POV: Nero
Power.
That was all I felt.
Power.
It coursed through my veins like fire, like something alive, something endless. Every sense I had was sharper—far sharper than before. I could hear things miles away. My sense of smell was overwhelming, every scent layered and distinct.
My strength.
My speed.
Everything felt… multiplied. Not just stronger—amplified. Like I had been living half a life before, and now I was finally complete.
"How do you feel, brother?" Dante's voice came from behind me.
I pulled my shirt over my head slowly, taking a moment before answering. We stood at the same spot where I became something different, the others were already boarding the ship preparing to go..
I turned slightly, glancing at him over my shoulder.
"Alive," I said.
I let out a small breath, almost a laugh.
"I feel alive… truly alive. For the first time."
Dante studied me carefully.
"That's a bit concerning," he said. "You've been alive for quite a while now."
"You know what I mean," I replied, turning fully toward him. "This… this is different."
He crossed his arms.
"I can see that," he said, eyes narrowing slightly. "Your presence alone feels—"
"—Overwhelming?" I cut in with a smirk.
He didn't answer immediately.
"Yeah," he admitted after a moment. "Overwhelming."
I stepped closer to him.
"And because of that," I said quietly, "I wanted to give you something."
Dante raised an eyebrow.
"That tone never leads to anything good," he muttered. "What are you—"
Before he could finish, I moved.
In an instant, I bit into my own wrist and forced it toward his mouth.
"Drink," I ordered.
Dante instinctively resisted.
"Nero, what the hell—"
"Drink," I repeated, more firmly.
He hesitated for a split second… then did.
The moment he swallowed my blood—
I struck.
My hand shot into his chest.
Straight through.
I ripped his heart out.
Dante's eyes widened in shock.
For a brief second, he looked at me like he didn't understand.
Then his body went limp.
I dropped his heart to the ground, watching it thud softly against the dirt.
Silence followed.
I walked over to a nearby log and sat down, resting my elbows on my knees, completely calm.
Minutes passed.
Then—
Dante gasped.
His body jerked as life returned to him. He sucked in a sharp breath, eyes darting around wildly before settling on me.
"You…" he said, still catching his breath. "You killed me."
He looked down at his chest, touching it as if expecting the wound to still be there.
Then he looked back at me.
"Why would you do that?" he demanded. "To your own brother?"
I smiled slightly.
"Before you get angry," I said, standing up, "you might want to consider something."
He narrowed his eyes.
"And what's that?"
"You're alive, aren't you?"
Dante paused.
He took another breath.
Then another.
Slowly, realization began to settle in.
"…Yeah," he admitted.
He looked at his hands, flexing his fingers.
"I am."
He looked back at me, confusion still clear in his expression.
"How?" he asked. "How is that even possible?"
I stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Because," I said, "you are no longer what you used to be."
He frowned.
"Meaning?"
"You are now an Original vampire," I explained. "Or more accurately… an Original heretic."
His eyes widened slightly.
"The first of your kind."
Dante stood there in silence, processing it.
"You can only be killed by a White Oak stake," I continued. "Or…" I smirked, "…me."
He stared at me for a moment longer, then looked down again at his chest.
"You could have warned me," he said dryly. "Instead of just… ripping my heart out."
I waved a hand dismissively.
"Oh, shake it off," I said. "You're nearly indestructible now."
He let out a quiet breath, shaking his head.
"You're unbelievable."
I grinned.
"I believe the words you're looking for are 'thank you.'"
Dante didn't respond right away.
He just stood there, looking at me.
Then, slowly… a small smile formed on his face.
"…Thank you, brother."
I nodded once.
"And there it is."
Dante raised an eyebrow again.
"Wait," he said. "How did you even know that would work?"
I shrugged.
"That's a story for another time."
He sighed.
"Of course it is."
I clasped my hands together, turning toward the ship.
"Now," I said, "let's go home."
