The moment stretched between them—family reunited, love acknowledged, cosmic intervention promised—before Lucifer clapped his hands together with the kind of decisive authority that made reality itself sit up and pay attention.
"Right then," he announced, his voice carrying that particular blend of theatrical flair and absolute competence that suggested he was about to orchestrate something magnificent, "now that we've completed the emotional reunion portion of our evening's entertainment, perhaps we should address the rather pressing matter of cosmic parasite removal before the Hollow realizes we've gathered all its favorite snacks in one convenient location."
Hope blinked, her hand tightening unconsciously around Harry's as the warmth of family reunion gave way to the reality of what they were actually here to accomplish. "Wait—favorite snacks? What do you mean by that?"
Lucifer's expression grew more serious, though his confidence never wavered. He gestured elegantly to the assembled Mikaelson siblings, his voice taking on the tone of someone explaining complex magical theory to particularly bright students who needed to understand every detail before proceeding.
"The first phase of our cosmic intervention has been completed, my dear," he said, moving toward the center of the ritual circle with predatory grace. "You see, the Hollow isn't simply haunting your family randomly. It's been systematically drawn to each of you because you all carry pieces of it—fragments of its essence that were absorbed when you first contained it seven years ago."
Elijah's expression sharpened with understanding and growing concern. "You're saying we've been walking around with parts of the entity inside us? For seven years?"
"Precisely," Lucifer confirmed with obvious approval for Elijah's quick comprehension. "Klaus, Elijah, Rebekah, Kol, and Freya—each of you absorbed a fragment of the Hollow's consciousness when you performed the original containment ritual. Think of it as... cosmic radiation, if you will. Invisible, seemingly harmless in small doses, but creating a constant connection between the entity and your family."
Freya's pale eyes widened with dawning horror as the implications sank in. "The separation wasn't just about preventing the fragments from reuniting—it was about preventing the Hollow from using our connection to possess Hope through us."
"Give the woman a prize," Lucifer said with dark amusement. "The Hollow has been playing a very long game, feeding on the psychic resonance between family members while slowly growing stronger, waiting for the perfect moment to reclaim what it considers its rightful host."
Klaus's hybrid features began to shift slightly, his protective instincts triggered by the realization that he'd been carrying a cosmic threat inside his own body while trying to keep Hope safe. "And now? By gathering us all together, haven't we just given it exactly what it wants?"
"Oh, absolutely," Lucifer agreed with cheerful nonchalance that made everyone except Harry look at him like he'd lost his cosmic mind. "We've essentially rung the dinner bell for a primordial entity with abandonment issues and an unhealthy fixation on your daughter. It's going to come running."
"That seems counterproductive," Rebekah observed dryly, though her posture remained elegantly composed despite the circumstances. "Generally speaking, luring cosmic parasites toward family reunions ranks somewhere below 'starting land wars in Asia' on the list of advisable strategies."
"Ah, but here's where my plan becomes truly brilliant," Lucifer continued with the kind of smug satisfaction that suggested he was about to reveal the punchline to a cosmic joke that had been seven years in the making. "The Hollow thinks it's walking into a perfectly arranged buffet—five Original vampires containing its essence, plus one tribrid who's been its intended host since childhood, all conveniently gathered in one location."
His smile turned sharp, dangerous, touched with the kind of predatory anticipation that reminded everyone he wasn't just charming—he was the Morning Star himself.
"What it doesn't know is that we're about to turn its feeding frenzy into a cosmic mousetrap."
Hope felt her breath catch, her supernatural instincts recognizing the shift in Lucifer's demeanor from theatrical entertainer to serious magical practitioner. "How?"
Lucifer turned to face the two most magically accomplished witches in the room, his expression growing focused and businesslike. "Freya, Davina—I'm going to need your expertise for the next phase. The trap we're constructing requires a very specific type of containment circle, one that can hold a cosmic entity without the usual loopholes that allow for dramatic escapes and sequel-worthy returns."
Freya stepped forward immediately, her magical senses already analyzing the existing ward structure with professional interest. "What kind of specifications are we working with? Because standard binding circles won't hold something that exists partially outside normal dimensional space."
