Godchild

I dropped into a fighting stance and stepped back two paces in order to give space to react. The man stood still, passively even, but I kept my guard up. He still held the figure of one who trained every day to kill with a blade.

"You are being a bit hasty with your judge of character, aren't you?"

I ignored him.

"By the Law of Hippolyta, you are sentence to death!"

"For what-" he began, but I lunged at him with my sword in a devastating blow to his midsection. Moving with a speed that belied his size, the man stepped out of the way of the thrust and I was momentarily off balance. I righted myself, but he was once again, out of range. He sighed before speaking again. "For what crime am I accused?"

"For being a man," I replied, gathering myself for anther strike. "And setting foot on the Island of Themescira!" I came in with an overhand thrust, this time, and the strange warrior deftly dodged once again. I was ready for it, though, so I crouched low and swung the sword in a sweep aimed at his knees. He jumped deftly and I was left staggering again.

"I believe there has been a misunderstanding," he declared. Clearly, he was not exerting himself. "You see-"

I moved in with a flurry of strikes, then. I saw a reaction as rushed forward: the shapes of eyes glowed red from within the shadows of his helmet. I struck high, low, quick, and my combatant ducked, stepped and dodged every strike. I pushed on, though and poured every ounce of my training and will into another dozen strikes.

A shield materialized in his hands which he used to block my strikes, one by one. When I had finished the sequence, however, he leaned forward and drew a sword from his back. He fought like I'd never seen before. I was no longer on the offensive; instead, I did my best to meet each of his strikes with my sword and the unbreakable gauntlets at my wrists. The Bracelets of the Amazons did not offer much protection, but they were the only defense I had. The swings from the blade were devastating. I crossed my arms to defend against one of the overhand strikes and I was brought immediately to the ground.

No matter what the epics say, sword fights do not last the entire length of the day or even for hours. A battle of blades between two combatants is won in seconds. Or it is lost.

I waited for the armored man to finish me off, but he merely sheathed his blade and crossed his arms.

"Are you done?" He asked. I was exhausted, but I looked up at him and shot daggers with my eyes. "Good. As I was saying- there has been a misunderstanding. I have not set foot on the island of Themescira. See?"

I looked down, and- to my surprise- the man was standing several finger-widths off the ground. My eyes widened as I looked back towards his face.

"You are a god?"

"You deduce as well as you fight. Speaking of fighting: are you going to embarrass yourself again, or would it be too much to expect a bow?"

I curled my lips in disgust. "The Amazons bow to no man- whether he be a god or not, Ares."

Ares laughed. "A lucky guess, but you are correct, Diana."

"Who else would invade the island of women alone and armed for war?"

"I am not armored for war," He refuted as he removed his helmet. "I merely find this comfortable. If I were, you would certainly know." I finally had a good look at the god's face now. Ares was the second man that I had ever laid eyes on and he was a stark contrast to the late Captain Trevor. Ares' skin was pale, where his was dark. Ares' hair fell in unruly curls where Trevor's had been cropped short. Trevor had been ruggedly handsome, but Ares looked like he had been sculpted out of marble, and his eyes glowed brightly with a fiery passion.

"Then why are you here?" I asked.

"Fantastic question, but I have one, myself: What are you planning to do with the crashed pilot?" He must have seen the shock on my face. "Oh, I know about him. Dead, isn't he?"

"What does it matter to you?"

"I have my own, lofty, reasons, of course. I am a god after all. If that is the case, I would assign you a task."

"I refuse the task," I refuted, crossing my own arms.

"Come, now. Don't be petty. This task would not only benefit me, but would be something beneficial to you as well."

"What in Hera's Name would you have to offer me?"

Ares laughed. "Oh, I like you. Such a passionate personality. I think we will find that you and I have a lot in common, Diana. I know what it is that haunts you. I know why you cannot stop thinking about the pilot. You want to see the land that he came from; you want to know what the world of men is truly like."

I was silent for a while after that. What he said was closer to the truth that I would openly admit. I did want to know about the man's world, but I knew better that to usurp my mother's authority. If she said not to leave the island, it was as much as law.

"What task would provide what you claim?"

"I need you to go among the Amazons and seek out Egeria. You will ask her a question and receive a true answer from her."

"How will that give me information on the man's world? Egeria has been secluded on Themescira for as long as my mother."

"There are things that I cannot explain to a mortal. Will you agree to this task?"

"I will, but I again I am unclear what you get out of this arrangement. The gods do not interfere lightly."

"Correct," Ares agreed. He replaced his helmet, obscuring his face again. "But once again, I cannot explain my whims to you. Find Egeria, and ask her: Why are you called the Midwife?"

