The surge of strength in his body was quelled at her touch. She breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't need him fighting her battles.
"...Hecate."
"I agreed to this Hephaestus. This is my problem. Besides, we're almost done. It's just her need for perfection that is stalling the project."
"How did she even rope you into this?" asked Hephaestus. She said nothing, for what could she say?
"You would never agree to this Hecate, I know you. If anything she'd need…"
He stared at her. The heat dimmed around him, as if the very thought made him cold.
"Eri," he whispered.
"Don't–"
"Hera."
His word echoed quietly. But for the gods, that didn't matter. Hecate glared at him, even as his mother appeared before them.
"This is a surprise. I thought we had an understanding," muttered Hera.
She knew why she was here. In a strange confluence, Hephaestus understood what she wanted.
She wanted to fight.
"This ends now," said Hephaestus.
"Oh? What ends?"
Hera wore a chiton of purple, her hair done in a bun and adorned with jewelry. A small tiara was placed at the crown of her head. Around her was a small orb, her divine symbol. She never did turn it into something, instead minimizing form to maximize function. It glowed with greek script, a conduit of divine power that accented her power flawlessly.
A design choice that Hephaestus begrudgingly filed for later.
"Hecate's project with you. It ends."
"We have a deal, you know," she muttered.
"You do."
Hera's uncaring stance only accented the almost lazy gait she had as she walked around him. The fan she carried was closed, tapping on her chin as she eyed him.
"You are not one for demands. Yet, you speak as if you have leverage?"
"I demand the right to request a boon."
She blinked. The cold smirk that grew made Hecate shiver. Hera's fan spread out, resting on her shoulder as she eyed her mistake.
"A favour?"
"Yes."
"...You realize it is not one enforced by divine law."
"Of course."
"...Clever boy," she smirked.
"Hmm."
"Weird isn't it," whispered a voice to Hecate.
Hecate sighed, giving Zeus the side-eye. The large god was sipping at a cup of nectar infused wine. He smacked his lips, watching the go between. Him and Hecate's eyes bounced between the estranged mother and son.
"You don't expect me to garner any additional favors."
"Idiotic. Ceasing the work is also impossible, that I understand."
"So the contract."
"Not the work," he finished.
"It could take centuries," she mused.
"Will your pride allow that?"
Back and forth they went with this strange half sentence structure, each anticipating and countering their own strange arguments. Hecate's gaze grew less apprehensive and instead settled on bewilderment.
"What is happening?" she thought.
The animosity was unmistakable. It was a cold and snapping thing, like starving wolves vying to kill each other. Yet, there was a sick enjoyment in the way they snapped at each other.
"This is a benefit for her."
"Eri you mean," sneered Hepheastus. "I doubt that."
"A place for training and safety."
"With a single trainer? Doubtful."
"Chiron is highly skilled."
"Perhaps. But I am stronger."
"Think not of you. Think of the children."
"I'm sure they're at the forefront of your mind," grumbled Hephaestus.
"Scatching," she said flatly. "In the end, what does it matter? Leverage young man, is all that matters. You have none."
"What need do I have for leverage, when I have you."
Her eyes narrowed as he spoke.
"I need only call an official meeting and demand the law of boons."
Her fan snapped closed. Eyes narrowed as he continued.
"My oath to Ares was for his family. His daughter and her lover. Protecting Ares as I did–"
"Nothing came to blows."
"Of course not. You could argue the pretense…but then everyone would know. That Hecate was bound by trickery and oaths to do your bidding."
He held his hand out to her, eyes narrowing at her own spiteful gaze.
"That the queen of the heavens must resort to base tactics, that she is unconfident in her own authority."
"...Ares is your brother," she muttered.
"Ares is my half brother. I am the son of Zeus."
Hecate had to lean away from the glowing, beaming Zeus.
"A son of Zeus that assisted the son of Hera. No more no less, for we both know I'm no son of yours."
For a moment, the surrounding area was quiet. If the arrival of Hera had not warded off every god, Hephaestus' words wouldn't have the weight that it did. The utter silence broke from Hera's laughter.
A quiet, conceding laugh escapes her lips. Her fan dispersed as she clapped her hands together softly.
"Bravo," she smiled.
"Uh oh," muttered Zeus.
"Very well," said Hera with a smile, "Hecate will finish her work tomorrow, and our deal will be concluded."
Hephaestus scowled as he realized something.
"She was already done, wasn't she."
"Of course she was," smirked Hera. She walked past Hephaestus, appraising him. It took more than he'd like to admit to crush a small hope that bubbled up.
"You've learned your station well, but you're still rash. Pace yourself and you'll find your footing in your next bout."
Before she left, Hera turned to him.
"I would advise for your next parlay to take a more…patient approach."
He stiffened a bit as he eyed her.
"Dangle what she desperately wants…and then crush her very goal in front of her eyes."
The full weight of Hera's divinity echoed around them. The floor cracked beneath Hephaestus' feet, but his shoulders never buckled.
