Listen slowly,
Too, the marching holy
Never travel, never bleak,
Slithering snakes are here in the deep.
-By Unknown (Yeah it's me)
I just didn't want the chapter to start at the top of the page.
Why did he have to show up now? Is this really the time for this. I though he left, or was that a lie in a useless attempt of tricking us into seeking him out?
Klaus decided to take the most likely of scenarios and decided to assume Alukard was trying to wear them down.
"Why are you here then? Trying to stick around and hope we grow fond of your useless self, Alukard?" Klaus glared, hate definitely present in his tone as he took a few heavy steps in his direction. The marble floors echoing as he neared Alukard.
"Do not concern yourself with me Niklaus. I just came to say my goodbyes to Finn as I make my way out of this dreadful little town. You can throw your little torture party in a bit." Alukard said in exasperation as his patience finally began running out
A smile replaced his displeased and narrow-eyed expression "Good riddance." he said cheerfully. "Just be quick about it. My hand keeps itching to stake someone." he patted Alukard's arm mockingly "And I'd be simply devastated if you found yourself in the path of it.." he said with clearly fake concern on his tone.
Alukard looked straight ahead, lightly rolling his eyes. Klaus passing right by his side a broad grin taking over him as the Original attempted to threaten him with something he knew would not work as Klaus wished.
White oak was great for killing an original...but an Original he was not.
As Klaus walked out, Alukard approached the Salvatore brother. Smiling at the painful expression on the vampire's face at the slightest vibrations his hands caused on the chains. Few in number, but deeply embedded into Damon's body, these chains were holding the full weight of the Salvatore.
"Damon." he said. The Salvatore did not respond besides the heavy breathing escaping his lips even in his unconscious state.
Alukard huffed as he looked down at the lowered head in front of him "Augustine must have lowered their standards over the decades." he muttered, sounding disappointed as well as sad over this fact. He placed a hand on the vampire's neck, the tips of his fingers barely making any significant contact but just enough for the surrounding area to brighten a shade in tone as Alukard gave Damon a surprise wake-up call.
Damon's head snapped to the left as he released a painful gasp, heavy breathing followed as the Salvatore tried to focus on his surroundings amongst confused and panicked thoughts.
Alukard shook his head with a sigh. Augustine must have lost some of its mojo, because Damon Salvatore's pain tolerance was turning out to be a letdown compared to what he very well knew Augustine was capable of.
"Ugh." Damon groaned as he tried to move around. Then his breath it got even heavier as he began feeling pain on his upper body. Pain that slowly grew as did his panic. He looked down and saw he was being held tight by hooks. He could feel two deeply embedded into his ribcage and two others under his armpits.
It was not two hard to come to the conclusion that if he lowered his arms, then his ribs would probably either crack or he would spend some agonizing minutes feeling his body weight going against two simple hooks pulling him up. "Ahh!" he yelled, as he took in a very painful breath. His twitching had started lighting up his nerves from their previously numb state.
"I would stay still if I were you. I wouldn't want your chest cavity to get ripped away before some fun occurs." Alukard advised as he observed the painful actions of the Salvatore. "I wouldn't want you to die before our transaction is completed." he added softly, almost comforting.
His dark eyes closed as he heard Rebekah making her way into the room, the sound of dragged chains echoing through the hallways.
Alukard gave a final onceover to Damon before he made his way out. Only a small hesitation in his step as he made his way out of the room. Not even pausing to look at the blonde as she stopped walking.
"Alukard..." she whispered.
"Don't worry about the vervain. I took care of it. If you still feel like torturing the guy, then be my guest. I have some last minute preparations to do." he said as he walked away. Relaxed and at ease as he walked past the mansion gates. Fading into nothingness as he walked into the woods where Finn and Sage waited by in a closed off road.
"Let's go."
It felt like seconds to Damon, but he could have believed someone if they told him it had been days since his capture.
His own painful breaths, the only focus he had outside of the pain filling him.
Well, that is, until it wasn't.
"...Damon. Oh my God! Damon!"
Heavy eyes looked at the blurry figure in front of him. The voice sounding so...familiar he could not help but make the effort to raise his head. Focusing on his vision, he finally realized who it was after a few seconds.
"What are you, doing here." he breathed out, painfully gasping for a moment as his efforts warranted him further descent into the hooks supporting him.
He never imagined talking could ever be this painful. It must be karma.
"Rebekah...will...kill you." his strength was running out once again.
"Then, tell me what to do." she asked desperately.
"Get...hooks...stuck." he said, breathing getting rougher.
She inhaled and nodded "ok."
Her hands were hesitant...and in the end all one could hear in the room were Damon's screams and the clinking of metal against the floor as Elena detached the hooks from his body.
Elena's hands were quick to grab him. Her shoulder supporting him, as she moved him away, trying not to slip in the blood on the plastic covering.
It was a short trip as the moment they passed the threshold, Damon stumbled against the wall and Elena was forced to let go.
"...go..." Damon whispered, head falling down to his chest.
"I'm not leaving you." she said, lifting her arm. "All I need-ugh!"
With effort, he lifted his head as he heard her exclamation...he was instantly filled with dread and anticipation as he was faced with one of his worst nightmares.
"Ahh!" Rebekah was tearing into Elena's neck as the brunette yelled in pain.
"...No." he breathed out, clinging to every piece of energy he had left...only to drop uselessly against the wall.
No...Her screams ceased.
No...Her eyes blinked drowsily at him.
No...Her hand dropped to the side.
He closed his eyes and screamed.
"No!" he gasped, twisting painfully around. "Argh!" he yelled as the hooks dug into his back.
...wait.
...hooks?
