Watchers - IC [Closed]

[The GAmeTopians]

"And then there were two..." Matthew murmured.
"We've probably been split up. Two here, Two wherever the other two fell, two back in the castle... We're split up to the three parts of Merlin's mind!"
Matthew grinned.
"Not to say we must be alone..."
He rolled up his left sleeve and revealed what appeared to be a modified teleportation rune etched into his skin. He placed his hand over it and whispered,
"Lana."
Both the rune and his hand glowed blue, and the silhouette of Lana began to form next to them.
"Hey Uncle, what's up?"
Matthew sighed in relief.
"Thank god that sorked. We're in Merlin's mind. He got split by a Dream Walker. Help us free this part of his mind."
"Sure thing, Uncle. Let's go!"
Her metal cane extended, and she leaned it over her shoulder.

[Luminesa]

He was slightly confused, wondering what he had done to scare Charlotte. He then thought, Maybe it was the way I pulled her from the hole? Did I jerk her too hard? Yet as he saw her frightened and shivering, he did not want to leave her that way. Walking carefully toward her, this time he gently put a hand on her shoulder. "...I'm not going to hurt you, Charlotte..." he assured her.

"...Y-you're not?" she queried quietly. "I... I... I'm so confused... everything's spinning, it's like this place is messing with my head... I can't think straight anymore. And I don't know why..."

Why are my emotions so much more overwhelming now?

"It's a dream-world, Charlotte...that is what it wants to do, is fool you...But I only want you to be safe. This place may change on us at any time...and I do not want this Dream Walker, the one controlling these dreams, to be able to hurt you..." he reassured her, this time taking her hand more gently in his. "You have been through enough as it is, today..."

[Charlia]

"And then there were two..." Matthew murmured.
"We've probably been split up. Two here, Two wherever the other two fell, two back in the castle... We're split up to the three parts of Merlin's mind!"
Matthew grinned.
"Not to say we must be alone..."
He rolled up his left sleeve and revealed what appeared to be a modified teleportation rune etched into his skin. He placed his hand over it and whispered,
"Lana."
Both the rune and his hand glowed blue, and the silhouette of Lana began to form next to them.
"Hey Uncle, what's up?"
Matthew sighed in relief.
"Thank god that sorked. We're in Merlin's mind. He got split by a Dream Walker. Help us free this part of his mind."
"Sure thing, Uncle. Let's go!"
Her metal cane extended, and she leaned it over her shoulder.

"...I see," Seren said, her tone suddenly becoming that much colder.

So I'm not good enough for this job, is that it? He's got to drag his niece into it in case I mess something up.

If I were Melody... no one would ever think that it would be necessary for anyone else.

I've solved murders, I've caught demons, I've even survived being fatally shot. But no. I'm still not perfect.

Yet.

"...Y-you're not?" she queried quietly. "I... I... I'm so confused... everything's spinning, it's like this place is messing with my head... I can't think straight anymore. And I don't know why..."

Why are my emotions so much more overwhelming now?

"It's a dream-world, Charlotte...that is what it wants to do, is fool you...But I only want you to be safe. This place may change on us at any time...and I do not want this Dream Walker, the one controlling these dreams, to be able to hurt you..." he reassured her, this time taking her hand more gently in his. "You have been through enough as it is, today..."

"...I...I--I don't want him to die!" The cry seemed to come out of nowhere, and she shuddered violently. "I don't want him to die," she repeated softly, as if trying to convince Ichiru of her own conviction.

[The GAmeTopians]

"And then there were two..." Matthew murmured.
"We've probably been split up. Two here, Two wherever the other two fell, two back in the castle... We're split up to the three parts of Merlin's mind!"
Matthew grinned.
"Not to say we must be alone..."
He rolled up his left sleeve and revealed what appeared to be a modified teleportation rune etched into his skin. He placed his hand over it and whispered,
"Lana."
Both the rune and his hand glowed blue, and the silhouette of Lana began to form next to them.
"Hey Uncle, what's up?"
Matthew sighed in relief.
"Thank god that sorked. We're in Merlin's mind. He got split by a Dream Walker. Help us free this part of his mind."
"Sure thing, Uncle. Let's go!"
Her metal cane extended, and she leaned it over her shoulder.

"...I see," Seren said, her tone suddenly becoming that much colder.

So I'm not good enough for this job, is that it? He's got to drag his niece into it in case I mess something up.

If I were Melody... no one would ever think that it would be necessary for anyone else.

I've solved murders, I've caught demons, I've even survived being fatally shot. But no. I'm still not perfect.

Yet.

"It's a dream-world, Charlotte...that is what it wants to do, is fool you...But I only want you to be safe. This place may change on us at any time...and I do not want this Dream Walker, the one controlling these dreams, to be able to hurt you..." he reassured her, this time taking her hand more gently in his. "You have been through enough as it is, today..."

"...I...I--I don't want him to die!" The cry seemed to come out of nowhere, and she shuddered violently. "I don't want him to die," she repeated softly, as if trying to convince Ichiru of her own conviction.

As if Matthew could tell what she was thinking, he placed his hand on Seren's shoulder.
"Hania," he murmured. "It's not that I don't think you're good enough. I'm worried that I'm not. I don't know what is ahead of us."
He rubbed her shoulder, and turned towards the scene below.

