The sun had barely risen when the four hybrids woke up, their excitement palpable as they began packing their bags to move to Klaus' mansion. Eliza, always the responsible one, checked on each of them, ensuring they had everything they needed for the journey ahead.
As they loaded their bags into Eliza's white van, the humans chatted eagerly about what their new home might be like. The van itself was an impressive sight, imported all the way from Louisiana with its gleaming white exterior and spacious interior.
Once everyone was ready to go, they buckled up and set off down the road, their anticipation growing with each passing mile. The journey ahead was long, but with each other for company and a new adventure waiting at the end of the road, they knew it would be worth it.
Upon arriving at the owner's residence, the tall metal gate slid open as expected. Klaus, Elena, and his entire clan were there to welcome them. The humans on either side were thrilled and pleased to meet new people. The servants offered to carry the new guests' suitcases, and Klaus gestured for Eliza and her clan to enter, welcoming them to his abode. The king and queen of France, the Artois Clan, were also present, and Klaus courteously greeted them, saying, "Welcome, your Majesties."
King Artois expressed his pride, saying, "It's our honor, Klaus. Your mansion still looks the same as the years we have visited here. Such a grand scene."
Klaus replied, "We worked on it, your Majesty. Let's head inside, sir."
Upon entering the spacious, white guest room, the king and clan sat at the large, tall, brown rectangular table. Klaus announced, "There is a big troublesome matter I must inform all of you."
Inquiring about the matter, Eliza asked, "What is the matter, Klaus?"
Klaus signaled all humans out of the room before sharing the news. Only vampires and hybrids were allowed to be present.
"It's possible that you were caught up in your day-rest when the recent events occurred and thus unaware of what's been happening. The situation at hand is that the vampire community in Louisiana is causing quite a commotion. To make matters worse, humans have been poking their noses into vampire affairs, which is a violation of the authority laws. This has resulted in the distribution of vampire blood to humans, leading to serious addiction problems. Consequently, the humans hooked on v-blood are causing chaos in Louisiana now," Klaus announced.
The vampires and hybrids growled and sneered in the room as they heard this. Only Eliza, who was silent, sat in contemplation. She knew who started this commotion and was deeply enraged. Her aura glowed red in the room, causing attention to others.
Concerned, her mate asked softly and calmly, "Eliza, are you alright?" Those infused with Eliza's blood detected rage and vengeance flowing through their bond with her. The current situation would likely be more personal than they had initially anticipated.
"I'm fine," Eliza replied in a cold and icy tone that sent shivers down everyone's spine except for Godric and Sookie. Godric spoke in her mother tongue, his calm and warm voice saying, "Szerelmem, érzem a fájdalmadat a köteléken keresztül. A belőled áradó aura sötét és baljóslatú; A körülötted lévők is érezhetik. A bosszúvágyad mélyen a lelkedben van, Eliza. Bár megértem, hogy ez a te személyes ügyed, én vagyok a lelki társad. Arra kérlek benneteket, hogy nyissátok meg a szíveteket, és engedjétek, hogy kibogozzuk azt a csomót, amivel szembenéztek. Nem kell egyedül szembenézned vele, szerelmem. Bízz bennünk, és mi veled fogunk járni az út minden lépésénél (My love, I feel your pain through the bond. The aura emanating from you is dark and ominous; Those around you can feel it, too. Your desire for vengeance is deep in your soul, Eliza. While I understand this is your personal matter, I am your soulmate. I ask you to open your hearts and allow us to untie the knot you face. You don't have to face it alone, my love. Trust us, and we will walk with you every step of the way)."
Feeling deeply touched, blood tears welled in Eliza's eyes. He pulls her closer into his embrace as she sends her love and affection to Godric through the bond. Their bond grows more potent, filling them with warmth and comfort.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Anything for you, min kärlek," whispered Godric, kissing her forehead softly. As Eliza basked in the warmth of a loving embrace, she couldn't help but smile and close her eyes, cherishing the moment with all her heart.
