Well, Alec is obviously a main character. Often, his closest friends or family members are also key. For example, his sister might be there, trying to save him or being extremely worried about him.
One popular 'Alec almost dies fanfic' might be the one where he gets caught in a dangerous magical trap. The author vividly describes his struggle for survival and the panic of those around him.
One popular 'Naruto almost dies' fanfic could be where he's facing a super powerful, new enemy that no one has seen before. This enemy has unique abilities that quickly overpower Naruto. Maybe it's a rogue ninja with the power to drain chakra at an extreme rate, leaving Naruto on the verge of death as he tries to fight back.
In this kind of fanfiction, there could be various scenarios. Maybe Tails gets into a fight with a really powerful enemy, like a new super - villain. The villain might have some sort of weapon or power that nearly defeats Tails. For example, a weapon that can disrupt his flight or his mechanical abilities.
Fanfictions about Naruto being neglected and nearly dying can be quite intense. Some might depict him being pushed to the brink by the lack of support from the village. For example, he could be deprived of proper training or basic necessities. However, these situations usually lead to Naruto's character growth in a different way than in the original series. He might form unexpected alliances with outcasts or find new powers within himself.
Writers create tension by making the danger seem real. They describe Naruto's injuries in detail, like his labored breathing, his weakening chakra flow. For example, if he's been stabbed, they might write about the pain shooting through his body. This makes the readers worry about his survival.
They exist to add more drama and tension. Hermione is a beloved character, and putting her in a life - threatening situation amps up the emotional stakes for the readers.
In some fanfictions, Hermione could be in a situation where she's exploring a dangerous, ancient magical ruin. There could be a series of traps, and she almost dies when she accidentally triggers a deadly one. Her intelligence and quick thinking, along with the help of her friends, might be the only things that save her in the end.
Another reason is that it allows for different interpretations of the magic in the Merlin universe. When Merlin is in a life - or - death situation due to his magic or something related to it, the fanfiction can introduce new concepts about how magic works, what its limits are, and how it can be both a curse and a blessing. This exploration of magic is very appealing to fans of the show.
One popular 'Merlin almost dies' fanfiction might be 'The Brink of Eternity'. In this fic, Merlin is poisoned during a battle and his friends race against time to save him. It's full of intense moments and shows the deep bond between the characters.