The sudden devastation shattered Themyscira's centuries of unbroken peace.
Anger, grief, and disbelief marked every Amazonian face. Warriors rescued from the beach were brought back by the guards to be treated alongside dozens of other wounded. Everywhere, Amazons helped one another, cleared rubble, and searched for survivors. The air was thick with sorrow and dread.
At the grand entrance of the Amazon Palace, several guards stood at attention.
Menalippe gripped her spear so tightly her knuckles whitened. Her gaze was fixed on Jack Kadere, seated arrogantly upon the throne meant for Queen Hippolyta. She wanted to strike him down—but a single mistake could cost the lives of the ones she was sworn to protect.
A low groan echoed from the base of the throne. Diana stirred.
Her armor had been shattered and lost in the battle; dirt streaked her skin, and her long dark hair hung in disarray. Blinking awake, she first noticed the crackling azure chains of electricity binding her limbs—then saw her mother, Hippolyta, and her aunt, General Antiope, similarly restrained.
"Mother! Antiope!" Diana strained against the chains. Sparks flared, and the electric light blazed brighter.
A searing jolt wracked her body. Her scream tore through the hall before she collapsed to the floor, trembling and gasping for air.
"Ares!" she growled through clenched teeth, glaring up at Jack. "I swear I'll kill you!"
The name sent ripples through the guards. Almost every Amazon knew the long, bloody history between Ares, God of War, and their island.
Jack leaned forward slightly, his voice calm. "I'm not that old man. My name is Jack Kadere. I came here from the future—pulled through time by the so-called 'Legends.' They claimed I disrupted history, so they left me here while they ran off to 'fix' the timeline."
Diana's eyes narrowed. "Time travelers… from the future?"
"Lies!" Menalippe snapped. "Ares is known for deceit and manipulation!"
Jack's expression darkened with mock pity. "You're all still breathing because I allow it. Why would I waste time on lies?"
"Even if you're not Ares," Menalippe shot back, "you are an enemy of Themyscira."
Jack's smile was sharp. "So you're reminding me to treat my enemies without mercy?"
Her lips parted, but no words came. That wasn't her intent—but the implication hung heavy in the air.
"I actually like Themyscira," Jack said, glancing at the ornate columns and murals. "Would've enjoyed seeing the sights, maybe taken a little vacation here before the Legends came back for me. But you refused my first request, and… well, here we are."
His gaze lingered on Diana. "I didn't wipe you all out. I could have. So—let's test the waters. If I release your mother and Antiope for treatment and stop killing anyone else… would you forgive me?"
"No," Diana said firmly. "I will not forgive the destruction you've caused."
Jack sighed, almost theatrically. "A shame." He flicked his fingers, and the electric chains yanked Diana upright—then slammed her to her knees before him.
"Forgive me," he said, voice dripping with false courtesy. "You're too tall when you stand. My neck gets tired looking up. Kneeling is… more convenient." His smirk returned. "Since you won't forgive me, I'll embrace the role of the villain."
His voice hardened. "I am declaring all of you my slaves. If even one person disobeys—if even one person resists—I will kill every Amazon on this island and reduce Themyscira to ashes. Do you understand?"
The moment the words left his mouth, a surge of overwhelming divine force exploded outward.
Thunder roared across the sky, and raw godlike power poured over the palace like a crushing wave. The pressure was so immense that Menalippe and the others stumbled back, their knees buckling until they collapsed involuntarily.
"You… you dare—" Diana, standing at the forefront, forced the words through gritted teeth. Defiance blazed in her eyes as she strained against the weight pressing down on her. The divine spark within her ignited, golden light bursting from her body in a radiant flare.
For a moment, the sudden rush of power stunned her… then a determined smile curved her lips. She planted her foot against the marble floor, pushed herself upright, and with a sharp battle cry, hurled herself at Jack Kadere with all her might.
The air split with a deafening crack as their divine powers collided, the golden light clashing violently with Jack's dark, commanding energy.
The shockwave blasted Menalippe and the others across the hall, slamming them to the ground. The palace trembled—then walls and pillars crumbled as the roof began to collapse.
Chunks of stone plummeted toward them, only to be pulverized midair by the sheer force radiating from the combatants.
In the swirling dust, Jack caught Diana's fist mid-strike. Her eyes widened in disbelief, but he only smiled faintly. With a sudden surge of strength—power several times greater than hers—he unleashed a brutal counter.
Diana's body was hurled backward like a fired cannonball, smashing through walls, shattering trees, before finally hitting the sea with an echoing splash.