Disappearance

A couple of weeks passed as Harry acclimated to his new position. Erica had been a huge help in getting caught up to speed on what a Campione was, and the larger world outside of wizarding Britain, which was apparently now considered his territory, and he had the absolute final say in regards to it. Not that he had any real desire to exercise that right at the moment, and that information had come with another interesting occurrence.

Apparently, someone was hiding his new identity as a Campione. Erica had told him that the head of the Wizenmagot was informed, as was tradition when a new Campione is born, so no one makes any mistakes handling them, but it hadn't been passed down to the general populace. As far as anyone was aware, Britain had a Campione, but their identity had yet to be confirmed.

Erica and Harry both knew it was Dumbledore, as he was the Chief Warlock, but they couldn't figure out why. Harry planned to ask him as soon as he made it back to Hogwarts, which had been a point of confusion for Erica.

"Why attend a wizarding school when you are one of the most powerful beings on the planet?"

His response had been that for the moment, he'd like to enjoy what he considered normalcy. The wizarding world had been his escape for the longest time, and he enjoyed going to Hogwarts despite all the trouble he'd had to deal with over the last three years. Now there was nothing that could threaten him, Voldemort not even being worth worrying about now that he'd become a Campione. Apparently, the only reason he even managed to get as far as he did was that Europe didn't have any Campione present to take offense.

Erica and Harry were currently walking down the streets of Rome towards a restaurant the two of them had been frequenting.

"You have to head back in a few days right?" Erica asked him.

Harry nodded his head, his hands in his pockets as they walked. He'd gotten used to her presence over the last couple of weeks, taking solace in the fact someone was finally telling him things. "Yeah, Ron's family has tickets to the World Cup and are bringing me and Hermione with them."

"Hmm, I've never attended the World Cup before. I guess I'll have to get a ticket of my own."

He knew that tickets were sold out by now, but he also was well aware that wouldn't be any kind of obstacle for Erica. He'd quickly realized her family was insanely rich and insanely well-connected. He'd only met her uncle once, but the man had been obviously powerful, both politically and physically. He wasn't anywhere near a Campione, but still, the man was up there as far as regular people went. If Erica wanted a ticket, she would be getting one.

"You didn't strike me as someone all that interested in quidditch when I talked about it before," Harry commented.

Erica sighed theatrically as she responded. "Yes, but I suppose concessions must be made if I am to associate with you."

Erica had presented herself as my contact with a mage association, which her uncle had hoped would allow the Copper-Black Cross to have a second Campione they were in contact with. They were also associated with the Italian Campione, but he tended to wander and be out of contact for long periods of time so they'd like to have someone more available to help if a problem came up. 

Harry hadn't had a problem with it. He liked Erica, she'd helped him a lot so far, but she seemed really gung-ho about being around him as much as possible. They hadn't known each other for all that long, so it started to feel like all she cared about was the fact he was a Campione, and didn't actually want to be around him. Eventually, he'd brought it up, asking her if she was forcing herself to spend time with him.

"If I don't want to do something, I won't. If I want to be around you, it's because I think highly of you Harry."

He'd believed her, something about her tone conveyed her feelings properly. Harry had never been the most perceptive with women, but he got the feeling she was feeling him out. She had taken the first week since he had become a Campione to get a feel for his personality, along with the events of that day, and decided he was someone she was willing to associate herself with.

"Why do I get the feeling you meeting my friends is going to be a disaster," Harry said.

"I'm sure it will go swimmingly," Erica said, but the amusement in her tone told him he probably wasn't far off.

They finally made it to the restaurant and were immediately led to their seats. The first time it happened Harry had been surprised, but at this point, he just chalked it up to Erica being Erica. She could never do things quietly, everything always had to be handled in the most affluent way possible.

The two of them sat and waited for their food, Erica having ordered for Harry since he'd never tried most of the food they served. She had been ordering a different thing every time they came, recommending what she thought was best to give help a full view of everything Rome had to offer.

"Erica, what do you plan to do when I go back to Hogwarts," Harry asked as they ate.

Erica hummed lightly in thought as she considered the question. "I've never officially attended a magic school. My uncle taught me for most of my life, and I became a knight at twelve, so I mostly spent my time going on missions for the Copper-Black Cross. Maybe it will be a nice change of pace."

"So you're willing to drop everything and spend the year at my school?" Harry asked. He'd started to understand Erica's behavior, but even now he couldn't help but be shocked.

"Harry, I don't think you quite understand why I value you so highly. Do you remember what I've taught you about the other Campione? There's a marked difference between them and you that matters a lot."

