[Since it's been a while and maybe not everyone rereads from the beginning, we're going to do a little review.
"" Talk
'' Thoughts or depending on the context, speaking mentally
. Scene/time change, basically full stop to the theme
.-. Change of scene and also of Pov
… Some time later
-- Third-person argumentative text within a first-person POV
« » Ideas, foreign thoughts ]
.-.
Although moving the rocks was an extremely exhausting and somewhat difficult task, with enough effort and constant repetition, the results were beginning to show.
Ron: "Haaa... Although it works, this isn't very effective..." Ron let out a long sigh as he sat down on the dark cave floor, sheltered by the faint light of his wand.
**Hmm**
A faint groan sounded behind him. Though quiet, it echoed clearly through the silent cave, as if someone were waking up.
The sound immediately drew Ron's full attention. He turned toward it, only to see Lockhart beginning to stir as he slowly opened his eyes.
Jumping slightly and ignoring the exhaustion weighing down his body, Ron grabbed his wand and raised it, ready to attack if necessary. He wouldn't let his guard down so easily again, not after what had happened.
Lockhart: "groans My head... what happened?... hello?"
Shaking off his daze, Lockhart let out a weak groan as he felt the pain coursing through his body and the intense throbbing in his head, as though he had taken a heavy blow.
Even so, it didn't take him long to come back to his senses. He soon realized he was in a dark, damp place, and that he could barely move his limbs. As he tried to make sense of his situation, he noticed a boy standing not far from him, pointing what looked like a wooden stick at him.
Lockhart: "Excuse me, can you tell me where we are? And… who am I?"
Ron: "Uh…" Ron was stunned.
'Did he lose his memory? No, wait, what if he's faking it?'
Lockhart: "Sir?" Lockhart reiterated when he did not receive a response.
Ron: "Sir?...". Ron muttered, bewilderment.
Would Lockhart call him so politely?
Somewhat tentatively, Ron decided to play along.
"You… you are my subordinate and I am your boss and right now we are at work, we are in… uh… an excavation, yes."
Spouting a bunch of nonsense that came to his mind, Ron carefully watched Lockhart's reaction to his words, however, Lockhart's next words surprised him even more.
Lockhart: "Is that so? Wow! I didn't think I was a miner, though, aren't you too young? But... why can't I move?"
Ron: "*cough cough* That doesn't matter. Wait, I'll untie you."
Although he still had doubts, Ron was beginning to believe, so he pointed his wand and burned the vines that bound Lockhart.
Lockhart: "Wow! How did you do that? Was that magic?"
Although he couldn't see much from his position, since the way he was tied up wouldn't allow it, but he clearly saw a ray of light coming out of the branch in the hands of the boy in front of him and then felt his limbs release.
Ron: "That's right, it's magic. I'm a wizard and…so are you."
Lockhart: "Me? A wizard? That's amazing".
Lockhart got back up moving his now free limbs and rising from the ground, while responding with great emotion, admiration and surprise.
Ron: "Ahem"— Feeling a little embarrassed by Lockhart's emotionality, Ron tried to change the subject— "Anyway, now that you're awake, I need you to help me move all those rocks and make a passage."
Although his attitude softened a bit when he saw that he had lost his memory, but when he remembered what had happened before, he still always kept some distance and with the wand ready in case he needed it.
Lockhart: "Oh, okay."
Contrary to his concerns, however, Lockhart seemed much more calm and honest, not even asking too much or refusing, he accepted and got to work.
His enthusiasm lessened his suspicion, for if he hadn't lost his memory, it was unlikely he would deign to do a job that involved getting that dirty, and more so knowing the danger that lay on the other side.
…
In the following time, Lockhart began to move the rocks. Although he wasn't very physically strong, but compared to Ron who was a 12-year-old boy, he had a lot more physical strength, so he could do it with more ease, plus Ron still kept levitating rocks to speed up the work.
Sometimes they would take a short break, in which Ron would go to observe the state of Hermione, who still hadn't woken up.
Lockhart: "What happened to her?"
Ron: "…She…"— Ron clenched his hand into a fist, but then released it—"She had an accident and now she's resting." Ron said with some concern, even so, he also felt quite angry since whoever had caused it was right next to him and didn't seem to even remember doing it.
He had already tried to see if he could go back the way they came to take Hermione to the infirmary, but there was no way back and the pipe was just too slippery and tricky.
Ignoring the fact that he could go up there with Hermione, most of the pipe was sloping vertically and it was also much darker, so it wasn't feasible.
Ron: "Don't waste time, if you've rested, get back to work."
Lockhart: "Yeah..."
Sounding somewhat downcast, Lockhart responded and got up to continue moving rocks.
During the time that they had been working on removing the stones, Ron had continued to probe with questions and now he was completely sure that Lockhart had lost his memory, besides, he had lost very important parts of it.
He was like a child, although he still knew basic things, he had forgotten almost everything about himself, and he did not remember anything about the wizarding world or magic. In fact, sometimes he wouldn't stop throwing questions at him, leaving him no choice but to silence him because otherwise he wouldn't be able to concentrate, besides, he didn't have an answer to all the questions.
Lockhart also seemed a bit clueless at times, it seemed like the spell had screwed him up a bit too or he was already that dumb before.
