For 30+ Advance/Early chapters :p
atreon.com/ScoldeyJod
"I remember," Diana said, her beautiful eyes suddenly opening. "Leo, get ready."
"Ready? Ready for what?"
He turned and saw that her white, one-shouldered dress had been replaced by her red and gold battle armor. A shield and a silver sword were strapped to her back, and the tiara on her forehead and the bracelets on her wrists gleamed dazzlingly in the sun.
"Auntie, you're…" he started to say, but then he noticed something strange. The other tourists on the deck were still looking out at the sea, chatting, completely oblivious to Diana's transformation. It was as if she were no longer there.
"Don't worry, they can't see us," she said, and scooped him up in her arms. She raised the golden lasso, and crouched slightly, ready to spring.
"Wait a minute! I'm not ready yet!" he exclaimed, but it was too late.
Diana launched herself from the deck, soaring tens of meters ahead of the cruise ship. Just as they were about to hit the water, she swung the golden rope, catching the tip of a distant wave and pulling them forward, sending them leaping across the sea.
"Look! What's that?" a tourist on the deck cried, pointing at a straight white track that had appeared on the water, a white arrow that was quickly disappearing toward the horizon.
Diana was like a humanoid fighter jet, skimming across the surface of the sea. Leo, in her arms, put on a pair of windproof glasses so he could open his eyes against the hurricane-force winds. The sea was a blur on either side of them, and soon, the cruise ship had completely disappeared.
He didn't know how far they had traveled, ten kilometers, or a hundred. Then, with a "pop," they passed through an invisible barrier.
The deep blue sea suddenly transformed into a clear, shallow, turquoise bay. In the distance, a majestic archipelago sat in the middle of the sea. The largest island was surrounded by golden sandy beaches and lush, green mountains. On the peaks and cliffs, he could see ancient Greek-style white temples and holy places. A large waterfall cascaded from the top of the mountains, creating a dazzling rainbow halo.
He didn't need his aunt to tell him. He knew where they were.
The legacy of the old Olympian gods, a dreamy paradise isolated from the world and free from its disputes.
Paradise Island.
On the beach, a group of female warriors in ancient Greek-style leather armor stood waiting. They held bows and arrows, metal spears, their shields raised, their spear tips and arrowheads aimed at the approaching intruders.
The leading general, a woman with bronze skin and a firm, cold expression, sat on the back of a strong black horse, a silver longsword in her hand. She exuded an aura of dominance and killing intent that surpassed most men.
Just as the Amazons were about to attack, the general's eyes widened. "Everyone, lower your weapons!" she commanded.
"General?"
The female soldiers were confused, but they followed her orders.
Two intruders arrived on the beach. Seeing the unique crown of the Amazon royal family on one of them, the warriors were shocked, and then, with great excitement, they placed their hands on their chests and knelt on one knee in a show of loyalty and support.
"Your Highness!"
"Your Highness, is that you?" the female general said, dismounting from her horse, her whole body trembling.
Diana put Leo down and stepped forward, her joy unbearable. "Yes, Antiope, my aunt. I'm back."
The two women hugged tightly.
Leo smiled and stood aside, not wanting to disturb their reunion.
"It's good that you're back!" Antiope said, patting Diana on the back. "Your mother, the Queen, and all the people of Amazon have been waiting for your return."
"Mother, is she okay?" Diana asked softly.
"She is, but she worries about you very much," Antiope smiled. "Hurry, come back to the palace with me. Let your mother and the people see you."
"Antiope, wait," Diana said, shaking her head.
The Amazons' eyes were now focused on Leo.
"A human?"
Many of the warriors' eyes were filled with rejection and hostility.
"Your Highness Diana," Antiope said, her face returning to its previous solemn indifference. "You know that no outsiders are allowed on Paradise Island. Especially a male human." She turned to Leo. "Who are you?"
"I… I am…" he hesitated. Faced with the aggressive female general and a group of Amazon soldiers, he didn't know how to describe his identity. The most appropriate would be Diana's adopted son, but he had always rejected that title, preferring to call her his aunt. But if he didn't claim to be her relative, he would never be accepted here.
Just as he was hesitating, Diana stepped forward. She didn't say anything to explain, her stunningly delicate face calm. She stood in front of him, raised her hands, and took off the crown that was the symbol of her status.
"Your Highness, what are you doing?!" Antiope exclaimed, as if realizing what she was about to do.
Diana just smiled, and under the shocked gaze of the Amazon warriors, she placed her silver crown on Leo's head.
He just blinked, not understanding what it meant.