They gathered and huddled together, whispering to one another of the recent events and what the alpha wanted now and whatever it was, were they prepared. He announced a while back for them to gather and he had news that needed to be acted upon as a matter of urgency. They waited for his arrival, pensive on their toes; some pacing up and down and a handful biting on their nails. The doors swished open, and he entered, sure-footed. The room dropped silent, and they watched him, eyes never leaving his being.
"The daggers and books have been located. The Mikaelsons have them in their Knightsbridge home. We are to storm the place tonight and take them down. We may not have the exact weapon that can kill them, but what we have is enough to weaken them. We take the items, and we take the girl. I want everyone on this mission. Once we have what we need, we will return to the place of origin. Am I clear?"
"What about Jayden?" A member asked, her voice quiet but he heard her.
"Jayden has been tasked with finding anything the council has on us and to destroy it. He will meet us once we are done with these so-called originals and once we have the girl!"
This amped up the atmosphere and they howled in approval. His pack were ready and finally he would have what he wanted the most. Benjamin backed away, a thin layer of sweat covered his nape. When he was close to the outdoors, he bolted out and down the steps. Pulling out his phone, swiping and sliding until it was to his ear, waiting for the call to go through. None of them answered. He tried multiple times, running as fast as he could. He had to get the warning out to them. How were they to know?
"Come on Noah! Pick up the damn phone!" The phone rang for the third time but no response. He knew he couldn't do anything without blowing his cover. All he hoped for was that the Mikaelsons would sense them.
Sophia
Upon seeing him I presumed I would feel something and that I would feel disheartened at his state, but I felt nothing. Nothing but pity and a flare of anger. Klaus had him chained to the only chair that sat in the middle of the large chamber like room. I didn't want to know what he used it as previously or its purpose. Ethan was bloody and cut open in several places. For someone who was being tortured to the brink of death, he was laughing maniacally. Using my foot, I pushed the door open and entered. Both he and Bonnie looked up.
"If it isn't the woman I love." He grinned, exposing his bloodied teeth. Bonnie frowned. No words were needed to express what she felt and wanted to say. Her face said it all.
"What do you want Ethan?" I cut straight to the point, ignoring his comments and attempts.
"What I wanted is already here." His smile revolted me.
"Why are you working for Jameela? What does she want?"
He half scoffed, half chuckled. "Why should I tell you anything?"
I shrugged. "You know, whatever she promised you is a lie? I know her better than anyone and you're a fool to think she has your best interest." I crouched down before him. "Now, tell me what she wants Ethan. I'm asking nicely." I lied. I didn't know who Jameela really was anymore.
He didn't love me. He was infatuated, yes. It was lust and an obsession. I knew him enough to know that he would eventually crack and spill. "Soph... step back." Bonnie warned, her eyes darting between me and him. Not wanting to further her worry I stood on my feet and retreated.
"You're so pathetic." He taunted, rattling the chains that bound him.
"Don't make me come in there and this time I'll tear out your heart and eat it." Klaus pounded on the iron door. "Sophia love, do hurry up the interrogation."
"You know Ethan, I will gladly let him keep good on his promise. So just tell me what Jameela is up to and what she wants and maybe I'll let you free." I pressed my back against the cold walls not caring what dried things they were covered in. I puffed out a soft breath. "Ethan when did you become this." I gestured. For a split second there was a hint of remorse on him. He set his face back to stone cold, destroying any remnants of remorse.
"If you loved me back then, you could have stopped this-" guttural howls intercepted.
"Don't put this on her!" Bonnie raged, inflicting him with internal pain. She struck him again. The chains around him kept him in place. My heart remained un-phased and unchanged.
"What does Jameela want?" I roared, sending him across the room. The wooden chair gave way and crumbled beneath him. I thrust my hand out and he twisted in place. "What does she want!" Storming over I yanked his head back and dragged him back to the centre. When he refused to reveal her motives and what he was promised, my fingers latched to his temples, and I absorbed the magical barrier. Stripping it all away. His hidden memories hurled themselves at me, striking me at full force. I stumbled back, releasing him from my hold.
"What is it?!" She stammered. A huge clang. The door flung open, hitting the wall. Klaus stormed in.
