Season 2, Episode 1: In the Shadow of Time
Opening:
The silence in the room felt frozen for a moment. Meric, Lina, and Marlon, holding the book of magic, stood before the returned Merlin. The magic of the moment intoxicated them, yet something stirred deep within their subconscious. Merlin stood before them, at the peak of his youth and strength, but there was a chill in his eyes. There was a sense that time, not just history, had altered the very fabric of life.
Meric took a deep breath, gathering enough courage to speak. "Merlin… you're back… But… how? What happened? How has time changed?"
Merlin slowly shook his head. "Time, Meric… Time… When I died, a corruption began. The effect of that cursed magic still lingers, and the balance of the world is broken. Everything has changed."
Lina nodded, stepping back. "So… everything has really changed? Will you tell us? Why is it still so dark?"
Marlon, more frightened than ever, took a step back. "Time changing… What… what does that even mean? What's happening?"
Merlin (narrowing his eyes, with a deep sigh): "The change of time means everything is reshaped. It's hard to explain exactly… but I'll tell you as much as you can understand. Time turns like a wheel, and now the teeth of that wheel are stuck. The balance that once existed is gone. The past, present, and future have all intertwined. The power behind everything has shifted."
Meric, confused by Merlin's words, stepped forward. "But… can we control this power? I mean… does this change in time mean anything? What effect will it have on us?"
Merlin closed his eyes for a few seconds, taking a deep breath. "The distortion of time is dangerous for you. Everything related to the flow of time has changed, and you will live in the shadow of a disappearing past and a merging future. This will strengthen your magic, but darkness will also grow."
Lina (trembling): "So, does that mean the world we knew no longer exists? Has everything started anew? Will darkness seep into everything?"
Merlin (with a deep look): "Darkness is always one step ahead. With the change of time, the influence of dark powers has also grown. This will be a very difficult journey for you. You must understand this."
Marlon (eyes wide, trembling with fear): "This… This is too much… I mean… we just witnessed everything change in an instant, and now how do we fight it? Will darkness be everywhere?"
Merlin (with a mix of sadness and anger in his eyes): "Time has changed, yes. But that means not only darkness will rise, but light will also begin to fight back. Your power is necessary to restore balance. But you must know, everything is changing very quickly, and to turn back the flow of time, each of you will face darkness."
Meric (slowly stepping back): "Time has changed… controlling such power won't be easy… How will we fight back?"
Merlin silently watched them for a moment, then slowly moved forward. "You must explore your inner power, your fears, your mistakes, and the hopes lost in the darkness. Restoring time can only be done not by power, but by courage, and with a pure heart."
Development:
For a while, Merlin continued to explain the steps they must take. But each of his words planted deeper seeds of fear and uncertainty in the children's hearts. Darkness would show no mercy, and the lost power of time could easily reach them.
Meric, though trying to take on his usual leadership role, couldn't suppress the anxiety building inside him. "You'll teach us to use our power, but when will we be able to control it? How do we fix these changes in time?"
Merlin, with the shadow of darkness circling him, said, "To fix time, you must first face darkness. This journey, no matter how much you strengthen your power, is only the beginning. To reunite the lost pieces of time, each of you must go deep within yourselves. Only then can you restore balance."
Lina, her face pale with fear, asked, "But time has changed… How will we endure all these changes? Which path should we take? Give us a sign…"
Merlin, looking at the children, fell into deep silence. In that moment, he realized that everything was much more complicated, that not only time, but also the darkness within them had changed.
"Your journey will begin with your inner strength, with finding the truth. Therefore, no matter what happens, trust each other. Darkness will always be one step ahead, but you must not lose your light."
And in that moment, Merlin's voice faded, trembling. Darkness rose from the depths of the room. The children felt a coldness in their hearts, the shadow of time had wrapped around them.