**Gont Family Estate, 16th September, 1962**
"Are you certain of the failure of our scheme on the continent?"
Tom Marvolo Gont was displeased with the situation and his companion's pessimistic outlook. He had yet to decide how to address those who had initially followed him and submitted to his authority. However, who was he fooling? He could never regard anyone as his equal, the sole living descendant of the great founder, Salazar Slytherin.
"Yes, Marvolo. I do not merely deem it hopeless; I consider it perilous, indeed, for our small fraternity as a whole. A single misstep in the attempt at abduction, and we will have the mightiest hounds of the Church at our heels, from the Inquisition to the Order of the Creator and witches alike. Is the life of a chimera worth risking the destruction of our entire enterprise?"
Tom, who despised his Muggle given name, decreed that all those in his entourage address him solely by his middle name, Marvolo. Having ascended to the status of Lord Gaunt, he could not tolerate someone like his uncle, who diminished his own grandeur and that of their progenitor through his existence. With the aid of his uncle's demise, he fulfilled another of his cherished aspirations, achieving a form of limited immortality through the creation of his initial Horcrux.
Upon receiving the tome «THE WILDLIFE OF ALL PREZLE» from the dean of Hogwarts, Riddle was captivated by its contents. However, the information regarding the method of creating a horcrux, which allowed one to defy death, particularly resonated with him.
In his youth, Tom Riddle hesitated to take such a drastic step. Nevertheless, as an adult after five years spent wandering across Europe in pursuit of knowledge, he returned home. He resolved to finally confront his past and reconcile with his maternal family.
Upon arriving at the dilapidated cottage inhabited by his uncle, Riddle realized that this was his opportunity to join the ranks of those already bearing his mark and unaware of its true significance.
Tom astonished his mentally challenged uncle and commenced the process of concocting a sophisticated dark-magical potion, the objective of which was analogous to that of the Imperius curse, albeit with the distinction that the latter's effects could be counteracted by a resolute mind. Under the influence of this potion, any oaths or promises made were nullified for magical purposes. However, the potion crafted by Tom for his uncle was unique in its design, devoid of such vulnerabilities.
Upon administering the potion to his uncle while under the effects of the Confundus spell, Tom secured the allegiance of his uncle for a duration of one week. The enchantments that had clouded his uncle's mind dissipated, rendering them unnecessary, as Morfin Gaunt was now under a more profound mental influence.
At this point, Morfin Gaunt, Tom Riddle's uncle, held the sole legitimate claim to the Gaunt lineage and inheritance. However, his mental capacity fell short of assuming control over the family's magical powers and ascending to the position of Lord. Nonetheless, he retained sufficient rights to be recognized as a member of the family, a fact that Tom exploited to gain entry into the family and establish his own position within it.
The moment Tom became a Gont, he assumed control of the family, having mastered the arcane arts of the source stone and its inherent magic. He emerged not merely as a mage, but as Lord Gont. Without delay, he embarked on fulfilling another of his ambitions. By slaying his uncle in the ritual for creating his first horcrux, he achieved the ultimate goal of escaping mortality.
And all would have been well had the events of that day not been overshadowed by a fact: the moment he created his first horcrux, Tom Riddle lost the title of «Lord». How could he have known that, after the division of his soul, he would become infertile for some time until his spiritual vessels were restored?
Once the magic sensed this and discovered no continuation of the line from the current head, and once the birth magic found Tom's descendants — of course, it could not abandon the sole bearer of family magic and bloodline — it deprived Tom of his Lordship, making him only a regent, and tasked him with finding a descendant of once-expelled squibs, in whom magic would awaken and raise a future Lord.
Naturally, Tom's reaction to this was one of intense fury, exacerbated by his emotional turmoil following the shattering of his inner defenses. He descended into a state of hysteria, indiscriminately destroying everything in his path. It took him a full day and a half to regain control of his temper, and as the full import of the situation sank in — that he had, through his own actions, forfeited his right to the title of Lord — he descended into a profound melancholy.
Remarkably, the very same book that had deprived him of his cherished dream also provided him with a glimmer of hope for a new path towards achieving his long-held ambition.
