Chess

After greetings from the people of Veld, they were joyously invited by one of the photographers to take a picture. They all gladly agreed as they got ready for the picture. Howard was at the center with Artemis, Diana, Steve, and Arthur who had appeared again on the left side, and Victor, James, Sameer, and Chief on his right as they stood still for the picture.

The photographer took his time to click the picture finally letting them be as the townfolks invited them to stay, with the night closing in Howard agreed to their kindness without any hesitation letting Steve and the others finally relax a little.

The night fell soon as the town lighten up for a celebration. A celebration for their freedom against their short-lived enslavement.

"Are you okay?" Steve asked Arthur who still looked a little pale.

"I am okay, I had figured along the way that this is how it was going to go and I will have blood in my hands but I still can't help but feel a little sick." Arthur said sipping on some of the local booze, "How do you deal with it?"

"I won't lie but at first, I was just as worst," Steve said, "But I kept telling myself that it was for the better good, it's a war and it was a do-or-die situation. Though not so convincing, I think along the line I managed to fool myself into believing it's all true and now it feels normal to shoot someone standing on the opposite end if push comes to shove. So believe me it will be okay."

"You're good at this." Arthur chuckled, "Making people feel better, I know it's genuine when it comes from you, unlike the other guy."

Steve looked towards where Arthur was looking to see Howard dancing with the awkward Artemis, "I don't think he means any harm, I mean he saved all these people. I just think he has a different approach to things."

"You mean less emotional and more practical?" Sameer came towards them with beers, sitting across them, "It reminds me of the story of a King everyone kept talking about at where I was working as a spy. They said he was the strictest and most practical person anyone had ever seen. Ruthless, some even called him but his war strategy seemed to always work. It was always high risks and high profit."

"And?" Seeing Sameer stop got Arthur more curious as he asked,

"Well, he died, along with all the soldiers he had been leading in a war," Sameer said, "A good thought out story but a really shitty ending."

"I guess we should be happy that he won't die at least." Arthur sighed, "But seriously, you see the way he acted during the battle? I mean I was hiding around and observing things helping you guys but he was doing the same except he wasn't doing any of the work. He just stood around smoking watching all of us struggle."

"Like you're just chess pieces to him." James said, "Mind if we join you guys."

"Go ahead."

James and Victor sat down around the fire the same as them with booze in their hand. "He's like that, but the next time he will be the first one to attack, that's for sure."

"So was he just testing us?"

"You can say that." James sighed, "This trip feels way too long that it should and it has only been two days."

"You can say that again."

-----------------------------------

"Now it's your time to learn," Howard said pulling over Diana finally letting Artemis rest, "You saw us so just let your body do the work and relax."

"Don't you ever get tired?" Diana said as a sweet scent coming from Howard entered her nose.

"Mostly no, unless I've been overly stressed or my whole body is torn apart. That takes a little time to get over it." Howard said casually swaying around, "Don't look so surprised will you?"

"You say you hate getting hurt but you keep getting yourself in a situation where you do get hurt. Like the time in Themyscira, you had your gut hanging out but you were still fighting like a mad man."

"It obviously does hurt and no amount of practice is going to make it tolerable. After all, it's a totally new muscle and skin every time. Even the pain receptors build themselves up again. " Howard said, "You know my brothers keep on talking about their animal instinct like it's their nature to kill and hunt. I've always pretended it's all complete horse-shit and my brothers were probably just wrong in the head but there are times where I can't deny that so-called instinct myself. It's like I can't stop once I get in the zone and all I see is red then."

"Is that why you don't attack like today?" Diana asked with a little concern,

"A part of it but today was different. I knew about my brother's power but I wanted to see you and Artemis in action basically to see how far you can handle yourself without my direction." Howard said, "And you passed with flying colors."

"I see, so should I be glad?" Diana smiled.

"Of course, you should." Howard nodded feeling the atmosphere among them, "I know where this is going but are you sure?"

"What do you mean?" Diana asked,

"I mean, Steve there seems to like you so shouldn't you be dancing with him?"

"It will never work between us," Diana said obviously noticing Steve's stare now and again, "He's a mortal so when he's gone all I will be is left with grief."

"I guess I've rubbed off on you two too much." Howard shook his head, "But what if I say, I can make him immortal? Obviously killable, but until then just immortal similar to you."

"How so?" Diana asked with her eyes wide open.

"It's a long story but just know I can." Howard said, "So what about it then?"

"I don't think it will change much." Diana said, "After all, his mortality is only a little factor in all this."

"I see." Howard nodded giving her a little twirl, "So what have you thought about the future?"

"You mean after Ares?" Diana said shaking her head, "My answer's the same as last night, I haven't thought about it."

"Then how about coming with me?" Howard said holding her a little tighter, "Since you've nowhere to go and I am closer to you than anyone here. Just be with me, be my sword, Diana."