Illusion Prisoners of Hogwarts

[Yun Lee]

So, that was the true Juno, huh? Diana Cavendish...well, while she seemed plenty pompous enough for someone he had to assume was rich, at least her teacher's pet personality was gone. And she still seemed like someone he wouldn't be too annoyed cooperating with. Maybe.

"Just 'Remy' is fine. I don't use my last name all that much." He leaned back against a wall, looking around at all these new faces, strangers who had once been so familiar. "Let me guess, you were expecting someone more altruistic? I come from a world full of fools like Rio. ...It gets old fast." He crossed his arms, looking her over. "I'm guessing the Cavendish family is full of witches and wizards, if that outfit is anything to go by. Are you familiar with Hogwarts, then?"

@Ver​

 

[Takumi]

True memories flooded back like a dam bursting.

Memories of a little village, of wanderlust, and seeing the ouside world for the first time.

There was no father, mother, or older brother that he adored so much, but friends who were like family themselves, all raised by a man with skills of a great soldier.

Dressed in what one could assume were mages robes (cause they were), he'd sigh.

"Glad that's over, I hate crying." he muttered, bringing a hand up to inspect strands of blonde hair to ensure that yup, it wasn't all that different from before other than the length. Crybaby, a horrible thing he was called for so long growing up, that trait of his burried away that was practically personified in that wretched illusion.

Turning to the rest the young man would place his hand on his hip.

"The name's Kliff, a Soldier from little old Ram Village." the young man spoke, not really one for small talk. Taking a look out of the window himself, he didn't have much of an outward reaction other than furrowed brows.

So, that was the true Juno, huh? Diana Cavendish...well, while she seemed plenty pompous enough for someone he had to assume was rich, at least her teacher's pet personality was gone. And she still seemed like someone he wouldn't be too annoyed cooperating with. Maybe.

"Just 'Remy' is fine. I don't use my last name all that much." He leaned back against a wall, looking around at all these new faces, strangers who had once been so familiar. "Let me guess, you were expecting someone more altruistic? I come from a world full of fools like Rio. ...It gets old fast." He crossed his arms, looking her over. "I'm guessing the Cavendish family is full of witches and wizards, if that outfit is anything to go by. Are you familiar with Hogwarts, then?"

@Ver​

"I know someone a lot like Rio myself and believe it or not he makes a rather good leader." Kliff spoke up, lightly amused.

@Jeremi @Yun Lee @Ver @Lucky @Gummi Bunnies @dark @Everyone I missed

 

[Ver]

"I suppose that's what they'd call a droll twist of fate," Diana remarked in response to Remy's initial explanation, further observing her surroundings for a brief moment as she spoke, before gazing back at the turquoise haired young man, placing her hands on her hips, "Perhaps being someone who thinks only about bringing smiles and happiness to other people can be quite a tiresome chore to be around, but... Well, I suppose I don't entirely dislike people like that. I won't pretend to know of your circumstances, but perhaps you could learn a thing or two from... Mr. Myre. I wouldn't be surprised if the illusions we were under reflected certain people's character in... unexpected ways. Even he seems to agree," she said, gesturing toward Kliff with that.

It was hard to take her relatively warm words to heart when her expression remained stone cold. One could say she was almost too good at maintaining a straight, calm demeanor.

"As for Hogwarts... No, as far as I am aware, no such prestigious academy exists. Nor does one such as Harry Potter. I may not look it, but I suppose one could say that I'm just as out of the know as you are," she continued, brushing aside some stray hair, "As I said, we'd all best keep our wits about. We may have broken through that never-ending loop, but that only begs the question. Who's to blame for it all?"

@Yun Lee @Takumi @Gummi Bunnies @Jeremi @Glostechk @Anybody​

 

[Yun Lee]

"Tch." Remy could've done without the preaching. Though, a small part of him did seem to resonate with their opinions. Perhaps somewhere inside, Rio influenced him? God, he hoped not.

...mostly hoped not.

Whatever.

