Chapter 20: Shadows of the Past I

The mansion's atmosphere shifted as Kol continued his holographic projection, recounting the history that lingered in the shadows. The siblings, gathered in the parlour, faced the revelations of their tumultuous past.

Kol: "You see, Finn," Kol began, his voice a blend of frustration and bitter honesty. "Rebekah and I petitioned for your release from the dagger in the beginning. We wanted to bring you back to life. Our requests were ignored, and the dagger remained, in case you gallivanted with Sage and met your end at our father's hands or attempted suicide."

He then warned Esther, "Be careful not to poke and prod me just because I'm being lenient. I won't kill you like our bastard brother. Death doesn't mean much to me when it comes to vengeance. I can inflict pain for a century if you continue this."

Leaving the parlour with a rum bottle in hand, Kol headed towards the dungeon. There, in a grim scene, Damon hung on the wall, his smile a miserable façade, tears streaming down his cheeks.

As Kol turned his attention back to the holographic projection in the car, he found Rebekah in tears.

Kol: "Why are you crying, Bekah?" Kol asked, his tone hesitant.

Rebekah: "Nothing, Kol. We'll talk after we return."

Kol: Goodbye, little Valkyrie, he said, ending his projection.

As the sleek car glided through the city's dimly lit streets, the atmosphere inside simmered with an unspoken intensity. 

Rebekah, having regained a semblance of composure, cast a pointed yet empathetic gaze at Caroline.

Rebekah: "Caroline, tell us. What did Damon do to you?"

Caroline, her eyes reflecting the lingering torment, hesitated before unravelling the harrowing truth.

Caroline: "He compelled me, forced himself on me, and abused me."

Rebekah's eyes flared with a mixture of concern and unbridled anger.

 The revelation cut deep, not just as a testament to Damon's transgressions but also as a stark reminder of 

Rebekah: "Damon is my progeny. He carries my blood and my legacy. To see him disregard the basic tenets of vampirism is an affront to our kind."

Beside Rebekah, Katherine's expression transformed from shock to a subtle acknowledgment of the brewing storm. The air inside the car thickened with palpable tension as Rebekah confronted Katherine, holding her accountable for her own past choices.

Rebekah: "Katherine, what do you have to say for yourself?!"

Katherine, her usual confidence momentarily shaken, defended her actions regarding Stefan but was met with Rebekah's unwavering condemnation.

Katherine: "I wasn't proud of it. I compelled Stefan, but I didn't force myself on him!"

Rebekah: "You've broken Mikaelson rules! There will be consequences!"

Katherine, now fully aware of the gravity of the situation, struggled to comprehend the unfolding retribution. Rebekah, fueled by the anger sparked by Damon's actions, proceeded to reveal the clandestine truths that lurked within the Mikaelson family dynamics.

Rebekah: "It's an open secret for all the siblings. Klaus never hunted you seriously; he wanted you to experience being hunted."

The conversation, veering into the darker corners of the supernatural world, touched upon Klaus's acceptance of Elijah's conditions for the ritual and the Mikaelson siblings' intricate plans involving the doppelgänger blood. The weight of their immortal existence pressed upon them, and Rebekah's anger seemed an elemental force, seeking retribution for the transgressions against their kind.

Rebekah continued: "Damon will pay for the rest of his miserable life."

Caroline, attempting to interject reason into the brewing storm, faced Rebekah's unyielding determination.

Caroline: "Wait, you can't just—"

Rebekah: "There are certain things the vampire race must follow. We're royalty, and Damon has to pay."

Katherine, still grappling with the revelations, was met with Rebekah's seething resolve.

Katherine: "This can't be true."

Rebekah: "Katherine, you're not safe anymore. Not even Elijah's feelings can protect you."

Caroline, caught between the tumult of vampire politics and a desire for justice, pleaded for an alternative path.

Caroline: "Rebekah, this seems extreme. Can't we find another way?"

But Rebekah, driven by a sense of duty and loyalty to her immortal lineage, remained resolute.

Rebekah: "There's no other way, Caroline. We're Mikaelsons. Rules must be followed, and Damon will pay."

As the car carried them away from the storm of revelations, the women navigated towards lighter topics, attempting to find solace in the mundane amidst the complexities of their supernatural existence.