Sigurd woke in the morning to find someone beside him. Turning his head, he saw Hippolyta sleeping peacefully. Then he remembered the previous night's passion and realized he had formed an emotional attachment in this world.
Looking at her beautiful face, he didn't know what the future held for their relationship, but he chose to live in the present rather than overthink what was to come.
He didn't get up but instead snuggled closer to her in bed. He knew it wasn't love—not yet—they still hardly knew each other.
Why overthink the future? he thought. Let's just follow where time leads.
Hippolyta was also awake but hesitant to face the reality created by last night's mix of drunkenness and mutual attraction. She wondered what Sigurd thought of it all, but when he hugged her back to sleep, she felt reassured. There was a clear attraction between them, even if neither was ready to define what came next.
Just as Sigurd's romantic life was finding its footing, in another universe, Darkseid was preparing to attack Earth.
"Desaad, any report from Steppenwolf?"
Desaad looked out into space before turning to Darkseid.
"My lord, the old gods of the planet have begun forming an alliance to oppose us. According to our spies, there is movement among various pantheons. We may face a formidable army when we attempt to conquer this world."
Darkseid gazed at the warships traveling through the void.
"It doesn't matter. We will show these ancient relics that not everyone fears them. They have ruled unchallenged for too long. It is time they learned true fear. Prepare the Mother Box. We will use it."
Desaad hesitated.
"Master, why use a Mother Box? We can win this war through strength alone."
Darkseid shook his head.
"The war will not be easy, Desaad. Do you believe a planet coveted by so many old gods would be simple to take? We will terraform it with the Mother Box, turning it into a new Apokolips. That will give our soldiers the advantage. I will deal with the old gods personally. You will safeguard the Mother Box."
Hearing this, Desaad understood the weight of his task.
"What of Steppenwolf, my lord?"
"We shall see. If we win this war, he may return with us to Apokolips—or rule this new world. His fate depends on his performance."
Months passed. Sigurd and Hippolyta had deepened their relationship, while Lucifer and Chloe had also grown closer—though when asked about that night, Lucifer remained evasive. Still, everyone could sense the romance between them.
Sigurd spent time exploring LA, learning more about this world. He even took Hippolyta on dates to help her understand the 21st century. He was impressed by how quickly human society had evolved.
Just as Sigurd and Hippolyta were enjoying their newfound connection, Lucifer informed them it was time to return to her world.
Sigurd noticed Hippolyta's tension and took her hand to comfort her.
"Relax, Hippolyta. I'll be right beside you. You don't need to worry about yourself or your sisters. They'll be fine. Besides, I won't reveal my full strength on the battlefield unless I face my main target."
Hippolyta was comforted by his words. She knew he was powerful, but she still hoped everything would go smoothly.
"Alright. I understand."
Lucifer watched them and couldn't help but think of his own situation with Chloe. He sighed.
"Must you two spread this 'love virus' everywhere?"
"You should confess to Chloe sooner rather than later, Lucifer. Before someone else comes into her life and you spend eternity depressed."
Lucifer didn't reply. Instead, a shimmering wormhole opened before them, and they stepped through.
When they reappeared on Themyscira, Lucifer looked toward the palace.
"A pleasant place to live… but don't you grow tired of staying on the same island?"
Hippolyta shook her head.
"We won this land with the blood of our sisters. I don't grow tired—I feel responsible. It's my duty to carry forward the legacy they died for."
Sigurd observed the palace, unfamiliar with this world's history but certain it was tied to the Olympian gods. He had considered killing them all, but Hippolyta had explained that only some were responsible for the Amazons' suffering—not all. Wiping out an entire pantheon for the crimes of a few seemed unjust. Still, he intended to issue a stern warning once the war was over.
As they walked toward the palace, Hippolyta's sisters, Atalanta and Antiope, approached with a contingent of Amazon warriors.
"Sister, you left Themyscira without telling us how to contact you!" Atalanta exclaimed. "Even in the world of men, you should have left a word. Antiope was ready to fire the Arrow of Artemis to summon you back."
Hippolyta felt a pang of guilt. She had been so absorbed in her new life that she hadn't considered her sisters' worry.
"It's alright, Antiope. I was gathering information about the threats to Themyscira with my… friends."
She gestured toward Lucifer and Sigurd.
"These gentlemen are our allies. They will aid us in the troubles to come."
Lucifer stepped forward.
"Greetings, Amazons. I am Lucifer Morningstar."
At the name, Atalanta, Antiope, and the soldiers recoiled in fear. The Devil stood before them.
Sigurd expected this. Even he would have been uneasy facing Lucifer without near-equal power.
"Lucifer, you'll scare them to death. It's fine—he's a friend. You needn't fear his devilish nature," Hippolyta assured them.
Sigurd then introduced himself.
"I am Sigurd Borson. Consider me your ally."
Hippolyta noticed he didn't define their relationship—she would explain that herself later.
Atalanta studied her sister and Sigurd, sensing something between them but choosing not to pry immediately.
"Very well. Prepare quarters for our guests. As for the war," she turned to Antiope, "who brought the news?"
Antiope explained.
"Sister, it was Hermes. He came with word of the coming war and insisted on speaking to you directly. We didn't know where you were, but he said it was a direct order from Zeus. Athena also warned us to prepare for a brutal conflict."
Sigurd glanced at Lucifer for clarification on the relationship between the Olympians and the Amazons.
Lucifer shook his head but explained quietly.
"The Amazons were created from the Well of Souls—women who died through unjust male violence were reborn here. The Well isn't endless, but it grants them physical strength close to that of demigods."
Sigurd listened, his anger growing. He learned how the Amazons had sought peace, only to be hunted by demigods for pleasure—with Zeus turning a blind eye to his sons' atrocities. What began as mild irritation now flared into fury. He wanted to slaughter the offending Olympians, yet he knew some, like Athena and Hermes, had helped the Amazons. He couldn't punish the entire pantheon.
"I'll deal with this after the war," he resolved silently.