Arthur stood in the clearing, the air around him calm yet charged with anticipation. He closed his eyes, steadying his breath, and began to focus. The task before him wasn't easy, but it was becoming more familiar.
Summoning Avalon's door required him to enter a meditative state, to extend his senses beyond the physical and into the magical threads that connected Avalon to the worlds it touched. He let his mind quiet, the sounds of the forest fading into the background.
Slowly, he felt it—a subtle tug, as though an invisible thread was guiding him. He followed the sensation, his awareness stretching outward until he could almost see it: a shimmering frame of energy, waiting to be drawn forth.
Arthur reached for it mentally, his focus unwavering. The tug grew stronger, the connection solidifying, and with a faint hum, the door began to manifest before him. The air rippled as the ancient frame took shape, its runes glowing softly against the darkened forest.
He opened his eyes, exhaling deeply. The door stood before him, gleaming with the promise of sanctuary.
Newt stepped forward, his expression thoughtful as he regarded the door. "Impressive," he said softly, then adjusted the strap of his case. "I'll need to call in a favor before we proceed further. One of my contacts is a professor at Durmstrang Institute—if anyone can help us navigate the Malmorin family's influence, it's her."
Arthur nodded. "That's a good lead. Where will you go?"
Newt gave a small smile, his eyes glinting with purpose. "I'll regroup at my house in London. It's best if we meet there once I've spoken to my contact. You'll know how to find me, I'm sure."
With a faint pop, Newt apparated, leaving Arthur, Mulan, and Taliesin standing near the Avalon door.
Taliesin stretched leisurely, adjusting the strap of his harp. "Well then, shall we?" he asked, gesturing toward the door.
But just as they began to move, Taliesin stopped, snapping his fingers. "Ah, wait! I almost forgot."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Forgot what?"
Taliesin grinned mischievously and plucked a single hair from his beard. Holding it between his fingers, he murmured something under his breath, then blew gently on the hair. It shimmered faintly, carried by an unseen force as it floated toward the poachers' camp.
The hair drifted through the air, weaving between the tents until it found its way into one of the cages, settling onto the fur of a captured magical beast.
Mulan watched the act with curiosity. "What did you just do?"
Taliesin's grin widened. "I marked one of the creatures. Wherever it goes, I'll be able to sense it. Should they move the shipment before we return, we won't lose track of them."
Arthur chuckled softly. "Clever. You think of everything, don't you?"
Taliesin winked. "It's a gift."
With the camp marked and their plans in motion, the trio turned toward the Avalon door. As they stepped through, the forest's dense air gave way to the comforting hum of Avalon's magic.
Arthur thoughts remained focused—on the poachers, the Malmorin family, and the dangers that awaited them in their next steps. For now, though, Avalon was their refuge, and he would make the most of its protection while they prepared for what lay ahead.
…
In Avalon's dining room, Guan Yu, Musashi, and Hecate sat at the long table, sharing a quiet moment. The room was peaceful, filled with the faint hum of Avalon's ambient magic. Guan Yu sipped his tea, his posture composed, while Musashi stared into his cup, his expression contemplative.
Hecate was the first to break the silence. "It's been unusually calm today," she remarked, her tone tinged with suspicion.
Musashi raised an eyebrow. "Calm is the prelude to the storm."
Almost on cue, Avalon's voice resonated through the air, urgent and commanding. "To the Healing Room—quickly! Eir and Medea require immediate assistance!"
The three exchanged a glance, their shared instinct for action kicking in. They stood without hesitation, moving quickly to the elevator. As the doors closed and the elevator descended toward the Healing Room floor, the tension in the air thickened.
When the elevator doors opened, an overwhelming wave of energy struck them. The air shimmered and vibrated with intensity, the unmistakable signature of the Tesseract's power.
Hecate grimaced, her hands glowing faintly as she instinctively summoned a barrier around herself. "This energy… it's wild. Almost untamed."
Guan Yu nodded, his hand steady on the hilt of his Green Dragon Crescent Blade. "It's coming from Carol."
The three hurried down the corridor, the energy intensifying with each step. As they reached the central chamber of the Healing Room, they found Eir and Medea surrounded by the chaotic glow of blue light, their forms silhouetted against the raging storm of energy emanating from Carol's unconscious body.
Eir, her golden hair disheveled but her expression calm, was holding a glowing sphere of light in her hands, trying to stabilize the leaking energy. Medea stood beside her, a vial in one hand and a staff in the other, her focus sharp as she muttered incantations. Both women looked strained, their movements precise but showing the weight of the task.
Guan Yu stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "What can we do to help?"
Eir glanced at him briefly, her serene demeanor unwavering despite the chaos. "This energy is overflowing—her body is at its limit, and it's leaking into the room. We need to keep it contained."
