Capítulo 34: Issue #33: X, Agenda.
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Issue 33: X, Agenda.
(General P.O.V)
-Mediterranean Coast-
-Allied Territory-
The beachfront, a stretch of golden sand hemmed in by cliffs, concealed bunkers with coastal artillery, manned by soldiers who stared out into the ocean.
On the shore itself, trenches snaked through the dunes, guarded by barbed wire barricades.
In one of those trenches, an American soldier with binoculars nudged his partner as a vague shape begun to appear from the horizon.
"Hey, is it just me, or is that a sail ship?"
-0-
"Is that it?"
An excitable Bulma asked, leaning on the railing of the ship.
The mist around the galley slowly dispersed, revealing what lay beyond.
The coastline was visibly drawing closer as the Quadrireme treaded the water, pushed forward by the combined rowing of over 200 Amazons.
Standing on the deck with another 200 warriors decked out in armor, weapons and shields, Diana's face was impassive and hard.
While the rest stared into the distance with anticipation and nervous energy, she seemed lost in thought.
And it was clear to everyone around, those thoughts HAD to be related to the coming battle.
Persephone and Athena had informed her of everything.
In fact, everyone in Themiscyra knew of what had occured in the Underworld.
And subsequently, who was responsible for Kane's demise. The man who helped save their home.
Her hand tightened into a fist.
Ares...he was going to pay.
Not just because he was indirectly responsible of Kane's death but because it was her duty.
The Gods couldn't come down and deal with this.
That would invite other Pantheons to join in. And the thought of more gods walking the mortal world was anathema.
She had seen first hand the devastation the clash between Hades and Zeus had wrought: The Underworld Palace reduced to a twisted vortex of shadows, darkness and blinding lightning.
The pressure has Kane had swung the two of them away had been suffocating.
That was the kind of power that could alter landscapes and destroy any opposition.
Man's world was not ready for that level of warfare.
And consequently, they were not ready for a God like Ares. One whose power was fueled by War.
Hippolyta told her this is why the Amazons were first created. To keep the God of War in check.
Thus, there was not only a personal stake for her in the fight, but also a responsibility as the Princess of the Amazons, next in line for the Throne.
-0-
A loud alarm begun to blare out from the steadily approaching shore.
It seemed the soldiers had spotted the galley that was making its way to land.
"We've arrived, Diana."
Pillyphus, hitherto silent, informed the princess.
Hippolyta had ordered the general to accompany Diana for the added protection. Not that she needed any.
Diana had more than proven her competence by not only saving Themiscyra, but surviving the Underworld and returning to the land of the living.
That said, it wasn't a bad thing to have all the backup available to her. Especially if she was going to face her war obsessed Godly brother.
And Diana knew this. She welcomed it. Kane had showed her the power of teamwork.
He might not have been with her any more, but her sisters were the perfect replacement.
She could trust them to watch her back.
As it was, Pillyphus stood behind her in full armor, awaiting her orders.
"Have everyone at the ready."
Diana calmly instructed, walking forward.
"I'll move on ahead and ensure they do not attack us out of ignorance."
Pillyphus wanted to remind her that the ship's defense made that unnecessary.
The hull was created from Osmium and the sails woven from hemp and harpy hide.
On top of that, it was enchanted to stay afloat even in the event of a capsize.
Only a fully powered strike from a God would have a chance at destroying the Quadrireme.
Even with that, the General decided to stay silent. It would do well to be careful. Who knows what manner of weapons man had invented over the years Themiscyra had lived in seclusion?
Strapping her shield to her back, Diana strode to the edge of the railing and with a mighty leap, cleared hundreds of meters of water.
She landed on the heavily fortified beach front with a loud impact, scaring many soldiers into attack mode.
"Halt. I come in peace."
She declared, reaching to her back.
Twang!!
A bullet pinged off Diana's bracelets as she brought her left hand up in a casual block.
In one of the trenches dug across the shoreline, the nervous soldier who had pulled the trigger shrunk at the scathing look the Demigod threw his way.
Diana raised her other hand, revealing something waving in the morning breeze.
A white cloth could be seen flapping above her head, held within her palm.
The universal symbol of surrender. But in this case, she was using it as a symbol of non-agression.
-0-
Turns out, while the perception of Man's World was an unruly place, the white cloth still held some meaning.
The soldiers had thankfully settled down, allowing her sisters to reach the port unassailed. (although two naval ships had flanked their right and left, to stop them from escaping)
The Amazonian galley docked with minimal trouble. But that did not mean they went unaccosted.
Naturally, beautiful women from a mythological island appearing at a territory occupied by sex starved soldiers, was bound to create some commotion.
As a result, the port was filled with droves of soldiers vying for attention and almost fighting over who would help their newest allies, in disembarking the ship.
To be clear, the Amazons needed no help.
And the allied soldiers-composed of mostly British, Italians and Americans, had learned that the hard way.
A few tried to get grabby with the female warriors and paid for it.
Their broken bones had ensured everyone knew not to take the Amazonian warriors lightly.
'Her Amazonian warriors.' Diana corrected herself. For they were under her now.
Without a guide into Man's world, but with Ares needing to be stopped, her mother had allowed Diana to leave Themiscyra but only with a contigent of the Island's best 400 warriors.
The main force was gearing up for war back on the Island, but it was slow going.
They needed to route out any more Alkyone sympathizers after all.
But the force with her was more than enough.
And the trip was also relatively smooth.
