A/N: Soo sorry for the wait, I wanted to update but life got on the way. But the new chapter is here! Thank you sooooo much for veryone who was followed and favoriuted, it really means so much. And to veryone who has reviewed as a Guest, I can't answer through PM so I'll do it now: thank you very much for your kind words! You are all incredible! Well, enough talking. Enjoy :)

The swords clashed against each other sending sparkles into the air. Antiope's sword met Diana's again, forcing my friend to step back. I watched them seated on a nearby fallen tree, observing every one of their movements. My sword was at my side, catching the sunlight with its blade.

My mother had started to train us again after the summer solstice. The training sessions became more complicated as we grew up, and we soon discovered that there was more to being a warrior than just knowing how to use a weapon. When Antiope considered we were ready, she made us fight against each other. I learned Diana's weakness and strengths, although I didn't always know how to use this knowledge. Sometimes, Antiope would fight one of us herself, the fight always ending with her as the winner. And that morning's fight wasn't likely to be any different.

Antiope was attacking with strikes and blows Diana could barely block with her own sword. Step by step, she was slowly retreating.

"You keep doubting yourself, Diana." said Antiope in disapproval.

"No, I don't" answered Diana, defiant as always.

"Yes, you do" insisted Antiope as she sent another blow in Diana's direction.

"No, I don't" repeated my friend.

Antiope didn't seem to like the answer, and she doubled her strikes. Diana was caught off guard and barely had time to protect herself. Her legs tangled under her and she fell on her back, hard. I immediately stood up and kneeled to Diana's side.

"I'm okay" she told me, her pride hurt.

"You must dig deeper or you will never find your inner power" said Antiope "you're stronger than you believe…"

An unmistakable voice interrupted her. Diana and I exchanged a panicked glance. We had finally been discovered.

"Diana!" the Queen yelled as she approached us, a tow of guards behind her.

I helped Diana get to her feet, and sent a worried glance in Antiope's direction. Her eyes met mine, her expression remaining calm. I calmed down a little, my mom looked like she knew what she was doing.

The Queen dismounted her horse, looking beyond furious, and approached us. Antiope met her halfway but Hippolyta had her eyes on her daughter.

"Are you hurt?" she asked.

"Mother, I'm fine" said Diana with her most sincere expression "I was just…"

"Training" finished the Queen as she turned to Antiope "It seems I am not the revered Queen I should be. Disobeyed, betrayed by my own sister…"

I thought her words where a little too hard. She must have known she couldn't keep Diana from training forever. My mother opened her mouth to say something, but Diana talked first.

"No, Mother. It was me. I asked her to…"

The Queen sighed and shook her head, silencing my friend. She turned to one of guards.

"Take her to the palace" she looked at Diana "off you go."

The guard, Aella I thought was her name, dismounted her horse and approached us. Diana reluctantly dropped her sword to the ground and followed the Amazon.

"Go with her" said Antiope. I nodded and gave her my sword. After that I ran to Diana, who was waiting for me.

We started walking, side by side, following Aella. When we were out of earshot, Diana started speaking.

"What do you think will happen now?" she whispered, trying to speak without Aella hearing us.

"I don't know" I whispered back "but I don't think they will stop us from training."

"They can try" Diana huffed.

I chuckled knowing she was right. Diana always got what she wanted, no matter what. She smiled at me and grabbed my hand, squeezing it. I brought our linked hand to my lips and kissed softly the back of her hand. She blushed, and leaned closer to kiss my hand. Now it was my turn to blush. I looked into her brown eyes as she stared at mine, and felt happy. I didn't realise we had stopped walking and were standing in the middle of the pathway until Aella cleared her throat politely.

I turned back to reality with a startle, my face bright red. Diana laughed, completely unfazed by the situation, and started to walk again pulling me with her. I followed her staring at the ground, uncapable of looking at Aella. I stayed in silence, too embarrassed to say anything. Diana seemed to not mind the silence, until she leaned towards me.

"Let's go to your house." she whispered.

"What?" I looked at her, confused.

"I don't want to go back to the palace." she explained "I feel like a caged animal in there."

"You do realise my house is smaller than the palace, right?" I joked.

