A Troubled Time / Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 33

The fighting that once echoed throughout the room was nothing more than background noise as they progressed forward. Two large statues stood next to the door. They looked exactly like the guardians from each trial she took.

The two guards rose to their feet, slowly approaching them, the swords in their hands ready to strike in a moment.

"The wand! Quickly!" Professor Fig shouted, breaking her gaze from the large stone statues approaching. Lucy pulled out the wand she had gotten from Ollivanders just a few hours ago. It held a weird swirl, glowing brightly as she approached them. It reminded her of the ancient magic she honed and was still slowly learning to control.

The two stone knights came to a halt, turning their swords and burying it deep into the ground before going idle. The force from the ground sent a burst of magic towards the door behind them slowly opening.

Lucy and Professor Fig slowly walked towards the door. Even from a distance, they could see the large sphere that swirled before them. Lucy felt a sigh of relief escape her, the sphere before her matched the ones she saw in the Keepers' memories.

"We made it." Professor Fig held a smile on his face as they entered the room, "I'm relieved we got here before Ranrok.

A long, narrow bridge separated them from the repository. Though Ranrok wasn't there, they attempted to rush across. "I can't believe this is it. The repository has been under the castle for hundreds of years." The orb before her was scary yet beautiful at the same time.

"Think of all the pain that created." Professor Fig stared at the large sphere before him. He was captured for a moment before he turned his gaze to Lucy, "This is what Miriam, George, your friend Lodgok, and countless others died for. Miriam believed this forgotten magic could be used for such good. But, she didn't know the risks. Lucy, I must know. You are now the keeper of this power. What do you intend to do with it?"

Lucy swallowed softly, turning her attention from Fig and onto the large, powerful orb before her. It was tempting, but the idea that some students and people became nothing more than miserable bodies made her feel some type of way.

"I can't take this power. It isn't mine to take. If I do, I'm no different than the ones trying to steal it in the first place." Lucy looked back at Fig, "I will keep the repository as is."

Professor Fig let a soft smile form on his face "I'm pleased to hear that. I've been thinking..."

"Professor?" Lucy looked at him rather confused, "What is it?" She watched as he dug around in his pocket, seeming as if he was looking for something.

"Ugh. The arrogance of wizardkind." A voice spoke, forcing them to spin around. Ranrok slowly approached, "Goblins built this repository. It belongs to us." He looked around the large area, eyes meeting the sphere that sat behind them.

"Enough, Ranrok. It was never yours." Lucy pulled her wand out, pointing it at him.

A smirk formed on Ranrok's face as his hand went behind his back, "I've been waiting to play with this," Ranrok pulled out a white wand. It was long and had a small opening with wood spun around. It looked as if a jewel belonged in the empty space.

Professor Fig's eyes widened as he took a step forward. Sadness consumed his facial features as he saw the wand, "Miriam's wand."

Lucy's heart sank, realizing what Ranrok must have done to get that wand. She couldn't imagine the pain Professor Fig was going through of not knowing how she died for so long, only to find out now.

"If she simply handed over the container..." Ranrok held the wand up, looking at it for a brief second before turning back towards them, "All of this could have been avoided." A hardened glare formed on his face, "Foolish, self-important witch." He spoke with such malice in his voice.