CHAPTER NINE.
the damning war: a history.

Two hours prior.

MARS WATCHED UNNERVINGLY AS KP and Murphy left the throne room, the doors closing behind them. She watched as Maragos stood from his tall throne, standing just an inch or two taller than her as he gave her a bright, white smile.

    " Well, do not look so frightened, Mars Argo. " He called, waving his hand at her as he walked over to a large painting that was hung on the left side of the room, opposite a set of tall glass doors covered by a beautiful sheer curtain. " Come, let's talk like you say. "

    Mars kicked herself back into reality, nearly tripping on the rug as she began walking over towards the king. She caught herself and he fortunately wasn't paying attention anyways. She hurriedly flattened her tank top and pulled at her jacket in an attempt to appear more put together while approaching the painting he was staring up at. It was huge, standing floor to ceiling, with a great deal of detailed water painting. Mainly muted colors covered the canvas, depicting a pudgy woman wearing a simple yet classy violet dress, a baby in her arms wrapped in a pale green veil. The woman had deep brown skin, and, unlike Maragos or Ekko, she didn't have any freckles on her face, but rather on her exposed collarbones. Her hair was dark and in tight curls that clung close to her head, and her smile was warm and motherly. The baby was all but swirls of brown, white, and green paint except for the full head of hair on its head and the smallest of facial features.

" Is that Ekko's mom? " Mars asked, looking up at the painting curiously. She blinked quickly when she realized that might've been stepping over a boundary, glancing over the King Maragos with an apologetic expression while hurriedly saying, " I'm sorry, that's none of my- "

" It is, yes. Quite beautiful, aren't they? " Maragos cut her off, his smile never leaving his face, but it did seem to gain a longing as he turned slowly from the painting to Mars. He chuckled quietly, lifting a hand to scratch the minimal beard on his chin as he inferred, " You are an extremely peculiar person, Mars Argo. "

" Oh, uh, " She coughed out a weak response, eyebrows knitted in confusion, " thanks, I guess? "

" It is a compliment, is it not? " He asked, looking at her as if her entire existence puzzled him. She knew she was a Ceren who wasn't all that educated on the other cultures in Andromeda, but she didn't think she seemed that out of the loop. Her father was probably a lot better at this than her. " You shouldn't apologize for your curiosity, even if sometimes it appears to be inappropriate. Curiosity is the gateway to learning and knowledge, above all, is the most valuable thing in the world. "

Mars' look of confusion dropped at that, and she made a sound of agreement, nodding her head as she placed her hands on her sides. She wanted to take his words as a greenlight to ask further questions of Ekko's mom, but she didn't want to make him talk about anything that might be a sad memory, and she also didn't want to derail too far from the important conversation at hand.

However, like the king said, curiosity is the gateway to knowledge.

" Did.. did something happen to them? " Maragos seemed unsurprised to hear that question, his golden smile still on his face as he reminisced.

" Freiya passed away a few years ago, just before your.. " His eyes dropped from her to the floor for a moment, seeing Mars flinch slightly at the mention of her father, then he continued, " She was sick, and our healers did all they could, but she was gone the moment she caught the disease. It's a miracle no one else was infected when visiting them. "

Mars found herself diverting her gaze from him back to the painting, frowning at the story. She had never heard of a disease like that, one that was practically a death sentence as soon as you got it? She didn't want to push any further details on that detail, though. However, it wasn't her that spoke next, rather Maragos kept speaking as he looked back up, sniffling quietly.

" Ekko will be a great king when I'm gone. " He affirmed proudly, looking at the painting fondly.

" King? Not a queen? " Mars inquired, raising a brow and pursing her lips as she awaited an answer.

