Sculpting.
A form of art that although has lost it's prominence, remains unrivaled when it comes to expressing oneself and their desires.
Sculpting is a medium that can be used to create everything. It is the denial of nothingness itself, the refusal to accept the lack of something and everything in where there is supposedly nothing.
People, places, objects, memories, and even abstract concepts, everything can be created and expressed through sculpting.
Ever since Merlin Magus could remember, sculpting has always been something he held great interest in.
When he was a boy, he would stare at the pristine white marble figures that guarded the entrance to the manor he lived in.
Even as he grew older he couldn't help but turn his gaze towards every sculpture he came across.
He wondered what the sculpter was thinking while crafting each part of the sculpture, what drove them to keep chipping away at the stone in front of them, what emotions they felt with each swing.
Merlin dreamed of secluding himself, away from the world, away from everything. With only a chisel in his hand, as he poured everything into creating something from a chunk of marble. The same way the sculpters who carved the figures near the manor probably did as well.
Unfortunately, fate wasn't so kind as to let him pursue this dream unbothered.
Born from the union of two unremarkably insignificant individuals, he didn't have the luxury of being able to put aside his worries and problems aside to devote himself to his passion.
Although, it wasn't all an unfortunate series of events.
With his father gone and his mother deceased, by a stroke of luck, Merlin Magus was orphaned into one of the most prominent families in the Eastern part of the Proximal.
The Cyanal Family.
Inside the Cyanal Family, Merlin was raised and trained to be a servant of the house. To serve and to uphold the honor of the family was the driving force of their teachings.
In the present, Merlin was now 18 years old, his birthday passing only a few days ago.
Staring at the large doors in front of him, Merlin stopped for a moment before going up to it.
Knock
Knock
Knock
He knocked on the doors a few times before calling out.
"Lady Selena. The master requests your presence at the table." He said in a firm tone.
Silence filled the halls, until it was disrupted by a voice coming from within the room.
"Tell father I'll be there in a minute! Thank you Merlin."
"As you wish milady." Nodding, Merlin turned and made his way into the dining hall.
Opening it's doors, Merlin saw two figures seated at the table. The table was littered with countless appetizing dishes, from steak to desserts like cake.
Despite there being only a few members of the household, the Master and the Lady of the house insisted on having a variety of different dishes available at any time.
"Greetings, Master and Lady of The House." Merlin bowed slightly.
"Ah, Merlin. Always a sight to see." The Master, Edward Cyanal greeted Merlin with a smile, his light blue hair and beard proof of his Cyanal blood.
"Greetings Merlin." A soft, gentle voice reached Merlin. Dahlia Cyanal, the Lady of The House waved at Merlin, her elegant features along with her blonde hair made her one of the most beautiful women Merlin had ever seen.
Despite his origins, the Master and the Lady has always treated him well. Better than one of their status would treat a servant anyway. Merlin has never forgotten to show his appreciation for that fact.
A testament to that is the recent return of Edward Cyanal, though he said it was in order to discuss important matters with his wife, it was also to give Merlin his birthday present.
"Lady Selena said she'll be joining you in a few minutes."
Edward Cyanal nodded. "I see, thank you Merlin. Arbor has left for a banquet with his friends so you won't need to call him as well."
"You may excuse yourself for now. I hope you use my gifts to you Merlin. I'm excited to see what you create."
Leaving the dining hall, Merlin stepped into the large garden.
Rose bushes and delphinium bordered the garden, flowers of different varieties scented the garden with a pure smell, and a path led the way to a fountain in the middle.
Merlin looked past the fountain, and a manor came into view.
This was where all the servants—butlers and maids—who worked full time were situated. Where he had lived his entire life.
Walking towards the manor, Merlin spotted two statues placed on both sides of the entrance.
Looking at the sculptures, Merlin's gaze softened. He had grown fond of these two statues. They were after all the source of his passion. The very first sculptures that he laid his eyes upon.
On the left side, a sculpture of a majestic birdlike creature, it's beak open and it's wings spread widely, as if roaring wirh pride.
On the right, was a sculpture of a mountain lion, it's head raised with it's tail resting behind it.
Merlin reached the entrance of the manor and traced his hands on the wings of the birdlike statue.
'Still beautiful, Birdie.' He thought.
Turning to the other statue, he stroked the head of the mountain lion, admiring the intricately carved patterns on its surface.
'And you're still short.' He chuckled to himself, not being able to help but notice the difference in size between the two statues.
The bird was about 1.8 meters tall, while the mountain lion barely reached 1.5.
"I'm going in, Birdie and Tiger." Merlin knew how bad his naming sense was, the other servants and a few members of the Cyanal Family he knew would tease him about it often, but he didn't care.
Entering the manor, Merlin failed to notice a faint glow emanate from each sculptures eyes. A slight vibration moved through their marble bodies.
Roaming the servant manor, Merlin reached the door to his room, and with a click he unlocked it with a key.
He stepped inside the large room. Every servant was granted the freedom to design and decorate the room themselves. Merlin being a special case, was given an especially spacious room.
Although the room was spacious, most of it went unused. The only things in Merlin's room were a bed, a wardrobe, and other basic necessities.
What was out of place, however, was that a large part of the room was covered in a white cloth.
Turning on the lights, Merlin saw his own reflection in the mirror across the room.
Violet strands of hair rested on his forehead, slightly covering his bright blue eyes, his hair slightly messy.
Merlin sighed and changed into more casual clothing. A simple white tank top and dark blue pants.
After changing, he walked towards the large space covered in a white cloth.
Whish
Merlin pulled the cloth towards him, and for a brief moment, the blanket glowed blue with strange runic characters.
As if manipulated by an invisible force, the large white cloth lifted into the air and started folding itself. Eventually setting itself down on the bed.
Merlin focused his gaze on what was uncovered when the white cloth was lifted.
Two large almost 2 meter tall cubes of marble sat beside each other.
In the corner was a workshop table. On its surface lay chisels, mallets, rasps, and all different kinds of tools for sculpting.
This was Edward Cyanal's birthday gift to him.
After he returned the day of Merlin's birthday, Edward called Merlin to his and Dahlia's quarters to give him these tools and the marble.
Merlin didn't know exactly how Edward and Dahlia knew of his interest towards sculpting, they didn't tell him, but he chalked it up to them noticing him practice sculpting with stone, mud, and clay he found in the garden.
A few of those sculptures he made with stone and clay sat on the top of the bookshelf.
Stretching for a bit, he picked up a chisel from the table and stood in front of one of the marble cubes.
"Well then, let's begin."