"What did you see?!" He grilled. Family members flooded the chamber all at once. I blinked rapidly at him unable to summon the words to speak. I couldn't reveal the entirety of what I saw in Ethan's head. "What did you see luv?" He repeated, holding both my arms, and shaking me ever so gently. With frantic eyes I searched the room, meeting every gaze.
"Jameela wants to raise twelve witches, one from each powerful coven ever...even the ones the Mikaelsons took down. She knows there's nothing binding them to the spirit world so the spell to bring them back would be easy!" I kept out the part where she needs me and how she will deliver half my blood to the wolf pack after she ends me.
"Why does she want that?" Stefan pushed forward.
"Why do you think Stefan?! She wants ultimate power so that her coven can survive, but she knows I'm the only one that can break the curse I placed on her coven."
Loud, deep bellied chuckles came from behind me. "There's nothing you can do. You have enemies everywhere and they're all on one side. You won't be able to beat her." He menaced. I opened my mouth to speak but came to an abrupt stop when his face contorted and he slumped forward loosely, revealing Kol standing with the torn heart in his hand. I stared at him wide eyed. He simply shrugged his shoulders and dropped the organ only to squash it under his boot.
"Someone get rid of the body." I huffed, gesticulating, and averting my attention from a now dead Ethan. A part of me felt a pang of guilt. Not because I cared anymore but because I knew he was much closer to Laura and Theo. Despite everything he did to them, I felt a part of them would be devastated by his loss.
"We'll deal with it." Damon and Stefan announced, inspecting the mess it created. I watched as they both carried his body out, one brother holding the legs while the other held the arms. I caught a glimpse of his greyed face. Running my hand through my hair I paced up and down searching for a solution. My mind raced with thoughts, yet I couldn't think of one spell to put an end to Jameela's sinister plan.
The foul stench of rotten blood and flesh hit me hard. I wanted to gag. It was a pungent smell mixed with a tinge of sickening sweetness. The smell got into my throat; I could taste it. Covering my mouth with my hand I ran out as fast I could for a whiff of fresh, clean air. The underground layout seemed extra vast and stretched. To me it felt as though I was running for hours to no end. Finally, I saw the warm yellow light and scurried towards it. It grew larger and brighter. The stairs emerged and I sprinted up them and stumbled into the hallway where the air was drastically cleaner. Pressing my back against the wall, I inhaled in a huge lung full of clean air. Yet the smell of blood and flesh lingered.
Rubbing my temples, slowly I walked towards the large open window and sat myself down on the sill. Instantaneously I felt refreshed, and my mind cleared. After getting sufficient air I hopped off the sill and made my way into the parlour where my family were already patiently waiting for me. They thought it best to leave me to my own solitude and when I was ready, I would join them. I flopped down onto the large accent chair that could pass as a throne. Kol vamped to my side and stood there, resting his hands on my shoulders.
"What do we do about that wretched witch?" Klaus thundered. His pacing came to a halt, and he whipped around to face us.
I exhaled. I only had one solution and I wasn't positive they would agree. "Qetsiyah has too many grimoires for us to get through and finding a solution could take ages! The only solution I can think of is speaking directly to Qetsiyah. If I had my talisman, I wouldn't need to do this-"
"Do what?" Kol interrupted.
"I was thinking Bonnie could momentarily stop my heart and I could make contact. She's the only one that can help, because I'm all out of options!"
"No!" Kol growled pulling me off the chair and to his chest. He grabbed my face and shook me. "Darling you have lost your mind! It's too risky."
"He's right!" Freya pointed out. "You're human and it's too much of a risk. Anything can go wrong!"
I looked to Bonnie pleadingly, but she shook her head. "Bon, you've done it before so what's the difference?"
"I'm sorry but the difference is you. We can't be sure what could happen to you and stopping your heart-what if we can't resuscitate you?"
"Look, I know it's scary, but it'll work. Freya and you both could do it if you're so worried! It's the only way! I lost my necklace so we can't use that!"
"No! Absolutely no!" Klaus ruled.
"Do you all want to stop Jameela or not?" I snapped. "Stop treating me like I'm some weakling! I'm human but that doesn't mean I'm fragile."
