Aisha Saeed - Diana and the Underworld Odyssey

The sun shone brightly upon the beaches of Themyscira, the golden glow shimmering as though Zeus himself had struck the island with a lightning bolt. Diana stood to the side of the dock, arms crossed, watching women from the Scholar community trudge up the plank toward their ship, lugging bronze, copper, and silver trunks behind them. Just across from Diana stood the sea captain, who unfurled her map and scrutinized the coordinates that would lead themand Dianas best friend, Sakinaback to their home.

Diana swallowed. Just one week earlier, this very ship had unspooled its anchor into the sea alongside other vessels belonging to women from communities around the world: expert strategists, welders, artists, educators, even fellow warriors from distant lands. Theyd descended from abroad to celebrate their cultures and share knowledge with one another at the annual Char festival. During the day, theyd taught and attended classes ranging from pottery to painting to combat. Each evening, theyd laughed and chatted over lavish feasts, goblets of wine, and the steady hum of music and dancing. At night, Diana and Sakina had taken the Sky Kangas from the royal stables and soared over the island, beyond the looming statues of Aphrodite and Hera and Athena just outside the coliseum walls. Theyd plucked the juiciest oranges they could find from Themysciras groves and then eaten the sweet fruit while standing on the islands cliff-lined shores. Last night the girls had climbed onto the palaces rooftop to gaze at the stars twinkling overhead. It had been the perfect ending to a dramatic week.

The festival had started off bumpyto put it mildlybut matters had improved since Dianas near-death adventure, which involved an escape from the island of Sz and a demon who had wished to capture her. Shed not only saved an entire nation on the brink of destruction and woken the Amazons from an endless sleep but also finally convinced her mother to let her train as a warrior. So much had happened, but somehow it had gone by all too quickly.

Finally! a voice exclaimed.

Sakina was wheeling a steel trunk as she walked toward Diana. She wore a velvet tunic and gold leggings. Her long dark hair was tucked back in a twist.

All packed, huh? Diana said.

Yep. Sakina set the trunk at her feet. It was way harder to stuff all my things back in. I had to jump on the trunk to make it shut!

Maybe because you picked up so many goodies along the way, Diana teased. I think

Suddenly Diana froze. She squinted as a flash of something burst beyond the woods leading toward her palace home. What was that? Diana wondered. She scanned the horizon, her heart beating quickly.

Its nothing, she told herself. Youre spooked these days, thats all. After what shed been through, how could she not be?

But then the trees rustled in the distance, the branches shaking violently.

Diana, whats wrong? Sakina asked.

Diana didnt reply. Her eyes remained fixed on the swaying tree line. Leaves fluttered to the ground. Diana slid her hand to the sword at her waist. The demon had said someone was hunting for herand that he would find her. Is this it? she wondered. Is he here? Diana took one careful step forward. Then another. And then

Arya!

Sakinas snow leopard leapt down from a branch and nimbly planted herself on the ground. Binti, Dianas wolf friend, emerged from the forest and ran into the clearing, playfully chasing the large cat. A rush of relief flooded through Diana. She loosened her hand from the swords hilt and unclenched her jaw. Everything was fine. The animals were friends. They were simply saying goodbye. Diana was safe.

Hes not here, Sakina said gently. She rested a hand on Dianas arm.

Right. Of course not, Diana said. She shrugged unconvincingly. Arya just caught me off guard, thats all.

Thats why you sleep with a dagger under your pillow like its your security blanket? Sakina raised her eyebrows. Its not exactly snuggly.

Diana blushed. She hadnt realized that Sakina had noticed.

Fine, maybe its on my mind a little bit, she admitted.

I get it. Sakina nodded. Im ninety-nine percent sure the demon was making it all up, but I still cant help looking over my shoulder now and then.

The knot of tension in the pit of Dianas stomach eased. If anyone would understand, it would be Sakina. Theyd gone through the harrowing ordeal that kicked off the Char festival together. A boy, Augustus, who hailed from the Sz nation of chariot makers, had found his way to Themyscira, though his presence was forbidden. A gifted potion maker, hed enchanted the women on the islandguests and warriors alikeinto an endless sleep and then begged Diana and Sakina to help him save his people from an evil demon. The demon had hypnotized Augustuss people and threatened to burn their nation to the ground, all so he could capture Diana for a bounty set by a mysterious him. It had been the most terrifying ordeal of Dianas lifebut the three of them had made it through. Theyd survived booby traps and lava rivers and violent, hypnotized villagers, and together theyd destroyed the demon. But what hed said in his final moments wouldnt leave her: