Interludes: Flashes

Silas was aware. Seconds passed; minutes passed; and hours passed. Silas could feel them. He could feel his throat grow dry, the thirst for blood growing stronger and his psyche chipping and breaking with each passing day.

But he held on to his sanity.

Love would prevail through this entire mess and he would be with his beloved.

When the first came Silas had been close to insanity. He spent every passing second contemplating how he would get out. But he was beginning to lose hope. That was when he heard the first call. The mind of a witch, he felt. Radiating with swirls of confusion and curiosity.

Silas latched on to the piece of sanity. Read the mind so thoroughly that had he not been proficient in the mind arts he might have been lost in the witch's life. More time had passed than he knew. Two hundred years. Silas learnt that a war amongst witches had torn through the world. Gypsies against other covens who used a queer magic they had dubbed Expression. Much of a relief though it was to regain sanity, to know what was happening on the outside world, there was still the hunger.

Find me, he shouted in a mental command and he could see the swirls of thought react. The witch had become fervent. Searching the caverns. Leaving when she grew hungry only to return when she was done. Silas watched as she built her cabin in the woods so that she might be better able to serve her hunt for him.

There has to be a spell around this place, he heard thought from the witch whose name he still hadn't learnt. I've searched for more than twenty-five years and I have yet to find you.

Silas was caught by a brief amount of surprise. Twenty-five years had passed? He pushed that thought aside. He needed to blood more than anything. He needed blood. He needed blood. This thought became a frequent as the witch continued to come into the cave and searching for him.

I need blood, he thought. I need blood. I need blood. Give me blood.

Three years passed, the woman grew older and Silas could feel that she would not be long for this world. He would be alone again. He would surely loose his sanity this time because he wouldn't have a mind to latch on to.

Find another, Silas order. Find another that will take your place when you die.

The woman acquiesced and Silas was left in silence, fighting to remain sane.

Another mind came. Not the woman, but a witch nonetheless. There was curiosity in it. Silas read her mind and found that she had heard from her mentor of this island, of an immortal who knew magic that had been thought lost.

This one was special. She had in her power that should have been lost. She could grasp the spells Silas taught her, twisting them and forming her own. Silas was happy for some time, teaching her and learning in kind from her. But this had to end, he knew. Nature was a force to be reckoned with and he was an abomination in its eyes.

The man was a hunter. A descendant he called himself. Born to kill the Immortal Silas. He and Silas' witch fought, using power that broke the land and set it adrift, moving it away from those who could stumble on it. Silas was angry. This witch would die and he would be alone again.

But the witch hadn't died. She had survived. Informed Silas that even on the Other Side he would help and that was when it truly began, a new form of magic Silas thought he would never see.

The witch called people, using her affinity for water to shape the tides, calling ships towards the island. People came, the weather stopping them from moving away and in those times after many years Silas first began tasting the sweet nectar that was blood. The witch drew out a spell, fuelled it with certain patterns drawn of the very caverns that kept Silas prisoner. So long as blood fell on the cave floor it would make its way to his tomb and feed him.

Silas was sated. The blood was just enough that he could stay sane, planning of the steps he would take when he got out and learning from those that would die, the progress of the world. His witch again began growing old, growing more powerful. Thirty years must have passed before the Descendant of the First made her way on the island. She fought the witch and came out all the better for it. She won and went into the cavern, moving through it only to find Silas without even trying.

"As my father failed I will succeed," she said. "I will kill you Silas for the torment you caused my ancestor Qetsiyah."

The witch started a spell, but Silas twisted her, tried to make her mind his own only to fail. It had been a while since he'd fed and his power was waning. But plans had been made. Even from the Other Side she said she would protect him and even on the Other Side she did. There was a loud bang and a flash of light, and when it faded the descendant of Qetsiyah was on the floor coughing and looking pale. She was cursed and she knew it. She would not be long on this side. Silas saw the ideas form and he tried to stop only for the woman to fight back.

