**Author's Note: The end is near again. So you guys better buckle up and prepare for the bumpy ride. I admit that this chapter is kind of short, but believe me, it's because the story's preparing for this so-called "book's" ending. I want to hear your thoughts about it, what are you looking forward to, etc. And thank you for supporting, reading and enjoying this FanFic. ;)**

The Warning

Damon concentrated, staring directly at Tom's eyes. His fingers were already twitching, waiting for something, like a successful transmission or a text on a mobile phone only in his brain. But nothing happened. It's been three days, and these exercises suck. He sucks – though he'll never admit it – but he'll never let himself be defeated by this crappy telepathy. And the more he concentrated, the more he's distracted. Like how Tom was tapping his long and impatient fingers on the chair's wooden arm, waiting for him to receive anything, or like how Elizabeth was staring at him, watching him intently, as if her stares were darting through his skin, making him irritable. Elizabeth stood up, and Damon, who was leaning forward, leaned backward impatiently frustrated.

"Shit!" He cursed. Elizabeth was about to turn around but stopped and stared at him, frowning. So was Tom. Damon glared at her then shrugged his shoulders. "I can't get anything! Are you sure this is really going to work?" He asked impatiently. Elizabeth only gave him a warm smile.

"It does. And it will, if you try harder." Elizabeth said giving him a nod. Damon rolled his eyes impatiently as he looked away. He is trying hard. It just doesn't seem to work. The first night of the exercise, Elizabeth told him to close his eyes and try to meditate, to clear his head and breathe soothingly. So he did as he told, even though he thought it was funny – since he knew it was supposed to be a "telepathy exercise" not some damn yoga. Still, he did it, calmed his head and Tom told him to try to dig into his mind, see if he can get anything. Damon concentrated on Tom, trying to dig deep into his thoughts, but only got some sort of an image which he later realized that it was him during the 16th Century. And they told him that it was a memory, and that was different.

"I am trying!" Damon said defensively, widening his eyes.

"Well you aren't doing very well…" Tom said, in his calm and low French accented voice. Elizabeth gave him a sharp look and Tom only shrugged. Damon sighed as he stood up. He needed a drink, and lots of it. Maybe it can help, but why do he care? He can't seem to do it even if he's sober. There was no difference.

"Perhaps he should start with a human." Elizabeth said, thinking. "A vampire's mind is harder to read than a human's. We all know that." Tom nodded, but Damon only looked away as he got to the liquor table, got an empty glass, and poured some whiskey on it.

"Then I shall go and get a human." Tom said, standing up, but Elizabeth quickly interrupted him.

"No, I shall." Damon turned as he sipped on his glass, and looked at them. Elizabeth gave Tom a smile. "I'll be quick." She then turned and went to the door, giving Damon a side glance. "Be nice" She sent. Damon frowned at her.

"Why can I hear your head?" Damon sent back. He knew what he sent was funny, but he didn't know how to construct a better sentence with it. That's how hard being supernatural is. You can't pretty much explain things. Elizabeth only gave him a smirk, as she closed the door behind her and he was gone. "So…" Damon addressed Tom who was rearranging stacks of magazines that was one the coffee table. "You're French right?"

"Oui." Tom looked up at him. Damon pressed his lips together. Well, that was a yes, obviously.

"And you happen to live in France?" Damon asked, slowly, and curiously, although he just didn't want them to feel the awkward silence between them. Yet, he fails because this was even more awkward.

"Of course," Tom said, giving him a mocking tone. He then stood up straight. "If you think talking to me will make me like you…" Damon quickly frowned.

"Oh no," He shrugged and waved his hand. "Of course not. I mean, I don't like you either." His eyebrows rose up and widened his eyes as he gave him his signature smirk. Tom then nodded, as he too gave him a nod and sipped on his glass again.

"Bien," Tom said. "I guess then you should stop talking. Our conversation won't get anywhere." He added, Damon blinked his eyes and took this as a consideration. He knew that too, of course. But this Frenchie's obviously a feisty one.

