The battle was over, but the war for Mars's identity had just begun.
Arian stood on the shattered ground of the **Second Major Realm**, gazing out at the swirling skies. What was once an unstable and chaotic void had now **settled**, the energy no longer threatening to consume everything. But it was **not the same**—it had transformed, much like himself.
The Martians and celestial forces who had survived the war **gathered before him**, their faces a mix of relief, exhaustion, and uncertainty.
### **A Divided People**
Mars had changed.
Some Martians, like **Rokan and the warriors who had fought alongside Arian**, believed they should embrace their celestial origins—**accepting the truth** that Mars was born of the Celestial Sovereign's sacrifice and had a role in the balance of the realms.
Others, however, feared what they had seen.
The Tenebris had sought to **merge the realms for power**, and many believed **any** connection to celestial forces could lead to the same corruption. They wanted to **sever** the bond entirely, returning Mars to its old ways—**independent, untouched by celestial politics.**
Arian **listened**, letting both sides voice their concerns.
It was not an easy choice. If Mars rejected its celestial origins, it would cut itself off from a power that could protect and strengthen it. If it embraced them, it risked becoming another faction in the eternal war between light and darkness.
And then there was Arian himself. He was no longer just a Martian warrior—he had **touched** celestial power, balanced it, **become something new.**
Could he even still be their leader?
### **Elysia's Counsel**
As night fell, Arian found himself speaking with **Elysia** beneath the stars.
*"You're afraid,"* she said simply.
Arian nodded. *"Not of power. Not of ruling. But of leading them in the wrong direction."*
Elysia studied him, then spoke softly. *"The Celestial Sovereign never wanted blind obedience. He wanted free will. That's why he sacrificed himself. And that's why you're different from the Tenebris—you're giving Mars a choice."*
Her words struck something deep within him.
Maybe that was the answer. Not choosing *for* his people, but **guiding them to a decision together.**
### **Arian's Decree**
The next day, Arian stood before the Martian people.
*"The Celestial Sovereign gave his life to create the Second Major Realm. But that does not mean we are slaves to destiny."* He looked out at them, his voice steady. *"Mars will not be ruled by the Celestials. Nor will it be ruled by fear. We will decide our own path."*
He raised his hand, revealing the energy still within him—the balance of celestial power and Martian resilience.
*"I will not force this power upon Mars. Those who wish to embrace it, to learn from it, may do so. Those who wish to live as we have before—free from celestial influence—will be respected."*
A murmur spread through the crowd. This was not a single, absolute answer. It was **choice**.
And it was **freedom**.
### **The Birth of a New Order**
Mars would be neither a celestial dominion nor a purely isolated world.
A **new order** was established:
- **The Celestial Path** – For those who wished to explore their connection to the Second Major Realm, under guidance from Arian and Xaldra.
- **The Martian Path** – For those who wished to live as they always had, focusing on their world without celestial interference.
- **Arian, the Bridge** – No longer just a warrior, no longer merely a king. He would stand between the two paths, ensuring balance.
This was not the **end** of Mars's journey.
It was the beginning of **a new age.**