They remained silent. Klaus clenched and unclenched his fists. I watched him closely. Shoving his hand in his leather jacket, he pulled something out. I glared at him. It was my talisman. I rocked back and forth with rage. He knew I was beyond angry, yet he made no effort to apologise or give a decent explanation. "You had it this whole time!" I barged over and snatched it out his hand. "Explain yourself klaus!"
He chuckled darkly. "I don't need to explain myself to you. Whatever I did-we did was for your safety-"
"Wait..." I stuck out my hand in mid-air. "We? As in all of you?" I stepped back and moved my finger in the air in a circular motion. They knew. It was apparent by the guilty looks on their faces. He took my hand, opened up my palm and placed the talisman. I felt the necklace in my hand and glanced down at it, brushing the top with my thumb. The power that emanated was potent. I turned away and took position at the centre of the room. Gripping the talisman tightly I closed my eyes and focused solely on connecting with her. Clearing my mind was a simple task and was done with ease. The air spiked, growing colder and a slight breeze circled me. My eyes remained closed, continuing my chanting. It was a reeling sensation. As though I was floating whirling.
Damon
Several sets of heavy, purposeful footsteps stopped outside the mansion. All fell quiet and our ears perked to the sounds. Movement then stillness. I glanced back at an unconscious Sophia. Caroline and Bonnie rushed back in. "We're being hunted. The entire property has been circled."
"We mean, the entire pack has every side covered!" She stressed.
"What?" Freya left her standing and scrambled to the window. Pulling the curtains back, revealing the rows of transformed wolves. The entire house shook.
"Everyone stays here and keep Sophia safe! Elijah, Kol and I will handle it." Klaus ordered.
"Nik, the back is crawling with them! Let me go." Freya urged. "Everyone else stay here and keep Soph safe. Bonnie wake her up if you can."
They disappeared with a blink, and I stared at Stefan. Crashing sounds from the back and above us startled Bonnie. They made their way in and all that was left to do was keep them out of the living room. From all around us, the sounds of struggles, sounds of the battlefield bounced off the walls. Bonnie flung herself towards the opening and struck out a hand. I knew she was doing a barrier a spell to buy us time and keep us safe. The crashing and growling drew nearer. A streak of blonde flashed by. Caroline left to help fight them off. I dashed to Sophia, gently shook her but the spell she was under was formidable. She heard nor felt nothing.
It happened in a flash. Shattering sounds of glass, something flew above my head and loud crashing sounds. I jumped to my feet and my eyes darted around. The wolves broke in through the window and glass rained down on us. "Damon get her out of here!" Stefan was on the ground wrestling with a beast. Scooping her up in my arms, I escaped through the broken window. The second my feet touched the ground a force knocked me over and she was torn away from my arms. Given no time to react, another blow from the back sent me rocketing through the driveway. Catching a glimpse of the one that snatched Sophia, Kol struck him down and in her unconscious state, she was dropped onto the concrete ground.
Grabbing the giant wolf by its throat, I squeezed until its eyes bulged and threatened to erupt. Hearing the satisfactory snap of bones, I sprung to my feet and whizzed through the wolves, trying to avoid being bit. There were too many of them to get a clear count. Noticing Elijah struggling with three wolves, I launched myself forward, hurling into them and simultaneously breaking them apart. "Thanks."
"Thank me once we get out of this alive!" I shot back. Searching around for Sophia, I felt an intense rush of fear. She was nowhere in sight. "Where is she?!" I called out, dodging an oncoming attack. Elijah struck the transformed man. Ramming his fists through the guy's chest and after a second, he retracted his hand along with the heart. The wolf boy dropped to the floor, now a bag of bones. Howls and whimpers came from all directions.
"She's on top of the car!" Kol shouted back from somewhere. Scanning like a mad man, I finally laid eyes on my sister. She was safe but still lost to the spell.
