Consort of Destined Death Chapter 17 (Patreon)

His instincts screamed at him like never before, and before he even knew what was happening, his body had moved on its own and thrown itself to the side. A beam of purple light obliterated the place he had been standing moments earlier, carving through the earth and annihilating everything in its path before going out.

Harry scrambled to his feet as his wand found itself into his hand, as he waved it overhand. The noise of glintstone magic made itself known as he used the Stars of Ruin sorcery, launching twelve beams of light that were individual shooting stars across the chamber.

The creature blocked several of the projectiles with its bony feet, as two projectiles managed to get through and landed on its skeletal head with an explosion that was deafening. He could hear the creature roaring in pain, as Harry charged forward with his wand in hand, preparing to slice the starbeast to bits. But the creature’s tail came down then, an impossibly long and misshapen cosmic weapon with bony spikes at its end.

It was his use of gravity magic that saved him, as Harry launched himself twenty feet to the side as the tail crashed down into the earth and split the rocks where it landed. Yet the Astel wasn’t done, spinning its body and sweeping its tail across the chamber towards him. The attack came with enough momentum to break castle walls, ripping boulders the size of him asunder in its unstoppable path.

“Ascendio!” The spell sent him thirty feet in the air as he dodged the tail strike, and then he manipulated his magic to send him flying towards the beast.

His wand transformed into the Carian greatsword mid-air as he neared the skeletal creature, as he used his soaring momentum and strength to strike down on it with all his might.

The creature was sluggish, trying to move aside as it raised his arms to block. Harry’s strike met its arms, cutting off two of them as the Astel roared in pain and rage.

He landed behind it, right as the starbeast turned to face him. His wand reignited with the Carian greatsword, and he readied himself to charge in and finish it. But then the creature moved, floating into the air and turning in on itself as it disappeared into a portal of all things.

Harry was left alone, staring at the place the creature had been with confusion, having never seen such magic before. What? Where did it go-

He heard an alien noise that sounded out of a muggle science fiction movie then, and he threw himself to the ground as the beast was suddenly behind him. It had teleported to his blind spot, before striking wildly with its terrifying mandible-like jaw akin to that of a beetle’s.

Harry crawled on the ground as the beast tried to devour him, its jaws scraping and destroying the rocks on his sides as he scrambled. He barely managed to get ahold of his wand, a quick wave causing nine glintblades to appear overhead before shooting into the beast’s face.

The Astel roared once again, damn near deafening him by how close he was, before the creature withdrew. It was sucked back into that strange portal once again, teleporting across the chamber to the far side several hundred feet away.

Something in the atmosphere changed then. The creature raised its limbs upwards in reverence, causing purple lightning to flash as the ground shook and trembled beneath him. He could see the clear use of gravity magic, but it was more powerful than anything he had witnessed before. Dozens of portals appeared above the creature in that moment, blinking in and out of existence and bringing large asteroids with them.

What is this magic? It was the most powerful spell Harry had ever witnessed. Its power enough to destroy a small village, perfect for taking on huge amounts of enemies. And it was being used on him.

He swore wildly as meteorites the size of the Dursley’s home rained down around him, barely getting a moment to breathe as he dodged and weaved for his life. Rocks pelted his form as some of the meteorites crashed into the ground, shaking the cave floor and making it hard to move as chunks of rocks split apart and flew wildly.

All the while he desperately molded his magic, struggling to do so under the barrage. It was when three meteorites were about to crush him that he acted, roaring with the extreme use of gravity magic as he swept the nearby meteorites upwards before sending them back at the starbeast.

The creature was immobile as it had to stay stationary to cast this immense sorcery, as the meteorites under Harry’s control landed on top of it and buried it.

Abruptly, the spell ended, as he took a sigh of relief and knelt on the cave floor. But that was when the rocks burying the Astel exploded outwards, the creature leaping through the chamber as its limbs were surrounded with the purple swell of gravity magicks.

It seems I pissed it off. He did the responsible thing and ran, as the creature landed harshly and slammed its glowing limbs into the ground. The whole chamber quaked under the assault, its whole body releasing a burst of gravity magic that decimated and split apart the floor of the cave and caused Harry’s body to be launched upwards from the blast.

The ceiling of rock overhead then collapsed inwards, and Harry released his own pulse of gravity magic to save himself and divert the oncoming debris. It worked, and just like in the Triwizard Tournament, he created a tornado of rock that began to flow around him. He was the whirling, creating a tornado of gravity magic not to attack, but as to defend himself.

Above, the sky had become visible, the cavern collapsing exposing the snowy world above. In the back of his mind, he could only hope that Millicent was okay and untouched by the sheer destruction caused by their battle.

