“That's not exactly correct, Merlin,” Kilgahra remarked, her tone laced with a teasing edge. Startled, Merlin and Arthur jumped in unison, the surprise of her sudden appearance catching them off guard. Kilgahra’s laughter echoed lightly in the air, a sound that danced between mischief and genuine amusement. “Gods, don’t do that,” Merlin scolded, a hand pressed to his chest, while Arthur simply shook his head in disbelief.
“What do you mean it’s not true?” Merlin pressed, curiosity piqued by Kilgahra’s cryptic words.
Kilgahra chuckled again, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mystery. “Merlin, do you remember the map and the letter you found a year ago?” he glanced from one to the other, ensuring both men were listening. “In that letter, there was only one word. What was that word?”
Merlin furrowed his brow in concentration, tracing back through the fog of memories until clarity struck him. “Kamora… Yes, that was it! The name of the field where the cottage we stayed at was located. Morgana and I had quite a fight. You were there.”
Kilgahra smiled knowingly and nodded. “Yes, Merlin, I was indeed there. But let me clarify something important. That map you found, while it led you to the field of the cottage, was not merely a geographical reference. Kamora—it isn’t just a place; it’s a sacred belief system.”
Puzzlement filled the air, thick enough to touch. Merlin exchanged a bewildered glance with Arthur, confusion evident on both their faces. “A belief system?” Arthur echoed, the weight of Kilgahra’s revelation hanging heavily between them.
“Yes, a belief system. There are people. People of magic.” Kilgahra's words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of untold secrets. Merlin took an involuntary step forward, his heart racing with anticipation.
“People of magic? People like me?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper. “I thought they were all… all gone.”
Kilgahra shook his head, a knowing smile creeping onto his face. “Merlin… You are the most powerful sorcerer who ever lived. You didn't honestly think you were alone, did you?”
The truth struck Merlin like a bolt of lightning. Doubt twisted in his chest, battling against a flicker of hope.
“These people worship you,” Kilgahra continued, his tone reverent. “You are their King, Merlin. They… they worship Emrys. They worship you.”
The air around them felt charged, alive with the promise of a world he thought he had lost forever. Merlin's mind raced, visions of what could be swirling in his imagination. A realm filled with magic, allies standing beside him once again.
“Where are they?” he breathed, his excitement barely contained.
“In the shadows, waiting for a sign,” Kilgahra replied, his expression growing serious. “They have kept their distance, uncertain if the time was right. But now, with Arthur back, their faith will be reignited.”
A surge of determination flooded through Merlin. He could feel the pulse of magic in his veins, the responsibility of his legacy awakening within him. “Then we must show them that their faith is not misplaced. We’ll find them,” he declared, the fire in his heart igniting anew.
Kilgahra nodded, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. “Indeed, my King. It is time to reclaim what is rightfully yours.”
As the path ahead began to unfold, Merlin could sense a stirring in the air, an echo of destiny calling him forth into the unknown. With every heartbeat, he moved closer to the very heart of magic itself.
Arthur stared at Merlin, his expression a mix of confusion and astonishment. "You... you're a king?" he exclaimed, struggling to comprehend the weight of the words.
Merlin met his gaze, his own eyes reflecting a myriad of emotions. “I didn’t… I didn’t know,” he murmured, the truth settling around them like a shroud.
“But this is something, right?” Merlin continued, hope flickering in his voice. Arthur remained silent for a moment, the enormity of the moment sinking in.
“Merlin,” Arthur finally spoke, a sense of certainty filling his heart. “I always knew you were destined for greatness. You’ve stood by my side through countless trials.” He paused, recalling the years of loyalty and friendship. “You even waited for me for over a thousand more… You have People.”
Before Merlin could respond, Kilgahra stepped forward, his presence commanding and wise. “Perhaps I wasn’t clear,” he said, his voice resonating in the stillness. “Merlin is a king to those who are like him. But he needs you, Arthur. You are one half of a coin, and Merlin is the other half.”
As Arthur processed Kilgahra’s words, he felt a sense of purpose awakening within him. They were bound together by destiny, a union that could reshape the fate of their world.
The air shimmered with potential, and Arthur knew that this moment was just the beginning of something extraordinary. Together, they would forge a path not just for themselves, but for the People who depended on them.
Merlin turned to Kilgahra, a frown etched on his brow. “How do we find these people?” he inquired, his voice a blend of curiosity and concern.
Kilgahra, the great dragon whose wisdom was as deep as the oceans, let out a heavy sigh. His Albany eyes glimmered with an ancient knowledge, though the weight of uncertainty bore down on his spirit. “That I do not know, Merlin,” he replied, his tone tinged with a hint of frustration.
Arthur, standing nearby, couldn’t help but observe the exchange. The air was thick with the tension of unspoken possibilities, and he felt the urgency of their mission pressing down upon them. Time was slipping away, and with it, the hope of uncovering the truth behind the shadows that loomed over the world.
After Kilghara had departed, Arthur turned to Merlin, urgency etched across his face. “Use your magic,” he urged, his voice steady despite the chaos surrounding them.
Merlin glanced at him, bewildered. “What?”
“Your magic... use your magic to find them,” Arthur insisted. The words seemed to hang in the air between them, and Merlin’s eyes widened with realization. He felt a jolt of embarrassment wash over him.
“M-My magic? Of course. I’m an idiot...” he muttered under his breath. But even as the truth of his abilities dawned on him, a dull ache pulsed in his head. Something felt off...
“Arthur—” Merlin started, but before he could finish, a deafening explosion erupted nearby. Debris flew through the air, and clouds of smoke engulfed them. The world spun around them as both Merlin and Arthur were hurled backward, landing with a hard thud. Darkness quickly closed in as they slipped into unconsciousness.
When they awoke, the air was thick with the scent of fresh pine. They found themselves on the ground, which felt unusually soft and smooth, like freshly cut grass beneath them. Above, the sky was shrouded in darkness, illuminated only by a massive, brilliant moon that cast an ethereal glow over the landscape, creating a path through the shadows.