𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 50

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise storms through the compound doors, to say she was in a foul mood was putting it lightly.

Francis quickly scurried behind the heretic.

Klaus turned to see his friend fuming, he feared steam would fly out of her ears like one of those cartoons characters.

"What witch do I have to fucking kill?" Annalise seethed.

Rebekah glanced at her friend in concern as Elijah, who was on the phone, spoke up, "Anna? What happened?"

Klaus took a cautious step towards the heretic who clenched her fists, "I want to find that damned witch and rip their fucking heart out."

Francis gulped nervously, "Anna, you need to calm-"

"Don't you dare tell me to calm down." Annalise turned before sending a dark glare his way. Francis shrunk away in fear as the hybrid spoke up, "What rutting hell happened?"

"Anna." Elijah's voice rang through the cellphone.

The heretic took a deep breath feeling some relief come from hearing her soulmates voice, "Happy thoughts, happy thoughts." she muttered to herself in hopes to contain her anger.

Rebekah cleared her throat, "You don't look like you're in the state to produce happy thoughts."

Anna groaned before gripping a glass vase and chucking it at the wall, the sound of the glass shattering echoed through the courtyard, the heretic cupped her head as she felt voices plague her mind.

Klaus looked over at Francis with a bewildered expression.

"I need to kill something." Anna grit out before vamp speeding out of the compound. 

"If someone doesn't tell me what is happening with Annalise, I will waste no time getting into my car and heading back there." Elijah sternly spoke.

Francis glanced at the unknown female standing beside Klaus, "Who're you?"

"Rebekah, now mind explaining what just happened?"

The male witch sighed and ran a hand over his face, "It's not my place to tell you. If Anna wishes to inform the lot of you, she will, but seeing as her centuries worth of contained anger has been unleashed, I don't think either one of us will want to cross her right now."

"What. Happened?" Elijah grounded out from the cellphone line.

"Ask her yourself." Francis retorted.

Klaus groaned, "We can never have one peaceful day."

Francis crossed his arms over his chest, "Tell me about it, mate."

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Francis watched Rebekah pace around the courtyard since Klaus went to take a call. The witch yawned before checking the cellphone Anna gotten him for any messages.

He only had two contacts. Annalise and Elijah's. The heretic insisted on adding the original's because in case she didn't answer and he needed help, Elijah would assist him. Not that he believed it but he agreed with her.

Rebekah pursed her lips, "Nik?"

"He's on the phone darling, perhaps waiting?" Francis glanced up at the newly born Mikaelson witch who huffed in annoyance.

Klaus emerged from the dining room as he waved his phone in the air, "That was Aiden. Finn has Marcel."

Rebekah's face went slack with horror, "What? Why?"

"Well it's definitely not to give him a pat on the back." Francis muttered. Klaus ran his hands over his face in frustration, "I don't know. Nor do I know where they are, what they're doing, or what specifically to do about it." the hybrid grabbed a statue off the mantel and slams it down against the wood in irritation.

"This family makes me want to murder people."

Francis blinked at the hybrid, "I don't think that's normal, mate."

Suddenly, a very tired and nervous Kol walked in fumbling with his hands, "I see my timing is as impeccable as usual."

Klaus face morphed into an appalled expression, "Well, the traitor just thinks he can waltz in here like he's welcome."

"As gracious as your apology better be, you're still getting one hell of a slap." Rebekah scowled angrily at the dying witch.

Francis glanced between the three siblings, "Everyone in this family makes such lovely threats, my goodness."

Kol held his hands up, "Wait! Wait. I understand the irony of what I'm about to say, but I came here because I need your help."

Klaus laughed dramatically as Rebekah narrowed her eyes at him, "Figure out how to do your wicked little body-swap, and then we can talk about help."

Kol's eyes darted between his siblings frantically, "Look, you don't understand, Nik. Finn has locked me in this body- no more jumping. He's put a curse on me, Nik. I am dying."

Klaus crossed his arms as he raised a brow in amusement, Rebekah rolled her eyes as she huffed.

