She didn't think she wanted kids, honestly. The bubbling face of Eri had admittedly sparked something in her.
"Though, hopefully my child is a little less…rowdy," she thought politely. She liked the girl well enough, she was a blast. But get her talking about magic, and Eri detonated into a whirlwind of energy.
"Do you have a name planned out?"
"Eros!" she smiled.
"So basically Cupid," thought Hephaestus.
It was faint, but now that he was paying attention to it, he could feel the tiny spark of the god rapidly forming within his mother.
"I wish you all the best," he smiled.
"...so do I," she said seriously.
Apollo didn't reach for him, the two sharing a look as Hephaestus moved to the forge.
He didn't stop for no one, quickly making his way to Nemesis. He never did feel the gaze of his brother watching him leave, nor did he notice when Ares shoved himself up from his throne a moment later.
No, instead he was focused. The forge was his place, his realm. He could feel her in there, snooping around. As the doors opened, she was standing over his anvil, her fingers tracing the metal as if it were her own. She basked in his place of power, smiling as she turned to him.
"Brilliant," she whispered. "The way you brought Poseidon low. I couldn't have done it better myself."
"You couldn't have even done it at all," thought Hephaestus.
"You are everything you were meant to be in that moment," she smiled.
Every word was soaked in eminence. She eyed him like a prize horse finally winning its trophy, with nothing but greed in her eyes. That ambition of hers, the enormity of it matched only by the fragility of her own being.
Her divinity was…small. With her in front of him he couldn't help but compare himself to her and she was…well, small.
While she was certainly short, barely reaching his mid chest, it was more her divinity that seemed so fragile. He had seen the strength of several goddesses. Leto, Hestia, Athena, Artemis, and the strangest of them, Aphrodite.
Each was a titan, a monument of divine power. Yet…Nemesis was not. She was every bit the strength of the other minor gods. Dangerous, certainly, a god was a god. But against himself? Hephaestus was barely developed as a God, his own divinity not yet firmly within his grasp, and yet, he dwarfed her.
It was surreal.
If he lacked EMIYA's spark, he may have very well indulged in that fantasy. That his greater divinity made her irrelevant. He closed his eyes, more thankful than ever for the counter guardian's vast experiences.
Would he have been swept in by this viper's strange smile? She had a manic charisma that didn't match her words. It seemed so obvious to him, her whole manipulative attitude.
Were the other gods just stupid?
"She almost reeks of desperation," thought Hephaestus, his fist itching to clench. "People have died because of her? For these… scraps of power?"
Power was everything, he knew that to be true. Without strength, one could not protect their own. You would be beholden to those that had power, if you were not careful. It was a truth that was bitter, but it was one that he had come to accept. Yet, there was always nuance to such a concept, one that seemed entirely absent from Nemesis' thinking.
It was time she learned she was playing with fire.
"Now…shall we begin?" she smirked. Her enthusiasm waned as she felt his divinity flowing into the walls.
"My apologies," he said, "I'd rather no one else overhears."
It was a slow seal, but soon they'd be fully encompassed. As his power slowly encroached, Nemesis smirked. She had her own assurances in place, just as he did.
The moment the room was sealed, all pretenses were gone. The small smile on Nemesis' face turned ravenous.
"Show me the scythe."
The demand made his blood chill. She took his hesitance with all the grace she had as a goddess…which was none.
"We both know why we're here godling." Nemesis smirked as she walked towards him. He scowled as her fingers came to dig into his chest. Red sizzling blood flowed from the scar she punctured. "You want revenge, I want justice. If you want my power, you do as I say."
She flicked the blood off, hiding the burns that were left on her hand. She didn't even flinch, he'd give her that much. She stalked around him, nipping at his heels like a hyena. The deranged smile only made her even more unstable. "There is no need for pretenses," she hissed, a vicious smile on her face. "Not anymore. Now…the scythe."
The last of the seal locked into place and he formed the scythe. Harpe took full form and Nemesis quickly grabbed it from his hands. Its weight was comfortable in her hands, but she had no skill with such a weapon. It shuddered, the feel of her divinity splintering the weapon.
"This," she muttered distastefully, "but as my symbol of power. Do this…and I will enact your vengeance for you."
It was funny to him how Harpe worked. For all that it was a construct formed from the divine age, its very concepts didn't lend itself well to being crafted as a genuine divine weapon. It was akin to forging fire out of water. Its very nature ate away at the very fabric of its own construction.
