Gazing at the trembling, newly born creature before him, Luke quickly waved his wand to clean away the amniotic fluid, then cautiously approached. Though the mare seemed to question the world for birthing such an odd offspring, her maternal instinct flared as Luke drew near, letting out a warning whinny.
"Oh, so protective of your little one?" Luke remarked with amusement. This mare, gleaming pearly white in the sunlight, was truly a magnificent steed. Even Gandalf had admired her, seeking similar wild horses on the plains of Rohan, hoping to tame one as his own mount. The mare, resentful of the human who had captured her, would have kicked him had she not known better. She could only snort in warning, cautioning him to stay away.
Luke, still amused, waved his hand to gently calm her, then walked to the foal and carefully observed this new species. Magically hybridized species are inherently unpredictable. Some perish due to genetic conflicts, becoming weak and dying, while others become uncontrollable, bloodthirsty, and violent, attacking indiscriminately and proving impossible to tame.
These are considered failed experiments. Only those hybrid creatures that are physically normal, possess a certain level of intelligence, and can be tamed are deemed successful. Luke cautiously approached the newborn "foal," observing its behavior to determine its temperament and controllability.
The foal, at this moment, also looked up at Luke curiously, its eagle head tilted, as if trying to confirm if he was its mother. Seeing its eyes were clear and devoid of any violent emotion, Luke's smile deepened. He extended a hand to touch it. "Hello, little one!" The foal regarded the outstretched hand with caution, but after the gentle stroke to its head, it comfortably squinted its eyes, affectionately rubbed against the hand, and let out a childish eagle cry.
Sulond, just returning from hunting in the distance, heard the cry and flew down, intrigued. He gazed at the little creature before Luke, which was both eagle and horse, filled with surprise. He seemed to be wondering, what species is this? Seeing Sulond's expression, Luke said with a mischievous grin, "Sulond, come and see your child. Doesn't he resemble you?"
"Khya?!" Sulond's expression was one of bewildered teasing, yet he also felt an instinctive closeness to this small creature. Then, as if struck by lightning, his eyes widened, filled with shock and disbelief. He wasn't even an adult! How could he possibly have a child? And a winged Hippogriff, no less? Watching Sulond's expression, as if his world had been turned upside down, Luke, the unscrupulous master, happily enjoyed the spectacle.
Just as Sulond struggled with whether to acknowledge the "child," Luke offered some dried meat to the newborn, saying cheerfully, "Little one, from now on you will be called Buckbeak, and your race will be known as Hippogriff." In the spirit of practicality, Luke unhesitatingly applied the species and name from another world to it. They looked similar enough, so the name fit perfectly. Luke then untied the mare, allowing her to live with little Buckbeak.
With the birth of the Hippogriff, other hybrid creatures began to emerge. What troubled Luke was that most subsequent creations were not only deformed but also inherently violent and insane, completely lacking rationality. Examples included a lion's body with a dragon's tail, a snake with tentacles, a lion's head with a wolf's body and a snake's tail, or a wolf's body and a dragon's tail entwined with snakes, and so forth.
Some could spew dragonfire, some possessed venom, some were invulnerable to blades, others had the petrifying gaze of basilisks, and some even exhibited extremely high magical resistance. They were exceedingly dangerous! They didn't even wait for the mother wolf to give birth, instead biting through her stomach, burning her alive, or poisoning her instantly. Had Luke not been prepared and his strength not significantly increased, he might have been overwhelmed by these monsters. Faced with these irrational creatures, whose eyes held only violence and bloodlust, Luke, despite their raw power, incinerated them to ashes with Fiendfyre without hesitation.
However, Luke was relieved that although most hybrids failed, a few qualified new species were born. Among them, the creature he created by hybridizing a giant eagle and a lion was a winged being with an eagle's head, a lion's body, and two powerful wings, strikingly resembling the Griffins of the magical world.