"It's not very nice when someone messes with your thoughts is it?" an arrogant voice spoke up. Step by step nearing his hanging form. He was back in the room. Mikaelson House. Back into the same place he has painfully been for the last five hours.
"Re...be...k... .. ." he painfully said, feeling the pain of his movements all over his body as he swung side to side.
She stepped in front of him, expression revealing just how much she was enjoying this. Damon, however, still flinched and winced as the hooks pulled at his bones. He felt anxious at every swing, knowing that at any point one of them could detach and only imagining the feeling of his ribs handling his full body-weight made him panic.
"Oh, c'mon. I couldn't really have hurt you that bad? You didn't really think I had a thing for you did you?" he wheezed out.
Rebekah's silence spoke volumes and that gave Damon the answer to his question.
"I get it." he said thoughtfully. "If Klaus bossed me around for a thousand years." he looked at Rebekah for a few moments, observing as the slightest glaze of hope grew her eyes. "I'd be pretty desperate for attention too." and taking immense pleasure in squashing it out of existence as anger -and he was pretty satisfied to see hurt in her eyes -grew at his words.
"...and now, you must be even worse off knowing Alukard has been around all this time and not once has he thought to come and save you from Daddy-"
His satisfaction was brought to an abrupt end, finally figuring he must have gone a step to far in Rebekah's opinion. The origin could be discussed as being a work of mystical karma. Either that, or probably from the knife she had just pushed into his stomach.
"Ahh!" he screamed as she twisted it deeply, blood –well whatever blood he still had left in him- dripping down his body and joining the rest in the plastic covers laid out on the floor.
He could feel his ribs about to give in. Rebekah removed the axe, and with every bit of strength he had, he pulled a tiny fraction of his body weight away from the hooks in his back.
It was not much, but it was a relief nonetheless.
She looked on at his actions. He's actually fighting the hooks with everything he's got even after all of these hours hung up. Color me impressed. Credit must be given when it's due and Alukard certainly knows how to work the survival instincts of an individual against them.
At this rate, she would get a nice decade out of Damon's pain before he was fully broken.
"Bitch." was the barely whispered word Damon released. Rebekah's answer as a rough slice with a knife.
She smirked as he offered no more quips or mockeries. He's starting to learn. Good.
"Now, why don't you give some thought to the location of the stakes? I'll be glad to wait. I have plenty to keep myself entertained."
She glared as she raised the axe once again, hitting her mark, straight on Damon's hip.
"AHHG-"
The Original looked around from his position against the doorway, unbothered by the sounds he could still hear coming from the other room. He smiled reassuringly at Bonnie, a wicked glint in his eyes. "I wouldn't let it bother you, love."
"It does bother me." she stated.
"Well that's unfortunate."
She took a step in his direction "Everything you have done since you got here, bothers me." Bonnie nodded at him. "You bother me. All you do is use people. That is not right. That is never right."
He placed a hand in his chest, looking 'hurtful' by her comments. Strong. She's terrified and still manages to speak her mind knowing I could end her existence just as easily.
"Bonnie, you're being emotional. I completely understand the things you might feel. Your mother leaving...again." he reminded. Sympathetic of her issues...or just as convincing at pretending he was.
She just had to look away. Her eyes would tell him just how amused she was by his words and she didn't want him to figure it out. Abby was better off staying out of this.
"It's very sad, how a parent can let you down so easily."
Bonnie had to bite her lip to keep the smile away from her face. From a small look in Klaus' direction, she could see he was thinking he was getting to her just as he wanted...ha.
"I can help you with that -finding her- , I mean." he offered, now standing in front of her. Her face now emotionless. "If you so desire, I might request one of my people - a very talented set of individuals- to bring her back to you. Would like that?" he said as he rested a hand on her arm.
She inhaled as he made his offer. Her look made him smirk; thinking her tempted, but truthfully, her reaction was due to the fact that she hadn't considered protecting Abby against vampires magically. A spell had just come to her mind. Something she had previously not remembered at the time.
A concealment spell. Protection talismans...anything.
"But if you find it preferable, I could also get just parts of her back." he suggested. A tone of promise lacing his voice. The threat was clear: Do this, or it might just happen the second way.
Bonnie roughly pulled her arm from his grip. He smiled once again as she glared. There it is. Klaus is back once again.
"Isn't it clear by now, that I won't stop hurting the people that you care and love until you do this spell? I am sure it's in the grimoire, requires the blood of all my siblings- something that I have already left in your hands- just to make sure that we unlink the correct people in the midst of all this guessing and wondering."
Her breath hitched as his face shifted into the terrifying view of a hybrid's.
He quickly bit into his palm and extended it toward her. "Where do you want us?" he asked, face back to normal, gaze dead as he stared into her frightened eyes.
Speaking of bitches, Sage was currently on a mood to start asking questions. Finn saw this, and decided to lead the questioning, shaking his head at Sage.
"So, I heard you got set on fire? How did that happen?"
"Who told you I got set on fire?" Alukard wondered as Finn sat beside him in the car.
"The girl - the one that told me about you- she had no trouble mentioning that. What did you do to get such a reaction from her?" he asked. Sage looked at Finn. I'll need to ask him about that.
"I killed her best friend. A friend who was planning to hand her over to a witch cult, but since she's not aware of that little fact, her reaction is understandable but annoying either way."
Finn took a deep breath as he stared at his brother's blank eyes, but an underlining excitements only he could identify as being heavily mixed with longing. A certain expression he could say was identical to the one he wore as a child wanting to receive his mark. Now why would he be excited about this then?"...How are you alive Alukard? No vampire survives that." No matter how strong his brother was, not even as Original could he survive that.
Alukard looked at him for a second, before turning the wheel as they arrived at a gate. He stopped the car and looked at the metal gates.
