Unknown Place. May 10th, Monday, 919 CE; Sunrise. Hope Niklausdóttir (Mikaelson) POV.
No one ever tells you about how long it takes for fanfic protagonists to actually travel anywhere in the world when they get reincarnated to a world with no modern technology…
Fortunately, I finally have a massive wolf shift now.
Picture this, before I was a full Tribrid, and before my wishes truly kicked in, my wolf shift was average sized, white fur and flowing yellow/gold eyes.
Now? Now I'm 2 meters tall, glowing red eyes and a howl that made my parents tear up when I left my home.
And yes, saying goodbye, even if it's not forever, was one of the hardest things I've ever done. But I had to leave the nest someday… and as a transmigration I was not gonna spend decades or more likely centuries in one place just to see if I recognized anything as some part of any plot.
Though the glowing Red, Yellow and Blue eyes does point to me being in a sort of TVD/Teen Wolf crossover of some kind. Anyway… enough of the internal monologue and exposition as if I'm in a fanfiction… hold up… am I in a fanfic? How would I actually know if I am?
Hmm… maybe the 6 days of travelling alone has been a bit more than taxing on my mind or this is just what happens to a transmigrator…
We end up with an internal monologue as if were narrating our own story to someone that we're not sure is even listening to us...
…
*DING* "Shit!!" I half-howled half-screamed as I fell to the floor in a sadly ungraceful tumble and transformed back to human shape. Fucking system… it threw off my groove…
[You have been awarded 5 Common Gacha Tokens. CLOSE→]
At least I have something to dull the pain in my ego…
'Roll the Gacha'
[{Rolling…}{Rolling…}
{Rolling…}{Rolling…}
{Rolling…}{Rolling…}
…
{Reward 1: Rank: Common; Toilet Paper Pack [A 4-pack of 2-ply toilet paper.]*10; Price/Unit: $4.95}
{Reward 2: Rank: Common; Chef's Knife [A simple chef's knife made from steel] *1; Price/Unit: $60}
{Reward 3: Rank: Common; USB-C cable [A 1 meter USB-C Cable. Black colored.]*1; Price/Unit: $19}
{Reward 4: Rank: Uncommon; Blood Bag (A+) [A 500 ml blood bag filled with type A+ blood.]*500; Price/Unit: $250}
{Reward 5: Rank: Rare; Vibranium Shield [The iconic round shield of Capitan America (MCU) without the American Flag Design] *1; Price/Unit: $54,431,100}
Claim Y/N→]
"I guess I don't have to worry about charging my inexistent phone or about blood for a whi- Holy shit…" I said and immediately took out the silver disc that was made into Captain America's shield in the MCU.
"Now that… That is cool…" Of course… I proceeded to throw it and made it go through a couple trees before it got stuck in a third one instead of making it ricochet back to me… 'I guess I'll
have to practice.' I thought with a grimace and retrieved it with a whispered sorry just in case dryads exist in this world.
…
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Some place in the British isles. May 15th, 919 CE.
I've decided. Imma save up most of my gacha tokens while I can and do a massive spending spree on yule, yes… Yule. Christmas isn't a thing for Vikings in this day and age. Shut up.
…
Anyway… with all the Viking activity from Norway to the continent and nearby lands, and a bit of vampiric compulsion, it was stupidly easy to get passage to the British isles.
Though I think I've scared a few people as I ran as a massive wolf through the countryside so, in order to avoid that I began travelling in human form, using either my vampire speed or full wolf shift only at night.
Currently though I'm travelling on foot and enjoying a very roughly made venison sandwich, as I made the bread in a campfire and hunted the deer myself last night, when on the distance I see a city and castle that I can kinda remember from an old-ish TV series?
And if you're asking what I did with the skin? Well, a bit of magic and I transformed it into a very big leather backpack with a deer face and antlers…
"Hold on… Is that a golden dragon on a red backdrop?" I hear myself say out loud when I get close enough for my enhanced senses to actually catch sight of a flag.