On the other hand, his own ability with the levitating spell had improved a lot given the constant use, he could now levitate medium-sized rocks much more easily and at least shake off large ones without wasting much energy or effort.
…
Ron: "*gasp* It's done."
Lockhart: "*gasp* Yes."
After a few long minutes of work, they finally made a hole big enough to climb through, although it wasn't very high, at least he had no trouble getting through it with Hermione.
It had to be said that with magic everything was made quite simple, well, that and that the stones were loose from the collapse, otherwise it really would have taken them hours since they did not have any more useful tools or spells for it.
Ron: "Now, go back to the other side and wait there. You're not allowed to come to this side until we come back or someone else comes."
Lockhart: "Understood…"
Seeing Lockhart obediently leave, Ron sighed and then walked away with Hermione on his back.
Although he was worried about his sister, Ginny, he couldn't just neglect the situation here. He still needed to get Hermione to safety before he thought about going to help Harry.
…
Carrying Hermione as best he could, Ron made his way to a secluded corner, well away from the main passage. There, using Transfiguration, he shifted and shaped the surrounding stone into a small shelter that could keep some threats at bay while remaining discreet enough to hide Hermione.
It wasn't exactly a masterpiece, but in his opinion, it was more than adequate. After all, he had simply reshaped and fused a few rocks together to make it functional, then transfigured several more into a simple straw mat.
Hidden beneath the cave's darkness, the makeshift shelter blended naturally into its surroundings, drawing almost no attention.
After settling Hermione inside and sealing the entrance with the largest stone he could find and move, he turned around and broke into a run down the passage ahead.
...
The path was uneven, so despite his urgency, he couldn't run too fast or he risked falling. Even so, it wasn't long before he arrived at a massive circular doorway, flanked by two colossal serpent statues.
Crossing through the open doorway, he was greeted by the sight of a vast chamber, partially flooded and lined with enormous serpent statues along its sides. There was enough light to make out his surroundings without needing to cast Lumos. Even so, the chamber remained shrouded in an unsettling gloom.
The place where he stood was elevated, and a metal ladder led down to the chamber floor.
Once he climbed down, he realized the chamber was far larger than it had appeared from above.
Beyond the main path, which stretched into the depths of the chamber, the surrounding area was submerged beneath the water. As he pressed onward, a chill crept down his spine. For some reason, he couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that the serpents carved into the surrounding pillars were watching him, their eyes following his every step as he ventured deeper into the chamber.
Just as that eerie sensation began to truly unsettle him, he spotted a figure approaching from the distance.
Ron: "Harry!"
Much of his nervousness faded when he saw Harry.
Harry: "Ron?!"
Ron: "Harry, I'm coming."
Excited, he was already starting to run when Harry stopped him.
Harry: "No! Ron, Run! Turn around."
Ron: "Wha'? Why? It took me a long time to get-".
Ron's words died in his throat as he saw a gigantic creature crawling up behind Harry and without hesitation he turned and began to run.
s~"Other? Doesn't matter. Basilisk, kill him too, but your main priority is Harry Potter"~s
.-.
Walking with somewhat leisurely steps, Extimum moved through the darkness of the cave without stopping, despite his exhaustion he didn't stop once.
At some point and without even realizing it, he had crossed the door of the chamber of secrets. Coming to himself, he stopped. He took a general look at the place, but did not go further into it, instead choosing to turn off the main path.
**Splash**
Leaving the main path, he stepped directly into the water surrounding the passage that led deeper into the chamber and entered one of the enormous pipes that ran along the side walls, serving as passageways.
The network was like a labyrinth with no apparent end, formed by countless interconnected pipes. He wandered through it for a while, searching for somewhere he could take shelter and rest.
A strong smell of dampness, mixed with other unknown substances, filled the air.
His footsteps were nearly silent. He was careful not to make too much noise because of the echoes that traveled through the tunnels and the occasional pools of stagnant water.
After walking for quite some time, he came across a dead end. It wasn't the first one he had encountered; he had tried to avoid them whenever possible, but this one, in particular, was secluded and well hidden.
It had taken quite a few turns to reach it, and there was only one entrance, as the others were blocked by grates or heavy gates that prevented passage.
The section where he had ended up consisted of a long pipe, flanked by two others of equal size, one on each side. Every one of them was completely sealed, leaving only a single way in.
It was the perfect hiding place... or as perfect as an enormous, damp pipe could be in the middle of a remote and dark labyrinth of medieval sewers. Even so, given the circumstances, he couldn't afford to be picky.
Before entering to rest and assess his situation, he stopped at the entrance.
Extimum: "First, let's put in some countermeasures and protections."
He was tired, but if he squeezed his will and body, it wasn't too difficult to cast a few more simple spells.
Waving his wand gently in what looked like a wave motion, he arranged several layers of illusions, covering the entire entrance to the place and erasing any trace from the outside that there was even a fork there.
Just a simple wall would greet the sight of anyone passing by, even if they tried to touch it or lean on it, it could still look completely real.
At the same time he also put an alert spell at the entrance to the path. It wasn't very useful, but it will give him a few seconds of alert in case someone still insisted on charging and crossed the illusion.
"sigh That should do for now."
Turning around, he entered the pipe and, upon reaching the end, chose the one to his left to sit down and rest.
Ignoring the dampness of the floor and the unpleasant smell that permeated the place, he closed his eyes.
