Chapter 7: What A Tragic Fate

Briar Rose's eyes fluttered open. It was dark, and she was cold. She was shivering under the thin cotton blanket. All around her was nothing but shadows and silence.

First, she didn't remember the place where she was, but she quickly recovered her whole memory a few seconds later. She was in the Forbidden Mountains. She had slept in Maleficent's fortress. However, the last minutes before her sudden and strange lethargy seemed quite inacurrate and blurred to her.

She reminded of the fairy's face, so close to hers, her hand walking along her neck, her lips whispering something... And then, nothing.

The young girl shook her head, weary. She definitely was compelled to live in a place between dreams and reality, never knowing which event belonged to the former or to the latter.

Since she didn't have the slightest idea of what time it could be, when she saw a fine ray of light entered the room by the tower's little window, Rose stood up and lead towards the huge door she opened very carefully.

Behind the wooden door loomed an endless ruined stone staircase. The young girl started climbing down the steps one by one, taking care not put her feet on a defective stone.

After what seemed an eternity, she arrived in a cold and dark corridor. As she didn't know where to go, she decided to follow the light which emanated from the end of the corridor.

After a few minutes during which she crossed the path of many scaring iron doors she didn't dare to open, despite her curiosity, in fear of what she might find behind, she finally reached what she recognized to be the throne hall. Below the throne stage, a little group of imps were laughing hideously, they didn't seem to notice Rose's presence.

Suddenly, the memories of what she underwent because of those demons the day before came back to her mind. The hoarse and mischievous sneers, the rough hands on her skin, the strong chains around her fists and ankles, the whip's shots on her thighs and arms...

Rose's heart skipped a beat, her mouth went dry, for she couldn't bear the view of those horrible creatures any longer. Unwillingly, she took a few steps backwards.

Then, she hit something firm and sweet at the same time. She froze. Cold hands set on her shoulders. A chill rolled down her spine. She felt a breath warming up the hollow of her neck. Rose closed her eyes at the feeling.

''Do you have any doubt about the efficiency of my protection, princess?'' A smooth voice whispered in her ear. ''If that is the case, I would be very pleased to chase away those pointless doubts from your mind...''

Rose sighed with relief.

Maleficent.

She turned around to face the wicked fairy.

''Oh! No, it's not that... It's just that I, uh... When I heard them laughing, it reminded me of what they did to me yesterday, and...'' Rose explained, struggling to hold back her tears.

''If you want me to put an end to their meanless existence, then you know what to do. One word of you, and I will kill them all.'' Maleficent said, her red lips pursing into an odd, scary smile.

The young girl widened her eyes in shock. Maleficent would be able to kill of she asked her to...

''Oh! No, that's not what I want,'' Rose replied, looking down.

Maleficent slid a hand under the girl's chin, causing their gaze to meet again, before she bent her head towards Rose.

''So tell me, princess, I am curious. What is it that you want exactly?'' The fairy asked her, her voice strangely enigmatic.

Rose paused, not knowing what to say. She wasn't sure if she understood what Maleficent was asking her. She felt there was something hidden behind that question which still seemed so simple...

Too simple, a little voice added in her head.

A few seconds later, she finally decided herself to give a suitable answer.

''I just wish I would not have to fear anyone anymore,'' she responded quietly, her purple eyes locking with the fairy's dark orbs.

Maleficent's lips curled up into a cynical grin. She stroked the young girl's cheek with her thin greenish hand.

''Well, in this case, fear not, princess. As long as you are in this castle, I shall protect you. However, there's one person you must fear...'' The older woman reassured her, though still wearing a frightening smirk.

Rose raised an eyebrow.

''Who is it?''

''Me.'' Maleficent replied with a deep, soft voice, her scarlet lips curving into a cruel smile.

The wicked fairy burst into an endless sadistic laugh which turned her blood to ice. But Rose stood still, trying to resist Maleficent's unpredictable behavior.

