Finding You Always

Dubious Hearts

Chapter 199: Dubious Hearts

His eyes snapped open and he breathed his first breath of fresh air in many years. It was still the early hours, just before dawn and he looked around the streets of Storybrooke. He noticed a few changes, but it was mostly the same. What wasn't the same was the masses of land beyond the quaint town.

"So...this is the United Realms?" he questioned.

"Indeed...my new Master once caused a cataclysm so devastating that it ripped the realms apart. But Snow White and her Prince have undone his wrath," Mephisto responded, as he waved his hand, revealing a shadowy realm and Jekyll followed him through the invisible barrier.

"Welcome to Nephilim...land of the banished and fallen. A land where the heroes cast us," he said.

"Not a very cheerful place," the doctor commented.

"That was our curse, placed upon us by the heroes that cast us out. For Seth, it was the Olympians that banished him and for me, it was also God-like beings that cast me away," he continued.

"God-like beings?" Jekyll questioned curiously.

"Asgardians," he spat distastefully.

"Asgardians...one of those wouldn't happen to be Fandral the Dashing, would it?" Jekyll questioned.

"Oh yes...he played an integral role in my defeat. I wasn't aware that you knew him as well," Mephisto responded.

"Oh I know him...before Charming was my nemesis, it was Fandral that denied me the woman I wanted. Rose Red rejected me for her beloved Fandral and I pined her for many years," Jekyll explained.

"Then I met Snow White...her counterpart and as much as I once wanted Rose Red, I want Snow White even more," he added.

"In due time. First we must discuss the terms of our...agreement," Mephisto said.

"Is this the part where you warn me that you own my soul?" Jekyll mused. But the air was stolen from his lungs at that point and he fell to his knees, as gold ethereal manacles appeared on his wrists.

"Oh...I already warned you of that, dear Doctor. Make no mistake...the powers you now have serve me. You'll be allowed to pursue your own interests, of course. But ultimately, you will help fill my empty fallen realm with souls," he said.

"Why do you need me to get souls for you? Don't you just go around making deals for them?" Jekyll inquired.

"Yes...I make many deals like the one you have just made. But you were an easy mark, doctor," Mephisto said.

"You make the perfect minion, because you are all too willing to do anything to get what you want," he continued.

"In the past, I have tempted otherwise righteous souls to make deals with me to save people they love. They never make good charges. They always end up finding a way to serve the forces of good, despite my owning their souls," he said.

"But you...you're evil and will think nothing of devouring innocent souls to fill Nephilim for me. In exchange, you'll have the power to pursue Snow White," he added.

"You are no longer a free agent, doctor. You serve me," he warned.

"Of course...our interests seem to be aligned. I will torment my lovely Snow's people, causing her great anguish, in which she will beg me to stop," he said.

"Yes...but I encourage you not to reveal yourself too soon. One of your new powers will allow you to possess people for a short time, though no magic users. They will know of the invasion, but an ordinary mortal won't be aware of the short hijacking," Mephisto advised.