Chapter 13: Ashes and Oaths(II)

As the first rays of dawn painted the sky, Kol found himself drawn to the Mystic Falls bridge, a relic made of White Oak. He hadn't been thinking about the dangers of magic or the curse tied to the ancient tree—only the echoes of Rudra's voice whispering in his mind: *"The White Oak... We need to destroy it but leave some under our control. We can make wards for it and hide. As long as it stays on this plane, we can add our safeguards; otherwise, we may die."*Kol knelt beside the weathered wood, his fingers tracing the grooves, the weight of his past heavy in his chest. Memories of Rudra, Klaus, and their endless struggles surged through his mind. The sacrifices, the pain of betrayal, and the centuries of silence gnawed at him.But within that turmoil, a spark of defiance flared. *"WE WILL LIVE,"* Rudra's voice had roared before his end. Kol would honor that defiance.With a flick of his wrist, he conjured a can of accelerant, drenching the bridge in fuel. He left a part of the support intact, a crucial piece of White Oak in his hand—the power to kill his family, to end the curse, all within his grasp. The fire ignited, roaring to life, consuming the bridge. Kol stood amidst the flames, his eyes burning with the same intensity, resolute in his mission.When the fire finally died, Kol retrieved the charred remnants of the bridge—the White Oak. It was a symbol of both their curse and their survival, and it would serve as his safeguard. He concealed the piece of oak, its weight heavy in his pocket as he made his way back to the Mikaelson manor.Entering the manor, Kol felt the air thicken with unspoken tension. In the library, the Mikaelsons were waiting. Elijah's steady gaze met Kol's, a silent question hanging between them. Rebekah watched him, curiosity mingled with wariness, and Klaus, always perceptive, could sense the shift in Kol's demeanor.Kol broke the silence. "We need to talk," he announced, his voice cutting through the oppressive atmosphere.Elijah inclined his head, always the diplomat. Rebekah, impatient as ever, held her tongue for once. Klaus, eyes glinting, gestured for him to continue."I've taken a step," Kol began slowly, carefully weighing his words, "a step to ensure our survival." He revealed the salvaged piece of White Oak, its edges scorched by the flames.The room fell deathly silent."We can't live in fear of this cursed wood any longer," Kol declared, his gaze daring his siblings to oppose him. "I can protect us, but it comes at a cost. I'm going to create a ward, one that only our blood—freely given—can unlock. The four of us. No one else."Elijah's brow furrowed as he pondered the implications. Rebekah, always concerned for the family, softened, acknowledging the necessity of Kol's actions. Klaus, to Kol's surprise, gave an approving nod, though a flicker of something—fear, perhaps—crossed his face.Without a word, Klaus sped from the room and returned moments later with a metal box, the kind used for storing long swords. Elijah, suspicious, asked, "Where did you get this, Kol?"Kol shrugged, trying for nonchalance. "After I left Caroline at her home, I wandered around town, reminiscing. I found the bridge—it's entirely made of White Oak. I couldn't leave a danger like that so close. So, I burned it. Except for this piece." He held up the wood. "It can be used to make stakes. To kill us all. I'm taking precautions now. I believe this is nature's way of counterbalancing our curse."Klaus tilted his head mockingly, as if Kol were stating the obvious. Realizing who he was speaking to—the most paranoid sibling of all—Kol blushed slightly, causing the tension in the room to ease just a fraction.The Mikaelsons exchanged glances, the weight of Kol's actions sinking in. Elijah, ever cautious, voiced his concern. "Nature's counterbalance or not, we need to understand what this means for us. Kol, this is a bold move. We need to investigate further."Kol nodded, his gaze unwavering. "I didn't take this decision lightly, brother. But it's time we stop living in fear, even if it means facing the unknown."With a swift motion, Kol applied the ancient ward, reciting the spell in Old Norse:"Kveðja blóði, binda saman fjögur, Skapa vernd sem enginn getur rofið, Þannig verði, þessi galdur þig bindi."(*By blood, bind together the four, Create a protection that none can break, So be it, this spell shall bind you.*)A faint glow enveloped the metal box, sealing the ward. Klaus inspected it with a satisfied nod."Good work, Kol."Kol smirked. "Now this box can only be opened if all four of us give our blood freely. The magic responds to our essence—only the combined blood of the Mikaelson siblings will unlock it."Kol grinned mischievously and turned on his heel. "That was an exciting day. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a barrel of rum." He left the room, muttering under his breath, leaving his siblings to ponder the precarious balance they found themselves in once again.I am always available for conversations about the storyIf you like the story please do support me on PatPatreon