Exploring The Unknown

January 10, 1993, 5:00 PM, Room of Requirement

Adam Clarke

The Room of Requirement was transformed into the perfect dueling arena, its walls lined with towering shelves of spellbooks and ancient tapestries depicting legendary wizards locked in combat.

To one side, there was a small study area, complete with plush armchairs and a crackling fireplace. Even more bookshelves stretched from floor to ceiling, laden with volumes on advanced magical theory and dueling techniques. It was the perfect sanctuary for Hermione to watch us from.

It was a shame she was bored, though.

I couldn’t blame her— Harry and I had been at it for the better part of an hour with no results.

It’s getting about that time, I should— 

Before I could fully realize that thought, a red flash of light erupted from the left, scattering sparks in every direction and momentarily distracting me. With a sharp intake of air, I refocused my attention on Harry, ready to meet his next attack head-on.

Deflecting the spell right back at the boy, I watched as he dodged it out of instinct alone.

As Harry continued his assault, I found myself once again impressed by his determination. Despite my ability to dodge or deflect each spell he hurled my way, there was a certain finesse to his movements that couldn’t be ignored.

He was faster, more focused than I’d ever seen him before, and it was clear that he had been honing his abilities since the last time we fought.

He’s making astounding progress, considering the time elapsed.

Harry was growing more confident, his spellwork becoming increasingly precise and unpredictable. His footwork, likewise, was progressing at a rapid pace.

In terms of sheer speed, he was quite a bit faster than I was. It was a far cry from the clumsy attempts of the boy from the year before. There was a fire in his eyes now, a determination to prove himself in the heat of battle.

Still, this wasn’t enough.

The memory of Harry’s form flickering with electricity filled my mind. He needed a challenge, something to push him beyond his limits and unlock the mysterious power he had glimpsed during our previous encounter. With a resolute expression, I launched into my own assault, unleashing a barrage of spells with more ferocity than he was used to.

Harry’s defenses were tested as he scrambled to deflect my onslaught, his movements growing more frantic with each passing moment. It was clear that he was being pushed, the strain evident in the furrow of his brow and the grit of his teeth. But still, he fought on, determined to rise to the challenge I had set before him.

It was a challenge he was not going to win, unless he used whatever dormant ability he possessed, however.

I could sense Harry’s frustration mounting, his desire to tap into that elusive power driving him forward even as exhaustion threatened to overwhelm him.

Guess this round’s a dud, too. I thought, deciding to end things.

A wave of my wand, and my spells were in place. I sidestepped a jet of orange, waited a moment for Harry to commit to an attack before activating them.

Harry flinched, his attention suddenly drawn away to the hot sparks dancing around him, freezing him in place for a moment.

I seized the opportunity to strike. With a swift motion, I sent a Stunner hurtling towards him, aiming to incapacitate him altogether.

For a fleeting moment, it seemed as though my plan had succeeded.

Better luck next time—

In an instant, Harry’s form blurred with a bluish-white flash of light as he deftly evaded the Stunner, his movements completely hidden by the glowing white shadows covering him.

A split second later, he reappeared a foot to the right of his initial position. He raised his wand, but in his haste to counterattack, he overcommitted to the movement, his balance faltering as he tumbled backward, landing unceremoniously on his bottom with a soft thud.

I couldn’t help but grin, walking over to him and training my wand on his prone form.

“Almost.”

Harry’s eyes darted wildly, as if he didn’t know where he was.

I lowered my wand, concern spreading over my face as I watched Harry scramble to his feet.

“Are you alright, Harry?” I asked, stepping closer to him.

He blinked, his expression momentarily clouded with confusion as he shook his head slightly.

“Yeah, I’m… I’m fine.” He murmured, his voice tinged with uncertainty. “I’m a little dizzy.”

I reached out a hand to steady him, noting the lingering traces of fatigue in his eyes.

“You did take quite a tumble there.” I remarked, offering him a reassuring smile. “Maybe we should call it a day. You’ve been pushing yourself pretty hard.”

Harry nodded slowly, rubbing the back of his neck as he glanced around the room. “Yeah, that might be a good idea.”

We made our way towards the study table where Hermione sat, and I handed Harry a canteen of water.

Minutes passed before Harry’s voice broke the silence, filled with a mixture of awe and uncertainty. “I think I tapped into it this time.”

Hermione’s brow furrowed as she studied Harry. “I saw.”

“Yes.” I confirmed as well. “You did. I saw it too.”

