Power to the People

Main Points:
Merlin, somewhat universe optional but with the BBC Merlin in mind, with The Secret World crossover.  No knowledge of The Secret World needed for this drabble, though more references make an appearance.
Summary: Merlin takes his first steps into this Secret World.
Word Count: 415
Rating: Gen

            Merlin sets off in one direction, and only notices the magic seconds before he walks into it.  He gathers his magic to protect himself, but then realizes it’s only a connection between two points, pulling himself along like he’s flying.  The air’s not so cold as when you’re astride a dragon, though.  He lets out a whoop.

            All sense of time is lost, and even with his magic he’s not sure how long it is before he sees huge hulking shapes ahead.  The magic pulls him through one before he can react, and it doesn’t attempt to attack him, so he’s somewhat hopeful they’re friendly.

            Two stand on a larger platform, and as he gets closer he sees a man in somewhat dated English clothing facing away from him.  There’s a large crowd behind him, but instinct tells him this man has some answers.  He approaches cautiously, and eventually has to clear his throat.

            The man turns and doesn’t seem surprised until he takes in Merlin’s appearance.  “It’s not often we get visitors coming from that direction!”  At least it doesn’t seem like Merlin has to explain how he got in here.  Since he hasn’t a clue, that’d be a little difficult.  “Do you know where you are?”

            He shakes his head, staying quiet as the man explains about the place and commits the name Agartha, the World Tree, to mind.  How it connects the whole world, how space and time bend.  He doesn’t bother to explain that he’d already figured that much out on his own, with his magic.  When he’s given a magic-looking artifact, an ‘anchor’ to the Hollow Earth, he doesn’t mention that he could probably figure out how, with his magic, to do that on his own.  Drawing attention might not be the best idea.

            He gawks a little at the number of people with either obvious magical auras, openly practicing magic, or with owls, shambling golems, wolves, cats, or other more…exotic things following them around, but quickly closes his mouth.  No need to draw attention.  He nearly panics when two appear to be fighting each other, but relaxes when they stop and neither appear unharmed.  The image of the knights practicing pops into his head, oddly clear in image despite the long intervening years.

            Still, with some practice, he could probably learn to mimic the magic these people practice.  They, too, appear to be immortal, if the magic of their auras means anything, and the odd buzzing is a constant.