Chapter 60
She was getting restless and could feel it in her bones that the confrontation was coming. Magic was a peculiar thing, offering the world and demanding more from you than one thought possible. Witches were taught how to use magic, to tap into it no matter the breed of the witch. Yet magic was not something that you could simply know. It was both sentient and a tool to be used. This was true for Dark magic especially.
Tapping into such magics brought Dahlia more power than she thought imaginable. The cost of using such magic, to keep it in her control… Dahlia understood she no longer was the girl she once claimed to be. Even dark magic had its limits, forcing Dahlia to sleep her life away in order to ensure she outlived her natural life. It was the cost to ensure she kept her promise to Esther Mikaelson.
The firstborn of every generation in exchange for her sister's ability to have children. Esther took her gift and birthed not just one child but seven. When she had been on her third child, Dahlia's dark magic grew restless urging her to collect her payment. She had chosen not to but not before forcing her sister to acknowledge the level of payment owed for her gift. The real reason she had agreed to change her children so drastically. Not to save them from wolves but to keep Dahlia from collecting what was owed to her.
"You feel it don't you?" A wizened voice echoed around Dahlia. Forcing the witch to return to the present.
Dahlia looked towards Josephine, the eldest of the New Orleans witches. Their chosen leader had agreed to allow Dahlia to borrow their coven in exchange for getting rid of the Mikaelsons for good. All Dahlia cared about was ensuring she collected the newest addition to her family.
Firstborn witches always held a special power, something Dahlia coveted for herself. She had made mistakes with Freya.
A mistake she wished to avoid this time; perhaps she would lure Freya back on her side. Dahlia looked toward the growing number of witches. This twisted coven seemed to grow by the hour despite the limitations the vampires had pushed onto them. They were whispering in hushed voices amongst themselves.
Her eyes narrowed when a familiar blonde male came into view. The bastard was still alive, not all that surprising but disappointing nonetheless. "What is he doing here?" Dahlia found herself asking with a snarl towards the nearest New Orleans elder.
The witches turned towards Dahlia, one brave witch answered, "Awakening Mikael will blindside the Mikaelsons. Distract them with a family member they have a greater dislike and history of than you."
Dahlia's face twisted into a snarl as Mikael's gaze settled on her. "Dahlia, still alive I see." Mikael eyed her with a frown. Turning towards the witches he said, "You never said my wife's sister was a part of this."
Josephine, the leader, shook her head. "If you want to stand a chance against the Mikaelsons then you need to work together. Mikael, you need them to be worried about Dahlia and you," Her stare turning onto Dahlia now, "You need them to be focused on Mikael. Or have you forgotten they're prepared for you?"
The two looked at each other with distaste, "Don't get in my way,Viking."
"Stay out of mine,witch."
Josephine looked towards her flock, "It's time."
"Are you sure?" One of the younger elders asked.
Mikael looked on, "You heard the old bat. Start your silly magic spells."
Dahlia scoffed, "Those silly magic spells have kept you alive for a thousand years. You dare look down upon the gift that's given you life?"
"I'm alive to undo my family's creations, nothing more. I care not to stay in this world longer than that." Mikael looked around at their surroundings noting that they were in a cemetery. The Viking looked around as at least a dozen witches stood in a circle, surrounded by candles.
"Begin!" Josephine called out. Mikael watched warily as he noted just how many witches there were. His original count was wrong. Watching as they began to move in a circle, their movements calculated and precise, he felt his hackles raise as he fought the urge to drink from them.
Damn Esther. She had turned the entire family into monsters. What was worse, the very son he always saw as the weakest link wasn't even his. When Esther's betrayal had come to light it gave Mikael some relief. The reason he could never bond with Niklaus hadn't been his fault, his wife had hidden her infidelity from him.
He had sensed something was off from the start. Esther, however, was just like the ridiculous village she had been born in. At first, he had thought it would have been a boon, a woman capable of magic but not as twisted up in it like her harpy of a sister. It had been a shock finding out that one of his sons inherited his mother's gift and not Rebekah.
