"They're alive," Diana spoke slowly but the words did not make sense to her and she wasn't even sure if she'd uttered them. She'd sat in silence for the past five minutes replaying the last hour of the battle. She'd personally seen Zeus fall at the hands of Hades. Poseidon was beheaded before the domino effect kicked in of gods and goddesses falling after each other. But If her gods were alive, why would they not answer her prayers? Why would they let her home be the broken place it was?
None of it made sense.
Every day she held onto a glimmer of hope that Hades and his gigantic Titan brutes hadn't won the battle completely and now she was hearing they had not. Her bed sunk under her weight and she shook her head; it had to be a trick. Her gods would not ignore her pleas for help. They would not let her wander aimlessly for the past year without a word. They weren't that cruel. They couldn't be that cruel. They knew when she suffered; she knew they heard her prayers when she called out their names. Why would they not answer her back?
What did they have to gain? Did they think she was no longer the champion she'd set out to be because she'd failed them? She would have gladly given her life to serve and protect them.
She almost had.
"How do you know this?" she asked looking up at the girl.
"My mother, Artemis, and the others are alive-"
"Artemis does not have a child," Diana cut the girl off.
"She does when she was raped repeatedly by Prometheus," the girl replied quickly. There was a flash of anger on her face and Diana lowered her head. Raped? The word left a thick and bitter taste in her mouth and it only got worse and worse as the second ticked by and the truth sunk in. Raped. She slowly looked up at the girl and there it was: the same fire that burned in the chest of Artemis burned in the girl's blue eyes. Diana buried her face in her hands lighting tapping her left foot on the carpet.
"Diana, I know this is difficult, but you must believe me when I say the gods are not in a position to answer your calls."
"Then where are they?" Diana asked impatiently.
"Trapped in prison below Olympus. It is why I am where," the girl answered and Diana tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and motioned for the girl to continue. "The Olympians did not die-"
"I saw Zeus and Poseidon be killed-"
"Yes you did, and they are dead, but the rest were driven in an underground prison created by Hades. Cronus wanted to keep the remaining Olympians close to eliminate any threat of rebellion." Diana nodded even though the girl's words did not make sense. If Cronus believed the Olympians a threat, why would he not kill them? Unless he believed without Zeus and Poseidon they were weak. She massaged her temples slowly.
"Have you heard of the Hesiod's Works and Days," the girl spoke up and Diana's brows furrowed in confusion. She could not see Hesiod's place in the girl's story. "Diana," Mythe called out again and Diana nodded yes. Every mortal and Amazonian knew of Hesiod. Because of him, the world knew of the Greek religion. On Themyscira, she spent days and nights learning from Timandra, the Amazonian historian, about the man. The mortal world called him one of the greatest poets of the ancient world, but to his people and gods, he was an oracle.
"Of course. I've read it as a child."
"Humor me then," the girl urged and Diana smiled.
"Hesiod wrote about Five Ages of Man. The first age was the Golden Age under Cronus' rule and the only age. They were humans who lived among the gods but were destroyed. Then came the Silver Age under Zeus' rule. Zeus destroyed the race because they refused to worship the gods and their lives were short lived. The Bronze Age followed and they thrived on war. The flood of Deucalion destroyed them. There was always the Heroic Age, or the ages of warriors like Brave Odysseus, Hercules, Achilles, Ajax, and Hector. They died in the Elysium field. Finally the Iron Age. Hesiod believed he lived in the era and many believe we still do, as it is the worse age of all," Diana answered. The girl nodded proudly at Diana and the Amazonian blushed.
"You did pay attention in your schooling."
"I was the only one," Diana smirked. She wished her mother could hear her speak. Hippolyta always scolded Diana for paying too much to her training than her learning. She said a queen was strong on the battlefield, but she was also educated in the history of her culture and world. Diana never did tell her mother that she knew more about the Greek and Amazonian culture than she'd let on. "What does Hesiod's work have to do with Cronus?" Diana asked unsure of where the lines met.
"Like all the other ages, the Iron Age must end and make way for a new one, one that is untold by the Fates. It must end on its own accord but Cronus means to see it end as quickly as possible. He yearns to recreate an age of man that is of the Heroic and Golden Age."
