『22』

Matt glanced at Klaus appreciatively and remarked, "I'd forgotten how attractive you are." Klaus, slightly amused, responded, "Flattery aside, let's focus on the main issue— The ritual." Klaus, intrigued by Matt's lack of fear, noted, "You're remarkably calm considering you're about to be part of a ritual." Matt smirked and replied, "Fear isn't my style. Besides, being bitten by a good-looking vampire isn't the worst fate, and I'm not the one that's going to die, so consider me happy." 

Klaus raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Matt's boldness. "You find danger appealing, then?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice. 

"I'm drawn to excitement; it's in my nature as an incubus, after all," Matt said with a confident grin. "And let's be clear, while Katerina might tremble at your shadow, I'm not easily intimidated. The only reason you managed to bring me here was by having your muscle over there catch me off guard. But this time, I'm prepared. So, tell me," Matt continued, closing the distance between them and giving Klaus a playful tap on the shoulder, "what's in it for me?"

Klaus, momentarily taken aback by Matt's audacity, then broke into a sly grin. "Your bravery—or is it recklessness?—is quite amusing, Matt. For participating in the ritual, what reward do you seek? Power? Protection? Or perhaps something more... personal?"

Matt held Klaus's gaze, his smirk unwavering. "I'm not one to turn down power or protection, but let's add a little spice to the mix. How about a favor, no questions asked, to be redeemed when I see fit?"

"Are we in agreement, then?" Matt pressed, his eyes glowing silver. Disturbed by his tone towards Klaus, Greta interjected angrily, "What right do you have to demand anything from Klaus?"

Matt turned sharply towards her, retorting dismissively, "This conversation doesn't concern you, dear. I suggest you stay out of matters that are beyond you." With a mere flick of his hand, he sent her crashing against the wall, rendering her unconscious.

Refocusing on Klaus, Matt's voice took on a more compelling, seductive tone as he stepped closer, "Well, what's your decision, handsome?" Channeling his energy to influence Klaus subtly, he saw its immediate effect—Klaus's cheeks reddened, and his breaths became shallow.

Leaning in, Matt whispered enticingly into Klaus's ear, leaving a soft kiss that made Klaus shiver slightly. Overwhelmed by the unexpected sensation, Klaus could only muster a breathy "Yes." 

"Appreciated," Matt said, lightly pecking Klaus on the cheek before settling into a chair. He reveled in the influence he held over others. "So, when's this sacrifice happening? I've got a schedule to keep, and it doesn't involve hanging around here."

—-------------

Klaus had departed with his entourage of witches to make preparations for the ritual, leaving Matt confined by a barrier spell sealing the door. He was capable of breaking through, but he had questions for Katherine and didn't want to provoke Klaus's wrath.

Observing Katherine harm herself by repeatedly stabbing her leg, Matt inquired, "What was it like being on the run from Klaus?"

Katherine continued her self-harm without a word, prompting Matt to clarify, "He compelled you to hurt yourself, not to remain silent."

"It was a nightmare! Is that what you want to hear?" Katherine retorted bitterly. "Always having to think several steps ahead, while Klaus was practically at the endgame."

During their exchange, Alaric regained consciousness, looking disoriented. "Seems like you're back with us," Matt remarked, noting Alaric's grogginess. "You've been out for quite some time."

Alaric, struggling to find his bearings, asked, "What happened?"

Matt, sounding somewhat disinterested, explained, "Klaus happened. He took control of you a few weeks back."

Alaric's confusion deepened as he absorbed Matt's words, trying to piece together his lost time. "Klaus possessed me?" he asked, struggling to stand up, his movements still unsteady from the aftereffects of Klaus's control.

Matt nodded, watching Alaric's attempt to regain his composure. "Yeah, and he's been using you for his own plans. It's been quite the show."

Katherine, pausing her self-inflicted pain, looked over at Alaric with a mix of pity and concern. "You've been his puppet, Alaric. We all have, in one way or another," she said,

Alaric looked at the two then rushed out of the apartment.

