/Harry potter fanfic/Venom of Power: Rise of Blackthorn

The night's chill pressed against Arlen Blackthorn's skin as he led the Weasley twins deeper into the Forbidden Forest. The looming shadows of ancient trees stretched out like skeletal fingers, clawing at the dim moonlight. Despite the weight of the Codex of Shadows beneath his cloak, it was the twins' unwavering chatter that kept his mind grounded.

"This place feels... cozy," Fred quipped, his voice barely above a whisper but tinged with mischief.

George smirked as he sidestepped a gnarled root. "Cozy isn't the word I'd use. Feels more like the kind of place where something might bite your head off if you're not careful."

"Exactly," Fred replied with a wink. "Home sweet home."

Arlen sighed, keeping his voice low. "Will you two take this seriously? The Codex has already started to react. Whatever it's guiding us toward isn't something we want to face unprepared."

Fred raised an eyebrow, his expression feigning innocence. "Unprepared? Us? We're Gryffindors, Blackthorn. Preparedness is basically in our blood."

"Sure," Arlen muttered, his eyes scanning the darkness ahead. "Right after recklessness and bad decisions."

The twins chuckled, but their humor didn't mask the tension building in the air. The forest seemed alive, its whispers and creaks creating an orchestra of unease. Every step felt heavier, as though the ground itself sought to drag them down.

Suddenly, the Codex beneath Arlen's cloak pulsed faintly, a rhythmic thrum that resonated with his heartbeat. He stopped in his tracks, holding up a hand to silence the twins.

"What is it?" George asked, his voice low and steady.

"The Codex," Arlen replied. "It's reacting. We're close."

Fred peered into the darkness, his wand raised. "Close to what, exactly? Please tell me it's not some ancient, cursed monster that wants to devour us."

"Could be," Arlen said grimly. "The Codex doesn't give details, just directions. And this way…" He pointed toward a dense thicket, the trees twisted unnaturally as though shaped by dark magic. "...this is where it's leading us."

The trio pushed through the underbrush, the atmosphere growing heavier with each step. The air seemed thicker, carrying an unnatural chill that seeped into their bones.

"Anyone else getting the feeling we're being watched?" George asked, his tone light but his grip on his wand firm.

Fred nodded, his expression unusually serious. "Yeah. And it's not the friendly kind of watcher."

Arlen didn't respond. His focus was on the Codex, which now felt almost alive against his chest, its energy surging with urgency. He knew they were nearing something powerful—something dangerous.

They emerged into a small clearing, the moonlight struggling to penetrate the thick canopy above. At the center of the clearing stood an ancient stone altar, its surface covered in strange, glowing runes. The sight sent a shiver down Arlen's spine.

"This is it," he said softly, stepping forward.

Fred and George flanked him, their wands raised as they scanned the surrounding shadows.

"What's it supposed to do?" George asked, his voice hushed.

Arlen hesitated. "It's a relic—something tied to the Codex. If I activate it, it might give us answers... or it might bring something worse."

Fred raised an eyebrow. "Worse than this creepy forest and ominous altar? Hard to imagine."

Before Arlen could respond, the Codex pulsed again, this time so strongly that it knocked the wind out of him. He fell to his knees, clutching his chest as the book's energy surged through him.

"Arlen!" George shouted, rushing to his side.

"I'm fine," Arlen gasped, though his pale face said otherwise. "The Codex—it's reacting to the altar. I need to activate it."

Fred exchanged a wary glance with George. "And how exactly do you plan to do that without getting yourself killed?"

Arlen pulled a small dagger from his belt, its blade etched with runes similar to those on the altar. "Blood magic," he said grimly. "The altar needs a sacrifice to activate. A small one."

George's eyes widened. "You're joking, right? You're not seriously going to—"

"It's the only way," Arlen interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. He stepped forward, holding the dagger over his palm.

Before he could make the cut, a low growl echoed through the clearing. The trio froze, their eyes darting toward the shadows.

"What was that?" Fred whispered, his grip tightening on his wand.

The growl came again, louder this time, accompanied by the sound of heavy footsteps. From the darkness emerged a massive creature, its glowing red eyes locking onto the trio. Its body was covered in thick, matted fur, and its claws gleamed like polished steel.

"Well," Fred said, his voice wavering but still managing a grin. "Guess we found your 'something worse.'"

Arlen stepped back, his wand at the ready. "We can't let it stop us. I need to activate the altar."

"Right," George said, moving to stand between Arlen and the beast. "You do that. We'll handle this... thing."

Fred smirked, raising his wand. "Just another day in the life of a Weasley."

The creature roared, lunging toward them with terrifying speed. Fred and George sprang into action, their wands moving in perfect sync as they cast a barrage of spells. Bolts of light erupted from their wands, striking the beast and forcing it to recoil.

"Arlen, whatever you're doing, do it fast!" George shouted, dodging a swipe from the creature's claws.

Arlen didn't waste a second. He made a quick, shallow cut on his palm, letting the blood drip onto the altar. The runes flared to life, their glow intensifying as the Codex began to hum.

The creature howled, as though sensing the change. It turned its attention toward Arlen, its eyes blazing with fury.

"Oh no, you don't," Fred said, firing a stunning spell that struck the beast in the side. "He's off-limits, you overgrown mutt!"

The altar's glow grew brighter, and the air around it crackled with energy. Arlen placed his hand on the surface, ignoring the searing heat as the Codex's power flowed through him.

A voice echoed in his mind, deep and resonant. "Seeker of Shadows, you have awoken the Guardian. Prove your worth, or perish."

"Prove my worth?" Arlen muttered, his eyes narrowing. "Great. No pressure."

The energy from the altar surged outward, forming a protective barrier around him. The creature roared in frustration, unable to breach the glowing shield.

Fred and George exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of relief and determination.

"Looks like he's got this part covered," George said. "Shall we?"

Fred grinned. "Let's."

Together, they unleashed a flurry of spells, each one more precise and powerful than the last. The creature faltered, its movements growing sluggish under their relentless assault.

Inside the barrier, Arlen focused on the Codex, its pages turning on their own as symbols and runes danced across its surface. He felt the weight of the Guardian's challenge pressing down on him, but he refused to falter.

With one final surge of energy, the Codex released a burst of light that engulfed the clearing. The creature let out a deafening roar before collapsing, its body dissolving into shadows.

The barrier around Arlen dissipated, and he staggered backward, his breathing ragged.

Fred and George rushed to his side, their faces flushed with exhilaration.

"Well," Fred said, clapping him on the back. "That was fun."

Arlen gave him a tired glare. "Your definition of fun needs work."

George chuckled, helping him to his feet. "You did it, though. Whatever that thing was, it's gone now."

Arlen nodded, his gaze drifting to the altar, which now stood silent and dark. "It's not over yet. The Codex unlocked something—something big. This is just the beginning."

Fred smirked. "Good. We wouldn't want it to be too easy."

As the trio made their way back through the forest, the shadows seemed to retreat, but Arlen couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Whatever lay ahead, he knew one thing for certain: with the Weasley twins by his side, the journey would never be boring.