"They will find you and they will kill you, my Hunters," the woman said. She stood on shaky legs. "They will be stronger than you. Immune to your tricks. You will die, Silas, and the world will be better for it."

She began shambling off and away from the island.

Silas was alone again.

Years passed. People would still come but they weren't witches. Silas didn't kill them. He only made them see visions of what they most wanted. This would ensure they returned and they did. Word spread and people went out of their way to find them. Unfortunately they were never witches. Witches just couldn't find him.

But he didn't need a witch it seemed because he came. A man who had searched long and hard for an answer. A man who knew about magic, who knew witches, a man who had access to secrets Silas found interesting.

Atticus Shane would be his salvation. He began pushing in the thoughts and illusions to make sure the man worked for him.

The man left and Silas knew that it was only a matter of time before he was free.

That time came. Vampires and witches and wizards and hybrids and hunters. Silas was happy. His plans were coming into play. A witch. A descendant of Qetsiyah fuelled by the power of Expression. She would do the spell. She would be able to unravel the magic that kept him hidden. She did this, but unfortunately so began the fighting.

Hunters had follow Atticus and his wife, who had somehow returned back to life. Silas read her thoughts and found it was because of a witch, no wizard, who called himself Harry Potter. They entered the caverns and followed innate magic to find him. Silas had to wake up before the found him, which was why when Caitlin found him he had her quickly curse the hunter that had been their companion and drank his blood. The spell that had confined him to his tomb broke and Silas could move, he quickly moved to the blonde vampire and drank her blood as well, making her still so she wouldn't fight.

But as he drank Harry Potter found them and with one curse Silas knew he was a threat. His magic was different. Spells were so powerful that they hissed as the passed through the air; he didn't need to move to get from place to place; and he could kill completely with two words.

Silas would have to watch for him. He couldn't be mortal yet. He first had to deal with Harry Potter.

Run, he told Caitlin. Hide. I'll find you.

She didn't have to be told twice. She ran with her husband in tow. Harry Potter followed.

Silas dispatched of the body and started making his way through the maze to taste his first breath of air in a long time. But he was stopped by two stray vampires looking for their friends.

"What?" started the man so identical to him only to stop midsentence.

"Doppelganger," said Silas and liking the sound of his voice. It was deep and carefree as though he had just had a lozenge—on a tangent he made sure to have one of those to see how they tasted—and enough to weaken the knees of any woman and the right kind of men. At least that's how he heard it. "I suppose balance had to be kept. Life and death and what have you." Silas smiled. "You know you're lucky…" he read, "Stefan Salvatore. With looks like yours you must be getting all the girls."

Silas read and frowned.

"Brooder," he muttered. "Perhaps you aren't much like me, then." He continued reading. "But then again you might. Twice falling in love with the woman I was supposed to spend forever with and twice the universe making so you didn't." Silas sighed. "I pity you my doppelganger. Unfortunately though I need to be you for a few hours." He turned to the other, Lee his name was. "Start digging," he ordered and the man did as told post-haste. "When you get out of here run. Qetsiyah has taken an interest in you. No good can come from that with the way you look. She will use you only so far as she can get revenge from me."

The hole was done and Stefan walked in of his own volition. Lee began burying him in and flattened the dirt.

"Let's go," said Silas. "I want to meet this Harry Potter and see if I can turn him to my side."

Lee followed and it wasn't too long that Silas was acting as Stefan would.

"Are you okay?" asked Mark and Stanley sighed. Much as he liked that his boyfriend was protective over him, even though he had more power than him, there were only so many time he could hear the question.

"I'm fine," he said sharper than he had meant. Mark, luckily, thought nothing of it, but it didn't help Stanley feel any less guilty. "Sorry," he said.

"It's fine," said Mark. "As long as you're okay. I'm fine too," there was guilt as he said this and Stanley tried to think it through.