Hephaestus was confident that he could complete the project. Though, the resulting weapon would be laughably weak.
Click.
But he didn't need to. The scythe reformed in his hand, the other copy splintering into little pieces. From his reality marble he produced a new stone. The one he had created from Skilros. He quickly put it in his pockets before Nemesis turned around.
"I can forge your weapon," he muttered, "but I need reassurance first. You swear to assist in my vengeance to the best of your ability?"
"Of course I do," scowled Nemesis.
"No matter the individual?"
"Now you're just insulting me," she growled.
There was a hesitance there, but the oath had been sworn.
"Good enough for me," growled Styx.
Nemesis shuddered, Styx speaking from behind Hephaestus. Olympus reeled at the feeling of one of the rivers entering, the sudden entrance inexplicable even to the guardians that protected the center of Olympic power.
The sky rumbled, the thunder even stronger. All of Styx was invoked, to chain such a vague oath.
"What is this?" smirked Nemesis. "Your attempt at strong-arming me, is that it?" She scoffed, throwing her hands out. "Typical of Olympus, throwing your ill-gotten authority around like you've earned it! You don't deserve your power."
"Says the one born with hers," drawled Hephaestus.
Whatever words she'd speak next were choked by the wind. From his pocket, he produced a stone, one glowing in resonance to Nemesis' own divinity. He tossed the rock to her, Nemesis catching it out of reflex.
"...what is this?" she muttered.
"Your divinity, taken from the throat of Skilros."
She stiffened, sneering at him.
"Whatever conjectures you have are merely that."
Her eyes glowed, the red a brighter hue than the blue. Slowly, the glow shifted, until it was her blue eye that shone brightest. The scale had shifted, divine law lessening its strength.
Hephaestus dug within himself, to a power he rarely invoked. The authority of an Olympian.
"It's not conjecture, it is fact."
The scales of divine law shuddered as his own authority fought against Nemesis. She began to sweat, their divinity radiating out between the two of them. She couldn't even form much of a resistance as his power flooded the room.
Crimson energy radiated from Hephaestus, divinity coalesced to such an extent that it would be easily visible even to the normal human eye. A show of force and nothing more.
A light show really…but one that shone with a fact that could not be disputed. Nemsis' power was not enough. Not here.
Not anymore.
"You orchestrated… everything," he whispered. He gripped the scarf that acted as his belt, rubbing the fabric between his fingers. Lost to his memories, he slowly narrowed his gaze to Nemesis. "Everything you've done has harmed those I call friends and for what? Some… some demented need for validation?"
"Validation?" she growled, "you think this is for validation!?"
She tossed the stone across the room, fearlessly stomping across the room.
"I am a child of Nyx, a primordial power! You and the rest of your ilk are nothing but the fragments of Titans! Yet it is you who rules, you who were born with authority!?"
She cut her own wrist, golden blood flowing.
"I am a god! You are nothing but some experiment Hera cooked up!"
The energy between them grew unstable. Nemesis slammed her hand into his chest, her nails digging into his skin.
"Look at you! You were born to bring Hera to her knees! HER KNEES!"
Her skin sizzled from his blood, his sharp but calm visage only fueling her madness.
"You were born for retribution! FOR ME! You were Hera's greatest shame, her broken little child!"
Hephaestus stopped Styx from attacking her, his eyes glowing steadily as Nemesis finally let lose.
"I am Nemesis, child of Nyx, the night itself! I will not be reduced to some… some minor god!
She twirled around, as if mocking all the gods, screaming out to the heavens.
"IF I HAVE TO DRAG YOU TO YOUR DESTINY THAN I WILL–"
SHUNK.
She stared forward, slowly turning her gaze to the scythe's blade sprouting from her stomach. Her own admittance rang in her ears. She realized in that moment that this was exactly what Hephaestus was waiting for.
Words failed her as Hephaestus ripped her through the air over his head. His divinity clouded the blade, preventing it from cutting her in twain as he smashed the scythe into the ground with Nemesis.
Landing face first, Nemesis could only scream as she tried to escape. She tried to leave, her divinity strong enough to disperse and reform. It fell through, her divinity refusing her call.
It was tethered, refusing to budge. A chill ran through her spine, literally coating the noble phantasm in ice. She looked up, the lord of flames looming over her.
Thunder loomed, Styx floating behind Hephaestus' shoulder. By her own words, what resistance Nemesis could bear shriveled into ash.
