Chapter 83: Done For
It was hard to admit, but at that moment, Diana felt more vulnerable than she had in her entire life. Her own lasso rendering her powerless, her majestic armor stripped away, and having to relieve all her past failures to the point that her belief in her ability to protect the world all but shattered. To top it all off, her captor was offering a way to help her with her current plight. Despite what she was feeling, she wasn't ready to take the witch at her word. She turned away from Circe, releasing her grip on her chin.
"What kind of help could you give me?" Diana wondered.
Circe smirked as she got back up. "Well, for a start."
She snapped her fingers, causing the clamp around her neck to snap open and drop to the ground. Diana looked down in surprise before looking back up at Circe.
"Why?"
"Because… there is nothing you can do to escape my control."
She then pulled on the lasso, pulling Diana forward and forcing her to her feet. Circe tried to lead her down a nearby corridor, but she felt the lasso snag. She turned back, seeing Diana struggling to pull herself free. Circe almost scoffed at the sight.
"Are you… Are you trying to fight against me?"
"I won't…" Diana grimaced, trying to display confidence. "I won't be your prisoner anymore."
Circe chuckled in response. "Oh, you are. That is adorable. You actually think you can best me? Precious."
"You can't keep me bound forever. Sooner or later, your guard will drop, and when that happens-"
"My, aren't we presumptuous?" Circe remarked, slowly wrapping the lasso around her hand and pulling Diana in close. "As if you have a chance to escape my control," she finally pulled Diana in close, bringing her right up to her face.
Diana scowled in response, but Circe's look of smug domination remained undaunted.
"However… if you really want to prove otherwise… let's make a game out of it."
The lasso then glowed with energy. Instead of hurting Diana, however, it unwrapped itself from her, fully returning to Circe's hand.
"What kind of game are you playing, witch?" Diana demanded.
"It's quite simple," Circe replied, placing the lasso on her belt. "All you have to do is take this from me," she pats the lasso. "You manage to snatch it from me, and you're free to go. Fail…" A sinister smile graced her face. "And you're mine. Mine to play with, mine to dominate… mine to destroy."
A wave of uncertainty washed over Diana, but it seemed like her only chance to free herself. Reluctantly, she nodded in acceptance. The two began circling each other, waiting for the other to make the first move. Diana eyed the discarded chain on the ground, forming an idea as she worked to keep Circe distracted.
"I don't suppose you'd be so generous as to return my armor to me," Diana requested.
"Sweetheart, I'm being generous just to let you stretch your limbs. You should be grateful just for that. Besides," Circe flexed energy in her hand "You won't have need of it with what I have planned."
"So you…" Diana began to say before reaching the chain and grabbing hold of it. "Say!"
She tore the chain out of the ground and tossed it toward Circe, tearing up some of the ground in the process. Circe raised her hand, creating a shield of magic that destroyed the chain and the rubble as Diana charged forward. Before she could attack her, though, Circe vanished in a puff of purple smoke. Diana turned around, trying to find where she could've gone. Circe then reappeared behind her, firing a bolt of magic at her back, causing her to let out a cry of pain. She spun around to try and hit her, but she disappeared again.
"Honestly, princess," Circe mocked, appearing behind her again. "Is that really the best you can do?"
Diana then leaped up into the air and tried to bring a fist down on Circe, but the enchantress fired a beam of energy that knocked her out of the air and made her fall to the ground.
"Honestly, it's amazing you've lasted this long," the witch taunted.
Diana shook her head in pain before looking up and spying a nearby pillar. She got to her feet and grabbed hold of it, tearing it out of the ground, and tried swinging it at Circe. The enchantress, however, just raised her hand as the pillar made contact, transforming it into a gaseous form. She takes a whiff, delighting in the scent.
"Mmm… roses."
