Whoosh!
Merlin felt a gust of wind sweep against his body. A moment later, a faint golden light began to emerge from within him.
At first, it was only a small glimmer, but it slowly expanded until it wrapped around his entire body.
"Urgh..." Pain surged through his veins, bones, and muscles, forcing a faint groan from his lips.
As the seconds passed, the pain grew sharper and more intense. But since Merlin was already used to enduring it, it didn't torment him too much.
Then, without warning, a thick black smoke burst out of his body.
Boom!
A deafening explosion echoed, and a horrifying face shot out from his chest.
"Argh!" The face screamed in agony with a piercing voice.
The entire room shook violently, and Merlin's eyes snapped open.
Terror unlike anything he had ever felt spread across his face.
"What is that?" he cried out in fear.
