The cold wind howled through the desolate peaks of Crimson Mountain, swirling around Manav and Priya as they carefully descended. The snow beneath their boots crunched with every step, the weight of their journey pressing down on them more than the biting cold. The battle was over. They had survived. They had achieved **immortality**.
But at what cost?
Priya glanced at her brother. His expression was unreadable, his gaze locked straight ahead. Something about him felt… **different**. Not just physically—though his youthful face, free of wrinkles and scars, was still jarring to see. It was something deeper. A shift in his **soul**.
She had seen it before. **The coldness. The indifference. The hunger for something greater.**
"Manav," she said finally, breaking the silence. "Are you okay?"
He kept walking, hands in his pockets. His breath misted in the air. "I'm better than okay, sis. I've never felt more… alive."
Priya frowned. There was something in his voice—**an edge**.
She sighed, looking back at the towering peak of Crimson Mountain behind them. The place where they had **died and been reborn**. It still didn't feel real.
Manav suddenly stopped, turning to her. His dark eyes bore into hers. "Priya."
She felt her stomach drop. "What?"
He smiled slightly. "Do you remember **Earth?**"
Priya blinked. The question caught her off guard. "Of course, I do." She hesitated, her voice softening. "Our **sweet home**."
Manav nodded, but there was no nostalgia in his gaze. Only calculation.
"Do you remember what happened to it?"
Priya didn't want to answer, but she did. "**World War III.**"
The words hung in the air, heavy with history. The war that had shattered humanity, turned **nation against nation, brother against brother**.
She continued, "And after the war, **North Korea** did the impossible… they invented spacefaring technology. Massive ships, each carrying **a thousand people**. Humanity was scattered across the stars. One ship, one planet."
She swallowed. "We don't even know if they're still alive… the ones who left for different worlds."
Manav tilted his head slightly. "Exactly. **We** were the ones that stepped onto mars along other 998 people
Priya hesitated. After that,we built the **Dome**."
The Dome. The last refuge of Mars' people. A colossal structure, protecting the last remnants of humanity on this barren world. Inside, life **thrived**—artificial oxygen, towering skyscrapers, bustling cities. It was the **heart of civilization** on Mars.
Manav scoffed. "The **Dome** is a prison."
Priya's breath caught. "What?"
Manav turned fully toward her now, his hands tightening into fists. "Think about it, Priya. The Dome is **not freedom**. It's a **cage**. They lock themselves inside, pretending this planet isn't ours. Pretending they are safe." His eyes darkened. "I will **change that**."
Priya felt a chill—**not from the cold, but from his words.**
"What do you mean?" she asked slowly.
Manav's next words made her stomach drop.
"I will **form my own nation**."
Priya stopped in her tracks. "…What?"
Manav continued walking, undeterred. "The moment we step down from this mountain, everything will change. **We are different now, Priya. Stronger. Smarter. Unstoppable.**" He clenched his fists. "I will build something that will shake this planet to its core."
Priya's pulse quickened. "Manav, what are you talking about?"
He turned to face her, the wind whipping through his black hair. His eyes gleamed with something dangerous.
"I will **unite Mars** under me."
Priya's breath hitched. She could **barely recognize him**.
"You—" She swallowed, her voice faltering. "You mean like a leader?"
Manav's lips curved into a **smirk**.
"No, Priya. A **conqueror**."
A sharp, cold terror gripped her chest.
This was **not the brother she had grown up with**.
She took a shaky step forward. "Manav, the Dome… that's where **all of Mars' people live**. You can't—"
Manav cut her off. "The Dome is **weak**." His voice was calm, but his words were ice. "It's **holding Mars back**. They cling to it like scared animals, afraid to step outside. **Afraid to embrace the planet they were given.**"
Priya's fists tightened. "And what? You're going to **force them**?"
Manav looked at her, his expression unreadable.
"I will **destroy it.**"
Priya's heart **stopped**.
"…What?"
Manav turned away and continued walking. "I'll tear it down. Force them out. Let them see **what real survival is**."
She ran after him, grabbing his arm. "Manav, are you even hearing yourself? **You're talking about destroying the last safe place on this planet!**"
He didn't look at her. "It's not **safe**. It's **comfortable.**"
She yanked him back, forcing him to meet her gaze. "Manav, millions live there. **Innocent people. Children. Families.**"
Manav's face was unreadable, but his voice was **cold**.
"If they want to survive, they will."
Priya **staggered back**, eyes wide.
For the first time since they became immortal, she felt something rise in her chest.
**Fear.**
"Manav…" she whispered. "What are you becoming?"
He didn't answer.
Instead, he just **smirked**.
And kept walking down the mountain.
Priya stood there, watching him go. **Her brother. Her protector.**
Now, she wasn't sure **what he was anymore.**
The wind howled around them.
And the **new era** began.