The Great War

Epilogue

The first thing I feel is my fingers against soft, smooth silk, my skin prickles and my heart picks up pace as I run my hands blindly against whatever I'm lying on before I open my eyes. The sun breaking through light gray curtains, I look around the room I'm in before I come to the realization of when and where I am.

Once I do and I've grounded myself, I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Gently throwing the silk top sheet off my body I sit up and take a moment to breathe and look around me.

My eyes landing on a picture on my nightstand and a soft smile takes over my lips as I look at it. It was the first actual family photo me, Theo, and Silas got. Not surprising. It's hard to photograph a wildling of a boy. And Silas of course. I stand from the bed and leave the bedroom after a moment.

It's been years since the war and yet I still find myself lost in the days of it all.

I forget how long it's been and where I am. I forget Silas. I forget I'm alive. Some days are harder than others, some days I wake up screaming and panicking. Others I just don't leave bed at all.

Today was a bit different. Today was the 9th year anniversary since we won the war. Since order was reset to all the realms, yet it only feels like just moments ago I was fighting for lives I'd never even met before.

I step out of the warm cabin, my dress swaying past my ankles skimming along my skin. The light morning breeze sifting past my face as I look up at the rising sun, rays of oranges, pinks and blues alongside the bright burning ball of Apollo's flame.

I turn my head as I come to reality, laughter filling my ears, "Mommy!"

I instantly smile as my son makes a break for me running from his father. I bend at the knee and open my arms wide for the young boy, he crashes into me, falling in my arms in a fit of rambunctious giggles. His small hands land on my cheeks squishing them together.

"Daddy wouldn't let me wake you up." His vivacious voice babbles out, I nod along with him.

"Is that right?" I muffled-ly call out, my lips squished into a pucker as he nods. He drops his hands to my shoulders and his large curious eyes run over my right eye.

"Tell me the story again?" He asks, I groan as I lift his heavy body into my arms and I stand, keeping him at my hip, I look up as Theo approaches us.

"You've been told the story a million times, Si." The man mutters as he places a hand on the small of my back and kisses my head before smiling at me, "Good morning, Beautiful."

I smile looking up at him, "Good morning, my love."

He leans forward and we share a small kiss to which our son dejects with a gag. I laugh as he pulls back to deadpan at Silas who shares the same look with his father.

"Mama, he's looking at me funny." He mumbles and pushes his dads face away from him by the bridge of his nose. I let out another laugh caught off guard by the ferocity of the push.

"Little devil," I mumble out, pressing a small kiss to the kid's forehead as Theo rubs his nose.

"Story?" He asks hopefully, his eyes wide and full of just pure wonder. I smile down at him, caving in.

"Alright. Fine." I scrunch my nose at the cute little face he pulls.

I walk back up towards the cabin's porch and take a seat on the wicker bench, settling Silas in my lap. Theo takes a seat across from us on a cushioned wicker chair. Silas leans into my shoulder as I brush back his wild curly hair.

"It all began with a woman—"

Silas lets out a gasp and shoots off my shoulder, "Ophelia!"

I smile and raise a brow at him, "You wanna tell the story?" He shakes his head a few times.

"Alright. It began with a woman by the name of Auxilium Ōphéleia Phosphorus, or better named Ophelia. She was nimble and strong tongued. Known as the queen of the shadow realm. Her reign may have been short, but it was influential to the years that'll come. She ruled side by side with her dearest friend and ally, Beelzebub. And with the love of her life the moon god, Mani. Don't underestimate the woman for she was heroic even with her given role of death. Born during the first purge and a warrior in the second. Giving her life in the great war. Her pupil—"

Silas practically vibrates with his joy, "That was you, mommy!"

I smile and nod, "Yes it was. Her pupil was granted a spot as the next sworn ruler of the realms of death. During the great war, she was the lead. Creating all the plans, instigating and even winning over the realm. Just like Ophelia before her. Wars are not without losses though, Silas. Remember that. We all lost things in the war." I say, Silas' face hardens and yet was still just as gentle.

"Never take things for granted, for if you lose them, you'll be lost just like Lord Lucifer had been before us." I gently warn, he nods and looks back at his father. I looked up from Silas and immediately spotted that far off look in his eyes. Reaching out a hand I tightly gripped his squeezing it to bring him back.

"We may have won the war, but we are not without wounds." I finish, Silas scoots himself off my lap and walks over to his father's legs. Placing two small hands onto Theo's knees, he peers up at him. Theo's once absent eyes refocused as he gave our son a sad smile lifting him into his lap.

We all witnessed too much at such a young age during the war, I can't imagine the wars going on in his head even after so many years. Witnessing your friends—your family dying because of a man's choices—it leaves you battered in the end.

But the blood of the lamb feeds all.

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