War preparations

"Well," Morpheus spoke stopping himself mid-sentence to refill his glass, "You must understand even though this dark lord might not seem much to someone like me who has lived to see far stronger wizards and witches he is still rather talented. Forget all of his alliances and how he widdled his way into the pure-blood faction so seamlessly he is dare I say it a genius of the darker shade of magic. I can assure you that killing him will not suffice,"

"He's immortal?" Cassiopeia wondered

Morpheus cracked a smile, "Not quite, he's using a very common method of immortality that many 'dark' wizards have used in the past Horcruxes,"

Arcturus inhaled sharply, "Horcruxes are you certain?"

"Of course, I know he has made multiple," Morpheus replied with a mysterious smile

He almost looked glad?

"Multiple?" Cassiopeia whispered, "But from my understanding of the spell making multiple would practically mutilate soul!"

"Indeed, a daring man this one," Morpheus laughed, "Of course, this isn't even taking into consideration the other parts of the spell,"

"Nevermind the Horcruxes let's get into the main reason you are here what can we do to prepare," Arcturus asked

Before Morpheus could reply Cassiopeia added, "We have already recalled the available family members and have started having the children trained more rigorously we I refuse to lose family with this war. Actually, maybe we can thrust Walburga to the front lines,"

Arcturus cracked a rare smile, "Hush sister she is still a part of this family no matter how insufferable she is,"

"Good," Morpheus nodded at their foresight, "Recalling your family was smart, I will, of course, try to alienate and attack dark families that don't join him claiming you are falling to muggle charms. As for what I need you both to do, it's rather simple really stay put and don't mention our alliance, not until the right moment."

"When will that be, this whole thing seems rather boring," Arcturus quipped but he held a content grin

Morpheus shook his head, "Enjoy it while you can, once this whole thing gets started there is no stopping it,"

***

In a distant realm, desolate and forsaken, stretches a vast expanse of barren land known as the Wastelands of Elysor. The ground is cracked and parched, with a perpetual haze hanging low, casting an eerie, sepia-toned light over the landscape. The air is thick with the scent of dust and ancient stone, whispering secrets of a time long past.

Amidst this desolation stand the Ruins of Valoria, remnants of a once-magnificent civilization. Tall, crumbling columns and shattered archways rise from the earth, their surfaces etched with intricate runes and symbols that glow faintly with residual magic. The ruins are a labyrinth of fallen towers, broken statues, and vine-choked pathways, silent witnesses to the glory and downfall of their creators.

Within the heart of these ruins lies the Great Hall, a vast, roofless chamber dominated by a massive stone table, its surface covered in carvings of forgotten legends. Around this table, under the open sky, a meeting is being held. The participants are cloaked figures, their faces hidden in the shadows of their hoods, each radiating an aura of power but their bodies were hazy as if mere illusions.

"How is the project coming along?" One of the figures asked his voice dark but somewhat hollow

"Well, the portals are being placed in key locations we are almost done," a female voice answered

"And what of the human you are influencing?" A third voice asked

A grunt of laughter was heard, "Zues be more specific we are influencing many,"

"Quit your ill attempts at humor Loki, I speak of the dark lord in Britain you are manipulating," Zues replied sharply

The illusionary figure of Loki flickered before an annoyed voice sounded, "It is harder than I imagined, for some reason the human is proving resistant without seeing him in person I won't be able to figure out why,"

Before zues could reply a woman's voice cut in, "It doesn't matter at this point he is still preparing to siege Britain just like we wanted,"

"Beelzebub nice of you to join us," Zues said his voice fainter

"Sorry for being late," she replied before looking around the room, "He is being unpredictable again, bastard publically announced himself,"

"He's desperate,"

A mocking laughter rang, "When has he ever made a mistake while being desperate? No, he only grows more dangerous I told you we should have killed him long ago!"

"You imbecile what do you think we've been trying to do!"

"The war should distract him Tom Riddle will do his part," A gruff voice cut in

"Odin has a point," a golden-glowing figure replied

"Of course I do, isn't that the point of why we needed the war in the first place? To take out as many powerful wizards and witches as we can while destabilizing the world and distracting Morph-"

"DONT CALL HIM THAT!" an enraged voice bellowed

"Ah sorry about that Morpheus," An awkward chuckle followed

"It's weird," a soft voice broke the awkward tension

"What's weird Freyja?" Odin asked worriedly when Freyja found something odd she usually found something meaningful

"He doesn't seem concerned," she replied stopping before speaking again, "He has his usual defenses up but for some reason when he's out in public he doesn't carry something to block my sight it's like he wants us to be watching him. This war we are waiting for he seems almost expectant I have a troubling feeling he we are walking into his path,"

"Tch!" an annoyed sound escaped Ares's lips, "What does it matter, we have numbers we are all allied now no matter his strength, his plans, and his traps we will rampage through them all,"

"And how many times have we said that in the past!"

"Were we all allied in the past you fool!"

The figures began to flick in and out of existence, "It seems we ran out of time until then next meeting then," Odin cut in while zues quelled his own side

"Until then", they all spoke and flickered out of existence leaving the barren realm

***

A castle looms over the rugged landscape, a dark and imposing fortress carved into the very rock of the mountainside. Its tall, foreboding walls are built from black stone, each block meticulously shaped and fitted together with an almost unnatural precision. The structure exudes an aura of cold malevolence, as if the very stones are steeped in the sinister history of its master.

Sharp spires and battlements rise into the sky, silhouetted against the perpetual mist that clings to the peaks. Narrow, arrow-slit windows dot the walls, giving the impression of countless unseen eyes watching all who dare approach. The air around the fortress is still and heavy, charged with a lingering sense of dread.

The entrance is marked by a massive iron gate, its surface covered in arcane symbols and runes that pulse with a faint, eerie light. A narrow, treacherous path winds up the mountainside to this gate, flanked by jagged rocks and sparse, twisted vegetation. The path seems to repel all but the most determined, a gauntlet that mirrors the trials faced within the fortress itself.

Inside, the halls are vast and echoing, lined with cold stone and adorned with remnants of the fortress's dark past. Enchanted torches flicker with a ghostly blue flame, casting long shadows that dance across the walls. The air is thick with the faint, unsettling hum.

A figure walked down the halls of the castle passing the guards each slightly bowing with respect knowing why he was there.

The figure swiftly made his way toward the top of the castle reaching a heavily guarded door, "you have an hour sir," one of the guards spoke to the figure

"That's plenty thank you," his aged voice replied

The door creaked open revealing a large cell, "Albus? So kind of you to visit,"

"Hello, Gellert,"