Enraged, Diana darted forward and slammed her bracelets together, creating a surge of energy that seemed to strike at Circe and destroy a large section of the room. It also kicked up a dust cloud, forcing Diana to shield her eyes as it washed over her. Finally, the dust cleared, allowing Diana to uncover her eyes and search around for any sign of Circe. She looked around amidst the wreckage but found no sign of her. However, she did find her discarded lasso amidst the rubble. Content with that, Diana went over and knelt down to pick it up. She took hold of it, ready to depart from such a horrid place. However, before she could do anything, the lasso vanished from her hand, as if it had never been there to begin with.
"What?" she let out in shock.
At that moment, the real lasso wrapped around her neck, going tight around her throat, choking her as a result. She grabbed hold of the rope, trying to pull it off to no avail. She was barely able to turn around to see Circe holding the lasso.
"I win," she said plainly, charging the lasso with her energy.
The second the energy hit her, she cried out in pain, her powers having dissipated the second the lasso trapped her again. The burning pain coursed through her entire body before it finally dissipated, causing her to drop to her knees as Circe approached, chuckling to herself.
"Now that's a fitting sight," she commented. "Why wear flashy armor…" She pulled up on the lasso, causing Diana's breath to be constricted. "When all you need is a golden noose around that pretty neck."
Diana grunted in pain, clearly trying to breathe as Circe wrapped the lasso around her hand to increase the pull.
"I know this all must be tough for you, being defeated and humiliated like this," Circe commented in her usual mocking tone. "But you can't really deny it's not unwarranted, can you? That on some level, you had this coming?" The lasso began to glow again. "Do you honestly believe on some level you feel that you deserve the treatment you're getting tonight.
Diana tried to fight against the lasso, but once again she was forced to answer.
"... yes."
Circe smiled maliciously before releasing her grip, causing her to drop to the ground once more.
"See? That wasn't so hard," she then kneeled so she could meet Diana eye to eye as she picked herself up. "Aww, don't be like that. Like you, I'm just trying to see justice done." As she was taunting her, she used her magic to wrap part of the lasso around her wrists, ensuring they were secured tightly. "And fortunately for you, this exercise in due punishment is almost over."
…
Not too far away, Batman, Artemis, and Donna continued rowing in hopes of reaching Circe's Island. With the Amazons' elevated strength at the oars, they were able to make good time. Batman took a look through his binoculars, seeing the shore of the island approaching fast.
"We're almost there," Batman informed. "A few more minutes, and we should be at the shoreline."
"Just let me know when we're close enough to swim," Artemis commented. "If she's hurt Diana in any way, I'm going to have Circe's head on a spike."
"Just be sure to save some for me," Donna added. "I hate to imagine Diana suffering at her hands. She doesn't deserve to have her essence torn from her like this. It's unjust, it-" her grip on the oar tightened, causing it to crack.
The act didn't go unnoticed by Donna's fellow passengers. She loosened her grip in response.
"Sorry…"
"Diana means a lot to you, doesn't she?" Batman noted.
"To all our Amazon sisters."
"But it's different for you."
Donna paused for a moment. She then let out a sigh of resentment for speaking.
"I was… not born an Amazon. I came from Man's World and… suffered through a lot before washing up on Themyscira's shores when I was younger," Batman listened intently as Donna continued. "Diana was always supportive of me when I first arrived. She knew what it was like to be the only child on the island. Once I came to be the age I am now, Diana went out into the world. Stories of her exploits circulated to Themyscira. They were… inspiring." Donna's face then became determined. "Diana's done so much good for this world. She doesn't deserve to be punished like this."
"Fortunately, she won't be for long," Batman reassured, unaware of something bubbling below the surface of the water.
Just then, something shot out of the water, near them, rocking the boat and its passengers inside. They all looked up to see a massive sea serpent jetting out of the water. It towered over the three of them, letting out a massive roar.
"A sea monster?" Donna let out in astonishment.
"No doubt another one of Circe's creations," Artemis reasoned.
The sea serpent lunged at the boat, prompting its passengers to bail out of the boat before the strike could connect, shattering it into pieces. They all fell beneath the water as a result, quickly surfacing as a result.
