Themyscira - Plains Outside The Main Gate

The sun was bright, high above the city and plains. Casting its golden rays across the waves in the distance. Which roared quietly as they crashed against the cliff face that served as the city's Western edge. Above the cliff, a large, white wall encircled the city. With only two gates to serve as openings into the inner city. One was set to the North, while the other was positioned to the South. Where Grim and the thousands of Amazons now stood.

After Athena had decreed that Grim's presence on the island would be determined by their little contest, he had been swiftly removed from the throne room. Being escorted by spear point into a side hallway and down a winding staircase. Before eventually coming upon a dark hallway that led to the palace's prisoner cells. He was then forced into the closest cell before his escort turned on their heel and stomped away. Extinguishing the many torches as they left. Shrouding him in darkness and causing the temperature to plummet.

If he were any other human and not encased in MJOLNIR power armor, it's likely Grim would have frozen before morning. But as he was, Grim just simply stalked over to the darkest corner and fell asleep. But not before having Phoebe set his suit to alert him for any nearby threats.

When he awoke in the early hours of the morning, he was slightly surprised to find that the Amazons hadn't posted a guard. Or even come down to check on him during the night. As the hallway was still dark and the only movement that Phoebe had sensed last night were a few rats and mice skittering about. It slightly irritated his militaristic mind that the Amazons would leave him to his own devices without any sort of watch. He could have broken out of this cell a hundred times over and taken a private tour of the rest of the palace, and not one Amazon would have known.

It wasn't until about noon, based off the clock on his HUD, that a group of six Amazons came to retrieve him. All of them clad in the ornate armor that designated them as part of the royal guard. After that, it was a slow march back up the stairs, through the throne room, and into the city streets beyond.

When they had brought Grim in the previous night, the streets seemed to be a dull gray and very few of their sisters were milling about. But now, in the light of day, Grim could see that the buildings were pure white. With red roofs and golden stripes encircling them. The art style matched reconstructions of the Greek ruins back in his universe. It was strange to see them so preserved and clean now.

But, unfortunately for both him and Phoebe, he couldn't spend much time admiring the craftsmanship. Instead, all of his senses and scanners were focused on the crowd that had formed around and behind their little parade. It seemed that word had spread overnight about his arrival and all the women wanted to see what sort of man had crashed onto their shores. Needless to say, most if not all seemed to be surprised by his appearance. Sporting wide eyes and gaping mouths or narrowed eyes with a frown for those who were more actively hostile. Reminding Grim of the looks he'd receive from UNSC personnel when he occasionally wandered about in his armor on a ship.

Even the sounds matched. As everyone just stared at the seven foot, four inch tall tank that stalked through their streets. His footfalls even quieter than some of them in bare feet. It all pointing towards one conclusion. This was a predator, a weapon, and it had landed on their island.

"You know… Ares is just doing this to stir the pot and create more conflict, right?" Phoebe asked as her avatar appeared on his HUD and pulled him out of his musings.

Grim didn't grace that with a response. Instead, he spun his kukri in his right hand idly. Checking to make sure that it hadn't been tampered with. Satisfied that his blade was still unchanged, he spun it once more before sheathing it. He then sent a quick glance towards the Amazons lining the wall to his right. The entire top of the structure was covered in them. All eager to see him perish for their lady's amusement.

"That's what he was doing last night as well. He wanted to rile you up, so that you'd do something drastic. I think he wants you to be angry. He wants you to be seen as nothing more than a brute to them." Phoebe continued on.

Under his helmet, Grim grimaced.

"Ya, I'm not a fan of it either. But it unfortunately makes sense if you consider our universe's Greek mythology. Ares is the god of battle and brutality, not war like some of the old vids liked to preach. Funnily enough, Athena was considered to be the goddess of warfare, strategy, and wisdom." Phoebe explained.

"Yet, she accepted his proposal for a trial by combat." Grim pointed out.

"She did…didn't she." Phoebe answered back. Her voice trailing away.

"Sisters!" A loud voice called. Causing the world to descend into silence and Grim to look towards the top of the main gate.

There, the royal family all sat. Perched on some sort of platform that must have been put together last night or earlier in the day. It also had a large canopy set above it with long strands of thin, blue cloth acting as roof. Which slightly raised and lowered as the wind caught it.

The queen, and what must be her daughters, were all sitting upon some sort of ornate chairs. Large, and black with red cushions lining the seat and back. Each of the cushions also had some sort of pattern sewn in golden thread.