"Why should I fear you? While you have been the only one telling me the truth? While you had lead me to you? While you protected me during all this time? Just yesterday, you killed half of your slaves because they dared laying a hand on me, and now you assure me I should be afraid of you!? This doesn't make any sense, Maleficent." Rose snapped, crossing her arms on her chest, clearly annoyed.

The dark woman paused, putting her hand upon her staff before she raised an amused smile.

The princess Aurora is delightfully attractive when she gets angry... Maleficent thought for herself.

"Why should you fear me?" Maleficent chuckled, sounding almost sincere. "I must confess this is the very first time someone asks me this question..."

The fairy frowned, looking like she was lost in thoughts.

"You should fear me, dear Aurora, because you have no idea what I want, and moreover, you are not in the least aware of the means I possess to get it." Maleficent stated dryly, lifting her chin as she stared at Rose haughtily.

The girl took a step towards Maleficent, looking up into the dark pupils of her elegant and mysterious companion.

"I don't care. I am not afraid of you, Maleficent." Rose maintained defiantly, willingly emphasising the fairy's name.

The latter let out a sarcastic laugh before she stepped towards the younger woman, leaning in closer.

"Therefore you must be either incredibly naive...or completely mad." Maleficent whispered a few inches away from the girl's face.

"You are probably right. Perhaps I am utterly crazy. But it doesn't matter, it's been a long while since those dreams—" Rose stopped herself in a breath.

"Oh. Here we are again! The mysterious woman who's haunting your dreams stole what was left of your pretty soul, didn't she?" The dark woman cut her off, murmuring into Rose's ear as a smirk crept across her face.

"I know these dreams mean something... I believe I...I am somehow...bound to you. I don't know why, nor how, but...I think you know it as well, and I think...you're torturing me intentionally, because torturing me all day is not enough for you, so you decided to haunt my nights too! And you...you..." Rose interrupted herself, holding back a sob.

Hot years started rolling down her cheeks.

Maleficent reached out to wipe away the tears in a gentle and slow gesture. She bent her head over the girl's face, a vicious smile distorting her red lips.

"I what?" She inquired with an honeyed voice.

The fairy fisted her hand into Rose's golden locks. The young girl sighed with delight.

Oh God! Those caresses...

''You're obsessing me, my mind cannot turn away from you... You never leave me in peace... Why? Why are you haunting my nights, each night of my so miserable life? Why?! Why did you let me come here? Why did you allow me to come to you? Why...why are you acting like...this? Why?! Why? Why...?'' Her voice broke as another bitter tear fell from her purple eyes.

''Because... Because I am the woman of your dreams. And the woman of your dreams acts that way, doesn't she?'' Maleficent answered smoothly, placing a finger on Rose's lips, who parted her lips slightly. Then she squeezed her lips shut as she surrendered to Maleficent once again.

Suddenly, the fairy removed her finger. As she took a step backwards, she faded into a burst of green flames and smoke, leaving behind her a terrifying echo of a ruthless laugh.

Rose sighed deeply, clenching her fists. This was so unfair! Maleficent always managed to escape at the moment she needed answers above all else. Her answers.

No, I don't only need answers... Rose finally admitted to herself.

I need her.

Oh, of course! That was easy for Maleficent! She could appear and disappear as she saw fit!

But her, Briar Rose, had no other choice but to watch the evil fairy as she vanished into thin air, and wait for her to deign coming back into view.


Tired of waiting for the impossible to happen, Briar Rose decided to explore the fortress which currently served her as a shelter.

Without a second thought, the young girl lead towards a dark corridor which seemed to sink into the depths of the earth. She walked during a few minutes before she heard some low and husky whispers coming from her back. She froze. The voices kept quiet. She took a few steps forwards, and the murmurs made themselves hear even better. She turned around abruptly.

''Show yourself,'' she ordered in a firm voice.

Thus, some black shapes came out from the shadows. Rose instantly recognized the little animal who tried to defend her against the other awful demons the day before. At the sight of those beasts who wildly tortured her, laughing out loud, she took a step backwards.

''Uh... Please forgive me, princess,'' said a deep voice she easily remembered. ''I didn't want to scare you, but...I thought you might need a guide in this huge castle... So, uh...we followed you.''

