A flurry of blows followed as Hephaestus pushed Poseidon back. For all that Poseidon was experienced in battle, he was not a typical warrior.
He struck with the force of only his back, using none of the torque from the frozen layer they fought on. Hephaestus hopped back, rolling his shoulders. He had gotten used to the length of the blade.
"Co–"
Poseidon's taunt fell to the wind, leaving as his breath did from the series of weapons that surrounded him. The countless A-rank noble phantasms were nameless, analysed from Gilgamesh's vault from a fight so long ago.
They rained down on Poseidon, striking at every opening, replenishing in an endless salvo. While they broke off his skin, they were leaving welts, tiny fragments of Hephaestus' divinity lingering in his form.
Hephaestus followed suit, using his sword to strike amidst the blades. It was a storm of steel, striking at every space it could, Hephaestus dancing around the falling metal.
Every opening, exploited.
Every hint of weakness, torn open.
Poseidon, a warrior of the sea, was out of his element here… and yet he remained, his pride not willing to allow him to hide within his waters for reprieve.
His mind slowed, an idea coming to him. If Cocytus could freeze his waters… then why couldn't he? Was ice not simply water? His arrogance gnawed on his better judgement, a need not for victory, but dominance drummed in his soul.
The ice cracked at first, but Poseidon persevered. Hephaestus had shown that it was more than possible. That the idea of impossibility was merely a suggestion. Perhaps there were some walls that couldn't be climbed, but for this moment, Poseidon didn't care. The god of the sea pulled deep within his domain, his influence screeching beyond for just a hair's breadth.
It may have only been the tip of his mental finger…but that was all that was needed.
SHULK! CRUNCH!
Hephaestus gagged, sudden spears of ice piercing him through. Poseidon thrust his trident, goring Hephaestus through the shoulder. Fire billowed out of his body, the ice melting, ripping his muscles and organs as it was forced out. Hephaestus's back bulged as he heaved with all his strength.
Perhaps Poseidon had expected him to be weakened, for when he tried to block it, he was only sent flying away. Heedless of his injuries, Hephaestus rushed after him. He took the final swig of Phlegethon's stored fire, his wounds searing closed as a scar.
The ice beneath his feet shuddered but was not as fluid as water. He was already weaving out of the way as countless spikes formed from the ground. He lost track of Poseidon, only for a trident's blades to emerge from an ice spike.
He was able to dodge it, but Hephaestus noted how it sank back in, the ice no worse for wear.
"He's adapting," muttered Hephaestus.
He moved again the moment he landed, another attempt thwarted. Poseidon emerged, grabbing his leg, trying to pull him down. His leg opened, the gears erupting out and loosening his grip.
"What the!?"
A quick swing nicked Poseidon before he disappeared, the golden ichor pooling on the surface of a jagged peak. Poseidon would appear on and off, getting faster and faster.
Yet, Hephaestus' training with Pallas had synchronized his body with the boundless experience of EMIYA. He was able to contend with the god currently, but as Poseidon adapted further, who knows what other tricks he could employ.
He needed to slow Poseidon down. The back of his free hand sounded with a loud crack. The rune formed quickly on the back of his hand. Poseidon went to strike again, leaping from the ocean at Hephaestus' open back.
Hephaestus didn't move, his hand already reaching behind him partially. His words echoed as he spoke.
"Astrape."
Incantations were a massive source of power for spellwork, even for runes. From his cracked hand, came wild lightning. A blue beast that cared not for what was around it, the electricity bit onto Poseidon, shocking his entire body. The sea god reflexively leapt back, only to sigh in relief. Lightning still curled on Hephaestus' body, crackling with wild abandon.
"Are you not a fire god!" bellowed Poseidon, "You freeze oceans, and now you fire lightning?! Perhaps you are a bastard of Zeus."
"Better Zeus than you," muttered Hephaestus.
Poseidon spat on the ice.
"Hera should have finished the job," he scowled.
"Hera couldn't…and neither can you."
The vein throbbed on Poseidon's skull as he rushed forward. Hephaestus reared back, Sul-Sugana shuddering as he flowed his power into its blade. Each jagged protrusion acted as a segment, each separating with a ring of fire. He swung, the fragments surrounding Hephaestus in a perfect circle, the handle remaining in his grip.
"...What is that supposed to do!" taunted Poseidon, "bore me!"
Hephaestus' voice rang with power.
Come Forth The Dawn That Purifies The Oceans.
"Sul-Sugana!"
The power within it shuddered to life, the fragments exploding with a purifying force. There was no escaping the cascade of blinding flames. He felt the prickling of his skin and as the flames drew closer, Poseidon knew the dawn.
His skin sizzled, his trident and innate divinity having protected him. The ice beneath him disappeared in a horrid vapor, the heat tickling his body. Every breath stung, but he endured. The entire ocean…was gone. The peak the other sat on was now ever higher, more a mountain than a cliff.
"It must have taken everything Hephaestus had to accomplish this," thought Poseidon.
WATISH!
Screaming through the vapor, was Sul-Sugana. It was stretched, a body of lava connecting the now extending segments into an absurdly long blade.
"WHAT?!"
Poseidon dodged the first strike, having to duck underneath another one. Lightning curled above them, the steam turning the clouds ever darker. Lightning surged even more frequently, the sound of thunder clapping.
Soon…it began to rain. Poseidon was now on barren ground, his oceans depleted, his divinity broken before the might of Hephaestus. He could flood this whole place again…but would there be a point?
The weapon alone was not capable of this, it was the integration of Hephaestus divinity, augmented by the conceptual advantage of Sul-Sugana that wrought Poseidon's power to its knees.
Poseidon's divinity collapsed into himself, his power retreating to reinforce himself. Hephaestus blinked, noting the way it was similar to reinforcement. Rather than fill in imperfections, it focused on enhancing what was there.
Then Poseidon surged forward, water acting like a jet around his body. He was faster, surging forth like the tide.
"...that's new," murmured Hephaestus.
The young god took a glance at his hand, and looked to the sky. The lightning shuddered within it. He closed his fist a few times, the plan (fully) cementing. He hopped out of the way, Poseidon surging past him.
The ground crunched as the trident was used as leverage, stabbed into the ground to make a quick turn.
Every blow was blocked by the other, the short exchange rattling the ground beneath their feet. Their final exchange cracked even Olympus, the sky rumbling at their might.
The rain that fell collected, surging to slam into the back of Hephaestus' knee. Poseidon grinned as Hephaestus slammed into the ground unexpectedly.
"I GOT YOU!"
Poseidon's trident slammed home, and for extra measure, he skewered his nephew heavenward. He looked into Hephaestus' eyes, ravenously searching. He wanted to watch the hope drain from his eyes. Wanted Hepheastus to suffer.
Instead, Hephaestus just stared back blankly. The mirth was gone, leaving only disappointment.
"You dare!" Poseidon shouted out loud.
His nephew hung by the prongs, acting as if the pain was no great deal. Sul-sugana fell from his grip, his other arm reaching heavenward.
"Really nephew," sneered Poseidon, "calling for your father now that you have lost?"
