The sky began to fracture, as the dimensional shield created by Ares no longer possessed enough energy to remain stable. Cracks like shattered glass spread through the air, and as they broke apart, they revealed a calm and peaceful vision of planet Mars—because the planet’s destruction had occurred only within an alternate dimension created by the god of war.

  The erupting volcanoes, floating rocks, and rivers of lava pouring from a planet torn into pieces were finally replaced by a quiet, barren world beneath a bluish-gray sky. While several hours had passed inside the alternate dimension, only a few seconds had elapsed in Mars’s real time.

  "We survived. Fortunately, the dimensional shield collapsed before the planet could implode," said Zalmoxis, who stood beside the goddess Shaushka, leading a group of surviving Igigi, Malakim, nymphs, and Behemont as they evacuated the planet.

  The Hurrian goddess carried an unconscious Selardi over her shoulder, while Zalmoxis supported Mahrem.

  "It is incredible that Ares manipulated us all for this. Still, I suppose this marks the end of that group of warrior gods," Shaushka said thoughtfully.

  Zalmoxis remained silent, his expression heavy with despair.

  "I know this is difficult for you. You were likely the only one who truly respected his leadership within our Keres group," Shaushka continued.

  "Lord Ares must have had his reasons," Zalmoxis replied, still in disbelief.

  "No! Do not try to justify him! Had we not regained consciousness, we might all be dead—along with all these people!" the Hurrian goddess shouted angrily.

  Zalmoxis said nothing. He felt ashamed, refusing to accept that he had been nothing more than a pawn of the Greek god of war.

  "I cannot sense Ogun’s presence. Could he still be trapped inside the labyrinth dimension? If so, he may have remained unharmed there," Shaushka added.

  "What will you do now, Shaushka?" Zalmoxis asked quietly.

  "Plans? Oh gods, I do not know. Apologize to Lel, or perhaps form a new rebellious group from the survivors here? Truly, I have no idea," she replied.

  "I have no plans either. Lord Ares was my devotion, and now without him, my life feels empty," said the Thracian Nephil.

  Together with their followers, the two deities flew away from planet Mars.

  Meanwhile, Rodrigo and the others stood upon a range of snow-covered mountains on Mars. Only the planet’s red soil remained beneath a blue sky softly illuminated by the sun.

  "So… is it finally over?" Rodrigo asked, looking at Tania, who stood before him, while Ana hugged him as he sat on the ground.

  "Yes. My master succeeded," Ana said just as the dimensional shield above them shattered and sunlight bathed the Martian surface.

  Ana’s eyes glowed with an intense, brilliant blue that startled Rodrigo. At that moment, he realized he was no longer holding his totema—it had attached itself to him as a necklace.

  "Is that a totema, Rui?" Ana asked, puzzled.

  "You didn’t see it, did you? It looked like some huge bird," Tania replied with a grin.

  "Rui! Then we’re both birds!" Tania exclaimed excitedly.

  "Epona said I looked strange and intimidating with it," Rodrigo replied.

  "Oh, then show it to me sometime, all right?" Ana said with a smile.

  "Long ago, I remember seeing warriors from Vinland. They also wore colorful feathers in their attire. When I saw you, I couldn’t help thinking of one of them—though it is strange, given the ban we both have on crossing the Atlantic Ocean," Tania said.

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  "Are you from Vinland, Rui?" Ana asked with curiosity.

  "I don’t know. I only know the totem was called Eje… Ej— I forgot the name," Rodrigo admitted.

  "Ejecal," Tania suggested.

  "No, I’m sure that wasn’t it," Rodrigo replied sheepishly.

  After a moment of silence, Rodrigo finally remembered.

  "I remember now. It was Ehécatl. He told me he wasn’t my totema, but rather a servant, and that he would lend me his power," Rodrigo said.

  "Then you truly are from Vinland. I’ve never heard a name like that in these lands," Tania replied.

  "He told me that once I united with him, I would have to go to the land of my ancestors—to find the Feathered Serpent in a pyramid, or something like that," Rodrigo added.

  "If you go, I will go with you," Ana said, gently stroking his head.

  "Count me in as well, Rodrigo," Tania said.

  "And… why is it forbidden to go to Vinland?" Rodrigo asked.

  "Long ago, there was turmoil caused by the cultural differences between the peoples there and those of Europe, Asia, and Africa. They had no horses or beasts of burden, lacked certain minerals for steel weapons, and possessed no natural defenses against diseases to which our peoples had developed immunity," Tania explained.

