The Oracle Machine

by Aro_Tarot

Summary:

While traveling to Ealdor, the Merchant, Arthur, stumbles across Merlin being picked on by a group. This chance meeting changes everything when he goes against the Mark on his forearm to help him. Merlin ends up coming back with him to Camelot, a place without magic or choices. The lives of every citizen, Marked by a symbol on their forearm and determined by the Oracle Machine.

Notes:

Aro_Tarot: Another ACBB! First off, I'm proud that I was able to finish this fic since having time to write was harder to find compared to the last two years that I joined as a writer, and while I didn't join as an artist this year, my artist for this fic did as his first ever big bang. I knew that he'd make something really pretty for the story, and I'm really happy that he agreed to join me as my artist. We've known each other for obviously a long time, but we've never collaborated on anything like this before. Our creative hobbies don't really intersect enough for us to have done so before, but I asked and he made a beautiful title art lol. I'd also like to thank my beta, who is always there are ready for each of my stories. Anyway, I think that's enough blabbing from me.

Coconut_head3000: This was my first time doing a big bang, and it was a lot of fun.

Chapter 1: Prologue, Part One: The Tale of the Oracle Machine

 

Long ago, the kingdom found itself in chaos. A great witch had created opportunity, but with opportunity came limitless possibilities. The king found himself unable to watch over and protect them as he had pledged to do, for the streets were too wild with the magic of old. What good could a magicless king do to quell the unending rest amongst his people? Each day they grew more daring. Each day they longed for more. The king began to wonder if the undying restlessness would start to drive the people away. Here in these walls he could watch over them. Here in these walls he could protect them. 

This was not the only trouble the king had found himself in. No, there had been one other, and he wondered if this problem could become the solution. He went to the witch with his darling wife and asked her to gift them a son. For years they had tried, and for years, they had failed. An heir was what they asked for initially, but the king demanded more. He asked for a son that would be able to lead a people such as the witch had created. He asked for a son that could guide a kingdom of magic with the help of magic. Though the witch had no desire to, the witch granted his wish but warned him that he did not know what he wished for. Everything came with a price.

When the day came, the king was left calling for the creation of not just one coffin but two. Both his wife and son were lost to him. Grieving, the king ordered his knights to find and capture the witch. Three years passed, but they finally succeeded. Bound in iron, the witch was brought to kneel before the king. 

"Am I meant to beg for my life?" the witch asked. "Or am I meant to bring back your wife and son? Unluckily for me, I am unable to perform the latter, but I cannot bring myself to ask, plead, for anything from you."

The king smiled because he did not care. He had time to plan the proper justice for everything that she had done to the people of his kingdom. With the witch in tow, the king went to the new building that had been built in the city. A small but beautiful building that looked more like a temple than anything else. Inside was a contraption the likes of which had never been seen before. Together with his most loyal sorcerers, the witch was killed and her spirit became the infinite power source to what became known as the Oracle Machine.

Every year our children that are coming of age are gathered in a ceremony. Their hands and up to their arms are placed inside the machine. No need to worry. It only hurts a little. After, you have your Mark, and the life that you will live will be known to all.