Chapter 26
- Royal Observatory - Greenwich Park - U.K. -
- Three Days After the Sixth Holy Grail War Ended -
The Greenwich Park was a huge field of green grass and forest in southeast London. The place was a perfect picturesque spot for people who love to take a break from seeing skyscrapers that mostly made up the city of London. Hills and other amenities stood on the park, which offered nothing but a good view of the city from afar. During spring, the place would always be filled with locals and tourists. Events and funfairs played endlessly, providing entertainment to every park goer. However, it was mid-November today. Autumn was here. During this time, there was not a single soul in the park. The people were in their homes, preparing for Christmas and the cold winter. The grass was pale green and the trees were all lifeless.
A cold wind blew the dead leaves toward the deep night sky, creating eerie rustling sounds along a paved walkway. On the walkway, a figure was walking at a glacial pace. The figure was that of a man. The man was dressed in all black clothes. A black short hood cloak hung over his shoulders and a long-sleeved buttoned shirt covered him. His pants were dark, just like his shoes. His face was concealed with his hood, which he occasionally held with his hand as the wind tried to pull it back. The man continued walking until he stopped and shifted his head up, revealing partially to the world his flinty eyes, which bore the color of crimson red. He looked up at the building, which he identified as the Royal Observatory. With an inaudible grunt, he proceeded inside.
The man's black shoes echoed softly along the walls of a small staircase as he ascended. He reached the rooftop of the Observatory. The bustling and glittering lights of the City of London greeted him, but his crimson eyes remained stiff and devoid of expression. This is the place. He thought as he looked around the rooftop, noting everything that he could consider suspicious. And then the wind randomly blew harshly and swept passed him, pushing his hood down. The full moon above shone brightly, revealing his face to the world. The man had a firm frown that matched his scarred face and bright crimson eyes. A white beard enclosed around his jaw and chin, making him look very formidable, yet enigmatic at the same time. If the man was younger, in his prime age, he would have been extremely handsome and perfect. The man breathed lightly, feeling the cold air inside his chest, before he spoke his deep and grave voice. "I'm here and I do not tolerate tardy people."
A small glint of light from the dark corner reflected back to his red eyes. He glanced at it and saw a figure slowly emerge from the darkness. The figure – another man – stood out of the shadow of the tower, which held a large time ball. The man was clothed in an long evergreen robe, which covered his dark-green classic waistcoat and grey long-sleeved shirt underneath. The newcomer moved his hand and took out a silver pocket watch from the depths of his checkered green and gold striped pants. His face was adorned with white and grey hair and enclosed beard. His azure blue eyes read the time.
"I am not late. You're just five minutes early, Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg."
The man, whose name was Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg, lowered his head and his red eyes gazed darkly at him. "That's strange...I said the same reason to you every time I was late thousands of years ago, Master Merlin Ambrosius."
Merlin, whose face drew a still expression, cracked a small smile as he stared at his former disciple. Kischur Zelretch Shweinorg was an immortal Mage. He was one of the founders of the Magus Association and the Clock Tower where the current organization resided. He was a powerful wizard, who had vanquished many evil beings that threatened the world of mankind. It was enough to earn him the title 'Wizard Marshal'. The Master and the Disciple stared at each other, and then they both made a warm, cheery, and hearty chuckle.
"At last, I see your face, Master Merlin, its been a long time. Thousands of years in fact. Strange though, I recall you being more muscular and handsome before. Why are you all scrawny and old looking now, Master?" Schweinorg commented, eyeing Merlin, who was smaller than him. The Merlin that he remembered, his former Master, was muscular, handsome and almost God-like thousands and thousands of years ago.
"Ha! Straight to the point as usual, Schweiny. Though I recall that you were once a small, scrawny man. In fact, you were the smallest of my disciples." Merlin countered and looked at Schweinorg with scrutiny from head to toe. The Master Wizard recalled the old form of the man. The apprentice was small before and a weakling. Right now, however, Schweinorg was taller than Merlin, having grown into a handsome man, despite having a scarred face.
Their cheerful laughter died down eventually and the two men ran out of pleasantries to exchange. They knew what would be the next in their discussion. It was time to get to the purpose of today's meeting.
"Why did you want to meet me, Shweinorg?" Merlin asked in pensive manner. The old man faced the Thames River from afar and watched the glimmering surface.
