DOTM (Moved)

Ethan really had no special purpose for being on Paradise Island. During this time, he had been sorting through the situation. The appearances of Hippolyta and Antiope were familiar, leading him to believe that this world was likely the movie version of Wonder Woman… or the larger DC Cinematic Universe.

"First Marvel, now DC?" Ethan muttered to himself, feeling slightly overwhelmed.

He wondered whether the space-time energy he had been using was deliberately targeting such worlds, as it was beginning to feel like a pattern.

"Diana is still a little girl. Forget about Batman or Superman. I don't even know how far we are from the start of Wonder Woman's storyline. I can't keep up with this at all."

The more he used the space-time energy, the more familiar Ethan became with how it worked. He had managed to slow the rapid dissipation of the energy, allowing it to remain within his magic circle longer. This gave him more time to study and gain control over it.

By doing so, he could extend his stays in various planes, but even so, he could never remain longer than a month. The primary issue was the limited amount of space-time energy he could absorb. No matter how carefully he controlled it, it would inevitably run out.

Unless Ethan could find a way to generate the energy himself or figure out what it consumed and how to replace it, his options would remain limited.

With so many challenges to address, Ethan truly had no hidden agenda for coming to Paradise Island.

"If possible, I'd like to stay near this coast for a while," he explained to Hippolyta. "Once my magic power recovers, I'll use teleportation magic to leave. Of course, we won't venture into the interior of the island. We'll just find a spot near the shore."

Ethan deliberately added that if Hippolyta didn't agree, they wouldn't force the issue. They would leave on their own as long as she provided them with a boat.

"There are divine barriers around Paradise Island," Hippolyta said, her tone suspicious. "I want to know how you managed to bypass them."

Ethan immediately understood her concern. If the barriers set by the gods were so easily breached, Paradise Island would no longer be the safe haven it was meant to be.

"Well…" Ethan hesitated, considering how to explain without making the situation worse. He knew that Hippolyta, ever wary of Ares, feared losing the island's protection and having the god of war invade directly.

"Actually," Ethan began, "my teleportation magic works by breaking through the barriers between planes. Whether or not there's an enchantment around your island doesn't affect my magic."

This was the truth. When breaking through a plane's barriers, local enchantments were irrelevant. The divine barrier around Paradise Island was designed to protect against threats from within its world, but it couldn't stop an outsider like Ethan.

Hippolyta's eyes narrowed, her pupils contracting slightly. She exchanged a quick glance with Antiope, who shared a similar expression.

After a moment of deliberation, Hippolyta made her decision. "If what you say is true, then you may stay near the coast temporarily. But you are absolutely forbidden from entering the island's interior. I will assign guards to monitor you." She paused, then added, "How long will you be here?"

"Probably no more than a month," Ethan answered. The space-time energy he had left would last about that long, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Hippolyta nodded. "Remember your promise: do not go deeper into Paradise Island." With that, she took Diana by the hand and led the Amazons away from the beach.

Arthur, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, finally spoke. "Why do I feel like her attitude changed all of a sudden?"

Arthur had been prepared to carry Ethan and make a run for it. Instead, Hippolyta, who had seemed so firm and unyielding, had unexpectedly agreed to let them stay.

"I think so too," Ethan said, touching his chin thoughtfully. His smooth skin lacked even the faintest hint of stubble, and he wondered whether this was due to his natural constitution or the effects of his cultivation.

"It seems like her attitude shifted after I mentioned being able to cross planar barriers."

Ethan's intuition was correct.

Back at their residence, Hippolyta and Antiope sat down for a private discussion.

"Do you think those two young men were telling the truth?" Antiope asked.

"I don't know," Hippolyta replied, her expression tense. "But if it is true, then…"

She trailed off, but Antiope understood her implication immediately.

"You're thinking of arranging a way out for Diana, aren't you?"

Hippolyta didn't respond, but her silence was confirmation enough.

Antiope sighed, her initial frustration giving way to reluctant understanding. "Are you really going to go to such lengths, only to turn Diana into a homeless wanderer?"

She didn't agree with Hippolyta's plan. To Antiope, running away wasn't the solution. Instead, she believed they should focus on making Diana stronger, strong enough to face and defeat the threats to Paradise Island. That way, the island could remain safe, and Diana wouldn't have to leave her home and live as an exile on another plane.