Lightning curled off Hepahestus' arm as he stared at Poseidon.
"...you're not very good at this, are you?" he muttered.
It struck the god dumb to hear that.
"...what?"
Hephaestus' divinity suddenly surged upward, slamming into the storm above them. The lightning darkened his gaze, Poseidon peering into the uncaring madness that lay within it…and then Hephaestus gripped the trident with his other hand.
"No…he's not that insane!" thought Poseidon with surging panic.
"Astrape."
The lightning of the trial, the essence of divine law filtered through Zeus' domain, fell. A column of pure electrical energy, it struck Hephaestus first, the surge ravaging outwards into Poseidon. Both gritted their teeth the moment they were struck.
The lightning broke off, leaving the two electrified. Poseidon shakingly took a step back, his entire body shivering from the electricity still roaming inside him. His body wouldn't listen to him, his strength leaving.
Hephaestus fell to his knees, the steam sizzling out of his body. Bursts of divinity ejecting the electrical energy. Unlike Poseidon, Hephaestus' own divinity was adaptable in its imperfections.
Excellent for venting foreign power and accelerating his recovery. What happened with Typhon would never happen again if Hephaestus had his way. A technique for slaying the God of monsters, used instead here to defeat his uncle.
"How quaint," thought Hephaestus, rising without difficulty. From various points, fire erupted from his body, the electricity leaving the same way. Using the fires of Phelegethon had saved his own divinity for a moment like this, while Poseidon was left without such a resource.
Poseidon kept shivering, trying to regain control. It couldn't end, not like this. Sul-Sugana steamed as Hephaestus drew near, the air shimmering around it as it was gripped with two hands.
The edges glowed maliciously, Hephaestus peering down at the kneeling god.
"Sul-Sugana," he stated. The noble phantasm surged in power once more as he called upon its name. There were no broken segments, no strange power.
Only a monstrous cleave bathed in fire.
It tore through Poseidon's shoulder, stopping only part way into the rib cage. Hephaestus tore the blade out, twisting the jagged edges to cut off an arm. A quick swipe tore out Poseidon's stomach.
The earth shuddered beneath their feet, feasting on the blood of the ocean.
It was silent, Poseidon lying there, gasping for breath. His wounds would not close, not with the lightning still biting at him. His eyes were unfocused, still struggling to come to terms with what had just happened.
Lightning still curled off Hephaestus' skin with a malicious intent, as if it were diving back for another piece.
"Y-y-you," grunted Poseidon, "c-cheated."
"...and?" muttered Hephaestus. "There were no rules to prevent me from using outside resources. If there was, you wouldn't have that trident, or the blessings you have from your wife."
Hephaestus was admittedly reaching there. Thankfully, he struck home, as Poseidon looked away.
"I-I'm n-not done–GRK!"
Mercilessly, Hephaestus slammed Sul-Sugana into Poseidon's chest, forcibly stabbing the blunt edge of the entire blade through his torso. He ignited the sword fully, the fire seeping deep into Poseidon's body.
"AHHHHH!"
Even the proud god of the sea couldn't keep his voice down. His skin soon began to char from the entry wound…and the room shuddered, returning Olympus to its former glory.
Poseidon and Hephaestus stood in the centre of the twelve thrones, all the other gods not but a few feet away from them. Hephaestus pulled Sul-Sugana out. As his uncle rose with the blade, Hephaestus grabbed him by the neck, throwing him with the force of a cannonball into his throne.
Poseidon slammed with a wet plop, gasping. His blood splattered across his throne, seeping onto his feet.
"Yes, yes, yes!" Nemesis was over the moon. Though her thoughts were to herself, anyone giving her a glance would know what she was thinking. Her eyes shone even further, leaning around Hephaestus' throne as a new weapon joined the fray.
It reeked of power that worked against the gods themselves, and was shaped like a wicked scythe. Poseidon's eyes, along with all of the other Olympians, widened as Hephaestus reared back.
"...father," he thought, the glint of the blade bringing the scars of Kronos to the forefront.
It sliced into his open wound, the scythe finding purchase in the throne behind it.
"GAH!"
Like Sul-Sugana, Harpe's conceptual abilities proved viable even on gods, albeit in a reduced state. Even now, weakened as he was, Harpe could not land a true killing blow for his death.
But it certainly made Poseidon's wounds bleed all the heavier and heal all the slower.
Using the scythe, Hephaestus dragged his uncle upward, cutting through the throne along with him, Poseidon's sturdy body working against him. He stopped a few inches up, keeping a hand on the scythe as he eyed the sea god.
"It's over," said Hephaestus simply. "There is nothing left to fight for. Surrender, and I end this farce."
The blade in Poseidon's chest pulsated with a malevolence against the divine. Used by a goddess that had been summoned as a saber, it was a wicked implement, no matter its altered shape.
"Surrender," Hephaestus said forcibly, "Or die and let your kingdom suffer from your absence."
His uncle remained silent and Hephaestus pushed the scythe up again, dragging his uncle through his own throne.
"HRR! I. WON'T. SURRENDER!"
Hephaestus' eyes glowed. He gripped the scythe, power flowing into the blade. It began to crack as he overloaded the weapon, intent on cutting through the last of Poseidon.
"Enough."
Hera's voice echoed across the chamber. There is not a hint of concern to her. She spoke as if she was ending a feud between children. Both gods turned to her and she pointed to the floor.
"The conditions have been met. This farce of a trial is over."
Hephaestus looked to the ground, recalling the second condition for his victory. A ring out.
"This…this…"
Poseidon's bloody hand touched his throne. It was outside their supposed ring, his altered domain having fallen apart. He said nothing else afterwards.
"...How does it feel," muttered Hephaestus, "being brought low? Remember this feeling, Uncle."
Hephaestus turned to Zeus, waiting for the verdict. He faltered a bit at the near flooded eyes of the supposed greatest god of Olympus.
"That's my boy!" thought Zeus.
It shone with a pride that made the parentless god vastly uncomfortable. Not simply because he didn't wish to be there, but also for the… emotions that it sparked.
"Get on with it, please," muttered Hephaestus.
"Of course," rasped Zeus. "This trial is adjourned. Poseidon's grievance against Ares for the murder of his son is to be absolved. Furthermore," intoned Zeus, his voice and seriousness returning, "all grievances between Poseidon and Hephaestus are null and void as of this moment."
The lightning above them disappeared, the trial finally over. Zeus rolled his shoulders, a bit of sweat on his brow.
"Now, Hephaestus, as you are the victor…what do you desire of Poseidon?"
Poseidon chuckled, blood spurting from his mouth. As if he'd give that child what he wanted.
"I want Lemnos."
"What?"
"Lemnos," repeated Hephaestus. "I want those that call Lemnos home to be free of your abuses. That their lives are free from your interference. Should they break divine law, so be it. But your influence on them, your ability to freely manipulate the ocean against them…I want it."
The room was silent, broken only by Poseidon's gasping laughter.