Kol pursed his lips as he laughed bitterly, not surprised, "You don't believe me."

The original hybrid shrugged, "Well, you're hardly the champion of truth-telling."

"Of course, why would a brother expect his siblings to leap to his aid?" Kol bitterly spoke.

Francis glanced at him, "No offense, but you did trick your siblings. I'm not very sure what you expected, especially with their trust issues."

Klaus blinked at the male before turning towards his youngest brother, "Spare me the pity party, Kol. Your recent actions merit a certain allowance for disbelief."

Kol groaned in frustration, "Look, I know what I've done." he turned to face his sister who was now in a different body thanks to him, "But, I won't apologize for trying to pull one over on you, Bex. You deserved it! But I don't deserve to die. Certainly not at the hands of my own family."

Klaus yanked his brothers arm so they stood face to face, "What kind of con are you playing?" the hybrid unamusingly question.

Kol jerked out of his grip and reluctantly met his older brothers gaze, "The kind I hate the most. The truth."

Rebekah's brows furrowed in worry as she glanced at the hybrid, "He's not lying. Even as a boy, Kol never lied once called out on the act. He may play dirty pool, but he's not lying."

Francis leaned back in his place as he watched the family drama unfold before him.

Klaus scoffed harshly before pacing around the room.

Kol pursed his lips, "Nik, I was helping Marcel for Davina. Finn has got him, he's trying to get a secret out of him, something he thinks Marcel knows about you."

Klaus turned to gaze at Rebekah as the two shared a worried glance. Francis quirked up a brow in interest as Kol meets Klaus' gaze, who's watching him as if he's daring the witch to question him.

Kol let out dry laugh, "He's right, isn't he?"

Klaus clenched his jaw, "Marcel doesn't know anything about anything."

Kol raised a brow, "Well, if I were you, I'd hope that that's true, because believe me, Finn has the means to get it out of him."

Klaus balled his hands up into fists as he turned to gaze at Francis, "You and Kol will need to find my poor excuse of a brother."

"Why am I being dragged into this?"

The hybrid narrowed his eyes at him, "Would you prefer I ask you while my hand in your chest just waiting to rip your heart out if you defy me?"

Francis blinked at the seething original, "A simple 'please' would have sufficed."

Kol snickered in amusement but quickly shut his mouth at the glare his older brother sent towards him. The Mikaelson witch cleared his throat before grabbing a map and spreading it across the table.

Francis reluctantly sighed before standing up and rushing to acquire candles.

Rebekah frowned, "Why don't I do it too? I could help."

Kol frantically shook his head, "You've been a witch for a week, Bekah. You have almost no control and you haven't even practiced magic. I'll have better help with Francis who's been a witch for a month, plus, Anna taught him how to use his magic. He'll be more helpful, no offense."

Francis watched the female witch's gaze sadden, he caught her glance and sent her a reassuring smile. "I was horrific at magic not too long ago."

Rebekah mustered up a smile and nodded.

Francis turned and helped Kol spread the salt across the map. Kol began to crush a few herbs before placing it upon the map.

"So, what is the secret, anyway?" Kol curiously questioned. Klaus held a bored expression as he spoke up, "The term 'secret' implies something only known by those who have earned the right to be aware of it." the hybrid turned towards the two male witch's, "Start the spell."

Kol rolled his eyes, "Well, it's easier said than done. Finn is channeling the power from our parents." he gestured towards Francis, "He's much stronger than some month old witch and I can do."

The hybrid pursed his lips, "We need a stronger witch. Call Davina."

Kol shook his head in desperation, "No, no, no, no, no! I-I don't want her to know that I'm sick."

Klaus sighed, "Then do a better bloody job?"

Francis glanced between the two brothers before speaking up, "Did you all forget you literally have a three hundred year old heretic on your side with immense power?"

Klaus blinked, "Call Anna."

Francis sighed before pulling his phone out, "I'll call her." he turned away and walked into the kitchen while Klaus glanced back at Kol, "The spell Finn cast to lock you in your body, do you remember it?"