In «THE WILD LORD OF ALL PREZLEYSHEY», in addition to the intricate ritual of crafting a Horcrux, and other morally dubious rites and mystical practices, the essence of the concepts of Dark Lord and Light Lord were explored in great detail. With this knowledge, one could attain the long-sought-after and recently vacated title of Lord, provided they committed a horrific act with numerous victims. The world would then bestow upon them the title, making them a Dark Lord akin to Salazar Slytherin, his legendary ancestor. Tom had all the necessary preparations in place. He planned to launch a terrorist attack in New York City, detonating a nuclear device.
But before ascending to the status of the Dark Lord, Tom aspired to possess a flawless body. To achieve this goal, he delved deep into the realm of chimerology. In his pursuit, he stumbled upon the diary of a discredited wizard, whose lineage was utterly eradicated three centuries ago due to the fact that the head of the family, obsessed with the study of mystical creatures, orchestrated the capture of a shaman, whom he kept in captivity for approximately a month in his mansion, subjecting him to experiments aimed at meticulously examining the physiology, anatomy, biological processes, and magical abilities of the creature, which he deemed perfect.
This grieving scholar harbored a dream of replicating such a feat through his own endeavors, but alas, his ambitions were soon brought to an end when he was apprehended by the Dragon Knights, resulting in the execution of his entire family. The question of how the scholar's laboratory notes and diaries survived remains a mystery.. Nonetheless, Tom greatly appreciated these works, and having become acquainted with the information regarding the abilities and powers of witches, he desired to possess a similar body and identity. He was particularly impressed by the fact that all witches shared a serpentine heritage, some more prominent than others. However, they all possessed the gift of parseltongue, and given his inherent fascination with snakes, he became even more convinced that a witch's body would be ideal for his own.
Gont, inspired by the Knights of the Order of the Dragon's approach towards enhancing themselves, was impressed by their willingness to undergo transformations and alter their human essence. Overwhelmed by his desire to possess an ideal body, he tasked his nephews with organizing the abduction of the witch and delivering her to him. The operation required a month of planning and preparation, which almost became a full-scale operation for their entire organization.
For these purposes, a team of skilled mages from the Middle East, operating through proxies, were not afraid to undertake the commission for the witch's destruction. In Europe, no such fools could be found. These mercenaries were of the elite, approaching the task with cunning and expertise. Yet, none of these qualities proved effective against a solitary witch!
The ambush on the sorcerer was set up in the outskirts of Bern, where he had rented a cozy dwelling to reside in. It required a great deal of effort for the mercenaries to track down their target and, as they believed, prevent the sorcerer from realizing that he was under surveillance and prepare for his arrest.
On the fateful day X, as the sorcerer-doctor returned home in the late afternoon and prepared to take a bath, the operation commenced. Hundreds of meters around the residence where the subject resided, the mercenaries erected an anti-apparation barrier, simultaneously directing the impact of an artefact towards the portion of the building where the sorcerer's bath was located. This artifact made it difficult for magic to be employed and caused a significant decrease in one's strength.
It took mere moments for the mages from Algeria and Morocco to breach the bathroom, finding it empty. Subsequently, the consciousnesses of all sentient beings within the vicinity of the anti-artifact barrier faded.. The mechanism in question was a talisman left behind by the sorcerer, who had long ago taken note of his own surveillance and bided his time, waiting for the opportune moment to strike back. Once the barrier preventing the use of dimensional travel had been erected, he activated an artifact designed to stun those bearing gifts, triggering it when they approached, and shifted into the realm of shadows, anticipating the climax of events.
Within five minutes of initiating the operation to apprehend the sorceress, a contingent of mercenary sorcerers from the Middle East had breached the citadel's defenses, only to find their minds emptied by the wiles of the staff of mentalists. In the end, Tom Riddle's minions were miraculously fortunate to arrive in time, severing the final threads that might have led the sorceresses to their Isles.
"Very well, Abraxas," Tom said, "since we are not making any progress here, I want you to focus all your efforts on our operations across the ocean. There must be no errors there! Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, my lord," Malfoy replied. "Rest assured, we will launch terrorist attacks in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. We have already infiltrated the necessary individuals in the British army under Imperio's control. When you issue the order, we will extract the nuclear warheads from their storage facilities in England and transport them to America. There, a Chinese separatist cell will detonate them in the cities you have chosen for bombing. We have almost completely encircled these cities with the magical symbols you provided us."
After a brief pause for reflection, Tom posed another question to Malfoy.
