The once-vibrant forest surrounding Safe Haven had become a haunting wasteland. Trees stood charred and skeletal, their blackened branches reaching toward the sky like clawed hands. The ground was littered with smoldering ash, and an eerie, unnatural glow flickered across the horizon, casting the forest in hues of sickly green and red. Thick smoke hung in the air, choking out the scent of earth and pine that had once defined this place. It wasn't just fire—it was something darker, more sinister, a destruction laced with magic that refused to die out.
Regina darted through the ruins, her lungs burning from the acrid air. Her sharp eyes scanned the devastation, her heart pounding as she searched for survivors. She ignored the sting of ash on her skin, the faint glow of her alpha power barely visible as it fought against the oppressive magic in the air.
When she reached Safe Haven, the scene was chaos. Wolves were scattered, coughing and limping as they tried to escape the smothering smoke. Sabine was helping Mason to his feet, her silver-streaked fur covered in soot. Dax was trying to gather the younger wolves, his voice hoarse from barking orders.
"Everyone out!" Regina commanded, her voice cutting through the confusion like a blade. "Head to my house. Go now!"
The wolves hesitated, their eyes wide with fear, but the authority in Regina's voice snapped them into action. One by one, they began to move, some in their wolf forms, others dragging themselves on unsteady legs. Regina's amber eyes swept over the scene, her heart sinking as she realized how many were injured.
Ruby stumbled toward her, her fur singed and her breathing labored. "What about Graham's sanctuary?" she asked, coughing as she shifted back to human form.
Regina placed a hand on Ruby's shoulder, steadying her. "Go there. See if anyone is left. Bring them to my house. And Ruby—" She met her beta's eyes, her tone serious. "Avoid the Guardians. Do not touch them, and do not let them near anyone."
Ruby nodded, determination replacing the fear in her eyes. "Got it."
As Ruby turned to leave, Regina looked back at her pack. She felt the weight of their fear, their pain, and their trust pressing down on her shoulders. She couldn't fail them—not now, not ever.
Meanwhile, in Storybrooke, Emma Swan stormed into Mr. Gold's shop, the door slamming shut behind her. The dim light from the chandelier cast long shadows across the room, illuminating shelves lined with strange trinkets and artifacts. Mr. Gold stood behind the counter, his expression calm but curious as Emma approached, her eyes blazing with determination.
"Mr. Gold," Emma snapped, her voice sharp and urgent. "I don't have time for your games. You're going to help me save Henry."
Mr. Gold raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a sly smile. "Ah, Sheriff Swan," he said smoothly. "And what makes you think I have the answers you seek?"
Emma's fists clenched at her sides. "Don't play coy with me. You know exactly what's going on. Henry's been poisoned, and if you don't help me, I'll—"
"You'll what?" Mr. Gold interrupted, his tone laced with amusement. He gestured to the shop around them. "Break a few trinkets? Threaten me? My dear, threats don't work on me."
Emma glared at him, her frustration boiling over. "This isn't a joke! He's dying, and you're the only one who knows what to do!"
For a moment, Mr. Gold's playful demeanor faltered. He studied her, his sharp eyes catching the shift in her expression—the raw emotion, the desperation. Slowly, he reached beneath the counter and placed a sword on the glass top.
Emma's breath caught as she recognized it. "That's—"
"Your father's sword," Mr. Gold finished for her. "David is here, isn't he? The sheriff's office, I presume?"
Emma frowned, confused. "What does that have to do with Henry? I don't care about this curse or whatever you're hinting at. I just want to save him."
Mr. Gold sighed, his tone turning serious. "The curse is the reason you're here, Miss Swan. And whether you believe it or not, you're the key to saving him."
Emma shook her head. "No. No riddles, no cryptic crap. Just tell me what to do."
"There's a potion," Mr. Gold said, leaning forward. "Made of true love. It's the most powerful magic there is. It's your only hope."
"Fine," Emma said, crossing her arms. "Where do I get it?"
Gold's smile returned, cold and calculating. "Under the library. But you'll have to do the rest."