Diana rolled her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh.

"You know what I mean."

"I do. But we can't just ignore your mother's orders" I stated.

"Why not?" Diana asked innocently.

I stared at her in disbelief.

"Maybe because she is the Queen?"

"She might be the Queen, but I am the Princess."

Diana flashed a wicked smile and winked at me. Before I could stop her from doing what she was thinking, she opened her mouth.

"Aella?"

The Amazon turned and stared at Diana with a curious glance.

"Yes, Princess?"

"I think I might prefer to go to Ariadne's house, if you don't mind" Diana said with her sweetest voice.

"Well, the Queen… she said…" Aella looked dubious, as if she didn't know how was she supposed to answer.

"My Mother won't mind" Diana assured her "Antiope is my aunt, it's fine if I stay at her house."

Aella bit her lip, clearly not knowing what to do. She didn't want to disobey her Queen, but Diana could be very convincing when she wanted to. The Amazon shifted her gaze between me and Diana. I stared into her eyes, trying to give her a reassuring smile.

Finally, Aella sighed and nodded.

"I'll escort both of you to the General's home" she said and started walking again.

As soon as she had her back on us, Diana looked at me with wide smile on her face.

"You can thank me later." she whispered.

"I hate you"

"No, you don't" she giggled and followed Aella.

I stared at her, and shook my head. That girl was unbelievable.


Contrary to what we both believed, the Queen not only didn't prohibit our training but also started encouraging it. Antiope's training sessions became harder, and bruises started covering my body. The weapons with which we fought were more dangerous, and we had to be careful if we didn't want to hurt each other.

But Diana always fought too recklessly and one day she brought her sword down on me too fast. I didn't have time to raise mine to block her blow, and I instinctively put my arm in front of me. The sword clashed against me, I could feel the blade against my scales, but there was no pain. I opened my eyes, which I had closed involuntarily, and stared at the scene before me. Diana was on her back, looking as shocked as me.

"Ariadne!"

My mom was by my side in a second. She carefully grabbed my right arm and searched it for any wound. But there weren't any. The greenish scales covering my arm up until the elbow and part of the back of my hand were intact. I stared at her, searching for answers in her eyes. But I could only find surprise and worriedness in them. And even a glint of fear. I had never seen my mother scared before.

"Again" she said with a serious tone "and next time be ready to defend yourself, Ariadne. A real enemy will never hesitate in hurting you."

I nodded and pretended her harsh tone didn't affect me. Diana scrambled to her feet and picked up her sword from the forest floor. I waited for her to be ready and then I attacked.

That night, I heard my mothers argue. I knew couples argued sometimes, but that argument seemed different. I didn't understand most of what they were saying, but I soon realised they were talking about me.

"I told you it was going to happen, but you didn't listen." Mena scoffed.

"Nothing has happened" answered Antiope with an annoyed tone "you're just overreacting."

"Why are you so afraid then?" asked Mena.

Her question was answered by silence. I heard someone sigh, and a hissed curse. I lied still in my bed, trying to hear anything that was happening downstairs. Soon enough, the silence broke again.

"I've seen it Antiope" said Mena, putting a strange emphasis in the word.

"I know" Antiope sounded tired.

"Then why are we even discussing this?"

"You know why"

Another sigh was heard.

"She might not be of my blood, but she is my daughter" Antiope continued "she is our daughter. The daughter of the General and the Lieutenant of the Amazons. She must know how to fight!"

My mother had been raising her voice as she was speaking, and she almost yelled the last words.

"You know what will happen if you continue training her!" snapped Mena back.

"She has to know how to defend herself!" Antiope was now yelling.

"She already knows how!" answered Mena in the same tone "for the love of the Gods Antiope, why don't you listen to yourself for a second? Have you forgotten who the Godkiller really is?!"

Her words left me confused. The Godkiller was a weapon, not a person.

"No, I haven't! But what am I supposed to do? I can't just stand there watching all you have seen come true! I have to help her in any way I can, and right now that means teaching her how to wield a sword!"

"Knowing how to wield a sword won't help her! The enemy waiting for her in the future is not the one you kill with a pointy end!"

