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"I'm half living my life between reality and fantasy at all times." - Lady Gaga
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The twins opened their eyes slowly to a bright light shooting down on them from the sky. They quickly sat up, averting their gaze from the setting sun to see they were in a field of tall dying grass. Streaks of red and orange painted the sky in a fusion of warmth.

"Are we in Fabula?" Aura asked, her voice sounding like an echo as they stood up.

A raven squawked above them, circling overhead before dropping a necklace from its talons. The twins took a step forward to inspect the jewelry but froze in place when a ghostly figure emerged from within them, walking towards the necklace. She wore a simple green cloak with intricate gold detailing, the hood sitting on top of her head, unable to completely shield her flowing dark brown locks.

The woman turned her head in their direction, her chocolate irises wide with caution, searching for something in the distance. Her face had a youthful and innocent glow and didn't look much older than 18. Her cheeks and lips were a soft shade of pink as was the tip of her button nose.

"Onyx?" Carolyn asked in a faded whisper as the young woman turned back around.

The woman reached forward, her delicate porcelain hand sifting through the blades of grass in search of her amulet. Instead, she pulled a jagged piece of black wood from the foliage with the necklace tangled around it. Onyx took both items with her as she walked onward through the field.

"What does she want with a stick?" Carolyn questioned, receiving a shrug from her sister.

It was then that they noticed a forest in the near distance—miles worth of towering blackened trees with dark, decaying leaves.

"The Dark Forest," they heard Onyx mumble in disbelief.

Their blood ran cold as they cautiously followed her to the line of trees, with their heart rates rapidly increasing and their breathing growing unsteady.

The trees in front of them stood tall above them in a conspicuous, ominous manner, awakening a feeling of intimidation in their hearts.

Onyx reluctantly walked past the border of trees and into the darkness.

The raven flew above them and led Onyx deeper and deeper into the forest, with the golden sun fading away with every step they took. It was as if the entire forest was trapped in an eternal night, with not so much as a moon to light the way. Only a strange, dim, blue-grey glow lit the path that the three girls walked on; and the branches stretched out from the trees as if they were trying to grab and devour them.

The twins walked until Onyx stopped in a small clearing, her head snapping back and forth nervously at every minuscule sound. Shivers ran up and down the sisters' spines as if hundreds of eyes were watching them from within the dark.

They watched as Onyx groaned and searched about. "Where did that damn bird fly off to?" She continued to search frantically before stopping dead in her tracks. The Queen slowly spun on her heel and began to back out of the vulnerability of the center of the clearing.

A chilling voice echoed around her, "Lost, Princess?"

"What?" Aura blurted out; her eyebrows knitted together as she tried to decipher the situation.

A rush of adrenaline filled their bodies when they followed Onyx's gaze and spotted eyes of the fiercest yellow in the shadows. A shrill scream left Onyx's lips and echoed through the trees.

"You're a long way from home," the voice whispered wickedly, the eyes never leaving their shadowy home.

They could hear Onyx's shaky, heavy breaths from where they stood. "Wh-who are you? Why am I here?" she asked weakly. This was a far cry from the woman they had encountered before. Here, she seemed like a terrified little girl.

"You have something I want—something...important..." the voice murmured as it continued to circle around Onyx.

Onyx stood taller, her posture feigning confidence. "Why don't you come and face me instead of hiding like a coward?"

"Choose your words wisely, Princess," the voice threatened. The twins gasped as dozens of pairs of eyes appeared in the trees.

"What is it that you want with me? You said that I have something you desire?" Onyx asked with the little confidence and composure that remained. "If you want to discuss it, then come out of the shadows. If not, I will be of no help."

The original pair of eyes narrowed before the voice let out a sigh. "Very well."

Time stood still as the shadows parted to reveal the figure of a tall, lean woman. As the figure stepped closer to Onyx, the blue-grey glow exposed the woman's horrifyingly familiar face.

Onyx gasped as she recognized the woman's green skin and horns upon her head. "Maleficent," she whispered.

Maleficent's perfect red lips were etched into a scowl as her sharp, amber eyes stared deep into Onyx's soul. The twins went into a mind-numbing state of shock as the dark fairy began to circle the monarch with sheer power and grace.

"W-what is it th-that you want?" Onyx forced out.