"Mikael?" The elder witch, Josephine called his name. The distaste for him was clear on her face and was incredibly mutual. Mikael looked at her with disdain. "Yes, witch?"
"The boundary spell has worked; your children will be unable to run this time. Dahlia, remember the spell is only active for twenty-four hours." The witch explained. "We will have the daylight rings for the New Orleans vampires turned off in another hour. As long as it's daylight you will only have to contend with your children and wolves. As long as the circle is in place."
Mikael and Dahlia grinned. The game was on.
XXX
Enzo watched as the two young witches in his charge checked the wards of the temporary safe house, for the thousandth time. Located several miles outside of the city proper, it was a property only recently purchased so few knew of its existence. They were to stay here until one of the few people keyed into the property announced themselves. Despite his desire to fight, Enzo knew it was best if he stayed behind, having barely seen any action before he had been trapped by the insufferable humans. He knew the importance of their job as he gazed down at the four quiet babes who seemed to be in their own little conversation.
Caroline had come to the three of them asking each specifically to guard her children. Anyone could have done it. The wolves would have done it out of a feeling of allegiance and to pay back Mikaelson's assistance. Undoubtedly, the vampires would have jumped to agree; between their loyalty to Marcel who was currently on the Mikaelsons' side or out of respect to the family who built the original city. Yet, Enzo felt a sense of gratitude towards Caroline for her faith in him, the mother who literally died giving birth, had asked them to guard her children.
"Enzo, you've always had my back in any reality. Even as you worried and grew closer to Bonnie, you stood by me despite your history with Damon Salvatore. Even now, you're still looking out for me. I know even if you didn't care for me, you'd at least protect them." Caroline leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Aw shucks love, how can a bloke say no to that?"
So here he was- watching two of the most powerful witches he had seen agonize over the strength of the wards. Enzo finally had enough when Davina suggested one more test.
"That's it, the two of you are done. The bloody wards are fine! Davina here you take Elise." Enzo passed a baby over to her, she hurriedly grabbed the child, glaring at the foreign vampire. Davina looked down at the baby girl in her arms cooing softly at the child. Elise giggled, reaching for her dark hair before grabbing onto a piece of it and tugging.
Smirking in victory, Enzo handed off Conall and Ingrid to Bonnie who grabbed the double load leaving a sleeping Henrik in Enzo's own arms.
"Why did you hand two over to me?" Bonnie demanded quietly.
"Personal preference," Enzo shrugged. "I happen to enjoy seeing your arms full of young children."
Bonnie flushed a deep red on her lovely cheeks as Davina held back a laugh at the obvious flirtation. The trio watched as the children interacted with each other and the adults. Conall was obsessed with staring at Bonnie while his sister was content to watch Bonnie's hair lift on its own. Henrik and Elise watched their siblings in the arms of their respective guards.
"Will we know?" Davina asked, looking toward Bonnie and Enzo. They both held more experience in terms of battle. She was a teenager for god's sake, while she temporarily had the full power of the Harvest in her she hadn't really fought.
Enzo shook his head, "Most likely not. We're far enough from the city and Freya has ensured that any locator spell will place the children at the manor. I may hear something with my enhanced senses but the two of you. No. Not unless the battle is brought here."
Bonnie adjusted the babies softly, before laying them out on a large blanket. One that Liz Forbes had picked out before Caroline had forced her to agree to a small vacation back home. "Just to check on things," She said. No one spoke on the fact that the younger Forbes had clearly wanted her mother out of the danger zone.
"You call me the moment this is over." Liz had made her daughter and Bonnie promised. Knowing better than trusting the Mikaelsons. But the two young women she watched grow up? Caroline hated lying and Bonnie, while better at it than Caroline, still had many tells. The quilt was full of pictures of spell books, full moons, wolves, cats and even a Viking ship had made its way onto it.
