(A/N) This first chapter has been sitting here for weeks now, but I held off publishing it because I'm really nervous about what you guys might think. This is different to the normal 'light and humour' fics that I write. But I'm quite proud and excited for it, and I hope you guys will enjoy it too.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot

EDIT: I'm currently editing this story. I wasn't happy with the way the last few chapters were written but I don't want to abandon it as this fic is my baby. Hopefully this will be the longest hiatus that I take as I really want to finish writing this.

part i. the beginning of an era

978 A.D.

She bit her lips nervously as she climbed out his bed, her blonde waves cascading over her bare back.

"What bothers you, my love, you seem restless. I hope you're not having second thoughts," he came from behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, his smile resting on her shoulder.

"Merely jittery for the full moon tonight. The beasts in the forest lie waiting for prey," she smiled reassuringly but it was only half the truth.

Despite the rudimental upbringing in this small village, Caroline was a lady, and there were certain expectations that came with that. She knew that if the secret in her womb were made known, she would be looked down upon and called a loose woman. Just like Tatia.

Though it was improper to lie with a man unmarried, she would not have to keep her secret for long, for she and her intended, Niklaus, were to marry in a fortnight. She only prayed that the full moon would pass by quickly and uneventfully.

In the outskirts of the village lived men who shape shifted into wolves under the full moon. She did not know if this was common in other places, for she had never travelled further than the next village herself, yet she knew that these beasts were dangerous and killed mercilessly. Her father, William, was a huntsman in his youth, protecting their people from the likes of those beasts, but he, like many others, perished under the claws of the wolf-men many moons ago.

Tonight, they would go into hiding, as they did every full moon, and would only re-emerge when the sun rises from the east.

"Caroline, the wolves have not attacked one of us in a long while," he whispered into her hair, his mother's necklace dangling from his neck, "I only ask that you pack our belongings for the night and head on to the cave with Rebekah"

"Will you not come with us, Niklaus?"

"I promised Henrik that I will take him for a trip to the next town," he purposefully remained standing behind her, so she did not have to see the deception in his eyes. "We will stay in the caves there tonight"

"Must you leave today? It is dangerous, for you and for young Henrik"

"The boy is persistent, and he turns ten today," the truth was, his brother had asked to see the wolves. He knew he couldn't deny him especially when he, too, was curious. It was reckless, but he would do anything to ensure his little brother's safety. He had always felt drawn to the full moon, as if it was a source of power, and it gave him a sense of security. Besides, he's a survivor, he's survived Mikael his whole life. There wasn't much that could break him anymore.

Knowing better than to argue, she turned to face him to return the embrace.

"Then I shall pray for your safety," she rubbed her head against his chest, she knew he was more than capable of defending himself, "I love you"

"And I, you," he hummed, "Always and Forever"

The birds began to chirp, signifying the beginning of their day, but if one were to listen beyond the realms of the human world, they may just hear the spirits stir in their sleep.

Tonight will mark the beginning of a whole new era.

"Help, HELP! Please, anyone," a voice broke out beyond the caves.

"I should imagine it is another one of those foolish men who had forgotten to come into hiding on a full moon. I say we ignore him," one of the villagers said.

The voice got louder and louder, as it approached the entrance of the cave that was blocked by several large boulders.

"Please help, my little brother," he choked, carrying a limp body in his arms.

Recognising his voice, she jumped up, "Niklaus… NIKLAUS, is that you?" She shouted beyond the barrier that separated themselves and the forest outside.

Rushing past the boulders, wolves be damned, she saw his figure, barely visible in the morning sun. Even in the shadows of the tree canopies, she could see his ripped clothes and bloodied body, but none of that could compare to the body he held tightly against his chest.

Soon, the rest of the Mikaelsons appeared beside her and apprehension came upon them.

Henrik, a boy of ten, mutilated by the wolves.

Henrik, the light of their family, mangled beyond recognition.

Henrik, the innocent, taken away much too soon.

Cries and screams echoed through the forest as the moon took one last look at the destruction it had caused, before it, too, disappeared behind the mountains.

Screams of sadness turned into screams of panic as the village was set ablaze.

Red.

Everything was red.

That was his first thought when he regained consciousness. Confused, he stumbled outside, hoping to find his love.

The last thing he could recall was the memory of his father stabbing him through the heart with a sword. Perhaps Mikael had finally lost it, he had finally gone too far. He should be dead, or maybe this was Hell. From the sound of chaos outside, he would imagine so.

"Caroline," he called out, praying that he would somehow find her.

"Niklaus," he heard a faint voice behind him.

He had never known hunger until he laid eyes on her. He could faintly recognise his siblings in his periphery, running around the village, chasing and latching onto villagers, but he was too focused on the sound of her heartbeat in front of him.

With inhuman speed, he blurred towards her in the blink of an eye.

"What is happening?" She panicked, "Nik, what is happening? Please, answer me." She held onto the fabric of his vest.

Ba bump, ba bump.

Before she could utter another word, fangs grew from his mouth and sunk down into her neck.

"NO!" She screamed, "Nik, stop"

His urges were too strong, he couldn't make sense of what was happening beyond the blood that was gushing into his mouth. He couldn't stop, even though every thought in his mind told him to.

Hearing her cries of pain, nothing had ever hurt him more than this moment. His tears began to mix with the ones that were coming out of her own eyes, as her skin began to pale.

"I forgive you, Nik. Always and forever," she whispered as she stilled in his arms.

He had just killed the only woman he had ever loved.

(A/N) DUN DUN DUN! Don't worry, this is going to be a multi-chap story, so this is not some tragic tale. Everything will be explained in the next chapter.

Please help me get over my commitment phobia by leaving a review if you liked it and would like to see more.

And in case some of you are angry over Klaus killing Caroline, remember that he has no idea what's going on, and he doesn't know what he's become. All he knows is that he has an uncontrollable urge to kill and drink blood in order to complete his transition, and the first person that he sought after was Caroline because he loves her and wanted to see that she was safe. Remember that control takes years to harness and next chapter, we'll see more of Klaus' POV.