Matt was in the bedroom taking a nap while, Katherine amused herself by spinning in a swivel chair, the music playing in the background adding to the moment's levity. Rising from her playful distraction, she opened a cupboard and discovered a bottle of bourbon whiskey. With a pleased smile, she uncapped it and indulged in a hearty swig, her enhanced vampire hearing picking up distant voices.

Outside the apartment, Andie expressed her doubts, "I don't think this is a good idea," to which Damon responded with a hint of sarcasm, "Investigative journalism... we're investigating." They approached the door, and Andie, hoping to gain entry, called out, "Alaric, are you home? It's Andie... Star, Jenna's friend."

Inside, Katherine attempted to answer the door, but an unseen barrier thwarted her efforts to grasp the doorknob. After a second failed attempt, she resigned and stepped back. The door then opened from the outside, allowing Andie and Damon entry.

Relieved at the company's arrival, Katherine exclaimed, "Thank God." As Andie stepped inside, she couldn't help but remark on Katherine's striking resemblance to Elena, saying, "Wow! You were right. She looks exactly like Elena."

Standing at the threshold, Damon, unable to enter due to the vampire's invitation rule, looked at Katherine and quipped, "Thought you might be dead." With a touch of her usual wit, Katherine retorted, "Unfortunately not."

"Who's the other heartbeat belong to," Damon asked while cocking his eyebrow, " Kathrine let out a sigh " It's the Donovan boy; he's taking a nap."

Matt stepped out of the bedroom and announced, "I've been up for some time, just dreadfully bored. Well, off I go." With that, he approached the door, placed his hands on the barrier, and began to chant, "Confractus." The barrier shattered, and he made his way home.

Upon arriving home, Stephanie warmly greeted Matt, who hurried over to hug him; Matt hugged her back.

—---------------

A few days later, Klaus appeared at Matt's doorstep. When Matt inquired how he could assist, Klaus, with a sly smile, responded, "The time has come for the ritual. I've gathered everyone required, but you're the final piece we need. So, let's not delay," he said, extending his hand.

Matt took Klaus's hand, and they walked to the clearing. Upon arrival, Matt saw Jenna, Elena, and Jules unconscious. With a wave of her hand, Klaus gestured for them to be awakened, and Greta woke the three women. Matt stood aside, observing as Elena and Jenna conversed on the ground, Jenna clutching her head in distress.

Jenna groaned, "Oh, my head. What's wrong with me?"

Elena, concerned, asked, "Do you remember what happened?"

Jenna replied, "You called me. You were so scared. I should've known it wasn't you. The moment I stepped outside, someone grabbed me—a vampire."

Elena clarified, "It was Klaus."

Jenna continued, "He forced me to drink his blood. After that, everything's a blur." Looking around anxiously, she asked, "Where are we? What's going on?"

Elena took Jenna's hands, offering solace, "We're at the quarry. Klaus brought us here."

Confused, Jenna said, "I can't remember anything."

Elena gently asked, "Jenna, do you recall how someone becomes a vampire?"

Jenna remembered, "Yes if you die with vampire blood in your system..." Her voice trailed off as the realization hit her. "Oh, god. He killed me."

Elena reassured her, "Listen to me, Jenna. Everything's going to be okay. I'll get us out of here."

Jenna, in disbelief, whispered, "I'm a vampire?"

Greta chimed in, "And I bet you're hungry."

Watching this, Matt genuinely felt terrible for Jenna; she would die because of Elena's recklessness.

Greta approached Jenna and Elena, who were sitting on the ground. Spotting a sharp rock, Elena made a dash for it, only to be hurled backward by Greta's magic, landing harshly on the dirt. Greta then conjured a circle of fire around Elena, who, despite her efforts, found herself trapped by the magically enforced barrier.

"Don't bother trying to get through. I spelled the circle. You're trapped. No matter what you do," Greta declared, ensuring Elena knew escape was futile.

