And the second chapter! Tell me how you like it.

Again a Thank you to Senema for her questions und suggestions. It helps me to make this story better.

Chapter 2

A moment ago, Davina had been in the hell, the witches of New Orleans considered their afterlife, hunted and tormented by the Ancestors, and the next moment she was in a huge cavern like hall. Huge stone pillars supported the ceiling and plants grew everywhere, many of which climbed up the pillars.

Diffuse light illuminated the hall just enough, so that Davina could only make out the few meters around her. It was hard to tell if it was only because of the poor lighting but the hall looked run down. Rubble covered the floor and huge cobwebs stretched between the pillars. In short, the whole hall gave the impression that no one had entered it for thousands of years.

Looking around in confusion, Davina saw that she wasn't the only one who had been brought here. Right next to her stood Ariane and Sophie, who were kind of her friends or at least acquaintances. They shared the same fate as her in that the Ancestors viewed them as enemies and they shared Davina's treatment too.

Slowly the diffuse light intensified and as the stone hall grow brighter Davina could see Agnes, Celeste, Monique and many of the other witches, who constantly tormented them, twenty meters away. Huge terrible creatures with wings and serpent heads guarded them with swords in their hands, and they didn't look friendly while doing it.

Agnes had seen her now too. "You! What have you done now?"

Before Davina could reply that she had nothing to do with this, Agnes raised her hands. Davina recognized the beginning of the spell that had so often inflicted pain on her and braced herself when Agnes suddenly turned to stone. The other witches with her started to rush to Agnes' aid but it seemed like their feet had grown firmly attached to the ground. They looked as confused as Davina felt.

A tall figure in a black hooded cloak, which reached to the ground, and holding a long staff in his right hand stepped between them. Turning towards Davina, it said: "You and your companions are under the protection of the queen. She has decreed that no one may harm you, until she has judged you and decided your fate." His voice was deep and male.

"And who is this queen?" came a cool voice behind her.

Davina turned around and recoiled in shock when she recognized Esther, Dahlia and Mikael, who were suddenly in the hall too. She was absolutely certain none of them had been here a second ago.

The man pulled back his hood and instead of a face, Davina saw a skeleton head. "I am Charon, the ferryman between the living and the dead. I am also the steward of Hades and Persephone, and in their absence sadly the ruler of the underworld." The skeleton head grinned and a blue light burned in his eye sockets. "Luckily I won't be that for much longer, because the ruling couple remembers their past lives again and they will ascend to their throne within a few hours. The underworld has their rulers back and soon all things will change, when they begin to restore the order."

Dahlia gasped and when Davina turned to her, she looked incredibly shocked and afraid. Seeing Dahlia afraid made Davina apprehensive but before she could ask her for the reason, another familiar voice spoke from behind her.

"Davina?"

Davina turned and Camille was standing in front of her. Without a second's hesitation, she hugged her. "Oh, Camille, it's so good to see you again."

Camille returned the hug before turning to the side and frowning. "Am I wrong, or weren't those thrones standing there before?"

Davina turned in the same direction and saw a massive throne of ebony, set with silver and crawling with golden vines, standing upon a raised dais with three stages with a matching throne of silver spiked with dark and twisting thorns. "No, I don't think so", she said uncertainly. "I'm not even sure that the dais was here before."

"Preparations are under way to provide a suitable backdrop for the ascension to the throne. Persephone doesn't like disorder, she likes things proper and neat", Charon explained pleasantly enough. He waved his hand and the debris and cobwebs disappeared. Huge bowls appeared, belching flames and fully illuminating the hall. Davina could see damaged pillars repairing themselves but to her surprise the plants remained, Charon didn't make them disappear or change something about them.

"There are more visitors to come. All petitioners, who are under the special favour of the ruling couple, have the right to stand close to the thrones."

Davina swallowed and started walking, followed by Sophie, Ariane, Camille, Esther, Dahlia, and Mikael, while the other witches remained motionless. They were nearing the thrones when Finn and a boy Davina didn't recognize appeared.