Emma hesitated, her mind racing. "What do you mean, the rest?"
"You'll see," Mr. Gold said cryptically. "Now, go. Time is of the essence."
Back in the forest, Regina reached Graham's sanctuary. The destruction here was even worse than Safe Haven. The once-pristine area was now a wasteland of ash and twisted metal. Ruby returned moments later, her face grim.
"There's no one left," Ruby said, her voice heavy with grief. "They... they didn't make it."
Regina closed her eyes, her jaw tightening as she absorbed the news. "Then we move forward," she said, her voice steady. "We protect who we can. Bring everyone to my house. No one wanders alone."
As they moved through the forest, Regina felt the weight of her decisions pressing down on her. The Keepers' attacks were escalating, and the Guardians were unlike anything they had faced before. She knew this was only the beginning.
In their underground lair, the Keepers celebrated their success. Marcus stood at the head of the room, his arms raised in triumph. "The Queen is distracted, her pack scattered. And the Savior... she's beginning to see the truth."
A younger Keeper approached Marcus. "What of the Guardians?"
Marcus smiled darkly. "They'll keep the wolves busy. Meanwhile, our poison spreads. Soon, Regina will have no choice but to face us."
"And the Savior?" the Keeper asked.
"She'll believe," Marcus said confidently. "And when she does, we'll have everything we need."
The room erupted in cheers, their voices echoing off the stone walls. In the corner, the scrying pool flickered, showing fragmented images of Regina and Emma moving closer to their respective destinies.
The library was eerily quiet, the stillness broken only by the creak of Emma's boots against the polished wooden floor. Her breath fogged in the cold air as she approached the back of the room, where an old painting of a towering oak tree hung crookedly on the wall. Mr. Gold had trailed behind her, his cane tapping rhythmically against the floor.
Emma glanced over her shoulder. "What's behind here?"
Mr. Gold's sly smile flickered in the dim light. "A passage," he said simply. "But what lies below... that's something you'll have to see for yourself."
He reached out, tapping the edge of the painting with his cane. A faint click echoed in the room, and the floor beneath the painting began to shift, revealing a hidden elevator. The doors slid open with an unnatural hiss, exposing an ornate metal cage that gleamed with a faint, otherworldly light.
Emma hesitated. "What's down there?"
"A dragon," Mr. Gold said matter-of-factly, stepping aside to let her enter. "But don't worry. It won't be the fire-breathing kind unless you disturb it."
Emma frowned, her skepticism clear. "A dragon? Seriously?"
Mr. Gold's smirk widened. "Do hurry, dear. Time is not on your side."
Taking a deep breath, Emma stepped into the elevator. The metal doors clanged shut behind her, and with a shudder, the cage began its descent. The walls of the shaft were carved from ancient stone, glowing faintly with strange runes that pulsed as she passed. The hum of magic filled the air, growing louder the deeper she went.
Far from the library, Regina stood on the edge of the forest, her amber eyes blazing as she surveyed the burned wasteland. The Keepers' lair was hidden deep within, its entrance concealed by layers of magic and shadow. But Regina didn't care. She was done waiting, done defending. It was time to bring the fight to them.
Her steps were deliberate, her wolf form shimmering briefly before she shifted fully. Her massive black fur rippled with energy, streaks of crimson light coursing through it as her anger fueled her power. Her breaths came out in sharp puffs, each one carrying the weight of her unyielding determination.
As she approached the Keepers' stronghold, the air grew colder, the oppressive magic thickening around her like a shroud. The entrance to their lair—a jagged opening in the earth—was unguarded, but Regina knew better. They were waiting for her.
She stepped inside, her claws clicking against the stone floor as she descended into the cavern. The lair opened into a vast chamber, the walls lined with glowing runes and shelves filled with dark artifacts. And there they were—the Keepers, gathered in a semicircle, their faces obscured by dark hoods.
At their center stood Marcus, his grin sharp and malicious. "Ah, the Queen herself," he drawled, spreading his arms in mock welcome. "How kind of you to join us."