"You have got the largest set of stones in this pantheon boy! You can't even use my authority. Divine law may grant you a boon, but you cannot enfor–"
Hephaestus leaned in closer, his hand on his uncle's chest. In his inner world, he grasped an item, his mind racing through a thousand thoughts a mere moment. He had seen authority be given physical form again. The Shard of Ouranous' authority still gave a phantom itch in his chest.
If Poseidon wouldn't give it…then he would take it.
"By right of conquest…I demand the waters of Lemnos. I don't need your permission."
Hephaestus' divinity surged within his uncle, the authority of his Kingdom splintering for just a moment. A tiny shard of it broke off, the light of it glowing beneath Hephaestus' hand.
"URK! Ha…ha…HAHAHAHA!"
Poseidon just laughed, eying his idiot of a nephew.
"You really are an ignorant child!" he chuckled, "you don't have the structure to house such an authority–"
His words choked as he felt his power flow outwards against his will. While the trial may be over, divine law was far from absent.
He had agreed to the conditions and he had lost. The rite of conquest, while typically just a law of Atlantis, was still enforced by the trial's power.
Poseidon could only watch as a fragment of his authority flowed into Hephaestus' fingers. Hephaestus' arm shook as it traversed further. Unlike the rivers that were housed within his world, this was an authority for something that belonged in the natural realms. He gritted his teeth, concentrating to keep the power contained.
His instincts as a god screamed at him. If he lost control, it would flow back into Poseidon.
CRACK!
His body shuddered, housing an authority he was, quite literally, not designed to handle. He just needed a moment, the flow traveling to his chest. It stalled, his body slowly cracking more and more.
Eventually the vessel would break, freeing the power.
The others remained silent, afraid that a single sound would shatter the god's concentration. Hestia was struggling, her own divinity locked within her. As a guardian, she could only direct the excess of her nephew's power.
Yet, of all the gods that watched with bated breath, Apollo was strangely calm. The god of healing looked across the party of gods, his family. He thought of his father and then looked at his uncle.
The way they looked at each other, the betrayal, the hurt. He didn't want that. Yet…he had already done it…hadn't he? He had tried to help Hephaestus against his will, and Apollo swore he wouldn't make the same mistake again.
Yet, his friend's back was shaking. The sun god rubbed his fingers together, the feel of the muses' soft touch on his arm keeping his thoughts centered.
It hurt, when Hephaestus kept his distance…but Apollo understood. At least he thought he did. They were two peas in a pod in a way, both wanting to have full control, even if Hephaestus didn't realize it.
He stopped thinking, and Apollo moved.
Hephaestus stiffened, Apollo's hand at his back. The sun god ignored the glare of Poseidon, focusing instead on keeping Hephaestus' body in the fight. Golden light flowed through Hephaestus' body.
The warmth of the sun suffused into the cracks. Unlike the other gods, Hephaestus' body naturally aligned with any divinity that it interacted with, the imperfections aligning to match the wavelength of other gods.
A strange quirk to be sure.
After years of study, Apollo had learned to take advantage of the flow and even replicate such a state with his own divinity.
The cracks on Hepahestus' body slowly mended shut, only the cracks around the blue energy remained. It flowed again, moving across his chest and into his other arm.
Hephaestus reached within himself, Apollo stiffening as he felt the internal shift.
"What is that?" he thought.
Every part of the sun god screamed at him, told him to investigate…but he held himself back. The memory of Artemis pushing against him and their mother echoed in his mind.
She had told him than that he only thought of himself. He didn't like the way his sister looked at him, the slight disgust in her eyes. He was different from her, and for all her good qualities, she had a stubborn streak a mile wide.
If she thought you were trash, you were trash. Frankly, it was irksome at the best of times. Hopefully today, she'd see the truth. His thoughts dimmed, Apollo bringing his full focus on regenerating Hephaestus' body.
Together the two forced the energy through the rest of Hephaestus' body.
In seconds, the energy finally shone at the back of Hephaestus' other hand. The air shimmered above it, a dull crystal falling into his hand. It was about the size of a baseball, jagged and thick. He gripped the crystal just enough that he actually bled over it.
Even in this world, blood remained one of the greatest conduits of magic.
Slowly the authority bled into the crystal, the once dull quartz shining into an ocean green color. It shimmered like sun-reflected water.
Steam came from the cracks of Hephaestus' body, the lines refusing to close from the strain. He held the crystal to Poseidon's face.
"Lemnos isn't yours to play with anymore" muttered Hephaestus, his smoke tinged voice lumbering to a growl, "nor is it anyone else's."
Fire seeped from his wounds, his own divinity attempting to heal that which was broken. It wasn't enough, his body battered from the battle. The lingering pieces of Poseidon's power ravaging his healing.
Thankfully he wasn't alone. Apollo was already hard at work, his golden light flowing the ambient divinity outwards.
"Hurry up and say what you want to say," muttered Apollo, his focus deep. "I will be having words with you about your reckless abandon. You'll have a full physical inspection." The god stilled, a thought coming to his wondrous mind. "…inspection…hmm…I think I'll call it a physical. Yes, a physical!"
Apollo lost to his own world, Hephaestus focused back on his uncle. The crystal shone deep and true. While it may have been but a small piece, it was in truth a proof of concept.
"I'll make this simple, Uncle. Your string of abuses ends here. God, Goddess, human, I don't care what they are… it ends."
Hephaestus tried to subtly put the crystal into his reality marble, only for it to push against it like a magnet. The untethered primordial essence, while greater in power, lacked the tethers this crystal seems to have.
Smoothly, he put the crystal into his chiton, the cloth repairing with a glow. Safely in his pocket, he turned to Ares, his brother's divinity stabilizing bit by bit. Here in Olympus, the cost of his interference with his daughter was reduced, an entire realm now between them.
Ares wasn't happy, but he still nodded in thanks all the same. Hephaestus took a breath, realizing that he was actually quite tired. He could still fight if need be, but he could feel the strain in his body.
He eyed the still broken and bleeding Poseidon. The scythe disappeared, leaving the two to keep their silent gaze.
"If you have a problem with me, settle it with me," muttered Hephaestus. "In return… I'll stay quiet about this."
Pride was a massive currency for the gods. The idea that a god Hephaestus' age would keep such a deed to himself was unheard of. Poseidon said nothing for a moment. The hate in his gaze was a quiet thing, deep and dark. Eventually, he nodded.
"Very well."
Divine law shuddered once more.
"Swear on the styx," grumbled Hephaestus.
"Fine, fine…I swear on the styx."
CRACKA BOOM!
Thunder rumbled above them, lightning falling dangerously close to Poseidon. He narrowed his gaze at the sky, but settled to focus on his healing. Eyes closed, Poseidon ignored the rest of the council.
Hephaestus politely waved Apollo off, going to his throne. He sat down, arms on either rest, looking at Zeus. Steam still came off his body, the scars slowly scabbing off. It would take days before they disappeared if he was left to his own devices.
Hanging by his throne was Sul-Sugana, still radiating its own immense power.
"This case is officially closed," smiled Zeus. He gestured to his children specifically. "However, in light of these…issues, I believe it best to discuss how we will involve Demi-gods in the future. We will have our scuffles, but the idea that our children should be dragged into them is simply redundant," he muttered. "Thoughts?"
