Part deux of the episode i created. i would like both a side note and a disclaimer here: the battle between lumen and atrum is not something i made up. the mental battle is some that appears in Sandman: preludes and nocturnes by neil gaiman - one of the best writers ever. anyway, i thought it was epic and like that's awesome so i through it in here. enjoy.


"This is like a wild goose chase," Arthur said slightly annoyed as they continued climbing down the mountains.

"Do you want to save Camelot or not?" Merlin asked.

"Why would you even carry a mirror that has your soul in it?" Arthur asked. "Isn't that reckless?"

"It was too control her," Merlin muttered.

"What?"

"She was in darkness too long. She has a darkness that not even I saw."

"Just continue ranting on Merlin. You're words don't make any sense to me."

"Do they ever sire?"

"Shut up Merlin," Arthur replied. A lot of yelling was suddenly heard as they reached the bottom of the mountain. They walked further along the battlefield.

"Fine! But if I get Ignavus you get Infirmitas!" someone yelled.

"Fine! Then I get Ars!"

"You two shouldn't treat your teammates like that. They deserve just as much respect as you do."

"SHUT THE HELL UP OPTIMUS!" Two shouted.

"Stop arguing! It's scaring me!" Another yelled.

"Oh brother. I can't believe I have to share land with you," another voice said.

"Everyone stop. People are approaching," a quieter voice replied. There was silence as Merlin and Arthur walked up a hill. Seven girls stood there. Three were in full armor. One was in practically wearing nothing while the rest were in Artemis's regular attire. Nearly all of them had their hair cropped short except for the one practically wearing nearly nothing and one of the ones wearing normal attire. They all wore different colors.

"Who are you and how dare you entire my field!" One of the normal dressed ones said.

"Take it easy, Superbia. They aren't enemies," said one of the ones in armor.

"How do you know, Ars?"

"Because think logically. They are Prince Arthur and Merlin friends of Artemis."

"Prince Arthur huh?" Superbia asked before she kicked him hard in the chest sending him to the ground. A battle ensued. Superbia was a brilliant fighter. Arthur constantly had to dodge her attacks.

"Enough!" another normal dressed Artemis's said as Superbia raised her blade to kill Arthur. She got in between the two.

"Move Optimus!" she shouted at her.

"Really, Superbia? Killing Arthur won't help you any. It'll just hurt Amor and Crimen." Superbia muttered something before sheathing her sword.

"Hey! You!" Superbia yelled at Arthur. "Look what you did!" She pulled up her shirt so Arthur could she the wounds on her stomach.

"I didn't do that!" Arthur objected.

"Yes, you did," Merlin said. "You wounded Artemis's pride." Merlin suddenly understood. Arthur stood from the ground.

"Are you saying I did that with words?" he objected.

"Yes. Think about it. This is Artemis. These aspects of her soul are effected by the things we say and do."

"He hurt you too Optimus!" Superbia objected. Optimus sighed.

"He wasn't the first." Optimus turned and Arthur and Merlin could see the scars on her face. She was pretty beaten.

"We need to get the next land," Merlin said. "What is the next land?"

"The next land is the rainy barrens. The land of Tristis and Crimen, Sadness and Guilt. Sadness is also known as Hopelessness while Guilt is known as Shame."

"I can't believe you're going to find Lumen. I would be too scared," one of the ones in armor said quietly.

"You're scared of a rock, Ignavus," the one barely wearing anything said.

"Leave, Ignavus alone, Vires," another dressed normally said.

"Make me, Virtus!" Vires yelled.

"Is that a challenge?"

"Yeah it is!" The two warriors started going at it. Optimus sighed.

"Warriors," she shrugged.

"Keep going that way," Ars said pointing east. "You'll come across the barrens eventually." Arthur and Merlin started to leave, but Arthur turned to Optimus and Superbia.

"I apologize," Arthur said. "I didn't mean to hurt you." Superbia and Optimus looked at each other. A wound on Optimus's face slowly started to heal.

"You're apology is welcomed," Optimus said. "Good luck. You truly are noble and honorable."


"This is taking forever!" Merlin complained. They had reached the rainy barrens. They were drenched with water from the rain. The ground under them was cracked like it had dried up. There was no plants nor people in sight until about 10 minutes in. They could see two dots of people. They looked close, but in fact they were still far.

