Page 19 of The Brothers Bane

I let out a shaky breath, my body hot with awareness of his proximity, that small feeling obliterated by the heat of his skin on mine.

I’m so hyperconscious of his touch I almost miss what Hippolyta is saying. Her voice carries through the amphitheater, calm, yet commanding. I turn my hand under Alcides’ so our palms press together, then direct my focus to the dais in front of us.

Hippolyta’s eyes shine bright when she glances at us, then our clasped hands. The smile she offers is satisfied, a silent blessing if there ever was. Then she spreads her arms wide.

“We stand on the brink of a conflict that will test our strength, our unity, and our very survival. The Titans threaten not just us, but the balance of power in the world, as well as the realm of the gods themselves.”

She pauses, her gaze sweeping over the gathered crowd. “But we are not without allies or resources.” Her eyes find Alcides. “One such ally has returned a treasure of great significance to our cause.”

Murmurs ripple through the crowd as Alcides rises from his seat beside me. He gives my hand one last squeeze before releasing me. His movements are full of purpose as he descends to join Hippolyta on the dais in the center of the amphitheater.

When he reaches her, his hands fall to his waist to unbuckle his belt, a girdle of hammered gold gleaming even in the dimming light. He presents it to Hippolyta with reverence, and she accepts it with a solemn nod.

The air seems to thrum with anticipation as Hippolyta fastens the girdle around her waist. The moment it’s secure, a hush falls over us all. It’s like she grows taller, more formidable—if that’s even possible.

“Sisters,” she says aloud, her voice strong and clear. “This girdle was forged by Hephaestus himself for Ares, god of war. It embodies his strength, his skill in combat, and his indomitable spirit.” She turns slowly so everyone can see her. “With this girdle, we will amplify our might and sharpen our awareness on the battlefield.”

To demonstrate, she motions for her sisters to join her on the dais.

Hippolyta’s voice fills the amphitheater, ringing with authority and promise. “Now, let us see the true power of unity and strength combined.”

She beckons toward the newer members of the club, including me. I hesitate for a second, but then I stand, heart racing. There’s a buzz of excitement as others join me in stepping onto the dais.

Mel, Antiope, Penthesilea, and Alcides take their places opposite us. Mel gives me an encouraging nod, her eyes telling me to trust in what’s about to happen.

I face off against Mel. She’s taller, broader, a seasoned warrior whose presence alone should intimidate me. But something shifts inside me as Hippolyta approaches. She places a hand on my shoulder and another on Mel’s. I feel a surge of warmth, a connection that’s both comforting and empowering.

“Let the demonstration begin,” Hippolyta commands.

Mel attacks first, a swift strike meant to test my defenses. But my arm moves as if guided by instinct, blocking her effortlessly. Our eyes meet in surprise; mine wide with disbelief, hers sparkling with approval.

I counterattack before she can recover, my movements fluid and strong. It feels like I’m dancing, every motion in perfect harmony with Mel’s. We’re evenly matched—each parry met with a block, each thrust with a dodge.

The crowd gasps and cheers as we go back and forth. Neither of us gains the upper hand; it’s an exhilarating stalemate that has us both grinning despite our exertion.

Beside us, Alcides faces off against another newbie. He moves with his usual grace and power, but finds himself matched at every turn. His opponent is smaller, but just as quick and fierce under the girdle’s influence.

The other club members are equally astonished by their own abilities—every new member holding their ground against Amazons who have not only trained for centuries, but also carry the blood of a god.

When Hippolyta signals for us to stop, there’s laughter and panting breaths as we all step back. The energy is electric; we’re united by a shared sense of strength we didn’t know we had.

Hippolyta steps forward again, her eyes shining with pride.

She raises her arms high above her head, the girdle around her waist catching the last light of day and gleaming brilliantly. The murmurs fade as she concentrates, her expression serene yet focused.

Suddenly, I hear her voice inside my head—a clear message that resonates through my very soul: “Together, we are unstoppable. Together, we are Amazons.”

It isn’t just words; it’s a feeling—a connection that binds us all together in that moment. A sense of belonging washes over me. I am part of something much larger than myself.

The amphitheater erupts in cheers and applause. The energy is palpable as every woman present feels the conviction settle into their bones—the undeniable power of the girdle uniting us in purpose and strength.

I find myself cheering along with them, caught up in the wave of excitement and hope. For once, I don’t feel like an outsider or someone who doesn’t belong; I am an Amazon now, connected to these women by something extraordinary.

I glance over at Alcides; he’s clapping loudly, his eyes meeting mine across the space between us. There’s pride there too—a shared acknowledgment that we’re part of this incredible force together.

As the noise subsides and everyone starts to mingle again, talking excitedly about what just happened, I feel lighter than I have in days—maybe even years. With this newfound power and these allies by my side, maybe there’s a chance we can actually win this fight against the Titans after all. Maybe freedom isn’t the end-all, be-all if it doesn’t come with community.

Alcides approaches me with a piercing focus I feel to my marrow. When he reaches me I look up into his eyes, suddenly breathless with anticipation.

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