Schweinorg's stern frown returned, but it contained a thoughtful look. "A few days ago, a man named Hisirdoux Casperian, a girl named Claire, and Akiridion-5's King-in-Waiting Krel, stormed into the Clock Tower." Merlin took a side-glance at Schweinorg after hearing Douxie's name, another of his once apprentice wizards, and didn't speak. The Wizard Marshal continued. "They crashed into the Great Hall while there was a meeting between all of the Lords. The Lords were having their annual Grand Roll: Grand Resolution that time. You could see everyone was stunned. I was there when it happened." A small smirk of amusement cracked his stiff gaze as he remembered the incident, recalling the shocked faces of the Lords. "And then I noticed his staff. Though it was completely different, I knew it was designed by you. Master, you always make magical staffs for your disciples when they graduate from you. I remembered you through that." Schweinorg looked at Merlin, a reminiscing smile was on his face. "You always hold a staff whenever you teach me about magic. You were awesome during that time."
He paused as he closed his eyes and remembered a beautiful memory from before. "Do you remember the battle against the Crimson Moon?"
"Yes." Merlin answered him, plainly. His eyes glowered in a remembering way before he added. "The battle against Brunestud of the Crimson Moon, the Vampiric True Ancestors."
The battle of the Crimson Moon was a deadly and bloody battle that occurred thousands of years ago. During that time, a tyrant named Brunestud once tried to conquer the Earth. He was a True Ancestor, a vampire and a personification of the Moon. He had millions of undead and monstrous followers in his palms to do his bidding. But the reign of the tyrant vampire was eventually put to a stop by Schweinorg and Merlin. The two wizards fought the True Ancestor and they eventually defeated him. It was a bloody war and a gruesome memory for the former Master Wizard.
"We fought like gods back then. And I do remember you, Schweiny, getting injured by Brunestud. You were bitten and almost became like him. It's a good thing that I knew first aid against vampire infections. Come to think of it, didn't I create a weapon that you used against him?"
A soft mirth chuckle escaped from Schweinorg's lips. "Yes. The Jeweled Sword – the weapon that I used to push back the clone copy of the moon from crashing down to Earth after Brunestead casted it down. Thanks to you, the world was saved, Master." The Wizard Marshal then gazed his crimson eyes up. He looked at the full moon, admiring its perfect circular shape and its radiant white light that seemed to soothe his soul. "I also remember us, Master. After we defeated Brunestud, the night sky became as clear as this one. And then, under this beautiful radiant moonlit gaze...we made love."
Merlin's face reddened as a memory surfaced from deep within his mind. He indeed remembered such an event. It was the end of the battle and right after Merlin applied first aid to Schweinorg. Merlin didn't know why he had done it, but under this very same shade of light from the full moon, he and Schweinorg had made love. And they did it on the river bank. The former Master Wizard remembered every detail as if the event happened yesterday – the way that he and the Wizard Marshal kissed with such passion while their hands glided each other's skin, feeling the pleasurable warmth from each other until they both reached their desired climax. Merlin gulped down and shifted his head away, hiding his embarrassed expression.
"I-Its a long memory, Schweiny, really. You still remember that!?" the former Wizard Master stuttered to his former disciple.
The Wizard Marshal closed his eyes and his smile shifted into a sad one. "The reason why I called you here, Merlin...is because I miss you." Merlin's protest turned into a startled one as he felt Schweinorg's sudden change of happy mood into a depressed one. The Wizard Marshal added. "I'm glad that I planted a tracker on that Hisirdoux so I would know where you were residing. You're living in Arcadia Oaks in GDT Arcane Books. I sent a Mage there to take a look at it."
So that's how you know that I lived there. Merlin took a step back in surprise. After the battle with the Titans, Merlin took refuge at GDT Arcane Books for his workshop. The flying castle of Camelot was destroyed. It was the former home of his apprentice, Douxie. His apprentice insisted for he live there with him after the old man decided to retire and pass his title, Master Wizard, to him. He found it comfortable though, even if the mana that ran underneath was less abundant than his previous workshop.
"And...that's not all, is it?" The former Wizard detected something else that was troubling the Wizard Marshall.
Schweinorg shifted his red eyes, a hint of a dolor expression looking back at Merlin.
