Yes, I know I'm back soon, you'll find out later if you read my notes at the bottom.

(see, didn't leave you hanging for too long now, did I?)

Battlegrounds: Chase and Reach

Enjoy!

He pulled out a dagger and put it at her throat, the blade digging into the exposed skin, blood seeping from the cut. Then he ripped off her mask and Merlin's heart dropped.

The hostage was the Lady Morgana.

For her credit, Morgana was struggling and not panicking-but then again, she probably didn't have time to panic because everything that happened only lasted a minute. In fact, outside the bubble, some of the guests were still waking up and looking onto the scene with a mix of shock, fear, and confusion.

But Merlin couldn't afford to feel any of the above, and he quickly thought of a way to free Morgana from the sorcerer's grasp. I need a distraction.Looking up at the sky, the warlock had an idea.

"Boanloag gesweore!"

The sky swarmed with roiling clouds, and from their depths the warlock pulled out a lightning bolt and smashed it at the sorcerer's rear. Screams wracked the air, and the sorcerer holding Morgana let go of her as he looked back in horror-three of his companions, one being the fake lady Helen, were burnt to a crisp. His hostage needed no invitation, and ran as fast as she could behind Merlin, who was struggling to catch his breath and strength.

"You'll pay for that," the sorcerer at the head snarled. Nodding towards the remaining three, the four sorcerers drew together and pulled their magic together, giving Merlin just enough time to shout a warning to Morgana.

"GET DOWN BEHIND ME AND HOLD ON!" he shouted, crouching down himself and making a shield just in time to protect them from the group effort of the unwelcomed guests. When their ray of energy hit the warlock's shield, he cried out in pain at the strength of it—Merlin and Morgana getting pushed back several feet. The lady had her arms wrapped tightly around his chest, pressed against his back, so close that he could feel her fast-beating heart. The warlock dug his heels in the ground and Morgana followed suit, the two managing to ground themselves against the impact. Merlin turned to Morgana, shouting over the sound of the energy smashing into his magic.

"WHEN I SAY SO, I'M GOING TO LET DOWN BOTH SHIELDS AND I NEED YOU TO DIVE AS FAST AS YOU CAN TOWARDS THE OTHERS. I'LL ONLY LET IT DOWN FOR A SECOND SO YOU NEED TO HURRY. WE HAVE ONLY ONE SHOT AT THIS. CAN YOU DO IT?"

Morgana nodded, letting go of him and concentrating on the spot she would dive to, and the warlock gave her an approving look before turning his focus back on his magic.

"ON MY COUNT. THREE—TWO—ONE—GO!" The warlock shot up to his feet and repelled the energy from the attack, both shields gone. Not looking to see whether she had made it, Merlin pulled them back up after a second, the sorcerers at the other end of the glade recovering quickly and attacking the warlock again. Suddenly, Merlin felt a warm hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Edwin's grim face.

"She's safe. What can I do?"

Merlin had never been happier to see his professor.

"I need you to take the weight of the larger shield so that I can concentrate on going on the offensive."

"Understood," the disfigured professor nodded, eyes glowing gold in preparation.

"NOW!" Merlin released the shield and watched in relief as Edwin held it up, and then the warlock turned to the sorcerers. Rising slowly to his feet, the young man grit his teeth in pain as he slowly pulled down the shield protecting him from the sorcerers' unyielding attack. Just as it turned to vapor, Merlin opened his arms and let the magic surge from his body towards them, the raw power shaking the ground.

The sorcerers fell apart and Merlin took the opportunity to begin his own attack, sending a wave of fire towards his opponents. By now his magic was purely instinctual, and the power raced through his veins as his eyes burned a permanent gold. Two of the four sorcerers didn't have the strength to pull up their own shields, so screamed as they were pushed back and burned by the intense heat.

