It was a temple to Aphrodite. It was dyed in the colors of desire and lust. He could feel the way it all bubbled to the surface, just under his skin.
He wasn't the first to fall to this temple's oddities, if Aglaia's reaction was any indication. It would seem he had to be careful for an entirely different reason. He entered the hall, noting that this temple was far larger than it should be. Like someone had copied what they thought a temple should look like, but had no knowledge of how to build it.
He was brought to a room filled with blankets and pillows. They were not modern by any definition, but they were all silken and fluffy.
The stitching was sublime, though. At first, he had assumed Aphrodite had her own skills, but a quick structural analysis noted that these were done by Athena's hand, reluctant as they may have been.
Yet, there she was. Sprawled across her beddings. The silken sheets wrapped around her exposed body like a shield. Her eyes were open and narrowed. She sat up, exposing her chest. He looked away. The form she had today was too reminiscent of Sakura. Her hair was more a brown color, but the drooping breasts were–
He stopped it cold, his eyes narrowing.
"Could you stop that?"
"It's not me," she grumbled.
"...the bond?"
"Obviously."
Her voice was stern and short. Yet even so, it had its way to wrap around him. Even angry, her voice echoed with the husk of desire, as if she were just one word away from undoing him. He could see why other gods were desperate for her attention.
"If I may ask, please clothe yourself."
The sound of her laughter trailed along his spine.
"Am I too indecent for you? Too much of a whore?"
The word was laced with venom, the pure spite of it making his skin pop. He turned to her, eyeing the swirl of colors that were her irises.
"You are no whore. It is simply a principle."
She snorted, crossing her arms.
"So much like Hera."
She was angry. Spiteful. A part of him wanted to be the same. The name of his mother irked him, always putting him in a foul mood. He felt a thrum of displeasure not his own.
"...It is merely a request," he said carefully, "if it displeases you that much, feel free to ignore it."
It was quiet for a moment…though he noted a grimace. A swirl of cloth wrapped around her body. It did nothing to hide the contours of her form but at least she was apparelled.
"Thank you."
"What do you want?"
"A solution."
She eyed him. Her gaze was skeptical, blank in that way of disbelief. He was honest as he could be. Even went as far as to open his core. It wasn't a hard thing. Kind of like a switch that he had to consciously flip.
"...you're serious?"
He nodded.
"Zeus put me here. I would ordinarily leave but…we need to talk and figure this out."
"...you…want out?" she mumbled.
"Of course I do? Do you not want the same?"
Her lips soured a bit, her hand on her hips.
"You want out of this marriage? With me?"
"I don't believe I can be any clearer."
He stepped forward, his hands gesturing empathetically.
"I do not wish to be married to you. You do not wish to be married to me. We should be working together to…Lady Aphrodite, are you alright?"
Her face was nearly red, her eyes taking on a crimson hue.
"You…don't want me!?"
Hephaestus blinked.
"I…think you're focusing on the wrong thing here."
"Oh! Now I'm not focused? I am plenty focused. Where do you get off!"
She jammed a finger into his chest, she winced a bit, noting he was firmer in a way. Ares was just as muscular, but there was a softness to his form, something only a God would ever really feel.
Hephaestus was flesh and bone. Solid. Solidly annoying.
"I am love itself!"
"...I understand that," he stressed, "but this is not about desire but about–"
"Principle, I know! By the fates, you're just…just…stupid!"
She was shuffling now, wrapping her arms around her hands around her shoulders.
Her words rolled off his back, his expression softened as he noted her own ruffled state.
"...do you feel better?"
"...yes," she muttered quietly.
"I apologize if I've intruded. I know this hasn't been easy for you. I believe if we work together…we can find a solution to this. My own attempts have been…less than fruitful."
She stared at him. The constant derision waned yet there was still something to her gaze. He couldn't put his finger on it.
"You honestly think we can get out of this marriage?"
"Nothing in this world is absolute. Nothing."
He looked at her, his own divinity surging to back his words.
"Freedom is a right for all sentient life."
He meant it. The memories of the way that EMIYA had been chained in service even after death echoed within him. The memories that detailed a life beholden to an ideal that wasn't even his own…it made him detest all forms of entrapment. Contractual, spiritual, and of course, physical.
No matter the form it would take, he would be chained no more. He had thought with Rule Breaker that he could free himself of anything mystical or divine…he was wrong. He needed something stronger.
"...Easy for you to say," muttered Aphrodite.
He turned to her. It was uncomfortable their silence, but she eventually gave in to explain.
"You, me. We're not the same," she muttered.
"I am well aware of the difference in our station."
She snorted.
"Are you now?"
She began to walk away, the cloth falling around her shoulders swaying with the wind. Her brown hair turned black as she turned around, her eyes glowing with a mischievous glint.
"You're barely a child," she chuckled, "what would you know?"
In that moment, she felt as if his golden eyes pierced right through it. As if she were completely open to him in the worst of ways. His words only cemented that feeling.
"I am well aware of your Primordial nature…though the extent of it eludes me. I–"
The room grew heavy, Aphrodite staring at him. Only Zeus and the elder Olympians knew of her full nature. Even Ares, for all the time they had spent together, had no inkling as to the truth of what she was.
She hated that he just stood there unfazed. As if he somehow faced worse than what she brought forth. She bit her lip, remembering the state that he had returned in from the battle with Typhon.
"...it's a secret?" muttered Hephaestus.
"..."
"I see. I apologize. I honestly thought everyone knew."
She stared, his golden eyes filled with sincerity. It was a strange thing, looking at these eyes. They were usually cold, indifferent. Yet, here they were ablaze with warmth and life.
"You have her eyes," muttered Aphrodite, "it stands to reason you have her sight."
"I don't," he muttered, "it's just pure logic. The nature of your birth is well known. Even if you are not a Primordial, you're at least of the Titan generation. Has no one really put it together? Athena must have."
She had indeed. It was part of the reason that Aphrodite got all this cloth made for her.
"It doesn't matter," she sighed, "just…forget it."
"Understood. Now, onto solutions. I believe we can sever the bonds and–"
She stomped away, swerving her hands in the air. "You really don't get it do you?" she growled.
This entire conversation was exhausting. Hephaestus felt his own irritation gnaw at him, the words grinding in his throat, begging to come out.
"Enlighten me," he said shortly.
"The marriage isn't about us, it's about me."
"...Zeus mentioned there was more to it. Yet, why does that matter?"
She chuckled hoarsely.
"Of course, it doesn't matter, for you. Zeus detests the sway I have over the other gods. The way they fight over me, lusting for my favor."
Her smile was sweet. Sweet in the same way a poisonous flower could be.
"To have that power is…intoxicating. Their affections, their love, it's all so wonderful."
Her smile died as she looked at him.
"Zeus thinks that by having me married to someone, it will curb the worst of it."
"...that's…just asinine?" muttered Hephaestus, "marrying me would do nothing to cease that behaviour."
She blinked.
"...did you just call me a whore?"
"What is wrong with you and that word?" he mumbled, "we're not married for love, Aphrodite. I may not know you very well, but your reputation precedes you. Marriage would do nothing to stop that, nor should a forced marriage stop that."
He really didn't care what she got up to; he was fighting this more on principle anyway. She blinked. This time, the chuckle was far more benign.
"Oh…you poor innocent soul," she cooed, "you're adorable!'
"...what?"
"You think this is because of sex? Oh…sweetheart, feel the bond between us."
He placed his hand on his chest. Yet, he could barely feel the twinge that made him itch and the surface of her thoughts. She placed a hand over his and the connection deepened.
"It's not about lust, honey…it's about control. Marriage is a connection, a bond. With it…they can influence me. Curb me."
He stilled.
Since he had been…born, he had always felt hot. The frigid feel of his blood turning to ice may have been entirely metaphorical but the chill remained. She leaned forward, her eyes as colorful as ever. Yet, the shadows under them and her hollow smile…it just made what she said hit all that harder.
"They can use me."
"...It…that's insane!? Surely you can do the same?"
She gave a brittle smile. She actually held his cheek for a moment.
"...you're actually truthful…I like that. But no, Hera twisted this as a punishment for me. You were just saddled with the chain."
It was a punishment for both. He had heard of Hera's ability to analyze, that her insights into others were terrifyingly accurate. Did she know? Did she know how much he loathed this? He had been so focused on the idea of being collared again that he never considered he might be the one holding the leash.
It was evil.
It was disgusting.
It ended. Today.
He noted that Aphrodite's hand was still on his chest as he slipped it out from under her. Her eyes were wide, a crooked smile forming. A small dimple rose with it, sending a shock straight into his groin. She truly was devastatingly beautiful.
"You're so righteous…it would be more adorable if not so maddingly naive."
"Doing nothing does little to help the situation…I know that from experience."
She rolled her eyes.
