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The Eternal Guardians - Earth&Water
### Chapter One: A Dance of Shadows and Light

### Chapter One: A Dance of Shadows and Light

A long time ago, a young girl Viviane wandered through the lush garden of her family's estate, her fingers brushing over the delicate petals of the flowers she had lovingly nurtured. She had always felt a deep connection to the earth, an innate understanding of the life that pulsed beneath her fingertips. She was the third of five sons, and she always felt different. She found herself curious and ambitious, she was interested in plants and ancient books.

It was summer, and the vibrant colors and fragrant scents surrounded her, she found solace and inspiration, losing herself in the pages of ancient books filled with knowledge of plants, magic, and the world's mysteries. She was sitting on the grass, watching her brothers and sisters playing loudly when she noticed a strange figure watching over her.

It was in this tranquil setting that Morgana first saw her. The powerful witch, once a friend of Merlin and now devoted to the immense power of darkness, had been drawn to the garden by a flicker of energy she had not felt in decades. Hidden among the shadows, Morgana watched the young girl with keen interest, sensing a powerful aura coming from her. She was looking for a potential apprentice with the capacity for greatness, perhaps even a threat to Morgana herself.

Morgana stepped forward, her presence instantly chilling the warm garden air. Viviane turned, her eyes widening as she took in the imposing dark, and powerful figure before her. Morgana’s dark robes billowed around her, and her eyes glinted with a dangerous, otherworldly light.

"Who are you?" Viviane asked, her voice steady despite the unease creeping into her heart.

"I am Morgana," the witch replied, her voice smooth and compelling. "I have been watching you, Viviane. You possess a remarkable gift, one that should not be squandered."

Viviane's curiosity overcame her fear. “A gift? What do you want with me?”

Morgana smiled a predator's smile. "I want to offer you knowledge and power beyond your wildest dreams. You have a rare potential, Viviane. With my guidance, you can master the elements, and command the very forces of nature."

Viviane hesitated the allure of Morgana's offer tugging at her. She had always yearned to understand the deeper mysteries of magic, to harness the full extent of her abilities. "What must I do?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"Come with me," Morgana replied, extending a hand. "Learn from me, and together we will unlock your true potential."

Months turned into years as Viviane studied under Morgana's tutelage. She mastered earth and fire with an ease that surprised and scared even her mentor. Her powers grew, flourishing under Morgana's guidance, yet darkness lingered at the edges of her mind. Morgana pushed her towards the darker aspects of magic, trying to break her pure soul, but Viviane resisted, her heart remaining true to the light she had always cherished.

Despite Morgana's teachings, Viviane's innate goodness shone through. Morgana watched her student with a mixture of admiration and fear. Viviane's potential was vast; she could become a true mage, mastering not only earth and fire but water and air as well—elements that Morgana could not control. If Viviane achieved this, she would rival even Merlin.

Morgana's fear turned to cunning. One evening, she approached Viviane with a new proposition, a deal that would test the young sorceress's loyalty and ambition. "You have learned so much, Viviane, but to become truly powerful, you must master all the elements," Morgana said. "Merlin holds the secrets of air and water. I can help you become his apprentice."

Viviane’s heart quickened. She had heard tales of Merlin's wisdom and power, his mastery of the elements unrivaled. The prospect of learning from him was tantalizing, but she sensed a catch. "And what would you ask in return?"

Morgana's eyes glittered with malice. "Once you have gained his trust, you will trap him in an airy prison. It is the only prison that can hold a wizard as powerful as Merlin. Do this, and you will be free and the most powerful mage ever existed."

Torn between her desire for knowledge and her mistrust of Morgana's intentions, Viviane agreed, believing she could outsmart her mentor and find a path that did not betray her principles. Viviane was sent to Camelot, she was asking for help because she was running from Morgana, who was keeping her prisoner. Genevre fell to her lies and welcomed the young girl at court. Once at Camelot, Viviane tried to connect with Merlin, unsuccessfully.

The wizard felt her powerful aura, and while she was practicing with magic, he decided to challenge her. He trapped her with a magic leash, then he started questioning her about her time with Morgana. Viviane played her cards well: “She used me, she wanted to take my magic” - “You are powerful my lady, but you have been poisoned by Morgana’s darkness as well”. Viviane sighed “She pushed me into black magic, I tried once and I was scared, please help me in getting rid of it”. Moved by her words, and her beauty Merlin decided to teach the girl some of his secrets.

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Under Merlin's guidance, Viviane flourished and grew stronger than before. She mastered water first, her connection to the element deepened by her affinity with the earth. The fluidity and grace of water came naturally to her, and Merlin was impressed by her rapid progress. Next, she turned to air, finding in its elusive currents a challenge that pushed her to new heights of understanding and skill. The wind had no more secrets to Viviane, she could have generated a storm and created flashes to destroy an entire army.

As the months passed, Viviane found herself growing closer to Merlin. His kindness and wisdom were a stark contrast to Morgana's harsh teachings. Their bond deepened, evolving from mentor and student to something more profound and intimate. Love blossomed between them, a secret they cherished and guarded fiercely.

Viviane's heart swelled with joy when she discovered she was carrying Merlin's child. She kept the pregnancy hidden, knowing the danger they faced if Morgana discovered the truth. But as the days turned into weeks, Viviane's sense of foreboding grew.