Harry hesitated for a moment before responding, his gaze distant as if lost in thought.

“That power… it’s definitely the one I felt before.” He said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I could feel it.”

Hermione’s eyes widened with interest. Her voice became tinged with excitement as she leaned forward. “Well… What did it feel like?”

“Like…” Harry said, not looking too sure of himself. “It was as if there was a surge of energy coursing through my veins.”

Harry stopped and hesitated again; he didn’t seem satisfied with his explanation, and so began searching for the right words once again.

“It was like… like a flash of light surrounding me.” He said, his voice growing more animated as his thoughts cleared somewhat. “I felt faster, stronger… like I could do anything. The power of it…”

As Harry recounted his experience, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe wash over me. Whatever power he had tapped into, it was unlike anything I had ever heard of before.

“Seemed like it was too much for you to handle, though.”

“Yeah.” Harry said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. “I couldn’t focus, it was too fast for me to cope with.”

“I can imagine.” I said. “The sheer speed differential… We’re going to need to get you used to it.”

“Great… More training.” Harry groused, but I could sense the excitement behind his voice.

“Well, we still need to get you to use the power, first.” I said. “I mean with active control, not when you’re being overwhelmed.”

“True…”

“Don’t be so glum.” I said, patting the boy on the shoulder. “Moving like the lightning— that’s awesome stuff, you know.”

A thoughtful expression crossed Hermione’s face.

“Like a streak of lightning.” She murmured for a few moments, like she was quoting something.

Suddenly she moved towards the bookshelves, scanning them for a moment before staring up at the ceiling in concentration. The books on dueling vanished from the shelves, replaced by much thicker tomes. I tried to get a good look at their titles, but Hermione’s movements kept obscuring the books’ spines before I could get a good look.

“What’s she looking at, d’you reckon?” I asked.

“Um…” Harry said. “History books, I think.”

“I’ve been scouring through the library’s selection of books.” Hermione said, having heard us. “And I think I might have come across something similar before.”

Harry and I exchanged excited glances, eager to learn more about the mysterious power that had eluded us for so long.

“And it’s in those books?” I asked, unable to contain my curiosity.

“I’m fairly sure…” She said, and continued checking through the titles. After a few moments of careful consideration, she reached out and selected a book. She quickly paged through it before shaking her head and putting it back.

She did this twice more before she found the one she was looking for.

“Got it!”

With a determined expression, Hermione slammed the book onto the table, causing me to grimace.

“Sorry.” She muttered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

“Sometimes I think you do that on purpose.”

“No no…” She said, waving off my words. “I just… I think this might be it.”

Accepting her subject change, I gave the book a look; its spine was worn with age and its pages yellowed with time.

As Hermione gently flipped through the fraying pages of the ancient book, her brow furrowed in concentration as she scanned the text for the passage she sought.

She stopped at a page with an illustration depicting the scene of an ancient battle between wizards, goblins, centaurs, giants, and other magical creatures.

Caught up in the grandeur of the depictions, I couldn’t help but wonder how epic such a battle must have been, with magic of all sorts flying in the air and warriors from every corner of a more primordial world locked in a struggle for supremacy.

It reminded me of the battle I had with Voldemort in my mind.

But before I could dwell on the thought any longer, Hermione’s voice broke through my reverie.

“Here it is.” She exclaimed, her finger tracing the lines of text on the weathered page. “I think this is it…”

I leaned over and began to read:

“In the annals of history, there exists a tale shrouded in mystery and legend, a battle fought between unknown factions on a field stained with blood and magic. The details of the conflict are scarce, lost to the passage of time, but what remains is a testament to the power wielded by those who fought on the side of the wizards.

It is said that on that fateful day, as the clash of swords and the roar of spells echoed across the battlefield, one fighter emerged as a beacon of power and prowess. Their movements were as swift as a lightning flash, their strikes precise and devastating. With each swing of their wand, they unleashed torrents of magic that laid waste to their enemies with unparalleled ferocity.

Though the identity of this enigmatic warrior remains unknown, their deeds have been immortalized. They were the catalyst that tipped the scales in favor of the wizards, ensuring victory against all odds. And while the specifics of their abilities may be lost to time, the legacy of their incredible power lives on, a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who dare to defy the darkness.”

“It sounds familiar.” Harry murmured.

“Right?” I said. “This ancient battle, maybe this is the key.”

Harry shook his head, his expression troubled as he struggled to find the right words. “I don’t know. It seems that way… I have no idea.”