"Leave the thought of resistance a withered husk," her voice shuddered, distorted by her own power. "Reduce her dreams, her very aspirations, to the dust of the void. Show that her machinations are naught but a trifle to your strength. Only then, may your strike be deep and lasting."
The distorted realms returned to normal, Hera dispersing in a flutter of peacock feathers.
"...She knows," muttered Hephaestus.
"Of course she does. She always knows. It's rather annoying actually."
Hephaestus blinked, growing flustered at the smirk on Zeus' face.
"When did you–"
"When you called Hera's name. You didn't think Hermes was the only sneaky one did you?"
It would explain how Zeus was able to masquerade himself in the midst of the Titans. Actually, it explained why Zeus was always transforming himself. Wait…did that mean?
"You heard everything," muttered Hephaestus.
"Why yes, I did." grinned Zeus, "Every word my boy. I can now officially say that I am recognized by all my children."
Zeus gave a fake sniffle, rubbing his finger beneath his nose in mock modesty.
"Make's a father proud," he squeaked.
"...does he do this often?" muttered Hecate.
"All the time. It's rather insufferable actually."
Zeus wilted as Artemis appeared behind him, she ignored him as she approached the other two.
"That was a first," she muttered. "Hera never gives advice freely like that."
"She has her own issues with Nemesis, I'm sure," he growled. "Using me to enact her vengeance in her own way. The advice wasn't to ensure Nemesis' downfall. It was to ensure that I knew I would be enacting her will."
Zeus recovered, patting his son on the shoulder.
"It's alright my boy. Unfortunately, she has that effect on everyone. Well, except me of course but that's a given!"
He chuckled even as his children glared at him.
"Overpowered nut," muttered Artemis.
"...ok, that one stung a little."
Zeus smirked as Artemis came in for a hug, the show of affection a more common instance for Zeus and his children. Her golden blush was adorable as she scowled. He turned to his other children, arms wide.
"Don't think I've forgotten any of you!"
You could hear a cricket chirp as the others simply stared at him.
"...fine. Still…"
He turned to his son, Zeus' electrical energy, while dampened, still going strong.
"Did you need help?"
Hephaestus shook his head with a smile.
"No, I don't want to drag anyone else into this. This ends today."
He could feel it now, a strange caustic nausea. Her power was weak, but inversely strong. Retribution in physical form. If Hephaestus were to hazard a guess, she was probably so closely tied to retribution that it was the reason she could influence divine law.
Everything he saw pointed at that. That she had become power hungry on the idea of her abilities and the consequences of them. The flowers around them wilted and burned, the little alcove that had formed now gone.
It was time.
A lingering touch for Hecate, and he left with heavy steps. Each echoed in his mind. He was drawn deeper and deeper into the thicket, an area that was obviously conjured for privacy.
Knowing Zeus? Most likely for his escapades.
He pushed through the thicket, the trees snapping against him until he finally pushed into an opening…and she was there. Her frazzled hair was pretty, in a sense. A black chiton, interlaced with blue made her stand out. The minor gods…they feared her. They kept a wide berth, eyeing him as he drew closer. His mind cooled into an edged steel. Nothing else existed but this moment.
His core grew cold, the memory of Calliope resonating within him. The scarf, his reminder of her, weighed heavy on his shoulders. Now more than ever, he needed to maintain his calm.
"Lord Hephaestus," breathed Nemesis.
Her voice was as equally pleasant as it was grating. Her eyes, one red and one blue, looked upon him with barely disguised greed. She entered his space as if she owned it, as if he owed her everything he was.
Her items on her person kept flooding their personal history into him. Her need for validation cemented to her very core. The history was hazy, limited by the nature of the object and Nemesis' own paranoia.
He bowed, as he always did. Already a number of plans had fallen apart with what he had seen. It was time to adapt.
"Lady Nemesis. You received my invitation."
"I did," she smiled. "Let us not play games, Hephaestus. You need something from me."
"Eager," he thought.
Time slowed in his imagination, his thoughts racing.
"Confident. No…arrogant." His thoughts cascaded as he analyzed her even further. "Assuming I will fall for her tricks as so many others have."
To be fair, if all you did was win over and over again, you'd assume victory would continue. Yet, her victories came from gods that were her equal or weaker than herself. Her confidence didn't lull as Hephaestus towered over her, his calm expression demure even as he smiled softly.
"You see right through me," he said. "I seek to invoke your domain. With your blessings of course."
He was laying it on thick, and her smile only widened.
"Oh?"
"Eris…she attacked my daughter. While she was defeated in combat by me, I seek further retribution."
The truth. But that wasn't what he wanted from her. This was a rare opportunity, he couldn't afford to let her go without getting what he needed.
"That can be arranged," smirked Nemesis. "But…you know our kind, our nature."
"I do. To protect my daughter…I would pay anything," said Hephaestus. "Do. Anything."
