"If Calamity Emissary is attempting to summon a fearful monster there, their ceremony will be disrupted. Summoning such a monster requires immense strength support, which would ruin the dark ceremony near Sicily at the appointed time, making it impossible for them to summon any monsters in this world. Without engaging in direct confrontation, if one hides in a concealed location and waits for the right moment to act, the difficulty significantly decreases."
"No matter what, preventing them from absorbing the strength of the Cyclops is the key," Evan summarized.
"We truly need to find a solution to the immediate problem; we cannot allow them to continue using the Cyclops' strength," Sirius nodded, continuing, "What's your plan? I've recently patrolled the area for many dark wizards; their vigilance is high. It might be difficult to get past several checkpoints alone."
"I have an idea," Evan said as he reached into his pocket and produced a potion bottle. "Here, I have Polyjuice Potion. You can transform into the appearance of Kagal to attract the attention of these dark wizards. I'll follow you while concealed by an invisibility cloak. Once inside, look for an opportunity to insert the scabbard into the Cyclops' eye."
He was well-prepared, carrying almost all the necessary potions on his person.
"Very well, let's proceed this way," Sirius agreed, accepting the Polyjuice Potion. He looked at Evan earnestly and said, "But let's agree on this: if anything goes wrong, you Apparate immediately to find Hagrid and Madam Maxime. I'll take care of the rear guard."
"I understand," Evan agreed, knowing that Sirius always assumed the most dangerous tasks for himself.
They moved ahead, with Sirius plucking several hairs from Kagal and adding them to the orange potion. After a brief transformation, Sirius became taller and more muscular, resembling the fierce Kagal. Evan nodded and helped him don the Kagal's clothing while Evan remained concealed under the invisibility cloak.
The two of them retraced their steps, with Sirius attracting the attention of dark wizards patrolling the area, who were of lower rank within the Claw of the Raven hierarchy. They wore the Claw of the Raven emblem, but the gem in their eye position was an ordinary obsidian without any shine. Evan had learned from Kagal that these dark wizards were lower-level members, recent additions to the Claw of the Raven, or lacking significant magical prowess. Only those who held important positions within the organization had the privilege of wearing the sapphire eye emblem, similar to Kagal's.
The dark wizards watched Sirius, who now appeared as Kagal, without interference. No one dared to inquire about the fate of the two escaping house elves. Evan managed to pass multiple checkpoints successfully behind Sirius.
They reached the massive stone door where Cyclops was stationed. Although the creature's soul had dissipated, its colossal body remained submerged in magma, exuding an overwhelming aura. Its muscles protruded prominently, and its skin, garnet in color, had roasted in the blazing magma for so long that it resembled crystal. Its translucent surface emitted rays, giving it an almost otherworldly appearance that was difficult to penetrate.
Cyclops' skin provided it with formidable physical and magical resistance, making it impervious to external attacks. Evan couldn't help but wonder how the magic of the Ravenclaw had ever affected this monster. As they approached Cyclops, the immense pressure almost left Evan breathless. This magical creature from the time before the Flood possessed unmatched power over all elements.
Aside from its intimidating presence, Cyclops' size struck Evan the most. Even though only part of its body was visible above the magma's surface, it resembled a horizontal mountain. When viewed from a distance, it was challenging to discern which part was its head and which was its body. Now, up close, all Evan could see was the garnet flesh.
Above them, there were 13 dark, semicircular platforms. The dark wizards of the Claw of the Raven were conducting their ceremony on these platforms. They wore ornate wizard robes adorned with silver-white hexagonal patterns, a ruby stripe across the middle, and a blue badge similar to Kagal's. Their faces were concealed by hoods, casting them in shadow.
The dark wizards continued their spellcasting, causing the magma to churn and emit thick white mist. They sweated profusely, with their sweat mingling with the magic, forming various dark green magical traces that extended from the platforms into the magma below.
Around the pool, Evan could see numerous skeletons, including humans, giants, Sirens, house elves, and many creatures he couldn't identify. The lives sacrificed here were part of the dark ceremony's sinister purpose.
An unspeakable evil was brewing in a secret chamber deep within the core, away from prying eyes. The chant continued, and the lava in the pool grew increasingly turbulent.
Evan could sense Cyclops' strength rising slowly along the magical pathways. They converged and swirled around a faint yellow crystal suspended in the air. This crystal was the energy stone mentioned by the Calamity Emissary, used to harness Cyclops' strength as a magical catalyst. It was crafted from citrine crystals mined outside and bore intricate demonic markings on a quarter of its surface. In the center of the design, ancient inscriptions were written, adding a final touch of mystery.
As if absorbing the magical traces, the red liquid within the energy stone began to coalesce in midair. Currently, only about one-sixth of the stored energy remains. Calamity Emissary would soon replace it with a fully charged energy stone.
Sirius noted that a dark wizard had approached, standing on the highest platform and inquiring, "Kagal, you're not watching the house elves outside. What are you doing here?"
"I came to investigate," Sirius replied in Kagal's tone, "Two house-elves escaped, and I pursued them. I discovered something unusual on the road above." Sirius held his wand high and continued, "Calamity Emissary warned us to be cautious before leaving, as many wizards have been coming to the island lately. I suspect someone may have infiltrated."
"Infiltrated?" The dark wizards were visibly surprised, and the dark ceremony stopped.
"Yes, I've brought evidence to show you," Sirius declared, raising his wand.
Under the Invisibility Cloak, Evan held his wand, ready for unexpected developments.
