Two veteran actors deliver a powerful performance.
Only a world wounded by bureaucracy has achieved this.
Dumbledore's expression also turned serious. His body stiffened slightly, and the Elder Wand slid into his palm. He gripped the wand tightly, his eyes fixed on Grindelwald, a hint of wariness on his face. He knew that Grindelwald was about to start his act, and this act would be even more exaggerated and insane than they had agreed upon.
"Bang!"
The door to the reception room was suddenly pushed open, and several Auror in!
"What happened?!"
"He! Grindelwald has lost control!"
The Auror ' wands flashed, all pointing at Grindelwald. Their faces were filled with terror and tension, their bodies trembling slightly, yet they maintained their composure, daring not to relax for a moment. They were all elite Auror of Azkaban, having seen countless ferocious dark Wizard in their daily lives, but facing Grindelwald, they still could not suppress the fear in their hearts—this man was the Dark Lord had once made all of Europe tremble, an existence they simply could not contend with.
"Hehehe."
Grindelwald shook his newly freed wrist, flexed his fingers, and a satisfied smile spread across his face. His gaze swept over the Auror, his eyes filled with disdain and mockery, as if he were looking at a bunch of clowns. Finally, his gaze settled on Dumbledore's face. The Dark Lord's lips curled into a complex, somewhat crazed smile, " Albus, you want to lock me up? Then try it."
Before he finished speaking, his figure vanished from the spot!
The speed was astonishing, so fast that it left only a black afterimage, so fast that the Auror didn't even have time to react, or even to wave their wands.
The next second, he was already in the middle of the group of Auror at the door! His movements were as fast as lightning; he reached out a hand and effortlessly snatched a wand from a young Auror's hand. The movement was too easy, too casual, as if he were just picking up an insignificant little thing.
Damn it!
The young Auror felt a sudden lightness in his hand, and looking down, he saw that his wand was gone. He abruptly looked up and met Grindelwald's heterochromatic eyes—eyes that gleamed with a black light like the depths of hell, filled with intense killing intent and mockery. This made the Auror freeze, as if he had been frozen in place, even his breath caught in his throat.
"Let me borrow it," Grindelwald said, his voice as calm as if he were merely borrowing a pen, devoid of any emotion, yet carrying an undeniable authority.
Then, he raised the wand he had just stolen and waved it lightly.
A black Fiendfyre erupted from the tip of the staff, instantly transforming into a ferocious Fire Serpent. The Fire Serpent opened its blood-red maw, flicked its forked tongue, and burned with raging black flames, radiating a chilling aura and destructive power as it pounced towards the Auror!
"Ah!"
Several Auror let out a terrified scream and scrambled backward.
Someone crashed into the wall with a dull thud, blood trickling from the corner of their mouth; someone slipped and fell to the ground, frantically trying to get up, but too weak with fear; someone else tried to swing their wand in retaliation, but was too nervous to hold it properly and was unable to cast a spell.
Black Fiendfyre burned around them, scorching their robes and emitting a pungent, acrid smell, plunging them into endless panic.
certainly.
Grindelwald would never kill someone.
But these Auror were unaware of this.
They fled frantically.
Grindelwald didn't pursue, but stood silently, letting the Fiendfyre surround him. The Black Flames reflected on his face, making his deep-set features appear even more cold and crazed. He looked at Dumbledore, his heterochromatic eyes filled with mockery, his voice cold and hoarse. " Albus, these are the helpers you found? This is the 'prison' you used to lock me up? With these useless pieces of trash, with this wretched place, you think you can confine me? You underestimate me."
Grindelwald smiled smugly. Dumbledore's face turned ashen. He gripped the Elder Wand tightly but didn't make a move, only staring intently at Grindelwald. Grindelwald smiled again.
That smile contained smugness, madness, and a complex emotion that only Dumbledore could decipher.
It was disappointment, resentment, and a barely perceptible lingering affection. He and Dumbledore had once been the closest of friends, shared a common dream, and fought side by side. But now, they could only stand on opposite sides, deceiving and testing each other. "I've remembered what happened today," he said, his voice as cold as frost, filled with deep hatred and resentment. " Albus Dumbledore, what you owe me, one day I will make you pay double. I will show you what the consequences of betraying me are."
