Lilith Rosier sat in the dimly lit chamber, surrounded by the Dark Lord and his inner circle. The air was thick with tension and anticipation, the oppressive silence only broken by the occasional crackle of the fire in the hearth. The flickering flames cast eerie shadows on the faces of those present, their eyes fixed on her with a mix of curiosity and wariness.
Lord Voldemort's serpentine gaze was particularly intense. He sat at the head of the table, his skeletal fingers drumming softly on the armrest of his chair. His red eyes glowed with a sinister light, reflecting the fire's dance. Even amidst his most loyal followers, he exuded an aura of malevolent power that made the very air around him seem colder.
"Lilith," Voldemort's voice was a chilling whisper, carrying across the room with unnerving clarity. "Explain to us what you have done. Why have your eyes changed?"
Lilith met his gaze unflinchingly, her own eyes—now slit like a dragon's—gleaming with a manic intensity. She took a deep breath, savoring the thrill of being the center of such powerful attention. This was her moment, her chance to show just how far she had pushed herself.
"I have been experimenting, my Lord," she began, her voice steady but tinged with an underlying fervor. "I sought to enhance my magical capabilities by mimicking the breath of dragons. Their breath is a wellspring of raw, unbridled mana. I believed that if I could harness that power, I could elevate my own abilities beyond what is normally possible."
Voldemort's eyes narrowed slightly, a sign that she had piqued his interest. "Go on."
Lilith continued, her words spilling out with an almost feverish enthusiasm. "I began by studying the way dragons channel mana. Their breaths are not merely exhalations but a concentrated release of magical energy. I wanted to replicate that process, to draw in mana with every breath, to let it flow through me as naturally as blood."
She paused, letting her words sink in. The room remained silent, every eye upon her.
"It was not easy," she admitted, her voice dropping to a more subdued tone. "My body was not equipped to handle such an influx of power. I had to break and remold myself constantly, pushing my limits until my very flesh could endure the strain. The process was excruciating, but each time I pushed through the pain, I emerged stronger."
Bellatrix, sitting beside Voldemort, watched Lilith with a mixture of pride and possessiveness. Her protégé was proving herself before their master, and Bellatrix relished every moment.
"And what of your eyes?" Voldemort asked, his curiosity tinged with an almost imperceptible hint of caution.
Lilith's lips curved into a small, almost serene smile. "The change in my eyes is a side effect of the transformation. As I adapted to the mana influx, my body began to take on characteristics of the dragons I sought to emulate. My eyes are now a reflection of that change, a testament to my success."
The room was silent for a moment, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air. Voldemort's expression remained inscrutable, but Lilith could sense the subtle shift in his demeanor. He was impressed, but also wary of the unhinged determination that had driven her to such lengths.
"You have shown great ambition and resourcefulness, Lilith," Voldemort finally said, his voice a soft hiss. "But remember, power without control is dangerous. Ensure that you remain useful and focused, or the consequences will be dire."
Lilith bowed her head respectfully. "Of course, my Lord. I am devoted to our cause and to you. I will continue to refine my abilities and serve you faithfully."
Voldemort's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he turned to address the rest of his inner circle. "We have much to discuss. The world is changing, and we must be prepared to seize the opportunities that lie ahead."
As the meeting continued, Lilith felt a surge of triumph. She had proven herself before the Dark Lord and his followers, solidifying her place within their ranks. The path she had chosen was fraught with danger and madness, but it was a path she walked with unrelenting determination.
Even as she sat among the most feared wizards and witches in the world, her thoughts drifted back to her training. The pain, the sacrifice, the unyielding drive to push beyond her limits—all of it had led her here. And she was not done yet. There were greater heights to reach, more power to grasp, and she would stop at nothing to achieve her ultimate goals.
The meeting eventually drew to a close, and as the members of the inner circle dispersed, Lilith remained seated for a moment longer, savoring the afterglow of her success. Bellatrix approached her, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.
"You did well, my little dragon," she whispered, her voice filled with dark pride. "The Dark Lord is pleased, and so am I."