The scene was tense as the dark wizards waited for Sirius to present evidence of the intruder. The evil ceremony had paused within the secret chamber, and the magma pool churned ominously. The Cyclops' body emitted an unsettling energy, and the energy stone in the chamber glimmered with a strange light.
Disguised as Kagal, Sirius raised his wand and aimed it at the nearest dark wizard. A red spell shot forth, striking the wizard unprotected. The impact was so powerful that the wizard's hood fell, revealing an elderly figure with a face full of wrinkles. He staggered backward, astonished and overwhelmed by the force of the spell.
The assembled dark wizards were left in shock, unable to comprehend what had just occurred. But there was more astonishment in store for them. Suddenly, a 13-year-old wizard raised his cape and appeared beside Kagal as if from thin air.
Evan remained calm, holding his wand with its tip emitting a dazzling white light, which stood out even in the fiery surroundings. The magic he radiated was palpable, and his power rivaled that of the Cyclops.
Confusion filled the minds of the dark wizards as they wondered about the identity of this boy. However, before they could process this development, Evan vanished from his position.
In a swift and incisive motion, Evan reappeared on the highest platform. He wielded his wand, and magic surged through it, transforming it into a thick or thin red ray. This ray shot forward with incredible speed, taking down the dark wizard targeted by Sirius. The dark wizard was thrown backward, completely disoriented.
Sirius, too, Apparated at Evan's side, and together, they seized the advantageous position on the platform. They took in the situation below from their vantage point and swiftly countered the dark wizards' attacks.
"Interlopers! You are the interlopers!"
"Summon reinforcements, kill them!"
As Evan and Sirius dealt with the initial four adversaries, the remaining dark wizards finally reacted. They were in disarray, yelling and hastily casting spells in a frenzied counterattack. Spells flew in all directions, forcing Evan to evade and dodge the incoming magical onslaught.
By all logical standards, Evan and Sirius should not have been able to withstand the combined might of thirteen powerful dark wizards, especially with more than fifty Claw of the Raven dark wizards from outside converging on them.
The faces of the dark wizards showed a sinister and triumphant grin as they were determined to exact the ultimate price from these intruders. Their gruesome plan was to flay their skin and offer their flesh and skeletons as sacrifices to their omnipotent master.
However, their wicked intentions were soon dashed. Evan produced a silver-white scabbard seemingly out of thin air, and a surge of wild, untamed strength coursed through him, filling the air with an ominous energy, much like that of the Cyclops itself.
Under the astonished gazes of the dark wizards, Evan waved his wand, conjuring a series of red lightning bolts. These bolts gathered before Evan with a deafening roar and struck down upon the platform, electrifying the stone surface and the area surrounding the stone door with an astonishing force that eliminated the dark wizards below.
The dark wizards were in disbelief, unable to comprehend the magic they witnessed. They had never seen anything like it and had no knowledge of how Evan had conjured these lightning bolts. Struck by the red lightning, their bodies disintegrated rapidly, with flesh and blood melting and their skin peeling off. Their cries were ghastly, and they lost the ability to continue the fight.
But Evan had more in store; he needed to completely shatter the dark wizards' confidence. He turned his gaze downward to the scorching magma below.
Guiding his wand, Evan caused the magma to surge upward rapidly, forming a colossal fire snake that twisted and turned within the secret chamber. This fiery serpent roared through the air with incredible power and slammed into the dark wizards on the platform with a thunderous impact.
Controlled by Evan's will, the fusion of magma and the scabbard's inner strength enhanced the might of this newly created magical attack. The dark wizards, unfortunate enough to be caught in the crossfire of flame and lightning, didn't even have time to scream; their bodies were incinerated, reduced to ashes instantly.
The remaining dark wizards instinctively recoiled, their eyes fixed on the piles of ashes on the ground, once their comrades.
Amidst the flames and thunderous roars, all eyes, including Sirius's, remained transfixed on Evan. Fear, primal and deep-rooted, surged through them. At that moment, the young wizard standing on the rooftop platform grew larger in their perception, transforming into a harbinger of death.
Amid the Claw of the Raven, these well-trained evil dark wizards found themselves in utter confusion for the first time. This was not the battle they had prepared for; instead, it fulfilled their bloodthirsty desires. They had been eagerly anticipating a day they called the "judgment day," believing it to be when ancient gods would test the world. They labeled this day the "enlightenment date," although its true nature remained elusive. Deep within their core, Evan subjected them to a heartless trial, sealing their fate.
Unprecedented fear gripped the dark wizards' eyes as they fixed their gaze upon Evan, hoping to etch the appearance of the god of death into their memories. In an instant, they recoiled and retreated with lightning speed. They formed a protective circle outside a massive stone door, avoiding any sound or movement that might betray their presence to the looming god of death within. It was as if Evan had drawn an invisible line, a barrier of thunder, beyond which none dared to step, for none wished for death.
After several nerve-wracking minutes, the cascading magma subsided, and the lightning gradually dissipated. Only Evan remained on the raised platform of the dike, standing upon Sirius's unscathed stone platform. The lightning obliterated the rest of the stone platforms, and the dark wizards who had stood upon them met a fiery demise, reduced to ashes.
The scene before them was nothing short of astonishing, an image forever etched in their memories. A 13 or 14-year-old boy had singlehandedly subdued dozens of formidable dark wizards with sheer strength. It was a feat beyond belief that would have been impossible had they not witnessed it with their own eyes. This was the true extent of Evan's power!
(To be continued...)