Kol hummed, "Well, I was a little distracted by the murder-y part..."

"If we can use his own spell against him, once he's locked in his body, I can end our collective woes with a brief snap of the neck!" Klaus explained making Rebekah smile knowingly at what he was suggesting.

Klaus stalked towards his youngest brother, "All I need to do is pull it from your memory."

The Mikaelson witch back away from him in panic, "Oh, no, no, no. I am not allowing anybody into my mind, do you understand?"

Klaus sent an annoyed glare towards the witch, "You came into my home, asking for my help. This is it." Kol gulped anxiously as his brother approached him, "It's not a request."

Klaus lunged for the witch and grabbed the sides of his head with his hands. Klaus sees a sudden memory of Kol pressing a sweet kiss to Davina's lips. The scene morphed into the time when Kol had just brought Davina to the Claire tomb, where he showed her the silver dagger he had stolen from Klaus centuries ago.

"I've wanted one thing for years- to drive a dagger into his heart."

Klaus jerked away from the witch and glared menacingly at him. Kol chuckled nervously as he slowly backed away, "See? I'm-I'm guessing, just by the look on your face, that it worked."

The hybrid gripped Kol's neck roughly before lunging him at the wall, making the witch hit his head on the doorway. Kol groaned as he hit the floor.

Francis emerged from the kitchen and sighed, "Anna isn't answerin- What the bloody hell happened in here?"

Klaus grit his teeth as he watched his brother, "You come simpering for brotherly love, and the whole time you were plotting against me with that damn dagger! You're no better than Finn."

Kol chuckled as he visibly looked hurt, "Oh, and you threatening me makes you better than Finn, does it?"

Rebekah groaned in annoyance as she glanced between the two, "Both of you, just stop it!"

Kol patted his pants down as he stood back up, "I came to you because you're my family. But, I see whilst you and Rebekah and Elijah are all hanging portraits and sharing secrets, I'm the odd one out. You wanna know where Finn is? You wanna find a way to kill him? Well, you can figure it out yourself." the witch raised his palm and casted an infliction spell on the hybrid bringing him to his knees.

Rebekah took a step forward and Kol focused on her, causing the witch to fall back onto the armchair. Kol gave his siblings a final glance before rushing out of the compound.

Rebekah held her head as she groaned, "Your stupid temper will be the end of you one day. Just know that." she breathed before walking out of the courtyard.

Francis blinked, "I left for one minute."

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Francis let out a tired sigh as Klaus screamed into his phone.

"Pick up the damn phone, Elijah! Finn is trying to find Hope!"

Rebekah stood behind the hybrid in hopes to calm his uprising anger, "She's safe! It'll take a hundred witches to break the cloaking spell."

Klaus grit his teeth, "I would've said the same about Mother finding you, and yet, a flock of starlings later, and here we are!"

Rebekah pursed her lips, "He won't let him get to her, Nik. But you need to remain calm." Francis nodded in agreement with the witch, "Your sisters right."

Kol suddenly barged into the courtyard looking furious, "Our brother doesn't do calm."

"Where the bloody hell did you come from?" Francis furrowed his brows but gaped as Kol threw a handful of powder into Rebekah's face. The witch became limp and Francis scrambled over as he caught her unconscious figure.

Klaus rushed towards his brother but Kol extended out his hand and watched in satisfaction as the hybrid began to cough up blood onto the floor while Kol held his diamond in his other hand.

"Stop!" Klaus choked out as he grasped his own neck.

Kol clenched his jaw in fury, "Oh, you're angry, are you? Well, join the party, I've been here a thousand years." Klaus attempted to lunge for the witch but Kol twisted his wrist causing the original hybrid to fall to his knees.

Francis held Rebekah's body as he simply watched the brotherly feud.

"I was building that dagger to protect myself against you, Nik. I'm not the bad guy in this chapter of our family's story. I'm the wronged! I'm the dead, but never mourned, and whilst you got everything that you wanted. I got a family who didn't care if I lived or if I died." Kol spat as he finally released his pent up frustration.

