Themyscira, Grand Temple - The Queen's Chamber
The night was still, the stars twinkling high above Themyscira, casting a soft glow on the island's majestic architecture. Inside the royal palace, Queen Hippolyta sat in front of her desk, deep in thought. Diana, her daughter, stood nearby, her brows knit in contemplation. After a long pause, Diana finally spoke, her voice quiet but tinged with curiosity.
"Mother, why have you chosen to put Kal-El through the trials?" Diana asked, her tone respectful. "I've read the laws, and nowhere does it state that men must face such trials to be treated as guests. Yet... you have set him on this path."
Hippolyta turned her gaze from the documents to her daughter, her regal demeanor, calm yet commanding, was an image of authority and grace. She met Diana's gaze with her own, and though her expression remained composed, the wisdom in her eyes spoke volumes.
"My daughter," Hippolyta said, her voice measured and dignified, "You are right. There are no laws that require these trials. But this is not simply a matter of law, nor is it only about his being a man."
She took a moment and continued. "I sense something extraordinary in the boy. Though he is young, there is a depth to him—an inner strength, both physical and moral—that is rare even among the greatest of warriors."
Diana looked at her mother with slight confusion. "But why the trials, then? If you sense his strength, why not allow him to stay without putting him through such hardship?"
Hippolyta smiled gently, the regal composure never leaving her face. "The trials are not just about proving strength, my daughter. They are a way to measure a person's heart, their mind, and their character. Kal-El did not resist when we brought him to our court. He showed respect, not fear. And when I looked into his eyes, I saw not a boy who feared us, but one who was holding himself back, careful not to harm us."
Diana's eyes widened slightly. "Holding himself back?"
Hippolyta nodded. "Yes. Though he appears calm and cooperative, It's clear that his strength surpasses what he has revealed so far. He is different from any man I have encountered before, Diana. He is not afraid of us, nor does he harbor the same weaknesses that men often bring to our shores. That is why I wish to see how strong he truly is—both in body and in mind. If he proves himself worthy, Themyscira may gain a valuable ally."
Diana considered her mother's words, a mixture of curiosity and admiration filling her chest. "He... is not like the men I've read about," she admitted. "I see that now."
Hippolyta stood, her regal posture towering yet graceful as she placed a hand on Diana's shoulder. "This is why we must be certain, my daughter. His potential is immense, but it must be tempered with honor and wisdom. If he can meet the challenges we present, then perhaps Themyscira will have a new friend—a rare ally who can walk among us with respect and strength."
Diana's face softened as she nodded, understanding now why her mother had set Clark on this path. "I hope he proves himself, Mother. There is something... different about him."
Hippolyta's gaze remained steady, her voice carrying a tone of finality. "We shall see, Diana. The trials will reveal his true nature."
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At Dawn, Next Morning
The atmosphere in the arena buzzed with energy as 100 of Themyscira's strongest warriors lined up for the race. Among them, Clark and Diana stood out—not only for being the youngest at just 11 years old but also for the attention they commanded. Diana, already regarded as one of the top 10 strongest warriors in Themyscira despite her age, moved with confidence. Clark, beside her, had a calm and focused look, ready to tackle a test unlike any he had faced before.
The crowd's excitement grew, their cheers reverberating through the arena as the competitors readied themselves. This race was more than just about speed; it was crafted to push the participants to their absolute limits, both physically and mentally. The course snaked through Themyscira's wild terrain, filled with traps and natural obstacles that would test even the most skilled Amazon warriors.
The first stretch of the race cut through a dense forest, where roots and uneven ground threatened to trip the careless. Beyond that, competitors would face a series of rivers, their slippery rocks and strong currents testing both balance and stamina. But the real danger waited further on: a narrow cliffside path hugging the island's edge, with jagged rocks and crashing waves below. This perilous section had claimed even the most skilled runners who faltered or lost concentration.
Diana and Clark exchanged a quick glance as they stretched and prepared, both aware of the challenge that lay before them. The crowd's cheers swelled as Hippolyta, standing tall on the royal dais, raised her hand to signal the start of the race. "Warriors of Themyscira, show your strength and courage. Let the trial of endurance begin!"
With a burst of energy, all 100 competitors surged forward as the race began. Diana and Clark, despite their age, were quickly among the front runners. Clark held back slightly, aware that he could easily outpace the others if he truly let loose his full strength. Diana moved with the grace and power of a seasoned warrior, her focus unshakable as she kept pace with the elite Amazons.
The forest swallowed them, trees whipping past as they navigated the winding trails. The pounding of feet on the forest floor, the sound of heavy breathing, and the thudding of warriors vaulting over fallen logs and ducking under low-hanging branches filled the air. The excitement from the audience watching on magical projections back at the arena only added to the thrill.