*Breath* *Exhale* *Breath* *Exhale*
He steadied his still somewhat uneven breathing and tried to relax his body after the exertion. He needed at least that: a few moments of peace and rest.
With a slight movement of his hand, his wand slipped out of the holder strapped to his arm and settled directly into his palm.
After a small flash and another flick of his wand, he pointed its tip toward his chest and cast two inspection spells in quick succession. He had learned them from Pomfrey, and they were used to detect traces of magic within the body.
However, just as he had expected, he found nothing. It wasn't unexpected, but there was never any harm in confirming it.
Without showing any change in expression, he continued with what he had truly come to do.
Without opening his eyes, he focused on maintaining a specific rhythm in his breathing, attempting to enter a closed meditative state focused solely on himself.
He completely shut out his surroundings. It was risky under the current circumstances, but it was not entirely without merit, as it would allow him to shorten the time required.
Thanks to his experience and the routine he had developed, it did not take him long to ignore everything around him and delve deeper into his own consciousness until he entered his mental space.
His mental space was the same as always: a star-filled sky, filled with planets and stars, some familiar and others unknown.
The space, the planets, the stars, and even the smallest asteroid within it symbolized his consciousness.
Gathering his thoughts, he focused his attention on a single point within the space.
He imagined his body and every part that composed it: his bones, his flesh, his veins, his skin, his hair, and even his less human features, such as his tails and fox ears. Then... once that construction had fully settled within his mind, he turned his attention toward the light of his mental space.
The stars.
And with a thought, the starlight around him gathered and focused into a stream of light that fell upon the incarnation of his body he had created, illuminating it, as if a dazzling spotlight shone down the entire side of his body.
As the warm light fell on his body, enveloping him, a large dark shadow was projected on the back of his body.
A fine shadow and as black as the darkest of inks, swallowing every trace of light from the surroundings.
Suddenly, large purple eyes opened in the emptiness of the sea of stars, with sharp pupils and an unnatural calm and detachment in their gaze. He took in his surroundings for a few seconds, before finally focusing on the much smaller body below him or rather, the shadow cast from it.
The detachment vanished from his gaze, replaced by a serene and absolute concentration.
As though, rather than observing the unfathomable darkness cast by the light, he were contemplating a mystery of the universe in the process of revealing itself.
In fact, the longer his gaze lingered upon the shadow, the more... alive it seemed.
Shadows... a reflection... a projection... a region untouched by light, if one wished to be technical. But those are merely their most superficial forms. At their essence, they are darkness: the opposite of light.
And darkness is always there.
It always has been.
Long before the first glimmer ever reached the world, it was already waiting in its eternal calm and solitude. It hides no terrors or incomprehensible horrors beyond the imagination of humans or mortals. It offers only the eternal embrace of the beginning and the end.
But to the Izorim, and to all magical creatures and beings with an affinity for darkness, it is far more than a mere absence of light.
Within it lie mysteries yet to be solved, truths waiting to be understood, and knowledge no mind has ever reached. Within its vastness, there may even be an entire world waiting to be discovered.
That is why they do not fear the darkness.
They accept its embrace and immerse themselves within it.
For they are part of the darkness, and the darkness is part of them. It accompanies them through every step of their journey, silent and eternal, as it always has...
Thus, the great eyes lowered toward their own shadow, examining every fragment and every corner of it. They did not observe it as a simple shadow, but as a complete image, attentive to any part that seemed strange or to any additional detail that did not belong there.
And then... as though disturbed by the sudden movement... something... something stirred in the deepest reaches of his mental space.
A gentle breeze began to blow from unknown places, stirring Extimum's hair.
An inexplicable phenomenon within the sea of stars.
Yet the breeze went unnoticed beneath his intense concentration and scrutiny of the darkness.
Unaware, until the very last moment... of the whispers carried by the wind.
«Are you looking for what is missing in your heart?» «What is missing in your being…?» «What you can only see and feel through others... while you yourself are incapable of» «You want to feel it, don't you?»
A voice... no. A thought. An intention arrived with the breeze and slipped into Extimum's mind, echoing within it as insidious, slow, and profound words.
«Or perhaps you wonder... why do you live?» «Why can your mother show so much emotion to others, but with you she doesn't even bother to pretend...?» «Does your father even consider you his son?» «Are you his son...or...a tool to an end?»
The large eyes in the starry sea trembled slightly, but still kept their gaze fixed on the dark shadow, refusing to lose the thread of their search.
«Jujujujuju» «You already know the answer... but you refuse to accept it» «You're just trash, the remains» «What nobody wants» «Even so, you try so hard...» «What for?» "Who will see it?" "Who cares?" «Jujujujukukuku» «To nobody»
«You are as empty as the mansion in which you live» «As decadent as life in the stars of your mind» «You are just a child that nobody wants, that nobody remembers» «Maybe if you die here nobody will remember you ? Oh, that's right, yes they will, after all, they still have to use you, before finally discarding you Jujujuju»
The large eyes trembled violently this time, threatening to turn their gaze to the source of the foreign wind, to the source of such vile words.
.-.
With Ron running ahead, the two of them had fled into the pipes that ran alongside the serpent statues surrounding the chamber's main passage. Thanks to his better physical condition, Harry had managed to catch up with him, but they soon realized that the basilisk would catch them as well if they kept running.
