I agree RG the archtypical hero/Savior always pays with there life in some form and is then resurrected or ascends into heaven. But if she comes back just as she was – then what was the prize?
I believe, or what I wish and hope for the show, is that in the end in order for Emma to save her Family, she must give up her ‘life’ as a fairytale princess with magical powers and become just a regular human being. She will bring all her friends and Family with her out of Storybrook which will then seize to exist. This will be the resurrection into the real World.
So her prize is her magical self.
I think this would be a great story for them to tell. Because it would emphasize the importance and strenght that is in humanity. No supernatural powers and magic can save you, just your own strenght and ability to choose for your self. I think that is what the show had been trying to establish so far.
Cinders:
Emma is the savior, but she’s also human. She will be tempted to use magic at times, instead of relying on her own human strengths and capabilities.
Regina was corrupted by magic, as was Cora, Rumple, and even Zelena. Emma will be changed forever because of her use of magic.
Yes I think that is very on point and Emma will, true to the myth of the savior, be tempted by evil and almost succumb to it before coming back to her true self.