Thank you so much to everyone who followed, favourited and reviewed – quite a few of you predicted what would happen to our warlock! Thanks to all the guests, especially those who offered Latin tips!

Caldera32 once again was a wonderful beta and helped with the spells (not that we're in a coven or anything).

I hope you enjoy BAMF!Merlin. Please let me know what you think.

Chapter 10 Phoenix

Merlin did not expect the last images burnt onto his retinas to be the wide eyes and feral grin of a mad noble and the almost comical look of horror from his king. His gift had pushed mercilessly against the band throughout the fight, trying to come to his aid, but it was useless. It was over.

The prickle of magic and a rush of air hit his face moments before the blast would. His arms shot up in defence, braced for impact. If he had to die, he'd rather it be by his own magic - so at the last instant he willed it to break free.

The full might of Kane's bolt struck.

The metal cuff did not stand a chance. The combined power of Kane's stolen force and Merlin's magic striving for release wrenched the manacle apart.

The dam broke, unleashing pressure so immense Merlin was taken off his feet and thrown through the air. Golden light poured out of him like a human star, blinding everyone in the room. The force was so strong it swept up all those still standing, pressing them against the wall. Merlin was the eye of the storm, total chaos and devastation swirling around him.

The liberation of his gift was euphoric, but it wouldn't last. The magic only had one place to go - the Saxum Veritas.

The stone and warlock converged in the centre of the room only a few feet apart, pulled together like magnets. The crystal spun like the needle on a compass until it pointed directly at Merlin. The air crackled, fizzed, and swirled as the free magic gathered momentum and pulsed with life. Anyone witnessing the sight could do nothing but marvel at the wild power and beauty of it. Molten gold organised itself, forming a fluid column that fed directly into the truth stone.

Merlin had crashed to the floor, dazed. A forceful tug on his gift brought him back to his senses with a start - he was being drained, his very life-force sucked out. It had to stop; Kane could not be allowed to control his power.

He could barely see and was totally disorientated, yet Arthur's presence provided a stronger pull than even the rock. Merlin turned towards his king, attempting to stand, eyes already blazing gold.

"Gescildan!"

An opaque barrier instantly sprang up, protecting the royals from Kane. The shield was like a dry waterfall reaching from floor to ceiling, a shimmering partition that would keep them from harm.

Merlin's legs buckled.

The magic gale kicked up dust and debris and the truth stone shone white with all the energy it had absorbed. The rock radiated power; it was like a beacon in darkness.

The atmosphere was charged, rippling over Kane and making the hairs on his skin stand on end – what could be done with such power. He crawled on his hands and knees towards the gleaming rock, impatient to take what was rightfully his.

Sweat formed on Merlin's brow and his vision swam. With shaking arms he pushed onto his knees and directed his magic towards the stone. Holding out his hand he bellowed.

"Eorthe, lyft, fyr, waeter, hiersumie me. Forbærnen Saxum Veritas."

The warlock collapsed, unable to hold his own weight. He let out a sigh and watched the flames engulf the rock.

The pull on his magic did not ease. The flames died but the rock remained. Kilgharrah destroyed one - there must be a way.

"Forbærne! Ácwele! Forbærne! Ácwele!"

The energy only served to feed the stone. Fire surged, licking across the floor, catching the curtains and going up in a blaze of orange tongues.

Merlin was surrounded by a wall of flames and too weak to move. Smoke stung his eyes and the incredible heat scorched his skin and lungs. He was terrified; being burned alive was the nightmare that wrenched him from sleep, sweaty and screaming.

No, not this! Anything but this.

The inferno raged on, reaching the walls and igniting all in its path. Fire began to devour the ceiling. It had to be extinguished before the whole building was consumed.

I have to stop it.

"Tídrénas!"

Smoke became clouds and rain poured from the roof, dousing the blaze. The room began to clear as Merlin coughed and clawed at the floor. He bent on all fours and retched.

The rock was still there of course, unblemished and glowing. It winked and taunted him, an evil eye that grew ever brighter the weaker he got.

"You're nothing but a common sorcerer!" Kane screeched above the din.

Somehow the noble had made it across the room and was looming above him. Merlin smiled, slowly lifting his head to look Kane in the eye.

"I'm much more than that!"

The noble had no time to reply.

"Ástrice"

Kane flew back, bouncing off the shield and crashing to the floor.

Merlin never got to admire his handiwork. Exhausted, his head hit the floor in a wave of dizziness and the world went black.

