HP : TRIUMPH

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(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)

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Harry looked around the dead field and at the dead trees and frowned. He'd been here before. Yes, yes of course he had. There was the grim watching at the edge of the trees and the raven in the dead tree in the center of the clearing.

But why was he here?

He glanced around again and was surprised at what he found. The grass though dead was hiding the fresh green grass that was shorter then it and the trees all had buds. He frowned. Why was that? Why did everything appear to be growing?

He didn't have time to ponder this any longer. He threw himself to the side on instinct. A large black body flew over the spot he had been standing and hit the ground with a loud thump. A whinny of amusement echoed. Harry stared in shock at the large black stallion. It was tall but slender with a coat of dark ebony. Green/brown eyes landed on Harry and the horse snickered again throwing its head. Mane of black with a red tint was tossed about.

"Three forms?" He spoke aloud. "I have three forms?"

The stallion whickered again and trotted around him showing off grace and speed. It started to gallop and started around the clearing, jumping hidden logs and turning tight circles before rearing. Harry was in awe. It looked so fast, so free. Finally it trotted up to him and took a deep breath, taking in his scent.

"You're beautiful." Harry whispered reaching out slowly.

It leaned into his hand and then everything melted away.

.-.

Harry woke with a start. He sat up, unmindful of the blanket that slid down his chest to pool at his waist. Running his fingers through his hair he found it coarser then usual. He smiled wildly as it slowly turned to his regular texture.

Then he realized he was not in his own bed. He blinked then spotted Elewa sleeping beside him, face buried in a pillow. Silently he rose and grabbed his clothes from the floor. He tugged them on and then grinned as he cast a cleaning spell on himself. His magic jumped eagerly to the command and he wanted to giggle in relief as he felt it flow through his veins.

He exited the room silently and bound down the stairs. He passed by the goblins sleeping on the couches and slipped outside. Once in the fresh air he breathed deeply. Then he jumped. He transformed into his raven form and with a few wing beats was high in the sky. He shot up higher and hovered above the clearing. He could see jungle surrounded Elewa's house for miles upon miles. Then he dived.

He dived straight down until he hit the tree tops and then swooped out over the trees. When he was a distance a way he found himself over a tiny clearing with a waterfall in it. Pausing in his flight he glanced around before dropping to the ground, transforming back to human on his way down.

He landed lightly on the soft ground and breathed the humid air happily. The waterfall wasn't large, nor was the pool it fell into, but it was beautiful and peaceful. Harry took a seat on one of the large boulders and just listened for the longest time. He listened to the birds, the rustle of the trees, the sound of the water, and the silence beneath it all. He sat as still as the boulder he was one, marvelling at how warm his magic was in his veins. It cooed at him, caressing him as it seemed to compress around him like a hug. He smiled unconsciously the whole time.

Then he stood and transformed. Because he'd learned how to change properly with his first two forms, he didn't need much practice with his third form. He transformed perfectly, seamlessly shifting from human into a black stallion. He pranced in a quick circle enjoying how much freedom he felt just being in this form. He felt powerful and fast and free. He galloped around the tiny clearing and the pool for a few minutes testing out his new limbs and such.

He transformed back after a few minutes and decided that even though the cleaning spell had cleaned him up, nothing was better then an actual bath. He shed his cloth onto a near by rock and took a breath before diving into the pool. Luckily it was shallow and the waterfall wasn't big enough to suck him under and have him drown. The water was pleasurably warm and so clear and clean. Harry hummed as he scrubbed himself under the falling water and just enjoyed the silence.

A flurry of silver interrupted his bath. He spun, magic already crackling at his finger tips when he realized it was just a patronus. A beautiful leopard one. Its mouth opened and Elewa's voice emerged.

"Lord Black! Please return now! You're goblin guards are convinced I've done something to you and are now holding me hostage above a boiling pot of oil at spear point!"

There was a pause.

"The goblin Switchblade says that he has always wanted to see how human's taste." Elewa's voice came out with a slight waver as the patronus vanished.

Harry laughed slightly but decided he'd best tell the goblins that Elewa was innocent. He waded to his clothes and pulled out his wanted. He closed his eyes and pictured the exact moment his magic had returned to him.

"Expecto patronum." He chanted.

A burst of silver erupted from his wand.

"Please tell Switchblade that I am taking a bath a ways off and that I will return soon. And please don't hurt Elewa, I left without his knowledge."

The stag gave an amused toss of its head and took off into the trees. Harry sunk back into the water and happily relaxed.

.-.

Harry looked over the pretty flower on the branch. He was careful not to touch it as he didn't know what was safe and not so safe here in the middle of the jungle. The flower was small and brilliant red. It had a tempting scent that smelled heavenly. He prodded it with a stick and watched it cringe away from the object as if it could think. Harry knew it was magical.

"That is a dangerous plant."

Harry spun, hang automatically going for the knife at his waist with his left hand and the wand at his hip with his right hand. He turned to face the person who had spoken, ready to defend or attack. He found himself stopping with something akin to shock.

The man he was looking at was certainly not human. He had a human build, about six feet tall and slender, with creamy caramel skin. His lips were a darker mocha color and a small ring of black, almost like eye shadow circled his eyes.

