I’ve been watching from the shadows for years, quietly existing in the corners of this world that my family, the Mikaelsons, has so brazenly manipulated. My blood runs as ancient as theirs, but unlike my siblings, I’ve never craved the power, the chaos, or the endless strife that’s defined our existence. I am Klaus’s twin, the one he forgot—hidden from everyone. My story was never meant to be told, and yet, here I am.

The house is quiet when I arrive, the tension thick in the air. Inside the Salvatore boarding house, I can feel the unease of the Salvatores as they prepare their weapon—the white oak stakes. I know what they’re planning. A quick death, a simple end to the Originals. But they don’t realize that nothing in Mystic Falls is simple.

Damon paces, twirling one of the stakes between his fingers. Stefan leans against the wall, silent and brooding, his arms crossed. They think they have the advantage. They think they can take down Klaus. But I know better. This isn’t their fight. This is family business.

And I’m not about to let them end it without me.

The door slams open, and Klaus steps inside, his usual cocky grin plastered on his face. He’s too comfortable, too sure of himself. “Now, now,” he taunts, strolling in like he owns the place. “Did you really think it would be that easy?”

Before anyone can react, everything explodes into chaos. Fists collide, bodies crash, and the unmistakable sound of a stake being driven into flesh echoes through the room, Elena, Caroline, ric, Bonnie and the Salvatore’s fighting.

I step in,His expression is a mixture of anger and recognition. “You… shouldn’t be here.”

Their plan was simple—take down the Originals. One stake, one dead Original, and they all die. But nothing in Mystic Falls ever goes as planned.