The other two grit their teeth and began sending their own attack, and soon both sides were exchanging volleys of energy. The warlock could barely handle the two, and when one of them shot out a bolt, Merlin sidestepped to avoid it only to be hit by his companions', and the warlock cried out in pain as the energy hit him in the center of the chest—sending him flying backwards. Looking down at himself, Merlin winced as he saw a circle of burnt flesh, but didn't dwell on the pain as he protected himself from the continuous attacks. Ignoring the throbbing, he rose on shaky feet and resumed his assault, energy draining as the magic sapped his strength.

He had to end this now.

Hitting his foot on the ground and looking up, his eyes glowed brighter. The earth rippled and lashed out at the sorcerers, a great chasm opening between them. One fell into it with a terrified yell, the earth closing and swallowing him before his friend had time to save him. The man looked at Merlin with shock and sudden horrified realization.

"You…You're Emrys."

"That is what the druids call me," the warlock replied, and replied further with a bolt of energy that sent the man airborne till he crashed to the ground. Walking over to the fallen figure, Merlin held out his hand over him, ready to attack if necessary. Below him, the sorcerer was whimpering with terror, blood seeping from his head, robes torn and scorched by fire.

"P…Pl…Please," he garbled, shaking.

"Who are you?"

"P…Pl…Please. I was just following orders—"

"Whose orders? Who sent you to kill the prince?"

"Mm…Mmm…Morgause…Please don't hurt me…"

Incanting a spell, Merlin watching with satisfaction as chains wrapped around the man's body, and the warlock turned to Edwin and nodded. The professor let go of the shield with a relieved sigh. Merlin moved towards him, only to stop, a sharp pain in his chest and heart. He buckled over, suddenly overwhelmed with nausea, his head throbbing. Vision blurred and feeling deafened, the warlock looked onto the world with a haze, watching people move towards him. But everything was too much as he struggled to stay the flow of magic as well as deal with the pain, and so squeezed his eyes shut to block out the world.

"Everyone stay back, don't approach him," Edwin ordered, running towards the warlock and kneeling in front of him. The boy was on his knees, blood dripping from his face, costume ripped open, chest singed. Somehow, his mask was still on, and the black velvet was smoking on his face. "Merlin, Merlin, I need you to open your eyes."

The warlock winced but opened them, and Edwin's heart constricted as he saw the pain in their still-glowing depths.

"Remember what I told you. Breathe. You control the magic, it doesn't control you. Steady the flow and lock it away. Breathe," he murmured, watching as the young man's eyes lost their glimmer, returning to a dark blue. Catching the boy just as his body gave way, Edwin cradled his head in his lap and pulled the mask off, flinching at how hot the fabric was.

Slowly, Merlin's eyes opened and he coughed as he looked up at his professor. "We did it," he said, lip bitten, voice hoarse.

Edwin smiled. "No, you did it. Can you stand?"

The warlock narrowed his brows in concentration and allowed his professor to help him up, leaning heavily on the older man as he rose to his feet. Around him, everyone was silent, eyes widened in uncertainty as they looked at the young man and the carnage he had wrought. Gaius ran over, and after receiving a nod from Edwin, helped the warlock's other side. But Gwaine had other ideas-ripping off his bright red mask, he pulled his friend from the other men and lifted him up, holding him in his arms and rushing after Gaius into the castle, Gwenivere in quick pursuit. Edwin didn't follow them, only brushed his hair from his face, horrified to find they were covered in blood—and he was sure that it wasn't his. But the professor kept a straight face and walked towards the Kings, bowing promptly before speaking, voice gruff.

"I believe your masquerade is over."

What do you think? Fitting way to end our dance?

Well, I mean it's not REALLY over, but I don't think there is a cliffie...is there?

I updated because I know how annoying it is when fics end at cliffhangers, and I didn't want to near my date of travel and not have the time to update. So I figured I'd finish the whole masquerade plotline before I go just in case I don't have the chance to update in a while? Do you like that idea? The 'wrapping up' chapter, so to speak, will be published within the week (cross your fingers).

Thank you all for the lovely reviews and I hope that you're enjoying yourselves! Now, I'm off to bed (school tomorrow). Night!

-ladywarlock