"Why did you leave me, Master? Is it because I confessed my love to you after we've did it." the Wizard Marshall asked in a disappointed manner, his lips curling down in gloom. If the question was a dagger, then it had stabbed Merlin right in his chest. An anguished look formed on the former Master Wizard. The old man looked down and closed his eyes, remembering another memory – a painful one.
On that same eventful night, Schweinorg whispered his love for Merlin as the two lay by the river bank after they had done it. His fingers could still feel the softness of the Wizard Marshal's hair and his soothing voice as he asked his mentor to marry him. And then, Merlin felt terror weigh in on his chest as he absorbed the man's proposal. But before Merlin could answer, Schweinorg fell asleep. I remember that...and then I left you at the break of dawn. A shameful feeling formed in Merlin's guts and it made him clench his teeth. Merlin had left Schweinorg at the river bank, and the former Master Wizard ran away towards the horizon, not even looking back.
"I was an ambitious fool at that time, Schweinorg." Merlin started to reason. The way that he said his former disciple's name made his insides more tense. "I felt scared after you confessed to me. I couldn't bear to lose you if you aged and died one day, and I wanted to expand my powers more. If I settled with you...I might get held back."
Held you back? So, it's all about power? Schweinorg's crimson eyes narrowed as he understood his former Master's reasons. "I know that. That's why I became Immortal. I was waiting and looking for you just so I could ask you for an explanation as to why you left me." His saddened look turned into a dark frown filled with enmity.
"I built the Magus Association just for you. I took many Mages under my wing just so I could teach them the same Magecraft you taught me before. I figured out that if Mages started using the same method that you had taught me, you'd figure out that I'd become a Wizard just like you." Merlin didn't answer him, but his face still showed a dispirited frown. The Wizard Marshal thundered more, his crimson eyes becoming bloodshot and filled with anger. All those years of keeping his fury inside against Merlin were now pouring out uncontrollably. "For thousands of years, I waited. I looked for you until I started to hate this feeling. Yes, I repressed it by becoming harsh on my students. I started treating them like they were nothing. I started dangerous magical experiments just so I could forget my love for you!"
Merlin's eyes narrowed. He frowned when the Wizard Marshal spoke about his magical experiments. "Does that include...the Einzbern's Holy Grail War?"
The first time that Merlin heard about the Holy Grail War was during the Middle Ages. He heard it when he was traveling in an Asian continent. The war apparently took place in Fuyuki, Japan, and it was all about how the Einzbern wanted to reach the Root. He was glad that it failed, but he was dismayed as the war was succeeded by another again and again. The Root was a special place for Wizards and Mages. It was the source of everything. He and Schweinorg had reached it before. However, it wasn't something one should play with.
Schweinorg clenched his teeth and gnashed his words. "Yes. I only helped my student, Nagato Tohsaka, as an excuse to go to Japan...just so I could check the whole country and see if you were in there. I neither cared about the Makiris or Einzberns and their Holy Grail nor their goal of reaching the Root just so they could attain the Third Magic."
Merlin's blue eyes widened in shock. Now he knew how the Holy Grail War was implemented and, to his horror, his former disciple helped the people who created it. The Holy Grail War had hurt many innocent people, both Mages and normal folks, and he was part of the reason why it was created. Merlin felt sickened, both from his past actions and Schweinorg's. "You-You stupid wizard! You've hurt many people, and Mages too! You've turned good men into beasts because they believed that the Holy Grail could grant their wishes and give them miracles!"
"I did it just so I could forget you!" Scwheinorg reasoned as he turned his head away from the fuming eyes of Merlin, his eyes becoming glassy. The Wizard Marshall knew what the older Wizard meant, but he could no longer bring back the time where he could have stopped it.
"What about the Magus Association? Did you neglect them, turn them into purist bureaucrats just so you could forget me?"
The Wizard Marshal shifted his eyes at the river, tears starting to trail his cheeks. "I founded the Magus Assoc's Clock Tower because I'm inspired by you, but when I started my quest to forget my love for you, I left it to some Mage Lords and Nobles to handle it." Schweinorg made an irked side-glanced at Merlin. "I am still part of it...but I have little control over it."
Oh no… "Schweinorg...you stupid Wizard." Merlin said again and made a pained sigh. He finally knew the reason why the Magus Association became a shabby organization. When Merlin had heard of the organization during its early years, he thought that it was a good one. It was dedicated to Mages. However, when he discovered that the internal governing body inside of it was corrupted, Merlin was sickened by it. The Magus Association was run by thirteen Mage Lords who did nothing except continue gaining power for themselves.
