A/N: Ok so this chapter is gonna focus on Merlin's backstory. I really wanna put King's out, but I gotta wait till later in the story *growls of frustration*
I also released it early cause Monday (21st) is my birthday! So to celebrate I wanted to release a new chapter.
Anywho, the tension is continuing to rise and I think backstory chapters like these will be a nice distraction from all the drama and suspense going on. You know, a calming look at the past...
Silver - Yes all the backstories will be revealed, though most happen later on. And you have every right to be mad at Ludociel (he'll have his comeuppance *chuckles with glee*)
Anyways the Ellie meeting the Druid club leaders was a good question. In short, she spaced out and after this and she'll go meet them. I think that event is one of the major plot points.
Till next time,
D.L.D
Merlin's P.O.V
1 year after birth
I don't know how but I always knew that I was different from other children. More gifted. My father was the Chief of Belialuin and I was his daughter, but that wasn't what made me different. I just couldn't describe it. I had a natural knack for learning and obtaining knowledge. I guess it was once I understood words that I knew why I was different. What made me stand out.
"Oh, she is gifted," A council member spoke as I simply did what babies did.
I played with my hands and toes and tried to figure out how to do things. How to walk, how to talk; some of these came easily, like second nature, while some were harder. Magic seemed to be one of these things that were easier.
From a young age I was said to have a large amount of power. A powerful tool to the wizards of Belialuin. Not but not just them. Rumours of me had spread, so I was kept secret.
From the moment I was named a protégée my childhood ended - unfortunately before it had even begun.
3 years after birth
"Why don't you come play with us sometime?" The other children all looked at me, expectant and watching.
They held a ball between them, most of them covered in mud and grass from playing out all day. Some had already began to learn small spells and had used them, granting giggles and awe. Many were still basking in the innocence of childhood - something I was never granted.
However I would've been marveled at it too if I were to show them some tricks.
But I was weird.
I didn't play. I didn't go out and see what there was to do like normal children did. Instead I learned and experimented. Knowledge was my playmate and with it and I could do almost anything. No I would do anything. Everything.
I will figure every question out someday. Especially if it will gain my father's actual attention.
"No thanks, I'm really interested in this book," I held a thick tome within my hands, the language something that wasn't taught until we were quite older.
"Whoa, you sure are smart to be reading that," A boy remarked, before wrinkling his nose. "How can you spend all day readin'?"
"I like reading," I answer simply as I return to my book.
The people and knowledge within books seemed to be much more enjoyable than the people within the real world. At least they didn't judge and allowed me to learn about all of the world's questions and answers. To know what it felt like to be normal and not gifted.
A smile creeps onto my face as I think about all the things I'd learned from books. About the worlds I'd been transported to, "It gives me knowledge."
"Well, ok freak," A girl sniffed and the group all plodded off, leaving me to my book.
"Now, your brain is important but so are social skills," My mentor, I believe he was named Gowther, looked at me, their gaze proud but concerned. "Why not leave that for tomorrow?"
"But I must find out how it works!" I cry out in protest. "It's just so fascinating and I'm really close to- "
"I'm letting you have a break," My mentor's voice was kind yet firm. "Enjoy it and then come back tomorrow with a fresh mind. Five minutes won't hurt."
I nodded and sadly plodded off towards a patch of dirt. I then grabbed a stick and began to poke at the mud, until I spotted a worm inching its way across the ground.
"Well, they didn't object to experiments," A cat-like grin spread across my face and my love for experimentation was born.
5 years after birth
"Two letters..." I frown as I look at the envelopes, both with different seals.
Both had the initial of D however one had feathered wings and the other wings of inky darkness. They were both so similar and yet so contrasting that it was puzzling.
I sigh as I place the letters down and begin to eat breakfast.
I was in the middle of it when the mailman came and gave me the letters. Both were addressed to me, the writing saying that they were from two of the most influential people in the country. The two people who both owned their own clusters of schools, having their students reap successful results.
"You thinking about opening them?" My father raised a brow as I sat at the dining table, staring at the papers. He went to the coffee maker and poured a cup. Steamed formed immediately.
"Kinda," I say as I look at the names for almost the millionth time. "One is from the Demon King and the other is from the Supreme Deity."
A silence filled the room as my father thought and I stared. Only the rain filled my ears as I fiddled with the envelopes. I was too focused on the letters to see my father's concerned expression as he sipped his coffee.
"Could you pass those to me?" He held his hand out and I passed him the letters.
My father then swiftly, but neatly, opened the envelopes withdrawing the letters and silently reading them through.
