Returning from school, Aaric and Harry were welcod warmly by their family, and Aaric was surprised to see Elder Huo standing with his parents, waiting for him. Aaric hugged all three of them in turn, and they chatted all the way about how the school year had gone during the car ride.
They had to drop Harry at the Dursleys for now. In this version of events, the Dursleys did not encourage Dudley into bullying Harry, so the two cousins actually had a better relationship, and Harry wanted to keep fostering it.
Once Harry was dropped off, the Hawthorne family went straight back to their castle. It was already evening, and they decided to have dinner by the lake. The family talked easily, catching up on things while the sun dipped behind the hills.
"This makes all other dark magic look like the light of the sun," Elder Huo remarked, holding the vial of blood Aaric had collected after stabbing Tom’s diary. The dark liquid seed to pulse faintly under the lantern light.
"Why do you always have to jump straight into every trouble that cos your way?" Edwina admonished Aaric, her tone carrying both worry and exasperation.
Simon, seated beside her, simply sipped his tea without comnt, the faintest smirk playing on his lips.
Aaric offered his mother reassurance, listening to her the entire ti without interruption. She finally stopped after a while, knowing her son’s capabilities but unable to shake her protective instincts.
"You’ll have to sleep on the couch tonight," she said suddenly—to Simon.
Simon blinked, looking around as if to ask, Why am I catching strays here?
The following day, Aaric was with Thimrill in the Room of the Portly Statues, discussing possible destinations to explore.
"This one leads to Nepal, to the Shadowpeak Sanctum," Thimrill explained, gesturing toward a sleek black panther statue. "It is the best option if you wish to connect with spirits of the world."
"Thank you," Aaric said sincerely, before dashing off to find his family.
They were in the garden having tea, a dragon curled lazily in the grass while a pair of Thestrals drank from a trough nearby. Aaric arrived and stopped in front of them.
"We’re going to Nepal," he announced to the three.
No one questioned it—they were long used to Aaric’s sudden ideas. Simon did, however, flick him on the forehead before rising to go and pack.
Within the hour, they were in the main hall, speaking with Thimrill about what to expect once they arrived. Then, placing their hands on the panther statue, they spoke the password in unison. In an instant, they vanished.
They reappeared in a vast hall made of smooth black stone. The space was cool and faintly lit, with little floating dots floating around the room.
From the shadows, a calm and velvety voice spoke."Welco to the Shadowpeak Sanctum. I am Nyxthae."
A large black panther erged from the darkness, her violet eyes glowing softly.
Edwina was instantly smitten. She ran forward and embraced the massive feline without hesitation, running her hands through the glossy black fur. "You are so cute..." she said warmly.
"Thank you, my lady," Nyxthae replied in a smooth, and soft voice, she seed a little bit of the shy type.
"Could you show us around and introduce us to the Sanctum?" Simon asked politely, smiling.
Nyxthae inclined her head and led them through the Santum hall. She explained that it was built in the style of a dod hemispherical stupa, its black stones chosen to align with the mountain’s ley lines. The pond at the center reflected the hall’s ceiling, which had constellations etched in silver thread.
Nyxthae revealed herself to be a half-demon spirit of darkness, bound to the Sanctum as its eternal protector. Outside the hall, the Shadowpeak Sanctum stretched across the entire mountain. Students and monks trained in the courtyards, though the Hawthornes decided to et them the next day out of courtesy.
"Will they know how to speak English?" Simo asked to which Nyxthae nodded her hear, "I suggested English as one one the subjects just like Shenlian did in the sect in china."
For the rest of the day, they explored the central hall and spoke with Nyxthae, learning about the history of the mountain "What is the difference between spirits and demons?" Aaric asked.
"We are both spiritual beings but demons are more darker spirits and are more intelligent even at a lower strength, spirits gain intelligence with ti and as they grow stronger." Nyxthae explained.
The next day
The senior monks of the Shadowpeak Sanctum were buzzing with excitent. Word had spread quickly—today they would et the Protector herself. For most, this was a once-in-a-lifeti honor.
Only the Sanctum Master, upon election, was granted regular counsel with Nyxthae. According to tradition, all senior monks were bonded to small animal spirits—tiny glowing fish, translucent rabbits, or spectral birds that floated at their sides. The Sanctum Master’s own companion was a great silver-furred wolf, the largest spirit in the room.
It was said that simply being in the Protector’s presence could strengthen a spirit, allowing it to remain in the physical world for far longer.
The Master raised his hand, and silence fell over the chamber."I understand this is a monuntal opportunity," he said. "But refrain from speaking to the Protector unless she speaks to you first. Your spirits will benefit simply from being near her."
From the darkest corner of the room, two violet eyes opened. At once, the bonded spirits stirred, drifting toward the gaze as though drawn by an unseen current.
"It is good to see the Sanctum thriving," Nyxthae’s voice filled the room, low and resonant. The smaller spirits curled around her, resting against her sleek form.
"So guests from Britain have arrived to visit the Sanctum," she continued. "They are important to . Treat them as you would treat ."
"We will, Protector," the Sanctum Master replied at once, bowing low.
Nyxthae dipped her head, nuzzled a rabbit spirit, and then retreated back into the shadows.
For a long mont, no one moved. Then, one by one, so of the bonded spirits began to glow brightly before flowing back into the chests of their bonded monks.
"Such little ti with the Protector, and they’ve already grown stronger," one monk said with quiet joy.
The Master allowed himself a small smile. "Prepare the Sanctum for the arrival of our guests." He rose, his silver wolf padding silently at his side.
A/n: You got stones? hand em over pipsqueak.
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