While this little griffin inherited some of the lion's wildness, it also possessed the wisdom of the giant eagle, its extraordinary qualities evident even at birth. Luke simply named it Aslan. He also crossbred a giant eagle with a Mearas horse and implanted the embryo into an ordinary mare, eventually resulting in the birth of a white Pegasus with wings.
Finally, Luke embarked on his most ambitious hybridization: combining a giant dragon, a basilisk, a giant octopus, and a warg to create a new species. Luke had long observed that the more creatures hybridized, or the more powerful the species involved, the higher the failure rate.
Even successful births often resulted in irrational and monstrous creatures. The Hippogriff, Griffin, and Pegasus, for instance, were all hybrids involving non-magical or less powerful magical creatures. Hybrids like dragons and basilisks, basilisks and giant octopuses, or dragons and giant eagles typically resulted in incompatible genes, leading to deformed and irrational monsters. He had initially assumed that this hybridization of four creatures would fail early in development or produce a monstrous deformity.
However, contrary to his expectations, the genes of the four species fused perfectly, resulting in the birth of three wolf cubs . The cub's enormous size, nearly half that of its mother, caused her great difficulty in childbirth, and Luke ultimately had to perform a cesarean section to extract it. Although the cub possessed genes from a dragon, a basilisk, and a giant octopus, it showed no outward signs of this. Its six pairs of round, moist eyes shone with a lively and clear gaze, utterly unlike the frenzied and irrational expressions of the previous deformed monsters.
Gazing at the three wolf cubs, each nearly a meter tall at birth, Luke cautiously approached. The three cubs all looked up at Luke, curiously sniffing him, sticking out their tongues, wagging their tails happily, gazing at him with an intimate look, and howling softly. Luke was just about to reach out and touch them when he saw saliva dripping from their tongues. The saliva, dripping onto the ground, corroded the soil like sulfuric acid, and the surrounding grass quickly withered and died.
Luke's pupils constricted, and he instinctively retracted his hand. When the three wolf cubs saw him withdraw his hand, they immediately looked forlorn and whimpered, as if asking why he didn't touch them. Indeed, when the three wolf cubs were taken from their mother's belly by Luke, he was the first person they saw, and they remembered his scent, which explained their immediate closeness to him.
Possessing the gift of Legilimency, Luke could sense the wolf cubs' minds, filled with feelings of closeness and also a faint resentment towards him. "Hungry, hungry..." Luke caught their unspoken plea. Looking at the deceased wolf mother, Luke had no choice but to retrieve milk from his space pocket, dividing it into three bottles, and stuffing them into the three wolf cubs' mouths. The cubs immediately wagged their tails, devouring the milk voraciously.
Luke was intensely curious about the properties of these unexpectedly perfect three wolf cubs, so he used his magic wand to continuously monitor their bodies as they drank milk. The results utterly astonished Luke. This three-headed wolf cub perfectly blended the genes of a dragon, a basilisk, a giant octopus, and a warg.
It was no exaggeration to describe it as having skin of steel and bones of iron. Though newly born, its tough fur was capable of withstanding blades. It also possessed a high resistance to magic, rendering ordinary spells ineffective against it. It also boasted formidable resilience. Luke was greatly surprised to witness such a perfect and powerful creature.
What surprised Luke even more was that because the three heads of the wolf cub shared one body, their three mouths quickly filled their stomachs. Then, as one of the wolf cub's heads burped, sparks unexpectedly shot out, instantly burning the bottle. While the other head did not spray sparks, the teeth in its mouth, though not yet fully grown, easily bit through the steel bottle, and its saliva was both corrosive and poisonous.
As for the remaining head, it yawned, then fell into a deep sleep, drooling and corroding the ground and grass beneath it. So, these three wolf cubs had inherited the dragon's fire-breathing ability and the basilisk's venom? Luke was continuously surprised and incredibly pleased. If these three wolf cubs were trained well, they might prove no less powerful than full-grown dragons and basilisks in the future!