Rose arched an eyebrow as she took an hesitant step towards Malefcent's minions. They were in number of five. She understood the one who spoke first was Hector, the one who came to her rescue but failed miserably, and at his side, she believed she vaguely recognized three others servants who confronted their companions to protect her, and the last one...

She gasped in horror. Her breath was caught in her throat. She moved back slowly. Tears started forming at the corner of her purple eyes.

This latter was none less than the one who circled her waist with a cold heavy iron chain, allowing his fellows to hit her without she could do anything to fight them.

''No!'' Hector exclaimed with what meant to be a soothing voice. ''Don't be afraid, we won't hurt you! You know, I didn't want them to do that to you. I'm sorry, princess. Don't worry, we won't touch you anymore, promise. You know, we don't want to die electrocuted, nor turned into ashes, so...''

As he spoke, the princess softened and managed a shy smile.

''Very well, you can join me then,'' Rose agreed, gesturing them to follow her.

Hector grinned and followed suit to walk at her side.

''Where does this tunnel lead?'' Rose asked him.

''To the spells room.'' Hector responded as he quivered slightly.

''Oh. I am not sure it would be a good idea to go there...'' The young woman wondered, standing still as a chill rolled down her spine.

''Uh... Yeah, that's right. But we know a place which might please you!'' The little servant offered cheerfully.

''Ah? What is that place?'' She questioned, curious.

''Come, princess,'' he said as he turned around, ''we'll show you the library!''

The minions all shouted joyfully before following their chief.

The young girl couldn't help but smile and chose to follow her new guides. While the small group walked through a brighter and cleaner corridor, Rose frowned, lost in thought.

She reminded of the purple and green flashes which pierced the creatures' bodies, those creatures who were just like the ones accompanying her right now. She reminded of the screams of pain, the smell of burned skin, ashes spreading apart in the whole throne hall, the only remain of the fairy's slaves who had the misfortune of touching her. But most of all, she remembered Maleficent's burning gaze, her stressed hands, her cries of pure fury...

''I...I am sorry for what happened to your companions, I...I want you to know that I never wished for them to be punished as harshly for what they...what they did to me...'' Rose started in a sad tone.

''Bah! Don't worry, princess! They knew very well they wouldn't get out of this alive if they disobeyed the Mistress! But you know, we're used to it!'' Hector tried to ease her.

''But why...why is she so cruel?'' She asked quietly, her voice suddenly shaking.

''Ah, that! No one knows. She's like that, I think. Yep, she's just like that,'' the little demon replied, supported by his comrades' groans of approval.

Rose nodded pitifully, before she let out a deep and long sigh. Perhaps she better shouldn't try to understand, after all.

When they finally arrived in front of the library, Maleficent's servants pushed hard the big black wooden doors before inviting the princess in.

''There are all kinds of books here,'' Hector explained her with his cavernous voice, gesturing towards the many shelves which were covering the entire walls from top to bottom of this room in which floated an enticing, mysterious atmosphere. ''Alchemy manuscripts, old grimoires, books of spells, history books...''

Jaw-dropped, Briar Rose stared at the immense room surrounded by great walls of several meters high all filled with a thousand of strange and intriguing covered books. At the center stood a rectangular table made of ebony wood supported by two chairs. A few books had been left on the endless table.

The young girl came closer, her gaze drawn to one particular manuscript, mesmerized by the mystery which emanated from it.

All of a sudden, the book closed sharply. Rose jumped back as she looked up at the library's entry.

All the quirky creatures were huddling in a gloomy corner of the large room, glancing at the shadow which just appeared in the doorstep in dread.

Maleficent.

''GET OUT!'' She yelled at her minions who didn't try to argue and left the two women alone without a single word. The door slammed behind them.

Briar Rose stood still, her gaze fixed on the wicked fairy who was slowly approaching her.

Maleficent's lips curled up into an amused smile.

''Well, well. Did you find anything interesting which caught your interest?'' She asked in her usual mocking tone as she waved her hand gracefully, gesturing towards the huge room.