"I'm not talking about you. Even if you succeed, I'll be in the same place. Zeus would probably laugh, throw you a party, and move on."
Actually…
"How did Hera force this on you? There's no way she could…what did you do?"
She frowned, yet it faltered in the face of his leering eyes.
"I did nothing."
It took a moment for him to piece it together, but the frown soured even further when he did.
"How much destruction have your lovers caused to force you into this?"
"It's their actions, not mine!" she growled.
She turned from him, her hair taking a lighter shade. A mousy blonde covered her eyes slightly, her build becoming more lean and muscled. She grew a tad shorter as well.
"They're the ones fighting in my name and begging for my hand. Yet, I'm the one who is held responsible for their destruction!?"
On the surface, it would seem ridiculous.
"Says the woman that enjoys such power."
She growled, turning on him again.
"Shut your mouth! You know nothing! This is entirely unreasonable."
"Yet, we are gods. To force this on you must mean that they could restrict your divinity enough to do so."
"I never told them to do any of what they've done!"
He sighed.
"Words alone do not make consent."
"What?"
"Implied consent," said Hephaestus, "your very inaction, your silence, was permission enough."
She laughed.
"That's ridiculous. It has more to do with the way they just tossed their faults onto me! A bunch of men just–"
His raised hand stunned her enough to remain silent.
"What you decide to do with your free time is your own. But do me the courtesy of not treating me like a fool. It would take more than implied consent for this."
She turned. It was then he felt it, a searing rage that was unlike him. It bubbled and popped in his chest, stinging with a sense of betrayal and…
Heartbreak.
"...what happened?" he asked.
Perhaps it was the softness in which he asked or perhaps she was just done with it all.
"...they betrayed me," she whispered, "all of them save for Ares and a few others. The second Zeus started throwing his weight around they all threw me to the wolves. I never lied to them, you know."
She scoffed, looking at her hands.
"Told them exactly where I stood. That marriage wasn't happening. They all told me that was fine…I should have known better."
She turned to him.
"Free yourself at least. Me? I'm stuck in this one way or another."
"...Perhaps we can shift this marriage to Ares?" he muttered, "you two seem far more agreeable."
She rolled her eyes.
"We have a good fuck every now and again but…no. We'd kill each other."
She actually grinned at this. It was a different thirst than he was accustomed to, filled with a lust for battle rather than a lust for sex.
"It would be a lot of fun, though. We know each other well. He gets jealous every now and again but he's a good boy. He's a wanderer, like me."
She deflated, sagged with defeat.
"If we work together–"
"Stop," she whispered, "just stop. No matter what we do, the only thing that would change would be you. It doesn't matter what we say, do, or even think. I am to be married."
He tried to further this conversation, but she just waved her hand. He was on land this time, right in the mortal realms.
"...I hate that," he muttered.
He needed to fix that, now. Best part, he knew the perfect place to go.
"IFRIT!"
The great phoenix erupted from within him, curling him in a bundle of flaming feathers. They rocketed to the skies, their destination clear.
It was time to call in a favor.
-The Island of Hecate-
"When I said you were welcome to come back with my symbol, this isn't exactly what I meant."
He stood before the queen of witches, eyeing the multiple flasks that she had made to handle her concoctions. There was actually three of her wandering around, each an exact copy of the other.
One was at the cauldron, another at a different table, and of course the third that he was conversing with. In his hands were the old symbols that he had crafted for her. He always knew that he'd be remaking them eventually, so he had simply made them modular to begin with.
It would take only a short burst of power from the two of them to complete their functions.
"A goddess of your caliber, I assumed you already knew," he smirked.
"Quite," she muttered.
She seemed…lesser in a way. Not as bright. He wasn't entirely certain why but he needed her help, now more than ever.
"Your students were not happy with me here," he snarked.
"They never are. Some find their place here due to the ostracization of the outside world. Others are born here. They don't take kindly to outsiders."
"I find that so strange," he murmured, eying the glade they were in. A comically large cauldron was bubbling away with green liquid, benches lined with strange apparatuses, and of course, Hecate herself. She stood near the cauldron, the cloth around her shoulders exposing the muscles across her back and arms. She smirked at his appreciative gaze, noting how soon he had given up on trying to hide it.
"How so?" she murmured, eyeing a pink concoction in a flask she held.
"You've always been so welcoming. Makes me wonder where all those rude rumors ever came from."
She actually chuckled a bit, finding his sarcasm endearing, the sultry tone heightened with her narrowed eyes. Even with half her face covered with a shawl, she was still dangerously beautiful.
"Others lack your sense of respect, boy. You've earned that modicum of trust after all. Are you almost done?"
He did the final touches on her design, the two torches fluttering with a strange flux. She held them both, putting her current experiment to the side. As she grasped them, her works settled into a finalized state, perfectly mimicking her flow.
"Quite the clever move," she cooed, "making them incomplete on purpose."
"I knew I'd be fixing them for you eventually. Besides, I did say I'd have it done within the week."
She let the torches float behind her, eyeing him severely.
"You're allowed to recover, Hephaestus. But, I doubt you came here solely to keep your word."
She ignored the slight flutter his smirk brought.
"I've come to seek a favor."
She stilled, eyeing him. There was a judgment there, though he didn't know what of.
"Speak."
Her tone was all business, any sense of flirtatious attention gone.
"...I seek to sever the bonds of marriage between me and Aphrodite."
Her eyes widened, her flask dropping. It never shattered, as her magic simply caught it.
"...you're serious?"
"Of course."
"You're married?"
"Unwillingly," he muttered, "and within the last few hours. Apparently it takes–"
"Seven days, yes." sighed Hecate, rubbing her brow, "Hera's bonds are not simply authorities, Hephaestus. Nothing can break them."
He scoffed.
"There are no absolutes in this world. I believe you could do so with this."
Zeus had made it clear that the issue with Rule Breaker had nothing to do with the ability of the noble phantasm, merely its skill. Hephaestus wasn't stupid. He knew that in terms of raw divinity, Hera easily eclipsed him at the moment. Even within the Olympians, there were degrees to their power, though the means of its usage could differ drastically.
They were all individually stronger than most if not all the minor gods, bar a few. However, between each other? That was a different matter. It would take centuries before they were all roughly equal…but Hecate was roughly their equal now unlike himself.
There was also the fact that she was skilled beyond even the Medea of EMIYA's memories. She was the Goddess of magic itself. There would never be someone more suited to Rule Breaker.
Case in point? Her reaction.
She eyed the wicked dagger, marveling at it. He urged her to take it, holding it out to her. The moment she held it, her breath sucked in.
"How did you make this?"
He merely smirked.
"Hephaestus, this is nothing short of astounding. Especially when we consider your lack of talents."
He frowned a bit at that. After his debacle with Ares and the poor exploding boar, he had gone to Hecate to inquire why it was his blessing that caused such a disaster.
The answer?
He basically sucked. Bounded fields, adjusting leylines, all of these were not matters of will, of outer forces reacting to his divinity. Blessings, outright spells, and other such concepts were…well beyond him. It was a shame really. He had an inkling this would be the case, considering his difficulties with the ancient Greek runes, but it still sucked either way.
It was why the blessing went so awry. Most Gods could use them instinctively with the rare few needing to concentrate. Hephaestus though? His divinity was so explosive, so fractured, that any attempt to use it as other Gods did resulted in…issues.
Divinity was a subtle and temperamental mistress, it would seem.
"Can you try?"
She hesitated. She felt the warmth of his hand on his shoulder.
"I'm not going to ask you to sever it outright, only to see if you are able to."
She slowly brought the blade to bear on his skin. At first, it fought against her viciously. It was so strange, the way that it rejected her. Yet, her magic would flow, overriding what she could. Sure enough, it responded to her will.
She felt the flow of magic and all her divine authorities roll into one. The blade immediately cracked, but it held firm long enough for her to nab a "thread" so to speak. A little snip…that's all that it would take.
"...I can do it," she said.
"Interesting. Would it remain severed?"
"Not likely," she admitted.
"Understood."
Hecate crossed her arms, noting the way the blade dispersed into motes. Such a strange way to weave, yet she couldn't deny its effectiveness.
"You wish to separate yourself from Aphrodite…why?"
He blinked at her. Her blood boiled at the way he did so, as if she had asked the stupidest question to ever be asked.
"Why would I wish to be married to someone I do not love?"
It floored her.
"...You're serious?"
He stared at her. His face, his eyes, the way he stood there with his arms at his side. The words he spoke echoed with the surety that the sky was blue and the earth was round.
"I am stable in my affections. If I were to ever marry, it would be with the one I intend to remain bonded to forever…Aphrodite is not her, not as she is."
It was the truth, yet it carried more impact than Hephaestus would ever know. He blinked at the sound of soft laughter.
"Some would call that naive, you know?"
"Perhaps."
"So, you're…stable as you call it?"