"Direct laws mean little," grunted Ares. "We just saw today how they can be redirected."
Slowly, the other gods and goddesses that were not part of the twelve began to leave. Nemesis tried to be stubborn, but Ifrit emerged from the Hephaestus' body, landing on her shoulder.
There was nothing but overwhelming gratitude from Hephaestus for her sacrifice, as the divine phoenix led Nemesis to the forge.
"I believe it best to treat demigods like an extension of the parent," mumbled Hades, his gaze pointedly at Hephastus. "There's no tell–"
"We will be treating the demi-gods as the children that they are."
Every head turned to Hestia. She was not kneeling by the fire anymore, but firmly in the middle of the council. The flames of Olympus danced in her hearth, her gaze firmly on Zeus.
"It is easy for you," she said, turning to Hades, "to treat other demigods as their parents. You don't plan to have them, which makes it easier to abuse."
"Sister, I would–"
Her gaze silenced even Hades.
"No…the best move forward is to treat them as individuals. A child of Athena need not suffer the sins of her mother, nor should a daughter of Hephaestus suffer the consequences of her fathers actions."
"You know as well as I do that it cannot be that simple," sighed Hera. "There will exist circumstances where a child is responsible for the actions of a parent. Such wording would only free others to act on their children's supposed behalf, avoiding consequences."
The gods slowly devolved into a debate, only to be silenced with a resounded boom from Zeus. His symbol of power cracked the marble floor.
"It is obvious we have much to talk about," said Zeus, stroking his beard. He eyed Poseidon and Hephaestus. "Two of our own are not in their best condition…we will convene within thirty moons to discuss this further. With that said…Hera has an announcement."
She rose from her throne, a rare smile on her face.
"I am pleased to announce the existence of a camp. All demigods will be welcomed there, a place of solace from monsters and the like. A place to train under the watchful eye of Chiron."
"A son of Kronos," muttered Poseidon.
"We're all children of Kronos," muttered Hera. "My point is that it is a refuge for our children to strive towards, and a place to grant them some training."
Ares and Athena nodded in agreement.
"Was hoping that monsters wouldn't be as big a concern," grumbled Ares, "but they can smell a demigod by leagues. If they're not prepared…"
He left the rest unsaid.
"Normally, I'd say we can protect our own children…but as Father and Ares have shown us, even the smallest of interference can have consequences."
"There is also distance," agreed Athena, her hands clasped on her lap. "Most demi-god children cannot endure their parents' divinity for prolonged periods of time. With the sample size we have now, the results remain inconclusive. Some, like Alcippe and Erichthonius, have proven to be able to endure for quite some time. Others lack such resilience."
Athena looked at Demeter, waiting for something. The older goddess had the decency to blush, looking away from Perspephone.
"Mother?" she muttered.
"A dalliance that took a joyful turn," she admitted. "I had hoped to spend more time with Philomelus. He's still just a babe."
"For Demeter, her child could endure no more than two days."
"Seriously?" muttered Apollo.
"...how is your son with you, brother?"
At Athena's remark, Artemis turned to glare at Apollo, the sun god uncaring at the moment. He didn't think to tell her?
"How did you know? He was barely born three days ago!"
Athena kept her dead gaze on him.
"So far so good," muttered Apollo, "nothing yet."
He felt a bit bad at the jealous look from his aunt Demeter. Though, he did find it funny the way Persephone seemed so betrayed. Wasn't this what she wanted? The whole "seperate" from your parent thing?
"The point is, that the camp is a good thing," smirked Dionysus, "right?"
"Agreed," smiled Zeus, "but seriously, how many grandchildren do I have that none of you have told me about!?" He crossed his arms. "Alcippe was one thing, but at least Hephaestus had the decency to announce my grandchild."
Said god's stone faced visage never wavered, though he did sweat a bit. Hephaestus wouldn't exactly say announcing Eri was intentional by any means.
Aphrodite was strangely quiet, a hand on her stomach. She looked around, her and Ares sharing a look.
"Well… you do have a divine one on the way."
Zeus turned to Aphrodite. His smile shone with the light of a thousand lightning strikes, his laughter like thunder. The thrones shook from his joy.
"Excellent, excellent! A new face to roam Olympus. You must be tired, go, go! Let us all convene again with the birth of our newest family member."
"What about thirty moons from now?" muttered Dionysus. His concern was warranted, considering divine births tend to be quick. "I had a party to–"
His father gave him the look.
"...never mind."
The gods slowly dispersed, Hephaestus lumbering up. He rolled his shoulders, and while he should have gone to the forge right away he couldn't leave without saying something.
"Congratulations," he smiled, approaching the Goddess of love.
"Thank you. It was…a surprise."
She didn't think she wanted kids, honestly. The bubbling face of Eri had admittedly sparked something in her.
"Though, hopefully my child is a little less…rowdy," she thought politely. She liked the girl well enough, she was a blast. But get her talking about magic, and Eri detonated into a whirlwind of energy.
"Do you have a name planned out?"
"Eros!" she smiled.
"So basically Cupid," thought Hephaestus.
It was faint, but now that he was paying attention to it, he could feel the tiny spark of the god rapidly forming within his mother.
"I wish you all the best," he smiled.
"...so do I," she said seriously.
Apollo didn't reach for him, the two sharing a look as Hephaestus moved to the forge.
He didn't stop for no one, quickly making his way to Nemesis. He never did feel the gaze of his brother watching him leave, nor did he notice when Ares shoved himself up from his throne a moment later.
No, instead he was focused. The forge was his place, his realm. He could feel her in there, snooping around. As the doors opened, she was standing over his anvil, her fingers tracing the metal as if it were her own. She basked in his place of power, smiling as she turned to him.
"Brilliant," she whispered. "The way you brought Poseidon low. I couldn't have done it better myself."
"You couldn't have even done it at all," thought Hephaestus.
"You are everything you were meant to be in that moment," she smiled.
Every word was soaked in eminence. She eyed him like a prize horse finally winning its trophy, with nothing but greed in her eyes. That ambition of hers, the enormity of it matched only by the fragility of her own being.
Her divinity was…small. With her in front of him he couldn't help but compare himself to her and she was…well, small.
While she was certainly short, barely reaching his mid chest, it was more her divinity that seemed so fragile. He had seen the strength of several goddesses. Leto, Hestia, Athena, Artemis, and the strangest of them, Aphrodite.
Each was a titan, a monument of divine power. Yet…Nemesis was not. She was every bit the strength of the other minor gods. Dangerous, certainly, a god was a god. But against himself? Hephaestus was barely developed as a God, his own divinity not yet firmly within his grasp, and yet, he dwarfed her.
It was surreal.
If he lacked EMIYA's spark, he may have very well indulged in that fantasy. That his greater divinity made her irrelevant. He closed his eyes, more thankful than ever for the counter guardian's vast experiences.
Would he have been swept in by this viper's strange smile? She had a manic charisma that didn't match her words. It seemed so obvious to him, her whole manipulative attitude.