"So, you were Kit." Remy turned his attention to Kliff, who looked vastly different than the younger brother he once had. A soldier, huh? Never would've guessed. "Whoever is behind this, I've no doubt we're to find out. Probably when Umbridge wakes."

@Ver @Takumi​

 

[Takumi]

"Tch." Remy could've done without the preaching. Though, a small part of him did seem to resonate with their opinions. Perhaps somewhere inside, Rio influenced him? God, he hoped not.

...mostly hoped not.

Whatever.

"So, you were Kit." Remy turned his attention to Kliff, who looked vastly different than the younger brother he once had. A soldier, huh? Never would've guessed. "Whoever is behind this, I've no doubt we're to find out. Probably when Umbridge wakes."

@Ver @Takumi​

"Mhm, and you were Rio. Interesting how things turned out." Kliff responded. Definitely not what the teen had expected, that was for sure. But it made sense to get something different than what you may have assumed initially to some degree. On the topic of Umbridge and the one behind it the slight amusement he had quickly turned into a slightly sour look.

"If that's the case then I hope she wakes soon." he replied, looking down at Umbridge's unconcious form. He had no idea how Alm and the others were faring and they were probably worried, which wouldn't do with the situation back home.

@Jeremi @Yun Lee

 

[Sleepwalker]

Melody squealed in excitement and seemed to have went cheerful again, and luckily looked a bit more sane.
“This is wonderful, I’ve finally met some one famous, Ahaha!~...That is such a nice way to go, beating a disgusting tyrant!...Hey, Real me, if you exist..don’t forget me as long as you live. You will remember me, yes?”
Melody smiled and gripped her wand tightly, seemingly too tired to be scared of what she though was the death of her personality, and closed her eyes serenely.

And as suddenly as everyone else, her past memories and life came back to her just like a flash, and her appearance changed just as quickly. Her warm smile turned uncharacteristicly stoic, and she began to show sighs of discomfort.

When she opened her eyes again, the person that used to be Melody had changed, not only in age, now that she looked like she was nearing adulthood, but else something was different, she seemed world-weary even, but that wasn’t the full picture, even when she smiled again, the most spiritual of people can tell she was...off. She kinda had fake Umbridge-y behaviour even, her politeness just seemed strange.
“Ah, How silly of that Melody, asking such childish things. And how silly of me to jump into that machine, now I don’t even know where I am..Oh, I don’t think any of you would know me, since I’m not even sure if I’m even in the same universe, but I’m Maple Li. How do you all do?”
So her name was Maple, her formal introduction would be needed, since she seemed unfamiliar to this but somehow knowledgeable at the same time, the woman tied her hair back up in a bun and looked around the castle, stopping at the windows.
“My, my, What could have happened here? Well, many reasons, but what do you people think happened? Ah..this whole farce is a mess top to bottom, I’m not going to have good time finding my way back home.”
@Jeremi @Open For Interaction

 

[Jeremi]

"Tch." Remy could've done without the preaching. Though, a small part of him did seem to resonate with their opinions. Perhaps somewhere inside, Rio influenced him? God, he hoped not.

...mostly hoped not.

Whatever.

"So, you were Kit." Remy turned his attention to Kliff, who looked vastly different than the younger brother he once had. A soldier, huh? Never would've guessed. "Whoever is behind this, I've no doubt we're to find out. Probably when Umbridge wakes."

@Ver @Takumi​

"You do not need to wait that long to find out." The dark echoing voice was coming from Dolores Umbridge, who was still laying on the floor tied up, her eyes having become jet black and dark veins covering her face. "I can speak through her with you."

Professor McGonagall wasted no time to try and interrogate whoever was using Umbridge's body. "Who are you and why have you done this."

'Umbridge' chuckled. "Who I am will be revealed soon enough, but the why, yes...I can elaborate on that," It said before continuing. "Much like how you humans have farms for animals for sustenance, I too have created such a place with Hogwarts as my farm and you as my cattle. Umbridges hate and fears are what made me notice her and use her to my own ends. She was...easy to manipulate."