Hermione furrowed her brow, her mind racing with possibilities. “It doesn’t help that there’s little to no information on this power.”

“Little to nothing to work with beyond the passage saying the warrior moved fast as lightning.” I said in agreement. “Still, this is more than we had before.”

I mentally reached out to Alef Ard, hoping for some clarity on the matter. I felt a pang of disappointment when the little spirit buzzed twice, indicating that he couldn’t provide any more information.

Frowning slightly, I considered my options. I recalled a previous inquiry I had made to the spirit of Hogwarts, which had resulted in a false negative response. Perhaps Alef Ard knew more than he could tell me outright.

Can you tell me if you know more about this, even if you can’t say? I asked silently, my thoughts directed towards the young, and yet ancient spirit.

Alef Ard buzzed once, confirming my suspicion.

Feeling the torrent of frustration and sadness emanating from him, I reached out to the spirit, my thoughts filled with empathy and understanding.

It’s okay, Alef. I thought, my mental voice gentle and reassuring. You’ve done more than enough already. I can take it from here.

As my soothing words washed over him, Alef’s agitation began to subside, replaced by a sense of calm and reassurance.

Good! We may yet find a way. I thought. While Alef couldn’t provide direct answers, we could still stumble onto knowledge with his help, which could prove invaluable in unraveling the mystery of Harry’s powers.

With renewed determination, I resolved to delve deeper into the enigma of the…

“Huh.” I said. “We need to give this thing a name.”

“What?” Harry and Hermione looked at me, and then at each other. Harry shrugged, and Hermione reciprocated before they both gave me a flat look.

“…What?” I said, feeling defensive all of a sudden. “It would make it so much cooler.”

Harry’s lips quirked in amusement. “Of course you would say something like that.”

“You didn’t disagree.”

“No.” Harry said, the idea now growing on him. “No, I did not.”

“Boys.” Hermione rolled her eyes, but we only grinned in response. Before we could start coming up with names, however, she raised her hand. “Maybe you should delay that… important activity for now, at least until we can find more information.”

“Oh, fine.” I said, huffing as I leaned back on the couch. “Ruin my fun, won’t you.”

A chuckle came from the girl, and then companionable silence.

“You’re right, though. We need more information.” I said, finally breaking it and offering the two a nod. “We’ll just have to take things one step at a time— and we’ve spent quite a bit of that today.”

“Yeah.” Harry said, his tone light as a smile played at the corner of his lips. “I could do with some dinner.”

“Should we head to the kitchens?” Hermione said, looking at me with some concern, but I brushed it off.

The students’ gazes no longer bothered me, and I dared Blackthorn to try something again.

“It’s fine. Let’s go.” I said, smiling a little. “Bangers and mash, here I come!”

Things were starting to shape up again.

oooo

Around the same time…

Absol the Thestral

In the late evening, the Forbidden Forest exuded an aura of mystery and danger. The skeletal branches of ancient trees reached toward the darkening sky, their twisted forms silhouetted against the fading light. Shafts of orange-red sunlight pierced through the dense canopy, casting shadows on the forest floor below.

The air was clean, cold and crisp, with winter still capturing the forest in its icy grip. Strange noises echoed through the area, the haunting calls of nocturnal creatures mingling with the rustle of unseen movements in the underbrush.

Absol, sleek and dangerous— and don’t you forget it— prowled through the quiet wilderness with a hunter’s grace. Her milky white eyes gleamed with intensity as she moved stealthily through the brush, her senses attuned to the faintest rustle or disturbance in the icy air.

With each careful step, Absol sought out her prey, her keen instincts leading her deeper into the wintry depths of the forest. Her ears swiveled, trying to catch the faintest hint of movement in the stillness, and she crouched low, her muscles coiled and ready to strike.

Despite her keen instincts and acute senses, the forest remained eerily still, with no sign of any animals stirring in the wintry landscape.

She relaxed her stance and resumed her search. With each passing moment, Absol’s frustration grew, her milky white eyes scanning the snow-covered ground for any trace of movement.

No tracks, nothing to go off on; the forest remained stubbornly silent, its inhabitants seemingly hidden from view as if cloaked by the icy grip of winter.

Undeterred, Absol pressed on, her determination unwavering as she continued to prowl through the snowy wilderness. She knew that patience was key in the art of hunting, and she was willing to wait as long as it took to catch her elusive prey.

For in the heart of the Forbidden Forest, where monsters and danger lurked in every shadow, only those with strength and cunning would survive.

