Surprise!
After long hiatus, I am back with the chapter 3 of Illuminate. I would like to thank you for being patient with me as I try to make the chapters longer and since my beta is currently out, I decided to post this one since it's been overdue. I am not yet sure with the next chapters so expect that I won't be updating for a while. Rest assured that I will not be abandoning this one. As long as there are people who read this, (and possibly give me reviews) I will not be abandoning this one.
Brookie Twiling: Thank you so much for the review! You caught me off guard since I wasn't really expecting anyone to drop questions like that but I really appreciated it! To answer your questions: Yes, I believe that you have caught her name (See chapter 1), Violet's condition will be discussed as you read along in this chapter (and maybe in chapter four), and for the last two questions, I guess you'll have to stick around for answers. *wink*
NecieLauren: Thank you so much!
Disclaimer: I don't own OUAT and its characters. I do want to know if you guys are enjoying the story or not. I really want someone to talk to me so please review?
"Insolent fool!" Her stepmother sneered from her throne as she watched her daughter departure from the underworld on her enchanted mirror.
Camryn was confused. Usually, demigod dreams come bearing messages and warnings. Most of the time, they were disturbing images of what was happening in different realms but why is her dream showing her stepmother back in their realm when she was supposed to be roaming around Earth and spreading out springtime madness (emphasis on madness)?
Being brought up in a world of despair, she never understood what was so magical about springtime. It was one of the many subjects that she and her stepmother never saw eye-to-eye on. Although they do share one thing and that is they were both cursed to stay with Hades for the rest of their lives.
'Why on earth is Persephone back in the Underworld?' she looked around. 'And more importantly, where the hell is Thanatos?' She wanted to march towards the woman, but she's afraid that she might get her guard into more trouble than he already is.
'Maybe he's collecting souls?' Hoping that he is somewhere safe from Persephone's clutches. No matter how powerful he is, she is still the master's queen, meaning he has to answers to her every whim and take whatever punishment she deems worthy for him. Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard her stepmother rose from the throne and sauntered to where she was hidden.
She knew hiding from the goddess is futile since her stepmother is powerful enough to sense the even faintest trace of her aura but why isn't she going on a rampage? Could it be that she is becoming weaker now that Underworld is a mess or could it be that she had mellowed down?
"You shouldn't have left the Underworld, my dear." Persephone's voice cut through her chain of thoughts. "You shouldn't have left the only place that can protect you from your destiny."
Persephone is a minor goddess. Thus, her ability to uncover the faintest mirage is weak and Camryn couldn't help but release a sigh of relief for such. 'But still,' Camryn thought. 'A minor goddess is still a goddess nevertheless. '
Camryn inched further into the corner she was hidden in; she had to know the message of this dream, she had to know why her subconscious is giving her such vision. She looked up only to see Persephone looking directly at her!
Did she find out that she was being spied on? Did she realize that she is here all along?
Just as her stepmother is about to reach for her, the scene faded away just like every other demigod dream, waking Camryn up.
"Oh good, you're awake." A woman's voice greeted her ears as soon as her eyes snapped open. The world blinded her with white then bled color backed into her vision as her eyes adjusted. Where the hell was she? Did somebody figure out her identity and decided to burn her at the stake?
But that ritual is usually done outdoors, and there's hardly any beeping.
Wait, beeping?
Camryn looked around, noticing the heart monitor, some other medical tools, and three very unhappy people that seemed vaguely familiar.
"Have we met before?" She blurted before she could even comprehend what she was saying. She shrunk back to the mattress as she was met with the look of pure hostility on their faces. 'Or maybe not,' She tried to sit up but was stopped. She looked down and discovered her wrist chained to the bed she was on. She tugged on the restraint, testing its strength. It was not humanly possible to break.
"Don't bother," The blonde woman who was leaning on the door frame told her as Camryn sighed, unable to meet her gaze. "That's stainless steel, no matter how hard you try, you won't escape." Something about this woman makes her feel uncomfortable.
