The Boy King's Journey in TVD/TO As A Mikaelson

It has been a couple of weeks since the Mikaelsons have integrated themselves into the noble life. Currently they were at one of the Count's various parties, for nobles truly have nothing better to do than entertain themselves.

The grand halls of Castle de Martel were alive with opulence, the air thick with laughter, music, and the soft clink of goblets meeting in toasts. Yet beneath the gilded veneer of celebration, danger slithered unseen. Vali Mikaelson leaned against the stone archway near the hall's edge, his dark eyes scanning the sea of nobles.

To them, he was an enigmatic predator, his stillness exuding power that unsettled even the boldest of men. Beside him, Tatia moved with a grace that seemed almost otherworldly, her beauty so radiant it seemed to draw the room's very breath into her orbit.

A noblewoman, the Countess Dubois, boldly approached Vali, her painted lips curling into what she clearly thought was an alluring smile. Tatia's sharp eyes tracked every move, her posture still as stone but her presence brimming with unspoken warning. The Countess's hand rested lightly on Vali's arm, her voice low and sweet as she leaned in to speak.

"My lord," the Countess purred, her gaze intent. "Surely a man of your stature could spare one dance for a lonely lady?"

Vali's eyes flicked to Tatia for the briefest of moments, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. He removed the Countess's hand from his arm with deliberate slowness, his tone velvet over steel. "My dear Countess, I believe you've had too much wine. You should retire for the evening."

The Countess blinked, confusion clouding her features. Vali's pupils dilated slightly as his voice took on a compelling edge. "Take the long way back to your chambers. Through the garden maze. My wife will meet you there."

The Countess nodded dreamily, turning and floating from the hall in a haze of compulsion. Vali's gaze found Tatia's across the room, a silent understanding passing between them. Her lips curved into a wicked smile as she turned her attention back to the nobles who dared to glance her way, each instinctively averting their eyes.

As the Countess drifted away under compulsion's influence, Aurora de Martel approached Tatia, her curiosity evident beneath her carefully cultivated poise.

"My lady," Aurora began, her voice musical yet probing, "I couldn't help but notice you never join the dances. The music tonight is particularly enchanting."

Tatia's gaze remained fixed on the crowd, though her lips curved into a smile that held no warmth. "I prefer to watch."

"But surely for appearances' sake-" Aurora pressed, only to fall silent as Tatia's eyes met hers. There was something in that gaze that made Aurora's carefully maintained composure waver.

"I do not share," Tatia stated simply, her voice soft but carrying an edge sharp enough to cut. "Not even for appearances. Not a dance, not a touch, not a moment. My husband is mine alone, as I am his."

Aurora studied her for a moment, fascinated despite her unease. "Such devotion is rare in these halls," she observed carefully.

"Devotion?" Tatia's laugh was low and dark. "No, my dear. This is possession. Complete and absolute."

The conversation ended there, Aurora retreating with a newfound understanding of the dangerous waters she'd tested. She rejoined her brother, who had watched the exchange with calculating eyes.

The night wore on, with Klaus appearing moments later to inform Vali about a discovery of theirs in the lower chambers. As they descended into the castle's depths, Tatia's attention returned to the gathering, particularly to the de Martel siblings.

Aurora had retreated to her brother's side, but Tatia could hear their whispered conversation with her enhanced senses.

"She's different from the others," Aurora murmured to Tristan. "There's something about her... about both of them."

"Careful, sister," Tristan warned, his voice barely a breath. "Some mysteries are better left unexplored."

Tatia's lips curved into a slight smile. If only they knew how right they were. Her attention shifted to the garden maze where the Countess would soon meet her fate. There would be no evidence, of course - there never was. Just another noble who vanished into the night, leaving nothing but whispered rumors in her wake.

A servant approached with a goblet of wine, but froze when Tatia's gaze fell upon him. She could smell his fear, hear his heart racing. These mortals, with their instincts screaming danger, yet their minds unable to comprehend why. It was... amusing. She could still not help, but be in disbelief when thinking about how she was once one of them. 

"My lady," Lucien appeared at her side, bowing slightly. "Lord Vali asked me to inform you that he may be occupied longer than expected. They've found something of significance."

Tatia nodded, unsurprised. She had sensed the undercurrents of power in this castle since their arrival.

At first Klaus wanted to immediately investigate, because of his ever curious nature, but Vali stopped him. He, for some odd reason, even though he's the strongest of them wished to take a more careful approach. Saying that this is too unexpected to not approach carefully.

"Tell me, Lucien," she said softly, "what have you found out of the de Martels' collection habits? You promised to do more research on it last Vali questioned you. Has it bore any fruit?"

Lucien's expression flickered with unease, but nodded. "Yes, though they've always been collectors, my lady. Art, books, and the like, but in the recent years, there were apparently collection of artifacts of... unusual nature. Their interests have become suspiciously specific."

"Since when?" Tatia pressed, noting how Lucien's eyes darted briefly to a darkened corridor where a hooded figure had just disappeared.

"Since the arrival of certain visitors," Lucien replied carefully. "Scholars, they claimed to be. But their presence changed something in the siblings. Especially Aurora. Even I, her closest aid had not noticed the connection before, were it not for Lord Vali's observative perspective."

Tatia's interest sharpened. "These scholars - describe them."

"They wore medallions," Lucien recalled, his voice dropping lower. "Marked with a symbol I'd never seen before. Like a tree, but twisted, unnatural. They spent hours with Lord Tristan in his private study, and afterward..." he hesitated.

"Go on," Tatia encouraged.

"Afterward, Aurora began having her episodes more frequently. And Lord Tristan... he apparently became obsessed with certain texts, ancient things. The castle staff I questioned whispered about strange sounds from the lower chambers, rituals performed under moonlight."