Absol had plenty of both.

There was something quite odd, though.

She didn’t know why, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched. At the outer edge of her detection, subtle signs of activity flickered, teasing her senses with their elusive presence. It wasn’t the first time she had sensed such movements, but she dismissed them as mere tricks of the light or the odd sounds the forest made at times.

After all, she was not the only predator roaming these lands.

The Forbidden Forest was teeming with life, from the smallest creatures to the most formidable beasts, each vying for survival in the unforgiving wilderness. Still, Absol knew better than to let her guard down, her instincts sharp as she continued to prowl through the wintry landscape.

With each careful step, Absol remained vigilant, her senses attuned to the slightest shift in the air.

For now, Absol would bide her time, trusting in her instincts to lead her to her quarry.

A small, dark form caught her keen eyes in the distance.

Finally, some prey?

It was obscured by the dense brush, and so she waited patiently, her anticipation building with each passing moment. She watched intently, her breath coming out in soft puffs of mist in the cold winter air. With a sense of calculated patience, she began to approach, each movement slow, silent and deliberate as she closed the gap between herself and her prey.

The gray hare emerged from its hiding place, its ears twitching nervously as it sniffed the air for any signs of danger. Absol remained motionless, her sleek, light silver form blending with the snow, as well as the shadows cast by the trees.

She could feel the anticipation building within her, a primal instinct urging her forward.

As she drew closer, Absol could hear the faint rustle of the hare’s movements, the sound echoing through her mind like a drumbeat. Her senses were heightened, every nerve in her body tingling with anticipation for the hunt that was about to unfold.

With each careful step, Absol calculated her approach, her predatory instincts guiding her movements. She could feel the tension in the air, the moment of the attack drawing near like the crescendo of a symphony.

As Absol poised to lunge at her quarry, her mind on high alert, she suddenly hesitated. A nagging feeling, like a whisper in the back of her mind, gave her pause. It was a sensation she couldn’t quite shake; something was not quite right, here.

Her keen eyes narrowed as she studied the hare once more, her analytical side coming to the forefront. It was a voice she had grown accustomed to over the past year, one which sounded suspiciously like Adam’s, urging her to pause and consider her next move.

Absol remained motionless, her predatory instincts warring with her burgeoning analytical side. She couldn’t shake her suspicions off, that there was more to this situation than met the eye. With a sense of caution, she allowed herself to step back, reassessing the situation with a far cooler mind.

As she studied the hare with a newfound clarity, Absol ignored the pang her stomach gave. The feeling of something being wrong here intensified twofold, now that she allowed herself to think.

Just what was it about this hare that didn’t seem right?

A moment later, realization came. Hares in the winter adapted by shifting their fur’s color to white, blending seamlessly with the snow to evade predators like herself. 

She’d killed quite a few of them over the cycles, and yet this particular hare was decidedly gray, a stark contrast to its natural defense mechanism.

Her intelligence sharpened by her time with Adam, Absol understood the significance of this anomaly. The hare’s gray fur meant only one thing; it had been bred in captivity, far from the dangers of the wild. In other words—

Someone put that there. A trap!

Before she could fully process this revelation, a sudden movement caught her attention. Without conscious thought, Absol instinctively lunged to the left, her muscles coiling with explosive power.

In the same instant, a jet of red light whizzed past her initial position, narrowly missing its mark. The forest echoed with the crackling energy of the spell as it struck a nearby tree, sending splinters of wood flying through the air.

Absol landed gracefully on the snowy ground, her heart racing with adrenaline. Her instincts had saved her from certain danger, reacting with lightning-fast reflexes to the threat that had materialized in an instant.

With her senses heightened and her instincts firing on all cylinders, Absol prepared herself for the fight.

Her heart sank, however, as she spotted two men emerging from the shadows, their intent clear. Poachers, she realized with a surge of anger. She’d never fought one, but she remembered the old stories her mother had shared with her. The hare had been their bait, and she had almost fallen for the trap.

Before she could react, the poachers began to hurl spells in her direction, their voices filled with curses and threats. Absol’s instincts screamed at her to flee, and with a powerful leap, she bolted away from the danger, her wings spreading wide as she attempted to take flight.

She put some distance between them, but it wasn’t enough. A spell grazed her wing, searing pain shooting through her body as it tore a hole through the delicate membrane.

With a strangled cry, Absol spiraled downward, her movements clumsy and erratic as she plummeted toward the forest floor.

