(Year 479AD)
"Curse you Merlin," Morgana said pacing around her room with eyes full of intense hatred. "I was this close to killing Arturia and gaining the crown, but you just had to interfere at the last second and save her life didn't you."
While Morgana was cursing Merlin vehemently three different coloured lights that were white, red and black flew into the room through the wall. Morgana, seeing the lights, stopped her cursing and drew her wand ready to defend herself. The lights glowed more intensely for a few seconds before there was a flash of dazzling light causing Morgana to cover her eyes. When the light died down Morgana was surprised to see three extremely beautiful women that radiated power standing in front of her.
The first woman was extremely beautiful and was wearing a white dress. She was tall and well built with shoulder-length black hair, and light crimson eyes that were full of youthful curiosity. She was Persephia the Maiden Goddess.
The second woman was the most beautiful out of the three and wore a red dress. She had long silver hair that went down to her lower back and a face of regal beauty and large soft crimson eyes that were full of love for the world. She was Hecatia the Mother Goddess.
The last woman was the least beautiful of the three but still more beautiful than any human could possibly be. She was wearing a black dress with her black hair barely coming down to her shoulders. Her face was pale and dark red eyes that seemed to lead to an endless abyss. She was Demeteria the Crone Goddess.
Morgana recognizing the three women as the Triple Goddesses of the Old Religion, a magical religion she worships, immediately dropped down to one knee and lowered her head in respect for her Gods.
"How may I be of use to Triple Goddesses?" Morgana asked reverently.
"You may raise Morgana," Hecatia said, smiling at the respect shown to her and her sisters. Persephia was staring at Morgana with curiosity while Demeteria had a face devoid of any emotion making it impossible to tell what she was thinking. "We have visited you today because I wish for your help with a very important task."
"And what task is that, Lady Hecatia?" Morgana asked respectfully. Wondering what she could possibly do for the Goddess of the Moon and Magic.
"What I'm about to tell you mustn't be repeated to anyone else, do I make myself clear?" Hecatia asked sternly with her voice carrying an undertone of violence.
"I would never betray your trust Lady Hecatia," Morgana said seriously. Knowing only a fool would betray the trust of the Triple Goddesses.
Hecatia studied Morgana for several seconds before feeling satisfied that Morgana wouldn't betray her. "The Age of the Gods as you know it is ending."
"Wait, does that mean you're fading Lady Hecatia?"Morgana asked incredulously. Not wanting to believe the Gods she's worshipped most of her life are fading.
"Ever since the turn of the millennium Gods all over the world have started to fade, the major pantheons like the Greeks and Romans have already faded," Hecatia said sorrowfully for what that meant for all of the Gods around the world.
"How's that possible? You're God, you can't die," Morgana said, hoping what she was hearing wasn't true.
"Despite what you might think, Gods aren't immortal, in fact, we are created from the belief of humans. With the decline of magic in the world and humans praying to the Gods less, it was inevitable we would start to fade. It didn't help when Uther Pendragon outlawed our religion and replaced it with Christianity, as that just sped along our fading since there were fewer followers to worship us. The only reason we have lasted so long is that our domains have slowed down our fading," Hecatia said bitterly.
Morgana looked defeated. "It's final then, there's nothing you can do to stop your fading."
"The Age of Gods is coming to an end, that fact is irrefutable. My sisters and I have made peace with this, but we can ensure our religion lives on," Hecatia said with the other two Goddesses watching Morgana more intently now.
"Arturia is a follower of Christianity just like her accursed father, " Morgana said, spitting the word father with hate and disgust. "And I can't see her converting anytime soon. This leaves one thousand followers of the Old Religion left in the country. How can we ensure the Old Religion lives on with so few followers?"
Hecatia was pleased Morgana understood how dire things are for them. "You're right, if nothing is done the Old Religion will become extinct, that's why we need a champion."
"A champion, you mean someone blessed by the Gods?" Morgana asked, wondering if Hecatia is thinking of making her their champion.
Hecatia narrowed her eyes in anger. "No I blessed a person once before but he turned his back on us, I won't make the same mistake twice."
"Who was the person you blessed, Lady Hecatia?" Morgana asked, wondering what fool would turn their back on the Gods.
"It was Merlin," Hecatia said furiously.
Morgana was shocked Merlin was involved in this. "Why would Merlin turn his back on the Gods?"
"Merlin never desired to restore the Old Religion to prominence like he promised to do, all he wanted was power from me, and once he got it he left to carry out his machinations," Hecatia said.
"What do you mean machinations?" Morgana asked.
"Despite how he might present himself he is a manipulative old man who believes he knows what's best for Britain, that's why he tried to manipulate the prophecy concerning the Once and Future King of Britain," Hecatia said.
"How did he try to manipulate the prophecy?" Morgana asked, wondering what that bastard Merlin had done.
