Pure exhilaration flooded through Ethan as he rocketed skyward.
Seawater cascaded down his face in briny torrents, each drop stinging like ice needles. The spray caught the winter sunlight, throwing crystal reflections across the turbulent sea's white-capped surface that churned and danced below him.
"Puhah!" Ethan drew a shuddering breath, the salt air burning his throat. The harsh sting only heightened the incredible rush; he'd never felt more vibrantly alive.
Ethan squinted against the spray, both hands gripping the iridium fishing rod that bent to its absolute limit. The Death Bird's skeletal claws dug into his shoulders from behind, its hollow skull craning forward as it released bone-chilling cries. Its spectral wings beat frantically against the howling wind, each stroke sending ripples of blue fire through the air.
Exhilarating! Ethan's eyes sparkled with wild excitement. Standing suspended above the churning sea surface, feeling the arctic wind howling past his cheeks like nature's own battle cry... this was better than any extreme sport, adrenaline pumping through his veins like liquid lightning!
"Accio Ethan!" Luna's clear voice cut through the chaos, followed by a barrage of supporting spells. "Protego! Wingardium Leviosa!"
Spell after spell shot from the fishing boat, weaving a protective net around him and giving him precious assistance against the titanic struggle below.
Ethan stared at the rapidly moving shadow cutting through the depths, his lips curving up like a wolf spotting fleeing prey. His cobalt-blue eyes burnt with the determination of a hunter who'd found his ultimate quarry.
Think you can slip away from me? Let's see who the real winner is!
Just then, a shadow loomed ahead. Ethan looked up to meet the terrified gazes of a group of Dark Wizards on a ramshackle fishing boat, their faces pale as moonlight.
"Don't... don't come over here!" One of them screamed, his voice cracking with panic.
"We're going to crash! Help us!" another wailed.
"BANG!" The collision sent shockwaves through both vessels, wood splintering like matchsticks.
Meanwhile, several nautical miles away...
John Dawlish hunched over his makeshift command station, tracking an illegal fishing vessel filled with Dark Wizards from his Ministry files. The cramped cabin reeked of stale coffee and disappointment, a fitting atmosphere for his current station in life.
Though he didn't know why these Dark Wizards had suddenly gathered together like vultures to a feast, Dawlish knew this was his golden ticket back to respectability. His chance for redemption gleamed before him like a mirage.
He was an Auror from the British Ministry of Magic, but a year ago, due to what the department politely termed "serious negligence" during the Secret Realm Challenge Tournament, he'd been demoted to patrol this godforsaken stretch of the North Sea. The memories still burnt like acid in his chest.
The competition site destroyed, a student severely injured, his own reputation in tatters... and the culprit behind it all was that first-year Hogwarts student he was supposed to monitor!
Ethan Vincent!
"Damn it," Dawlish muttered, his knuckles white as he gripped his telescope. "If not for that sinister brat, how would I have fallen to this state... But it's fine! Just pull off this big job and I can make amends!"
Dawlish watched the illegal fishing vessel ahead with predatory excitement, following from what he hoped was a safe distance. The Dark Wizards appeared to be tracking another boat, probably planning some kind of maritime robbery.
Heh, I absolutely won't let that happen! Watch me play mantis stalks cicada, sparrow behind!
"Huh?" Suddenly Dawlish frowned, puzzled to see the fishing boat suddenly change course. Instead of continuing their pursuit, they were fleeing toward him at full speed, their vessel cutting through the waves like a thing possessed.
"Did they spot me? No wait, what's that behind them... WHAT?!"
Dawlish's eyes widened in disbelief at the impossible scene unfolding before him. A grotesquely magnificent grey-black creature with bone structure that defied all natural laws swooped down from the storm clouds. Its spectral fire burnt cold against the winter sky as it crashed straight into the fleeing fishing boat!
The massive impact snapped the mast like a twig and capsized the entire vessel in a symphony of destruction. Splash splash! The Dark Wizards tumbled into the icy sea like scattered dolls, their screams carrying across the water with crystalline clarity.