"Where is it?" Batman asked, searching around for the creature.
The two Amazons did the same before Artemis caught sight of something moving under the water.
"There!" she called out, drawing her blade. "I'll hold it off!"
"What?" Donna repeated.
"We can't afford to wait! You two go and rescue Diana! I'll hold off the creature!"
"Don't hurt it too badly," Batman told her. "No doubt, it's another one of Circe's victims."
"I'll try to be gentle," Artemis replied, diving into the water.
Batman then pulled out a device from his belt, allowing it to inflate into a small raft.
"Climb on," he instructed, turning to Donna.
She took hold of the raft and the two began kicking toward shore.
Meanwhile, Artemis swam toward the sea serpent as it tried biting down on her. She swung her blade at the serpent, knocking it back as a result. She felt confident as she swam toward it again. The serpent was prepared, however, as it whipped its tail at Artemis, knocking her back and causing her to drop her sword. She barely had a moment to recover as the serpent charged at her again, trying to bite down on her once more. She quickly reacted, though, swimming forward just as the serpent opened its mouth. She planted herself on the serpent's jaw, forcing it open as it jetted up toward the surface, trying to shake her off.
"Come now, creature!" Artemis boasted. "Is this truly the best you can do?!"
The creature continued shaking its head before finally throwing Artemis out of its mouth. She skipped across the water before finally falling below. After a few moments, she finally resurfaced, looking right up at the creature.
"Come, monster! I still hunger for battle!"
The sea serpent roared before charging at her once more, as intent on finishing the battle as she was.
…
Back in the palace, Circe led the recaptured Diana through a long corridor. Diana said nothing as she was led to what she assumed would be her next round of humiliation. She felt like a mix of a prisoner and a collared animal, with her current state of undress only exacerbating those feelings. The only thing that prevented it from being worse was that Circe was the only one present for said humiliation, save for the numerous animals she noted roaming the palace.
There was a wide variety, from pigs and boars roaming the halls to rodents scurrying past her feet, birds resting on various perches along the way, and a glance out the window showed that even wolves, panthers, and lions were prowling the grounds.
"So many…" Diana whispered, her pace slowing a bit.
She suddenly felt a tug on the lasso as she was pulled forward by Circe.
"Now now, mustn't dally," She replied mockingly. "Haven't got all day."
Diana reluctantly complied as she followed where Circe was leading.
"The creatures… are they…"
"Just a few unwanted visitors who ventured too close to my domain," Circe answered as a bird flew down onto her shoulder, prompting her to give it a pet. "They now serve as my loyal pets. And they keep watch for other potential nuisances."
Diana turned away in disgust. "Is this to me by fate as well?"
Circe laughed in response, causing the bird to fly away. "Oh, wouldn't that be something. The great 'Wonder Woman' turned into a pig." She kept laughing as she pulled Diana toward a large set of double doors. "But fortunately for you, no. I have much… bigger plans."
She snapped her fingers, causing the doors to open up. Diana was in awe at the number of shelves containing not only books, but bottles of various sizes carrying a variety of colored potions. At the back of the room, drawing most of her attention, was a massive black cauldron that stood on an elevated platform, overlooking the rest of the room. Diana didn't have time to dwell on it long before she was yanked forward by Circe once more. This time, it was hard enough to make her fall to the ground. Circe walked past her as she stepped onto the platform to approach the cauldron, using her magic to pull a spell book off the shelf before beginning to flip through it.
Diana, meanwhile, tried to pick herself up, but before she could the lasso was enchanted with Circe's magic once again pulling itself and Diana into the air. The lasso wrapped itself around a beam on the ceiling as Diana was left hanging by her wrists and neck. She tried pulling on the lasso to allow her some ability to breathe as she looked down at Circe.
"Comfortable up there?" She asked in her usual condescending tone. "No? Good. Cause the show is about to begin."
