stung his nose, and he shook his head.
"Unfortunately for him, it is not my first time dealing with the likes of his kind. And he hasn't had the time, nor the resources, to garner the power it'd take for him to truly be a threat to the two of us at once. Me alone? He might've given me trouble. With you here? Not so much."
"He's big and slow. You are also chatting at leisure, which, for the record, I shouldn't really encourage."
"Where's your sense of excitement, Mr. Potter?" She laughed, redirecting a stray beam of orange. "And your sense of accomplishment? Had you not been here, the skeletons, saturated with N'Gabthoth's power, would've troubled me quite a bit. I wouldn't have recovered as fast as you from the spell you did— one which I'm surprised that you performed on the first try, let alone with such precision and control."
"It was just like any other spell." Harry frowned, waving his hand to swat away a tentacle before severing it. "It was powerful and tiring, no doubt. But the amulet remedied that immediately."
The Ancient One nodded in understanding. "It was not a spell sorcerers use lightly. Rings of Ragador demand a high price. Most would've passed out after the spell if they could perform it as admirably as you did."
Harry felt warmth creep onto his cheeks and coughed. "I figured the stone would energize me immediately. And I had you watching my back. Or I was watching yours, I suppose."
"You underestimate the role you've already played." She smiled an enigmatic smile, which vanished for a brief moment as she spat a spell, driving a blade of gold through the monster's side, and severing dozens of tentacles. "You see? N'Gabthoth was rooted in a pocket dimension of his own making, in which he slept, slowly preparing for his purpose. It was one from which he drew power and resources and would've done his work to wake the slumbering one. With your new spell, you ripped him out of there, depriving him of it."
"So that trench—"
"Was more than physical, indeed." She grinned, glancing upward. "And now, the world sees a sorcerer on par with me. And it knows Earth can deal with threats that have killed planets. That we mortals can kill gods. Mortals, who aren't even the Sorcerer Supreme." She smirked. "Go on, Master Potter. He's all yours. He has been weakened enough. Strike him down."
Harry glanced at N'Gabthoth and nodded. "Give me a second."
He spun his fingers, opening a portal to reveal a startled Archie on the other side.
"Harry, what's happening?" She peered through the portal, jumping aside as Harry motioned her out of the way, the cupboard behind her slamming open.
"Can't explain, Archie. Later. Keep an eye on the gates for me," Harry said. "Accio spear." A long spear slammed into his hands, and runes along the spear lit up. "And I'm borrowing this."
He took the spear and allowed the portal to collapse, golden sparks flying off into the howl of the wind.
With a clench of his fist, he flew higher, gathering energy in his fists, channeling it into the spear, meeting N'Gabthoth's orange eyes that burned with hatred.
A pink spell lanced through several of the tentacles, which fell in bursts of orange that lit across the monster's massive body.
"By the power of the mighty Balthakk, grant me your lightning." Harry took aim, the spear cracking with electricity, thrumming with power. "And let the Hoary hosts turn it to the unstoppable Spear of Hoggoth!"
The spear shot through the air in a trail of gold and blue, piercing through the monster's eye with a thunderclap. And a moment later, N'Gabthoth erupted in a flash of orange and gold that seared Harry's eyes while the satellites above captured the image.
And below, at the epicenter, the Ancient One smiled.
24th March 2008
New York Sanctum
The smell of the honeyed tea wafted to his nose as Harry blew the steam away, taking a sip and sighing as he slumped against the cushions.
"So, let me get this straight," Daniel said. "You and the Ancient One just fought an Old One, and you killed it, resulting in an explosion that was felt in New York and probably seen from outer space."
"A lesser Old One. He's a spawn of the Slumbering One, who was meant to wake him up from his sleep. He was stirring already."
"And so, the Ancient One decided to nip him in the bud before he could wake up on his own terms," Daniel muttered. "It is how she operates. But it still doesn't make it any less impressive that you just killed an Old One whose powers compare to Sky Fathers."
