"Do we have to be so rushed?" Diana asked. The annoyance in her voice was clear.
However, considering what had happened, I felt it was a smart idea to return to Paradise Island before anything bad could happen. But worrying her before I could be sure did not seem all that smart to me.
"Don't you miss everyone?" I asked.
"I do... but all of this seemed a bit rushed, don't you think?"
"Really, Diana? You don't want me, your husband to visit your home? Ashamed?" I whispered into her ears and watched and her face turned beat red.
I did not understand why, but I assumed it had to do with the day we departed from Themyscira. The lack of fanfare, and neither Hippolyta nor Antiope come to bid their farewell. But seeing Diana's dodgy eyes and crimson cheeks, I had a few guesses as to what it could have been.
"No, it's just that..."
"Something wrong? Did your mother or aunt forbid you from returning?" I asked, unknowingly a spark of divinity leaked out. I had always found it idiotic to banish their greatest warrior, and their princess because she wanted to explore the outside world.
Only when Diana's familiar touch embraced me, did I wake up from my stupor, "Of course not. What made you think that?"
But seeing the awkward smile on my face, Diana continued, "Just how many variations of the future did you see?"
"Can we go now? There is a small chance that your mother is waiting for us?"
"What happened? What are you hiding from me?"
"Nothing..." I said, not daring to look Diana in the eyes, knowing the influence she had on me, with her captivating gaze, and the less I talked about the domain of Truth the better.
"Xandros," Diana asked, her voice stern, as she stood there with her arms crossed. Most of the time I would be intimidating, but this time, her bountiful bosom captured my full attention. Unfortunately, I did not see the hand reaching my cheek.
It was her infamous pinch that woke me up. I did not know where she learned it, but it was annoyingly effective.
"It's nothing serious, a bit tedious maybe. But it would be best if your mother is present for the conversation," I said through the pain.
"Hopefully." I thought to myself.
Nevertheless, it was enough for Diana. Thus, I was able to escape the consequences of my lack of foresight. For now.
With everything packed and stored within my personal and mobile dimension, considering that I was the anchor, it was a blessing. Standing in front of our home, a sense of loss overwhelmed me. I had never thought I would grow attached to it. For the decade I had lived within it alone, it was never a concern when I up and left for months on end during the war. Yet, a year was enough for Diana and I to transform it into a home.
Even though we would not have the original anymore, we had the replica in my dimension.
"Ready?"
"Can't wait to see them again."
Taking her hand in mine, we flew toward Paradise Island. During the whole ride, I felt this sense of unease creeping in. And the moment we breached the barrier, the unease grew even larger.
Because below were Hippolyta, Antiope, and the numerous Amazons waiting by the docks.
As we landed, I felt the pairs of eyes following my every movement. There was no envy or jealousy, rather it was reverie. At this point, I could no longer cast it aside.
Turned out, it was my godly power warning me.
"Mother. Aunt Antiope." Diana said, happiness brimming in her voice.
The way they embraced each other, tugged my heartstring. It was my daily reminder of my hubris, my sense of superiority that I had buried alive.
"And I would like to formally introduce-"
"Your husband. We know." Antiope interjected. When she saw the astonishment in Diana's eyes, her caring smile turned upward. "He did not tell you? Oh my, he did not."
"Is there something I should know? He did mention something important today." Diana answered, her eyes back on me, questioning whether or not I was lying earlier. It did not help when Antiope exclaimed in shock.
Antiope wanted to continue, but thankfully, it was Hippolyta who stepped in. Unfortunately, Hippolyta did not mean to stop. "It's just that he claimed us as his territory."
Hearing the way Hippolyta phrased it, all the color drained from my face, "Why did you have to say it that way?"
"Is it not true?" Hippolyta asked innocently, "Was it not the truth?"
"I claimed protection of Paradise Island," I answered weakly. For the first time in my life, I felt this kind of helplessness. Thankfully, Diana saw through the intention earlier enough, otherwise, I would have met with her sword.
"I think you embarrassed my husband enough. Let us continue this conversation somewhere private." Hearing Diana's protective stand, I felt warm and fuzzy inside. If only that feeling last. Because the next moment, she was giving me the meanest glare I had ever seen before.
I had expected more. But true to their nature, the Amazons' throne room was not grand, nor was it audacious.
Rather, it was beautiful thanks to its simple nature. There were no statues, or gold ornament, not even a carpeted floor. Instead, the throne was decorated with endless greenery and blooming flowers. The finishing touch was the vines snaked along the wall and hung down from the ceiling.
The moment I stepped my foot into it, I felt a connection as if Paradise Island herself was knocking at my dimension.
"You claimed Paradise Island? And not bother to tell me?"
Hearing Diana's tone, I felt the courage left me. I cursed myself for being stupid, but I had dug myself into this mess. Then, I had to dig myself out. And out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Hippolyta and Antiope enjoying the torment I was going through.
