I formally apalagice for the delay. It's been a rough eight months. My ten year old laptop and four year old Redmi Note 4 decided it was time to stop. Well the phone's still working, but it has a lotta lag, by the time the word app is open, I'll lose interest. Then, there's the thing about other authors not updating their fics which usually keeps me rooted to a universe...so will this end? Yes. In 4 months that is probably by late June or early July, I'll make enough dough to assemble a PC. So till then stuff's gonna be like this. This is sorta a filler chapter, but let me know your thoughts.
Chapter 4: Friendships and Bonds
The sudden attack on their city shook the Amazons but there was no signs of uncontrollable panic from them, after all the Queens did warn them to be extra prepared and even though this wasn't the true reason for that precautionary measure, it still benefited them in the end. However it did have one aggressive response. The senate and the people sought vengeance for their sisters who fell.
"My Queen there are widespread rumours in the city that we have lost the favour of Olympus." A senior senator placed her statement which seemed to have immediately been accepted by many.
There was a wave of murmuring from which another senator spoke. "It maybe because we are involving our affairs with the men's World more than we should." She looked to her peer as she awaited their agreement. "How else can the son of Zeus be directly involved or perhaps even attack on his own will in broad daylight?" There were more nods and murmurs.
Hypolyta and Antiope sat side by side on their thrones on the raised platform. Finally after the senate placed their verdicts on the matter, the second Queen stood up, silencing the room. "My most valued comrades." She began as she stepped down the three steps and stood infront of them. "We were attacked but we were prepared, weren't we?" She recieved a few nods. "Our mission on this world is to help humanity, show them our way. The way of peace and justice. Inorder for that to happen, we will go through war if need be." Many faces seemed to agree but there were still those who felt unconvinced.
"But what of Olympus? What of a seed of Zeus openly attacking us?" This question raised many more doubtful looks as they waited for an answer from Antiope.
"Antiope speaks truly but our sister's doubt on Olympus' stand on our cause is justifiable." Hypolyta stood up and continued. "The Gods have given us a sacred duty and they have offered us guidance throughout our existence, maybe directly or through some medium. But the message was always there. They ask us to bring peace among men and how will we accomplish this gargantuan task if we stay closed off from the world?" She smiled as she too stepped down. "Sisters, I maybe your Queen but you have the right to doubt my actions but tell me, is it not war we try to prevent? Bloodshed? Needless destruction? All of which will make Ares to stop from existing, so it is impossible to not cross him." That seemed to have quenched the doubt of the people and made those who still oppose, silent.
"We shall reassume our duties that were put to halt. The same must go for everyone in the city. We will live our lives but not in fear or panic but with pride, honor and love."
Meanwhile at the far end of the city...
The Kryptonian teen sat on the cliff facing the ocean, spinning the dagger he 'received' from the goddess. His mind somewhere lost in between his Earthly life, Mother Boxes and the Attack. He could hear the controlled breaths of the sentry a few hundred feet behind him. Themyscira has now stretched it's forces, where there were two guards now they had four and even the high cliffs that would prove a conventional army to climb difficult were guarded, because of the supernatural abilities of their enemies.
"Have you been slacking off, boy?" A small smile broke out on his face as he looked at the dark-skinned Amazon walking towards him. She had a smile, something very rare, considering her regimental and harsh lifestyle.
"Hello Philippus." He greeted her standing up. Over the years the two managed to find some common ground on which a beautiful friendship began. Almost similar to a child and mother one. But both agreed it would be a dishonor to call another his parent when his very life was saved by his family's sacrifice. A powerful sisterly love was all they could come up and they were happy.
Giving a short hug, Philippus' eyes went to the dagger he held. "That is one fine blade..." The Kryptonian looked down to it before extending it on his palm. The military veteran looked at it with astonishment that seemed to grow on each passing moment. "A very fine blade indeed, balnced, weightless, strong and sharp...I don't recall any but the Great Smith himself being able to make a masterpiece such as this."
