Jack meets Nimue

Two Weeks Ago

(JACK'S POV)

I can't take it anymore. Hiding at Granny's, controlling the darkness, and being on the run from Arthur. All because I grabbed that stupid dagger! Luckily, I have been distracting the darkness by making dream-catchers out of ice. I looked up to see Merlin examining a couple Apollo chocolate bars.

He seemed mesmerized by the chocolate bars for some reason, so I walk over to him. He then turns to me and hands me one of the bars.

"A long time ago, I had a chance to try one of these. But the opportunity was taken by a little girl with sticky fingers." said Merlin.

It took me a moment to realize who he was talking about.

"You're the usher from the movie theater that Emma went to as a kid." I exclaimed.

Just then, I remembered what else Emma said about Merlin. He warned her to leave Excalibur alone. Thankfully, Emma hasn't even touched the sword ever since we arrived in Camelot.

"Emma did what you asked. She left Excalibur alone." I said to him informally.

"I know. But soon Excalibur will find its way back to the stone. Which is why I need you to come with me. You and I must obtain an object they can insure the darkness's destruction." he said to me while maintaining a straight face.

We snuck out of the diner while everyone was out gathering resources. Before we left, I left Henry a note. I didn't want to worry him. Little did I notice, Merlin had hidden the dagger in his cloak. He took it from David and Snow without permission. Clever move coming for the most powerful sorcerer in all the realms.

We hiked along through the forest, until we came upon a ritual platform. It was once the stand of the Promethean Flame. The flame provided the first fire to mankind. Now it is a powerful ember, but it is in the grasp of first Dark One.

Once we got to the stand where the flame once stood, Merlin handed me the dagger. I was shocked to see that he trusted me with it. But then he said that he gave me the power to kill him if my darkness comes out of control. Not so much of a good luck remark.

I focused on the dagger. The letters on the blade changed rapidly. Suddenly a hooded figure appeared before. I was very surprised that Merlin could see it too. Although when I looked at the name on the dagger, and was shocked to see that it belong to someone I did not expect. The figure removed it's mask and revealed the face of a woman.

"Nimue." I sighed.

She looked at me and smiled.

"Yes I'm Nimue, and you're Jack. Amazing isn't it, to be standing in front of the first Dark One. You're even more handsome than I thought." she said which made me blush a bit.

Then she turned towards Merlin. I saw a strange look in her eye. It was almost as if she planning something. Best if I be careful.

Suddenly, my hand lifted on its own and blasted Merlin to the ground. It took me a moment to realize what was going on. Nimue was controlling me!

"Why are you doing this? You love him!" I shouted trying to talk some sense into her.

"No matter how much you love someone, when it comes to power you have to say 'this mine.' Also, you're doing this." she said.

Without warning, she sent me flying towards Merlin and had me grip his throat. She lectured on about the power of the darkness, until I broke free from her control. I took the dagger and ripped the ember of Prometheus from her chest. She stepped towards me and said that whenever I needed her, she would be in my head. Merlin got up and leaned against a tree to catch his breath.

"So how does it feel to choose the right path?" he asked

I just looked at him and gave him a straight answer. Hopefully it will convince him.

"To be honest Merlin, it feels damn good." I answered clearly as possible.

Two weeks later

"Go ahead dearie, get it over with." said the vision of Rumple.

I am just about to lose it, if he keeps following me around. Just then, Nimue stepped out from the shadows. She looked like she was up to no good.

"You can now snuff out the light within you. We are proud of you Jack, all of us." she said.

At that moment, all the previous Dark Ones appeared behind her. I couldn't see their faces, but it looks like their eyes were small balls of fire. It absolutely terrified me.

I walk over to a small chest, and opened it to reveal the Ember of Prometheus. I cracked off a small piece and formed a huge fireball and placed the Dagger along with the sword inside it. Within a few seconds, the sword Excalibur was whole again.

I reached over to grab it, but I suddenly remembered Merlin's message to Emma. So I hesitated, and told Nimue that I wasn't supposed to take the sword. But she retorted by saying that I am a grown man and that I can make my own decisions. She's right. So I grab the sword, while the previous Dark One's whispers were carried across the room.

I think it's time to end this charade, once and for all.