Chapter 3: The Hidden Village
Zeus, his divine power radiating with every movement, stood over the fallen King. The power that had saved Diana from death surged within him, and now, he had to make sure she and Hella would never again face the threat of mortal danger. His wrathful intervention had ensured their safety—for the time being. But he knew the gods' curiosity, particularly Hera's, would soon become an issue.
"Come," he said, his voice commanding yet gentle, a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded moments ago. Without waiting for a response, he extended a hand to Queen Hella, who was still in shock from the violence she had just witnessed. Diana, still a child of only two, clung to her mother's side, eyes wide with fear and confusion, unable to fully comprehend the magnitude of what had happened.
In an instant, the royal palace and its dark halls vanished, replaced by the tranquil, open air of a distant valley. The world around them changed with a swift, almost dreamlike ease. The air was fresh, clean, and full of life, the far-off sound of birds singing and children laughing in the distance. A village lay nestled below the craggy hills, a humble haven far from the reach of the royal court's turmoil.
This village was small and simple, a stark contrast to the opulence of the King's palace. The houses were made of mud bricks, surrounded by vibrant gardens that lined narrow streets. The smell of freshly baked bread and the rustle of the river's waters filled the air. In the distance, women were gathering herbs, children were playing, and the rhythm of daily life carried on without a care for the gods above.
Zeus watched them for a moment, taking in the peaceful sight of the village. It was exactly what they needed—a place far from the politics of the gods, where Diana and Hella could find safety and peace. But even as the tranquil life stretched out before them, Zeus knew they were not free from the dangers that came with his divine bloodline.
With a subtle gesture, Zeus began to weave his divine power into the world around them. He closed his eyes, calling upon the very essence of the skies and the heavens. A thick, swirling cloud began to form above the village, twisting and turning as it spread, covering the valley in a veil of mist. The cloud shimmered with iridescent colors, constantly shifting and undulating, forming an impenetrable barrier.
No mortal eye could see through it. And most importantly, no god would be able to pierce it either. It was a spell of protection—a safeguard to keep Hera and any other god from discovering the truth of Diana's existence. Zeus knew that Hera's fury at his defiance, and the existence of his child with a mortal woman, could bring untold chaos. The cloud would hide the village from both mortal and divine sight.
Hella, still holding Diana close, stared in awe at the shifting cloud. "Is it...safe here?" she asked softly, her voice trembling with the weight of everything that had happened.
Zeus nodded, his eyes softening slightly as he looked at them both. "You are safe. The cloud will protect you. No one will find you here, not even Hera."
Diana, still too young to understand the magnitude of their situation, simply clung to her mother's side, her eyes wide and filled with wonder at the strange beauty of the world around her. The village was peaceful, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, Hella could breathe with relief. She had been running from the King's madness for so long, and now, in this secluded village, she could finally begin to rebuild her life.
Zeus glanced at the village again, his heart heavy with the knowledge that their lives, though safe for now, would always be marked by secrets and hidden truths. As long as the illusion held, Diana and Hella could live in peace, but Zeus knew the day would come when Diana would grow curious, when she would begin to ask questions about her origins, her true father.
For now, though, they were safe, and that was all that mattered.
The village became their new home—a place of simplicity and quiet, a place where time seemed to move slower, where the dangers of the world outside could not touch them. As the years passed, Diana would grow and learn, her innocence preserved for the time being by the loving hands of her mother and the careful watch of Zeus, even from afar.
But for now, Zeus stood silently in the village, his heart conflicted. He had saved them, but in doing so, he had cast them into a life of seclusion. The balance between keeping them safe and the inevitable truth of Diana's divine heritage was a weight that would one day be too much to bear.
As the clouds swirled above, the village seemed to hold its breath. And in the quiet moments that followed, Zeus disappeared, leaving Hella and Diana to begin their new life—unaware of what the future would hold