POV - Klaus
Music echoed through the former structure of The Abattoir, now completely revitalized. Warm lights, clinking glasses, and laughter rippled through. The party was typically Marcel: ostentation, power, and control. A celebration of his conquest. He had transformed the Mikaelson home into a stage for his reign.
I approached slowly, my footsteps echoing in the stone corridors. There was a cruel irony in it all. A place built with my family's blood, sweat, and pain now served as a showcase for the dominance of the one who was once my son.
As soon as I entered, all eyes turned to me. The aura shifted; the moment I entered, my presence became a call to every vampire in the room, my power was causing this. An uncomfortable silence fell for a few seconds. I ignored everyone. My eyes searched only one face.
And there he was. Marcel. At the top of the stairs, with his jacket and questioning gaze.
"Well, well… look who decided to show up."
He descended the steps with the assurance of a king.
"Klaus Mikaelson. The ghost who disappears and reappears whenever he pleases. Any particular reason for this dramatic return?"
I stared at him for a moment. The boy I saved. The man I forged. The king I raised… and who betrayed me.
"If it's not a burden, Marcel… I'd like to talk in private."
He arched an eyebrow, clearly curious. Gesturing to the guests, he motioned for me to follow.
We walked together through the complex to my old office. A space that knew my anger, my strategies... and my secrets. As soon as the door closed, the silence between us grew thicker.
Marcel crossed his arms, leaning against the wall.
"Okay. Let's go. What do you have to say?"
I took a step forward. My eyes met his. Not with anger. But with something he hadn't expected: vulnerability.
"Recent events… have forced me to reflect on many things. Especially family."
I let out a light sigh.
"Then consider the burden of hearing a confession."
He looked at me as if I had spoken in Greek. Completely different from what he expected to hear.
"I was never a good father to you, no surprise there. I never had a good role model. I never saw myself in the man who raised me. In fact… the first time I saw myself in another was the day I met you, throwing apples at the oppressor who was whipping you. I should have known you would grow up to be a better man than me."
The words hung in the air like a lament trapped for centuries. Marcel blinked a few times, a sea of emotions passing over his face.
My aura touched his. Not as an act of dominance… but of recognition. Of acceptance. He felt it.
"You know we're, like… two hundred years late to this conversation, right?"
I smiled sideways.
"Well, I'm far from perfect. But you're family. And besides… you're not innocent either."
His expression changed. I saw fear flash in his eyes before he even continued.
"I know about Rebekah… and how she lured Mikael to New Orleans. I know what you did."
Marcel paled. He tried to hide it, but the fear was real. An instinctive fear. The same fear everyone feels when faced with the original Hybrid.
I moved a little closer.
"But I forgive you, Marcellus. I understand. I cornered you. You felt forced, and perhaps, in your heart, you thought there was no other choice. I understand now."
He swallowed hard. The sincerity emanating from me… was like a blade against the guilt he kept buried.
"And as for my sister… her love for you was a threat."
My voice softened.
"How could you love each other… and still have room for me?"
Marcel looked at me as if he finally saw the man behind the mask. That understanding he'd never known… it was there, clear in his eyes. Emotion caught in his throat. He tried to speak, but nothing came out.
"Anyway… I failed you, Marcellus. To my eternal shame."
I remained silent. Just letting him feel. Let him remember. The wounded boy I saved. The warrior I trained. The son I loved.
He ran his hand over his face, trying to organize his emotions.
"Why now? Why all this… at this moment? What has changed?"
I didn't hesitate.
"Hayley Marshall, a young werewolf."
He frowned in confusion.
"And the child."
His expression froze.
"A child?"
"My child."
I replied firmly.
"Hayley is expecting my child."
"But… you're a vampire."
He whispered, almost dazed.
"Before this, I'm a werewolf. Nature always finds a way. And this child… is a miracle. A new beginning."
Marcel looked dizzy. He leaned against the table as if the ground had disappeared beneath his feet.
