Chapter Text
The wandering spirit.
Before time, there was the Void. From the silence, three voices arose in unison. Their harmony was so perfect that the Void could not bear it and expanded, becoming the Universe.
ᨖᨖᨖᨖᨖᨖᨖᨖᨖ✧✧✧✧✧ᨖᨖᨖᨖᨖᨖᨖᨖᨖ
The silence in the forest felt heavy and unnatural as the boy made his way through the dense vegetation of tall, thunderous trees. Each step on the ground covered by dry leaves, moss, and soft grass made a sinister noise, and his muscles tensed with the sound.
I watched as he drew a dagger from his leather belt, looking around attentively. His brown eyes were almost the same color as the tree trunks surrounding us, and I found myself drawn to his aura.
A nearby rustle caught his attention, and I watched as he positioned himself to attack the small creature unfortunate enough to appear there during his hunt. A white rabbit, chubby, furry, with large, bright eyes.
He hesitated, and there was a spark of an emotion I no longer knew. A distant, blurred memory quickly crossed my mind, nothing more than a faint sensation of something that was missing, and it was gone as fast as it came.
Thus, he seemed to gather his determination and struck the rodent, the dagger plunging right into the small animal's heart, which soon took its last breath. A painless death.
I emerged from where I was hidden among the tall bushes and allowed him to perceive my presence. I rarely allowed such indulgence, but there was something about him that just seemed right, familiar.
The young boy turned towards me with a cautious and frightened look, even if he didn't fully show it.
— Who are you? — he asked hesitantly, suspicious of my presence.
When I moved closer, he took a step back, and I couldn't help but look at him curiously, tilting my head to the side.
He, who had already retrieved the dagger and now held it tightly, ready to defend himself, did not retreat again, but stared at me almost without blinking.
In an instant, the weapon was in my hands, so I could analyze his work. The blade was refined for a small hunter.
— What are you? — he squeaked, more frightened now.
The blade was still stained with the rabbit's blood, and with a simple gesture of my hand, the blood slid off like water and fell to the ground. Where it fell, roses bloomed with petals as white as the fur of the animal that allowed them to flourish.
With the weapon clean, I walked over to him, who did not retreat this time, and carefully pulled his hand, placing the dagger in it.
My eyes shifted to his and I smiled softly, an act I had not performed since a time I could not remember.
Astonished, he looked between the weapon and the flowers, only to look back at me and whisper:
— The forest spirit.
ᨖᨖᨖᨖᨖᨖᨖᨖᨖ✧✧✧✧✧ᨖᨖᨖᨖᨖᨖᨖᨖᨖ
The air was dry and cold in that clearing, and the area seemed almost dead, if not for the strong magic I felt emanating from the old, decrepit-looking white house.
I walked slowly through the place, feeling the spirits vibrate with my presence. Dead witches certainly knew how to be noisy when they wanted to be.
Their incessant laments did little to affect me, and I simply kept walking, until I found a single flower that dared to rise from the arid soil. The white rose was almost dead, not because it should be, but because that place no longer had the capacity to sustain life.
Perhaps that was what motivated me to hold it gently and grant it a little life. In my hands, it bloomed beautifully, as it should be.
— Impossible.
A deep male voice sounded behind me. His presence would be subtle and reclusive if not for the strong immortal energy vibrating in his veins.
I looked at him over my shoulder, setting the flower aside gently, and watched his shocked expression dissolve into a smile.
— Forest spirit — he called, taking a step forward. — Don't you remember me?
I ignored the layers of forbidden magic surrounding him and focused on his soul, the most essential thing in all that exists. The recognition must have been explicit in my expression, because his smile became more genuine, just like when he was just a boy, and it lit up his brown eyes.
Elijah.
He came to me, extending his hand in a silent request for mine, and I granted it, letting him hold it and kiss my knuckles respectfully, yet bordering on something more.
