Chapter 5:
"The warning that Caroline had been given was unexpected, but in her eyes, I could see a sense of realisation, she knew that Mikael was on our trail and looking to hunt us down with everything in his heart.
But we were safe, our daughter was safe, and 3 years later we soon had a newborn son. Henry, after Henrik, it was a suitable name for him.
But even in our home, I could already tell we weren't safe, especially when we discovered a dangerous truth. One that we could not have foreseen."
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Southern France, 1005 A.D.
Ever since the birth of their second child, both Niklaus and Caroline had barely left their room, they wanted to be as close and as attentive to their children as possible.
For Aphrodite was already a daddy's girl, she had taken up painting and taken on the challenge of magic but with help from her uncle Kol and her mother, she looked to be in capable hands. Her platinum blonde hair looked like snow, her blue eyes were aquatic making her look like a miniature goddess.
Henry himself was like his mother, attentive and full of light. He was the spitting image of his mother and father with blonde hair and blue eyes, the Mikaelson's loved the newest generation and were doting on them constantly.
Aprohodite was painting the landscape from her bedroom with Niklaus looking on attentively as he said, "A true artist always sees the canvas and what isn't there, but you, my love. You're attentive, for seeing and always concentrating on the present."
"I thought mama always said to be mindful of the future." Aphrodite said. Niklaus smiled and replied, "So smart you are, but always be mindful of the present. Many questions always come to us, but the answers are never clearer."
Aphrodite smiled and placed her paintbrush down before hugging her father tightly and whispering, "I love you, father." "And I love you, my talented, smart and beautiful, baby daughter." Niklaus smiled, wandering his hand through his daughter's blonde hair.
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A knock at the door sounded as Niklaus looked up and said, "Enter."
The person who entered was Elijah who frowned saying, "Niklaus, the Count De Martel has requested your presence as well as Caroline's included." "I thought I was to not be disturbed; you know I value my time with our children." Niklaus hotly said.
"Caroline also said the same thing, but the Count is insistent on your presence. I offered my presence but he declined my attendance and our brothers for both of you instead." Elijah said. Niklaus nodded and said, "I will be there."
Reluctant expression took over Niklaus's face as he stared down at his daughter with heartbreak as he said, "Could you be so kind as to stay here with Aphrodite whilst I go to keep up appearances."
"Of course, brother, I'd be honoured to be with my niece." Elijah said with a wide smile for his niece who gave him a small ounce of humanity for their present situation.
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Meanwhile, in the gardens, Finn was walking the grounds on his own, his mind was in turmoil, ever since they had been turned into immortals and the fact they had all killed innocent people, he couldn't sleep.
The nightmares, he constantly faced hearing the screams of their victims, it plagued him, he looked up every night to the stars wondering if he would face forgiveness to some form of a deity for his sins, for the lives he's taken.
The only form of humanity he has, is his family, his brothers, his sisters, his niece and nephew who he dotes on dearly, but he remembers Freya, how she was taken from him, his beautiful older sister who meant everything for him, he couldn't understand why that woman had taken her from their family.
"Why?" He asked. "Why did that have to happen, what possible reason was it for?"
Soon enough, he heard a mysterious voice say something, "There are questions in your mind that you seek to know, answers that evade you, causing you doubt. What you will discover will only cause you pain or lead you to redemption for you and your loved ones."
Looking around him, he couldn't help but ask himself who was there, but he couldn't help but think he imagined it, he started to feel a chill down his spine.
Something was about to happen and it wasn't going to be pretty.
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"Hello Finn."
Finn's eyes widened as he turned to see a woman standing in front of him, she had raven black hair, cold brown eyes and wore black robes.
The woman herself coldly smiled and said, "Finn Mikaelson it's been a while since I heard Esther left."
"Dahlia, you've aged. And as for Mother, she left because you had taken Freya, she never told anyone, I only kept that secret." Finn replied.
Dahlia coldly laughed as she replied, "I'm surprised, she didn't tell your siblings about how she gave away her oldest child, all for a chance to have more of you."
