42. Magic Stone

As Tom Riddle studied the glowing object on the stone altar, whispers echoed in the depths of the cave. He knew he was not alone. This was a place where ancient spells echoed and long-forgotten secrets were buried beneath the stone.

Tom took slow, deliberate steps, his senses on high alert. He could feel a presence watching him from the unseen corners of the cave. His staff was tight in his grip, ready to strike. The whispers grew louder, forming unintelligible words that slithered through the darkness like snakes. A shadow shifted and an old man stepped out of the darkness. His presence was no accident. His eyes, filled with ancient wisdom, fixed on Tom's with quiet determination. He was a Keeper, a protector of forbidden knowledge, and he would not allow Tom to leave without a test.

The Keeper wasted no time. He raised his staff and murmured an incantation. "Umbra Lancis!" Out of the darkness, spears of pure shadow shot forward, aimed directly at Tom. Without hesitation, Tom countered. "Obex Nigrum!" A shimmering black barrier materialized before him, absorbing the attack. The force of the collision shook the cave, sending dust and debris tumbling down from above.

Tom did not wait for another attack. He thrust his staff forward. "Ignis Umbra!" Dark, deep crimson flames erupted toward the guardian. The old man slammed his staff into the ground and shouted, "Vires Vorago!" The magic around him swirled, swallowing the fire, reducing it to mere embers. But Tom was not finished. The moment the flames dissipated, he summoned the shadows beneath their feet. "Nigrum Lacus!" The ground cracked and a pool of liquid darkness spread out to consume the Guardian. The old man's face remained unreadable, though Tom noticed a flicker of strain as he summoned golden light to repel the encroaching darkness.

But Tom was patient. He watched, waiting for an opening. When the man began his next incantation, Tom struck. "Umbra Catenae!" Thick, spectral chains materialized and snapped around the old man's limbs. He struggled against them, his breathing becoming labored. The magic pulsed as the chains narrowed, tightened, cutting off movement.

Still, the Keeper did not surrender. He muttered one last spell, "Lux Excidium!" A burst of golden energy erupted from his body, shattering the chains. Tom narrowed his eyes. Impressive. But it would not change the outcome.

As the light faded, Tom made his final move. "Ventus Umbra!" A gust of shadowy wind crashed into the old man, knocking him backward. He hit the ground with a heavy thud, his staff clattering to the side. He let out a sharp breath, but even now he refused to yield.

Tom admired his resilience. It would be a waste to kill him. Instead, he stepped forward and raised his staff. "Somnus Aeternus."

The old man's body tensed as the spell took effect. His breathing slowed. His limbs grew heavy. He tried to fight, but in the end his eyelids closed and he slumped to the cold stone floor.

Silence returned to the cave. Tom remained motionless, scanning the chamber to make sure there were no more surprises lurking. He glanced down at his staff, noting the fine cracks that had formed along its surface. This fight had taken its toll. He would soon need something stronger.

His eyes returned to the altar. The stone before him pulsed with an eerie glow. It was no ordinary artifact. Thin cracks ran along its surface, releasing a faint, ghostly light. It seemed almost alive. Tom approached it cautiously, drawn to its presence in a way he could not explain.

He reached out and wrapped his fingers around it. Immediately, a wave of energy coursed through his body, sending a deep tremor to his core. It was not pain. It was something else. Something familiar. It was as if the stone knew him. A connection, undeniable and unspoken, passed between them.

He tightened his grip, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He would not let go. This power was his now.

This chapter was short and I will make up for it in the next chapters.