— Be most vigilant with the sigils! Though they may be fashioned of metal, even a minuscule chip, blemish, or any other imperfection that may arise due to negligent handling can spell catastrophe and undo all my labours. It is imperative that you ensure their integrity and pristine condition. This matter is of utmost importance, my dear friend, for both your life and mine. Do you comprehend the gravity of your responsibility?
— Yes, my lord! I shall visit their respective locations and ensure that your plan proceeds apace and all is accomplished.
— I trust you will, my slippery fellow. By the by, who is the new instructor at Hogwarts? Lord Travis reports that his son's correspondence suggests a divided opinion regarding him. It is crucial we ascertain his allegiance and convictions.
I have already addressed this matter and conveyed my interest in obtaining information about Ormar Drake to my sources within the Ministry, as well as to a private investigative agency in France, and I anticipate having all available data on Drake within the next week.
The man has an ostentatious name and an equally ostentatious surname. Is it true, by the way, that he challenged Minerva to a mortal duel and made his intentions known before Albus and the rest of the faculty in the Great Hall?
Indeed, he did, my Lord. Yet he exhibited no fear or trepidation, giving the impression that he was merely warning Minerva, not of a mortal challenge, but as if it were an inconsequential matter.
And Albus did not even attempt to persuade him to abandon the idea?
Tom was already well-versed in the entire situation, and on this day, he intended to acquire the recollections of the heir of the Travis and Flint families regarding the events that transpired in the Great Hall. However, he also sought to hear Lord Malfoy's perspective on the matter.
Riddle had long been aware that Abraxas possessed extraordinary intuition, and it was only once in his lifetime that Malfoy disregarded these instincts, which occurred nearly four decades ago when the young Malfoy heir overestimated his abilities, attempting to patronize a talented half-blood, only to end up enslaved by him.
"No, my lord. He proceeded directly to the task of chastising his ward. When Minerva offered her apologies, my son observed that Ormarr received them with a sense of boredom, as if they were expected. He was not moved at all by the insult itself or by the triumphant resolution of the situation. This behaviour is not consistent with the psychological profile typically associated with a mage of his age group."
"Now, in light of these new developments, is our assessment of his age correct? His attitude towards what is happening at the school and in his surroundings is more characteristic of an elderly individual who has not lost his passion for life than of a young mage fresh from teacher training and embarking on an independent journey."
My son, much like myself, is a connoisseur of fine clothing, appreciating the artistry and craftsmanship that go into creating garments of the highest quality. His taste for exquisite fabrics and materials is unparalleled, and he often finds himself puzzled by the materials used in his own clothing.
His silk garments, for example, are made from a silk produced by an unknown species of magical spider. The boots and gloves he wears are crafted from the skin of an enigmatic relict snake, a creature shrouded in mystery and danger. A mere glance at these garments can leave one momentarily speechless.
The only aspect that raises a question mark is his cotton shirts, which appear to be made from a fabric similar to the renowned Chinese silk, a national treasure of that country. To ascertain the exact nature of this material, a closer examination would be required, something my son is unable to undertake.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of my son's character is his proficiency in wandless, non-verbal magic, a skill that he effortlessly wields with such grace and finesse. What sets his abilities apart is not his desire to flaunt or conceal them, but rather, his natural inclination to use them seamlessly, as if they were an extension of himself. It is this humility and unassuming nature that makes his talent all the more impressive.; For Tom, this was a matter of course. It was quite surprising, indeed!
Tom was also surprised to find that Lucius Malfoy, at such a young age, seemed to possess the same meticulous attention to detail and subtlety as his father. And yet he was only eleven years old. Tom decided that he would need to take a closer look at this boy.
— And what do the school's students think of him? How has he been received by the new teacher?
In less than a month, the new teacher has established himself as an unquestioned leader among the first-year students, regardless of their background or social status. The students perceive him as a strong, powerful, and intelligent wizard who deserves respect. His classes are now the most anticipated among all first-years, and the students eagerly await his lessons.
Interesting, very interesting indeed! As soon as you acquire any information about him, please share it with me. I am eager to meet this wizard myself.
As you command, my lord!
********
And so it was on Tuesday, the 18th of September, when I conducted yet another joint class for the first-year students of Gryffindor and Slytherin houses.