"Let's just say Niklaus is not the only bastard in the family." Finn's shock made him look as his brother wide-eyed.
Alukard remained unbothered, although a shadow grew in his eyes as the gate opened. There was a clear difference in speed as the entered the grounds of what -Sage assumed- was Alukard's house or at the very least, his accommodation for the time being.
As Finn tried to recover from his shock, Sage held his hand as she looked at Alukard, wondering what other secrets could he be hiding.
So, she was still under Finn's compulsion even after she was reborn. Interesting as it ended up being useless. No such events had happened with the other Originals so it must have to do with the mystery room and the whole 'your only masters are the ones you recognize as so' lines from the book. As Alukard knew he only followed unquestionably the guidance of two men in his pagan days...his father, whom he had turned against before the vampirism spell and had placed aside as New Orleans burned...
...and Finn...his brother whom he had loved so dearly once upon a time.
Unquestionable love it may not be, but it is a love his powers still recognize he has in himself.
But was it really a love that they recognized currently, or was his lack of acceptance the only reason they did so?
"Ahh!" he yelled into the dark. Lights, matching the anger-filled fire on his eyes, starting to make their way closer to him. Never burning him, but decimating everything in their path as they moved over the vegetation.
He threw the contents of his glass into the flames, enticing them, growing them as he looked on murderously into the distance.
This power surge was draining him, but his anger blinded him to this.
I won't let this happen. I won't let Alukard fall back into his hands. Finn Mikaelson deserves to burn and If Alukard won't let me do it, then I'll make him do it himself.
He's ready to move on, but he won't be if Finn remains...
Finn could keep a charade. No hesitation No shifting eyes, no switching of looks with Sage. No indicator there was anything left to be said on the matter and...well, he called bullshit on that.
He called it that simply because no one in his right mind would forgive their brother after faking their death and leaving them in agony for a thousand years. If when he interpreted was anything to go by, Finn was someone who knew how to get what he wanted.
And that was why he called Alukard an idiot this week.
"Fuking stupid. You'd think I was the older one!" he scoffed, rolling his eyes tiredly. "Age doesn't really matter when stubbornness is a factor." he tiredly rubbed a hand over his eyes. He looked deep into the flames. "How a guy like that, kept his every chip in the game after getting rid of total mind control in the company without my help, I'll never know."
"I know that we have too much history to start over just like that. But, if you'll allow me, I can give you a goodbye gift. I can give you and Sage a start over." Alukard explained.
"What do you mean?" Sage cautiously asked, speaking the words Finn could not manage to say at the rate and speed of his current thoughts.
"I can give you two a new life. A human one. Away from here."
"Luk-"
"-I know how much this sounds like the things Esther used to make you want to throw your life away, but what I'm offering is not like what she planned to do." Alukard interrupted. "She planned to turn you to your previous human self...What I want to do is different." he assured.
"How is it different?" Sage asked wearily.
"How is that any better?" Finn scoffed. His disbelief was clear as he looked away, crossing his arms as he took a step back, away from Alukard.
"By placing the both of you into human bodies." Finn's eyes opened in shock, his eyes fixating on the dark-haired supernatural. Then anger. Alukard quickly raised a hand stopping Finn's clearly angerful words from being released. "Finn, listen. You'll never be able to move on if you followed Esther. She was going to turn you back into a human. A human that had felt the presence of magic in his body. It doesn't matter if it's from your former vampirism or from her magic, but the result is the same." he trailed off.
"...I'll end up taping into my own magic won't I?" Finn spoke, staring hatefully at the ground. "I'll become a witch." he added.
Alukard nodded "And even if you live a full life away from the supernatural..."
The was a tense silence before Finn chuckled, lip curled in distaste. "I'll end up on the other side." he completed, bitterly. He then, directed his gaze to Sage, her eyes looking fearful over him. He had lost some of his anger but turned to his brother. A sentence coursing through his mind.
Finn's mind was split. Yelling at himself on one hand, and holding a vindictive pleasure on the other. Hating what it meant, but knowing it was the truth on the other. Asking a question he knew he shouldn't.
"What will happen if I take your deal?"
Alukard internally released a sigh of relief as he heard this. It seemed like he was at least considering it. "I'll get you anything you'll need. I'll transfer you to your new bodies- human ones- then I'll get a friend to help you acclimate yourselves to humanity for a while and then you'll be free to live out your lives away from this supernatural mess." he explained.
But he turned to Sage a few seconds later. "If you do this with him, you'll have to leave everything behind. No contact with the supernatural. That is the only condition I have for me to be able to include you Sage. This deal is what I'm offering to make up for a tiny percentage of that."
Alukard saw that Finn was hesitant, so he grabbed his arm. "Let me give this to you. I failed to protect my big brother a thousand years ago and you've suffered ever since. Can you let me at least give a happy ending?" he asked with honesty deeply set in his eyes as he watched the fight of wills in Finn's mind.
The older of the two, looked at the redhead beside him. She nodded encouragingly in support. Blue eyes staring only at her lover's.
"I accept your deal...Luka," Finn, whispered.
Alukard laughed in relief. "Good. I was worried there for a second."
Finn tiredly smiled back as Sage held tight to his arm. He looked at her and something in his eyes should have given her some type of clue as to what he was about to do. She shook her head firmly in denial. Don't. Her eyes begged.
He sighed and looked down, preparing himself. All you ever wanted Finn...at the tip of your fingers...just speak.
"Alevvi is an interesting man." his words were barely a whisper, but he knew for sure both people in the room caught what he said as Sage hold in his arm tightened even further and Alukard...
Alukard's smile vanished and was replaced by the most threatening look Finn had ever seen. It transitioned towards a more confused look, but this showed just a tiny glimpse of what lies underneath his brother's facade.
"Where did you hear that name?" Alukard asked with his jaw clenched as the words were released from his lips. For the first time, Finn could see that accent Malya had been talking about. Since they had reunited, Finn thought Malya's words had been exaggerated since many of the Mikaelsons who traveled had picked up certain traits from the places they had been in...
Upon their meeting, Finn didn't not hear anything different from his dear brother.
"We just had a rather interesting conversation with him." Finn revealed
"What did he say?" Alukard asked.
Finn's eyes narrowed, biting the inside of his cheek.
"...ys where I couldn't even find my brother when he acted like that. All because of you. Because he still believed in your true brotherhood. That one day you would stand side-by-side. Unlike him, I don't have any biased delusions." His memories of you show me opposite of what he describes you as." he looked at Finn disappointed. "He says you stood beside him as your brother..."
Finn actually looked a little guilty as Alevvi said that.
Sage looked at him in suspicion. Who is this guy?
"I saw you as standing beside him as you enjoying the distraction for you to forget what was really happening around you. Every few years you and Alukard vented towards each other but instead of heeding every single warning he gave you about, every concern, every dream and desire of leaving that place...you humored him and reassured him but in the end those things didn't make the slightest difference. You didn't advise him. You didn't actually think about the things he said to you. You just placed it to the side...
Alevvi's expression tightened as his chest rose up and down as he prepared to speak the words he had internalized for over four-hundred years. "Want to know why?!" Alevvi exclaimed eyes wide as he towered over Finn.
He did not wait for Finn to answer.
"BECAUSE AFTER EVERYTHING YOU LET MY BROTHER PUT HIMSELF THROUGH, YOU GAVE AS MUCH OF A SHIT ABOUT HIM AS HIS WHORE OF AN ABUSIVE MOTHER DID!" He yelled. He then sighed as he stepped away from Finn, taking in deep breaths and raising a hand to course through his own hair.
He silently gave a hateful look to Finn. "And, in my book. I think Alukard would have been better off having you treat him as such. You weren't his brother. You just liked to have him treat you as such since in those moments your mother would then drag you back into her arms in hate for him. Yes, Alukard was dumb in his decisions...but that was why you were there wasn't it."
"How did you find that out?" Finn said, eyes silently observing Alevvi. Not in suspicion, hate or in any negative way. Just...seeing Alukard's brother. Is this what he should have done? Protected his brother?
"His guard isn't always up when he's with me and after his training. Yours are child's play in comparison." Alevvi said, pulling the dagger from its embedded place in the copper coffee table. He pointed it at Finn. "But that kind of bond, of trust." Alevvi scoffed as he looked at the Original. "The kind you constantly took advantage of."
"That's the kind of trust I had to work decades on because your 'family' caused him to believe that they would never stand beside him nor would they fight for his life just because he didn't know any better. He was terrified of losing the only person he had, and he still is to this day." he laughed dryly and shook his head. "When he comes back, say no to whatever he offers you. It will be a good deal. Whatever it is, say no. I would take pleasure on killing you bit by bit for you actions, but even then I care too damn much about my brother and know that would hurt him. So, even if he offers you humanity, eternal life or glory...Just try thinking about the man who thought about you fondly enough even after a thousand years to give you your happy fuking ending."
"You missed your chance and I won't let you ruin mine."
"Either you do that...or you'll find out how I've managed to stick around Alukard for centuries."
Finn swallowed and, as he opened his mouth to speak, he knew that the words he was about to speak would set in stone his actions.
"He. He uhm, warned me about looking over my shoulder. He appears to have known about you making some kind of offer and wanted to make sure I wouldn't break your trust." he lied...sort of.
Sage's grip diminished a bit, feeling no anxiety over his words...a completely opposite reaction as Finn's only grew in size as Alukard smiled at him...
"You may be a good liar Finn, but I know my brother...that's not him. You're here, lying to my face. Knowing that I would have still gave you what you wanted if you did whatever he wanted you to do... You still lied. You still lie to me, to my face after just finding out that I'm here...your dagger didn't change a thing between us, did it?" he asked.
"Luk-." Finn said, eyes wide as he finally identified the emotion on Alukard's face. Knowing. Alukard had seen through his deception. "How did yo-"
"I hope you survive tonight and get to live your life how you wanted to, but my offer has left the table permanently. You didn't actually think that I understood nothing from those few years by your side. Your tell, I've known it since the fourth time you lied to me. I was young. Not an idiot. Alukard said, expression guarded and tone angry as looked over the couple, disappointed. He shook his head. "...You just had to lie to me again." he whispered to himself, shaking his head as he walked back to the entrance.
"Respectfully close the door on your way YOU CAN MANAGE IT!" he yelled, throwing the door open as he walked down the stairs.
One step at a time.
Small black mark left in the way as flames swallowed him whole. Black impossible flames accompanying them as he disappeared.
A few streets away, in a newly designed mansion, was a stressed-out witch.
Brought here by her friend and very much aware of the danger of not appearing, she had been threatened, scared and overall annoyed at the hybrid that had her life in his hands...
She exhaled as she felt the anger coming though the spirits by her side. They were trying to stop her...too bad they haven't known her long enough for them to understand how useless their efforts were. Jeremy's life was on the line right now and with Kol's unpredictability, she could not risk faking it this time as she with Elena. These were old, old vampires...
Klaus Mikaelson had job needed done, and he wanted her to do it.
I'm sorry Elena, but Caroline is right in this: If we don't protect our loved one, then it's been made pretty clear that there will be no effort on your end to assist as we have for a year now.