Hephaestus could only glare as Nemesis laughed, even as the blade began to smolder. She grit her teeth through the pain, his divinity slowly ravaging her body.
Through her domains, Nemesis could see the cause of his retribution. Of all things…it was a human woman.
"You were supposed to be my instrument!" she roared, clawing at the floor. She tried her best to rise up only for a metal foot to slam into her back. Coughing up blood, she glared hatefully at Hephaestus. "You were perfect, perfect!" she hissed. "All you had to do was finish that stupid throne and bring that bitch to the ground!"
The ground cracked beneath her body and still she could not rise.
"It was just a single mortal!" growled Nemesis. "Is a single mortal not worth marring Hera!?"
"No life is worth that," muttered Hephaestus, fire erupting from Nemesis' wounds. "And it didn't end with one."
In her mind, Nemesis saw the village. Each person recorded in Hephaestus' mind. Even those that he only saw in passing. Each one tethered to the scarf he wore, his permanent reminder.
Her skin began to peel, fire cracking through her divine form. Suddenly the blade erupted from her back and she made some distance.
For all that he had chained her with oaths, Nemesis wasn't without her own strengths. Hephaestus noticed the divinity of others at play. It was not like his own power, adaptive. Rather, it was as if others were bearing the burden to lift the chains off of her.
"...hmm."
Nemesis gritted her teeth, focusing. Her body shimmered, her wounds disappearing. She grinned.
"You're not at full strength, godling. Before this day ends… you will be mine."
She grinned, spreading her arms wide.
"You think… I wasn't prepared for this?"
Hephaestus' barrier shuddered, his scars aching. He could feel dozens of signatures at his gates.
"Olympus will be mine," growled Nemesis, "as it should be! As is proper! You invited me here and that authority is mine to bear! All of these gods are a part of me, and their strength is my own!"
Dozens of multicoloured strands flowed from Nemesis' back, each connected to a singular god. She smirked.
"Even without them, do you think I came alone?"
"...Bring as many as you like," muttered Hephaestus. He held his hand out, Sul-Sugana smashing through the door. The blade erupted into flames as it smashed in his grasp. He gripped the hilt with both eyes, staring off at Nemesis and the darkened doorway.
"Fine then," smirked Nemesis, turning to the door. "One way or another, you will bend the kne–"
CRUNCH!
She sputtered, stepping back a few steps as her nose was crushed. Both the gods looked down at the object. A severed head, the face marred into one of fear, golden blood seeped from their severed neck.
Thump. Thump.
Slow deliberate steps echoed as a God entered from the shadows. He stood at the doorway, the flames of his plumage illuminating the multitudes of bodies in his wake.
His sword was covered in the golden gore of his fellow gods, the baleful eyes of war anchoring Nemesis in her place.
"Tch, figured she'd pull something like this," growled Ares. He rested his sword on his shoulder, tossing another god's head to the ground.
"B…but you're weakened," muttered Nemesis.
"You just don't seem to get it," smirked Ares. His crimson eyes shone through his helmet, the war God stalking forward. "This ain't your kingdom. Never will be."
"This isn't about you," she stressed. She pointed between her and Hephaestus, "this is between us!"
Getting involved would only hamper the war god further. He then punched her.
"GAH!"
"Brother," stressed Hephaestus.
"Shut the hell up," he growled. "You don't get too gallivant around shoving yourself into other god's problems only to then complain when it's done to you! You're a hypocrite, you know that?"
Hephaestus blinked at him.
"What?" growled Ares.
"...I'm shocked you know what a hypocrite is."
"Oh, fuck you."
Nemesis sucked her mouth in, her face contorting as if she'd eaten a lime. Her eyes flashed, an order going through.
"Now shut up–"
Ares' hand lashed out, grabbing a hidden foe. The air shimmered as a minor god became visible. Hephaestus didn't know this one. He was on the larger sort, actually bigger than even Hephaestus himself.
Muscular, he bore the smell of iron. He'd be threatening, if not for the fear in his eyes.
CRACK.
"–and let us handle this."
"Us?" muttered Hephaestus.
The god that hung limpy from Ares' grip promptly exploded, their head disappearing from a mass of Ares' divinity.
"Yes. Us. Now do what you need to."
He looked up, his gaze went beyond the walls, noting Artemis and Apollo both firing arrows around them. The minor gods fell without effort. Their morale was in tatters, forced to fight at Nemesis' behalf.