"Stop whining Merlin. It's extremely annoying," Arthur said. Finally the two people came in sight enough for them to see details. One girl had gray, limp hair while the other had Artemis's normal black hair. Both wore ragged clothes. They just sat against each other in the rain. The gray haired girl was crying while the other was simply looking up at the sky with a sorrowful expression.

"Hello?" Merlin asked trying to get their attention.

"It's my fault," the one with black haired said. "It's all my fault. Everything. Kael is dead because of me. Those kingdoms fell because of me. I lie… I lie… I killed all those people." This was guilt. The other one with gray hair must have been sadness.

"Who did you kill?" Merlin asked. Guilt shook her head.

"Too many people! In battle, in life! I let them die!" Crimen yelled. Sadness started crying hard.

"The world is doomed! Camelot will fall!"

"And it's all because of me," Guilt added. Crimen looked at Arthur and Merlin. She graveled on her knees. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I said such harsh words to you both! I left you Merlin, dear brother! I never should have! I'm sorry! Forgive me Arthur! I shouldn't yell at you! I abuse you! I'm sorry!"

"What do we do?" Merlin asked.

"I don't know Merlin! You think of something!" Arthur said annoyed. .

"Omniscient said to play to what they are. Well, there's nothing we can really do to get sadness to tell us, but I think we can guilt Crimen into telling us."

"You know you're a lot smarter than you look," Arthur said after a moment.

"You just don't give me enough credit," Merlin replied. He kneeled down to Crimen. "Crimen," Merlin said quietly. "Crimen, we can help."

"No, no," Tristis replied. "We're all doomed!"

"Crimen, if you don't tell us what's next, Caemlot will fall and it will be all your fault. You have a chance to lift that guilt. This is your fault, but we can fix it." Crimen stared at Merlin. She nodded.

"Vereor and Sollicitudo, fear and anxiety live in a remote section of the mind. There are surrounded by cliffs were no one can get them. Their fears are my fault!"

"Let's go," Arthur said before Crimen started to apologize for everything again.


Vereor and Sollicitudo's land was like an empty crater. It was a bare land that was surrounded by raised cliffs. It wasn't big. From the entrance, Arthur and Merlin could see the exit. They could see one girl pacing back and forth and another on the ground curled in a ball. They looked like normal. The one pacing was a little different. She had streaks of gray in her hair and her eyes were wide. Her hair was messy. The one on the ground had deep shadows under her eyes. She was smaller than the normal Artemis by at least a foot and she was skinnier. They approached them. The one on the ground started screaming and scooted away from them fast. This was Vereor, fear, which meant the one standing was Sollicitudo, anxiety. She didn't seem to notice them. She continued pacing back and forth muttering to herself.

"I need to do something to help them. If I don't they'll all die. Oh, and Ava poor Ava. I haven't been paying enough attention to her lately. I have to make sure that Arthur's room is clean. I have to teach Morgana too. Er! I have so much to do! So much to do! I can't go to sleep. I must stay awake. I must keep my emotions in check."

"Er… excuse me?" Merlin asked the girl on the ground. She shook her head backing farther away.

"Stay away from me. I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't hurt us," Merlin said stepping closer.

"GET AWAY!" she yelled. "I don't want to hurt any more people. I'm scared. I'm so scared. I don't want to hurt anyone. I'm better off dead. I'll kill myself." Merlin backed away from her. He knew it wasn't his sister, but hearing her say that again frightened him. Merlin looked to Arthur. "I figured out the last one. You figure out this one."

"Watch how it's done Merlin," Arthur said. He walked to Sollicitudo. "Perhaps I can help you with some of those things. Why don't you tell me what's beyond this and I'll take care of it so you can go do something else?"

"Hm…," Sollicitudo said. "Oh, yes, yes, Ira, Vis, and Contemno, also known as anger, violence, and hate," she replied before she continued to pace and mutter to herself.

"If John finds us, I'm dead; Ava's dead; Camelot will fall. What should I do? Should I leave? Should I stay? What should I do? Oh! And Mordred! Poor Mordred! He's all alone too! The poor druids being killed by Uther's men! I have to help them! But if I help them Uther will have me killed! What do I do? What do I do?"


Traveling down the narrow passage of the next realm was a pain. It was dark with very little to see. It was a narrow path that eventually would lead them out, but before they got out they were ambush. Merlin and Arthur tried to fight them, but it was impossible. Whomever their attackers were, they were good. They were thrown to the ground tied up. They got a good look at another two women. They were Artemis, but one had wild red hair, and the other had sharp cruel red eyes.