"The witches… they are involved."
I continued.
"They've cast a binding spell. And I won't let them use my child as a pawn. Maybe… I need help breaking that spell."
He stared at me, still in shock.
"Are you staying?"
I nodded.
"I've always wanted a home. A place to belong. New Orleans was the closest thing. And I want my little one to feel that same happiness. I want to give what I never had."
Regret gripped Marcel even more strongly. I saw it in his eyes. He felt… that perhaps he had taken all of this from me. That his rise had cost the happiness of the family that raised him.
There was silence. A silence that weighed heavily with everything that was never said.
Finally, he spoke:
"I… I'll help. Whatever it takes. Tomorrow, I'll bring my best witch to help with the spell."
I felt a tightness in my chest. Relief. Reconciliation.
"And, Klaus…"
He looked at me with teary eyes.
"You didn't fail me. You raised me. You saved me. You taught me to fight, to think… to survive. I may have lost my way. But I never forgot the man who once called an enslaved boy his son."
I approached the door, my back still to him. But before I left, I allowed myself one last word.
"That's quite a responsibility, isn't it?"
He looked at me, confused.
"You're going to be a big brother, little warrior."
A smile escaped his lips. One of those genuine, involuntary ones, the kind only childhood knows.
I left the office in silence, but deep down… with my heart a little lighter.
End of POV
The night in New Orleans pulsed with life, color and melody.
After the raucous party in the abyss of the ancient abbey, Klaus walked alone through the streetlights, reflected in the newly formed puddles on the sidewalk. The music of street performers surrounded him: out-of-tune violins, lonely saxophones, harsh voices singing melancholy blues. There was something hypnotic about this living cacophony. Something that reminded him that, despite the monsters and tragedies, the world still knew how to dance.
And it was there, amidst the sound of strings and wandering notes, that he saw her.
A man, silent, painted frantically on a makeshift canvas. Raw colors, aggressive brushstrokes. Behind him, standing with her arms crossed and a slight smile on her face, watched a young blonde woman: Camille O'Connell.
She looked exactly as he remembered. Maybe more alive. Maybe purer. The Cami he swore he would protect in the series, even if the whole world fell apart.
Klaus stopped. Time stopped with him.
She noticed him. She glanced sideways, arched an eyebrow, and said in a playful, slightly intrigued tone:
"The $100 guy."
He smiled slightly, almost wistfully, and replied:
"The brave bartender…"
His eyes slid to the nametag on her blouse, hanging casually. "Camille O'Connell."
"Camille. It's a French name."
She laughed with a sarcastic grimace.
"It's a grandma's name. Call me Cami... Amazing, isn't he?"
She said, referring to the painter.
Klaus studied the painting. The chaos depicted there seemed to echo a familiar, ancient, almost ancestral feeling.
"Do you paint?"
He asked, already knowing the answer, but reveling in the moment.
"No, but I admire... Every artist has a story, you know."
He turned slowly to her, delving into the calm depths of her blue-green eyes.
"And what do you suppose his story is?"
"He's angry. Dark. Doesn't feel safe and doesn't know what to do about it. He wishes he could control his demons instead of having his demons control him. He's lost, alone, or... maybe he just drank too much tonight. Sorry, overzealous psych major."
Klaus smiled sincerely. The memory of that conversation, which had already happened in his other life, warmed something inside him.
In a way, he still identified with what Camille said, but now it was different. He was different.
"I think you're probably right the first time."
When Cami blinked and looked to the side, as if to ask if he was a painter too... he had already disappeared into the crowd.
That same night, Klaus returned to the Mikaelson Mansion, known as the Plantation, which he, Elijah, and Hayley now used as a refuge. The silent hallways contrasted with the internal chaos that raged within him.
Alone in his room, he sat in front of the blazing fireplace. His eyes stared into the flames, but his mind saw the future. Esther. Dahlia. The Hollow. Even with his immense power, now further amplified by the power of an alpha from another universe, he knew that witches were a threat that transcended physical strength.