…
Around the same time, Batman and Donna finally arrived on the shores of the island.
"At last," Donna proclaimed. "Now, which way to Circe's palace?"
"Not sure," Batman admitted. "But keep an eye out for the local wildlife. The more there are, the closer we are to Circe."
Batman pulled out a grapnel and fired it at a nearby tree branch, allowing him to zip upward to get a better vantage point. Donna wasted no time running after him, hoping to keep pace with him as they searched along the island. Up in the trees, Batman kept moving higher and higher, trying to get a vantage point to find Circe's palace. Once at the top of one tree, he used his binoculars to scan around for any signs of habitation on the island. As he continued looking, he spotted several flocks of birds flying toward a specific point on the island.
"Bingo," He let out, dropping down to the ground as Donna ran up. "Several birds are heading due west. That must be the direction of Circe's palace."
"Makes sense she'd have her pets close by," Donna reasoned. "Come on!"
She took off running in that direction, with Batman following close behind. As they ran, he could sense the frustration radiating off her.
"... We'll save her, Donna."
"I know… I just…" She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them with determination. "Diana wasn't doing well before all this started. I fear Circe will prey on that while Diana's her prisoner…"
Her brow furrowed in response, as Batman looked on, contemplating himself.
"Some people will use any means necessary to tear down those they see as beneath them. To break them, belittle them, whatever it takes to assume power… or to prove a point."
Donna shuddered in response. "Could anyone be so cruel?"
"... You'd be surprised at the monsters this world can create…" Batman responded, an all too familiar cackling echoing in the back of his mind.
Donna noted his intensity, but kept silent as they kept running.
The two made it through the treeline, trekking up a hill before coming to a stop and spying an ornate temple like Hermes had described.
"There it is," Donna let out. "Come on, we have to hurry before-"
Before she could move, Batman noted a shadow looming over her from behind, prompting Batman to leap forward and push her out of the way before a large scorpion tail struck her. The two tumbled down the hill before coming to a stop. They both looked up to see the scorpion's tail pull back as the creature attached to it stepped out of the shadows. Both of them became shocked as they got up.
"A Manticore," Donna fumed. "We don't have time for this."
Just then, a low growling caused Batman to turn around, seeing several wolves surrounding them. Also joined by a lion and panther as they stared the two of them down.
"And it gets worse," Batman remarked, pulling out a batarang as Donna readied her spear.
…
Back with Circe, she summoned several potions over to the cauldron and began pouring them in one after another.
"I suppose you're wondering where I acquired this spell," Circe mused as she continued working. "It was a gift… from Hecate."
That got Diana's attention. "The goddess of magic…"
"Ah, so you are familiar with her. I came to know Hecate quite well," Circe turned to Diana as she continued her tale. "I came to this island when I lost everything. My family, my home, at the hands of those who despised me. I pleaded for vengeance… and Hecate answered. She imbued me with immortality, eternal youth and beauty, as if that weren't obvious," She gestured to herself. "And most importantly, my magical gift. And it's through this gift I learned the greatest power in this world… control," she clenched her fist to prove her point. "The strength of one asserting their will over another. And soon," She grabbed another vial and poured it into the cauldron. "That strength will be increased tenfold. Once I add the might… of the God Killer."
That caused Diana to freeze up. Circe took note of this as she walked over to her, floating in the air so they were eye to eye.
"Oh, don't act so surprised. You knew something like this would happen. Besides, this works out perfectly for you. With your powers gone, you'll be free of the burden of the destruction you've caused. No more murders, no more ruining lives, no more pain. Doesn't that sound nice?"
Diana just stared at Circe, her face seemingly neutral for a moment. Eventually, she turned away in shame, causing Circe to smile in delight.
"That's what I thought," Circe mused, using her magic to summon a dagger into her hand.
She held it up to Diana, playfully holding it up to her throat while grabbing her by the neck. Diana grimaced, waiting for the strike to come. Circe didn't strike right away, though, moving the knife so it was brushing against her cheek. She then sliced her cheek, causing her to wince in pain as Circe released her. She floated back down to the ground, looking at the bloody knife as she approached.
