Chapter Text
Just a quick explanation before you begin reading this!
This is a side fic for Fractured Amulets and Fractured Time. If you have not read what has so far been posted of that fic, I recommend it! Not that you need to read this or the main fic to understand what's happening. It's just that this is in the past of that storyline and you might connect some dots for certain things.
This won't be in any order! The memories will be out of order and messy. These memories could be dark and potentially bother you. As I have not fully planned or written the other memories, I have very little idea of how dark it'll be. So just be careful. It shouldn't be too bad, but that's my opinion. These won't be long chapters (hopefully) and there is no reliable update schedule. I just update when I update.
Another thing is, I am not an expert writer, especially in mental issue areas. SO don't expect accuracy in those areas. If I remember something else, I'll add it here or in the end notes. Now onwards to the fic!
Standing at the cliff’s edge, the armored figure watched the wind blow dust across the desolate lands. The man’s armor was battle-worn from years of fighting and unnatural cracks splintered across the metal. Yet it remained just as unyielding as it did in the past with its magical glow emanating from the cracked amulet in the chest plate. It only took one look at the figure to know that he was some kind of knight or warrior, and a veteran one at that with all the scars.
“Here to finish what’s left are you?” asked the knight as footsteps approached.
“On the contrary,” began the newcomer, an old, weathered voice answering the knight. “I’m simply here to see what you’ll decide to do next, Jim.”
The name made the knight huffed, amusement and bitterness intertwining in a painful mix. “Haven’t heard that name in a while,” Jim commented as the older human settled next to him. “Most just call me ‘The Hunter’, ‘Gunmar’s Blade’, or ‘The Forsaken’ nowadays.” There were many more, but none were actual titles or names, instead were just insults in both human, troll, gnome, goblin, or every other language out there.
“It’s your name, is it not? Or are you still a seeker of destruction?” The older man questioned looking at the now grown Jim Lake Jr. It saddens the old man to see what the young and bright boy became.
“What do you want Merlin?” Jim growled, temper flaring.
“I want to know what’s next.” The old wizard spread his hand out towards the wasteland. “You left nothing left in your wake of destruction, neither friend nor foe. Only the Arcane Order and I escaped your blade.” Merlin rubbed his bearded chin as if in thought. “Seeing that now you’ve started to come back to your senses, I’m curious what you’ll do.”
Jim finally looked at the wizard instantly seeing the tired look of someone he once considered an ally. Friend, no, Merlin’s personality did not welcome friendship even in these broken days, but the old wizard was an ally long ago. “I can’t go back Merlin. I’ve broken once, and once is enough. There is no guarantee I won’t break again and thus break everything else along the way.” The knight sighed, feeling the painful pang of remainders of what he did, what he became. “Even the amulet has started breaking this time and glowing green instead of blue…..like I made it sick like me.”
“While all that’s true,” Merlin gripped Jim’s shoulder, making the knight flinch. “There’s also no guarantee that you’ll break next time.”
“You don’t know that!” Jim snapped turning to Merlin with a snarl. With a deep breath he calmed himself down and looked at his feet in shame. Jim used to not even be able to punch someone, now he was snapping at someone who was trying to help. When did he become so violent? Aggressive?
Giving Jim’s shoulder a gentle squeeze the wizard continued. “I know my Trollhunter, and I know you.” The younger man lifted his head to lock eyes with Merlin. “You won’t break so easily knowing the consequences now.” They stood there gazes locked in silence.
“I don’t know what to do even if I go back…” Came Jim’s whispered answer, as if afraid to break their silence. “I’ve tried everything, even destroying the world we know.” His hands clenched into fists as the anger rose. “And yet the Arcane Order still took everything from me!”
With one last squeeze, Merlin released the distraught man’s shoulder to wipe away their tears running unbidden. “One day, you’ll find the way to defeat them. I’ve seen it.”
“But will it even matter then?” Jim hiccups as the anger disappears into fear and grief. “They’ve already forced me to be like them, there’s no running from that mark, not even going back.”
“Even then, as always, you’ll find a way one day.” Merlin turns back to look at the dust filled horizon. “One day, you’ll be able to rest.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” Jim leaned his head on the wizard’s shoulder, malnutrition stunted the knight’s growth much to the young man’s dismay at being shorter. “Else I’m not sparing you next time I break.”