Wait… I don't know any old cities or kingdoms in history with that specific design to it…
Oh!
Oh shit… "Ha! Hahaha… I know where I am… I can't believe Camelot is real…"
'Wait… Could I meet Merlin?' I think to myself and
grin as I make my way to the gate of the city. 'What about Arthur? Or Morgana herself? I bet that'd be fun'
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"Halt!" A guard said as I came into view. "State your business, traveler."
I guess that's fair… after all, I'm dressed kinda strangely for the area, I have a pretty big bag with me and to top it off, I have my replica of Glamdring on my hip.
"I wanted to move into the city… my old village was raided a few weeks ago by Vikings…" I say, noticing how my accent is practically flawless thanks to the Enhanced Allspeak card from the gacha.
"That's a pretty big pack you carry, girl…" He said, clearly suspicious.
"I'm a huntress, kinda became stronger than I look."
"Don't see no bow on you."
"In the pack… the string broke a 3 nights ago, I'm planning on getting a replacement string o a new bow in the city." I reply, hoping I don't have to use the compulsion if I don't have to.
Then again… I'll use it if this goes on for much longer, I may be patient but this guy must be paranoid.
"Fine, go on…" Thank the gods… which ones? Doesn't matter, I'm in. "Don't go causing any trouble you hear."
"Sure thing…" I nod and practically skip my way into the city.
Now you may be thinking just where oh where am I gonna go get a string for my bow? Well that was a lie… obviously…
Remember the AR I got straight out of Watch Dogs? No? I don't care… I used it to kill the deer and then I used the 1911 on a tree just to test it out.
They follow exactly the same game logic that makes them 'stealth weapons', they barely make a sound, just like in the game… also, as soon as I had them in my hand I could feel a new magazine appear in my system inventory, I'm not gonna question how…
Anyway, as I'm walking around I can clearly see that my sponsor was kind enough to put me into a universe that I somewhat know so far. Even if I hadn't watched the 2008 Merlin TV show in ages.
I can tell I'm in it because Uther Pendragon just stepped out to the balcony and he looks like the actor that played him… If Morgana looks in any way like Katie McGrath, who I'm not ashamed to admit that I had a celebrity crush on, then I'll be pissing of the fates and derailing the whole plot by teaching her magic can be good before Morgause can come in and corrupt her, fuck what the asshole dragon says.
…
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Forest outside Camelot. Two months later. [Currency: {$500,005.01} {Gc: 3} {Sc: 10} {Cc: 20}; Gacha Token counter: {40}] [AN: Currency counters will be simplified this way unless 'Hope' specifically checks her status window.]
You know… this is not as fun as I would have thought… without Merlin making a fuss here, aka, the plot starting,
it was a lot harder to see an opportunity to insert myself into the castle. Especially when I'm a transmigrator...
But I did it… you're now looking at the… 'looking?' Hmm… anyway, again, I'm one of the newest cooks of the castle, and because I can cheat with the store by purchasing species and condiments out of the modern age, I quickly became the best cook in the kitchens.
This in turn made me being called upon to personally coke for the royal family, Uther, Arthur, and yes, the lady Morgana… who is seemingly afflicted by constant nightmares.
Still, not many chances to interact with them as a cook, I'll think of something soon… especially because of the pull I felt towards Morgana when I got close to her…
Of course, I had to make some excuses to get said spices from 'out of town' constantly, which leads me to the current situation… being faced by a light grey hippogriff and me barely knowing how to avoid being attacked because hippogriffs are not common back home…
So I did what everyone that has read Harry Potter would do… I bowed low, almost at a 90° angle.
The hippogriff luckily bowed back and I knew I could finally approach it.
"You're a good boy huh…" I say and the hippogriff huffs while I stroke its beak, still counting myself as lucky that bowing worked.
"Sorry, a girl then?" I chuckle and get the equivalent huff for a 'yes'.