— A thousand years — he said, with a longing sigh.
I felt him squeeze my hand, as if yearning for the certainty that I was truly there.
I did not know a millennium had passed, for to me, time does not run as it does for others. It is just another dimension with which I coexist. It could just as well have been a year, and it would have been the same.
Elijah, however, had obviously been affected by time. I could feel the differences in him, just as the weather changes from sunny to rainy and vice versa.
Even after the chivalrous gesture, he did not let go of my hand and began to guide me somewhere. There was no resistance from me, so he took that as encouragement and put me in a car.
Although I had watched humans develop automobile technology, fascinated by their creativity, I had never actually been in one.
So, as he drove us away from the clearing and the laments of the witch spirits grew louder, screaming for me not to go, I contented myself with admiring the workings of that interesting apparatus of locomotion.
— When I turned, I looked for you everywhere, for many centuries — Elijah told, without taking his eyes off the road. — My mother said your spirit had dissipated, weakened by the decay of your natural environment.
He captured my attention, and I began to pay proper attention to his story. I didn't know why he had looked for me, but I knew of the crime his mother had committed, and I regretted not being there to stop her.
Immortality is not a gift. Death is rest.
All this time, that single sentence seemed to repeat in my mind, more than anything else. It would be good to remember why.
— My brothers also looked — his voice was more melancholic now. — Kol destroyed his first village after having a nightmare about you.
Kol.
The name brought sweet memories, memories I didn't even know I was capable of retaining. Memories of a mischievous, troublesome little boy, full of life. A boy who carried a fragment of magic within him.
— Niklaus painted pictures of you throughout the centuries and spread them all over the world — with every word spoken, a feeling grew in my chest, a feeling that seemed incapable of taking shape.
Niklaus.
The little wolf. A talented painter, even at such a young age. His purity was something I could not forget, even if I wanted to.
After a silent pause, his expression faltered to something like guilt. I felt him tense and grip the steering wheel tighter.
— Finn tried to find a purpose for his immortal existence. But ever since you were gone, something about him just seemed wrong.
Finn.
I lowered my head in concentration. The memories that hit me caused a remnant of longing.
How could I forget the warrior Finn. The responsible older brother. His loyalty was something rarely seen. Something to be admired, for sure.
— I...
He finally turned his attention to me when he stopped the car in front of a mansion. His eyes had a raw quality that captivated me.
So familiar, yet so distinct.
— I came to think you were just a figment of my imagination — the confession came out weak, hesitant, very different from his confident and elegant posture before. Now he seemed much more like that boy I met so many centuries ago.
— Forgive me — he sighed before smiling, apologetic. — I brought you without asking if you agreed.
I looked at him and then at the mansion that stood imposingly outside the car window.
It had been a long time, and also no time at all, since I had lived among creatures other than trees and wild animals.
Perhaps a change of scenery would bring a necessary change to my wandering existence.
I nodded positively to him, for he was awaiting my response, and he smiled genuinely. My lips twitched, and I felt the urge to smile too.
As he got out of the car and came around at a supernatural speed to open the door for me, guiding me inside, I could only reflect on the strange influence that family seemed to exert over me.
Before and now. Nothing had changed.
— Rebekah missed you too — he told me, in better spirits now, as we walked through the mansion. — I suppose you were to her the sister she never had and always longed for.
The small and adorable Rebekah. A bouncy little girl as beautiful as the first morning sunbeam.
My hands itched as I recalled the feeling of her blonde locks in my hands while I braided them.
I squeezed his hand gently, to show that I knew who he was talking about, that I remembered, and he seemed satisfied.
— Well, I didn't know we were expecting visitors so early, brother.
A man appeared in the room. His dark blonde hair seemed disheveled. His blue eyes did not look at me, only at Elijah by my side.
— Hadn't you gone to meet Damon Salvatore? — he asked, seeming a little irritated by my presence. — Or did you decide to bring a snack?