Davina looked as well and saw the copied photos of Caroline with her friends throughout their childhood embedded into the blanket. More photos of the Mikaelsons, Katherine, Sage, Enzo, and even Davina herself made an appearance along with friends such as Marcel and Matt. Caroline had nearly burst into tears knowing her mom must have been working on this in secret. As they allowed the babes to rest on the quilt, Enzo laughed as Henrik seemed to sit on a photo of Finn.
Bonnie snickered, "I hope that doesn't mean anything."
Enzo grinned, "I hope it does. These originals are hilarious when they get rattled. Finn will be devastated that his nephew had sat on his likeness."
Davina shook her head, "I'll be more than relieved if after all this the only thing we'd have to worry about is family drama."
"That's if Klaus and Marcel don't then decide to duke it out for the city." Enzo muttered.
Davina shot him a dark look, "Marcel knows he's part of this family. I'm only here because of him. He misses Klaus… he won't risk losing him not after everything they've done to try and keep the peace."
"Unless Marcel thinks the Mikaelsons brought it onto themselves," Bonnie sighed, "But that is a worry for later. Let's just focus on keeping these four busy.
In agreement to worry about the potential battles when they were likely to occur, the trio pulled the infants into playing with their toys. Occasionally checking the wards or pulling out food. A long night was ahead of them.
XXX
"Thank you, Hayley." Niklaus said into the phone as he looked over at his family. Ending the call with a click, "Mikael is on his way, along with Dahlia."
Marcel frowned looking down at his phone, "Something's wrong with my day walkers. They say their rings are no longer working. They're all stuck inside… I almost lost a few good men before they rushed back inside."
Caroline fidgeted with her hands wishing more than once that she had Enzo, but Kol appeared by her side and took one of her hands in his. The young vampire looked up at her brother-in-law smiling in thanks. He nodded quietly in acknowledgement as they watched Niklaus and Elijah whisper together, Finn standing near them occasionally whispering something that not even the other vampires can hear.
"Dahlia is making her move. Are we ready?" Sage questioned as Katherine ducked away for a second.
Elijah looked frustrated, "We weren't expecting our daylight rings to be useless."
"Maybe... Have any of us tried going outside?" Finn questioned as Rebekah nodded. Freya looked thoughtful.
"It's worth a try," Freya nodded. "Dahlia is after the children and our magic is strong enough to trick any locator spell they may cast. Perhaps Dahlia wishes this to be a family-only affair."
Rebekah stretched her neck, "All right, let's not waste any more time. Someone better have a bloody blanket ready. If these clothes are ruined, someone will owe me a new outfit." The original sister glared over at her brothers. Not even one of them offered to take her place, bloody chickens.
Niklaus's lips twitched in amusement as he nodded towards his favorite sister, as she opened the front door and stepped into the daylight. When she stepped further outside with not a hair out of place, Katherine laughed a little.
"Family affair, huh?" The former doppelganger cackled, coming back with a bag and tossing it towards Freya. Before taking a step outside and seeing that her own necklace was still intact.
Freya let out a sigh of relief as she opened the bag to find a bunch of jewelry with very familiar stones. Looking toward the vampire with a questioning look on her face. Katherine shrugged, "You never know when you may need extra protection."
Elijah turned towards his sister, "Can we re-supply Marcel's men?" Freya looked at the jewelry, "Alone? No."
"Good thing you're not alone, daughter." Esther's voice echoed through the room as one of Marcel's men escorted her in. Freya looked at her mother, "Can we do it in enough time?"
Esther looked around, eyes falling onto her son's adopted child, "Marcel, was it?"
Marcel nodded his head towards the Mikaelson matriarch, "Yes, Esther?"
"How many men do you suppose you'll need to help cause a distraction?"
"Mother," Finn started, "What kind of distraction?"
Esther smiled, "One for the witches of course. Oh and there's one more thing. We're going to need the ashes of a Viking."
XXX
Josephine smelled the smoke first. Raising her hand to halt the conversation between her fellow elders, cutting them off mid-sentence. The leader of their faction turned towards the door pushing it open to see a nightmare. Their precious cemetery was on fire, one could hear the alarms as the firefighters raced towards their tiny cemetery. Figures could be seen launching themselves through the flames.
