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.