"Exactly why we need something considerably more sophisticated," Lucifer confirmed, producing what appeared to be an extremely ancient scroll from thin air—because apparently pulling magical documents out of dimensional storage was just another Tuesday evening skill for fallen angels. "Angelic binding techniques, specifically designed for entities that predate most supernatural containment methods."
Davina moved to examine the scroll alongside Freya, her dark eyes widening as she took in the complex magical formulae written in languages that probably hadn't been spoken since before human civilization learned to use fire.
"These symbols," she breathed, her voice carrying the kind of awe reserved for encountering magic that existed on an entirely different level than normal supernatural practice. "I've never seen anything like them. This isn't just binding magic—this is reality alteration at the quantum level."
"Angelic script," Lucifer explained with obvious pride in his heritage, even the fallen aspects of it. "Specifically designed for containing entities that normal physics can't properly define. Think of it as cosmic-level problem-solving with a divine warranty."
Freya was already pulling ritual supplies from her elegantly organized bag, her movements economical and precise. "How much time do we have to construct this? Because magic of this complexity usually requires hours of careful preparation, and you mentioned the Hollow is likely to arrive once it senses all the fragments in one location."
"Which brings us to the truly elegant part of tonight's entertainment," Lucifer said with growing satisfaction, his gaze shifting between Hope and Harry with the expression of someone about to reveal a particularly clever plot twist.
"The Hollow will indeed sense the reunion of its fragments and come racing to reclaim what it considers rightfully its own. But what's going to draw it into our carefully prepared trap isn't just Hope's tribrid nature—it's going to be the combined magical resonance of a tribrid and a Nephilim standing together in the same space."
Harry went very still, his green eyes sharpening as he processed the implications of Lucifer's statement. "You want to use both of us as bait."
"Not just bait," Lucifer corrected with the precision of someone who understood that details mattered when dealing with cosmic horror. "Irresistible cosmic-level bait. A tribrid represents the ultimate fusion of supernatural magic systems. A Nephilim represents the perfect bridge between divine and mortal power. Together, you two present a magical signature so unique and powerful that the Hollow won't be able to resist attempting to possess both of you simultaneously."
Hope felt her blood go cold as the full scope of the plan became clear. "And when it tries to possess us both..."
"It will have to manifest completely in this dimensional space to reach you," Lucifer finished with grim satisfaction. "No more hiding in the spaces between realities, no more partial manifestations that can slip away when confronted with superior force. It will be entirely present, entirely vulnerable, and entirely contained within our angelic binding circle."
"That's..." Klaus began, his voice climbing toward the register that suggested someone was about to be dramatically murdered, "that's using my daughter and your son as live bait for a cosmic predator!"
"It's giving your daughter and my son the opportunity to save their family through controlled exposure to manageable risk," Lucifer corrected with the kind of calm authority that suggested he'd been expecting this objection. "They'll be standing within the protective circle, Harry's angelic nature provides natural resistance to possession, and Hope's tribrid abilities include instinctive defenses against hostile magical intrusion."
Harry was studying the scroll over Davina's shoulder, his expression growing thoughtful rather than concerned. "The timing has to be perfect, though. We need to be inside the circle when the Hollow arrives, stay there long enough for it to fully manifest, then get out of the containment area before you activate the final binding."
"Precisely," Lucifer confirmed with obvious approval for his son's analytical abilities. "The margin for error is... narrow. But well within your combined capabilities, assuming you can coordinate your movements and trust each other completely."
Hope looked at Harry, seeing her own mixture of determination and terror reflected in his green eyes. They'd researched this entity together, understood its power, knew exactly how dangerous this plan was going to be.
But they also knew it was the only real chance their families had for a permanent solution.
"How long do we need to stay in the circle once it manifests?" she asked, her voice steady despite the magnitude of what they were discussing.
"Thirty seconds," Lucifer replied promptly. "Long enough for it to commit fully to the attack, not long enough for it to adapt to the trap and find a way around our containment measures."
