Gryffindor stood beside John, leaning comfortably against a tree. "In this forest, there's a golden bird known as the Golden Snidget. Your task is to find it," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
John surveyed the vast expanse of the forest, which bore a striking resemblance to the Forbidden Forest. "Are you certain it's here?" he asked skeptically. "Finding anyone in this forest is challenging enough, let alone a Snidget that's the size of a Golden Snitch."
Gryffindor's half-smile widened. "Of course, it's here. Moreover, you'd better locate it before dusk. The night brings other creatures to the fore," he warned, his tone suggesting he was looking forward to the spectacle.
John pondered briefly before embarking on his search. The Snidget, known for its speed and elusiveness, made the task seem daunting, akin to searching for a needle in a haystack.
After an extensive search yielded no results, John resorted to a more drastic measure. Pointing his wand at a tree, he cast, "Reducto!" The spell hit the tree, causing it to explode and a flurry of birds to take flight. Despite his careful observation, the golden gleam of the Snidget was nowhere to be seen.
"Time for a more direct approach," John decided. Donning his flying boots, he soared into the air, casting shattering curses in all directions. The forest shook under the force of the explosions.
Gryffindor watched in surprise. He hadn't anticipated such a bold strategy to find the Snidget. Yet, upon reflection, he recognized the cleverness in John's method. The Snidget, being highly sensitive and swift, would likely evade danger and reveal itself.
"A clever wizard indeed," Gryffindor mused, admiring John's pragmatism. "However, this method is quite taxing on your magical reserves."
Expecting John to exhaust his magic, Gryffindor was taken aback when John retrieved a bottle of recovery potion from his bag and quickly replenished his magical energy. The bombing resumed with renewed vigor.
Gryffindor's disbelief grew as John consumed potion after potion, his supply seemingly endless. "How does a Muggle-born have access to more potions than even the oldest pure-blood families?" he wondered aloud.
Finally, after another potion, a golden figure darted out from the devastated forest. John's enhanced eyesight locked onto the Snidget, and he gave chase with his flying boots.
The Snidget proved to be an elusive target, weaving through the trees with incredible speed. Despite several hours of pursuit, John couldn't close the distance. As darkness fell, eerie cries filled the forest, and a creature with bird-like feathers and a dragon-like appearance emerged.
Without hesitation, John attacked the creature with a precise spell, sending it flying. However, more of these "bird-shaped ogres" appeared, undeterred by his spells and continuing their pursuit.
Recognizing the creatures for what they were, John intensified his efforts, blasting a path through them. Seizing the opportunity, he ascended higher, though the Snidget had become a mere speck in the distance.
John's relentless pursuit through the forest, his innovative tactics, and his encounter with the mysterious creatures underscored his determination and resourcefulness. As night enveloped the forest, the quest for the Golden Snidget took on a new level of urgency and danger. In the vast sky, John focused intently on the Golden Snidget, casting spells in rapid succession. The Snidget's agility was unparalleled, making it a challenge to capture even with the finest broom, especially amidst the chaos caused by numerous avian predators. John's mind raced for a solution, and in a bold move, he unleashed the Fire Curse towards the forest below. Tree after tree was consumed by the spreading flames, causing the bird-like monsters to screech in agony as they were engulfed or suffocated by the smoke, plummeting to the ground.
Amidst the chaos, the Snidget's flight became erratic, its speed hampered by the smoke and flames. Seizing the opportunity, John pushed his flying boots to their limit, closing in on the Snidget. As its wings faltered, John caught it just before it could fall into the fiery inferno below, successfully completing the trial. However, the victory came at a cost—the forest was ablaze, a sight that made Gryffindor's brow furrow in disapproval.
With a sense of responsibility, John conjured a massive orb of water with the Aguamenti spell, directing it towards the flames. Witnessing this act, Gryffindor's expression softened. "Although he resorts to drastic measures to succeed, he makes amends once his goal is achieved," Gryffindor thought, acknowledging John's effort to control the fire.
Landing before Gryffindor, John opened his palms to reveal the Golden Snidget, now attempting to regain its composure. "You have passed the test of the bird in the woods," Gryffindor announced, nodding in approval before dispelling the forest illusion.
[Ding, challenge task triggered: Gryffindor Legacy Phase 1, Lion of the Mountain. Reward: points and the blessing of a heavy hit.]
"Lions are known for their courage and strength, but a mountain lion must surpass its peers in might," Gryffindor explained. "You must demonstrate your strength to me by climbing this mountain."
With a wave of his wand, Gryffindor transformed the Room of Requirement into a towering mountain and proceeded to remove John's alchemical equipment, including his amulet and flying boots. "Your skill in alchemy is commendable, but it will not aid you here," Gryffindor stated, emphasizing the need for a fair challenge.
John, momentarily taken aback by the sudden change, gazed at the mountain. As he exhaled, his breath turned to mist in the cold air. "Is it getting colder?" he wondered aloud, noticing the snowflakes beginning to fall. Aware of the urgency, John started his ascent, the snow and wind intensifying with every step. Visibility dwindled until all he could see was a blanket of white.
The journey was arduous, and at one point, John encountered a Yeti, its white fur blending with the snow. The creature charged, but John skillfully dodged and countered with a spell, sending the Yeti tumbling down the mountain in a massive snowball. Believing the ordeal was over, John was startled to find another Yeti blocking his path.
Refusing to be deterred, John cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself, hoping to bypass the creature unnoticed. However, he underestimated the Yeti's keen sense of smell and was discovered. As the Yeti prepared to attack, John met its gaze with a powerful look of deterrence, freezing it in place. Without hesitation, he drew the Iron Wick sword, declaring, "I am a fire dragon." The blade burst into flames, and with a swift strike, John vanquished the Yeti, clearing his path up the mountain. The white-haired snowman collapsed to the ground, its body igniting with flames from the wound inflicted upon it. "It seems that deterrence is effective," John remarked, his eyes narrowing with a dangerous glint. His demeanor shifted from polite to determined as a battalion of snowmen obstructed his path. Gripping his sword with both hands, he bellowed, "Come at me!"
With the activation of his deterrence ability, the snowmen facing him stiffened involuntarily. As John's sword, Iron Wick, danced through the air, the movements of the snowmen visibly slowed until, eventually, none remained standing in his vicinity. Clutching his sword firmly, John proceeded up the mountain with resolute steps.
This spectacle did not escape Gryffindor's notice. Upon reaching the mountain's summit, where the wind and snow ceased their fury, John found Gryffindor awaiting him. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, signaling that only one final trial remained. John, now recognized as the hero of the sword, prepared to face whatever challenge lay ahead with Gryffindor.
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge