Before Esther or Freya could comprehend what was happening, Elexis had thrown her hands up in the air. She shouted, "fulgur", and Freya screamed, as Esther's eyes widened.

No sooner than these words left Elexis' mouth, two bolts of lightning struck her hands and through her chest, a single beam reached Esther. In the next few seconds, Esther had turned to ash.

Elexis fell to the ground and Freya scrambled towards her. The younger woman's body was charred, from the waist up. She was not breathing.

In a flash, the Original siblings and Hayley were next to them. Klaus let out a scream as he fell next to Elexis, afraid of touching her damaged body.

Elijah and Rebekah had tears in their eyes. Freya hugged Klaus, in an attempt to comfort him, who was unaware of his surroundings. The other members of the pack also came rushing, only to recoil and move slowly into the clearing as the smell of the burnt flesh invaded their nostrils.

Stiles took one look at his sister's body and buried himself in Derek's chest, sobbing relentlessly. Derek, Erica and Lydia comforted him instantly. Noah could not move and Peter and Chris had to support his weight to ensure that he remained standing.

Freya scrambled and took out the paper before handing it to Isaac, who gave it to Cora and asked her to read it out.

Cora began,

"Hey y'all

If you're reading this, it means I am dead, and so is Esther, hopefully.

Do not blame yourselves, any of you. This is the sacrifice Nemeton demanded.

This is my destiny. If my death is what it takes to protect the land and the pack's power, then so be it.

All I ask of you, is to remember me fondly.

Take the pack to New Orleans.

Have an Irish wake at Rousseau's. Dance your asses off and drink all you can.

Freya, and Keelin, live your lives. There is so much more to it than just saving your younger siblings.

Elijah, chase your happiness. And keep Klaus in check, will you?

Hayley, take care of Hope, and yourself. Do not let the munchkin forget how much I loved her.

Kol and Davina, go see the world. The two of you deserve it.

Vincent, take care of my city, and of the charity.

Rebekah, stop pushing Marcel away. He needs you now more than ever.

Dad, I am so sorry. I am so so sorry. But this is how it had to be. Just promise me that you'll lay it off on the alcohol.

Miracle, you're destined for big things. Do not limit yourselves.

Melissa, I love you so much. Take care of the Stilinski men for me.

Hales, protect the town. It is our legacy, and you must fulfill it.

Marcel, I owe you my life. I owe you everything. You have been the only constant in my life when everything else fell apart. I am so sorry that you have to see me like this. You are the best thing that ever happened to me, and everything that has gone well in my life has been because of you. Thank you.

Klaus, your anger is justifiable. Do not let it consume me. Do not turn it off. You have to stay strong for Hope, for both of us. I am not dead, do not worry. I will always be within you, and unlike the many souls you may have forgotten in the long march of time, I am certain that you will carry me with you, always and forever. I love you. You gave me everything I had only dreamt of, and more. For this, I am indebted to you. Take care of yourself.

Love,

Elexis."

Tears were evident on many faces, when Hope came running through the forest, Keelin hot on her heels.

Hope ignored Elexis' body and addressed the group at large, "Which one of you is the banshee?"

Everyone looked at her weirdly when she repeated the question with more urgency.

When Hayley asked her why she wanted to know, Hope said, "We can bring aunt Elexis back, mom! I know how! I just need to know where the banshee is, fast."

Klaus looked at her sharply and then to Lydia, before sitting in front of Hope, "Hope, that is the banshee", he pointed at Lydia, "Now, why don't you tell me how we can bring her back?"

"The banshee needs to scream for her. She can channel one of you, who has a strong connection to aunty Lexi."

Klaus nodded and looked at Lydia with expectant eyes.

"Hold up, how do we know this will work?", asked Allison.

"Hope is never wrong about things like this", said Hayley, through gritted teeth.

"And besides, the only way to know is to test it. So I suggest we be quick.", said Elijah.

Stiles turned and looked at Lydia pleadingly, who agreed instantly.

"So which one of you has the strongest connection to her?", Lydia asked, holding her hands out.

Noah, Stiles, and everybody from New Orleans moved forward, when Marcel cleared his throat and blinked back his tears before saying, "I am sure that you all mean a lot to Elexis and vice-versa, but I don't think we get multiple shots at this. We need to do this in one go. As much as you all love her, none of you know her like I do. For over a decade now, I have been the only one she has trusted blindly. She loved you," he gestured to Noah and Stiles, "but in more than one way I was her only family for a long time, just like she has been for me. You," he motioned to the Originals, "she has been an honorary Mikaelson, sure, but you have known her for far less time. Klaus, I am not undermining your love for her, but you need to see that I am the best choice. Please let me save Lexi".

Klaus looked up with tears in his eyes and nodded fervently. Marcel nodded in thanks before moving to stand in front of Lydia, who took his hands in her own and took a few deep breaths before screaming Elexis' name with all her strength.

After she had screamed twice to no avail, the hope started fading from everybody's eyes but Hope asked Lydia to keep going.

The third time was the charm.