AU:
Imagine Camelot as a city like Rome 500 A.D. but still in an environment like Great Britain. There are three major "Temples" sanctioned to the three gods, Bliss, Nihil and Euphoria, which grant their followers magical powers. Therefore a system was established to determine the rightful leader of this city and its lands. Once every decade, ten champions of each temple will fight (with weapons and magic) in the arena to gain the right to be the leader and entitle himself as "Emperor". There are currently two champions who are traded as the possible next "Emperor". Merlin, champion of the goddess Euphoria and Arthur, champion of the god Bliss and son of the current Emperor, Uther. Morgana is a priestess of the deity Nihil and an oracle, but she does not know yet.
Magic is not banished; it is worshipped, though only members of the three Temples are allowed to practice it because otherwise people left unobserved could get a magical intoxication and go mad. Therefore all people outside the three Temples who use magic are getting severely punished.
Now I know there will be some fundamental OOCs but if you can deal with that read on. Furthermore I leave it as a short prologue-like One-shot and look how well the idea behind it gets received until I finished my other work "A play of Dusk and Dawn".
Camelot was turned into a madhouse by its people. Ten years had gone by since the last "Great Calling" had ended and Uther Pendragon rose victorious and exclaimed himself "Emperor". Now one week before the 52th fight for the title begins anew the people of this city gather on the streets, celebrate the upcoming entertainment and place bets on their favourite champion. Of course not one day went by without an alcohol induced fight over who will be the next Emperor. There were two major groups this year. One favoured the gallant and brave son of the current Emperor, Arthur. He was an expert in all kinds of weaponry and his magical prowess was regarded as one of the highest in the entire country. Furthermore the last five Emperors all came from the Temple of Bliss, a line of succession Arthur did not want to let end. The other group was all over the magical prodigy Merlin. Since he was a child his powers were vast, close to immeasurable which got him the favour of the goddess Euphoria. He got nurtured by the high priests and priestesses and he was well trained to fulfil his destiny and become the "Invoked One" from the prophecies of the last oracle.
"Things are really getting hectic, Gaius."
Merlin remarked as his gaze surveyed the moving mass of people on the streets below him.
"Yes, they are, Merlin. They expect a lot from you and any other contender for the title of Emperor."
The old man drew a sip from the chilled liquid in his cup and sat himself next to his pupil on the staircase of Euphoria's Temple.
"I do not know how I should feel about all of this. What if I really become Emperor? What if I fail? How are things going to be? Since I was told that I would probably be the "Invoked One" the burden on my shoulders keeps going to get heavier and heavier."
A sigh of distraught left his lips as he waited for a reply of the high priest.
"You know, Merlin, the last oracle died over 400 years ago. At this time the lands were at war and hope was nearly extinct. The only thing which brought light in this dark age were the prophecies of the oracles. Their foretelling promised a time of peace and prosperity and the embodiment of this age was the "Invoked One". But nobody knew who would this promised person will be and when he will arrive. The only description which was given to us was that he would possess immense power and he would once be Emperor. So you see it could be you or anyone else. We do not know for sure. The only thing we could do is guess and hope."
The black haired man took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. He turned his head to behold his teacher's solemn, stoic face before he stood up.
"I will go for a walk."
The prodigy stated as he started to move.
"Maybe you should visit a tavern and get some alcohol to disperse your gloomy thoughts."
Gaius held his cup with chilled liquor up into the air to emphasise his suggestion, while flashing a warm smile. Merlin returned the smile, laughing inwardly.
Maybe he is right and a little bit of dispersion would do me some good.
The sun started to set, painting the buildings and streets in a light orange. Merlin who was still roaming the streets lost in his thoughts found himself in a dead end. Making a whole turn, he took in his surroundings and was amused with himself as his eyes set on the entrance of a tavern.
Why not?
He left as he noticed his tipsiness and that the better half of his money was gone. The cold of the night hit him hard and Merlin embraced himself to keep himself warm. As he strolled towards the sleeping quarters of Euphoria's Temple sounds of struggle coming from one of the dark alleys got his attention. He followed the noise and came across a mob of people who had encircled a woman.
"Hey! What are you doing there?"
Merlin's shout startled the bunch of thugs before they started to walk towards him, each with a sickening smile on their faces. The sorcerer produced a ball of light which illuminated the whole ally. First they thugs were dazzled by the light but their eyes soon regained their function. And they did not like what the saw. It was one thing to rob a normal priest but it was another to attack a contender for the "Great Calling". Each contender got a golden bracelet as a mark of their claim. Normally Merlin hid his under his jacket but he forget it as he left the tavern and now this golden piece of metal drove those scum away without him lifting another finger. He made sure that nobody of them was around anymore before Merlin tended to the woman who was still pressing her body to the wall, not letting her eyes wander of from her saviour.
"Are you alright?"
The woman did not respond, so Merlin stepped closer until he was standing in front of her.
"My name is Merlin. What is yours?"
He brought the light ball closer to them so its light illuminated her face, revealing emerald eyes half hidden under the veil of black hair.
"Morgana.", was all she whispered.