The young girl looked down, for she couldn't bear the fairy's menacing glare upon her.

"I...I am sorry, I shouldn't be here. I...I'm leaving." Rose apologized without thinking, before she rounded the black table and led towards the big wooden door.

A hand grasping her arm tightly stopped her. She raised her head hesitantly. The cold touch of the fairy's hand on her skin caused her to shiver. Her frightened eyes met Maleficent's sarcastic gaze.

"Oh, leaving already? What a pity! Please, princess, be my guest! Stay." Maleficent said in a honeyed voice, pointing at the table with a lift of her chin.

Rose's eyes widened in shock. Did Maleficent just invited her to seat and study in her personal library?

"R-Really?" She sputtered, trying to evaluate the mischievous gleam inhabiting the wicked fairy's dark pupils.

"Why, of course! Please, Your Highness..." She offered as she showed one of the two chairs. "After you."

Briar Rose reluctantly freed herself from Maleficent's grip and sat where the fairy had commanded her.

Therefore, Maleficent placed herself to Rose's left side while she put her hand upon her staff. Her faithful crow perched on one of the shelves' top flew away and landed on his Mistress' shoulder, croaking.

"So, tell me..." Maleficent began in a smooth voice. "What exactly did caught your attention so badly in my library, princess?"

The princess swallowed hardly. She tried to prevent herself from pronouncing the first word that came to her mind...

You.

Instead, she lost herself into those endless dark orbs.

"I— This manuscript laying on the table. I was starting to read it when..." She said, looking down at the book she was about to read before Maleficent entered the room so suddenly and closed the book with whatever force or power she possessed.

"Oh. But you do know that grimoire very well, princess." Maleficent replied, smirking widely as she opened the said book.

Briar Rose followed the fairy's hand, setting eyes at the first page. The Forbidden Mountains were delicately drawn on it with fine black ink, above a stanza of verses Rose knew too well.

"Oh. That one..." The younger woman stammered as she put her finger on the Universal Book of Magical Powers.

"Yes, dear Aurora," Maleficent agreed, her voice sounding almost pleased and cheerful. "This manuscript is nothing less than the guide which lead you straight towards my domain...and towards me."

"You are the most powerful fairy on earth," Rose muttered for herself, staring blankly at the first page of the magic book.

Maleficent slowly leant over the girl in a twinkling of fabric. She slid her thin, cold hand through Rose's hair as she inched her lips closer to the princess' ear. Rose felt a chill running down her spine.

''Are you afraid, princess?'' Maleficent whispered, before she moved slightly backwards, letting her mouth walking along Rose's jawline.

''No.'' She retorted in a breath.

Out of the corner of her eye, the young girl could see the wicked fairy as her lips pursed into a satisfied smile. No doubt she had got the answer she expected.

Maleficent finally straightened up as slowly as she had bent down, her unreadable gaze peering into Rose's soul.

''Why did you come to me, Aurora?'' She asked in a neutral tone, her voice lacking of any sarcasm and mockery.

Probably for the first time in forever. Rose thought.

The young maiden met the older woman's eyes for a few seconds as her mouth was unable to let out a single word.

That was indeed a good question she never asked herself. Why did she come here? Why did she escape from Flora, Fauna and Merryweather's cottage though she knew she was safe there? Why did she disobey the women who raised her? Why did she run away from all she had ever known in order to find the woman who haunted her craziest— and scariest— dreams? The most powerful fairy on earth? The only person she truly feared, the only one who lured her in an unbelievable and inexplicable way?

She knew it was wrong. She should never had followed her instinct. She knew Maleficent was cruel, ruthless, and heartless. She knew she could kill her with a simple flip of her fingers without any remorse. It would be so easy to her!

Briar Rose knew that. Whatever she did, her life depended on Maleficent's will. She knew she was condemned, but still... She had left her home, overcome all the obstacles that had fell upon her, she had suffered the injuries of those hideous and disgusting creatures... All of that just in order to find her, Maleficent.

