25 Chapter 25: Red Winged Spindle Tree
April 25th, 1990, Shanghai, China, 7:45 a.m.
China. A vast land containing thousands of years of numerous mythical legends, stories, and glorious and bloody history.
Its rich culture would always be a hot topic for everyone.
The past few days of enjoying the summer in this Asian country had been quite a rollercoaster for the two of them.
They had visited and taken numerous pictures across the country numerous cities and breathtaking views, such as The Great Wall, the vast green plateau, the busy city of Beijing, the golden sea of sand of the Silk Road, etc…
During those visits, Harry once again got the chance to see the extraordinary of both sides of the Muggle World and the Magical World.
The boy's eyes sparkle as if they contain glittering stars as he curiously watches the beautifully poetic view of China's culture, its mediaeval streets, and, of course, one of the most unmissable, especially for an 'enjoyer of quality of life' such as Ethan, which Harry keenly took notice of, was the spices the culture had to offer.
He admitted it was such a change in tastes, as Harry was sure he might not be able to take English's not-so-spicy cuisine anytime soon.
The boy chuckled as he remembered how Ethan vigorously stockpiled any spice they came across, whether it was plant, powder, or souse.
This earned him a raised eyebrow from Dad, who had been reading newspapers as usual even when the two were on a train to Shanghai.
On the magical side, China was recognised for its rich spiritualistic culture, and the most true and high part of it was the stick divination method. Ethan and Harry came across tonnes of vendors claiming to be able to execute such a feat, still under the eye of True Seer; many of them were nothing but scams under glamour.
Well, on the bright side, Harry got to know a bunch of different wand wood and their traits. For instance, redwood trees grew here. According to Garrick Ollivander, wand-quality redwood was in short supply yet in constant demand due to its reputation for bringing good fortune to its owner.
Ethan found such claims to be questionable; after all, Luck heavily involved Fate and Destiny which were the two most ancient and unfathomable sources of the universe.
That meant it wasn't something to be easily beckoned with just a mere branch of wood…
And what was better to integrate the great culture than to dress up in their floating, smooth, silky traditional attire? Which was an entirely new novel ideal for the boy, as he found such many layers and robe-like attire with exaggerated wide, long sleeves quite fascinating and elegant.
Along with that were various magical performances, much different from when they were travelling Europe, and lastly, tells and lively drawings of the utmost mystical creatures, such as Zouwu and Qilin. Luckily, the two got a chance to witness the magnificently beautiful Occamies nestled in white marble porcelain; this was Ministry-sanctioned, of course.
Even Jasper, the little fragile yet speedy friend's red eyes shone with interest watching such lively scenery. It was worth mentioning that for how 'inappropriate' it was to have a Golden Snidget as your pet, the bird was only let out under strict conditions, which Ethan had enthusiastically experimen- taught him to follow for months.
Back on the train, Harry had been eagerly looking through the compartment window as the luxurious city came into view.
Buildings glistened under the sun's radiating heat, accompanied by the undulating waves. All come together to create the perfect scenery for this beautiful metropolis
Like its name, 'Shanghai' meant 'On-the-Sea'.
The moment the two set foot off the train, the sea breeze, accompanied by its smell, swarmed over their body…
April 27th, 1990, Port of Shanghai, China, 10:55 PM.
In one of the seemingly Muggle-deserted areas of the port, far from the bustling city with twinkling neon lights, large containers and cargo were being shipped into heavily protected warehouses under the concealment of the summer night.
With a simple Revelio, one could make out the faint sigil of Altxorra Braconier painted on the entrance of each warehouse.
This was another big transportation for the organisation, ready to entertain the distinguished guests that came along with their distinct carvings for those contained in those enchanted boxes, whether alive or dead.
Everything had been going smoothly their way for years; however, the party ended today.
High upon a vantage point, a figure veiled under the shade of night. Amid the howling sea breeze, he observed every moment with an all-seeing eye, catching every detail needed to execute the plan.
Like an owl, he hunted only at night and patiently awaited his opportunity.
Glancing at the silver pocket watch in his palm, the man's eye shone with brilliance and starlight briefly
Clank! With a snap, his eyes returned to their tranquil dark amber colour while his mouth curled up into a condescending smile.
As the dark cloud separated, his figure was bathed in the silver moonlight, revealing a slim-fit man dressed rather intriguingly in a navy-blue suit adorned with golden threads, a dark overcoat, and a tie. He wore a stylish top hat as the moretta mask veiled his visage perfectly.
His figure miraculously transformed into brilliance starlight under the moonlight, leaving only dots of starlight in its wake as it rushed towards the entrance…
Under the bewilderment of the two goons at the front entrance of the warehouse, all they saw were gusts of starlight before everything went black.
"WH- IT'S HI-"
Ethan simply materialised behind the two men as he simultaneously cast two Stupefys at his back before moving forward calmly.
Coated in the eerie silence of the night, intermittent shouts and breakings echoed throughout this section of the port. Yet no alarms were set off.
At the last warehouse, the China branch manager of the organisation, a man with slick black hair and a stoic face, clad in a luxurious summer outfit, was having a hard time.
Drops of sweat were pouring down his face, and his back was soaking wet. Yet his gaze remained fixed on the adversary leisurely standing before him.
The Blue Magician. That's where many reports described the formidable wizard attacking the hideout at Interlarken; for the many times he appeared, the colour blue was always presented along with brilliance starlight.
They had been exchanging blows for at least ten minutes yet; where were the darn reinforcements they prepared to deal with this abnormality specifically?