"Skeletor is no one's morsel you fool!" Skeletor exclaimed, not keen on being the puppet. "Your illusions have been beaten and so has your hag! You will be next!"

'Umbridge' chuckled once more. "Perhaps so, then if that is to be the case. All you need to do is follow the lights." Suddenly the entire castle seemed to be swallowed up by utter darkness before green torches flared up and started revealing a path through the corridors. "I will be waiting." The veins disappeared from Umbridge and she once again fell unconscious.

Hecate spoke up as the group were deciding on what to do next. "Lest we forget the army of N'Garai that are standing between us and our destination."

"The N'Garai?" Funny asked. "That's a ridiculous name."

"Mayhap, but that is the name of the demons we have met in this realm. Vicious sort, however has managed to tame them might even pose a threat to a God such as I. Though as it stands, we do not have many other options open to us."

@Yun Lee @Ver @Takumi @MelodyMeister @Donder172 @Kaykay @Gummi Bunnies @Lucky

 

[Yun Lee]

"I'm not wasting anymore time," Remy said, starting off down the hallway. This ridiculous charade had gone on long enough. He wanted to get out of here and go home. As much as he insulted his homeworld, at least it wasn't a place where he could be used as some sort of meal for whatever was manipulating them. He actually kind of missed it a bit...but barely, of course. It was still garbage.

@Jeremi @Everyone​

 

[Takumi]

"You do not need to wait that long to find out." The dark echoing voice was coming from Dolores Umbridge, who was still laying on the floor tied up, her eyes having become jet black and dark veins covering her face. "I can speak through her with you."

Professor McGonagall wasted no time to try and interrogate whoever was using Umbridge's body. "Who are you and why have you done this."

'Umbridge' chuckled. "Who I am will be revealed soon enough, but the why, yes...I can elaborate on that," It said before continuing. "Much like how you humans have farms for animals for sustenance, I too have created such a place with Hogwarts as my farm and you as my cattle. Umbridges hate and fears are what made me notice her and use her to my own ends. She was...easy to manipulate."

"Skeletor is no one's morsel you fool!" Skeletor exclaimed, not keen on being the puppet. "Your illusions have been beaten and so has your hag! You will be next!"

'Umbridge' chuckled once more. "Perhaps so, then if that is to be the case. All you need to do is follow the lights." Suddenly the entire castle seemed to be swallowed up by utter darkness before green torches flared up and started revealing a path through the corridors. "I will be waiting." The veins disappeared from Umbridge and she once again fell unconscious.

Hecate spoke up as the group were deciding on what to do next. "Lest we forget the army of N'Garai that are standing between us and our destination."

"The N'Garai?" Funny asked. "That's a ridiculous name."

"Mayhap, but that is the name of the demons we have met in this realm. Vicious sort, however has managed to tame them might even pose a threat to a God such as I. Though as it stands, we do not have many other options open to us."

@Yun Lee @Ver @Takumi @MelodyMeister @Donder172 @Kaykay @Gummi Bunnies @Lucky

"Let's get this over with then." Kliff sighed, straightening his color before setting off down the hallway after Remy. He was done playing games, and had things to do back home.

@Jeremi @Yun Lee @Everyone

 

[dark]

Ian Miles IV Nathaniel Plimpton the III

Unlike most who had changed from blue to white or came fully equipped with armor, well, Ian actually looked pretty much the same. He was still 6'2, still was wearing a shirt with a blazer and tie along with his pants. He just looked ten years older. Heck, as his memories flooded back from his past, they were pretty much the same as his cursed. Of course his father wasn't a wizard, but he was still an abusive dick that wanted Nathaniel to be perfect. The Perfect Plimptons. No sign of emotion or weakness, no sign of sickness or weakness... not even cancer. Cancer was also a half-day off work.

Of course, there was her. Rebecca Nora Bunch.