"When Merlin heard the prophecy that foretold the Once and Future King of Britain he deeply desired to find that person, so he could guide their actions down a path he believed best for Britain," Hecatia said.
"So Merlin set out to find the Once and Future King of Britain and use Arturia here for his own benefit then?" Morgana asked for clarification.
"You would be correct, when Merlin discovered the child had not yet been born he decided to do everything in his power to bring about the Once and Future King of Britain," Hecatia said, preparing herself for Morgana's reaction. "Merlin using his seer powers foresaw the King would be born from Uther Pendragon so he approached him about the prophecy, the only problem was Uther desired a woman already married."
Morgana got furious hearing this having already figured out where this explanation was heading, and in a tone that promised unimaginable suffering said. "That bastard will suffer a painful death."
"Merlin didn't care about that so he made a deal with Uther. He would help Uther sleep with the woman of his desire and if a child was born from their union, Merlin would raise the child instead of Uther," Hecatia said, waiting for Morgana to erupt.
"Merlin killed my older sister, helped Uther rape my Mother, when I get my hands on him he will suffer a fate worse than death for all the suffering he's caused my family," Morgana said maliciously with her eyes filled with cruelty.
Hecatia's eyes glowed with dark delight at Morgana's reaction. "I'm sure he will suffer in due time, but continuing with the story. Merlin cast an illusion on Uther to make him look like your father, who then visited your Mother to finally be with the woman he had lusted after for so long. The only problem was Uther never planned on you seeing through his illusion when he arrived, because of the powerful magic you possessed at such a young age. When he threw you out of the room because you wouldn't let go of him, it caused your magic to go out of control and disrupt the illusion allowing your mother to see who it really was."
"Even though the illusion had disappeared that didn't stop Uther from raping my Mother. I remember hearing her screaming for him to stop but he never did, my hands were covered in blood from pounding on the door for so long. Then nine months later my Mom gave birth to Arturia and died shortly afterwards," Morgana said heatedly thinking of the fate that had befallen her Mother.
"Uther could not make a girl his heir even if she was fated to become King one day, so he gave her to Merlin as he promised. Merlin didn't care for the sex of the baby since he was confident she would one day become King like the prophecy foretold," Hecatia said after waiting for Morgana to calm down.
"Then when Arturia was sixteen years old she pulled Caliburn from the stone, becoming King," Morgana said, disgusted Merlin's plan work.
"That is true, but did you know Merlin enlisted the help of the fairies to make him Caliburn?" Hecatia asked.
Morgana's face twisted into something terrible when thinking of Merlin. "No doubt Merlin did this as another part of his plan to crown Arturia king."
"You are correct, Merlin had the fairies create Caliburn and place it in the stone, so when Arturia pulled the sword like he knew she would, there would be no doubt of her legitimacy to the crown. As only the promised King could pull the sword from the stone" Hecatia said.
Morgana clenched her hands in anger. "That manipulative old bastard has been pulling everyone's strings for years."
"Then you'll enjoy this piece of information, that despite all the manipulations Merlin's done so he can guide the King down the path he believes that's best for Britain. Arturia doesn't trust him in the slightest and keeps him at arm's length, making it impossible for him to accomplish his goals," Hecatia said smugly, clearly enjoying Merlin's failure.
"I guess Arturia is smarter than I give her credit for if she doesn't trust Merlin. Take that Merlin for all the trouble you went through and the king doesn't trust you enough to listen to your advice, all that time and energy you've invested has been for nothing," Morgana said laughing viciously at Merlin's misfortune.
"Due to the blessing I gave Merlin he is too strong for you to defeat in a one on one fight and I can't remove a blessing once it has been given. Despite that, I have another way you can defeat Merlin where he will learn what pain truly is," Hecatia said with a cruel smile. "But that is for another time, for now, we need to get back to the matter of my champion."
"If you're not going to bless me Lady Hecatia, how are you going to have a new champion?" Morgana asked.
"That is why I have come to you, I wish for you to carry my child," Hecatia said calmly like she was talking about the weather.
"WHAT you must be joking?" Morgana asked in disbelief, completely ignoring the fact she was talking to a God who could easily squash her like a fly.
"I am completely serious. In a few decades my sisters and I will have faded from this world. To possibly delay this, I want my child to show off the power of the Old Religion," Hecatia said calmly, not bothered by Morgana's shouting. "When the people see a demigod amongst them performing unimaginable feats they will know the Old Religion still exists, increasing my followers. This will in turn hopefully delay my fading."
"You could easily go to any witch to carry your child, why come to me?" Morgana asked, still in shock of what was being asked of her.
