Force of Gravity • NM

•41•

The moon hung low over the trees as Kol and Elena stumbled out of the grave, coughing and disoriented. Fresh air hit their faces like a blessing. Katherine stood a few feet away, leaning casually against her car with a smug smirk plastered across her face.

"You're welcome," she drawled, inspecting her nails. "Honestly, Kol, Elena, I expected more from you two. Getting trapped in a grave? Amateur hour."

Kol brushed dirt off his jacket, glaring at her. "You could have gotten us out sooner instead of enjoying the show."

Katherine raised an eyebrow. "And miss the dramatic Kol Mikaelson losing his cool? Not a chance."

Elena groaned, leaning against the car for support. "Thanks, Katherine. Really. But can we please get out of here? I'm done with graves for the rest of my life."

Katherine shrugged, sliding into the driver's seat. "Fine, princess. Get in."

As the car roared to life, Kol leaned back in his seat with a relieved sigh. "I thought we were goners."

Katherine snorted. "Oh, don't flatter yourself. You were only a few miles from Mystic Falls. They would've found you eventually."

Elena's jaw dropped. "A few miles? We were that close?"

Katherine grinned slyly. "Yep. But don't worry, I'll keep your little adventure a secret. Wouldn't want Klaus and the others to think you're incompetent."

Kol crossed his arms, muttering, "You're insufferable."

"Flattery will get you nowhere, Kol," Katherine quipped.

As they approached Mystic Falls, Katherine's tone shifted. "Speaking of incompetence... I've been hearing rumors. A vampire hunting other vampires. Ruthless, efficient, and on a spree."

Elena frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Katherine's eyes narrowed as she glanced at them in the rearview mirror. "I'm talking about Mikael."

Kol stiffened, his easygoing demeanor vanishing. "Father?"

Katherine nodded. "The original vampire hunter. And if the whispers are true, he's not far from here."

The Salvatore boarding house was alive with activity. Rebekah sat curled up on the couch, while Elijah and Finn stood by the fireplace. Caroline and Naira were seated at the table, sifting through old grimoires, and Bonnie was sprawled across the floor with a map, muttering spells under her breath.

The front door burst open, and Kol strutted in, dirt-streaked but wearing his signature smirk. "Miss me?"

"Kol!" Naira exclaimed, scrambling to her feet. She launched herself at him, wrapping him in a tight hug.

"You're alive!" Rebekah screamed delighted, tears spilling down her cheeks as she waddled over to him.

"I'm not that fragile," Kol teased, but his arms tightened around his sister protectively.

Elena stepped in next, looking exhausted but relieved. Bonnie rushed to her side, pulling her into a hug. "Are you okay? What happened?"

"It's a long story," Elena said, her voice trembling.

Caroline grinned, wiping away a tear. "You guys really know how to make an entrance."

Elijah, ever composed, placed a reassuring hand on Kol's shoulder. "It's good to have you both back."

Finn nodded, his expression softening. "You had us worried."

As everyone gathered around, Elijah excused himself to make a call. He stood on the porch, dialing Klaus.

"They're home," he said simply, his voice steady despite the relief in his eyes.

On the other end, Klaus's voice softened. "And they're safe?"

"Yes," Elijah confirmed.

As Klaus and Stefan exchanged relieved glances, Katherine snatched the phone from Elijah, her tone sharp. "Hold on, hybrid. I have news you'll want to hear."

"What is it, Katherine?" Klaus asked impatiently.

Katherine's voice turned serious. "Mikael. He's back, and he's hunting vampires again."

The line went silent. Klaus's face paled as he processed the name, his grip tightened on the phone, his voice low and dangerous. "Are you certain?"

"Dead certain," Katherine replied. "And if I were you, I'd start preparing."

Inside the house, the cheerful atmosphere shifted as the news spread. Bonnie's eyes widened in fear, Caroline's playful smile vanished, and Rebekah gripped Kol's arm tightly.

Finn's clenched his jaw. "Of course, it's Father." 

"The bastard just can't stay dead", replied Kol.

Rebekah's voice wavered. "He won't come here, will he?"

Klaus's voice carried through the speaker as Elijah stepped back inside. "If Mikael wants a fight, he'll get one. He's not laying a hand on my family."

Elijah looked at Klaus through the phone, his eyes blazing. "And we'll make sure of it."

For a moment, there was silence as the weight of the revelation sank in. The battle against Mikael was no longer a distant nightmare—it was their impending reality.