  Rodrigo could scarcely imagine life without horses or pack animals. How did they travel? How did they till their land? he wondered.

  "It was determined that contact between the cultures would be catastrophic for the humans there. Thus, a law of non-interference was established between the gods of that region and ours. Any violation would be punished by death," Tania continued.

  "But the Norse gods have tried sending humans there. In fact, they named that land Vinland," Ana said.

  "The Malakim who guard the Atlantic Ocean usually destroy any human ship that crosses it. If the Norse reached those lands, they must know an alternate route," Tania replied.

  "But doesn’t Athena want us to go there?" Rodrigo asked.

  "She must know a way to enter without alerting Lel," Tania said.

  "Pardon my intrusion, Rodrigo-san. And, if I am not mistaken, Tania-san and Ana-hime?" Susanoo asked as he approached.

  "Oh yes, you’re the one who rescued Rodrigo, correct? We never learned your name," Tania said.

  "My name is Susanoo-no-Mikoto, though thou mayest address me simply as Susanoo," the eastern god replied.

  "He’s from the East. I fought him—he’s very strong," Rodrigo added.

  "How curious. I did not know Ares had warriors so exotic. I doubt even Master Athena commands someone from such distant lands," Ana remarked.

  "It is uncommon indeed. I was banished from my realm, Takama-no-hara, and may not return until I accomplish a great feat. I would wish to accompany thee to thy journey to Vinland—and also to walk alongside Rodrigo-san, that we might both grow stronger," Susanoo said, kneeling in a respectful bow before the two goddesses.

  "Ohhh, Rodrigo—first you steal Epona’s heart, and now this young man’s as well," Tania teased with a smug smile.

  "Rui, you really are a heartbreaker," Ana replied irritably.

  "Mina-san, prithee, it is nothing of the sort," Susanoo said, flustered as he rose.

  "That’s just how they are—get used to it," Rodrigo said with a grin.

  "I have no objections. It will depend on Athena’s judgment—she is my master," Ana replied.

  "I have no issue with it either, Susanoo, was it?" Tania added.

  "Domo arigato, mina-san," Susanoo said, bowing once more.

  "Please, don’t do that in front of us," both goddesses said in unison, as Rodrigo laughed.

  Rodrigo felt glad to see Tania so cheerful again—almost like her old self, perhaps even lighter and more relieved. She had attacked him, yes, but had he not once slaughtered countless beings upon seeing his mother and friends die? How different was he from this goddess he once thought emotionless?

  Without a doubt, she was a lioness—one who would protect her own, no matter the cost.

  Elsewhere, Anpiel slowly opened his eyes, realizing Epona was hugging him while lying atop him.

  "Epona? What are you doing here?" the angel asked.

  Never in his life had Anpiel seen her like this. She had always treated him harshly, as if he were beneath her, and he had responded with sarcasm as if it were a game. Seeing her now shocked him.

  "Epona… why are you crying?" Anpiel asked.

  "I’m not crying, idiot. I’m just happy you survived," the horse goddess replied.

  Anpiel remembered the Chronoxiphos that had hovered above him. He looked to the sky—nothing remained but a ray of light from the faint sun hidden among the clouds above the Martian mountains.

  "The sword vanished. Did they defeat Ares?" he asked.

  Epona nodded.

  "Thank you for coming to save me," Anpiel said with a smile.

  "I didn’t do it for you, idiot. Who would serve me if you died? That would be unforgivable," Epona replied, her eyes still glassy.

  "And I appreciate you as well—even if you smell like manure," Anpiel replied.

  "That’s all I get? Mockery after sacrificing my life for you? Believe me, being a goddess of a miserable stable is still far more honorable than being a Malak," Epona said, trying to look proud. Anpiel laughed.

  "This Malak had an entire squad of gods protecting him. I doubt they’d have done that for you," he joked.

  Epona remembered her brother shooting her and touched her scar, her expression turning somber.

  "No… I suppose not," she said softly.

  "What happened to your face?" Anpiel asked, noticing the scar.

  "This? It’s nothing," Epona replied.

  "You look tougher now. Nothing like the spoiled little girl you used to be," he said with a grin.

  "Oh… thanks, I guess," Epona replied, blushing.

  "I never expected a compliment from you."

  "Consider it my thanks for your devotion to my person," Anpiel replied as he stood and looked at the Malakim who had protected him, still recovering nearby.

  "I thank you as well. Though you did not know me, you were willing to help," Anpiel said, bowing slightly.

  "It was the least we could do, Lord Anpiel," one of the Malak replied as the others nodded.