Her head shot up in confusion and horror; the last thing she remembered was Inadu's spirit launching a stake toward her before everything went black. Hayley's hands shook as she brought them to her chest, where the stake was still embedded into her heart. Acting swiftly, Hayley pulled on the wooden object, straining against it with a grimace before it finally released her.

She dropped onto the floor from where she had been pinned up against the iron gate. She gasped for air, trying to get her bearings and understand what had happened. Vincent succeeded, didn't he? He must have, because if he didn't, Hayley wasn't sure they had any other options left.

Her mind raced and she stumbled to her feet. Her thoughts were filled with worries over her two daughters; she wondered if Mercy had listened to her and remained in her room. She hoped so, because with how things were going, it was too dangerous to leave.

She was almost running when she reached the courtyard, her heart thudding in her head. She could see Marcel groaning as he sat up, having obviously been beaten by the Hollow in the same way that Hayley was. "Where is she?" She commanded firmly, her voice bouncing off the brick walls. She walked past the broken circle of salt and knew deep inside—despite her wishes—that the Hollow had won this battle.

"I couldn't save her," Vincent said, raising his hands into the air. "Hope's gone."

Hayley's head whirled toward Vincent, her eyes wide and disbelieving. Her daughter couldn't be gone. "What?" She asked, unable to keep her voice from breaking.

"She's the Hollow's now," Vincent explained.

Elijah stepped forward, an unusual look of panic on his face. "We have to find her," he began. "Vincent, surely you can pull the Hollow out of—"

"Elijah, if it were easy enough for me to just pull her back out," Vincent raised his voice, obviously not a fan of Elijah telling him what he could and couldn't do concerning the Hollow and her magic, "then I would not be standing here talking to you right now. I don't have a place to put her. The book is destroyed, alright?" He gestured to the dying embers that had once been their cage for the Hollow. "The book was the only thing that's powerful enough to house her eternal spirit."

"Well there must be some other way," Rebekah spoke up, her face contorted with a fearful expression. She barely got the chance to learn who her nieces were, and the possibility of one of them being taken over by some evil force was enough to have her panicking just as much as Elijah was.

Vincent said nothing; he didn't have any answers for the Mikaelson family, but the silence was answer enough. "Vincent?" Freya tried, but the man just shook his head.

"I don't know any other way," he whispered in a broken voice, obviously as upset with the failed plan as everybody else was. Hayley shook her head, backing away from the circle they had all formed when reconvening in the courtyard.

She walked quickly up the stairs. She needed to see Mercy, to know that at least one of her daughters was safe after hearing that Hope would be lost forever. Her chest was hurting with the pain of that thought, and her steps quickened to get to Mercy's room before she broke down completely.

However, when she got there, the room was empty. Hayley's heart jumped through her rib cage and up to her throat, overpowering any noise in her ears as she gasped. The room was the same as it was earlier, so that meant that Mercy hadn't fought Hope in any way, but that didn't explain where she was. Hayley went to check the attic, but found no sign of her there either. Her worries grew tenfold as she returned back to the room that she had last seen Mercy in.

The room was barren of the twins that had been there only a few hours ago. The moment that Hayley stepped into the room, her eyes whirled back and forth, looking for the familiar form of her daughter. She didn't find her; instead, she found a folded up piece of paper on the desk, and Hayley remembered that she set the knife that Mercy had on top of it earlier. The blade was gone now, as was Mercy.

Hayley reached out to grab the note, unfolding it in her shaking hands.

To My Family,

If you're reading this, it means that I've left, and you're probably angry with me. Don't be, please. I hate seeing you upset, but I needed to do this to protect my friend. I know you're probably worried, and honestly I'm worried too. But I can't just sit around and wait for more people to get hurt or die.

You always taught me to fight for what's right, and I'm doing that now.

I promise I'll be safe. I love you all. And I'm sorry for disobeying your wishes, Mommy.

Love,

Mercy

Hayley let a sob escape her throat as she collapsed to the floor, tears falling down the valleys of her face. Both of her daughters, gone in the night, facing who-knows-how-many monsters that are much older than them. She clutched the note so tightly that the paper began to crinkle in her hands, and she had to refrain herself from tearing it apart. She was angry as Mercy said, but mostly, she was afraid. She couldn't imagine anything bad happening to either of them, but now both Hope and Mercy were in direct lines of attack.

Hayley didn't cry for long before she stood up—her face turning stoic—and walked out of the room and out of the Abattoir. She would find her babies, even if it killed her.

>

Mercy briefly regretted not bringing a water bottle in her backpack. The trip to the bayou had been a long one where she tried remaining out of sight as much as possible. She didn't know if the Hollow had more spies in the Quarter, and the little girl would rather have the advantage of surprising Lucy and Caesar Day when she got to the bayou instead of them having a heads up.

The sun had risen, the afternoon heat bearing down on her. Her forehead was covered in a sheen of sweat as she tripped through the forest, trying—and failing—to avoid the branches littering the floor. When she reached a break in the trees, the grass extending out into a small glade, she stopped. She wiped the sweat from her face, sighing deeply as an ominous feeling coated her bones.