Were the other gods just stupid?
"She almost reeks of desperation," thought Hephaestus, his fist itching to clench. "People have died because of her? For these… scraps of power?"
Power was everything, he knew that to be true. Without strength, one could not protect their own. You would be beholden to those that had power, if you were not careful. It was a truth that was bitter, but it was one that he had come to accept. Yet, there was always nuance to such a concept, one that seemed entirely absent from Nemesis' thinking.
It was time she learned she was playing with fire.
"Now…shall we begin?" she smirked. Her enthusiasm waned as she felt his divinity flowing into the walls.
"My apologies," he said, "I'd rather no one else overhears."
It was a slow seal, but soon they'd be fully encompassed. As his power slowly encroached, Nemesis smirked. She had her own assurances in place, just as he did.
The moment the room was sealed, all pretenses were gone. The small smile on Nemesis' face turned ravenous.
"Show me the scythe."
The demand made his blood chill. She took his hesitance with all the grace she had as a goddess…which was none.
"We both know why we're here godling." Nemesis smirked as she walked towards him. He scowled as her fingers came to dig into his chest. Red sizzling blood flowed from the scar she punctured. "You want revenge, I want justice. If you want my power, you do as I say."
She flicked the blood off, hiding the burns that were left on her hand. She didn't even flinch, he'd give her that much. She stalked around him, nipping at his heels like a hyena. The deranged smile only made her even more unstable. "There is no need for pretenses," she hissed, a vicious smile on her face. "Not anymore. Now…the scythe."
The last of the seal locked into place and he formed the scythe. Harpe took full form and Nemesis quickly grabbed it from his hands. Its weight was comfortable in her hands, but she had no skill with such a weapon. It shuddered, the feel of her divinity splintering the weapon.
"This," she muttered distastefully, "but as my symbol of power. Do this…and I will enact your vengeance for you."
It was funny to him how Harpe worked. For all that it was a construct formed from the divine age, its very concepts didn't lend itself well to being crafted as a genuine divine weapon. It was akin to forging fire out of water. Its very nature ate away at the very fabric of its own construction.
Hephaestus was confident that he could complete the project. Though, the resulting weapon would be laughably weak.
Click.
But he didn't need to. The scythe reformed in his hand, the other copy splintering into little pieces. From his reality marble he produced a new stone. The one he had created from Skilros. He quickly put it in his pockets before Nemesis turned around.
"I can forge your weapon," he muttered, "but I need reassurance first. You swear to assist in my vengeance to the best of your ability?"
"Of course I do," scowled Nemesis.
"No matter the individual?"
"Now you're just insulting me," she growled.
There was a hesitance there, but the oath had been sworn.
"Good enough for me," growled Styx.
Nemesis shuddered, Styx speaking from behind Hephaestus. Olympus reeled at the feeling of one of the rivers entering, the sudden entrance inexplicable even to the guardians that protected the center of Olympic power.
The sky rumbled, the thunder even stronger. All of Styx was invoked, to chain such a vague oath.
"What is this?" smirked Nemesis. "Your attempt at strong-arming me, is that it?" She scoffed, throwing her hands out. "Typical of Olympus, throwing your ill-gotten authority around like you've earned it! You don't deserve your power."
"Says the one born with hers," drawled Hephaestus.
Whatever words she'd speak next were choked by the wind. From his pocket, he produced a stone, one glowing in resonance to Nemesis' own divinity. He tossed the rock to her, Nemesis catching it out of reflex.
"...what is this?" she muttered.
"Your divinity, taken from the throat of Skilros."
She stiffened, sneering at him.
"Whatever conjectures you have are merely that."
Her eyes glowed, the red a brighter hue than the blue. Slowly, the glow shifted, until it was her blue eye that shone brightest. The scale had shifted, divine law lessening its strength.
Hephaestus dug within himself, to a power he rarely invoked. The authority of an Olympian.
"It's not conjecture, it is fact."
The scales of divine law shuddered as his own authority fought against Nemesis. She began to sweat, their divinity radiating out between the two of them. She couldn't even form much of a resistance as his power flooded the room.
Crimson energy radiated from Hephaestus, divinity coalesced to such an extent that it would be easily visible even to the normal human eye. A show of force and nothing more.
A light show really…but one that shone with a fact that could not be disputed. Nemsis' power was not enough. Not here.
Not anymore.
"You orchestrated… everything," he whispered. He gripped the scarf that acted as his belt, rubbing the fabric between his fingers. Lost to his memories, he slowly narrowed his gaze to Nemesis. "Everything you've done has harmed those I call friends and for what? Some… some demented need for validation?"
"Validation?" she growled, "you think this is for validation!?"
She tossed the stone across the room, fearlessly stomping across the room.
"I am a child of Nyx, a primordial power! You and the rest of your ilk are nothing but the fragments of Titans! Yet it is you who rules, you who were born with authority!?"
She cut her own wrist, golden blood flowing.
"I am a god! You are nothing but some experiment Hera cooked up!"
The energy between them grew unstable. Nemesis slammed her hand into his chest, her nails digging into his skin.
"Look at you! You were born to bring Hera to her knees! HER KNEES!"
Her skin sizzled from his blood, his sharp but calm visage only fueling her madness.
"You were born for retribution! FOR ME! You were Hera's greatest shame, her broken little child!"
Hephaestus stopped Styx from attacking her, his eyes glowing steadily as Nemesis finally let lose.
"I am Nemesis, child of Nyx, the night itself! I will not be reduced to some… some minor god!
She twirled around, as if mocking all the gods, screaming out to the heavens.
"IF I HAVE TO DRAG YOU TO YOUR DESTINY THAN I WILL–"
SHUNK.
She stared forward, slowly turning her gaze to the scythe's blade sprouting from her stomach. Her own admittance rang in her ears. She realized in that moment that this was exactly what Hephaestus was waiting for.
Words failed her as Hephaestus ripped her through the air over his head. His divinity clouded the blade, preventing it from cutting her in twain as he smashed the scythe into the ground with Nemesis.
Landing face first, Nemesis could only scream as she tried to escape. She tried to leave, her divinity strong enough to disperse and reform. It fell through, her divinity refusing her call.
It was tethered, refusing to budge. A chill ran through her spine, literally coating the noble phantasm in ice. She looked up, the lord of flames looming over her.
Thunder loomed, Styx floating behind Hephaestus' shoulder. By her own words, what resistance Nemesis could bear shriveled into ash.
Hephaestus could only glare as Nemesis laughed, even as the blade began to smolder. She grit her teeth through the pain, his divinity slowly ravaging her body.
Through her domains, Nemesis could see the cause of his retribution. Of all things…it was a human woman.
"You were supposed to be my instrument!" she roared, clawing at the floor. She tried her best to rise up only for a metal foot to slam into her back. Coughing up blood, she glared hatefully at Hephaestus. "You were perfect, perfect!" she hissed. "All you had to do was finish that stupid throne and bring that bitch to the ground!"
The ground cracked beneath her body and still she could not rise.
