Youth ☽ ☾ Klena

19.

A/N I don't really remember a thing of the ritual so this is made up. I do know that you need a witch but it was too late to put one in when I figured that out so...

When they arrived, it was nearing eleven o'clock. The plane journey had been long and dull, no one having anything to do but watch bad films on a bad screen when the gory scenes were no worse than what was about to happen to them in reality. If anything, it only scared everyone more. We were all scared, even Klaus was unsure of what was about to happen although no one would be able to tell that from the smug look on his face and his tall poise. He looked as if he was going to war and maybe he was. No one knew the consequences of this.

They were now in Mystic Falls and the sun was nowhere in the sight. The moon shone ominously on the side of the car as Elena rested her head on the glass, looking up the stars for help- she found none. The streets were quiet barring a dog's bark and the low hum of a radio out of an insomniac's window.

The car hummed quietly as it drove as slowly as twenty miles per hour but no one made any move to tell Klaus to drive faster, they were all afraid of what was to come and this would give them time to say goodbye, or just contemplate, their life up until this point. The group was all there for different reasons and something about the situation had made a different impression on all of us.

Elijah held the phial in his hand; his hands shaking minutely, barely visible to the human eye. Klaus had remained tall throughout the trip, he had the least to lose yet something in his eyes told me that there was a twinge of guilt for the act he was about to do. Jemima and Megan both seemed calm on the surface until you noticed their trembling lips and slightly watered eyes and the uneven taps of their foot and the car floor. Elena made no move to comfort them and let them think it through. Even if Klaus wouldn't let them go, she would. They could wait another month. Except, Klaus couldn't. He was hot-tempered and rash and this had only ensured that the ritual would happen that night and no other night.

The car continued to stroll down the road when they twisted round a corner and an all too familiar house came into view. The side that had been once been burned had been fixed and a new loft was clear in sight. The room that had once been Elena's bedroom was no storage- insignificant, pointless.

'That was my house, wasn't it?' Elena asked, a sense of déjà vu washing over her. Klaus nodded. 'Can I go in? To meet them.' She continued which was only received with a shake of the head. Elena looked disappointed but didn't make any further attempts. All attempts would be futile.

They finally pulled up at the spot they intended the ritual to be at. It was a calm place, only disrupted by the raucous birds that occasionally flew over. The grass was greener than Elena had ever seen but then again, in England, nature was wild and this, although it was also wild, looked somewhat cared for. It was on the edge of the forest and it would be likely that a gardener would oversee it every now and then.

'Half an hour.' Klaus' voice was breathy and shocked as if he didn't believe this was happening himself. He had waited centuries for this and finally, it was happening and in that he would have to kill one of the people he loved most. Life was cruel, they had all learnt that a long time ago. 'Let's set up!' He announced and all contenders began to shake, including Elena. Elijah approached the three cautiously with the phial still in his hands.

'Here.' He murmured, handing over the potion. 'All take a sip, not only Elena. There is enough and if there is even a slim chance of you surviving, I'm taking it.' They all nodded, having no energy to argue before going to their respective circle. The flames shot up sending them all reeling back. They were afraid, truly afraid. The flames licked at their skin but never took a bite as they all huddled in the middle, looking at the flames with wide eyes. They all had a chance of survival yet so slim that there was no point in hope. At this point, they should have just given up. The potion was strong, they knew that, but could a single phial go against all nature. This was magic they were working with and Elena doubted that magic could be fought with more magic without causing havoc.

'Midnight.' Klaus said looking into the sky. The moon was above them, illuminating the ground with a beautifully unnerving glow. 'It's time.' He choked out, looking at Elena. Klaus was strong but even this he couldn't do. But, he had to. Because he was selfish. He met Elena's eyes and shook his head, the tears were both pooling in their eyes now and there would be no stopping it.

Klaus turned away, shaking his head and bearing one of his wrists, slicing it neatly with a knife before he began to chant. No witch was needed in the process. He was dealing with nature here but a witch was there to preserve nature, not destroy it. The balance had been restored when Klaus had been stripped of his wolf- he was creating too much power bringing it back.

Suddenly, the flames encased the three girls. Elena heard Megan scream, what was once a scream of fear had turned to one of agony as she pulled her stitches apart. Elena couldn't imagine the pain. She didn't want to. Elena distracted herself, staring at the beautifully formed fire over her head. She was about to die so she at least wanted to appreciate the beauty before then. She didn't regret this, though. She wasn't dying for nothing. She was dying for what only she would call a good cause. Dying for Klaus- dying for the man she hadn't admitted to falling in love with.

Klaus, without Elena seeing, had already walked to Jemima and ripped her heart out mercilessly, he couldn't have mercy now- he just had to make it quick. She made no noise and the rest were glad because at least they could believe that the ritual wasn't real, this was a dream- screams only made it more real.

Megan was next but she didn't hold back her screams. The pain and fear were now one and Elena could only imagine that her stitches were now undone and her skin had ripped open. She pleaded Klaus to make it quick, not to stop, and Klaus did exactly that. In a second, her heart had stopped and so had the rest of her body.

Elena was last, the flames now dimmer. By the time Klaus had reached her, tears were staining his cheeks and he could hardly speak. He reached forward through the flames and stepped through the flames- they made no affect on him. Klaus was trembling as was Elena but they held their heads high and continued on. 'If you had said no, I don't think I would have done this.' He murmured his hand pressed against her chest, his fingers drumming alone to her steady heartbeat- the beat that would soon be broken. 'I know.' She breathed. She knew that if she had said no, he would have to pick someone else. Yet, she still didn't know why it was her that had to be the third piece. She didn't understand but she never questioned it. She knew that if she chose her that there was something different about her- she had never fit in, anyway.

Klaus' hand went into her chest with military precision and Elena gasped, the tears beginning to roll. She was in the face of death and despite being the most afraid she had been her whole life, she kept her head held high. That didn't stop the tears, though, on either of them. Klaus let out a strangled sob as Elena cupped his cheek. 'I can't do this to you, Elena.' He gasped, he was now in full control of her heart and the thought was comforting even if he would be the one to turn it to ash.

'Yes, you can, you have no other choice.' She wasn't sure if that was true but I was too late to take it back and with the look Klaus gave her, she knew she was right.

'I'm so sorry.' Another tear left both of their eyes and Klaus leaned forward, their foreheads touching, and ripped her heart out.

Then, he howled.

word count: 1495

published: 16.03.17