Tarot of the Week
Author's Note: This would have been Week 10, but I was busy then. So, I'm writing two fanfics this week. Anyways, back to the chosen card of Week 10. In tarot, the Magician isn't a person who does stage magic. He is a person of power, an alchemist who can manipulate and combine the four elements of fire, water, air, and earth. And he is the counterpart of the High Priestess — the Yang to her Yin; the light to her shadow; the physical to her spiritual. At the moment, I can't think of any character that is best suited to be the Magician than Merlin, the most powerful warlock to ever exist.
I originally wanted to write a magic reveal fic, but then it kinda wrote itself and turned into a somewhat introspection fic about the Old Religion and the prophecy.
XXXXX March 18, 2018 XXXXX
Week 12: The Magician (Merlin)
Regardless of whether you believe in it or not, denounce or not, the Triple Goddess and their Old Religion is always there. And the Old Religion always demand a balance for what is wrought.
Fire and water
Air and earth
Light and darkness
Life and death
Mortal and immortal
Non-magical and magical
The Once and Future King and Emrys
It is known amongst those who follow the Old Religion that, for a life that is given, a life must be taken. For the life of a Prince, a Queen is taken in return. However, this Prince is no ordinary Prince. He is one that carries a great destiny. So, for his life and the lives that will flourish under his rule, thousands of lives are taken under the tyrannical orders of a King who has gone mad from grief and an unwillingness to shoulder his part in the death of his most beloved wife. Instead, he lays the blame on magic and slaughters anyone who he believes to possess it, whether it be true or not.
However, as previously stated, the Old Religion demands balance. For the tremendous amount of magic lost to the world due to the numerous deaths of magical people and magical creatures, a being, a vessel, for such magic is created. And his name is Emrys, magic itself given flesh.
The Once and Future King and Emrys
The mortal king who will rise again and the immortal warlock who will wait for his return
One born from magic and one being of magic
Two sides of the same coin
And for the light they will illuminate the world, darkness must first seek to envelope the land. A wicked witch for the wise warlock; a naïve revenge-driven druid for the courageous pure-hearted king; and a dragon-forged blade on both sides to seal the deal.
Take heed world, for these are the destinies wrought by the Triple Goddess.
In a time of darkness, the Once and Future King will rise and fall with his ever faithful Emrys by his side; and the shadows will cede for a while, bringing a long period of peace. His immortal soul will rest in the safety of Avalon until he is needed once again. Meanwhile, Emrys will walk the lands for ages to come, learning and changing with the times. When the need of Albion is greatest, the Once and Future King will rise again, bringing with him the lessons and strength he has learnt in his first life; and Emrys will counsel him with everything he has learnt in the millenniums since.
Take heed, seers and soothsayers.
Darkness will wreck the lands; and from it, the Once and Future King and Emrys will rise. They will learn and grow and fall to the shadows. But do not despair. This is merely their learning period. One day, in the far future, a greater darkness will grow and that is when their light will truly shine.
Take heed.
Do not attempt to break the balance and do not attempt to sway the prophecy. Balance will always right itself and destiny cannot be changed.
Take heed.