"It was just a single mortal!" growled Nemesis. "Is a single mortal not worth marring Hera!?"
"No life is worth that," muttered Hephaestus, fire erupting from Nemesis' wounds. "And it didn't end with one."
In her mind, Nemesis saw the village. Each person recorded in Hephaestus' mind. Even those that he only saw in passing. Each one tethered to the scarf he wore, his permanent reminder.
Her skin began to peel, fire cracking through her divine form. Suddenly the blade erupted from her back and she made some distance.
For all that he had chained her with oaths, Nemesis wasn't without her own strengths. Hephaestus noticed the divinity of others at play. It was not like his own power, adaptive. Rather, it was as if others were bearing the burden to lift the chains off of her.
"...hmm."
Nemesis gritted her teeth, focusing. Her body shimmered, her wounds disappearing. She grinned.
"You're not at full strength, godling. Before this day ends… you will be mine."
She grinned, spreading her arms wide.
"You think… I wasn't prepared for this?"
Hephaestus' barrier shuddered, his scars aching. He could feel dozens of signatures at his gates.
"Olympus will be mine," growled Nemesis, "as it should be! As is proper! You invited me here and that authority is mine to bear! All of these gods are a part of me, and their strength is my own!"
Dozens of multicoloured strands flowed from Nemesis' back, each connected to a singular god. She smirked.
"Even without them, do you think I came alone?"
"...Bring as many as you like," muttered Hephaestus. He held his hand out, Sul-Sugana smashing through the door. The blade erupted into flames as it smashed in his grasp. He gripped the hilt with both eyes, staring off at Nemesis and the darkened doorway.
"Fine then," smirked Nemesis, turning to the door. "One way or another, you will bend the kne–"
CRUNCH!
She sputtered, stepping back a few steps as her nose was crushed. Both the gods looked down at the object. A severed head, the face marred into one of fear, golden blood seeped from their severed neck.
Thump. Thump.
Slow deliberate steps echoed as a God entered from the shadows. He stood at the doorway, the flames of his plumage illuminating the multitudes of bodies in his wake.
His sword was covered in the golden gore of his fellow gods, the baleful eyes of war anchoring Nemesis in her place.
"Tch, figured she'd pull something like this," growled Ares. He rested his sword on his shoulder, tossing another god's head to the ground.
"B…but you're weakened," muttered Nemesis.
"You just don't seem to get it," smirked Ares. His crimson eyes shone through his helmet, the war God stalking forward. "This ain't your kingdom. Never will be."
"This isn't about you," she stressed. She pointed between her and Hephaestus, "this is between us!"
Getting involved would only hamper the war god further. He then punched her.
"GAH!"
"Brother," stressed Hephaestus.
"Shut the hell up," he growled. "You don't get too gallivant around shoving yourself into other god's problems only to then complain when it's done to you! You're a hypocrite, you know that?"
Hephaestus blinked at him.
"What?" growled Ares.
"...I'm shocked you know what a hypocrite is."
"Oh, fuck you."
Nemesis sucked her mouth in, her face contorting as if she'd eaten a lime. Her eyes flashed, an order going through.
"Now shut up–"
Ares' hand lashed out, grabbing a hidden foe. The air shimmered as a minor god became visible. Hephaestus didn't know this one. He was on the larger sort, actually bigger than even Hephaestus himself.
Muscular, he bore the smell of iron. He'd be threatening, if not for the fear in his eyes.
CRACK.
"–and let us handle this."
"Us?" muttered Hephaestus.
The god that hung limpy from Ares' grip promptly exploded, their head disappearing from a mass of Ares' divinity.
"Yes. Us. Now do what you need to."
He looked up, his gaze went beyond the walls, noting Artemis and Apollo both firing arrows around them. The minor gods fell without effort. Their morale was in tatters, forced to fight at Nemesis' behalf.
"You!" growled Nemesis.
"Finish it," grunted Ares, turning back to the door, "the others won't let anyone get in."
Hephaestus could even feel Dionysus and Athena here. He wasn't entirely certain why Athena specifically, but he'd take it.
"...It appears you're not the only one with allies of their own," muttered Hephaestus.
She didn't get to speak, not anymore. The air detonated as Hephaestus surged forward. She tried to move, but golden chains covered her body. Her divinity shuddered into dormancy, her eyes wide.
His hand grabbed her by the mouth, crushing the bones beneath his grip.
"MMM!"
"No more words," he muttered. "No more laws."
Fire seeped between his fingers, burning Nemesis. Her screams muffled by his hand.
"Remember this moment, remember every sensation. Your dream… it ends today."
Her body shuddered as her skin began to flake, turning black from the heat. A mouth formed somewhere, her voice echoing.
"I WON'T FALL HERE!"
"...you just don't get it, do you?" muttered Hephaestus.
Harpe, formed as a blade, swiftly caved Nemesis' ribs, the blade finding a home in her burning body.
"Killing you… does nothing. You'll simply reform, given time… but that's what you need isn't it? Time."
He eyed the ribbons of divinity that connected her to her compatriots. The sole reason how she was even able to endure. He summoned Rule Breaker, stabbing the point into the ethereal threads.
Underneath the enormous strain, the thread snapped as Rule Breaker broke. He simply formed another. He kept his gaze, her eyes never leaving his own, each strand severed one by one.
"Every contract, all your machinations… they'll be gone, Nemesis. All of it. You'll reform, one day. But by then… the world will have passed you by."
He crushed the last of the strands, Rule Breaker disappearing for good. She hung limply, her brain trying to figure out her next move. She grimaced, the damage to her divinity coming in mass.
"I hate you," he muttered. "Truly, I do. Out of every being I've come across… my hate for you stings the most."
He detested Poseidon, found Atlas annoying, and Leto rather lecherous. But Nemesis?
He grimaced. "This vengeance does nothing to bring those you've harmed back. I know that… but for once."
His surged, a depth to his divinity he had not reached surging forth. For a moment, the cracks glowed blue, his flame surging even higher.
"For once… I'll just let it burn."
He let go. Not just his power, but his anger, his hate, his everything. His thoughts were empty, no sense of control or direction.
Olympus shuddered, a column of fire reaching into the very heavens themselves. A show of strength that reminded those of the heyday of Zeus' rebellion. The flames shuddered with a cataclysmic force.
Out of all the younger Olympians, it was Hephaestus alone that controlled a force of nature. The flames screamed at everything, burning what it could touch, contained only by the grace of Hestia.
The goddess looked from her hearth, the center of the throne room slowly molding to her subtle designs. She looked outside, to the flames that screamed to be let loose.
Her hand shook, the energy like a dose of caffeine to her.
"WOAH!" yelped Apollo, weaving out of the way of the eruption. Artemis looked at the fire. The shadows in her eyes danced to a memory she would sooner forget.
The giant hole in his forge dripped with molten slag. Artemis, Apollo, Dionysus, and Athena entered through it, as Ares returned from the door. He punted a groaning god for extra measure as they all approached the epicenter.
The ground cooled as Apollo absorbed the heat somewhat, at least preventing them from slipping around. Hephaestus was no worse for wear, though his legs were now cracked and splintered.
