Origins of an Amazon

Chapter Four: Father?

Chapter Four: Father?

Dianna snapped silver bracelets on her arms, hastily pinning her hair back and surveying her outfit. A solid while dress with gold trim, her bracelets and tiarra signifying she was the second child.

"Hurry up Nina! The music is starting!" She called over her shoulder, trying to fasten the necklace on her neck.

"I'm ready, just waiting on you." A voice came to her and she turned to see her sister dressed in a dark blue dress with a slanted hem. On her head lay the golden crown telling all of Themascura she was the heir to this throne.

"Help me with this catch?" Diana asked, turning her back to her sister.  Narania rolled her eyes playfully before walknig over and fixing the piece.

"Where would you be without me?" she asked teasingly.

"Dead." Dianna answered, instantly, before looking herself over in the mirror one last time before heading towards the door.

"Come on!" The two sisters made it out to the courtyard just in time, the trumpets just beginning which was signalling their moment to enter.

Rose petals floated down as the great doors opened in front of them, and their fellow Amazon sisters clapped and cheered as they walked out. Both took a knee in front of their queen, bowing their heads in respect.

"The Champion and the Princess." Hypolita announced, proudly, holding a hand out to each of her daughters as she spoke. Diana and Narnia each accepted their mother's hand and stood, Narania on the left, and Diana on the right.

"And now my sisters, we celebrate!" The queen announced, her words met with cheers, as they and the royals clapped as the lightshow in the sky began.

"I was beginning to think you were going to be late." Hypolita commented, her tone low, as she and her daughters watched the merrymaking.

The two scoffed. "Mother you think too little of us." Narania said, while she and Diana exchanged looks behind her back, grinning slightly.

For a while the three watched the fireworks in silence, the sound of the ocean and the gentle sound of the harps adding to the festive sound around them. And for a moment the small family was content with one another.

The two sisters had wandered off together, near the fountains where they laughed and joked with one another, until Hypolita had called Diana over privately. She was only there a moment before Narania saw that they were arguing.

Diana made an angry gesture in her mothers direction before she stormed off, back to her sister.

"What now?" She asked, watching Diana kick a stone across the lawn and hearing it crack against the stone.

"She wanted for me to do a 'demonstration' like last time! Every feast, meeting, or holiday she does this! I am not a side show!" She said angrily, crossing her arms and letting out an angry huff. It made Narania angry as well, Diana, Diana, Diana! Just be cause she was so 'special'.

"Why don't you go and flaunt yourself?" She asked bitterly, f a moment glaring at the younger girl. Diana's eyes widened a little before they narrowed.

"Why do you do that? I mean no ill against you and you go and make it about you!" She snapped back her blue eyes flashing.

"Well it's about the only thing that is about me!" Nina snapped back before she took off across the sand.
As soon as her back was to Diana the anger left her face, and she felt quilt.
"Nina wait!" She shouted as she went after her.

The elder heard but didn't bother, instead she put on speed, dodging into the jungle and skidding down a bank before she came to the waters edge. She let out a huff and slammed he fiat in a tree, before she simply began to pace. What the young woman did not realize was she was being watched...

He smirked from his place back on the trees, she was so wild and angry, her mother's shortsighted actions had left the child craving attention. Something. He was far willing to give.

"So angry child..." He said his voice deep with booming, yet silky syllables. Narania started and spun Aron's grabbing the knife she had hide in her dress.

"Show yourself!" She commanded. The tall figure in the trees chuckled.

"So direct, and so powerful. it baffles me why you are second." He said before he came out of the tree line.
He was taller than heralded, broader, his skin, attire , his very stance screamed 'God'.

"W-Who are. you?" She demanded in a shaky voice. It made the man simply smirk.

"Child, I'm hurt. How could you not know me? I am Ares, the God of war... And your father." He said simply. Narania paled before she stood her ground.

"You lie! I have no father!" She snapped. Ares never left his easy stance, not a weapon in sight.

"Child child... Why do you think the woman that carried you puts you over the clay girl? That she puts you down into the dust that her previous offspring is no better than.... She had taken you title, your power, and your birthright... You Narania are the Daughter of War... My dear child." He said, opening his arms hits slightly in gesture.

Narania looked at him, with suspicion, but she slowly lowered her weapon.
"You destroyed our world." She said firmly. "And left me." She said knowing that her mother had taught no man was ever to be trusted save Zeus.

"My dearest child... I did not leave you. From the very beginning your mother feared what you were and what you could become. She had me banished, and erased all knowledge of your conception... My dear Narania... I wish to give, all that has been stripped from you." He said slowly using his ability to cloud her mind so all she saw was the slights and wrongs done to her...

He smirked as he watched her eyes haze over before she ran to him and hugged him.

"Oh father!" She whimpered. Ares held the girl tightly and stroked the back of her head.

"Shh, shh child. Your father is here.... I will make it right." He swore, she shivered a moment.

"Show me again father, show me." She begged. Ares smirked and took as step back before he put his hand on her shoulders. Her head fell back and her eyes glowed red. His power block g out her good memories.

He was only partially through when he heard crashing in the brush. He growled and pulled away, Leaving Narania dazed. "The clay girl comes this way. I must leave. Daughter. Meet me tomorrow on the cliff face. And we will prepare." He ordered before he stepped back in the dark and disappeared.

"Nina! Nina!" Diana called as she finally ran up, her sister standing out in the open for no reason. "Narania..." She started

"Don't start with me Diana." She snapped. and began to climb the ridge that she came down on. This was her special place and she knew the ha gods well, climbing up the slippery rocks with ease.

"Nina please!" Diana begets as she tried to follow. But not knowing the path she grabbed onto a mass of thorny vines and lost her grip, causing her to fall back to the rocky bottom.
Narania had heard the cry, will g already at the top, she turned to look and saw Diana still at the base.
In that moment She felt a flash of hatred and began to turn away, leaving her there, but she saw Diana attempt to rise and fail, her whimper reaching her ears. It was like clod water had been dumped on her and she gasped, quickly climbing back down.

"Diana!" She said as she jumped the last few feet and gently picking the teen up. Across her forehead was a deep cut, block running down her face.

"Narania..." She groaned.

"Shh. I've got you. You need a healer." She said firmly picking her up.

"I'm sorry Nina... I didn't new to make you angry." She moaned holding onto her sister's dress strap.

"Shush...save your energy little one." Nina soothed, as she walked back towards the palace.