As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly waved his hand!
The black Fiendfyre surrounding him surged instantly, spreading out like a tidal wave, transforming into a sea of fire that blotted out the sky and engulfed the entire reception room!
Black Flames burned, engulfing everything in the room. Tables and chairs were burned to ashes, walls were scorched black, Oil Lamp were overturned and extinguished, leaving only raging black flames leaping in the darkness, like hellfire, radiating destructive power. "No! He's gone mad!" Gleeson's scream was drowned out by the roar of the sea of fire. The Auror who had fallen to the ground retreated frantically, desperately trying to erect a protective barrier, watching helplessly as the Black Flames licked at the walls, ceiling, and floor, burning, melting, and turning to ashes wherever they went!
In a sea of fire.
Dumbledore was the real target.
The two worked together very well.
The flames, upon touching Dumbledore, seemed to be firmly held down by an invisible giant hand, abruptly stopping. The once unstoppable black Fiendfyre, capable of devouring all living beings and magic, strangely solidified into a twisted ball of fire less than an inch from the hem of his robes. It emitted a sizzling sound, yet could no longer advance.
You're making the wrong choice, my old friend.
Dumbledore a hoarse voice.
The Elder Wand was held steadily in front of him.
The tip of the staff emitted a dazzling golden light, pure and intense, like the midday sun piercing through thick clouds, instantly dispelling the surrounding cold and darkness.
All I saw was...
Accompanied by the wave.
Golden light spread rapidly from the Elder Wand, forming a semi-transparent yet indestructible barrier that kept the black Fiendfyre completely out.
The point of collision between the two extreme forces even created subtle ripples in space.
The black Fiendfyre gnawed at the golden barrier with a piercing shriek, while the golden light stubbornly resisted the erosion. Each tremor was accompanied by a violent fluctuation of Magic Power, finally erupting into a deafening roar, like a mountain collapsing and the earth splitting, echoing throughout the entire Azkaban drawing room. Dumbledore's robes fluttered wildly in the raging Magic Power storm, like an eagle about to take flight. His silver hair was whipped about by the air currents, clinging to his wrinkled yet still upright forehead. His usually gentle, lake-like blue eyes now burned with an unprecedented fighting spirit.
certainly.
His fighting spirit was tinged with helplessness, regret, and an undeniable determination. His gaze pierced through layers of fire and Magic Power barriers, fixed on the familiar yet unfamiliar figure in the center of the inferno. His voice was deep and powerful, like thunder piercing the roar, clearly reaching Grindelwald's ears. " Gellert, do you know what you're doing?"
Faced with this question.
Grindelwald laughed, a wild and unrestrained laugh, with an almost obsessive fervor, as if he had heard the most ridiculous question in the world. His heterochromatic eyes—one as green as jade, the other as deep as a sapphire—reflected the leaping black flames, making them appear even more eerie and ferocious.
He gently shook the stolen magic wand in his hand.
The black flame at the tip of the staff flickered, his tone filled with mockery and anticipation. "Of course I know, Albus. I'm doing what I should have done years ago."
He paused, then abruptly raised the wand that wasn't his own, its tip pointing fiercely at Dumbledore. His fingertips turned slightly white from the force, and his eyes blazed with fanaticism. "A real fight with you! A battle without reservations, without compromise, a fight to the death!" With that, he swung his hand sharply, the movement swift and decisive, carrying an irresistible Magic Power command! The black Fiendfyre filled the sky instantly coalesced like awakened beasts, transforming into countless ferocious and terrifying fire Fire Serpent. Each Fire Serpent was as thick as a mature python, its body ablaze with jet-black flames, its scales clearly visible, its eyes two flickering ghostly flames, lunging at Dumbledore from all directions!
Each Fire Serpent opened its enormous jaws, revealing sharp fangs made of pure flame. Scalding hot droplets dripped from the fangs, instantly burning Black Hole into the hard stone bricks that fell to the ground, enough to devour anything that stood in their way. Even the magical particles in the air were scorched and emitted a burnt smell.
You've lost your way.