He needed Freya.
In the series, they wouldn't find her until months later. But he could change that. He'd already laid the groundwork with Davina, through Marcel. But Freya was another story. He needed to locate her, awaken her, and free her first. And he would.
Obviously, he still wasn't sure how he would do this, but he had to find a way.
Klaus stood up, removing his blazer, and walked to the large training room in the mansion.
He took a deep breath.
For a thousand years, he had fought like a savage warrior, an untamable monster, a force of nature. But now, with the knowledge of what was to come, he needed to be even better.
He remembered everything he saw and learned, from Jujutsu and Kalaripayattu to modern styles like Krav Maga, Wing Chun, Aikido, Jiu-Jitsu, Russian Systema, and even the most brutal forms of the wolves of the universe that was now part of him.
There, in the silence of the early morning, Klaus closed his eyes... and began to move.
Every strike, every dodge, was calculated. A fusion of a thousand styles, a thousand eras, a thousand experiences. His muscles remembered. His reflexes obeyed. His mind led. He was no longer the animal reacting to chaos. He was the master who dominated it.
In just one night, Klaus Mikaelson, Original Hybrid, Ultimate Alpha, Reincarnated with centuries of wisdom, created something new.
His own style. Lethal. Perfect. His.
He was now ready.
----
Morning in New Orleans dawned slowly.
The sun filtered through the heavy curtains of Klaus Mikaelson's room, casting golden beams across the antique wooden floor. The distant sound of birds and rustling leaves was almost soothing. Inside the room, the air was still, suspended in time.
Sitting in the lotus position in the center of the floor, Klaus kept his eyes closed, his hands resting gently on his knees. He breathed slowly and deeply. The stillness helped him organize his thoughts, a practice he had begun to adopt to balance the fury that always burned within him.
His thoughts wandered to the alliances he needed to forge, the dangers ahead, the child growing inside Hayley. He wondered if he would ever truly be at peace.
It was then that he felt it.
A sudden presence. Familiar. Ancient. Divine.
Klaus opened his eyes slowly, his instincts alert, but his expression unchanged. Beside him, standing as if he'd always been there, was Jack Kline, the silent God of the multiverse. The same one who reincarnated him. The same one who had promised a reunion.
Jack looked the same as always: young, kind, with that glint of innocence and mystery in his eyes. There was a slight smile on his face, as if his presence there were a coincidence... but Klaus knew better.
He arched an eyebrow and said, with a wry smile on his lips:
"You know… when you said we would meet again, I didn't imagine it would be so soon."
Jack let out a soft, almost shy laugh.
"Neither do I. But... new circumstances have arisen."
Klaus narrowed his eyes, still sitting, but now fully attentive.
"Circumstances, huh?"
He murmured suspiciously.
Without answering immediately, Jack reached out and summoned a metal box, engraved with symbols that even Klaus didn't recognize, which was saying a lot. The surface glowed with a faint silver pulse. Her touch seemed to vibrate the air.
"A gift."
Said Jack.
"Something that can make your future easier."
Klaus carefully picked up the box, his eyes fixed on Jack for a second longer before looking at the object in his hands. His presence alone caused the lid to unlock with a subtle click. Inside lay a massive book, its cover dark leather, with mystical details that seemed to dance in the light.
He opened the book.
What he found left him speechless, which, for Klaus Mikaelson, was a rarity.
Spells. But not just ordinary spells, ancient, impossible, forgotten spells.
A complete resurrection spell, the immortality ritual used by Esther a thousand years ago, Lucien and Marcel's Enhanced Originals serum… all this, and much more. Each page revealed a secret that would have changed the course of magical history in the world.
"That book does not exist in this universe."
Jack explained simply.
"I created it. And the box... only responds to you."
Klaus remained silent for a moment, reverently turning a few more pages. Finally, he carefully closed the book and looked at Jack with a sideways smile.