Your worst nightmare, a low voice echoed in her head. She quivered, thinking about all these frightening and yet obsessing dreams.

At the peril of her life, she would fight danger just to be by the side of the most dangerous fairy of all, rather than stay locked up in her childhood home and wait wisely for her dear— and fake— aunts to return.

She had chosen Maleficent, the terrifying woman who haunted her wildest dream and made her lost her so balanced mind, over those three honest old ladies who had cherished her and protected her during her whole life.

Why? The voice in her brain asked her.

Because, for the first time in forever, she didn't want to undergo. She wanted to choose. More than survive, she wanted to live. Before she died...

She knew that, with Maleficent, if that damned fairy didn't decide to kill her right now, she would be free before she fell into an eternal slumber. During her short life, she would have chosen at least one thing. She would have known freedom. Before her expected death, she would live according to her own will. And if she had to throw herself into the lion's mouth for that, then so be it.

Her thoughts were so confused, so troubled. She scarcely could link them together to create a coherent whole, even when thinking deeply. All that was left was disorder, fear, anger...and desire. She definitely couldn't share her feelings with Maleficent.

Briar Rose felt trapped in her own body and soul. How to confess to Maleficent what she couldn't even admit to herself?

The princess raised a small smile, her violet eyes still plunged into the fairy's dark ones.

''I think you know better than I,'' she said eventually, lowering her gaze in submission.

Maleficent smiled back at her. She took a step towards Rose, the younger woman held her breath. The evil fairy circled around the chair Rose was currently sitting on and placed herself right behind her. She settled her long green hands on Rose's shoulders. The girl shuddered at the touch.

''Oh yes, princess...'' The wicked fairy replied with a sugary smile. ''I know that very well.''

Maleficent slipped her hand on the princess' head and stroke her hair gently.

''I know better than you, for you refuse to admit it.'' She added as she removed her hand.

The young girl turned her head towards her, frowning, trying to understand what the fairy was insinuating.

''You refuse to confess because they have forbidden you to do so. Since your early childhood, everyone had taught you to do good and fear evil. They told you nature was well made and justice always prevails. They assured you good always triumphs over evil. They said the prince kills the dragon and saves the princess, because that is how it is meant to be. Because that is fair. And it cannot be otherwise because evil is always punished while good is always rewarded. However, there is one only thing your dear aunts forgot to tell you...

''Do you know what is it, princess Aurora?'' Maleficent asked her suddenly as she glanced down at her, grinning deviously.

The young woman shook her her.

''The thing these poor wretched good fairies didn't foresee is that their dear Rose, whom they fed and raised since always, this sweet, innocent, beautiful young maiden, would be desesperately and inexorably attracted to evil. And that, despite a good and fair education. Almost sixteen years spent trying to protect this pure heart of yours, keep it away from darkness... All these efforts for naught!''

Maleficent lost herself into a maniac laugh. Rose couldn't look away from the fairy, listening to her every word, frozen in terror and disbelief because of what she just heard. Oddly though, she also felt relief as someone finally dared to speak those so scary words aloud.

No sound got out of her rose mouth.

The wicked fairy interrupted herself, then stepped slowly towards the princess. She stood at her left side, looking down at the girl, waiting for a reaction which never came. A hot and salted tear ran down Rose's cheek, but she remained silent, unable to find any word to reply at the older woman.

Maleficent leant towards Rose and cupped her chin in her long thin hand, causing the young girl to meet her gaze.

''Well, Briar Rose... What are waiting for to contradict me? Don't you have anything to add? What are you waiting for to tell me the wicked fairy is always wrong and the nice princess is always right? Have you lost your tongue, princess?'' Maleficent's red mouth murmured against the young girl's flushed cheek.

Briar Rose finally looked up to lock her purple eyes filled with tears with the fairy's.

''I have nothing to add.'' She breathed, her voice hoarse.

Maleficent, satisfied, curled her lips into a mirthless smile before she let go of the young woman's chin. She straighened up as she let out an ironic chuckle.