Now Esther gasped loudly. "Henrik?" she asked in a trembling voice.

The boy eyed her and Davina could see him stiffen. "Esther, Mikael", he said coolly. His facial expression seemed as if he was looking at something particularly disgusting.

Finn put an arm protectively around his shoulders and glared at his parents. "He doesn't want anything to do with you."

Davina now recognized the name of the youngest Mikealson, whose death had sparked the creation of vampires.

Esther took a step forward and stretched out her hand to Henrik, but he backed away and literally hid behind Finn.

For a moment Finn looked like he wanted to start an argument with his parents, but then he looked over Davina's shoulder and grimaced in disgust. "What are they doing here?"

Davina followed Finn's gaze and saw Aurora, Lucien and Tristan standing next to the witches. Like them they couldn't seem to move.

"What is this?" Davina asked suspiciously. "A meeting of all the enemies of the Originals?"

Finn glared angrily at her. "I am not an enemy of my siblings. Not anymore", he corrected himself.

"And I can't wait to see my siblings again", said Henrik defiantly.

"Well, and I am not an enemy of the Originals either", Camille said dryly. "But what do you mean, seeing your siblings again?"

"He told me that all the Originals are honoured guests and will come soon too", answered Henrik and pointed to Charon.

"The Originals are honoured guests of Hades and Persephone? Fascinating", said a man's voice.

Davina slowly got annoyed with all the turning around. Couldn't the people simply appear right in front of her? This time Aiden stood behind her. "Aiden?" She hugged him. "Josh misses you so much."

"I know, I watch him sometimes", Aiden said with a slight, sad smile. "And I miss him too."

"And it's no wonder the Originals are honoured guests of the gods of death. I bet they are responsible for the arrival of a lot of the new denizens", said Davina snidely.

"I have to disappoint you, witch, but most murdered newcomers can be attributed to your race", Charon replied, his voice very cold and disparaging. "You witches are a disease, who have fallen far from what they originally should be. Soon you all will face judgement and you will remember, what it really means to be the servants of Nature."

Dahlia went pale as she heard that.

"That sounds kind of ominous", said Aiden softly. "But it will be certainly interesting to see the Originals again."

"Interesting? Klaus killed you", Davina said indignantly.

"Klaus didn't murder me; it was someone else." Aiden stared at Dahlia, who returned his gaze indifferently.

Next to Aiden, Gia and Jackson appeared; they looked around in confusion and surprise as well.

"Nonetheless, this gathering seems to involve the Originals and their past with all those, who are here", Camille said thoughtfully.

"I think so too", Esther agreed. "But what could it be?" She looked at a loss.

Dahlia cleared her throat. "Maybe I have an answer to that." Everyone looked at her. "Charon has said that Hades and Persephone have awakened and will resume their rule. To me, the only reason that there are so many friends, enemies and acquaintances of the Originals gathered here is that one of them reincarnated a thousand years ago in the form of a Mikaelson.

After Esther cast her spell that turned her family into Originals, the loop was broken and they couldn't find each other again. A few centuries ago, I met a seer who gave me a prophecy. Hades and Persephone will one day find each other again and when that happens everything will change, forever."

There was a general exchange of dismayed looks; most of those present found this a rather startling revelation.

"That really doesn't sound good at all", Aiden mumbled. "Any of you have any idea who from the Originals it could be?"

"Let's just hope it's not Klaus", Jackson said uncomfortably.

As if on cue, Klaus appeared next to them, who made a rather worn-out impression. But as soon as he caught sight of Camille, his face brightened. "Camille! After Hayley found me, she told me I would see you here."

"Klaus", Camille murmured and lunged at Klaus to hug and kiss him. He returned her affection and tenderness just as passionately.

Jackson waited impatiently until the two finally let go of each other. "You said Hayley brought you here?"

Klaus finally had the opportunity to look at the other people present. He grimaced when he saw Esther, Dahlia and Mikael, but when his gaze fell on Henrik and Finn he swallowed. "Henrik?"

"Hello, Klaus." Henrik beamed at him and stepped up to Klaus to hug him.