"What the hell?"
Josephine didn't know which of her faction leaders spoke, far too focused on the devastation that surrounded her. She had called the adults of her coven into this battle, the amount of work needed to power not just for the degrading of the daylight rings but to hold the boundary spells. Everything happening right now was on her.
The screams of her people were devastating. "How does it feel?"
The witch turned, and snarled as she saw a smirking Marcel strolling over to her. Marcel tutted softly. "I warned you about messing with the vampires." He reminded her.
"This was not you!" Josephine snarled. "You prefer to watch your prey suffer over time. This is far too quick."
"Is it?" Marcel questioned. "Alas, this masterpiece was not my idea, rather it was my grandmother's. Apparently, she is not a fan of witches trying to interfere with her family."
"Your grandmother is long dead, Abomination." Josephine shook her head.
"Adopted Grandmother," Marcel shrugged. "Either way, Esther Mikaelson prefers to handle her sister herself and you intruded on that."
"So, you ordained to have us killed? An entire people? So much for a city for the supernatural." Josephine scoffed.
Marcel tutted again, "Only the adults will suffer the consequences of your idiotic leadership. Well, your leaders will suffer…We can't leave the children completely without supervision. My Stepmother already has four… I'm pretty sure my father would flip if she adopted anymore."
Josephine could still hear the screams of her people. Out of the corner of her eye, Josephine saw a vampire feeding on one of hers. "You started this," Josephine snarled, "You were so afraid of us that you created your own enemy."
"You're right." Marcel nodded. "That's why your next generation won't be allowed to develop hatred for the supernatural. You witches who hate the very things you are responsible for creating."
The last thing Josephine heard was, "It's a pity Josephine, really. You were the best leader I've seen for centuries."
XXX
"What exactly do we need?" Caroline asked as she sat with Freya, searching online about potential Viking settlements or museum exhibits nearby.
Freya sighed, "I've spent a long time searching for a way to finally defeat Dahlia. My mother is correct; the best way to defeat my aunt is to use the ashes of her enemy."
"Let's pretend I'm not a history buff. How does that translate to looking for authentic Viking bones?" The blonde questioned.
Freya paused in her search looking at her future sister-in-law with barely hidden exasperation. "Caroline, my father's people were responsible for the destruction of my mother's. You would call them Celtics in your time I believe."
"The ashes of a Viking can be used to destroy your Baby Hunting aunt?"
Freya's lips quivered slightly, "Let's say magic can use the personal history drenched in the blood of the Viking to attack Dahlia. Dahlia has used magic, the blood of her own kin, to enhance her own life so our theory is like that of past legends…if there is no specific weapon or cure of a long-lived creature then the blood of enemies creates a sort of link that re-binds them to the laws of the earth."
Seeing the understanding in Caroline's eyes the two women turned back towards their research when Caroline clapped in excitement. "I think I found something!" The blonde explained pointing to the screen. Turning the computer towards the witch, she bit her bottom lip nervously.
Freya nodded, "A museum with a Viking exhibit borrowing artifacts, and looks like they sent some remains as well to study. This is perfect."
"The question is can we get everything before Dahlia actually shows up?"
XXX
Dahlia looked back at Mikael, thinking silently to herself that she hoped her nephew finally put an end to this miserable man. Her sister really fucked up, didn't she? Creating a whole new supernatural species and managing to create more than one that hated their own existence. Now here she was forced to accept Mikael to keep her nieces and nephews distracted long enough to grab the eldest babe.
It was not until Dahlia saw the wolves surrounding them, not a single one entered the fray, but she could feel their eyes, did she realize they were being watched. As they continued further into the city, Dahlia could smell smoke in the distance. But it was not until they had reached the house did they see the entire Mikaelson clan, standing tall, did she realize the truth.
Dahlia looked at Marcel, one of the vampires she knew should be down for the count. "I see you've managed to slip through the witch's spell vampire."
Niklaus's eyes narrowed, "You do seem to have changed your tune, Aunt. Our dearest mother gave us the impression that the two of you hated each other."
