Maternal Instinct
My need to become a mother was becoming stronger each day. For nearly a thousand years I have prayed to the goddesses to bless me with a daughter. My faith is strong and if need be, then I will pray eternally for my child.
It is a golden age for Themyscira. My island has become a utopia. My Amazons are strong and powerful. Dooms Doorway is well guarded and we all live in a society of perfect peace and sisterhood. Then one day it was dark and a feeling of foreboding was everywhere...even the skies foretold it. A dark cloud was over the island. Thunder and lightening struck, the wind was strong and the island trembled. I knew I must help with guarding Dooms Doorway. I knew the demons within were becoming strong and will attempt escape.
Deep within the bowels of the cave where Dooms Doorway dwelt, Manalippe was performing the ceremony of Pandora. A ceremony that honored the first keeper of the demons within. At the last moment of prayer, the demon swiftly struck. Manalippe was captured. It was as if Cottus, the demon now known, waited for this moment to escape. Manalippe was out cold and many Amazons were torn to pieces by Cottus, but Phillipus was vigilante. She held her ground and attempted to rescue her sister. The door was terribly damaged and Cottus was merciless in his slaughter. He was half way through the doorway but it was only Phillipus and her mighty labrys that kept the demon at bay. But even she could not keep up her fight. Cottus struck and Phillipus was next to be torn to bits. Then the unexpected...a sound of thunder and Cottus screamed in pain and retreated within the doorway taking Manalippe with him. Phillipus turned to see a strangely dressed warrior...a woman who came from nowhere. Phillipus had no time to question her, all she knew was that Manalippe was still in the hands of Cottus. Phillipus grabbed her labrys and ran towards the doorway to attempt rescue with a few others following behind, but Cottus suddenly swatted the other warriors as if they were dolls and he made an attempt to tear Phillipus apart for her impertinence. But the unknown warrior fired her flashing thunder and Cottus again screamed in pain and retreated within the doorway once again. Phillipus followed along with the unknown warrior heading the way.
The entrance was dark and cold and this woman and Phillipus bravely entered without hesitation to rescue Manalippe. Then Cottus suddenly grabbed the woman...hands were everywhere. Holding her and tearing clothing and flesh. She screamed in pain but held her ground. Phillipus told me of how bravely she fought. How she knew that she was dying yet still fighting to the last breath. Her limbs were twisted horribly but her face covered in blood was expressing determination. This woman looked in Cottus eyes and fired her weapon and Cottus screamed, releasing Manalippe, Phillips and the woman. This brave and unknown woman saved Themyscira.
Phillipus and Manalippe quickly dragged the woman from Dooms Doorway. I arrived to find many dead and the doorway horribly damaged. I immediately ordered the doorway repaired before Cottus returns from licking his wounds.
Phillipus and Manalippe was comforting this brave woman. Amazingly she was still alive...barely. Phillipus was holding her. I held her hands and attempted to speak to her, but her language was unknown. I wanted to know this brave womans name. I held her hand towards me and stated my name and she smiled bravely and understood. She spoke her name. This brave and holy warrior was named Diana.
I was determined to give Diana the greatest honor a warrior could ever receive. Diana was the perfect example of what a warrior was to be. She gave her life for a people she did not know. She fought for the life of another. I personally designed her coat of arms. The pieces of her strange clothing giving me the idea of her standard. Strangely her coat of arms felt familiar to me. The red represented the blood she shed for the sisterhood. The white represented the purity and bravery of her soul. The blue and the stars represented the sky and the gods that resides within. I honored Diana above all others to wear the royal golden eagle of Themyscira upon her breast. We also created a great statue with her features to honor her in the Temple of Heroes.
I continued praying for my daughter. Every morning at dawn I prayed for her. During the day my yearning was strong...a maternal instinct that became stronger everyday. Year after year.
During the great celebration of our arrival here on Themyscira, our 30th Centennial, I felt a strange sensation as if I was being called. A calling that felt so much like, strangely, a child. It beckoned all during the day. The goddesses must surely have a hand in this. That evening I spoke to Manalippe to find out. The day had finally arrived. Manalippe spoke of my past life. The life I dreamt was a soul memory and the calling was from my own daughter.
I did as the goddesses instructed. At dawn I went to the shore and there I found a small clay pocket. Strange...never have clay ever been found on our shores. With that clay I formed a beautiful baby girl. My feelings raced with excitement but I steadied myself so that every detail of my daughter was perfect. I gave her my features and those of my beloved sister Antiope. Then I prayed and released my spirit. I felt my spirit join my daughters and I felt a strange contentment. Then suddenly I felt pain. A welcomed pain as if I was laboring for my child. I felt my daughter coming to life and her precious soul entered the clay body and I heard the most beautiful sound that warmed my soul...the cry of my precious daughter. I held her in my arms that entire morning. Softly touching her fingers and toes. Caressing her face. I could not stop the tears of joy flowing down my face. I thanked all the gods for this precious gift and I vowed to my daughter that, if ever need be, I would give my life to preserve hers. I honored my daughter with the name of our most honored hero...my beloved Diana.
Next: Daughter of the Amazons