Chapter 36: A Long Anticipated Reunion
As Morgana and the Spirit of Protection traveled through the realm beyond the veil Morgana couldn't help but look in awe at what no living mortal had ever seen before. The land was ever changing, never the same form for more than a few moments: it would start as a forested area and then change to an open ocean.
"How is it that the land changes so quickly?" Morgana asked the spirit. The spirit looked around them as if it hadn't noticed the change before looking down at Morgana.
"The land here is pure magic, changing to whatever shapes Spirits in the area wish it to be."
"But for what purpose?" Morgana asked confused, the Spirit shrugged.
"It pleases them I suppose; Spirits do not normally have the desire to cross the veil like demons do. They are content controlling the world they inhabit to whatever pleases them."
"So anyone with enough power could change the land?" Morgana asked curiously.
"No, only Spirits and Demons," the Spirit told a now disappointed Morgana. Before she could ask another question they stopped traveling and the Spirit lifted Morgana up and hid her in the crevice of its trunk.
"What are you-"
"Be silent," the Spirit warned. Seconds later black figures traveled past them in a rushed hurry seemingly cackling excitedly as they progressed towards their goal. Moments later large bear like creature slowly walked beside the tree Spirit of Protection and looked at it curiously.
"Ah a Spirit of Protection, have you come to protect the light then?" the creature asked.
"What do you mean protect the light?" the Spirit asked in a calm, neutral voice. The bear like creature made a sound that sounded like a roar and a yawn mixed together.
"So you haven't heard then?" the creature asked. "Apparently a Sorcerer of great power has accidentally crossed over the veil and is trying to protect himself." Morgana froze as she heard the creatures words, the sorcerer had to be Merlin!
"Why would a Demon of Sloth have any wish to battle a Sorcerer?" the Spirit asked curiously. "Surely that is too much of an effort for you to exert,"
"Mrmmh, as true as that is I believe an exception is to be made considering who is guarding it. The demon bear proclaimed.
"Who is guarding it?" the Spirit asked curiously.
"A Greater Demon if you'd believe it, but apparently he didn't care enough to fully arrive and sent only his corporeal form. He's been fighting for a while now and I believe he is about to dissipate soon." Morgana couldn't believe what she was hearing and had to control her breathing as to not give away her position to the demon. The Spirit seemed to sense Morgana's fear and lowered its self to look the demon in its eyes.
"Perhaps this is the wrong soul for you to corrupt, yes?" the Spirit suggested without raising its voice. The demon growled slightly, a true growl with no combined yawn, before collapsing on the ground before the Spirit.
"So be it then," the Sloth Demon said tiredly. "I doubt I'd have gotten anywhere near the Sorcerer with all the others trying to reach him; and he's far too powerful to make it a simple transition. I suppose I'll wait for the next soul to travel amiss."
"A wise decision," the Spirit said picking himself up as he traveled away from the demon. Once they were out of range the Spirit let Morgana out of its crevice where she turned to it in a panic.
"That has to be Merlin! How long have we been beyond the veil? I know time fluctuates differently." The Spirit shifted as he tried to guess how long they'd been gone.
"Roughly two days," the Spirit said warily.
"We have to hurry back; you need to bring me back to the mortal realm!"
"We are already close to your destination Morgana," the Spirit said worriedly. He pointed one of its rooted gnarled fingers towards the open space and soon a long, tangled black mist surrounding a diming light. Morgana wasn't able to see the light but she recognized the demon immediately.
"Roku," she said in worried tone. She turned to the Spirit and asked frantically, "How long does he have?" The Spirit shook his head sadly as he approached Morgana.
"Not long I'm afraid."
"We have to hurry then!" Morgana said hurriedly. As she turned to run towards the Greater Demon the Spirit grabbed her shoulder.
"You must listen," the Spirit said frantically. "There are hundreds of demons encircling Emrys and the Greater Demon; we will not be able to sneak by."
"Then we fight," Morgana said sternly looking up at the Spirit.
"If you use magic you will draw more powerful demons to the area," the Spirit warned.
"What about you then?" Morgana demanded. "You're a Spirit aren't you? Surely you should be able to make a path for me?"
"It's not that simple," the Spirit protested.
"Why not?" Morgana demanded.
"Spirits are not immortal Morgana, like demons and mortals we can be killed. It is simply difficult to do so." Morgana frowned and looked back towards the presence of Roku.
