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Chapter Text

November  889

An eerie and tumultuous night marked the beginning of a legend.

The sky, usually a vast blanket of calm darkness, was suddenly torn apart by a cascade of stars. They ripped through the heavens with a force so great that it shook the earth below. These weren't ordinary stars, but brilliant, fiery streaks that  seemed  to pulse with a life of their own. As they blazed across the sky, the people who watched in awe and terror knew that this was a sign-a moment when the boundaries between worlds were thin, and something extraordinary was about to happen.

Amidst this celestial storm, a single, blinding light descended from the heavens, cutting through the night with the intensity of a thousand suns. As it neared the earth, the light softened, revealing within it a figure wrapped in divine radiance landing as it left a crater and all the surrounded trees dissected or blown to splinters. As something far beyond the realm of mere mortals, this was no ordinary child, but a nephilim, a baby girl born of both angelic and human heritage, sent down from the heavens by forces unknown. The baby landed gently in the heart of a dense, ancient forest, far from the eyes of men.

Nothing but a key dangling around her neck, white fabric wrapped around her body for clothing and the name Athena Mourningstar were the only things that was given to her when she arrived. The nephilim cried and cried and cried her plea echoed out into the forest hoping someone would find her, and someone did. A man with long dark braided hair and simple old tunic with trousers. His name was Fenrir Kenner, a member of the Crescent werewolf pack. The Nephilim baby, though small and vulnerable, exuded an aura of power that even the mighty werewolf could not ignore. Fenrir recognized the significance of this child, recognised the power within her-something that made her both a part of their world and beyond it and decided to take her in. With her eyes, bright and piercing, held the wisdom of the stars, and her strength. For he knew that this was no ordinary infant; this was a being of great potential and peril.

As she matured, Athena became a figure of legend amongst her found family, known as the Wolfstar who could command the winds and speak with the spirits of the forest. But with this power came a growing understanding of her purpose. The night the stars tore through the sky had been more than just a spectacle it had been a sign, a declaration that something new had entered the world; it was a herald of her arrival, and with it, a destiny that she would soon have to confront. She was a being of immense power, feared by some and revered by others in her pack. The Crescent clan however still remained fiercely protective of her, knowing that there were forces in the world who would seek to use or destroy her. They raised her in the heart of the forest, teaching her the ways of the wild, the lore of their kind, and the mysteries of the night.

Athena grew quickly, and as she did, so too did her powers. She possessed the strength of the werewolves, but also something more, an innate connection to the forces of the universe, an understanding that transcended the physical world. Athena was a being caught between two worlds both a part of their world and beyond it. The Crescent pack, her adoptive family, taught her the importance of balance, of controlling the emotions within while harnessing the divine power that surged through her veins.

Athena had walked the earth for a century, though her outward appearance remained frozen since the age of 23. Born of both celestial and mortal blood, she first noticed the unsettling halt of time when her peers began to age. This had initially seemed like a blessing, until her family and friends began to wither. Over the years, it became what felt like a curse that separated her from the world  around  her. As her friends aged and passed on, she remained the same, a constant reminder of something otherworldly, something not meant to linger in this world.

By the year 989, Athena had been moving from village to village, searching for the reason why she had come into existence. Her journey took her across vast lands, from bustling towns to desolate hamlets, always seeking answers in ancient scrolls, forgotten ruins, the cryptic words of  seers and  reaching out to the great beyond for guidance.  Yet, the purpose of her creation remained as elusive as ever, a mystery that time refused to unravel.

Eventually, her path led her to a village, nestled deep within the forest where she knew humans and witches lived side by side. Athena knew better than to draw attention to herself, having learned the harsh lessons of human fear and suspicion long ago, especially infornt of witches who could use her powers for ill intent. So she settled in a small house on the outskirts of the village, hidden among the trees, where she could observe without being seen. She kept to herself, venturing into the village only when necessary with a dark green cloak wrapped around her, careful to avoid any actions that might expose her true nature. The fear of bringing harm upon the villagers—or worse, upon herself—kept her isolated, a silent watcher on the edge of their world.

But one evening, as she was returning from a quiet walk in the forest, Athena heard the faint voice of a young boy. "Be still. Deep breath. Hold. Now." She observed from the distance as the young boy with brown hair was teaching a younger boy with blonde hair who was  holding the bow and arrow how to hunt. The young boy fired his arrow but missed his target hitting the tree instead as he looked defeated. "You're aim is improving. Next time." The dark haired boy said patting the younger one on his shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile. Athena smiled to herself seeing how the two interacted with one another.

"You encourage him, Elijah, but he grows more pathetic every day." The boys turned around to see a tall long blonde haired man approach, Athena now guessing that the two boys are brothers and that's their farther.

"I'm not pathetic."

"Don't talked back to me. You're not man enough to hold this weapon. If you can't hunt, you're nothing but a burden." The man berated as he snatched the bow away from him.

"I'm sorry." Said the boy

Grabbing the boy by his collar the man continued "It's a shame we can't feed in sad-eyed apologise. It's your one and only skill" He then slapped his son across the face letting him fall to the ground with a cry.

"Father stop." The one called Elijah pleaded.

"Stay back! Or you'll be next! The boy needs to be made strong."  Witnessing the blonde boy being kicked and beaten by his father was tearing at Athena's heart, stirring a storm of emotions within her, for she had not felt this type of strong emotion towards anyone. Despite her angelic lineage and immense power, there were rules she had set for herself—boundaries she dared not cross for fear of drawing attention to her true nature. Yet, in moments like this, those boundaries felt like chains, heavy and unyielding.

With the young boy suffering, Athena was feeling an overwhelming sense of helplessness and anger. Her instincts were screaming at her to intervene, to protect the innocent and stop the cruelty before her. Every fiber of her being was aching to reach out and save the child from his pain. But at the same time, she was being paralyzed by the fear of what might happen if she did. Revealing her powers, especially in a moment of anger or desperation, could bring devastating consequences—not just for her, but for the boys. Humans had a history of fearing what they did not understand, and the last thing Athena wanted was to provoke that fear and cause more harm. This painful sight was a reminder of the complexities of her existence—where even the most powerful beings sometimes had to watch from the sidelines, powerless to intervene.

As the night fell, the village quieted down, the usual bustle of life giving way to a haunting stillness. Athena remained hidden in the shadows, her heart heavy with the memory of what she had just witnessed. The boy’s cries still echoed in her mind, each sob like a dagger to her soul. She watched from the edge of the forest as the villagers gradually retreated into their homes, leaving the streets empty and silent. The boy, however, remained. He sat alone, huddled against the side of a small, weathered home , his body wracked with pain and his face wet with tears. His father had long since stormed off, leaving the child to nurse his wounds in solitude. The sight of him—so small, so vulnerable—pierced through Athena’s resolve. She had held back while others were around, knowing that to act in that moment would have been too dangerous, too risky. But now, with the village deserted and the darkness as her cloak, she could no longer stand idly by.

Slowly, she stepped out of the shadows, her movements silent and graceful. The boy was too lost in his pain to notice her approach at first, his eyes squeezed shut as he cried softly into his hands. Athena’s heart ached for him, every tear pulling her closer. When she reached his side, she knelt down gently, careful not to startle him. The boy looked up in surprise, his tear-filled eyes widening as he saw the tall, mysterious woman before him. He tried to pull away, fear flashing in his gaze, but Athena's presence was calm and reassuring. She spoke softly, her voice like a soothing melody in the night. "Shh, it's alright," she whispered, her tone filled with warmth and kindness. "I want to help you."

The boy hesitated, his small frame trembling with fear and pain, but something in her voice, something in the gentle gaze in her eyes, made him stop. Athena reached out and lightly touched his cheek, her hand cool against his fevered skin. As she did, her eyes began to glow, a soft white light that illuminated the darkness around them. The boy stared in awe as the light enveloped him, its warmth chasing away the cold and the pain. Athena’s divine magic flowed through her fingertips, knitting together the torn skin, easing the bruises, and calming the storm of pain within him. His injuries faded, the marks of the cruel beating disappearing as if they had never been.  Athena watched as the boy's tears ceased, his expression shifting from pain to confusion, and then to wonder. The light in her eyes was like the glow of the moon—gentle, serene, and otherworldly. She continued to heal him until every last trace of his suffering was gone, her divine magic working in silence, leaving no mark of its passage.

When the healing was completed, the Wolfstar slowly pulled her hand away, the light in her eyes fading back to their normal brown. The boy blinked, touching his now-unblemished skin in disbelief. He looked up at her, his young eyes filled with questions he couldn’t yet voice. Athena smiled softly, her heart full of both sorrow and relief. She knew she couldn't stay long, couldn't risk being seen by anyone else. But in that moment, she felt a deep connection to the boy. "You're healed now," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "But you must promise me something. Tell no one about this, not even your family. Do you understand?"

The boy nodded, still too awestruck to speak, but his eyes conveyed his gratitude and promise. Athena brushed a strand of hair from his forehead, a tender gesture that lingered just a moment longer than necessary. "Go home," she urged softly. "Rest. And remember, you are stronger than you know." With that, she stood up, her presence still a calming force in the night. The boy watched her, reluctant to leave but knowing he had to. Slowly, he rose to his feet, feeling the strength return to his limbs. He took a few steps backward, his gaze never leaving her, until he finally turned and ran off into the night, back to his home.

The  nephilim  watched him go, a bittersweet smile playing on her lips. She remained there for a few moments longer, letting the quiet night settle around her. Though she had healed his physical wounds, she knew the scars of the boy's experience would remain, a painful memory. As she turned to leave, disappearing back into the shadows, Athena felt the familiar weight of her isolation. She had helped, but she remained apart, a distant guardian who could never fully enter the world she protected.

In all those years of wandering—searching for the reason why she came into being, moving from place to place, village to village and with her home base still being with the Crescent clan, the Wolfstar had never felt the connection she did now. After healing the boy, she had intended to keep her distance, to maintain the anonymity that had protected her for so long. But something about him and his family tugged at her heart——both foreign and familiar, like a melody she once knew but had long forgotten. Athena couldn't quite understand it. Every time she tried to leave, to continue her life, something pulled her back.

The connection she had felt since she stumbled upon the boy and his family, was as though she was tied to them by invisible threads that stretched across time and space. Maybe this was the reason why she came into being, maybe she came into being was because of him for what she could not deduce. Athena found herself decided to stay a little longer than usual but she would still visit the different wolf packs she journeyed to the past century, she had aided them in various ways—healing their wounded with medicinal herbs she learnt and a little bit of divine magic here and there as well as her offering counsel. The packs had become a sanctuary of sorts, a place where she could be herself without fear of judgment or discovery.

Years turned into a decade. The child she had once healed from bruises and scrapes was now turning into a young man, him and his siblings (she later learned about) unfolding in the village where they had grown up in the small, close-knit community. And all the while, Athena watched, her heart swelling with a mixture of pride and melancholy.

It was a new day as the sun was casting a warm glow over the small village. Athena made her way down the dirt path, her cloak billowing gently in the evening breeze. A handful of homes with with thatched and wood roofs, smoke curling lazily from chimneys, and the sound of a nearby stream that seemed to hum with the life of the forest and a few scattered gardens where the villagers grew what they needed. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and the earthy aroma of freshly turned soil.

In her leather satchel, Athena carried a bundle of herbs she had gathered from her own garden she'd helped grow with some of her magic making them more potent. Their medicinal properties well-known to those who understood their uses. This being a one of the times she would venture into the village for supplies she couldn’t easily gather on her own.

As the sun was setting the nephilim was finished with her errands in the village. She was on her way home when her eyes caught sight of two young men sparring with swords in the middle of the village. She recognized them immediately—Niklaus and Elijah, both older now, hair grown long; braids wrapped around the and tied at the back of the brunettes hair and half up half down for the blondes hair. Elijah wore a simple brown leather sleeveless tunic with a belt wrapped around his waist along with pair of leather wrist guards, plain breezed trousers and knee high leather boots. For the younger brother he wore a long sleeved plain white shirt with a black sleeveless tunic ontop finished with a belt around his waist and a simple leathered woven necklace hanging from his neck, his arms also adored with a pair of black leather wrist guards, and plain trousers with plain knee high boots. Their youthful faces hardened by time but still bearing the traces of boyish  mischief.

She paused, intrigued, watching as the brothers moved with surprising grace and agility. Elijah’s stance was steady, controlled, each of his strikes measured and precise. Niklaus, on the other hand, fought with an untamed fervor, his attacks powerful and unpredictable. The clash of their swords echoed through the clearing, each strike and parry a testament to the bond between them.

Athena couldn't help but smile as she observed the scene. There was something heartwarming about the way the siblings interacted, the unspoken connection that tied them together. It reminded her of something she couldn’t quite place—a sense she hadn’t felt in a long time.

"Oh look sister's arrived to watch my fast-approaching victory." Elijah smirked as he and his brother walked around each other.

The Wolfstar looked over to the young girl with golden hair with braids also wrapped around her head but with the additional accessories of simple dried flowers weaved in, she knew to be Rebekah who stood with her younger brother Henrik, their eyes glued to the match. A small smile tugging at the corners of Rebekahs lips as she watched her brothers. Henrik, however, bounced on his toes with excitement, his wide eyes following every move with awe.

"On the contrary, Elijah..." Niklous lunged forward with his sword but Elijah blocked it just in time, their blades locking together as they pressed against each other. The brothers exchanged blows, their swords slicing through the air with deadly precision. Elijah's strikes were methodical, each one intended to wear down his opponent, but Niklaus met each one with a fervor that seemed to surprise even Elijah. Their movements became a dance of steel and strategy, the sound of their swords clashing echoing through the village. Elijah swung his sword in a broad arc, aiming to catch Niklaus off guard, but Niklaus ducked under the swing, using the momentum, he spun away from the attack, and as he did, he swung his sword low, aiming not for Elijah's body, but for his belt. The move was bold and unexpected, and Elijah realized what was happening a moment too late. Niklaus' blade sliced cleanly through the leather strap, and before Elijah could react. "She's come to laugh at you." Niklous and Rebekah both laugh but that soon faded when Mikael and Esther, the parents, approached, their presence instantly commanding attention and Mikaelson expression was discussed and discarded towards his sons.

"Relax, Mikeal. Niklous means well." Esther said

"That is precisely my problem." he replied. The farther then walked his way over to Elijah taking his sword. Niklaus looked over to his mother hoping that she would do something to stop her husband but instead looked away and stood to the side.

"So. Why don't you teach me that trick, young worrior?" Mikael swung his sword at Niklous but is stopped with a clash as both of the swords entangled with one another as a grunt from his son.

"Father we were just having fun." Niklous averted his eyes from the wrath of his farther.

"We fight for our survival... And you find time for fun? I wanna have fun. Teach me. Come on." he yelled

"Father it was nothing."

Mikael yelled once more raising his sword in the air for another swing.  But then, in a blur of silver, Athena was there. Her parrying daggers caught Mikael’s sword mid-swing, the impact ringing out as she deftly deflected the blow. She stepped between Mikael and Niklaus, her posture poised and ready, her eyes subtly glowing with a faint but unmistakable light.

Mikael's eyes narrowed, his expression darkening further as he realized who had intervened. "A woman, Niklaus? You need a woman to defend you now? "

Athena met Mikael's gaze without flinching. "You attack your own son, and you think that makes you strong?" Her voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, a quiet fury that simmered beneath the surface.

Mikael sneered, raising his sword again, this time aiming for Athena. "You dare to challenge me? "

Athena's movements were fluid, almost effortless as she dodged Mikael's attacks. She parried each strike with precision, her silver daggers flashing in the sunlight. Mikael was strong, but his anger made him reckless, and it wasn't long before Athena found an opening. With a swift motion, she disarmed him, sending his sword flying from his grasp.

Mikael stumbled back, momentarily stunned by the sudden loss of his weapon. Athena stepped forward, her daggers still in hand, but her posture relaxed, no longer on the offensive.

"You have no right to be called a father," Athena said, her voice low but carrying a weight that made everyone in the clearing go silent.

Mikael's face twisted with rage. He opened his mouth to retort, but the words seemed to die on his tongue. Instead, he glared at Athena, his eyes burning with cold fury. "You should watch your back, woman. I won't forget this. "

Athena held his gaze, unflinching. "Neither will I. "

As Mikael turned on his heel and stormed away, Esther silently followed, casting a lingering, unreadable look at Athena before she disappeared with her husband.  Athena sheathed her daggers, her expression softening as she turned to face the siblings. Niklaus was staring at her, a mixture of awe and confusion in his eyes. Elijah, too, looked at her with gratitude, but there was also a hint of wariness, as if he wasn't quite sure what to make of her.

Before anyone could speak, Rebekah stepped forward, her face lit up with admiration. "Thank you," she said, her voice sincere. "For helping my brother. "

Athena smiled gently at the girl, nodding in acknowledgment. "It was no problem. I’m just glad I was here in time. "

Rebekah hesitated for a moment, then extended her hand. "I'm Rebekah. And this is Niklaus, Elijah, and Henrik. "

Athena shook her hand, her smile widening. "Athena. It's a pleasure to meet you all. "

Niklaus, still somewhat dazed, finally found his voice. "You…you were incredible. I've never seen anyone fight like that. "

Athena chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and warmth. "There's a lot you haven't seen yet,  Niklaus . "

As the siblings gathered around her, asking questions and introducing themselves more fully, Athena felt that strange, familiar connection tugging at her heart again. She didn't know why she felt so drawn to this family, but she knew that, for now, she was exactly where she needed to be.

Chapter Text

October 10th 2010

Athena's eyes snapped open.

Her breath caught in her throat as the remnants of her dream lingered to her consciousness like wisps of fog. She laid still for a moment, her mind caught between the past and the present. In the dream, she had been with them again-the Mikaelsons. She could still feel the echo of the tether she had once shared with them, a bond that had spanned for years, now reignited with a strange intensity. She sat up slowly, her hand brushing against the silk sheets, grounding herself in the present.

As the nephilim focused on the here and now, the faint beeping of her alarm pulled her fully awake. She reached out, silencing it with a practiced swipe, and sat up in bed. The cool morning light filtered through the curtains of her luxury apartment, casting a soft glow on the sleek, modern furnishings she had conjured into existence with her magic. The modern luxury of her surroundings was a far cry from the places she had lived in the past. The soft glow of the ambient lighting, the enormous windows overlooking the small but bustling town of Mystic Falls-it was all a carefully constructed facade, built to blend in and appear normal. Everything about her new life in Mystic Falls was meticulously crafted with the magic she had woven in this town ensuring everything she needed to start anew, from the marble countertops to the endless zeros in her bank account. Yet, beneath it all, there was a sense of impermanence-a feeling that this, too, was just another stop on her endless journey.

As the Wolfstar walked toward the bathroom, Athena couldn't shake the feeling that fate had pulled her back here for a reason. Since her return she'd felt a pull to this town, almost a hum in the back of her mind that was impossible to ignore.

She stepped into the shower, the hot water cascading over her skin as she let her thoughts wander. The memories of her journey flashed through her mind-a thousand years had passed since she had left Earth, since she had sought the farthest reaches of the universe in search of an end to her existence. She had visited dying stars, ancient worlds, and the darkest corners of space. It was there, in the heart of a collapsing sun, that she had forged the weapon she believed would bring her the peace she so desperately craved. The weapon was more than just a blade-it was a part of her, an extension of her own despair, hammered into existence from the core of a dying star. Each moment had been a desperate search for release, and yet, here she was, back on Earth, back in the one place that seemed to call to her, as if some unseen force was guiding her every step. The tether she felt was a connection to something larger, something that refused to let her go, no matter how far she traveled or how deeply she sought oblivion.

Dressed in her scrubs with her signature necklace, resting just above her heart, the nephilim sipped her tea, her mind drifted back to one of many dreams she had about the Mikaelsons, but before she could dwell on it any longer her phone buzzed on the counter, snapping her out of her reverie. It was a reminder of her shift at the hospital, a signal that it was time to put aside her thoughts of the past and focus on the present. With a final glance around her apartment, Athena grabbed her keys and headed out the door.

The drive to Mystic Falls Hospital was short, the streets of the town still quiet in the early morning light. Athena walked through the hospital's doors, the familiar routine of her job settled over her like a comforting blanket. Here, in the sterile halls and bustling corridors, she could lose herself in the work, in the steady rhythm of healing and helping.

Athena moved with quiet efficiency through the brightly lit corridors. The hospital was a blend of the town's rich history and modern advances. The walls were decorated with abstract artwork that brought a sense of serenity to the otherwise clinical environment. The orthopedic wing, where Athena spent most of her time, was on the first floor. Large windows lined the hallways, allowing natural light to flood in and offering a view of the town's lush surroundings. The floors were a polished white tile, always impeccably clean, reflecting the sterile nature of the place.

Each patient room was designed to be as comfortable as possible, with state-of-the-art medical equipment discreetly integrated into the furniture. Soft lighting, plush chairs for visitors, and warm blankets helped to make the space feel less intimidating for those who had to stay there. The nurses' station at the center of the wing buzzed with quiet activity, the hum of conversation and the occasional beep of monitors creating a backdrop of controlled chaos.

Athena checked the chart in her hands as she approached one of the rooms. Her dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and she wore the standard white coat over her scrubs, which were a deep blue today. Despite the weight of her ancient past, she had mastered the art of blending into her surroundings, appearing just as human as anyone else in the hospital.

She entered the room with a warm smile, her presence immediately calming. "Good morning, Mrs. Wallace. How's your hip feeling today?"

The elderly woman in the bed looked up, her face softening with a smile of her own. "Much better, Dr. Mourningstar. The pain's almost gone."

"That's what I like to hear," the nephilim replied, gently examining the site of the surgery. "You're healing very well. We'll have you up and walking again in no time."

Mrs. Wallace beamed, clearly relieved, and Athena made a few notes on the chart before moving on to her next patient. She had always found comfort in her work-helping others, mending broken bones, and easing pain. It was a small way to atone for the centuries of conflict and loss that were made in her absence.

As she stepped back into the hallway, she was met by Dr. Meredith Fell, another orthopedic surgeon. Meredith was a few years older than Athena-or at least appeared to be, given Athena's true age. Meredith had long brown hair, a quick smile, and a reputation for being both highly skilled and compassionate with her patients.

"Morning, Athena," Meredith greeted her, falling into step beside her. "How are your rounds going?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary," Athena replied, glancing over at her colleague. "Just checked on Mrs. Wallace. She's recovering nicely."

"That's good," Meredith said, her tone brisk but friendly. She consulted the tablet she was carrying, scrolling through patient updates. "I've got a couple of post-op patients I'm a little concerned about-one of them is Mr. Dunly. His recovery isn't going as smoothly as I'd hoped. Would you mind taking a look at him when you get a chance?"

"Sure," Athena nodded, her professional demeanor unwavering. "I'll head over there next."

Meredith smiled with gratitude, then paused, as if deciding whether or not to bring up a different topic. "By the way, are you doing anything this evening?"

Athena arched an eyebrow slightly, curious. "No plans. Why?"

"Well," Meredith began, her tone lightening, "I was wondering if you'd like to join me at the Wickery Bridge restoration fundraiser. It's supposed to be a big deal, and I thought it might be nice to go together. You know, support the community and all that."

Athena considered the invitation. She had been living in Mystic Falls for nearly two months, and while she kept to herself most of the time, she understood the importance of staying connected to the town's social fabric. Plus, it would give her an opportunity to observe more of the town's dynamics-something that always intrigued her.

"That sounds like a good idea," Athena said finally, offering a small smile. "I'd be happy to go."

"Great!" Meredith's eyes lit up. "Can't promise you it'll be fun though but I heard there will be drinks."

"I'll take your word for it," Athena replied, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Where and when?"

"It's at the Mystic Falls Founders Hall, starts at seven," Meredith informed her, clearly pleased that Athena had agreed. "I'll see you there?"

The nephilim nodded. Meredith gave her a quick smile before heading off down the hall, likely off to her next patient or surgery. Athena watched her go, then turned back to follow up on Mr. Dunly.

When the Wolfstar reached his room, she paused for a moment, her hand on the door handle. She had done this countless times, visited patients in their most vulnerable states, but the feeling of responsibility never diminished. Pushing the door open, she stepped inside quietly.

The room was dimly lit, the blinds partially drawn to keep the harsh sunlight at bay. Mr. Dunly layed in the bed, his face pale and lined with pain despite the effects of the morphine. His chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, and the heart monitor beside him beeped steadily, though there was a faint irregularity in its rhythm. The rhythmic beeping of the monitors the only sound in the room. Athena moved to his side, her eyes immediately scanning his vitals. He was stable, but she could tell his body was struggling more than it should be at this stage of recovery. The morphine had dulled his pain, but it had also masked the severity of his condition.

Meredith was right to be concerned, something was off. He was stable, but she could tell that his body was fighting to heal. Frowning slightly, she placed her hand on his wrist, feeling the weak pulse beneath his skin. "Well this isn't good." she murmured softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

She glanced around the room, ensuring they were alone, and then closed her eyes, focusing inward. The divine power within her was something she rarely called upon these days, but when she did, it was always with purpose. Her eyes fluttered open, now glowing with a gentle white light that illuminated the room with a serene, almost otherworldly glow.

The magic flowed from her fingertips, threading through Mr. Dunly's body like a warm, healing balm. She visualized the internal wounds mending, the inflammation receding, and the strength returning to his weakened muscles. The process was seamless, natural to her, as if the magic was an extension of her own will.

As the light gradually faded from her eyes, Athena stepped back and observed her work. Mr. Dunly's breathing had steadied, his color was returning, and the irregularity in the heart monitor's rhythm evened out. Satisfied, she made a note in his chart, quietly confident that his recovery would now proceed without further complications.

After completing her rounds, Athena finally allowed herself a brief moment to rest. She made her way to the small break room tucked away near the nurse's station. The room was modest, with a few chairs and a well-worn couch, a coffee machine that had seen better days, and a small window that offered a view of the trees parking lot.

She poured herself a cup of coffee, hoping the caffeine would keep her alert for the rest of her shift. But just as she brought the cup to her lips, a sharp pain shot through her head, making her wince. She set the cup down quickly and pressed her fingers to her temples, trying to stave off the sudden migraine.

As the pain intensified, flashes of images began to fill her mind. She saw Niklaus, standing at what seemed to be formal gathering, his face as familiar to her as it was in her memories. He was speaking with a woman who had dirty blonde hair, her expression friendly as she listened to him. Beside her stood a man with dark brown hair, his posture tense and eyes narrowed. Niklaus, in typical fashion, wore a smug smile.

The vision shifted, the images becoming more fragmented, and then suddenly, it all faded, leaving Athena with a throbbing headache. She exhaled sharply, leaning back in her chair as the pain slowly subsided. The flashes had felt disturbingly real, like a glimpse into something that was either happening now or would happen soon. The nephilim couldn't shake the unease that settled over her. That tether she thought had severed long ago was back, and stronger than before. Athena knew she couldn't ignore it, even if she wanted to.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to clear her mind. She still had the rest of her shift to get through, but the migraine and the visions had left her with a lingering sense of foreboding. Niklaus and his family were closer than she had realised, and it seemed only a matter of time before their paths crossed once more.

After a long day at Mystic Falls Hospital, Athena returned to her apartment just as the late afternoon sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow across the town. Her, apartment was a respite of calm, filled with clean lines and neutral earth tones that reflected her desire for simplicity and order amidst the chaos of her long existence.

The nephilim quickly shed her work attire and headed to her bedroom, where she carefully selected an outfit for the evening. Although Athena preferred solitude, she understood the importance of maintaining appearances in the small town where she was trying to blend in.

After a quick shower, she slipped into a black, turtleneck top that hugged her form, accentuating her figure in a modest yet elegant way. On top laid her old signature key necklace that was given to her over a thousand years ago. She paired it with a classic Burberry plaid skirt, the pattern a nod to timeless style. Over it, she donned a long, black overcoat, its interior lined with the same plaid pattern as her skirt, creating a cohesive look. The coat fell to her knees, adding an air of sophistication.

Athena then pulled on a pair of knee-high black boots, their pointed toes and sleek leather perfectly complementing her ensemble. To complete the look, she grabbed a large black leather tote, its design as sharp and polished as the rest of her outfit. She took a moment to look at herself in the mirror, assessing the reflection that stared back at her. It was a carefully crafted image, designed to blend in seamlessly with the upper echelon of Mystic Falls society. Once satisfied, she stepped out into the cool evening air, making her way to the venue where the fundraiser was being held.

The Founders Hall was bustling with activity as people gathered to support the restoration of Wickery Bridge. Athena stepped into the warm glow of the Mystic Falls Founders Hall, her senses immediately taking in the refined atmosphere of the fundraiser. The elegant architecture, combined with the soft lighting and the hum of polite conversation, created a setting that was both grand and intimate. She moved gracefully through the crowd, her long coat billowing slightly as she walked. The event was in full swing, with finely dressed guests mingling, talking, and making generous donations to the cause.

Her eyes scanned the room, quickly locating Meredith, who was engaged in conversation with a man Athena recognised immediately-Alaric Saltzman. He was tall, with a rugged yet approachable demeanor, and though he seemed perfectly at ease in the social setting, there was an underlying tension to his posture.

Athena had seen him at the hospital before, a patient of Meredith's, but they had never formally met. She made her way toward them, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. As she approached, Meredith noticed her and waved her over with a warm smile.

"Athena! You made it," Meredith greeted, her tone friendly and welcoming. "Let me introduce you to Alaric Saltzman. Alaric, this is Dr. Athena Mourningstar, one of the most talented surgeons I've ever worked with."

Alaric turned to face Athena, offering a polite smile as he extended his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Mourningstar. Dr Fell spoke very highly of you."

"Please call me Athena," the Wolfstar replied, her voice steady as she reached out to shake his hand.

The moment their hands touched, a surge of energy shot through Athena, her eyes widening slightly as she was pulled into a vision. The room around her seemed to fade, replaced by a series of intense, fragmented memories that flooded her mind in quick succession.

She saw flashes of memories of Alaric interacting with supernatural forces-vampires, werewolves, and other creatures that lurked in the shadows of Mystic Falls. This however did not shake her, the nephilim already knew about the supernatural. But the two vampires in the memories she saw in particular stood out, the first one, his face in a grin, dark hair framing his sharp features. He was the same man Athena had seen in her vision earlier in the day, knowing his name now to be Damon Salvatore. And then she saw Niklaus, But this wasn't the same Niklous she remembered a all those lifetimes age. This memory of him was more aggressive, more hateful.

The vision was so overwhelming that Athena almost lost her grip on reality. She quickly pulled her hand back from Alaric's, struggling to maintain her composure as the images faded, leaving her with a pounding headache and a deep sense of unease.

Alaric didn't seem to notice her momentary lapse, he was unaware of intern struggle the nephilim just endured and continued to speak to the both of them as if nothing had happened.

"So you were talking about how much you hate this bridge?" Alaric gestured to the Wickery Bridge model.

"My senior prom date dumped me on this bridge." Meredith gave a bitter smile.

"Yeah? Did you throw him over it?"

"No, but I should've. I've been holding a grudge ever since." They both chuckle.

But Athena couldn't focus on their words; her mind was too preoccupied with the disturbing memories she had just glimpse. "Well that sounds lovely and all," she said, her voice strained but polite. "but if you'll excuse me, I gonna get a drink."

Meredith gave her a curious look, sensing something was off, but didn't press the issue. "Oh, sure. We'll be around if you want to join us later."

Athena nodded and made her way towards what would pass as a bar, her steps a bit unsteady as she tried to shake off the lingering effects of the vision. She needed something to ground her, to bring her back to the present. She asked for a glass of champagne, but even as the waiter handed it to her, her thoughts were elsewhere.

As she sipped the champagne, she noticed the donation table set up nearby. Without hesitation, she walked over and filled out a donation card, writing a figure that would undoubtedly stand out among the others. But it didn't matter. Money was trivial to her, easily replenished by the magic that had sustained her for centuries. She handed the card to the attendant, who thanked her profusely, but Athena barely heard them. Her mind was still reeling from the vision, the connection to Niklaus, too strong to ignore.

With the donation made, she returned to the bar and ordered another drink, something stronger in taste this time. She wasn't usually one for whiskey, preferring the floral or fruity taste of wine, but tonight was different. Tonight, she needed something to dull the edges of the reality that was pressing down on her.

After finishing her drink, she began searching the room for Meredith and Alaric, hoping to rejoin them and regain some sense of normalcy. But as she scanned the crowd, her eyes fell on a trio of figures near the stairs, and her heart skipped a beat.

There they were-the people from her vision. The woman with dirty blonde hair dressed in purple, who she now recognised as Carol Lockwood, the mayor of Mystic Falls, and the man with dark brown hair, Damon Salvatore. But it was the figure standing between them that made her blood run cold.

Niklaus.

He looked exactly as he had in her vision. The last time Athena had seen Niklaus, he was lying on the ground, dead, or so she believed. But now, here he was, standing in front of her, his presence commanding and undeniable. The air around them seemed to crackle with tension, and Athena could feel the weight of their presence even from across the room. It was as if time had folded in on itself, bringing the past and present crashing together in this one moment.

Athena stood frozen, unsure of what to do. The tether that had drawn her back to Mystic Falls had brought her to this point, but now that she was here, she wasn't sure she was ready to face what was coming. The visions, the dreams-they were all leading her toward something, but she didn't know what.

As she stood there, trying to make sense of it all, a waitress passed by with a tray of drinks. Without thinking, Athena reached out and grabbed one, downing it in one quick motion. The drink burned as it went down, but she barely noticed. She was too focused on the scene playing out before her, the echoes of her vision still reverberating in her mind.

Athena had always drawn the images she saw in her dreams, capturing them in the leather-bound books she had kept for centuries. It was a way of making sense of the chaos, of trying to find patterns in the visions that had plagued her ever since she had returned to Earth. But this-this was different. This was happening now, and she had no control over it.

Another sharp pain shot through her head, a migraine triggered by the intensity of the situation. The room seemed to spin, and she knew she needed to get away, to find a place where she could think clearly. Clutching her glass, she turned and made her way to the restroom, desperate for a moment of solitude.

Quietly, she slipped away from the main hall and made her way to the restroom. The polished marble floors and soft, ambient lighting offered a temporary reprieve from the noise and confusion outside. The nephilim leaned against the sink, her hands gripping the cool porcelain as she tried to steady her breathing. The migraines had been getting worse ever since she returned to Earth, and she couldn't help but wonder if they were connected to the visions she had been having. She splashed some cold water on her face, hoping to clear her mind, but the images of Niklaus, kept flashing through her thoughts.

After a few moments, she took a deep breath and straightened up, willing herself to push through the pain. She needed to leave, to get away from the event before anything else happened. She wasn't sure if she could handle another onslaught of images, especially with Niklaus so close, and the reality of their situation so disorienting.

As she exited the bathroom, her steps were unsteady, her mind still clouded by the remnants of the migraine. She made her way toward the exit, her only thought to escape before anyone could notice her distress. But just as she was about to reach the door, she was stopped by a familiar face, Carol Lockwood. "Athena, is it?" Carol said with a warm smile. "I just wanted to thank you personally for your incredibly generous donation. It's because of people like you that we'll be able to restore Wickery Bridge to its former glory."

Athena managed a small smile, though her heart wasn't in it. "Not a problem. I'm just happy to support the community."

Before she could excuse herself, Carol spotted someone over Athena's shoulder and called out, "Klaus! Come here for a moment, I would like for you to meet someone."

Athena's breath caught in her throat as she turned to see Klaus approaching. The hybrid was just as striking as ever, his presence commanding attention as he made his way over to them. When their eyes met, time seemed to stand still. The migraine was momentarily forgotten as the reality of seeing Klaus-alive, breathing, and very much real-hit her with full force.

Klaus's expression mirrored her own shock, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of her standing before him. For a long moment, they simply stared at each other, neither of them able to believe what they were seeing. It was as if the rest of the room had faded away, leaving just the two of them, suspended in a moment that felt both surreal and inevitable.

"This is Athena Mourningstar," Carol said cheerfully, oblivious to the tension between them. "She's the one who made that large donation you'll be matching."

But neither Athena nor Klaus were paying attention to her words. They were too focused on each other, their minds racing as they tried to process what was happening.

"Athena?" Klaus finally said, his voice low and disbelieving.

One crisp morning, as the dew clung to the grass and the sun peeked through the trees, Athena and Niklaus could be found in a secluded clearing, swords in hand. The sound of metal clashing echoed through the air as they moved fluidly, engaged in a mock battle that was both a test of skill and a lesson.

"You're getting better, Niklaus," Athena remarked, a smirk playing on her lips as she parried his strike with ease. "But you still leave your right side wide open."

Niklaus grunted in frustration, narrowing his eyes in determination. "You always say that, but what if it's a feint?"

Athena laughed, the sound light and teasing. "Then you'd best make sure it's convincing. Otherwise, you'll be on your back before you know it."

Their banter continued as they moved, each strike and counterstrike a testament to their growing familiarity with one another's styles. Niklaus had always been a formidable opponent, driven by a need to prove himself, but with Athena's guidance, he was learning to hone his instincts and refine his technique.

As they circled each other, Niklaus suddenly lunged, catching Athena off guard. She stumbled backward, seemingly losing her balance as she fell to the ground with a grunt. Niklaus stood over her, triumphant, his sword pointed at her chest.

"Got you this time," he said, his voice filled with satisfaction.

Athena raised an eyebrow, a sly smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Are you sure about that sweetie?" she asked.

Before Niklaus could react, Athena hooked her leg around his ankle and yanked, sending him crashing to the ground beside her. In an instant, she rolled on top of him, pinning him down with her knee against his chest, her sword resting lightly against his throat.

Niklaus looked up at her, momentarily stunned, before a slow grin spread across his face. "I underestimated you," he admitted, his tone both begrudging and admiring.

"That's your first mistake," Athena replied, her voice softening slightly as she looked down at him. For a brief moment, their eyes met, the air between them charged with something unspoken, something that neither of them quite knew how to name.

But the moment passed as quickly as it had come, and Athena stood, offering Niklaus a hand to help him up. He took it, his grip firm and warm, and as he rose to his feet, he couldn't help but admire the way she carried herself-confident, strong, and undeniably captivating.

Before Klaus could continue the room seemed to spin again as Athena's migraine surged back with a vengeance, the pain nearly blinding in its intensity. She winced, raising a hand to her temple as she tried to steady herself.

"Excuse me Mrs Lockwood but I not feeling too well. Excuse me."Athena tried to focus her attention on the mayor. She then turned and began to walk away, her steps quick and unsteady as she made her way toward the exit. She could hear Carol's voice calling after her, but she didn't stop. The only thing that mattered was getting out, away from the confusion, the memories, and the overwhelming emotions that were threatening to consume her.

But as she reached the door, a hand gently but firmly caught her arm. She turned to see Klaus standing beside her, concern etched into his features.

"Athena, wait," he said, his voice softer now, laced with a mix of confusion and something that almost sounded like worry. "We need to talk." He demanded.

Athena hesitated, the conflicting emotions swirling inside her. Part of her wanted to run, to escape the confusion and the pain of seeing Klaus again. But another part of her, the part that had been tethered to him for so long, knew that they couldn't avoid this conversation forever.

"Alright," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "But not here. My place." Klaus nodded, his grip on her arm tightened slightly as if he were afraid she might disappear if he'd let go.

With one last glance at the crowded room, Athena allowed Klaus to lead her out of the building, away from the prying eyes and curious stares.

Chapter Text

Klaus and Athena had barely begun their walk home.

The tension between them palpable and unresolved, when his phone buzzed in his pocket, cutting through the thick silence. Klaus glanced at the screen, and the faint glow illuminated the name flashing across it; Stefan. His expression shifted from curiosity to mild annoyance.

"Excuse me, love, I have to take this," Klaus said to Athena, his tone polite but edged with the weight of the moment. He held up the phone slightly as if to explain, before turning away slightly to answer it. As the hybrid pressed the phone to his ear, a sly, almost predatory smile crept across his face. "Stefan, how nice to hear your voice," he greeted, his words dripping with sarcasm.

Athena watched as Klaus's demeanor shifted, his relaxed posture growing more rigid as the conversation progressed. The nephilim could hear Stefan's voice faintly through the phone, though the exact words were unclear. Whatever was being said, it had immediately captured Klaus's full attention. On the other end, Stefan's voice was cold, devoid of any pleasantries. "Tell your hybrids to get out of town, Klaus."

Klaus's lips turned into a smirk. "Well, that's not gonna happen until I get my coffins back," he replied, his tone almost casual, as though they were discussing a trivial matter rather than something of immense consequence.

There was a brief silence on the other end, and Klaus's smile remained, confident and unwavering. But then Stefan spoke again, his voice filled with a quiet, chilling resolve. "Okay. Well, I'm gonna drive your blood source off of Wickery Bridge."

Klaus's smile faltered, just for a fraction of a second. His eyes narrowed slightly as he processed Stefan's words, trying to gauge the seriousness of the threat. "I don't believe you, Stefan," he said, his voice carrying a dismissive edge. "You won't kill her."

The sound of screeching tires filled the silence on the other end, followed by muffled sounds of a struggle, and then a girl's voice-strained, and coughing. Klaus's face immediately hardened, his earlier smugness giving way to something far more serious. His gaze flicked to Athena, but he quickly looked away, focusing entirely on the call. "What's going on?" His voice was lower now, tinged with genuine concern.

"I just fed her my blood," Stefan said, his tone as cold as ever. "No more hybrids if she's a vampire."

Klaus's expression darkened further, the full weight of Stefan's words hitting him like a punch to the gut. "You won't do it," he insisted, but there was a faint waver in his voice, a crack in his confidence that hadn't been there before.

"Really?" Stefan's voice came back, sharp and cutting. "Try me. Because your coffins are next to go."

Athena could see the internal struggle playing out on Klaus's face. The smooth mask of control he wore was slipping, revealing the turmoil underneath. He was calculating, weighing Stefan's words, trying to determine if this was a bluff or if Stefan really was prepared to go through with it. His eyes darted around, unfocused, as if searching for a solution that didn't exist.

"Say goodbye to your family, Klaus," Stefan continued, his voice calm but with an unmistakable undertone of finality. More sounds of tires squealing filled the silence, each one a reminder that time was running out.

"Stefan, slow down!" The girls voice was sharper now, tinged with a desperation. The bravado was gone, replaced by something far more raw and human. Athena's heart tightened in her chest as she listened to the exchange, the tension between the two men palpable even to her. And when she heard the voice of the girl on the other end of the line, sheer terror in her tone sent shivers down the nephilims spine "Stefan! Stefan, stop it!"

"Fine," Klaus finally said, his voice taut with barely restrained anger and frustration. "I'll send them away. You win."

But Stefan wasn't finished. The girl's desperate cries continued, piercing the air like a knife. "Stefan! Stefan, stop!" she screamed, her voice cracking with desperation.

"Stop the car, Stefan!" Klaus barked, his patience finally snapped as the full weight of the situation crushed down on him. His voice was loud, filled with a mix of fury and terror. Another screech of tires rang out, followed by the unmistakable sound of brakes being slammed, and the girl's scream reached a fever pitch before cutting off abruptly.

Klaus hung up his phone abruptly. His chest heaved as he tried to control the storm of emotions swirling inside him-anger, fear, frustration. Athena remained silent, watching him with a mixture of concern and uncertainty. She reached out, but stopped herself, unsure of what to say or do. Klaus let out a long, shaky breath, his eyes dark and distant as he tried to compose himself. His eyes finally met hers, the rage in them barely contained.

For a moment, Klaus looked as if he wanted to speak, as if he might finally share some of the burden that weighed so heavily on him. But then he closed his eyes, his face hardening once more as he shoved the emotions back down, locking them away behind the familiar mask of control.

Without another word, he turned and walked away, his steps quick and purposeful, leaving Athena standing there, the echoes of the conversation still ringing in her ears. She watched him go, her mind racing with thoughts and questions, but for now, she knew better than to follow. Klaus needed space, and so did she, to process everything that had just happened tonight.

Athena woke up later than usual, sunlight already streaming through the curtains of her bedroom. Today was her day off from the hospital, and though she had planned to relax. They hadn't finished their conversation, and she felt a strong urge to check on him, to make sure he was okay. Not to also mention the unsettled cryptic phone call from Stefan had left her with a lingering sense of unease.

After a simple but satisfying breakfast of French toast, Athena took a long, hot shower to clear her mind. She felt the warmth of the water wash away some of her anxiety, but the concern for Klaus lingered. Stepping out of the shower, she wrapped herself in a towel and walked over to her closet, and settled on an outfit that was both chic and cozy—a cream-coloured top tucked into high-waisted, wide-legged trousers in a warm brown shade. Over it, she layered a plaid coat that added a touch of casual sophistication. She paired the outfit with black ankle boots, the kind that were both sturdy and stylish, perfect for the unpredictable weather in Mystic Falls. Her signature necklace, a delicate key with a celestial design, hung around her neck, resting just above her heart. Slinging a beige handbag over her shoulder, she took one last look in the mirror, smoothing down her hair, which she had let dry into soft waves.  After a final glance in the mirror, she brushed out her hair, letting it fall naturally, and grabbed her keys.

Athena walked to her car, the tether that had always connected her to Klaus was stronger than ever. It guided her through the winding roads of Mystic Falls, leading her to a secluded area where the grand mansion stood-Klaus's new residence. As she approached the mansion, she noticed a few painters' and carpenters' vans parked outside. It looked like Klaus was in the middle of a renovation project, which piqued her curiosity.

The front door was slightly ajar, so she let herself in, stepping into what felt like a construction site. The faint smell of fresh paint and sawdust lingered in the air as she pushed it open, mingled with the sound of workers talking and tools clinking. She stepped inside. The mansion was far from complete-the nephilim found herself standing in an empty room—stripped of any furniture or decor, the walls bare, and the floorboards yet to be fitted. The entire place felt like it was in a state of transition, caught between what it had been and what it was going to become.

Athena walked further into the room, imagining the potential of the space. Despite the mess, she could see the bones of what would be a grand and elegant mansion. The expansive rooms, the high ceilings—it had all the makings of a beautiful home once completed.

But her thoughts were interrupted when she heard Klaus’ voice coming from a nearby room. Curious, Athena followed the sound of his voice. As she turned the corner, she saw Klaus standing with his back to her, gesturing toward the walls as he spoke to the worker. She hesitated for a moment, taking in the sight of him. He was giving instructions to one of the workers about which parts of the wall should have exposed brick and which areas should be covered with wallpaper and paint. His tone was decisive, his presence commanding as usual, but there was a weariness in his posture.

As if sensing her presence, Klaus paused mid-sentence and turned around, his gaze locking onto hers. There was a moment of silence where neither spoke, the air between them charged with unspoken words.

“Hi,” Athena said first, offering him a small, tentative smile.

“Hi,” Klaus replied, his voice softer than usual, but his eyes were alert, studying her.

She glanced around the unfinished room before giving him a teasing smile. “I like what you’ve done with the place,” she said, sarcasm evident in her tone as she took in the bare walls and uninstalled floorboards.

Klaus huffed a small, amused breath, catching the humor in her words. “Yes, well, it’s a work in progress,” he admitted, a slight smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “But it will be magnificent once it’s done.”

“I’m sure it will,” Athena replied, her expression turning more serious as she met his gaze. “I was worried about you. We didn’t get to finish our conversation last night, and I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Klaus’s eyes softened at her concern, but there was still a guardedness about him, a hesitation that hadn’t been there before. He motioned for her to follow him, leading her into another empty room that seemed to serve as a makeshift office for the renovation.

“I’m fine, love,” he said, though his voice lacked its usual conviction. “Right now, I’v just been busy of late that's all.” Klaus looked away, his expression pensive.

She wanted to push further, to get him to open up, but she could see he wasn’t ready. Klaus looked away, his expression pensive. "What happened to you? How did you survive a thousand years? The last time I saw you, y-you were gone."

Athena could see the pain in his eyes, the unresolved grief that still lingered from that time so long ago. She gave him a small, understanding smile, trying to lighten to the mood. "I could ask you the same thing," she said, her tone gentle. "But I already guessed it has something to do with you being a vampire."

Klaus arched an eyebrow, intrigued by her knowledge but choosing not to press further. Instead, he asked the question that had been bothering him since she first reappeared in his life. “But you… Athena? After all this time? You're not a vampire, I can tell that much by the beating of your heart the, the smell of your blood.”

Athena hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to explain it all in words. It was a story so long, so complicated, that it was difficult to convey. She sighed softly, a hint of resignation in her voice as she spoke. "It's a long story. I'm not sure even if I understood it fully. But I think it would be easier to show you."

She extended her hand toward him, her eyes meeting his with a mixture of vulnerability and determination. "Take my hand," she said, her voice soft but steady. "I don't bite." She added a laugh, trying to ease the tension.

Klaus looked at her hand, then back at her, before finally reaching out and taking it. The moment their hands touched, Athena's skin began to glow with a soft, warm light. The glow enveloped Klaus's hand as well, a gentle warmth spreading through him. Athena closed her eyes, focusing on the memories she wanted to share with him, letting the divine magic within her connect them.

The Wolfstar showed him the day she fell from the sky, how she was a nephilim, how she had been the woman who healed him over a thousand years ago. (Referring to Chapter 1) She showed him the pain she felt when she thought the Mikaelsons had died

In the year 1001, the air was thick with the scent of pine and earth as she hurried through the dense, forest her heart heavy with dread. She had heard the news from one of her werewolf friends; Henrik Mikaelson was killed by a werewolf. Athena knew she had to help them, for there was a limited time for her to interview before Henrik's soul finds peace and moves on.

The nephilim moved swiftly, her dress rustling through the underbrush as she ran, the hem of her skirt caught on thorns and branches in her haste. Her divine abilities gave her hope that she might be able to sooth their pain, or perhaps even perform a miracle to bring Henrik back.  But as she came upon the border of the village, the cries of her friends growing louder and louder, the air grew colder, heavier, and a oppressive sense of danger settled over her. She slowed her pace, her instincts alerted her of an impending threat. And then from behind her,he emerged-Mikael, the patriarch of the Mikaelson family. His eyes were blazing with anger that seemed to be brighter than the sun, his face twisted in a mask of rage and grief.

The nephilim stopped in her tracks, her breath caught in her throat as she met his gaze. Athena had known Mikael for many years, the man who harm his children for having fun, for looking at him the wrong way, the man who did not deserve the rights to be called a farther. This was a man consumed by fury, a man who griefs would turn to hatred.

"Mikael," she called out, trying to reach him through the storm of his emotions. "Please,im here to help. Let me-"

"Help?" Mikael's voice was a roar, filled with such venom that it sent a shiver down Athena's spine. "You have done nothing but corrupt my children! This wouldn't have happened of they defide my rules. You and your vile werewolf friends-this is your doing! My boy is dead because of you!"  The accusation struck her like a knife. Mikael was blaming her for Henriks death. Athena's heart ached with the injustice of it, but she knew that trying to reason with him in this state would be nearly impossible. Still she had to find hope.

"Mikael, you know that's not true," she said her voice calm bit firm. "I has nothing to do with Henriks death. Please, let's talk about this. Your wife need you-"

"Silence!" Mikael bellowed, his hands gripping the hilt of his sword as he advanced towards her. "You think you can make this right? My son is dead, and I will have justice!"

Athena knew the that there was now talking her way out of this, not now. She saw the sowrd knew that he was intending to use it on her. Not wanting to escalate the situation any further, she chose not to reveal her full power. But still hopeing to calm him down with words. "Mikael, please-" she began, but before she could finish, Mikaelson rage reached it's boiling point. With a furious cry, he swung his sword at her, the blade flashing in the dim light of the forest.

Athena reacted with instincts, pulling her silver parrying daggers from her bun now letting her hair fall down as she blocked the strike. The force of the blow sent a jolt through her arms, this giving her realisation of just how serious Mikael was. He wasn't trying to scare her-he intended to kill her.

The sound of clashing steel echoed through the forest as Athens parrried and dodged Mikael's relentless attacks. His strength was immense, fuelled by a wrath that made his strikes almost impossible to predict. Each swing of his sword was filled with the weight of grief, his anger, and his desperation to find someone to blame. The battle carried them to the boarder of the village where the Mikaelson siblings- Elijah, Klous and Rebekah- witnessed the horrific scene unfold. They watched in shock and horror as their farther, blinded by rage, attacks Athena, the woman who had always been a friend to them, who had always sought to protect them.

"Farther stop!" Elijah's voice rang out as he and Klaus rushed forward trying to intervene. "This isn't her fault!"

But Mikael was beyond reasoning, beyond hearing the voices of his children plead. His wrath was a force of nature and nothing could stand in its way. He continued his assault on Athena, his strikes grew more furious with each moment that passed.

Athena was tiring. She was strong, but Mikael's fury was overwhelming. She blocked his attacks as best she could, but he was relentless, and soon, she began to falter. Then in a moment of deverstating clarity, Mikael's sword found its mark. With a swift, brutal motion, he drove the blade into her heart.

The Wolfstar gasped, the pain searing through her chest as she fell to the forest floor. In the fading light of her consciousness, she could hear them— Rebekah, Klaus and Elijah—crying out in horror, their anguished faces swam before her eyes, distorted by the tears that filled them. She tried to reach out, to tell them it would be okay, but her body refused to move. The world around her began to fade as darkness closed in, the last thing she felt was the cold earth beneath her as she slipped into death.

Elijah, Rebekah, and Klaus ran to her side, their hearts heavy with despair. Rebekah was the first to reach her, dropping to her knees beside Athena’s lifeless form. Tears streamed down her face as she gently cradled Athena’s head in her lap, her sobs choking her words. “No, no, no! There has to be something we can do! We can’t just let her die!” Her voice was filled with desperation, a plea for a solution that didn’t exist.

Klaus knelt on the other side of Athena, his hands hovering helplessly above her as if he didn’t know where to begin. His face was a mask of torment, his eyes wide with the realisation of what had just happened. “This is all my fault,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “She’s gone because of me, Henrik's gone because of me, I brought this upon them, upon her…”

Elijah, his own face pale and stricken, placed a hand on Klaus’s shoulder, gripping it tightly as if to anchor him. “No, Niklaus. This isn’t your fault. Our father—he was blinded by grief, by his hatred. He couldn’t see reason.”

Klaus shook his head, his tears spilling onto Athena’s still form. He could barely speak, the words catching in his throat. “But if I hadn’t… if I hadn’t been so reckless. Henrik. Athena she— she wouldn’t have—” His voice broke, the guilt and grief overwhelming him.

Rebekah’s sobs grew louder as she rocked back and forth, holding Athena close as if she could somehow bring her back through sheer willpower. “She can’t be gone,” Rebekah cried, her voice barely audible through her tears. “She was our friend… she can’t be gone.”

But Elijah knew the truth. He could see it in Athena’s stillness, in the pallor of her skin, in the way her chest no longer rose and fell with the rhythm of life. There was nothing they could do. The truth of it settled over him like a suffocating blanket, crushing him with its finality.

He looked at Klaus and Rebekah, his own grief mirrored in their faces, and made a decision. “We should bury her,” Elijah said softly, his voice steady despite the turmoil within him. “It’s the least we can do… for everything she did for us.”

Klaus and Rebekah both looked at him, their expressions filled with sorrow and resignation. They knew he was right, but that didn’t make it any easier to accept. With great care, they lifted Athena’s body from the forest floor, carrying her as gently as they could manage. Each step was heavy, the weight of their loss pressing down on them as they moved deeper into the woods, searching for a place where she could rest in peace.

They found a quiet, secluded spot beneath a towering oak tree, its branches stretching out like protective arms over the clearing. With tears in their eyes and hearts burdened by grief, they dug a grave for their fallen friend, the woman who had been their protector, their confidant, their family.

As they laid Athena to rest, Rebekah whispered a quiet prayer to the spirits, her voice trembling with emotion. Klaus stood by her side, his hands clenched into fists, his heart breaking all over again. Elijah remained silent, his face a mask of stoic determination as he placed the last of the earth over her grave, sealing away the woman who had meant so much to them.

They stood there in silence for a long while, the wind whispering through the trees as if offering its own condolences. The loss of Athena was a wound that would never fully heal, a scar that would remain with them for all eternity.

As the first light of dawn began to break over the horizon, they finally turned away, leaving behind the grave of the woman who had been so much more than a friend. They carried with them the weight of their grief, their hearts heavy with the knowledge that they had lost someone  irreplaceable.

Hours passed and the night deepened and deep within the earth The nephilim body stirred. Her lungs once still, gasped for air, and her eyes snapped open in the suffocating darkness. She was alive. Panic started to set in as Athena realised she was buried. She clawed at the dirt above, her nails breaking as she fought her was to the surface. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she broke through, emerging from the earth covered in dirt and blood. Her heart pounded in her ears, the wound Mikael had inflicted on the Wolfstar was still raw but not fatal.

Without pausing to understand how she survived, Athena ran. She ran through the forest with one thing on her mind, the Mikaelson's. She had to reach them worried about the danger Mikael would inflict on his children. But when she arrived at their home, the sight that greeted her was one of ever station. Rebekah and Klaus played in the floor, their bodies cold and lifeless, blood pooling around the wounds of their hearts. Athena heart shattered at the sight, the people she had cared for, the ones she sought to protect, were dead. She fell to her knees, her hands trembed. The connection she had always felt with the Mikaelsons, the bond that had tied her to them all those years ago, faded into nothingness, leaving a hollow emptiness inside her that she had never know before.

The grief was unbearable, and Athena knew that she shouldn't stay. She had failed them, and their was nothing, left for her here. She wiped the tears from her eyes, and left her friends home behind. Her heart heavy with sorrow.

She found refuge with her old family, the Crescent pack, who had always welcomed her. But even among them she could find no peace. The connection she had to the Mikaelsons was gone leaving her adrift in a world that no longer made sense.

She showed him how she sought comfort among the werewolves, only to lose them too the onslaught of Mikael. She revealed the grief that had driven her to leave this world but she did not show him what she had found amongst the stars. The nephilim showed him everything that happened to her on earth up to this point in time.

As the memories flowed into him, Klaus felt deep empathy for her. He had known pain, loneliness, and the feeling of being an abomination in a world that didn't understand him. But to see it reflected in Athena, to see how she had struggled with her own nature, her own existence-it resonated with him on a level he hadn't expected.

When the memories faded, Athena released his hand and opened her eyes. She found Klaus standing there, tears silently streaming down his face. He wasn't sobbing, but the tears were a testament to the emotions swirling inside him. He had witnessed her pain, her loneliness, her isolation, and it struck him deeply.

"Hey," Athena whispered, her voice filled with concern as she saw his tears. "Why are you crying?"

Klaus took a shaky breath, wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand, but the tears kept coming. He looked at her, his expression raw and unguarded, something he rarely allowed anyone to see. "It's nothing it's just," he said, his voice thick with emotion, "Seeing that pain in you... It's far too familiar."

Athena's heart ached at his words. She stepped closer to him, her hand reaching out to gently touch his cheek. "We've both been through hell, but that doesn't make us monsters." Klaus pulled back slightly. Athena's brow furrowed in concern seeing that he didn't believe her words.

Klaus thought this would be the best time to show her his memories. That he's not the same man she once remembered. All the blood he spilled, all the lives he ruined. As he saw it, he was a monster. But before he could say anything he was interrupted when one of the workers appeared at the door, his voice hesitant as he addressed the hybrid. "Mr. Mikaelson, could you take a look at something?"

Klaus gave a brief nod, his gaze lingering on the nephilim for a moment longer before he turned to the worker. "I'll be right there," he said, his tone firm but not unkind. He then looked back at Athena, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I’ll be back shortly."

With that, he left the room, the sound of his footsteps fading as he followed the worker down the hall. Athena watched him go, a small smile on her face. Once she was alone, she turned her attention to the rest of the mansion. The house was still far from finished, but there were a few rooms that had already been furnished and decorated, giving her a glimpse of the grandeur that Klaus envisioned.

Her curiosity piqued, Athena began to wander through the mansion, her footsteps light on the unfinished floorboards. She moved from room to room, taking in the carefully chosen furnishings and the luxurious details that were beginning to take shape.

Eventually, she found herself in a room that immediately caught her attention, she stepped into what could only be described as hobby room. The room was spacious, with large windows that allowed natural light to flood in, illuminating the space with a warm, golden glow. A piano greets her near the entrance next to a table of finished drawings, paintings and art supplies.

Athena’s breath caught as she took in the sight before her. The walls were lined with paintings, each one more captivating than the last. Some were leaning against the table, others were propped up on the floor, waiting to be hung. The colours were muted, the brushstrokes deliberate and full of emotion. It was clear that this room was a sanctuary for Klaus, a place where he could express himself in ways that words could never capture.

She moved slowly around the room, her fingers brushing lightly over the keys of the piano and the edges of the canvases as she admired the artwork. Each painting told a story—some were dark and brooding, others were serene and contemplative, these were mostly landscape paintings.

As Athena continued to explore, her gaze fell on an easel in the corner of the room. An empty canvas was propped up on it, a blank slate just waiting to be transformed into something beautiful. The sight of it stirred something within her, an urge that she hadn’t felt in a long time. She had always loved to draw, but ever since she started working at the hospital, there had been little time for such pursuits.

Without thinking, Athena walked over to the table, which was cluttered with an assortment of paintbrushes, tubes of paint, and pencils. She picked up one of the pencils, her fingers closing around it as if it were a lifeline. The familiar weight of it in her hand brought a sense of comfort, a connection to a part of herself that she had neglected for too long.

She turned back to the empty canvas, her mind going blank as she let the pencil guide her. Her hand moved of its own accord, the lines flowing effortlessly as she began to draw. There was no plan, no conscious thought behind it—just the simple act of creation, of letting her emotions spill onto the canvas in a way that words could never convey.

Time seemed to slip away as she worked, the rest of the world fading into the background. The only thing that mattered was the image taking shape before her, the way the pencil moved across the canvas, the way each line seemed to capture a piece of her soul. She was so absorbed in her work that she didn’t hear Klaus return until his voice broke through the quiet.

“I didn’t know you could draw.”

Startled, Athena looked up, her hand freezing in mid-stroke. Klaus was standing in the doorway, his expression one of surprise and curiosity. He stepped further into the room, his gaze shifting from her to the canvas, and then back to her.

Athena felt a blush rise to her cheeks as she lowered the pencil, turning to face him fully. “I don’t have much time to draw anymore,” she admitted, her voice soft. “Not since I started working at the hospital.”

Klaus walked over to her, his eyes focused on the canvas where her drawing was beginning to take shape. It was still rough, unfinished, but there was a raw beauty to it, a sense of emotion that had been poured into every line. He recognised the talent in her work, the way it captured something deeper than mere technique.

“You’re very talented,” Klaus said, his voice sincere. “It’s a shame you don’t have more time for it.”

Athena smiled, a little self-conscious under his praise. “Thank you. Drawing has always been a way for me to… process things. To make sense of the world, I suppose. But life has a way of getting in the way of that.”

Klaus nodded, understanding all too well what she meant. He knew the demands of life, the way it could consume you, leaving little room for the things that once brought you joy. But seeing her here, in his hobby room, reminded him that there was more to life than just survival—there was also beauty, creation, and connection.

The hybrids tone warm as he met her gaze. “It’s good to see you doing something for yourself.”

Athena looked at him, her heart swelling with gratitude for the way he understood her, for the way he always seemed to see past the surface. “It’s easy to find the time when I’m surrounded by inspiration,” she replied, gesturing to the room around them.

Klaus smiled at that, a genuine smile that reached his eyes. “Well, the inspiration is always here. You’re welcome to use this space whenever you like.”

Athena’s smile grew, touched by the offer. “I might take you up on that.”

They stood there for a moment, the connection between them deepening as they shared this quiet, creative space. It was a small thing, perhaps, but it meant more than words could express—a moment of understanding, of mutual respect and appreciation.

Finally, Klaus glanced back at the canvas, a playful glint in his eyes. “What are you drawing?”

Athena looked back at her work, her eyes tracing the lines she had created. “Honestly, I’m not sure yet,” she admitted with a laugh. “I just let the pencil do the thinking. But I think it’s going to be something beautiful.”

Chapter Text

Days turned into a week.

The weight of Athena’s visions began to press down on her like a heavy, unrelenting fog. The once sporadic flashes of insight had become a near-constant companion, assaulting her mind with images she could barely understand, much less control. Each time the migraines struck, they pounded against her skull like a drumbeat of doom, relentless and unforgiving.

The visions were disturbing, each one more vivid than the last. She saw the faces of the Mystic Falls Town Council members, their expressions twisted in fear and agony as they met their untimely ends. Meredith’s ex-boyfriend, a man Athena had only seen in passing, appeared in one of the visions, his eyes wide with terror before being silenced forever. Then there was another man, one she did not recognise, but his fate was no less gruesome.

Athena didn’t know what to do with these visions. She had always been wary of interfering with the when it came to matters of life and death. But these visions haunted her, filling her with a sense of dread that she couldn’t shake. She tried to push them to the back of her mind, to focus on other things, but they refused to be ignored.

In an attempt to find some semblance of peace, she took to drawing the images she saw in an old, weathered sketchbook she had found buried in her things. Each stroke of the pencil helped her make sense of the chaos in her mind, bringing clarity to the jumbled mess of images that tormented her. But even as she drew, the migraines continued to pound, a constant reminder of the darkness that loomed over her.

Klaus found himself growing more accustomed to Athena’s presence in his home. It had started innocently enough—she would come by to visit, offering her company in the vast, echoing halls of his mansion. But soon, her visits became more frequent, more regular. She seemed to take a special interest in his hobby room, where she would spend hours working on a drawing that she had, somewhat teasingly, refused to show him until it was finished.

At first, Klaus didn’t pay much attention to the rhythm of her comings and goings. He was preoccupied with his own schemes, the constant maneuvering necessary to maintain his home over Mystic Falls, and, of course, the never-ending search for his family’s missing coffins. Yet, over time, he began to realise that Athena’s visits had become something he looked forward to. When she was there, the mansion felt less oppressive, less lonely. Her presence filled the space with a warmth he hadn’t known he craved.

Klaus would often find himself drifting toward the hobby room when he knew she was there, pretending to check on something or feigning interest in the various pieces of unfinished artwork that lined the walls. But in truth, he was drawn to her—drawn to the quiet focus with which she worked, the way she seemed so at peace as she sketched, the way her brow furrowed slightly when she was deep in concentration. It was a side of Athena he hadn’t fully appreciated before, and the more he watched her, the more he found himself admiring her.

He admired her talent, the effortless way she brought her visions to life on the canvas. Her art was more than just skillful—it was expressive, full of emotion and depth. It was as if she poured her very soul into each stroke, creating something that was both beautiful and deeply personal. Klaus, an artist himself, recognized the passion in her work, and it resonated with him in a way that surprised him.

But it wasn’t just her art that drew him in. As the days turned into weeks, Klaus began to notice other things about Athena—things he had overlooked or taken for granted in the past. He started to see her intelligence, her sharp wit, and the way she could effortlessly keep up with his often convoluted conversations. She had a way of cutting through the noise, of seeing the truth of a situation with clarity and insight that few others possessed. Her mind was as quick as her hands, and he found himself genuinely enjoying their exchanges, savoring the rare moments when she challenged him, pushed him to think in new ways.

And then there was her humor, the lightness she brought into his world of darkness. Athena had a way of making him laugh, truly laugh, with her dry wit and playful banter. It was something he hadn’t realized he needed—someone who could bring levity to his life, who could make him forget, even if just for a moment, the weight of his responsibilities and the darkness that often clouded his thoughts.

As the days passed, Klaus began to see Athena in a new light. She was no longer just a friend, no longer just an ally in his endless battles. She was someone he admired, someone who had found a way to slip past his defenses and take root in a place he hadn’t even known existed. He started to notice the little things about her—the way her eyes sparkled when she was amused, the way she absentmindedly twirled a strand of hair around her finger when she was deep in thought, the way she bit her lip when she was trying to stifle a laugh.

These feelings, however, were foreign to Klaus, and he didn’t quite know what to make of them. He wasn’t used to feeling this way—this strange mix of admiration, affection, and something else, something deeper that he couldn’t quite put a name to. It unsettled him, made him feel vulnerable in a way he hadn’t felt in centuries. He wasn’t sure he liked it, this loss of control over his emotions, this uncertainty about what it all meant.

Klaus tried to push the feelings aside, to focus on his work, his plans, anything that would distract him from the growing realisation that Athena was becoming more important to him than he had anticipated. But the more he tried to ignore it, the more those feelings persisted, gnawing at the edges of his mind, demanding to be acknowledged.

He found himself watching her more closely, his gaze lingering a little too long when she wasn’t looking. He would listen intently to her every word, even when the conversation was mundane, as if trying to decipher some hidden meaning in her voice. And yet, for all his centuries of experience, Klaus found himself only feelimg this way to one other woman.

Was this what it felt like to care for someone? To truly care, in a way that went beyond the protective instincts he had for his siblings? Klaus had always guarded his heart fiercely ever since Aurora, unwilling to let anyone get too close, knowing the pain that love could bring. But with Athena, it was different. He didn’t know how or why, but she had found a way to slip past his defenses, to make him feel something he hadn’t felt in a very long time.

And that scared him.

Klaus chose to keep those feelings to himself, unsure of what to do with them, unsure of how to navigate this unfamiliar territory. He continued to spend time with Athena, to admire her from afar, even as he tried to make sense of the emotions that swirled within him.

And every time she chose to come by his house, every time she brought her light and warmth into his life, Klaus felt just a little less lonely. He didn’t fully understand what these feelings meant, and he wasn’t sure he was ready to find out. But one thing was certain—Athena was no longer just a friend. She was something more, something that had the power to change everything, if only he could find the courage to accept it.

In Klaus' hobby room it was a space the nephilim had come to adore, a place where she could reconnect with the creative part of herself that she had long neglected; filled with the warmth of natural light. The room had become a place of peace, a place where she could let her guard down, forget the pressures of her work at the hospital, and simply focus on the art taking shape before her. It was in this space that she began working on a drawing—a piece that, even to her, was somewhat of a mystery.

The drawing had started as a simple sketch, a way to pass the time and let her thoughts wander. But as the days passed and the image began to take shape, it became something more. The scene depicted a peaceful scene, a stark contrast to the violence and fear that dominated her visions. In it, there was a house surrounded by a lush garden, sunlight streaming down from a bright blue sky. In the foreground, six figures sat together on a blanket, enjoying a picnic. The details were intricate—each figure carefully rendered, like a forgotten memeroy. And at the center of it all was a small baby, cradled lovingly by one of the figures.

She didn’t fully understand why she was compelled to create this particular image, but something deep within her urged her to continue. As she added colour to the drawing, bringing the scene to life, she felt an inexplicable connection to it, as though it held a deeper meaning that she hadn’t yet uncovered. There was one thing she knew for certain, though: the drawing was meant to be called "Hope."

But as the days wore on, and the visions continued, she found it harder and harder to ignore the growing sense of dread that gnawed at her. She knew that something terrible was coming, something that would change everything. And no matter how much she tried to focus on the drawing, on the hope it represented, she couldn’t shake the feeling that time was running out.

One late afternoon, Athena was seated in Klaus’s art room, carefully adding the finishing touches to the drawing. The studio was quiet, the only sounds being the soft scratch of her pencil and the occasional rustle of leaves from the trees outside. She was so absorbed in her work that she didn’t notice Klaus enter the room until he spoke.

“You’ve been working on that for weeks,” Klaus remarked, his voice laced with curiosity as he approached her. “Are you finally ready to reveal this mysterious masterpiece to me?”

Athena smiled, not looking up from the drawing as she continued to shade in the leaves of the trees in the background. “Not just yet. It’s almost done, but I want it to be perfect before you see it.”

Klaus raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her dedication. “You’re putting a lot of effort into this piece. What’s it about?”

Athena paused, her pencil hovering over the paper as she considered his question. “I’m not entirely sure,” she admitted with a small laugh. “I mean, I know what it is—a family, a picnic, a moment of peace—but I don’t know why I’m drawing it. I just… felt like I have to create it.”

Klaus moved closer, his gaze shifting from her to the drawing on the table. He could see the care and detail she had put into it, the way each figure seemed to hold a significance that went beyond the surface. “It’s beautiful,” he said softly, his tone genuine.

Athena finally looked up at him, her eyes meeting his. “Thank you,” she replied, her voice equally soft. “I decided to call it ‘Hope.’ It just felt right.”

Athena smiled softly, her gaze returning to the drawing as she made a small adjustment. “It’s been nice to have something like this to focus on. A way to relax and let my mind wander.” She paused, her tone shifting to something more contemplative. “You know, I’ve learned so much about you through these past few weeks. But there’s something that’s been on my mind for a while now.”

Klaus tilted his head slightly, intrigued by the shift in her tone. “Oh? And what might that be?”

Athena set her pencil down, turning to face him fully. “You’ve shared a lot with me, but I’ve noticed there are things you hold back. The other day, you mentioned something about your father, but you never really explained. I’d like to understand more… about what makes you, well, you.”

Klaus’s expression darkened slightly at the mention of his father, the ever-present shadow that hung over his past. He moved to sit on a nearby stool, his gaze fixed on the floor as he considered her words. “It’s not exactly a pleasant story,” he began, his voice low. “Mikael… he was never truly my father.” Athena’s eyes widened in surprise, though she kept silent, allowing him to continue.

“He was married to my mother, Esther, but I was born out of a bastard by a man named Ansel. He was the alpha of the werewolf pack in the North East Atlantic. When Mikael discovered the truth, it… it changed everything. He despised me for it, saw me as an abomination. And in his eyes, I was.”

Athena felt a pang of sadness for him. She had always known that Klaus carried a great deal of pain, but hearing it laid bare like this made her heart ache for the boy he once was. “Ansel… I know that name,” she said softly. “I used to visit his pack. I helped them by healing the sick, offered guidance—their as well as my own. However, he was only a child when I met him, Klaus. Strong, wise. But I never knew…”

Klaus looked up at her, surprise flickering in his eyes. “You knew him?”

Athena nodded, her mind drifting back to the memories of those visits. “Yes, he was well respected amongst his peers. I remember the way he cared for his family, how deeply he loved his people."

Klaus’s jaw tightened, and he looked away, the pain of that revelation still raw even after a thousand years. “He never got the chance to be my father. I was taken from him before I ever knew him. And when I became what I am now—a hybrid, part vampire, part werewolf—Mikael’s hatred for me only grew. He’s spent centuries hunting me, trying to destroy me, all because of what I am.”

Athena moved closer, placing a gentle hand on his arm. “Hey, sweetie, look at me, you’re not an abomination. You’re extraordinary. You’ve survived things that would have destroyed most people, and you’ve done it with a strength that few possess. Whatever Mikael saw in you, it was his own fear and hatred, not a reflection of who you truly are.”

Klaus met her gaze, his eyes searching hers for a long moment before he gave a small nod. “It’s not easy to let go of that anger,” he admitted quietly.

Before Athena could respond, the sound of her phone vibrating broke the moment. She glanced down at the text message on the screen, and a small sigh escaped her lips. "Duty calls," she said, a note of reluctance in her voice.

Klaus raised an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Saving lives, as always?"

She chuckled, tucking her phone away. "Something like that. I'd much rather stay here and finish this drawing, but it looks like the hospital needs me."

Klaus stood, offering her a soft, understanding smile. "The drawing can wait. Go do what you do best, Athena."

She nodded, returning his smile with one of her own. As Athena left the mansion and headed for the hospital, her thoughts were a mix of concern for Klaus and a growing determination to finish the drawing she had been working on. It was more than just a gift now—it was a symbol of the trust and understanding they had built, a way to show Klaus that he wasn’t alone in this world, that he had someone who truly cared.

She pulled her hair up into a neat pencil bun, the familiar routine helping to ground her in the present. The Wolfstar dressed in her scrubs, their crisp fabric a welcome contrast to the murky uncertainties swirling in her mind. With a quick sip of coffee, she steeled herself for the long day ahead, hoping that the hospital's controlled environment would provide some relief from the chaos that seemed to be closing in.

As she made her way through the hospital reviewing her patient list for the day as she was greeted by the usual flurry of activity. The corridors buzzed with the steady rhythm of beeping monitors, the shuffle of nurses’ feet, and the low murmur of doctors discussing cases. She moved through the hallways with purpose, her focus on the tasks at hand.

But when she turned a corner, she noticed a familiar figure approaching her. Damon Salvatore, his usual cocky grin firmly in place, was walking down the corridor, a piece of paper in his hand. "Dr. Mourningstar," Damon looked at her name tag as he greeted her, his voice smooth and casual. "I remember you from the Council meeting, you know with that big donation of yours and all. Though you’re not exactly part of the Council."

Athena gave him a polite smile, careful to keep her tone neutral. "Meredith Fell invited me," she replied simply, not offering any more information than necessary.

Damon's eyes twinkled with interest as he continued, "You know, we never got a chance to meet properly." He extended his hand, his smile widening. "Damon Salvatore."

"Athena Mourningstar," she said, shaking his hand briefly.

Damon then slipped the piece of paper into his pocket. "I was actually looking for Dr Fell. Have you seen her around?"

Athena hesitated for a fraction of a second before answering. "She should be doing her rounds. The last patient she was treating was in room 149."

Damon nodded, his smirk never wavering. "Thanks, Doc."

As Damon walked away, Athena watched him go, the sense of unease she had been trying to suppress growing stronger. Something about the encounter didn’t sit right with her, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She tried to focus on her patients, but the doubt gnawed at her, refusing to be ignored.

Hours passed, and the feeling only intensified. Athena found herself drawn to room 149, unable to shake the sense that something was wrong. When she arrived, the room was empty—no Damon, no Meredith, only the patient. The unease bloomed into full-blown dread as she quickly checked the neighboring rooms, her heart pounding as she reached room 150.

The door was slightly ajar, and through the gap, she could see a figure lying on the floor, motionless. Athena pushed the door open, her pulse quickening as she rushed inside. Damon lay sprawled on the ground, his usually cocky demeanor replaced by an eerie stillness. Kneeling beside him, Athena quickly checked his vitals. His pulse was strong, his breathing steady, but he was completely unresponsive. Something had happened to him, something that didn’t add up.

Without hesitation, Athena placed her thumbs gently on Damon’s temples. A soft glow of divine light began to emanate from her hands, casting a warm, gentle illumination over his face. As she let the magic flow, she delved into Damon’s mind, searching for answers.

Images flashed before her eyes—Damon and Meredith standing in the room, their expressions serious. They were discussing a murder that had been staged to look like someone staked a vampire but was actually a human. Then, she saw Damon accusing Meredith of killing her ex-boyfriend and when she denied the allegations Meredith pull out a syringe and inject Damon with something.

Athena’s eyes narrowed as she focused on the toxin now circulating through Damon’s system. It wasn’t lethal, but it was potent enough to keep him unconscious for hours. Without hesitation, she channeled her magic, using it to dissolve the toxin and neutralize its effects.

The soft white glow in her eyes brightened as she concentrated, her magic working quickly to rid Damon’s body of the foreign substance. Slowly, he began to stir, a groan escaping his lips as he started to regain consciousness. The nephilim exhaled softly, the glow fading from her eyes as she withdrew her hands. She watched as Damon’s eyelids fluttered open, his gaze unfocused as he tried to make sense of his surroundings.

"Are you okay?" she asked gently, her voice steady but filled with concern.

Damon blinked, his vision clearing as he looked up at her. "What… What happened?" he murmured, his voice thick with confusion.

"I think you were injected with vervain," Athena replied, watching his reaction closely.

Damon’s eyes widened in shock, the realization hitting him like a cold wave. He sat up slowly, rubbing his temples as he processed her words. "Vervain? How do you—?"

"I’ve been on this world far longer than you know," Athena said calmly, her tone carrying the weight of centuries. She met his gaze, her expression serious.

Damon stared at her, his usual bravado momentarily replaced by genuine curiosity. "You’re full of surprises, aren’t you, Doc?"

Athena offered a small, enigmatic smile. "You could say that."

Damon chuckled softly, though there was little humor in it. "So, what are you then? Another vampire? A witch or something?" His voice filled with suspicion.

Athena shook her head, her expression unreadable. "No, I’m not a vampire. Nor a witch"

Damon’s curiosity deepened, his eyes searching hers for answersthe gears in his mind turning as he tried to figure out what she was. "Then what are you? Because you’re definitely not just a doctor."

Athena didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she stood up, her eyes scanning the room as she began to piece together what had happened. Her gaze landed on a small tray near the counter—a rubber band, some cotton buds with traces of blood, and an open packet that had once contained a needle.

Her eyes narrowed as she processed the scene. The presence of the needle and the blood-stained cotton pad told her everything she needed to know. "It looks like someone took your blood," she said, her voice laced with realisation.

Damon followed her gaze, his expression hardening as he saw the evidence. "Meredith," he muttered, the name filled with frustration. "She must have done it while I was out."

Athena nodded, her mind already racing with the implications. "It’s possible she took your blood to use it for something—maybe to cure a patient. Vervain might have been her way of incapacitating you without killing you."

Damon scowled, clearly displeased with the idea. "She’s playing a dangerous game." he said, his voice low and menacing.

Athena couldn’t help but agree. "It is. And if she’s not careful, it could lead to more problems than she realises."

Damon then stormed out the room followed by Athena chasing after him "Where are you going?" The nephilim concerned if he was going to kill her co-worker. But he didn't respond and left the building.

Then, without warning, a sharp pain shot through her head, like a knife piercing her temples. Athena gasped, clutching her forehead as the world around her blurred and faded, replaced by something else—something dark and foreboding.

In her mind’s eye, she saw an old, decrepit basement, the walls covered in peeling wallpaper and the floor littered with debris. The air was thick with dust and the scent of decay, but the most striking thing in the vision was the sight of four large coffins, arranged in the center of the room. The coffins were ancient, their surfaces adorned with intricate carvings and symbols that seemed to pulse with an eerie, otherworldly energy.

Athena’s heart raced as she took in the scene. The coffins—these were the very ones Klaus had spoken of, the ones Stefan had taken from him. The vision felt urgent, almost like a warning, as if time was running out. The details of the basement burned into her mind—the damp, crumbling walls, the broken windows that allowed only slivers of light to filter through, casting long, ominous shadows across the coffins.

The vision faded as quickly as it had come, leaving Athena standing in the hospital corridor, her breath coming in shallow gasps. She blinked, trying to steady herself as the world around her snapped back into focus. But the image of the coffins, and the overwhelming sense of danger that accompanied it, lingered in her mind.

She couldn’t ignore this. Whatever was happening, it was big, and it was tied to the coffins. As she stood there, her thoughts racing, she remembered the council meeting night, the tense phone call she had overheard between Stefan and Klaus. The pieces were starting to come together, but the picture they formed was one of an incomplete puzzle. Athena knew she had to act. There was no time to waste, no time to hesitate.

With that, she turned and walked out of the the hospital not before informing the nurse saying she's taking a break, her heart heavy but her mind clear. She knew she was making the right choice, even if it meant leaving behind the life she had built at the hospital. Whatever was coming, she needed to be ready for it, and that meant going to Klaus and helping him find those coffins before it was too late.

The drive to Klaus mansion felt both familiar and different—familiar because she had made this journey so many times before, but different because of the weight of what she was about to tell him. The vision, the urgency, the danger—it all pointed to something much larger than she had initially thought.

When she arrived at the mansion, the sight of the grand estate looming before her, Athena felt a sense of determination settle over her. She parked her car and quickly made her way to the front door, the tether that connected her to Klaus guiding her as it always did.

The mansion was quiet, the air thick with the tension of unfinished business. Athena pushed open the door and stepped inside, her footsteps echoing in the now fully decorated foyer. She could sense Klaus presence nearby, and without hesitation, she followed the invisible thread that pulled her toward him.

She found him with his paintings. He turned as she entered, his expression shifting from surprise to curiosity as he took in the urgency in her eyes. “Athena,” Klaus greeted her, his tone cautious. “What brings you here? Shouldn't you be at work?”

Athena stepped closer, her heart pounding in her chest as she prepared to tell him what she had seen. “Klaus, we need to talk—about the coffins." she began, her voice steady but filled with urgency. "I need to know why they're so important.”

Klaus' gaze was intense as he answered, "I daggered my family and laid their desiccated bodies in those coffins."

Athena’s eyes widened in shock. "You did what?" she asked, her voice rising in disbelief.

Klaus shrugged, his face hardening. "I had my reasons." He replied nonchalantly, as if this was something he had done multiple times.

The nephilim took a step back, trying to process what the hybrid had done. This was beyond anything she had expected, daggering his own siblings and keeping them in coffins, like relics of a past he couldn't let go—how had he become so lost?

"Can you undagger them when we find them?" Athena asked, her tone softer, hoping to appeal to the part of Klaus that still cared for his family, no matter how twisted that care had become.

Klaus turned his gaze back to her, suspicious now. "And how do you plan on finding them, love?"

Without another word, Athena reached up and unclasped the necklace she always wore. A small, intricately designed key hung from the chain, something she kept close but rarely spoke about. She held it up, letting the light catch on its polished surface.

"Just follow me," she said, determination solidifying in her voice.

Klaus' curiosity was piqued, and without a word, he followed her through the grand halls of the mansion. They walked until they reached a random door with a keyhole. The nephilim stopped, inserting the key into the recent renovated keyhole. As she turned it, a white light began to seep through the gaps around the doorframe, illuminating the hallway.

Before she pushed the door open, Athena turned to Klaus, her expression serious. "Don’t touch anything," she warned, her voice carrying a note of caution. Klaus raised an eyebrow but nodded, curiosity getting the better of him.

When Athena opened the door, they stepped into a room unlike anything Klaus had ever seen. The room was an enchanting, almost otherworldly place, with high ceilings adorned with intricately carved wooden beams. The ceiling soared high above, a dome of glass that allowed sunlight to flood in, casting a warm, golden hue over everything that seemed to bring the room to life. The walls were lined with shelves filled with ancient tomes, mystical artifacts; and what thrived despite the lack of natural soil, vines draped down from the ceiling and potted plants dotting the corners.

The room's centerpiece was what to looked to be the exterior of a greenhouse that leads to the outside, flanked by two curvy lush green trees and above it was an old grandfather clock. Behind them as well as either side of the green house was grand staircase that spiraled upwards to a balcony overlooking the entire space. The balcony was draped in lush greenery, ivy cascading down the sides, giving the impression of being both inside and out in nature at the same time. The air was thick with the scent of earth, aged wood, and something uniquely magical.

In the center of the room, a massive tree emblem was etched into the floor, its roots and branches sprawling out in intricate patterns, covered in delicate moss that seemed to glow faintly in the ambient light. The air was thick with the scent of earth and magic, an intoxicating mix that made the room feel alive, as if it were breathing alongside them.

Klaus looked around, his usually stoic expression betraying his awe. Taking in the beauty and power of the space. It was a sanctuary, and it felt welcoming in a way he hadn’t expected. This was a place of immense power, and he was beginning to realise just how formidable his old friend truly was.

"This is my own pocket dimension," Athena explained, her voice echoing slightly in the cavernous space. "I’ve had this key since my birth, though I never knew its full purpose until later in life. It acts as a doorway to this reality, a place where I can come to learn, to create new spells, and to be at peace."

She gestured to the shelves filled with books and artifacts, some familiar, others strange and ancient. "Most of these items were already here before I even knew this place existed. Some of the books I recognise; others feel like distant memories, like deja vu." The nephilim drifted off in thought for a few moments before clearing her throat.

Athena continued, her voice carrying a note of pride. "I grow my herbs here, for spells, as well as a looking after the mythical creatures I have in my garden." She points to the I shell of the arched greenhouse. "And I need to be here to do this spell—being surrounded by divination magic will help me focus and regain my strength. It’s been a long time since I’ve done anything like this. Any questions?"

Klaus was too in awe to speak, the words not finding purchase on his tongue but an "uhm" noise was all that was said.

"No? Good then follow me." Athena took charge and the hybrid followed her, still taking in the extraordinary sight before him. He had lived through centuries, seen wonders and horrors alike, but this... this was something entirely different.

Athena moved to the centre of the room, standing just outside the circle of the emblem. Closing her eyes as she visualised what she needed. The roots and branches began to shift and move as if coming to life. From the center of the emblem, a stone table sprouted and rose from the ground, a detailed map of Mystic Falls etched into its surface like a diorama. Four candles flew over from nearby shelves, placing themselves at the corners of the table, while a jar of salt rolled in from another part of the room, its lid unscrewing itself as the salt poured out, forming a protective circle around the table.

Klaus was stunned. He had seen many things in his long life, but this was something entirely new, ancient, and powerful beyond anything he had encountered. With the ease in which Athena commanded the magic around her. It was clear now—the hybrids friend was far more powerful than he had ever imagined.

Athena opened her eyes, looking at Klaus with a determined expression. "I need your blood now sweetie," she said.

But Klaus was still too mesmerised by what he was witnessing to fully comprehend her words. He was lost in the wonder of the space, taking in every detail, every flicker of magic that lingered in the air.

"Klaus," Athena called out again, her voice firmer this time.

He snapped back to the present, meeting her gaze. "Right," he muttered, shaking his head slightly as if to clear it. "My blood."

He approached the table, curiosity and determination now taking over. He bit into his wrist, allowing the blood to flow, and let it drip onto the map. The blood spread across the stone carving, seeping through the roads on map like a tsunami.

Taking a deep breath, Athena closed her eyes and focused, her hands hovering over the map as she called upon her divine magic. "Ni estha uponi kal ana. Ni estha uponi kal ana. Ni estha uponi kal ana udaho nin. Ni estha uponi kal ana udaho nin." The nephilim chanted softly in a language that did not exist on this world. The air in the room grew thick with energy, the atmosphere charged with power as she began. The blood on the map began to move, slowly at first, then more quickly as it was drawn to a specific location.

But almost immediately, Athena felt resistance. Something was pushing back against her spell, a powerful force trying to block her from finding what she sought. The effort required was immense, far more than she had anticipated. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she concentrated harder, pushing against the resistance with every ounce of strength she had.

The candles flickered wildly, the flames nearly going out, the golden hue of the room began to dull but Athena held firm. She poured more of her energy into the spell, her eyes narrowing in concentration. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the blood settled on a spot in the woods.

She opened her eyes, her breath coming in short gasps as she took in the sight before her. The location of the coffins was clear, but the effort had taken its toll. A sharp pain shot through her head, and she felt a warm trickle of blood from her nose. The toll it had taken on her was evident—her usually bright eyes were dull, and her body trembled slightly with the effort it had taken to push through the magical resistance. She wiped the small trickle of blood from her nose, trying to steady herself, but Klaus noticed immediately.