"You!" growled Nemesis.
"Finish it," grunted Ares, turning back to the door, "the others won't let anyone get in."
Hephaestus could even feel Dionysus and Athena here. He wasn't entirely certain why Athena specifically, but he'd take it.
"...It appears you're not the only one with allies of their own," muttered Hephaestus.
She didn't get to speak, not anymore. The air detonated as Hephaestus surged forward. She tried to move, but golden chains covered her body. Her divinity shuddered into dormancy, her eyes wide.
His hand grabbed her by the mouth, crushing the bones beneath his grip.
"MMM!"
"No more words," he muttered. "No more laws."
Fire seeped between his fingers, burning Nemesis. Her screams muffled by his hand.
"Remember this moment, remember every sensation. Your dream… it ends today."
Her body shuddered as her skin began to flake, turning black from the heat. A mouth formed somewhere, her voice echoing.
"I WON'T FALL HERE!"
"...you just don't get it, do you?" muttered Hephaestus.
Harpe, formed as a blade, swiftly caved Nemesis' ribs, the blade finding a home in her burning body.
"Killing you… does nothing. You'll simply reform, given time… but that's what you need isn't it? Time."
He eyed the ribbons of divinity that connected her to her compatriots. The sole reason how she was even able to endure. He summoned Rule Breaker, stabbing the point into the ethereal threads.
Underneath the enormous strain, the thread snapped as Rule Breaker broke. He simply formed another. He kept his gaze, her eyes never leaving his own, each strand severed one by one.
"Every contract, all your machinations… they'll be gone, Nemesis. All of it. You'll reform, one day. But by then… the world will have passed you by."
He crushed the last of the strands, Rule Breaker disappearing for good. She hung limply, her brain trying to figure out her next move. She grimaced, the damage to her divinity coming in mass.
"I hate you," he muttered. "Truly, I do. Out of every being I've come across… my hate for you stings the most."
He detested Poseidon, found Atlas annoying, and Leto rather lecherous. But Nemesis?
He grimaced. "This vengeance does nothing to bring those you've harmed back. I know that… but for once."
His surged, a depth to his divinity he had not reached surging forth. For a moment, the cracks glowed blue, his flame surging even higher.
"For once… I'll just let it burn."
He let go. Not just his power, but his anger, his hate, his everything. His thoughts were empty, no sense of control or direction.
Olympus shuddered, a column of fire reaching into the very heavens themselves. A show of strength that reminded those of the heyday of Zeus' rebellion. The flames shuddered with a cataclysmic force.
Out of all the younger Olympians, it was Hephaestus alone that controlled a force of nature. The flames screamed at everything, burning what it could touch, contained only by the grace of Hestia.
The goddess looked from her hearth, the center of the throne room slowly molding to her subtle designs. She looked outside, to the flames that screamed to be let loose.
Her hand shook, the energy like a dose of caffeine to her.
"WOAH!" yelped Apollo, weaving out of the way of the eruption. Artemis looked at the fire. The shadows in her eyes danced to a memory she would sooner forget.
The giant hole in his forge dripped with molten slag. Artemis, Apollo, Dionysus, and Athena entered through it, as Ares returned from the door. He punted a groaning god for extra measure as they all approached the epicenter.
The ground cooled as Apollo absorbed the heat somewhat, at least preventing them from slipping around. Hephaestus was no worse for wear, though his legs were now cracked and splintered.
He sighed. Again?
"Yet another one to the list," he muttered.
"I…I…I won't…I–"
At his feet, were the remains of Nemesis. She was slowly reforming, that much he could tell. It wasn't visible, but the recovery was happening. It would take decades at the current rate.
"Ew," muttered Apollo. "I ain't touching that."
"I don't want you to. Though I had hoped her recovery would be slower than this."
He had used Harpe and effectively nuked Nemsis in the face with all her defenses stripped. Yet, here she was, recovering.
He produced a jar from his reality marble. He subtly tried to put Sul-Sugana within it, treating it as an item, rather than a projection.
Thankfully it slipped in without an issue.
"That's a relief," he thought. "I don't want to even imagine trying to store this weapon anywhere."
The damn thing might just ignite anything that comes close to it in the natural world.
He placed the jar on the ground, focusing. Runes flowed across his arms, their shapes fluctuating somewhat. His hand shook as the ashes of Nemesis flowed into the jar.