"Do you have a name then?" I ask only to shake my head and snort at my dumbass question. "No of course not… you're a hippogriff, and a wild one at that."
The hippogriff huffs again and I get an idea, a stupid one, maybe, due to magic being forbidden in Camelot… but a cool idea nonetheless.
"Would you like to be my familiar?" I ask it. Another huff from the hippogriff tells me that she agrees and I quickly perform the spell to bind her as my familiar, after a few minutes the onlything that remains id to give her a name.
"Thunderwing. What do you think girl?" I ask after suggesting a name, getting me a huff from her and finally the familiar bond latches on. "Let's see if we can get you some meat before we go back to the city huh…" I continue, walking around her and mounting on her back.
As we ride around I notice that due to being both a hippogriff and my familiar, I don't really need a saddle but in order to blend in I'd need to make an enchanted one with a powerful glamor to camouflage the eagle parts into a mare's.
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"What is it with me and deer hunting? Is it just my luck?" I ask out loud, knowing no true answer will come from Thunderwing.
"At least magic makes processing and butchering it easy." I continue as the skin floats in front of me as I use magic to turn it into leather and into a saddle with a few things I bought from the system store, like a book guide on how to make a saddle, because I forgot that I had no fucking clue of how to make one…
Of course, I've had to set camp here for a few days while I make the thing and fit it to Thunderwing, who seemingly enjoys the trouble I'm going to ensure I use quality materials for her saddle and her bridle and that they are perfectly fitted to her.
Also, I learned that my system-provided Poké Balls are not restricted to Pokémon alone, I tried using one on Thunderwing and she went into it, only to break out of it moments later because of me not actually explaining what I was doing. Maybe it would be best to wait for a Luxury Ball or something other than a normal ball.
Or a Soul Trap from Ark: SE. Those are like the evolution of a common Poké Ball as they keep the animal in a weird kind of stasis.
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3 days later. [Currency: {$489,411.75} {Gc: 3} {Sc: 10} {Cc: 20}; Gacha Token counter: {45}]
As I ride back to Camelot with Thunderwing already fitted in her new saddle and a bitless bridle I see a young man walking along the road towards the city, and yep, he kinda looks like Colin Morgan, a bit younger than the actor was in the TV show, maybe about 17 years old, but still him.
"Hello there!" I called out with a grin when ii got closer to him. I couldn't help myself… ROB knows I had to say it…
"Hello." He answered.
"You going to Camelot?" I said, trying to be friendly.
"Yes! My mother sent me here." He said, clearly excited to be here.
"Well-" I started saying as I hoped off Thunderwing and making sure I had the packed spices in the saddlebags and not my inventory. "you're not far now. Just over the hill actually."
"Thanks… I'm Merlin. " He introduced himself a bit awkwardly, realizing he hadn't done so.
"Hope." I responded. "And this is Thunderwing." I said, leading my disguised hippogriff along the road as I walked with the young warlock.
We talked a bit more while walking to the gates where the guards let us pass with almost no trouble, as I've been making these trips constantly, before we separated for a while, with the excuse of having to get my mount to the stable… obviously, this didn't happen, I instead used a Poké Ball after explaining the concept to Thunderwing and spending a few minutes convincing her.
"Let this serve as a lesson to all. This man, Thomas James Collins, is adjudged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic. And, pursuant to the laws of Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned on penalty of death. I pride myself as a fair and just king, but for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass." Uther's voice announced as I reached the square, a few heavy spice bags hanging on my shoulders.
"Shit…" I whispered under my breath knowing the plot is about to kick off in earnest while I searched for Merlin in the crowd.
As I look around, I can see Morgana looking from the window and looking away as Uther gives the order to execute the guy on the block. Moments later I quickly find Merlin looking actually horrified by the sight.