Before he could answer, there was a 'ruff' from behind the Amazon and a friend his loyal companion jumped on to him, his tail wagging with excitement as he licked Kal-El all over his face. Krypto had grown a little bit more, but didn't stand out as a wolf anymore. His features slowly adjusted to that of an Earthly one. This however proved very useful for the Amazons as his appearance often made him getting overlooked by the enemy. Philippus was more than happy to take him with her and her sisters always found much solace due to his intelligence and extraordinary ability to find and neutralize the enemy, were they to sneak up on him.
Kal pulled his gaze back to the ebony woman as she spun the dagger around. "Your assumption is accurate. It is forged by Hephaestus, but how I came to possession is a less magnificent tale than the blade's history." Philippus looked at him with a raised brow. Krypto chose this moment to lay down and look over the cliff.
The Captain raised an eyebrow with curiosity before looking at the blade. "Now I insist on hearing your tale." She said with a bit of scepticism.
Kal only shrugged before recounting his day. "Goddess Artemis, she ambushed me. She was aware of my orgin. I assume she was testing my abilities. The arrows and knives disappeared, except for this one." Philippus twirled it one more time before handing the weapon back.
The look of amazement in her face morphed to that of caution. "Have you told the Queen?" These were after all matters that needed great attention to the Queen.
He shook his head slowly and said. "No, haven't told anyone at all. The attack happened right after that. And the senate wouldn't give me the opportunity for some privacy."
"A fair reason." Philippus nodded in understanding. "But it must come to her attention. Fret not for I shall deliver the news along with my report."
Kal gave a nod before smiling sheepishly. "Forgive me, I was too caught up in myself, I forgot to ask about your mission." He heard a whine from his canine companion which awfully sounded insulting.
"Nothing I would elaborate as glorious combat but the threats of savagery the patriarchal men show are repulsive...worst is the unchangeable attitude the women show." Her short explanation had a bitterness until they heard another whine from Krypto. This made the warrior laugh. "Of course my dear friend, you were always up and ready and protected us." With a head full of ego, the super canine wagged his tail.
The Kryptonian looked at his friend gobbling up the praise from the Amazon, then he looked at the blade for a few seconds before extending it to her. "I have no interest in such weapons and from my provision, it would waste away in my shelf. You might need it more."
"I cannot possibly-" She saw the look on the boy's face and sighed. "Sometimes, you are too stupid." There was a smile even as she tried to look scornful.
The sound of hooves brought the attention of the two towards the pathway.
Peering over the city walls Kal observed the scene unfolding beneath. Both the Queen's were standing side by side infront of a large well-built handsome man. His goodness stopped in his looks though, his sword was drawn out and there was an aura of challenge around him. Behind his position stood thousands of soldiers, all of their whispers and arousal known to the Kryptonian. He glanced over to Philippus who stood a step behind the Queen with an ice face. The men were chanting and throwing slurs at the Amazon's and from that he noted the challenger's name. Heracles or Hercules as some said, the halfbreed bastard of Zeus.
"This is your last chance to surrender without humiliation and bloodshed...well I have heard of the Amazons having sweet, virgin unbroken girls, so they will be the only exception." There was a large group of soldiers, howling and laughing for his comment.
"A warrior who seeks needless battle and death is not a warrior, but a puppet of Ares." There was a silence. And the Kryptonian knew the Queen has struck a nerve. This was evident from Heracles letting out a growl and falling into an offensive stance.
Kal-El looked down to his right to see Krypto standing on his hind legs while leaning on the wall to peer over to growl at the men assembled. He gave pat of reassurance. "Don't worry boy, the Queen is more than capable of dealing with enemies of such standards." Their attention were quickly drawn back to the Queen upon the sound of a clang. Heracles brought down his sword in a brutish manner. He was trying to scare the women with a show of primal dominance rather than employ his skill immediately. This one wasn't all brawn and no brain, Kal observed. The man, all though sprouting misogyny, was still taking the women seriously enough to understand her skill before actually fighting.
He remembered his father's friend, General Zod employing such tactics in a fight, although he was imprisoned for the coupe, comparing the Kryptonian to this man was low, after all Zod respected strength, be it man or women and had chosen a life of abstinence and celibacy for the sake of his people, but it was all null for the massacre he conducted in the name of a better Krypton. Blinking, he shifted his attention back to the fight that had began. From his view, it was clear the man was far stronger than Hypolyta. Each blow made the Queen use both hands on her sword to hold the strike or if it were to direct, she redirectedthe force. Even in skill, they seemed evenly matched, but Kal-El knew how Heracles would lose this fight. He was too arrogant, too confident.
