A/N: Apologies again for the long delay. Thank you for continuing to read and Thank you for all the follows, favorites, and reviews. They mean so much to me. I hope you enjoy! Happy Holidays =)
Into the Temple
It wasn't possible.
The man stood tall above her, arms crossed. He was dressed in a dark robe that covered his arms, the hem of the garment barely touched the floor. He had all the appearance of a type of monk, yet carried himself more like an ancient warrior.
"Alewar?" She asked as the dark skinned shadow moved closer, her own face stricken with shock and a small amount of fear.
How could it be him? How could he be here?
He didn't seem at all surprised that she had escaped. He threw his head back and gave a hearty laugh at the expression on her face.
"I'm afraid you have mistaken me for my brother." He said after controlling his laughter. "I am Lalo." Lalo reached his hand out and pulled Elizabeth to her feet.
"I'd introduce myself, but it would appear you already know who I am." She said as she wiped the dust from her clothes.
"Yes, we've been expecting you. Come." He said, indicating she should follow him.
"We?" Elizabeth asked, taking a torch from off of the wall, mimicking Lalo's actions as they left the chamber.
"If you have met my brother, then you know to what 'we' I am referring." He answered. Elizabeth took note of how well spoken he was. There was no fathomable way English was his native language and yet he spoke as if he'd been the one to grow up in the Governor's household.
"Then you are the ones who have been terrorizing me and my crew?" She said with no uncertain amount of venom.
"Simple tricks, nothing more. None of them were ever in any real danger." He answered with the flick of his hand, as if these sorts of incidents were entirely normal.
"Really? So Tobias, the man you dragged into the jungle the first night we spent on the beach, nothing happened to him? He's safe?" She asked accusingly.
"Safe."
The words flew out her mouth faster than she could think of them. "And the men I was with during the earthquake, they are safe too?"
Lalo stopped walking and turned toward her. "Some of them are safe, yes."
Elizabeth's breath caught in her throat. "The rest?" She managed to squeak out.
"Did not survive."
Elizabeth found herself desperately clutching the fabric of his robe. "Who survived?!" She screamed at him.
He gave a sigh and gently removed her hands from his person. "Let us keep walking."
"No! I will not take another step until you tell me." She stood with her arms crossed.
"We do not have time for games, girl." He moved toward her quickly, towering over her, his cheery disposition suddenly stone hard. "There is much to do. You'll have time for questions later."
"I only have one." She added softly, her eyes never leaving his.
The man softened almost instantly and sighed. "You wish to know about Jack Sparrow?"
She nodded.
"He lives." Lalo said before continuing to walk down the passage way. "He's been asking for you."
Elizabeth gave a deep sigh of relief and followed behind quickly, keeping her remaining questions to herself.
Lalo led her through a seemingly never ending passage way. It was dark. Elizabeth could only see the man in front of her, but nothing beyond that. They walked in silence for quite awhile before Elizabeth spoke again.
"Are you taking me to see him?" She asked him.
"Who?" Lalo asked quirking an eyebrow up at her.
"Jack. Are you taking me to him?" She asked with a small tinge of hope.
Lalo laughed. "No."
"Where is he? Will I be able to see him soon?"
"I told you already. Save your questions for when you will truly need them. I cannot provide you with such trivial information."
"Alright then, where are you taking me?"
"Curious bird, aren't you?" He laughed again at her.
"Don't patronize me. I have traveled halfway across the world to get here with no shortage of hardships. You came after my crew, kept me locked up in a pit for days without food, and now are dragging me through a passage way that could, for all I know, be leading me to my death. I'd say I've earned the right to be curious, after all it is my destiny, isn't it?" She spat at him.
Lalo stopped walking and narrowed his eyes at her, before grinning widely. "Teague was right about you. You have fire."
Elizabeth looked up at him with genuine surprise.
"How do you know Captain Teague?" She asked.
"Any answer I give you is only going to lead to more questions, and it would be better explained by someone else. I promise you will find the answers you seek very shortly." He said laying a hand on her shoulder in a fatherly gesture. "For now, let's keep walking."
"Will you take me to see Jack, after?" She asked with hopeful naïveté.
"You love that man?" He asked her.
"Very much." She said resolutely.
Lalo gave a thoughtful pause, considering her answer. "You may see him. After."
"Thank you."
Many questions still swirled around Elizabeth's head, but she kept them to herself as she continued to walk down the passageway next to Lalo.