Maleficent stuck out one bony hand as an image of a vibrant blue crystal rose from her palm, the saturation of color practically dripping off the image and into reality. "The Story Almanac."

Aura and Carolyn suddenly flew back as the world around them swirled. Onyx's figure stood before them, her kind smile morphing into a vicious smirk. Her chocolate brown hair turned a raven black. Her green cloak and simple dress transformed into a flowing black gown with a crown of blackened silver sat atop her head.

The jagged piece of bark lifted from her hand and began to shed its gnarled exterior, with one of smooth and elegantly carved wood resuming its place. The handle was encased in light as Onyx's name was carved into the wood.

A sudden shriek ricocheted through Aura and Carolyn's brains, their hands flying to their ears in an attempt to block out the sound.

The world around them swirled faster and faster, everything a blur except Onyx in front of them.

The glowing gem from before appeared in the space between the three women, its luminosity almost blinding as it smoothly transitioned between the colors of the rainbow.

Flashes of faces and scenes swirled around the twins and Onyx, each one causing the gem's light to dim.

A finger pricking the spindle of a spinning wheel...

The last petal of a rose falling...

A girl turning to ice...

Locks of golden hair falling to the ground...

A prince turning into a nutcracker forever...

A glass slipper shattering...

Dozens more spun around them and with each image, the same two words spoken by hundreds of voices repeated at a deafening volume. Help us.

The world suddenly went still, the voices silent as the gem turned a sickly black, almost resembling stone, before dropping into an abyss below.

One final scream was heard as flashes of two infants stolen from their parents' arms played over and over around them until finally, their world faded to black with one final sound reaching the twins' ears.

Help us.

"It was just a nightmare," Silvia cooed as she stroked Aura's back. "It's alright."

Aura's blues scanned the dark bedroom to see her sister sitting up on her bed, her eyes glazed over and her mind numb to the world.

Silvia wiped away tears from Aura's cheeks that she didn't realize had fallen from her eyes. "You're safe," her grandmother said softly.

The twins stared at their ceilings the rest of the night, with no courage or incentive to go back to sleep.

Their morning was as dreary as the clouded skies, hardly recognizing that any time was passing at all.

Aura found herself scrambling to the bathroom at least twice each class, nearly hurling in the toilet. Her nausea continued to fester for the rest of the day, causing her to tremble uncontrollably. Chills ran down her spine as images of her nightmare flashed through her brain. What was that stick Onyx kept with her? Why would she make a deal with Maleficent? Tears threatened to fall at the thought of the dark fairy's name. Maleficent...

She later found out Carolyn's day had been no easier feat.

Carolyn clutched her head in agony as each minute passed, drowning out the sounds of her teachers' voices. The clock positioned above the door seemed louder than usual, with the repetitive ticking chipping away at her sanity.

Her nightmare haunted her, as it had her sister, but she was far more focused on returning to Fabula to carry on with their mission. The sooner we can fix the Stories, the sooner this bitch will be out of my head. Carolyn's hand fiddled with the small vile in her pocket. She had pocketed a container of the violet potion for the portal from the attic that morning, knowing she wouldn't last the day before the compulsive need to return would creep up on her. I'll be gone by the end of lunch.

Aura was barely five minutes into her English class when the urge to puke overwhelmed her senses. She could feel Jake tap her shoulder before a whisper followed.

"Are you okay?" he asked. "You look a little green."

"I'm fine," she sputtered out before the urge took control of her body, sending her fleeing from the classroom.

The twins met up in the hallway after Aura was freed from her English class. They pulled Bailey out of the lunchroom before she could sit down, catching Jake's attention.

"I've had a mind-numbing headache all day and it's not from math class this time," Carolyn stated bitterly, noticing Jake's eyes following them out of the cafeteria. Once they were out of the way of wandering eyes, Carolyn pulled the vial of purple liquid out of her pocket to flash to Aura and Bailey.

"We can't just leave!" Bailey whispered in disbelief, careful not to alert the security monitor standing at the end of the hallway.

"Oh, we absolutely can," Carolyn said, pausing and squeezing her eyes shut. The pain rolled over her slowly, sending a new, heightened determination through her. "I'm going—with or without you."

Bailey surveyed her two friends—one in a bitter swarm of pain and one with a face painted an alarming shade of pale green. "Okay, let's go find a janitor's closet or something."