"Crap. No," he said, shaking his head. "No, babe, you're not allowed to feel guilty. Both of us weren't working of our own volition for most of this. If anyone should feel guilty it's me. I should have known that his voice was cursed."

Mark too shook his head. "Don't feel guilty," said Mark. "I followed. I was too eager to kill Silas that I didn't think, didn't plan."

Stanley sighed, smiling a little. "This is stupid. Us taking blame from the other only for the other to try the same tactic. What happened, happened. Let's learn from it."

"Learn what? That the witches we fought were nothing and that there are other who can call bloody tornadoes and lightning storms?"

"That's a start," said Stanley. "At least now we're better prepared. We have protection."

"From the same guy who was Compelling you," said Mark.

Stanley shook his head. "It wasn't Compulsion," he said. "It was more him forcing me into a state of happiness and making me submissive. As long as I was happy I didn't mind doing what he said. But when I was unhappy I could feel that if I fought hard enough I would be able to break through and be myself."

"Sounds a lot like Compulsion to me," said Mark.

"I can't in all honesty expect you understand," said Stanley. "The magic behind it was beautiful. But it was dark as well. I cast it once and it didn't work, but I felt the need to cast it again and again."

"Scary," said Mark. "Why do you think it didn't work on me?"

Stanley shrugged. "Maybe because you couldn't be happy with me cursed, or it's—"

"Mark," Galen interrupted from the other side of the field. "Your turn."

Mark sighed. "I can't wait until this is done," he said. He gave Stanley a peck on the cheek. "Rest," he said. "No more spells until you have a good meal."

"Just one more? I need to do something."

"Only one," said Mark looking serious. "I don't want you passing out. I still don't trust your vampire protector."

"Love you."

"Love you too," said Mark with a bright grin. He walked away and passed the threshold of the charm to ward off attention. Stanley closed his eyes and a figure appeared, on the pale side with dirty blond hair.

'I know we've been broken up for about a year, but I don't like seeing you with another guy,' he said.

'Then you shouldn't be stalking me,' said Stanley. 'That's only romantic in books.'

'I know,' he said. 'But you haven't called in a while. I got worried.'

'It's been a rough couple of days. But get this. We found Silas and he looks exactly like that doppelganger you were supposed to be watching.'

'Right, that,' he sighed. 'A witch stole him.'

'What?'

'A witch stole him.'

'Which witch? How? When?'

'Long story. But whoever this witch is, she's powerful. I tried Locating her but I'm sure I wouldn't be able to find her if she was right in front of me.'

'You?' Stanley asked in mock aghast. 'Luke Parker? Aren't you the self-acclaimed, best locator in the world?'

'Shut up,' said Luke. 'That's a real sore sport right now. My tracking has become somewhat redundant with the many people that know Cloaking Spells. I can't even find you.'

'Right. That. We need to meet up,' said Stanley. 'Something big is in the process of happening and I'm sure I'll need help if I'm going to spearhead it.'

'I'm not doing anything.'

'No, it needs to be the three of you. This might tie into the Traveller's plans,' said Stanley.

'Where do you need us?'

'Mystic Falls.'

"Babe." Stanley opened his eyes. "Your eyes went white again."

"I'm fine," said Stanley.

Mark smiled. "The boat's done. We're only now waiting for this Lexi lady. Both Lee and Stefan say they won't leave unless we find her."

"What about Alexander? What will happened to him?"

"That Harry guy has a cell under his house where he can be kept," said Mark. "Galen says it's cool the magic in the place. Very Disney-esque in some ways."

Five vampires, Lexi, Lee, Stefan, Damon and Elena, and two witches, Bonnie and Stanley. But there was also Connor to be worried about. It was like the man could read him. The former hunter knew what Galen was planning and he was keeping a firm eye on him, and with Stefan able to see Connor as well. Galen made sure not to act.