The demigod made a calculated swipe at the Queen, but she slid on her knees, taking full advantage of the miniscule opening the man left and made a cut on his thigh, not deep enough to severe an artery but deep enough for his muscles to buckle and fall on his knees. And by the time he looked up, he knew it was over as he could feel the cold texture of the blade on his neck as the Queen had stopped from slashing his head off. There were gasps from the men and many charged wildly at the Queen, but the sound of shields, spears and swords being drawn in a highly defensive form from the Amazons on the other side made them halt momentarily to observe the women's army marching towards them.
"Enough!" The loud voice of Heracles himself stopped the would be blood bath. "I have lost, they have proven their point."
There was a loud cheer from the women beside him as the Queen withdrew her sword and came in front of the kneeling man who had a very confused face. Hypolyta sheathed her sword and untied the knot of her helmet before removing it and holding it under her arm. She extended her free hand to him. "I respect a warrior who knows when he is defeated and not want a bloodshed for pride."
After that confrontation, Heracles parted ways with the Queen in good terms. In fact, it was the first time he felt respect to a women. He had fought countless Queens who have taken arms against him, but none could ever match him. As his arm was almost out of sight from the walls of Themyscira, he gave a fleeting look back and was overjoyed to see the Queen standing there, looking back. He didn't know why but he reigned his horse to run ahead of his army to avoid anyone seeing his flustered state.
From the shadows of a small hut, Ares looked at the fleeing demigod with a smile. "This was very easy. He loses one battle with a bitch and he is sniffing her behind like a mutt. Oh, I'm not complaining at all...you just keep falling in love little brother. Your human heart will be my greatest success."
...
Back at Themyscira, Hypolyta was under a similar spell. It was the first time she had seen someone accepting defeat and mercy without falling for one's own ego and avoid shedding blood. Sure he was brash and sexist, but he was also honarable in battle, without using underhanded tricks to throw her off.
"This can't be good, can it?" Antiope looked over to Philippus who walked a step behind her.
She knew what the soldier meant, but asked any way. "Whatever may you be referring?"
"That." Philippus pointed at the somewhat unnoticeable giddy Hypolyta who walked ahead of them.
"Hmm..." The Second Queen did not comment immediately, rather looked over her shoulder to the other side where Kal-El walked. "Tell me Kal-El, what do you think of this whole day. As Amazons, we have a different sense of vision when it comes to such truces and compromises. You are an outsider altogether, why not give your thoughts."
Kal-El was quite surprised at the second Queen's question. But chose to answer anyway. "My logic prevents me from believing this is simply over. After all untill today, the demigod Heracles have shown little to no interest to us. I am very sceptical about how he reached ended up challenging a city that never had the intention of crossing paths with them." His calculating tone caught the two by surprise.
Antiope nodded in agreement. "That is a fair deduction, one we cannot rule out, but won't the people who have tried to raise conflict between us understand they have failed? That we are not going to war?"
"If it were that simple yes, but all this is very suspicious. Afterall we were attacked quite recently by Ares and now Heracles. Both affiliated to divinity. And if Ares himself was involved, he wouldn't rule out the chance of our Queen winning. He must have seen something else to bring down Themyscira."
The Second Queen pointed out with a sense of appreciation. "Your thoughts are greatly churning our minds. We are surprised we never thought of it that way. Heracles himself may not be plotting against us, but someone is using him even without his knowledge."
"But talking any of this to our Queen would be of no use at the moment." Philippus pointed out at Hypolyta who abruptly stopped to look out the large window and into the ocean.
"I concur." Antiope agreed.
"So do I." Kal-El swiftly voiced his own agreement.
Frowning, Antiope turned to her lieutenants. "We will have to be extra vigilant about the city's security." They nodded and quickly went to do that.
