Chapter nine

The Raven

Emma throws her hand out harshly, scrambling to reach for Regina so that they may 'turn on the light' again.

The energy is palpable.

When illuminated, the woman once Raven, is simply standing there gawking at them.

"And who the hell are you?" Regina commands.

The bird-woman smiles slyly and slightly cocks her head, "A friend."

Regina eyes her up and down and takes note of her appearance, hoping she can place her somehow. There's a familiarity in her deep brown eyes. Her dark hair is slightly curled and halfway up, being held by an adornment that holds a few gold laurels. She wears a delicate ivory tunic and golden laced up sandals. By definition she looks Greek. Regina can take an educated guess as to who she is.

Before she can continue to interrogate her, Gold who appeared to be miles away in his own world the entire time, chimes in, "And to what do we owe the pleasure?"

"Dark One, your reputation precedes you."

He nods his head forward in a curious salutation that Emma eyes mysteriously. She wants to know who this woman is!

"Who are you and what do you want?" This comes out harder than she intended.

"As I said I am a friend and what I want is to help you."

Emma doesn't trust this bird-woman for a minute yet she doesn't sense that she is lying.

"I must get you out of the tunnel of darkness before it affects you completely. You've already experienced what it can do to you. Emma, you were enveloped by one of your childhood fears. Regina, you and Rumplestiltskin were constantly bickering letting wrath overtake you."

"This tunnel brings out emotions?" Emma looks at Regina.

"Not exactly. The tunnel of darkness snuffs out the light Emma. Leaving in it's place nothing but one's darkest emotions; such as fear, wrath, loneliness, desperation, hate, and pain amongst many others. The souls that become trapped here can wander in pain for centuries." The Raven looks sincere with her explanation.

"Why should we trust you?" Regina asks.

"Because you are in hell and if you don't let me help you the next being that will try to is the last creature any of you should ever want to encounter."

"We should evacuate at once." Rumple agrees with her and Regina looks at him oddly for seeming so trusting of her.

"We created light. We can fight this on our own." Regina says to Emma.

"Indeed you can. Something I have never seen done before."

The Raven takes a step closer to Regina. "I can assure you, staying will only delay her objective and leave you all more vulnerable Regina. Please, I mean you no harm. Use your gift Emma and know that I speak the truth. I must get you out of here."

Emma takes a deep breath, thinking back to the panic attack, not wanting to ever experience that again. She decides to trust the bird. "Ok."

"Close your eyes."

Regina hesitates but does as she's told. She knows Emma can tell when someone is lying. She trusts that Emma wouldn't have agreed otherwise.

When Regina opens her eyes they are standing on the precipice of another cave entrance. She sees ahead a network of caves with spiraling staircases moving down. There are souls in chains hauling coal and metals. The space is immense and there are fire pits at the bottom of the structure.

"Well, that's not something you see everyday." Regina glances down.

"Is this Tartaurus?" Emma asks.

"Everything you've seen is Tartaurus. But this realm, this place is where your friend lies. I will take you to him."

Emma makes a quick step to start down the stone staircase. Regina and Rumple are closely behind when the Raven turns and stops Regina, "Wait. Not you."

"Move out of my way."

"She needs to do this alone."

Rumple intervenes, "We're not leaving her."

"Correction. I'm not leaving her. When she completes what she's here to do they will join you and I will lead you out of here." The Raven states.

"You don't understand. I am not leaving her." Regina punches her words like a professional boxer driving her fight.

The beautiful Raven gets in her face, "No! You don't understand; it is for your own safety."

Emma doesn't like this so she climbs up and pushes her aside, "Hey! We are not separating."

The Raven pushes them back into the cave and sighs deeply. "Idiots! The three of you! You, are the Dark One; HE is bound to notice and come looking for you! Unless that is what you wish...to be recruited? You, alone can put them in jeopardy."

"No, of course not!" Rumple states smugly.

"We aren't dead. How are we in danger? What aren't you telling us?" Emma knows she's keeping something huge.

"It's because you are alive. As it is I need to disguise you and turn back into my other form."

"And why didn't you show yourself sooner?" Regina scrutinizes her.

"I couldn't risk the exposure before the tunnel. And I had to be sure we were alone."

"We don't need her to find him Emma." Regina waves her hand and their clothing turns to tattered rags like the ones the souls below are wearing. "We can do this."

"No!" The Raven grab's Regina's hand with incredible strength that ignites Regina's anger. Emma lunges forward to stop her, 'who they hell does she think she is grabbing Regina like that?!' But the Raven puts her hand against Emma's chest with ridiculous strength preventing her from moving.

"Do not use your magic! He will sense it and find you. I forbid it!"

Rumple looks extremely unnerved, "I told you. I've been telling them but she wouldn't listen."

Regina feels an array of emotions. She feels chastised like a child. She feels angry yet guilty, small yet knowingly powerful. She looks at Emma who appears desperate.

"Disguise us and do what you must. As long as we stay together I will stop using my magic." This is the only bargain Regina is willing to offer.

The Raven doesn't look happy at all, "Alright." She lets go of both of them. "Stay close and don't draw any unnecessary attention to yourselves."

"Too bad...I was planing to run down singing 'When the saints go marching in." Regina walks past the Raven who ignores her sarcasm and quickly turns back into a bird. As she changes she muffles quietly to herself, "Why must you always be so difficult."

Rumplestiltskin is the only one who hears her. He follows them bewildered; having once believed to have known who the Raven was...'Why would she refer to Regina as if she knew her?'