Dawlish sat frozen in his chair, mouth agape. Did Merlin himself come to boost my performance?
Then horror crept up his spine as he discovered the strange bird wasn't slowing down. It continued its relentless momentum, charging straight at his own vessel with terrifying purpose!
"What... what the hell?!" he stammered, scrambling for his wand. "Wait! Is that a person below... Ethan Vincent?!"
"Stop... ahhhhh!"
"Sorry! I thought that was a speed bump!" Ethan's cheerful voice rang out as they rocketed past the second capsized boat.
Protected by swirling magical energy, the ship debris bounced harmlessly off his makeshift shield. That boat had registered magical fluctuations and gotten suspiciously close... probably another Dark Wizard crew trying to rob them.
I'm doing a public service here. Merit +1, Ethan thought with satisfaction.
"Also, you big fish have had enough fun, right? Done playing?" Ethan called down to the writhing shadow beneath the waves, his voice carrying a note of fond exasperation.
Freeing one hand, he raised his wand toward the turbulent sea and called out with theatrical flair: "Avis!"
Golden light blazed around him like miniature suns, shooting arrow-like beams into the depths. The magical birds surrounded that massive shadow, their ethereal forms creating a glowing net that visibly hampered the creature's movement.
Ethan felt the big fish's speed and strength weaken, its struggles becoming more sluggish. The fishing line's tension shifted from desperate resistance to manageable strain.
Almost time to reel it in!
"Little Bone! Final strike... pull up with all your might!"
"Screech!" The Death Bird's cry split the air like breaking glass. Spectral fire blazed from its hollow skull as it beat its wings with renewed fury, each stroke sending ripples of otherworldly power through the storm.
Ethan waved his wand in complex patterns, and the golden birds underwater tightened their formation, creating an inescapable prison around their quarry.
One metre, two metres, three metres... Ethan gritted his teeth, muscles straining as he slowly lifted his prize toward the surface. The shadow below became increasingly clear, its massive form growing more defined with each passing second.
Finally!
"BANG!" A thunderous rumble shook the very foundations of the sea. The surface bulged upward like a great bubble before water cascaded down in torrents. A silvery-white fish over ten metres long was dragged from its watery domain, its scales catching the pale sunlight like scattered diamonds!
"Ethan! Over here!" Luna's voice cut through the chaos like a silver bell.
Ethan looked down to see her expertly controlling their magical vessel, sailing directly beneath him and his magnificent catch. Her golden hair whipped around her face like spun sunlight, and her blue eyes sparkled with pure joy.
Excellent work!
"Good!" Ethan yelled back, his voice filled with triumphant laughter.
With the Death Bird's supernatural assistance, he swung the fishing rod with every ounce of strength in his body. The motion felt like hurling a lightning bolt.
"BANG!" The Remora Fish King crashed onto the deck with earth-shaking impact! The ship tilted violently, ancient wood groaning in protest as cracks spider-webbed across the planking.
"Incarcerous," Luna said with dreamy concentration, as if she were asking the ropes to politely introduce themselves. Thick cords answered her call, spiralling gracefully through the air to embrace the Fish King in gentle but firm coils.
But the next second, the Fish King's muscles rippled with power. All the ropes snapped like thread, the sound sharp as gunshots.
"Mm!" Luna raised her eyebrows, more intrigued than concerned by this development.
Just then, a strong hand pressed her shoulder as a deep, slightly breathless voice spoke from above: "Impedimenta!"
"Whoosh!" Red light flashed in complex spirals, encircling the Fish King like liquid fire. The creature's frantic struggles slowed, then stopped entirely as the magic took hold.
"Dad!" Luna cried joyfully, looking up at the thoroughly soaked, gasping Mr Lovegood.
Lovegood held his wand steady, sweat beading on his forehead as he concentrated on maintaining the spell's grip on their massive captive. Despite his exhaustion, he managed to give Luna a reassuring smile that reached his eyes.
"Next time," he said with gentle firmness, "we're not participating in activities like this."