They formed three factions within the organization and each of those factions had one goal: to become powerful and have many Mages at their disposal. The more Mages in one faction, the more powerful that faction became. Not only that, the Magus Association deemed that only Mages with natural talent or with a long history of having Mages in their family lineage were allowed to enter their organization.
In short, the Magus Association became purists, and it was because of Merlin had hurt Schweinorg.
Fuzzbuckets! The older Wizard cursed mentally. He wanted to berate the Wizard Marshal more, but he couldn't. He was the main reason why the Magus Association was wrong and why the Holy Grail War was created. He couldn't blame anyone except himself.
Merlin left Schweinorg on the river bank because he was scared of his love.
He showed his former student an agonized look. He saw that the Wizard Marshal was still looking at the Thames River. He shook Schweinorg's shoulder once as he snivelled and cried in heartache. This is all my fault. The former Master Wizard concluded. He took a deep breath, gathering courage, and called to Schweinorg. "Schweiny...if I say I'm so sorry to you now, will you forgive me?" Schweinorg glanced at him and casted a woeful gaze at his former Master, but didn't answer him. Merlin let out a remorseful sigh and shifted his pitying azure blue eyes at the Wizard Marshal. "I was scared at the time. I was a coward. All throughout my immortal life, no one had ever confessed their love to me. You were the first...and I'm so sorry that I hurt you." I'm sorry for breaking your heart. The Wizard Marshal continued staring at him. The words that Merlin said to Schweinorg were filled with sadness and regret. However, the former student had heard what he wanted to hear from his teacher. Merlin closed his eyes and his frown shifted into an uncertain one as he asked Schweinorg, "Do you still...love me?"
The single question made Schweinorg breathe sharply as a wave of emotion stirred inside his chest. All those years of suppressing his emotions for Merlin played vividly in his mind. However, despite all of the hatred and resentment that Schweinorg had built up against the old Wizard, there was another feeling that was greatly overcoming the other. "Yes. I still do." A small comforting smile spread on the Wizard Marshal as the heavy negative feelings were swept away by happiness in his heart. Schweinorg moved and closed the gap between him and Merlin. "Do you love me...Merlin?"
As for Merlin, he knew what love was. He had loved Douxie and accepted the student as his son. The feeling of love, a fleeting yet joyous feeling that could make you face anything, swirled inside of his chest. A loving smile formed in Merlin's chest as he leaned on the Wizard Marshal. "Yes...but I don't know how this will work out-"
Schweinorg didn't let the former Master Wizard finish. He leaned more and planted his lips on him. A familiar feeling enveloped the two. It was the same as that night. The feelings that were long forgotten bloomed again inside of them. The love between the two was finally rekindled.
The two men eventually parted and looked at the River Thames. Both of them wore a dumbfounded look. They just couldn't believe the words that they had exchanged and the feelings that played inside of them. They just couldn't believe that their love for each other, despite being away from one another for thousands of years, would eventually be formed again and under such strange circumstances.
"That was, uh…" Schweinorg began, dumbstruck, "intense."
The same bewildered look was displayed on the older Wizard. "Indeed."
An awkward silence enveloped the two. And then the Wizard Marshal spoke in a lost voice. "So...what now?"
Merlin glanced at Schweinorg confusedly. Even though he felt love for the Wizard Marshal, it wasn't enough for him to redeem himself for the man. Merlin must do something for Schweinorg. The Magus Association was in turmoil because of him and the Holy Grail War was allowed to happen because Schweinorg, who was lost in his vengeful quest of forgetting his love, was blinded by his own bitterness.
I have to fix this. Merlin remembered Douxie, his former apprentice and his adopted son. The boy always ended up in trouble, but he always managed to fix it because he was determined to repair his own mistakes. It was a trait that Merlin liked in Douxie, and now he couldn't help but copy the same thinking.
"Schweinorg, let me fix the Magus Association." Merlin said with an adamant voice. He had already formed a plan.
The Wizard Marshal glanced at him, startled by what Merlin said. "Fix...How, Merlin? I have little control over it. I may be famous there, but as an urban legend, the Lords have an iron grip over it."
