After registering the unfolding situation, everyone present swiftly shifted into a defensive stance, ready for a potential showdown with Orach. But, witnessing the seemingly tense atmosphere dissipate as Diana managed to calm Orach, they collectively breathed a sigh of relief. Acting swiftly, some of them moved forward to assess Clark's condition and administer the necessary first aid. They understood Superman's intentions in his initial confrontation with Orach, but they also recognized that some of his words had inadvertently crossed Orach's emotional boundaries.
Once Clark's condition stabilized and his recovery was assured, Bruce exhaled a tension-filled breath. He recognized the need to choose his words carefully around Orach to avoid a situation similar to Clark's. This ordeal left Bruce with a splitting headache and a renewed determination to discuss the importance of caution when talking with Orach once Clark regained consciousness.
Observing that Diana had managed to placate Orach effectively, Bruce signaled for everyone to relax and resume their seats. Noticing the tension that still hung in the air, he decided it was time to interject and steer the discussion towards a more neutral direction. "Alright, let's move on," he suggested, his tone firmly indicating his desire to veer the conversation away from the contentious topic that had sparked the confrontation. "We're all here to work towards a common goal. Let's concentrate on that."
Everyone present nodded in agreement, recognizing the wisdom in Bruce's words. Despite the underlying tension and the palpable unease, they were all committed to finding a way to coexist and work effectively together. They were still aligned with their shared understanding that their combined strength was their best shot at overcoming the myriad of challenges that lay ahead.
With the atmosphere somewhat calmer, Batman suggested Dianna to continue with the introduction session. Diana, having noticed his non-verbal cue, understood his meaning and nodded in agreement.
"Well, I guess I'll take the lead with the introductions. I am known as Wonder Woman but, my name is Diana Prince, princess of Themyscira, Daughter of Queen Hippolyta and Zeus, King of the Gods of Olympus," Diana began, but was abruptly interrupted when Orach, who had been observing her with a keen and intense gaze, grasped her hand.
"Dianna, please explain your birth to me. Also, tell me about these Gods you speak of, especially your Father," Orach requested, his tone solemn and uncharacteristically serious.
This sudden shift in Orach's demeanor and the solemn tone he employed when he inquired about Diana's father took everyone by surprise, particularly Batman. His headache, which had been steadily escalating, now throbbed with increased intensity. He had initially thought that allowing Diana to continue the session would be beneficial in easing their relationship with Orach. However, this unexpected change in Orach's mood and the seriousness in his voice when he enquired about Diana's father gave Bruce an unsettling feeling.
"...Well, let me start with my father, Zeus. Despite being the head of the gods and having a wife, he is notorious for his proclivity to mingle with mortals. Unfortunately, during her youthful years, my mother couldn't resist Zeus's advances and ended up becoming one of his many conquests, a part of her past that was filled with regret. Their relationship, if one can even call it that, was brief and shrouded in secrecy. My mother was particularly keen on concealing their affair from Hera, Zeus's wife.
Zeus had a reputation for being a serial philanderer, involved in countless affairs that were the subject of many a tale. In stark contrast, Hera, his wife, remained steadfastly loyal to him, maintaining her dignity and grace as the queen of the Gods. Hera had always harbored a deep resentment towards Zeus's constant unfaithfulness. She often confronted him about his numerous affairs, but her pleas, however heartfelt, fell on deaf ears, and Zeus's behavior never changed.
This particular affair between Zeus and my mother would have pushed Hera's fury to unprecedented heights, as my mother was more than just another mortal to Hera - she was a friend, a confidante with whom Hera had shared her deepest grievances about Zeus. My mother lived with an intense guilt over falling for Zeus and betraying her friend, especially knowing how much Hera despised Zeus's infidelity.
The affair began when my mother encountered Zeus, and they engaged in a fierce battle across the earth. However, their duel gradually transformed into more of a dance than a fight, a dance that culminated in a passionate embrace. Their love was raw, intense, and fierce - the kind of love that can only exist between two powerful warriors. I am the product of their forbidden, passionate affair," explained Diana.
