Hey guys! I had no idea that i would get this much response from my last authors note. I recently read my story again and realized that I really did miss writing this story, I love my original characters and my made up kingdom. I realized that I needed to finish this sequel for myself, and you guys. I hope that I can get back into the rhythm of writing material that is good enough ya'll. It's been years, so if this chapter doesn't live up to you guys' expectations, then I apologize. I read over it, and tried to correct as many grammar mistakes as I could catch. If any of you go back and read the first story, then you will find LOTS of grammar mistakes like I did when I read it haha. I am so sorry for that! Dang I should've read it over more back then. I will try to correct a few things here and there. Anyways... here is chapter 6! I hope you all enjoy, and please give me some feedback! I love reading y'alls comments, they are sooo sweet!

Feel free to private message me anytime.

(Someone pls tell me how to put a page break in, I forgot. •••••• means a different scene for now!)

Here we go...

•••••••

There was pressure, tons of pressure. It felt as if his head was about to explode. The pain on his body was excruciating, and the throbbing was so loud that the only thing he could hear was his heart thumping wildly in his chest. The taste of iron in his mouth was unpleasant as he smacked his dry lips together. However; it was not as unpleasant as the heat around him. He felt as if he was lying in a pool of his own sticky sweat.

He opened his eyes warily, but could not see a thing. However; that was a mistake, considering all the stuff in the air made his eyes sting right away. He quickly squeezed his eyes shut and shakily reached into his pocket. He felt around until he felt the familiar crystal that could help him teleport out of wherever the hell he was. He had no memory of what had just happened, and was extremely confused. All he knew was that he had never felt more closer to death in his life than he did right now.

His throat hurt from all the smoke, and he coughed nonstop, but managed to finally croak out, "f-fíornsíp."

After that, everything went black.

•••••••

Alex was worried. He kept staring at the flames as it grew taller and worse,

continuing to eat away at the wood of the tavern. His arms and legs felt weak, and he wanted nothing more than to help save his two friends. But he knew going in there would be useless, there was no way a human like himself with no magic could survive those flames. There was just too much smoke, too much heat, and too many flames for him to bear. He prayed to the gods that they would be alright. He wouldn't know what he would do if he lost them, and he didn't wanna ever imagine that.

Movement caught his attention. His eyes suddenly narrowed as he watched a body covered in ashes emerge from the smoke. His heart leapt with hope when he figured out who it was.

"Merlin!" Him and Arthur yelled in Unison.

The King of Camelot was closer, so he reached the young warlock first.

Alex walked quickly over to where they were, excited to reunite with his friend. As he got closer, the building finally collapsed into a heap of smoke, ash, and burnt wood. This made him wince in worry. Where's cade? Was all he thought. He approached the pair just in time to hear the terrible words that came out of Merlin's mouth.

"Cade is dead."

He stopped in his tracks, his stomach dropped, and it was as if he could no longer hear anything around him. Everything went silent. Alex didn't remember exactly when his legs gave out, but they did. The next thing he remembered was being on the ground on his hands and knees; watching his tears drop to the floor. The feelings he was feeling inside were so overwhelming that his chest physically hurt. He didn't understand why this happened, he didn't wanna believe it was true. Everyone made it out alive, everyone except for his loyal, funny, and courageous knight. It was unfair.

He blamed himself for letting his men go out to the tavern with the Camelot knights. They were on strict and important business. There was no time for fun and games. He became so mad at himself that he began to slam his fists into the ground, one after another, over and over until he saw his blood stain the ground red. He believed he deserved to be punished. Once he could no longer bare the pain in his knuckles, he shakily picked up his hands and looked at the blood slowly sliver down his hands.

He didn't wanna be around anyone, so he decided he just wanted to go away and grieve in silence.

He stood up on wobbly legs and turned around to leave. Merlin was still talking and crying to Arthur, so he thought it best not to disturb. Alex figured he'd talk about the details with what happened to Cade later, and thought they both weren't fit to talk at the moment. As he walked through the crowd of people gathered, he ignored and shrugged off every knight's hand that touched his shoulder as he went past. He wanted nobody's pity, and just needed to go back to his guest chambers to be alone.

•••••••

Arthur held onto Merlin for dear life. He knew it was undignified to hug his manservant like this, but at this particular moment in time, he didn't care. He was the king now, and he could do whatever he pleased. Even the blood, sweat, and ash that was staining his clothes didn't bother him. He was just so glad that his friend was okay. Plus, Merlin would just have to clean it off his clothes later.

His heart broke a little when he heard Merlin's hoarse voice say, "C-Cade, Cade is dead."

Arthur backed out of the hug, still holding onto Merlin, "Cade?" He asked confusedly, "the knight from Arudus?"

"Y-yes." Merlin nodded, tears still streaming down his ashy face.

"Why are you crying?" Arthur wondered. "They've recently arrived here." He was starting to get suspicious. "It's not like you really knew the guy."

Merlin seemed to pick up on his suspicions. "It's just so hard to watch someone d-die in front of you, you know? S-someone you c-couldn't save."

