Harry Potter: The Last Exodus

The Mystery of the New Cores

Across the wizarding continents, a handful of wizards and witches had started feeling strange—an unusual energy humming under their skin, something powerful but indescribable. Connor Greengrass, cousin to Daphne Greengrass, felt it deeply, as though something within him was awakening, guiding him toward the Core Crystal at the Nexus School of Magic. Meanwhile, Tonya Granger, a distant cousin of Hermione Granger, felt similarly compelled. The sensation grew each day until she, too, found herself making her way to the school, feeling she would finally find answers.

A group of others also arrived, drawn by the same mysterious call. They all lined up quietly outside the Core Crystal room, each glancing around with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Connor and Tonya exchanged nervous looks, sensing something big was about to happen.

"You feel it too, don't you?" Connor asked Tonya, his voice barely above a whisper.

Tonya nodded, her eyes reflecting a mix of anticipation and trepidation. "Yes, like something ancient is calling us."

The line moved forward, and finally, Connor stepped up to the crystal. As his hand touched the surface, the crystal lit up, revealing a deep autumn orange core streaked with sharp black marks that looked almost like claws slashing through the core.

Everyone around gasped, and Connor quickly pulled his hand back, staring at the crystal in disbelief.

"What... what does that mean?" he stammered.

Behind him, Tonya's curiosity overpowered her nervousness, and she took her turn, placing her hand gently on the crystal. It responded immediately, revealing a soft, shimmering pink core scattered with delicate sparkles, like fairy dust floating within.

As murmurs filled the room, an ethereal breeze swept through, and Aurelvra, the Guardian of Winds, appeared before them in her misty, graceful form, flowers drifting in her wake.

"Greetings, young ones," Aurelvra said, her voice like a whisper through ancient leaves. She looked at Connor, then Tonya, her expression filled with a knowing calm. "You two bear rare and powerful cores, connected to realms of myth and legend."

Connor looked up, his voice barely audible. "What... what kind of cores are they?"

Aurelvra extended a graceful hand toward Connor, explaining, "Your core is the Monster Tale Core. It connects you to the legendary beings that once walked through the stories of humanity—Dracula, Frankenstein, the creatures who defied ordinary limits. You will find yourself able to draw power from these ancient tales, embodying elements of strength and mystery from their essence."

Connor's eyes widened in awe and a touch of hesitation. "So, I'll... be like them?"

Aurelvra nodded. "Yes, but with great power comes great responsibility. Use these gifts wisely, Connor."

Then Aurelvra turned to Tonya, her voice softening as she spoke. "And you, Tonya, possess the Fairytale Core. Yours is a magic of wonder and enchantment, woven from the timeless tales of Snow White, Cinderella, and Alice in Wonderland. This core draws power from the fables that hold dreams, transformations, and hope."

Tonya looked as though she might cry from excitement. "So... I have powers like a fairytale?"

Aurelvra smiled warmly. "Indeed. Fairytale magic can be both gentle and fierce, enchanting the world around you and connecting you to the essence of those timeless stories."

In the back of the room, a scribe, diligently recording every word, paused for a moment to look up in awe. Realizing the importance of the Guardian's words, he made sure to carefully write down the names of the two new cores and their meanings.

As the others in the room continued murmuring with astonishment, Aurelvra's form began to fade back into mist. Her final words lingered in the air, "Remember, your gifts are not ordinary. Use them with respect and wisdom, for they are born of stories and legends that shape the very fabric of magic."

Cliffhanger.