Chapter 1: A Cloud of Green Smoke

Christmas Carols, Music and Laughter echoed through the Mikaelson compound as the Mikaelsons' came together after what felt like nothing less than an eternity to reminisce about the good old days before Christmas.

It had been more than 7-years since the remaining Mikaelsons' sat down and enjoyed each other's company without someone trying to test or tear apart their family.

About a week ago, Hope took the Hollow back into her, it had been a dreadful week of struggling with her control, but she never told anyone.

How could she?

There was no doubt in her mind that if they knew, they would take the Hollow the next full moon and keep her in the cellar till then or extract it without the full moon if they thought it would kill her. They would have to part once again. What was next? Her father taking the Hollow? Her mother? Her uncles? Her Aunts? Who?

She would not be able to live with herself again if they were forced to part again. If anyone died, it would be her fault. Seven years was long enough. She would much rather deal with the whispers and lose control than risk losing her family. It was not fair. A thousand years, yes, they were often daggered, yet they were still together. Well, most of the time.

Her mother deserved to be in love and be with the one she loved. Even though their history, when Elijah forgot everyone, created an awkward tension between them after Elijah remembered, they still loved each other. Everyone knew it would pass.

A new determination rose through Hope's veins. She had to hold on strong for her family.

She decided the best way to move around the Hollow was to distract her mind by painting with her dad, running in her wolf form, training, studying magic, reading and even shopping. It worked for a while, but sometimes, no matter how much you wish to, you can't hide from your problems or family forever now, can you?

The Mikaelsons' could see her through her. She was struggling with her control. No matter how much they wanted to take it in them again, Freya and Hayley told them in a simple phrase. That would kill her. So they were left to try for her. They were doing their best to act normal, distract her, and make amends without separating. But that never meant not working on the Hollow. They were now trying to find new means of containing the Hollow, putting it back to sleep or killing it.

Freya suggested to Hope that she should wear the bracelet that bound her magic again till she was in control. The second night when Hope took the Hollow back and released the first wave of magic because of the Hollow.

It was not a permanent solution, but rather the best they had at that moment. It could slow down the damage the Hollow is doing to Hope internally due to magic. Unfortunately, that is not enough to stop the Hollow.

Today, they finally found their solution rather than their solution found them.

***

Friday, 26-December-2015

The day after Christmas was as normal as a day for the Mikaelsons as it could get. In terms of recent events.

Freya was down in her magic room, digging thoroughly through the chest of her mother's favourite archives.

Where is it? Where did it go? Did it grow some mystical legs? Or did it still have his spirit? Oh, God! Please don't tell me there was a small part of the spirit still inside it.

Scattered transcriptions decorated the room. The multitude of grimoires and books reopened in random places. Some were thrown about in frustration, torn for the inscriptions. Lighting the room were about a dozen half-burned and burning candles placed around the room. Half of the ingredients of different spells were thrown around and crushed. Kilos of salt and chalk littered the floors while the half-burned maps and herbs lay scattered on the table. It was a sight to witness.

The urgency of immediate danger wafted through the air as Freya noticed the creeping veins of the Hollow during dinner. Hope's eyes flashed blue for half a second, a sickening smile across her face. That was not her niece, but it was adequate to send Freya flying to the room where she continued to search for one of her most prized possessions. She was up to no good. It was a dangerous idea, Freya knew. It would give her the one thing she needed. Time

There wasn't much time left. Freya just needed to buy time.

Aha! Got it!

In her hands was something she found after seven years. Freya thought it was destroyed by all it had gone through, but no, it had survived. A slight crack from the last encounter where she had used it adorned the crystal still her blue necklace where she had once stored her brothers, Finn and Elijah's spirits had survived.

The dangerous idea crossed her mind once again as she held the pendant. It's not like it could make much difference except give her back something she wished for; Time.

Like most scientists, it struck her in the middle of the night, rather than morning, when she closed her overworked eyes. For the past two days, she remained faulted with her attempts to bring back her brother, Finn, or at least summon him since he knew his fair share of magic. After all, he was born with magic too.

He was taught by their mother and possessed different methods of magic. Kol learnt from his surroundings and eagerness, but Finn learnt it from the wicked witch of the Old World. The Master of deceit and horror. It goes unsaid, "if you need to buy time, find a way to gain an advantage over the enemy. Long enough to make your move." For the Mikaelsons, Finn may be the chip they needed. Unfortunately, nothing was working.

Frustrated with herself and the situation she found herself in, she slammed both of her palms on the ground.

An earthquake shook the Mikaelson home. An onslaught of a wave snatched at the witches' energy resulting in them grasping onto their necks and chests as an involuntary action. An outbound of the taken previously energy was released back into the three Mikaelson witches. As the waves of the ocean, the return of their power hit them harder. They collapsed. Before their eyes, they could see a pulse of magic once again, but before they could react, their eyes rolled back as the three witches lost consciousness.

***

The tremors that shook the house caused all the remaining Mikaelsons; Klaus, Elijah, Kol, Rebekah, Keelin, Marcel and Hayley; to all hold on to something nearby.

Finally stabilising, they looked around to see small traces of transparent green smoky clouds with flashes of gold disappearing near the rooms where the three witches were.

Keelin gasped wide-eyed as she held her neck. She felt an electrical surge run through her body, knowing it was something to do with her mate Freya. Her wolf surfaced protectively, and her eyes glowed. She whispered, "Freya," before speeding down to where she knew Freya would be, saying her name louder every two minutes.

"Freya!" She screamed as she held onto her unconscious mate's body.

Kol, who had been straining his hearing to hear his wife since the earthquake, sped into their room to get wind of her heartbeat, only to find her unconscious body near the bed, a cloud of translucent green and golden smoke fading from her body.

"No!" He shouted as soon as he saw her. He ran to her, picking her up gently in his arms after he made sure she was breathing, slightly shallower than typical and continued to run outside back into the compound.

"What the bloody hell was that all about?" Klaus questioned as Kol left hastily, but his question dimmed as he saw the fine cloud outside Hope's room. Sharing a glance at Elijah and Hayley, he rushed into the room to find Hope unconscious.

"Hope!" He screamed as he held his limp daughter in his arms; not even a second later, Hayley and Elijah ran in.

Elijah stepped outside the room to get Freya or Davina. His heart dropped further in worry as even Klaus' blood didn't wake her up. His heart sank to his stomach when he saw Kol carrying Davina and Keelin holding Freya. Marcel and Rebekah get water, herbs and a salve.

Upon hearing the hurried footsteps, they all looked up to see Hope unconscious in Klaus' arms. They all shared worrisome looks. Something was going on.

***

I hope you all enjoyed reading!

I posted this earlier but it showed some technical difficulties. So here it is again.

Since my exams are still going on (a few papers got postponed), I will post the first three, followed by the last four in due course.

Keep a lookout! I might post two more chapters today.

I'll see you soon.

Superwholock's_wolf