Nemesis bowed her head slightly. The mockery was sickening. He didn't know how she could be so fluent in her actions, as if she had done nothing to him.
"In that case I–"
A sudden spark came to him. Hephaestus grimaced and Nemesis paused in the oath she was about to make.
"I apologize but…I know the sacrifice it must take to subject your sibling to my vengeance."
His eyes glowed slightly, power echoing in his words. To the gods, it would be an emphasis, a means of intertwining your meaning into every word you spoke.
It was all bullshit to him, a party trick that did nothing to bind his words. But…she didn't know that. Nemesis eyed him, trepidation forming as his words echoed with his strength.
"To devote yourself to your duties is commendable, but I do not wish to stoke your family's ire against yourself, not on my account."
He invoked every bit of authority as he could.
"Nemesis, in return for my services at a later date, I request that you grant me your full cooperation in assisting me in my vengeance."
The weight of divine law shuddered between them, but Nemesis wasn't worried.
"I will bring you the one who has done your family harm," she spoke, her words laced with the finery the gods were known for. "No matter their identity."
"Even if you share their blood?"
"Of course," she smirked.
"Even if their very essence resonates with your own core, like your siblings?"
Nemesis stood, eyes narrowed. His finger twitched as she spoke.
"You insult me," she muttered.
The blueprints of blades hovered in his mind, the points around Nemesis highlighted for a blitz. Did he go too far?
"You think I'm so untrustworthy that my family stands above my duty?" she scoffed. "I am not my brother Thanatos. No matter who they may be, you shall have your vengeance. With my power…they will face your wrath."
Hephaestus bowed, kneeling before her.
"I thank you," he intoned, his eyes glaring into the ground beneath his feet. "Truly."
"Rise Hephaestus. You're amongst friends here," she smiled.
"Showing me off to your fools already?" thought Hephaestus. "Enjoy it while you can."
He wanted to end her here and now…but the time wasn't ripe. She was surrounded by minor gods and the likelihood she could escape was high. He needed her alone.
Nemesis smirked as she eyed him, turning to speak with others. He looked around, noting Iris. She grimaced, looking at him with pity. While he had freed her services from Nemesis, that didn't sever their toxic relationship. She moved to talk to him, but slowed as she looked at him.
The eyes that locked with hers…they were not subservient. Her eyes widened as she came to her own realization. Of all the gods that Nemesis actually knew, only Iris had anything resembling experience with the strange god.
They held each other's gaze for a moment longer, before Iris retreated. She said nothing, not to him but not to Nemesis either. He rose, intending to leave.
"Hold."
CRUNCH!
The sound of crumbled steel echoed in his mind, a random blade distorted in his reality marble. He turned, calm as he always seemed.
"Yes?"
Nemesis eyed him. An anxious tension between them. She was studying him.
"..."
"I hear rumors that Poseidon is enacting a trial," muttered Nemesis. "Is that true?"
The room grew heavy with pressure not just from her but all the other gods.
"...is it supposed to be a secret?" thought Hephaestus.
Not a chance. With what had happened, it was doubtless that the gods simply didn't care who knew. Still…
"Yes it is," smiled Hephaestus. "I take it you wish to watch?"
"I would be participating," snarled Nemesis.
"Not happening."
She faltered a bit, his tone frigid. He had seemed so malleable before. Yet, for all her annoyance, Hephaestus saw the slight droop of her shoulders.
"She must have been weary," he thought.
"The best I can do for you is to allow you to watch," he muttered. "We have much to discuss afterwards anyway."
Nemesis narrowed her eyes.
"Is that so?"
"Of course. The details of your symbol are rather…personal," said Hephaestus as he rolled his eyes. "We can discuss it now amongst your compatriots if you're that comfortable." He scratched his jaw, eyeing her as lazily as he could.
"You idiot! Don't scratch your jaw!"
"Styx? Why?" he thought, his hand falling naturally, his arms crossing his chest.
"Because you do that every time you're lying!"
His expression turned stony, shadows obscuring his face.
"...no I don't."
"I have, quite literally, been living inside of you for years, Hephaestus. Just keep your arms crossed."
Nemesis eyed her group. Hephaestus was banking on her paranoia.
"If she leaves now, you may not get another chance."
He could feel Styx's anxiety. The others mostly left his reality marble, exploring the regions of Greece that were once closed to them. All but Styx. She alone remained a constant, though she usually kept her presence silent.
Usually.
"If she returns to the–"
"You're not helping," thought Hephaestus dryly.
Who would have thought that Styx was the anxious type?
"Cheeky Brat," she muttered.
Nemesis finally nodded.
"Very well. After the trial."
"We can meet in my forge. No one will bother us there."
He felt the excitement she gave off.
"Does she assume that I will start working on it right away?" he thought.
"Of course she does. You're a workaholic. Most gods expect their wares to be done in months, not hours."
He bowed, turning his back to his nemesis.
"...you did not just think that."