"What should we do with these who enter our territory?" the one with red eyes asked.

"Let's smashed their heads in with our bare fists," the red head said.

"Hm. Be a little more creative than that. These stupid idiots entered our domain without a thought!"

"Oh! I know, Ira! Let's make the crime fit the punishment! Let's let Contemno enter their domain! Let's let her access their minds and have them kill each other!"

"That's a good idea Vis!"

"Can I beat them around a little first?" Vis asked.

"NO!" Ira said. "NOW GET THE HELL UP!" she yelled at Arthur and Merlin. They got up quickly. "FOLLOW!"

"Or I'll break every bone in your body," Vis said happily. Together they walked into a cave in the side of the cliff. The cave was lit with fire. Inside on a thrown like chair sat another women. She had both blood red hair and eyes, but Artemis's body structure.

"What did I tell you two about coming into my home?" she asked Ira and Vis.

"DO NOT TALK TO US LIKE YOU CONTROL US, CONTEMNO!" Ira yelled.

"SILENCE! GET OUT!" the other women yelled. Her hatred of them was clear from the tone of her voice. "Leave the outsiders." Ira and Vis slowly backed out. "Why have you come here?" she asked.

"We-We-," Merlin started, but he couldn't finish so Arthur did.

"We are here to help Artemis."

"Why?"

"War approaches Camelot lead by Artemis if she is not helped she will be the one to destroy Camelot." Contemno threw her head back and laughed.

"And you think I care? I hate the Kingdom of Camelot. For ages, Uther Pendragon has driven out those of magic. He kills the innocent and is nothing more than a monster. I hate him. I hate what's done, and I hate his children," she said looking at Arthur. "If you had not been born my people wouldn't be executed. You're mother would still live and Uther's murderous rampage would not have ensued. You are indirectly the cause of my people's suffering."

"Your people?" Arthur asked confused.

"SILENCE!" she yelled. "Or I will have Vis come in here and do what she wants to you! You have no right to speak! You carry out your father's actions. You are just as tainted, cruel, and merciless as he is."

"Contemno!" Merlin yelled trying to get her to listen to him. "I understand your hate, but wouldn't you rather have this happened on your own terms. I know my sister, and I know that your hate for whomever is controlling you is much greater than you hate Uther and Arthur." Contemno was silent for a moment.

"You are correct. I would rather this be of my own freewill and not forced by Nimueh!" she spat the sorceress's name.

"Is that who's doing this?"

"That God awful witch! How dare she use me!" The flames in the room sprang higher, brighter, and hotter.

"Tell us what is next," Merlin said.

"Travel the rest of the path past here. I will make sure Ira and Vis do nothing to you. They fear me more than they want to hurt you. After all, where would anger and violence be without hate? Past here you will find another field similar to the first one, but this one is different. It will feel peaceful. There you will find the essence of happiness, freedom, and inner peace: Felicitas, Libertas, and Pacis. I shouldn't have to tell that you have entered the dominating emotions. We now have notably different features on us than the real Artemis."

"Thank you."

"Do not thank me," she smiled. "I just happen to hate Nimueh more than you two."

"Can you tell me why?" Merlin asked. "You seem familiar with her." Contemno stared at Merlin.

"Why ask me? You can easily ask the other emotions."

"Because I know Artemis's past is dark. I know hate was once her dominating emotion. You can give me the truth." Contemno stared at him.

"Artemis always hated how you were so accepted by others. That you were so normal compared to her. It seemed unfair to her that she was cursed the way she was. You got all of mother's love. She despised you just as much as you despised her when you were children…," Contemno was silent. "Nimueh and others are priestess of the Old Religion, but they are the Dark Priestess. There are Light Priestess too. They as well as many others magical and non-magical alike are part of a society who call themselves The Servants of The World. They are people who fight with their last breath for the good of humanity, and ask for nothing more in return. Your sister is one of the most prized members of this society. She is known as Ambrosine and is friends with all living creatures magical and non-magical. Ambrosine stopped Nimueh several years ago from destroying Camelot using a very powerful weapon called the Stone of Mortis. Ambrosine plunged a knife into her heart. Nimueh, unfortunately, survived. She wishes to use Ambrosine to destroy Camelot, and then she is going to have Ambrosine kill herself. She's going to kill two birds with one stone." Merlin looked horrified by this. "Better hurry or dear King Uther will soon loose his head." Merlin and Arthur suddenly realizing exactly how serious this was ran out of the cave and down the path…


Back in Camelot


"Sire," a knight said. "All the villagers are accounted for. They are hiding in the shelters."