[Luminesa]

"And then there were two..." Matthew murmured.
"We've probably been split up. Two here, Two wherever the other two fell, two back in the castle... We're split up to the three parts of Merlin's mind!"
Matthew grinned.
"Not to say we must be alone..."
He rolled up his left sleeve and revealed what appeared to be a modified teleportation rune etched into his skin. He placed his hand over it and whispered,
"Lana."
Both the rune and his hand glowed blue, and the silhouette of Lana began to form next to them.
"Hey Uncle, what's up?"
Matthew sighed in relief.
"Thank god that sorked. We're in Merlin's mind. He got split by a Dream Walker. Help us free this part of his mind."
"Sure thing, Uncle. Let's go!"
Her metal cane extended, and she leaned it over her shoulder.

"...I see," Seren said, her tone suddenly becoming that much colder.

So I'm not good enough for this job, is that it? He's got to drag his niece into it in case I mess something up.

If I were Melody... no one would ever think that it would be necessary for anyone else.

I've solved murders, I've caught demons, I've even survived being fatally shot. But no. I'm still not perfect.

Yet.

"It's a dream-world, Charlotte...that is what it wants to do, is fool you...But I only want you to be safe. This place may change on us at any time...and I do not want this Dream Walker, the one controlling these dreams, to be able to hurt you..." he reassured her, this time taking her hand more gently in his. "You have been through enough as it is, today..."

"...I...I--I don't want him to die!" The cry seemed to come out of nowhere, and she shuddered violently. "I don't want him to die," she repeated softly, as if trying to convince Ichiru of her own conviction.

Ichiru watched her, as she cried for Merlin and shivered visibly, lost and afraid. He wanted to protect her, since she was so fragile and sweet. It wasn't her fault she was in this mess. She had fallen in love with someone, and she was afraid she was going to lose them. He knew the feeling well.

So he carefully hugged her again.

Now, since Void was nowhere to be found, nobody could try to stop him. He wanted to comfort her however he could. While he was not the most comfortable hugging others himself, he knew Charlotte needed a gesture that told her she was safe, that everything would be okay. Thus he hugged her, in the dark, quiet, cold hall of the castle.

"He will not die," he whispered to her, a hint of quiet determination in his voice, "we will save him, no matter what."

[Charlia]

"...I see," Seren said, her tone suddenly becoming that much colder.

So I'm not good enough for this job, is that it? He's got to drag his niece into it in case I mess something up.

If I were Melody... no one would ever think that it would be necessary for anyone else.

I've solved murders, I've caught demons, I've even survived being fatally shot. But no. I'm still not perfect.

Yet."...I...I--I don't want him to die!" The cry seemed to come out of nowhere, and she shuddered violently. "I don't want him to die," she repeated softly, as if trying to convince Ichiru of her own conviction.

As if Matthew could tell what she was thinking, he placed his hand on Seren's shoulder.
"Hania," he murmured. "It's not that I don't think you're good enough. I'm worried that I'm not. I don't know what is ahead of us."
He rubbed her shoulder, and turned towards the scene below.

H-Hania?

What?!

I hate that name so much. It makes me sound so... feminine. As if I should be at home cooking or sewing dresses instead of actually having fun. Murders and vampires and whatnot.

His words were pacifying, however, so she allowed it. For now.

[The GAmeTopians]

"So, shall we investigate this part of Merlin's mind?"
Almost unconsciously Matthew's hand maintained its rest on Seren's shoulder, before slowly, almost carefully returning to Matthew's sode as he carefully began to slide his feet down the hill. Lana, on the other hand, raised her cane, tapping it against the ground. A rune flashed from the tip and she disappeared, reappearing at the bottom of the hill. Matthew shook his head, muttering.
"A waste of Essence, as mighty as you may be," He called to Lana.
"The concepts of Essence appear to still be out of your reach."

[Charlia]

"So, shall we investigate this part of Merlin's mind?"
Almost unconsciously Matthew's hand maintained its rest on Seren's shoulder, before slowly, almost carefully returning to Matthew's sode as he carefully began to slide his feet down the hill. Lana, on the other hand, raised her cane, tapping it against the ground. A rune flashed from the tip and she disappeared, reappearing at the bottom of the hill. Matthew shook his head, muttering.
"A waste of Essence, as mighty as you may be," He called to Lana.
"The concepts of Essence appear to still be out of your reach."

Seren felt a smug look briefly cross her face as Matthew reproved his niece, and then she, too, set off, calmly walking down the hill. There was little need for her to be careful--years of work had left her with quick reflexes and excellent balance. Even if she had lost said balance, it would have been easy to regain.

"Are you coming?" she called in a slightly teasing manner, "or do you need a cane?"

"...I see," Seren said, her tone suddenly becoming that much colder.

So I'm not good enough for this job, is that it? He's got to drag his niece into it in case I mess something up.

If I were Melody... no one would ever think that it would be necessary for anyone else.

I've solved murders, I've caught demons, I've even survived being fatally shot. But no. I'm still not perfect.

Yet."...I...I--I don't want him to die!" The cry seemed to come out of nowhere, and she shuddered violently. "I don't want him to die," she repeated softly, as if trying to convince Ichiru of her own conviction.