Diana surged ahead, her eyes fixed on the trail, her determination unbreakable. Clark stayed close, his body moving effortlessly as he skillfully dodged the obstacles. Together, they pushed through the forest, their movements in sync with the other top warriors.
As the racers burst out of the trees, the shimmering rivers awaited them. Warriors leapt onto the slippery stones, their balance tested as the rushing water sprayed their legs. Some stumbled, splashing into the water, while others deftly navigated the rocks with precision. Diana, with her fierce determination, kept her place among the top 3. Clark, staying mindful of his strength, moved gracefully across the rocks, his every step controlled.
Hippolyta, seated in the royal stands, watched with a keen eye, her gaze constantly shifting between the competitors, but lingering occasionally on her daughter Diana and the outsider Clark. She could see the focus in their eyes, the determination that drove them both forward, despite their youth.
The crowd was buzzing with energy, but there was an undercurrent of doubt and suspicion, particularly directed at the lone man among the Amazonian warriors—Clark.
"Your Majesty, he moves well for an outsider," Philippus, who stood guarding beside the Queen, remarked, her eyes fixed on Clark as he navigated the dense forest with ease, keeping pace with some of the strongest warriors, including Diana. "But the Amazons do not trust easily. A man in our sacred trials... It stirs discontent."
Hippolyta nodded slightly, her expression thoughtful. "Yes, I feel it too. They see him as a curiosity, perhaps even a threat. Few among them would willingly welcome a man into our traditions, let alone one who seeks to compete with our finest. But there is something in him, Philippus—something that stirs more than idle suspicion."
Philippus, ever loyal and direct, frowned. "Yet, many here believe he will falter. His strength, impressive though it may be for a man, will not match that of our warriors. The trials will show the truth of him."
Hippolyta's gaze lingered on Clark, watching him leap over a fallen tree with an effortless grace that belied the tension in his frame. "Perhaps, but I sense he is holding something back. He has the power to outrun even our best, and yet he stays within reach, as if measuring us as much as we measure him."
Philippus scoffed lightly. "If he is holding back, it is to his detriment. He will not survive this trial by restraint alone. The journey is dangerous, and only those with real power—the kind our warriors possess—will succeed."
The queen's lips curved ever so slightly, her voice carrying a trace of curiosity. "It is not just about physical strength, Philippus. Strength of will, of character—that is what truly defines a warrior. If Kal-El wishes to prove himself, it is not merely his body that will be tested, but his heart."
Philippus gave a measured nod, though her skepticism remained. "Even so, many here doubt him. They see a man competing in an arena where he does not belong. Our ways are ancient and sacred. The Amazons are watching, waiting for him to fail."
Hippolyta turned her gaze to the path ahead, where the cliffside loomed—the most dangerous part of the race. "If he is wise, he will know that victory is not always the prize. I did not invite him here to win, Philippus, but to show us who he truly is. There is more at stake than the outcome of this trial."
While they were musing, the race had reached its most treacherous point. The narrow cliffside path, with its sheer drop to the jagged rocks and crashing waves below, had the entire audience on the edge of their seats.
Hippolyta and Philippus watched intently, waiting eagerly for the final outcome.
Diana, driven and fiercely competitive, pushed past the others. Always near the front, her natural athleticism and combat training carried her forward effortlessly. She moved across the rocks with flawless precision, her gaze locked on the finish line. Confident in her strength, the excitement of the race fueled her. Victory was close.
Clark, meanwhile, kept pace, though mindful of holding back his full strength, had allowed himself to push harder during this part of the race. The wind whipped past him as he matched Diana's pace, his body moving fluidly along the narrow cliff path. Every leap across uneven ground, every quick step, was precise. His focus narrowed as he kept close to both Diana and the Amazonian warrior, their intense competitive energy fueling his own.
Diana, eyes fixed on the finish line, pushed herself to maintain her lead. The sound of Clark's footsteps close behind fueled her drive, her competitive fire blazing. She was intent on winning, eager to showcase her strength and skill. Beside her, the other Amazon raced with equal intensity, muscles tensing as she fought to outrun both the young princess and the outsider.
The crowd's cheers reached a fever pitch as the three of them surged forward, the tension in the air almost palpable.
Just as the three neared the final stretch of the cliffside, a sudden scream pierced the air, followed by a united gasping sound from all of the audience.
The Amazonian warrior who had been running just ahead of Clark, now one of the top contenders, lost her footing on the rocky path. Time seemed to slow as her body twisted in the air, arms flailing as she plummeted toward the jagged rocks below.
