"The Source?" Artemis couldn't help but ask, her eyes fixed on the dazzling golden light. "What is the Source?"
"I've only heard that the Source is something akin to a divine office, a symbol of power. With the Source, one gains the office and the immense power that comes with it," Hippolyta replied, her voice tinged with awe. She couldn't remember when she first heard of the Source—it had always seemed like a legend. After all, she had never witnessed a god die, nor had she seen the Source with her own eyes.
"The Source comes from the Wall of Origin," Su Sheng's voice cut through the silence, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Su Sheng stowed away the Lasso of Truth and helped Diana to her feet. Diana's expression was complicated. Earlier, she had been confused by Su Sheng's words about there being only one, but now she understood. The "one" he had referred to wasn't her—it was the Lasso of Truth.
"What is the Wall of Origin?" Hippolyta asked curiously, hearing the name for the first time.
Everyone was eager to know, but Su Sheng had no intention of explaining. Instead, he pointed to the Source floating in the air. "I could claim that Source and become the new God of Strife by killing Eris, but I'm not interested in being a god who can be killed with one punch."
Not interested in being a god? This was a god they were talking about! They had all seen Eris's incredible power. But then again, considering how easily Su Sheng had defeated Eris, perhaps it made sense. Why would someone covet power that was weaker than their own?
"Artemis."
"Master," Artemis responded.
Su Sheng smiled. "This Source is yours."
"Mine?" Artemis pointed to herself in disbelief. If she claimed the Source, she would gain the divine office and become the new Goddess of Strife. Was this opportunity really hers? She glanced at Diana, standing beside Su Sheng, wondering why he didn't offer it to her instead.
"Don't want it?"
"No, no, I just..."
"What happened to the simplicity of your loyalty to me? Where's the decisiveness you showed when you handed the Godkiller sword to Diana? If you hesitate too long, the Source will return to the Wall of Origin," Su Sheng chuckled, then suddenly turned his attention to Diana.
Diana was taken aback, and before she could react, Su Sheng had lifted her off the ground.
"We're not done yet."
He laughed and carried Diana back into the room, but this time, the expressions of Hippolyta and the others weren't filled with anger or resentment—they were complex, conflicted. Diana herself hesitated for a moment but didn't resist.
Back in the room, as Su Sheng tossed her onto the bed and approached her once more, Diana didn't bite him or struggle as before. Instead, she placed her hands on his chest and spoke seriously. "You can't force me anymore. I still can't forgive you for the harm you've done to Paradise Island, and I can't forgive you for forcing me. But... you saved Paradise Island today. As long as you don't destroy it and free my people, I won't forgive you, but I won't hate you anymore."
"In other words, you want to call it even for everything I've done? Including what happened with the Lasso of Truth?" Su Sheng asked after a moment.
"Yes," Diana affirmed.
"I disagree!" Su Sheng smiled brightly.
"You disagree?" Diana looked at him, bewildered. "Why?"
"Think about it. First, I lose my status as a slave owner. Although I don't care, it's clearly a loss for me. Second, you say you won't hate me anymore, but you didn't say I can continue to have my way with you. You won't forgive me anyway, so why should I give up something I enjoy just because you don't hate me anymore?" Su Sheng chuckled, holding her hands firmly.
"The worst thing for someone is not knowing what they want. But I know what I want—right now, that's you. So why should I suffer? Besides, a deal's a deal. You lost the challenge, so you have to bear the consequences. Or did the proud Amazon princess betray her own beliefs? Is this what Hippolyta taught you?"
"So, please continue to hate me."
"No, you can't..."
Diana screamed and struggled, but she couldn't stop Su Sheng's forceful advances. Once again, she was overpowered.
After a long while, Diana pushed Su Sheng away, her face twisted in disgust and anger. "I hate you! I swear, as the Amazon princess, I won't stop until you've paid for this!"
"So, does our challenge agreement still stand?" Su Sheng asked with a laugh as he relaxed, lying back on the bed. Throughout the entire ordeal, Diana had resisted and struggled, and it was precisely that resistance that made the experience so intoxicating for him. No wonder some people are drawn to force; the feeling of conquest, whether through resistance or submission, is unlike anything else.
"I hate you!" Diana spat furiously before storming out of the room.
"Is that her way of avoiding the question?" Su Sheng muttered with a smile.
Diana stormed out, only to stop abruptly. Outside, Artemis was seated on the ground, surrounded by a faint golden light.
"Is that the Source? Has Artemis become the new Goddess of Strife?" Diana asked curiously as her mother, Hippolyta, approached.
Hippolyta nodded. "It seems so, but she'll need time to adjust to this new power. Diana, are you... are you alright?"
Diana shook her head, avoiding her mother's gaze.
Hippolyta sighed but didn't press further.
She wanted to speak with Su Sheng.
About Eris, about the gods, about the Wall of Origin—Hippolyta had a feeling that Paradise Island might never be the same again...
Of course, Hippolyta wouldn't go to Su Sheng right after her daughter left, especially considering the situation with Artemis. After all, this could be the birth of the first god on Paradise Island. However, it seemed Artemis wouldn't awaken anytime soon, so when Su Sheng came to check on her at noon and decided to take a walk, Hippolyta took the opportunity to act as his guide, showing him around the island.
Paradise Island was breathtaking. Many places famous for their natural beauty probably couldn't compare. Su Sheng thought to himself that Felicity would definitely love it here. So... should he consider taking the Waverider from the Legends' squad?