The Light & The Dark

Chapter 3

 Emma's POV

I feel someone lightly shake me trying to wake me up. "Emma." I hear Regina say. "Leave me alone." I groan. This temple is a living nightmare so I want to stay asleep for as long as I can. "Please Emma they'll hurt you again." Regina pleaded. I could feel her tears hit my skin. "Why are you crying Regina, we've only just met yesterday?" I ask her. "Because there's something that I like about you, Emma. I don't want to lose you you're too special." Regina said wiping her tears. I get up and turn my back to her. "Like I've told you before there is nothing special about me," I say crossing my arms.

Regina walks behind me and wraps her arms around my waist. She laid her head on my back and slowly breathed on my scars. "I think your special and that's all that matters," Regina said squeezing me tighter. "What are they going to make me do today?" I ask Regina still facing the wall. "You'll be sent on a quest with a partner and you must come back with your partner alive. After you complete the quest you'll make your saber." Regina explained.

"Why do you call a sword a saber?" I asked. "Because your saber is not just any sword. It has magical powers and it's your most important weapon. It's what solidifies you as a Patronus Knight." Regina explained. "Well isn't that fun," I say sarcastically. Regina helps me get dressed in the uniform I have to wear. Apparently, they change as I move higher in my training. Maybe this quest is my way out it might be my only chance.

There's a knock at the door causing me and Regina to stop what we're doing. I tall dark-haired woman comes in making Regina gulp. "Hello, master Mulan," Regina said giving the woman a curtsy bow. I stood still and watched. "Hello, Princess Regina it's good seeing you." She turns to me and gives me a small smile. "It's time to go Swan your journey is about to being." I look ever at Regina and she gives me a nod. "It's ok Emma master Mulan is the nicest out of all the masters. She's different from the rest of them." She says giving me a kiss on the cheek.

I walk out with Mulan to wherever she's taking me. "I was just like you once upon a time Swan," Mulan said looking down at me. "How so?" I ask still looking forward. "I was a princess that had a duty to my kingdom. That was until I was taken away from my kingdom by master Cora. She was much nicer back then though." She says giving me a smile. "Why'd you stay here?" I ask looking at her with anger in my eyes. "Because I pledged my allegiance to the order," Mulan said looking forward. We stop in front of the council room and I look at her with disgust on my face. "I'll slit my throat before I ever do that," I say to her. She gets down to my level and pulls me into a hug. "I know kid I know."

We walk in and all of the masters from last night are all present. All of the judging eyes peering through my soul. This time I'm not alone though. There's a child a little smaller than me standing in the middle of the room. "Go stand next to the boy Swan," Mulan said before walking to her seat. I walk over to the boy and give him a weak smile. He gives me one back and turns back to the masters. Cora stands up and clears her throat. "Welcome Swan and Neal today is a very special day for you two. Today is your first step to becoming a Patronus Knight. You two will go on a quest together and you both have to come back alive with a finger from Ursal's hand. Once you've completed your quest you'll build your saber. The n your true training will begin." Cora explained. "Do we get weapons," I ask? "No Swan you don't get anything but the clothes on your back," Cora smirked.

Neil and I were walked to the front of the temple surrounded by what felt like everyone that lived there. I could see Regina with tears in her eyes as she stands next to her mother. "These new neophytes are on their way to prove themselves to be worthy of the honor of being a Patronus Knight. May they be successful in their quest so we can celebrate them. Swan Neal, you make start your journey." Cora says pointing to the woods. Neal and I begin to walk and Regina runs into me and gives me a big hug. She puts something in my pocket and something in my hand. "Come back to me Emma," Regina says cupping my cheeks. I kiss her hands and take them off my face. "I'll only if you'll be here for me to come back to," I say to her.

"I will," Regina says to me. She goes back to her mother and I walk to the woods with Neal. I look back at her and blow her a kiss. "Are you ready Swan?' Neal asks me.

"Let's hope so."