"Ahhhh~" Arthur let out a long sigh as he stretched, allowing the hot bathwater to ease the tension accumulated in his muscles. Steam filled the small stone chamber, creating a mist that made the space feel even cozier and quieter.
That night, he, Diana, and Steve would depart toward the heart of the Great War. Thinking about it made his chest tighten slightly. Even after realizing he had become desensitized to killing, being in the midst of a war was still something monumental. But for now, he decided to relax.
"Diana must have gone to get her equipment…" he murmured to himself with a slight smile, resting his head against the edge of the small natural spring where he was bathing. The clear, warm waters of Themyscira, fed by crystalline underground springs, seemed to possess therapeutic properties he couldn't find anywhere else.
The minutes passed peacefully, accompanied only by the sound of the water moving... until light, purposeful footsteps echoed across the polished marble. Even while relaxed, Arthur immediately noticed the approach.
"Hey, Arthur, what do you think?" asked a cheerful and confident voice he knew well.
Arthur lifted his eyes, and through the warm mist, he saw Diana emerge in her full armor, wearing the combat outfit that made her look almost mythical, like the stories he used to read as a child. For a brief second, he was speechless.
Diana wore her traditional golden tiara, adorned at the center with a red star, a symbol representing her heritage as the daughter of Hippolyta and an Amazon warrior. That tiara wasn't just an ornament—it served as protection, but also as an insignia, a reminder of her responsibility to her homeland and her ideals.
On her wrists, she wore the Bracelets of Hestia, also known as the bracelets of submission. Forged with indestructible Amazonian metal, these pieces were not mere accessories—they were instruments of defense. Diana could deflect bullets, blades, and even explosive projectiles with them. More than that, by crossing them, she could unleash a powerful wave of energy, a manifestation of her true divine essence—something that even she didn't fully understand until that moment.
In her right hand, she held a long sword with a gleaming blade, finely engraved and perfectly balanced between strength and agility. The blade had been forged with the singular purpose of killing gods. This was the God Killer—or at least, that's what she believed. Diana had been raised with the certainty that this was the only weapon capable of defeating Ares, the god of war.
But Arthur knew, perhaps more than she did, that the true God Killer wasn't the sword… it was Diana herself.
[A/N: The name and function of the sword were a specific creation for the movie "Wonder Woman" (2017), not directly connected to the traditional comic book mythology.]
Strapped to her back rested a round, metallic, and robust shield, with symmetrical patterns engraved along the edge and designs typical of Amazonian culture.
Fastened to the right side of her waist was the Lasso of Hestia, also known as the Lasso of Truth. Made of golden threads that seemed to pulse with their own energy, it was one of the most powerful weapons of the Amazons. Capable of compelling anyone to speak the truth, the lasso represented, above all, Diana's unwavering commitment to justice.
Her Amazonian armor was a spectacle in itself: the metallic breastplate, perfectly fitted to her body, protected her vital areas while allowing complete freedom of movement. The layered, reinforced leather skirt provided flexibility, and the combat boots rose up to her knees, completing the figure of a warrior.
Arthur couldn't help but smile, both amused and impressed by the sight before him.
"Hm… it looks really good on you…" he said with a smile, before casting a meaningful glance at his own state.
"… but could you leave first? Didn't you realize I'm taking a bath?"
Only then did Diana seem to notice the situation, her eyes widening slightly, though she quickly regained her composure. With a slight shrug and an indifferent expression, she replied:
"It's fine. You can do whatever you want."
"You shouldn't say that to a naked man, Diana…"
Arthur chuckled, shaking his head at Diana's almost provocatively serene demeanor. He then stood up, still smiling, completely unclothed, facing her naturally. However, he noticed that Diana's eyes, though trying to stay fixed on the wall behind him, occasionally drifted toward his waist before quickly darting to other points in the room.
Diana felt an unexpected warmth rise to her face, and even though she had seen countless statues and classical sculptures of nude warriors throughout her life in Themyscira, the experience of seeing a real man, flesh and blood, so close… was different.
"I… I'm going to check if our boat is ready." She announced suddenly, turning with a graceful movement and walking down the corridor, leaving Arthur alone, still chuckling softly.
As he dried himself off and got dressed, Arthur couldn't help but think about how living with Diana made each day in Themyscira more surprising.
During the days he'd spent there, immersed in such a distinct culture, Arthur had taken the time to log into the system. Indeed, the system was working… but, to his absolute frustration, almost everything he received in the daily login was completely useless to him.
Almost everything.
One of the few items he had received was a set of clothes that very much resembled the classic outfits of the protagonists from the Assassin's Creed franchise. A long cloak, integrated hood, leather straps to store small weapons, and an aesthetic that blended stealth with grandeur.
"Which of the protagonists exactly did these clothes belong to…?" he asked himself quietly as he examined the outfit, vaguely remembering Altair, Ezio, Connor, Arno, and so many others.
Arthur sighed and shrugged.
"Forget it… I better get dressed."
After all, he didn't have much choice. His previous clothes were practically a Greek loincloth and a few pieces of local armor. Not that he hadn't gotten used to the classic, Spartan style of Amazonian attire, but if he wanted to leave Themyscira and walk through the outside world without drawing too much attention, he'd need something more… appropriate.
With one last glance at the water mirror that reflected him, Arthur adjusted the hood and left.
[A/N: As for which Assassin's Creed protagonist this outfit belonged to… I'll leave that to your imagination. Personally, I prefer Arno's outfit from Assassin's Creed Unity and Ezio's outfit.]
(End of chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."