She made him feel things and well, he didn't like that. Feelings were wrong and gross. He remembered a court room and her making herself weak and their duet.... yeah, duet. It was funny now that he looked at Umbridge, not with disgust or contempt. Just pity. Pity that she had thought this was her solution. After all, Nothing was ever Anyone's Fault, it's hard to paint people with evil or glory when you know that everyone's got a tragic backstory. Now that he was back to himself, he saw this the same way he saw free will and morality. An illusion.

" I'm Nathaniel Plimpton the third. Pretty much the same in the illusion as in my life, nothing much changes.Probably why I couldn't believe the bad things happening..... Harry Potter is a story in my world, but I pretty much classified as a Slytherin. Ambitious, cunning and proud... " He choose to admit the detail Rebecca had added, but added it mentally. Evil. " Pretty vanilla compared to everyone else here, no powers or special to speak of. Actually, Lucas, seeing as you have weapons, do you still have the luck potion you received as Alcander from Hectate?" He asked. It was impressive, but similar to Ian, he was detached from everything he had said. No emotion or peak in his voice, no crescendo. Just pure emotionless. Kind of like he was a businessman crossed with a lawyer... which he pretty much was. Though he wasn't as scary as say Skeletor, the detachment pretty much proved that he was not exactly a good person. Heck, he didn't even react to the wasteland outside.

@Jeremi @Yun Lee @Donder172 @Gummi Bunnies @dark @Everyone Else

Lucas eyed Nathaniel and closed his eyes "I'm.. not sure.. Maybe it's just as much as a illusion as our false selves were."

"You do not need to wait that long to find out." The dark echoing voice was coming from Dolores Umbridge, who was still laying on the floor tied up, her eyes having become jet black and dark veins covering her face. "I can speak through her with you."

Professor McGonagall wasted no time to try and interrogate whoever was using Umbridge's body. "Who are you and why have you done this."

'Umbridge' chuckled. "Who I am will be revealed soon enough, but the why, yes...I can elaborate on that," It said before continuing. "Much like how you humans have farms for animals for sustenance, I too have created such a place with Hogwarts as my farm and you as my cattle. Umbridges hate and fears are what made me notice her and use her to my own ends. She was...easy to manipulate."

"Skeletor is no one's morsel you fool!" Skeletor exclaimed, not keen on being the puppet. "Your illusions have been beaten and so has your hag! You will be next!"

'Umbridge' chuckled once more. "Perhaps so, then if that is to be the case. All you need to do is follow the lights." Suddenly the entire castle seemed to be swallowed up by utter darkness before green torches flared up and started revealing a path through the corridors. "I will be waiting." The veins disappeared from Umbridge and she once again fell unconscious.

Hecate spoke up as the group were deciding on what to do next. "Lest we forget the army of N'Garai that are standing between us and our destination."

"The N'Garai?" Funny asked. "That's a ridiculous name."

"Mayhap, but that is the name of the demons we have met in this realm. Vicious sort, however has managed to tame them might even pose a threat to a God such as I. Though as it stands, we do not have many other options open to us."

@Yun Lee @Ver @Takumi @MelodyMeister @Donder172 @Kaykay @Gummi Bunnies @Lucky

Lucas frowned and looked at everyone as the castle turned to darkness and the green torches got lit. He disliked waiting but things were heating up real fast. He couldn't help but feel bad for Umbridge since she in theory got what she deserved but she was used by someone much more powerful.

He followed the group walking into the hallway with the torch.

@dark @Jeremi @Yun Lee, @Everyone else

 

[Sleepwalker]

"You do not need to wait that long to find out." The dark echoing voice was coming from Dolores Umbridge, who was still laying on the floor tied up, her eyes having become jet black and dark veins covering her face. "I can speak through her with you."

Professor McGonagall wasted no time to try and interrogate whoever was using Umbridge's body. "Who are you and why have you done this."

'Umbridge' chuckled. "Who I am will be revealed soon enough, but the why, yes...I can elaborate on that," It said before continuing. "Much like how you humans have farms for animals for sustenance, I too have created such a place with Hogwarts as my farm and you as my cattle. Umbridges hate and fears are what made me notice her and use her to my own ends. She was...easy to manipulate."

