A Traitor among his own kind

For Merlia being somewhat named after a famous person who should have been respected turned out to be a curse than a blessing.

For the wizard himself who had been declared a shameful traitor to the cause had left Merlia unsettled about her own future for most of her life.

But the unsettled feeling remained more unwelcoming due to Merlin's line that was left behind after the wizard had passed.

Hundred years had passed and Merlin's line remained disliked and scorned for siding with the oppressors.

Some had jeered Merlin's name while others made sure that Merlin and his line never did have an ounce of peace in their lives.

What also made it more uncomfortable for Merlia was that her brother too had been hated for having the name of the one who ruined the lives of the people- Mordred.

The fallen man as well as a woman named Morgana helped stir up the fight that Uther had introduced, confident that they would take over Camelot only to discover they were nowhere near as capable of achieving their goals.

At times Merlia wondered why her parents named her after Merlin, wondered why she shared the same blood as him and was a progeny with magic like her fallen ancestor.

Did they see the fallen traitor in her?

It truly teared Merlia up knowing that her family had no peace.

Instead shame for being related to such men left deep a mark on the siblings.

Not even Mordred her cold brother would smile, instead he remained aloof to those who approached him whether they possessed good intentions or not.

Words could not express how shocked Skye was the moment Merlia revealed her connection to Merlin.

In truth it was deemed odd at times now that he thought about it that she would have a similar name to the Wizard but brushed it off.

After all it could just be a coincidence.

Sadly this in turn made him berate himself for being so blind and foolish.

Of course Merlin's line wouldn't have ended, of course there had to be a legacy he left behind.

But this, this was something that even he couldn't stomach.

A wise powerful wizard of the ages instead of being hailed as a saviour by his own kind, had been reduced to a curse and a source of pure hatred.

A traitor among his own kind.

Even now Skye had no idea as to why Merlin had vanished from Light Dwellers' history, only now as Merlia explained it resulted in leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.

"But… but he saved your kind" Skye said looking at the grievous group who didn't share his sentiments, not even Anberine and Marcus could either agree or disagree.

Instead were left uncomfortable at being placed in such an awkward position.

"How? Why does the Dark Dwellers hate him?" Skye asked as he tried to wrap his head round what he was hearing.

"Give it a rest" Mordred said coldly as he looked away, his arms tightly folded against his chest as pain and anger filled his mind.

For his sister he would stay silent, especially since she was the one who like him shared Merlin's blood.

However as thankful as Mordred was that he was not next in line to carry Merlin's legacy and talents, it did not mean he wanted his baby sister to suffer.

The signs had been everywhere, the unsettled looks had left him uncomfortable and all he could do was watch his naïve sister.

Who in turn was unaware of what fate had in store for her play with her own magic as if it was second nature to her.

Even now it seemed like a sick joke his sister had to deal with.

Back there she had to be the face and voice or reason.

Had to live up to expectations of other and be the scapegoat thanks to her magic.

The same thing that should have been a blessing, only it was far from that.

The elders made sure of that to his disgust.

Be it him or Merlia who wanted nothing more than to design and become a tailor.

Sharing her joy by making garments for people would be forced to abandon that dream.

Despite this she refused to be deterred as much as possible by practicing her crafts during their school year.

Here in the Light Realm, she was free for now.

Free to expand her knowledge and her talents without prying eyes, those that judge her wherever she went.

Not that the Light Realm was any better but at least it wasn't as devastating as what the elders allowed.

Something that Mordred at times envied and yet loved about her, her courage and determination not to buckle under pressure.

Even when the pressure continued to wrap itself around her neck like a noose.

Times that left him wondering what their ancestor would say about this.

Only just thinking about the man left Mordred bitter in many ways, some without any understanding why it was so potent towards him.

"Look" Skye looked down as he stared at his clenched hands, never leaving his seat nor standing as he tried to process what had been said.

"To be honest, this is a shock for me. A really big shock but Merlin has something to do with the forbidden Section and… I want to know why" Skye's hands clenched tightly on his lap.

His mind remained spooked on what he saw, there had to be a reason as to why he saw it and not the Ra-her.

Merlia bit the inside corner of her left lip in frustration, to think even here she was never safe with hiding her heritage.

She wanted to avoid Merlin's hold over her and yet it proved fruitless-useless even and it left her more conflicted as she looked at Anberine who bit the end of her thumb nail.

"I don't want to put Merlia through this though" Anberine finally spoke surprising Mordred, Merlia and Skye.