Salve Regina
(Save The Queen)
XXV
Fat flakes of snow fell gently from the pinkish hue of the dawn. The Emerald City had little to no hope for salvation. King Scarecrow tried not to show tears to the outside world, but couldn't help but let them free. He felt guilty for letting his world down. He contemplated the situation he was in; Would Damion come back and kill Scarecrow, or use him for another mischievous plot? Would Ozma ever be set free from her painted grave?
Nudge had believed in his army far more than anyone, including Trafford. He looked up at the snow as it fell upon his brow, melting and rolling down the back of his hair and down his cheek. The sky was beautiful, peaceful, and yet so intimiating. He lowered his head and a faint image of Klissa came into his mind. If only she could know how much he valued her friendship, and not just her position as a soldier.
In no time, Tin Man, Lion, and the others who had fallen under Damion's spell had set everyone free from the gnomes. The gnomes fled from the city quickly, back into their underground habitat. King Scarecrow was too worried about his friends to truly care about the gnomes. They obviously didn't want anything to do with the world above after being defeated so easily.
"Alright," Jack announced, "We've taken the injured into the Emergency Tower for care. We'll be moving them to the hospital soon."
Scarecrow turned to his friend and said, "That's a good idea considering we don't know what Damion is up to. Not only that, but Glinda has disappeared. There's no doubt in my mind that she was too weak to stay around."
"Well, we can still keep an eye on the Emergency Tower for the most part." Jack sighed. "What are we waiting for? I can't just stand here trying to help the harmed when we'll probably just end up dead!"
"Don't talk that way," Tin Man appeared. He half-smiled and said, "It's only a matter of time before Dorothy saves us."
Jack sideglanced at Scarecrow, and spoke softly. "She's been gone a long time."
0o0o0o0o
His thin and handsome body had disappeared into the air like evaporating water. Damion's plan was destroyed, and he was gone from Oz forever . . . At least, Dorothy hoped. She didn't understand the sudden surrender, even though it made sense for him to leave before the whole of Oz attacked him at such a weak state. Dorothy felt sorrowful in a way; She had never experienced such lust before, especially for someone so malicious. There was a time in Dorothy's life where she imagined dating a rebelious young man she met from school, but it wasn't a path she would actually take in life. Rebellion was abundant in her life. What she needed was someone to help her better herself and make her realize life is beautiful.
The first few snowflakes fell upon Dorothy's eyelashes as she looked to the sky. There was no sign of Glinda anywhere, though Dorothy didn't expect her to pop up just now. The Ruby Slippers on her feet remained, however Damion's were gone. However, Dorothy knew the ones on his feet were the doubles, and were destroyed right along with him. Unanswered questions swirled in her mind, making it hard to focus.
For a few moments, Dorothy let the snow fall on her as she walked through Spen Field. She slowly calmed down and started to picture the Emerald City in her mind's eye. With three clicks of her heels, the Ruby Slippers began to glow. Instantly, she was trapped in a blinding whirl and lifted off of the ground.
0o0o0o0o
Glinda's power had fully recovered before she even thought of stepping foot in Ozma's Great Castle. The ballroom was brightly lit as though no bad entity had ever been in it. In fact, Glinda had been relieved to see the entrance itself recovering from a binding spell to keep all visitors away. Ozma's Castle was restored to its original beauty and peace, symbolizing a victory.
"Ozma?" Glinda's voice bounced off the ballroom walls. "It's ok to come out now."
With one glance to the ceiling, Glinda saw no trace of Ozma anywhere. The curse had been lifted, but her graceful Queen was not responding.
"The spell was removed, Ozma. It must have been, for I could return to the castle with no trickery. The chandeliers sparkle with triumph, the floor rejoice because they are no longer stepped on with hatred, and the mirrors reflect only happiness. You can come out now, My Queen." Glinda heard soft footsteps, but was unaware of their origin.
She stood still like a beautiful porcelain doll. Her gown stopped flowing, glimmer fading with the moment. Glinda felt a sharp and terrifying sting strike her back. It dug into her flesh and into her muscle tissue. Her veins cried for mercy as her chest pounded harder and harder with each breath. What took seconds seemed like hours of agonizing pain. She rested her tear-filled eyes on a bloodied talon as it broke through the front of her body. Heart stopping instantly with its destructor. Glinda's mouth let out one final scream before falling to the marble floor.
The blood pooled around her frozen body like an aura.
