The journey back to the world she had been born in – the mundane realm - was anti-climactic. A part of her had expected there to be a threat coming from every direction. After all, the last time she had left Atlantis, Aubrey had been hunted, fleeing for her life. This time, her trip came with a full protection detail of well-trained Atlantian warriors. It didn't matter that she had a strange knack for staying alive, even after being mortally wounded. It didn't matter than she had skills with the blade and could channel magic. The Matriarch had to be guarded at all costs.

Strangely, some of them seemed to have forgotten that just a short time ago they were the ones doing the hunting.

As the dragon beneath her beat its wings, arms tightened around her waist. Tiberius's voice was low as he leaned close and said, "We're close. Get ready."

The transition from Atlantis to Earth had been seamless. The Atlantians who had travelled before them opening the way so that they would simply pass through on wing back. From dry skies, they emerged into torrential rain.

Glancing downwards, Aubrey swallowed at the sight of the blackened earth below. The scars of the recent battle were clear to see, a wound in the greenery. They covered ground swiftly, their destination arriving before she was truly ready. Aubrey tightened her fingers around the sword attached at her hip and blinked the rain from her eyes.

"Where to? It looks like there is nothing here."

Aubrey blinked as the gloomy building came into focus, the monastery a drab blight on the countryside. She could also see the faintest shimmer in the air. "It's the magic. Only guests can find his home. Fortunately, he never revoked his invitation so follow my lead." She ordered, leaning forward to whisper in the dragon's ear. "Fly straight, I've got you."

The dragon beneath her huffed and lowered its head, hurtling forwards. She felt the moment they hit the magic surrounding his land. The beast shook its head, fighting against the thrall trying to confuse her and turn her away.

Still, they pressed forwards. Aubrey closed her eyes and sought out the energy buzzing around them like angry flies, attempting to soothe and distract the jittery magic. She felt the moment the magic relented. Pop, like a bubble had burst, they passed through the magical barrier with ease. Too easy.

And with it came awareness. Aubrey sucked in a sharp breath as she felt the brief presence of something else. Despite how 'gentle' it attempted to be, Aubrey felt the invasive brush of barely restrained power. She swallowed past the lump in her throat.

There had been no chance of having the element of surprise. Merlin had hundreds of years' worth of magical training. Of course, he would feel it when his own spell had been broken. More concerning was the immediate thought which had followed.

Perhaps he had let it fall.

The fleet of dragons and their Atlantian riders circled above the building before coming in to land before the monastery like structure. The rain soaked grass crumpled under the weight of the huge beasts as they touched down with only the lightest thud. With one last beat, the dragon beneath her stilled.

"Wait here." Tiberius instructed, shifting so that he could slide down to the ground. Before he could make his descent however, Aubrey's pale hand wrapped around his.

"He knows we are here. Be on your guard."

Tiberius gave a stiff nod, gently lifting her hand from his arm before jumping from his companion's back and into a puddle of rainwater with a splash. He held his arms aloft towards her. Aubrey fought the urge to roll her eyes. Despite the fact she had saved his life only a week before, the infuriating man had treated her like porcelain from the moment she had gained her title.

It didn't seem to matter that the ease with which she could access magic had increased. Her reactions had quickened. And let's not forget that her inability to remain dead which had become a sticking point for her enemies. Yet, she had never been so mollycoddled.

It would have to end. It would. She would make sure of it. Yet, the eve of a confrontation with one of the most famous Atlantians of all time, was not the time to get into petty squabbles about her ability to go to the bathroom without an armed escort waiting outside of the door.

Ignoring his outstretched arms, Aubrey swung one leg over the side of the dragon. Then, with a push, she jumped down beside Tiberius. Her hand briefly rested upon her sword. It warmed beneath her fingers before becoming dormant. Yet, its power remained there, just waiting to be called upon.

Wiping rain from her eyes, Aubrey started up at the large building before her with foreboding. The last time she had been here, they had been a trio. Andrew had been alive. A part of Aubrey hoped he still was. Yet, the shadows lingering around the building seemed darker, the heavy rain surely a sign of bad news.