"Your answer is no," He spoke as he finished, a pale look crossing his face.
"But - what do they say?" I try to grab the letters off him but he holds them too high.
"It doesn't matter, the answer is no," He spoke softly as he left the room. The letters left with him and my curiosity grew.
I would find out what was on those letters. I would find out why I must say no.
But for now I'll do as my father asks. It might actually gain his affection for once instead of endless tests and study papers.
7 years after birth
My heart seems to thud in my ears as I desperately pant. My feet thunder against the ground as I run through the maze of streets that made up my city. Made up my home - no not my home.
My prison.
Belialuin is nothing but a reminder of my destiny. My purpose. The council's - and my father's - wishes to make me a weapon against the Goddesses and Demons. A change in the power the school leaders/owners hold.
I let out yet another heavy breath as I climb over a wall, scraping my knee and almost ripping my dress. The air stings the wounded flesh, but I ignore the pain and continue on.
"Get her!"
The voices weren't too far behind me. They were muffled yet booming, beams of light shining in the space I'd occupied seconds before.
"I have to keep moving," I breathe as I run across a canal. "I have to keep concentrating. Just get across town."
I watch as I pass familiar building after building, the mentally ingrained map of the city I possessed being useful for my plan. For my eventual escape.
But I guess they hadn't planned for that.
Throughout my childhood I had been blind to all of the control within my life. Of all the exams and lessons. Of all the normal childhood things I had been scrapped off. I knew no more about 'normal' life than a newborn. Normal for me was waking up to have an exam every day.
"Come on, pick up, pick up," I breathe the words as I dial the familiar number of my babysitter, Elizabeth.
I had been introduced to her by my parents and in turn she introduced me to Meliodas. Elizabeth was a Goddess, but she wasn't like the average ones. Elizabeth wasn't condescending or entitled, she was kind and pure. More innocent and graceful than anything else.
Her friend, Meliodas, was her complete opposite. A demon, a high ranking one at that. But somehow the two got along and were friends. Elizabeth often called him over when she was babysitting me, knowing how much I enjoyed both their company. But right now I need their help.
They were my only hope now...
"Hello?" Elizabeth sounded confused, a sleepy tone in her voice.
"Elizabeth, it's me Merlin," I say hurriedly as I peer outside the frosted glass of the telephone booth. "I need you to help me escape."
"Escape from where?" Elizabeth asked, a small yawn escaping her mouth. "Sorry."
"No, it's fine," I say, my eyes settling on a strange figure just down the street. "Just pick me up from the old factory at the edge of Belialuin, I'll explain later. Call Meliodas if you have to. I just need to escape now."
"But - "
The figure was closer now. If I didn't ditch then I'd be caught and dragged back. Maybe even memory wiped. I had to end this quick.
"Thanks bye!" I place the plastic phone back on the holder and dash out of the booth, smacking the figure in the face with the door.
I then took down the street, my heavy breathing the only sign that I was really there.
7.5 years after birth
"Ok you're telling us exactly what happened," Meliodas looked at me, his face actually serious for once.
"Please, like I should," I sulked, folding my arms as I think about the prison I'd broken free from.
Exactly six months ago I left my home. Elizabeth and Meliodas had found me on the outskirts of the city, sound asleep in a vent in the old factory.
None had asked any questions, although I'd heard Meliodas tell Elizabeth that they should ask. However both gave me time and space and took turns housing me in their dorms on their respective campuses, Elizabeth leaving every few decades to live with her surface family (the Liones family) where she was only around four.
The time difference here actually was quite fascinating. Did you know that a day here was around ten years long? The Demons and Goddesses apparently dabbled in magic and created that sort of time bubble for their students. Only the best for the best as they say.
"Now Merlin if you're not ready it's fine," Elizabeth smiled, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Nope she has to tell us now or she never will," Meliodas shook his head. "So it's either that or back to Belialuin."
"Fine..." I let out a sigh as I begin to recount all I could remember of my childhood. I told them of the intense training/studying, disguised control and even about the plans of the Council.
"I can see why you ran away now," Elizabeth frowned as she thought, her wings drooping with the action. "Do you want to go back?"
"No, not really," I say, before remembering about the letters. About why I had to say no to them.
Not just that, but I also wanted to check on my father. Although he never cared for me in a fatherly way, he was still that: a father. So deep down I craved for his affection, just a tiny bit of approval or acknowledgement. Just a sign that he did care despite the endless tests and study material.
"Actually I do," I look at both the Goddess and Demon.