Ichiru watched her, as she cried for Merlin and shivered visibly, lost and afraid. He wanted to protect her, since she was so fragile and sweet. It wasn't her fault she was in this mess. She had fallen in love with someone, and she was afraid she was going to lose them. He knew the feeling well.

So he carefully hugged her again.

Now, since Void was nowhere to be found, nobody could try to stop him. He wanted to comfort her however he could. While he was not the most comfortable hugging others himself, he knew Charlotte needed a gesture that told her she was safe, that everything would be okay. Thus he hugged her, in the dark, quiet, cold hall of the castle.

"He will not die," he whispered to her, a hint of quiet determination in his voice, "we will save him, no matter what."

"..."

She smiled slightly.

It was good to hear that someone else shared her own conviction.

Any cost.

Any cost for his life.

Do you hear me, Dream Walker? ANY COST!

[Luminesa]

"So, shall we investigate this part of Merlin's mind?"
Almost unconsciously Matthew's hand maintained its rest on Seren's shoulder, before slowly, almost carefully returning to Matthew's sode as he carefully began to slide his feet down the hill. Lana, on the other hand, raised her cane, tapping it against the ground. A rune flashed from the tip and she disappeared, reappearing at the bottom of the hill. Matthew shook his head, muttering.
"A waste of Essence, as mighty as you may be," He called to Lana.
"The concepts of Essence appear to still be out of your reach."

Seren felt a smug look briefly cross her face as Matthew reproved his niece, and then she, too, set off, calmly walking down the hill. There was little need for her to be careful--years of work had left her with quick reflexes and excellent balance. Even if she had lost said balance, it would have been easy to regain.

"Are you coming?" she called in a slightly teasing manner, "or do you need a cane?"

Ichiru watched her, as she cried for Merlin and shivered visibly, lost and afraid. He wanted to protect her, since she was so fragile and sweet. It wasn't her fault she was in this mess. She had fallen in love with someone, and she was afraid she was going to lose them. He knew the feeling well.

So he carefully hugged her again.

Now, since Void was nowhere to be found, nobody could try to stop him. He wanted to comfort her however he could. While he was not the most comfortable hugging others himself, he knew Charlotte needed a gesture that told her she was safe, that everything would be okay. Thus he hugged her, in the dark, quiet, cold hall of the castle.

"He will not die," he whispered to her, a hint of quiet determination in his voice, "we will save him, no matter what."

"..."

She smiled slightly.

It was good to hear that someone else shared her own conviction.

Any cost.

Any cost for his life.

Do you hear me, Dream Walker? ANY COST!

After a moment, he let her go, and he looked up at the girl at the top of the steps. "...Hmmm...We can follow her, but we must remain careful. This realm will do whatever it can to separate us and to throw us from our mission. If you see anything that seems particularly out of place, do not let it fool you," he told her.

[The GAmeTopians]

"So, shall we investigate this part of Merlin's mind?"
Almost unconsciously Matthew's hand maintained its rest on Seren's shoulder, before slowly, almost carefully returning to Matthew's sode as he carefully began to slide his feet down the hill. Lana, on the other hand, raised her cane, tapping it against the ground. A rune flashed from the tip and she disappeared, reappearing at the bottom of the hill. Matthew shook his head, muttering.
"A waste of Essence, as mighty as you may be," He called to Lana.
"The concepts of Essence appear to still be out of your reach."

Seren felt a smug look briefly cross her face as Matthew reproved his niece, and then she, too, set off, calmly walking down the hill. There was little need for her to be careful--years of work had left her with quick reflexes and excellent balance. Even if she had lost said balance, it would have been easy to regain.

"Are you coming?" she called in a slightly teasing manner, "or do you need a cane?"

Ichiru watched her, as she cried for Merlin and shivered visibly, lost and afraid. He wanted to protect her, since she was so fragile and sweet. It wasn't her fault she was in this mess. She had fallen in love with someone, and she was afraid she was going to lose them. He knew the feeling well.

So he carefully hugged her again.

Now, since Void was nowhere to be found, nobody could try to stop him. He wanted to comfort her however he could. While he was not the most comfortable hugging others himself, he knew Charlotte needed a gesture that told her she was safe, that everything would be okay. Thus he hugged her, in the dark, quiet, cold hall of the castle.

"He will not die," he whispered to her, a hint of quiet determination in his voice, "we will save him, no matter what."

"..."

She smiled slightly.

It was good to hear that someone else shared her own conviction.

Any cost.

Any cost for his life.

Do you hear me, Dream Walker? ANY COST!

Matthew laughed, and nimbly jumped down the rest of the hill.
"Calling me old, are you?"
A rune materialized in front of his mouth as he playfully blew wind at Seren. It pushed her hair back, waving in the wind.
"No time for games," he chided himself, "We have a friend to save."

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Little Girl

The little girl kept walking. If they followed, they would eventually come to a large black door. The little girl simple walked through the closed door. They where left alone with the door. It projected a ominous feeling, and if you listened carefully, there was a slight hum.

Hill top

Suddenly the three found themselves back at the top of the hill. Nothing had changed, just when ever they tried to get down the hill, they'd just appear back a top the hill. It was then that a figure could be seen walking up the hill. Upon closer examination, it looked like Merlin. Except the eyes where still young, and normal. And his hair, it was a warm brown.