"Skeletor is no one's morsel you fool!" Skeletor exclaimed, not keen on being the puppet. "Your illusions have been beaten and so has your hag! You will be next!"

'Umbridge' chuckled once more. "Perhaps so, then if that is to be the case. All you need to do is follow the lights." Suddenly the entire castle seemed to be swallowed up by utter darkness before green torches flared up and started revealing a path through the corridors. "I will be waiting." The veins disappeared from Umbridge and she once again fell unconscious.

Hecate spoke up as the group were deciding on what to do next. "Lest we forget the army of N'Garai that are standing between us and our destination."

"The N'Garai?" Funny asked. "That's a ridiculous name."

"Mayhap, but that is the name of the demons we have met in this realm. Vicious sort, however has managed to tame them might even pose a threat to a God such as I. Though as it stands, we do not have many other options open to us.

Maple kept calm and stoic as that thing inside Umbridge spoke in that horrific way, although she showed a bit of unsettlement and stayed still, and when that thing left, she let out a small sigh. Smiling again, she seemed both determined and rejuvenated.
“Oh, I haven’t been in this kind of danger for quite a while now, It’ll be quite interesting to see how these situations turn out. Come on, nothing to fear, we’ll either die, or we won’t. And I’m sure it’ll be the latter.”
Maple’s accent was strange, like a mix of gibberish, Chinese and poshness, but luckily she was quite quiet so she didn’t distract anyone on task, as she walked behind the rest, she took out Melody’s wand and twirled it around curiously.
“Ah, a very large Alder wood wand, how curious, Melody even had phoenix feather. The wand must have chosen very poorly. Not a strong wood, but it’ll do, I wonder if I can still perform this brand of magic...”
@Jeremi​

 

[Lucky]

Nathaniel Plimpton III

Nathaniel shrugged and didn't reply when Lucas mentioned that he wasn't sure if he had it. " I'm with the rest of you guys on the matter, I want this to be over with and to go home. Let's get this over with."

@Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @dark

 

[Jeremi]

It didn't take them long to return to where Gentiana had left them the huge ice wall still blocking the path. "Great, how are we supposed to get through here?" Skeletor replied, annoyed at their current predicament.

"Allow me." Hecate called upon the fire in her incantations and used the head that was emitting from her hands to melt the ice for the group to pass through.

On the other side they were met by a cold breeze as the entire corridor was filled with ice and snow. The N'Garai that were there had all been frozen stiff like cold statues. In the center of the all stood Gentiana, with the serene smile still on her face and her eyes closed. "I see that you passed your mission. Come, I believe we're supposed to go outside."

Soon enough they found themselves outside under the crimson sky as well as the vast dark and emptiness. "What is this place?" Harry asked looking out at the horizon.

"A dead world," Funny responded. "We are the only things here worth anything. Everything else is just...darkness."


@Yun Lee @Ver @Takumi @MelodyMeister @Donder172 @Kaykay @Gummi Bunnies @Lucky

 

[Ver]

"..."

Diana remained silent as Hecate melted the ice with ease, initially intending to cast Incendio to pitch in, though it seemed that the woman had it all under control. The young witch mused to herself on how amusing and perhaps even convenient that, even despite the illusion of "Juno Post" being shattered, it appeared that Diana retained at least some of her memories regarding it, and by extension, certain spells that she'd learned here at Hogwarts.

As they continued walking, the girl wondered if such spells would be able to work in her home world, or if the rules of magic differed too much between worlds to be compatible with each other, but... Well, this level of magic was just far too abstract and high for even the prodigy to grasp. Talented as she was, even Diana, nor any other witch she'd ever heard about for that matter, had ever fathomed to create magic on this scope, but now was hardly such a time to marvel at it all.

"We'd best keep moving. I don't have much desire to linger in this dreaded place, personally," Diana said in response to Harry and Valentine, crossing her arms and facing the rest of the group, hoping to motivate the others to keep going even in the face of the rather dreary landscape, "Shall we?"