"You need to rest," Klaus said, his voice uncharacteristically gentle as he observed her condition. "I’ll go find my family alone."

Athena’s brow furrowed in stubbornness. "No way, sweetie. I’m coming with you."

Klaus shook his head, his tone firm but tinged with concern. "You’re not coming. You need to gather your strength back, and I can’t risk something happening to you. Not again."

She hated the idea of staying behind, her need to help gnawing at her, but deep down, she understood Klaus’s worries. The spell had taken more out of her than she cared to admit, and as much as it pained her, she nodded in reluctant agreement. "Fine," she muttered, crossing her arms. "But you’d better come back in one piece."

Klaus gave her a small, grateful smile. "I will love," he promised before he left, determination set in his features as he went to retrieve his family.

Left alone in the mansion, Athena tried to shake off her frustration. Knowing she needed to rest, she returned to Klaus’s hobby room, the drawing she had been working on still waiting for her. She sat down at the table, picking up the pencil and letting it guide her once more. The lines and shapes came together almost unconsciously, her mind still too preoccupied with worry for Klaus to focus on anything else.

Eventually, exhaustion overtook her, and she fell asleep at the table, her head resting on her folded arms.

Hours later, Athena was jolted awake by the sound of glass shattering somewhere in the mansion. Her heart leapt into her throat as she heard the unmistakable sounds of a struggle—grunts, the heavy thud of punches being thrown. Panic surged through her as she quickly got to her feet and ran toward the commotion.

Chapter Text

"You know," Klaus yelled as Athena got closer,

"You have every right to be mad at me. But I kept my word, I reunited you with our family." Athena heard more punches being thrown, and walked in just as Klaus pinned Elijah against one of the coffins, holding him down and threatening him. Though it seemed the silver dagger had come from Kol, whose coffin was now open. "Don't make me do this to you again Elijah!"

"Come on, use it." Snarled Elijah "I dare you. You'll have Kol to deal with."

Klaus looked up and saw Athena standing behind the broken door her face was full of sorrow seeing the two fight. This made Klaus lower the dagger. "Mikael is dead." He said shakily looking straight into his brothers eyes, who had yet realised the nephilim was there.

"What did you say?" Elijah demanded.

"I killed him," repeated Klaus "with his own weapon. He's gone, Elijah, forever."

"Then why do our family remain in these coffins?" asked Elijah sharply, "Finn for over nine hundred years. Kol for over a century."

"Because of Stefan Salvatore." Klaus muttered dejectedly. "He holds the one thing keeping me from freeing them. There are things you don't know about our past, Elijah. Our mothers death, things I never wanted you to know. But I'm ready to tell you now." Klaus then walked over to a small table that held a small jar. With the silver dagger he then began to swirl it around in what looked to be ash. "I only ask that you remember the oath of the of loyalty you once swore to me." The hybrid then makes his was to Kol's coffin and inserted the dagger into his chest once more. "Always and forever." Klaus tone was quite, and he came closer to his brother placing a hand on his shoulder. "I need you to stand by my side. Be my brother. Help me destroy Stefan...and I promise you our family will be whole again."

Elijah, apparently, decided to trust him. Klaus smiled lightly before nodding to Athena. "I believe someone would like to greet you brother."

Elijah turned towards her, his eyes widening as he recognised his friend. His expression mirrored hers—shock, and disbelief. "Athena."

Athena and Elijah’s bond was forged.   Not just in shared experiences, but in the unspoken understanding of duty and the burdens of protecting those they loved. Their time together, particularly during their hunting trips, became a seclusion for both.

On a cool autumn morning, the sun barely rising over the horizon, Athena and Elijah set out into the forest. The air was crisp, the scent of pine and earth strong as they moved silently through the trees. Elijah, always focused, kept his senses attuned to their surroundings, but today, there was a different kind of tension in the air.

As they walked, Elijah’s expression was distant, his thoughts clearly elsewhere. Athena noticed the tightness in his jaw, the way his hands gripped his bow with more force than usual.

“Something’s on your mind,” she said gently, breaking the silence that had fallen between them.

Elijah sighed, his breath visible in the cool air. “It’s Niklaus,” he admitted. “Father has been… relentless with him. The punishments are becoming ruthless.”

Athena’s heart ached at his words. She knew of Mikael’s cruelty, had seen it firsthand. “I’ve noticed the bruises,” she said quietly. “He hides them, but I can tell.”

Elijah stopped walking, his gaze turning to the trees, his shoulders slumping slightly under the weight of his guilt. “I’m supposed to protect him, Athena. I’m supposed to protect all of them—Rebekah, Kol, Henrik. But Father… he’s just... I don’t know how to shield them from him.”

Athena reached out, placing a hand on Elijah’s arm, her touch a small but steady comfort. “You can’t blame yourself for Mikael’s actions, Elijah. You’re doing everything you can.”

He looked down at her, his eyes filled with a sadness that ran deep. “But what I'm doing isn't enough.”

The nephilim's  voice laced with conviction. “You care for your siblings sweetie. And if you ask me, that's where your strength lies, Elijah—not just in your ability to protect, but in your heart.”

Elijah’s expression softened at her words, but the burden he carried was not so easily lifted. “It just hurts to see Niklaus suffer,” he confessed. “To see the fear in Rebekah’s eyes when Father is near him. And there’s nothing I can do to stop it.”

Athena stepped closer, her gaze unwavering as she looked up at him. “You’re not alone in this. I’m here for you. I’ll do everything I can to help protect them too. We’ll find a way to keep them safe, together.”

Elijah nodded slowly, the weight of her words offering a small measure of relief. “Thank you, Athena. You’ve been a constant light in our lives.”

She smiled softly, a warmth spreading through her at his words. “We have to hold on to that light. It’s the only way we’ll survive.”   As they continued their hunt, the conversation turned to lighter topics. They shared stories and laughter, their bond deepening with every word.

But there were also moments of silence, comfortable and unhurried, where the only sounds were the rustle of leaves and the calls of birds in the distance. It was in these moments that Elijah found a rare peace, knowing that with Athena by his side, he wasn’t carrying the weight of the world alone.

One evening, as they sat by the fire after a successful hunt, Elijah spoke again, his voice low and thoughtful.   “You’ve been a constant in our lives, always here, always helping us. And I can’t help but wonder… why? Why do you care so much about my siblings and I?”

The question hung in the air, and Elijah could see the way her expression shifted, a flicker of something—hesitation, perhaps—crossing her face. She glanced down at the fire, her fingers tightening slightly around the other.

“They’re my friends,” she said finally, her voice soft but steady. “You’re my friend.”

Elijah didn’t miss the way she had avoided the deeper question, the one he was really asking. He leaned forward slightly, his gaze intent. “But why us, Athena? Why do you care so deeply? You’ve been with us through so much, even when it would have been easier to walk away.”

Athena swallowed, feeling the weight of his words pressing down on her. She had always known that this question would come eventually, but she still wasn’t sure how to answer it. How could she explain something she didn’t fully understand herself?

“I…” she began, then faltered. “Elijah, I’m still figuring that out.”

He didn’t relent, his eyes searching her face for any sign of the truth. “But there must be something,” he pressed gently. “You’re not like others we’ve known, those who have come and gone. You’re different. You stayed. Why?”

Athena felt a surge of emotion rise within her—confusion, fear, something that felt like the beginnings of a truth she wasn’t ready to confront. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

“Elijah,” she said, her voice more firm this time, “I care about you and your siblings because… because I feel like I’m meant to. Like there’s some connection between us that I can’t explain. It’s like… like I’ve known you all my life, even though that’s not possible.”

Elijah’s brow furrowed as he considered her words. “A connection?” he echoed.

Athena shook her head, frustration bubbling to the surface. “I don’t know,” she admitted, her voice tinged with a touch of helplessness. “I’ve tried to figure it out, but I just… I don’t know. All I know is that I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to any of you. It’s like this… this instinct to protect you, to be here for you, to make you smile. It sounds stupid I know.”

Elijah leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. “Athena,” he said quietly, “whatever this connection is, whatever it means, I want you to know that it’s mutual. We care about you, too.”

Athena looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.. “Thank you, Elijah,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “That means more to me than you know.” Elijah smiled softly, a warmth spreading through him.

As they sat together under the night sky, the fire crackling softly beside  them , they sat in a companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Elijah couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to Athena’s connection with his family than she had revealed, but he didn’t press further. For now, it was enough to know that she was with them, that she cared deeply for them, even if the reasons remained elusive.

And for Athena, it was enough to know that she didn’t have to have all the answers, that she didn’t have to carry her uncertainties alone. Elijah’s acceptance of her confusion, his willingness to stand by her even in the face of the unknown, gave her a sense of belonging she had never truly known  before.

Without another word, Athena walked over to Elijah, a huge smile breaking across her face as she threw her arms around him in a tight embrace. Elijah, caught off guard, stood frozen for a moment before he slowly wrapped his arms around her, returning the hug with a mixture of relief and bewilderment.

When Athena wrapped her arms around Elijah in a warm, affectionate hug, Klaus felt something unexpected stir deep within him. It was a feeling he hadn't anticipated, one that caught him off guard and left him standing in the room, momentarily paralysed by the intensity of it. He watched as Elijah, initially stiff with surprise, slowly returned the hug, his expression softening into one of genuine warmth and affection.

Klaus had always known that Athena cared deeply for him and his siblings, but seeing her with Elijah like this stirred something within him. A sense of envy, sharp and biting, curled in his chest as he observed the way she smiled at Elijah, her eyes bright and full of joy. He couldn't help but notice the way her touch lingered on Elijah's arm as they pulled back from the embrace, her smile wide and genuine, a sight that Klaus had only seen in her presence.

He stood there, rooted to the spot, as the two of them began to catch up, their conversation filled with empathy and light-hearted banter. Elijah spoke with his usual measured tone, but there was a softness in his voice that Klaus recognised—one that he had always reserved for those he held in the highest regard. It was clear that Athena meant a great deal to Elijah, just as much as she did to Klaus, if not more.

And yet, Klaus couldn't bring himself to join in. He watched from the spot, a storm of conflicting emotions brewing inside him. The envy was there, undeniable and raw, but it was accompanied by something else, something far more unsettling—a realisation that hit him like a punch to the gut. Athena meant more to him than just a friend. The thought took hold of him with a fierceness that he hadn't expected, and he found himself clenching his fists at his sides, trying to steady the surge of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him.

He had always been possessive, fiercely protective of those he cared about, but this was different. This was personal, a feeling that went beyond the bond of friendship they had shared for centuries. It was a possessiveness that bordered on something deeper, something Klaus hadn't allowed himself to acknowledge until now. He couldn't stand the thought of losing her, of watching her drift closer to Elijah while he remained on the outskirts of her affections.

But Klaus was a master at hiding his emotions, at burying them deep where no one could see. He forced himself to maintain his composure, to keep his expression neutral as he continued to watch them from a distance. Athena and Elijah eventually left the room together, still engrossed in their conversation, leaving Klaus alone with his thoughts.

As they disappeared down the hallway, Klaus couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, sharper and more painful than he had ever felt before. He had always been the one who kept people at arm's length, the one who refused to let anyone get too close. But with Athena, it was different. She had somehow managed to slip past his defenses, to find a place in his heart.

Klaus sighed, running a hand through his hair as he turned away. The mansion felt empty and cold without her presence, and he knew that he couldn't ignore these feelings any longer. He would have to confront them, to confront her, and soon. But for now, he could only hope that when the time came, she would understand—and that she would choose him, just as he had chosen her.

A few day had went by and it was a quiet morning in the Mikaelsons' mansion. The nephilim was wearing a cream-coloured blouse with a Peter Pan collar that framed her neck delicately. The long sleeves of the blouse added a touch of modesty, the soft fabric draping over her arms with an elegance that was both simple and timeless. Over the blouse, she wore a pinafore dress, its light beige fabric adorned with small, scattered flowers in warm, earthy tones. The dress fit snugly at her waist, the skirt flaring out slightly, giving her an air of classic femininity. To complete the look, Athena chose a pair of sturdy, tan lace-up ankle boots. The chunky heels gave her a bit of added height, while the platform soles and solid structure ensured that she could move with confidence and ease. The boots added a modern touch to her otherwise vintage-inspired outfit, blending practicality with style.

The early light filtering through the windows, casting a warm glow across the room. Athena was curled up on the corner of the sofa in the living room, a blanket draped over her legs as she mindlessly sketched in her worn sketchbook. The tip of her pencil moved across the page, she was so engrossed in her sketches that she didn’t notice Klaus entering the room until he was standing right in front of her. His presence was commanding as always, but today there was a certain impatience about him, a sharpness to his movements that made Athena look up from her drawing.

“Hey sweetie,” she greeted him with a soft smile, though it faltered slightly when she saw the look on his face. “What’s wrong?”

Klaus didn't waste any time with pleasantries. “The fourth coffin is still missing,” he said, his tone clipped, frustration evident in every word.

Athena’s brow furrowed in confusion. “I thought you had all of them?” she replied, setting her sketchbook aside as she focused on him fully.

The hybrid's jaw tightened, “Damon Salvatore managed to keep one from me. They have the coffin, and I want it back. No doubt they seek to open it, and that cannot be allowed.”

Athena sighed, sensing the weight of the situation, but also curious as to who would be in the last coffin. “So what’s the plan?” she asked, already knowing Klaus wouldn’t be bringing this to her without a strategy in mind.

Klaus moved to the other side of the room, pacing slightly, his mind working through the problem as he spoke. “Tonight, they’re going to try to make a deal with me over dinner. But before then, I need you to try another locator spell to find the last coffin. If you can’t locate it, then you’ll have to come with me to this dinner. We need to see how things play out. If the coffin isn’t returned to me by the end of the night…” He turned to face her, his eyes intense. “Then I’ll need you to use your magic to help subdue them and delve into their minds.”

Athena sat up straighter, the blanket falling from her lap as she considered his words. “I’m not too fond of the subdue part,” she admitted, her voice cautious. “But delving into their minds… that I can do.”

Klaus paused in his pacing, his voice lower now. "I need that coffin, love. What’s inside is too dangerous to be in the hands of anyone else.”

Athena nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. “I’ll do what I can, Klaus,” she promised, her voice firm. “I’ll do the locator spell, and if that fails, and that's a big if since I have my ways of getting around certain magic," a hubris smile dawned her face "I’ll go with you tonight.”

Klaus gave a curt nod, but the tension in his shoulders remained. “Thank you,” he said, his voice softer now, the frustration easing just a fraction.

She offered him a small, reassuring smile, hoping to ease his worry. “We’ll get through this, sweetie. Just… don’t ask me to hurt anyone unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

Klaus met her gaze, the intensity in his eyes softening further. “I wouldn’t ask you to do anything you’re not comfortable with,” he said quietly. “But I do need your help.”

Athena stood from the sofa, stepping closer to him. “And you have it,” she said, her voice steady. “You always do.”

For a moment, the room fell into a hushed silence. Klaus, who had been so focused on the task at hand, found himself momentarily distracted by the way the morning light played across Athena's features. The soft glow of the sun filtering through the windows illuminated her hair, casting a halo around her head, and her eyes held a warmth and trust that he wasn’t used to seeing directed at him. There was something about her kindness, her unwavering loyalty, that caught him off guard. She trusted him wholeheartedly, without question, without demanding anything in return.

He tried to remind himself of the pressing matters at hand—the missing coffin, the impending confrontation—but his mind kept drifting back to the way the nephilim was looking at him, and the way he was looking at her. There was something about her that felt like sunlight on a cold day, something that made the edges of his often hardened heart soften just a bit.

Athena, for her part, felt a shift in the air between them. The way Klaus was looking at her was different—softer, more intense in a way that she couldn't quite place. It made her heart skip a beat, a sudden warmth spreading through her that she didn’t fully understand. She felt a faint blush rise to her cheeks, an unfamiliar feeling of flustered confusion. Clearing her throat, she tried to shake the sensation away. “Well,” she said, breaking the silence, her voice light as she tried to reestablish the professional tone between them. “Meet me in the library when you’re ready. I’ll set up the room for the locator spell.”

Klaus blinked, as if snapping out of a reverie. He nodded, his expression slipping back into one of focus. “I’ll be there shortly,” he replied, his voice firm, though his gaze lingered on her a moment longer before he turned to leave.

As Athena watched him walk away, she stopped him "Klaus, about the coffin, who's inside it?"

Without turning to face her he replied "My mother." and exited the room.

The nephilim was court off guard by his casual statement but she couldn't help but feel that something had shifted between them, something unspoken and uncertain. But now wasn’t the time to dwell on it. Shaking off the lingering fluster, she took a deep breath and made her way to the library, her mind already turning to the spell she would soon attempt. There were important things to do, and she would make sure to focus on them. Whatever it was that had passed between her and Klaus in that moment could wait—at least for now.

The hybrid and the nephilim stood in the heart of her pocket dimension. Klaus paced on the opposite side of the table with his hands clasped behind his back, his patience wearing thin as Athena struggled with the locator spell.

The candles around them flickered with an unnatural light as Athena chanted, her voice low and focused. The map of Mystic Falls layed out before them on the stone table, surrounded by salt and Klaus's blood, the key components of the locator spell. But despite the strength of her magic, the final coffin remained hidden, its presence eluding even Athena's divine powers.

Klaus, who had been patient up to this point, began to grow restless. He shifted on his feet, his brows furrowed in frustration. "How much longer is this going to take?" he snapped, his tone sharper than intended. "I thought you said you could find my mother."

Athena didn't look up from the map, but her lips pressed into a thin line, her frustration beginning to mirror his. "Magic isn't as simple as snapping your fingers, Klaus," she replied, her voice tinged with annoyance. "There's something—or someone— blocking the spell. It's not supposed to be this difficult."

"Well, it is taking too long," Klaus retorted, crossing his arms over his chest. "We don't have the luxury of time, Athena. My mother—"

"I know!" Athena cut him off, finally lifting her gaze to meet his. Her eyes flashed with irritation, her usually calm demeanor cracking under the strain. "I know how important this is, sweetie. Do you think I’m not trying?"

Klaus opened his mouth to argue, but then he saw the faint tremor in her hands, the way she was struggling to maintain her focus. He closed his mouth, his anger deflating slightly. "Athena..." he began, his voice softer now, but she shook her head, not willing to back down.

"Don't," she said firmly. "I can do this. I just need to... strengthen the spell."

She pressed a hand to her temple as a headache began to pulse behind her eyes, and she could feel a familiar warmth trickle down from her nose. Blood. Again. This was the second time in a short span that she had experienced this, something that almost never happened in her previous spellworks. Klaus noticed the blood too, and his concern deepened.

"Love, you're bleeding," he pointed out, worry edging his tone.

"I know," she replied, almost dismissively as she pushed her long dark brown hair back. "It’s rare, but it happens. I just need to find herbs to strengthen the spell. Stay here."

She moved away from the table, heading toward the far side of the room where shelves lined with ancient jars and plants were set against the wall. Klaus watched her for a moment before following, unwilling to let her out of his sight for too long.

As Athena gathered various herbs, she turned to Klaus with a fixated expression. "I want to show you something else," she said softly, excitement in her eyes." Something that very few have ever seen. Also I think it might help us both calm down before we try again."

Klaus raised an eyebrow, curious despite himself. He had known Athena long enough to trust her implicitly, but there was always something new to learn about her—layers to her that kept him both captivated and curious. "What is it?"

Athena led him through the arched shell of the greenhouse into another part of the pocket dimension. The sight that greeted them was breathtaking. They stepped into a garden that seemed to be plucked straight from a dream. A vast expanse of vibrant green stretched out before them, dotted with wildflowers of every imaginable color. Trees with trunks as thick as old oaks and canopies as wide as clouds stood tall and proud, their leaves rustling softly in a gentle breeze that carried the sweet scent of blossoms and earth. Above them, the sky was a mix of warm golden hues and soft pinks, as if eternally caught in the most beautiful part of the sunset.

The garden was alive with magic—everything from the tiniest blade of grass to the largest tree seemed to hum with energy. A crystal-clear stream wound its way through the landscape, its waters shimmering with an inner light that added to the surreal beauty of the place. Vines climbed up the stone walls, interspersed with glowing flowers that pulsed with a steady, calming rhythm.

Klaus stood still, taking it all in. This wasn’t just a garden—it was a sanctuary, a place where the mundane rules of the world outside didn’t seem to apply. It was a reflection of Athena herself—beautiful, complex, and full of secrets.

Athena’s smile widened as she led him further into the garden. "It's my secret garden. A place I come to when I need peace, when I need to connect with the magic that’s a part of me." She looked around fondly, as if greeting old friends. "But it's not just the plants that make this place special. There are some very unique creatures I’d like you to meet."

As if on cue, a hippogriff appeared from behind a grove of trees, its massive wings outstretched as it landed gracefully in front of them. The creature was awe-inspiring, its body a blend of powerful horse and majestic eagle, with feathers that shimmered in shades of silver and stormy gray. Its sharp, intelligent eyes regarded Klaus with cautious curiosity.

"This is Tempest," Athena introduced, reaching out to stroke the hippogriff's beak with a gentle hand. "He's a proud creatures, incredibly loyal once he trust you, but he demands respect." Tempest nuzzled against Athena, clearly affectionate toward her, but kept a wary eye on Klaus.

Klaus nodded, impressed by the creature’s majesty. "I've heard of hippogriffs but never thought I’d see one in person," he admitted." It's… magnificent. You really are something, love," Klaus said, his voice a mix of admiration and disbelief. "I never imagined I’d see creatures like this outside of myths."

Athena chuckled softly. "There’s a lot more to this world than you realise." The nephilim then led him to the next creature. The small, mole-like creature was busy rummaging through a patch of flowers, clearly on the hunt for something shiny. Its velvety black fur gleamed, and its large eyes sparkled with mischief as it noticed Klaus and immediately scurried over to him, attempting to climb his leg trying to reach his necklace.

"This little troublemaker is Pip," Athena laughed as she gently picked up the Niffler, who was still eyeing Klaus's jewelry. "Nifflers have an insatiable love for anything that glitters. They're adorable, but they can be quite the handful." Pip squirmed in her arms, clearly eager to continue its search for shiny treasures.

Klaus chuckled, his heart warming at the sight. "I can see why you keep a close eye on this one. It's hard to resist such charm."

They continued walking through the garden, and a burst of flame caught Klaus’s attention. High above them, a phoenix swooped down in a fiery arc, its feathers blazing with shades of gold, red, and orange. The creature’s beauty was almost blinding, its presence filling the air with warmth and light.

"That's is Ember," Athena said as the phoenix landed gracefully beside her, folding its wings with a regal air. "She's a creature of rebirth, known for their ability to rise from their ashes. Ember was one of the first creatures to inhabit this environment.

Ember let out a soft, melodious cry that resonated through the garden, its fiery eyes meeting Klaus's. There was something ancient and wise in the creature's gaze, and Klaus couldn't help but feel a deep respect for the phoenix.

Next, they came across a unicorn grazing by the stream. Its coat was as white as freshly fallen snow, its silver mane flowing like liquid light. The unicorn's horn shimmered with a pearlescent glow, adding to its ethereal beauty.

"Meet Nova," Athena said softly as she approached the unicorn. The creature lifted its head, eyes filled with trust as it allowed Athena to stroke its mane. "he's of purity and grace. They’re incredibly sensitive." She whispered the last part jokingly

Athena gently plucked a single hair from Nova's mane, the unicorn standing perfectly still, completely at ease with her. Klaus watched in silent admiration, his heart swelling at the sight of Athena's kindness and the gentle way she interacted with the creature.

"You really have a way with them," Klaus remarked, his voice tinged with administration. Seeing Athena here, surrounded by these mythical beings, it was as if she was part of a different world—one that he was only beginning to see.

Athena smiled, a soft blush colouring her cheeks. "It's all about trust and understanding sweetie. These creatures are so much more than legends—they're living beings with thoughts and feelings. It's an honor to care for them."

They stood in the garden for a while longer, Klaus marveling at the creatures around them and Athena enjoying the rare moment of calm. But eventually, the reality of their mission crept back into their thoughts.

"I need to try the spell again," Athena said, breaking the tranquil silence. "With Nova’s hair, it should be strong enough."

As they walked further, Klaus noticed a small, round, fluffy creature with pastel-colored fur and large, innocent eyes. The creature rolled towards them, making soft cooing noises.

"This is Sprout," Athena said, picking up the creature and stroking its fur. "He's very affectionate and love to be cuddled. They're simple, low-maintenance companions, but they bring a lot of joy."

Sprout purred contentedly in her arms, its round body quivering with happiness. Klaus couldn't help but smile at the sight, the simplicity of the creature's joy infectious.

Lastly, emerging from the shadows was a Thestral—a skeletal, winged horse-like creature with a haunting yet majestic presence. Its black, leathery wings spread wide as it approached, its white, pupil-less eyes giving it an eerie but mesmerising look.

"This is Umbra," Athena said, her voice filled with a quiet reverence. "He's  often misunderstood because only those who have witnessed death can see them. They may seem frightening, but they're incredibly gentle and intelligent."

Umbra nuzzled against Athena, its bony frame seeming almost fragile, yet there was a strength in its movements that spoke of resilience. Klaus was struck by the contrast—how something that looked so ghostly could be so full of life.

As they continued to walk through the garden, Athena began to talk about each creature in more detail—how she found them, how she cared for them, and the significance they held in her life. Klaus listened, enraptured not just by her words, but by the passion and love that flowed from her as she spoke. This place, these creatures, they were a reflection of who she was—strong, kind, resilient, and deeply connected to the world in ways that he was only beginning to understand and he found himself falling deeper under her spell.

There was something mesmerising about the way she interacted with these beings, her kindness and love shining through in every gesture, every word. These creatures, some of which he had believed to be mere legends, responded to her with trust and affection, a clear sign of the bond they shared. Klaus had seen many things in his long life, but this garden—this hidden sanctuary—was something else entirely.

And as Klaus watched her, something within him shifted. He had always admired Athena for her strength, her intelligence, her wit. But seeing her here, surrounded by these creatures, he is felt that his feelings for her were more than just admiration. There was something deeper, something that made his heart ache in a way he hadn't felt in centuries.

By the time they had made a full circle of the garden, Klaus felt a deep sense of peace, something he hadn’t felt in a long time. They paused by the stream, the gentle sound of the water filling the air. Athena knelt by the water's edge, her fingers trailing through the cool liquid. Klaus joined her, sitting beside her as they both took in the beauty of the garden.

"This place," Klaus began, his voice soft, "it’s more than just a sanctuary. It's a part of you, isn’t it?"

Athena looked at him, her eyes reflecting the warmth of the setting sun. "In a way you could say that. It's a place where my magic flows, where I can commune with the spirits. So if I die this whole world dies.

Klaus hesitated before he continued, seeing the determination in her eyes but also the exhaustion that weighed on her. "Love, you don’t have to push yourself—"

"I do," she interrupted gently but firmly. "This is important, Klaus. We're so close."

Klaus sighed, knowing there was no changing her mind. "Just promise me you’ll be careful."

Athena nodded, giving him a reassuring smile. "I will."

As they returned to the central chamber, Klaus couldn't shake the feeling that had been growing within him. Watching Athena, seeing her strength, her kindness, her unwavering resolve, as they prepared to attempt the spell once more, he realised that his feelings for her were growing everyday.

Athena was resolute, her fixation unwavering as she attempted the spell once more. Klaus stood nearby, his eyes dark with concern as he watched her, sensing the immense strain the repeated efforts were putting on her. Athena's hands hovered over the map, her voice steady despite the growing fatigue that threatened to overtake her. She drew on the divine magic that had always been her strength, but this time, something was wrong—terribly wrong.

The air grew thick, the room dark and heavy with a presence that wasn't there before, something ancient and powerful pushing back against her will. The candles flickered violently as Athena felt it, an otherworldly force warning her, almost begging her to stop. It was as if the universe itself was resisting, telling her that what she sought to do was not meant to take foot.

Before she could react, a bright light exploded from the table, blinding and fierce, throwing both Athena and Klaus against the walls of the room, with a force that knocked the breath out of them as well as the books and plant pots falling from the shelves. Klaus hit the wall hard, the impact jarring him, but his vampire healing kicked in, and he was on his feet almost instantly. His heart raced as he scanned the room, desperate to find Athena.

His gaze locked onto her crumpled form on the floor, and fear gripped him. He dashed to her side with vampiric speed, his mind screaming at the thought of losing her again. "Athena." he called, his voice thick with worry as he knelt beside her, his hand gently shaking her shoulder.

For a moment, there was nothing—just the unbearable silence that filled the room. Then, she groaned softly, a sound that brought immense relief to Klaus. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she looked up at him with a pained expression.

"My head... hurts," she mumbled finally admitting it, her voice weak but trying to stay light-hearted. "That wasn't supposed to happen," she added with a breathless, painful laugh. She tried to joke, to ease the tension in the room despite the searing pain in her body. "Ready for round four?"

Klaus shook his head, his expression a mix of frustration and concern. "No more rounds," he insisted, his voice firm yet gentle. He bit into his wrist held out toher, offering her to drink his blood—the fastest way for her to heal. "Drink," he urged, his eyes pleading with her.

But Athena, ever stubborn, weakly shook her head. "I can heal myself," she whispered, her voice barely a breath as she summoned the remnants of her magic to mend her wounds. A faint glow surrounded her, the divine energy working to close the cuts and soothe the bruises, but it was clear she was exhausted, her strength nearly gone.

Seeing her struggle, Klaus scooped her up into his arms with a gentleness that belied his usual demeanor. He carried her to a spare bedroom in the mansion, his steps quick yet careful as he laid her down on the bed.

"Wake me up before dinner." Athena said her voice lulled.

"Are you sure? You—"

Athena shot him a look "If you give me that crap about how much I'm pushing myself one more time, so help Klaus I'll find a way to smite your cute ass."

"You think my arse is cute?" the hybrid smirked with a wiggle of his brow.

Athena tried to shake off the blush forming on her face, "oh, shut up" she said throwing a pillow at him but he caught it with ease. The nephilim then pulled the covers over herself and drifted into unconsciousness, her body succumbing to the need for rest.

Klaus stood by the bed for a moment, looking down at her, the worry still etched deeply into his features. The sight of her so vulnerable, close to being lost again, tore at something deep inside him. His eyes remained fixed on her as she slept, her face peaceful despite the turmoil she had just endured.

Chapter Text

Athena stirred from her much-needed rest.

Blinking slowly as the dimming light of the setting sun filtered through the curtains. Her body ached from the exertion of the day, the failed locator spell still weighing heavily on her. She stretched slightly, feeling the stiffness in her muscles as she sat up. Brushing a hand through her hair to shake off the remnants of sleep, Klaus entered the room with his usual confident stride.

"Ah, good, you're awake," Klaus said with a sly smile, his eyes glinting with a hint of mischief.

Athena raised an eyebrow, a small smirk playing on her lips. "And here I thought you might have missed me while I was out cold."

Klaus chuckled, shaking his head as he moved closer. "You do have a way of making things dramatic, don't you love?" He motioned towards the doorway, and a few servants entered, their arms laden with an array of dresses. "I thought you might like some options for tonight."

Athena’s eyes widened slightly as she looked over the collection. She stood from the bed, her feet hitting the cool floor as she walked over to the servants. "You certainly know how to spoil a girl," she teased, her tone light as she began combing through the dresses, each one more exquisite than the last.

As she ran her fingers over the fine fabrics, she found one that caught her eye—a sleek, black dress with a deep neckline and a slit up the side. She picked it out from the pile, admiring its elegant simplicity.

Klaus watched her, his eyes narrowing slightly as if in thought. "A fine choice," he remarked, though his voice was a touch softer now. "Though I’m a bit surprised. I thought you might choose something...less daring."

Athena turned to him, holding the dress up against herself with a raised eyebrow. "You think I’m not daring enough for this, Kaus?" she asked, her tone playful but with a challenge beneath it.

Klaus smirked, stepping closer. "Oh, you’re daring enough, love. But I’ve learned never to underestimate you."

Athena laughed lightly, shaking her head as she folded the dress over her arm. "Well, I’m glad I can keep you on your toes." She paused, glancing towards the window. "I’ll need to head back home to get ready."

Klaus’s expression shifted, a hint of something more serious in his eyes as he spoke. "You know, you’ve been spending quite a bit of time here. Perhaps you might consider staying...permanently."

Athena looked at him, her brow furrowing slightly as she processed his words. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, the unspoken desire behind the offer. "I'll think about it."

Klaus nodded, his smile returning though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Take all the time you need."

With that, Athena left the room, the black dress draped over her arm. Once she arrived, she quickly got to work preparing for the dinner. She slipped into the black dress, the fabric hugging her figure perfectly. The deep V-neckline accentuated her collarbone, while the high slit on the side added a touch of allure. She paired the dress with a pair of black stilettos, the pointed toes and slender straps giving her a refined yet edgy look.

Her hair, which she had straightened, fell sleekly down her back, adding to the sophisticated ensemble. She looked at herself in the mirror, a slight smile playing on her lips. Tonight would be a significant night, and she intended to be ready for whatever it might bring.

After finishing the final touches, Athena glanced at the time, knowing she had to return to Klaus's mansion. As she drove back, she couldn’t help but think about Klaus’s offer, and the way his eyes had softened when he’d spoken to her. Something was changing between them, and she wasn’t entirely sure what it meant. But for tonight, she pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the task at hand.

Athena stepped out of her car and took a deep breath before walking up the to the Mikaelson mansion. The evening air was cool, and the sky had turned a dusky shade of twilight, making the mansion's warm lights glow invitingly. She smoothed down the sleek black dress she had chosen and gave herself a final once-over before entering the mansion.

As she entered the grand entrance hall, the familiar opulence of the Mikaelson home greeted her. She hadn’t taken more than a few steps when she spotted Klaus and Elijah waiting for her. Elijah was the first to approach, his refined presence as steady and comforting as ever. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, his tie impeccable, as usual. "Ah, Athena," he greeted with a warm smile, his eyes glinting with admiration as he took in her appearance. "You’re right on time."

Klaus was standing just behind his brother, his gaze sharper, more intense. He was also dressed up, but there was something about the way he carried himself tonight—perhaps the slight rakishness to his shirt, or the way his hands rested casually on his glass of chosen poison—that made him seem almost roguishly handsome. His eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, the world seemed to narrow down to just the two of them.

Athena returned their smiles, her cheeks flushing slightly under their appreciative gazes. "I was beginning to worry I might be late," she teased lightly, trying to downplay the sudden flutter of nerves in her chest.

"Not at all," Elijah reassured her, his voice smooth and warm.

Klaus stepped forward, his eyes still fixed on hers with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat. "You look… stunning, love," he said, his voice low and sincere, the usual teasing edge absent from his tone.

Athena felt her blush deepen at the unexpected intensity in his words. "Thank you," she replied softly, before adding with a playful grin, "But you two, don’t look bad yourselves. You clean up well. So, where are we headed tonight?" she asked, her gaze moving toward the living room just off the entrance hall.

Klaus gestured grandly toward the living room. "Right this way, love," he said, his voice returning to its usual playful tone. "We’ve arranged a little something for our guests."

As they walked into the living room, Athena’s eyes were drawn to the lavish table setting that awaited them. The room was aglow with the warm light of candles, reflecting off the fine china and crystal glasses that had been carefully arranged on the table. The table was set for five, each place meticulously prepared. Around the room, compelled servants dressed in elegant gold shirts and skirts moved with quiet efficiency, adding the final touches.

Athena couldn’t help but admire the attention to detail. "You certainly know how to throw a dinner party," she commented, glancing over at Klaus with a small smile.

Before Klaus could respond, the doorbell rang, the sound echoing through the grand hall. Elijah turned toward the entrance, his expression calm but alert. "It seems our guests have arrived," he said, excusing himself to answer the door.

Klaus leaned in slightly, his breath warm against Athena’s ear as he takes a sip of his drink. "It’s showtime," he murmured, a smirk playing on his lips.

Athena took the glass from him, her fingers brushing against his as she did. She raised an eyebrow at him, a playful glint in her eyes. "Showtime indeed," she replied, mimicking his tone before she downed the rest of his drink in one go. She immediately pulled a face, "is that whiskey?" Klaus chuckled deeply at her reaction, clearly amused.

Elijah reentered the room, leading Damon and Stefan Salvatore inside. The brothers walked in scanning the room. But Damon's eye immediately found Athena, who was now seated gracefully at the far end of the room his smirk widen with interest.

Klaus, ever the host, stepped forward with his charming yet predatory smile. "Damon. Stefan. Elijah tells me you seek an audience. Very bold. Let's discuss the terms of our agreement like civilised men, shall we?"

Elijah walked over to the chairs at the table with measured steps, his eyes briefly meeting Athena's before he addressed the Salvatore brothers."It's better to indulge him," he advised, his tone carrying a weight of experience.

Stefan gazed on the carry of food spread out on the table before him. "I didn't come here to eat, Klaus. In fact, I didn't want to come here at all, but I was told I had to. Because you would hear us out."

Klaus chuckled softly, the sound almost too casual given the tension in the room. He moved to pull out a chair for Athena, his hands resting lightly on the back as he waited for her to sit. Once she did, he leaned slightly towards Stefan. "Well we can sit and eat," he began as took a seat, "or I can reach down your throats and pull out your insides. The choice is yours." he smiled.

The room fell silent for a heartbeat, the threat hanging heavily in the air. Stefan's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing slightly, but before he respond, Athena cleared her throat breaking the tension with a light-hearted tone. "If there's going to be any gouging of internal organs, do it outside," she quipped "right now, I'm starving and would really like to eat." Her attempt to lighten the mood by defusing the situation was an instinctive reaction.

Her comment earned a chuckle from the older Salvatore who hadn't taken his eyes off of the nephilim. "What's the good doctor doing here?" his tone was casual, but there was a hint of an underlying suspicion that Klaus didn't miss.

Elijah, always the diplomat, interjected smoothly before Klaus could respond. "Athena is a very dear friend of the family," his tone leaving no room for further questioning. "We've known each other for over a thousand years now, and we thought it was high time she met the both of you."

Damon raised his brow at the revelation, his gaze flicked back to Athena "You look great for someone who's over a thousand. You must have some interesting stories." Damon now very intrigued by Athena's true form.

But the nephilim smileed politely, though she could feel Klaus’s gaze on her, protective and perhaps a bit possessive. Damon’s remark had clearly not sat well with him. "I've seen a lot, yes. But tonight isn't about me." She gestured to the table, subtlety directing the conversation back to the matter at hand. "Shall we sit."

The seating arrangement around the table was deceptively comfortable, given the underlying tension that filled the room. The table was set with precision, the food arranged in an almost artistic manner on each plate. The compelled servants moved with practiced grace as they placed the food before the guests and quietly filled their glasses with a deep, rich red wine.

Damon, never one to miss an opportunity for mockery, glanced up at the servant pouring his wine. "Thank you, love," he said, his voice a perfect imitation of Klaus, dripping with sarcasm.

Klaus, seated on the opposite side of the table, chose to ignore the jab, his eyes instead narrowing on Stefan, who hadn’t yet touched his food. "You’ve lost your appetite," Klaus observed, a subtle edge to his voice. Athena, who sat as a buffer between the two parties, was eating quietly, her eyes scanning the faces around her, keenly aware of the potential for conflict simmering beneath the surface.

"Eat," Damon ordered, turning to face his younger brother with a stern look. "I thought we agreed to leave the grumpy Stefan at home." He sang the last few words, his tone light but the command clear.

Stefan sighed, picking up his fork with evident reluctance. As he began to eat, Klaus’s smile broadened, his satisfaction evident. "That’s the spirit," Klaus praised, his voice smooth. "Isn’t this nice? The five of us dining together? Such a treat. Is this what you had in mind when you pulled the dagger out from my brother?"

Damon responded. "Well, I knew how he felt about you, so I figured the more the merrier." Damon then turned his gaze to Athena, a gleam of curiosity and something sharper in his eyes. "Speaking of which, Athena," he began, his tone turning blunt, "what exactly are you? Ever since we met that day in the hospital, you used powers I’ve never seen before."

The question hung in the air, thick with expectation. Athena, unbothered, met Damon’s gaze evenly. She took a measured sip of her wine, setting the glass down with deliberate calm before she responded. "If it gets you to stop asking," she said smoothly, "then so be it. The short answer is that I was stationed on earth over 1000 years ago. Just...watching...silent...invisible. Out in the world, sick for home waiting on orders from unknownable figures I can't begin to understand. Until I met met them." She smiled towards the Mikaelsons but turned to see Damon who was still not fully understanding it. She sighed as she extended her hand toward Damon, palm up, inviting him to take it.

Damon hesitated for only a moment before curiosity got the better of him. He reached out, clasping her hand. The moment their hands connected, Athena’s eyes glowed with the soft, ethereal light of the moon. The glow pulsed gently, the power within her palpable, ancient, and commanding. Damon’s eyes widened slightly as visions flashed before his mind’s eye— part human, part angle, a sense of overwhelming, timeless power that defied the natural order.

Klaus’s reaction was immediate. His jaw tightened, the fork and knife in his hands gripping harder, the metal subtly bending under his strength. His possessive instincts flared, though he struggled to keep his emotions in check.

The vision ended as quickly as it began, and Athena let go of Damon’s hand, returning to her meal as though nothing had happened. Damon, however, remained staring at her, a mix of awe and disbelief in his eyes.

"You just act like it’s no big deal, huh?" Damon finally remarked, shaking his head slightly as if to clear it. "Just a casual show of being something more than human. No biggie."

Athena smiled faintly, her expression calm and unbothered. "I’ve had a long time to get used to it," she replied lightly, almost dismissively, as if this revelation were nothing of significance.

Damon leaned back in his chair, his demeanor still nonchalant, but there was a sharpness in his gaze that hadn’t been there before. "Well, you’ve definitely spiced up dinner. I wasn’t expecting there to be entertainment."

Klaus, his emotions simmering just below the surface, forced a smile. "Athena has a way of surprising people," he said, his voice carefully controlled.

The way Damon looked at Athena, with curiosity was enough to irritate the hybrid. The mood around the table shifted slightly as Klaus redirected the focus. But the tension lingered, a new layer added by the display of Athena’s power, leaving Damon more intrigued and Klaus more possessive than ever.

"Well," Klaus began, addressing Damon’s earlier comment, "Elijah and I have had our quarrels, but we always make it through." His tone was steady, but the underlying tension was palpable.

"Kinda like you and Rebekah, right?" Stefan interjected with a snarky tone. "Where is she, by the way? Last I checked, she was still daggered because you were afraid to face her."

Klaus tensed visibly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "If you're referring to the fact that Rebekah knows I killed our mother... I've already come clean to Elijah."

Damon shot a sharp look at his brother, as if questioning why Stefan thought that was a good idea to bring up. "Hey, Stef, remember when you killed Dad? Might want to dial down the judgment until dessert," Damon quipped, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Athena couldn't help but smile at Damon’s remark, her amusement clear as she took another bite of her food. She had been scanning the table for any signs of oncoming altercation, but Damon’s comment had successfully diffused some of the tension, even if it was temporary.

Stefan, however, wasn’t done. "We're here to make a deal, Damon. Doesn't mean we have to kiss his ass for seven courses." He replied with a smirk, his tone light yet biting.

Klaus grinned at the exchange, finding some amusement in their banter, but Damon quickly motioned for Stefan to tone it down. "I'm just saying we have a long evening ahead of us. Pace yourself," his tone more serious now.

Athena hid her growing smile behind her glass, finding herself more interested in the Salvatore brothers. Their dynamic was reminiscent of the Mikaelsons in some ways, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of familiarity and even fondness for them.

Sensing the need to steer the conversation in a different direction, Elijah chimed in, his voice smooth and diplomatic. "Stefan, where is the lovely Elena tonight?" He asked, hoping to ease the growing tension.

"I don't know. Ask Damon," Stefan replied, leaning forward with his elbows on the table, his hands clasped together.

Klaus chuckled, sharing a knowing look to Elijah was not aware of the couples current situation. "I'm sorry. You've missed so much. Uh—trouble in paradise?" Athena’s curiosity was piqued. Finally, some interesting gossip, she thought to herself.

"One more word about Elena and, uh, this dinner is over," Stefan retorted, his tone sharp and final with the added smile.

Sensing the need to defuse the situation, Damon quickly intervened. "Hey, you know what? Probably best just to keep Elena in the do-not-discuss pile," he suggested, his tone light but firm.

"You're probably right," Klaus agreed, though he was still smiling. "It's just the allure of the Petrova doppelganger, still so strong." He then turned to Elijah, his tone becoming more contemplative. "What do you say, brother? Should we tell them about Tatia?"

Elijah shifted uncomfortably, laughing in an attempt to deflect. "Now why should we discuss matters long since resolved?"

Athena leaned forward, clearly intrigued by the prospect of hearing more about the famous Tatia. The nephilim had seen her around the village before but she always kept her distance.

"Well," Klaus continued, ignoring Elijah’s hesitation, "given their shared affection for both Elena and Katerina, I think our guests might be curious to learn about the originator of the Petrova line."

"We're not going anywhere, Elijah," Damon interjected, raising his glass and taking a sip of his wine. "Please, do tell."

Elijah sighed but began to speak, his voice rich with nostalgia. "When our family first settled here, there was a girl named Tatia. She was an exquisite beauty. Every boy of our age desired to be her suitor, even though she'd had a child by another man. And none loved her more than Niklaus."

"Oh, I'd say there was one who loved her at least as much," Klaus added with a grin, his mind clearly wandering back to those memories.

Stefan, visibly confused, held up a hand and pointed between the two original vampires. "Wait a minute. So you both loved the same girl?"

Elijah continued the story. "Our mother was a very powerful witch. She sought to end our feud over Tatia, and so she took her. Klaus and I would later learn it was Tatia's blood we consumed in the wine, on the night our mother performed a spell which turned us into vampires." He paused to take a sip of his wine, the weight of the story settling over the table. "Tatia wouldn't make a decision between the two of us, so for a time, Niklaus and I... grew estranged. Harsh words were traded, we even came to blows, didn't we, brother?"

Klaus nodded solemnly, though there was a hint of a smile on his lips. "But in the end, we recognised the sacred bond of family."

"Family above all," Elijah affirmed, raising his glass of wine, prompting Klaus to do the same.

"Family above all," Klaus echoed, the two brothers linking their glasses together before taking a drink.

The story of Tatia and the acknowledgment of family bonds adding a layer of depth to the evening. As they drank, Athena observed the exchange with renewed interest, understanding more about the complex history between the brothers she missed out on.

"So, you're part angel," Damon said, his tone laced with curiosity and his usual hint of sarcasm. "What's that like? Do you float around on a cloud when you’re not hanging out with vampires?"

Stefan, who had been quietly observing the conversation up until now, looked at Damon with surprise. "Wait, what? Part angel?" he asked, clearly the last to learn this piece of information. His eyes darted between Damon and Athena, trying to gauge if they were joking.

Athena smiled slightly at Damon's jest, though she could see the genuine curiosity in his eyes. "No clouds, I'm afraid," she replied with a small chuckle, trying to keep the mood light. "And I don’t have a halo either, if that’s your next question."

Damon leaned forward slightly, his interest piqued. "So, what’s it like then? Being part... celestial, I guess."

She paused, considering how best to explain something so integral to her being yet so difficult to put into words. "I eat and breathe like any other human," she began, her tone softening as she tried to articulate her thoughts. "But I don’t age, and I have powers that are... well, beyond this world, I suppose. It’s not something I dwell on too much, to be honest."

Damon raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "So, you’re basically, what part vampire, part witch, with ten times the power but without all the blood sucking?" he summarised, his tone half-serious, half-joking.

Athena smiled at his attempt to make sense of it. "If that makes it easier for you to digest, then yes, you could say that," she replied with her usual playful glint in her eyes. "But it’s more complicated than that, obviously."

Stefan was still processing this new information, his mind racing as he tried to reconcile what he knew of Athena with this new revelation. "Part angel," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "That’s... something."

Athena’s smile began to fade as her gaze drifted into the distance, her eyes glazing over slightly. She was suddenly hit with another vision, sharp and vivid, as images flashed through her mind. She saw the final coffin, its lid shooting open, revealing the serene yet unsettling form of Klaus and Elijah’s mother within. The image shifted, and suddenly she saw Alaric, covered in blood and slumped against a door frame, his body eerily still. The vision was brief but intense, and as it faded, a dull throb began to pulse at her temples.

She blinked, forcing herself to focus on the present moment, her expression carefully controlled to hide the discomfort she was feeling. The pain was manageable, nothing like the debilitating migraines she had experienced before, but it was enough to remind her of the gravity of the situation they were all facing.

Damon, oblivious to the internal struggle Athena was experiencing, continued talking. "So, all this power... doesn’t it ever get a little overwhelming?" he asked, his voice breaking through her thoughts.

Athena took a deep breath, pushing the lingering pain to the back of her mind. "It can be," she admitted, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her head. "But I’ve learned to manage it over the years. It’s just a part of who I am."

"And you just act like it’s no big deal," he remarked, his tone slightly incredulous. "Part angel, living among vampires and witches, and you're just... here, having dinner with us." Damon said

Athena shrugged, offering him a small smile. "It’s just my reality," she replied simply. "I've learned to live with it."

Klaus, who had been watching her closely throughout the exchange, noticed the slight tension in her posture, the way her eyes had momentarily lost focus. He didn't miss the subtle signs that something was off, and it only served to heighten his concern for her. But before he could say anything, she turned her attention back to the conversation, her composure intact.

"Anyway," Athena said, steering the topic away from herself, "I'd rather not bore you with the details of my existence. Let's focus on why we're all here, shall we?" She offered a small smile, hoping to shift the focus back to the matter at hand.

"Yes, why don't we move this evening along and discuss the terms of this proposal?" Elijah suggested as the servants began to clear the table of plates and food, leaving only the drinks. The mood grew more serious as the remnants of their meal were whisked away, signaling that it was time to talk business.

Damon leaned back in his chair, adopting a casual demeanor, though his words were anything but light. "That's very simple. Klaus gets his coffin back. In exchange...he and the original extended family leave Mystic Falls forever. Me, Stefan, and Elena live happily ever after. No grudges."

Elijah considered the proposition, nodding slightly. "The deal sounds fair, brother," he said, his calm voice attempting to bring a sense of reason to the table.

But Klaus was not so easily swayed. "I don't think you understand," Klaus said, his tone hardening. "Elena's doppelganger blood ensures that I will always have more hybrids to fight those that oppose me. I will never leave her behind."

Athena, who had been silently observing, interjected with a possible solution. "If you need more blood, Klaus, I can just duplicate it."

Klaus shook his head, not entirely dismissing the idea, but seeing the flaw in it. "Even if you can multiply her blood, I will inevitably need more of it." He stood up, his drink still in hand, and began to pace, thinking aloud. "Let's say I do leave her here, under protection, what then?" He pointed between the two brothers, his voice laced with skepticism. "How long before one of you turns her into a vampire? Or worse, how long before she dies, caught between your feuding? You see, each one of you truly believes that you're the one who can protect her, and that is simply a delusion. Gentlemen, the worst thing for Elena Gilbert is...the two of you."

Damon gave a weak smile, his expression unreadable as he looked over at Stefan. "I'm gonna get some air," he said abruptly, pushing his chair back and leaving the room.

Elijah, sensing the growing volatility, placed his hands on the table and rose to his feet as well. "Let me handle this," he told Klaus, his tone firm but calm.

Klaus smirked, the familiar glint of mischief returning to his eyes as he looked between Athena and Stefan. "All this talk has made me thirsty." He looked over at one of the servants, and with a simple nod, she walked over to him. Klaus gently brushed her hair back, exposing her neck, and as he gazed at Stefan, his eyes darkened with deadly intent. "What do you say, Stefan? Can I interest you in a little after-dinner drink?"

Without waiting for an answer, Klaus bit into the woman’s neck, feeding on her with a deliberate slowness that was meant to provoke. Stefan’s discomfort was palpable, the strain of resisting his vampiric urges evident in the tightness of his jaw and the tension in his posture. Athena watched with concern, noting how much self-control it took for Stefan not to launch forward and give in to the hunger that Klaus was clearly trying to ignite.

"Mm. Delicious," Klaus said tauntingly as he released the woman, wiping the excess blood from the corner of his mouth with his thumb and sucking on it to savor the taste. "Aged to perfection..."

Stefan, unable to tolerate the mockery any longer, got to his feet and approached Klaus with a cold, determined look. "Well, I guess the only reason you agreed to this evening, Klaus, is to drive a wedge between me and my brother."

Klaus met Stefan’s gaze with equal intensity. "Oh, no," he said seriously, a touch of amusement in his voice. "You're doing that well enough on your own. Because of Elena, you're gonna lose your brother and have yourself to blame."

The tension in the room was thick as both Stefan and Klaus stared each other down, the air practically crackling with the unspoken challenge between them. At that moment, Damon re-entered the room, followed by Elijah.

"What do you say, Klaus?" Damon asked, breaking the silence. "It's time for you to put something on the table. We've made our offer, now you counter."

Klaus considered this for a moment, then with a self-satisfied smile, he sat back down in his seat. "Okay," he began, "I offer Elena's future happiness." He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "You see, what she needs right now is to be rid of you lot, and fall in love with a human—maybe that nice football player, you know the blonde one?"

Damon snorted, his tone laced with disbelief. "Matt Donovan? Really?"

"Yeah, why not?" Klaus replied with a smirk. "They'll marry, live a long life, and pop out a perfect family."

"And continue the Petrova bloodline," Stefan added, "every few hundred years, you'll have a new doppelganger to drain and never run out of hybrids, right, Klaus?"

Klaus didn’t deny it. "Consider it a small return on my investment in her well-being," he said casually, as if they were discussing a minor business transaction rather than the fate of Elena’s life. He then turned to Athena, his expression softening slightly. "Athena, love, is it possible for you to cast a protection spell to ensure no harm comes to her again?"

Athena, who had been quietly observing the exchange, nodded thoughtfully. "It's possible," she admitted, her tone serious. She knew the power she wielded and what it could mean for Elena’s safety.

Klaus was pleased with Athenas answer, and stood, walking towards the fire place and leaning into it as he looked around the room and says "So, what do you say, Stefan, hmm? Do we have a deal?"

Stefan walks over to Klaus as Damon cast Stefan a incredulous look, Klaus held out his hand to be shaken, and Stefan took it, without moving. "Nice try, Klaus," Stefan told him lowly. "but no deal."

Without warning, Klaus’s fury escalated, his rage too great to be contained. With a brutal twist, he wrenched Stefan’s arm, the sound of bone snapping sickeningly loud. Stefan couldn’t stifle the gasp of pain that escaped him, his body instinctively recoiling from the injury. But Klaus wasn’t done. With a swift, merciless kick, he struck Stefan’s leg, the force of the blow shattering his femur. This time, Stefan couldn’t hold back the cry of pain that tore from his throat, his leg buckling beneath him.

Before Stefan could collapse, Klaus caught him by the collar, holding him upright with ease. The room was heavy with tension, every breath held, every movement frozen as Klaus dragged Stefan toward the fireplace. The flickering flames cast a hellish glow on Klaus’s face, making his fury seem even more monstrous. With a savage grin, he shoved Stefan’s broken hand into the fire, the flames greedily licking at his flesh.

Athena shot up from her seat, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn’t just stand by and watch this. Her instincts screamed at her to stop Klaus, to do something, anything to save Stefan from this brutal assault. Damon was right beside her, his face a mask of shock and fury, ready to spring into action.

But just as they moved, Elijah appeared in front of them, his presence like a wall. With a firm shove, he pinned both Athena and Damon against the wall, his strength unyielding. Athena’s eyes widened in disbelief as she looked up at Elijah, silently asking, why are you stopping us? But Elijah’s expression was calm, his eyes locking onto hers with a silent plea, trust me.

"What are you doing?" Damon hissed, his voice a low, dangerous growl as he struggled against Elijah’s hold. His eyes darted between Stefan and Klaus, fury and desperation written on his face. Stefan’s pained grunts filled the room, every sound like a dagger to Damon’s heart. "STOP!" he yelled. But Elijah didn’t relent, his grip on them firm, his expression resolute. It was clear he believed there was a purpose to this madness, a plan that required them to stand down, but understanding didn’t ease the pain of watching Stefan suffer.

"Now bring me my coffin before I burn him alive," Klaus demanded, his voice cold and devoid of any emotion, as if Stefan’s suffering was nothing more than a trivial inconvenience to him. The flames crackled louder, the scent of burning flesh permeating the air.

Elijah's expression tightened, the moment of decision clear in his eyes. He released his hold on Damon and Athena, allowing them the freedom to move, but there was no immediate rush forward. The reality of Klaus’s threat hung heavy in the air.

"I'll get it," Damon ground out, his voice filled with barely restrained fury. He shrugged off Elijah’s hand, his movements sharp, every fiber of his being focused on stopping the torture of his brother.

"Go with him, brother," Klaus instructed, his voice returning to that eerie calm, though the underlying threat remained. "You keep him honest, and when you return, I will make good on my promise to you and I will hand over our family." There was a slight pause as Klaus’s gaze shifted to Athena, who stood frozen, trying to process the cruelty she had just witnessed. "Take the angel with you," he added, almost softly, as though he didn’t want her to witness any more of his brutality. There was something almost vulnerable in his expression, a flicker of regret, quickly masked by the hardness that returned to his eyes.

And without another word, Elijah grabbed both Damon and Athena by the arms. The room blurred around them as he used his vampire speed to transport them through the dark corridors, away from the horrifying scene, until they reached the chamber where the remaining Mikaelson siblings lay in their coffins.

The room was eerily silent compared to the chaos they had just left behind. The heavy lids of the coffins lay closed, hiding the desiccated forms of Rebekah, Kol, and Finn.

"Undagger them," Elijah commanded quietly, flipping open the lid of the nearest coffin, which held Finn. His voice was calm, but there was an urgency to his actions that spurred Damon into motion. Without hesitation, Damon pulled the dagger from Finn's chest, his movements precise, though fueled by the urgency of Stefan's continued screams.

Damon wasted no time, moving on to Rebekah and Kol's coffins, flipping open the lids and pulling the daggers from their chests with swift, practiced movements. Each dagger removed was a step closer to freeing the vampires from their death-like slumber, each step bringing them closer to the confrontation that awaited.

Elijah placed a gentle hand on Athena’s back, his touch both comforting and insistent. "Wake them up," he urged, his voice steady but with a clear edge of desperation.

Athena nodded, swallowing hard as she looked down at her friends, their bodies lifeless and withered from the centuries of dagger-induced sleep. A part of her was filled with sorrow seeing them like this, but another part, the part that had witnessed Stefan's torture, burned with a fierce determination to bring them back, to right the wrongs that had been done.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her shaking hands. "I'll need something sharp to—" she started to say, but Damon, ever quick, handed her one of the silver daggers before she could finish.

"Thanks," she murmured, pricking her index finger with the blade. She watched as a small droplet of blood welled up, then handed the dagger back to Elijah.

Closing her eyes, Athena focused on the blood, willing it to move as she began to chant softly under her breath. She felt the blood respond, a thin tendril lifting from her finger and floating in the air, almost as if it had a life of its own. The tendril slowly snaked its way through the air toward the three unconscious vampires.

As the blood reached their mouths, Athena concentrated harder, pushing her magic into the blood, willing it to act as an accelerant, something that would rouse them from their deep slumber quickly. The room was thick with tension as they all waited, the screams of Stefan still echoing faintly in their ears.

Within moments, the three siblings stirred. Their eyes snapped open, and with a jolt, they sat up in their coffins, their movements sharp and precise, as if they had never been asleep. “Quiet,” Elijah commanded, his voice calm but with an authority that cut through their confusion. To Athena's surprise, they listened immediately, their gazes sharp and assessing as they took in their surroundings. They stepped out of their coffins with ease, their bodies now filled with the life and power that had been restored to them.

Seeing them awake, seeing the strength return to their forms, Athena felt a complex mix of emotions—relief that they were back, anxiety about what would come next, and a deep, unshakable fear of the confrontation that lay ahead. She managed a small, empathetic smile as they looked at her, their expressions a blend of confusion and recognition. Their eyes then shifted to Elijah, silently asking if what they were feeling, what they were seeing, was real. Elijah nodded, confirming their unspoken questions. But there was no time for explanations, no time for them to catch up. The siblings’ desire for revenge was almost palpable, an electric current that charged the air around them.

Rebekah, in her strapless red dress, reached for the dagger that had kept her in her coffin, her expression hard and cold as she shot a glare at Damon. Kol, dressed in his worn 1914 suit, stepped forward with a smirk that didn’t quite reach his eyes, a clear sign of the anger simmering beneath his mischievous exterior. Finn, in his green tunic with the leather vest, his hair longer than before, held himself with a calmness that belied the intensity of his emotions.

Athena felt a pang of sadness as she looked at them, her friends who were now so consumed by the need for vengeance. These were the people she had spent years with, shared laughter  with, but now the circumstances were dire. Elijah's voice broke through her thoughts, his tone filled with the weight of the moment. "It should come as no surprise to any of you that Niklaus killed our mother," he began, his words carefully chosen, each one landing with a weight that was almost physical. As he spoke, a compelled servant approached, carrying a silver platter upon which Elijah placed the daggers. Stefan’s agonisied screams still faintly reached them, a haunting backdrop to Elijah's words.

Klaus's snarl cut through the tense atmosphere in the room as he glared at Stefan, anger simmering just beneath the surface. "You really have given up, haven't you?" he taunted, his voice laced with disdain. "Where's the fight? Where's the Ripper?"

Stefan, unfazed by Klaus's attempt to provoke him, shoved Klaus off of him with a sharp push. Klaus stumbled back, his eyes flashing with a mix of fury and surprise. Before he could recover, his gaze shifted to the entrance of the room, where Elijah, Damon, and Athena reappeared. A compelled servant followed closely behind, holding a silver tray, a small cloth concealing the daggers.

Klaus' eyes narrowed as he took in the scene. "Elijah," he said, his voice laced with suspicion, "why haven't you left?"

Elijah, ever composed, gave his brother a cold smile. "Where are my manners, brother? We forgot dessert." With a dramatic flourish, he pulled the cloth off the tray, revealing the two silver daggers beneath. The sight of them made Klaus go rigid, his entire body tensing as the realisation of what was happening dawned on him.

"What have you done?" Klaus demanded, his voice darkening with fear and anger.

Elijah met his gaze steadily, his tone calm but resolute. "What have you done?" he repeated, emphasising each word. "You see, I've learned not to trust your vulgar promises, Klaus. We're doing this on my terms now."

At that precise moment, the siblings made their entrance, their presence commanding and ominous. Kol was the first to step forward, his eyes locked on Klaus with a look that sent a shiver down the latter’s spine. Klaus staggered back in shock, his usual bravado faltering.

"Kol," Klaus said shakily, raising a hand in a gesture of surrender. He glanced nervously between Kol and the others, realising he was now outnumbered and cornered. "Long time no see, brother," Kol replied, his voice low and menacing, each word dripping with contempt.

Panic surged through Klaus, and he did the only thing he could think of—he tried to escape. Using his vampire speed, he darted toward the nearest exit, hoping to evade the wrath of his siblings. But his path was blocked by Finn, the oldest brother of the Mikaelsons, who stood resolute and unyielding, one of the silver daggers now in his hand.

"Finn, don’t," Klaus pleaded, desperation seeping into his voice. But Finn's expression remained cold, devoid of mercy. Without hesitation, he drove the dagger into Klaus' hand, eliciting a scream of pain from the once-mighty hybrid. The dagger pierced through flesh and bone, pinning Klaus in place.

Athena watched the scene unfold, her heart breaking at the sight of the siblings turning on each other with such brutality. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. The last time they had all been together, there had been smiles, laughter, even moments of genuine happiness. But now, those memories were tainted by the violence and betrayal playing out before her eyes.

Klaus, wounded and desperate, tried once more to flee, this time toward the back exit. But there, standing like a sentinel, was Rebekah, her expression cold and unyielding. "Rebekah!" Klaus' voice was thick with desperation as he tried to appeal to her. But there was no mercy in her eyes. She simply stepped forward and plunged the dagger Damon had given her into his stomach, her movements swift and decisive.

"This is for our mother," she sneered, her voice filled with righteous anger as she pushed Klaus back into Kol, who grabbed him, holding him in place with a grim determination.

Klaus' strength ebbed as the daggers did their work, his eyes wide with disbelief and betrayal as he looked at each of his siblings in turn. They were unrelenting, their expressions set with the cold resolve of those who had waited too long for this moment. He was no longer the invincible figure he had always believed himself to be; he was vulnerable, and they were exacting their revenge.

Elijah, who had been silently watching, finally spoke, his voice calm and measured. "You're free to go," he said, addressing the Salvatore brothers and Athena without taking his eyes off Klaus. "This is family business."

Athena nodded, relieved to have the chance to leave. She couldn’t bear to stay any longer, couldn't bear to see the plea in Klaus' eyes, or watch as the Mikaelsons tore each other apart. It pained her deeply, more than she could express. Without another word, she turned and walked out of the mansion with Damon and Stefan, the heavy weight of sorrow settling in her chest.

As they walked outside into the cool night air, the tension between them was palpable. They headed toward their respective vehicles, the silence heavy with unspoken thoughts. But just as they were about to part ways, Athena hesitated, something nagging at the back of her mind. She turned to Damon, her expression troubled.

"Hey, uh, Damon," she called out, her voice tentative. Damon paused, his hand on the car door, and turned to face her, sensing the unease in her voice. "Can I ask you something?"

Damon raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the sudden request. "I'm all ears," he replied, stepping closer, his curiosity piqued.

Athena bit her lip, struggling to find the right words. "This is gonna sound weird, but… you know your friend, Alaric, right? How is he?"

Damon’s expression shifted to one of mild confusion, a playful glint in his eyes as he walked up to her. "How do you know Alaric?" he asked, his tone light as if trying to keep the mood from getting too heavy. "Wait, don't tell me—you've got the hots for my friend now?"

Athena quickly shook her head, a flush creeping up her cheeks. "No! No, it's not that," she protested, her voice slightly flustered. "It's just… I don't know how to put this, but I had a vision of him. And it was bad."

The playful glint in Damon’s eyes faded, replaced by a look of intrigue and concern. "Go on," he urged, his tone now serious, his focus entirely on her.

Athena took a deep breath, her voice trembling slightly as she recounted what she had seen. "I saw him…dead. He was lying on the floor."

Damon’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he processed her words. "Are you sure about what you saw?" he asked, his voice low and intense.

Athena nodded, her hands trembling slightly as she recalled the vividness of the vision. "I'm sure. It was so clear… but what I don't understand is why I'm getting these visions? Usually, they're related to the supernatural, but… the people I saw, they weren't supernatural. They were just… ordinary."

Damon’s concern deepened as he glanced over at his brother, sharing a look that conveyed the seriousness of the situation. Athena let out a shaky sigh, feeling the weight of the vision and now the aftermath of the dinner pressing heavily on her. "I know it sounds crazy, and maybe it was stupid to tell you…"

But Damon shook his head, cutting her off. "It wasn't stupid," he said firmly, his voice reassuring. "If you're seeing something like this, it's important."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, handing it to her. "Here," he said, his tone serious. "Take my number. If you have any more visions… call me. Immediately."

Athena looked up at him, gratitude and relief filling her eyes. She took the phone, quickly inputting his number into her own. "Thank you, Damon," she said softly, her voice laced with sincerity.

Chapter Text

Athena tried to immerse herself in her work the following day.

Hoping the routine of her hospital rounds would help take her mind off the chaos from the dinner at the Originals'. Yet, despite her best efforts, the unsettling images from her visions nagged at the back of her mind once again. When her rounds were done, she felt compelled to follow up on the vision that involved Alaric.

The nephilim made her way down to the coroner’s office, a place that always seemed to carry an aura of finality. The cold, sterile environment did little to ease her anxiety. She approached the filing cabinets, her fingers brushing over the tabs as she searched for anything under Alaric's name. After a few tense moments, she found nothing. It was both a relief and a concern.

Just to be thorough, she decided to check the morgue. The air was colder here, the kind of cold that seeps into your bones and lingers. She checked each drawer methodically, her heart rate accelerating slightly with each name she scanned. No Alaric. Another wave of relief washed over her, though it was tainted with uncertainty?

As she made her way back to the main corridors, two nurses passed by, pushing a gurney with a body bag towards the autopsy room. Something about it caught Athena’s attention. She couldn’t explain why, but she felt an urge to know more. "Who have we got here?" she asked, stopping the nurses with a hand on the gurney.

One of the nurses looked up, her expression a mix of sympathy and professionalism. "Bill Forbes," she replied. "The sheriff's ex-husband."

The name hit Athena like a ton of bricks. Bill Forbes—a name she knew to be part of the towns council. "May I see the body?" Athena asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

The nurses exchanged glances before nodding. One of them unzipped the body bag, revealing Bill Forbes' still form. Athena stared down at him, her breath catching in her throat. This was exactly the man she had seen in her vision, yet there were no visible signs of trauma, no lacerations around his neck as she had expected.

"Thank you," she murmured, her mind reeling as the nurses zipped the bag back up and continued on their way. Athena stood there for a moment, struggling to make sense of what she had just seen. The visions had been clear, but reality was showing her something different. Was she missing a piece of the puzzle?

Her anxiety heightened, Athena left the morgue and headed back to her wing. She needed answers, and there was only one person she could think of who might help her get them—Damon Salvatore.

Taking out her phone, she dialed his number. He answered on the second ring. "Well, this is a surprise. Miss me already?" His voice was laced with that familiar teasing tone.

Athena rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Is this how you greet everyone?"

"Only the ones I find interesting. So, what's up, doc?"

Athena glanced around as she walked, making sure no one was within earshot. "I have a question, Damon. Does the council know about the supernatural?"

"Of course they do. Hell, I'm a part of the council," Damon replied smoothly.

Athena paused, chewing on her lip before asking, "Is Alaric… actually human?"

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line. "What kind of question is that? Of course he's human," Damon responded, his tone a mix of confusion and curiosity.

Athena sighed, her voice growing more serious. "My visions never fail, Damon. They always come to fruition, and I saw Alaric dead. But when I checked, there was no sign of his body in the morgue. How is he still alive if he’s not a vampire?"

Damon’s voice held a note of understanding now. "He has this ring—allows him to come back to life if he dies of a supernatural death."

"What kind of ring?" Athena pressed.

"It's a Gilbert family ring," Damon explained.

Athenas mind raced. "Text me everything you know about these murders—theories, evidence, all of it. I’ve got to get back to work."

After ending the call, Athena spent the rest of her day in a state of quiet determination. As soon as her shift was over, she returned home and immediately retreated to her pocket dimension. The space was filled with thousands of books lining the shelves—books of all kinds, ancient tomes and grimoires. She combed through them methodically, searching for anything that could help her understand the Gilbert ring and its effects on the wearer.

Hours passed, the night slipping away into the early hours of the next day. Finally, after going through countless volumes on enchanted objects and protection spells, she stumbled upon something that gave her an idea—a spell on echoes, something that could potentially reveal the history of the ring. Without wasting any time, Athena sent a text to Damon, asking for his address and explaining that she needed to see Alaric in person. His reply came quickly, providing the information she needed.

The Salvatore Boarding House was an imposing structure, set back from the road and surrounded by towering trees. The architecture was old, Tudor-style, with dark brickwork and steep gables. As Athena approached, she felt a sense of history emanating from the building. When she knocked on the door, it swung open to reveal Damon, his usual smirk in place. "You look like hell," he remarked with a touch of amusement.

Athena gave him a tired smile. "I've been up all night researching. Can I come in?"

"By all means," Damon stepped aside, letting her enter the grand foyer. The interior of the house was just as imposing as the exterior—rich wood paneling covered the walls, with heavy drapes hanging from the tall windows. The living room was dominated by a large fireplace, its mantel decorated with antique weapons and old portraits. The furniture was dark and plush, with an air of old-world elegance. Damon closed the door behind her and leaned casually against the wall. "What kind of research are we talking about?"

Athena pulled a grimoire from her bag, holding it close to her chest when Damon reached for it. "Information on the Gilbert ring you mentioned. But since I came up with nothing, I found the next best thing."

Damon raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "You don't say." He nodded toward the book. "Mind if I take a look?"

She hugged the book tighter to her chest, a playful smile on her lips. "I do mind actually. Sweetie."

Damon chuckled." Alright. But tell me—why do you care so much about a few murders? Didn’t you say your visions always come true?"

Athena's expression grew serious. "Yes, but I think it’s time I changed that."

Damon’s amusement faded slightly, replaced by genuine curiosity. Before commenting on what she meant by that, Alaric entered the room, a drink in hand.

"Dr Mourningstar, Damon said you wanted to see me?" Alaric asked, looking between Athena and Damon with a mixture of curiosity and confusion.

Damon gestured toward Athena with a nod of his head. "Ask her. I'm just as curious as you are."

Athena took a deep breath. "I believe I can help find out who the killer is that's been targeting the council members, but to do that, I need to dive into Alaric's head. Since he survived the attack, there might be something in his memory that could help us."

Alaric looked skeptical, his grip tightening on his glass. "Look if I remember who attacked me I would have said it already. How do you know this will work?"

Damon, still leaning against the wall, spoke up. "She's an angel," he said nonchalantly, recalling the vision she had shown him. He shrugged. "I very, powerful, angel."

Alaric chuckled, clearly thinking it was a joke. But when Damon didn't laugh, he frowned. "You’re serious?"

Athena nodded, her expression earnest. “Technically, I'm a nephilim—part angel, part human.”

Alaric looked between the two of them, still not fully convinced. "You're serious," he repeated, the skepticism clear in his voice.

With a small sigh, Athena decided to show him rather than tell him. She concentrated, and the lights in the room dimmed. The electricity seemed to hum in the air, sparking slightly as it gathered around her. Her wings became visible, their silhouettes illuminated by the energy, while her eyes glowed with an ethereal white light. It was a brief display, but it was enough to leave no doubt in Alaric's mind.

Athena let the energy dissipate, the lights returning to normal as she smiled slightly. "I'm not going to fully manifest them," she joked,"It would ruin the back of my shirt."

Alaric blinked, still processing what he had just seen. "Okay… I believe you."

Athena's smile softened. "Good. Now, first things first—we need to get you relaxed. It'll make this a lot easier."

Damon smirked at the suggestion, already pouring another glass of bourbon for Alaric.

A few hours had passed, and the living room had grown dimmer as the afternoon light began to wane. Alaric sat slouched on the couch, his cheeks flushed from the alcohol that now buzzed through his veins. He was visibly relaxed, but the tension in the room remained palpable. The Salvatore Boarding House had an air of quiet anticipation, the heavy silence broken only by the occasional clink of Damon’s glass or the sound of Stefan entering the room.

Stefan took one look at the scene before him and frowned, his eyes narrowing as they settled on the nephilim. "What's she doing here?" he asked, suspicion lacing his voice.

Damon, never one to miss an opportunity for sarcasm, smirked. "Oh, just a little science experiment," he quipped, waving a hand dismissively.

Athena, ignoring the brothers' exchange, focused her attention solely on Alaric. Her voice was gentle but firm as she spoke to him. "Alright, sweetie, I’m going to enter your mind now. If there are things you don't want me to see, just imagine a door blocking my access."

Alaric swallowed hard, nodding as he exhaled slowly. His gaze met hers, filled with both trust and a hint of uncertainty. "Okay," he breathed, trying to calm himself.

"Remember, stay calm and relaxed. Try to focus on your breathing, Athena reiterated, her tone soothing as she placed her fingertips gently against Alaric’s temples. "I'm going to count down from three."

Stefan and Damon stood off to the side, watching intently in silence as they realised the seriousness of what was about to happen. Athena began the countdown, her voice soft and rhythmic."Three…" The tips of her fingers started to glow with a warmth.  The white light was comforting, almost like a balm to the mind.

"Two…" The light grew slightly brighter, and Alaric visibly relaxed under her touch.

"One…" And with that, Athena's consciousness delved into Alaric's mind, leaving the brothers to watch the scene unfold. The connection was instantaneous, and Athena found herself navigating the labyrinth of Alaric's memories. She was searching for the one memory that could point toward his attacker. The process was methodical—she scanned through layers of thoughts, emotions, and experiences, yet something was wrong. There was a void where the memory should have been, a blank spot that shouldn't exist. The deeper she searched, the more elusive the memory became, as though it had been deliberately erased.

Minutes passed, and Athena's brow furrowed with concentration. Finally, she pulled back, withdrawing from Alaric's mind with a look of perplexity. "This doesn't make any sense," she murmured, more to herself than to anyone else. "Even in his temporal lobe, no matter how old the memories are, I should still be able to find something, but… there's nothing."

Damon, always quick with a comment, couldn't resist. "Well, that was a great light show and all, but now what?" he asked, his tone edging on impatience.

Athena glanced at him, determination settling into her features. "Plan B," she replied, her voice steady as she turned back to Alaric. "I need you to take off your ring."

Alaric blinked, surprised. "My ring? What for?"

"I've found a spell that can help me get information about people or events associated with an object. It's possible to receive glimpses—sight, sound, and even emotion," Athena explained. "You've been wearing this ring every time you’ve died, correct? Maybe there's something in those echoes of memories I can find."

Alaric hesitated, his hand instinctively reaching for the ring. It had been his safeguard for so long, the thought of removing it made him uneasy. But after a moment of contemplation, he reluctantly slipped the ring off his finger and handed it to Athena. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice filled with sincerity. She then sat cross-legged on the floor, placing the ring carefully on the coffee table in front of her. With her grimoire in hand, she flipped to the page she needed and took a deep breath, centering herself.

Before she began, she looked up at the brothers and Alaric. "I'm going to need you all to take a few steps back," she advised. There was no room for argument in her tone, and they obediently complied.

Athena began to chant quietly, the celestial words rolling off her tongue like a song. "Ei galad par bo ei vanwie, galad ar kal vanwei, ei galad par bo ei vanwie," she intoned, the room gradually filling with a soft glow of her divine magic manifesting in the physical realm. The energy pulsed through the space, a tangible force that made the hairs on the back of the brothers' necks stand up. They watched in awe as the light surrounded Athena, its brilliance intensifying with every word she spoke.

But just as the spell was reaching its peak, Athena felt it—the same resistance she had encountered when attempting the locator spell for the final coffin. It was like hitting an invisible wall, a force pushing back against her magic with relentless power. She had only seconds to react, her mind racing as she concentrated on containing the energy. She funneled all her strength into holding the blast in place, the light becoming blinding as it built to a crescendo.

Then, in an instant, the light vanished, leaving the room in silence. Athena remained on the floor, breathing heavily as she wiped a trickle of blood from her nose. The exertion had clearly taken a toll on her. Alaric was the first to approach, his concern evident. "What the hell was that?" he demanded, his voice rough with unease.

Athena, still catching her breath, looked up at him with a weary expression. "Something that doesn't want me to find out," she replied, her voice tinged with frustration. She slowly got to her feet, her legs shaky from the effort. Damon and Stefan exchanged a glance, concern etched into their features as they processed what had just happened.

Athena plopped herself down on the couch, rubbing her temples to ease the throbbing headache that had settled in. She was deep in thought, trying to piece together what this external force could be and why it was interfering with her abilities. There were too many unanswered questions.

A few days passed, and Athena couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her chest. Despite her best efforts to push it aside, the anxiousness gnawed at her. The silence from the Originals was unnerving. She hadn't heard anything from Klaus or Elijah since the dramatic dinner and couldn't help but wonder if the siblings had finally turned on each other, if they had somehow managed to destroy themselves in a fit of rage and vengeance. And after another grueling day at the hospital, the nephilim wanted nothing more than to sink into her sofa, pull on her favorite pajamas, and binge-watch something mindless enough to switch off her racing thoughts. She was so close to that blissful escape when the doorbell rang. She groaned, sinking deeper into her seat as if the cushions could absorb her and make her invisible to the world. But the bell rang again, insistent and demanding her attention.

Reluctantly, she got up and made her way to the door. When she opened it, there was no one there, just a fancy box wrapped in a black bow with an envelope placed on top. Curiosity piqued, she took the package inside and placed it on the kitchen island. The box was light, but her heart grew heavy as she noticed the envelope was made of thick, high-quality paper, the kind that suggested the sender had taken great care in selecting it. Her name, "Dr. Athena Mourningstar," was written on it in elegant, flowing script, the black ink standing out against the cream background. She carefully opened the envelope and read the letter inside, her voice soft as she murmured the words aloud "Please join the Mikaelson family this evening at seven o'clock for dancing, cocktails, and celebration."

Her heart skipped a beat as she flipped the card over to see more writing on the back. "Hoping to see you in this dress under my roof for one more night, Klaus."

With a mixture of apprehension and excitement, Athena opened the box. Inside, nestled in tissue paper, was a dress and a pair of shoes that took her breath away. The dress was an ethereal white, shimmering with a cascade of tiny sequins that caught the light with every movement. It was off-the-shoulder with delicate short sleeves that rested elegantly on her upper arms. The material would hug her figure in all the right places before flaring out slightly at the hips and flowing down in a soft waterfall to the floor, with a thigh-high slit that added the touch of allure. The shoes were just as beautiful, a pair of glittering white heels that complemented the dress perfectly.

Athena's hands shook slightly as she held the dress against her body, feeling its luxurious weight. She glanced at the clock on the wall and realised she had just an hour to get ready. Moving quickly, she set to work.

With the dress and shoes now being adorned, Athena waved of her hand as she summoned her magic, letting it weave through her hair. The strands lifted and twisted as if guided by invisible hands, forming into an intricate updo. Her hair was styled into a sophisticated yet soft braided bun, with strands woven and twisted together seamlessly. A delicate, jeweled headpiece was positioned across the back of the head, following the curve her dark brown braided hairstyle. The headpiece was a metallic silver with a  design that consists of a series of small, detailed leaves and floral elements that was interconnected in a vine-like pattern, creating a graceful, organic flow across the head. The leaves, adorned with small, sparkling embellishments that resemble tiny rhinestones catching the light just like the dress and shoes. Finishing off with loose tendrils of hair that framed the nephilim's face, adding a touch of softness to the look.

As she looked at herself in the mirror, Athena couldn't help but smile. A swirl of emotions Anticipation, nervousness, and an undeniable thrill all mixed together. Whatever the night held, she knew one thing for certain, it was going to be unforgettable.

The Mikaelson mansion was alive with activity as Athena arrived. The grand estate was illuminated with twinkling lights, with cars coming and going with guests arriving in droves. As Athena walked up the path, she caught sight of a familiar face—Elena Gilbert, the doppelganger everyone seemed so obsessed with.

Elena was dressed in an opulent gown that accentuated her delicate features and petite frame. The bodice was a masterpiece of intricate beadwork and lace, fitted perfectly to highlight her silhouette, while the full skirt cascaded around her in layers of shimmering fabric. The dark tones of the dress contrasted beautifully with her skin, giving her an almost regal appearance. A dark shawl draped over her shoulders completed the ensemble, adding a touch of old-world elegance to her look. Athena could immediately understand why so many eyes were on her.

"Miss Gilbert," Athena called out gently as she approached. Elena turned

Elena turned at the sound of her name, her eyes widening slightly as she took in the sight of the nephilim. "Yes?" she replied, a touch of curiosity in her voice.

Athena smiled warmly as she reached her. "You must be the doppelganger I've been hearing so much about. I'm Athena Mourningstar."

Recognition flickered in Elena's eyes as she nodded. “Athena… the angel I've heard about from Alaric and Damon.”

Athena let out a soft, nervous laugh. "I hope it was all good things."

Elena smiled, her expression softening. "From what I understand, you wanted to help my friends. So, thank you for that."

As they walked together toward the mansion's entrance, Elena asked, "Can you tell what you think of the Originals? You've known them the longest, correct?"

Athena's smile deepened as memories of her years with the Mikaelson's flickered in her mind. "They're my friends, though I'm well aware of how complicated and dysfunctional their family can be. Despite all the backstabbing and pain they inflict on each other, they'll be there for one another. No matter how bad things get, I won't abandon them."

When they reached the mansion's steps, the grand doors swung open, and the doormen on either side greeted them with a nod. Inside, the mansion was a spectacle of opulence. The entrance hall was adorned with soft, glowing fairy lights that twinkled along the railings of the grand staircase. The room was filled with guests dressed in their finest attire, and servers moved gracefully among them, offering champagne on silver platters.

Athena handed her light shawl to a woman by the door and took in the lavish surroundings. To her left, Stefan Salvatore appeared, dressed sharply in a tuxedo with a black bow tie . Elena sighed in exasperation when she saw him. "What are you doing here?" she asked, a hint of irritation in her voice.

"I could ask you the same thing," Stefan replied, his gaze sharp and judgmental.

"Surprise, surprise," Damon muttered as he came to a stop beside Athena. “Nice tux,” he added, addressing his brother before turning to Elena. "You're not supposed to be here."

"I'm not leaving until I find out what Esther wants," Elena muttered defiantly.

Athena gently touched Elena's arm, stopping her before she could walk away. "Esther's here?" Athena asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"What do you know of her?" Stefan asked, turning his attention to Athena.

Athena sighed softly. "Well, for one, she's one of the most powerful witches I’ve ever met. Second, she's an overprotective matriarch, and I wouldn’t trust her for a second."

"What makes you say that?" Elena asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Ever since I met her, I've had this gut feeling, a warning to keep an eye out. It’s hard to explain, but when my gut tells me something, I listen."

"See? Even the angel thinks what you're doing is stupid," Damon quipped, finally taking a moment to fully appreciate how stunning Athena looked.

The nephilim shot him a playful glare. "I never said it was stupid, Damon. I'm just saying to be careful." Her eyes then softened as they moved to Elena

Elena squared her shoulders, fixation etched on her face. "Well, I'm going to talk to her, and none of you can change my mind. So, shall we?"

Stefan immediately offered Elena his arm, which she accepted. Not to be outdone, Damon extended his arm to Athena, a silent challenge to his brother. The nephilim smirked as she accepted his arm, and they walked further into the entrance hall together. “Why did you come?” Damon asked as they moved through the crowd.

"I hadn't heard anything back from the Originals ever since that night at dinner, I was worried," Athena admitted with a sigh. "Besides, Klaus invited me."

Damon stopped in his tracks. "He invited you?" He looked down at her dress as realisation dawned on him. "And he gave you something to wear?"

"What? Don't tell me you're jealous because you weren't gifted a beautiful dress," Athena teased with a playful smile.

"No, but doesn't that strike you as creepy?" Damon replied, a hint of concern in his voice.

"He's my friend, sweetie. If you're feeling left out, I could give you a gift," Athena smiled, a teasing glint in her eyes.

Damon raised an eyebrow, surprised by her words. "What, so now we're friends?"

The nephilim shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm growing to like you, platonically, that is. Trust me or don't, it's up to you. If you're not ready to be friends, then just think of me as that annoying little angel on your shoulder." She grinned as she wiped an imaginary speck from his lapel before tapping it twice.

Before Damon could respond, Athena walked off to get a drink, leaving him momentarily speechless, watching her retreat with a newfound admiration and a smirk on his face.

As she made her way to the drinks table, Athena noticed Elena standing there, her expression troubled as she fiddled with the glove on her hand.

"What’s wrong?" Athena asked softly, concern lacing her voice.

Elena sighed, her eyes downcast. "Why did they come?" she muttered, clearly frustrated. "What business would they have here even if I didn’t show up?"

As she made her way to the drinks table, Athena noticed Elena standing there, she could immediately sense that something was bothering the doppelganger. The younger woman was fidgeting with her glove, her brow furrowed in frustration. Athena's keen intuition told her that the doppelganger was struggling with more than just the typical party nerves.

"What's wrong?" Athena asked gently, her eyes scanning Elena's face for clues.

Elena sighed deeply, her voice laced with exasperation. "Why did they come?" she muttered, almost to herself. "What business would they have here even if I didn’t show up?"

Athena could feel the tension rolling off Elena in waves. "Probably to find out what the Mikaelsons are up to or something," she replied softly, was well aware of the deep-seated animosity between the Salvatores and the Mikaelsons.

Before they could grab their champagne, a man suddenly stepped in front of them. He was tall, with a commanding presence, and he smoothly took the two glasses from the table, handing one to each of the women.

"Elena Gilbert, I presume?" the man addressed Elena directly, his voice cool and calm. "I'm Finn Mikaelson," he introduced himself, a slight hint of old-world politeness in his demeanor. "You're here to see my mother."

Elena's eyes narrowed slightly as she sought confirmation. "Is she here?"

Finn's expression didn't change as he answered, "Her request did not include your friends."

"They're protecting me," Elena said, her voice firm. "You may not know, but your mother's already tried to kill me once."

Finn's face remained impassive. "If you want to see my mother, you'll need to be alone." His tone left little room for argument.

Then, his gaze softened as he turned to Athena. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Athena, it’s been too long."

"It has," Athena replied warmly, her smile genuine. "It's good to see you again, Finn. You look well."

Finn’s smile faltered, a shadow crossing his features. "The word 'well' being the understatement of the centuries," he said, a bitter edge to his voice. The weight of his long isolation still hung heavily over him, and the nephilim could see the pain lingering in his eyes. Instinctively, she reached out and placed a comforting hand on his arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze, her eyes filled with empathy.

As her fingers brushed against his arm, Athena was suddenly hit with a vision. The images flashed before her eyes—Esther and Elena in a dimly lit room, the air thick with tension. Esther's voice echoed ominously in her mind, "I've gathered them together to perform a ritual…" her voice fades but resurfaces. "It will be in the champagne toast later this evening…" Athena saw flashes of images; Esther pricked Elena's finger, letting a droplet of blood fall into a chalice. "This will link my children all together, if one goes, they all go" the sentence now being replaced by a new one "...they are an abomination."

The vision left Athena reeling, her head throbbing with a dull ache. She blinked rapidly, forcing herself to remain composed. She couldn't afford to reveal her distress—not here, not now. With a deep breath, she took a sip of her champagne, the cool liquid helping to ground her.

"Uh, if everyone could gather, please," Elijah's voice suddenly rang out, drawing the attention of the crowd. The authoritative yet elegant tone left no room for hesitation.

"Excuse me," Finn said to Athena, his demeanor shifting back to polite formality. He placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her a brief smile before moving to join his siblings, who were now gathering on one side of the grand staircase.

