This…favor must be in the best interest of Olympus."
It sounded simple, but was rather difficult to achieve. After all, it had to benefit everyone in this room and across the entirety of the pantheon.
Her husband's smirk made her stomach sink.
Zeus turned to Aphrodite, an inspired idea coming to mind. She shrunk back a bit, her eyes narrowing.
"I'll declare it after," he said, "Now…onto punishments."
He leaned forward, a predatory grin.
"...I think some concessions must be made…no?"
For hours, the skies rumbled, the earth shook, and even some crops withered. The arguments of the oldest Olympians were a blitzkrieg of insults and barbed promises.
Yet, not all were bothered by it. Hephaestus slept for almost that entire time before finally waking up. The smith god's eyes fluttered open. Athena's unblinking gaze was in his face, her head tilting a bit as it seemed to do so often.
"You're awake."
"...thank you for the observation," he grumbled.
He felt like shit.
"I feel defeated, yet oddly rejuvenated."
"What happe–GRK!"
Ifrit slammed into his face, smothering him in her feathers. It came back, the phantom pain of his limbs being torn off, sparking a wave of frustration. He could feel his limbs. He'd have to rebuild the whole thing over again if he wanted…
He glared down at his legs. One was bandaged up, the other had regrown.
"...APOLLO!"
"Here! I think I finally cracked it!"
Completely ignored, Apollo got to work on his demented leg, singing soothing words and ancient rites…or current rites?
Was it ancient if he was in the current era?
It did nothing, as he knew it would do. Apollo threw whatever utensils he had in his hands across the room.
"BAH! I have another…oh you're awake…so…this isn't what it looks like."
He glared at him, shoving his head away as he swung his body around. He was on a large slab of golden metal, surrounded by a temple filled with gaudy, golden statues.
Athena gracefully spun around him, studying every groove of his unmarred skin.
"Interesting. The boon is dormant."
He conjured the anti-divine weapon, slamming its sharp edge right into his right leg. Apollo's strength couldn't deter him, even with the entire god's weight thrown on him. A meaty thunk and the limb was severed once more, equal to his left.
He conjured his new limbs, already feeling the irritation at having to use a projected copy.
Again.
Next time, he didn't care about collateral or future impacts. He would unleash Unlimited Blade Works on Typhon and grant him oblivion at the first opportunity. The mechanical limbs shuddered shut around his exposed flesh, the entire process intriguing to both gods that stood witness.
"I did not give consent for that! Never do that again!"
"But–"
"NO! Now…what happened?"
"Father happened."
Artemis slung from the shadows, her gaze lingering on the forgotten limb just bleeding on the ground. Hephaestus lifted the limb, Ifrit grabbing it from his hands and disappearing into his body.
Apollo blinked.
"...how the–"
"Intriguing–"
"FOCUS! Facts, beginning, middle, end."
If Typhon was still up and about, they needed to find it, now! His worries were assuaged quickly though. Artemis discussed how Zeus sealed Typhon into Tartarus, a physical seal as a redundancy, just in case. The fact that it was an entire mountain was still mind-boggling to him, despite knowing the elseworld story.
"What of Olympus?"
"It wasn't that difficult. Just time-consuming. The number of minor gods that were initially here was quite small…but others quickly joined. It was…pathetic. Hera was quite surprised when multiple Minor gods were already fighting them off. Nike was certainly impressive. The blood of her parents runs strong in her."
Pride blossomed in Hephaestus' chest, the sensation belonging to another.
"She told me to say hello. She seemed intrigued to meet you actually, though she wouldn't say much else."
"I'll make sure to meet with her when I can," said Hephaestus.
"You healed well, brother."
Ares sauntered over. Even with his sword cleaned, it reeked with the divinity of countless weaker gods, freshly slain by his hand.
"I expected a little more," he smirked, "from a brother of mine."
Athena turned to him, a raised brow.
"You rushed here before I did? Was it not you that demanded Apollo to give him–"
Ares gave her a look, quickly dispersing before she could say anything. Artemis snorted as she stared at her older sister. A weird fact considering she was technically born after Artemis.
"...did I say something wrong?"
Hephaestus took a breath, feeling something…different.
"...what happened to me?"
"Zeus happened," said Apollo, checking him over.
"Have you heard from Dionysus yet?"
"Not yet," said Artemis, "I heard that he was communicating with Gaia again. Getting answers."
"Didn't Gaia attack us with Typhon?"
"Of course," said Athena, "it's quite obvious."
"Then…why is Dionysus talking with her?"
They all blinked. Apollo slapped his fist into his palm.
"Oh! Right. So, Gaia is old!"
He blinked.
"...many faces?"
"...you mean she has multiple personalities? They all exist at once?"
"Precisely!"
The headache that gave him made it even worse.