Stepping away from the protection of her battalion of Atlantian warriors, Aubrey approached the entrance to Merlin's Keep. Only for the door to swing inwards.

The ring of metal sounded on the air as swords were drawn behind her. Glancing over her shoulder, she shook her head and waved for them to lower their weapons. Going in on the offensive would solve nothing. It would only serve to shed more blood. Aubrey was so very tired of bloodshed already.

"Aubrey, you returned." Merlin greeted, his voice infused with false warmth. His eyes drifted over her shoulder. "I see your quest was successful and now you come to repay your debts. I knew you were an honourable woman."

Aubrey said nothing in response. She just stared up at the man and tried to reconcile the legend from the children's stories she had read as a child with the tainted soul she now knew him to be.

"Why don't you come in out of the rain? I have just made some tea so you can warm up before we all return to Atlantis."

Aubrey finally shook her head. "I'm sorry, Merlin. You won't be returning to Atlantis."

The genial expression on the man's face slipped in an instant, malevolence oozing from his aura like a bad smell as anger took hold.

"We had a bargain and I expect debts to be repaid."

His voice shook the floor as bolts of lightning flashed across the sky. And yet, despite his display of powers she was not scared. It was like watching a child indulge in a tantrum. Sure, it was a tantrum that had the possibility of causing immeasurable harm to anyone caught in the crossfire. Yet, even as he attempted to strike at her, to frighten her into compliance, she easily neutralised the bolts of lightning with a flick of her hand.

The powerful energy dissipated into the air with only a slight fizzle, the air feeling warm and charged with unused potential.

"This is exactly why you cannot return." Aubrey stated calmly, watching as frustration built within the power hungry man before her. "You have been judged by Atlantis and found wanting. Surely, you knew what would happen if I returned to Atlantis."

Her hand reached down and wrapped around the pommel of the sword, pulling it from the hilt so that he could see his own creation looking back at him.

"With the ascension to Matriarch, comes knowledge and understanding of what has come before." She continued, taking a measured step forwards. "I have witnessed the memories of my predecessors. I know of your crimes."

Merlin threw back his head and cackled. "Crimes? I only sought to take what is rightfully mine. The Matriarch was weak. You are weak. Atlantis needs a leader who is strong and can take us to greatness. We should not be hiding in the shadows of another world. We should be ruling."

"Atlantians were not meant to rule. We are tasked with keeping peace. We are there to keep balance. Our mother did not bestow gifts upon us so that we could grind others under our heel." Aubrey shook her head. "It appears that even after centuries in exile you have not learned from the error of your ways. You still hold onto the quest for power. You shall remain in exile."

Merlin shook his head, a hint of desperation creeping into his gaze. "If you do not let me return, I will kill your friend."

Aubrey blinked, her heart stuttering within her chest. Andrew. "He is alive?"

She couldn't stop the question escaping her lips, her thoughts instantly drifting to the last time she had seen him, with a sword cleaving through his body. Nausea consumed her. She had involved him in her battles and he had been hurt as a result.

"For now." Merlin replied, and yet, there was something in her gaze which quashed the brief flare of hope.

"You lie," She stated, her eyes briefly closing as she thought of Andrew's mother still waiting for his return. "He is already gone. I can feel it. His life thread has been cut."

"And yet I can bring him back."

"You have no involvement with his next journey." Aubrey replied, slashing her hand through the air. The magic he had taught her to harness quickly rose up to meet her command, thick coiling vines shooting up from the ground.

Merlin's arms were quickly bound to his sides and his feet stuck in place. His face turned purple as he shouted in rage, the vein in his neck bulging as he thrashed against his restraints.

"Yet, your journey we are only just discussing." Aubrey continued, edging closer with her retinue close behind. "I am here to offer you a choice. And know that, once made, it can never be undone."

The enraged man threw himself against the vines, spittle dripping down his chin. "What could you presume to offer me? You're nothing more than a little girl playing dress up."

