[*A Thousand Years Ago - Flashback*]

*Flashback/Dream (1000 years ago)*

-

The further they passed the mouth of the cave, the light dimmed to a dull, gloomy glow, and the warmth of the summer seeped to a chill that swept down their spines. The girl peered at the surroundings; her cerulean eyes traced the gold along gold stone walls that had marred with archaic age. The further they travelled, the fresh air changed to moist and stale water that made her wrinkle her nose in distaste, the lush soft meadow altered to dirt and stone that dug into the soles of their bare feet. They came to a cease as the blonde male stopped his tracks and turned to face them, watching them with worried, blue-green eyes.

"We shan't be here long. Dusk is upon us. Once we see the wolves, we ought to head back to the hut. Okay, brother, sister? Father shall have our hides if he snared our disobedience," he said, unable to mask his fear.

Still, with clasped hands, the girl patters closer until she's at his feet, the younger boy huddled into her side as she gazes at the older with a tender smile. "No fret, Nik. I won't allow Father to hurt you. I'll protect you," she glances down at her younger brother with a soft face before trailing back up to the fair-headed man. "Us. I'll protect us."

Nik protests shaking his head, his long, beautiful locks swishing around his angular face. "Darcella. You must not stop Father. Women shall not fight. That's our job, as men, to protect you, Rebekah, Freya, and Mother," he cups her face, eyes sparkling with fierce emotion, and kisses her forehead. "Always our protector."

"Our fearless protector," Henrik said, squeezing her hand, gazing up with an adoring grin.

"A fearless protector who shall always protect her family," Darcella said with utmost conviction. "Let's go see the wolves!" she spins in a circle, arms spread wide, her white dress kissing the dirt floor. With a cheeky grin, she dances from them and runs to the mouth of the cave.

Henrik mirrors her actions, his laugh echoing throughout the limestone walls.

Niklaus shakes his head, unable to hide the excitement arising inside. His deep chuckles follow their steps.

The previous blue cloudless sky evaporates, a hazy white mist takes place, drifting along the ground, travelling to their feet. The stars and full moon enhance the dark obscurity. The cold chill rises goosebumps upon their bear arms. No sooner did the first howl cut through the silence did their hearts pound against their chests, and the trio clutch hands, stepping back into the cavern as more howls pierce the air.

A pit gathers in the girl's stomach as a pair of glowing eyes meet hers, just behind the eerie shadowed trees. Her grip tightens as she moves backwards, each step, a large dark mass follows.

"Nik!" she panics, pushing her brothers behind her as it progresses nearer.

Nik yells as he trips on a tree branch in his alarm, scraping his knees on the hard ground. Eyeing the object, Darcella shoves Henrik back, causing him to stumble and fall. She dives to the side and grips the wood while Niklaus attempts to scramble to his feet.

Sorry, brother.

Darcella hurls her arms back and smacks the wood on the back of his head, the force knocking him onto his face and giving the wolf the opening to strike. Its growls reverberating, sharp teeth glistening as it stands on its haunches and pounces over the fair-haired form and onto Darcella. She swings to beat the starving creature, only to drop the stick and land on her back. Screams spill past her gaped mouth as teeth latch onto her shoulder.

"Darcella!" Henrik cries, diverting the wolf's attention to him.

"Darcella!..." Niklaus feels his heart drop to his feet. He wastes no time snatching the stick off the ground, preparing to beat the beast as it stalks closer to the younger boy. His eyes fall on his wounded sister, lacerations and blood littering her slight frame. He starts to move to her side but stops at her choked gasps as she drags herself to her feet, hands clutching her bloodied shoulder.

"I'm fine! Save Henrik!"

The animal stalks nearer, closing in on their youngest sibling. Darcella cries out as Niklaus rears back and shouts, long legs stretching as he runs. He whirls his arm around, the thick stick collides with the beast, striking its back and sides, triggering it to howl and fling to the side, snarling.

Henrik rises, running to his sister's aide, tears trailing down his dirty cheeks, witnessing her weak state. "No, no, Darcella! You're hurt. We must get you to Mother. She can heal you," he cries, brushing her hair away from her sweaty face, trying to reassure his sister and himself, his best friend, Their Protector. Mother must.