"Good. Send word to the knights. Make sure none enter Camelot."

"I understand." The knight left Uther distressed. Camelot had never been this outnumbered before. They were doomed.


"Ambrosine dearest," Nimueh said. "I believe it's time for you to start tearing down Camelot's walls."

"It's time for me to tear down Camelot's walls," Artemis said standing and leaving the tent to give the orders.


"Finally," Merlin said out of breath. They had ran to the field. Contemno was right. The field felt different than the first. It had the same tall grass, but it was warming and more peaceful. Birds could be heard in the air. If Arthur and Merlin looked to the south they could see the sea. There was laughing heard as they walked farther.

"Libertas! Show me how," a girl laughed. She sounded girlier than the normal Artemis.

"Like this," a voice said with a slight accent. Arthur and Merlin got closer. They saw a girl do a cartwheel. The girl doing the cartwheel was different from all the others they have seen. She was gorgeous. She was wearing gypsy clothing that barely covered the top half of her body, and left much of the her legs exposed. Her hair was wild and untamed. There was a spark and light in her eyes that was different from the duller look Artemis now held. Upon further inspection, this girl had chains on her wrists. The girl laughing was what looked to be a younger version of Artemis. She had a child like appearance. Her hair was blonde and she wore a yellow dress. She had deep scars on her arms and legs. There was one other laying next to the childish Artemis. It looked like she was sleeping. She wearing an olive green dress. She had a smooth, youthful look on her face. A peaceful look was on her.

"Excuse me?" Arthur called. The girl stopped laughing. The wild one looked at them.

"Hello!" she called. She met them half way. She skipped to them. She kissed Arthur gently on the cheek and then did the same to Merlin. "So you've come this far?" she said smiling.

"Can you tell us what is next?" Merlin asked.

"Sure, but first… you must meet the others," she said grabbing them and pulling them to the other two. "This is Felicitas," she said putting a hand on the younger girl. "And this is Pacis," she said looking at the sleeping girl. "I'm Libertas."

"Pacis silly! Wake up!" Felicitas yelled. Pacis opened her eyes, and smiled.

"Oh, Felicitas, let her do as she wants," Libertas said.

"It's alright, Libertas," she said sitting up and stretching.

"Why don't you and Felicitas go play then, Pacis?" Libertas suggested. Both younger girls got up.

"Tag!" Felicitas yelled hitting Pacis before running off toward a single tree farther to the north.

"Felicitas! No hitting! You know that only promotes violence! And we both know how… er… unique Vis is!" she yelled running after her.

"Just admit it Pacis! She's crazy not unique!" Felicitas yelled back.

"I won't say that! I don't want to argue with you though so stop! Please!"

"Sorry, Pacis!" Libertas laughed at the two and turned back to the two in front of her.

"Libertas…?" Arthur muttered. "You are freedom."

"Yes," Libertas said with a smile.

"Artemis told me about freedom." Libertas grinned.

"I know. You have very little freedom. You could if you allowed me to show you."

"Why do you have chains on your hands?" Merlin asked interrupting.

"I have less freedom in Camelot. I am also even more chained with Atrum controlling us. I am good friends with Lumen. She's so nice. I'm always one of the front emotions." Libertas stood. She looked at her friends before leaning in to Arthur. "I'm glad you came," she whispered. "I was afraid Atrum's darkness would start to spread to us. Poor Felicitas hates talking about such things. She's all unicorn and rainbows and Pacis just wants things to stay peaceful. As for me, I want freedom and I can't have that with Atrum is in control. You're going to fix Lumen right?" she asked.

"That's right," Arthur said. "I promise."

"You must remind her who she is, Arthur. Do you understand?" Arthur nodded. "Only you can."

"What is next?" Libertas laughed.

"Love and Lust are the last emotions: Amor and Luxuria Lust isn't dominate in Artemis, but love is. Love is almost always the dominate emotion in people. Love will know where Lumen is. They're the closest. Be careful of Luxuria though she'll surly jump you and try to seduce you. After all, you are rather good looking," Libertas said with a smile.

