IMPORTANT! --History: First off, Harry has gone through all the normal problems (ignoring books 6 and 7). He did the philosophers stone, basilisk and all that jazz. But in between those things he got himself into all sorts of other situations. He was named heir to the queen of the elves that lived in the forbidden forest, he made a number of political moves that landed him in strange situations and resulted in numerous titles. Rita Skeeter capitalized on Harry, making him more famous than he ever would have anticipated. Think like the Beatles or something. He attracted huge crowds. When Harry was 15, he discovered a way to travel through parallel dimensions. He enjoyed getting away from his fame. Once he was in these dimensions however, he ended up doing something astonishing completely on accident and making himself known in those worlds. The ministry began experimentation with the discovery Harry made about other worlds and began expeditions to those places. They were all called Facis expeditions. When the locals of these universes asked who Facis was, the teams would explain about their fearless leader, Commander Facis. They told of Harry's exploits, which they had read about in the Skeeter publications. Harry's notoriety grew so that the places he visited hailed him as a Hero and a legend. After he defeated Voldemort at 17, He began to organize the leaders of those worlds, creating a Circlet of Power. These men and women dealt with the inter-universal relations that all centered on Harry's world. As the universes developed their diplomacy, they each began to communicate and send teams a few at a time to each world. There, they made a number of important discoveries based on the different cultures, technology, and faunal manifestations. They also gossiped. A lot. And it was all about Commander Facis AKA Harry Potter. As Harry's powers and accomplishments grew (elemental mage, wandless magic, natural healing, etc. etc.) Harry began to lose all anonymity he ever had. His real name was lost as all around hailed him as Facis.

Author's note: Don't worry, this is the first and last time I will ever write from Esmeralda's point of view. She's a bitch. Also as a quick note, I tend to skip POV a lot. I try to separate each change in POV with a break. Often, the break will change scene or place. Sometimes, it is the same place and point in time only with another character. I skip between Harry and Astyr all the time. Just know that a break doesn't mean the end of a conversation or event (as this first scene shows you). Sometimes however, I change POV without a break. Usually that's just because it's a brief little bit on what the other person is feeling before going back to the original POV. I think, for the most part, the whole thing is easy to follow. If it isn't, tell me and I'll change it.

Chapter One

Harry smiled into the breeze off the forecastle of the greatest sailboat ever built, created by Merlin himself. At 20 years, he looked dashing and handsome to anyone that cared to notice. Princess Esmeralda of Parsh always noticed. She watched as his hair flew about in the wind and she examined his body in appreciation.

Oblivious, he grinned as the water splashed his face, soaking him. Esmeralda shuddered at the thought of the disgusting wetness coming off the sea. She couldn't understand why Facis liked it so much. When she had first met him, she had tried to flatter him, addressing him by his most glorious titles. He had looked sick. She had tried to talk about his achievements but he had only politely thanked her and left. She didn't know him at all. He was so different from her other suitors. His mystery enticed her.

She researched him extensively but there was little to find. She seemed to hit a wall when it came to his real life. She knew enough about his adventures but not his home. She imagined huge palaces and large metallic towers that poked at the sky. Hers was a universe that Facis had visited twice. She told anyone that would listen. She had heard that some of the people who appeared in his adventures alongside him went on to win many awards and became the most powerful men and women of their worlds. She knew if she stuck by him she would piggyback her way to fame and glory. She approached him as he contemplated the horizon. She would have him. It was only a matter of time.

Harry sighed softly, reveling in the simple pleasure of the wind and ocean on his face. He didn't often get much time to enjoy himself as his duties and life style kept him busy. The huge ship that he now commanded was given to him by a sweet sea sprite that was quite bored one day. He had discovered her sighing over how no one would talk to her at which point he struck up a conversation. She had mischievously led him to a well-warded cave containing this magnificent ship, called The Dinghy. Apparently Merlin had a sense of humor.

For all that its name was amusing, the ship itself was no laughing matter. It was 100 feet long, 3 masted, and it cut through the water like nothing else in the sea. Harry had once spent a month in a world that was completely covered in water. The inhabitants were master sailors. Their boats were incredibly designed and he had learned everything he knew about sailing after he'd told them he'd never had any experience on the water. That had baffled them (understandably) but they quickly taught him. The people of that world would die in shock at the sight of the Dinghy. It was a true work of art.