He leaned forward, delighting in the sparkle that was in her eyes again. There it was, that little light she was missing.
"Of course. If I cannot keep my word than what's the point of having them."
Her eyes crinkled as she shook her head.
"You're a young god. That will change."
He hated to admit it, but there was a point there. The future was uncertain. It wasn't unreasonable for her to assume he would change. He probably would…he just hoped for the better rather than for the worse.
"I had feelings for a woman before," said Hephaestus.
An ancient memory, one of a Shirou that had loved not one but several women.
"Several women, actually," he chuckled.
"Oh?"
"Surprised?" he muttered, "I admit I'm a tad rusty with it all. Perhaps you're right. I'll just galivant off the moment I can and gather a gaggle of women for the sake of it."
She chortled, covering her face mask to stop it.
"You speak as if you're an old man" she chuckled, "what could you have lived in a short thirty years?"
He smirked.
"Have you considered it is you who has lived so little?"
She scoffed, waving him off.
"You still think like a child."
"Does that mean I'm no longer a child to you?"
She rolled her eyes at his petulant smirk.
"You can figure that out."
They moved comfortably. While it was true that Hephaestus' memory was quite sharp, the truth of it was that Hecate felt…comfortable.
It was not overwhelming lust or amorous feelings. Just…comfort. Even now, she didn't know if that was good or bad.
He didn't leave, as she noted. He seemed to struggle with what to say next.
She met him halfway. "Why did you ask if I could sever your marriage?"
He leaned on a table, looking at her with his hooded eyes.
"Principle and insurance," said Hephaestus, "there's something I need to do…and I think you're the only one who could teach me how to do it."
What he asked almost made her smite him. If not for their history, she just might have.
"How could you ask for something like that!? Why on Gaia's…"
Her voice faltered as she whittled down. Her anger sputtered at his calmness.
"Do you trust me?" he asked.
Her logical mind was laughing its ass off. Did this fool God actually believe she would teach him something like–"
"...yes."
It slipped out, her mouth moving before her brain. The way he smiled softly just made it all the more damning.
"You have my word, it is not for the nefarious purpose you believe it is. The way Aphrodite described it…I just want to make sure I'm able to do what I need to."
Whatever doubt she had was instead filled with a deeper respect. He explained to her his plan, the methods. His only concern was time.
"Is it doable?"
She crossed her arms, resting her elbows on her hands.
"...it's possible. If we start right away. The largest concern is material. It would normally take months to negotiate with Hades, but he owes me a favor. It's convincing the rivers to part with their power that's–"
She stilled as he conjured a couple of jars. Her face slowly lost all expression, staring at the umbral pithos that were glittering at her. It was made from the same material as the doors of Hades and within their number was water taken from Styx, Phlegethon, and most importantly, the Lethe.
"..."
He smiled.
"...do I want to know?" she asked.
"To be honest? Probably."
"...would you even explain if I asked?"
"Probably not."
"...very well," she sighed, "let's get to work. Even if we have everything together, we may not have enough time."
It was on this day that Hephaestus began his first official collaborative project. He just hoped it wasn't too late.
-7 Days Later-
Aphrodite scowled, metaphorically dragging her feet this entire wedding. She was wreathed in fine silks, cloths of such dye that humans would kill for them. Her skin was soft and she smelled of roses.
Her form would ordinarily shift, but for today, she stood tall, with curly blonde hair that danced around her heart shaped face. Glittering green eyes, pouty lips, and of course a curvaceous body that put others to shame. It was her preferred state. The light of her hair danced with the sun as she looked in the mirror.
She looked good. Even on a day like today she wanted to look her best, if only to feel a little less shitty about everything.
Marriage for the Gods was obviously a different affair from their human counterparts. With that said, it was not without its similarities. The seven days for the marriage to cement were supposed to be filled with celebrations, family, and various other traditions that had formed from the Age of Titans.
Yet…hers was bleak and lonely. Only Ares had shown himself to her, offering a roll in the hay for old times' sake. She found it sweet, in his own way. Probably would have taken him up on it, if not for the annoying grinding in her skull. Heavenly restrictions were a bitch to get out of, go figure.
"He's funny if he thinks this would stop me," she chuckled, thinking of Zeus.
"It kind of did."
She pouted, turning to the Goddess that was grooming her hair. Thalia was the oldest of her handmaidens. She was also the quietest, but was stern when she needed to be. She was slightly taller than Aphrodite herself, beautiful in that sort of wild way. Her hair was curled, but bounced in a softer fall than Aphrodite's own. Her purple eyes narrowed in thought.
The two were currently in Aphrodite's temple, seated in front of a large shimmering mirror. Instead of glass, it was a field of reflective water, shaped like an oval.
"I see that look," muttered the Goddess of Love.
"The last time I spoke, you had me silent," grumbled Thalia.
She rolled her eyes.
"It was one time and you were harping on me for sleeping with Pan!"
"He's a goat!" she growled.
"A satyr. Not the same thing!"
Thalia looked at her with the same disapproval.
"You're supposed to be the God of cheer," grumbled Aphrodite.
"I am. Just not with you and your drama."
"...when did you get so bold," she scowled.
"When you got a husband."
She looked away at that. Thalia grimaced.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean that to be insulting. I know this whole thing is…nothing short of a disaster. If I didn't think I'd be obliterated, we could complain all night long."
She leaned into Aphrodite's shoulder, kissing the bare skin. She smelled of lilacs and berries. For a moment, Aphrodite was in that sweet space. Love and desire intermixed in that beautiful, intoxicating swirl.
She loved it, especially with those like Ares and Thalia. Actual emotions mixed with the raw desire.
"We can't do that," whispered Thalia, "not with eyes watching us."
She turned, kissing Thalia straight on her mouth. Her teeth dragged lightly across Thalia's lips as they separated.
"...I know. That shrew Hera would just explode."
She felt the twinge in her stomach. Hephaestus was lucky that his complete lack of skill with magic in all sorts was well known. She had assumed the restriction of a solitary partner had come from him at first. Turns out, it was just another leash the Olympians had put between them.
"Where's Aglaia?"
"She's getting the flowers and other things ready. I know many of the traditions have been put aside, but they still want the ceremony."
"...and Euphrosyne?
"...she still refuses to see you."
Her ladder grimaced and Thalia felt her heart twist.
"She'll come around and apologize," she assured her.
Aphrodite looked at the mirror, her devastating beauty on full display.
"...She was right…in a way."
"My lady?"
"Perhaps this is my own hubris," she grumbled.
Thalia stared at her, the shock wide and free.
"...Hephaestus had called it…implied consent. At first, I thought he was just playing at being a big god," she muttered, "but I talked with Athena…turns out that's exactly how Zeus and Hera were able to twist me into this damn thing."
She scowled. She didn't feel guilty. She still firmly believed that those idiots she slept with made their own choices. She'd be smarter next time, more communicative. Love was a journey after all. She would ordinarily avoid learning more about this whole debacle, but the curiosity for Athena and Hephaestus had won the day. She didn't learn much, scowling at the thought.
"My lady?"
"Oh, it's just so frustrating!"
She stood up, Thalia following behind closely, managing the last of Aphrodite's apparel with readied practice.
"That Athena is like a rock! I can't feel anything one moment and the next, she's a maelstrom of emotion, only to bottle it back in. I still don't know how she does that. Hephaestus, ugh!"
She buried her face in her palm.
"Always on that high horse. It's infuriating. All his talk and yet I'm the one here alone!"
Thalia opened her mouth, looking at Aphrodite like she had lost a skull. Unbeknownst to most, Hephaestus' reputation amongst the working gods in Olympus was rather stellar. Polite, helpful, and most of all…not a douche.
It was a rather low bar admittedly, but when you're surrounded by egotistical, all-powerful deities, a bit of manners goes a long way. It was also well known that he kept his word.
"My lady, with all due respect–"
"Oh by the skies that birthed me, not you too!" she groaned, "you're like Aglaia!"
She began mimicking her lover, literally. Aglaia's voice echoed perfectly in Aphrodite's timber.
"Oh, but Lord Hephaestus is not like that, my lady. He's always so noble, polite, hard working, and muscular."
She rolled her eyes. Thalia snorted as she looked at her lover.
"...you protest a little much, love."
The dull stare drilled into her.
"Don't. I like my men…more aesthetically pleasing."
"You mean beautiful," smirked Thalia.
"Same thing. He's handsome, sure, but he's far too…"
She tried to say it, but twisting the truth only got so far. She turned to eye Thalia with a pout.
"I'm not the one lying to myself, my lady. To be fair, you are very desirable and desire many. Why is it such a concern here?"
"Because it's not on my terms," she sighed, "that's the point, it's the princi–Oh, he's got me saying it now!"