Athena and Elena followed the movement in the room, positioning themselves to get a better view. From the second floor, Esther appeared, her presence commanding as she descended the stairs. The grand matriarch looked every bit the powerful witch she was, her eyes scanning the crowd with a serene yet calculating gaze. She stopped beside Kol, who stood near the top of the staircase, followed by Klaus, Rebekah, Elijah, and finally Finn, who had taken his place beside them.

Athena's eyes drifted over the Mikaelson siblings, noting how impeccably dressed they were. Rebekah was stunning in a dark green gown that highlighted her striking features, her hair smoothed back to reveal her elegant neckline. The brothers were equally dashing, each wearing sharp suits with bow ties, though Klaus stood out with his white bow tie—a subtle yet unmistakable difference.

Athena couldn't help but feel her heart skip a beat as her gaze landed on Klaus. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, and a light blush crept up her cheeks. This was the first time she had seen him in a suit, and the sight left her momentarily breathless. Klaus, too, seemed to be searching the crowd, and when their eyes finally met, he offered her a small, genuine smile. Athena returned the smile, but it quickly faded as the memory of her vision resurfaced. She needed to warn them—warn him—before it was too late.

"Welcome," Elijah's voice broke through her thoughts. He was addressing the room with the calm authority that was so characteristic of him. "Thank you for joining us. You know, whenever our mother brings our family together like this, it's tradition for us to commence the evening with a dance. Tonight's pick is a centuries-old waltz. So, if all of you could please find yourselves a partner, please join us in the ballroom."

As Elijah finished speaking, the siblings began to descend the staircase, but the nephilim's gaze remained locked on Esther, unable to shake the feeling of dread that had settled in the pit of her stomach. What Esther had said about her own children in the vision sickened her to the core.

"Don't even think about it," Damon's voice suddenly cut through her thoughts. Athena turned to see Elena was about to head up the stairs before being stopped by the vampire.

"She wants to see me alone, Damon," Elena replied, her voice steady.

"Well, it sucks to be her then. Was I not clear this morning?" Damon retorted, his frustration evident.

"I was invited," Elena shot back, her stubbornness flaring.

"You have to tell me before you walk into a lion’s den," Damon whispered harshly, his voice laced with concern.

"Why? So that you can stop me?" Elena’s tone was sharp, bordering on accusatory.

"Yes," Damon said firmly, his protective instincts kicking in.

"Damon’s right, Elena," Athena murmured, stepping closer to them. Her quiet words caught both of their attention. Athena didn't want to cause a scene, especially not in front of the Mikaelsons, so she offered a compromise. "It would be rude not to dance, especially if you plan to talk to her now."

"Took the words right out of my mouth," Damon smirked, clearly relieved that Athena was on his side.

Elena hesitated for a moment, looking between Damon and Athena, before finally nodding. "Fine, but I'm not letting this go," she warned.

Damon offered his arm to Athena and Elena. "Shall we?"

They both took his arm, but the nephilim still had her mind racing with the implications of her vision. As they made their way toward the ballroom, she couldn't help but think back to Klaus, her heart heavy with the burden of what she knew.

As everyone gathered in the grand ballroom, Athena stood to the side, her mind racing as she tried to figure out who among the Original siblings she should talk to about the troubling vision that had plagued her earlier. The room was alive with the sounds of elegant chatter, laughter, and the soft strains of music that filled the air. Despite the grandeur of the scene, Athena couldn't shake the sense of foreboding that clung to her.

Her eyes scanned the room, noting the presence of four of the Mikaelson siblings—Elijah, Rebekah, Kol, and Finn—all immersed in conversation or the preparations for the dance. But there was one notable absence. Klaus. The realisation that Klaus was nowhere to be seen only heightened her concern. Where could he be, and why wasn't he here?

Her gaze lingered on Elijah, who was engaged in conversation with a woman across the room. He was the one she trusted most in this room, the one who might understand the gravity of her vision. Without hesitation, Athena made her way over to him, her movements graceful but purposeful.

"Elijah," she called softly as she approached, her voice drawing his attention away from his companion. "Care to be my dance partner this evening?"

Elijah turned to face her, and for a brief moment, his usually composed expression softened with awe. There was something about Athena that captivated him—the way her white dress seemed to radiate light, her very presence illuminating the room. His admiration for her was evident in the gentle smile that played on his lips.

"Of course," he replied, his tone warm as he offered her his hand. Athena accepted it graciously, her hand fitting into his, delicate and warm against his cool skin.

As he led her to the dance floor, Athena couldn’t help but feel a twinge of nervousness. "I must warn you, she confessed with a light laugh," I'm not a great dancer."

Elijah's smile widened, his eyes crinkling slightly at the corners. "Don't worry, I believe you will do just fine. Just follow my lead," he reassured her, taking his place as he linked their hands together.

The music began, a slow, elegant waltz that dictated their steps. They moved in unison with the rest of the dancers, progressing slowly forward in a line to the rhythm of the music. Athena focused intently on every step, determined not to misstep or, heaven forbid, step on Elijah's feet. The thought made her smile inwardly, though she kept her concentration.

When the time came for them to face each other more directly, Elijah wrapped his arm securely around her upper back, his hand firm yet gentle.  The nephilim's hand met his, and her other hand found its place on his shoulder. The two of them moved together as if they had been dancing partners for years, their steps perfectly in sync. “You look stunning,” Elijah remarked, his voice low and sincere as he gazed at her.

Athena smiled, a hint of laughter in her eyes. "You can thank Klaus for that," she said, her tone lighthearted. The mention of Klaus brought a slight warmth to Elijah's smile, though it was tinged with curiosity.

"Do you care for him?" Elijah asked, his question direct but not unkind.

Athena hesitated, her eyes searching his face as she considered her answer. "I care for all of you," she replied, hoping to avoid the deeper implications of his question. But Elijah's knowing gaze seemed to penetrate her defenses, compelling her to continue.

She sighed softly, her breath a little shaky as she admitted, "I don't know. I think so? I've known him for so long. But when I left and thought he—you all—were dead, he changed so much. There's more hatred in him now, more violence, but also more pain and loneliness. I don't wish to see him as a bad person. He can be frustrating at times, but he still has that kindness in him."

Elijah listened intently, his expression warm and understanding. He appreciated the depth of her feelings, the way she saw beyond Klaus's more volatile nature to the pain that drove him. "You see the good in him," Elijah said softly, a note of admiration in his voice.

But the warmth of the moment was short-lived as Athena's thoughts returned to the vision. The worry that had been simmering beneath the surface now threatened to overwhelm her. Elijah noticed the shift in her demeanor, the way her focus drifted as if she was troubled by something unseen. "What's on your mind?" he asked gently, his concern evident.

Athena blinked, surprised by his perceptiveness. "What do you mean?" she asked, attempting to feign ignorance.

"Athena, I've known you for a long time," Elijah said, his voice steady. "I know when something is troubling you."

Athena bit her lip, torn between wanting to confide in him and the fear of being overheard in a room full of vampires. She decided to take a more cautious approach. Their hands were still interlinked, and she allowed her fingertips to glow ever so slightly, a soft pulse of divine magic coursing through them as she used telepathy to speak directly to his mind.

“I can't tell you here. Someone could be listening. Meet me in the library," she conveyed silently, her voice echoing in his mind.

Elijah's eyes flickered with understanding, and he gave her a barely perceptible nod. Just then, the music shifted, signaling a change in partners as the dance progressed. Athena saw this as the perfect opportunity to slip away, her concern for Klaus gnawing at her insides.

"I'm going to look for Klaus," she whispered to Elijah, using the transition to excuse herself from the dance.

Elijah watched her go, his mind already working through the implications of her message. As Athena moved gracefully through the room, her heart pounded with urgency. She had to find Klaus, and she had to warn him—before it was too late.

Chapter Text

Klaus Mikaelson was not a man accustomed to fear

At least, not the kind of fear that could unnerve him. He had ruled over others with an iron fist, his name alone capable of sending shivers down the spines of those who heard it. He had single-handedly slaughtered entire villages, left trails of devastation in his wake, and yet, here he was, feeling an unsettling vulnerability that he had not known in centuries. It all stemmed from one person. Athena Mourningstar.

Normally, Klaus prided himself on his confidence, his ability to control every situation, to manipulate those around him like pieces on a chessboard. But tonight, as he wandered the corridors of the grand Mikaelson estate, he found himself avoiding the very person who had made him feel something other than anger or hatred in a long, long time. If his siblings knew of his hesitation, they would surely mock him. He could already hear Rebekah's teasing remarks, see Kol's devilish grin, and feel Elijah's piercing, knowing gaze. Elijah, especially, would see right through him. Klaus suspected that his older brother had already discerned the truth—that Klaus hadn't approached Athena this evening because he was afraid of what she might see in him.

The idea that Elijah might make an advance on Athena in his absence filled Klaus with a smoldering resentment. Not towards Elijah, but towards himself, for letting his insecurities hold him back. But what Klaus didn't realise was that Elijah viewed Athena as a close trusted friend, someone he respected and admired, but not someone he loved romantically.

When Klaus had ascended the staircase earlier, following Elijah's announcement of the evening's dance, his breath had caught in his throat at the sight of her. There she stood, resplendent in the dress he had commissioned for her, a vision of ethereal beauty that made his heart stutter. The dress fit her perfectly, shimmering like starlight, accentuating every graceful curve, making her look like the angel she was rumored to be. But it wasn't just her appearance that had captivated him. It was the way she smiled at him from across the room, the way her eyes met his with a warmth that made him feel something he hadn't allowed himself to feel in centuries, hope.

In that moment, Klaus saw her in a new light. She wasn't just the enigmatic figure from his past; she was Athena, a being of strength and grace, someone who had lived through the same centuries of pain and loss as he had. She was the only person left from his time who wasn't related to him, someone who truly understood what it was like to live through the ages, to watch the world change while remaining the same.

The instant Finn, Kol, and Rebekah realised that Athena was still alive, they too had been shocked and intrigued. It was rare for the Originals to find someone who shared their memories of a world long gone, someone who knew them before they became the monsters they were today.

Klaus felt a deep, almost primal desire to make her his, to claim her as his own. But he knew that being assertive wouldn't get him anywhere with Athena. She was not someone who could be bullied or manipulated. He respected her too much for that, and he feared that if he pushed too hard, he would drive her away. He knew she was strong—perhaps even stronger than him. She was gentle, patient, and kind in ways he hadn't been in centuries. She tried to see the good in people, even in him, and that alone was enough to make him feel something he hadn't felt in years, a sense of worth. He enjoyed her remarks, even when they were infuriating. They reminded him of the person he used to be, before the weight of immortality had hardened his heart. He found himself wanting to be better around her, to be someone worthy of her company.

As Klaus stood in his hobby room, contemplating these thoughts, he heard the faint sound of footsteps approaching. He perked up, setting down the drink he had been nursing, and turned away from the canvas he had been working on. His heart quickened, his mind racing with the possibility that it could be her.

The door to the room creaked open, and there she was. Athena stepped in, her presence filling the room with a warmth that seemed to chase away the shadows. She closed the door behind her, her gaze locking onto his as she smiled softly.

"There you are," she said, her voice soft but clear. "I've been looking for you."

Klaus felt his breath hitch, his heart pounding in his chest. He forced himself to remain calm, to keep his expression neutral, but inside, he was anything but. The sight of her standing there, so close, made him want to close the distance between them, to say something—anything—that would express the tumult of emotions swirling within him. But instead, he simply nodded, his voice betraying nothing as he replied, "Athena." He paused, searching for the right words. "I didn't expect you to come looking for me."

Athena's smile widened slightly as she stepped closer, her eyes never leaving his. "I could say the same," she responded, her tone light, but Klaus could sense the undercurrent of concern in her voice. "You weren't at the dance. I thought I might find you here."

He glanced away, his gaze drifting back to the canvas he had abandoned. "I needed a moment to myself," he admitted, though it was only half the truth. The other half was that he hadn't known how to approach her, hadn't wanted to risk revealing too much of himself.

Athena followed his gaze to the painting, her brow furrowing slightly in thought. "I understand," she said after a moment, her voice gentle. Then, as if remembering something, she turned towards the corner of the room, waving her hand to dispel a cloaking spell. In an instant, a canvas materialised, previously hidden from view. She walked over to it, her expression a mix of excitement and nervousness.

"I've finished the painting," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of embarrassment as she grabbed the canvas, holding it against her chest to keep the image hidden.

"You used magic to hide it from me?" Klaus asked, a trace of amusement in his voice.

"I didn't want you to see it until it was finished," Athena replied, her cheeks flushing slightly as she finally revealed the painting to him.

Klaus' eyes widened in surprise as he took in the image before him. The serene house in a clearing, surrounded by tall trees with sunlight streaming through the leaves. Off to the side, a small group of people were having a picnic. The colours were soft, the lines delicate, capturing the tranquility of the scene in a way that made it feel almost otherworldly. It was beautiful, peaceful—a stark contrast to the darkness that so often filled his life.

Athena handed him the painting, her hands shaking slightly. "Here. It's for you."

Klaus looked at her, his expression softening as a wave of emotion washed over him. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice gentle, as if he couldn't quite believe she was giving him something so precious.

She nodded, but her smile soon faded as the weight of what had brought her here settled over her once more. "Klaus," she began, her voice tinged with urgency. "I need to tell you something important."

Klaus's concern returned in full force, his eyes searching hers for any hint of what was troubling her. "What is it?" he asked, his tone serious.

Athena glanced around the room, as if ensuring they were truly alone, before meeting his gaze once more. "Follow me to the library," she said, her voice steady but laced with a tension that set Klaus on edge.

Athena paced back and forth in the dimly lit library, her mind racing as she tried to figure out how to break the news to Klaus and Elijah. The lights cast long shadows across the room, the heavy scent of aged books and polished wood surrounding them. Klaus leaned against the fireplace, watching her intently, his eyes narrowing as he tried to decipher what had her so rattled.

"You're going to wear out your shoes, love," Klaus remarked with a smirk, his voice breaking the tense silence. His attempt at humor fell flat as Athena simply shot him a glance before collapsing into a single sofa, her leg still tapping anxiously. She was lost in thought, trying to find the right words, the right approach to explain the dark vision she had witnessed.

Just as she was about to speak, the door creaked open, and Elijah stepped into the room, his presence as composed and regal as always. Athena shot up from her seat, moving quickly to close the door behind him. Without hesitation, she raised her hands and muttered a short incantation under her breath. A soft hum of energy filled the room, and Klaus straightened, his curiosity piqued.

"What are you doing?" Elijah asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"Silent spell on the room," Athena replied, her tone brisk as she finished the incantation. "I don't want anyone overhearing what we're about to discuss."

Klaus pushed himself off the fireplace and took a step closer to her, his eyes narrowing. "What took you so long?" she asked Elijah, the tension in her voice clear.

Elijah sighed, his expression turning serious. "I heard our mother requested an audience with Elena. I was attempting to discern what her intentions might be."

Klaus crossed his arms over his chest, his tone laced with suspicion as he interrupted, "So, you went to get your hands on her before our mother could?"

Athena's gaze flicked between the two brothers, sensing the animosity building between them. She couldn't let their old grudges get in the way of what needed to be discussed. "What did you say to her?" she asked Elijah, her voice firm.

Elijah met her gaze steadily. "I simply asked her to tell me what our mother will tell her. Esther's ability to forgive Niklaus after everything he's done to this family strikes me as a little... strange."

Klaus's jaw tightened at Elijah's words. Despite the centuries of betrayals, hearing it from his brother still cut deep. "And what makes you believe I'm not capable of forgiveness, brother?" Klaus' tone was sharp, his annoyance evident.

Sensing the tension rising between them, Athena quickly intervened, her voice calm but urgent. "You're right about one thing, Elijah," she said, drawing their attention back to her. Both brothers turned to face her, their expressions shifting from anger to concern. "Esther is up to something."

The room fell silent as Athena began to recount the vision she had witnessed. She didn't leave out a single detail, her voice steady as she described how Esther planned to bind her children together with a spell that would link their lives. If one of them were to die, they would all die. And it would all begin with the ritual Esther intended to perform using the essence of Elena's blood and finish with the toast.

As Athena spoke, Klaus' expression darkened. His eyes flashed with a dangerous light, his fists clenching at his sides. "I'm going to rip her heart out," he hissed, his voice low and filled with barely restrained rage.

Before he could storm out of the room, Athena stepped in front of him, placing a hand on his chest. The touch was gentle, yet firm, her eyes locking onto his with a soothing intensity. "Hey, you don't want to do that," she said softly, her voice a calming balm to his fury. "We have the element of surprise here, Sweetie. Just, breathe." Klaus glared down at her, his chest heaving as he struggled to rein in his anger. But as he looked into her eyes, the wildness in him began to ebb, her words cutting through the haze of his fury. She was right; if he acted rashly, they would lose any advantage they had.

"Athena's right," Elijah added, his voice calm and measured. He stepped closer to his brother, "we can't arouse suspicion. For now, we'll play along with her game. But we must be prepared. The moment we have an opening, we will act."

Klaus took a deep breath, his gaze shifting between Athena and Elijah. He hated feeling like he was being manipulated, especially by someone he had once considered a loving mother. But he knew that Elijah and Athena were right. They needed to be smart about this, to strike when the time was right. Finally, Klaus nodded, though his expression remained hard. "Fine. We play along," he agreed, though the venom in his voice made it clear that he would make Esther pay for her betrayal. "But mark my words, brother. If our mother attempts to harm us, I will not hesitate."

Elijah inclined his head in agreement. "Nor will I, Niklaus."

The tension in the entrance hall was palpable as everyone gathered once more, their faces masked with a mixture of suspicion and unease. Athena stood close to Klaus, sensing the storm of emotions brewing within him. He stared daggers at his mother, who was poised and serene, the very picture of composure, as she made her way down the stairs stopping halfway.

Elijah moved over to Elena, clearly intending to continue their conversation from earlier. Athena could feel the tension radiating off Klaus, his anger a living, breathing thing beside her. She nudged his shoulder lightly, trying to snap him out of it. "Stop staring," she murmured softly, her voice low enough for only him to hear.

Klaus tore his gaze away from his mother just long enough to glance at Athena, his eyes filled with a mix of frustration and despair. "How would you feel if you found out that your own mother wanted to kill you?" he retorted, his voice thick with bitterness.

Athena's expression softened as she considered his words. She thought about the parents she never knew, wondered what they might have been like, what kind of people they were. She wondered who had been the angel and who had been the human in their relationship—if it even was a relationship. But she didn't dwell on the thought for long, focusing instead on calming Klaus. "Well, for starters, I wouldn't be making a tantrum in front of the whole town," she said, trying to lighten the mood.

Klaus scoffed at her, though his irritation was lessening. Their eyes locked, the tension between them simmering with unspoken feelings. Just as Klaus was about to respond, Esther's voice cut through the murmur of the crowd, silencing everyone as she clincked her glass to gain their attention.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," Esther announced, her voice carrying across the room with effortless grace. "Waiters are coming around with champagne." She scanned the room, her gaze settling briefly on Klaus, her expression unreadable. A waiter approached, and Athena plucked two glasses from the tray, handing one to Klaus. He hesitated for a moment before taking it, his face set in a serious expression, aware that he needed to play along.

Esther raised her glass, and everyone followed suit. "I invite you all to join me in raising a glass," she continued, her tone saccharine. "It provides me with no greater joy than to see my family back together as one." Klaus forced a smile, though the bitterness in his eyes betrayed his true feelings.

"I'd like to thank you all for being part of this spectacular evening. Cheers." Esther's voice was smooth, but Klaus could hear the underlying deception. He mimicked the action of taking a drink, but Athena, standing beside him, could feel the tension radiating off him.

As the guests began to mingle once more, Athena noticed Klaus becoming increasingly agitated. Wanting to ease his mind, she reached over and took his glass from him, setting both their glasses on a passing waitress' tray. Without a word, she took his hand and led him away from the crowd, her steps purposeful.

"What are you doing?" Klaus asked, a mixture of curiosity and amusement in his voice as she led him into a quieter room nearby.

Still holding his hand, Athena turned to face him, placing his other hand at the small of her back and her own hand on his shoulder. "Stop talking and dance with me," she said, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

Klaus chuckled softly, a genuine smile breaking through his brooding expression. "There's no music," he pointed out, though he made no move to pull away.

"Are you scared people will see and think you're weird for dancing with a beautiful woman without music?" she teased, her laugh light and infectious.

Klaus couldn't help but laugh with her, and soon enough, they began to sway gently together. The absence of music made the moment feel all the more intimate, as if they were in their own little world, where nothing and no one else mattered. Athena leaned her head against his chest, feeling the steady, comforting rhythm of his heartbeat. She smiled to herself, relishing in the rare, peaceful moment.

For Klaus, time seemed to stop. All the anger, all the confusion melted away as he held her close, savoring the warmth of her presence. But then, his body stiffened as his vampire hearing picked up on something faint yet troubling.

"What is it?" Athena asked, concern lacing her voice as she looked up at him.

"I don't know," he murmured, his brow furrowing in concentration as he gently pulled away from her and began moving toward the entrance.

Athena followed Klaus, her heart pounding as they reached the entrance hall, where the commotion had grown louder. They stepped outside just as Stefan rushed out, his face a mask of disbelief as he saw Damon standing over Kol's unconscious body.

"Damon!" Stefan rebuked, his voice thick with shock. "Are you crazy?"

Damon's expression was one of cold fury, his anger barely contained as he looked between his brother and Elena. "Maybe a little," he spat, the venom in his voice undeniable. "Far be it for me to cause a problem." He cast one more look at Elena, then turned away, speeding off into the night before anyone could stop him.

Finn and Elijah moved quickly to retrieve Kol's limp body, their expressions grim. Athena's attention was suddenly drawn to a blond man descending the steps, cradling his hand in pain. Recognising him as Rebekah's dance partner, her instincts as a doctor kicked in immediately.

"Are you okay? What happened?" Athena asked, her voice laced with concern as she approached the man.

"He broke my hand" the man muttered, nodding toward Kol. His hand was bent at an unnatural angle, swollen and discoloured. Despite the obvious pain, the man seemed more annoyed than anything, indicating that he was well aware of the supernatural situation unfolding before him.

"Let me take a look," Athena offered gently, extending her hand. The man hesitated for a moment, distrust flickering in his eyes. Seeing this, Athena added, "I'm a doctor. I've seen much worse. I can help."

Reluctantly, the man handed her his injured hand. The nephilim focused her magic, her palm glowing with a soft, divine light that emanated warmth and healing. As the bones in the man's hand realigned and mended, the pain faded, leaving him looking at Athena in awe. "What kind of doctor are you?" he asked, disbelief and gratitude mingling in his tone.

"A good one," Athena replied with a small smile before stepping back, her gaze moving to where Elijah and Finn were now lifting Kol's body.

With the night's events coming to a close, Athena said her goodbyes to Elena and Stefan, who seemed more concerned about Damon than anything else. She then turned and walked back to where Klaus stood, his expression dark and contemplative.

"I'm sorry," Athena said softly as she approached Klaus. "I don't want to speak badly about Kol, but it looked like Damon was trying to defend that man."

Klaus remained silent for a moment, the tension between them thick as he mulled over her words. Finally, he let out a sigh, the weight of the night's events pressing down on him. "It's not your fault Kol was being his reckless self, love," he said quietly, his gaze softening as he looked at her.

There was a brief silence, the weight of the evening's events pressing down on them both. Finally, Athena sighed, feeling the exhaustion of the night settle in. "I have to go. I've got an early shift in the morning."

Klaus looked at her, his gaze softening as he took her hand in his. He lifted it to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. "Goodnight, Athena," he murmured, his voice filled with a tenderness that made her heart skip a beat.

"Goodnight, Klaus," Athena replied, her voice soft as she turned to leave. As she walked away, the hybrid watched her go, his heart heavy with the emotions he had kept at bay all evening. He knew one thing for certain, whatever this was between them, it was growing stronger with each passing moment, and he couldn't ignore it any longer.

Athena walked into the hospital room, her heart heavy with the usual mixture of empathy and professionalism she carried into every patient interaction. The small girl in the bed, no older than seven, looked up at her with wide, tear-filled eyes. Her arm was encased in a temporary splint, and beside her sat her father, his face etched with worry and exhaustion. Athena glanced at the X-rays in her hand and offered them a warm, reassuring smile as she approached.

"Hello, Megan," Athena greeted the little girl gently, kneeling down to be at eye level with her. "I'm Dr. Mourningstar. I see you've had a bit of an adventure today." Megan nodded timidly, her eyes flicking to her father, who gave her an encouraging smile.

Athena then turned her attention to the father, her expression compassionate. "I'm going to need to push the bone back into place before we put the plaster cast on. Unfortunately, we can't use any pain medication because of her age and the nature of the break. But I promise, we'll make it as quick as possible."

The father swallowed hard and nodded, holding Megan's hand a little tighter." Okay, just... please, be gentle."

Athena gave him a reassuring nod, her hand hovering over the little girl's arm. Megan started to whimper, tears welling up in her eyes as the reality of what was about to happen sank in.

"Daddy, I want Mommy," Megan sobbed, clinging to her father's arm. Athena's heart ached at the child's plea, and she saw the father's face twist in pain. A quick glance at Megan's medical history had already informed her that the mother was no longer in the picture.

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart," the father murmured, his voice breaking slightly. "Mommy's not here, but I am, and we'll get through this together."

As Athena prepared to set the bone, she leaned in closer to Megan, her voice soft and soothing. "You know, when I was little, my mom used to give me a kiss whenever I was hurt. She always told me it was a special kind of magic, the kind that makes all the pain go away. And I have a feeling your daddy has that same magic."

Megan looked up at her father, her tear-filled eyes wide with hope. Athena gave the father a slight nod, prompting him to place a gentle kiss on his daughter's forehead. As he did, Athena discreetly pressed her fingers against Megan's broken arm, channeling a small burst of her divine magic to numb the pain.

Megan's sobs subsided into soft whimpers, her body relaxing slightly as the pain ebbed away. "That's it, sweetie, you're doing so well," Athena praised, quickly but gently aligning the bone and securing it in place with the plaster cast.

"There we go," Athena said with a smile, standing back up. "Now, this cast needs to stay on for about six to eight weeks. I'll book a follow-up in three weeks from now to see how it's healing.

The father looked at her with immense gratitude, his voice choked with emotion."Thank you, Doctor. Really... thank you."

Athena gave them both a warm smile. "It's my pleasure. You two take care, okay?"

As she left the room she made her way to the nurses' station, hoping for a brief moment of respite before continuing her rounds. But before she could reach the station, a nurse stopped her.

"Dr. Mourningstar, someone's here to see you," the nurse informed her.

Athena frowned, a sense of unease creeping in. "Who is it?"

Before the nurse could answer, a familiar voice echoed behind Athena, sending a chill down her spine. "That would be me."

Athena turned slowly, her heart dropping as she came face to face with Esther Mikaelson. The Original witch smiled serenely, her presence as unsettling as ever. Athena's mind raced—did Esther know that she had warned Klaus and Elijah about her plans? Was this a confrontation? But before she could speak, Esther continued. "It's been so long, Athena," Esther said, her tone almost friendly. "I thought we might catch up. I understand your lunch break is coming up. Why don't we have lunch together?"

Athena's heart pounded in her chest. She knew she couldn't refuse Esther without risking harm to the people in the hospital. Forcing a polite smile, Athena nodded. "Of course, that sounds... nice."

Esther's smile widened, but there was a coldness behind it that sent a shiver down Athena's spine. "Wonderful. Let's go, then."

Athena found herself back at the Mikaelson mansion, her discomfort growing with every step. The house was eerily quiet, the usual bustle of the Mikaelson family noticeably absent. As they entered, Finn was the one to greet them at the door, his expression unreadable.

"Why here?" Athena asked, trying to keep her voice steady. "We could have just gone to the Grill."

Esther glanced at Finn before turning her gaze back to Athena, her smile never wavering. "I wanted to have a private conversation, my dear." the nephilim followed Esther to a room "Come, sit." Athena hesitated, but when Finn moved to block the doorway, she knew she had no choice. She reluctantly made her way to the couch, where a table had been set with an elaborate array of food. It felt wrong, sitting there in her scrubs, surrounded by the trappings of wealth and power.

Esther poured a cup of tea and handed it to Athena, who accepted it gratefully. The warmth of the cup in her hands was oddly comforting, even as her mind screamed that something was very wrong. "It's lovely to see you again after a millennia," Esther said, her voice dripping with a nostalgia that felt anything but genuine.

The nephilim forced a smile. "It's good to see you too," she lied, taking a sip of the tea.

Esther studied her for a moment before speaking again. "You must be wondering how I'm alive, after everything Klaus did to me."

Athena nodded, keeping her expression neutral. "Yes, I thought he... killed you."

The witches smile turned slightly predatory. "When I died, a witch named Ayana preserved my body with a spell. She was a close friend, you see. But I suspect you already knew that, given what you are."

Athena felt her heart skip a beat. She tried to play dumb, shaking her head slightly. "I don't understand where you're coming from."

Esther stood up, slowly circling Athena like a predator stalking its prey. "Oh, but you do, I've been watching you, my dear. From the other side, I've seen what you are, you're not of this world and possess magic more powerful than anything I've ever encountered. A nephilim, or to the werewolves, the wolfstar who could wipe this entire town off the map if she wished." Athena's blood ran cold. She knew Esther was powerful, but hearing the truth spoken aloud, especially in such a dangerous context, made her realise just how precarious her situation was.

"Tonight's a full moon," Esther continued, her voice calm and measured. "and I need to harness the energy of this celestial event. And it would be an honor to have a Nephilim like you participate in my ritual."

Athena's heart raced as she began to understand the real reason Esther had brought her here. She stood up slowly, her eyes darting to the door, only to find Finn standing there, his gaze avoiding hers. "What ritual?" Athena asked, trying to keep her voice steady as if this was information she would be hearing for the first time.

Esther's expression darkened, her true intentions slipping through her mask of civility. "When I turned my children into vampires, I didn't expect them to become such abominations. They are a disgrace to nature itself, they've spilled innocent blood for centuries. And now, I must make it right by the spirits—by killing them."

Athena's eyes flared with disgust, her fear momentarily forgotten. "Are you fucking serious? I would never turn my back on them," she spat, her gaze flicking to Finn, who had the decency to look slightly ashamed.

Esther sighed, her expression one of resigned disappointment. "I had a feeling you would say that. The time you've spent with my children has blinded you to their monstrosities."

Suddenly, Athena's vision began to blur, and her head spun. She struggled to stay on her feet, her magic flaring instinctively in an attempt to fight off whatever was happening to her.

"What did you do to me?" Athena demanded, her voice slurred as she fought to stay conscious.

"Nothing to fear, dear. This will only put you to sleep," Esther said, her voice distant as Athena's vision darkened. "You'll wake tomorrow morning, your purpose served."

Athena felt herself falling, her body hitting the floor with a dull thud. She tried to stay awake, to fight, but the darkness was too strong. The last thing she heard was Esther's cold voice giving orders.

"Take her to the burial ground."

Athena was adrift in a sea of darkness, the tendrils of unconsciousness wrapping around her like a suffocating blanket. But beneath the stillness, a cacophony of whispers grew louder and louder, filling her mind with desperate pleas. The voices were unfamiliar, fragmented, echoing over and over again. "Save them... save them... save them..."

Each repetition grew more urgent until, suddenly, the final whisper came in a voice she recognized as her own. "Save them," it commanded, and with a jolt, Athena's eyes flew open.

Her surroundings were dim and cold, the scent of damp earth filling her nostrils. She realised she was in a basement, perhaps the cellar of an old building. The remnants of the spell Esther had cast still clung to her, making her feel sluggish and disoriented, but her own magic was working furiously to cleanse her system.

Athena's senses were slowly sharpening when she heard Stefan's voice nearby. "They took Elena. They're gonna kill her unless we stop Esther."

"Oh, god, Stefan I-I can't stop her. She's channeling us." a young women voice the nephilim did not recognise echoed.

The urgency in their tone pierced through the fog in Athena's mind. She struggled to sit up, her limbs feeling heavy, but she managed to find her voice, albeit weakly. "I can stop the ritual," she rasped, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

Stefan turned, his eyes widening in shock. "Athena? How are you awake?"

Athena, however, wasn't focused on Stefan. Her mind was suddenly assaulted by another vision—a vivid image of Damon grappling with an innocent woman, preparing to take her life. Her head pounded with the force of the vision, the pain nearly overwhelming her, but she pushed through it, knowing that every second counted.

Without hesitation, Athena summoned her wings. The basement was bathed in an ethereal, white light as her wings unfurled, their feathers shimmering with divine energy. She didn't hold back, using the full force of her power to propel herself upstairs in a burst of speed that left the others reeling.

When she reached the top, she found Damon exactly as she had seen him in her vision, his hand tight around the woman's throat. In a swift motion, Athena twisted her wrist, snapping Damon's neck and sending him crumpling to the ground. The woman, now free, stood in shock, her wide eyes reflecting the glow of Athena's wings.

Without wasting a moment, Athena rushed to the woman, placing a gentle hand on her chest. Her voice was soft but firm as she spoke in her ancient, angelic tongue, "Let i emel n-still ni tenna nall-upon ha na drin-gad,"

The woman collapsed into Athena's arms, her body going limp as her heart stopped. As Athena lowered her gently to the ground, she heard footsteps rushing up the stairs—Stefan and the younger woman, who was wide-eyed with concern.

"Is she dead?" the young woman asked, her voice trembling.

Athena looked up at her with a reassuring smile. "She will be fine," she replied softly, brushing a strand of hair away from the woman's face.

Athena could feel the spirits' anger pulsating around her, but she did not shy away from it. Instead, she reached out to them with her own divine presence, her aura commanding and unyielding. She spoke directly to the spirits, her voice echoing with power, "I can bring her back. But if you continue to help Esther, I will find a way to cross over and stop you personally. This is your only warning."

The spirits' fury wavered under her authoritative tone, and Athena felt their presence begin to retreat. She then turned her focus back to the woman, placing her hand on her chest once more. "Im nall-i emel na dring-once tare," she whispered, her words rolling off her tongue with a quiet strength.

Her wings slowly faded, leaving behind only a single, glowing feather on the floor. The woman gasped as her heart resumed its beat, her eyes fluttering open in confusion. The younger woman rushed forward, her voice thick with emotion as she called out, "Abby!"

Stefan walked up next to Athena, glancing between her and the woman she had just saved. "She's not a vampire," he noted, clearly relieved.

Athena nodded, though the effort of what she had just done was starting to take its toll. "I stopped her heart to sever the link, but I didn't want to kill her permanently. She's still a witch."

As if on cue, a thin trail of blood trickled from Athena's nose, her energy rapidly depleting after using so much power in such a short time. Her vision blurred, and the room seemed to tilt slightly. She could barely stand, but she knew she had to make sure the Originals were safe.

Gathering the last of her strength, Athena stumbled outside, her heart pounding with both exertion and anxiety. Relief washed over her when she saw Kol, Elijah, and Klaus standing together, apparently unharmed.

She made her way toward them, her body heavy and uncooperative. Klaus was the first to notice her approach, his expression shifting from surprise to concern. "Athena, are you alright? What happened?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.

Athena opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, the exhaustion overwhelmed her. Her knees buckled, and the world tilted as she fell forward. But before she could hit the ground, Klaus was there, catching her in his arms with a speed that only a hybrid could manage.

"Athena!" Klaus' voice was filled with panic as he cradled her gently, his earlier anger replaced entirely by concern for her wellbeing. She could barely keep her eyes open, but she managed a small, exhausted smile, knowing that—for now—the Mikaelsons were safe.

Finally allowing herself to succumb to the darkness, Athena felt a sense of peace wash over her. She had done everything she could, and as she drifted into unconsciousness, she knew she was in safe hands.

Chapter Text

Athena woke up in the middle of the night.

The familiar guest room of the Originals' mansion. The soft moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a serene glow around the room. Klaus was sitting in a chair beside her bed, never leaving her side. She turned her head towards him, her voice weak and filled with worry, "Where's Rebekah? Is she okay? I didn’t see her when I came outside."

Klaus, who had been lost in thought, snapped out of his reverie. He reached for her hand, squeezing it gently to calm her down. "You don't need to worry about Rebekah, love. She's alive. They all are, thanks to you," he assured her, his voice soft and comforting. As he spoke, he moved a stray strand of hair away from her face, his knuckles brushing delicately against her forehead.

Athena leaned into his touch, finding solace in the gentle caress. Her anxiety began to ebb away, replaced by the warmth of his presence. "Will you stay with me tonight?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, the vulnerability in her tone evident.

Klaus's heart skipped a beat at her request. There was nothing he wanted more than to stay by her side. "I'm not going anywhere," he promised, his voice low and reassuring.

Morning came sooner than expected, and when Athena turned to her side, she saw Klaus still sleeping beside her. She took a moment to admire him, noticing how peaceful he looked, free from the burdens of his usual brooding demeanor. It was a rare sight, and her feelings for him deepened as she watched him.

Klaus, sensing her gaze, slowly opened his eyes, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "Like what you see, love?" he asked, his voice husky from sleep.

Caught off guard, Athena quickly composed herself, a playful smirk forming on her lips. "I've seen better," she teased back, but there was a warmth in her tone that belied her words.

She slowly got out of bed, it was then she realised she was still in her scrubs, and mentally groaned at the thought. Her head still swirled with the events of the previous day, and she felt a deep exhaustion in her bones. Lying back down on the bed, she found herself draped across Klaus' torso, her legs dangling off the edge of the bed. The position reminded them both of a time long ago when they laid under the stars, just the two of them in each other's company for hours, without saying a word.

"I'm just gonna call in sick today," Athena mumbled, rubbing her hand on her temple, trying to ease the throbbing pain that persisted.

Klaus watched her with a mixture of concern and admiration. He knew the toll the previous night's events had taken on her, and he felt a pang of guilt for putting her in this position. "Is there anything you need, love?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine concern.

Athena turned her head to face him, her eyes softening at his question. "Probably some clean clothes and some aspirin," she chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

Klaus nodded, understanding her unspoken request. While she showered, he arranged for clean clothes to be brought to her. As Athena stood in front of the bathroom mirror, toweling off after her shower, she couldn't help but think about the voices she had heard when she was unconscious. The command to 'save them' still echoed in her mind, but she pushed the thoughts aside, not wanting to dwell on the unknown.

When she stepped out of the bathroom, she found the outfit Klaus had gotten for her—a chic beige cropped jacket paired with a white turtleneck underneath, and high-waisted blue jeans that hugged her figure and completed the look with white sneakers. She slipped into the outfit, feeling the comfort of the soft fabric against her skin, and made her way to the kitchen.

The servants had prepared breakfast for her, and the smell of freshly cooked food made her stomach growl. Klaus had also poured her a glass of water and placed some aspirin on the kitchen island counter. As she approached, he handed them to her with a smile. "Doctor's orders," he said playfully.

Athena took the aspirin, washing it down with a sip of water. But as she looked at Klaus, she could see something was troubling him. He was leaning forward on the counter, his expression thoughtful and distant. "What’s wrong?" she asked, her voice soft with concern.

Klaus sighed, running a hand through his curls. "I'm sorry, Athena, for what Esther did to you," he said, his voice heavy with guilt.

Athena shook her head, her eyes filled with understanding. "You don't have to apologise, sweetie. This wasn't your fault," she replied, her tone firm yet kind.

"But it is," Klaus insisted, the self-loathing clear in his voice. "I killed my mother, and that led her to a thousand years of resentment. And now, she's back, and she used you to try and destroy me."

Athena listened to his words, feeling a deep hurt for him. She reached over kitchen counter, placing her hands on his, her touch warm and reassuring. "Even if you hadn't killed her, Klaus, she still would have used my powers to try and kill your family. And no matter what, I would still choose to save you and your family, again and again. Until I draw my last breath."

Klaus looked at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of awe and disbelief. "We don't deserve to be saved, Athena. Not after all the terrible things we've done."

Athena frowned, frustration bubbling within her. "Everyone deserves to be saved, Klaus. The nephilim's expression softened as she continued. " You're kind. You're kind to me, and that shows you're not beyond redemption."

Klaus' voice was low but sharp as he argued, "I may be kind to you, but that doesn't make me a good person." His frustration was palpable, and before Athena could respond, he lifted his hand to her neck, his thumb brushing her cheek gently, a stark contrast to the storm brewing in his heart.

His eyes locked onto hers as memories flooded into her mind, ones she hadn't asked to see but he forced upon her, as if wanting to prove a point. The images were vivid and brutal—Klaus standing over bodies, drenched in blood, lives taken for power, for pleasure. Faces she didn't know screamed in agony, people being manipulated, tortured, and discarded like they meant nothing. She saw him revel in it, taking satisfaction in the chaos he wrought, in the control he had over their fates. He wanted her to understand that this was who he was—a monster.

Athena's eyes welled up with tears, the pain and sadness washing over her like a wave she couldn't stop. It wasn't just the horrors she saw—it was the depth of suffering behind Klaus' actions. She could feel it, that lonely boy deep inside who had grown so twisted, so bent by the pain that had shaped him. It broke her heart to witness how far he had fallen, all the walls he had built around himself, the darkness he had embraced to shield his family, to shield his fragile heart.

When he pulled back, the connection severed, Athena blinked away the tears threatening to spill over, her gaze soft but filled with sadness as she held his. She didn't flinch. She didn't look away. She saw him, truly, fully.

"When you were born, Klaus," she began, her voice gentle but laced with conviction, "you were innocent." Klaus blinked, a flash of something vulnerable in his eyes as if her words struck a chord deep within him. "You were mistreated," Athena continued, her voice never wavering. "That made you become defensive, angry. You wanted to be feared because you thought it was the only way to protect yourself and your family. So you became someone people feared." the Originals jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if bracing himself for more judgment, more condemnation. But Athena's words weren't a weapon; they were a balm to the wound that had festered for a thousand years. "Maybe," she said softly, "maybe you even enjoy hurting people sometimes." Her eyes searched his, seeing the flicker of recognition, the truth in what she said. "But, sweetie, you feel remorse. I know you do." His face softened, confusion and doubt warring in his expression. "You paint," Athena continued, "because you're frustrated. Because you hate how out of control you get. You hate the monster people say you are, the one you try to convince yourself you are. You're aware of what's right and what's wrong, Klaus. You can be kind. You can be passionate. You're sweet when you want to be."

Klaus swallowed hard, his breath coming a little uneven as he listened to her, his heart battling with everything she was saying. No one had spoken to him like this. No one had tried to convince him that he was more than what he had become."Yes, you've done terrible things," Athena said, her tone a little firmer now, a slight emphasis on 'terrible' to make sure he didn't think she was brushing it aside. "But you've done good things too. That shows you have potential. It shows you can still choose a different path." He stared at her, disbelief warring with hope in his eyes. "In my eyes, Klaus," Athena said, stepping closer, her voice filled with love and conviction, "you are not a bad person. You don't deserve to die. You're just someone who's been hurt—over and over again. You deserve better from this world."

The silence that followed was thick with unspoken emotion. Klaus' gaze flickered, his chest rising and falling in slow, shallow breaths as he tried to process everything she had said. He didn't know how to respond. The weight of her words felt like a lifeline, but it was terrifying to reach for it, to believe he could still be saved.

Finally, his voice came, barely above a whisper, rough and raw. "If anyone finds out about your existence outside of Mystic Falls…" He trailed off, his throat tightening with emotion." They'll come after you. They'll hurt you. And they'll use you as a weapon against me."

Athena's heart ached at his words. She could see the genuine fear in his eyes, the deep concern he had for her, the vulnerability he was rarely willing to show. Klaus, the man who had brought terror to so many, was terrified of losing her—not because of what it would do to him, but because he couldn't bear the thought of her being torn apart by his enemies. He cared for her more than he let on, and it frightened him.

"Klaus," she began, her voice soft but steady, wanting to reassure him, but knowing that no words would truly soothe his fear. She understood the dangers. She knew what it meant to be associated with someone like him, and he knew what it meant to be connected to her. There was a pause between them, the weight of the conversation hanging heavily in the air. Sensing that he needed a break from the intensity, the nephilim decided to shift the topic.

"Where is everyone?" she asked gently, her tone lightening as she continued eating her breakfast, trying to ease the tension. The quietness of the house had settled in now, and she realised it was unusual for the mansion to be this still.

Klaus exhaled, his muscles relaxing just slightly as he welcomed the change in subject. "Finn helped Esther escape. Kol fled, Elijah went off on his own, and Rebekah… she's on a bit of a mission"  Klaus said, his voice more composed now, though the weight of their previous conversation still hovered between them.

Athena smiled softly, the atmosphere between them easing as they settled into the calm. But the words they had exchanged remained unspoken, hanging in the air like a tether, pulling them closer together in a way neither of them could deny. "What happened?" the nephilim grew concerned after hearing about Rebekah.

Klaus hesitated, not wanting her to get involved, but he knew she wouldn't rest until she knew the truth. "Rebekah suspects there might be more white oak out there, which means…"

"Which means you could die," Athena finished for him, her heart sinking at the thought.

Klaus nodded. "Rebekah has taken it upon herself to investigate. Until this matter is resolved, I'd appreciate it if you stayed here and rest." Athena agreed, knowing that staying close was the best way to help. But inside, she was determined to do whatever it took to protect Klaus and his family, no matter the cost.

"I could help locate the remaining white oaks." As she stood up and walked over to the sink to wash her hands, Klaus followed closely behind her, concern etched on his face.

"Are you sure you're up to it?" Klaus asked, standing just behind her, close enough that she could feel his presence but giving her enough space to move freely.

Athena took a deep breath, her eyes closing for a moment as she tried to gauge her own strength. "I'll be fine. But," she turned to face him, a small smile tugging at her lips, "I'll do the spell tomorrow. I know you want me to rest and I will today." Klaus' lips curled into a relieved smile.

As Athena stepped inside to her pocket dimension, Klaus followed. The moment she crossed the threshold, Athena felt a wave of energy surge through her, rejuvenating her tired body and mind. The world itself was feeding her strength, slowly restoring her to full power.

She led Klaus through her secret garden, where the air was filled with the soft hum of magical creatures going about their day. The nephilim took her time, enjoying the ritual of hand-feeding the creatures, brushing their coats, and harvesting their fur, feathers, and hair, which she stocked up for future spells. Klaus, meanwhile, was trying his best to befriend the mythical animals, as he helped Athena.

When it was time to feed Umbra, the Thestral was in the clearing, Klaus suddenly spoke, his voice tinged with the weight of old memories. "You know, horses are the opposite of people." He said feeding the skeletal horse. "My father hunted me for a thousand years, and the closest he ever came was the day he killed my favorite horse. He severed its neck with a sword... as a warning."

Athena could see the pain in his eyes, a deep-seated wound of many that was caused by Mikael. Sensing that he needed a distraction, she quipped, "Alright, sweetie, that's enough trauma for today. Hop on."

Klaus raised an eyebrow, not quite believing what he'd just heard. "Hop on?" he repeated, glancing from Athena to the ghostly horse, then back to her.

"Yep," Athena said with a playful smirk, nodding toward Umbra. "Hop on."

Klaus hesitated for a moment, searching her eyes to see if she was serious. Seeing the mischief in her expression, he decided to play along. "Fine," he muttered, but there was a warning in his tone. "But you better not do anything stupid while I’m on him."

With his hybrid agility, Klaus pulled himself up onto Umbra’s back. The Thestral shifted slightly beneath his weight but remained calm. Athena put her hands up in mock surrender and took a few steps back, the playful smile never leaving her face. "Veyle," she said aloud, the word of command causing the Thestral to move. Klaus barely had time to react as Umbra began to gallop, the sudden speed catching him off guard.

"What did I just tell say?" Klaus shouted back over his shoulder, but his voice was drowned out by Athena's laughter echoing through the clearing. She was thoroughly enjoying his reaction, knowing full well that he hadn't been prepared for this.

As Umbra neared the edge of the lake, his leathered wings suddenly unfurled. With a powerful beat, the Thestral took flight, his hooves grazing the surface of the water for a brief moment before they lifted higher into the sky. Klaus breath caught in his throat as the ground disappeared beneath him, replaced by the expanse of sky and the endless horizon.

The feeling was unlike anything he had ever experienced. Klaus had been many things in his long life—a warrior, a king, a predator—but never had he felt so free. The wind rushed past him, cool and exhilarating, as Umbra climbed higher and higher. He could see the world below, so small and distant, and for the first time in a long time, Klaus felt a strange sense of peace. It was a world that Athena had given him, and it was unlike any he had ever known.

As he marveled at the sensation of flight, Athena caught up to them on Tempest. The majestic creature's wings spread wide as they soared alongside Klaus and Umbra. Athena couldn't help but smile at the sight of Klaus, his usual stoic demeanor replaced with a look of wonder.

"I must say," Klaus called out, his voice carrying over the wind, "I never imagined I'd be flying through the air on a creature like this."

"Welcome to my world," Athena responded with a grin. "It’s pretty amazing, right?"

Klaus chuckled, the sound of genuine amusement rare but welcome. "I have to admit, this is... incredible."

As they flew side by side, Klaus noticed the difference in their mounts' flying styles. Umbra’s movements were fluid and graceful, his wings slicing through the air with minimal effort, while Tempest’s flight was more powerful, his wings beating with a steady rhythm that made each stroke look effortless.

They talked about everything and nothing, enjoying each other’s company as they soared through the sky. The world below seemed distant and insignificant, and for a while, it was just the two of them, flying free.

Athena couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness seeing Klaus so at ease. The sight of him enjoying himself, even if just for a moment, made all the effort worth it. She knew that their lives were complicated and that danger always loomed close, but right now, in this moment, it didn't matter.

As they circled back to the clearing, descending toward the ground, Athena turned to Klaus, her expression soft. "Thank you, for trusting me," she said, her voice sincere.

Klaus met her gaze, his eyes filled with a depth of emotion he rarely let others see. "I should be the one thanking you," he replied, his voice equally sincere.

They landed softly in the clearing, dismounting their creatures with practiced ease. Now standing close in front of each other, the air between them seemed to crackle with unspoken words and emotions. Klaus was momentarily lost in her scent, the way her hair moved in the gentle breeze. He fought the overwhelming urge to close the distance between them, to press his lips to hers, to give in to the feelings that had been growing stronger each day.

Athena, sensing the shift in the air, felt her heart race. She had to clear her throat, trying to calm her own racing heart, fully aware that Klaus could hear it. "We should probably go," she said softly, her voice a little breathless as she tried to gather her thoughts, feeling as if she was drowning in his gaze.

But neither of them moved immediately, both caught in the moment, standing so close, yet still holding back. Finally, Klaus nodded, breaking the tension with a small, almost reluctant smile. "Yes, we should."

After leaving Klaus, Athena knew she still needed time to recharge, both physically and emotionally. The events from yesterday had left her drained, and she craved the solitude of her sanctuary. As she returned to her apartment, she set her phone to silent, a deliberate act to ensure no one could disturb the peace she so desperately needed.

With a sigh, she turned the key that hung from a chain around her neck, unlocking the door to her pocket dimension. The moment she stepped through, she felt the familiar wave of rejuvenation washed over her. Her pocket dimension was her haven, a place where the world's chaos couldn't touch her, where she could regain her strength and find clarity.

She walked down a quiet corridor, her footsteps echoing softly against the polished wooden floor. The corridor led to a room she often retreated to—a room that radiated warmth and comfort, filled with the scents of aged parchment and polished wood. The room was a beautiful blend of old-world charm and mystical energy, illuminated by the golden light streaming through the large, ornate stained glass windows that dominated the far wall. The windows were a work of art, each pane a mosaic of colours that danced across the room as the light shifted throughout the day, the light they cast gave the room the ethereal quality.

The room was furnished with tall bookshelves, filled to the brim with ancient grimoires, scrolls, and just normal fictional stories and poetry she would read from time to time. The shelves were carved with delicate patterns, their wood dark and rich, standing as sentinels over the knowledge they held. A long table stood at the center, surrounded by plush chairs that invited long hours of study and contemplation.

However, today Athena's destination wasn't the table. She made her way to the inviting sofa positioned in front of the windows. The sofa was upholstered in soft, deep green velvet, its cushions plush and comforting. It was the perfect spot to sit and unwind, to let her thoughts drift as she watched the patterns of light shift across the room.

Athena settled onto the sofa, drawing her legs up beneath her as she nestled into the cushions. She pulled out her small sketchbook, its pages filled with her drawings and doodles. The nephilim wasn't focused on what she was drawing, she just let her hand move freely, allowing the pencil to glide across the paper without a clear direction.

As she sketched aimlessly, Athena began to hum softly to herself. The tune was familiar, something from her childhood perhaps, but she couldn't quite place it. It was comforting nonetheless, filling the room with a soft, melodic sound that blended with the quiet atmosphere.

Her thoughts began to drift, and before long, she found herself thinking about Klaus. A blush crept onto her cheeks as she remembered the way he had stayed by her side, his concern evident in his every word and action. She thought of the way his eyes softened when he looked at her, the rare vulnerability he had shown. It made her heart flutter in a way she hadn't felt in a long time.

The memory of their time together in her pocket dimension, especially the spontaneous flight on Umbra, brought a smile to her face. She could still feel the wind in her hair, the exhilarating freedom of soaring through the sky, and the warmth of Klaus hand in hers. It was a memory she would treasure, one that made her feel closer to him in a way she hadn't anticipated.

Athena's blush deepened as she continued to think about him, and she found herself sketching his profile without even realising it. The strong lines of his jaw, the intensity in his eyes—she captured them on paper with a delicate hand, almost as if she were afraid to ruin the memory by making a mistake.

She paused for a moment, looking down at the drawing, and smiled to herself. She couldn't deny that Klaus had become someone important to her, someone she cared for deeply. But with that realisation came a mix of emotions—hope, fear, and uncertainty all swirling within her. She knew Klaus was dangerous, a force to be reckoned with, but she also saw the kindness in him, the vulnerability he hid from the world.

Athena let out a soft sigh, closing her sketchbook and setting it aside. She leaned back against the cushions, letting her thoughts drift as she stared out the window at the shifting colour  of the stained glass. The calmness of the room, combined with the quiet hum of her thoughts, allowed her to relax fully for the first time in days.

As the day turned to evening, the light in the room softened, casting long shadows across the floor. Athena felt a sense of peace settle over her, her strength slowly returning as she rested. Her thoughts of Klaus, while complicated, brought her comfort, and as she closed her eyes for a moment, she couldn't help but smile, knowing that, for now, everything was as it should be.

Athena was standing at the nurse's station, signing off on some paperwork when she noticed Elena walking into the hospital. She smiled warmly as she saw Elena approaching, and greeted her with a friendly, "Hi, Elena."

Elena returned the smile, though it was tinged with the weight of recent events. "Hi, Athena. I never got the chance to thank you properly for saving Bonnie's mother, Abby."

Athena's expression softened further, a mix of humility and sincerity in her eyes. "You don't need to thank me," she said gently. "I've spent so long watching the world go by, hiding in the shadows, ignoring the people who needed help. But ever since I came back, I  decided it was time to change that. Stepping into the light, so to speak. That's why I became a doctor—to help, to nurture people back to health.

Elena's face lit up with admiration as she listened. "Well, it's working. Bonnie's so grateful that you saved her mother. And Abby… she's doing really well. She still has her magic."

Athena's smile widened, pleased to hear the good news. "That's wonderful to hear. I'm glad she's doing well."

There was a brief pause, filled with mutual understanding and respect. Then Athena noticed a slight shift in Elena's expression, something more serious behind her eyes. "What brings you to the hospital today?" the nephilim  asked, her tone gentle but concerned.

Elena sighed deeply, the weight of what she was about to say evident in her demeanor. "It's Alaric…"

Immediately, Athena's concern deepened. "What's wrong with Alaric?"

Elena looked around, signaling with her eyes that she didn't want to discuss it out in the open. Athena nodded in understanding and led Elena to a more private area of the hospital, where they could talk without being overheard. Once they were alone, Elena took a deep breath.

"He's the one who's been killing the council members."

Athena felt a wave of shock and concern wash over her. She had known something was off with Alaric, but this was far more serious than she had anticipated. "Elena, that's… I don't even know what to say. How did you find out?"

Elena looked even more troubled, her eyes filled with worry. "Meredith and I, we've been trying to figure out what’s wrong. She's been running tests, trying to find something—anything—that might explain why this is happening.

Athena led Elena down a hallway toward the CT room, where Meredith was waiting. Through the large glass window, Athena could see Alaric lying on the table, preparing for the scan. A nurse was readying the machine, the hum of the equipment creating a soft background noise.

Meredith noticed Athena and Elena entering and gave them both a nod. But her expression turned slightly quizzical when she saw Athena. "What are you doing here, Athena?" she asked, her tone more curious than accusatory.

"I wanted to see how Alarics doing," Athena replied, her voice steady but with an underlying current of concern. "Elena's told me about the ring, and I might be able to help."

Elena added quickly, "She knows what's going on, Meredith. And she can be trusted… she can even help."

Meredith looked between them, still unsure, but nodded in acceptance. "What are you looking for anyway?" Elena asked Meredith, her arms crossing over her chest, as if bracing herself for the worst.

Meredith glanced at the monitors as she spoke. "I don’t know. A tumor, vascular anomalies—anything physical that might explain his behavior. If it's medical, I can treat it."

"And if it's not?" Elena pressed, her voice tight with concern.

"That's where I come in," Athena said, her hands resting calmly in her pockets. "I could try to look through his mind again. Maybe something has changed since the last time I checked or you could ask your friend who's a witch to help."

Meredith gave Athena a confused look, not fully understanding what she meant. Elena, sensing the need for an explanation, simply said, "She's an angel."

"A nephilim, technically, " Athena corrected. It was a straightforward statement, but to Meredith, it seemed to fill in all the gaps. She nodded, still processing the information.

As the nurse pushed Alaric into the machine, the room fell quiet, the gravity of the situation settling over them. Elena, her eyes still on Meredith, continued, "When did you start to suspect him? That it was Alaric who was killing those people?"

Meredith paused, thinking back. "It was after he told me about his ring. I remembered a story my grandmother had told me about Samantha Gilbert and her secret journal. I don't know if you know this, but we Fells are notorious busybodies," she added with a small, self-deprecating smile.

Elena couldn't help but chuckle slightly at that, despite the heaviness of the moment. "But then why did you protect him?" she asked, her tone serious once more.

Meredith looked at Elena, and then at Athena, before answering. "Because I'm a doctor. I don't like to see someone hurt by something they have no control over. And… when I first met him, I felt like… I don't know, I just kind of wanted to help him."

Before they could continue, they heard a heavy breathing through the microphone, drawing their attention back to the room where Alaric lay. His legs moved slightly, a sign of agitation. Meredith immediately pressed the button on the console, activating the mic. "Everything alright in there?" she asked, her voice filled with professional concern.

Alaric's voice came through the speakers, slightly strained but steady. "Yeah. Everything's okay."

The three women exchanged worried looks, knowing they had to press forward, to find out what was really happening to Alaric. There was still hope that they could help him, but it was clear that the answers they were seeking would not be easy to find.

Athena was finishing up her shift at the hospital, her thoughts still tangled with the day's events as she fumbled through her bag, searching for her keys. The evening was creeping in, the sky a blend of deep blues and purples, signaling the end of another long day. Just as she found the familiar cool touch of her keys, a voice broke her concentration.

"Hello, love," the Original's smooth voice slid through the air, catching her off guard. She looked up to see him leaning casually against her car, his smirk unmistakable.

Athena blinked in surprise, the memory of the promise she had made to him earlier flooding back. She had agreed to help him with the locator spell, and in the chaos of her day, it had completely slipped her mind. "Oh, shit!" she exclaimed, followed by a groan at her own forgetfulness. "I'm so sorry. It's been really hectic at the hospital."

Klaus gave a nonchalant shrug, clearly not holding it against her. "No worries, love," he said with an easy smile. "I assume we'll be doing the spell at yours?"

Athena, finally grasping her keys, tossed them to Klaus with a grin. "You're driving," she declared, moving to the passenger side of the car. But before she could open the door, Klaus' speed caught her off guard as he beat her to it, opening the door with a gentlemanly flourish. She smiled warmly at him, appreciating the small gesture.

When they arrived at Athena's place, she led Klaus into her pocket dimension As they entered, the transition from sunlight to moonlight was seamless. Athena snapped her fingers, and the room was immediately bathed in a warm, golden glow as candles and chandeliers lit up, illuminating the the room.

Athena was already focused on the task at hand. She moved gracefully around the room, retrieving the necessary ingredients for the spell. A stone mortar and pestle, a jar containing Nova's hair, and a small vial of Umbra's tears. Each item was placed carefully on the stone table at the center of the chamber.

She then ventured into her garden,  retrieving a single leaf from her white oak bonsai tree. As she returned to the chamber, she spread the ingredients out on the table, ready to begin the spell. Klaus' gaze sharpened as he recognised the leaves on the table, his eyes narrowing with a mix of concern and betrayal. "Is that—"

Athena, sensing his impending panic, cut him off swiftly. "Yes, it's from a white oak tree. Yes, I have it in my garden. Yes, this is the only one I have, and no one knows about it but me. And do you really think I would ever use it against you?" she said, her tone firm yet reassuring, one hand on her hip and the other resting on the table.

Klaus stared at her, the hurt in his eyes evident. "You should have told me," he said quietly, the weight of his words heavy in the air.

Athena sighed, knowing the gravity of the situation. "You're right. I should have told you. And for that, I'm sorry," she said, her voice soft but sincere.

The room was silent for a moment, the tension hanging thick between them before Klaus finally broke it. "Just do the bloody spell already," he muttered, his frustration evident, but there was an underlying tone of trust in his voice.

The nephilim turned back to the table, focusing on the task at hand. She began grinding the ingredients in the mortar, the rhythmic motion calming her mind. As the mixture turned to a fine powder, she whispered the word “runeyah,” and the contents burst into blue and purple flames, casting an eerie glow around the room.

As the flames consumed the ingredients, turning them into ash, Athena reached out her hand to the side, summoning one of her old parrying daggers. The weapon flew across the room and landed perfectly in her hand, its polished blade glinting in the candlelight.

When the flames finally died down, Athena made a small incision in her palm with the dagger, letting her blood drip into the ash. Klaus, watching her intently, asked, "Why are you using your blood?"

"My blood will help the ingredients sense something ancient, something older than you," Athena explained calmly, focused on the ritual. "But your blood will be needed for the location since you were turned using the oak tree."

She handed the mortar and dagger to the hybrid, but instead of using the dagger, he bit into his wrist, squeezing out his blood into the mix. His eyes never left hers, a silent exchange of trust passing between them.

The nephilim took the mortar back and with a wave of her hand, sent the dagger and other tools back to their places on the shelves. She then placed her hand over the stone table, causing the surface to ripple like water, slowly carving out a three-dimensional map of the continent. She called forth a jar of salt, and it flew into her grip. Taking a fistful, she scattered it over the map, the salt forming a perfect boundary as if guided by some unseen force.

As the map began to take shape, Athena poured mixed blood over it, her voice resonated with power as she chanted, “Ni estha uponi kal ana. Ni estha uponi kal ana. Ni estha uponi kal ana udaho nin. Ni estha uponi kal ana udaho nin.” The blood started to move across the map, pooling over a certain area as it stopped.

Klaus watched as the spell narrowed down the location of the remaining white oak. "It's still here," Klaus murmured, a smile spreading across his face as the map honed in on Virginia, and then Mystic Falls. The blood finally settled over Wickery Bridge.

"The restoration fundraiser," Athena realised, her mind connecting the dots. Klaus scoffed, shaking his head at the irony. "The bridge is made from the wood of the oak tree. I'll let Rebekah take care of it," he said, already pulling out his phone to text his sister. "I don't fancy burning that bridge to the ground myself."

As Klaus walked out of the chamber, Athena sealed the door behind them, closing off the pocket dimension from the outside world. She found the Original in the kitchen room, pouring two glasses of wine, a big smile on his face.

'I think it's time for us to celebrate," Klaus said, handing her a glass. "To the bridge falling down."

Athena chuckled, taking the glass from him. "My fair lady," she replied with a playful tone, clinking her glass against his. Their eyes locked, a shared moment of victory.

But before she could take a sip, a vision slammed into her consciousness, sharp and vivid. She saw Meredith being chased by a bloodthirsty Alaric, another flash came as she then saw her lying on the bathroom floor, bleeding out. The intensity of the vision made her gasp, and she dropped her glass in shock.

But Klaus’ reflexes were quick, catching the glass before it could shatter. "What is it?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

The nephilim was already moving, the urgency in her steps unmistakable. "I have to go," she said, her voice distant as she bolted out of the room, not waiting for Klaus' response. Her only thought was to stop the vision from becoming reality, to save Meredith and stop Alaric before it was too late. She did it before, maybe it's possible for her to changer her vision once more.

Chapter Text

Athena's heart raced.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket with the location Meredith texted her. The nephilim looked at it and saw it was Elena's house. She parked haphazardly, not caring if she was blocking the street, and sprinted to the front door, knocking rapidly.

Seconds felt like hours as she waited, her anxiety growing until finally, the door swung open to reveal Meredith. Athena let out a breath she didn't realise she was holding, a small smile of relief tugging at her lips. "I wanted to check up and see if Alaric was doing okay," she said, her voice steady but underlined with concern.

Meredith gave a tight nod, her expression hard to read. "Sure, he's in the kitchen I was about to make some coffee," she replied, stepping aside to let Athena in.

Athena walked down towards the kitchen, her senses on high alert. But when she entered the room, it was empty. The unease that had been simmering under the surface began to boil. "Alaric?" she called out nervously, her voice echoing slightly in the empty space.

She turned back to look at Meredith, a question on her lips, but before she could speak, a shout of rage pierced the air. Alaric burst out from the shadows behind her, his eyes wild with madness as he drove a knife into her shoulder blade. Athena screamed in pain as the blade cut through her flesh, the shock of the attack momentarily paralysing her.

With a desperate twist, she turned to face Alaric, dodging his next swing at the last second. The knife sliced through the air where her head had been moments before, and Alaric's frustration only seemed to fuel his rage. He continued to swing at her with wild abandon, and Athena was forced to keep dodging, her mind racing for a way out.

"Meredith!" Athena yelled, her voice laced with urgency. "Lock yourself in the bathroom, now!" She watched as Meredith, eyes wide with fear and bolted upstairs without a moment's hesitation.

Now it was just Alaric and Athena. He circled her like a predator, twirling the knife in his hand with a sick grin on his face. "You know, I wasn't planning on killing you," he taunted, his voice low and menacing. "But ever since you went inside my head, poking around, sticking your nose into other people's business... Well, we can't have that now, can we?"

With a sudden lunge, Alaric attacked again, forcing Athena to stay on the defensive. His relentless assault kept her from focusing enough to use her magic effectively. She backed into the dining room, her hand groping for something-anything-that could serve as a weapon. Her fingers brushed against a dining room chair, and she grabbed it, using the backrest as a makeshift shield.

Alaric's knife clashed against the chair with a sharp clang, but he was relentless. He dropped the knife into his other hand, switching his attack angle. Athena quickly flipped the chair so its legs faced him, kicking it with all her strength. The force sent Alaric stumbling backward, giving her a brief moment to catch her breath.

Using that precious second, Athena focused her magic, reaching out with her hand to summon the knife that had slipped from Alaric's grasp. The weapon flew into her palm, and she leveled it at him. "I don't want to hurt you, Alaric," she said, her voice trembling with both pain and resolve. "But I will if you give me no choice."

Alaric chuckled darkly as he stood up, brushing himself off like the whole ordeal was nothing more than an annoyance. "I know you won't kill me, Athena," he sneered. "You care too much. And that will be your downfall."

With a roar, he charged at her, his hand wrapping around her neck as he slammed her against the wall. The impact knocked the air out of her lungs, and she could hear the cracking of picture frames falling to the ground. His other hand gripped her right arm, which held the knife, trying to force it away from him.

Athena's vision began to blur as she struggled to breathe. Summoning what strength she had left, she mimicked Alaric's earlier move, letting the knife drop from her right hand and catching it with her left. With a swift, desperate motion, she slashed at his side, the blade slicing into his flesh.

Alaric howled in pain, releasing her as he clutched at his wound. "You fucking bitch!" he screamed, his voice dripping with venom.

Gasping for air, Athena took the opportunity to drop to the floor, sliding across the hardwood to cut at Alaric's calf. He cried out again, dropping to one knee, giving her the opening she needed. With two fingers, she reached up and pressed them to his forehead, channeling her magic to put him to sleep.

Alaric's body slumped forward, unconscious, as Athena finally allowed herself to breathe. She dropped the knife letting the clanging of metal pierce her ears as well as her heart beat. Her hands trembled from the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. But the nephilim quickly knelt beside him, placing her hands over his wound. Blood seeped between her fingers as she focused on healing him, her eyes glowing white as she poured her energy into the task.

The front door opened, and Athena called out, her voice strained, "In here!" She couldn't afford to lose concentration, not when Alaric's life was in her hands.

She heard Elena's frantic voice asking, "Where's Meredith?"

"Upstairs, in the bathroom," Athena replied without looking up, still focused on mending the torn flesh and ruptured blood vessels. Stefan and Elena ran upstairs, their footsteps thundering against the wooden steps, leaving Athena alone with Alaric once more.

As she finished, the white glow faded from her eyes, and she leaned back, catching her breath. The nephilim was relieved to see Alaric's breathing steady, his wound closed as if it had never been there.

Moments later, Stefan and Elena returned, followed by Meredith, who looked shaken but otherwise unharmed. Elena rushed to Alaric's side, checking him over. "Is he okay?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Athena nodded, still trying to catch her breath. "He's fine," she assured them. "I just put him to sleep."

Stefan stepped closer to Athena, his eyes narrowing as he smelled the blood on her shoulder. "You're bleeding," he said, his tone shifting to one of worry.

Athena glanced down over her shoulder, the pain that she had pushed aside now flaring up. She hadn't realised how bad it was until she saw the blood staining her top. She caught the way Stefan's eyes darkened, the veins around his eyes pulsing as he fought to control his bloodlust. He staggered back, turning away from her.

Meredith moved forward, her voice calm and professional. "I can stitch you up," she offered, already moving to retrieve a medical kit.

Athena forced a smile through the pain, appreciating the offer. "Thanks, Meredith," she said, her voice a bit weaker now as the adrenaline faded and the pain became more prominent. She allowed herself to be led to a chair, grateful for the help but her mind still spinning from the ordeal. She had faced death more times than she could count, but it never got easier-especially when it was someone she cared about who was lost to the darkness.

As Meredith left to find the first aid kit,
Elena knelt beside her, concern etched into her features. "Sit," she urged, guiding the nephilim into the chair before turning to Stefan. "Can you take Alaric upstairs to bed?"

Stefan nodded, eager for an excuse to leave the room and distance himself from the scent of Athena's blood. He quickly scooped Alaric up and carried him upstairs, his footsteps heavy on the creaking wooden steps.

Meredith returned with the necessary supplies and began to clean the wound, Athena gritted her teeth, trying not to cry out in pain. She looked around the room at the mess caused by the scuffle-broken picture frames, overturned furniture, and the faint smell of blood lingering in the air. "I'm sorry about the mess, Elena," Athena murmured through the discomfort. "I can fix it.

Elena shook her head, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Don't worry about that. I'm just glad everyone's okay. Thank you, again, for helping us, even though this has nothing to do with you."

A small, pained smile tugged at the corners of Athena's lips as Meredith began to clean her wound. "Ow," Athena hissed softly as the needle pricked a particularly sensitive spot.

Meredith glanced up apologetically." "Sorry," she murmured, but then something caught her attention. She watched in awe as the wound on Athena's shoulder began to heal on its own, the torn skin slowly knitting back together with new, healthy cells.

Meredith's eyes widened in surprise. "It's healing on its own," she said, her voice filled with a mix of astonishment and curiosity.

Athena glanced back at her shoulder, feeling the warmth of regeneration as her body worked to repair itself. She managed a wry smile. "And it's about time," she quipped, trying to lighten the mood despite the pain still radiating through her body.

Elena's curiosity got the better of her as she watched the miraculous healing process unfold. "How is that possible?" she asked, her tone filled with wonder and confusion.

Athena sighed, "I'm part angel," she confessed. "I can be wounded, but I can never truly die." But for a moment she thought of the one exception to that rule, the celestial blade she had forged from the stars themselves-a weapon capable of stopping her heart permanently. But that was knowledge she would keep to herself, for now.

Stefan returned, descending the stairs with a somber expression. "Alaric's in bed," he said, avoiding Athena's gaze. "I should probably," said the Salvatore vampire leaving, needing to escape before the temptation of the blood became too strong to resist.

Athena watched him go, her thoughts drifting to Elena. "Elena, you have to stop leading him on," Athena said, her voice gentle but firm.

Elena looked taken aback. "What?" she asked, surprised by the sudden shift in conversation.

Athena sighed, her eyes filled with understanding. "I know you're stuck between Damon and Stefan, but what you're doing isn't right for either of them. You need to take time and figure out your feelings before going any further. You owe it to them-and to yourself."

Elena's expression faltered as the truth of Athena's words sank in. She looked down, conflicted emotions playing across her face. "I know," she admitted softly, her voice tinged with guilt. "It's just... hard."

Meredith, who had been quietly observing the exchange, stifled a knowing smile. She could see the weight of the situation beginning to lift, even if just a little.

Athena offered a small, encouraging smile. "You'll find your way, Elena. Just be honest with yourself-and with them."

Elena nodded again, "Bonnie should be here soon for the spell that would help Alaric," she said, her voice tinged with determination as she prepared for the next challenge ahead.

Athena leaned back in the chair, her wound now almost fully healed, savoring the brief moment of quiet before plunging back into the turmoil of her life. She knew there was still much to do, but her thoughts were already on her next task-returning to Klaus and dealing with the link spell that Esther had cast on her children.

After taking a deep breath and mentally preparing herself, Athena made her way back to the home. When she entered, she was slightly surprised to find Klaus still there, waiting. He leaned casually against the sofa, but she could see the tension in his posture.

"I thought you would have gone by now," Athena remarked, her voice light but curious.

Klaus straightened up, ready with a quip, but as he drew closer, the scent of blood on her clothes hit him. His eyes darkened immediately, and in an instant, he was at her side, his hands moving over her as if to assess the damage. "What happened?" he demanded, his voice low and filled with barely restrained fury.

Athena tried to wave off his concern, offering him a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, really-"

But then Klaus caught sight of the bruises marring the delicate skin around her neck, remnants of Alaric's attack. His eyes flared with anger, and his jaw clenched as he bit out, "Tell me who did this. I'll tear out their liver and make them regret ever laying a hand on you."

Athena quickly placed a gentle hand on Klaus' chest before he could storm out of the room, trying to soothe the tempest brewing within him. "Klaus, really, I'm fine," she insisted softly. To prove her point, she turned around, lifting her top and moving her hair aside to reveal her shoulder blade where the stab wound had been. The skin there was smooth, the injury healed entirely, leaving no trace of the violence that had been inflicted upon her.

Klaus' anger momentarily abated as he stared at her back, his gaze softening as he saw the healed wound. A rush of conflicting emotions surged within him-relief that she was alright, a fierce protectiveness, and something deeper, something that made him want to cradle her in his arms, to kiss the spot where she had been hurt, to take away any pain she had felt.

Athena turned back to face him, her shirt falling back into place. She gave him a small, reassuring smile, her voice gentle as she repeated, "I'm fine, sweetie."

He searched her eyes for any sign of deception, but all he found was her steady, comforting presence. She was a pillar of strength, even after everything she had been through. The need to protect her, to keep her safe from any harm, swelled within him. But she was also strong, stronger than he sometimes allowed himself to believe.

Athena then shifted the conversation, knowing they needed to focus on the task at hand. "What you need to worry about is getting me Kol's, Rebekah's, and Finn's blood as well as their blessing so I can do a spell to undo the effects of Esther's magic," she said, her tone firm but understanding of his lingering concern.

Klaus exhaled heavily, trying to calm the storm of emotions within him. He knew she was right-there was more at stake than just his anger. The urgency of the situation was paramount. "I'll get them for you," he promised, his voice more controlled now. As she lead him to a door for her to use the key, he added, "You'll need my blood to do a locator spell on Finn, won't you?"

Athena nodded, already mentally preparing for the spell she would need to cast. She led him to her chamber, Klaus had grown accustomed to watching her work her magic, but each time, he found himself in awe. There was something about the way she moved, the way she spoke the incantations, the ease with which she wielded power that should have been beyond comprehension. As she gathered her ingredients and began the process, he found himself staring at her, lost in his thoughts.

In those moments, he realised how deeply she had embedded herself in his heart. Aurora had once been everything to him-gentle, understanding, his first love in those early days of becoming a vampire. But now, Athena had taken that place, her presence a balm to his restless spirit. She brought him a peace he had never thought possible. Her laughter, her wit, the way she challenged him with her clever remarks-they were all things he treasured more than he could admit. He could imagine her in his art, capturing her ethereal beauty, the light she carried within her. But more than that, he realisied that Athena didn't demand anything from him. Aurora had wanted him to turn her into a vampire, had been obsessed with the idea of them being together for eternity. But Athena... she simply wanted his kindness, his respect. She gave him her trust, her friendship, without asking for anything in return.

As Athena worked on the locator spell, Klaus couldn't take his eyes off her. She moved with such grace, her every action purposeful and precise. The way she spoke the incantation sent shivers down his spine, and he found himself captivated by her in a way that was almost frightening.

When the spell was complete, they watched as the map revealed Finn's location. He was a few towns over, not too far, but far enough to warrant their attention. Klaus felt a mixture of satisfaction and concern as they confirmed his whereabouts.

"Now we know where to find him," Athena said, turning to face Klaus.

He nodded, still caught in the thrall of his thoughts about her. "Yes, we do," he replied, his voice quieter than usual.

Athena noticed the shift in his demeanor, the way his gaze lingered on her a moment too long, and she felt her heart skip a beat. Clearing her throat to break the tension, she added, "I guess that's our next move."

Klaus stepped closer, his expression softening as he looked down at her. "No, this my next move. You've done more for me and my family than anyone else ever has, love, give some time for yourself." he said, his voice laced with a depth of emotion that made her pulse quicken.

Athena's breath caught in her throat as she met his gaze. The way he was looking at her, with such intensity and warmth, made her feel both exhilarated and vulnerable at the same time. She could feel the tether between them, the unspoken connection that had been growing ever since they had reunited.

They stood there, close enough that she could feel the warmth of his breath on her skin, the electricity crackling between them. Klaus seemed to hesitate, as if he was holding himself back from closing the distance entirely. His eyes searched hers, and she knew he was fighting an internal battle.

Athena's heart pounded in her chest, her mind a whirl of thoughts and emotions. She knew what she wanted, but the fear of crossing that line, of what it might mean, held her back. She swallowed hard, her throat dry as she tried to think of something to say, something to break the tension that was both intoxicating and terrifying.

Finally, she cleared her throat and forced herself to speak. "You should probably go and retrieve Finn then," she said softly, trying to gather her thoughts and calm her racing heart. Klaus nodded, though he didn't move immediately. He seemed to be savoring the moment, as if he knew that once they stepped away, the spell between them would be broken.

With a deep breath, Athena stepped back, giving them both the space they needed. The moment passed, but the intensity lingered in the air, a silent promise of something more, something they both knew they would have to face eventually.

As they left the chamber and Klaus prepared to set off to find Finn, Athena couldn't help but glance at Klaus one more time, her heart fluttering in her chest. She had always been strong, always in control, but with Klaus, she felt something she hadn't in a long time-a sense of belonging, of being seen and cherished for who she truly was.

Chapter Text

Athena opened the door to the bedroom where Alaric was resting.

Only to find Damon Salvatore seated casually beside him, his usual smirk in place as he leaned back in his chair. He turned his head as she entered, his expression dripping with playful sarcasm. "Oh, look what the cat dragged in," he said, his voice teasing, "the one who snapped my neck."

Athena couldn't help but roll her eyes at his theatrics, deciding to play along. "I'm sorry for saving someone you were about to kill, sweetie," she retorted, her tone matching his in playfulness.

Damon waved a hand dismissively, his smirk deepening. "I wasn't going to kill her. I was going to turn her into a vampire. Big difference."

"And I was able to make her stay human, allowing her to keep her witchy powers," Athena countered, folding her arms across her chest and lifting her chin slightly, enjoying the light-hearted banter.

Before Damon could offer a comeback, Alaric began to stir, waking up slowly and blinking at the sight of Damon's smug face looming over him. "What the hell are you doing here?" Alaric grumbled, still groggy from the spell and his wounds.

Damon didn't miss a beat. "Just making sure the witch didn't turn you into a toad or a block of salt," he quipped, earning a small smile from Athena who was standing by, amused by the exchange.

Alaric frowned, still confused as he tried to sit up. "Huh?"

Damon shrugged nonchalantly, explaining, "Bonnie did a little spell. It's nothing to worry about. Just something to keep the killer in you at bay."

Alaric groaned again, touching his side where Athena had slashed him the previous night. The pain was still there, a dull ache reminding him of the altercation. "Did something happen?" he asked, trying to piece together the foggy memories.

"Let's just say you've got an alter ego hell-bent on killing the Council members," Damon replied dryly, leaning back in his chair.

"And now me," Athena chimed in with a playful smile, trying to lighten the mood. "Your alter ego is gonna be so pissed at me for kicking his ass. Sorry about that, by the way. And now I know why I couldn't find the memories-they weren't yours to give."

Alaric raised an eyebrow at her, a bit incredulous. "You stabbed me?"

Athena nodded, "Well you stabbed me first in the shoulder. You're fine-it was only a flesh wound. Besides, I already healed you."

Alaric sighed, his hand still hovering over the spot where he'd been injured. "I'm sorry." he gave Athena an apologetic look "Wait, where's Meredith?" he asked, concern creeping into his voice.

"Meredith's fine-a little shaken up, but she wasn't harmed," Athena reassured him, her voice gentle as she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Damon stood up, dusting off his hands as if he'd done something incredibly taxing. "That's why we're gonna pack up some stuff, and head to the loft for a bit. You know, house arrest-lite."

As Damon began gathering things for the move, Athena made her way downstairs. Once she reached the living room, she couldn't help but feel responsible for the damage caused during her struggle with Alaric. She sighed, taking in the broken picture frames and blood-stained floor. Without hesitation, she began using her magic to mend the broken frames, the pieces lifting and reassembling themselves under her direction. The blood vanished from the wooden floor, leaving it spotless as if nothing had happened.

In the kitchen, Elena was quietly washing dishes, her mind clearly elsewhere as she processed everything that had happened. The clinking of plates was the only sound that filled the room until a voice came into play.

"Hey," Bonnie called softly as she entered the kitchen, holding a small jar in her hands. "You okay?" she asked, her concern evident in her voice.

Elena looked up from the sink, offering a small smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks to Athena," she replied, glancing over at Athena who was just finishing up with the last of the frames.

Bonnie's eyes widened slightly as she took in the sight of the Nephilim, her face softening with gratitude. "Athena. You're the angel that saved my mom," Bonnie breathed out, the realisation settled in. "I never got a chance to thank you in person."

Athena smiled warmly at Bonnie, shaking her head lightly. "I'm a nephilim, actually. And you don't have to thank me-it's what I do."

Elena, standing beside Bonnie, nodded in agreement. "No, really, we're so thankful that you've been helping us, saving our friends. We just don't know how to repay you."

Athena thought for a moment, tapping her finger against her chin before a small smile tugged at her lips. "How about we go to The Grill?" she suggested. "I haven't been there in a while since I've been so busy at the hospital. You could bring your some friends as well-I'd like to meet them. From what I've seen, you guys would do anything for each other, and I admire that. Plus, I'm feeling a little hungry," she added with a light chuckle.

Bonnie smiled at the suggestion, nodding. "That sounds nice. I'll call Caroline."

As they chatted, Bonnie handed Elena the jar she had brought with her. "Oh, and Abby mentioned something about the dying and coming back to life chipping away at Alaric's psyche, making it easier for the darkness to take hold. These herbs are the binding element of the spell," she explained, placing the jar on the kitchen island. "He needs to take them twice a day. I'll get more."

Elena nodded, her gaze shifting from the jar to Athena. "Thank you, Bonnie. And Athena, thank you again... for everything."

Later, when they all met at The Grill, the soft hum of chatter around them blending with the clinking of glasses and the occasional burst of laughter from nearby tables. The nephilim was introduced to Caroline and Matt. She enjoyed their company, but as the conversation turned to the Originals, she couldn't help but feel a pang of discomfort.

The resentment and anger towards Klaus, Rebekah and the others were palpable, and while she understood their feelings-given what they had suffered at the hands of the Mikaelsons-Athena knew there was more to the story.

She listened quietly as they vented their frustrations, her mind wandering back to the past of pain and suffering that had shaped the Originals into who they were. They had been twisted by their circumstances, by the neglect and cruelty given to their mother, the abuse they'd endured by their father. Athena knew that, deep down, the Mikaelsons were more than the monsters they were often seen as.

Athena sat in her usual spot within her pocket dimension, the familiar space bringing her comfort as she mindlessly sketched in her small notebook. The light in the room was soft and warm, filtered through the enchanted windows that reflected the serene landscape of her hidden world.

Her fingers moved absentmindedly across the page, drawing intricate patterns and shapes, though her mind was far from the images forming on the paper. She was lost in thought, pondering the events that were to unfold and the weight of the responsibility she had taken on.

The sudden ring of her phone snapped her out of her thoughts. She glanced down at the screen and saw Klaus' name flashing. A small smile tugged at her lips as she answered the call.

"Hello, love," Klaus' voice greeted her, his tone lighter than usual. "How's your day going?"

Athena leaned back into the plush cushions of her sofa, feeling a sense of comfort wash over her just from hearing his voice. "Calm," she replied, her voice soft. "Just spending some time in the dimension, trying to relax before everything begins. How's the search for Finn going?"

Klaus sighed lightly, a hint of weariness in his tone. "Rebekah and I have reached the town where Finn's been hiding. We've had a few complications along the way, but we should have him by tonight. We'll be back in Mystic Falls by tomorrow, midday."

Athena nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "That's good. I'll head to your place in the morning to start preparing for the unlinking spell."

"Perfect," Klaus replied, "the servants will be expecting you. I should also mention... you'll be meeting someone  named Sage, she's Finn's old lover. And will be at the house when you arrive."

"Sage?" Athena echoed, her tone curious. She continued to doodle absentmindedly, her pencil tracing delicate lines on the page. "Should I be keeping an eye out for her, or no?"

Klaus chuckled, the sound rich and low through the phone. "No need to worry about her. Sage can be... intense, but she's devoted to Finn. She won't be any trouble. Just focus on making yourself comfortable when you arrive."

Athena hummed in acknowledgment, but a sense of unease began to creep into her mind. Despite Klaus' reassurances, she couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen. Her instincts, honed over centuries, were rarely wrong. She paused in her drawing, her hand stilling as she bit her lip, debating whether or not to voice her concerns.

After a moment of silence, she spoke softly, her voice laced with worry. "Klaus... be careful."

There was a pause on the other end of the line before Klaus responded, his tone more serious now. "I'll be careful, love. I always am. But I appreciate the concern."

His words were meant to be reassuring, but they did little to ease the knot of anxiety in Athena's chest. She wanted to say more, to tell him to come back safely, but she knew better than to let her fears show too much. Klaus was strong, capable, and had survived countless dangers before. But this was different.

They lingered in silence for a few more seconds, neither of them wanting to hang up but knowing they had to. Finally, Klaus spoke again, his voice warm despite the distance. "Get some rest, Athena. I'll see you soon."

"You too, Klaus," Athena replied softly.

With that, the call ended, the screen of her phone going dark. Athena set the phone down on the cushion beside her and let out a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering unease. But the sense of foreboding remained, gnawing at the edges of her thoughts.

She looked down at the sketch she had been working on and realised it was an image of a tree-an oak tree. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw the it. Her fingers tightened around the pencil, the drawing now taking on a more ominous meaning.

Athena set the sketchbook aside, unable to focus on it any longer. She stood up from the sofa and moved to the window, gazing out at the serene landscape of her dimension. The tranquility here usually brought her peace, but today it felt like a fragile bubble that could burst at any moment.

"Please, let everything be okay," she whispered to those who would listen, her thoughts drifting back to Klaus, Rebekah, and the rest of the Mikaelson family.

Athena wore a casual but stylish outfit, one that made her feel both comfortable and confident as she prepared for the task ahead. She wore a loose-fitted off-the-shoulder blue sweater that draped effortlessly on her frame, revealing just a hint of the white undershirt beneath. The sweater's oversized sleeves pooled slightly at her wrists, adding a touch of relaxed elegance to her look. She paired it with high-waisted black skinny jeans that hugged her legs, giving the ensemble a polished finish, with black ankle boots. Her look was understated but fitting for the atmosphere of the day ahead.

The nephilim had packed all the necessary ingredients and tools for the unlinking spell, carefully collecting them from her personal chamber within her pocket dimension. With her bag in hand, she stepped into the grand foyer of the Mikaelson mansion.

As she made her way to the living room, Athena sat cross-legged on the floor in front of the large coffee table. She meticulously began laying out her materials-candles, vials of herbs, sage, cedar, and blood vile from Kol. She arranged the items in a precise order, her hands moving with practiced ease.

As she was preparing the table, Athena heard footsteps approaching. She turned her head just in time to see Sage enter the room. Sage, with her confident demeanor, glanced around the mansion, clearly curious and perhaps a bit impressed by the Mikaelsons' lavish home. Athena smiled politely and greeted her.

"Hello," Athena said, standing and dusting off her jeans. "You must be Sage."

Sage nodded, her eyes scanning the room. "That would be me. And you must be the one Klaus and Rebekah has been talking about. Doing some kind of spell?"

Athena brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yes, an unlinking spell. It should free Finn and the others from the bond that ties them to each other."

Sage looked intrigued but quickly shrugged, her interest seeming to wane as she picked up a glass of wine from a nearby table. "Well, I suppose I'll leave the magic to you, " the red head said, before heading to explore the rest of the mansion.

The nephilim watched her go, then returned to her preparations. Sage had gone upstairs and Athena was deep into her work when the sound of the front doors slamming open startled her. Athena quickly stood, moving toward the foyer where she found Klaus and Rebekah, each gripping one of Finn's arms as they unceremoniously tossed him into the room.