"I didn't come this far just to quit now," Morgana said angrily. "If you won't help me I'll fight my way through myself." After a moment of hesitation the Spirit sighed and pulled a length of branch from its wooden rib cage and handed it to Morgana.
"Very well, I will aid you as best I can. This staff will help hide your magic while you use it, when you approach the Greater Demon slam the staff upon it and the two of you will be returned to the mortal realm."
"What about the Phoenix and Merlin?" Morgana asked.
"The Phoenix will be awaiting you when you arrive, simply tell it who you wish to heal." Morgana nodded and gripped the staff she'd been given heavily. After taking a deep breath she ran into the horde of demons followed by the Spirit behind her. As they approached the demons must have sensed Morgana's presence for they turned around as she approached; before they had the chance to strike though they were taken out by roots that appeared from the ground. Morgana then raised her staff and with a glow of her eyes sent a ball of fire into a cluster of demons. As they roared out in pain and dissipated more immediately took their place, some to get closer to Merlin's spirit while others approached Morgana. As several fire lit demons leapt out at Morgana she swung her staff at them knocking them to the ground but not destroying them. To give her some breathing room she summoned a tornado to sweep away the weaker demons and weaken the more powerful of the batch.
However even with the combined might of the Spirit there seemed to be too many demons for them to handle. As they struggled to fight their way through Morgana was knocked down by a demon that resembled the form that Sarum took when he tried to kill her. Before either she or the demon had time to react the demon was struck by a blast of dark fire causing it to dissipate in a fit of screams.
"Morgana, dare I say that you're a sight for sore eyes," Roku complimented; though he spoke calmly Morgana could tell the Greater Demon was exhausted.
"How's Merlin?" Morgana asked worriedly.
"What, not worried about me? Morgana I'm wounded." At seeing Morgana's un amused expression he sighed in defeat. "He's weak and won't be able to last the day, I assume you found the Phoenix yes?"
"It's on its way to heal Merlin now,"
"Really?" Roku asked not bothering to mask his surprise in Morgana's success. "Well as fine as that is how do we intend to exit the veil? I'm afraid I don't have the necessary power to take us both."
"I've got that covered," Morgana assured him. As she rose the staff to slam it upon Roku's side she was immediately jerked back by a powerful force sending her far out of Roku's reach while also losing a grip on the wooden staff.
"Morgana!" She heard the Spirit shout out in terror as it batted aside two wrath demons while trying to reach her. When Morgana opened her eyes she was on her back with a large hand holding her down by her waist, when she looked up she paled in fear as she saw the demonic form of Sarum holding her down. The demon/Sarum let loose a blood curdling howl before looking down at Morgana again with a hateful blood lust filled stare.
"DID YOU THINK THAT MY DEATH WOULD PROTECT YOU FROM ME?" Sarum demanded as he pressed Morgana harder into the ground causing her to scream out in pain. Sarum let loose another blood curdling laugh as he continued to squeeze the life out of Morgana.
"THERE'S NO DRAGON TO SAVE YOU THIS TIME WITCH, JUST YOU AND ME!" Sarum shouted gleefully. Morgana struggled under his grip trying to free one of her hands but his grip was to strong and she could feel her bones cracking from the pressure. Just as Sarum rose one of his spiked hands above his head to strike down at Morgana he froze as he heard a humming sound that Morgana found familiar. She looked back to see the Spirit of Protection (surrounded by the dissipating corpses of demons) humming as he did when he summoned the souls of the fallen for Morgana to speak to. Just then Sarum recoiled in pain as he dropped Morgana none to gently on the ground. Morgana raised her head to see the form of Mordred pulling his sword out of Sarum's back. She then felt another hand on her, a gentler one, as it slowly lifted her onto her feet. Morgana looked back and saw that it was Arthur helping her back on her feet.
"There isn't much time," Arthur warned her as he handed her the staff she had dropped. "Hurry and get out, we'll keep the demons and Sarum busy." Morgana had no time to argue as Arthur pushed her off towards Roku. As she ran she saw Sarum forced back by Mordred who was using magic to hold the Greed Demon at bay. As Morgana finally made it towards Roku she quickly raised the staff and slammed it on Roku's side. The Greater Demon roared out in pain as he was quickly dissipated into a dark black smoke that flew upwards at incredible speed. At the same time Morgana found herself forced upwards with Roku at the same impressive speeds. As they traveled upwards the Spirit of Protection along with Mordred and Arthur made a line in front of Merlin's dimming soul preparing to interfere any demons who would try to reach him. Arthur looked over to Mordred and gave him a small smile.