With few other options, they decided to hide inside one of the sealed pipes that extended alongside the main passage.
Now, they remained pressed against its walls, holding their breath as they looked into each other's eyes and carried on what seemed to be a silent conversation.
Suddenly, their breathing stopped.
Their bodies tensed, and they slowly backed away, pressing themselves even closer against the walls.
**Ssss**
The basilisk's enormous head slowly and cautiously emerged through the entrance.
Despite its gigantic size, it moved in complete silence, like a hunter stalking its prey.
Its eyes remained completely blinded, still oozing corrosive blood.
Relying on its keen sense of hearing, it had followed them there, guided by the sound of their footsteps against the waterlogged floor and the echoes they produced within the vast pipes.
**Ssss**
The basilisk stopped directly in front of them and remained motionless, listening intently for any sound. Although it had lost its eyes to Dumbledore's phoenix, Fawkes—and with them, its petrifying gaze and ability to see—its natural abilities as a hunter had not been greatly affected.
Opening its mouth, it released a foul breath and began to sniff, trying to catch a scent. This was difficult because of the strong smell of dampness that permeated the area, though that same smell also helped it detect anything different.
As it sniffed, its nose seemed to instinctively guide it toward Ron, who was sweating nervously.
Harry and Ron did not dare even breathe. In such a silent environment, and with the serpent's hearing remaining so sharp even after being blinded, a single misstep could mean death.
Yet the basilisk still did not move. It had stopped there because that was where it had lost the sound of their footsteps against the waterlogged floor. It remained motionless, sniffing and listening intently.
As the basilisk began to draw closer and closer to Ron, Harry could no longer remain still. He looked around for anything that might help them until his eyes finally settled on a stone lying on the ground.
He carefully picked it up and quickly threw it toward the main passage, hoping to divert the basilisk's attention.
*Tak tak tatak*
In the silent pipes, the sound of stone hitting the ground was especially loud, leaving an echo with each tap.
**Sss**
Diverting its attention, the basilisk focused on the new sound and continued to crawl forward, past Harry and Ron.
They both didn't move. They remained perfectly still even when they could no longer see and hear it, before finally easing their breaths and beginning to move carefully.
Ron: "gulp That was scary"
Harry: "Yes… but we don't have time, we have to go back. Quickly follow me".
Although he was curious as to how he had gotten here so fast and where he had left Hermione, Harry didn't ask, at this moment, Ginny's life was at stake and he still didn't know what had happened to Extimum.
.-.
Guided by the echo of the sound, the basilisk slithered through the pipes, alert to the slightest sign. It knew those passages well, and after losing its sight, its hearing had become even sharper. It relied on the echoes of its own movements and its memories of the place to find its way.
As it moved through the pipes, which fit its enormous body perfectly while still leaving it enough room to stretch slightly, it heard something.
A faint sound. Perhaps indistinguishable to anyone else, and one that would likely have gone unnoticed had it not been focusing so intensely on its sense of hearing.
But it had heard it.
And that was enough.
It immediately lunged in that direction, slithering and turning through the pipes toward the place from which it had sensed the echo.
Without realizing it, it was heading toward a completely sealed pipe. However, unable to see, it continued forward and easily passed through what turned out to be an illusion.
Not that it could have known.
After all, it could not see.
.-.
«You can't even control yourself» «You hurt Hermione. You played with her. You still do» «You play with the world, how do others play with you?» «You can only hold hard to that useless and rickety pendant, as if it were the last straw» «After all, who will help you?»
«It won't be able to contain us, not forever... and even now, not completely» «Jujujuju, you know it, but you pretend, you always pretend, you hide behind that mask of serenity and expressionlessness»
**hunch**
«But I can see it, I can feel it...» «You will fall...» «You will cause damage, chaos» «And you will hurt everyone you consider close» «And I will see it. I'll watch you fall piece by piece» «Until there's nothing left of you» «Completely lost… Distorted into something else» «Hahahahaha»
**hunch**
**Boom**
The great purple eyes finally moved. Red veins pulsed within them as a horrifying emotion took hold of their gaze.
Having finished examining the shadow in its entirety, they lifted their gaze toward the sea of stars.
There lay the source of the words, of the unnatural wind: a vortex of absolute darkness suspended in space, completely devoid of stars.
Their gaze fell upon that presence, carrying a pressure so overwhelming that it made the entire mental space tremble. Yet, despite the force behind it, that vast darkness remained utterly unfazed.
It even formed an enormous white smile, lined with sharp teeth.
As though mocking their futile attempt to intimidate it.
**Roooaarrr**
Upon understanding the meaning behind that smile, a roar filled with rage echoed throughout the entire space, shaking it until it descended into chaos.
The planets exploded.
The stars went dark.
Black holes emerged throughout reality until that abstract, foreign darkness was finally erased.
And along with it, the entire space collapsed.
**BOOOooom**
.-.
The basilisk continued forward, drawing closer and closer to the source. The faint sound had returned, and this time, it was louder.
Wilder.
More chaotic.
Just as it was about to turn and face whatever was producing it...
**BOOOooom** **Crack Crack crack** *Pam*
Rubble and fragments of stone were sent flying in every direction as that section of the pipe collapsed, shattering even the surrounding walls.
