40 Shelob

[Ding!]

[Congratulations to the host for successfully summoning Shelob. The unlocking degree of the Supreme Lord of the Rings has increased by 1%!]

A 1% increase? Artel was puzzled. Who was this Shelob? He glanced at the summoned space area and was taken aback. "Isn't this Shelob? The mother spider? So her name is Shelob?"

Artel's knowledge about Shelob was limited to guarding the entrance of Mount Doom in Mordor. When Frodo and his companions escorted the One Ring to Mount Doom, Gollum attempted to use this massive spider to eliminate them. However, Frodo and Sam, armed with Sting and an elven crystal vial, managed to fend off Shelob's attack. 

This highlighted the power of the protagonist's plot armor; without it, Frodo and Sam would likely have become Shelob's dinner. After all, Shelob's mother was an ancient fallen evil deity, a millennia-old monster, and recognized by Sauron. In order to keep her out of Mount Doom, Sauron would even send her orcs as food.

"In general, she's much stronger than Hagrid's giant spider, Aragog."

Artel recalled that Aragog had succumbed to old age after only a few decades, suffering from cataracts in his forties, losing all eight eyes, and it was just bizarre.

"Why not just toss Shelob into the Forbidden Forest? Then, find an opportunity to create another entry in Gandalf's diary, focusing on Shelob..."

Artel realized this and began to silently pray for Aragog. He remembered that Shelob was known to devour her mates. While Aragog might be weaker, he was certainly large enough to pique Shelob's interest.

"Aragog just sit tight, and I'll bring her right to you," Artel mumbled to himself, selecting the option to place Shelob in the territory of the eight-eyed giant spider in the Forbidden Forest.

The Forbidden Forest was destined to be a restless place tonight.

As Artel dropped Shelob, within Hogwarts Castle, Dumbledore, sitting in his office, suddenly raised his head and gazed in the direction of the Forbidden Forest.

"A profoundly malevolent force has unexpectedly appeared in the Forbidden Forest..."

Dumbledore mused to himself, his eyes briefly falling on Fawkes, before he vanished with a snap.

....

In the hut located outside the Forbidden Forest, Hagrid was sharing a meal of rock cakes with his loyal canine companion, Fang, when Dumbledore's unexpected arrival startled him.

"Oh, Headmaster Dumbledore, it's quite late... I mean, would you like a rock cake?"

"Thank you," Dumbledore replied, taking a rock cake and sitting across from Hagrid. In front of him was a small campfire, with a cauldron hanging over it, cooking something.

"Hagrid, I recall you mentioned two weeks ago that the Forbidden Forest had become rather turbulent?"

"Oh, yes, that's right. If you're askin' about it, the centaur tribe and the eight-eyed spiders had a clash. It's said that the eight-eyed spider ate a couple of poor centaurs, but I don't think it's as simple as that."

Hagrid took a hearty bite of the rock cake, his expression serious.

"Aragog claimed that the two centaurs were sent by the Inferi, and they had their blood drained when they were delivered."

"Inferi corpses?" Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.

"Aye, that's right, a real frightenin' lot. The centaurs said they've seen 'em. There might be a few hundred of 'em or so."

The strength may not be exceptionally formidable, but there's something more significant behind this," Hagrid trailed off, not needing to articulate further. Dumbledore understood precisely what he meant. During Voldemort's ascent to power, he had ruthlessly murdered tens of thousands of Muggles. Rumor had it that he used dark magic to turn them into Inferi, but once Voldemort's plans faltered and the Death Eater group dissolved, those Inferi served no purpose. Many believed it was just a legend, but Dumbledore was convinced it was true. The only challenge was finding the whereabouts of Voldemort, as he hadn't anticipated his own downfall, leaving many of his dark methods unused.

"I understand, Hagrid. It would be best to avoid the Forbidden Forest for the time being. Keep a watchful eye on the area, and don't allow students to venture in. I sense the presence of a formidable creature in the Forbidden Forest," Dumbledore cautioned, rising from his seat. He declined the food Hagrid offered; it was a bit uncomfortable to watch an elderly man attempt to consume the hard rock cakes.

"I must be going. Thank you for your hospitality," Dumbledore said before Disapparating and vanishing, leaving Hagrid to scratch his unruly hair and continue munching on the rock cakes.

However, Dumbledore reappeared, this time deep within the Forbidden Forest. He pondered whether it was Voldemort or something else. There was a distinct aura of hesitation on Dumbledore's face. He could clearly sense that the entity in the Forbidden Forest possessed immense power and a malevolent intent. Even Dumbledore was uncertain. If it was Voldemort...

Guided by his heightened senses, Dumbledore swiftly made his way to the territory of the Acromantula, the eight-eyed giant spiders. He was aware that Hagrid was maintaining these creatures here. Dumbledore employed the Illusory Body Charm to conceal his presence and reached the heart of the Acromantula colony.

.....

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