Inside the Brain Chamber, a massive tank brimmed with white brains suspended in a luminous green fluid. Atop the tank, a seat had been specially adjusted for Professor Flitwick's small stature.
Once Flitwick was settled, the Unspeakables took their positions around the chamber.
"Is everyone ready?" the Director asked, his voice echoing in the high-ceilinged hall.
A chorus of nods answered him.
"Then, let's begin."
At his command, the Unspeakables split into two groups. One group raised their wands and cast the Patronus Charm. Ethereal Patronuses of every shape and size soared through the air, merging into the brains floating in the tank. The brains began to glow with a stark white light, pulsing in time with the magic.
On the other side, the alchemical circle at the top of the tank hummed to life. Guided by Professor Flitwick's thoughts, the runes and sigils traced a path through the collective unconscious, seeking the entrance to Avalon.
Finally, the alchemical matrix stabilized, and a shimmering passage opened in the center of the room.
The Unspeakables entered the portal in an orderly line. Aiden and Oliver stepped through together, with the Director following close behind.
"Wait, why are you coming with us?" Aiden asked, glancing over his shoulder at the Director.
The Director's tone was grave. "The head of the Department of Mysteries must be present for matters like this."
Aiden nodded, understanding dawning. "No wonder you showed up in the Deep Realm last time."
They emerged into the Collective Unconscious Sea—the goblins' hidden paradise, Avalon.
This continent of the mind had once been peaceful and still, but that tranquility was now shattered by the ambitions of those who dwelled within.
Above Avalon, silver-white islands descended from the sky, floating in midair. Wizards began to materialize on these islands, their presence impossible to ignore.
The goblins below, stunned by the sudden invasion, scrambled to regroup.
"Are you wizards declaring war on us?" Urs, the hardliner among the goblins, stepped forward, seizing his moment of glory.
"War, war, that's all you ever talk about," the Director sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "You goblins have been living off wizard gold for generations. How much fight do you really have left?"
Urs trembled, his bravado faltering. He knew all too well that his people, softened by years of comfort, were no longer the warriors they once were.
"You did this on purpose!" Urs accused, his voice shaking.
The Director's fox-like eyes glinted with malicious satisfaction. "Did you really think holding Avalon over our heads would make us compromise? It's just a few deaths. When have humans ever feared sacrifice?"
"You… I'll fight you all to the end!" Urs roared, drawing his weapon and charging, leading the goblins in a desperate assault.
But this was no heroic last stand. The Director raised his hand, unleashing a Blasting Curse that obliterated a swath of goblins. The Unspeakables joined in, casting spells with cold precision. It was a massacre.
A group of goblins rushed at Aiden, swords raised. He snapped his fingers, and their blades twisted in their hands, turning on their wielders. Feeling the restraint, Aiden removed his hat, revealing a pair of gleaming dragon horns.
The sight broke the goblins' morale. Some dropped their weapons and fled in terror.
"Wow, so this is a Prewett? Love it," the Director called from behind, his voice laced with admiration and mischief.
Aiden glanced back. "What did our ancestors do to make them so afraid?"
The Director smirked. "Your ancestors were ruthless. They didn't leave any records behind—didn't want to tarnish the family's glorious image."
Aiden rolled his eyes and turned away, ignoring the Director's bait for more questions.
Soon, the goblins' resistance collapsed. Those who survived lay face-down on the ground, defeated. Urs was bound tightly and thrown into the center of the clearing.
"Aren't you going to finish him?" Aiden asked.
"No. We need to make an example for the other magical races," the Director replied, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes. "Besides, killing them here only destroys their minds. The real trouble is what comes after."
He clapped his hands, gathering the Unspeakables. "Some of you stay and guard the goblins. The rest, follow me—we need to find Avalon's control center."
Urs, still trapped, laughed bitterly. "You think you can find Avalon's core? Impossible!"
The Director's hand shot out, gripping Urs by the throat. He forced his way into Urs's mind with Legilimency, extracting the information he needed. When he was done, he tossed Urs aside like a broken doll.
"Tsk, that was a rough read," muttered a nearby little dragon.
"No time for finesse," the Director replied, glancing at Aiden. "We might be in trouble."
"What's wrong?" Aiden asked.
"They hid Avalon's control center inside the Deep Realm King," the Director said, his voice heavy.
The Unspeakables fell silent, stunned.
"No way… Aren't the goblins afraid of being assimilated?" "Could anyone really be foolish enough to side with Foolishness?" The team broke into anxious whispers.
"So what do we do?" Aiden pressed.
The Director's face hardened. "All goblins are to be executed on the spot. The situation has deteriorated—we can't afford to split our forces."
At his order, the Unspeakables raised their wands. Beams of colored light filled the air, and in seconds, not a single goblin remained.
The Director turned to Aiden, his expression serious. "Aiden Prewett, you haven't joined the Unspeakables. Please leave. If we don't return, I want you to become the next Director of the Department of Mysteries. Take over my duties. Please."
Aiden rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of respect in his voice. "You really think I'm the type to run away and save myself?"
"No, but we need to keep hope alive," the Director replied.
"Hope, huh…" Aiden murmured.
He drew his staff and summoned a silver-white dragon, which swept down, picked up Oliver, and soared away.
"Aiden Prewett, I'll get you for this!" Oliver's voice echoed as he vanished into the sky.
"There, hope is safe," Aiden said with a shrug.
The Director watched him go, a complicated expression on his face. "Why go to such lengths?" he wondered aloud.
Aiden's lips curled into a fierce, ambitious smile. "Because what the goblins created could be the cornerstone of my blueprint."
The Director gave a short, wry laugh. "You people… truly are hopeless."
At 3:00 PM on July 20th, the Department of Mysteries' operation against the Deep Realm King officially began.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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