Chapter 26: Thunder, Storm, Lightning!
Chapter 26: Thunder, Storm, Lightning!
The rain intensified, and the wind grew fiercer. Dark clouds pressed against the horizon, causing the forest below to sway, even the giant redwoods struggling against the powerful gusts, constantly shaking.
No one anticipated the rain to be this heavy, not even from a short distance. They could only occasionally catch a glimpse of the figure standing on the cliff through the rain.
Moon stood on the cliff, feeling the two heartbeats in his chest. Those practicing Animagus transformation had to recite an incantation toward their own chests at every sunrise and sunset to evoke a second heartbeat.
Now, everything was ready; all that was needed was to wait—for a lightning strike!
With this in mind, his gaze fell on the enormous redwood tree next to the castle. For days, he routinely checked the integrity of the magical formations, ensuring that the potions stored within remained concealed from prying eyes until the lightning struck.
As the daylight brightened, flashes of lightning shimmered deep within the clouds. Moon reacted swiftly, beckoning toward the redwood. Five fingers formed a bow, and his wrist twisted.
Even from a distance, the redwood was forcefully excavated, creating a pit. Moon turned, and the unearthed chunk of wood, containing the potion bottles, sailed through the rain and landed neatly in his hands.
Then, the deafening thunder arrived.
Boom, rumble—
Moon retrieved a potion bottle, and his pupils narrowed into a straight line. The liquid inside had turned into a vibrant blood-red color.
He raised his wand, aiming at his chest, and began chanting the incantation: "Amato Animo Animato Animagus!"
Thump, thump—
His second heart pounded vigorously in his chest, and his limbs experienced a sharp, piercing pain. The transformation had begun!
Silver-white fur rapidly grew on his arms and fingers, the fingers shortened and thickened. Even the ring he wore was enveloped by the emerging flesh, disappearing from view.
Not only the ring, but even his clothes gradually gathered towards the blood-red flesh, while the growing fur concealed it all. His nails thickened and sharpened, embedding into the flesh. His spine curved, and his entire body endured intense agony, bending down.
Yet, this was not enough!
Different from ordinary wizards, his body was the pinnacle creation of human alchemy. He sought more than just transforming into a common animal.
Magic flowed through his body as the alchemical formation on his skin emitted a radiant silver light. The violent magic, centered around him, radiated outwards, intermingling with the surrounding environment.
The transformation of Animagus and the alchemical transformation of the body, initially in conflict, gradually reached a subjective balance under Moon's guidance. His body in the rain became slender and diminutive.
Boom, rumble—
Another lightning strike tore through the sky, revealing the figure standing on the cliff to the person, the fire, and the broom at the Moonlight Castle's doorstep.
Even the thick cloud seemed to shape itself into Moon's face, massive and majestic.
Harry rubbed his eyes, hardly believing what he saw.
"Hehehe."
Suddenly, laughter beside him startled Harry. Turning around, he saw Lucifer grinning, flames flickering on him, looking utterly delighted.
"Mr. Lucifer, why are you laughing?" Harry asked curiously.
Lucifer extended a small hand, pointing towards the cliff, "It's still a cat, just as I said. Animagus is useless, hehe."
Harry looked towards the cliff, seeing only darkness; he couldn't see anything.
Just then, a figure suddenly appeared—a silver-white body, thick mane, pointed ears raised high. It was the form of a large cat.
"Lucifer, why are you so happy?" Moon spoke, feeling a bit displeased at Lucifer's overly joyful demeanor.
"Nothing to laugh about, hehehe," Lucifer chuckled, covering his mouth, eyes narrowed.
Harry quickly stood up, "Uncle Moon, did you succeed?"
Moon nodded, jumped into the house first, and then a warm whirlwind picked up his body, quickly drying the fur. Even his fur looked quite fluffy.
"Magic?!" Harry was astonished. He remembered from his lessons with Uncle Moon that Animagus transformation didn't allow spellcasting. Did he remember it wrong?
Moon nodded, landing on the table. After a few jumps, he adapted to his new body, then jumped down, returning to his human form. However, he still had a cat's face.
Even with this advanced transformation connecting his entire body, Moon felt no issues with his head during the change. As if he was meant to have a cat's head.
"Now, will you listen to me?" Lucifer returned to the fireplace, smug.
After the successful Animagus transformation, Harry reviewed his books, cleaned up the water marks Moon brought in, and then bid farewell to Moon before returning to the Dursley's.
On the sofa, Moon sat tiredly, one hand propping his cheek. He couldn't understand why this curse was so troublesome.
In his previous journey to the "Porco Rosso" world, he was cursed afterward and turned into a cat-headed creature.
"Of course, in Porco Rosso's world, this is a curse at the source level." Lucifer lazily spoke.
Moon lifted himself, moving closer to the fireplace, "But Porco Rosso's world doesn't have magic, no wizarding history."
"How would I know?" Lucifer took a piece of firewood for himself.
"Whether it's Porco Rosso or the flying squirrel boss at the aircraft maintenance factory, in that world, people who betray their true feelings turn into animals as a punishment."
Squinting, Lucifer added with a nostalgic look, "Think about how Porco turned from a pig back into a human."
"He turned human because he was kissed by Fio, right? That guy... it's like a fairy tale, just that the story became a romance between a young girl and an old pig."
"No, no, no!" Lucifer waved a finger, shaking it, "You didn't notice the key point!"
"What's the key point?"
"The key point is, Miss Gina was there at that time. Let me tell you, Porco, that guy, kept avoiding his feelings for Miss Gina. That's why he turned into a pig."
"So, after Fio expressed her love, he had to truly face his emotions for Miss Gina. That's when he turned back into a human."
Hearing Lucifer's words, Moon fell into silence for a while before speaking indifferently, "So, you mean... I was cursed in that world because I went against my true feelings?"
Lucifer nodded, "I guess so."
Moon found it hard to believe; it seemed too ridiculous. During his time in the Caribbean, he did what he wanted, never mistreating himself.
Even because he declared, "In this vast sea, there can only be one Jones!" and then went on to slay Davy Jones.
He was quite true to himself.
"People lost in the desert will never realize they are lost," Lucifer lazily commented. "You know, the most challenging lie to expose is the one you tell yourself.
In my opinion, you should slow down now. The curse won't make you wish for death. It's just a cat head; what's the big deal?"
Moon slumped on the sofa, motioning
with his hand, "Fine, I'll listen to you."
(End of Chapter)