But these seats paled in comparison to the two chairs that sat beside one another at the center. They were large and appeared to be made of pine. With high seated backs and thick, purple cushions. Similar golden patterns also adorned their cushions. It seemed the Amazons knew not to piss off the gods. Even if one of them were Ares.

A twin flash of golden light then appeared in front of the two chairs as both Athena and Ares arrived. Causing the entirety of the Amazons to kneel and bow their heads to the gods. Which Ares seemed to scoff at as he immediately fell into his seat with a hidden smirk.

"I thank you all for gathering to see today's trail, sisters!" Athena continued on. Ignoring her brother. "As I'm sure you have all heard by now! We've had a man wind up on our shores! It does not matter how he came to be on our island, only that he has found his way onto our paradise!" She paused as she let that settle on the crowd.

"Under normal circumstances, such a transgression would be met with a swift end! However, as you can see, this man is unlike any you have seen before….. As such, Ares has offered up a opportunity! The man in front of you will partake in three rounds of combat, facing opponents chosen by me! Should he best my chosen champions, he shall be allowed to remain on the island and be granted access to certain resource sites for his use!" Athena explained.

However, a large, indignant cry emerged from the Amazons. Upset that their lady would accept such a proposal. For centuries, they have been isolated and peaceful. But now, their entire island was threatened by the presence of this man.

Athena allowed them to voice their protest. Waiting for the cries to quiet as the guards imposed order, or some of their sisters calmed them. "I understand this may not be a popular decision! But, I am confident that the man before you shall fall before the day's end! And in the meantime, study his movements! Learn all that you can about man's evolution! For, someday, you may be called to take up arms against them!" She finished. Before turning back and settling into her chair.

"A rousing speech dear sister." Ares deadpanned next to her as she sat.

She only gave the god a hum in return as she cast her gaze to the Spartan staring up at her from the green field below.

"You claim him to be a great warrior, yet all I see is a killer." She stated without breaking her gaze.

Ares chuckled, "His kind are all great warriors. But their war is unlike anything seen on this planet. I have full confidence that he will be able to handle anything you throw at him."

"Is that so?" Athena remarked with a raised eyebrow. "You do not know the challenges I plan to set before him."

Ares tilted his head towards his sister slightly as he continued to admire the warrior on the field below him. "He's a Spartan. They adapt faster than any other warrior I've ever seen. Further, the one before you has been isolated from his brothers and sisters for so long, that he's only ever had himself as backup. He'll carve his way through your little challenge." He said, sounding assured.

Athena frowned slightly as she waved her right arm across her body. Summoning the first of her challengers below.

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Diana had listened in on the gods' conversation and found herself wondering. What did Ares mean by the man before them had been isolated for years? Further, there were others like him, his brothers and sisters if Ares was to be believed. Did that mean someone would eventually come looking for the man below them? But these questions would have to wait, as it seemed the challenge was starting below them.

On the opposite side of the plain, five golden rings appeared. Sending out tiny sparks as they began to rise and fall. From these rings, five figures faded into being. All of them taller than the average Amazon, but still seemed to be dwarfed by the height of the Spartan. They were all covered in brown fur, except for their leader who was black. Their chests and shoulders were covered by black, metal chest guards and attached shoulder plates. Each of them had tiny designs inlaid on their chests with silver. Further, their forearms were covered in matching vambraces. In their hands, each of them held a large two-handed, double headed axe.

But the most startling aspect about them were their faces. Instead of having that of a man, they seemed to have a bull's. With matching long horns. The beasts' heads turned to examine the surrounding plains and wall, a quizzical expression on their faces. Up until they caught sight of the figure across from them. Who had yet to move.

"Minotaurs?" Hippolyta voiced questioningly from her place beside Athena.

"Hmm… One of the beasts can present a fair challenge to a team of your huntresses. I wish to see how the Spartan fairs against a small pack." Athena explained as she watched on.

Diana mentally snorted at that. Minotaurs were rarely seen on the island. Instead, they mainly kept to themselves in the small caves to the south. But when they were spotted, the huntresses were charged with hunting them down immediately. As their strength eclipsed that of their own. Stories spoke of sisters being torn in half when one of the beasts caught them.

Below them, the leader of the pack seemed to understand that the figure across from them was challenging them. But upon closer inspection, found it to be a simple man. Dressed in strange armor and taller than any he had seen before, but still, just a man. With a loud, amused snort he started to stalk forward. While his pack mates watched on amused.

