A draconic-like roar echoed through the forest of desolate trees, as if a primordial being were awakening. The sound was awe-inspiring and majestic, but also terrifying, evoking deep fear.
Philo, the closest individual still conscious, stood witness to the tyranny of the roar. The trembling of the trees was unmistakable, as was the overwhelming sense of impending danger. He wanted to flee, to disappear from the area, but the roar seemed to paralyze him, keeping him in place. He could not even muster the strength to turn his head away from the spectacle.
Sirius, the source of the roar, felt his consciousness slipping. Darkness surrounded him, trying to engulf him. He fought against it, but his fatigue was overwhelming. His body demanded rest. His consciousness, mind, and soul all longed for sleep. And so, he drifted into a deep slumber. As he did, the roar faded and eventually ceased.
Philo regained his ability to move and began breathing heavily. What was that? he thought, staring at the kneeling figure of Sirius, who had closed his eyes and appeared to be unconscious. It looked as if he had passed out, a shocking turn of events. "I can't risk it," Philo thought, gripping his weapon with determination. "That kid has to die."
He moved toward Sirius, intent on ending it all. But as he approached, he noticed Sirius' body beginning to convulse. A strange transformation was occurring.
Dark scales, black as night, started appearing on Sirius' hands, creeping up to his elbows. His nails elongated, becoming sharp, like dragon claws. They also were of gold. His hair grew longer and darker, the silver strands vanishing, replaced by jet-black locks, save for a few strands at the front, which turned a deep gold, much similar to his claws. His mouth slightly parted, revealing his pearly white teeth.
Philo's eyes widened in disbelief. His entire being trembled as an oppressive aura emanated from Sirius, and a wave of dread washed over him. He had paused, wary of the transformation, but now he regretted it.
Steeling himself, Philo charged at Sirius with all his might, aiming for a single, decisive strike to end it. But before he could reach him, Sirius' eyes snapped open. They had turned a darker shade, gleaming with a menacing, tyrannical glint.
With one swift movement, Sirius used his claws to deflect Philo's attack. Then, with shocking strength, he grabbed Philo's hand and tossed him several meters away. Philo crashed hard to the ground but managed to regain his footing, disbelief coloring his expression.
"Impossible..." he murmured.
Sirius slowly rose, inspecting his new form. He flexed his claws, ran his fingers through his now-black hair, and even licked his razor-sharp teeth. A crazy, soul-chilling smile spread across his face as he met Philo's gaze.
Philo staggered back, feeling the terror gnawing at his core. The child who had once seemed so innocent now radiated an entirely different, predatory energy.
Sirius threw his head back and released a deafening roar that seemed to shake the very heavens. Without a moment's hesitation, he surged forward, bulldozing through the ground as if the earth itself was no match for him, towards Philo.
Philo raised his hand, ready to defend, but his mind was a mess. "I can't fight back… I can't see it. My future… it's gone," he realized. For the first time in his life, his chronomancer weave had failed him. The ability that had always guided him was now gone, leaving him blind to what came next.
But Philo didn't have time to dwell on it. He increased his speed, relying on his time-related ability, but his efforts were in vain. Sirius' power was overwhelming. Philo barely had time to block each strike. The claws were too fast, too powerful, and his trusted blade was already showing signs of wear.
Thinking he might be able to escape, Philo began to retreat, but Sirius kept up with him effortlessly. He didn't dare turn his back on the thirteen-year-old, who now seemed capable of anything.
Sirius' eerie smile only intensified Philo's fear.
Soon enough, Philo's dagger couldn't withstand the onslaught and shattered into pieces. His balance faltered as his weapon broke, and before he could recover, Sirius' claw drove deep into his chest. The force was so great that Philo was sent flying back, crashing into the thick bark of a nearby tree.
Philo lay there, coughing up blood, his vision blurring. Blood poured from his other seven orifices, his body failing him. His back rested against the tree as he saw the demonic figure of the child who had done this to him. The predatory smile, the intensity in his eyes, the overwhelming power—it was all so different from the kind, reasonable kid Philo had once known.
Sirius slowly approached him, his claws dripping with blood, his deranged smile widening. Philo gave up on life, the weight of defeat settling over him. A faint, resigned smile appeared on his lips.
"Youre not... Sirius, are you?" Philo rasped, his voice faint.
Sirius didn't respond, but his smile grew even wider.
"Thought so," Philo whispered in resignation. But before he could say another word, Sirius's claws blurred into motion, and with a sickening twist, Philo's heart was torn from his chest.
Philo's eyes widened as he looked down, seeing the hole in his chest. The last thing he saw was Sirius crushing his heart in his claws, the life draining from him in an instant.
Sirius stood over him, blood dripping from his now- partial draconic form. His claws, stained a deep red, gleamed in the dim light of the forest. A look of satisfaction twisted his face, but it was quickly replaced by a growing hunger. His bloodlust surged, and his eyes scanned the area, searching for the next target.
Then, his gaze fell upon Xander, still unmoving not far away. His deranged smile appeared once more on his face.
His claws were raised, prepared for a fatal strike. He walked toward Xander with measured steps, his eyes locked onto the boy's form. As he swung his arm down, the claws moved with lightning speed, ready to impale Xander's skull. But just before they made contact, something changed in Sirius. His demeanor shifted, the maddened hunger replaced by a strange calm.
His eyes had softened, and the feral, predatory smile vanished. In its place was a calm, serene expression, exuding an air of silent authority, as though he had experienced something far greater than this moment.
He stared down at Xander's battered body and then turned his gaze to Philo's lifeless body. He sighed before walking over to it. He knelt down and began moving his hands in a strange manner, as if pulling something out of Philo's body.
After a few moments, an ethereal orb materialized, hovering in the air. Sirius grabbed it and slammed it into his chest, where it disappeared into his body. He closed his eyes, commanding his soul to do something.
A flash of white light erupted before him, and in an instant, the light wove together, forming a human figure. In just a few seconds, the figure became clear: it was a perfect replica of Philo, but with none of the warmth or humanity that had once defined him. It was devoid of any emotions or kindness. This eerie being stood before Sirius, its emotionless eyes staring blankly at him.
Sirius pointed toward the two girls, Aurelia and Emilia, lying in different spots. "Go and carry them. Gently. Make sure not to harm them," he ordered in an indifferent tone.
The echo, now a twisted reflection of Philo, obeyed without a word, moving toward Aurelia. Sirius, however, walked over to Xander, his expression unreadable.
He scooped Xander up and muttered to himself, "Now, to find a place to hide. Somewhere safe..."
But as he moved, an unexpected wave of weakness washed over him. He sighed, his body aching. "And a place to rest..."
As he looked at the newly gained echo–Philo's lifeless copy–Sirius couldn't help but mutter, "Fucking hell."