The stress was getting to her. Especially when Iris revealed herself. Ever since Hephaestus had freed Iris, she had become an instant member of the retinue of the Olympians. In fact, she now served Hera directly as one of the very few handmaidens she kept.
She was a spritely thing, willowy and free. It was as if she danced in every room she walked through. Her hair was a brilliant shade of purple, with eyes that shone with the orange of a setting sun. She gave a breezy smile.
"It's time."
"...great, just great."
Thalia placed a hand on Aphrodite's shoulder.
"It's just the Olympians."
A gaze filled with contempt was her only response.
"Maybe here, but Zeus will make sure all hear about today."
A delicate thumb brushed Aphrodite's lip, Thalia looking at her with all the seriousness in the world.
"Hun…they've been doing that all week."
"...Be quiet."
It was a subtle foreplay for them, Thalia taking this dominant role, Aphrodite the more submissive of the two. One last dip in her freedom. It hurt, aching like a piece of her was missing. Funnily enough though, it put it all into focus. Most of her lovers, she wouldn't lose sleep over…but the divine restrictions that were put in? That she had enough with.
She could feel it, that it was possible to circumvent them, but how long would that take? Weeks, months…decades? The anxiety of not knowing the answer just made it all the worse.
She had a whole week to get her game face ready, to show Zeus and his bitch of a wife that she would not cower beneath them.
Yet, as she walked into the open area of Olympus…she felt nothing but cowed. Beaten. Defeated. She had never felt so weak…and never so hateful.
The other Olympians all stood around her, Hera at the epicenter. It wasn't a large space they've created. There were flowers, scenery, and beautiful animals all strutting around. It was beautiful, that much Aphrodite would admit. The way Apollo made the sun shine and brighten this place just made it more picturesque. Yet, her focus was only on the open space in front of Hera, Hephaestus nowhere to be found.
A part of her hated him, thinking he had found a way out of this sham marriage.
A part of her admired him, wondering how he had managed it.
She moved silently, standing in front of Hera. There was no need for crowns or anything of the sort, at least not physical ones. On their cores, Hera's mark was already visible, like a band on one's finger.
"Is Hephaestus here yet?" muttered Hermes.
"...did…anyone tell him when this was actually happening?"
The room fell silent as they all turned to Apollo.
"What? Did no one actually tell him?"
Zeus smirked.
"He'll show."
Hera said nothing. Thankfully, no one's patience was tested. With an echoing screech, Ifrit entered Olympus. She felt the way their shambled realm shuddered to adjust, leaving Hephaestus to enter. He wore a rather high-quality ensemble. His chiton was replaced with a rather striking garment.
It was still a chiton, as far as Aphrodite could tell. It hung on his shoulders, hanging just below his knees, black in color. Yet, the front was unique, with the cloth overlaying. It was tied together with the same red sash that Hephaestus usually wore on his shoulders, wrapped lightly, like a belt.
Honestly, fashion-wise, it was horrendous. The man had no sense of how to actually dress himself in her opinion. Yet, when he gripped the overlay of the fabric on his chest and reached inward, he pulled out a smaller cloth to wipe some grime off his hands. He placed the cloth back inside his altered Chiton. She blinked as he got nearer, noting that there was a pocket on the inside of the cloth as he patted it down on his chest.
"Apologies. I lost track of time. So, what is it that you need me to do?"
Zeus blinked, a proud smile forming.
"Nice to see someone is on board. It's simple, Hephaestus. Hera will say a few words, then the bond will be finalized and announced to the world! All will know of your bond."
He simply nodded and all the anger and hate she had spread across the Olympians was now bared at him. Thalia had mentioned he was a man of his word.
Bullshit.
"Anything else?"
Zeus rubbed his chin, pretending as if he didn't know. The bastard.
"It is usually a period to…consummate the marriage."
"I see. We'll have privacy for such a thing."
"You desire it?"
"Immensely," drawled Hephaestus.
It brokered no argument. This was not something he would budge on. To Aphrodite's genuine surprise, Zeus agreed readily. The hedonistic nature of every God on this court was rather known. Even Demeter was known to be a little wild. The only exceptions were Hera, Hestia, Artemis, and Athena.
Hephaestus had been thought of in the same light till now. Of course, the male Gods were all grinning like loons. She felt like a toy. Hera just began speaking. Ancient words that were beyond the standard Mycenaean tongue she knew.
She was a Primordial damnit…yet it was Hera that knew such a language better than her. Maybe that was why she was so far behind the other Gods. How much of her own divinity did she actually stress to control and exert like the others?
It was funny how regrets could focus you. She gave a dirty stare at Hephaestus, his same calm expression only making it worse. The words were said, the bond solidified, and any hope of Aphrodite having escaped this withered.
"Let's party!" demanded Dionysus.
"...with what guests?" muttered Apollo.
Artemis scoffed, turning away. She actively glared at Hephaestus the same way Aphrodite did. To her disgust, Hephaestus placed a hand on her shoulder.
"If it's alright with you…I'd like a moment with my wife before…such celebrations."
They all blinked.
"Wait, you want a party?"
He turned to Dionysus and smirked.
"Why not. You've always wanted me to drink, right?"
Dionysus slowly began to become more animated than Aphrodite had seen in years. It felt like the knife was just being twisted now, as one of her oldest sex friends just went along with this whole bullshit like it was nothing.
"Fuck yes! How big are we talking?"
"As big as you can make it."
He gave Hephaestus a grin before he got right to work in his element. Athena stared at him, her eyes narrowing in focus. Artemis tried to leave, but you could hear the way her teeth cracked at the frustration that she could not, not with Zeus restricting her.
"An hour!" smirked Zeus, "and we'll call the lovely couple back hm!"
The clamor of noise stopped dead. The two are now alone. She felt a vindictive pleasure at the grimace on his face as he stumbled slightly.
"I hate teleporting," he groaned.
He reached into his pocket once more. Turning to Aphrodite slowly. They were in a bed chamber, her bed chamber. What had once been an open area had become closed off, a separate room from everything else. The wards and runes that littered this entire area warded off anyone from listening in nor checking in. Probably to reduce the disgust and shame of it all.
"Lady Aphrodite."
"What do you want," she growled, "because I won't be in that bed…you can't make me."
She remembered instantly about how he had fought Atlas. That Hera's terrifying strength had in fact been passed down. For a moment, she was genuinely afraid.
Instead, he stepped back, reaching into his garment to once again riffle through his pocket. She could smell the enchantment that was woven into it from here…it was Hecate's work. He produced a pink gold armlet. It was a small and delicate thing, with a crystal in the center of the piece that shone with an eerie green light. It was no emerald, no mineral. It was like an ethereal mist had been woven into a circular shape and socketed into the armlet.
"My lady…if there was ever one demand that I would ask of you…it would be this."
"You think a gift would–"
"Please. Just this once…"
She could feel the way the leash was lax, that his hand was far away from the strings that tugged between them. She hesitantly floated the armband to her. It was a beautiful piece, the shine of the metal exactly to the sheen she preferred.
She put it on, the metal slightly warm from his touch.
"So, I did as you asked, now what?" she sneered, "Is this where you show me the beast beneath that pathetic noble exterior?"
Suddenly, it felt as if he had grown beyond her. She felt the leash suddenly gripped. Her eyes widened, wondering how he had learned to do this. He was a failure with mysticism, wasn't he? It was tight, his words echoing across the bond like thunder.
"Kneel."
She blinked, choking at the feeling she had just experienced.
"Strip."
Her lips trembled a bit as she touched the armband. Before she blinked and stared at him.
"...no."
It was a simple word. There was no power, none of her charm spoken. She could feel the leash lashing away…yet…the compulsion was non-existent.
"Dance for me?" he chuckled.
Once more, the bond shook…but nothing came of it. It was like the collar was stuck to a tree far away rather than on her neck. She blinked again.
"...How did…why?"
He gestured to the bed, taking a seat. It felt like she was walking on clouds. She immediately thought of a rendezvous with Ares and there was nothing. No annoying tingle, no scraping feeling in the back of her head. She couldn't feel an ounce of those heavenly restrictions any longer. Nothing.
So…she sat. The words of Thalia echoed in her head, but she ignored it for now, there was too much swimming in her mind to keep her utterly focused.
"Why…what?"
He chuckled a bit.
"I'm sorry if I scared you. I was concerned that if they knew what I was up to, they would try to stop me or delay the marriage."
"You…wanted it to continue?"
"...these last few days I had a lot to think about," said Hephaestus.
He rested his elbows on his knees, looking at the floor.
"When you said that things would change for me, but not you…you were right. No matter what, they were planning to restrict you. To remove every ounce of authority you could give to a lover, even if by mistake. The chaos you wrought wasn't…ideal, but in the end…I want to believe that you didn't have any malicious thoughts behind it. As such…I turned to Hecate."
He gestured to her arm band.
"Together, we created your Symbol of Power."