–
POV: Klaus Mikaelson
1650
"What do you think, brother?" I asked, adjusting my coat as I looked at myself in the mirror. "Which suit looks best?"
Behind me, Elijah barely spared me a glance.
"Perhaps the one with less blood on it, Niklaus."
I smiled at that, glancing down at the dark stains on my sleeve.
"Oh, brother, are you sure?" I said, brushing at it halfheartedly. "I think it adds a certain… flavor to it. A bit of character."
I turned my head slightly toward the corner of the room.
"Don't you think so, love?"
The young girl stood there, trembling, her back pressed against the wall. Blood ran slowly down her neck from where I had fed. Her eyes were wide with terror, frozen in place.
I had compelled her not to move.
Not to run.
Not to scream.
But I hadn't taken away her fear.
I never did.
"It's alright," I said softly, walking toward her. "You can speak."
Her lips trembled, but no words came out—only quiet sobs as tears streamed down her face.
I tilted my head, studying her.
"Ah… too much, perhaps," I murmured. "Emotions can be quite overwhelming, can't they?"
I turned back toward the mirror with a small shrug.
"So, the one with the blood, then. Yes, I think it suits me."
"Niklaus," Elijah said, his tone carrying that familiar, restrained disapproval.
"What, brother?" I replied, meeting his eyes through the reflection. "We must look impressive, must we not? We are meeting the leader of this so-called city… Castlevania."
Elijah stepped forward slightly.
"We must look presentable," he corrected calmly.
I scoffed.
"I do not need to look presentable for anyone," I said. "If this so-called Nero believes I will bow to him, then he is truly mad."
"Calm yourself, Niklaus," Elijah said. "You seem to forget—we have met Mr. Tone before. We drank with him. Spoke with him. He was… reasonable."
"Reasonable?" I echoed, letting out a short laugh. "Is that meant to impress me?"
Elijah sighed.
"I believe he will be a gracious host."
"And if he is not," I said casually, "then I shall kill him."
Elijah's expression hardened.
"You cannot kill him, brother."
I turned fully toward him now, pointing a finger.
"You, of all people, Elijah, should know better than to tell me what I can and cannot do."
"And you, brother," he replied evenly, "should understand the consequences of your actions."
I stepped closer, my voice lowering.
"Consequences?" I repeated. "What consequences could there possibly be for me?"
"If you kill him," Elijah said, his voice firm now, "you will have an entire city against you. Werewolves. Witches. Vampires."
"And so what?" I shot back. "What are they going to do? Kill me?"
"Kill us," Elijah corrected.
I rolled my eyes.
"You forget yourself, Elijah. We cannot be killed."
"I do not forget," he said quietly. "But I remember something you seem to ignore—there are always consequences, even for us."
He stepped closer.
"This place… Castlevania… it is different. It is stable. Orderly. We could have something here."
I laughed, shaking my head.
"This place is not ours," I said. "This city is not ours."
I turned away, looking back at my reflection.
"And I will not be ruled by another."
My eyes darkened.
"So if we are to stay here… Nero Tone will have to die."
I spread my arms slightly, as if presenting the idea.
"And then I shall take his place."
"Or," Elijah said calmly, "we could remain focused on our original plan."
I glanced at him.
"Oh?"
"New Orleans," he said. "The land we heard about. It would suit us far better."
"No," I said immediately.
"I want this."
I turned back toward the mirror, adjusting my collar.
"I don't know how some lesser vampire managed to build a place like this," I continued, "but rest assured, brother… I will take it."
My reflection stared back at me, eyes filled with quiet ambition.
"I will be its king."
There was a brief silence.
"Do as you will, Niklaus," Elijah said at last. "But I advise caution."
I waved him off.
"Oh, and brother," I added casually, "go ahead and undagger Kol and Finn. I think they've served enough time in a box."
Elijah allowed himself a small, shocked smile.
"I will see that it is done."
"And tell our sister to come here please." I said.
He nodded and turned to walk out of the room.