" Yes, the ruler of Minerva is always a king, and their spouse a queen, regardless of presenting appearance. " He explained, but upon seeing Mars' still puzzled face, he elaborated, gesturing lightly with his hands, his robes swishing around, " Ah, you see, Minervans do not have set genders as some species, like you Cerens. No Minervan is born a man or woman, but rather... both and neither? Does that make sense? "

Mars nodded slowly, " Yeah, I mean, you're saying like Minervans are void of gender? "

" Yes! That seems to be a phrase to best fit it. I do not wish to get into the biology of my people, but that is the best way to put it for non-Minervans, I suppose. The construct and ideals of gender are so..tedious, it is easier and less time-consuming to forgo it at all. " He agreed, nodding slightly as he folded his hands together. " King also just happens to be the word most of the other species respect the most, you should fix that next after saving the galaxy, Miss Argo. "

" I'll add it to the list, King Maragos. " She confirmed. While Mars enjoyed hearing more about the Minervan culture, she needed to know why she was actually there in the first place, because without the Life Alliance, there would be no cultures to learn about and experience. " King Maragos...we need to discuss the Life Alliance. "

" Ah, right, I forgot that is why the Elders sent you here. " He sighed, staring off in space for a second before snapping his fingers and looking at Mars with sudden excitement, " That reminds me of a memory of your father- "

" Your highness. " Mars declared in a louder voice, getting him to meet her serious look, " I'm sorry, this is definitely going to be rude, but you were the first to join the Life Alliance during the Damning War, why do you seem so scared now? "

" I am not scared of anything or anyone, Mars Argo- "

" You're trying to deflect. " She interrupted, an accusatory tone in her voice.

Maragos sighed again, this time his happy-go-lucky appearance dropping. He ran a hand over his face before he began moving across the room again. Mars didn't follow him this time, rather waiting for his true answer. For such a powerful, and seemingly theoretical person, he was very tense and anxious behind closed doors.

" No matter how much you know of the Damning War, no one can truly imagine what it was like unless they were there. The Titan Army was already the biggest threat in all Andromeda history, and Valaya.. She was a force like no other. Of course there had been mild disputes between planets and species, but never a war like she created. " He explained, folding his hands in front of himself as he looked up at the ceiling, where the banners representing all the planets hung, rustling. " Most of us were scared then, too, of the unknown and the army itself, but there were people, like your father, who were brave. They managed to convince the rest of the galaxy to be brave as well. "

" However, fighting war with armies who had never done more than border patrol and trade offs was risky and reckless, especially when none of us knew what we were truly against. " He continued, " We have experience now, but there are more unknowns than before. Commander Amon is leading the army now, and we have no idea how they have advanced since the end of the Damning War. Minerva isn't receiving shipments of food anymore because of their hold on Pax already, and, no offense to you, Mars, but we're being told our leaders are supposed to be five kids who don't know what they signed up for. "

Despite the frustration his honesty brought her, Mars nodded solemnly, staring at the ground for a moment as she replied, " No offense taken, sir, I think I find myself agreeing with you there. But, even though I do agree with you, I can't just let that be it. I can't just be okay with not even trying to save Andromeda, my home, because I think it's a long shot. "

    She turned and gestured towards the door, " You're a king, all of those people out there, including Ekko, are counting on you to protect them. What would you tell them, even if the Life Alliance did lose, what would you say? That you didn't bother, because it was a lost cause? I think it was a 'lost cause' the first time around, too, but that didn't stop my dad and it sure as hell didn't stop you. "

Mars' demeanor had gone from insecure and doubtful to determined within a minute as she took several steps toward him, " None of those are good excuses for lying down and allowing your planet to fall without a fight. I will promise you myself that we will arrange for food to be transferred from another planet, but you have to promise me something in return. "

The king seemed impressed with the authoritative and certain tone in her words. She truly believed them, whether it was because she had to or she wanted to. He quirked an eyebrow at her, " And what might that be? "

" You have to be the first person to shake the hand of the Life Alliance, for a second time. " She declared, pressing her lips together and holding her hand out to him as she came to be just a few feet from him.

" Mars Argo, " King Maragos began, his face looking the most serious she had seen since she started talking to him. He met her halfway, until her hand was idly hanging a few inches away from him. " I don't understand why you claim to be unsure of yourself when you seem to be doing just fine. You remind me of Louis. "

She exhaled quietly, releasing the tension in her shoulders, " That sounds like a yes to me, your Highness. "

" I'd be happy to join the Life Alliance again. " He confirmed, grabbing her hand and shaking it reassuringly. He tilted his head slightly before adding, " Hopefully, this will be the last time. "

" It will be. " Mars affirmed.

xxx