"A simple drop of blood," she mused, holding the dagger over the cauldron as a drop of blood fell in.
It combined with the concoction, causing it to bubble over and surge with mystic energy. Diana watched from her confinement as the concoction continued bubbling and festering. She could only wonder what kind of brew Circe was concocting. Finally, a beam of energy shot out, shooting upward and hitting a gem that was attached to the ceiling. The gem surged with energy before a beam shot out, hitting Diana straight on. She cried out in agony, the pain was beyond anything she had experienced before as she felt her very lifeforce was being pulled out of her. The gem then surged again as a second beam shot out, hitting Circe. Instead of pain, like Diana, she felt energized and invigorated. Like she was being charged with raw energy. She looked down at her hands, seeing the electricity surge through her fingers and cackling in pure delight.
…
Back with Donna and Batman, the two found themselves fighting off their animal assailants. Batman threw his batarang at one of the wolves, knocking it to the ground as a second one leaped at him. Batman grabbed the wolf and threw it aside. He barely had a chance to respond before the panther leaped forward and tackled him to the ground. The panther tried to bite at him, but Batman moved his head in time just before kicking the panther off of him and flipping back to his feet.
Donna, meanwhile, stared down the Chimera as it snarled at her. It lunged at her, prompting her to spin her spear around and strike it in the neck, causing it to stagger back. She ran forward, leaping up and kicking the creature in the face before dropping to the ground and swinging the blade at its feet. It howled in pain before staggering back, allowing her to swat it with the blunt end again.
"This is taking too long," She commented, spinning her weapon. "Diana needs us, now!"
The lion came running up from behind, only for Batman's line to wrap around its neck, allowing Batman to pull it to the ground as Donna turned to him.
"Go!" Batman told her. "Get to Diana, I'll handle things here!"
"What about you?"
"Just go!"
Donna was reluctant, but she complied, running off to get to Diana in time. Batman, meanwhile, turned toward the remaining animals, including the Manticore. Batman just made a come at me motion, prompting the animals to charge at him in full force.
…
Eventually, Donna managed to reach the palace. She quickly took out and consumed the Moly Root, preparing herself before running up and kicking open the doors as she ran inside.
"Diana!" she called out, seeing that no one was there.
She noted that she was in a throne room, which had severe damage done to it, as if a battle had taken place here.
"Diana… I pray you were victorious."
At that moment, Diana's screams of agony rang out, causing Donna's blood to run cold.
"No…"
She instantly took off, fearful of what she would find. She ran down the corridor as fast as she could, racing toward an open door at the end. She reached the door and entered it, horrified by what she saw. Diana was strung up by her own lasso, being hit with mystic energy that was also transferring into Circe, much to the witch's delight. Diana's screams of pain rang out, making Donna shudder in horror. She turned toward Circe, quickly becoming sickened by her obvious delight in Diana's pain, even laughing at her suffering. Acting on instinct, Donna's brow furrowed as she charged forward.
"Leave her alone!" She cried out, getting Circe's attention.
"What on-"
Before Circe could fully react, Donna rammed right into her, knocking her aside as the beam of energy struck her instead. She was overtaken by the energy, feeling very strange as a result. After a few moments, the energy died out, causing Diana's body to go limp. Donna looked down at her hands, seeing small trickles of electricity on her bracelets.
"What in the world…"
Just then, a beam of energy hit her in the side, sending her flying into a nearby bookcase. She crashed into it hard before falling to the ground, barely managing to look up and see Circe staring her down, her face laced with fury.
"You stupid girl! You dare to strike me? Circe? The most powerful sorceress to ever-"
Before she could finish, Donna had instinctively grabbed the bookcase she had been knocked into and thrown it at Circe. It hit her head on, sending both crashing into the wall. Donna didn't waste a word on her, instead rushing over to Diana, leaping up, and untying the lasso from her neck and wrists. Once she was free, Donna carefully carried her down, placing her gently on the ground. She put an ear to her chest, checking to see if there was a heartbeat. Luckily for her, she managed to find one, though it was faint.