Elena, desperate, pleaded with Greta, "Please, just let her go."

Ignoring her pleas, Greta sliced her wrist with the sharp rock, causing blood to drip enticingly in front of Jenna, who gazed at it with a burgeoning hunger. "Klaus chose her," Greta stated, indicating Jenna's significant role in their plans.

Elena protested, but Greta insisted, "Drink it." Despite Elena's urgent cries for her to resist, Jenna was unable to ignore the overwhelming urge and bit into Greta's wrist, drinking deeply.

Elena could only watch in despair, tears welling in her eyes, as Jenna succumbed to the bloodlust. After a moment, Greta withdrew her wrist, and Jenna collapsed, having had enough.

Greta then rose to her feet and, with a flick of her wrist, encased Jenna in another circle of fire, causing her to recoil in fear.

Elena tried to comfort her, "Jenna. It's going to be okay." She sought Jenna's gaze, blood still trickling down her chin, and reassured her, "It's gonna be okay."

Matt walked up to Jenna and whispered something into her ear, making her cry and nod. 

Jules, Elena, and Jenna remained trapped within their fiery prisons, with Jules's pained groans filling the air. Nearby, Matt stood silently beside Klaus, who held the moonstone, lamenting its loss after centuries of searching. "I've got the moonstone. I spent 500 years looking for this. I hate to part with it," Klaus confessed before passing the stone to Greta, who accepted it with a solemn nod towards the heavens.

"The moon has passed its apex," Greta observed, ensuring their readiness. Klaus confirmed, and Greta proceeded to destroy the moonstone in a ceremonial flame, igniting sparks as she began her incantation in Latin.

Amidst her suffering, Jules sought to explain her actions to Elena, "Everything I did...I was just trying to help Tyler. I didn't want him to be alone!" Elena, recognizing Jules's intentions, watched as Klaus prepared to act.

"Shall we?" Klaus proposed, dissipating the flames around Jules. She attacked with werewolf speed, only to be quickly overpowered by Klaus, who ended her life in a brutal display that left Elena and Jenna in horror.

As Greta's chanting continued, Klaus questioned the ritual's efficacy while contributing to the spell with Jules's heart. "Does that mean it's working?" he inquired, to which Greta assured, "It's working."

In their captive state, Jenna reminisced with Elena about the day she became their guardian, expressing initial reluctance. "The day the lawyers called...I wondered, isn't there someone else?" Jenna confided.

Elena, kneeling beside her, acknowledged Jenna's sacrifice, "You put your life on hold for us. You didn't fail; I did. I'm sorry." She then shared the harsh truth of vampirism's dual edge of guilt and empowerment, urging Jenna to use her new strengths to survive and, when possible, to escape. Jenna, moved by Elena's plea, silently vowed to seize the chance when it came.

Stefan came in and tried to barter for Jenna's life, but Klaus quickly put an end to it by snapping his neck.

As Greta transitioned into the next phase of her spell, she extinguished the fiery barrier encircling Jenna, exposing her and visibly terrified. Elena, with tears in her eyes, could only watch helplessly.

"No," Elena whispered, a plea in her voice.

Klaus, unyielding, indicated it was Jenna's turn. Elena's protests grew desperate, "No, Jenna, no!" She tried to reach Jenna, but the flames around her own prison surged, blocking any attempt at intervention.

With a resigned calm, Jenna assured Elena, "It's alright, Elena. I know what I have to do." She then approached Matt, giving him a nod that carried the weight of her decision, "Do it." Matt complied, drawing as much chiKF from Jenna as he dared, careful not to take her life.

Weakened but determined, Jenna faced Klaus next and urged, "Do it." After taking aback by her readiness, Klaus hesitated only momentarily before fulfilling her request, ending her existence with a stake to the heart.

Turning towards Matt. Matt rolled down his sleeve and gasped as Klaus's fangs pierced his skin. After a moment, Klaus released him.