"Artemis thinks I'm good looking?" he said surprised.

"You'd be surprised if you found out what she thought of you."

"Tell me," he said. Libertas shook her head with a laugh.

"No, ask Amor. She'll tell you. She's not all lovey dovey like she should be. Because she's closer to the conscious she's more like the real Artemis minus the harsh words and sarcasm and hate and well… she's just nice. Good luck." Libertas kissed Merlin on the cheek gently, and then she looked at Arthur before putting a hand on his cheek gently and kissing him quickly on the lips.

"What was that for?" Arthur asked. Libertas shrugged.

"I felt like it. That's what freedoms about," she said with a grin. "Doing what feels natural and that felt natural. Now leave. I no longer want your presence," she said before she skipped away to Felicitas and Pacis.

"Well, that wasn't awkward," Merlin said sarcastically.

"Do you ever shut up Merlin?" Arthur asked as he started walking toward the next area.

"No," Merlin replied.

"Well learn to," Arthur replied back.


The next zone was like an open flower garden. There were red and pink flowers everywhere as well as fountains and ponds. There were Sakura trees scattering pink leaves everywhere. Arthur and Merlin only saw one girl. She was wearing a revealing scarlet dress and laying on the edge of the pond. Her hair was half way pulled up and she had makeup on her face. She had sensual eyes and lips. Merlin and Arthur reached the girl.

"Hello," Merlin said getting her attention. She looked at them through half closed eyes. Her eyes went to Merlin first, and then to Arthur. They lingered on Arthur. The girl stood and took a step to Arthur, but a voice stopped her.

"Don't even think about it Luxuria." They all looked to there right. Luxuria did with venom. She had the same color hair as Artemis and the same color eyes, the only difference between her and the real Artemis was that she was wearing a pink dress Artemis would never wear and she was also horribly scarred worse than any of the other girls. She was burned; she was cut; she was bruised; she looked as if she had been torture, and yet… despite all the marks she was beautiful. There was just something about her that was beautiful.

"Amor," Luxuria said with a smoky sensual voice. "Always ruining my fun."

"Leave Luxuria," Amor said. Scoffing, Luxuria walked away leaving Amor with Arthur and Merlin. "Arthur, Merlin. I am so glad you made it this far." She gave them both a kiss on the cheek like Libertas did. "I am Amor, love. You are looking for Lumen?" she asked.

"Yes," Merlin said.

"This way," Amor said nodding to the beginning of a labyrinth. The started down the path. As they got farther in the maze, it got dark from the clouds above. "I know what Contemno said to you," Amor said as they started. "She's pure hate. Artemis, the real Artemis, doesn't hate you. She hates aspects of you both and loves aspects of you. It's that way for all people. You've no doubt learned things about Artemis."

"Yes," Merlin and Arthur replied.

"Then allow me to tell you the things that you haven't learned," They turned left down the labyrinth. "Things that you missed. You noticed that fear was a lot smaller than the real Artemis. This is because she doesn't fear much, and what she does fear is herself to the point where she has contemplated to end her life. She has killed people both good and evil, but whichever, she feels guilt over it. Happiness was younger than the real Artemis. This is because… happiness… self-happiness no longer dominates Artemis. She was happier when she was younger. She was also scarred symbolizing Artemis's shattered happiness. Freedom is the essence of what Artemis misses. What freedom looked like is how Artemis wishes she could look like again. Freedom dresses like Artemis used to before she was forced to trade in her old life for one running from King John. You didn't meet all of emotions in Artemis. That would take too long. You simply met the most dominate. You may have noticed my scars too. They were caused by Kael's death and the lack of real love. I used to be practically nonexistent before Artemis met Kael and after his death, but Ava, you Merlin, Mordred, her mother, and even you Arthur have helped heal me. I was worse before. I hope one day I'll be nearly completely healed. If you've notice, some lands were bigger than others. Sadness and Guilt was has a large area as does loneliness and the all-knowing. This is because they are the most dominate out of all of us. They are what linger in Artemis's mind the most. She may seem angry and kind and happy. One of those, but she's not. She's depressed. She feels horrible guilt for everything and she feels lonely and suicidal. Lumen needs someone to show her what's true. Eventually, this will allow Artemis to heal, and the order to be fixed something has not been since Kael died," Amor said and then was silent for second before she spoke again. "Is there anything you wish to ask?" she asked as she stopped. "Because you're about to meet Lumen."