Medea added, her voice steady but urgent, "The energy has settled within her, but her body is struggling to adapt. If it continues to leak like this, it could destabilize both her and the room."
Avalon's voice chimed in, resonating with clarity. "I can absorb the excess energy into the sanctuary itself, but the process will leave Eir and Medea vulnerable. They'll need protection until it's done."
Musashi's hand went to the hilt of his blade, his gaze steady. "Then we'll keep them safe."
Hecate stepped forward, her hands glowing as she summoned a defensive spell. "Just tell us what we're dealing with."
Avalon replied, "The energy will attract disruptions—both physical and magical. It may manifest as attacks within the room. Stay alert."
Guan Yu, Musashi, and Hecate moved into position, forming a protective circle around Eir and Medea. The two healers worked in unison, their movements synchronized as they began channeling the leaking energy into Avalon.
The room seemed to come alive with motion. Threads of blue light lashed out like whips, striking at random, while the air thickened with bursts of volatile magic. The ground beneath them trembled as the energy fought against containment.
Musashi's blade flashed as he deflected an errant surge of energy, the force dissipating against his precise strike. "The energy fights back," he muttered. "This isn't just raw power—it has intent."
Hecate nodded, her barriers absorbing several smaller blasts. "It's reacting to the changes inside her. This kind of power isn't meant to be contained like this—it's pushing against the process."
Guan Yu swung his crescent blade in a wide arc, cutting through a surge of light that barreled toward Medea. His calm voice cut through the chaos. "Focus on your task. We will hold the line."
…
Eir's voice was steady, though her hands trembled slightly under the strain. "Almost there. The energy is receding."
Medea poured a vial of shimmering liquid into the air, the substance dissolving into mist that wrapped around Carol. "Her body is stabilizing, but the process is far from over. Stay ready."
As the energy began to diminish, the attacks grew more concentrated, as if the power itself was resisting its absorption. A massive surge of light shot toward Eir, but Guan Yu intercepted it with a powerful swing of his blade, the impact reverberating through the room.
"Stay focused!" he commanded, his voice steady and unwavering.
…
Finally, the energy began to settle, the chaotic waves shrinking into faint pulses of light. Eir exhaled slowly, the glow around her hands fading as the sphere she held dissolved into the air. Medea lowered her staff, her expression calm but tired.
"It's done," Eir said softly, her voice filled with relief. "For now, the energy is contained within Avalon. Carol's body has adjusted enough to hold the rest."
Medea glanced at Carol, her tone measured. "She'll need more time to fully stabilize, but the worst is over."
Guan Yu, Musashi, and Hecate exchanged a glance, their stances relaxing slightly.
Hecate smirked faintly, lowering her glowing hands. "Not bad. You two might just be worth the trouble."
Medea raised an eyebrow but said nothing, her focus still on Carol.
Avalon's voice returned, this time calm and warm. "You have done well. Carol will recover, thanks to your efforts."
As the group stood in the aftermath, the faint hum of Avalon's magic filled the air once more. Though the challenge had passed, the lingering energy was a reminder of the immense power they had just witnessed—and the work still left to be done.
…
As the energy in the Healing Room settled and the glow around Carol dimmed to a soft, steady pulse, Eir and Medea stepped back, their hands lowering as they exchanged a brief glance. Both looked weary but determined, their focus returning to the patient before them.
Eir turned toward the others, her serene voice cutting through the silence. "Her condition is stable, but there is still much to do. We must continue monitoring her recovery."
Medea nodded, her sharp gaze scanning Carol for any lingering signs of instability. "The process isn't complete, and there's no room for error."
Hecate, arms crossed, watched them with a mix of respect and curiosity. "You've done well—both of you. But perhaps it's time to take a break. Join us in the dining room, at least to relax for a moment."
Medea shook her head, her dark cloak swaying slightly as she moved back toward the central platform. "Rest is a luxury we can't afford right now."
Eir added, her voice soft but resolute, "Lífbrunnr—what you call Avalon—has said the current owner may need potions for his journey. We must prepare them."
Hecate studied them for a moment, then nodded. "Fair enough. Just don't wear yourselves out."
Without another word, she turned and joined Guan Yu and Musashi, the three of them leaving the Healing Room.
As the elevator ascended to the dining room floor, Hecate glanced at the warriors. "Well, that was intense. Care to share your thoughts?"
Guan Yu's expression remained calm as he replied, "The healers are dedicated. Their work is vital, but it is also their burden. They carry it well."
Musashi smirked faintly. "Dedicated, yes. Stubborn too."
Hecate chuckled. "Takes one to know one, doesn't it?"