He took a moment to recall what he'd learned about the other five, and he quickly figured out what it was. "My saving people thing? From what you've told me, the other Campione are basically just doing whatever they want, and if a Heretic God attacks, it's a 50-50 shot whether or not they come to help."

Erica began to smile in amusement at the way he phrased it. "Yes, your 'saving people thing' as you put it. I've spent the last couple of weeks with you, and you've told me about your time at Hogwarts. I'm willing to drop everything and come with you because I think that you're the only Campione that I believe will always be ready to help if a god attacks."

He knew she wasn't wrong. If he heard about an attack, he'd rush over in a heartbeat to stop it. He'd become a Campione, and basically been given unlimited power to do whatever he wanted, with everyone being willing to bend over backwards to accommodate him. It was only fair that he handled the threat that regular people could not.

"Well, I appreciate the vote of confidence. I've enjoyed these last couple weeks, so maybe I'll actually have a calm, nice year with you attending Hogwarts."

It seemed like fate heard Harry talking about having a calm time and decided to mess with him because it was at that moment that Erica's phone began to ring. She quickly answered it, listening to what the other person had to say before turning to Harry.

"It seems there are signs of Heretic God activity in Lower Saxony, Germany."

He quickly wiped his hands as he replied. "Well then, when are we leaving?"

The bright smile that Erica showed him definitely made it easy to not regret getting involved in all of this. "And that's why I chose you."

----

Erica had a private plane, which shouldn't have surprised him at this point, and before he knew it he was in Germany. One of the nicest perks of being a Campione was that he could pick up any language in hardly any time at all, so on the flight over Erica had taught him German.

Once they'd landed, a car had been waiting to take them to where they were supposed to go. He'd been briefed on the ride over about the situation. A few towns had just disappeared and all that remained where they once stood was a river. Preliminary reports assumed it was some type of water god who was the culprit, but three entire towns of people had already died so they wanted him to take action immediately.

"So far the god has destroyed the towns of Rohrsen, Afferde, and Klein Berkel. Based on the pattern, the next victims are either Hamelin or Am Schot," Erica explained as they got out of the car.

"So what's the reason we came to Hamelin?"

"Have you ever heard the story of the Piped Piper of Hamelin?" Erica asked and seeing Harry nod she continued. "Heretic Gods don't have to actually be gods in myths. Any story that has been significant in people's minds can produce a god. For example, King Arthur wasn't a god, but he could easily be a Heretic God since his myth is so prevalent."

That made sense to him, while also worrying since it meant that the breadth of individuals that could be Heretic Gods was much wider than he thought. "Then it's possible that there's a relationship between the Heretic God and the story of the Piped Piper since the god is primarily active around the city from the story?"

"Yes, if we can figure out who the god is it might make it easier for you to defeat them, so keep an eye out for anything that gives you an idea as to their identity."

The two of them made their way into the city of Hamelin and began to take a look around. It looked like there was some kind of festival going on, with glass panes being displayed all along the streets depicting a man in a large hat and a cloak playing a flute. Erica was quick to ask a passerby what was going on.

"It seems it's a festival for the Pied Piper of Hamelin. The town was turned into a tourist spot due to the story, so it makes sense they'd capitalize on it."

"It also means it's definitely not a coincidence that the incidents are occurring around the time of the festival. The god should be associated with the legend, but there's only a couple of things that stand out," Harry said.

Erica took a moment to think before she responded. "The most obvious suspect is the Pied Piper himself, but in the legend, he played music to spirit the kids away. That wouldn't explain why the villages were found destroyed by a river appearing."

"Then what about the Weser River? It wasn't as prominent as the Piper, but wasn't that one of the theories for how the children died? It would make sense for it to be some kind of spirit related to them drowning."

Erica looked over and gave him an appreciative glance. "And you claim you don't do all that well in class. You're right, that seems like the most likely suspect, but we shouldn't let our guard down. It might not be as simple as just that."

"So where do we start?"

Erica moved forward, hooking her arm in his. Harry flushed lightly from the contact, before looking at her questioningly. "Now, we enjoy the festival. As long as you're here, you'll be able to intervene when the god takes action. Better to stay within the city than go hunting and miss it taking action."

"And that needs you to hold my arm?"

"No, that's just for both my and your enjoyment," Erica said cheekily before she began to lead him through the streets to look at the various stalls. Harry was content to just enjoy the time with his friend as she excitedly looked at the different items being sold.