He smirked as the anxiety left Styx, the warmth of her waters flowing within him. It was an odd sensation. Something that he could swear he was feeling, but his mind knew that the sensation was false.
It had become a constant in his life…a rather worrying one actually.
"Styx…have you not considered anchoring yourself somewhere else?" he thought.
"...We talked about this," she muttered quietly.
"I talked, you mostly ignored me."
She said nothing, as usual.
"Styx, if the underworld tries to claim you all again, know that I will get you back," he thought.
Styx grimaced, her sisters sharing the same thought. He would do that. In a strange sense, they had become a sort of odd family. Like a bunch of older siblings watching their toddler brother.
Except this one was a walking volcano that had no restraints. He'd likely rip another hole into the underworld if he had to. But there was another reason.
"Hephaestus, we will cross that bridge one day," said Styx, "But for now, simply focus on yourself."
"...you promise?"
"I swear to you we will."
"...Very well."
He wanted to keep talking to her, maybe convince her it was time, but there was weight to her words he couldn't really describe. If she said they'd talk about it in the future, then that's what they'd do.
Styx rubbed her arms, eying the skies of Unlimited Blade Works. She was alone here, her sisters exploring the outside world as they mostly did. Hephaestus concerns were valid. After all, the entire reason she was tethered to his inner world was to allow her to explore.
And she did, for the most part. Yet, she would always come back to the river in his soul, just in case.
For all that Hephaestus appeared a grown man, he was still developing. While Zeus proudly called himself Hephaestus' father, the dolt barely informed him of basic concepts.
It was Styx and Pallas that answered his questions. That tried to guide him, in their own way.
Styx rubbed her arms, the very memory encroaching at the forefront of her mind. The shadows of Tartarus were a terrible thing. The Greek hell ripped the worst of one's memories. Its shadows would eat away at you from whatever angle it could. Guilt, sorrow, anger, hate. No matter the aspect, Tartarus would tear it apart and shove it in your face.
It was why it was a prison, and why even the gods would avoid the tender mercies of the primordial pit. Yet, when his own past was laid bare, Hephaestus simply stood there. In his gaze, she didn't see bravery.
Only acceptance. As if what had happened to him didn't matter even an ounce. As if he didn't matter. Even if he didn't know it, the young God needed her. Regardless of how self-sufficient he was….He needed her.
She gripped her arms, golden blood pooling around her fingers. The sight of that broken child, alone. Golden blood flowing from a knife's edge as he–
"Stop," thought Styx to herself.
Thinking about it did nothing. She needed to be in the moment, not in the past. Styx looked up from her river. She was seated on a rock that had grown beside her. His world was beautiful, but she saw the jagged cracks, the pierced swords, there was pain here.
She didn't know how, but it felt ancient even to her. Like a wound long since scarred over. Pallas stood beside her, hand on her shoulder.
"Until you grow wings of your own, I'll be here," she muttered to nothing.
"Hm? Did you say something?"
She would kill anyone that ever spoke of the sound she made in her shock.
"N-nothing," she muttered, glaring at her husband. The stoic bastard just grinned at her, a small blush on her face.
"Stop cooing at me!" she growled.
The world shuddered as Styx firmly shut the connection. She ignored her sisters' laughter, concern steadily growing. She had a feeling of what Hephaestus was planning. Beyond Nemesis, there was the way he was prepping against Poseidon.
He refused to work for the sea god, and that was going to have repercussions. The god of the seas was a brute but a powerful one. She just hoped Hephaestus knew what he was doing.
-Hours later-
For all that the gods were long-lived, their attention spans were not. Even as an Olympian, Hephaestus was only a hot commodity for what seemed like a few moments. After that, he was ignored.
Thus, he was relegated to here. He was stoic, his arms crossed as he stared at a tree. His gaze was firm, his eyes strong enough to gaze even into the bark's porous surface.
On his left was Artemis, stroking the fur of a massive wolf-like creature whose head was on her lap. A large deer, with golden antlers, strut around in a circle, eying anyone that would come close.
On his right…was Athena.
He had been here for the last three hours. He had been having a quiet conversation with Artemis about her next bow and then, poof, there was Athena.
The conversation, as you would guess, died quickly. So, they sat in silence, Hephaestus staring at a tree.
It had been three hours since he started.
"Ignoring me," said Athena finally, "Does nothing."
He said nothing, praying internally that she would just go away. The best way to deal with Athena was to simply ignore her. All her convoluted machinations would just lead you deeper into her manipulative web.
Best not to engage at all.
"I see Arachne has already woven your clothing," she muttered. "Some would take that as an insult, seed of my daughter."
Ok, that was it. He turned to her, his face twisted in a grimace.
"Really?"
"You would likely not respond to anything else."
The dead retort only made him shiver. She genuinely didn't care. It was rather offputting honestly.
"So, what is your plan?" muttered Athena.
"Hmm?"
Artemis perked up at this, her gaze sharp.
"...I have no plan."