Eventually, they came upon two rather large wooden doors, carved with strange symbols on either side, similar to the ones that had appeared on her map.
"Are you ready?" Lalo asked her.
She nodded, not sure whether she was actually ready for what lay before her, but there was no turning back. Not now. Her curiosity would be the death of her someday.
Lalo nodded back at her and pushed the doors open, ushering her inside.
Behind the doors was another passageway with sconces lining the walls. Different from the round stones that made up the other rooms, these walls were made of an intensely white marble. So white, it almost seemed blue as she passed by. She shivered as she grazed her fingertips across the cool surface. The hallway led them to a large chamber. Several large torches filled the room with a warm light. In the center were steps leading to a small pool of water, steam rising over the top of it. Just beyond the pool were eleven stone seats, five on either side of one larger seat. Elizabeth marveled at the beauty of it. How could such ancient, primitive peoples create something so elegant? She asked herself.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Lalo spoke. "I've brought the girl." He said aloud.
Nine men similarly dressed to Lalo entered the chamber. They looked straight ahead as they walked single file to the stone seats. No one looked at her. Didn't even steal a glance. They remained standing, until the last man that entered began walking toward Lalo.
Elizabeth was amazed to find them in perfect synchronization as they sat down on the stones. Perhaps they were communicating with their minds? She thought, then laughed inwardly at how utterly absurd the idea of that was.
"Elizabeth Swann, King of Pirates." The man said with equal amounts of curiosity and derision. He was fair skinned, considerably handsome, and had a surprisingly pleasant german accent. What such a man was doing in the middle of the Peruvian jungle, Elizabeth wasn't so certain.
"Yes." Was all she could say. She wasn't sure if he was asking her a question or just stating fact.
"We've been expecting you for quite some time."
"Sorry to have kept you waiting." She said a small smirk finding its way onto her face.
The man narrowed his eyes at her for a moment before erupting in laughter. The other men followed suit.
"Delightful!" The man exclaimed. "Lalo, you may sit" he gestured for him to take his place amongst the others. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Christian. Leader and founder of this most ancient and sacred order." He said grabbing Elizabeth's hand and pressing a chaste kiss to her knuckles.
"Sacred Order?" She asked snatching her hand away. Christian gave her a sly smile.
"We have existed for hundreds of years all over the world, seeking out the powerful gifts the Gods left behind, protecting humanity from further corruption and destruction." He said clasping his hands behind his back.
Realization hit Elizabeth square in the face. "So, it's you then? You're the man Calypso told me of?"
"Calypso told you of me?" He asked, mildly surprised.
"She said you sacrificed yourself, to rid the world of magic once and for all."
He smiled at her. It was unsettling as much as it was bewitching. The man held a certain charm. He turned his back on her before speaking again. "Before there were guardians, the God of Chaos unleashed a man on the world, hell bent on seeing it destroyed." He turned back toward her beginning to circle around her like a shark. "It nearly was. There was no one to challenge him, save for one person." He said stopping behind her.
"You." She said over her shoulder.
"Very good." He returned to stand in front of her.
"But how are you still alive?"
"With great sacrifice comes great reward. The Gods gave me a choice. I could pass on from this world peacefully and with honor or they would permit me to select certain abilities on the condition that I would use them to continue to protect the world. I'm sure you can guess what path I chose."
"Care to enumerate exactly what those abilities are?" She challenged him.
"Not quite yet." He said looking at his fingers in a way that reminded Elizabeth greatly of Jack. Which could only mean this man was purposefully withholding information.
"If you are all powerful, or even semi powerful, what do you need me for?" Elizabeth asked slightly puzzled. Why should the gods need a pirate king when they have an immortal to do their bidding? She thought to herself.
"The gods have abandoned us in our quest to protect humanity, and as we speak, all of the great world powers are fighting to find what we've been trying to keep secret for years in order to secure their power over the world. After your scuffle with Jones, they learned that sailors' myths and other fantastical legends hold more truth than they ever knew."
"Was it not the gods who chose me? Isn't that why I was sent here?"
Christian walked toward the pool of water in the center of the room and sat himself upon the steps. "They did choose you. Long ago, in fact. You're to take my place as humanity's savior, and I'm to train you as I have others before you. The gods wish to have no more hand in the matter."
"Why me?" She asked maintaining her position across the room. She felt uneasy, and wanted to give herself the opportunity to run if needed.