With that, Ares disappeared before my eyes.

The training field was bare at this time in the morning. I personally preferred to get my work done in the morning to free myself later in the day, but I knew of one woman whose duties were less and her devotion to training greater.

Egeria paced back and forth on one of the stone squares used for challenges; swinging a quarterstaff through the air. The arcs were graceful and intimidating. She would occasionally move out of the figure-eights to lash out and strike the air with a deadly speed. I approached the training area, but waited at the outskirts for several minutes just to watch.

"Are you going to waste my whole morning," She asked after a few more sequences. "Or are you going to challenge, already?"

I smiled and walked towards the weapons rack. "I did not wish to be rude. I see that I have come too late, and it would be improper to challenge you after you have worn yourself out from exercise."

"I'm afraid that you are mistaken, Diana," She replied, grounding her staff. "I have just completed my warm-ups. Now I get to humiliate the naive princess whose limbs are still stiff from sleep." She smiled as she finished her insult and I returned the expression. Egeria had been training me in combat since I was able to walk, and we traded words as easily as blows.

The challenge was important, though. I wanted to ask her Ares' question, and I was not so ignorant as to think it would be an easy answer to draw out. The challenges where the determination of status among the Amazons. Those who showed skill above others would be given the duties of quartermaster or harvester. The most skilled for each weapon, however was given the title of Trainer. As the daughter of Hippolyta, I would have inherited any rank or duties I liked, but I chose to excel, instead. I had beaten the trainers of javelin, axe, sword, bow, and halberd, and I had declined the honor of becoming a trainer myself. I wanted to prove myself the best, but the only trainer I had yet to beat was Egeria at the staff.

I picked up the nearest staff and began moving it in slow arcs to get a feel for the weapon. I did not have to beat her today, but battle always brought out the best mood in her, so I would try my best.

"Are you done twirling your stick?" She asked.

"I su-" My reply was cut off as a quarterstaff sliced through the air towards my face.

I ducked and spun my staff in a quick parry. The staves cracked in the air, but Egeria used the momentum to spin and launch a flurry of strikes aimed at my head shoulders and ankles. I stepped hurriedly back into a defensive position, and set up a wall using the spinning ends of my staff.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Egeria pushed me farther and farther back on the stone platform. She was pushing me. Pushing hard. I was holding my own for the moment, but I knew I could not remain on the defensive for long. I lunged forward with a jab aimed at her chest, but she swatted it aside and riposted with her own counterattacks.

Crack! Crack!

This was certainly not going well. I had never competed so drastically with Egeria before, and it was showing. I needed to gain the upper hand, and I needed to fast.

My feet scraped the edge of the combat square and something clicked inside me. I knew not from where it came, but I suddenly knew what needed to be done. I stopped planning. I stopped reacting. I knew that she would be coming at me with a sequence that ended with a head strike. I did not care. I put every ounce of strength and speed into my own sweep aimed at Egeria's ribcage. Her eyes went wide at the unexpected assault and her hesitation cost her the strike.

Crack! Whoosh!

It landed, but just the barest brush against my left brow. Distantly, I felt a cut open above my eye, but I ignored it and planted my feet to continue striking.

Crack! Crack! CRACK!

I poured everything into the strikes, and Egeria continued to defend. She was still as fast as ever, but I could see something less than confident in her eyes. She was no longer sure of victory, and I was no longer sure of defeat. Then I saw it.

Crack! Crack!

For the first time in all the decades I had trained with Egeria, I finally saw an opening. It was going to take some maneuvering, but she had started her sequence and I knew where it ended.

Crack!

Parry to the left then protect the head.

Crack! Crack!

There it is! Take the opening!

Crack! Crack! Thwack!

Egeria collapsed on the ground and held her ankle to her chest. Between winces of pain, she let out short bursts of laughter. I ground my staff and smiled, myself.

"Now the staff," she muttered to herself. "Everything else and you even took the staff from me. You truly are the best of us, Diana."

"Don't worry, sister," I replied as I reached out to help her to her feet. "I have no intention of taking your place as trainer."

"No. You have far greater tasks ahead of you. But I will ask why you challenged me, then, if not to take my place."

I was taken aback, some. "Challenge? Was this not a friendly practice between friends?"

Egeria responded with scrutinous eyes. "Wasn't it?"

"No, I- That is- Sister..." she could see straight through me. Just like when I was a child. "I confess, I did have an ulterior motivation to seeking you out this morning. I have a question to ask of you."

She smiled at the honest response. "Ask away, sister. I haven't been marked in the challenge square in centuries. It's refreshing."

"Why are you called the Midwife?"

