Chapter 22

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In a forest clearing, dimly lit by moonlight, witches surrounded a pentagram carved into the earth. Chanting in unison, their voices rose and fell in an ominous melody, building toward a crescendo. The air crackled with energy, and for a moment, it seemed as though their spell would succeed. But just as the ritual reached its peak, the energy fizzled out, leaving an eerie silence.

A slow clap broke through the stillness.

"Well, Mother, I do hope you liked my little surprise," Kol Mikaelson drawled, stepping out from the shadows, his usual smirk firmly in place.

Esther Mikaelson, momentarily stunned, narrowed her eyes at her wayward son. Before she could begin another incantation, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the clearing.

In strolled Klaus, his swagger undeniable, as though he owned not only the clearing but the very air the witches breathed.

"Well, well," Klaus sneered, his tone dripping with venom. "How fares my bitch of a mother and her ever-rebellious son?"

Elijah appeared next, his demeanor calm but his eyes betraying irritation. "Niklaus, must you antagonize her at every turn?"

Rebekah followed, arms crossed and glaring daggers. "As if you're one to talk, Elijah. Mother's schemes have brought nothing but misery to us all."

Esther stood tall amidst the bickering. "Why do you persist in your rebellion, Kol? You, of all people, should understand the necessity of this ritual. It is for your own good!"

Kol's eyes widened in mock astonishment. "For my own good? What utter nonsense, Mother." His tone turned biting, his smirk replaced by a snarl. "Let me remind you of a little something: it was you who bargained with Nature to grant us immortality. You, in your infinite wisdom, unleashed this curse upon the world. And now you think I owe you loyalty? Spare me your sanctimony."

Esther opened her mouth to respond, but Kol silenced her with a wave of his hand.

"You dare to lecture me about responsibility? You had your husband dagger me—me—while I mourned my brother. I don't care for your excuses, Mother, and I certainly don't care for your delusions. If witches think they can control Nature's course, they are fools. Nature doesn't care about us—it adapts, and we should do the same."

Kol pulled a dagger from his coat and slashed his palm, letting his blood drip onto the pentagram. The crimson droplets hissed as they touched the boundary.

"You want a ritual, Mother? Let's give Nature something to really chew on."

As he began chanting, his voice dark and commanding, the pentagram flared to life. The witches screamed as an invisible force yanked at their magic, disrupting their connection to Esther.

Esther's face twisted in fury. "What are you doing, Kol?!"

Kol grinned wickedly. "Oh, just ensuring that any soul foolish enough to resurrect you will pay dearly for it. As long as you remain in this plane, your conspirators will suffer endlessly."

With a final flourish of words, Kol slammed his hand onto the ground, sealing the boundary.

Esther's voice cracked with rage. "You insolent child!"

Kol's grin widened. "Ah, the sweet sound of your frustration, Mother. Such devastatingly beautiful music." He turned his gaze to the Bennett witches.

Flashing before them, Kol grabbed Abby Bennett by the arm. "Now, now, don't look so shocked." He sank his fangs into her neck, forcing his blood down her throat before snapping her neck. Her lifeless body crumpled to the ground.

Bonnie stared in horror as Kol approached her, his expression unreadable.

"Sorry, darling," he said softly, almost gently. "This is the price for conspiring against my family. But I'm feeling generous. Abby will live as a vampire—alive, in a sense. Consider it mercy."

Before Bonnie could react, a voice shouted from the edge of the clearing.

"Bonnie!" Caroline Forbes sprinted toward her, fury in her eyes, but Kol merely stepped aside, allowing her to reach Bonnie.

Kol turned his attention back to Esther. "Now, Mother, where were we?"

Klaus, growing impatient, snapped. "Enough of this! I've had it with your games, Esther." He lunged toward her, his hybrid strength nearly overwhelming, but Esther broke the connection to the Bennett line and forced open a portal.

"Until next time, my children," she hissed before vanishing.

The clearing fell silent once more.

"Well," Kol drawled, clapping Finn on the shoulder. "Poor Finn is at our mercy now. Tell me, brother, what shall we do with you?"

Klaus smirked. "Perhaps we find Sage and see if she's still as devoted to you as ever."

Rebekah chimed in with a smirk. "Or we dagger you again. You always did look better in a box."

Kol rolled his eyes. "Enough of this drivel. I'm bored of Mystic Falls and all its petty dramas. Nik, I'm leaving on an adventure. Don't bother trying to stop me."

"You'll do no such thing," Klaus snapped.

Kol met his brother's gaze, his eyes gleaming with defiance. "Is that so?"

With that, Kol vanished in a blur of speed, leaving the Mikaelsons to stew in his wake.

Standing on the edge of the clearing, he looked back at Mystic Falls one last time.

"Goodbye for now, little town. There's a whole world out there waiting for me." With a smirk, Kol disappeared into the night.

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This chapter is shorter than the previous ones. Kol will return after a time skip. I've grown bored of writing about this season, but he'll be back in a few days for the 1920s Decade Dance.

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Word Count - 1010