POV Rio
I had stalled long enough, and it was finally time to visit Paradise Island. The Limbo war of supremacy was close to ending, so I wanted to rid myself of both that issue and Agatha. It also helped that I felt Agatha could use that chance to become powerful, so I wanted to nip the problem in the bud and get rid of her now.
As I approach the entrance to the pocket dimension, I notice several women wearing bronze armor.
"Mr. Pines, we've been expecting you," the woman who I think might be the leader says.
"Uh, okay..." I say with slight wariness.
I am led into the pocket dimension, and I find the place to be quite lovely. It looked like it was a large landmass surrounded by an ocean. It sort of reminded me of Mars with how lush and green everything was. There was still some variation, as we saw while walking through the land towards a large temple at the center of the landmass, but it was mostly a calm, tranquil forest.
I spotted a few species of note, such as some Pegasi, a Siren, a few Lamia, an Arachne, and even a dragon. And of course, not a gnelf, not a gnoblin, but a gnome.
'I guess I just got Gnomed.'
Jokes aside, this island was beautiful. I only regretted I couldn't explore more before we arrived at the temple. Or at least I thought it was a temple, but it seems it was a palace and temple fused together. The main chamber had a massive statue, but instead of Zeus, it was a statue of Athena sitting upon a throne. But we didn't linger as we moved behind the statue to a smaller throne room, where an incredibly strong woman sat upon a much smaller throne than in the previous room. And yet she felt almost frail.
It may have been because of her pale skin or pure white hair, or perhaps the clouded eyes; regardless, she seemed quite old and tired.
"Leave us," the woman demands.
The guards bow and leave the throne room.
"Let me see your face," the woman orders, and I come a bit closer.
"You are the one from my dreams... Then the stars were right, and my time has come. Gods give me strength," the woman says with an accepting tone.
"You've seen me before?" I ask with interest.
"For the past 7000 years, I've ruled as the keeper of this island. But for all these years, I have never been the ruler of my own dreams. I have seen things, things no mortal should see. The past, the present, and even the future. You have come here seeking answers. Even to questions you have yet to know," the woman says wistfully.
"I thought Hippolyta was the ruler of Paradise Island," I comment.
"I am she," Hippolyta responds calmly.
I look confused, as I hadn't read any info on anything like that.
"You are confused, as the records of my rulership here are not complete. Asgard has many records, but it is terribly sparse when it comes to Earth's history. And the Ancient One and her predecessors cared little to record anything beyond what they deemed important," Hippolyta says calmly.
I nod as I feel that seems to fit, all things considered.
"It was foretold that you would arrive at the turn of the new age and usher in much change," the woman says with a distant look.
"New age?" I ask with interest.
"Yes, these are the waning days of the Age of Gods. And the final days of my life," Hippolyta responds firmly.
"You're dying?" I say with slight sadness.
"Yes, all things end, even I. I have lived for almost 15000 years. Even now, I am only holding on with my willpower and desire to protect those I rule over," Hippolyta replies.
"Nobody can take over rulership of the realm once you leave?" I ask with confusion.
"No, this realm was made by the gods and meant to be ruled by those that represent them. While I bought time with the help of the Ancient One, there is no stopping what is to come. Perhaps this island will not cease to exist all at once, but within a year or two it will cease to exist, and all those inside will be left with no safe haven once more," Hippolyta says with a saddened tone.
"Are you asking for help?" I inquire.
"I will answer your questions regardless of whether you take them in, but I still must humbly ask, from one ruler to another. Save my people," Hippolyta says while bowing her head slightly.
"Of course I'll help. I know enough about the residents here to know that they are only looking for a safe place to live. At least assuming those records are true," I reply.
"Indeed they are. Many have lost much to humanity, but they had to give up those grudges and hatred when they chose to live here. Now all they want is to be left in peace and to have a safe place to raise their young," Hippolyta says firmly.
"Very well, I shall take them in," I reply.
My answer seems to lessen some unseen burden upon Hippolyta as she seems to relax.