Godric's warm embrace couldn't shake the antediluvian hybrid from the labyrinth of her thoughts. That was until a gentle touch from the girl broke her reverie. As Sookie smiled at her and held her hand, Eliza took a deep breath, gathering her courage to speak. She began, "It was a vampire who caused all this chaos. His name is Russell Edgington, and he used to be my closest confidant. He was the only one who could see past my stoic exterior, and I trusted him with all of me," her voice grew tense as she recollected the past, "but he betrayed me in the most heartless and vicious way. He sided with our enemies to seize my power and prosperity; together, they attacked the fairy realm. Russell destroyed everything, and my baby sister, a kinship I cherished, was amongst the casualties."
A spark of anger glimmered in Eliza's eyes as she continued, "It was my sister's death that made me vow to avenge her. And thus began the war between my kin and the water fairies."
—
(flashback)
Louisiana; 1919
A hybrid with brown hair and a youthful appearance walked up to Russell with an expression of happiness and said, "Russell, I have a present for you, my dearest companion."
Excitement brimming in the vampire's voice, who appears to be in his forties, he asks, "Oh, is this for me? What's the special occasion that prompted this lovely gift?"
Eliza hands a gift to her friend Russell on his birthday. "This is for you, my dear friend," she says with a smile. "But, before you open it, I have a special surprise for you. Close your eyes and don't peek, okay?" Russell obediently closes his eyes, and Eliza quickly scans to ensure he's not cheating. Satisfied that his eyes were tightly shut, she took his hand and led him to a spot where he could open his eyes and see the surprise she had planned for him.
Eliza's heart was pounding as they finally arrived at their destination. With a smile, she turned to her companion and said, "You can open your eyes now, my friend." She couldn't wait to see his look of surprise and delight. The anticipation and excitement building inside her for weeks finally reached a crescendo, and she felt like she might burst with joy.
Russell stood frozen, his gaze fixed on the scene before him. The dazzling eyes of his partner pierced through him, and an overwhelming sense of pure joy and happiness flooded his being. He could hardly believe what he saw as he whispered in disbelief, "You got me a car?" A wave of emotion washed over him, and red tears welled in his eyes, threatening to spill over.
"Hey there! This car is absolutely new, straight from the dealership. The texture is just as you prefer it. Are you satisfied with the overall look and feel of the car?"
The elderly vampire seemed ecstatic as he wrapped his arms around the youthful hybrid, expressing his appreciation with genuine enthusiasm. "I love it! Thank you, Eliza! Thank you!" he exclaimed, jumping up and down with joy. Eliza reciprocated the embrace with equal pleasure, laughing heartily as she hugged the man tightly, basking in the warmth of his gratitude.
—
1925
"Russell, you seem to be in a lot of discomfort. May I know what's causing you pain?" Eliza inquires with a worried tone, trying to understand the situation and offer any possible assistance.
"I found my mate, Eliza," he said with a gentle smile, his eyes shining with love and adoration.
"I cannot understand your mixed emotions, my dear friend. You seemed elated just a moment ago, so what is causing you to feel sad now?"
"He died his true death, Eliza. He ended his life by entering the sun."
Eliza looked at the man, and her heart ached for him. She wanted to offer comfort, so she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, embracing him warmly and tightly. She spoke softly in his ears, offering words of sympathy and encouragement, and Russell smiled at her, feeling grateful for her kindness.
"Come here. I got something for you," Eliza said with a warm smile, taking his hand in hers.
The man was astonished by what he saw. "A gold?! You bought me gold?! In Jesus, Freya!" he cried out, overwhelmed by her generosity.
"This gold was gifted to me on my one-thousandth birthday. It's a very special gift that I've received, and I want to share it with you. Please, treasure it always, Russell. It's a precious treasure that should not be lost or sold. I trust you, my friend. Don't betray me. Am I clear enough, my friend?" Eliza demanded, looking at him with a serious expression.