"Phesmatos Ex Solves, Exis Paunos Animotos. Phesmatos De Conjunctos, Sua Facto Dux Male. Phesmatos Ex Solves, Exis Paunos Animotos, De Conjunctos Sua Facto. Phesmatos Devos Male." She chanted, sprinkling a thin salt circle over the mahogany table.
Etching a couple of sigils and using a thinner line of salt along with some herbs, she began placing the blood of the siblings on individual corners.
Caroline watched from the sidelines with her foot tapping away her nerves as she watched her friend. Bonnie's focus had been strangely perfect since she had arrived into the room. Muscles twitched every now and again from something the blonde wrote off as witchy stuff, but that did nothing to lessen her concern. Bonnie's spell casting always had the habit of setting off her nerves.
And the Original vampire in the next room was not a lot of fun to constantly be aware of. Even if it is Klaus. His curiosity towards her still left much to be desired in terms of answering any relevant questions.
So much for staying away from me huh? Alukard thought humorously as his vision cleared up from the light smoke from a nearby exhaust fan.
He looked at the scene, taking in the view from above as Finn and Sage entered the busy restaurant. Laughing together...how nice.
"He won't live past tonight you know that, right?" a voice asked by his side.
Alukard chuckled at that. He nodded as he retrieved a knife from his long overcoat. He lifted it to the blonde's eye level. "He's all yours." he smiled.
Alevvi didn't respond. Well, he would have if he wasn't too busy being frozen in shock as he saw the very weapon he had been trying to conceal from his brother, right in front of him.
"Where did you get that?" Alevvi tried to ask without portraying any of the unease he was currently feeling.
Alukard raised the blade and swiped his finger throughout the sharp edge. He smirked as he saw the small amount of corrosion beginning to appear as his blood made contact with the metal. "What were you thinking?" he asked instead of answering. "Maybe that I wouldn't find out? You'd just walk right in there and finish them off just like that?" he suggested as answers.
Alevvi looked away and then just as quickly he snapped his head around to glare at Alukard. It was clear that Alukard already knew. There was no reason to insult his intelligence and maybe save himself from making things worse for himself right now. "No. I never thought that you wouldn't find out. I just thought that by the time you did it would already be too late and the vampire species would be down by three-fifths by the time you caught onto it." he hissed.
"Caught onto what exactly?..." he asked, pointing the knife at Alevvi with a relaxed grip.
"My plan to kill every Mikaelson tonight and end my misery and your useless pining for good." Alevvi shrugged, placing his hands in the pockets of his jacket. His eyes, moving frantically over his brother's face betraying his mocking and unconcerned tone.
Alukard's arm dropped.
Alevvi's shaky smirk fell for good as his brother showed no reaction to his words. Fuck.
"Why did you hide it from me?"
Alevvi prepared to himself to yell out in frustration, to say the words he had finally stop holding back, to finally explain to his brother why he felt like his heart felt like it was being ripped out of his chest and into the cold... when Alukard backtracked.
"-Never mind. Stupid question. I haven't exactly been making this easy for you have I?" he said a bit ashamed of his lack of thought over his actions. Sound reasoning had somehow escaped him and he didn't know how.
Alukard sighed and nodded. "Ok. I have a solution." he revealed. He pulled Alevvi up and as he cleaned off the dust from his clothes, Alukard extended the arm with the dagger. "You go do what you gotta do. Have fun. I'll just stand right here. The gang's preparing their little attack that will most certainly fail. Have fun. I can probably work up a link to them, you'll get a decent show out of it and then if needed be, we can sort this out at Darthmoor." he smiled.
"What?" Alevvi asked. He fucking smiled. He...What the fuck?!
"You- You're just going to let me kill him? Just like that? No fighting no threats? Just- He's your brother. You said it didn't matter before. Why should this be any different?" Alevvi looked anxiously at him. He looked so lost that Alukard dropped the knife in shock.
Alevvi looked at him unsure. "Luka can we stop...I'm not finding this fun anymore. It- Playing with them was fun, but we're not- You're not really leaving right? I keep feeling lie you're leaving." he asked softly.
"Why are you asking that?" Alukard fearfully whispered, gaze locked on his brother, slowly approaching. He's scared. That brought such a tight grip over Alukard's hart that he had to swallow in order to not get closer to his brother.
This was all too familiar...He hadn't had one in centuries but the last one was just as locked in his mind as this situation will. Alevvi had come so far from being Mikahl... but Alukard knew that he fucked up. Truly fucked up, when Alevvi revealed how much he had hid emotionally from him in this terrified manner. After all this time, all of their work, both had healed...he might just have fucked it all up.
Alevvi shook his head. "I- I asked Val what to do and she says to fight even though I'm losing you, but I don't think I can anymore Alukard. Every time I manage to knock some sense into you-you keep coming back and things that matter don't matter anymore when you- Just Tell Me!" he yelled, a tear leaving his eye as he turned around while grabbing his hair, roughly letting go, facing Alukard. "I was always fucked up, but I can't let it get worse because of you Luka. I'm sorry but I can't. Too far. Too far." he furiously whispered.
His eyes filled with so much doubt, so tired suddenly, that Alukard could not help closing his eyes in disappointment. Those doubts were surely about them. Deeply seated from his own clear attachment, time after time in such a short period of time due selfish fears and desires, he had completely failed to help his own brother. The companion he had faithfully had for over five centuries.
Someone whom he had held onto himself in the midst of a desolate corpse-filled land with the desire to watch the world burn to the ground...now has returned to the unsure child who'd tagged along a mass-murderer into in unknown travels. So, so afraid, that now he's risking it all.
Losing his edge and making half-assed plans just from the terrifying feeling of waiting, hoping even after one hurtful disappointment after another.
Yup. I fucked up once again.
Someone who had chosen him for the first time... Someone who saved the world from falling into darkness just by being by his side...