She shifted to her left side in an attempt to push herself upright, only to realize the throbbing pain in her ribs. All she could remember were blurry images. Even though her sight was temporarily unavailable for her in that portal, her other senses were heightened. She could distinctly remember being surrounded by the presence of vengeful souls trapped in that portal by her father.
Is it broken? She wondered about her ribs. She raised her free arm and pressed onto the pain, flinching against her touch. Definitely cracked. She concluded.
"Easy there, lass, you don't want to worsen your injuries." She looked up, recognizing the man beside the blonde woman. He may not know it, but she had seen him before in her father's domain; the hero that was rewarded by her uncle, Zeus. "Just lie back down. It's best if you get comfortable, best way to get comfortable is if you'd just lie down as if there's no metal that's cuffing you to the bed."
"You and this girl are going to be best of friends." The woman scoffed. "Since you know, you were in her position couple of years ago."
The man smirked. "4 years ago, actually." He winked at the woman before turning his attention back to her.
She remained silent as she met their gaze, engaging in silent war to see how long would she crack under pressure. "You definitely hit the mark when you crawled from that hole."
"What?" Her voice was raspy, and her throat is burning. How long was she out? But that doesn't matter to her right now. "What do you mean by that?" The hole? Did he mean that bright light at the end of the portal she went through?
The blonde woman studied her for a moment before giving her a cup of water. "Here," She said, her voice hostile still. "Drink some water first."
She eyed the woman before taking the cup from her. Instead of drinking it, she placed it to the side not taking the chances of it being poisoned or not. "Will you kindly tell me what's going on?" She hissed. "I don't know where I am, and I don't know who you are but you managed to ensnare me with this ridiculous fancy handcuff of yours, treating me as if I am some kind of fugitive. What did I do to you?"
The blonde woman snapped, her face contorted between disbelief and fury. "What did you do?!" She screamed , stalking to Camryn, ready to attack. The man beside her jump into action, grabbing the woman's forearm.
"Swan," His tone was warning her, confusing Camryn more. "She's just a kid."
The woman, Miss Swan- what kind of name is that anyway?- yanked herself from the handsome man's grip. "She's not just a kid, Killian. She opened the ground and nearly killed Henry and Violet."
"Look, Love-"
'What did she just say? I nearly killed someone'? Camryn furrowed her eyebrows as her mind began to race, trying to recall what exactly happened. Though it is hard to concentrate with Swan and…Killian?, arguing so loudly. She rolled her eyes before setting her gaze on the man leaning on the wall opposite from the couple.
He looks to be in his early thirties, and have the same blonde hair as Swan with cold blue eyes that held a charming twinkle. If she hadn't known any better, she might say the two were related.
"Well?" She gave the man an expectant look on her eyes. "Are you going to tell me what I did?"
The blonde man said nothing and studied her for a moment, it was as if was he was searching her very soul. She pulled blankets closer to her chest as he continued to stare.
"You must be something special, huh" He chuckled. She scowled. Was everyone here this incompetent?
She was about to retort when a knock interrupted them. The arguing couple locked gazes with each other before realization dawning upon them as they shared whatever it is with the blonde man who simply nodded towards the door with urgency lying underneath their rushed actions.
"Sir Morgan!" Swan called as she raced towards the door. Never had Camryn seen someone to move that fast as the woman made a move to block the door, blocking from what, Camryn guessed would be her. "What…" She paused for a moment looking back to her as if she was threatening her not to make a sound. "...brings you here?"
"Is the girl awake? I would like to speak with her." Sir Morgan spoke, his eyes flashing dangerously at the blonde woman. Camryn could tell that Miss Swan is hesitating and stalling the visitor. But why? She asked herself. At times like these, Camryn really wished she had enough strength to at least take a peek at her eyes.
Seeing a person's soul and aura gives her the opportunity to study the person internally, letting her to see their pasts, and to see whether their intentions are pure or malicious and her ability can only function if she's well and about, and with her strength.
But to do that she has to look direct into the person's eye.
"I wish to speak with the girl, Emma." the sound of Sir Morgan's hardened voice brought her back from her musings.