Regina growled low, her red eyes glowing like embers. "I'm done playing your games, Efron. This ends tonight."
Marcus chuckled. "Bold words, but you forget—you're alone."
As if on cue, shadows began to shift around the chamber. The Guardians emerged, their forms grotesque and twisted. Their humanoid shapes were warped with claws, elongated teeth, and eyes that glowed with an unnatural light. They moved like specters, their presence suffocating as they encircled her.
Regina didn't hesitate. With a deafening roar, she lunged at the nearest Guardian, her claws slashing through its form. It screeched, its body flickering like smoke before reforming and swiping at her with razor-sharp claws. The two collided in a brutal flurry of strikes, their movements blurring with speed and ferocity.
Another Guardian attacked from behind, its claws raking across Regina's flank. She snarled, spinning to slam it into the ground with enough force to crack the stone beneath them. Her power flared, the crimson streaks in her fur burning brighter as she fought with unrelenting force.
The Keepers watched from the sidelines, their hands raised as they chanted incantations. The room pulsed with dark magic, the air growing heavier with each word they spoke. Marcus stepped forward, his voice cutting through the chaos.
"You're strong, Regina," he said, his tone almost admiring. "But you can't win. Not against all of us."
Regina's gaze snapped to him, her growl reverberating through the chamber. "Watch me."
The Guardians surged forward, their numbers overwhelming. Regina fought with everything she had, her movements a blur of claws and teeth as she tore through them. But for every one she struck down, another took its place. Her breaths came faster, her muscles screaming in protest as the fight wore on.
Marcus laughed, his voice echoing through the chamber. "You're tiring, Queen. How much longer can you keep this up?"
Regina ignored him, her focus unyielding as she fought. But even she couldn't deny the truth. She was outnumbered, and the dark magic in the air was sapping her strength. Blood matted her fur, her movements growing slower as exhaustion set in.
And then, with a final roar, she surged forward, her claws slicing through the nearest Guardian. It dissolved into smoke, its screeching cry fading into silence. Regina stood in the center of the chamber, her chest heaving as the remaining Guardians hesitated.
Efron smirked. "Impressive. But this is far from over."
Regina knew she wouldn't stop until every last Keeper and Guardian was destroyed. Regina met his gaze, her red eyes burning with determination. "Neither am I."
The elevator came to a jarring stop beneath the library, its ancient mechanisms groaning as Emma gripped the metal railing. Her pulse thundered in her ears as the doors creaked open, revealing a vast underground cavern. The walls pulsed with an unnatural orange glow, veins of molten stone spidering through the jagged rock. Heat rolled out in oppressive waves, and the air was thick with the scent of sulfur and ash.
Emma stepped out cautiously, her boots crunching against the scorched ground. Overhead, stalactites hung like jagged teeth, dripping condensation that hissed as it struck the glowing floor. In the center of the cavern stood a circular stone dais, its surface etched with glowing runes. The air around it shimmered with magic. And behind it, coiled and watching, lay the dragon.
Its bronze scales gleamed like molten metal, its massive body rippling with restrained power. Fiery orange eyes tracked Emma's every move, narrowing with predatory intensity. Smoke curled lazily from its nostrils, the promise of destruction simmering just beneath the surface. Bound to the dais by glowing chains, the creature shifted restlessly, testing its constraints.
Nestled deep in its chest, visible through the translucent glow of its molten scales, was the true love potion. The vial pulsed with a faint red light, its magic radiating even from within the beast.
Emma swallowed hard, her palms slick with sweat. "Of course it's inside the dragon," she muttered under her breath. "Why wouldn't it be?"
The dragon growled low, a sound that reverberated through the cavern and sent dust cascading from the ceiling. Emma took a step forward, her hand instinctively tightening around the hilt of the sword Mr. Gold had given her. Its weight was reassuring, but her stomach churned with doubt.
"I don't want to hurt you," she called, her voice firm despite the fear clawing at her chest. "I just need the vial."
