Later, My Love

POV - PERSEUS MANGAL-GRAH

The ground shook violently, throwing Perseus off his feet. He landed awkwardly, his injuries making it hard to maintain balance.

Athena, concerned, asked, "What was that?"

He thought to himself, recognizing that sound. He had heard it once, many years ago, in a memory he hoped was long buried. He prayed he was wrong.

Athena's voice pulled him from his reverie, "Father?"

Forcing himself to stand, he grimaced but rose, his determination overcoming his pain. He dragged himself to a panel on the wall, his fingers trembling as he inputted a code with practiced urgency. Then, turning to Athena with a grave look, he said, "We should get the hell out of here."

They emerged from their shelter into an unnatural darkness; it shouldn't have been night yet. They saw lightning in the distance, not the natural kind but a dance of unnatural energy.

That confirmed it for Perseus. Someone had actually invoked the forbidden technique. He wondered who could be desperate enough to do so.

He looked at Athena, noticing the wonder-like sparkle in her eyes. He knew that look; it was the same one he had when he first witnessed the forbidden power.

He grabbed her by the shoulders, his grip tight, causing her to grimace in pain.

"Look at me," he commanded, his voice low and urgent. "Never use that technique, no matter what."

His face was set in a mask of seriousness and darkness. Seeing Athena's pain and fear, he quickly released her, his expression softening.

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice gentler now, "I got carried away. But listen, Athena."

He explained, "The technique, as you know, burns away your life force in exchange for godlike powers. But the side effects don't just end with death. It does something to the user's soul; it corrupts it. There's no rest, no peace for someone who invokes that power. This is why, even in our darkest hours, Martians have never resorted to using it."

Athena, ever curious, asked, "Is there no way to access that power without those costs?"

Perseus sighed, "If there is a way to do it, no Martian has figured it out yet."

She nodded, "Understood," but he could see the thoughtful look on her face, the one she got when she was deeply contemplating something.

"Let's keep moving," he said, urging them forward.

Their journey to the space fort was incredibly slow; Perseus was seriously injured, and Athena was fatigued. Yet, as they moved, the lightning continued to streak across the landscape.

Perseus thought to himself, wondering who could possibly possess so much life force that it hadn't yet burned out.

He felt a twinge of sadness for that person, whoever they were. They would have eventually become an incredibly strong individual - just what Mars needed, but now they were destined to die. A shame, a terrible shame indeed.

They reached the space fort, hearts sinking at the sight of battle scars even here. The gates lay in ruins, torn apart by some violent force.

Perseus hoped Elysia and the kids were safe. He and Athena shared a look of grim determination before moving in.

They stepped inside, the grim scene unfolding before them—dead K'tharr sprawled across the ground, hangars torn asunder. They delved deeper into the fort, each step echoing in the eerie silence, searching, hoping.

There, at last, their hangar came into view. Perseus's heart leaped into his throat as he saw Romulus and Juno sprinting, their faces etched with panic. Elysia stood, eyes closed and clutching Jove tightly, as a K'tharr prepared to lunge at her from behind.

Time seemed to slow. Without missing a beat, Perseus thrust a claw into Athena's hand. Her eyes locked onto the threat; she wound back and threw with a warrior's grace. The claw spun through the air, a deadly whisper, and buried itself deep into the K'tharr's skull, dropping it lifeless at Elysia's feet.

The remaining K'tharr charged at them, but Perseus and Athena, despite their injuries and fatigue, made quick work of them, their movements honed by desperation and years of training.

POV - ELYSIA MANGAL-GRAH

"I'm sorry," Elysia whispered, her eyes squeezed shut in anticipation of death. But the fatal blow never landed. Instead, she heard a heavy thud. Reluctantly, she opened her eyes to see the K'tharr collapsed at her feet, a claw embedded deeply in its skull.

That precision, that deadly aim - she whirled around to see her husband and daughter, back-to-back, facing down the remaining K'tharr. The battle was swift, almost too quick to follow, as Perseus and Athena dispatched the creatures with devastating efficiency.

Relief flooded through Elysia like a wave, overwhelming and sudden, bringing a sting to her eyes, a flood of warmth to her heart.

"Big sis!" Romulus and Juno yelled, racing towards Athena, who opened her arms wide to receive them with a mixture of relief and joy.

Elysia smiled, her gaze settling on Perseus. He looked battered, bloodied, and worn, yet he was alive.

She sprinted to him, her heart in her throat, and he caught her in a tight embrace, their lips meeting in a kiss that spoke of all the fear, love, and gratitude that words could never convey.

"Eww, guys, get a room," Athena said, her tone teasing, as Romulus and Juno giggled, and even Jove let out a cackle.

Elysia and Perseus laughed, their foreheads still touching.

Elysia kissed him again, whispering, "Later." Perseus caught the promise in her voice and smiled. He then kissed Jove on the head, greeting him, "Hello, my strong little one."

Romulus and Juno left Athena's side and ran to Perseus. He went down on his knees with a grimace to embrace them warmly, the pain of his injuries momentarily forgotten in the warmth of his children's arms.

Elysia warned, "Careful, children, your father is injured."

Juno frowned, "Injured?" she questioned, "But he said he was invincible."

Romulus stuck out his tongue at Perseus, saying, "Liar!" and added a playful "Bleurgh!"

Perseus laughed, conceding, "Okay, okay, you've got me."

Elysia cut through the playful moment, her voice serious as she asked, "How is it out there?"

Perseus shook his head, grimacing as he forced himself to stand.

"Not good," he admitted, his voice heavy with the weight of his words. "Our home is lost."

Elysia felt a deep sadness wash over her, her response soft, "I see." She then asked, "Are there others?"

Perseus shrugged, a mix of hope and uncertainty in his gesture. "I didn't see anyone; it's a big planet. But there might be others who've already gone off-world."

He then declared with urgency, "We must do so now if we want to survive."

They headed towards a spaceship, and he asked, "Where's Ares?"

Elysia's response was laced with worry, "I don't know. I haven't seen him yet."

Perseus froze.

"Shit," he cursed under his breath.

He and Athena shared a glance, one filled with concern and unspoken understanding.

Elysia, confused and now alarmed, asked, "Why? What's happened to him?" Panic surged through her like a tidal wave.

"Nothing," Perseus said. "I know where he is. I'll go get him."

He dipped into his pocket, handed Athena what looked like a drive, then whispered something into her ear.

"All of you, get into the spaceship. Stay quiet until Ares returns," he instructed.

Athena ushered the children inside, but Elysia paused, her heart heavy with fear. "Will my son return to me, Perseus?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Perseus nodded, his eyes meeting hers with a fierce determination. "Ares will return. I swear it on my life."

He took her into his arms once more, kissing her deeply.

Then he turned to leave, but Elysia's voice stopped him. "What about you?" she asked, "Will you return?"

He turned back to look at her, his expression unreadable. He didn't answer, only smiled.

And then he left.

As his figure disappeared from sight, Elysia was struck with the realization that he wouldn't return with Ares.

She broke into sobs, brief but profound, allowing herself this moment of grief.

She muttered to herself "Later, my love."

Then, steeling herself, she wiped her eyes, composed her features, and entered the ship.