He sighed. Again?
"Yet another one to the list," he muttered.
"I…I…I won't…I–"
At his feet, were the remains of Nemesis. She was slowly reforming, that much he could tell. It wasn't visible, but the recovery was happening. It would take decades at the current rate.
"Ew," muttered Apollo. "I ain't touching that."
"I don't want you to. Though I had hoped her recovery would be slower than this."
He had used Harpe and effectively nuked Nemsis in the face with all her defenses stripped. Yet, here she was, recovering.
He produced a jar from his reality marble. He subtly tried to put Sul-Sugana within it, treating it as an item, rather than a projection.
Thankfully it slipped in without an issue.
"That's a relief," he thought. "I don't want to even imagine trying to store this weapon anywhere."
The damn thing might just ignite anything that comes close to it in the natural world.
He placed the jar on the ground, focusing. Runes flowed across his arms, their shapes fluctuating somewhat. His hand shook as the ashes of Nemesis flowed into the jar.
It took a few precarious moments, but soon she was sealed within it. For extra measure, Apollo zapped the top, the jar glowing gold.
"...why?" asked Hephaestus.
"Chthonic Gods are not a fan of sunlight right! Figured it would slow her down."
He beamed, his beautiful smile doing nothing to distract from the embarrassed look his sister was trying to hide.
"...I…I don't think it works that way," muttered Hephaestus, "but I appreciate it."
Clunk.
"You'll need this."
"Thank you–what?"
He turned, Hermes suddenly appeared at his side, the pithos in his hand. He winked, opening the jar. For a moment he wanted to stop Hermes, until he dropped an essence of sort.
It was holy, radiating the opposite of retribution.
Justice.
"Zeus," whispered Hephaestus.
"Present from Father," smirked Hermes. "He doesn't take too kindly to Nemesis, not to mention she allowed countless minor gods to tresspass…again."
"Again?"
Hermes shrugged.
"She tries this sort of stuff every now and again. I chase her down, the minor gods get in the way just enough, and she's retreated to mommy dearest. I have… sway with Nyx, but she draws the line at direct harm to her children. Well, if they're near her… it's complicated."
Hermes snapped his finger, the seal of the jar suddenly forming countless divine enchantments, each swirling like the movements of a lock.
"Well, that should slow her down for a few centuries at least."
"...Why?" asked Hephaestus.
"Oh! Well you see–"
"The truth, please," asked Hephaestus politely.
"–She sucks, and I hate her," scowled Hermes. "You know how many times she's used her domains to nip at me for harmless pranks?"
"Harmless?" muttered Apollo, "you stole my divine animal!"
"It was a cow."
"It was my divine animal!? What does it matter if it was a cow you–"
"Doesn't matter," smirked Hermes. "The point is, she's stuck in a jar, and I want to make the most of it. I doubt you'd object to that… brother?"
"If it keeps her down for longer, then by all means."
"Excellent!"
He held his hand out. Hephaestus rolled his eyes, conjuring drachmae.
"Well I'm off, important delivery for Helios!"
Hephaestus opened his mouth to speak, The pithos suddenly disappeared, Hermes arms behind his back. He was fast enough that Hephaestus didn't even see him move.
"I'm back, what did I miss?"
"It wasn't funny the first time you did that," muttered Artemis, "it's not funny the hundredth time you've done it."
"No one appreciates humor."
"It's not humor if it's not funny," stated Athena factually.
Apollo snickered a bit, along with his sister.
"...that wasn't a joke."
Ares started chuckling.
"...I hate you all."
Hephaestus couldn't help himself.
"I thought you abandoned all emotion? How can you hate without–"
She disappeared, Hermes pouting.
"...I didn't get to say anything."
"This calls for a drink!" declared Dionysus. He wiggled his eyebrows at Hephaestus. The pithos reeked of such potent alcohol that it would floor Gaia herself.
"..."
He looked between them all. The forge suddenly cleared itself of everything, five wooden chairs of a more modern design forming.
"I think I'll take that drink," smiled Hephaestus.
"Bummer, but that's–wait, what?" muttered Dionysus.
A table formed between the chairs, a circular wooden surface. Dionysus looked at the jar of wine and then back to the table.
"...Quick. Is Hypnos fucking with me again?"
"No, Dionysus, I'm serious. Unless you don't wan–"
Dionysus was already in his seat. Ifrit unfurled from Hephaestus' shoulder, the bird preening at the attention she received.
"I hate to have you reduced to this old friend, but could you let Hecate know that I'll be on Olympus for a bit? I'd like to recover before returning home. I'd hate for Eri to see me like this."
She flew quickly, intent to return as soon as possible.
Hephaestus took a seat. A golden light suffused into his wounds as Apollo sat on his other side.
"Shouldn't take me more than a few hours," smirked Apollo.
"...Thank you… my friend."
Apollo beamed. He could feel the rift between them closing. His brother sat across from him, Artemis on his other side. Lightning rumbled above them, Zeus appearing in his typical fashion. A grand show of lightning slammed into the still cooling ground.
Waving his hair and showing off his purple chiton, Zeus gave a sneaky glare at his family.
"What a day filled with new family and incredible victories!" Zeus stroked his beard, eyeing all the younger Olympians. "Surely my children didn't forget to invite their father to this "
Hephaestus chuckled, another chair forming. Seating himself at the head of the table (at least in his mind) Zeus basked in the moment. The normal conversations that flowed, the slight jabs and jeers. The way Artemis tore into Apollo for his bastard, Dionysus laughed as he had Hephaestus try a different brew, only for the fire god to hiccup a bit.
"What even is this?" muttered Hephaestus.
"Wine made from some fruits I found in India. Very sour, what do you think?"
"...you are an eccentric," muttered Hephaestus.
"Like you've done better," smirked Dionysus. "I've heard of your little experiments with ambrosia. Didn't think that would escape my notice did you? The master brewer?"
"Are you really a master with sometime like this?" grumbled Ares.
"Not one for gastronomic exploration are you?"
The bickering grew, but it only made Zeus smile wider. He looked around the table, grinning like a loon. He sipped his wine, letting the euphoric feeling rippled across his form.
Nothing was sweeter after a hard day than having a drink, and nothing made it better than having it with family. The smile of Zeus softened as he shared a look with Artemis.
"Ok ok!" declared Dionysus, "here's a different one. See, the others are cowards, but you Hephaestus? You get me. Give this one a try!"
It was a wine, green in color. He sniffed it, a brow raising at the smell.
"...it's…I can't even describe what this smells like, what is this?"
"That would be fermented from grapes grown within my personal garden," grinned Dionysus. "The grapes I grow that way always come out different every time! A tinge of madness in the brew!"
He looked around the table, palms up at their looks.
"Not literally. Seriously, I'm not dumb enough to send any of you a bit of madness."
Hephaestus eyed the god of wine. It was a risk, but he decided to trust the god. He took a careful sip, humming at the sweet savory taste. He waited a moment, then took a larger sip. The stronger flavor swirled in his mouth, the divine alcohol sitting in his stomach.