She touched the armband, noting that it was slowly morphing ever so slightly.
"It's not perfect, but will meld to match any shape you wish. Admittedly, it's not the most powerful item, but it does grant you the one thing that you've wanted…freedom."
He smiled and her heart thumped a bit. This thing was a wonder to her. It effectively ate whatever compulsions came through the bond, making it forget. If she didn't know any better she'd say the misty gem was something from the Lethe, but that was impossible to grasp much less use.
"What about you?" she asked suddenly, the thought coming to her.
"Nothing about our marriage restricts me in any way."
"...that's quite arrogant," she smirked.
Her charm speak came on full force, her own grip on their bond coming into it.
"Kiss me."
She smirked as he leaned in close. She shivered a bit when he leaned into her ear instead.
"I'm not that easy."
She reared back as if he bit her. She blushed a bit at the way he chuckled and stood up. What had once been overly muscular now seemed appropriate. It was as if he was larger than what he presented, as if his body wasn't big enough to hold all that he was.
That smile. It was crooked, more like a smirk than a genuine grin. It oozed confidence and self-assuredness. She still couldn't reel her head around it. No god was utterly immune to her charm speak. Granted, it was not all-powerful, it could be resisted, but given the right circumstances, even other Primordials could fall under her sway.
Yet, here he was just basking in her disbelief.
"But…why go through all this?"
She stood up, feeling the weight disappear as she did.
"Think about it," smiled Hephaestus, "in the end, you would be forcibly married, no matter what you do. Even if I escaped it, that left you stranded with some stranger or circumstance you wouldn't care for. This way, we have control."
He gripped her arm and it felt right.
"We are in control, not them."
She blinked, slowly realizing what he meant.
"They can't divorce us!"
"Exactly."
"...Hephaestus, being married to me, has its own problems though.."
"...did you just admit to being a problem?"
Before she could even say anything he just waved it off.
"If they were willing to marry you off, there's no telling what they would try with me. This way, we're both protected. No matter how much they may disagree with it, the marriage is done…and now it's ours."
She reared back a little bit. Where was this suave asshole a week ago?
"If you're thinking of who else I want to marry…well…I'll let you in on a secret."
He leaned in, gesturing for her. It was a stupid playful thing, but it added to the joyful atmosphere between them.
"I'm not a fan of marriage," he whispered.
He shrugged away as she began laughing.
"I don't need Hera's approval or anyone else's for that matter. Whomever I have in life is my choice. The same goes for you. They wanted us in this marriage, but that doesn't mean we have to play it by their rules."
"...is that why you asked for the party?" she chuckled in disbelief.
He smirked.
"I know it will likely bite me in the ass…but what do you say about showing them just how this marriage turned out hmm?"
Aphrodite actually laughed. It was a far rarer sound than she'd care to admit. Lust and desire rolled into one, yet for the first time…she held back. It didn't feel…the same.
"This…is an incredible gift…thank you, husband," she said playfully.
"I remember," he drawled, "what you said before. About being alone. I would like to offer you something I don't think anyone has before."
He held his hand out. A gesture for a handshake.
"...would you like to be friends, my lady?"
She softly gripped his hand…and new love blossomed. It was easy for her to forget sometimes. She embodied all forms of love, not just desire and lust. The surge of Platonic energy was sweet in its own way. She felt a tinge of this with her handmaidens, of course, but it was always over washed with the heavier taste of sex. This was pure. This was nice.
"...I see. In that case, I accept…my friend."
"Now…let's say we head out of here and give them a show, hm?"
She paused, delighting in the way that his slight demand just shot over her head.
"Wait the full hour, Hephaestus."
"...why? I don't see the value in simply waiting it out?"
"Oh, does my new friend not want to get to know me?" she teased.
He blinked.
"Ah…true."
"It's alright," she said, leaning forward.
Her bust was basically spilling out, yet his eyes remained on hers. It was adorable. The way she could feel his lust spike just made her want to tease him more. It was too much, too fast. Yet, she didn't feel even a little concerned about it.
"Besides…I have my own things I want to play with."
"...should I be concerned?"
"No, you'll be fine."
She smirked a bit, letting her divinity flower out as she always did. She laughed a bit as she focused her conversation with Hephaestus once more. Might as well spread the word, so to speak. Hephaestus may not know it, but Aphrodite certainly did. She knew for a fact that Artemis would go wild with jealousy! So she undid the seals around her subtly, and let her divinity do the talking.
Or rather moaning.
-With Artemis and Apollo-
Apollo grinned, feeling the way Aphrodite's divinity surged around them.
"Nice!" he grinned.
Artemis rolled her eyes.
"I still don't understand the desire for all…that."
She shivered.
"Makes no sense to me."
"Come, don't knock it till you try it."
She looked at him with disgust.
"You better not be offering."
She closed her eyes at the spit take he had, grimacing at the feel of nectar being spat on her.
"EW GROSS! What's wrong with you!?"
Yet, another round of bickering…again.
Didn't help that Ares was laughing his ass off while at the same time picking fights with anyone around him to vent his rage. What had once been a party of several Olympians quickly escalated into hundreds of gods.
-Aphrodite and Hephaestus-
It was foolproof really. A boon to his reputation with the ladies and hopefully a way to spark jealousy and drama for the future! Athena as well was another target for this. She grinned, echoing her power as if she just had an earth-shattering orgasm.
-Athena-
…Nothing happened. She just stood there, eyeing the architectural failings of her home. It infuriated her just looking at the damn thing. That's what she was mad about. Obviously.
"Dear, would you like a–"
"Not interested."
The poor little Goddess that tried to warm up to her flitted away, Athena's owl having a strange mix of jealousy and apathy on its face.
-Olympus, 45 minutes later-
It was the crowning moment. The party was in full blast, Apollo was playing music, and the wine was flowing evermore. It was perfect. Aphrodite took a breath as she entered with Hephaestus, the two with their arms interlinked. It must have been a jarring sight for those who were present at the wedding. Hephaestus eyed Hecate in the distance. She was sipping away at the goblet in her hand. Her shawl shimmering as the goblet passed her mouth, her head nodding in his direction, offering the goblet up in a mock congratulation.
He still smirked, remembering that conversation. Once he had revealed his plans to her (with oaths obviously), she had been all but gung-ho about it. She had even named it the perfect insult. Aphrodite was all smiles as well, waving to her 'friends' as if she hadn't considered them dead to her moments before. He may not have wanted to bed her for the most part, but seeing the smile on her face, that made all the annoyances worth it in his view.
His major concern with her was never if the relationship would sour, but what would become of Aphrodite. What was the point of freeing himself from the cage if he left the other person behind? His solution was something he found he could live with…especially with the bonus it was about to pay back.
Zeus smirked, as if he had been right all along.
"I take it you all enjoyed yourselves?" he chuckled.
Hera was visibly uncomfortable, as if the entire conversation was something she'd rather avoid. Yet, here she was.
"Oh, incredibly!" smirked Aphrodite.
Hephaestus stiffened as she wrapped herself around him. He stared at her a little, feeling his face flush at the sudden sensual contact.
"I wasn't expecting so much from you," she purred.
He blinked.
"What are you doing?" he wanted to whisper.
Yet, any chance of such quiet communication wasn't going to happen in a room full of gods. She just playfully smirked at him, turning back to Zeus. Hera looked as if she'd rather die.
"Just blew me away," said Aphrodite, "just surprise after surprise. Left me feeling more free than I've ever been."
She gestured for her two handmaidens to come to her attention. Both Thalia and Aglaia were nervous a bit, being so close, but the smile on their master's face relaxed them immensely.
"Excellent," smirked Zeus, "as I said…I know what's best."
Hera glared at him, and he faltered for a moment.
"Well…we do, anyhow, onto best wishes–"
Before Zeus could say a word, Aphrodite held a finger up.
"One moment, lord Zeus."
She smiled at her handmaidens, than just falt out kissed Thalia. The handmaiden stiffened as her lady's masterful tongue pierced her lips. She shivered a bit as they separated, eyeing the spark in her eyes that drew her in so long ago. it was lustful, filled with nothing but salacious promises.
"Get to bed darlings and ready yourselves, I'll be with you shortly."
Zeus blinked, Hera stared aghast. Even if Hephaestus allowed such freedoms, it didn't matter. The entirety of her bond with Hephaestus was the fulcrum for enforcing sanctions, not adding to them. In other words, permission or not, it shouldn't have been possible.
Hera immediately glared at Hephaestus, murder in her eyes.
"What have you done!?"
"Nothing," smirked Hephaestus, "I have not altered your bonds one way or another."
The skies darkened for a moment, the happy couple smiling away. Zeus glared at him. There was a strange glint to his eyes, though, as if this was more a competition than anything.
