Perhaps some things were destined to remain secret.
It was not only what had happened underground, nor the battle itself.
There was also what the Department of Mysteries' Black Robe Wizard did afterward.
The Black Robe Wizard—or perhaps he could be called Azman the "Observer"—did not return to his office deep within the Department of Mysteries, piled high with forbidden texts and strange creations, after successfully "calming" the disturbance at the Ministry of Magic aboveground. Instead, like a ghost blending into the background, he silently reappeared before the door leading to the underground area.
At this moment.
The place where the gate to African Azkaban stood was emitting a glow that seemed to warn of trouble within, along with traces of an ominous aura.
It came from that Fallen Deity.
Yet Azman the "Observer" found nothing unusual about it and paid it no mind.
Nor was he alone. At some point, two more wizards dressed in pure black robes had appeared before the door, their faces hidden beneath the shadows of their hoods.
They stood like two lifeless statues.
Only the fluctuations radiating from them, sharing the same origin as Azman's—the cold, obscure aura unique to Department of Mysteries wizards—proved that they too were members of the Department of Mysteries.
None of them exchanged a word.
Azman's gaze briefly met that of one of them. It was an exchange beyond language, their eyes carrying complex information and mutual understanding.
The other man gave an almost imperceptible nod, indicating that everything outside was under control.
Azman immediately stopped hesitating. He extended a pale hand nearly devoid of blood and pressed it against the stone door, which was covered in defensive Magic Runes yet now appeared somewhat dim from the impacts within.
The stone door silently slid open just enough for one