The ground rushed up to meet her with alarming speed, and Absol braced herself for impact. With a sickening thud, she crashed into the snow-covered ground, pain exploding through every fiber of her being.

As she lay there, dazed and disoriented, Absol knew that she was in grave danger. The poachers were closing in. Summoning every ounce of strength and determination she possessed, Absol struggled to her feet, her eyes blazing with defiance.

She wouldn’t let them capture her.

As Absol fought through the searing pain radiating from her injured wing, her newfound intelligence asserted itself, weaving a plan in her mind even amidst the chaos. Ignoring the agony coursing through her, she gritted her teeth and forced herself to run, her muscles burning with exertion as she fled from the poachers.

Amidst the thud of her footfalls in the snow, Absol heard the cruel laughter of the poachers echoing behind her. One of them shouted out, taunting her with the assertion that she wouldn’t get far. And they were right; she could feel the warmth of her blood trickling down her wing, evidence of the damage wrought by their spell.

Eventually, she would grow too weak to either run or fight.

In that moment, a wave of reassurance washed over her as she sensed Adam’s presence, his empathetic connection to her distress palpable even from a distance. Despite the temptation to change course and seek refuge with him, Absol knew that it was not an option. Turning back now would only lead her straight into the clutches of her attackers.

With a determined flick of her tail, Absol pushed aside her doubts and fears, focusing instead on the task at hand. She knew that she had to stay ahead of them, just long enough for her plan to work.

As Absol galloped through the forest, her breath coming in ragged gasps, fear threatened to overwhelm her. The pain from her injured wing was a constant reminder of the danger she faced, but she refused to let it slow her down. With each stride, her determination grew stronger, fueled by the burning anger that simmered beneath the surface.

They would pay for what they had done to her, she vowed silently. The poachers had underestimated her, but they would soon learn that she was not to be trifled with.

As she thundered through the snowy undergrowth, Absol channeled her anger, allowing it to fuel her forward with renewed purpose. The forest blurred past her in a blur of motion, her senses sharp and alert for any sign of danger.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Absol reached her destination— a familiar clearing that she knew would provide temporary respite from the relentless pursuit, as well as a dependable friend. But as she skidded to a halt, her heart sank. There was no one there.

Panic threatened to claw its way to the surface as Absol realized that she was alone, her only hope of rescue dashed in an instant, but she refused to give in to despair.

With every ounce of strength she possessed, she forced herself to remain calm, her mind racing as she considered her next move.

It was just as Adam always liked to say. No more running.

Absol squared her front shoulders, her gaze fixed on the direction from which she had come. She refused to let the poachers take her without a fight, her determination burning like a flame within her chest.

As the two wizards emerged from the treeline, their faces twisted into greedy smirks, Absol’s resolve hardened. She watched them carefully, her senses on high alert as they began to flank her, their movements calculated and deliberate.

One of them boasted loudly, his voice filled with glee.

“Nowhere to run, now!”

Absol remained silent, her eyes narrowed in defiance as she braced herself for the confrontation that was about to unfold.

With each step they took, the poachers closed in on her, their intentions clear. But Absol refused to back down, her spirit unbroken despite the odds stacked against her.

As she prepared to lunge at one of the poachers, her legs suddenly became ensnared by rope, causing her to stumble and fall to the ground. Agony shot through her body as she landed on her injured wing, and she couldn’t suppress a cry of pain.

But the poachers paid her suffering no mind, their callous indifference evident as they approached her without a care in the world.

“What an easy payday.” Their voices carried on the icy breeze as the first spoke. “Blackthorn will be pleased, no doubt.”

“The parts we’ll get from this one will fetch quite a good price, too.” The other said, giving her a predatory grin.

As they drew closer, one of the poachers cast a spell, muzzling Absol and rendering her unable to snap through the rope that bound her legs together. She struggled against her restraints, her muscles straining with the effort, but to no avail.

The poachers laughed cruelly at her futile attempts to break free, their faces twisted with malicious amusement at the sight of her helplessness. Absol refused to surrender to despair. With every ounce of strength she possessed, she fought against the bonds that held her captive, her eyes burning with defiance even as her heart filled with dread.

Before long, however, they grew bored of her attempts.

“Let’s just Stun it and take it with us.” One said and raised his wand to cast a stunning spell at Absol.

He suddenly froze, however, his eyes widening in shock as he stared upwards. The shock quickly turned to terror.

He opened his mouth to speak, but it was too late for him. A shadow fell over him, and before he could even utter a word, its sizeable form crashed into him with devastating force.