[Luminesa]

Little Girl

The little girl kept walking. If they followed, they would eventually come to a large black door. The little girl simple walked through the closed door. They where left alone with the door. It projected a ominous feeling, and if you listened carefully, there was a slight hum.

Hill top

Suddenly the three found themselves back at the top of the hill. Nothing had changed, just when ever they tried to get down the hill, they'd just appear back a top the hill. It was then that a figure could be seen walking up the hill. Upon closer examination, it looked like Merlin. Except the eyes where still young, and normal. And his hair, it was a warm brown.

When the group got to the top of the stairs, and they saw the girl disappear through the door, they stood in front of it. "...Behind this door...are Merlin's memories...they have to be..." he muttered. Looking at Charlotte, he asked her, "Are you ready to look behind it?"

[Charlia]

Seren felt a smug look briefly cross her face as Matthew reproved his niece, and then she, too, set off, calmly walking down the hill. There was little need for her to be careful--years of work had left her with quick reflexes and excellent balance. Even if she had lost said balance, it would have been easy to regain.

"Are you coming?" she called in a slightly teasing manner, "or do you need a cane?""..."

She smiled slightly.

It was good to hear that someone else shared her own conviction.

Any cost.

Any cost for his life.

Do you hear me, Dream Walker? ANY COST!

After a moment, he let her go, and he looked up at the girl at the top of the steps. "...Hmmm...We can follow her, but we must remain careful. This realm will do whatever it can to separate us and to throw us from our mission. If you see anything that seems particularly out of place, do not let it fool you," he told her.

"Right," she said quietly, and continued to follow the child.

These are his memories... I almost feel like I'm breaking some sort of sacred seal by watching.

How horrible I felt after the others saw my own... I hate it when others are able to view my past, being here... watching his past... I feel like such a hypocrite.

But I have to do this, don't I?

I have to save him.

I just hope... that I won't have to rewatch that horrible moment...

When he tried to save me... and died...

Seren felt a smug look briefly cross her face as Matthew reproved his niece, and then she, too, set off, calmly walking down the hill. There was little need for her to be careful--years of work had left her with quick reflexes and excellent balance. Even if she had lost said balance, it would have been easy to regain.

"Are you coming?" she called in a slightly teasing manner, "or do you need a cane?""..."

She smiled slightly.

It was good to hear that someone else shared her own conviction.

Any cost.

Any cost for his life.

Do you hear me, Dream Walker? ANY COST!

Matthew laughed, and nimbly jumped down the rest of the hill.
"Calling me old, are you?"
A rune materialized in front of his mouth as he playfully blew wind at Seren. It pushed her hair back, waving in the wind.
"No time for games," he chided himself, "We have a friend to save."

She laughed, and then her eyes widened in shock at her own actions.

I actually laughed.

What is happening to me, I'm feeling things... emotions... and yet I'm not losing my mind... It's not like the normal emotions, the ones I have to repress in order to keep from going insane... it's just...

I'm enjoying this. Working with another person. With a normal person, with a 'goldfish'... What...

"Of course," she said, visibly working to contain the threatening emotions. "There's work to be done."

Little Girl

The little girl kept walking. If they followed, they would eventually come to a large black door. The little girl simple walked through the closed door. They where left alone with the door. It projected a ominous feeling, and if you listened carefully, there was a slight hum.

Hill top

Suddenly the three found themselves back at the top of the hill. Nothing had changed, just when ever they tried to get down the hill, they'd just appear back a top the hill. It was then that a figure could be seen walking up the hill. Upon closer examination, it looked like Merlin. Except the eyes where still young, and normal. And his hair, it was a warm brown.

Seren's eyes widened yet again.

...It's like...

I don't even know what it's like. I hate not knowing.

She watched the figure with interest.

Little Girl

The little girl kept walking. If they followed, they would eventually come to a large black door. The little girl simple walked through the closed door. They where left alone with the door. It projected a ominous feeling, and if you listened carefully, there was a slight hum.

Hill top

Suddenly the three found themselves back at the top of the hill. Nothing had changed, just when ever they tried to get down the hill, they'd just appear back a top the hill. It was then that a figure could be seen walking up the hill. Upon closer examination, it looked like Merlin. Except the eyes where still young, and normal. And his hair, it was a warm brown.

When the group got to the top of the stairs, and they saw the girl disappear through the door, they stood in front of it. "...Behind this door...are Merlin's memories...they have to be..." he muttered. Looking at Charlotte, he asked her, "Are you ready to look behind it?"

"Not in the slightest," she answered wryly, but reached out to open it anyway.

[Faal Lot Himdah]

The Black Door

Once Charlotte touched the door, it swung open, inwards. Behind it was a deep blackness. Empty. Suddenly both Ichiru and Charlotte would find themselves sucked into the emptiness. The next place they found themselves in would be part of the castle, but it was night. The castle was falling apart, and there was no roof. Fire raged all around. And then there was the bodies.

All over the floor where bodies. Shades. And a few Watchers. In front of them, near what would have been the centre of the room the remaining Watchers stood. Four Watchers, and Merlin, facing a single Shade. To their right, hiding behind some of the rubble was the little girl, she looked to be focusing on channeling something.

"Hey you. Tall and shady, where the hell did you come from?" One of the Watchers said, pointing their cane at the Shade.

"Careful. He's stronger than anything you all have faced before." Merlin warned as he drew a simple sword.

