Chapter 78: The Esther Question - Part 2
POV: Sam Barton
The binding spell creation happens in Bonnie's house over three intensive days, and watching Bonnie and Kol collaborate on magical theory is like witnessing physicists and artists merge disciplines.
"The spell needs three layers," Bonnie explains, chalk dust covering her hands as she draws complex magical circles. "First prevents Esther from harming Mikaelson bloodline directly. Second limits her magic to non-lethal applications. Third creates alert system if she attempts forbidden magic."
Kol adds his contribution, channeling knowledge from centuries studying under his mother. "Mother taught me about magical bindings before the transformation. She'll test every weakness, exploit every loophole. The spell needs to be flexible enough to allow her autonomy but rigid enough to prevent genocide."
My Magic Absorption clone monitors the spell construction with fascination, learning magical theory that shouldn't be accessible to humans. The purple-black energy crackling around him intensifies as he absorbs ambient magical signatures.
Grams's spirit manifests through Bonnie's connection to her ancestors, visible to everyone in the room as shimmering translucent form.
"This is Bennett magic at its finest," Grams says with pride. "Combining ancestral knowledge with Original insight to create something unprecedented. Esther herself would approve of the craftsmanship."
"Let's hope she approves enough not to break it," I mutter.
After seventy-two hours of continuous work—with breaks only when Caroline enforces purple schedule compliance—the binding spell is complete.
[MAGIC ABSORPTION MASTERY: 65%]
[APPROACHING PERMANENT THRESHOLD]
The massive jump in mastery comes from sustained exposure to Original-level magical theory. My clone's practically vibrating with absorbed knowledge.
"Tomorrow," Bonnie says, exhausted but satisfied. "We wake Esther tomorrow. Sam, are your clones positioned?"
"Already deployed," I confirm.
My tactical positioning for Esther's awakening represents weeks of strategic planning compressed into six clone deployments:
Mind Shield stationed with Klaus—preventing any maternal compulsion attempts that might override his judgment or force him into destructive actions.
Defensive Shield with Caroline and Elena—protecting the humans most vulnerable to Original witch magic.
Magic Absorption with Bonnie—providing backup power if the binding spell needs reinforcement or if Esther attempts magical assault.
Sensory monitoring Esther's coffin directly—detecting any deception or hidden magical preparation before it manifests.
Phasing positioned for emergency extraction—can evacuate anyone instantly through solid matter if things go catastrophically wrong.
Strength with Damon and Stefan—physical combat backup in case magical solutions fail.
Every contingency covered. Every weakness addressed. Every possible failure mode accounted for.
Or so I tell myself while trying to sleep the night before we potentially unleash Original witch on Mystic Falls.
Klaus visits my estate around midnight, entering through the front door for once instead of his usual dramatic appearances.
"Can't sleep either?" I ask from my position reviewing tactical plans at the dining table.
"My mother wakes tomorrow," Klaus replies, settling into a chair across from me. "Sleep seems pointless."
We sit in silence for a moment, two people preparing for battle in very different ways.
"If she succeeds in breaking Bonnie's binding," Klaus says quietly, "promise me you'll protect Rebekah. And this town. Don't let Mother's vendetta destroy everything we've built."
The vulnerability in his voice catches me off-guard. Klaus Mikaelson, the Original Hybrid who's perfected paranoia over a millennium, asking me to protect his sister and his adopted home.
"You won't die tomorrow," I reply with more confidence than I feel. "I've saved everyone else—I'll save you too."
Klaus's expression softens fractionally. "You're remarkably stubborn, Sam Barton. Don't ever change."
"Caroline says the same thing," I observe. "Usually while enforcing purple schedule compliance."
Klaus laughs quietly. "That woman is force of nature. Don't lose her to supernatural chaos."
After Klaus leaves, I find Caroline waiting in my living room—apparently she'd been listening from the other room, giving Klaus and me space for whatever emotional processing we needed.
"Tomorrow could change everything," Caroline says, curling against me on the couch. "Original witch waking. Could go so wrong in so many ways."
"Or could go right," I counter. "Maybe she sees her children happy and chooses peace over vengeance."
Caroline kisses me softly. "Your optimism is why I love you. Don't lose that, no matter what happens tomorrow."
We fall asleep together on the couch, my six clones stationed around the property in silent vigil, and for a few hours I let myself believe everything will work out.
[KLAUS RELATIONSHIP: GENUINE RESPECT]
[MIND SHIELD MASTERY: 55%]
[PHASING MASTERY: 22%]
[EXPERIENCE GAINED: +600]
[LEVEL 34: 1,100/4,800 TO LEVEL 35]
Tomorrow brings Esther's awakening and whatever consequences follow.
But tonight brings Caroline's warmth, Klaus's trust, and the knowledge that we've prepared as thoroughly as humanly—or superhumanly—possible.
To supporting Me in Pateron .
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