The dragon's growl deepened, its glowing eyes narrowing. With a deafening roar, it lunged forward, the chains binding it snapping taut. Magic flared along their length, holding it back, but the strain was palpable. The air grew hotter, the heat stinging Emma's skin.
Then, with a shattering crack, the chains broke.
The dragon roared again, the sound deafening, and lunged toward her. Emma dove to the side, the massive claws raking the ground where she had stood moments before. The impact sent a shockwave through the cavern, knocking her off balance. She hit the ground hard, rolling to avoid another swipe.
The sword fell from her grasp, clattering across the stone floor.
"Not great," she muttered, scrambling to her feet as the dragon rounded on her. Its molten eyes glared with unrelenting fury, and its chest began to glow brighter—a clear warning.
Emma ducked behind a jagged outcrop just as the dragon unleashed a torrent of fire. The flames scorched the air, engulfing the space she had been in moments before. The heat was unbearable, and she could feel her skin blistering even from her sheltered position.
"Okay, definitely not great," she panted, peering around the edge of the rock. The dragon's tail lashed out, smashing into the outcrop and shattering it into shards. Emma stumbled back, her eyes darting toward the sword lying a few yards away.
The dragon roared again, its tail whipping around as it charged. Emma sprinted toward the weapon, the ground shaking beneath her feet. She dove, her hand closing around the hilt just as the dragon's claws swiped inches from her back.
She rolled to her feet, gripping the sword tightly. The dragon snarled, turning its fiery gaze on her. Its chest began to glow again, brighter and more intense.
Emma's eyes widened. "Oh, no, you don't," she muttered.
The dragon unleashed another torrent of fire, and Emma ducked, the flames licking at her heels. She darted around the beast, slashing at its side with the sword. Sparks flew as the blade struck its scales, but the dragon seemed unfazed. It roared, its massive tail sweeping toward her.
Emma jumped, the tail narrowly missing her as it smashed into the ground. She landed hard, the impact jarring her, but she forced herself to keep moving. The dragon turned, its glowing eyes locked on her.
"You're really not making this easy," she said through gritted teeth.
The dragon lunged again, and Emma dodged, the sword slicing through the air as she aimed for its chest. The blade glanced off its scales, the impact jarring her arms. The dragon roared in fury, its claws swiping at her with terrifying speed. Emma ducked and rolled, the heat of the beast's molten body singeing her hair.
The sword slipped from her grasp again as she hit the ground, and she scrambled to her feet, her eyes darting around frantically. The dragon loomed over her, its fiery chest glowing brighter as it prepared another blast.
And then she saw it—the sword, lying near the shattered remains of the dais.
Emma's heart pounded as she sprinted toward it, the dragon's roar echoing in her ears. Flames erupted from its mouth, scorching the ground behind her as she dove for the weapon. Her hand closed around the hilt, and she rolled to her feet, the blade heavy in her grasp.
The dragon turned, its molten eyes narrowing as it charged. Emma stood her ground, her grip tightening on the sword. She waited, her breath coming in short gasps as the creature's chest began to glow again, the fire building.
"Come on," she whispered, her muscles coiling.
The dragon reared back, its jaws opening as the flames surged toward its throat. Emma darted forward, her feet pounding against the stone. With a desperate yell, she hurled the sword with all her strength, aiming for the glowing spot on its chest.
The blade struck true, embedding itself in the dragon's molten core. The beast let out a deafening roar, its body convulsing as the magic within it reacted violently. Flames erupted from its chest, the glow intensifying as the vial was dislodged.
Emma dove to the side as the dragon collapsed, its body dissolving into shimmering embers that floated upward, disappearing into the cavern's ceiling. The vial landed on the ground, its red glow pulsing faintly.
Emma crawled toward it, her hands trembling as she picked it up. The liquid shimmered, radiating warmth and power. She stared at it, her chest heaving.
"For Henry," she whispered, clutching the vial tightly.
