EPILOGUE
It would take a while before Mars became truly lush again, but already there were signs of its comeback.
Ares, what the new Mars god, former Astraeus, decided to be called, had been working hard to speed up the process. After all, this was its world now. It had a duty to protect and grow.
With the solar winds having ceased, the water drawn from below the planet’s crust had soaked the dust, foiling the wind that kept trying to swirl it around making a mess.
More of the fluid was being siphoned from Earth via the portal that used to lead to Atlantis.
Sure, the liquidation dropped the shorelines a few feet, but the humans would survive.
The one called Ishtar had brought seeds up from a vault and scattered them. Already tiny sprouts pushed up from the soil, and Ares did its best to protect them, fascinated by the colors. There were so many hues to enjoy.
When it inhabited the stars, it had seen things more in terms of energy, the humans being the brightest sparks of all. But now, Ares could see more than it ever imagined, every moment a new revelation.
Ishtar, and the one formerly known as Aquarius, proved grateful, and the pair spoke often to Ares once they realized they would sometimes get a reply.
They presented images of how Mars appeared before its destruction.
A world covered in lush grasses and shrubs.
It seemed hard to believe the tiny twigs projecting from the ground would eventually turn into trees, tall columns with spreading branches that would sprout leaves.
They explained how crops, plants that would produce things called fruits and vegetables, would feed the citizens.
Citizens Ares would protect.
Already, a new one formed in Ishtar’s belly. It rounded, and Reece often placed his hand upon it. According to the male, who used machines to scan, the infant thrived. They could have just asked Ares. After all, a god knew everything about its people.
It even learned more about Earth, such as the fact the humans struggled with the loss of someone called false Jesus.
Some refused to believe the ancient enemy who’d invaded meant them harm, and after its death, a new religion sprang up in the false messiah’s name, one the remaining avatars were trying to stamp out, given it involved sacrifice.
Human sacrifice. As if the letting of blood would bring the false prophet back.
The ancient enemy would not return. Not on Ares’ watch.
Ishtar and Reece had designed a system to detect any scouts or Kukakk ships and worked diligently on a weapon that would destroy them before they could pass Neptune.
The Zodiac Warriors visited often, and their boisterous personalities left Ares excited for when the planet would be ready to support those in stasis. So much to watch, learn, and enjoy.
The Astraeus, and their respective constellations, might have wept when Ares first transformed, but now, a curious—and jealous—few eyed planets that might be suitable for terraforming.
None as nice as Mars of course. Earth was the only one that came close.
However, worried they might harm the biological entities, the Astraeus agreed to leave it alone
Good because this was Ares’ solar system to rule.
And I don’t think I want to share.
Hence why he’d chosen to name himself after the God of War.
Okay, so that epilogue was maybe a bit much, but I couldn’t help myself. I hope you enjoyed this longer-than-expected saga of the Zodiac Warriors. It ended up getting more intricate than expected, and who knows, maybe there will be more tales to come. Until we meet again in the pages of a book.