Killian stayed vigilant throughout the night, Nadri waking up briefly out of fear. He managed to get her upstairs to sleep in an actual bed, staying by her side throughout the night. When morning came Nadri was still sleeping soundly with the duvet built around her like a fortress, having manage to roll herself up after fidgeting throughout the night. Killian stared down at her as the orange and yellow beams of morning light dripped through the windows and graced her beautiful face. Nadri groaned and rolled over, he smiled to himself as she tried to escape the sunlight. He got himself comfortable, managing to pull the duvet away from Nadri and pull her close. Killian cuddled her back, gently kissing her neck to try and stir her from her sleep.
"Love? The others will be here soon." Killian breathed in her ear, only hearing sleepy mumbles from the woman next to him. "Darling." He carefully nudged her, not wanting to panic her into consciousness. Nadri lifted her head with more mumbles, her hand wiping the pool of dribble that had built along her cheek. He couldn't help but smile, since the moment he met her she was gorgeous in every setting he had seen her in. The morning was his favourite time to admire Nadri.
"Is this real?" Nadri's head was resting on his arm whilst his other arm was wrapped around her stomach holding her protectively. She was still wearing the little black dress that Hades had delivered her in, feeling uncomfortable being in anything else but the materials that had been reborn into. Her black curls were laying crazily across the pillow as she analysed him.
"Of course this is real." Killian knitted his eyebrows together confused by what she meant. "You're with me. This is real."
"I thought…I thought I was dreaming again." Nadri exhaled with relief, her hand resting with Killian's and squeezed it lovingly. She had dreamt of the pirate whilst she was imprisoned again. Imagining a life for herself on the outside where they could live their lives together without worrying if something bad was coming around every corner. She interlocked her fingers with his, sighing deeply. "You would come to me most nights, you gave me freedom." Killian kissed her shoulder again, listening to her solemn words. "I dreamt of a life, Ruveyzun." He couldn't find the words that he hadn't already said before. He had already told her that he would get her out of this but he had to follow through with his promise. He continued to hold her hand, interlocking their fingers.
"We shall sail on this bitter sea together." Killian promised her sweetly through the layers of curls between them. "When we return, I'll show you so many things across the sea but we need to get there first. We just have to go a little bit more, love." `
They both reluctantly left the bed, getting ready for what the day had for them. Anxiety overwhelmed Nadri, feeling breathless yet again at what they could face. She remembered Emma's tactics for when she struggled with her new emotions, just breathe through it. They had devised a solid plan between them all, Emma was to go with backup to the diner in the Underworld to trick Rumpelstiltskin into giving up Zelena. The Dark One was smart but it was the only way that they could get out with Hades help. Nadri was weary of the situation, she couldn't stand to be in the same room as Hades as it is.
She wanted to burn him into ashes, even if she was stuck in this world she'd rather be stuck without Hades reign.
Nadri had showered, the water boiled down on her as she scrubbed her skin until it was red raw. Her outfit was back into its usual elegant, flowing scaled dress that had been previously torn away from her. It was like brand-new again, not a single loose thread within the material. They waited patiently in the Blanchard apartment with Killian, Henry, Regina and Robin while David had accompanied his daughter to meeting Hades. Nadri stood at the window, her arms crossed over her chest as she stared out into the town.
Would this really be her last day in this place?
She couldn't believe that the next time she would wake up would be in the Land of the Living if everything went accordingly today.
A rumble of lightning erupted throughout the clear skies of the Underworld, Nadri's eyes shooting up at the sky to see lightening to constantly to crackle and snap along the clouds. Something was happening, the rumbling continued to shake the buildings and dust flickered down from the beams of the apartment. She peered through the window and saw that Emma, David, Zelena and Hades were leaving the diner in a rush.
"Something's happened." Regina stated the obvious, looking out of the same window. "We need to follow, let's go." Regina gathered the group together and prepared to leave the apartment, Killian rushing up to Nadri as he gripped her hand tightly and led her out of the apartment and down the wooden stairs. They all exited the building to meet up with the rest of their group, seeing that Hades and Zelena were clutching hands.
"What's going on, mom?" Henry questioned, running up to his mother and giving her a hug.
"We need to go to graveyard. It's done." Emma stated, hugging her son back tightly and kissed his head. She looked up to the others, watching Killian protected Nadri closely as he eyed Hades wearily.
