𝑨𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒔𝒎 - 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑽𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑫𝒊𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔

「Chapter 11」

Elias gasped, eyes flying open. He was still in the forest but it was...different. Lusher, more vibrant.

"You were supposed to materialize us, not time travel again," Kol complained, rubbing his head.

"What? The past?" Elias asked, disoriented.

"Yes, we've gone back to the beginning," Kol confirmed.

"Beginning...before you were vampires?" Elias clarified.

Kol quirked an eyebrow. "You know much for a stranger."

Elias gulped. "I get visions of the past, present and future."

"How curious," mused Kol.

"Says the thousand year old immortal," Elias countered wryly.

Kol laughed. "Fair. We've moved past 'weird' by now."

He helped Elias to his feet. Elias swayed slightly, magic depleted.

Kol steadied him. "Easy there. That spell took quite the toll."

"I don't understand how this happened," Elias said, frustrated. "My magic is out of control."

"Wait, where's Finn?" Elias asked, glancing around.

Kol waved a hand dismissively. "No idea. Don't care either."

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. When they snapped open, power shone through.

"Phesmatos venti, audi vocem meam! Excita vim tuam, et crea ventum vehementem!" Kol chanted.

Suddenly the wind roared violently, leaves and debris swirling through the air. Elias shielded his face, awed by the display of power. Even as a witch, Kol was formidable. No wonder he had embraced magic before vampirism.

"I guess I'm a witch again," Kol smirked.

As quickly as it started, the wind died down. Kol grinned at Elias' impressed expression.

"Just a simple weather spell," he said casually, though obviously pleased by the reaction.

"Simple for you maybe," Elias retorted. "I can barely levitate a twig right now."

Kol tilted his head consideringly. "Your power is there, untamed. With the proper teacher, you could master more complex spells."

Elias smiled slightly. "And I suppose you're offering your teaching services?"

"It would be my pleasure. You could also learn from my mother," Kol purred. He extended his hand to Elias who took it after only a brief hesitation.

A voice suddenly rang out through the trees. "Kol!"

Kol looked puzzled for a moment before his face lit with recognition. "Henrik!" he shouted, taking off running.

Elias froze in surprise. Henrik? As in, the brother who would later die and trigger the Originals' vampire transformation?

Just how far back in time had his spell taken them? Before Henrik's death, clearly. 

Elias hurried after Kol, soon coming upon a clearing where the brothers were embracing. Kol looked happier than Elias had yet seen him.

"I missed you brother!" Kol said, ruffling a laughing Henrik's hair. "Where are the others?"

"Looking for you!" Henrik said. He noticed Elias then. "Who's your friend?"

Kol pulled Elias over with a grin. "This is Elias, he's a witch," Kol said.

Elias managed a smile, though his thoughts raced. By bringing them here, could he save Henrik and change the Originals' entire history? The responsibility felt immense.