On the outskirts of Central City, inside Daniel's mansion, preparations for the museum exhibition were nearly complete.
Elizabeth and Evelyn were already dressed for the occasion. Today was the official opening of the private museum exhibition they had spent months building, yet the man responsible for providing most of the artifacts was nowhere to be found.
Elizabeth adjusted one of her earrings before looking at Evelyn.
"I still wonder what Daniel is doing."
The question wasn't really about his location.
It was about the suspicious phone call.
"He's probably involved in something troublesome," Evelyn said. "Thinking about it won't change anything."
Elizabeth shook her head.
"That's exactly what worries me."
Across the room, Tamara and Sylvia occupied the sofa while watching a television drama.
The story involved a married man whose scumbag crimes were finally catching up to him, and both women appeared far more invested in his downfall than the upcoming exhibition.
Diana entered the room shortly afterward. Unlike the others, she had already finished preparing.
"So neither of you are coming?"
Tamara reached for a snack without taking her eyes off the television.
"No."
Sylvia made herself more comfortable against the sofa.
"I've had enough formal events to last forever."
Diana accepted the answer without comment.
At that moment, the program abruptly switched to a news broadcast.
A reporter appeared on screen.
"Archaeologists in Greece are investigating a strange event after an ancient ceremonial beacon unexpectedly reignited earlier today."
Footage of a stone structure overlooking the sea appeared behind him.
A massive fire burned at its summit.
"Researchers estimate the site to be over five thousand years old. Witnesses claim the flame appeared without any visible source."
The camera zoomed in on the beacon before shifting toward crowds gathering around the area.
"Authorities are currently unable to explain the phenomenon."
Diana stopped moving.
She recognized the beacon instantly.
Elizabeth noticed her expression.
"Diana?"
Diana didn't respond.
Her attention remained on the burning flame.
The beacon would never be lit without authorization from Themyscira.
Someone had activated it.
Which meant something had happened.
Something serious enough to reach beyond the island.
A feeling of unease settled in her stomach.
The Amazons had faced many threats throughout their history, but only a handful justified using the ancient signal.
None of those possibilities were good.
Diana's gaze hardened.
Whatever had happened on Themyscira, it was important enough to alert the outside world.
And that meant trouble was already on its way.
***
On the boat, Daniel sat near the bow, watching the ocean pass beneath them as evening slowly approached. The setting sun painted the water in shades of orange and gold, casting long reflections across the waves.
While Mera guided the boat toward the Hidden Sea, Daniel occupied himself with something else entirely.
Geometric shapes continuously formed and dissolved above his palm. Cubes shifted into spheres, spheres unfolded into intricate structures, and those structures collapsed before reforming into new designs.
The Trident of Atlan wasn't the problem. Recovering the system fragment hidden within it would be relatively straightforward compared to what came afterward.
The Mother Box was a completely different matter.
A complete Mother Box wasn't merely advanced technology. It was a device capable of manipulating matter at the subatomic level.
More importantly, if all three Mother Boxes were united, they could trigger the Unity and reshape an entire planet. The process usually left nothing of the original world behind.
Daniel could handle difficult situations.
What concerned him was everything connected to the Mother Boxes.
Darkseid.
Apokolips.
Parademons.
The Anti-Life Equation.
If Darkseid ever discovered Earth's location, the situation would escalate beyond anything humanity was prepared to face.
Daniel released a quiet sigh as he stared toward the horizon. For the first time in several days, the future looked genuinely troublesome.
"What are you thinking about?" Mera asked as she approached.
Her voice pulled him from his thoughts.
Daniel glanced over and found her standing nearby with her arms folded.
"We're almost there."
"The destination isn't the issue."
One of her eyebrows rose.
"Then what is?"
Daniel looked back toward the distant horizon.
"You wouldn't understand."
The answer immediately irritated her.
"How would you know that if you don't explain it?"
After a moment of consideration, Daniel decided to humor her.
"What if I told you I was worried about an alien god who wants to conquer Earth and enslave civilizations across the universe?"
Mera stared at him in silence.
Several seconds passed before she blinked.
Daniel pointed at her.
"That."
"What?"
"That look."
A faint frown appeared on her face.
In fairness, the explanation sounded ridiculous even by her standards.
Daniel returned his attention to the ocean. Moments later, a thin stream of water rose from the sea and shot toward him without warning.
He didn't move.
Halfway through its flight, the stream abruptly changed direction and splashed directly into Mera instead.
She froze as water dripped from her hair and soaked her clothes.
Slowly, she turned toward him.
Daniel met her gaze without the slightest hint of concern.
"You started it."
Her eyes narrowed.
Another ribbon of water rose from the sea and wrapped around his arm.
Daniel immediately stood.
"You are far too old for this."
Rather than looking guilty, Mera seemed amused. A small smile appeared on her face, and that expression alone was enough to put him on guard. Experience had taught him that nothing good followed it.
Daniel instantly decided that leaving was the safest option.
Unfortunately, he reacted a second too late.
Mera lunged forward and wrapped both arms around him. The sudden movement threw off his balance, and before either of them could recover, they tumbled over the side of the boat together.
Cold seawater engulfed them.
A few moments later, Daniel surfaced and brushed water from his face. Nearby, Mera emerged from the ocean looking entirely pleased with herself.
Neither appeared particularly concerned.
The boat continued drifting ahead at a leisurely pace while they floated beside it.
Daniel looked at Mera, shook his head, and sighed.
"Women are incredibly petty creatures."
*****
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