Damon ultimately hits rock-bottom in the next episode of "The Vampire Diaries" season 7, which is titled "Postcards from the Edge." The older Salvatore brother's Phoenix Stone crisis is getting out of hand, making Stefan extra-worried.
The synopsis for the episode teases that Damon has fallen under Julian's control, which means nothing but trouble.
"I have just the outlet for the overwhelming pain you must be feeling," Julian tells Damon in the teaser in an attempt to trick him.
Julian's offer turns out to be some sort of a fight club where Damon will get the chance to fight and hurt other guys. In "The Vampire Diaries" season 7 promo, Stefan urges his brother not to get into the ring but he refuses to listen and ends up killing people.
Damon is indeed getting worse than he ever was when he was transported back to real world. The last time fans saw him, he was burning Elena's body -- thinking it was Henry's -- thus, killing the love of his life once and for all.
Stefan knows what Damon is going through because he was als forced to relive his biggest nightmares over and over again inside the Phoenix Stone. This is the reason he refuses to give up on him despite what seem to be slim chances of Damon getting back to normal.
Unfortunately, Stefan has a lot on his plate at the moment. The synopsis for the upcoming "The Vampire Diaries" season 7 teases that a vampire huntress named Rayna will re-emerge.
In the past episodes, Rayna was shown in the flash-forwards hunting down Stefan. It was never really clear why she was after him but all that will be revealed in "Postcards from the Edge." Spoilers hint it has something to do with the sword linked to the Phoenix Stone.
Stefan won't be the one to welcome her to Mystic Falls though. Bonnie, Nora and Mary Louise will be tracking down Rayna in the next "The Vampire Diaries" season 7 episode.
Lastly, Caroline will experience alarming side effects in her pregnancy that will force her to turn to Valerie for help. There are speculations that her troubles will lead her to losing the twins.
"The Vampire Diaries" season 7, episode 2 "Postcards from the Edge" airs Feb. 12 on The CW.