"Where did you hear that?" The speed of Egeria's response was almost as startling as the deadly look in her eyes. Luckily, I was prepared with a response so that I did not freeze under her gaze.

"I heard some of the women in the fields speak of it in passing. I did not mean to overhear, but now I am curious."

"Loose tongues and rabbit-ears," she swore under her breath. I could tell that she was trying to compose herself, but I was not deceived. "Diana, a midwife is a form of doctor or nurse who specifically tends to-"

"I know what a midwife is, Egeria. I want to know how you gained the title."

"Diana. I cannot tell you. There are things that even a princess of the Amazons cannot ask. I am sorry, and you have my utmost respect for our duel."

Egeria turned to leave, and I cursed myself for what I was about to do. I prayed the gods would forgive me, and I called out to her.

"Sister!" I said with my arm extended. "It was a good match."

Egeria smiled and took my hand. In the same instant, I pulled out the bundle that had been in my belt. The lasso of Athena glowed with a golden brilliance as it wrapped around her wrist. Shock filled Egeria's eyes as she tried to pulled away, but the Lasso was an unbreakable bond. I yanked hard and brought her to the ground to wrap the rest of the length around her body. I winced as I performed this act. I tried not to hurt her, but I hated myself for doing this.

"Now," I panted, standing above her. "Why are you called the Midwife?"

Egeria struggled not to open her mouth, but finally spoke. "It is a long story."

"I have nothing but time, sister."

"I am one of the women who has been with your mother the longest time- even when we occupied the old Themescira. But before we came to the Island, I was a very talented field medic. I brought many who were mortally wounded back to fighting shape. Many years ago, she called on me and said that she needed my skill. Two others, aside from myself, joined Hippolyta when she announced a six-month pilgrimage into the untamed forests of the Island. I should have known what secret she was keeping..."

I entered the audience chamber of the Queen of the Amazons, and I weighed my words carefully. It was important that I approach the subject delicately since many of my fellow Amazons were also in attendance.

But, by the Furies, the witch had betrayed me!

"Liar!" I yelled. The sound of my voiced echoed across the hall, silencing any conversation that was occurring. Across the hall, I could see my mother sitting on her throne. Her eyes blazed with wrath, but her voice was calm.

"Diana. I was hoping that our conversation had ended more amicably. Do you have another grievance to air?"

"I would like to know the name of my father."

The women of Themescira are known for their stoicism, but I heard at least one stifled gasp. My mother, on the other hand, maintained here façade of serenity.

"Diana, I cannot possibly know what you mean. The day that you can into my life was the morning after I had molded-"

"I spoke with Egeria," I interrupted with the calm voice of the clouds before a hurricane. To emphasize my point, I threw the Lasso of Athena into the open space between us. For the first time, I saw a look of astonished terror open on my mother's face. With contempt on my face, I added, "I spoke with your Midwife."

Even fabled stoicism could not halt the murmurs that travelled the throne room. My mother stood immediately erect from her seat and stormed towards the Lasso. As she picked it up, she turned a furious gaze at me.

"You stole from me!" Hippolyta screamed. "You bound and interrogated one of your sisters! Do the bracelets you wear on your wrists mean nothing?"

"I wanted the truth."

"Truth?" she responded, inches from my face. "Believe whatever truth you desire, but you have violated the sanctity of this Island and spit on the valued shared by the Amazons."

"I will offer my apologies mother. I offer them now," I bowed my head slightly in supplication. It seemed to temper her emotional momentum. "I only ask that you tell me the name. Who is my father?"

"I will not give in to your rebellion until you have, at the very least, shown penance for your actions. Rhea, Penelope, take her to her quarters and stand guard. She is to remain under watch until further notice."

So. I was to be a prisoner openly now. I reflected that my whole life- the lives of all the Amazons- had been an imprisonment to Paradise Island. Only now, my cell would be much smaller. My arms were taken into strong grips. Their hearts were not in the act, I break the grip easily enough, but I had no quarrel with these two. I knew that the ice was thin that I walked with my mother, but I cared no longer.

"She told me, Mother. I was hopping you would have the good grace to offer your only daughter the truth, but I see I was wrong. It seems that only with the Lasso of Truth can I hear the phrase: 'The king of the gods is your father.'"

Hours later, I heard a knock on my door. I did not bother to answer, and besides, a prisoner has no rights to privacy. As expected, Hippolyta entered. She seemed to take in the room with a sweeping gaze and she seemed moderately surprised that I had not bothered to light any of the sconces.

"Your sisters worry about you," My mother stated.

"They are no sisters of mine," I sullenly replied from the window sill that I sat in. "Athena, Persephone, Helen- They are my sisters. We are all the bastard daughters of Zeus."