"Yes," Arthur said. "Libertas told me to ask-"

"I know, but I'm not going to tell you. Artemis herself should tell you not me. Anything else?" They looked at each other. ]

"No," Arthur said. Amor pressed on a stone statue on her left. It jumped aside to reveal a square section shut off from the rest of the labyrinth. There was a single stone table against a woman laid against it. Her hair was a dull silver and was limp similar to Sadness's. She wore a white dress, but it didn't seem to suit her. Her eyes were dulled down as she stared at nothing, her eyes out of focus.

"Lumen?" Amor asked. "I brought someone to you."

"Leave me alone," she said weakly. "Let me die in peace." Amor nodded to her, and Merlin and Arthur approached her. She didn't look at them.

"Lumen?" Merlin said. "Lumen, you have to fight Atrum. If you don't, Camelot will fall and Artemis will die."

"Then let her. What's the point of living?" she asked. Arthur and Merlin stared at her.

"We have been through your emotions. We know what you feel," Merlin said.

"You know nothing."

"No," Arthur said. "You know nothing. You are so blind. If you are so alone, why would we be here? If you are so dangerous, we would dead. You spoke to me about freedom. It's being able to feel what you want to feel. It's about accepting the faults you have. You are not the kind of person to let those faults control you. You are stronger than that."

"You have family. You have friends," Merlin said. "When you left, Ava was torn apart even Arthur was walking around the castle like a wounded bear."

"Hey," Arthur objected.

"What you were," Merlin said.

"I was not acting like a wounded bear."

"The point is there are people who love you. You are stronger than the darkness. Without you, I would never had made it to Camelot."

"I would have failed the trial and Camelot would have fallen."

"Ava would have been killed, so would Kael. You stopped that. Kingdoms would have fallen without you including Camelot. You are my sister, Artemis. You are a servant of the world. You were the fiancée of Kael, and the surrogate mother of Ava. You are daughter of Hunith, and friend of all creatures. That is not dark; that is light." Lumen closed her eyes and breathed.

"Light," she whispered. Her hair brightened to a white and Lumen slowly stood. Her dress seemed to fit her better. "Move," she said. The Labryinth disappeared, and they ended up on black charred grounds. In the center, on a throne of skulls, a women in all black with both black hair and black eyes say. She was holding a skull looking at it from all angles. "Still being dramatic, Atrum?" Lumen asked. Atrum crushed the skull in her hand.

"Come back for a rematch?" she asked.

"No. I came back to take what is mine." Atrum raised an eyebrow. Her eyes went to a woman in the corner. Nimueh stood there like a shadow watching.

"Then let's start." And the fight between light and dark began.


Back in Camelot


"Sire! There attack is starting!" A knight said bursting through the doors of the hall. Uther looked at him. The king knew that if they fought they would all die. He had watched this army train. They were deadly. His knights stood no chance.

"Sir Leon, take the knights. Bring them down the underground shelters," Uther said.

"But sire-!" he objected.

"We stand no chance. The best we can do is protect the people," he stated. "Take them underground. Once night falls leave Camelot through the tunnels."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," Uther said. Leon left to follow orders.


"They've abandoned the city," a general said to Artemis. She frowned.

"Search everywhere. I'll look in the palace," she replied. Artemis stepped up to the palace doors. She entered and sensing someone in the hall, she threw the doors open. Uther stood there. He looked ready to battle her.

"The others have gone," Uther said. "Camelot lives."

"That's fine," another voice said behind him. He turned and saw Nimueh. "I only want you dead. After that, I'll have Artemis order the soldiers to burn Camelot to the ground and then kill herself."

"You," he said shocked.

"You really think this was Artemis's doing. She is being controlled by me. She is not aware what she is doing. Isn't that right?"

"I will kill Uther Pendragon. I will have the soldiers burn Camelot to the ground. I will kill myself." Nimueh laughed.

"You see. Artemis is one of my most terrifying enemies. She is one of the most skillful warriors in the world. She has large influence in the east. At a snap of her fingers an army would come running. So when I found a way to control her, I jumped at it. Not only do I get to pay her back for killing me the first time around, but I also get to use her for my revenge on you. Kill him," Nimueh ordered. Artemis unsheathed her sword. Uther unsheathed his ready to fight her. The battle begun.