China's branch manager clearly comprehended that he was no match for such a skilled wizard as The Blue Magician had been toying with him all this time. He figured out that, at this rate, he'd black out from magic exhaustion in less than a few more minutes.
"Tsk!" The sweaty man muttered under his heavy breath as he realised from the magician's mocking attitude that he must have already tampered with all those enchanted alarms.
"Oh, that look... Yes, those alarms were quite a nuisance compared to those goons with a stick. Dealing with them took quite a while, you know?
However, I must say your setup back at Amazon really took me aback at the time. Quite a resource you pour out there for me. Hah, I'm flattered."
Even without looking, he could perceive the magician's condescending smirk. Still, he had no thought of giving up just yet. As long as he could create an opening, escape was within reach, and in no time the reinforcement would pop up and obliterate this flashy scoundrel into ashes.
Paying no attention towards the magician rambling about a female branch manager being the most efficient out of them all, something… The Chinese man gathered his thoughts as whips of golden light radiated from the tips of his wand, slashing towards everything in sight at rather impressive speeds.
Wherever the golden whip touched, flame flared up vigorously, and soon the entire warehouse was drowned in blazing seas of flame with smoke billowing up.
"Not bad spell-work."
Right at the moment, he tried to apparate away. The Chinese man widened at such a rather spectacular scene, as he now truly witnessed why The Blue Magician was truly described fearfully by those who had clashed with him.
Standing firmly amid the sea of flames was an unscathed gentleman adorned with the prominent Moretta mask. The roaring tendrils of flames threatening to reduce everything to ashes couldn't even reach the man, as if being blocked by some translucent barrier.
One must know that this spell was crafted with a tinge of the infamous Fiendfyre. Yet under the potent Potego, painted over with numerous floating Ancient Runes shone with the silver under the naked eye, the flame failed to penetrate.
The Ancient Runes were roughly read as 'Holy Waters'.
It was at that bewilderment split of moments that the manager sensed a light tugging at his legs.
His eyes filled with horror as Lethifold-like curtains had been snaring him all this time.
Seconds passed as he struggled in vain as he watched in horror those snaring curtains swiftly wrapping his body whilst its master, the magician, was casting Ventus, gathering the winds and cool breezes to shoo away the raging fire…
"That should be it." Ethan lets out chuckles as they scan the reports regarding their observation of the rumour, Re'em, which is much more in-depth than his initial Divination.
It turned out the creature was still considered a newborn, yet it was capable of surviving this long. There had been evidence showing that the creature possessed above-average intelligence considering their kind, and for some magical reason, the thing was even able to execute Apparition!? Hence, the ultimate challenge is to capture it alive.
Pretty much like a Zouwu, unsure of how potent it was.
"How intriguing." Ethan's eyes narrowed at such information.
The reports also had the latest speculation about where it currently resides, somewhere within the vast forest of the Sacred Mountains of Zhangjiajie.
Ethan's mind drifted back to when he used its blood to set up a ritual to locate the beast.
Vivid images presenting a clearing in a forest surrounded by fog lay a big red-winged spindle tree amid a gracious azure spring. There lay sleeping Re'em with bright golden fur under the tree shade.
THUD, THUD, THUD.
The sound of footsteps echoed within the dilapidated, burned-out warehouse that was covered in soot and ashes floating in the air.
Under the silver moonlight shining through the cracked roof, one could see a female silhouette walking steadily towards the magician standing amid the warehouse.
Ethan's mouth curled up into a smile as he turned around and greeted the figure.
"Such is fate that we meet again, Miss Frautois."
Ethan was slightly disappointed at Rachelle's unfazed expression; she was clad in a smile blouse and knee-length dress, and her hair was tied up into a bun with little strands of hair left out.
Her sharp contour was devoid of any fluctuation, only calmness, as her eyes stayed firm on the nonchalant magician.
"You can spare me the teasing greetings, Mr. Blue Magician. With what you've shown up until now,. We both know what you want, and seizing it from Altxorra Braconier's boss would not be any easy.
Rachelle's eyes darted around the dilapidated warehouse as her mouth curled into a smirk.
"I have no doubt regarding your capabilities. Still, taking down the entire organisation's army… would be another story."
"Oh, what makes you think I need to take all of them head, Miss?"
"Ha, given how much damage you've caused to them, it would be a bloodbath chasing the beast... They will come for you."
Ethan's mouth curled up wider under the mask.
"They? Miss Frautois, may I remind you that you are a part of them too? Unless…"
Rachelle held a sign as she collected her thoughts. "I came to offer an accord, Mr. Magician. Let's just say we have a common adversary."
"Huh, an offer coming from a dark wizard, a high-ranking criminal within such a notorious organisation. Not so convincing, miss."
"I know what I did; there isn't anything to justify; we all have to face the consequences. But the accord is real…"
She then raised her wand, and she pointed it at herself. The wand lit up as her firm voice resounded in the warehouse under Ethan's sharp gaze.
Rachelle had just taken a Wizard's Oath—a downgraded version of the Unbreakable Vow—yet its penalty was still quite heavy, not deadly but capable of rendering one 'magically crippled'—confirming the authenticity of her word regarding the offer.
"Well then, Miss Frautois, I'm all ears."
...
It was on this fateful night thả mark the end of Altxorra Braconier's hideous act, forced them to retreat into the deep shadow, awaitingmoment when time comes to settle their revenge.
Rachelle was soon face the consequences in the trials of Wigenzamont. Yet by no mean this would be the end of her journey as long as Asmus still out there, she would hunt him down no matter what.
Alll in all, Ethan still in one piece whilst achieving his goal of preparing for the future albeit it was still 'young'. With that said, Harry got another dear friend that would alter that dreadful destiny.