"Good morning, students," I began. "I see that you are all in excellent spirits, and I am delighted to see that my words of encouragement and advice have taken root. And those few among you who do not exude vitality look around and wonder why they alone appear weary and fatigued.
It is gratifying to observe that the younger generation displays remarkable maturity and intellectual open-mindedness. There was no need for the pure-bloods and the half-bloods to justify the utility of the incantations and rituals I shared with them. They readily embraced them, for upon reading the statutes they were aware that no professor could deceive them during class time, much less advocate for anything that might harm them if they were certain of the outcome.
With Muggle-borns, the process is even simpler; they are accustomed to following the teacher's instructions and have not had the time to become enamored with the latest trends in the magical society of England, where everything related to rituals and customs is automatically associated with dark magic, as decreed by the esteemed Ministry of Magic!
The topic of today's lesson will be one of the festivals of the Wheel of the Year, Mabon. To begin, I will explain what the Wheel of the Year is all about!
As you must have already realised from the book I recently sent you about the structure of the soul and magic in general, everything that has life has a soul, including our planet! The festivals of the Wheel of the Year represent the peaks of the life cycles of our planet.
You may wonder how it is possible that these festivals coincide with those in the world of magic, where most of humanity lives. These two worlds are completely different, yet their calendars align. This is due to the prolonged contact and strong connection between the two planets, resulting from the synchronisation of their biological rhythms of life.. And I had a mental association with the synchronization of menstrual cycles among girls who reside together for an extended period. However, naturally, I refrained from providing such an example to my students and proceeded without it.
Yes, Miss Black, I noticed the raised hand of one of my students at the back of the classroom and allowed her to ask her question. I did not penalize students for raising their hands or posing questions as long as their inquiries were relevant and pertinent. On a few occasions, I had to deduct points from students who, merely for the sake of attention, sought to stand out by raising their hands unnecessarily and asking questions that were not particularly interesting.
Professor, you stated that everything that possesses life has a soul. Do stars possess souls?
Please take a seat, Miss Black.
Two points for a stimulating and pertinent question. In this instance, we have yet another example of a phenomenon that possesses a «soul», albeit not in the conventional sense of having a life. Any global entity that can be identified as autonomous and embodies the concept of distinctive elements or styles is said to have a soul. This category includes all planets and stars.
Let us return to our focus on Earth and the magical world. For the first time, humans began to celebrate Mabon by surrendering to the influence of the faeries who inhabited the vicinity of human settlements and exerted their influence upon them. This day, which will occur on September 22nd this year and is named after the ruler of the Sidhe noble house, is an auspicious time for your mental and physical well-being. It would be beneficial to visit the woods and gather natural offerings with your own hands, which should be consumed at sunset on this festive day.. At this very moment, all the food that has been plucked from the earth and gathered together will be imbued with a powerful and multifaceted energetic component, which shall have a profoundly positive impact on the soul of whoever consumes it. Of course, this is assuming one desires to attain the utmost positive outcome.
However, in essence, you may use any other natural gifts of the harvest of this year, not necessarily gathered on the day of the festival, as food. These gifts must be consumed outdoors from early morning, so that they are touched by the first rays of the sun and finished with its last rays at sunset.
On this day, powerful crafts in the form of charms and talismans from elm will be presented by girls and women to their husbands. In your case, the husbands include your family members and fellow students. Therefore, I recommend that all girls endeavor to create such valuable crafts for their loved ones.
At the conclusion of this lesson, along with the transcript of my lecture on the parchment, there is a list of recommended literature that you can access in the library. This literature provides detailed descriptions and instructions for creating these charms and amulets.. Celebrating this day is an occasion to pay homage to the world, both in the form of offerings and in the form of self-reflection. It is a ritual that allows us to momentarily incorporate ourselves into the intricate web of life processes that govern the planet.
The culmination of this ritual is a farewell to the sun, during which we, for a brief instant, become part of the earth. This experience has a profound impact on the spiritual essence of those who participate in the ritual, serving as a catalyst for the resolution of past traumas, the smoothing out of mental barriers, and the overall enhancement of physical well-being.
The lesson had been both engaging and informative, and the students, as usual, had listened intently. As the time drew near the conclusion of our study, I delved into the intricacies of how the Wheel of the Year might be interpreted and practiced in different cultural contexts.
