Faith of the Fallen
Chapter 20
A/N I own nothing. I just play here.
The plan was ready and so were they all they needed was one more thing. The location of the temple. Olivia arrived just after sunset. Regina had asked her to come. She was the only elf they knew. Olivia knew what they wanted and feared she couldn't give it to them.
"Is there a way to...help you have a vision...like your sister?" Olivia sighed.
"She gained her ability of sight from our father. I did not inherit it." Regina sighed.
"What about Delphine," Cruella asked. "She was able to see this coming."
"She's tried," Maleficent replied. "Something keeps her from being able to see it. Some force protects it."
"Most likely a safe guard left by my ancestors. I don't know why Ceres was able to break through to see the temple." She rested her head in her hands. "I'm sorry," she said. Regina rested a hand on her shoulder.
"It isn't your fault. This wouldn't even be an issue if that damned pirate had done his job. My mother would be dead."
"Perhaps there is another way." They looked to a new comer. Regina gasped when she realized who she was.
"Ursula," she whispered. This was not the sea witch who stood with the group. This was the actual goddess of old, gold skin and all. She walked over to Olivia.
"I have been around since your kind ruled this land. I know a few of your ways. I remember a way to connect the minds of those bound by blood. Would you allow this?" Olivia looked at her in shock.
"I remember this magic as well but never learned to do it. How..."
"I once befriended a young she-elf. She called herself the Gray Lady. We learned much from each other." Olivia stood.
"You knew my grandmother?" Ursula nodded. "You were the one that taught her the spells of the sea and weather." Again the goddess nodded. "I would be honored to except your help." Ursula smiled at her. She then looked to Regina.
"You have changed," she said.
"I like to think so," Regina replied. Ursula laughed.
"I always knew you had a resilient heart. Much stronger than your mother."
"I hope your right because as soon as we find that temple we will meet her in battle."
"And it will be a glorious battle, I'm sure. Your mother has begun to call in her forces. Now. Let me tell you what I will need for the spell so we can begin."
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Emma hadn't joined the others. She was sitting with Etta and Snow in Etta's room. Snow was rocking Etta while singing softly to her. The baby had long since fallen asleep. Emma found her voice soothing.
"My mother used to sing that same song to Meg and me," Emma said with a smile. Snow smiled back.
"I wish I could have been there for you, Emma. I can never forgive myself for letting you go. I had no idea where you would be sent or how long it would be before you found us. I put the hopes of the entire Enchanted Forest on the shoulders of a new born. I feel horrible for what your father and I did." Emma shook her head.
"What's done is done and I honestly wouldn't change anything. If you hadn't sent me away I would have never known Alba or Meghan. I would have never come to serve Regina and eventually fall in love with her. I would have never had Etta. So there is no need for forgiveness. Just acceptance." Snow nodded, tears in her eyes. She got up to place Etta in her cradle. "Regina wants me to leave with Etta," Emma said after she set back down. Snow looked at her with compassion.
"I would have gone with you if I could have."
"But I can't abandon Regina in this. I need to stay with her. I know its selfish but...I want to send Lili with her to a place Regina says she'll be safe. I know Lili will protect her. She will raise Etta into a wonderful young woman if..." Emma wiped away her tears. "She won't be alone if we both fall in battle. I have faith that we won't but...if we do...she'll be safe and loved. Just like I was." Emma began to cry, trying to hid her face in her arm. Snow moved to sit beside her, pulling her into her arms.
"You must do what your heart tells you, Emma. I believe Etta would understand." Snow felt tears fall down her own cheeks. She was afraid. She'd just found Emma. Now she could loose her.
"I love you, momma," Emma whispered. "I want you to know that." Snow kissed her head.
"I have always loved you, Emma. I always will." They held each other for a long while.
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Regina and Emma had debated what to do with Etta that evening. But in the end Regina could not force Emma to leave. Just like Emma could not have done the same to her. She also believed that Emma would be key to defeating her mother. In the end they agreed Lili was the best candidate to take Etta into hiding. They would be performing the spell on Olivia tomorrow. If it was successful they would be heading out with their alliance and their army. Emma was to lead the army with William by her side. Tonight they would try to rest.
Dawn found them both in a restless sleep. They awoke to the sounds of their daughter crying. Emma got up to retrieve her from her cradle. She brought her back into their chambers. She began to cry again as she held Etta close to her chest. Regina returned from the bath chamber to find her wife crying. Etta was in her arms recovering from her own crying. Her little hand was tangled in Emma's golden locks. Regina joined her on the couch, pulling them both into her arms.
"Shh, my love. We'll get through this. With any luck we'll see her again in a few short days." Regina kissed them both on the head. She was trying to fight her own tears.