He grimaced a bit, the loud gurgling echoing across the room.
"...uh…you alright?" asked Dionysus.
"He's fine," said Apollo. His power glowed and infused into Hephaestus. "Just gas."
"It's really not that–Urp!"
Hephaestus burped, a torrent of green fire blasting out with tremendous force. Everyone blinked as the flame splat onto the ground, the emerald flames eating away at the ground.
"...that was awesome," muttered Hermes. "What else you got?"
"I'm not drinking another one of those," said Hephaestus bashfully.
"Think we can make his fire blue?"
"It already does that," muttered Artemis. "It's redundant."
She eyed him, right into the soul. She tilted her head a bit.
"...let's make it purple."
"I told you. I'm not drinking another one of those strange brews. Normal alcoho-"
Ares booed, Dionysus already grabbing several vessels from his own reserves. He took the last one, writing the greek word for green on it. So they bickered, through-out the next few hours.
Good company, good food, strange drinks, it was a moment of respite. One of many to come. Hours later, Hephaestus was left alone in his forge, looking out to the sky.
He had altered the hole in his forge, shifting it to make a balcony. On that balcony's railing, he rested his arms. Ifrit was flying about, enjoying the cool winds.
The last of his wounds were mending, the evening sun slowly making way for the night, a goblet of Dionysus (thankfully) normal wine in his hand.
"How do you feel?"
He smiled, turning to face Artemis. Arms crossed, she joined him looking out to the sun.
"I…I don't know," he admitted. "I had hoped I would feel…complete."
"Regretting it?"
"Gods no," admitted Hephaestus. "Nemesis needed to be stopped. There's no changing what's been done, but even now, I still feel as if she could be lurking around a corner."
"It's not over. It never will be. There will always be Gods that hate each other."
Hephaestus smiled, bumping his shoulder to hers.
"But there's also gods that like each other right?"
She laughed, shaking her head.
"Like is a strong word," she smirked.
"Oh, I agree. Perhaps more beneficial acquaintances is a better word?"
She rolled her eyes.
"That's what Apollo calls his dalliances."
"...you're not serious are you?"
"Only one of us can lie here, Hephaestus."
"...oh dear."
She chuckled a bit.
"It's not that he sleeps with others that's the problem. It's normal in nature. It's just the way he's so….so…"
"Cavalier?"
"...what?"
"Being casually dismissive," he corrected.
"Ah. Yes, that. He treats his son like it's an every day occurrence."
"...to be fair, you're not exactly the most approachable," laughed Hepheastus. "You've not made it a secret that you'd rather spend your time elsewhere than with Apollo."
She glared at him, but as always, she felt herself crumble. It was difficult to stay mad at Hephaestus.
"...I don't mean to be so mad at him all the time."
"Whatever happened between you two?" asked Hephaestus. "I admittedly don't know much of your earlier years, but the times I've seen you two, you seemed entirely inseparable?"
She was quiet. After a moment, his hand rested on her shoulder.
"...I'm sorry. You don't have to tell me. Forget I asked."
"...thank you. Are you heading back?" she asked, eyeing the last of his scars fully disappearing.
"I will be, yes."
"...she's stronger than you know," smiled Artemis.
"Hmm?"
"Eri. She wouldn't crumble just because you got hurt."
"...perhaps not. Would you like to come with me? It has been a while since you've last seen her?"
"I'd…I'd like that, really. But my huntresses have been left alone long enough."
"Ah," smiled Hephaestus, "responsibilities of your own."
Artemis smiled in return.
"I'll be visiting in a few weeks, after my hunt. Till next time."
Ifrit landed on his shoulder, pushing her head into his own.
"Thank you for your patience," he smiled. "Let's go home."
In a storm of fire, he was carried home to Lemnos. Landing hard in front of his house, he didn't even get a second before Eri slammed into his chest.
"Papa!" she yelled, her eyes a bit watery. "You're back!"
"I'm back," he said. "How are the others? You've been taking care of them?"
She nodded, though she was a bit more demure than usual.
"Is everything alright?" he asked.
"It is…I'm just glad to be home," she said.
She eyed his chest and if Hephaestus didn't know any better, she was looking for something. Before he could think on it any longer, she rushed off, dashing into the woods.
"I–"
Soft arms wrapped around his neck, his smile growing wider.
"Hello Hecate."
Soft lips pressed against his cheek.
"Welcome home, champion."
"News travels fast," he chuckled.
Inside the home was a scrying gate, one that dispersed with a thought from it's creator, Hecate.
"Of a sort. I have…privledge information," she smiled. "I've heard that you will be keeping your victory quiet?"
"Mostly to reduce the bruise on Poseidon's ego," admitted Hephaestus. "While I won't be doing business with him as often, the fact remains that we are gods of the same pantheon."
"Do you truly think he's learned the lesson you want to teach?" she scoffed.
She shuddered from the warmth as his energy surged underneath his skin. He turned to her, his gaze calm as always.
"I'll teach it to him as often as I need to."
"...I see. Well, come."
"Hmm?"
"You didn't think Eri ran off for nothing did you?"
He focused his senses, hearing music. He groaned a bit, Hecate laughing as she hoisted him up.
"A celebration?"
"Oh yes, of you."
"Of me? Why?"
"Do you really need to know the reason?"
"I would like to, yes."
He followed after them, griping as he always did about the attention. In fact, he would continue to gripe over the years, as the celebration turned into an annual festival.
As the years flew by, the festival grew. It became an annual celebration for the day. Then a day became three, three became seven. Eventually, it had become a twelve day debacle that made Hephaestus want to pull his hair out.
-10 Years later. End of the Festival of Hephaestus-
Hephaestus was pushing a blade against the keel of a boat. It was a larger vessel, more akin to a sail boat than a dingy. It had an under cabin, and was fitted for travel.
He scratched his chin, eying the design a few more times.
"You really d-d-don't like the festival do you, Pa?"
He turned, blinking the glitterings of magic out of his eyes. On top of the keel of his boat was Eri. In the flush of her adolescence, she was as much a spitfire now at sixteen than she ever was.
Across her arms was hunting leather, the knife her uncle Ares had given her strapped to her side. Her hair was longer now, braided into a single tail that she let plop across her chest. She grinned as her father shooed her off.
"I'm not commenting."
"Come o-on I think it's sweet! It's always fun watching you squirm as they try to include you!"
"I know that," muttered Hephaestus, "and I respect it…but it's just…it's not right. Their lives are their own. Everything that has flourished was done so by their hand. There's no need to hold a festival. I shouldn't have gone in the first place."
Eri giggled, flowers growing around her father's feet as she manipulated her magic.
"You say that, but when old man Nikos comes around, you cave instantly."
Hephaestus soured a bit, staring at the boat.
"He's a cunning old man…always using his age against me."
"It's cute," smirked Eri.
"It's emotional blackmail."
"...what's blackmail."
"Doesn't matter," he sighed. "Are you packed?"
Eri grinned, the satchel holding at her side.
Hephaestus smiled, hefting the massive boat on his shoulders.
"Alright then… let's go."