When the elevator doors opened to the dining room, the three stepped out and immediately noticed a familiar sight—Arthur, Mulan, and Taliesin entering from the lobby.
Arthur looked tired but resolute, and Taliesin was grinning as usual, his harp slung casually over his shoulder. Mulan's gaze was sharp, her posture radiating readiness even as she stepped into the more relaxed space.
Musashi was the first to speak, his tone curious. "Where's Newt?"
Arthur glanced at him, his expression unreadable for a moment before he gestured toward the table. "Let's sit down first. We'll explain everything in detail."
The group moved to the table, the atmosphere shifting from tension to quiet anticipation. Whatever had happened outside Avalon was clearly important, and the air buzzed faintly with the weight of what was to come.
…
Newt Scamander appeared with a faint pop in a small, snow-dusted village nestled near the Durmstrang Institute. The air was biting cold, the kind that stung the skin and turned each breath into a puff of visible mist. Newt adjusted his scarf and tightened his coat, his sharp eyes scanning the quiet streets.
The village was little more than a collection of stone buildings clustered around a central square, with lanterns glowing faintly against the darkness. At its heart stood a modest pub, its windows glowing warmly in stark contrast to the icy night. Newt made his way inside, his boots crunching softly against the snow.
The pub's interior was cozy and dimly lit, its patrons huddled over steaming mugs and bowls of hearty stew. Newt moved quickly toward the back, where an inconspicuous fireplace glimmered with green flames—a floo network connection. He took a small pouch of powder from his coat, tossed it into the fire, and stepped into the swirling flames.
"Durmstrang Institute," he said clearly, and with a rush of heat and light, he disappeared.
The world shifted, and Newt emerged into the grand, stone-carved halls of the Durmstrang Institute. The air here was heavy with tradition and power, the walls adorned with dark tapestries and enchanted sconces that flickered with crimson light. Though he had visited before, the place still felt imposing—a reminder of the school's reputation for favoring strength and ambition above all else.
Newt didn't linger. He made his way through the winding corridors, navigating with practiced ease until he reached a set of wooden doors engraved with runes. He knocked lightly, his gloved hand barely making a sound against the heavy wood.
"Come in," came a sharp voice from within.
Newt pushed the door open, revealing a small, cluttered office lined with bookshelves and alchemical instruments. Behind the desk sat a woman with short, dark hair streaked with silver, her piercing eyes fixed on Newt as he entered. She wore robes of deep burgundy, the crest of Durmstrang embroidered on her shoulder.
"Newt Scamander," she said, leaning back in her chair. "What brings you to my office? It's been… what? Ten years?"
"Nearly eleven," Newt replied with a small smile. "Professor Volkov, it's good to see you again."
She arched an eyebrow. "The last time you came here, you nearly dismantled my entire alchemy lab."
Newt adjusted his scarf awkwardly. "In my defense, that was an accident. And I did save your life shortly afterward, if you'll recall."
Volkov sighed, but there was a faint flicker of amusement in her eyes. "What do you need, Scamander?"
Newt's expression grew serious. "Information. On the Malmorin family."
Volkov's faint smile vanished instantly, replaced by a guarded look. She leaned forward, her elbows resting on her desk. "You don't waste time, do you?"
"This is urgent," Newt said, his tone earnest. "The Malmorins are connected to a poaching ring. They're using magical creatures for… I'm not even sure what yet. But they're behind it."
Volkov's expression hardened. "Newt, the Malmorins have been a cornerstone of Durmstrang's support for generations. They fund research, sponsor students, and wield significant influence over this school. You're asking me to risk everything by investigating them."
Newt's voice softened, but his resolve was clear. "I understand the risk, Professor. But these poachers are endangering innocent creatures—and if the Malmorins are involved, this isn't just about money or influence. It's about something far darker."
Volkov hesitated, her fingers drumming lightly on the desk. The room was silent except for the faint crackle of a nearby fireplace. Finally, she sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly.
"You saved my life once, Scamander," she said, her voice quieter now. "I haven't forgotten that. I'll help you, but only because I trust you'll handle this carefully. If word gets out that I assisted you…"
Newt nodded. "I understand. Thank you, Professor."
Volkov stood, moving to one of the bookshelves and pulling down a leather-bound tome. "The Malmorins are private, but their operations leave traces. I'll see what I can uncover about their connection to the poachers—and their plans."
Newt gave her a small, grateful smile. "That's all I can ask for."
As she began to sift through her records, Newt's mind raced. He had taken the first step in unraveling the Malmorin family's web of secrecy, but the weight of their power loomed large. This would not be an easy path to tread, but for the sake of the creatures—and the balance of the magical world—he was prepared to see it through.