The two of them enjoyed the festival, keeping an eye out for anything that seemed related to a Heretic God, but their search came up short. Night had finally fallen, and the festival had just about wound down. Most of the people were off the streets at this point, and that was when Harry felt it. It was a feeling, an instinct, that he knew meant a Heretic God was near. His hair stood on end and he felt a chill run down his back before it was replaced by the desire to fight, to kill his natural enemy.

"It's here," Harry said and Erica reacted immediately. She quickly summoned her sword, Cuore Di Leone, and stood at the ready next to him. 

A soft sound began to echo throughout the streets. It was a beautiful melody being played on a flute, seemingly coming from every direction at once.

Harry turned to look at Erica but found her eyes had glazed over and she seemed to be walking in a particular direction without thought. Throughout the streets, more and more people began to pour out of their homes and walk in the same direction as Erica.

"Erica, snap out of it," Harry said urgently, shaking her shoulders, but it had no effect. Thinking quickly, he channeled his new authority, [Pillar of Humanity], into his hands, causing them to glow as he held onto her shoulders. The white light could counteract the effects of authority, and the effect was obvious as Erica's eyes regained their awareness.

"Harry...what happened?" she asked in a daze before she took in her surroundings and saw the state everyone was in.

"The god has to be the Piped Piper then right?" he asked. The effect seemed to line up with the legend of the Pied Piper spriting away the children with hypnotic music.

"No, we might be dealing with a hybrid god. It might be a god based on the entirety of the story instead of just one aspect since it has demonstrated both power over water and the hypnotic music."

"Right, well they're clearly being directed to go a certain way. Let's follow and see where it leads," Harry said, taking off running with Erica hot on his tail.

They quickly made it to the front of the group, finding that all of the people had ended up lining the bank of the Weser River. It seemed like the entire population of the town, including the tourists that had come for the festival had all congregated. 

Harry's attention was locked on the river, where he could feel his natural enemy. "Erica, we have to get people out of here, the god is in the river."

"Can you pinpoint where exactly?"

He concentrated, trying to sense the aura of the god to an exact location. A Campione was capable of sensing any magic signature in their vicinity, and he quickly locked in on where the god was concealed.

"Got it, I'll distract him, maybe it will break the spell. Try to get as many people away as you can."

Harry channeled [Pillar of Humanity] and his entire body was surrounded by a white light. Pushing off the ground, a crater formed where he'd pushed off from the strength that now flooded his body. Flying through the air, he flew straight through the air above the river, his fist extended and making contact with an invisible figure floating above it.

The two of them went flying across the river, landing on the other side and the Heretic God was finally revealed. It was a tall, lanky man with spiky black hair, with piercings in his ears. He was dressed like a military officer, wearing a grey shirt and pants with a pair of black combat boots. 

"Tch, damn brat," the god muttered as he stood up from where he had landed across from Harry.

"So what do I call you," Harry said, trying to fish for a name.

"Ah ah, that would be telling," the god said with a smirk on his face. Now that Harry was looking closely, he could see a flute tucked into the pocket of his shirt, which the god pulled and held in his hand, causing it to extend into a staff.

"Well little Campione, let's see what you've got," was all the warning Harry god before the god pushed off the ground, the dirt all around them sliding around and making him appear directly in front of Harry. 

Harry channeled [Pillar of Humanity] throughout his entire body, causing his eyes to glow white as [Eyes of the Lord] took effect and let him react to the god's rapid movements. His body was now insanely durable, so he could block the heavy swings of the staff with his arms, although he could feel the impact throughout his body.

A rapid exchange of attacks happened between the two, the god using a wide sweeping style of attacks with his staff while Harry blocked with his arms and counteracted with rapid punches. It quickly became apparent that Harry's attacks were doing more damage, even if he was only landing a few of them. Any hit that did connect sent the god rocketing backward, but the god's attacks had yet to really injure him.

"You sure can take a hit, can't ya," the god said while spitting on the ground. "If I can't break you, I guess you'll just have to drown instead."

He lifted his staff up and slammed it down into the ground, causing all of the dirt around them to turn to mud and rise up like a wave and rush towards Harry. Harry threw punches to destroy the wave, but it felt like it was an endless assault on him. 

'I need to look for a chance to end it all at once. I can't risk using [Aurora Pillar] until I have a clear shot at him or I'll be completely helpless.'

Channeling [Pilar of Humanity] through only his arms and legs, neglected to strengthen his body, his arms became a blur as he threw a series of punches that completely cleared the wave of mud, but that was when the very ground under him opened up like a pit. Before he could react, he fell into the hole, which quickly closed up over him. The last thing he could see was the god smirking as he was sealed in the darkness of the ground.