Mars looked into a large basin which sat in the middle of the large circular room. The seer waved her hand over it. A bloody battle scene, red and angry, reflected back. Mars watched it with little interest.
"Why are you showing me this, Seer? I asked to see my fate."
"This is your fate. The battlefield."
Mars scoffed. "I'm the god of War. You think my own battlefield will end me?"
"It will if Jupiter is commanding the other side." She spoke, eyeing him.
"Jupiter won't challenge me. He'll lose." Mars said, confidently.
The seer chuckled. "My Lord, you are hindered by your brazen youth. Jupiter has plans for the world. Ad they do not include those who rebel against him."
"Jupiter already controls the heavens. Neptune has control of the seas. Mania and Mors control the Underworld. What more does he want?"
"Jupiter is greedy. He wants everything. You stand in his way. You and others, and he plans to rid himself of you."
Mars looked at her. "When?"
"There is no telling. Plans like this will take much time."
Mars lashed out, striking and tipping the barrel. "You are useless, Seer!"
Present Day...
Horatio sat on the edge of his chair. He watched the body of the young man, each breath rising and falling. He shook his head. He was a Liutenant, he couldn't keep some random stranger in his house.
The dog sat obidiently at the floor, beside the young man. It watched his with a faultless gaze.
"Are you his pet?" Horatio asked.
The whined a little.
"Okay."
Horatio got up to get a glass of water. He turned on the faucet and looked out the window hanging over. He took a drink and jumped as the startling sound of metal clanking erupted into the quiet house suddenly. He rushed back into the living room. The young man was standing up, the chains pooled at his feet. The white bandages did little to hide his nakedness. He looked at Horatio.
"Who are you?"
"Horatio."
"Well, Horatio, where am I?"
"You're in Miami."
Mars cocked a brow. "Miami? I've never heard of it."
"Flordia?"
Mars shook his head. "I don't have time for your games! Where am I?"
"Some woman named Lima gave you to me and told me to keep you here." Horatio said.
Mars quieted. "Lima? So, she brought me to the humans. Jupiter will have a hard time finding me here."
"Jupiter?"
Mars looked at him. "Are you joking? You humans have forgotten your creators?" He sighed. "Jupiter is the king of the Gods. He rules this earth, and our world. He's vicious."
"Gods?" Realization dawned on him suddenly. "The Roman Gods. I didn't think they were real."
"Unsurprising," Mars said, walking around the living room. "You humans have reverted back into your state of ignorance. The more time passes, the stupider you become."
"Hold on, that's not fair. We've expanded greatly."
"By creating science to explain what we've done? Who do you think controls the weather?"
"The weather is controlled by a delicate balance of humidity and moisture."
Mars shook his head. "No. The weather in this world is controlled by many different Gods. Coelus, God of the sky. Aquilo, God of the North Wind, his brother Auster, God of the South Wind. Fulgora, Goddess of lightning. There are so many who control just that one aspect of this world. And you humans have deluded yourselves into thtinking we are not here."
"Fine," Horatio said. "Tell me this, why are you here?"
Mars rolled his eyes arrogantly. "As if you could understand the complexity of my situation."
"I"m quite intelligent for an ignorant human, I think I can handle it."
"Jupiter is trying to take control of the universe. He's been planning it for well over one hundred years, but he's finally acted. As the God of War, he's see me as a threat. He sent Virtus to try and assaissinate me."
"Virtus?"
"One of my soldiers, the God of military prowess. I was surprised to find he'd turned on me."
"What happened to him?"
"I killed him." Mars said, as if it were nothing.
Horatio looked at him. "Just like that? You just killed him?"
Mars shrugged. "I really had no choice. He wasn't important anyway."
Horatio couldn't believe the man in front of him. Able to kill so easily?
'Well, he is the God of War.' He thought.
"I have a feeling I'm going to be here for a while." He heard Mars mutter to himself.
"You can't stay here." He said.
Mars looked at him. "I have to. Lima brought me here for a reason. You have to help me assimilate into human culture. It is now your duty to teach me about all these," he motioned around the room, "things."
Horatio shook his head. "You don't understand. I hold a very important posistion in law enforcment, I can't house a complete stranger."
"You have to."
"No." Horatio said firmly.
Mars narrowed his eyes. In a flash of flames, Horatio found himself staring at the point of a flaming sword. "Teach me or I will rid myself of your useless prescence."
"Alright. I'll teach you."
The sword vanished. "Good." Mars smiled. "I knew you would agree in the end." He walked past Horatio into the hall. "I beleive I'll require new materials. I can't very well walk around in bandages. And I can't use my name. I'll need a new one for now."
Horatio followed him. "I know someone I can trust. I'll call her and she can help."
"Good. Call her now."
Mars walked off, exploring the rest of the house, the white dog following him. Horatio eyed the retreating form with dislike. How did he end up in this mess? He reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. He flipped it open and dialed.
A few seconds passed. "Hello?"
"Alexx, I need you help."