I stared down at the satellite imaging of the mountain only a few miles from the Base camp. Finally, after all these years, we’d found her. The First Queen. She was in this mountain, buried deep and well protected. Thermal images told just as much. Her Soldiers were all throughout the blasted mountain.

A throat cleared behind me. I ignored them as I traced the path I’d be taking through the mountain. Our drones thankfully had been able to scan most of the inside of the mountain before getting destroyed by one of the Queen’s Guards. That at least told me where she was. That was all I needed to know.

“General Stark.” The male voice behind me said formally. I slid my gaze over my shoulder to the man. He was young, he hadn’t seen any of the bloodshed that I have. He took my gaze as permission to speak.

“The President wishes to speak with you.” He said before he started to tremble the longer he held my gaze. After a few more seconds he gulped and looked away. I didn’t blame him. I made all the humans uncomfortable. It wasn’t unknown that the Goddess that warned us of Earth’s demise, had sent me personally down in human form to aid the humans in a last-ditch effort to save the planet. So far I’d done just that. Peace was finally coming to the outer lands. The President of the World had made it known that all of this was because of me. I’d freed the people of Earth. Now, to finish the job.

My eyes drifted to the young man’s insignia. He wasn’t even enlisted. His First Lieutenant bars were still polished to a perfect sheen. My eyes dropped to the five stars on my shoulder. They were dull, speckled in old blood of human red and green of the monsters I fought.

“Where is he?” I heard myself finally ask.

“Just outside General.” he said but I heard his sigh of relief.

“Send him in.” I said and turned back to the maps to continue memorizing the paths and back up plans to get to the Queen.

I heard the deeper voice of the President behind me speak to the younger man. “Dismissed First Lieutenant.”

President Marshal Tavers moved until he was at my side and watched me silently work out my plans. I didn’t need to look at him to know what face he had on. It was one of worry. He had always been such a softie behind that Presidential mask.

“Stark.” he said softly. I slid my gaze to him and really looked at him. He’d aged well. He’d been in office for almost twenty years now. He’d been the one to finally get me to join the World Army and command the people that fought for the freedom of the humans. Those at least, that still remained on this planet.

His brown eyes were filled with kindness and wisdom that only a few ever saw. His Black hair had aged to a refined grey. His face was filled with lines and wrinkles but didn’t sag. He was still handsome and even now was treating me like a woman. His hand rested on my shoulder and straightened me from my hunch over the images.

“Athena.” he said with that damned kindness in his voice. “You aren’t planning to dive headfirst into this mountain alone again right?”

I felt my right eye twitch. Damn the man. He was one of the very few I’d allowed close over the decades. It seems my mistake was showing its belly now with him looking worried down at me.

His lips twitched at seeing my eye twitch give away my only answer to his question.

“Please don’t.” he said seriously. “You have the Army around you to aid you in the final battle. The Queen’s Soldiers are going to be ruthless at her orders. They know they are the last defense now that we’ve found her. Don’t let yourself or the men and women fighting with you, get cocky.”

I narrowed my eyes on him and he sighed knowing what I was implying with my glare. “I know you won’t, but please remind them. You are our Avenging Angel. They see you as such. Some still even acknowledge you are the Demi-Goddess that the Goddess sent down to save us. But you are still human. Your strength may be God Like, but your heart is still human as is your flesh.”

I crinkled my nose at him and he chuckled softly. He surprised me by pulling me into a hug. I froze in his arms before letting myself relax and wrap my arms around him.

“You have become like a sister to me Athena.” he sighed. “I want you to come out of this War alive. I wouldn’t be who I am without you.”

I heard his heartbeat going a mile a minute in his chest, while mine remained calm. But I knew that I wouldn’t be walking away from this war. My heart ached at the thought of leaving behind the few people I did find myself caring about during the down time. Marshal being one of them. He was right though. I saw him as a little brother to protect. And I would.

Letting him hug me to his desire would be my final gift to him.

A few minutes later, he finally released me and lowered to rest his forehead against mine. His brown eyes bore into my golden ones.

I didn’t let anything be hidden from him as he gazed. His eyes began to simmer with tears as he saw what he didn’t want to see in my eyes. He knew then that I wasn’t coming back. Slamming his eyes shut he pulled back enough to leave a kiss on my forehead.

“We will never forget you Athena. We will never forget what you have done for us all these years. I only hope that you are able to find happiness after this.” he said, his voice tight with restrained tears.

I nodded and he chuckled against my skin. “Damn it Athena, I feel like I’m losing my family all over again.” he whispered harshly. I felt myself release a heavy sigh. His wife and child were attacked when I had been gone raiding a nest. Even today I knew it was my fault. Something hadn’t seemed right, and I hadn’t listened to my gut. To this day, I’ve never made that mistake again.

Grabbing Marshal’s neck, I pulled him down to where I could kiss his own forehead and whisper against his skin.

“Weep not dear brother for the Goddess knows of your wishes. Take the sadness of the upcoming war and victory that shall follow, take it and bring peace of all of Earth. Live your life in the sun. Show me, who will be resting in the stars, show me the happiness of you and the people that I worked hard to bring to fruition. Show me, show the Gods and Goddesses, that Earth has learned their lesson and will take this final battle as a rebirth of its people. Know that I will be with them, watching and living my happiness through you all.” I whispered the words in the language of the Gods. Marshal trembled against me, understanding what I’d spoken. He’d been one of the few I’d taught the language.

“With you as my witness, I shall. I shall live happy for you.” His words were spoken slow and clear even as tears fell down his face. I let him rise back up and let one of my rare smiles show. It was kind, gentle, and loving up at him. He gave me a watery one in return.

