Page 313 of The Gods Order

Thayla

38

For a single breath, nothing happens.

My gaze stays fixed on the space where the God of Obliteration fell, the small puddle of black blood is the only proof he ever existed.

They did it. My men did it.

The God of Obliteration and the Goddess of Seduction are gone.

A war of corruption older than memory…has ended.

Then the silence breaks.

Not with another attack or another surge of power, but with a roar. A cheer. My head snaps around as the sound spreads across the battlefield like a rising tide. Our army, the Defenders, the Veilatara—everyone who stood with us. They lift their weapons high, voices carrying through the Abandon.

We won.

My chest tightens almost unbearably. I should be celebrating, cheering with them, running toward my family who came out whole. More complete than when they stepped into this wasteland.

Instead, I stand here.

Watching.

The remaining Oblirians are no longer charging. Some kneel. Some drop their weapons. Others clutch their bodies as the darkness that once flowed through them fades. The power their god forced into them unravels.

The Dark Gods are no different. The arrogance that carried them across the battlefield is gone. They look smaller now. Weaker. Almost like the beings they should have always been.

My eyes move beyond them to the faces I know.

My family. My friends. The ones still standing because they refused to give up. Derivius…he looks lighter than I’ve ever seen him. Yemi’s tangled in Doren’s arms, both smiling despite the blood covering them.

Some of that blood is mine…

Sevryn, Nero, and Iric surround them. Mara grips Gladian’s hand as he rests against Fausta’s side. Vullie, Barir, and Prath smile up at her like she’s the fiercest goddess they’ve ever seen.

A small smile pulls at my lips.

They did it. They all did it. And they all survived.

I should feel nothing but relief, but my heart aches.

Because I know what they don’t.

I know what has to come next.

My fingers curl at my sides as the joy around me grows louder, the cheers stronger. I feel like I’m standing at the edge of something far more terrifying than the war we just fought.

All our friends move toward us, and my men meet them halfway. I can’t get my feet to move, and tears gather as they all congratulate the guys.

“Thayla.”

My attention snaps to Yemi. Her bright smile fades.

“What’s wrong?”

Her question pulls every gaze to me.