It took a few precarious moments, but soon she was sealed within it. For extra measure, Apollo zapped the top, the jar glowing gold.
"...why?" asked Hephaestus.
"Chthonic Gods are not a fan of sunlight right! Figured it would slow her down."
He beamed, his beautiful smile doing nothing to distract from the embarrassed look his sister was trying to hide.
"...I…I don't think it works that way," muttered Hephaestus, "but I appreciate it."
Clunk.
"You'll need this."
"Thank you–what?"
He turned, Hermes suddenly appeared at his side, the pithos in his hand. He winked, opening the jar. For a moment he wanted to stop Hermes, until he dropped an essence of sort.
It was holy, radiating the opposite of retribution.
Justice.
"Zeus," whispered Hephaestus.
"Present from Father," smirked Hermes. "He doesn't take too kindly to Nemesis, not to mention she allowed countless minor gods to tresspass…again."
"Again?"
Hermes shrugged.
"She tries this sort of stuff every now and again. I chase her down, the minor gods get in the way just enough, and she's retreated to mommy dearest. I have… sway with Nyx, but she draws the line at direct harm to her children. Well, if they're near her… it's complicated."
Hermes snapped his finger, the seal of the jar suddenly forming countless divine enchantments, each swirling like the movements of a lock.
"Well, that should slow her down for a few centuries at least."
"...Why?" asked Hephaestus.
"Oh! Well you see–"
"The truth, please," asked Hephaestus politely.
"–She sucks, and I hate her," scowled Hermes. "You know how many times she's used her domains to nip at me for harmless pranks?"
"Harmless?" muttered Apollo, "you stole my divine animal!"
"It was a cow."
"It was my divine animal!? What does it matter if it was a cow you–"
"Doesn't matter," smirked Hermes. "The point is, she's stuck in a jar, and I want to make the most of it. I doubt you'd object to that… brother?"
"If it keeps her down for longer, then by all means."
"Excellent!"
He held his hand out. Hephaestus rolled his eyes, conjuring drachmae.
"Well I'm off, important delivery for Helios!"
Hephaestus opened his mouth to speak, The pithos suddenly disappeared, Hermes arms behind his back. He was fast enough that Hephaestus didn't even see him move.
"I'm back, what did I miss?"
"It wasn't funny the first time you did that," muttered Artemis, "it's not funny the hundredth time you've done it."
"No one appreciates humor."
"It's not humor if it's not funny," stated Athena factually.
Apollo snickered a bit, along with his sister.
"...that wasn't a joke."
Ares started chuckling.
"...I hate you all."
Hephaestus couldn't help himself.
"I thought you abandoned all emotion? How can you hate without–"
She disappeared, Hermes pouting.
"...I didn't get to say anything."
"This calls for a drink!" declared Dionysus. He wiggled his eyebrows at Hephaestus. The pithos reeked of such potent alcohol that it would floor Gaia herself.
"..."
He looked between them all. The forge suddenly cleared itself of everything, five wooden chairs of a more modern design forming.
"I think I'll take that drink," smiled Hephaestus.
"Bummer, but that's–wait, what?" muttered Dionysus.
A table formed between the chairs, a circular wooden surface. Dionysus looked at the jar of wine and then back to the table.
"...Quick. Is Hypnos fucking with me again?"
"No, Dionysus, I'm serious. Unless you don't wan–"
Dionysus was already in his seat. Ifrit unfurled from Hephaestus' shoulder, the bird preening at the attention she received.
"I hate to have you reduced to this old friend, but could you let Hecate know that I'll be on Olympus for a bit? I'd like to recover before returning home. I'd hate for Eri to see me like this."
She flew quickly, intent to return as soon as possible.
Hephaestus took a seat. A golden light suffused into his wounds as Apollo sat on his other side.
"Shouldn't take me more than a few hours," smirked Apollo.
"...Thank you… my friend."
Apollo beamed. He could feel the rift between them closing. His brother sat across from him, Artemis on his other side. Lightning rumbled above them, Zeus appearing in his typical fashion. A grand show of lightning slammed into the still cooling ground.
Waving his hair and showing off his purple chiton, Zeus gave a sneaky glare at his family.
"What a day filled with new family and incredible victories!" Zeus stroked his beard, eyeing all the younger Olympians. "Surely my children didn't forget to invite their father to this "
Hephaestus chuckled, another chair forming. Seating himself at the head of the table (at least in his mind) Zeus basked in the moment. The normal conversations that flowed, the slight jabs and jeers. The way Artemis tore into Apollo for his bastard, Dionysus laughed as he had Hephaestus try a different brew, only for the fire god to hiccup a bit.
