Sirius finally let go of Kreacher, standing there in a daze, like he'd been hit with the Imperio Curse.
Lupin stepped forward and patted Sirius on the shoulder. "He was a true Black, and undeniably a Slytherin. His name deserves to be praised by everyone."
Kael let out a silent sigh beside them, saying nothing.
In his eyes, Regulus had made his decision from the very start; he never intended to come back alive.
Perhaps it was the collapse of the ideals he'd held onto for so long—when he chose to break with Voldemort, the ending was already sealed.
Voldemort was a master of Legilimency, and Kael was sure Regulus knew this perfectly well. Regulus couldn't be certain he'd hide the fact that he'd stolen the Soul Artifact.
That meant, once his actions were discovered, he'd face Voldemort's wrath—not just him, but everyone in the Black family, and Kreacher too, nobody would escape.
So he chose to sacrifice himself, to protect this secret. Only by doing this could more people be spared.
As for Kreacher, judging by Voldemort's character, there was no way he'd care about a House-elf—he probably forgot that humble creature the moment he left the cave.
Sirius pressed his face in his hands, sobbing uncontrollably, tears leaking through his fingers and dripping to the floor.
He'd misunderstood Regulus for over a decade, only now realizing that his brother wasn't weak at all—in fact, he was even braver than Sirius.
To face death willingly for the sake of killing Voldemort, even in a place almost no one would ever set foot in, even knowing no one might ever know what he'd done... but he still did it.
Sirius couldn't imagine how Regulus managed to make this decision.
His mother was right, Kreacher was right, all those people were right—Regulus really was much stronger than him.
"I'm bringing him home!" Sirius wiped the wet tears from his face. "No matter what, I have to bring him back... He should come home, not stay at the icy bottom of that lake!"
"Kreacher!" he suddenly shouted, "I order you, take me to that cave. We'll bring Regulus home together!"
The House-elf had been lying on the ground, breathing heavily, but at Sirius's words he jumped up, trembling all over, his tearful eyes red and swollen.
"Kreacher... Kreacher's willing to obey Master's orders!"
"Then let's go..."
Just as Sirius reached out to grab Kreacher's arm, Lupin suddenly stepped between them.
"Wait, wait, Sirius." His words came quickly. "We can't be reckless. We'd better inform Dumbledore first."
Kreacher looked up at him, full of resentment.
"Don't misunderstand, I'm not trying to stop you," Lupin explained. "But going like this is too reckless. Don't forget, that's where You-Know-Who hides things.
Besides, Kreacher just said it—the things under that lake... if my guess is right, they're Inferi, and at least a few hundred of them.
To find Regulus, you'll definitely have to disturb them... Can you handle hundreds of unstoppable, powerful monsters?"
Lupin's words finally calmed Sirius a little, but only just.
"I don't care, Remus." Sirius said seriously, "I can't leave Regulus alone at the bottom of that icy lake. Every second I'm here is unbearable torture for me—more painful even than the Dementors.
Remus, I know you're right, but I don't want to wait. If bringing Regulus home means dying there, I don't care."
Lupin looked at him for a long time, then sighed and stepped back. "All right, I respect your decision."
"Thank you, Remus," Sirius said. "After we leave, write to Dumbledore—I'm sure he'll find the place."
"Okay." Lupin nodded.
"Thanks." Sirius reached out to grab Kreacher.
But at that moment, without warning... Lupin raised his wand.
"Stupefy!"
Lupin's plan was simple: if he couldn't stop Sirius, then knock him out and tie him up until Dumbledore arrived.
But Sirius seemed to have guessed his intention. In an instant, he turned into a big black dog, dodging the sneak attack.
He immediately changed back, turning to face Lupin.
"I know you too well, Remus," he said. "Did you really think I wouldn't notice? You subconsciously gripped your wand just now."
"No matter what you say." Lupin no longer tried to hide it. "I can't just stand by and watch you march to your death. As long as I'm standing, you aren't going anywhere!"
"I don't think so," Sirius smiled faintly. "Sorry, my friend.
"Kreacher, what are you waiting for!"
The House-elf immediately came to his side and grabbed his arm.
"Siri—"
Lupin hadn't finished speaking when, with a loud bang, the huge room was empty except for him.
...
Elsewhere.
Sirius felt the world spinning, and when he opened his eyes, he smelled the salty air.
He found himself in a vast cave, surrounded by the roaring sounds of the sea.
"Traveling by House-elf isn't great," said a voice beside him.
"Yeah," Sirius replied instinctively. "And I haven't Apparated in—wait."
He looked at the familiar figure, disbelief filling his eyes. "Kael? What are you doing here!"
"Obviously, I came with you. What else?" Kael shrugged, "Didn't you notice? When you and Lupin were arguing, I already had my hand on Kreacher's arm."
"But... but..." Sirius stuttered for a while, finally turning to Kreacher.
But Kreacher was confused, too. His attention had been entirely on the fighting pair—he hadn't even noticed another hand on him.
"No, Kael, it's too dangerous here. You can't come, go back!" Sirius said sternly.
"You're wrong," Kael shook his head. "If I wanted to go back, why did I come in the first place? That makes no sense, right?"
"But..."
"And Lupin was right," Kael continued, ignoring him. "Coming here recklessly just adds one more life to lose—you won't accomplish anything else. We should've told Dumbledore."
"I know!" Sirius said. "But even if we sent an owl to Dumbledore now, the fastest he could get here is at dawn. I really can't wait that long."
"Who says?" Kael sighed, looking pained as he took out a long, fiery-red feather.
He tapped it with his wand. The feather instantly burst into a brief flame.
Sirius's tense gaze held a hint of confusion.
"This is a Phoenix tail feather," Kael explained. "Phoenixes are incredible creatures—they'll pluck a tail feather for someone close, and when that person needs their help, all they have to do is burn it and the Phoenix will come at once. Oh, here it comes."
Kael looked up; the pitch-black sky suddenly held a ball of red fire.
It was Fawkes...
And appearing with him, in pink strawberry pajamas and a pointed nightcap, was Dumbledore.
...