He, and a crew of 50-armed soldiers and magicians were on their way to a battle that even Harry doubted they would survive. He was experienced in war. He had seen things few could imagine. Harry was a god on the battlefield. He knew death but he did not fear it. He respected it, but that would not prevent him from living. Voldemort had taught him that lesson early on. This battle however, was one he had fought many times. He was on his way to save a small kingdom from being overrun by a dark army. This army was especially strong and he had seen few that rivaled it in numbers. What was worse, the kingdom was much too small to hold out against attack. Harry knew he was more than likely to find it in ruins already.

"Commander Facis! You look marvelous today. Please, wont you come and eat lunch with me? You can tell me all about your heroic exploits in the Philippines."

Harry stiffened and quickly composed his features as he turned to look at the woman behind him. She was obviously not happy so close to the prow of the ship, wearing many more layers than strictly necessary and warily looking over the side at the threatened salt spray before flashing him a brilliant smile. She was pretty in her own way. If she weren't such a gold digger she might even be pleasant. She and her mother had politically maneuvered Harry into a position where he was forced to take the girl with him on this particular rescue mission.

He absolutely refused to marry her. She and others like her were slowly closing in on him though, to the point where he had been forced to make his sexual orientation known. It really hadn't helped. If anything, this particular juicy tidbit had fueled the fires and more women were throwing themselves at him than before. Unlike before, his percentage of male potential love interests went up as well. Maybe more like skyrocketed.

"Esmeralda, I would love to join you and speak of such things but I confess I have never been to the Philippines and would not be able to tell you of them. Besides, I had intended to eat with the crew belowdecks. Would you care to accompany me there?"

Harry's stylized speech was something he'd picked up over the years. Most worlds were not as advanced as his and the dialects were old, though easy enough to imitate.

He almost laughed out loud as her features quickly morphed into regal disgust and fear at his words before returning to the normal mask of sweetness she used to impress him. The best way to get rid of her was to threaten he with the commoners.

"Oh wont you eat with me in my cabin? Please? I have had the matey prepare a spread of the finest food this miserable boat has to offer."

Here she batted her eyelashes imploringly. Harry frowned. 'The finest spread' did not sound good. Who would allow her to pillage the stores? They needed that food for the return trip. It should not be wasted on Esmeralda's delicate sensibilities.

"No."

With that he walked away, distancing himself from her pleas. He honestly wasn't sure why he had never accepted the proposals of the various kingdoms that had heard of him. Even the people who were not so highborn as Esmeralda didn't seem to attract him. He rarely dated seriously and often found that his partners were not in it for him at all, but instead for the addition of his name to theirs. He could not find anyone who could fill him, make him whole as Ron had described when he started dating Hermione. He had died in the last years of Voldemort's second war. Harry missed him.

When he had expressed his frustrations to Hermione, she had smiled and said "Oh Harry. You are always worrying. You don't have to worry about this. It just means that when you do find your perfect someone, you will love them all the more."

Harry had brushed off the explanation. He didn't have a lot of time to think about it and on the scheme of things he supposed it didn't matter. Harry shook his head and made his way across the rolling deck, expertly swaying with the waves. He stopped at the mainmast and jumped up, catch a net placed for the purpose of climbing. He doubted Esmeralda could reach the crow's nest and so he often retreated there to avoid her when he wasn't willing to deal with her snobbery.

He made his way up to the basket, looking down only once to see the ants of the crew adjusting the sails for maximum speed. He sent the lookout down to the deck as he took over his duties. Getting bored with the safety that the nest provided for him, Harry looked up at the ten feet of tapering mast above the nest and smiled. Using the edge of the basket, he jumped up and grabbed the ring embedded in the very tip and allowed his feet to brace against the pole. He leaned out and looked to the horizon, enjoying the view and focusing on the islands embedded in the ocean.

As the sun set, Harry's silhouette was strikingly powerful and confident against the red sky as he leaned towards his goal. Looking up, the crew took heart from their commander's manner. He was the light of their lives and not a single one of them doubted that they would die for him. They knew he would do anything for them and that earned their feirce loyalty and deepest respect.

Hours later, the smoke had sprung up like a wall in front of them as they quietly drifted toward the harbor. The air was thick and cloying, causing the men to tie handkerchiefs around their mouths. It was derived of magically enhanced fires and Harry knew immediately that they were too late to save the city. He could only hope the castle held out against the invaders. As they came closer to the port, the soldiers silently took in the sight that came to them out of the clouds.

The houses were burning and the sounds of dying citizens reached to them across the water. There were dark soldiers everywhere, hacking at children and hewing off limbs. Some fought valiantly but all of them fell to the dark armies attack. The sound of warfare grew louder as they approached.