So, they are still at it, Camryn mused as she watched how the persistent man forced his way inside. As soon as their gazes met, she could've sworn that there is this uneasy feeling bubbling within her, something foreign, and yet, it's as if she's...at ease? She wanted so badly to peek behind the veil of this man's eyes so that she would have an inkling as to what to expect from him. Oh if only she hadn't used up her strength from the running and escaping.
Oh dear gods, Camryn shifted on her bed as she watched him make his way slowly to her, never breaking eye contact. Is it a trick in this realm? A tactic to intimidate her? Or was this revenge and he's here to kill her? (Though she doubt that would be the case. The man did cry for his daughter, after all. He still needs her to wake his daughter up.)
To their, but mostly her surprise, he fell to hands and knees before her, his head bowed low.
"What…" Is it possible for her throat to be drier than before? "...exactly are you doing?" She asked, her chest tightening. She could almost feel the heat of the green fire that surrounds the throne room back home as she watched her father's subjects kneel before him, begging to spare them from his wrath. If she were to close her eyes right now, she would almost hear the anguished cry that will soon come after. Except it feels like she's in throne now, it feels like she would be the punisher.
No, she told herself. I'm not in my father's realm anymore. I'm not watching another random soul plead for his life back. I'm not imprisoned anymore.
"Please," His voice is wavering and she's almost positive that tears found its way back to his eyes, as her breath hitched at his choice of words. Of all the words... "Please, I beg of you. Save my daughter. Save my precious Violet. Please, she's the only one I had left."
Her fist clenched as she willed herself back to reality. Pressing her hands into the bed as she felt her fury freezing in her veins. No, she told herself. Not now. She couldn't possibly let her anger control herself.
'Why should I save her?' She fights back. 'I don't know you, and I never owed you anything. So why?'
"Her condition is getting worse," As if by some magic, he had heard what she was thinking. Was it another feature in this realm? No, she thought. This man, she could feel this man's aura and she knows he had never possessed any magic nor special abilities that would allow him to hear her thoughts. "Dr. Whale had done everything he could think of and none of it works on her, so please… if you are some sorceress here to curse my daughter, just- just place it on me. Curse me, instead."
"Sir Morgan," Miss Swan's face fell in shame as she offered a hand to him. "You don't have to do this." She said, her voice softening as she glanced back to Killian and the blonde man. "She's not-"
Killian suddenly gripped her elbow. She glanced back at him, and he shook his head. She, then, knew it wasn't her place to tell him anything. If the hole had been a little bit wider, she would be on the floor next to him begging for her child's life too. Swan glares at her. Camryn, shoots an eyebrow back at in retort.
Great, she deadpanned. Now I'm the villain.
"Please, my daughter… I am begging you to save Violet. I don't know what I'll do if she were to leave me. I love her." Sir Morgan pleaded. "She's the only one I've left. Please don't take her away from me. Not her too, don't please." Tears cascading down his face, as he desperately clung onto the edge of the bed.
'What is this feeling?' Camryn thought as she brought her free hand to her chest. 'Why is my heart constricting? Am I ill like Violet? But I can feel my soul. I'm not dying, she is.' She panicked. Who are these people and what have they done with her? How could they just shove her into a bed and restrain her? Haven't they known that she's been imprisoned all her life? How could this man...Sir Morgan just show up a-and beg? Doesn't he about care his dignity? And all for his daughter too, he is willing to drop down to his knees and strip his pride away. How can he be so… human?
"Get up, foolish girl," she heard as she found herself being harshly yanked to her feet, away from her mother's lifeless body. She looked up, only to meet a pair of solid obsidian black eyes, glaring at her, maliciously as if the person was daring to test his patience. She never met this person but for some reason, she felt like she had unfortunately known him all her life.
It didn't take a genius as to guess who this person is- if she could even call him that. This man, this heartless man, is none other than her father. Just as her mum had described, he looked for lack of better term, regal. His mere presence demands her to show respect even if he had dragged her away from the burning ruins. He had this stern look as if he was ordering her to stop shedding tears, making it all the more reason for her to cry.