Russell's voice trembled with emotion as he spoke to Eliza. "I understand, Eliza," he said, his eyes shining with gratitude. "I promise you, I will cherish this precious treasure you've gifted me forever. It means more to me than words can express. Thank you so much. I don't know how to repay you for all the kindness and generosity you've shown me."
Eliza's voice was warm and grateful as she spoke, her eyes fixed on Russell. "Loyalty," she said, "is all I needed. Nothing else can be repaid. I'm not your companion by money or anything that you sell. I'm your companion because of who you are, Russell. Thank you for seeing me through my stoic exterior and understanding me. You are an ancient vampire, and your integrity intrigued me, so you became my closest confidant." Her words were sincere, and her smile was soft and genuine. It was clear that Russell had earned her trust and admiration through his unwavering loyalty and steadfast character.
—
Fairy Realm; 1932
Eliza had been eagerly waiting to visit her kin in the fairy realm, but she felt excited and nervous as she had been away for over a century. She was particularly looking forward to meeting her baby sister, whom her mother had left behind during her last visit to the fairy realm. As Eliza made her way to the other side, she couldn't help but feel anxious, wondering what changes the realm had undergone in all these years.
The sight before her eyes filled her with panic and despair as she arrived. The once beautiful palace she remembered had been destroyed, and all the species she had known had ceased to exist. Despite feeling overwhelmed, she frantically searched for her family and sister, hoping to find them safe and sound. However, she couldn't find any trace of them, adding to her fear and despair.
Feeling lost and disconsolate, Eliza popped back to the palace, hoping that someone would return. As she sat on the ground, she was overcome with emotions and burst into a waterfall of tears, the tears streaming down her cheeks like blood. The pain and despair that she felt were palpable, and she screamed in agony.
Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of her. Eliza looked up and saw Niall Brigant, someone she knew very well. Her face lit up with happiness and relief, and she quickly got up and hugged him tightly. She had so many questions for him, and she couldn't wait to hear what he had to say. "What happened to the realm, Niall? Why is everything destroyed?" she asked him, her voice quivering with emotion.
Eliza's heart ached as she gazed upon the young fairy's face, contorted with pain and despair. She waited with bated breath for a response, but the emptiness in her eyes betrayed her growing sense of hopelessness. Suddenly, a voice trembled and spoke, revealing a devastating truth. "Eliza, Russell has betrayed you. He has joined forces with the water fairies and unleashed a massacre upon our entire realm, and even your sister in the palace was not spared. He has stolen our crown and taken it with him."
Suddenly, Eliza's once calm eyes transformed into an abyss of darkness - a sign of her vampire side taking over. The hybrid's eyes turned black, her expression filled with bloodlust and fury. Despite the transformation, she retained her consciousness. With a cold and steady voice, Eliza directed her question towards Niall, the only living relative she had in this realm, demanding to know Russell's whereabouts.
"His current whereabouts are within the enchanting water fairy realm, where he has assumed the leadership position as the head of their clan," he replied in a trembling voice. "May I ask what actions you plan to take against him, Eliza?"
After a brief silence, she spoke only one word - "Revenge." Her voice was calm, but her eyes were filled with anger and determination. Without another word, she disappeared, leaving only a faint trace of her presence. It was as if she had melted into thin air and teleported to a different dimension - the water fairy realm.
As her voice reverberated over the boundless expanse of the open sea, it conveyed a resolute and pressing tone. "Russell Edgington!" she declared, gazing across the horizon for movement. "Come out!"
"I SAID COME OUT!" she repeated, her voice growing louder each moment. And then, as if by magic, the man appeared before her, his eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of mockery.
"Oh! Eliza! What brings you here, my friend?" he asked, his voice laced with interest and a touch of amusement. But Eliza was not in the mood for games.