"Because if my followers discover I have a child they will treat him like Jesus in Christian, and that won't be a healthy environment for my child to grow up in. But if he grows up with you I know you'll treat him like a normal child," Hecatia said smiling reassuringly at Morgana. "I also know you desire a child yourself but are reluctant to let a man touch you after that particular incident. This way you can have the child you always wanted and I get my champion."
Hearing her reasons made Morgana think of all the pros and cons of this deal. She would get the child she's always desired, and wouldn't have to have sex with a male to get one. Her child would one day surpass Merlin since he or she would be a demigod. She would unfortunately be out of commission for several months, but she could use that time to manipulate things from the shadows to destroy Arturia and Merlin.
"Very well I agree with your proposal," Morgana said, making Hecatia smile joyfully. "How will I get pregnant?"
"I will put some of my life force into your womb making you pregnant with our child, but hold still while I do so, as it may feel a bit disconcerting," Hecatia said eager for what was to come.
Persephia interrupted before Hecatia could proceed. "Before you do that sister I want to ask Morgana a question."
"What question might that be Lady Persephia?" Morgana asked, surprised Persephia is talking to her.
"Will you care for the child, love him as your own, or will you simply see him as a weapon to use against your enemies?" Persephia asked sternly.
"All I've ever wanted is to have a family, there is no way I could possibly treat my own child as a weapon, my child will be the most precious thing in the world to me," Morgana said passionately not cowering before Lady Persephia. After studying Morgana for a few minutes to look for any deceit, Persephia smiled seeing her honesty.
"I believe you, because of that I want to give some of my powers to your child," Persephia said happily, surprising everyone in the room.
"Why have you decided to do that?" Hecatia asked, completely confused.
"By giving him some of my powers I'll be his favourite Aunt," Persephia said, clapping her hands together excitedly.
You're giving him powers just so you'll be the child's favourite Aunt, everyone couldn't help but think in disbelief.
"Thank you Lady Persephia for blessing my child," Morgana said respectfully, not sure what else to say.
"You are confused. I'm not blessing the child, I'm going to put part of my essence in the child, so if I fade the child will still be able to use my abilities," Persephia said giggling at Morgana's misconception.
"Does that mean if you fade Merlin will lose the blessing you gave him?" Morgana asked Hecatia.
"That's correct, a blessing will only last as long as the God that blessed you still exists, so if I fade Merlin will become significantly weaker," Hecatia said with Morgana making a note of such information.
"I also decided to give the child some of my powers," Demeteria said in a deep voice filled with power that was beautiful and depressing at the same time. Morgana couldn't help but shiver at Demeteria's voice.
I suppose it makes sense I would feel uncomfortable when she speaks, she is the Goddess of Death after all, Morgana thought.
"Why have you decided to give some of your powers to my child as well?" Hecatia asked suspiciously not trusting Demeteria, seeing as she is apathetic to everything including her own fading.
"The child will face a great threat in the future, in which he'll need my powers to help overcome," Demeteria said in a voice devoid of all emotion.
'What does Demeteria mean my child will face a great threat in the future, Morgana thought worriedly.
"What sort of threat would the child face in the future that it would need all of our powers to defeat?" Persephia asked, confused. Demeteria didn't answer her, instead she kept looking at Hecatia blankly.
"Thank you Lady Demeteria for giving my child your powers, it is an honour," Morgana said when it became clear Hecatia and Demeteria would keep staring at each other in silence. Demeteria didn't acknowledge Morgana; instead she walked next to Hecatia.
Hecatia, knowing she wouldn't get any answers from Demeteria, turned to Morgana and said. "Very well then, I hope you're ready for what's about to happen. It will be painful."
"I am ready," Morgana said confidently.
Hecatia brought her hands close together and created a glowing ball of red light that gave off waves of magical power. Persephia did the same but created a ball of white light that gave off the feeling of nature, and felt peaceful.
Demeteria created a ball of blackness that seemed to suck in all the light from its surroundings and gave off the feeling of death. The feeling alone made Morgana want to run away but she held her ground.
The Triple Goddesses then combined the three orbs together creating a flash of light, and once it had died down the orb was full of three different colours swirling about. Hecatia approached Morgana with the orb giving off even more power than before. Hecatia once she was a few feet in front of Morgana gently pushed the orb into Morgana's womb. Once it was completely inside Morgana's body Hecatia stepped backwards several feet, waiting for Morgana's reaction to what she just did.
"That wasn't so ba—" Morgana said before dropping to the ground and screaming in pain. She had never felt so much pain before in her entire life. It felt like hours to her but it was actually only a few minutes before the pain eventually subsided, and she stopped screaming.
"That was much worse than I expected," Morgana said in a croaking voice while massaging her throat.
"Your body had to adapt to the amount of power that was just inserted into your womb, and that process as you found out can be quite painful," Hecatia said calmly, not bothered by what just happened in front of her. Hearing Hecatia explain what just happened to her so calmly caused Morgana to glare at her.