"Such generosity... and yet, you didn't give me this when you reincarnated me. What changed?"
Jack hesitated.
"You are right."
His voice lost some of its lightness.
"Back then, I didn't know I'd need this… or you. But now, something has changed. Something big. And I need a champion."
Klaus tilted his head slightly.
"Champion."
He repeated the word skeptically.
"This smacks of considerable risk. And I dare say... you're betting big."
Jack sighed, with a bitter smile.
"Yes. And I can't force you. You can refuse… but in that case, I'll have to take the book back."
Klaus stared at the object in his hands. So many solutions, so many weapons. An incalculable advantage in a world where everything could be snatched away with a snap of a powerful witch's fingers. Klaus understood it all in that moment: Jack was desperate. Something was approaching. Something not even a god could face alone.
But Klaus?
Klaus Mikaelson was more than willing to dance with fate.
"If you need a champion... then you will get one."
He said, with a firmness that echoed through the room.
"I accept."
The tension in Jack's body dissolved. Relief.
"Thank you, Klaus. Continue your journey. Strengthen yourself. When the time comes... you will hear my call."
And with a faint flicker of light, Jack disappeared.
Klaus stood there, the book resting on his lap, his eyes staring blankly for a moment. Jack's words still echoed in his mind:
"Not even a god knows what is coming."
A soft sigh escaped Klaus's lips.
"And here I thought I already had too many plans..."
He muttered ironically.
Still, his gaze lit with curiosity and excitement. The book was real. The power was real. And he didn't intend to waste it.
Wasting no time, Klaus went to his desk and began to search through the pages in search of a specific spell, something that would help him with his older sister, Freya Mikaelson.
Finding what he needed, Klaus stood with purpose. He donned his black overcoat, and with the book safely tucked inside the box, he walked out the mansion doors.
Now, he needed ingredients.
The world had changed. And Niklaus Mikaelson, now more than ever… was ready to change with it.
Mikaelson Mansion – Kitchen (3 hours later)
The scent of fresh coffee, aromatic herbs, and fried bacon filled the air, bringing the quiet Mikaelson mansion to life. Golden morning sunlight streamed through the kitchen's wide windows as Klaus, wearing a partially unbuttoned dark shirt, moved deftly in front of the stove.
The rhythmic sound of the spatula against the frying pan and the whistling kettle completed the harmony of an environment that seemed, for a moment, truly at peace.
"Hmmm…"
Hayley murmured, entering the kitchen with her eyes half-closed from sleep. She wore a loose T-shirt that fell gently over one shoulder, her brown hair still a little messy.
"Is this all for me?"
Klaus turned with a slight smile, his eyes shining with mischief and kindness in equal measure.
"Good morning, lovely wolf. Did you sleep well?"
He asked, as he placed scrambled eggs, bacon slices, roasted tomatoes, and toast on a plate.
"Of course it's for you. I cook as well as I kill, they say."
She arched an eyebrow, amused by the teasing. He approached, gently pulling out a chair before extending his hand with a gentlemanly manner that belied his reputation. Hayley hesitated for a second, but accepted it and sat down, blushing slightly.
"This is weird… you being so sweet to me."
She said, picking up the cutlery.
"Either you want something… or…"
"Or maybe I'm just trying to win over a certain stubborn wolf with food and charm?"
Klaus finished with a mischievous smile, leaning against the counter, his eyes fixed on her.
Hayley laughed, but looked away, her heart beating a little faster. It was dangerous… but strangely comforting.
"Are you trying to win me over, Klaus Mikaelson?"
"Is this an accusation… or an invitation?"
She bit her lower lip, holding back a smile.
"Idiot."
"I also discovered a way to break the bond between you and that Sophie Deveraux."
Klaus said, smoothly changing the subject, but still watching her reactions.
Hayley stopped her forkful in mid-air, her eyes wide.
"Really? How?"