Mikael snarled, "Shut your mouth boy. I care not for your mother's kin but I am more than happy to use the opportunity to finish my mission."
"Mikael, Dahlia."
The two looked towards the voice of Esther Mikaelson who stood behind her children. Caroline was sandwiched between Niklaus and Elijah. Katherine was standing between her lover and Kol while Sage stood to the side between Freya and Finn. Rebekah was the one closest to her mother and Marcel stood in front of all of them.
"Wife," Mikael greeted. "I thought you were dead."
Esther looked at her husband, barely amused "For a while I was. You're hunting down our children."
"Abominations that we should've never allowed immortality." Mikael scorned. "I never should've allowed you to do that spell. Look at what they became!"
"Don't be shy Father," Niklaus called out to the man who raised him, ignoring the way Caroline grabbed his arm. "You don't care that we're vampires, not really. You care more about the proof that your wife stepped out on you continues to exist."
Mikael snarled, "Don't disrespect your mother boy."
Esther raised a brow, "I must confess, I find seeing you and Dahlia on the same side shocking husband."
"You turned me to end your mistake." Mikael answered looking at what was left of his children with disgust.
"Even me Father?" Freya said, stepping up from Finn's side.
Hearing a voice unfamiliar to him, Mikael turned towards the voice and his eyes widened in shock. Freya smiled at the man, "Aunt Dahlia's price for helping mother conceive was the firstborn of every generation. Yet, you stand by her side?"
"I thought you were dead, Freya…my dear girl.." Mikael's eyes watered looking at her and then at Dahlia. "You took her?"
"Your wife was desperate," Dahlia spat. "Magic has a price, you know this more than most."
"You took my child!" Mikael growled in answer, reaching for his weapon when Dahlia raised her hand silently casting a defensive spell. Mikael was thrown back into Finn and Sage. Freya was a second too late in casting a shield around them and watched as Mikael crashed into his eldest son.
Taking the opportunity that presented itself, Niklaus took the spelled dagger and charged at the woman threatening his family. Dahlia laughed as she shielded herself. "Do you honestly think you can stop me?"
Mikael growled as he stood up staring as the boy and witch fought it out. Niklaus had been thrown, but he called out to Elijah who caught the dagger rushing forward towards Dahlia. It was extraordinary; the amount of teamwork he witnessed. His eyes met with his wife's as one by one Dahlia used magic against their children.
"A thousand years and they still cannot defeat one lousy witch." Mikael grumbled.
She looked at her children, Rebekah who had gone in after Finn as all her children charged only for Dahlia to easily deflect. Caroline turned towards the elder Mikaelsons, "Esther, they can't get close enough."
And Caroline spoke the truth, Dahlia was over a thousand years old. Her magic has had centuries to learn how to defend itself. Dahlia didn't even have to focus on her magic for it to work on her behalf, especially after so many years of storing power and channeling from Freya. Even blocking Freya's own magical attacks did not seem to tire her sister.
She could see the paramours of her children and her son's adopted child in the fray. Sooner or later Dahlia would tire of playing. It was by luck that her husband had not joined to fight against them.
"Mikael, all we wanted was for them to live." She whispered.
"And they have, for far too long." He replied standing up and taking out a familiar weapon. Esther's eyes widened being the first to notice it and she watched as her husband went to attack her children.
He took aim at Niklaus first. That was when her decision was made.
"Noo!" Esther found herself screaming as she ran with all her might. The matriarch jumped onto the back of her husband reaching over his shoulder to grab the weapon. Without thinking, she took the dagger in hand and pushed it towards his chest, puncturing her husband's heart.
Esther laughed. She managed to stab her husband with the very dagger meant to kill their children. Esther watched as her husband turned gray, his skin crackling. Time seemed to slow as she let go of the grip as he turned to dust in a manner of seconds. The sound of his gasp alerted the others, who managed to slow to a stop and stare.
