Family System: Chapter 58

"If it were me, I’d probably be fighting for ages," Gwen said, a little disheartened.

"Don’t compare yourself to me," Vex said, pointing at Fury. "If we tossed him in there, he’d be shredded in about half a minute."

Fury: "…"

Gwen covered her mouth, stifling a laugh and playfully swatting Vex. "That’s a terrible comparison!"

Just then, Queen Hippolyta, the mother of Diana and leader of the Amazons, arrived on horseback with her cavalry.

Vex landed quietly on the field, waiting.

Hippolyta dismounted gracefully, giving the Amazons' unique gesture of gratitude.

"Thank you for your assistance, outsider," she said. "But it is forbidden for outsiders—especially men—to enter Amazon land. I ask that you leave."

Thanking him before asking him to leave—she had her priorities in order. But Vex wasn’t here just for a quick favor and a face-to-face.

"It was Steppenwolf who attacked earlier and took the Mother Box, right?" Vex got straight to the point. "If he gets another one, he’ll activate the Unity. When that happens, not even you will be safe."

Hippolyta’s expression shifted.

"You’re here for Steppenwolf?"

Fury stepped forward to introduce himself, only to be flung back by Vex’s Phoenix Force.

—Couldn’t let him steal the conversation when he was trying to build rapport with his future mother-in-law.

"Besides the Mother Box, an Asgardian took the Space Stone and might be preparing an alien invasion. We need to handle one of these threats quickly. If both happen at once…"

"Your world is basically doomed."

Hm?

Hippolyta caught onto something.

"Our world? You’re not from Earth?"

"I’m from the M78 Nebula, outside your galaxy—a member of the Star Clan. Name’s Vex."

Hippolyta looked slightly ashamed. Here was an alien fighting to protect Earth, while her people…

She began to recount an ancient story.

Once, Darkseid had invaded Earth but was repelled through the combined forces of humans, Kryptonians, Green Lanterns, Amazons, Atlanteans, and of course the Old Gods.

The three Mother Boxes were entrusted to humans, Amazons, and Atlanteans for safekeeping.

"We’ve lost contact with Atlantis for years, and I don’t know their current location…" Hippolyta paused thoughtfully. "My daughter has been living in the outside world for decades; she may know something."

"I’ll light the Sacred Flame, and you can wait there—she’ll come."

That’s good to know…

"And your daughter’s name?"

"Diana Prince."

Vex looked over at Fury.

"Living in the human world for decades—can you track her down?"

"One hour!"

Vex nodded, turning to Gwen. "I’ve got things to handle. Do you want to go home or head to the Helicarrier?"

"I want to find my dad," Gwen replied anxiously. "I don’t want what happened last time to repeat—I can protect him now!"

"Got it!"

Vex raised his hand.

Space Portal

A tear in space opened up, leading directly to the NYPD headquarters. Gwen waved goodbye and stepped through. Vex gave a wave, and the view shifted to the command hall, where Fury quickly walked over.

With everyone sorted, Vex turned to Hippolyta, wondering what was next.

Hippolyta pursed her lips. "Perhaps… you could open a portal directly to the Sacred Flame, and we could light it?"

"Sure thing."

Following her directions, Vex opened a new portal, and Hippolyta shot a flaming arrow into the ground.

Flames spread across the entire palace, burning brightly in the night. Vex stepped through the portal and looked back at Hippolyta.

"Want to join us and see your daughter?"

"No," Hippolyta shook her head. "The Amazons need me here."

"Alright then, goodbye."

Closing the portal, Vex casually suggested to Fury to broadcast news about the Sacred Flame lighting up at the Amazon site worldwide. Then, settling in, he conjured a bag of sunflower seeds and began to snack.

Wonder Woman… Beautiful, strong, and a fighter who doesn’t hold back. If he could win her over… it would be a true victory—with added perks and rewards. That’s why he’d sent Gwen on her way.

Half an hour later, with his super-vision, Vex spotted Diana approaching. He put his snacks away and started straightening his clothes as he faced the flaming temple.

Soon, Diana arrived, eyeing him suspiciously. She was just about to speak when Vex turned to her, smiling.

"The alien saviour?" Diana said in surprise. "What are you doing here…?"

"I’ve been waiting for you," Vex replied. "Queen Hippolyta asked me to meet you here. To understand the situation, you’ll need to see the underground temple."

Extinguish

With a word, the roaring flames vanished.

Come

Catching the arrow that flew back to him, Vex began walking toward the temple. Diana hesitated but followed him.

They descended through a passageway to an underground space, stopping at a stone door. Placing the arrow in a groove beside the door, it slid open.

Vex gestured to Diana to enter first. "You’re the host; after you."

"Have you been here before?" Diana asked, puzzled.

Vex shook his head. "While waiting for you, I did a quick observation—interesting mechanism."

Diana understood and gave a nod before entering the chamber, with Vex right behind her.

Inside, the room was empty, save for murals depicting an ancient battle.

Once Diana had taken it all in, Vex spoke softly. "By the time I arrived, Steppenwolf had already taken the Amazon’s Mother Box. I managed to save some of your people, but I couldn’t do anything for those who had already fallen."

Diana shot him a look of gratitude. Stark had been raving about Vex's healing powers—bringing limbs back from nothing! Many of her fellow Amazons were likely saved thanks to him.

"So, what do you need?" Diana asked.

"Humanity’s Mother Box has also been taken," Vex said, concerned. "If the Atlantean one falls too…"

"The Unity." Diana’s gaze sharpened. "You need the location of Atlantis?"

"Yes."

Diana’s eyes scanned the murals and settled on one spot.

"Here," she said. "The capital of Atlantis has never been found. The way to summon them is by blowing a conch shell…"

She fell silent. A conch shell? Where were they supposed to find that?

Vex let out a thoughtful hum and pressed lightly on a stone in the mural. It popped open, revealing a wooden box.

He didn’t touch it, instead looking to Diana—it was her people’s artifact, after all.

Diana didn’t hesitate, taking the box and opening it to reveal a sky-blue conch shell.

They exchanged a smile.

"Let’s go," Vex said. "To the shore to sound it."

"Agreed."