"Thirty seconds," Harry repeated, his tone suggesting he was running calculations in his head about timing, positioning, and exit strategies. "While being attacked by a cosmic entity that specializes in possession and has been specifically hunting Hope for most of her life."
"While having the full protection of angelic warding, tribrid magical defenses, and the complete attention of everyone who loves you both," Lucifer corrected firmly. "Plus my personal guarantee that I will intervene if the situation becomes genuinely life-threatening."
Rebekah stepped forward, her elegant composure giving way to something fiercer and more protective. "And what exactly are Hope and Harry supposed to do during these thirty seconds of cosmic horror exposure? Stand there looking appetizing while hoping their natural defenses hold?"
"They're going to do what they do best," Lucifer said with growing warmth and obvious faith in both teenagers. "Hope is going to channel her tribrid nature to create a magical resonance that amplifies the trap's effectiveness. Harry is going to use his Nephilim abilities to maintain the structural integrity of the containment circle while the Hollow tests its boundaries."
His expression grew more serious, paternal concern breaking through cosmic confidence. "And they're both going to trust that their families love them enough to make this work, no matter what it requires from the rest of us."
The gymnasium fell quiet as everyone absorbed the scope of what was being proposed—not just a magical ritual, but an act of faith that required trusting supernatural teenagers to face cosmic horror while maintaining precise magical coordination under life-threatening pressure.
Elijah broke the silence, his diplomatic instincts immediately focusing on the practical concerns. "What are our responsibilities during this thirty-second window? Because I assume the rest of us aren't simply going to stand around providing moral support while Hope and Harry face possession by a primordial entity."
"You're going to be maintaining the connection that allows the trap to function," Lucifer explained, his tone suggesting this was the most crucial part of the entire plan. "The Hollow fragments you carry—they're not just cosmic radiation anymore. They've become part of your magical signatures, integrated into your supernatural essence. When the entity attempts to reclaim those fragments during its attack on Hope and Harry, you're going to resist that pull with everything you have."
"Resist how?" Kol asked with the kind of fascinated interest that suggested he was already looking forward to the magical challenge, despite its potentially lethal implications.
"By maintaining your connection to each other and to Hope," Lucifer said simply. "The same bonds that forced you apart to protect her are what's going to save her now. Family love, channeled through supernatural will, focused through magical discipline. The Hollow can overpower individuals—it cannot overpower the combined determination of people who would die before letting it harm someone they love."
Freya looked up from the scroll she'd been studying, her pale eyes bright with understanding and growing excitement. "It's elegant," she admitted with professional appreciation. "Use the entity's own tactics against it. It relied on separation to weaken your connections—now we use reunion to strengthen them beyond what it can break."
"Precisely," Lucifer confirmed with obvious pleasure at her comprehension. "Though I should mention that the magical strain on all of you is going to be considerable. Maintaining psychic resistance to a cosmic entity while channeling family bonds through supernatural will—it's not exactly a casual Tuesday evening activity, even for Original vampires."
Hayley, who had been listening to this explanation with growing alarm, stepped forward with the kind of maternal authority that suggested cosmic entities could go hang themselves if they thought they were endangering her daughter.
"What happens if something goes wrong?" she asked bluntly, her werewolf instincts demanding worst-case scenario planning. "What if the thirty seconds stretch longer, or the binding doesn't hold, or the Hollow is stronger than expected?"
"Then I stop pretending to be a consultant and start being the Morning Star," Lucifer replied with quiet intensity that made the air itself seem to thicken with barely contained power. "The Hollow is ancient and dangerous, but it's not stronger than I am. Not even close. The elegant solution simply requires less... collateral damage... than the direct approach."
His smile turned sharp, carrying just enough edge to remind everyone that they were dealing with a being who had once stood before the Throne of Creation and declared war on Heaven itself.
"Besides," he added with returning warmth, "Hope and Harry are considerably more resilient than most cosmic entities expect teenagers to be. The Hollow is going to discover that underestimating young people with divine heritage and supernatural determination is a mistake it only gets to make once."