They had navigated the sea by following the stars and with a prophecy from the Oracle to boot- Diana and her warriors had ended up on the coast of the Mediterranean sea after a week long trip.
Things were going as intended.
She was right where she needed to be. All that was left to do was find Ares and cut off his head with her godkiller sword.
And that would be the easiest part. She would just need to follow the path of destruction he left behind.
At least according to the Oracle.
"You look like your mother, princess."
A voice reached her ears from her back.
2 people were walking towards her from the command tents.
Diana tensed upon spotting a man with mutton chops framing the sides of his face, and 3 scars slashed across it.
He was strong. With wide shoulders, a buff physique and wearing a long coat above an officer's uniform.
He walked at a leisurely pace. Like a beast on the prowl. Next to him, her presence outshined by his, was Pillyphus.
Diana raised her brow at how stiffly the General of her forces was walking. She had never seen Pillyphus so...guarded.
Turning her gaze back at the man, Diana narrowed her eyes. There was something...off about him. Something that sent her teeth on edge.
"Your highness, I would like for you to meet...Vandal Savage."
Pillyphus introduced, an almost wary expression on her face.
Diana clasped the hand offered in a firm handshake. It didn't escape her notice how heavily calloused his palm was.
And the name...
"Vandal Savage...where have I heard that before?"
She muttered in question.
"Ah, I see Hippolyta still speaks of me. How unexpected. Pleasant but unexpected."
Savage grinned harmlessly.
The gesture was meant to be appeasing but to Diana it came off as fake.
She decided then...she did not like this man. He was different from Kane. Arrogant but without grace. The kind of arrogance that reminded her of Alkyone.
The kind of arrogance she felt like punching.
"Mr...Savage, is an old acquittance."
Pillyphus explained, coming in between the two.
"Old acquittance? how? Don't mortals in Man's world have a short lifespan? It has been millenia since the Amazons secluded themselves."
Dian pointed out curiously.
Looking at Savage, he had to be a few decades old at the most.
And while the name sounded familiar, that was about it.
Instead of answering, Savage moved past the two of them, eyes cast over the Camp the soldiers were helping the Amazons set up.
"At risk of sounding rude, I have a more important question, Princess Diana."
Pillyphus nodded her head at Diana.
The General had had an intensive talk with Savage and the top brass, and with Savage's help, come to a tentative agreement. Even so Diana was the one to make the decisions.
"What question?"
The princess inquired.
Unseen to the two, a satisfied smile spread across Savage's face for a brief moment.
"Who is the real enemy? Is it the God of War, Ares? Is it Humanity? Or as you call it, Man's world?"
He turned towards her, raising his hand before Diana could respond.
"Or could it be you and your 400 strong warriors? Sent here as an infiltration force."
"I don't understand."
Diana bit out coolly.
"It's obviously Ares. He seeks to take advantage of this war to grow his power and influence."
The Princess stepped closer to Savage, her blue eyes meeting his black irises.
"Listen well, Vandal Savage. If he is not stopped and allowed to succeed, it won't matter who stands against him then. They will all fall. Everyone across the world will suffer."
"And while I agree. Not everyone is of the same mind." Savage shook his head.
"War is fought by men but financed by agenda and profit. And no one will want to waste resources on an enemy they can't see. Or believe exists."
"I'm not asking for help."
Diana instantly shut down the notion.
"The Oracle led us here not to fight in your war but to defeat Ares."
"Even so. You must choose a side. It will make things much easier for you."
Savage added, eyes glinting with something Diana couldn't identify.
"That is how things work around here, princess."
Diana, frustration hidden deep, stepped forward.
"I am not your enemy Vandal Savage. But anyone that stands in our way, we will go through."
Clap.
Savage clasped his hands together.
"Good to see that Amazonian spirit persists. And while I don't doubt you can take on anyone and come out on top, I have a better idea."
"Explain."
Diana growled out.
While the look in her eyes would have intimidated anyone else, Savage merely shook his head.
"You see...relations in the warfront are strained. Trust between allies has gone down the drain. And every nation involved have their own agenda."
Diana and Pillyphus shared an ignorant look. Man's politics were not their concern.
Seeing this, Savage sighed.
"It figures that Hippolyta would send you out without considering the consequences."
"Would you rather fight Ares on your own?"
Pillyphus asked in a snide tone.
"Certainly not. While I might be competent, I've had enough of battling Gods to last me my lifetime."
He replied offhandedly.
"What I propose, is for me to be a bridge. I'll handle the technical issues. The questions of your loyalty. The contents of your missions. In return, I shall send you where your...talents can better be utilized. Places that would benefit from having 400 Amazons around. That includes finding out Ares' whereabouts...so that you can take him out. I'll keep you informed just as long as you agree to help out when I need you. What do you say princess? Allies?"
Diana looked at the hand offered.
There were many reasons to say no. And she could feel Pillyphus' eyes boring a hole onto her back. It felt as if she wanted her to refuse.
But before she could do that...she was curious about something. All this time, her instincts had been telling her not to trust Savage.
She had to know whether those feelings were unfounded.
Diana reached towards her hip, and brought out the laso of truth.
Before Savage's surprised eyes, she tied one end across his wrist while she was left holding the other.
Staring deep into his eyes, Diana opened her mouth.
"What is your true agenda in all this?"
For a second, she was convinced he wouldn't answer.
"To push humanity to the peak of its evolutionary potential."
Savage responded, his eyes momentarily glazing over.
Diana said nothing. Instead, she clasped his offered hand with a nod.
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