"I have been very cautious, but I don't know when it started, as if everyone knows who 'Gold Viper' really is--"
Amosata smiled self-mockingly.
"We paid a heavy price to find you."
Veetia's tone carried a heavy sense of apology, as if she wanted to apologize for approaching Amostar in this way. However, Amostar did not give her the chance to speak. He turned around and left directly, taking steady steps towards the stairs. It was not until his figure completely disappeared that a faint voice emerged from the dark entrance,
"Let's change locations, Lady Kleiona. I'd rather not fight someone here, especially not with someone as powerful as you."
............
The two walked away from the city lights, heading east towards the outskirts and the wilderness. Veetia followed behind Amostar Bren, and as they crossed a bridge over a small river, she noticed that Amostar's step stumbled slightly. He involuntarily glanced at the slow-moving river, but quickly composed himself and continued to walk with determined steps forward.
The two people walked in silence for a long time until the road leading outside the city became crooked and wild paths. Amostar finally stopped and pulled out his wand, waving it wildly. The powerful expel curse caused the animals hiding in the shadows to flee in panic, knowing that they might be in trouble.
"Please, explain yourself, Lady Kleiona--"
As a dazzling burst of flame swept over Amostar, the short-sleeve T-shirt and jeans he was wearing vanished, replaced by a slightly worn-out dark green wizard's robe.
The dreary mood was reflected in his face, as he gave a lazy, yawning smile.
"How did you figure out that 'Gold Viper' is Amostar Bren? I assume the heavy price you mentioned would not just be a pile of gold Galleons?"
"It was through bird divination, Mr. Bren."
In the wilderness, hanging in the night sky were billions of stars and the moon, the sole source of light. Veetya, who seemed to emit a "natural aura," seemed to blend in with her surroundings.
"Astrology?" Amostar looked baffled,
"I remember casting some protective spells on myself. They were meant to prevent me from being tracked or cursed in some mysterious way. Miss Kleiona, you're lying."
"Divination and sacrifice--"
Veetia's once calm expression transformed into a look of weariness and sorrow, as her gaze drooped.
"You are a powerful wizard, Mr. Bren. In order to uncover the true identity of 'Gold Viper,' a respected elder has sacrificed his life."
"That truly touches one's heart."
Amostar scoffed, his eyes filled with malevolence,
"Why, Miss Kleiona, if I'm not mistaken, I should not have any enmity with the Druid order to the extent that the noble 'High Priest' named after 'Kleiona' would go to such lengths to approach me?"
"We need your help, Mr. Bren."
Veetia raised her head, her eyes, as clear as emerald starlight, met Amostar's gaze. Despite the chill that surrounded him, she spoke in a sincere voice.
"Since you have heard of us, you must know our grievances with the church, Mr. Bren. For many centuries, we have wandered through various countries in Europe and America, hoping to find a pure land where we can settle. But those priests who commit crimes in the name of faith have never ceased their persecution of us--"
"What does that have to do with me?"
Amostar continued to scoff coldly,
"Are you implying that you want me to lead you into the Vatican and kill the Pope?"
"If that's the case, I happen to know someone who could be of great help. Albus Dumbledore, the head of Hogwarts School of Magic, is a man even more skilled than me. He holds a higher position and has a kind heart. Perhaps he would be willing to help you in your difficult situation."
Veetia obviously wouldn't take Amostar's mocking words seriously. With her heavy historical responsibilities and a calm heart, she wouldn't easily be swayed.
"We do not want our fierce ideological conflict with the church to involve any innocent people, Mr. Bren. For multiple centuries, we have been protecting our beliefs with our own strength, even if it's by sheer determination. We never thought of relying on wizard power... but..."
Amostar had no interest in hearing more of this endless history. He cut Veetia off directly,
"The purpose of your visit and the reason you've sought me out, High Priestess. This is what I want to hear."
"We wish to open Merlin's relic, Mr. Bren. It holds a legendary item that once belonged to the Druids. With its power, perhaps we can find a place of peace to settle."
"Merlin's relic?"
Amostar narrowed his eyes and asked in an uncertain tone,
"Do you mean to open the Black Stone Tower that Merlin built beneath the world of Diagon Alley?"
Before Veetya could respond, Amostar suddenly furrowed his brow, as if he remembered something.
"I've been given some warnings. Someone told me that earlier this year, a new force appeared in the Underworld that has never existed before. They had posted a request to explore magical relics... which never ended up happening. After that, they started to look into my identity--"
"It must have been Mr. Karcus Fli who conveyed that information to you--"
Veetya smiled faintly and said, "We only posted a request in his place, and we have noticed that he seems to be very interested in our origins."
This is a woman who is difficult to deal with--Amostar thought this, both in terms of strength and intelligence.
As the conversation continued, Amostar's anger subsided, but he still had no fondness for the female priestess who resorted to any means to approach him. He was only frustrated with himself for being entangled by someone like this.
"We are not sure what lies within that mysterious black tower in the Underworld, but it is not where Merlin finally rests, Mr. Bren--"
Veetya raised her right hand, and after the pale-blue bracelet on her slender wrist shone brilliantly, it transformed into a staff formed by two intertwined thick grapevines. Amostar could clearly feel the powerful magic and vitality emanating from this bizarre-looking staff.
Veetya raised her staff, drew something in the air with an empty space as a canvas, and after a moment, a pale white scroll unfurled in the air.
The image on the screen, resembling a television monitor, depicted an elderly priestess with eyes and hair identical in color to Veetya's. She was in a primordial forest that Amostar had never seen before. The old priestess stood on an altar made of a grayish substance, holding the staff Veetya was holding aloft.
As the ancient and mysterious chant echoed through the forest, the green fluorescence appeared on the leaves of the sturdy trees surrounding the altar. The earth was filled with black mist, and those faint light and mist seemed to be attracted by something, gathering into a vague figure in front of the old priestess.
The outline of the light became clearer, and a golden snake appeared in the uninhabited ancient forest. The old priestess on the altar suddenly paled, spewing blood from her mouth as she collapsed.
After seeing that strange snake, Amostar's eyes showed comprehension, finally understanding how he had been targeted...
Just to clarify, this story will not involve depicting the Church in any way. It is a HP fanfic that steps outside the usual bounds.
Reading Hall
