Garin sat cross-legged on the polished floor of the briefing room, his pen hovering over his notebook. His superior leaned back in his chair, the lines of experience etched deep into his face. The silence was palpable, broken only by the faint hum of the electronic lights overhead. Garin cleared his throat.
"Sir, if I may ask," he began hesitantly, "can you tell me about the nations of Mars and their presidents? Specifically, their strongest feats?"
The president leaned forward, his hands clasped together. He stared into Garin's eager eyes for a moment before nodding.
"Listen carefully, Garin. What you're about to learn is not just information—it's history, power, and mystery woven together. The nations of Mars have been shaped by their leaders, each of whom is a force to be reckoned with. Let's start with the one you already know but cannot fully understand."
Garin's pulse quickened. He knew this would eventually circle back to Manav, the enigmatic leader of the Goodie Hunters, but he stayed silent, letting his superior speak.
"Goodie Hunters," the president began, his voice steady. "Their president is Manav. You know his name, you've heard the whispers, but you don't know him. No one truly does. He has ruled for over 500 years, a near-immortal figure in a world of mortality. Twice, he lost his position as president—but only briefly. He reclaimed it without so much as lifting a finger. Some say he possesses aura, an energy that amplifies strength and speed beyond human limits. Others insist he has no need for such a thing. His feats? Too numerous to count, too shrouded in mystery to believe entirely. People say Manav has stood unscathed in the face of destruction that could obliterate entire cities. But of course, these are just stories... or are they?"
Garin felt a shiver run down his spine. Manav's enigma loomed larger now than it had before. He was desperate to ask more but held his tongue. The president continued.
"Let's move on. Ironclad—one of the strongest military nations on Mars. Their president, Ravi, is a man of pure strategic brilliance. During the Great Ironclad Rebellion, Ravi single-handedly devised a plan to suppress the uprising. Not a single soldier was lost on his side. He faced the rebellion's leader alone, unarmed, and emerged victorious, convincing the insurgents to surrender without bloodshed. His strength lies in his mind, a tactical genius unmatched in our time."
Garin scribbled furiously in his notebook. The details fascinated him, but there was more to learn.
"The Sunstone Republic," the president continued. "Alina is their leader, a diplomat whose words carry more power than armies. Her greatest feat? The unification of three warring states under the Sunstone banner. She did it without a single drop of blood spilled, relying solely on her ability to read people and play to their strengths. Today, those states thrive together, their alliances stronger than ever."
He paused, his gaze growing sharper. "And then there's the Silver Plains. President Vinay myself. I'm cunning man, I'm's known for his political manipulation. My strongest feat is not on the battlefield but in the shadows of negotiation tables. Once, when faced with an impending invasion, i turned two of Mars' strongest nations against each other. By the time the dust settled, Silver Plains stood untouched. I emerged stronger than ever, my enemies weaker, and my reputation unshakable."
The president glanced at Garin's widening eyes and smirked faintly. "This is just the beginning."
"Redcrest Dominion is ruled by President Arjun," he said. "Now here's a man of raw power. It's said Arjun once faced an invading army of 10,000 men and crushed them with his bare hands. Witnesses claim that his strength is unparalleled, able to lift and hurl massive boulders as if they were pebbles. His aura, if he possesses it, would undoubtedly be one of pure physical dominance."
Garin's pen slowed as he tried to imagine such a feat. The idea of one man taking down an army was almost too much to believe, yet the conviction in his superior's voice left no room for doubt.
"The Starlight Confederacy," the president went on, "is led by Asha. Unlike Arjun, Asha's strength lies in her psychological warfare. Her greatest feat? Uniting two rival factions that had been at war for generations. She did it by manipulating their leaders, planting false information, and orchestrating events that made them believe they needed each other to survive. Today, the Confederacy is one of the most stable regions on Mars, thanks to her cunning."
He adjusted his glasses before moving to the next name. "Horizon Reach's president, Kiran, is known for his indomitable endurance. During the Ten-Year Siege, Kiran never once retreated. He and his forces held the line against overwhelming odds, surviving on sheer grit. They emerged victorious, and Kiran's name became synonymous with resilience."
Garin nodded, trying to keep up. Each story seemed more incredible than the last.
"Crystal Vale," the president said, "is led by Neela. Her strongest feat is her foresight. She's a tactician who can predict enemy moves before they even think of making them. During the Battle of the Frozen Spire, Neela's army defeated an enemy force three times its size, thanks to her uncanny ability to anticipate their every maneuver. Some say she's more than human, but those are just rumors."
The names kept coming, each one more impressive than the last.
"Shadow's Edge," the president said, his voice lowering. "President Vikram. The master of stealth. Vikram once infiltrated an enemy capital alone, assassinated their leader, and walked out without anyone realizing what had happened. His enemies call him a ghost, and his allies trust him implicitly."
"Lunar Divide is ruled by President Leela, a master of illusion and manipulation. Her strongest feat? Bringing down an invading fleet by making them believe they were outnumbered. Her illusions were so convincing that the enemy surrendered without a fight."
"Thunderfall," he continued. "President Omkar is a man of pure physical might. Once, during a catastrophic storm, he used his strength to divert an entire river, saving thousands of lives. His people revere him as a hero, and his aura—if it exists—would be as unyielding as the thunder itself."
"Dusthaven," the president said, pausing for effect. "President Rashmi. She's never lost a duel in her life. Her aura is said to be so powerful that even her opponents feel its weight before the fight begins. She once faced 50 challengers in a single day and defeated them all without breaking a sweat."
The stories were overwhelming, but Garin's curiosity burned brighter. "And the Eclipse Territory?" he asked.
"Ah, yes," the president replied. "Varun, the 'Flash of Mars.' His speed and reflexes are legendary. During the Battle of the Crimson Fields, Varun moved so quickly that his enemies couldn't even see him. He dismantled their entire formation before they realized what was happening. Some say he moves faster than the eye can track, but who knows the truth?"
Garin leaned back, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "All of these leaders are extraordinary. But what about Manav?"
The president's expression darkened. "Manav," he said slowly, "is not a man to be spoken of lightly. He's been alive for over 500 years, a fact that alone defies reason. Some say he's a god. Others believe he's something else entirely. The truth? No one knows. He has lost the position of president only twice in history, but each time, he reclaimed it effortlessly. The people of Goodie Hunters follow him with unwavering loyalty, yet his methods remain a mystery. His aura—if he has it—is unlike anything anyone has ever seen."
Garin swallowed hard. "And his strongest feat?"
The president smiled faintly, but it didn't reach his eyes. "That," he said, he doesn't raised his single finger in the entire 500 years