Clark, without hesitation, instinctively sprang into action. The race, the competition—all of it vanished from his mind. He veered off course, pushing off the cliffside with immense speed, though carefully avoiding flight.
The audience watched in shock, their collective breath held as Clark dove toward the cliffside. Hippolyta leaned forward in her seat, her eyes narrowing, her regal calm broken by a flicker of concern. Philippus stared intensely with hardened expression.
Diana, focused on the race in the front, felt a shift and glanced back just in time to see Clark vanish over the edge. Her pulse quickened, her mind still locked in the competition. Victory was within reach, yet something urged her to stop.
He caught the warrior mid-fall, wrapping his arms around her securely. Using his strength and agility, he angled his body, expertly avoiding any suggestion of flight as he pushed off the rock wall to control their descent. The sharp wind whipped around them, but Clark never faltered. With careful precision, he scaled back up the cliffside, his movements powerful yet deliberate, until they were safely back on the path.
The crowd erupted into astonished cheers as they witnessed Clark's daring rescue. Hippolyta, watching from her royal seat, though her face remained composed, her keen eyes betrayed the depth of her thoughts, allowed the barest hint of approval to flicker in her expression. She turned her eyes to look at Philippus to see an expression of relief and admiration on her guard's face, then she turned back to continue watching the race without saying a word.
Diana, now fully aware of what had happened, turned her head again. She had started to continue running, her competitive instinct still driving her forward, but the image of Clark saving the Amazon burned in her mind. She pushed herself harder, crossing the finish line in first place, but the elation she had expected didn't come.
As the cheers rose around her, Diana's thoughts remained on Clark. He had been competing for first place, just like her. He had been running side by side, locked in the same fierce battle for victory. But when it came down to it, he had abandoned his chance for glory to save a fellow competitor.
Clark, having made sure the Amazon was unharmed, jogged toward the finish line, still pretending to catch his breath as he crossed in fourth place.
The saved Amazon stood beside him, her chest rising and falling with deep breaths, though unharmed but clearly shaken. With her strong body, she could survive the fall, but it would come with heavy injuries, if not for Clark's selfless rescue.
She said nothing, her gaze filled with respect and gratitude. Her hand rested on his shoulder—a gesture of acknowledgment and thanks, not romantic but sincerely appreciative. Though older and experienced as a warrior, she recognized the honor in the boy's actions.
Hippolyta rose from her seat, her regal voice cutting through the applause like a bell, "Sisters! As you've just witnessed. Though Kal-El has not claimed victory in this trial, his actions speak louder than any triumph. Strength, courage, and honor define a true warrior. We honor him today, not for his speed, but for the heart that guides his strength. Therefore, I declare, this young male has passed the first trial!"
The crowd erupted into a roar of approval, many who had doubted the young outsider now looked upon him with newfound respect.
Clark, modest as ever, accepted the recognition with a humble nod, though he seemed almost more concerned with making sure the Amazonian warrior was still okay.
Diana stood at the finish line, her eyes fixed on him. She had won the race, and claimed first place as she had set out to do. But standing there, watching Clark, she couldn't shake the feeling that the true victory was his. His selfless act had shown her something she hadn't fully grasped before: that being a warrior wasn't just about winning or proving your strength—it was about protecting others, even at the cost of your own glory.
Hippolyta then announced to the audience. "We will now move to the Colosseum for the second trial."
The audience began to disperse, making their way toward the Colosseum.
Diana found herself walking alongside Clark, whose wrists were no longer bound by ropes.
As they walked toward the Colosseum for the next trial, Diana fell into step beside him. "You didn't have to do that," she said, her competitive nature still lingering but softened by a new understanding. "Most would have kept running."
Clark smiled at her, a little sheepishly, and said, "I just did it out of instinct, but I'm glad no one got hurt." He paused for a moment, then added with a genuine warmth, "By the way, you were great in the race, Diana."
Diana's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer, a flicker of admiration in her eyes that she couldn't quite hide. "You were also good," she replied, her tone softer than usual. "I think... better than most of us expected."
There was a brief pause, and then her eyes widened, and she stopped mid-step, turning toward him. "Wait... you're speaking Greek—without the Homelander's translation! How is that possible?"
Clark chuckled softly, realizing she had caught on. "I guess I'm a fast learner," he said with a shrug. "It's a gift, I suppose."
Diana looked at him with a mix of admiration and curiosity. "A fast learner, indeed," she murmured. She walked beside him, her mind now turning over more questions than before.
But in that moment, the mutual respect between them deepened. Diana felt something stir inside her—an admiration not just for his physical abilities, but for his character, which gave her a new understanding of what it meant to be strong. Something that made her wonder if she could learn from him, too.
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