"I know!" Antiope screamed. A loud thump was heard, as if someone had thrown something. I hid under the covers, my heart beating fast in my chest. It was the first time I heard my mom sounding so furious. A long silence fell upon the house.

"I know" my mom repeated. This time, her voice was merely a whisper "I just can't lose her. I can't."

Her voice broke at the last syllable.

"I know" Mena's voice was softer this time "I don't want to lose her either. And that's why you need to stop training her."

There was a silence again. I waited a few seconds for them to talk again. But instead, I heard someone climbing the stairs. I quickly closed my eyes pretending to be asleep. The soft steps approached my room and suddenly stopped in front of it. I tried to keep my breath even and laid as still as I could. The steps entered the room and then I felt a pair of lips against my forehead.

"Take care of her, will you?" I recognised Mena's voice. She must have been talking to Plato.

I waited for my mom to live the room and until I heard her room's door close I didn't open my eyes. My cat's green ones were staring back at me. I scratched him behind the ears, and he started purring.

"Come" I whispered as I lifted the bed covers.

He quickly went to lie beside me. I pulled him closer to my chest, his whiskers tickling my face. I softly kissed his fur and tried to relax. But after what I had just heard, sleep didn't come quickly to me.

When I went to have breakfast the next morning, I found Mena sitting in one of the wooden chairs. She was lost in her thoughts, but as she heard me her face lit up. She was about to speak, but I interrupted her.

"Where's mom?" I hesitantly asked.

She sighed and her smile disappeared.

"She left early" there was a pause "she had to train Diana."

I bit my lip, unsure whether to tell her or not that I had been eavesdropping last night. I finally decided to keep it a secret, at least until I had told Diana about it.

"I thought she was training me too?" I asked, pretending to be confused.

"Your mother and I have been speaking" she pointed to the chair in front of her and waited for me to seat down before continuing to speak. "an Amazon must know more than just how to wield a weapon. A true warrior cultivates not only her body, but also her mind."

She looked at me, making sure that I understood her words. She seemed pleased with my attention and was about to continue, but I interrupted her. Again.

"Will Diana have to cultivate her mind too?" I asked hopefully. If we weren't going to train together anymore, I wouldn't spend as much time with her as I used to. And I didn't particularly like the idea.

My mom sighed and shook her head.

"I know you two are young, and that right now it seems like nobody else matters more than her… But you should try to talk with other women. Some might surprise you."

I tilted my head, surprised by the change of subject, and made a face.

"Everyone sees me as a child. I don't think there are many possibilities for me to make… new friends."

Not that I wanted to. I was happy with Diana, I didn't need anyone else.

"Come, I want to show you something." Mena stood up, a mysterious smile on her lips, and walked to the door.

I stared at her in shock before following her. Apparently there was no breakfast that morning. My stomach grumbled in annoyance.

My mom took the pathway that lead to town, and I curiously imitated her. Where was she taking me? As we got closer to the small city, the number of Amazons we encountered grew. Every woman on the island was a warrior, but not all of them spent everyday on the training grounds. A lot of them had many other tasks to attend to, and they filled the streets with life.

My mom greeted every one of them, and in return they bowed respectfully to the Lieutenant. Even I had to admit she looked impressive, with her red cloak and her long spear.

Soon we arrived at the town's main square, and I discovered Mena's intentions. She led me to an imposing building and, although it wasn't the first time I had seen it, I couldn't help but marvel at its magnificence. It looked like a temple, and in a way it was. A temple dedicated to knowledge. It was fully covered in white marble and gold, a true masterpiece of Amazonian architecture. A stairway led to its enormous double doors, which were wide open in an inviting gesture. On either side of the staircase, the statues of Athena and Apollo kept watch over the women below.

I curiously followed my mother in, wondering what we were doing there. The silence immediately embraced us, and I could smell the unmistakable scent of old paper and dust in the air. Mena walked through the labyrinth of shelves filled with scrolls without doubting even one which turn to take. I quickly followed her, not wanting to get lost. I saw a few Amazons as we walked, some were reading scrolls while others seemed to be organising some of the shelves. None of them were speaking, respecting the library's silence.

