Author's Note: I'm alive! The medicine made the pain bearable, and my exams went okay. I don't care much since my overall grade—whatever it's called—won't change much at this level, so whatever.
The next chapter is a timeskip to the summoning, and I just finished posting the Second Task for my Patrons. There are still a few loose ends I need to tie up before the Third Task, but we're getting closer. While Seek-chan will appear soon, the DxD part of the world is still in the background and will remain that way until the graveyard. That's the point where things will start merging a bit more.
I also want to write a snippet, but it might take a while. It's a Worm/video game crossover—I won't spoil it, but I'm really excited about the idea!
Celestial Ascendancy
Chapter 28: The Truth Unfolds.
12 Grimmauld Place.
Elias Blake.
"Think, Elias, think…" I muttered under my breath, trying to calm my racing heart. This was… bad. Genuinely bad. I didn't know enough about High School DxD to feel comfortable navigating this mess. The world had gone from a high-level danger, but manageable with only Voldemort as a threat, to something downright apocalyptic.
It was absurd how much the power level of the supernatural world dwarfed wizards and witches. But in a way, it was like a fog had lifted from my mind. All those little tidbits of information that had felt incomplete before now made much more sense.
I could even understand what Dumbledore had said during our last conversation—why he said he agreed with the decision to obscure specific facts about the world wars and magic. There had to be a reason why these truths were kept hidden. And seeing how no one I knew was aware of the supernatural world, there must be some force, or forces, working hard to keep it that way.
I clenched my fists, trying to steady my breathing. I wasn't prepared for this knowledge; I honestly had no idea what to do. I only knew bits and pieces from a few fanfics and quick dives through the wiki, hardly enough to prepare me for a world where literal gods and dragons who could end me with a sneeze roamed freely.
My mind raced, scrambling for a plan, but I came blank.
What could I even do? Warn someone? Who would believe me? And even if they did, what then? The supernatural world operated on a scale I couldn't even comprehend. I wasn't a hero. I wasn't some chosen one with all the answers. I was just… me. And right now, "me" felt woefully inadequate.
The Celestial Grimoire will be the key to everything, but as I was right now, I was nothing but a speck of dust in the grand scheme of things. I had always wondered why the strength of the wizards was high compared to the movies/books, but I finally had that answer. But even as titanic as Dumbledore felt… he was nothing against the actual monsters of the world I knew.
"Elias?" Sirius's voice echoed through the hidden room, returning me to reality. I turned to see him stepping inside, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern as his eyes darted around the space. "The girls were getting worried. Everything alright?"
I opened my mouth to respond, but Arcturus's sharp voice cut in from his portrait before I could. "Took you long enough to show up, Sirius. I was beginning to think you'd forgotten how to find your own family's secrets. Though I see you're still a disgrace to the family name."
Sirius's eyes flicked to the portrait, and his face hardened. "Grandfather. Should've known you'd leave a portrait lurking somewhere. You were never one to leave things half-done."
"Of course I did," Arcturus scoffed. "I take pride in my family, even if the only ones I believed were left were a couple of fools—two rotting in prison and the other marrying out of the family and forgetting her roots."
Arcturus grumbled before sighing heavily. "But this young man here told me the truth about you." He paused, bowing his head slightly. "I want to apologize for leaving you to suffer. I believed the rumors about you betraying the Potters and hated you for it. Charlus was like a brother to me, and hearing about you betraying his lad upseted me."
Sirius scowled but nodded in acceptance. "What's going on here? Why were you in the middle of a panic attack, Elias? Did this old bastard say something he shouldn't have?"
"You little gobshite," Arcturus snapped, his scowl fierce. "I did no such thing. In fact, I'm just as curious as you are about what this young man has discovered."
Sirius smirked, clearly enjoying riling Arcturus up. Obviously, he didn't like the man much. Still, it didn't seem like he resented him for abandoning him during his time in Azkaban. It felt more like Sirius was slipping back into the rebellious attitude he must have had during his youth. It would do him some good to have the Old man presence with him while he was here.
"I don't even know where to start," I whispered, staring blankly ahead. Seeing Sirius had helped calm me down, but even now, I had no idea how to proceed.
"I think it'd be best to have this discussion in the library," I said, my tone serious. "I don't want to repeat myself, and I'll need your reassurance, Sirius." I had to be careful with this knowledge, but the girls deserved to know, and Sirius could be a massive help in the future—as long as he vowed to keep it quiet. I really believed we could trust him.