I remained there, finishing my attire, smoothing out the fabric of my coat.
We had come to the New World still running from our father.
Always running.
But then we found this place.
Castlevania.
A city that should not exist.
Witches practicing magic openly in the streets.
Vampires feeding without fear.
Werewolves living without chains or persecution.
It was… beautiful.
And I wanted all of it.
This Nero Tone—this supposed ruler—might have built something remarkable.
But it would not remain his.
If I had to kill him to claim it…
Then so be it.
I turned my head slowly toward the girl in the corner.
She flinched the moment my eyes met hers.
I smiled.
"You know, love," I said, walking toward her again, "all this talk has made me rather hungry."
She tried to back away, but the compulsion held her in place.
"Don't worry," I added softly, tilting her chin up.
"I'll make it quick."
I paused, studying her face.
Then I smiled wider.
"Or perhaps… not."
–
POV Elijah
Music played throughout the ballroom, rich and lively. All types of people danced around—vampires, werewolves, witches. All of them… coexisting. Not merely tolerating one another, but truly sharing the same space as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I had even spotted several influential vampires, names I knew well, moving freely without fear.
My brother had been right. This place was… extraordinary.
Which only led to a more troubling question—how had Nero Tone, a vampire no older than three centuries, achieved something that neither I nor my siblings ever could?
"Loosen up, brother," a sly voice said, nudging my shoulder.
I glanced over to see Kol, already grinning like trouble had found a new home.
"I've been in a box for quite some time," he continued, straightening his coat, "and I, for one, would like to enjoy myself before Nik gets any bright ideas again."
"If you behave, Kol," I replied calmly, "no one will be returning to that box."
He scoffed, waving a hand dismissively. "Easy for you to say. You're Nik's favorite."
"I am not—"
"Oh, please," Kol cut in, smirking. "You're the noble one, the reasonable one. The one he pretends to listen to before doing whatever he wants anyway."
Despite myself, I allowed a faint smile.
Kol's gaze drifted across the room again, more curious now than mocking. "Still… I've got to admit. Vampires, witches, and werewolves in the same room without tearing each other apart?" He shook his head slowly. "Never thought I'd live to see the day."
"I would have to agree with our fox of a brother," a familiar female voice said.
Kol and I both turned.
Rebekah stood there, arms folded, Finn beside her—stoic as ever.
"Well, well," Kol said lightly. "Look who's decided to join us."
"Hello, Kol," Rebekah replied dryly. "Try not to start a war before the night is over."
"No promises," he said with a grin before glancing at Finn. "And you… still brooding, I see."
Finn said nothing. He merely looked at Kol with quiet disapproval, which was answer enough.
Kol sighed dramatically. "Yes, yes, I've missed you too." Then, clearly bored, he turned and wandered off into the crowd.
Rebekah shook her head before looking at me. "Where is Niklaus?"
"Asking the same question, sister?" a voice said from behind her.
She turned sharply, and there stood Niklaus, hands behind his back, a faint smirk on his face.
"Niklaus," she said, half-annoyed, half-relieved. "Where have you been?"
"Observing," he replied simply. "Taking in our surroundings." His eyes moved across the room with interest. "And I must say… this is quite the establishment."
"It belongs to Nero Tone," I said. "We are here to speak with him, not admire his home."
"Yes, yes," Niklaus muttered. "Talk, diplomacy, manners…" He rolled his eyes. "But imagine it, Elijah. A place like this. Order among chaos. Power… properly wielded."
"Niklaus—"
He cut me off with a small smile. "Relax, brother. I said imagine."
Before I could respond, the sharp sound of glass tapping echoed through the hall.
The music softened, conversations quieted, and all eyes turned toward the staircase.
There he stood.
Nero Tone.
Dressed in finely tailored noble attire, he carried himself with an ease that commanded attention without effort. There was something else, too—something beneath the surface. Something… wrong.