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It was after lunch when Ursula and Olivia completed the potion for the spell. Olivia laid on a small bed. Regina, Emma, Maleficent, and Ursula stood around her. Ursula handed her the cup containing the potion. She drunk it all, trying not to gag on the terrible taste. She laid back down. Time seemed to crawl as she waited for it to take effect. She was just about to question if it was going to work with a wave of nausea over came her. Then her vision began to fade until she saw only darkness. She felt like someone was there with her.
"Hello," she said. Her voice echoed as if she was in some great cavern.
"Olivia," someone whispered. She spun around to see a beam of light hitting a black floor. In the light sat her sister.
"Ceres!" She rushed over to her sister. She fell to her knees before her.
"No. No. You can't be here. She'll kill you...she's almost broken through the barriers. She found the boy's grave. She took his bones and found a way to use them. It takes time but it will work." Ceres was frantic.
"I'm not with you...physically. I used the Blood Ties Spell. I'm in your mind. I need you to tell me where you are. Where is the temple? We're coming we just need to know where." Ceres seemed to be loosing consciousness. "Ceres! Come on little sister. Do it for me. Do it for Aaron." Ceres opened her eyes, focusing on Olivia.
"The temple was hidden beneath the waters of Lake Nostos. The Lady of the Lake was suppose to protect the sacred waters but she was slain. The entrance is no longer hidden, but hurry Olivia. She will reach the inner temple soon." Olivia pulled her sister close.
"I take it back," she said softly. "I won't forgive you if you die." Ceres sobbed. "I'll only forgive you if you survive this. You're my sister. You will live through this. We'll see the rise of the Queen together." She kissed Ceres' cheeks. She could feel the spell fading, pulling her back to her own body. Ceres looked up into her eyes.
"I love you, Olivia." They were both sobbing as Olivia faded away.
Olivia set up, gasping for air as she sobbed. Regina and Maleficent wrapped their arms around her. She clung to them as she slowed her breathing. She looked up to Ursula.
"Lake Nostos," she said. "The temple was hidden beneath it but now that Cora has entered the entrance is open."
"Nostos is only a few hours ride from here. Shorter if we can transport the army by magic," Emma said.
"We must hurry," Olivia said. "Ceres said Cora is close to the inner temple and she has a way to break the blood lock." Regina and Maleficent helped her stand. "She has Ceres locked up somewhere dark."
"Does that mean you're coming with us," Maleficent asked with a smirk.
"Yes."
"Good. We'll leave in an hour," Regina said. She turned to Ursula. "Will you be joining us," she asked her. Ursula smiled.
"I've always wanted to see you fight, little queen." Regina smirked right back at her.
"And you shall. You'll see how I earned the title of the Evil Queen." Regina took Emma's hand and left the room. Maleficent followed them. She knew what was coming next.
They found Lili in the gardens, playing with Etta on a blanket. Zelena was with them. Regina had quickly discovered Lili and Zelena were a couple. She found it interesting that she and her sister both fell in love with women much younger than either of them. They sat down with them. Regina picked Etta holding her close to her chest.
"We'll leave whenever your ready," Lili said. She looked to Zelena. She squeezed Lili's shoulder.
"Will you be going with them," Emma asked. Zelena looked at Lili. They shared sad smiles.
"No. I must face Cora...for my own sake. And because I want to stand with Regina against her." Emma nodded.
"We're glad to have you." Zelena nodded in return. Emma turned back to Etta. Regina pulled her close so they could both embrace their daughter. Emma tried not to cry. "Your mommas loves you little one," she said softly. "Never forget that, no matter what. We love you." She kissed her head. Etta wiggled in their tight embrace. After a long moment Emma pulled away from Regina. Etta began to fuss a little. Regina smiled through her own tears.
"Shh. Shh, little one. You're going to be okay. Your aunt Lili is a very capable person. She'll keep you safe...until we come back for you...and if we don't...she'll raise you to be a better person than I was. You'll become a great queen and lead our land..." She kissed Etta's cheek. "We love you. Always." They sat there for a little while but time was not on their side. They rose and headed inside. Regina retrieved a large top hat.
"What is that," Emma asked.
"Its a Jumper's Hat. It will open a portal to a gateway. From there Lili will enter another world. A place where they will be safe from Cora and we can find them after this is all over." Emma nodded. She watched at Regina placed the hat on the floor before spinning it. She gasped when the hat turned into a vortex. "It's time," Regina told her. Emma nodded. She let Lili take Etta. Lili already carried two bags.
"I'll keep her safe," Lili promised. She kissed Emma's cheek.
"Go," Emma said. Lili held Etta close as she jumped into the vortex. Emma turned into Regina. Both women were crying as the vortex swallowed up their friend and their daughter. Zelena also had tears in her eyes as her lover disappeared. She left the couple alone in the room.
"We'll see her again, my love. One way or the other," Regina whispered. She allowed them a short time to gather themselves before joining the others. They had a battle to begin.
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A/N Okay. Not many chapters left. Hope I'm still doing okay. Thanks for reading. Please Review, Favorite, and/or Follow.