What if cyran was not only bitter bc merlin was his rival and a thorn in his side, but also bc he lost his love/crush in the 2nd divine war (we dunno if everyone assumed merlin died or if it was different for everyone) and the reason he finally gave in and turned to dark magic was bc the void merlin left was too great.
No one mourned merlin like he did. Before he could realize it, merlin was his everything. He must've felt lost now that his purpose was gone. What if he learned dark magic TO try to revive merlin? What if the princess in whiteridge was a prototype in a way?
Either way, the world moved on from merlin too fast Cyran couldn't keep up. Didn't want to keep up. How can they call themselves friends of merlin when they let her go so fast?
Also, it would especially hurt even more if there was something more between cyran and merlin. An established, secret relationship, perhaps? Maybe they were too young and the war came too fast.
Cyran was blinded too much with grief and anger, he never realized merlin never died. Even the royal family didn't know? Surely ifthey knew, Cyran would too.
Imagine slipping too deep into the dark side and ur lover comes back but they're amnesic and their second first impression of you is... not so good. Yeah I'd be double bitter lol