**ROOooaarrr**
A bone-chilling roar reverberated throughout the entire network of pipes, forcing the basilisk to recoil slightly.
In that instant, though it had no idea what had happened, it realized that it had not found its prey.
It had found something else.
But before it could decide whether to stay or retreat and continue pursuing its true prey—the one its master had ordered it to kill—an enormous figure, even slightly larger than itself, lunged from the place where the roar and explosion had originated.
The creature slammed into it head-on, striking it hard across the head.
**Boom**
The basilisk shook its head, slightly dazed by the sudden impact, and instinctively turned its blind gaze toward the creature now standing before it.
An enormous silver-white fox, at least three meters tall, stood before it, ready to launch another attack.
Its nine tails lashed about furiously as threatening purple flames danced at the tip of each one. A mist seemed to emanate from its paws.
And its eyes...
They were a deep purple, streaked with chaotic reddish hues that swirled at their centers.
But what confused the basilisk most was that, despite knowing it was completely blind, it could somehow see the creature.
Or rather...
Its mind could perceive the creature's image with perfect clarity and relay it to itself.
**Roooarr**
s~**Rooarr**~s
Though threatening, the basilisk was not intimidated either and answered with a venom-laden roar of its own.
However, the venom in its breath barely grazed the fox, producing no obvious effect before the two lunged at each other and became locked in a fierce battle.
The space within the pipes was cramped, but amid their violent clash, the nine-tailed fox had torn down several walls and part of the ceiling, considerably expanding the area around them.
The stones obstructing their path were pulverized by the force of their attacks and scattered across the ground.
The basilisk writhed, lashing the surrounding space with its tail and spraying streams of acidic, corrosive venom. Then, it lunged at the nine-tailed fox, attempting to sink its fangs into it.
The fox did not retreat either. It launched itself forward with its jaws open, trying to bite the basilisk as its nine tails whipped about with an almost impossible flexibility. Upon striking, they moved with the sharpness and cutting edge of a sword.
.-.
After running out of the pipes, Harry and Ron returned to the central part of the chamber, where Tom Riddle waited for them with an impassive look.
Ron: "Ginny!"
Seeing Ginny on the floor, Ron seemed blindsided by the situation and immediately rushed to her side, kneeling on the floor to examine her and see what was wrong.
Tom: "Hahahahaha! It's too late, the process is almost over. In minutes, Ginny Weasley will die and this memory will revive. Lord Voldemort will return. He will return alive like never before"
Ron: "¡Ahh!".
Ron yelled and got up from the floor angrily, although he didn't fully understand the situation, but he could still read between the lines, so he immediately took out his wand and pointed it.
"Expelliarmus"
Tom: "It's useless, you can't beat me". Tom simply waved his hand nonchalantly and dismissed the incoming spell.
Ron: "Incendio, Immobulus, Expelliarmus".
Ron didn't want to stop, he didn't know many spells that could do any damage, but he had to try, his sister was dying and Harry didn't have a wand with him to help him.
Tom: "What's taking so long? s~Come back~s".
Tom's hissing voice boomed through the chamber as he continued to calmly and disinterestedly reject every spell Ron threw at him.
He could finish it himself, but where's the fun in that? Wouldn't that be too easy?
Harry could only watch, helplessly, wanting but not knowing what to do. He didn't know how to do magic without a wand and throwing himself in front of a magician like that was simply seeking death.
**Boom**
Suddenly, the place shook and the entire wall on the right exploded. Ron and Tom immediately stopped their fight.
**Roaarrr**
Followed by a huge angry roar, a large shadow flew overhead and crashed to the floor on the other side of the chamber.
**Boom**
s~**Rooarr**~s
Turning their heads almost instinctively, they saw the figure that had fallen on the other side.
The basilisk.
Wounded and somewhat dazed by the powerful blow, it shook its head and drew in the enormous body that had been stretched out across the ground. Then, it let out an angry roar as it prepared to continue fighting.
Soon after, their attention shifted back to the right as more stones fell from the enormous hole that now gaped in the wall, followed by the faint sound of a growl.
A large figure... a very large one. Even larger than the basilisk to their left.
It appeared before their eyes, moving with silent steps muffled by what seemed to be clouds of mist surrounding each of its paws.
Its enormous purple eyes, with slit pupils and a chaotic red hue swirling at their centers, were the first thing to draw their attention as the creature emerged through the cloud of dust stirred up by the destruction.
However, that image was soon eclipsed by the appearance of a brilliant platinum coat, followed by nine tails thrashing wildly, with what appeared to be spheres of purple fire dancing at their tips.
**Roaarrr**
s~**Rooarr**~s
Tom: 'A kitsune? What is it doing here? No, wait... Why does it have nine tails, and why is it so large? They're only supposed to have three...'
But the two enormous giants seemed completely oblivious to the surprise that had overcome the three people standing before them, as well as their desire to admire the unusual sight for a little longer.
The two creatures charged at each other once more, clashing in a battle as breathtaking as it was brutal.
**Boom Boom Boom** **Grrr** **Sssss**
The battle was fierce. Droplets of water and fragments of stone were sent flying in every direction with every attack.
Harry had no choice but to pick up the unconscious Ginny and retreat alongside Ron, whose attention had returned to Tom Riddle.