An odd pair they make, her with her graceful and gentle ways and him with his uncontrolled and robust nature. I wonder how they had become friends. I must ask Big sis-sis one day.
"There's something I have to finish back home."
8 years after birth
"I'm back," I growl as I slump my bag onto the counter of the nearest police station within Belialuin.
"Merlin? The child prodigy?" The officer seemed to cough up some of their coffee as they looked at me.
"The one and only," I smirk, my signature cat-like grin showing. "What? It's only been six months."
"Seems longer," They mumbled as they radioed something.
"Of course it does," I sigh as I act as if I didn't know what was wrong. "I mean I've learned so much and I'm ready to continue my studies here. Not to mention why my father made me reject those letters for those two top achieving schools."
"Ah I see," The officer nodded, their eyes not quite meeting me.
You see over the past six months I had been working on something - Call it an ability if you will. Being in the Celestial and Demon Realm, inspired me to create a similar state on me. Permanently. I call it Infinity. A gift I created for myself to forever maintain the appearance of a mature woman. And why look the part and not dress it?
I wore a simple black sundress with a triangular cut in the midriff and a slit that went up to my lower thigh. Though I assure you it was not risque, it was odd to see an eight year old come back looking like this.
"Well Merlin, you came back at the right time," What I assumed to be the police chief, came up to me two letters in hand and a will. "Your father has died and you have some news. Good things come with change right?"
I gulped as I spotted the seals on the letters. This was definitely going to mean business.
10 years after birth
"My it seems you have better sense than the council of your city, Merlin."
I give a smile to the Demon King as I stand before him, taking on my form as a child. Beside him is his eldest son, Meliodas. Unlike with Elizabeth the blonde remained silent and motionless. Like a worker bee obeying the commands of their queen - or in this case King.
"I guess in a way I do," I flash him a small grin, ignoring the urge to scratch my head. "You see I've heard many things about your masterclasses, and they seem interesting, however the Celestial schools have a tough offer to beat."
"What are you leading to?" The man leaned forward, his dark eyes studying me as I simply smiled.
Childish innocence would be key to getting what I want here. It worked with the Supreme Deity A.K.A Mrs Deity, so it should work with the Demon King A.K.A Mr...well no-one has ever discovered the family name. Anyone living that is.
"Well as mature as I may seem I am still a child," I say slowly, smile still on my face. My chubby face seemed to help, a light blush scattering over my face. "Children can be bribed and so I'll join whichever school gives me the gift I love the most."
"And what have the Goddesses offered you?" The Demon King continued to press, his dark eyes seeming to reach into my soul.
"Well, revealing would be cheating wouldn't it?" I laugh as I continue my innocent child act. I rocking on my heels, my dress floating with the motion. "If you want me to study here, you've gotta offer me the best you got."
Silence seemed to fill the room as I looked between the Demon King and his son, both of them going over the preposition. Having both of them here was odd, however a plethora of reasons why both were here came to mind. His son was probably training to replace the Demon King once death came, hence his presence here, but there seemed to be something else nagging my mind as well. Something telling me something would go wrong.
Then Meliodas was sent away, obediently leaving the room without so much as a second glance in my direction.
"Well, I can offer you the knowledge of the dark secret arts of the Demon Realm and immunity to the brainwashing and possession abilities of the Goddesses," The Demon King answered in a professional and business-like manner.
"Seems good enough," I shrug, smiling happily. I then raise a brow. "But how do I know it's legit?"
The man laughed and I couldn't help but feel as if the whole world shook with it.
12 Years after birth
"It's gone..." Tears filled my eyes as I looked at the ashen remains of my city. My people. "All of it is gone..."
"Merlin..." Elizabeth landed beside me, a gentle hand resting on my shoulder as her wings folded inwards. "I'm sorry I tried to stop it. I tried to convince my mother but - "
"It's fine," I sniff, kicking up the dirt. "It's not like it was a real home anyway."
"Real home or not you still feel some attachment," Elizabeth sighed as she watched me twirl a slightly scorched flower. "I'm sure there was someone good there."
"Well I never met them," I say softly as I chuck the flower away and sigh.
Perhaps father was right to have any affection towards me. I mean I've managed to destroy a whole city, its history and knowledge all in one...
"Well things can only go up from here right?" Elizabeth nudged me encouragingly, a smile on her face.
"Yeah, they can," I smile back, however my mind was already planning on how to avenge my people against the corrupt authority of the Supreme Deity and the Demon King.
Neither deserve the power they have and once I know all I need, I'll find a way to fix my mistake. A way to get rid of both them.