"I am the Matriarch, as you well know." Aubrey replied calmly, watching with disgusted fascination as a glob of saliva dripped from his chin on to his boot. "And the mother, who you are indentured to just as I am, is allowing you a choice. You can remain in exile as you are, forbidden from Atlantis with your extended life and the knowledge of the past. Or, you can choose to end your suffering. The mother will take away your extended life and your connection to the magic in the world around you. You will live a human life but one devoid of the temptations which currently exist just out of your reach."

"How would that be better? You would take everything from me."

"Yes, including your knowledge of this life." She stepped closer so that she could feel the huffs of his rapid breathing. "You could lead a simple but blissfully ignorant life. Or you can live the rest of your Atlantian life in isolation. Always alone and apart from the rest of the world. Unable to truly to a part of either world."

"That's what you want isn't it? You want all of this power for yourself."

Aubrey shook her head sadly. "That's where you and I differ. I never wanted power. I think if I had, the mother would never have chosen me. It is a pity that you were not able to appreciate what you were offered, you always wanted what you could not have."

"Matriarch, shall I put him out of his misery?" Tiberius asked plainly.

His tone was hard. Even. She knew, if the order was given, he would strike down Merlin where he stood with no remorse. Yet, she knew he was still dealing with his own scars and the death of an imprisoned man would do nothing to ease his burdens.

"No, he has been given a choice." She murmured, before reaching out and settling her palm against his forehead, the mark of Atlantis burning into his skin. "And now you must choose."

As her skin made contact with his, it was as if she could peer into his very soul. Every greedy thought, malicious desire, and murderous intention. A part of her wondered if there was any chance of redemption in a soul so tainted. For a second, she witnessed Andrew's face. Watched as he groaned in pain on the ground, his mouth tight and his face white with agony as he clutched at his wound.

And then she watched as Merlin approached; how he stood over the fallen man and took pleasure in his pain. Finally, she watched as he struck the killing blow with a sadistic joy.

Pressing her lips together, Aubrey pushed past her own sudden desire for revenge. She wanted him to hurt but, if she took that course, if she used her gifts for her own desires, she would be just as bad as the last Matriarch. It would be so easy to follow the path of corruption – to use the gifts to take what she wanted.

A comforting warmth flooded through her as a hand rested upon her shoulder. It cut through her busy thoughts, hauling her back on track. Aubrey breathed in slow and deep.

And then, there it was. So fleeting, she almost missed the errant thought amongst the pain and rage which consumed him. But, finally, she read the reluctant decision of the bound man.

Aubrey nodded her head. "So mote it be."

Warm energy drew from the ground beneath her feet, through her body, and then out through the palm of her hand. The angry bitter Atlantian before her shuddered under the onslaught of pure energy, his eyes rolling backwards into his head. It could have been hours, it could have been seconds. One moment, she felt pure energy flowing through her as a conduit. The next, it cut off abruptly as if someone had turned off the tap.

Finally, Merlin slumped backwards into the vines.

"What did he choose?" Tiberius asked curiously, his head tilting to the side.

She waved her hand and watched as the vines receded and the man's body came to rest upon the ground. She peered down at his form, all trace of his rage and upset gone in his unconsciousness. Within seconds, time and stress washed away from his features.

"He chose not to be alone." Aubrey finally muttered, disliking the bitter taste which had formed in her mouth. A part of her had wanted him to suffer a life of loneliness. It felt as if he had been given a reprieve when he should have been given a punishment. "Take him to the nearest town and leave him somewhere where he will be found. The rest of us will cleanse this place of our existence and his."

With that, she turned away from the man who now was as blameless as a baby. His sins and conscience wiped clean by the magic which had become a part of her. She would never forgive him. She hoped that she never saw him again.

"Tiberius, come with me." Aubrey said, softly. Sadness creeped into her voice at the thought of what would come next. Her feet carrying towards the watchful dragons, Tiberius's companion automatically lowering her head so that she could climb onto her back.

Aubrey stroked a hand against the scales in thanks before pulling herself on to the beast's back. A moment later, Tiberius joined her.

"Where are we going?"

"To the circle." Aubrey glanced over her shoulder at him sadly as the dragon beat its strong wings and lifted into the air. "It's time to take my friend home."