Vesna's Destiny on Mars

"My Lord," the man said, bowing low. His dark hair was long, tied back in a tail. A sword hung at his hip, and he was dressed in black armour that was scarred and scratched from many battles. He looked up at me with cold blue eyes, then gestured to the men behind him. "These are my men."

When I had last visited this planet, over 150 years ago, the cities were thriving, the people well fed and happy, their souls filled with hope for a future of peace and prosperity. Now there was nothing but ruins, burnt-out buildings and empty roads where once there had been life and happiness. Despair hung in the air like a pall smothering all joy. There were no smiles on the faces of these people. They saw only darkness ahead. They knew only defeat and loss on every front. Trapped between two enemies, they fought with what strength they had left but they could not win and they did not dare surrender. The human Empire to the north wanted to enslave them; the demonic Empire to the south wanted to devour them. And now their own champion had come to lead them into battle one last time, if they would have him as their leader.

"I will take you up on your offer," I said softly, looking at the tall dark-eyed warrior whose name was Zachary Blackblade. "I will fight alongside you."

"So be it," he said solemnly, still staring into my eyes as if reading my soul as I read his. I knew that look well. It was one of weariness and resignation, of pain and loss beyond measure, of hope for a future that can never be even though it is all that remains when the present is gone in flames. A look I often wore myself when weariness or despair threatened to overwhelm me. It was a look that reflected all too well my own inner turmoil. For two centuries I had fought an endless war against an enemy that grew more powerful every day as it consumed countless lives for its own growth, lives which might have been used for so much more than fighting against demons who cared nothing for conquest or submission but only death and destruction. The cost to myself had been high as well - far too high - both physically and mentally - but I could not give up now when victory was within reach!

"I am glad you have come here," another voice said from behind me suddenly in a soft lilting tone - feminine yet masculine at once - rich with emotion yet controlled like a gentle wave rolling calmly towards us over rock-strewn sand; deep like an ocean's depths but light like spray dancing atop those waves; powerful like thunder yet soothing like rainbows cascading across a clear sky after a storm has passed; warm like an embrace yet cold like ice...

I turned around slowly, my hand resting lightly on my blade's hilt as instinct took hold of me fully despite all attempts at self-control in this place where even the most hardened soldier could not keep his senses sharp forever without succumbing to madness finally instead of choosing death first to escape from this world's horrors forever... "Who speaks?" I asked quietly as I noticed two figures walking down the hillside towards us: one tall and broad with long white hair held back by a circlet shaped like twin rings; one slim and tall with skin so dark it shone blue beneath the evening sun... Both wore long flowing robes of red trimmed with gold thread worked into images of dragons breathing fire across their chests... But somehow I knew instinctively that one of these figures was truly male while the other was truly female... He moved gracefully while she seemed awkward or clumsy compared to him despite her superb beauty... Yet both exuded supreme confidence in themselves even as they walked side by side towards us through rubble strewn everywhere across what had once been fertile fields surrounding this city built upon a hill...

"I do," said the first figure who stopped before us while his companion walked past him to stand beside Blackblade. She looked directly into my eyes with such intensity that she seemed almost angry yet there was also compassion hidden somewhere deep within those golden eyes beneath heavy brows; wisdom beyond measure beneath those brows but also innocence despite her unusual colouring for someone living on Mars today; intelligence reflecting centuries of experience looking out from those eyes which made me feel small even as she looked down upon me from her greater height... She stood silently beside Blackblade now looking down at all of us gathered before her like we were ants scurrying about our business beneath her feet... She wore no jewels nor weapons except for her sword strapped across her shoulder which matched Blackblade's in length and style...

The first figure smiled broadly at last when he looked us over before him now: "You have chosen wisely!" he said with obvious satisfaction in his voice though his smile never wavered nor dimmed in any way despite seeming tired somehow behind those ancient wise eyes watching us carefully though he stood far away from us now... He walked closer still until he stood just before me staring down at me from his great height though he seemed more curious than angry now as if we were old friends rather than strangers meeting for the first time! "It is good that you have joined their cause!" he said softly still smiling broadly before turning away slowly shaking his head to look at each figure standing before him again! "Yes indeed..." His voice trailed off as he continued walking towards his companion who turned slowly around slowly following his lead until again they both faced us watching us silently together standing hand-in-hand looking down upon us both serenely calm despite our presence here amidst such destruction!