"You obviously didn't know that she practiced her magic after you'd taken her, but if you're here, then you obviously know something, don't you?" Finn said.
Dahlia smiled sickly, "So smart and wise, Finn. Yes, I am here. I want the little girl, I want Aphrodite. Tell your brother to give her to me at sunset… or I tell the dear Count De Martel that you're the beasts that has terrorised all of the Old World."
Finn walked over menacingly as he snarled, "You lay a hand on them, I will be forced to kill you." "You will try, but you won't be able to find her, you won't be able to find Freya." Dahlia goaded.
"Impossible, you speak nothing but lies, she's dead, killed by your hand." Finn said in disbelief.
Dahlia smiled and held her hands behind her back as she said, "She's alive, Finn. At least, she was the last time I had seen her." "She obviously to escape you, it's that clear to me." Finn replied acknowledging his sister's brave attempt at escape.
"Yes, she would have been a mother if she hadn't killed her child. That girl sacrificed her child to keep them from me." Dahlia growled.
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Finn placed his hands on his waist replying, "Your lust for power caused her to do the unthinkable, if you dared to take the first born, you'll fail to take this one. I'd rather die than let you curse Aphrodite to her death. But I can see that you and mother are alike."
"How do you mean?" Dahlia spat in disgust at being compared to her sister.
Finn walked up to her and growled, "You both crave strength, you're burdened by your secrets, it's no secret you hated Mikael for what he did, you hate Mother for taking your fertility which caused you to create your own magic and that lust for power has grown stronger, I can see it in your eyes."
"ENOUGH!" Dahlia shouted in rage, she raised her hand to cause Finn an aneurysm as he groaned in pain feeling his strength decline but only for a moment as she calmly said, "Tell your brother and his wife to hand over Aphrodite. They have until sunset, or I will spill the secret of your beastly nature."
Finn looked up to her in anger and rage as he then said, "I will tell them, but you understand, you won't get what you want."
Dahlia watched as Finn took his leave, once his back was turned, she then said, "Very well then, I'll take her myself. I'll just lure Mikael here then."
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Walking towards the Palace, Dahlia had devised a plan into action as she cornered the beautiful redhead known as Aurora De Martel. She then spoke to her, "My Lady Aurora."
"Do I know you?" Aurora asked snobbishly. Dahlia smiled sickly replying, "My name is Dahlia, my lady. I have some information regarding the beasts of the night that you may have heard of."
Aurora looked in interest as she replied, "Such information is hard to come by, what do you know?"
"I know many things, the 6 guests that your Grace, the Count De Martel has taken into his home, they are who the rumours speak of. The blonde boy who you fancy is one of them, help me to kill his wife and I'll give you what you rightfully desire."
"What is it that you want in return?" Aurora asked with peaked interest watching as Finn Mikaelson drags the object of her fancy which was Niklaus away from the throne room.
Dahlia smirks evilly, "Their children, they will serve me very well, and I will make you an immortal if you so desire."
Aurora smiled evilly at the chance. She then thought to herself, "If we get rid of that blonde bitch, I will get Niklaus and we can have many children, so that I can call them mine and my rightful husband's."
"I will do whatever you ask of me, my dear Dahlia." Aurora says with an evil smile that looked both cold and without remorse.
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Meanwhile, whilst Aurora and Dahlia plotted their evil strategy. Niklaus and Finn walked to the Mikaelson's bedroom, specifically Caroline and Niklaus's room as Kol asks, "What the bloody hell's going on, I was enjoying a nice walk and courting a lovely young lady."
"You disgusting pig." Rebekah said to Kol's mischievous smile.
Finn rolled his eyes as he said, "Alright, putting aside Kol's disgusting attitude, we have a serious problem. One that I thought was left in our homeland."
Elijah raised an eyebrow as he asked, "Brother, you have me confused, what do you mean, problem that was left in our homeland?"
"You all know the tale of how Freya died, that it was a plague that swept our home forcing our parents to move us to the New World." Finn said. Everyone nodded as they listened intensively.