"Marcel will bring a witch loyal to him. Someone powerful enough to undo this ridiculous spell."
Klaus replied, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Wait… you told him? About me? About everything?"
Klaus walked over and leaned in, resting his hands on the table, looking straight into her eyes.
"Yes. I told the truth. About you. About the baby. About everything the witches are doing."
Hayley leaned back a little, surprised.
"Aren't you afraid he'll… turn against us? He took the city from you, Klaus. Won't this end badly?"
Klaus let out a low, soft laugh before sitting down next to her, turning his body towards her naturally.
"Marcel is more than just a victorious enemy. He is… my son. I raised him, shaped him, empowered him. He knows this. And as much as there is tension, there is also respect. He understands what is at stake now. And I trust he will not make the mistake of betraying us."
Hayley looked at him, studying his face. It was rare to see Klaus so open… so genuine. The protective, almost tender side he showed her and the baby made her rethink everything she thought she knew about the Original hybrid.
"Do you really believe we can be at peace here? Raise this baby together?"
"A new beginning, Hayley. A new family."
Klaus replied softly, and then let out a smile that wasn't smug, but… hopeful.
"And who knows… maybe even more."
She looked away again, trying to contain the thoughts that were forming too quickly. A part of her wanted to believe. But she didn't want to delude herself.
At that moment, Elijah entered the kitchen, dressed as always in an impeccable suit, his eyes quickly scanning the room. Seeing them, he gave a slight smile.
"Good morning. It smells excellent."
"Good morning, brother."
Klaus said, raising his coffee mug in salute.
"Sit down. There's still plenty of food."
Elijah pulled up a chair and joined them, serving himself calmly and with dignity, as always.
"I imagine you've had time to sort everything out with Marcel."
He commented, taking a piece of bread.
"Yes. He will help us. I told him the whole truth."
Klaus confirmed, matter-of-factly.
"In fact, a witch is coming to break the spell that binds Hayley to the witches."
Elijah nodded.
"That is… unexpectedly sensible of you, Niklaus."
"We're playing their game, Elijah. And as always, we'll play better."
Klaus looked at his brother and completed with an almost brotherly smile.
"We're in this together."
Hayley, silent, just ate and watched the two of them. For the first time since arriving in that town, she felt like she belonged. A small fragment of home, perhaps.
"What about Rebekah?"
Elijah asked, wiping his lips with a napkin.
"You said you would call her today."
Klaus nodded, leaning back in his chair.
"As soon as I finish my coffee, I'll do that. She needs to know that things are moving forward… and that her return is welcome."
Elijah let out a soft sigh. For the first time in a long time, he felt a real spark of hope. The breakfast, the smiles, the plans… all of it was too rare to ignore.
For a moment, the Mikaelson brothers, accompanied by the future mother of a new generation, truly seemed like a family.
And for Elijah… that moment was precious.
When the coffee was finished, Klaus quietly left, taking his phone with him. He had an important call to make.
----
Klaus sat in an antique armchair by the window, his cell phone in hand, still feeling the taste of coffee and morning conversations.
The sun was already shining brightly, casting soft shadows on the linen curtains.
With a light sigh, he dialed his sister's number.
The phone rang for a few seconds before being answered with the typical sarcastic attitude that only Rebekah Mikaelson possessed.
"My manipulative, selfish, bastard brother calling me first thing in the morning? I must have offended someone important to me for such misfortune."
Klaus closed his eyes for a second and smiled briefly, an audible sigh escaping him afterwards.
"Rebekah…"
He said, already in a patient tone.
"Sometimes I forget how you're my perfect counterpart. A female version of myself... or as that damn Salvatore would say: The Barbie Klaus."
She let out a low, dry laugh.
"Well, someone has to keep things interesting, right?"
She answered, but there was something different in her tone. Less defensive, more curious.
Klaus relaxed slightly against the back of his chair.