The smell of blood hung in the air, accompanied by violent tremors that shook the entire chamber.
As they moved away, Harry noticed something.
When he had picked up Ginny, he had also taken the Sorting Hat, which Fawkes had left beside her. And now, a silver sword had emerged from within it.
Ron: "Harry, what do we do now? Ginny is very pale, and even though the basilisk is occupied, we don't know whether that new creature is a threat as well. Besides, him... I can't defeat him."
Harry: "..."
Harry remained silent for a moment, quickly considering his options.
Setting the basilisk aside for the moment, Tom Riddle remained the greatest threat. However, before he could reach a decision, he heard Tom speak.
Tom: "You meddlesome creature, leave the basilisk alone!"
With a flick of the wand in his hand, Tom fired a beam of crimson light that struck the nine-tailed fox and sent it flying back into the hole through which it had entered.
**Boom**
Tom could no longer tolerate the situation.
The nine-tailed fox was fighting with a ferocity contrary to its nature, and although his basilisk was not at a clear disadvantage, it was sustaining more and more injuries.
Furthermore, the fierce battle between the two beasts had completely ruined his moment and overshadowed everything he had planned.
The basilisk tried to follow the nine-tailed fox to the other side, but Tom stopped it.
Tom: s~"Finish them. Now."~s
Though reluctant, the basilisk ultimately shifted its attention and focused on where Harry and Ron were, guided by the connection it shared with its master.
Seeing the basilisk begin to approach and the nine-tailed fox fail to reappear, Harry finally made a decision.
Harry: "Ron, take Ginny."
He gripped the silver sword that had emerged from the Hat and, in an impulsive act of heroism, decided to face the basilisk.
Ron was about to protest, but he saw that Harry had already run forward, drawing the basilisk's attention.
With no other choice, he took Ginny and retreated beneath Tom's disdainful, mocking gaze.
.-.
After some time sliding down the pipe, Christelle felt it tilt horizontally and finally shoot out into a wide, dark area.
Landing on her two feet, she looked around to find complete darkness.
Christelle: "Noctis eyes."
A soft dark glow covered Christelle's eyes, being especially conspicuous in the dark place.
With the spell taking effect, Christelle's vision became much clearer even in the absence of light.
Taking a look at the artifact in her hand and then at her surroundings, she started on her way without hesitation.
The rocky path did not seem to hinder him. He moved through the dark cave like a fish in water, soon reaching what appeared to be a dead end, where he noticed something...
Or rather, someone.
Raising her staff, she flashed a light in the person's direction to get their attention.
Christelle: "Who are you? And what are you doing here?"
Lockhart: "Good morning, fair lady, or is it night? Hard to tell here."
Christelle: "Answer my question"
Lockhart: "Are you perhaps a wizard too?"
Seeing the light coming from what looked like a staff and a hooded woman pointing it at him, Lockhart asked when he seemed to come to a realization.
Christelle: "Hmm? Wait, you look familiar…Gilderoy Lockhart?"
Lockhart: "Ah! Yeah, I think that kid mentioned that was my name, too."
Christelle: "Kid? Was anyone else here? What did you see?"
Lockhart: "Yeah, before you got here I was with a kid, he said he was my boss and we were mining here."
Christelle: "Er…mining, you say?" Christelle felt somewhat puzzled and out of place.
Why would someone be mining in the depths of the school? Even stranger, if the man in front of her was who she assumed, then there was clearly something wrong with him.
Lockhart: "Yes, from what he told me, there was a cave-in and there was that girl, right, she had been injured and we had to make a passage to the other side for some reason."
Christelle: "Among those children, did you see one with silver hair streaked with purple?"
Lockhart: "Hmm, no, if I had seen someone that peculiar I think I would remember, I only saw brown hair. Oh, excuse me, who are you?"
Christelle: "That's not important now, bye."
Lockhart: "Oh, okay, good luck on your search."
Christelle was about to walk through the hole when she stopped.
Christelle: "Besides children, haven't you seen anything else come through here? Some magical creature perhaps?"
Lockhart: "No, just kids."
Without another word, Christelle stepped through the hole to the other side.
.-.
**Shipping stones** **Pam**
Rocks and fragments of stone were sent flying in every direction as an enormous figure emerged from beneath a mound of rubble.
Extimum: 'Agh... Damn it. Voldemort really doesn't hold back. That spell came dangerously close to doing more than merely knocking me unconscious for a few minutes... But at least it helped me come back to my senses.'
Earlier, although he had appeared to be in a state of complete madness and savagery, blinded by rage, he had actually remained conscious the entire time.
And, almost...
Completely autonomous.
Thinking back on it, Extimum was not entirely sure what had happened. However, there was one thing he knew for certain.
It was all that voice's fault.
That voice that had slipped into his mind.
While he had been completely focused on examining his shadow, he had been unable to silence it.
Not this time.
Like a viper, it had slithered into the most vulnerable part of his mind, contaminating his thoughts and clouding his judgment.
He could remember the rage.
An immense, burning rage that had wanted to consume everything.
Although much of those emotions had been alien and foreign, a considerable portion of them had truly been his own. Perhaps it had been the first time he had ever experienced an emotion so intense... and allowed his anger to express itself so completely.
The basilisk had simply arrived at the wrong moment.
Or perhaps at the right one, depending on how one looked at it.