Finn then explained, "That wasn't the truth, it was what Mother told Father and told all of us."
"She lied to us?!" Rebekah and Kol exclaimed loudly. Elijah ran a hand through his long hair as he asked, "Why, why did she lie?"
"It wasn't easy to explain. Before Mother had Freya, she couldn't have children, she tried many times, then one day she turned to Dahlia…" Finn said before being interrupted.
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"Who is this Dahlia you speak of?!" Niklaus asked. Finn looked to his brother and said, "She's our Aunt, Mother's sister."
Everyone's eyes widened in shock and horror as Kol asked, "That's impossible, how could that be?!"
"We never met her, how do you…?!" Caroline asked after being silent.
Finn replied, "All I knew was that mother and Aunt Dahlia were the offspring of powerful witches. That changed when the Vikings came and our Father met our mother. For years mother and father tried for a child, but the attempts were unsuccessful."
"She turned to Dahlia, for what reason was it?!" Niklaus asked. Finn explained, "Mother made a deal with Dahlia, in exchange for Dahlia handing over her fertility, Mother would present her with the first born child that she bore."
"Bloody hell, she bargained our older sister?" Kol asked in horror.
Finn stayed silent before replying, "It wasn't easy to explain to me, I couldn't believe it myself. When it happened, Mother swore to get her back, which is why they left to come to the New World."
"How could she have discovered to find us, even if you were children, she wouldn't have known where to look." Rebekah said. Finn surmised, "My only theory is she had spies follow our parents on the boat. When Caroline and Niklaus got together, she must have foreseen Aphrodite, that's why she's here."
"She wants our daughter. Not a chance in hell." Caroline growled in protectiveness. Niklaus nodded, "I'd sooner die than hand over our daughter just so that she can be the strongest witch known to man, not a chance I'd let that happen."
"We might be too late. She's here, I overheard her say she'll lure Father here and that Aurora is allied with her."
Everyone looked in fear as Caroline said, "Then I know what I'm doing, I'm gonna kill Aurora and punish her for all eternity."
Niklaus looked on in admiration as his smile reached to his cheekbones, the expressions on his siblings faces' were of awe, pride, and silent applause.
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"Kol is there a cloaking spell that we can utilise to protect both Henry and Aphrodite?" Caroline asked. Kol nods, "Yes, I can teach you the spell, if you would allow it."
Caroline nods replying, "Please, in order to protect our family."
Suddenly, Caroline gasps before falling to the floor as everyone crowds her in worry as she says, "No, no!"
"Caroline, what's wrong?!" Elijah asks.
"Sister, what's happened?" Kol asks.
Caroline opened her eyes, but they glowed white much to her family's surprise.
A vision appeared in front of her.
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Vision Scene
"Hand over the child or I kill you all."
"They're coming, you must leave immediately."
"You betrayed us, for this, you will die!"
A standoff took place between Niklaus, Elijah, Finn, and Dahlia.
"I can't wait to tear your head off and finally take what is rightfully mine."
Caroline and Aurora battled one another.
In another place, before them, there was a man approaching, he had jet black hair and sapphire blue eyes as he smiled before bowing.
"The name's Leonardo, this ugly gentleman is my brother Mauricio."
"We're family, all of us here!"
The Mikaelson's and the individuals before them nodded and shared a handshake signifying their comradeship and loyalty to one another.
End Vision
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Caroline's eyes returned to their natural blue as Rebekah said, "Caroline, are you okay?"
"What happened?" Caroline asked.
Niklaus licked his lips before replying, "You had some sort of vision, you looked in pain, love."
"There's no time, we need to cloak the kids and get them out of here, Kol, help me do the spell."
"Alright, sister." Kol had said.
Bringing their son and daughter forward, Caroline and Niklaus looked at them before saying, "Alright little ones, I need you to stay still, okay? You're gonna be okay."