"You can't force me to help you!" Finn snarled, stumbling as he glared up at Klaus from the floor.

Klaus, ever the picture of smug confidence, smirked down at his brother. "Oh, I most certainly could," he said, already hearing Sage's footsteps coming down the stairs. "But why force," Klaus continued with a smirk, "when I can persuade?" He gestured up the stairs just as Sage appeared, smiling warmly as she locked eyes with Finn.

"Hello, Finn," Sage said softly, her voice laced with affection.

Finn's face softened in surprise, his anger melting away as he rushed over to embrace Sage. "Sage?" he murmured, pulling her into a tight hug.

Rebekah rolled her eyes, leaning toward Klaus. "What do you know? True love prevails."

"It does occasionally have its uses," Klaus replied, a satisfied smile on his lips. He checked his phone briefly before turning to Athena, who had approached the group. "Easier than torturing him," he commented, handing Athena a vial of Rebekah's blood.

"What else do you need from me for this spell?" Rebekah asked, her tone clipped as if she had something more important to do.

"Just your blood and your blessing," Athena replied smoothly.

"Where are you going?" Klaus asked, raising an eyebrow at his sister's hurried demeanor.

"Out," Rebekah said simply before turning on her heel and leaving the mansion.

With a shrug, Athena returned her focus to the task at hand, briefly watching Finn and Sage still locked in their embrace. It hadn't taken long-within minutes of seeing Sage, Klaus's plan had worked, Finn had relented, agreeing to give Athena his blood before leading Sage out of the house. Leaving the nephilim and the hybrid alone to begin the spell.

Klaus moved to stand over Athena's shoulder as she carefully set the vials of blood to the side, smoothing out the parchment that contained the names of Rebekah, Finn, and Kol, each written in Nordic script. She began lighting the candles on the table with a simple flick of her wrist, the soft glow casting shadows across the room. With a deep breath, She took some sage and cedar, burning them using the candle flames, the fragrant smoke curling into the air.

Next, she took the bowl she had placed out earlier and began pouring the vials of blood one by one, starting with the oldest. Then rubbed her hands together, gathering her energy before motioning with her index finger. The blood in the bowl began to swirl and mix, responding to her command as it danced under her control . She then poured the mixture onto the parchment, creating a pool of blood in the center.

As the blood settled, Athena began to chant, her voice steady and powerful, "Ei galad molva ei nardah. Ei galad molva ei nardah. Molva ei nardah, ei galad molva ei nardah."

Klaus watched intently as the blood on the parchment began to move, separating into three distinct tendrils that slithered toward the names written in Nordic script, returning to their original owners. The flames of the candles flared up as the blood reached each name, a clear sign that the spell had worked.

"It's completed," Athena said with a smile, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. With a snap of her fingers, she extinguished the candles, sage, and cedar, cleaning up the remnants of the spell. Leaving the table spotless once again.

Klaus, ever impressed by her abilities, looked down at her with a mix of admiration and gratitude. "Well done, love," he said softly, his eyes lingering on her for just a moment longer than necessary. Athena simply smiled with a slight blush to her cheeks. But still had a bad feeling that this was far from over. But for now, she had done her part.

Athena glanced at her phone as it buzzed, breaking the quiet comfort of the room. It was a message from the hospital, calling her back to work. She sighed softly "I have to go," she said reluctantly, pulling herself up from the floor where she had been sitting.

Klaus extended his hand, and she took it, allowing him to help her up. His smirk deepened as he teased, "Athena Morningstar, never done saving lives, I see."

She chuckled, brushing the dust from her pants. "I'll call you later," she replied lightly, giving him a soft smile. She turned and walked out the door, Klaus watched her leave, his eyes lingering for a moment before turning back to his own thoughts. Athena quickly made her way to the hospital, the familiar, sterile halls of the place enveloping her as she began her rounds. It was quiet, the usual late shift calm, and she checked up on Meredith, who was doing well. After a few hours, Athena finally took a break.

However, when she finally found a moment to rest during her break, a sharp pain began to throb in her head. She initially brushed it off as a headache from exhaustion, but the pain quickly escalated, growing unbearable within seconds. She clutched her head, gasping as images began to flood her mind—visions of Finn being stabbed by Matt Donovan with a white oak stake, his body burning to ash. She saw Sage coughing up blood, her body failing as life drained from her. The images were so vivid, so real, that Athena felt like she was there. Her nose began to bleed, followed by her eyes. The pressure in her head was unbearable, and then she blacked out, collapsing to the floor.

In the darkness, she heard the voices—a cacophony of whispers repeating the same thing over and over. "Save them, save them." The last voice was her own, louder than the rest, urging her. "Save them."

When she woke up, she found herself lying on a hospital bed with Meredith standing over her, concern written all over her face. "Athena, thank god you’re awake. You were out cold. Your vitals were all over the place," Meredith said, her voice thick with worry.

Before Meredith could protest, Athena was already getting out of bed, rushing toward the door. Meredith followed after her, pleading, "Athena, you can't go. You need to rest!"

"I'm fine," Athena snapped, her tone leaving no room for argument. "I can handle this."

She quickly changed out of her scrubs and got into her car. Her mind was racing as she tried to piece together the fragments of the vision. She thought, maybe, just maybe, she could stop it—change the future. She had done it before; surely she could do it again.

The visions led her to the back of The Grill, but when she arrived, her heart sank. There, on the steps behind The Grill, were Finn’s ashes. She was too late. For a brief moment, she stood there, frozen in disbelief, heart felt heavy with failure. The nephilim took a deep breath, steadying herself. There was still one more person she might be able to save.

She hurried to the Salvatore house, her mind focused on stopping Sage from meeting the same fate. The front door was already wide open, and when she rushed inside, she saw Sage on the floor, coughing violently. "Troy, help me," Sage rasped weakly, her voice filled with desperation. A vampire, who had been restrained Elena, let's go of her and rushed over to Sage, but he too began coughing, blood splattering from his lips as he collapsed beside her.

Athena made her way to Sage not careing about the three other people who were also standing in the room and dropped to her knees beside Sage, grabbing her hand. Her magic glowed faintly, a warm light that tried to heal but faltered. "What's happening to me?" Sage gasped, her eyes wide with panic.

The nephilims heart broke as she realised what was happening. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible. The room went still, the only sound was the fading breath of the recently deceased. Stefan, Elena, and Caroline stood nearby, watching in silence, unsure of what to say. Athena, closed Sage's eyes and gently folding her hands over her chest. She took a few deep breaths, trying to control the swirl of emotions inside her, not wanting to lash out.

“She just… died,” Elena murmured, her voice laced with confusion and disbelief.

Athena, still on her knees, reached out to place her hands on both Sage and Troy. Her wings unfurled, manifesting behind her in a soft, radiant glow. She closed her eyes, channeling her magic, and whispered, "Radsinyah." The room filled with warm light, and when it faded, Sage and Troy's bodies were gone, replaced by flecks of stardust that slowly rose and then disappeared into the air with her wings.

Caroline was the first to speak. "What was that?"

"I made sure they'd find peace," Athena said quietly, her voice filled with sadness.

The room fell silent again, everyone trying to process what had just happened. After a few moments, Caroline spoke again, trying to make sense of it all. "So, Sage and this Troy guy died within an hour of Finn?"

Athena nodded, her thoughts distant. The weight of everything was pressing down on her.

"But why?" Elena asked, frowning. "They weren't bitten by a hybrid or a wolf."

"Hybrid bites don't work like that," Caroline added, pacing the room with her arms crossed.

Athena stood slowly, her voice low but steady. "It's the sireline. There's a bond between all vampires from the same sireline and their sire. When Finn died, the bond shattered, wiping out his entire undead lineage."

Caroline's eyes widened in realization. "Wait… so when an Original dies, every vampire they sired dies along with them?"

Elena, now understanding the gravity of the situation, looked at Stefan and Caroline. "Which means if the Originals die… so do all the vampires."

Athena closed her eyes, her voice soft as she murmured, "That's why Esther needed to channel me and the entire Bennett witch line. She wasn't just trying to kill her children. She wanted to eliminate every vampire in the world."

Stefan's face turned pale, his body trembling as he realized the implications. "I need to get Damon," he said abruptly, panic in his voice. He turned and sped out of the house before anyone could stop him.

Athena, feeling light-headed, sank down onto the sofa, her head pounding.  "Are you okay?" Elena asked

Athena nodded weakly. "I just… need a minute." She pressed her hand to her temple, the headache growing worse. She took a deep breath and asked, "Where's Damon?"

Elena hesitated before replying. "Rebekah has him."

Caroline, stopped pacing and turned to Athena. "Why did you… do that to Sage and Troy when you didn't even know them? Why send them off like that?"

Athena shrugged slightly, her voice tired. "I just felt like it was the right thing to do. They didn't deserve the death that was given to them and it's better for them to find peace than to suffer in their own turmoil. It was the least I could do for them."

With that, she stood up, still feeling a bit dizzy. "I'm going to get a glass of water," she said, excusing herself to the kitchen. As she filled her glass and drank, her mind was already racing with thoughts of Klaus.

She needed to see him.

Chapter Text

Athena found Klaus alone in the mansion.

Stefan, Damon, and Rebekah were long gone, leaving the Original hybrid to grapple with the reality of his brother's death. Klaus stood in front of the fireplace, a bottle of bourbon dangling from his hand, staring blankly into the flames as they licked at the logs, casting flickering shadows across his face.

"They killed Finn," Klaus muttered, his voice rough, the anguish barely hidden beneath the surface.

Athena let out a deep breath, her chest tightening with sympathy. "I know," she replied softly. "I had a vision while I was at the hospital… but by the time I got there, it was too late."

Klaus snifled, his jaw tightening as he wiped a tear away from the corner of his eye. His expression shifted from grief to anger as he suddenly hurled the bottle of bourbon into the fireplace. The glass shattered against the burning logs, and the flames roared brighter, consuming the alcohol in a violent blaze. Athena didn't flinch at his display of anger. She knew this was his way of grieving, of fighting the emotions he kept locked away.

Silently, she stepped closer to him, the warmth of the fire brushing against her skin. Standing behind him, Athena gently wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head between his shoulders. She could feel the tension in his body, the way he was trying to hold everything in, refusing to show weakness.

"You don't have to pretend you're okay when you're not," Athena whispered softly, her voice gentle yet firm. Her hand moved soothingly across his chest, tracing circles in an attempt to comfort him. "It's okay to grieve, sweetie. It's okay to feel sad."

Klaus stood stiffly, swallowing hard. He closed his eyes tightly, his emotions threatening to spill over. For a moment, he stayed silent, trying to gather his thoughts, trying not to break down. 

"Despite everything, Finn was still your brother." she whispered . "And it's okay to let it out. You don't have to hold it in. You don't always have to be the strong one."

Klaus clenched his fists, his breath shaking as he fought against the urge to cry. "You should get some rest, love," he murmured after a long pause, his voice a weak whisper. "Don't worry about me."

Athena's grip on him tightened, refusing to let go. "I am going to worry about you," she said, her tone gentle but resolute. "I'm staying here tonight, and you can't stop me from doing that."

Klaus didn't argue. Instead, he brought his hand over hers, holding it tightly, as though grounding himself in her presence. His fingers brushed over the back of her hand, a silent acknowledgment of her comfort. But, despite his best efforts, he felt the tears begin to fall, one after another, silently streaming down his face.

Athena's heart ached for him as she felt the subtle shudder of his body, knowing he was struggling to keep it together. She moved her free hand to rest on top of his, reciprocating the gesture, offering him as much strength as she could. "We don't have to talk," she said softly, her voice a balm to his frayed emotions. "I can just hold you. We never have to bring this up again if you don't want to. Just know that I'm not judging you, Klaus."

Klaus squeezed her hand tighter, and the weight of his sorrow finally broke through the walls he had built. His shoulders began to shake as quiet sobs wracked his body. Athena pulled him closer, her arms holding him as tightly as they could. His silent tears soaked into his shirt. She wanted him to feel safe, to know that it was okay to break down, that he didn't have to hide his pain from her.

"I'm here," she whispered, her own tears beginning to form as she fought to keep her voice steady. "I'm not going anywhere."

Klaus didn't say a word, but his sobs grew louder, more desperate as he finally allowed himself to feel the pain of losing his brother. He cried for Finn, for the centuries of torment and betrayal that had brought them all to this moment.

Athena pressed her forehead against his back, her own silent tears still falling as she held him through the storm of his grief. She didn't speak again, knowing words would only be empty in a moment like this. Instead, she stayed with him, her arms wrapped around him, offering him the comfort and understanding he needed.

And for the first time in centuries, Klaus allowed himself to be vulnerable, knowing that in Athena's embrace, he didn't have to be the monster. He could simply be a man who had lost someone he loved.

The following morning, Athena awoke to an empty bed and a note from Klaus. He had gone to run some errands, though he hadn't specified what they were. After taking a long, refreshing shower, she stepped into her pocket dimension to choose an outfit, settling on a classy yet casual look. She wore a sleek brown ribbed top tucked into a flowing black midi skirt, paired with sheer black stockings and black ankle boots. It was a look that effortlessly blended comfort and elegance.

After dressing, she made herself pancakes in the kitchen, savoring the calm morning. Once she finished her meal, she checked her phone and noticed a text from Elena, asking her to call. With a quiet sigh, she pressed the call button, still thinking about the emotional turmoil of the previous night.

"Hey, what's up?" Athena asked quietly, her voice lacking its usual brightness.

"Hi," Elena’s voice was hesitant but caring. "I just... I wanted to check on you after last night. I know Finn's death must’ve been hard for you. Are you okay?"

Athena exhaled deeply, her heart heavy. "I don't really want to talk about it right now, Elena," she admitted, the grief still fresh. "But I have a feeling you didn't call just to ask how I'm doing. What's going on?"

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line. "It's about Alaric," Elena confessed, her voice laced with worry. "Bonnie's spell didn't hold, and the darker version of him hid the last white oak stake. If we don't get it back and give it to Klaus, Damon and Stefan will die. We were wondering if you could use your magic to draw out the darker side of Alaric."

Athena sighed, closed her eyes, processing the gravity of the situation her mind racing. She understood the urgency, that of she doesn't help a lot more vampires will be killed, plus she would be helping them might quell Klaus’ anger—for a while. "You guys really fucked up big time," she muttered, though she wasn't about to let anyone die over it. "Fine, I'll help.

Elena said gratefully, "Thank you, Athena.

"Yeah, yeah," Athena replied like it's no big deal. "I'll be there in an hour."

After arranging her schedule with the hospital, Athena made her way to the Salvatore house. She knocked on the front door, which was quickly answered by Stefan. "You came," he said, trying to offer a smile despite the tension in the air.

Athena gave him a cheeky grin as she stepped inside. "Not for you, sweetie. Now, where's our Jekyll?"

Stefan chuckled lightly before leading her downstairs to the dungeon, where Alaric was being kept. As Athena entered, Alaric was sitting on the cot, looking weary but still holding his wit.

"How are you feeling?" Athena asked, smiling gently.

"Great," Alaric replied with a dry tone, "knowing that the darker me hid a weapon that could kill an entire sireline of vampires."

The nephilim chuckled softly, appreciating his attempt at humor despite the dire situation. "Well, we're going to fix that. I'll be doing something similar to what we did last time, but this time I'll draw out all your negative emotions and thoughts to bring him to the surface. It's quicker than waiting for him to wake up on his own. Are you ready?"

Alaric glanced nervously at the bottle of bourbon in his hand. "What do you need me to do?"

"I need you to relax," Athena replied, leaning against the wall across from Alaric. "Keep drinking if that helps."

The room was silent for a few minutes, Alaric sipping from the bottle while Stefan sat and leaned against the wall with Athena. Eventually, Alaric cleared his throat. "So, you think they've got Jeremy by now?" he asked, trying to break the tension.

"They should," Stefan answered. "I haven't heard from them yet. Elena's worried about him, knowing that she can't count on his ring anymore."

"Who knows?" Alaric quipped, forcing a smile. "Maybe his alter ego's a pot-smoking hippie pacifist." The group chuckled, though the laughter was strained. He continued, "I can't say mine would be so laid-back. More hostile, more militant."

"It makes sense," Stefan interjected. "Your wife left you to become a vampire, and your girlfriend was killed by one. You've got reasons to hate them."

Athena remained silent, her thoughts briefly drifting to what Klaus had shared with her about his past. Elena had told her about how Klaus had killed her Aunt Jenna as part of the ritual to becoming a hybrid once more.

"Guess he really does hate me," Alaric muttered. "Here I am, the failed hunter-slash-drinking buddy of vampires."

Stefan dismissed the thought. "He's too judgmental."

"The thing is, he's me," Alaric murmured, staring into the bottle. "I'm not compelled. I'm not possessed. There's no humanity switch. What drives him is me."

Athena frowned, leaning forward slightly. "That's not true. He's not you," she said firmly, her voice filled with conviction. "He’s the darkest parts of you, sure, but those parts stayed buried for a reason. The psychotic side that every person has, given the right circumstances. This magic, this ring—it corrupted your mind twisting those dark thoughts into something much worse. This darkness is just fragments of your subconscious brought to the surface. It altered your psyche, and turned you into a ruthless vampire hunter, but that doesn’t mean it’s you."

Before Alaric could respond, footsteps echoed from the hallway. They all turned to see Klaus standing in the doorway, holding up a stake. "Well, this is depressing, isn't it?" Klaus said with a smug smirk. "I found this upstairs. By my count, there should be one more."

Athena moved, stepping in between Klaus and the others, folding her arms across her chest. "Weren't you supposed to be running some errands?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"And weren't you supposed to be at work?" Klaus retorted, smirking as he stepped closer.

Athena rolled her eyes, smirking back. "I am. Alaric Saltzman is my patient."

Klaus's smirk faltered as he raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you just kill him then, love? It'd make your job a lot easier."

"Not going to happen," Athena said firmly. "We're doing this my way, and I don't want him dead. Trust me, I have this handled, sweetie. If you want to stay and sit like a good little boy, have some bourbon, and let me do my job. Otherwise, go back home or The Grill or anywhere else. I need him calm, and your murderous intentions aren't helping." she said placing a hand on his arm

Klaus tilted his head, amused by her boldness. He placed his hand on her arm, his expression softening slightly. "Fine, love. I'll go. But for the record, I trust you. It's them I don't have faith in."

With that, Stefan escorted Klaus to the front door, and Athena refocused her attention on Alaric. She rubbed her hands together, trying to warm them before the task ahead. "Alright," she said calmly, "I think you've had enough to drink. Relax your body. Think of something that calms you. I'm going to try this first, but if we need to, we'll move on to more intense methods. And if you feel resistance, help me out—blood, vampires, all the things you hate. Draw him out, and I'll handle the rest."

Alaric nodded slouching forward closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Athena placed her hands on either side of his head, her thumbs resting on his forehead. Her fingers began to glow with a soft, divine light as her eyes reflected the same ethereal glow. Slowly, she entered his mind, searching for the darkness within him. Suddenly, Alaric's darker side lunged forward in his mind, manifesting physically. With unnatural strength, he wrapped one hand around her neck, slamming her against the wall, then moved his free hand to restrain one of her arms.

"Hello, sweetie," dark Alaric sneered, his voice dripping with malice.

Gasping for air, Athena quickly kicked him hard in the groin. He crumpled to the floor in pain, giving her just enough time to raise her hand and send him flying across the room, pinning him to the wall with her magic. As she caught her breath, Klaus and Stefan sped into the room, ready to intervene, but Athena shot them a smirk. "I told you," she said, breathless but confident, "I've got it handled."

Klaus hesitated for a moment, his eyes scanning Athena for any signs of harm, but seeing her standing strong, he nodded, his worry easing. He gave her a brief look, trusting in her capability, before turning and leaving the room once more.

Athena turned back to Alaric, who was struggling against the invisible force holding him to the wall. His lips curled into a sneer as he fought. "Look at you," he spat, "one of nature's most beautiful creatures, and you spend your time fraternizing with these god-awful revolting things," looking into her eyes as he nods his head over towards Stefan.

Athena ignored his venomous words.  Her focus was on the task at hand. She stepped closer, her fingers glowing faintly as she pressed them to his temples. Light radiated from her touch, and her eyes mirrored the soft glow as her consciousness delved into his mind. It took time to wade through the layers of darkness and damage, but soon, she found the location of the hidden stake. She started working to undo the damage the ring had caused, the corruption it had inflicted on Alaric's psyche. But something else lurked within.

Suddenly, something dark and malicious gripped her, grappling her magic, before she was able to finish and made her retreat. She gasped sharply, stumbling back, her heart racing with worry. It was as though another force had been helping the darkness inside Alaric grow stronger, feeding it, empowering it, or even trying to manipulate her magic for its own purposes.

Stefan's voice broke through the tension. "What happened?"

Athena shook her head, still shaken from the encounter. "I don't know..." Her voice trailed off, but then she steadied herself, determined to provide some answers. "But I do know where he hid the last stake."

Alaric's voice cut through the room, sharp and filled with malice. "You know this isn't over. You're all going to burn. Ashes to dust."

Athena had enough. Her eyes narrowed as she flicked her wrist, releasing the magic that held him pinned to the wall, and Alaric crumpled to the floor. Swiftly, she stepped forward, placing two fingers on his forehead before he could act. Her magic surged again, and Alaric's eyes fluttered closed as he slipped into unconsciousness, his body falling limp on the ground.

She straightened herself, walking out of the dungeon with Stefan following behind. He was already on his phone, likely coordinating with Damon. When they reached the living room, Klaus and Rebekah were there, waiting expectantly.

Klaus's voice was tense but controlled. "Where is it?"

Athena sighed, "It's in the cave with the runes," she said simply.

Rebekah smirked at the news, flashing a quick glance at Klaus. "Lovely," she muttered before speeding off in a blur. But it wasn't long before she returned, holding Alaric by his shirt collar. She dragged him over with a mocking smile. "I'm going to take him to the caves," she announced, her tone casual but firm. She turned to face the now-roused Alaric. "You're going to go inside and fetch me the stake. And if you think you can hide, you're wrong."

Her grip on Alaric was strong as she yanked him toward the exit. Athena watched them go but couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was still amiss. Ever since the spell, ever since that dark force pushed against her, she couldn't let it go. Something was wrong.

Klaus noticed the change in her demeanor, stepping closer to her. His usual smirk was softened by genuine concern. "Are you alright, love?"

Athena glanced at him, her eyes distant as she processed everything. "I... I need some air," she whispered, feeling the weight of the unease settle in her chest. The feeling from earlier still gnawed at her mind, tugging at her instincts.

Athena left without another word, walking out of the Salvatore house and heading to her car. She sat behind the wheel for a moment, her hands gripping the steering wheel as she tried to make sense of what had happened. The feeling she got from Alaric's mind, that darkness she'd felt was familiar. But with a deep breath, she started the car and drove home.

Athena was nestled comfortably on her sofa, her legs tucked under a warm blanket, a book in her hands as she tried to distract herself from the unease that had been plaguing her. No matter how hard she tried, the gnawing feeling in her gut wouldn’t leave.

The knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She set her book down and stood, adjusting the blanket around her shoulders before heading to the door. When she opened it to see Klaus. He stood there, his expression soft. "Hello, love."

She smiled warmly at him. "Hey, come in" she said, stepping aside to let him in.

He gave her a brief smile in return, stepping inside and allowing the familiar apartment to settle over him. As she closed the door behind him, he moved further into the room, his eyes scanning her living space before resting on her. "What are you doing here?" she asked

"I came here to check up on you. I could tell that something's bothering you, Athena" the Original hybrid said, turning back to face her. "You can talk to me, you know."

Athena breathed out a sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly as she made her way back to the sofa. She pulled the blanket over her legs and looked up at Klaus, who was now watching her intently. She took a moment, choosing her words carefully.

"When I was in Alaric's head... something was wrong." She paused, her brow furrowing as she tried to make sense of the feeling. "Something was fighting back when I was trying to heal the damage the ring caused. It felt like—" She stopped, the realisation dawning on her. "It felt like an outer force was using that moment to drain my magic."

Klaus's expression darkened as he moved to stand in front of her, his gaze sharp. "What do you mean?" he asked.

Athena stood, her heart racing as she explained. "It felt like when Esther drained my magic... that same cold, suffocating pull. I think... I think she took hold of me again."

Klaus furrowed his brow in confusion. "But she's dead, Athena."

Athena's eyes widened in shock. "What? How?"

Klaus let out a breath, his voice steady but laced with irritation. "She was at the mansion earlier. She came to see Rebekah. Told her that she was dying because her grip on the Bennett line was weakening. She's dead now. And in her coffin, if you want to see for yourself."

Athena blinked, her mind racing as she tried to process the information. "I... I had no idea." She paused, shaking her head. "I have an early shift at the hospital tomorrow. Maybe after that, I can check."

Klaus nodded, sensing that the conversation was weighing heavily on her. He then shifted gears, his tone becoming lighter. "I've been thinking of leaving Mystic Falls tomorrow night."

Athena looked up at him in surprise. "Where are you planning on going?"

He hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "Back to New Orleans. It's the only place I've ever truly felt at home."

Athena's mind immediately wandered back to her own time in New Orleans. It had been many, many years since she'd visited. "I haven't been there for centuries," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I wonder what it's like now, and if the pack I was raised by still reside there?"

Klaus's smile grew wider, his eyes gleaming. "Then come with me."

Athena's heart fluttered at his words. She looked up at him, her breath catching in her throat. "What?" she asked softly, as though she hadn't heard him clearly.

He repeated himself, his voice steady and sure. "Come with me. I can show you the sights, the food, the people."

Athena felt lost in his eyes, warmth blooming in her chest at the thought of traveling with him, seeing the world through his eyes. But she hesitated. "I... I don't know," she said, though there was a hint of excitement in her voice. "It does sound nice, though. I'll think about it."

Klaus raised an eyebrow, his smile still lingering. "You still haven't given me an answer about moving in with me either."

Athena chuckled softly, looking away as if contemplating. "Well," she said, teasingly, "if I do plan on leaving with you, wouldn't that question already be answered?" Klaus's smile grew into a knowing grin. He understood her subtle way of saying that if she joined him in New Orleans, she'd likely want to be with him completely, not just as a visitor.

The next day, Athena was deep into her shift at the hospital. It had been a grueling day, filled with emergency surgeries and difficult cases. After a failed emergency surgery and losing the patient Athena just wanted to spend some time alone. As she was heading out, Damon appeared out of nowhere, making her jump and gasp.

"Don't do that!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with irritation. "It's not funny."

Damon smirked. "Oh, come on. It's a little funny."

Athena narrowed her eyes at him, exhaling in frustration already feeling the exhaustion settling in."Look, sweetie," she started, unbuttoning her lab coat, "I've had a long, shitty day at work and would like to go home, relax, and maybe have a glass of wine. You've got ten seconds to explain what you want, or I'm going to melt your brain."

Damon, unfazed by her threat, lifted his hands in mock surrender. "I need medical advice for a friend. Remember Alaric?"

Immediately, Athena’s demeanor shifted. "How is he? Are those herbs Bonnie gave him working?" Concern flashed in her eyes.

Damon sighed, pulling a small jar of herbs out of his pocket. He shook it lightly. "I don't know. Can they work if he doesn’t take them?"

Athena's eyes widened as she took the jar from him, inspecting the herbs. "Found these in his loft," Damon continued, his voice casual but carrying an underlying weight. "Untouched."

Athena clenched her jaw, already feeling the foreboding sense she had earlier return. "I knew something wasn't right." She handed the jar back to Damon, her mind racing with possibilities. "Do you have anything of his? A shirt, a ring—anything that belongs to him?"

Damon nodded. "I can grab something from the loft."

"Meet me at your place when you've got it," Athena said as Damon sped off.

She quickly got changed out of her scrubs, opting for a casual but chic outfit—a striped sweater, a black leather jacket, and loose jeans. Once dressed, she drove over to the Salvatore Boarding House.

When she arrived, Damon opened the door before she could knock. "That was quick," she said, stepping inside.

"Perks of being a vampire," Damon replied, flashing her his signature grin.

Athena wasn't in the mood for his banter. "What did you get from Alaric's loft?"

"His shirt," Damon said, gesturing to the couch where the garment lay.

Athena grabbed the shirt and set it on the table. "I also need salt, a knife, and a metal bowl," she instructed.

Damon complied, gathering the items as she set up a circle of candles. Snapping her fingers, the candles ignited. She tore pieces of the shirt, placed them into the bowl, added salt and Bonnie's herbs, and finally, cut her palm, letting her blood pool into the mixture.

"What kind of spell is this?" Damon asked, curious.

"I'm trying to commune with Alaric's soul," Athena explained, her voice steady. "If what I think is happening to him is true, we have to act now. This is the best option to bring him back. But…"

"But what?" Damon asked, frowning.

"If I can't save him…" Athena trailed off, the unspoken fear hanging in the air. "I'll try my best," she finally said, her determination returning.

She said, "Runeyah," and instantly, the contents of the bowl ignited in blue and purple flames. Athena inhaled the smoke deeply, her heart steadying as she began the incantation.

"Ni sibsi asifrea Alaric, ei galad niz nin, udaho nin, ni sibsi asifrea Alaric." With each word, she took in another breath of the smoke, her voice lowering until her eyes turned a milky white. Her vision faded, leaving her in an endless void of darkness.

Athena's ethereal form was bathed in soft light, her wings glowing as she flew through the dark expanse. She searched for a sign, anything—a spark, a flame—that represented Alaric's soul. But the void was an inky black, too overwhelming. She held her hand out, her palm facing upwards, whispering, "Letda noan ror." A bead of light formed in her palm, growing as she sent it upward like a small sun.

The light expanded, casting away the darkness, and revealed a flickering flame that grew in the presence of the light. The flame began to take shape, forming into Alaric. Athena rushed toward him, a sense of urgency in her steps.

"Alaric," she called out, her voice urgent. "Please tell me you’re in control."

Alaric's form solidified in the light, and he looked at her with sadness in his eyes. "I tried to take control, Athena, but I can't get out. Something's stopping me, making the hold on the darkness stronger."

"Esther...?" Athena whispered, showing her fear.

Alaric's face showed confusion. "I don't know…"

Athena hovered her hand above his chest, closing her eyes as she sought the memories within the one who currently inhabits his mind. Her suspicions were confirmed—through Alaric's eyes, she saw Esther alive, standing over a desiccated Rebekah. An other memory flashed, and Esther was holding a white oak stake, but it was different, more potent, than the others they had encountered. Athena's heart sank.

"I’m sorry this happened," she said softly, pulling her hand away. "I have to go. I need to warn the others."

Before leaving, she left the glowing orb of light with Alaric, a parting gift to keep him from feeling lost and alone in the darkness, a beacon to keep him from feeling cold and lost in the void. "Pele-me anamime hrondo," the nephilim whispered, before she left the void.

Back in the real world, Athena gasped as she returned to her body, her breathing shallow as she immediately waved her hand over the candles, extinguishing the flames. Damon looked at her, concern written all over his face.

"Where's Elena?" she asked, her voice sharp with urgency.

"At the school decade dance with Stefan," Damon raised an eyebrow, sensing the intensity in her tone.

Athena's heart raced. "We need to get there. Now," she said, as she made a move to leave. Before the nephilim could rush past the vampire, Damon sped in front of her, blocking her path.

"Hold your horses, lady," he said, raising his hands to stop her. "Tell me what happened."

Athena paused, breathing heavily, knowing Damon was right. Charging in headfirst wasn't going to help anyone. She forced herself to take a moment, to breathe, despite the rising panic in her chest. "You're not gonna like what I have to say," she admitted, her voice low but steady.

"Spit it out," Damon demanded, his eyes narrowed in determination.

Athena exhaled sharply, the weight of her words hanging in the air. "I was able to talk to Alaric, but he said he can't take control over his body anymore. The dark side of him… it's gotten stronger, and it's because of Esther help."

Damon's expression darkened. His first instinct was immediate. "Great. So we find Esther and kill her. Easy."

But Athena shook her head. "It's not going to be that easy, sweetie. She's got a powerful hunter on her side—someone who hates vampires and anyone who sympathises with them. He's like her guard dog, and he has the white oak stake." Damon froze for a second, eyes widening slightly. "She did something to it, something that made it even more powerful. We need to warn everyone about this. Otherwise, people we care about are going to die… you're going to die, Damon."

Her words hung heavily in the air. Damon's expression shifted from defiance to a cold, hardened resolve. The casual charm he usually wore had vanished, replaced by a seriousness.
"I'm driving," he said simply, cutting off any further conversation. There wasn't time to argue or debate anymore. Athena nodded, following him as he quickly moved toward the door.

When Athena and Damon arrived at the dance, the school was a bustling scene of students dressed in 1920s outfits. The music of the era played softly, and the soft glow of the overhead lights gave the room a nostalgic, golden hue. Athena smiled at the efforts the students put into their clothing and decided to blend in with an elegant touch of her own. With a simple illusory spell, she transformed her attire into a light cream-coloured, beaded flapper dress with fringe, paired with  a feathered headband, pearls hanging around her neck and matching heels, appearing as if she had just stepped out of the Roaring Twenties herself.

Damon eyed her with a raised brow. "Seriously?"

Athena just smirked, brushing off his reaction and replied with a playful tone. "What? I've never been to a decade dance before." She winked at him as they made their way inside the gymnasium, the music playing softly in the background.

Damon left to find Elena and Stefan as Athena waited. A slow, romantic tune filled the room, and couples swayed gently in time with the music. Athena scanned the room, her heart pounding, not just because of the urgency of the situation but also because she felt a nagging sense of foreboding. But before she could gather her thoughts, a familiar voice called out her name.

"Athena," Klaus' voice was smooth and commanding. She turned around, her breath catching for a moment as she saw Klaus walking towards her. He was dressed in a crisp white three-piece suit, complete with a tie and vest that screamed sophistication, complementing the 1920s atmosphere. His hair was neatly combed, and the sharpness of his jawline seemed even more pronounced under the lights. His face lighting up with a smile that was confident, and his eyes sparkled with mischief.

"I'm glad you're here. This was starting to get a little dull," Klaus said, stopping just in front of her. He looked her up and down, admiring the effort she'd put into her illusion. "You look beautiful," he added, his voice sincere, and for a moment, Athena blushed, her cheeks flushing red.

For just a second, the tension in her chest eased. Being around Klaus made her feel safe, and all her worries seemed to fade. She tried to focus, at the task at hand,"Klaus I need to talk to you, it's important," Klaus however took her hand, gently pulling her toward the center of the crowd.

"Come," he said softly, placing one hand on her back and interlacing the other with her hand. "Just one dance, love. Let me have this moment with you, then we can talk."

Athena sighed, her heart in conflict, but she placed her arm around his shoulder, relenting. "Only one," she said, allowing herself to be pulled into the slow rhythm of the music.

They danced in silence, their eyes locked, and the world seemed to disappear for a brief moment. Klaus's presence was magnetic, and as they moved together, she could feel the intensity of his emotions, the way he looked at her like she was the only person in the room. For that fleeting moment, all thoughts of Esther, Alaric, and the looming danger faded away.

However, as they swayed to the music, the Original hybrids eyes caught sight of Caroline, dancing with Tyler Lockwood. Instantly, his jaw clenched, and his grip on Athena's hand tightened slightly. Athena felt the change in his demeanor and turned to see what had caught his attention.

Without warning, Klaus's entire mood shifted. He let go of Athena and stormed over to Tyler, his expression dark. "Where have you been, mate?" Klaus said, his voice deadly calm.

Tyler turned, facing Klaus with a slightly defensive look. "I just got back in town," he replied, trying to remain composed.

"That's funny," Klaus said, his smile tight-lipped. "I don't recall giving you permission to leave in the first place."

"Klaus," Athena called out gently, placing a hand on his back. "Calm down."

Klaus's eyes flicked to Athena for a brief moment, softening under her touch. "I'm Athena," she said, addressing Tyler with a polite smile. "You must be Tyler. Nice to meet you." She extended her hand towards Tyler, trying to defuse the tension.

Tyler nodded politely, shaking her hand. "Nice to meet you too," he replied.

But as soon as Tyler released her hand, Klaus growled low in his throat, swiftly pulling Athena back to his side, his arm possessively wrapping around her waist. Athena blinked, surprised by the sudden display of jealousy. "Klaus," she said sharply, "I just wanted to say hello. What was that for?"

"Nothing, love," Klaus gritted his teeth. What he wanted to say was far different. The truth was, seeing the Lockwood touch her stirred something primal in him. His protective instincts flared, and the jealousy that gnawed at him was something he couldn’t easily suppress.

"So, are you two...?" Tyler began, looking between Klaus and Athena, clearly confused by the tension.

Athena quickly interjected, "We're friends." Though the label 'friends' stung Klaus deeply, he remained silent. The disappointment hit him like a wave, but he kept his emotions in check, refusing to let it show. Without saying another word, Klaus pulled out his phone and walked towards the exit of the gym, dialing Rebekah's number. Athena could see he was upset and hurried after him.

When she didn't answer, he left a message, his voice low and filled with annoyance. "Rebekah, call me back immediately. I only came to this ridiculous dance because you begged me to, and now you're nowhere to be found." Just as Klaus hung up the phone, Athena caught up to him outside. He stopped, noticing the strange line of salt circling the school's perimeter.

"What is this?" Klaus demanded, his tone filled with suspicion.

Athena was about to speak when Stefan approached from behind, his expression serious. "Your mother's back," Stefan said grimly.

Klaus and Athena both turned to him as he explained, "Bonnie is already working on a spell to remove the barrier."

Athena glanced at the salt line, her face contorting in confusion as she took a step over it. "I don't feel anything," she murmured, stepping further across the line. "Maybe it's only to keep the vampires in."

Stefan nodded, looking relieved. "That means you have a head start. Esther has Elena. We don't know what else she's —"

"I don't feel anything," she whispered again, cutting off Stefan, this time in fear. Her confusion deepened as she realised something was terribly wrong. The nephilim always felt the energy of life and magic around her, but crossing the salt line seemed to sever her connection to that magic—her very essence—was slipping away. Her illusory dress dissolved, revealing her regular clothes and both Klaus and Stefan grew tense as they saw the change. Her face paled.

"Something's wrong," Athena muttered, her vision blurring. Her energy was rapidly depleting, and she struggled to keep her eyes open, her head heavy. "Klaus…" she began, her voice growing weak.

"Love, step back over the line now," he said urgently. Athena fought against the overwhelming sense of fatigue, but whatever Esther had done was strong. She stumbled and collapsed into Klaus's arms, her body cold to the touch.

"Klaus…" Athena struggled to speak. "She's…channeling me…"

Klaus held her close, his heart pounding as he felt how cold and fragile she had become. "Fight back, Athena," he urged, his voice breaking. "I know you're powerful enough to fight whatever magic she holds over you. Fight back for me."

But Athena's energy continued to fade. She tried to focus, but the void was pulling her in, dragging her into unconsciousness, "Klaus…" her body went limp in his arms, her eyes closing as she dragged into unconsciousness

"Athena…" Klaus whispered, desperation creeping into his voice. "No…no…" He shook her gently, refusing to believe what was happening. "Athena!" he shouted, his voice cracking as he cradled her in his arms, his hand gently resting on her face. "I'll find a way to stop her, love. Just keep fighting for me."

Chapter Text

Klaus sat in his room.

The darkness of the night swallowed him whole as he watched over Athena. She lay motionless on his bed, her breaths shallow, her skin unnaturally cold. He had tried everything—feeding her his blood, attempted to give her water, anything that could bring her back, but nothing worked. Even Bonnie had attempted to sever the link between Esther and Athena, but the powerful magic that lingered refused to break. Klaus held Athena's hand, his thumb stroked her cold skin, desperation etched into his face as he whispered to her softly, "Come on, love... wake up, please." Klaus, the mighty Original Hybrid, was reduced to pleading. He had lost so many people over the centuries, but losing Athena felt different. It felt unbearable.

After what felt like an eternity, Athena’s eyes fluttered open. Klaus's heart nearly stopped. Relief washed over him, and a small, hopeful smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Thank god…" he whispered heavily "You're alright, I—"

But before Klaus could say anything more, Athena's expression darkened. Her eyes, once warm and familiar, were now cold, distant. With a flick of her wrist, Klaus was hurled across the room, slamming into the wall with brutal force that the plaster cracked. He grunted as his back hit the hard surface, invisible hooks dug into his flesh, pinning him to the wall, and an agonising scream escaped his lips as the pain seared through his body as he struggled to move, to free himself bit the magic was too strong.

Athena—or what appeared to be her—stood, her face expressionless yet her voice echoed with a tone that wasn't her own "You wouldn't dare harm this body, would you, Niklaus?" she said coldly.

Klaus stared at her in horror, the realisation dawning painfully on him. "No… no… get out of her!" he growled through gritted teeth, his voice breaking with desperation as he struggled against the invisible restraints.

Esther was now controlling Athena's body. She walked slowly towards him. She tilted her head, watching him with cruel amusement. "Athena is far greater for the likes of you. Niklaus. You would only ruin her, as you ruin everything you touch," Esther taunted, her voice filled with disdain "She deserves better than a monster like you. Consider this a warning, if you continue to pursue her, my son, I will take her from you… permanently."

Klaus' heart raced, his eyes flickered with fury and pain, not from the physical torture, but front eh frlear of losing Athena. He coughed violently, blood splattering on the floor beneath him as Esther tightened her magical grip, silencing him. Esther turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Klaus bleeding and immobilised. He watched helplessly as she exited the house, controlling Athenas body as if it were her own puppet

Esther's hold on Athena's body was weakening, but it was still enough for her to complete the task she had begun. She walked with purpose, her destination clear—the Salvatore crypt. As she arrived, Bonnie appeared at her side as if summoned, just as Esther had expected. Esther nodded in appreciation of the young witch's timing, knowing that Bonnie’s role would soon be critical.

Inside the crypt, Alaric and Damon sat, drinking in silence. Alaric, unwilling to complete his transition into becoming a vampire, was waiting for death to claim him. Damon, equally resigned, was keeping him company, their conversation bleak and full of unresolved tension.

The sound of footsteps alerted Damon. He sped outside, confused to see Athena and Bonnie standing there. But before Damon could say a word, Esther snapped Damon's neck with a flick of her finger, sending him crumpling to the ground, his body limp, leaving the path to Alaric clear.

Esther guided forward into the crypt. She turned to Bonnie, swiping a hand across her neck causing blood to spill, her eyes glowing with dark intent. Alaric, unable to resist the overpowering scent of blood, lunged forward, yanking Bonnie into his arms. He sank his teeth into her neck, drinking deeply until she was unconscious, her body limp in his grasp.

"We need her alive," Esther muttered, her focus shifting to Alaric, who now held the white oak stake firmly in his grasp.

Alaric's eyes darkened, filled with venom and rage. "Athena," he hissed, his voice laced with contempt as the darkness took over.

But Esther, still in control, corrected him. "Esther," she said coldly. "I have only moments before I'm gone for good, so listen closely."

Alaric's tense posture relaxed as he absorbed her words. Esther continued, her voice soft but commanding, "Athena will be the last name on your list. You must be strategic. Do not go on a mindless killing rampage. My children are too fond of her, and while they may avoid you, they will not allow you to harm her. Weaken her first, break down her defences. Isolate her, and only when she is vulnerable should you strike."

Alaric nodded, taking in every word of Esther's instructions.

"If you wish to lure Niklaus in first, use the doppelganger. He still needs her blood for his hybrids," Esther warned. "Do not kill Athena until you have killed as many vampires as possible. Her magic can still corrupt you, or worse she can take away the gifts I've given you if she remains strong. Be patient, my hunter. Bide your time."

Esther's control faltered as her connection to Athena weakened further. She swayed, her strength fading. Closing her eyes, she released the last remnants of her hold on Athena, and her consciousness vanished. Athena's body collapsed to the ground beside Bonnie, now free from Esther's influence.

Alaric stood tall, gripping the stake in hand, looked down at the unconscious women before him. He took a breath, understanding his mission clearly, before speeding off into the night. His mind raced with thoughts of blood, and  he left with Damon remaining where he had fallen, still unconscious but alive—for now.

As soon as Damon woke up, groaning and shaking off the after-effects of having his neck snapped, he realised with growing frustration that something had gone terribly wrong. "Goddammit!" he cursed loudly, his voice echoing in the crypt. His head swam with a combination of anger and confusion. Without wasting a second, he hoisted both Athena and Bonnie onto his shoulders and sped out of the crypt, cursing under his breath the entire way.

By the time he reached the Gilbert residence, the sun had already begun to rise, casting a warm glow over the quiet streets. He pounded on the door, impatience radiating off of him. Stefan answered, his eyes wide with surprise as he took in the sight of the two women draped over Damon's shoulders. He quickly stepped aside, letting Damon inside.

"What the hell happened?" Stefan asked, clearly agitated as he watched Damon set Bonnie and Athena down on the couch. Before Damon could respond, both women stirred, slowly coming back to consciousness.

"We have a problem," Damon said as soon as Bonnie and Athena were awake, his tone sharp and filled with annoyance. He didn't wait for Stefan to ask any questions before launching into an explanation. "Alaric turned. Esther led these two straight into it. Fed him Bonnie's blood, and now the guy's a vampire-hating killing machine. Fun, right?"

Stefan pinched the bridge of his nose, his frustration bubbling over. "What do you mean he turned? I thought you were supposed to be standing guard?" His tone was laced with accusation.

"Don't blame me. Blame 'happy-trigger fingers' over here and Bonnie the blood bank. They fed him." Damon gestured toward Athena and Bonnie, clearly irritated.

"I didn't know what was happening! Esther manipulated me, okay? It's not my fault. It's not Athena's fault either," Bonnie snapped defensively, looking over at Athena, who was already tending to her wound on the neck with a small healing spell.

Stefan crossed his arms, his brows furrowed in frustration. "So where's the stake now?"

"The white oak one? You mean the one that can kill an Original and wipe out an entire line of vampires? We don't know." Damon glared at Bonnie, who returned his look with just as much heat.

Bonnie glowered at Damon. "If you're so upset with me, then why did you bother feeding me your blood to save my life?" she hissed, her voice full of defiance.

Damon got right up in Bonnie's face, his own voice low and sharp. "Because I do stupid things, Bonnie. Like letting my friend die with dignity when I should've just killed him.'

Athena, who had been quietly watching the argument escalate, couldn't help but let out a soft snort. "Sorry," she said, smirking slightly when all eyes turned to her. "It's just... you can cut the sexual tension in here with a knife."

Damon turned sharply toward Athena, his expression darkening. "You're an orthopedic surgeon, not a psychologist. So maybe don't talk about things you don't know, sweetie." His tone was biting, though the instant shift in the atmosphere made both him and Bonnie look away from each other awkwardly.

Stefan, ever the peacemaker, clapped his hands together, breaking the awkward tension. "Alright, so how do we stop Alaric?"

Bonnie, now a little calmer, stepped forward. "I've been thinking about that. A witch can't truly make an immortal creature. There's always a loophole, always a way to undo a spell."

"So, what's the witchy workaround?" Damon asked, leaning casually against a nearby chair, though his gaze was sharp and focused.

"That's the problem... I don't know yet," Bonnie admitted, frustration clear in her voice as she looked between the Salvatore brothers.

"But I might." Athena spoke up, drawing everyone's attention to her. "Mikael was desiccated for a long time, right? He would've stayed that way if he hadn't been given blood. Bonnie and I could do the same to Alaric."

Bonnie nodded, her expression serious. "That could work. I could ask Abby how she did the spell on Mikael, see if she can—" Before she could finish, the doorbell rang. Jeremy quickly moved to open the door, revealing Klaus standing there with his hands behind his back.

"What the hell do you want?" Jeremy asked, his voice defensive as he stepped back.

"Is that any way to treat a guest?" Klaus smirked.

Stefan stood by the door, glaring at the Original hybrid. "What are you doing here, Klaus?" Stefan asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

Klaus gave him a sly smile and glanced at Jeremy. "Well, for starters, young Jeremy here could show some manners and invite me in." His tone was smooth, but it carried an undercurrent of impatience.

Stefan sighed, he turned to Jeremy. "Why don't you go up to your room?" Stefan said, his tone leaving no room for argument. Jeremy hesitated but then followed Stefan's orders, disappearing up the stairs.

Once Jeremy was out of sight, Klaus continued. "I know Athena's here, and I'm here to take her home," his voice calm but authoritative.

Before Stefan could respond, Damon appeared beside him, his expression hardened with defiance. "She's not going anywhere with you," Damon said firmly. "Your psychotic mother used Athena as her personal battery twice to try and kill vampires, and she wasn't even using Athena's full powers." His voice was edged with annoyance.

Athena walked into the room, her presence immediately easing some of the tension. She stepped between Damon and Stefan, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I can't tell if I should be thankful that you actually care about me or if you're just looking out for yourselves," she teased, trying to lighten the mood.

Damon turned to her, his serious expression faltering as he smirked. "I can do both, friend," he said, placing emphasis on the word "friend" and giving her a playful wink.

Athena's heart lightened, happy that Damon had come to accept her as one of his friends. Klaus, however, was far from amused. He saw the brief exchange between Athena and Damon, and an intense surge of possessiveness coursed through him. The urge to tear out Damon's throat was overwhelming, but he held himself back, knowing that Damon was safe behind the threshold of the house. His eyes darkened with jealousy, but he kept his composure.

Sensing the change in Klaus's demeanor, Athena gently patted Damon on the shoulder. "I'll be right back," she said softly, her voice filled with reassurance.

She walked out into the front yard with Klaus, who was visibly tense. As they stepped into the cool morning air, Athena reached out, placing her hand on Klaus's arm. Her fingers trailed down to his hand, intertwining with his fingers as she stopped him from walking any further. "Hey, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice soft, knowing something was weighing heavily on him.

Klaus looked at her, his emotions swirling. He held her hand tightly, then closed his eyes for a brief moment. "I don't wish to be overheard," he said, his voice low.

In an instant, they were transported into her mind, standing in his art room, surrounded by canvases and brushes. Athena recognised the look on his face—the same look of self-hatred and shame she had seen before. Without hesitation, she placed her hands around his neck, her thumbs brushing his cheeks gently. "Hey," she whispered, her eyes filled with compassion, "look at me, sweetie. Don't listen to Damon. This isn't your fault."

Klaus clenched his jaw, guilt gnawing at him. "But it is my fault," he muttered, the shame in his voice unmistakable. "I got distracted. Esther used her vendetta against me to hurt you. If she had killed you, it would've been my fault—my fault alone. I didn't protect you, love, and I should have." His eyes were filled with regret, his shoulders tense.

Athena sighed softly, hating to see Klaus like this. She moved her hands up, stroking his hair soothingly, "Esther's gone now," she reassured him, her voice gentle. "I don't feel her magic anymore. She can't use me against you, not anymore."

The warmth of her touch seemed to melt away some of the tension in Klaus's body. He relaxed slightly, allowing himself to lean into her comforting presence. "I'm planning on leaving tonight," Klaus admitted, his voice quieter now. "If you still want to come with me. Rebekah's already refused to wait for me. I just need a little more of Elena's blood, and then I'll abandon this miserable town."

Athena pulled back slightly, her expression thoughtful. "I want to help put Alaric down first," she said firmly. "Then I'll need to quit my job at the hospital."

Klaus's mood immediately lifted at her words, "So, you'll be joining me?" he asked, his voice filled with hope. His smile was giddy, like a child receiving a long-awaited gift.

Athena smiled back, nodding. "Yes. But first, we need to handle Alaric. Bonnie and I are planning to desiccate him the way her mother did to Mikael. Together, we can do it."

Klaus let out a soft breath of relief, letting go of her hand as they returned to the present. Just as they settled back into reality, the door swung open, and Stefan stepped outside.

"Elena's not here," Stefan announced, his voice tense. "Alaric has her and Caroline, and he's going to kill them both unless you turn yourself over to him."

Klaus let out a dry, humourless laugh. "Now, I know you're not asking me to walk into certain death," he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Stefan's face remained serious. "I wish we didn't have to, but if Alaric kills you, there’s a one in four chance we die too," he explained bluntly.

Damon, never one to resist making light of a dire situation, grinned. "I'll take those odds," he said with a smile.

Stefan shot him a look, his tone dead serious. "And there's a hundred percent chance Tyler dies too."

Damon's grin didn't falter. "I could live with that," he said, earning an exasperated sigh from Stefan.

Klaus, however, remained focused on the threat at hand. His mind was already racing with possibilities, strategies to turn the situation in his favor. But one thing was certain—he would not risk losing Athena again, not now that he knew she was coming with him.

As the tension hung in the air, Athena decided to take control of the situation. "Why don’t we just figure out a way to execute this plan?" she suggested, her voice cutting through the rising frustration.

Klaus, who had been leaning casually against the porch railing, grinned as an idea popped into his head. "Okay, how about Damon sneaks in and distracts Alaric, while Stefan grabs Elena and carries her off to safety?" His tone was light, but the smirk on his face betrayed how much he enjoyed putting Damon in difficult situations.

Damon scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Oh, that’s a great idea. And what’s to stop me from getting killed instantly?" His voice dripped with sarcasm.

Klaus' grin widened. "Nothing," he said with a mockingly sweet tone, clearly enjoying himself.

Before Damon could argue further, Athena stepped in. "We have to save Caroline as well," she reminded them, steering the conversation back on track. Her voice was calm but firm, ensuring no one would argue.

At that moment, Bonnie appeared on the porch, phone in hand, a serious expression on her face. "My mom is on her way," Bonnie announced as she looked around the group. "She’s going to give me the desiccation spell she used on Mikael. But even with the spell, we’re going to need a lot of vampire muscle to take him down. Including yours." She directed the last part to Klaus, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Klaus narrowed his eyes suspiciously but listened. "Just so we’re clear," he began, his voice deadly serious, "the sun sets in about eight hours. If we don’t succeed before then, Elena will be dead, Athena and I will be gone, and the rest of you will be left to fend for yourselves."

The Salvatore brothers and the witch turned to Athena, the mention of the nephilim leaving with Klaus caught everyone by surprise. "You’re leaving with him?" Stefan asked, his tone laced with a mix of confusion and disappointment.

Athena sighed, knowing this would be hard to explain. "I think it’s time for me to move on. I wasn’t planning on staying in this town forever. You guys can handle things here, and I’ll always be just a phone call away if you need me." She tried to give them a reassuring smile, but it was tinged with sadness.

Damon, ever the one to make light of a situation, pouted dramatically. "And just when I got a friend, she’s leaving me already."

Athena chuckled softly, rolling her eyes. "Don’t worry, Damon. We can still call each other."

With a grin, Damon smirked and winked at her, clearly enjoying the banter. "Good. I’ll hold you to that."

Athena turned to Klaus, her smile softening as she asked, "Can you take me to your place? There are a few things I need to do before I pack."

Klaus nodded, casting a victorious smirk at the brothers as he said, "Text us when you’ve figured out where we’re meeting." Before anyone could say another word, Klaus sped them both away, leaving the group to finalize their plans.

Arriving at the Mikaelson mansion, Athena pulled out her dimension key and entered to her chamber. She moved with purpose, gathering a few small bottles of herbs that she had stored away. Klaus waited for her, his curiosity piqued as she carefully selected what she needed.

"We don't have much time," Athena said, her voice focused as she handed some of the bottles to Klaus.

Klaus gave her a curious look. "What do you want me to do with these?"

"Place them on the table," she instructed, her attention still on the task at hand.

As Klaus set the bottles down, Athena suddenly paused as she heard someone moving outside the room. "Who else is here?" she asked, her voice cautious.

Klaus gave a nonchalant shrug. "Tyler Lockwood. I instructed him to help me with the packing."

Athena nodded, satisfied with the answer. "Good. Tell him to come here. I need him for something."

Klaus looked skeptical but did as she asked. A moment later, Klaus returned with Tyler in tow, his expression still filled with curiosity. "What are you planning, love?" Klaus asked, intrigued.

Athena began mixing the herbs in a small bowl before igniting them. The sweet scent of burning herbs filled the room as she pulled Tyler forward gently. "We know Alaric is stronger than the Originals, possibly stronger than anything we've faced. We need a magical failsafe so he can’t kill you, Klaus, and thus, ensure Damon, Stefan, Caroline, and Tyler won’t die if you’re gone."

She handed everyone a small glass. "I need you all to bleed into these. I’m planning on putting a spell over Klaus to preserve his body in the event that he does get stabbed with the indestructible white oak stake. His spirit will be tied to yours, Tyler. It will jump into your body and be safe until I can heal Klaus’s body and restore him. This will ensure that no one dies."

Tyler's face paled, but he didn't protest. Klaus gave Athena a long, curious look before he complied, spilling his blood into the glass. Athena, seeing the question in his eyes, smiled. "Yes," she said, answering his unspoken question, "I got the idea from your mother. She came in handy for once."

Klaus grinned at Athena, his admiration for her only deepening. He was so used to manipulating or threatening people to get what he wanted, but with Athena, there was no need. She wanted to help him, and her spontaneous desire to protect him left him both surprised and grateful.

"Now drink each other's blood," Athena instructed as the smoke from the herbs curled around them.

They did as she asked, and Athena began chanting, "Ni zacam er tavarif minna symp hrondo lav i galad udaho alnej ana niez blansec eala." Her divine magic filled the room, its presence powerful and commanding. Both Tyler and Klaus gasped as the magic took hold, binding them together in a way that would keep Klaus's spirit tethered to Tyler if things went awry.

Athena, satisfied that the spell had worked, gave them both a stern look. "This has to stay a secret. If anyone finds out, there's no point in taking preventative measures."

Tyler nodded. "I was instructed to stay here and pack anyway. And if it means I don’t die and neither does Caroline, I’m all in."

As Athena waved her hand over the jars of herbs, sending them back from where they came, her phone chimed, the sound startling her out of her thoughts. It was a text from Bonnie, confirming that they should meet at Mystic Falls High School in an hour.

Bonnie had already walked through the desiccation spell with her mother within the hour. However, despite Bonnie's pleading, Abby had refused to participate in anything related to the Originals. Bonnie shared this news with  with the others.

Athena relayed the information to Klaus, and they quickly made their way to the school. Upon arrival, they gathered with the group—Bonnie, Jeremy, Damon, and Stefan all waiting.

Klaus took in the sight of them all standing together and smirked. "Look at this, one big happy family," he said, his voice dripping with amusement

Bonnie ignored him, holding up a vial of her blood. "Drink this," she instructed. "It bridges us all together. When I stop Jeremy's heart, you'll have the power to stop Alaric. But you'll need to make a physical connection to his bloodstream—a vein, an artery, something connected to his heart."

One by one, the vampires drank her blood without hesitation, grim determination settling over the group. Stefan spoke up. "If one of us gets a clean shot, we take it. The other two hold him down."

Klaus, sensing the gravity of the situation, decided to clarify his position spoke with an authoritative air, his gaze sweeping over the group. "Before we all walk through these doors, let's get on the same page, shall we? I was the one who created your vampire bloodline. Therefore, I am responsible for your lives, Tyler's life, Caroline's life…shall I go on?"

Damon, never missing an opportunity to take a shot at Klaus, smirked. "Or you're lying to save your ass." Klaus shot Damon a deadly glare, but knowing that Athena did the protection spell, he didn't press any further

Stefan, not wanting the tension to spiral out of control, clapped his hands together. "Let's just get this over with, shall we?"

As the group split up, Athena, Bonnie, and Jeremy made their way to the woods behind the school. Bonnie, determined and focused, took the lead in the crucial task of stopping Jeremy's heart in parallel with Alaric's. Once Jeremy lay down on the ground, a nervous energy filled the air. Athena, sensing it, offered softly, "I can do the spell if you want me to."

Bonnie, though clearly apprehensive, shook her head. "No, I need to do this myself," she replied, her voice resolute. "This was my mom's spell. It feels right that I should be the one to carry it out."

Athena nodded, understanding the personal importance of the moment. "I'll cast a protection spell over Jeremy, just in case stopping his heart damages him mentally. He's wearing the Gilbert ring, after all," she said, trying to provide comfort and reassurance.

Jeremy, though anxious, gave a determined nod, understanding the gravity of the situation. He was willing to do whatever it took to protect his sister. Athena placed her hands gently on either side of Jeremy's head and quietly cast the protection spell, a warm glow surrounding him as she worked. "I'm here if you need anything," she said with a soft smile aimed at Bonnie, who gave a slightly nervous smile in return, but nodded gratefully.

Several moments passed before Bonnie straightened, her expression becoming serious. "They made contact. It's happening," she said, rolling up her sleeves. She then placed her hand over Jeremy's heart and began chanting the spell. "Ocoros mecante, aleoros subsitos. Ocoros mecante, aleoros subsitos. Ocoros mecante, aleoros subsitos—" Suddenly, Bonnie stopped mid-chant, her eyes wide with alarm.

"What's wrong?" Jeremy and Athena asked in unison, their voices tight with concern.

"The connection broke," Bonnie said, her voice trembling slightly with frustration and confusion.

Athena immediately began to move, agitated by the uncertainty. "If something's happening, I should go check," she said, about to stand up.

Bonnie reached out, stopping her. "Don't. What if this is a trap? What if Esther did this just to use you again to hurt us, to hurt you?" Bonnie's worry was evident in her voice. "I have a bad feeling about you leaving, Athena."

Athena sighed, her body itching to act, but she knew Bonnie might be right. She reluctantly sat back down. "I have a bad feeling about this too," she admitted softly. The agony of waiting settled in as the minutes stretched into what felt like hours, each one filled with silence and tension.

Finally, Bonnie found the connection again. This time, Athena squeezed Bonnie's hand, offering her strength and stability as Bonnie resumed the chant, their magic intertwined. Jeremy's face went slack, his breath stilling as his heart stopped completely.

Both the witch and the nephilim watched as blackened veins crept up their arms, signaling that the spell was working. The strain was palpable, but Bonnie knew when to stop, and when she did, she and Athena let out simultaneous sighs of relief. Athena quickly placed her hand on Jeremy's head and whispered, "Im nalli emel na dringonce tare."

Jeremy let out a sharp gasp, his chest rising as he began to breathe again. He sat up, disoriented but unharmed. Athena smiled, feeling pleased with the outcome. As they prepared to part ways, Athena called Klaus, but he didn't answer—a rare occurrence that only added to her growing sense of unease. She left him a message, her concern evident in her voice.

Later, on her way home, Athena was struck by a vision—Elena, pale and lifeless, lying on a slab. Panic overtook her as she rushed to the hospital. She hurried to the receptionist, her voice urgent. "Hey Danielle, do we have a patient named Elena Gilbert here?"

The receptionist checked and nodded. "Yes, she's one of Merediths patients, room 150."

Athena's heart raced as she quickly made her way to the room, only to find Jeremy talking to Meredith. "What happened to Elena?" Athena asked, trying to remain calm but feeling her anxiety spike.

Meredith reassured them, "She's going to be fine. She got a little banged up today. Hit her head, but it's just a slight concussion. Nothing to worry about."

Jeremy, standing by, didn't seem convinced. "But she collapsed…there was blood," he said, confused and concerned.

Meredith waved off his concerns. "Honestly, Jeremy, she's okay. She's just been through a lot. She needs rest."

After Meredith left, Jeremy turned to the nephilim, "How did you know to come here?" Jeremy asked, still processing everything.

Athena sighed, keeping her voice low. "You won't like this, but I had a vision… Elena was in the hospital, and it didn't look good at all. But from what Meredith just said, she's fine. And now I don't know what to think."

Jeremy's face tensed with concern as he pulled out his phone, clearly unsure of what to make of it. "Is there anyone you want to call?" Athena asked, her thoughts racing.

Jeremy nodded slowly and stepped away to make a call while Athena walked into the room. She found Elena awake, though groggy. "Athena? What happened?" Elena asked, her voice hoarse.

"Meredith said you had a concussion, but—" Athena hesitated, trying to find the right words. She didn't want to worry Elena, but the vision had rattled her.

Elena sat up, alarmed. "But what? Is something wrong?"

Athena sighed, feeling conflicted. "I would like to run some more tests, but not here—it’s not safe. We'll take you home, and I can check you over there." Her voice gentle but with a hint of concern. Elena, still slightly dazed, nodded. Athena helped her out of bed, handing her clothes back. Jeremy excused himself, saying he had something to take care of and would meet them back at the house later. Athena nodded, watching him leave before guiding Elena out of the hospital.

As they arrived at the Gilbert house, Athena steered Elena towards the couch. "Lie down," Athena instructed as they walked inside.

Elena, stubborn as ever, protested, "I'm fine. I just want something to eat."

Athena gave her a playful but firm look. "It's great that you’re hungry, but I said lie down on the couch. Doctor's orders," she smirked.

Reluctantly, Elena made her way to the couch. Just as she was about to sit down, there was a knock at the door. She tried to get up, but Athena shot her a stern look. "What did I just say?"

Sighing, Elena settled into the couch, while Athena opened the door to find Matt, Tyler, and Caroline standing there. The concern on their faces was palpable.

"Is Elena okay?" Matt asked immediately.

"She's hungry, which is a good sign," Athena replied. "If one of you could make her something to eat, that’d be great."

The group stepped inside. Tyler, trying to keep things light, nodded and joked, "We're on it. As soon as we make sure no one’s lurking in the closets," before heading upstairs with Matt to check the house.

Caroline made her way to Elena, who was now sitting up on the couch. Athena, not missing a beat, placed a blanket over Elena's legs. "You're one stubborn patient," she teased lightly.

Caroline chimed in with a smirk. "Do you want some tea? Maybe some vodka?"

Both Athena and Elena shot her a look, causing Caroline to backtrack. "What? Both will help you sleep."

Athena shook her head, smiling softly. "I can help her sleep, Caroline, but first, I’m going to do some tests."

Caroline's brow furrowed in confusion, her worry deepening. "What tests? Jeremy told us Dr. Fell said Elena was fine and just needs to rest," she said, her voice carrying a hint of panic.

Athena sensed Caroline’s rising anxiety and quickly reassured her. "It's nothing to be scared about. I just want to be sure everything is alright, especially since Jeremy said he found her bleeding." Athena didn’t want to reveal too much about her vision of Elena being dead. The very idea that something was still off haunted her, but she didn’t want to worry Caroline or Elena unnecessarily.

Elena sighed softly, knowing Caroline’s protective nature. "I know. I’m being smothered; it’s what you do," Caroline said playfully, her voice gentle as she smiled at Elena.

She sat down by Elena's legs, holding her hands as a way of offering comfort. "No, it's nice," Elena added, her smile growing warmer.

Caroline, still trying to lighten the mood, said with a playful grin, "I'm thinking tea with vodka."

Athena called out, "Just tea, Caroline." Her tone was light but firm, drawing a mock-complaint from Caroline, who finally gave in.

"Fine," Caroline sighed dramatically, getting up to go make the tea. "But I'm adding extra honey."

As Caroline moved toward the kitchen, Athena turned her full attention back to Elena, her expression becoming more serious. "I'll be using my magic to see if there’s anything wrong with you internally. You'll feel a warm sensation throughout your body," she explained, sitting next to Elena and hovering her hands just above her chest.

Elena nodded, trusting Athena completely. "Okay," she whispered.

Athena closed her eyes, and a soft glow began to emanate from her hands, spiraling out in gentle wisps of white light. The glow enveloped Elena in a comforting warmth, spreading through her body like a gentle wave. Athena's eyes glowed a matching white as she concentrated, searching for any sign of injury or abnormality inside Elena.

The light pulsed softly as the nephilims magic worked, but after several moments, she let out a slow breath, her hands dimming as the glow faded away.

"I don't see anything wrong physically or internally," Athena said, her tone calm and reassuring. "But I do suggest you follow Dr Fells advice and rest, Elena. You've had a long day, and your body needs to recover."

Elena nodded, a small smile of gratitude playing on her lips. "Thank you," she whispered. With that, Athena placed her hand gently on Elena's forehead, whispering a soft spell under her breath. A gentle wave of magic washed over Elena once more, her eyelids fluttering closed as the spell took hold, lulling her into a peaceful sleep. As she watched Elena drift off, Athena sat quietly by her side, feeling the weight of her worries still lingering.

Chapter Text

Caroline came back into the room.

Carrying a steaming cup of tea. She handed it to Athena, who took it gratefully and sank into the couch, her exhaustion creeping up on her. She sipped the tea, its warmth soothing her, but before long, her eyes grew heavy as well, and she drifted into a deep sleep.

As soon as Athena fell asleep, her dreams were flooded with disturbing images. She saw a young brunette woman, her face contorted in pain, screaming as she gave birth. The woman looked terrified, sweat pouring down her face as she struggled through the agonising process. But before she could even hold her child for more than a minute, the scene turned violent—someone stepped forward, killing the woman mercilessly, leaving her lifeless body in a pool of blood. The child's cries echoed in the background, lost in the brutality of the moment.

The dream shifted suddenly, and now Athena saw Kol. He stood tall but was abruptly stabbed through the heart with a white oak stake. His expression turned from shock to pain as flames erupted from his body. His skin cracked and charred, burning until he was nothing but ash. His last scream was one of despair.

Another image flashed before her, even more horrifying than the last. Klaus and Elijah, her heart ached for them as she saw them side by side, both impaled with white oak stakes. Their faces unreadable as their bodies turned to ash, crumbling away, leaving nothing but dust behind.

The dreams became more vivid, more desperate. Voices filled her head, calling out to her, urging her to act. "Save them," they whispered, growing louder and more insistent. Each voice blended with the next, until the final one was her own, a haunting echo that reverberated through her soul. "Save them."

Athena's eyes shot open, her heart racing, tears streaming down her cheeks. The dreams had felt so real, so visceral, that she struggled to catch her breath. As she wiped away her tears, she heard the door closing softly. She looked over the couch and saw Stefan hugging Elena, the two of them.

Quickly, Athena composed herself, wiping away the remaining tears before asking, "Matt, where is everyone?"

Matt, standing nearby, looked at her with concern. "They went home," he replied. "Are you okay? You look a bit pale."

Athena stood up but immediately swayed, her head pounding. "I just got up to quick," she said, her voice a little shaky. "I'll be fine."

Elena, catching on to the situation, perked up and teased, "Look who needs the rest now."

Athena gave a sarcastic laugh. "Why don't you put that energy into helping me make food then?"

Before Elena could respond, Stefan stepped in. "I can help," he said, guiding Elena back to the couch. "You should still rest."

Athena nodded and made her way to the kitchen, gathering ingredients as Stefan followed with Matt setting the table. The kitchen filled with the soft clinks of utensils and the sound of chopping vegetables as they worked together to prepare dinner.

"I'm being over-coddled. I feel completely fine," Elena called from the living room, her voice laced with annoyance.

Stefan, chopping red bell peppers, replied with a smirk, "You're on house arrest. You're supposed to be coddled."

Athena couldn't help but laugh softly at Stefan's remark as she stirred the pot of boiling water for the pasta. The lightheartedness of the moment helped ease the tension she still felt from her unsettling dream.

"Wouldn't it be smarter if we just got you out of town?" Matt asked as he set the last of the plates on the table.

Elena, her frustration clear, replied, "And do what? Go on the run for the rest of my life? No, thank you." She stood up from the couch, determination in her movements. "And I'm not an invalid. I'm done with the couch," she declared before heading upstairs.

Matt, watching her go, turned to Athena and Stefan with a frustrated look. "So, you're just gonna let her call the shots?"

Stefan sighed, continuing to work on dinner. "I'm letting her make her own decisions."

"Even if they're wrong?" Matt retorted, clearly not satisfied with Stefan's answer.

Athena, still stirring the pasta, chimed in, her tone light but carrying a deeper meaning. "It's called free will, Matt. One of the most important things we have." She glanced over at him, her voice softening as she continued, "It's what makes us human. It's the ability to make choices, to take control of our lives. Even if those choices aren't always the right ones, they're ours to make. It's how we learn, how we grow."

Stefan nodded, agreeing with her as he flipped the vegetables on the stove. "Elena's been through so much. She needs to feel like she has control over something, even if it's just a small part of her life. There's nothing wrong with free will, Matt. Trust me, you don't realise that until you lose it."

Matt frowned but didn't argue further, though it was clear he still had his reservations. He understood what they were saying but couldn't shake the worry gnawing at him.

A knock at the door interrupted the moment. Athena, always quick on her feet, offered, "I'll get it."

She opened the door, and was shocked when she saw who was standing on the other side. "Elijah," she called out.

Stefan and Matt turned their heads toward the door, the atmosphere immediately thick with tension. Elijah stepped inside, his usual calm and composed demeanor intact, though there was a flicker of something deeper in his eyes.

"Hello again," he greeted with a polite smile, his voice as smooth and refined as ever.

Athena stared at him for a moment, the vivid image of her dream—Elijah turning to ash—flashing through her mind. She swallowed the lump in her throat, pushing the haunting vision aside.

"What brings you here?" she asked, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her.

Elijah's gaze flickered over the room, taking in the concerned faces of Stefan and Matt before returning to Athena. "There are matters we need to discuss," he said quietly, his tone measured but carrying a weight.

The room was thick with tension, the air filled with the weight of everything that had happened and the choices that still lay ahead. Everyone sat gathered around the dinner table, the food long gone cold and untouched. Damon was on speakerphone, his voice filling the space as they filled Elijah in on the current situation.

"Instead of desiccating Alaric, we desiccated Klaus," Stefan explained, his tone serious. "He was planning on draining Elena's blood until she died. We couldn't let that happen."

Athena sat quietly, disheartened that they hadn't told her about the sudden change of plan. She understood why they did it, but she couldn't help feeling disappointed. And she was irritated with Klaus. Why had he chosen such a reckless path? He could have found a better solution, something that didn't involve risking Elena's life.

Elijah listened intently, his brow furrowed as he absorbed the information. After a beat, he spoke, his calm voice breaking the silence. "All we need to do is take the stake away from Alaric. Once he's disarmed, and the weapon is in my possession, my family will scatter to the ends of the earth. And Alaric will follow us."

Stefan moved closer to Elena, his protective instinct kicking in. "And you’ll just run?" he asked, his voice carrying a mix of disbelief and concern.

Elijah nodded slightly. "We've done it before. Klaus and Rebekah spent the better part of one thousand years evading my father. What's another half-century while Elena lives out her natural life?"

Elena pursed her lips, glancing over at Athena. It was as though she was seeking insight or approval. After a moment, Elena spoke, her voice steady but conflicted. "We finally stopped him, Elijah. After everything he’s done to us, I can’t just let you bring him back."

Elijah leaned forward, his gaze briefly flicking to Athena before settling on Elena. "I give you my word, Elena. I will not retrieve Klaus within your lifetime, nor your children's. Perhaps that will finally teach him some manners."

"Why should she trust you?" Matt interjected, leaning against Elena's chair with a skeptical frown. "All you've ever done is screw her over."

Elijah didn't flinch. His expression softened with regret. "And for that, I am deeply ashamed," he admitted, his tone sincere. "But know this—she could have been dead the instant I walked through that door tonight." His eyes locked with Elena's, his voice firm but respectful. "So, Elena, I leave it to you to make the decision. Whether to trust me or not."

On the phone, Damon's voice cut through the tension, dripping with frustration. "Not! Hello? Did that concussion give you brain damage? His lunatic siblings will kill you the first chance they get!"

Elijah rolled his eyes subtly, keeping his composure. "Rebekah and Kol will honor the terms," he stated confidently. "If you return Klaus' body to us, Elena will come to no harm."

Elijah's gaze turned back to Elena. "Do we have a deal?" he asked, his voice quiet but intense.

"No!" Damon yelled through the phone. "No, no, no! Did I mention no?"

Stefan leaned closer to Elena, speaking quietly. "Elena, it's up to you."

Damon, clearly growing more agitated, muttered, "Oh, come on!"

Elena sighed, her eyes narrowing in thought. "Why do you want Klaus' body?" she asked, her tone weary.

Elijah met her gaze, his answer simple but layered with centuries of familial bonds. "He's my brother. We remain together."

Elena sighed heavily, clearly torn. After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice steady. "We have a deal."

With that, the room began to disperse. People slowly stood, heading off in different directions, their minds still buzzing with the implications of the decision that had been made. Jeremy arrived back just as everyone began to filter out, leaving Athena and Elijah alone in the quiet front yard.

Athena stepped closer to Elijah, her expression troubled. "Is this really fair to Klaus?" she asked, her voice soft but insistent. "I know he daggered all of you. I don't condone what he did, but will desiccating him really teach him anything? Will that help him realise he was wrong, or will it just make him angrier?"

Elijah studied her, sensing the genuine concern in her voice. "Are you afraid you won't see him again?" he asked gently.

Athena smiled faintly, her eyes warm but tinged with sadness. "I know I'll see him again," she replied, her voice soft. "Remember, I was on this earth long before you Mikaelsons were even born. And I'll likely still be here after you all are gone." Her tone was solemn, and as she spoke, she couldn't help but think of all the people she had loved and lost over the centuries. The thought of living through it all again, of watching the Mikaelsons fade away, pained her.

Elijah, ever empathetic, looked at her with a mixture of understanding and sadness. He knew the weight of losing those you care about, the agony of watching time take them away. Hearing Athena speak of her potential loneliness, of the endless march of time, made his heart ache for her.

He hesitated for a moment, then asked a question he had been pondering since their conversation began. "Do you love Niklaus?"

Athena was taken aback by the question. She hadn't expected Elijah to ask something so personal, especially not now. She paused, thinking carefully before responding. "I don't know if I love him romantically," she admitted, her voice quiet. "But I think I like him… a lot." She smiled softly, reflecting on her feelings. "He's... complicated. I know he can be cruel, but he can also protective, fiercely loyal, and... vulnerable, though he tries to hide it. I like that he doesn't pretend with me, that he's real. But I'm not sure I'm ready for it to be anything more than that right now."

She glanced up at Elijah, a little embarrassed by her own confession. "You're the only one who knows, so you better not tell him," she added with a teasing threat. "Or I swear, I'll rip out your lungs."

Elijah smiled, genuinely happy for her. There was something about knowing that two people he cared deeply for were finding a connection with each other. He had always worried about Niklaus, about whether his brother would ever let someone in—someone who could care for him and see past his darker nature. Seeing Athena's feelings develop gave Elijah hope for his brother's redemption.

"I won't tell a soul," Elijah promised, his voice sincere. "But as your friend, not as Niklaus' brother, I do not wish to see you get hurt. Just... be careful, Athena. I care about both of you."

Athena smiled, grateful for his words. "I will. And thank you."

As the cool night air pressed around them, Stefan emerged from the house, his expression serious. "Jeremy has something important to say," he called out. Athena and Elijah shared a look before following him back inside to the dining room. The atmosphere was tense, and everyone waited for Jeremy to speak.

"Alaric was at the Grill," Jeremy said, his voice low and grave. "He wants me to help him... But this is the opportunity we've been waiting for, right?"

Elijah pondered for a moment before nodding. "I can wait in the woods for him. Rebekah is already on standby. She can go retrieve Klaus' body while the rest of us get the stake away from Alaric."

Matt, leaning forward in his chair, asked, "So, does that mean we tell Ric where Damon is?"

Stefan and Elena exchanged a glance, unsure, but Stefan eventually spoke up. "I'll give Damon a heads-up. How about he meets with Rebekah to get Klaus's body, and the rest of us wait in the woods?"

The group agreed on this plan, and Jeremy pulled out his phone, calling Alaric. After a brief moment, Alaric answered with a simple, "Yes?"

Jeremy's voice was steady but filled with tension. "I know where Klaus' body is."

"Good. Tell me," Alaric replied, his tone cold and calculating.

"Damon's on his way to bury him in the woods off Route 12. I'll text you with the specifics," Jeremy continued.

"Thank you, Jeremy. You're doing the right thing for your sister," Alaric said.

Jeremy hesitated, glancing at Elena before replying, "I know." He hung up and exhaled, the pressure weighing on him. "He bought it."

After this, the group split up. Elena and Matt stayed behind, as Elena wasn't in any condition to confront Alaric, but Jeremy, with his Gilbert ring, had a better chance of surviving went along. As they made their way to the woods, the cold night enveloped them. The chirping of crickets filled the silence, adding to the tension.

Athena's mind wandered back to her earlier conversation with Elijah, the weight of everything they were facing becoming heavier with each passing moment. She thought of Klaus and how his actions had hurt his siblings over the centuries. Despite her frustrations, she couldn't help but feel conflicted.

Elijah noticed her silence and asked, "What's on your mind?"

Athena sighed, gathering her thoughts. "I suppose... Klaus could've done a better job handling things. He always seems to act impulsively, especially when it comes to disagreements with you and your siblings. Daggering all of you, over and over, was wrong. He was pushing his luck, and he never handled it well. But a part of me... doesn't blame him entirely."

Elijah raised a brow, intrigued by her thoughts. "Why is that?"

Athena continued, her voice soft yet thoughtful. "I think Klaus loves you all deeply, but you're a constant reminder of Mikael. You are his children, and every time you oppose him, I think it triggers memories of how Mikael treated him, how he was never enough. So, he lashes out. It's a coping mechanism for him. He seizes control when he feels it slipping away. But it's unfair. It's... misguided."

Elijah listened closely, his gaze fixed on Athena. "You think he's protecting himself?"

"He fights to protect himself from the pain of rejection, of being told he's not enough," Athena explained. "Instead of talking about it, he daggers his problems away. That power only gives him a brief sense of peace, and then he's dissatisfied again. He doesn't let himself feel, doesn't let himself cry enough. What Klaus really needs is therapy." She gave a small, sad smile. "He doesn't know how to communicate, so he fights."

Elijah was quiet for a moment, slightly amused by the notion but also reflective. "Perhaps you're right. He has never learned how to express vulnerability. Not since we were turned. You see more in him than most ever will. And I believe that's why he values you so much."

The conversation trailed off as they fell back into silence, the cold night stretching on. After a few moments, they joined Jeremy and Stefan, who had just hung up the phone. Stefan's face was pale, and Jeremy looked devastated.

"What happened?" Elijah asked, his voice filled with concern.

Stefan swallowed hard, his voice barely above a whisper. "Alaric... killed Klaus."

Elijah stood frozen, the words hanging in the air like a dark cloud. His eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but he refused to let them fall. The weight of centuries of family bonds and conflicts seemed to crash over him all at once. Jeremy and Stefan walked off, leaving Athena and Elijah alone in the stillness of the woods.

Elijah's grief was palpable, though he kept his composure. Athena, seeing the pain in his eyes, knew she couldn't let him suffer like this. She had to tell him the truth, no matter the risk. Gently, she took his hand, her eyes glowing as she allowed him to see the spell she had cast over Klaus and Tyler, protecting Klaus' spirit within Tyler's body in case the unthinkable happened.

When the vision faded, Athena let go of his hand. "Klaus is alive," she whispered. "But you must keep it a secret—even from Rebekah, if you can. If Alaric finds out, he'll go after Tyler next."

Elijah let out a deep breath, relief flooding through him. He nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "You have my word," he said quietly, the weight lifting slightly from his shoulders.

Athena gave him a small smile. "I couldn't let you think he was gone. Not like this."

Elijah now knew the depth of Athena’s care for Klaus, and in that moment, he felt grateful for the bond she shared with his brother, knowing it might be the one thing that could save Klaus from himself.

The moment of calm was fleeting as everyone around them began making frantic phone calls, convinced that they wouldn't make it through the night.

Leaving Elijah to his thoughts, Athena hurried to the old Lockwood cellar, where Tyler—Klaus—had promised to wait for her. The Lockwood cellar was dark, damp space with stone walls that bore the weight of generations of secrets. Old iron chains hung from the ceiling, remnants of the Lockwood family's history, and the scent of mildew clung to the air. The small, dimly lit room held an eerie silence, broken only by the occasional drip of water from the ceiling.

As Athena entered, her footsteps echoed slightly in the cavernous space. She scanned the room, her senses heightened in the quiet. Suddenly, a familiar voice, smooth and teasing, echoed from the shadows.

"You never fail to amaze me, love."

Athena startled, spinning around to see Klaus—inhabiting Tyler's body—step out from the darkness, a smirk on his face. His presence, though wearing Tyler's face, was unmistakable. The predatory confidence in his eyes, the playful tilt of his lips—it was all Klaus.

"Thanks for the jumpscare," Athena replied, placing a hand over her chest as if to calm her startled heart. "I'm happy to see the spell worked," she added with a smile, walking toward him, arms folding across her chest.

Klaus raised an eyebrow as she approached, meeting her halfway. "You weren't entirely sure the spell would work, were you?" His tone was light, but there was a glimmer of curiosity in his gaze

Athena let out a small laugh. "Well, this was my first time transferring someone's soul into another body," she admitted, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "But I had no doubts." Her confidence was unwavering, though there was a part of her that knew how high the stakes had been. She paused before adding, "I should also tell you—Elijah's here. I told him what I did."

Klaus's playful demeanor faltered slightly. "And what is my brother doing here?" There was a note of caution in his voice.

"He came to help stop Alaric and tried to retrieve your body," Athena explained. "He didn’t know about the spell until now. He and Rebekah came to collect your body to keep you... well, to keep you in their possession. But since I have to revert you soon, that won't exactly work, will it?" She tilted her head, watching his reaction carefully.

Klaus' expression darkened slightly, the weight of the situation settling on him. "So, what happens now, love?"

Athena sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Now, we wait for any news from the others. We couldn’t desiccate Alaric today, but—" Her words were cut off as her phone rang. Glancing down, she saw Damon’s name flash across the screen.

Her smile disappeared as soon as she answered, the sound of Damon coughing and struggling to breathe coming through the phone. "What happened?" she demanded, her heart quickening. "Goddammit, Damon, answer me!"

Damon's voice was ragged, pained. "Elena..." he rasped, his breath hitching as he struggled to speak. "Something happened to Elena."

Athena's heart stopped, fear tightening her chest as Damon continued. "Rick's dead... He was beating me up, and then he just collapsed... but something's wrong with Elena."

Without another word, Athena ran out of the cellar, her wings manifesting in a burst of light. She didn't care if anyone saw her; nothing mattered but finding Elena. She soared into the sky, her wings cutting through the night as she searched the town, scanning every street, every bridge, every shadow, desperate for any sign of Elena.

When she reached Wickery Bridge, the scene below was worse than she could have imagined.

Stefan sat by the water's edge, cradling Elena's limp body in his arms. His face was pale, his eyes red-rimmed and hollow as he rocked back and forth, calling out Elena's name in a voice so broken, it made Athena's heart ache. Nearby, Matt was still coughing, sputtering as he tried to clear the water from his lungs, his truck half-submerged in the river below.

Athena landed softly, her wings dissolving into the night as she rushed to Matt's side. She knelt beside him, laying him in the recovery position. Her hands glowed faintly as she placed two fingers on his chest, guiding the remaining water from his lungs. Matt gasped, spitting out the last of the water as his breathing steadied.

"You're okay, Matt," Athena whispered, her voice soothing as she rubbed his back in comforting circles. Once she was sure he was stable, her attention snapped to Stefan and Elena.

Stefan's hands trembled as he held Elena closer, his voice a raw whisper as he called out her name over and over. Elena’s body hung limp in his arms, her head lolling back, her skin pale and cold. Her ribs had broken, likely from Stefan's desperate attempts to resuscitate her. Her neck hung at an unnatural angle, a clear sign of the trauma she had endured.

"Stefan," Athena called gently, her voice soft as she moved to his side. "Stefan, let me look at her."

But Stefan shook his head, tightening his grip on Elena’s body as if holding her tighter could somehow bring her back. "She's dead, Athena," he choked out, tears streaming down his face. "She's dead, and there's nothing you can do." Stefan couldn't let go. He buried his face in Elena's hair, his sobs breaking the silence of the night as he rocked her gently, refusing to accept the cruel reality in front of him.

Athena's hands trembled as she reached for her phone, knowing there was no one left to call but 911.

As the EMTs arrived on the scene, their flashing lights painted the area in red and blue. They rushed out of the ambulance, their movements quick and precise as they immediately set to work. The paramedics bent down to Stefan, who was still clutching Elena's body, gently pulling her from his arms to lay her on the ground. They began CPR, one of them counting out compressions while the other attempted to administer oxygen, but despite their best efforts, the grim reality set in. Elena had already been gone for too long. Athena watched from a few feet away, her heart heavy with sorrow. She knew this was coming, but seeing it unfold in front of her felt even worse.

They wrapped Elena's body in a white sheet and placed her onto a stretcher, securing it before loading her into the back of the ambulance. Stefan climbed in beside her, his face void of emotion, as if his world had stopped spinning.

Athena stood at the scene, watching silently as the ambulance drove off, its sirens a haunting reminder of the life that had just been lost. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She had something else to take care of before she could even begin to grieve she texted 'Tyler,' asking him where Klaus' original body was so she could complete the transference spell.

She stayed behind, knowing she had one last task to do. The area gradually cleared out, leaving only Athena and Matt. The stillness of the night returned, and Athena could feel Matt's guilt weighing heavily on him.

Matt, wrapped in the blanket the EMTs had given him, spoke softly. "Athena, you don't have to do this..." His voice was thick with emotion, filled with self-blame.

Athena glanced at him, her eyes soft but firm. "This wasn't your fault, Matt," she said gently, though Matt’s face twisted in anguish.

Matt shook his head, his hands tightening on the blanket. "Yes, it was. I was driving too fast. Rebekah came out of nowhere, and I swerved. I was saved, but Elena... she's gone." His voice cracked, his emotions finally breaking through the surface.

The nephilims body tensed. "Rebekah?" she asked, her voice sharp with disbelief.

Matt's anger flared as he continued. "She just appeared in the middle of the road, like she was daring me to hit her. But instead, I tried to avoid her when should have just ran her over, and now..." His voice faltered.

Athena stepped closer, placing a hand on Matt’s shoulder. "You're not to blame for this, Matt. I should have been more vigilant. I had a vision that Elena was in the hospital... dead, but I didn't act on it. Maybe if I had told someone, it could've changed the outcome." She exhaled heavily, guilt gnawing at her. "I'm going to get your truck out of the river and fix it up. If you want, I can just buy you a new one."

Matt shook his head, his voice hoarse. "Just get it out, please."

With a nod, Athena focused her magic. She extended her hands, and with a surge of energy, she lifted Matt's waterlogged truck from the river. The vehicle rose effortlessly, water streaming from its sides as Athena gently placed it onto the road. Her magic repaired the damage, drying the interior and restoring the car until it looked brand new. Even the smell of fresh upholstery filled the air.

