Niklaus arrived with the rest at the cabin in the bayou with Hayley, Hope, and Elijah.

Jackson and his personal pack were there waiting for them after setting it up with Hayley beforehand when she got the call with Freya and their plans changed to include Niklaus who was needed muscle to help protect their daughter.

Hayley went up to him asking- "Where are the rest?"

Jackson shook his head- "No way would they come and involve themselves with Niklaus after what he's done, your lucky my pack followed me."

Hayley knew she couldn't count on them, but she still wished for it to happen, she needed all the help she could get for her daughter.- "So where are they now, they should know the dangers they'll face without us helping."

Jackson- "They finally decided to leave New Orleans and search for a new home, I don't know if we'll be seeing them again."

Niklaus growing irritated spoke- "Enough talk, are you prepared to protect my child?"

Jackson sneered- "I'm prepared to protect Hayley's child."

Niklaus nodded- "That's good enough for me." turning to Elijah "Brother, I want you to know that everything you've done for me over the years, I truly appreciate, you were always there for me, helping me in some of my darkest times, I can never truly repay you."

Elijah confused about why he's saying this now was about to speak when Niklaus went up to him and held the back of his neck with one arm, in a friendly manner to have his undivided attention.

Niklaus looking into his eyes- "Elijah, my brother...please protect my daughter in the future." plunging the dagger into his chest.

Elijah caught off-guard could only wonder why he was doing this now as he lost consciousness.

Hayley confused asked- "What are you doing?"

Niklaus sadly looked towards her- "I will not run anymore, please take my brother with you, he will guard Hope in the future for you."

Hayley went up to him- "You're a bastard Niklaus you know that, but you are Hopes father, are you sure about this?"

Niklaus grinned- "Of course love, I think Niklaus Mikaelson has lived long enough for himself, I think I should be allowed to die for someone else."

Hayley actually had her eyes water a little- "If you don't survive, I'll tell Hope the good things about you."

Niklaus losing his grin- "When she's old enough you can tell her the truth if you wish, I would like my daughter to know all of me...Now leave, go now."

She simply nodded as she wiped a stray tear that dropped- "Ok, I will."

Jackson seeing Hayley understood as he picked up Elijah's body and left with her.

Niklaus stood there watching them leave wondering if he had it in him to finally face death.

Dahlia arrived shortly after clapping her hands- "Well, well, well, that was a beautiful last speech, tell me are you sure you wish to throw your life away?"

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Niklaus's face fell- "If you were here, why did you let them escape?"

Dahlia chuckled- "Escape? what makes you think they escaped?" snapping her fingers as an image appeared of them running through the woods.

Niklaus frowned, knowing he was at a disadvantage was never a pleasing thought- "So what are you waiting for? Why are you here?"

Dahlia grinned- "I just wanted to meet you, after all, we are family and I wanted to see the others that I never met, see what you're about, what you're like, especially you Niklaus, we're a lot alike I think."

Dahlia seeing him unresponsive started to slowly walk towards him- "Tell me Niklaus, is this what you really want? Did you fall so low, to sacrifice yourself for another? Do you not wish for more power? To be the strongest again?"

Niklaus- "It seems you have a proposition for me?"

Dahlia just close enough to him now still grinning- "Yes I have, you can protect your daughter by my side and we shall rule these lands together."

Niklaus amused by thought asked- "And why would you need me?"

Dahlia- "It's not that I need you, but your daughter needs you." she didn't want a repeat of Freya, she wanted someone close to the girl who could win her over for Dahlia so she wouldn't wish to run away.

Niklaus lost his grin- "Shame really, but I think I'll have to decline, FREYA NOW!"

Suddenly the ground lit up and a magical circle of intricate design showed itself as the leaves covering it burned away.

It was specially made by Freya to affect Dahlia long enough to use the weapon she crafted.

Seeing the circle do it's intended job as Dahlia fell to her knees, Freya yelled- "Father now!"

With only seconds to go before she broke the trap, Mikael wishes his ears and tail out zoomed at her and stuck the dagger in her chest, making her scream out.

Mikael- "You should have never touched my daughter witch."

The scream soon turned into a laugh though as Mikael back off confused.

Dahlia finishing her laugh as the dagger was pushed out of her body dropping to the ground- "Was that it? I'm disappointed Freya." she said as she clenched her hands before spreading them out from her waist, opening them with a pulse of magic that not only broke the magical trap circle but also sent Mikael flying back into a nearby tree.

Mikael back on his feet zoomed up to stand by his daughter.

Niklaus unhappily asked- "I thought the dagger was supposed to kill her? What happened?"

Freya who was starting to panic said- "I don't know, I don't know, it should have worked, I don't know what could be wrong."

Mikael snapped- "Watch your tone boy, the only reason I'm here is for Freya, don't make me regret it."

Dahlia amused- "You did catch me off guard I'll give you that much, I never expected the two of you to work together, but to rely on that failure of a girl to stop me was your mistake and the reason for your loss."

Mikael not wanting to sit there and take it charged at her, Dahlia seeing it coming from a mile away raised her hand and stopped him mid-swing towards her face.

She leaned in closer checking out his ears and tail- "My oh my, what have you turned into, hahaha, you even have a tail, the mighty Mikael looking so cute, however do you stand it."

This comment received a snort from Niklaus who was trying not to laugh now that he was paying attention to Mikael's new look.

Mikael didn't have a problem with his look, he thought it looked neat, but with everyone calling it cute, he was quickly changing his thoughts, first his daughter now Dahlia.

'Do I really look cute? A warrior can't look cute' he thought to himself as he frowned at Dahlia.

Niklaus seeing her attention occupied by the tail and her back towards him decided to take the chance and attacked as well.

Dahlia didn't even move as she used her hand without looking to freeze him in place too.

Dahlia- "Now, now, wait your turn, no reason to seek death before it comes."

Niklaus sneered- "You have nothing with which to kills us, sooner or later we'll be free and come for you again and again until your dead."

Dahlia looked over at Freya who was petrified in place- "My dear boy, you have nothing with which to kill me, but I do have something that can kill you." she put her hand under Mikael's shirt and pulled out the white oak stake.

Niklaus eyes widened in fear- "Stupid old man why the hell did you bring that, you were planning on killing me as well weren't you, you doomed us all." he shouted in anger.

Mikael ignored him, he was in battle mode with a worthy adversary, you don't talk when your fighting someone worthy to the death.

He was concentrating on moving, being far stronger then he used to be and if he received any of Nevan's magic resistance he should be able to break free, it was just a matter of time and an opening he could exploit.