Game of War (Cashby)

Epilogue

The wars of the Legions against the Roman Empire were swift and damning. The destruction was precise, even the largest cities falling easily. If anyone else had noticed the Gods' touch on our wrath, no one spoke of it. Not even Alex and I. We did not speak of the day we took down Edessa, nor Nisibis. The latter a much less bloody endeavor with even less carnage left behind.

The feasts and parties were hearty, though I noticed that not many did so as freely as they once had. I felt as if I had to pry myself out of my chair to even pretend I was having fun. I didn't want to be here anymore. The week of celebrations fell away solemnly and it was announced that big news was coming to us that night.

For the last time ever, we gathered in the great hall of Olympus by our deity's feet. Excitement bubbled up from person to person as eyes flashed across the room.

"We have come to the decision," Zeus spoke. "That Legions are no longer necessary." The words rung out and were met with the hushed quiet of a hundred teenagers dying to yell out. My breath halted in my chest.

"You may choose were you desire to go, what you desire to do. Rome does not deserve your protection anymore." We were... free. I was so thrilled I wondered if I might rise off the floor. Free!

"You are, of course, always welcome here, children," Apollo said, with a genuine smile and a look of slight sorrow. Whispers broke out throughout the room and many faces brightened.

The God's punishment had come full circle and became their greatest gift.

Some chose to stay on Olympus and work as servants and handmaidens, but many were eager to leave.

I didn't know then that for years to come we would all return for games once a year, and I would watch as my friends began to take up wives and husbands. Then kids and full fledged families. We would raise the next generation of heroes with our divine blood, and they would be deadly. The bonds we had made together would last our lifetime and for many lifetimes to come.

I returned to Alan that day. He was waiting for me, just like I told him to. It was midday when I arrived, but his head was slumped over and he was asleep. He heard my footsteps and his head snapped up. I replayed this moment over and over in the years to come, just to see the look on his face. He ran to me and I to him, wrapping him in my arms and pulling him off the ground. He laughed and it filled my chest with golden sunlight.

"How are you here?" He asked. I took his hand and looked into his eyes.

"I'm free." The word floated off my tongue. He titled his head back like he was soaking the moment in.

"Free." I kissed him. I didn't know I was going to, but the need came over me like an emotion and overwhelmed my system. He didn't hesitate to kiss back, as though he had known it was coming this whole time. There we stood, together, learning each other anew.

Walking through the ruins of Edessa and seeing the faces of widows and orphans aching with sadness struck deeply within me. This was my fault. I could sense the guilt in Alan too. He knew what I had done. I never asked it he had seen me on that day in hopes he had not or would forget. The forum was still soaked with blood, deep and dark as rust. The air still smelled faintly of sulfur and battle and a large pyre had been constructed at the center. It's heat reached us even at the far edges of the place.

They had already begun to burn the bodies, collecting their ashes in an urn and burying them so that they would be released to the Underworld. Though I wasn't wearing my armor, I was still easily recognized in my uniform and I received many looks of hatred. We watched them for a long time. Until a familiar face was brought before the podium- it was Alan's father. I looked over at him with wide eyes, I hadn't known. He hadn't told me. A thought flickered through my mind, who had done it?. I let go of Alan and walked forward, pushing past the disgusted faces and foul words.