@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Glostechk @Takumi @dark @MelodyMeister @Donder172 @Kaykay @Gummi Bunnies @Lucky @Everybody​

 

[Sleepwalker]

Maple kept behind the group and looked around, not even flinching at Hecate’s use of fire magic, although admittedly pretty impressed by how strong it was, as well as Gentiana’s ice magic. She kept following closely while playing around with this brand of magic.
“Ah, Wizard magic, the most general and useful of powers, that anyone with a bit of magic can learn a bit. My own power seems to be down at the moment though...I guess there’s no copping things out. Hm? Why is everyone so down? Why not take things as they are and enjoy the situation? Family and friends are nuisances anyways.”
She spoke to everyone like they were little children, and while she wasn’t in the best of moods, it can’t be said that she’s upset either. She showed her boldness and had begun to walk out the the eldritch wasteland first.
@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Glostechk @Takumi @dark @Ver @Donder172 @Kaykay @Gummi Bunnies@Lucky @Everybody

 

[Takumi]

Maple kept behind the group and looked around, not even flinching at Hecate’s use of fire magic, although admittedly pretty impressed by how strong it was, as well as Gentiana’s ice magic. She kept following closely while playing around with this brand of magic.
“Ah, Wizard magic, the most general and useful of powers, that anyone with a bit of magic can learn a bit. My own power seems to be down at the moment though...I guess there’s no copping things out. Hm? Why is everyone so down? Why not take things as they are and enjoy the situation? Family and friends are nuisances anyways.”
She spoke to everyone like they were little children, and while she wasn’t in the best of moods, it can’t be said that she’s upset either. She showed her boldness and had begun to walk out the the eldritch wasteland first.
@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Glostechk @Takumi @dark @Ver @Donder172 @Kaykay @Gummi Bunnies@Lucky @Everybody

Kliff, who had been following the others simply sighed, looking over at Maple.

"What are you going on about?" he spoke, slightly annoyed. Enjoy the situation? Really? That sounded absurd and even Alm wouldn't say something like that, and he did and said some pretty rash things every now and then. Taking things as they are wouldn't be much of a problem for Kliff himself, but the reat of what Maple said seemed to be unnecessary to what was really going on in his book.

@Jeremi @Yun Lee @Ver @MelodyMeister @Lucky @dark @Kaykay @Glostechk @Donder172 @Gummi Bunnies @Everybody

 

[Jeremi]

They continued out of the school grounds into wherever this was. The black sand shifted under their feet as they traveled through the dead zone. The group sensed that the N'Garai was all around them shifting through the area, but for some reason they weren't attacking.

This particular part vexed Skeletor something fierce. "Why aren't those demons attacking us! They were like rabid animals not too long ago!"

"Much like with other animals," Gentiana responded. "Some times you have to form a rapport to show that resistance is not worth it."

Skeletor was about to question her but at the same time he wasn't really interested, their journey continuing on with relative silence. Soon among the sands they could see a structure in front of them. Getting closer the group found it to be a huge stone throne with a creature sitting on it.

"I see you have finally arrived." The monster on the throne bellowed, it's voice echoing inside the groups very minds as it spoke. "Must you continue to vex me so, or will you allow me to return to our former arrangement."

Hecate was the first one to step up to confront it. "So it was you...Dweller in Darkness."

"Who? What?" Harry managed to blurt out as he looked on with fear and amazement at the creature in front of them.

"He is a Fear Lord, I believe his title says everything that needs to be said. He gains power from others fears."

"I would think someone as you, appreciated what I had accomplished here." Dweller in Darkness spoke directly to Hecate.

"Perhaps, if I had not been part in your machinations." Even Hecate, a goddess in her own right didn't seem very keen on the prospect of trying to attack this creature, at least not yet.