Klaus got on his knees and hugged Henrik. "Forgive me for letting you die", he whispered in his ear.

"It was not your fault. It was my idea and I pushed you to go see the wolves. I knew you couldn't deny me." Henrik sighed slightly. "It is I, who should ask for forgiveness from you and the others. I am the reason why our parents did these monstrous things to you."

"Don't say such nonsense", Klaus said roughly. "Our parents never treated us well even when we were still alive." He glared hatefully at Esther and Mikael. "They are the only ones who should feel guilty."

Klaus got up again and now looked at Jackson. "To answer your question, Kenner, Hayley found me wandering the underworld and brought me here. She told me that Hope is fine, Camille is here and that I will see my siblings soon, who are now all healed and awake." He smirked. "She also announced to me that I would be free again within a few days."

Dahlia frowned. "If Hayley was able to find you, that means she's either Hades or Persephone. Is there anyone among the Originals that she has had a special relationship with since the beginning?"

Klaus smirked. "Well, we have a child together, does that count?" He knew that Dahlia meant someone else with her question, but why should he make it easy for her.

"Elijah", Esther breathed, ignoring her son's usual antagonism and rudeness. "The two had a special relationship from the start. While trying to break his will, I created many visions and illusions with Hayley to make him suffer."

Klaus growled, but before he could respond with an attack, Charon put a hand on his shoulder. "No fighting, not even from you!"

Klaus glanced at the skeleton hand before nodding reluctantly, instead considering Dahlia's and Esther's remarks. "So Hayley and Elijah are Persephone and Hades. Well, it kind of fits."

Dahlia snorted. "That's not said, it could just as easily be the other way around. Gods don't care about their outward gender appearance. It's all about personality and character traits."

Davina had listened with an uneasy feeling in her stomach. "Elijah as Hades sounds really horrible; it would make him the god of death." She snorted derisively. "Like Klaus said, it kind of fits."

"You should hope that Elijah is Hades, little witch." Dahlia shuddered. "Because Hades, despite his bad reputation, is pretty fair and sticks to the rules, and most of his true power lies in the underworld.

Persephone, on the other hand, possesses great power in the real world and it is known, she uses that power when she feels it is necessary or when someone threatens those, she cares about. Do you know what name Persephone had among witches?"

Davina shook her head silently.

"Nature", said Dahlia significantly. "When witches say they are servants of Nature, what they mean is that they are the servants of Persephone. She is our Queen, the undisputed ruler of all witches, and no witch is capable of denying her her wishes." Dahlia looked over at the still calcified Agnes. "And she has no qualms whatsoever to punish those who go against her will."

The thought of what it would mean for the witches of New Orleans if Elijah actually should be Persephone terrified Davina. She looked over at Ariane, who had a very thoughtful expression on her face. "You have seen Elijah's past. Did you notice anything?"

"No, not in his past", Ariane answered quietly. "But I saw a glimpse of the future. I've seen all witches kneel and entire covens wiped out." She shook herself. "But it was only the covens who drew their power from black magic such as sacrificial magic and suchlike. Those covens whose witches only use white magic or channel nature were almost all intact and unharmed."

Ariane shrugged. "I can't say I feel sorry for the wiped out covens. They have brought so much disaster and death upon others. Why shouldn't they pay the price for it? And I'm not excluding myself or you from that."

"He murdered you", Davina said heatedly.

"He released me", Ariane corrected gently. "I knew he was coming to kill me and I could have prevented my death, but I didn't want to. And he at least did it to protect his family, the witches of New Orleans only ever killed for power."

Sophie chuckled. "If Elijah really is Persephone, some vampires and witches are going to have some very bad days. I really need to take the time to watch it and to finally see Marcel get his well-deserved comeuppance."

Davina snarled. "I'm surprised you think so. Are you a fan of the Originals nowadays?"

"Why should I think differently? Marcel murdered my sister and let's not forget you helped him with it." Sophie shrugged indifferently. "It wasn't the Originals who murdered me; it was my niece, guided by the Ancestors. I have no reason to feel any sympathy for them or Marcel when Persephone uses her power against them."