"Why was my sister, Russell, killed? She was just an infant," she asked with a trembling, emotion-filled voice. "Why did you betray my trust, Russell? Was what I gave you not sufficient?" Her voice grew louder as red tears streamed down her face. "What could my sister have possibly done to deserve death at your hands, Russell? Why did you harm an innocent child?" Her voice weakened, and a lump formed in her throat.
"I have no concern for the identity of my target. What matters to me is acquiring all you possess - your title and power are my ultimate objectives. Your irritating, foolish little sister was nothing but a nuisance, constantly screeching and causing trouble. Her mere presence made me want to silence her permanently." Russell again claimed his place on the throne with an evil laugh and a smirk.
Eliza's expression darkened as she listened, her eyes blazing with fury and a thirst for revenge. The stoic hybrid approached Russell slowly and spoke coldly, "You and I are now sworn enemies for eternity. I will ensure your true death if you ever dare set foot in my forbidden domain again." Before walking away, she forcefully removed the crown from his head. "This crown does not belong to you," Eliza declared as she vanished into thin air.
—
1934
The war between Eliza's clan and the water fairies was brutal and devastating. Both sides were determined to emerge victorious, even if it meant sacrificing their own lives. The matches were intense and only fueled the rivalry between the two clans. The air was thick with the stench of blood and death as the battle raged on.
Despite the fierce fighting, Eliza's clan emerged triumphant in the end. They defeated the enemy's leader and took possession of their lands. When the dust settled, Eliza let out a quiet sigh of relief. But the war had taken its toll on her. Once a warm, bright, and loving hybrid, she had become a cold, isolated, and taciturn being. The horrors of the war had shattered her trust in others, leaving her with a deep sense of mistrust and suspicion.
(End of flashback)
—
Eliza spoke impassively as she revealed a shocking secret to Sookie: "After taking Russell down, we buried him in a secluded castle that has now been renovated into a mansion near the cemetery yard, which happens to be close to your residence."
Sookie felt a wave of concern for her grandmother washes over her at the mention of the cemetery. "I should call Gran," she said before vanishing into thin air.
As the gravity of Eliza's words sank in, Godric spoke softly and with great tenderness: "Min kärlek, thank you for sharing such a painful memory with us."
Eliza reassured her kin that she was okay despite the weight of the past that had suddenly resurfaced. "It happened centuries ago," she said. "I don't want to relive it."
A deep reverence emanated as Erica and Pam locked their eyes on the ancient hybrid. Eric stepped towards Eliza, his voice full of conviction as he solemnly vowed to her. "My Princess, I give you my word that I will seek retribution on your behalf should that fool dare to trespass onto our territory. He will meet my wrath. Your revenge will not go in vain." His voice was unwavering and filled with conviction, his towering presence radiating power and pride.
"I appreciate your honor, son," she said, her voice firm and unwavering. "But this is my take: I should do this alone. I don't want any of my kin to go through trouble for me."
"We insist, your Honor," Pam interjected with a fierce determination. "You have given us new life; we will repay you with everything."
Eliza's gaze hardened at the thought of losing one of her kin. "Do not die on me," she demanded. "I will not bear the agony of losing you. So don't you dare give up on me. Do you understand, young one?"
Pam reassured Eliza with a warm smile, "Don't worry, we won't leave you stranded. You can count on us." She returns to her seat.
Caroline admired Eliza's courage and resilience. She asserted, "You are truly an inspiration, Eliza. Your unwavering strength and fearlessness are reminiscent of a true warrior."
Eliza couldn't help but chuckle at Caroline's words, touched by her sincerity. "Thank you, young one. Your kind words mean a lot to me," she replied affectionately.
"Alright, let's stop discussing this touchy topic," Klaus interrupted, sensing the tension in the room. "Since you are all here in my territory, I would like to offer a tour of my city and town. Some of you may not have been here before, so it would be quite an adventure," he suggested.
"Am I right, humans?" He turns to the humans and asks them to side with him.
The humans nodded excitedly. Their anticipations satisfied Klaus as he had already made plans for Eliza and her clans on this trip. He ensures this journey will be enjoyable for the guest during their stay.