Leaving his embrace, I walked over to my trunk. Digging in it, I pulled out a small deep gold velvet bag decorated with black trimmings. I walked it over to Marshal and placed it in his hands. He held it and looked up at me curiously.

“I was unable to share this upcoming battle with my grandfather or father. They have been saving this for when the war was over.” I tapped the bag and it sounded with an echo of the glass hidden beneath. “I will not be returning. But promise me that you will take a drink of this for me, my master and grandfather, and my own father. Do this for me as someone I consider a brother.”

Marshal’s eyes shimmered with tears, but he cleared his throat even as he clutched the small velvet bag to his chest.

“I will. I promise.” he choked out.

I gave him a half smile before looking at the canvas flaps. I could hear the men outside preparing for battle.

“It is time.” I whispered and Marshal just nodded before tucking the small bag into his jacket pocket beside his heart and buttoning his jacket back up. His reddened eyes glanced at me once more even as he gave me a sad smile.

“Kick some ass.” he said firmly and I felt my lips pull up into a feral grin.

“The Queen Bitch is mine. Any who get in my way will know nothing but death.”

Marshal let out a harsh laugh before joining me at my side as we left my tent for the last time. Only the sound of our feet on the dirt and the clanking of my unbreakable swords at my hip, surrounded us. Marshal’s personal guards opened the tent flaps for us and I walked out to our Army Gathered up in perfect formation before us.

For one last time, we walked together up to the small stage so that the thousands of men and women could see us.

Marshal made a speech about the past pain everyone has gone through to get here. The gift of my strength that was blessed to all of them. The peace that was just within reach. The courage that they each had for going into a war that they didn’t know if they return from. But each of them would forever be known as heroes.

“Now, a final word from my friend, your hero, and the gift from the Goddess herself. General Athena Lenora Stark!”

Marshal stepped back allowing me to be front and center. I looked out into the crowd of young and even middle-aged faces. Very few were showing their older age. They were of course down in front. I recognized each of them. Meeting each of their gazes, I gave a respectful bow. They’d been the few that remained before I’d joined the army. They had been rogue mercenaries or even assassins. But I’d sort of gathered them during my travels across the world. They were as loyal to me as I was to Marshal and the people of Earth. I’d given my Solemn Oath and they had right along with me.

Looking back out into the crowd, I let out a heavy sigh before I began to speak finally.

“Do not fear the death ahead of you. Peace is all that is before us. Fight until you cannot move. Fight for those who cannot. Never give up. Never give in. Never stop believing.” I repeated myself in English before looking back at Marshal. His eyes were still watery, but he didn’t shed a tear.

“Today, many will not return home. We all know this.” I turned back to the crowd. “But our sacrifice will never be in vain. Together we fight for peace. We fight for the peace of the people we are leaving behind.”

“Fight today with courage. Be the bravest you’ve ever been. Fight until you can no longer. When you reach that point, stand once more and fight. Remember, this is our last chance. Last chance to give those we’ve left behind, those that have survived this war, and those that haven’t been born yet, a new hope. A new beginning. So go forward today and only turn back and smile at those we are leaving behind. Smile at them and tell them one thing.”

“Live long and prosper in peace.” I said and Marshal suddenly burst out laughing behind me even as tears fell down his cheeks. I raised a brow at him as everyone stared at him confused. I felt my own lips twitch as I repeated myself in English.

Some eyes filled with confusion while others widened in shocked surprise. Those same few began chuckling as others spoke in low murmurs. The older ones of course were the ones from my old squad were belly laughing with Marshal.

I smiled softly out to the crowd. “For you younger generations, take a few days when you return, to watch Star Trek. While only a show, many good lessons are still in it. One being to live long and prosper. My addition is to prosper in peace.”

I dropped the smile and the crowd slowly silenced. “Now, we move out in an hour. Say your goodbyes, pack your personal items, and be sure your identification tags are in place. Today we will kill the First Queen and rid Earth of her infection.”

“HOOAH!” I shouted into the crowd. They returned with a stronger and louder ‘Hooah’ before dispersing to finish preparations.

Marshal stepped up to my side and took my hand. I squeezed his tight.

“You promise to seek your happiness after this?” he asked.

I felt a soft chuckle leave me. “Worrying over me again. Just keep your promise first and my own happiness will be fulfilled.”

Marshal nodded before chuckling again. “I can’t believe you pulled that line.”

I shrugged. “I may not show it often, but I do have a sense of humor.”

Marshal snorted. “I’m aware.” He sobered quickly as his hand tightened on mine. I felt his whole-body trembling beside me. So, I leaned my head against his shoulder. He turned his head and kissed the top of mine.

“I shall miss you Athena.” he whispered into my hair. “Sister of my heart.”

“I shall miss you Marshal, brother of my heart.” I returned just as soft.

“Mr. President?” One of Marshal’s guards called gently. They knew only a small fraction of how much Marshal cared for me.

Marshal and I turned to one another once more. He pulled me into another hug before kissing my forehead once more.

“Rest in Peace Sister.” he whispered.

I nodded and watched him leave with his guard. With every step he took away, I felt a piece of my walls coming back up. It was almost time. I turned back to the dispersed crowd to see the area was now active with military vehicles and personnel. No tanks, no cases full of explosives. None of the normal weapons the army was used to kill the monsters. Bullets were too small to do damage. Explosives were too slow. Tanks would be overwhelmed and destroyed. But a sword could slice off the Monster’s head. I’d showed that to the people of the world and soon everyone was learning swordsmanship. An Art once dying became the key to humanity's survival.