"You know... when I think of you, Bekah... I can't help but remember when we were kids. You were always... my responsibility. Maybe I made you a shield... maybe a hostage to my sick love. But the truth is... you were always my favorite."
Rebekah was silent on the other end of the line. Klaus continued, his voice now low and full of melancholy.
"There was something about you that made me want to protect the world from touching you... and at the same time, protect the world from you. Your love, your anger, your pain, everything was always so intense. And no matter how much I'd wronged you, my desire to keep you close... was just a reflection of my fear of losing you."
On the other end of the line, Rebekah looked away. She was sitting in a luxurious room somewhere in Mystic Falls, but at that moment, she felt transported to the forests of the old village, beside a fireplace, being held by her brother in the middle of a storm.
"I…"
She started, but stopped, speechless.
Klaus took a deep breath.
"I know. I know what you did when we lived here, in New Orleans. I know you lured Mikael here."
The silence fell like a bomb. Rebekah swallowed, her heart stopping for a moment.
"How… how do you know that?"
She whispered, her voice trembling.
"I found out, Rebekah. Much later. And the truth is… even though it hurts, even though it cuts like a dagger in my chest… I understand."
Klaus spoke with brutal honesty.
"You wanted freedom. You wanted love. Something I, in my arrogance, judged as weakness, when it was just… humanity."
Rebekah brought her hand to her mouth, her eyes welling up.
"Niklaus…"
She murmured, tears falling.
"I remember when you defended me from Mikael... when we were human. You stood between him and me. So small... so brave."
Klaus closed his eyes, reliving the memory.
"And when I think about how you brought him to me later… it destroyed me inside. But… I forgive you, Rebekah. Not out of weakness… but because I love you. And I always will."
Rebekah was crying now, openly and deeply, without masks.
"I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry, Nik. I just wanted to live. I just wanted something that was mine…"
She sobbed.
"I know, little sister."
Klaus replied softly.
"And that's okay. You're still my family. The best part of it."
Silence. Just emotional breaths on both sides of the line.
"I…"
Klaus resumed.
"I'm expecting a child, Bekah. A child of my own. And strangely enough, I already love her as much as I love you. This baby represents… a chance. A new beginning. Something we may never have had."
Rebekah took a deep breath, trying to compose herself.
"Niklaus, you… are really changing, aren't you?"
She said in a low voice.
"Trying. Failing, sometimes. But trying."
He replied with a touch of melancholy humor.
"And it would be an honor, Rebekah, to have you by my side through all this. I'm not asking for anything. If you want to stay where you are, I'll understand. But... if you want to come back... I'll be waiting for you."
Across the way, Rebekah leaned back against the couch, her heart both broken and healed at the same time.
She hesitated… but with a weak and true voice, she answered:
"I… will think about it."
Klaus smiled softly. He knew his sister like no one else.
"It's okay. I'm happy. I love you, little sister."
A pause.
"I love you too, Nik."
She replied, and her voice trembled as she said it.
Klaus slowly hung up the phone, staring at it for a moment before letting out a genuine smile, a rare reflection of the soul still alive within him.
Rebekah would come. He knew it.
And that was all he needed for now.
----
MIKAELSON MANSION – LATE AFTERNOON
The golden light of late afternoon streams through the mansion's imposing windows. A faint silence hangs in the air, interrupted by the sound of the doorbell echoing through the ancient stone corridors.
Elijah, as always impeccable, walks to the door and opens it.
Marcel is there, elegant and self-assured, accompanied by a young woman with an intense and enigmatic appearance: Davina Claire.
"Elijah."
Marcel greets with a brief wave.
"Marcel."
Elijah responds with a slight smile, making room.
"Please come in."
The two enter, being greeted shortly after by Klaus and Hayley, who descend the stairs together.
"Thank you for coming here, Marcellus."
Klaus says, with a rare tone of sincere gratitude.
Marcel smiles.
"No problem, Klaus."
Then he looks at Hayley.