Diana watched as the minotaur built up speed, holding its long axe in two hands and reared back to strike. Yet when she turned back to the Spartan, all she saw was a statue. She waited and watched as the beast approached. Before it abruptly stopped its charge a few feet away, allowing its momentum to carry it forward in a slide. As it unleashed its swing at the Spartan.

Then a blur of motion erupted from the man as he sidestepped the swing. The air was then filled with the sounds of metal denting and bones snapping as the Spartan struck. Two jabs, faster than Diana's mind could track, impacted the minotaur's right side. Surprising the beast as the momentum of its swing caused it to lean left. But that was the least of its problems.

Diana watched the third strike ring out. A left cross to the side of the creature's head. Causing a loud, gurgled scream to ring out. Diana saw the beast start to fall to its knees, as its hands came up to tear at its destroyed face. But its knees never touched the ground. As the Spartan had reached out and pulled the minotaur backwards by its horns. Settling the center of its back on his crouched knee. Causing another snap to ring out. But no scream. The cause of which was quickly apparent as Diana shifted her gaze.

She saw the Spartan's right elbow come down, hard, on the minotaur's neck. Bending it unnaturally and making the beast fall limp in his lap. He then shoved the body off of him and grabbed the axe the beast once carried before he stood once more.

All around her, the entirety of her people were silent. She imagined that all were sporting wide eyes like her and her sister. In all their years on the island, they had never seen anything move that fast. On the plains, the rest of the minotaur's pack was equally stunned. But they shook it away with a loud and angry roar. Before they charged forward in a loose formation.

In response, the Spartan rushed forward. Becoming a black blur to Diana's eyes. She watched as the two sides closed in on one another. Before the Spartan reappeared as he slowed. The first of the minotaurs approached and swung down in an overhead chop with its axe. But the Spartan simply danced around it with a spin. Before knocking it forward with a hard elbow to its back. The next minotaur tried to use the same move, only to have its axe batted away with the back of the Spartan's left hand. It then stumbled forward, completely off balance.

The next two weren't as fortunate as their comrades however. The one to the Spartan's left tried to cleave him from left shoulder to right hip. But the Spartan spun around them to its left. Only to pause mid-spin and swing his axe backwards without looking. Catching the other minotaur in his stomach and making it curl forward.

The Spartan then released his axe and jumped to his right as the third minotaur spun on its heel and tried to cleave him in two with a backhanded swipe. He then levelled a front teep the creature's chest, knocking it back a step before rushing forward. His right arm reached across his body, grabbing the handle of his axe from the curled up minotaur. He wretched it free in a spray of red and swung….hard. Completely cutting through the third minotaur like butter. Causing his two halves to fall away from one another. He then slowed his swipe and brought his left arm across to grip the axe handle in a two handed grip before he swung again. This time like a baseball player from his universe and driving the axe head into the fourth minotaur's skull. Killing it. He then released his hold and let the body fall away.

This left only two remaining minotaurs. One was hunched and angry, while the other was looking on warily.

The hunched one threw down its axe and charged. A loud war cry reverberating throughout the plains. The Spartan lowered himself. Taking a wider stance and spreading his arms. Then, when the beast tackled into him, he arched his back. Lifting the minotaur off of the ground and overhead. Before he slammed the beast into the earth. The Spartan landing above it and on its chest.

He then wasted no time, grabbing the beast's left horn as his right fist slammed into its face. Diana watched as his fist connected. Once, twice, three times. Before he reached across to the blade attached near his shoulder. With one clean motion, he freed the blade and cut a trench through the minotaur's neck.

All of this, however, allowed the final minotaur to close on the Spartan. Performing its own charge and tackling him away from the body. The Spartan landed on his back and immediately caught the first of the beast's punches. Using his forearms to deflect them harmlessly away. He then freed his right leg and kicked upwards into the minotaur's stomach. Sending it flying away and off of him.

He scrambled back to his feet in time to see the minotaur topple end over end onto the ground. He raced forward while flicking the blood off his knife and resheathing it. He crashed into the beast, who was hunched on his hands and knees, with his right knee. Snapping its head to the right. His hands then lashed out, grabbing a hold of the minotaur's horns.

Diana heard the loud crack as the Spartan pulled his right arm back and punched his left arm forward. Snapping the minotaur's neck and leaving it looking towards the sky, while its chest rested on the earth.

All around her, the world seemed to have paused. No one was speaking or moving. The air seemed still and even the waves had quieted. Up until Ares spoke.

"I do believe that was round one, sister."