PARTING

Chapter Twelve

Aphrodite entered the Aerophagus and found Ares pacing.

She laughed. "So your own trick backfired on you. Serves you right for getting the sour Bana to go to Hephaestus. Now your weapon is useless because they know how to stop it."

"Oh, spare me your preaching, Mistress of Meddling! I did not foresee that fool of a brother of mine making the Annihilator with a weakness! They are supposed to carry on fighting because that is what bitter, terrified, angry warrior women do! "

"Is that how you see them? It is no wonder you underestimate them...and the Princess."

"You…you are enjoying this!" he snapped.

"You did lay down the glove and said we had all eternity. My Princess checkmated you this time. Admit it."

He glared. "She may have… for now. I will always be relevant. Wait until she goes out into the world and encounters real fear, hate and anger. This is just the beginning. War will never die! "

Aphrodite came around to trail two fingers up his chest, "You are not a very gracious loser, Beloved. Come, let me take your mind of it."

His red eyes glowed and he stopped her hand. "Not now! I have wasted enough time on these Amazons and the Kryptonian. There is a neglected world for me to inflame! If one wants to cite war one does not use a stupid, jealous female like Artemis."

She folded her arms and frowned. Defeat always made him impatient but his obsession for war she always found exasperating.

"Well, do not take too long. I may get very bored waiting another millennia for you to finish getting mankind to destroy the world…"

He gave her a scathing look. " Oh, I am sure you will have young Adonis fill that void very well."

Aphrodite rolled her eyes and vanished amidst a shower of stars.

The first thing the Amazons did was to take the dead and injured away. It was fortunate that only three fatalities were totaled. But it was still a cause for mourning. The dead would be buried in a ceremony at dawn the next day.

The Annihilator was carefully transported to the Necropolis, also known as the City of the Dead. This was the underground catacombs that hosted the bodies of fallen Amazons.

Superman helped the Amazons place the machine in a stone tomb. As he sealed it with his heat vision, he said wryly, "Well, I expect it'll be safe, unless the dead decide to rise and fight each other."

He caught the telling glance between Diana and Phillipus. "What? I don't like that look."

Diana explained, "This place is not only for the dead. There are many levels beneath the earth with spiraling stairs that lead to a door…We call it Dooms Doorway. It is sealed by magic and guarded day and night."

He frowned. "Why?"

"It is a portal to the Underworld. The Amazons were appointed as its eternal guardians on this mortal plane."

"A portal to the Underworld? As in a gateway to Hell?"

Diana explained, "Hades is Lord over the various realms. Tartarus, Elysium and the Aspodel Meadows. The souls of the dead will go there awaiting judgment and…"

Superman put up his hand as if to stop her. "I think I've heard enough. What you do here is your own business. Is this it? I offered to help clear up the mess this thing made before I leave."

Phillipus nodded. "Yes."

"Well, excuse me."

Guards moved to go with him but Phillipus cleared her throat and shook her head. They nodded and stepped back. Superman's brows raised in question.

Phillipus said calmly,"You have proven you can be trusted, Superman."

If he was surprised he hid it well; he gave her a respectful nod and flew out.

Phillipus watched Diana's troubled eyes but said nothing. She cleared her throat. "Princess, we have to go and meet with your mother."

Diana turned. "What?"

"Meet with your mother? We are to go to see Queen Anahid regarding the treachery of Artemis?"

"Oh, yes." Diana nodded and together they left the dreary musty network of tunnels and tombs.

Artemis was training in the arena with younger warriors when the news reached them that the Queen of Themyscira, Princess Diana and General Phillipus were on Bana soil. The women stopped training to chatter.

"I wonder what it must be about?"

"Rumor is that Themyscira was attacked by a monster two hours ago."

"What?"

"Yes. They say that it was some kind of machine sent by Ares…"

"By Isis, that sounds terrible. I wonder why they have come."

Artemis shouted. "Enough of your prattle and get back in formation. We are not here for you to gaggle like geese!"