Other people fish to cultivate character... Ethan fishes to commit acts of maritime warfare! He'd been too naive, really. Simply thought Ethan was going fishing, never imagining the boy's target was the ocean's most legendary guardian!
"Luna, are you alright?" Ethan descended from midair with practised grace, his boots touching the deck with barely a sound. His first concern was always for his companions.
Luna shook her head, wiping seawater from her face with the back of her hand. When she lifted her small face toward him, she broke into the most radiant smile he'd ever seen.
"I'm fine! This was the most exciting Christmas I've ever had!" Her voice bubbled with genuine happiness. "Thank you for bringing me on this adventure, Ethan."
Ethan looked into her sparkling blue eyes, seeing depths that contained more magnificent vitality than even these rolling seas. The sight made something warm unfurl in his chest, and he couldn't help but curve his lips in response.
Reaching out, he gently brushed away the golden strands stuck to Luna's forehead, his touch feather-light. "As long as you're happy."
Luna returned his smile with such brilliance it could have outshone the sun. The moment stretched between them, perfect and crystalline.
The thoroughly soaked Mr Lovegood nearby cleared his throat pointedly. I shouldn't be on the boat... I should be under it.
However, Ethan also turned to offer Lovegood a formal bow of gratitude, his manners impeccable despite their wild circumstances. The unexpected courtesy left the older man somewhat flattered and confused.
Finally, Ethan turned around to face his true prize. The Remora Fish King lay pinned to the deck by the Death Bird's massive claws, its body even larger than the legendary Acromantula. It spanned the entire length of their vessel, occasionally flapping its powerful tail and making the boat rock like a cradle in a storm.
Its streamlined body was breathtakingly beautiful, each silver-white scale flowing with iridescent light that shifted through the entire spectrum. The surface reflected colourful radiance like a living aurora, creating patterns that seemed to dance with their own inner music.
It looked pure and sacred, a creature that belonged in myths and legends rather than on their humble deck. Truly worthy of the title "Guardian of Sailors".
"Hehe, hehehe~" Ethan and Luna shared a look of anticipation as they approached their prize, their eyes gleaming with scientific curiosity.
Sharpening knives toward Fish King.jpg
The mighty Remora Fish King, sensing their intent, released a sound like a virtuous maiden cornered by bandits. Large tears rolled from its dark, intelligent eyes, each drop catching the light like liquid crystal.
"Chirp..." The pitiful cry would have melted hearts across seven seas.
[You successfully caught the Remora Fish King! Completed this unprecedented feat!]
[You learnt the 'Patronus Charm'.]
In an instant, Ethan froze as knowledge flooded his mind. His consciousness seemed to float among clouds of pure light, untouchable and serene. Pure white flowing radiance surrounded him like protective silk, creating a barrier against all evil influence.
Obscure, ancient magical text automatically carved itself into his memory, each symbol burning bright as stars. The spell's essence settled into his soul like missing pieces of a puzzle finally finding their place.
Excellent! Ethan's eyes blazed with triumph as he clenched his fists, pumping them twice in pure joy. The motion sent ripples of magical energy through the air around him.
Finally! He'd finally learnt the Patronus Charm! He could block the basilisk's deadly gaze and complete the final stroke... the finishing touch on his masterpiece!
[You consecutively destroyed two fishing boats, achieving 'North Sea Speed King'.]
[Your offensive spell power has increased.]
[Your spells can now knock opponents away like rhinoceros charges.]
Ethan paused, processing this unexpected bonus. Oh ho. Righteous protective spells!
Now if anyone wanted to attack this innocent, kind young wizard, all that awaited them was being launched through the air like a cannonball! Perfect for peaceful conflict resolution.
"I've never liked fighting in my life," Ethan said with complete sincerity, his expression angelically pure. "This 'Rhinoceros Charge' technique should help opponents calm down and reflect on their life choices."
He nodded with absolute certainty, already envisioning the therapeutic benefits his enhanced spells would provide to future troublemakers.