As a nation created by the gods, the Amazons had a long history and extensive records of hidden knowledge. As queen, Hippolyta had once shared a romantic relationship with Zeus, which had resulted in Diana's birth. With Diana carrying the blood of Olympus, Hippolyta had known about the multiverse for a long time, thanks to Zeus.

So when Ethan mentioned his ability to bypass planar barriers, Hippolyta saw it as a potential escape route for Diana, a last resort, should Paradise Island ever face destruction.

But she hadn't fully committed to the idea. Allowing Ethan and Arthur to stay near the island was her way of hedging her bets, a decision born of hesitation. She didn't want to miss the opportunity to learn more about Ethan, but she also wasn't ready to fully trust him.

"They'll leave soon…" Antiope said, watching Hippolyta's conflicted expression. She shook her head, frustrated but resigned. "If you're serious about arranging a way out for Diana, you need to prepare properly. At the very least, you need to determine whether that young man can truly be trusted."

"I know," Hippolyta said softly. "I'll think about it."

Seeing the queen like this, Antiope felt an almost unbearable frustration building inside her. Every time Diana was involved, Hippolyta would become hesitant and indecisive, making choices that left Antiope deeply exasperated.

Not wanting to let her anger boil over, Antiope turned and stormed off. She decided to continue training Diana according to her own plans. However, after looking around, she realized the girl was nowhere to be found.

"Don't tell me…"

A suspicion crossed her mind, and without wasting another moment, Antiope sprinted toward the sea.

At the same time, Ethan and Arthur had found a slightly elevated cliff and were preparing to build a wooden shelter for their stay.

Since they would only be on the island for about a month, Ethan didn't see the point in sleeping out in the open. Besides, Paradise Island was home to various wild animals, and he didn't want to deal with nocturnal surprises.

Given the temporary nature of their stay, the wooden house didn't need to be elaborate, just something to provide basic protection from the wind and rain. In reality, it was more of a large wooden shed than a proper house.

But just as they began working, a shadow darted out from the nearby woods. A cheerful voice called out, "Hello, magician!"

It was Diana, waving enthusiastically at Ethan.

Then she turned to Arthur, her curiosity undimmed. "Are you a magician too?"

"No," Arthur replied with a formal bow. "I'm a knight. Arthur Pendragon, from Britain. You may call me Arthur, the lovely Miss Diana."

Diana beamed with delight. It was the first time someone had spoken to her so formally, and she responded with equal decorum, mimicking the traditional etiquette she had been taught. "Hello, Arthur. I'm Diana, from Paradise Island."

Then her gaze shifted expectantly to Ethan.

At her core, Diana was still a child bursting with energy. Like many children, she craved acknowledgment from adults. Arthur's formal introduction had made her feel grown-up and respected. Now, she was eager for Ethan to treat her the same way.

But Ethan, leaning casually on the piece of wood in his hand, merely waved and said, "Ethan, from… somewhere I'm not sure how to name."

Diana pouted slightly, dissatisfied with his nonchalant response. But she quickly pushed it aside and focused on what Ethan and Arthur were doing.

"Are you building a house?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Don't you have magic that can just whoosh a house into existence?"

Ethan paused and looked at her, then made a mock spell-casting motion. "You mean like this, just wave my hand, and a house pops out of thin air?"

"Yes! Yes!" Diana's eyes lit up with excitement, nodding eagerly.

"Of course," Ethan said with a perfectly serious expression. "Not only can I do it, but you can too."

"Really?" Diana gasped, astonished. She hadn't expected that she might also have the talent for magic. Without hesitation, she asked how to do it.

Arthur, watching this unfold, sighed and buried his face in his hands. He didn't need to hear the answer to know Ethan was about to say something ridiculous.

"Simple," Ethan said. "Go back to your room, turn off the lights, and lie down in bed."

It took Diana a moment to realize he was teasing her. When she did, she glared at him, her expression equal parts indignation and embarrassment.

Ethan, however, remained unfazed. If she had been the future Wonder Woman, he might have put more effort into maintaining a good impression. But right now, she was just a mischievous child.

As for the idea of forming a long-term relationship or leaving a lasting impression? Ethan dismissed it entirely. He couldn't stay in this world for decades, and he had no interest in currying favor with a child.

Besides, being too friendly with Diana now would undoubtedly irritate her mother.

And even if Hippolyta's reaction wasn't an issue, there was someone else, a very angry someone likely lurking in the woods, ready to leap out and cut him to pieces at any moment.

***

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