After a while, Sookie returns with a relieved expression on her face and joins the others. Eric noticed her presence and searched the girl's expressions for a sign of any discomfort or dejection but found nothing. The young hybrid's serene and unconcerned expressions calm his soul. Eric reached for Sookie's hand and received a soft smile in return.
Eliza noticed Sookie's presence, so she walked toward the calm hybrid and apologized for her previous indifference. "It's alright, Eliza. I wasn't angry with you. I understand your loss and sorrow, my love. I was just worried about my grandmother, so I had to excuse myself. I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression," she reassured the ancient hybrid.
"While on the phone, I heard Klaus talking about a trip around town. Is that right?" Sookie asks, her voice laced with excitement and anticipation. Her eyes are full of enthusiasm.
"That's right, Sookie. I'm glad you heard from a distance. This journey will be adventurous and enjoyable, I make sure of that," Klaus doesn't miss out. "Your Majesties, would you be honored to join us, too?" he graciously asks the four royalties.
"We're fine, dear. You, young ones, can go and enjoy your trip. We, old bones, would be a burden if we attended with you," Queen Lemur replies generously.
"Don't say that, Mother. You four are not old. You're still young and vibrant," Amara interjects.
Queen Lemur warmly smiles at her daughter, saying, "Thanks, my dear. We appreciate your generosity. But we're really fine. We will prepare a feast for you when you return."
"Suit yourself, your Highness. And don't worry, we will buy you guys something," Jonathan, Eliza and Amara's vampire brother, offered. "We should get going now, allies, before dawn approaches."
"Let's go then," Klaus calls out. "Allies, are you all prepared for what you have to bring with you?"
Everyone replied at the same time, "Yes. Yup!"
"Alright, then let's go. Farewell, your Majesties and Masters." They bowed to the four royalties and the elders before heading to the door. Eliza and Amara hugged their parents and followed the group: humans and supernaturals.
—
As they approach the driveway, Elena turns to Klaus and asks, "I'm excited to explore! Which place are we heading to first?" while Eliza's white van gleams under the bright sun.
Klaus, the group leader, announces their plan for the day. "First things first," he declares, "we will go hunting. I know you, vampire hybrids, haven't fed since you arrived here." The group nods in agreement. Klaus then turns to the humans in the group and offers some suggestions. "For the rest of you, there are plenty of things to do. You can go sightseeing at the tower or go shopping at the mall. I'll send you a map of the area, Michael," he addresses Eliza's human.
"Klaus, today, I'm driving this van. You can send me the GPS to the area we should hunt, and you can drop the humans off where they decide to go. Would that be convenient for you, my friend?" Eliza suggested.
"Very well, my Princess," Klaus playfully bowed. "Then, Elena will be coming with me if it's not too much for me to ask." He turns to Elena and receives an acceptance as a response. Pleased, he gently kissed her palm, receiving a blush from the girl. He smirked, then turned to the group of humans and the rest of the clan. "The rest of you, follow me."
As Klaus and the rest of the group bid farewell to one another, Eliza and the other three members enter the van. "Godric, you may sit next to me and have Eric and Sookie sit at the back. Eric, would you like Pam to join us? She can join us to hunt, too, since she hadn't fed when we arrived here," she suggested.
"Don't worry, Eliza. Pam will join later after she completes the paperwork," Eric reassured.
"Alright then, our new journey begins," Eliza exclaims softly, exuding bright energy across her expression and bliss through the bond. The other three individuals' faces lit up as they felt the ancient hybrid's positive energy through the bond. It's a rare sight for them to experience Eliza's energetic personality, as the lady always exudes a calm and stoic interior exterior.
Sookie couldn't help but hug Eliza tightly. She murmured, "I'm happy to see you happy, Maker-Lover."
Eliza smiles warmly through their embrace. The warm hybrid whispers, "I only disclose this side of me to the three of you and my kin. I don't trust the outsiders, including the humans. I also don't trust Michael."