"Elijah and Freya murdered me", Davina replied angrily.

"You were already dead", Sophie replied evenly. "It was the Ancestors who killed you through Kol because you murdered a lot witches too. In addition, it was you, who helped Marcel terrorize the witches of New Orleans and murder them; this was the reason that my sister and I lured the Originals back to New Orleans. And you were always their enemy, why shouldn't they kill you? Grow up, the world doesn't revolve around you! Actions have consequences, and your bill was long overdue."

"And Lucien was an abomination, he had to be put down", agreed Ariane with Sophie.

"Does that mean to you Marcel is also an abomination?" Davina asked coolly.

"Yes", Ariane answered curtly. "And Nature will not accept him."

"You mean Elijah won't accept him", corrected Davina sneering.

"I'm afraid it makes no difference", said a new voice. The three witches turned to the voice and recognized Freya, who looked very grave. "Persephone is part of Elijah and vice versa, the two halves of the personality are acting in perfect harmony. And Persephone is a very scary person or should I say goddess."

"So Elijah really is Persephone", said Klaus in amazement, who had been amusing himself with the verbal exchange between the witches.

"Yes, Niklaus, he is." Freya walked towards her brother and hugged him. "It's good to see you." Then she released him and rushed over to Finn to greet him as well. She completely ignored her parents and Dahlia.

Rebekah and Kol took the opportunity to hug their brother as well.

Klaus looked around. "Where is Elijah?" he asked hoarsely after the greeting was over.

"He's coming soon", Rebekah promised quietly. "Hayley stayed with Hope. She said it's finally time we got our justice."

Kol looked over at the witches and the first vampires the Originals had created, who still couldn't move and were staring at them with hatred. "Do they know what to expect?"

"No", Charon answered, now standing next to him. "A bell of silence hangs over them, they cannot hear anything that is spoken here, not even the vampires." He chuckled softly. "Persephone wanted to see their faces, when she makes her identity known to them."

After Freya greeted Finn, she looked at the boy standing next to him. "You must be Henrik, my youngest brother."

"And you're Freya, my eldest sister." Henrik smiled. "It's great to finally meet you."

"I agree." Freya knelt down and hugged him.

Kol and Rebekah had now also discovered Henrik. Seeing their little brother again after a thousand years made for a stormy greeting.

Camille was still standing next to Klaus, observing the family reunion with a soft smile. "It's good to see you all together again." She put her head on his shoulder. "I stopped by from time to time in the last four years but it broke my heart to see you like this."

"I would have endured even worse for my family", Klaus replied quietly. "And I know that my torment will soon come to an end. Elijah must be pretty pissed off by now." He chuckled softly. "Knowing my brother, it should be quite a memorable performance when he comes to get me."

Camille smiled slightly. "I assume so too." She got serious. "What will happen to Marcel?"

"I don't know." Klaus sighed. "And honestly, right now I can't bring myself to do any sort of intervention on his behalf with Elijah."

"That's perfectly understandable", Camille replied. "No one can blame you for struggling to forgive him for the last four years. And considering how many times he's betrayed you and you've always forgiven him for it, maybe he doesn't deserve it again." She shrugged.

"At some point even love and affection for a son is no longer enough to forgive him everything and let him get away with his deeds. Do not worry! Knowing Elijah, he already has a good idea of what Marcel's punishment will be." For a moment, her smile turned vengeful. "And for my part, I can't wait to watch it."

"I missed you so much", said Klaus quietly.

"Me too, Klaus, me too", Camille replied just as softly.

Kol, meanwhile, had approached Davina. "Hello, Davina, sorry I killed you", he said, seemingly unconcerned.

Davina chuckled softly. She only had to look into his eyes to know how much it distressed him. "It was a curse the Ancestors put on you. It was not your fault." She hesitated. "Do you know what plans Elijah has for me?"

Kol smiled. "Yes, I know them. Don't worry, you will like them!"

And Davina felt a surge of hope that her life wasn't over yet and she still had a future with Kol.