"Why do you need assurance from your uncle but not from that crazy old bastard?" Sirius grumbled, glaring at the portrait with a pout.
"He's dead, Sirius," I said, rolling my eyes at my immature uncle. "Besides, from what I know about him, he'll do his best to protect his legacy."
Sirius nodded, and I grabbed the parchment and the portrait as we returned to the library. Now that I knew there weren't any defenses against me, I walked briskly, my mind racing as I tried to piece together how to approach the upcoming conversation.
Arcturus was old—ancient, really—and he'd fought during the Second World War. I was sure he knew something and hoped he'd be helpful. Sirius, meanwhile, kept glancing at me with a frown of confusion, but he followed my lead without question.
It didn't take long for us to reach the entrance to the hidden room. Iris and Hermione were waiting, their faces etched with worry. They both sighed in relief when they saw us return in one piece.
To their credit, they'd been smart enough to keep their distance from the entrance. The Black family's reputation clearly worked wonders in keeping people cautious. Knowing how bullheaded Iris could be, it was surprising she hadn't tried to barge in. At least she trusted me enough to wait.
"I was so worried," Hermione said, jumping toward me the moment I set down the portrait of my great-grandfather. Her eyes were puffy, and I felt a pang of guilt for making her feel this way. On the other hand, Iris shot me a frown, clearly noticing how different I was acting. But after what I'd just learned, I didn't have the energy to pretend everything was normal.
"Well, young man," Arcturus cut in, his tone as brisk as ever, "are you going to explain what happened, or are we going to stand around all day?"
"Who's the old fossil?" Iris asked, eyeing the portrait with a critical look.
Sirius let out a loud guffaw, and Hermione lightly slapped the back of Iris's head.
"Iris, be more respectful," Hermione chided, rolling her eyes.
I couldn't help but chuckle, feeling some of the tension ease from my shoulders. "He's Arcturus Black," I explained. "Sirius's grandfather and, I guess, my great-grandfather."
"Really?" Iris's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she turned to the portrait. "You knew my grandfather, right?"
Arcturus's sharp eyes narrowed as he snapped at Iris, "You're a disrespectful little shit, aren't you? Who even are you?"
Unfazed by his tone, Iris straightened up and gave him a defiant look. "Iris Potter," she said proudly.
Arcturus's expression shifted instantly. The harsh lines on his painted face softened, and he let out a low, almost wistful sigh. "Charlus's granddaughter… I should have guessed," he murmured, his voice losing some of its edge. "He was my best friend, you know. Even if our families disagreed on politics."
Iris's eyes widened, her earlier defiance replaced by excitement. "I read the book, your fights, all of it…"
"We did more than fight together," Arcturus interrupted, his tone gruff but not unkind. "We bled together. Fought in the Second World War, both of us. Muggles and wizards alike were caught up in that mess. Charlus… he was a good man. Brave. Stubborn as hell but loyal to a fault. Saved my life more times than I care to admit."
Iris was practically vibrating with excitement, her earlier irritation forgotten. "That's amazing! I've always wanted to know more about him. My parents never got the chance to tell me anything before…" She trailed off, her voice catching slightly but quickly shook it off. "Do you have any stories? Anything you can tell me?"
Arcturus gave her a rare, almost imperceptible smile. "Plenty. But now's not the time for reminiscing." His sharp gaze shifted back to me, his tone returning to its usual briskness. "Elias, you've been standing there like a stunned flobberworm. Explain what you found. And don't leave anything out."
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to me. Even Iris, still buzzing with excitement, focused on me with curiosity. I took a deep breath, feeling the pressure of the moment settle on my shoulders.
"Before that, I need assurances," I said firmly, my eyes cold. No, this wasn't a moment for hesitation or feelings. If I fucked this up, we could go up in flames and drag the whole Wizarding community with us.
"Lord Black," I looked at my great-grandparent." Do you know a spell to make a vow that hides it from Legilimency? I'm afraid that I cannot risk this going out. A simple vow will not work here."
"I know of one," he said with a frown, "but I don't know if you'll be willing to go through it."
"What do we need to do?" I asked. The girls and Sirius wore matching frowns, their faces etched with worry, but they seemed willing to hear me out.
"Blood and the vow written on parchment," he replied with a shrug. "I think the process should be in a book called Vows for the Family. It should be on that shelf." He pointed toward one of the shelves at the back of the room.