Christian ran his and just above the surface of the water, barely skimming his fingers across the warm liquid. "A question I asked myself when Teague first brought you to our attention. I was skeptical the gods had chosen a woman to save us all. In my experience, your kind has quite the opposite effect." Elizabeth scoffed at him, rolling her eyes dramatically. "But we've kept close watch on you, dear, and you are exactly who we've been looking for. You, Elizabeth Swann, King of Pirates" He looked up at her "posses something no one under my tutelage has ever been able to achieve."
"Which is?"
"An understanding of all worlds: The seedy underbelly of society, your pirates and thieves, as well as the upper caste, politicians, and the like. You are able to blend in quite well in whatever situation you are thrown into. You're resourceful, powerful, and…persuasive." He added with a leer.
"So you really expect me to believe that of all the people in the world, I am the one who is destined to save it?"
"Why are you so reluctant, Miss Swann?"
"There seem to be a lot of cogs in play here, and at no time was I the one to choose my own destiny."
"On the contrary. I would say every choice that you've made has led you here." He returned his gaze to the steaming pool. "You just didn't know it."
"Somehow I doubt that. Tell me, Christian, how is it you came to be acquainted with Captain Teague?" She slithered toward the steps intending to catch him off guard.
It worked. She surprised and intrigued him all at once. Elizabeth seemed wild to him with her nostrils flared, and eyes wide like a jungle cat ready to pounce on its prey. A spectacular creature he thought. "So many questions, must you know every little detail?"
"I was promised answers." She gave a look toward Lalo.
"A long time ago Teague, though he wasn't a captain then, traveled here with another sea hardened Captain. He was asked to join the order, but refused. Said he needed to return home to his wife and son. The Captain however agreed, took the gift we gave him and used it to terrorize the seas."
"Blackbeard." She said almost automatically, looking away thoughtfully.
"Yes."
Remembering his words, Elizabeth turned back toward Christian. "Why did Teague send me to you? Did he know I was to fulfill your prophecy, to open that chest and save civilization?"
"That I cannot answer for certain. It seemed to me he believed you to be lacking purpose and thought you might find solace amongst us. But I feel I should make a correction on your assumptions about the prophecy. Opening the chest is merely a last resort. In the event that we are not able to protect the world of our own accord, there is a chest that only you can open as deemed by Calypso herself."
"What happens when the chest is opened?"
"Absolute power. It will consume you and any remaining power left in this realm, then it will destroy itself and you along with it." He said rather nonchalantly for Elizabeth's tastes.
"Oh." There it was again, that sinking feeling. The feeling that suddenly everything was falling apart around her. The feeling that plagued her after she left Jack to the Kraken, when she discovered her father's death at world's end, when Davy Jones stabbed Will, when she lost her child, when she thought she'd lost Jack, and every subsequent moment since they set foot in this infernal country.
"Not the destiny you imagined for yourself, is it?" He almost sounded amused as he noticed the pained look on Elizabeth's face.
"Oh, no. It's bloody fantastic." She quipped.
"Don't worry, Miss Swann, it is only a last resort, and I intend to keep it that way." He chuckled softly "We only wish you to join us in our cause. Allow me to train you. There are many artifacts that yet remain to be discovered, and we could use your talents. Once we succeed, there will be no need for you to open the chest." Christian had moved toward her resting his hand upon her shoulder.
"I suspect there's a catch?" She asked, an eyebrow raised.
"You would have to cut all ties from your life as you know it now. Elizabeth Swann would no longer exist."
Elizabeth turned from him, mulling over the thought. How could she completely let go of everything she knew? "If I refuse?" She turned and asked.
"You're free to leave, of course, but you'd honestly give up having a real purpose, doing actual good in the world. For what? The Pirate?" He asked accusingly.
"I love him." Her answer was resolute which did not please Christian.
"He lied to you."
"He was trying to protect me." In that moment, Elizabeth wondered if there was ever going to be a time where she didn't have to flock to the defense of Captain jack Sparrow.
"By not trusting you? Throwing you directly into the line of fire? He knew you were a part of something bigger, but never considered the danger it could put you in." Christian's anger began to rise.
"I believe it's a bit more complicated than that. Regardless, I trust him implicitly."
"Seems foolish. Almost as foolish as believing you could take on an entire Spanish armada by finding a magical chest."
"The chest does exist. We could have used it to destroy them."
"But not without destroying yourself in the process. He knew that too."
