Harry Potter: Archmage of Another World

A vast green tide surged through the valley and filled the surrounding space, casting a vibrant emerald hue over the gloom. The oppressive darkness was streaked with green, while radiant brilliance shimmered in the sky above.

Ripples of green energy swept across the valley, and the pulsating spatial vibrations hinted at a turbulent power hidden beneath the surface calm.

"What kind of power is this?" Loki's cold gaze gleamed with interest. "To tear through an illusion with such boundless vitality and dismantle the core of darkness through sheer force—this is indeed the only way to break through. It's a pity that, with my current level of understanding, I can only observe its surface. Such pure energy clashes are truly rare to witness."

Thor's sea-blue eyes flickered with sparks of icy blue as he stroked his chin and chuckled softly. "Interesting. This is clearly pure natural energy. To produce such dense and profound vitality is indeed remarkable."

Among those present, only Loki and a few others had any comprehension of what was unfolding. The rest could only stare, wide-eyed, at the celestial phenomenon above.

"This is bad. The power maintaining the illusionary core can't hold on much longer," Fred said grimly, his eyes venomously fixed on the nearby forest. "If this continues, I won't be able to maintain my hold on this body. This life force is capable of dispelling all negative states. With my current demonic power, I won't last more than a minute. Damn it!"

A deafening roar echoed as the vibrant green life force erupted, tearing through the heavens and earth. In a daze, everyone saw the scene around them transform abruptly.

Before their eyes lay only decay and ruin.

The ground resembled molten, charred metal, exuding a corrosive stench. Crystal-clear streams had turned into inky black rivers of death, with tendrils of smoke rising into the air. The world seemed bathed in a thick, ominous red glow.

The once-lush forest was now a desolate expanse of withered trees. A massive blood-red array encircled the woods, with countless grotesque, towering statues forming an eerie formation within.

At the center of the valley stood an ancient, pitch-black altar, forged entirely from obsidian. Streams of cold, blood-red light coalesced above it, forming a luminous scar. Suspended in the highest reaches of the sky, a colossal dark-gold eye loomed directly over the altar, absorbing shimmering light channeled through the void.

Surrounding the altar were countless heaps of bones, towering as mountains. Rivers of blood roared beneath the statues, the altar, and the bone hills, their stench of sulfur snapping the group back to their senses.

Apart from a select few, most of the party were pale with terror, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief.

"What is this place? How could it change so suddenly?" Lavender stammered, only to scream in terror as a piercing shriek cut her off.

Black smoke erupted from Fred's orifices, and he floated midair as a transparent silhouette emerged from his body.

The others turned their attention to the source of the commotion. Above Fred, a humanoid figure formed from black smoke stood silently. The figure's face transformed into a grotesque skull, its hideous grin accompanied by a hoarse laugh that echoed through the night.

"Greetings, human friends," the figure rasped. "Welcome to Hell. Five of your companions have already become its honored guests. Rest assured, you'll soon join them. But before that, allow me to introduce myself. I am General Lopus, under the command of His Highness Mammon of the Seven Demon Gods. I serve as a subordinate of Prince Agares, a general under Demon King Whiplinlow, and the commander of the 48th Legion. It's an honor to host you all. Unfortunately, the banquet prepared for your arrival must be delayed. In the meantime, I ask that you wait here quietly. I shall join you shortly for a drink."

With that, the figure vanished in a swirl of black smoke.

"What is going on?" Qiu's pale face flushed with fright, her voice trembling.

"Did you hear what that… thing said? This is Hell?" Malfoy's voice quavered as he touched his face, seemingly checking if he was still alive.

The group was too overwhelmed to respond, and some, like the timid Marietta, were huddled together, crying in despair. Even the more composed members were paralyzed by shock, unable to react.

Angeline glanced at the former cave entrance, now a smooth, featureless rock wall. "How thorough," she murmured dryly.

"Loki, Thor—do we still have a chance to escape?" Ginny asked cautiously, her voice laced with desperation. To her, the two seemed like the group's only hope.

Everyone turned to Loki and Thor, their eyes pleading.

"This place doesn't depend on us," Loki replied calmly. "The key lies in the burst of life and natural energy earlier. I suspect someone among us has encountered its wielder. Otherwise, why would they help us break through the illusion?" His gaze fell on Hermione, waiting for her to speak.

The group followed his gaze, their expressions ranging from doubt to expectation. Suspicion arose—if Hermione's group had encountered this mysterious force, why hadn't they informed the others? Did they intend to escape alone? Distrust and malice began to surface.

As the crowd's speculation grew, a calm, ethereal voice broke the tension. "This is really Hell?"

Some, irritated by the interruption, turned angrily to see who had spoken.

"Too bad the Rong Army didn't come along," Luna said dreamily, sitting on the cold, metallic ground. "Otherwise, we could have wiped out that demon general right away. What a missed opportunity."

Hermione looked at Luna, exasperated yet amused, and shook her head. She prepared to reveal the truth to the group.

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