I AM Kaelor Thane: The God Of War

Exile To Georgia

Thane’s POV

After I left the military council hall in anger and pain, I entered my room in the barracks. The air inside was so cold that I had to turn on the heater to feel warm. My hands were still shaking from the anger boiling inside me.

I prepared chicken and chips to fill myself, trying to regain the energy I had lost. I had been publicly disgraced and shamed, stripped of my rank. I was no longer the five-star commander. The title had been handed over to Shawn.

When I finished cooking, I turned on the news, hoping for a distraction. But what I saw broke me even more. My name was everywhere. They embarrassed me, disgraced me, and played recordings from the council hall. I hadn’t even realized there had been hidden cameras capturing every moment and every conversation.

The reporters mocked me, and across Campbell city people protested, demanding I be locked up and executed. The shame was too much to bear. I knew I had to leave Campbell. I couldn’t survive this storm if I stayed.

I quickly packed some of my clothes, along with my deodorant, spray, perfume, creams, and other necessities. I arranged them neatly into my travel boxes. It was time to leave. I grabbed my passport. My next stop would be Georgia City. I needed to hide for a while. Locking the door behind me, I made sure no one would know my destination.

At the barracks gate, the guards looked at me with pity. Some tried to hide their faces, some whispered, and one even chuckled. I ignored them. I had already had the worst day of my life. If I lashed out, it would only create more chaos.

In war and in life, I had learned one thing, sometimes silence is stronger than words.

I opened my car door and sat inside, slamming it shut in frustration. For a while, I just sat there with my hands on the wheel. I switched on the navigator, but I couldn’t bring myself to start the engine. My vision blurred as thoughts stormed my mind.

“They made Shawn the commander and gave her everything I fought for,” I whispered.

I leaned back and closed my eyes. The insults replayed in my head, weak, cursed, coward. Each word cut more deeper.

I thought Shawn was different. When she visited my quarters, she acted like she cared, like she was pure and genuine. But now I saw it clearly. Her kindness was only a mask.

My phone buzzed loudly, pulling me out of my thoughts. I looked at it, already feeling uneasy.

A message appeared.

And of course, it was Damien.

"How does it feel to fall from the top, God of War?

You should have died in the fire with your family. That would have saved us from trouble."

I gripped my phone so hard it nearly cracked. My teeth clenched as I hurled it across the back seat of the car.

This was too much.

I started the engine and drove out of the barracks, turning on country music to calm myself as I sped through the streets. But anger still consumed me. I stopped at a bar, got myself drunk, and my vision blurred. I nearly crashed on my way out, but somehow, by heaven’s mercy, I made it.

I didn’t care if I got to the airport early or late. All I knew was that I had to leave Campbell. I needed to escape the noise, the shame, the pain in my head.

After three hours of driving, I finally arrived at the port around 7 p.m. My flight was already booked. Carrying my luggage, I stepped out of the car, staring at the other passengers. At the counter, they scanned my passport and handed me my seat number.

I placed my bags in the airport cabinet where everything was arranged neatly. My seat was by the window, giving me a clear view outside.

The sky was beautiful with dark clouds mixed with streaks of fading light. Evening flights had always been my favorite. There was something about the journey, the quiet, the drifting clouds, that gave me peace. I hoped this trip would calm my nerves, even if just for a little while.

Not long after, the attendants served flavored crunchy hermit crabs and wine. The taste lifted my spirits. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until my stomach begged for more. I asked for another plate.

The flight attendant who served me was elegant, her curves graceful, her beauty unmatched. For a moment, I was tempted to ask for her number, maybe even flirt. But then reality hit me, this wasn’t the time. My mood was too heavy for such things.

Still, she returned with more hermit crabs and another glass of wine. The taste was slightly different, but just as good.

As I reached for the napkin, I noticed something scribbled on it. She had written down her number.

She leaned closer and smiled. “My name is Theresa. That’s my line. Call me when you reach your destination.” Then she looked away casually.

I froze. Could she read my thoughts? Was she some kind of goddess or spirit? The way she slipped the number into my hand left me stunned.

Quickly, I folded the napkin and slid it safely into my pocket so I wouldn’t lose it.

Before I knew it, the plane had landed at Georgia City Airport. My chest tightened as soon as I stepped off. This was the city where my parents and siblings had been murdered. Memories I tried to bury came rushing back, washing away the distraction Theresa had given me.

I pulled out my phone from my bag. The screen was still cracked from when I had thrown it earlier. I powered it on and scrolled through my contacts.

One name stood out. Dylan.

An ex-soldier, a man who once owed me his life.

I pressed the call button. The line rang, and then his deep voice answered.

“Thane?”

“Yes,” I replied quietly. “It’s time.”

“They think I’m gone,” I whispered, lowering my voice even more. “But I’m not. Meet me tomorrow. We need to talk.”

Before I could say another word, Dylan ended the call.