The centaurs' raw physical prowess was undeniable, visible in their muscular builds, agile bodies, and the massive bows and arrows they carried. But the information Magorian—the Centaur Chief—revealed was far more chilling than any physical threat.
Not only had they precisely anticipated Allen's visit today, but they had also accurately sensed that Allen possessed an object of critical importance to their people.
This was precisely what one expected from a race that cultivated prophets and astrologers. Their entire culture was dedicated to exploring the mysteries of the stars and the cosmos.
It was fortunate, Allen reflected, that they largely lacked the ability to perform wand-based magic beyond their specific forms of divination. Otherwise, the outcome of any conflict between them and the wizarding world would be far more difficult to predict.
"I am curious, Chief Magorian, which item of mine holds such importance to your tribe?" Allen ventured a guess. The only object he possessed that could conceivably be linked to the celestial bodies that so captivated the centaurs was the Moonstone he had acquired earlier.
"While the stars have not revealed the precise name, young Allen, the weight of our prophecy suggests you already carry the answer in your heart," Magorian replied, his deep voice resonating with ancient wisdom.
"If we can secure your support and assistance in this matter, we centaurs will use every means within our power to reciprocate your kindness and honour your generosity." Magorian's earnest plea was compelling.
"Honourable Chief, I, too, deeply desire the enduring companionship of the centaurs," Allen stated bluntly, deciding on radical honesty, as the Moonstone was currently useless to him. "I do possess an object, but it is said to be ill-fated; misfortune follows anyone who desires its power without understanding its true will." Allen made no claim of understanding the will of the Moon God.
"Ah, I am intrigued. I would hear more of this object," Magorian responded, clearly fascinated. The centaurs behind him, who had subtly stiffened back into their formal stance, visibly relaxed in anticipation.
"This object is known simply as the Moonstone," Allen revealed. As he spoke the name, he saw Magorian's eyes instantly brighten, his dark pupils glowing faintly as if illuminated by countless distant stars. The other centaurs, including Firenzo, looked thrilled; even Bane, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, was looking at Allen with intense expectation.
Allen then proceeded to explain the circumstances of how he had come to possess the Moonstone. Allen's eloquence allowed him to weave a narrative that avoided revealing classified details—such as the true nature of his system or his personal goals—but what he did reveal sounded neither disjointed nor incoherent.
The centaurs were completely engrossed in Allen's condensed story. He wasn't exactly lying, but weaving a highly selective truth.
"And that is how the Moonstone ultimately fell into my keeping," Allen concluded, swallowing hard and suddenly remembering the delicious fruit Gaia had offered him earlier. He realized he was quite hungry.
The wise Magorian immediately picked up on Allen's discomfort. "Allen, the news you bring our people is indeed exhilarating. It is now approaching the midday hour, which signifies lunchtime for humans. Why don't we centaurs prepare a proper meal for you?"
Magorian immediately instructed Firenzo to supervise the food preparation. Allen, who had been welcomed with only fruit in the Unicorn Colony, couldn't help but wonder what fare the centaurs would provide. He was genuinely hungry and thirsty, and eagerly anticipated a centaur-style lunch.
Allen had expected the centaurs, like the unicorns, to offer mostly fruit. To his surprise, they presented a kind of savoury oatmeal muffin, generously studded with toasted sunflower seeds, and flavoured with subtle vanilla and sharp, homemade cheese.
Apparently, the centaurs held no strictures against serving alcohol to minors; they also offered Allen a glass of their fruit wine, a powerful concoction made from fermented berries and honey. Allen took a sip and found the wine surprisingly strong.
While the meal lacked the refined delicacy of the Hogwarts House-elves' cooking, it excelled in its natural, rustic elegance and incredibly fresh flavour.
"And where do these centaurs source the ingredients for this fine, artisanal cheese? I don't recall ever seeing them herd livestock in the Forest," Allen pondered the question only after he had finished his last mouthful of satisfying oatmeal.
After a hearty meal, Gaia politely bid Magorian farewell; the Chief made no attempt to detain her. The subsequent events, concerning ancient centaur magic, were likely considered inappropriate for the presence of even a revered Unicorn.