Extimum frowned slightly as he remembered one of the words that voice had spoken.
«You will cause harm. Chaos.»
However, he soon relaxed his expression and refocused on his current situation.
This was not the time to lose himself in other thoughts.
As he looked himself over, he finally took notice of his own form, and a mixture of astonishment and satisfaction appeared on his face. It was not as though he had failed to notice it during his apparent state of rage, but at the time, he had possessed neither the time nor the mental clarity to truly appreciate it.
Extimum: 'This is the final form... At least, that is what it appears to be. Otherwise, it would be far too weak.'
'However, this form can only be temporary. My current stage of growth is not suited to sustaining a body this large, especially considering the much smaller size I normally take by comparison.'
s~**Rooarr**~s
'The basilisk isn't dead yet and by the sound of its roar, Harry must be fighting it. Should I just go now or…? No, wait, what am I thinking? Even if the basilisk is blind, it's still a dangerous creature and I just can't believe things will still be the same after I intervened.'
'Now at least I know that that woman didn't put any tracking spell on me, but even without that, she should still be able to get here. For now, I should observe the situation…'.
Layers and layers of illusion covered Extimum's huge figure as he became invisible, disappearing from sight and carefully moving through the hole he had caused earlier, observing the situation inside the chamber.
**Sss***
Taking advantage of the basilisk's blindness, Harry ran while drawing its attention with his shouts, pulling it away from Ron and Ginny as he performed what could only be described as the most dangerous and eccentric bullfighting scene in the world.
Every time the basilisk found the right position and ensured that Harry was within its reach, it lunged with all its weight. Harry could only dodge by leaping to the side and use the sword in his hand whenever he had the chance, leaving a few marks across the basilisk's hide.
Not far away, Tom Riddle watched with a faint smile of satisfaction as Harry became more and more cornered.
Relying on the fact that his size was insignificant compared to the basilisk's and that his physical condition had improved considerably, Harry managed to stay alive with great difficulty. However, the creature's enormous size was precisely what continued to reduce his room to maneuver and increase the danger of every attack.
Just when everything seemed to be going well and Harry began climbing the head of Salazar Slytherin's statue to gain a better combat position...
**Bam**
The basilisk's head slammed into the statue, and as it attempted to pull back with a sideways movement, it struck Harry, sending him flying.
**Puchi** s~** ROarr **~s
Due to the angle of the impact, the sword Harry was holding became lodged in the basilisk's mouth, piercing through it like a thorn, though not deeply enough to cause a fatal injury.
**Splash**
Harry fell into the water below the statue, which considerably softened his landing.
Seeing the opportunity, Extimum did not hesitate. He immediately lunged forward and bit into the basilisk's neck.
The basilisk's poisonous and corrosive blood flooded his mouth, but that only made him bite down harder.
s~** ROAaaaaaarr **~s
The basilisk thrashed violently and swung its tail, attempting to strike him, but Extimum's tails stopped it.
However, being completely locked onto his bite and focused on holding on, he failed to release himself in time when the basilisk slammed itself against the statue.
Extimum's back struck the wall, and at the same time, the strength of his bite began to weaken.
**Grrr**
Feeling that it had finally been released, the basilisk quickly retreated, increasing the distance between them.
**Ptui**
Extimum spat onto the ground.
The basilisk's blood, besides being poisonous, tasted unpleasant and left a strong acidic aftertaste. Definitely, eating poisonous creatures was not on the menu.
What he had spat out was a mixture of blood, pieces of flesh, and a strip of skin.
He had torn away a piece of the basilisk's neck, leaving a bleeding wound in the creature.
For a few moments, the two remained still, staring at each other.
Or something close to it.
Extimum could only stare at the basilisk's bleeding eye sockets, while the basilisk could only imagine the figure before it through its mind.
Then, without warning, both charged at each other once again.
.-.
**Haaa**
Emerging from the soaked water, Harry scrambled to the bank and climbed out of the water.
It was lucky to have fallen precisely in the deep water area, even so, the blow had not been soft at all and he had injured his wrist.
Something had clearly creaked at the moment of the blow.
Tom: "Hahahaha, Great, Harry Potter, you have once again proven your worth as a Gryffindor. Facing a basilisk, wandless and with a measly sword, without the correct training or strength to wield it, really...".
Tom shook his head, clearly enjoying the moment.
"That being said... I must admit that you are fortunate. That meddlesome creature seems determined to interfere with the basilisk's work, so you will have the honor of falling by my hand... And reuniting with your filthy mother."
**Boom** **Thump** **Roars**
The battle between the two creatures continued not far from them.
Somewhat exhausted and with his body weighed down by the water, Harry removed his soaked robes, leaving himself only in his inner uniform: a white shirt with a tie and trousers.
Tom: "Adjusting your clothes before you die?"
Harry did not answer. He had little to say.
However, he could vaguely make out Ron's figure slowly approaching from behind Voldemort.
Looking down, he noticed something among the blood scattered across the ground: the silver sword.
During the previous battle, when the basilisk had slammed the nine-tailed fox against the statue, the sword must have fallen along with some pieces of flesh and two fangs.
Bending down, Harry picked up the sword with his other hand and, after taking a deep breath, tried to imitate the stance in which he had seen Extimum hold it before.
