Erza drops the shield and Merlin can hear and see them again. He examined Erza with his eyes and thought, so she can negate magic and control space, interesting, she could break free from here at any time but doesn't. He looks at Eden and then at the lycans, then back at Eden. Their looks have changed. The tension between them has dissolved as if it was never there. Why does this place give me some familiarity? I sense as if I'm being pulled to this place. I even tried to get out of being locked in to this place.
Eden interrupted Merlin's thoughts when she said, "You are a cunning old man, I noticed how you effortlessly guided them to settle down. I should be watchful of that silver tongue." Merlin slightly raised his eyes and before he could retort Eden added, "I'm pointed out not for you to attempt to change my mind, but for you to understand that wisdom is a gift of God. Putting you on notice is my way of letting you know your words and actions will not be unknown to my God." With that, she openly did a kill shot to any future attempts of manipulation. Merlin chuckled a little and said, "I see that I am, how do you say it, outgunned here." Eden looked at him for a moment before she said, " your input would still hold value. I am not to proud to admit that I don't have the foresight for a lot of things." Merlin nodded.
Merlin showed his wrists and revealed the runes on his forearms that he was covering under his shirt. "Since you won't let me pick your mind, then I'll show you what is already on my mind." These runes were placed on me to avoid me using any magic spell to leave the realm and I've been in limbo for a long time. I can only share that while in limbo, it is a black space where sometimes images of your past appear and disappear. Then you're left in the dark where you can't use your senses. If you try to sit or stand in one place, the floor beneath you disappears, then you feel as if you're constantly falling until you land on something again." Eden was imagining it in her head and it sounded like a mental torture chaimber. This must be how they manage to break their spirits and manipulate them into submitting to their rules. If this is limbo, what would the dungeon be like, she asked herself? Then Eden looked at Merlin and continued to analyze the situation. He was giving me information that I wanted to know. There's either strings attached or it's a peace offering. Either way, he is much older and experienced at navigating the world from what I heard. All I know is what I was told about his story and Camelot. It's what inspired the name of the alliance, EXC. Merlin then asked, "How did you know I was the Merlin from the stories?" Eden took in a breath of air before answering, "I didn't. I saw your name on the list of my new hires. I found it odd that you all had names and some had generic names as villager, assigned to forge or villager, assigned to mage tower. It was until Erza suppressed you that I knew. The rest of the villagers were not affected by her suppression. It gave me the impression she did not view them as potential threats." Merlin nodded to show he understood her reasoning very well. She had come to that conclusion fairly quick. Then Oscar interrupted their conversation by asking, "So why do you treat your villagers like equals if they are not a threat to you?" Eden felt her heart thump, thinking of Menky and all the ones under her workforce. She had an ambiguous feeling when thinking about the subject. Then she replied a little irritated after she thought of what kind of fucken question was that. She answered, "do you not see that they are people? Or are you fucken blind?" Oscar whipped his neck back a little at the sudden change in mood from Eden. She sounded just like King Cerberus at that moment. He bowed his head a tad bit out of instinct. Murphy, Lewis, Gideon and Kane felt the same way Oscar felt in that instant. She's a fucken beast, if they didn't know she was human, they would confuse her for one of their kind in that one moment. Sylvie felt like her spirit knew her. It resonated with her emotions. Merlin continued to observe the situation. He thought to himself, I see, so this is why after such a long time I was let out. A master crafter always has perfect timing. Merlin looked at the scene, a human that shows wisdom beyond her time, a powerful spiritual being, Mythical beings that typically don't associate with humans and an old mage of a different time and realm. He asked himself, I still can't shake that familiar feeling that I sense. It's a presence that I thought I lost long ago. I was beginning to forget the face of the one I was loyal to. How many decades had passed in that state of limbo.
Eden then asked, "how did Gunther decide on you all when I asked him to only hire those who hit the first mark?" Oscar laughed and answered, "well I almost broke the meter, and this guy here was trembling to keep is shit together! Ha ha ha ." Lewis and Gideon smirked a little. Kane gave Oscar a murderous glare. Sylvie answered, "we can manipulate how little magic we put out and watch how the hiring was decided before we stepped up." Eden thought, oh Gunther you're such a well intended soul. Well this is what's to be expected without giving him any guidance. Merlin added, "I did not intend to be hired, I was going to attempt to desert the place when no one was looking, but Gunther decided to keep me around." Eden then remembered that Gunther was actually going to ask her for permission disguised as requesting advice. But wait didn't Erza move back as if to indicate he was not human? It's odd he looks human. She then thought of asking her that in private. Eden didn't read the stories of King Arthur so any details, she definitely didn't know.
