Chapter 57 - Aftermath of the massacre

Thomas remained on the ground, unable to shake off the touch of the woman's lips against his. Lost in his thoughts, he barely registered Hagrid's approach until the half-giant shook him gently but firmly.

"Tom! Snap out of it, lad," Hagrid's voice broke through his daze.

Startled, Thomas blinked several times before focusing on Hagrid's concerned face. "Hagrid... I... What just happened?" he stammered, still struggling to comprehend the encounter.

"Are yeh hurt? Can yeh stand?"

Thomas nodded slowly, allowing Hagrid's arm to help him to his feet. As he steadied himself, he took a moment to regain his composure and gather his thoughts. His gaze turned toward the place where Marsius fought the woman and soon as his eyes scanned the area he saw the centaur, lying unconscious and bleeding a few meters away.

"Hagrid, look! It's Marsius!" Thomas exclaimed, his concern rising. "We need to help him."

Hagrid's gaze followed Thomas' pointing finger, and his face contorted in worry when he saw the centaur. "Blast it! That ain't good at all," he muttered under his breath. "Stay put, Tom. I'll go check on him."

He didn't say anything but kept his eyes fixed on Marsius as Hagrid hurried to his side. Even though it wasn't his fault, Thomas still felt guilty for leaving Marsius fighting alone against that woman. Just thinking about it made him clench his fists, in anger at how weak he was. At least that's how Thomas views himself.

As Thomas stood there, a resonating voice echoed within his consciousness [Thomas, why do you let your thoughts dwell in such darkness?]

Thomas was taken aback, not expecting to hear Bahamut's voice in his mind at that moment. He took a deep breath and replied, "Bahamut, I... I failed to protect Marsius. I couldn't help him and now he's injured."

[You must not burden yourself with guilt, Thomas.] Bahamut's voice carried a stern tone. [You have accomplished what few could at your age. You stood against tens of creatures that were in the strength class as you and emerged victorious. It is a feat that even seasoned warriors would find admirable. As for your centaur companion, your assistance would have little to no effect on changing the outcome. That devil wasn't someone you, even with the training we did, could take on without using my full power, and even then, you wouldn't have won.] Bahamut tried to make his young host understand that the world doesn't revolve around him. [I said this before, but you, being able to fight beings stronger than you and have that power at such a young age, even for a human is admirable and nothing short of a miracle. I don't know what Rerek had done to you, but I'm grateful for it, otherwise, your body wouldn't have survived the strain you keep putting it through every time you used me.]

"But I can't just ignore what happened to Marsius. He got hurt because he fought alone. I should have been able to do something more."

[Thomas, you are but one individual in a vast world filled with countless variables and forces beyond your control.] Bahamut's calm voice seems to force Thomas to see a broader perspective than what he was so adamant about believing. [You cannot shoulder the weight of every outcome or protect everyone from harm. Marsius knew the risks when he engaged in battle alongside you. And though the outcome was unfortunate, it was not solely your responsibility.]

Thomas sighed, realizing that Bahamut had a point. "I guess I just... I feel responsible, you know? This was the second time I fought alongside someone and he got injured."

[Your intentions are noble, Thomas, but remember that you are still learning and growing. There will be times when you succeed and times when you fall short. It is through these experiences that you will become stronger and wiser.]

Suddenly, Thomas turned towards Hagrid as soon as he called his name, and before he could respond Hagrid, carrying the centaur on his shoulders made haste into the forest. Seeing that, Thomas quickly followed the half-giant deeper into the forest, not knowing where they were going. Not long after Thomas caught up with Hagrid, the two stopped in their tracks as at least fifteen centaurs of all sizes blocked their path, being led by someone that resembled Marsius.

Seeing this made Hagrid worried, especially since he knew Ronan must be concerned for his injured son. Meanwhile, Thomas could understand why Ronan was glancing at them like that, but another part of him, the one that, sadly was now in control of his emotions made him snap in anger at the older centaur.

"I fought by Marsius's side!" Thomas's voice rang out, echoing through the forest. "We faced those creatures together and I won't stand you looking at me as if I killed your son!"

For the first time in his life, Hagrid saw Ronan being taken aback by someone's words and yet when his gaze softened slightly, the half-giant could swear he saw his friend nodding slightly as if he was acknowledging Thomas.

"I apologize if my gaze angered you. Yet I have to admit that for someone as young as you, to fight alongside my son and presumably won against an enemy that I don't doubt outnumbered you two, is no small feat," Ronan apologize before he continue. "To fight against overwhelming odds can only be done by fools or warriors that would do anything in their power to hold their ground, and if my eyes aren't lying to me, you are the latter."

"I'm sorry sir for my outburst, and thank you for your praise."

Nodding in response, Ronan spoke again, "Tell me, young one, what happened to my son? How did he become injured?"

Thomas took a deep breath, before starting from the begging. He started with how he and Draco were searching for the wounded unicorn and how Marsius found them, then about how the three of them found the dead unicorn and how a hooded figure was eating the carcass. Then Thomas spoke about how Marsius fired an arrow at the hooded figure only for the arrow to bounce off some kind of barrier and before they could chase the figure, a devil appeared, seemly out of thin air, and attacked them, summoning tens of grotesque creatures. And how while the two of them were fending off the creatures, the devil charged at Marsius and how he had to get rid of her summoned creatures alone while Marsius was dueling the woman.