"Are you sure this is necessary?" Sirius asked, his tone serious. "The Ministry might consider this Dark Magic."
"They're idiots," I said, shrugging. "Don't tell me you believe that nonsense. I'm sure about this—please trust me."
Sirius looked torn but eventually nodded in acceptance. "I'll trust you, nephew."
"What about you two?" I asked, glancing at the girls with imploring eyes.
"You wouldn't ask for this if you didn't believe it was necessary," Iris said, shrugging. "I trust you with my life, Eli."
Hermione simply nodded firmly, though her eyes still held a glimmer of worry.
Sighing, I walked to the back shelf and searched for the book Arcturus had mentioned. It wasn't hard to find—a black leather-bound book that felt unnervingly slimy to the touch. I tried not to think too much about what kind of leather it might be made from.
Opening it, I quickly found the ritual we needed. It was the second entry, and thankfully, it didn't require much.
"Good," I muttered to myself. "I'll write the vow. Hand me some parchment."
Sirius nodded and left the room while the girls moved closer. Hermione picked up the book and began reading the instructions aloud to Iris.
"It seems simple enough," Iris said after hearing the explanation. "Let's get this over with. Not knowing is killing me."
I chuckled at her remark, earning a playful pout in return.
Sirius returned with a stack of parchment, and I got to work. My perk, consummate lawyer, came in handy, helping me craft an airtight vow.
The words flowed onto the parchment without much thought from me.
By my will and my magic, I bind myself to silence. The knowledge I hold shall not pass my lips nor take shape in ink, save for those who already walk the path of understanding.
No slip of the tongue, no written word, nor stray thought shall reveal what must remain hidden. Should I break this vow, may my voice falter, my quill refuse to write, and my mind cloud before the forbidden truth can escape.
This oath is my burden, my shield, and my duty. Until the veil is lifted by rightful means, my silence shall be absolute.
As I finished writing, I drew four lines beneath the vow, each space reserved for our names—signed not in ink but in blood.
Marveling at the words I wrote without much imput, I almost snorted at the flowery wording, before shaking my head and focusing.
"I'll need you to prick your fingers," I said, my voice soft. "But don't worry, I'll heal you afterward."
Sirius looked uncertain, his brows furrowed in confusion, but the girls nodded without hesitation.
With a simple wave of my hand, I conjured a delicate scalpel of ice, its edge glinting in the dim light of the library. I handed it to them, and Iris stepped forward first. She pressed the blade to her fingertip, drawing a thin, crimson line. A quiet hiss escaped her lips as a drop of blood welled up.
Iris pressed her bleeding fingertip to the parchment, her name forming in deep crimson as if the magic itself recognized her intent. The letters shimmered faintly before settling into the aged paper. She stepped back, slightly shaking her hand while I reached out, my healing magic gathering to soothe the shallow wound.
Hermione took the blade next, inhaling sharply before making a quick, clean cut. She pressed her fingertip to the parchment, and her name flowed onto the page, glowing briefly. I could see the curiosity mixing with caution in her eyes. She was always fascinated by new magic.
Sirius hesitated, gripping the ice blade with a frown. "This is some serious magic, pup," he muttered. "Not a contract to take lightly."
"I know," I replied quietly.
He breathed in, made the cut and pressed his fingertip to the parchment. His name joined the others, the glow flickering before vanishing. He flexed his fingers as he stepped back, looking at me expectantly.
I took the blade last, feeling the chill against my skin as I made a shallow cut. A single drop of blood welled up before I placed it on the only space available, my name forming with a faint pulse of magic. One thing of note was that my name appeared as Elias Black, not Blake.
With a flick of my hand, I directed my healing energy toward Sirius and Hermione. Hermione's magic pool required only a miniscule dip, but Sirius demanded far more.
My knees buckled, and sweat gathered on my brow. Sirius's body continued to draw on my magic, an almost insatiable pull. It was astounding how much energy he needed. Still, after four minutes of channeling my magic, I felt the connection sever.
"There," I said, my voice softer now. "It's done."
Sirius gaped at me, and the girls and Arcturus stared at him in astonishment. He looked remarkably better than before. The gauntness in his face had faded, and his once almost emaciated frame had filled out significantly.
Considering the sheer amount of magic I had poured into him, the transformation wasn't entirely surprising. Still, no ordinary wizard spell could have achieved such a drastic change in a single session. Or at least, I never heard of one.
