The Martians

PERSEUS MANGAL-GRAH

The ground shakes violently, throwing Perseus off his feet. He lands awkwardly, his injuries making it hard to maintain balance.

Athena, concerned, asks, "What was that?"

He thinks to himself, recognizing that sound. He's heard it once, many years ago, in a memory he hoped was long buried. He prays he's wrong.

Athena's voice pulls him from his reverie, "Father?"

Forcing himself to stand, he grimaces but rises, his determination overcoming his pain. He drags himself to a panel on the wall, his fingers trembling as he inputs a code with practiced urgency. Then, turning to Athena with a grave look, he says, "We should get the hell out of here."

They emerge from their shelter into an unnatural darkness; it shouldn't be night yet. They see lightning in the distance, not the natural kind but a dance of unnatural energy.

That confirms it for Perseus. Someone has actually invoked the forbidden technique. He wonders who could be desperate enough to do so.

He looks at Athena, noticing the wonder-like sparkle in her eyes. He knows that look; it's the same one he had when he first witnessed the forbidden power.

He grabs her by the shoulders, his grip tight, causing her to grimace in pain.

"Look at me," he commands, his voice low and urgent. "Never use that technique, no matter what."

His face is set in a mask of seriousness and darkness. Seeing Athena's pain and fear, he quickly releases her, his expression softening.

"I'm sorry," he says, his voice gentler now, "I got carried away. But listen Athena"

He explains, "The technique, as you know, burns away your life force in exchange for godlike powers. But the side effects don't just end with death. It does something to the user's soul; it corrupts it. There's no rest, no peace for someone who invokes that power. This is why, even in our darkest hours, Martians have never resorted to using it."

Athena, ever curious, asks, "Is there no way to access that power without those costs?"

Perseus sighs, "If there is a way to do it, no Martian has figured it out yet."

She nods, "Understood," but he can see the thoughtful look on her face, the one she gets when she's deeply contemplating something.

"Let's keep moving," he says, urging them forward.

Their journey to the space fort is incredibly slow; Perseus is seriously injured, and Athena is fatigued. Yet, as they move, the lightning continues to streak across the landscape.

Perseus thinks to himself, wondering who could possibly possess so much life force that it hasn't yet burned out.

He feels a twinge of sadness for that person, whoever they are. They would have eventually become an incredibly strong individual- just what mars needs, but now they are destined to die. A shame, a terrible shame indeed.

They reach the space fort, hearts sinking at the sight of battle scars even here. The gates lie in ruins, torn apart by some violent force.

Perseus hopes Elysia and the kids are safe. He and Athena share a look of grim determination before moving in.

They step inside, the grim scene unfolding before them—dead K'tharr sprawled across the ground, hangars torn asunder. They delve deeper into the fort, each step echoing in the eerie silence, searching, hoping.

There, at last, their hangar comes into view. Perseus's heart leaps into his throat as he sees Romulus and Juno sprinting, their faces etched with panic. Elysia stands, eyes closed and clutching Jove tightly, as a K'tharr prepares to lunge at her from behind.

Time seems to slow. Without missing a beat, Perseus thrusts a claw into Athena's hand. Her eyes lock onto the threat; she winds back and throws with a warrior's grace. The claw spins through the air, a deadly whisper, and buries itself deep into the K'tharr's skull, dropping it lifeless at Elysia's feet.

The remaining K'tharr charge at them, but Perseus and Athena, despite their injuries and fatigue, make quick work of them, their movements honed by desperation and years of training.

ELYSIA MANGAL-GRAH

"I'm sorry," Elysia whispers, her eyes squeezed shut in anticipation of death. But the fatal blow never lands. Instead, she hears a heavy thud. Reluctantly, she opens her eyes to see the K'tharr collapsed at her feet, a claw embedded deeply in its skull.

That precision, that deadly aim - she whirls around to see her husband and daughter, back-to-back, facing down the remaining K'tharr. The battle is swift, almost too quick to follow, as Perseus and Athena dispatch the creatures with devastating efficiency.

Relief floods through Elysia like a wave, overwhelming and sudden, bringing a sting to her eyes, a flood of warmth to her heart.

"Big sis!" Romulus and Juno yell, racing towards Athena, who opens her arms wide to receive them with a mixture of relief and joy.

Elysia smiles, her gaze settling on Perseus. He looks battered, bloodied, and worn, yet he's alive.

She sprints to him, her heart in her throat, and he catches her in a tight embrace, their lips meeting in a kiss that speaks of all the fear, love, and gratitude that words could never convey.

"Eww, guys, get a room," Athena says, her tone teasing, as Romulus and Juno giggle, and even Jove lets out a cackle.

Elysia and Perseus laugh, their foreheads still touching.

Elysia kisses him again, whispering, "Later." Perseus catches the promise in her voice and smiles. He then kisses Jove on the head, greeting him, "Hello, my strong little one."

Romulus and Juno leave Athena's side and run to Perseus. He goes down on his knees with a grimace to embrace them warmly, the pain of his injuries momentarily forgotten in the warmth of his children's arms.

Elysia warns, "Careful, children, your father is injured."

Juno frowns, "Injured?" she questions, "But he said he was invincible."

Romulus sticks out his tongue at Perseus, saying, "Liar!" and adds a playful "Bleurgh!"

Perseus laughs, conceding, "Okay, okay, you've got me."

Elysia cuts through the playful moment, her voice serious as she asks, "How is it out there?"

Perseus shakes his head, grimacing as he forces himself to stand.

"Not good," he admits, his voice heavy with the weight of his words. "Our home is lost."

Elysia feels a deep sadness wash over her, her response soft, "I see." She then asks, "Are there others?"

Perseus shrugs, a mix of hope and uncertainty in his gesture. "I didn't see anyone; it's a big planet. But there might be others who've already gone off-world."

He then declares with urgency, "We must do so now if we want to survive."

They head towards a spaceship, and he asks, "Where's Ares?"

Elysia's response is laced with worry, "I don't know. I haven't seen him yet."

Perseus freezes.

"Shit," he curses under his breath.

He and Athena share a glance, one filled with concern and unspoken understanding.

Elysia, confused and now alarmed, asks, "Why? What's happened to him?" Panic surges through her like a tidal wave.

"Nothing," Perseus says. "I know where he is. I'll go get him."

He dips into his pocket, hands Athena what looks like a drive, then whispers something into her ear.

"All of you, get into the spaceship. Stay quiet until Ares return," he instructs.

Athena ushers the children inside, but Elysia pauses, her heart heavy with fear. "Will my son return to me, Perseus?" she asks, her voice trembling.

Perseus nods, his eyes meeting hers with a fierce determination. "Ares will return. I swear it on my life."

He takes her into his arms once more, kissing her deeply.

Then he turns to leave, but Elysia's voice stops him. "What about you?" she asks, "Will you return?"

He turns back to look at her, his expression unreadable. He doesn't answer, only smiles.

And then he leaves.

As his figure disappears from sight, Elysia is struck with the realization that he won't return with Ares.

She breaks into sobs, brief but profound, allowing herself this moment of grief.

She mutters to herself "Later, my love."

Then, steeling herself, she wipes her eyes, composes her features, and enters the ship.