Dumbledore unmoved, his Elder Wand seemingly coming to life, swinging rapidly with fluid and elegant movements, displaying a seasoned composure. Golden light surged continuously from the tip of the wand, transforming into countless sharp blades of light that rained down upon the onrushing Fire Serpent. Each blade of light contained a powerful purifying force.
"Hiss hiss hiss"
The sounds of light blades clashing with Fire Serpent rose and fell. Those Fire Serpent charging at the forefront were instantly severed by the light blades, turning into scattered Mars that fell to the ground and extinguished, filling the air with a strong smell of sulfur. But Grindelwald's Magic Power was inexhaustible, and more Fire Serpent continued to gather from the black sea of fire, surging in like a tide, showing no signs of abating, surrounding Dumbledore layers, giving him no chance to breathe.
Out of the corner of his eye Dumbledore caught sight of Gleeson and the other Auror, who were already trembling with fear and pale-faced. They were gripping their wands tightly but didn't even have the strength to lift them. Their faces were ashen, their foreheads were covered in cold sweat, and their legs were shaking uncontrollably.
He knew the power of this battle far exceeded what ordinary people could withstand. Staying in the reception room would only result in being caught in the Magic Power shockwaves of the clash and Confringo. So, without turning back, he roared at them, his voice carrying unquestionable authority. "Everyone, evacuate! Now!" Gleeson and the other Auror felt as if they had been granted a pardon, practically tumbling and crawling out of the reception room as if a vengeful ghost were chasing them. They ran frantically down the narrow corridor, staggering, some even falling to the ground, ignoring the pain, scrambling to their feet and continuing their charge. "We're doomed! We're doomed!"
The roar behind them grew louder and more intense, the walls trembled under the impact of the Magic Power, and dust and gravel fell from the ceiling.
The impact hit their shoulders and backs, but no one dared to turn around and look.
Boom!!! A deafening roar suddenly erupted, shaking the entire Azkaban violently as if it were about to collapse. The walls of the reception room were instantly blasted apart by the collision of the two extreme Magic Power, sending debris flying. Black Flames and golden light, like ferocious beasts breaking free of their restraints, burst forth, spreading along the corridor and turning its end into a destructive storm.
The walls were scorched black and melted, the stone bricks shattered into powder, and the concentration of Magic Power in the air was so high that it was suffocating, and even breathing was a burning pain.
Gleeson ran ahead, his hair disheveled, his face covered in dust and sweat, shouting frantically as he ran, his voice hoarse and Transfiguration with fear. "Alarm! Quick! Sound the highest alarm! Grindelwald and Dumbledore are fighting! Quick! Sound the highest alarm!" His voice echoed in the empty corridor, a desperate roar, as if he were trying to vent all his fear.
Then.
"Waaaaah!!!"
A piercing alarm instantly resounded throughout Azkaban, its sharp, urgent sound like the wailing of ghosts, shattering the prison's perpetual silence. Alarm lights flashed wildly on the corridor ceilings, their red glow illuminating the pale faces of everyone present, adding to the apocalyptic panic. Both the prisoners in their cells and the Auror on duty were thrown into a panic by the sudden alarm and deafening roar. The prisoners frantically pounded on the bars of their cells, screaming and shouting, unaware of what was happening outside, only knowing that a great catastrophe was about to befall them; the Auror, on the other hand, quickly grabbed their wands and ran towards the direction of the alarm, their faces filled with tension and fear, yet also with a hint of the duty and resolve of their Auror identity.
"Swish swish~"
Countless Dementor emerged from every corner, floating above the corridor like black phantoms, their chilling aura causing the temperature in Azkaban to plummet.
These monsters, which feed on fear and pleasure, sensed the violent and powerful Magic Power Fluctuation on the battlefield. Thinking they could find prey, they swarmed towards the area. But as soon as they approached the battle zone, they were instantly torn apart by the raging Magic Power storm, turning into wisps of black smoke that dissipated into the air.
Those monsters that once struck fear into the hearts of countless prisoners and posed a formidable challenge to Auror were like moths drawn to a flame before Dumbledore and Grindelwald, two god-like figures.
Extremely vulnerable.
Just for a moment.
It has already vanished without a trace.
Not even a trace was left.