Purple beams lanced through the rock, blowing boulders to bits and nearly hitting him. The Astel was targeting him, and Harry didn’t hesitate before changing the tornado’s trajectory and sending the surrounding rocks at the starbeast.

The creature tried to fight, to destroy any boulders that got near, but eventually a large stone collapsed its side. Another landed on its tail, before a hundred more followed and crashed into its flailing body. Around them, a quarry of rock equivalent to a muggle football stadium had been unearthed, showing the power of the magic in use.

Harry panted for breath when the world went quiet, his limbs heavy as he tried to recover. That was the most magic he had ever expended, and it was only possible from the runes he had gathered over the past couple months.

Movement caught his attention, as a clump of rocks nearby exploded outwards. The head of the starbeast became visible, but only its head, as the rest of its body was covered under hundreds of tons of rock. Harry stumbled as he got to his feet, his armor torn and battered from wayward stones that had clipped his body.

His hand found his Zweihander, as he grasped the greatsword in two hands. Then, in a swift, downward swing, he decapitated the creature as its head fell to the floor.

He barely had time to breathe a sigh of relief, as more runes than ever before filled him. Knowledge came with it, along with a strength that he had never thought possible. He stood taller, suddenly rejuvenated and wondering just how much power he now had compared to before.

“Harry!” A red blur raced across the rocky and destroyed landscape before slamming into him. “Are you alright?!”

“Millicent.” He breathed out, giving a tired smile. “I’m fine.”

It was hard to say he looked fine, with his body caked in dust and blood. The armor he had purchased at Caria Manor was practically useless now, and he was lucky that his wand was untouched from the fight.

“What happened?” Millicent demanded, gaze suddenly hard. “You were gone when I woke up, the next moment… This happened.”

She gestured around at the destroyed landscape, as the cave system they had been residing in was completely destroyed. As to emphasize that point, a wind chill made them both shiver as snow drifted in from above, beginning the crater in white.

“A noise woke me up, and I went to investigate deeper in the cave.” He answered, looking to the decapitated head of the starbeast. “That’s when that thing attacked me.”

Astel, Stars of Darkness. He knew the creature’s name, as he had taken its remembrance. Reading in Caria Manor’s library had given him insight into the process, as besting an enemy in battle and runes from a significantly powerful foe could allow a Tarnish to harness their abilities for their own.

He grabbed one of the mandibles attached to the Astel’s head, lifting its decapitated skull before storing it in his magic pouch.

“You should have brought me.” Millicent crossed her arms. “Something could have gone wrong with you running off alone. You already have to deal with all that stuff at your school, it shouldn’t be the same here.”

Protective, much? He felt himself smile, before suddenly moving in close and pulling her into a kiss. Millicent’s eyes went wide, before closing as their lips pushed harder. It lasted for some time, before he pulled away which caused the redhead to sigh.

“Tell you what,” He said, wanting to appease her. “I’ll take you back to Hogwarts with me one of these days. Maybe even to watch one of the tasks.”

“Really?” The joyful expression on her face made her look very cute.

“Yep.” He nodded. “But maybe not the next one, since it’s supposed to be underwater.”

Millicent shivered at that. Of course, he had told her and Melina about the second task of the Triwizard Tournament and how it was supposed to be underwater. That had caused the two to have quite the scare, and it was how Harry found out that the residents of the Lands Between were terrified of water.

Apparently being stranded on a massive island surrounded by water that led to nothing but endless fog had caused its residents to have quite the aversion to water. Even if there were lands beyond the fog, the task of sailing a ship through said fog was practically a death sentence due to the low rate of survival from such a journey.

It was why Godfrey being stripped of Grace and banished, forced to sail away with his warriors, was considered a death sentence by most. Foul and monstrous creatures roamed the seas, and if one didn’t get lost in the fog, then they would likely be devoured by a kraken or something equally terrifying.

A cold breeze shifted in then, as something in the very air seemed to change. It was like a presence had settled on his shoulders, making Harry turn - and Millicent with him - to see several newcomers emerge from the wintery fog.

Four golden knights walked from out of the storm, becoming more visible as they drew nearer. Their armor was ornate in gold as they either wielded scythes or spears. But it was the figure behind those knights that got his attention, her tall and overwhelming stature drowning out everything else.

A golden winged helm stared at him that was bold yet displayed little other emotion. It was like everything was considered prey when put in front of that helm, forced to take in the emotionless expression of its wearer.

Malenia, the Blade of Miquella.

Her sheer presence was suffocating, even being as far away as she was from him. It was like his very heart was held in her hands, knowing that the lengthy blade attached to her prosthetic arm could run him through at any moment.

How is she here? The most likely explanation was that she recieved word of their location from spies or lookouts. Or it was even possible his battle with the Astel had caused enough commotion to get her attention. Either way, she’s expecting a fight.

