Nearly a century ago...
The study was quiet save for the crackling fireplace when Vali appeared. He was there simply examining one of Elijah's first editions with casual interest.
"Brother," Elijah didn't look up from his correspondence. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Can't I simply visit my most proper sibling?" Vali's tone was light, but something in it made Elijah finally raise his eyes. He stilled, pen hovering over paper.
"Something's different about you," Elijah observed carefully, his usual composure hiding his sudden unease. There was a new quality to his brother's presence, something that made even the shadows in the room seem more... aware.
"Always so observant," Vali smiled, setting down the book. "Tell me, brother, what do you know about our enemies?"
"Which ones?" Elijah's dry tone earned a genuine chuckle from Vali.
"The ones who've been watching us," Vali continued, moving to pour them both a drink. "Tell me, brother, what do you make of Silas's followers? Of their... increased interest in our activities?"
Elijah accepted the offered glass, though his eyes never left his brother's face. "They're becoming bolder. The attempts to infiltrate our inner circle, the careful probing of our supposed weaknesses..."
He paused, studying Vali's expression. "Though I suspect you already knew that."
Vali nodded with a humm in confirmation, swirling his drink. "The followers of Silas think they've identified patterns in our supposed fractures.
The Principal Guardians watch with renewed interest. Even Satan himself calculates his moves, despite his last stunning failure in Constantinople."
"They see exactly what we've wanted them to see for centuries," Elijah agreed, a faint smile playing at his lips. "Our theatrical family drama has been quite... convincing."
"Indeed. Though I must admit, watching Kol explore magic through his hosts has been rather entertaining. Almost as much as Rebekah's delight in finally practicing the craft she was denied."
"And Niklaus creates his masterpieces in perfect freedom, journeying wherever he wishes with Aurora, both in the bodies of travelers, while they believe him bound by your golden dagger," Elijah added. "Though I suspect you haven't called me here to reminisce about our long-running deception."
"No," Vali's expression shifted to something more serious. "We need to make the final act absolutely convincing. They need to believe that you and Father's opposition to me is complete, absolute."
"How are we going to achieve that? For there are beings who can sense emotion," Elijah countered. "Powers that can detect falsehood. How do we-"
He stopped as Vali turned to face him fully. In the firelight, his brother's eyes blazed crimson - not the black depths he'd known for centuries, but something new. Something that spoke of power beyond even their Original nature.
"What have you done?" Elijah asked, genuine surprise coloring his voice - a rare occurrence for the normally composed Original.
"Evolution," Vali replied, his crimson eyes gleaming. "The Beast serum as I like to call it - a combination of seven werewolf packs' venom, enhanced vampire blood, and magic bound by the mark's power. Tatia and I are currently its only recipients."
"The power radiating from you..." Elijah observed carefully. "It's different from anything I've encountered in our thousand years."
"It should, for it grants enhanced strength beyond even an Original's capabilities, venom that can kill anything - even our family - myself excluded - and compulsion that can affect any being, even those normally immune," Vali explained, his crimson eyes reflecting the firelight.
"I see. You mean to compel me," Elijah states after a moment of silence, understanding blooming within his heart.
Vali nods as he pushes down his drink in one go and puts the glass down. "Yes, though this power is not omnipotent. I can only compel you if you truly open your mind to me, and allow me to do so. Beings such as us, of our age and calibar, are incapable of being compelled by me otherwise."
"And what exactly would this compulsion entail?" Elijah asked, swirling his own drink thoughtfully.
"When they approach you with their plans - and they will if they truly have any that they believe in - you'll believe your hatred for me is absolute. Every emotion, every reaction will be genuine."
Vali's crimson eyes gleamed. "Until the moment you learn their true intentions. Then you'll remember everything, and contact me."
"And Father?"
"Has already agreed, though somewhat... reluctantly," Vali's smile held dark amusement. "His performance requires less acting - his rage at being compelled adds a lovely touch of realism to the whole affair."
"How long?" Elijah asked after a moment of consideration.
"Until the ritual. Everything we've built for a millennium comes down to that moment." Vali moved closer, his presence making the shadows dance. "They'll be watching, brother. Every power that thinks they understand us will be focused on that night.
They need to believe absolutely in our division. They need to believe that you are planning against me and that they need to take your plans into consideration so that it does not contradict their own."
"The curse," Elijah began after he finished his drink, "It will be a millennium of power building up - how much of their plans do you expect to revolve around it?"
"They'll all want to either prevent its breaking or harness its power for themselves," Vali's stated his smile sharp.
"You still have not explained for what you, youself wish to harness its power," Elijah stated.
"I wish to still keep that for myself, brother, but worry not, you'll know when the time is right."