Both physically and spiritually, Artemis was fighting. Lumen fought Atrum. If Lumen won, Uther would win. If Lumen lost, Uther would surly be overpowered. It was a clash of blade in the physical realm, but a different fight ensued in the spiritual realm. It was a battle of wits. Physically attacking each other did nothing. So instead they played a different game.

"You start," Lumen said.

"I am a dire wolf, prey-stalking, lethal prowler," Atrum said turning into a vicious wolf.

"I am a hunter, horse mounted, wolf stabbing," Lumen responded turning into a hunter on horse back and stabbing Atrum. The only way to end this game was when the other could not be beaten or the other hesitated too long.

"I am a horse fly, horse-stinging, hunter-throwing." Atrum turned into a horse fly that stung the horse Lumen was on. She was flung off.

"I am a spider, fly consuming, eight legged," she said turning into a spider and trapping Lumen in her web.

"I am a snake, spider devouring, poison toothed." Atrum turned into a snake and devoured Lumen.

"I am an ox, snake crushing, heavy footed." Lumen turned into an ox and crushed Atrum.

"I am anthrax, butcher bacterium, warm life destroying." The two boys watching could not see Atrum, but they could see the Ox die.

"I am a world, space floating, life nurturing." The world around them started to move to show a whole other land.

"I am a nova, all exploding, planet cremating," Atrum said. The world around them seemed to go off like a bomb as the earth crumbled underneath them.

"I am the universe," she which brought ground under them stopping the fall, "all things encompassing, all life embracing." Atrum grinned.

"I am anti-life," she said, "the beast of judgment. I am the dark at the end of everything! The end of universes, gods, worlds… of everything! So tell me Lumen what are you? You cannot beat me!"

"I am hope and true never-ending love," Lumen replied simply. Atrum looked at her with a frown. She opened her mouth and closed it.

"I am…," she started. "I am…," Atrum started to fade. "I AM NOT FINISHED!" she yelled.

"You are," Lumen said. "Hope and love always raise above and beyond darkness and anti-life. Goodbye, Atrum." Atrum lunged forward, but fell through Lumen. Darkness spread on the ground around her body, and slowly she started sinking it.

"NO, NO!" she yelled clawing at the ground before she disappeared. Lumen snapped her fingers. Nimueh was gone from her mind….


Artemis had Uther on the ground. Her sword was lifted and she was ready to kill him. He was at her mercy. Her sword was ready to drop and kill him, but she froze in mid-swing. Artemis blinked a few times.

"KILL HIM!" Nimueh yelled. "I SAID KILL HIM!" Artemis turned and threw her sword hard at Nimueh. It missed her just barely.

"YOU USED MY BODY TO INVADE CAMELOT!" Artemis shouted. "I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" There was a slight shake in the ground.

"How are you-?"

"ME! YOU CAN THANK THE RESULT FROM YOUR MAGIC!" She yelled furious now walking toward Nimueh.

"Arthur," she said bitterly.

"AND MY BROTHER! NOW I'M GOING TO DO WHAT I SHOULD HAVE YEARS AGO, AND KILL YOU!" But before Artemis could be true to her word, Nimueh held her hand out an uttered a quick incantation. It sent Artemis flying against a stone pillar. Artemis slowly got up, but by the time she did Nimeuh was gone. Artemis bashed her fist against the floor in frustration, and then she remembered the eastern army outside…


Lumen's world was a better one. It was more open and less segregated. Her land was buildings of ruins on a cliff with the sea crashing against it. The ruins were marble and vines with white flowers ran up many walls and pillars. Light flooded the room. She sighed as she looked out of the sea and listen to it crash against the cliff as she stood on a cracking but steady balcony. Arthur and Merlin watched her. She turned to them and smiled.

"Thank you," she said stepping down a step and walking to them. "You really saved me. Your words meant a lot. You should get back to the real word now," she replied. "But first…," she said. Foot steps were heard. They looked behind them. Libertas entered.

"Hello, Freedom."

"Hi, Light," she smiled. She went to her smiling before hugging her. She gave something to Lumen. "All-knowing told me to give this to you."

"Thank you. She's still trying to move Loneliness out into the sunlight huh?" she asked. Libertas nodded.

"One of the walls are starting to crumble," she added with a smile.

