AN: Wrath of the Titans is a terrible film - I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. However, gladiator!Rosamund made me think of a more mature Venus, which I hadn't ever really considered before. Also, influences from Avatar's reincarnation policy, that there must always be a senshi…

Sands Through the Hour Glass

Taking a moment to stretch, Venus looked out onto the battlefield, which was littered with bodies, abandoned weapons and hazy, acrid smoke. The war had been going on for as long as she could remember, as long as anyone could recall. It appeared the conflict would continue forever until all the citizens of the galaxy were killed off and there were no survivors, a horrific stalemate where there were no winners.

How did I get here?

When the former senshi from Venus had passed in a golden blaze of glory, a warm glow had surrounded her, enveloped her. A sword appeared at her side. A chain about her waist. These were her weapons.

She had been 13.

Of course, the Queen had been aware of her predecessor's death. There had only been a precious few minutes for her to say goodbye to a family she had never seen again, before she was whisked to Magellan Castle to begin training.

Unlike her sisters in arms, she had stayed alive, aging in a time when most people did not live to see their 18th birthday. The senshi from Mars had the greatest record for being killed. Although Venus had warned her - always - to hold back, the fiery temper and spirit seemed to always get the better of her friend. Yet, like a phoenix, a dark haired Martian would appear, ready to start the terrible process over again. The new senshi was currently in training at Phobos-Deimos castle, unprepared for the live theater of war.

Next to herself, Mercury had had the longest life without interruption. A few years younger than Venus, she was cunning – heading a well known tactical guerilla force that was deadly. Mercury used advanced algorithms to track when she and her team would have the greatest chance and least amount of casualties. She was Venus's right arm.

Of the remaining inner senshi, Jupiter was currently dispatched on another continent, across the great sea. Venus couldn't remember the last transmission she's had from the Outer senshi. Her focus was a single minded assault on the most difficult terrain. Closing her eyes, she willed the topography in front of her to change. They had been at a near standstill over the past year, there were gains, then losses – both sides had to be exhausted.

The Battle for the Sahara.

There were other names of course, and only the toughest warriors were sent to the Hausia'a (the great sand bowl). Why anyone would want such a horrible arid place, Venus did not know. There was no great geographic significance to the area, other than it was large. Mercury believed that somewhere in the vast desert was the entrance to Elysion, and thus the key to taking down all of the Terrans. Teams had searched, but thus far, had come up empty. The blue haired senshi was currently somewhere in the great dunes, desperately searching for indicators to the most holy of Terran sites.

Her adversary was the great commander Kunzite. His name brought images of horrible, terrifying things. No one wanted to be captured – and her soldiers instead kept poison such that they could end their lives quickly if needed. She had never seen him, but heard whisperings of his appearance, the angel of death. Tall, austere, carved of stone. Eyes of ice.

She rubbed the grit from her eyes and wondered how much longer this war could continue.

As she usually did, her mind wandered and a familiar fantasy stole into her head. What if she were to walk across the sand, over the massive dunes and give herself over to the enemy. Would the war come to an end? What revenge would the shitennou exact upon her?

Shaking her head, she thought of her next self - what would they tell her? That she had been the greatest warrior of an age? That she had survived and turned the tide of the war? Above all, she hoped the next senshi would never have endure the life she had lived. That the next incarnation would have a peaceful life, with days spent in love and reflection.