Satisfied, Athena and Matt climbed into the truck and drove to the hospital. The night was heavy with the weight of their grief, and the silence between them was thick. When they arrived, they were met with unexpected news—Elena wasn't truly dead.

"Her injuries were worse than I let on," Meredith admitted. "It wasn't just a concussion. She had a cerebral hemorrhage. I... I had no choice. I used vampire blood to heal her."

Athena's breath hitched in disbelief. "You did what?" she whispered harshly, her voice trembling with anger. "She's a vampire now, Meredith. How could you do this? What were you thinking?! "

Meredith's expression tightened. "Jeremy was worried, Athena. I didn't want to lose her. She needed my help."

Athena's frustration simmered. "So, instead of trying surgery, you just gave her vampire blood?" Her voice was sharp.

Meredith folded her arms "Like you haven't used magic on a patient before."

"Meredith, I use magic in the hospital, yes, but I use it to release patients from pain, not to turn them into something they didn't ask for! While I'm at the hospital, I work within the bounds of modern medicine because we need to understand what's wrong with them. We help people through knowledge, through understanding their conditions, not by taking shortcuts." Athena sighed, her voice softening. "I know you did what you thought was best, but we've all lost patients before, Meredith. We do the best we can with what we have. Using vampire blood doesn't always make things better." She shook her head. "Just... think about the consequences before you make that choice again."

With that, Athena turned and walked to her office. She sat down heavily in her chair, opening the drawer where her letter of resignation had been waiting for some time. After a moment of reflection, she signed it and handed it in to her head of department, knowing it was time to move on.

Her phone buzzed in her hand, and it was Klaus—he had retrieved the coffin. With a deep breath, she gathered the necessary supplies for the spell and left to meet him. He stood waiting near the coffin containing his desiccated body. "Didn't expect you back so soon, love," Klaus greeted her with a raised eyebrow.

"Elena's gone home with Bonnie and the others," Athena said, her tone calm but carrying the weight of the recent events. "It's only right that Tyler should be there with them as well."

As she moved around the room, setting up candles with a wave of her hand, they floated into place, surrounding the coffin where the hybrids burned body lay. Klaus watched her work with a certain reverence, his brow raised in amusement as she handed him a bottle of water.

"Drink," she commanded, her eyes flicking briefly to the coffin.

Klaus obeyed, taking a sip, though his gaze lingered on Athena as she snapped her fingers, igniting the candles with a soft, magical flare. The room glowed with warmth as she approached the coffin. Inside, his original body was charred and lifeless, a haunting reminder of the near-death Klaus had faced. Even the Original, with all his bravado, couldn't help but feel a little shiver.

Athena placed her hands over his burned body, and her fingers began to glow, the ancient chant spilling from her lips like a soft melody. "Kal ana udaho nin, linne atsina hrondo, anayes un rista athique, cantla ha eless oncetare."

Klaus watched in awe as his burnt skin slowly began to heal, the charred black giving way to smooth, pale skin once more. His hair regrew, the once singed curls returning to their original form. He marveled at the transformation, his body being restored under the care of Athena's powerful magic. Soon, his body returned to its desiccated form.

"Place your hands on your chest," Athena instructed.

Klaus, now inhabiting Tyler's body, looked momentarily confused. "Why?"

"Just trust me," Athena said softly, guiding Tyler's hands over Klaus' chest, the lifeless skin cool beneath them. Then, she moved behind him, placing her hands on either side of his head. Her touch was warm, comforting, and as her hands glowed, divine light wrapped around both Tyler's and Klaus' bodies.

"Ni zacam er tavarif, minna symp hrondo, lav i galad udaho, alnej ana te de it's, vaoan balit sinome," she chanted, her voice steady, focused.

Klaus grunted as he felt the magic working, the sensation of his soul being pulled, drawn back to its rightful place. His chest tightened, and for a moment, he thought he might lose himself to the floating sensation that gripped him. With a final surge of energy, he shut his eyes and felt the shift—the sensation of being ripped away from Tyler's body and back into his own.

Tyler's body collapsed to the ground with a thud, and when Klaus opened his eyes, he saw the familiar ceiling of the cellar. He was back in his own body. Slowly, he climbed out of the coffin, his limbs heavy, but he was alive.

Athena was kneeling beside Tyler, placing his unconscious body against the wall. When she turned back, Klaus was standing there, whole again. She smiled softly, the tension in the room easing as she saw him restored.

"Now that Alaric is gone," Athena said, her voice light, "and Elena will be okay... I've left my job. Do you think it's time for us to leave Mystic Falls?"

Klaus hesitated. "I think I have a few things left unresolved," he admitted, his voice thoughtful. "Elena's blood can no longer be used to make hybrids. What I need to do now is call them back here, instead of chasing them across the bloody country."

Athena nodded, understanding the weight of Klaus' decision. "That's okay," she said, her tone gentle.

That night, Athena returned to her apartment for the final time. She booked one-way tickets to New Orleans and packed her carry-on. With a simple flick of her wrist, she sent the rest of her belongings away to her pocket dimension. The once-modern apartment reverted to its original, worn-down state, the illusion peeling away. It was smaller now, with stains on the floors, broken countertops, and torn wallpaper. It was as though the life she had built there had never existed.

The next morning, Klaus drove her to the airport. The drive was quiet, but not awkward. It was the kind of silence that came when two people understood each other without needing to fill the space with words.

When they arrived, Athena turned to Klaus, her heart heavy but hopeful. She placed her hand gently on his cheek, her fingers cool against his skin, and leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his other cheek.

"I'll see you soon," she whispered.

Klaus was caught off guard by the tenderness of the moment. His cheek flushed—something he rarely allowed himself to feel. For a second, he hesitated, the urge to kiss her back on the lips flickering through his mind, but he knew better.

Athena smiled, pulling away and walking into the airport. As she disappeared through the doors, Klaus stood there for a moment longer, his heart fluttering in a way that was unfamiliar to him.

Chapter Text

As soon as Athena stepped off the plane in New Orleans, her phone buzzed in her pocket.

It was Damon calling, his voice surprisingly calm. "Hey, just thought I'd give you a heads-up. Elena went through with the transition," he said, sounding more composed than usual. "She’s doing a bit better, but it’ll take her some time to adjust."

Athena sighed in relief. "I'm sorry I wasn’t there, but I know she's strong. She has you guys to guide her through it. She’ll be okay."

Damon's voice softened, "Don't sweat it. You told us you were heading out and you stuck to it. We'll be fine, and we know you’ll always be there if we need you." She smiled at his words, exiting the airport and scanning the street for her taxi. "How was the flight?" Damon asked, as if he wasn’t secretly concerned about how she was holding up.

"It was fine," Athena replied, chuckling. "Did some sketches to pass the time—until the person next to me threw up."

Damon groaned audibly through the phone, "Gross. Please tell me it wasn't projectile vomit."

Athena grimaced at the memory. "No, thank god. If it was, I'd have jumped out mid-flight and flown the rest of the way with my wings."

He let out a laugh. "I would pay to see that. Though you might've freaked out the other passengers."

"Yeah, well, going full-on angel mode drains me. Wouldn't have been ideal." She laughed along with him.

Just then, her taxi pulled up to the curb, and she stepped inside. "I've got to go, my ride’s here. We'll talk soon."

"Don't be a stranger," Damon said, and they hung up after a quick goodbye.

As the car rolled through the bustling streets of New Orleans, Athena gazed out the window, taking in the sights. The weather was perfect, a warm breeze drifting through the open window, carrying the sound of jazz music that seemed to spill from every corner. The streets were alive with people—locals and tourists alike, exploring, laughing, and taking in the city’s vibrant energy. The old buildings, with their intricate ironwork balconies and faded pastel facades, held a charm that was unlike anything she’d seen in a long time.

But something about the city nagged at her, a sense of deja vu that she couldn't shake. She'd never been to New Orleans in this time period, yet it felt strangely familiar, as though the energy of the place stirred something deep within her. The feeling was strong, pulling at the edges of her consciousness, but she couldn’t quite place why.

Once she arrived at her Airbnb, she decided to take a day to explore. Renting a car, she headed out to see the sights—tourist spots and local haunts alike. She found herself at a small dessert shop, sitting outside with a plate of warm, powdered beignets and a cup of tea. The streets were crowded with tourists and guides, the air filled with the chatter of people enjoying their day.

Athena wasn't used to this type of lively atmosphere. For so long, her life had been filled with quieter moments. Here, everything was loud, bustling, and chaotic. Yet, as foreign as it felt, she couldn't help but enjoy the change.

She sipped her tea, watching as street performers entertained the crowds and artists sold their work on the sidewalks. The energy of New Orleans was intoxicating, a place where life and death seemed to coexist in perfect harmony. But the deja vu was there, lingering, as if she had walked these streets before in a different time, in a different life.

She shook off the strange feeling, chalking it up to the magic that permeated the city. After all, New Orleans was a hub of supernatural activity, and her senses were always heightened in places like this. But as the days passed and she explored more, the nagging sensation only grew stronger.

Athena decided to let it go for the time being. She was here to start anew, not to chase ghosts of her past. Over the next few days, she wandered through the city, enjoying the rich culture and vibrant streets. Her sightseeing eventually led her deeper into the French Quarter, where something unusual caught her attention—a strange absence of magical energy, a void she couldn't ignore.

Her curiosity piqued, Athena drove until she reached a shop named Jardin Gris Voodoo Shop. The store's exterior had a mysterious, old charm. Parking her car, she entered the shop.

The inside of the store was dimly lit, casting long shadows that mingled with the scent of aged herbs and incense. A large counter separated the storefront from the backroom, which seemed to be cluttered with goods waiting to be unpacked. The walls were covered with curtains and esoteric-themed posters, giving the space an almost otherworldly feel. Merchandise was displayed on perches and racks, necklaces, pendants, and various 'mystical' souvenirs. Shelves were lined with jars of herbs, incense, and a variety of coloured candles.

It looked like the kind of place that dealt with old magic, the kind that had been around for centuries. However, Athena felt a disconcerting lack of magical presence. Normally, in a place like this, magic would linger in the air like an electric current. But here? There was a void.

The woman behind the counter, a middle-aged shopkeeper with disinterested eyes, barely acknowledged Athena's presence. She was busy sorting through a box, occasionally glancing up but saying nothing.

Athena wandered through the shop, examining the items on display. Her fingers drifted over jars of herbs, candles, and small trinkets. When she came across a jar of wolfsbane, she picked it up, thinking briefly of her need to visit the Crescent Wolf Clan.

The shopkeeper finally looked up. "That one's thirty dollars," she said, her voice as uninterested as her gaze.

Athena turned toward the woman, holding the jar lightly in her hand. "o
Oh, I'm not buying," she replied.

The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow and offered her a few different herbs from the shelves. "Got some good stuff here. Fresh batches. You sure you don't need anything else?"

Athena shook her head politely. "I'm good," she replied.

The shopkeeper's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, finally giving Athena a proper glance. "Suit yourself," she muttered before returning her focus to the box she was unpacking, uninterested in further conversation.

Athena sighed inwardly, placing the wolfsbane back on the shelf. This shop, was outwardly appealing to tourists interested in magic, with no desire to linger, Athena turned and exited the shop, the bell on the door jingling as she left.

She wandered a few blocks before a name caught her eye—a bar called Rousseau's. Stepping inside, Athena took in the atmosphere. The bar was dimly lit with soft golden light pouring through the stained windows. The air was heavy with the chatter of patrons, mingling with the clink of glasses and soft jazz music playing in the background. The bar itself was long and polished, with shelves full of various liquors stacked behind the counter. People gathered around tables, some deep in conversation, while others sat in groups nursing their drinks. The mood was relaxed.

Athena made her way to the bar, slipping onto one of the stools and picking up the menu. She was glancing through the options when a brunette bartender, maybe in her late twenties or early thirties, greeted her.

"A new face," the bartender said with a friendly smile. "Welcome to Rousseau's. What can I get you?"

Athena returned the smile, albeit a little embarrassed. "Can I get something light? I'm supposed to be driving," she said.

The bartender chuckled, setting down the glass she'd been polishing. "I've got something for that. Anything to eat?"

Athena shook her head. "Just the drink, thanks."

While the bartender prepared her drink, Athena pulled out her small sketchbook, she began sketching the bar's surroundings—capturing the cozy, dim lighting, the angles of the bottles behind the counter, and the lively energy of the patrons.

As the bartender set her drink in front of her, Athena felt the woman's gaze linger. Something was off, and Athena sensed that the bartender wanted to say something but was hesitating.

Finally, the woman leaned in, her voice low. "You shouldn't be here."

Athena looked up from her sketchbook, her expression confused. "Excuse me?" she asked, unsure what she meant.

The bartender's eyes darted around the bar, making sure no one else was listening. "It's not safe here for witches," she whispered urgently. "The vampires... they're everywhere."

Athena raised an eyebrow, then scoffed softly. "Sweetie, I'm no witch. I may exude magic, but that's only a small percentage of what I allow people to sense," she said, taking a sip from her drink. The warning felt unnecessary to her—she was far more powerful than the bartender assumed.

The bartender's eyes widened at that. "So, the stories are true. You're her. You're the Wolfstar."

Athena blinked, taken aback. She hadn't heard that title in ages, not since Esther. "I can't believe they still call me that," she muttered under her breath. But she quickly cleared her throat, trying to steer the conversation back. "Why is it not safe here again?" she asked, focusing on the more immediate concern.

The bartender straightened herself, eyes still wide. "The vampires—they've been hunting witches. Anyone caught doing magic, they kill them. And if they find out you're here, they won't stop until you're dead or worse."

Athena didn't like the sound of that, though she wasn't overly concerned. She possessed powers that far outmatched what the local vampires could handle, but the warning still made her uneasy. She let out a slow breath and leaned back, thinking about what the woman had said. The bartender glanced down at Athena's sketchbook, now intrigued by her drawings.

"You're good at drawing," the bartender said with a small smile, gesturing toward the sketchbook. "Mind if I take a look?"

Athena nodded, still lost in thought as she sipped her drink. The brunette began to flip through the sketchbook, her expression becoming unreadable as she browsed Athena's art. Then she paused, her fingers stilling on a page.

"This baby looks adorable," the bartender commented.

Athena frowned, puzzled. "What baby?"

The bartender turned the book around, showing Athena the page. Sure enough, there was a sketch of a baby—a drawing Athena didn't remember making. She stared at it, trying to recall when or why she would have drawn such a thing. Confused, she flipped to the next page. There was a sketch of a small girl, maybe ten years old, next to another drawing of a young teenager.

Athena's heart started racing. She didn't remember any of these drawings. The faces seemed familiar, but she had no memory of sketching them.

Flipping to another page, she saw the woman from her dream—the one who gave birth before her death but the drawings depicted her smiling in one and screaming in flames in the other. The nephilims breath caught in her throat. She turned another page, and there they were—Klaus and Elijah, smiling on one side of the page, but on the other side, turning to ash just as they had in her dream.

Panic surged through Athena's chest. Her mind raced, her thoughts spinning out of control. She didn't understand how she had drawn these images or why they mirrored her dreams so closely. As she sat there, staring at the sketches, she felt something warm trickle down her nose.

Blood.

A single drop of blood fell from her nose onto the open sketchbook. Athena's panic grew as the blood started to move across the page, as though it had a mind of its own. Slowly, it spread out, forming two words—words that had followed her throughout her unknown life times.

Save them.

Her breath quickened, her heart pounding as she stood abruptly from the barstool, startling the bartender.

"Are you okay?" the bartender asked, her voice filled with concern.

Athena wiped at her nose and quickly stuffed her sketchbook back into her bag. "I have to go," she muttered, throwing some money onto the bar before rushing toward the door.

The bartender watched her leave, confused and worried, as Athena disappeared into the bustling streets of New Orleans. There was only one place she could go now, somewhere secluded where she could use her magic without interference—The Bayou.

Athena drove through the winding paths of the Bayou, the trees thick and wild around her, casting long shadows over the road. Eventually, she came upon a small cabin nestled in the middle of a clearing. The cabin was rustic, with weathered wooden planks and a tin roof that looked like it had seen better days. Moss clung to the walls, and vines crawled up the sides, overtaking the structure with the wildness of the Bayou. The windows were small, some cracked, but the place looked solid enough to provide shelter for the spell she needed to cast.

Athena parked her car beside the cabin, stepped out, and looked around the area, her senses sharp. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and moss, the quiet of the Bayou broken only by the sounds of distant wildlife. Satisfied that the area was empty, she walked to the center of the clearing and carefully placed her sketchbook on the ground. With a deep breath, she dragged her finger down the palm of her left hand, opening a gash. Blood welled up, dripping into the pages of her book as she knelt on the damp earth.

Her eyes began to glow with divine light as she started to chant, the ancient words flowing from her lips like a melody, "Ei galad par, bo ei vanwie, Let alnej, zee ul halda. Ei galad par, bo ei vanwie, Let alnej, zee ul halda..."

Her voice grew louder, the chanting more intense as the blood spread through the sketchbook, soaking into the pages until the entire thing was engulfed. The book began to float just above the ground, its pages fluttering as though caught in a sudden gust of wind. As the spell progressed, Athena's magic pulled at the air around her, the wind swirling, turning the pages of the book with increasing speed. Her eyes, once glowing, began to shift, blackness seeping into her vision, obscuring everything except for the spell she was casting.

She heard it then—cries. The cries of her own voice, filled with unbearable grief. Flashes of images filled her mind. She saw herself running, reaching out, but it was too late. Klaus and Elijah were before her, taking their lives, and she could do nothing to stop it. Her heart shattered in that moment, the pain raw and all-consuming.

Just as she tried to push forward, to delve deeper into the magic, she felt it—a familiar force. It was the same one that had been stopping her from uncovering the truth. The force pushed back against her, urging her to stop, telling her that she wasn't ready to know the rest. That it wasn't time. But Athena, stubborn and desperate for answers, fought against it, pouring more energy into the spell. The light around her grew, her magic swelling in intensity, but the force pushed harder.

She was so focused on the spell that she didn't notice the three werewolves watching from the tree line, their eyes wide with concern. They could feel the shift in the air, the crackle of magic growing too powerful, too volatile.

Sensing danger, the wolves sprang into action. Two of them stopped at the edge of the clearing, but the larger one, the alpha, charged toward Athena, trying to warn her, to get her to stop. But before he could reach her, there was a sudden explosion of energy. The air around Athena exploded, sending out a blast that radiated through the clearing like a shockwave.

Athena was thrown across the ground, her body rolling to a painful stop. The alpha wolf reached her, nudging her with his nose. She was bleeding from her eyes, nose, and ears, completely unresponsive. Desperate, the wolf barked at her, pawing at her limp body. He barked again, this time with more force, a commanding sound that seemed to cut through the haze.

Athena gasped, her body jerking as she was startled awake. Her vision was blurry, her body aching from the force of the blast. She looked up, her eyes meeting the concerned gaze of the alpha wolf. Slowly, she sat up, leaning against the wolf for support. When her hand touched his fur, a vision flooded her mind.

She saw him in his human form—Jackson, Alpha of the Crescent Pack. She saw the history of his people, once residing in the French Quarter, only to be forced out by vampires. She saw flashes of a witch casting a curse on them, trapping them in their wolf forms except on the night of the full moon. Athena blinked as the vision faded, looking into Jackson's wolf eyes with newfound understanding.

"You're the alpha of the Crescent Wolf Pack," she whispered, her voice hoarse. The wolf nodded, his eyes sad but knowing.

Athena glanced around the clearing, her heart sinking at the sight of the destruction she had caused. Where she had once stood was now a crater, the earth scorched and the foliage burnt away. The trees closest to her were stripped of their leaves, their bark blackened from the blast. Fortunately, the wolves and the cabin had been far enough away to escape the worst of the damage.

She struggled to her feet, still weak and disoriented, and staggered toward the shallow crater, her eyes scanning the ground. Her sketchbook—her only link to the answers she sought—lay at the center. But when she picked it up, her heart dropped. It was burnt, the pages charred beyond recognition. She held it in her hands, her fingers trembling, and as she lifted it, the sketchbook crumbled to dust in her hands.

"No," she whispered, her voice shaking. "No, no, no…"

Her chest tightened, panic clawing at her as she dropped to her knees, staring at the ashes of the book. It was gone. The only thing that had been able to give her answers was now reduced to nothing. Tears welled up in her eyes as she sat there, stunned and broken.

Jackson padded over to her and sat beside her, his presence calm and grounding. Athena's quiet sobs broke the silence of the clearing as she leaned into the wolf's warm fur, seeking comfort in the only ally she had at that moment.

The weight of everything hit her at once. She didn't know what to do anymore. The visions, the overwhelming magic, the destruction—it was all too much. And now, her only clue, her only link to the future, was gone. Jackson rested his head on her lap, and for the first time in what felt like centuries, Athena let herself cry fully.

Weeks passed, and Athena found herself trapped within the confines of her own pocket dimension, isolated and consumed by guilt. She remained fixated on the grim task of trying to decipher the cause behind the deaths of the three, but every attempt led her to a dead end. The weight of this failure bore down on her, leaving her exhausted and without hope. The wolfstar needed an outlet, something to help her release the building frustration she felt.

She felt as though she was failing those she cared about, even though rationally, she knew she wasn't. But the emotions were overwhelming, and she needed release. One night, the cold stone floor greeted her bare feet as she made her way toward the garden, her emotions swirling like a storm inside her.

Once she reached the lake, the moon casting a silver glow over the still water, Athena stripped off her clothes and stepped into the cold depths. It was an almost jarring contrast to the heat of her emotions. She dove deep, as deep as she could, letting the darkness envelop her. The silence and the weight of the water pressed down on her, but instead of soothing her, it made her feel trapped.

She swam deeper, diving down as far as she could, her lungs burning as she held her breath. And then, with every ounce of frustration, fear, and sorrow she had been holding in, she screamed, she screamed—a raw, primal release. The sound was muffled by the water but powerful enough that her magic surged out in response. The water around her erupted in a violent burst, sending waves crashing in every direction. For a moment, she stood in the eye of the storm she created, the water hovering around her in a perfect sphere, suspended like time itself had stopped. But then, the tidal wave came crashing back down, throwing her back toward the shore. She let it carry her, limp with exhaustion, emotionally spent. On the shore, Athena sat for a long moment, catching her breath. The tears she hadn't allowed herself to shed earlier began to fall freely now.

During the weeks, Klaus had called her repeatedly, and while she answered on occasion, the conversations were brief and filled with a subtle detachment. She was focused, too focused to allow any distractions to creep in, knowing that every second counted in trying to prevent what she feared was inevitable.

Eventually, though, Athena realised she needed to direct her energy elsewhere, to something she could actually control. The Crescent pack's curse became her new mission. She collected an array of supplies—herbs, incense, candles—everything she thought might be necessary to break the spell.

When she returned to the clearing, remnants of her previous destruction still marred the ground. She knelt by the charred earth, digging her fingers into the soil. As her hands glowed with warm divine magic, she healed the vegetation around her, coaxing new life from the scorched earth.

Afterwards, Athena set to work inside the old cabin. It had been abandoned for years, dust layering every surface. She used her magic to create furniture from the materials around her—wood, vines, stone, and dried leaves formed into a new makeshift home. As the sun began to set, she finished her work and felt the need to stretch her legs. She ventured out to collect firewood.

She wandered through the dense forest, her senses heightened by the peace of her surroundings. But as she collected wood, an unsettling sensation washed over her, and she sensed she wasn't alone. She turned, but no one was there. However, when she looked forward again, a man was suddenly standing right in front of her. He had a smug, confident expression, his lips curled into a smirk. He wore a flat cap, a vest under a hoodie, and a white undershirt beneath, giving off an air of casual menace. Athena stepped back instinctively and then turned to see more figures surrounding her, outnumbering her by a significant margin.

"Well, well, well," the man said, stepping forward with a twisted smile. "Our source was correct—a witch practicing magic." His voice was thick with condescension.

Athena remained silent, eyeing her surroundings. She had no idea who these people were, but she knew that they were vampires who exuded arrogance, which annoyed her immediately.

"You're clearly new here," the man continued, stopping just a few feet from her. "So me and my friends here are gonna give you a lesson on what you're not supposed to do."

Athena raised an eyebrow. "And what might that be?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"No using magic without the king's permission," he said with a sneer.

Athena scoffed, clearly tired of being told what she could or couldn't do with her powers. "Look here, sweetie," she said, her voice filled with irritation. "I don't care what your so-called 'king' has to say. I can do what I like with my magic." She stepped closer to him, her eyes narrowing. "If you have a problem with that, deal with it."

With that, she pushed past him, but the man quickly grabbed her arm, causing the firewood in her hands to fall to the ground. His grip tightened, and Athena's patience snapped. Without a second thought, she turned around and punched him hard in the face. The man recoiled, touching his cheek where her fist had connected. His expression shifted from surprise to amusement.

"You're feisty," he said, cracking his knuckles. "Now this is going to be fun."

Before Athena could react, he grabbed her wrist and, with a sickening snap, broke her hand. She screamed in pain as he threw her against a tree, knocking the wind out of her.

The other vampires rushed toward her, but with a flick of her free hand, Athena snapped the necks of five of them before they could reach her. She got back to her feet, her eyes glowing white with power. Using her magic, she lifted the firewood from the ground and hurled it at the remaining vampires. One piece pierced the heart of a female vampire, killing her instantly, but the others either dodged or caught the wood with their speed.

A beefy vampire, larger than the rest, appeared in front of her in a blur of speed. He grabbed her by the throat and lifted her off the ground, squeezing until she could barely breathe. Athena struggled, but managed to move her hand on his head. Her hand began to glow with divine light, the vampire's eyes and mouth glowed along with her light as white flames burned his insides and eating away the flesh from his face. He screamed and released her, his body consumed by fire from her smite.

But before she could even catch her breath, two more vampires pinned her down. They leaned in, their veins darkening, eyes black with bloodlust. Just as they were about to rip out her throat, a black wolf sprang from the trees and tackled one of the vampires, tearing into his body with savage ferocity. The other vampire looked up in panic, only to be cut off by Jackson, who lunged forward, tearing out the vampire's throat with one powerful bite.

As the fight raged, two more wolves appeared from the shadows, joining Jackson and the black wolf, guarding Athena from any further attacks. The remaining vampires, seeing the odds turn against them, quickly retreated, speeding away into the night.

Athena struggled to her feet, her body aching from the fight. Jackson approached her his mannerism was protection. "Thank you for helping me," she said, her voice hoarse. "It's a good thing you were here. I think I might be able to help with your curse."

Chapter Text

Every day, Jackson would quietly pad through the Bayou and stop outside Athena's cabin.

The majestic white and brown-furred wolf had become a familiar sight for her now, his soft footsteps arriving at the same time each morning. He would watch her from a distance, his deep amber eyes filled with gratitude and a sense of quiet admiration.

It was clear Jackson had grown fond of the nephilim. Not just because of her unwavering determination to break the curse, but because of her genuine kindness—a rare quality in his world where magic and violence often intertwined. Athena could sense his presence even before she would see him, a subtle shift in the air, the steady sound of paws rustling through the underbrush.

She greeted him each morning as if he were an old friend. "Back again, huh?" she'd say, her voice light, her eyes sparkling with a warm smile. Jackson would nod, his wolfish features softening as he sat near the edge of the clearing, watching her work on yet another potential cure.

Athena often spoke to him while she worked, knowing he couldn't reply but sensing his understanding through his patient and unwavering gaze. She would talk aloud, bouncing ideas off him, trying to figure out what would work. "I've been thinking, maybe the curse is tied to something deeper, something within your pack's lineage. I could try using ancient runes, but I fear it might not be enough..."

Jackson would huff in response, his breath coming out in short puffs of air, as though encouraging her to keep going. The two of them had developed a unique rhythm, a quiet companionship in the midst of their shared struggle.

Even though the results of her experiments were always the same—failure—Jackson never left her side. In fact, he seemed even more grateful after each attempt, as if he knew how much effort she was putting in. His presence became a comfort to Athena, a silent reminder that she wasn't alone in this.

On one particularly difficult day, after another failed attempt, Athena sat on the steps of her cabin, defeated. She wiped sweat from her brow and glanced at Jackson, who had curled up nearby, his large form resting peacefully in the shade.

"I don't know what I'm missing," she admitted aloud, her voice tired. "I've tried everything I can think of. Every spell, every herb, every ritual…" She shook her head. "There's something I'm not seeing. Something big. Or small."

Jackson lifted his head slightly, tilting it to the side as he listened. His soft amber eyes seemed to glow with understanding. She smiled at him, shaking her head. "I know, I know. I'm not giving up. I promised, didn't I?"

The wolf stood up, padding over to her, and gently nudged her arm with his nose, as if to reassure her. Athena reached out, running her fingers through the soft fur of his head. "Thanks, Jackson," she whispered.

It was during these moments of quiet that Jackson began to think about the stories he had grown up hearing—the legends passed down through generations of the Crescent Pack. Stories of a child raised by the ancestors, a being from the stars, who had once brought hope to the wolves. He never believed them before, thought they were just tales, until he saw Athena with his own eyes.

He could sense it—the magic she used was different. Not like the witches or supernatural beings he had encountered in the past. The light that radiated from her spells, from her very essence, was divine. And it wasn't just her power; it was her heart, her willingness to help, even when the odds were stacked against her.

One day, Jackson brought her a basket filled with rare herbs and roots he had gathered deep within the Bayou, ingredients Athena couldn't conjure with magic or find in her own dimension. He placed the basket gently at her feet, his large amber eyes watching her carefully.

Athena looked at the offering and smiled. "You've really outdone yourself this time. I've been needing these," she said, kneeling down beside him. "Thank you, Jackson."

The wolf gave a soft huff of approval, nudging the basket slightly with his nose.

For the next few days, Jackson continued to bring her the supplies she needed, even staying close while she worked tirelessly on new potions and tonics. It was during one of those late evenings that Athena looked at him, her expression thoughtful. "You're the Alpha, Jackson. Your pack needs you to stay strong, and I promise, I won't stop until we break this curse. I owe it to your ancestors, and I owe it to you," she said quietly, her hand resting on his head. The wolf gave a small nod, his eyes filled with quiet gratitude. Though he couldn't speak in this form, he didn't need to. His actions and loyalty spoke louder than any words.

It was the night of the full moon, the only time the Crescent Pack would turn human for a few hours. Athena, dressed in a light, plaid shirt over a soft beige tank top and high-waisted shorts tied with a bow, paired with heeled combat boots, was led by Jackson deeper into the Bayou. They walked through the trees, the soft crunch of leaves underfoot the only sound between them, until they arrived at the pack's camp. Small cabins and trailers were scattered nearby a lake, clothes hanging on lines, ready for the wolves' human transformation.

Athena, saw the worn state of the place—the ragged cabins, the dim lighting—and decided to do something about it. With a smile of quiet nostalgia, remembering the times when she helped different wolf clans in ancient days, Athena raised her right palm. Whispering, "Letda noan ror," spheres of warm light appeared in her hand, swirling around before floating up to settle on the lower branches of the surrounding trees and drooped themselves on like big frozen rain drops, illuminating the camp.

She gathered wood for the fire pit in the center of the den and, with a flick of her fingers, the wood ignited. Sparks flew, casting a warm glow over the place, inviting and comforting. Athena quickly went into her pocket dimension and pulled out baskets filled with a variety of drinks. She then made her way to the lake, running her fingers over the water's surface. Frost patterns followed her touch, and she gathered the frozen shards, breaking them up and placing them in the baskets using the solid ice to keep the drinks nice and cool.

Athena worked quickly, her magic creating a long table from the roots of trees, the wood twisting and growing into chairs, smooth and natural. She waved her hands, summoning plates, glasses, and utensils, setting the table just as the first footsteps rustled through the trees behind her.

She turned to see Jackson, now in his human form, dressed simply but confidently. His smile was easy as he walked over to her. "It's nice to finally talk to you, Athena," he said warmly, his voice sincere.

She returned his smile, a mix of exhaustion and warmth. "Same here, Jackson," she replied, her tone just as soft but with a hint of her usual playfulness.

Jackson looked around, his eyes lingering on the beautifully transformed surroundings. "You've really outdone yourself. This place feels more welcoming. Thank you." He paused, glancing at her with a slight hesitation before adding, "The pack's been curious about you. They've heard stories for generations, about the Wolfstar."

Athena's expression grew sheepish. "The Wolfstar, huh?" She adjusted her necklace, glancing at the pack members who were slowly gathering. She wasn't used to this kind of attention, not anymore. "I'm just here to help," she added humbly.

Jackson grinned, sensing her discomfort. "Let me introduce you." He led her over to the growing crowd, and one by one, Athena met Oliver, the second in command, Aiden, and several others. They greeted her warmly, but their curiosity was evident.

"You've lived with the Crescent Pack before, haven't you?" Oliver asked, his sharp gaze watching her closely. "What was it like back then? Do you remember any of our ancestors?"

Athena nodded, her smile softening with the weight of old memories. "I do. It was... different then. Simpler, in many ways. But I remember them fondly." She spoke of the times she spent with the Crescent Pack's ancestors, sharing stories of old rituals and traditions.

But the questions soon turned to the curse that was spelled upon them. "What about the curse?" Aiden asked, his voice carrying a note of hope. "Are you able to break it?"

Athena paused, the weight of their expectations settling over her. "I've made a concoction," she began slowly, "something for all of you to drink before the night is over. But... I can't promise it will work. Magic is unpredictable, especially curses like these."

The pack members exchanged glances before agreeing. They had no other option but to trust her. One by one, those cursed drank from the vial Athena offered, and they waited.

As the moon began to sink lower in the sky, the transformations started again. Wolves once more, the Crescent Pack gathered around her, frustration and disappointment thick in the air. The concoction had failed, and the curse remained unbroken.

Athena stood there, her heart heavy with guilt and frustration, feeling like a constant failure. She was bombarded with angry growls and sharp barks as the wolves vented their frustrations on her.

Jackson, however, was quick to defend her. With a deep growl, he silenced the rest of the pack, stepping forward to stand by her side. His voice was firm as he scolded them. "She's doing everything she can to help us. More than anyone else has ever done. We should be grateful."

The wolves quieted, their anger simmering but controlled. Athena looked down at Jackson, her eyes filled with gratitude, though she still felt the sting of failure. She had tried, but it wasn't enough.

As the night grew darker and the moon began its descent, Athena whispered, "I won't give up. We'll find a way to break this curse." Jackson nodded, his loyalty unwavering, as the pack quietly retreated into the Bayou, waiting for the next full moon when they would once again be human, if only for a few hours.

Athena paced back and forth outside her cabin, the phone pressed tightly to her ear. The frustration boiled within her, threatening to spill over as she called Damon. She didn't know what else to do, and she needed someone who could distract her.

"Sup, Angel?" Damon's voice came through, his familiar sarcasm coating every word.

"Damon, I'm going crazy," Athena burst out, her tone sharp with annoyance. "I've been trying to break this curse—this stupid, ridiculously curse that some witch placed on an entire pack of wolves—and I can't do it. I talk about how powerful I am, but this? I can't fix this. I'm such a hypocrite."

Damon paused for a moment, then responded in his typical nonchalant way. "Jeez, so what do you want me to do? Give you a pep talk? Fix it for you? I'm all ears."

Athena sighed heavily, rubbing her temples. "I don't know. I just need you to distract me from my failures for a bit. How's everything in Mystic Falls? What's happening there?"

"Well," Damon started, his tone light, "most of the council members blew up, and we had a new vampire hunter in town—complete with disappearing tattoos—but he's dead now."

Athena exhaled sharply, a mix of surprise and concern. "What? You had a vampire hunter? How are you all still alive?"

Damon snorted. "Took care of that, didn't we? Typical Mystic Falls drama, you know. Anyway, Elena's going through some shit."

Athena paused, her voice softening with concern. "How's Elena holding up?"

"She was doing fine. Stefan had her drinking animal blood—getting used to it and all—but she wanted to try drinking from blood bags. You know, baby steps." He hesitated.

Athena picked up on it instantly. "What is it, Damon?"

Damon let out a long sigh. "Elena killed the hunter."

Athena's heart sank. "Oh no... It's her first time killing someone, isn't it? With her emotions heightened as a new vampire, she's going to be hit by a tidal wave of guilt and remorse. She's obviously going to be overwhelmed."

"Yeah, well, it was worse than that. Thanks to the hunter's death, she'd been cursed with the Hunter's Curse. Yada, yada, yada. But hey, guess who saved the day?" Damon's voice had an edge of sarcasm, but Athena could hear the underlying exhaustion.

"Stefan?" she guessed.

"Ouch. That hurts, Athena. It was a team effort." Damon's playful defensiveness was unmistakable. "I helped stop the curse, while Stefan—aka Hero Hair—saved Elena from, you know, ending her life."

Athena couldn't help but smile at his tone. "Don't tell me you're upset that you didn't get to save the girl," she teased.

Damon scoffed, but there was a vulnerability in his voice that Athena rarely heard. "I'm not upset," he said, though it was clear he wasn't being entirely truthful. "Besides, she chose Stefan. I'll get over it."

Athena's heart softened. She could tell Damon was hurt, no matter how much he tried to cover them with sarcasm and bravado. Her voice was gentle but firm as she spoke. "Damon, one day, you're going to find someone who loves you back. Really loves you. And when that happens, don't let that love go. You need to fight for it with everything you've got. You deserve that kind of love."

There was a long pause on the other end of the line. Damon wasn't used to hearing such raw sincerity, especially from someone like Athena. When he finally spoke, his voice was softer, more vulnerable. "Yeah, well… I guess we'll see if that ever happens."

"It will," Athena said with certainty. "And when it does, don't push it away."

Damon chuckled, but it was a softer sound than usual. "You know, for someone who's freaking out about failing, you're surprisingly good at this advice-giving stuff. Maybe you should focus on solving love problems instead of breaking curses."

Athena laughed, feeling a little lighter. "Maybe. But, knowing me, I'd probably screw that up too."

"Nah," Damon said, his tone warm. "You're better at this than you think."

For a moment, the two sat in comfortable silence, each lost in their thoughts. Finally, Damon broke the silence with his usual flair.

"Alright, Angel. Go crack that curse. And when you finally fix it, I expect a big thank-you for this motivational speech."

Athena rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah, yeah. Thanks, sweetie."

"Don't mention it. Literally. Don't mention it to anyone." His tone was teasing, but Athena could hear the affection behind it.

"Talk to you soon," she said before hanging up, feeling a little more at peace. For now, that was enough.

Months passed, and the Crescent Pack continued to live under the curse. Despite her many failed attempts to break the curse, Athena refused to abandon the pack. She helped them in whatever ways she could—conjuring food, clean water, fixing up their old furniture, and replacing their worn-out clothing. The Crescent Pack remained grateful for her unwavering support, often looking at her with reverence for all the small miracles she brought into their lives.

Each full moon, Athena grew closer to them. She would sit around their fires, listen to their stories, and laugh along with them, even if her heart was heavy with the knowledge that she had yet to fulfill her promise to break their curse. No matter how much joy the pack brought her, that failure lingered in the back of her mind like a dark cloud.

The nephilim spent more and more time researching ancient curses, trying to find a loophole. But then she learned the heartbreaking truth; the only one who could truly lift this curse was the witch who had cast it. And that witch was long dead.

Jackson had been the one to break the news to her. The weight of it hit Athena like a wave, dragging her into a sea of guilt. What good am I if I can't help these people? she thought, as the burden of their hope became too much to bear. She felt lost, as if she had gotten their hopes up for nothing, and now she was leading them down a path with no salvation.

One evening, as Athena sat in her cabin consumed by her thoughts, a vision struck her. It was so sudden and intense, her head felt like it was splitting apart. She screamed in agony, clutching her head as her vision blurred. Then she saw it—Kol, standing before Jeremy, a white oak stake in his chest. Kol's eyes widened in shock before his body erupted in flames, burning away into nothingness.

The pain of the vision was too much. Blood trickled from Athena's nose and eyes as the images overwhelmed her. Her body collapsed to the floor, and everything went dark.

Athena opened her eyes again, she was no longer in her cabin. She was surrounded by an endless, suffocating darkness. Panic surged through her chest, and she screamed, her voice echoing back at her, only to be swallowed by the void. She knew these visions—they were never wrong. Everything she saw would come to pass. Kol is going to die, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

"What's the point of giving me these gifts if I can't help the people I care about?!" she screamed into the abyss, her voice cracking under the weight of her frustration and helplessness.

Her voice echoed into the darkness, unanswered. Then, a harsh light pierced through the void, illuminating a mirror that stood alone in the distance. Athena squinted against it, her heart racing she approached it slowly, her reflection staring back at her, but it wasn't quite right.

The reflection seemed older, more worn, with lines of sorrow etched into her face. Her eyes, once filled with determination, were now heavy with the weight of pain and loss. Athena's breath hitched as she looked at herself. She didn't recognise the person staring back at her.

Her reflection suddenly spoke, "Write my wrongs... and save them," the voice low and mournful. "Save them when the time is right. Save them for her, for them, for us."

Athena's heart pounded in her chest as she tried to understand the cryptic words. "What are you talking about?" she asked, but her reflection simply rippled and faded away, leaving her with more questions than answers, as she stared at her normal reflection once more.

With a surge of emotion, she punched the mirror, sending cracks splintering across the glass. The sharp sound of the breaking mirror echoed through the void before Athena's consciousness snapped back to reality.

She gasped and awoke on the cold wooden floor of her cabin, her head pounding and her body drenched in sweat. Blood was still trickling from her nose and eyes. Athena groaned as she slowly sat up, wiping the blood away with a damp towel. But the message, the pain, the frustration—it all swirled around her mind in chaos.

Feeling the need to center herself, the nephilim retreated to her pocket dimension, seeking solace in her garden. The peaceful lake and the soft rustling of leaves greeted her like an old friend. She sat at the edge of the lake, dipping her feet into the cool water. The wind gently brushed against her skin, carrying the scents of her flowers and herbs.

She took a shaky breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts, but her body was still trembling from the vision. She felt lost. What was she supposed to do with these words? Write my wrongs... save them? What does that even mean?

As if sensing her distress, Sprout, her small fluffy friend, came rolling over to her. His tiny body bumped against her legs, offering comfort. Athena let out a soft, tired smile as she reached down, scooping up the little creature. Sprout nestled against her, and they sat together in silence, the peaceful sounds of the garden wrapping around them like a warm blanket.

Athena leaned into Sprout, her mind still swirling with confusion, but, she allowed herself to just breathe. The answers would come. She had to believe that. She had to have faith, have hope.

Athena sat comfortably in her cabin, absorbed in the pages of an old book she had picked up from her library. The peaceful atmosphere was comforting, the gentle crackle of the fire and the soft snores of Jackson, who lay curled up at her feet, grounding her in a rare moment of calm. She smiled at the sight of him, his fur rising and falling with each peaceful breath.

But, Jackson's ears twitched, and his head snapped up from his resting position. His nostrils flaring as he sniffed the air. A low growl rumbled deep in his throat. Athena immediately sensed his unease, she closed her book and stood, her heart beating faster. She knew Jackson's senses were sharper than hers, especially when it came to vampires.

There was a knock at the door, firm and deliberate. Jackson growled again, louder this time. Athena crouched slightly, her body on high alert, magic already tingling at her fingertips. She whispered to Jackson, "Stay here." With a deep breath, she made her way toward the door.

When she cautiously opened the door, her body relaxed, a surprised smile breaking across her face. "Elijah!" she exclaimed, lowering her guard immediately.

Standing in the doorway was Elijah Mikaelson, looking as composed and elegant as ever. He offered her a small smile, his usual calm demeanour in place. "Hello, Athena."

Before he could say more, she pulled him into a big hug, surprising him slightly, but he returned it with a quiet chuckle. "What are you doing here?" she asked, stepping back. "How did you even find me?"

"Sophie Deveraux," Elijah began. "She works at Rousseau's and mentioned that she saw the 'Wolfstar.' That, combined with some word going around that you were last seen in the Bayou, made it easy enough to track you down."

Athena raised an eyebrow, making a mental note. "Remind me not to leave any vampires alive next time," she said unaware that she made a ruckus.

Elijah was uncertain by what she meant but then glanced over her shoulder at Jackson, who was still glaring at him, his growls low but present. "I see you’ve made a new friend," Elijah said with a slight edge of caution in his voice, eyeing the wolf carefully.

Athena smiled down at Jackson. "That's Jackson, the Alpha of the Crescent Pack. We've been taking care of each other." She gave Jackson a reassuring look, and his growling ceased, though he remained alert.

Athena turned her gaze back to Elijah. "But I assume you didn't come all the way out here just for small talk," she said, sitting back down in her chair with a knowing smirk.

Elijah shook his head with a soft smile, clearly defeated by her directness. "No, you're right. I didn't."

Athena gestured for him to sit in the chair opposite her, which he did with his usual grace. "You've been with my family for many years now," he began, his tone serious yet warm. "You've stood by us, even when we didn't ask for your help. You've helped Niklaus more times than he deserves, if I'm being honest. And now, it seems he's found himself in another… situation."

Athena leaned forward, her expression shifting to concern. "What kind of situation?"

"A few days ago Katernia reached out to my brother," Elijah said with a sigh. "She informed him of a witch, Sophie Deveraux, sister. Jane-Anne, had been plotting against Niklaus. Unfortunately, Jane-Anne was killed but we've managed to gather some critical information from Sophie."

Athena's eyebrows furrowed. "What exactly are you asking of me, Elijah?"

Elijah paused, his usual confidence faltering for just a moment. He took a breath before continuing. "I believe your knowledge of werewolf pregnancies, combined with your understanding of modern medicine and your divination magic, will be... invaluable to us."

Athena's eyes narrowed, sensing there was something he wasn't telling her. She crossed her arms, leaning forward. "There's more to this, Elijah. What aren't you saying?"

Elijah hesitated again, clearly weighing his next words carefully. "It appears," he said slowly, "that my brother, is going to have a child."

Athena blinked in surprise, her mind racing to process the information. "A… child?" she echoed, her voice quiet with disbelief.

"Yes," Elijah confirmed. "A friend of Tyler Lockwood, Hayley Marshall, is pregnant. And the witches believe the child will be born with the qualities of a vampire, a werewolf, and a witch. A tribrid."

Athena sat back in her chair, her emotions swirling. She wasn't upset, though part of her wished she could be. She and Klaus weren't together,she had no claim over him and she had no right to feel betrayed. But the news still hit her like a blow. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her thoughts.

"And Klaus?" she finally asked, her voice soft. "How does he feel about this?"

Elijah leaned forward slightly, his voice gentle. "This does not mean he cares for you any less, Athena. My brother… well, you know him. He often acts rashly, seeking to numb his pain rather than confront it. This child is a result of one of those moments. But it doesn't reflect his feelings for you."

Athena let out a small sigh, rubbing her face with her hands. "I should have reached out to him more, called him more. But, instead I buried myself in work on trying…" She trailed off, almost revealing her troubling visions about Klaus and Elijah's deaths but stopped herself. She wasn't ready to share that yet. Taking a steadying breath, she met Elijah's gaze again.

" I know this is a lot to ask of you," Elijah said, his tone sincere. "And I don't want you to feel obligated to help. But…"

Athena thought back to the drawings in her sketchbook—the baby. Maybe this was the beginning of what her future self had meant by saving them. Maybe this was the moment that set everything into motion. After a long pause, she looked at Elijah with renewed determination.

"What do you need me to do?" she asked.

Elijah smiled, relief washing over his face. "Selfless as always," he said softly, standing from his chair and straightening his suit jacket. "I offer you an invitation to stay with us. With the child's safety in question, your presence would be invaluable."

Athena stood as well, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Let me just pack my things."

She walked over to Jackson, who had been watching the entire conversation quietly. Kneeling beside him, she stroked his head gently and whispered, "I might be gone for a while, but I promise I'll come back." She pressed a kiss to his fur, feeling his warmth and strength. Jackson nudged her with his nose gently, his amber eyes filled with understanding.

Elijah helped her pack her belongings into his car. She turned to wave goodbye to Jackson, before climbing into the passenger seat.

Once she was settled in the passenger seat, Elijah started the car, the soft hum of the engine filling the quiet as they pulled away from the cabin. Athena stared out of the window, lost in thought, but it wasn't long before Elijah glanced over at her, breaking the silence.

"I should also mention," Elijah began, his voice calm but tinged with underlying concern, "that Niklaus is a bit overwhelmed. It appears that Marcel is still alive and now residing in the French Quarter."

Athena turned to him, curiosity piqued. "Marcel? Who's that?"

Elijah spoke with almost a nostalgic sigh. "In 1820, my family and I were living in here. During that time, the governor's son passed, and we attended his funeral."

Athena raised an eyebrow knowingly. "And by 'passed,' you mean Klaus killed him, don't you?" she asked, recalling  Klaus' memories.

Elijah gave a slight chuckle, his lips curving into a half-smile. "You know my brother's temper. Yes, he threw him off the second-floor balcony in a fit."

Athena smiled faintly, but it quickly faded. "So how does Marcel fit into all this?"

Elijah's expression sobered as he continued. "I haven't finished the story. After the funeral, he witnessed a man beating a child—a boy. Perhaps it reminded Klaus of our father, or maybe he saw something of himself in that boy. Regardless, he stepped in and saved the child from a cruel fate."

Athena's brow furrowed slightly as the pieces began to fit together. "The boy was Marcel?" she asked, already guessing the answer.

"Marcellus, to be exact. Niklaus gave him that name," Elijah confirmed. "Klaus brought him into our family, raised him like a son. He was one of the few people my brother ever cared for deeply, truly. Later on, when Marcel grew older, he was shot by his birth father and was turned into a vampire. Years after that, our father, found us again."

Athena nodded, understanding the weight behind Elijah's words. She had heard the stories, but seeing it all unfold through Elijah's perspective made the gravity of Klaus' past even more tangible. "Mikael went after the people Klaus cared about to get to him," she whispered, more a statement than a question.

Elijah gave a solemn nod. "Exactly. We thought Mikael had killed Marcellus in the fire. But it turns out, he escaped and has been living in New Orleans ever since. And now… he rules the French Quarter."

Athena processed the information in silence for a moment, her mind racing as she pieced everything together. Then, something clicked. She remembered the attack on her in the Bayou.

"No magic without the king's permission," Athena murmured, her eyes widening as realisation dawned. "That's who they were talking about."

Elijah cast a sideways glance at her, confused but intrigued. "I wasn't aware you knew that magic could not be used."

Athena leaned back in her seat, recalling the encounter vividly. "A few months ago, some vampires attacked me in the Bayou. They said that there was a king, and no magic was allowed without his permission. I didn't think much of it at the time because I'm used to hiding the full extent of my magic. But they still sensed it. Which means someone powerful must be working for this king."

Elijah's expression darkened as he considered her words. "You believe Marcel—"

Athena interrupted, finishing his thought. "Wanted to kill me. Either because he's scared of what I am or to eliminate the competition. Who knows what his motives are?" She folded her arms, her mind racing as she recalled the vampires' warning.

Elijah's grip tightened on the steering wheel, his jaw clenched slightly. "If Marcel feels threatened by you, it's a dangerous situation," he said carefully. "He controls the witches and has built an empire here in New Orleans. But we won't let anything happen to you, Athena. Not while you're with us."

Athena shifted in her seat, looking out the window once again as the landscape blurred by. The sense of foreboding that had settled over her during the car ride lingered, but knowing Elijah and his family would be there gave her some comfort. She wasn't alone in this, and they would figure it out—together.

For now, she focused on the task at hand. Klaus needed her help, and she would be there for him, just as she had always been. There were still so many unanswered questions, but she's learning that some things could only be solved with time—and perhaps a bit of luck.

Chapter Text

Elijah and Athena arrived at the plantation house.

The late afternoon sun began to cast long shadows on the property. They drove up the brick driveway that led to the wide steps of the house. It was grand and stately, with its whitewashed facade, large black shutters, and tall white columns that towered over the wide steps leading to the entrance. The house had the air of old Southern elegance, yet it was clear that time had passed since anyone had cared for it. The trees surrounding the house were large and well-maintained, their branches swaying gently in the breeze, and the lush greenery created a sense of peace.

Elijah, ever the gentleman, carried Athena's bag as they walked up the steps, his pace steady and calm. He opened the door, and they were greeted by the house's foyer, it had a small table in the centre to display a certain centerpiece of choosing with a squareed rug onto of the polished wooden floors that echoed their footsteps. Inside, the air was cool and still, and dust motes floated in the beams of light coming through the tall windows. The high ceilings made the place feel even larger. A wide staircase curved upwards to the second floor, and portraits lined the walls, their eyes following them as they ascended.

"This way," Elijah said as he led Athena up the stairs and down a long hallway, the air cooler and carrying the faint smell of old wood and linens. He pushed open a door to a bedroom, the bed and furniture all covered in protective white sheets.

"This can be your room," he said, placing her bag gently on the bed.

Athena looked around the space, her mind already envisioning how she would arrange her belongings. The room was spacious, with large windows that overlooked the back of the property. Beneath the dust and disuse, the furniture was ornate and dark, its mahogany frame matching the other elegant touches of the house. There was an air of timeless beauty about the room, and Athena knew with a little effort, it could become her home.

She smiled and nodded. "This will be perfect, thank you."

Elijah gave her a polite smile in return, his hands resting on the back of a chair near the bed. "Come, I think it's time for you to meet Hayley."

They walked back down the hallway, and as they entered another room, Athena froze. The rooms furniture were covered in a sheets of dust. A tall brunette woman was pulling the sheet away revealing a crib, coughing as the dust particles filled the air. It was Hayley, the woman from the nephilims dreams and drawings. The recognition hit her like a shock, but she composed herself before anyone could notice.

Elijah walked toward Hayley, concern etched in his face. "Are you alright?"

Hayley waved off his concern with a light cough, her voice slightly raspy. "Yeah, just dust." She still hadn't sensed Athena's presence in the room, continuing with a small ad she looked around the room, "This place is ancient."

"Yes," Elijah agreed, his voice smooth. "But it should serve our purposes well." He walked toward Hayley, while Athena stood at the threshold, quietly observing the moment, knowing all too well that look Elijah was giving Hayley. He was drawn to her. "It's a sanctuary from our business in the Quarter. Right now, you're the most important person in this family. You need a good home." His tone was kind, almost tender.

Elijah then gestured toward the nephilim. "Hayley, I'd like you to meet my friend. This is Athena Mourningstar."

Hayley turned, her dark hair swaying slightly as she shifted to face Athena. Her smile was a little awkward, clearly not knowing who Athena was or why Elijah had brought her here. Athena, ever poised, stepped further into the room, offering Hayley a kind smile in return. The wolf extended her hand. "Nice to meet you."

Athena took her hand, "Nice to meet you too."

Elijah stood next to Hayley, his calm and composed presence filling the room as he introduced Athena. "Athena is a doctor with... special gifts," he said smoothly, turning to glance at Athena with an air of respect. "She will help you through this pregnancy, ensuring that both you and the child are safe."

Hayley raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but also uncertain. "Special gifts?" she repeated, her voice laced with curiosity. "What kind of gifts are we talking about?"

Athena smiled softly as she locked eyes with Hayley. Without saying a word, her normally warm and earthy gaze shifted, glowing with a divine light. It wasn't a bright or overwhelming glow, but something more ethereal and calming. The room itself seemed to pause, as if it, too, was waiting for her to reveal the answer to Hayley's question.

With a gentle wave of her hand, Athena called upon her powers. A soft, serene snowfall began to descend from the ceiling, tiny crystalline snowflakes materializing in the air around them. The flakes sparkled, each one perfectly formed, but instead of hitting the floor, they vanished into the air before they had the chance to land. It was as if they existed only for the moment they were meant to be seen, a fleeting and peaceful magic that filled the room with a quiet beauty.

Hayley's eyes widened in amazement, her breath catching as she watched the delicate snow swirl around them. "That's... incredible," she murmured, her voice filled with wonder. "I've never seen anything like that before."

Athena's eyes returned to their natural state as the snow disappeared completely. She smiled gently at Hayley, her expression kind and reassuring. "That's just a small example of what I can do," she said softly. "My abilities are deeply tied to nature and the divine, and I will use them to help you through this pregnancy. You don't have to go through this alone, Hayley."

Hayley blinked, still trying to process what she had just witnessed. "So, you're... what? A witch?" she asked, half-joking but also genuinely unsure.

Athena chuckled softly, shaking her head. "I'm a nephilim part human, part angel," she replied, her tone light. "I've lived a long time, and my journey has brought me many experiences, but what matters now is making sure you and the baby are safe."

Hayley's awe gradually softened into a mix of gratitude and relief. She could feel the sincerity in Athena's words, and it comforted her in a way she hadn't expected. "I don't even know what to say... Thank you," Hayley said, her voice quieter, more vulnerable. She still had her doubts about what was happening, but there was something about Athena's presence that made her feel safe

"I guess I'm in good hands, then," Hayley said, a small smile forming on her lips as she looked at Athena.

"You are," Athena assured her, her voice warm and full of promise. "I'll be with you every step of the way. How are you feeling?"

Hayley sighed, her smile turning a little sardonic as she responded. "How am I feeling about having a miracle baby with a psychotic one-night stand, or how am I feeling physically?"

Athena chuckled softly, appreciating Hayley's candor. "In general. What about becoming a mother? That's a pretty important part, wouldn't you say?"

Hayley paused, her expression shifting to something more vulnerable. "I was abandoned when I was born," she said, her voice quieter. "And my adoptive parents kicked me out the second I turned into a wolf. So, I don't really know how I feel about being a mother because... well, I never really had a good one."

There was a moment of silence, the weight of her words filling the space. Athena could see the pain behind her bravado, the uncertainty that came with such a monumental change in her life. Before she could respond, Elijah stepped in, offering Hayley the reassurance she clearly needed.

Elijah watched the exchange between the two women with a satisfied smile, his faith in Athena reaffirmed. "With Athena's help," he said, addressing Hayley, "you have nothing to fear. You'll be taken care of and I will always protect you," Elijah promised, his voice unwavering. "You have my word on that." Hayley offered a small, grateful smile,

"And noble Elijah always keeps his word."

All three turned toward the door, where Klaus stood leaning against the frame, his arms crossed and a smirk on his face. His tone was amused, his gaze sharp as it moved from Elijah to Hayley and then to Athena but there was something in his eyes that was a little harder to read.

"Is it done?" Elijah asked, turning to face his brother.

Klaus uncrossed his arms and stepped further into the room, his tone casual, his posture relaxed. "As a matter of fact, yes. Your underhanded deal worked quite well. Marcel accepted my blood, and Thierry still lives. I remain a welcome guest in the French Quarter." He paused, his tone growing more serious. "But now, my only concern is the coven of witches."

"I believe them to be honorable," Elijah countered, moving to stand beside Klaus. "They released Hayley to me, and though they haven't been entirely forthcoming, Marcel has something they need. They don't want him dead. There must be a reason."

The nephilim sensing the tension and realising the conversation was moving toward business matters, excused herself with a nod. "I'll let you two figure that out," she said, her tone light but respectful. "I'll be upstairs sorting out my room."

Klaus gave her a brief nod of acknowledgment, his expression unreadable, while Elijah shot her a small, grateful smile.

As she entered her bedroom, Athena sighed, her fingers brushing the dust-covered sheets that draped over the furniture. She opened the tall windows first, letting in a soft breeze that stirred the air, carrying away the mustiness that had accumulated over the years. With a flick of her wrist, the dust lifted from the sheets and furniture, vanishing into the air, leaving the room pristine.

She then removed the white sheets—the dark, elegant wood of the bedframe, the matching dresser, and the luxurious beige and gold colour scheme that gave the room an air of timelessness. The large windows were framed by heavy curtains, and an ornate chandelier hung from the ceiling, adding a soft glow to the room. The bed was centered on an intricately patterned cream rug with delicate floral designs that spanned most of the floor, making the room feel both grand and cozy.

She began to move the furniture, making it feel more for her liking. She adjusted the position of the bed, centering it under the chandelier for a more balanced feel. The dresser, now free of dust, was placed against the far wall. She added soft green vines that crept along the edges of the windowsill, entwining with small pots of herbs she had brought from her pocket dimension. The scent of lavender, rosemary, and sage filled the room, mingling with the fresh air from the open windows. A few of her favorite books appeared neatly stacked on a small wooden side table, ready for her to read whenever she needed a moment of peace. The transformation was subtle but profound, making the space feel more personal and welcoming.

She stepped back, surveying her work. It wasn't a grand transformation, but it was enough to make the space feel like hers. She smiled, feeling content with the atmosphere she had created. Her peace was interrupted by a soft knock on the door. She turned, and when the door opened, Klaus stood there, leaning against the frame with a familiar smirk playing on his lips.

"Already making yourself feel at home, I see," Klaus said, his voice playful yet slightly tense.

Athena smiled warmly at him, nodding. "I figured I'd settle in," she replied, keeping her tone light. She could sense his hesitation, the unspoken words lingering between them.

Klaus stepped into the room, his eyes scanning the small changes she had made. "It's good to see you again, love," he said, his voice softening as he spoke. "I'm grateful that you're here, though I wouldn't blame you if you wished to leave."

Athena's expression softened. She could sense his uncertainty. He wasn't sure what she thought of him now, especially after everything that had happened—his one-night stand with Hayley, the unexpected pregnancy. But Klaus being a father didn't change what Athena felt for him.

"I’m not going anywhere," Athena said gently, stepping closer to him. "Damon told me about everything going on with Silas, and I don't think it's time for me to go back. I have faith in them—they'll do what needs to be done." She paused, her eyes locking with his. "What I want is to help this family in any way I can, even if that means being the baby's guardian angel."

Klaus swallowed, the tension in his shoulders loosening slightly. "You're... still willing to help?" he asked, his voice almost unsure.

Athena smiled, her hand lightly touching his arm in reassurance. "I know it's been months since we last talked properly. That's on me, and I'm sorry for it. But this doesn't change anything, Klaus. I still care about you. You're still like family to me."

Klaus was silent for a moment, clearly struggling to comprehend Athena's unwavering generosity. After everything he had done, after all the chaos he had brought into her life, she was still standing by his side.

"I don't deserve your loyalty," Klaus said quietly, his gaze dropping for a moment, something rare for him.

Athena shook her head gently. "It's not about deserving, Klaus. It's about what we choose to give to the people we care about. And I choose to stand by you."

For once, Klaus seemed at a loss for words. He nodded, his expression a mixture of gratitude and disbelief. "I don't know what I would do without you," he admitted softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Athena smiled at him, a genuine warmth filling her heart at his words. She had always cared deeply for Klaus, despite his flaws and the walls he put up around himself. For him to admit such a thing was monumental, but before she could let the moment sink in, her smile faded, and a shadow passed over her face. "Klaus..." she began hesitantly, her voice quiet as if unsure how to proceed.

Klaus noticed the change in her demeanor, his eyebrows furrowing slightly in concern.

Athena looked down, guilt creeping into her chest as she remembered the vision that had plagued her. She had seen it clearly — Kol being stabbed with the white oak stake, his body engulfed in flames. She had seen his death before it happened, but in the chaos of everything, she hadn't reached out to Klaus, hadn't warned him.

"I'm sorry about what happened to Kol," she said, her voice strained, almost a whisper, as if admitting it aloud made the guilt all the more real.

Klaus stiffened at the mention of Kol, his jaw tightening. His eyes narrowed, a flash of both grief and anger crossing his face. He knew Athena well enough to realise what she was hinting at. "You had a vision, didn't you?" His voice was sharper now, though still subdued, like he was holding back the tidal wave of emotions that threatened to overtake him.

Athena nodded, unable to meet his gaze."I did," she confessed. "I saw it happen, Klaus. I should have called, I should have warned you... but I didn't." The words came out in a rush, filled with the weight of her regret. She had failed, and now Kol was dead.

The Original hybrid was silent for a moment, his face unreadable. His smile that had been there moments ago when he thanked her, had completely vanished. His lips pressed into a thin line, and his eyes darkened, filled with a storm of emotions. Anger, grief, disappointment — it was all there.

After what felt like an eternity, Klaus finally spoke, but his voice was strained. "There's nothing you could have done, Athena." His words were clipped, and though they were meant to absolve her of guilt, they were more reflective of his own turmoil. "Kol made his choices... and we all have to live with the consequences."

Athena opened her mouth to say something, to apologise again, to try and explain, but Klaus held up a hand, cutting her off gently. He gave her a tired smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Get some rest now, love," he said softly, the weariness evident in his voice.

Before Athena could stop him, before she could offer any more words of comfort or explanation, Klaus turned and walked out of the room, his posture stiff, his shoulders tense. The sound of the door closing behind him felt final, and Athena stood there, her heart heavy with the weight of what had just happened.

Athena sighed, rubbing her temples as she sank onto the edge of her bed, the room feeling much quieter and colder now that Klaus had left. She wished she could take back time, that she could have warned him, that things could have turned out differently. But there was no use dwelling on what-ifs now.

The next morning, Athena woke up early, the house quiet as the rest of its inhabitants still slept or went out. She took her time getting ready for the day, enjoying a long, refreshing shower. She dressed casually but elegantly, donning a soft beige ribbed long-sleeved top that hugged her frame comfortably, the sleeves slightly puffed at the shoulders, cinching at her wrists. She paired it with high-waisted, light-wash denim jeans that fit her snugly but offered ease of movement as she went about her morning tasks. Her usual key necklace rested delicately at her heart, adding a simple yet elegant touch to the outfit.

Athena moved swiftly through the house cleaning up any stray dust and tidying up as she went. The place was starting to feel more like home with every small touch she added, making it cozier and more inviting. She set to work in the kitchen, she chopped ingredients, savoring the rare quiet moment. The groceries that had appeared—either thanks to Klaus or Elijah—were fresh ingredients, perfect for ensuring Hayley got the nutrients she needed.

By the time Hayley came down, the house sparkled, and the smell of fresh breakfast filled the air. Athena had prepared a wholesome spread; scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, and whole-grain toast, complete with orange juice and a side of herbal tea.

"Wow, you're up early," Hayley commented, looking around the house in mild surprise at how spotless it had become overnight. She pulled out a chair and sat down, eyeing the spread before her. "This looks amazing," she said, digging into her plate. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Athena replied, smiling warmly as she sat across from Hayley, nursing her tea. "I like being up early. It gives me time to get things done."

Hayley looked at Athena curiously. "Are you really going to be my doctor while doing all this cooking and cleaning? It's like I'm living with a magical housekeeper."

Athena shrugged, smiling. "I'm happy to do it. Before I moved here I'd been working in Mystic Falls Hospital, so I'm used to the hustle of managing multiple things at once."

Hayley chewed thoughtfully, then asked, "How do you know Elijah and Klaus?"

Athena leaned back in her chair, considering how to answer. "I was 'born' in the year 889," she said carefully, watching Hayley's reaction. "I stopped aging a long time ago, and over the centurie, I eventually crossed paths with Klaus and his siblings. We were friends for a time before I left them."

Hayley blinked, processing that bit of information. "Wait, Klaus has more than one sibling?"

Athena nodded, a sad look crossing her features. "Yes. There used to be seven of them. Now it's just Klaus, Elijah, and Rebekah."

Hayley's brow furrowed. "And all this time, you've been tolerating Klaus—who's an irritating dick, by the way. I'm embarrassed to say he's the one who got me pregnant."

Athena chuckled, nodding knowingly. "I admit, the way you're getting to know him this way isn't ideal, but I'll tell you this. Yes, Klaus can be paranoid, narcissistic, and manipulative, but he can also be compassionate, sensitive, and incredibly emotional. It's not all bad with him."

Hayley looked at Athena with an intrigued expression. "Don't tell me you actually like the guy," she said, eyes narrowing with curiosity.

Athena grinned cheekily. "Okay, I won’t."

Hayley's eyes widened in realisation. "Oh my god, wait—are you two a thing? I didn't know!"

Athena laughed, shaking her head. "No, we're not a couple. But... I do really like him. And this baby—his baby—won't change how I feel about him."

Hayley paused, setting down her fork, her expression turning more serious. "Will it change how you feel about me?"

Athena reached across the table, her voice soft but sincere. "Of course not, sweetie. You're a nice, innocent person who was thrust into this situation, you didn't ask for it. And I'd like for us to eventually be friends."

Hayley paused for a moment, taking in Athena's words. "You're not mad?" she asked, her voice carrying a trace of uncertainty.

Athena shook her head. "I don't feel like I can be mad," she admitted with a sad smile. "I wasn't there for him when he needed me the most. The drinking, the loneliness... it all drove him to seek out someone for some sort of connection. And that's not on you."

Hayley visibly relaxed a little but then glanced at Athena curiously. "At least you like Klaus," she said with a teasing smile. "Any chance you could take one for the team?"

Athena raised an eyebrow, confused. "What do you mean?"

Hayley shrugged playfully. "Well... you know magic, right? Isn't there a spell for everything? Like, isn't there something called a Transference Spell?"

Athena's eyes widened slightly as she realised what the wolf was suggesting. "You mean for the pregnancy?"

Hayley nodded, her expression hopeful but hesitant. Athena sighed, leaning back in her chair. "I don't know if that's possible or if it's even safe. There's a risk the baby could get hurt during the process, and using magic like that in the Quarter is dangerous. What I showed you yesterday was a small display. A spell like this would require far more magic, which would definitely draw attention. And if we get caught... well, it wouldn't end well."

Hayley's shoulders slumped slightly, her hope fading. Athena quickly continued, though, offering her a few options." But I can offer you a few alternatives. Option A, I can try to break the hex on you, help you leave if you want to keep the baby but not raise it here. Option B, I can research the Transference Spell and see if we can make it work. You would still be the baby's biological mother, and I'd act as a surrogate. Option C, We leave everything as it is, and I promise to support you in any way I can. No matter what you choose, I’ll be here with you. You're the mother. This is your choice."

Hayley took a deep breath, her eyes flicking from Athena to the floor as she processed the options. After a few moments of silence, she said quietly, "None of those options, actually."

Athena's face softened, her brows drawing together in concern. "What do you mean?"

Hayley looked up at her, her expression conflicted. "I was thinking about...maybe getting rid of the baby. Permanently."

Athena's face softened with understanding. "Is that what you truly want?" she asked gently. "That's why I mentioned the spell. If you don't want the baby, you don't have to feel guilty about it. Biologically speaking, it's still early."

Hayley sighed, her emotions wavering as she contemplated her decision.

"If it were me," Athena continued carefully, "I wouldn't choose abortion. But this isn't about me. It's your choice, and I'll respect whatever you decide. It depends on what's best for you. If you want me to do the spell, you wouldn't need to be responsible if you don't want to be."

The nephilim took a deep breath and continued, "You're young, and you have a choice. You're entitled to do whatever you think will help you the most. But I want you to really consider what it means to be tied to the Mikaelsons. This family has a lot of drama, a lot of enemies. Once word about this child gets out, you'll be at the center of all of that. If you decide to have this baby," Athena added gently, "you'll be tied to the Mikaelsons forever. That can be a good thing… or a bad thing. Just think about it. Really take time to consider what you want out of life. I'll support you no matter what, but this decision is yours. And you deserve to know exactly what you're getting yourself into."

Hayley didn't speak for a long moment, processing everything Athena had said.

After what felt like forever, she finally nodded. "I'll think about it," Hayley whispered, her voice shaky but determined. "Thank you… for being honest with me."

Athena smiled softly, reaching out to give Hayley's hand a comforting squeeze. "I'll be here, whatever you decide. You're not alone in this, Hayley."

Hayley managed a small smile in return, the weight of her choice still heavy on her, but knowing she had someone like Athena made it just a little easier to bear.

Chapter Text

As the night deepened, the atmosphere between Athena and Hayley was light and relaxed.

Filled with laughter and stories from their respective pasts. They spent the entire day getting to know each other, exploring the mansion and exchanging stories about their experiences in Mystic Falls. It was a pleasant distraction from the tension surrounding them, and they both found solace in the budding friendship.

Athena found herself in Hayley's room, the two of them sitting comfortably on the bed. Hayley glanced toward the door, frowning slightly as if a thought had suddenly crossed her mind. "Elijah hasn't been here all day. Do you think he's okay?" she asked, a trace of worry in her voice.

Athena looked up from the old book she had been flipping through, and with a small smile, she shrugged. "He should be fine. He is an Original after all. Maybe he just needed some time away from Klaus," she teased lightly. "Elijah did warn me that living with Klaus could have its… troubling moments to put it nicely." She chuckled at the memory.

Before Hayley could respond, Klaus strolled in, his presence immediately commanding attention. "Oh, come on, love," Klaus said, a sly grin on his face. "I'm not that bad of a roommate, am I?"

Both women looked up at him, their laughter pausing for a moment as he leaned against the doorframe, his eyes shifting between them. "I see you two are bonding. Don't let me interrupt whatever game you're playing."

Athena smirked. "Missing out on girl time, sweetie? Why don't you join us?" she teased, her tone playful but challenging.

Klaus raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint appearing in his eyes. "The girl time you and I envision are two very different things, love," he replied smoothly.

Athena's cheeks flushed at the implication, much to Klaus' amusement. Hayley stifled a laugh from where she sat, clearly entertained by their interaction.

Athena tried to shake off her embarrassment, rolling her eyes at Klaus. "If you're so bored, there are plenty of women out there you could compel to sleep with you."

Klaus chuckled darkly, clearly revelling in the banter. "Oh, I don't need to compel anyone to sleep with me," he replied smoothly. With a cheeky glance at Hayley, he added, "Isn't that right, Hayley?" Hayley rolled her eyes in response.

Athena shot him a sarcastic look and then laughed. "Even better. Now, leave," she said playfully as she threw a small pillow at him. Klaus caught it effortlessly and tossed it back at her before exiting with a smirk.

"By the way, Elijah won't be returning home any time soon. So you can stop asking these questions and leave him be," the hybrid said and walked out, not wanting to further the conversation.

As soon as the door closed behind him, Hayley leaned in closer to Athena, her eyes wide with playful disbelief. "Oh my god, he is so into you," she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of amusement and curiosity.

Athena looked at her, genuinely confused. "What? No, he's not," she said, shaking her head.

Hayley raised an eyebrow, her grin widening. "It's so obvious, Athena! The way he talks to you, the way his eyes light up when you're around. He totally finds you attractive."

Athena's face turned a deep shade of red, her heartbeat quickening. "Hayley, no. It's not like that," she stammered, trying to brush off the implication, but her flushed cheeks betrayed her.

Hayley leaned back on the bed, her smile mischievous. "Come on, just admit it. Why don't you two just have sex already?"

Athena's blush deepened as she tried to hide her face. "Hayley!" she exclaimed, mortified at how nonchalantly Hayley had said that.

But Hayley wasn't about to let it go. "What? It's true! You two have insane chemistry. Anyone can see it."

Athena buried her face in her hands, laughing nervously. "You're impossible," she muttered through her hands, but there was no denying the fluttering in her chest that Klaus had caused.

Hayley laughed again, clearly enjoying teasing her. "I'm just saying what we're all thinking."

Athena peeked out from behind her hands, her face still red but smiling. "Let's just focus on you and this baby, shall we?"

"Fine, fine," Hayley said, raising her hands in mock surrender. But the playful smirk remained on her face, and Athena knew the teasing wasn't over. Still, the nephilims heart betrayed her, fluttering at the thought of him.

Suddenly, Hayley tensed, her head tilting slightly as if she had heard something. Her sharp senses, as a werewolf, picked up on something that Athena couldn't. "I hear a car," Hayley said, her voice low and cautious. "Someone's here. Do you think it's Elijah?"

Athena immediately stood. "We could check. But just in case, stay behind me."

Athena took the lead, heading toward the stairs as Hayley quickly grabbed a poker from the fireplace, trailing just a few steps behind. Together, they made their way downstairs. Just as they reached the bottom, the front door swung open with force, revealing none other than Rebekah Mikaelson. Her presence radiated confidence and defiance as she took in the sight before her.

"Who the hell are you?" Hayley demanded, standing her ground with the poker still in hand.

Rebekah barely spared Hayley a glance before her eyes landed on Athena, and her icy expression melted into a smile. However, when she turned back to Hayley, her disdain was obvious. "You there," Rebekah said with a dismissive wave, "you must be the maid. My bags are in the car. Get them, will you?"

Hayley's lips curled into a wry smile, clearly unimpressed. "Hello," she replied dryly. "Not the maid."

Athena, sensing the rising tension, stepped forward and wrapped Rebekah in a warm hug. "Rebekah," Athena greeted softly, her genuine warmth momentarily dissipating the tension in the air.

Rebekah, pulling back from the hug, flicked her gaze to Hayley once again, clearly not done with her judgmental assessment. "Right," she said, her voice dripping with condescension. "You're that werewolf girl my brother, Klaus, knocked up. I was expecting some kind of supernatural, miracle baby bump. Guess you're not showing yet. It's Hayley, isn't it?"

Hayley folded her arms over her chest, clearly not happy with the way Rebekah was talking to her. "You have your brother's manners," she said dryly.

Rebekah smirked. "And his temper too. So, watch it," she said sharply before turning her attention back to Athena. "Where's Elijah?"

Athena's expression fell slightly. "We don't know where he is. He's been gone for a while now."

Before Rebekah could respond, Hayley interjected, clearly fed up with the situation. "One minute, he was here, making these epic promises about protecting me in this predicament that a bottle of scotch and some bad decisions got me into. He was all poetic about how we're a family. And then Klaus told us he bailed. Guess that's what I get for trusting a vampire."

Rebekah's expression tightened, and her voice turned cold. "Elijah is not just any vampire, and he doesn't break promises." She paused, her eyes narrowing as realisation dawned. "Which means Niklaus has done something dastardly and Klaus-like."

Without another word, Rebekah stormed further into the house, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she yelled, "Klaus! Get out here and tell me what you've done with our brother, you narcissistic, backstabbing wanker!"

Moments later, Klaus appeared from the shadows, pushing open a pair of doors with a smug grin. "Enough with all the shouting, little sister," he said coolly. "I should have known." He glanced between the three women before settling his gaze on Rebekah. "I assume the six dead vampires were your doing?" His tone was playful, almost amused.

Rebekah crossed her arms, raising her chin defiantly. "They were very rude. Trying to victimize a poor, innocent girl just trying to find her way to the Quarter. So sorry—were they friends of yours? Oh, that's right," she added with a smirk, "you don't have any friends."

"I do have friends," he countered. "I have Marcel. You remember him, don't you? Yes, of course you do. He fancies himself the king of the Quarter now, and he has these rules about killing vampires. It'll be fun to see what sort of punishment he comes up with for you."

Rebekah muttered, her voice dripping with indifference, "I don't care about Marcel or his rules. Elijah doesn't welsh on deals. What did you do to him?"

Klaus, still looking amused, leaned against the couch, clearly enjoying the tension. "Perhaps he's on holiday. Or maybe taking a long autumn nap upstairs."

Rebekah's expression darkened with horror, and Klaus, enjoying her reaction, simply waved his hand toward the stairs. "Well, go on. Take a look around. You remember this house as well as I do."

Rebekah hesitated, her face tight with frustration, before turning to head upstairs. But she stopped and turned back to Klaus, her voice biting. "I remember everything. I remember how the drunken fool of a governor hid away all of our vampire sins in exchange for gold. I remember the lavish parties the governor threw, as if to impress you. I remember finding a moment of affection with the governor's son, Emil."

Klaus' eyes darkened slightly as he responded, "Well, he wasn't good enough for you."

Rebekah turned to face him fully, eyes flared with a mix of pain and bitterness of long-held resentment. "No one was ever good enough for me, Nik. You made sure of that." She paused, her voice softening but still firm. "Now, where is Elijah?"

Klaus, now seated comfortably, leaned back on the couch and watched Rebekah with amusement. His phone buzzed in his pocket, drawing his attention. He casually pulled it out, glancing at the screen. His expression shifted slightly, his lips curling into a faint smile. Without a word, he stood up from the couch, intent on leaving the room.

Rebekah, noticing his sudden move, crossed her arms and demanded, "Where are you going?"

Klaus, already halfway to the door, turned to face her with an air of indifference. "It appears the night is not quite over yet," he said with a hint of sarcasm. "I'm off for another drink with Marcel."

Rebekah's eyes narrowed, her voice sharp as she said, "Elijah told me your plan was to take apart Marcel's empire piece by piece. I don't remember it involving you two drinking New Orleans dry, together."

"I know you don't have many friends, Rebekah," he said with mock sympathy. "But what some friends do when they get together, is they drink. And when they drink, they tell secrets."

He paused, stepping closer to the door as if the conversation was beneath him. "Marcel has somehow found a way to control the entirety of the witches in the Quarter, and I am to uncover the 'how,' so I might take it for myself. Finding Elijah didn't make it to my to-do list today." His tone was casual, as if the thought of leaving Elijah behind hadn't bothered him in the slightest.

Rebekah's lips tightened, anger and disbelief simmering beneath her cool exterior, but Klaus ignored her reaction. He placed his hand on the door handle, about to step out, when he stopped and turned back to her with a smirk. "Oh, and welcome home, little sister."

Without waiting for a response, he walked out, shutting the door behind him with a soft thud that echoed through the room, leaving Rebekah fuming in his wake.

Athena's phone buzzed in her hand, pulling her attention away from the chaos of the Mikaelson drama. When she looked down and saw Damon's name on the screen, she excused herself quickly, retreating to her room and closing the door behind her.

She pressed the answer button. "Hey, Damon."

"Hey, Angel. Long time, no talk. I've got some juicy news for you—Silas is back. Oh, and to make things even more fun, a two-thousand-year-old witch wiped my brothers memories clean. He's got amnesia. Doesn't remember a thing."

Athena's eyes widened as she sat on the edge of her bed. "Are you serious? He doesn't remember anything?"

"Nothing. It's like someone hit the reset button on his brain."

Athena sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. "I could send Bonnie a couple of spells that might help jog his memory, maybe some incantations she could try. It could bring back something, at least."

Damon chuckled on the other end of the line. "I'm already on top of it, Athena. I've called Bonnie about ten times, but she hasn't called me back."

Athena frowned, a strange sense of unease forming in her gut. Something about Bonnie not answering didn't sit right, but she decided not to dwell on it for now. "Well, how's Elena holding up?"

"Elena? She's in college with Caroline, doing the whole normal human life thing."

"And?" Athena asked, leaning back on the bed.

"And what?" Damon replied, pretending not to understand.

Athena rolled her eyes, knowing him too well. "And... do you still have feelings for Elena?"

There was a pause on the other end before Damon sighed. "We tried for a while. But it didn't work. We realised we're better off as friends."

Athena smiled softly. "You'll find someone, sweetie. Maybe that person is right in front of you."

Damon groaned, knowing where this conversation was headed. "You sound like Caroline."

"Hey, what about you and Bonnie? There was some major sexual tension between you two the last time we were all together."

Damon laughed, a sharp and amused sound. "Oh, speak for yourself. You and Klaus—now that was sexual tension."

Athena blushed, her face heating up instantly. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't act so dumb. It was written all over your face how much you two were pining for each other. It was obvious. Just sleep with him already."

Athena, still flustered, scoffed. "That's not going to happen, Damon. Especially now that he's about to be a dad, and I'm a doctor to his babymama."

There was a stunned silence on the other end before Damon cursed, "No fucking way! So, the rumors were true. There's going to be a tribrid?"

"Yes." Athena sighed, falling back onto her bed, staring at the ceiling. "So how do I feel about all this? I don’t know. It's not like he cheated on me. We're not in a relationship."

"But you want to be," Damon pointed out bluntly.

Athena closed her eyes, the truth stinging a little more than she expected. "I think so. But I'm scared. What if he doesn't want to be in a relationship with me? Or what if we do end up together, but it doesn't work out, and our friendship is ruined?"

Damon's voice softened, uncharacteristically serious. "Hey, you have to take a leap of faith, Angel. If you sit there in your own anxiety, you'll never get anywhere. The unknown is scary for everyone, but once you take that jump, you can do anything."

Athena exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of her emotions. "Yeah, jump into piranha-infested waters."

"You'll be fine," Damon said with a grin she could hear through the phone. "You're immortal. Nothing can kill you."

Athena laughed, feeling a little lighter. "Thanks, Damon."

"Anytime, Angel. Now go figure out this Klaus thing before I have to come over there and knock some sense into both of you."

Athena smiled. "I'll talk to you later."

"Yeah, yeah. Later," Damon said before hanging up.

Athena remained lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling, Damon's words echoing in her mind.

As the new day came and went, the house seemed quieter than usual. Rebekah had left earlier in the afternoon, claiming she had business in the Quarter, while Hayley had followed soon after, muttering something about running an errand. Athena didn't think much of it at the time, her mind occupied with her own thoughts and responsibilities.

But as the sun set, the quiet began to feel eerie. The evening air was filled with the familiar sounds of the Louisiana night—crickets chirping, cicadas humming, and the occasional rustle of the wind through the trees. It was peaceful at first, but then Athena caught sight of movement outside through the living room windows.

Curiosity and concern stirred within her. She stood up and cautiously made her way outside. Stepping onto the front porch, her eyes widened in shock at the sight before her. Klaus was in the front yard, piling up unconscious vampire bodies as if they were firewood. Rebekah and Hayley stood nearby, watching the scene unfold.

Athena walked down the porch steps slowly, her eyes flicking between the unconscious vampires and the stern, furious look on Klaus' face. "What's going on here?" she asked, her voice breaking through the tension in the air.

Klaus didn't look up as he continued his task. His voice was sharp, cutting through the night air. "This is why I told you never to leave the house," he snapped, his words directed more at Rebekah and Hayley than Athena.

Rebekah rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed by Klaus' temper. "Werewolves are banned in the Quarter," Klaus continued, now turning to face them, frustration boiling over. "I had a plan, and your little nighttime stroll put it all in peril."

Rebekah, unphased, took a step toward one of the groaning vampires lying on the pile, but Klaus' voice boomed again. "Leave him! You've done enough, don't you think? Leaving a trail of bodies like a road map to my door."

"If I hadn't overheard this lot bragging about werewolf heads, everyone here would be screwed. So don't give me that crap about having a plan," Rebekah shot back, her voice dripping with irritation. "You've had all the time in the world to execute one, and no one's seen you do a damn thing."

Klaus glared at her but said nothing, his silence fueling her anger.

Rebekah pressed on, her frustration mounting. "Athena is here pitching in, despite not having to, making an effort to help Hayley feel comfortable in this house. Elijah made a deal to protect your child so that it could save you from your selfish, rotten self. But you obviously don't give a damn about the child or Hayley, or Athena, or even Elijah, because what have you done to honor it?" she demanded.

Klaus’s face darkened as he cut her off sharply. "I have done everything. Let me spell it out for you. From the day I arrived, Marcel hasn't trusted me. From day one, he's had his vampires ingest toxic vervain, which protects them from my mind control. I needed a spy, someone on the inside who Marcel would never suspect. So, I created a day zero."

Rebekah's expression remained stony as Klaus continued, his voice dripping with condescension as he glanced at his sister. "Thanks to your little murder spree, Marcel lost six vampires. He needed new recruits, and I made sure one of them was mine before he'd had even a drop of vervain. But the real way to a man is through his heart. So I got the bartender he fancies to give him a chance, ensuring he's distracted. And this one-" Klaus grabbed one of the groaning vampires by the collar and dragged him across the yard. "I'm going to drain him of vervain, compel him to tell Marcel his mates found religion and moved to Utah, so he can explain why he lost three vampires tonight."

He threw the vampire in the entrance of the house, the sound of the body hitting the ground adding to the already tense atmosphere. "Does anyone have any more questions?" Klaus demanded, looking between Athena, Rebekah, and Hayley. When no one spoke, he pressed on. "No? Good. Because I have a question—Hayley, what were you doing in the bloody French Quarter in the first place?"

Athena, sensing the shift in Klaus' tone, stepped forward. "Klaus, leave her alone," she said firmly, her voice calm but authoritative.

But Hayley wasn't backing down. She stepped forward, meeting Klaus' eyes with a fiery defiance of her own. "You want to know what I was doing?" she snapped. "I took Athena's advice. I was buying poison. So I could put your little baby out of its misery."

The change in Klaus was immediate. His anger flared, and in an instant, he had Hayley by the throat, slamming her back against the wall. Hayley gasped for air, her hands clawing at his as he squeezed.

Athena's eyes flashed with power, and without hesitation, she raised her hand and swipe it, sending Klaus flying down the hall, using her magic to protect the wolf. He hit the ground with a thud, momentarily dazed. Athena stormed toward him, her voice sharp and full of frustration. "Are you kidding me, Klaus?"

She stood over him, her hands glowing faintly as she glared down at him. "First, you make me think you don't want this baby, which leaves me wondering what the hell I'm even doing here. Then, when Hayley says she wants to get rid of it, you go completely off the rails. You need to make up your mind, Klaus. Do you want this child or not?"

Klaus stared up at her, stunned into silence by her outburst.

The nephilim didn't stop. She leaned down, locking eyes with him as she asked. "Tell me what you want, so I know what I need to do moving forward instead of sitting around waiting for nine months. This isn't just about you anymore—it's about all of us. And for the record, this is Hayley's choice, not yours. The way you've been acting makes it seem like you only want this child for power. That's not fair to her, and it sure as hell isn't fair to this baby."

Klaus, seemed at a loss for words. His usual bravado faltered as he looked up at Athena, his expression unreadable. Rebekah stepped forward, her voice soft but firm. "It's okay to care, Nik," she said gently. "It's okay to want something. That's all Elijah has ever wanted for you. All we've ever wanted."

Klaus looked away, his jaw tight with emotion. "I gave Elijah to Marcel," he muttered, barely audible.

Athena's heart sank, and Rebekah's face mirrored her shock. "What?" Rebekah breathed.

Klaus didn't meet her eyes. "Marcel was nervous. One Original coming back was bad enough, but two? His crew was getting antsy. Marcel wanted Elijah gone, so I gave him a peace offering."

"You bartered our brother?" Rebekah's voice trembled with disbelief.

Klaus stood slowly, his eyes hardening once more. "I have a plan. Gain Marcel's trust, dismantle his empire, and honour Elijah's wish that the baby be born. I'm executing that plan in the only way I know how. If you don't like it, there's the door."

With that, Klaus turned and stormed upstairs, leaving Athena, Hayley, and Rebekah standing in the dark, stunned into silence. Athena watched him, her heart heavy but resolute. She couldn't leave things like this, not with the walls Klaus had been building around himself. Without hesitation, she followed him, her steps light but determined as she entered his room. The door clicked shut behind her, and the hybrid turned to face her, his expression unreadable.