"Now for your questions. The first is yes, you may take the texts kept within the Library of Athena. I would prefer they not be lost. I am certain the knowledge will do good to the world," Hippolyta says calmly.
I nod.
"Do you know where Agatha the Witch is?" I ask.
"Yes, I have seen where she hides. In a small realm hidden in the former town where much of her coven was put to the stake and burned alive. There she hid with two others of her coven, but she has since betrayed them. I do not know the victor of the battle, but I do know that whoever survived will be no challenge for you," Hippolyta responds.
"Salem, Massachusetts?" I ask for clarification.
She nods.
"Are there any threats that may come to threaten my people or Earth?" I ask.
"Hmm, I have seen a vision of the future. The Mad Titan has accessed secrets that should have stayed buried in their unfathomable depths. A power that even the Celestials feared. The power to rewrite time and reality. A Dragon Break approaches. What you do will decide the fate of this universe. Act now before he can gain the Heart," Hippolyta says with a blank tone as if she wasn't the one speaking anymore.
"Dragon Break? As in the Un-Time?" I ask.
"I know nothing more beyond what I have shared. Now it is left up to you to act. You are the piece that cannot be changed. The Fixed Point. What you do, I cannot see anymore, nor can anyone change you. Only you can prevent what is to come," Hippolyta says firmly.
I consider the meaning of her vision and reach out to the Force to help guide my mind. And then it comes to me.
'The Heart of Limbo. Of course. It could grant even greater power to whatever knowledge Thanos has uncovered.'
A small part of me feared that Thanos had somehow found something as dangerous as the Heart of Lorkhan. But I doubted that idea; if that was true, then there was no way for me to stop him from getting to it. The Force seemed to confirm this belief, and while that may not be the most accurate tool, it still gave me greater confidence in my decision.
'I can check later with the Compass, just in case.'
"Now I have an answer to something that you never asked," Hippolyta offers.
I raise my eyebrow, and I admit I was intrigued.
"I saw your birth," Hippolyta says calmly.
It takes me a moment to understand the significance of that statement, but when I do, she has my undivided attention.
"You are born of a most unique union. That of a Quendë and a Nature Spirit," Hippolyta drops with no build-up.
My mind races to understand what that means.
"The Quendë was a traveler from far beyond the universe who became trapped here and desperately wanted to return from whence he came. Gaia Everfree desperately wanted a child of her own. The universe seemed fit to solve both problems at once. The Quendë gave up a part of his essence to return home, while Gaia Everfree lost a portion of her power to create you. You may not have been born of her womb, but you are her flesh and blood all the same," Hippolyta says with finality.
"I-I don't understand. How did that even happen?" I ask with confusion.
"The Quendë arrived here by accident; even I know not how they got here beyond it being an accident, or perhaps it was fate. The universe works in mysterious ways. Perhaps some greater force had a hand in your birth. Perhaps, as was foretold, you were fated to be born at the turn of the new era. Or maybe some kind greater power wanted to help those that had no greater option," Hippolyta says with a kind tone.
I smile as I think of a certain man in a white suit. And, strangely enough, in my memory he winks at me before the thought ends.
'Thanks, God.'
"I guess it doesn't matter. Regardless of how or to whom I was born, I am still my mother's son," I say with a fond tone.
"Indeed. While you may be a Quendë like your father before you, you are yourself, and nobody can change that. Now I believe you have things to accomplish. And people to save," Hippolyta says with a kind smile.
"Indeed I do. Is there anything else you would like to tell me?" I ask.
Hippolyta looks behind me with that same smile and shakes her head. When I turn around, I don't see anything and determine it was my time to leave.
POV Shift Hippolyta
As Rio leaves, I talk to the presence.
"Why do you choose to hide from him?" I ask.
"I am nothing more than an echo of a foolish father. Let him live his life as he pleases," answers the ethereal white elk.
"It is not my place to interfere, so do as you please. Now I must rest," I say as the spirit leaves to return to looking after his son.
I shake my head with a small smile.
'Such an odd species.'
I close my eyes and rest my exhausted bones.
'Soon. Soon I can rest forever.'