The war was over, but the echoes of its chaos still rippled through the realms. Mars had found its new balance, a compromise between its **celestial origins** and its **Martian identity**. But now, Arian faced the most pressing question of all: What would become of the **Second Major Realm**?
The **rift** had been stabilized, yes, but it was still a **volatile**, **unpredictable** force. The energy that flowed through it was far from harmless—it could easily slip back into chaos, as it always had. The balance Arian had worked so hard to secure felt **fragile**, and the **Martian Council** had made it clear that they would not rest until they had a more permanent solution.
**Elysia** stood beside him as they surveyed the **Second Major Realm**, the sprawling vastness that had once threatened to consume everything. It was now a **patchwork** of calm and turbulence—some areas serene and others still **turbulent** from the battle. Arian had chosen to **stay** for now, watching the energy settle. He was a symbol of **hope**, but he was also aware that his power to control it was **temporary**.
*"What do you think?"* Arian asked, his voice carrying the weight of the decision ahead of him.
Elysia's eyes narrowed as she studied the swirling energy. *"It's still too volatile. You know that."* She turned to face him, her expression one of **determination**. *"But it's not beyond saving. The Second Major Realm can be **mended**, but it needs more than just you. It needs someone who can maintain the balance—a **guardian**."*
Arian stared into the energy, feeling its pulse against his skin. He could still **sense** the connection, the faint thread that linked him to the realm. But it was weakening. The power within him, the power of the **Celestial Sovereign**, had helped stabilize the rift—but only temporarily. The connection couldn't last forever.
### **The Decision**
Arian knew what he had to do.
Mars had **chosen** its future, but now it was time for the Second Major Realm to choose its own. He couldn't keep holding it together—it would destroy him. He wasn't a god. He couldn't bear the weight of the entire realm on his shoulders forever.
*"I can't do this alone,"* Arian said quietly. *"But I can make sure it's not left to rot."*
Elysia placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice steady. *"What will you do?"*
Arian looked to the horizon, where the sky had turned dark with the coming of **twilight**. He had the power to **restore** the Second Major Realm—but he could not be its ruler. His role was to guide, to **ensure its stability**, but the true future of the realm would require someone **more**.
*"I'll **find** someone,"* he said, his voice firm. *"Someone who can take my place as the guardian of the Second Major Realm. Someone who can **understand** its power, its **dangers**. It has to be someone from outside of Mars—a being who understands the risks and the responsibilities that come with controlling this kind of force."*
Elysia's eyes glinted with understanding. *"You want to pass the mantle, don't you? But the realm will need a new protector."*
Arian nodded. *"It's time for me to step back. I have to let Mars continue on its own path. And the Second Major Realm needs its own guardian—someone who can rise to its challenges without the constraints of Martian or celestial blood."*
### **The Search for a New Guardian**
The search for the **new guardian** was not easy. There were many who **coveted** the power of the Second Major Realm, many who sought its chaotic potential. Arian and Elysia traveled far and wide, consulting with scholars, seers, and mystics from **every corner** of the realms.
At first, it seemed impossible. The energy within the Second Major Realm was far too volatile to be controlled by any one person. But **Elysia** and Arian had come to realize that the guardian would not be one person alone—it would be a **collective effort**, a bond between the realms that had never been formed before.
And so, after years of searching, they found someone—a **young seer** who had been born to a distant line of **celestial priests**. She was **untrained**, but her abilities were unlike any they had encountered. Her connection to the realm was immediate, instinctive, and, most importantly, she was **untouched** by the celestial or Martian bloodlines that had shaped so much of Mars's history.
Her name was **Selene**, and she would be the **new guardian**.
### **The Ceremony**
The final **ceremony** was held beneath the stars, in a secluded valley where the Second Major Realm's energy still flowed. **Selene** stood in the center, her hands raised to the sky, the **symbols** of the realm glowing brightly in the night air.
As she spoke the ancient words, a surge of power washed over the valley, and for a brief moment, the energy of the Second Major Realm seemed to **respond**. It felt as though the very fabric of the realm itself was **alive**, recognizing the presence of its new **protector**.
Arian watched from the sidelines, his heart heavy but resolute. He had done what was necessary. The **Second Major Realm** would live on, but not under his control. It would be **free**, in the hands of someone who could shape its future without the influence of his past.
As the ceremony concluded, Arian turned to Elysia, a quiet **sigh of relief** escaping his lips. *"It's done."*
Elysia nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. *"Yes, Arian. It's done."*