Chapter 2: City of Warrior Women
Sarive followed Diana along the shore, his eyes wide with a mixture of awe and trepidation. The beach was made of sand so white it seemed to glow, and the water lapping against it was a vibrant turquoise, clearer than any he had ever seen. The air was warm and fragrant, filled with the scent of exotic flowers and the salty tang of the sea. It was a paradise, a place of breathtaking beauty, but also a place of unsettling mystery.
As they walked, Diana remained silent, her expression thoughtful. Sarive, still trying to piece together the fragments of his shattered reality, dared not break the silence. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, noticing the way the sunlight played on her skin, the subtle flex of her muscles as she moved. She was… magnificent. Powerful, graceful, and undeniably beautiful. He couldn't help but feel a strange sense of… attraction. Mixed with a healthy dose of fear.
They soon left the beach and entered a path that wound through a lush, verdant forest. The trees were taller and more vibrant than any he had ever seen, their leaves a kaleidoscope of colors. Strange, melodic birds sang from the branches, their songs like something out of a dream. Sarive couldn't shake the feeling that he had stepped into another world, a world that was both wondrous and terrifying.
As they walked, Diana finally spoke, her voice low and melodic. "You know my name," she said, her gaze fixed on the path ahead. "But you do not know who I am."
Sarive hesitated. He knew who she looked like. But to say it out loud… it felt too unreal. "You… you look like Wonder Woman," he said, his voice barely a whisper.
Diana stopped, turning to face him. Her expression softened slightly, a hint of amusement in her golden eyes. "Wonder Woman," she repeated, the word sounding strange and foreign on her tongue. "That is… a name given to me by the world of men. Here, I am Diana, Princess of Themyscira, daughter of Hippolyta."
Themyscira. It wasn't a movie. It was a real place. A place where Wonder Woman, or rather Diana, was a princess. Sarive's mind struggled to process this information. He knew the name now. He wasn't completely ignorant about Wonder Woman. He had seen the Justice League movies.
"Princess," Sarive repeated, the word feeling awkward on his tongue. He wasn't used to talking to royalty, especially not royalty who looked like they could bench-press a truck. "So… this is your kingdom?"
Diana nodded. "Themyscira is the home of the Amazons, a race of warrior women. We have lived here for millennia, separated from the world of men."
"Warrior women?" Sarive's eyebrows shot up. He tried to imagine a world populated entirely by women like Diana. It was… a lot to take in.
"Yes, warrior women," Diana said, a hint of pride in her voice. "We are strong, skilled in combat, and dedicated to justice and peace."
As they continued their journey, the forest began to open up, revealing a city in the distance. It was unlike anything Sarive had ever seen. The buildings were made of a gleaming white stone, adorned with intricate carvings and towering spires that seemed to touch the sky. The architecture was both ancient and futuristic, a blend of classical elegance and advanced technology. The city shimmered in the sunlight, radiating an aura of power and grace.
"This is Themyscira," Diana said, her voice filled with pride. "Our capital city, Themyscira."
Sarive stared at the city, his jaw agape. It was like something out of a fantasy movie, a place of myth and legend. He couldn't believe that such a place existed, that he was actually seeing it with his own eyes.
As they approached the city, Sarive saw Amazons going about their daily lives. They were all women, tall and strong, with an air of confidence and purpose. They wore armor that was both practical and beautiful, crafted from gleaming metals and adorned with intricate designs. Some carried swords and shields, while others carried more advanced-looking weapons that hummed with energy.
Sarive couldn't help but stare. He had never seen so many powerful women in one place. It was both intimidating and… exhilarating. He felt a strange sense of respect, a feeling that these women were not to be trifled with.
Diana led Sarive through the city, the Amazons parting respectfully as they passed. Sarive felt their eyes on him, their gazes curious and assessing. He tried to act casual, but he couldn't help but feel like an intruder, an outsider in this strange and wondrous world.
They arrived at a grand palace, a massive structure of white stone that dominated the city. It was even more magnificent than the rest of the city, its towering spires reaching towards the heavens. Diana led Sarive inside, and he found himself in a vast hall, filled with light and the sound of flowing water.
The hall was adorned with beautiful tapestries and sculptures, depicting scenes of Amazonian history and mythology. Sarive couldn't read the inscriptions, but he could sense the power and grandeur of the stories they told. He saw images of fierce battles, of wise queens, and of powerful goddesses.
At the far end of the hall, on a raised platform, sat a woman on a throne. She was older than Diana, with a regal bearing and an air of authority. She wore a golden crown and a flowing white gown, and her eyes, like Diana's, were the color of molten gold.
"My mother, Queen Hippolyta," Diana said, her voice respectful.
Sarive's heart pounded in his chest. He was about to meet the Queen of the Amazons. He tried to remember his manners, to act like he belonged here, but he felt like a fish out of water.
Diana approached the throne, bowing slightly. "Mother, I have brought a… stranger. He calls himself Sarive. He was brought here by a god named Theonix."
Hippolyta's gaze turned to Sarive, her expression stern and assessing. "A god brought you here? That is… most unusual. What is your purpose here, stranger?"
Sarive stepped forward, his voice trembling slightly. "I… I don't know, Your Majesty. I was in my room, and this god, Theonix, he just… he just took me. I don't understand what's happening."
Hippolyta studied him for a long moment, her gaze piercing. Sarive felt like she could see into his very soul. Finally, she spoke, her voice deep and resonant. "You do not seem to be lying. But I sense a great power within you, a power that is…raw and untrained."
She turned to Diana. "You say this god brought him here? What do you make of him, my daughter?"
Diana stepped forward. "He is… confused, Mother. But he is not hostile. And he possesses a power unlike any I have ever seen. I believe he may be… of use to us, in the coming conflict."
Hippolyta's eyes narrowed. "The Pantheon War is a grave matter, Diana. We cannot afford to take risks. But… if what you say is true…" She turned back to Sarive. "We will allow you to stay here, for now. We will try to understand your purpose here, and the intentions of this god, Theonix."
Sarive let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He was allowed to stay. He wasn't sure what that meant, what was going to happen to him, but it was better than being thrown out into the unknown.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," he said, bowing his head. "I will do whatever I can to help."
Hippolyta nodded. "Very well. Diana, see to it that he is given a place to stay and that he is… instructed in our ways. He must learn of our history, our customs, and the dangers that lie ahead."
Diana nodded. "Yes, Mother." She turned to Sarive. "Come. I will show you where you will be staying."
Sarive followed Diana out of the hall, his mind still reeling from everything he had seen and heard. He was in Themyscira, the land of the Amazons. He was a guest, or perhaps a prisoner, of Queen Hippolyta. And he was somehow connected to a war between gods.
His life, he knew, would never be the same again.