Merlin fiddles with a piece of jewel in between his fingers, the gleaming red texture reflects off the sun's ray, his face glistening within the gem's mirror-like surface.
An interesting piece, one that would no doubt be of high-value to some wealthy investors that will not stop at anything to be the holder of it.
However, in this birdcage surrounded by wonders, there were no such individuals. Only himself, sitting alone while time passes by, a millennial friend who kept him company in these years. Perhaps, the only one who does.
He sighs and puts the jewellery down on the table, where others of its kind also lay. Turning his body towards the sun as its light shines upon his visage.
He doesn't mind being here, but it does get lonely on occasion.
He wonders how that little furball is doing out there.
As he stares into the bright sun, lost in his thoughts, little sparks form between the jewels. An electrifying array of colours that soon glows as they levitate into the air, breaking Merlin away from his reminiscences, putting distance between himself and the jewels.
The jewels float, spinning in place while arranging themselves into a shape akin to a humanoid body as a vortex of magical energy swirls within the glistening infinite colours situated in the jewellery's centre, residing on the place where the heart is supposed to be, the jewels' spinning rising in momentum.
And then, he blinks and the amassing magical energy bursts, blowing away the various objects and papers as Merlin shields himself from the blast.
As the dust clears and Merlin refocuses his gaze, he sees an impossibility before his eyes.
An old man sits atop of the table, a cane at his side while twiddling the very same jewels that were once filled with magical energy in between his gloved fingers.
But the most important aspect is the clear crimson gaze. One holding wisdom and knowledge beyond any mind. A kaleidoscope swirling deep within.
There is only one who has this kind of aura.
Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg. The wielder of the Second True Magic.
"Of all the people who would come visit me, I never expected it to be you, Mister Zelretch."
"I was bored, so I came to visit."
Zelretch pockets the gems and pushes himself off the table while grabbing his cane in one swift motion.
"If you were bored, surely there would be other interests than this place that I now long since called home."
"Heh. Surely. But, despite my boredom-" Zelretch walks toward the open gaps, his cane echoing within the tower as he peers at the sun. "I'm not here to relieve it. Rather, I'm here to talk to you about a matter."
"A matter you say?"
"Yes." Zelretch turns to Merlin. "A matter that you are intimate with. A matter regarding one whom you care about."
…
Ah.
Has it finally come to that?
"And you are here to speak about it?"
"Do not be coy. You have sensed it long before, did you not? Of what's about to come. That's why you sent that creature out to the real world."
Zelretch's gaze squints, staring into Merlin's sapphire eyes. He knows what others do not, and that alone is enough for him to sense secrets from another.
Perhaps, now is not the time for hidden stories considering the times ahead.
A subtle laugh exits from his lips. A smile forms as he peers back at the Old Man's eyes.
"Indeed. Time is changing, and what will happen is anyone's guess. For the furball, I sent him out as a precaution, a safety measure."
Merlin looks out to the sky, watching the clouds passing by as melancholy comes over him like a coat.
"As for her… I suppose depending on what will come, she too will return. Whether it is now, or the near future, to protect the people from dangers far beyond their own comprehension. It is the price of her wielding that sword, of creating an oath on that very moment. One that would trouble her to her final breath.
And yet, I believe that she, unlike any other, has found peace with herself. All through a dream… That's all it took to provide her the happiness that she cherishes, and the will to let go."
He turns back to Zelretch's gaze, Merlin's eyes steadfast on something more, on a promise he made long before. His heart may be cold, but speaking of her, thinking of her is what truly brings it warmth.
"And if calamity is near, and that she will be there to reject it from manifesting, then I too will take on arms to aid her once more. Not in the service of the king, but in the service of the young girl that captivated me long ago."
"...And so the loyal advisor spoke. Heh." Zelretch laughs. A grunted laughter that speaks of his years living within this world.
"...Yes. Calamity is near, and we must prepare for it. I dare not influence this world's flow of events, but perhaps a little tinkering may be sufficient."
"And that is?"
"You will see in due time. For now, preparation is key for this sort of event. Error must not be allowed, or else everything will be lost. I hope that you too will do your diligence."
"Of course. What sort of Magus would I be if I didn't prepare?"
"Heh."
As Zelretch turns away from Merlin, a flow of magical energy amassing into his very being while the gems reposition themselves into the same shape as before, the Old Man of The Jewel looks back. His eyes no longer a clear crimson, but instead a variety of colours swirling and changing with each passing second, a kaleidoscope spanning between worlds within that very gaze.
"And despite me not coming here to relieve my 'boredom', your speech may as well have done that. I do hope that we will see one another again in the future."
"And so do I, Zelretch."
So with those final words, Merlin blinks and before him is nothing. Gone is the Old Man, and only jewellery remains in his place.
Merlin walks toward the jewels and picks one up. Holding it in between his two fingers, he still sees the remnants of magical energy within.
Picking up all the jewellery and putting them back on the table, he turns his gaze back toward the warm sun, that reminds him of simpler times.
From here onwards, time is of the essence and he would be there when the fateful moment arrives, all for the sake of her.
Wait for me, Artoria.