Grindelwald's words drew everyone's attention to the man who remained calm even in the face of death.
His black hair gradually turned white again. John sat there without moving, the flames creeping closer.
He studied the fire for a moment, then asked curiously, "An impressive spell."
"Protego Diabolica," Grindelwald said, meeting John's gaze through the flames with a smile. "I am willing to teach it to you."
"I'm truly honored."
John smiled faintly, his eyes shifting to the wand in Grindelwald's hand as he said in a low voice, "The Elder Wand?"
"Yes. I was one step ahead of you," Grindelwald said, stroking the wand. "You cannot go back. Why not join me?"
He glanced at the excited Credence and added, "He would wish for that as well."
"I do not object to that," John said, also looking at Credence before turning back to Grindelwald. "You may continue what you're doing, but on one condition. Do not harm innocent people."
"You are still as proud as ever," Grindelwald said with a smile. "Are you so confident he will not submit to me?"
"Do not deceive him, Grindelwald," John said, fixing him with a steady gaze. "You know what he is."
Grindelwald did not respond.
Newt noticed the white-haired wizard and moved to stop Credence from joining.
Nagini did the same, but Credence took her hand and said, "Wait for me. I will come back to find you once I discover who I am."
"Credence!"
In the end, Credence stepped through the flames, and Grindelwald revealed a victorious smile.
The fire surged, forcing the Aurors back step by step.
On the other side, Queenie also moved to cross the flames.
Jacob knew how terrible war was, and he tried to stop Queenie.
Queenie, "..he's the answer. What he wants is the same as us."
"No, no, no." Jacob called out to her in pain.
"Come with me," Queenie said, trying to take him with her.
"Please, don't go!"
"Come with me!" Queenie cried.
Tears filled Jacob's eyes. "You've lost your mind."
But Queenie still stepped into the flames.
"No! Queenie, don't go!"
She walked onto the stage and Disapparated.
The blue flames spread and raged.
Credence was gently embraced by Grindelwald, who whispered in his ear, "All of this is for you."
"I only want to know who I am," Credence said, glancing toward John, who stood outside the flames with an unreadable expression, as he reached out to grasp the pendant.
Grindelwald only smiled faintly. No one could remain indifferent under his influence.
The Elder Wand became his conductor's baton, the flames his orchestra, and death the notes of his composition.
The blue fire struck down the Aurors who tried to Disapparate.
Six or seven Aurors, panicking, rushed through the flames toward Grindelwald.
This was a slaughter, and also a display of power.
The flames wove through the space, yet never touched John.
He seemed like the only spectator within the fire, watching this elegy of death unfold.
"Mr. Scamander, do you think Dumbledore will mourn for you?" Grindelwald focused his attention on the two Scamanders.
"Help them!" Tina shouted toward John, who stood watching.
John shrugged. "Sorry, Tina. They can handle it themselves."
"You know me?" Tina was taken aback.
John had let it slip.
That voice.
It sounded familiar to Tina.
Everything happening now was something John had already glimpsed in a flash of foresight.
To protect the two Scamanders, Leta pretended to join Grindelwald.
Grindelwald personally welcomed her, yet…
Leta looked resolutely toward the two Scamanders.
"I love you."
Who did she love?
No one knew, and there would be no answer.
One was the boy who had saved her in her school days, the other the fiancé who had always cared for her afterward.
Perhaps she loved them both.
As a Slytherin, being a little greedy was not a fault.
Leta raised her wand and aimed at the skull in Vinda Rozier's hand.
A spell struck, shattering the skull and knocking Vinda down.
The blue flames lost control, surging toward Leta.
John watched the scene coldly.
Theseus, like a man possessed, tried to rush through the fire and nearly got consumed.
John slowly closed his eyes as cries of anguish rang endlessly in his ears.
"I should be leaving," Grindelwald said to John. "This place is no longer under my control."
With that, he took Credence with him. Casting one last glance around, he said with distaste, "I hate Paris."
They Disapparated.
Leaving chaos behind.
John rose slowly, his figure vanishing before reappearing beside Nagini.
As the blue flames were about to reach her, they were driven back by a golden light.
John put an arm around Nagini's shoulder and whispered, "He will see you again."