They walked down a few corridors before reaching the prime destination—an empty hallway complete with an unlocked closet. The three girls closed the door behind them, although disappointed to see the lock broken.

"Let's make this fast," Bailey warned, her eyes fixated on the doorknob as the other two girls dropped their backpacks to the ground.

Aura whipped out her phone, sending a text to her grandmother explaining the situation and asking her to cast a time spell whenever she could.

Carolyn poured a couple of drops from the vial, creating a fast-growing whirlpool on the linoleum floor.

One by one, the girls jumped into the portal. As they traveled closer to Fabula, the twins' pain subsided and was a mere echo by the time their boots landed on the soil of Sherwood Forest.

"We need to get to camp quickly before we're seen in these clothes," Bailey advised. The two sisters nodded, causing the three to speed off into the woods. They only stopped running when they reached camp a few miles later, although their pace had slowed significantly.

A couple of women quickly recognized them, aiding them with new clothes that had been gifted to the camp by King Arthur. Relief filled the girls' hearts when they were informed Robin had made it back to Sherwood safely a few days before.

"I'll go find him," Carolyn offered once she was fully clothed. She made her way through camp until she reached Robin's tent in the farthest corner. Carolyn was prepared to open the flap to the canvas hut when she heard shouting from inside. Taking a step back, she attentively listened.

"I have an opportunity to help people beyond Sherwood—beyond Nottingham. I can help change Fabula for the better, can't you see that?" Robin pleaded from inside.

"Robin," Marian's voice began coldly. "You were gone for forty days—I thought you died. Did you ever stop and think about how this affects me? The Sheriff attacked us not once, but twice while you were away. I know you feel like you need to be this chivalrous hero but open your eyes to what your absence has done!"

Silence fell over them, followed by Robin's defeated sigh.

"There are only three things left to get—"

"—And then what?" Marian spat out, cutting him off. "Robin, there are warrants out for your arrest in almost all of the kingdoms. This is no longer some valiant, respectable quest—it's a suicide mission."

"Marian, I'm going."

"No, you aren't, I don't feel comfortable with you being around her. If you want to be together, you'll stay away from her."

"Again with the threats?" Robin countered. "I've told you; nothing has happened between her and me."

"Then why have you been so distant since you got back?"

"I've been distant for nearly a year, Em."

Marian scoffed. "Look, I'll let it be your choice: either you stay here with me and let things go back to normal or you go play hero. Just know this—I won't be here when you inevitably come running back from your failed pursuit."

"We fell out of love a long time ago," Robin stated soberly. "So like I said, I'm going."

Carolyn nearly bumped into him when he stormed out of the tent. He stopped in his tracks at the sight of her, his gloomy greens filling with surprise.

"Hey," Carolyn spat out nervously, their eyes maintaining contact.

His eyes darted between her and the tent, understanding flashing across his features. "Hey."

"I um, I came to find you."

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, but never rose to his face. "I guess you did."

Nearly a hundred thoughts crossed her mind at that moment. Was he happy to see her? Or was he angry still from their last encounter? Who was the girl Marian had warned him about? Carolyn opened her mouth to speak but was cut off as Bailey walked up to them, followed by Aura.

"Suppose you made it out alive," Robin stated coldly, his face void of any emotion as he looked at Bailey. "I wasn't sure if you had died after you sent me away."

Bailey's grey eyes glanced back and forth between Robin and Carolyn. "Okay, I know you're angry with me but what happened?"

"Nothing to be concerned about," he stated, leading the three girls away from his tent. They sat down near the center of camp, Robin handing Bailey's satchel back to her. "What's next on the list?"

The brunette sighed, digging into her bag and pulling out the piece of parchment she had scribbled the Genie's riddle on. "The healing waters from La Vie Meadow."

Bailey could hardly get the words out of her mouth before Robin rose to his feet. "Great, I'll go fetch the horses."

Aura shot Carolyn a curious look, speaking up for the first time in hours. "What happened before we met up with you?"

Carolyn's eyes stayed on the ground, her eyebrows furrowed as she recalled Robin and Marian's conversation. "I think they just broke up."

Aura slapped Bailey's arm as a smile formed on her features. "Bailes!"

"Sorry," the brunette stated before lowering her voice. "Good riddance."

