Chapter 2

Erik stared at her, his young face frozen between defiance and confusion. Though he was but a boy, his mind was sharper than most, far beyond his years. It wasn't just the latent power within him—it was the clarity that came from his demon blood. The world didn't frighten him as it should have. Even now, surrounded by the cold, stifling air of Dahlila's domain, a quiet storm churned inside him.

"Your claim means nothing," Erik finally said, his voice small but unwavering. "I am no one's possession."

Dahlila's lips curved into a knowing smile, one that revealed no warmth. "Ah, the fire in your blood. You are your mother's son, stubborn to the end. But I'm afraid it's not a matter of possession, little one. It's a matter of destiny. You are tied to me as surely as the sun rises each morning. And there is no escape from destiny."

Erik's heart raced, though he kept his expression as calm as a boy could muster. "Why? What deal did my mother make?"

Dahlila's eyes gleamed, a cruel glint flickering behind them. "Your mother was desperate, as all mortals are. She wanted children, a family. She wanted to protect Mikael from the truth of her own inadequacies. She came to me, begged me for power to ensure her children would survive the trials of this world. I granted her wish—but only on the condition that her firstborn would one day be mine."

The words struck Erik like a blow, but he refused to let it show. "And what do you plan to do with me?"

Dahlila chuckled, the sound echoing unnaturally in the dark chamber. "You are more than just her child, Erik. You are the firstborn of the Mikaelsons—a warlock by nature, but with blood that ties you to powers far beyond this world. I will mold you, teach you, shape you into a weapon that will serve my purposes."

Her words dripped with finality, but Erik's mind worked quickly. He had no intention of being molded into anything for anyone. His family needed him, and he was determined to return to them, no matter the cost.

The days—or perhaps weeks—passed in a blur. Dahlila kept Erik confined to her dark, sprawling sanctuary. It was a realm steeped in ancient magic, with towering stone pillars carved with runes, glowing pools of ethereal light, and walls that seemed to whisper secrets in forgotten tongues.

Dahlila wasted no time in trying to bend Erik to her will. She taught him spells, forcing him to tap into the latent power of his blood. At first, Erik resisted, refusing to participate in her lessons. But he quickly realized that defiance alone would not free him.

He needed to learn. Not for her, but for himself.

Each spell he mastered, each rune he deciphered, brought him closer to understanding the depths of his power. And the more he learned, the more he began to see cracks in Dahlila's control. She was powerful, yes, but not invincible.

One night, as Erik sat alone in the sanctuary, staring into the flickering light of a nearby pool, he felt the weight of his situation settle over him. He missed his family—the laughter of his siblings, the stern but protective presence of Mikael, and the quiet wisdom of Esther.

But as much as he yearned to return, he knew he couldn't do so empty-handed. He needed more power. Enough to challenge Dahlila, to break free from her grasp once and for all.

It was during these moments of quiet reflection that Erik began to discover something extraordinary. His magic wasn't just a tool—it was alive. The demon blood that coursed through him seemed to have a will of its own, responding to his emotions and desires. When he focused, he could feel it pulsing beneath his skin, an untapped reservoir of strength waiting to be unleashed.

Months turned into years, and Erik grew. No longer the frightened child who had been taken from his home, he had become something else entirely. Under Dahlila's tutelage, he had mastered spells that would take ordinary witches a lifetime to learn. But he had also learned to hide his true intentions, to mask his growing power from her watchful eyes.

He played the part of the obedient student, all the while plotting his escape. Every lesson, every incantation, brought him closer to his goal. And then, one fateful night, the opportunity finally presented itself.

Dahlila had grown complacent, confident in her control over him. She didn't notice the subtle changes in the runes that lined her sanctuary, the way Erik had altered them to weaken her wards.

As she prepared to leave the sanctuary for one of her mysterious errands, Erik struck.

He stood in the center of the chamber, his hands outstretched as he channeled the full force of his magic. The runes on the walls flared to life, their light casting eerie shadows across the stone.

Dahlila turned, her eyes narrowing in disbelief. "What are you doing?"

Erik's voice was calm, steady. "Taking back my destiny."

Before she could react, Erik unleashed a torrent of magic, the raw power of his demon blood surging through him. The runes he had carefully altered now worked against Dahlila, binding her in place as she struggled to break free.

"You're strong," she hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "But you're still just a child playing with powers you don't understand."

Erik stepped closer, his expression unreadable. "You underestimated me, Dahlila. That was your first mistake. Your second was thinking you could control me."

With a final surge of power, Erik unleashed a spell he had been perfecting in secret—one designed not just to defeat her, but to absorb her essence, her knowledge, her power.

Dahlila screamed, the sound reverberating through the sanctuary as her form began to dissolve. Erik could feel her magic flowing into him, merging with his own. It was overwhelming, intoxicating, but he held firm, refusing to let it consume him.

When it was over, the sanctuary fell silent. Dahlila was gone, her presence erased from the world.

Erik stood alone in the chamber, the weight of his actions settling over him. He had done what was necessary, but it came at a cost. He could feel the darkness within him growing stronger, the demon blood feeding on the power he had taken.

But he had no time to dwell on it. He had won his freedom, and now, it was time to return to his family.

The journey back to the Mikaelsons was long and arduous, but Erik was determined. When he finally arrived at the village, he was met with shock and relief. His siblings, now older, ran to him, their laughter and tears filling the air.

Esther embraced him tightly, her eyes brimming with emotion. "Erik... my son. You've returned to us."

Mikael stood nearby, his expression as stern as ever, but Erik could see the flicker of pride in his father's eyes.

"I promised I would come back," Erik said, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. "And I'll never leave again."

As he looked at his family, Erik knew that his journey was far from over. He had escaped Dahlila's grasp, but her shadow still loomed over him. The power he had gained came with its own dangers, and he would need to tread carefully in the years to come.

For now, though, he was home. And that was enough.