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Chapter 1112: Underneath the Abyss
🕑 Added 2024-05-13 14:00:03 +0000 UTCEvan had never seen Elaine use the Patronus Charm, and she was also unfamiliar with this magic.
Now thinking about it, it was not that Elaine lacked happy memories; it was probably because of the influence of the evil god...
"The price of gaining part of the power requires giving up another part of it. The power in our bloodline prevents us from using this obviously harmful magic," said Caresius. “Facing him, there are only two choices, submission or death. Obviously, these two choices have the same end point, which is destruction. This is the fate of our people.”
"You can resist!" In Evan's opinion, Caresius's view was too negative.
"Destiny should be in your own hands. Although you may not succeed, you will not regret it as long as you strive," Hermione followed.
"I believe in Evan and Hermione," said Elaine with some fear. "We will defeat him. Evan is the one mentioned in the prophecy."
"Alright, you three! I now also believe that Evan is the one mentioned in the prophecy. That's why we came to resist the shackles of fate," Caresius smiled, rubbed Elaine's head, and said with relief, "We will succeed; we will destroy that monster..."
"Caresius, I was just thinking about this issue. What would happen to you if you eliminated the monster below?"
"Then we will be free from this damn fate," said Caresius simply.
He began to move forward, marking the dangerous stairs with green fluorescent lights.
"But you told me before," said Evan across Hermione and Elaine. "You used the blood of the evil god to complete the First Embrace and become vampires. Your power comes from that. If it ceases to exist, these powers will also disappear..."
"Losing power is better than losing life and freedom," Caresius paused, and his voice sounded intermittently in the secret passage. "Of course, some of our people may long for the current power, but for me personally, I prefer to become an ordinary person, whether it is for Elaine or the future of the family."
If every vampire could think like Caresius, that would naturally not be a problem.
Otherwise, the thirst for strong power and magic in their blood would drive them crazy and push them deeper into depravity.
After getting used to power, not everyone could willingly accept ordinariness.
The secret passage spiraled downwards, getting deeper and deeper, and seemed to be a passage cut out of the rock wall.
The interior was not rock, but a dark hollow, a bit like the huge abyssal cave deep in Aragog's lair.
In other words, the vampire castle on the ground was built on top of the entire abyss.
At first, the group could still speak, but then they gradually fell silent, seemingly lost in endless darkness.
Suddenly, the sound of ethereal and mysterious music came from nowhere, and a golden light flashed past.
In the flames, a crimson bird suddenly fell from the sky. It was the phoenix, Fawkes.
He spread his wings and flew ahead, dispersing the deepening darkness with flames, his song uplifting.
"It's Fawkes, Dumbledore must be nearby."
They quickened their pace, and before them, the scene suddenly cleared, revealing the bottom of the abyss.
At the bottom was a wide circular underground hall with walls made of rough stone.
Unknown plants grew on them, glowing with a faint green light, and the walls were carved with exquisite patterns and the emblem of the Slytherin family.
Directly in front was a huge and majestic stone door.
"Here we are, moving forward is the core of the seal," said Caresius. "According to the information revealed in the family records, only true descendants of Slytherin can enter it. It is now opened because... "
Before he finished speaking, Evan saw fifteen-year-old Riddle standing in front of the door with a smile on his face.
Somehow, Dumbledore had managed it again; he had regained his physical form, his complexion healthy, as if he possessed life.
Simply looking at him from the surface, it was impossible to tell that he was just a memory projected by a Horcrux.
He appeared as a handsome fifteen-year-old boy, wearing Hogwarts robes, a good student with both excellent character and academic performance.
"Welcome, welcome," said Riddle softly, bowing slightly, and he walked towards Evan and the others. "This must be Miss Granger; I've heard your name from the professor. He said you're the most outstanding student Hogwarts has seen in years. And this must be Elaine, the young descendant of the vampire Slytherin family. Oh, this Patronus, the influence of that creature inside must be significant on you. Just endure a little longer, believe me, this process won't last too long."
His demeanor was impeccable, coupled with that smile, it evoked immediate fondness.
If one didn't know his true nature, they might easily be deceived.
"So, Dumbledore trusts you again?" said Evan, watching him shake hands with Hermione and Elaine.
Hermione hesitated for a moment before gently shaking his hand.
Elaine, on the other hand, had been staring at the Patronus on her shoulder the whole time, completely ignoring Riddle, who didn't seem to mind.
"Obviously, Dumbledore is willing to give me another chance to prove myself," Riddle replied, extending his hand to Evan. "These past few days have been quite extraordinary for me. I feel like I've been reborn in some way."
Evan touched his right hand gently, it was so cold...
"Where’s Dumbledore?"
"He's inside studying the magic left by Salazar, which is very fascinating," said Riddle. "This way… we all agree that before starting comprehensive research on the legacy left by my great ancestor, we should first deal with the troubles he left behind."
"Evan, who’s he?" said Hermione suspiciously, looking at Riddle's back. "Why’s he wearing Hogwarts robes?
"Fifteen-year-old Tom Riddle…"
Hermione blinked, seeming a little surprised by Evan's answer, and then reacted and opened her eyes wide.
"He’s the young Voldemort?"
"That's right, more precisely, he's a Horcrux, just like the diary back then, but capable of moving independently after gaining energy," said Evan, gripping Hermione's left hand. "I'll tell you the details later. This guy is trouble because he's the young Voldemort. Be cautious no matter what he says!"
Because of Dumbledore's request, Evan did not tell Hermione what had happened that night.
Who would have thought that in just a few days, Dumbledore would help Riddle regain his physical form, apparently trusting him greatly?
