The wind howled as Harry and his group stood at the base of Mount Olympus, the legendary home of the gods. Its towering peak pierced the heavens, shrouded in clouds that glowed faintly with a golden hue. The air was alive with an unearthly energy, heavy and electric, as if the mountain itself were aware of their presence.
"Is it just me," Tracey murmured, brushing a strand of auburn hair from her face, "or does it feel like the air is… fighting us?"
"It's not just you," Hermione replied, her voice tight. She adjusted the straps of her enchanted travel pack. "This place feels… ancient. Sacred. It's like magic itself is thicker here."
Harry took a deep breath, his chest straining against the oppressive weight of the air. "That's because it is. This mountain isn't just a mountain—it's a convergence point, a place where magic and divine power intersect. It's why we're here."
Fleur's silver hair shimmered faintly in the ethereal light. "And why you wish to meet ze gods themselves, oui? To challenge zem?"
Harry nodded, his green eyes blazing with determination. "Not just for a fight, Fleur. To test myself—and us. If we're going to face Voldemort and everything else coming our way, we need to know our limits… or if we have any."
Daphne adjusted her cloak, her expression unreadable. "Let's hope the gods are in a mood for visitors. If they're anything like the myths, they're not exactly known for their hospitality."
"Good," Harry said with a wry grin. "I'm not known for being polite."
The Ascent Begins
The path up Mount Olympus was no ordinary trail. The group quickly discovered that every step seemed to demand more from them than the last. The ground beneath their feet glowed faintly with runes etched into the rock, pulsating in time with their heartbeats.
Hermione crouched beside one of the glowing symbols, tracing it with her fingers. "These are ancient. Pre-Greek, even. They're designed to measure our strength and willpower, like a test for anyone who tries to climb."
"So, it's like the mountain's alive?" Tracey asked, glancing uneasily at the glowing runes.
"Alive, aware, and judging," Hermione said grimly.
"Let it judge," Harry said, stepping forward. "We're going to the top."
As they climbed, the air grew thicker, each breath feeling like it weighed a ton. A strange pressure pressed against their bodies, testing their endurance. Even Fleur, whose Veela blood granted her enhanced agility and stamina, was forced to pause and catch her breath.
"This mountain… it is relentless," Fleur panted, her hands on her knees.
"It's testing us," Harry said, his voice steady. He extended a hand to Fleur, helping her up. "But we've faced worse."
Daphne wiped sweat from her brow. "Speak for yourself. I'm not sure I've ever felt this drained before."
"Keep pushing," Harry urged. "This isn't just physical. It's mental. The mountain is trying to wear us down. Don't let it."
The First Trial
Halfway up, the air shimmered, and a figure materialized before them. It was an imposing warrior clad in bronze armor, his helmet adorned with a crimson plume. His eyes glowed with golden fire, and he carried a spear that crackled with electricity.
"Who dares ascend the sacred mountain of the gods?" the figure bellowed, his voice reverberating like thunder.
Harry stepped forward, his wand already in hand. "We do. And we're not stopping."
The warrior raised his spear, pointing it at Harry. "Prove your worth, mortal. Face the Trial of the Guardian."
Without warning, the warrior lunged, his spear thrusting forward with blinding speed. Harry deflected the strike with a shield charm, the impact sending sparks flying.
The group sprang into action. Fleur unleashed a barrage of fire spells, her Veela magic crackling in tandem with the spear's electricity. Daphne and Tracey flanked the warrior, their hexes aimed at his joints. Hermione conjured chains of light, trying to bind the warrior in place.
But the Guardian was formidable. He moved with supernatural speed, his spear spinning in arcs of crackling energy that deflected their attacks.
Harry gritted his teeth, channeling magic through his body. He darted forward, his movements a blur, and landed a powerful kick to the warrior's chest. The Guardian staggered but recovered instantly, his spear thrusting again.
"Enough of this!" Harry roared, his magic flaring like a nova. He raised his wand and unleashed a blast of raw energy that struck the warrior square in the chest. The Guardian shattered into golden fragments, which dissolved into the wind.
The group stood in stunned silence, their breaths heavy.
"Well," Tracey said, brushing dust off her robes, "that was intense."
Harry smiled faintly. "And we're just getting started."
The Summit Approaches
As they neared the summit, the air became almost impossible to breathe. Each step felt like a monumental effort, as if the mountain itself were trying to repel them. Strange visions flickered at the edges of their vision—figures from their past, moments of doubt, and whispers of fear.
"Focus!" Harry shouted, his voice cutting through the oppressive atmosphere. "Don't let the mountain get in your head."
The girls nodded, steeling themselves against the mental assault. Fleur reached for Harry's hand, drawing strength from his presence. Hermione muttered counter-charms under her breath, her eyes blazing with determination.
Finally, they reached a plateau just below the summit. A grand archway stood before them, its pillars carved with depictions of the gods. Beyond it, the peak of Mount Olympus glowed with divine light.
"We're here," Daphne said, her voice barely a whisper.
Harry stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the archway. "Not yet. The real challenge is just beginning."
As they passed through the archway, the world seemed to shift. The sky above them turned a shimmering gold, and the air hummed with power. The summit of Mount Olympus was unlike anything they had ever seen—a sprawling palace of marble and gold, surrounded by an ethereal garden that seemed to stretch into infinity.
The gods were waiting.
To be continued...
AN: Leave some Powerstones please, I'd appreciate it massively.
BTW: Should I create a community Discord where people can submit suggestions for the future of the Story or just chat with people who have read it?
This should be thought through very carefully.
You have to leave a comment saying giving me either a positive response "yes" or a negative one "no" depending on your decision.
Thanks for reading!