Merlin looked at him and grinned with confidence. "Then it's time for you to introduce me to the Lords. I think it's also time for a Fourteenth Lord to appear in the Magus Association."
"Wait...Are you saying you will join the Magus Association?"
"Yes, because I would like to live with you."
Schweinorg couldn't contain his happiness. The Wizard Marshal made a short chortle at the former Master Wizard's suggestion. He was amazed by it, but then he made an uncertain look. Even if Merlin was introduced to the thirteen Lords, it wasn't enough to change their minds. Merlin must make a mark in the history of Magus Association first. "How then, Merlin? How would you change the Magus Association?"
"By giving me a classroom and a workshop. I'm planning to come out of my retirement anyways since the Arcane Order is dead." Merlin said and smirked brightly at the Wizard Marshal. "It would be open to all, regardless of their race and ideology, just as long as they want to learn Magecraft."
That wasn't a bad plan. Schweinorg nodded in agreement as Merlin cleared his throat. "By the way, I heard that a Viltrumite was involved in this recent Holy Grail War and I also heard that he was imprisoned in Norway, am I right?"
"Yes. His name is Mark Grayson. He is the Invincible Hero."
"The Magus Association has a connection to the U.N., if I could recall, through that Animusphere girl, Olga. She was strange, but certainly a good girl. And she is also the former CHALDEA director." Merlin paused as he stroked his beard, visualizing his plan in his mind. "What I want you to do is to clear all charges of the U.N. against Invincible and invite him to the Magus Assoc and CHALDEA...and he will also be one of my students."
Schweinorg's crimson eyes widened in surprise. If he followed Merlin's plan, then Mark Grayson would become the first Viltrumite to become a Mage. This would certainly shake the purist ideology made by the Thirteen Mage Lords. However, the Wizard Marshal knew that most of the Lords wouldn't give up to change easily. "And what if that plan doesn't work?"
"I doubt that it will." Merlin said as his smirk darkened and raised his left hand, revealing a set of tattoos on his knuckle that was very familiar to the Wizard Marshal before he called someone. "You can come out now."
A cloud of golden dust gathered behind Merlin and it made the Wizard Marshal look over his shoulder. The cloud of golden dust then clumped and burst. A new figure materialized. It was a tall man. The man loomed and casted a shadow over the two.
Schweinorg's eyes widened in terror. He recognized the man. It was a Servant and he was clothed in a red and white costume that showed his great physique. An odd yet very familiar symbol was on his chest. A white skirt cape adorned his lower body and he possessed black, clean-cut hair and a well shaven face that bore a scarred look and an awesome moustache.
"I-It can't be!?" The Wizard Marshal took a step back in fright as the Servant opened his eyes, revealing his piercing black eyes.
"Ruler-class, Servant Thragg is here. What can I do for you, Master Merlin?"
"At ease, Thragg." Merlin grinned and saw the horrified expression of the Wizard Marshal.
Schweinorg couldn't believe what he was looking at right now. Thragg was the former Emperor of Viltrumites, who tried to conquer Earth. Schweinorg remembered the day when he came down to Earth and almost caused havoc. However, Invincible killed the emperor by burning him in the sun. The Magus Assoc was just glad that he was dead, but now he was here as a Servant of Merlin. Schweinorg cast a confused and perplexed look. "Merlin, do you know who he is!?"
"He's Emperor Thragg and I summoned him to this world." Merlin paused before he smirked at the Wizard Marshal. "CHALDEA sent me a copy of the ritual summoning technique that they used on summoning Heroic Spirits. I originally planned to help the Animusphere girl in running CHALDEA. I was supposed to be one of their new Master candidates. Thragg was supposed to be my present to them, but I don't think he wouldn't like that." The former Master Wizard glanced up and smiled kindly at the former Emperor, who responded with a single nod of approval.
"B-but how did his name get recorded on the Ring of Deterrence?!" Schweinorg asked adamantly as he felt fear towards the savage conqueror.
"Didn't you study that? The Throne of Heroes watches every life-form and every different universe. A soul can only become a Heroic Spirit if his or her deeds helped shape the history of life or the universe. Thragg, despite what he had done, left a strong impression on the universe. He reshaped some of it through his conquest."
"He murdered billions, Merlin! Billions! He's a bad and irredeemable man. What if he betrays you?"