''Oh, look at that. The sweet pure-hearted princess finally reveals her true colors. It seems that behind that fallen angel façade is hidden a dark and tormented soul. Who would have guessed? I must confess you amaze me, princess... More than I had expected,'' Maleficent said, her voice deadly quiet.

The wicked fairy bent over Rose once again. The princess was staring at the book blankly. Maleficent wiped away her tears in a soft caress as her gaze as dark as night met the young girl's.

Briar Rose was gasping for air, smothered with sobs she tried so hardly to suppress, her gaze hypnotized by the blood red lips which were getting closer and closer...

''Oh, please. Just confess, princess. Deep inside, you are far worse than me...'' The scarlet mouth whispered against her cheek. The girl closed her eyes in pure despair.

''No...'' She defended herself, shaking her head weakly.

''Oh, but yes, you are...'' Maleficent insisted in a mad smile, running her hand on Rose's throat. ''You do like to play with fire, don't you, princess? But don't you know that, by playing with fire, one ends up burning their wings...''

All of a sudden, Rose turned her head to face Maleficent, their faces, their mouths only a breath apart.

The young girl looked down for an instant, mesmerized by those scarlet red lips, so close to her own. Finally, she looked into those dark twinkling eyes which stared back at her with a strange gleam she couldn't quite fathom.

''I don't care, as long as I burn with you,'' Rose declared confidently.

An icy smile distorted Maleficent's lips.

''The angel who succumbs to the temptation of the demon deserves his place in Hell, as the Devil himself...''

Rose looked down, her lips shaking slightly.

''What's the matter, anyway? I will die soon.'' She answered, her voice almost inaudible.

''So you would be ready to sell your soul to the Devil, just because you are aware that your time on this planet is limited?'' Maleficent questioned, arching an eyebrow.

''Yes.''

Maleficent stood up abruptly before she burst into a cynical, ruthless laugh.

''Poor foolish girl! You would be ready to offer me your soul, to me, the Mistress of all Evil, just because we have met once upon a dream? You are definitely too naive! What is it you were hoping for, princess? That I give you an happy and comfortable life here, in my castle? As you might have noticed, all you will find here is cold and darkness. This ruined fortress is nothing more than a pale copy of its mistress. What do you want from me, Aurora? You have no idea who I am, you have no idea what I am capable of. But believe me, princess, there is nothing for you in here, as sure as you have nothing to do with me. I can't give you what you want so dearly!'' Maleficent shouted, lifting her scepter in the air with pure fury as she turned her back to Rose.

The young girl was petrified, she didn't dare to perform the slightest gesture. Eventually, she stood up, following Maleficent's firm steps as she was walking away towards the library's window.

''I want nothing from you. All I want is to be free,'' Rose spoke softly, secretely hoping to ease Maleficent's anger.

The fairy abruptly turned around to face the princess. With a few prompt steps, she broke the distance between them. She grabbed the girl's throat fiercely between her long green fingers as she tilted her head to the side.

''Is that what you wish? Freedom?'' Maleficent inquired coldly.

Briar Rose nodded shyly as tears formed at the corner of her eyes. Maleficent tightened her grip around the young woman's neck as she leant even closer.

''Oh... Sweet Aurora... But who would give her freedom to the very woman who put her to death since the day of her birth?'' Maleficent purred in her ear.

As she spoke, Rose's heart stopped beating. Her legs got weak, bowing under her own weight. She felt herself collapsing, but the fairy still held her tightly with an iron hand.

''No matter what you do, you are doomed, princess. You already sold your soul to the Devil by coming here. As you followed your silly dreams of freedom, you hinched mine, and by doing so, you became my enemy. Perhaps it would have been wiser to keep living your life of lies and illusions, after all...'' Maleficent whispered, her voice as sharp as steel.

Rose shut her eyes.

No, this cannot be... This cannot be true. I am dreaming. This is a nightmare. It has to be...

Tears started flowing down on her cheeks once more, but she felt nothing. That was nothing compared to the infernal hollow which just dug deep inside her.

''Ah! What a tragic fate, indeed...'' The fairy added in a cruel smile.