The area around them was choked by Athena's divinity. He gave her the side eye as she glowered.
"I know you can lie."
He stiffened a bit. Athena noted the lack of surprise with Artemis. Actually, Artemis seemed ready to pounce, not on Hephaestus but her.
The bond between these two was strong, and at least made sense. They hunted together, spent time together, and knew each other well. Athena was still struggling to figure out what connected Hephaestus and Ares so deeply. She stared at him, her questions only building as the silence grew.
"What?" asked Hephaestus.
"The fact that you can lie reveals a lot about you."
"Does it now?"
Hephaestus was wondering when this would all–
"Yes. You have rather obvious tells."
He coughed a bit, Styx chuckling in his mind. His eyes were shadowed as he sweated a bit. Surely he wasn't that obvious….was he?
Cause if so…that was a problem.
Artemis forced the snicker away as Hephaestus turned his stoic gaze to her. He could appear as Athena did, emotionless. Yet, it was such precise control that gave him away so often to those that knew him.
"..."
"Your plan…it has to do with Poseidon."
Artemis stopped smiling, the wolf pup on her lap began to growl.
"..."
"You can stay silent all you like," said Athena, looking around her aridly. "It doesn't change much of anything. Facing Poseidon is no simple task…and yet you'd take it up all the same."
"What business of it is yours?" muttered Hephaestus.
"None. Only that I find such logic foolish. It is Ares who will bear the consequences of his actions."
Athena stilled. Hephaestus knew for a fact he didn't register any microexpression whatsoever. Yet, still she was able to peer deeper.
"...This is before Ares."
"Hmm," he grunted.
"...You have a plan for curbing Poseidon's more destructive nature," she surmised.
"...How in Tartarus did she figure that out?" muttered Styx in disbelief.
"Eri," grunted Hephaestus aloud.
"I am still connected to her, yes," said Athena as she crossed her legs. "What I've seen through her leads me to believe you feel compelled to…punish our uncle. It won't work. So why even bother?"
Hephaestus rolled his eyes. When he turned to her…she would swear that it was the most selfish gaze she had ever witnessed. For all that her emotions were absent, her eyes still widened.
"Because I want to."
Simple. So, infuriatingly simple. Of the gods, only Apollo and Hephaestus were the only gods she considered remotely academic. Like her, they considered avenues the more emotionally directed would avoid.
For all that Apollo appeared the aloof life-loving goober, there was more to him. A depth only Athena had the privilege to see thus far. A shame that Artemis lacked the sight to see it.
"That…" Athena struggled with her words. Trying to compute a response to something so bland and simple.
"It doesn't matter," said Hephaestus. "I do not agree with our Uncle's behaviour, and the way he treats others is disgusting. I won't do business with the likes of him."
He eyed the forests, their words only for themselves.
"My…preperations as you call it, is merely as a precaution."
Hephaestus had plans upon plans. While he was more than willing to fight, he also wasn't stupid enough to believe a single confrontation would solve much of anything.
Not when the divine killing weapons he had couldn't put gods out permanently. It seemed to slow their regeneration immensely, but it wasn't permanent.
So he took the burden of those who had suffered, both for political leverage, and as a promise. What was happening would stop. One way, or the other.
He rose, eying the skies. Clouds began to form as more and more gods began to leave.
"You haven't explained–"
"It's already starting, just leave it alone," muttered Artemis.
The sisters shared a glance, the trees around them waning. Eventually, all the shrubbery melted away, withering into dusts of divinity. The golden dust swirled around them, before the three were in the center of council.
Athena's work was apparent, the marble architecture befitting the gods. Each throne stood around them, imposing and regal. They were also the size of human thrones.
Despite everything, Hepahestus appreciated the thought.
The gods each took their seats…all but Poseidon, Ares, and Hephaestus. His brother eyed him. In full regalia, Ares was a menacing figure. His armor was battered and worn, a crimson cloth swathed around black armor. The black helm held a slowly swaying emission of crimson energy in the middle, a sight that likely inspired the Corinthian plumed helmet.
Perhaps to cover his youthful face, the helm showed nothing of Ares' features, only the light of his crimson eyes shone through.
Zeus coughed a bit, a strained smile as he looked directly at Hephaestus. The god of fire crossed his arms, refusing to move from his brother's side.
In the corners of the room were a few assortment of gods and goddesses. Most were of Zeus' retinue. Beings that served the Olympians directly. Each gossiping hard at the sight.
Iris and a few nature goddesses were behind Hera's throne, with each of the Olympians having someone at their ready. Hephaestus turned, eyeing Apollo and Artemis.
For Apollo, the muses surrounded him…kind of? Rather than all of them standing with him, most were just switching places. Each shifting one by one at a regular interval.
Behind Artemis, was of course Zoe. She seemed stronger, more self-assured. The longer hair with tanned skinned showed a brighter outlook on herself, though the way she grimaced when they locked eyes still confused him.
"...You're doing this on purpose," muttered Styx.