"Listen to the wizard." The Shade said, "Though interesting choice of words. 'anything you have faced before.' Are you saying you've faced something more powerful then me? Oh wait, you are him aren't you? Oh, this will be fun."

"Enough talk ---" One watcher said before it happened. It was to fast to see, but the result was as clear as day. The Watchers all fell to the ground. Merlin caught one before he fell to the ground. The Watcher said one last thing. "We are counting on you..."

Merlin rose. A fire in his eyes. Then it happened. Charlotte would recognize it. Purple eyes. A dark mist with red accents. Void unbound. The only thing that was different from the last time she saw it, was that the lack of control, the rage, could be felt. The unbound Void Merlin looked at the Shade. The battle erupted, each moving at incredible speeds. Destroying walls and statues with mere shock waves. Eventually, the unbound Void Merlin stood over the Shade and was about to deliver the final blow when...

"MERLIN NO!" the little girl rushed out of her hiding spot, a calming magic force around her. The unbound Void Merlin delivered the killing blow and then turned to the girl, rage still in his purple, bloodshot eyes. He raised a hand and bang. A blast of energy hit the girl directly through the heart. Her face as she fell was surprisingly peaceful. But Merlin's face as he returned to normal was covered in fear, and shock.

"NO!" He shouted as he ran to the girl's body. On his knees beside her he held her and tears filled his eyes. It was then that everything faded away, leaving Charlotte and Ichiru in the empty ruined room.

[Charlia]

The Black Door

Once Charlotte touched the door, it swung open, inwards. Behind it was a deep blackness. Empty. Suddenly both Ichiru and Charlotte would find themselves sucked into the emptiness. The next place they found themselves in would be part of the castle, but it was night. The castle was falling apart, and there was no roof. Fire raged all around. And then there was the bodies.

All over the floor where bodies. Shades. And a few Watchers. In front of them, near what would have been the centre of the room the remaining Watchers stood. Four Watchers, and Merlin, facing a single Shade. To their right, hiding behind some of the rubble was the little girl, she looked to be focusing on channeling something.

"Hey you. Tall and shady, where the hell did you come from?" One of the Watchers said, pointing their cane at the Shade.

"Careful. He's stronger than anything you all have faced before." Merlin warned as he drew a simple sword.

"Listen to the wizard." The Shade said, "Though interesting choice of words. 'anything you have faced before.' Are you saying you've faced something more powerful then me? Oh wait, you are him aren't you? Oh, this will be fun."

"Enough talk ---" One watcher said before it happened. It was to fast to see, but the result was as clear as day. The Watchers all fell to the ground. Merlin caught one before he fell to the ground. The Watcher said one last thing. "We are counting on you..."

Merlin rose. A fire in his eyes. Then it happened. Charlotte would recognize it. Purple eyes. A dark mist with red accents. Void unbound. The only thing that was different from the last time she saw it, was that the lack of control, the rage, could be felt. The unbound Void Merlin looked at the Shade. The battle erupted, each moving at incredible speeds. Destroying walls and statues with mere shock waves. Eventually, the unbound Void Merlin stood over the Shade and was about to deliver the final blow when...

"MERLIN NO!" the little girl rushed out of her hiding spot, a calming magic force around her. The unbound Void Merlin delivered the killing blow and then turned to the girl, rage still in his purple, bloodshot eyes. He raised a hand and bang. A blast of energy hit the girl directly through the heart. Her face as she fell was surprisingly peaceful. But Merlin's face as he returned to normal was covered in fear, and shock.

"NO!" He shouted as he ran to the girl's body. On his knees beside her he held her and tears filled his eyes. It was then that everything faded away, leaving Charlotte and Ichiru in the empty ruined room.

Charlotte watched in horror as the scene unfolded, and her own eyes filled with tears as she watched Merlin lose control.

She stared in helpless sorrow as the little girl died, and stood by the apparition of the ancient boy, weeping with him, wishing she could give him some small comfort and knowing that she could not.

Then it was gone, and she simply collapsed to her knees, feeling agony in her very soul.

Oh, how it must have felt for Merlin to return to the present and realize what he had done.

"Help me--"

The onslaught of emotions that must have washed over him as his mind registered what had happened.

"I made a promise... My promise is absolute."

She spoke quietly, half to herself and half to the darkness around her.

"I'm sorry, Merlin... I'm so sorry... I'm sorry that you had to go through this. It wasn't your fault. It was never your fault. I promise... It doesn't matter what happened... I'm still here... I won't leave you to suffer like this."

[Luminesa]

The Black Door

Once Charlotte touched the door, it swung open, inwards. Behind it was a deep blackness. Empty. Suddenly both Ichiru and Charlotte would find themselves sucked into the emptiness. The next place they found themselves in would be part of the castle, but it was night. The castle was falling apart, and there was no roof. Fire raged all around. And then there was the bodies.

All over the floor where bodies. Shades. And a few Watchers. In front of them, near what would have been the centre of the room the remaining Watchers stood. Four Watchers, and Merlin, facing a single Shade. To their right, hiding behind some of the rubble was the little girl, she looked to be focusing on channeling something.

"Hey you. Tall and shady, where the hell did you come from?" One of the Watchers said, pointing their cane at the Shade.

"Careful. He's stronger than anything you all have faced before." Merlin warned as he drew a simple sword.