She had walked all throughout the night, and she knew that she would need to be well rested if she were to face Lucy and Caesar. The little girl looked up at the trees, fiddling with her backpack straps, when an idea suddenly came to her. Smiling widely, the girl reached up and pulled herself onto the branches.

She climbed the tree effortlessly, seeing as she was in her true element here. When she deemed that she was high enough off the ground to avoid being seen, she leaned against the trunk of the tree, her small legs straddling the wide branch to keep her balance. She brought her backpack to sit in her lap before messing with the straps of it once more. She needed to be able to be stationary if she were going to try to sleep in the tree, and while she had impeccable balance for her age, she was too nervous to slip into unconsciousness from this high up without something stabilizing her.

Thinking quickly, the little girl undid on of the straps of the bag. When it was done, she reached into her boot to pull out the sacrificial knife and cut the straps away. Then, she quickly and expertly was able to tie the straps around her torso and the tree, securing her position there.

Once she believed that she wasn't going anywhere, Mercy leaned back and closed her eyes, trying to ignore the sense of an upcoming battle. Her veins were like live wires, ready for a fight as Akela told her she would be. If she wasn't so exhausted from her trip here, she didn't think she would've been able to fall asleep. As it was, she drifted into her dream world easily.

She had barely closed her eyes when she opened them again, standing in the forest. Mercy looked around in confusion, almost feeling deja vu from the amount of times this had happened. However, before she could wonder what was going on, a familiar figure approached her.

"You are entering your first fight, young warrior," Akela spoke with a bittersweet tone to her voice. Mercy turned and watched the woman walk toward her, the animal skins hanging off of her body as her jewelry clinked together on her fingers and wrists. "I had only hoped that it wouldn't be this soon."

"I know it's something that I need to do," Mercy said, biting her lip harshly. "But I'm scared. You said that fear is supposed to make me stronger, but I think it's making me weaker."

Akela smiled softly, a look that Mercy wished would last forever. It reminded her of her mom. "You're wrong," she argued, and Mercy blinked in surprise. "Already you have grown stronger since the last time I saw you. And as you go to fight the traitor wolves, there will be a full moon above. The wolf ancestors will provide you with strength when you need it."

Mercy was unaware of the upcoming full moon, but she should've guessed. With everything that was happening concerning the Hollow and her twin sister, it would make sense that a celestial event such as a full moon would be right around the corner. The Hollow could draw magic from there into her never-ending supply of it, making her essentially invincible.

But Mercy would draw power from the moon as well.

Akela sighed, and Mercy shook herself out of her thoughts. "However, the wolf ancestors can only do so much," she said carefully. "You must remember everything that I've taught you if you want to win. And despite your kind heart and the name that scars your soul, you must not show mercy. Lucy and Caesar Day are too far gone to be saved. The Hollow's magic runs too deep in their resurrected bodies."

Mercy knew inside that Akela was right, but the idea of hurting, even killing, Lucy and Caesar was an idea that made her head swirl. She couldn't imagine being as vicious as to take both of their lives, but she also didn't know what threat they would pose to her own life. She couldn't risk Noah either, and the memory of Parker's fearful face was encouragement enough to nod her head, agreeing with the wolf ancestor.

Akela bent down, placing a hand on the little girl's shoulder. "I am proud of you, Mercy Mikaelson," she said with a smile. "You bring honor to your name, and it would be my pleasure to give you my strength to carry."

The older woman closed her eyes, and Mercy gasped when she saw Akela's body begin to fade. It was taking on the green tint that had been there the first time Mercy met Akela. Her body glittered and sparkled with this green hue before the particles gathered itself up into a single shining ball of light. Akela's body was gone, replaced by the glowing sphere. Mercy held a hand up against it, but her eyes adjusted quickly, and she was able to see as the ball moved toward her chest, where her heart was.

The girl gasped aloud, feeling a rush of power go through her like she had just been electrified. It was almost addicting to have Akela bond her energy with Mercy's, but the little girl could still feel where the woman's power ended and hers began. It was quite a bit of power, but Mercy was a natural at controlling it.

Her eyes flew open and she steadied herself against the strap that was still wrapped around her torso. She had slept for quite a few hours, the sun having worked it's way across the sky and was now sitting on the horizon, preparing for nightfall. The light of the sunset cut through the leaves of the trees and settled over her eyes, making her clench them closed. She gave herself a minute to get used to the abrupt change in scenery.

She felt the most rejuvenated she ever felt in her life, as if she had eaten an entire box of candy and was on a sugar rush. Unlike a sugar rush though, this surge of energy wouldn't crash down on her; no, this energy would give her the strength to finish whatever she needed to do.

Deciding that it would be best to find Lucy and Caesar before the full moon reached its apex, Mercy untied the binds around her. She stuffed them into her backpack and slung the one remaining strap over her shoulder, beginning her descent from the branch.

She jumped once she was low enough to the ground, landing gracefully. Without another word, she began walking again.

But, before she could take another step, a voice interrupted her. "Going somewhere?"