"I understand the initial discomfort, but she has been with Artemis for quite some time. Surely she understands I meant no genuine offense? I even apologized."
"...Oh…you poor child."
His eyes twitched. He wanted to know more about the servants that had followed the gods, especially the one with Dionysus. It was…well creepy. Dionysus sat on the throne, chipper as he had ever seen the god.
Freshly inebriated, he eyed them with a sharpness that was out of place on someone so drunk. Circling around slowly was an odd ghastly creature. It must have been spirit, either that or a strange gas composite monster. Purple like the smog Dionysus sometimes spewed, it had a bright red core and just floated around them.
Yet, the more he looked at it, the more ominous it seemed to grow. A soft voice cleared their throat and he turned to Demeter. Seated in a smaller throne between her and Hades was Perspehone. On the surface world, the goddess of spring's hair was like wheat, a shimmering gold that spun around her shoulders in a messy bun that framed her face.
Her husband simply nodded as they shared a glance. It took Hephaestus a moment to realize they were waiting on him…but he stood all the same. Nemesis was hiding behind his throne, avoiding the gazes of others. Honestly, she would have burned a literal hole in his clothes with how intently she was watching. Though, she wasn't the worst of them.
Hera's chilling gaze washed over him like an avalanche. Yet, it meant nothing in this moment, his eyes only locked to Poseidon. He eventually moved to stand behind Ares, but that was it. Poseidon finally gave him notice.
"...Very well," muttered Zeus.
Thunder erupted, the lightning searing the sky an azure blue. It struck around the circumference of the throne room. A weight settled around them, the essence of the divine ever stronger.
"We stand here in the trial of grievance between Olympians Poseidon and Ares. As you are the one that brings the claim forward, Poseidon may start."
Poseidon began to drone on for a moment and Ares turned to him, whispering.
"What are you doing?"
Hephaestus kept his focus on Poseidon. Even now, in the midst of all the Olympians bearing their strength…he remained undeterred.
"Don't you ignore me!"
Ares' voice crackled like acid, a vitriol to his tone that would render a man to his knees. Still Hephaestus said nothing.
Ares would have said more if not for Poseidon starting.
"I stand before you all, a grieving father."
Poseidon smirked even as the others glared at him.
"My son, his habits, yours to judge, was slain in battle. Not from his adversary…but from her father."
Zeus' lightning shuddered, but it was not from his supposed weakness. Here, in this moment, the trial did not only enhance divine law, but Zeus himself.
The skies darkened even further, a constant stream of lightning curled through the clouds, illuminating the trial.
Here he was at his strongest. The lightning turned from a rich amber to a searing blue. Zeus' voice echoed as he looked down at Poseidon from his throne.
"You speak as if the circumstances that surrounded this were not adequate?"
"I do not begrudge Ares for protecting his child."
A vein bulged on Poseidon's forehead, his expression ablaze as he stared at his nephew. It was a hateful expression, filled with a spite even Zeus could not match.
"I begrudge him for killing mine."
There wasn't a need to expound on it. No evidence, no arguments. Just a simple fact and a blatant desire for vengeance. Ares scoffed.
"He attempted to rape my daughter! You think I would stand for such an insult! He dishonoured their battle by drawing on your strength!"
"Of course he did," smirked Poseidon, "Was your daughter, not a demi-god?"
He walked closer to his nephew, Poseidon's gaze chilling as he leered at Ares. "Your daughter was just as powerful as my own child. The only difference? He was a prince of the sea and used it to his advantage."
"Sure," grumbled Ares.
"Oh nephew. Did she not have her own advantages? You trained her, though it won't do her much good with me."
"BASTARD!" growled Ares.
Poseidon only smiled. As if the insult was more of a compliment. Considering his father, it likely was. Hera sat calmly on her throne, but Hephaestus could feel the anger. It was not directed at Poseidon but at Ares. She felt he was too emotional, his openings too obvious.
Ares was unmatched in the field of battle, but politics and law were not his forte.
"Murdered after a hard fought battle," muttered Posiedon, "I would think a God of War would regret such a–"
Hera rose suddenly, but it was too late.
"I regret nothing!" growled Ares, "that scum deserved to–!"
Ares faltered, his body shimmering as crimson energy was sheared from him. It lashed out of him, like bloody cuts. He would have fallen forward if not for Hephaestus' subtly grabbing his Chiton behind him.
Poseidon eyed him but refocused on Ares. The god of war didn't falter, eyeing his uncle as he stood on his own feet again.
"That scum deserved death!"
"...Is that right?" smirked the god.
"That is damned right! I'll even swear on Hades!"
"...Why?" muttered the lord of the dead.
Zeus stood from the throne, lightning circling around Poseidon as he raised his hand.
"The trial's judgement will now begin. For the record, Poseidon, you seek reparations for the death of your child, even knowing the circumstances?"
"I do."