"He cannot do that," Diana stood up defiantly. There was a knock outside her door and the girl's eyes shot to the door fearfully. Diana held up her hand to calm the girl.
"Diana?" Bruce's voice called from outside the door. Smiling, Diana headed for her bedroom door. Bruce would know what to do. If Cronus meant to see the end of the world, then they needed to fight and Bruce always had a plan for everything. She opened the door and bit back a laugh seeing the puzzled look on his face.
"Are you alright? It sounds like you're talking to someone," he said raising his brows. Diana nodded and stepped aside for him to enter. He hesitantly did so and froze realizing she as not alone. Diana closed the door behind him and went to stand beside Mythe.
"Diana," Bruce growled in the voice that let her know Bruce had left the building and his masked alter ego was standing in her presence.
"Bruce this is Mythe. The daughter of Artemis and Prometheus. She brings news of trouble," Diana told him and she hoped he heard the seriousness in her voice. Bruce's eyes scanned the two women in front of him and Diana took a step in front of the girl. She could practically see the gears turning in his head, even though his face was cool. He thought Mythe was a danger and Diana would readily prove him wrong. She hadn't felt connected to her gods since the battle and Mythe's presence allowed her to feel the comfort she'd lost once again. Hera and the others were alive, and if Cronus meant to see the end of the world, then she had to fight. They'd lost the first battle, but she would not lose the second or the war.
"I thought Artemis died," he spoke slowly and carefully.
"You dare question me mortal," Mythe spat stepping out from Behind Diana and the woman grabbed her hand.
"Bruce listen to me," Diana pleaded. She forced his eyes back to her and let out a breath seeing the guard around his eyes. "She tells no lie. I can feel it-"
"You haven't felt anything in a year Diana," Bruce got her off and she glared heavily at him. She pushed away the stinging hurt she felt because she knew Bruce's suspicion was speaking and not his reasoning. Though she sometimes felt both were one in the same.
"But I know what I feel now. There is danger coming. Cronus means to see this age destroyed so he can create his perfect race. One that will surely bow and worship him," she told him firmly.
"And he will be successful if we do not release the Olympians from their prison. If Hades and the Titans succeed in creating their army and leaving Olympus, not even your heroes can save the world from their immortal hands," Mythe spoke up. Silence fell between the three and Diana looked between the girl and Bruce. She felt as if she was back on the watchtower again. She could not count how many times J'onn often stepped in between Bruce and Kal because of their different views.
"I tell no lies," Mythe pulled Diana out her thoughts. "I am risking my life by being here and if they were to find out, there's no telling what will happen. Diana, I beg you on the lives of the gods, believe me," Mythe addressed her. Diana closed her eyes ignoring the way Bruce's hard look pierced her chest. If Mythe was right, and Diana in her heart believed she was, she could not stand by and watch Cronus and his siblings destroy the world she loved. She could not let her gods remain trapped in their prison. Something had to be done. She had to do something.
"I do and I will help you." The girl breathed out a sigh of relief and Diana turned her gaze to Bruce. "Bruce, you know me," she said quietly to him.
"A word downstairs, now," he said gritted out and stalked out the room. Diana shook her head and turned to look at the girl.
"I must go now. This half of my mission is complete," she told Diana softly.
"This half?" Diana asked curiously and Mythe nodded.
"I am not allowed to tell you the rest, but I will be here for you to call upon whenever I can sneak away. You will not fight this battle alone Princess Diana." Diana nodded and in the blink of an eye she was gone. Biting down on her jaw, Diana frowned knowing she would miss her morning shower. She particularly did not want to deal with Bruce's wrath.
"I did not let her into the manor Bruce. She appeared in my room," Diana shouted exasperatedly at Bruce. She opened her mouth to say she believed Mythe was appearing in her room for the past two days but closed her mouth. She didn't want to rile Bruce up even further with her suspicions.
"She posed a danger to everyone in the house, including Mar'i, Diana. Did you not think it was wise to call-"
"I was too busy wondering how I could save the world from Cronus' attack and take in information like my gods being alive Bruce. Do you really believe I would willingly put everyone who lives here in danger? Do you think so little of me," she cut him off hurt that he would even suggest such an awful idea. She may be a lot of things, but she was not a bad judge of character. Unlike Bruce, she did not automatically write off every person she came in contact with as dangerous and treat them with unjust suspicion. She believed everyone deserved to have their voices heard. And maybe that was the problem with man's world. People reacted first violently and then they asked questions. Men were too quick to write off someone they believed to be a threat and that state of mind what was led to almost all of the world's troubles. How could man progress toward peace if they did not extend a hand out in friendship first.