As we went deeper into the library, the shelves started to disappear and long tables began to replace them. I had never seen that part of the library, and I stared in awe at everything that surrounded us. The Amazons there dedicated their attention not to scrolls as the ones I had seen just a seconds ago, but to a wide range of artistic activities. Some were painting, and I immediately envied their talent. The figures on their canvas looked so real that it seemed like they would start moving at any moment. Others were sculpting statues, or knitting beautiful tapestries. I was shocked, I didn't know there were so many Amazons filled with talent.

I suddenly stopped in my tracks when my eyes fell upon a particular statue. It was tall, and completely made by white marble. But what caught my attention was the fact that the figure wasn't female. It had a sharp chin, and muscled arms and legs. His chest was muscled too but in a strange way and it didn't have breasts. My brows furrowed in confusion. Then, the Amazon sculpting it took a step back to admire her work. Unintentionally, she did also give me a better way of the low part of the statue. And between its legs… wow, that was definitely new.

"Enjoying the view?" said a voice beside me, startling me.

I turned to find Penthesilea looking back at me, a smirk on her face.

I blushed and avoided eye contact, feeling like she had found me doing something I wasn't supposed to do. The situation probably seemed more awkward than it really was, but I had never really spoken to her. Actually, one of the few interactions we had was what I started calling "the flower incident". I really hoped she didn't remember seeing me talking to a lily.

I simply shrugged, not really knowing what to answer. She chuckled, and smiled brightly at me.

"I know what you are wondering, but I also know you won't ask me if you are right." she pointed at the sculpture and winked at me "So yes, that is what a man looks like."

I stared at her, surprised, and then turned my eyes back to the statue.

"Of course, they are not all good-looking. But some, well, they are hard not to look at." She smiled, but it was a sad one. I guessed there was something she wasn't telling me, but I kept quiet not wanting to pry on her private thoughts.

"There you are!"

I turned around and saw Mena walking at me while shaking her head.

"I've been looking for you." she looked at Penthasilea with a smile "but I see there was nothing to worry about."

"I'm sorry Mother, I got distracted." I apologised and blushed again.

Mena arched her brow in confusion. Penthasile pointed at the statue and gave her a meaningful look. My mother started laughing and I blushed even more.

"I see. Well, I should probably tell you why we are here before you got distracted again."

I suddenly snapped to attention, curious. Mena patted Penthasilea's arm softly and looked back at me.

"Remember what I told you before about cultivating your mind?"

I nodded.

"I asked Penthasilea if she could be your teacher and she accepted. What do you think?"

I involuntarily frowned, remembering the time when me and Diana had to go to school. I didn't have a lot of fond memories about it, except for when my friend and I would run away from our teachers. Penthesilea immediately realised I wasn't loving the idea.

"Your mother told me you like to paint, and I happen to know a few things about it. Would that interest you?"

I stared at her in surprise. Then I looked at my surroundings, and at the pieces of art the Amazon's were creating. A small smile started to stretch my lips.

"I think I would like that, very much in fact."

My mom looked really happy at my words and, strangely, she also seemed relieved. But I ignored it, too focused on imagining what would Penthesilea teach me.


"So, what do you think?" I asked.

Diana and I were lying on my bed side by side, our arms barely touching. I had just told her everything, and I felt extremely relieved after talking to her. I looked at her, waiting for her reply. She had a thoughtful gesture on her face, and a few seconds passed before she opened her mouth.

"I…I'm not sure" she turned her head to stare at me "it's just…I heard some palace guards talking a few days ago."

I sent her a questioning glance, not knowing what that had to do with what I had told her. She sighed and continued.

"At first I didn't understand what they were saying, but now that you've told me this…it makes a little more sense."

"What were they talking about?" I asked curiously.

"Something about Mena having a gift from the gods" she looked into my eyes "they said she could see."

I furrowed my brows but didn't interrupt her.

"After the gods died her gift was taken away from her. But" she made a pause to make sure I was listening "when you arrived at Themyschira she was able to see again."

"Are you saying my mom was blind before I got here?"

It was the most logical conclusion, but I didn't make a lot of sense.

"That's what I thought at first" Diana leaned toward me and started whispering "but then I asked Phillipus. Do you know what she told me?"