And now, that someone was probably in more pain than he could ever know. And all because he was incapable of moving on. Moving on from one from something he never needed in the first place.
This will not go on. I've made my choice.
"I've carelessly thrown away half 'a millennia of us without respect for you, without respect for our blood, the same blood that united us. There is no mistaking it. I fully betrayed you and for that, I cannot expect any sort of forgiveness, only your understanding that for my actions you have every right to do as you wish. My direct and indirect actions will be punished according to you and Darthmoor. For however long it shall take. That I swear." he uttered into the noisy rooftop.
Alevvi was slightly aware of some form of commotion a street over but it was left ignored as the brothers found themselves facing something much more important. "Will you accept this gift?" A crossroad with two ends.
Alevvi looked no longer shocked, just surprised. A disbelief filled laugh broke out of his but as Alukard kneeled down in front of him, fists closed tight in an iron grip. He stopped laughing.
Alukard trembled slightly at his own actions. Instincts fighting him as he submitted himself to his brother's hands. It took everything he had to start lowering his head. Lowering every shield he had and every mask in his face...Alevvi had free-reign over his mind if he wished right now.
The darkened being closed his eyes, the fire burning brightly behind his eyelids burned...but still he remained. Waiting.
Alevvi's eyes were staring at him in horror. No-Not, no, no...NO! This was wrong. This should be happening right now- It can't be happening right now. Alukard Valerius does not give up. Alukard Mikaelson does and they-
He shook his head angrily as fiery blue flames ran through his veins, marking his face as his eyes filled with hatred. I will not let them make him weak again. They will not rip another park of him away. They will not take half of me away. He is mine.
He hissed as his veins burned away at the flesh they surrounded. My protector. "You're weak." his blue eyes glared into his form. His panic growing as his brother's knuckles whitened and began leaving trails as dark as tar on the concrete. His body remained the same...something that only fueled him to speak further. He had to. Alukard couldn't. Shouldn't. He will not become this... thing.
"You've accomplish so much that you don't want to risk losing it anymore. STOP IT! I can't handle it anymore. This is not you revealing weakness; this-s is you purposely seeking it out so you're somehow allowed to give up. Don't- Don't do that. My brother is not weak like this. My brother DOES NOT GIVE UP! GET UP!" Alevvi screamed grabbing Alukard shoulders roughly to no avail as the elder's head remained lowered.
Please Alukard...Don't, be weak, don't die on me...I beg you. His eyes were pleading but his voice was as strong as it was when he began. But he knew, it would not last forever.
"You have everything; you think there is no more to take. But there will always be something to accomplish. I don't care if you do so by destroy this wretched world with me by your side. Just be yourself while conquering it. I followed you because I saw protection an d power and I wanted to share it but if you don't want to fight anymore- the will, the hunger I ...I can't see it anymore." his shaky fingers burned off small lines in his shirt, held with a tight grip.
Alevvi laughed. A sound that neared on broken and made Alukard blink, and hesitate. "You keep switching on and off of your accent so often that I can longer tell if its just America getting to you, or the Mikaelsons. What should I do? Give up as well and return to my roots?" he asked, grabbing the back of Alukard's neck, ignoring the wet feeling dripping down the back of his hand.
"Levvy-" Alukard whispered shaking his head.
"-Should I finish what the Turks started and just kill myself? Is THAT WHAT YOU WANT?! TO END ME! I'm nothing without a purpose and you want to rob me of that too?!" he screamed, pulling away.
Alukard's tears dried up as soon as Alevvi pulled away. He moved with such speed that hadn't been seen in centuries. Grabbing Alevvi's neck and pushing him through the cement until they reached the first floor.
"Don't you ever fucking dare say that again."Alukard whispered menacingly to his ear, darkened tendrils making their way through his arms along with the burning heat of his flames mixed in. There was large pieces of concrete around them, but Alevvi kept his eyes of his brother's fiery ones.
"You. Are. Mine."He hissed. Alevvi choked and gasped, his eyes filled with pain as his skin kept regenerating burns and his veins were slowly poisoned. "Everything you are, everything you will be...are MINE! Mine to alter, mine to destroy if I so wish it."
Alevvi's bloodshot eyes kept flickering to blue, his power draining into Alukard as he kept trying to hold onto it. Still, the feeling of accomplishment, of pride and victory, overcame the fight over his life that he knew he was losing.
"Your light will die, when -and only when- I reach into yourself and sniff. It. Out. Your life was never your own to begin with and so shall it remain. Purpose or not you answer to me." Alukard was probably unaware of how tight his grip was, how his hand has shattered everything keeping Alevvi aware of the world around him, but Alevvi's lips still managed to lift up.
His eyes flickered blue for the last time as Alukard raised his hand to his eye. In his hands was his heart, blue fire dancing on it for seconds before being consumed into it.
Alukard crushed it right before his eyes with such ease, as he held on to his throat with one hand, he steadily and with a familiar cruelty in his gaze smiled as black crystallized dust sunk into his veins. In that smile was Alevvi's instant relief. "This heart was mine. As was the one before it as it will the one after."
He could only imagine what his brother must look like, he knew he would never know but he could just...feel the power, the allure, the darkness in himself, the room...everything right row, but the ultimate familiarity. That is the one thing he recognized most.
There he is.
Alukarth Maldevon Valerius
"Your life was never in your hands. I love you, my brother, but it seems like I've forgotten to remind you that you're so called freedom was never free to begin with. I apologize for the delay."
His muscles tightened in quick succession and he felt the black ridges in his vision. There were soft touches of wind on his eyelashes and he knew Alukard had probably stepped off.
"Have a little rest and think on your actions. I have a trip to plan." Was the whisper left in the wind.