Esmeralda was not as subtle as the veteran soldiers when she saw the harbor. She immediately began screaming. Harry cursed and, instead of silencing her with a spell or killing her as he was more inclined to do, he slapped her hard across the face. Not as hard as he could, but certainly hard enough to bruise. She stopped and stared, obviously never having been touched violently before in her life.

Harry, stifling his triumphant feelings and trying hard not to shoot an answering grin at his comrades behind her, explained in a whisper "I am sorry but you must be quiet or you will get us all killed."

Before them lay the caved in and fiery ruins of the city of Fray. They had immediately set out 2 days ago in response to a distress call from the king to the United Empires Council. It was an alliance between the 13 nations of this world, one of which Harry had been visiting. Remus had moved to this world when Harry had stumbled upon it and had become the king's right hand man. Harry and his men volunteered to help. Fray was an important archipelago holding the most magical creatures and wizards of this world. It was known for its wise rulers and strong, united people. Everyone was educated in Fray. It was a worthy cause to try and save.

Oshald, his second in command, came up next to him after stowing the princess in the bowels of the ship for "her own safety."

Now he said, "An hour, maybe two has gone by since it's initial downfall."

Harry nodded in agreement.

"Go. Do not engage the enemy if you can help it. Save as many people as you can. Herd them to the harbor. Children have priority. Jacob!"

Oshald's apprentice ran forward. Harry was only a year older than him but he seemed to idolize the Boy Who Defeated The Dark Lord.

"Take the plane-key. When Oshald calls the clear, when he has saved everyone he can, take them out. We'll meet up in Haven."

The plane-key was a one-time deal. A seer in a world of white sand gave it to him. Harry had no qualms about using it, especially since he was saving peoples lives. It would transport the user to a destination of choice along with anyone he desired to bring along. It was a primitive type of portkey with the single advantage of touch being unecessary. Jacob would bring any survivors to Remus.

After ordering that the ship be anchored and defended, and that 5 of his men scout the position of the main body of the enemy and report through communication mirrors to Oshald, Harry dove off the railing and into the water, making very little splash or noise. He used his elemental powers and after a moment, the men on deck could see him lifting himself onto the levee to disappear into the smoke of the main street, the foreboding castle looming above him and screams echoing all around. He wanted to stop and help everyone he could see, but he had a job to do that would save more than these people's lives.

Oshald didn't stop to contemplate Harry's intent. He often had his own agenda and it usually somehow saved the world. He didn't doubt that Harry would return but in what state or with whom was something else entirely. He immediately began completing Harry's orders. They would probably have to get out quickly and he wanted to be ready to go. That, and he wanted to save as many people as possible. He had the men lower the boats, using silencing spells to preserve the secret of their arrival. He knew that sooner or later they would be spotted and then the mages on board would be hard at work defending the ship. Several wizards took to the air on brooms in order to scout the enemy's troops and assess how they had come to overrun the city. Oshald took his team and Jacob onto the lifeboats. Once they arrived at a fairly secluded dock, they spread out into the city, running towards the screamers and avoiding the fighting whenever possible.

Oshald sent 2 men to follow Harry up the main boulevard. He had no intention of helping Harry but he wanted to save as many as he could. He knew that where Harry went, there would be survivors.

Harry ran silently up the street toward the heart of the city. All around him people were dying. He witnessed animals as they attacked humans or ran from the flames. He saw the writhing shapes of men in the fires. He didn't pause in his run, though he sent his magic where he could. He doused the fires using his elemental powers and stabilized the buildings all around. He tried to give them a chance to save their lives but he knew it was woefully inadequate.

He ran on through the inner walls of the city. He began to get an idea of how the city defenses had guarded the castle. Likely, it took a long siege to bring down the outer walls. He was getting closer. He could tell that he was half an hour behind the influx of attackers rushing toward the central palace. He hoped that the king's personal guard was holding them off but he knew that they wouldn't last long. He needed to save the royal family if only because they were probably the main targets and their destruction would lead to despair or civil war in this place. Perhaps at a later date, the subdued people would rally to the current king's cause. Without him, peace was a long time in coming.

Reaching the castle's gates, Harry saw the building had been breached and he cursed his luck. The only way he could get to the inside of the castle would to somehow get past all of the attacking men and the defending guards. Harry looked up and saw the keystone of the arched portal. He showed his teeth in feral satisfaction and bent his knees, sinking low to the ground before exploding upward and latching onto the protruding stone with one hand, swinging slightly before expertly grabbing it with his other hand and hoisting himself up.