She had never met anyone scarier than the man before her, not even the picture of her mum's padre can compare to him. Suddenly, she is wishing that she wanted anyone than him. Let anyone take her but him. Her great perception of people is going crazy and the way the dark colors surround this man's shadow… she could get an inkling as to how powerful he is.
It was the first time they had met since she was left in her mum's care. Camryn knew at a young age that her father never wanted her. He had never planned for her to exist in the first place. So she had known better that her father would even show up for her.
But seeing him here, she couldn't help but feel at least a small tinge of hope that he cared for her and he had come to take her back to his place since her mum had passed away.
Hearing those words brought fresh tears to her eyes as she looked up to her fathe- no, he is nothing but a stranger to her. She knows that now.
"B-but my mum-"
She was met by the scariest glare she had ever seen. "Are you not my daughter?" He had asked in a deadly low voice. 'You do not stammer in front of me. In fact, you are to forget everything this woman had taught you. You do not cry, you do not act weak in front of me. I will not have a weakling for a daughter!"
Camryn sighed. As soon as her father had claimed her, she was stripped from her emotions, giving it no space in her life. She was thrown in her father's realm, growing up in the hands of her stepmother and her mentor. She was trained never to question her father-at least, not in his presence, to never talk back to her stepmother-at least, not in front of an audience, to never show any slightest emotion or to never give away her thoughts to her mentor- at least, not when they know they were being observed.
Suddenly, the metal that bound her to the bed felt tighter than it is. Is this the right thing to do? Is this what my mother would want? She's dead, she reminded herself. No need to think of her… not now.
But what about Father? What would he do if he were to see me? Lock me again in a dark room full of dark spirits? Throw me in the middle of the fields of Asphodel?
Never had she faced this kind of situation before. Never had she made this kind of decision before. After all, she is taught by her father to feel nothing.
Now the question is, will she defy her father or not?
You see now? She could almost hear her stepmother. This is who you are. This is what you're capable of; destroying people's lives. You don't belong here. You shouldn't have left the underworld.
"You see now?" The same horrible feeling of dread crept up to her as she could almost feel her bile rise up her throat. Did Persephone found me already?
She blinked. For a moment, she thought that her stepmother followed her and is here to drag her back. Much to her relief, it was only Miss Swan who had spoken. Camryn looked for Sir Morgan, but to her surprise, the man wasn't there anymore. Was she drowning in her own thoughts again? Did Miss Swan succeed in making him leave?
"That's what you did ." She spat. Camryn swore that she's looking into the eyes of a beast, ready to devour her any moment. It was a good thing that Sir Morgan isn't here to witness such scene.
"You killed a girl,"
"Swan, Violet's not dead. She's just in the other room-"
"She's good as dead anyway! Whale doesn't know why she's like that and he doesn't know the cure. She's gonna die. And you're the reason why that man is going to lose his only family and-"
"What if I told you there is a way?"
The room froze, even Camryn was surprised by her own words. She knew it would be a huge risk for her and her health, but if she doesn't act now, it might be too late to save this girl. She closed her eyes, reveling for a moment that she had inadvertently just told them that she is willing to help them. Them, whom she doesn't even know if they were to be trusted. Them, whom she doesn't owe anything to.
"What?" The blonde man couldn't believe hearing those words out of her mouth. And here they are, skeptical of her. Typical.
"But that's impossible," Killian protested. "Whale said-"
"He said that because he wasn't the one who had injured her." Camryn balled up her fists as she gripped her blanket. She couldn't believe she's doing this. "He doesn't know what happened, so he couldn't form a reliable conclusion out of her condition." She continued as she lifted her gaze to meet Swan's. "But I do."
"You know the cure for Violet's condition?" She asked, tentatively. "How can we be sure you're not trying to do something here? You might really kill her."
"You just have to trust me if you really want to cure this girl you speak of." her jaw clenched as she kept her frustration in check. Here she is, already defying her father and everything she had stood for when she was young and all she's getting is hostility from them? The nerve of this woman! She knew Thanatos wanted nothing more than what's best for her but as her eyes darted on the Swan woman, she couldn't help but question Thanatos' intentions for her. Does he want me to suffer more?
