Hello everyone! This is a real update, not just a reloading of already written chapter~~ It's taken me time to gather the right mood to write, but I promised I would never discontinue so it was only a matter of time before I updated~~

Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Warnings: Minor character deaths (not too descriptive, just mercenaries getting owned)


The Divine Battle

Chapter 7: Gaia, High Goddess of Earth.

Arthur ran faster that he had ever run in his life, his mind focused on only one goal: finding Merlin. How could they have lost Merlin? Among all of them, he was the only one not a knight. It had been their duty to make sure he stayed safe; and especially as he was a friend to all of them.

And if something happened to Merlin, before Arthur could talk to him, before knowing what burdened his best friend, before having the chance to act on the feelings he had just realized…

Arthur didn't know how he would ever accept that. So, he hoped with all his heart that Merlin would be fine.

Suddenly, one of the strangest things Arthur ever saw happened. It was enough to make him stop-and his knights too.

Green sparkles had started appearing in the forest, around the grass and the trees. Slowly, the whole forest started to lit up with a gentle green light. Arthur could recognize the work of magic, but… Something felt different. The King was shivering and awe had settled into his heart.

His piercing blue eyes analyzed his surroundings, and he noticed his knights showed the same feelings he did, their eyes slightly wide-and he had no doubt his sky blue eyes were as wide.

A soft chanting erupted into the forest, soothing and gentle. It appeased his heart, despite his unwillingness to feel this way from magic.

However… It was not the first time he had encountered a magic he felt good around. This white-blue orb of light that helped him all these years ago was still present in his mind, and the current green light, the chanting… They felt as pure and good as the orb had been.

"Arthur! Look!"

Arthur followed Lancelot's eyes, and was literally frozen in shock. From a bit further in the forest, a pillar of green light had shot upward. In perfect synchronization, all the sparkles around them rushed toward the pillar, while the green light shone brighter, and the chanting intensified in a battle rhythm.

After the initial shock drifted away, Arthur's mind turned again toward his most important goal. He turned slightly to his men, whispering the name of their friend, and it triggered everyone in running again.

They all hoped the current happenings were no danger to Merlin.


Merlin watched with glowing golden eyes as sparkles of green light appeared everywhere, some turning around him protectively. The mercenaries worriedly looked around as a light shone in the forest; and the soft chanting felt like bliss to Merlin's ears.

His heart was beating so fast into his chest, but Merlin knew it to be out of pure eagerness. He could feel it. He could feel her coming. God had gone silent, yet Merlin could swear he could picture the smirk the divinity wore.

Once more, Merlin called Goddess' name, in a whisper meant only to her ears. "Gaia…"

"I am here, child."

And this time, Merlin was not the only one that heard her voice. It echoed faintly in the area Merlin had found himself trapped in, and he watched with satisfaction as all mercenaries glanced at each other-wondering weither to flee or not.

But it was too late for them. Merlin raised an arm to shield his eyes as a pillar of green light shot from the ground all around him, blinding everyone. Merlin's magic roared joyfully as the chant turned into a battle one; and Merlin lowered his arm a bit as he heard the first terrified cries.

His heart missed a beat. Standing in front of him, she stood. Long earth brown hairs cascaded down her shoulders, her green dress stopping to her bare feet. The wooden staff in her hands was raised above her head, the green crystal resting on top of it shining.

The cries made Merlin look toward the mercenaries again. The sight presented to him put the deepest respect in his heart from the sheer display of power. The trees themselves had come to life under Gaia's call, branches and roots unmerciful as they whipped away mercenaries or wrapped around their throats to end their lives swiftly. The ones still alive tried to flee then, terrified.

But Gaia would not allow that. Those dark souls were working with the traitors to Magic, had tried to hurt Merlin.

The ground shook and split apart under the mercenaries' feet. Only a cry had time to escape before they fell and the Earth closed back, swallowing them. Some thought for a split second they had saved themselves as they managed to jump aside.

But the Earth would have none of that. From deep within its belly, Fire shot out, burning to dust the few survivors.

When all life but Merlin and Gaia had been taken, the light and sparkles vanished slowly. The chanting turned gentle again, going into a whisper only Merlin could hear. Still golden eyes watched with amazement as Gaia turned, her lips stopping the chant and turning into a kind smile. Her emerald green eyes gazed at him with fondness, and she raised her hand to stroke his cheek gently-as if reassuring both Merlin and herself that Merlin was safe and sound. Merlin was mesmerized for a split second by her ears, or should he say leaves. They were pointy, but made of the same green leaves on trees. Somehow, it didn't surprise him.

"Mer… lin?"

Merlin paled. Slowly, he glanced behind Gaia, his golden eyes wide with disbelief.

And right into the confused eyes of his beloved King.

To be continued…