We spent much time doing nothing. Too much time. Ares grew more powerful with each battle and with each death. I tried to tell Steve that time was the enemy and Ares would destroy everything if the war did continue. I didn't think he believed the story of Ares, but at least he would speed it up if it meant ending the war. Then we met with those insufferable generals, willing to sacrifice innocent people and their own soldiers for a fake armistice. Ares would never allow the peace to stand. He would insight another conflict to grow more powerful. I'd had enough of all of it. I went to march to these "frontlines" myself and destroy Ares. Steve stopped me and used the lasso on himself to prove that we were still going to go to the fight to end this. He impressed me more by the hour. After gathering some of Steve's allies we made our way to the front.
It was worse than any nightmare I've ever had. Everyone was injured or dying or dead. Even the animals were not spared the cruelty of this war. Our path was through the most war-torn place. Countless battles fought and not a single advantage gained on either side. Until I took charge. Steve wanted to keep moving and let the battle continue, but I knew I could push through. I could shorten our path and save the town that was seized by the Germans.
The battle was exciting, all the Germans heavy weaponry focused on me. The red, blue, and gold of my armor drew their fire perfectly while Hephaestus' shield deflected it all. Steve and our allies made quick work of the entrenched enemy soldiers and moved with me to the town. The giant metal beast that Steve called a tank was no match for my strength as I tossed it onto its side. The last obstacle was a soldier perched in a tower. While it may have been difficult for the soldiers to take him out I simply leaped into the tower and destroyed the perch to remove the soldier. I was impressed by the height I jumped. Perhaps Hermes' gift of flight would be available to me as well. That would be useful in my confrontation with Ares.
We won the day and the town was free. The night that followed was magical as I got to experience my first snowfall and my first dance with a man. Steve had proven himself honorable and courageous in battle. I admit my curiosity got the better of me that night, but I don't regret a thing. I experienced my first kiss and later that night I laid with Steve. We put my earlier statement to him about a man's ability to pleasure a woman to the test and I've never been so glad to be wrong.
The following morning was not as pleasant since Steve's commanders had again urged us not to attack so the peace treaty would be signed. I would have no more of their cowardice. The fight on the previous day was intense and the signs of Ares' meddling were evident. I would not give up while being so close to the end.
We identified the German general who was responsible for the continued fighting on the German' behalf. The man Steve described had to be Ares. He refused the orders to stand down and continued to fight and kill his own people to ensure the war continued. He had to be Ares. I found my target. We decided to move toward his base and attack it at night so that there would be less soldiers killed. While we made camp, we heard artillery fire and it was headed toward the town we just saved. The gas they used killed everyone. Everyone we saved. Gone with the push of a button. The pull of a string. The fire of my anger would not be put out. I would take Ares' head for his treachery.
I sped toward Ares' camp and vaulted his metal gate. He was trapped and forced to battle me one on one. The battle was quick and in hindsight I should have known something was wrong. I bested the God of War in less than a minute. Even without his power he would be a skilled warrior. But he fell as quick as any soldier I had faced so far. By the time Steve caught up with me I noticed that the German soldiers were still preparing for war. Despite what I thought was Ares' death they continued being corrupt and preparing to unleash more of the gas they used on the town. My naivety was confirmed by Steve. Ares hasn't started this war, mankind did. They were fighting on their accord for their own reasons because they were capable of monstrosities all by themselves, without the war gods influence. I refused to believe it, refused to fight for such savages. But Steve would not wallow in pity with me. He had to stop it. Had to do something.
I felt lost, how could these people hate each other enough to kill so brutally and without honor. I heard a sound from where I killed the general, but it wasn't him. It was one of Steve's commanders, one of the biggest supporters of the armistice. He shouldn't have been there, it wouldn't have been possible of a mortal man. But he was no mortal, he was Ares the God of War. He had gathered more strength than the Gods had estimated and was simply stoking the fire of the conflict. I used the lasso to reveal his truth, but he used his power to show me something.
He showed me a better world full of peace and love. A world led by the two of us. If I would join him, we could rule everything. But I couldn't. My gifts weren't meant to be used that way. I was meant to help mankind, not to enforce my own will on everyone. The lasso showed me clearly what I was meant for. And I had not forgotten my anger. I struck Ares and broke his vision. He retaliated quickly by throwing me far away from him. The battle happened faster than even I could comprehend, I moved before my mind even registered it. Ares was not even close to being a mortal. He had to have been at full power. He urged me to reconsider, to forsake the humans and the gods and join him. "Never!" I screamed as we clashed again with the result being much more explosive.
My head was ringing, and my muscles screamed at me to stop. I'd never been so tired. Steve helped me up and started talking about something he had to do. I told him to let me do it, whatever it was I could do it. "I can save the day Diana, but you can save the world. I love you, I love you." Those were the last things he said to me that day before he jumped onto that plane. Ares continued our battle, he was trying to push me. Trying to get me to unleash my godkiller power. I was all but defeated, till I saw the plane explode killing Steve and destroying my heart. I didn't just feel anger, I felt pain. As if my heart had been ripped from my chest. I didn't get to tell him that I loved him.
My true power manifested itself then as I tore through the remaining soldiers and destroyed their base. Ares was so proud. He urged me to kill them all and take my place at his side. Told me that the humans would never be worthy of my love and they deserved to die. He was right, but it wasn't about what they deserved. It's about what I believed. And I believe in love.
My truth brought me peace but it only angered Ares further. If I didn't join him than I was going to die. He summoned all his power into a final blow, but it turned against him. I was made to channel the power of the gods and use it against them. A true godkiller. So, I channeled his final blast and ended him. A cathartic end to the madness of this adventure. The battle ended, and the remaining soldiers stopped fighting. A memorial was held for all the dead soldiers and innocents lost in the fighting. The joyous occasion afterwards that celebrated the peace was hollow for me as I had lost the man I loved. I would forever remember his sacrifice.