[9] Aftermath : Departure

Act 1 | Prologue | Aftermath : Departure

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Zack was sitting in Hecate's lap as he watched Lady Death who was sitting infront of him with a small smile.

After Zack.exe's-

"Hey!"

-unexpected crash it had taken the combined efforts of both the females to reboot him.

After his little act, things were quickly clarified as Hecate and Lady Death explained to him about concept of various aspects and what it means to comprehend them.

Comprehending a certain aspect means you have a certain understanding about the origin, mechanism, laws, limitations and ways to wield them. And there are various ways to comprehend them.

Some people are born with the ability to wield certain aspect such as Veela with their fire magic and how they can wield it is due to it being ingrained into their DNA, similar to how a spider's ability to weave perfect webs.

Wizards can wield the various elements because the way to wield them was passed down through the ancestors and their through some encounter and Stroke of luck are able to understand the concept of an aspect unknowingly.

Zack was the first human who has the ability to totally see through the aspects due to his mindscape which is one of the most unique as Death has said.

Zack's was born with this ability but with Hecate's divine blessings it mutated into something semi-sentient, a place which is made of unique magic and is able to able to absorb and translate other aspects and mold them at his will to his liking.

While there had been numerous champions or 'Angel's of Death' through the course of time and across several multiverse, this was the first time a mortal had managed to comprehend the aspect of Death thoroughly, to this extent it and the feeling was similar to being naked and transparent to her. This was the reason Death was embarrassed.

Zack had many doubts and concerns which Death cleared.

There were three levels of concepts of an aspect.

Perishing, Sustaining and Primordial.

Most mortals never ever reach the stage of Perishing. Those who do become famous or infamous individuals depending on their alignment.

Some Demi-gods, Champions, Gods are only able to understand Sustaining stage at various levels and are to use it the aspect on their abilitie and level of comprehension.

Primordial is reserved for the Primordial who come directly under the governance of 'Creator.' Only they are able to use their own aspect to their it's fullest level.

And then there is the 'Creator.' The one who CREATES aspects, hires creates across the multiverse who he deems worthy to take over the aspect. A terrifying existence that the ladies refused to speak for.

And now there is wittle' 'ickle Zacky. The abnormality. The one able to understand every aspect on the Primordial level which should be impossible but somehow he goes against the grain in that regards.

"I plan to comprehend the other aspects too. Won't it be a problem then since I'd directly betrothed to them." Zack asked, anxious.

"Not quite, as you know every individual is unique and has their unique personality and quirks." Hecate began. "My Lady here my pretend to be a cold-stone badass but she is infact a million-millennia old maiden who reads romance novels and watches hent-"

"Uwawa! H-Hecate!" Death screamed in embarrassment. Her face bright red as she glared at Hecate who just smiled behind her hand. "T-There's no need for him to know that!"

"Ufufu~ Alright my lady, apologies." Hecate apologized but everyone knew she didn't mean it, not even a bit. "As I was saying everyone had a different personality and they might have similar reaction but I assure you they won't be on the level of Lady Death."

"Oh?"

"At most they might just feel affectionate and protective about you. Don't mind Lady Death though." Hecate grinned mischievously. "She's an exception. She's quite assertive regarding topic of love, affectionate and intimacy. It was a shocker to me when I came to know that my Lady is even bigger pervert than Lady Chaos. She's just good at hiding it."

Death felt like passing out but decided to say nothing.

"I-It's not like that. It's just that I think-Nothing. I.. I like those kind of things." She said surprising Hecate at how honest she was being and realised it was due to Zack which caused her to smile slyly.

"That's alright I guess, everyone had their quirks and it's what makes them unique." Zack said in a sagely manner though there was a blush on his face that matches Death's. Hecate just giggle at their cuteness. "T-This just proves that you also have feelings and aren't that different from us humans."

Death looked at Zack with surprise but smiled lovingly with a blush.

"So... Does that mean you have no problems with me?"

"That's umm... I already have Hecate-"

"Little Husband its quite alright. I had already known you were extraordinary and had long seen this coming and I support you to persue, as they call it, the harem route." Hecate said as she hugged Zack into her bountiful bossom. "But you will HAVE to take get married with your lovers and take care of them."

"But-I... Alright." Zack sighed. "It's alright I guess."