Kol and Caroline shared a look together and nodded as Niklaus looked to Finn and Elijah before saying, "We'll hold off Dahlia as long as possible. Rebekah once the spell is done, take Henry and Aphrodite out of here and run, we'll find you."
Rebekah nods as she watches Kol show Caroline the cloaking spell to ensure her children's safety and repeating after Kol.
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Meanwhile, whilst the spell was being made, Niklaus, Finn and Elijah went to confront their Aunt Dahlia and found her with the Count De Martel as Niklaus made himself known, "Step away from the Count, Dahlia."
"If you know what's good for you?" Elijah adds.
Dahlia makes herself appear tall from where she stood as Finn also adds, "Whatever you think will happen, it won't change a thing. You won't ever find those children."
"You fools, you think you got one over me?" Dahlia says laughing coldly.
Niklaus snarled, "I've half a mind to kill you for what you did to Freya, but what you plan to do to my children, you're no longer my family, just a woman who will meet her fate much like her sister."
"Who murdered Esther?" Dahlia asked growing fearful. Niklaus smirked, "Mikael himself, he murdered her after discovering her misdeeds."
Dahlia growled as she replied, "You lie." "I don't lie, I only speak the truth, my family knows this as well." Niklaus says looking pleased.
"I will only say this once, hand over the children or I kill you all." Dahlia says.
All three Mikaelson men look at one another before Finn says, "You won't touch those children, not now, not ever."
The three of them prepared for a fight as some of the Count's men walked towards them with menacing expressions.
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Meanwhile, Caroline, Kol and Rebekah and the kids were running through the castle looking to escape to the forest until the doors slammed shut in front of them, they then turned around and saw Aurora standing in front with her brother Tristan who had said, "Going somewhere?!"
"You're very brave to speak to up to us." Kol said. He then looked to Rebekah and said, "Bekah, run. Don't stop until you get to the woods."
"I won't leave you two to fight them." Rebekah said. Caroline then turned and said, "Sister, my children are a priority, take them and get out of here, and hide until we find you."
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Rebekah nodded and took the children in her arms, running out with them. Caroline then turned her attention to Aurora whose eyes turned blood red as she said, "Good of you, you sparing them the pain of seeing you die."
"I only wish they could see me tear you apart piece by piece." Caroline snarled, the veins in her eyes became prominent as Kol produced the same facial expression.
"I can't wait to tear you apart and take what is rightfully mine." Aurora said.
The fight between Aurora and Caroline started with Caroline getting the high ground onto Aurora as Kol fought Tristan and ripped out his heart with pure rage.
He then turned his attention to Aurora and pushed her out of the way but ended up throwing her into the wall and it collapsed leaving a massive and sizable hole.
Kol's eyes widened as he said, "For some reason that was strangely satisfying." "Good of you to show up with your magic, brother." Caroline smirked.
"It feels good to have back already, sister!" Kol grins manically.
The two escaped the compound as they joined with Elijah, Finn and Niklaus as they found Rebekah and the kids. They then ran from the area as Dahlia watched on in seeing the destruction of the De Martel estate.
She then whispered, "You got away this time, but I will have my revenge."
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In another part of the world, something started falling towards the Mediterranean Ocean, it was streaking in a fireball of red and amber flames as it descended into the ocean. Smoke rising from the point of impact.
What appeared from the ocean, there was a number of individuals rising as one of them said, "Well that's one way to crash."
The figure himself had jet black hair, blue eyes and wore a set of armour as he smiled down at another familiar figure, who himself had the same face, similar coloured hair and a set of familiar blue eyes as he replied back, "Well better than crashing onto the ground in a fireball."
"Where the hell are we?" One other woman had said, she had long flowing raven black hair, shining azure blue eyes and wore a similar armour but coloured in Gold.
"I don't know, but we're sure aren't anywhere near home!" the first person had said.
Elsewhere in the strange, dark world with white lines, two figures had opened their eyes and smirked, "They're safe. Far from our enemies."
"Still, all we can do is hold the line and await for the time to come that they be safe once again." the man had said.