"Thank the gods, you're alive," Donna let out, unaware of Circe vanishing from under the bookshelf. "Oh, Diana, what did she do to you?"
"Who, me?"
Donna perked up at that, turning to see a puff of smoke in the air, and Circe emerging from it.
"All I did was help her take her true form."
"You nearly killed her!" Donnie cried out, gesturing to Diana's prone form.
Circe gave her a brief glance over. "Huh. Tougher than she looks. Oh well."
Circe then fired a blast at Donna, prompting her to leap out of the way, barely dodging it before rolling onto the ground and grabbing her spear. She threw it at Circe, who caught it with her magic with a smile. She then sent it back toward Donna, turning it into a snake at the same time. Reacting fast, Donna held up one of her bracelets so that the snake would bite on it instead of her. She then grabbed the snake and tossed it aside in a panic.
"That trick always went over big in Egypt," Circe mused. "And now… for your finale."
She fired a blast toward Donna, prompting her to leap into the air while holding her bracelets up to block the blast. It pushed her back into the air, where she surprisingly stayed in place while holding the energy back. All of a sudden, she forced her arms out, sending the energy doubling back at Circe and sending her flying in the opposite direction. Donna was shocked by her actions, looking down at her bracelets in surprise. As she did, though, she was also surprised to see she was floating in the air. Her eyes went wide at the sight. As Circe picked herself up, she was shocked at the sight as well.
"How did-" Circe stopped for a moment, realizing what had happened. "When you interrupted the spell… You absorbed the last of the power…" She suddenly became enraged as she rose into the air high above her. "That power is mine! All of it!"
Donna's face became that of determination. "Come and get it."
Furious, Circe's hands surged with energy before charging at Donna head-on.
…
Back outside, Batman had incapacitated most of the animals that had attacked him, resulting in tears in his suit and cape. All that was left was the Manticore, which was staring down the Dark Knight with intent to kill. The creature then swiped at Batman, causing him to dodge before rushing up and striking it in the throat. It staggered back as Batman ran forward, pulling out a bat bola and throwing it at the legs. They wrapped around the legs, but the Manticore was able to snap them into pieces as it walked forward. Batman slowly backed away as the creature prepared to pounce. It leaped forward, prompting Batman to jump to the side before firing a grappling line at the creature's neck.
It zipped him forward, allowing him to climb onto the creature's back. The Manticore bucked back and forth as it tried to throw Batman off. Seeing that this was going nowhere, Batman pulled out some gas pellets from his belt before launching himself off the Manticore. He chucked the pellets to the ground in front of the Manticore, releasing a gas that began affecting the Manticore. Batman landed on the ground as the Manticore turned toward him. It lumbered toward the Caped Crusader, clearly feeling drowsy as it approached, slowly dropping to the ground as the gas took its toll.
"Even a mythological animal needs to breathe," Batman remarked as the Manticore fell asleep. "Sleep it off."
Once he was sure the creature was out, Batman took off toward the palace, hoping to reach Diana in time.
…
Meanwhile, Artemis continued to struggle against the sea serpent. She was forced to grab onto its back as she was thrashed around and tossed into the water repeatedly. As the two descended back into the water, Artemis noted they were headed toward the wreckage of one of the sunken ships that had ventured too close to the island. She spotted a rope hanging on one of the masts and reached out a hand to grab it. She quickly tore it off, throwing it around the serpent's mouth and pulling on it hard as they breached the surface once more.
"Ho, monster! Carry me to land that I may smite the witch!"
She pulled on the rope, directing it toward the island with the intent of catching up to the others.