"Umm... I'm glad." Death said softly, smiling at Zack which he too returned.

"So... Zack?"

"Yeah?"

"Can... Can I hug you?"

"..."

"..."

"... Sure."

"Yay! *Sniff* Hehe... Zacky's warmth, his scent."

"*Sigh*... I don't know anymore."

--[Linebreak]--

Zack opened his eyes and experienced a sharp headache that tried to spit his skull inside out.

"Arghh..." Groaning Zack sat up, grabbing a glass of water from near this bed, he quickly downed it trying to ease his ache and it worked as it calmed down a bit.

Feeling better now he looked around and sighed in relief as he released that he was back in the Hotel Room and looked down he ws only wearing black shorts as most of his body was covered in bandages.

Casting full recovery on himself he felt his wound heal and his body restore to it's best. The only thing that remained was a bit kf soreness and mental fatigue.

Removing the bloodied bandages Zack marvelled at the power of his own spell as not even a scar remained. Dressing in a white T-shirt and black slacks Zack walked out and as soon as he did he was warped into a warm hug by his aunt Eve who was sobbing as he held him.

Behind her Esther, Max, Lalisa and Camila stood looking relieved while Harleen dressed in appropriate clothes looked unsure what to do. Zack rubbed Eve's back to calm her which only made her cry more.

After a while Eve calmed down and proceeded to give him an hour lecture about putting his life risk and what not. The headache came back twofold and my the end of the lecture Zack was already crosseyed.

Jokes aside after the lecture Zack sat on the table eating breakfast as the rest sat around it as Zack began explaining what happened.

"...after that I used a type of magic I had been researching and though it was very risky I managed to hold him back untill Lalisa and Camila arrived." Zack said taking a bit of the toast.

"I see. Do you know who the beggar was?" Eve asked narrowing her eyes. "He escaped using a portkey and we weren't able to trace it's location. The beggar wasn't someone ordinary.

"I d-"

"He was Dumbledore." Camilo answered before him.

"What?!" Everybody except Zack and Camilia chorused at the same time.

"Camilia... Are you sure?" Esther asked narrowing her eyes.

"Very sure. I know him because he's acquainted with Flamel and I've been to their parties a couple of time. I meet him there and I'm not really surprised that he did this." Camilia sneered in anger with was unlike her soft-spoken and tranquil nature.

"What do you mean?" Max asked not believing too much as Dumbledore was one of the most influential and powerful individual and he really couldn't believe a man who has was known for his noble achievement could do something like this.

"The bearded bastard is manipulative, bigoted and cruel, summarising he isn't any better than a dark lord." Camilla said clenching her fists. "He treated me like air when he was told that I am a mixed breed but his attitude immediately change after be came to know about lineage. He became the ever-caring grandfather who wanted the best for me, by taking over my businesses and wanting to be a proxy in my stead saying someone as young as me shouldn't be burdened with responsibilities and when I refused, threatened him to leave me alone and then he said I was going 'dark'. The bastard has too much political clout or I would have killed him long time ago."

Hearing the fairy princess rant everyone nodded.

"But to place such wards on a child as young as my Zack." Eve said with anger as she turned to Harleen and began patting her head to comfort her. "He also left her in the cluthes of her abusive relatives knowing what was going to happen. He wants a perfect pawn but he won't get that anymore."

"Yes, he won't and I have plans for that. But first there are somethings to take care of." Zack said as he got everyone's attention. "Firstly we will leak the information of Harleen being neglected and abused to keep the Old fool busy with backlash. Meanwhile, we will have the wards and the seals placed on her removed along with that slimy thing attached to her scar."

"It's a horcrux." Camilla said shocking everyone once again. "And I have a good idea to which crazy bastard this soul belongs to. The one and only No-Nose."

"V-Voldemort?!" Max blanched.

"He is still alive?" Lalisa whispered. She had lost many friends to the dark lord of baldness and nose-sacrifice.

"Yep, but not totally and he wants Harleen under his control to gain back his body." Zack concluded. "That's why we must hustle. After getting the wards, seals and the horcrux removed we have the inheritance test and meanwhile I'll write a letter to the queen and with her order overwrite Albus Dumbass' position as Harleen's magical guardian."

Zack sipped his coffee and frowned making everybody anxious.