As Thomas shared his story, some of the centaurs attending to Marsius began cleansing and healing his wounds, and as soon as they heard the story, were surprised to hear that a boy of eleven moons was able to hold his own against so many creatures. At the same time, Ronan was looking at Thomas's face, not blinking even once, trying to see if the boy had lied even once, and to his surprise there was no sign that Thomas had lied at all.

When Thomas finally finished his story, there was a brief moment of silence with no one, not even Hagrid willing to say anything. After a few minutes of silence, Ronan walks forward stopping just in front of Thomas before grabbing his sword and handing it to the young wizard. "You have my gratitude, Thomas Grayson," he genuinely spoke. "You fought valiantly side by side with my firstborn protecting our home despite the high chance of injury or death, and for that, I am indebted to you."

Unable to react, Thomas simply stood there and listened to Ronan's words. He had not expected such a heartfelt response from the centaur, and as for Ronan's gratitude, Thomas didn't know to react to it or what he should do and say. For a second, his gaze wandered to the sword that Ronan held, a finely crafted blade with dark leather wrapped around its handle.

Meanwhile, Ronan saw Thomas's haze, and with a small nod, he pushed the sword forward, offering it to the young wizard. Thomas's hands instinctively reached out, catching the hilt of the sword.

"This sword," Ronan spoke, "will represent my gratitude to you, Thomas Grayson, and your dedication to protecting our home. Consider it a token of respect and trust. And might it be used against your enemy, young warrior?"

Thomas stared at the sword, trying to find his words. It was an honor beyond his wildest dreams, to be recognized by the centaurs as their friend and even earn himself the title of a young warrior from their leader. Summoning his courage, Thomas looked up at Ronan, before he thanked him.

"Thank you, sir. I promise you that if there would be a day, no I'm sure that I will have to fight again. I will use this sword to slay my enemies."

"Now go, young warrior. May Mars watch over you."

"We best be goin' now, Tom," Hagrid said, "Time to head back and let the headmaster know what happened. This ain't somethin' we can keep to ourselves, no matter how extraordinary it is."

Thomas nodded, knowing very well that he was in for another earful and maybe even more detention, despite not being the one who attracted those creatures and the devil woman. Not to mention that he trusted Hagrid's judgment and understood the importance of reporting to the headmaster the events that happened near the school. Before he left thought, he took a final glance back at Ronan and the centaurs, waving at them as he and Hagrid left, making their way through the forest, Hagrid kept a firm grip on Thomas's shoulder, ensuring that he wouldn't lose him in the darkness.

"Don't worry, Tom. Your friends are all safe and sound back at the castle. The centaurs, bless 'em, they escorted 'em there. No harm came to 'em." Hagrid said, breaking the silence.

Thomas breathed a sigh of relief, remembering that his friend and Draco were in the forest. At least now he had another story to brag to James, which would undoubtedly make the poor boy cry out about how unfair life was.

It took them a few good minutes until they reached the castle before Hagrid led Thomas through the familiar corridors of Hogwarts toward the Headmaster's office. As they approached the gargoyle guarding the entrance to the Headmaster's office, Hagrid gave it a gentle pat, and it sprang to life, revealing the staircase leading up to the office.

Walking up the steps, Thomas felt nervous, fearing that the headmaster would scold him or worse expel him. But before he could shake that thought, the door to the office swung open, and Thomas entered, with Hagrid following closely behind.

Inside the office, Dumbledore sat behind his desk, his silver beard flowing over his robes. His bright blue eyes sparkled with warmth as he saw Thomas and Hagrid. "Ah, Thomas," he spoke in a calm and gentle way. "Please, have a seat."

Thomas took a seat in front of the desk, still feeling like he was going to be interrogated. Dumbledore leaned forward slightly with a concerned look on his face. "Are you alright, my boy? Were you injured? How are you faring?"

He would lie if he were to say that he wasn't taken aback by the genuine concern in Dumbledore's voice. After all, Thomas hadn't expected to hear the most powerful wizard alive be so worried for his well-being, and because of that, he hesitated for a moment before replying, "I-I'm alright, Headmaster. Just a few minor cuts and bruises, nothing serious."

Dumbledore nodded, and Thomas noticed that the old man relaxed slightly. "I'm glad to hear that. It seems you have been through quite an ordeal. "

Rather than answering, Thomas chooses to nod as his gaze wanders around the room. He noticed that McGonagall and Snape were nowhere to be seen in the office, which he was glad for after all God knows how easily he would have died from all of the questions the two of them would have thrown at him.

"Now, my boy, would you be so kind as to tell this old man what happened?" Dumbledore spoke in a calm and friendly way.

Taking a deep breath, Thomas began to recount the events, starting with his and Draco's meeting with Marsius, how the three of them found a dead unicorn, the hooded figure that was eating it, their encounter with the devil woman, how he and Marsius fought both the creatures and the woman. Dumbledore listened attentively, his eyes never leaving Thomas, not wanting to miss any important piece of the story.

When Thomas finished speaking, Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and Thomas could swear the old man's face seemed to have aged a few years. "Thank you for sharing your story, Thomas. It seems that Hogwarts has once again been touched by evil hands. I assure you that we will need to investigate further. But for now, I want you to know that if you need a day or two to regain your bearings, you have my permission."

Thomas was taken aback by this opportunity, and like any sane person he gratefully accepted. "Thank you, headmaster. I will do so."

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