Then Eden looked at Merlin seriously and asked him "How do I know I can trust you?" Merlin looked at the ceiling while trying to think. He answered "you really won't know, because I don't know as well. There's a battle constantly waging inside me that was subdued with a sense of purpose. That is what kept me going all this time, finding that sense of purpose again. Sadly I don't have an answer to confirm whether you can or not." He sighed and looked at Erza. Then continued, "as long as you are heavenly guarded, you won't have to worry." Eden didn't like his response, then said, "you really took the long way to say I don't know." Oscar roared in laughter. Sylvie mindlinked him to shut up and he immediately settled down. Eden gave Oscar a smirk and said, "well at least someone appreciates my sarcasm here." Oscar gave Sylvie a smug look after.
Merlin was also amused by Eden's sassy response. Then he was about to speak when the door opened. Then a tall man with wide shoulders and chestnut hair entered. Dressed in his armor he said, "Commander, we are ready and are awaiting for you when you are. Merlin felt his heart tighten. The sound of that voice, he can distinguish it anywhere. It was as if a warm ray of sunlight just hit him. Merlin shook a little, he was afraid to turn around and find out it was an illusion. But he knew deep inside his heart this was him, the one he was most loyal to, now standing in that room. Eden nodded at Arthur and got up from her seat as she issued out orders, "I want Murphy, Lewis, Kane, Gideon and Sylvie to come with us. Have armor issued to them at once. Take Merlin to the mage tower and have someone watch over him. Instruct that he is not to be left unsupervised and that he cannot leave the mage tower unless I say. No exceptions. Let the kitchen know he is to be served in his room but not to interact with him, just leave the food and pick up the dirty dishes after." Arthur nodded and said, "Understood." Eden then turned to look at Merlin to see him shakenly standing from his chair with an ambiguous look on his face, it was sad, happy, disbelief and bewildering. He walked cautiously to Arthur and then slowly spoke, "King, King Arthur how?"
Arthur's eyes were on Eden when they suddenly landed on Merlin who had tears of joy dripping down his face. Arthur felt his heart thump hard, and a memory of his past was trying to break free. A past he was made to forget by the elders. Arthur felt another thump and took a step back barely keeping his composure. What was this man talking about? Why does he sound so familiar and why do I suddenly feel as if I was always destined for a higher purpose? That name, it's my name, bestowed on me by my commander Eden, who I faithfully serve, but now it feels as if that's always been my name. He felt his head getting hot with the intensity of his memories trying to resurface. Then Erza moved at the speed of light between them and separated them with her energy force. Pushing them on opposite sides within seconds, and her voice echoing in their ears, "Stop! You are close to breaking the rules. "
Merlin was trying to keep himself on his feet because he lost his balance with the sudden push. He looked at Eden angrily, "what have you done!" His face darkened and the air round him seemed to stop.Then Arthur stepped in front of Eden and raised his voice at Merlin, "How dare you speak to the Commander like that in my presence?!" Arthur placed his hand over his sword ready to pull it out if he had to. Merlin walked over to Erza's desk and swiped everything off it with force. The air in the room turned cold. Erza's eyes began to glow, sensing Merlin's mood changing.
Eden was watching everything and taking it all in. Well that escalated quickly, she thought to herself. Then she kept thinking, if he really is King Arthur, why hasn't he said anything that would give me a clue to his identity? He has such a prominent background. I don't remember seeing anything in his supposed background when I named him. He was one of the soldiers already here when I arrived. Then again, I don't know how long anyone here has been trapped. She then decided to do the thing she disliked the most , she put her hand on Arthur's shoulder and saw his last moments. As she closed her eyes she said, "Arthur, it's fine. I am safe."
Eden traveled through Arthur's memories quickly. In them, she saw Arthur was in the middle of a battle. He was fighting and then his opponent managed to stab him. He falls unconscious and then he wakes up on a boat. He hears the waves crashing onto the boat. He blinks, he is now in a paradise that he can see beyond the window. He is tempted to move but he can't. His body is paralyzed. He tries to speak but can't. Then a shadow figure from the corner begins to move closer to him and then gets bigger. It snickers and says, "yes, you will do okay, he he he , another pawn in my game." The shadow's hand moves over him and he feels as if he's sucked in. Arthur is now in Evansly as a monarch. He realizes that he was in a new world with different rules. He eventually finds out the elders' secret and is now trying to set everyone free. He is met with resistance by others who preferred such a world and continues to have to go into battle. The world is rigged since the elders have the authority of this world. Those who joined the elders were given advantages which increased their power. This resulted in multiple defeats. Each time he revives, he changes a little. Like parts of him are forgotten. Eden had seen enough and removed her hand from his shoulder and lost her balance for a slight second. Erza rapidly moves behind her and catches her. Then releases Eden just as fast. Eden felt a jolt of power travel through her with the short interaction. It was enough to make her feel reenergized.
