Diana of Themyscira

Sixteen Years Ago

Hippolyta walked the beaches of Paradise Island under the gentle moonlight. For nearly three millennia, she had lived on with her fellow Amazon sisters in quiet seclusion. Together, they mined metal from the earth, cut stone from the mountain walls, and made clay from the sands. At the center of the island's harbor, amongst the sparkling rivers and gentle grasses, they built a city. Here, on a hidden paradise among the seas, the Amazons had made a new home.

   But despite this, Hippolyta's mind found no shelter. She was tormented by loneliness.

   

   "Why is your heart troubled?" a feminine voice echoed from the skies.

   The Amazon queen recognized the voice immediately: Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Though it was proper for a mortal to bow in the presence of such a deity, Hippolyta remained standing.

   "I am in a cage," Hippolyta responded.

   "You are safe from the chaotic world of man," Athena's voice responded.

   "Safe, and trapped. Alone."

   "You wish for companionship? Surely you do not wish for the presence of men."

   "Men, no."

   "Then whom?"

   "...I was pregnant, before Heracles' army slew my people. My unborn child was killed in the battle."

   "And now you wish for that child to live again."

   "Yes."

   There was silence in the clouds for a few moments before Athena spoke again.

   "Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, it has been decided that our debt to your people has not yet been repaid in full, and your request shall be granted."

   Hippolyta's felt a tinge of relief and joy slip through her being.

   "Your child's soul shall be restored, but you shall sculpt her body from the sands," Athena said. "Do this now."

   Without another word, Athena drew her dagger and knelt on the beach. She plowed the wet sand with her blade, and carefully began to form the shape of a newborn baby. Her fingers caressed every curve and detail with the gentleness and care that only a mother can provide. When the sculpture was done, Athena spoke again.

   "Now, grant her a single drop of your own blood, then raise her to us."

   Hippolyta pricked her thumb with her dagger, then pressed a single drop of shed blood on the sculpted baby's forehead. She raised the sculpture to the heavens, and six beams of light shone out from the clouds, striking the lump of sand. Suddenly, the sands slid away, revealing a naked human baby in Hippolyta's hands.

   The baby shuddered for a moment, then gently cried in the open air. Hippolyta, shocked and amazed, cradled the baby in her arms, tears of joy streaming down her face.

   "Your daughter has been granted six gifts from six of the gods," said Athena. "From Demeter, great strength. From Artemis, the heart and skill of a hunter and warrior. From Aphrodite, unsurpassed beauty and a loving heart. From Hestia, sisterhood with fire. From Hermes, heightened speed and the power of flight. And from myself, great wisdom and courage."
   Hippolyta felt unease at this. "My eternal gratitude be to you, my goddess, but why has my daughter been blessed with such gifts?"
   "Your daughter is to bridge the gap between the Amazons and the outside world."
   "No! Please, I beg you, no! Surely she cannot be the prophesied Ambassador? There must be another—"
   "There is no other. She is the one. But do not despair; your daughter will be more than capable. Do you question my wisdom?"
   "No, my goddess."
   "Very well. When she is of age, you will take your daughter to man's world. There, she will begin her task. Will you comply in this?"
   "I will."

   The lights in the sky faded, and Hippolyta was left alone in silence with her baby daughter.
   "Welcome to Paradise Island, my darling Diana."