The change in Elijah was immediate. He tensed up and I could almost hear his teeth grinding with the force of his clenched jaw.
Ignoring the little squabble between the two, I released Elijah's hand, which he was reluctant to do, and walked over to the man.
Immortal energy emanated from him in waves, but unlike his brother, I felt the duality of his existence manifesting freely. A hybrid.
Niklaus.
When I stopped in front of him, he finally deigned to look in my direction. It was almost funny to see the shock that ran through his features.
— Impossible.
He murmured, taking a step closer and gripping my arms tightly. My bones almost broke from the force of the grip, but it wasn't as bothersome as it would be for a mortal; it was like a pinch.
His eyes analyzed my face with incredulous suspicion. And I almost thought he would break my neck when I saw the savagery that settled in his irises.
But he did just the opposite: released my arms only to pull me into a firm hug.
— I thought you were dead — he uttered with a choked voice, clearly holding back tears.
I wished I could speak to explain that I do not die. That was an ability I could only conceive of. This limitation could be quite bothersome.
— Esther said you had... — he murmured again, burying his head in my neck. — I should have known that everything that witch says is a lie.
I returned the hug very slowly and much less intensely, just running my hand over his back in a gesture of comfort. Physical contact with others always seemed strange.
After a few minutes, he finally released me, encouraged by Elijah, who cleared his throat after stopping beside us.
— How did you find her? Where? Why now?
Niklaus bombarded his brother with questions, and he couldn't answer them before the hybrid uttered new inquiries.
— We can discuss that later. For now, let's focus on our objective here.
Elijah began to tell how he had met a man, a vampire named Damon. He planned to make a deal and invited him for dinner.
I looked between them, not understanding much of what exactly made them argue, and found myself distracted by the fireplace burning on one of the walls of the room.
I walked over to it, kneeling in front and reaching out to touch the flames. The heat enveloped my palms gently, and it was pleasant, the warmth penetrating my skin.
— Hvít kanína! — they both exclaimed in unison and were by my side in the blink of an eye, pulling my hands away from the fire.
The term sounded simultaneously nostalgic and strange coming from their adult versions.
Today was certainly a day of interesting events.
I let them hold my hands, which were closed into fists, and opened them, revealing the fire burning in my palms. Only to extinguish the flames moments later.
Suddenly, Niklaus began to laugh softly and was joined by his brother. Their laughter soon grew louder, and they looked at each other with amusement before looking at me with that same childish admiration I saw in their eyes in the past.
It almost made me regret leaving them all those years ago.
— Come, we have a dinner to prepare for.
Niklaus stood up and extended his hand to me, lifting me up with him. Elijah followed our example.
— Are you suggesting she participate, brother? — Elijah arched an eyebrow slightly.
— Why not? We could never invite her before because of Mikael — Niklaus huffed and smiled at me, quickly dismissing his brother's concerns. — We've been apart for so long. Besides, who would dare go against her with us by her side?
Elijah seemed resigned and simply nodded in agreement.
— It seems we have to get you some clothes, then.
They both looked at me, analyzing the white dress, the color fading to a more yellowish hue at the hem. Small visible tears from when I was making my way through the grass.
What was wrong with my clothes?
They seemed to perceive what was going through my mind, because they smiled and quickly reassured me.
— You look stunning, no matter what you wear — Niklaus stated, and I could have sworn I felt a bit of shyness in him when he averted his gaze.
— Indeed — Elijah agreed confidently. — But how about some new clothes?
I looked at the dress I was wearing and then at them. They seemed hopeful that I would accept, eager to dress me. Exactly like when they were younger and braided flower crowns for me, brought linen dresses as gifts, and tried to put shoes on my feet.
I really didn't like wearing them much. It was annoying not to feel the earth under the soles of my feet, the soft grass caressing the sensitive skin.
But, since I was going to live among mortals, perhaps it would be good-natured to adhere to some of their customs.
