About five years or so had passed with Merlin now living in this new world. He had gotten used to the world around him; it was like second nature, and of course, he was used to nature itself.
He now had a different appearance—one that perhaps described what happens when someone survives on nothing but wits, skill, and occasional kindness from humanoid creatures.
His muscles were in great working condition. His eyes were like those of an eagle, and his other senses were just as sharp. Learning to survive had completely transformed him, yet he still carried the same soft ten-year-old heart.
On this day, he had decided to go fishing. He crouched by the river, checking the line he had set for fish. The sun had started to set, pouring a golden glow across the water.
A noise caught his attention and distracted him for a moment. Then he heard it again. He realized something—or someone—was watching him. Merlin stayed still, but alert.
From the bushes, a girl appeared. The way her path was cleared was as though the forest itself was giving birth. Her whole look would make anyone question theirs. From her yellow hair to her dark red eyes, which complemented every flower no matter its color, everyone around stared in awe. A boy who had been hunting stopped to look, and his kill slipped away. Even the nonhumans paused to observe.
But Merlin wasn't jumpy. In fact, he felt a strange relief. His heartbeat slowed. The adrenaline settled.
"Sera?" he asked in a low, muttering tone.
She brushed her hands on leaves and branches. Throughout it all, her perfect posture never broke. She stared at Merlin like a teacher assessing a student. Merlin felt as if she could see through him. Yet for some odd reason, after all these events, he felt drawn to her.
"You've changed," she said quietly, her tone casual. A small, sharp smirk grew on her face.
In the absence of anything to say, Merlin simply nodded. A subtle unease crept over him. He thought he had trained for everything this world could throw at him—but he had not trained for her.
Sera turned and started walking away. She had what should be considered a perfect pace. Without thinking, Merlin followed. He didn't understand why, but he
didn't question it.