The dark woman finally released her grip as Rose fell to her knees on the cold, harsh ground. Maleficent turned her back at her again, setting her hand on her staff as she walked towards the window at the opposite side of the great library.

''Why...? Why kill me? What does it matter for you?'' Rose managed to sputter while she looked down at her feet blankly.

''You are a threat. I cannot afford myself to let you live,'' the wicked fairy answered dryly, looking straight at the horizon thoughtfully.

''This...This doesn't make any sense! I am innocent, powerless... I have no power at all. I am no threat to anyone,'' Rose objected in a broken voice, feeling suddenly weary, indifferent, empty.

''You are a threat to my power. And for that very reason, you shall die. But I guess that, once plunged into a sleep like death, you would not bother me anymore. You would be nothing to me. And I shall finally be the most powerful of them all!'' Maleficent claimed as she hit her scepter on the ground, causing the walls to shake.

Rose couldn't breath anymore. She was pretty sure she was going to vomit. Tears were still running down her red, soiled cheeks, but she didn't care. Her throat was dry and yet, it burnt. She still could feel Maleficent's thin fingers on her neck. But once again, she didn't care in the slightlest. This pain was irrelevant. She was unable to think of anything else than the words she was just forced to hear. Those poisonous words had made her heart ache as if it had been stabbed by millions of smouldering blades. These words will haunt her forever, she was sure of that.

You would be nothing to me.

Briar Rose thought about it for a few seconds. She had always been nothing to Maleficent. Deep inside, she had always known that, but a part of herself hoped that, perhaps, she was wrong. If this very small part of her had clung to that hope for a while, now she finally knew she had been wrong all along. She had always been and will always be nothing to Maleficent.

Then why did she let you in? Why did she save you from those terrible little goblins? Why didn't she kill you the very first day, when she met you for the first time, once upon a dream, into the woods?

A little voice in her head was compelling her to hang on to that tiny pointless hope. No. She wasn't going to let herself fall into the trap again. The time of hope was over.

Briar Rose felt a powerful and boundless fury burning inside of her. Maleficent fascinated her, she lured her, and then she betrayed her, she used her. She had been nothing but a toy in her hands, a mere doll.

Then that blind, invincible anger disappeared, giving way to a bitter, painful misery. She was doomed. She was going to die. Maleficent was going to kill her, like she had planned sixteen years ago. She was so young, and yet her fate was already written in the stars, or in the flames of Hell. She had to die. She wanted to know freedom before the end, the inevitable demise, but this idiotic, selfish ideal only dragged her closer to the precipice.

Her whole life had been nothing but a lie, and now that she finally knew the truth, she knew that only death awaited her.

She couldn't bear to see Maleficent's face anymore. That woman who protected her, the one she desired, the one who was going to give her the last blow. She couldn't bear to meet these abyssal eyes before giving herself into the Death's arms.

Briar Rose stood up slowly. She knew Maleficent was still facing the window. She felt it. The older woman didn't even flinch. She didn't turn around once. She had already forgotten her.

Without further delay, the young girl staggered towards the exit. She fled the Forbidden Mountains without looking back, for she knew that if she looked back even for half a second, she would turn around and came back to Maleficent right away.

And Maleficent would kill her. With her gaze, her smile, her voice, her touch, her words... She would kill her, again and again.

She didn't even bother to check if someone was following her because she was certain no one would ever try to hold her back.

Then, Rose rushed into the forest, running barefoot, her vision blurred by tears which didn't stop flowing from her red, irritated eyes. She ran for hours, without knowing where to go.

She had no home. She had no shelter. She was alone.

I am going to die.

I am nothing to her, but...

She is everything to me.

She never saw the woman observing her from the top of the ruined castle. She never saw the unatural purple lightning which shattered the dark night sky in thousand pieces. She never heard the scream of sorrow and rage which came from the highest tower of the desolated building and echoed endlessly in all the surrounding fields, forests, rivers and seas.

And she never heard the soft, broken whisper which escaped the red trembling lips.

''I am sorry, Aurora. I can't...''