0o0o0o0o
Ozma ran through the Emerald City, searching for one person. Everyone stared at her in awe, not sure of how to react to their Queen's return. Some smiled, some gasped, and one particular girl stood wide-eyed.
"Dorothy Gale!" Ozma reached her destination, as did Dorothy, who had arrived seconds ago.
"Ozma," Dorothy began, "You're alive!"
Being a queen was never easy. Ozma felt that she always had to respond very quickly, or it would be rude. She used to think so, but now everything was so much clearer. Life was more precious, friends were more important. The time she spent under Damion's curse was terrible, but made her remember the way she used to be years ago, when being Queen was not just a title.
"Are you alright?" Dorothy asked.
Ozma panted heavily, and sweat dripped from her body.
King Scarecrow immediately spotted Dorothy and Ozma. He ran as fast as he ever could.
The answer was on the tip of Ozma's tongue, but Scarecrow reached them first with a giant hug. He squeezed the two until they were almost breathless.
"You both survived!" Scarecrow assumed Ozma had arrived with Dorothy.
At last, Ozma found a second to grab their attention. "Wait," she announced. "You need to know . . . Dorothy, I've been running forever. It's not over."
"What are you talking about?" Dorothy questioned, "How did you even get here so quickly from your castle?"
Scarecrow noticed everyone circling around the three of them.
"I ran." Ozma said, "You know I have powers of my own. Glinda blessed me with agility after I became queen in case I ever needed a quick escape."
"Gee, I guess so." Jack chimed in.
The Queen continued, "You don't understand. It's not over. You didn't-"
"Look." Nudge shouted.
The entire city seemed to stop breathing. A white horse galloped with intense speed into the Emerald City towards Dorothy. Upon the steed sat Damion, looking more dishevelled than ever. Almost terrified.
"Kill him." Scarecrow yelled.
Dorothy panicked. "Scarecrow, no!"
Damion reached Dorothy. A mob formed around him, readying their weapons once again. Dorothy pushed through the crowd violently, finally seeing Damion's pale and sweaty face.
"Let him speak." Dorothy protested.
"Please," Damion stuttered, "I'm n-n-not here to fight. I have no weap-p- weapons and I am alone. Dorothy, you saw me attempt suicide for you. I failed. I ended up in pieces in front of the Great Castle. King Scarecrow, I must have your full attention. Please, all of you. . ."
Scarecrow frowned. "Fine, say what you must then we will kill you." He shot an odd glance at Dorothy.
She felt the mistrust grow between the crowd and herself. How bad it looked that she return without absolutely destroying such an evil man.
Ozma glared at Damion with hatred. She stayed next to Scarecrow and watched her friends prepare for another fight. Lion showed his sharp teeth after a fierce growl. Tin Man held his axe high. Jack held his Mom's hand and forced back the tears, saving them for a later time.
Damion gulped and held his hands together as if he were praying. "I heard Glinda enter the Great Castle, but saw something else exit. It was a red willowrig. The one she was riding earlier. It killed her."
"What?" Ozma said in disbelief, "You have no proof. Glinda wouldn't just die like that. It's a trick so we think you're a saint, right? Or a distraction."
"No." Damion went on, "I am weak, and have very little power left. But what I now must show you is proof of my truth."
Damion separated his hands and formed a cup around his mouth. He whistled in a high pitch, which echoed throughout the city. He then lowered his hands and turned his head to face the west.
Another horse entered the city, dragging a large cart behind it. The horse stopped next to the crowd and neighed softly. Scarecrow ran to the cart and inhaled sharply. It was plain to see who lie in the cart, for it had no top. Glinda's corpse was turned sideways. The Red Willowrig's foot lie next to her with its poisonous and deadly talon injected straight through her chest. No one made a sound.
The crowd dispersed and gave Damion room to breathe. Dorothy knew the tears filled everyone's sad eyes, including Damion's.
Dismounting the horse, Damion walked over to Kind Scarecrow.
"Even though I killed the beast, I'm sorry, Your Highness. When I bribed the willowrig, this one must have actually followed through. I guess sometimes revenge kicks you right back. Don't worry. I'll be forever leaving Oz."
Scarecrow had nothing to say except, "Fine. You are banned from Oz, and may never pass another glance into our world ever again."
Damion nodded and slowly made his way to Dorothy. Everyone else moved away from them and towards the cart. The shock of Glinda's death hung in the air like a bad smell. It seemed as though no one cared about Damion anymore.
With her head hung low, Dorothy had no idea what to say to this fallen angel of a man who stood before her.