"Ares, are you…"
His father struggled, fought it. But as a pure god, there were things even beyond his grasp. His eyes widened, the tone of the room turning cold.
"Brother?" whispered Demeter.
She hesitated, but the fact her own divinity came to Zeus, along with Hades and Hestia, gave him strength.
But it wasn't strength that was needed.
It dawned on Ares, something had happened.
"Ares…you seek to avoid reparations for the murder of Poseidon's son?" spat out Zeus.
Hera's eyes squeezed shut as Ares exploded.
"WHAT!? Reparations? That fucker doesn't de–"
Lightning struck Ares in the chest. Hephaestus caught him as he was launched back.
"Something has changed," thought Hephaestus.
Ares recovered instantly, shoving Hephaestus away.
"Get off me!"
The rest of the gods went into a frenzy. The trial was not going the way any of them planned…all but one of them anyway.
"Shit," muttered Dionysus, his divine beast circling around him.
"...We're on Olmypus…what happened to the evidence? Circumstances? I…this isn't how we do things, is it?" asked Apollo.
No one could answer him. Zeus was too busy glaring at Poseidon, the god merely smirking in his supposed victory.
"So nephew, you seek to avoid reparations for the murder of my son?"
"Reparations my ass!" growled Ares, "your son deser–"
"Ares."
Her voice was cold, Hera taking the lightning that struck her head on. She didn't even flinch, her gaze unmoving as she eyed her son. He quieted down, trying his best to calm his rage.
Poseidon said nothing at first. Hephaestus narrowed his eyes, the lightning shuddering around them. The buzzing…it was getting quieter. Poseidon finally turned to him, Hephaestus.
The god of fire stood there, just behind Ares.
"...Why are you here?" muttered Poseidon.
"For support," explained Hephaestus.
"Such a thing does not exist in the court of Olympus, nephew." muttered Poseidon.
There was something here, the God of War could feel it. For the first time since this whole debacle began, Poseidon seemed… wary?
Hephaestus only blinked, tilting his head.
"Atlantian law is clear, uncle. I have every right to be here."
The room went quiet, and Poseidon's confidence finally cracked. He clicked his tongue, eyeing the God of fire and the queen of the heavens with narrowed eyes.
"..."
Zeus…well he was apocalyptic to say the least.
"You…you dare subvert Olympian law!?" demanded Zeus.
Yet, the lightning that should have surged forward never came. It stayed, simply circling the trio.
Poseidon's trident appeared in his grip, his eyes glaring at Hepahestus before turning at Zeus.
"Circumstances matter little to the result," stated Posiedon. "I am not here to discuss my son's loss in battle. I'm here to seek reparations for his unjust murder."
Hera stilled, eyes widening as she stared at Poseidon.
"The laws of Olympus are clear," muttered Poseidon, "We take into account the circumstances…but the law of Atlantis does not."
The ground beneath the three shuddered, the thrones closing in around Zeus. Within moments, a cliff surged the thrones upward, and sea water surged from Poseidon's feet, his divinity swelling along with his authority.
"My son was killed within my waters."
The lightning curled at the sky above, the clouds darkening.
"His blood stains my kingdom."
His voice grew deeper, the realm of Olympus accommodating for the law of Atlantis, of the sea. The ocean forming beneath Hephaestus' very feet.
"Ares killed my son within my domain. As such…brother…the laws you embody today…are mine."
The thrones now stood atop an island amidst the seas, a cliff facing towards them. Hephaestus looked around, standing on the waters with Ares.
"...It's like a reality marble," thought Hephaestus, "But…"
It was not the same. A reflection of Poseidon's authority. The water was genuine, but was formed and supported by Poseidon's divine strength.
It was why Ares and him were able to stand on water of all things, though through different means. It was rather strange, if he was being honest.
"The law of the sea has no bearing here," growled Zeus. "This is a matter of Olympus!"
"My son's blood spilled into my waters, his mangled corpse is still adrift in my kingdom. Just because you house the trial here does not mean Olympian law is used."
"There was no precedent for this," grumbled Hera. "Reckless as always Poseidon. There was no certainty that the properties of divine law would allow you to do this."
Poseidon gave a playful shrug, smug as can be.
"Shit," muttered Ares.
Zeus was a god of justice, but such justice could take on many faces. He, like the other Olympians, assumed that the laws of Olympus would take greater priority. They were wrong. Now, Zeus was stuck being the focal point of a trial being usurped and directed at his son.
If Hephaestus was honest, it hurt his head. By all logic, this felt like an asspull. Human law, at least in the modern age, was rife with loopholes. It was abused by the rich and powerful, twisted to better suit the individual than the region, but at the very least…it had logic.
But this?
He could see why the more political gods enjoyed poking at each other politically. It was basically a war with rules that kept changing. If left alone…it could get bad.
"..."
"...Hephaestus, are you sure about this?" whispered Styx, feeling his thoughts.
"It's different from what I initially planned, but it doesn't matter," thought Hephaestus.