Ohhhh. Arthur thought. He understood clearly. There had been many times when he couldn't save someone, and it had made him upset. He could barely sleep sometimes for weeks. But Merlin, Merlin was so innocent, and hadn't been through these types of situations as much as he had. Plus, he knew Merlin was an emotional lad.

"It's okay, Merlin." He said as he brought the young warlock back to his chest. He felt extremely bad for him. Arthur rubbed his back as he cried into his neck. "It's okay, shh, it'll all be alright. There was nothing you could do."

••••••••

When Alex finally got to his chambers and opened the door, he was met with a sight he never expected to see. Bloody, ashy, very much alive Cade, was laying on his bed.

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!" He kept repeating to himself as he sprinted to the figure on the bed. He didn't mind the pain he felt when his leg accidentally hit the wooden table.

He looked desperately for any sign of life and sighed in relief when he saw the rise and fall of his comrades chest. He laughed breathlessly and gave a small smile. He was so relieved that he almost cried again.

Alex looked up to the ceiling and closed his eyes. "Thank the heavens." He murmured, before dropping his gaze back onto his friend.

He grabbed the closest rag, and dipped it into a goblet filled with warm water. He pulled up a chair from the table and began to clean some of the ash off of his friend's face. Alex knew Cade would definitely need a bath and a change of clothes, but this was the least he could do for him right now.

"I am so incredibly glad that you are okay my friend," Alex whispered as he wiped Cade's cheeks. "This crazy life wouldn't be the same without you."

The moment was interrupted by a few gasps at the door.

Prince Alex looked up to see Merlin and his knights' tearful faces in utter shock of disbelief.

"But... how?" Murmured a confused Merlin, "I watched James kill him."

Merlin was happy of course. He was just very confused on how Cade could be here and alive. He could've sworn he saw his friend die.

"I'm sorry, What!" Screeched the prince, eyes starring at Merlin with an intensity so severe that he felt like cowering down.

"James?" Asked Matthew Incredulously.

"Please explain Merlin." Demanded Alex as the others still stood in shock.

Merlin gulped before talking quickly, "Well, you see, um, James was disguised as the woman who served Cade and us drinks. Cade went back for her to save her from the fire, only for it to actually turn out to be James. He stabbed him in his lower abdomen, and then sliced his neck. I-I tried to heal him with a spell but I couldn't. So I resorted to trying to feed him my blood-"

"Why on earth Merlin, would you try to give Cade your blood?" Asked a bewildered Alex.

Everyone stared at him with a strange curiosity.

"Five years ago, when I was in the woods in Arudus, there was this injured bird. The bird bit my hand and began to drink from it. Eventually the bird glowed gold, and the next thing I knew, the bird was completely healed," Merlin stated nervously.

"Incredible," breathed Sir Mason as he stared at Merlin with new found astonishment. "Your blood can heal things and perhaps... bring the dead to life."

"Why hadn't you told me this before?" Alex asked, sounding offended. A little hurt that his friend would keep such an important thing from him.

Merlin stammered, "w-well I was very confused myself, a-and it was all quite new to me. I didn't know what to think."

"Understandable," Lucas chimed in.

"I guess," Alex grunted. Still kind of hurt.

Merlin sighed and looked at Cade.

"This is insane. I don't even know how he got to this room."

"I don't care how he got here," Matthew stated, "I'm just glad he's breathing."

They were all still curious about it, but all nodded in agreement.

After a minute of silence, Alex spoke, "You all are dismissed. I'll stay and watch over Cade."

"Are you crazy?" Merlin replied right away, his eyes going wide.

This drew the Prince's attention.

"What?"

Now Merlin was a little offended. "You really think I'm going to leave you to watch over him alone?"

"Yeah!" Said Lucas, "We're staying right here."

Sir Mason nodded in agreement.

"Sire," Matthew spoke up, "We aren't going anywhere."

The kind words of his friends made him smile. The warm feeling in his chest is what he missed dearly. He knew these guys were always going to be there for him. He couldn't be more grateful.

•••••••

King Arthur was on his throne, waiting for the doors to open. He sat there pondering, drumming his fingers on his armrest. He had no idea what to do if the King of Arudus attacked. How was he supposed to battle with magic? An army of sorcerers? That sure would be tricky. There would be tons of loss, bloodshed, and damage, and he couldn't afford that. He doesn't even know if he'll have enough money to rebuild The Rising Son. The last thing he wanted to do was collect more taxes from his people.

It wasn't long before he was snapped out of his thoughts. The door opened and in walked his most trusted knights, accompanying a beaten up, disheveled Gwaine in the middle.

Arthur sighed at the sight.

Once they stopped a good distance away from their King, Arthur sat up in his chair.

"Gwaine," he spoke with authority, "The rumor going around is, you started the fight."

Gwaine gulped and looked down guiltily.

"Gwaine," Arthur said loudly, causing the knight to pick his head up, "Is this true?"

Please say no, please say no...

"Yes, your majesty," Gwaine replied, and Arthur closed his eyes from the unbearable reply. "It was I who started the bar fight."

