Chapter 274 "Morgan And Meredith"

"Alright, I concede, it's not just me; we've all underestimated you..." Morgan's gaze upon Skyler intensified, her voice softening. "I extend the invitation once more. Please join us. It's not merely to placate the soul inhabiting my body; I genuinely value your intellect because... I genuinely don't want to see you perish here tonight."

"It'd be a squandering of your sharp mind. Can't you see that tonight, we've come thoroughly prepared? You stand no chance..." Morgan's captivating eyes remained fixed on Skyler as she spoke with sincerity. "I perceive you as someone who holds sentiment in high regard. Perhaps you're still pondering over this descendant of my bloodline in your heart, correct? But..."

"Why not consider it from another angle? She and I are essentially the same entity." Morgan's tone softened further. "The essence of blood fusion isn't about consumption; I didn't consume her soul but rather merged with her, becoming one. In a sense, I am her, and she is me. If you look upon my visage again, dare you deny seeing the semblance of your beloved in this face?"

"Then," Morgan whispered, "why can't you just regard me as her?"

"If you recall her, then I'll always go by the name Meredith from now on." Morgan's expression softened, a rare shyness adorning her features like that of a young girl. "I can assure you that I'll be the most well-behaved and obedient wife you could imagine."

Morgan's bashful words seemed oddly fitting coming from her ethereal countenance.

Despite her true age spanning close to a millennium, much of that time had been spent in a semi-dormant state, and following the blood fusion ceremony, her soul intertwined and fused with Meredith's.

Though predominantly influenced by Morgan's consciousness and personality, traces of Meredith's persona lingered, subtly shaping her demeanor.

It must be acknowledged that the magical effects of bloodline fusion are truly remarkable. Unlike users of the Philosopher's Stone, who endure accelerated aging of both body and soul—leading to Nicolas Flamel's voluntary demise at over six centuries old—those undergoing blood fusion remain unaffected by such burdens.

Living without the onset of physical deterioration or mental decline, individuals are spared the bleak prospect of existence defined by monotony and decline.

It's also unlike a Horcrux, which necessitates sacrificing the core "humanity" within the soul, morphing the body into something neither human nor ghost, nor snake-like.

To accommodate his fractured soul, Voldemort subjected his body to countless perilous transformations of dark magic. This resulted in the forfeiture of the handsome visage inherited from his Muggle father, leaving behind a noseless, serpentine countenance.

Contrast this with the resurrection of the "Dark Queen" Morgan Le Fay through blood fusion. Not only does she possess the youthful form of a maiden, but she also boasts a captivating allure.

Sherlyn scrutinized Morgan closely. As noted, she retained three-thirds of Meredith's silhouette, hair color, and figure. Her ebony tresses cascaded like a waterfall, interwoven with streaks of chestnut hues. Clad in a medieval sorceress' attire adorned with black-gold accents and a neckline plunging to reveal her mature bosom and seemingly delicate waist.

While Meredith herself was no stranger to beauty, Morgan inherited all of Meredith's advantages and rectified any perceived flaws, akin to two sisters sharing similar features, yet differing subtly due to minor deviations, resulting in two distinct countenances.

In front of Skyler, Morgan exuded the demeanor of a youthful maiden and the regal grace of a sovereign, amalgamating into the singular style of the Dark Queen.

"How about it, dear Skyler? You have nothing to lose. Instead, you'll find the perfect partner for the rest of your life who fits your long-term goal. You can even ask me to cook, and perhaps I'll give you a meal that would make Merlin drool over his beard," Morgan cheekily said as she maintained her alluring stare with Skyler.

Skyler maintained an unwavering gaze on Morgan, eventually releasing a protracted sigh.

"According to ancient texts, Dark Queen Morgan Le Fay reigned during the eleventh century as the sovereign of Avalon Island. Possessing formidable magical prowess and keen intellect, she stood as a formidable adversary to Merlin, renowned for her strategic acumen and cunning," Skyler stated calmly. "In my youth, I often envisioned the magnificence of figures like you, Merlin, and the four founders of Hogwarts School during that era."

"Today, I find myself face to face with a legendary figure from history," Skyler continued with a faint smile. "Setting aside your magical abilities for a moment, your intellect, strategic acuity, and eloquence are unparalleled in my experience. It would be disingenuous to claim indifference, yet—" His voice remained tranquil, devoid of any hint of turmoil. "I still choose to decline."

"You may label me as stubborn, or even foolish, but," Skyler declared with unwavering resolve, "I firmly believe that if I were to yield to you and compromise today, I would cease to be myself—"

"Even if, as you suggest, I were to delude myself into seeing you as Mei—" Skyler's voice trembled subtly, "But were the real Meredith to learn of it—she would never forgive me! I couldn't live with that regret!"

With these words, Skyler pressed firmly with his left thumb.

Instantly, all the runes on the Death Wand illuminated simultaneously, emitting a brilliant golden radiance. To Morgan, who stood nearest to Skyler, it appeared as though he held a dazzling orb of light, the wand obscured from view by the intensity of the glow.

For Skyler, the wand's owner, as the final layer of disguised grapevine bark fell away, myriad golden arcs of electricity swiftly enveloped his left arm like ethereal serpents, coursing toward his body.

Skyler became engulfed in a luminous aura, with shimmering golden arcs dancing around him. Waves of crackling energy surged from his feet, accompanied by the sound of electrifying bursts—

Skyler's complexion and the folds of his black wizard robe were now suffused with a golden hue, as if he had stepped forth from the pages of a mythological tale.

The once-amiable smile that graced Skyler's lips had vanished, replaced by a gaze of keen discernment and a countenance of solemn resolve.

A haunting, otherworldly sound echoed faintly in the void, reminiscent of a dragon's roar melded with the whinny of a horse, yet also tinged with the mournful wail of the departed, the ethereal cry of specters, the roar of vengeful spirits...

In an instant, Skyler's depleted magical reserves surged back to their zenith, and he appeared to transcend his prior limits, ascending to the pinnacle of magical prowess—a realm nearly equal to that of Dumbledore wielding the Elder Wand!

"Astonishing..." Morgan, Barbarossa, and Voldemort all drew in a sharp breath simultaneously. Though seasoned veterans of countless battles, hardened to the rigors of combat, they could not help but be staggered by the revelation of Skyler's hidden ace.

"It can't be... he is ascending to new heights even in the face of death..." Voldemort softly clicked his tongue, envious of Skyler's achievement as someone who came from death once yet found Skyler's current present to be threatening.