He found a torch bracket that he could use to pull himself the rest of the way up and he silently slipped onto the battlements of the wall. It was deserted. Wisely, the general or whoever commanded the troops on the walls had called everyone into the keep to make a last stand in the halls. Harry lightly ran the length of the wall, reaching the keep. He didn't stop his momentum at all and took a running leap for the lowest window. Even with his boots being a little more magically springy than most and with his powerful leg muscles, Harry just barely caught the ledge of the window.

Hanging there, Harry stopped to listen intently, before flinging himself up and through the window, daggers raised and a spell on his lips. Finding a simple room without much in the way of furniture or people, Harry quietly crept out into the hallway. There were 4 towers rising from the center of this building. Three surrounded a fourth larger one. He needed to get to the highest tower. It was the king's only chance and he had probably retreated there with his family. Taking a right, Harry quickly made his way towards the middle of the building, all of his senses high strung, looking for both friend and foe.

Often, he came upon the bodies of women and children. He passed them by, noting that they were dead and beyond saving. He found a steep winding staircase that he predicted led up one tower, though not the one he wanted. He began to climb upwards. Harry found a window facing toward the higher tower in the middle of the staircase and looked out. It was long way over.

He looked across to the window adjacent to him. He saw the defending soldiers running toward the battle line just out of view. He guessed that they were slowly being pushed back. With new vigor, he ran up a few more turns of the staircase. The other tower was 20 feet away and Harry would probably not make it. He generated a wind behind him, swirling and waiting to be unleashed. Then, he took the stairs at a sprint diving out of the window and releasing the wind behind him.

Harry had underestimated his own ability to get across. He expected to just maybe get to the windowsill or more likely fall to his death. He soared over the gap between towers and the roof 50 feet below that separated them. He flew through the window at a high velocity and slammed into the far wall of the corridor, cracking his head on the wall and falling to the ground.

He groaned quietly and almost drunkenly got to his feet. He sighed at the sight of a dead defender pushed into the wall below the window he had entered from. So much for getting beyond the battle line. Harry suspected that the defenders he had seen fighting lower in the tower were just a group that was fighting where they could. That did not bode at all well for the remaining people in the top of the tower. The enemy had probably reached them.

Harry shook his head and transformed into his animagus form. There was a mixed reaction regarding Harry's form. Most people approved and thought that it was suitably powerful. Others wondered why he wasn't a phoenix. Harry just shrugged and said he liked being a panther. It was fun to run in. Usually a wizard does not have any magical powers when they transform. For that reason, Harry did a bit of slightly illegal but very gratifying blood magic. With it, he added a bit of an extra boost to his already strong cat. He modeled his modification on the Black Flame that the Black family inherited in all of its bloodline. Tonks was very mad at him when he asked that she demonstrate it everyday for a week. She finally snapped at him and burnt his notes. The end result was worth it though. While in his cat form, he could command a beautiful green flame that he enjoyed sending after any would-be attackers. The only other magic he could perform as a panther was his elemental powers as they were more closely tied into his soul.

Now he used his form because he wanted to get up the stairs faster.

Harry bounded up, avoiding bodies by launching off the walls, and reached the door of the room at the top of the tower quickly. He slashed one invader across the chest, killing him instantly as he came upon him. Harry barreled through the door but strangely attracted no attention from the occupants. Harry stopped to take in the fight happening before him.

A/N I continue to dislike this chapter but I can't really write a better introduction. I will continue to improve it but please, take it with a grain of salt and know that Im not very happy with it.

I know this isn't the best place to stop but when I redid everything, I wanted the chapters to be relatively even. This just happened to be the best place within the 4000ish word count. I think, reading this last bit, you can even tell that it was never meant as a stopping point. That said, you can just hit the 'next' button and continue.

For those of you who don't know, a dinghy is a little rowboat.

Also, I want to explain the meaning behind Harry's title. Originally, I was looking for something Latin that would have a nice meaning. I thought of different ways of saying strength or myth or something like that. I finally settled on Facis because it has two roots. One is the same as Façade and Face. I wanted to clearly show that the hero that everyone obsesses about is, in fact, unreal. Not to say that this entire world isn't unreal-- As if you needed any more double negatives. Anyway, the whole 'man behind the myth' is something im trying to play up. I was really going for the double life concept: ordinary person by day, superhero by night. Second root is the same as Facula, a small blemish on the surface of the sun. I liked the fire reference and that is probably where I thought up Harry's dragon tattoo (appearing later). Also, I liked the idea that Facis was actually a small irregular part of the large character that is Harry Potter. I want Harry to be bigger and better than the narrow vision of a superhero.

Please review before going on though. I want to know your impressions as you go.