Five months went on without any out of ordinary attacks. Themyscira blossomed with trade and bustling new friends. One of them happened to be with Zeus' favourite son. The streets had merchants from as far as southeast Asia delivering spices and silk while a few Kingdoms around their city started sending their daughters to be trained by Amazons in becoming better diplomats and warriors. Kal-El chose this time to be more human rather than use his ability, this was rooted more from the feeling of self-consciousness from the new comers, his own involvement with the Queen had reduced drastically, only occasionally visiting to see his ship.
Hypolyta had become enamored with Heracles. They spent quite a lot of time thse days, something the boy was painfully aware of due to his gift. The demigod often came with one or two soldiers or his best friend and right hand man, Theseus. He was suspicious of the two, but neither have given any reason to consider them his enemies, except for the initial conflict all those months ago. And although he couldn't see the demigod with his mutant vision, his army was a different story. It was one of the reason Kal-El gave the man the benefit of doubt. It was sometimes at the other end of the land or far enough to be non-threatening. Whenever the army passed by near their city, Heracles wouldn't visit. It was a show of good faith to let the people know he didn't want to bring his military to their walls again.
Sighing, Kal-El walked through the forest path leading to the boarders of Arcadia. This was the first time he was leaving Themyscira for more than five days. Philippus raised her concern on him making such a long journey with the risk of people knowing who he was, especially when a Goddess had attacked him. But in the end he was allowed, and with Krypto to keep him company, he managed to cross week's worth of travel in a few days without stopping.
His reasons for journeying to a magical forest City was incredulous, boredom. This caused him to seek out the utopian paradise that outshines Themyscira. He wasn't sure what he expected there. Equality? Freedom? Peace? He was sure none of this would be available in one place, at least not the way it is supposed to be. As he crossed into the forest, he felt a sudden sense of blindness. Magic. It appeared to nullify his enhanced senses and made him rely solely on his aquired skill from Krypton and Themyscira.
"Hey there friend, are you headed to Arcadia as well?" Kal-El slightly jumped at the sudden intrusion. Looking back, he found an Auburn haired man with ocean blue eyes that simply outshined his own ones. The Kryptonian was sure, who ever this was, he was not a normal human. His eyes couldn't see any vitals, just golden light.
"That would be correct. Who are you?" Kal-El analysed the distance to be fair in case of things going down and looked at the man-ish being. Krypto seemed to be on a similar stance as he stood close with his senses focused on the new individual in his circle.
"Oh how rude of me, I am Melanion." The stranger addressed himself with a sheepish smile while giving a fleeting glance at the strange canine that seemed to be oddly quiet and staring.
The Kryptonian gave a nod. "I am Kal-El and this is Krypto." As he spoke, he noticed the satchel the man had. There was something inside that threw his senses further away from reality.
The stranger gave a nod. "Hmm, that's a strange name. I assume you are not of these lands..." Melanion recieved a negatory shake. "But I assume our destinations are similar, might be that our objectives are also similar?" There was a spark of concern that was almost missed by Kal-El in Melanion's eyes.
"It could be a possibility, I'm not the first to try this." Melanion's doubts were starting to solidify.
"So you are here for the princess' hand in marriage?" There was a bit of surprise on the Amazon boy's face, but Melanion didn't see it and continued. "You are far too young to die boy. Already hundreds of Greece's finest have perished, and they are not sparing youngsters either." The revelation surprised the Kryptonian.
"How do you intend to survive then?"
"By winning of course, and don't bother how I will do that."
"The thing inside the bag is going to help you, is it not?" Kal-El pointed at the satchel.
"Of course they- are not!" He stumbled. "They won't help! Why do you think there is something inside?!" The man was squirming all over the place, temporarily forgetting his earlier regard of the Kryptonian being only a boy, who by the way was already making a headstart. "H-hey wait!" The man yelled as he ran to catch up with the two.
After a few attempts on trying to dissuade the boy to abandon his journey, Melanion stopped from further words. His companions were clearly not ordinary people, he understood from the animal's attitude and the boy's composure. He was a warrior, or at least an apprentice, he deduced from the way he walked, breathed and talked. The question that plagued him was. Is he like me? Apart from that, the company was enjoyable even though it was quiet.
The quietness came to an end upon the melodic voices coming from the side of the forest path. Melanion was the first to comment on the melody. "Nymphs. We are in Pan's realm. Those are songs of great heroes of the past, sung in a language lost in time."