Klaus scoffed, "Oh, shut up." he rose up from the ground and gripped his younger brothers neck before pinning him against the wall, "We've all suffered. We've all been wronged."

Kol coughed as he gasped for air, "Go on! Go on, finish it off!" Klaus faltered as he felt torn, Kol inhaled sharply, "Go ahead, kill me."

Klaus gave his brother another long look before dropping his body. Kol fell to his knees and trembled as he began to regain his ability to breath.

"I'm not going to kill you, you idiot. Despite your behavior, you're still my brother." Klaus gave the witch an incredulous look.

Kol gazed at his brother curiously as he caught his breath, "Yeah, just the one you dagger repeatedly."

Klaus scoffed harshly, "I've daggered all of you. Each for your own good. If you don't agree with my motives, fine. I never claimed to be the bastion of temperance. But stop this drivel about being singled out and unloved." the hybrid kneeled before the witch.

"You are a Mikaelson. You're my blood, and I need you. I need you by my side."

Kol breathed heavily before speaking up, "What does it even mean, Nik? Hmm? You talk about family- family this, family that. I haven't even earned the right to share your secrets, have I?"

The hybrid shook his head, "No. You haven't. But, by all means, brother, prove yourself. It's not too late." he held his hand out for the witch to take. Kol eyed it before reluctantly grasping it, pulling the two of them to their feet.

"Finn wants your blood. He promised to heal me if I delivered it." Kol quietly told his brother.

Klaus pursed his lips, "You know where he is?"

"You've gotta tell me why he wants it." Kol gazed at the hybrid. Klaus turned away from him, clearly against the request.

Kol called out for his brother, "Look, Nik, you've gotta trust me for once in your life, and I will stand by your side. I promise."

Francis sighed, "It's at time's like this where I'm glad I never met my family." the witch held Rebekah's head as he watched the two brothers.

Klaus wearily watched the Mikaelson witch, "You would risk your life to help me?"

Kol chewed his lower lip as tears began to sting his eyes, "I know enough about dark magic to know that I'm hexed. There's no reversing what Finn's done to me, which makes him a murderer and a liar. And if I'm gonna die, I'll be damned if he gets what he wants."

Klaus swallowed anxiously, "Finn has been dead to me for a long time. Tonight, I intend to make that official. Help me, and then I will share my secret with you."

Kol pressed his lips into a firm line as he thought for a moment, "He'll be in the bell tower of the St. Louis Cathedral." he smiled sadly before grabbing Klaus' hands and placing them on either sides of his head, "Go inside my head. Find the spell. Let's finish this."

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Francis tucked his hands into his pockets as he, Rebekah, Klaus, and Kol arrived at the bell tower. The group glanced around to see the witch wasn't there and all that was left were the remnants of the spell he had casted.

Klaus clenched his jaw in frustration, "Where is he? Is this a trick?"

Kol gulped nervously, "He said he'd be here, I swear."

Francis walked over towards the table that was covered with ash, he examined the ingredients before furrowing his brows.

Kol glanced over his shoulder as he surveyed what he was looking at. Kol huffed, "This is the remnant of a spell. Ancient. It's impressive."

Klaus rolled his eyes, "Admire its artistry later. Tell me what he set in motion."

Francis narrowed his eyes as he noticed a small piece of burnt wood under the pile of ash. He glanced up at Kol, "What is this?"

Kol furrowed his brows before taking the wood from him and muttering a spell, "Sanguinatum planicium. Sanguinatum planicium."

The piece of wood becomes whole and unburnt, revealing that it's a Norse rune tile. Rebekah tilted her head curiously, "Runic tiles. What's it mean?"

Francis pursed his lips, "It's a symbol."

"For baby." Kol added but caught the worried glance between Rebekah and Klaus. Kol's lips parted in shock, "That's it, isn't it? Your baby's still alive."

Francis huffed, "Color me shocked."