The young women looked at her bemused but obeyed. It was half an hour later when a messenger came to inform Artemis that she was being summoned before the Queen and Council.

Artemis entered the chamber to silence and stares.

She saw the Queen of the Amazons, Princess Diana and General Phillipus sitting at the front. Everyone, including Queen Anahid looked grim.

The Queen gestured for her to come forward and stand in the middle of the floor.

"Sister, it has come to this assembly's attention that you were partially responsible for the violence experienced by Themyscira. That you conspired with the God Ares and had the God Hephaestus build a machine to destroy the Amazons. Is this true?"

She lifted her chin. "I was duped by Ares. He took the machine from me."

"So you do not deny going to Hephaestus?"

"No. I went to him. I did it for us. For our protection."

Phythia asked, "How do you justify aligning yourself with the God of War, an Olympian God, a God whom we would never worship, as being for our protection?"

She spun around and pointed at Hippolyta. "She broke our universal law! She allowed a man onto our soil! A man as powerful as Heracles. She never consulted us and expected us to tolerate him. If she can do as she wills, why should I not seek help from Ares if he offers it?"

Anahid said coldly, "Help? Is that what you call help? A monster that destroyed acres of woodland and crops? The habitat of the centaurs and animals? Who injured dozens of Amazons? Were it not for this man and the Princess it seems women would have died."

Hippolyta looked at Anahid. "Three of my sisters are dead."

Artemis gave her dismissive look. "No one would have died if he was thrown back from whence he came or executed in the first place. No God would have felt threatened and no machine would have been built."

Anahid snapped,"You will watch your tone, Artemis!"

Hippolyta said firmly, "We stand by our decision to act with reason and compassion. Superman is not evil and we will be sending him back to his own world today."

Diana spoke up. "His action saved many lives…We are in debt to him."

Artemis sneered, "In debt to him? You plan to reward him when you go outside, Princess? Who knows, maybe you have rewarded him already when you were jaunting in the mystical areas?"

Diana rose to her feet, fists balled, and she cried, "How dare you!"

Phillipus had to block her from flying to Artemis.

Hippolyta's hand touched her arm. "Sit down, daughter."

"But did you hear what she said?"

"I did but this is neither our Senate nor the arena. This is the Bana's problem."

Diana sat reluctantly. Anahid looked at Artemis with a mixture of regret and annoyance.

"It saddens me to hear you speak this way, Sister. The Amazons of Themyscira are our allies. They helped us many moons ago to defeat the witch Circe. We have lived in peace for many years and I trust Hippolyta's judgment. She never imposed it upon us as we never presume for them to tell us how to run this kingdom. It pains me to realize that you, our sister, one of our best warriors, would take the lead in what is akin to treason."

"Treason? What treason? I was protecting our way of life!"

Phythia looked at her mournfully. "Artemis, you were my protégé and we had high hopes for you but have you really not seen what you have done?"

Artemis looked at the sea of stern and disappointed faces. She began exasperated, "You actually blame me?"

Nubia spoke up. "You broke several laws. The most serious being conspiring with Ares…a God we do not recognize…to destroy our allies. Did you really think he would have just used that weapon on Themyscira alone? Ares loves the bloodlust of war. He would have turned his attentions upon us and tried to destroy us too. You went knowingly against the ruling of this assembly even after we warned you not to take it upon yourself to create strife. Three of their sisters lie dead and dozens injured, not to mention the damage to the habitat of Chiron's herd and the woodland. How do you defend this?"

"Defend? I maintain none of this would have happened if they had not broken the rules."

Anahid looked at her sadly, "Have you no remorse for what happened, Artemis?"

"I did nothing wrong and if you are honest, all of you, will see that. Before this Superman came, all was peaceful. The moment he stepped foot on this island it has been chaos. That alone should be a warning to us all."