As the final moments of the class approached, with the bell imminent, Stephen Reeds, Head of Gryffindor House, raised his hand for attention. "Professor Drake," he inquired, "what of those who might wish to engage in the observance and performance of the Wheel of the Year rites without incurring the wrath of magical law enforcement in England? Are these practices exempt from the Ministry of Magic's prohibition?"
— Five points, Mr. Reeds, you may sit down.
This is a fundamental question for all of us here. To start with, pure-blood wizards, with their own estates located in the folds of spacetime or within the boundaries of the magical realm, protected by barriers and shields, cannot face such a predicament. Within their own lands, they are immune to the jurisdiction of governmental laws.
The conduct of rituals falls under the purview of the laws governing the territory of planet Earth, as well as the regions within the magical realm under the authority of the Ministry. These include Sloping Alley and several magical settlements such as Godric's Hollow and Ottery St. Catchpole, among many others, where wizards reside in the magical realm and have direct portals connecting these territories to Earth, under the governance of the English government.. In order for a wizard to maintain their legal cleanliness, it is imperative to conduct the ritual either within the confines of Hogwarts grounds, provided one does not possess their own protected land, or in other regions exempt from the jurisdiction of the English Ministry of Magic. Alternatively, one can take precautions to conceal the location of the ritual through the use of amulets, the creation of which is detailed in the literature I recommend exploring on your own, which is listed at the conclusion of this lecture.
— Yes, Miss Black? The bell has rung, and the students are still seated, none of them eager to leave my classroom. How delightful!
— Professor, what of Headmaster Dumbledore, who himself banned rituals within school grounds and authored the legislation that prohibits wizards from performing rituals in England?
«Please take a seat, Miss Black,» I said. «From now on, once I have granted permission for you to ask a question, you may do so immediately without waiting for further approval. This applies to everyone. Remember this and apply it in other classes.
Regarding your question, I would like to clarify that Headmaster Dumbledore has merely advised against performing rituals within the confines of the school grounds. However, he does not have the authority to prohibit the primary rituals associated with the Wheel of the Year or other ceremonies conducted on Hogwarts premises. As long as your ritualistic activities do not pose a threat to yourself or others, they cannot be prohibited.»
I pondered the matter and formulated an idea, which I then shared with my students.
Thus be it, my children. This year, I shall assist you in the proper observance of the seasonal rites that coincide with the Wheel of the Year and fall within the school term.
Therefore, those among you who will not be at home on this Saturday and are unable to spend the holiday with their families may choose to partake in a ritual of gratitude and peace with their peers, should they so desire. I do not compel anyone to participate, and the decision is yours, but do you require it?
For those who choose to participate, it is imperative that you make the entire Saturday available for this purpose, and be aware that the rising hour will be early. All who celebrate Mabon with me must assemble at Black Lake before the dawn's first light.
The prospect was exhilarating, akin to downing an entire can of Red Bull while asleep; I was filled with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming event. It was, in their estimation, quite extraordinary! They would participate in a sacred rite that was also prohibited in most accessible magical circles of England. Hmm...
"Are there any further queries?" I inquired, and, observing that no hands were raised, I proceeded, "In that case, you are at liberty to depart!"
It should be noted that my permission was not required for them to leave the classroom. The school regulations clearly outline the rights and responsibilities of students, and thanks to my efforts, they are now well-known to all first-year students. Therefore, they should be aware that once the bell rings, I am unable to physically restrain anyone in the classroom and they are at liberty to depart at will. Of course, this does not apply if I have assigned them detention, which takes place immediately after class ends.
Furthermore, I have observed that the students are willing to share their newly acquired knowledge with older students, with the exception of Hufflepuff and Slytherin students. However, this is not a widespread practice, and such information is typically shared only with close family members or allies. The Gryffindor students, after hearing the arguments of their elders in the faculty common room and observing the Order's presence there, realized that sharing their insights would not benefit them.. The senior members of the faculty were subject to the prevailing sentiments that permeated the degenerate magical society, characterized by a clear dichotomy between light and dark magic, with no shades of grey. In this worldview, light was inherently good, while darkness was unequivocally evil.
My students, having delved into the literature I provided, found this dichotomous perspective difficult to accept. This marked a critical juncture in their evolving relationships. The Gryffindors did not view the pure-blooded, noble Slytherins as a bastion of dark magicians seeking only to perpetrate mischief. Flitwick's students shared this perspective, but their reluctance to impart knowledge to their older peers stemmed from different motivations. They were well aware of the value and long-term benefits of knowledge, and thus hesitated to share their insights prematurely.