I shook my head, my eyes wide.

"Long before the Amazons arrived here, when they still walked among men, Mena was an Oracle. She could see the future, it was her mission to protect her sisters for what had to come. When the gods fell, she lost her sight. Everyone thought it was lost forever, until you arrived."

"My mom…can see the future?" I whispered in shock.

"Yes, and that's not all" Diana sounded impatient and she grasped my hands "lately, Menalippe has been visiting my mother quite frequently. She always looks worried and the last time I saw her…she was crying. I've tried to spy on them, but I haven't been able to. One thing I know: whatever our mothers have been talking about, it's bad."

I opened my mouth, but I couldn't speak. I involuntarily started trembling and clutched Diana's hands tightly.

"Are you saying, something bad is going to happen…to me?" I gulped.

"What? No!" she shook her head fervently and started drying my cheeks with her thumbs. I didn't realise I had started crying.

"Why not? It makes sense" I took in a shuddering breath "my mom saw that something bad was going to happen to me, that's why she had the argument with Antiope…"

"No!" Diana suddenly pushed me against her, embracing me tightly "nothing bad is going to happen to you. I won't let it."

My cheeks reddened at her words.

"But Diana…"

She pulled back and stared right at my eyes. Her glare was filled with the determination.

"What Mena saw was the return of Ares," she said with a serious tone "that's why she has been visiting my mother. Stopping the God of War is the duty of the Amazons. She had that argument with Antiope because she knows that, for us to defeat Ares we need your special power. That's why you have started a new training, to train your mind."

I stared at her dumbfounded, my minded full with too many questions. I would have thought she was joking in other circumstances, but she looked dead serious.

"What do you mean by us? And I don't have any special power, my body is just covered by scales. I don't think that would be very useful against a God."

Diana scuffed, clearly irritated by my lack of cooperation.

"By us I mean you, me and the Godkiller. Obviously" she seemed slightly offended by the question "and you do have a special gift! Stop denying it."

Ever since I had confessed to her that Antiope might have heard my thoughts while we were drowning, and that that was why she had come to our rescue, she was completely sure that I had special mind abilities. Which was absolutely ridiculous.

"I don't."

Diana groaned and rolled her eyes.

"Then how do you explain that sometimes you know what I'm thinking?"

"Diana, I've known you my entire life. Guessing someone's thoughts it's not that difficult."

"Okay then" she propped herself on her elbows "what am I thinking now?"

I sighed and pretended to think about it.

"I don't know. Are you thinking about Ares?"

"No" Diana said slightly annoyed "you didn't even try."

"Okay, okay."

I sighed and stared into her beautiful brown eyes. I tried to relax and just, open my mind, even though I considered it a waste of time. We stayed like this for a few seconds, until I decided I had proved my point. But when I was about to speak, I heard a soft murmur. It was as if someone was whispering into my ear, but the voice was too faint to understand what it was saying. Without being completely aware of it, I raised my hand and gently put it on Diana's temple. She stayed still, as if afraid of disturbing my concentration. I focused on the voice and it gradually became louder and louder until I could understand it.

I love you

The words sounded clear in my head and my breath hitched. I couldn't believe it.

I love you. I love you, Ariadne. I love you.

The whisper had become a song inside my mind and it brushed aside whatever doubts I still had.

"I love you too." I whispered, barely moving my lips.

Diana smiled brightly and bend down to kiss me softly. My hand was still on her temple and it slowly descended to cup her cheek. When she pulled away, a fierce determination shone on her eyes.

"You and me, we will go to Man's World and we will defeat Ares. He won't have a chance against us and men will finally be free from his influence."

I wished to be as sure as she was, but I wasn't. The fall of the Gods was just a story our moms read to us when we were young, it couldn't be real. Or could it? I couldn't deny that I had some kind of abilities, and apparently my mom did too. And Diana, she looked so beautiful and fierce, like a true Amazon. It was so difficult to not believe her.

"You know it will be dangerous." I warned.

"I don't mind, as long as we are together nothing will be impossible."

She kissed me again, this time more passionately, and I forgot what I was going to say. I tangled my fingers on her hair and enjoyed the feeling of her body pressed against mine.