"Gladly." Damon shrugged. And after he said this, they heard Tom's phone ringing. So Tom took it and raised his hand, excusing himself without giving a word. Damon only nodded – which he meant was "sure" – and he was positive that he read his mind. Without another word, Tom went out and took the call.

The elevator rang, and slid its doors open. Elizabeth stepped out of the elevator and into the penthouse. She turned the corner and saw that Elijah was sitting on the couch. She narrowed her eyes.

"Elijah" She said, smirking, walking closer.

"I know you already know why I am here," He said, standing up. "And I'm not surprised that you've already read my mind." Elizabeth gave a chuckle as she glanced away.

"You're here to reunite with your siblings – who are obviously plotting a scheme to kill me." She said, walking by the wall-sized windows with the view of Fifth Avenue and the bustling cars with the busy people. She then turned to him with a knowing smile. "Now, why am I not surprised?"

"Well, I am fortunate to find you, just in time that I arrived." Elijah said, holding both of his hands in front of him. Elizabeth frowned as she narrowed her eyes.

"Oh," She said. "Is that so?"

"Yes, well…" He said, looking at her. "You know as much as I do that no matter what happens, Klaus will always be my brother."

"I know that very well." She replied.

"Good." He said, extending a hand for her to shake. She looked down at it then back up at his eyes, eyeing him suspiciously. "You should know that that will not get in the way." Elizabeth closed her eyes then chuckled as she opened them again.

"I assume that Rebekah's with you, as well?" She asked. Elijah nodded. She then arched her eyebrows, as she laid her hand on his, about to shake but then, she suddenly pulled his hand, breaking it as she held it with a tight grip. Elijah shouted in pain. "How will I know I can trust you?" She demanded.

"You have my word!" Elijah replied as he struggled with her grip, and with his breaking arm. He was panting in pain, and she had never seen Elijah like this. Probably because she had no reason to hurt him, but she was in a deadly mood today – not in a bad mood, but she just wants to hurt somebody, it comes with the vampire instincts, she's positive – and so, she did. Elijah gave her a darting, pleading look for a second there. He was very afraid of her indeed. But that look seemed to fade away as he bent forward, kicking his foot up, and kicked it back, hitting her leg, making her knees bend. So, she fell on her knees, and she shouted in pain. Now, he was the one who held her arm, breaking it in some kind of an arm-lock. She can hear her bones cracking. She struggled in his hold, as she looked up at him, and she revealed her vampire features. With her other knee that was up on her feet, she managed to roll around, unlocking her arm from his grip. She quickly got up on her feet, with her inhumanely speeds, and quickly punched his stomach with a massive block that made him let go of her. Then, gripped on his body, like a bear hug, bent his head to the side, and dug her fangs in his neck. She managed to drink some of his blood before he managed to elbow her in her gut that made her let go and back a few feet away. She then laughed as her features returned to normal, and his blood dripped on her chin. She wiped it with the back of her hand as he turned around and glared at her, both of them were panting for breath.

"It can be insulting when another vampire is drinking on another vampire's neck, isn't it?" She said with a laugh. Elijah held on his neck where she had bitten him, and only glared.

"Hardly," Elijah managed to utter, even though his tone was pure hatred and insult.

"Please," She rolled her eyes, as she continued to maintain a smile. "I hope that can be a reminder for you" – she said, her smile faded and a seriously, deadly look was on her face – "that when you betray me with one of your vulgar promises, I can assure you that you'll be drained of your blood in no time. Do not try to underestimate my capabilities." She added, shaking her head as they stared at each other dead in the eye.

"There is nothing more that I want in the world. I want him dead as much as you do." Elijah said, his voice menacingly low and frightening, but Elizabeth didn't bulge. She wasn't scared at all. In fact, she gave him a mocking smile.

"Is that so?" She asked.

"Yes," He said. "He's my brother, and I cannot hate him more than I already do. One thing I also know is that I hate him more than you do."