"My brothers and sisters," he began, his voice carrying across the room, "I welcome you all to Castlevania—the city of the supernatural."
A murmur spread through the crowd.
"I am its ruler, Nero Tone. Some of you may know me. Some of you may not." His lips curved slightly. "But by tonight, I assure you… none of you will forget me."
He gestured to his side.
"Allow me to introduce my wife… Diana Tone."
A woman stepped forward beside him.
She was striking—pale white hair, piercing blue eyes, and a presence that felt… wild. Untamed. But what drew the most attention was her stomach.
She was pregnant or that's what it seemed to be.
I felt Rebekah stiffen beside me.
"That can't be…" she whispered.
I knew the same thing we could not have children of our own, we were already dead
Niklaus let out a quiet, disbelieving laugh. "A vampire… having a child?"
Nero's gaze swept across the room as the whispers grew louder.
"And as you can see," he said calmly, "she is with child."
A voice called out from the crowd, mocking. "You expect us to believe that child is yours?"
Another followed. "Say it plainly—you're a fool playing house with mortals!"
"Your a fucking vampire cuck."
Laughter erupted among several vampires.
Niklaus smirked, clearly entertained.
Nero, however, did not react with anger.
Instead, he glanced to his left.
A man stood there—dark hair, green eyes, calm and still.
He gave a single nod.
In an instant, he moved.
Before anyone could react, he was upon the loudest of the vampires. His eyes flashed gold—like a werewolf—but dark veins spread from them.
My breath caught.
"No…" Niklaus whispered. "That's not possible."
The man sank his teeth into the vampire's neck and tore him down to the floor like prey.
Heavy silence fell.
Nero spoke again, his voice colder now.
"Now that we've dealt with that…" He gestured toward the man. "There is something else you should all know."
The man stood there, blood staining his lips.
"This," Nero continued, "is a Hybrid. A species I had helped in creating. Half vampire. Half werewolf."
The room erupted.
"That's impossible!"
"It cannot be done!"
"It's an abomination."
"HOW?!" Niklaus shouted, blocking out everyone else's voices, stepping forward, fury burning in his eyes. "How is that possible?!"
"How did you break the Curse?"
Nero smiled.
"Oh, Niklaus Mikaelson," he said softly. "I was wondering how long it would take for you to speak."
In a blur, Niklaus lunged at him.
But before he could reach him—
Nero raised his hand.
Niklaus froze mid-motion.
Completely.
My eyes widened.
How could this be?
I looked around to see if any witch was inferring but no
Nero Tone Could use magic.
But that shouldn't be possible, Kol said.
I shook my head getting out of my trans.
And looked at Nero.
"Let him go," I said sharply, stepping forward. "Release him, now or I shall tear out your heart."
Nero looked at me for a moment.
And then he began to laugh.
Really laugh.
"You believe you can threaten me, Elijah?"
"You, some silly vampire."
Before I could react—
He was in front of me.
His hand was in my chest.
Pain exploded through my body as I gasped, unable to move.
"How…?" I struggled, my voice barely a whisper.
He was faster than anything I had ever seen.
Stronger, too.
Finn rushed him.
Nero moved without effort, stepping aside and grabbing Finn before sinking his teeth into him.
Finn screamed.
Not in pain.
In agony.
Raw, unbearable agony.
When Nero dropped him, Finn collapsed, barely breathing.
The room was silent once more.
Terrified.
I forced myself to look up.
And what I saw—
His eyes.
Red. With slitted pupils.
Dark veins spreading down his face.
His teeth—too many, too sharp.
A predator.
"What… are you?" I asked, my voice strained.
Nero smiled.
"I'm glad you asked, Elijah."
His voice deepened, something ancient and monstrous beneath it.
"The one at the top of the food chain. The all powerful one. I am the apex predator.."
He stepped closer, his presence suffocating.
"I am the Lycan."
My vision blurred.
"And when you wake," he added softly, "find a place to bury your brother."
Darkness swallowed everything.