Chapter 5 - Chapter 5 : THE IMMORTAL WARLOCK

Kol and Rebekah strolled leisurely, laughter dancing between them as they roamed around. Kol made it a point to keep his sister entertained, delighting in her smiles.A message buzzed through Rebekah's phone. "Elijah says it's time for a family reunion," she remarked.Without hesitation, the siblings sped toward their mansion, both knowing what their brother Nik would have done to their home. As they neared the familiar grounds, voices carried toward them, one unmistakably Klaus's:"You will return my coffins, or you'll watch your brother burn," Niklaus growled."Alright, alright, I'll go fetch them," Damon replied, wary."Go with him," Klaus commanded Elijah, "and keep him honest, brother."Kol exchanged a look with Rebekah. The silent communication between them was clear—Nik and Elijah, as usual, were scheming against each other.Finn, their eldest brother, stood not far off, silent as ever. To Kol, he embodied the worst of their parents, Mikael and Esther—a true son of both, with all their flaws.The conversation shifted as Klaus turned toward Elijah. "What are you doing?"Elijah's tone was calm, measured. "Waiting for dessert, brother. I cannot, in good conscience, trust your vile promises any longer. Our siblings will be returned immediately. Of that, I'm certain."Elijah dismissed Damon coolly. "Your services are no longer required, Mr. Salvatore."Klaus growled, simmering with rage. "Shall we, then?"Kol took that as his cue. With blinding speed, he grabbed a dagger, swiftly driving it into Klaus's midsection. Silence fell over the hall."Ah, Nik, how's life been treating you?" Kol asked, his voice light, but the tension thick in the room.Damon and Stefan stood frozen, their eyes wide, witnessing the Original Hybrid casually stabbed by a man who seemed unfazed by any potential retaliation."Ah, Kol," Klaus rasped, mocking even as he recovered, "my dear brother, how was your nap?""Why, my bastard brother, you wouldn't know, would you? You've never been daggered. You've never felt the constant agony of a blade piercing your heart for centuries. But don't worry, Nik, I could arrange something similar for you," Kol said, his smile sharp as a blade.In a flash, Kol was in front of the Salvatore brothers, who barely registered his movement. "Didn't my brother tell you your services were no longer required?" he asked, hands plunging into their chests, gripping their hearts."We'll go, we'll go!" Damon winced, his voice strained with pain.Kol smirked. "Good." Then, with a swift tug, he pulled out one of each brother's lungs."Consider this compensation for crossing our family," Kol said coldly. "I will learn all about you soon enough. Rebekah's given me a glimpse, but I already know treachery when I see it. So, if I were you, I'd stay very still in this town. Leave, and wherever you go, let them know Kol Mikaelson is coming for you." He slapped their cheeks lightly with his bloodied hands. "Now, run along."Turning back to Klaus, Kol's smile widened. "So, my dear bastard brother, tell me. What should I punish you for first? The centuries of betrayal? Or your most recent crime of leaving our darling sister to face Mikael? Speak up, Nik. You know how I get when I'm questioning someone."For once, Klaus—the monster who haunted the nightmares of others—looked ashamed. "Kol, I didn't want to leave Rebekah. By the time I returned, I heard Mikael was dead. I searched for her, but Mikael arrived before I could find her. And I killed him."Kol's expression didn't soften. "Did you preserve Mikael's ashes?""Yes.""Good. Viking ashes could be useful. You know how pragmatic I am," Kol said with a dismissive wave.'There it is, the practical mind of the family,' Niklaus, Rebekah, and Elijah thought in unison.Suddenly, the sound of whooshing air filled the room. Three daggers pierced their marks—Rebekah, Finn, and Elijah had all driven their daggers into Klaus.As Klaus seethed, Rebekah spoke first, her voice laced with venom. "We're leaving you here, Nik. It's time we lived our own lives."Klaus, ever the defiant child, hissed, "Then I will hunt you down. I am the Original Hybrid."Elijah's response was a deadly whisper. "Then you'll be just like our father."Kol rolled his eyes at Elijah, as if the elder brother were a fool. Casually, he walked to the bar, poured two glasses of whiskey, and dragged a chair next to Klaus. He handed his brother one of the tumblers."Ah, Nik, that sure looks painful. But only 99 years, 364 days, 23 hours, and 50 minutes more, and you'll start to understand what I went through."Elijah's voice cut through the air again. "Kol, what are you doing?""For the love of magic, Elijah, don't act concerned. It's weird." Kol took a long sip. "Besides, Mikael is dead. That means neither you nor Nik will be hunting me down anytime soon. As for the family? Well, I'll always be around for Nik and Bekah. For you? Meh, we'll see."As the conversation cooled, the door to the mansion creaked open, and there stood Esther Mikaelson.Kol immediately sensed the magic swirling around her. He sped to block her entrance. "Ah, Mother, even you couldn't stay dead."His grin turned menacing. "I've thought of this day for a thousand years. Shall we begin?"Everyone in the room went silent, sensing the change in Kol. This wasn't the mischievous brother they were used to. This was the Kol the supernatural world feared—the Original Ripper."Why the hostility, Nikola?" Esther asked, her voice falsely sweet.Kol laughed, a dark, full-bellied sound. "Oh, Mother, I still have to punish Nik for ending your life too swiftly. But now, I'm more interested in how you survived among witches who despise you for creating a species that disrupted their balance. So, what will it be, Mother? Will you submit to punishment as a vampire? Or shall I drag this out for centuries?"Esther's face paled. "Kol, what's happened to you?"Niklaus stepped forward, desperate. "Kol, what are you doing?"Elijah joined him, "We won't let anything happen to her, Kol."Finn, ever the dutiful son, added, "She's our mother."Kol turned his sharp gaze to Finn. "Ah, Finn, you think you're some match for me now? You beat me when I was twelve. Big achievement. But let me tell you something. I was not just a dragon slayer for show."His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Tread carefully, brother."Finally, Kol's eyes returned to Esther. "Now, Mother, what have you decided? Shall you accept your punishment?"Esther tried to regain control, "I am the matriarch of this family, Nikola. And I hold the magic here."Kol laughed again, a chilling sound. "You tapped into the Bennett line, didn't you? Ingenious, really. But you aren't their ancestor. You used a preservation spell. Ayana's, perhaps? I must say, clever. But how long will that magic last?"Esther faltered, her confidence crumbling. "How do you know that?"The room fell into stunned silence. They finally understood why Kol had been dubbed the Immortal Warlock—his knowledge was terrifying.Kol took a step closer to his mother, eyes gleaming with menace. But Klaus and Rebekah blocked his path."Kol," Klaus said soothingly, "let's talk later. You've just woken up."Rebekah chimed in, "Come on, Kol. Let's take a walk outside. You've been out of your coffin for only a short while."Kol sighed, giving his mother one last glance. "You're lucky, Esther. For whatever reason, my siblings are loyal to you. For now." He turned to Rebekah. "Let's go. I need to change. I'm sure Nik won't mind sharing his wardrobe."And with that, Kol sped away, leaving the room in uneasy silence.I am always available for conversations about the storyIf you like the story please do support me on Patpatreon.com/LUCIFER482