"Fascinating..." Kal-El murmured as his eyes fell upon a group of women with leaf and wines as hair, green skin and ample breasts that they flaunted in their full naked glory. Birds chirped in synch, perched on a small branch that extended from the hair of the nymphs.
"Ouch!" Melanion jumped as he felt two rows of razor sharp fangs clamp down on his feet, snapping him off his trance. It wasn't enough to draw blood, but enough to make red marks.
As the man cursed and glared at Krypto, Kal-El let out a chortle and spoke. "I think they had some effect on you."
With s sense of shame the man spoke. "Yes, adults are always spell bound by these beauties."
The trio soon entered a clearing that faced a castle that was partially covered by nature. Kal-El knew he had reached the outskirts of his destination. The place claimed to be Utopia by many. And in some sense, he acknowledged certain things. The air was vastly cleaner, he could feel animals at ever nook and corner, wild spirits roamed without harming the humans and no one picked a fight with them. He didn't waste time as he started to move towards the small settlement of this self-styled utopian paradise.
Laughter drew their attention to a couple of buxom ladies lying in the nude near a stream, enjoying a treat of exotic fruits. Their eyes fell on the two, but lingered on the boy rather than the well built adult in a short tunic. Nudity and minimal dresses were common to them, but seeing someone who was covered till their neck was new.
"Tell me Melanion, is lying around naked doing nothing is paradise?"
"Ye huh?" The dazed man slowly brought his attention back. "Oh uh, yea, spending time with people you like, enjoying a great treat, some wine and lazing around is almost everyone's dream."
"Hmm...from where I come from, being dutiful and productive is the greatest pleasure."
A community who loved working? Melanion asked him with scepticism. "Strange...where do you come from?"
"Themyscira." Kal-El answered as if he was answer just another town or city.
"The city of Amazons?!" He exclaimed with shock and disbelief. "The all women tribe?!"
"Well I am also living there and I am a male."
We'll your tale is fascinating boy but I have a hard time believing. Everyone knows the Amazons are gorgeous ladies who only have to enjoy their beauty while the Gods tend to their every need."
"Have you gone to Themyscira?"
"Well I haven't but every man-"
"Have you never heard about the vast array of battles they have fought with tyrant rulers and monsters?"
"Those must be exaggerated tales-"
"You believe the tales of beauty and list but not the ones of blood sweat and hardship. I find you a hypocrite, choosing to believe what you want when you clearly know them from rumours only. I pray you never bring that attitude of yours to Themyscira if you ever intend to visit because, I can assure you that your head will be stuck on pike for everyone to see." He didn't bother to wait for the man to recover from the shock and continued his stride forward. And from the looks of it, the ladies seemed to have figured Melanion got scolded by a child.
Exploring the city did ease the young Kryptonian. His eyes burned when the stranger he met on the road made claims on his people without even knowing them. Krypto's bark brought him to a stall where fruits were kept unattended, similar to all the things kept here. At first he didn't bother touching them, then waited for a someone to come and sell him the item but in the end, a naked woman informed him everything was free, including pleasure. He politely thanked her and left to taste the treats kept around. There were meats that tasted heavenly, fruits he had never seen and women who didn't seem to mind his age, although he accepted nothing from the last lot.
Soon he discovered himself at the city centre where a footrace was about to take place and he spotted his short-term travel companion standing along with other competitors. Asking around, he found his answer from one of the ladies. By this point his discomfort from the sensual nature these naked women talked were gone. He found out that who ever won the race against the princess of Arcadia, Atalanta, will receive her as theirs.
The next course of action he took may have jeopardized his status in Themyscira. He joined the race. Standing along with men of all ages and the princess herself at the centre. There were a few sneers and insults thrown his way and he even caught sight of the King and Princess give him a strange stare. As the horn blew, Kal-El launched himself ahead of the mortal men, and was surprised to see the princess ahead of him and Melanion beside him, of course he hasn't used his powers yet but wanted to make it look fair. The race was a mile long and he had plenty of time, by now the other competitors were nowhere near them and yet the princess seemed to be fine, not at all breaking a sweat. As half of their journey finished, he saw Melanion about to pull out something from the satchel and decided, he shall leave the scene before being fouled. The princess grew surprised when the boy who kept up with her whis past her and disappear from sight. But that was the least of her concern as she felt a strange desire for apples and felt one behind her.