"Listen to the wizard." The Shade said, "Though interesting choice of words. 'anything you have faced before.' Are you saying you've faced something more powerful then me? Oh wait, you are him aren't you? Oh, this will be fun."

"Enough talk ---" One watcher said before it happened. It was to fast to see, but the result was as clear as day. The Watchers all fell to the ground. Merlin caught one before he fell to the ground. The Watcher said one last thing. "We are counting on you..."

Merlin rose. A fire in his eyes. Then it happened. Charlotte would recognize it. Purple eyes. A dark mist with red accents. Void unbound. The only thing that was different from the last time she saw it, was that the lack of control, the rage, could be felt. The unbound Void Merlin looked at the Shade. The battle erupted, each moving at incredible speeds. Destroying walls and statues with mere shock waves. Eventually, the unbound Void Merlin stood over the Shade and was about to deliver the final blow when...

"MERLIN NO!" the little girl rushed out of her hiding spot, a calming magic force around her. The unbound Void Merlin delivered the killing blow and then turned to the girl, rage still in his purple, bloodshot eyes. He raised a hand and bang. A blast of energy hit the girl directly through the heart. Her face as she fell was surprisingly peaceful. But Merlin's face as he returned to normal was covered in fear, and shock.

"NO!" He shouted as he ran to the girl's body. On his knees beside her he held her and tears filled his eyes. It was then that everything faded away, leaving Charlotte and Ichiru in the empty ruined room.

Ichiru was horrified by the violence around him. The fire and the Watchers that fell around them created a hellish vision. It seemed Death ruled and did what it wanted, taking lives seemingly at random, without warning. He shuddered, as the dream continued like an awful, disjointed tapestry that rapidly unfolded in front of them.

"...Is this...the power of a Shade?...The creatures Void spoke of?" Ichiru questioned, quietly, as Void awakened inside Merlin, and the possessed Merlin fiercely fought the Shade to the death.

Finally, the little girl was shot by Merlin. She died instantly, due to Void's magic. He watched as Merlin ran to the girl's side, guilt awakening him from his evil trance. Yet his screams were drowned by the ferocious fires around them. Fire and destruction filled everything, and it reflected in Ichiru's own violet eyes. It sucked the life out of everything. Blood and the stench of dead bodies and burning wood and flesh surrounded them like a thick musk.

Then the entire vision collapsed on itself. Silence fell like lead on top of them, numbing them.

"...What a terrible curse...to have to live with such a spirit hiding in one's soul..." Ichiru muttered, staring into space as the memory faded. Yet then he turned back to Charlotte, as she fell to her knees. "...We must continue. Merlin is at the very center of this world. We have a long way to go...and the natural progression of these nightmares...means these will only get worse," he explained, gloomily, "but nevertheless we must keep going..."

[Charlia]

The Black Door

Once Charlotte touched the door, it swung open, inwards. Behind it was a deep blackness. Empty. Suddenly both Ichiru and Charlotte would find themselves sucked into the emptiness. The next place they found themselves in would be part of the castle, but it was night. The castle was falling apart, and there was no roof. Fire raged all around. And then there was the bodies.

All over the floor where bodies. Shades. And a few Watchers. In front of them, near what would have been the centre of the room the remaining Watchers stood. Four Watchers, and Merlin, facing a single Shade. To their right, hiding behind some of the rubble was the little girl, she looked to be focusing on channeling something.

"Hey you. Tall and shady, where the hell did you come from?" One of the Watchers said, pointing their cane at the Shade.

"Careful. He's stronger than anything you all have faced before." Merlin warned as he drew a simple sword.

"Listen to the wizard." The Shade said, "Though interesting choice of words. 'anything you have faced before.' Are you saying you've faced something more powerful then me? Oh wait, you are him aren't you? Oh, this will be fun."

"Enough talk ---" One watcher said before it happened. It was to fast to see, but the result was as clear as day. The Watchers all fell to the ground. Merlin caught one before he fell to the ground. The Watcher said one last thing. "We are counting on you..."

Merlin rose. A fire in his eyes. Then it happened. Charlotte would recognize it. Purple eyes. A dark mist with red accents. Void unbound. The only thing that was different from the last time she saw it, was that the lack of control, the rage, could be felt. The unbound Void Merlin looked at the Shade. The battle erupted, each moving at incredible speeds. Destroying walls and statues with mere shock waves. Eventually, the unbound Void Merlin stood over the Shade and was about to deliver the final blow when...

"MERLIN NO!" the little girl rushed out of her hiding spot, a calming magic force around her. The unbound Void Merlin delivered the killing blow and then turned to the girl, rage still in his purple, bloodshot eyes. He raised a hand and bang. A blast of energy hit the girl directly through the heart. Her face as she fell was surprisingly peaceful. But Merlin's face as he returned to normal was covered in fear, and shock.

"NO!" He shouted as he ran to the girl's body. On his knees beside her he held her and tears filled his eyes. It was then that everything faded away, leaving Charlotte and Ichiru in the empty ruined room.

Ichiru was horrified by the violence around him. The fire and the Watchers that fell around them created a hellish vision. It seemed Death ruled and did what it wanted, taking lives seemingly at random, without warning. He shuddered, as the dream continued like an awful, disjointed tapestry that rapidly unfolded in front of them.

