Prologue (Merlin’s thoughts about the Infinity Clock and the War between Fiore and Navrick)
(For staff to look over if possible)
For those who cannot read long storylines, skip to the present by scrolling down
A few weeks before the war, Merlin sat on his desk with a pen in hand to notarize the use of magical items in Crocus by scholars. Though Merlin may not be part of the Magic Council anymore, he still has a say whether some magic items made by scholars are safe or not. He did found a private school of his own after all with only a few students. He was not in the said school but rather in his workshop attending to one of his greatest weapons yet, a Behemoth that once stood in war that now slumbers and waits for its awakening.
It was a huge 10 feet tall human figure with a body builds that no man in their life could ever hope of attaining, should this is up for sale, you can buy half of the country of Fiore for its high price. Basically it was a weapon Merlin plan on using as one of his trump cards should his enemies encroach on Fiore and take over the Grandeur of the Council’s vault where they horded some of the most powerful magical artifacts they could ever get their hands on around the world. He stood up from his desk and drew a run in order to inspect the Behemoth. But a man of magic such as he holds just as many powerful relics as the Magic Council has relics that are not from Fiore and all hidden in different planets and forbidden places where he can easily draw them out through the Lady of the Lake Vivien his beloved.
Not that he would try to acquire those ploys as it would only mean that Vivien would find him easily and because he cannot utilize the
“Grand Order” he has to create trump cards of his own that would take years of research and construct at least powerful enough to match one of the Kings of Ishgal at their very best.
Kyrie opened the door to his workshop with a folder in hand.
“Master! I have the reports right here! Also Sir Dubhlainn has paid us a visit.” She said.
“Ah finally, you did your work marvelously Kyrie and yes let him in.” Merlin dropped what he was doing and opens the folder that contains reports about the Magic Council’s next move.
Dubhlainn entered Garan no Dou only to be greeted by what seems to be a toy-store like atmosphere. Everything on the shelves was all just teddy bears, dolls and trinkets used for children to play with are all here. Even toy guns that would spray sparkles are being sold here. Kyrie arrived to where Dubhlainn is at and lead him through the door and to a flight of stairs leading up towards hallway. Kyrie directed Dubhlainn to the door as the mercenary stepped in only to find himself alone in Merlin’s main office.
In a matter of seconds a figure from the windows where light would shine towards Dubhlainn’s direction emerged, only to reveal the Grand Magus, Merlin. He was sleeveless and in overalls with a pair of goggles on his hand and still holding onto the folder Kyrie gave him.
“You visited us again Dubhlainn! I do enjoy your visits!” Merlin smiled as he sat down on his desk and opened the folder.
“Don’t get used to it old man” Dubhlainn commented.
“And why are we here again today?” Merlin asked as his eyebrows were lifted by the information he’s reading.
“Its about the Infinity Clock” Dubhlainn responded, causing Merlin to close the folder of reports in response to the stimulus.
“And I supposed you wanted to take it for Savage Skull as you would?” Merlin’s eyebrows furrowed in suspicion.
“Apparently so as there were orders given to me to go by the means to retrieve it” he said.
“Forget about it, that item is just too dangerous to be used by both mortal and immortal hands. You do know what happens when that comes to surface correct?”“I know but that is exactly why I am asking what you know of it.” Merlin sighed as he rubbed his temples.
“If I do, what would your people try to do? Bluff their way to power over a tool they can’t use properly?”“I’m only carrying out the duty I was tasked with but if you’re not into cooperation then I wasted my time.” Dubhlainn turned to leave for the door only to be stopped by Merlin’s words.
“It’s a timepiece that is said to manipulate time and bend it, however it isn’t something that can completely envelop the world in its power but rather limited to enveloping an entire country should it remain activated. However bending and manipulating time is something beyond all of us as it would violate a universal law altogether. Through the perception of time where people could recognize it, the magic can easily enter the minds of all those exposed to it while still not counting as mental power. It gets its powerful range by transforming ethernano in the atmosphere and creates a concentrated area around it that will affect magical and non-magical creatures alike.”Dubhlainn sweat dropped for a moment, he couldn’t understand some of the details but had grasped the gravity and capability of such artifact.
