The world seemed to hold its breath as Dante stood at the edge of the Black Lake, his silver hair glowing faintly in the eerie light. The ground beneath him pulsed with power, the leylines of magic intertwining with his ancient Horcrux. The defenders of Hogwarts stood frozen, their wands trembling as they listened to his words.
Dante's voice is calm and deliberate. "You all feared the prophecy so much. How did it start again?" He paused, then recited the words that had haunted the wizarding world for years:
"When time's veil shatters and light floods the land,
A seeker ancient shall ascend, unbound by mortal line.
Through ashen skies, his voice shall call,
In his shadow, history ends—darkness consumes all."
Albus Dumbledore stepped forward, his face pale and filled with regret. "Please, stop," he pleaded, his voice breaking. "It was all my fault—attacking you, Luna's fate. All of it."
Dante's expression remained impassive. "It is too late, you made your choice and so did I" he said simply. Then, with a sharp crack, he disapparated, reappearing at the top of Hogwarts next to the ethereal figure of his first Horcrux.
The glowing figure turned to Dante, its voice echoing with an otherworldly resonance. "Something is wrong about you," it said.
Dante's silver eyes glinted with a mix of sorrow and resolve. "I have been disappointed repeatedly by this world. Let's complete our oldest work."
The ethereal figure nodded, then merged with Dante in a burst of blinding silver light. The light spread outward, engulfing Hogwarts and the surrounding area. The ancient school began to crumble, its stones and towers collapsing as a massive tree of pure silver light grew from its ruins. The tree's branches reached into the sky, connecting with the glowing silver light that now dominated the heavens.
Screams filled the air as the defenders of Hogwarts tried to flee the collapsing structure. Many were crushed under the falling debris, their cries cut short. Those who managed to escape watched in horror and awe as the tree of light grew taller and brighter, its radiance both beautiful and terrifying.
From within the light, Dante's voice rang out, speaking in a language no one had ever heard. The words were ancient and powerful, resonating with the very fabric of the world. The ashen sky began to churn, a whirlwind forming and growing darker until it became a pitch-black void. From the darkness, dementors descended, their cloaked forms merging with the tree of light.
The tree's top began to change, its silver glow turning jet black. The sight was surreal—a mix of light and darkness, hope and despair. Despite the brilliance of the tree, Hogwarts and its surroundings were overshadowed by an oppressive darkness. The air grew cold, and the defenders felt as if the darkness itself was alive, ready to consume them.
Albus watched with horror what was happening, he lowered his head dejectedly and repeated "In his shadow, history ends—darkness consumes all."
The darkness spread, swallowing the light and the land.
___________
Inside the towering tree of light, Dante stood motionless, his silver eyes scanning the surreal world around him. Scenes from all of his lives played out before him like fragments of a broken mirror. His body was held in place by thick, black chains that seemed to pulse with an ominous energy. Dante could feel the breath of death emanating from them, a cold and suffocating presence that threatened to consume him.
He studied the chains with a thoughtful look. These were not mere physical restraints, they represented his mortality, the very essence of his existence across many lifetimes. The scenes playing around him were not his memories but fragments of time itself, distorted and chaotic. Dante realized that this place was not a realm of memory but a prison of eternity, a manifestation of the laws of time and death that all living things are binded by.
Dante's hand reached out, trembling slightly as he grasped one of the chains. The moment his fingers closed around it, a searing pain shot through his body, unlike anything he had ever experienced. The chains were not just bound to his flesh, they were embedded in his very soul. But Dante clenched his teeth, his resolve unshaken. He had come too far, did too much, to stop now.
With a roar of effort, he began to pull. The pain intensified, a relentless agony that threatened to overwhelm him, but Dante refused to let go. He pulled with all his strength, his body trembling as the chain slowly, agonizingly, began to loosen. The world around him twisted and warped, the scenes of his lives becoming more fragmented and distorted. But Dante didn't care. He focused only on the chain, on the task at hand.
Finally, with a deafening crack, the chain broke free. Dante gasped for breath, his body drenched in sweat, but he didn't stop. He moved to the next chain, then the next, each one more painful than the last. The world around him became a chaotic blur, the scenes of his lives collapsing into a swirling void of light and darkness. But Dante pressed on, his determination stronger than ever.
One by one, the chains were removed, each one taking a piece of him with it. His body felt lighter, but the pain grew more intense, a relentless tide that threatened to drown him. When the final chain was removed, Dante felt his very being begin to break apart. The world around him ceased to exist, replaced by an endless jet-black void.
Dante screamed, the sound echoing through the emptiness as a rush of pain unlike anything he had ever known consumed him. His body began to disintegrate, breaking into pieces that turned to dust and disappeared into the void. There was no pain anymore, no fear, only a profound sense of finality.
When the last trace of Dante vanished, nothing remained in the void but silence. Then, a voice echoed through the darkness, soft and uncertain:
"Who am I?"
___________
In a quiet clearing surrounded by dense trees, a small tribe of humans had made their home near the shores of a tranquil lake. The tribe consisted of thirty members, including children, and they lived a simple life, relying on the land and each other for survival. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter and chatter as the tribe prepared for a celebration.
The leader of the tribe, a man named Kael, stood at the center of the camp, his presence commanding respect. Kael was unique among his people—he possessed the rare ability to conjure and control fire. For years, he had been the only magical person in the tribe, using his powers to protect and provide for his people. But a year ago, something extraordinary had happened: his firstborn son, Solomon, had displayed the ability to conjure lightning. The tribe had rejoiced, seeing it as a sign of hope and prosperity.
And today, another miracle had occurred. Kael's second-born son, a seven-year-old boy named Hogwarts, had shown the ability to conjure ice. The tribe was overjoyed, their celebrations even more fervent than before. In a few years, they would have not one, but three magical individuals among them—a blessing they had never dared to dream of.
Kael stood proudly as he watched his sons play near the lake. Solomon, now eight years old, was creating small bursts of lightning that danced across the water's surface, while Hogwarts followed behind, conjuring patches of ice that sparkled in the sunlight. The other children watched in awe, their eyes wide with wonder.
The tribe's elder, a woman named Elara, approached Kael, her face filled with pride. "Your sons are truly gifted," she said, her voice warm. "The spirits have blessed our tribe."
Kael nodded, his expression thoughtful. "They have. But with this gift comes great responsibility. We must teach them to use their powers wisely, to protect and nurture our people."
Elara placed a hand on his shoulder. "You have done well, Kael. Your leadership has brought us this far, and your sons will carry on your legacy."
As the sun began to set, the tribe gathered around a large fire, its flames crackling and dancing in the cool evening air. Kael stood before his people, his voice strong and clear. "Today, we celebrate not just the gifts of my sons, but the strength and unity of our tribe. Together, we have faced many challenges, and together, we will overcome whatever comes next."
The tribe cheered, their voices echoing through the trees. The children laughed and played, their joy infectious. For a moment, the world seemed perfect, a haven of peace and hope.