"This coffee is bitter. My hot chocolate is superior." He muttered out loud earnings stares from everyone one.

"*Ahem* Anyways then with Harleens position we will have Aunt Eve or Camilia become her magical guardian. Though I would better if itd Camilia as she will take Harleen back to Fairy Realm out of Dumbledore's reach. There you can begin her training, to prepare her." Zack said wiping his hands. "You will train her till her eleventh birthday."

"Okay... What are you going to do from then onwards?" Eve asked in worry.

"Me? As I am as of now... I won't be able to protect anyone close to me. I don't have enough power not the full control over what I have now." Zack clenched his fist in determination. "I will travel and train, looking for magic and ways to grow strong and formidable."

"I won't be weak anymore."

"I will lose to no one."

--[LineBreak]--

It has been a week since they carried out their plan.

The leak caused uproar as he had expected with people protesting against ministry for allowing their young saviour to live under the abusive care of her scummy relative.

The minister was quick to push Albus under the bus who had to face the backlash and suffered political burnt like another thing.

The removal if the various things placed on Harleen by to of the most dangerous people in Britain who were obsessed with her, was successful. The horcrux was the trickiest one but the clever and formidable goblins still managed it with ease.

As expected, the little money grubber would do anything for you with efficiency but of course if you offer the right price.

Zack had already sent the letter in advance before the inheritance ritual. Cairns family had contributed to the Royal family since their establishment and had many achievements and pending uncashed favours. As the Heir of Cairns his words were indeed carried importance and the Queen didn't think twice before she gave her permission and with her authority the Royal wizards themselves had attended the inheritance ceremony and made sure that Albus Dumbledore wasn't able to interfere in anyway. The fool did show up during the ceremony and had made a fuss but under the orders of the Queen he was powerless.

The Queen is a witch who has power that easily matches his own. Not only that she has and a group of powerful mages who follow her every word fanatically.

While powerful he wasn't confident defeating a whole platoon of strong wizards.

Camilia became her magical guardian and would be her proxy until she is eighteen to claim her seat. They were back in Canada now out of Ol' Twinkles influence.

Zack was sitting in his garden's bench smiling as he admired the night sky. He was leaving tomorrow and he will be gone for a while.

He had gotten an anonymous letter from someone called 'Ancient One' and said that she was waiting for him in Kamar-Taj.

'How does she know me? I mean I was planning to go there eventually but... Ah. It's no use overthinking. I guess I'll Find out once I go there.' Zack smiled leaning back and enjoying the peace.

He felt someone sit beside him and his smiled widened.

"Not sleepy Harleen?" He asked turning to look at the gir. The girl looked a lot better compared to what she looked like a week ago. Her was a healty white now, her skin soft and smooth. Her shoulder length hair were no longer dry and messy but silky and neatly styled into a low-short ponytail.

Healthy fulfilling food along with his special potions had helped her nicely to put some healty fat on her frame. Her cheeks looked almost too tempting to resist squeezing them.

But the biggest change was in her eyes. The beautiful emerald green orbs, were no longer behind a pair of ugly glasses and glowed with curiosity, sadnesses and warmth as she looked at him. Her baby pink formed into a pout as she looked at him with misty eyes.

"Zack...? Are you really leaving?" She asked as her lower lip quivered. Zack could resist and immediately out his cheek against her and began rubbing a habit he picked from his overprotective Aunt and his playful wife. Harleen blushed in embarrassment but didn't resist. In the short amount of time Zack had become the most important person in her life.

Not only did he save her but he also allowed her a chance at starting a new life.

"Aww... Don't be sad my dear Harleen. You must understand, this is really important for me." Zack said as he pulled back and looked at her. "Right now I am too weak to protect you thats why I'm sending you with Camilia to train you and keep you safe while I will go on a quest to become strong. Strong enough to protect you and everyone."

Harleen blushed at his words as she felt her hearbeat increase. She closed in and buried her face in his chest, easing up as she listens to his strong heartbeat.

"You... You will come back right?" Harleen asked looking up at him. Zack smiled and kissed her forehead.

"I will always come back for you."

No other words were said as the both magic child sat next to eachother enjoying the night.

Next morning Zack was gone leaving only a note behind.

'I will be back soon.'

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A/N: Yo~

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PS: Edited