"My banishment is over. There will be a portal going to Storybrooke in the cemetery in the next few hours." Hades told the group of heroes, looking back at Zelena with adoring eyes. It could have made Nadri sick, she grimaced at his presence. They hurried towards the town's graveyard where the group's names were engraved on the all of the tombstones. Smoke waved throughout the field, the orange sky burning in the sun. The clock tower that once stood in the middle of the deranged version of Storybrooke was now laying in pieces in the middle of the graveyard.
"How'd it get here?" David was bewildered, staring down the cock that was slowly ticking along when it was previously stuck in its place.
"The hands are moving. Is that a good sign or a bad one?"
"It's a great one if you want to leave. When those hands spin fast enough in about an hour, it'll turn into an open portal back." Hades informed them.
"Which we can't go through because of those. So, let's get on with it." Regina urged him and Hades nodded, waving his hand across the graves effortlessly and their names slowly began to disappear into dust. "As promised. You're no longer tied to this realm."
"I told you love could change him." Zelena kissed the God's cheek, beaming up at her love. Nadri shook her head, still unable to take Hades at his word. She had known the man for hundreds of years, was his prisoner over the past week only for it to be so effortlessly removed by True Love's kiss.
"I don't buy it. A man can't change that quickly." Killian stated, Nadri looking up at him as if he was talking about himself. She looked back up at the man who had taken her prisoner, her voice thick with distain.
"My contract, Hades. It was promised." Nadri's eyes darkened as they laid on Hades, still full of a pure hatred towards the man. He looked back at her, digging through his pocket.
He opened his hand out to Nadri.
She gulped, looking at the crystal sitting in his hand.
It couldn't have been that easy, surely?
Nadri was hesitant to touch it, the gem glared back up at her with an overwhelming presence. She hadn't touched it in so long, she wondered if the power no longer recognised her. She carefully brought her hand up, her fingers resting on the crystal before picking it up. It pulsed hard, colours of lilac and deep purples intertwining with each other. She lifted it up, looking at as its power stood proudly.
It was beautiful.
"What happens next is down to you. We both know that there is no going back with that power in your hand." Nadri could feel that Hades was struggling to give up its daunting power.
Was true love really this powerful?
"I forgot what it looked like." Nadri's voice was shaking, scared to hold such a power that she hadn't possessed in a very long time. Everything that was in her hand controlled her, it controlled her mind, her body and everything she was and would be. It was more powerful and emotional than her own heart would be.
It was a dangerous weapon.
"We're free to go through the portal when it opens, which means it's time to split my heart so you can leave with us. It's the only way, Hook." Emma pulled Killian back, going back to their previous conversation in the night. Killian sighed, looking back at Nadri as she still eyed the stone in her hand. Its power was illuminating, drawing her in.
"It won't work." Hades told them suddenly, shaking his head. "I'm afraid there are laws of nature beyond even my control. Nadri has been dead so long there is probably a tree growing over her body and Hook...well I doubt either of you could stomach the smell." Nadri finally broke eye contact with her power and looked up at Hades before her eyes glancing between the group members.
"You knew this would happen." Nadri spoke up, clutching the stone in her hand to the point her knuckles turned white. "You knew neither of us would be able to leave."
"Nadri you have been in this realm for a very long time, please do not play dumb. It does not suit you." Nadri went to raise her hand towards the God but Regina caught her wrist before she could get them into an even worse mess. "You knew your soul would not be able to enter the body you died in."
"Whose fault is that?!" Nadri snapped, raging. "Juul arguing over intense power and not caring for those they have to kill in the process. There must be another way, I know you Hades." She continued to argue, Regina by her side trying to calm her down but Regina's words went unheard. "The rumour-"
"No one knows if it's actually true though, Nadri."
"You cannot hand me this back to be free when I'm still trapped here!" She turned the gemstone in her hand. A tear slipped from her eye and Killian rested a hand on her shoulder. Over a thousand years of history was being held in her hand and she would give it all up for a life with the man standing next to her. "We must try."
The group had been brought down to original entrance into the depths of the domain, the elevator that Regina had tried to break into previously on their mission to find Nadri. Before it was closed up, unable to break through with protection spells until Hades waved a hand over and it disintegrated in front of them. It disappeared revealing the shaft of an elevator, Nadri peered over the edge and saw how far down it went. It went deeper than any place that she had hidden over the last few hundred years, it went down into an everlasting darkness that was only lit by the lanterns within the elevator.
"This is where they went, those who came before." Hades gestured down the elevator, all of them standing together in the building of what should have been Storybrooke's library.
"An elevator? I'm the Savior. I've got magic."