"...Is this...the power of a Shade?...The creatures Void spoke of?" Ichiru questioned, quietly, as Void awakened inside Merlin, and the possessed Merlin fiercely fought the Shade to the death.

Finally, the little girl was shot by Merlin. She died instantly, due to Void's magic. He watched as Merlin ran to the girl's side, guilt awakening him from his evil trance. Yet his screams were drowned by the ferocious fires around them. Fire and destruction filled everything, and it reflected in Ichiru's own violet eyes. It sucked the life out of everything. Blood and the stench of dead bodies and burning wood and flesh surrounded them like a thick musk.

Then the entire vision collapsed on itself. Silence fell like lead on top of them, numbing them.

"...What a terrible curse...to have to live with such a spirit hiding in one's soul..." Ichiru muttered, staring into space as the memory faded. Yet then he turned back to Charlotte, as she fell to her knees. "...We must continue. Merlin is at the very center of this world. We have a long way to go...and the natural progression of these nightmares...means these will only get worse," he explained, gloomily, "but nevertheless we must keep going..."

I'm going to find you, Merlin.

I swear on my immortal life, I will find you.

She stood slowly, unsteadily, and looked for a way to keep going.

[Faal Lot Himdah]

The Little Girl

"This was the day I died...." The girl suddenly appeared behind them. Her head down, and her hair wild, covering her face. Her hands covered her heart, "Killed by the very person who took me in.... This is the day I died..."

[The GAmeTopians]

Little Girl

The little girl kept walking. If they followed, they would eventually come to a large black door. The little girl simple walked through the closed door. They where left alone with the door. It projected a ominous feeling, and if you listened carefully, there was a slight hum.

Hill top

Suddenly the three found themselves back at the top of the hill. Nothing had changed, just when ever they tried to get down the hill, they'd just appear back a top the hill. It was then that a figure could be seen walking up the hill. Upon closer examination, it looked like Merlin. Except the eyes where still young, and normal. And his hair, it was a warm brown.

Matthew was quite confused at his suddenly being back where he started, but he masked it when he saw the figure approaching.
"Merlin, my good chap! What brings you here?" He called, waving his hand.
This must still be memory, he thought. I'm guessing he won't respond, but it can't hurt.

[Luminesa]

The Little Girl

"This was the day I died...." The girl suddenly appeared behind them. Her head down, and her hair wild, covering her face. Her hands covered her heart, "Killed by the very person who took me in.... This is the day I died..."

Ichiru turned around and looked at her, slightly unsettled by her wild, ragged appearance. She sounded just as haunted as anything else in the castle, as well. He knelt down in front of her, in order to speak to her. "...Tell us...who are you?" he asked, softly.

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Hill Top

There was no response. In fact, Merlin walked in Mathew's direction, and simply walked through him. He came to a stop at a large rock and sat on it. He looked to the sky.

"We can't keep going on like this." He said to himself, "We have to fight back... But how? We are to small in numbers to fight with quantity, and we lack the bloodlust that they have. We are to weak... So how can we fight?"

A gust of wind blew a bunch of leaves from the a near by forest across the hill. Once they past, a cloaked figure was standing beside Merlin.

"You take up my offer." the voice of Void spoke, "With my assistance, your family and tribe will not need to fear anything. Just take my hand."

The Little Girl

Her head remained lowered, "This is the day I died... Merlin killed me..."

She looked up and lowered her hands. A blast of energy sent both Charlotte and Ichiru back from her. That's when they would see it. Everything was wrong. Her white clothes where stained with blood, especially around her heart. Her eyes wide and wild with a massive grin across her face. She was broken, insane, and ready to kill. Strange markings could also be seen all over her body. They glowed with a strange, almost sickening dark green.

[Luminesa]

Hill Top

There was no response. In fact, Merlin walked in Mathew's direction, and simply walked through him. He came to a stop at a large rock and sat on it. He looked to the sky.

"We can't keep going on like this." He said to himself, "We have to fight back... But how? We are to small in numbers to fight with quantity, and we lack the bloodlust that they have. We are to weak... So how can we fight?"

A gust of wind blew a bunch of leaves from the a near by forest across the hill. Once they past, a cloaked figure was standing beside Merlin.

"You take up my offer." the voice of Void spoke, "With my assistance, your family and tribe will not need to fear anything. Just take my hand."

The Little Girl

Her head remained lowered, "This is the day I died... Merlin killed me..."

She looked up and lowered her hands. A blast of energy sent both Charlotte and Ichiru back from her. That's when they would see it. Everything was wrong. Her white clothes where stained with blood, especially around her heart. Her eyes wide and wild with a massive grin across her face. She was broken, insane, and ready to kill. Strange markings could also be seen all over her body. They glowed with a strange, almost sickening dark green.

Ichiru flew back alongside Charlotte, and he was dazed for a moment by the attack. Yet when he rose, he saw that the girl was not at all innocent. She was a monster, a part of the evil vision, just like everything else. As he helped Charlotte to her feet, he warned her, "Don't be afraid of her. She's just another image in this vision." He then turned and looked at the girl, his eyes glowing white. "I do not want to harm you, but if you do not stand-down I will have no choice. Who and what are you?" he demanded.

[Charlia]

Hill Top

There was no response. In fact, Merlin walked in Mathew's direction, and simply walked through him. He came to a stop at a large rock and sat on it. He looked to the sky.

