Shaka Bry - Rise Of The Mermaid Queen

I neednt ask where were going. I know the way.

In my mind, Ive lived every second of this morning a hundred thousand times, maybe more. When youre first let in on the ultimate secretthat the universe is predeterminedthat truth can be a razor edged pill to swallow. It takes time, but eventually, you submit to Fates will, and follow her regimented flow.

Because yes, Fate is as female as the goddess who made us. No man could ever conceive of the diabolical nature of the cosmos, nor the wheel which turns it.

The day Merlin showed me his crystal globe, I saw a vision of what would become his undeniable undoing. My future selfs participation in it all was hardly surprising. Ive been around long enough to cause my own share of mischief. I can recognize when another like-minded soul seeks to use my impish inclinations toward their selfish goal. The only shocking twist was that he sought to use me, not for any selfish gain, but to help him die.

One unfortunate downside of knowing whats coming is, when the present catches up to you, the aftershock of the inevitable event can knock you right out of your knickers. I agreed to help him, but only because I loved him.

I love him still.

And though he claimed he never wanted to die, his demise was written on Eternitys eye. The crazy old sorcerer was plucky like that. He needed (needs) me to fulfill his destiny. And who am I to stand in the universes way?

Ive been careful these past months. Ive taught my mind not to stray. Reality is still reality. This path is to be Merlins end, not mine. I am to carry on without himto go forward, honoring his memory with my life. No matter the incredible abilities Im about to receive, I must never get ahead of myself. He has warned me again and again of the raw power of his power.

Now that were on the final path to Merlins doom, I feel Fates icy hand pressing against my back. Its as if shes nervous I might seek to change her will. I have no intentions of doing so. I dont think I do, anyway. It would be futile to dare try. I know my place here. I know what I am and what I am about to be. But no one says I have to like it.

Merlin leads me through the thick of Broceliande Forest. Hes taking his pending death in stride. Long, casual strides reveal he is unafraid, perhaps even eager to carry out the days deed. Could it be hes had his fill of immortality? Is he ready to get on with his afterlife, to go in bliss, wherever Fate may take him?

Were about halfway between Camelot and Avalon when we come upon the rock of ages. How fitting this should be the placehere at the very spot where we first proved our ground-bound love to one another. Prior to that glorious sun-smitten afternoon, we restricted our awkward, unsatisfying trysts to the watery depths of the lake.

In three thousand years, he was the only human I invited beneath my tepid surface. Our relationship (if you could call it a relationship), strange as it was, was predicated on mutual respect. I offered the promise to carry on his legacyto keep England progressingand he vowed to bestow upon me all else. His sorcery, his unparalleled control of space, time, matter, and anti-matter will be mine by lunch. Though I cant imagine Ill be very hungry. My stomach is in knots over what I must do.

Before I met Merlin, I never perceived myself as one who would journey beyond the safety of the lake. It was my home, my sanctuary, my world. But he spun such inspired tales of life on land. He recounted battles and festivals in the same light! How humans could slaughter each other one morning and dance through the night!

I dont do his stories justice. He is convincing as the starlings mimicking call. I fell hard for his middling charm. How much of it was an act? He knew all along he would find me, woo me, and make me his puppet for his killing. So how true was his heart?

Here, at this very rock where I will end him, we once held each other, and gave ourselves over to one another. Was it all a lie?

Despite what I must do, I know I have a heart. I know because I feel it begging for me to defeat Fate, against all odds. Thats just the thing of it though, Heart. There has yet to be a spell that can counter Fate. Were I to try, Fate would push me back in the direction shes always wanted. Or she might drop a tree on me, just for a laugh, robbing me of any chance I may have of taking the place of the worlds most accomplished sorcerer. No, I will not tempt Fate. Merlins warned me plenty on that subject.

Contrary to how history will no doubt remember me, I do care deeply for him. My feelings, at least, are real. Merlin taught me everything that was ever worth knowing about the fine arts of wizardry and charmtwo potions that dont mix well together in others, but can extrapolate entire universes when used wisely.

Prior to meeting Merlin, my powers were restricted to that of the illusory. The lake, most of this forest, and all of Avalon were but a mirage to any human who might stumble upon it. Any human, that was, until Merlin.

Over the years, hes discussed every trick of hishow to spiral time and walk through centuries past and future; how to speak to the animals and listen to the breeze; how to sort through molecules and split open the world, pulling out ancient, mystical energies to bend them to your will. He illuminated me on how to create anti-matter, and how one could, potentially, use its properties to create monsters. The practical and the impractical were set on Merlins professorial table. Of course, I could never use these learned magics on my own, not before he was gone. Not until he passed them to me.

When the long days of learning were complete, we enjoyed each others company, in every sense of the phrase. He considered me his equal. And I did the same. Merlin continually reminded me that the day was coming when the tables would turn. I would be the one taking his place. I would be the one standing here at this rock, mere moments away from Fates bloody blade bringing his swift end, along with my undeserved inheritance.

I dont want it, I tell him, rising to the occasion of the present. We stand divided, marking the spot where Merlins lifelong vision has always led him. There is no room for argument. But I will argue the last of his breaths away, anyway.

Viviane. His voice plays gentle on my already high-strung emotions. We have been over this.

And over this and over this and over this, yes, I say. I am quicker to roll my eyes than the boulder. I wont do it. Not at this price.

This is the only way to free you of this fantasy world. You should walk the real world, Viviane. You are bigger than your lake, bigger than Avalon, bigger than this forest, bigger than even Camelot.

You make me out to be a beast. I cannot help but smile. Even now, I enjoy playing coy.

My powers, transferred to you, will set you free, he tells for the millionth time. My sacrifice, your continuation. That is how it was always meant to be. My time is up here. Yours is about to begin.