“Resolutions”
On a pedestal of rock a mile high, she watched her former home from a distance, tears of lava rolling down the side of her face. She sniffed through her non-functional nostrils and wiped away a few tears with her thumbs. It stuck her as slightly ironic that she was the only one putting herself on a pedestal these days. She remembered when people used to look up to her; now all she had was seagulls looking down. She could barely make out the activity on the shore below, but she knew she was being watched. Amazon's never left their island undefended or unwatched. She knew that from her training and from her mother. Her mother who stood on the shore even now, watching her daughter gradually falling into depression. She knew that Diana needed action and purpose to survive. She wasn't the sort of woman who could live out a quiet life, as she measured herself by the battles she won, not just physically, but mentally. The pillar slowly sank back into the ocean, taking Diana with it. As she slowly fell into the ocean, she let her head hang low and closed her eyes. “Great Pallas, I beseech you,” she began. “Why have you forsaken me?” The pillar stopped as the waves washed around her. “Why have you let this happen to me?” The lava tears bubbled and boiled the water around her face. “Why? I did as you bid me, I worked for you, I worked for peace and forgiveness. I fought for the truth at every chance, and this is how you repay me?” “The truth is, you used me. You used me for your own ends and it took me getting broken down and rejected by you and everything I stood for and loved to realize it. The only truth is that there is no real truth with gods. I understand now why Atheism has taken such a strong hold on the world -- you cannot depend on Gods, but you can depend on nothing.” Diana looked up to the sky as if waiting for an answer, but nothing came. Nothing but the silence from the skies. “HURRAGH” Her rock fist smashed against the side of the Hydra's face and teeth sprayed her chest as the sheets of strata flowed with every movement. Her eyes were full of anger and fury; she wasn't just furious, she was desperate. Blood splashed against her fists as she formed her hands into spikes and scythes, her fingers jutting into a blade of Quartz, slashing downwards and separating the Hydra's head into two pieces. Her second hand, forming into a mallet of iron ore, smashed into the hydra's face, smashing blood and brains onto the grass covered ground. “BEAST! ANIMAL! VILE CREATURE!” she screamed, her voice breaking with her anger. The Hydra dropped to the ground and arose with several extra heads. This was how she worked through her anger and her depression. She was going to destroy this creature for everything that had happened to her. Spittle clung to the corner of her mouth and tears streamed down her face as the cracks in her skin that showed her molten blood underneath grew larger and more pronounced. She couldn't control it anymore…she wanted to break this creature and break herself. How could she live in this world, how could she become something that she was never meant to be? She was just a re-purposed tool, something that's purpose had passed. The gods had left her, her mother had rejected her and every power she had held had been taken from her. As the blood flowed over her, seeping into the cracks in her skin, it stung but it had no effect on her the way it did the others who had tried to kill the beast. She worked on the creature’s head and body for four hours before eventually killing the creature. When your body is made from stone, and your heart has ceased to beat, tiredness has no function or existence in your world. “Diana?” She looked up from her position at the base of the mountain. The cave was barely big enough for her to sit in, but she was huddled in the shadows, holding herself, having pulled the sheets of rock around her body, tears of lava dripping onto her arms and onto her knees, pulled into her chest. “Donna?” Cassie looked at Donna, holding her hands to her face. She didn't like seeing Diana this way. In fact, Cassie wouldn't wish to see her worst enemy this way; well, perhaps her second worst enemy. She'd never seen the woman she once looked up to look so pathetic. “Leave me alone, Donna,” Diana hissed through her craggy teeth. “We can't leave you alone, Diana, you've been missing for months. The Justice League is concerned, they couldn't find you.” “I've been through some changes,” Diana spoke softly, crawling out of the hole and standing, unsteadily and covered in blood before Donna and Cassie. “God, Diana,” Donna was horrified and Cassie had nothing to say. “Changes,” Diana said, her voice hoarse. “What the hell happened to you?” Cassie asked, stepping forwards. “I was forsaken,” she said, brushing past the pair of them. Donna's arm whipped out and grabbed hold of her arm. “Forsaken?” Donna said. “I let mythology loose, Donna.” Diana pulled her arm away. “That was you?” Donna asked with a gasp. “Yes,” Diana said shamefully. “Diana, how did you...” Cassie stood before her. “How could you do that? How could you just let it all out into the world?” “You think I expected this to happen, Cassie? I didn't. I didn't expect it at all. I got cocky and arrogant and it led to where I am now, I don't expect any sympathy...” “Well, you won't get any from me. People died, Diana. People are still dying because you made a poor choice. People like you don't get to make mistakes.” “Cassie...” “Don't! Don't Cassie me! I looked up to you! I thought you were somebody I could count on, and instead you're just like everyone else. You let me down and you let everyone else down, Diana, and you got what you deserve.” Cassie threw her hands up and took up off the ground, shooting into the sky leaving a yellow streak from her hair as she blasted into the distance. Donna looked to Diana for a moment, and said nothing. There was nothing to say really. “She's young,” Donna said finally. “I'm sure she didn't mean it.” “She did, Donna, and she has every right to mean it. I am a failure for what I believed in, and that is what I've been ignored and removed.” Diana sat down heavily, looking up at Donna with glowing eyes. “As much as it pains me to say it, and it hurts me, I don't deserve to be Wonder Woman.” “Maybe you don't,” Donna said, putting her hand gently on Diana’s shoulder. “But maybe the fact that you're accepting this so readily means you are supposed to be Wonder Woman. Even when you're depressed and you've lost it all, you still inspire me, Diana.” Donna smiled as Diana's face cracked into the first smile she'd had in six months. She clasped a rock hard, cold hand onto Donna's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “You are a good friend, Donna.” “So are you, Diana.” “Remember, if you need me, or the Amazons, there are those who are still loyal to you. We might not be great in number, but what we lack in physical presence and strength, we make up for in power and love.” “I am honored to call you my sister,” Diana said, pushing her shoulder against Donna's and her temple against her sister’s. “Diana,” a voice called from the puddle beneath their feet. “Who?” Donna asked, as Diana shook her head. “Maya,” She answered with a hint of anger. “It is time for you to come to me, Diana. It is time for the seven to begin.” Diana looked at Donna for a moment, before she began to melt into the ground. “If you are needed I will not hesitate to call on you, Donna, but there are some paths that should be walked alone.” To Be Continued... Previous Issue | Next Issue |