…
Back in the palace, Donna was tossed through a wall, cratering into another. She shook her head as Circe fired an electric blast, prompting her to fly out of the way before dashing forward, socking her across the face. Circe sailed through the air before backflipping and landing on the ground, skidding to a stop. She then started firing blasts of energy at her, which Donna deflected with her bracelets. She fended off each blast that came her way, slowly inching her way over to Circe. As she came in close however, Circe enchanted the ground beneath her, causing it to jet up and strike her in the stomach and causing her to stagger back.
Circe took advantage of her disorientation and blasted Donna head-on, knocking her to the ground.
"Well, look at you," she replied mockingly as Donna tried to get back up. "You're like a mini Wonder Woman. Or, in your case, more like Wonder Girl."
She then grabbed Donna by the hair and slammed her head into the wall, cratering it.
"It'd be charming if it weren't so pathetic."
In response, Donna shoved herself off the wall so both of them would land on the ground. Donna quickly responded by elbowing Circe in the stomach. Circe grunted in pain as Donna got back up and took hold of her, punching her across the face and sending her crashing into the throne room.
"I'll show you pathetic, witch!" Donna challenged.
Circe just scowled at her, raising her glowing hand and causing chains to shoot down from the ceiling. They wrapped around her arms, trying to pull her off the ground. She struggled against it, though, not wanting to be captured. She pulled with all her might, crying out in fury as she tore the chains from the ceiling, causing them to spill out on the ground. Circe was impressed before sporting her usual confident grin.
"Alright… I'll play."
She raised a hand, causing a staff to appear out of thin air, which she charged with the God Killer energy. She gave it a confident spin, seemingly taunting Donna to attack her. She gripped the chains, cracking them like whips at Circe, who swatted them away with her staff. Donna kept repeating the motion as she snapped her chains at Circe repeatedly. Circe, meanwhile, kept deflecting and swatting away the chains with her staff, each blow striking with energy. With one strike, Circe caught the chain on her staff, wrapping it around the staff before pulling on it hard. As she got close, Circe struck her across the face, the energy sparking off it was enough to knock her to the ground hard. She tried to get back up, but Circe stood over her, aiming her weapon at her face.
"You lose."
Just then, a batarang sailed in and knocked the staff out of Circe's hands. She looked up, seeing Batman standing at the entrance. Seeing him made her grin with interest.
"Well, hello, handsome."
Donna took advantage of her distraction to move out from under her and get behind so she could wrap the chain around Circe's neck. She pulled hard, causing Circe to grip the chain to free herself.
"Get to Diana! Hurry!"
Batman nodded, quickly rushing to find Diana.
"How noble," Circe mused. "The heroic Dark Knight rushes to save his princess from certain evil. How touching."
Donna pulled on the chain harder. "I'd worry more about saving yourself."
"Funny," Circe replied before gripping the chain.
It surged with God Killer energy, causing Donna to cry out in pain before being thrown back. She fell to the ground as Circe removed the chain and tossed it aside, looking down at her with malicious intent.
"I was about to tell you the same thing."
…
Batman rushed down the corridor, hoping to find some trace of Diana. Finally, he noted an open door at the end of the hall, feeling confident that's where he would find her. He sprinted down the hallway, reaching the doorway as quickly as he could. However, by the time he got there, his determined demeanor suddenly shattered at the sight before him. Diana, the once proud and powerful Wonder Woman, who he had seen go toe-to-toe with gods and monsters and come out victorious, was lying on the ground, naked, beaten, and seemingly drained of life.
The most horrifying part was that it was an image he knew all too well. Memories flooded his mind: images of Barbara Gordon and her father in similar states of helplessness and humiliation at the hands of the Joker. Along with them, he felt powerless as he was forced to witness the aftermath of these strong, proud individuals who had their very selves undone.
Focusing back to the present, he ran forward, pulling off his cape and draping it over her body before checking her vitals.
"Diana," He called. "Diana, wake up. Come on, Diana, please," He lifted her head, fretting that she was still unresponsive. "Diana… Diana!"