"Yet that hate can be clouded with love," She said, giving him a warning look. "Doesn't mean that we're already vampires, we cannot feel Earth's greatest gift." Elijah glared at her at the corner of his eyes. She only shrugged and narrowed her eyes. "How can I know that at any cost, you will not fold and let humanity seep into your veins?" She then demanded. "We all know that that has happened oh so many times, and we always fail to conquer it." Now it was Elijah's turn to walk towards the wall-sized windows and see the great view.

"Then if that happens," Elijah said slowly, with his back turned from her. "I deserve my consequence." Elizabeth's lips slowly turned into a full smile.

"Then we have a deal…" She replied.

Klaus walked down 97th Street. He spent a day with Anne Clarke, her new human friend – well, more of a fake, compelled friend, but who cares? Anne Clarke is his so-called "blood bag" as well. Of course, she's still offering her blood every once in a while, and he'd gladly accept. No doubt about that. The truth was, he and Elizabeth rarely see each other anymore, even though they live in the same roof. They see each other every morning, and just bump past each other. He knew that that wasn't his plan at all, but who was he to control Elizabeth? He might be the alpha male, the hybrid, the strongest species alive, but when it comes to controlling his dear beloved, Elizabeth, one cannot just simply accomplish the task.

As he crossed the street, he figured that some task – other than controlling her – should be done, the task that only he can accomplish, for her to be silence for ever and ever. So, once he successfully crossed the traffic that seems to be happening everyday in New York, he put out his mobile phone, and started dialing. He pressed the phone to his ear and heard it ringing on the other end. And soon, the ringing stopped.

"Niklaus, what a surprise," He heard Kol's same sarcastic voice on the other end, and that made him smirk.

"I do apologize, dear brother, about my sudden disappearance." He said as he continued to walk on the side walk with people walking by, happily, busily and sadly – which was rather unique in this city. "But you're actions led me to no other choice." He added with a smile even though Kol wouldn't see.

"I can see that, brother." Kol said on the other end. "So when are you going to pay me a visit?" He teased, and Klaus only smirked as he continued walking down the street and the cars were honking.

"I was hoping that I can ask for a favor." Klaus said, and heard Kol chuckling on the other end.

"A favor?" He said, mocking him. "Fine, brother, what do you want me to do?" Klaus saw the city lights emanating through the twilight sky. People were heading out of work and going to dinners with friends, and might be out for a party. Klaus, however, had things to take care of. Schemes to accomplish and he knew exactly what he wanted, what he needed, and what he must do.

"Go to Charlotte where Elizabeth was tombed, and find the White Oak Stake." Klaus replied.

Rebekah heard something scratching in the middle of the night. So she elbowed up on her bed, looking around the room. It was a quiet scratching sound, yet for a vampire, it can be heard very clearly. So she put her feet down, removing the blanket that was covering her body, and walked towards the door that leads to the receiving room of the suite. She opened the big French doors, and saw that there was nobody there. She walked in, still looking around, hearing that annoying sound.

"Damon?" She called. It was a bad idea to sneak up on a vampire, and everyone knows that. So why would Damon try to sneak up on her at this time of the night? She felt as if someone was watching her. She can feel its stare darting through her skin making her feel uneasy. She inhaled deeply and turned around. Rebekah couldn't help but shudder at what she saw. She released the breath that she was holding, and breathed, "Mother."

Esther was looking at her with those same worried eyes. She was wearing a purple blouse with a leather jacket over it, dark jeans and leather boots. Her mother was standing a few feet away from the main door of the suite, and soon, the door opened behind her. Rebekah narrowed her eyes as she saw that it was Finn and Kol holding Klaus captive both by his arms. Klaus struggled and was panting heavily since he cannot run away. Immediately, Rebekah was about to race forward to give them a big blow and release her brother, but she was stopped. She blinked her eyes and saw that it was Elijah who immediately caught her, stood in her way and gave her a warning look.

"Elijah" She snarled. "What are you doing? What is going on?" She demanded. Elijah continued to hold her and she struggled in his grip, trying to break free.