"After I killed Zeus, I was not going to let the Olympians take their revenge. So, I had to claim protection over Paradise Island. I don't want to harm your family because of my actions."
"I appreciate what you have done for Paradise Island. Zeus and the Olympians were not fair in their action against us." Diana rested her hand on my cheek, the care and warmth were something I would never get tired of. But the care turned into punishment as she pinched my cheek. "But my problem is why did you not tell me?"
"You see… It slipped my mind." I said, knowing the ridiculousness of my statement.
"Sliped your mind? You? You better be honest, Xandros."
"The day we spent afterward did not help me much," I said as quietly as possible. But everyone in the room was superhuman, thus, it did not escape their ears. Adding to Diana's blushing face, both Hippolyta and Antiope were glowing with excitement.
I knew the two wanted to continue the conversation. Either it was due to the excitement of the first natural birth in the few millenia of Paradise Island's isolation, or it was their love for their princess. No matter what, I was more than happy when the topic returned to the main topic.
"What are your plans for us?" Hippolyta asked, her voice the seriousness I had expected.
"How do you know?"
"It's not hard, Xandros. For someone who turned against nature to turn themselves into a god, even killing Zeus. They are not charitable." Hippolyta said.
I wanted to argue with her, but she hit the nail on the head. Thus, I could only sigh and conjure up a small table for us. "No doubt, you are the Queen of the Amazons, I can't delay the subject for another day, can I?"
"Xandros?"
"Diana, let him speak. His love for you is real. That much is certain. And for him to risk it for something minor did not seem probable." Hippolyta sat and waited.
In a brief exchange I had with her, my appreciation for Hippolyta grew. The experience she had as a leader since ancient times. Even with the betrayal and enslavement by the gods, she managed to free her and her fellow Amazons and regain their freedom. A feat I had to admire.
"Let's talk about my plans for Paradise Island, first. I want Themyscira to open up its border and introduce themselves to the world when the time is right," I said.
"Absurd." Antiope's fist slammed the table. "You, Xandros, are the exception. The Amazons will not bend its rules and introduce men into our land."
"You are a unique being. Throughout my thousand years of existence, selfless men have been rare and few. Thus I could not risk the safety and sanity of our people just to become a part of a chaotic world." Hippolyta echoed the Amazons' distaste toward men. "More importantly, I need to know why."
"Who said anything about men arriving on the island? No. By opening up the border, I wanted to introduce conflict to Themyscira."
"What?" Antiope reached for her sword, onto to be stopped by Hippolyta, as she gestured for me to continue.
"Conflict. It is quite important. Without it, Themyscira will remain stagnant, they will grow complacent. And no matter whether you want to or not, the conflict will find a way to grow. Thus, I prefer it to be outward, fighting against the chaotic world, and showing them your ways, showing them the Paradise you had become. If there was only enjoyment and no purpose, all it would take is one ambitious individual to tear Themyscira apart." I said to the quiet throne room.
"That is the one thing I don't understand," I continued, "For a race of warriors, you chose not to fight. Instead, hide away in paradise."
At my words, the throne room stilled with silence. No sound was made. Even Diana had fallen into contemplation.
After what seemed like an eternity, Hippolyta said, "Even so, it won't work. Every Amazon besides Diana had a deep hatred for men. We were abused, backstabbed, and betrayed. Just point at anyone among the Amazons, and they will tell you a story about why men could never be trusted."
"Then why did you trust me? Was it as simple as confessing my love under the Lasso of Truth?"
"You do know that it compelled you to tell the truth, right?"
"But it did not explain why you trust after the confession," I asked, feeling there was an aspect to the Lasso I had not considered.
"Because of Diana's reaction."
Seeing Diana's blushing face, I was even more confused. I had thought she was embarrassed by my confession. It turned out there was more to it than that.
"The Lasso not only forces you to say the truth. But it feeds me your intent as well. Most of the time, I felt anger, possessiveness, envy, loathing, and countless more they tried to mask. But you, I only feel love. Genuine love."
Hearing Diana's confession, and a use for the Lasso I had not known of, an idea presented itself. "Then, what if all Amazons have their own Lasso of Truth?"
"Sound impossible. The Lasso of Truth is an artifact granted to us by the God…" At this point, Diana's eyes lit up with excitement. She practically jumped onto me, as we shared a deep and passionate kiss. "I love you, Xandros. That's brilliant."
"Ahem…" Hippolyta cleared her throat and instantly, Diana jumped in fright.
Her face once again glowed beat red upon realizing what she had done in front of her mother. Quickly, Dina hid away her embarrassment and continued, "Xandros can create some artifacts, and I can imbue them with divinity, allowing them to understand the intention of those they are talking to."
"If it could be done, then…" Hippolyta muttered.
"The border could be opened up." Antiope finished.
For the rest of the day, while Diana was working nonstop to give her people the chance to see the outside world, I accompanied Hippolyta to the deepest part of Themyscira to accomplish my main goal for the visit.