It wasn’t long before Arthur and Wesley discovered the note and Merlin’s body. Neither of them had time to care about where the azeel that attacked her was, nor time to care who it would attack next. Wesley was devastated, but Arthur was on a whole other level.

“I wasn’t able to protect her…” He mumbled, staring at her body. He wasn’t crying, in fact his voice was calm and steady. But under it, Wesley could hear a storm brewing.

“Arthur,” He said as he stood behind his fiance. “Are you okay?” Wesley knew he wasn’t, but felt he had to say something.

“I should’ve executed the infected prisoners.” He whispered. It was a dark and sinister sound. The compassion the king held for his subjects faded in that moment. And then, as quick as a snake leaps at its prey, Arthur drew his sword and pointed it at Wesley’s neck.

“You… You did this.” He mumbled. “You made the azeels.” Arthur’s violet eyes were filled with anger, pain and murderous intent. But hatred was not in his eyes, which gave Wesley an immense feeling of relief.

Arthur’s sword was against Wesley’s neck. But the mage stayed silent. Tears were falling from his eyes, yet his face was neutral and calm.

“Well?” Arthur was now screaming. “What do you have to say for yourself?” Spit flew from his mouth as he bellowed at his fiance.

“I’m sorry, Arthur. I knew that your forgiveness was too good to be true.” The mage grabbed Arthur’s sword and moved the tip to his chest, right above his heart.

“Go ahead.” He said through a slight smile. Tears still trickling down his face. “Kill me.”

Arthur’s eyes widened. His eyes calmed due to the shock of what Wesley had said, but he did not lower his blade.

“I’m not challenging you, Arthy.” His face was happy, there was no hint of lies in his eyes. “You gave me the best time of my life. Allow me to atone for my sins by dying at your hand. I never told a single soul this, but the azeels are bound to my life. Ending it will cause them to wither away.”

Arthur now lowered his sword. Not out of mercy, but out of debilitating shock. His eyes were now tearing up, he was realizing that he never intended to hurt Wesley. But now he was faced with a choice.

“One path to salvation is to end my life. That is a certain victory. The other, is to allow me to continue living by your side, fighting the azeels together. You are the only reason I’ve considered ending my life to stop my creation, and your love is the only reason I haven’t done it.” He paused to look at Arthur, maybe for one last time. “The choice is yours.”