Chapter 70

Chapter 70: The Stolen Artifact

The growing unease within Hogwarts reached a fever pitch as the next challenge, a "Magical Artifact Exhibition," was announced. This event, intended to showcase rare and powerful magical objects from various cultures, became a focal point of concern for Elara, Liam, and Maya. They feared that Cyrus Gaunt and the Disciples of the Shadow would use this opportunity to acquire more powerful artifacts to further their dark agenda.

The exhibition was held in the grand ballroom, transformed into a dazzling display of enchanted objects. Glass cases lined the walls, each containing a unique artifact, ranging from ancient Egyptian amulets to Celtic runestones, from enchanted Japanese scrolls to powerful African masks.

Elara, Liam, and Maya, along with a team of trusted professors and students, patrolled the ballroom, their senses heightened, their wands at the ready. They observed the visitors closely, searching for any sign of cult activity, any suspicious behavior.

The atmosphere was tense, a stark contrast to the festive mood of the earlier events. The participants, once eager to showcase their cultural treasures, now eyed each other with suspicion, their trust eroded by the Disciples' dark influence.

As the exhibition progressed, Elara noticed a subtle shift in the magical currents, a faint distortion that resonated deep within her soul. She scanned the room, her eyes searching for the source of the disturbance.

She spotted Lyra, now under close supervision by the judges, lingering near a display case containing a small, intricately carved dagger. The dagger, known as the "Shadowblade," was a relic from an ancient cult, rumored to possess the ability to manipulate shadows and darkness.

Elara's instincts screamed a warning. She knew that the Shadowblade was a powerful artifact, one that the Disciples would covet.

"Liam, Maya," she whispered, her voice laced with urgency. "Keep an eye on Lyra. She's interested in the Shadowblade."

Liam and Maya nodded, their eyes fixed on Lyra, who was now engaged in a hushed conversation with a member of the Romanian delegation.

Suddenly, the lights in the ballroom flickered and died, plunging the room into darkness. A collective gasp echoed through the room, followed by a wave of panicked whispers.

"What's happening?" someone cried.

"Stay calm," a judge's voice echoed through the darkness. "It's probably just a temporary power outage."

But Elara sensed a dark energy swirling through the room, a palpable sense of dread. She raised her wand, her voice resonating with power. "Lumos Maxima!" she cried, unleashing a blinding wave of light that illuminated the room.

The light revealed a scene of chaos. The display case containing the Shadowblade was shattered, its contents missing. Lyra was nowhere to be seen.

"The Shadowblade is gone!" Liam shouted, his voice filled with alarm.

"Lyra took it," Maya added, her eyes fixed on the shattered display case.

The judges, their expressions grave, began to organize a search, their voices echoing through the ballroom. But Elara knew that Lyra wouldn't be found easily. She had disappeared into the shadows, taking the Shadowblade with her.

"She's using the darkness to her advantage," Elara said, her voice laced with concern. "We need to find her before she uses the Shadowblade to amplify her dark magic."

The stolen artifact, a relic of darkness, had fallen into the hands of the Disciples. The competition, once a showcase of magical treasures, had become a battleground for a desperate search, a race against time to prevent the shadows from c

onsuming the light.