"...the bond remains," muttered Zeus, "you are married. Yet, Aphrodite…how are you still…"
She smirked, presenting her armband for all to see. Any attempt to forcibly remove it was rebuked, the band becoming her symbol of power, preventing any sort of forceful removal.
"What can I say? My husband just makes the best gifts."
She actually leaned forward, giving a chaste kiss on his cheek. To the onlookers, Aphrodite gave the most genuine smile as they locked eyes, her expression softened into something no one had actually seen before.
Gratitude. Affection.
It was jarring, especially to Ares, who looked between them.
"Thank you," she murmured, "truly. I owe you one."
"You owe me nothing," he asserted, "go. Live as you please."
He turned to Zeus.
"After all…no rules have been broken…have they…Lord."
He looked peeved. Hera was apocalyptic.
"You dare insult me this way! You've made a mockery of my station!"
Her divinity slammed into the two of them full force. She had already prepared herself, yet Aphrodite blinked at the lack of resistance. Someone else had shouldered the burden forcibly, redirecting the torrent of power that should have slammed into her.
She turned to her friend, noting the way he simply stood there, enduring the weight as if it wasn't even there. The ground beneath him cracked at the sheer girth of Hera's authority, yet his back never buckled. He turned to her.
"Go. You shouldn't keep them waiting…I have it from here."
Is this what it felt like to swoon? She hated it. She loved it.
She needed to leave before this strange mix of emotions messed with her even more. They were friends after all…and there was a softness to that thought that she was desperate to keep a hand on, for reasons she couldn't really put into words. She left, waving at Ares with the same look she always gave for him to follow.
Whatever jealousy he felt in that moment died, as Ares donned a shit eating grin and jogged after her.
"Pathetic," muttered Hera.
She felt her brow sweat a bit at the nonchalance this upstart had. It was easy to forget that for all his fractured nature, he was a physical thing. Simply shifting her weight at him meant little if he could just shoulder it as he did.
She would know, as she did the same thing herself whenever she faced larger threats.
"This insult won't stand," she muttered.
"On that…I'd have to agree," growled Zeus.
Hephaestus blinked, shrugging helplessly.
"I seek your guidance, Lord and Lady of Olympus."
He even bowed, every movement filled with mockery.
"Please, educate me on what laws I have broken."
Zeus twitched.
"On what courtesy I've rejected?"
Hera bit her lip.
"Please. I'd love to learn."
Hecate was busy running her finger around her Goblet, watching the drama unfold with a searing glance.
"Lady He–"
She turned whichever god was attempting to converse with her into a toad without batting an eye.
The room shuddered as Hephaestus rolled his neck. Yet, the party goers were too far gone to actually notice, yet. The heady room was swarming with the released divinities of everyone involved. Zeus eyed the partying crowd, noting Hephaestus guile.
"You enforced a marriage simply to get what you want. Your goals have been reached. My goals have been reached. No laws have been broken nor have courtesies been ignored. I say, we leave it here."
He took a cup from a serving nymph, swirling the purple liquid within, He took a sip, the buzz instantly pricking his skin as it danced along his spine.
"Besides…I doubt you'd like to let others know that Hera's immovable bonds had just been shifted?"
He smirked, the open defiance sparking something in his chest that brought a light to Zeus' own eye.
Hera flinched a bit, seeing a shade of blue in his otherwise golden eyes. It was only for a moment…but there was a resonance between her husband and this thing.
"So…unless you'd like the world to know you've been outmaneuvered, I suggest you stay quiet."
"What of your own reputation?" smirked Zeus.
All he received was an empty stare.
"What about it?"
Zeus blinked at the audacity of his son. He truly didn't care what stories of reputations were placed on him.
"This little shit," he thought with a chuckle.
"So, I assume it will all be quiet?"
Silence.
"Good. There is nothing you can do," said Hephaestus, "this helplessness you feel…that is a mere fraction of what you incurred to me and Aphrodite. I know that there were…debts, damages even that you've attributed to Aphrodite. That ends today. Clean slate."
"Why's that?" smirked Zeus, "because now she's married?"
"Because she's married to me."
He gestured everywhere.
"You sought to limit her freedoms because it annoyed you. Now? You deal with it. End it. Then move on. Because I'm not going to be having this dance with the two of you over and over again. Aphrodite is free to do as she pleases, as am I. We are both married and as such, cannot be married off ourselves."
"You consider this a boon?" whispered Hera in disbelief, "Truly?"
"Of course," said Hephaestus, "after all…not the biggest fan of marriage myself."
He smirked, gesturing behind him.
"Besides. I think when I'm ready to meet that special someone…love's on my side."
He smirked right back at Zeus. For a moment, the shocking similarities between the way they smiled left Hera reeling.
"Well played," admitted Zeus.
That just made it worse for her.
"I try," said Hephaestus, "don't do it again."
Zeus just chuckled, the thunder rumbling with his laughter.
"Check your words, brat. I can still beat you down!"
He rolled his eyes, walking away back into the thrum of people…straight to Hecate. Zeus stopped chuckling, his face frowning in confusion…then utter disbelief. His jaw dropped comically as he stared.
They were flirting. That lunatic was flirting with an ancient Chthonic goddess. The craziest part, she was flirting back!? He looked to the left, Dionysus staring at them as well. His son stared at the goblet in his hands, turning to his father.
"...is…there such a thing as too much?"
They blinked, Zeus nabbing the second goblet.
"After that? Never."
Hera had shuffled away, preferring to be far away from the disaster this had become. It was a rambunctious party afterwards and everyone would admit to one powerful truth.
No one would ever forget the marriage of Hephaestus and Aphrodite. Though the stories would always differ there was one fact that never changed.
Even in the modern era, where it was often disputed, everyone was always stupefied when they learned that Hephaestus had left his own wedding party with another woman. None more so than the god himself, actually.
He had awoken the day after the wedding, Dionysus's wine hammering in his skull in the most epic of hangovers. He didn't want to get up, nuzzling into the sweet scent of pine and soft skin. His nose was tickled by a few strands of hair. He tried rubbing his nose on her shoulder to get them out but to no avail. He had to eventually open his eyes.
They fluttered open and he never thanked god more when there was nothing but the soft eldritch glow of magic sigils on the ceiling.
He probably would have tried to nuke the sun if it dared peering into his hungover eyes. He trailed his fingers on her stomach softly, snuggling further into the little spoon he was cuddling.
"Good morning, lover."
He turned around, looking at the frazzled hair of Hecate as she sat up. She was without her shawl. Her lips were covered in ancient runes, all painted over her face to enhance her magic, the markings trenched deeper across her throat as well ending at the collar bone. She was still beautiful, even more so in his eyes. He turned to the woman he was snuggling, Hecate's back bared at him. She rubbed her hand on his chest, the hangover slowly easing with her ministrations.
"Quite the night," she whispered softly, "I have to say…I've never been tuckered out like this before. You were exceptional, well done."
She stood on shaky legs, her hand still on his chest. She straddled him, running her fingers over his muscles. Her second body turned to face him, a different sort of smirk on her face. This one lacked the markings on her face and throat. She smirked as he noted his expression becoming more awake, looking between both of her faces.
"Hecate?" he whispered.
She simply nodded.
He looked down at his bareness. Looked back at her, noting she was in her full glory, naked to the world. She giggled as she felt him rise to meet her.
"Already?"
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open.
"...oh," he muttered.
-Chapter End-
Omake: Life on Lemnos #1
(This takes place during the first year of the time skip given previously)
For weeks, Hephaestus had effectively kept to himself. This wasn't out of any desire for space, but from his own reclusive nature. After all, he was banging his head trying to figure out his newest goal.
Replacing his limbs.
"Damn," he muttered.
He was outside, sitting on the grass, fiddling with a few broken metallic pieces. They were all adjusted using a divine empowered reinforcement and alteration. He needed something that could withstand the fluctuations of his own power and thus far, nothing seemed usable long term.
His home was pristine as always and he had gotten around to building Kassandra a new home for herself. He had done away with the stable design for the most part, instead creating a wider barn like structure. Open and free, he made sure that it was situated with whatever benches Kassandra needed and shelving for her solutions.
His garden was full of life, a variety of vegetables hyper grown from the assistance of the nymphs in his home. The apples that grew from the tree beside it were also scrumptious.
"I need a break," he muttered.
His mind was simply bouncing between ideas now, with no real focus. Perhaps the apples he was thinking of would do him some good? He was tall enough that he could just reach for them, biting into the honey tasting apple.
With a crunch he decided to wander aimlessly through his home. He had been seated for days trying to work out the slight adjustments needed for adamantine to function as he wanted. The usual gaggle of spirits waved him hello, chattering away. He heard her long before he saw her though, thumping along the earthen soil as she neared. Her satchel was filled with herbs as usual but was now associated with mushrooms and other regents.
"You're up early," she smirked.
"I don't sleep," he muttered.