"I will do no such thing." Thragg spoke firmly and it made the Wizard Marshal silent. Schweinorg glanced at him and saw that the Servant curled his lips down, seemingly saddened by what he had said. It left the man dumbfounded. Did the former savage and brutal Emperor feel offended with what he said?
Merlin noticed the sudden shift in the Wizard Marshal's mood and he too noticed the hurt look of his Servant. He cleared his throat to erase the awkwardness. "Schweiny, what I mean is, if the Throne of Heroes could welcome a being like Thragg into its rank of Heroes, why not the Magus Association?" Merlin moved closer and patted his lover's back. "What could go wrong if the organization starts welcoming people like Mark Grayson as a Mage?"
Schweinorg glanced at him unsurely. However, he understoof what the former Master Wizard was saying. The Root was such a fickle sentient being. Its logic differed greatly to everyone. One example of its whimsical nature was the very existence of Thragg as a Servant. The alien Emperor was a violent and greedy man – the very definition of evil itself. However, the Root recorded him on the Throne of Heroes as if it was glorifying his bloody conquest. And yet the former Emperor was saddened by what Schweinorg said to him, hurt by his words. For the first time, Schweinorg felt conflicted about what he had witnessed. It seemed something had changed greatly within the Viltrumite Servant and perhaps this change was noticed by the Ring of Deterrence. It was enough to put his name on the Throne of Heroes.
This is too much...Schweinorg, the great Wizard Marshal, let out a vehement and exhausted sigh. He had seen the Root with his own eyes before. It was powerful, solemn and terrifying. However, Schweinorg couldn't understand how it worked at all. The mind of the Root was too complex to understand and he gave up on it. "Ok…" I guess I'll try to convince the Lords to lift the U.N. charges against Mark. "I'll do it, Merlin."
"Thanks, my love."
Schweinorg smiled brightly and moved closer to the former Master Wizard, kissing his lips. Their lips locked again as they passionately merged their body heat. While they were engaged in such action, Thragg watched them. His face was still and devoid of expression, but his black eyes blinked and lit up in interest. The action of the two was bizarre to him.
- Arcadia - Arcadia National Park - U.S.A.
After the reunion and meeting, Merlin bid farewell to Schweinorg and summoned a portal back to Arcadia. The portal's end opened up on Arcadia National Park, a very familiar place for him. The former Master Wizard looked around. He was now standing on an empty viewing deck. The forest was alive with nightly creatures. Crickets chirped beautifully and fireflies lit up, dancing among the trees and creating shadows that bobbed up and down.
Oh Schweinorg, still lovely as ever. Merlin smirked as he recalled the smiles and grins made by the Wizard Marshal, which made his chest lightened with happiness. After all these years, the man was still beautiful to him. "It looks like today will be a beautiful day, right, Thragg?"
Thragg materialized behind the former Master Wizard. He glanced around and saw that it was night. "I'm sorry, but it's still night time, Master."
Merlin glanced at Thragg, taking note of his obvious remark, and merely grinned. Come to think of it, I haven't asked you , about this world. The former Master Wizard remembered the time when he summoned Thragg. It was a couple of days ago, after he had heard about Jim joining the Holy Grail War. Jim's friends panicked, especially Douxie, who was in hysterics. He felt saddened by their reaction, so he tried to help them and contacted CHALDEA so he could receive the Heroic Spirit Summoning Ritual that bypassed the Einzbern's Holy Grail. He was planning to help Jim by sending him another Servant to assist him.
He talked to the organization and in exchange he would work there as a Master. And then, he went into this particular forest and performed his summoning. When Thragg appeared, he was startled and confused as to why, but then his horror for the former Emperor diminished when Thragg looked down on him and asked him. 'Are you my Master?' And as Thragg asked that question, Merlin noticed the depressed frown on the Servant's face. It was as if the Emperor of Viltrumites had suffered greatly in an ordeal that he couldn't handle and it left him scarred for life. However, by the time that the former Master Wizard planned to send Thragg to Jim, he received news from the Magus Assoc, telling him that a Mage called Shirou Emiya would fully assist Jim and that he would also bring the boy back to safety. The news relieved Merlin. Even though the organization was annoying, the former Master Wizard couldn't help but to trust their decision. Thragg might cause more trouble for the Trollhunter, so Merlin didn't bother anymore. And now, he was stuck with the Servant.
