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Merlin said, “You have to understand. War was not what we called it. We called it surviving. We didn’t know Morgana changed herself into this large magic eating creature. It took all of us by surprise.”
“You made Excalibur,” Lazarus said.
“Yes, this was around the time I knew that King Arthur was going to unite us. We, I mean humans, always fought against the other Magical races,” Merlin said.
Cindy said, “Who were the Magical races?”
“Yes, Alpha Cindy. We were not the only sentient races here on Earth,” Merlin said, “the magical races consisted of all races with magic: elves, dwarves, faerie folk, trolls, etc..”
Merlin paused and said, “The war lasted for several years. King Arthur united all the races and then we started to win back cities and territories from Morgana.”
Merlin paused and looked out the balcony. He stood and stared down at the city.
“Camelot was like this Capital. Except, we had all the races here, Magical or non-magical. There were too many sacrifices, and we only banished her into a spirit. I wished we killed her instead.”
Merlin shook his head. “We only have one way to destroy Morgana once and for all. We must use Excalibur to make her flesh than we destroy her.”
Lazarus didn't like the plan. There were too many things that could happen. He said, “I thought, we were going to get Excalibur to stop her from becoming normal again.”
Merlin said, “But we need to destroy her not stop her.”
Lazarus shook his head, “I don’t know. We had sacrifice our lives and other people’s lives. We should stop her and lock her away forever.”
He looked at the other Alphas.
“Yes,” Cindy said, “Morgana had manipulated us from the beginning. She is always a few steps ahead of us. I think she knew that we want to get Excalibur and use it.”
Merlin said, “But she doesn’t know that I’m still alive. That changes everything. I already have Marlena bringing me a powerful weapon. We can do this.”
“We need to hide you. If she knew you were alive, she might do something else,” Lazarus said, “I want to know what is happening on upper Earth.”
Merlin took another drink of his cup. He said, “We will leave today. We need our rest. I have to prepare. You’re right Lazarus. I need to hide and the Oracle has something I can use.”
The great wizard rose. Merlin didn't seem drunk even though he drank several cups of alcohol. Lazarus stood with him and swayed a little.
“Can I go with you to see the Oracle?” Lazarus said.
“Sure, are you fine?”
Cindy also stood. “I’m going with you, too.”
Lazarus nodded.
Merlin said, “Are you ready?”
Lazarus nodded. Cindy came around the table and waited.
“Let’s go, gentlemen,” she said.
***
MERLIN STOOD BEFORE the Oracle. She smiled at him. But the Oracle said, “No, Merlin. You don’t need the stone. I need the stone.”
The Oracle was stubborn.
“Merlin, she will not give it you,” Lazarus said, “we will have to find another way.”
The Oracle looked at them. “You cannot use the Stone of Ages in that way for a mere illusion.”
“I can control the flow. You don’t understand. I need magic better than an illusion. I have to hide from the Vvong Queen. The power crystal can do that,” Merlin said.
The Oracle said, “The stone is more than a Power crystal. It is the eye to the ages. I can control it better than you.”
Merlin scoffed. Lazarus suddenly felt a change in the air. He sensed power coalescing between them.
Lazarus suddenly moved in between them. “No, we cannot have you two fight. Merlin, the Oracle is not the enemy. We don’t have to do that.”
Merlin said, “Ok. But we need that stone.”
“Is there something else we can use?” Lazarus said.
The Oracle nodded, “I might let Merlin use the stone, but I don’t want Merlin to ask me.” She turned and look at him. “But if Lazarus persuades me. I might be able to let go of it.”
The Oracle gave him a look that made him embarrassed.
Cindy suddenly stepped closer to him. Cindy said, “Lazarus just asked you. He doesn't need to persuade you.”
Both of the woman looked at each other for several seconds and Lazarus felt something was going between them. He hoped they were not talking to each telepathically.
Merlin said, “Lazarus go ahead ask her.”
Lazarus moved closer to the Oracle. Cindy and the Oracle stared at them.
The Oracle said, “My name is Kira.”
Lazarus said, “Kira, can we use the Eye of the Ages stone? We will be very careful with it.”
The Oracle said, “Merlin, you can learn a lot from this man. Wait here.”
Merlin looked over at them and shook his head. “I can’t believe we have been arguing over this.”
The Oracle came back. She was holding a small wooden box. She opened it. The stone was very small. And it was fastened around a small golden bracelet. Merlin started moving toward the box.
The Oracle said, “No, I want Lazarus get it.”
Cindy made a grumbling noise, but she didn’t say anything. Lazarus walked forward. Merlin stopped and looked at him. He gave him a look between pity and anger. The Oracle was smiling at him and for a split second he saw a vision in his mind of her naked body touching his own nude body.
The vision was gone, and he gasped. Lazarus grabbed the bracelet. It was heavier than it look. For another brief second, he thought the Oracle touched his cheek with the back of her hand, but she didn’t move.
Cindy said, “Lazarus give the stone to Merlin.”
Lazarus snapped out of his trance and stepped away from her. He turned away from the Oracles burning gaze and gave the bracelet with the stone to Merlin. He nodded and slipped the bracelet over his wrist.
Lazarus felt a surge of power and Merlin face change from his normal face to an elf in a matter of seconds.
“What?” He said.
“Lazarus, it is still me, Merlin. I’m just in disguised. This is not a mere illusion. I really am an elf. Morgana cannot see through this magic.”
Cindy said, “Are you sure?”
Merlin said, “Yes.” He bowed to the Oracle. Lazarus and Cindy also bowed.
“Thank you, Oracle,” Merlin said. “I will take care of the Eye of the Ages.”
The Oracle said, “Lazarus watch over him. Merlin was reckless before. I trust you.”
“I will,” Lazarus said.