"From now on, you will be called Cerberus, the three-headed dog!" Luke happily named them. Of course, the three heads were individually named Left, Middle, and Right for simplicity and clarity. However, to be safe and prevent the three wolf cubs from ever harming their master, Luke used his control over the basilisk and the giant octopus to extract a drop of blood from each of the three wolf cubs, forming a blood alliance to prevent the cubs from harming him.
In addition to the three wolf cubs, Luke also bound the Hippogriff, Griffin, and Pegasus with magical contracts. Among the four new creatures bred through hybridization, the three wolf cub "Cerberus" was undoubtedly the most powerful. The second was the Griffin "Aslan," who not only possessed the strength of a lion and the sharp claws and beak of an eagle but also boasted extremely high wisdom, much like a giant eagle.
Although its two flapping wings had not yet grown feathers, it was clear he had inherited the giant eagle's ability to fly. Next was the Hippogriff "Buckbeak," which had the body of a horse, the head of an eagle, sharp claws, and a beak. It could not only run on the ground like a horse but also fly in the sky. Its only inferiority to the Griffin was that it did not inherit the full wisdom of the giant eagle; while much smarter than ordinary horses and capable of understanding human language, it was not considered an intelligent creature.
Finally, there was the Pegasus, with its pearly white fur and eagle wings, arguably the most beautiful of the four creatures. Luke planned to station the three-headed wolf, Cerberus, at the gates of Orthanc, like the legendary three-headed dog guarding the gates of Hell. It would guard Orthanc's entrance and prevent those with ill intentions from entering. Next was the Griffin Aslan, responsible for patrolling and monitoring Isengard and the surrounding sky, providing early warning for safety. Finally, Buckbeak, the Hippogriff, was allowed to roam on the grass outside Orthanc Tower but within its walls. As for the Pegasus, Luke placed it in a box and transported it to Weathertop through the fireplace.
"Arwen, this is the mount I've given you. Do you like it?" Luke said to Arwen with a gentle smile as he released the Pegasus. Looking at the winged foal before her, Arwen's face lit up with surprise and fondness.
Arwen cherished the Pegasus gifted by Luke, naming it Elroch, meaning "star horse." In the days that followed, Luke continued to travel between Weathertop and Isengard.
Among the newly cultivated species, the three-headed wolf, Cerberus, grew at an astonishing pace, swelling almost visibly each day. Within a mere month, it had already surpassed two meters in height, larger than any adult wolf. Given the genes it had fused—dragons, basilisks, and giant octopuses, all known for their immense size, and even the formidable warg—it was impossible to predict its ultimate growth limit. The three wolves also possessed voracious appetites, having transitioned from milk to meat, consuming a vast bowl daily.
Though sharing a single stomach, they still squabbled over food, each head refusing to yield to the others. Despite its inability to speak, the three-headed wolf proved highly intelligent, capable of understanding Luke's commands. Through his training, the three heads rotated their sleep cycles, ensuring at least one head was always vigilant, guarding the gate twenty-four hours a day. Cerberus's abilities were also becoming increasingly apparent: the teeth and saliva of all three heads were highly poisonous, and they could spit scorching flames and intensely corrosive acid. With skin like steel and iron bones, they boasted formidable physical and magical resistance.
The griffin, Aslan, also thrived, its wings fully developing, allowing it to flutter briefly at low altitudes. Buckbeak, the Hippogriff, flourished in the company of its mare mother. Although the mare persistently attempted to teach her "half-blood son" to graze, Buckbeak clearly preferred hunting mice, hares, and groundhogs in the meadows and surrounding woods.
Gandalf also returned from the plains of Rohan, riding a magnificent grey horse, taller than the mare, whose coat shimmered like silver by day and darkened like a shadow by night. This grey horse was also of the Mearas breed, a true king among horses. It possessed lightning speed and incredible endurance, capable of running at high speed for extended periods with almost no rest. It was exceptionally intelligent, even capable of understanding human language.
