SWNOVELXO Chapter 93: Did I Kill It?
Chapter 93: Did I Kill It?
David leaned against the massive tree behind him, gasping for air. He had just poured every ounce of his magic into the invisible beast, ensuring that his attack would land with full force. Now, his body was drained, struggling to even take a single step forward.
As his magic ebbed away, the three summoned creatures flickered and vanished into the night, leaving only David and his adversary behind.
"You didn't fail as well, did you?" David taunted weakly, his voice dripping with exhaustion. "An adult wizard, fighting a student like me for so long? Tsk. You're not really Voldemort, are you? Maybe just the one Harry managed to finish off?"
Every rational part of David's mind told him to remain silent, to yield, to surrender to the Dark Lord's power. But he refused. He was betting everything on this moment.
"You little brat!" Voldemort's voice hissed with fury, losing all composure. The darkness in his presence swelled, and with no hesitation, he raised his wand high.
Now, Professor! Now would be a good time! David screamed internally, his muscles screaming for movement.
Voldemort's hand dropped, his voice like a blade in the cold air. "Avada Kedavra!"
The green light shot forward, reflecting in David's wide eyes, growing larger, consuming everything in its path.
This is it!
David's body responded sluggishly. He turned, trying to push himself away from the inevitable. But exhaustion clung to his limbs, his legs refused to obey, and he stumbled.
No...
A powerful force suddenly yanked him aside, strong arms pulling him just in time. The killing curse struck the tree he had leaned against just moments before, splintering it into shards of wood and dust.
"You're reckless, boy!" came a deep, gruff voice.
David blinked, dazed, looking up at his savior. A familiar figure stood tall beside him—black hair, pitch-dark body, four hooves. Bain. The centaur who had once fought alongside him against the eight-eyed giant spider.
"You alright, David?" Bain asked, his voice low and firm.
David coughed, his vision clearing. "I... I need to get to the unicorn. Help me."
Bain nodded and, without a word, lifted David by the waist and carried him through the clearing. Unlike Firenze, who might have allowed him to ride on his back, Bain was far too proud for such a gesture. His way was rough, but effective.
They reached the fallen unicorn. Its once-radiant white coat was drenched in crimson, its throat bearing a deep, gaping wound. Blood pooled beneath it, dark and shimmering in the moonlight. The creature's chest rose in shallow, uneven movements—its life barely clinging on.
David's breath caught in his throat. It's still alive.
Fumbling with his leather bag, he pulled out every healing potion he could find and poured them onto the wound. The blood slowed, but the gash refused to close.
"Come on, come on! Work!" he muttered desperately.
Nothing. The potions were too weak, too slow. The unicorn didn't have time.
Suddenly, frantic hoofbeats echoed through the forest. The surrounding centaurs parted as a small, silver figure burst through—a young unicorn. Behind it, three earthen minks followed, their coats stained with blood. Their eyes were wide with terror.
The young unicorn let out a heart-wrenching cry, its gaze locked onto the fallen one.
David's mind raced. The healing magic—the milky light!
"Can you do it? The healing spell your mother used?" he pleaded, hope surging through his voice.
Tears shimmered in the young unicorn's eyes as it bent its front legs, its silver coat glowing with a faint, white light.
David held his breath.
But the glow remained contained, unable to channel outward.
The young unicorn whinnied in distress, stamping the ground, bowing its head desperately to the older unicorn, trying to force its magic to flow.
Nothing.
David's heart pounded. The older unicorn's body grew still. The soft twitches ceased.
"No... no, no!"
A sinking realization clawed at his chest. If he had been stronger, could he have defeated Voldemort faster? If he had been faster, could he have saved it?
His vision blurred, a single tear slipping down his cheek.
Tears…
His mind jolted with a desperate thought. Tears!
"Fawkes!" David cried, his voice tearing through the forest. "Fawkes, come on! I need you!"
His shout echoed through the trees, carrying into the distance.
A rustling sound, hurried footsteps. The centaurs murmured among themselves. Then a deep, familiar voice broke through the hush. "What happened here?"
Hagrid's towering form appeared at the clearing's edge. He gasped, eyes widening in horror at the fallen unicorn. "Who did this?!" His voice was thick with sorrow and anger.
Then, a fiery figure streaked through the sky. A brilliant red and gold blur swooped down, landing gracefully on David's shoulder—Fawkes, the phoenix.
Professor McGonagall and Hermione emerged behind him, breathless from their chase.
David pointed urgently. "Fawkes—tears! Please!"
The phoenix let out a soft, melodic cry, then glided to hover over the unicorn's wound. A single, glistening tear fell from its eyes, landing on the deep gash.
A spark of magic ignited. The wound began to close.
"It's working!" David gasped, hope flaring to life.
A hushed cheer rippled through the centaurs. They clapped softly in reverence.
More tears dripped from Fawkes' eyes, each one knitting flesh back together, restoring the unicorn's fragile life. But then, Fawkes trembled. Its wings drooped, and with a quiet sigh, the phoenix collapsed into David's hands, too exhausted to continue.
"Can you still do it, Fawkes?" David whispered urgently.
The phoenix let out a weak chirp but was spent. Its body was frail, its energy drained.
Then, the unicorn stirred.
Its breath hitched. Its eyes fluttered open.
David reached out, cradling its head as it tried to lift itself. It exhaled shakily and, with a last surge of effort, stretched its tongue out, licking his face gently. A single tear fell from its eye onto David's arm.
A strange warmth coursed through him.
Then, the unicorn sighed and stilled.
The centaurs knelt, bowing their heads in solemn respect.
David could only stare at the unmoving form in his arms. His grip tightened, his jaw clenched. The little unicorn pressed against him, whimpering softly.
His tears mixed with the unicorn's blood, staining the ground beneath them.
Only two thoughts echoed in his mind:
Did I kill it?
I will kill him.