"You shouldn't have come here," Klaus said, his voice cold but laced with the unmistakable hint of vulnerability.

Athena stepped forward, her eyes unwavering. "Klaus, talk to me. Don't bottle everything up. I'm here to help you, all of you. You won't be okay if you keep holding it in."

Klaus' jaw tightened as he stared at the floor, his hands curling into fists. "Why even come here?" His voice was bitter now, heavy with a pain he rarely allowed to show. "When you're just going to leave me like everyone else? If I tell you who I am and refuse to believe me. Then I can hardly be blamed for your disappointment."

Athena's heart broke at his words, but she remained firm. "Klaus, I've lived a long time, and I've seen the darkness in this world. I know you've done things you regret, but that doesn't change who you are to me. You're still the same person who saved me, who cared for me, who fought to protect his family."

Her words struck something deep in Klaus, and his anger seemed to soften, if only for a moment. But then, his face hardened once more, his walls going up. "It would be better for you to believe I'm the monster they paint me as. And then, when all this is over, I could find you again, and profess my innocence. And because you're you, you'd believe me." Klaus' voice was softer now, barely a whisper, as he looked deeply into Athena's eyes. He took a step closer to her, the rawness of his emotions so palpable it made the air between them heavy. "And I would wish for nothing more."

Athena could see the conflict in him. He wanted her close, yet he was terrified of dragging her into the depths of his darkness. "A better man would protect you from that lie," Klaus continued, his voice hoarse. "But I am not that man, and so I leave you with the burden of a truth no one would believe."

He turned away, his back to her, unwilling to let her see the fear in his eyes. The fear of losing her, the fear of being vulnerable. Athena could see now what everyone had been talking about. Klaus loved her, so much that he was terrified of hurting her, of showing her all the bad things from his past, present, and future. "I don't wish to see you now, love," Klaus said, his voice rough as he walked towards the window. "So leave."

But Athena didn't move.

"I don't want you here, Athena," Klaus repeated, louder this time, frustration boiling over. "Get out!"

Athena remained where she stood, her voice calm but firm. "No, Klaus."

His eyes flashed as he turned to face her. "Athena!" His voice was a warning, but she wasn't scared. She knew him too well.

"You can't force me away," she said softly but resolutely. "I will not go."

Klaus' face twisted with pain and frustration. "Then I command it. Go!" His voice cracked with the weight of his emotions.

Athena's eyes softened, but her resolve didn't waver. "I will stay!" she said, stepping closer. "I command it!"

Klaus' frustration flared again, his voice quieter but no less desperate. "Love, you're not listening to me."

Athena was now face to face with him, her eyes locked onto his. "I am listening. I've heard you say you wish for me to leave. That you don't want me here. That you don't wish to see me."

Klaus opened his mouth to speak, but Athena cut him off, her voice gentle but insistent. "But what I haven't heard is that you don't love me."

The room seemed to freeze at her words. Klaus' eyes widened, his breath hitching in his throat. He didn't speak, couldn't speak.

"Do you love me?" Athena asked, her voice steady but filled with the weight of everything she felt for him.

Klaus looked away, his chest rising and falling with uneven breaths. "I'm trying to protect you."

"Do you love me?" she repeated, her eyes never leaving his.

"I… I can't do this," Klaus whispered, his voice filled with anguish. He turned away again, but Athena wasn't going to let him run from this.

"Do you love me?" she asked one more time, her persistence breaking down the last of his defences.

"Athena, please," Klaus said, his voice barely more than a plea. "Stop."

Athena took a deep breath, her voice soft but determined. "Is this because you don't believe I could love you? I love you, Klaus. If you don't love me, just say it, and then I'll go. And we can continue to help Hayley through this pregnancy, and then I'll go back to Mystic Falls, and I'll survive."

Klaus clenched his fists at his sides, his whole body trembling as he fought against the truth he'd been burying for so long. "I am a monster, I can't... " he whispered.

Athena stepped even closer, her voice firm but filled with love. "Can't or won't? It doesn't matter what you are, it matters what you do, even the monsters can be loved in this world. So do you love me?"

Klaus looked at her then, really looked at her, and something inside him broke. "I love you!" he yelled, his voice filled with every bit of emotion he'd been holding back. The room fell into a heavy silence as they both took in what had just been said.

Klaus' eyes softened as he looked at her, his voice breaking. "From the moment we met a thousand years ago, from the moment I saw you again back in Mystic Falls, I couldn't breathe when you weren't near me. You're the last thought I have before I sleep. You're the first thought I have when I wake. I love you, Athena. I've always loved you."

Athena's eyes welled with tears, but she didn't let them fall. She smiled softly, her heart swelling with emotions too powerful to put into words. She stepped closer, closing the distance between them, and placed her hand gently on his neck, her thumb brushing against his skin. Then, without another word, she rose on her tiptoes and pressed her lips softly against his. The kiss was gentle at first, tentative, as if both were afraid to shatter the fragile moment. But soon, it deepened, both of them pouring years of unspoken love and longing into it.

Chapter Text

Athena felt herself melt into Klaus' embrace.

Her body responding to every touch. His lips were warm, firm, yet gentle against hers, making her heart race. Klaus pulled back for a brief moment, just enough to whisper, "Are you sure you want this, Athena? Tell me now, otherwise, I won't be able to stop myself."

Athena's gaze locked onto his, her eyes shimmering with a mixture of vulnerability and conviction. Her chest rose and fell in sync with the tension that filled the room, her breath uneven but her voice unwavering.

"I do want this," she said, her tone soft yet resolute. "I want you. Completely." 

Klaus searched her face, his sharp features etched with a cocktail of desire and hesitation, his hand hovering near hers as if afraid to touch her, to shatter the fragile trust between them. His lips parted to speak, but Athena gently pressed her fingers against his, grounding him before he could voice his doubts.

"If you're worried about getting me pregnant," she continued, her voice carrying a rare vulnerability, "don't be." Her hand slid to cup his cheek, the warmth of her palm igniting a fire beneath his skin. "I placed a spell on myself so that I can't get pregnant unless I willingly remove it. It was long before we ever met… before I ever imagined meeting someone like you." 

Athena nodded, her thumb brushing gently across his jawline. "I've experienced too much in my time, Klaus. Pain. Suffering. Loss. I wanted to protect myself, to have control over my own choices. And now, this choice—us—feels like the only one I've ever been certain of." 

Her words struck him deeply, like a whisper to his soul. Klaus leaned forward, his forehead touching hers as he exhaled, the tension in his body dissipating. "Perfect," he whispered, his lips ghosting over hers before capturing them in a kiss that was anything but hesitant.

This time, the kiss was more intense, charged with raw desire. Athena could feel the hunger in the hybrids kiss, the way he pressed his body closer to hers, their need for each other palpable. His hands slid down her sides, pulling her against him, and in a blink of an eye, he swept her into his arms with his speed, carrying her to his bed.

Athena's fingers glowed with a soft white light as she swirled them in the air. Klaus paused, watching the faint glow with curiosity. "What was that?" he asked, his voice low and rough with desire.

Athena smirked playfully. "A silent spell, so no one can hear us," she teased, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

Klaus chuckled darkly, leaning closer to her, his lips grazing her ear as he whispered, "Oh, love, I want everyone to hear you scream my name." His voice sent shivers down her spine, heightening the anticipation.

Their lips crashing together with pent-up longing. Athena's fingers tangled in his hair as she pulled him closer, craving more of him. He kissed his way down her neck, his breath hot against her skin, sending waves of heat through her body.

Then, with a swift motion, the Original sank his fangs into her neck. The sharp pain quickly gave way to pleasure as her blood flowed into him. The taste hit Klaus immediately, and he nearly groaned at the sensation. The nephilims blood was unlike anything he had ever tasted. It was rich and smooth, like the finest aged wine, but with something far more powerful. It was intoxicating, her blood filled with a life force that was beyond anything mortal.

Klaus had tasted many kinds of blood over the centuries, but nothing compared to this. It was ancient, pure, laced with the essence of the divine. Each drop made him feel stronger, more alive, yet deeply connected to Athena. It was as if her very soul was intertwined with every pulse of her blood. He drank deeply, savouring every moment, intoxicated by the flavour and the power it carried.

Athena, feeling light-headed, managed to murmur, "Klaus, you're going to drink me dry."

Klaus immediately pulled back, his eyes dark with hunger but filled with concern. He wiped the corner of his mouth, a little embarrassed. "Sorry, love," he said, his voice husky. "It's just... you taste divine."

Athena smiled gently, reaching out to caress his cheek, her touch calming. "It's okay," she whispered, her voice reassuring as she leaned in again, pulling him back into a soft kiss, the blood mixing with their saliva.

Their bodies moved in sync, legs becoming entangled in a dance of closeness, the need to be together taking over. The nephilim saw her chance and with a playful swipe of her legs, managed to roll him over onto his back. Now straddling him, she looked down with a playful grin as Klaus smirked back, amusement in his eyes.

Leaning down to capture his lips in another kiss, her hair cascading down and creating a curtain around them. Klaus' hands wrapped around her hips holding her close. This made the nephilim take her top off and move her hips backwards and forwards.

Klaus' eyes darkened with desire as he shifted their positions with effortless grace, using his hybrid speed to pin Athena beneath him once again. His breath was hot against her skin as he whispered, "Not yet, love. Let me take care of you first." His voice was low, filled with both hunger and tenderness as he trailed his lips down her neck, his hands skimming over the soft fabric of her bra.

Athena's breath hitched as his touch became more deliberate, his fingertips tracing the delicate vines and blossoms embroidered into the ivory fabric. Each stroke of his fingers sent shivers through her body, making her arch into him with anticipation. Klaus' lips followed the path of his hands, kissing across her collarbone, down to the swell of her chest, his mouth brushing against the floral patterns of her bra with reverence.

He took his time, savouring every moment, every touch. His hands moved lower, slowly trailing down her sides until they reached the waistband of her trousers. With a teasing smile, he hooked his fingers under the fabric and gently began to tug them down, his gaze never leaving hers. Athena lifted her hips slightly, allowing him to slide the garment off with ease, leaving her in nothing but her lacey undergarments.

The Originals eyes were full of admiration, drinking in the sight of her. He knelt between her legs, his fingers tracing the edges of her white panties before slowly pulling them down as well. His eyes darkened further, filled with both lust and affection, as he leaned down, his breath warm against her bare skin.

His mouth traveled lower, his lips brushing over her inner thighs as he moved with deliberate slowness, the anticipation building with every touch. Athena let out a soft moan, her hands instinctively clutching at the sheets beneath her as she felt the warmth of his breath against her core.

Then, with a gentle but deliberate motion, Klaus' lips found her, his tongue tracing the sensitive skin between her thighs. The nephilim gasped, her body tensing with pleasure as he teased her, his tongue moving in slow, deliberate strokes. Each flick of his tongue was like electricity, sending waves of pleasure through her body.

Klaus glanced up at her, his eyes locking with hers as he continued his ministrations, his lips now kissing and sucking gently. His fingers joined in, sliding inside her with an ease that made Athena moan his name. The sound of her voice, the way she writhed beneath him, only seemed to spur Klaus on, his movements growing more confident, more intense. The taste of her was intoxicating to him. He couldn't get enough, each taste, each breath drawing him deeper into her.

Athena's body arched off the bed as the pleasure became overwhelming, her hands moving to grip the back of Klaus' head, her fingers tangling in his hair as she moaned louder, unable to contain the feelings coursing through her.

"Klaus," she gasped, her voice barely a whisper as the pleasure built higher and higher. "I'm gonna…"

Klaus pulled back slightly, a devilish smirk on his lips as he wiped his mouth, his eyes filled with a mix of mischief and affection. "Sorry, love," he whispered, his voice thick with desire. "I'll be the one telling you when you're ready,"

He pulled back slightly, the air between them heavy with heat. His shirt hit the floor in a quiet rustle of fabric, leaving his chest bare, the dim light casting shadows over the sharp angles of his body. As he leaned back down, their lips met again, the kiss now more intense, filled with the passion. Every touch felt electrified, like they were finally surrendering to the inevitable.

Athena's hands moved instinctively, finding the buckle of his belt. Her movements were urgent, her fingers slightly trembling as she worked the clasp free. Klaus chuckled softly against her lips, pulling back just enough to meet her eyes, mischief twinkling in his. "Someone's feeling impatient," he teased, his voice low, a dark timbre that sent a shiver through her.

Athena's breath hitched, a playful smile curling her lips as she whispered, "Just shut up and—" her voice dropped, the tension between them palpable, "—let me take over."

Klaus, smirking with that usual mischievous glint in his eyes, stood next to the bed. With deliberate movements, he finished unbuckling his belt, letting the soft clink of metal fill the charged silence. His jeans slipped down, revealing his boxer briefs, a stark black that contrasted with the flush of their heated moment. Athena's heart raced as a blush crept onto her cheeks, but she met his eyes with boldness, refusing to back down from the intensity of the moment.

Before the hybrid could even respond, she raised a finger, her magic flaring ever so subtly. His body, light as air, was pulled back onto the bed, landing with a soft thud. Klaus chuckled, a deep, throaty sound, clearly enjoying her assertiveness. But before he could make another quip, Athena straddled him, her fingers lightly brushing against his chest as she leaned down, her lips a breath away from his.

"You think you're in control," she whispered, her breath mingling with his, "but now, it's my turn."

She kissed him then, slow at first, relishing the way their lips melded together, soft yet demanding. The heat between them was undeniable, her tongue danced with his, her hand slid down, resting on top of his boxer briefs, fingers tracing over him with a gentle but deliberate pressure.

Klaus moaned softly into the kiss, the sound vibrating between them, deepening their connection. His usual confident exterior faltered just slightly, giving way to something more vulnerable beneath the surface. Athena could feel his desire, could feel the way his body responded to her touch, and for a moment, it wasn't about dominance or control — it was about them, together, in a space that felt suspended from time.

She pulled back slightly, now trailing her lips down his body, her lips continuing its slow exploration, teasing but never rushing. The nephilims touch was knowing, her centuries of experience guiding her as her hands and mouth moved against his shaft. Each movement was carefully crafted to drive him to the edge, her fingers creating a rhythm that left him breathless. The Original hybrid eyes darkened, the tension between them building like a storm about to break.

"Athena…" his voice was low, almost reverent, as if her name was the only thing that could escape his lips.

"Enough of this," Klaus rasped, his voice rough with need. He could no longer maintain control, the desire between them reaching its peak. Using his hybrid speed to shift Athena onto her back, his eyes darkened. His hands gripped her hips, holding her firmly but gently as he hovered above her, their faces close enough that their breaths mingled.

The intensity of the moment crackled between them as he teased her with his, his movements slow and deliberate, testing the limits of her patience. He leaned down, their faces mere inches apart, the warmth of his breath ghosting across her lips as he whispered, "You drive me mad, you know that?"

Athena's breath hitched as he continued his slow, agonising rhythm, her body responding to every teasing motion. "Then stop teasing and show me," she whispered back, her voice laced with equal parts frustration and longing.

Klaus smirked, the playfulness never leaving his eyes. He finally gave in, pressing forward with a slow, intentional movement. He was careful, knowing she needed time to adjust, and when he saw the tears well up in her eyes from the intensity of the moment, his lips softened into a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"The pain will be over soon, love," Klaus murmured softly, brushing her hair back from her face. His tone, while still laced with desire, was gentle, filled with concern.

Athena nodded, her fingers tangling in his hair as she clung to him, trusting him completely. She felt the deep connection between them in every movement, every shared breath. Their bodies moved together, a perfect synchronization of love and need, as the barriers between them began to fall away.

As the tension grew, Klaus' centuries of experience came into play. He knew every way to touch her, to make her feel cared for, cherished, and adored. Each kiss, each movement was knowing, as if he was learning her all over again, savouring the intimacy between them. His hands explored her body like it was something precious, something he had waited for centuries to truly possess.

Athena gasped, her body reacting to the sensations Klaus was creating. She was overwhelmed by the flood of emotions that coursed through her — the intensity of the pleasure, yes, but also the deep affection, the trust, the vulnerability. She had never felt anything quite like this.

Their shared breaths mingled with soft gasps and whispered names, a mix of pleasure and something deeper that neither of them had spoken aloud until now. The hybrids lips soft against her skin as their connection grew stronger, more profound with every second.

In the quiet moments between their movements, there was an unspoken acknowledgment of the love they had buried for so long. It wasn't just about the physicality of the moment, but the emotional release — two souls finding solace in each other after lifetimes of solitude and pain.

They moved together, a perfect balance of passion and tenderness, until the intensity became overwhelming. In that moment, everything else melted away — the world, the chaos, their pasts. All that remained was the two of them, connected in a way that went beyond words or simple actions.

As the night stretched on, the intensity faded into something softer, more gentle. Klaus, with all his centuries of knowing how to dominate the world around him, held her as if she was the only thing that had ever truly mattered. Athena, with her strength and grace, allowed herself to be vulnerable with him in a way she never had before.

In the aftermath, as they lay entwined and breathless, Klaus' hand found hers, squeezing gently. "I love you," he whispered, his voice low but filled with certainty, as if he was claiming something he had waited his entire life for.

Athena turned to him, her eyes still shining with emotion. "I love you too. Always and forever." she whispered back.

Morning had arrived quietly, the pale light of dawn seeping through the curtains. Klaus had been awake for hours, his mind replaying the events of the night before. His body had been still, but his thoughts were racing, fearing that what had happened between him and Athena was only a fleeting dream. He glanced at her sleeping form beside him, watching her chest rise and fall, her face peaceful in the afterglow. He couldn't help but feel a deep sense of vulnerability—something he wasn't used to. The idea that she might wake and feel differently gnawed at him.

Unable to stay still any longer, Klaus quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb her. His bare feet padded across the room to have a shower and get dressed quickly. He looked back at Athena one more time before leaving the room to busy himself with responsibilities.

Athena woke up a little later, a content smile gracing her lips as she stretched. Her body was sore in the best way, her legs still weak from the intensity of last night. She rose from the bed, took a long shower, and dressed herself in a soft ivory sweater-the delicate floral lace trimming catching the morning light-and a pair of snug-fitting jeans that hugged her curves. She looked at herself in the mirror, now seeing that all the bite marks and fingerprints Klaus had imprinted on her body healed over night. She smiled at the memory before heading downstairs, following the smell of breakfast.

"Good morning," Athena greeted, her voice soft as she entered the kitchen, spotting Klaus at the stove. He turned to her with a grin that made her heart skip a beat. She noticed the mischievous glint in his eyes immediately.

"Good morning, love," he replied, his grin widening.

Athena, now suspicious, asked, "What? What's that look for?"

Klaus smirked and leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. "I told you I don't need to compel people to sleep with me."

Athena's cheeks flushed immediately, she grabbed a glass of orange juice, trying to hide her embarrassment, but her lips betrayed her with a small smile. "Shut up," she muttered, elbowing him playfully.

Klaus chuckled, his voice dropping lower as we walked over to her, "Well, you didn't last night. When you were screaming my name over, and over. And over again." His lips brushed her ear.

Athena quickly glanced around, making sure no one was in earshot, - even though everyone living here has supernatural hearing, - then gave him a firm nudge in the ribs. "Keep your voice down!"

Amusement danced in his eyes as he straightened up. "What's this? Are you embarrassed people will find out about us?"

Athena narrowed her eyes at him but then smirked, turning the tables. "I'm not embarrassed. It wouldn't be so bad to see the look on their faces when they see how hot we are together." She took a bite of her food, a mischievous glint in her own eyes now. "They'll be jealous wanting to be us for sure."

Klaus gave her an appreciative, almost proud look, and then his gaze softened. "Hayley's awake, by the way," he said, changing the subject smoothly.

"Good," Athena replied, "I need to do a check-up on the baby." She finished her juice and placed the glass down, preparing to shift into 'doctor mode,' but Klaus hesitated, the playful mood fading from his expression.

"Athena," he began, his voice serious as he turned toward her, "last night… you mentioned a spell. One that you placed on yourself so you wouldn't be able to get pregnant." His tone was low, cautious, as if he was tiptoeing into a delicate conversation.

Athena's nod was slow, and the room grew heavy with the weight of unspoken emotions. Klaus could sense the shift in her demeanor, the shadows of her past stirring just beneath the surface of her calm expression. Her eyes lowered, her voice soft yet steady as she began to speak. "It was around the early-900s," she started quietly, the words pulling her back into a memory she had long buried. "I was in a relationship…his parents didn't approve of it . They believed I brought nothing but death to those around me, and they were right to think so. But he didn't care." She paused, her breath hitching as the old emotions threatened to surface. "We were in love."

Klaus remained silent, watching her intently, his usual sharp wit replaced with concern and an uncharacteristic tenderness. He could feel the pain in her voice as she spoke of the past, a time long before their paths had crossed.

"Later on, I ended up getting pregnant," Athena continued, her voice growing even softer. "But when his father found out…" She swallowed hard, her gaze distant, as though reliving the pain that still echoed through the centuries. "He beated me. Again and again. Until he made sure… the baby was no more." Her voice wavered slightly, but she maintained her composure, even as the old wound felt raw. "After that, I felt empty. Scared. I couldn't shake the fear that if I had another child, something bad would happen. Believe me when I told you that I've seen darkness in this world, Klaus. Knowing that the baby… it would inherit my powers. People would take it away from me and raise it into an image that would suffice them. I couldn't let that happen. The things people did to me once they heard whispers of the wolfstar..."

Klaus flinched slightly at the mention of the wolfstar, a name he'd heard in passing, a legend of sorts. He'd known Athena was powerful, but hearing her speak of it like this, like a curse, made it real in a way he hadn't quite grasped before. She had hidden this pain from him, just as he had hidden so much of his own darkness from her.

"They tried everything. For years ," she continued. "Torture. Sacrifices. Experiments. Anything they believed would help them claim the power and knowledge they thought they could steal from me." Her voice trembled, though she quickly composed herself. "I didn't want to go through that again. And I didn't want a child to suffer the way I had. So, I made a spell—a spell that would stop me from ever getting pregnant. At the time, I thought I was protecting myself, protecting my future children from the kind of pain I went through."

Klaus felt something stir deep within him, a rush of emotions he hadn't anticipated. Her story—this brutal chapter of her life—touched something raw inside of him. He had always thought of Athena as untouchable, someone who bore the weight of immortality with grace, someone strong enough to withstand anything. But now he saw the cracks, the pain she carried that she never let anyone see. Athena's story resonated too deeply. The parallels were too real, and it made his blood run cold. How both were abused just because they were different.

"I'm sorry, Athena," Klaus said, his voice hoarse, his throat tight with emotion. He didn't often apologise, but this time, it felt necessary. "For what happened to you. And for everything else I didn’t know. I... didn't realise how much you've carried."

Athena met his gaze, her eyes shimmering with understanding. "I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to worry about me," she admitted, her voice gentle. "We all have our darkness, sweetie. I just wanted to protect you from mine."

Klaus clenched his jaw, the protective instinct in him surging. "No one should have to go through that. Especially not you."

Athena reached out, her hand resting softly on his chest. "We all have our pasts," she whispered. "It's what we do with our present that matters."

Klaus stared at her, the weight of her words sinking in. The anger he felt toward the people who had hurt her. His hands curled into fists, and he felt the familiar surge of rage at the world that had shaped them into these hardened versions of themselves.

He whispered, "Do you ever want to get pregnant again?"

Athena's eyes softened at his question, her mind flashing back to the spell she had cast so long ago. "Maybe. When I'm ready," she replied, her voice thoughtful. "When I know it's safe. And when that time comes, I'll reverse the spell."

Klaus nodded, absorbing her words. He  thought for a second of what it would be like having a child with her—of having a future where they could be safe from the world's cruelty—stirred something inside him. But he said nothing, simply taking her hand in his, holding it with a quiet promise as he felt a fierce sense of love and protectiveness surge within him. But before he could speak, the door to the room flew open with a bang, and Rebekah stormed in, her face flushed with anger.

"You were right," she spat, her eyes locking onto Klaus as soon as she entered. "The girl—Cami—she's the key. Marcel likes her, and because of that, I got to see the secret weapon you've been going on about."

Klaus' entire demeanor changed in an instant. The soft warmth he'd allowed himself in his private moment with Athena evaporated, replaced by a cold, hard expression as he straightened up and squared his shoulders. His voice was low, serious. "Well, don't stand on ceremony, Rebekah. What is it?"

Rebekah crossed her arms, pacing as she spoke, her voice sharp with tension. "It's not a what, it's a who. A girl. Davina. She can't be more than sixteen, but I haven't felt power like that since…" she paused, glancing at her friend, "…since Athena."

Athena felt a chill run through her spine at the mention of the girl. Her brows furrowed as unease crept over her. "But she's just a witch," Athena said cautiously, trying to make sense of it, her instincts immediately bristling.

Rebekah turned on her heels to face Athena directly, her expression sharp and almost unnerved. "She's not just any witch. She's something I've never seen before. Something beyond powerful. And now because of you," she shot Klaus a pointed look, "she has Elijah. Who knows what she could do to him?"

The air in the room thickened with tension, and Athena instinctively straightened, a protective worry stirring in her at the mention of Elijah's danger. Klaus' expression darkened further, his jaw tensing. His voice cut through the air like a whip. "Where is she?" he demanded, his tone sharp and urgent.

Rebekah hesitated, her brow furrowing as she seemed to struggle with her own thoughts. She clenched her fists before muttering under her breath, "That clever bitch... I don't know."

Klaus' brows furrowed in confusion as he stepped closer to Rebekah, sensing something off in her tone. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice quieter but no less intense.

Rebekah let out a frustrated breath. "She wiped my memories of the location. Marcel possesses a weapon more powerful than an Original, and you handed our brother to him!" Her voice cracked with fury as she glared at Klaus. "How many times will Elijah forgive you? How long until his hope for your redemption finally dies?"

Rebekah's words hit Klaus hard, and for a moment, his face twisted in a mix of anger and guilt. He opened his mouth as if to argue, but Rebekah had already started storming toward the front door. Klaus chased after her, his frustration boiling over as he snapped back at her retreating figure.

"I did what I had to do! Marcel took our home!" His voice echoed through the house, filled with the weight of his justifications, but Rebekah wasn't having it.

"And our home is worthless without family!" Rebekah's voice was sharp, filled with pain and betrayal as she spun on her heel to face him. Her eyes were glassy with barely restrained emotion. "I am finding Elijah—whatever it takes." She looked Klaus in the eyes, her stare demanding. "Are you going to help me?"

Klaus' chest heaved as he stared at his sister, his expression torn between pride and the undeniable truth that his sister had spoken. He took a deep breath, his voice quiet but resolute as he finally answered, "Whatever it takes."

Rebekah gave Klaus a curt nod, though her expression didn't completely soften. She turned to glance out the window, her eyes flicking over the quiet yard outside. "I cannot believe you disposed of those vampires without me," she said, her tone edged with mock disappointment. "You know how much I love setting things on fire."

Klaus smirked, crossing his arms casually. "Was I supposed to leave them rotting in the front yard?" he retorted, his tone teasing. "Besides, they were my responsibility. They attacked a helpless, pregnant girl who's carrying my child."

Athena and Rebekah exchanged amused looks, both struggling to stifle their laughter. The Original sister raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching into a smirk as she aimed her next words at her brother. "Oh, I am so moved by your newfound sense of fatherly duties towards the werewolf carrying your tribrid bun in her oven," she said with exaggerated sincerity.

Klaus chuckled, unable to resist the lighthearted jab. Before the conversation could continue, they all turned as Hayley entered the foyer, looking less than amused but every bit determined. "The werewolf would like to know what the plan is," she said, crossing her arms and raising an expectant eyebrow.

Klaus, ever the master of mischief, grinned slyly. "Well, that depends on which plan you mean, love. My plan for global domination or Rebekah's plan to find love in a cruel, cruel world?"

Rebekah smiled at him sarcastically, her eyes narrowing in playful annoyance. Without hesitation, she used her vampire speed to grab a pencil from the nearby table and hurled it at Klaus with deadly precision. But he caught it easily, inches from his face, grinning triumphantly.

"The plan to rescue Elijah," Hayley cut in dryly, rolling her eyes at their antics. "You know, the good brother? The one who is now in the possession of your mortal enemy after you stabbed him in the back."

"In the front, if we're being specific," Klaus corrected with a smirk.

Athena chimed in, her voice soft but insistent. "Hayley's right, sweetie. We need to come up with one hell of a plan to get him back."

Klaus sighed heavily, as if the weight of their expectations were pressing down on him. He sauntered over to the desk, settling himself into a chair with deliberate ease and crossing his legs. "Okay," he said, gesturing for them to gather closer, his tone shifting into something more serious. "Well, firstly, Marcel is not my mortal enemy. He's my friend—albeit one who is unaware that I am trying to sabotage his hold over the supernatural community of the French Quarter—but a friend nonetheless. Secondly, I daggered Elijah to gain Marcel's trust. Had I known he'd stash my brother with a particularly nasty teenage witch, I might have weighed my options a little differently." He paused, glancing over at Rebekah with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "And thirdly—sister, if you would?"

Rebekah didn't miss a beat, turning to Hayley as if this was all part of a rehearsed act. "And thirdly, the plan, as you have so demandingly requested, is for Niklaus to simply ask Marcel for Elijah back."

Hayley stared at them both, her face etched with disbelief. "That's… that's not the whole plan, is it?" Her voice was laced with skepticism, clearly not trusting the simplicity of what she was hearing.

Rebekah scoffed, a grin tugging at her lips. "Please. Klaus may be a miserable excuse for a sibling, but when it comes to diabolical planning, there's no one better."

Klaus leaned back in his chair, hands laced behind his head, his expression smug. "Well, that's only Plan A, love," he drawled. "There's always a Plan B."

Hayley's eyebrows furrowed, a little hesitant as she asked, "And what's Plan B?"

Klaus' grin widened as he uttered a single word, his tone dripping with anticipation.

"War."

Athena glanced at Klaus, her expression unreadable but thoughtful. She knew the lengths he was willing to go to protect his family, and now she would be part of it, too—whether she liked it or not.

Chapter Text

"Ready to check on the baby?"

Athena asked, her tone light and warm as she walked over to Hayley, who was lying on the couch.

Hayley nodded, pulling her shirt up just enough to reveal her stomach. She was still adjusting to the idea of motherhood, let alone the fact that she was carrying a powerful tribrid.

Athena smiled as she knelt beside her. "I don't have the proper medical tools to check on the baby, but I did pick up a few spells that should do the trick."

Hayley's brows furrowed slightly with concern. "Will using magic on the baby affect it in any way?"

Athena shook her head, her voice reassuring. "No, nothing like that. This spell is gentle. It's a way to check the baby's development, heart rate, and overall health without any invasive magic. Think of it like an ultrasound, only it's guided by energy and intent rather than machinery."

Athena explained as she rubbed her hands together, warming them with a gentle glow of ivory-white light."When I was practicing as a doctor, I learned that technology gives us incredible ways to monitor a growing fetus—the heartbeats, the size, the development stages. But this," she continued, as the warmth of her hands began to resonate with a soft pulse, "this spell connects me directly with the energy of the baby. I can sense the heartbeat, feel its growth, and ensure everything is progressing as it should. It's not too different from the way we use a stethoscope to listen for a heartbeat or an ultrasound to check the baby's positioning. Only, I'm using magic to channel the baby's energy into something I can interpret."

Hayley watched closely, still a little anxious but trusting in Athena's abilities. As Athena placed her hands gently on Hayley's stomach, her palms began to glow even brighter, the warmth spreading across Hayley's skin. The glow radiated from her fingers, and her eyes softly illuminated with the same ivory hue as the magic flowed through her.

The nephilims voice remained calm and steady as she described what she felt. "I can feel a lot of power coming from the baby," she said, her tone full of wonder and quiet awe. "It's strong already, which is a good sign, especially for a tribrid. It means the baby's energy is developing well."

Her brows furrowed for a moment as she focused, feeling the strong and steady pulse of the heartbeat beneath her fingers. "The heart is strong—very strong. And developmentally, it's right where it should be. The baby is healthy."

Hayley let out a sigh of relief. "That's good to know," she said softly, a small smile forming on her lips. She placed her hand over Athena's on her stomach, feeling grateful for the reassurance. "Thank you, Athena."

Athena smiled and removed her hands, the glow fading as she sat back on her heels. "No problem. Everything looks good so far."

After a brief moment of silence, Hayley asked, "How can someone like you... like Klaus? You two are so different."

Athena paused, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "We really aren't as different as you might think," she said, her eyes soft as she considered Klaus. "He's complicated. Difficult, yes. But under that violent, hard exterior is just someone who's... passionate. He cares about his family more than anything in the world, even if he doesn't always show it in the right way. He's not good at affection, but he feels it deeply. He feels everything deeply."

Hayley tilted her head, curiosity piqued. "Do you think you two will be together in the future? I mean, if I'm keeping this kid, I'd rather Klaus has someone to make sure he treats it right."

Athena took a breath, her mind wandering to the night before. "I think Klaus will be a perfectly good father," she said thoughtfully. "He'll never treat his child the way his own father treated him. He'll make mistakes, questionable choices for sure, but his heart will be in the right place. And I'll be there to help him, to advise him when needed."

There was a pause before Hayley asked, "And about you two? You and Klaus?"

Athena blushed slightly, thinking back to the night they shared. "Well… we haven't exactly placed a label on it. But we did confess our feelings for each other."

Hayley's eyes widened slightly, surprised by the revelation. "Wait... you slept with him, didn't you?"

Athena grinned and mouthed "He was amazing " the word as she playfully winked. Hayley laughed in response, nodding in approval. Athena stood and stretched, her eyes still filled with warmth. "You're the first person I've told, by the way."

Hayley looked at her for a moment, her expression softening. "Well, thanks for trusting me with that. Maybe he's not completely hopeless after all."

With a shared laugh, Klaus strode into the room, his usual aura of authority making the air feel heavier. "Athena, love, you're coming with me," he said, his voice smooth yet firm, clearly indicating his plan was in motion. "We're going to ask Marcel for Elijah back. Now that we know his weapon is a young girl, one whose strength cannot even match yours, it's time to show him we have our own ace." Klaus glanced at Athena with a smile that promised trouble, his eyes gleaming with a mischievous glint. "He ought to know that a younger, inexperienced witch can't compare to someone like you, born with the practice of high-level magic. He'll have to reconsider his position."

Athena didn't argue. She trusted Klaus' tactical mind, and if it meant getting Elijah back, she was more than willing to play her part. With a slight nod, she followed Klaus out of the house, her resolution settling in her chest like a weight. They drove to the Abattoir, a place with a history as rich as its looming architecture. It had once been the Mikaelson Compound, the home Klaus and his siblings had built long ago, but now it stood under Marcel's rule.

The streets leading up to the Abattoir buzzed with life, the sounds of New Orleans never truly sleeping. As Klaus parked the car, Athena took in the building in front of them. It was beautiful in a way that only old, weathered places could be. The balconies were adorned with iron-wrought railings, festooned with colourful banners, and the streets were lined with cars and passerby. Yet, the Abattoir's grandeur couldn't hide the undercurrent of power that pulsed from within. The Mikaelsons had left their mark, and no matter how Marcel tried to remake it in his image, the echoes of its original owners still lingered.

Klaus, ever the gentleman, offered Athena his hand as she stepped out of the car. She took it, though the touch was brief, their eyes sharing a silent exchange before he whisked her inside. They made their way through the halls.

As they approached the main room where Marcel usually held court, voices carried down the hallway. "That makes ten dead night walkers in the last week," Marcel was saying, his voice sharp with concern. "You think the werewolves are back in town trying to start some trouble?"

The sound of Thierry's voice made Athena's brows furrow as she caught a familiar tone. "Look, I know you and Klaus are friends, but the fact is, since the Originals showed up—"

" Oh come now, Thierry," Klaus' voice broke through the conversation as he and Athena stepped into the room. "You're not still upset about that little toxic werewolf bite I gave you, are you?" He grinned, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "I thought we were at bygones."

Thierry visibly tensed, his posture stiffening as his gaze shifted toward Athena. The recognition was instant, and so were the memories in Athena' mind.

She wandered through the dense forest, her senses heightened by the peace of her surroundings. But as she collected wood, an unsettling sensation washed over her, and she sensed she wasn't alone. She turned, but no one was there. However, when she looked forward again, a man was suddenly standing right in front of her. He had a smug, confident expression, his lips curled into a smirk. He wore a flat cap, a vest under a hoodie, and a white undershirt beneath, giving off an air of casual menace. Athena stepped back instinctively and then turned to see more figures surrounding her, outnumbering her by a significant margin.

"Well, well, well," the man said, stepping forward with a twisted smile. "Our source was correct—a witch practicing magic." His voice was thick with condescension.

Athena remained silent, eyeing her surroundings. She had no idea who these people were, but she knew that they were vampires who exuded arrogance, which annoyed her immediately.

"You're clearly new here," the man continued, stopping just a few feet from her. "So me and my friends here are gonna give you a lesson on what you're not supposed to do."

Athena raised an eyebrow. "And what might that be?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"No using magic without the king's permission," he said with a sneer.

Athena scoffed, clearly tired of being told what she could or couldn't do with her powers. "Look here, sweetie," she said, her voice filled with irritation. "I don't care what your so-called 'king' has to say. I can do what I like with my magic." She stepped closer to him, her eyes narrowing. "If you have a problem with that, deal with it."

With that, she pushed past him, but the man quickly grabbed her arm, causing the firewood in her hands to fall to the ground. His grip tightened, and Athena's patience snapped. Without a second thought, she turned around and punched him hard in the face. The man recoiled, touching his cheek where her fist had connected. His expression shifted from surprise to amusement.

"You're feisty," he said, cracking his knuckles. "Now this is going to be fun."

Athena's gaze burned into Thierry, who was trying hard not to meet her eyes.

"I see you've given him free reign of the compound now, too," Thierry muttered to Marcel, trying to sound unbothered, but there was tension in his voice.

Klaus spoke casually, "Yes, well. Seeing as my family lived here—built the place, in fact—"

Marcel quickly interrupted, his voice sharper than usual, trying to maintain control of the situation. "All right, come on. You both know the drill. Thierry's my guy, inner circle. Klaus is my old-time friend and sire. He's also a guest here. Peace, all right? All right."

Marcel's gaze briefly landed on Athena, curiosity sparking in his eyes. "What do you need, my brother? Who's the girl?"

Klaus' smirk deepened as he placed his hand on Athena's shoulder. "This, Marcel, is Athena Mourningstar. We've known each other for over a thousand years.

Marcel blinked, clearly not expecting that revelation. He extended his hand politely. "Marcel Gerard."

Athena accepted Marcel's hand with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, the tension in the air thickening immediately. "So, you're the one who sent this vampire to hunt me down all those months ago," she said, her voice low and dangerous.

Marcel barely had time to react before Athena's free hand flicked in a casual gesture. With a powerful surge of her magic, Thierry was yanked off his feet and pinned to the ceiling. His body contorted unnaturally as she began to break his bones one by one. His screams filled the room, echoing off the walls.

Klaus watched with a smirk, but when it seemed Athena's grudge might get the better of her, he stepped forward, grabbing her wrist gently but firmly. "Calm down, my little wolfstar," he murmured softly, his voice filled with both affection and control.

Athena blinked, her emotion momentarily subsiding, and with another flick of her wrist, she let Thierry fall to the ground. He landed in a heap, groaning in pain as his body started to heal. Athena turned her gaze back to Marcel, her expression cool and collected. "It would seem Thierry here was the ringleader of a group of vampires that attacked my girl in the Bayou," Klaus said casually, as if she hadn't just nearly dismembered Marcel's right-hand man. "Forgive her if she seem... violent."

Marcel stood frozen for a moment, trying to process the sheer power he had just witnessed. Klaus, ever the opportunist, enjoyed watching Marcel squirm. He knew this was more than just a display of strength—it was a reminder that Athena was a force to be reckoned with, one that could rival even Marcel's secret weapon, Davina.

"Fuck," Marcel thought. He was quickly realising that the 'legendary wolfstar' was very real, and very dangerous. Worse, she and the Original seemed to have a... connection. Klaus had always been formidable, but with Athena at his side? Marcel swallowed his apprehension and focused on keeping the situation under control.

Klaus, sensing Marcel's inner turmoil, smirked before speaking again. "I'm afraid my sister Rebekah is insisting I demand Elijah's return. She's quite worked up about it."

Without letting go of Athena, Klaus shifted his arm to pull her back into his chest. His arm draped lazily but possessively around her waist, a subtle but clear gesture to Marcel that screamed, she's mine. Athena leaned into his touch, the irritation in her aura dissipating somewhat in his embrace. Marcel's eyes flickered to the gesture, taking note of the subtle warning.

"She's quite worked up about it," Klaus continued, his voice deceptively calm.

Thierry, now on his feet but still wincing in pain, glared at Athena from behind Marcel. "We're not gonna have three Originals walking around town, are we?" he asked, his voice thick with accusation. "Half our guys think the sister killed the nightwalkers..." His gaze narrowed at Athena. "Or maybe it was you."

Before Thierry could say another word, Klaus was storming towards him, his face contorted with rage. "Is that an accusation?" he demanded, his voice dangerously low.

Marcel quickly stepped in between them, holding out his hands to prevent further escalation. "What did I say about peace?" he snapped, his tone demanding control of the room. He turned to Klaus, who still bristled with anger. "Come on. Walk with me."

Klaus didn't take his eyes off Thierry for several more seconds, his face a mask of barely controlled violence. But then he relaxed, throwing a fake, sinister smile at Thierry before looking back at Athena. "We'll meet later," he said smoothly.

Athena nodded, her eyes meeting Klaus' with a silent understanding. She gave Marcel one final, chilling glance before turning to leave. As she walked away, her presence still lingered in the room, a reminder of the raw power she possessed. Marcel's mind raced—he'd heard of the legendary wolfstar, but seeing her in action was something else entirely. She was dangerous, yes, but worse than that, she was unpredictable.

Klaus watched Athena disappear before turning back to Marcel with a smirk. "Shall we?" he said casually, as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened.

Athena made her way down to the basement of the Plantation house. The dim lighting casting long shadows on the damp stone walls. The metallic smell of blood and the faint scent of vervain filled the air, making it thick and heavy. As she descended the stairs, she could see Josh, a young vampire, nervously prodding a pitchfork into Max—one of Marcel's vampires who had been chained by his arms unable to move, his body hung limp.

Josh looked as uncomfortable as anyone could be. He poked Max, grimacing every time he did it, unsure if this was really the life he had signed up for. Athena's presence immediately caught his attention.

"You need a break, Josh?" Athena asked calmly, her eyes soft but holding an edge of authority. "Why don't you let me take over?"

Josh blinked, his brow furrowing. "Uh, Klaus told me to handle it." he said, clearly torn between following orders and desperately wanting to get away from the grim task.

Athena smiled, a knowing look in her eyes. "You can still follow Klaus' orders and take a break. I'll handle this for a while. Go clear your head."

Josh hesitated for a moment but then, as if compelled by some unseen force—likely due to Klaus's own compulsion—he handed Athena the pitchfork. He gave her a thankful nod before scurrying away from the dark scene, clearly relieved.

As soon as Josh left, Athena stepped closer to Max, who glared at her, defiance burning in his eyes. She rolled up her sleeves, the smile fading from her face, replaced by something colder, darker. Her usually gentle demeanor shifted. She had a side to her that rarely saw the light of day—a savage side that only emerged when someone dared to harm the people she loved.

"You shouldn't have tried to kill my friend, Max." Athena said, her voice laced with a quiet menace.

Max spat on the ground and sneered, "Go to hell, you bitch."

A smirk danced on Athena's lips as she placed two fingers on Max's stomach. Her magic pulsed into him, twisting his insides in painful ways he could never have imagined. Max's defiant expression quickly crumbled into agony as he vomited blood, his body writhing in torment.

"Oh, sweetie," Athena cooed darkly, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. "Believe me, I've been there." Memories of her time spent in hell, searching for answers, flashed before her eyes—images of people mounted on hooks, tortured in ways that made even the worst human punishments look mild.

Max looked at her in horror, not fully understanding what kind of creature he was dealing with. Athena leaned in close, her voice a deadly whisper. "You should be thanking me. Now you get to experience some of the pain I've witnessed. Consider it a preview."

She moved to his side, her fingers tracing down his torso, cutting into his flesh. Blood spilled freely, and Max screamed in pure agony. His cries echoed off the stone walls, but they were met only with Athena's cold indifference. She wasn't someone to be crossed lightly, and today Max was learning that the hard way.

Athena was a divine creature, usually using her powers for healing, for protecting. But when the people she loved were hurt, she became something else. She would only resort to such dark measures for those who dared to harm her family. Today, Max was paying for his mistake.

Her fingers continued their deadly work until she was interrupted by the sound of slow, deliberate footsteps.

Klaus.

He entered the room, his hands casually tucked behind his back, a grin playing on his lips as he watched her work. "You're going to disembowel him, my little wolfstar?" His voice was light, teasing even, but his eyes were focused, watching her every move with interest.

Athena turned to face him, her expression unreadable, though there was a flicker of amusement at the nickname for her. Usually, she didn't like being associated with the name 'wolfstar,' but hearing it from Klaus' lips, something about it made her smile.

He tilted his head, smirking. "What are you doing down here, love?"

"Helping Josh clean the vervain from his system," she replied, glancing back at their hostage. "I have my ways."

Klaus looked at the vampire, who's now covered in blood. "Have you drained him yet?" he asked with a curious smile, clearly pleased with what Athena had done.

"Almost," Athena responded, a smirk on her lips. "He's spilled enough blood for me to get the rest of the vervain out using magic."

Klaus nodded, still watching her closely. He was seeing something new in Athena today. It wasn't just her grace or her beauty—it was her ferocity. She had her imperfections, she had her own demons, just like him. And that just added to her perfection.

"By the way, what happened with the deal with Marcel? Is he giving Elijah back or not?" Athena asked.

Klaus, leaning casually against the wall, smirked but his tone remained matter-of-fact. "Of course not. I've already informed Rebekah. She's with Sophie Deveraux as we speak, trying to sort out the next step."

Athena sighed softly and walked back to Max, placing her hand on his chest one final time. The light of her magic shimmered across his skin, she muttered words of old, purifying his body entirely from the vervain. Once it was done, she straightened up and turned back to Klaus, her brow slightly raised. "It's done."

"Well done, love," Klaus said, stepping forward with a satisfied smirk, but before he could move to compel the vampire, his phone rang.

He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and with a casual swipe answered the call. "Well?" he said, his tone immediately shifting into business mode as he spoke to his sister.

On the other end, Rebekah's voice came through clearly, her excitement barely contained. "You were right about the traitor. Luckily, she's just a kid and doesn't know anything about us or what we're up to. But do you want to hear the part that's going to please you the most?"

Klaus' expression brightened, a grin playing at the corners of his lips. "Oh, do tell," he replied, his voice laced with curiosity.

"She's in love with someone in Marcel's inner circle. Guess who it is," Rebekah teased, clearly enjoying this moment of revelation.

Klaus' grin grew wider, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Right-hand man type, favours silly caps?"

"Two points for you," Rebekah confirmed. "Thierry is fraternizing with the enemy."

Klaus' eyes lit up with delight. "Well, that means he just unwittingly became the key to our entire plan."

Rebekah chuckled on the other end of the line, pleased with herself. "I told you you’d be pleased."

Klaus, now in a far better mood than before, smirked with satisfaction. "Oh, to be young and in love in a city where witches and vampires are at war. How very tragic."

Athena, who had been listening quietly, folded her arms and watched him with an amused glint in her eye. Klaus had a certain charm about him when he was plotting, a dangerous edge that both intrigued and frustrated her at the same time.

Late afternoon bathed the pocket dimension in a soft golden light as Athena found herself spiraling into desperation. While Klaus was out again to talk with Marcel, the nephilim had spent hours, trying to decipher the cryptic visions about Klaus, Hayley, Elijah. No matter how hard she focused, the answers remained elusive. The visions were fleeting, brief flashes of faces and places she couldn't place. Every attempt to commune with the spirits, every ritual, every spell, yielded nothing but cryptic whispers, screams, and a haunting void.

Athena was beginning to take extreme measures. She had attempted to push her mind and body to the brink of death in hopes of breaking through the barriers of the spiritual plane—methods that left her body gasping for air and her mind teetering on the edge of madness. The last time when looking for answers, she'd tried asphyxiation, letting her breath leave her body and her senses dull. Before that, drowning herself in her own lake within the dimension. And even more grimly, blood loss. Each method, each painful attempt, led her back to the same blackness or whiteness, where voices whispered but gave no clear answers.

Today, she was trying again.

The cold water of her lake surrounded her, lapping against her as if nature itself wanted to soothe her, but Athena wasn't here for comfort. She needed answers. She dipped beneath the surface once again, her ethereal form briefly slipping from her mortal body. Her mind floated between worlds, her breath leaving her as she remained submerged. Yet, again, there was nothing. No spirits, no connections—just the abyss.

Suddenly, her body rebelled against her desires, forcing her to the surface with violent gasps for air. Athena emerged from the water, coughing and sputtering as her body demanded oxygen. Frustration and exhaustion washed over her as she struggled to keep her head above water.

When she turned, she saw them. Her loyal companions stood patiently at the water's edge, watching her with a knowing stillness. They could sense her pain, her struggle.

Athena's body gave out in the water, her legs too weak to carry her the rest of the way. With a deep breath, Nova jumped into the water, paddling toward her with strong, graceful movements. His horn glistened in the water, cutting through the surface as he reached her. She grabbed onto his mane, using him for support as they made their way back to shore. Ember circled overhead, her wings casting shadows over the water, occasionally sending waves of warmth down toward them.

Athena coughed, expelling the last of the water from her lungs as she reached the grassy shore. The beasts surrounded her, their presence a silent comfort, their large eyes reflecting her turmoil. Nova pressed his nose against her cheek, gently nudging her, while Ember landed gracefully nearby, her soft coos a soothing melody amidst the chaos of Athena's mind.

Her body gave out completely as she collapsed into the grass, lying back, one arm thrown over her eyes. The exhaustion finally caught up to her, but it wasn't just physical. It was emotional, spiritual. She was reaching her limit. All her efforts, all her pain, had yielded nothing. Again. The answers she sought seemed to move farther out of reach with every step she took toward them.

The creatures didn't move from her side. They laid beside her, Novas warm breath on her face as Tempest's large  body with Sprout's curled protectively next to hers. Ember perched on a low-hanging branch, her feathers dimming as the sun finally disappeared behind the horizon.

Athena's arm remained draped over her eyes, hiding the tears that she was too tired to hold back anymore. The silent sobs wracked her chest as she let the weight of her failures wash over her once again. She didn't cry often, especially in font of people but when she did, it comes from the deepest parts of her soul. Today, those parts felt hollow.

"I don't know what to do," she whispered to no one, her voice breaking as the words left her lips.

Umbra this time nudged her, as if offering silent encouragement. Athena placed a trembling hand on his neck, grateful for the companionship. But even they couldn't help her with this.

She closed her eyes, feeling the softness of the grass beneath her, the warmth of all her animal friends fur, and the glow from Ember's nearby perch. But despite the serenity, despite the connection with her loyal companions, the restlessness in her soul remained—a gnawing ache she couldn't soothe.

"I just need one clue... one sign," Athena murmured as she took a deep, shaky breath. "Please."

But there was only silence.

The pocket dimension was now bathed in twilight, and the soft, cool breeze danced over her skin, bringing with it the scent of wildflowers. But it wasn't enough to lift the cloud that had settled over her heart.

Athena remained there, lying in the grass with her beasts, wondering how long she could keep fighting without breaking. Eventually, the nephilim sat up, brushing away any signs of vulnerability from her face.

She knew where she needed to go. Where her mind would find peace, if only for a moment—Klaus.

Later, Athena found herself in Klaus' room, the one place where her chaos seemed to still, if only for a time. He was getting dressed for Marcel's ritzy charity event, donning a perfectly tailored black suit. His expression was focused, intent on the night's plans, but his presence, as always, calmed the storm inside her.

"So, what's the plan?" Athena asked, leaning against the wall, her eyes tracking his every move.

Klaus tying the tie around his neck, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I've already compelled the other vampire to make quite the mess when the nightwalkers do their routine with the witches." He tightened the knot on his tie before moving to his cuffs, the faintest hint of mischief in his eyes. "Rebekah spoke with Sophie Deveraux. She believes you should be able to practice magic within the Quarter without being detected. Your power is ancient, love. Stronger than Davina's. Without the use of ancestral magic, she won't even recognise it."

Athena walked over to him, her hands finding his tie, adjusting it so it lay perfectly symmetrical against his chest. "Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" she asked, her voice laced with worry. "Or do you think it's unwise for me to be in Marcel's line of sight after what happened earlier?"

Klaus' eyes softened as he looked at her, his hand brushing her arm reassuringly. "I think it's best that Rebekah and I walk into the lion's den on our own. As for earlier, Marcel regrets his actions toward you. He's aware of the power we hold, love. The vampires won't be bothering you. I made him believe we can share power. He was rather intrigued by a cunningly placed idea of you teaching Davina some magic."

Athena let out a small chuckle at Klaus' cleverness. "Okay. But... what if something happens, and I'm not there?" Her hands moved to straighten his suit jacket, an unconscious act to ease her anxiety. "What if things go wrong?"

Klaus raised a brow, his voice teasing as he looked down at her. "Are you truly worried about me, love?"

Athena met his gaze, her voice soft but firm. "I'm always worried about you. Especially now. Even though you're an Original, Davina could still best you if Marcel forces her hand. Let me put a spell on you, something that'll allow me to sense if they hurt you."

Klaus' moved to stand behind her, his hands found her shoulders, gently massaging the tension that had built up within her. She closed her eyes, leaning into his touch, feeling the way his hands worked to unravel the tightness in her muscles.

"There's no need to worry," he said softly, his voice like velvet in her ear. "Anything else you'd like to discuss to alleviate all this stress?"

Athena opened her eyes, meeting his gaze in the reflection of the long standing mirror in front of them. "You said... 'vampires that attacked my girl,'" she murmured, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Klaus chuckled, continuing to massage her shoulders. "My apologies if it was inappropriate."

"It wasn't," Athena replied, her voice filled with warmth. She caught his gaze in the mirror. "I just didn't think you'd be so open to what we are."

The Original lowered his lips to her neck, brushing a gentle kiss along her skin. As Klaus kissed the nephilims neck, he whispered softly against her skin, "Why, love? I want to be with you... if you wish to be with me in the same way."

His voice was low, filled with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. Athena bit her lip, her heartbeat quickening as the tension between them built. She didn't need to say a word—her body language, the way she leaned into his touch, spoke volumes. She nodded in silent agreement, giving him the permission he sought.

Klaus' lips returned to her neck, his kisses growing more fervent. He slowly sank his fangs into her skin, drinking her blood with a kind of reverence, savouring each drop. Athena's entire body ignited with euphoria, the sensation of his bite unlike anything she had felt before. It was an intimate connection, primal and consuming. Klaus, too, was overwhelmed by the taste of her blood—it was divine, pure, as though he were tasting something ethereal. The traces of her blood seeped out, mixing with his own desire as it pooled at the corners of his mouth.

Athena, breathless, turned in his arms, her eyes dark with passion. Without hesitation, their lips met in a fierce, deep kiss, pouring everything they felt for each other into that moment. Their movements became more urgent, hands wandering, bodies pressing closer. It was as if they were trying to imprint the memory of each other in that kiss, lost in the heat. The hybrids hands gripped her waist, pulling her flush against him as Athena's fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him even deeper into the kiss.

They were both fighting the temptation to lose themselves completely, the desire threatening to overcome any sense of restraint. Their clothes suddenly felt like a barrier—one they were both moments away from discarding. Klaus' hands moved to the hem of her shirt, and Athena's fingers fumbled with the buttons on his shirt, their breaths ragged, the air between them thick with unspoken need.

Just as Klaus' hands began to slide up her back, the door burst open, and Rebekah's voice shattered the moment.

"Oh, bloody fucking hell!" Rebekah exclaimed, covering her eyes dramatically. "Nik, we've got to get going!" Her voice was exasperated, but there was a hint of amusement in it.

Athena quickly pulled away, her face flushed, both from the passion and the embarrassment of being caught. Klaus, however, didn't seem fazed in the slightest. In fact, there was a deeply satisfied look on his face as he pulled back from Athena, his lips curved into a mischievous grin. His eyes sparkled with unspoken promises, and he ran a thumb over the corner of his mouth, wiping away the trace of blood with an air of smugness.

He turned to his sister with, deliberate wink, utterly unapologetic. "We'll continue this later, love," he whispered to Athena, his voice filled with the certainty that this was far from over.

As Klaus walked toward the door, Rebekah huffed, muttering under her breath, "Honestly, can't you keep your hands off each other for five minutes?" She made a point of covering her eyes, as if she had witnessed some grand indecency, though the smirk on her lips gave her away.

Klaus, now standing at the door, gave Athena one last, lingering look—a promise in his eyes that sent another wave of heat through her. He gave her one final wink, clearly enjoying how flustered she was, before leaving her standing there, still breathless and entirely too aware of how much she wanted him to stay.

Chapter Text

Athena sat by the edge of the swimming pool.

The night air cool against her skin, her feet lazily dipping into the water. The quiet sounds of nature filled the space around her, the glass of wine in her hand offering her a moment of peace after a long day. The stars above twinkled, casting a soft glow over the plantation house. She sighed, closing her eyes for a moment, allowing the stillness to soothe her.

Hayley came out of the house, her footsteps light but sure as she approached. "There you are," she said, her voice cutting through the peaceful silence. "I've been looking for you. I was getting bored."

Athena opened her eyes and smiled at her friend, lifting her glass of wine slightly in greeting. "Sorry about that. It's just been a long day," she replied softly, her smile a bit tired but genuine. "I really needed this."

Hayley plopped down beside her, crossing her legs, though she kept her feet away from the water. "I saw Rebekah when she came downstairs," she began, a mischievous grin pulling at her lips. "She looked... disgusted. What happened?"

Athena chuckled, the memory of Rebekah walking in on her and Klaus flashing in her mind. "Oh, she barged in on me and Klaus while we were... well, making out," she said with a playful smirk. "But honestly, it was probably for the best. We couldn't keep our hands off each other." Athena's cheeks flushed slightly.

Hayley raised her brows, clearly intrigued. "So, you and Klaus are officially an item then?" she asked, tilting her head with a teasing grin.

Athena nodded, finishing the last of her wine. "Yeah...we are," she admitted, a soft smile gracing her lips. There was a certain glow in her eyes as she thought about Klaus, about how things had changed between them recently.

Hayley's curiosity only deepened. "You've known the Originals since before they were turned, right?" she asked. "What were they like?"

Athena's gaze softened as she leaned back slightly, staring into the water. The memories of those simpler days washed over her, bringing a bittersweet smile to her face. "They were... innocent," she began, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "We would all play in the fields, ride horses, and spar with one another. I used to share stories from my travels with them, but back then, they thought they were just tales. Life was simpler, peaceful. Back then, they were just a family-looking out for each other, always protecting one another."

Her eyes twinkled with the memories, and Hayley noticed how Athena spoke about the Originals with such fondness. "And that's one thing that hasn't changed in over a thousand years," Athena continued, her voice soft but certain. "No matter how much they fight or how they show their love now, deep down, they still protect each other. They're still a family, even if their affection is... different these days."

Hayley, absorbing the weight of Athena's words, looked at her with admiration. "You really do care about them, don't you?" she asked, her tone more serious now.

Athena nodded, a slight sigh escaping her lips. "I always have, and I always will," she admitted. "I'll protect them in any way I can, no matter the cost."

Hayley's brow furrowed slightly as she asked, "Even if it kills you?"

Athena's gaze turned firm, unwavering. "Until I draw my last breath," she replied without hesitation, the weight of her words hanging in the cool night air. There was no question of her loyalty, no doubt about how far she would go for the people she loved.

Before Hayley could respond, she felt a strange sensation in the air, something tugging at her senses. She stood abruptly, her eyes narrowing as she peered toward the other side of the fence. Athena noticed the shift in Hayley's demeanor and stood up as well, following her gaze.

"What is it?" Athena asked, her voice quiet but alert as she moved closer to Hayley.

Hayley's eyes stayed locked on the figure in the distance, and as it came closer, Athena's eyes followed. Then, a smile broke across her face as she recognised the shape of the wolf. Its patched brown, black, and white fur stood out even in the shadows, its eyes familiar.

"Jackson," Athena grinned, stepping forward slightly, her posture relaxing.

Hayley glanced at her, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Who?" she asked, still staring at the wolf as it padded closer, its eyes locked on them.

Athena's grin widened, her voice warm as she explained. "Jackson. He's my wolf friend. We'd been looking out for each other for before I came here. He must've come to check on me," she said, a playful light in her eyes as she stepped closer to the fence, watching Jackson with familiarity.

Hayley continued to stare, trying to piece everything together. "And how does he know where you are?" she asked, still unsure.

Athena chuckled softly. "I bet he could sense the baby's magic from wherever he was," she said, nodding toward Hayley's belly. "It must have led him here."

Athena was about to cross the fence to greet Jackson when she heard the sound of someone clearing their throat behind her. Both she and Hayley turned to see an unfamiliar woman standing a few feet away, her expression calm but her presence unsettling.

"You're not supposed to be out here," the woman said, her voice smooth, but the nephilim immediately felt something was off. She could sense something hidden beneath the surface, something not right.

Athena narrowed her eyes, her posture shifting defensively. "This isn't your home, now, is it? You can't tell us what we can or can't do. Who the hell are you anyway?"

The woman smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I'm Sabine," she said before turning her attention to Hayley. "We've met before. I'm one of Sophie's friends."

Hayley hesitated for a moment, recognition flickering in her eyes. "You're one of the witches?"

Sabine nodded, her demeanor calm. "Sophie asked me to come keep you two company while everyone's out." She glanced toward the fence where Jackson was still standing, his intense gaze watching them. Sabine then turned back to Hayley, gesturing toward the wolf. "You know, it's drawn to you. The child you're carrying is special-part vampire, part werewolf. You and Klaus made something truly unique."

Hayley sighed, her hand unconsciously resting on her stomach. "You sound like Elijah. He thinks this baby is going to make us one big happy family, but now he's gone, and I don't even know what... it is."

Sabine tilted her head, her expression soft but unreadable. "I can do something about that, if you want," she offered. "I mean, I can find out if it's a boy or a girl."

Athena's didn't trust this woman. "You're not supposed to be doing magic here," her voice was firm.

Sabine turned to face her, her smile still in place but with a hint of challenge. "It's not magic, just an old trick my grandmother taught me." She tried to appear friendly, but Athena wasn't buying it. "Come on, you have to be a little curious," Sabine pressed, her tone coaxing.

Hayley glanced between Sabine and Athena, weighing her options before looking back at the witch. "All right," she said, her voice uncertain. "Let's go inside."

Athena remained tense but followed them back into the house. Sabine guided Hayley to lie down in the kitchen, and Athena excused herself to another room, planning to try the locator spell on Elijah. But no matter how hard she tried, her magic kept hitting a wall. Davina's cloaking spell was strong, stronger than Athena had anticipated, and with the physical and magical exertion she had gone through today, she was reaching her limit.

"Fuck," Athena muttered under her breath, her frustration boiling over. She wiped away a trickle of blood from her nose. After steadying herself, she headed back downstairs into the kitchen, her mind still buzzing with thoughts.

"Where did our mysterious visitor go?" Athena asked, noticing Sabine was gone.

Hayley frowned, her expression thoughtful. "I don't know, but she was acting weird," she said, furrowing her brows. "She said something strange before she left, though... something like 'nos omina perditu el eam.'"

Athena's face turned pensive as she considered the phrase. "That's not a language I understand," she admitted. "What was the context?"

Hayley shrugged, still processing. "She was just telling me what she thought the gender of the baby was, and then she kind of... arched her neck back and started shaking."

Athena's concern deepened. "Maybe she had a vision," she mused. "But unless we know exactly what she saw, there's no telling what it means." She shook her head slightly. "I wouldn't worry too much about it, though. Over the years, I've seen witches get visions, and they can mean something or nothing at all."

With Sabine gone, they decided to refocus, and Athena went to make some food for her and Hayley. As they sat down, the kitchen filling with the warm scent of food, Athena looked at Hayley, trying to ease the tension that still hung in the air.

"So," Athena said casually, "what did Sabine say about the baby's gender?"

Hayley, sitting at the table, her hand resting on her still-flat stomach, looked thoughtful for a moment. "She's pretty sure it's a girl," she said, her voice tinged with both excitement and nervousness. "I was worried for a second she'd say it was a boy... a mini Klaus."

Athena chuckled softly, the image of a little Klaus running around clearly amusing her. "Don't be so sure the girl won't be a mini Klaus," she teased, taking a bite of her food.

Hayley groaned dramatically, though there was a smile on her face. "Oh, please don't tell me my daughter is going to be a girl version of Klaus," she said, half-joking, half-dreading.

Athena shrugged playfully. "She might be," she said. "But that doesn't have to be a bad thing. She could inherit his artistic talents, his passion, his fierce bravery."

Hayley's smile softened, and for a moment, the worry that had been plaguing her seemed to lift. She ran her hand over her stomach, as if already connecting with the life growing inside her. "A girl..." she whispered to herself, the excitement of impending motherhood starting to take root.

Athena watched as the pregnant wolfs expression shifted, her friend slowly coming to terms with the idea of being a mother to a powerful little girl. The nephilim smiled softly to herself, happy to see Hayley beginning to embrace what was to come, despite all the chaos surrounding them.

But the moment of peace was short-lived as the house soon filled with the sounds of the two Original siblings arguing, their voices harsh and filled with anger. The wolf sighed and retreated to her room, likely wanting to escape the tension.

Athena, however, felt the pull to check on Klaus, knowing how much weight he carried on his shoulders. She made her way to his room, where she found him pacing, ripping off his tie in frustration. Leaning against the doorframe, she said softly, "Hi."

Klaus muttered, "Hello," as he balled up the tie and threw it across the room, his temper simmering just beneath the surface. He turned toward her, his eyes meeting hers briefly before asking, "Were you able to find Elijah?"

Athena shook her head, her expression apologetic. "Unfortunately no. Sorry to add on to what seems to be a pile full of bad news. Tomorrow, I'll need to try and dive into Rebekah's mind, see if I can figure out where she went from there."

Klaus nodded, understanding but visibly disappointed. "Not to worry. Elijah will be returning to us shortly." His tone held the weight of his frustration, and it only seemed to grow as he began to furiously unbutton his shirt, accidentally tearing the seam. The sound of fabric ripping made him hiss in irritation.

Athena approached him, her steps soft but purposeful. She placed her hands gently over his, stilling his movements. "Let me help," she said quietly, continuing to unbutton the rest of his shirt with care. As she worked, she asked, "What happened, sweetie?"

Klaus looked away, his jaw tight. "Rebekah is being insufferable as usual," he said, his tone sharp. "It's nothing you need to worry about."

Athena could tell he didn't want to get into it, so she let it go, focusing instead on his shirt as she carefully removed it. Once the task was done, she pulled him into a hug, sensing that he needed the comfort. Klaus hesitated for a moment before wrapping his arms around her, burying his face in her hair breathing in her scent.

"I apologise for my lack of affection," he murmured, his voice low and strained.

Athena shook her head gently against his chest. "It's okay. Do you want to talk about it, about Marcel, or anything?"

Klaus shook his head. "No," he said softly. "What I want is for you to stay by my side tonight."

Athena nodded, understanding his need for her presence. She kissed his cheek and whispered, "I can do that. Let me just get changed into my pajamas, and I'll be right back."

Athena left briefly to change, slipping into a navy blue sleep set with a halter top and matching shorts. The fabric was soft and comfortable, the colour rich against her skin. The set, though simple, made her feel at ease—ready to offer Klaus the comfort and companionship he needed.

When she returned to his room, she found Klaus still dressed in his partially unbuttoned party clothes, gripping the footboard of the bed as he stared at the wall, lost in thought. The tension in his shoulders was evident, his knuckles white from the tight grip he had on the bed.

Athena closed the door gently behind her to alert him to her presence and then approached, wrapping her arms around him from behind. The hybrid exhaled deeply, the tension in his body slowly easing as he relaxed into her embrace. He turned around, facing her, and placed a long, lingering kiss on her temple.

"Thank you," he whispered, his voice softer now, the earlier anger fading as her presence calmed him.

Athena smiled up at him, her hands resting on his partially revealed chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her palms. "I'm always here for you," she replied, her voice just as soft.

For a while, they held each other, the warmth of their embrace more comforting than any words could be. The world outside felt distant, the chaos of the night quieted by their closeness. It was just them, wrapped up in each other, both finding solace in the connection they shared.

Eventually, Klaus pulled away slightly to change into his pajamas. When he returned to bed, Athena wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close. They lay intertwined, his face resting against her chest, his arms holding her tightly, while her fingers softly stroked through his hair. Their legs tangled together, both of them seeking comfort in the simple act of being close.

The silence stretched between them, but it was a comfortable one—until Klaus broke it, his voice low and uncertain. "Do you really believe that I can be a wonderful father?" He asked, his tone vulnerable in a way that she rarely heard from him. "We both know I'm not the prime example of an outstanding brother."

Athena continued to run her fingers through his hair, thinking carefully before she answered. "Siblings fight," she said gently. "They hurt each other, sometimes even hate each other for a while. And yes, you've acted unfairly, but you've also tried to learn from your mistakes. Are you still learning? Absolutely. But that's the point. You've always wanted what was best for Rebekah, even if you didn't always show it in the best way. You saw things she didn't. You saw the red flags with her past lovers that she ignored because she thought she was safe with them. You tried to protect her, even if your methods were… cruel."

Klaus listened in silence, the weight of her words sinking in. Athena pressed her forehead to his, her voice soft but firm. "You need to be honest with them, Klaus. With all of them. About why you did what you did, not to make excuses, but to show them that, in your way, you were trying to protect them. You've always tried to save your family from themselves and from others because you learned from Mikael's abuse that sometimes, home isn't safe. You know what's right and wrong, and if you show that to them, really show them, you can achieve the peace you've been searching for."

Her words hung in the air, but Athena wasn't finished. She could feel the tension in his body still, and she knew the weight of fatherhood was sitting heavily on his mind.

"As for being a wonderful father," she continued, her voice full of reassurance, "of course you can be. You know what it's like first hand to be abused, to be mistreated by Mikael who was supposed to be a father figure. And because of that, you would never let your child go through the same thing. You know how to be gentle, even if you don't believe it yet. Elijah is onto something, Klaus. You have every instinct needed to feel unconditional love. And this little girl… she will be your princess from the moment she enters this world."

Klaus was quiet, his breathing steady against her chest as he listened.

"Just wait," Athena whispered. "Once you and Hayley feel her kick for the first time, you'll realise that you're more than capable of being a good mother and father. It'll be hard at first, I won't lie. But you've been alive for a thousand years, and you've seen others raise children. You raised Marcel. And with this baby, you'll grow into the incredible man you can be. Children give us a chance to be better than we are, better than we used to be."

She pulled back slightly, her gaze locking with his. "Of course you're going to be a wonderful father, Klaus. How could you think otherwise?"

Klaus stared at her for a long moment, his blue eyes filled with something deeper than affection. The love radiating from him was palpable, almost overwhelming, and Athena didn't need to hear him say the words to know how he felt. She could see it, feel it, in every quiet moment they shared, in every look he gave her. And Athena knew she felt the same way.

Athena didn't trust the New Orleans witches at all. First, they came to the house unannounced, and then they undermined her efforts, implying that Hayley needed a checkup when Athena had been making sure that both Hayley and the baby were healthy. This was the Originals' house, not the witches'. Klaus and Rebekah didn't seem to mind the intrusion, but Athena was peeved. She had been completely excluded from their discussions since Agnes had arrived, and now they were suggesting she occupy herself elsewhere. All of Athena's instincts screamed at her to stay, to not leave Hayley alone with Agnes.

It was morning, and they were all sitting in the front living room. Athena sat next to Hayley on the couch, a thin blanket covering both of their legs as they relaxed. With a grin that belied her irritation, Athena said, "I was under the impression that Elijah told you why I'm here, Agnes. I possess magic beyond anything you can imagine, I've also earned a PhD. I've worked as a doctor for years, so if you want to shove me aside, prove to me that you yourself are qualified to be a doctor for a werewolf carrying a tribrid." Her tone was polite, but the underlying challenge was clear.

Agnes shot Athena a look filled with disdain but said nothing.

Hayley, sensing the growing tension, leaned forward and tried to defuse the situation. "I told you, Agnes, I feel great." Her voice was cheerful as she patted her stomach. "Athena checks on me whenever I feel anything abnormal."

Rebekah, sitting across the room on the leather couch, furiously typed away on her laptop but rolled her eyes at the whole ordeal. Agnes remained firm in her belief, her voice calm but insistent. "You are overdue for a checkup, Hayley. With a doctor who has the proper equipment."

Athena scoffed, "It's a magical baby, sweetie. No human ultrasound is going to give you insight into how the baby's doing. I'm no gynecologist, but I've certainly learned enough over the centuries. What I can offer is far more accurate than anything you can provide."

Hayley nodded in agreement. "I can't just pop into the Quarter for an ultrasound, anyway. A pregnant werewolf escorted by a witch and the wolfstar? Nothing to see here!"

Rebekah, in her usual biting tone, said without looking up from her screen, "A lot of women would kill to have a child. Strikes me as odd that you're not taking better care of yours."

Athena, trying to remain calm despite the building frustration, responded, "We don't know which humans out there have been compelled. We can't just walk into the Quarter. Marcel's people will recognise me."

Agnes, clearly nervous but trying to maintain control, leaned forward, her eyes on Hayley. "I know a doctor out in the Bayou, off the beaten path," she said slowly. "I've already made an appointment for tonight, after hours. Just us. The vampires will never hear about it."

Athena's eyes narrowed as she kept her gaze locked on Agnes, who was clearly uncomfortable under the scrutiny. She sensed something wasn't right. Agnes continued, now addressing Athena, "In the meantime, you could create a distraction in case anyone tries to follow us. Or, you know, kill them."

The blatant suggestion to separate her from Hayley made Athena's suspicion skyrocket. She crossed her arms, her voice calm but firm. "Let me think about it. No. Listen, sweetie, wherever Hayley goes, I go. You can't do magic. I can. You don't know the wolves of the Bayou. I do. We don't know how Marcel's people pass their information. And, frankly, I don't trust you enough to let you go alone with Hayley."

Agnes frowned, trying to keep her composure. "Well, Hayley, it's your choice," she said, her voice slightly strained.

Hayley, not wanting to add more tension to the situation, sighed and closed her book. "Okay, fine. Bayou baby doctor it is. But Athena's coming with me," she said firmly.

Athena stood up, brushing down her black top and high-waisted dark shorts paired with black tights and black combat boots. She smirked at Agnes. "Here's a little warning for you, Agnes. I'm usually a very sweet person. But if you or any of your witchy friends try anything—and I mean anything—that harms Hayley or the baby, it will be personal. And believe me, the last person you want in the history of creation as your enemy. Is me."

As Athena spoke, the room seemed to darken. The sunlight dimmed, and the air turned cold, as though an eclipse had taken place. The natural sounds from outside fell into an eerie silence, and a faint, glowing white light radiated from Athena's eyes. Her power filled the room, suffocating and overwhelming, making even Rebekah and Hayley uneasy as they looked around, feeling the weight of her magic.

Agnes sat frozen, visibly shaken by the display of raw power. She didn't dare move, her body stiff with fear.

Before things escalated further, Klaus' voice cut through the darkness. "Now, now, love," he said calmly as he walked into the room, piercing the tension. Athena's magic immediately faded, the room returning to normal as the hybrid pulled her close to his side.

Hayley took this opportunity to stand, offering a nervous smile as she guided a very rattled Agnes out of the house. Once they were gone, Klaus leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Athena's temple. "There's no need to scare her off," he whispered with a smirk.

Athena smiled, but her eyes still burned with suspicion. "I don't trust her, Klaus," she murmured.

"I know," he replied, his voice low, a calm certainty behind his words. "But we'll be ready for anything." His reassurance was firm, though his tone softened as he regarded her. "You're becoming more like me every day," Klaus added as he leaned in closer to the nephilim, his voice a mixture of amusement and pride

Athena smirked, arching a brow playfully. "Who said I didn't have this inside of me from the start?" she teased, her voice laced with a mischievous edge. "I'm just really good at controlling where I aim my emotions, sweetie."

From across the room, Rebekah, still furiously typing away on her laptop, called out with a dry tone. "Well, I for one am grateful we befriended her first before anyone else. She's like a nuclear explosion just waiting to happen," she commented, half in jest, half-serious.

Klaus grinned widely, his gaze turning back to Athena with warmth. "That she is," he said softly, his hands gently wrapping around her neck, pulling her closer as he placed soft kisses on her cheeks, then her forehead, her nose, and finally her lips. "My little wolfstar," he whispered against her lips, his voice low and filled with affection, "the one whose love shines as bright as the stars, and whose anger burns as hot as the sun."

Athena blushed, the rare flush of shyness spreading across her cheeks. Klaus stepped back, a satisfied smile on his lips as he walked toward the round table where a bottle of scotch awaited him. As he passed by Rebekah, he cast a smirk her way. "Now, my dear sister, please tell me you're not still at it with the internet search. How does one even begin? Do you just type in 'anonymous attack'?" he mused as he poured himself a glass of scotch.

Rebekah, not even bothering to lift her eyes from the screen, shot back with a hint of frustration. "Someone has to find Elijah, even if I have to search every bloody attic in New Orleans." Athena, still blushing from Klaus' affectionate teasing, came to sit on the opposite chair from the Original sister

Klaus sipped his drink, clearly amused. "Like looking for a needle in a rather large pile of needles," he commented, taking a seat next to the nephilim, sliding her chair closer to his with a gentle tug. His arm draped casually over the backrest of her chair as if they had always belonged together, his presence warm and comforting beside her. Athena couldn't help but smirk at his move, nudging him slightly with her elbow as she blushed again, enjoying the familiar intimacy as he continued. "Myself, I prefer actual strategy as opposed to mind-numbing labor. Marcel's delay in returning our brother makes me suspect he's no longer in charge of the situation. If Davina's loyalty to Marcel is strained, perhaps the young witch will be open to discussing a new alliance."

Rebekah gave him a sidelong glance, her expression a mixture of skepticism and mild annoyance. "As usual, your power grabs are more important than rescuing your brother," she remarked with a dry chuckle.

Klaus didn't flinch. Instead, he offered a charming smile. "I like to think of it as killing two birds with one stone, dear sister. Rob Marcel of his secret weapon, and bring our brother home." He cast a sideways glance at Athena, his smile deepening. "Athena and Davina together would make for quite the powerful duo, wouldn't you say?"

Athena grinned and raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I don't doubt it. But I doubt Davina will be too eager to work with you right away," she said, her tone thoughtful yet teasing. "But, sweetie, let's try not to overwhelm her with your 'strategies' just yet."

Klaus chuckled softly, his arm tightening slightly around Athena. "That's why I have you, love. You're always there to rein me in, aren't you?" He kissed her temple, his affection evident in the way his lips lingered just a second longer.

Rebekah rolled her eyes at the display but smiled despite herself. "Well, here's to hoping your little 'strategy' works. But don't get too cozy, Nik. We still have a brother to save."

The wolfstar stood from her chair, stretching lightly, and looked at Rebekah with a smile. "Well, that's my cue. Shall we try the idea I had?"

Rebekah looked a little reluctant, speaking quickly. "Do we really have to look into my mind?" she asked, clearly uncomfortable with the idea.

Athena softened her tone hoping to ease Rebekah's tension. "It's always worth a try," she said reassuringly. "And don't worry—I won't look at anything you don't want me to. Just imagine all your private memories are locked behind a door that says, 'fuck off, Athena.'" She grinned, trying to make the process as lighthearted as possible.

"Fine, have at it," she agreed reluctantly, though the tension in her shoulders eased a bit.

Athena sat next to Rebekah on the couch, placing her hands gently on both sides of the Originals head. Her thumbs rested on Rebekah's temples, applying the faintest pressure. "Think specifically of the attic where you found Elijah," Athena instructed. "Focus on the details—the sounds, the smells. It'll help me narrow down what I need to see."

Rebekah nodded and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. Athena began to speak softly. "Relax. Let go of any other distractions."

As Rebekah breathed out, Athena's thumbs began to glow softly, a faint shimmer like tendrils of energy that resembled lightning danced along Rebekah's temples, The magic grew like frost and moved delicately, lighting up her skin in a warm, soothing way. The vampire visibly relaxed, her body sinking into the cushions.

The nephilim delved into her mind carefully, avoiding personal memories and focusing on the one specific moment in the attic where Rebekah had seen the desiccated body of Elijah. The room began to take shape in her mind. It was dimly lit by candlelight, with gothic decor and dusty cobwebs adorning the corners. There were shutters on the windows, one of them circular, and the wooden beams of the slanted ceiling were worn and old. A chandelier hung low, casting eerie shadows, and the faint sound of creaking stairs echoed throughout. The air had a musty scent, and the entire place felt ancient, as though untouched by time for many years. Near the entrance of the attic was a shrouded coffin—Elijah's resting place.

Athena gently released her hold on Rebekah and sat back. The sister blinked, rubbing her temples as she came back to full awareness. "Well?" she asked, her voice still slightly tense.

Athena looked thoughtful, piecing things together. "From the structure of the room, I'd say we're looking for one of the oldest buildings in the French Quarter."

Rebekah raised an eyebrow skeptically. "How can you be so sure when you've barely been there?"

Athena nodded. "Think about it. If Marcel is staying at the Abattoir, he'd want Davina and Elijah nearby. The attic had broken cobwebs, dust—it's clearly an old building. Davina might not care to clean it because she might think of it as a temporary place. Or, maybe the building is frequented by enough people that she doesn't see the point."

Athena stood up and walked toward the laptop sitting on the table, pulling up a satellite map of the French Quarter. She scanned through the locations, thinking aloud. "The size of the attic... the way the stairs were... the circular window... the stained glass... it's like-."

Athena suddenly paused, a flicker of recognition crossing her face. Something in the memory felt almost personal to her, as if it were a distant part of another life. Her eyes widened slightly. "What do we know about the churches here?" she asked suddenly, looking between Klaus and Rebekah.

Rebekah raised an eyebrow. "Churches? I know you're part angel, but don't tell me you're actually trying to find religion."

The Original hybrid smirked, his gaze lingering on Athena with a mix of amusement and admiration. "St. Anne's Church," he said. "There was a massacre there. The church hasn't been used since, but it's being repaired. They're planning to start holding mass there again."

Rebekah pulled out her phone, tapping quickly as she made a note. "I'll check it out tonight," she said, standing up. "There's a street festival happening, so I can slip in unnoticed while everyone's distracted. It will be empty." She shot her brother a quick nod before heading off toward her room.

Athena watched her go, then made her way to the table where the scotch was kept. She poured herself a small glass, just a little taste, something she'd grown accustomed to living with Klaus, though she rarely finished a glass. As she swirled the amber liquid, she felt Klaus' arms wrap around her from behind, pulling her into a firm yet gentle embrace.

"That, love," Klaus whispered, his voice low and filled with admiration, "was a magnificent display of intelligence." His lips found her ear, giving it a teasing nip.

Athena smiled, feeling the warmth of his affection. She turned around in his embrace, bringing the glass to her lips for a sip. "Easy, sweetie," she murmured with a teasing grin. "Your wolf side is being very possessive today."

Klaus' eyes sparkled mischievously. "I can't help it," he said, his voice dropping into a growl as he leaned in, pressing soft kisses against her skin. "It knows that I'm in a relationship with a woman who has a beautiful mind—" he kissed the top of her head, "a beautiful body—" his lips found her shoulder, "and a beautiful soul." Finally, he captured her lips in a slow, lingering kiss, the kind that made Athena's heart race despite how familiar and comforting it had become.

When he pulled back, his eyes were full of warmth. "Come with me to the festival tonight," he whispered, his lips brushing against hers as he spoke. "Enjoy yourself for one night."

Athena smiled softly, but placed the glass down, her free hand running through his hair as he started to trail kisses down her throat. Each touch sent a shiver of warmth through her, and she closed her eyes, leaning into the sensation of his lips against her skin.

As he gave her a playful love bite, Athena's voice was breathless. "I can't... I have to go with Hayley. You know... making sure that witch doesn't try anything... that would hurt your child."

Klaus groaned softly against her throat, but his grip on her tightened, his lips still teasing the sensitive spot beneath her ear. "Selfless as always, my little wolfstar," he murmured, his voice full of pride. "I shall see you when you return then... Shall I come to your room tonight?"

Athena chuckled, her hands resting against his chest as she met his gaze, amused by his suggestion. "Is this the new arrangement? I sleep in your bed one night, and the next night you sleep in mine?"

Klaus smirked, his expression playful yet genuine. "I enjoy it," he admitted, his eyes dark and full of affection.

Athena smiled, her heart softening at the thought. "I do too," she confessed. "I sleep better when you're next to me."

Klaus kissed her again, more tenderly this time, his forehead resting against hers when they broke apart. "As do I," he whispered, his tone sincere. "Even though vampires don't need much sleep... there's something about having you close."

Athena's smile widened as she gazed up at him. They shared that quiet moment, no need for words, just the unspoken understanding that they found peace in each other's presence. It was a rare thing, and something both of them had learned not to take for granted.

Chapter Text

Hayley looked increasingly uncomfortable.

As Agnes pulled the car to a stop in front of a ramshackle cabin deep in the Bayou, the dense foliage casting long shadows in the moonlight, and the nocturnal sounds of the forest filling the air. Hayley raised an eyebrow, her skepticism clear. "This is the doctor's office?" she asked, her voice edged with doubt.

Athena's instincts were screaming at her. Every fiber of her being warned that something was terribly wrong. It was like an alarm had gone off in her head, alerting her to danger. She shot a glance at Agnes, who tried to keep her expression calm, her voice soft in an attempt to soothe their nerves. "Dr. Paige is only this far out because Marcel's men kept terrorizing her patients. Go on, she won't bite."

The nephilim hesitated, her gut churning with suspicion. She didn't trust this situation one bit, but seeing no immediate danger, she got out of the car, motioning for the wolf to follow her. They stepped cautiously toward the shack, the wooden steps creaking under their weight. The door swung open, revealing Dr. Paige, who greeted them with a forced smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

With a practiced, almost insincere smile. "Hi there, which one of you is Hayley?" the doctor asked, her tone a little too chipper for Athena's liking.

The wolf raised her hand slightly, stepping forward. "That'd be me," she said, her voice uncertain.

"Right this way," Dr. Paige motioned for Hayley to follow, leading them deeper into the shack, not sparing much attention to Athena, who followed closely behind, her eyes darting around, taking in every detail but then landed her eyes on the doctor who seemed indifferent to the nephilims presence as though she didn't even exist.

"How far along are you?" the doctor asked casually.

Hayley hummed, thinking. "Less than two months, I think? I don't really know for sure."

Athena chimed in, her voice sharper. "Forty-two days. One month and nine days, or six weeks, whatever suits your fancy." Her arms were crossed, and her tone was clipped. She wasn't here to be underestimated or pushed aside.

Dr. Paige nodded as if she didn't care much about the specifics. "Go ahead and lie down," she instructed, gesturing toward a makeshift 'bed' with a gray sheet haphazardly thrown over it watched closely as Dr. Paige prepped the portable handheld ultrasound device, squirting gel onto Hayley's exposed abdomen and pressed the transducer to her stomach with the practiced precision of someone who had done this many times before.

The wolfstar watched Dr. Paige carefully, she was more familiar with advanced medical equipment. This was a far cry from the sophisticated machines from her time in her medical career. When the doctor clicked on the machine, soon the sound of the baby's heartbeat filled the room. Both Hayley and Athena couldn't help but smile.

"Your baby's heart rate is perfect, Hayley," Dr. Paige said as she put the machine away.

Hayley's face softened into a smile. "I knew it," she said, sitting up as Athena handed her tissues to wipe off the gel. "She's a tough one, like her mom."

Dr. Paige glanced over her shoulder, her eyes briefly narrowing as she spotted something on Hayley's shoulder. "That's a unique birthmark."

Hayley didn't seem bothered, dismissing it quickly pulling her sweater back on making it invisible for Athena to take notice. "We're pretty much done here, right?"

Athena felt a buzz in her pocket. Pulling out her phone, she saw a text from Rebekah, asking for their location. She quickly texted back, letting her know they were at Dr Paige's shack in the Bayou.

"Your blood pressure's a bit high. I've got something for that," Dr. Paige said, walking out of the room leaveing the two women alone for a second. Through the door, Athena could see Agnes waiting for them, her expression unreadable.

Suddenly, a distant howl cut through the night air, making the hairs on the back of Athena's neck stand up. Her instincts, already on high alert, flared. Without a word, she motioned for Hayley to get up, heading to the window to take a look outside.

Headlights. An approaching car.

Athena went rigid, her gaze darkening as she watched several men get out of the vehicle. Her instincts had been right all along. This was a setup. She clenched her jaw, preparing herself for whatever was about to unfold. As Dr. Paige re-entered the room, the wolfstar eyes narrowed. She shot a look at Hayley.

"Ah, you know, I'm actually not that good with pills," Hayley said nervously, sensing the growing tension in the room.

"Well, me neither, truth be told," Dr. Paige replied with a strange, detached smile as she reached for the syringe, preparing to administer something into Hayley.

Athena moved before she even thought about it. "Duck!" she shouted to Hayley, who immediately complied, dropping low as the doctor lunged forward. Her hand shot out, and with a flick of her wrist, the doctor's neck snapped with a sickening crack. Dr. Paige's lifeless body crumpled to the floor as Athena turned her attention to the men who were now storming into the shack. With a deadly calm, Athena flung them out the door with a powerful blast of magic, their necks snapping mid-flight. They hit the ground with dull thuds, their bodies splayed out as if they'd been sucked into vacuum.

Agnes barely had time to react before Athena pinned her against the wall, her eyes glowing with fury. With a swift motion, Athena slammed Agnes against the wooden panels, knocking her unconscious. "Run!" Athena yelled to Hayley, who didn't need to be told twice. She sprinted toward the front door, dashing into the dense Bayou. Athena followed close behind.