The cavern was silent now, the oppressive heat giving way to a cool stillness. Emma rose unsteadily, her legs shaking beneath her as she made her way toward the elevator. The battle was over, but the war was far from won.
As the elevator doors closed, she looked down at the vial in her hand. A flicker of determination lit her eyes. This wasn't the end—it was only the beginning.
The night was unnaturally still, as though the earth itself held its breath. The burned forest surrounding Hollow Veil was a wasteland of scorched trees, ash, and smoldering embers. An eerie orange glow flickered across the blackened landscape, the remnants of flames that refused to die. Smoke hung thick in the air, stinging Regina's eyes and filling her lungs with every breath. The moon, hidden behind thick clouds, offered no light or solace.
Regina stood at the edge of the clearing, her black wolf fur streaked with blood and dirt from the earlier skirmishes. The acrid scent of burning wood and sulfur clung to her, mixing with the metallic tang of blood. Her red eyes glowed faintly in the darkness, but even the intensity of her gaze couldn't mask the exhaustion in her stance.
Across from her, the Keepers emerged from the shadows like specters, their cloaks billowing in the faint breeze. At their center stood Efron, his expression cold and commanding. His presence was magnetic, his aura brimming with malice and power. Around him, the Guardians shifted in and out of their grotesque wrath forms, their glowing eyes and clawed hands a chilling reminder of the unnatural transformation they had undergone.
"Regina Mills," Efron said, his voice calm yet carrying an edge that cut through the smoky air. "The Queen of Wolves, and a defier of fate. You've come far, but this is where your story ends."
Regina didn't reply. She shifted her weight, her claws digging into the charred earth. Her body ached from earlier battles, her strength waning, but she refused to back down. The fire of an Alpha burned within her, and despite the odds, she would fight.
Efron stepped forward, his eyes gleaming. "You think you can stand against us? Against the Guardians? Against the inevitable?" He gestured to the creatures flanking him. "Your kind is weak, fractured. Even your wolves cannot face what we have become."
Regina growled low, her voice a guttural snarl. "You talk too much."
Efron smirked. "Then let us silence you."
The burned forest seemed to hold its breath, the air thick with tension and the acrid scent of charred wood. Smoke clung to the ground, weaving through the skeletal remains of trees like restless spirits. Each crackle of a distant ember was a warning, a harbinger of the battle that was about to reignite. The oppressive silence hung heavy, broken only by the shuffling of feet as the Keepers and Guardians moved into position, their forms merging with the shifting shadows.
Regina stood her ground, battered but unyielding, the faint glow of her crimson eyes cutting through the dim haze. Her chest heaved as she drew in the smoky air, her muscles coiling with renewed determination despite the searing pain that coursed through her body. Around her, the forest was a battlefield waiting to erupt, every twisted branch and scorched stump a reminder of the chaos that had already unfolded.
Efron stepped closer, his smirk fading into a cold, calculating glare. The Guardians shifted behind him, their forms flickering between wolf and their twisted, shadowy states, claws glinting in the faint light. They were waiting, poised to strike, their silence more chilling than any roar.
Regina's claws flexed into the ash-covered ground, her tail swishing low behind her as she braced herself. The embers beneath her feet glowed faintly, casting an otherworldly hue across her bloodied fur. She could feel the weight of the battle pressing against her, but the fire within her refused to be extinguished.
The Keepers, led by Efron, stood as a dark wall of menace, their eyes glowing with cruel anticipation. Marcus lingered near the edge, his gaze sharp and unrelenting. Their voices carried low murmurs, echoing off the charred trees like a taunt.
The Guardians surged forward, their grotesque forms like a tide of living shadows, relentless and merciless. Their movements were a blur—quicker, sharper, and more precise than ever before. Regina braced herself, her muscles coiling with anticipation, but even her finely honed instincts struggled to keep pace with their ferocity.
The first Guardian reached her in an instant, its claws slicing through the air toward her throat. Regina ducked, her own claws slashing upward with deadly precision. The creature twisted unnaturally, evading her strike with an inhuman fluidity. Another lunged from her left, its glowing eyes searing like embers in the smoke-filled darkness. Regina spun, her massive body colliding with the shadowy form and sending it skidding across the scorched ground.
