Arthur rode like hell. He had picked up a trail that seemed to have been made by two people walking through the forest. Arthur shivered, hoping that Merlin had been the one following the creature. But the horrible, twisting feeling in his gut suggested that that was not the case. The king spurred his horse on, wary of the fading light and the fear that he'd lose Merlin forever in the darkness if he wasn't quick enough.

Merlin had quite the head start on Arthur, but he was one of the best trackers in Camelot. Arthur thundered through the forest, tearing through the undergrowth relentlessly. He reached for his sword to make sure it was still there, despite the fact that Gaius had said it would be useless. It was a comfort to him nonetheless.

Arthur rode on until his legs were numb. He only took a short break to let his horse rest, and that's when he noticed it. The birds had all gone quiet, and not even the wind rustled the trees. It was silent. Arthur felt an inexplicable chill climb up his spine. There was something unnatural in the woods, and it was close.

Please, let Merlin be safe. Arthur prayed, though to whom he wasn't quite sure.

Like some twisted response, Arthur heard a cry of pain that was quickly muffled. But it was enough. Arthur drew his sword, following the sound, his heart constricting.

"Merlin?" Arthur called cautiously.

The forest was quiet again.

"Merlin! Where are you?"

"Arthur?"

Arthur whirled around to see Merlin standing there, favoring his right arm, but alive and breathing. Arthur couldn't stop himself from sighing loudly with relief.

"Merlin. You're alright!"

Merlin grinned in that way that made him so… Merlin. He shrugged. "Yeah, I'm alright. Took a tumble back there. Arthur, what are you doing out here?"

Arthur frowned. "I could ask you the same question. What happened? Did you find the monster?"

Merlin shrugged again. "I felt its presence out here, but it just vanished. I couldn't find the thing."

"I saw two sets of tracks. You're sure you didn't see anything?" Arthur asked, his eyes narrowing.

The sun was now setting, but the cold that surrounded Arthur was far icier than it should have been. It wasn't natural.

Merlin raised his hands innocently. "I swear, I didn't see anyone. Besides, you're always talking about how unobservant I am."

Arthur's neck prickled. Merlin would never admit to being unobservant, especially since Arthur was the one who always called him that. He was too annoyingly stubborn to ever verbally agree with Arthur.

Don't trust anyone.

Arthur lifted his sword. "Where's Merlin?"

"Arthur—"

"Where is he? You're not him—I'd know him anywhere."

"What are you talking about? I'm right here!" Merlin shouted, his arms jerking angrily.

Arthur shook his head and scowled. He advanced on the thing standing before him impersonating his best friend and held the tip of his sword at its throat.

"Woah, Arthur. Let's think about this—"

"Shut up! Tell me where he is!"

"I'm here Arthur," Merlin whispered, his shoulders shaking. "I'm right here." There were tears in his eyes.

Arthur fought hard to ignore it. It was a trick, he was sure of it. This wasn't his Merlin. This was a monster; a demon messing with his head. The real Merlin could be dead already. Arthur's heart clenched at the thought of Merlin lying out in the forest somewhere nearby, lifeless and alone. It was more than Arthur could bear. It was the last straw, and his anger won him over. He lashed out with his sword, slicing down whatever it was standing before him.

The cry of pain sounded like Merlin. What had collapsed still looked like Merlin. Arthur's blood ran cold. What if he'd been wrong?

Icy laughter rang out all around him. It seemed to be coming from everywhere.

"You two are full of surprises. You're smarter than the boy gives you credit for."

The voice was a woman's, but it was all wrong, all twisted and warped. "Merlin" had disappeared, and now Arthur was face to face with the horrid creature, its eyes purely white and haunting, and its whole body appeared to be decaying off its own bones. Arthur's teeth chattered from the intense cold.

"Where is he?" Arthur demanded, each word spat with hatred.

He raised his sword, though painfully aware of his own futility. The creature eyed his weapon, then somehow smirked with its torn flesh at the mouth.

"That boy is a precious gift. The solution that I've been searching for for longer than you've been alive."

"Why Merlin? He's just a servant—he's just a kid!"

"How naïve you are, King Arthur. He is much more than what meets the eye."

Arthur did know that. Hell, he wouldn't be out here in these woods if he didn't. Merlin was incredibly unique and kind, but he was wise and clumsy and snarky and annoying and he always spoke his mind. There was no one else like him on the entire bloody earth.

And Arthur just couldn't let him die.

"Please, just let him go. You can take me in his place—just don't take him away."

The succubus laughed—it was a shrill, eerie sound and Arthur couldn't help but shiver. "Well, this is unexpected. A king willing to die for his servant. I must say, it takes a lot for a human to shock me, but you two…" the demon shook its terrible head. "I'm intrigued by you. I'll even let you say goodbye."

Arthur's head snapped up. "Goodbye?"

The creature vanished into a thick fog, and Arthur cried out angrily. But as his eyes adjusted, he saw two figures reapproaching from the mist. It was the monster, dragging an unconscious Merlin—the real Merlin—forward with its talons digging into his arms.

"Merlin!" Arthur cried, his eyes wet.

The demon dropped Merlin unceremoniously to the ground and Arthur wasted no time. He dropped down to Merlin's side, lifting his limp head onto his lap.

Merlin's breathing was shallow, his face was covered in dirt and small cuts, as if he had fallen. But what disturbed Arthur the most was the amount of blood smeared on Merlin's neck that dropped down, wetting his chest. Arthur searched for a wound, but all he found were bite marks on his neck. Arthur fought the urge to vomit at the thought of that thing latching onto his friend's neck and slowly sucking the life out of him.

"Merlin. Merlin, can you hear me?"

Arthur shook him lightly but firmly. No response. Not even a flinch.

"Merlin, you have to fight this. Only you can stop it. You must sever the link," Arthur whispered, cradling Merlin's head, bringing him closer. He hoped to the high heavens that Merlin could hear him.

The stinging cold suddenly enveloped Arthur, rendering him stiff and motionless. He could only watch with barely suppressed sobs as that horrid monster stole Merlin away from him again.

The creature looked back at him with its white eyes, its face twisting strangely in something that resembled pity. "I need Merlin—it must be him. There's nothing you can do to stop me, so turn back and don't ever search for us. If you do, he will die."

"No, please! Merlin!" Arthur screamed himself hoarse until the dark mist surrounding him invaded his senses, stealing his breath and dragging him into the inky black.

...

Well, this story is going to be a lot longer than I had anticipated. Sorry for all the cliffies, you guys, please bear with me! Also, thank you to everyone who has written reviews/responded to this story. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have finished any of my stories. I love hearing from my readers! Thanks so so so much!