Arthur sighed again in sorrow.

"Very well then," Arthur spoke, "Your actions lead to a fire, the destruction of The Rising Sun, and a death."

"What!" Cried Gwaine as he struggled to get out of his friend's grips, "Impossible!"

Arthur really hated this, he really really did not want to do this.

"Gwaine," Arthur muttered, "we lost the life of Sir Cade of Arudus in the fire."

Gwaine was in denial, "No, no this isn't true!"

Arthur stood from his throne, and raised his chin up high. He was ready to relay his punishment.

"Sir Gwaine of Camelot, your knighthood will be stripped from you, and I sentence you to-"

"Stop! Stop!" Screamed Merlin as he burst through the throne room doors, the guards running after him.

"Cade is alive!" He screeched as the guards grabbed him, "it's a miracle, but he's alive!"

"Release him!" Arthur demanded, in a deep and threatening voice, "and leave us be."

The guards released Merlin right away, and hurried out of the room after hearing their King.

Gwaine looked extremely relieved.

Arthur sighed in relief this time, and waited till the doors shut before speaking again.

"Sir Gwaine," Arthur began, "your knighthood will not be stripped from you."

"Thank the gods," Gwaine murmured.

"However, I have to give you some type of punishment for the eyes of the people," Arthur exclaimed.

"And what would that be?" Gwaine spoke with a bit of attitude.

Arthur raised a brow.

"My lord." Gwaine quickly added with a bow.

"You will take part in helping to rebuild The Rising Sun-"

"That ain't so bad," Gwaine interrupted, but Arthur wasn't finished.

"Without pay."

Gwaine's smile fell and his eyes widened, "what!"

Arthur ignored him, he didn't feel like arguing with Gwaine right now.

"Enough, you are dismissed."

Leon and Percival dragged an angry Gwaine out of the room.

"So unfair!" He cried as they pulled him out of the room. He was trying to fight his way back.

Arthur rolled his eyes.

"Could've been worse," he muttered under his breath.

"Merlin, you are dismissed as well."

Merlin was surprised, "I am?"

Arthur waved him off, "Yes yes, you've had a rough day, take the night off."

A huge smile formed on the Warlock's face, "thanks Sire!" He happily said.

As Merlin walked off, Arthur spoke one last time, "and please, Merlin, take a bath, I can still smell the smelly ash from all the way over here."

Merlin mocked him as he exited the throne room, leaving a worried Arthur with his thoughts.

••••••••

It was midnight in Camelot, the darkest hour.

Inside the chamber, the Prince of Arudus had fallen asleep, his bottom half on a chair, and his top half on the bed. Cade was still asleep, sprawled across the bed. Merlin had fallen asleep at a table. Sir mason, Lucas, and Matthew were all sound asleep on cots.

At midnight, someone from a far away land had arrived on Camelot grounds. He was quick, sly, and silent as he made his way through the castle. With a little help of magic, he could get away with almost anything.

When he finally reached the door he had been looking for, he quickly snapped the bracelet in place.

"ríce béon áyppan," he fluently spoke.

He closed his golden eyes and grimaced. He could feel the loss of his magic right away. He didn't feel so powerful anymore, and felt somewhat lost without it.

He quietly opened the doors, but halfway through it made a short but loud creak. He stopped, and panic started to swell in his chest. He looked quickly around at the six sleeping bodies in the room and was relieved when nobody seemed to stir.

He decided to just slip through the crack in the door he already made. Once he was inside, he tiptoed his way to the bed, where a passed out Cade was laying in a deep slumber. Or so he thought.

He knelt beside the bed, his face full of anguish and regret. He reached out his hand, and touched his friend's face.

"I am so sorry," he quietly spoke, "I am so so sorry that I did this to you." He choked up a bit, "I-I am so glad you are alive."

He thought for a moment. He knew Cade couldn't hear him, but he just wanted to get it out anyway. Talk to something.

"This darkness, it has consumed me in many ways." A tear began to slip from his eye. "I don't regret saving my brother. I did what I had to do." More tears began to fall. "But this darkness, is just too much. It has not fully consumed me, but I'm afraid it will soon." He put his head down on the bed, and began to silently cry. "It controls me, it wants me. I'm fighting, but it's just so hard I don't know what to do."

He raised his head and got a little more serious with his tone. "I hope that, if I can't control it, and the darkness takes me... that you will kill me." His heart hurt. "I hope that it will be you, Alex, Lucas, Matthew, or Mason." He sighed, "I just hope it's not my little brother." He looked over at Merlin's still form with pity. "He may be the only one strong enough to take me but, I just wish he wouldn't need to have my death on his hands. I wouldn't wish that upon him."

He stood up when he was finished, and wiped his wet eyes with his cloak. "I love you guys, you all are my brothers. I hope you know that. I pray to the gods you still know that."

With that being said, James left the room, deactivated his bracelet, and transported himself out of Camelot, back to the Kingdom that will soon battle Camelot's Kingdom.

Little did he know, someone's eyes shot open when the door closed. Everything has James said, was heard.