"When I came to this land, this kingdom was mired in chaos, but with the people's help magic was driven from the realm. So I declare a festival to celebrate twenty years since the Great Dragon was captured and Camelot freed from the evil of sorcery. Let the celebrations begin." Uther continued to speak, the horror of the crowd seemingly not mattering to him at all and I use the moment to pull Merlin away from the place.
...
"You ok Merlin?" I ask softly as I hear a woman's wailing coming from the crowd.
"Yeah- I'm… I'm fine…" He tried saying, but this is obviously not the TV show anymore, this reaction, where he is pale and looking like he's about to vomit feels somewhat right.
"There is only one evil in this land, and it is not magic! It is you! With your hatred and your ignorance! You took my son! And I promise you, before these celebrations are over, you will share my tears. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a son for a son." I hear the woman screaming at Uther.
"Seize her!" Came his order, but the woman simply cast a spell and disappeared in a whirl of wind and smoke.
"Shit…" I said again, though this time I heard Merlin snort in reaction. "That's gonna come back and bite him in the ass." I muttered under my breath.
I spent a bit more time comforting Merlin before I lead him to where he was going and continuing my way to the kitchens, on my way there I met with Gwen who was on her way to get Morgana something to eat.
"Hope! You're back!" She quickly came to take one of the bags from me, even though she knows that I don't need the help.
"I am, thanks, I just got back… only to watch as Uther ordered a man be executed… again."
Gwen huffed as we walked, knowing I don't have any animosity against magic users.
"One day it's gonna bite him in the ass…" I said. "His hatred of magic… if not him then the kingdom…" I continue, making Gwen look at me.
"You say it as if it's going to happen."
"It will, doesn't matter how many sorcerers he kills, some of the ones he missed have to be planning their revenge already." I said and shake my head as we reach the kitchens, where I store some of the spices before making something simple for the lady Morgana to eat, I don't think she'll have the stomach for anything heavy right now, especially after watching the execution from the window.
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Training Grounds. Around 10 a.m.?
The preparations for the celebration was going well enough, and although I did not want to make something elaborate to celebrate cutting someone's head off simply for doing magic.
Right now I'm on one of the castle walls watching one of the most hilarious things I've seen this week. Merlin, not recognizing the prince and mouthing off to him. Though I have to hand it to him, he has his heart in the right place.
And there it is… Just like in the show, Merlin getting captured and dragged off because of being a doofus…
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That night. 3rd person POV.
Merlin is woken up by a voice that has been calling him ever since he got to Camelot and decides to finally look for whatever it is, sneaking out of Gaius's chambers and below the castle, where he reaches a cave.
The voice laughs before Merlin calls out "Where are you?"
"I'm here…" The voice says before an old dragon lands in front of him, perched on a rock outcrop. "How small you are for such a great destiny."
"Why? What do you mean? What destiny?"
"Your gift, Merlin, was given to you for a reason."
"So there is a reason." Merlin says, thinking the dragon will tell him it.
"Arthur is the Once and Future King who will unite the land of Albion."
"Right."
"But he faces many threats from friend and foe alike."
"I don't see what this has to do with me." Merlin says, confused by the dragon's need to be mysterious.
"Everything. Without you, Arthur will never succeed. Without you, there will be no Albion." The dragon reveals dramatically.
"No. No, you've got this wrong."
"There is no right or wrong, only what is and what isn't."
"But I'm serious! If anyone wants to go and kill him, they can go ahead. In fact, I'll give them a hand." Merlin protests, clearly annoyed by the thought that Arthur can be anything but a prat.
The dragon laughs before speaking. "None of us can choose our destiny, Merlin, and none of us can escape it."
"No. No way. No. No. There must be another Arthur because this one's an idiot.
"Perhaps it's your destiny to change that." The dragon says and flies off, although he stops in a hidden spot nearby, seemingly thinking about a ripple he felt somewhat recently in the fates of another person before shaking his head and dismissing the thought entirely. Deeming it impossible.
"Wait! Wait! Wait, stop! No, I- I need to know more!" Merlin screams but there's no more answers from the dragon."
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