"Allen, with your kind permission, might you retrieve the Moonstone for us to observe and examine? It would be a tragedy to leave such a sacred object dormant and unused!" Magorian's words were undeniably true; the object was essentially a useless, heavy yellow jewel to Allen at this time.
Allen reached into his system's storage and retrieved the yellow gemstone. Occasionally, a natural shaft of sunlight would catch the jewel, making it flash brilliantly. Magorian gazed at it with fierce, concentrated intensity.
Seeing the centaur's profound respect, Allen generously handed the Moonstone over, allowing Magorian to manipulate and examine it closely.
Watching the centaur chief's serious, focused expression, Allen couldn't help but momentarily drift into another whimsical thought, comparing Magorian's intense stare to an over-the-top display of romantic interest: "Is this centaur trying to mate with me? Thank goodness he didn't say 'my darling'."
After a long, contemplative silence, Magorian carefully returned the jewel to Allen and let out a heavy sigh. "It is indeed strongly afflicted by a curse, a very potent one. I fear only the Chiron Ritual, which harnesses the purest power of the stars, can effectively cleanse it. Fortunately, our centaur heritage remains fully intact, and we possess the means to arrange the necessary ceremony to perform the Chiron Ritual."
With Allen's immediate, verbal approval, the centaur troop sprang into coordinated action. Some began chopping down specific trees, others worked to level a suitable patch of ground, and a third group earnestly began sprinkling a fine silver dust onto the earth, carefully tracing unknown, intricate patterns.
Every centaur, without exception, worked tirelessly and efficiently under Magorian's remarkably calm and effective leadership.
Noticing that the centaurs' hooves made it difficult for them to reach their hands to the ground for certain fine detailing, Allen, standing nearby, found his thoughts once again turning irreverent: "Those centaurs must have a devil of a time wiping their rear ends after relieving themselves."
"Allen, as a token of our eternal gratitude for your trust and generosity, would you accept an invitation to tour the sacred sites of our Centaur Heritage?" Once the initial preparations were complete, Magorian interrupted Allen's slightly inappropriate musings.
He invited Allen to visit the Land of Legacy, the most sacred grounds of the Centaur race. This was an undeniable gesture of profound trust towards Allen; the seemingly useless Moonstone was clearly a treasure coveted by every centaur.
Allen, already feeling a little bored by the methodical construction, readily agreed. He followed Magorian as the Chief led the way. Allen noted that Magorian only summoned six powerful centaurs—including Firenzo, Ronan, and Bane—to follow him, while the rest stayed behind to protect the newly established ritual circle from any possible disturbance.
Passing through a natural wooden gate formed by the intertwining branches of two massive elm trees, Allen found himself in a remarkably isolated location: a grassy mound on a lush, rolling hill.
A winding, barely discernible path led from the shade of the dense trees toward the center of the mound. Guided by Magorian, Allen and his companions proceeded directly toward the mound, deftly avoiding numerous small traps and mechanisms subtly set by the centaurs to protect their sanctuary.
The mound appeared ordinary from the outside, but once they stepped inside, it was a completely different world. It was not a simple hill, but the entrance to a massive underground complex. Allen followed Magorian, turning left and right repeatedly.
The interior structure was complex; to anyone unfamiliar, it was a vast, confusing labyrinth. The walls were constructed entirely of smooth, massive stones. In the dim, constant light, Allen noticed strange, intricate carvings on the walls and countless depictions of ancient centaurs.
All of this confirmed that, even without fully surrendering the Moonstone, the centaurs had entrusted Allen with access to their most sacred ancestral site, the Land of Legacy.
After walking for what felt like an unknown, considerable length of time—just as Ronan began to visibly draw laboured breaths—Magorian finally stopped. They were inside a massive stone chamber where the patterns carved into the walls clearly marked their destination.
Magorian instructed Allen to make himself comfortable, then commanded the six accompanying centaurs, including Firenzo, to begin the crucial task: memorize the patterns carved into the massive stone walls before nightfall and carefully observe every minute detail required to initiate the Ritual of Chiron.