Arriving at the finish line, Kal-El was greeted by looks of surprise and shocks. None expected the skinny boy who covered his body ridiculously to win. And in a matter of seconds he saw Atalanta herself, running towards the line, only to stop at the last moment and run back to grab something, giving Melanion time to come in the lead and steal the second victory in the race by a margin.
It didn't take long for the City to gather for the ceremony. And as Iasus brought his daughter to the boy who defeated her and the fifty other men, there was a wildfire of whispers. Some called it a foul, bug the King and his men stood to their word.
Atalanta was unsure. She expected to win but here she stood, about to be handed over like a broodmare. And to a boy no less. She glanced over to the one who defeated her, standing their, waiting for her with his white beast sitting obediently next to him.
"Kal-El, challenger and victor to my daughter's hand." King Iasus spoke as he looked at his subjects. The princess, although not happy with the present situation, did not hesitate to extend her arm to the boy.
Without any hesitation, the Kryptonian extended his own arm to take her slightly larger ones. He presented their entwined hands high and looked at the cheering crowd. His eyes fell on certain individuals who weren't even doing that, one being Melanion. Once the crowd stopped their cheering, he cleared his throat. "By my authority over Princess Atalanta of Arcadia's life, I give her my first and last order; to be free to chose herself on who she wants to spend her life and how she wants to spend it, to not be bound by the word of another in making a choice involving her life." This revelation stunned the people of Arcadia.
None more shocked than the princess herself. "You did not win to have me...you won for me. You knew I was only delaying... trying to save my freedom...and no man seemed to want to save me or didn't seem to have the strength to do so...but you...a son of the Amazons...you truly freed me." She was known to have the patronage of Artemis herself, to hunt the evil beast that threatened the realms, but here she was shedding tears of joy. "Tell me what is it that you desire! Name it!" She was free, neither her father nor any Gods could take away her freedom.
"The Amazons will fight for the rights of every being." He saw her about to protest. "But here, I ask you for your friendship and sisterhood with Themyscira." There were cheers ringing across the Kingdom as Atalanta raised her new friend's arm high proclaiming her undying loyalty to their camaraderie.
Someplace Away from Themyscira.
Heracles polished his sword gently, a small smile on his face as his hands did the task on autopilot. His mind, somewhere happy, in the bedchambers of his love. His heart beats were wild whenever his thoughts shifted to her gorgeous blue orbs that trapped him...drowned him. Everytime he left, a piece of him was sliced away and taken by her.
"Hello my dear brother. Getting cosy with the Queen I see." A voice he no doubt hated interrupted his beautiful escape.
"Ares..." Heracles growled as his hand slowly fell on to his sword. "What do you want?"
"I came to congratulate you. After all it isn't every day you see a son of Zeus do what you do. It takes courage." Ares genuinely clapped.
"For what?" Confused at the sincerity in the War God's voice, Heracles let down his guard momentarily, which was all the Ares needed.
"Why for being such an accepting loser of course." Ares grin widened at the look of shock and anger that overturned the younger man's face. "Hypolyta has defeated you and claimed you, the whole of you. Even in war your name is never used now, whereas earlier they used to pray and get inspired by you."
"Shut up War God! I know you have some nefarious intent!"
"Of course I do. To use whatever you have shown as your failure to insult you. I don't even have to involve Eris to cause strife to do that since you yourself have given away your dignity." The more Area spoke, the more Heracles began to lose his focus and didn't even realise the dark energy that seemed to be originating from Ares and getting absorbed by his body.
"I am the Champion of Zeus!" Heracles shouted but Ares was unfazed.
"Of course you are. That's why Hypolyta is continued to keep her position as the Queen inspite of scorning father's favourite mortal son. He knows she has you tied up and any threat against her will cause you harm."
"No one can harm me."
"Hmm...maybe no one has, but someone did indeed disarm you, brought you to your knees, humiliated you and now bed you like a whore claimed in battle."
XxxX
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