The last to depart my classroom were Miss Black and Miss Wood, who held the positions of heads of their respective departments. They remained behind to receive a copy of the lecture I had delivered that day, which I had transcribed onto parchment for their convenience. My intention in having them linger was to ensure that they were the last to depart, as it had occurred on several occasions that forgetful students left my classroom with something forgotten.
After the conclusion of the lesson, these designated head teachers take it upon themselves to conduct a thorough search of the entire classroom, ensuring that no student has left anything behind. Once the students have vacated the premises, they engage in this process, meticulously scanning every corner and nook of the room. Following this, they approach me to retrieve the study materials they require.
As I departed my office and secured the door behind me, I pondered my next course of action until the arrival of my nightly guard. I had no intention of dining at school that evening. My goal was to spend time at home with my loved ones, particularly my brother, while also engaging in meaningful conversation with the leaders of the Order. Yet, could these objectives be achieved through the use of proxies or replicants?
I had also planned for the night ahead, and it was not the solitude with my wife in the bedroom that I had in mind. It was time for me to upgrade my staff and armor, which had become an extension of my very being and a spiritual artifact.
Now that I possessed a substantial amount of the rarest and most valuable metal, it was a blasphemy to hide it away and not put it to use for my own benefit. The fact that I had already enhanced my staff by adding an adamantine tip to the hidden sting in the heel was not enough. My goal now was more ambitious.
What was the problem? I decided to coat the entire surface of my staff in indestructible metal. However, the staff itself would not be the greatest challenge. The most difficult task before me was to modify my armor, which once belonged to an elven prince.
The issue lies in the fact that the armor has become an integral part of me, an extension of my soul. My task is not so much about remaking the armor as it is about convincing my soul's essence to accept the modifications and innovations.. In addition to adamantium, I sought to incorporate mithril and orichalcum into the once-royal armor, a relic of my own crafting, which I had forged in the city of Stlloshh, fashioned from my own hide and reinforced with an alloy crafted by Adair, incorporating ingredients from the spawn of Dagon that I had vanquished. Additionally, I incorporated the chitin of divine spiders, whose souls now reside within my staff. My wives will be adorned with armor crafted from this metal, requiring me to spend countless hours at the forge, crafting artifacts, personal defenses, and weapons for my beloved wives.
Following a dinner in the company of Maria, Konecki, and Fesalia, I imparted the information that I would be departing to the egregore for an undetermined period, aligned with the divine plan of the All-One. Additionally, I dispatched a duplicate to visit my sibling and another to the citadel. To the remaining duplicate in the school, I conveyed that they would assume responsibility for the school indefinitely and could confidently summon their fellow duplicates, who were stationed in my world, for assistance. Having provided instructions and ensured everything appeared in order, I set off for my intended destination.
Upon arriving in Heaven, my first course of action was to observe the work of my archons, whom I had entrusted with the task. Some of my duplicates were assigned to monitor and, should errors occur, rectify the process of reviving my vassals. They also oversaw the mechanism responsible for creating and sending those who had returned to be reborn. Here too, all functions operated with precision and harmony, requiring no adjustments on my part.
The next destination in the celestial realm was a place where I frequently witnessed the rebirth of Christ. However, this location now resembled the laboratory of a malevolent dark magician. As I observed my material projections, they appeared to be immersed in a profound aura of despondency, fury, terror, and despair, as if they had arrived at home, unaware of the turmoil surrounding them. Here, they found solace. Yet, this did not contribute to their ethereal grace in any way!
I was grateful that no one else was aware of the events unfolding here, except for me. After equipping my minions with a generous supply of sealed ayakashi procured from Yarik, who would soon channel its energy to infuse another vessel with Christ's essence on my adamantine farm, I ventured to an area in the celestial realms where Yahweh once engaged in the act of creation and exploration. This domain exuded the essence of creation, prompting me to enhance my staff and armor.
Ahem. Well, then, let us commence, shall we, gentlemen? I did not need to articulate these words aloud, for my duplicates now knew the purpose of their presence here, numbering several hundred alongside me. I surveyed the abundance of adamantium within my repository and commenced my task.