Compared to Diana, Thea's advantage lay in her being a true woman of the modern age. Even her optimized appearance was based on her natural features, making her beauty far more aligned with contemporary aesthetics.
"I've traveled to many places over the years…" Diana's gaze rested on the nearby crowd, though her thoughts drifted far beyond them. "The glory of Greece is long gone. The traces of gods walking the earth have vanished completely. Every deity in this world disappeared without a trace. I walked from Europe to Africa, then to Asia, and eventually set sail to the Americas…"
She let out a soft laugh.
And under Thea's puzzled stare, Diana revealed the surprising part.
"I even met Audrey Hepburn."
"Heh… back then I only borrowed one of her songs…" Thea rubbed her nose, a bit embarrassed. Stealing someone's signature piece did come with some guilt.
"But how is she now…?" Thea began to ask, then stopped halfway—realizing a century had passed. She likely wouldn't see her again.
"She had no divine power, but she was a great woman. I once wanted to help her extend her life, but she refused… All I could do was keep her from suffering and let her pass peacefully."
The bond between Diana and Hepburn was clear. Thea wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"I'll stay with you…" Compared to the relatively calm century that had passed, Thea doubted how many calamities the world would face in the next ten or twenty years. Against the unending enemies waiting in the future, lifespans meant nothing.
"What are you working on now?"
"I inherited Miss Hepburn's foundation. I advocate for the rights of women and children." Diana spoke with quiet satisfaction, a sense of purpose shining through her expression.
So that was why the Louvre couldn't find her. Because of "Moon River," Diana had met Audrey Hepburn—and afterward had gone into humanitarian work. What a strange twist of fate.
A pity, though. Thea's expression dimmed slightly. She had hoped Diana might stay in Star City with her. She hadn't expected much, but she had wanted to try. Now, seeing Diana's strength and independence, such words felt impossible. Both of them were too strong-willed—neither would ever bend.
For Diana to give up everything and stay in Star City?
Or for Thea to abandon everything and join humanitarian missions?
Just imagining a group of dirty little kids tugging at her for candy made Thea shiver—she'd probably pull her bow out on instinct.
Thankfully, the two had reconnected. Meeting again would be easy. The Yellow Lantern Ring was the fastest among all rings, and Diana could break the sound barrier. Distance simply wasn't a barrier for them.
"How has everyone on Themyscira been?" Thea returned to the present. Let Diana handle her humanitarian missions—Thea knew Diana would never take her money anyway. Better to talk about happier things.
Sure enough, Diana's eyes lit up the moment Themyscira was mentioned. That was her home. She was forbidden by Amazon law to discuss the island with outsiders, but Thea wasn't an outsider—though not born of the tribe, she was officially recognized. She could speak freely.
"My mother built a granary near a mountain. Do you remember that mountain? Back then, when you threw the javelin, it flew so far…"
"Antiope has trained a new warrior. She's incredibly skilled…"
Diana talked endlessly about the Amazons—their lives, their routines, even the smallest trivialities. And yet, these tiny things mattered far more to her than killing alien invaders or toppling warlords in Africa.
Feeling the softness hidden within Diana's heart, Thea gently pulled her into an embrace.
"You remember the Godkiller Sword, right?" Diana asked quietly.
How could Thea forget? The sword that was supposed to slay Ares! At this point, it was basically just a prop for channeling fire-element magic—flashy but nearly useless.
"I remember…"
"My mother said the forge god created two swords. One was your Godkiller, and the other was the sword I used in the fight earlier. Mine is merely sharp, she said—but yours is stronger."
Thea rolled her eyes where Diana couldn't see. Hippolyta's talent for talking nonsense must have been maxed out. Stronger? Stronger her ass…
Just as Thea was silently complaining, a group of kids ran past them shouting:
"Hurry up! The circus show is about to start!"
Thea turned to Diana. "Have you ever seen a circus show? Want to go take a look?"
"What's interesting about lions and tigers…?" Diana asked, confused. She wasn't afraid of wild beasts, much less trained ones.
"Come on, just go! If you treat yourself like a normal person, you'll find it fun." Thea pulled her along. Diana's past century had been far from joyful—waiting decades for Thea, then wandering through the harshest parts of the world. She had been away from happiness for far too long. Thea needed to bring some of it back.
Even if the kids had run farther, the two of them could catch up easily. Following them, they arrived at the northeastern corner of the amusement park.
Inside the large circular venue, the audience was sparse but deeply focused. The show had already begun. The two found empty seats and sat down.
Despite the small crowd, the circus performers gave it their all. The trained animals executed their routines skillfully.
A flamboyantly dressed old man with a white beard led a tiger through five consecutive flaming hoops, drawing waves of applause. Thea and Diana watched with interest. Killing a tiger was easy—but taming one? That was something neither of them could do.
"And next, please welcome our warrior from Gotham! A man said to dance with death itself—Boston Brand!" the announcer shouted, his voice filled with excitement. The crowd responded with enthusiastic applause.
Soon, a man in a red bodysuit appeared on a high platform, blowing exaggerated kisses toward the audience. Thea glanced at him once, then looked away.
Aerial acrobatics might thrill ordinary people—danger, speed, artistry all rolled together—but for Thea and Diana, who could fly effortlessly, the act had little appeal. Even the tiger act had been more interesting.
Judging by the cheers around them, the man was performing well. Thea was in the middle of discussing temple construction with Diana when the unexpected happened.
A sudden cry rang out.
The aerial performer's body twisted unnaturally as he slipped. Like a rag doll, he traced a graceful arc through the air—plummeting from fifty meters above.
A heavy bang burst across the ring, kicking up a cloud of dust.
The lively applause stopped instantly.