One night, Morgana visited Viviane in her dreams. The dark witch's voice was a chilling whisper that snaked through her mind. "You have not fulfilled your part of the bargain, Viviane. It is time to act. Trap Merlin, or face the consequences!”

Awakening with a start, Viviane knew she could no longer keep secrets from Merlin. She found him in his study, surrounded by ancient tomes and the glow of magical artifacts. "Merlin," she began, her voice trembling, "I have something to tell you."

Merlin looked up, concern etched on his face. "What is it, Viviane?"

Tears filled her eyes as she recounted her past with Morgana, the deal she had made, and the love that had grown between them. She revealed her pregnancy, the child they had created out of their love and hope for the future.

Merlin listened in silence, his expression unreadable. When she finished, he reached out, pulling her into a tender embrace. "We will face this together," he whispered. "Morgana's darkness cannot overshadow the light we have found in each other."

With a renewed sense of purpose, they began to formulate a plan. Morgana's strength was formidable, but together they believed they could overcome her. Viviane's mastery of earth, fire, water, and air, combined with Merlin's unparalleled knowledge and experience, and his control over the VOID would have stopped Morgana forever.

The day of reckoning arrived, and they stood side by side, ready to confront Morgana. The dark witch emerged from the shadows, her eyes burning with anger and betrayal. "So, my little apprentice has betrayed me," Morgana hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "Did you really think you could outsmart me, Viviane?"

Viviane stood tall, her chin raised defiantly. "I chose love over your twisted ambitions, Morgana. Tonight, this ends."

Morgana's laughter was a dark, chilling sound. "You are a fool, Viviane. And you will pay the price for your betrayal.”

With a flick of her wrist, Morgana summoned a wave of darkness, sending it crashing towards Merlin and Viviane. Merlin raised his hands, creating a surrounding barrier of shimmering light to intercept the attack. The force of the collision shook the ground beneath their feet.

"Stay behind me," Merlin instructed, his voice steady despite the chaos erupting around them.

Viviane nodded, but she knew she could not remain a passive observer. She began to chant, drawing upon the spells and incantations she had learned from both Morgana and Merlin. Her magic intertwined with Merlin's, creating a dazzling display of power that pushed back against Morgana's darkness.

The battle raged on, each side unleashing devastating spells that lit up the night sky. Trees splintered, and the earth trembled as the forces of light and dark clashed with unrelenting fury. Morgana's power, fueled by her pact with the darkness, seemed almost limitless. But Merlin, with his mastery of the elements and the VOID, was a formidable opponent.

Despite their combined efforts, Morgana began to gain the upper hand. Her dark magic seeped through their defenses, inching closer and closer to them. Merlin's face was etched with determination, but Viviane could see the strain taking its toll on him.

She reached out to Merlin through their bond, infusing him with the last vestiges of her magic. Empowered by her magical sacrifice, Merlin unleashed a torrent of magic so powerful that it illuminated the night sky, a beacon of hope in the darkness.

Morgana screamed in fury, launching a final, desperate attack. But Merlin was ready. Drawing upon all his elements, the combined power of Viviane and the VOID, he unleashed a wave of pure, unadulterated magic that enveloped Morgana. The darkness shrieked and writhed, but it could not withstand the purity of their combined power.Morgana screamed as the light engulfed her, disintegrating her form under its purity. In her final moments, she cast a curse with her dying breath, a malevolent promise that echoed through the ages. "Viviane will die giving birth, and the darkness will rise again to destroy you."

As the darkness dissipated, her body crumpled to the ground, lifeless. The forest fell silent, and the air cleared of the oppressive darkness. Merlin stood over Morgana's fallen form, his heart heavy with both victory and loss. They had defeated Morgana but at a great cost.

Viviane was cursed, and she was already in labor. Instantly, the curse took hold, and Viviane's body convulsed in pain. Merlin rushed to her side, cradling her as she took her final breaths. "I love you," she whispered, her voice fading. "Protect our child. She is the key to defeating the darkness.”

The darkness might return, but he would be ready. Together, he and his child would face whatever challenges lay ahead, guided by the love and sacrifice that had brought them to this moment.

Merlin decided to split his powers so nobody would ever be able to master all of them, except for the chosen one, a descendant of his bloodline so pure in heart that would have been able to combine them and defeat the darkness once and for all.

The Earth power was given to the Roman druids, experts in architecture and construction - they would have used the power in their Hidden Caves - built with Merlin’s help to have a safe place where to practice Earth magic.

The Water power was given to the Frost Elves in the Alps, masters of water and ice magic. Frost Elves are resistant to low temperatures and professional swimmers, their land so hidden in the mountains that was a perfect place where to leave that great source of power.

The Fire knowledge, a dangerous one, was given to the Guardians of the Light in Paris, a group of great alchemists and librarians, devoted to shade light to the darkness.

The Air magic was given to the Scottish Druids, potent priests and priestesses voted to protect magic at all costs, chosen by Merlin as protector of his bloodline.

Merlin couldn't get rid of the VOID, it was melted to his aching soul. Viviane loss made the VOID irresistible and Merlin fell to its influence. It was what led Merlin to madness after hiding his grimoire from the world and teaching his daughter a powerful lullaby.

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