Nagini was overcome with sorrow. Tears filled her eyes, and with a trace of hatred she stared at him. "Who are you?"
"John," he said in a low voice. "John Wick. Do not forget me, Nagini."
"I will be leaving, and this is a secret between us. Keep it buried in your soul. Do not forget."
His fingers gently wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes, tender to the extreme.
After this departure, Nagini would endure years of suffering, until that day in Albania when a reckless boy would stumble in and bring her salvation once more.
Nagini sensed the sadness within John.
He was full of contradictions. He could remain indifferent to the deaths around him, yet show sorrow when saying farewell to her.
Grindelwald's flames had already spiraled out of control. John shielded Nagini and, in passing, saved the Muggle nearby.
...
Père Lachaise Cemetery.
Not long after John led the two of them out, Newt, Theseus, and the others Disapparated out one after another.
The blue flames pursued them. It was a massive disaster.
Every grave seemed to spew fire outward.
The cemetery stood on the brink of destruction as Grindelwald's flames took the form of a dragon-like monster, bent on annihilating everything.
Watching the end of Paris draw near, John said softly, "Now it is your turn to appear, Professor."
The creature burst out of the cemetery, wreaking havoc.
The Aurors' attacks had no effect.
An old man arrived, moving with unsteady steps.
When John saw him, a flicker of emotion passed through his eyes.
He could only suppress it, forcing himself not to step forward.
Nicolas Flamel arrived and directed everyone to gather, forming a circle and planting their wands into the ground.
Only the counter-charm could oppose such a terrifying spell.
At the old man's instruction, everyone spread out around the cemetery.
"Finite!"
Wands were driven into the ground, and a golden barrier rose.
The fire of purification clashed against the dark flames.
They stood united, and then…
The purifying fire was bitten apart by the dark flames, its head torn away. Everyone coughed blood and staggered back.
"???" John was stunned.
This was not how things were supposed to go.
"Child, our strength is not enough."
Nicolas Flamel's voice rang out as he called to John.
Huh..?
John's body trembled. He turned his head in disbelief.
There was a questioning look in his eyes.
Nicolas Flamel's voice carried a gentle warmth, confirming John's suspicion.
"Child, do what you are best at."
"But you…"
"Sometimes, one must be a little willful to live up to the power in one's hands." Nicolas Flamel blinked at him. "Care for your own child. Borrow that power. You will need it."
So it was him.
His teacher.
This old man, by some unknown means, had come to know.
Perhaps he had seen the future, or perhaps it was the will of the one guarding behind the door.
John smiled helplessly. "Heh~ You're far more willful now than you will be in the future."
"I'm younger. My state of mind is different," Nicolas Flamel said.
John looked at the dragon that was about to destroy the city and said, "Alright."
Tina could not fully understand their conversation, but she could tell that this white-haired wizard might be able to save the city.
"Please, whoever you are," Tina pleaded.
John looked into her eyes and suddenly asked, "Has anyone ever told you your eyes look like those of a salamander?"
Tina's eyes were the same as his.
After speaking, John drew out a white wand.
"It's useless. Even Finite can't end it!" Newt was forced back by the flames.
"Playing with fire?" John shook his head with a faint smile. "Newt, have you forgotten who rules the flames?"
"You are?" Newt did not recall having such familiarity with him.
John simply bared his teeth in a grin.
Golden flames ignited from his body.
John murmured to himself, "It's close. It's coming."
He turned to look at Nagini, his voice gentle. "May you have no regrets this time, Nagini."
The golden fire completely engulfed him as he raised his right hand.
Time seemed to respond. A terrifying force tore open the sky.
A sword, wreathed in eternal flame, appeared in his hand.
Its radiant brilliance shone like the sun, too bright to look at directly.
John looked at the sword and knew he had succeeded.
He had heard the call of his friend.
A wand in his left hand, a sword in his right.
John uttered words too faint to be heard.
Draco ignis sum
Flames engulfed his body.
Roar~!
A golden fire dragon carrying eternal flame devoured the blue fire.
Gold and flame collided, merging into a blinding white.
A ringing filled everyone's ears, and the dazzling light stole their sight.
When the terrifying brilliance faded, the devastated Père Lachaise Cemetery bore no trace of either gold or blue.
____
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