Klaus had been silent through most of this explanation, his protective instincts warring with his recognition that this might be their only real chance at a permanent solution. Now he stepped forward, his hybrid nature radiating the kind of authority that had made him legendary among supernatural beings.
"If we do this," he said carefully, his voice carrying the weight of absolute parental responsibility, "if we put Hope in this kind of danger, what guarantee do we have that it will work? What assurance can you give me that my daughter won't be harmed or possessed or worse while serving as bait for cosmic horror?"
Lucifer met Klaus's gaze directly, cosmic entity to supernatural predator, power acknowledging power with the kind of respect that transcended species and dimension.
"I can give you my word," he said simply, "as someone who understands what it means to love a child more than your own existence, that I would never ask Hope to take risks I wouldn't be willing to take myself to protect Harry. And I can promise you that if this plan fails, if the elegant solution doesn't work, I will personally ensure the Hollow's destruction through methods that will leave no doubt about the fate of entities who threaten my family."
The promise carried weight beyond words—cosmic authority, paternal fury, and the absolute certainty of someone who had never failed to protect what mattered most to him.
Klaus studied Lucifer's face for a long moment, reading sincerity and determination and the kind of paternal love that recognized itself regardless of species or supernatural heritage.
"Always and forever," Klaus said finally, the family motto carrying new meaning as he extended it to include the Devil's son and the cosmic intervention that might save them all.
"Always and forever," Lucifer replied solemnly, accepting the inclusion with the gravity it deserved.
Hope looked around at her family—blood relatives and chosen family and the boy who might become something more—all of them prepared to risk everything for her safety and happiness.
"So," she said with growing determination, her voice carrying the kind of steel that reminded everyone she was Klaus Mikaelson's daughter, "when do we begin? Because I'm tired of running from this thing, tired of letting it dictate our lives, tired of watching everyone I love sacrifice their happiness to keep me safe."
She looked directly at Harry, her blue eyes bright with trust and affection and absolutely unshakeable resolve.
"Let's end this. Together."
Harry's answering smile was brilliant with anticipation and love and the kind of cosmic confidence that came from being raised by fallen angels who believed impossible was just another word for interesting.
"Together," he agreed, his wings shimmering briefly into visibility before folding away again. "Though I maintain that your family's idea of quality time involves far more mortal peril than most people consider normal."
"Where's the fun in normal?" Hope shot back with a grin that was pure Mikaelson mischief.
"Exactly what I said when I married into this family," Keelin muttered under her breath, earning fond laughter from everyone present despite the circumstances.
Lucifer clapped his hands together with renewed energy, clearly delighted by the family dynamics and ready to orchestrate cosmic intervention with the kind of theatrical flair that made reality restructuring look like performance art.
"Right then," he announced, "Freya, Davina—shall we begin constructing a trap worthy of cosmic horror? Because I do so hate to keep ancient entities waiting. They get cranky when their feeding schedules are disrupted, and cranky cosmic parasites tend to be even more destructive than usual."
The witches immediately moved toward the ritual supplies, their magical senses already coordinating the complex spell work that would either save the Mikaelson family or provide them all with a spectacularly dangerous learning experience.
Hope squeezed Harry's hand one more time, drawing strength from his steady presence and his absolute faith in their ability to handle whatever the universe threw at them.
The cosmic intervention was about to begin.
And for the first time in seven years, Hope Mikaelson was genuinely excited about what the future might hold.
Even if that future involved thirty seconds of exposure to primordial evil while standing in a magical circle with the boy she was falling in love with and trusting that their combined families could channel enough love to reshape reality itself.
After all, some things were worth the risk.
Some things were worth everything.
*Always and forever.*
—
The gymnasium floor became a canvas for magic that predated written history as Freya and Davina worked with the focused intensity of master craftspeople creating their life's greatest work. The original protective circles were carefully dismantled, their energy absorbed and redirected into something far more complex—a containment system designed not just to bind supernatural entities, but to trap cosmic forces that existed partially outside normal dimensional space.