"He wouldn't let anything happen to me, and you can't convince me otherwise. So if you would like me to join you in this battle, I would try a different tactic." She knew he was playing her, trying to force her hand. This strange man before her had a temper, she could see that. And his lack of time spent among people was beginning to show.
"You are a smart one, but not that smart." He paused and turned back toward his brethren who were looking upon the scene with concern written on their faces. "If you really love him, you'll let him go." He said in a deep gravelly voice, though this time it was controlled, not so erratic as before.
"Why must I forgo everything I know?" She pleaded. "It is me you are after, and it is what and who I know that have made me into this person."
"Any distractions will keep you from doing what you were destined to do, and Jack will die along with the rest of them. Is that what you want?"
"I think you're being a touch dramatic, don't you?"
"What do you think will happen if the East India Company or the Spanish Navy were to get their hands on such ancient power? Do you think your pirate will be safe holed up in Shipwreck Cove?"
"I can't turn my back on him. He won't understand."
"It is your choice, Miss Swann, but I will warn you only this once: if you leave here today, he will die. That much has been foreseen."
"There isn't much of a choice, then, is there?"
—
It had been days since Jack and Hector were thrown into their cell, days since they had seen Elizabeth dragged off by that group of men, days since they'd spoken to anyone. The men that brought them food and water never spoke a word. It was clear to Jack they weren't with the Spanish, but any question he asked was promptly ignored. The only time he'd get a glimmer of a reaction was if he mentioned Elizabeth's name. The men would look at each other strangely for a moment before continuing their task. It was infuriating.
Barbossa did his best to keep him calm, but the longer they stayed, the more anxious Jack became. Jack paced the length of the cell day and night, back and forth, nearly carving out a trench along his path. Everyday Jack would check for weaknesses in the bars, hoping to find a means of escape. He would wear himself down to the point of exhaustion, but never slept.
Hector soon lost all patience as Jack began his daily routine."Would you sit down! Walking back and forth is doing no good for anyone." Barbossa said leaning up against the back of the cell.
"Does me." Jack turned to him with a scowl.
"I'm sure she's fine, Jack. They need her, they're not going to kill her."
"You don't know that. I need to get out of here."
"In case you haven't noticed, lad, we're trapped here. Those bars aren't coming lose today anymore than they were yesterday."
"Why are they even keeping us here? Feeding us? Why don't they just kill us and get it over with?" Jack hit the bars with frustrated fists.
"Come on, Jack, you're smarter than that. Leverage. They can't get Elizabeth to do what they want without something to ensure her cooperation."
Just then, they heard the familiar jingle of keys that signaled someone coming to bring them food. Jack shoulders stiffened as he readied to unleash a barrage of questions on their captors, but it was not the usual guard who was coming toward them, the hooded figure was much more slight. Jack squinted, clutching the bars with thinly veiled hope. His shoulders released when she approached the bars, removing her hood.
"Lizzie." He whispered reaching for her hands. "You're all right?"
She could barely look at him as she answered softly "Yes," and relished in the warmness her hands felt in his.
"What is it?" He looked at her questioningly, noticing the pain on her face.
A million times she went over in her head how to tell Jack of the choice she made, why she made it, but knowing Jack, there was no possibly way he would leave this place without her.
Her heart was breaking, knowing what she was about to do to him, but she had to make him believe it was over…for his sake…so he would live…
"Did you know what would happen if I opened the chest?" She asked him hesitantly, eyes never meeting his.
"I had my suspicions, but I wasn't going to let you do anything without having all of the information."
"Why didn't you tell me about your deal with the Spanish?" She asked more accusingly, trying to find her courage.
"I told you, I thought I could get us out of the predicament before it became too problematic."
"Did you not consider my well being or that maybe I could have helped you? Do you not trust me?"
"Lizzie, I didn't know how to tell you. I didn't want to lose you."
Elizabeth cringed. She was hoping for a more evasive Jack Sparrow answer, not a declaration of love. Why was he making this harder?
"But you could have lost me all the same." She insisted. "If I had known what we'd be walking into I may not have come on this ridiculous journey." The frustration was evident in her voice, and a single tear ran down her cheek.
"I'm sorry" He whispered, defeated.
"Far be it from me to meddle in places I don't belong," Barbossa chimed in "However, from my vantage point, he was trying to protect you at all costs."
"Then he should have told me the truth." She said wiping her face and straightening her back.