She whirled around in honest surprise, her eyes widening at the sight of her father leaning against a tree and watching her closely.

"Dad," she said without even realizing it. Standing straighter, she tilted her head and narrowed her eyes, already knowing that he would try to stop her. "What are you doing here?"

His eyes softened at her change of expression. "Mercy," he began but stopped. He looked conflicted on what to say, and he sighed, stepping away from the tree to stand in front of her. "Sweetheart, I know you think you're doing the right thing, but I can't let you walk into danger like this."

Her lips were pursed tightly at his words. "I have to," she said without delay. She spoke clearly and confidently, despite the fearful part deep down inside of her that agreed with her father. "My friend needs me."

"And how would your friend feel if you got hurt or worse for their sake?" Klaus asked, almost sounding desperate for Mercy to listen to him.

Mercy shook her head. "You can't stop me," she said quietly, already knowing what he was trying to do. "This is what I'm meant to do. I can't defy my instincts."

He looked surprised at her words, and she took advantage of his distraction. "I'm sorry, Dad," she told him, truly meaning what she said before she raised her hand toward him.

"Mercy no!—" He yelled, but it was too late. She spoke under her breath and within a split second, he was gone. She hadn't hurt him in any way, simply transported him back to the Abattoir where he could help Hope. Mercy couldn't have him interfering when there were so many threats coming at her family from every which way. She needed him to be with Hope, so that at least Mercy wouldn't have to worry about her twin as much as she already was.

However, her father's appearance only made her think of her family more. She hoped that everything would work out for the Mikaelson family.

With a sigh, she walked away from the spot her father had stood, wishing more than anything that he would understand.

>

Klaus landed in the compound before he even had a chance to stop Mercy's spell. He growled lowly under his breath, frustrated with his daughter's choice. He got up from the floor, about to leave once again to find her and drag her back to the compound kicking and screaming if he had to, but before he could, Hayley entered the room.

"Where have you been?" She asked not unkindly, shaking her head. "Kol's here and Vincent is ready to do the spell."

"I found Mercy," he replied, and that stopped her from saying anymore, her eyes wide. Hayley had gone to look for Hope while Klaus went to Mercy, and the mother had been worried sick about whether or not he found her. "She sent me back here before I could do anything."

"Is she okay?" Hayley asked breathlessly, and Klaus looked up at her with a sad expression.

"I'm not sure," he told her. "She's preparing for something, but I don't understand what. She said that I can't stop it."

His last words were whispered, as if he couldn't believe his daughter was heading straight into such a dangerous situation. Hayley's eyes grew soft and she sighed, walking toward him.

"Look, Klaus," she started. "I know that once this is all done... Once the Hollow has split up, you won't be able to see Hope. But you'll be able to see Mercy."

Her tone was indicating something and Klaus looked up at her in confusion. "You would tear Hope and Mercy apart?" he asked her, but she shook her head.

"Mercy and Hope could see each other anytime they want," she responded. "But I know you. I know you'll need her. And once we find her after the ritual, I think it would be best if she went with you, wherever you end up going."

Klaus looked at Hayley for a long time. He couldn't believe that she would sacrifice her time with their daughter so that he would have some semblance of family after the Hollow took it all. He smiled a small, half-smile and grabbed her hand with his own. He placed his other hand on top of hers and looked into her eyes. "Thank you, Hayley," he whispered quietly, and she nodded her head. "I will do right by her."

"I know you will," she replied with a small smile of her own.

He let her hand drop from his own as his vulnerability was cast aside, replaced with his infamous smirk. "Let's get on with this ritual then, shall we?"

Hayley nodded, and the two parents descended into the courtyard, where the Hollow would break the vow of always and forever.

>

Mercy reached Noah's house by the time the sun was setting, painting the sky red and orange like the color of flames. She stuck to the shadows as best as she could, looking out at the house with narrowed eyes.

It looked so normal from the outside, but she knew not to trust appearances. She didn't know what Lucy and Caesar were doing, but she knew it wouldn't be good.

Deciding to act quickly before Noah could get hurt or worse, Mercy ran to the side of the house, remembering the interior layout as she counted the windows. She reached the window that was in Noah's room, the familiar trees and bushes giving her enough cover from prying eyes.

She ducked under the branches and peered into the room, seeing that it was dark, not a light to be seen. She frowned, wondering where Noah would be if he wasn't here.

She pressed a hand against the glass and spoke quietly under her breath. The window opened on its hinges inside, and Mercy scaled the windowsill before landing in a soft crouch on the inside of the room. She looked around the bedroom, but it was hard to see. It felt like the room was darker than it had been outside, and Mercy had to allow her eyes time to adjust to the sudden change.

"Noah?" She whispered, trying to see if any of the shadows moved at the sound of her voice. One did, and her head tilted, looking underneath the bed. She took a hesitant step in that direction. "Noah? Is that you?"

Suddenly, something shot out from the bed and landed on top of her. She fell backwards and hit the ground, her heart pounding in fear. However, this fear quickly dissipated as the object on top of her started licking her face all over.