Freya moved with the elegant precision of someone who'd spent centuries perfecting magical theory under the most demanding circumstances. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a severe bun that somehow managed to look effortlessly chic, and her expensive clothes remained immaculate despite the fact that she was essentially redesigning reality at the quantum level while kneeling on a gymnasium floor.
"The outer ring needs to be perfect," she muttered, using a piece of consecrated chalk that glowed with silver light as it touched the polished hardwood. The symbols she drew were beautiful in their complexity—geometric patterns that seemed to shift and flow even as they were being created, as if the chalk was translating her intentions into mathematics that human eyes couldn't quite process.
"These aren't just containment runes," she continued, glancing up at Davina with the kind of professional excitement that suggested she was genuinely enjoying the magical challenge despite its life-or-death implications. "They're reality anchors. The Hollow exists in the spaces between dimensions—these symbols will force it to choose a single dimensional state and maintain it for the duration of the binding."
Davina was working on the inner circle with equal intensity, her dark hair falling forward to frame her face as she consulted the ancient scroll with one hand while drawing with the other. The magical implements she'd brought from New Orleans were spread around her in organized chaos—crystals that hummed with contained power, herbs that had been blessed under thirteen different full moons, and tiny vials of substances that probably had names in languages that predated human speech.
"I've never seen angelic script used in binding work before," she admitted, her voice carrying the kind of awe that came from encountering magic that expanded your understanding of what was possible. "The power requirements alone should be impossible for mortal witches to channel, but somehow the formulae are designed to draw energy from..." She paused, her eyes widening as comprehension dawned. "From emotional connections. Family bonds. Love."
"Exactly," Lucifer confirmed from where he stood supervising their work with the kind of casual authority that suggested he'd designed these containment protocols personally—which, given his cosmic credentials, he probably had. "Angelic magic has always been based on connection rather than domination. Instead of forcing reality to comply through raw power, it convinces reality to cooperate through harmony and shared purpose."
He gestured to the complex patterns taking shape on the gymnasium floor, his expression growing more serious as he watched his cosmic trap come together with mechanical precision.
"The Hollow feeds on isolation, despair, separation—all the negative emotions that weaken supernatural bonds and leave individuals vulnerable to possession. This binding works by channeling the opposite: unity, hope, connection. All the positive emotions that make supernatural beings stronger together than they could ever be alone."
Klaus, who had been pacing the edges of the ritual space with predatory restlessness, paused to study the emerging magical construction with the kind of analytical attention he usually reserved for battle strategy or art acquisition.
"And the positioning?" he asked, his voice carrying the controlled calm of someone who needed to understand every detail before trusting his daughter's safety to cosmic intervention. "Where exactly will Hope and Harry need to stand when this entity manifests?"
Lucifer pointed to the exact center of the innermost circle, where Davina was carefully inscribing symbols that seemed to glow with their own inner light. "Right there. The focal point of the entire construction. They'll be standing in the safest part of the containment area—protected by seven layers of angelic warding, surrounded by family bonds made manifest through magical will, anchored to this reality by their own supernatural natures."
"And when the thirty seconds are up?" Elijah asked with diplomatic precision, clearly running through contingency plans and exit strategies with the methodical thoroughness that had made him legendary for crisis management. "How exactly do they exit the circle while you activate the final binding?"
"They don't exit the circle," Lucifer corrected with a slight smile that suggested he was about to reveal another elegant twist in his cosmic trap. "The circle exits around them. The final binding will contract inward, passing through their position and sealing behind them. From their perspective, they'll simply watch the walls of magical energy collapse toward the center while they remain safely outside the compression area."
Harry, who had been studying the ritual construction with his own analytical attention, looked up with growing understanding. "It's like an iris closing. The binding starts at the outer edge and spirals inward, trapping whatever's in the center while everything else remains free."
"Precisely," Lucifer said with obvious pride in his son's comprehension. "Though I should mention that the timing needs to be absolutely perfect. Too early, and the Hollow won't be fully committed to the attack. Too late, and it might realize what's happening and attempt to escape before the binding completes."