"And Nadri has dragon magic and still even that would not work. Neither would mine, that should tell you something. The ambrosia, it's powerful, and like a petty spoiled child, it wants all the power for itself. Everything else is shut down below. There's no hopping in and out in a puff of smoke. This is the only way, and once you're down there, you're on your own." Hades explained to Emma as he moved away from the elevator cautiously. Killian turned towards Nadri, seeing her face pale at the thought of getting to the bottom and finding nothing. They were so close that they could almost taste the freedom. "Only…"
"Only what?" Regina questioned, her hands on her hips as she pursued her red lips. They were all getting sick of the run around.
"There's a test to ensure that only those who are worthy of eating ambrosia can reach it, and it will require offering up your heart for judgment." With that revelation Nadri sighed, looking up at Killian with a hopeless expression. Neither of them had their hearts, only those who were living. "Nadri's power is immense, almost as powerful as the Gods themselves. She could offer her power instead for judgement only it could have fatal consequences. A heart wouldn't be needed, a dragon's soul would."
"We're not doing that." Killian ran his hand over his face before turning to Nadri. "We're not risking your soul." He declined. "There must be another way."
"Killian…my raaviir. I would burn down cities for you. I would give up a mountain full of riches for you. This power...is a curse." Nadri kept it held in her hand still, feeling it pulse and warp desperately wanting to be reunited with its owner. "I have spent a very long time without it, Ruveyzun. I no longer yearn for it." Nadri gave him a heartfelt smile, bringing her free hand up to his face and he nuzzled into her palm. "If I'm not worthy to pass this test because of what I have done then I beg you, continue on without me."
"Nadri!" He scolded and she pressed her fingertips against his lips, shushing him. Killian looked into her eyes, seeing the pain and the hopelessness she held in this moment.
"I'm ready. It's alright, raaviir." She assured him, Killian taking her hand and kissing it. She was sure. She was ready. She couldn't bare it anymore, it was either a peaceful death or it would be freedom. "There is no time."
"We'll be right here waiting for you." David cut into their heart felt moment and they both looked up at the charming prince and then at the rest of their group. "We're not going anywhere."
"If we…if I'm not back – please make him leave." Nadri asked David and he nodded strongly.
"You'll be back." Emma told them both, more towards her best friend. "I know you will." Killian gave her a half-hearted smile and took Nadri's hand to lead her towards the elevator. They left without a word, getting inside of the elevator and it began to judder down, creaking and cranking as they went down. Soon enough the light of the library was no longer seen and they were both left alone within the dark, their path barely lit by lanterns.
Killian's hand gripped the railing of the elevator as he tried to peer down into the canyon but pulled away before the intense sickness went over him. Nadri watched him closely before looking up again, darkness closing around them as they went further down into the caves. They knew the possibilities of what could happen next, they could both leave and skip into the sunset, one of them could leave mourning the other or they could both die down in Hades domain.
All Nadri could think of was the thoughts that had plagued her while she was locked up, ready to meet her end if she needed to. Killian had friends that cared for him, loved him. Nadri no longer had a family, no longer had something to live for until she met Killian. If it came down to it, she wanted Killian to be able to live his life for her.
Eventually they reached the bottom of the elevator, shaking upon hitting the ground to the point that Nadri almost fell into Killian. It felt like an eternity. He kept her up right, grabbing a lantern from the elevator and they both left together. They were back inside ruins similar to those in the domain, it was dark, dripping with water and eerie. They both stayed weary of what was going on around them, Killian in front lighting the way as they went.
"Do you truly think your soul would work?" Killian raised an eyebrow over at Nadri, the first words that had uttered his mouth since they had gotten into the elevator. He had been sitting on what Nadri had said to him before they left. "If Hades is telling the truth." Killian added on, going through the dark enclosed hallways.
"Everything in this stone is what I am, Killian." Nadri answered him, glancing down at the crystal that still hadn't left her death grip on it. They continued walking along, the dirt from the ground getting caught up in Nadri's dress. They made it out of the tunnel and were met with an archway entrance to a small room with a table with brass scales waiting patiently for them. Nadri looked over at the writing below, raising an eyebrow. "I cannot read this goltnu." Nadri's eyes scanned the confusing language that had been engraved and Killian looked down to her level.
"Only a heart filled with true love can pass." He read easily and Nadri shook her head with a smile.
"You can read this goltnu but you cannot speak Dovah."