"You're treading a dangerous path asking us to trust you that easily." The blonde man broke her reverie. "You are the reason why she's dying."
"Look, you're the ones with a dying girl in the next room, and I just offered you a solution. If she dies it's on your hands, not mine!" Camryn snapped. "I suggest you take advantage."
The adults looked at each other. The girl, no matter how suspicious, was right and she is the only chance they and Violet had.
"What do you want in return?" The blonde man looked at her, she raised an eyebrow in return.
"Magic always comes with a price," Killian spoke, answering her silent inquiry. "At least, that's what this town believes in." He explained.
"No offense to your town, but that is the stupidest thing I've ever heard."
"So you're saying...you don't want anything in return?" Miss Swan asked.
Camryn paused for a moment before giving her a small smirk. "Actually Miss Swan, now that you've mentioned it, there is one thing I would like to ask of you."
"Oh god, what is it?"
"Can I have my weapon back? You know, the sword that came with me the moment I crawled out of that opening?"
Killian raised an eyebrow at her as he shot her a concerned look. "Why would you need your weapon for?"
"This is your genius plan?" Killian asked her, sarcastically. "You're going to pierce the lass' with your sword? I thought you were trying to save her?"
Camryn's eyes darted towards the rest of her audience as she held her sword reverently as the sun's rays hit the hilt of the sword, emphasizing the darkness it yield. "I am," Her face shows nonchalance as if she does this thing in her daily life. "This is the key to getting her soul back."
Miss Swan raised an eyebrow. "That?" Are you saying that your weapon can bring back Violet?" She let out a scoff.
She pressed her lips into a thin line as she wondered how can she explain the procedure to them. It's hard enough convincing the sheriffs- that's what they call themselves- that she knows how to heal this Violet girl, not to mention how she spent minutes, convincing them to let her out of bed, and ask them to retrieve her possession… so how on earth will she explain it to them?
'You know what?' Camryn eyed the girl's father, too consumed with to even acknowledge their presence. Staring at his daughter as if she may vanish at any moment. 'If only my father looked at me the same way he did,' Camryn thought. 'Then maybe, I wouldn't be in this predicament, I wouldn't be compelled to do such outrageous thing like this.'
"Believe it or not, this sword is the answer to your problem." She ignored the incredulous stares she is gathering. "You say that she was swallowed by the ground the moment the earth opened, and the moment she was brought back on the ground, she fell unconscious." She sauntered towards the girl and looking for a particular opening- a wound that she had acquired from her sword.
Camryn grimaced inwardly as she saw the small lining above the shoulder. She glanced towards Swan. "My theory is that she wounded herself on my sword when she fell into the hole."
"I don't get it," Sir Morgan spoke, finally addressing her. "How can a wound that small kill my daughter?"
This is the part she is dreading the most. The way she sees it, she has to ,at least, tell them something of what Thanatos told her to conceal.
This is your opportunity to begin anew, to have a clean slate. You're young, you're free, have fun! Be a teenager! Thanatos knew how much she wishes to change who she is. He knew how badly she wanted to be free from her fate, her supposed destiny.
She cast a glance towards Sir Morgan. "Magic, good sir." He doesn't need to know that she feeds off from the souls she collects in her sword, he doesn't need to know that souls energized her whenever she needed to use her abilities.
It's the curse of being an Underling. It's the curse that makes her remember who her father is and what her heritage is, just how a monster she truly is under a guise of a mere teenager.
"I will need someone who can wield light magic to reverse situation." She bit her lip slightly, averting her attention towards the other occupants. "My sword is no ordinary weapon. Forged with the rarest metal ever -the Stygian Iron, and cooled off into an enchanted river. Anyone who is slain by this would suffer as their soul is slowly drained from them, directing them straight to the pits of darkness where every possible torture is waiting for them."
A smothering silence engulfed them as they took in the information that was just given to them. "You see how this should not be taken lightly?" She said solemnly . "Now, Miss Swan, you are a light magic wielder, yes? You need to help me place her soul back in her body. I can only do as much as extract souls from my weapon. Other than that, I'm afraid I cannot do more."