They could hear the distant roar of engines, more cars screeching to a halt as. Reinforcements were arriving, and fast, they couldn't outrun them for long. Athena knew they didn't have much time. "Hayley!" Athena called breathlessly, her tone urgent as she skidded to a halt. Bending down to grab a fistful of dirt and dead leaves from the forest. "Listen to me!"

"See that path down there?" the woldstar nodded toward a narrow, barely visible trail. Spitting into her hand as she rubbed the components together.

Hayley nodded, eyes wide. "Yeah, I see it."

"Follow it. It'll take you to the cabin I was staying at before," Athena said quickly, her voice steady despite the chaos around them. She muttered an incantation under her breath, her hands glowing as she crushed the dirt and leaves into ash.

"I'm going to put a concealment spell on you. You'll be invisible," Athena explained, her tone urgent. Hayley nodded, trusting her completely. The nephilim blew the enchanted dust over Hayley, watching as the particles swirled around her, cloaking her in a protective veil. "Move fast and don't look back," she instructed firmly.

Athena stood still for a moment, her chest rising and falling as she heard the distant sound of Hayley's footsteps fading into the dense Bayou. She took a deep breath, gathering her focus. The echo of approaching men carried through the trees, their heavy boots crunching on the leaves and dirt. She knew they were close.

Without hesitation, Athena moved toward the nearest tree, slicing her palm open with her magic. The blood dripped from her hand as she quickly smeared it across the rough bark, her fingers tracing the ancient crest she knew so well-the one etched into the stone floor of her pocket dimension. She placed her palm at the center, whispering "Ohtatimearah."

The bark shuddered, groaning as it tore open, revealing a swirling void of stars within the tree's trunk. It was just large enough for her arm to slip through. Athena reached in, feeling the warmth of the void, her hand brushing against the starlight she needed. But before she could retrieve the star, a man came crashing down with a machete aimed for her.

She barely had time to react, throwing herself to the ground as the blade swung where her head had been only a second earlier. The man loomed over her, preparing for another strike. Athena's eyes glowed with fury as she flicked her wrist, summoning the stars she had meant to grab. They shot out from the void before the tree bark closed, forming into her trusted parrying daggers.

One dagger sliced through the air, embedding itself in the man's skull. The other found its mark in his throat, silencing him with a gurgling cry as he collapsed in a heap beside her. Athena stood swiftly, pulling her blades free. But just as she straightened, an arrow whistled through the air, heading directly for her face.

Instinct kicked in. Athena twirled her dagger, slicing the arrow in two before it could even graze her. She spotted another man in the shadows, armed with a crossbow. These weren't vampires. They were witches, worlock, who cares, this meant she could brush up on her movements with her daggers that hadn't seen a true fight in centuries.

"Now this," Athena muttered with a annoyed groan under her breath, "is going to get bloody."

Without another word, she sprinted toward the man, her dagger spinning in her hand before she flung it straight at him. The blade buried itself in his skull, killing him instantly. As she reached his body, she yanked the dagger free, but before she could catch her breath, more men emerged from the surrounding trees, their weapons drawn and pointed directly at her.

Athena's eyes darted around her. She was surrounded, weapons gleaming in the dim moonlight. One of the men stepped forward, shouting, "Drop your weapons, or we'll shoot!"

Athena cocked her head, her lips curling into a dangerous smirk. "Oh, come now, boys. You should at least make this a fair fight."

The man's face twisted with irritation as he raised his crossbow higher. "Drop the damn knives!"

Athena pretended to comply, crouching down as though to place her daggers on the ground. But the moment her fingers touched the soil, she pulsed her magic through the earth. The men around her chuckled, one shouting, "Is that supposed to impress us? You're trapped out here with us, shouldn't you be scared?"

Athena simply smiled "Well what we have here is a failure to communicate. Because I'm not trapped out here with you. You're trapped out here with me." Her eyes began to glow as the ground beneath them tremble.

One by one, they screamed, their faces twisted in terror as tree roots erupted from the earth, wrapping around their ankles and pulling them into the darkness. The Bayou came alive at her command. Branches stretched out like deadly claws, impaling the men through their heads and torsos, while others were yanked into the shadows, their cries echoing before being silenced.

When the last man was dragged away, Athena let out a breath, her eyes flickering back to their usual colour. She whispered to herself, "God, I hope you're okay, Hayley."

But her moment of respite was brief. She heard someone approaching through the brush. Instinctively, she flung one of her daggers toward the sound, only for it to be caught mid-air. Her heart skipped a beat until she saw the familiar figure of Rebekah standing there, a sly smile on her face.

"Looks like you've got it handled," Rebekah said, tossing the dagger back to Athena with a smirk.

Athena let out a sigh of relief, catching the dagger with ease. "Good, you're here. Hayley's-"

Rebekah's expression shifted as her gaze darted to the side. "There are more of them," she said, her voice tense. She turned back to Athena. "You should-"

Before Rebekah could finish, two arrows whistled through the air and struck her in the chest. Rebekah gasped, crumbling to the ground as the wooden shafts pierced her heart. Athena's eyes widened in horror as her senses kicked into overdrive. She barely had time to register where the attack had come from before another arrow hit her, piercing her lower abdomen.

She hissed in pain, but the wound only fueled her fury. Before the next arrow could hit her, Athena snatched it from the air, her grip tightening as she snapped it in half. Tossing the broken arrow to the ground, she glanced over her shoulder, hearing the shout of one of the attackers, "They're over here!"

The wolfstar blood boiled as she spat through clenched teeth, "You've got to be fucking kidding me."

She didn't wait for them to surround her. Clutching her stomach, Athena charged toward the group of men, daggers gleaming in her hands, ready for the onslaught. Pain fueled her rage, and these men had no idea what they had just unleashed.

Athena leaped through the air, with all the grace and force she could muster, landing hard on the nearest attacker, her daggers sinking into his throat. The man gurgle blood splattering across her face as she pulled the blades through, slicing his throat open. She didn't have time to think, only to react, as she charged to the next man, stabbing him in the chest with one swift, fluid motion.

Before she could retrieve her blades a scream rang out behind her. Another man, eyes-wild and swinging down his machete, charged at her from behind. Without missing a beat, Athena kicked him away, propelling herself forward and rolling with the man she had just stabbed. She yanked her blades from his chest and spun back to her feet just in time to parry the machete aimed at her head.

But something was wrong. The nephilim could feel her strength waning. The blood loss from the wound on her stomach was draining her energy fast. She stumbled slightly and the man saw his chance. He pressed forward with brutal force, his swings pushing her back, forcing her to give up ground. Athena was losing and she knew it. The machete knocked her daggers from her hand, leaving her at disadvantage.

The man took the opportunity to thrust his weapon straight towards her face. In a desperate move, the wolfstar cought the blade with her bare hands, the sharp metal cutting deep into her palms. Pain seared through her, but she gritted her teeth, as she twisted the weapon to the side aiming it away from her head. Using the man's own momentum against him, she pulled him forward, smashing her elbow into his face, dislodging his grip on the machete. As he fell backwards, Athena grabbed the weapon and with a swift, brutal motion, she decapitated him in one clean swing, watching as his head rolled across the ground.

Panting and bleeding the moment of victory was short-lived. Two more arrows pierced her, one embedding itself in her shoulder, the other in her thigh. Athena hissed in pain as she fell to the ground, her body finally giving in to the immense strain. She tried to push herself up, but a group of men rushed toward her, pinning her down on her knees and restraining her.

One of them, a tall, muscular man with a cruel smile, approached and grabbed her by the hair, yanking her head back. "Where's the girl?" he demanded, crouching down to her level.

Athena, despite the pain, smirked. "Who, your mom? Last I checked, she was sleeping in my bed."

Fury flashed in the man's eyes, and he punched her hard across the face. Athena felt the impact, tasted the blood in her mouth, but she refused to show weakness. She spat on the ground, her defiance shining through. The man crouched down again, his face inches from hers. "You think you're funny?" he growled. "I know what you are, wolfstar. I know I can't kill you, but that doesn't mean I can't hurt you."

He pulled out a knife and slowly dragged it across her cheek, the blade leaving a thin trail of blood in its wake. The nephilim winced but bit back the pain, her eyes still blazing with defiance. "Let me ask again," he said, his voice low and menacing. "Where's the girl?"

Athena snarled, her voice filled with venom. "Bite me. You. Fucking. Bastard."

With that, she spat in his face. The man's rage boiled over, and he kicked her hard in the stomach, knocking the wind out of her. Athena doubled over, coughing up blood as she tried to catch her breath. The man kicked her again, this time, sending her sprawling onto her back, her ribs bruised and screaming in pain. He loomed over her, placing a heavy boot on her chest, pinning her to the ground.

He reached down and grabbed the arrow lodged in her shoulder and twisted it, driving it deeper into her flesh. Athena screamed in agony, her body convulsing with the intense pain. She struggled to move, the pain kept her pinned down along with the weight of his boot. The man raised his knife, preparing to strike down.

But before the blade could come down, a low menacing growl echoed through the trees. The man froze, his eyes darting around. A flash of brown, black, and white fur shot through the darkness and suddenly the man was ripped away from Athena screaming as he was torn apart as blood sprayed across the ground from the werewolf, Jackson.

Jackson snarled, blood dripping down from his jaws as he dispatched the man tearing him limb from limb. The rest of the men either tried to attack the wolf or flee but it was too late. The pack had arrived. Wolves charged from every direction, attacking the remaining men, hunting them down one by one

Athena's vision blurred, the loss of blood and the overwhelming majority pain was making it hard for her to stay conscious. She struggled to remove the arrow from her shoulder, her hands slicked with the mix of the dead and her own blood, making it impossible to get a good grip. Her world began to spin as she feared of the possibility of being captured or worse but then through the haze she saw a familiar face rushing towards her.

It was Hayley.

The wolf dropped to her knees beside Athena, her eyes wide with panic and concern. Without a word, she grabbed the arrows and yanked them free as carefully as she could. Athena gritted her teeth, trying to hold back the scream that threatened to escape.

"Why did you come?" Athena groaned, her voice barely a whisper. "I told you... not to look back."

"When Jackson left, I knew something was wrong," Hayley replied, her voice shaky. "I couldn't just stay there. I guess the spell broke if you can see me."

Athena gave a weak nod. "Call... Klaus," she breathed, her strength fading fast.

Hayley quickly pulled out her phone, dialing Klaus as fast as she could with trembling fingers. Once she finished the call, she helped the nephilim to her feet, throwing Athena's arm over her shoulder to support her as they limped back toward where Rebekah had fallen.
Rebekah had started to stir, pulling the arrows from her chest with a groan. "What the bloody hell happened?" she asked, her eyes narrowing as she saw Athena's condition.

Athena gave her a small, pained smile before her legs finally gave out, and she collapsed to the ground. "Athena!" Hayley yelled, panic rising in her voice.

Rebekah rushed to Athena's side, immediately biting into her wrist and pressing it against her friends mouth. "Drink," she ordered, trying to force her blood into Athena's system to heal her.

But her body rejected it. She vomited and spat the blood out, her face contorted in pain. "It's... not working," she wheezed, her voice barely audible. "My body... is rejecting it. But... that's a good sign. It means... I'm healing on my own... just very slowly."

Rebekah and Hayley exchanged worried glances as Athena weakly placed her hand over her stomach wound, trying to summon what little magic she had left to heal herself. Her hand glowed faintly as she stopped some of the bleeding, but it wasn't enough.

"We need to get her back to the shack," Hayley said urgently, her eyes darting between Athena and the darkening woods. Rebekah nodded in agreement, and together, they helped Athena to her feet supporting her as they made their way back through the Bayou.

Athena's vision blurred as they helped her to sit on the steps of the shack. Her body was trembling from the sheer effort of trying to stay upright, and she could feel the nausea building again. Her head throbbed, and every inch of her felt sore as her body sluggishly tried to regenerate. She leaned back, forcing herself to breathe through the pain, but the effort it took just to remain conscious was almost too much.

"I'm fine" she rasped, trying to reassure Hayley and Rebekah, though her voice sounded far from convincing. She attempted to summon her magic once more, the faint glow of healing energy flickering at her fingertips before fizzling out. "I just need a minute... to rest."

Hayley frowned, kneeling beside her and shaking her head. "You're not fine. You've stopped bleeding, but you lost a lot of blood. You need proper rest, Athena."

Before Athena could respond, the familiar sound of a whoosh broke through the tension, and Klaus arrived with his hybrid speed, his face a mask of rage and concern. His eyes immediately found Athena, taking in the sight of her haggard, blood-soaked form, and his expression shifted to something darker, more protective. He moved to her side, kneeling beside her, his hands hovering over her as if unsure where to touch, his worry palpable.

Rebekah, always quick with a quip, arched an eyebrow and said, "Wow, you abandoned your quest for power to help out your family? Having an off day, Nik?"

Klaus didn't rise to the bait, his focus entirely on Athena. "What happened?" he demanded, his voice a low growl as he gently cupped her face, his eyes scanning over her injuries. Despite the pain, Athena smiled softly, relieved just to have him near.

Hayley, still supporting Athena, spoke up. "It was her wolf friend, Jackson. He came to save us. Those men-"

Athena, still trying to steady herself, cut in with a weak laugh. "I think those men were witches, but they didn't use magic. Which, I have to say, was kind of disappointing," she joked, though her voice wavered from the pain. "They used physical force. I made good use of my abilities before... well, before they took me down, unfortunately."

Hayley frowned in confusion. "Wait, what are you saying? Do you think they didn't want to kill you?"

Athena nodded, trying to keep herself from slipping into unconsciousness. "No, they didn't want me. They were asking about you, Hayley. They wanted you," she said, her voice trailing off as the world swayed around her.

Klaus growled, his hands tightening into fists. His voice was a dangerous low rumble. "The witches were supposed to protect you," he spat, turning his gaze to Hayley. "When I get my hands on Sophie Deveraux-"

"It wasn't the witches," Hayley interrupted quickly. "It was Agnes."

"Fine. Agnes, Sophie-it's all the same to me," Klaus snapped, his rage bubbling over. "I'll slaughter the lot of them."

Rebekah, sensing the tension, quickly cut in. "Not if Elijah gets there first." Her voice was calm, but there was an edge to it.

Hayley's head snapped to Rebekah, her eyes wide with hope. "Elijah? Did you find him?"

Rebekah nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "He's been in touch. He has a plan. All he asked is that we take care of you."

Athena, despite the throbbing pain in her head and body, smiled faintly. "Great. Can we go home now? I'd really like to sleep... for a few days," she muttered as she tried to stand, but her body betrayed her, the world tilting dangerously as her legs gave out beneath her.

Before she could hit the ground, Klaus was there, catching her effortlessly." I've got you, love. I've got you," he whispered, cradling her against his chest. His anger from moments ago melted into concern as he held her close, his lips brushing against her forehead.

Chapter Text

Athena's vision gradually cleared.

The faint chanting of robed figures surrounding her became more distinct. Her body felt cold against the hard stone table she was strapped to. Naked and covered in blood, her magic depleted and her wounds barely healing, Athena tried to lift her arms, but the leather straps around her wrists, ankles, chest, and neck held her in place.

She turned her head slightly, and her vision finally steadied. The chamber around her was vast and ominous. Stalactites hung from the ceiling of the cave-like structure, casting shadows over the circular stone floor. In the center of the room, was her, ontop of illuminating strange symbols etched into the stone beneath her. The firelight reflected off the dark, slick walls, creating an eerie glow. Large statues, each adorned with serpents and twisted, ancient forms, loomed over the gathering. It was a temple of power, ancient and malicious. The chamber seemed to echo the words of the chanting figures as if the stone itself was alive with dark energy.

Athena's gaze shifted to the right. Standing before her was a man in dark, ceremonial robes, his face hidden behind a grotesque mask. The mask resembled a twisted, theatrical visage with streaks of blood smeared across it, the eyes hollow and menacing. In his hands, he carried a large brass bowl filled with her blood, his other hand gripping a golden dagger. The dagger's hilt was engraved with two serpents intertwining in an infinite loop, their jaws open as if ready to devour.

The leader by the looks of him—clad in the blood-smeared robes, gold accents shining against the dark fabric—addressed the crowd of masked followers. Each cultist, male and female, wore tattered black robes tied at the waist with rope. Their faces were hidden behind porcelain masks, each painted with red, bloody lines that mimicked grotesque expressions. The figures were silent except for the occasional murmur, seemingly entranced by the leader's words. Their masks gave them a faceless, dehumanized appearance, adding to the unsettling atmosphere.

The leader's voice boomed, echoing through the chamber, "Brothers and sisters, today, we rid ourselves of this demon! With its power, we shall serve a greater purpose, a purpose for the benefit of humanity!"

The cultists cheered, their voices rising in a chilling harmony.

Athena's panic surged, "Please... let me go!" Her voice cracked with desperation, the blood loss and exhaustion evident in her tone.

The leader turned sharply, his masked face emotionless, yet his cold stare pierced through her. His hand tightened around the dagger as he approached the altar." How is this possible?" he hissed, noticing Athena's body healing, albeit slowly. The crowd gasped and whispered amongst themselves.

The leader passed the bowl of blood to one of the other masked figures before returning to the wolfstar. His movements were deliberate, menacing, as he raised the dagger high above her chest. "This ends now," he declared.

Athena screamed, squeezing her eyes shut, bracing herself for the blow—then suddenly, everything went dark.

She woke with a jolt, her body drenched in sweat, heart pounding in her chest. It had been a dream. Or rather, a memory—a horrifying memory of past torment flooded her mind, one of her many dark experiences. Tears welled up in her eyes as she sat up in bed, trying to steady her breathing. Morning sunlight filtered gently through the curtains, casting a golden hue over the room. She took a few moments to compose herself, wiping away the tears that had escaped.

Rising from bed, she made her way to the bathroom, stepping into the shower to wash away the remnants of the nightmare. The warmth of the water soothed her muscles, though her mind still lingered on the memory. After her shower, she dressed in a chic, simple outfit, a dark green plaid overall dress with black tights and ankle boots.

The nephilim descended the stairs, immediately picking up on the tense atmosphere as Klaus' raised voice echoed from the living room. She entered to find him pacing in front of Sophie Deveraux, who sat uncomfortably in the single armchair. Rebekah lounged casually on the arm of the couch across from Sophie, a calculating look in her eyes.

"We had a deal!" Klaus snapped, his frustration palpable. "You protect my unborn child, and I dismantle Marcel's army." His pacing was almost predatory, his movements sharp and deliberate as he continued, "And while I've been busy fulfilling my part of the bargain, you allowed Hayley to be attacked and Athena to be tortured by a gaggle of lunatic witches."

He stopped pacing, and collapsed into the couch across from Sophie, crossing his legs with a deceptive calmness that only heightened the tension in the room. Sophie's hands raised as if to ward off his anger, her voice desperate to prove her innocence. "I had nothing to do with it! I swear to God, Hayley and I are linked, remember? She dies, I die."

Athena leaned against the wall behind the couch where Klaus and Rebekah were sitting, rubbing her temple. She was still sore and exhausted from the earlier attack but kept her composure. Her voice cut through the tension as she asked, "Then who were they?"

Sophie hesitated before answering, "They're a faction of extremists. Sabine stupidly told them about a vision she had about the baby."

Athena's suspicion deepened, and she pressed, "What kind of vision?"

Sophie sighed, clearly on edge. "She has them all the time. They're totally open to interpretation. I'm guessing she's wrong on this one."

Klaus leaned forward, scoffing at Sophie's dismissal. "Well, how, may I ask, was this particular vision interpreted?" His voice dripped with sarcasm.

Sophie pursed her lips, her gaze darting between Klaus, Rebekah, and Athena. "Pretty much that your baby would bring death to all witches."

Klaus's lips curled into a smirk, dark amusement gleaming in his eyes. "Ah, well, I grow fonder of this child by the second."

Rebekah rolled her eyes at her brother's theatrics and took a seat beside him on the couch. "Sophie, look," she began, her tone softer but still firm, "I promised Elijah I would protect the Mikaelson miracle baby while he tries to win your witch, Davina's loyalty. Why don't you tell me just how extreme this faction is?"

Sophie looked surprised. "Elijah's talking to Davina?"

"Yeah, as we speak, I imagine," Rebekah said, leaning back into the couch and crossing her legs.

"I'm guessing she'll have plenty to say about that crowd." Sophie said.

Athena, now standing directly behind the two Originals, leaned forward and rested her hands on the backrest of the couch between them. "We're all ears," she said, her voice calm but insistent. "We need any information you can give us."

Sophie took a deep breath, clearly reluctant but knowing she had no choice. "I… wasn't always an advocate for the witches," she began slowly. "My sister was devoted, like our parents, and our upbringing was strict—so strict it drove me nuts. The minute I turned twent-one, I left the Quarter to travel...and to play. But eventually, I wanted to be a chef, so I came back to Rousseau's. When I returned, I learned that the elders wanted to move forward with the Harvest."

"The bloody hell is a Harvest?" Rebekah asked, her arms crossed as she watched Sophie intently.

"It's a ritual our coven performs every three centuries to restore our bond to ancestral magic," Sophie explained. "We appease our ancestors, and they keep our ancestral power flowing."

Klaus leaned back into the couch, his arm draping across the backrest and taking Athena's hand in his. "And why haven't I heard of this?" he asked, his tone laced with both curiosity and amusement.

Sophie hesitated. "Because the Harvest always seemed like a myth. A story passed down through generations, like Noah's Ark or Buddha walking on water. Some people took it literally, and some didn't. The girls of our community had been preparing for months. Four would be chosen for the Harvest. They said it was an honor, that they were special. I thought it was a myth."

Athena raised an eyebrow. "Was it?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Before Sophie could answer, Klaus' phone rang, cutting through the conversation. He stood up, answering it with a feigned casualness. "Marcel. Bit early in the day for you, isn't it?"

On the other end, Marcel's voice came through. "I know. I make this look easy, but I still have an empire to run."

Klaus rolled his eyes but kept his tone light. "Rather you than me. All that responsibility seems like such a bore."

Marcel's tone shifted, becoming more serious. "Well, this might spice things up. I just heard about a bunch of dead witches out in the Bayou. The kind of damage a werewolf might do, only there was no full moon. I have an informant out there I need to meet, and I'd love for you to come with me."

Klaus kept his face neutral, but his annoyance was clear. "Dead witches in the Bayou? Sounds less like a problem and more like a cause for celebration."

"Well, something killed them, and it might still be out there. With your blood being the only cure for a werewolf bite, I'd love for you to tag along."

Klaus sighed theatrically. "Well, why not? I haven't been to the Bayou in ages. I'm on my way."

"Peace out, brother," Marcel said before hanging up.

Sophie, clearly concerned, spoke up immediately. "You can't go out there now! I need to gather the witches' remains and consecrate them. If I don't get to them before sundown, we lose the link to their magic."

Hayley, who had entered the room quietly, sipped her water as she listened to the exchange. Athena chimed in with mock sympathy. "Well, that sounds terrible. Maybe they should have acted more like witches until the end."

Klaus, his voice sharp with irritation, pointed at Sophie. "Those witches tried to kill Hayley and Athena," he reminded everyone, his eyes flicking to Hayley's belly. "I prefer Marcel's informant not find anything that would lead him back to us. Or to her." His finger gestured to Hayley again. "Or, you know. That."

Hayley rolled her eyes. "You are all class," she muttered, taking another sip from her glass.

Klaus ignored her, pointing at Sophie as he made his way toward the door. "Stay put," he ordered. "And save the rest of your story until I return."

With that, he exited, leaving Sophie, Rebekah, Athena, and Hayley in a brief moment of tension.

As the group walked through the dense trees of the Bayou, the sunlight filtering through the canopy, Athena's mind buzzed with anticipation and annoyance. Hayley, ever stubborn, had wanted to help Sophie, despite Klaus' orders to avoid unnecessary risks. Athena sighed, her steps slowing as she glanced back at Rebekah, who walked behind her with an exasperated expression.

"Klaus is going to be livid when he hears about this," Athena muttered, her voice dry with sarcasm. "I can handle that, but I can't guarantee he won't throw a few barbs your way, Bekah."

Rebekah groaned, reaching into her  pocket and pulling out her phone. "Trust me, I know," she said, dialing Klaus. After a few seconds, he answered, his voice coming through the speaker with a teasing lilt.

"What's the matter, Rebekah? Cross that I'm out with your ex?"

Rebekah visibly cringed as the sound of country music and chatter echoed in the background. "What is that dreadful hillbilly ruckus I'm hearing?"

"According to the dreadful signage, it's Big Auggie's Bayou Bar," Klaus replied, sounding as if he were annoyed himself.

"Well, order up a few rounds of moonshine and keep away from the witches for a while. The witch is on a burial mission, your baby mama is on a spirit quest, I'm keeping Elijah's promise and your girlfriend came along for extra backup, so stall please." Rebekah instructed, her tone exasperated, she abruptly hung up. "So, this 'Harvest' thing you've been going on about—tell us more."

Sophie looked uncomfortable, her eyes flicking to the side, "Klaus said to wait. "

Rebekah, not one to be patient. "Yes, he also said stay out of the Bayou," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "And yet, here we are... amongst the crawling, buzzy creatures." She gestured toward the swamp around them with a flick of her hand.

The group slowed as Athena came to a sudden halt. Her sharp eyes scanned the clearing ahead. There were torn, bloody bodies lying amidst the dense undergrowth, the remains of those who had tried to attack Hayley. The stench of death lingered in the air, heavy and suffocating.

"This is the place," she said quietly. "Jackson did his work well. These bodies are beyond recognition… even the ones I killed."

Sophie, pale and looking like she might be sick, gave Athena an annoyed glare. Ignoring it, the nephilim continued to survey the area. Sophie crouched down and took off her backpack, preparing for the consecration ritual.

"Do you know how to…?" Sophie started to ask.

Athena cut her off, folding her arms and raising an eyebrow. "How to consecrate the bodies? I could either help them find peace or send them straight to hell. But I'm guessing you just want to keep using them as batteries for your spells."

Sophie rolled her eyes in frustration, and Hayley, ever curious, asked, "Why would you want to help the people who tried to kill us find peace?"

Athena shrugged, her tone matter-of-fact. "Every soul is vulnerable. Impermanent. The soul can be bludgeoned, tortured, but it can never be truly broken. It's stronger than we think, more valuable than we can imagine. And I find that fascinating… even beautiful."

She looked at the twisted, mutilated bodies around them, her expression unreadable. "These men thought they were doing what was right, even though it was fucking idiotic and simply wrong. I could send them to hell, or I could let them rest. Either way, they'll 'live' with the knowledge of the choices they made, forever."

There was a sudden crunch in the distance, and Athena and Rebekah immediately stepped in front of Hayley, their instincts kicking in. But what they saw was nothing more than a scrawny, terrified vampire who froze upon seeing them. His eyes widened in horror as he stammered, "What the hell? An Original?"

Without a second thought, the vampire sped away into the trees. Rebekah hissed in frustration. "That bloody informant!"

She quickly pulled out her phone and dialed Klaus. "I think we saw Marcel's informant. He just vanished."

Klaus' voice on the other end was sharp, his annoyance clear. "Let me understand this. Against all logic, you, Hayley, and Athena went to the Bayou, where you ran into a man you think is Marcel's informant, and then you lost him."

Rebekah winced at his tone. "Yes, and now that we've established that I am a failure as a sister, a friend, and an Original, you should probably know that he's on his way to Marcel to rat me out. Skinny guy in a hurry. Looked like he saw a ghost."

Klaus let out a sigh. "I'll handle it, but I will need a distraction."

Rebekah nodded to herself. "I'm on my way," she said, hanging up before anyone could stop her. With a blur of supernatural speed, she vanished into the forest, leaving Hayley, Athena, and Sophie behind.

Athena sighed and crouched down next to Sophie. "Let's get this consecration over with." She tried her best to show some respect to the dead, despite her feelings toward them. These men had wanted Hayley and her unborn child dead. In the end, it was fight or survive, and Athena had done what she had to do to protect protect them in the only way she could, by killing.

Her mind shifted into a familiar mode, the one she used when she worked as a doctor. Athena had treated all kinds of patients in her career, some of whom had done terrible things—lawfully and morally. But she always reminded herself that they were still human, still deserving of care, even if they had made horrible choices. It was the same with these men. They were following orders, doing what they thought was right. It didn't make them innocent, but it did make them human. 

Kneeling beside Sophie, Athena helped with the consecration, murmuring words under her breath. Each life had value, even if they had been enemies. It was a part of nature, the way the world worked. She had killed them, but now she would help them find their way to the ancestral plane. It was the least she could do since she got a little blood thirsty.

As they made their way back to Sophie's red truck under the soft glow of the moon. The events of the day had been overwhelming for Hayley, and the fear in her voice was evident as she murmured, "Those people, all of this because of a vision about my baby? You don't think it's true, do you?"

Sophie sighed, tossing her backpack into the boot of the car with a heavy thud. "Look," she began, her tone weary but firm, "I love Sabine, but she's the witch equivalent of a drama queen. I've learned to take little stock in whatever she says or sees. Just wish she'd kept her mouth shut."

Athena, always quick to ask the right questions, pressed Sophie. "The Harvest ritual. What happened to it, Sophie? Is it real or not?"

Sophie's eyes flickered with unease, the weight of the truth evident in her posture. "It was working," she said, her voice shaky, almost haunted. "I saw it with my own eyes... it was real."

Hayley's face paled slightly as she leaned against the truck for support, her eyes wide with worry. "So how can you be so sure Sabine's vision isn't ?" she asked, the vulnerability in her voice undeniable.

Sophie remained silent for a moment, clearly unwilling to delve deeper. Before she could respond, the nephilims calm, reassuring voice broke through the tension. "It isn't real, sweetie. Your baby—part witch, part vampire, part werewolf—isn't going to bring an end to any of its communities. The Harvest was something different."

Athena's eyes softened as she glanced between the two women, and she continued, her voice filled with a quiet authority. "Sophie, you said there's a history of the Harvest. It's very real, just ancient, like the Unification ritual. I attended a few ceremonies myself. I saw them work with my own eyes."

Her voice took on a reflective tone as she recalled those moments. "I remember the Unification ritual, performed by a shaman or elder on two alphas of different packs. It was a celebration—two packs becoming one, their powers united. There was dancing, laughter, singing around the fire until dawn." Athena's smile widened slightly, her memories of the old werewolf rituals bringing a moment of warmth to the conversation. "They saw me as one of their own, with the name wolfstar they saw me as special with gifts that could aid them, so I was usually invited to these events."

Her expression shifted back to seriousness as she turned her gaze toward Sophie, her eyes piercing yet calm. "Sabine has no evidence to back up her vision. And if she's getting extremists to attack Hayley without proof, then she's not just misguided—she's dangerous. I've had visions too, ones of loss and pain, but also hope and happiness. However, they don't make you act like Sabine unless you have some ulterior motive."

Sophie's face tightened, clearly not pleased with Athena's critique of Sabine, but there was no argument. Sophie knew better than to challenge Athena, not when the weight of her authority and experience hung so heavily in the air. Silence fell over them for a moment, the croaking of frogs and the rustling of the Bayou the only sounds breaking the tension.

Hayley glanced between the two women, biting her lip before finally nodding in agreement with Athena her hand protectively moving to her still-flat stomach. "I just... I want my baby to be safe."

Athena's eyes softened, and she placed a reassuring hand on Hayley's shoulder. "She will be, Hayley. You have me and a family of Originals. We won't let anything happen to her."

Sophie remained silent as she closed the boot of the car, casting a sidelong glance at Athena. She knew Athena wasn't wrong, but admitting it would be another matter. Instead, she climbed into the driver's seat, waiting for the others to join her.

As Sophie dropped Hayley and Athena back at the mansion, she bid them goodnight and drove off. Hayley felt relieved to finally be home. She walked inside with Athena by her side, the wooden door creaking shut behind them. They immediately spotted Rebekah at the bar, pouring herself a drink. The Original glanced up and narrowed her eyes at the wolf.

"I don't care if we have to get you a leash," Rebekah said sharply, swirling the amber liquid in her glass. "That was your last trip to the Bayou. What is it with you and those wolves, anyway?"

Hayley shrugged and walked further into the room. "I feel like we're connected somehow," she said thoughtfully. "I don't know, maybe it's just some pipe dream that I have about finding real family. But sometimes, when I feel like it's me against the world, that connection is the only thing that keeps me going."

Rebekah softened, her sharp tone fading into one of sympathy. She offered Hayley a drink, momentarily forgetting that she was pregnant. "Oh, right." She handed the glass to Athena instead, who took a sip before placeing the glass back on the tray.

"Well," Rebekah continued, a little more playful now, "if you ask me, family is a pain in the behind. And as for being alone—how dare you. I don't ruin perfectly fabulous boots by traipsing through the Bayou for just anyone." She gave Hayley a teasing smile, but it was clear her words carried genuine care.

Hayley smiled back. "Thank you. Both of you. It's nice to feel like I have someone looking out for me."

Athena hummed softly in agreement. "No problem, Hayley. But now you've got me thinking." She looked over at Hayley with curiosity. "Yesterday, Dr. Paige mentioned something about your birthmark. Can I see it?"

Hayley hesitated for a moment but then pulled down the right sleeve of her sweater to reveal the birthmark on the back of her shoulder. Athena's eyes widened, and she gasped softly, recognition flashing across her face.

"No fucking way," Athena whispered, staring at the mark. "This makes so much sense. No wonder Jackson's been showing up—you're his kin. You're a Crescent. The Bayou wolves... they're descended from the Crescent Wolf Pack." A smile tugged at her lips, realising the implications of Hayley's lineage.

Before Hayley could respond, the front door swung open, and Klaus strode in, his presence immediately filling the room. Rebekah turned and, seeing her brother, put her glass down. She walked up to him, her face lighting up.

"Nik, finally" Rebekah exclaimed. "What...?"

Following Klaus into the house was Elijah, walking in with an air of composed authority, his face softening when he saw Rebekah. She ran to him, wrapping him in a tight hug, relief washing over her. Athena smiled at the sight of the siblings reuniting while Hayley, gave Elijah a brief, awkward look and quietly walked off into another room.

Rebekah pulled back and looked up at Elijah. "You're safe now. Is your first plan to kill Niklaus?" she teased, but there was a slight edge of seriousness in her voice.

Elijah smiled warmly, pressing a kiss to Rebekah's forehead. "Excuse me, just a moment," he said as he gently stepped away from her embrace and started to leave the room.

Rebekah glanced back at Klaus, confused. "Where's he going?" she asked.

Athena chuckled softly and walked towards them "My guess? To see his lady," she said with a knowing grin.

Klaus moved toward the nephilim, putting an arm around her waist, pulling her close. "Glad to see you're not cross with us for going into the Bayou, sweetie," she said, looking up at him.

Klaus sighed, brushing his knuckles over her cheek, his tone playful but tinged with concern. "Oh, I was cross, love. Considering the pain you went through and nearly getting killed yesterday, I can't imagine why you'd risk your life again." He paused, his expression softening. "But alas, I cannot order you about, can I?"

Athena smirked and kissed his cheek. "No, you can't. And even if I die, I would've just come back in a few hours. But I couldn't let that happen. If I'd been unconscious during those hours, who knows what they could've done to Hayley or your baby."

Klaus pulled her into a gentle hug, kissing the top of her head. "Thank you for protecting them."

Athena smiled, resting her head against his chest. "Always," she whispered before tilting her head up to kiss him. The hybrid deepened the kiss, his lips lingering on hers.

"Gross," Rebekah groaned. "Not in front of me, you two. Get a room." Klaus and Athena both chuckled, pulling away from each other. They exchanged a playful glance before Elijah called for a family meeting in the study.

The room fell quiet as everyone gathered. Elijah stood behind the desk, his jacket removed as he prepared to address the group. Rebekah and Klaus sat in front of him, while Hayley and Athena stood nearby, observing.

Elijah's voice was calm yet filled with gravity as he began, "Everything that brought us to New Orleans was a lie. The story Sophie Deveraux fabricated—the struggle for control of the French Quarter between vampires and witches—wasn't over territory at all. It was about Davina." The older Original leaned forward, resting his arm on the back of the chair. "Eight months ago, Sophie and her sister Jane-Anne lost everything. Four months later, a young pregnant girl wandered into their restaurant. Suddenly, all hope was renewed. Jane-Anne sacrificed her life so her sister could use you, to find Davina." Elijah's voice hardened as he continued, "If Sophie Deveraux is successful in capturing Davina, she could return Jane-Anne's daughter back to life. In order to return her niece to life, Sophie Deveraux will fight to the death, that makes her more dangerous than anyone"

Athena's eyes narrowed, and her fists clenched as she said with a dark edge to her voice, "Fine by me. Bring her to me, and I'll smite her ass."

Elijah quickly interjected, "Not yet, Athena. She's still linked to Hayley, but I have a way of undoing it."

Athena nodded slowly, considering his words. "If you need help in undoing the link, I can do it."

Elijah shook his head. "While I was speaking to Davina, I promised her help in controlling her magic. This might give us the opportunity to gain her as an ally."

Athena crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful but understanding. She knew that having Davina on their side would be invaluable. "Alright," she conceded. "But if Sophie tries anything, I'm not holding back."

With a glance at Hayley, who looked worried but relieved, Elijah gave a nod of agreement, solidifying their next course of action.

Chapter Text

Athena laid back in the large tub.

The bathroom was heavy with steam, the scent of lavender filling the air as the candles flickered around the room, casting soft shadows on the walls. The warm water and bubbles soothing her skin. Her hair was pulled up into a loose bun, and she sipped her wine. The silence spell was up, making sure her moment of peace wouldn't be interrupted.

She held the phone to her ear, talking with Damon. "So, Klaus and I are official," she said casually.

Damon's voice crackled through the phone. "Mazel tov. So, how was the sex?"

Athena chuckled, rolling her eyes as she swirled the wine in her glass. "Why is it that the first thing you ask about our relationship has to do with sex?"

"Oh please, that's more interesting than asking 'how did he react when you confessed your feelings' blah, blah, blah... So I ask again how was the devils tango."

"As you'd expect from a thousand-year-old vampire... fucking hot. That reminds me, what about you and Bonnie? Any progress there?"

"What? Hell no," Damon protested. "Now who's asking about sex. I still don't get why you think we'd end up together."

Athena smirked, eyes half-closed as she relaxed. "Look, sweetie, even though I haven't been with you guys for long, I know what I saw. And what I saw was the tension between two friends who should just get screwing already. Maybe after some post-sex clarity, you'd realise the unspoken feelings you have for each other."

Damon sighed, but there was a playful undertone. "You're delusional, you know that? Besides, who says Bonnie would ever be into me like that?"

Athena grinned. "Oh, please. Who wouldn't want to get in bed with Bonnie? She's beautiful, intelligent, powerful, thoughtful... hell, if I'd met you guys sooner, I would have made a move on her myself."

"Shut up," Damon replied, though she could hear the smile in his voice. "You've got Klaus now, and if he hears you saying that, he'll get jealous faster than you can say 'love.'"

Athena chuckled and took another sip of wine. "Yeah, yeah. I'll leave you to it then. Have a little faith, Damon."

"Goodnight, my fine feathered friend."

"Goodnight, Damon."

She hung up and placed the phone on the stool that was standing next to the tub, exhaling as she sank further into the bubbles, trying to let her worries melt away. Her mind, however, wandered back to the conversations with the Originals and Hayley—the threats from the witches, the danger looming over Hayley and Klaus' unborn child. She could feel the anxiety gnawing at her, wondering where the next attack would come from. How soon until the witches made their next move?

A knock on the bathroom door broke her thoughts. She waved her hand, dispelling the silence spell. "Who is it?" she called.

"It's me, love," Klaus' voice came through the door. "May I come in?"

With a small tug of her finger, Athena magically opened the door for him. The hybrid stepped in, closing it behind him. His eyes swept over the room, taking in the soft glow of the candles and the nephilims glistening skin in the water. A smile tugged at his lips as he approached her, crouching down beside the tub.

"What's all this?" he asked with a teasing grin.

Athena groaned, resting her head back on the edge of the tub. "Just trying to find a moment of peace, clear my head... From everything going on."

Klaus chuckled softly, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?"

Athena smiled, her eyes sparkling mischievously as she leaned closer to him, her breath warm against his ear. "Well, I wouldn't mind if you joined me."

Klaus' eyes darkened with desire, a smirk curling at the corners of his lips as he looked at his girlfriend. He didn't say a word—he didn't need to. The intensity of his gaze communicated everything. He began to take off his shirt, the fabric sliding off his shoulders. His eyes never left hers, holding her captive in that intimate moment.

Athena's heart raced in anticipation, her breath hitching as her body sank further into the warmth of the water. She watched him, her eyes tracing the contours of his body as he moved toward her now fully undressed. The flickering candlelight danced on his skin, highlighting every inch of him as he finally joined her in the tub.

Klaus took his place opposite her, as she placed the Silence spell around the room once again. The rest of the world was silenced as the nephilim glided through the water, her body brushing against his as she straddled him. Her fingers traced the outline of his jaw, pulling him in as their lips met in a slow, burning kiss.

The Original hybrids hands, warm and firm, glided down her chest, finding her sensitive nipples. His fingers played with them, teasing as he twirled them between his fingers. Athena's moan slipped into the kiss, her hips instinctively rolling against him, the friction between them igniting the spark even more. Klaus trailed his lips down her throat, the heat of his breath mingling with the cool air as his fangs extended, biting into her skin. Her blood, sweet and powerful, made him groan as he drank deeply, his hand gripping her tighter as she rolled her hips again.

Athena could feel the hard press of his shaft throbbing beneath her, and she smirked, breathlessly whispering, "I see I have your attention." Her body arched, and with a deep exhale, she sank down onto him, their bodies joining in a smooth, intimate motion. Their foreheads pressed together, the heat of their breaths mingling as they locked eyes, the world narrowing to just the two of them.

The Originals voice, rough with desire, murmured, "Let me pleasure you, love."

Athena's lips curled in a playful grin as she replied, "You did it last time. Now it's my turn." She began to move her body, her hips rising and falling in a steady rhythm, her breath coming in soft pants. The water sloshed between them, spilling over the edge of the tub as the sound of their bodies colliding filled the space.

Klaus' hand found her breast again, squeezing gently as his other hand held her waist, guiding her movements. The wolfstar's fingers threaded through his hair, tugging gently as she set the pace, their moans filling the air, rising with each movement. The pleasure was building, the tension coiling between them as she rode him, her body trembling with each rise and fall.

Klaus, sensing the slight slowing of her rhythm, took control, his hips thrusting upward to meet her, hard and sure. Athena's moan turned into a gasp, her back arching as he filled her deeper, hitting every sensitive spot within her. "Fuck," she moaned, her hands gripping his shoulders as his pace became relentless, their bodies perfectly in sync. Athena managed to breathe out "What happened to me wanting to satisfy you?"

"My wolf side wouldn't allow it, love. You're my queen, and a queen deserve the best treatments." He took in her scent, sucking on the remnants of blood on her neck.

Their movements quickened, the water splashing more violently as they chased their pleasure together, each thrust, each kiss, pulling them closer to the edge. The sensation was overwhelming, consuming them both as they moved in perfect harmony, lost in the intensity of their shared desire.

Klaus' deep growl vibrated against her skin as he buried his face in her neck, their bodies trembling as the climax built, threatening to overtake them both. With one final thrust, Athena's body tensed, her nails digging into the back of his shoulders as she cried out his name, her release washing over her in waves. The hybrid followed closely behind, his body shuddering as he spilled into her, their moans blending together as they collapsed against each other.

For a moment, they stayed like that, their bodies intertwined in the warm water. The steam rising around them created a sense of intimacy and calm. Athena's fingers gently wove through Klaus' now damp hair, tracing small circles on his scalp. Klaus, in turn, nuzzled into the curve of her neck, his lips brushing her skin with a soft, contented hum.

After a beat, Klaus looked up at her, his eyes still dark with the afterglow of their shared moment. "Did that help you clear your mind?" he asked, his voice husky but playful.

The nephilim chuckled softly, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I can't answer that, because you literally just fucked my brains out." she replied, leaning down to press her lips against his in a long, lingering kiss. She could feel the tenderness in every movement as their lips molded together, the heat between them flaring once more.

When she finally pulled away, she sighed contentedly. "We should clean ourselves up," she murmured, half-heartedly attempting to move away.

But the hybrid, not quite ready to let her go, tightened his hold around her waist, pulling her back against him. "Five more minutes," he whispered against her lips before capturing her mouth again in another deep, passionate kiss. His hands roamed her back, holding her close as if he wanted to savour every second of their connection. Athena let herself melt into him, knowing they could steal a few more minutes of peace in each other's arms.

But five minutes turned to hours as it was now morning. Klaus laid beside his little wolfstar, their bodies still intertwined beneath the sheet, he reveled in the intimacy they had just shared once again. He was tracing gentle kisses across her face, neck, and chest, basking in the post-passion warmth of the room. Athena, panting softly with a sheen of sweat glistening on her skin, teased him, "That's not fair, Klaus. You have your hybrid stamina. Next time, I swear, I'll be the one finishing on top."

Klaus smirked at her playful challenge, his voice husky. "I can't promise you that, love." He kissed her again, his lips brushing hers lightly before he continued, "It brings me great joy when I'm able to satisfy you like this... The way you tug at my hair, how you call out my name, your body trembling against mine." He paused, his gaze turning more serious as he added, "Athena, love, you've allowed me to be yours even though you know about the unspeakable things I've done. You see me in a light that no one else has done in a long time. You love the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of me. I know... I'm not the proper man you probably wish I could be."

Athena smiled gently, her hand rising to cup his cheek. Her thumb stroked his skin in a soothing manner. "Sweetie," she began, her voice tender, "if you think that having sex is the only reason why I haven't left you, you're wrong." She continued, "I love you for who you are. I've seen you show compassion, I've seen your bravery, your strength, and your love. You've made me feel things I can't even begin to explain." She paused, her eyes gleaming with warmth as she added playfully, "I don't need you to be a 'proper man.' After all, a proper man wouldn't be fucking the life out of me." Her brow raised suggestively before she added more seriously, "But sure, it'd be nice if you stopped killing innocent people just to gain power or manipulate people. You're working on it, though, and that's all I could ever ask for. You're making an effort to be better. I don't need you to be perfect. Hell, even I'm not perfect."

Klaus looked at her with a mixture of adoration and disbelief, his voice quiet as he asked, "What did I do to deserve a girl like you?"

Athena chuckled softly, her eyes filled with love. Her fingers began to trail through his hair, then down to the tattoo on his left shoulder. It was a striking image, a design of a large feather disintegrating into a murder of crows, their inky black forms flying out as if the feather itself was unraveling into darkness.

As her fingers lingered on the tattoo, Athena's eyes suddenly softened. Her mind was flooded with a vivid image—Klaus holding a baby, a look of pure love and devotion on his face as he cradled the tiny bundle in his arms. The sight was so tender, so unexpected, it made her heart swell.

Athena was lounging on the couch, her book loosely clutched in her hand mid-chapter as her head drooped with the weight of sleep. She was dressed in a simple but elegant black outfit—a sleeveless dress that buttoned down the front, paired with a cropped, cable-knit sweater that added a touch of coziness to her look.  Her dark hair fell loosely around her shoulders as she shifted slightly, stirring from her nap. Rubbing her eyes, she glanced around the room, noticing that the house was unusually quiet.

Hayley walked in from the hallway, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. Athena stretched her arms and gave a tired smile, her eyes tracking Hayley's movements.

"Hey," Athena greeted, her voice still thick with sleep. "Where is everyone?"

Hayley shrugged casually, though her posture was relaxed. "I don't know. But I wouldn't worry about it. They'll be back eventually."

Athena leaned back on the couch, her lips curling into a playful grin. She could sense something different in Hayley’s mood, and her curiosity got the best of her. "I have a question for you, Hayley."

Hayley looked at Athena, slightly hesitant as she caught sight of the grin. "What is it?" she asked, knowing Athena had something mischievous in mind.

The wolfstars grin widened, her voice lowering as if she was about to share a secret. "When Elijah came home last night... what was that look on your face?"

Hayley immediately tensed, her cheeks flushing slightly. "What do you mean?" she said, trying to act nonchalant, but Athena's knowing look was hard to ignore.

"Come on," Athena leaned forward, her grin now mischievous. "Please tell me it was what I think it was."

Hayley sighed, rolling her eyes with a smile. "Was I that obvious?"

Athena chuckled. "You didn't need to be. The chemistry between you two was sparking. Trust me, I'm pretty sure Elijah finds you attractive—just as I suspect you find him." Athena teased, her eyes lighting up with amusement. "I mean, when it comes to my own love life I'm pretty oblivious when someone has a crush on me but I noticed the way the two of you look at each other."

Hayley crossed her arms, biting her lip as if debating whether to admit something or brush it off. "Elijah is... complicated," she finally said, a hint of frustration in her voice. "But there's something about him. He's just—"

"Intense? Polite? Devoted?" Athena filled in, raising her eyebrows. "I mean, you don't have to convince me. I've known him for years. The man's a living example of chivalry. And let's face it, he's handsome."

Hayley laughed softly, though a bit of tension still hung around her. "It's just... everything's so messy right now. The baby, Klaus, all these witches and vampires at each other's throats... I don't even know where Elijah and I could stand in the middle of it."

Athena nodded, her smile softening into something more understanding. "I get it. It's overwhelming, but trust me, if anyone can navigate through this chaos, it's Elijah. He's always had a way of keeping things together when everything's falling apart."

Hayley sighed, her hesitation crumbling as she admitted, "But after what happened last night..." She trailed off, as if unsure whether to continue.

Athena's curiosity piqued. She leaned forward again, her grin fading slightly but her interest growing. "What happened last night?"

Hayley hesitated for a moment before blurting out, "I slapped him."

Athena's eyes widened as a snort of laughter escaped her lips. "You what?" she repeated, her voice a mix of shock and amusement.

Hayley laughed nervously, rubbing the back of her neck. "It just made sense in that moment. He promised to protect me, and then he just... vanished. So, I kind of... slapped him and told him not to make promises he couldn’t keep."

Hayley sighed and sat down next to Athena, clearly appreciating the advice but still unsure. "And what about you and Klaus? How's that going."

Athena smiled fondly at the mention of Klaus, her expression softening. "It's going good. Great, even."

Hayley observed her for a moment before saying, "You two have this... dynamic. He seems different around you. Less... well, less like Klaus. How do you do it?"

Athena shrugged, her gaze distant as she tried to find the words. "Ever since I met the Mikaelsons, it's felt like there's this... faint string that's always been there, pulling us together. Like the universe is trying to bring us closer." She paused, her smile growing warmer. "But the connection with Klaus? It's always been stronger. I don't know how to explain it. It's just... there. Like I've always trusted him, known him in some way."

The wolf nodded thoughtfully. "It sounds like you and Klaus are kind of like magnets...being pulled together no matter what. It's strange, but it works."

Athena chuckled softly. "Yeah, something like that."

Hayley, seeing the depth of the bond Athena shared with Klaus, gave her a knowing smile. "The way you two look at each other. Even though he's... well, Klaus, you seem to have a calming effect on him."

Athena smiled at that, the warmth in her chest growing as she thought of the hybrid. "I think he just needed someone who saw past the monster he believes himself to be," she said softly. "And honestly, I needed someone who understood my own darkness. We fit together... in all the ways that matter."

Hayley grinned, teasing once again. "That's kind of disgustingly romantic, Athena."

Athena chuckled, playfully rolling her eyes. "Oh, shut up. You're just jealous because Elijah's not going to be whipped for you soon enough." For a moment, the two women sat in comfortable silence, the warmth of their conversation lingering between them.

As the night settled, a soft breeze blew through the open windows of the house. Klaus had quietly slipped into Athena's room, where he found her seated on her bed, writing away in her notebook. The low glow of the bedside lamp illuminated her as her pencil danced across the page.

Without looking up, the wolfstar asked with a playful tone, "Where have you been all day?"

Klaus leaned against the doorframe, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.. "Have you been missing me, love?" he teased.

Athena blushed slightly, though she tried to keep her tone casual. "No," she said with a small chuff. "Just curious. What were you doing?"

"I was out and about in the French Quarter," the Original began, his smirk deepening. "Buying a few treats for our date tonight."

Athena sat up straighter, her sketchbook momentarily forgotten. "A date?" she echoed, her eyebrows raised.

Klaus nodded and extended his hand to her. "Come with me."

With a smile, Athena closed her notebook, slid off the bed, and took his hand. The hybrid led her outside, through the back of the house, and toward a spot in the yard. As they neared, the nephilims breath hitched in surprise. Before them was a beautifully set table with a pristine white tablecloth, candles as the centerpiece, and additional large candles placed around the grass, casting a soft, romantic glow. A buffet table stood to the side, filled with a variety of dishes, while two waiters—compelled by Klaus, no doubt—stood ready to serve them. The waiters, dressed in formal white button-down shirts, black ties and trousers, and polished shoes, waited patiently with serene expressions.

Athena gasped softly, clearly taken aback by the effort Klaus had put into the evening. "This is beautiful," she whispered, almost in disbelief. No one had ever treated her like this.

Klaus smiled, his eyes soft as he pulled out the chair for her to sit. "Only the best for my queen," he said as she sat down.

Her eyes wide with amazement as she glanced at the spread of food. The buffet table boasted some of New Orleans' finest desserts, 

Athena looked at the spread of food and laughed lightly. "That’s a lot of food."

Klaus chuckled, taking his seat across from her. "I figured a bit of everything would suit us."

They ordered a variety of foods, with Athena choosing small portions of each item and pairing it with a glass of wine. As they ate, the conversation flowed effortlessly, just as it always did with them.

As they continued to eat, Athena shared more stories about her travels when they became separated, and Klaus filling her in on the stories of his time in New Orleans. As well as with tales of his long life. The conversation turned more personal, with each exchange revealing layers of affection they held for one another.

Once they had finished eating, Athena took a deep breath, taking in everything Klaus had done for her. She stood, her eyes shining with emotion, and walked over to him. Without saying a word, she took his hand and gently pulled him to his feet.

"What are you doing, love?" he asked, though amusement tinged his voice.

Athena wrapped one arm around his neck, interlocking her fingers with his right hand. "Dance with me," she said softly, swaying them both gently.

Klaus chuckled softly as his arm wrapped securely around Athena's waist, drawing her close until there was barely any space left between them. They began to sway, their movements slow and deliberate, as if the world had melted away and left them in their own private moment. Each step was in perfect harmony, an unspoken connection guiding their bodies in sync. The nephilims eyes began to glow faintly, a soft celestial light radiating from within her, and her magic instinctively wove itself into the night.

Fireflies began to materialize around them, their small, glowing bodies flickering with warmth, floating lazily in the air, casting a soft golden glow that illuminated the space around them. The gentle breeze carried the glow of the illusion she created, making the moment even more magical. The light from the fireflies reflected in the Originals eyes, making him pause in awe at the beauty of it all.

"You just had to upstage me, didn't you?" Klaus murmured, his voice low but filled with playful admiration. His grin spread across his face as his gaze met hers. His usual smirk, often laced with arrogance and danger, was replaced with something softer, something far more sincere.

Athena's lips curled into a smile, her arms sliding up now wrapped gently around his neck. "I can't help it," she teased, her voice soft and melodic. "You inspire me." Her words lingered in the air, intimate and filled with meaning. The fireflies continued their delicate dance around them, their light shimmering like stars above.

Athena smiled, resting her head against his chest, her heart full. "Thank you for tonight, sweetie," she murmured. "It's wonderful."

Klaus pressed a kiss to her temple, his voice soft in reply. "You deserve nothing less."

They simply danced in silence, breathing in each other's presence. Finally, the nephilim pulled back slightly, gazing up at him. "I love you, Klaus," she said softly, her words filled with sincerity.

Klaus looked down at her, his eyes full of warmth and affection. "I love you too, my little wolfstar."

Their lips met in tender kisses, the fireflies continuing to twirl around them. Time seemed to lose meaning as they stayed wrapped in each other's arms, swaying under the stars, their love the only thing that mattered. Athena leaned her head against Klaus' chest again, and he rested his chin atop her head. Both of them breathing in the calm serenity that only the other could provide.

Chapter Text

Athena never felt so much love and contentment as she did in the past few weeks.

The house had been peaceful, and she took solace in the small, everyday moments. Yet, despite this tranquility, she couldn't fully rid herself of the underlying anxiety gnawing at her. It wasn't something she voiced aloud, especially not when Klaus had begun opening up more. He would often rant about his concerns, and Athena was there, listening and comforting him in the ways she knew best—whether through touch or through thoughtful words. She was his rock, steady amidst the storm of his thoughts.

During this time, Hayley began to show more prominently, her pregnancy becoming a central part of their lives. The nephilim, who had spent many checkups with Hayley, couldn't help but think back to her own lost pregnancy centuries ago. The grief still lingered in the corners of her heart, a quiet sorrow she rarely spoke of, but one that made her more protective of the wolf and the unborn child. The growing bond between them became clear in their daily routines.

Today, Athena wore a loose, burgundy off-shoulder sweater that rested casually against her skin, paired with black high-waisted jeans that complemented her lithe figure. She sat comfortably on the couch, as she felt the steady rhythm of Klaus breathing against her lap. The peacefulness of their shared moment was something she'd come to treasure. His poetry book rested in his hand, and she absentmindedly twirled her fingers through his hair, her thoughts drifting as she read her own thriller novel.

Athena's thoughts were pulled back to the present when Rebekah's voice broke the silence. "What are you doing with mother's spell book?" Her sharp tone interrupted their peace, and both Athena and Klaus turned to face her, surprised by the sudden reminder of her presence.

Elijah, standing by the table behind the couch, glanced up from the ancient tome, his expression calm as ever. "In exchange for my freedom, I promised the witch Davina that I would share a few pages from mother's grimoire. It will help her learn to control her magic. I thought we'd begin with a little unlinking spell."

As the older Original carefully tore a page from the book, folding it neatly in a cloth and slipping it into his pocket, Athena leaned forward slightly, her brow furrowed with concern. "You know," she said, her voice soft but pointed, "I told you before, I can do the spell. All you need to do is bring Sophie here."

Elijah gave her a patient smile, understanding her desire to protect Hayley and the unborn child. "Sophie brought us to this town under false pretenses," he explained. "She doesn't just want us to take Marcel down; she wants to reclaim Davina. She yoked her cause to ours with magic, threats, and half-truths. We know more now, and as of this moment, our deal with Sophie Deveraux is null and void."

Klaus chuckled, clearly enjoying the idea of breaking the tenuous alliance they had with Sophie. Athena, though still concerned, smiled softly at Elijah's resolve. "I trust what you're doing, sweetie, but if something happens to Hayley because you waited all this time to go to Davina instead of asking me..." She trailed off with a teasing smirk. "Ooh, you better watch it."

The hybrid laughed at Athena's playful threat, the tension in the room lightened by her warmth. Elijah returned her smile with a nod, appreciative of her trust. "Niklaus, I need you to come with me," Elijah said as he stood straighter, preparing for the task ahead. "I need five minutes alone with Davina, and you need to make certain I'm not interrupted. Meanwhile," he turned his gaze to Rebekah and Athena, "the two of you stay here and keep an eye on Hayley."

Rebekah crossed her arms, rolling her eyes in irritation. "How did I get elected to be the supernanny when Hayley already has a guardian angel?" she quipped, gesturing toward Athena, who raised an amused brow.

Klaus rose from Athena's lap, his expression teasing as he replied, "More importantly, who put him in charge?" He placed a quick kiss on Athena's lips before following Elijah out of the room, leaving a lingering warmth in the air.

As soon as the brothers left, Athena turned to Rebekah with a smirk. "Guardian angel, huh?"

Rebekah shrugged, her tone light but sincere. "Well, you kinda are, aren't you? Always watching over her, making sure she's safe."

Athena chuckled softly, shaking her head at Rebekah's comment, and leaned back against the couch, picking up her book again. "I suppose," she said with a wry smile, though the amusement lingered on her face longer than she expected. But the curiosity gnawed at her as she glanced back at Rebekah. "Do you think Elijah is acting like this to impress Hayley?"

Rebekah gave her a knowing look, her lips curling into a smirk. "Oh, definitely. Elijah's so head over heels for Hayley that he's practically tripping over himself to impress her. If he were truly that concerned with helping Davina or breaking the link, he would've found a way long ago, and you know it."

Athena's brow furrowed thoughtfully as she set the book down on her lap. "Right. I didn't remove the spell because Hayley said she was staying, and since then, we haven't talked about anything—especially not about me teaching Davina some spells. But I guess that's out of the question now."

Rebekah sighed and crossed her arms, clearly annoyed by the situation. "Elijah was stuck in Marcel's grasp along with Davina. He needed to play his cards right, and unfortunately, he chose to make a promise that didn't involve you, despite how valuable your time is helping Hayley instead of babysitting the teen witch."

Before Athena could respond, Rebekah suddenly tensed, her vampire hearing picking up something distant—a yelp of pain. Her head snapped in the direction of the sound, and without hesitation, she bolted out of the room and up the stairs. Athena followed closely behind, her heart pounding with concern.

"What the hell was that?" Rebekah demanded as she stormed into the room where Hayley stood, wincing and rubbing her neck.

Hayley, looking equally confused and a bit shaken, glanced at Rebekah and Athena. "Hell if I know. It felt like I was being stabbed."

Athena stepped forward, her gaze softening as she examined the small spot of blood on Hayley's neck. "Let me see." She gently inspected the area, her fingers brushing over the wound. "It's not deep," she murmured, her eyes narrowing in thought.

"Do you think it's something to do with the link?" Hayley asked, trying to make sense of the sudden pain.

"Maybe," Athena mused. "It could be Sophie accidentally hurting herself, or maybe Davina's doing something with the spell. You said it felt like being stabbed?"

Hayley nodded. "Yeah, but not like a knife—more like a sharp prick, like a needle or something."

Rebekah patted Hayley's arm, her tone lightening slightly. "How about you sit down while I go and fetch the demon spawn something to snack on?" She smirked at her own joke, though there was an edge of concern in her voice.

Hayley rolled her eyes but managed a small laugh. "I really wish you wouldn't call her that."

The Original raised an eyebrow, teasing. "Oh, I'm sorry. Have you picked another name yet?"

With a playful smirk, Rebekah headed downstairs to fetch something for Hayley, leaving the nephilim with the wolf in the room. Athena helped Hayley sit down in the armchair, her face tense with concern. She couldn't shake the bad feeling in her stomach as she asked, "Are you feeling anything now?" Her voice was soft but firm. She crouched down next to the chair as she held out the mama wolfs wrist, preparing to check her vitals.

Hayley looked at her, her voice trying to sound calm, though a faint edge of unease crept in. "I don't feel anything now, Athena. I think I'm okay… but I'll tell you if something happens."

Athena nodded, "Alright, sweetie, I need you to just sit still, focus on your breathing, and don't talk for me."  Her fingers, gentle but precise, pressed against Hayley's wrist, feeling the steady throb of her pulse under her fingertips. She counted quietly, her brow furrowing slightly. "Your heart rate is normal," Athena noted, but the tension in her voice remained. Something felt off, and before she could dive deeper into the cause, Rebekah strode into the room with a bowl full of apples.

"Here, each of you take one. The plantation is lousy with them," Rebekah said nonchalantly, holding out the bowl.

Hayley took an apple but paused before she bit into it. She turned to Rebekah, smirking a little, "You know, when I first met you, I thought you were a real bitch."

Rebekah raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement playing on her lips. "What changed your mind?"

"Oh, I still think you're a bitch," Hayley replied, grinning, "I've just grown to like that about you."

The vampire chuckled. "Well, that's sweet of you."

Athena smiled, chiming in, "When I first met Rebekah, she was anything but a bitch. She had flowers braided into her hair and that cute smile of hers. I thought she was pure... and now she's a pure bitch." She gave Rebekah a teasing smirk.

Rebekah flicked the wolfstar on the forehead playfully. "Ow! What was that for?" Athena protested, rubbing her forehead.

Rebekah's expression grew more serious. "Remember it when I'm gone."

Both Athena and Hayley's smiles faltered. "Gone? Where are you going?" Hayley asked, her tone shifting to concern.

Rebekah crossed her arms, glancing at the two of them. "I only came to town to make sure everything was alright with Elijah. He's fine, and he hasn't punished Klaus for daggering him so, as usual, they'll be thick as thieves and I'll be left to clean up the mess. It's time for me to fly the coop."

The two girls exchanged a quick, surprised glance."Oh…" Hayley muttered, visibly disappointed. She tried to distract herself by biting into the apple, but suddenly, she grimaced, her face paling as dizziness seemed to wash over her.

Rebekah frowned. "What's wrong?"

The wolf shook her head, her hand going to her stomach. "I… I don't know. Maybe it's morning sickness?"

Athena immediately stood, worry blooming on her face once more as she placed the back of her hand on Hayley's forehead. "You're burning up," Athena said, her voice laced with alarm. She turned to Rebekah, all business now. "Get Hayley to lie down on the bed. I'm going to call Klaus."

The Original sister hurriedly helped Hayley move toward the bed as Athena stepped out of the room as she called Klaus. After a few rings, he picked up.

Athena's voice was tight. "Something's wrong with Hayley. Her temperature's spiking. What's the update on the unlinking spell?"

The hybrids voice was filled with frustration. "We just left Sophie Deveraux. I'm afraid we've got bad news, love. The witches stabbed her with a cursed needle—something called the Needle of Sorrows. It's—"

Athena interrupted, her mind racing as the memory of old texts flashed through her mind. "It's meant to raise the mother's blood temperature until it kills the fetus in utero." She could barely believe what she was saying as she placed a hand over her eyes recalling.

"How do you know this?" Klaus' voice was tight with urgency.

"I've read about it a couple of years ago. When I was researching any knowledge and events that had developed, changed or were simply unknown to me since being absent from this world along with the supernatural…" Athena's voice trailed off. She then thought of her miscarriage, the scars it left on her soul, she did not want the same thing to happen to Hayley. Klaus, sensing the weight of her words, paused.

"Are you alright, love?" he asked gently.

She shook her head, her voice steely with resolve. "I'm not the one you should be worried about, Klaus. You and Elijah need to make sure Davina breaks the link before nightfall. I'll do everything I can to slow down the fever.

She hung up and muttered, "Fuck," under her breath, pressing her hand against her forehead, trying to steady herself. Athena didn't have time to process. She needed to act. She stormed back into the room now in 'doctor mode', both Rebekah and Hayley looking at her with anxious eyes, having overheard enough of the conversation.

"Alright, sweetie, here's what's going to happen," Athena said, her voice calm but firm. "This is going to feel very uncomfortable, but we need to lower your body temperature. The fever is being caused by magic from the witches, and your body's trying to compensate by dilating your blood vessels. But because of the hex, the heat isn't going anywhere anytime soon. I'll use my magic to cool your body, to force your blood vessels to constrict and keep the heat down, but it's going to be intolerable. We have until nightfall meaning we don't have much time, but I'm going to do everything I can to help you and the baby."

Giving out instructions with a steady voice, she turned to Rebekah and said, "Go fill the tub with as much ice as you can and get the air conditioner as cold as it can be."

Rebekah nodded, rushing to the bathroom, her usually poised demeanor breaking under the pressure. Athena remained calm, but the urgency in her movements betrayed her concern. She grabbed a pencil from Hayley's desk and tied her hair up into a makeshift ponytail, her movements swift and purposeful.

Hayley, looking pale, turned to Athena, her voice shaky. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?" she asked, her words laced with fear.

Athena offered a reassuring smile, though her eyes flickered with the weight of what she was about to attempt. "I've done similar spells before, to keep people from dying from fevers," she said. "This one however will be harder, but not impossible. Our only hope is that we have to rely on Davina breaking the link."

Athena sat beside Hayley on the bed and placed a cool hand on her forehead, her fingertips glowing faintly with magic. She began to chant in a low, melodic voice, "Sinome ij boroft gwing nia c-blans hrondo," sending waves of cooling energy through Hayley's body.

Hayley whimpered in pain, her muscles stiffening as the discomfort grew. Athena's tone softened, adopting a motherly tone as she tried to calm her friend. "Try to relax, Hayley. Your body needs to rest. I can't put you to sleep; that would give the witches the upper hand. Just hold on, breathe deeply and steadily. Exhale as much air as you can. Focus on the heat leaving your lungs."

Hayley, though terrified, attempted to do as she was told, breathing deeply and steadily, but her anxiety made it difficult. She clenched her jaw, trying to suppress her panic, her chest heaving with the effort.

Elijah arrived almost fifteen minutes later with Sophie Deveraux at his side. Without needing to be told, he rushed to Hayley's side, concern etched across his usually stoic face. The nephilim, still focused on her spell, looked up at him as he approached. "Help me move her to the bathroom," she instructed. "Rebekah's preparing an ice bath."

He moved swiftly, lifting Hayley carefully in his arms, carrying her into the bathroom where Rebekah had filled the tub with ice-cold water. As Elijah gently lowered the wolf into the bath, Athena knelt beside the tub, rolling up her sleeves as she placed her hands on Hayley's forehead again, continuing to chant.

The room was filled with tension, the sound of Hayley's labored breathing and the occasional whimper echoing against the walls. Athena paused her chant for a moment and looked at Elijah, concern etched in her voice. "Any news on Davina's progress with the spell?" she asked, her eyes locking with his.

Elijah's voice was strained but steady. "Davina will break that link. We just need time."

Rebekah, standing near the door, clearly unhappy with Sophie's presence, glared at her brother. "What the hell is she doing here?" she spat, her tone sharp with anger.

The witch, holding up her hands defensively, responded quickly, "I'm trying to help."

The sister wasn't having any of it. "Help? You're the reason we're in this bloody mess to begin with!" she snapped, her frustration bubbling over.

The nephilim, trying to remain focused but growing tired of the tension in the room, chimed in. "Rebekah's right, Elijah. Sophie is only good for letting us know if the link between them has lifted. Otherwise, she's not much help. Just keep her away from Hayley. The closer she is, the more the magic intensifies." Her voice was steady but edged with a hint of exhaustion as she continued to channel her magic.

Sophie winced at Athena's words but didn't argue, stepping back slightly, clearly feeling the weight of the blame placed on her. Elijah moved toward Athena, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Stay strong," he said quietly, his voice full of conviction. Athena nodded but kept her focus on Hayley, whispering more spells under her breath.

As the cold water sloshed in the ice bath, Athena's focus unwavering. The tension in the air was thick as she pressed the cold, wet cloth to Hayley's forehead. Her voice remained steady and soothing, despite her growing frustration at the persistent fever. "Breathe, sweetie," Athena said softly, her calmness a sharp contrast to the panic in Hayley's voice. "We've got to slow your heart rate down, your whole body except your head is submerged in the water. Let it do its work—let the water calm you."

Hayley shuddered, her face pale as beads of sweat glisten on her skin. Weakly, she muttered, "I feel sick, Athena. It's so cold, it's like I'm being stabbed."

The new winced in sympathy, her heart aching to see her friend suffer like this. "I know it feels unbearable," she murmured, dabbing the cloth on Hayley's flushed skin, "but it has to be cold or else you'll burn up from the inside. Your blood vessels are being strained, but the spell won't let them rupture. You're strong, Hayley—just hold on a little longer."

She turned her head slightly to face Elijah, who was pacing near the door, visibly agitated. "I thought your brother would be here by now," Athena added with a note of frustration. "Where the hell is he?"

Elijah's voice was tight with worry as he responded, "I assume he's dealing with the witches." His pacing didn't stop, his brow furrowed in deep concern. "You should have broken the link earlier," he said, his voice betraying a hint of blame.

Athena's eyes flashed with a mix of hurt and frustration. "Excuse me?" she said, annoyance creeping into her tone. "Don't put this on me. No one told me to break the link, Elijah. I thought we were keeping it intact to ensure Sophie's cooperation. I offered to break it weeks ago, even this morning, but you said you'd handle it." She shook her head, her eyes softening despite her frustration. "I listened because I trust you. We could have avoided all of this if we had just done it sooner."

Elijah stopped pacing, the guilt settling in. He opened his mouth to apologise, but before he could speak, Hayley gasped, clutching her chest. Panic spread across her face as she struggled to breathe. "I can't—I can't breathe!" Hayley sat up, her body trying to escape the icy water, her breath coming in sharp gasps.

Athena acted quickly, her hands gently but firmly guiding Hayley back down into the water. "Yes, you can," she said firmly. "You're breathing right now, sweetie. You're doing great." She held Hayley's hand tightly and placed it over her chest, her voice gentle but steady. "Follow my lead. Breathe in… and breathe out… in… and out."

The wolfs breathing began to slow as she mirrored Athena's rhythm. The rise and fall of the nephilims chest gave her something to focus on, grounding her in the moment. A hint of a smile appeared on Athena's lips, her hand resting on Hayley's head with a tenderness that spoke volumes.

Suddenly, Sophie rushed in, her eyes wide. "I just felt it lift," she said, relief evident in her voice.

Athena smiled in response, relieved that the worst seemed to be over. She turned back to Hayley, her voice light with reassurance. "See, sweetie? That's why you got too cold just now, but it's nothing we can't fix."

She helped Hayley out of the tub, careful and gentle as she wrapped a towel around her. Athena glanced over her shoulder at Elijah. "Can we have some private, please?" she asked softly.

The Original nodded, giving her a half-smile filled with gratitude before he left the room with Sophie. Once the door closed to Hayley's bedroom, Athena whispered a quick spell, "Urtienor," warming the wolfs body instantly, drying her from the inside out.

"There we go," she said with a smile, brushing the damp hair from Hayley's face. "Good as new." Hayley smiled weakly in return, grateful for friends care and unwavering support.

As she helped Hayley exit her room, the two made their way into the living area where Sophie was speaking urgently with Elijah. The witches tone was filled with panic as she pleaded, "As soon as your brother finds out that the link is broken, he'll kill Agnes. I know you don't owe me anything, but please don't let him kill her."

Athena cut into the conversation sharply, her eyes narrowing. "Why should we let her live when she's made it her mission to kill Hayley's baby?"

Sophie turned toward Athena, her voice desperate but defensive. "She's our only access to the power we need to survive. Without Agnes, we have nothing." She turned back to Elijah, pleading again, "Promise me that you'll stop him, Elijah. Please."

The Original vampires gaze lingered on Sophie before flickering briefly to his old friend. He sighed and pulled out his phone, dialing Klaus. "It's me, where are you?"

On the other end, Klaus' voice was casual but edged with menace. "Having a nice little chat with our dear witch friend, Agnes, at St. Anne's Church. Why?"

Elijah remained calm but firm. "Don't hurt her. I'll be there shortly."

Sophie let out a breath of relief, but it was short-lived as Hayley stepped forward, her eyes dark with anger. "Seriously?" she said, her voice low and filled with contempt. "I know you were just using me to save your people, but try that again, and I'll kill you myself."

The intensity in Hayley's tone left no room for doubt, and Sophie's eyes widened in fear. Without another word, Hayley walked away, her posture tense and brimming with restrained fury while the wolfstar smirked at her words.

Turning back to Sophie, Athena added, her voice laced with disappointment, "I thought you were better than this. You could have just told us the truth from the beginning. Lying only makes things worse. We might have been more willing to help if you hadn't tried to manipulate us."

The witch averted her gaze, guilt clearly written on her face. "I think I should be heading home now," she murmured, barely able to meet her eyes.

Athena nodded, watching Sophie leave before making her way to the living room where the wolf had already collapsed onto the couch. With a tired exhale, Athena plopped down next to her, resting her feet on the coffee table as they both took a moment to decompress.

"Thanks for saving me. Again," Hayley muttered with exhaustion.

Athena grinned, holding out her palm playfully. "Anytime, sweetie."

Hayley chuckled and gave her a high five. "What now?" she asked, still a bit shaken but trying to settle into a sense of normalcy.

Athena leaned back, smirking. "Well, now that you're away from death's door, how about we watch something?" She paused, a thoughtful look crossing her face. "I'll grab the laptop," but she didn't move right away.

Hayley raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you supposed to get up for that?"

The wolfstar simply smiled and lifted her hand, waiting. A second later, the laptop flew into her hand, and she gave Hayley a cocky smirk. "There you go."

Hayley shook her head in amusement. "I wish I could do that."

The nephilim chuckled, opening the laptop. "So, what movie shall we watch?"

She shrugged, clearly not invested in the decision. "You pick."

Athena sighed dramatically. "You know it's going to take us an hour to decide. By the time we pick something, one of us will probably fall asleep."

The wolf smiled, knowing she was right. "Like last time."

"Exactly," Athena said. "How about we start watching a series instead? Ooh, I know—NCIS."

Hayley made a face. "Do we have to?"

"Oh, come on! It's a good show. Just one episode, please?"

Hayley rolled her eyes but relented. "Fine, one episode."

The nephilim grinned like a child who'd won a prize. "Great!"

As they watched the show, Hayley found herself unable to shake the memories of the witches' attack. She muttered under her breath, "Fucking witches."

Athena glanced at her, then back at the screen. "Tell me about it. The witches I've ran into were mostly outcasts, loyal in their own way. But there were always a few power-hungry ones—like these New Orleans witches. The fact that they practice ancestral magic makes them dangerous. They can lose their power at any moment, which only makes them more unpredictable and desperate."

The was a knock at the front door, both Athena and Hayley exchanged glances before getting up. Athena took the lead, her natural cautiousness kicking in. She swung the door open to see Josh standing there, looking awkward and a bit nervous.

"Hey, is Klaus here?" Josh asked, his tone betraying his anxiety.

Athena shook her head, her eyes narrowing slightly. "No, he's not," she replied evenly.

The young vampire sighed in frustration. "Well, where is he? I've been trying to find him all day. Marcel knows that Klaus lied about where he lives." His words were hurried, like he was in a rush to relay the message.

Hayley, from behind Athena, folded her arms with clear annoyance. "We're not his damn keeper, Josh."

He looked from one to the other, his face growing more desperate. "Fine, just… just tell him to call me, please." His plea carried a hint of fear, and Athena exchanged a knowing look with Hayley.

"Okay," she said with an exasperated sigh, pressing her lips into a smile just to end the conversation. Athena shut the door after he left, and they both walked back to their seats, only to hear another knock at the door almost immediately.

They groaned in unison. Hayley stood up first, muttering under her breath as she made her way back to the door. "Ugh, what the hell, Josh?" she said, irritated, as she swung the door open.

But instead of Josh, a different voice greeted her. "Hi. I'm Marcel, I don't think we've met."

Hayley froze for a moment, her eyes widening. Athena immediately stood up, her calm exterior masking the rising tension inside her. Marcel? Here? She had hoped they wouldn't have to deal with him, at least not like this.

Athena's heart raced, but she maintained her composure, stepping closer to the door. Marcel's gaze shifted from the wolf to the nephilim, and a smirk spread across his face. "Ah, now there's a person I've met before. Athena," he greeted smoothly, his voice filled with a false friendliness that sent alarms through her mind. "Good to see you again."

Athena crossed her arms, her stance guarded. "Marcel," she replied coolly, her voice edged with suspicion. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I was feeling nostalgic," Marcel said with a hint of sarcasm, looking around as if reminiscing. "So I took a trip out here to the plantation where I used to be a slave, only to find out the Originals and their guard dog took up residence." His tone dripped with bitterness, though he kept his smile intact.

Before Athena could respond, Marcel gave a sharp whistle. Suddenly, two vampires appeared behind her, flanking her on both sides. It all happened in a flash—Athena turned to react, but one of Marcel's minions grabbed her from behind, snapping her neck before she could fight back.

Hayley gasped, her eyes widening in horror. She barely had time to process what was happening before the other vampire knocked her unconscious with a swift blow to the back of her head.

As both women crumpled to the floor, Marcel stood over them, his smirk now gone, replaced by a hardened expression. He stepped over their bodies, his eyes gleaming with calculated intent. "Get her outta here," he ordered his men as he looked down at the nephilim.

Chapter Text

Athena awoke to a throbbing pain, her head pounding like a relentless drum.

Her vision was blurred, and her body was cold and damp, hanging limply in chains that cut into her wrists and ankles. Her dark brown hair, that was neat and controlled, fell around her face like a veil, sticking to her bloodied cheeks. A low groan escaped her lips as she tried to move, only to feel the sharp tug of the chains that bound her. The room was dimly lit, the floor beneath her wet with a dark pool of her own blood.

She could feel the warmth of it seeping through her clothes, the scent of copper thick in the air. She struggled to focus, her mind clouded by the pain and the constant pressure of her migraine. A voice broke through the haze, causing her to turn her head weakly.

"Athena Mourningstar, finally you're awake," Marcel said, stepping closer with a smirk on his face. "I thought you'd have healed by now with all that power. But I guess I was mistaken."

Athena coughed weakly, her voice hoarse. "What have you done with Hayley?" she rasped, her throat dry and raw.

He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms casually as if this were just another conversation. "Your little brunette friend? She's fine. She woke up with a slight headache, but nothing major." His tone was indifferent, which made Athena's blood boil beneath her weak exterior.

He continued, "You know, I heard an interesting little tidbit while you were knocked out cold. Hayley, carrying Klaus' child? Now that was a shock. I mean, didn't Klaus introduce you as his girl? Tell me... does that piss you off? Knowing he's having a baby with someone else?"

The wolfstar, though exhausted and in pain, mustered enough strength to glare at him. Her voice, though weak, was steady. "Klaus is my boyfriend, and Hayley is the mother of his child. No, it doesn't piss me off. She's my friend, and we were having a nice, quiet night before all of this... inconvenience." She gave him a pointed look. "But why do you care, Marcel?"

Marcel smirked again, his casual demeanor unchanged. "No matter. You're the one I wanted to talk to anyway."

Athena scoffed, wincing as the chains pulled at her wrists. "Great. Let me out of these chains, then we can have a chat like civilised people."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "I don't think so, especially now that I know you single-handedly took out most of the men I sent after you all those months back. Sorry about that, by the way. I didn't realise who I was dealing with."

She gave a mocking smile through her pain. "Oh, is that why I'm chained up? Because you wanted to apologise?" Her voice was laced with sarcasm. "Well, apology accepted. Now, let me go, sweetie."

His expression hardened slightly. "In due time." His eyes gleamed with curiosity. "But first, I want to know what you know about the baby."

Athena was caught off guard by the vampires question. She furrowed her brows in confusion as she replied, "Well, I know it's a tribrid—part witch, part wolf, part vampire. Why?" She could see the gleam in his eyes as he slid a chair across the floor and sat down in front of her, his smirk growing more prominent.

"You don't know about the kid being able to sire hybrids, do you?" he asked, watching her reaction carefully.

Athena scoffed, thinking it was some twisted joke, but the look on his face told her otherwise. Disbelief washed over her. "You're kidding," she said, her voice wavering slightly.

The vampires smirk didn't waver. "Oh, I'm not kidding. You didn't know? Do you want to know what I did to you friend?" He leaned forward, his voice dropping conspiratorially. "I gave her to your mutual friend, Tyler Lockwood, to test a theory. Don't worry, he didn't hurt her. He just wanted to prove his theory that the child she's carrying has the power to make more hybrids."

The nephilims breath hitched as her disbelief deepened. "You seriously believe Klaus would do that?" She gave him a look, half exasperated, half incredulous. "Sweetie, if Klaus wanted more hybrids, he'd have them already."

Marcel began pacing the room, clearly enjoying the control he thought he had. "Tyler told me how your boyfriend killed all his hybrids. How do you explain that?"

Athena's voice became soft, yet firm as she spoke, "I've been told that it was a stupid trick," she began, "I know that over in Mystic Falls, they're dealing with a man named Silas and these witches, the Travelers. During my time with Hayley, she told me how she was manipulated into getting the hybrids unsired, and in Klaus' anger, he killed them. That was done to ensure Silas could rise, and he did, becoming a problem for my friends back there."

She sighed, her thoughts drifting momentarily to her doppelganger friend. "My friend Elena, she's the doppelganger. She probably wouldn't have minded giving Klaus more blood if it meant he would leave her alone. And with my help—manipulating the blood, multiplying the amount given—I could have easily made more for Klaus. But you know why I haven't done that?"

She leaned forward slightly, her tone becoming more intimate, as if letting him in on a secret. "Because Klaus understands something now. Hybrids aren't what he really wanted or needed. He started making hybrids because he thought he was going to be alone forever."

Her eyes darkened as she continued, her voice taking on a somber edge. "But Mikael is dead, and so are two of his brothers. And while his family isn't miraculously better, Klaus is starting to realise that no one is abandoning him. He doesn't want more hybrids. He doesn't need them."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with truth and conviction, as if daring anyone to challenge her. The tension between them was palpable, but she held her composure despite the suffering from her wounds. Marcel's curiosity deepened as he listened to her words. There was an undeniable strength in her calmness, a strength that spoke of experience, survival, and, most intriguingly, understanding Klaus in a way that few could.

"But I've seen that monster firsthand. I've seen the way he rips through anyone who stands in his way, the way he manipulates and uses everyone around him for his own gain. You're either delusional or... something else entirely." He stepped closer, his voice dropping, as though testing her resolve. "Tell me, what makes you so sure he won't use that kid? He's a survivor. He'll do anything to secure his power."

Athena steadied her breathing, refusing to show how much his words or her pain affected her. She met his gaze, unwavering. "Because I've seen him at his worst and his most vulnerable. Klaus thrives on fear, yes, but that's because he's spent his whole life in fear—of Mikael, of being betrayed, abused, of losing the only people he's ever loved. The hybrids were just a way to shield himself from that fear. But now... now things are different."

Marcel raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Different how?"

Athena smiled softly, her voice steady yet full of an unspoken understanding. "For the first time, he's got something real to fight for. Not just power, not just control—family. That child represents something Klaus never thought he could have; unconditional love. And I know, without a doubt, that he won't let anything or anyone harm her. He'll burn this city to the ground before he lets anyone use her for their own selfishness."

Marcel paced again, clearly frustrated. He was not getting through to her, between her understanding of Klaus as a tyrant and this new, almost human version of him that Athena described. "You sound so certain... It's like you think you can save him from himself."

Athena shook her head gently, her tone soft but firm. "I'm not here to save Klaus. I'm here to remind him of who he is beneath all that fear and anger. He wants to be better but he just never had the support he needed. No matter how much Rebekah and Elijah have stood by him, they leave once it gets too bad. But make no mistake, Marcel, you're poking at the beast. And when he comes... it won't just be for me. He will come for every single person who has wronged his family."

Marcel stopped pacing and looked at her, eyes narrowing. "You really believe that, don't you? That he's capable of more than just destruction?"

"I know it," she replied, her voice filled with certainty. "Because if I didn't, I wouldn't still be standing by his side. Klaus is more than the monster you know. And when the time comes, you'll see it too."

Marcel gave her a curious look, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her, his arms folded. "I can see why he likes you," he said, his tone cool but laced with something like admiration. "You're loyal, but only when it aligns with what's right. Klaus thrives off loyalty, but a little opposition seems to excite him too. So, tell me; are you just blindly loyal to him, or do you actually like him?" His voice held skepticism as if the idea of anyone truly liking Klaus baffled him. "Hard to believe it's the latter. You don't know the half of what that man's done."

Athena, though still light-headed and healing from her wounds, forced herself to stand straight, her voice calm but firm. She tried to remain sweet and understanding despite the bubbling frustration. "I've seen it, I know, Marcel," she said softly but with conviction. "I know all the gruesome, bloody things Klaus has done—by heart, in fact, because he allowed me to see into his mind. I know the pain he's caused... and the pain people have caused him. To you, he might be a beast, but he wasn't born that way. He was born mortal, flawed, and innocent like all of you."

Marcel's brow furrowed, but he didn't interrupt. The nephilim continued, "Klaus isn't inherently evil. He wasn't born with venum in his veins, he learned it. He made himself this way to keep his family and himself safe. I'm doing my best to help him see that he doesn't have to be cruel to get what he wants, to be happy. But I expect you've just made it worse by kidnapping me. For that, I'm sorry—sorry for when you lose the people you call friends."

Her words hung in the air, and Marcel's face shifted. He seemed uneasy at the thought of Klaus coming for her, bringing with him the inevitable bloodshed that always followed. He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "You do the spell to desiccate him," he said with a quiet but steely resolve. "Or Davina will. I don't want Klaus dead. Because if he dies, I die, and every vampire we turned dies. But I want him to pay for his sins."

Marcel's eyes locked on hers, his voice heavy with meaning. "I'm not the only one who feels that way. Your friend Rebekah feels the same. She wants him to pay too." His words hit Athena like a blow, as she could see the truth in them. Rebekah had suffered at Klaus' hands—daggered, her lovers killed, her freedom constantly stripped away. Athena felt the weight of it, the complexity of loving someone like Klaus while understanding the pain he'd inflicted on the people who loved him most.

Marcel watched her carefully, gauging her reaction. "So, what will it be, Athena?" he asked, his voice almost daring her to make a choice. The vampire clenched his fists but kept his voice calm. "You're loyal to him. I get it. But that's why you don't see it. You think Klaus can be redeemed, that he's capable of change. He's not, Athena."

Athena paused, her mind racing as she tried to formulate her next words. She knew Klaus wasn't perfect—far from it—but she had seen the man underneath the beast. She had seen his pain, his heart.

"I don't see Klaus as perfect, Marcel, no one is, not even me. But I see potential in him, and he's not beyond redemption."

The vampire frowned, hearing the sincerity in her voice but refusing to let it sway him. He gestured to the man next to him—Eric—who approached with the bloodstained bucket and knife in hand. The nephilims eyes flicked to Eric, her jaw tightening as the blade gleamed under the dim light.

"You don't have to do this," Athena said, her voice quieter now, almost pleading. "This isn't who you are, Marcel."

Marcel leaned in close, his face inches from hers, his voice cold. "Who I am is someone who refuses to lose everything again. You're staying awake for this. I need Klaus here, and if bleeding you dry is what it takes to keep you weak and get his attention, so be it."

Eric moved closer now standing in front of Athena, the bucket beneath her. She shot him a glare as he made the first cut, draining her slowly, keeping her weak enough to stay conscious but not strong enough to break free. Pain rippled through her body, but her eyes never left the door Marcel had exited through.

Her breath caught as she felt the cold metal press against her skin. She gritted her teeth, trying not to show the pain. Marcel then simply turned his back and left the room, his phone already in his hand, contacting Rebekah to tell her the plan wasn't working as they had hoped, and that they should lure Klaus in themselves using Josh to tell the Original hybrid that Marcel is in possession of the white oak ash and silver daggers.

