End of the Millennium A Xian Shade Production Author's Notes: And so we come to chapter 10! See, you thought this book would be as short as the last one, when in fact it's huge! Ares now has to choose amongst the suitors that come to call for the hand of princess Reianna, but by fighting them! This doesn't bode well at all... Disclaimer: I do not own any aspects of Sailor Moon or Phantasy Star. If I did, this would be an anime, or manga, or both. Thanatos, Ares, Chronos, Aljus, King Marcus, and the worthless one are © Xian Shade and may not be used without my permission. People failing to follow this rule have broken Xian's Law #849, paragraph 3, line 2: Don't fuck with my shit. The Path of Finding Destiny, Chapter 10: Upon her sixteenth day of birth, the suitors began lining up out the door and throughout the streets of the Martian Capital. Ares statement appeared to be fairly accurate, as it appeared every man on the planet 'had' come... even a few women. The nobles insisted they be at the front of the line, and even began arguing about who amongst the nobles would go first before the guards set them straight, but it didn't matter one whit in the end. One by one they came in, and one by one they were sent out, defeated by their very guardian. Many suitors were even discouraged when the ones that came out told them who their challenger was, and within a week's time, the suitors had all but dried up. Reianna had taken the throne, but the longer she sat in the chair her fire-spirit mother once would have held, she found herself looking over to her father's chair in longing. She remembered that before she became their planet's ruler, but after her father had passed on, Ares would sit in that very chair, delegating what would happen until it was her time to take the throne. He ruled their world efficiently, and certainly there was no more capable warrior on Mars. But she couldn't love him, though... could she? He was older than her father, but he wouldn't age. He was also her instructor, her tutor, her teacher. He always watched specifically over her when not campaigning, and always did what she wished, despite the fact that he could easily rule the whole planet himself, or tear it apart. He was certainly handsome, in a rugged, brutish sort of way. He was also capable of defeating anyone, so what better candidate was there? She made to speak up and ask him, but a ruckus at the entry to the throne room caught both their attention. The doors burst open to a half-dozen guards wrestling with a man in a gray uniform, short blond hair and blue eyes blazing with anger at how hard he was struggling. A guard was thrown off every few moments, only for the same guard to jump back on again. "What's going on here!?" Ares shouted, and the guards immediatly silenced, only to be knocked away by the blond stranger, save for one who held fast about his neck. "L-lord Ares, we caught this being near the castle, and he refused to answer our questions. He became violent, and we attempted to bring him here to ask what should be done with him, but he's been very-OOMPH!" the guard took an elbow to the stomach from the stranger, but still didn't let go. "...uncooperative." Ares walked up to the tall blonde, a curious look in his eyes. He stood out like a sore thumb on this planet since the entire population of Mars possessed raven black hair, except for Ares, whose was flaming red. He eyed the stranger carefully, since upon first glance he appeared to be a man of Venus, but his clothing spoke otherwise. Examining his garb, then straightening up and crossing his arms over his armored chest, Ares spoke. "I recognize you now. What business does one of Earth's generals have in the kingdom of Mars?" "I have heard tales of the Martian princess' beauty. I have also heard that no man may even court her without defeating her guardian in a duel! I have come to accept that challenge!" "Hmph. I wouldn't waste my time, boy. You're 'looking' at her guardian. I have defeated every man that has tried. You will be no different. Go home before you embarass yourself." "Let him try, Ares." he heard from the princess, who was examining the stranger from where she sat. "Certainly you don't fear a general of Earth?" "Certainly not." he snorted. "Release him." "My lord?" Ares growled low, a dangerous rumbling in his throat. One thing he didn't tolerate was a soldier that questioned his orders. The guard removed his arm from the general's neck, and the man quickly stood at the ready to defend himself, despite Ares' generous offer to retreat. "What is your name, Earth-general?" "I am Jadeite, Earth's war general. I thought it only fitting to at least try with such qualifications." he said with an arrogant smirk, reaching for his sword. "Calm yourself, Jadeite. I wish to be fair, here. You struggled a great deal and burned up plenty of strength just getting inside. Rest a while, then we shall duel." Jadeite's smirk turned to a frown, but his hand eased from his sword handle all the same. "I would like to discuss some things with you. Perhaps we shall duel after a meal? Dine with your opponent, to know he bears no malice." Ares tried to convince him further, coaxing him out of the throneroom. Jadeite calmed a bit and nodded, and Ares led him to the dining area. Hardly had he expected the guardian, revered as a barbarian, to be calm and collected. "So, you are Earth's war general. Perhaps you can explain what is happening down there. Quelling the battles your people have between each other is becoming tiresome. Why do they fight constantly?" "They fight because it's in their nature. Earthlings are competitive and selfish. None of them can completely agree on anything." "Using our own words against us. I like that. So are you any different?" Jadeite smiled at that. "...of course not. But some of us have enough self-control to not be destructive to each other." They sat on the wide ends of the table, across from each other, as food was brought out just for the two of them. "Will the princess not be dining with us?" "She has