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And now indeed was that time, for Elijah Mikaelson, witnessed his brother's death bring life to a whole new realm.
Elijah could see the First Blade still protruding from Vali's chest, crimson light pulsing from the mark as their new realm settled into existence alongside their own.
The sacrificial circles were quiet now, their power spent, while the six promised souls had already returned to their bodies.
The mark blazed ever the brighter as Vali's hand gripped the First Blade's hilt. With deliberate slowness, he drew it from his chest, each movement precise despite the wound's severity. Blood that seemed to glow with crimson light spilled freely, but his smile showed only satisfaction.
"Finally... This charade can be over..." Vali stated as the wound in his chest sealed itself, the mark's power making his flesh knit back together as if it had never been pierced.
His crimson eyes surveyed the scene - the returned souls watching with a mixture of fear and awe, Stefan having run towards Elena, pulled her into his arms, both uncaring to the blood of his victims soaking them while Elijah stood among the corpses of the witches he'd slaughtered.
"Remember," Vali commanded, once more, this time towards his father, which immediately broke the compulsion on Mikael, causing the memories of their plan to flood back in who froze in shock upon their return.
As this went on, the cracks in the world, their new realm pulsed with crimson starlight, while around them the cemetery air grew heavy with power.
The mark blazed with satisfaction as their millennium of preparation finally bore fruit.
Vali rose, dusting himself off, as he looked towards his blood soaked form and sighed.
"Tatia, darling, please tell me, we brought some spare clothes. The stickiness is killing me,"
Tatia's laugh was warm with affection as she vamp sped away for a moment and returned with his clothes, holding them for him. "Of course, my love. I wouldn't let you suffer after achieving such a maginficient feat. Our new kingdom will not see you looking anything less than perfect."
"Excellent," Vali said, as he started to undo his jacket, while turning his attention to Stefan and Elena. "Now, about your service, my ripper."
Stefan's grip on Elena tightened slightly, but he met Vali's crimson gaze steadily. He had made his choice, traded his soul for theirs. There was no going back now.
"Come," Vali commanded softly as he continued changing, his movements casual yet elegant even in this mundane task. "It's time to take your place as my left hand."
Elena's fingers clutched at Stefan's bloodied shirt. "Stefan, please-"
"The deal is made, Elena," Stefan's voice was gentle but firm. "My soul for yours. For all of yours." He pressed a final kiss to her forehead before stepping away, moving toward Vali with quiet acceptance of his fate.
"Oh, don't act so saddened, Elena," Vali's voice carried casual amusement as he buttoned his fresh shirt.
"It's not like you two are going to be separated. After all," his crimson eyes gleamed with calculated benevolence, "what kind of King would I be if I deprived my ripper of his love? Especially when your blood holds such... valuable properties."
"You promised!" Stefan's voice cracked with fury and disbelief, his hands clenching into fists. "Her soul was supposed to be her own, she was supposed to be free!"
"And it is," Vali replied smoothly, adjusting his jacket. "I promised her soul would be free, and I've kept that promise. I said nothing about her being completely free from my influence." His crimson eyes gleamed.
"Besides, you should be grateful, my ripper. Do you know how many powers would love to get their hands on a fresh Petrova doppelganger? Under my protection, she's safer than she could ever be elsewhere."
"You manipulative-" Stefan started, taking a step forward, but Elena's hand on his arm stopped him.
"Stefan," her voice was quiet but steady. "He's right. About all of it." She looked at Vali, understanding finally dawning in her eyes. "This was always the plan, wasn't it? My blood, his loyalty, all of it perfectly arranged."
"Smart girl," Vali smiled, straightening his collar. "You see, Stefan, Elena understands. And deep down, so do you. After all," his crimson eyes gleamed with dark amusement, "what were you planning to do? Leave her unprotected while you served me? Let her face every supernatural creature that would kill for Petrova blood alone?"
"Now then," Vali said, offering his arm to Tatia while Katherine fell into step behind them. "Shall we see what a millennium of power has built?"
He turned to the others - Stefan still struggling with his anger, Elena resigned but understanding, Katherine alive and excited, while Alexander, Damon, Caroline, Tyler, and Bonnie watching with uncertainty.
Through the cracks in the world, their new dimension beckoned.
"Come," his voice carried power that made reality itself shiver. "Let me show you what true perfection looks like."
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(Author note: Hello everyone! Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
How did you find the plan Vali, Mikael and Elijah set up?
Did it make sense? Or is there still some things unclear?
Also, what are your opinions on Tatia and Vali now being Upgraded Original Vampires?
I personally feel like its a long time coming for Tatia to finally be immortal like the rest of them.
So yeah, do comment and review please, and I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)