Harry sighed. "It was a monster, albeit a big one. So, I dealt with it the way anyone else would. Hit it hard, reduced its power, which was more of her than me, by the way. I just delivered the killing blow. You would've done the same thing."
"Correction, you delivered a killing blow by powering two very powerful and different spells onto a spear enchanted to the teeth. Do you have any idea what all could've gone wrong?" Daniel rolled his eyes. "Do you have any idea how few Sorcerers can combine two spells on the go— two radically different spells, powered by different deities, each spell having a different purpose, onto a spear that was already enchanted for a third purpose with dozens of different spells already?"
"Do you even breathe, mate?"
"Do you even know what you've accomplished, man?"
Harry pinched his eyes, letting out a breath. "I killed a big bad, and now you can swear eternal loyalty to me. Go on, let's just get your swearing ceremony over with."
Daniel burst out into laughter, his chuckles echoing through the sanctum as Harry drained his tea and vanished the cup, giving his friend an unamused look.
"With all seriousness though—"
"If you mention N'Gabthoth or me killing him once more, I'll do something to you that Anna wouldn't like," Harry said, and Daniel's mouth snapped shut. "Good. God, she has you on a leash."
"You're the one to speak." Daniel snorted. "You don't even have a girlfriend."
Pain pinched through Harry's chest, Ginny's sparkling brown eyes, radiant hair, and her beaming smile burned in his mind, his heart drumming against his chest. Memories of their kisses rose, joy and sorrow drowning him.
"—arry? Harry!?" His eyes snapped open, and he saw Daniel's concerned face in front of him. "Are you alright? What happened?"
"Nothing, nothing." Harry breathed, shaking his head.
Daniel winced. "Bad memories?"
"No, not at all. Something else." Harry ran his fingers through his hair. "Anyhow, I think I should get going. I'm tired, and maybe I'll pick something up on the way. Maybe a burger or a hot dog or Chinese."
"There isn't any need for that, Mr. Potter." A voice said from behind, and Harry turned to see the Ancient One stride in, holding a bag. "I bought you dinner."
Harry opened the packet and sniffed it, a broad smile spreading over his face. "Treacle tart. Yes."
"There's also mashed potatoes and gravy. The tart is the dessert." The Ancient One smiled. "You should eat and then rest. Daniel, I've asked Mr. Mordo to help you protect the Sanctum for a day or two. Be alert."
"Is there going to be an attack?" Harry tensed. "Should we prepare?"
"The security is a mere precaution, Mr. Potter. Nothing more. Security, because I shall be away for a day."
Daniel's forehead creased. "Where're you going, if I may be so bold as to ask?"
"First," she glanced at Harry. "To Asgard. The Allfather has sent summons and so have a few others. N'Gabthoth's awakening was noticed by most. So was his slaying. And they wish for an audience. Which, I must grant them."
"Do you even have an option?"
Her lips quivered into a smile. "Funnily enough, I do. I am the Sorceress Supreme. I've defended Earth for centuries against beings as or even more powerful than those who summon me right now. You, Mr. Potter, for all intents and purposes, just killed someone on par with the more powerful gods of Earth."
"But they're gods. N'Gabthoth was a monster. A big monster, but a monster."
"The only difference between gods and monsters sometimes is just the one, Mr. Potter." The Ancient One clasped her hands behind her back, a smile spreading on her face. "Semantics."
Harry felt incredulity brew in his chest and looked at Daniel, who quirked an eyebrow. "N'Gabthoth was as much of a god as Shuma-Gorath is, Harry. A bit weaker, maybe, but that makes a little difference." He said, shooting a glare at the Ancient One, one which rolled straight off her. "Had we been informed he was going to be awakened, we would've come to fight him en-masse."
"That would've been counterproductive, and lives would've been lost." She made a soft noise of disapproval, and Daniel flinched. "Needless sacrifices would've been made, which I prefer to avoid. Where two Sorcerers work—"
"Twenty needn't go. I know." Daniel hung his head. "I just wish you had informed us. We could've helped. At least us, the masters of the sanctums."
