Diana's consciousness slowly returned, drifting from a deep, dreamless state into a hazy awareness.
When she finally opened her eyes, she saw a familiar ceiling above her.
"This is my room!" Diana realized, staring around in confusion. Her body was clean and smooth, adorned in the armor she often wore. Could everything that had happened before she passed out have been just a nightmare?
She sat up, looking around the room, trying to piece things together.
But as soon as she turned her head, she saw Su Sheng sitting not far away, smiling at her.
This was no dream!
Diana's heart pounded with realization. She lunged towards Su Sheng, but before she could even reach him, a golden rope suddenly flew towards her, wrapping around her body.
"The Lasso of Truth!" The hot, burning sensation surged through her, and she collapsed weakly to the ground. Angrily, she turned her head and saw Artemis, dressed in her silver armor, holding the Lasso of Truth. "Artemis, you… why are you doing this?"
"I won't let you hurt my master," Artemis replied coldly, her expressionless face showing no emotion.
Diana glared at Su Sheng. "What have you done?"
"Hippolyta and Antiope are still alive, so I'll ask again, will you forgive me?" Su Sheng didn't answer her question but instead asked again. "I'm very interested in you, after all, you're a demigod of steel. I want to know what sets a woman apart from a goddess. So, if you can forgive me, maybe we can date? If you agree, I can help you kill Ares."
"Impossible!" Diana spat through gritted teeth, not fully understanding what he meant by "demigod of steel," but knowing she had to refuse.
"I understand," Su Sheng nodded, standing up and holding out his hand toward Artemis. She respectfully handed him the Lasso of Truth.
"You can leave now. Don't let anyone disturb me."
"Yes!" Artemis hesitated, glancing at Diana before turning to leave. She closed the door behind her.
"It's my first time playing with this rope. I should've practiced with Helena if I'd known. So if this leaves you with unforgettable pain, you must tell me, because… I'll be very proud."
"What are you doing!" Diana demanded, glaring at him.
"I'm going to use direct means to achieve my goals."
Since there was no chance to ease the tension between them, Su Sheng decided to embrace the role of her enemy fully. After all, conquering one of the future pillars of the Justice League, a symbol of feminism and equality, would be quite the accomplishment.
With a chuckle, Su Sheng threw Diana onto the bed with the Lasso of Truth and lunged at her.
Diana tried to dodge, but the Lasso quickly wrapped around her again. Despite her skill with ropes, she had never seen such a delicate method of binding. Even without the Lasso's power, it was impossible to escape.
"You… you want to force me to have a child with you?" Diana gasped, her eyes wide with the realization of his intent.
Su Sheng was taken aback by her serious expression, then burst out laughing.
"Who said this has to be about having children?" Su Sheng asked with a smirk.
"Don't try to lie to me. I've read books from the outside world, and they say that reproduction is… The time when a man is truly comfortable is very short." Diana whispered, her tone shifting.
The atmosphere had changed!
Su Sheng could hardly believe it. Diana had gone from a heroic, determined warrior to… someone talking like this? It caught him completely off guard!
"Got it," Su Sheng suddenly smiled, glancing at the Lasso of Truth wrapped around Diana. "It's the Lasso's effect making you speak the truth!"
Though the conversation had taken an unexpected turn, it was much more interesting this way!
While Diana cursed him and vowed to kill him, she was forced by the Lasso to answer his questions truthfully. What should have been a scene of a cruel demon tormenting a goddess turned into an almost academic discussion. Su Sheng confirmed that goddesses weren't any different from mortal women in this regard. He didn't need anything extraordinary to achieve his goals, but he wasn't disappointed by the outcome.
Laughing, Su Sheng finally removed the Lasso of Truth, and Diana, now free, immediately got up, ready to attack.
"I'm going to kill you!"
"I know, I know, you've said that many times already," Su Sheng replied casually, putting on his clothes. "But before you do, you might want to consider whether you can kill me in this room. If not, think about your people. I don't know how long I'll be here, but I'll give you a chance to challenge me every day. If you win, I'll let everyone on the island go. If you lose, well… you'll have to keep me company—let's say, to continue making children?"
The idea of a goddess bearing a child for him made Su Sheng laugh as he finished dressing.
"I'll challenge you right now," Diana declared, seething with anger.
"I'm tired. Let's start tomorrow."
Su Sheng, now fully dressed, waved dismissively, tied the Lasso of Truth around his waist, and headed for the door.
Artemis stood dutifully outside.
"Take me to Hippolyta's room. I'm going to rest."
"Yes."
Artemis led the way.
Hippolyta's room wasn't far from Diana's, just a few minutes' walk away.
"Not bad," Su Sheng said with satisfaction, nodding. "Get me something to eat and keep an eye out for strangers on the island."
"Yes," Artemis replied, hesitating before asking, "What about Diana… do you want her locked up?"
"No need. Just explain things clearly and… you can sleep with me tonight."
Artemis was stunned. Sleep together? Like… like with Diana?
"You don't want to?" Su Sheng asked when she didn't immediately respond.
"No, my master," Artemis quickly said.
"Then go," Su Sheng waved his hand and lay down.
After leaving the room, Artemis ordered food to be brought to him, arranged for patrols around the island, and returned to her own quarters after some hesitation.
On a table in her room lay a sword.
The legendary sword that could kill Ares!
The Godkiller had originally been kept in the tower with the Lasso of Truth, but when Artemis retrieved the Lasso, she also brought the Godkiller along.
If Su Sheng truly was a god, then only the Godkiller could defeat him.
...