"Will you fight with me?" he asked calmly. Mordred nodded and raised his sword and pointed it at the oncoming horde of demons.
"Even in death my King,"
Mortal Realm
A giant burst of energy flowed through the area surrounding Roku's body. As the black mist quickly entered the still form a portal was ripped seemingly from midair as Morgana's body was forced through it. Kilgharrah stared down in shock at the display of power and took several steps back to avoid contact with the magic. When Morgana eventually rose from the ground she looked in the sky frantically for something.
"Did you succeed?" the Dragon demanded of the witch. Morgana ignored him as she continued to look around frantically. Suddenly she heard a cawing sound that seemed to bring a warm twinge to the area around them. Morgana looked up and smiled in relief to see the Phoenix quickly but gently onto her shoulder. Morgana, not wasting any time, turned and quickly pointed to Merlin's cold form; not waiting for a demand the Phoenix flew to Merlin's side. The beautiful red bird looked down at the dying warlock and closed its eyes. When its eyes opened several golden tears began to fall from its eyes into Merlin's mouth. As the process continued Kilgharrah stared in awe at what was taking place.
"In all my existence I have never once met a Phoenix willing to part with its tears, and now that I have I cannot help but fear that it is not enough." After a few minutes the Phoenix lifted its head away from Merlin and looked up at Morgana almost apologetically.
"No," Morgana said in a whisper not wanting to believe that she had failed. "Do it again," she asked the Phoenix. The Phoenix let out a distressing caw that broke Kilgharrah's heart, he knew the bird had declared it had done all it had. He knew that Morgana understood this to but refused to accept it. Morgana went over to Merlin's side and tried shaking him awake in hopes the mundane gesture would be enough.
"Merlin? Merlin! Please Merlin wake up." When Merlin failed to awake Morgana could stay composed no longer as she broke down and started crying on his chest. Kilgharrah watched in silence at the heart moving scene as Roku's body finally began moving again. The Greater Demon's vessel arose abruptly and began coughing violently to try and recover from his trip beyond the veil.
"Don't everyone get up on my account," Roku said sarcastically as he awoke with no one around. When he turned he saw the sight of Morgana crying on Merlin's chest while Kilgharrah looked down, sadness imminent in the Dragon's eyes. He also noticed the Phoenix perched on a tree above the two humans looking away in shame at the sight before it.
"So the bird failed did it?" Roku asked bluntly. Morgana scowled amidst her tears and sent a jet of fire at the Greater Demon causing him to stumble back more from surprise then pain.
"Shut up!" Morgana spat at the demon. Roku waited for Morgana to continue her tirade of furry but it did not come. Morgana simply responded by putting Merlin' limp head in her lap. She continued crying as her tears fell upon Merlin's face and chest.
"I'm sorry," Morgana said in between her fits of tears. "I'm so sorry for everything Merlin: for deceiving you, for using you, for ever thinking you weren't there for me." Kilgharrah prrmd sadly at the sight as he lowered his wings at the sight of his dead lord. Morgana continued crying as she continued to apologize for everything she'd ever done to him.
"I'm so sorry Merlin, I'm sorry that you felt responsible for what I had become, and I'm sorry for blaming you as well. No one has ever been there for me like you had and I'm sorry it took this long for me to realize that." Morgana brought her forehead down to touch his as she whispered in an almost inaudible voice,
"I forgive you,"
As if by magic a golden glow began to surround Merlin, Morgana noticed this immediately but did not leave Merlin's side; Kilgharrah also seemed in awe at the sight while Roku merely seemed disgusted by the pure magic at work. Before Morgana's eyes all of Merlin's scars and wounds given to him by the chains in Camelot's dungeons began to disappear before her very eyes. When the golden glow finally receded Merlin began to stir slightly as if being disturbed during an enjoyable dream.
"Merlin?" Morgana called out hopefully at the stirring Warlock. Seconds later his eyes lazily lifted open as he slowly moved his eyes around the area, taking time to look at Kilgharrah and Roku before finally stopping at Morgana's tear stained face. With a small smile and the widening of his eyes Merlin attempted moving his head up while asking a simple question that caused Morgana to break out in a fit of happy tears.
"What did I miss?"
AN: Now if this was still a tv Series this would be where the Season ends. Lucy for you guys I'm not that mean XD. Please leave me a review on what you thought of the chapter and I'll have the next one up ASAP, so until then.