"Enough!" she commanded. "I will not have my daughter speaking in such a way."

"How long do I have, Mother?"

She seemed taken aback. "How long for what?"

"How long until Hera finds me? She is notoriously vengeful of the children of her husband's affairs. Will I be turned to stone? Hunted by Sirens? Heracles was turned mad and he killed his own family. Is that what you want?"

"Daughter, the Island was built as a sanctuary for us. There is no need to fear assault from any of the gods as long as you remain on Themescira."

"So, you admit that there is danger from the gods? You admit to having had a god impregnate you?"

My mother's lips turned in disgust. "If that is to be your attitude, then I see no point in continuing this conversation. If you feel as though a civil discourse is once again possible, you may send a message through Rhea."

With that she left and slammed the door behind her. I continued to stare at the stone of my window and let my mind drift into oblivion like the waters of the Styx.

"Stubborn, isn't she?" asked a male voice in my room.

"I have done what you asked, Ares. Here to enjoy the fruit of your manipulations?"

"I am hardly done with you yet. Let me ask you: What is it that you want most right now?"

The answer was not hard in coming. "I want to leave Themiscira. I want to spit on the sands of its shores and all it stands for. I want look Zeus in the eye as I make him pay for what he has done to me and my mother."

"Now, see, I think we are not at cross purposes. I think I can relate some to you. Zeus once told me that I was the most despised of his children. That I was the most hateful of the gods. After all these years I still have a score to settle with my father. But I cannot do it alone." Ares then took my chin in his hand and raised my gaze to meet his. I despised his touch, but I lacked the energy of will to resist him. He was still several inches off the ground, and his helmet was removed. The look in his eyes was calm and kind- quite different than I expected from the god of war. "I have been in need of a champion for some time. There are things that I can only accomplish through a mortal hand. I ask you to be my warrior; to leave this island and take up the arms that you have been mastering all your life. Will you accept?"

"To what point? There is no way off the Island."

"So you say. But this Island was crafted by the gods, and there is no secret it can keep from us."

Ares then gestured out the window and I looked. For decades, this dwelling had been my room, and I knew it and the surrounding area well. The building itself was placed near the temple, and was high up a cliff face. Outside the window was sheer rock that plummeted strait to the ocean, and when I looked out the window, I saw just that.

Only, I noticed something different. It was as if a veil had been lifted from my eyes and the true structure of the cliff was revealed to me. I could see well placed rocks and ridges that would offer a precarious, but scalable, path down the cliff. Curiosity took hold of my senses and I swung myself out the window. The rocks barely held my grip, but my limbs were strong from daily training. I was sweating and breathing hard by the time I reached the bottom. I was standing on a beach that was no more than twenty paces wide. A boat was tied up and stocked for days of travel.

I looked behind me to see Ares standing with arms crossed. He looked me up and down and said, "You aren't leaving dressed like that are you?"

My tunic was then covered in a mist that coalesced into a perfectly fitting breastplate of black metal.

"The Breastplate of Power," Ares explained. "It absorbs some energy from any strike that it takes so that you may lash out with it once it is gathered." Once again, a mist surrounded me, but now around my feet. "The Boots of Fortitude. As long as you live and do not retreat, they will keep your feet planted on the ground." Mist continued to swirl up my body. "The Helmet of Insight. No glare of sun or haze of fog will prevent you from seeing your adversary. It will also allow you to see who is a god in disguise, or is a descendant of a god. The Shield of Security. As indestructible as the Aegis and as light as a cloud. The Gua-"

"Stop!" I interrupted, and the mist discontinued its path. I looked at my wrists and considered the bands of adamantine. Every Amazon owned a pair. It reminded one of the chains that bound the sisters when Heracles stole the Girdle of Hippolyta. They reminded the wearer of the bondage to men and the dangers of the world outside the Island. It seemed fitting that while I was temporarily indentured to Ares, I should keep the bracelets.

"I understand Diana. Besides, the gauntlets merely offered the wearer a sure grip on any weapon held, but I do not think there is a weapon you have met that you have not mastered. I have one last gift for you." A golden, looped cord hooked itself to my waist. "The Lasso of Honesty. You will find it works... similarly to the Lasso of Truth that Athena granted your mother. Now, what is your plan?"

I looked down at myself. I was dressed for war, and I was likely headed into one. I squared my gaze at my unlikely ally and declared, "I am going to where the soldier Trevor came from to learn his aims. Then I am going to hunt down Zeus."

"And?"

"And I am going to kill him."

"Well said Diana. You have my blessing. Go forth into the world of men. Spread my light, and make me proud. Fight well, my Warrior of Wonder!"