With a resigned sigh, I nodded positively and watched their expressions light up.
What followed was, basically, a long shopping session at what they called a mall. They took me to tailors and stores with ready-made clothes, letting me choose what I liked most.
Once they realized my preference was for dresses, they discarded shirts and pants and focused on what pleased me.
— Don't worry, later I will arrange for a seamstress to take your measurements and make you the dresses you desire — Elijah stated when we were back at the house and he was finishing combing my hair, wet after the hot bath.
Humanity had truly been ingenious in inventing a way to heat water without using any magic, only what they called science. I wonder if they know that magic and science actually drink from the same source of knowledge.
Distracted, I didn't notice when Niklaus entered the room with us and stopped beside Elijah.
I watched through the mirror of the dressing table in front of me as the older brother completely braided my hair, forming a braid that reached below my lower back. Then, the other opened a small box he was holding and took out a set of shiny accessories that caught my attention when he delicately attached them, one on each side of my hair.
The little things looked like clasps and were shaped like flower branches, except instead of soft petals, they were composed of small green stones, which matched the color of his eyes and the dress they had gifted me.
I raised a hand to touch the jewels and could feel the smooth, intricate contours of their well-crafted manufacture.
— Did you like them? — the hybrid asked with obvious satisfaction. — I will give you all the jewels you want.
Shiny things, which mimicked the stars, always reminded me of a home I could not return to because I didn't even remember it, to begin with.
I smiled and nodded in response, rising from where I was sitting and running my hand over the dress. The fabric was comfortable and soft, subtly clinging to my body like a glove.
Silk, they explained. It was a different style from what I was used to. The straps were thin, and the length barely reached my knees. But it wasn't all bad. In fact, they would like the dress.
They?
I frowned, trying to remember who they were, but the memory always escaped me like water through my fingers.
The brothers looked at me with admiration and led me out of the room, towards the dining room.
— Don't worry, all you have to do is enjoy the dinner — Niklaus stated, and Elijah went to receive the visitors at the door.
I sat in one of the chairs and allowed myself to observe the table adorned with candles and set with plates, cutlery, and napkins.
— Our guests have arrived.
I heard Elijah say, and then he, along with two other men, entered the room.
— Damon, Stefan — Niklaus greeted them. — Elijah told me you want an audience. Very bold.
When I saw the man named Stefan, I immediately felt a headache. The shock of pain radiated to my wrists and ankles. I looked at the focal points of the pain and saw the shackles marked as tattoos burning my skin.
The conversation continued between them, until the attention turned to me and the Original brothers noticed something was wrong.
Quickly, the two were by my side and looked at me with concern, but I could only look at Stefan.
I was vaguely aware that the pain was not caused by him, but by a memory he triggered. And the ideal would be to allow myself to remember, but it was so painful it seemed inconceivable.
I clenched my fists and looked in the man's direction. An anger arose within me. An anger that shouldn't be there.
— Hvít kanína, what happened? — Elijah held my hand and, I realized, with his touch the pain eased.
When Niklaus did the same with my other hand, the pain became manageable, and I could partially return to normal, nodding to indicate I was fine.
They weren't very sure of that, it was obvious. But the guests were watching, and they obviously had matters to attend to.
— Sit — the hybrid ordered, his mood shifting.
— You'd better obey — the Original vampire likewise didn't seem very patient, because he didn't bother to look at them as he sat beside me, without letting go of my hand.
Niklaus did the same, sitting on the other side and intertwining our fingers.
— I didn't come here to eat, Klaus — his voice was irritating me. — In fact, I didn't even want to come, but they said I had to, because you would listen to us.
Niklaus seemed to perceive my mood, and it was clear he wanted to understand the reason for it, since I never acted like this. Having different moods was inherent to mortals.
— Well, we can sit and eat or I can rip your guts out through your throats.
He smiled, but there was nothing friendly about the way his lips tensed and twitched irritably.
