Author's Note:

Let's see if I can make this story work. This story is inspired by the after-world-chronicles' work as posted in his tumblr. (See the cover art for this story and check out his awesome blog.)

Reviews will be much appreciated. :)

Chapter 1

This was not how Emma Swan expected her day to go. Yes, she saw the dark clouds gather yesterday afternoon and watched the heavy rain that followed that night. The winds that came with the storm were unnaturally fierce and if she was not who she was, she would have been surprised to receive a visit from her mother.

Her mother, the Queen of the gods.

-Last night-

"I visit him sometimes in his sleep. He is a good boy. He's going to be a great man someday." Queen Snow told Emma, brushing hair away from her grandson's face.

"That is what I hope, mother."

Snow looked at Emma and cannot help but feel proud of her daughter's choice. Back then, she did not understand why Emma gave up the chance to be immortal as the gods and live in heaven. She would have lived in a palace instead of in a peasant's hut and be served instead of toiling everyday. But years of watching mother and son together showed the queen that maybe there is something good about being just a human.

Emma watched her mother stand up and gaze at the turmoil outside the window. The last time they saw each other was when she turned down the gods' offer of immortality as payment for the great service she did for them. It was many demi-god's wish… to live as a full god. But seeing both sides of the coin – human and immortal – she decided that though life is much shorter, being mortal is a better option. Glancing at the sleeping form of her son, she knew that she made the right decision.

"There will be a war." Snow turned to look at Emma. "Will you fight with us?"

"I gave up that life a long time ago, mother. I have Henry to think about now."

"I understand." Snow walked towards her daughter until they were but an arm away from each other. "Take care of your son."

"OVER HERE!" Emma shouted at the beast and flailed her arms loaded with a sword and a shield. "OVER HERE UGLY!"

People were running all over the place trying to stay away from the beast but it was so huge and moved so fast that it made escaping difficult. And it doesn't help that it blows fire too. Some did not know whether to put out the fire that engulfed their homes and their livelihood or just run. Children were crying. It was total chaos and Emma knew that she had to lead the beast away from the people.

And of all the days that Emma allowed her son to go to school – because sometimes she needed him to accompany her at work – it had to be when some monster decide to drop by too. She had yet to find Henry.

"Ma!"

Emma's eyes widened at the familiar voice and turned to look at her right. Unfortunately, the beast decided to stop spewing fire and growling and turned to where the voice came from too. Seeing the little boy huddled behind wooden boxes, the beast stamped its feet and charged like a bull.

Everything around Emma drifted away except for the sight of her son looking for her. Henry! She felt adrenaline pump thru her body and she charged towards the beast. She prayed to the gods that she'd reach it before it reached Henry.

I won't reach him in time, Emma realized. Still running, she gripped the sword in her hand, moved the arm back and then threw the sword at the beast. It did not impale its thick skin but the force made it stop and change direction.

Shit. Emma stopped and then ran away from the beast that had begun charging at her this time. Now that she knew that Henry was safe, it was time to end this. She saw a long thick metal chain with one end nailed to a pole. She ran towards it and grabbed the free end. She turned towards the monster and waited until it was close enough. With a series of manoeuvres, she was able to tie its head and feet closely which impeded its ability to move. With a grunt, the beast fell on its side.

Emma gasped and tried to take deep breaths. The beast was so huge and it was flailing trying to escape from the chain. She had to think fast on how to kill it without her sword. She noticed the smoke coming out of its mouth. Fire! Gods I hope this one is stupid. She picked a wood and tried to taunt and prod the beast to breathe fire. It only took a few seconds before it finally answered Emma's prayers and practically vomited fire which, fortunately for her and her townspeople, caught it's feet and engulfed its body.

Emma watched the beast burn until it stopped moving. When she looked behind, she saw some of the people watching with her, and her. Their faces still showed fear but also gratitude.

"Ma!"

Emma turned towards the voice and gasped as small shoulders collided hard with her stomach. She bit her lips to stop herself from cursing and crying from pain and then wrapped her arms around her little boy.

"Let's go home, Henry."

Emma grimaced as Granny, her neighbor, applied ointment at her wounds at the back. She was thankful for the old woman who, as soon as she and Henry were within sight, met them and ushered Henry inside the house. Granny ordered Henry to boil water and then clean himself and then tended to Emma.

Emma said that she can clean herself on her own but the look the old woman gave her seemed more frightening than the beast she had just slain. So she removed her shirt and sat down and bore the pain silently.

She watched as her son, seated a few feet away from them, let his eyes trail from the wounds that Granny was cleaning. She knew he was taking stock of all her wounds. Both old and new. Old scars scattered throughout her body that remind her of all the battles she'd been in before her son came along. Once all her wounds were cleaned and covered, Henry approached them and sat down at her feet.

"You were awesome, ma."

Granny looked fondly at Henry. "She's always been a hero, my child."

Emma found herself remembering her mother's words the night before and came to a decision. She turned towards her neighbor.

"Will you watch Henry for me? I need to go somewhere."

Granny nodded in understanding. "You both rest and then tomorrow you can bring him over." She then gathered her things and left.

"Where are you going, ma?"

"Remember when I told you about your grandmother?"

"That she is Snow, queen of the gods."

Emma nodded. "She visited last night and spoke of a war. I fear that it has already begun." Emma watched as her son tried to mask the fear he was feeling or probably still feeling. His brave son. "I'm going to stop this war so that I can keep you safe, Henry."

Henry stood up and wrapped his arms around her neck. "Just promise me that you're coming back."

"I promise."

To be continued.