Chapter 8: Strengthening the Veil

Themyscira had always been a sanctuary, hidden from the outside world by the powerful veil that shielded the island from mortal eyes. The barrier was as old as the Amazons themselves, created by the gods to protect them from the chaos and corruption of man. But over time, even the strongest of defenses needed renewal. The warships that had breached their shores not long ago were a reminder that the veil wasn't impenetrable—its power had weakened.

Queen Hippolyta had called a council of the island's most powerful leaders to discuss the necessary steps to strengthen the veil. Alex stood quietly to the side, listening as the queen spoke of the ancient methods required to renew the protective enchantments.

"The veil has kept us safe for centuries," Hippolyta said, her voice steady but filled with concern. "But the forces outside grow stronger. With the rise of Ares and the wars he stirs, the barrier will not hold unless we act."

The council sat in a circular stone chamber, the air thick with the tension of the task ahead. Among them were the island's most skilled warriors and witches, women whose magical abilities were tied directly to Themyscira's ancient traditions. They exchanged worried glances, knowing the weight of the responsibility.

"The enchantments that power the veil require rare elements," said one of the witches, her voice calm but grave. "We have the blood of the Nemean lion, the bones of its carcass, and the incantations to bind the magic. But there is one thing we lack: the lightning of Zeus."

At the mention of Zeus, the chamber grew still. The king of the gods had once been an ally to the Amazons, but his presence in their lives had long since faded. To call upon his power now would be near impossible.

Hippolyta looked to the council, her brow furrowed. "Without the lightning of Zeus, the veil will not be able to reach its full strength. It will remain vulnerable to powerful forces—especially those tied to Ares."

The Amazons murmured among themselves, their frustration evident. They knew that Zeus had withdrawn from the affairs of mortals and immortals alike, and calling on his aid was no longer an option.

Alex, who had been listening quietly until now, stepped forward. "If it's lightning you need, I can provide it."

All eyes turned to him. The witches and warriors alike stared, some with skepticism, others with curiosity.

"Your lightning?" asked the head of the witches, a tall, imposing Amazon with a voice that commanded attention. "You possess the power of Zeus?"

"I possess the power of Thunder," Alex corrected, though with a respectful tone. "The power of thunder and lightning from another world. I can summon lightning as powerful as any god of Olympus."

Hippolyta regarded him thoughtfully, her eyes narrowing. "And you believe your lightning could fulfill the role of Zeus's?"

"I believe it can," Alex said confidently. "I've used it in battle, and its strength is formidable. It won't be Zeus's lightning, but it will be enough to complete the ritual and reinforce the veil."

The queen remained silent for a long moment, considering his words. Finally, she gave a single nod. "Very well. We will proceed with the ritual, and Alex will provide the lightning."

---

The preparations began the next day. The bones of the Nemean lion were gathered from the island's sacred crypts, their ancient, golden marrow still potent with magic. The lion's blood, thick and black, was mixed with sacred herbs and oils, prepared by the Amazonian witches. The incantations were memorized and rehearsed, each word imbued with centuries of power passed down from their ancestors.

At the center of it all was the temple—a vast structure carved from stone, open to the skies above. The ritual would take place here, beneath the watchful gaze of the gods and the endless heavens.

As the day of the ritual approached, Alex stood alongside Diana, who watched the preparations with a sense of reverence.

"Have you ever seen anything like this before?" she asked, her voice filled with awe.

"Not quite like this," Alex admitted, his gaze following the movements of the witches as they arranged the sacred items in the temple. "The magic in my world is different.

[A/n: He is talking about pure science.]

But I've seen enough to know how important this is. Without this barrier, Themyscira won't be safe from what's coming."

Diana nodded, her expression serious. "Ares is relentless. If the veil falls, the war will reach us, and there will be no peace left."

Alex turned to her, sensing the weight of her words. "We won't let that happen."

---

The night of the ritual arrived, and the temple was filled with a tense energy. The witches began their incantations, their voices rising and falling in rhythmic harmony as they invoked the ancient magic of the Amazons. The bones of the Nemean lion glowed with a faint golden light, and the blood, now thick with magic, shimmered as it was poured into the sacred channels carved into the stone floor.

Alex stood at the center of the temple, Stormbreaker in hand. The sky above was dark, clouds swirling ominously as if the gods themselves were watching. He could feel the energy building around him, the magic of the Amazons combining with the raw power of the ritual.

"Now!" cried the head witch, her voice cutting through the air. "Summon the lightning!"

Alex raised Stormbreaker high, feeling the familiar pull of power course through his veins. He called upon the storm, reaching deep within himself to tap into the power of Thor. The sky responded instantly, dark clouds gathering above the temple, swirling with a violent intensity.

Lightning cracked across the sky, and with a thunderous roar, Alex channeled the energy into Stormbreaker. Bolts of lightning danced around him, crackling and sparking as they gathered at the head of the weapon. With a powerful swing, he unleashed the lightning, sending it crashing down into the temple.

The lightning struck the Nemean bones, igniting them with a brilliant golden flame. The blood in the channels shimmered, glowing with a vibrant, otherworldly light as it reacted to the power of the storm. The air around them pulsed with raw energy, the barrier strengthening, growing more powerful by the second.

The incantations grew louder, more frantic, as the witches guided the magic, weaving the power of the lightning into the fabric of the veil. Alex continued to summon bolt after bolt, directing it into the ritual with precision and control, feeling the sheer force of the storm flowing through him.

Finally, with one last surge of power, the ritual reached its peak. The lightning, the bones, the blood—all of it came together in a blinding flash of light. The temple shook as the energy coalesced, spreading outward in a ripple that seemed to wash over the entire island.

And then, silence.

The storm above them dissipated, the clouds parting to reveal the stars once more. The golden glow of the Nemean bones faded, and the blood in the channels returned to a dark, still liquid. But something had changed.

The air felt heavier, more secure.

The veil had been restored—stronger and more impenetrable than ever before.

---

Hippolyta approached Alex as the ritual ended, her expression unreadable. For a moment, she simply regarded him, her eyes tracing the lingering sparks of electricity that still flickered around his hands.

"You have done what even Zeus could not," she said finally, her voice low. "You've strengthened the veil, and with it, the protection of Themyscira."

Alex lowered Stormbreaker, the weapon still humming with residual power. "I did what needed to be done. Themyscira is too important to leave vulnerable."

The queen studied him for a long moment, then gave a slight nod of respect. "You have proven yourself, once again. Not just as a warrior, but as an ally to the Amazons. We are in your debt."

Alex shook his head. "There's no debt. I'm here to help, to protect. That's all."

Hippolyta gave him a rare smile, though it was faint. "Then we are fortunate to have you. May the gods continue to watch over you, Alex."

As the queen turned to join the others, Alex stood in the quiet aftermath of the ritual, feeling the weight of what they had just accomplished. Themyscira was safe once more—shielded by the veil and the power of the Amazons. And though the world beyond their shores was still full of danger, for now, they had time to prepare.