"We can't keep going on like this." He said to himself, "We have to fight back... But how? We are to small in numbers to fight with quantity, and we lack the bloodlust that they have. We are to weak... So how can we fight?"

A gust of wind blew a bunch of leaves from the a near by forest across the hill. Once they past, a cloaked figure was standing beside Merlin.

"You take up my offer." the voice of Void spoke, "With my assistance, your family and tribe will not need to fear anything. Just take my hand."

The Little Girl

Her head remained lowered, "This is the day I died... Merlin killed me..."

She looked up and lowered her hands. A blast of energy sent both Charlotte and Ichiru back from her. That's when they would see it. Everything was wrong. Her white clothes where stained with blood, especially around her heart. Her eyes wide and wild with a massive grin across her face. She was broken, insane, and ready to kill. Strange markings could also be seen all over her body. They glowed with a strange, almost sickening dark green.

"Oh, it's this," Seren said in a bored tone. "I was hoping for something a little more interesting, but I suppose I can't have everything."

Hill Top

There was no response. In fact, Merlin walked in Mathew's direction, and simply walked through him. He came to a stop at a large rock and sat on it. He looked to the sky.

"We can't keep going on like this." He said to himself, "We have to fight back... But how? We are to small in numbers to fight with quantity, and we lack the bloodlust that they have. We are to weak... So how can we fight?"

A gust of wind blew a bunch of leaves from the a near by forest across the hill. Once they past, a cloaked figure was standing beside Merlin.

"You take up my offer." the voice of Void spoke, "With my assistance, your family and tribe will not need to fear anything. Just take my hand."

The Little Girl

Her head remained lowered, "This is the day I died... Merlin killed me..."

She looked up and lowered her hands. A blast of energy sent both Charlotte and Ichiru back from her. That's when they would see it. Everything was wrong. Her white clothes where stained with blood, especially around her heart. Her eyes wide and wild with a massive grin across her face. She was broken, insane, and ready to kill. Strange markings could also be seen all over her body. They glowed with a strange, almost sickening dark green.

Ichiru flew back alongside Charlotte, and he was dazed for a moment by the attack. Yet when he rose, he saw that the girl was not at all innocent. She was a monster, a part of the evil vision, just like everything else. As he helped Charlotte to her feet, he warned her, "Don't be afraid of her. She's just another image in this vision." He then turned and looked at the girl, his eyes glowing white. "I do not want to harm you, but if you do not stand-down I will have no choice. Who and what are you?" he demanded.

"I'm not afraid of her," Charlotte said, stepping forward again.

"I've seen things like you before," she said boldly. "And you don't scare me. You have no power here. Leave!"

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Hill Top

Merlin took Void's hand and the two merged into one. His hair turned from brown into silver. He stood there for a moment, in awe of the power he felt then walked back to the village. The memory changed.

They would find themselves in the middle of the village, at night and on fire. The tribe ran around in a panic. Fear in each persons eyes as they ran. What where they running from. Well, just a 15 foot tall shadowy monster. The shadow looked like Merlin, and in fact, suspended in the shadows centre was Merlin. He tried not to look as the shadow rampaged and killed his tribe one by one.

One little girl, a middle aged man and woman did not run from the monster shadow Merlin. Instead, they wandered closer to it.

"No.... Run.... Stop..." Merlin said, trying to warn them, trying to warn his family. But before they could say anything, the shadow blasted them into ashes. The memory faded, leaving Seren and co alone in an empty field.

The Little Girl

"I am not a simple image..." She said, and started to float, and a pair of shadowy wings appeared on her back, "This was the day I died... Today... Is the day you die!"

She curled into a ball and the wings flapped toward the two, firing large shadowy feathers that easily could go straight through them.

"Merlin betrayed me. Merlin killed me. Merlin must die!"

[Luminesa]

Hill Top

Merlin took Void's hand and the two merged into one. His hair turned from brown into silver. He stood there for a moment, in awe of the power he felt then walked back to the village. The memory changed.

They would find themselves in the middle of the village, at night and on fire. The tribe ran around in a panic. Fear in each persons eyes as they ran. What where they running from. Well, just a 15 foot tall shadowy monster. The shadow looked like Merlin, and in fact, suspended in the shadows centre was Merlin. He tried not to look as the shadow rampaged and killed his tribe one by one.

One little girl, a middle aged man and woman did not run from the monster shadow Merlin. Instead, they wandered closer to it.

"No.... Run.... Stop..." Merlin said, trying to warn them, trying to warn his family. But before they could say anything, the shadow blasted them into ashes. The memory faded, leaving Seren and co alone in an empty field.

The Little Girl

"I am not a simple image..." She said, and started to float, and a pair of shadowy wings appeared on her back, "This was the day I died... Today... Is the day you die!"

She curled into a ball and the wings flapped toward the two, firing large shadowy feathers that easily could go straight through them.

"Merlin betrayed me. Merlin killed me. Merlin must die!"

Ichiru unfolded his own light-wings, which he used to shield himself and Charlotte from the shadowy feathers. "Hmph. I suppose some of these nightmares are truly looking to kill us, then. In fact, now that I remember...the Dream Walker does want to hold us captive," he muttered. He then unfolded his wings and drew his sword. "I suppose that means we will indeed have to fight to survive..."