Arthur responded, "it is not wise to let him speak to you like that." Eden retorted, " but it is wise to listen so that we can hear the route of the pain." Merlin was still burning inside, tossing what was near him until he heard Eden's response. "Pain? Is that what she thinks I'm feeling? I am angry that my King is now at your backing call!" He yelled. Eden felt Merlin was unstable, probably due to his mental prison of loneliness. None of the Lycans moved because Sylvie told them not to interfere. This was going to be resolved. Sylvie had noticed Eden's movements. Then Eden strode over to Merlin and grabbed him by his left wrist. Her eyes still watery from quickly reliving Arthur's deaths that made him forget. Her emotions were heightened by the experience. She stared at Merlin and then looked at her hand holding him. Nothing. He hasn't gone through death like Arthur had, yet he stands here righteously accusing others. Eden's tears were soaking her face, but she began to feel anger towards his tantrum when he hadn't witnessed what she did. She said slowly in a low angry voice,"How fucken dare you question me, when you don't know a fucken thing." Her voice began to rais and her heart began to pump more blood into her. Spoke a little faster and louder."You have the audacity to accuse me of Arthur's state without any proof?" Merlin was stunned for a second when she went from her calm demeanor to this frantic state. He missed the slight seconds it took her to raise her hand behind her, where Arthur tossed her his sword on instinct. It's something they have developed during battles. Eden then said loudly with more anger, "do you want to know why you can't fathom Arthur losing his memory? It's BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T FUCKEN DIED!" Eden stabbed Merlin right in the chest and into his heart, then twisted it ensuring his death. Merlin looked at Eden shocked as his heart gave the last beat and the light in his eyes left. His body just exploded into tiny particles and his body disappeared. A small black ember was left in his place slowly growing like a heart beat. Eden dropped the sword and let her body drop down to her knees letting out a loud cry. "Forgive me father for I have sinned! But I trust that he will return with a better understanding," Eden said as she bowed her head. She closed her eyes to control her emotions that were still fluctuating. Arthur, Oscar and Sylvie took a step closer towards Eden in an attempt to check in on her. Eden raised her hand up to stop them. "Please don't, I can't touch you. I won't be able to bear the weight of watching your deaths or glimpses of your past lives. I had enough for one day," she said softly. After a moment, she said, "He will respawn. My friend Expat is the one who told me. I never thought I would ever do the same as him. Even I surprise myself with my own actions." Eden took a deep breath and let it out, then said "I'm sorry you had to witness the evil inside me. I'm not perfect." No one knew what to say at that moment. They all looked at each other. Arthur still had a complex feeling about it. He believed in Eden and respected her, but after seeing the light in that man's eyes go. Something inside him was triggered. Then the ember suddenly grew big and Merlin emerged from the black flames like a phoenix. He stood there looking Eden still on her knees silently praying. Then she looked at him and their eyes met. With a solemn face, Merlin said, I understand why you did it. He looked at Arthur and the corners of his mouth went down. I now understand why he is the way he is." Eden got up and said, " no matter how many times a person dies in this world, as long as their spirit remains strong, their true core remains. You will see he is still him even if he has amnesia." Merlin nodded, "yes, I recognize it now."
Arthur had a sense of relief when he saw Merlin emerge. It's as if he was holding his breath and she suddenly got oxygen to his lungs. He knew Eden wouldn't treat her people this way. It was out of her character and when she raised her sword he could sense the pain inside her. As if he felt her heart break with every movement she took to stab him. He felt at ease when he saw Merlin was no longer hostile towards Eden and she was safe. Then he heard Lewis ask, " so we can't die?" Erza decided to take the burden of answering, " as long as you are a contracted villager with a monarch and there are certain factors met, you cannot die if you are not a deserter." Kane then said, " well I guess we can go all out if we have to fight our way through things." Eden spoke up, "I don't recommend it, each time you go you don't come back the same. I was told its like a mental torture, some sort of purgatory." Oscar looked confused, "what's a purgatory," he asked. Sylvie responded, "it was covered in theology class goofy, you know, the class you skipped to sleep in." Gideon said chuckling, "he's not the only one," pointing with his eyes at Kane. "Hey!" shouted Kane in protest, "I had grave shift patrol duty!" Murphy chimed, "that old excuse," he said that because he had it too, but he didn't miss class or use it as an excuse. Arthur cleared his throat, "I believe we should avoid using the word grave for the day," while looking at Merlin. The guys nodded. Eden didn't mind the chatter, she was relieved to see some familiarity among them. She just wanted to put this behind them. She then ordered everyone to move out, but Merlin asked, "can I join you? I would like to stay near." Then he looked at Arthur. Eden looked at Arthur and then back at Merlin. She then answered, "No. You just returned from purgatory and you need time to process your experience. There's time to converse with General Arthur upon our return." She started walking out, but paused for a moment and then without looking back at Merlin said, " I'm not punishing you for your insolence earlier because I stabbed you already, but don't let it happen again. And I strongly advise you not to bring up the past to Arthur, it's against the rules. The last man who answered one question I had for him was thrown into the dungeon. He is constantly on my mind. I don't want that to happen to you just because you were trying to help someone close to you recover their memory. Let it happen naturally. I won't forgive you if you proceed to go against my wishes, Arthur is irreplaceable to me too" with that said, Eden left the room.