But there was no reprieve.
Two more Guardians emerged from the swirling smoke, their claws raking across her sides with unrelenting force. The sharp pain tore through her, blood soaking her black fur, but Regina didn't falter. She let out a deafening snarl, snapping her jaws at the closest one. Her teeth sank deep into its shoulder, the sickening crunch of bone echoing in her ears as the creature let out a guttural screech.
Before she could press the advantage, another Guardian struck from behind, its claws carving deep gashes into her back. Regina roared in agony, the sound reverberating through the charred forest. She twisted violently, her powerful frame throwing the creature off her. Her claws lashed out in a wide arc, catching one of the advancing shadows across the face and sending it sprawling into the dirt.
But the effort cost her.
She stumbled, her legs trembling under the weight of her injuries. Smoke curled around her, clinging to her fur and stinging her eyes. The glow of embers beneath her paws mirrored the fire burning within her, but her strength was waning. The Guardians didn't relent, their monstrous forms circling her like vultures, their growls a haunting chorus in the smoky air.
From the edge of the battlefield, Efron watched with a cold, calculated gaze. "Is this all the Queen of Wolves has to offer?" he mocked, his voice cutting through the chaos like a blade. "You're nothing without your pack."
Regina growled low, her crimson eyes blazing despite the blood streaming down her sides. "I'm more than enough for you," she snarled, forcing herself to stand tall even as her body screamed in protest.
Another Guardian lunged at her, its shadowy form flickering like smoke as it struck. Regina sidestepped, her claws slashing across its midsection in a single, fluid motion. The creature dissolved into a wisp of darkness, its form disintegrating as it let out a final, ear-piercing shriek. But for every one she brought down, two more seemed to take its place.
The ground beneath her was slick with blood and ash, each step a struggle against the mounting fatigue. A Guardian charged from her right, its claws aiming for her throat. Regina ducked low, using its momentum to slam her shoulder into its torso and send it crashing into a nearby tree. Another came at her from the front, but she anticipated the move, her jaws snapping shut around its arm and tearing through sinew and shadow alike.
Yet they kept coming.
One managed to rake its claws across her flank, drawing another pained roar from her lips. She retaliated instantly, her claws cleaving through its chest in a savage arc. The creature crumbled into darkness, but the assault didn't pause. Another struck her hind leg, forcing her to her knees.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Marcus step forward, his expression a mix of amusement and disdain. "You can't win, Regina," he said, his voice laced with venom. "You're fighting shadows, and shadows cannot be destroyed."
Regina's breaths came in ragged gasps, her vision blurring as the pain and exhaustion threatened to overtake her. But she refused to yield. With a guttural snarl, she forced herself back to her feet, her body trembling with effort.
"You underestimate me," she growled, her voice thick with defiance.
The Guardians lunged again, this time in unison, their claws reaching for her from every angle. Regina roared, meeting their assault head-on. Her claws tore through shadowy forms, her teeth sank into smoke and sinew, but the overwhelming force of their attack drove her back.
One Guardian's claws raked across her chest, and another struck her hind leg, sending her sprawling into the dirt. She struggled to rise, her limbs shaking, but the relentless assault continued. Another shadowy form pounced, its weight pressing her down as its claws dug into her side.
"Enough," Efron commanded, his voice ringing out across the battlefield. The Guardians froze, their forms flickering as they stepped back, giving their leader room.
Regina lay in the dirt, bloodied and battered, her chest heaving as she glared up at him. Her crimson eyes still burned with defiance, but her body was near its limit. Efron smirked, his golden eyes gleaming with triumph as he approached.
"This is the end," he said coldly. "The Queen of Wolves, brought to her knees."
Regina growled weakly, her voice barely above a whisper. "You think… this will stop me?"
Efron's smirk deepened as he raised a hand, preparing to deliver the final blow. "Goodbye, Regina Mills."