#'he didn't want to live in a world without Hisirdoux Casperan in it' YEAH YEAH IM FINE ITS FINE

[archies-litterbox]

HOW DARE-

Merlin let out a breath of relief, finally relaxing. The battle was over, everyone was okay, the world was saved. He glanced over at Hisirdoux to see him laying flat on his back with a hand over his face, saying something to Claire who was leaning over him.

"Can you stand?" She was saying, arms placed on her hips.

"Yeah, yeah, I just need a minute. I fell on a car." Douxie swat her hand away when she tried to pat his head and smiled when Claire laughed.

Merlin smiled, gaze flicking to the Trollhunter who was helping his friends up. The teenagers all had relieved smiles on their faces, though they were worse for wear, covered in dirt, blood, and bruises. Jim caught his eye and gave him a small nod, one that Merlin understood perfectly.

Thank you.

The dying flame of Bellroc's titan flickered all around them in the wreckage, but the heat and smoke was already dissipating.

Merlin glanced over at the chronosphere which had been forgotten in the elation of their victory. It lay precariously on the ground, flashing green and gold with various images of the possible future. He saw an image in it, a vision of a happier future, the kids growing up, going to college, living their lives to the fullest... and Hisirdoux wasn't... there.

Suddenly filled with panic Merlin shot to his feet and looked around the battlefield and suddenly the world became engulfed in flames and instead of seeing everyone happy and walking away from their victory, he was watching Jim drag Hisirdoux's limp body from under piles and piles of rubble.

The reality of it all came crashing down on him and he could barely hold back his scream as he stumbled forward and joined the Trollhunter in kneeling beside Douxie's body. He shakily took him into his arms... but his son was already gone.

"Merlin..." Jim had tears in his eyes and an apology in his throat, but he couldn't even say the words.

"Don't say it." The wizard whispered, voice hoarse and on the verge of tears. "It won't bring him back."

Jim took in a shaky breath, wiping his tears away. He looked at the chronosphere and he set his jaw with determination. "But this will." He limped toward it, and with a yell he brought Excalibur down on it and the golden frame shattered.

Merlin stared on, shock overtaking him. He... he couldn't condone this! He was supposed to protect the world, the greater good- he slowly looked down at his son, the boy he'd taken in as a little moppet off the street and he didn't want to live in a world without Hisirdoux Casperan in it.

Jim was already putting the timestone into the amulet, angry determination on his face. "Dont stop me, Merlin. I won't let his life be the price for this."

"Im not stopping you." Merlin didn't look at him at first, eyes filling with tears as he stared at his boy's ashen gray face. With a shaky breath he looked at the Trollhunter. "Bring him back."

Jim nodded, looking at Claire next. "Claire..."

"Just..." she took in a deep breath. "Make sure we remember too."

Jim smiled and nodded. "I swear it."

And just like that the world was being reset, back to a time before the Arcane Order was hunting them down. Jim wanted a chance to save all of them. And he'd do it. He had to save them.