Rebekah paced frantically, "Finn tricked is into running about all day thinking he was looking for a way to find Hope-"

"When he knew where she was all along." Klaus finished her sentence. The hybrid pulled out his phone to make a call.

"Niklaus." Elijah greeted.

"Finn knows. About Hope, about everything. I don't know how long until he gets there, but he is on his way." Klaus urgently spoke.

"Yes, remarkably well on his way, I would say, brother."

Klaus went to speak but froze as the line cut out. Rebekah gulped anxiously as the hybrid dialed the blonde human, he waited but groaned in frustration as it went to voicemail.

"Cami's not answering."

Rebekah pursed her lips, "Elijah will protect them."

Klaus grit his teeth, "Finn is channeling both our parents. He's too strong. We need to find a way to sever his link to them. How do we do that?"

Kol shook his head, "I can't sever the link." but the witch's eyes widened as a thought came to mind, "But there is something we can try. It'll take power of our own, and a lot of it. Though, I am going to need Anna."

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise walked into the Lafayette cemetery with Klaus by her side who was carrying a duffle bag. The heretic approached the three witch's who were readying themselves for the spell.

"Someone called for an angry three hundred year old heretic?" Anna raised a brow. Kol looked relieved, "Finally, a strong and helpful witch."

Rebekah glared at the witch as Klaus dropped the bag before his brother, "Mystical artifacts and dark objects galore, from my own personal collection garnered over a thousand years."

Kol rifled through the bag, pulling out a long cord with a feather on the end, and revealing many more items, including the familiar enchanted shackles that prevent witches from doing magic and the Devil's Star, "I wondered where this had gone. Half this stuff is mine!"

"There's more." Klaus spoke up before handing him the white oak stake. Kol's lips parted in shock before gazing up at him, "You're going to trust me with this?"

"Whatever you need." the hybrid placed the stake in his hand, "Whatever it takes."

Kol firmly nodded, "Alright. Let's get started."

He lays the stake on the altar in front of the tomb, and places one hand on the door before holding out the other hand for Annalise to take. Francis stepped back as he watched the two witch's close their eyes.

The heretic takes his hand and places her free hand on the wall as well, holding their linked hands above the pile of dark objects to channel them.

Annalise inhaled sharply before using every ounce of magic she had to begin to chant with Kol, "Los triforce comète. Los triforce comète."

Kol begins to breath rapidly becoming overwhelmed with amount of magic Anna was siphoning.

"Los triforce comète. Los triforce comète."

Annalise tightens her grip on Kol's hands as more power surges through the two witch's. Rebekah chews her lower lips anxiously as she watches the two.

"Los triforce comète. Los triforce comète."

Klaus watches Anna'a hand glow a vibrant orange. He rubbed his temples as his nerves were getting the best of him.

"Los triforce comète. Los triforce comète."

Annalise lets out a wince as Kol grunts in pain. The two gasped as they're thrown backwards onto the cold concrete floor.

The heretic groans before sitting herself upwards, Rebekah tackled Kol into a hug as Klaus held out a hand towards the brunette with a grateful smile embedded onto his lips.

Anna's grasps his hand and pulls herself up to stand once more.

Rebekah glanced back at the heretic and grinned, "You're both bloody geniuses."

Kol chuckled, "Well, I'm a little surprised it worked, myself." but the witch couldn't say anything more as he coughing violently, he doubled over in pain as he backed away from his sister.

"Kol?"

The witch continued his coughing fit making Anna glance at Rebekah in worry, "What happened to him?"

"Finn happened." the Mikaelson grimly replied.

Klaus pursed his lips in worry as Kol shrugged it off, "I promise, Finn is back to being a normal, regular-strength maniacal bastard."

The hybrid frowned as he watched his youngest brother, "I know in the last millennium, we haven't always seen eye-to-eye. But, in this moment, I am reminded once again of something Elijah has always said. Family is power."

Klaus pursed his lips in gratitude, "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Annalise glanced at Francis, "I feel as if I'm missing something."

Francis sighed, "You have no idea."

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

a/n:

thoughts on Francis?