Gothel took me back to the warehouse. I didn't know why I came with her anyway. To be honest, I don't care. She is humming while walking around. It's starting to be annoying. She left for a minute and then returned with a familiar object. "Where did you get that?" I asked her. "This? I got it from the same person who showed it to you a long time ago", she answered. It's an old book of spells that contains dark magic. My mother and Maleficent used to have a book like that but that one she's holding, it's pure evil. "I doubt that he will just give it up so easily", I said and she smiled. "No. But him and I discovered a common goal which make us partners", she said. That is new. He never wanted a partner. "Oh yeah? What is that goal?" I asked her. She put the book down. "…to bring forth the darkness into this world and all the realms", she answered.
YEARS AGO (ENCHANTED FOREST) – I am getting tired of waiting around for Rumplestiltskin. I know helping me get my revenge on Snow White is not in his priority list. So I decided that if he can't help me, I need to find someone else who can. I heard of this powerful sorcerer living in the Broken Forest. Legend has it that he is way older than Merlin and more powerful. He could be my answer. I understand now why not many people have the guts to come here. There are traps everywhere and if you are not careful, dead will come in an instant. At the heart of this wretched forest is surprisingly a castle. I was expecting a barn but I'm glad I found something else. There are no protection charms whatsoever. I got inside smoothly.
This castle reminds me of Rumple's. Big and spacious but no sense of style. "I am looking for a wizard named Kirnon", I called out. It seems like no one's home but I can feel him. He's here. I felt the wind brushed at the back of my neck. "Regina Mills…you are far away from home", a voice said. I smiled. "I am. I need to talk to you", I said. The door to my left suddenly opened. I willingly entered it. It's the throne room. "Forgive the appearance of this place. It's not often I got a visitor", a man sitting on the throne apologized. "It's quite alright", I said. The torches went lit and now I can see his face. He doesn't look that old for me. "Expecting someone older? I know. Immortality is a curse, Your Majesty", he said like he's reading my mind. "You know who I am and I am guessing you know why I'm here as well", I said. He smiled and then nodded. "You are blinded by revenge. You seek it like there's nothing else left in this world", he said.
"Oh but there's nothing else left in this world for me", I said.
"Fire and vengeance…that is a deadly combination", he muttered.
"I need your help", I declared. I suppose my bluntness is causing him to be surprised.
"I will and if you will do me a favor", he said. I rolled my eyes.
"Is every powerful wizard like that? Everything must come with a price?" I asked. "Alright. Fine. What is it?" I asked again.
"You see that stone? I need you to make it glow. If you succeed, I will help you but if you don't, then you can leave", he answered.
This should be easy. "Deal", I said and then turned to the stone. I thought at first that it's just an ordinary stone but looking closely to it, it's not. It's a Dread Stone. I focused on it and put my hand over it. It's going to take a lot of me to make this work. I can see why this is his test. This will measure up one's powers. I know I'm not that powerful but I am not going back to my castle empty handed. I focused harder. I can see little sparkle of light in it. It's working. I dig in deeper. Slowly it glows in purple light. Then it shone brightly, even brighter than the fire on the torches. I pulled my hand away from it and catch my breath. "I did it", I muttered. He clapped his hands. "You passed it. Now, my promise to you", he said as he got up. He produced a book on his hand and walked towards me. "What is that?" I asked him. "It's the mother of all the spell books. Everything you need to learn about dark magic is in here", he answered. "…and you're giving it to me freely?" I asked again. "Not freely, one day…you will do something for all of us. You'll see", he answered with a smile.
PRESENT DAY – I looked at the book as Gothel flipped over the pages. "Tell me something, Regina. Why did you refuse this when he tried to give it to you? You're being handed all the power in the world and you managed to refuse it", Gothel asked. She's right. I refused Kirnon. "I don't like the idea of owing someone at the time. I have my pride", I answered. I am sure she can understand that. "Fair enough", she muttered. Everything in it is in Elvish. "Do you remember what he asked of you in exchange for this?" she asked again. I stared at her as she looked back at me. "How can I forget?" I asked her back. She closed the book. "It's time to do what was foretold, Your Majesty", she said. I scoffed. "Like I said back then, I don't like being a puppet", I said. She walked closer. "Don't worry. You're not going to be. It is your destiny. This is your purpose", she said.
I turned my back on her. I tried to dig in deep into my heart but I feel nothing, not even a single strand of emotion. I know in my head it is wrong but my heart is just plain empty just like before. "I can't feel anything", I muttered. Gothel sat down. "Isn't that what you always wanted? For the pain to stop?" she asked. It's exactly what I wanted. I don't want to get hurt anymore. "So the common goal you and Kirnon have, it's about that stupid prophecy, isn't it?" I asked her back. I turned around to face her. She didn't have to answer it. It's written all over her face. "You never wanted Madame Leota to return. It's all a ploy to throw everyone off the trail", I muttered. I can feel I am getting warmer. "Tell me your plans, Gothel", I said. "You're right. I don't want to resurrect Madame Leota but I needed to pick her brain a little and once I got the information I needed, I kicked her out of the game. I am tired of hiding, Regina. You and I both know what's killing witches in this town and believe me, it's not only happening here. We need to do this for our freedom and we don't have much time because they are here", she said. I know exactly what she's talking about. "Witch hunters", I muttered.