"And you must be the famous wolf."
"Hayley."
She responds, extending her hand, a little taken aback by Marcel's confident charm.
"Marcel. And this one here…"
He gently pulls Davina forward.
"...It's my secret weapon against the witches."
Elijah and Hayley exchange surprised looks, but Klaus just smiles, admiring Marcel's game.
"The trust of sharing this with me…"
Klaus says, looking directly at Marcel.
"It's something I won't take for granted."
"You also entrusted me with something big, Klaus. This baby, this... new era."
Marcel responds naturally, glancing at Hayley.
"And Davina is powerful. Much more than she seems. She'll be able to break the bond easily."
He said with pride evident in his voice.
Klaus turns to Davina, now more gentle.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Davina. I know how hard it can be to trust us. But I want you to know… I'm truly grateful."
Davina, a little restrained, just nods. Marcel reassures her with a look.
Elijah brings out Esther's grimoire, carefully opening it to the spell page. He places it in the center of the table, along with a small, ancient-looking object pulsing with energy: the "Sanguinum Knot," a magical knot woven from leather and enchanted thread.
"Here is the bond. A physical representation of the magic connecting Hayley to the witch."
Elijah explains.
Davina watches, focused.
She stands in front of the grimoire. The lights in the room flicker subtly as the air fills with arcane energy.
Hayley is already feeling the impact.
"Everything is fine."
Klaus says quickly, walking over to her and grabbing her shoulders.
"I'm here with you."
"I know…"
She whispers, closing her eyes, trusting.
Davina recites the incantation precisely, her voice steady:
"Nexum sanguinis, solve vinculum. Iterum libera. Praeteritum resilit."
The knot comes undone, the threads magically untie themselves, as if they had a will of their own.
Hayley exhales in relief, her body relaxing.
"I... I feel it. It worked."
She says, and then looks at Klaus, with a genuine smile and teary eyes.
Klaus, touched, approaches and kisses her head affectionately, which makes the wolf blush.
Elijah watches from the corner of his eye, a slight smile on his lips.
Marcel smiles proudly.
"Well done, little one."
He says, and Davina smiles back.
"You are truly talented, Davina."
Klaus says seriously.
"I really appreciate it. You've done more for this family than you can imagine."
Then Klaus hesitates. His gaze becomes more calculating.
"Could I ask for three more spells?"
Everyone in the room is silent for a moment.
"Three?"
Marcel raises his eyebrow, immediately
becoming defensive.
"That wasn't part of the deal, Klaus."
Elijah frowns too.
"May I ask… what are they for?"
"Of course."
Klaus responds, in a calm tone.
"I need to enter a… dangerous place. And rescue someone important. There's a magical barrier, and these spells are essential."
There was something in his tone… sincere, determined. Everyone feels it, even if they don't understand it. His natural aura of command was in full force.
Davina looks at Marcel. He hesitates, but finally gives in with a nod.
"Alright."
Klaus, with his hybrid speed, runs and returns with the box containing the old book he received from Jack and the ingredients.
He opens on the first page:
1. "Susurrum Vitae" – The Whisper of Life
> Awakens a soul trapped in magical sleep, without breaking the original enchantment.
Davina gathers the ingredients: silver druid pendant, belladonna, wolfsbane, and ginseng root. She crushes everything with precision, whispering:
"Vitae spiraculum, animam leniter voco. Somnus fractus, cor redit."
The pendant glows mystical purple.
2. "Silent Shade Sigil" – Seal of Silent Shadow
> Conceals magical and spiritual presence. Impossible to track.
Davina grabs an antique necklace, macerated white sage, mandrake, and verbena, and recites:
"Umbra tacita, tege animam meam. Nullus sanguis, nullus oculus. Abscondita maneam."
The necklace glows in ethereal gold.
3. Twin Bracelets – Invisibility & Protection
Double layer of magic: temporarily hides and protects.