Rebekah, who had been watching the magical construction with the kind of fascinated attention she usually reserved for particularly expensive jewelry or devastatingly attractive men, stepped closer to examine the intricate symbols.
"These patterns," she said thoughtfully, "they're beautiful. Like art, but functional. I've never seen anything quite like them."
"Angelic script tends to be aesthetically pleasing," Lucifer replied with the casual arrogance of someone whose people had invented the concept of divine beauty. "We've never understood the human tendency to make functional things ugly. If something is going to reshape reality, it might as well look spectacular while doing it."
Freya paused in her work to wipe sweat from her forehead, though whether the perspiration was from physical exertion or magical strain was unclear. "The power requirements for maintaining this level of binding are going to be enormous. Even with the emotional amplification, we're talking about containing an entity that exists partially outside normal space-time. Are you certain the family bonds will provide sufficient energy?"
"I'm certain that Mikaelson family bonds, properly channeled, could power small countries," Lucifer replied with absolute conviction. "Though I admit the magical strain on all of you is going to be considerable. Think of it as... intensive spiritual exercise with cosmic implications."
Davina looked up from her increasingly complex inner circle, her expression carrying a mixture of professional excitement and growing concern. "What about magical backlash? When you're dealing with power on this scale, there's always the risk of energy feedback that could affect everyone in the vicinity."
"Accounted for," Lucifer assured her, producing what appeared to be a small collection of jewelry from thin air—delicate silver pendants that pulsed with soft golden light. "Protection amulets, keyed specifically to each of your magical signatures. They'll absorb any overflow energy and convert it into harmless light and heat."
He began distributing the amulets with the casual efficiency of someone handing out party favors, though each piece of jewelry was clearly a masterwork of supernatural craftsmanship.
"Freya, this one's attuned to your particular magical style—very Norse, very elemental, very fond of dramatic weather effects. Davina, yours is calibrated for the kind of witch magic that could probably resurrect the dead if you put your mind to it. Klaus..." He paused, studying the hybrid with obvious interest. "Yours is designed to work with both vampire and werewolf supernatural signatures, plus that rather impressive rage-powered magical enhancement you've developed over the centuries."
Each family member received a pendant that seemed specifically designed for their individual magical nature, from Elijah's diplomatic supernatural presence to Kol's chaotic magical enthusiasm to Rebekah's elegantly deadly vampire authority.
"And these will protect us from magical backlash while allowing us to contribute to the binding?" Hayley asked, examining her own amulet with professional werewolf wariness.
"They'll protect you from everything short of direct cosmic intervention," Lucifer confirmed. "Think of them as... supernatural insurance policies with excellent coverage and no deductible."
As the magical construction neared completion, the atmosphere in the gymnasium began to change in ways that were both subtle and profound. The air itself seemed thicker, charged with potential energy that made supernatural senses tingle with anticipation. The candles burned brighter and steadier, their flames reaching toward the ceiling as if drawn by some invisible force. Even the walls seemed to hum with barely contained power.
"Positions," Lucifer announced, his voice carrying the kind of authority that made reality itself stand at attention. "Everyone needs to be exactly where they're supposed to be when our cosmic guest arrives, because I guarantee you that the Hollow's entrance is going to be considerably less subtle than mine was."
He began directing the family members to specific positions around the outer ring of the containment circle, each location carefully chosen to optimize their magical contribution to the binding while keeping them safely outside the danger zone.
"Klaus, you'll anchor the northern point—your hybrid nature provides excellent stability for reality-altering magic. Elijah, the eastern position suits your diplomatic supernatural presence. Rebekah, the southern point needs someone with your particular combination of deadly elegance and absolute determination. Freya, the western position requires the most complex magical channeling, which makes it perfect for someone with your theoretical knowledge and practical experience."
Each family member took their assigned position with the kind of focused attention that suggested they understood the stakes and were prepared to do whatever was necessary to make this work.
"Kol and Davina, you'll be maintaining the secondary stabilization points," Lucifer continued, indicating positions that were slightly closer to the center circle. "Your combined magical abilities will help maintain the structural integrity of the binding while it's under stress."
