Circe

It all started with what I was known for. Your mother surely told you of the time when I was once the wife of the Ruler of Colchis. She probably told you I killed him because he was weak. She only told you what the gods told her.

"Why did you reject the invitation?" Circe questioned. Her husband stared outside of his balcony window, overlooking the marketplace of Colchis.

"Colchis is my only priority," he responded. "They need me more than the gods."

"Was it the sorcerer? Did he threaten you?"

"He may have given me some generous advice. If I were to die in the tournament, Colchis would turn to chaos. Chaos begets destruction."

"You are strong. You shouldn't give up so easily. What do you think will happen if he wins?"

"We will be more than prepared for his forces. Colchis will remain—"

The king was interrupted as his head rolled off his shoulder. Circe held her blade to her right. The king's blood decorated the floors and the edge of her blade. As the remains of his body slump over, she drops her blade and raises her hands to her mouth. Her fingers were fidgeting along her cheeks as she looked around the room. The guards behind their door burst into their room and looked at the dead body of the king lying in front of Circe.

"My queen," one of them said as they rushed to her aid. He wraps his hands around her shoulders before seeing the blade beside her foot. Everyone stood frozen and silence took over the room. Circe's heart pounded faster as she saw the look on the guard's face.

At that moment, I was arrested, but there was no one to answer to as the king was dead and I was the only other person in a position high enough to make decisions for Colchis. So, they decided to sentence me into exile, with the permission of the gods. I was taken to this Island, Aeaea. They left me here alone, without food, clothes, shelter, people, nothing. I got used to it after a while. However, during my time I was able to find scrolls written in the text of ancient civilizations that taught me the secrets to using magic. I learned much such as Transmutation, Illusions, and even necromancy, though I've continuously failed at that one.

One day, I came across a shrine of the Goddess, Hecate. Much of the text I read spoke about her, but I had never actually seen her. She was a marvel. I worshipped her, like I had done no other god or goddess. I created more Shrines of her using the resources available to me on the island. I had created a true home for not only myself, but also for Hecate in hopes that she would one day visit me. My work was not in vain as she had appeared before me one night.

"What is your name child?" Hecate wondered.

"Circe, former Queen of Colchis. You're—"

"Hecate, yes." She looks around the island, noticing the many statues of herself surrounding the woman's home. "Big fan I see."

"Please," Circe falls to her knees, bowing before the woman, "teach me everything you know. I want to become a sorceress as great as you, my grace."

"If you will be willing to sell your soul over to me, I shall teach you everything I know. You will even be given immortality," she promised.

"Immortality? Would that include death?" she asked.

"You would live like an Amazon. Even, a goddess."

"A…goddess? I could never be on your level, my grace. I am nothing more than a mortal woman."

"I can make you more than that. All you have to do is accept my offer," Hecate stated as she reached out to Circe. Tears and some snot rolled down her face as she smiled widely. Circe connected her hands with the woman. She felt a piece of her drift away from her body and a piece of something else drift into it. She had felt lighter, but also more energetic and motivated.

"Praise you, Hecate!"

I had never been so amazed by the presence of such a woman before. Her beauty. Her presence. Her intellect. It was so much that I desired to take my own life as a sacrifice to her. The part of my soul that was given to her was but a grain of sand on a beach. I could not be more thankful.

By the time the next tournament came around, I was far more powerful than any of Earth's enemies. Even the Sorcerer was in awe by my power. Though, I can't tell if it was because of my strength or because I failed to follow the arbitrary rules of the gods and committed the taboo of using sorcery during my match. My enemy perished but was brought back to life by the gods before they declared a disqualification.

Your mother, however, fought the tournament the way they wanted. No powers. No sorcery. Just brute strength and courage. In another lifetime, I would be honored by her victories. She failed to defeat the champion and costed us a victory. But instead of being condemn, she was rewarded with MY title and MY amulet. Her and the Amazons were given the highest praise by the Olympians. On top of their victory in helping the Saurians escape the War of the Gods as well as assisting in the eradication of the Kreeyans, they gained favor beyond anything the other kingdoms and their inhabitants could ever imagine. I was casted away by everyone.

After losing my favor with the gods, I had become…lost. I had no motivation to learn any new spells. There was no point Afterall. This was what led me to making the Sirens.

"You mean the ones who would lead men to your Island? I noticed that the island was empty. Even now, no one else has come to the beach," Diana stated.

"Look around us. The Trees. The sea farers. The fowls in the sky. The small mammals roaming the island. Even the clothes of the undead whom appeared on your island. How do you think I was able to learn so much about Nubia's power—"

"Do not speak her name!" Diana shouted as she pulled harder on the lasso. Circe pulled just as hard before wrapping part of the rope around Diana's wrist. After a bit of tug-of-war, the two finally decided to make a temporary truce.

"If you're done—"

"I asked why you targeted my sister. My mother was the one who took the amulet after you, not her. If you no longer had a reason to fight for the gods anymore, why did you fight so hard for this amulet?"

"Hecate's Prophecy."

"Her prophecy?" Diana muttered.

Hecate found me in a deep state of depression many centuries later. She was frustrated with my inability to progress in my abilities. She knew I was slipping from her grasp. Her best student, ignoring her tasks when she would normally jump at every opportunity to work with her. She didn't look too well herself. The beauty I saw long ago was no longer there. She had become decrepit. She brought me to the light by reminding me of why I've slain my husband in the past. I couldn't give up. Not after coming so far. She gave me one final offer. I was to fulfill her Prophecy. "Kill Wonder Woman during the night of a full moon. With her blood we would be reborn, more powerful than ever before. Upon the death of witch and the birth of witch, Hecate, by name and choice, shall repossess her soul." Of course, I accepted the offer. She was a goddess after all. If I kill you, all her power will be mine, and all of you will be hers.

"So, it didn't matter who owned the amulet…"

"Just who owned the title. We never guessed that you would take the title that day. I realized it the moment you looked up at the moon. It was as if you saw a call to arms. The deed had been done, but I failed to fulfill the prophecy. And now, I can no longer fulfill Circe's prophecy."


End of Chapter 5

(Upcoming Finale—Wonder)