"So...Thragg, what do you think of this world?" Merlin asked. He walked to the railing and looked to the horizon. He could see the outline of the valley that was still dark and obscured by the night sky.
The former Emperor's gaze shifted into a somber one before he answered his Master. "I always looked down on any living being that wasn't a Viltrumite before. Never thinking and seldomly asking myself why. All I knew was that my planet, my nation is the best all throughout the universe and I am its Emperor, their leader." Thragg closed his eyes and a small disappointed frown formed on his lips. "I always thought that we were always the center of the Universe and that every other lower lifeform is something that we must either destroy or subjugate."
Merlin gazed at him contemplatively before he asked. "Why is that then?"
"It's because it's my duty as a Leader of the Viltrumites to tell my people how great our species is and how perfect and powerful we could be. It's all a matter of pride." Thragg opened his black eyes and looked down to his hands. "And then I set my eyes on this world. I thought Earth was just a planet that I could take, but before I could fully take control of it, my own people started to rebel against me." Merlin observed as the Servant's face hardened in dismal. "I don't know why they started to revolt. Perhaps they got tired with my ruling or that they're sick already with my ideology. Either way, I planned to take them back...but I was killed by a half-breed Viltrumite." A memory started to play in Thragg's mind. It was his final moments. He felt the scorching heat of the sun eating him and eventually turning him to dust. His skin felt the burning pain underneath as if the scalding heat was now inside of him, degrading him alive, and it made him shake his fist uncontrollably in fright.
"And then I saw the Root. It was beautiful and terrifying at the same time. I felt its power invaded me and I couldn't repel it. I tried to stop it but then it began to speak."
"What did it say?"
"It knows who I am. It's as if it knew me for a long time. And then it began to show me worlds and universes that I knew nothing of. I realized then what it was trying to say to me. The Root was the source of every infinite number of universes that were teeming with life and an Emperor like me was nothing. I wasn't even worth a speck of dust and the Viltrumites were nothing but a species that it had created and could destroy if it wanted to. I was nothing to the Root. It made me realize the error of my ways. The Root humbled me and I was terrified of it." Thragg's shoulders shook more in fear as he felt the familiar feeling of being looked down upon by the Root. The former Tyrant closed his eyes and softly gasped. He clenched his teeth in horror as if the Root has suddenly appeared before him again.
Merlin understood the ordeal of the former Tyrant. He and Schweinorg, too, were awestruck the first time they saw the Root. They saw it from afar. They didn't go near it. Instead, they wanted to get away from it. They thought it was angry because they had intruded in its domain. Needless to say, the two of them would never go back there. I know exactly what you felt there, Thragg.
"Is that all?" the former Master Wizard asked.
The Emperor glanced at Merlin with a perturbed look. "It started showing me this world. I saw how you Humans were born and eventually die. Your lifespan is short, and many of you live different lifestyles. But above all, despite having a short life, most of you managed to smile and be happy about it, as if death is nothing to you all. I asked the Root why Humans were like that and it answered me. 'It's because they can feel love and compassion. They are governed and molded by it. Their experiences are their reason for existence. Such concepts are what you lack, and therefore, it is the cause of your downfall.'"
Thragg paused after his eyes noticed a small firefly hover to his fist. He opened his hand and let the bug play on his palm freely. The light from it resurfaced a memory that made him smirk wistfully. "The halfling Viltrumite told me the same thing while he was killing me in the sun. Viltrumites are capable of loving and being loved by someone they like. They could become the harbinger of peace and prosperity without hurting anyone. I was puzzled by it. I neither knew nor felt such concepts before. It's all new to me, but that boy was right. It is the reason why I was killed. I was driven by my own ambition to the point of acting illogical, not even caring if conquest was right or wrong."
The firefly glittered and flew away from the palm of the Emperor, whose face slowly formed a regretful smile. "I was horrified as I realized something. I'd been leading my people wrong. I got lost in my own lustful ambition for greatness. I wanted to be redeemed! This love, this compassion – I suddenly wanted to know and feel them, so I begged the Root. I asked the Root to give me one more chance to make things right and redeem myself from the cruel mistakes that I'd made. I pleaded desperately to the Root to let me experience love and redemption. And then it spoke to me, this time in a kind voice. 'Etch your name in the Ring of Deterrence, so that when you're summoned, you'll go to a world where you can feel love and be redeemed.'"