Alevvi slowly passed out. At peace in his sleep for the first time since they entered Mystic Falls. Or since he walked away from Alukard that day. Fear in his heart...but a familiar warmth he had not felt in a long time came along to ease him.
"Caroline." She heard a voice call. Speak of devil and he shall answer with a hot- something that she will never utter out loud- British accent.
Why does he get to look this effortlessly hot? Like, it's not even fair. She though enviously as she saw his blonde hair enter the doorway slightly, motioning for her to follow.
She was hesitant to walk to the other room, but with a sigh she got up from her seat. She'd hear it if there was anything wrong, but felt hesitant nonetheless.
Caroline looked everywhere but at the Original sat on the couch, biting her lip as she pretended not to see him.
"I believe that I should start us off by asking what exactly are you attempting to do here, sweetheart. I'm not exactly known for my patience you see," he said, getting up and with a face that indicated just how much he doubted her intentions.
But, could she really blame him for it?
She raised a brow sarcastically nodding in agreement "You're saying it like I'm not aware of it. The .wolf" she said slowly stepping away from him. She smiled at his dubious look. Then her expression was wiped from its fake mockery and turned into a much tired version of her. "Klaus, I've had enough of Elena, the Salvatores all of it. I just want-" she yelled in pain as he pushed her into the wall.
He shook his head, "I not falling for this. You don't end this kind of bond over a few selfish decisions. Elena's your friend and you don't' seem like the type to go against that, sweetheart." he closed in on her, eyes darkening just enough for her to know how serious he was. "Tell me why, Caroline. I'll know if you're deceiving me and if I do then you can kiss your friend Bonnie goodbye the moment she finishes her little spell, so I'd be quick to act. We both know you have no shortage of loved ones – well, certainly less that your friend Elena, but I'm known to get quite creative- so you see, I'd start talking right about now, sweetheart." she dropped slightly against the wall as he pushed back before he let go of her.
Caroline bit her lip, hair hiding her teary eyes from him.
I just want to be safe.
She heard some steps coming her direction once again but she began speaking before he could get closer. "I want to get my mom out of this town. I want to stop being a hypocrite when it comes to the thing I do for Elena that I pretend it doesn't make me just as bad as you." She fiercely shook her head, placing her fingers in her temples as the first tear made its way to the floor.
"I'm doing a lot of things Klaus. But planning against you isn't one right now. If you really need it, then take this as me using you as the equivalent of life insurance for my mom." She revealed with a defeated tone in her voice. As she lifted her head, she thanked her vampirism (and waterproof makeup) for not leaving any indicators of her crying.
"Why come to me Caroline. You're a resourceful woman; I'm certain that finding your own way out of this mess would be manageable." He said, leaning against the wall on her left, staring into her eyes.
She knew he was observing her and wanting for any tells, but the shivers she got in her spine were nothing to kid about. Fear or something she would rather put aside, she didn't know what was more accurate for what she was feeling. Ignoring it, she looked straight at his darkened blue eyes. "Because, weighing down my options, you're the one less likely to fail and in my track record that's my best chance of making out of this town alive." She said bitterly.
He smiled sadly at her. "I'm sorry sweetheart. I just don't believe you. I know what Elena means to you and betrayal is not in your blood, or character. Light is where your heart is."
She angrily pushed off the door, back to him as she paced. "Then what the hell am I supposed to do to convince you. Honesty clearly doesn't work with you and your paranoia will never allow you to stop doubting me reason so the only way- " she stopped dead in her tracks against the wooden flooring.
"No." Klaus heard her whisper to herself.
"Caroline-" Klaus began asking, but the moment she turned around he stopped. There was fear written all over her face, but her eyes were filled with determination, he could see that she was bracing herself for something. He was unaware of what it was but found himself curiously watching as she sped off somewhere, he heard her in the kitchen, but she returned moments later so he saw no reason to follow.
In her hands, an empty glass.
His eyes glowed briefly as he scented her blood dripping into the cup, the veins in her face making up a glorious view he knew would be engraved deep into his mind for him to paint later. His monstrous visage and her glorious one were gone just as soon as they appeared, but his nose flared a few times during these seconds as she approached with it at hand.
"Drink this." She ordered.
His eyes widened. What? Does she even know what she's asking? "Caroline, I don't belie-" he began.
She pushed the glass into his chest and glared. "Drink. I'll explain after." she insisted.
He sighed. He grabbed the glass from her hands. Well, better enjoy the opportunity why I have it. It's not very likely such events will take place in the near future. He threw back the glass, savoring each delectable drop of her blood, fangs pushing out in desire as his heavy eyes looked straight at the source. It was an understatement to say that he was filled with anything else other than deep desire in this moment.
She hesitated, but smiled thinly as she watched; internally flushing at how much she totally didn't want to jump his pants as she watched him drink her blood like he tasted a fine wine. "As, as you can probably, uhm, tell, my blood is vervain free. Which, with your freaky Original powers, means you can probably compel me. So. That is my answer to both of our problems. I can prove my sincerity and you can rest your paranoid self over this."
He gave her a fanged smirk at her words but then he placed the glass on the table and sighed. "You're truly desperate, aren't you?" he said, walking slowly.
Caroline took in a deep breath. Ok, Caroline. You can do this. You chose it this time. Breathe.
The she snapped her head up, a thought coming to her quickly. "Oh, and Klaus...I'm not the only one.
Elena smiled in relief as she ran to the Grill's main entrance. It was over. Klaus and all of his siblings were dead. Finally.
She was smiling widely as she opened the door, leaving Matt behind. Their job was done. The burning corpse in the back confirmed it.
...but why wasn't he smiling, or looking happier at the whole thing?