"Are they?" Lumen asked. "I've noticed Amor is also looking better. Hm?" she questioned looking at the two boys in front of her. "Take this," Lumen said giving them a small chest. "It has another Mirror of Anima in it. Let Artemis decide what to do with it."

"Hold this," Arthur said practically throwing it at Merlin.

"How do we get out of here?" Merlin asked. Lumen smiled. There was a flash of light and suddenly they were outside the mirror on the other side. "We should get back to Camelot."

"Really Merlin? I had no idea," Arthur said sarcastically as he got on his horse. Merlin followed suit.


"Well, I suppose some good came of this," Artemis muttered watching Uther and the leader of the east army, Marco, work out an alliance. It was two days after the wall had been smashed. People now worked on repairing with the help of the east. Artemis had explained to Marco what had happened. At first he thought it was Uther's trick, but he was convinced. After, Marco had made an offer of alliance to Uther as an apology. Seeing the shear size of the army, Uther gladly accepted. Enemies became friends. The people of Camelot soon learned what had truly happened. Artemis was in the hall watching the two simply at Marco's request. Uther and Marco had made sure not to let her out of her sight. Determined to make sure that she isn't possessed again. She had known Marco for a long while. They had known each other since Artemis was 13 and she had saved Marco from a mountain troll. Good times. He had been here to repay a favor to Artemis. He had his suspicions that Artemis was acting odd, and now he just wanted to make up for everything.

Uther acquitted Artemis easily due to the fact that she wasn't herself. Not all of those of Camelot felt that way. A few of the knights had taken to throwing dirty looks at her. She knew that in the town it would be similar. Artemis had yet to see anyone familiar since the attack.

"What do you think, Artemis?" Marco asked.

"I don't care, Marco. I want to go home. I want to see Ava, and then I want to go back to work. Arthur is one the messiest people I know. His chambers are probably filthy."

"I've been thinking about that," Uther said. "Perhaps you should be made part of the court." Artemis smiled.

"I appreciate your offer Uther, but I decline. I wish to remain a peasant here. I wish to be normal and treated like I was before this incident. I know that sounds odd, but it's the way I feel."

"I don't understand," Uther admitted, "but I will grant your request."

"Good. Can I leave then? Please?"

"Yes," Marco said. "I believe everything is fine."

"Good." Artemis stood and let the hall. As soon as she was outside, she heard her name being screamed.

"ARTEMIS!" Ava came running toward her. She threw herself at Artemis. They both fell to the ground. Artemis laughed.

"Hey kiddo. What is going on?"

"You have to tell me what happened," Ava said. "You scared me so bad!" Artemis sighed.

"Okay, kid, listen carefully. I'm only going to tell you once. The mirror that was taken contained my soul. Nimueh smashed it allowing my dark half to take over and giving Nimueh control over me. I had to do what she said. No questions."

"But! You can't do that!" she yelled. "I have many questions!"

"No," Artemis said walking down the road. A few of the villagers threw her a dirty look or a look of fear. Artemis sighed. She knew she would never be looked at the same in the village.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see," she replied. The reached the outer wall. Two riders were riding toward them. It took a little longer for Ava to realize it was Arthur and Merlin. They stopped when they reached Artemis. They both slid down from their horses. Arthur and Merlin looked at each other not sure what to say to the girl they just spent days trying to put back together. Before they could say anything, Artemis acted. She kissed them both lightly on the cheek. "No need to say anything," she said. "I know everything… sort of. Vague flashes really. I thank you." Merlin held out the chest to her. She looked at it for a moment before she pushed it back to him. "I need to ask one more thing though. Take the chest and put somewhere where me nor anyone else will ever find it. It's too dangerous to keep with me," she admitted.

"I will lock it away," Arthur promised. Artemis smiled.

"Thank you, and since I know you boys are so very tired. Merlin go home. Sleep, eat, relax. I'll take care of Arthur for the next few days."

"You're amazing," Merlin said with relief.

"Arthur, what can I do for you? You have my gratitude right now."

"Food," Arthur said getting on his horse to ride to the stables. Merlin did the same. "And then draw me a bath."

"If I see you naked, I'm going to scarred for life," Artemis replied.

"That's not what Libertas says," Arthur said as he started to ride away.

"Wait a minute!" Artemis yelled. "What did Freedom tell you!" Arthur didn't answer. He just laughed.