She was angry, not just at Marcel, but at the whole situation. How had things gotten this far? She wanted to scream, to fight, but right now, she could do neither. As her blood pooled into the bucket, her mind spun. She needed a plan, a way to warn Klaus, a way to make sure this situation didn't end in catastrophe.

Athena's voice was soft, deliberately calm, as she spoke to the nightwalker standing over her with an unsettling grin. Her skin was paler than usual, and her hands trembled slightly as she tried to gather enough strength to keep herself coherent.

"What are you even going to do with all that blood?" she asked, her eyes half-lidded as if she was more interested in idle conversation than the life-threatening situation she was in.

Eric raised an eyebrow at her, clearly taken aback by the question. "Whatever Marcel wants, probably just to feed us." He paused, narrowing his eyes as if trying to figure out her angle. "Why are you asking?"

Athena gave a slight shrug, her head lolling to one side, though her mind was sharp. She was stalling, trying to buy herself time. "Just curious. Have you heard stories about what my blood is capable of?"

Eric's confusion deepened. He tilted his head, his curiosity piqued now. "What are you talking about?"

She leaned back, her voice still calm, but there was a deadly edge beneath her words. "When I was in a situation like this a long, long time ago, I was held as a science experiment for nearly a year, the people who captured me harvested my blood. They mutilated me, experimented on me—anything that would grant them knowledge about what I am and how they could use me to better themselves."

Eric frowned, a flicker of unease crossing his face as the nephilim continued. "What they discovered was that my blood is like a drug to vampires. Some who drink it go completely rabid, like they've got the ripper gene. Others feel like they're on a high, gaining strength beyond anything they've ever experienced."

Eric's grip tightened on the knife, his gaze flickering with uncertainty. "You're lying."

She smiled weakly. "Am I? Some vampires couldn't handle it. They lost themselves to their bloodlust. But there were a few… a few who it didn't affect as much. Maybe because they were old enough, strong enough to control their cravings. Or maybe it just didn't work on them for some unknown reason."

The nightwalker shifted uncomfortably now, the weight of her words sinking in. Athena seeing this had him right where she wanted with this.

"I wouldn't try it if I were you," the wolfstar added, her voice low and falsely warned. "You never know how it might affect you. But you should know this—every time they drank my blood, they were never the same again."

Eric's expression faltered, his confidence slipping as doubt began to creep in. He wasn't sure if Athena was telling the truth or if she was just trying to mess with his head. But the seed of doubt had been planted, and Athena could see that her half fake story was working. She was telling the truth about the experiments done on her but lied about what her blood was able to do.

She took the opportunity to subtly shift her weight, trying to gather her strength. But the nightwalker demeanor shifted into a grin as he could hear Klaus talking to Marcels vampires, the trap had sprung. As the echoes of Klaus's bold challenge reverberated through the courtyard, Athena fought to keep her focus on regenerating her cells, drawing deep breaths to calm the pain that coursed through her. Klaus' voice, though distant, reached her in fragments. The power in his words was clear, even if the details were lost on her. She knew Klaus was playing a dangerous game, leveraging his immortality to pit the vampires against Marcel. But that bought her time, and time was something she desperately needed.

Eric smirked, clearly enjoying the chaos unfolding outside. "You should have left him while you had the chance," he taunted, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction. "Now, because of him, you're stuck here, watching him fall."

Athena clenched her teeth, her body barely healing fast enough to keep her alive. Her fingers twitched subtly at her sides, and her instincts urged her to act. She didn't have much left in her reserves, but she wasn't out of options. The blood from the bucket caught her attention, glistening darkly. She felt the pull of her magic, her power rippling beneath her skin.

Just as the vampire raised his weapon again, Athena flicked her finger with a sudden, sharp motion. The blood from the bucket shot out, forcing itself into the vampire's mouth and nostrils, flooding his lungs. Eric's cocky grin vanished as he staggered backward, choking and gasping for breath.

"What... what did you do to me?" Eric managed to rasp between coughs, his hand clutching his throat in panic.

Athena tilted her head, watching with cold detachment, Her voice was steady, but her body ached. She didn't have time for this. "Step one complet, now for step two. Not something I was hoping to do, but, here we are."

With a surge of will, Athena closed her eyes and called on her divine intervention. Her wings materialised behind her, shimmering with ethereal light, enveloping her in a soft glow that illuminated the darkened room. Her strength surged back as her transformation took hold, her ethereal form giving her the energy she desperately needed.

With renewed force, she pulled her arms down, snapping the chains that had bound her to the wall. The sound of metal shattering echoed as she stood, her wings stretching wide behind her, casting an imposing shadow.

The nightwalker, still choking, staggered forward, attempting to regain his balance. But before he could react, Athena surged forward with supernatural speed. She reached out and, with a brutal snap, broke his neck, sending him crumbling to the floor unconscious. His body hit the ground with a dull thud, and the room fell eerily silent.

Breathing heavily, the nephilim stood over him for a moment. She exhaled, her focus immediately shifting to Klaus outside. She knew she didn't have much time. She needed to get to him—before Marcel's army overwhelmed him entirely. Athena flexed her fingers, feeling her magic hum beneath her skin. With a final glance at Eric's lifeless form, she turned toward the door, and flew out with great speed.

She landed with a thundering force, her eyes glowing fiercely, casting an intense aura that immediately shifted the atmosphere in the Abattoir's courtyard. Klaus, chained and battered, glanced up from his bloodied form as vampires swarmed him, attacking relentlessly. But with Athena's arrival, everything paused in the blink of an eye.

Vampires surrounding Klaus were thrown back as if swept away by a hurricane, their necks snapping like brittle twigs. She bellowed one powerful word "ENOUGH!" and the sound of it echoed through the courtyard like a rolling storm. The lights flickered and died, the sky above darkened, and the ground beneath their feet quaked violently. Everyone stumbled, struggling to remain upright as they turned their attention to Athena, who was now stalking toward them with controlled fury.

Her glowing eyes and wings burned like twin beacons as a rush of power surged through her. A group of vampires lunged at her in unison, but they were swiftly met with her unrelenting might. With a mere flick of her wrist, necks twisted and bodies crumbled to the ground. Others weren't as fortunate—her wings expanded with a fierce snap, and with a single thrust, they impaled the vampires with deadly precision, leaving gaping holes in their heads.

For a moment, the chaos stilled.

Klaus, still shackled, watched in awe as Athena stood amongst the bloodied ruins of what had once been a formidable force of vampires. Her wings, now stained red, dripped with the evidence of her anger. To Klaus, she looked otherworldly—like the angel of death she is, untouchable and fierce, her presence alone enough to command respect.

Her voice cut through the stillness, surprisingly calm but layered with menace. "I can keep going for all eternity to make you suffer," she said, her tone like a low growl, "but I choose not to. Because that won't make me the good person."

Marcel, now standing alone in the distance, stared in disbelief. His vampires lay dead or unconscious around him, and there stood Athena—unscathed, powerful, and glowing with restrained fury. Her eyes bore into Marcel as she continued, her voice booming once more, shaking the very foundation of the compound, "But trying to get through the people I love—Klaus, Hayley, and their child—!" She took a step forward, her gaze like fire. "Is in no way a good idea!"

The ground beneath her cracked further like a spiders web, splitting the earth and sending chunks of the Abattoir's foundation damaged. The walls trembled, and the sky began to brighten as the sun pierced through the darkness that had fallen. Dust filled the air as Marcel's men looked on in terror.

Her eyes flicked to Klaus, who still looked at her as if she were the sun incarnate, a force of nature. But she wasn't finished. She turned back to the terrified vampires. "I'm really not sure what's going to happen now," she said, her tone dropping to an unsettling calm. "You see, good people don't need rules. So, let today be the day you don't find out why I have so many."

The cracks widened, sunlight flooding in with an unforgiving brilliance. The earth trembled beneath their feet. The storm of her emotions, barely held in check, raged within her. And the vampires knew it. Her power was undeniable, raw, and terrifying. For a moment, it seemed as though the very earth might swallow them whole.

Then, silence.

The rumbling ceased, the tremors subsiding as Athena reined in her magic. She took a deep breath, her eyes, which had blazed with an otherworldly glow, dimmed back to their familiar deep brown. The chaos she had summoned stilled, but the weight of it lingered in the air like a warning.

In the hushed aftermath, Athena's voice cut through once more, softer but no less powerful. "Do you really think it was a good idea to subdue Klaus Mikaelson?" she asked, her gaze sweeping over them. The vampires exchanged nervous glances, the weight of her words pressing down on them like lead. "Don't you all know that vampires older than you have tried and failed? You think he's a monster? Then look in the mirror and tell me what you see."

Her words echoed, striking a chord in their undead hearts. "I know for a fact that every one of you has hurt someone. But before that, before all the blood and violence—you were children. Innocent, vulnerable. And now, you've evolved into something that hurts others." Her eyes flicked to Marcel, who looked down, shame creeping into his expression.

"If you want to hurt the Mikaelsons, you'll have to go through me."

She raised her palms, her magic spilling out in radiant waves, light pooling like fog from her hands. The energy flowed across the broken ground, mending the shattered earth and the Abattoir's fractured walls. The light was soft yet commanding, like a gentle breeze calming a storm. Her words, now whispered under her breath, were a chant—powerful and ancient. The vampires who had perished, began to dissolve, their remains turning to ash and rising into the sky like starsdust. The nephilims magic gave them peace, their eternal life eased as they ascended, no longer bound to their existence.

The brilliance of her wings dimmed and, like the ash, they too faded into the wind. The light she commanded shimmered once more before vanishing, leaving a sense of stillness in the courtyard, as if nature itself had been reset.

"Every war ever fought," Athena began, her voice strong and solemn, "is right there in front of you. Because it's always the same. When you fire that first shot, no matter how right you feel, you have no idea who's going to die. You don't know whose children will scream and burn, how many hearts will break, how much blood will spill—until everyone finally does what they were always going to do from the very beginning; sit down and talk."

Her words hung heavy in the air. The remaining vampires shifted uncomfortably. The wolfstars voice softened as she spoke again, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. "Do you know what you do with all that pain? Shall I tell you where to put it? You hold it tight until it burns your hand, and then you say this—'No one else will ever have to live like this. No one else will have to feel this pain, not on my watch.'"

For a moment, no one moved. The vampires looked at one another, uncertainty clouding their faces. It was Marcel who finally broke the silence. He stepped forward slowly, bending down to pick up the golden coin that Klaus had placed down. His movements were deliberate, his face unreadable.

"Well, well, well," Klaus said, his voice laced with amusement, though his strength was only just returning. "The great Marcel, self-proclaimed king of New Orleans, bowing before me?"

But Marcel didn't bow to Klaus. Instead, he turned to face Athena, his gaze steady as he fell to his knees. "If I'm going to surrender the keys to my kingdom," he said, his voice low but resolute, "if I'm going to pledge my allegiance to anyone—it's going to be to her."

The vampires, one by one, began to follow Marcel's lead. Kneeling before Athena, they lowered their heads in submission, acknowledging her as their queen. The wolfstar stood there, stunned. Her breath catching in her throat, could only whisper under her breath, "Oh, fuck."

Chapter Text

Athena wasn't ready to rule the French Quarter.

At least, not in her own eyes. But she knew the first thing she had to do was address the vampires. As she stood before them, she assured them in a steady, calming tone that their fallen brethren were now at peace. "They've found their rest," she said. "If you wish to pay your respects, do so however you feel is right." The words flowed, but inside, she was wrestling with exhaustion, the lingering effects of her power still weighing on her like a heavy mantle.

As the vampires dispersed to mourn in their own way, Athena and Klaus quietly made their way back to the mansion. The ride felt long, her silence stretching between them like an invisible barrier. The hybrid, usually so confident, was now clearly on edge. He kept glancing at her, searching for any sign of what she was thinking, but she hadn't uttered a single word since the battle. Her frustration, anger, and anxiety simmered just below the surface, building up in her chest with each step. Her body, too, was beginning to catch up with the toll of using her celestial form. She could feel the ache settling in her muscles, her limbs growing heavier with every move.

The moment they arrived back at the mansion, Athena made a beeline for her room, not sparing Klaus a glance. He followed closely behind, his nervous energy palpable as he watched her. Once inside, she tore off her bloodied top, tossing it to the floor with a frustrated huff. She stalked over to her dresser, pulling out fresh clothes, but before she could head to the bathroom to take the shower she desperately needed, Klaus finally stepped in.

He gently placed his hands on her shoulders, halting her. His touch was soft, almost hesitant, as he turned her to face him. Their eyes met, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. The tension between them was thick, but Klaus was determined to break through it.

"Athena, love," he said softly, his voice coaxing, "talk to me. What's wrong?"

Athena took a shaky breath, pushing her hair out of her face. She was still avoiding his blue eyes, her gaze cast downward as if speaking aloud her thoughts would make them all the more real. "I'm not a vampire, Klaus. I'm not a witch, or a werewolf… hell, I'm not even fully human. What I am is… nothing. A walking blasphemy who can't even control her own powers anymore." Her voice trembled, and Klaus could see the cracks in her armor now, the vulnerability she had been hiding from him since the battle.

She looked down at the clothes in her hands, fiddling with them anxiously. "I don't know what Marcel was thinking. Is he trying to turn us against each other by giving me the leadership you wanted? You've ruled New Orleans for centuries, and now he just hands it to me?" Her voice wavered, revealing the fear she had been holding back. "I don't even know what I'm doing. What if I ruin everything? What if… what if this ruins us?"

Klaus could see how much this weighed on her. He saw the anxiety in the way she avoided his gaze, the way her hands fumbled with the fabric. He knew how lowly she thought of herself in this moment, how she believed the title of 'queen' would drive a wedge between them. Without another word, Klaus pulled her into his arms, wrapping her in a gentle embrace. His hand came up to stroke her hair, his touch soothing. He pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head, letting her lean into him.

"You are not nothing, love," he whispered, his voice firm but full of tenderness. "And you are certainly no blasphemy. Trust me on that. You're strong, you're brave, you're compassionate, and incredibly intelligent. I could go on about how remarkable you are, but then we'd be standing here all night." His lips quirked into a small smile, trying to ease some of the tension between them. "Maybe that's what Marcel saw in you—someone who can lead with both strength and empathy, someone who can make rational decisions despite her temper. Maybe that's why he gave you the keys to the kingdom. Not to create friction between us, but because he knows you'll rule differently than I would."

Klaus pulled back slightly, just enough to look into her eyes, his thumb brushing away a stray tear of frustration that had slipped down her cheek. "He knows you won't be as violent as your boyfriend, who, admittedly, put on a very pitiful performance today."

Athena frowned slightly, though a tiny flicker of amusement passed through her eyes at his words. She started to relax under his touch, her breathing evening out. "Your performance wasn't pitiful," she murmured, finally looking up at him. "You were just outnumbered. If I hadn't gotten to you in time, you would've taken control of the situation easily."

Klaus chuckled softly, his gaze never leaving hers. "And so would you, love. But you chose a different path—you used your magic to minimise the bloodshed, to reduce the number of lives lost. Where I would've slaughtered them all without a second thought, you showed mercy."

Athena closed her eyes for a moment, leaning her forehead against his chest as she let his words sink in. His arms around her, his steady presence—it was exactly what she needed, even if she hadn't realised it. She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her emotions slowly lifting as Klaus held her close.

"Maybe you're right," she whispered finally. "Maybe Marcel saw something in me that I can't see in myself. But I'm scared, Klaus. What if I fail?"

He cupped her face gently, his eyes filled with reassurance. "You won't fail, Athena. You've already proven that. And even if you stumble, even if there are moments of doubt—know that I'm here. We'll face this together." He leaned in and kissed her forehead, his lips lingering for a moment, as though trying to transfer some of his own strength to her. "You're not alone in this. Now, how about you have your shower and rest? I'll make sure a marvelous breakfast is waiting for you in the morning."

The nephilim exhaled, her tension easing slightly, but she shook her head as she grabbed her towel and clothes. "I can't rest," she muttered, heading toward the bathroom. She turned her head back, raising her voice just enough for Klaus to hear her even though he has impeccable hearing. "I have to start planning. I'm in charge of New Orleans now, and I need to get organised. I need to start getting contact information from all the factions and arrange a meeting with everyone. First on the list—calming everyone down, which, honestly, won't be easy."

The hybrid listened intently as she continued, her voice louder as the sound of the shower started. The water rained down, but her voice was clear, her thoughts racing. "The real challenge is getting them to work together. The witches, as much as I don't trust them, need to be free to practice their magic without restrictions. The vampires… they need to stop hunting and hurting the witches and the werewolves. And…" Her voice lowered with concern as she washed the blood from her hair, "the curse on the Crescent Pack. That has to be broken."

She lingered on that thought, knowing it was a monumental task, one she hadn't fully neglected. The weight of it settled on her shoulders like a cloak she couldn't quite shrug off. Maybe, she thought, the witches could help her find out more. She would need to learn how the curse was crafted, what magic was used, and whether there was a loophole she could exploit.

"The humans need to be a part of this, too," she continued, her voice firm but thoughtful as she rinsed her hair. "I know Marcel had them involved, and it was a good strategy. I've heard good things about Father Kieran. I trust him to be someone who thinks about what's best for the people, without bias or greed. But those politicians?" Her voice took on a note of frustration. "They just care about lining their pockets. They have no idea how to remain unbiased. The mayor is completely incompetent, but a priest like Kiran O'connell—he'll think about the people, not the economics, which I know little about. But will they even listen to me? What if they hate me?"

Athena began washing her body, the soap stinging as it worked its way over the wounds that had already started to fade into scars, soon to be gone by the end of the day. Her body ached, the exhaustion setting in, but her mind was still racing. She looked up through the steam and saw the Original leaning against the threshold of the bathroom, listening to every word. Rolling her eyes, she said with a touch of exasperation, "If you're going to stand there, could you at least be helpful and write all of this down, please?"

Without a word, Klaus disappeared in a blur of speed, returning to the doorway with a pen and one of her notebooks from the shelf. He leaned back into his position and began jotting down her thoughts. "Am I your stenographer now?" he quipped, a playful smirk tugging at his lips, his attempt to lighten the weight that was pressing on her.

Despite her swirling thoughts, she chuckled softly, the sound of his humour piercing through the fog of anxiety. She felt her chest ease a little. "You're impossible," she muttered, but the tension in her voice had softened.

Klaus continued scribbling as Athena poured out her thoughts, his calm focus serving as a reminder that she wasn't alone in this overwhelming new chapter of her life. Over the next few weeks, Athena's first major decision had been for the Mikaelsons, Hayley, and herself to move into the Abattoir. The transition had been surprisingly smooth; many of the vampires had already moved out, unwilling to share their living space with the Originals.

Rebekah and Marcel had begun rekindling their once-complicated relationship, and Athena knew how much that meant to the Original. That's why she had made the decision to offer Marcel and Davina a place to stay with then at the Abattoir—something she knew could either solidify peace or create tension, depending on how Marcel received it.

One afternoon, Athena stood in front of Marcel's open door, leaning against the threshold. She knocked lightly despite the door already being ajar, her eyes catching the sight of him standing on the balcony, gripping the railing as he looked out over the French Quarter, his back tense as if lost in thought. It was a cloudy day, the kind of day where the sky felt heavy with the promise of rain. Jazz music floated up from the streets below, a soundtrack to the lively hum of the city's tourists and locals.

"Hey, Marcel, can I come in?" Athena called softly, leaning against the doorway, her voice breaking through the quiet moment.

Marcel didn't immediately turn, his eyes still fixed on the city below "By all means," he said after a moment, his voice calm but carrying an edge of guardedness.

Athena crossed the room, coming to stand beside him on the balcony, her arms folding as she leaned on the rail. For a moment, they stood in silence, each watching the world beneath them. Then, finally, Athena broke the quiet. "I know we've gotten off on the wrong foot," she said, her voice sincere but tinged with regret. "And I wanted to say I'm sorry about those vampires... what I did to them. I should have handled things differently."

Marcel glanced at her, his expression unreadable, before letting out a quiet scoff. "Those vampires were my people," he said, the weight of those words hanging between them. "They were just following my orders. You did what you had to. You were protecting yourself."

She sighed, looking out at the view, her eyes tracing the streets below where people wandered about, oblivious to the heavy conversation happening above. She took a breath, then asked the question that had been gnawing at her since the vampire had given her the keys to his kingdom.

"Why did you do it, Marcel?" she asked, her voice quieter now. "Why did you give me the keys to your empire? I don't know anything about being a ruler. The only thing I'm good at is healing." She tried to inject a bit of humour into her words, but it fell flat.

Marcel leaned forward on the rail, his hands clasping together as he considered her question. His face was somber, and when he spoke, his voice carried the weight of years of experience. "What would you have me do? Give it to your psychotic boyfriend who'd rather kill first and talk later?" He let out a dry laugh. "At least with you, I know you'll try to be fair. Knowing how close you are to the wolves, I won't have a problem with them listening to you. Because let's face it, there's no way in hell they'd ever follow Klaus' commands. You're not like the others. You're different. And this city needs someone who's different, who cares more about peace than power."

The nephilim nodded, hearing Marcel, of all people, acknowledge her potential gave her the strength to believe it herself. With her, there was hope for peace. She didn't respond right away, allowing a minute of silence to pass between them. The two of them stood together, side by side, the tension slowly ebbing away as they watched the French Quarter below.

"It's beautiful," Athena said after a while, her eyes softening as she took in the sight of people laughing, walking arm in arm, music weaving through the air like magic.

Marcel looked out at the city with her and nodded. "It is," he agreed, a hint of pride in his voice. For all the bloodshed and chaos, New Orleans had always been his home, a place he had fought for.

Athena leaned on the rail, taking a deep breath. "Thank you, for having faith in me," she said, her voice quieter now but full of gratitude.

Marcel shrugged, his usual cocky grin returning for a moment. "Don't make me regret it." His parting words,  echoed in the nephilims mind, crystallising her next objective; ensuring that the vampires under her command understood the new balance she sought to create.

These vampires, proud and believing themselves to be the dominant species in New Orleans, had been the first to kneel before her, but now Athena had to prove that her rule wasn't going to follow the old patterns of division and violence. It was time to address them directly and lay out her vision for peace.

The courtyard of the Abattoir was filled with rows of vampires, seated and murmuring among themselves. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation and unease. In the back, Klaus and Elijah stood like dark sentinels, their presence both commanding and threatening. Klaus, ever protective, had his arms behind his back, watching the crowd with a sharp, predatory gaze, while Elijah maintained his dignified, composed stance, though his eyes flicked carefully from face to face, ready to step in if needed.

Athena paced back and forth in front of the gathered crowd, her black long-sleeved top clinging to her form, accentuating her figure with sleek elegance. Her high-waisted, short black skirt, with its two buckles on the side, swayed slightly with each of her movements, while her black tights and knee-high black boots completed the sharp, commanding outfit. She looked powerful and composed.

Her pacing was purposeful, like a teacher lecturing a group of unruly students. She was focused, intense, her eyes flashing with determination as she began to speak. "The wolves were here before any of us—centuries ago. They roamed these lands long before the witches settled and took root to practice their ancestral magic. The vampires came last. And since then, none of us—none of our communities—have been able to coexist in peace."

The vampires watched her carefully, a few of them exchanging glances as she spoke. Athena stopped pacing and let her words sink in for a moment before continuing, her voice steady but filled with conviction.

"The battles fought between you have left countless casualties—humans, innocents—caught in the crossfire. I don't want that to happen anymore. You allowed me as your leader, knowing that I'm not a witch, not a werewolf and not even a vampire. And because of that, I can offer something different. I can offer a way forward where everyone can live in peace within the borders of this city."

As she spoke, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small ring, holding it up between her fingers. The silver of the daylight ring glinted in the courtyard light. "Marcel had you earn your daylight rings. Those in his inner circle received them. But that's not how I want to lead."

Excitement flickered through the crowd, whispers of approval as they realised she was offering a new path—one where they wouldn't have to compete for the privilege of walking in daylight. Klaus and Elijah, standing at the back, exchanged a glance, both growing tense as they realised Athena was about to alter the balance of power in a way that could ripple through the supernatural community.

Athena held the ring in the air, suspending it with her magic, the silver band hovering in place as she resumed pacing. "However," she continued, her voice taking on a more serious tone, "these rings won't be given freely without responsibility. I will add a few extra spells to them—spells that ensure those who wear them remain true to their intentions. You've all been trained to feed, erase, and repeat when it comes to humans. I trust you to not be reckless, and these rings won't interfere with that."

The vampires' murmurs grew louder, a few of them whispering to one another, clearly unsure of what Athena's additional stipulations would entail.

"My future plans involve bringing the wolves back into the Quarter without pushing the witches aside. For that to happen, I need assurances that vampires will not harm the wolves or witches."

She let that sink in, her tone growing more firm. "I know some of you won't like hearing this, but the rings will be spelled in such a way that it will be impossible for you to harm a wolf or witch while wearing them. I'll also place a spell on the rings to alert me if anyone manages to remove them with the intention of causing harm. It won't be easy, but if you succeed in taking it off to hurt someone, well…" She paused, her eyes sweeping over the crowd. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there."

Tension rippled through the crowd as the vampires shifted in their seats, some looking annoyed, others clearly feeling this was unfair. Athena could sense the growing discontent, and before it could boil over, she stopped pacing and turned to face them directly.

"If anyone doesn't want to abide by these rules, there's the door," she said, her voice unwavering, pointing to the entrance of the compound. "The French Quarter will not be a war zone any longer. Leave if you don't want a daylight ring simply because it's going to force you to behave."

The courtyard was filled with murmurs of discontent, some vampires whispering furiously to each other, others looking frustrated, but none moved toward the door. Athena's posture remained firm, her eyes locked on the crowd.

"The spells I will place on these rings will fade once I'm confident you've proven yourselves to be productive members of this community. But if you know you won't stop feeling hatred for the other factions—if you're not willing to change—then leave New Orleans altogether and settle somewhere that doesn't require you to be civilised."

She turned and began pacing again, her heels clicking softly against the floor as she continued. "This city has bled enough. If you want to stay, you stay knowing that peace comes with responsibility. Those who accept these rings accept that responsibility, and in return, I will ensure that the wolves and witches do not harm you either when we have a similar conversation."

Klaus and Elijah remained still at the back, their faces unreadable, but Athena could sense their tension. This was a delicate balance, and she was walking a razor-thin line.

She stopped pacing, her eyes locking onto the crowd of vampires seated before her. Her question hung in the air like a challenge. "So what's it going to be?" she asked, her voice low but firm, resonating through the courtyard. "Are you ready to take that step toward peace, or will you cling to old grudges?"

The tension in the air thickened until one of Marcel's vampires, Diego, who had been leaning forward with his hands clasped, finally spoke up. His expression was a mixture of frustration and skepticism. "It sounds to me like we're going to have more drawback than benefits," he said, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the other vampires.

The nephilim turned her attention to him, her gaze steady. "You would all be allowed to feed as you have been," she began, her tone measured and calm. "You can live the life you want to live, under the sunlight. All I'm asking is that you don't hurt the wolves or witches as well. If you listen and follow these simple rules, the spells on the rings won't trigger."

Diego's eyes narrowed as he responded, his voice tinged with bitterness. "The wolves killed my family. Why are we paying for the sins of the vampires who started the war centuries ago? They were the ones who attacked the wolves first, not us."

Athena's expression softened slightly, but her resolve remained firm. She knew that history, bloodlines, and vendettas ran deep here, and it wouldn't be easy to convince everyone. "You're not paying for their sins," she said, her voice steady, meeting Diego's hard gaze. "What I'm asking is that you be civil to other supernatural beings who, didn't choose to be born with the powers they were granted. They're just... what they are. Like myself."

She paused, letting her words settle over the crowd, watching Diego's reaction. He was still tense, his face full of old pain. Athena continued, her voice softer but filled with conviction. "What I'm asking is that you do what they should have done centuries ago—be the bigger person. Together, we're going to work to fix things, even if it's only in the French Quarter for now."

The nephilims eyes moved over the other vampires, her voice growing stronger again. "No one can bring back those we've lost at the hands of other species. Believe me when I say, I've tried—many times—to bring back my loved ones, centuries ago. And I failed. I know it will be hard to accept the wolves as your neighbors, given your history. But consider this, they feel the same way about you. Both sides have suffered, and both sides have caused pain. But if we don't try to forge peace now, we'll just keep repeating this cycle, and we'll keep losing more people—people we care about."

The courtyard was silent now, her words holding the attention of every vampire present. Diego's shoulders had relaxed slightly, but there was still a wariness in his eyes. Athena pressed on, feeling the weight of the responsibility she had taken on. "I will talk to the wolves, make sure they understand they are not to harm the witches and any of you . I will tell the witches the same—that they cannot harm vampires or werewolves. And if anyone breaks these rules, I'll make sure there's a way to seek justice, without descending into more violence."

The wolfstars voice softened again, but the power behind her words remained. "I don't wish for violence to persist in the French Quarter or anywhere in New Orleans. But for now, we need to focus here—on the French Quarter Coven, the Crescent Wolf Pack, and all of you." She swept her gaze over the crowd, making sure to catch the eyes of as many vampires she could. "If any of you have concerns, don't hesitate to talk to me. I'll listen, and I'll do my best to address them."

There was a moment of stillness before Athena finally added, "That's all for today. Thank you for listening. You're free to go."

The tension in the courtyard didn't immediately dissipate, but the nephilim was surprised to find that most of the vampires stayed where they were, whispering quietly among themselves. There were some, however, who clearly weren't interested in listening to her. They got up without a word and left the courtyard, their expressions cold and defiant. Athena watched them go, feeling a pang of disappointment, but she knew not everyone would be swayed.

The next morning, several more vampires had quietly packed up and left the Abattoir. They had made it clear that they didn't want to live under Athena's rules. Several came to her later in the day, seeking her out to voice their concerns and talk through their worries. Some of them were hesitant, unsure if they could fully trust this new way of doing things, but they were willing to listen, and that was all Athena could ask for.

She spent hours speaking with them, answering their questions, addressing their fears, and offering reassurances where she could. As she listened to their concerns and talked them through her plans, she could see the change happening slowly. Some of the vampires who had initially been resistant were now beginning to understand her vision, and by the end of the day, several of them had put their names down on a list for her to make their daylight rings.

Athena returned to her quarters that evening, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and relief. It hadn't been easy, and there were still so many challenges ahead, but the fact that so many of the vampires had stayed and were willing to engage with her plans gave her hope.

She had set the wheels in motion for a new era in the French Quarter, and for the first time in a long while, she felt like maybe—just maybe—they could make it work.

Athena stood in the dimly lit sanctuary of St. Anne's Church, the soft glow of candles flickering around the altar casting warm light on the worn wooden pews. The air inside was heavy with incense, the smell faint but comforting. She had just finished laying out her plans to Father Kieran—everything from maintaining peace among the supernatural factions to her future strategies that no one, save for Klaus, knew about.

Father Kieran leaned back against the wooden podium, his arms crossed as he absorbed what she'd just told him. His expression was thoughtful, his brows furrowed slightly. "You're definitely trying to be nicer about it than Marcel was," he said, his voice steady but tinged with the weight of experience. "But do you really think this will work, Athena? Or are you prepared for the humans to be collateral damage in all this?"

Athena sighed softly, her fingers brushing against the back of a pew as she sat down. "I'm trying to make it work as best as I can," she admitted, her voice quieter but filled with determination. "I know it's not going to be easy, and I'm prepared for setbacks. But I'm doing everything in my power to prevent humans from becoming collateral damage. The supernatural wars have caused enough pain for the innocent."

She paused, looking toward the stained glass windows where the evening sun cast vibrant hues across the church floor. "I'll be talking to the wolves soon, and then I plan on addressing the witches about their Harvest ritual. I have a feeling it's something they'll need to go through with, as much as I hate the idea."

Kieran's eyes narrowed slightly. "The Harvest?"

Athena nodded. "Yes. I've already spoken with Sophie Deveraux about researching it for me. According to her findings, if the ritual is done correctly, the four girls will be resurrected. There's a chance to fix things, even if the process is… painful."

Father Kieran shifted, leaning more comfortably against the podium. "You mentioned Davina will be moving into the Abattoir with you and the Originals. If you plan on allowing the witches go through with the Harvest, why not turn Davina over to them? Let her fulfill her part in the ritual?"

Athena's jaw tightened slightly at the question, not from anger but from the weight of the decision she had already made. "Because I'm hoping to break the curse on the Crescent wolves before the witches get their Harvest," she explained, her voice firm. "And I want to help Davina first. She's powerful, but she's just a young kid. She needs to learn control."

Father Kieran watched her intently as she continued. "I'll be guiding Davina through the casting of spells initially. I'll teach her discipline and how to tap into her magic without losing herself in it. But soon, she'll have to take the reins on her own. She'll need to teach herself with the spells I prepare for her, and in doing so, she'll hopefully gain enough control to manage her powers. If the witches do go through with the Harvest… well, at least she'll have had the chance to live on her own terms for a while."

Father Kieran's expression softened, a deep understanding passing between them. "I see," he said. "You're trying to give her some agency, even knowing what might happen in the end."

Athena nodded, her eyes meeting his. "Yes. But I'll also be keeping an eye on the witches, ensuring that the ritual doesn't get botched. This whole thing… it's a tightrope walk. One wrong move and the entire balance could collapse."

Kieran gaze shifted toward the altar, as if considering the enormity of the task ahead. "It's a lot to juggle," he murmured, before looking back at her. "I appreciate you keeping the human faction in mind through all this, Athena."

She straightened slightly, her voice carrying a note of sincerity. "Please, Father Kieran, let me know if there's anything specific you need me to do for the humans. I'm here to ensure that the supernatural doesn't cause any more grief for you."

The priest offered her a small, grateful smile. "I appreciate it, but I think what you're doing already is good enough. You're trying to create peace, and for now, that's more than we could ask for."

She nodded in acknowledgment. "Alright then. I'll be on my way. Thank you for your time." She turned to leave, her boots echoing lightly against the stone floor as she headed toward the door.

But before she could take more than a few steps, Father Kieran's voice called her back. "Athena," he said, his voice curious but hesitant. She stopped, turning to face him.

"You're part angel. You're real. Wings, power, all of it. " he began, his voice steady but laced with curiosity. "So tell me—does that mean God is real too?"

Athena looked at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. She could sense the deep faith that lay behind his question, the desire to know the truth that most mortals were never granted. But as much as she respected him, she knew that some answers couldn't be given so easily.

"If I gave you that answer, Father," she said softly, her eyes gentle but firm, "then what would be the point of faith?"

"Faith is belief in the unseen. But you—you're standing right here in front of me. That changes things, doesn't it?"

"And yet, you're still asking."

Father Kieran stared at her, his expression shifting into something both contemplative and resigned. He understood the weight of her words, the implication that some truths were meant to be discovered through belief, not knowledge. After a moment, he nodded, offering her a small but appreciative smile. "Yeah… guess I am."

The nephilim returned the smile, though hers was more of a knowing one. Without another word, she turned and left the church, the evening light filtering in as the heavy doors closed behind her. As she stepped back out into the streets of New Orleans, she felt the weight of her responsibilities pressing down on her again. The wolves, the witches, the vampires, and now the humans—they were all waiting for her to take the next step. And she knew she would have to tread carefully to keep the fragile peace she was trying so hard to create.

Chapter Text

Days had passed, and Davina was still settling into the Abattoir.

Despite the tension in the air, she had been adjusting, though not without discomfort. As she folded away the last of her cardboard boxes, still sitting on the floor, she heard a soft knock at her door.

"Come in," she called, her voice light but cautious.

Athena entered the room with a warm smile, carrying a small pot in her hands. Inside it, a dead apple tree sapling sat, its brittle branches and brown leaves stark against the lively air of the Abattoir. "Hey, Davina," Athena greeted. "Glad to see you've moved in comfortably."

Davina looked up from her task, a wry smile pulling at her lips. "I've moved into a place filled with vampires and now the Originals," she said, half-jokingly. "I'm nowhere near comfortable."

The nephilim smiled, understanding the underlying tension. "I get it. But I promise, they won't hurt you. You're free to move around as you wish. No one here will harm you, and I'll make sure of it." She held up the pot with the dead sapling. "I also got you something."

Davina's brow furrowed in confusion as she took the pot from Athena's hands, inspecting the lifeless tree. She raised an eyebrow, her tone filled with incredulity as she asked, "Your housewarming gift is… a dead plant?"

Athena chuckled and crouched down in front of her. "This will be our first lesson," she explained. "Bringing life back into this sapling will be an exercise in learning how to harness your magic. It's symbolic. And practical."

The young witch glanced back at the tree with skepticism but nodded. "Alright, I guess," she sighed, brushing her hands off before placing them gently on the pot. "What do I do?"

"I'd like to see what you can do so far," Athena encouraged, her tone gentle yet firm.

Davina sighed again, closing her eyes as she began to chant softly in French. The incantation rolled smoothly off her tongue, and after a few moments, the brown, brittle leaves of the sapling began to twitch, slowly turning green at the edges. A small spark of life returned to the plant, its dead branches shivering as they regained a hint of vitality.

Athena smiled, a look of quiet pride crossing her face. "Beautiful," she said softly. "Now, let's go on a little field trip. Bring the plant with you."

Davina looked up, confused. "A field trip?" She glanced at the newly revived sapling and then back at Athena. "Where are we going?"

The nephilim simply smiled and stood, walking to the door of the room. She pulled out her key and unlocked it with a soft click, a gateway to a sanctuary opened before Davina's eyes. Her breath caught as she stared in awe. She gestured with her head, her face holding a smug grin. "Come on," she said. "Follow me."

Davina, too stunned by the sudden shift in atmosphere, stood up and cautiously approached the doorway. The moment she stepped through, her breath was taken away by the sight of Athena's chamber. Sunlight streamed through the glass domed ceiling, casting a warm glow over shelves filled with ancient books. The air smelled of earth and herbs, a peaceful contrast to the tension that usually filled the Abattoir. Everything felt magical, untouched by time.

"How is this even possible?" Davina whispered, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the space.

Athena shrugged, leaning casually against the bookshelf. "To be honest, even I'm not entirely sure. I've done some research on theories in the past.  Scientists are aware of the three dimensions that surround us on a daily basis–those that define the length, width, and depth of all objects in our universe. Beyond these three visible dimensions, some scientists believe that there may be many more. In fact, the theoretical framework of Superstring Theory suggests that the universe exists in ten different dimensions. These different aspects are what govern the universe, the fundamental forces of nature, and all the elementary particles contained within, like the TARDIS from Doctor Who." She paused and then grinned, catching Davina's overwhelmed expression. "Or, if that's too complicated, you could just say it's magic. No need to think about it too deeply."

The witch blinked, her mind spinning. "Right… magic," she muttered, still somewhat stunned.

She moved toward one of the bookshelves and pulled out a book, opening it to reveal a simple guide on herbs, complete with intricate drawings and information about their uses. She traced a finger over one of the pages before gently placing it back. "This place… it's incredible," she murmured.

The wolfstar smiled softly. "Come this way." She led the witch through the shell of the greenhouse into her secret garden. The moment they stepped outside, the cool wind brushed against their skin, carrying the scent of earth and life. Davina stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening even further as she saw the garden before her. The trees, the flowers, the lake—it was all unlike anything she had ever seen.

"This… this is…" Davina was at a loss for words.

Athena didn't stop, walking ahead until she reached the top of a hill covered in soft moss and rocks peaking throughout the greenary that overlooked the endless lake. She kneeled down and gestured to the spot beside her. "This should be a good spot," she said. "I want you to replant the sapling here."

Still dazed from the beauty, Davina approached slowly and did as the nephilim asked, carefully planting the sapling into the soft earth. Once she finished, she looked back at Athena, who was watching her closely. "Good," the nephilim said with a smile. "Now comes my favorite part. I want you to make the sapling grow into a tree."

The witch blinked in disbelief. "You're serious? That's impossible."

Athena grinned, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Nothing is impossible, Davina. Have a little faith. Take a deep breath, close your eyes and concentrate. Look inward when you need to focus, and you'll find the smallest bead of light within. Hold onto it and let it bloom."

The young witch sat down beside the sapling, feeling skeptical but determined. "Okay… fine." She took a deep breath, closing her eyes, and placed her hands out, facing the small plant. For nearly fifteen minutes, they sat in silence as Davina tried to focus, tried to will the sapling to grow. But nothing happened. Her frustration grew, and eventually, she groaned in defeat, letting her hands fall to her lap.

"I can't do it," she said, her voice filled with frustration. "It's not working."

Athena's voice was soft but encouraging. "It's okay, sweetie. It will take time. But I know you're capable of this."

Davina scoffed. "Easy for you to say," she muttered, gesturing around the beautiful, mystical dimension. "You have all of… this."

The wolfstar chuckled lightly. "Okay, fair point," she conceded. "Let me show you an example—something to keep in mind for the final product."

Athena placed her palms out toward the sapling, her hands beginning to glow with a divine light. "Now, remember to focus on the light," she instructed gently. "Picture your power growing like leaf-shoots bursting from a tiny seed and spreading out, searching for air. Searching for sunlight. Searching for you."

As she spoke, the sapling began to stir, its tiny branches moving as though they were alive again. It twirled and stretched, growing taller and thicker. In moments, the once-dead sapling had transformed into a small apple tree, its branches heavy with ripe, red apples. Davina watched in amazement, her frustration fading as a smile of wonder spread across her face. The nephilim plucked one of the bright apples from the tree and handed it to the young one. "Have hope, Davina. I know you can do it. Maybe not today, but someday."

The witch took the apple, still smiling, and looked up at Athena. "Thank you," Davina whispered, her voice filled with newfound determination. Athena gave her a warm nod, proud of the young witch's progress. But while tutoring Davina was rewarding, the nephilims responsibilities stretched far beyond magical lessons.

When Athena wasn't guiding Davina, she shifted her focus to the daunting task of creating the daylight rings and working on breaking the Crescent curse with Davina's help. The curse, however, proved to be elusive, especially since most of the Crescent wolves were trapped in their animal forms until the next full moon. Luckily, Hayley had met Eve, a pack member who had not triggered her wolf form, and Eve became their link to the cursed wolves. Through Eve, Athena was able to pass along messages to the pack, reassuring them that she hadn't given up and that there was still hope to break the curse, hopefully giving them the option to return to the Quarter from the Bayou.

One evening, as the nephilim sat cross-legged in the middle of her bed, she wore a light blue, oversized button-up shirt with the sleeves loosely rolled up to her elbows. The shirt was slightly unbuttoned at the top, falling casually over her black high-waisted pants that accentuated her frame. Her long hair, usually cascading around her shoulders, was now messily pinned up into a bun, secured with a pencil, with a few loose strands framing her face.

Her bed was scattered with open notebooks filled with hastily scribbled notes, sticky notes peeking out from between the pages, and several daylight rings glinting in the dim light of her room. The stress was visible on her face as she worked, her hand occasionally rubbing at her temples. The air around her buzzed with tension as she juggled her many responsibilities.

Klaus quietly entered her room, watching her for a moment before speaking, his voice filled with concern. "You need to rest, love. At this rate, you're going to work yourself to death—if that's even possible for someone like you."

Athena looked up briefly but quickly went back to her notes. "I can't," she muttered, brushing a few strands of hair from her face. "I've been so busy managing the vampires, delegating them jobs, making their daylight rings—which takes a ridiculously long process—helping Davina with her magic. And I haven't even gotten a proper chance to speak to the witches, aside from Sophie Deveraux, who I keep leaving hanging unless I'm asking her to research something for me."

She sighed deeply, rubbing her face in frustration before continuing. "And then there are the wolves. I can't even provide them with the proper resources until I break the curse, and even then, I don't know where they'll want to settle. I need to allocate their funds for when they return. Speaking of which," she added, her voice tinged with desperation, "I need to multiply the money I have in my bank so that it's ready and waiting for them."

Klaus walked over, sitting at the edge of her bed. His gaze softened as he watched her frantic energy. "Don't you think you're being a bit too generous?" he asked, his voice gentle yet filled with concern. "You've moved Davina in, you've been teaching her spell after spell, and now you're giving her pages from your grimoire to study on her own. You spend your days trying to come up with ideas to make the French Quarter a better place than it ever was, and when you're not doing that, you lock yourself away in your chamber making daylight rings for vampires who, quite frankly, I don't think even deserve them." the Original hybrid leaned in slightly, his expression more serious now. "Does Davina even deserve your help?"

Athena's eyes met his, her expression softening. "Of course she does. She's just a kid, sweetie. I'm not going to leave her to fend for herself. Marcel wanted her nearby and safe from the witches, and I granted that. Besides," she added with a hint of determination in her voice, "she's agreed to help me break the curse on the Crescent Pack. I need her, and I need this done before the Harvest ritual happens." the wolfstar leaned forward, taking his hands in hers, her eyes earnest. "I know it's stressful, but don't you see the progress we've made? The vampires are behaving, the witches aren't causing any problems, and the wolves are on a path to a better life. And we've done all of this without any humans suffering."

Klaus stroked a strand of hair that had fallen loose from her makeshift bun, his thumb gently brushing her temple. "I acknowledge you've done many great things as queen of the Quarter, but you need to take a break, Athena. You've piled too much on your plate, and I'm starting to worry about you more. You're trying to manage all of this, trying to be just and fair, but you're running yourself ragged while Hayley is out in the Bayou playing house with her wolves."

Athena cocked an eyebrow at him, surprised at the depth of his concern. She knew she was stressed, but she hadn't realised it had gotten to the point where Klaus felt the need to intervene. "Is there something you're seeing that I'm not?" she asked, her tone curious yet wary.

Klaus sighed softly, his eyes filled with a tenderness he rarely showed. "I know you've barely been eating or sleeping, love. You might be able to push yourself further than most, but you're not invincible. You're stretched thin, and it's starting to show."

The nephilim frowned, her gaze dropping to the scattered notes around her bed. She hadn't noticed the toll it was taking on her—how her sleepless nights and skipped meals were slowly wearing her down. Klaus gave her hands a gentle squeeze, his voice firm but caring. "You need to rest, love. You can't carry the weight of New Orleans on your shoulders alone."

Athena sighed deeply, the truth of his words settling into her. She knew he was right, but there was a stubbornness within her that found it difficult to relinquish her sense of responsibility, as if resting was a luxury she couldn't afford. Still, his concern softened the sharp edge of her anxiety, and she felt a brief moment of clarity break through.

"Okay, fine," she conceded, though the tension in her voice remained. She slowly closed her notebooks, placing them neatly in a pile before rising from the bed to put them back in their rightful place on the shelf. Her movements were slow, as though each step was another realisation of just how worn down she truly was. "It still feels so surreal, though," she continued, running a hand through her hair as the pencil holding up her bun fell loose. Long strands of dark hair tumbled over her shoulders, cascading down her back.

She turned to face the Original, her expression caught between frustration and disbelief. "I ended up in this position after living here for over a year without making any meaningful contributions to the community. And now, suddenly, they trust me to be their leader. So much has happened since I arrived. Hayley's pregnancy is progressing—her baby is growing strong and healthy—and we've managed to maintain a fragile peace, even though there's still so much chaos to manage, especially on the witches' side."

Klaus watched her closely, admiring her honesty and her sense of duty, yet knowing she was too hard on herself. "Well, if you ask me," he began, his voice filled with a quiet conviction, "from an insider's perspective, it's not just a resemblance of peace—it's becoming true peace. You've done a phenomenal job keeping the vampires from provoking the witches any further. Davina has told you herself that the witches are practicing magic again. You're allowing them the freedom they've craved without stifling them, and that's something no one's been able to do before."

The nephilim gave a small, wary smile, a flicker of pride in her eyes, though it was tempered by her lingering doubts. "As much as I don't know trust the witches," she admitted, "they're still part of the community. I can't ignore them, not if I want this peace to last." She sighed, her voice growing wistful. "I just want it to be the kind of peace we should have been given a thousand years ago, not this… fragile truce."

Klaus stood from the bed, closing the distance between them with a few steps. Gently, he placed his hands on either side of her face, his touch warm and comforting. His thumb stroked her cheek, and she instinctively leaned into his touch, her exhaustion momentarily soothed by the tenderness of the gesture.

"You are negotiating a peace that would have been impossible in our youth, my little wolfstar," Klaus murmured, his voice deep with affection and admiration. "You're doing what no one else could have done, not even me. And trust me when I say, you're doing more than we could have ever hoped for all those centuries ago."

Athena's heart softened, the tension she carried melting under Klaus's reassuring words. His belief in her, unwavering and constant, was an anchor she didn't know she needed until this moment. She placed her hand over his, curling her fingers gently around his, finding solace in his presence.

"I wonder what my adoptive parents would think if they could see me now," she whispered, her voice filled with a fondness that betrayed the deep memories she held of them. Though she rarely spoke of them, her adoptive parents held a special place in her heart, shaping her into who she was today.

Klaus froze for a moment. The wolfstar had always been reserved when it came to talking about her past, especially about her first family. Perhaps it was because she never felt the need to bring them up, or maybe because the memories were still painful for her.  The hybrid looked into her eyes, curious and understanding. "What were they like, your parents?" he asked softly, his tone gentle. "You've never really talked about them."

Athena let out a soft scoff, almost as if laughing at herself for keeping those memories locked away for so long. "They were headstrong, stubborn even," she began, her voice laced with warmth. "Loving to a fault."

The sky was painted with a golden hue as the Alpha, Fenrir, strode through the forest with purposeful steps. His face was stern, though a mixture of awe and concern weighed on his usually composed features. Cradled in his strong arms, a small baby girl wiggled restlessly, her tiny hands grasping at the air, her cries a soft echo through the trees. The Crescent Clan werewolves, who had gathered from their daily routines, began to follow him, whispering amongst themselves as they sensed something strange in the air.

Fenrir made his way toward the heart of the village where Chakotay and Kima, a young married couple well-known within the Crescent Clan, were standing near their small wooden home. Chakotay was tall and broad-shouldered, his caramel skin darkened from years of working under the sun. His face was kind but firm, with deep lines around his eyes that spoke of wisdom and experience. His scars on his forehead and cheek made him look more formidable, but those who knew him could always see the warmth behind his sharp eyes. His wife, Kima, stood beside him, her beauty striking in the soft afternoon light. Her long dark hair was braided down both sides of her shoulders, and her skin glowed with a gentle warmth. Adorned in turquoise and copper handmade jewelry, she had an aura of strength and tranquility that drew people to her. Her wide eyes, framed by long lashes, watched Fenrir approach with curiosity.

As the Alpha neared, the other clan gathered in a semicircle around him, murmuring nervously. Something was different about today. Fenrir, usually a figure of unshakable confidence, seemed cautious—almost hesitant.

"My dear friends," Fenrir began, his voice deep and resonant as the murmurs of the werewolves quieted. "I have an important request to ask of you." He shifted slightly, holding out the small bundle in his arms so that the couple could see the baby girl within. She squirmed, her large eyes blinking up at the new faces around her, though there was an unsettling depth to her gaze, even at this young age. "Last night, when we all witnessed the stars falling from the sky," Fenrir continued, his eyes shifting toward the horizon where the event had occurred, "I found this little one crying in the forest, alone."

Chakotay, who had been listening intently, placed his hands on his hips, his brow furrowed. "Were you able to track down her parents using her scent?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

Fenrir shook his head, the weight of the unknown heavy in his expression. "I'm afraid not," he said slowly. "But there is something about this child…  something powerful, far beyond anything I've ever encountered,  far beyond my understanding."

A ripple of unease passed through the gathered werewolves. Their Alpha, a leader of great power and wisdom, was wary of this child—a baby found under mysterious circumstances, radiating an energy none of them could comprehend. It unsettled them, and the air grew thick with tension.

Suddenly, a man in the crowd raised his voice, unable to contain his fear. "Why did you bring that baby here then, Fenrir?" he shouted. "If even her own parents didn't want her, what does that say about her? With all that magic, she could be dangerous!"

The crowd began to shift uncomfortably, their murmurs growing louder. Another voice, a woman's, called out from the back. "She could bring harm to us, to our own children, Fenrir! She doesn't belong here—she shouldn't be here!"

Kima, who had been silently observing, felt her protective instincts kick in as she looked at the small, helpless child. Her gaze hardened, and she stepped forward, her voice cutting through the anxious whispers. "How do you know she's dangerous?" she asked, her tone sharp but calm. "She's a baby, she's innocent. She wasn't born evil—she hasn't even had the chance to choose her path yet."

Another member of the crowd countered, "How can you be so sure she wasn't born evil? How can any of us be sure?"

The voices in the crowd grew louder, rising in fear and uncertainty. As the tension reached its peak, the baby began to cry, her wails cutting through the chaos. But this was no ordinary cry. With each sob, a strong gust of wind swept through the village, kicking up dust and shaking the branches of nearby trees. Her small eyes glowed with an otherworldly white light, radiating divine power, and the force of her magic unsettled the gathered werewolves even further.

Fenrir, sensing the growing fear, gently handed the baby to Kima, who instinctively cradled her close. The Alpha turned to face his pack, his eyes glowing with the fierce golden light of his wolf. His voice, when he spoke, was thunderous and commanding. "Enough!" he growled, his authority undeniable. "If you have a problem with this, you'll have to go through me."

The wind continued to swirl, but Fenrir's voice cut through it like a blade. "We will not waste our time bickering about how this child could potentially destroy us. Instead, we should talk about how she could protect us, how we could protect her." His gaze swept across the crowd, challenging anyone who dared defy him. "This child is not a curse. She could be a blessing, one we've never known before."

Silence fell over the crowd. Though their Alpha had spoken, the baby's cries and the whipping winds did little to soothe their fears. But Kima, ever the nurturer, rocked the child gently, humming a soft lullaby as she walked in slow circles. Slowly, the baby's cries quieted, and the winds began to calm. The divine glow in her eyes dimmed, and soon, her breathing evened out as she drifted into a peaceful sleep in Kima's arms.

Chakotay, who had been watching his wife and the baby with admiration, turned to the crowd. "We will take her in," he said, his voice steady. "We will raise her as one of us. Teach her balance. Teach her how to use her power for good."

Kima looked at her husband, surprise flickering in her eyes, but it soon softened into a smile. She had been trying to conceive for some time, but fate had not been kind. Perhaps this was an unexpected gift. "Maybe this is a blessing in disguise," she murmured, her eyes filled with affection for the baby in her arms.

Fenrir nodded, his expression serious. "Are you two sure about this?" he asked. "You won't be raising an ordinary werewolf. You'll be raising a child who was born from the stars, with magic beyond our understanding. You'll be venturing into new territory—magic that none of us have the knowledge to help her control."

Chakotay and Kima exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them. "We understand that raising her will be different," Chakotay said, his voice resolute. "We know it will come with challenges no one here has faced before. But that won't stop us from calling her our daughter."

He looked down at the now-sleeping baby, her tiny hand reaching out in her sleep and gripping his finger. The glow from her earlier outburst had faded into a soft, warm light that radiated from her skin. Chakotay smiled, a sense of awe settling over him.

Fenrir nodded, his respect for the couple evident. "From now on, you two will be her new parents."

Kima beamed, the weight of the moment sinking in as she glanced at her husband. "What should we name her?" she asked, her voice soft as she gazed lovingly at the baby.

The baby's hand glowed again, but this time it was gentle, almost as if she were offering her own name to them. Chakotay looked down, his heart swelling with amazement. "Athena," he whispered, the name coming to him like a revelation.

Athena smiled fondly at the memory, her heart warmed by the love she had received from her adoptive parents. "They were everything to me," she said softly, her voice full of emotion. "They took me in when no one else would, taught me so much about love, about doing what's right even when it's hard. Loved me like their own, despite how different I was. They never treated me like a threat—only like a gift."

The Original listened in silence, his hand still resting gently on her cheek, his heart swelling with admiration for the couple who had raised her. "They gave you everything you needed to become who you are today," he murmured. "They would be so proud to see you now, Athena. To see the leader, the protector, and the heart you've become."

Athena leaned into his touch, her hand still resting on his, feeling the warmth of his words sink into her. "I hope so," she whispered. "I hope I've made them proud."

Klaus gazed at her, his expression softening as she spoke. "You have, love. You absolutely have." he said, his voice certain and filled with warmth as he smiled softly. "They'd see the strength you carry, the kindness in your heart. And they'd see the peace you're fighting for, not just for the supernatural, but for everyone in this city."

The wolfstar smile widened slightly, her heart swelling with gratitude. The memories of her parents always brought her comfort, and the thought of them watching over her now, seeing her become something she never expected, filled her with a quiet sense of purpose.

"They always believed I'd find my place in this world," she murmured, leaning her head against Klaus' chest as his hands continued to cradle her face. "Even when I didn't."

Klaus pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment. "And you have, love. You've found your place—and not just as a leader, but as someone who will leave this world better than it was when you found it."

Athena felt a lump rise in her throat, the weight of his words settling into her bones. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to breathe in the moment, to let go of the stress that had been piling up for days. In Klaus' arms, she felt a sense of safety, of reassurance that everything she was doing, all the hard work, was leading to something good. Closing her eyes, Athena allowed herself to breathe, letting the tension in her shoulders ease as she pressed her forehead gently against his. She could feel Klaus' steady presence grounding her, as though his very touch was calming the storm of emotions that had been swirling inside her for so long.

A thought bloomed in her mind, something she had never shared with Klaus before. She had rarely spoken of her adoptive parents, not because she wanted to hide them, but because the memories of them were sacred, something she had always kept close to her heart. But now, in this moment of vulnerability, she wanted him to understand, to see the world she had come from, the people who had shaped her.

Athena lifted her hand and gently placed it against Klaus' cheek, her eyes meeting his for a brief moment before she closed them again. She allowed her magic to flow freely between them, a soft, glowing warmth that enveloped them both. Slowly, the air around them shifted, and memories—bright and vivid—began to take form. Klaus blinked as the scene before him transformed, and soon they were standing in the midst of Athena's past.

The first memory that appeared was of Chakotay and Kima. They stood by the warm glow of a fire, their faces lit with the soft light of their home. Chakotay, tall and strong with his warm smile, was carving something from wood, while Kima, adorned with her intricate  jewelry and braids, sat beside him, weaving a basket. Their laughter filled the air, the sound of a family content in their small world. Athena, much younger as a child, sat at Kima's feet, playing with small trinkets, her eyes filled with joy as she looked up at her parents.

Klaus watched, his heart softening as he saw the love and warmth that surrounded Athena in this memory. Her family had been everything to her, that much was clear.

The scene shifted to moments of hardship, times when the village was plagued by sickness or when the crops had failed. But through every challenge, Chakotay and Kima stood strong, always finding a way to make it through, but as Athena grew so did her abilities in helping her community of werewolves. Using her magic to heal the sick and healthy the crops. Her parents weren't perfect—no family was— they tried, and that was all Athena could ever ask of them.

Then the memories began to show the later years, as Chakotay and Kima grew older, while Athena remained young, untouched by time. She had watched them age, had seen the lines of wisdom and weariness form on their faces, had held their hands through the good times and the hard. And eventually, she had been there when they passed, peacefully, after living long, full lives.

One moment stood out, frozen in the magic between them; Chakotay, lying in bed, frail but still filled with the same warmth and love he had always carried. Athena, still youthful, held his hand, her eyes full of tears she wouldn't let fall. "We're so proud of you, Athena," he had whispered, his voice weak but filled with conviction. "You've always been our greatest blessing."

As the scene faded, Athena's voice returned to the present. "I lost them to time," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I watched them live their lives, and I knew they found peace."

The magic slowly dissipated, leaving just the two of them standing in the soft light of her room. Klaus was silent for a long moment, his eyes filled with a rare gentleness as he took in everything she had shown him. "They were wonderful," Klaus whispered, his voice low and filled with reverence. "Just like you."

She blinked, her breath hitching as Klaus leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. It was a kiss filled with love and gratitude, not just for the woman she had become, but for the family that had shaped her into the person standing before him. Athena's eyes glistened, her heart swelling with both sorrow and joy as she felt the depth of his understanding. She had shared a part of herself that she hadn't with anyone else, and now Klaus carried that piece with him, just as she had always carried the love of her parents.

And for the first time in days, the nephilim allowed herself to breathe. In Klaus' arms, she felt that perhaps everything she had done, all the hard work, all the sacrifices, had been worth it. She had found her place. And with him, she knew she could continue to make the world a better place, just as her parents had always wanted for her. Together, they stood in the quiet of the room, a moment of stillness in a world that constantly demanded so much from them.

Chapter Text

Three days had passed since Athena decided that it was time to reconnect with Klaus.

Life had been consumed with responsibilities, with her focus primarily on managing the balance between the vampires, witches, and werewolves in the French Quarter. Klaus had been patient and supportive throughout it all, never once complaining about the lack of time they spent together, but Athena realised how much she had missed him. Determined to show her appreciation, she secretly used some of her accumulated funds to book reservations at a lovely formal restaurant for a romantic date night. She wanted this evening to be perfect, a way of thanking Klaus for his unwavering support and understanding.

As the car arrived, Athena knocked softly on Klaus' door before opening it slightly. "The car's here—" She paused, blushing as her words caught in her throat.

Klaus stood there, dressed in a sleek, black button-up shirt, the top button left open casually, revealing just a hint of his signature necklaces that glinted against his chest. His shirt was tailored perfectly to his frame, showing off his shoulders, and he wore black jeans that fit snugly, paired with classic polished black leather ankle shoes, but the moment he saw her, his lips curled into a soft, admiring smile.

Athena was equally stunning. She wore a black, thin strap gown that hugged her figure, with a high slit up one side, revealing her legs. The fabric shimmered slightly in the evening light, the perfect balance of elegance and allure. Her hair was curled in soft waves, cascading over her shoulders, giving her an effortlessly beautiful glow. The crisscross straps of her black heels tied delicately around her ankles, adding a subtle touch of sophistication to the ensemble. For a moment, the two stood frozen, staring at one another, caught in the spell of each other's presence.

The nephilim broke the silence first, her smile widening as she stepped forward, taking his hand gently in hers. She kissed their hands, lingering there for a second longer than necessary. "Ready to go, sweetie?" she asked, her eyes twinkling.

"Ready, love," the hybrid replied, twirling her slightly before pulling her close and draping his arm around her shoulder, making them both chuckle. They headed out, stepping into the car together, and soon they were off to their romantic evening.

The restaurant was every bit as lovely as Athena had imagined—intimate, with candlelit tables and a soft murmur of conversation filling the air. The food was exquisite, a delicate balance of flavours that left them both satisfied but not overwhelmed. They laughed, talked about everything and nothing, and simply enjoyed being in each other's presence again without the weight of the world pressing down on their shoulders.

After dinner, they decided to walk home through the vibrant streets of New Orleans. The nightlife was alive, and they strolled arm in arm, watching the city unfold around them. Partway through their walk, Athena's heels began to pinch her feet, and she grimaced.

Klaus noticed immediately. "Take them off, love," he suggested with a smirk. "I'll carry them for you."

Grateful, she slipped off her shoes, feeling immediate relief, and handed them to Klaus, who carried them with ease as they continued their stroll. Further down the street, they came across a busker playing a soulful tune on his saxophone, the music drifting through the air like a sweet melody. They stopped for a moment to listen, swaying slightly to the rhythm, enjoying the magic of the night.

A bit further, they passed a street artist working on a canvas, his brush moving quickly as he added strokes of monochromatic colours. The painting depicted an old, wrinkled man and woman, their faces etched with the passage of time. Athena stopped to admire the detail, nodding approvingly. "He's very talented," she said quietly.

Klaus glanced at the painting before looking at her with a small, playful smile. "Not as talented as you," he teased. "I still have it, you know—the drawing you gave me."

Athena looked at him, surprised. "I thought you would have gotten rid of it by now," she replied with a laugh.

"How could I?" Klaus shook his head, his voice softening. "When the woman I love gifted it to me." She blushed at his words, her heart swelling with affection. "That reminds me," the hybrid continued, as if struck by a sudden thought. "I have something waiting for you at the Compound."

Athena raised an intrigued brow. "Oh? What is it?"

Klaus smirked and shook his head. "I'm not telling. You'll have to wait and see."

They continued their walk, Klaus keeping the mystery alive until they reached the Abattoir. He led her upstairs to his art studio, which doubled as his study, the smell of paint and creativity filling the air. As they entered, Klaus guided her to the center of the room and stood behind her, his hands resting gently on her shoulders.

"Close your eyes," he whispered.

Athena smiled, excitement bubbling within her as she closed her eyes, allowing him to position her perfectly. "When can I open them?" she asked, her voice filled with playful anticipation.

"Hold on, love… Okay, open them."

She opened her eyes and immediately felt her breath hitch in her throat. Standing beside Klaus was a painting—a large, breathtaking piece that he had clearly spent hours working on. It depicted Athena, sitting between her parents, Chakotay and Kima, around a warm campfire in the heart of the forest. One memory she'd shared Klaus. The light from the flames illuminated their faces, casting a soft, golden glow over the scene. The nephilims angelic wings were wrapped protectively around her adoptive parents, her wings stretching outward as if shielding them. Above them, the night sky was filled with twinkling stars, some streaking across the sky in brilliant shooting stars. Her parents' wolf forms were curled up on either side of them, their fur catching the light of the fire, blending seamlessly into the background. The entire scene was tranquil, filled with a deep sense of love and protection.

Athena's fingers gently traced the edges of the painting, her eyes filling with tears as she absorbed every detail. She could see the love and care that Klaus had poured into this piece, how he had captured not just her likeness, but the essence of who she was and the connection she shared with her parents.

She didn't give Klaus a moment to ask about her thoughts on the painting. Instead, her lips collided with his in a fervent kiss, their tongues dancing with hunger and passion. She ripped open his shirt, sending buttons flying in every direction. And in a fluid motion, she jumped, wrapping her legs around his waist. The Original supported her weight effortlessly as he sped toward the wall, near to the door, pinning her against it with force. He moved to lock the door, ensuring privacy while his need for her was growing with every second.

Athenas hand rose above her head, she placed it on the wall and with a pulse of her magic, a ripple of the Silence spell spread through the room. Their heavy breathing and passionate kisses were now entirely their own, no one outside would hear the intensity of their desire. Klaus trailed his lips down her neck, sucking on her skin before letting his fangs graze her soft skin. Finding her  sweet spot he then sank his fangs in elicitating a moan from the wolfstar. Her body arching toward him as he drank from her, responding to every touch he gave her. Klaus grinds against her, his hips pushing into hers, and Athena whimpered his name, "Klaus..."

Without wasting a second, in a blur of movement, the hybrid sped across the room to his desk, pressing her against it. Athena was on her feet momentarily before the hybrid slammed his lips back onto hers, their kisses were rough, desperate, growing more fervent. The heat of their lips pressing together until  they were swollen and red. Klaus, unable to resist, ripped her dress off her body, leaving the nephilim standing in nothing but her black strapless bra and matching underwear. His lips immediately found her left breast while his hand massaged the right, making her tremble under his touch. With a sharp possessive bite he sank his fangs into her again drinking her blood, this time over her heart, and Athena moaned in a mixture of pleasure and pain, as she was biting her lip.

"Turn around for me, love," the Original commanded with a whisper, his voice husky as his eyes were burning with lust.

The wolfstar complied, her breath hitching as he unclasped her bra, letting it fall to the ground. His hands roamed and traced the curves of her body, igniting every nerve, leaving trails of fire with his every touch as he slowly led his way down to her underwear and pulling it down, leaving her bare before him. Pressing her back against his chest, Klaus let her feel his hardened length, through his trousers, making her body respond with a shiver.

She instinctively began to grind on him but before she could take control, the Original hybrid held her hips and whispered in a low growl, "Not yet, love. Let me pleasure you first." His lips kissed a trail down her back as he knelt behind her, guiding her to lean over the desk that was now cleared of clutter and spread her legs to give him access.

With expert precision, his tongue teased her entrance while his fingers danced around her clit, sending waves of pleasure coursing through her. Athena gasped, her hands gripping the desk for support. Her body trembled "Fuck..." she moaned as his fingers joined in, heightening her pleasure. The sensations made the hybrid smirk against her in satisfaction. Enjoying every sound that escaped her lips it drove him to continue relishing the way she was unraveling under his touch. Her moans grew louder, and Klaus could feel his control slipping. He needed to be inside her, to claim her fully.

In one swift motion, he undressed himself fully and with one powerful thrust he was inside her. They both cried out loudly at the sensation, the intensity of the moment electrifying the room. The wolfstar tried to push herself upright, craving to feel him against her back, but Klaus wasn't having it. He pressed her down, his hand caressing her back a he leaned forward, thrusting deeper, keeping her in place as he pounded into her, his hips moving in a steady, powerful rhythm. His lips found her shoulder blades, kissing her skin while his hands roamed her body.

Minutes passed, their bodies continued to move together in sync, the sound of skin slapping echoed in the air as it grew louder. Athena's head now fell back against his shoulder, her hand clutching a fist full of his hair while her body arched into him. The Original hybrid couldn't resist the opportunity and sank his fangs into her neck again, the taste of her blood driving him wild. His hands moved to her breasts, fingers twirling and squeezing her nipples as he grunted with every movement.

Soon the wolfstars legs began to shake, her body overwhelmed with pleasure, and Klaus could tell. He stopped abruptly, lifting her and with a blur moved to the couch. Lying her down gently, he hovered over her, his breath heavy and ragged. "Do you want me to stop, love?" he asked, his hands caressed her cheek as he searched her eyes.

Athena smirked, her chest rising and falling rapidly and shook her head giving him a teasing kiss. "What I want is to be on top, sweetie," she responded with a mischievous grin, playful pushing him onto his back. Straddling him, she took control, sinking down onto his length. Klaus groaned, wanting to touch her, but Athena pinned his hands above his head, her eyes gleaming with playful dominance.

She leaned forward, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered "Now it's your turn to sit back, relax and enjoy the show," she began to roll her hips, moving forwards and backwards, up and down. Her movements were slow and sensual, teasing him, making him ache for more. But soon after her movements quickened as she rode him, her body arching with every bounce and roll. She leaned down, kissing his lips, then his neck, her hands running over his chest. The Original could barely contain himself, his breathing was heavy as she took him deeper with each bounce. When Klaus tried to touch her once more, Athena pinned his arms to his sides. "Not yet," she teased her lips trailing kisses down his neck.

Klaus groaned in frustration, his wolf side wanted to take over and pleasure his queen, but Athena held firm, wanting him to experience the same pleasures he had given her. "Bloody fucking hell, love... I can't just sit back," he panted his restraint wearing thin.

The nephilim giggled softly and leaned down to kiss him deeply. "You treated me last time. Now it's your turn."

"Can't I at least touch you?" he panted, his body desperate for hers.

With a smirk, Athena guided his hands to her breasts. "Fine, touch all you want, sweetie."

This felt wrong to the hybrid that she's doing the work, he felt that it was his duty to do anything and everything for his queen. Klaus wasn't going to just lie there, the point was that he wanted her to relax, and here she was, overexcerting herself again. He knew that it tired her out immensely, she didn't have the same amount of endurance he did, her movements were growing sloppy from how quickly she was trying to be in an attempt to make him feel good, and it felt amazing to Klaus but not his wolf side.

The Original hybrid could tell that she was having fun, but not as much as he knew he could bring her if he put in the work instead. Soon after he heard a change in her heartbeat. Her movements grew sloppy, her energy fading, and Klaus knew this was his chance. Grabbing her hips, he slammed her down onto him, taking control once again. Athena cried out in pleasure while she started to realise she liked it better this way. Her body trembling and collapsed into his as he began to bounce her over him, his pace rough and fast, their moans echoing along with the sound of their bodies colliding together in the room.

Their bodies moving in perfect harmony, the Original leaned up, capturing her breast in a deep kiss as he thrust into her harder, his hands gripping her waist tightly. Athena's hands clutched his hair once again, her back arching as she neared her climax. It didn't take long before Klaus hips pushed faster, the sound of their skin slamming against each other grew louder with every thrust, his palms pressing deeper on her waist, now causing her to bruise while he made her hands tingle and then he tensed. His movements grew sloppy as he pushed in as deep as he could go, a low groan escaping him as he spilled deep inside her. Athena's walls clenched around him, sending her over the edge as well. She collapsed onto his chest, their bodies slick with sweat, their breaths heavy.

With their bodies still intertwined Klaus kissed her softly, his hands gently caressing her back as they both began to relax. He then kissed her forehead gently as they lay there, both catching their breath. Athena giggled softly, kissing him back with her lips still swollen from their lust "That was... an intense one."

Klaus chuckled softly, his eyes filled with amusement as he gently grazed his knuckles against Athena's cheek, pushing a stray strand of hair from her eyes. "Intense, yes," he said, his voice low and teasing. "But perfect. And safe to say you liked my painting?" He smirked, pulling her close again, his eyes locking onto hers with a mischievous glint. Athena grinned, her heartbeat still fluttering from the intimacy. Their lips met once more, slow and tender, full of affection and warmth. As they savoured the quiet moment,

Once morning came, a sudden knock on Athena's bedroom door made them both groan in annoyance as they both weren't finished with their activity.

The Original snapped toward the door, his temper flaring with annoyance as he yelled, "Go away!" His attention quickly returned to the wolfstar, continuing where he had left off, his lips trailing slow kisses down her stomach. Athena chuckled, placing her hand on his cheek, gently stopping him.

"Silence spell, remember, sweetie?" she said with a knowing smirk. "Whoever it is, they can't hear us."

Klaus stopped, crawling back up so that his forehead rested against hers. "Well then, let them sod off," he muttered, his tone playful and filled with desire. "I'm not finished with you yet." He wiggled his eyebrows teasingly before pressing soft kisses to her neck, where many faint bite marks still lingered.

The nephilim let out a breathy laugh, knowing that if she gave in, they'd be there all day. She rolled them both over, so now she was sitting on top of the hybrid, who lay beneath her. She pecked his lips and shook her head, her voice affectionate yet firm. "If we go for another round, this time I might actually perish. I won't be productive for the rest of the day."

She sat up to touch the wall, her fingers glowing with a faint ivory light as a wave of her magic rippled around the walls of the room, dispelling the magic that had kept them in their own private world. "Who is it?" she called out as she attempted to get out of bed. Klaus, ever the stubborn one, held her in place with his arms wrapped around her waist, not ready to let her go just yet.

From the other side of the door, Hayley's voice came through, her tone light but with a hint of amusement. "No wonder we couldn't hear anything. I thought you two were dead in there, but I guess you were... having fun." Hayley paused briefly before continuing, "Sophie Deveraux is here to see you, Athena."

Athena's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Hayley? I thought you were still in the Bayou." She finally wriggled out of Klaus' embrace, much to his dismay, and made her way to the chest of drawers, pulling out fresh clothes to wear.

"I came into town for the day," Hayley explained from outside the door. "Eve went deeper into the Bayou to run an errand, and I didn't want to be alone, so I figured I'd come by. But I'll be heading back tonight. Anyway, Sophie's waiting for you."

Hayley's footsteps faded as she left, but the hybrid wasted no time. He walked up behind Athena, wrapping his arms around her in a back hug, trapping her between his body and the dresser. His lips found her neck again, delivering a soft kiss as he muttered, "Sophie Deveraux should know better than to come barging in when she hasn't been invited. If she wants to stay, she's going to have to listen to us."

Athena smiled, but she wasn't about to let Klaus distract her any longer. She slipped out of his embrace once more, turning to face him with a teasing smile. "No, sweetie. Next time, how about I book you into my calendar when I'm free? We can have sexy time then," she suggested, laughing lightly. "Right now, I need to talk to her about the Harvest. I assume she has something important to share."

Klaus pouted dramatically, not quite ready to let her go. He leaned in, purposefully nibbling on her ear, as if thinking that would convince her to stay. "So now we're going to be having scheduled sex? The bed will be lonely without you, love," he murmured, his voice soft and enticing.

Athena chuckled and placed a hand on his cheek, turning his face gently to meet hers. She kissed him softly before pulling back with a smile. "You'll survive. You sleep in it alone some nights while I'm busy working anyway," she teased. As she turned to finish getting her clothes, Klaus's hand lightly grazed her back.

"Is it alright if I bring the painting here in your room? I'd like to hang it up," Klaus asked, his voice quieter now, more sincere.

Athena paused, her smile growing softer. She nodded. "Yes, please," she replied, warmth in her voice. She leaned in to peck his lips once more. "Now, go put some clothes on. I don't want Sophie seeing you like this."

The Original hybrid grinned, clearly amused. "Is my little wolfstar jealous?" he teased.

Athena scoffed playfully, though the smile on her face didn't fade. "Of someone seeing my boyfriend naked? Of course, I am." She winked before turning away, making her way to the bathroom to get ready.

They both took quick showers and dressed, readying themselves for the day ahead. As Athena slipped into her usual attire, Klaus watched her with a soft smile, the earlier playfulness replaced with quiet admiration. Once they were both dressed, Athena moved toward the door to meet Sophie, but not before Klaus snuck in one last kiss, pulling her close by the waist.

"You're too busy for me, love," he said with a mock frown.

Athena laughed, pushing him lightly but fondly. "We'll have time later," she promised, her hand lingering on his chest.

Klaus nodded, though the glint of mischief never fully left his eyes. "Well, I suppose if she must take you from me, then fine." He gave her a long, lingering kiss before stepping back with a smirk. "But next time, love, no interruptions."

Athena grinned and shook her head, walking away to meet Sophie. As she stepped into the courtyard, she found Sophie Deveraux waiting for her. The tension of duty returned, but the warmth of her morning with Klaus remained in the back of her mind, grounding her as she prepared for the serious conversations to come.

As Athena approached Sophie, her expression shifted to one of focus, her mind already whirling with potential strategies and outcomes. "Alright, Sophie," she said, crossing her arms. "What do you have for me?”

Sophie's face was taut with urgency. "I know you have Davina, and I know you want her to break the Crescent Curse," she began, her voice steady, though tension threaded through every word. "But you need to know that she can't do it. The Harvest needs to proceed."

Athena, sensing the gravity of Sophie's statement, sat down on the chair beside her. She crossed her arms and legs, her brow furrowing in response to what Sophie was saying. "Why can't she do it?" she asked, her tone laced with skepticism.

Sophie took a deep breath before explaining. "I've been doing the research on the Harvest and, along the way, I uncovered a lot of my family's history. It turns out that one of my ancestors, Brynne Deveraux, was the one who originally performed the spell that placed the curse on the Crescent wolves in the first place. That's why Davina can't break it—it's a bloodline. I'm the witch who needs to break it, not her."

Athena's gaze hardened, but she remained silent, processing the new information.

Sophie continued, desperation edging into her voice. "I will help break it if you talk to Davina today about the Harvest ritual. I've done everything you asked—gathered all the research, communed with the Ancestors to ensure that Davina won't die in vain. Please, Athena, it's your time to help us now. You've done so much for the vampires, and I know the werewolves are next on your list, but this needs to come first."

The wolfstar sighed deeply, her fingers rubbing her temples as the weight of this new revelation pressed down on her. "This does change things," she admitted. "I wanted to help Davina because she has so much potential. But if the bloodline is really the key to breaking the curse, I need to rethink things." Her hand slid down her face as she exhaled slowly. She looked back at Sophie, her voice measured. "What else do you need for the Harvest?"

Sophie's demeanor shifted, her shoulders sagging slightly as she admitted, "Well, Elijah killed Agnes, meaning we have no elder to perform the Harvest ritual."

Athena's brow arched, a hint of impatience in her voice. "And?"

"At first, I thought maybe you could do it," Sophie said, leaning forward slightly. "You're older than all of us, after all. But you don't practice Ancestral magic, and it won't work unless the elder is tied to the magic of the dead. The only way for it to work with you is if—"

"If I were dead," the nephilim interrupted, her tone flat. "Which isn't happening."

"Exactly," Sophie agreed, her voice growing more urgent. "No one wants you dead because they respect you, and you wouldn't stay dead permanently anyways. That leaves me as the only option."

Athena's eyes narrowed. "How does one become an elder?"

Sophie hesitated. "I'd need to absorb the magic of an old witch who was never consecrated."

Athena held up a hand, stopping her mid-sentence. "I thought your coven was meticulous about consecrating their dead. Who do you expect to find that hasn't been consecrated?"

The witch leaned forward in her seat, her voice dropping as if the information she held was too dangerous to speak aloud. "There's one. During my research I also found a witch named Celeste Dubois. She was never consecrated in Lafayette Cemetery. Her remains were never found. And I know she was an old lover of Elijah's."

Athena had glimpsed into Klaus' memories once before—moments when he was raw with rage, when the power he wielded became a dangerous weapon of unchecked aggression. She had seen enough to understand the dark history that intertwined Klaus, Elijah, and the witch, Celeste. Klaus never spoke about her, but the memories he had shared were enough to form a picture.

It was during a time when Klaus had challenged the men of New Orleans to duels, playing a game that only he could win. He slaughtered dozens during those several weeks, a violent spree born from his insatiable hunger for dominance. The blood stained the streets, and rumours swirled—rumours that the Original had manipulated himself. He whispered into the shadows of New Orleans that these bodies were the result of witches performing dark rituals, that they were seeking blood sacrifices for their magic.

In truth, those rumours were as reckless as they were dangerous. It made the witches a target for the city's fear and paranoia, turning neighbour against neighbour. Among those caught in the crossfire was Celeste.

Klaus had painted her as just another witch in the beginning—just another face among the supernatural chaos. Athena had seen, through his fragmented memories, the way he dismissed her importance.

He saw her only as another witch that could easily be replaced for Elijah, when he knew how much Celeste meant to him. Athena could still feel the echoes of Klaus' own guilt, buried deep beneath layers of deflection and bravado. He would never admit it out loud, but the loss of Celeste had been another wedge driven between him and Elijah, another scar on their already fractured relationship. Elijah had lost something irreplaceable when Celeste was taken from him. And Klaus, reckless as ever, had played his part in the tragedy.

Athena had no doubt that Celeste's remains were hidden for a reason. She hadn't been buried in the Lafayette Cemetery where the witches could consecrate her because that wasn't what Celeste had wanted. Elijah, who respected her wishes, had ensured she was laid to rest somewhere where her peace wouldn't be disturbed.

Sophie's voice cut through the nephilims thoughts. "I know you're good at delving into people's minds, and I was wondering if—"

"No," Athena interrupted, her voice suddenly cold and sharp.

Sophie blinked, surprised at the nephilims swift rejection. "What? Why not?"

"There's a reason Celeste wasn't buried where your witches could find her." Athena had said to Sophie, her voice calm but firm. "She didn't want to be disturbed. You think this is just another way to use power, another witch whose life and magic can be a tool for you, she's more than that and I'm not going to be the one to go against her wishes. Let her rest in peace."

The witch, in her desperation, had been too blinded by her own grief and desire to understand the weight of what she was proposing. "She has the power we need, Athena. And if we don't complete the Harvest, there will be consequences for all of us."

The wolfstar knew disturbing Celeste's remains would hurt Elijah in ways he might never forgive. "She was important to Elijah," she said, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "I won't betray him by digging her up like some forgotten relic. And I'm not going to drag Elijah through that pain again. Find another way, Sophie. Celeste is off-limits."

Sophie stood, her chair scraping against the floor as she rose abruptly. Her frustration boiled over, her voice raised. "The Harvest needs to happen now! My niece, Monique, has been dead long enough. When she wakes up, she's going to find out that her mother is dead, and we can't keep delaying this. You can't claim you want peace in this city if you're leaving the witches for last. We have a major event that needs to happen today. Davina needs to come with us today, and the girls need to be resurrected, you need to start thinking about the bigger picture. You don't want to see us angry, Athena."

Athena stood up as well, her own irritation simmering beneath the surface but she didn't flinch, didn't react to the veiled threat as she was trying to keep her frustration in check. Her eyes remained locked on Sophie's. "Sweetie," she began, her voice deceptively sweet, but her eyes narrowed in warning. "I'm not going to repeat myself again, so listen closely. You are not going to disturb Celeste. She wasn't buried away from your coven without a reason, and I'm not about to dig into Elijah's past, knowing full well how much she meant to him." the witch opened her mouth to argue, but the wolfstar raised a hand, silencing her. "This peace you want? It can't happen without Elijah. He's like a brother to me, Sophie. He's my trusted friend, my family. And just because I'm dating his brother doesn't mean I'm going to cross that line and betray his trust." She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a quiet but firm whisper. "So, find another way. If you want my help that badly, don't come to me with half-baked ideas that involve violating the dead. Do it properly, or don't do it at all. This is non-negotiable."

Sophie's face flushed with frustration, but she bit her tongue. She could see the resolve in Athena's eyes, and there was no point in pushing further. "Fine," the witch finally muttered, her voice low with resignation. "I'll find another way."

Athena stepped back, her expression softening slightly. "Good. Now, if you want my help, we'll do this the right way. And when the time comes, I'll make sure the witches are prioritised."

Sophie nodded, though her jaw was still tight with the weight of the conversation. Without another word, she turned on her heel and left, leaving Athena standing in the courtyard, her mind buzzing with everything that had just transpired. She sighed deeply, the tension finally ebbing away as she collected her thoughts. Sophie was right about one thing—the Harvest was inevitable.

As the witch stormed away, leaving Athena alone in the courtyard, a sudden, sharp vision hit the wolfstar like a bolt of lightning. Her breath hitched, and the world around her blurred as a new reality unfolded before her eyes. She saw Davina, dressed in white, her face pale and still, standing in the rain as night enveloped the sky. A blade, silver and sharp, sliced across the young girls neck. The image struck Athena with a force that left her gasping, her heart hammering in her chest. The vision passed as quickly as it came, but the throb at her temples remained, a physical reminder that the Harvest was coming, and Davina's death was inevitable.

The nephilim blinked away the tears that welled up in her eyes. She knew she couldn't stop what was about to happen, no matter how much it tore her apart inside. She wiped the stray tear from her cheek, her mind buzzing with tension. She needed to focus, to distract herself from the crushing weight of the vision. Without a second thought, she decided to head to the Bayou. There, she could at least busy herself with plans and discussions with Jackson and Eve.

Meanwhile, Sophie, frustrated by the nephilims resistance, went straight to Hayley. The wolf had been reading Elijah's journals, reading details of his past since before he was in captivity with Davina. Hayley hadn't thought much of Sophie's intentions and gave her the information she sought—details of Celeste's burial location. Sophie now had what she needed to retrieve the un-consecrated witch and set her own plans in motion.

Back at the Compound, Davina had been eagerly awaiting to receive the new spells the wolfstar had promised her. But when she overheard fragments of Athena's and Sophie's earlier conversation, she misunderstood the context entirely. Believing Athena was betraying her, aligning herself with the witches. The young witch panicked. In her distress, she ran away, seeking refuge with Camille O'Connell and Josh, desperate for help. But things only got worse when Klaus intervened, killing Davina's friend, Tim, in a misguided attempt to maintain control over her.

When Elijah broke the news to Athena upon her return, fury and disbelief surged through her. She stormed through the Compound, her heart racing with a mixture of anger and sorrow, until she reached Klaus' art studio. Without hesitation, she flung open the door, her voice sharp and accusatory.

"You killed Tim?" she snapped, her eyes blazing as she confronted Klaus.

He stood near his easel, with a paintbrush in hand, guilt was already weighing heavily on his expression. His voice was calm, trying to dismiss the gravity of his actions. "He died quickly," he said, his tone indifferent, as if that somehow lessened the crime. "It isn't anything to be concerned about."

The wolfstars eyes narrowed as she stepped closer, her voice rising with every word. "Klaus, she's never going to trust us now! She's never going to help us!" Her frustration boiled over as she crossed her arms tightly across her chest, shaking her head in disbelief. "You killed a kid, Klaus. He was a child! I'm trying so fucking hard to keep things under control, and this—this isn't helping. This is not how you handle things."

Klaus, irritation creeping into his voice, raised his own. "She knows it was I who killed the boy, not you!"

Athena pointed directly at him, her eyes filled with exasperation. "And you know exactly who she associates me with. You!" Her words hit Klaus like a sharp sting, and she could see the guilt flash across his face. "It doesn't matter that I wasn't the one who killed him. You did, and she'll see us both as responsible."

The Original hybrid shifted uncomfortably, avoiding his girlfriends piercing gaze. His jaw clenched as his voice raised, "I did what I had to!"

She shook her head, her voice filled with disappointment. "Klaus, you're making everything harder. I have to talk to her, and you can't show your face to her until you find the heart to give her a real, genuine apology."

He placed the paintbrush down slowly, the weight of her words sinking in. For the first time, doubt flickered in his eyes. "Is that it then?" he whispered, his voice soft and almost broken. There was fear in his tone—that his worst fear had come true, that Athena would walk away from him because of the monster he is.

The wolfstar, hearing the vulnerability in his voice, took a breath. She closed her eyes for a moment, calming the storm of emotions swirling inside her. When she spoke again, her tone had softened, the anger fading into something gentler. "Is that all I have to say? Yes." She walked closer to him, her steps slower now, more deliberate. Taking his hands in hers, she gently stroked his knuckles with her thumbs, grounding them both. "But is this the end of us? No."

Klaus' eyes searched hers, uncertainty still etched across his features.

She offered a faint smile. "Just because we argue, sweetie, doesn't mean I'm giving up on you or on us. We may fight, but I'm not going anywhere." She squeezed his hands, her voice steady and filled with conviction. "It's going to take a lot more than this to push me away after everything we've been through." She paused, letting the words settle between them. "I just...need you to think about why you thought killing him was the right choice. Think about how you would feel if someone killed one of your daughter's friends in the future—left her feeling broken and betrayed."

His expression darkened as her words hit him, the reality of what he had done sinking in. The idea of someone hurting his daughter, of her losing a friend, made his chest tighten with protective rage. He could feel the weight of his mistake more clearly now.

Athena's voice softened further as she continued. "You're going to be a father, Klaus. You're going to be the one she turns to when she's upset, when she needs comfort. Don't bring this kind of pain to others like this. Don't cause more suffering, not when it's avoidable." Klaus' eyes dropped to the floor, his shame finally overwhelming him.

"Tim didn't need to die," she said. She kissed his cheek softly, brushing her hand along his face. "We'll fix it, Klaus. We'll find a way to make this right."

The hybrid looked up, his eyes meeting hers with a mixture of gratitude and sorrow. He pulled her close, holding her tightly for a moment, as if afraid to let go. Athena sighed, her head resting on his chest.