The Dweller in Darkness meanwhile continued addressing the group, not giving any indications of attacking. "You are all here through pure happenstance. Even you, Hecate, I did not seek out. Umbridge's madness did that, only the child, his compatriots and the old hag were tasked to be dragged with her. Now the illusion has been broken and you are free to escape. Or are you?" Dweller in Darkness seemed to chuckle before he continued. "Stranded and weakened inside a dimension I have full control over. Do you believe you have what it takes to escape me?"​

@Yun Lee @Ver @MelodyMeister @Lucky @dark @Kaykay @Glostechk @Donder172 @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi

 

[Lucky]

Nathaniel Plimpton III

Nathaniel paused and thought for a moment. Why had he allowed them to break the illusion and come here? From what he remembered of what the witch had said, they had died nine times before this. He imagined that it was the fear of who Umbridge wanted to bring here. " But do you want to keep us if we have nothing to offer? Yes, it is true that you most likely could feed on our fear of things to come and why wouldn't you? Perhaps, you tired of the illusion. Why allow us to get this far if this is your dimension of fear? It's funny.... the absence of everything doesn't really make me feel afraid, annoyed, yes.... afraid no," he dryly replied. Even faced with something as terrifying as a fear Lord, Nathaniel didn't seem phased or afraid. He seemed just annoyed, emotionless as he was back in the illusion. It was kind of funny that he wasn't afraid of anything here because he had nothing left to lose that he cared about here.

@Yun Lee @Ver @MelodyMeister @dark @Kaykay @Glostechk @Donder172 @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi

 

[Donder172]

"You do not need to wait that long to find out." The dark echoing voice was coming from Dolores Umbridge, who was still laying on the floor tied up, her eyes having become jet black and dark veins covering her face. "I can speak through her with you."

Professor McGonagall wasted no time to try and interrogate whoever was using Umbridge's body. "Who are you and why have you done this."

'Umbridge' chuckled. "Who I am will be revealed soon enough, but the why, yes...I can elaborate on that," It said before continuing. "Much like how you humans have farms for animals for sustenance, I too have created such a place with Hogwarts as my farm and you as my cattle. Umbridges hate and fears are what made me notice her and use her to my own ends. She was...easy to manipulate."

"Skeletor is no one's morsel you fool!" Skeletor exclaimed, not keen on being the puppet. "Your illusions have been beaten and so has your hag! You will be next!"

'Umbridge' chuckled once more. "Perhaps so, then if that is to be the case. All you need to do is follow the lights." Suddenly the entire castle seemed to be swallowed up by utter darkness before green torches flared up and started revealing a path through the corridors. "I will be waiting." The veins disappeared from Umbridge and she once again fell unconscious.

Hecate spoke up as the group were deciding on what to do next. "Lest we forget the army of N'Garai that are standing between us and our destination."

"The N'Garai?" Funny asked. "That's a ridiculous name."

"Mayhap, but that is the name of the demons we have met in this realm. Vicious sort, however has managed to tame them might even pose a threat to a God such as I. Though as it stands, we do not have many other options open to us."

@Yun Lee @Ver @Takumi @MelodyMeister @Donder172 @Kaykay @Gummi Bunnies @Lucky

"Then we will sweep our way through. By force or through sneaking" Cipher Nine said

Maple kept calm and stoic as that thing inside Umbridge spoke in that horrific way, although she showed a bit of unsettlement and stayed still, and when that thing left, she let out a small sigh. Smiling again, she seemed both determined and rejuvenated.
“Oh, I haven’t been in this kind of danger for quite a while now, It’ll be quite interesting to see how these situations turn out. Come on, nothing to fear, we’ll either die, or we won’t. And I’m sure it’ll be the latter.”
Maple’s accent was strange, like a mix of gibberish, Chinese and poshness, but luckily she was quite quiet so she didn’t distract anyone on task, as she walked behind the rest, she took out Melody’s wand and twirled it around curiously.
“Ah, a very large Alder wood wand, how curious, Melody even had phoenix feather. The wand must have chosen very poorly. Not a strong wood, but it’ll do, I wonder if I can still perform this brand of magic....Stupefy!”
Maple showed no concern if she had hit someone, as she had planned to see how far the corridors went, and while that’s a solid enough idea...she was at the back of the group. Well, at least the charm couldn’t have been awfully strong.
@Jeremi​

It didn't take them long to return to where Gentiana had left them the huge ice wall still blocking the path. "Great, how are we supposed to get through here?" Skeletor replied, annoyed at their current predicament.