Godric sensed Eliza's weird comment and asked, "What's the matter, my love? Was there something suspicious about him, Eliza?"
"He's not suspicious. You guys read his thoughts through telepathy, right?" They simultaneously nodded. "I did, too. But I sensed a suspicion in Klaus's humans. I had a hunch it might be someone Klaus trusts the most." Concerned, Eliza expresses her distress to her most trusted loved ones. "I don't know what I should do. I don't want to break his heart like Russell did to me." She bares her heart to them.
"Then, we can confess to him when we have enough evidence. I'm sure he will understand your intention," Eric reassured, "Plus, you and him are the closest companions. You should know his personality well enough, Eliza."
"Let's get in the car first, please. We can discuss this while you drive to Klaus's recommended destination," Sookie suggested. They nod in agreement and enter the car to the destination. Godric sat next to Eliza in the front passenger seat while she drove. Eric and Sookie sat in the back seat.
Eliza replied to Eric with his previous statement as they took off to the destination. "You're right, Eric. As your strategies are mostly accurate, I would like you to investigate Klaus's humans to see if there's anyone suspicious. Once we catch them, we must be discreet with our investigation. We must not have this plan be revealed. Do you understand?" She demanded.
"Yes, I understand. But I would need some helping hands in this, though," says Eric.
"You may have some assistants, but they must be someone whom you trust with your secrets and life for us to succeed, Viking," Eliza suggests.
Eric smirked as he had an idea who he could trust. He assured her, "Don't worry, Eliza. I have four people I trust with my life and secrets. One is you three, especially Godric, 'cause he's my Maker. Another one is my progeny, Pamela."
Upon realizing that the conniving Viking had included them in his investigation scheme, Eliza wasted no time confronting him. She asked him if adding her, Godric, and Sookie to his plan was part of his strategy. Despite his sheepish denial, Eliza knew it was exactly what he intended. However, she agreed to join his police game, satisfied that they were all on the same page. As Eric leaned forward and reached for her hand resting on the gear shifter, he gently kissed her palm. Eliza couldn't help but shake her head playfully at his flirtatious gesture, but her subtle smile betrayed her true feelings.
As the four adventurers finally arrived at Klaus's recommended destination, their eyes were immediately drawn to the stunning sight that lay before them. The lush forest, with its towering trees and vibrant foliage, seemed to stretch for miles, inviting them to explore every corner. The air was thick with the sweet scent of wildflowers and the gentle rustling of leaves, soothing their senses and calming their racing minds. They felt a sense of freedom over them, as if all their worries and troubles had been left behind. In the distance, the moon shone brilliantly over the serene, long-stream lake, casting a shimmering glow illuminating the entire landscape. It was a breathtaking and unforgettable sight that left the group feeling humbled and grateful to be alive.
Eliza's soft voice broke the serene silence, "This journey was worth it, indeed." Her eyes scanned the surroundings, taking in the breathtaking beauty of the starry night sky. The other three companions nodded in agreement, and their faces lit up with awe and appreciation for the stunning view.
Author's Note:
Sorry for the cliffhanger, guys. The group's full journey will be in the next chapter. This chapter was just me giving my readers some depths of Eliza's past with Russell, and it answers why she's always skeptical and non-trusting, expanding the transition of her personality.
I also did a plot twist with my own profile of how I originated the characters! The original relationship between Sophie-Anne, Arthur, and Amara was not like this. The three of them were not related. The only relationship that was original was that Sophie-Anne and Arthur were mates, but they were not married, so Sophie-Anne didn't have Arthur's last name and didn't fertilize with his child.
As for Amara, what stays the same in her profile is that she is Louis Artois's progeny. Why? I will reveal that in future chapters. Other characters will have more depth in their stories.
Anyways, how does everyone like it so far? I added more plots to keep the story-driven. The real adventures are about to start, so buckle up, everyone! Thank you to the few readers who commented on the reviews. I truly appreciate your feedback.