Placing her hands on his, she pulls him into her arms, stroking his strands. "We need to save you and Nik. I've got this ... Go ... Leave...."

It was too late.

Over Henrik's shoulder, she chokes back a weep as the beast lets out a mighty rumble and knocks him to the dirt ground. Darcella screams, hauling up a large rock off the ground and slams it on the beast's skull, causing it to roar and scatter backwards. Then she dives, dropping and covering Henrik's frame. She clings on, using her body as a protective shield. Dry sobs leaving her raw throat as the deep wounds marring her little brother's body soaks her skin and white dress. "I'm sorry, dear little Brother."

Niklaus screams in anguish, witnessing his sister brave act while trying desperately to protect Henrik. He can't bear to watch and begins to dash forward.

But he's too late...

Darcella screams as her hold breaks as the beast soars on her, claws digging into her back. She cries as they scrape down her spine. And then suddenly, the creature halts as howls pierce the horrific night, and then abruptly, it's gone, bounding out the cave and into the rising dawn.

Amid the carnage, shredded clothes, blood, and tarnished lacerations, with tears clouding his vision. Niklaus drags his weak, tired limbs and plummets to his knees at their sides. A dark cloud washes upon Niklaus's face, feeling powerless as he sits by watching the two he treasures most in life, fragile, boundless, and gasping for life. He needs to act fast; he can save them. Mother will heal them. She must.

He attempts to gather Darcella first, only to be pushed away. Her blurry eyes flutter open, a sorrowful smile decorating her pale, clammy youthful face. "N-no, Henrik. Take H-Henrik."

"You foolish child. You will die if we don't go now!" he shouts, voice rumbling in his chest, a stray tear trailing down his bristled cheek.

Even in her weakest moment, Darcella will protect us. No matter if it costs her life. She will go to the end of the world for her family. She ascends to her knees, pained whimpers leaving her mouth with an arm wrapped around her shoulder and an arched back. Darcella breaths deeply, and she staggers herself to her feet. "No. We. Do. This. Together. Let's bring our brother home."

Again, Niklaus protests, shaking his head. His gaze roams to Henrik seeing his eyes shut and torso rising with shallow breaths. If they leave now, they will have time. The fair-haired male could save him. He looks back at his protector, meeting her gentle smile. "Come. We don't have much time."

Inhaling deeply, Darcella watches as Nik places his arms under Henrik's legs and upper back and climbs to his feet. He pauses, waiting until she clings onto his shoulder. And then they are gone, stumbling, out of the cave.

Broken whimpers and gasps for breath are heard as they hurdle on. Blood saturates the man's tunic and clings to his skin as they near home. His legs threatened to buckle under the strain, but he powers on, determined to make it on time. The blonde never once takes the attention away from his younger siblings, eyes fixated on Henrik's staggering chest as he struggles to draw in a breath, ears strained for Darcella's shallow breathing. "No, Henrik, Darcella! Hold on. We've come this far, Just a little further. Mother will heal you. Stay awake!" he coaches, throat tightening with raw devastation.

"I-I'm sorry, Brother," Darcella whispers, fragile body barely able to hang on onto his shoulder, her soft palms stroke against Henrik's lifeless cheeks, tears cascade down her face.

"I'm sorry, Nik. Tell D-Darcella I'm sorry. Tell her, my protector, I love her, you too," Henrik's eyes flutter. He gazes up at his siblings as he croaks, his limbs grasping onto their arms fall slack as he takes his last breath.

"No! Henrik. Wake up!" Niklaus howls, dropping to his knees outside their family home, and lay's Henrik's form onto the ground. He leans back up, wrapping his arms around Darcella and placing her next to Henrik. Nik cries as her body becomes fragile and floppy. Too weak to support her limbs, he wraps her left arm across Henrik's torso and rests her head on his.

I'm sorry, Sister. Please forgive me.

"Mother! Father!" his loud cries alert his clan. He cradles his siblings as sobs rattle his body.

"Henrik!"

"Niklaus!"

"Darcella"

A young girl with lengthy blonde tresses and three males with long tied-back brunette hair run over with fear and alarm overshadowing their faces. "Oh my Goodness! What on earth has happened?" they yell collectively, horrified and devastated at their carnage. The girl screams, hands clasped upon her mouth, witnessing her younger brother dead and her older sister clinging to her life.