Klaus then approached Elena, signaling that her time had come as the ring of fire around her vanished. Despite Klaus's extended hand, Elena rose and defiantly walked past him, her focus on the altar where Jenna lay. Klaus, undeterred, followed and forcefully directed Elena's gaze towards him, holding her face firmly.

"Thank you, Elena," Klaus said, to which Elena responded with a defiant, "Go to hell."

As Stefan attempted to rise, his weakness overcame him, and he collapsed again. Elena, with a vacant stare, felt Klaus's fangs pierce her neck, draining her life away. Stefan could only watch in despair as Elena's strength faded, her body eventually collapsing lifelessly to the ground after Klaus released her, the ritual flame extinguishing with the end of the act.

Feeling the power of the ritual take effect, Klaus descended the stone steps, acknowledging the transformation within him, "I can feel it. It's happening."

While Klaus was transforming, Matt used this as his opportunity and took Jenna's body and left.....

—--------------------

{Flashback}

" I'll bring you back when Klaus calls on you to come to me beforehand, Jenna. You dont deserve this; just go on with the ritual," Matt said while whispering in her ear and walking away. Observing Jenna, Matt was overwhelmed with a sense of melancholy. Reminiscing about his past, Jenna always showed genuine concern for his well-being when he was involved with Elena. She noticed the subtle signs of his struggle—the unclean clothes, the dark shadows under his eyes—details Elena overlooked, engrossed in her world. Jenna's kindness and her efforts to help, however small, had left a deep imprint on Matt's heart. Jenna's compassion extended beyond mere observations; she actively sought ways to support Matt during his times of need. Recognizing his challenges at home, Jenna often invited him over for dinner, ensuring he had at least one nutritious meal amidst his turbulent home life. She provided a listening ear without judgment, offering advice and comfort when Matt felt overwhelmed by his circumstances. On occasion, Jenna discreetly slipped him gift cards to local grocery stores or laundromats, always insisting they were just extra that she didn't need

Looking at Jenna's dead body, Matt thought back to his conversation with Agustus and Asmodeus, "Matt, your strength has been growing, and we believe it's time you learned something important. Similar to vampires, we possess the ability to create progeny. However, our capacity is limited to five. These progeny will be unconditionally loyal to you, it's like an unbreakable sire bond, that a 1000x stronger and can't be broken. To initiate this transformation, you'll require three key components: the corpse of the individual, a portion of their life force, and a bit of your own."

They continued, outlining the process, "You must blend your life force with theirs, ensuring that your essence dominates. Then, reintroduce this merged force back into the corpse. At this point, the body will convulse and undergo a metamorphosis. Whether the individual awakens to complete the transition is their battle. To become one of us, they must confront and overcome their innermost fears and demons. Success leads to transformation; failure results in eternal rest."

Curious, Matt inquired about their progeny. With a reflective smile, Agustus shared, "Our creations are bound to us by a sirebond. If we perish, so do they, mirroring the fate of the masters. "

Asmodeus elaborated on the transformation process, "Upon awakening, your progeny will find their human memories faded, almost as if they've been erased. They might experience fleeting glimpses of their past lives, but these memories won't fully return unless you specifically allow it. It's important to understand that these new beings will be inherently different from you. While you were created with strength, they emerge weaker and with an immediate need to feed. Their abilities, though akin to ours, will possess unique variations."

When Matt inquired about the differences in abilities, Agustus responded with a knowing smirk, "You'll just have to discover that for yourself." Taking this in, Matt turned his attention to Jenna, preparing for the transformation process. He sat down beside her, tuning into her life energy. He felt a brief pushback as he merged his essence with hers, which quickly subsided. With the blend of energies now favoring his own, Matt approached Jenna's lifeless form and gently opened her mouth to channel the combined life force into her.

In moments, color returned to Jenna's desiccated body, but almost immediately, her body began to shake violently, then abruptly ceased its convulsions. To Matt's astonishment, Jenna levitated, surrounded by an energy that enveloped her, forming a cocoon-like barrier.

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