His hair and eyes set him apart from humans though.

His hair started black, all the roots and such black for a good four inches. And then it faded into every color. A dark shade of every color Harry had ever seen was mixed in, all swirls and twists. It was all pulled back in a high ponytail that flared every which way at the ends. Two long locks and bangs framed his face. The bangs were short and all black while the locks both faded to dark red at the ends. Feathers of brilliant red and blue were tied in the thick hair along with strings of wooden and bone beads.

It was his eyes, not the exotic hair, though, that grabbed Harry's attention.

He had no pupils, the irises being larger then usual also. His irises were a sparkling swirl of red, silver, and bronze, all twirling in a mix together like a whirlpool.

Deep purple tattoos stood out on the side of his face, shaped almost like tiger stripes and lines in red and black. Three on each side of his face, angling down from the tops of his ears to his cheeks. He wore a leather vest that hung open showing his slender build. He also wore a pair of loose pants made of coarse red material.

The man tilted his head, examining Harry almost with curious apathy. His face was soft almost sad and he stood loosely, relaxed.

"Hello." Harry ventured softly, but warily.

"Hello." The man spoke again.

His voice was quiet and hoarse like he was unused to using it.

"What are you doing out here?" Harry asked.

"I live out here." The man returned.

Harry took note that he both looked and sounded young. No older then twenty.

"You?" the man asked curiously.

Harry gave a shrug and kept his eyes on the man.

"Are you…" The man cut off, pausing.

He tilted his head again.

"Are you a demon summoner?"

Harry raised his brow, not showing his surprise at the man's observation .

"Yes."

"Ah." He said like that answered everything.

For a long moment there was silence. The man looked at him, his head still tilted to the side in a curious, innocent look.

"I am a demon." He finally answered.

Harry immediately felt for the link. There. Yes, the man was a demon. The link tying him to this realm was loose meaning that his summoner had either tied it and left him or his summoner had died leaving him still tied to the realm.

"How long have you been in this realm?" Harry asked.

"In human years? I think fifty." He responded softly.

"You have the power to return to your realm." Harry said. "All Demon Creatures do, why have you not?"

"I was banished from my clan when my brother became alpha." He said. "Then I was summoned. When my late mistress released me I felt no need to return because there was nothing waiting for me." He answered honestly.

"What type of demon are you?" Harry asked, relaxing slightly.

"I do not know." He shrugged. "I can not remember what I was classified as. I am from the Xico clan though. We are a warrior clan. We fight and protect. We are strongest when summoned to this realm and tied to a master. We gain strength from them."

"Like a body guard."

He just tilted his head at the unfamiliar word.

"You protect people in exchange for their strength." Harry said.

"Yes." The man nodded. "Do you wish me to be your…bodyguard?"

Harry looked at the demon for a long silent moment. Harry could hear the honesty in the man's voice. He could also hear the loneliness.

"I would like that." Harry smiled.

He reached out with his magic and grabbed the loose link tied to the demon. He filled it with his magic and snapped it into place giving himself control. For a moment eh felt his magic flow through the bound. The demon made a noise in the back of his throat that sounded like a purr. They he turned back to the trees and picked up a tall spear. It was sharp, mounted on the end of a long staff with feathers around the edge of the blade part. Harry realized the demon had set it down before greeting him to appear less threatening.

Then the demon sunk to his knee and bowed his head, staff set parallel to him on the ground.

"Greetings Master, my given name is Xi-Wong but you may call me what ever you desire."

Harry was silent for a moment.

"Thank you Xi-Wong. My name is Harry."

The man stood and Harry examined him another long moment. Then he nodded.

"Please tell me more about this flower."

"Of course Master."

"It's Harry."

"Of course Master."

Harry sighed.

.-.

"Lord Black!" Switchblade called with relief, a snarl on his face despite his tone. "We were very worried!"

He hurried over and checked over every bare inch of him. Harry just rolled his eyes and held on carefully to the small glass box in his hand. Inside the glass box was a small red flower he'd been examining earlier. Switchblade just about decapitated Xi-Wong as the demon stepped from the trees.

"Switchblade!" Harry called to stop the goblin. "This is Xi-Wong. He's a demon I summoned."

Xi-Wong raised a brow but did not correct him as the goblin eyed him warily and tense. Finally he grunted and relaxed, waving them to follow him inside. Harry walked into Elewa's living room to find the man nervously sitting on a couch, the other guard goblin across from him eyes focused on him and spear ready. The man's face lit with relief as he spotted Harry.

"Switchblade?" Harry asked with a frown.

"We were not convinced he had nothing to do with your disappearance." Switchblade grunted.

"I am glad to see you fine my friend." Elewa said, "Else I would be but a cooling body on the floor."

Harry chuckled but smiled at Elewa.

"And who is this?" Elewa asked curiously.

Loving the story so far? There's a whole world of magic and mystery waiting for you with over 85+ chapters still to come! By supporting my Patreon.

You not only get early access to new chapters but also exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and special perks just for fans like you.

Join us on this enchanted journey and help shape the future of the tale. Your support makes all the difference—discover more and become part of the adventure today!

http//patreon.com/BLAKE025

(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)

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