Love's Partner //Thales Series #2✔️

After The War✔️

Seventy-two hours.

That's what it took.

After I had awkwardly peeled my face from Jake's t-shirt, I sat down. Psyche later on came to sit next to me. All we could do was stare at the sight of the lasting effects of the war.

Once Jake was free from me, he turned cold. He walked over and began to work.

In the space of fourteen minutes, over ten thousand Remnants died. In that sense it was actually a battle and not a war. Their bodies littered the streets. Well, that was before Jake started working. In the space of three days, he had dug a grave for each of The Remnants by headquarters. He then carried them one by one from the ruins of Aeolus city to headquarters which was about a quarter mile away. No wonder it took three days.

All the while me, Psyche and Bradlin just watched him do it. He must have put some magic around the city because no one entered it.

At the end of the third day, Jake had finished. We had followed him as he carried Hades back to Headquarters. He hadn't uttered a word since the battle.

Unlike the rest, he put Hades inside the building. It was empty, it's usual hustle gone with the souls of the dead. It was once a happy, vibrant place. Now it was just depressing.

"Can't you bring them back?" my voice sounded hoarse.

"They were taken by Hades own hands. He claimed the souls. I can't." Jake's own hoarse voice came back. "You went into battle against me, not knowing that it was Hades that was in control."

He took a shaky breath and let a tear fall, "I killed you all but you held The Remnant name proud. For that I'll always be grateful. Rest in peace, brothers and sisters. For three days ago, you've fallen and I will never be able to repay that debt or live a greater curse."

He knelt down and held a moment of silence. We followed suit, kneeling and staying silent. After a while, Jake stood again.

He turned to headquarters. My hand grasped his shoulder. He barely noticed it but sent a small smile my way. Suddenly his body was glowing with red energy. So much that his hair flew with it.

"All The Remnants have passed on. From today on headquarters shall be no more." The red energy took shape of a skeleton and a sword.

The sword went straight through the building, and it promptly collapsed. No dust covered us; it just collapsed. Hades body buried within.

Watching it was weird like he had just destroyed a home away from home. It happened in slow motion, the way the rubble fell.

After everything settled, Jake offered us a ride home. Unlike him, we all stayed in the area outside the city. No one would be going there any time soon.

Jake walked over to a car in the parking lot and got in. He drove Bradlin home first, then Psyche and me last. I was glad to be home since the car ride had been super quiet since the battle.

Jake pulled up to my gate where it opened. Then he pulled up the driveway to the door and helped me out.

My mother ran into me and gave me an elephant hug. I laughed and hugged her back just as fiercely. It was so good to hug someone so warmly. Then I felt my dad from the side. I laughed.

"I'm so glad you're safe." my mother mumbled into my hair. She pulled away and there were unshed tears in her eyes.

It hurt me to know I worried them but it was my fault. I guess I could have sent her a message or something. But nevermind that.

"We were so worried when we heard about the storm." My father said as he pulled away.

"I missed you guys." Is all I could say. Then my parents noticed Jake for the first time.

His eyes were hooded and cold. They held no emotion at all as they watched me.

"Jake"

"You"

You can guess which parent said which.

"Yes, it's me." Jake agreed. My father glared at him while my mother shuffled awkwardly. Even I didn't know what to do.

"Well, I'll leave you to it then." Jake said, maintaining eye contact with me.

"Wait, you're just going to leave? Where are you going to go? We have to talk." I basically lunged at him. He allowed a small smile and placed his hand on my cheek.

"I know, Nýchta," he said some Greek word and it was kind of sexy. ", but you need time with your family. Plus I'm not going anywhere."

"Then when will I see you again?" I asked, worried I might not see him again.

"Jeez Zoe, you'll see me in two minutes if you wanted to. I'm kidding. I'll be on the roof." He said the last part with a serious face.

I laughed.

He kissed my forehead.

"I'll be here." he smiled.