The Bana Queen looked at her council. "The punishment for her actions is clear but I am hoping we can avoid such a drastic measure. She is one of our best warriors and perhaps her youth…"

Artemis reddened and snapped, "I want no pity! Sentence me if you must! I am no coward! I will accept it."

Anahid blinked. "Artemis, do you know what you are saying?"

"I do. And I demand you follow the law. We Bana are not like others…"She cast Hippolyta a scornful look. "We respect the law."

The Queen rose and said woodenly, "Artemis, I have taken into consideration your hard work and efforts as a Bana but what you did was dangerous and vindictive and requires punishment. You are hereby exiled from the Bana-Mighdall for treason, conspiracy and dishonoring the pact between the two tribes."

The room was still. No one seemed to move or breathe.

Artemis' face was flushed but she looked defiant.

"Have you anything to say?"

She said caustically, "If the Amazons are not going to take their laws and duties seriously, then perhaps it is my good fortune to be exiled."

The Queen looked to the guards and said grimly, "Take Artemis to the shores and send her on her way."

The guards nodded and they moved to escort her out. She gave Diana a glance of loathing as she left.

Hippolyta looked at Anahid with troubled eyes. "Exile is very harsh."

"There was no avoiding it, Hippolyta. She could easily have faced a death sentence. She is not even remorseful. Perhaps it is better she goes. She could lead the younger ones astray and bring instability. It pains me to do it but her sentence stands."

It was in somber silence that Hippolyta, Phillipus and Diana traveled back to Themyscira. What had taken place with Artemis had left them stunned and dismayed. It was disturbing to see how she showed no regret and, worse, to see her exiled. The last time that happened to anyone was during the civil war between the two tribes. They knew exile involved the guards taking the accused and placing her in a boat and pushing her out to sea. Where she landed in the outside world and how she survived would be anyone's guess.

The two winged horses with their riders and the Princess landed before the Palace. Hippolyta looked at sky. It was approaching sunset. She looked at Phillipus.

"It is time to send Superman on his way."

Phillipus asked, "Is the portal ready?"

The Queen nodded. "Yes."

Diana looked at one to the other confused. "Portal? What do you mean? I thought he was going to be flown out…"

Hippolyta shook her head. "It is much too risky. He is sharp that one. With eyes and ears that defy logic. I do not want to risk him finding us again."

Diana said wryly, "It is unlikely he will even want to come back, Mother."

"Be that as it may, we must take precaution. Go and bring him to the Astronomy Tower. Penelope and I will be waiting."

Hippolyta turned to go and looked at Diana who seemed to be standing deep in thought. "Are you coming, Daughter?"

Phillipus interrupted before Diana could reply, "Your Majesty, I would like the Princess to accompany me. Chiron asked to see her to give his thanks."

Hippolyta nodded with an indulgent smile. "By all means. My daughter did us proud today." She left them and walked to wards the Palace.

Diana looked at Phillipus suspiciously. She whispered, "Phillipus, I saw Chiron already. What…?"

Phillipus replied briskly, "I was hoping you would go and bring him whilst I see these two steeds are stabled."

Diana wrinkled her brows. An attendant could easily take the animals or a messenger be sent to Superman. "You want me to bring him? Why?"

Phillipus began walking the steeds to wards the direction of the stables. "As I said, I have to stable the animals. Hurry along now. We do not want your mother to be kept waiting. I will meet you at the Tower."

Diana folded her arms. She was not sure she wanted to go and get him. This was to be their good-bye and she had not even told him about her appointment as Emissary. She supposed this was what Phillipus was doing. She was giving her a chance to tell him without mother or sisters around to censure her. But despite admiring much of what she saw in him, she still felt slighted by his words from the previous night. He had even said earlier what the Amazons did was not his concern.

I want nothing from him. I need nothing from him…I can and will do this on my own.

Diana lifted off and flew towards the direction of the Temple Mount. She could see much of the damaged fields and woodland had been cleared. He had helped plant new seedlings in the olive grove and helped them carry the fallen trees to the mill. There was now a stock-pile of logs and planks of wood for the artisans and craftswomen.

