Saving The Saviour || OUAT || CS - complete

Chapter 22

Emma's POV

I'd been having my nightmares for a while now and they're not getting any easier to deal with.

I can feel myself giving into the darkness with every night that passes. Every morning that I wake up gasping for breathe is another day closer to a dark heart. Every single time I rip out Killian's heart is another second closer to destroying the light side of me.

My mind is being consumed by every dark thought I ever had and every dark act I've ever committed. Once in a while, I feel the overwhelming urge to rip someone's heart out and end their life with a simple clench of my fist.

And then I remember my family. And how they would never want me to give into my dark urges again - even though I never did to begin with. But this heartbreaking loneliness had surely driven me insane.

My thoughts were abruptly interrupted when the door was harshly pushed open.

Heavy footsteps stomped down the rickety steps and landed right in front of me. The sunlight flooding through the open door allowed me to see the sinister smirk on his face.

He leant down to undo the shackless. I didn't even have the energy to try and fight. Besides - if I did, where would I go then? We're in the middle of the ocean.

He laughed as he reached forward and gripped a handful of my matted hair in his hand. He used my hair as a leash and dragged me to my feet.

"Come on princess! Keep it moving! Captain's orders!" He yelled as he walked in front of me and yanked on my hair if I failed to meet his pace.

I hadn't used my legs properly since the duel and that was six weeks ago. It felt like there was no possible way I could use them.

I was pulled up the steps and as soon as I saw the sunlight it felt like my eyes were burning. I hadn't seen light in months and the mid-day light was overwhelming for my sensitive eyes.

I squinted my eyes and managed to see the crew standing around the captain, forming a huge circle that covered almost the entire deck.

The guy let go of my hair and threw me to the ground. I landed on my wrist and tried to ignore the shooting pain I felt. Quickly, I was pulled from the ground by my arm and held upright.

"I've come up with a deal, princess. Let's have a rematch. Give you a chance to hold onto whatever dignity you have left." He sneered as his eyes scanned over my showing legs and the cleavage I was showing in the torn dress.

Pig.

"What's in it for you" I barely managed to say. It felt like I'd swallowed sandpaper. "Better yet, what's in it for me?"

"Well, for me, I get to be up close and personal with you again. That, and getting the satisfaction of beating The Saviour." He laughed before drawing his sword and gesturing for one of his men to give me theirs.

As I gripped the sword in my hand, a sudden burst of energy filled my body. I stood up straight on my no-longer weak legs and the pain in my back disappeared as my posture perfected and my head held high.

I swung my arm around and held my sword in front of my body.

"Let's go, captain." My throat no longer felt like every word I said was tearing it to pieces. I could finally show emotion.

The captain hit his sword against my own lightly before swinging back and lunging for me at full force. I dodged his attack, gracefully retaining my balance as I stepped from left to right, forwards and backwards.

It's like muscle memory, like I'd done it before. My body knew what to do and anticipated the captain's move before he even made them.

Our swords crashed together, blocking each other's moves. I managed to slice his hand and he stabbed my foot. I didn't falter with the pain though.

I kept fighting.

I fought past every move he threw at me and somehow managed to knock his sword from his hand. I used the hilt of my sword to jab him in the stomach before he fell to the ground.

I didn't have a chance to react. As soon as the captain lost his footing, the men grabbed onto my arms and held me down.

"Well done, princess. You've still got more fight left in you. Don't worry, we'll soon be rid of that." He laughed before waving his hand in my direction, indicating for his men to send me back down to the brig.

I struggled against the men and as soon as I was thrown back into the dark brig it's like I lost all energy.

My shackless were locked and I was once again left alone.

I waited a few minutes to make sure that there was nobody by the door. When I knew I was alone, I cleared my throat.

"Rumplestiltskin."

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