Davina holds the two bracelets, recites:
"Cela quod videri non debet, protege quod non protegitur. Evanesco, propter magiam non existo."
Both glow silvery blue.
Everything works perfectly.
Klaus approaches.
"Davina… you have no idea how much this means to me. To my family. Marcel cares for you. So I will too."
Break.
"Consider yourself part of the family, without a doubt."
Davina is moved, smiling genuinely. Marcel smiles too, touched.
"That was… beautiful."
Hayley murmurs, watching Klaus with warm eyes.
Elijah remains alert, but recognizes the value of what has been done.
"Here."
Klaus says, handing Esther's grimoire to Davina.
"It's yours now."
"Serious?"
She asks, surprised.
"Yes."
He answers.
"Do something better with it than my mother did."
Davina, overcome with emotion, hugs Klaus tightly, who hugs her back.
Klaus accompanies Marcel and Davina to the exit.
Before letting them leave, Klaus pulls Marcel aside.
"Don't you recognize Hayley? The Labonair line?"
Marcel blinks in surprise. Memories hit him:
the baby he saved, the events of decades ago.
"Of course I remember…"
"It's not my story to tell. But you're part of it. Talk to her."
Marcel nods seriously.
"I will. I promise."
They say goodbye. Klaus returns inside.
Klaus approaches the fireplace, gathering the enchanted amulets.
Elijah crosses his arms curiously.
"You're going to tell me now… who exactly is about to be rescued?"
Klaus gives a half smile.
"A family member. A long-lost one. I'm not sure yet... but it's time to find out."
Half true. But enough to allay concerns.
Hayley approaches.
"Be careful, Klaus."
He turns to her, with that typical charm.
"I am the most powerful creature in the world, remember?"
Hayley rolls her eyes, laughing.
"Just don't die. That's all I ask."
Klaus smiles, his eyes shining with a mixture of affection and purpose.
He walks to the door. The evening light falls on his face.
The quest for Freya began now.
----
Klaus stopped in front of Dowager Fauline Cottage, the old asylum sealed off by a witch's spell many years ago.
His eyes scanned the weathered facade as he removed from his coat a small, enchanted bracelet, his counterspell amulet. It made him undetectable to location spells and magical barriers, as well as invisible to the naked eye.
With a firm look, he fastened it to his wrist.
Magic pulsed faintly, enveloping his body like an ethereal cloak.
Without hesitation, Klaus entered the asylum.
Moving with the unearthly speed of the Original Hybrid, he crossed the dark corridors like a silent shadow.
He passed abandoned rooms, rooms with dust-covered wheelchairs, rusted doors, and windows that let in pale moonlight. For a few seconds, all he could hear was the sound of the wind and his own footsteps echoing.
Until he found her.
A room protected by an ancient, nearly invisible rune. Klaus reached out, drawing the symbol of shattering in the air, whispering words he'd learned from grimoires he should never have accessed.
The door creaked.
Inside, illuminated by a faint blue light from enchanted candles, lay Freya. Lying in a glass coffin protected by ancient magic, the sister he had never had the chance to know fully. The sister who had been taken. Lost.
With determination, Klaus stepped forward.
His fingers touched the glass, and with a supernatural push, the lid dislodged, releasing the stagnant air from the room.
He removed from his neck a silver druid pendant, also enchanted, thanks to dear Davina Claire. An artifact meant to undo the spells of eternal sleep.
Carefully, he placed it on Freya's chest.
The instant the pendant touched her skin, an intense light erupted from the artifact, enveloping her body in a warm, silvery glow.
Magic vibrated in the air, thick and alive, filling the space with a low hum.
Freya's eyes snapped open.
She shot up, gasping, her gaze filled with pure shock and confusion. Her eyes stared at Klaus as if she saw a ghost, or perhaps a distant memory.
He smiled at her, serene, firm… and with the gentleness of someone who has finally restored a lost part of their family, he whispered:
"Welcome back, big sister."