eaten already. I merely ate little for dinner." Ares ripped off the smoked leg of some large unknown bird and his teeth tore into its flesh, eating like the barbarian Jadeite had heard he was. Jadeite picked a smaller amount of the food for himself, since the servants didn't seem to be around anymore. Watching Ares eat, he began realizing just what he was up against. The man was easily a foot taller than himself, and had at least three times the muscular build of the average human, and at least twice that of the guards he'd encountered. He'd heard rumors of the guardian of Mars. Most seemed ludicrous. How could something so large move so quickly? But this man, this 'Ares', seemed very commanding and powerful indeed. Even the guards seemed to fear him. "I've heard you defeated every man on this planet to find the proper person to court her majesty." Ares grabbed for a goblet of wine and washed down the smoked bird meat. "Ahh. It was not every man, I know that much. Some men quit when they realized they would have to fight me, and of course, most men are already attached to a female. Their females would sooner kill the man than let him try." "But you have beaten every man that tried." Ares nodded after wiping his mouth. "And a few women. Now eat, boy! You're going to need your strength!" 'Women?' he thought, realizing such a concept would not work in terms of creating a successor, but returned to his food instead. Jadeite noticed there were no utensils. They truly ate barbarously. He removed his gloves and ate like Ares, grabbing fistfuls of food, foregoing manners. "That's it, it's just us two men being sporting, sharing a meal before their duel." Jadeite stopped after a bite of that same smoked meat from the unknown bird. Certainly juicy. "Ares, don't you ever worry about poisoned food? Or perhaps assassins? I've heard you enjoy being in the open more than an enclosed area, and a bowman could pick you off from even one of the pillars, here." he indicated, pointing with a bone that still had meat attached. "HAH! Even if they were to try that, it would take more than a bit of poison to do me in... and nobody's foolish enough to try and kill me. I made sure of that years ago." "You're not mortal, are you?" "Hard to be more obvious than that, boy. Your royal family tell you about me?" "It was more like a rumor on our planet. Mars' perfect warrior. I put aside most of it as rediculous nonsense. I doubt you'd try to make me believe the same if it were not true." "What kind of nonsense has spread on your planet?" "You've never been defeated in your known existence, you suffer no scars, you're immortal, your skill in swordsmanship is unmatched, and you possess the ability to manipulate and generate fire from your bare hands." Ares simply laughed a booming laugh, one very similar to the one heard when his princess chose him to choose her suitor as her guardian. How accurate the rumors were! "That last one is a little odd." "I figured it a bit strange, considering-" Ares interrupted, as though he had never finished his last sentence. "I'm not limited to fire, and I'm certainly not limited to using my hands." Ares set down his goblet and its contents caught fire, flaring up to devour the alcohol. Then he turned over the cup and its remaining contents fell out as a solid chunk of ice. He focused on the ice and it suddenly shattered. Setting the goblet down once more, he simply looked at the chalice and it collapsed in upon itself, crushing everything out from its original shape until there was nothing more than a smooth ball of iron rolling about until it caught in a groove between the boards of the table. Jadeite stared dumbfounded at the ball, which rolled in his direction. "You... you're as real as they say." "I had better be. Otherwise this planet would have to fight without me. No real problem in that, but I'd assume there'd finally be losses." "They also said you were born from a volcano." He laughed again. It had been a while since he had felt this mirthful. "Now THAT one is a myth, but one that I can explain. Less than a decade ago I made myself known to this world by activating a volcano, and rolling through the molten rock until it came upon the villages. They wanted to kill me when they saw me, since I was an unnatural creature, but they were easily scared off from my power, and I explained what I was. Through my encounter with the people, I determined who would be best to rule, and the royal family has been my friend ever since. The rest is history." "Hmph. Are you trying to dissuade me from challenging you?" "Far from it, boy! I'm eager to test Earth's war general! You needn't hurt me in the duel, simply disarm me." "You say 'simply' as though people would have better luck doing that, than hurting you." "And still you act sour when food, drink, rest, and company is offered to you." Ares said, having gotten another goblet and poured himself another drink. Jadeite had yet to try his wine, eyeing the heavy-looking beverage, so he sipped the crimson liquid. Instantly he was grateful he hadn't drank it in large gulps like the giant before him had. It scrubbed and burned his throat like coarse brushes soaked in acid, and he only managed to choke it down before a severe coughing fit hit him. Lord, how could anyone drink the stuff? Was it poisoned, and Ares simply couldn't tell? He soon relaxed when his coughing fit died down, and the burning sensation passed. There were still tears in his eyes when Ares spoke up. "Good, eh? Martian wine puts fire in your blood and courage in your heart! Though I doubt you need much of that, since you seem intent to challenge me even though you know what you're up against." Jadeite tried a little more, to not act rude. His coughing fit seemed less severe this time. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Warming up to Jadeite? What does Ares hope to gain by being friendly with a member of Earth's court? And what of Jadeite himself? Are his motives genuine in attempting to court Princess Reianna? Let's see in our next chapter!