---
It did not take long for Klaus to awaken and rise to his feet.
("Klaus, are you all right?") the witch asked, worry shadowing her face.
("Yes, my dear, I am fine,") Klaus replied, brushing the dust from his clothes as his gaze fell upon the still bodies of his siblings. ("It worked.")
("Yes,") the witch sighed, relief escaping her lips. ("The spell has been reinforced. You and your brothers are now immune to ordinary wood—and tonight, you have slaughtered every foe who dared stand here. You are a hybrid now. Congratulations.")
("And what about the White Oak?") Klaus pressed, anxiety breaking through his composure. This was the one weakness he longed to see destroyed. ("Was that curse eliminated?")
("Unfortunately, no. The White Oak remains deadly,") the witch confessed with a heavy breath. ("It seems that Nature itself intervened, abruptly halting the spell to ensure this weakness could not be erased.")
("Nature?")
("Yes. It was as if she were… conscious. Not just a concept, but a presence. Alive. Aware. And it frightens me, Klaus,") the witch admitted, her voice trembling. ("Nature has always been described as wild and irrational, but what I felt tonight… was intelligence. Will.")
("If Nature is conscious, why didn't she destroy me—or my brothers?") Klaus asked, unease flickering across his face. ("I committed yet another crime against her… and yet, she did nothing to you.")
("She did not seem enraged,") the witch mused softly. ("On the contrary… she seemed almost relieved. As though we had lifted a burden from her shoulders.")
("Damn it,") Klaus muttered darkly to himself, though never turning his wrath upon the witch. ("I haven't become mortal again, have I?")
("No. In fact, you are more immortal than before. But it feels… different now. More natural. The darkness of the immortality spell no longer reeks of corruption. It feels softer, like the calm shadow of the night,") the witch teased gently, brushing her fingers against his cheek. ("As if the curse had become a blessing.")
("Strange… And what of the other weaknesses?") Klaus demanded.
("Your brothers now only burn beneath the sun—fire no longer destroys them. Vervain still harms, but far less so. You are resistant to magic, nearly immune. And ordinary wood… can no longer touch you.")
---
("Well, look who's awake.")
Klaus turned to see Elena stirring, her eyes fluttering open as she rose with a start.
("Klaus…"), she whispered, taking a step back as her hand flew to her neck. ("It worked… oh God.")
Her breath caught in her throat as her gaze swept the room, landing upon the lifeless bodies scattered across the floor.
("This is all of it. Take your car and leave. Speak of nothing you've seen tonight—we'll keep this little game between us.")
("I thought I was free,") Elena sobbed, despair trembling in her voice.
Klaus strode toward her, stopping just inches away. His eyes locked onto hers, and though she stood her ground, he could see the shiver that ran through her.
("You are a doppelgänger, love. Your blood is one of the most precious treasures in the supernatural world. If I release you, others will come—and they will do things to you that even I would not wish upon you.")
---
Tears welled in Elena's eyes.
("So I'm bound to you?")
("Yes. Until you prove yourself strong enough to defeat me. If you overcome one of the most powerful beings in existence, peace will be yours—most would not dare challenge you then.")
("That's impossible.")
("It isn't. I will eventually leave this city, and my departure will be remembered as exile. Until then, you must endure me.") Klaus raised his hand, hooking his little finger with hers. ("I swear, on my pinky, that peace will be yours.")
Elena let out a small laugh through her tears, entwining her finger with his. They both laughed softly—not as friends, but bound by a fragile promise of peace.
("But for this to work, you must pretend the war continues. Pretend you are still the sacrifice. Pretend you are fighting with all you have,") Klaus warned sternly. ("To your lovers, your friends, your family. And I promise none of them will die—so long as they never harm mine.")
("Okay.")
("You may go now. Your family will already be worried.")
("Klaus… thank you.")
---
("You manipulative bastard,") the witch laughed, throwing her arms around him.
("Do you think so? I only do what is necessary,") Klaus murmured, kissing her lips.
("That girl, Elena—the little witch you keep close—it's all part of your plan. You win their trust without them ever realizing they've been manipulated.")
("To have peace, one must first have the strength to wage war. My mother's grimoires are in the car. If you'd like to stay awhile… we can enjoy ourselves. They won't vanish.")
("Mmm, tempting. Then what should I do with your brothers and sister?")
("I left Elijah in a hotel, the dagger removed. I'll handle the rest,") Klaus whispered before kissing her again.
And together, they remained entwined until dawn.
---