"Of that, I do not doubt. But you shall have your chance, Daniel. You all have a long journey ahead. One in which I see the infinite possibilities of. For now, believe in me and my word that whatever I did was for the best."
Daniel pursed his lips. "Yes, Ancient One."
"Excellent," She clapped her hands, spinning her arm, a multi-colored portal forming in the air, which Harry watched, a question bubbling on his tongue. "And to answer your question, Mr. Potter. Find it out yourself. The library holds the answer. Good day, Masters."
The center distorted, and the golden palace of Asgard rose on the other side, through which the Ancient One stepped, waving jauntily before the portal collapsed.
"Well," Harry muttered, eyeing the drifting rainbow-colored sparks. "Just when I think I've learned a decent bit, she shows me something new. And instead of answering, she sends me to the library. "
"It's an easy answer." Daniel snorted. "Think."
"I know she summoned the Bifrost energy. I've been to Asgard and interacted with Heimdall, who told me about it." Harry waved him off. "I just didn't know we had a spell to make Bifrost portals. Or that our normal portals couldn't open gateways to Asgard. But it makes sense, I suppose. Asgard isn't a pocket dimension or a physical plane. It is like the Astral plane, but more. So a different spell might—" He noticed Daniel staring at him owlishly. "What?"
"You've been to Asgard!?"
6th April 2008
Malibu, California
The glow of the arc reactor fell across Tony's face as he inspected it, carefully keeping the wires attached to the chest piece before pushing it back and locking it into place. His finger ran over the thin, dark lines that had started crawling from the reactor, onto his skin, barely visible, yet present.
"Jarvis, bring up the radiation patterns and my scans again." Tony walked around the room, picking up a cup of dark coffee and gulping it. "Give me the medical diagnosis, which should be ready."
"Sir, prolonged exposure to the arc reactor seems to be degrading your cells. Its likely reason is the palladium core, which is radioactive and connected straight to your body."
"The new arc reactor's unit was made to shield against that. I designed it specifically for that purpose." Tony scowled. "There shouldn't be any radiation leak."
"Might I remind you, sir, that the shielding can only reflect adequate amounts of radiation when the arc reactor is performing at relaxed parameters. I believe that your usage of the Iron Man suit, which leads to increased usage, is the cause of the radiation leak. Because of the arc reactor outputting more energy—"
"I know the math," Tony said impatiently. "What else can you tell me?"
"If your current patterns are continued, sir, I am afraid your health will severely decline for the coming year, until your blood is completely poisoned," Jarvis replied. "The arc reactor, which is keeping you alive, is also killing you."
"Then we'll make a better design. You said the core might be the problem, right? Let's change the core." He typed something on a keyboard. "J, bring up all the old work you have on the arc reactor elements. And start running simulations. If Palladium's poisoning me, let's find something that doesn't."
"Yes, sir."
Unknown to him, a small device under his desk recorded it all.
AND… DONE! Hope you all liked the chapter!
So, yes. Harry just killed something very, very powerful. Something in league with Infinity War Thor for all intents and purposes. Not as agile or intelligent, but very big and at the same power levels. It hadn't just warmed up yet, but it was enough to send gods scrambling.
If you want to read what happens next, the next FOUR CHAPTERS are up on Pat-reon alongside pieces of Lore compendiums, early chapters for other fics of mine, Short Stories, Side Stories, and a lot more! So, if you want to (and can), do subscribe and support me as an author. Your support will mean a lot to me.
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Camillus Seth: The Plot isn't slow. It is gearing up. Because if you look at the Marvel timeline, you'll see that Iron Man 2 and Thor 1 are set back-to-back. Also, the plot is slow because I'm dealing with elements unfamiliar to a lot of readers. Taking it a bit slow, helps. Once we're into the familiar territory of the movies, it'll speed up a decent bit.
WhiteElfElder: This thing is far too powerful for Patronus charms to be anything more than a passing irritation. Also, N'Gabthoth is nothing similar to a wraith, being closer to a god than anything else. A Patronus, though, will work wonders on some of the other things in Marvel.
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