Sophia
The reeling ceased as I rolled up in a sitting position, tentatively taking in my surroundings. It was exactly how I last saw it. The perfect Eden. Slowly, I rose to my feet and my eyes grazed the scenery. She was nowhere in sight not even tending to the magnificent rose bush. Everything was entrancing. Scents danced in the atmosphere and the sun shone down brightly and was a warming embrace. I took two steps forward. "Qetsiyah?" No response. Wanting to inhale in the fragrant roses I strolled down the short path. The petals were ever so soft, so delicate unlike anything in the human world.
"Thought I told you to stay away from magic?" Came her gentle voice.
"I know, but I need your help..." I began as I spun around to face her. Her smile was smaller than usual. She was utterly despondent. "I need a way to stop Jameela from raising hungry, vengeful witches from the dead and you're the only one that can help."
Her movements were hesitant at start, but she composed herself and with her usual grace she floated to my side. "I want to help you, but I cannot risk your life. You don't have long left, and this will only speed up your death." She ran her fingers through my curls. "When I look at you, I see myself. So eager to help her loved ones. There's this fire in your eyes and the burn is intense but I'm afraid one day it will extinguish."
"I have my talisman back and I can use it. Just help me please! If Jameela succeeds she'll come for everyone I love and care about. We've got many enemies and I don't know what to do."
"But it's dangerous." Came a voice from behind her. A voice I only heard once before but my heart leaped with joy to the sound of the sweet, silvery notes. Qetsiyah stepped to the side, revealing my mother Hera standing with her hands in front of her. Seeing me she beamed, and her arms opened wide. Not wasting another second, I ran into her arms and wrapped mine around her. Her hold was warm, and it felt like home. I pulled away, still clinging onto her.
"I'm so happy to see you mother!" Joyful tears trailed down my face. With tears in her big brown eyes, she wiped mine away. "I wish you wouldn't take such drastic actions, but I am so proud of the woman you are. So devoted, so driven and most of all, the strongest."
"I know you worry for me, but I will be okay. As long as my family are okay then so am i. I am willing to do anything for them."
"You don't know when to stop do you?"
I peered over my mother's shoulder. "Enzo! Valarie...here to stop me, are you?" I grinned.
"Nope. You're a pain in the ass and stubborn." Enzo shot back with a wider grin. He held out his arms. Kissing my mother on the right cheek I dashed to him and hugged him tight.
"You're an asshole Enzo, even dead you're a real arse." I playfully slapped his shoulder before moving to Valerie. Her hugs were always the best and i only realised just how much I missed them. "Why are you here?" I finally asked, separating myself from her.
"Qetsiyah wanted us to intervene-"
"So an intervention?" I chuckled, looking over my shoulder at Qetsiyah. She shrugged. "I have to! Please Qetsiyah."
"Very well then." She stated. "I'm not happy about this but if it's what you want, then I'll help."
"What can I do?"
"I created the other side but that was torn apart. Now there is nothing holding the supernatural creatures. You can create a similar purgatory for the witches, but a more powerful spell is required if you want to keep them trapped and leave no loophole."
"What do I need?"
"An anchor-something immortal and indestructible. I used Amara. I don't know what you could use other than the earth itself, but that spell would kill you."
I considered the option for a moment. "Okay, so all I need is an anchor and I can create a new purgatory? I just need to figure out what to use without speeding up my death. I know how to make it loophole free...thank you so much Qetsiyah!"
"I'm not happy about it but I'll be there to ensure you're safe." I smiled to that and squeezed her. It was time to return back to the living world. Suddenly being here with them I didn't want to leave. "I'm surprised both Hunters and Amelia aren't here...would have been nice to see them."
"They moved on to where the human souls go. You'll see them again, don't you worry." Enzo answered, lifting my chin up. "Not so little anyone are you, sister?"
"No, I'm not...." I trailed off.
"What's wrong?"
"I wish you all could come back with me and it kind of sucks that you found peace."
Valarie chuckled. "That's because we knew you're more than capable and you don't need us." My mother standing beside her, agreed. They all did. I knew one day I would reunite with them all and I will no longer have any worries. I'll be happy and I'll forever look over the ones I love. The ones I will leave behind.
"it's time for you to return." Qetsiyah announced. "They'll all be worried as in their timing it's probably been hours you've been passed out." One by one they dematerialised leaving me behind. A tear rolled down my cheek. Closing my eyes, I let myself go.