"And the stress is going to be considerable?" Kol asked with the kind of cheerful interest that suggested he was actually looking forward to the magical challenge.
"Think of it as the supernatural equivalent of containing a nuclear explosion inside a soap bubble," Lucifer replied with amusement. "Theoretically possible, practically demanding, potentially spectacular if something goes wrong."
Hayley, Caroline, and Alaric were assigned positions around the gymnasium's perimeter, their role being to maintain the outer protective barriers and coordinate with local authorities if the magical chaos became visible to human observers.
"And us?" Hope asked, looking between herself and Harry with the kind of determined calm that suggested she was ready for whatever cosmic horror was about to manifest.
"You two get the best seats in the house," Lucifer said with a grin that was equal parts pride and anticipation. "Center circle, holding hands, trusting each other completely, and providing the magical resonance that's going to make our trap irresistible to cosmic entities with possession issues."
Harry moved to join Hope in the center of the innermost circle, their hands finding each other automatically despite the circumstances. The moment their fingers intertwined, the magical construction around them flared with brilliant light—not overwhelming, but definitely noticeable.
"Well," Harry observed with the kind of British understatement that made cosmic intervention sound like mild inconvenience, "that's either a very good sign or we're about to become the supernatural equivalent of a beacon for everything dangerous in several dimensions."
"Both," Lucifer confirmed cheerfully. "Though mostly the second thing. Hope, Harry—remember, thirty seconds once it manifests. Maintain physical contact, trust your instincts, and don't try to fight the entity directly. Your job is to be irresistible bait, not to engage in combat with cosmic horror."
"What if it tries to possess one of us before the binding activates?" Hope asked with practical concern.
"Then you remind it that you're a tribrid who's been fighting possession attempts since childhood, and Harry reminds it that angelic heritage comes with built-in resistance to hostile supernatural intrusion," Lucifer replied with absolute confidence in their abilities. "Between the two of you, you have more natural defenses against possession than most supernatural beings develop in lifetimes of practice."
The magical construction was complete now, seven concentric circles of increasingly complex containment magic that thrummed with barely contained power. The symbols glowed with steady light that seemed to come from within the floor itself, and the air above the ritual space shimmered with the kind of heat distortion that suggested reality was being held in a state of carefully controlled tension.
"Right then," Lucifer announced, his theatrical persona giving way to something more focused and infinitely more dangerous, "I believe it's time to ring the dinner bell for our cosmic guest. Everyone ready?"
The Mikaelson family looked around at each other—immortal vampires and powerful witches and werewolf alphas and supernatural teenagers, all united in their determination to end seven years of separation and fear.
"Ready," Klaus said firmly, speaking for all of them.
Lucifer raised his hands, cosmic power gathering around him like visible music, reality bending slightly at the edges as he prepared to send out the magical signal that would draw the Hollow directly into their trap.
"Always and forever," he said solemnly, the Mikaelson family motto taking on new weight as it was spoken by the Morning Star himself.
"Always and forever," they replied in unison, their voices carrying across dimensional space with the kind of supernatural authority that made cosmic entities sit up and take notice.
The trap was set. The family was united. The bait was in position.
All that remained was to discover whether love really could triumph over cosmic horror.
The answer, as Lucifer had suspected all along, was about to be spectacularly confirmed.
---
Hey fellow fanfic enthusiasts!
I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Whether you loved it, hated it, or have some constructive criticism, your feedback is super important to me. Feel free to drop a comment or send me a message with your thoughts. Can't wait to hear from you!
If you're passionate about fanfiction and love discussing stories, characters, and plot twists, then you're in the right place! I've created a Discord (HHHwRsB6wd) server dedicated to diving deep into the world of fanfiction, especially my own stories. Whether you're a reader, a writer, or just someone who enjoys a good tale, I welcome you to join us for lively discussions, feedback sessions, and maybe even some sneak peeks into upcoming chapters, along with artwork related to the stories. Let's nerd out together over our favorite fandoms and explore the endless possibilities of storytelling!
Can't wait to see you there