The Hollow Moon hung low in the sky, casting its pale glow across the red plains.
Ares stood atop the ridge overlooking Olympus Mons, his form illuminated by the soft bioluminescent symbols now etched into his skin. The wind carried the scent of iron and dust, but beneath it was something else—hope.
For the first time since the war began, Mars was still.
Below him, the ruins pulsed faintly, responding to his presence like a sleeping giant stirring from slumber. Mara's voice echoed within him—not intrusive, not demanding, but ever-present.
"You have become what we could not be."
Ares closed his eyes. "I don't want power. I want peace."
"Then guide them toward it."
He turned sharply as footsteps approached.
Dr. Sophia Patel climbed the ridge, her face lined with exhaustion but her gaze steady.
"You did it," she said softly.
Ares nodded. "Not alone."
Sophia studied him carefully. "You're different now."
"I am," he admitted. "But I'm still me."
She hesitated. "What happens next?"
Ares looked out over the horizon, where human settlements and wolf dens coexisted uneasily. The Earth Federation had retreated—for now—but their presence lingered like a shadow waiting to return.
"We rebuild," he said simply.
---
Elsewhere – Human Outpost Delta-3
Commander Linh Reyes sat at the central command terminal, reviewing the latest reports from scattered human colonies across Mars.
The Federation had withdrawn most of its forces after Ares's display of power. Some units remained, cut off or unwilling to retreat, but without centralized control, they were little more than stranded survivors.
Reyes exhaled sharply. "We won."
Beside her, Lieutenant Dax frowned. "Feels more like a ceasefire."
"It is," Reyes agreed. "But one that gives us time to prepare."
Dax raised an eyebrow. "For what?"
Reyes glanced toward Olympus Mons. "For whatever comes next."
She tapped a command into the console. "Open a secure channel to all remaining human settlements. We need to talk about Ares."
---
Back at the Werewolf Den – The Gathering
Inside the den's central chamber, Kael's former pack gathered in uneasy silence.
Vira stood at the head of the room, arms crossed, expression unreadable. Around her sat the elders, warriors, and younger wolves who had once followed Kael without question.
Now, they faced a choice.
Ares entered quietly, his presence shifting the air itself. The symbols along his arms pulsed faintly, marking him as something beyond what any of them had known.
Silence stretched.
Then Vira spoke.
"You are not just our leader now. You are something else entirely."
Ares met her gaze. "I am still your brother. Still of this pack."
Vira studied him for a long moment. "And yet… you speak with the voice of the old ones. You walk with the power of the world beneath your feet."
A younger wolf stepped forward. "Are you still one of us?"
Ares took a slow breath. "I am. But I am also something more."
Murmurs rippled through the chamber.
Vira narrowed her eyes. "Then tell us—what do you intend to do with that power?"
Ares stepped forward. "I intend to protect our people. To ensure that no one—human or wolf—controls this world again."
Another elder scoffed. "And how do we know you won't become the very thing we fought against?"
Ares didn't flinch. "Because I remember Kael. I remember what he stood for. And I will never forget it."
There was a pause.
Then Vira nodded slowly. "Then lead us, Echo of the Hollow Moon."
Ares inclined his head. "Together."
---
Meanwhile – Rogue Wolf Territory
Renn watched the distant glow of Olympus Mons from the edge of a high plateau.
Vex approached cautiously. "They accepted him."
Renn smirked. "Of course they did. He saved them."
Vex frowned. "So what now? Do we challenge him?"
Renn shook his head. "No. Not yet."
Vex hesitated. "You think he'll change things."
"I think he already has," Renn replied. "And change always brings danger."
He turned to face Vex fully. "We watch. We wait. And when the time comes—we decide whether to follow him… or stop him."
---
At the Ruins – A New Accord Begins
Back at the heart of the ruins, Ares stood before the monolith, hands resting on its cool surface.
"You have begun the path of unity," Mara murmured. "But unity requires understanding."
Ares exhaled. "Then help me understand."
The chamber responded instantly. Light spilled outward, forming projections in the air—images of past conflicts, failed treaties, broken promises between humans and werewolves.
Ares watched each unfold with growing clarity.
"We've been fighting for survival," he whispered. "But we never tried to build anything together."
"That changes now,"** Mara said. **"You must forge a new way."
Ares stepped back from the monolith. "Then let's begin."
---
On the Surface – First Contact
Ares descended the ridge and made his way toward the nearest human settlement.
Dr. Patel walked beside him, watching closely. "You're really going to try talking to them?"
"They need to understand," Ares said. "Just like we did."
As they reached the outskirts of the outpost, a group of armed guards stepped forward.
One of them, a woman with sharp eyes and a scar running down her cheek, stepped ahead.
"Dr. Patel," she greeted. "You brought company."
Patel nodded. "This is Ares. He wants peace."
The woman studied Ares carefully. Then she extended a hand.
"I'm Captain Sera Vance. If you're serious, then we have a lot to talk about."
Ares clasped her hand firmly. "Then let's start."
---
Later That Night – The Council Convenes
In a neutral space between human and werewolf territory, leaders from both sides gathered.
Kael's former pack sat alongside human commanders. Wolves and soldiers shared firelight instead of bloodshed.
Ares stood at the center.
"This is not the end," he said. "It is only the beginning."
Vira nodded. "Then let us build something better."
Across the fire, Captain Vance added, "Together."
Ares looked up at the Hollow Moon above.
For the first time, it felt less like a warning—and more like a promise.