Back on Mars, present time.

  A vast valley opened before Epona, Sol, Mitras, and the remaining malakim. They had defeated the basilisks, but they had been unable to save the fallen who had been turned to stone.

  Mitras showed deep frustration as he made the decision to abandon them, and Epona felt horrible. Those warriors were of Anpiel’s rank—and they had left them behind to rescue only one like them.

  Did they have families? Friends?

  Epona could feel nothing but pain and anger.

  The valley stretched like an immense desert of towering dunes—much like the Sahara in Africa, except the sand was red.

  The sky above was also tinged red, and the heat was harsher here, for they were close to an active volcanic region.

  “We’ve reached a valley. That means we’re close to a major mountain range,” Epona said as she studied the scenery.

  “Fortunately, in a place like this, they won’t be able to ambush us,” Mitras replied.

  “If the di-dimensional barrier weren’t so low, I could go up to the stratosphere and map the planet p-perfectly…” Sol lamented.

  “Even so, we must stay alert. An enemy could appear at any moment,” Mitras said as he ordered the group to keep flying forward.

  “Wait, Mitras,” Epona said.

  “I have a strong feeling the Areopagus mountain is nearby. We should search that ridge—over there.”

  She pointed toward a distant chain of mountains on the horizon.

  “Indeed, Areopagus is in that direction,” a calm male voice said.

  “Who said that?” Mitras demanded.

  “Apologies for not introducing myself. I hate talking too much,” the voice replied.

  They all turned toward the source and saw a lone figure sitting in the middle of the desert.

  The man wore dark robes that covered his entire body; only his eyes were visible. A black cloak fluttered with the desert wind.

  “Who the hell are you?” Mitras asked.

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  “I am Al-Qaum, Nabataean god of the night… and Ares’ Keres Number Ten,” the man said, still seated.

  “Number ten?” Epona repeated.

  “Yes. The Keres are ranked. The lower the number, the stronger the warrior.”

  To everyone’s surprise, the man suddenly fell asleep mid-sentence.

  “What the hell is wrong with this guy?” Epona asked.

  “H-he’s m-making fun of us,” Sol growled.

  Al-Qaum jolted awake.

  “Oh—sorry. I tend to fall asleep. I suffer from narcolepsy,” he said, embarrassed.

  “Well… he doesn’t look very strong,” Epona thought.

  “Epona, Sol—go on ahead with the malakim. I’ll handle this man,” Mitras said, drawing his curved dagger.

  “Oh, no. No one leaves. I’ve been ordered to stop you,” Al-Qaum said, yawning as he slowly stood up.

  But Mitras didn’t wait for him to rise fully.

  He launched himself at the god and tried to stab him—

  —but suddenly the entire valley erupted into a massive sandstorm.

  No one could see anything.

  “I dislike fighting,” Al-Qaum’s voice echoed through the storm.

  “So I’ll turn you all into statues of salt. No hard feelings—it’s just my job as guardian of this planet.”

  Mitras tried to locate the Nabataean god, but he couldn’t see or sense him.

  He slashed blindly, but nothing landed.

  Then he saw, too late, his skin hardening—

  His body turned to salt in an instant.

  The storm faded.

  All the members of Orniskem had been transformed into statues of salt.

  Al-Qaum yawned again and sat back down on the sand.

  “Well… that’s done. I can sleep again now,” he said.

  But before he could fully relax—

  A powerful kick sent him flying several meters.

  He crashed into a dune, rolled, and struggled back to his feet—only to see the girl who had struck him.

  The igigi the others had mentioned.

  The one Ares had written off as insignificant.

  The goddess named Epona.

  “Your tricks don’t work on me,” Epona said, smiling with fierce determination.

  “Now put on your totema and fight for real. If you don’t return my companions to normal, I’ll break every single one of your damn bones with my kicks.”

  “Oh? An igigi threatens me?

  That’s both ridiculous… and sad,” Al-Qaum said, rising lazily.

  “At least I’ll finish quickly.”

  “You’re not putting on your totema?” Epona asked.

  “I don’t need it.”

  He moved his hands in a hypnotic motion—

  and the sand beneath Epona transformed into a gigantic maw of quicksand lined with teeth.

  It swallowed her whole.

  But with little effort, the goddess shattered the sand beast into pieces and soared into the sky, her wings of equine energy spreading wide.

  “Impossible—she’s just an igigi!” Al-Qaum shouted, frustrated.

  Epona flipped gracefully through the air and dove with a flying kick—

  Slamming him face-first into the dunes.

  Blood spilled from his mouth and nose, staining his turban.

  “Yes, I’m an igigi,” Epona declared, pointing her thumb at herself.

  “But I’m an exceptional igigi.

  I am Epona, goddess of horses.

  Remember that well!”

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  Next chapter tomorrow!