Inside the New York Temple
In the central chamber that the Goblin Eyes had revealed, Rhodes sat cross-legged on a floating platform of amber light, his healing now complete. The potions had worked their magic, repairing not only his physical wounds but also the damage to his soul inflicted by the Aurors' interrogation.
Around him, dozens of sorcerers moved with practiced efficiency, preparing the Temple for its activation. The timing wasn't ideal—the dimensional alignment would be stronger in a few days—but circumstances had forced their hand.
Kaecilius entered the chamber, his expression grave as he approached Rhodes. "They're watching us," he said without preamble. "Some form of advanced magical surveillance. I can feel it assessing our defenses."
Rhodes nodded. "The Goblin Eyes. I heard them discussing it during my captivity. It's a powerful artifact capable of piercing most forms of magical concealment."
"Can it breach our wards?"
"No," Rhodes replied with certainty. "Our protections aren't based on concealment magic—they're anchored in dimensional manipulation. The Eyes can see us, but seeing isn't the same as penetrating."
"Nevertheless," Kaecilius said grimly, "this complicates matters. If they can observe our preparations, they'll know when we're vulnerable. And if they learn the true purpose of the Temple..."
"They won't understand what they're seeing," Rhodes assured him. "Not without proper context. The Hunter Association is looking for dark wizards performing forbidden magic. They lack the framework to comprehend what actually happens when a Sanctum activates."
"Let's hope you're right." Kaecilius glanced around the chamber, where the air had begun to shimmer with increasing energy. "Are you prepared for your role?"
Rhodes placed a hand over his heart, where the last of the healing potions still worked its magic. "I still have doubts about our methods," he admitted. "Wilson's approach was... unconventional."
"Wilson took an acceptable risk," Kaecilius replied dismissively. "His conversation with the Aurors has given us valuable intelligence about their understanding—or lack thereof. If they believe we represent an interdimensional threat, they'll approach more cautiously than they would a simple nest of dark wizards."
"And that caution may give us the time we need," Rhodes concluded.
"Precisely." Kaecilius gestured toward the heart of the chamber, where an intricate magical array pulsed with increasing intensity. "Once the Sanctum is active, it will serve as a beacon to the others. London and Hong Kong will follow, and then..."
"Then Lockhart can return," Rhodes finished, a note of reverence entering his voice.
"And with him, the combined might of Kamar-Taj," Kaecilius added. His eyes gleamed with anticipation. "The Ancient One was wise to place him as our Sorcerer Supreme. The wizarding world has no concept of what approaches."
Rhodes rose to his feet, his recovery complete. "I should take my position. The primary array will need additional stability during the initial phase."
Kaecilius nodded, then paused. "One more thing, Rhodes. Wilson's conversation with the Aurors—did it remind you of someone? His mannerisms, his methods?"
Rhodes considered this. "Perhaps. There was something familiar in his approach."
"Something of Lockhart himself," Kaecilius said quietly. "As if Wilson had studied him closely. Keep that in mind as we proceed."
With that cryptic warning, Kaecilius turned and left Rhodes to his preparations. The heart of the Sanctum called to him—a nexus of power that, once activated, would reshape the relationship between their world and others.
In the distance, the watchful Goblin Eyes recorded everything, transmitting their observations back to the waiting Hunter Association. Two forces, operating from fundamentally different understandings of magic itself, moved inexorably toward confrontation.
The hunters had found their prey—but they did not yet understand what they had found. And in that gap between observation and comprehension lay the narrow window through which Rhodes, Kaecilius, and their fellow sorcerers hoped to accomplish their mission before the full might of the Wizarding Federation could be brought against them.
Time was running out for both sides.