"You look tense," Mark said in a low voice, for how genial the man usually was, that could change in an instance. This was one such instance. Both Conner and Mark looked with guarded eyes at the doe made of fire that bared their way, both anxious as, for a moment, the felt its cold gaze. The others could protect themselves, using spells and their supernatural speeds, but the same could not be said the two of them.

"Harry and fire are two things you don't want to go up against," said Galen.

"You never told me how you knew this guys," the pale hunter said.

"I met him through Connor," Galen started.

"The hunter who died?"

Galen nodded. "He told me he was in contact with a powerful witch who could see ghosts and teleport. At first I thought he was crazy. But we were on a case in New Orleans."

"The horde?"

"Heard about it too?" Galen asked. "We thought we'd finish the mark faster if we took it down. Connor sent Alexander when he was still a ghost to fetch Harry, and not too long after this English guy appears and takes me down with a quick spell."

"Took you down? I thought you prepared for everything."

"Everything within reason, yes," said Galen. "He was an anomaly back then. He used a wand, he intercepted weapons and you can't even shoot him without some of his shields just going off on their own."

"He's unbeatable then?" Mark asked.

"He's beatable," said Galen, but then he noticed that Connor was looking his way. He was out of hearing range though so Galen continued. "Earn his trust, get close and slit his throat. It's the only way to kill without getting killed by that green spell of his."

"Noted," said Mark and the man looked forward towards his boyfriend. Stanley and Bonnie were conversing in hushed tones, most probably trying to figure out some sort of counter spell to the fire.

"You thinking of killing him?" Galen asked his voice softer.

Mark gave a grim nod. "I don't think Stanley's noticed it but I think he might be under that thing, the one where he identifies with his capturer?"

"Stockholm syndrome?"

Mark nodded. "He says the spell he was under was beautiful, now he's going to Mystic Falls. I mean, I'd follow him to the end of the world if that were possible, but I'd like to follow him and not some wizard I don't trust."

They stood in silence for a few moments. Stanley and Bonnie started reciting a spell in unison. Something slammed into the fire, an unseen force but the fire only grew fiercer. Erupted and drawing a large fiery wall that bared their path. But it didn't attack. The giant doe continued to look at them with those cold eyes.

Bonnie let out a tired breath. Galen guessed that she might still have been tired from the power show that had broken the island.

"I'm not good with this kind of magic," she said. "The last Binding I tried didn't work out so well."

Stanley sighed and looked at Stefan. "Can't we just call Harry here?" he asked. "He can tell us how to break this damn thing."

"Harry's dealing with important things right now," said Connor. "You'll have to figure this one out on your own."

"Really?" asked Stefan to which Connor gave a nod. "He's busy," he said to the group.

"Of course he is," Damon muttered. "Another mess he's left us in."

"I think I might be starting to get my emotions back," said Elena. "Because I'm starting to feel a little hate at the pit of my stomach." Hopeful looks appeared on both Damon and Stefan. Elena only looked deadpanned. "I was only joking."

"Of course you were," Damon muttered so low that Galen almost didn't hear it. Elena smirked. Then she glared at Stanley and Bonnie.

"You two. I'm starting to get a little peckish. Better hurry before my baser impulses starting getting the better of me."

Mark's hand dropped to a pocket. Galen quickly stopped him. "Don't," he said. "She won't do anything."

Elena appeared in front of Galen wearing a smirk. "You want to bet, Hunter?" she asked but before Galen could answer the woman dropped on the ground, a pained expression radiating from her. Mark was smirking.

"Humanity or not," said Stanley. "You try and even scare the hunters, I'll make sure you land on the Other Side."

"I think it would be best if Elena was bound," said Lexi. "Right now she's too unstable."

Damon, Stefan and Bonnie said nothing.

"I know a spell but it's nothing on the long-term," said Stanley.

"Try Petrificus Totalus," said Lexi. "I've heard Harry use it a few times."

Stanley nodded and said, "Petrificus Totalus." Nothing happened.

"Petrificus Totalus," said Bonnie; Elena's body went straight and stiff, her arms and legs coming together.