"What even is this?" muttered Hephaestus.
"Wine made from some fruits I found in India. Very sour, what do you think?"
"...you are an eccentric," muttered Hephaestus.
"Like you've done better," smirked Dionysus. "I've heard of your little experiments with ambrosia. Didn't think that would escape my notice did you? The master brewer?"
"Are you really a master with sometime like this?" grumbled Ares.
"Not one for gastronomic exploration are you?"
The bickering grew, but it only made Zeus smile wider. He looked around the table, grinning like a loon. He sipped his wine, letting the euphoric feeling rippled across his form.
Nothing was sweeter after a hard day than having a drink, and nothing made it better than having it with family. The smile of Zeus softened as he shared a look with Artemis.
"Ok ok!" declared Dionysus, "here's a different one. See, the others are cowards, but you Hephaestus? You get me. Give this one a try!"
It was a wine, green in color. He sniffed it, a brow raising at the smell.
"...it's…I can't even describe what this smells like, what is this?"
"That would be fermented from grapes grown within my personal garden," grinned Dionysus. "The grapes I grow that way always come out different every time! A tinge of madness in the brew!"
He looked around the table, palms up at their looks.
"Not literally. Seriously, I'm not dumb enough to send any of you a bit of madness."
Hephaestus eyed the god of wine. It was a risk, but he decided to trust the god. He took a careful sip, humming at the sweet savory taste. He waited a moment, then took a larger sip. The stronger flavor swirled in his mouth, the divine alcohol sitting in his stomach.
He grimaced a bit, the loud gurgling echoing across the room.
"...uh…you alright?" asked Dionysus.
"He's fine," said Apollo. His power glowed and infused into Hephaestus. "Just gas."
"It's really not that–Urp!"
Hephaestus burped, a torrent of green fire blasting out with tremendous force. Everyone blinked as the flame splat onto the ground, the emerald flames eating away at the ground.
"...that was awesome," muttered Hermes. "What else you got?"
"I'm not drinking another one of those," said Hephaestus bashfully.
"Think we can make his fire blue?"
"It already does that," muttered Artemis. "It's redundant."
She eyed him, right into the soul. She tilted her head a bit.
"...let's make it purple."
"I told you. I'm not drinking another one of those strange brews. Normal alcoho-"
Ares booed, Dionysus already grabbing several vessels from his own reserves. He took the last one, writing the greek word for green on it. So they bickered, through-out the next few hours.
Good company, good food, strange drinks, it was a moment of respite. One of many to come. Hours later, Hephaestus was left alone in his forge, looking out to the sky.
He had altered the hole in his forge, shifting it to make a balcony. On that balcony's railing, he rested his arms. Ifrit was flying about, enjoying the cool winds.
The last of his wounds were mending, the evening sun slowly making way for the night, a goblet of Dionysus (thankfully) normal wine in his hand.
"How do you feel?"
He smiled, turning to face Artemis. Arms crossed, she joined him looking out to the sun.
"I…I don't know," he admitted. "I had hoped I would feel…complete."
"Regretting it?"
"Gods no," admitted Hephaestus. "Nemesis needed to be stopped. There's no changing what's been done, but even now, I still feel as if she could be lurking around a corner."
"It's not over. It never will be. There will always be Gods that hate each other."
Hephaestus smiled, bumping his shoulder to hers.
"But there's also gods that like each other right?"
She laughed, shaking her head.
"Like is a strong word," she smirked.
"Oh, I agree. Perhaps more beneficial acquaintances is a better word?"
She rolled her eyes.
"That's what Apollo calls his dalliances."
"...you're not serious are you?"
"Only one of us can lie here, Hephaestus."
"...oh dear."
She chuckled a bit.
"It's not that he sleeps with others that's the problem. It's normal in nature. It's just the way he's so….so…"
"Cavalier?"
"...what?"
"Being casually dismissive," he corrected.
"Ah. Yes, that. He treats his son like it's an every day occurrence."
"...to be fair, you're not exactly the most approachable," laughed Hepheastus. "You've not made it a secret that you'd rather spend your time elsewhere than with Apollo."
She glared at him, but as always, she felt herself crumble. It was difficult to stay mad at Hephaestus.
"...I don't mean to be so mad at him all the time."
