run back ✦ once upon a time #4

chapter 16 ✦ moving on

"We're almost there," Hook announced as he rowed the boat up to the shore while we were moving through the River of Lost Souls. I stared down at the toxic water, watching as the souls swam around the boat. What if Peter was looking at me through the water? Would he drag me in? I was still pretty fed up about what happened earlier. "The book should be just up ahead." 

"What are these?" Arthur asked as he stared down at the swimming souls. They moaned and reached out towards the boat. A fireball formed in my hand and I waved it at them which caused them to back away in fear. 

"They're lost souls," I told him, keeping my eye on the water. "Be careful and don't touch the water. If you touch it, you'll spend eternity with them in a worse hell," We pulled into the decking area. We got out and we looked up to where the book was which was being held by a demonic statue. 

"There's the book," Arthur pointed to it. "That two toned witch was telling the truth," He said, softly. I pushed past them and looked up at it. 

"I'll go. Just make sure the boat's here when I return," Hook handed Arthur the rope that was tied to the boat. "Riley, you're coming with me," I stayed silent and followed in up the stairs that led up the statue. Suddenly, a screech screamed out and I stopped, turning around. Arthur was being dragged into the River of Souls by a hostile soul. 

"Arthur!" Hook screamed, running down the stairs, but he only got half way before stopping. 

"No! Go for the book! Go!" Arthur told him, screaming as he tried to get the soul to let go of him. 

"Come on," I called to Hook. He looked up at me and then, back down at Arthur. 

"You go get it, Riley!" Hook grabbed a torch that was lit on the wall. He rushed down to Arthur and waved the torch back and forth at the soul until it let go of Arthur. I rushed towards the book, but another soul darted up from the water and towards the book. 

"Riley!" Arthur screamed at me. I ran towards the book and dove at the statue. I grabbed the arm of the statue and hung onto it with one hand. I used my other hand and reached out for the book. The soul wasn't having it with me. I felt a searing pain boil in my stomach and I yelped, closing my eyes from the intense pain. I felt myself let go of the statue, but was caught by the soul. It lifted me in the air and carried me towards the river. I swung back and forth, trying to free myself, but it was no use. "Go get that book! I got her!" Hook tossed the torch to Arthur and ran towards the statue. I looked down as I dangled over the water. "Come get me, you demon!" Arthur yelled at it and it hissed at him. 

"Throw the torch!" I told Arthur and he did. The torch spun in the air before slashing through the tortured soul. It screamed, dropping me. I screamed and expected the worst, but nothing happened. I looked all around. Arthur was staring up at me. I was floating in the air like I was flying. It didn't make sense though. I didn't have any Pixie Dust and my shadow was back in Neverland with the Lost Girls. I made my way to the shore and landed on my feet. I eyed the book and Hook had it in his hands with a smile on his face. 

"You got it," I smiled and he nodded, running down to Arthur and I. 

"Are you certain this book will work?" Arthur asked, pointing to the book. 

"I'm not certain of anything down here, but this book is special," He opened and revealed all the pages in it. "These pages have crossed realms when people needed hope the most," Hook smiled down at the book. 

"Out of professional curiosity, how does one kill the god of death?" Arthur asked, scanning the pages.  

"With something called an Olympian crystal," Hook revealed, getting the missing pages out we had found earlier when we were Hades' throne room. "Once activated, the raw power inside can obliterate anything, even a god." 

"You really think Emma can find this crystal and use it?" Hook nodded at Arthur's question. Hook put the missing pages in the book and laid them out. "You have a healthy dose of faith."

"It's more like hope," Hook corrected. He sighed and closed the book. "All right, Swan. Now it's your turn," An hour passed and we got the boat out of the river, laying it. I looked at Arthur, seriously. 

"I owe you thanks," I told him and he was surprised. "If you hadn't thrown that torch, I would've ended up in that river." 

"It was the honorable thing to do. You helped me realize something," I gave him a confused look. 

"Realized what?" I asked and he smiled. 

"Long ago, I was fated to fix a broken kingdom. I thought that kingdom was Camelot, but now I realize that it's here. The Underworld," He held his hand out. I took it, shaking it. "Thank you," Hook looked between us until Arthur looked at him. "Do you think Emma got the pages?" 

"Emma did exactly what she needed to," Hook smiled and Arthur gave him a funny look. 

"How do you know?"

"I don't know. I just-" He paused, shaking his head. "I do," Suddenly, a light appeared. I covered my face with my hand to shield me from the light. 

"What is that?" I awed and stepped forward. 

"It's the way to move on," Hook smiled. 

"Looks like getting those pages to Emma was your unfinished business," Arthur pointed out. Hook turned around and faced us. "I'm staying here." 

"Why?" Hook asked. 

"I need to fix the Underworld," Arthur smiled and Hook held his hand out for me. 

"I-I can't," I stuttered. "This is your happy ending, not mine. I belong down here." 

"You were apart of this, Riley. Come with me," He pleaded and I stayed silent, not wanting to burst into tears. "Let me save you," I looked down at his hand and stared at it, but actually taking it. I turned around and looked at Arthur. 

"Goodbye, Your Majesty," I said and he nodded. 

"Goodbye, Lost Girl," He said back. That's the last thing I remembered before my father pulled me into the light. 

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My eyes shot open and my breath quickened. My eyes wandered all around and all I saw was blinding light. I got up on my feet and saw no sign of my father anywhere. 

"Papa!" I called for him, but nothing. Did he abandon me again? My fears were getting the best of me. 

"Hello, Riley," I heard a familiar voice and I froze. No, it can't be. I slowly turned around and came face to face with Baelfire. My mouth gaped open and nothing came out. 

"Bae," I breathed out, tears running down my cheeks. "You're here." 

"I am, Ri," I remember that nickname. It was as old as time and he only called me it. When he left Neverland, I never heard that name again. 

"Are you happy?" I asked, smiling and he nodded. "Good." 

"Are you happy?" He mimicked my question and I looked at the ground. 

"No," I spoke, softly. "Everyone I've ever loved is gone or doesn't want to stick around," His face softened. I stared at him before running up and hugging him, tightly. He returned the gesture and wrapped his arms around me. 

"And your father?" He asked and I shook my head. 

"I don't know about him. I came here with him, but I can't even find him," Baelfire pulled away from our hug. 

"He's in Storybrooke," Bae revealed and I was shocked. "Zeus redeemed him. Now it's your turn to be redeemed." 

"What do you mean by-" And that's when everything went dark.