Tom: "Do you plan to face me with that sword? Brave, but foolish. You will not even be able to reach me before you fall dead."
Harry: "Ahhh."
Ignoring his words, Harry charged forward with the sword in hand.
Tom: "Hmph. Avada Ke—"
Ron: "Expelliarmus."
Just as energy began to swirl around Tom's wand, Ron cast his own spell from behind him, from a distance close enough that Tom could not dodge.
The wand flew from his hand, and the killing curse dissipated before it could be completed.
Tom: "Meddlesome child."
Feeling the wand ripped from his grasp, Tom turned around in anger and extended his arm toward Ron in a grasping motion.
In the next instant, Ron stopped dead in his tracks.
His eyes widened, and his body seemed to lift slightly from the ground as his hands went to his throat, desperately trying to grasp at something that was not there.
His face paled as he realized he could not breathe.
Harry: "Ron!"
Harry was alarmed upon seeing his friend's situation.
Gritting his teeth, he pushed himself to run even faster while swinging the sword.
**Ching**
The sword let out a faint sound as its speed increased while it slashed toward Tom Riddle.
**Bundle!**
However, contrary to his expectations, the sword did not cut.
Tom's hand extended and struck the flat side of the blade, completely stopping its momentum and forcing him to take only a single step backward.
A look of shock appeared on Harry's face as he watched the scene.
Tom: "What? Did you really think that just because I lost my wand, I would be unable to defend myself? Only those useless and incompetent wizards from the Ministry limit themselves in such a way. Besides, I am far stronger than you."
*Snap*
With a snap of his fingers, the sword in Harry's hands slipped out of his control and was sent flying through the air, landing far away from them.
Tom: "You cannot even properly use the power of that sword. Now I wonder who will die first. Will it be the meddlesome Weasley, who runs out of oxygen? Or will it be Ginny, who finally loses all of her vitality?"
Harry: "Leave him alone!"
Harry took a step forward.
Tom: "Ah, ah, ah. Stay right there, Harry Potter. If you take one more step, you will only make your friend's death come faster."
As if to prove his words, the invisible grip around Ron tightened for a moment, evident from the way his eyes widened even further.
How much pressure was applied and how much air was allowed to reach Ron's lungs depended entirely on Tom's will.
**Boom**
As if trying to remind them of its presence and break the dramatic moment, an explosion echoed not far from them.
The basilisk was sent flying and crashed into the small pool where Harry had fallen moments earlier. However, the creature rose again almost immediately and continued fighting.
The impact created a small wave of water that carried along a black diary that had been forgotten all this time, leaving it between Harry's feet.
As if perfectly synchronized, both Tom and Harry's gazes fell upon it for several seconds.
And then, like a light turning on in a dark room, an idea appeared in Harry's mind.
The moment it came to him, he acted.
He hurriedly picked up one of the fangs the basilisk had dropped and drove it into the diary.
Tom: "What are you doing? NO! Agh!"
Tom released his grip on Ron and moved his hand to attack Harry, sending him flying several meters backward.
Ron immediately collapsed unconscious onto the ground. His condition was unknown.
Harry felt an invisible force strike him as his body was thrown backward uncontrollably for at least two meters.
But he still held onto the diary.
Turning his gaze, he saw a hole made of light appear in the center of Voldemort's body.
Without hesitation, he stabbed the fang into the diary once again.
Tom: "AGHHH, NOOO!"
Tom fell to his knees as more luminous holes appeared across his body.
At those points, his form and his very existence began to dissipate, while his screams grew increasingly horrifying.
Until finally...
He disappeared.
The place fell into complete silence for a few moments.
Until it was interrupted once again by:
**Boom**
Accompanied by two roars coming from different directions.
.-.
**Boom** **Thump** **Baam**
Extimum:'Why doesn't he just die? Is the vitality of all xxXxx creatures that high?'
**scream of lamentation**
A heart-wrenching and agonizing scream drew the attention of both Extimum and the basilisk, causing them to direct part of their focus toward its source while still maintaining awareness of the battle they were fighting.
Extimum: 'Voldemort's memory died? This changes things... and proves that not everything follows a predetermined course. The basilisk is still alive, and Harry has not killed it... or at least, not yet.'
**Tum…** **Tum…** **Tum…**
A familiar yet distant sensation traveled through Extimum's body.
But this time, it was far weaker than in his memories.
Even so, it was enough to divert his concentration for a brief moment.
And as if it had been waiting for that opportunity, the basilisk took advantage of his distraction and struck with tremendous force, sending Extimum flying once again toward the enormous hole in the wall.
**Bam**
The basilisk allowed itself a brief rest while patiently waiting for its opponent to return, just as it had always done.
However, it soon noticed something strange.
the fox did not return.
More than that, when it approached the edge of the hole, it realized that the image of its enemy that existed within its mind had also disappeared.
It could no longer perceive him.
**Tum…** **Tum…** **Tum…**
s~** ROAaaaaaarr **~s
Upon understanding that its enemy had escaped, the basilisk released a roar filled with rage.
Then, it turned its head toward the direction where Harry was and where it had sensed its master disappear.
???: "Tenebris carceris".
However, before it could make any movement, a soft yet terrifying voice echoed throughout the chamber.
In the next instant, the basilisk felt that it could no longer move.
It was completely immobilized.