"Themyscira the Paradise Island?! The island where Wonder Woman's Amazon tribe lives? Where exactly is it?" Batman frowned as he asked the question.
"I'm not sure, but I believe the Atlanteans must know. After all, Paradise Island is just an island in the ocean, and the Atlanteans are the masters of the sea." Shin spoke casually, flattering the Atlanteans without hesitation.
Of course, that wasn't the real reason for his confidence.
It was because both the Atlanteans and the Amazons were long-lived species. There was no way they wouldn't know about each other. Unlike humans, who forget things after a few generations, these two ancient civilizations had long memories.
Sure enough, as soon as Shin spoke, Mera's lips curved into a slight smile.
"We Atlanteans do know the location of Paradise Island," she admitted. "Since you're Arthur's friends and you're here about the Mother Box, I can take you there."
Well… that was easier than expected.
Mera clearly had a straightforward personality. If Batman had been in her position, there was no way he'd agree so quickly.
"But…" Mera frowned slightly. "According to the rules of Paradise Island, men are forbidden from setting foot there. I'm afraid it won't be easy for you to get in."
"Well… there's actually a solution to that problem," Shin mused, glancing at Batman, Flash, and Arthur.
The three of them suddenly felt a chill run down their spines.
The Flash and Arthur didn't quite understand what was going on, but Batman—
Batman knew.
His face immediately darkened as he recalled the accursed springs Shin possessed.
Turning into a bat was already bad enough. Turning into a woman?
He shuddered. Absolutely not.
Batman immediately cut Shin off before he could suggest anything.
"Ms. Mera," he said firmly, "could you act as our envoy and go to Paradise Island on our behalf?"
"Yes!" Arthur quickly nodded in agreement. "This is a major issue that concerns the entire Earth. Please help us!"
Only the Flash remained clueless, mumbling, "Wait… I thought you said there was a solution?"
Batman shot him a silent glare, and Arthur quickly nudged the Flash, shaking his head.
Even though they had different motivations, both men were completely aligned in wanting Mera to handle this.
Mera hesitated for a moment.
She had always been in charge of protecting the Mother Box in Atlantis, which left her very little free time. But ever since the Mother Box started behaving strangely, the Atlanteans had completely taken over its security.
Since Atlantis had the most advanced technology in the ocean, they were determined to keep Mera away from danger.
But she didn't want to just sit on the sidelines.
This was her chance to contribute to the crisis on Earth.
After thinking it over, she nodded.
The blue sea stretched endlessly before them as a sleek, high-tech Atlantean vessel emerged from the water.
Unlike human submarines, the Atlantean ship was silent and smooth, moving through the water like a living creature.
Mera adjusted some controls, sending out an unseen signal, then turned back to the group.
"Now, we wait."
Suddenly, a loud, desolate horn echoed across the water.
The ocean shimmered—
And a massive blue veil split apart, revealing an island that had been completely hidden from view.
On the golden shores, a group of tall, powerful Amazon warriors stood, their hands resting on their weapons as they watched the newcomers warily.
At the front stood a regal-looking woman, wearing a golden headdress and more elaborate armor than the others.
It was Queen Hippolyta.
Her tired eyes and pale complexion instantly caught Shin's attention.
"Atlanteans," Hippolyta spoke solemnly. "Are you here because of the Mother Box?"
Even her voice carried a hint of exhaustion.
Shin frowned slightly.
The Amazons were demigods—perhaps not as strong as Diana, but still incredibly powerful.
Why did Queen Hippolyta look so weak?
Meira noticed it too.
"Queen Hippolyta," she said with concern. "It seems that your Mother Box has been activated as well. Has something happened on Paradise Island?"
Even the usually oblivious Flash and the straightforward Arthur noticed something was very wrong.
Hippolyta shook her head.
"The situation is dire," she admitted. "Come to the island."
Her gaze shifted toward the four men standing behind Mera.
Batman took a step forward.
"We're Diana's friends," he said, his voice calm but firm. "We've come as representatives of Humans on Earth, to help protect the Mother Box."
The Flash immediately straightened his back, trying to look more official.
Shin, meanwhile, felt a wave of secondhand embarrassment wash over him.
Since when were we the official representatives of Humans on Earth?
Still, the Amazons were completely isolated from the outside world. They wouldn't know any better.
After a moment of hesitation, Hippolyta sighed.
"Now is not the time to argue over old laws," she said finally. "You may enter."
The group disembarked, stepping onto the white sand beaches of Paradise Island.
"Has your Mother Box been emitting energy fluctuations?" Mera asked as they walked.
Hippolyta sighed heavily.
"It's more than just energy fluctuations," she admitted.
"We've been attacked."
Everyone stiffened.
"You'll understand when you see for yourselves."
As they followed her, Shin's Observation Haki spread across the island, picking up several things at once.
The most alarming? Diana was here and she was injured.
Paradise Island was vast, almost as large as a small city.
Hippolyta led them through the marble streets, heading toward a grand temple—its architecture distinctly Ancient Greek in design.
As they entered, Shin's eyes immediately locked onto the powerful energy source in the center of the temple.
Suspended mid-air, wrapped in thick iron chains, was the Mother Box—its energy pulsing ominously.
Something was very, very wrong.