The love for my enemy

Chapter Ten: The Blade of Thorns

The atmosphere in Klaus’s mansion was heavy with an air of urgency. Every passing hour seemed to bring them closer to the inevitable—Sebastian was coming, and with him, the threat of destruction. The Blade of Thorns was still out there, and it was their only hope of defeating him, but it was more than just a weapon. It was the key to power—an ancient artifact that could reshape the very fabric of the supernatural world.

Arianna sat at the long dining table, her fingers drumming nervously against the surface as she listened to Klaus and Elijah speak in low, intense voices. The gravity of their words weighed on her shoulders, and for the first time since the whole mess started, she felt out of her depth.

"The Blade’s power is far beyond anything we’ve encountered before,” Elijah was saying, his expression grim. “If Sebastian gets his hands on it, there’s no telling what he could do. He’ll tear apart the balance of power in this world.”

Arianna’s heart raced as she absorbed his words. She couldn’t help but feel responsible—after all, it was her who had unknowingly unleashed the blade’s power. And now, she was caught in a race to find it before it fell into the wrong hands.

“We need to move fast,” Klaus added, his voice cutting through the tension. “Sebastian is already ahead of us. We can’t afford to waste any more time.”

Arianna clenched her jaw. “So, what’s the plan?”

Klaus met her gaze, his eyes intense. “We find the Blade, and we stop Sebastian before it’s too late.” He paused, his expression softening just a fraction. “But Arianna, this isn’t going to be easy. The Blade will test you. You need to be prepared.”

Arianna nodded, determination rising within her. She was done being the helpless bystander. This was her fight now, whether she liked it or not.

The next day, Klaus, Elijah, and Arianna set out to find the Blade. They had tracked its location to a remote, hidden temple deep in the forest—a place untouched by time, protected by magic. But they weren’t the only ones searching. Sebastian’s forces were closing in, and it was only a matter of time before they collided.

As they made their way through the dense woods, the tension was thick in the air. Klaus led the group with a steady, purposeful stride, while Elijah kept a watchful eye on their surroundings. Arianna felt the weight of the situation settle over her, the anticipation clawing at her. She could feel the Blade’s power, calling to her, but it wasn’t a call of comfort. It was a warning.

Arianna swallowed hard. “Do you think we can really stop Sebastian? With everything he has, do we stand a chance?”

Klaus glanced back at her, his gaze unreadable. “We’ll do what we must,” he said simply, though there was an edge to his voice that suggested he wasn’t entirely sure either.

Just as they reached the edge of the temple clearing, a low growl echoed through the trees. Arianna’s eyes widened as a group of Sebastian’s mercenaries emerged from the shadows, armed with weapons and magic.

“It seems we’ve been beaten to the punch,” Elijah said, stepping forward, his voice calm but filled with authority.

“Stay back,” Klaus ordered, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation. “Arianna, do not engage. We need to get to the Blade.”

Arianna nodded, trying to control the rising panic in her chest. She wasn’t sure if it was the proximity of the Blade or the presence of Sebastian’s men, but she felt her heart hammering in her chest. She had to stay focused. They had no other choice but to win this fight.

Before Klaus could take another step, a figure emerged from the shadows.

Sebastian. His dark eyes glinted with malevolence as he stepped into the clearing, his presence sending a chill through the air.

“Well, well, what do we have here?” Sebastian’s voice was smooth, almost mocking, as he surveyed the group. “Klaus Mikaelson, always the dramatic one. And the lovely Arianna, who I see has been enjoying her time with the Originals.”

Klaus’s expression hardened, but his voice remained controlled. “You’re too late, Sebastian. The Blade of Thorns will never be yours.”

Sebastian chuckled darkly. “We’ll see about that, won’t we?”

With a wave of his hand, a group of dark-wielding witches appeared beside him, their powers crackling in the air. The magic was thick and suffocating, making it hard to breathe. Arianna’s hand instinctively reached for the dagger she kept at her side, but Klaus placed a hand on her shoulder, his grip firm.

“Stay close,” Klaus murmured. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

His words should have been reassuring, but Arianna could sense the underlying danger in them. Klaus was powerful, but even he was wary of Sebastian’s magic.

The battle erupted in an instant. Elijah lunged toward one of the witches, knocking her off balance with a sharp movement, while Klaus took on another, his vampire strength proving more than a match for their magic.

Arianna, though unsure of how she could help, remained close to Klaus, trying to stay out of the way of the combatants. The energy in the air was electric, crackling with the power of their magic and the sound of grunts and the clash of weapons.

But Arianna could feel it—the Blade was close, calling to her, almost like it was waiting for her to claim it.

Arianna’s pulse quickened as she moved cautiously toward the heart of the temple, slipping through the chaos of the battle. She wasn’t sure how she knew where it was, but her feet carried her in the right direction. And there it was—a pedestal, ancient and worn, with the Blade of Thorns resting upon it, its dark energy pulsing in the air.

Just as Arianna reached for it, a cold hand gripped her wrist, pulling her back.

“Not so fast, love,” Sebastian’s voice came from behind her, and she turned to find him standing there, a cruel smile on his lips. “You really thought you could just take it?”

Arianna’s heart raced as she struggled against his grip, but his strength was overwhelming.

“You’re not going to win this,” she spat, trying to free herself.

Sebastian’s smile only grew wider. “You can’t stop me. This power is mine. It’s always been mine.”

Before she could respond, Klaus was there, his fist connecting with Sebastian’s jaw, sending him stumbling backward.

“Stay away from her,” Klaus growled, his voice filled with fury.

The fight raged on, but Arianna could feel the weight of the Blade in her mind, urging her to take it. She had to stop Sebastian—she had to end this.

The battle continued with fierce intensity, but in the end, it was Arianna who made the final move. As Klaus and Elijah subdued Sebastian’s forces, Arianna reached out, her fingers brushing the Blade of Thorns. It was more than just an object; it was a conduit of power, resonating through her as she gripped it in her hand.

The moment the Blade touched her skin, a surge of energy coursed through her, filling her with strength and clarity. She knew, deep down, that this was her responsibility now. She wasn’t just a bystander in this fight—she was the key to ending it.

Klaus and Sebastian exchanged one last, heated look as the Blade of Thorns pulsed in Arianna’s grasp. There was no turning back now.