He did not know how long he'd lain there but a piercing scream and the smell of singed flesh shook him awake. Kane had the stone.

The warlock squinted and covered his eyes. The rock was stuck to the noble's palm and his whole body began to glow. Jets shot from his fingers, sending Merlin careering across the room and into an upended table. Bolts hit the shield, breaking through the barrier. Magic struck the wall and ceiling, forming great cracks in the structure and destabilising the whole building.

Kane's scream was endless. He was pinned, arms outstretched, balls of fire shooting from his fingers with no control or direction.

Merlin watched in horror as the room burned and the building began to fall. This can't happen! I won't let it!

Only one thing had ever been impervious to his magic - it was his last shot.

"Rǽdan ásce géatan, gicel gelíce dorocha hiersumie me. Ic Saxum Veritas tobrytan."

The effect was instantaneous; the air stilled, ice crystals formed and fanned out from the warlock like petals on a flower. Frost swept along all surfaces, halting the flames, shoring up the cracked walls, creating a blanket of white that covered everything.

The ice converged on Kane; he could do nothing but watch its approach. It rooted him to the spot like a tree, travelling up his limbs and toward his hand. The haemorrhaging magic sparked and faltered as a layer of ice encased the stone and extinguished all light and noise.

Everything was frozen and silent. Great stalactites hung from the ceiling and spears rose from the floor - as if winter had claimed the room for itself.

Fine cracks formed in the ice shell, running together until a faint rumble became a deafening roar. The rock shattered.

Shards of crystal exploded and hailed down, followed by a wave of immense power and a blaze of colour and sound.

Merlin covered his head with his hands, curling into a ball as the room began to disintegrate. Chunks of masonry fell, great chasms opened up in the floor, and the chandelier gave an ominous creak.

He was so tired; unable to stand, he rolled onto his back and looked up at the devastation. Kane was defeated, the truth stone destroyed, but to what end? If the room collapsed, king and castle wouldn't be far behind.

Magic danced on his skin, giving him gooseflesh. It sang, calling to its master, begging to be tamed and harnessed; it was intoxicating. The warlock welcomed his birthright and power surged through weakened limbs, his gift finally free to flow through him and burn behind his eyes. Words formed on his lips without conscious control, just following his desire for Arthur to be safe and for it all to be over.

"Gehæle. Þurhhæle. Burgbót, feormian dærst rénian."

It shouldn't hurt - but it did. Merlin was exhausted and cold, a constant ache attacked his joints and muscles, and there was a dull throbbing behind his eyes.

The surface beneath him undulated, like being rocked on water - Am I going to Avalon? Will they set me alight? Even now he had no desire to burn, but he was too tired and it pained him to think.

"Merlin!"

Let me be; let me sleep.

"MERLIN! It's not safe!"

Go away! Can't I even die in peace?

"MERLIN! You need to move!"

Pain shot through his shoulder as he was jerked forward.

Arthur?

He could not ignore that voice. Shifting, he attempted to speak.

"Arth-"

"Merlin! Thank the gods!"

The hug was so fierce it forced the air out his lungs.

"Arrg!"

The pressure ceased immediately and even though the light stung his eyes, Merlin tried to focus through the haze.

"... Merlin? Your...your..."

Arthur's face finally came into focus. Something was wrong. His eyes were wide, and in addition to the sky blue irises there were two golden suns… It was his own image reflected in the king's pupils: the traitorous yellow eyes of a sorcerer.

Merlin had no voice. He stared at his king with eyes that continued to burn as tears tracked down his cheeks.

The king was silent.

"Only... to protect…" he whispered, "only... for you."

Then fate intervened. The warlock was given what he'd previously wished for and now tried to fight – with a thumping heart and sweat on his brow, the abyss claimed him.

TBC

Thoughts, theories?

Translations of spells:

"Gescildan" "Shield"

"Eorthe, lyft, fyr, waeter, hiersumie me. Forbærnen Saxum Veritas" "Earth, air, fire, water, obey me. Burn the truth stone."

"Forbærne! Ácwele! Forbærne! Ácwele !" "Burn up, destroy!"

"Tídrénas." "Timely rain"

"Ástrice!" "I strike!"

"Rǽdan ásce géatan, gicel gelíce dorocha hiersumie me. Ic Saxum Veritas tobrytan." "I ask for consent to control it, ice like the dorocha obey me. I Saxum Veritas break into pieces."

"Gehæle. Þurhhæle. Burgbót, feormian dærst rénian." "Heal thoroughly. Repair, clean and dispose of refuse"