That was one question Elena should have asked before leaving Matt alone those few minutes. As it so happens, the human left almost immediately after her, only with one unnoticed characteristic that should have raised a few flags.
Because Matt Donovan wasn't relieved. He was not happy with what he had just done. Quite the opposite really. He was angry. He was angry because he had just now understood what his path by Elena's side had led to...
Deep in his heart he knew it to be true...He had just ended countless lives. One could name it collateral damage, but it didn't matter now. Matt was ready. Ready to go against everything he knew he would have fought for before...he was throwing his last in before he breaks...himself or someone else.
At least that was what he told himself as he carried out the bag filled with the most powerful weapons against an Original. The white oak stakes that he was about to hand over in hopes of making it out of this town alive.
Grabbing his phone he quickly sent out a text as he entered his car, throwing the bag on the seat beside him.
He didn't speed up, he didn't rush, and he calmly drove to what will probably be his last day on earth. But he drove with no purpose other than his own. Oddly enough, something he would definitely miss not getting the chance to more.
She slowly exhaled, hands now resting on her knees. "It's done." Bonnie begrudgingly stated, raising her head to look at the Original.
"Well done, little witch." Klaus smirked, clapping his hands and he approached. "I'm sure it is now the time for us to discuss payment, then?" he suggested, taking a seat in front of her, eyebrow raised.
She opened her mouth, about to speak, when she stopped and looked around. "Where's Caroline?" she asked wearily.
Klaus' smirk dropped for a few seconds before it was once again placed on his threatening form, but Bonnie could not help but notice how his eyes had softened the tiniest amount before any emotion was locked tight once again.
"Caroline has just spoken to me about a few unfortunate details of our previous meeting. It is nothing of consequence, she just needs a few seconds to herself, then she will joins us." Klaus said, placing her hands on the table. "Now," he looked at her "Shall we talk business?"
Elena huffed in frustration. Panic starting to settle in as she quickly fastened her seatbelt. "Do you think they took him?" she asked, biting her lip as Stefan sped through the streets.
"Probably." Stefan said, annoyance filling his tone as he roughly turned the wheel to the left. Elena held tight to her seat. She pulled out her phone. "I'm texting Alaric, maybe he knows something."
He shook his head, "Don't bother." he said, shifting gears. "We don't have enough time. The moment Klaus gets the stakes - if he hasn't yet- it's game over. I'm worried too, but we can't take any risks with Damon's life right now, Elena." he finished stepping on the gas once again.
She nodded, placing her phone down. Matt's fine. He probably just went home. I said for him to call me tonight. He will do it and then I can ask him why he left. Yes. That's what I'll do.
They passed the hallways, until Bonnie gasped in shock. "Oh, god!" Caroline took a step back. Instinct momentarily running her body as she was faced with a surprising sight.
There, in the center of the room, was Damon Salvatore pulled up like a bloody fish on a hook...or several of them.
"Oh. Leaving so soon girls?" Rebekah's satisfied tone was heard throw the echo of the room, coming out as she wiped her hands.
She smiled pleasantly at the girls, but neither of the two observers could deny the hungry look in the Mikaelson's eyes even if it was lightened just for now.
"Caroline." Damon croaked. Rebekah looked on with a smirk, Bonnie identifying the substance covering her hands as blood. The witch grabbed Caroline's arm, doing her very best to ignore Klaus' amused chuckle by her ear.
The blonde took a few moments, trying to ignore him but ended up taking an unsure step into the room. A hand grabbed her and pulled her back. She looked to the side and saw Bonnie's head shaking side to side.
"Don't Caroline. Don't let him." Bonnie whispered as she pulled the blonde. Ignoring the quizzical looks coming from the ancient vampires by their side. The young vampire just nodded a bit shakily with her eyes closed.
Rebekah's eyes moved from one girl to the other, eyes narrowing the slightest by. Her instincts were near-perfection and she was very proud of that fact, so, when she notices these actions, her mental warning signs began flashing and the information was stored for further research. This seems like something that may come handy if blackmail is needed.
Caroline nodded in response after a few seconds of silence. From her deal with Klaus to be faced with her old tormentor was a lot, even for her right now, so she freely let Bonnie lead her away from the dark-haired Salvatore. Her hands, white as she gripped her bag.
Klaus, motioned to the opened door. "You'll have to excuse us for the mess; Damon didn't seem to be too truthful when it came to my sister. She's just settling a little score so don't bother yourself with this. After all, didn't this very same Salvatore turn your mother into a vampire Bonnie?" he tried convincing, seeing Bonnie's comforting as their hesitation.
"Bonnie." Damon croaked out once again, clearly his last efforts as he begged for help from the witch.
Bonnie did not even turn away from Caroline as she moved her to the door. Maybe a little pain will due him well. A vindictive voice whispered from the back of her mind.
Might teach him a lesson.
Well, here we have it. Another chapter.
JesiLea: Well, thank you first off all, second, I feel relieved that Klaus didn't feel lost and I guess we'll see. P.S. …yeah, it's kinda too late now, but thanks for response. I now am the proud holder of a Deathly Hallows symbol on my wrist. J
Guest: Well, I'm glad you've decided to read this. Just a heads up, I'm still in school, so updates will be pretty spaced out. Just a warning.
Hope you enjoyed it. It may not satisfy some readers, but I'm in my 12th year of school and with a specialized arts course and exams this year, and college/university plans, My time is left falling short when it comes to inspiration for this story and I just want to put out my best content (even if it's just in small quantities at a time.) so I'm sorry if the long updates annoy you, but that's just how it'll be.
I know I don't get complaints, but I feel guilty when I see people enjoying this story and making them wait for so long.
Ok. I'm done. Weell...have a nice day and ...bye.