It was Astrid, Absol’s friend, who had finally arrived.

Astrid pinned the poacher to the ground, her eyes blazing with fury as she loomed over him. Her interest in him didn’t last for long, as she realized he was unconscious.

The other poacher, now panicked, hurled spells in Astrid’s direction, his fear giving way to desperation as he realized he did no damage and subsequently attempted to flee.

Unfortunately for him, Astrid gave relentless chase, fast and agile despite her lumbering form.

Absol’s heart swelled with gratitude for her friend’s timely intervention. Despite the danger still surrounding her, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief knowing that Astrid was by her side.

There was no time to waste, though. A window of opportunity was given to her, and she wasn’t going to waste it. Absol redoubled her efforts to break free from her restraints, her muscles straining with exertion as she fought against the ropes that bound her legs together.

The first poacher slowly stirred himself out of his daze, and panic threatened to consume her once again. The thought of being captured and helpless once more sent shivers down her spine, but she forced herself to remain calm, her mind racing to solve her current dilemma.

With a deep breath, Absol focused on the task at hand. All she needed to do was free herself from her restraints, and then she could deal with the poacher. Ignoring the pain shooting through her injured wing, she crawled forward, her determination overriding the agony coursing through her.

Reaching a jutting bit of rock nearby, Absol pressed her beak against it, using the rough surface to saw through the rope that bound her legs together. With each swipe, the fibers gave way, until finally, the rope snapped, setting her beak free.

But Absol didn’t stop there. With single-minded determination, she snapped the rope binding her front legs, freeing herself from her restraints. She didn’t have the time to do the same for her hind legs, so this would have to do. With that done, she slowly dragged herself towards the poacher, her eyes burning with determination.

As Absol approached the poacher, she could see the fear in his eyes as he realized the danger he was in. With a desperate scramble, he reached for his wand, his fingers closing around it just as Absol reached him.

With a swift motion, she drove her hoof into the man’s head, punching through his skull and crushing his brain. In an instant, he slumped to the ground, his body jerky for a few moments before going limp.

Absol stood like that for a while, her baleful gaze lingering on his unconscious form. With a sense of satisfaction, she extracted her hoof, shook off the blood and brain matter before turning away from the poacher, leaving him lying dead in the snow.

As Absol caught her breath, a few moments passed before Astrid reappeared in the clearing, her massive form towering over the scene. Absol’s heart swelled with relief at the sight of her friend, her maw stained red with blood— a telltale sign that the other threat had been dealt with.

With a sense of gratitude washing over her, Absol finally allowed herself to sag a little, the tension draining from her weary muscles. She watched as Astrid approached, her movements surprisingly gentle as she reached out with a claw to free Absol’s legs from their restraints.

Absol let out a soft sigh of relief as the ropes fell away, her limbs feeling strangely light now that they were no longer bound. With Astrid by her side, she felt safe and protected, her friend’s presence a comforting reminder that she was not alone in this vast and dangerous forest.

Astrid rumbled in concern, but Absol returned the gesture by sending her friend her gratitude, her thoughts swirling with appreciation for her friend’s unwavering support. 

A moment later, Astrid glanced down at the dead poacher, as if seeking permission.

However, Absol gave a firm shake of her head. People needed to know what had happened here, and she refused to let this crime go unpunished.

The name Blackthorn repeated itself in her mind once again. That stupid boy from before was behind this, again, wasn’t he? Wasn’t it enough that he gave them trouble last month?

Exhaustion began to nip at the edges of her mind, but Absol fought to keep her focus clear.

She needed to hold on until Adam got there. And so, she waited patiently, the minutes ticking by slowly as she strained to maintain her composure. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she heard the sound of someone approaching through the trees.

Adam, Harry, and even the Big Man emerged from the treeline, freezing for an instant as they beheld the sight of the corpse behind her.

“Blimey!” The Big Man’s voice boomed as he rushed over, with the two boys right on his heels.

“Absol!” Adam cried out in alarm as he reached her side, his expression filled with concern as he checked over her injuries.

Absol met his gaze with a reassuring nod, her thoughts projecting to him two words.

~Poacher. Blackthorn.~ She managed to force out before the overwhelming weariness finally overtook her.

With a soft sigh, Absol allowed herself to succumb to the sweet embrace of unconsciousness, her body slumping against the forest floor as she drifted into the realm of dreams.

“Absol!”

It had been quite the adventure, she thought drowsily, even as darkness closed in around her.