Lilith looked up at her mentor, the woman who had shaped her into the formidable witch she had become. "Thank you, Mistress. I will continue to strive for greatness, for you and for our cause."
Bellatrix nodded, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Come, we have much to do. The world will soon feel the full force of our power."
As Lilith rose to follow Bellatrix, she cast one last glance at Voldemort, who was deep in conversation with Lucius Malfoy. She could feel the weight of his scrutiny even now, a reminder of the delicate balance she walked. But she was ready, her spirit unbroken, her resolve unshaken.
The darkness within her was a living, breathing entity, and she would wield it with all the fury and precision of a dragon's breath. For Lilith Rosier, the path to power was a journey of endless possibilities, and she was just getting started.
That thought stuck with her. Breathing. Inhale, hold, exhale, hold. It had been her mantra for a long time, a rhythmic reminder of the power she sought to harness. But now, Lilith Rosier wanted to change it. She had experimented with creating dragon's breath using her wand before, but she had never had the output for it. However, now? She had the output and more.
The lungs of a dragon were large, but their body larger. For a human, the lung capacity to body weight was much higher. She could, in theory, mimic the breath of dragons. And Lilith thrived on proving her theories.
Back at Malfoy Manor, Lilith found herself in the expansive library. The room was filled with the scent of old parchment and the faint hum of dark magic. She pulled out several ancient tomes on dragons and their physiology, studying every detail she could find about their breath and the magic behind it.
Bellatrix Lestrange watched her protégé with a mixture of pride and curiosity. "What are you planning now, my little dragon?" she asked, her voice a dark purr.
Lilith looked up from the book she was poring over, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "I want to create dragon's breath, Mistress. Not just with my wand, but from within myself. I believe I can mimic the way dragons expel magical fire."
Bellatrix's eyes widened slightly, a rare expression of surprise crossing her face. "That is ambitious, even for you. But if anyone can do it, it's you, Lilith. Show me."
Lilith nodded, her determination unwavering. She had already proven she could draw mana into her body like a dragon; now she needed to focus that power into a concentrated breath. She stood in the center of the room, her mind focused on the task at hand.
"Inhale, hold, exhale, hold," she murmured to herself, her body following the familiar rhythm. She closed her eyes, visualizing the process. She pictured the immense lungs of a dragon, their powerful muscles contracting to expel a torrent of magical fire. She felt the mana flowing through her, gathering in her chest.
She took a deep breath, feeling the mana concentrate within her. Her lungs burned with the effort, but she pushed through the discomfort. When she could hold it no longer, she exhaled sharply, focusing all her energy into the breath.
A jet of flame erupted from her mouth, scorching the air in front of her. It wasn't as powerful or as sustained as a true dragon's breath, but it was a start. Lilith smiled, a thrill of triumph coursing through her.
Bellatrix clapped her hands, her expression one of genuine admiration. "Impressive, Lilith. Very impressive. With practice, you'll master this technique. You truly are becoming a force to be reckoned with."
Lilith's heart swelled with pride. "Thank you, Mistress. I will continue to refine it. I know I can make it even stronger."
Over the next few weeks, Lilith devoted herself to perfecting her dragon's breath. Each day, she practiced drawing in mana, holding it, and expelling it in a controlled burst of fire. Her progress was slow but steady, each attempt bringing her closer to her goal.
Her mantra evolved. Inhale, hold, exhale, hold. Each breath was a step toward mastery, a testament to her unwavering dedication. The pain and strain on her body were constant companions, but she embraced them, knowing they were the price of her ambition.
One evening, after a particularly grueling session, Lilith sat by the fire in her room, her mind still buzzing with the day's efforts. She could feel the mana coursing through her, a living, breathing entity within her. She closed her eyes, imagining the moment she would unleash her full power, the world bending to her will.
Bellatrix entered the room, her presence a comforting shadow. "You've done well, Lilith. The Dark Lord will be pleased with your progress."
Lilith looked up at her mentor, her eyes burning with determination. "I will continue to push myself, Mistress. I will become the most powerful witch in our ranks."
Bellatrix smiled, her hand gently stroking Lilith's hair. "I have no doubt you will, my little dragon. You are destined for greatness."