"Wandless elemental magic of opposite elements and healing magic," Arcturus looked surprised but proud simultaneously, "You are like the Blacks of old, boy. You will make a fine Lord of this family in the future."
I was a bit ashamed at the praise, so I just nodded.
"Now, I need to ask something of you, Lord Black," I said, glancing at the portrait. "Please, be honest with me."
I paused, then continued in a no-nonsense tone, "Do you know anything about devils?"
For a brief moment, I noticed Arcturus's eyes widen—just enough to confirm my suspicions. He knew something.
Sirius frowned, and Iris let out a scoff.
"Devils?" Iris asked, her voice dripping with skepticism. "I think we'd know about them if they existed, Eli."
"Not if someone's hiding that knowledge," I argued, my gaze fixed firmly on Arcturus.
"What do you know, boy?" he demanded harshly.
"Answer the question, please," I pressed, my tone pleading.
He hesitated, clearly weighing his options, before taking a deep breath. "I know of them. I learned about their existence after the war against Grindelwald."
Sirius exhaled sharply and sank into a seat. Hermione's face paled, and Iris's frown deepened.
"They exist, then," I sighed, my heart sinking. Deep down, I had been hoping, almost praying, honestly, that this was all some terrible mistake and I got confused.
"What are they?" I asked, my voice serious. "How doesn't everyone know?"
"I don't know much about them," Arcturus admitted. "I tried to learn more in the later years of my life, but I was rebuffed at every turn. In my final years, I could swear I felt people watching me—spying on me."
I frowned deeply. It was as I had feared. A group was operating in the shadows to keep the supernatural world hidden.
"Now it's your turn, boy," Arcturus ordered firmly. "Start explaining."
I sighed and held up the parchment. "This," I said, waving it in front of them, "is a summoning circle for the Agares family. A devil summoning circle—and it's custom-made."
The room tensed as if everyone expected a demon to materialize before us at any moment.
"Should we destroy it?" Hermione asked timidly.
"Absolutely not," Arcturus and I said in unison.
"Why not?" Sirius snapped, his voice harsh. "Do you have any idea what you're holding, Pup? This could get us all killed."
"I don't know what his motives are," I said, gesturing toward the portrait, "but from what I understand, this is a custom-made summoning circle. It's connected to the other end. If we tamper with or destroy it, the Agares family will know. And I don't know about you, but I don't want devils coming after me if they take offense for that. Custom-made things like this aren't created lightly. We need to learn more before acting."
Sirius scowled but nodded in reluctant understanding before glaring at his grandfather.
"What about you, you old sod?" he grumbled.
"No one in the family knew what it was," Arcturus admitted. "But all the diaries said it was a gift to be used only when there was no other option. Only that it could save the family from ruin."
A tense silence filled the room as I stared at the damn summoning circle.
I didn't know much about the Agares family—just that their heir, Seek-something, was a fan of mechas, could manipulate time, and was generally considered one of the good guys. But beyond that? I was flying blind.
And that was a problem.
I wasn't sure if I wanted to risk using this, but if we wanted to survive this clusterfuck of a world, we needed more information. We needed to be stronger and fast. I didn't know where in the timeline we were, and considering how fast things deteriorated, we could be in grave danger.
"I don't like being ignorant," I muttered, scowling.
Hermione mirrored my expression, clearly feeling the same. I grabbed the girls' hands, pulling them closer to my chest to calm myself. I ignored the glint in Arcturus's eyes and the tiny smirk Sirius shot me.
"This could be useful," I said firmly, "but we need to learn a hell of a lot more first." My gaze snapped to the portrait. "Lord Black, is there any way we can access the books on devils?"
Arcturus gave a slow nod. "If you have the Lord's ring, you can access the hidden compartment in the solar."
Sirius perked up and held his hand, flashing the ring with a smug grin. "You mean this one, you old bastard?"
"Fuck off," Arcturus grumbled, but he nodded.
I sighed. "We don't have much time before Fawkes takes us back to school. Can you do us a favor and lend us those books?"
Sirius's grin faded as he fixed me with a serious look. "I just want you to promise me you'll be careful, kid," he said firmly. "You two are the only family I have left, and I don't want to hear that you got your soul sucked out or something."
"We will be," I promised, meeting his gaze without hesitation. "I won't be reckless. I won't risk the girls by doing something stupid; we'll think everything through."
Sirius exhaled heavily, gripping his hair in frustration before pushing himself up.
"Alright," he muttered. "I'll go get them, then."
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