Chapter 15: A message through Time and Space
After confirming that everyone was dead and that no backup came, did they pack everything up and returned to their bastion - Earth. Mars was silent on the whole way, leaving them after the landing and going straight to his bed, trying to get some sleep. Seeing his resolve, no one bothered to speak with him, even the Commander left him alone.
Although it had been hard, Mars fell asleep not long later or did he? Right after closing his eyes, he saw something ginormous before him. A giant gray dragon full of scars and golden liquid that was dripping down from his wounds stared down at him. Suddenly it nodded, let out an agonizing cry and energy began leaking out of its wounds, that was quickly gathering at two places - one pitch black and the other of a pure white colour, each then forming 13 different humanoid forms. He said a few words to them and than vanished completely as the last straws of energy left him. The will of the dragon could still be heard, echoing inside this place and shaping the humanoids as it pleased. One of each faction turned around to look Mars in the eyes and then they fused together into one form, giving of energy that made everyone step back.
It opened its eyes - sharp and old eyes with a gray colour, the tone of the dragon scales he just saw. Aurelius's eyes "You are to bind them again. You are our glue."
Mars woke up letting out a painful moan, that cut through the night. All the sheets were drenched in sweat. Everything else was silent, only his heart pumping blood through his body could be heard.
Steps sounded before Mars's tent. Ari entered Mars's room, he somehow had felt Mars's unrest and anxiety making him wake up.
For convenience sake Paulus moved Aris tent right next to Mars since he seemed like the person he trusted the most. Good for him since Ari didn't like to sleep alone. Even old men can be kids sometimes.
Mars kept quiet at first only hugging Ari for a while. Even if Ari was an alien who took over another human, he felt like an old war buddy to him and the only person that somehow understood him in this whole world.
Ari continued to stay at Mars's side and made sure that he slept till the next day. He didn't say anything, but instead just listened to him, keeping him company. Even seeing Mars's body change again and again in his sleep didn't irritate him. The first time he woke up again, Mars's eyes had been white with black veins, but that just didn't bother Ari as his altruistic personality was stronger than the urge to run away. And just like that, the next morning came.
... CONGRATULATIONS - AFFINITY WITH ARI (ARISTOTELES ) MAXED OUT ... "THROUGH ALL HARDSHIPS TOGETHER" (Title : When together with your Companions you gain their absolute trust and loyalty even boosting your own Resilience by 10%) ACHIEVED ...
"Are you better now?" A tired Ari asked him with an exhausted voice. Mars could see that he was sleep-deprived since he had big dark circles around his eyes. "I am doing alright now." Ari smiled at Mars and fell asleep on the spot. Mars got his blanket and put it onto the sleeping man.
The visions kept going all night. He saw that dragon again and again. A single word appearing every time - glue.
'I might have to talk with those "others"... Paulus should have some connections to them.'
- The screen booted up, opening the communication channel. The darkness of the room was broken by the siloutte of a light warrior. The Wyrm they were talking to currently used a different host than their own humanoid body. It was a creature akin to a griffin. Then it transformed into a blond human male dressed in a white tunic and with large feather wings on his back, helmet and boots. He surely liked feathers.
"Hi there Special Ops Mars, I was waiting for your call." His golden voice was music to the ears of the other people inside the room, soothing them and making them willing to talk, only Mars had been unaffected.
"What do you want then?" "We can talk business, after the others have left us alone." Suddenly everyone almost simutaneously stood up and walked for the door. "You and your ton-" "Stop the faccade already. I know you don't know me. The Mars I know would have never just taken this offense." The strange man waited for an answer but nothing came. Mars just stood there akwardly without planning to reply. "You must have really lost your memory according to his plan... That is no good. Then let me introduce myself." The man bowed before the screen while saying: "I am the leader of the 10th division of the Wyrm army. Namely Merkur. The one who favors trades above all. As you might have guessed I like my life style and I don't want it to change, so let us make a deal. As I am one of the strongest gods, I would be able to easily help you out of your miserable situation. Your power right now is just a mere shadow of your former self, but there is something missing in your Mental Core, right? Something like this?" A grin could be seen on Merkurs face as a white shard with claw marks appeared in his hand and although Mars knew that he didn't tell him all he should know, especially the part with the strongest god, his offer was too tempting and he took the bait. "What are your conditions?" "Easy, I follow the winners and the strong don't always win as you might know, God of war. So I have to test you first. Strength is still an attribute needed for a ruling power and a winner needs at least some strength. I will send you one of my Heralds of the 10th division. If you are able to defeat him, than I will give you this piece, but If not then I will tell "him", that you still have your memories and then... After all I am a good liar so he will believe me." Mars felt great fear in front of this being that somehow knew everything about him and stuff he couldn't even imagine. "How long?" "Hm... he should be there in 10 days, maybe? Maybe 7, I don't know." "You knew I wouldn't say no and already sent him..." Merkur just smiled a knowing gaze at Mars. "I am neutral so just convince him and me, I don't care who you are right now or who you will be, just meet your side of the deal."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
MetaShadow
MetaShadow Mars's thoughts: "That was my first meeting with someone from "them". I hadn't thought them to be so moody and decisive. I was afraid of saying something wrong but in the end, he was already in control, predicting my answer and sending his subordinate already... 10 days, I have to train even more now!"
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
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