Hippolyta steadied herself with the general's help, her expression a mix of gratitude and concern as she turned to face Malrick.
"Do you know who they are?" she asked cautiously.
Malrick nodded, motioning toward the unconscious pilot Jarvis had restrained. "They're German soldiers—sent here to hunt down this spy."
"Soldiers?" Hippolyta repeated, frowning.
Paradise Island had been a sanctuary of peace for thousands of years. No mortal conflict had ever breached its borders. Yet now, with the scent of smoke still lingering in the sea breeze, that ancient peace had been shattered.
Perhaps this was the beginning of a greater crisis—a sign of Ares' return… or the stirring of power long forgotten.
Or perhaps, the danger came from the young man standing calmly before her.
"Soldiers!?" Diana's voice broke the silence, her tone filled with disbelief. "Does that mean another war has begun outside?"
She stood beside Malrick, arms folded, her face a mixture of curiosity and growing dread. The power within her, newly awakened that day, pulsed faintly under her skin—divine, yet still untamed.
Had Malrick not intervened earlier, her emotions might have exploded, and her divine energy could have obliterated the incoming shells herself. Instead, she stood now in an awkward stance, trying to seem composed.
"Yes," Malrick said solemnly. "There's a world war raging beyond your shores. The casualties have already climbed into the tens of millions."
He held up a small notebook taken from the German pilot. "This records plans for a new weapon—poison gas. A creation meant to kill soldiers and civilians alike."
The words struck Diana like a hammer.
"Mass killing of humans?" she gasped, eyes widening. "That must be Ares! No one else would drive men to such madness."
She turned sharply toward Hippolyta, conviction burning in her gaze. "Mother, Ares has returned! After all these centuries, he's showing his claws again. Only he would spread such suffering!"
Her hands balled into fists. "We must stop him!"
Hippolyta was silent for a long time, her daughter's words hanging in the air like a challenge to destiny.
"Bring the Godkiller Sword," Diana insisted. "We'll find Ares and end this!"
Hippolyta's expression hardened. "No. I will not allow any Amazon to meddle in the wars of mankind. That is not our concern!"
Diana's voice rose, trembling with both anger and emotion. "How can it not be our concern? Ares is our enemy! You told me yourself—it's our duty to stop him!"
Hippolyta's chest tightened. She regretted ever telling those bedtime tales—stories of Zeus, the creation of humankind, Ares' betrayal, and his defeat.
Now her daughter was determined to fulfill those myths.
"Even so," the Queen declared firmly, "you will not leave Paradise Island. That is an order."
Her tone left no room for argument.
Then she turned to Malrick and inclined her head. "Thank you for your assistance, stranger. If you wish, the Amazons can offer you gold, warhorses, and weapons as a reward."
Malrick blinked. The offer made him feel like he'd stepped back into ancient Greece.
Gold he could understand. But warhorses and weapons? That was another matter.
He smiled faintly. "No need for rewards. I was just passing through—looking for someone."
Hippolyta nodded respectfully. "In that case, know that the Amazons consider you a friend. However, friend…"
"Malrick," he interrupted politely. "You can call me Malrick."
"Very well, Malrick," Hippolyta said, her tone softening. "We are grateful for your help. But Paradise Island must remain secluded. We do not welcome outsiders to stay."
Malrick raised an eyebrow. "So what you're saying is… I should leave?"
"If there's anything you require before you go," she continued, "the Amazons will provide it."
He shook his head. "No need. As I said, I'll be gone soon."
The Queen exhaled in relief. "Then thank you once again, Malrick. General Antiope will remain here to assist you with anything you might need."
With that, Hippolyta gave a brief nod and grasped her daughter's arm, urging her to follow.
But Diana refused to move.
She shook free of her mother's grip, defiance flashing in her eyes. "Why can't you understand? Humans may be flawed, but they're good at heart. They need our protection!"
Her voice cracked slightly, but her conviction held strong.
Hippolyta's heart twisted. She knew that Diana was more than an Amazon—she was her daughter with Zeus, a demigod, and perhaps the only one left in this age.
If Ares truly had returned, he would sense that divine spark. And then, nothing—not even Paradise Island—could keep Diana safe.
"Enough," Hippolyta said quietly, turning away with her escort of warriors. She didn't look back as she departed, leaving Diana behind with Antiope.
When they were gone, silence settled over the cliffs.
"Why doesn't Mother understand?" Diana muttered, sitting on a smooth stone nearby. "She was the one who told me about Ares in the first place."
Her voice carried both frustration and sadness.
Malrick watched her quietly, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
She was young, untested, and utterly sincere. Reckless and impulsive, yes—but her heart was pure. Even decades from now, after she had lived among humanity and seen its flaws, that same spirit would endure.
He admired that.
"If you do find Ares," Malrick asked calmly, "how do you plan to stop him?"
Diana clenched her fist, her blue eyes blazing with certainty. "By driving the Godkiller Sword straight through his heart!"
She exhaled sharply. "That sword was left by Zeus himself to defeat Ares. But it's locked in the tower, and Mother won't let me leave…"
Her voice trailed off. Then her eyes lit up suddenly.
"Leave…" she whispered, then turned to him with excitement. "That's it!"
"Malrick, you're powerful—you can emit that red light, and you can fly. You could take me off this island!"
Malrick's brow rose. "Take you away to hunt Ares?"
"Yes!" she said eagerly. "Wherever there's war, there's Ares. Those soldiers must have been sent by him. If we follow their trail, we'll find him!"
Her enthusiasm spilled over, words tumbling from her lips faster than she could think. She laid out her plan, her reasoning, her hope—all with the fearless certainty of someone untouched by the world's cruelty.
But then, mid-sentence, she froze.
Her voice faltered.
Slowly, Diana turned to him, her expression shifting from excitement to unease. "Wait… you're strong, you can fly, and you appeared with those men…"
Her tone trembled. "You're not… Ares, are you?"
For a moment, the air between them tightened.
Diana's eyes locked onto his, her hand unconsciously inching toward her sword.
And behind her, General Antiope, silent until now, subtly adjusted her stance—her fingers tightening around her weapon's hilt.
The sea breeze carried the weight of their suspicion, mingling with the faint scent of smoke and salt.
Malrick said nothing at first—only smiled faintly, as if amused by the accusation.
The tension thickened.
Paradise Island had never felt so small.
---