Merlin's Uninvited Guests

"ARAD! COME ON PLEASE!" Arad could barely walk with Meryem hanging to his back, dragging him back. "Don't leave…Just once!"

"I said no and that means no. It could end with a disaster." Arad turned back at her with an annoyed growl, "You've heard Merlin. You have nowhere near enough mana for that. How many times do I need to explain it to you?"

"That isn't fair, can't you help me with your mana? I'm sure it'll be fine." She was about to cry.

"Crying won't grant you anything." He looked at her, "Even with both of our mana combined, we won't sustain ten, let alone hundreds or even thousands."

"Meryem…" Aella said, staring at them. "I've told you it's a bad idea. He won't do it no matter how much you ask."

"Aella! Help me convince him." Meryem stared at her with a near-crying eye.

"Someone would die." Eris said, "I don't mind you dying, but I can't have Arad die before I kill him. So stop it."