Even when faced with the dragon's imposing presence, it remained fearless, neighing a warning to the others. Gandalf named it Shadowfax. According to him, he had fallen in love with this king of horses at first sight during his selection, and it had taken him three days and hundreds of miles to finally tame it.
Luke's eyes lit up when he saw the horse. After securing Gandalf's permission, he took a sample of Shadowfax's blood, intending to crossbreed it with the giant eagle. He sought to discover if he could create more Hippogriffs and Pegasi from this exceptional lineage. Gandalf was equally amazed by Luke's magical hybridization, particularly after seeing the griffin.
He could hardly tear his eyes away, filled with admiration for this creature that combined the bravery and majesty of a lion with the aerial dominion of a giant eagle—it perfectly matched his aesthetic sensibilities. This, however, sparked jealousy and anger in Shadowfax. The horse king ignored Gandalf for several days and became increasingly antagonistic towards the griffin, always seeking an opportunity to deliver a swift kick when Aslan wasn't looking. For a time, Isengard buzzed with lively activity.
Gandalf, a man who could never stay idle, did not remain long in Isengard before setting off once more on Shadowfax. Luke, too, eventually returned to Weathertop. As for the security of Isengard, Luke, much like a shrewd capitalist, directly assigned the three-headed wolf, Cerberus—a "child laborer" barely a month old—to guard the entrance of Orthanc. The griffin, Aslan, was entrusted to the giant eagle Sulond for training and began patrolling the surrounding area.
Concurrently, Luke personally visited Fangorn Forest, requesting the Ents' assistance in monitoring the movements around Isengard. Isengard was surrounded by trees, which served as the Ents' natural eyes and ears, allowing them to observe every subtlety. Luke had no secrets from the Ents and certainly had no intention of felling the surrounding trees as Saruman had. Luke's request was a minor matter for the tree-people, and their leader, Treebeard, readily agreed. This arrangement also benefited the Ents, as Luke promised not to cut down trees around Isengard, and even pledged to plant more, aligning perfectly with their mission to protect the forest.
Upon returning to Hogwarts Castle, Luke first visited the harvest land at the base of the mountain where he had previously buried the gold essence. While the farmers happily harvested the wheat fields, he carefully excavated the gold essence from the earth. Runes of harvest and abundance were inscribed upon the golden essence. After being buried, it had absorbed the earth's energy, now emitting a palpable, heavy aura. Luke brought the gold essence back to the castle and left it to dry in the sun for seven days.
He then located a thousand-year-old oak tree, entwined with mistletoe, in a valley within the Wind and Cloud Hills. Using magic, he carved a hollow into the trunk, placed the gold essence (now inscribed with healing and life runes) inside, and cast a spell to seal the hollow. All that remained was to patiently wait until autumn and winter, when the oak tree would bear fruit and the mistletoe would bloom. Only then would the gold essence be extracted, marking the beginning of the Hufflepuff Cup's creation. This ancient Celtic natural magic ritual differentiated the Hufflepuff gold cup from the Gryffindor sword or the Ravenclaw diadem.
With this task set in motion, Luke turned his attention to other matters: the ore containing soul sulfur that he had brought back from the Road of the Dead. Soul sulfur formed when the tears of ghosts fell upon ore, imbuing it with the power of the soul. He placed the ore into a furnace and began the slow process of smelting and extraction. After more than a month, pure soul sulfur was finally obtained.
To craft the Philosopher's Stone, the mercury of the spirit and the sulfur of the soul had now been collected. Only the "salts of the flesh" remained. Elrond had provided specific locations for the first two components, but the most likely location for this final "salt of the flesh" was Hildórien, the birthplace of mankind. Hildórien lay in the east of Middle-earth, its exact location having been lost to time, unknown even to the learned Elrond. Thus, Luke would have to find this last component himself. More importantly, the East was the primary sphere of influence for Sauron's forces.
