Echoes of the Golden Manor Part 3

Chapter 8

As Orion re-entered the manor, a chilling screech echoed through the halls, causing everyone inside to flinch and look around in panic. The sound was unnervingly familiar, a cruel reminder that the darkness was not yet vanquished. Orion's heart raced as he turned sharply toward the window, where he saw a physical being—an ominous shadowy figure—looming outside, its presence radiating malevolence.

Without hesitation, Orion’s instincts took over. His wand was already in his hand, and he began to cast a series of complex spells. The air around him crackled with power as he summoned ancient protective enchantments, fortifying the manor’s defenses.

"Lock down mode!" Orion barked, his voice commanding. Magic surged through the manor, wrapping every room, corridor, and entrance in a protective barrier. The walls shimmered with a faint, ethereal light as runes and wards activated, sealing the manor off from any external threats.

The shadowy figure outside seemed to writhe in frustration as the magical barriers solidified. Orion's magic continued to pulse through the house, reinforcing the locks and adding layers of defense. The manor’s windows glowed with a soft, blue light, the energy of the wards keeping the darkness at bay.

Inside, the family members gathered, their faces pale with fear. Walburga, Sirius, Regulus, and their families huddled together, their eyes wide as they watched Orion’s determined efforts.

Orion, his face etched with strain, maintained his focus on the window. The dark entity outside screeched again, the sound reverberating through the manor's walls. His hands shook slightly as he worked, but his resolve remained unshaken. The barriers held strong, though the screeching continued in an eerie, unsettling manner.

"I need you all to stay calm and stay away from the windows," Orion instructed, his voice steady despite the pressure. "We’ve faced this before, and we will get through it. The manor is secure, but we need to be vigilant."

As he continued to reinforce the wards, Orion could feel the strain on his magic. The figure outside was powerful, but he had faced such darkness before. He clenched his teeth, pushing his energy further into the protective enchantments. The dark entity’s form seemed to waver as if struggling against the magical barriers.

The manor’s defenses remained unbreached, but Orion knew that this was only a temporary respite. He would need to find a permanent solution to this threat. For now, he focused on maintaining the lock down, ensuring that his family was safe and secure.

As the hours passed and the screeching outside slowly diminished, Orion’s shoulders sagged with exhaustion. He had managed to protect his home for now, but the battle against the darkness was far from over.