So that's why I could summon him...but is it fate that brought him to me? Merlin wondered as his brows crossed. He never truly expected to summon Thragg. However, Merlin didn't believe it happened because of random chance. He could tell that the Root was behind this event. As to why, Merlin would never know. The Root was a fickle one with an otherworldly sick sense of humor.
"Master," Thragg called to Merlin, making the former Master Wizard blink to reality.
"What is it, Thragg?"
"You asked me what I think of this world. I'm sorry, but I have no answer to it. All I know is that the people in this world live for love and many other social concepts. But if I were to be straight...it is beautiful." Merlin's mouth hung in shock. He wasn't expecting for the Emperor to appreciate the beauty of this world in such a short span of time. Thragg noticed his reaction and his smile shifted into a resigned one. "In fact, Master, if you allow me to be so bold, I would like to ask you a question."
"Um...What question would that be?"
"What is love, Master, and can I learn it...from you?"
The former Master Wizard didn't reply, but his blue eyes were wide again, appalled. Merlin couldn't help but feel pity for the Emperor. He could imagine how Thragg had lived when he was still alive. It was probably all too brutal and bloody, one that he was devoid of warm feelings. Oh Thragg...The old Wizard almost glowered in pity, but he restrained himself. He didn't want to look down on this poor Viltrumite. It would degrade Thragg further. Instead, Merlin was compelled to lift Thragg up. Slowly, an understanding smile spread on his lips.
"Thragg, before I answer you, I have a request. Do not address me as Master anymore." Merlin asked. Thragg made a single nod, though his expression was still. "And as for your question...Love has many different meanings, but one thing is for sure..." The old Wizard closed the gap between him and his Servant. The Master put his hand on Thragg's shoulder and beamed a cool smirk at him. "Love is finding happiness in smaller things. It can make you whole, but if you let it go, it will shatter and hurt you. It is also something that gives meaning to life and to one's existence, It could also be the one that could end life and destroy an existence."
That...there's a lot of contradiction in there. Thragg's brows crossed, clearly puzzled by what the Wizard was saying to him. However, somehow, he could understand some of it.
"I'm sorry Ma-Merlin. I'm confused."
"I can tell."
Merlin grinned more in excitement. "Like I said, love is a complicated thing. It has many different interpretations...and its meaning isn't at all linear. I could tell you more about it, but you need to learn it from yourself more."
Thragg frowned in perplexed more. "Then Merlin...how should I learn it?"
"By coming with me, of course." Merlin suggested and patted the shoulder of the former Emperor in a friendly manner. "Since I'm going to become a teacher in Magus Assoc's Clock Tower, I will certainly need an assistant. Thragg, why don't you work with me as my assistant? I will teach you about love and humility, and during that time, you could also learn something new about it by talking with other people."
Work as an Assistant? Thragg thought deeply at first. The idea wasn't a bad one. However, he knew he might find it difficult. Other than Merlin, Thragg had never talked with another human before. This would be his first. A small, agreeing smile formed on his lips.
"That doesn't sound bad to me."
Merlin looked towards the dark horizon. The first strike of sunlight lit up the horizon and the sky above him began to take colors. "Thragg take a look at this...What do you see?"
The former Viltrumite Emperor also looked forward and a great view greeted him. The sun stroked the sky, turning it into a violet hue. He could see the valley and the two hills that made the scene come alive. It was like waking up from sleep. A luscious green forest shimmered lively and sounds of birds echoed through the trees cheerfully, welcoming a new dawn. "Whoa…" The Emperor of Viltrumite grinned in an amazed manner. "It is, indeed, beautiful."
Merlin smirked gladly, hearing the once heartless Viltrumite Emperor praise one of the simplest joys of life – seeing a good view. The older wizard nodded in agreement before he said to Thragg. "Didn't I tell you today would be a beautiful day."
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Invincible, Fate/Stay Night and Tales of Arcadia: Trollhunters. Names, Places and Events are purely fictional if one exist in real life then its purely coincidental.
Special thanks to Pure red Crane for beta-reading and proofreading.
Well, well, what do we have here? A plot twist? Do you think Thragg is redeemable? Nice! We're nearing the end everyone, I would like to thank everyone who were still reading this fanfic. You guys are the best for you've given me the chance to prove myself that I can write. Enjoy reading this chapter guys, because like I said, we're near to the end.