If Luke ventured eastward to find the salts of the flesh, he would almost certainly encounter obstacles from Sauron's dominion. Therefore, before embarking on this journey, he needed to make adequate preparations for the challenges ahead. Moreover, he planned to complete the Hufflepuff Gold Cup and the Resurrection Stone before his departure, further enhancing his strength and foundational resources. The Hufflepuff Gold Cup was already underway, simply awaiting the opportune moment for its final crafting.
During this waiting period, Luke focused his attention on the Resurrection Stone. As one of the Deathly Hallows, the Resurrection Stone could not truly bring the dead back to life, but merely summon the soul projection of the deceased. These projections were more tangible than ghosts but more illusory than physical beings. They could only be seen by the holder, and they disliked being recalled from the afterlife, often bringing only pain to the one who summoned them. The three Deathly Hallows—the Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone, and the Invisibility Cloak—were, according to legend, gifts from the god of death, but were in fact inventions of the Peverell brothers.
The Resurrection Stone was invented by the second of the Peverell brothers, who sought to bring back his beloved. However, resurrecting the dead is a magical taboo, an impossible feat. Thus, Peverell, who had invented the Resurrection Stone, was ultimately forced to end his own life in agony, hoping to reunite with his love in the afterlife. So, this Deathly Hallow appeared to be quite useless, seemingly serving little purpose beyond summoning ghostly projections of the dead.
However, Luke discovered its greatest inherent value: the ability to summon the dead to unearth past secrets and unlock hidden knowledge. Luke looked at the Ring of Power worn on a necklace on his chest. While this ring, crafted by Saruman, amplified the wearer's abilities, it remained imperfect compared to the Three Elven Rings.
If he possessed the Resurrection Stone, he could summon Celebrimbor, the artificer of the Three Elven Rings, and through his guidance, perhaps forge another ring truly comparable to them. He could even summon Fëanor, the creator of the Silmarils, and learn skills from this immensely talented Elven craftsman. There were countless others who had long since passed into the Halls of Mandos whose knowledge could be invaluable. Of course, such an act would likely draw the attention of Mandos, the formidable ruler of the undead. If Mandos perceived this act of summoning the dead from his Halls back to the living world as a challenge to his authority, the potential gains might not outweigh the severe repercussions.
Regardless, Luke had to attempt to create this Resurrection Stone. Yet, upon examining the conditions required for its production, he couldn't help but frown. The Resurrection Stone necessitated a rare magical substance capable of bridging the boundary between life and death. Peverell had accidentally discovered Death's Door, the stone archway in the Hall of the Dead within the Department of Mysteries. He then captured the "death substance" from Death's Door and used it to create the Resurrection Stone. In the Hall of the Dead within the British Ministry of Magic, there stood a tall stone archway known as Death's Door.
A tattered black curtain hung from the stone archway, known as the Death Veil. Only those who had witnessed death could hear the words of the deceased from behind the curtain. The stone archway was believed to be a gateway to the world of the dead. Once one stepped through this door, there was no return; one would die completely. It was said that the Ministry of Magic chose to establish itself there due to the discovery of this stone archway, subsequently building the Ministry around it and establishing the Department of Mysteries to study enigmatic and unsolved phenomena such as Death's Door.
But the immediate problem was that no such Death's Door existed in Middle-earth. How, then, could he capture the essential "death matter"? Luke's mind raced, aided by the Crown of Wisdom, and he suddenly had an inspiration.
This world did not possess a stone archway leading directly to a distinct world of the dead. Elves, humans, and dwarves, after death, journeyed to the Halls of Mandos; there was no so-called separate underworld. However, Middle-earth did possess a spiritual "underworld" akin to an underworld—a mysterious realm that coexisted with the physical world, falling under the category of invisible things.
For instance, when Bilbo donned the One Ring, he entered this underworld, becoming invisible in the physical world. Similarly, when Frodo was stabbed by the Ringwraiths with the Blade of Morgul, he gradually began to slip into this underworld. If he wished to capture the death matter, he might be able to find it within this underworld. But this, in turn, presented another challenge: how was he to enter the underworld?