Chapter 7:
"What is it you'd like to know about us?" Leonardo asked after several minutes passed.
Niklaus placed his arms behind his back and asked, "Why are you here, why come to this place?"
Leonardo didn't know what to say and then someone else piped up, "We came here because we had been attacked."
A man approached with brown hair, he had dark eyes as he looked down solemnly before he had said, "We were attacked by enemies of our parents."
The Mikaelson's looked at each other before Kol asked, "Enemies of your parents? What happened?"
"Our families' are very close, almost in blood. The land we came from was ruled by houses and both Leonardo and Mauricio were our leader's sons. Our leader was a very powerful man, a warrior who detested slavery, murder and rape but above all he hated anyone who preyed on children." The man who had spoken up.
Elijah and Niklaus felt their anger grow, even Caroline's grew too as she felt her heart break fearing for all the little ones around the world whose souls were innocent.
"Both he and his wife were warriors who did everything possible to protect us. Along with our fathers and mothers." A woman said speaking up, she was very beautiful with broken blue eyes and long dark hair, she held a broken expression and gripped a small dagger close to her leg.
Caroline then spoke, "Why would someone so twisted target innocent children, why target you?"
"He wanted power. He craved power, strength, he manipulated people, preyed upon the weak and bent them to do his sick, twisted demands, he made me do horrible things, he beat us, raped me, forced myself to turn into something I have hated for so long."
One of the men took a knee to reassure the young lady that they were safe and their enemy was not around to hurt them. The Mikaelson's were appalled by this as Rebekah asked, "How could someone do this, do things to a man that is capable of doing to another?"
"If you don't believe what they're saying, then please… believe me, my Lord…" Both Leonardo and Mauricio winced in disgust of hearing that word, even Lady Valerie winced at her mistake and mouthed to the young men, "Sorry young ones."
Niklaus turned to Lady Valerie as he asked, "You want me to look into your mind?" "I don't want to drag up the memories of the young . The scars that they face will easily cause them to hide in fear." Valerie said.
"What else will I see?" Niklaus said. Valerie closed her eyes before saying, "You'll also see why I protect them as well, my Lord." She shakily took a breath, the mental stress that took over her being was very well seen, even the women were uncomfortable hearing it spoken.
"You don't have to call me that, Lady Valerie." Niklaus gently said.
Niklaus opened his mind along with Elijah and Kol as they breathed in and saw images of Lady Valerie, even seeing Leonardo and Mauricio.
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Vision Scene
Many children ran through the forest all holding toy swords and playing together, even the boys, especially the black haired and blue-eyed boys, they were clearly the leaders as one of them said, "Onward, my brothers, for tonight, we shall ride to victory like the knights of old."
"One shall stand, and one shall fall, may the best win."
In the distance, the tall man with jet black hair and blue eyes smiled as he was joined by his beloved raven-haired, blue-eyed lady soon said, "They make great knights, shouldn't we start training them to be ready for everything."
"They're only boys, my darling, but soon they'll become young men who will go to cause trouble and chaos." The beautiful woman had said. The man whispered, "May the spirits help us."
The woman laughed melodically as she then called out, "Children, come on inside, the feast is ready."
"Last one to the table is a rotten warrior." One of the boys called out.
Beside the raven-haired couple, the purple-eyed lady watched them, it was Lady Valerie as she said, "Such little troublemakers, you have a beautiful family, brother."
"For which we're grateful you're a part of dear sister."
From within the vision, Kol, Niklaus and Elijah all smiled at such a happy family, often wondering what could have driven them to leave even when things looked so sunshine and rainbows.
Many visions passed by, and they saw the young boys turn into men and not age after they turned 18. The Mikaelson men only wondered how this was even possible.
But the visions they saw turned darker, they saw the challenges, how the individuals were tested, how they were captured, tortured both physically and mentally, how their attitudes changed, they became their worst enemies.
"How powerful you will become."
"Soon we shall rule an empire that will no longer be opposed by meagre threats."
Their eyes changed from a natural blue to a sickly yellow and orange, it felt like dancing flames coursing through their veins. The Mikaelsons watched as the new arrivals battle their own parents, their brothers and sisters, people they called friends and allies.
But they watched the heart-breaking pain it took to regain themselves and become who they once were.
Another vision came around, and it was horrific.
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A city engulfed by destruction, screams, fear, anger and hate, warriors battled each other against an enemy so powerful and destructive that there was no other way to stop them from obtaining what was rightfully craved.
Weapons on both sides were often axes or swords.
They watched as Leonardo and Mauricio fought with every ounce of their strength to claim victory, fighting off many combatants that had kept coming, nearly overwhelming them in numbers.
Buildings collapsed leaving debris, windows shattered into tiny shards cutting into a man's skin.
They even watched as the older man shouted, "Everyone, fall back!"
They were speechless, even a battle such as this still had a chance of victory, but even warriors that had been exhausted and weary after what appeared to be days, weeks even months of destruction, death and suffering.
Still, they abided by their leader's wishes.
Even Mauricio asked why, "General, why are we retreating, we can still break their frontal attack?"
"My sons, even a victory has its price. But there is honour in advancing another way. You must get to safety, we will hold the enemy and buy you time to escape."
Valerie ran over as she saw her leader and asked. "What do you mean, retreat?"
"The battle is almost lost, I will not sacrifice more lives for the protection of my sons, my daughters and for my brothers, and sisters. Valerie, you must take the boys and our nephews, nieces. Find another place, establish a base, raise an Army to fight, we'll hold the line and await for your return to us."
Valerie was reluctant to leave, even she watched as her General continued to fight on, wanting to fight as a warrior should. Valerie felt tears down her cheeks as she watched the violence's of war before her eyes she started to retreat, racing towards her nephews racing towards their escape route as she couldn't help but realise she abandoned her family, her loved ones, even her fellow warriors to their fates.
She then vowed, "Soon, we'll be back, you may have defeated us, but you haven't broken our hearts yet."
End Vision
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Coming back to the beautiful region of Tuscany, Italy. The Mikaelsons couldn't help but feel heartbreak, fear and only sorrow.
Lady Valerie herself cried only silently as Kol couldn't help but offer silent words of condolences and apologies.
Even Niklaus himself couldn't find the words to bring any comfort at all.
Leonardo himself said, "Now you've seen us, you've seen what this enemy can do. You understand why we fled, if he had gotten to us, there are only worse things than death."
"We understand what you mean, rest assured we will protect you." Niklaus said. Elijah nodded adding, "We wouldn't gain much by turning you in, you'll be safe with us."
"Then we shall call you allies. I thank you, we all thank you." Leonardo says.
"Niklaus Mikaelson is my name and my wife, Caroline."
"Well, Niklaus, you can call me Leonardo. Leonardo Capelli of House Capelli." Leonardo says offering his hand which Niklaus readily accepts.