Niklaus explains how they went to see the men turn to wolves when the full moon rises, only it backfired, and now one of them is dead. "I'm sorry! It's all my fault. Please punish me. I deserve this!" Nik pleads head bowed, ashamed to meet their gazes.

Darcella coughs breathless. A shaky, sad smile graces her pale face as her siblings gather around. She places a cold palm on Nik's face. "Don't cry, Brother. Don't be sorry. I love you. I love you all. Remember that, Nik. Kol, Lijah, Finn. Henrik. Your sister will always love you," she grasps Nik's hand, laying it above his heart. "Look in your heart. I'll be there with you, forever." her dull blue irises glance around, locking on a slim doe-eyed, brunette male boy with similar features to Darcella. "Kol, Kol..." she splutters.

"I'm here, Darce," the boy seeps at her side, leaning his forehead on hers, tears dropping on her cheeks. He knows. He knows she's dying. He can feel it in his soul. It's tearing, splitting in half. "You can't leave me, Darce. You're my other half. Please don't leave me!" he screams.

Her own tears fall as she grasps his head. "It's my time to go. Be strong. Be fearless. Be the Kol Mikealson I know and love. Be easy on Nik, his innocent." she whispers as her arms slip away and lays on Henrik's cold hands. She grips weakly.

"NIKLAUS!"

Niklaus freezes in terror as their father marches over, hand gripping his sword at his side, fury enlights his gaze. He watches helplessly as his mother skids to her knees, hands clasping her children's cheeks.

"I'm sorry, Father! We went to watch the wolves. Punish me for my deads," he hangs his head in defeat.

"You dare lie to me, boy!" his Father roars as he dashes forward and raises his sword, stopping when the tip pokes at Niklause's throat. The young man stays silent, knowing this is his demise. Believing this is what he deserves. He clenches his eyes shut, hearing his mother's gutwrenching cries.

"Darcella! Henrik!" the Mother shrieks, shaking their forms. She leans her forehead on the boys. Letting go, she embraces her daughter's face. A trembling smile slips on her thin lips. "My precious, girl. What have you done?" the mother cries, slipping off her ruby crescent necklace and softly clips it onto the girl's neck.

"I shan't lie, Father."

The father removes the sword, rears his arm back, and then halts upon hearing his daughter's croaky voice. "F-Father..."

"No, Angel..." he peers down at the girl, his swallows harshly, tears lining his lids. His grip decreases as he staggers back. "Spare Niklaus, Father. P-Please. Spare him. Promise me..." she coughs, blood spits from her cracked blue lips. "I-I'm sorry, Mother, Father. I tried. I tried to protect them. I failed," Darcella cries lethargically. She coughs, gasping for breath.

"No, my little Protector. You protected them to the end. You stayed until the end. Until your last breath." Mikeal kneels, urges aside her wet strands of raven hair, stroking her delicate skin. "You can rest now, my Dear Daughter," he cradles her head, his hand drifting over her eyes, coaxing them to shutter. "Sleep easy, my child."

And she does... The rise and fall of her chest cease. Her body turns hollow, wrapped around her little brother. Yet, a content smile rests on her lips. Blissful. Even though the night ended in bloodshed in tears, she fought for her family. She protected the one's she cherishes most. Although, one of the cherished died. Niklaus is safe and alive. Now she can rest in peace. After all, she'll protect her family until her last dying breath. I'll be with you. Always and Forever...Please keep them safe.

"NO, DARCELLA! Let me go! Let me go. Darcella!" Kol cries. He drops to the ground, clinging to her frame, blood staining his hands and face. "DARCELLA!" he screams, cries, begs, and pleads as his family attempt to drag him away, away from the one who shares his soul. His cries turn to soundless sobs as he wraps his arms around her. He hooks on, knowing after this day, nothing will be the same again. His second half is gone.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Please forgive me, my Protectress. Niklaus pleads brokenly. He shakes his head, tears tainting his cheeks as his sombre gaze fixes on Darcella's ashen face.

-

Hey, guys! I'm back. Back with a new flashback. How was it? Does it clear up any confusion? Clues? Let me know how you think and feel.