"You know what I mean. Can't think?"
"I find myself thinking too much than too little. Too many ideas, all crammed together. I'm getting nowhere without focus."
"So a walk than?"
"A walk. I see you've been busy."
She grinned a bit, though it was strained.
"Kind of. I've noticed something and I'm hoping I'm wrong."
"Oh? Care to share?"
"I kind of want to make sure first before I worry you."
"...you do realize that just makes it worse?"
He kept moving, now drifting further to the eastern side of his home. He had seen much of Lemnos oddly enough, perhaps it would be best to rectify that. His ears wiggled a bit, noting a lack of sound.
"...it's quiet," he muttered.
He'd usually hear the gaggle of human children all roaming the edges of the glade just past the tree line from the village.
"Now that I think about it," thought Hephaestus, "I haven't heard anything for a couple of weeks?"
The sound of a growling stomach hit both their ears. He turned, looking past the trees to see a small bone thin child scrambling at the base of the tree.
"...what the?"
He moved, uncaring if the child heard him. He grew more concerned the closer he got. He was a frail thing, his clothing torn from lack of care. He was easily 6, possibly seven, with shaggy brown hair that must have been a mess to care for.
The boy turned to him, dry lips and all as he stared upward. In his shaky hands was a mushroom.
"No, no, no, no, no, no!" scrambled Kassandra, leaning down and taking the boy's mushroom, "how many of those did you eat!?"
The boy shook his head. The horse woman sighed in relief, reaching into her bag for a few vegetables she had.
"Here, eat these."
She frowned, turning to Hephaestus' judging stare.
"...What's wrong?" he stated.
"...their seeds aren't growing, Heph. I'm not sure why, but it's been a problem for a few weeks now. Most of the fish have migrated in the last week so food has been sparse."
She sighed, rubbing her stomach.
"Not all of us can eat grass to get by."
It pulled at him, looking at this starved child. Yet…
"This child is alone?" he muttered.
She blinked, turning to the little one that now clung to her equine leg.
"Of course not," she sighed, "but his mother…she's been giving him all that she had. Her husband isn't much better. They've both have difficulty getting up."
The child was here...gathering food? The small boy looked at him. Sunken expression, starving, yet filled with resolve. The child moved and he felt obligated to kneel. The child's hands shook.
"My…pa says that asking for help is…fo…fool…um…"
"Foolish," helped Kassandra.
"Hm," nodded the kid, "but…momma says that it never hurts to ask."
Wide-eyed, desperate, it was no look for a child.
"Krios said you're a nice God….can you help?"
He slowly lifted the child into his arms, noting the way they stood on shaky legs. The sigh of relief as they relaxed, he felt responsible. Now that he thought of it…he likely was.
"My fight with Atlas," said Hephaestus, "how much did I truly break?"
"...I don't know," said Kassandra, "I thought everything was fine, but I've noticed that there are patches on the island where nothing grows anymore. They had a farm but the seeds won't sprout at all, no matter how much river water they use."
"Surely they hunt?"
"They're scared to," said Kassandra, "They don't have any tools to hunt with right now. Most break and honestly, I don't think they were expecting the fish to disappear so quickly. Neither was I, honestly. We should have had a couple of months long before the migration season.
He turned to her, his gaze quizzical.
"What?"
"You checked the migration cycle of the fish?"
"...I was worried," she muttered.
She rubbed her arms looking away.
"I told them they had months with the fish and now they're all gone!"
"...You think it was the Merfolk?"
She blinked. She scowled deeply, a look of anger that is ill placed on Kassandra's delicate features.
"Those! They'd do something like this!?"
"The bounties of the sea are not things we can control," muttered Hephaestus, "stands to reason those we let live took their vengeance as they left. I was foolish to een entertain the idea of mercy. This is on me."
He immediately began thinking of justifications, ways that he could justify his desire to help. Yet, he realized something as well.
He didn't need justification. He wanted to help…so he would. The child was quiet, but led him to a rather shoddy hut at the edge of the village. While the fish leaving was a problem, the greater concern was the now larger population. People were coming back but there wasn't a consistent food supply to keep them healthy.
It showed in the village, in the way that these people were struggling to get back the autonomy they once had. He must have been a sight for them, for all the humans stopped reacting, bowing as he walked by. He hated it, but he knew that this was more a response ingrained into them from aged wisdom. Gods were not your friends.
Didn't mean it didn't sting though. He didn't enjoy being a figure of fear for these people. Well, most of them.
"HEPHAEST-GRK!"
He looked down, noting that Krios was still lively as ever. The food shortage was hitting people in different ways it seemed. Krios was a tad thinner now, his mother more gaunt looking. Still, it would seem that things were not as bad as he thought. Most had food spread amongst them, but in far lesser quantities than he liked.
"My apologies my lord," Krios rubbed his head, shivering a bit as his mother forced him on his knees. She couldn't look him in the eye, a frantic look to her as she stared at the dirt.
"It's alright," said Hephaestus, "I've come to help this child home…and to see about this problem with your crops."
Krios mother looked at him sharply, her eyes wide.
"I…see. Agreigos' family lives over yonder my lord. As for our crops, we've already recollected our seeds and will be planting elsewhere."
He could feel the tension. The fear. Agreigos family had shuffled out. The father barely looked as if he could stand on his feet. This was more than starvation. The red eyes, the gruff coughing.
They were sick.
He looked around, noting all the people that were struggling to live. Their homes destroyed and the land shattered by his battle with Atlas. It wasn't entirely irreparable, but the areas without divine presence were scarred. He turned to Kassandra, whispering.
"Can you help his family?"
She sputtered a bit.
"Uh…well I really shouldn't. I mean Hec–er the lady is quite strict on–"
"You're not her apprentice nor her student," said Hephaestus, "we've made that clear. If she has a problem with it, she can take it up with me."
"...got it," she said, relief bringing her tense shoulders down.
She noted that he began walking away, silent as ever. She trotted as inconspicuously as possible, leaning down to whisper.
"What are you doing?"
"Cleaning up the mess," he muttered.
She didn't know entirely what that meant, but she had a family to heal, so let him be.
Hephaestus remained near the coast line, eyeing the shoreline. He wanted this new area to be one that could still function near the sea. The fish may have migrated early, but it was still the main means that these people fed themselves. They lacked the confidence to hunt outright at the moment, bearing only sharp sticks to protect themselves.
They needed time to develop back to where they were. Life was always a struggle, especially so early in human development. Yet, with his new view came clarity and honesty. He didn't want them to starve. It was that simple.
He didn't want to justify it any more. Nor did he want to be consumed by it like EMIYA had been. He wanted to help and he could.
So he would.
He found it eventually. Perhaps it was the fates supporting him, or just a strange amount of luck, but he saw a massive strip of destroyed land edging from the shoreline into the remains of dead trees and animals. Casualties from the time Atlas had attempted to destabilize the island outright.
He never considered how hard it all shook when he was face to face with Atlas. He did a quick hop, attempting to see further into the island just how far it went. He scowled a tad, noting the fifty or so kilometers of destroyed woods. He had avoided this are before, noting the lack of nymphs that resided in the area.
He landed, closing his eyes as he kneeled to the ground. On the shoreline, next to a patch of dirt, he knelt and kneaded his hand into the soil. It was pitch black and on the surface the soil seemed fine.
He dug his finger in, closing his eyes.
There were roughly eighteen elements required for soil to be optimal for living matter. Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and so on. Yet, there were traces of a mass imbalance. The bedrock had been altered, spiking raw minerals into the soil. The abundance of clay that had been wrought in absorbed the nitrogen, keeping it out of the soil.
There was also a lack of potassium and calcium as well. The areas that were rich with Nymphs had sentient beings that could facilitate this sudden intrusion…but their influence only went so far.
"...damnit it Wis," he muttered.
If she was here, this wouldn't have been a long term problem. Even with Kassandra here, there was only so much that could be done to replace the magic that Wis had interfused into the soil. That must have been the greater issue, in Hephaestus eyes. The entire ecosystem of Lemnos was almost entirely dependent on the nymphs that called it home. When Wis moved, she took all her work with it.
It should have been minor, the ecosystem slowly adapting without her…then Atlas threw a wrench in it all. The rough terrain, broken soil, not to mention the lack of knowledge outright…it was little wonder their seeds weren't growing.
First off, he needed solutions for the soil before he did anything.
He was never more thankful for his divine enhanced memory than he was now. The images of Shirou Emiya's school life filtered through, eventually landing on a lesson his science class had on soil.
"First, repair the bedrock," thought Hephaestus, "then I can revitalize the parent material, subsoil, and topsoil."
Ironically, the deepest layer was the easiest fix. His very domain surged forth, arguably his most powerful and least used authority. The molten rivers that ran beneath the earth heated up, reacting to Hephaestus reaching beneath. It bubbled, the volcanic power that flowed through Lemnos assisting him.