"Diana, I…"
"It's fine Bruce. I should have taken her to the watchtower. I won't make the mistake again," she said tiredly rising from her seat.
"Princess, I did not mean to offend you," Bruce said standing with her.
"It did not appear that way to me." Bruce nodded, his lips still in a thin line and Diana folded her arms over her chest. She would not wait for an apology that would not come.
"I understand. And if you trust this…Mythe, then I will trust your judgment," he told her honestly and Diana's smirk almost rivaled Bruce's.
"You're still going to research her aren't you," she asked smiling. He turned away from her and took a seat at his computer. Diana shook her head and followed him. If there was anything she was grateful for in her friendship with the man, was how easily things could pass between them. Sometimes Bruce and Kal would take hours to even admit their wrongs. Well Bruce at least.
"If what she says is correct, then all the latest activities across the globe would suddenly make sense," he said typing away at his keyboard.
"Activities?" Diana asked leaning over his shoulder. He briefly looked back but didn't say anything. She smiled; he was getting use to it and he should.
"There have been breakouts of fighting all over the Middle East, earthquakes in Australia, famine in Africa," he answered pulling up screenshots from the watchtower's satellite.
"And protest all over the United States," she added in and Bruce nodded. She wasn't oblivious to the troubles of the world despite what Bruce thought.
"The league's been trying to calm down the areas with the most trouble, but its proving to be difficult. Superman had a missile launched at him last week," Bruce continued and Diana nodded. She stood up straight and sensing her distress Bruce turned to face her.
"Princess," he said quietly.
"I'm fine Bruce," she told him resting her fist between her chin and her neck. "I need to figure things out before we take this to the league. I need to rescue the gods but as of right now, I'm walking with a blindfold on."
"Then take it off," Bruce suggested.
"I don't know where to start. Getting to Olympus is going to be difficult. I can't even imagine stepping foot on Themyscira and I need details before the league gets involved." Bruce nodded and she leaned against his desk. "What would you do?" she asked.
"Me?" Diana nodded and Bruce fell silent. His eyes went back to the screen and Diana chewed the inside of her gums. "I would let the league handle what's happening in the world for now and I would summon this Mythe figure back and devise a plan to rescue your gods." Diana nodded unsure if she even liked Bruce's words. Even though she didn't want to risk the lives of her friends, she did not like going behind their backs. Wally and Shayera had almost died for her and she hadn't found a way to make it up to them. An apology didn't seem to be enough. But she knew she couldn't fight the Titans on her own and she couldn't rescue her gods on her own.
"You're over thinking it," Diana told her.
"Says you," Diana muttered. Bruce smirked at her and leaned back in his chair.
"I might have a plan," he told her quietly and Diana stood up straight and alert. She liked Bruce's plan, as long as they didn't kill her or him.
A/N: Back again! Finally the ball is rolling. Quick things: Mythe is an original character. She does not appear in the Greek religion as far as I know. Every Amazonian mentioned in here are from post Crisis DC and Pre 52 DC. I choose to ignore all 52 bits. The Five Ages of Man appears in Hesiod's work of Works and Days. All credit of the story goes to that wonderful man and I'm only using it to drive this plot and twisting it a little bit. I suggest reading it, it's very wonderful to read. Confusing but wonderful.
If Diana seems OOC, I apologize, but she isn't the same Diana after Paradise Lost. She has been banished from her home and now it's gone including her mother. She has a lot of issues to work through but she'll get there.
There's a special character arriving in the next chapter and some fun (I think) between Bruce and Diana. It'll be a while before the league makes an appearance but keep reading.
Anyone who gets to he Hercules reference, bonus points!
One last thing: I start my internship tomorrow, I'll be in a school, so I might not update as frequently as I'd like. There will be at least two more updates before the week is over I hope.
Read, leave a comment and let me know what you think. Helpful Critiques are welcome!
Ash