"What?!" Swan looked at her in disbelief. "I don't know how to handle a soul! I don't even know if I can hold one!"
"Look," Camryn can already sense a headache coming on. "It's either this or she dies." The urgency on her tone sobered the woman. "And you won't be handling a soul, you idiot. You're going to be the bridge to help the soul back to the place where it belongs. And that is her body."
Camryn heaved out a deep breath as she raised her sword above the unconscious girl and ran her right hand across the blade, searching the girl's soul amongst the numerous souls that she had slain before coming through the portal. She felt the familiar tingling sensation-the usual sign when she comes across a pure soul or a soul she hadn't meant to ensnare in her sword.
"I could feel her soul," She gathered her strength anchoring the lost soul from her sword, her hand is trembling as she hadn't had experience of anchoring a soul just by using one hand. "You have to get your palms ready and wait for the white light, Miss Swan." she clenched her teeth as she could feel other souls latching onto the lost soul being freed. This could be trouble for Camryn if she can't shake them off the soul accidentally releasing them. She released black energy from her palm, directing it to the sword, acting as a kind of taser for the unsummoned souls.
After tugging a few more times, she managed to pull the lost soul from her weapon. The force is so strong that Camryn had dropped her weapon emitting a metal clashing sound as it reached the floor. The white light burst from Camryn's hold, barreling straight towards Swan's awaiting palms, almost knocking her down by the force if it weren't for Killian's fast reflexes, steadying her as Swan stared at the ball of light on her palm.
"Miss Swan!" Camryn called as she stared at her, horrified. Her hand clutched her chest trying to slow down the fast beating of her heart. Extracting a soul from her sword is really tiring as it is to serve as a punishment for her if she ever to release any soul she had already taken for herself. Which is why she usually doesn't bother releasing the souls she had ensnared-accidental or not. "If you don't place her soul back in her body, she'll die instantly."
This girl better be grateful she has a loving father on her side, Camryn thought bitterly as she could almost feel lightheadedness which is a sign that she could faint anytime soon.
"What do I do?" She watched the woman with deadbeat eyes as she panicked. Camryn closed her eyes in regret-Why do I have to do everything?- as she took tentative steps towards the woman and slowly reached for her arm. The light on Swan's hand flickered back as small patch of darkness almost joined the light.
"What's going on?" Killian panicked at the slight change. "Why is there dark light…"
"This is why I need a light magic wielder," Camryn's gaze met Swan's as she retracted her hand to avoid damaging the light. "You need to be the bridge of her soul. And the only way to do that is to stand by the girl and redirect her soul back to her body."
"S-so I just… I just place it back in her body?" Swan stuttered as if she can't believe how simple the task is. "That's it? Just like taking a heart?"
Camryn tilted her head in confusion. Taking a heart? What does she mean by that? "Sure," She said warily, eyeing the older woman suspiciously. "Just like that."
Swan looked back at the men inside the room before she plunged her hand that contained the light inside the girl's body. Camryn couldn't help but watch in awe as the girl's soul transferred back to her body.
She bit her lip as she peered at the girl who is beginning to stir. Never in her entire life did she witness something as...extraordinary and interesting as such. Never had she seen the color of blood rushing towards a person's cheek that fast , nor the return of the normal breathing a human should have , or better yet, the way her heartbeat returning to its steady beat, at least that's what the contraption attached to her is showing to them. And when she saw the twitch Violet's fingers made...
All she've ever known was to destroy. She was raised in the land of the dead, after all. Everything that revolves her should be death related, or at least, gloomy and miserable. Heck, even her mentor is the so-called Grim Reaper!
So to give back life, to be part of saving someone else without hidden agendas- or at least be responsible for such action, it was like the world was spinning upside-down!
Or maybe just the room was spinning,
Crap, the room was spinning. Camryn, unable to rejoice with the others, swayed as exhaustion took her...
Her eyelids drooping as she felt her knees buckle to her weight, she let out a small smile before her world came crashing down as the darkness engulfing her.
If her father could see her now, oh the look on his face would have been worth any punishment!