Tatia absorbed this information, pieces of a puzzle beginning to align. "These visitors - they still come?"

"Less often now," Lucien admitted. "But their influence remains. The siblings are waiting for something, my lady. Something important."

A commotion from the garden drew their attention - someone had discovered the Countess's fate sooner than expected. As nobles rushed to investigate, Tatia remained still, her mind working through the implications of Lucien's words.

The de Martels were indeed pawns in a larger game, but whose? And more importantly, how could this be turned to their advantage?

As if sensing her thoughts, the mark on Vali's arm pulsed faintly where he stood in the lower chambers, responding to ancient powers that had long slumbered beneath Castle de Martel's foundations.

The game was becoming more interesting by the moment.

-------------------------------------

In the lower chambers, Vali traced the strange symbols on one of the grimoires, his enhanced senses picking up residual energy that felt oddly familiar. The mark on his arm pulsed in recognition, though the source of that recognition remained elusive.

"Look at this," Klaus called, holding up a weathered parchment. "The writing... it's similar to what we saw in mother's grimoire, but older somehow."

Elijah moved closer, his eyes narrowing. "These aren't just collection records," he observed. "They're instructions. Preparations for something."

Vali's attention caught on a particular phrase. The ancient text spoke of 'the sleeping immortal' and 'the key to ultimate power.' His memories from another life provided context his brothers lacked - these were references to Silas.

"Brothers," he said quietly, "I believe we've stumbled onto something far more significant than simple artifacts. These aren't just collectors - they're followers. Devotees of a much older power."

Before he could elaborate, footsteps echoed from above - multiple sets, moving with purpose. The de Martel siblings had noticed their absence.

"Perfect timing," Klaus smiled darkly. "Shall we ask them about their interesting hobby?"

"Not yet," Vali cautioned, quickly replacing the grimoire. "Let them think their secrets are still hidden. For now."

They made their way back to the great hall, emerging just as Aurora and Tristan began descending the main staircase. The siblings' composed expressions couldn't quite hide their relief at seeing the Mikaelsons return.

"My lords," Tristan greeted them smoothly. "We missed your presence at the evening's entertainment."

"Did you?" Vali's smile held a predatory edge. "We found plenty to entertain ourselves with. Your castle holds such fascinating secrets."

Aurora's laugh was practiced but brittle. "All old castles have their mysteries. Though few are worth exploring."

"I disagree," Vali replied, his gaze boring into hers. "Some mysteries demand investigation. Wouldn't you agree, Lord Tristan?"

The subtle tension in Tristan's shoulders didn't escape notice. "Perhaps," he said carefully, "though some mysteries are better left undisturbed."

The exchange was interrupted by a commotion from the gardens - the Countess had been discovered, or what remained of her. Nobles rushed to investigate, their excited whispers filling the hall.

Tatia appeared at Vali's side, her presence drawing Aurora's wary gaze. "How tragic," Tatia remarked, her voice carrying false sympathy. "The gardens can be so treacherous at night."

"Indeed," Aurora replied, studying Tatia with newfound intensity. "One must be careful where they wander." She still could not understand what her brother found out about them, that he tolerated such actions. And yet, she herself, could not help, but both fear them, and be drawn to them. Especially, Niklaus.

Though, these attractions were not enough to hide the underlying current of threat in their exchange was clear to all who witnessed it. The de Martel siblings soon, at Tristan's wants, excused themselves to attend to the situation, leaving the Mikaelsons to observe the chaos their presence had created.

Later that night, in their private chambers, Vali shared his discoveries with Tatia.

"Silas's followers... Isn't that the first immortal you told me about? Something about me being a doppelganger of his lover, the first immortal? " she questioned trailing her fingers along his chest.

At Vali's nod, she chuckled, as she mused, "Using the de Martels to collect artifacts for their sleeping god. Clever."

"They've been manipulating this family for generations," Vali stated. "The question is, what are they preparing for?"

"Does it matter?" Tatia's smile was wicked. "Whatever their plans, they've led us to something potentially useful. The artifacts they've gathered... they could help us break our curse."

Vali pulled her closer, his black eyes gleaming in the candlelight. "True. Though I suspect getting to them won't be as simple as we'd like."

"Nothing worth having ever is," she replied, her voice dropping to a seductive whisper. "But that's what makes it fun, isn't it?"

Their laughter echoed through the chamber, a sound that would have chilled the blood of anyone who heard it. In the castle below, servants whispered about the Countess's fate, though none dared speak too loudly. The de Martels retreated to their private quarters, their minds racing with plans and contingencies.

And somewhere, in the shadows of the castle, hooded figures gathered, discussing the unexpected variables that had entered their carefully laid plans. The Mikaelsons were a force they hadn't accounted for - powerful, unpredictable, and worst of all, interested in their activities.

The game was becoming more complex by the moment, and no one could predict who would emerge victorious.

-------------------------------------

(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter!

I know this may seem too fast paced, or something, but I didn't wish to have everything just go the same as canon, cause that's boring. I find the De Martels being used by Silas followers a good idea, because of their ancestral line that seemingly has ties to ancient Rome and Greece.

This I reason from Tristan's classical education and their family's old-world nobility, making them potential descendants of travelers who witnessed Silas's entombment.

That and the influence of the De Martels alongside how Tristan and Aurora are perfect targets because of their personalities and shit father. So yeah.

Hope you all enjoyed, and do know, Silas is far, far more dangerous than in canon. I was so fucking disappointed when the one said to bring the end of days was just some suidical hypnotist, whose physical power was dwarfed by even baby vamps.

I'm gonna give Vali and Silas, the Sukuna and Gojo dynamic.

Guess who is who.

So yeah, well, I hope to see you all later,

Bye!)