Killian's Inferno

Chapter Nine

"So pirate, have you missed me all this time?" the blonde leaning over him asked in a mocking tone as she began to run her fingers over his lips, then let out a cruel laugh as Killian turned his head and struggled to pull away from her.

"You're not her, not... Emma," he responded sadly as he turned again to look at the imposter wearing the face of the woman he truly loved, even more than he could ever love Milah. "Emma's safe at home… with her family and friends… the way it… should be."

The pretender nodded and then moved in closer so that her face was touching his as she whispered coolly into his ear, "You're right. And now that you're no longer in her way, she'll be free to find love again with another man who is not a villainous pirate, not a traitor, and most importantly of all, not someone who would break her heart as you have. Does it pain you to hear this?"

Hook turned his head slightly so that he could look into the monster's eyes as he answered hopelessly, "Aye, more than you co… could ever… know, but I did what was best… for her, for once in my… life."

"It is as Hades told you, one noble act of nobility cannot change the man you really are, Captain Hook," she replied smugly. "You were always a villain, even when you pretended not to be. I could see it inside your head. You never really believed all the lies you kept telling yourself and everyone else around you. Once a villain, always a villain. I know the kind of man you truly are, Captain."

"Nimue?" he stated fearfully as he finally recognized who Emma's double really was, then watched as she transformed back into herself, the female crocodile who had become the first of the Dark Ones since Merlin first drank from the Holy Grail centuries ago.

Before he could say more, the evil spirit there to torment him roughly grabbed him by the back of his head, then used her free hand to hold his face to keep him from turning away from her, then leaned in to kiss him for as long as she wanted, as he was powerless to stop her. All of a sudden, a force from behind the Dark One stabbed a dagger into her back, causing a large burst of light to form around her, while Killian raised his hand to shield his eyes from the power until it disappeared, Nimue along with it.

As soon as he was able, Hook put his arm down and blinked several times to try to focus on the newcomer still kneeling there in front of him and when he could see again, the Captain saw Merlin and not the Dark One or anyone else, as the look on his face was that of sadness, but of kindness as well, not of anger as Killian expected of him.

He finally spoke quietly saying, "I am sorry that this has become your fate, Killian. You never asked for this and though you briefly gave into the darkness, in the end you sacrificed everything and gave your life to protect those you loved."

Hook looked at the sorcerer with confusion as he asked, "Do you not… despise me for what I… what I did, for crushing your heart?"

"No, because I know that was Nimue and not really you," Merlin responded as he reached out his hand for Killian to take hold of so that he could help him in any way that he needed him to. "Take it from someone who knows all too well the power of the darkness and how easy it is to want to let it consume you. Can you move at all?"

"I don't… not really," the pirate answered weakly. "I've already… lost all of my strength. How… am I feeling all this… everything here and their torment… anyway? I am dead."

While he turned around to make sure that their way was clear, Merlin continued as he replied cautiously, "It's difficult… impossible to explain. Now, I was only able to dispel Nimue for a brief period of time, but she may be back. I can't help you escape the Underworld, but I can help you find a place where you can hide from Hades and his minions, if only so you can regain a little of your strength before they find you again."

Killian looked at the man before him with skepticism as he asked fearfully, "How… how can I know that it's really you… and not just another… bloody trick?"

"You can't," the sorcerer replied sincerely as he helped Hook to stand, leaning him up against the rocks behind him to help keep him upright. "But I promise you that I am. What have you got to lose?"

"Perhaps what little is left… of my sanity," he responded, raising an eyebrow as he stared at the spirit before him. "Why should I hide… if they will find me again and begin their torture… all over again?"

Merlin pulled the man into his arms and helped him to walk out of the void as he answered again, "I'm afraid that is also impossible for me to explain as well. Trust me when I say that you are better off not knowing. If they fail... Just know that I am not your only ally down here. Come, let's go before they return. It won't be long before I am missed as well."

Inside the largest of hollows within the Underworld…

While he sat upon a throne carved out of the purest gold from the world above, surrounded by firelight from torches along the walls, as well as the best food, drinks, and desserts imaginable to all of the souls he's collected over his immortal life, and several women for the God's own pleasure, Hades leaned forward, staring angrily at one of his most valuable and powerful of souls loyal to only him while she finished explaining how she had failed in her task to continue his torment planned for the pirate captain.

"I don't know who helped him escape, my Lord," she said in end to her justification apprehensively. "All I do remember is a blinding pain as I was dispelled. "But I do know that it couldn't possibly have been the Savior or the others. They're wandering around aimlessly and are too busy trying to ward off the monsters you send their way."

"Maybe so, and if I recall, you failed to stop every one of them," the God replied as he rose to stand over her while she remained on her knees at his feet. "The Savior was able to see straight through your lies and appearance. Perhaps you and the rest of you Dark Ones have outlived your usefulness and would be more suited to becoming a part of my collection."

She sat up as she immediately begged, "No please, master. We can do better. You know that there is no one more loyal to you than I. My deeds in life alone should have proved that you."

Hades shrugged as he responded, "I thought so once, but how can I trust that you will not fail me again?"

"Please give us another chance," Nimue answered as the God leaned down and took her face in his hands to hold her close. "Emma Swan and her family will need to sleep very soon now. I believe I can find a way into their minds through their dreams."

"To find out exactly what their weaknesses and deepest fears are," he replied smugly, understanding exactly what her plan was. "I like it. I just wish I thought of it myself. Nonetheless, go do it. And Nimue, don't fail me again. If you do, I will make you suffer from here on out, even if it means that I lose your loyalty. It's a price I am willing to pay. Oh, and send at least two of your pals out to find Hook and whoever it is helping him, then bring them both to me. I've got to go find my pet. That cursed Queen with our invaders imprisoned him inside a flask of all things and then tossed him into one of my lava pits. Finding Cerberus is going to be hell, pun totally intended."