He looked down at his hands then, feeling them clammer against his body. He had never felt this terrified, even when facing the Basilisk in his second year.

Am I shaking? He grasped his hands together, desperately trying to make them go still. No, it’s just the cold.

It has to be the cold.

The very world seemed to hold its breath, as even the snowstorm seemed to know better than to intercede as its precipitation faltered. He had barely a moment to catch his wits before the group moved to strike, the four golden knights charging forward towards Millicent first.

He raised his greatsword, ready to help, but suddenly his instincts screamed at him as he held out his blade in a guard. A golden katana screeched through the wind before slamming into his sword, sending him skidding back across the rocky ground.

Four more strikes followed, as the redheaded demigod slashed from the sides to meet his blade. Each movement was barely a mere flick of the wrist for Malenia, but all of the blows rattled Harry’s body.

I need to get back. Get range. Trying to engage the woman in close combat was foolhardy, especially when ranged magic was his specialty. A lull in the attacks allowed him to catch his breath, and a wave of his wand caused a dozen glintblades to appear overhead, before the blue swords launched themselves at her.

Malenia jumped back, dodging all the attacks as if it were the simplest thing in the world, but it was enough.

Harry just barely managed to get a glimpse over at his companion then, to see that the four knights surrounded Millicent as if trying to cage her in. Meanwhile his traveling companion moved fast, twirling and thrusting at a speed that overwhelmed any knight that got too close. Good, she’s holding her own.

“You should worry less about her.” The calmly spoken words made his eyes widen, as he whirled.

His opponent had move far quicker than he originally anticipated, and before he knew it, his sword had been smacked out of his hands as he went sailing backwards through the air until he crashed into the ground in a heap. A look down showed his chest plate caved in and officially ruined, as he undid the straps to allow it to fall to the ground.

He shakily got up then, limbs heavier than ever before as he only wielded his wand. Across from him, Malenia stood and observed him silently.

She’s testing me. The woman could have killed him several times by now, yet seemed more interested in gauging his own strength rather than taking his life. And based on what he knew about her, he doubted she would play around with her prey before killing them.

“You know, we can talk rather than fight.” He got out through haggard breaths, guessing that she didn’t intend to actually kill him.

“I have always viewed the clash of blades as a form of conversation.” She said easily, before pointing her blade his way. “Although, thy skill leaves much to be desired.”

“Heh, don’t count me out yet.” He molded his magic, getting ready for his next move. That was when his wand shot straight out, unleashing a wave of gravitic force that annihilated everything  in front of him for a hundred feet outwards.

The tall redhead had been quick enough to dodge it, leaping upwards, but the move wasn’t meant to be offensive. Rather, it sent Harry soaring backward, as he landed and steadied himself several hundred feet away.

Let’s give this a try. He spread his feet and raised his wand, standing in place as an inhuman amount of magic flowed out of him. Purple lightning flashed overhead, as one portal opened, and then another. Soon, dozens of portals were opening and closing as meteorites rained down from the sky overhead.

It was the spell the Astel had used, and Harry had learned it with its death. Truly, it was the most destructive spell he had ever seen or heard of, but had the trade-off of burning through his magic unlike ever before.

Meteorites the size of muggle homes landed all around, blanketing the landscape in front of him in a constant barrage. The noise was deafening, as rocks collided mid-air or against the surface, kicking up dust and annihilating everything in his vision.

But a red and gold blur made itself known, dodging the raining asteroids with ease before a long blade lashed out, severing three of them in a single move. More meteors came, but Malenia either dodged or carved through those ones as well, her expression unmoved.

It’s not enough. The thought brought him to despair, feeling as if he had given his all. Soon, the portals overhead gave out, his body slumping over as he tried to take a step forwards, only to fall to a knee. The battle against the Astel, and then fighting a demigod on top of it, truly it had taken a toll on him.

He was bruised and battered, armor useless, and caked in blood and dust. What magic he had was spent, and his limbs refused to move. Even if he got a sword, he would never be able to lift it, much less fight off such an overwhelming opponent.

Hopefully Millicent is okay. He could no longer see his redhead companion through the smoke, hoping his last spell had provided a distraction good enough for her to escape.

Silent golden footsteps approached, as he looked up to see Malenia calmly walking over to him.

“I misspoke earlier when I judged thy skill. For I should say that I find it…” She spoke as she approached his kneeling and exhausted form, her long blade coming dangerously close to his chin as she stopped.. “Acceptable.”

A/N:

Thus begins the Haligtree arc.

Hopefully Harry didn’t come across as too underpowered, as he’s still pulling off feats that Radahn can do pretty easily. He still has a long way to go in terms of defeating enemies and “leveling up”, not to mention that trying to figure out powerscaling is somewhat troublesome

More of Malenia to come