Forgotten Dreams - Klaus Mikaelson

twelve

The plan had worked seamlessly, and Bonnie was now safely hidden in the witches' house, nestled deep within the woods. To Klaus, Bonnie was dead, and with that assumption, they had gained a powerful advantage.

Kara, Damon, and Stefan regrouped at the Salvatore house, feeling a rare sense of relief and hope amid their usual tension. 

"So, Bonnie's hidden, safe... and our dear Klaus thinks he's won," Damon said, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "That gives us time to plan our next move without him breathing down our necks."

Stefan nodded, his expression still tense but slightly hopeful. "As long as he's convinced she's gone, we have the element of surprise. Bonnie's our ace, and with her powers, we might actually stand a chance."

Kara leaned against the fireplace, sipping on the blood in her glass, her gaze flickering between the two brothers. "We've done well to get this far. But let's not get complacent," she cautioned. "Klaus is cunning—he'll figure out something's off if we're not careful. We have to make this look real."

Damon shot her a grin, appreciating her determination. "Agreed. But if there's one thing we're all good at, it's keeping secrets."

As the night deepened, their plan was set in motion. With Bonnie hidden, they could now work from the shadows, preparing to confront Klaus when he least expected it—giving him the shock of a lifetime.

- 

"What do you mean she woke Elijah up?" Kara questioned, her eyes widening in disbelief as she paced the Salvatore living room. "As if having one Original on the loose wasn't bad enough—now there are two?"

Damon shrugged, the hint of a smirk playing at his lips as he leaned casually against the wall. "Apparently, Elena thought she could strike a deal. Seems our little doppelgänger has taken matters into her own hands."

Kara's gaze hardened as she processed the implications.  "And what exactly is the plan now? Let them stroll around town and hope they play nice?"

Stefan chimed in. "Look, I get it, Kara. This complicates things. But maybe, just maybe, having Elijah on our side could buy us some time. He has his own grudges against Klaus."

Kara crossed her arms, her expression doubtful. "Or he could team up with Klaus and make our lives a thousand times harder." She shot him a pointed look.

Elijah's voice suddenly cut through the air, causing the vampires to quickly turn to face him and Elena. "I can assure you that such betrayal will not happen." 

Damon's arms crossed, his expression hard. "And now you've invited him in?" he directed toward Elena with barely concealed frustration.

Elena held his stare, her tone unwavering. "Elijah and I have renewed the terms of our deal."

Damon scoffed, clearly not impressed. "Really?"

Elijah remained unmoved by Damon's tone. "The three of you will come to no harm at my hands. I only ask for one thing in return."

Damon raised a brow, skepticism dripping from his voice. "And what would that be?"

Elijah's gaze sharpened. "An apology."

Damon's face twisted in disbelief. "A what?"

Stefan, stepping forward with a hint of remorse in his expression, spoke up. "I'm sorry for the part I played in your death, Elijah. I was protecting Elena. I'll always protect her."

Elijah gave a small nod of acknowledgment, his expression softening. "I understand."

Kara stepped forward, her gaze challenging as she locked eyes with Elijah. "Yeah, no. I am not sorry. You came into town and quietly threatened us and then loop holed your way into our lives when in reality you weren't going to protect Elena from shit.

Elijah regarded her for a long moment, the faintest hint of a smile curving his lips. 

Elena interrupted the silence that came after Kara's words. "The sacrifice is going to happen. Bonnie can kill Klaus without hurting herself, and Elijah knows how to save my life. I told you I'd find another way—and I did."

Damon turned, scrutinising Elijah's calm demeanour. "Is that true?"

Elijah's gaze remained steady. "It is."

Kara observed the exchange with her arms crossed, her eyes narrowed. "If you're serious about this, then let's hope your loyalty is as strong as your word." Her voice was firm, a clear warning to Elijah that she would be watching his every move.

Damon's frustration broke through, his words coming out clipped. "And you're trusting him?" He looked directly at Elena.

Elena's resolve was clear. "I am."

Damon clenched his jaw, taking in the scene before finally snapping. "You can all go to hell," he muttered, storming out.

As the door slammed shut, Stefan shot Elijah an apologetic look. "He's angry with me right now, but he'll come around."

Elijah's calm facade remained unbroken as he replied, "Perhaps."

Kara stepped closer, her posture unrelenting. "Listen, Elijah, if you're as trustworthy as Elena thinks, then I suppose we have a chance. But if you step out of line..." Her gaze sharpened, a clear challenge glinting in her eyes. "...you'll answer to me."

Elijah's gaze shifted to her, a flicker of amusement passing over his features before he gave a curt nod. "Understood. Then let us put our differences aside, for now, and face Klaus together. But know this," he added, meeting Kara's eyes directly, "I keep my word."

Kara's gaze softened slightly, though the caution remained. "I'll hold you to that." She then stepped back, aligning herself with the group, silently vowing to be the first to act if Elijah faltered.

"There's something you all deserve to know," he said, his gaze momentarily settling on Kara, then shifting to the others. "The curse of the sun and the moon, is a lie. A story fabricated to have supernatural hunting for the ingredients."

The room fell into stunned silence. Elijah continued, his tone almost bitter. "The so-called 'curse' was created to obscure the truth: it's not the sun or the moon that is cursed. It's Klaus."

Kara furrowed her brow, disbelief evident in her voice. "What do you mean it's Klaus?"

Elijah's jaw clenched slightly, his eyes darkening. "It's a curse placed on him personally, one that keeps his werewolf side dormant. The Original witch, placed the spell to trap the wolf in him."

Kara's eyes narrowed, the revelation stirring her emotions. "So all of this—the bloodshed, the wars—was to keep Klaus's nature hidden?"

Elijah nodded solemnly. "Yes. The witches knew the extent of the threat he would pose, not only to humans but to all supernatural creatures, should he unlock his full potential."

Damon scoffed, a trace of incredulity breaking through his shock. "So, let me get this straight—this whole ancient, epic curse was a bedtime story for vampires and werewolves?"

Elijah's gaze hardened, his words weighted with both anger and regret. "It was a story meant to keep Klaus from ever breaking the spell. To keep him from unleashing the hybrid side that would make him unstoppable."

Stefan, ever the pragmatist, asked, "So, if the curse is broken... he becomes a true hybrid?"

"Yes," Elijah replied gravely. "And that's why he needs the doppelgänger, Elena's blood. Only her life can break the binding spell my mother created."

Kara's voice cut through the tension, her gaze unwavering. "You're telling us this now because you believe there's no stopping him?"

Elijah's eyes softened as he looked at her, the hint of a bond unspoken between them. "I'm telling you because, if he succeeds, the world will face a danger unlike any other. And you deserve to know who you're truly up against."

Damon crossed his arms, unimpressed. "And you're just telling us this out of the goodness of your heart?"

Elijah held his gaze, unflinching. "Not just for you. For all of us. Klaus is not just my enemy—he's also my brother. That makes this personal, for me as well."

The weight of Elijah's words settled over them all, each realising that this fight wasn't just a means of survival; it was the endgame in a battle that had raged through generations.