"Why did they break up?" Aura asked after shooting her friend a scolding look.

"I guess they just fell out of love."

Their gossiping halted as Robin returned with the two steeds that had accompanied them to Camelot, an empty satchel around his body to house more mystical items in.

Aura rode with Robin for this journey, allowing Carolyn a ticket out of tense awkwardness that she knew would arise.

They spent the rest of the day on horseback, heading southeast through the dense trees of Sherwood.

Along the way, Robin stole numerous glances at Carolyn a few feet from him.

The silence was dangerous for her mental state and gave her all too many opportunities to think about what she had witnessed. Marian's words ran through her brain...I don't feel comfortable with you being around her. Who the hell is 'her'? Marian had acted jealous around her before, but Carolyn was almost certain that Robin held no romantic feelings for her. She looked over at his horse again to see his eyes were already on her, as if those beautiful greens knew exactly what she was thinking. Carolyn was almost certain.

"Hey Bailes, we need to tell you something," Aura said as Robin set up the fire for the night. "We were talking to Gran the other night, and she told us where to find the Story Almanac."

Robin stood up, waiting for her to continue.

"Why do I feel like you're gonna give us bad news right now?" Bailey asked delicately.

"It's in the Dark Forest," Carolyn replied, her words casting a tense atmosphere over the group.

Bailey groaned as she rubbed her face with her hands. "Bloody hell."

"What's the big deal? Since all of the Villains are out ruling the kingdoms, it'll be virtually empty apart from a couple of henchmen, right?" Carolyn said, hoping her guess was correct.

"It's a lot more than a couple of henchmen," Robin stated as he forcefully threw another armful of firewood into the flames. "The Villains force all of their lackeys to stay there and guard something—which makes sense that the Story Almanac is there."

"How are we supposed to get around them?" Aura asked fearfully, images of her nightmare flipping through her mind like pages in a book.

"We'll figure it out," Bailey reassured her. "For now, let's focus on getting the healing waters."

"What exactly do these waters do?" Carolyn inquired. "Is it a wound type of healing or the heartbreak type? Because let me tell you—I've got some baggage."

"As far as I'm aware it only heals physical wounds brought upon by magic," Bailey said as she traced her finger along the map. "The only difficulty we might face is to locate specifically where the healing waters are."

Carolyn leaned over her friend's shoulder, her eyes grazing over the part of the map labeled 'La Vie Meadow'. "Can't we just scoop some of the water into a vial and call it a day?" she asked, pointing to a stream running through the territory.

"It wouldn't do much good. We have to find the source where the magic is most potent," Bailey explained. "The only way to find it is to be guided by a unicorn."

Carolyn's eyes met Robin's as flashes from their night in Neverland resurfaced in her mind. She cleared her throat. "Well, then let's try and get some sleep so we can be on our a-game, I guess."

The next morning, the group continued their journey to La Vie Meadow. They tried their best to stay hidden in the tree line, but it became harder and harder as the typically dense thicket of trees continued to grow sparse.

At midday, they stopped under a towering willow tree next to a lake to allow their horses to rest.

Carolyn sat in between two protruding roots, basking in the cool shade opposed to the blistering afternoon sun. Her peaceful moment was cut short when she felt herself begin to fall backward. Before a scream could escape her lips, two strong hands wrapped around her wrists and pulled her forward. Carolyn fell into a strong chest, an earthy scent overtaking her senses.

She looked behind her to see a brand-new gaping hole at the base of the tree.

"I swear that wasn't there when I sat down!"

"I believe you," Robin said as he helped her up. "You always have to expect the unexpected when you're traveling above Wonderland or else you might literally fall down the rabbit hole."

Carolyn looked down at her hands to see they were still intertwined in his. He followed her gaze, quickly releasing her from his grip.

"Guys? You ready to go?" Bailey called as she and Aura brought the horses around.

"Yes," Carolyn and Robin said in unison. They looked at each other before quickly mounting separate horses.

They continued silently riding for another hour until, in the distance, they could see the pink hues of cherry blossom trees.

Hello lovelies!
Another day another dream, we haven't had one of those in a while!  We actually got to see what happened on that fateful day that led Onyx to fall into the darkness.
Next stop: La Vie Meadow!!

Until next chapter!
♡ Melody & Rebekah ♡

Also thank you for 7.8K!!!!!!!