Jack grabbed her hands through the bars again. "Lizzie, I love you" He whispered low. "I've shown you that much, haven't I?"
"I know you do, and you have, but I can't trust you, Jack. So, now, I have to do what's best for me." She put her hand to his cheek.
"What are you saying?" Jack asked her, hurt pouring from his eyes.
Elizabeth leaned toward the bars, her face inches from his own. "Goodbye" She whispered, before kissing him deeply.
After a few moments, Jack's body went limp and Elizabeth released him, allowing his body to fall to the floor.
Barbossa looked at her with equal amounts of confusion and fear as she turned her focus toward him.
"Please don't let him do anything stupid. He's not to come back for me. He'll die if he does. I made my choice and I made it to protect him, to protect all of you, but he mustn't know. Tell him to forget me. Promise me!" She said frantically clutching the bars.
"I'll do my best."
Elizabeth nodded and fled down the passage way, her robes flapping furiously behind her.
—-
The next morning, Jack woke with a blistering headache and blurred vision. His mouth was dry as cotton. He rubbed at his eyes furiously trying to gain his focus. In the process he knocked a plate of food across the room, startling Barbossa awake.
"What?! What's Happening?!" Hector asked with a start. Seeing Jack fumbling around on all fours allowed him to relax. "Ah, It's just you. Finally decided to wake up, did ye?" Barbossa asked him.
"What happened to me?" Jack asked incredibly confused. The events of the previous day had conveniently faded from his memory.
"I think she poisoned you."
"Who?"
"Elizabeth."
That seemed to be the trigger word, as everything flooded back to Jack like a tidal wave, leaving him breathless on the floor.
"So you remember now?" Barbossa asked as Jack sat back leaning against the wall of the cell.
"How could she…" Jack couldn't utter the words.
"How could she?!" Barbossa barked loudly, "Jack, you've been wrong a great deal in your lifetime, but you were always right about one thing: That girl is pirate, inside and out, so her actions should be of no surprise to you."
Jack shut his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. When he opened his eyes again Lalo stood before them.
"It is time for you to leave." Lalo said smoothly.
Jack flung himself against the bars. "You! This is your fault! You made us come here! You turned her against me! You bloody bastard, I'll kill you!" He reached for Lalo, trying to grab at his robe, but was just out of reach.
"Tsk tsk, Sparrow. There is so much you don't understand. I have done nothing. My brother may have been the one to urge you to this place, but she made a choice."
"Your brother?" Jack asked, confused.
"You speak of Alewar, I am Lalo. I am here to escort you back to your ship."
"I'm not leaving without Elizabeth."
"I'm afraid that is not an option. You have fulfilled your duty in bringing her to us, and now you are no longer welcome here."
"I want to talk to her." Jack thrashed against the bars, "Please, let me see her."
"She has a higher purpose now, one that does not include you or your pirate brethren, and you will not convince her otherwise. Now, I can release you and grant you safe departure from this city or you can rot here. That is a choice you can make."
"If it's all the same to you, I'll take that free passage." Barbossa interjected, getting to his feet. He turned back toward Jack, gripping him roughly by the arm. "Don't be a fool, Jack. It's over. Let us be well rid of this godforsaken place." He growled.
Reluctantly, Jack nodded in agreement, relaxing his stance.
"I think we are ready now." Barbossa turned back to Lalo.
Lalo led the two men and the remaining crew to the edge of the ancient city.
"This path will lead you straight to the beach, and to your ship. You'll have no further trouble from us."
Hector and the crew began walking, followed lastly by Jack. Lalo stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. "She asked me to give you something."
"Oh, and what's that?" Jack asked haughtily.
Lalo handed Jack the glass bottle still containing The Black Pearl. "It should be of more use to you now."
"How's that? It's still in the bottle."
"True enough, but when you reach the sea, I'm sure you'll find it much easier to break." With that, Lalo disappeared into the jungle. Jack quickly caught up to Barbossa who lagged behind a bit to keep an eye on Jack.
"What was that about?" Hector asked him.
"Looks like we won't be leaving entirely empty handed. He said I'd be able to free her now." Jack said, lifting the bottle.
"Do you think he was telling the truth?"
"It's either that or Elizabeth is more cruel than I could have ever imagined." Jack added with solemn humor.
Hector clapped Jack on the back and continued down the path. "Come on. We've a long road ahead."
Jack nodded, following his companion down the dirt path.
