Chapter 448: Return to the World of the Living
Chapter 448: Return to the World of the Living (Request for Subscriptions, Favorites, and Votes)
"Just as you found your path here, I found my own with your help." Hermione showed Liam her newly acquired power, like a little girl displaying her favorite toy.
Hermione's power was related to death. In this dimension filled with death, the Laws of Death, which Wizards usually strive for but rarely attain, were easily accessible. With Liam's help, Hermione gradually mastered these powers of death, and the recent transformation between life and death was a simple application of this power.
"Unfortunately, my magic power isn't strong enough. Apart from such minor tricks, other useful spells can't be sustained for long outside this place." After demonstrating a few weakening rays, Hermione said somewhat dejectedly, "I can only use these spells so fluidly in this environment filled with death."
"Don't worry, we're still young. Our magic power will grow stronger over time." After comforting Hermione, Liam walked to the scales left behind by the Reaper and placed the Minor Rose Madonna on the tray that was slightly raised.
There were no dramatic light or sound effects as the red, translucent stone was placed on the tray. The arm of the scales began to rotate quietly and slowly, and in the end, the side representing Liam and Hermione's souls lifted slightly.
"Here, the scales of effort and reward must always be balanced." As the arm of the scales came to a stop, the Reaper's voice echoed through the hall. "You may now state your requests."
Liam thought for a moment and realized he had no specific needs, so he gave the opportunity to Hermione. Hermione lowered her head in thought for a moment, then looked up and said, "I want knowledge about death."
"Knowledge? Of course, I can grant you that." The Reaper's voice sounded again. "You are not the first human to request such knowledge; the pursuit of knowledge is a trait of your kind."
"Not the first?" Liam and Hermione seemed to have stumbled upon a significant piece of information. Hermione couldn't contain her curiosity and asked, "Can we know who the previous person was who sought this knowledge?"
"They called themselves Peverell, and their names were Antioch, Cadmus, and Ignotus." As the Reaper spoke, a transparent orb appeared before Hermione. "This is your knowledge. We are now even, and you may leave at any time."
Liam could only marvel at the immense power of one who truly mastered the rules as he saw the three stone arches suddenly appear before them. Hermione, having absorbed the knowledge, walked up behind him.
"How do you find this knowledge?" Liam turned away from the doors and asked.
"It feels incredible." Hermione, still staring at the three magical doors, said, "With this knowledge, I believe I will one day reach your level."
"I look forward to that day." Liam was genuinely happy for Hermione's gain. Deep down, he was still an ordinary human and hoped that this path of transcendence could be walked with a companion.
"Which door should we take?" Hermione, looking at the doors before them, felt a bit perplexed.
"The one on the left", Liam said. "This is the sliver of hope the deathworlds leave for the living. If a living person can survive in such a place and pay the price that aligns with the exchange law, they can return to the World of the Living through this door."
"I see, no wonder I can sense the presence of life from it. But there's another door on the far right that also feels like it has a presence of life. What is that door for?" Hermione curiously stared at the door on the far right.
"That is the path for the deceased to return. Those ghosts couldn't muster the courage to take another step forward, so they returned through this door. There's no cost to leave this way, but only ghosts can depart through it, and once they leave, they can never return. If you pay close attention, you'll realize this door isn't strong enough to support our bodies returning to the world of the living."
"The middle door then must be—" "The path that leads onward. We see some great Wizards leave a message that death is just the beginning of a great journey, and the starting point is here. Once you choose this path, there's no turning back."
"The archways leading to different places are truly astonishing. Why would there be traces of human architecture here?" After carefully observing the three archways, Hermione posed a question.
"No, this is just what our minds imagine leaving this place should look like", Liam said seriously to Hermione. "The boundary between the real and the imaginary here isn't so strict. Our power can influence the surroundings, making them conform to what we imagine."
"Alright!" Liam, seeing Hermione trying to study the three doors, took her hand. "These things don't have much research value for us right now. We need to get back quickly."
"Right." Hermione nodded, and then she walked through the middle door with Liam, feeling only endless darkness inside. But as soon as they stepped through, the environment changed instantly. They found themselves in a small alley, with the sounds of people talking and car engines in the distance.
"Liam, we're really back." Hermione hugged Liam, laughing and crying. The smell of gasoline and dust confirmed that they had indeed returned to the world of the living unharmed. Liam understood Hermione's excitement; after spending so much time in a place filled with the scent of death, the vibrant life of the world of the living and the feeling of being alive again were enough to make anyone shed tears of joy.
"We need to figure out where we are and what time it is", Liam said once he and Hermione had calmed down a bit.
"Right", Hermione widened her eyes. "I feel like we were in there for a long time. I hope they haven't already held our funeral."
After changing into Muggle clothes from their Dimensional Bags, they walked out onto the street. As they passed a newsstand, they saw the date on the newspaper.
"Unbelievable!" Hermione said excitedly once she confirmed there was no one around. "I felt like we were in there for a whole year, but it's only been three days."
"Yes, that's a good thing", Liam smiled. "We can surprise our friends."
"Let's hope it doesn't turn into a shock", Hermione shrugged.
"Of course, of course", Liam spread his hands. "We'll just tell them we got lucky and managed to escape. There's no need to say more. After all, it's the Department of Mysteries, and anything can happen there."
"Great, let's get back to the castle quickly." By now, they had reached a deserted path, and Hermione extended her wand to summon the Knight Bus. With a bang, a purple bus appeared before them.
"Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for witches and wizards in distress. Just extend your wand and step aboard, and we'll take you wherever you need to go. My name is Stan Shunpike, and I'm your conductor—"
(End of Chapter)
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