"Don't give me that look I told you it would be painful," Hecatia said, not bothered in the slightest by Morgana's glare.
"Yes well, I didn't think it would be that bad when you said that," Morgana said, having regained her breath.
"Now that you're carrying our child you're going to need to go somewhere safe, where you can give birth without the worry of being attacked by your enemies," Hecatia said.
"Where would that be?" Morgana asked, still annoyed at the Goddess in front of her.
"There is an island called Avalon that is off the coast of England, you will be safe there," Hecatia stated.
"Very well I'll start preparing for my journey to Avalon then," Morgana said waving her wand making her clothes and various other items fly into boxes for transportation.
"We will see you again in nine months when the baby is born," Hecatia said before turning into a red ball of light with Persephia and Demeteria turning into their respective lights, and flying out of the room. Morgana put her hand on her womb and couldn't help but wonder what the future now held for her and her child.
(Present day)
Haruto couldn't help but stumble a little bit after seeing Morgana's memory. He had learned so much from that memory. Gods existed at one point, he was a demigod, his Mom is Hecatia the Goddess of the Moon and Magic, the mythical island of Avalon exists and he would face a great threat in the future according to Demeteria.
"That was a lot to take in," Haruto said trying to gather his thoughts.
"I imagine it was, but now you know where you came from and who your parents are. I'll explain more in the future when you've had time to process everything you've learned today," Morgana said.
Haruto nodded absentmindedly his mind elsewhere. "What do we do now then?"
"Now you'll have to explain what happened at the church when you wake up, which should be in a couple of minutes. Don't worry I'll tell you what to say to the police officers when they ask their questions," Morgana said.
"That's good to know, as I can't really think of what to tell the police at the moment, seeing how I can't tell them the truth. If I did I would get thrown into a mental asylum for admitting to killing someone with magic," Haruto said tiredly the day's events taking their toll.
Morgana pulled Haruto into a hug and ran her fingers through his hair. "Don't worry my son, leave everything to me, I know what to do."
Haruto smiled thinking how nice it was to have a Mother to rely on. The next thing he knew he was waking up in a hospitable room. Outside the room, he saw a police officer talking to a Doctor. Haruto wondered how he was going to explain what happened at the church to the police officer.
Just do everything I say and you'll be fine, Morgana said in his mind, making Haruto jump in his bed.
You can talk inside my head, Haruto thought, surprised.
Seeing as I reside inside your mind, I can talk to you at any time now, Morgana said while the police officer was approaching Haruto.
During the questioning, Haruto followed Morgana's instructions and told the police officer how Father Kyle and Margaret planned to use an exorcism ritual on Ilya and him. In an attempt to remove the magic, those two believed Ilya and him possessed. Haruto explained how Ilya died during the ritual by forcing her to continuously drink water.
As Father Kyle and Margaret were arguing about Ilya dying during the exorcism he grabbed Ilya's body and made a run for it. When he was running away he noticed Father Kyle and Margaret were going to burn down the church killing themselves in penance for killing an innocent child. He made sure to get out of there as quickly as possible as the church burnt down around him.
While Haruto was explaining what happened at the church to the police officer. Morgana was instructing him how to wandlessly cast a Confundus Charm on the police officer. This way the police officer would have an easier time believing the story.
After Haruto's story checked out thanks to the Confundus Charm, the Doctor said he was entirely in good health and he was escorted back to the orphanage. The police officer on the way back to the orphanage told Haruto Ilya's funeral would be held next week at a nearby cemetery. When it was revealed that Margaret had died in a fire at the church by the police officer, a lot of the children blamed Haruto but was too terrified of him to do anything about it. Haruto however ignored the other children and went to his room to rest from the painful day he just had.
Haruto was lying on his bed when a thought occurred to him. Mother, what was the name you gave me at birth?
I named you Haruto le Fay, Morgana said smiling fondly at the memory of his birth. Haruto le Fay, I like the sound of that, Haruto thought happy to have such a strong name.
I'm glad you liked it when I was picking out baby names. Haruto seemed like an appropriate choice, Morgana said.
Haruto raised an eyebrow in question. Why is that?
Haruto means child of light in Eastern, and what better name for a child that represents the moon?
That makes sense, Haruto said, nodding as it was only appropriate he had a name that was somehow related to Hecatia the Goddess of the Moon.
Morgana feeling Haruto drifting off to sleep said. I suggest you get as much rest as possible for tomorrow as you can, my son.
Why's that? Haruto asked, confused.
Tomorrow I'm going to start your training, and I expect the best from you. Do I make myself clear?" Morgana asked firmly.
Don't worry I'll give it my best, Haruto thought excited to start his magical training tomorrow. Not knowing how much of a slave driver his mother is.