NOVEL NEXT Chapter 17: Chapter 17: The Battle for the Keystone
The tension in the Chamber of Secrets was palpable as Voldemort and his Death Eaters formed a semi-circle around the group. The Eclipse Keystone pulsed ominously on the altar, its dark energy rippling through the air.
"Take them alive if you can," Voldemort said, his voice cold and commanding. "Except Thornwood. I'll deal with him myself."
Kai Thornwood stepped forward, his wand at the ready. "Big talk for someone hiding behind his minions."
Voldemort's snake-like eyes narrowed. "You think you've mastered your powers, Thornwood? You're but a flicker of light in my storm."
Kai smirked. "Let's find out."
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The Duel Begins
With a flick of his wand, Kai unleashed a storm of spells. He started with a barrage of Chain Lightning, arcs of electricity leaping from one Death Eater to another. The chamber erupted in chaos as Harry and Daphne joined the fray, their spells aimed with deadly precision.
Voldemort countered with a wave of his own dark magic, his wand movements precise and lethal. "Mors Abysso!" he hissed, a jet of black energy spiraling toward Kai.
Kai dodged, countering with a spell from another universe: Mana Barrier. A glowing shield appeared around him, absorbing the blast and shattering into shards of light.
Bellatrix, cackling with glee, lunged at Harry. "Come here, little boy! I've been waiting for this!"
Harry deflected her curses, but her relentless attacks pushed him back. "A little help here?" he shouted.
Hermione, from her position at the back, launched a well-aimed Petrificus Totalus at Bellatrix. The spell missed, but it forced her to retreat momentarily.
"Keep moving!" Kai shouted. "Don't let them pin us down!"
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The Keystone's Power
As the battle raged, the Eclipse Keystone began to glow brighter. Its energy resonated with the spells being cast, amplifying their effects. The air crackled with raw magic, and the serpentine carvings on the altar began to writhe as if alive.
"We can't let them activate it!" Hermione yelled. "If it merges with Voldemort's magic, the wards will fall!"
"I'll handle it!" Daphne said, breaking away from the fight. She sprinted toward the altar, weaving between curses and hexes.
A Death Eater tried to block her path, but she disarmed him with a swift Expelliarmus and sent him flying with Stupefy. Reaching the Keystone, she began chanting an ancient incantation, her voice steady despite the chaos.
Kai glanced at her, admiration flickering across his face. "Cover her!" he barked to the others.
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Voldemort vs. Kai
Voldemort seemed to grow tired of the skirmish. He raised his wand, and the air around him darkened. "Enough of this! Tenebris Ignis!"
A wave of black fire surged toward the group. Kai stepped forward, meeting the flames with a spell of his own. "Aqua Tempestas!" he shouted, summoning a torrent of water that collided with the fire, filling the chamber with steam.
Through the mist, Voldemort appeared, his wand aimed directly at Kai. "You're bold, Thornwood. But boldness won't save you."
Kai grinned, his heart racing. "I don't need saving."
The two clashed in a rapid-fire duel, their spells lighting up the chamber like a storm. Kai's system fed him options in real-time, allowing him to counter Voldemort's attacks with precision.
"Force Wave!" Kai shouted, sending a shockwave toward Voldemort.
Voldemort deflected it effortlessly. "You have power, but no control."
Kai narrowed his eyes. "Control is overrated."
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Daphne's Triumph
As the duel intensified, Daphne's chanting reached a crescendo. The Eclipse Keystone began to crack, its dark energy spilling out like smoke. The carvings on the altar froze mid-writhing.
"Almost there!" Daphne called, her voice strained.
Bellatrix noticed and lunged toward her, but Harry intercepted her, their wands clashing in a shower of sparks.
"Stay away from her!" Harry growled, pushing Bellatrix back with a powerful Protego Maxima.
With one final word, Daphne's spell took hold. The Keystone shattered, releasing a burst of light that knocked everyone to the ground. The Death Eaters screamed as the dark energy dissipated, their connection to the artifact severed.
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The Aftermath
Kai staggered to his feet, his vision swimming. The chamber was eerily quiet, the remains of the Keystone glowing faintly on the altar. Voldemort stood across from him, his expression unreadable.
"This isn't over," Voldemort said, his voice low and venomous. He vanished in a swirl of black smoke, taking Bellatrix and the remaining Death Eaters with him.
Kai collapsed to one knee, exhaustion washing over him. Daphne rushed to his side, her face pale but determined.
"You did it," she said, her voice filled with relief.
"No," Kai replied, shaking his head. "We did it."
Harry, Hermione, and the others gathered around, their faces a mix of relief and determination. Though they had won the battle, the war was far from over.
"We bought ourselves time," Hermione said. "But Voldemort will strike again."
Kai nodded, his gaze hard. "Next time, we'll be ready."
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The Path Forward
As they returned to the castle, the weight of their victory—and the challenges ahead—pressed heavily on their shoulders. Kai couldn't shake the feeling that Voldemort had let them win, that he had another plan in motion.
For now, though, they had the advantage. And as long as they stood together, Kai believed they could defy the odds.
"Rest tonight," Kai told the group. "Tomorrow, we plan our next move."
Daphne stayed behind as the others left, her eyes searching his. "You're pushing yourself too hard."
Kai met her gaze, his expression softening. "I don't have a choice."
"You do," she said, stepping closer. "Let us share the burden."
Kai hesitated, then nodded. "I'll try."
It wasn't a promise, but it was enough for now.
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To Be Continued…
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Hey, I'm loving this book, and I'm working on a new Twilight-based one! If you're interested, let me know in the comments if you want me to post it on Webnovel, as a continuation of this one.