"Whatever happened between you two?" asked Hephaestus. "I admittedly don't know much of your earlier years, but the times I've seen you two, you seemed entirely inseparable?"
She was quiet. After a moment, his hand rested on her shoulder.
"...I'm sorry. You don't have to tell me. Forget I asked."
"...thank you. Are you heading back?" she asked, eyeing the last of his scars fully disappearing.
"I will be, yes."
"...she's stronger than you know," smiled Artemis.
"Hmm?"
"Eri. She wouldn't crumble just because you got hurt."
"...perhaps not. Would you like to come with me? It has been a while since you've last seen her?"
"I'd…I'd like that, really. But my huntresses have been left alone long enough."
"Ah," smiled Hephaestus, "responsibilities of your own."
Artemis smiled in return.
"I'll be visiting in a few weeks, after my hunt. Till next time."
Ifrit landed on his shoulder, pushing her head into his own.
"Thank you for your patience," he smiled. "Let's go home."
In a storm of fire, he was carried home to Lemnos. Landing hard in front of his house, he didn't even get a second before Eri slammed into his chest.
"Papa!" she yelled, her eyes a bit watery. "You're back!"
"I'm back," he said. "How are the others? You've been taking care of them?"
She nodded, though she was a bit more demure than usual.
"Is everything alright?" he asked.
"It is…I'm just glad to be home," she said.
She eyed his chest and if Hephaestus didn't know any better, she was looking for something. Before he could think on it any longer, she rushed off, dashing into the woods.
"I–"
Soft arms wrapped around his neck, his smile growing wider.
"Hello Hecate."
Soft lips pressed against his cheek.
"Welcome home, champion."
"News travels fast," he chuckled.
Inside the home was a scrying gate, one that dispersed with a thought from it's creator, Hecate.
"Of a sort. I have…privledge information," she smiled. "I've heard that you will be keeping your victory quiet?"
"Mostly to reduce the bruise on Poseidon's ego," admitted Hephaestus. "While I won't be doing business with him as often, the fact remains that we are gods of the same pantheon."
"Do you truly think he's learned the lesson you want to teach?" she scoffed.
She shuddered from the warmth as his energy surged underneath his skin. He turned to her, his gaze calm as always.
"I'll teach it to him as often as I need to."
"...I see. Well, come."
"Hmm?"
"You didn't think Eri ran off for nothing did you?"
He focused his senses, hearing music. He groaned a bit, Hecate laughing as she hoisted him up.
"A celebration?"
"Oh yes, of you."
"Of me? Why?"
"Do you really need to know the reason?"
"I would like to, yes."
He followed after them, griping as he always did about the attention. In fact, he would continue to gripe over the years, as the celebration turned into an annual festival.
As the years flew by, the festival grew. It became an annual celebration for the day. Then a day became three, three became seven. Eventually, it had become a twelve day debacle that made Hephaestus want to pull his hair out.
-10 Years later. End of the Festival of Hephaestus-
Hephaestus was pushing a blade against the keel of a boat. It was a larger vessel, more akin to a sail boat than a dingy. It had an under cabin, and was fitted for travel.
He scratched his chin, eying the design a few more times.
"You really d-d-don't like the festival do you, Pa?"
He turned, blinking the glitterings of magic out of his eyes. On top of the keel of his boat was Eri. In the flush of her adolescence, she was as much a spitfire now at sixteen than she ever was.
Across her arms was hunting leather, the knife her uncle Ares had given her strapped to her side. Her hair was longer now, braided into a single tail that she let plop across her chest. She grinned as her father shooed her off.
"I'm not commenting."
"Come o-on I think it's sweet! It's always fun watching you squirm as they try to include you!"
"I know that," muttered Hephaestus, "and I respect it…but it's just…it's not right. Their lives are their own. Everything that has flourished was done so by their hand. There's no need to hold a festival. I shouldn't have gone in the first place."
Eri giggled, flowers growing around her father's feet as she manipulated her magic.
"You say that, but when old man Nikos comes around, you cave instantly."
Hephaestus soured a bit, staring at the boat.
"He's a cunning old man…always using his age against me."
"It's cute," smirked Eri.
"It's emotional blackmail."
"...what's blackmail."
"Doesn't matter," he sighed. "Are you packed?"
Eri grinned, the satchel holding at her side.
Hephaestus smiled, hefting the massive boat on his shoulders.
"Alright then… let's go."