Chapter 52 – Men and Demons
The mountains were shaken by an icy wind. The snow-covered peaks seemed to stand watch in silence over the titanic duel that had just ended. Merlin, standing amidst a field of shattered rocks, observed his opponent. Before him, Agnor was trapped inside a sphere of time, frozen in a desperate posture, muscles tense and eyes filled with fury. Around them, the land bore the scars of a rare and violent clash: yawning fissures, charred trees, boulders ground to dust.
Merlin, slightly exhausted yet still dignified, tightened his grip on his staff, whose gem glowed with a green light. His face, marked by fatigue, betrayed no satisfaction. He had won this battle, but his instincts screamed that the danger was far from over.
Just as he prepared to reinforce the spell, a deep rumble rose from the bowels of the mountain. The ground trembled, the sky cracked, and suddenly, a tide of serpents surged forth from the darkness. Gigantic reptiles, fangs gleaming, scales shimmering, flooded into the clearing. Their hissing drowned out the wind, their countless bodies twisting in a monstrous choreography. In an instant, Merlin was surrounded.
He raised his staff, tracing a glowing circle beneath his feet. A barrier burst into existence, translucent and powerful. The first snakes crashed against it with a metallic clang. Others slithered around, leaping from all sides. Merlin stepped back and unleashed a wave of flames, incinerating a hundred of them into ash. Yet instantly, dozens more appeared, forming a moving wall that closed in around him.
A detail unsettled Merlin. In the pale moonlight, the creatures cast no shadows. His gaze darkened.
— Illusions…
Planting his staff into the ground, he released a magical wave that rippled outward in a circle. Runes etched in the soil blazed to life, and in the next instant, the serpents vanished like smoke scattered by the wind. Silence returned, heavy and oppressive.
— You're just as strong as they say, Merlin.
The voice was mocking, almost amused. A silhouette emerged from the mist. He walked with nonchalance, clad in a long black cloak. Dark hair fell in messy strands, and in the shadow of his face, two golden eyes gleamed like blades. A cruel smile stretched his lips.
— Who are you?
Loki raised a careless hand. Instantly, the sphere of time imprisoning Agnor cracked, then shattered into shards of glass. The warrior collapsed to his knees, suddenly free.
— Impossible… whispered Merlin, eyes wide.
— Did you really think I'd let you win so easily? We still have use for this mutt… Loki sneered, laughter curling at the edge of his lips.
Agnor, still unsteady, lifted his gaze toward Loki. Their eyes met, and in that exchange passed a silent spark of terror. Merlin understood at once, and his heart sank.
— So… Agnor is with you.
Loki's grin widened, wolfish.
— Us? Do you even know who we are? … My dear Merlin, remember this name well: the Illuminatis. And I… am Loki. When you go to Hell, don't forget it, he said in a heavy tone.
Merlin stepped forward, his aura erupting suddenly. The air vibrated, the wind roared, and flames burst from the fissures in the ground. The mage's power filled the space, ready to explode. But Loki did not move. His smile only grew.
— You don't plan on trying to kill me? Merlin asked, eyes blazing.
— I could, Loki replied calmly, almost amused.
— Then do it.
Loki shook his head, as though speaking to a stubborn child.
— No. Not tonight.
— Are you afraid? Merlin's voice thundered like a challenge.
Loki burst out laughing, cold and sharp.
— Afraid? No. I simply know when to choose my battles. And believe me, Merlin… the one that's coming won't be in your favor.
He motioned for Agnor to rise. The warrior staggered but quickly took his place behind his ally. Merlin clenched his teeth, the air between them heavier than stone.
— Next time, Loki whispered, it will be different.
A black mist rose from the ground, engulfing the two figures. In an instant, they were gone, leaving only the icy silence of the mountains.
Merlin stood alone, his breath still heavy. His hand gripped his staff so tightly his knuckles turned white. In his mind, one truth was undeniable: the alliance between Loki and Agnor marked the beginning of a peril far greater than he had imagined.
He drew a deep breath, then snapped his fingers. His body vanished in emerald light, leaving the mountains behind for Britania.
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Back in Britania
The verdant glow faded, and Merlin appeared in the grand hall of Britania's palace. Torchlight flickered against carved columns, casting dancing shadows across the stone walls. Despite the fire's warmth, the air felt icy, thick with invisible tension.
Arthur sat upon the stone throne, alone. His piercing gaze followed Merlin to the center of the hall. The king needed no words to impose silence; his presence alone bent wills.
— Merlin… he finally said, his deep voice echoing through the chamber. What happened?
Merlin stood still for a moment, eyes lowered. He weighed his words carefully. His fingers still clenched his staff, as though he feared Loki's shadow might fall again.
— An attack, he replied in a measured tone. Brigands. Nothing more.
— Do not lie to me, Arthur's voice turned glacial. Your eyes cannot lie. Who was it?
At last, Merlin lifted his face. His gaze met Arthur's, and between them bloomed a silent dialogue, heavy with mistrust and secrets. Arthur had known Merlin too long; he could always tell when the mage was hiding something.
— It was nothing worth disturbing your peace, Merlin answered, striving for neutrality.
Arthur rose from his throne, appearing even more imposing.
— You expect me to believe a mere "brigand" forced you to fight outside the city? Forced you to unleash your magic? I even felt your energy from here. Don't play this game with me, Merlin. Tell me the truth.
The mage turned away. Silence fell again, heavier than the stones of the palace.
Arthur eventually sighed, his hand sliding along the throne's armrest.
— Very well. If you refuse to speak, I will not press you. But know this: I will uncover the truth, sooner or later. And when that moment comes, it will be too late to hide anything from me.
The king's words struck like a naked blade. Merlin bowed his head slightly, bearing the weight of the warning. Yet deep within, he knew revealing Loki's involvement—and Agnor's alliance—would only bring despair and unrest.
Darkness deepened over the palace, heavy and suffocating. The torches still burned, but their light seemed to waver, as though even the flames feared the shadows thickening in Britania's halls.
Merlin left the chamber without another word, his footsteps echoing in the silence. Arthur watched him go, unease clouding his eyes. For behind the mask of his advisor, he had glimpsed a truth that refused to be spoken.
And in the silence of the night, all knew that something far greater had just begun.
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To be continued…