"You'd be surprised what they teach you in the Royal Navy, darling." Nadri furrowed her eyebrows again and Killian smiled, catching himself before he began to chuckle at her being adorable. "It means that you have to weigh your soul to see if your love for me is true." Nadri swallowed hard, her eyes disconnecting with Killian's. "If it works."
"If it doesn't work then I will be destroyed." Nadri simplified it, eyeing up the scales. "It's like Hades said, I don't have a heart to give only a soul. If my love for you is not true then…"
"I love you, Nadri." Her eyes glanced back at Killian's at his desperate words. "I know my love for you is true love. You have to believe it." Nadri laid her hand over the scale and was ready to place the crystal inside. "I love you, by the sea I love you." He said again, hoping that she would respond. Killian waited for his response and Nadri looked down at the empty scales before inching closer to drop the crystal inside.
"I love you, raaviir."
She breathed out a breath she didn't realise she was holding as she dropped the stone in the scales with a clang and a soaring pain overwhelmed her. Nadri was brought to her knees, crying out. Killian rushed to her side but a sudden force tipped him backwards and straight into the brick wall with a grunt. Nadri kneeled on the ground feeling a crushing pain from within her body, the scar along her neck and down to her chest glowed immensely with a golden beam. The pain became too hard to bare, Nadri screaming out as the golden necklace that was wrapped around her neck began to burn into her skin.
"Nadri!" Killian tried to reach for her again but was pulled back by the invisible force. "Get it!" The crystal was rumbling from within the brass scale, beginning to disintegrate into small shimmering dust. "Stop this! You're going to die!" Killian shouted at her, watching as the power from the crystal rose up into the air into a cloud, travelling fast throughout the air like an angry spirit and wrapped around Nadri like a blanket. Nadri's eyes filled with tears as the necklace continued to choke her as the power drew itself back in, embedding itself back into where it belonged.
Nadri let out a blood-curdling scream again as the power whooshed through her and a force broke throughout the room. The jewellery shattered from her neck, the pieces dropping to the floor as she collapsed into an exhausted heap. Killian felt the relief take over as the force no longer kept him back, he hurried to Nadri's side and scooped her up into his lap. He held her tightly, moving her hair away from her face. Her eyes were closed, blood had dripped from her nose and across her cheek.
"N-No, come on." Killian shook her with no response. "Darling, please." Killian felt his chest enclose, feeling like he couldn't breathe as he shook Nadri further. "Please." He cried, tears running down his face as he tried to wake her up.
There was still no response, she was lifeless in his arms and grief overwhelmed him. It couldn't end like this.
"Please, Nadri...I need you. I can't leave here without you." She brought him redemption, she brought him a new view of life. Killian wanted to bring her back, show her new words and show her the seas. He wanted to show her love, he wanted to keep her safe.
Killian brought his head down and stroked Nadri's face, wiping the blood away from her pale cheek. He kissed her, his face wet against hers as he shook with grief. His lips touched hers, closing his eyes just to hope. Just to hope that little while longer that there was something.
Just anything.
She had given up her power for him that should have meant something.
It felt like a wave of mystical energy had crashed through them, he suddenly felt a pressure back on his lips, opening his eyes suddenly and pulling away to see Nadri's eyes flicker open. They were bright again, full of amazing purple that pulled him in to begin with. A smile crept across her pink lips and she shakily brought up a hand to his face. Killian gasped as she touched him, his emotions going through a rollercoster ride of feeling the deepest grief to go back into feeling elated that she was awake in his arms.
"Oh my God." Killian managed out in a strangled voice, pulling her into a hug. "I knew it, darling. I told you, I knew it was true love."
"Did it work?" She breathed out and Killian shot his eyes up towards the door, seeing that it had creaked open while he had given her the kiss that Nadri had originally feared so much. He knew that she would be the one but Nadri just had to believe it could be possible. Killian composed himself the best he could, kissing her again passionately. "I feel different, raaviir." Nadri whispered, still feeling slightly dazed.
"Your necklace…it came off." He helped Nadri sit up, seeing the broken pieces on the ground. The necklace was shattered into small pieces and the gemstone that was once in it and beaming a bright purple was now a dull, grey.
The curse was gone.
"That was the test." Nadri looked back up to Killian as she sat with him. "I gave up the dragon's soul for true love." He pressed his forehead against hers, kissing her gently again. She held onto him as she got up from the ground, looking down at herself and tracing the scar that sat within her chest and then up to her neck where the necklace was finally gone. "All of it is gone. I am…human, Killian."