Throughout her explanation, her gaze was fixed on Orach, her eyes carefully studying the myriad of expressions that crossed his face. She watched as his initial look of estrangement softened, replaced gradually by concern for her. She saw traces of his former self returning, but also thought she detected a smidgen of relief and anger. Could it be possible that he was angered by the story of her birth?
She was left puzzled, wondering which part of her origin story had upset him. Did he despise the fact that she was born out of an affair? A seed of doubt sprouted in her mind, her thoughts running wild, filling her with a strange sadness. She hadn't fully accepted him yet, but she didn't want their potential relationship to end before it even had a chance to begin.
After a moment of reflection on Diana's birth, Orach noticed her growing distraction. Through their unique connection, he could feel her mind veering off on a path lined with sorrowful thoughts. In a bid to bring her back, he gently squeezed her hand, their fingers still interlocked. When she cast her gaze upon him, he offered her a comforting smile, the warmth in his eyes intended to soothe her troubled mind.
"Calm your mind and cast aside those gloomy thoughts. Close your eyes and feel our connection," Orach advised, his voice a gentle whisper in the quiet room.
Stunned by his words, Diana obeyed after a moment's hesitation. As she closed her eyes, she felt the strength of their bond, their connection. It dawned on her that there must have been another reason for Orach's probing questions, and his feelings for her remained as potent as ever. As she opened her eyes, a serene smile graced her lips.
With her mind now free of negative thoughts, she looked at Orach, her eyes filled with a silent question: why had he asked about her origin?
Orach, with a calm shake of his head, encouraged her to continue her narration about Olympus and its gods.
"Zeus is the leader of Mount Olympus and the progenitor of many Olympian gods. The sixth child of Cronus and Rhea, he is the younger sibling of Hades and Poseidon. Cronus devoured all his children due to a prophecy predicting his downfall by one of them. To protect Zeus, Rhea enlisted Gaia's aid and concocted a scheme to trick Cronus. She covertly gave birth to Zeus and made sure to have him subsequently hidden.
Upon reaching adulthood, Zeus confronted his father. Their battle, marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. After defeating Cronus and forming a pact, Zeus assumed the throne as the new ruler of Earth. Cronus was condemned to Tartarus for eternity, while Hades became the God of the Underworld, and Poseidon, the God of the Sea. Zeus married Hera, the goddess of women and marriage, and the queen of Mount Olympus. Together, Zeus and Hera reigned over the pantheon, their power and influence unrivaled." said Diana
"Mount Olympus...Underworld...fascinating," Orach mumbled to himself, lost in thought. His interest in these mythical places was evident in his tone. Diana, who was seated close to him, could hear him clearly. She was somewhat surprised by his curiosity in these places, but she brushed it off, assuming that he was merely intrigued by the tales.
"Diana, I have a query. If one wished to enter Mount Olympus or the Underworld, what would be the process?" Orach inquired, his voice filled with genuine curiosity.
"Accessing Mount Olympus...that's a tough one," Diana replied thoughtfully. "But, my homeland, Themyscira, houses a gateway to Tartarus, the very prison where the titans and other monstrous creatures were confined."
Her words were barely out when Orach grabbed her, his face lit up with excitement. "Really? Marvelous! Diana, you must take me to your homeland. I wish to see this Tartarus," he exclaimed. His joy was palpable, for he had been looking for another separate space to carry out his transformation studies. He had an inkling that performing tests with his God Ki transformations on Earth could be potentially dangerous, given the immense power they possessed. But Diana's subsequent words dashed his hopes.
"Take you home? That's...that's too soon. Perhaps one day...wait! Your interest lies in Tartarus?" Diana's voice was a mix of flustered surprise and increasing wariness. As an Amazon princess, she was duty-bound to protect the gates of Tartarus.
"Orach, I need you to explain your interest in Tartarus," she stated, her voice bearing a serious tone that momentarily took Orach by surprise. Seeing her guarded expression, he decided to disclose some information about his transformations.