"Allow me." Hecate called upon the fire in her incantations and used the head that was emitting from her hands to melt the ice for the group to pass through.

On the other side they were met by a cold breeze as the entire corridor was filled with ice and snow. The N'Garai that were there had all been frozen stiff like cold statues. In the center of the all stood Gentiana, with the serene smile still on her face and her eyes closed. "I see that you passed your mission. Come, I believe we're supposed to go outside."

Soon enough they found themselves outside under the crimson sky as well as the vast dark and emptiness. "What is this place?" Harry asked looking out at the horizon.

"A dead world," Funny responded. "We are the only things here worth anything. Everything else is just...darkness."


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Cipher pondered for a moment as she followed the group. Watching Hecate to use her incantations to melt the ice blocking their way.

They continued out of the school grounds into wherever this was. The black sand shifted under their feet as they traveled through the dead zone. The group sensed that the N'Garai was all around them shifting through the area, but for some reason they weren't attacking.

This particular part vexed Skeletor something fierce. "Why aren't those demons attacking us! They were like rabid animals not too long ago!"

"Much like with other animals," Gentiana responded. "Some times you have to form a rapport to show that resistance is not worth it."

Skeletor was about to question her but at the same time he wasn't really interested, their journey continuing on with relative silence. Soon among the sands they could see a structure in front of them. Getting closer the group found it to be a huge stone throne with a creature sitting on it.

"I see you have finally arrived." The monster on the throne bellowed, it's voice echoing inside the groups very minds as it spoke. "Must you continue to vex me so, or will you allow me to return to our former arrangement."

Hecate was the first one to step up to confront it. "So it was you...Dweller in Darkness."

"Who? What?" Harry managed to blurt out as he looked on with fear and amazement at the creature in front of them.

"He is a Fear Lord, I believe his title says everything that needs to be said. He gains power from others fears."

"I would think someone as you, appreciated what I had accomplished here." Dweller in Darkness spoke directly to Hecate.

"Perhaps, if I had not been part in your machinations." Even Hecate, a goddess in her own right didn't seem very keen on the prospect of trying to attack this creature, at least not yet.

The Dweller in Darkness meanwhile continued addressing the group, not giving any indications of attacking. "You are all here through pure happenstance. Even you, Hecate, I did not seek out. Umbridge's madness did that, only the child, his compatriots and the old hag were tasked to be dragged with her. Now the illusion has been broken and you are free to escape. Or are you?" Dweller in Darkness seemed to chuckle before he continued. "Stranded and weakened inside a dimension I have full control over. Do you believe you have what it takes to escape me?"​

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Cipher Nine looked at the creature with a neutral expression. Like Natheniel, Cipher Nine was not afraid for the creature. She actually wanted to just extract the information she needed to return him and then dispose of it.

 

[Ver]

"A... fear lord?" Diana murmured in disbelief, taken aback by the sight of the monster that Hecate referred to as the Dweller in Darkness. While the young witch had seen her plenty fair share of strange creatures and monsters back home, this was certainly... the strangest. Diana never gave much thought to concepts like good and evil, but the demonic entity that stood before her and others... It threatened to shake her to her core, the young girl fighting against her body's urges to shiver in fear.

A pool of discombobulated thoughts swam around in Diana's head, as she thought over what to say, if she should even say anything at all. What could she say to such an imposing figure? Of course, if he was powered by fear as Hecate said, then she'd have to muster all the courage she had to step over it.

Chariot... Please guide me.

Swallowing hard, as if to swallow down all of her fears and doubts, the girl braved to speak.

"It... is as he says," Diana began, gesturing toward Nathaniel in agreement, "If what Hecate said is true, that you feed off fear, then we would have nothing to offer you if there was no fear to be found. My fear belongs only to me, and I won't let you take advantage of it, no matter what! One way or another... We will escape this cursed place, even if we have to break through this cycle again and again."

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