They all watched as Mikael turned to dust in his wife's arms. Dahlia's mouth was open in shock as Esther looked down at her hands before the sister's stared at each other. "I understand now." she said to the group.
She took a confident step toward her sister. Dahlia looked on in confusion, "Esther? Have you gone mad after all these centuries?"
Esther shook her head, "For once I'm thinking clearly. Dahlia, I'm so sorry."
Dahlia stared at her sister, as Esther used the shock to step closer wrapping her hands around her sister's wrists. She pulled them together as if she was going to bring them to her chest.
"Now!" Esther screamed. "Do it Now!"
XXX
Dahlia looked around shocked at what she saw. She was in a field full of flowers, what was strange was that she could smell them. She could no longer detect the artificial smells of modern times. She couldn't smell the pollution in the air, the cost of human advancement. All around her were the flowers she saw in her dreams, the flowers of her youth. 'I lost a lot of time. There were no metal or brick buildings in sight.' She mused.
"Dahlia," Came the composed voice of her sweet sister.
"Esther?" She breathed, looking down only now noticing the white day dress she had been wearing. Dahlia looked up and Esther was still there.
"What did you do?" The elder sister asked softly. Anger for once had not clouded her thoughts, it was as if she couldn't be bothered to hold onto the emotions of the past. She had a feeling what it meant. Dahlia could still feel the anger, the disappointment, her memories were intact…but it felt removed somehow.
"I left you once Dahlia. I couldn't do so again." Esther shook her head. Her once youthful long blonde hair returned. On top of her head was a flower crown, just like when they were children.
"You left me a long time ago," Dahlia sneered. "For that brute."
Esther took a step closer to Dahlia, her hands clasping theirs together. Dahlia looked up at her, and for once Esther could see the sister she once was. "I never should've pulled away from you, my children have shown me that. Family is everything. I might have married Mikael but you were my sister. For that I am sorry."
When Dahlia showed no signs of moving, Esther pulled her into an embrace. "I'm…I'm sorry too." Dahlia muttered. Memories of how devastated Esther was after Freya was taken took hold. How the child couldn't stop crying for her mother, for her father but most especially for her siblings.
"I knew how badly you wanted to be a mother. I'm truly glad I could help you,but I regret that I chose the price that would hurt you the most."
Esther pulled away her eyes not angry but understanding. "Magic has a price, that's how it's always been."
"The price was time off from a person's life for each child you had," Dahlia muttered, "By taking Freya I could extend my own life."
"I'd also suffer by losing my child," Esther said in understanding. "You were the reason I stepped back into the arts. The reason Freya was able to reunite with her siblings. But I forgot how it was… that I made the first sin. I never wanted to leave you alone."
Dahlia brought Esther into a hug, "You killed us."
"We should have been dead and gone a long time ago," Esther countered, "I'm just making things right. You won't ever be alone again."
Dahlia pulled back and looked out at the fields. Happier memories flashed inside her mind. "He won't be joining us will he?"
Esther looked surprised, the distaste still on Dahlia's tongue but she looked at Esther with concern. Something that Esther had not seen since she was a newlywed. The blonde shook her head, "Mikael and I have different ideas of Peace. He may cross our paths eventually but his love has always been with his people."
"Not his family." Dahlia muttered.
"He loved as much as he could. He had been angry when he found out about Niklaus…I don't think he's ever forgiven me. I don't think I've ever forgiven him for what choosing him meant."
"What did it mean?" Dahlia asked, wanting to hear it from Esther's lips.
"Losing my family, being left behind because I was never meant for frequent voyages, then being forced to accept how he smelled of other women after. Then how he practically left me for good after we lost Freya when we still had two young children… I loved him but I didn't know what loving him would bring."
The two sister's stood side by side. "I love you Esther, always and forever."
Esther laughed, "Always and Forever?"
Dahlia shrugged, "Your children are rather poetic for being half ape."
XXX
A.N: Don't you hate writing fighting scenes? I always feel like I am terrible at them. Perhaps because I am, LOL. Anyway I hope you've enjoyed the chapter and this crazy journey. At last our Epilogue!