“So even if…” “Precisely Dubhlainn, even if your guild were to utilize the clock they would be corroded by it and eventually forgot time, unless they have a proper vessel to control its power, a stellar mage or any mage that has knowledge over spatiomial displacement and trans dimensional magic.” Celesital mages or “Stellar mages” as merlin calls it are those who’s magic is capable of redirecting the power of the infinity clock making some zones or embedding specific locations immunity to its range. (Hence is why the new Oracion Seis wanted Lucy as a vessel not just for activation but as a control panel to make sure they don’t end up affected themselves).
“I understand then my suit should be able to withstand it…” Dubhlainn commented.
“For how long? Even if you have magic resistance, something that isn’t manifested as magic meant to harm or utilized upon will is still something foreign to your resistance and cannot be registered as magic that inflicts harm but changes the environment altogether. You know how dangerous it is right?”Dubhlainn was at a lost for words.
“But I think that regardless of whoever takes the timepiece, no one is going to be happy either way. I don’t trust the Magic Council to horde such item. They have horded a number of magical artifacts that would pose a threat to any kingdom or to their own citizens, such tyranny and vile intentions should they claim the relic and seal it in their so called vault of forbidden items.”“Was that why you left the magic council Merlin?” Dubhlainn asked.
“Part of the reason but the main reason is that a few individuals from the magic council is no friend of Fiore’s or anyone for that matter. Claiming to have turned to a new leaf to manage the scales of justice but only to use the magic Council as a vessel of their own power.”“I heard they plan to attack the kingdom of Navrick for the clock after negotiations have broken down, not much of the public would know of this yet.” Dubhalinn said.
“It can only mean one thing Dubhlainn, waging war on Navrick is just as shooting down two birds with one stone” Merlin said as he continued onward.
“You’re familiar with the term “The victor goes the spoils” are you?” Merlin asked.
“Concepts and ideologies don’t just exist in the world just because they are statements of fancy or an excuse for those escapists but it’s because too many people are too subjective that they cannot hope to learn what truly is behind the curtain and yet some considered themselves mages. For you see Dubhlain if Fiore wins, they will not only get their hands on the Infinity Clock but also would colonize and bring the kingdom of Navrick under their rule and if I’m not mistaken they would have convinced their mages that they are just in it for the infinity clock. Those are a bunch of lies and slander; they would negotiate the terms of victory and loss behind the scenes and would put the losing country on a leash. I’m actually surprised nobody realized that consequence.”“Why are you telling me this?” Dubhlainn asked as if to say he doesn’t care about the results as long as he can carry out to get his hands on the infinity clock.
“Because If I’m able and without “certain restrictions” I would help you get the Infinity Clock and I would like confirm the validity of the item you’re about to steal first.”“How?” Dubhlainn asked.
PRESENT
Natalia, Dubhlainn’s work partner went ahead of him in order to see the situation. As soon as the iconic leader of Navrick would empower allies, Natalia already made the call.
“Is everyone in position?” she asked over the lacrima radio.
“We’re all set on our end Ma’am, unit Ze reports an overwhelming number of rune knights and are currently picking out locations for their artillery and siege weapons” he reported.
“I’ll have the archive mages of Navrick cooperate with us, they may overwhelm us in numbers but they have crossed into foreign territory, let us educate the Rune Knights and remind them the rules…” Natalia stated.
“Affirmative Mam, they don’t even know what warfare is like” was the scout’s final response before cutting off the comms.
There were divisions of Navrick forces on the field that took up defensive lines and encampments, Balistas and Magictech Hwa’chas from Midi were all in place. There were three defensive lines Navrick has placed, the first line was along the borders of the kingdom, the second would have Navrick defend the capital walls and the last would be right at the stronghold itself.
Citizens were already evacuated beforehand should the Rune Knights go to far to creating collateral damage. Dubhlainn had prepared a series of plans for the defense of Navrick and was given permission by the leader Nicolette for this to be done as long as it defends the kingdom.
With the help of its local Archive mages, they would have a full battlefield map under their control and all they have to do now is waiting. The Archive mages are preparing for a spell as they imbued a huge lacrima with magical energy.
“None of the Rune Knights have ever experienced battles in Mirai before” Dubhlainn said over the comms to Natalia.
“I would be a hypocrite to agree as I have not experienced your world. Are you sure this will work?” Natalia asked in worry.
“It has to, otherwise nobody wins and the enemy will swiftly take it from us without anyone noticing.”“Where are you anyways?” She asked.
“I’m on my way Natalia…. The weather is so nice that such battle would only ruin its image…” there was loud static and air over the radio that Natalia can’t make out of where Dubhlainn is. Could he be in the mountains somewhere?