He could focus on the bedrock entirely, using structural analysis to find every imperfection and flawed fracture. Alteration solidified the material, sealing gaps. He could in theory revitalize the soil the same way he did with the nymphs…but he doubted that would work long term.
This was an entirely natural being, as such it was probably best that he focus entirely on recreating the natural conditions soil needed to flourish.
He looked at the back, narrowing his eyes at the sea water that lapped at the beach behind him. Looking around him, at all the mumbled rock, stone, and dispersed woodlife that was rotting, he wondered how he would actually flatten the land. He had numerous noble phantasms, mystic codes, and even modern day equipment he could recreate…but the after effects of using that on human development was admittedly a concern.
Then his eyes fell on the massive boulder. It was easily thirty feet tall, gargantuan in height. Yet, across its mass was an entirely flat surface, one that he could use. He rolled his shoulders.
"Alright," said Hephaestus, "let's get to work."
He jumped over the broken ridges and loose rock. His hands gripped into the stone, his fingers breaking its surface with a soft grinding sound. The entire boulder shimmered with blue lines for a minute and he heaved. His right arm let go of the grip it made, swinging around to bear the great stone on his back and across his shoulders.
He grunted, making sure he could move and…stared at Krios.
He blinked.
The boy blinked. His eyes were wide as he stared at the massive boulder sitting on Hephaestus' shoulders. The boy's eyes slowly widened bit by bit, just as Hephaestus' face drooped in disbelief.
"Why are you here?" he finally asked.
"...wanted to help…but…uh…I don't think I can do that?"
"KRIOS!"
"...that and I think I'm dead," muttered the boy.
His mother came running around a satchel on her shoulder.
"Get your…oh by the gods."
She actually fell on her ass.
"Krios get away from him now! NOW!"
The boy blinked looking at her like she was stupid.
"Why? I'm fine!"
The boy's soul left his body at the glare that was aimed at him. He didn't know what a chancla was but for whatever reason, he knew that was what his mother was going to beat him with it. Someway, somehow.
He felt it in his soul.
So of course he just walked closer to Hephaestus and stood behind him, placing a hand on the God's metallic leg. If the poor boy's father was here, the man would have croaked.
"I'm helping!"
He looked up at Hephaestus' blank expression.
"...I'm so sorry," whimpered his mom.
"No, no," said Hephaestus, "really I'm not mad. Please, get behind me for a moment. I think it best I put this down."
She had no choice but to obey, her fist curling as she shook it at her son. Her rage was so great that any exhaustion and fear left her as she looked at her shit disturber of a child. Before she could get her hand on him though, Hephaestus took a step. The ground rattled, the shock shaking right into her chest. Another and another. It was inhuman. It reminded her of all the horrible stories she had heard…and the sound of Atlas rampage.
She didn't know what he was doing, only that she was thankful he had put it down in the distance gently. She shook herself out of her stupor, ready to beat the stupid out of her child. He was, of course, gone.
"Krios! KRIOS!
He was right beside God, bracing with him to push the stone.
"Child, you should really respect your mother," he grunted.
Krios looked to him with a frown on his face. It was deep and carried with it a burden no child should carry.
"My dad is out fishing for everyone, EVERYONE! He's only got one person with him anymore cause the others gave up!"
The little veins in his arms bulged slightly, the child weirdly pushing the rock.
"They're all starving," he whimpered a bit, "and most of them can't be bothered to try anything else! I want to help! I can't fish like dad! I can't farm like mom! But…but I can push, right!?"
He looked up.
"You're helping…and like my dad and mom said…it's about what we can do, not how much…I just want to help."
Hephaestus looked behind him. The mother was aghast, holding her hands to her chest. She tried to find words but they faltered as well. She didn't know why, but the smile on Hephaestus' face was tinged with a bitterness to its warmth.
He looked back to Krios.
"...you have wise parents. Yet, you disobey them so often."
The boy looked to the side.
"...I'll need some help pushing this. We have to flatten the land to make sure that farmers like your mother can do what they need to. The soil is damaged…you ready?"
The boy grinned, bracing himself against the stone. There was not a chance he would do much of anything…but the boy was right. If this helped him…than so be it. Hephaestus back bulged as his muscles expanded. Krios blinked at the blue lines that formed on the stone, shimmering away.
"PUSH!
Together the two pushed the stone. The boy had to almost jog to keep his hands on the rocky surface. His arms trembled at the vibrations that travelled up and down his body. Yet, he felt more involved than ever. His friends were hungry. Some of their parents just sat there, others were sick, and some didn't have any.
The sick feeling that he had when he was just sitting there as well…he didn't have that feeling anymore.
Krios' mother wrung her hands. The Gods were dangerous as much as they were helpful. She had heard the horror stories of sacrifices and…other things. Yet, her son just worked away with God. It was surreal.
She had to cover her ears at the loud grinding of the stone pushing into the broken ground. At first, she thought him insane…yet, she began to see it. The larger boulder, the massive weight of it, was crushing the smaller rocks beneath it or pushing them out of the way. He was like a machine, pushing it forward without rest, Krios laughing the entire way as they pushed together. Forward, then to the left. One yard became several, an acre, than even more.
The beach at his back and nothing but the remains of a broken woodland in front, what had once been 100 hectares of broken wood, stone, and destitute soil, would be flattened within the next few hours.
Hephaestus had never stopped pushing, more intent with getting the entire farm ready as fast as possible. Yet, eventually the sun began to dim. The mid-day had started to fall. He had a few hours left before the sun would finally set. He grunted, pushing the boulder forward even more as he turned to Krios, the boy smiling away.
"You should really go to your mother," he said.
"Why? She just wants me to stay away."
"For good reasons," said Hephaestus, "my kind and mortals rarely mix well together."
The boy blinked up at him, wide and innocent.
"But you're a nice god!"
"I appreciate the trust, really, but your mo–"
He stilled, feeling another presence on his left. He turned, eyeing the small girl that was giggling away beside him.
"Children you shouldn't–"
One became two, two became four. He looked to the sun, not intending to stop. He looked towards the now large crowd that had formed, most of the adults hesitant. One had finally stepped forward, the little girl's father.
"Thank you," said Hephaestus. He focused back on pushing the boulder, only to look at the man as he braced against the stone right beside his child. It was an older man, thin but able. He looked to the god, nodding.
"...my daughter," rasped the man, "she said that…you'd need help…that…we shouldn't…be lazing around…letting some else…do the work."
It was stupid. Not even the entire village together could move this damn boulder. Yet, the girl looked up, chipper.
"That's what you always say dad! We have put in the work to live!"
Hephaestus scoffed, shaking his head. Now wasn't the time for this. Perhaps it was a strange miracle that they finished the 100 hectares flattened land before the sun went down. There was still a massive amount of space to terraform, but for now, 100 hectares seemed appropriate.
The kids all groaned, the feeling of moving the massive stone a thrill few could gather at this age. He turned to the man, nodding to him.
"I do not mean to belittle your assistance, but I hope you realize that–"
"You didn't need the help at all and we were mostly in the way?" muttered the man.
"...I wouldn't put it like that," said Hephaestus, "I only meant that the help was unnecessary, that's all."
"...it's not about the reality, but the principal."
The man gestured to the group that had formed, parents quickly grabbing the children that had rushed off in the safety of their arms. The man's own child ran to a thin older woman, her face sighing in relief.
"When our kids ran off after Krios, we all nearly lost it. Yet, she ran off to this boulder you were pushing saying all sorts of stuff…know what she said?"
The man scoffed, a small smile forming.
"That this is our home. We should work to make it…a kid that age…saying that? Can you imagine it?"
"...no," said Hephaestus, a small smile of his own, "I really can't."
The man rubbed his thin stomach.
"Thought for sure she was possessed or something. Then she said it was what I always said…and she's right."
He turned to the God. His eyes locked with his.
"Krios talks about you in the village all the time. Says your the nice God. I see that you're trying to help…I have to ask…will it? All this?"
"It will," said Hephaestus, "but it will take time."
"...what do you need?"
"Any refuse you have. Bones from past meals, carcasses from hunts, that sort of thing."
"...really?"
"Really. I can use it to reinvigorate the soil."
There was a lot more to it, but he didn't feel that revealing that information would merit much of a response or understanding for that matter. The man slowly nodded.
"I'll see what I can do, lord Hephaestus."
The god held his hand out, making the human blink.
"I never caught your name," he said, as the man walked away.
"...They've called me Tritin since as far back as I can remember."
They were far from done…but at least it seemed that everyone was banding together. The hard part would be the next step. He turned to the ravaged yet flattened ground.
"...what to do with you," he muttered.
The bedrock would have to be stable eventually. The soil reinvigorated, the minerals readjusted, the top soil spread, it was a lot…yet…he felt good.
This felt right.