Upon Hera's sudden arrival, tension filled the room. Everyone instinctively prepared for a potential clash. The fierce warriors, Hippolyta and Antiope, quickly moved to shield Diana. They were ready to fight, willing to risk their lives at the slightest hint of aggression from Hera. Alert and weapons at hand, their silent vow of protection filled the room.
Seeing their defensive stance, Hera experienced a mix of emotions. Anger simmered, disappointment ate at her, and a sense of betrayal stabbed her heart. Her once strong and unbroken bond with Hippolyta seemed to have splintered. However, she hadn't come for a fight. She didn't descend from her realm to engage in a power struggle. Her purpose was clear - to speak with Diana, seek answers, and clarify the mysteries clouding her mind.
A sudden power surge from the mortal realm caught Hera's attention. Using her divine sense, she tried to find its source. But as she got closer, a strong force pushed her back. This took Hera by surprise, causing her to kneel and cough up divine ichor, the gods' golden lifeblood. She was stunned by the immense energy she had met.
A loud sound broke the quiet around her, like the call of a large elephant. This was a clear danger sign that made Hera shiver. She felt a fear she had never felt before, even though she had lived for thousands of years. She had met many gods and learned a lot, but this was a new experience for Hera.
The power she felt was huge and hard to understand. It was like standing at the edge of a giant whirlpool, seeing the wild power of a storm but not fully grasping it. Even though it scared her, Hera was amazed. This power wasn't evil. In fact, it was the purest, most sacred energy she had ever sensed, an energy that made her feel respect as much as fear.
The loud, powerful sound left a deep impression on Hera. It indicated that the source of this energy surge was protected by a divine force much stronger than any she had experienced before. When Hera investigated the energy further, she discovered it was connected to Diana, the daughter of her old friend Hippolyta. This revelation shocked Hera, causing her to closely monitor Diana's actions, waiting for the right time to reach out.
Now, with Diana back on Themyscira and Hera nearly back to full strength, Hera chose to secretly visit Themyscira. She watched the Amazons from afar, hidden in the shadows. Her face was firm, her eyes filled with determination, caution, and a hint of fear. She knew she was starting a risky mission, but she also knew she had to face it. She had to understand this new power and try to use it for the good of all, making sure the balance of power stays the same.
Hera was ready to come out of hiding. But she was caught up in the human world's events. Diana was telling the story of a recent war. Hera was shocked to hear that their old enemy had attacked the human lands again. She was confused that she didn't know about this sooner. She felt a bit angry at Zeus, her husband. He seemed to care more about having fun than dealing with this big problem.
What really surprised her was finding out about champions, people as strong as gods. This was a strong reminder of how time never stops and things keep changing. It showed how people can change and stay strong. Diana talked a lot about meeting Orach, a being from a higher place. This being was a mystery, a fascinating creature that seemed to break all known rules of existence.
When Diana described her divine essence taking on the hue of the mysterious Orach, Hera was alarmed. Recognizing the monumental significance of such a transformation, Hera understood it was time to reveal her presence. She prepared to face the challenges ahead and confront the changes that had occurred during her absence. Determined to preserve the divine order, Hera was ready to face an adversary as formidable as Orach. The anticipation filled her with a mix of apprehension and determination. She knew the coming days would be full of trials, tribulations, and possibly, unexpected alliances.
Seeing their guarded stances, Hera knew she had to put their minds at ease before the conversation could commence.
"Set your minds at ease. I have known about Diana for a long time," Hera announced, her voice carrying a tone of indifference that belied the magnitude of her revelation. "But, in deference to the friendship we once shared, I have refrained from making a move against her."
Hippolyta and Antiope were surprised by what they heard. Hippolyta felt guilty thinking about her past. Her relationship with Zeus, which led to Diana's birth, had hurt her friendship with Hera. Even though she felt guilty and ashamed, she was prepared to protect Diana. But after hearing what Hera said, Hippolyta understood that Hera didn't come to hurt Diana, but for another purpose.
With newfound composure, Hippolyta addressed Hera. "Hera, great queen of the Greek gods, may I ask the purpose of your visit?" she inquired, her voice echoing in the tense silence that had fallen over them.
Hera, however, chose to ignore Hippolyta's question. Instead, she narrowed her eyes in Diana's direction, her gaze piercing and intense. "Diana, step forward," she commanded, her voice resonating with divine authority. "I wish to examine your divinity."
The room went quiet when Hera spoke. Everyone knew this was serious. Diana's change, her new powers, had made the important goddess notice her. Hippolyta and Antiope, who were skilled fighters, looked at each other, their faces full of worry. But they decided to trust in Hera's judgment. They gave Diana a serious nod to show their agreement.
Seeing their silent agreement, Diana stepped forward.
"Child, raise your hand and place it on top of my palm," instructed Hera, extending her right arm towards Diana.
Diana gave Hera a firm nod and they joined hands. Hera felt a jolt, a warning of powerful force she was about to confront. Still, she pushed her divine consciousness into Diana's soul and was shocked by the strong divine energy she found there.
It was more potent than any she had encountered before. Even her own divine power and Zeus's seemed less pure compared to Diana's. Hera thought even the mighty titans would bow to this power. She tried to understand how Diana, once a mortal, could possess a divinity superior to hers.
She delved deeper into Diana's soul and saw a vision of a huge, golden, ape-like monster. Its eyes, glowing red, stared at her. The monster opened its mouth, releasing a powerful energy beam. Hera was terrified by the raw power and quickly withdrew. She let go of Diana's hand and stepped back, her face white with fear.
A silence fell. Seeing their goddess in such terror was a shock for everyone. Hippolyta and Antiope were worried for Diana, fearing something was terribly wrong.
Eventually, Diana opened her eyes. She felt a disturbance within her, as if her divinity was upset. Seeing Hera's fear, she felt the need to clarify the situation.
"Hera," she began, her voice a steady stream amidst the storm of emotions brewing within her, "can you help me understand what you found? What did you see in my divinity?"
Hera stayed quiet, breathing deeply to calm down. But her silence made the room more tense. Diana noticed the others looking at each other nervously, which made her feel more worried.
When Hera finally opened her eyes, she wore a grave expression. She looked at Diana, her eyes filled with a strange mixture of fear, respect, and wonder. With a voice that echoed in the silence, she said, "Diana of Themyscira, congratulations on your marriage."