He locked eyes with Poseidon. In the moment that he was distracted with Styx, his uncle had already moved to be but a few feet from him.
"Poseidon."
The sea rumbled as the god's eyes narrowed. The king of Atlantis already knew what was coming.
"By right of association, I bore witness to Ares' murder of your son."
"Yes, I am aware, nephew," sighed Poseidon, dreading what was coming. "What's your point?"
"I invoke the right to stand as his proxy."
"As a what?" muttered Ares.
Ares was swallowed by the sea. Hera stood, ready to act but stilled as Ares appeared at her side. He was far from happy.
"OI! You bastard!" roared Ares, his rage directed at Hephaestus, "Get your ass out of there. This is my fight, you arrogant prick!"
Poseidon rubbed his beard.
"You know Atlantean law better than I assumed," he grumbled.
"I was raised by those laws, Uncle. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."
Poseidon and the older Olympians stilled as they stared at Hephaestus.
"...hmm?" he thought.
"You know Mesopotamian law?" asked Styx.
Hephaestus said nothing, but he closed his thoughts to Styx. He felt bad, but she didn't need to know the specifics.
"...so you know of the pantheons beyond us," grumbled Poseidon. He adjusted his trident, shrugging. "It's not that surprising. The ocean is home to many secrets and ancient knowledge. Am I to be impressed, nephew?"
The god of the sea blinked, a realization striking him. Poseidon hit his fist hitting his palm, the trident floating behind him now.
"That surge of divinity those years back was you! Hmm, small world."
All the hate and anger, all that toxic vengeance, gone. Washed away like it never happened. Yet, it would surge again, like a riptide whenever the god eyed Ares.
Ares was screaming from the thrones, but his words couldn't reach them, not in this setting. Zeus eyed his youngest, wondering what he was doing. Atlantean law wasn't something he was versed in. He never bothered.
The lord of the skies was regretting it now, especially as his wife glared at him for missing it all. The embarrassment also stung. Yet, divinity could infer a great deal of information, such as these legal proceedings.
"Hephaestus…you truly wish to be Ares' proxy?"
"I do," he said solemnly.
Poseidon shook his head, the very idea alien to him.
"It's…endearing," muttered the sea god, "That you care for your brother. But this is not so simple."
"I know."
His words were gritty, the sound of his voice dropping an octave making the hair on Posiedon's arms stand. The sea god adjusted, his weariness coming off with a smirk.
He waved Hephaestus off. "Come now nephew, you played a nice joke. But a proxy in my laws is used for very specific circumstances. Now, you've made your sh–"
Hephaestus looked up at his brother, the sudden turn silencing Poseidon. Perhaps it was the look Hephaestus gave Ares. Maybe it was the way his shoulders tensed. But something made Poseidon's skin crawl, and the bits of rage he held for Ares spilled over to Hepahestus.
"No…he wouldn't be so arrogant," thought Poseidon.
"...Hephaestus, don't you–"
He silenced her voice, his eyes on Poseidon's widening gaze.
"By the laws of Atlantis, the accused can choose their trial."
Poseidon gripped his trident. Zeus wanted to scream, but his own domain kept him silent. Demeter looked between them, even Hades was a bit confused.
"Brother…what is he talking about?" asked the sullen god.
Hephaestus' clenched his fist.
"You were right, Pallas," he thought. "Sometimes the only answer…was force."
"Yours is a throne built on conflict, uncle…" said Hephaestus softly.
Hephaestus was now a mere arms length away. He matched Posiedon, only a tad taller than the sea god.
"You seek it, as easily as you rule. So…let us end this farce with the conflict you so desire."
The waves stilled, the water beneath them reflecting the stormy skies above.
"You," growled Poseidon. "You don't know what you're asking."
"I know exactly what I'm asking," stated Hephaestus. He crossed his arms. "I demand a trial by combat."
The sea shuddered in response. The area widened even further, the expanse of the ocean becoming nigh unseen.
"By the rights of Atlantis, any accusation can be met and dealt with directly. Even as a proxy, that is a right you must grant me."
Poseidon laughed, running his hands through his hair.
"What makes you think that I would allow this?" smirked Poseidon, "in my court, I am the law."
"This isn't your court, uncle."
"I am the court!"
The lightning struck Poseidon dead in the chest, his body shivering from the shock. Poseidon gritted his teeth, taking the hit and shaking his head. His authority only went so far with someone else presiding.
Poseidon scoffed, eying Zeus. Yet, when he attempted to budge his authority forward, it didn't move. The strength of divine law was absolute. Altantean law, his power, instead circled around Hephaestus. Yet, it wasn't enough to cow the younger god. Instead, it emboldened him.
"You take and you take," grumbled Hephaestus, "But that ends here and now. You wanted to use Atlantean law, uncle, so let us use it."
"You genuinely believe you can withstand me in a trial of combat?" scoffed Poseidon.
Hephaestus narrowed his eyes, steam coming off his body.
"Let's find out."