II. Gods and Monsters

29. Home

Charlotte stood, staring at the spot where Hades and Oli had just been. She felt powerless to do anything else. They could be anywhere in the universe right now, and she, this angel, and Amadeus were stuck in the warehouse, waiting for what would come next. They had been gone for so long, but it felt even longer knowing that only one would come back alive.

Then, the eerily familiar ring of fire appeared exactly where the previous one had been so long ago, and a figure stepped through the flames. The Ghost Rider. Oli had won.

"YES!" she screamed. "YES YES YES!"

Charlotte threw her hands in the air, crying in happiness. The nightmare was over.

Oli could see her through Ghost Rider's eyes.

"Go get her champ," he heard Zarathos say, feeling the oh-so-familiar tingling sensation through his body that signalled his return to human form. "You earned it."

Oli stumbled slightly, his skin growing back after so long. So so long.

"Hey, it's ok, I've got you, I've got you," Charlotte laughed with joy, looping her arms around Oliver for support.

"It's over..." Oli breathed. "We... We won!"

He picked Charlotte up by the waist, spinning with her before placing her back down and resting his head against hers.

"We won..." he breathed again, tears of relief running down his face.

A small cough broke the couple out of their bubble, turning their attention to Amadeus, who stood a few feet from them.

"I... um... I suppose I should say I am happy for your safe reunion..." he mumbled. "I..."

"Go," Oli told him gently. "You're free to go. You can finally spend a lifetime as you see fit."

Amadeus bowed his head solemnly, pausing a minute to consider an appropriate reply.

"Thank you..." he muttered.

Another pause.

"He... uh... he's in the forest," Oli told him.

"Excuse me?"

"Hades. He's in the forest in which he fought Metatron and I. I... left him there. I'm sorry, but he gave me no choice. I tried everything I could to bring him back alive. I suppose the best thing I can do now is to let you bury him. The way he would want."

Amadeus gave Oli a weak smile.

"Thank you. After everything, you are still able to show kindness. Thank you."

"It's ok. Now go. Live your life. Leave this world of gods and monsters behind and enjoy the beautiful world of normality."

"I shall, Mr Knight. I wish you both the very best."

With that, Amadeus bowed respectfully and left. This was a parting of understanding. Neither wholly forgave the other for what had occurred, they simply allowed for what had happened to remain in the past. Events had unfolded in such a way that the outcomes could only appear one way. The pair simply knew that the war could only end if both were allowed to live their lives in peace. To stop the violence with them, and silently form an understanding. An understanding of contempt for what had happened. They just wanted the violence to end, and this was, unfortunately, the hand fate dealt them.

The couple watched Amadeus go, both sending their pity with him. Out of every ending here, his was undoubtedly the cruellest. He had done nothing, yet lost a friend who meant more than anything in the universe. But the pair had faith that he would find peace. Find a greater calling in which to live out the remainder of days.