I looked at the other, Damon, who swallowed dryly, and knew they were too scared not to obey.
That's how we all came to enjoy a delicious dinner together.
Niklaus and Elijah released my hand, but made sure our legs were always touching under the table.
Compelled people served wine, and Elijah cut the meat for me as they talked. Or argued, it was hard to tell exactly what the dynamic between them was.
When a woman poured wine into my glass, Niklaus subtly moved it away from me and replaced it with one containing water.
— Lost your appetite? — he asked Stefan.
He was a young vampire; the magic in him was barely old enough to be called immortal.
— Eat — his brother instructed, whom I assumed was the older one. — I thought we had agreed to leave the grumpy one at home.
Elijah placed the plate in front of me, and I smiled slightly in thanks, using a fork to bring a piece of meat to my mouth. The food melted on my tongue, and I sighed with satisfaction.
I didn't remember the last time I had eaten human food, especially something so tasty.
Unfortunately, this seemed to draw their attention to me, and the conversation began to take another turn.
— So, how about we talk about the elephant in the room? — Damon pointed in my direction after taking a sip of wine.
Despite still being uncomfortable with the presence of the younger vampire, I was truly distracted by the meal in front of me and barely paid attention to what they were saying.
— I didn't know you had gotten a pet — Stefan jabbed.
— Careful, Stefan — Elijah warned, gripping the cutlery so hard the metal twisted with the force of his fists.
— She is not your business — Niklaus's eyes glowed amber for an instant, before returning to normal.
They continued jabbing at each other at every opportunity, and, in centuries, I wished I were deaf and not mute, so I wouldn't have to hear the foolishness of these children who wouldn't stop fighting over useless trivialities.
Luckily, I finished dinner before they started to fight and called Elijah's attention to it, at which point he guided me back to the room and asked me to rest.
If he knew I didn't need it, he didn't show it, simply left me in the room with a last look and returned to the dinner after closing the door.
I looked at the bed and let myself fall onto it, taking off my shoes and curling up in the soft sheets.
The moment I left the room, I felt better just from not having to look at that vampire creation who said his name was Stefan.
Lying in bed, I didn't notice the time passing as I kept my eyes closed and recapped today's events.
Millennia of inertia, only to have everything in chaos in a single day.
Screams.
Screams pulled me from my torpor, and I rose from the bed almost in a jump, surprised.
Had they finally started to fight like wild brutes?
No. Something was different.
The presences in the house now vibrated with magic. I could almost smell their essences throughout the mansion.
I walked out of the room, not bothering to put my shoes back on, and stealthily crossed the hallway until I reached the room I was in before.
The scene I encountered, however, was less concerning and more peculiar than I had initially imagined. And I was almost certain it was a family reunion.
— Mother.
A woman entered the room, and I recognized her immediately. The magic in her was the same as always. And the spirits with her were also those same ones who only knew how to lament.
Esther.
— Look at me.
The witch spoke as she descended the stairs and stopped directly in front of Niklaus, who was crying and lowering his head.
A mother should not cause such a feeling in her son, and the scene caused me distress.
I had the impulse to go to him, to prevent her from hurting him more than I knew she already had.
— I am your mother and I am here to forgive you.
My head began to hurt again, the shackles burned.
She was lying.
When she turned to all of them, I grew tired of hiding and walked to the center of the room, ignoring the surprised and incredulous gasps.
— Impossible.
They said at the same time, with the exception of Elijah and Niklaus.
Was it a family thing? Would they always say that upon seeing me?
I stood in front of the Original witch and looked at her as if challenging her to say something. I knew very well that she had never liked me, because she was incapable of understanding me and controlling me.
But above all, I knew she feared me. Hailing from a distant land, she knew stories, myths. Things the New World hadn't even dreamed of yet. Things I knew I needed to remember.
The time of penance was over. It was time to be myself again.