Stanley looked a little miffed that the spell hadn't worked for him.

"Harry's spells depend a lot on intent," said Bonnie. "You can't just know a spell you have to be sure of its effect."

"If that's so then what could have been the intent behind this spell?" Stanley asked as he looked back at the fire.

"He was angry," said Lexi. "Caitlin killed Jeremy and Caroline. He didn't want them to escape."

"But magic has a degree of sentience," said Bonnie. "If he made this to keep them out then why is it doing the same with us?"

"Silas can read and control minds," said Lexi. "Maybe he's here."

There was an uncomfortable look around but Galen shook his head. "Hunters are protected against intrusions on the mind. We'd know it if two Stefan's were here."

"Except if that isn't Stefan," said Mark.

"One, five, two. Say it," said Connor.

"One, five, two," said Stefan.

"That's the real Stefan," said Galen.

"Then maybe Silas has left something in our minds," said Lee. "A way to ensure that if we broke this spell one of us would run back and tell him and his witch how to break through."

"Makes sense," said Mark. "Which makes it that much harder for us to get out."

"There has to be another way through this," said Lexi. "There has to be something in that it hasn't attacked us."

"If there's anyone who figure this out it's her," said Connor and Stefan was quick to retell.

Galen looked and thought. There had to be something in that it hadn't attacked, he thought. He didn't know the wizard much but what he knew was that Harry would die for those who worked for him. The man had teleported in front of him and had his neck snapped and thought nothing off it. Even when Galen had gone against him Harry hadn't raised his wand against him. Hadn't shot that killing curse at him.

This shield. It didn't attack when it could. It only postured. Making a show of making itself known as a threat. An idea hit and Galen found himself striding forward, not paying attention to the looks of confusion. The firewall got hotter the closer he walked, but the large doe didn't try to stop him, only stared at him with what he was starting to think was a warmer gaze.

He didn't stop even though he was starting to sweat. He took one last breath then stepped through the wall. It tickled as he passed but within moments he was on the other side letting out a relieved chuckle.

"That worked," said a voice with an amount of surprise.

Qetsiyah shivered as she felt something. Her eyes opened and she pulled her hands away from the man's temple. Benjamin looked drained, and as much as she pitied him his visage was enough to shove those feeling aside.

"Sleep," she said and the man's head lolled. She walked out of the circle she had drawn with brambles and opened her door. No less than seventeen people were outside standing in a wide circle chanting a low chant. "Travellers," she said.

"Qetsiyah," said one of them. A woman, not Sloan who had taken Stefan's blood but another, a short woman with black hair. "For the crimes you have committed against our—" She fell to the ground as Qetsiyah flicked her hand.

"I wouldn't expect her to be waking up anytime soon," said Qetsiyah and she walked further out. "I warn you now," she said. "I am the creator of the cursed knives that can kill Travellers. Do you think you could go against me and win?"

The Travellers didn't react, only continued to recite their incantation. Qetsiyah didn't pay it any attention. Whatever they could do she could strip fairly quickly and her spells were much more powerful than any of theirs.

Three more Travellers walked from the forestry and Qetsiyah tensed, a spell already in mind and prepared to be cast. They carried with them three other people, knives at the throats; they cut and the blood spilled. Qetsiyah started a spell but was stopped when a man appeared.

"Hello grandmother," he said.

"Markos," said Qetsiyah.

Markos wore a broad grin. "Long time no see since you've moved on to the land of the living," he said then flickered.

"What do you want?" asked Qetsiyah. "I'm busy."

"I have a favour to ask of you," he said. "As my grandmother I thought you'd acquiesce." Qetsiyah rose a brow in interest and Markos continued, "I have plans in motion that involve Silas. I want him alive."

Qetsiyah was quick to shake her head. "Silas dies. He's lived too long as it stands."

"Yes, and he will die. But with the way I'm planning. It will be a whole lot more permanent."

"I'm listening," said Qetsiyah.