He was standing on the Mount nearest the southerly tip, staring at the sun setting over the sea. He had exchanged the chiton for his Superman uniform. It had been patched in places and looked a little worse for wear but it was clean.

He was waiting to leave.

She landed gently and walked towards him.

He did not turn. He remarked, "It's a very beautiful view from here."

Diana came to stand along side him. "Yes, it is."

"How did the meeting with the Bana-Mighdall go?"

"They exiled Artemis."

"Exile?" He turned to look at her now. "You mean she is out there now?"

"Yes."

"Wow, they don't mince matters. I guess, I'll have to watch my back," he said lightly. "What a pity she has to be the Amazon out there."

Diana felt her cheeks grow a little warm as she avoided his eyes. "Yes…pity. They sent me to get you. It is time to send you home."

He smiled wryly. "Finally. I cannot tell you how relived I am to go home."

"I can see that you are."

"God, they won't believe it when I tell them about all this…about you..." His eyes suddenly seemed to grow serious. "I will probably never see you again, Princess. I know we got off on a bad footing and have had our, er, differences but despite it all, I am glad and honored to have met you."

"And I you…and please call me Diana. We have been through much in a short time to stand on ceremony with each other, Superman."

"Kal-El…" he corrected gently.

"Kal-El?"

He liked the way his name sounded on her lips. "Yes, Diana."

They smiled at each other and Diana could feel herself blushing.

She cleared her throat and said briskly, "We must not tarry. My mother waits."

Hippolyta, Penelope and Phillipus waited in the Astronomy Tower. When Diana and Superman appeared they found themselves on the topmost chambers the Amazons used to gaze at the stars and constellations.

In the chamber was a platform with a large, oval shaped device that looked suspiciously like a mirror.

Diana looked at it in wonder. "This is it? I never knew we had something like this."

Hippolyta said, "This is it. It's how Mnemosyne and the others entered man's world. It is magical and can teleport one to almost any location. We try not to use it often as it can be risky. Things can follow the user in or out of their place of origin."

Superman said whimsically, "Er, just make sure nothing follows me."

Penelope smiled. "I have made sure your path is clear. All you do is just step into the device and you will find yourself near the place you call home."

He smiled. "Thanks. Well, I guess this is it."

Hippolyta said graciously, "Our paths may never cross again, Kal-el of Krypton, and indeed I hope this is the first and last we see of any man on our island. But you have proven yourself worthy of the name of protector. The people who sired you, the ones who reared you, need not be ashamed of the man you are. I will consider the world fortunate to have men like you and think that there is hope for the Patriarch to change his ways. The glory of Gaea go with you."

Superman bowed and smiled. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will try my best never to fall back on Themyscira."

She smiled. "That will be appreciated."

He turned to Phillipus and Penlope. "Thank you." They smiled and nodded.

Diana was last in the line and she tried to force a smile but found she could not. She was suddenly torn by emotions she could not fathom. And he felt a strange sadness instead of the relief he thought he would be feeling.

He looked at Hippolyta. "May I say good bye to the Princess in the way of my world?"

Hippolyta warned, "As long as your way respect our ways."

He put his hand out to Diana.

She knew the custom of the hand shake. She had read of it. It had begun in the world as a gesture of peace to show that one was not carrying a weapon and she knew it was used to greet, congratulate in a formal or friendly setting or upon parting.

She extended her hand and felt great warmth and strength in his firm clasp.

"May you live in peace and have happiness always, Diana of Themyscira."

"And you, Kal-El of Krypton."

Hands released each others but his finger tips brushed the tops of her knuckles. Diana's cheeks went pink as her skin goose pimpled.

His own face seemed a bit flushed and he stepped back and said hurriedly, "Good-bye."

Superman turned, mounted the platform and stepped into the device. He vanished into a sea of mists and ripples.

AN: Quick update as promised. Next is the JL.