And the foundation of this city was actually that group of ancient Titans.
"It's not my fault, they struck first." Ian shrugged, his gaze following the disintegrating city. The collapse of Sky City indeed did not stop with the end of the battle.
On the contrary, there was a feeling of acceleration.
Without the Titans as the core power source, the old forces that maintained its floating state began to fail, and the entire city was like a giant ship losing its mast, slowly descending under the force of gravity. The surviving buildings in the Fiery Fire collapsed like toppled building blocks, one by one.
At first, only parts of the outer ring separated, spinning and plummeting beneath the sea of clouds, followed by a thunderous roar.
The city's main structure finally couldn't hold. The huge floating metal cornerstone split in half, slowly separating in slow motion. Ian could see the magical patterns on the fracture face extinguishing one by one. The entire city began to accelerate its descent, the wild winds tearing the clouds to shreds.
"Hope it doesn't hit me."
Ian flew a bit higher.
He watched as those shattered buildings gradually disappeared from view, falling into the dense forest below.
The ground sent up deafening crash sounds, dust rising, with trees being crushed one after another. The massive dust clouds, likely causing harm to many creatures in this catastrophe.
"Damn, could this be what they call a meteor hitting Earth?"
Ian swallowed.
He was starting to doubt the accuracy of historical and scientific speculations.
"Good news, no one is left in Sky City, and I don't have to bear the consequences." Ian brushed the ashes from his shoulder, watching the city's final area fall to the ground.
"Bad news, I still have to dig three feet to find them." He closed his eyes, his magic power transformed into invisible threads, tracing the contract between himself and the Fierce Goddess, locking onto the location of the Fierce Goddess's infant form— that familiar yet strange fluctuation was Ian's best guide to finding his way home.
No hiding.
The Fierce Goddess was like those who flew out and got marked by the Bee Hunters. Wherever she was, it could lead Ian to find her clansmen.
Ian was not being despicable.
He couldn't help it.
"Contract reveal!" Ian's magic wand tip lit up with a silver glow, forming a thread in the air only he could see. He needed to find the infant with the pocket watch—not just to uncover the truth, but also to find his way home. The silver threads danced in the wind, suddenly all pointing southeast.
Ian swiftly dove down.
Even though there was nothing ahead, Ian knew that familiar yet strange fluctuation of the Fierce Goddess was hiding in a twisted time-space gap.
"The Raven is coming towards us!"
"Damn it! How does he know we're hiding!"
"The birdnose is truly sharp!"
"What do we do! What do we do!"
The hidden ancient wizards suddenly descended into chaos.
...
Ian was searching for his path home.
Meanwhile.
At the same time, deep within the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts, damp mist entwined the ancient trees, a gloomy silence enveloping the clearing outside the Bronze Gate.
Dumbledore stood before the Bronze Gate, half-moon glasses framing blue eyes flickering with thoughts. Originally, he intended to risk entering through the Bronze Gate to find Ian.
After all, Ian's place in his heart is far from insignificant.
Far surpassing his own life.
However.
Despite his willingness to take risks, Dumbledore still encountered obstacles—this was once a passage linked to Otherworld, now sealed by an invisible force.
As if something behind the door should not be disturbed.
Unable to open.
And unable to enter.
Dumbledore did not know if it was due to the Bronze Gate itself, or a jest left by another mistaken version of himself before. The old headmaster, keen on understanding the situation, started learning on the spot.
"This is no ordinary problem."
Before Dumbledore, thick ancient tomes were piled high, their pages flipping, exuding a vintage aura. Surrounding him were dozens of open ancient books, some pages had yellowed and were brittle, some emitted ominous black aura. His silver beard gently swayed in the wind, his gaze intensely scanning the parchment scroll in his hand.
Brows furrowed.
He had been studying this place's condition for quite a while.
Yet still couldn't find any leads.
In the dim environment.
Only the light from the lighter illuminated the surroundings.
"What's that?" Hermione crouched nearby, her gaze fixed on an open ancient book, the black flame-like words flitting across the pages made her breathe rapidly.
The knowledge-hungry girl stood up, tiptoeing, trying to decipher the content of the nearest book. However, she only caught glimpses of scattered information.
"What are you doing?"
Severus Snape's deep voice came from the shadows, appearing silently behind Hermione Granger like a giant bat.
Scaring her almost out of her skin.
"The headmaster hasn't moved a bit."
Hermione swallowed, quickly changing the topic, her fingers unconsciously twisting the robe's corner.
Her gaze continuously wandered between Dumbledore and the ancient tomes scattered on the ground. Those massive books were spread out on a folding table covered in purple velvet, some seemed older than her grandfather's age, the parchment corners had yellowed and curled, densely packed with writings she had never seen before.