𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙙𝙚 | ✓

014

𝘑𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘩 𝘏𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘹

The war had gone on for the rest of the day, darkness taking over the kingdom. It was a bloodbath, most of everybody dead. If this war didn't stop, each of these species would be forced to go extinct. Hollis was in the infirmary but they would be able to make a recovery, someone else would not be able to make it through death's grasp.

Vienna had died earlier due to smoky lungs. She died in Winona's arms, both girls having tear stained cheeks. Her lungs had basically collasped, causing her death to make her suffer as she gasped and gaped for air up until Hades dragged her below. They weren't able to find her medical attention due to absolutely nobody wanting to treat any of the witches.

Josiah managed to decapitate a few heads with his blade, watching as they all fell to their knees before him. Each time his blade harmed an innocent protecting their own, guilt spread through him like wildfire.

This wasn't right.

Someone had to put a stop to this.

And someone did.

Atticus had climbed up on a pile of rubble from someone's house. His hand clutched his side, a stab wound leaking with blood. "Stop it!" He shouted, however his voice wasn't his own. Judging by the tears in Winona's face and her shaking figure, it was the witch's father. "You all stop!" The fighting beneath him had gone quiet, everyone's eyes being placed on his. The witches saw their previous military commander in Atticus, seeming to want to do everything he said.

"This is wrong. The kingdom has a new king. One that is willing to protect all of us. That includes witches! This fight is unnecessary and the lives that were lost were all for nothing! Do you understand me? Stop this childish bickering and just share the land! None of these humans are against you. They're only fighting and killing because you faught and killed first. Do you understand?"

Atticus' voice had gone weak, his fingers digging into his pained side. He sighed of relief when the witches dropped their weapons, their heads bowed in shame. As Atticus collapsed, Josiah rushed over quickly. Anger filled his face as he pulled the witch close to him, glancing around the area as everything seemed to be...over. Nobody was fighting anymore due to Jack's speech through his son. Apparently they trusted that previously assshat. Even Winona was breaking down in tears at her husband's voice, though he knew she wasn't grieving. She was terrified.

"Atticus," he whispered as he picked him up in his arms. He was extremely tall and Josiah had a hard time holding him, but he managed to not drop the witch in his arms as he began to search for a medic. Hollis, who was sewing their own wound, glanced up to see Atticus. They definitely seemed agitated, but finished their stitch and stood up.

"Medical field too? How did you learn all this shit?" Josiah huffed as he set Atticus gently in the grass. He didn't get a reply, but instead received a look for him to go away. Putting his hands up surrender, he stepped away from Atticus and walked towards Reyna who was now in the church mourning over Vienna.

"I didn't even- I didn't-" her sobs broke her words, Vienna's limp body resting on top of Reyna's thighs as she sat on her knees. "I didn't get to tell her that I love her," she cried. Her hair was soaked with sweat and the once dried blood was now soaked with tears. Her face was red at how hard she had began to cry. "This isn't fair...it isn't- why is it when I love someone! Why does everything I love hurt!"

Josiah slowly sat down beside Reyna. He went to put his arm around her but she grabbed it tightly, her nails digging in his wrist. "Don't," she whispered sharply. She leaned down and pressed her head against Vienna's, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Why didn't I tell her!? I should have told her! I'm so stupid!" As Reyna sobbed, Josiah came to his feet and glanced over at the frightened children. He gave them a nod and they ran off to find their parents who had been hiding under the expensive food shops. Everyone did except for Ezra, who didn't even seem to have parents at all.

Josiah picked up the seven year old and carried him out of the church, the child clinging to his shoulder. He decided he was going to keep him. He already knew him those seven years he was in the palace. Might as well, right?

Smiling, he approached Atticus who was lying in the grass. Hollis stormed off, most likely to their house on the prairie. He was unsure why they seemed upset, but instead glanced down at Atticus who grinned.

"Hey sexy," Atticus spoke. Despite being very much in pain, he still couldn't help but be a flirt. He slowly sat up, wincing in pain and letting out a small groan. "And Ezra," he said with a small laugh. He looked around the area, a bit confused. "Where's my sister?"

Josiah frowned as Ezra played with his hair, his tiny fingers grabbing onto it and pulling. He grabbed his wrist and gently pulled it away as he spoke, "she's dead."

Atticus shook his head. "No- not that one." It didn't seem to click that Vienna was dead, most likely entering in denial. Him and his sister had been really close.

"Holly. She's still- I heard her." He didn't make any facial expressions that would show him mourning his younger sister. However, he didn't actually believe that she was gone.

Winona walked up and rested her hand on Josiah's shoulder,

"It's over. We won."