"I should have done this hundreds of years ago," Esther said, giving her a look. For a few moments, they held each other gave, but Rebekah saw that Esther put out a stake, but not an ordinary one. She identified it as another White Oak, and Esther turned to Klaus. "If he goes, you will all go." Esther added, looking at the stake carefully.

"No!" Rebekah protested, looking at Elijah with a panic. "Elijah, release me! WE CANNOT DIE!" She said as her panic intensified. And struggled even more on Elijah, but he only gave her an indifferent look. It was as if he was saying that this was meant to be done, and he knew that it was already coming, that they might as well accept it. But Rebekah does not want to. She might have dreaded her centuries of living as a vampire, but she'd rather live than die.

"You cannot do anything, Rebekah." She heard another voice. And saw that it was Elizabeth's who just came out of her room, walking confidently, as if she knew this too. She panted as anger boiled up inside her. She glared at Elizabeth.

"YOU!" She said that sounded like a growl, and she realized that her vampire features were revealed. Elizabeth only looked at her in all seriousness.

"She is right, Rebekah." Esther said calmly, glancing at her. "Elizabeth had already compelled your other brothers, and Elizabeth is under my spell in which I can control her." Rebekah's eyes grew wild. How was that possible? The witches can never control a vampire. Never! "You might as well accept your fate. You have run away far too long from this, and lived too long already." She heard Esther add, and she only swallowed something that was blocking her throat. Her eyes were filled with angry tears.

"Fine," She said bitterly. "Kill us. You and father had never had any mercy. You had turned us this way, and we have come a long way to carry the burden on our shoulders. But you carry it the most. I despise you as much as I despise Mikael." Esther only glanced at her.

"I have seen your suffering on the other side. How much of an abomination you all had been and how much people you have hurt." She replied. "I have already prepared for this moment far too long, and you should know that I will never regret this. It is my duty to put an end to this." – She then glanced back at Klaus who was still struggling and frightened as he stared at the stake that can kill all of them. Esther then continued, - "And to bring peace upon the land. And so shall it be," She then looked at Klaus and raised the stake up high.

"NOOOOOO!" Rebekah shouted as she watched, but Esther without any remorse, without any mercy to her own children, she drove it to Klaus' heart. And she watched Klaus' body dying, turning into a vibrant color to bluish gray as his breathing started to be cut short. Soon, he was already out of it, and both Finn and Kol laid him down on the floor. All of them started feeling it – the sudden, painful stab on the chest where the stake was placed on Klaus. All of them were breathing heavily; oxygen hardly was passing through their nose. Rebekah glanced at her fingers, and they were starting to have the bluish gray color, meaning that they were already dying. "No, no, no…" She kept saying as tears were already streaming down through her cheeks. "This is not happening." She breathed, glancing at Elijah who was accepting it like a man, but fear was in his face even though he was under a spell. She glanced too, at Elizabeth. Her eyes were filled with tears, realizing that this is the end of her life as well. Her eyes looked at Rebekah, and saw that tears fell down on her cheeks. But Rebekah suddenly felt dizzy. She couldn't breathe anymore. And everything started to swirl around; soon, she had completely closed her eyes.

"Mother" She whispered in her last breath. Everything went black, and all of them were soon lying on the floor as Esther watched them.

Rebekah woke up. Her eyes flew open, and saw the white ceiling right above her. She sat up and saw that she was in her room, at their suite. She immediately laid a hand on her chest to see if she felt the pain or she was stabbed as well, but later figured that she was alright. She realized then that it was dream. A bad one, no doubt, and she was still panting for breath. She went out of the bed, quickly opened the big French doors (where she felt as if she was experiencing déjà vu), and she saw the receiving room where no was there. So she moved quickly with her vampire speed, checked everywhere, even the front door where she saw that no one was there.

It really was a dream, but she was afraid that somehow it would happen. That maybe one day they will all die at the same time with the hands of her mother. Her very own, merciless mother, would brutally kill them. And that left her frightened all night, waiting that maybe it would happen. If it would, she was ready. But as the dawn came and the sunlight crept in between the curtains, nothing happened at all.