"So we have a Gaia that…likes us?"
"Effectively," said Athena, "other parts of her detest us for what Father did to her son Kronos."
"Didn't she help Rh–"
The name of Zeus' mother could not be uttered. Not in Olympus. Every time Hephaestus tried to utter it, the name died on the winds of Zeus' domain. He gave up after the third time.
"Her, didn't Gaia help her?"
"Yes."
"...alright then."
He hopped off the table.
"It's best that I return home. Typhon's rampage was by no means limited to just that island. I need to make sure there are no ramifications."
He couldn't even walk a step before the summons rang out. The tingle across his spine was new, though.
"...or not."
They walked as one, intermingling as they went.
"Where's Hermes?"
"Knowing him? Gathering every piece of dirt he can on everyone," said Apollo, "he's going to have so many favors after this."
"Enough to get him out of your bad books for your cows?"
He turned to Hephaestus, frowning at his smirk.
"No one touches my cows."
The throne room was certainly new. Dozens of small cracks were healing over. Some of the other Olympians looked worse for wear. Only Hades, Demeter, and Zeus appeared untouched.
The king of the Gods smirked as he gestured to them all.
"My children! I've gathered you all for a final announcement."
He smiled at each of them.
"Each of you have been rewarded for your services to Olympus during this…trying time. Each of you has already made your desires clear. We are here to ratify our last reward."
He nodded to Hephaestus in particular.
"I know that you desire to return to your home, so I will be quick."
He stood, gesturing to the other side of the room.
"In honor of your service to Olympus, your service to me, and as a general gift to welcome you into my family, I offer you the greatest gift mankind could ever know. Something so desired that even the other Gods have already warred for it, even continue warring for it!"
He smirked, gesturing for Aphrodite to stand. She did so reluctantly.
"I offer you your reward, Hephaestus. Love itself."
The lord of flames stared at Aphrodite. She looked like she sucked a lemon as their eyes met. His gaze danced between her and Zeus.
He looked at the others. Some were shocked, but others seemed indifferent. By others, he meant Athena.
Her owl's jaw had dropped, though.
He looked back, his brain barely computing.
Hera snarled, looking away.
"You are to be married," she grounded out, "within the week."
"...what?"
-End-
Hope you guys had fun with this chapter, for next chapter is the wedding bells for Hephaestus and Aphrodite baby!
Kind of.
Sorta.
Also, for those of you who have caught it, yes Zeus' new form is heavily inspired by the animatic version of Zeus from Neal Illustrator! If you haven't seen their work yet, go check it out! Amazing work and their interpretation of Zeus fits him so well!
Who knows what new forms the Gods will take in the future!
…I mean…well I know, but that's beside the point.
As promised, my special omake. This is, of course, non-canon. This goes out to the reviewer who inspired this, you know who you are. Enjoy!
-Special Omake #1-
Ritsuka, or better known by her preferred name Gudako, was staring hard at Mash's shield. Ever since they had summoned Pretender, the entire summoning system had been…compromised.
"Are you sure about this?" asked Mash.
"You know what we're up against."
Every single person and servant in the organization stared at her.
"What?"
"You just want to see what pops out," muttered Mash.
She grinned, sticking her tongue out.
"You know it! I mean we got TYPHON last time! Imagine what servant we can get now!"
She began giggling at all the saint quartz and rare materials that she had stashed around Mash's shield. The entire room was part of the summoning system, but she liked to believe that it mattered how close it was to the shield.
"Come on! COME ON! BE SOMETHING GOOD!" she roared.
The poor technician sighed.
"For the last time, that's not how this works! It's not a gambling machine!"
He had to shy away from the disgusted expression. If he wasn't careful she'd punt him in the ass…again.
"Roll it! Come on, give mommy a new Caster!"
Typhon sauntered in, the human-like guise giving a facsimile of a smile. She stood amongst the other servants. All of them her lessers, of course. Still, it would be interesting to see the summoning on the other side of it.
Mash's shield sparked a solid blue, fluttering weakly. One by one, as if to taunt her, black keys popped out of the shield.
She glared at it.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
As the sixth one popped out, she glared at the operator who pushed the button.
"We talked about this…Frank."
The sixth clattered to the ground.
"...my…my name's actually–"
The seventh.
"Bitch, right?" whispered Gudako, staring at the eighth black key that slumped out.
Her eye twitched as the circle spun up again. Her neck snapped to the side as a slab of Mopu Tofu shot out with a wet smack.
The circle glowed but…nothing happened.
She turned to it, eyeing it. She pursed her lips, looking at "Frank". She crossed her fingers across her neck as the circle glowed brightly again. Brighter. Brighter. Even brighter.
She blinked at the mostly grey light.
"I swear if I get Cu again!"
She ignored the look the variants of Irish Hercules gave her. With a karmic bitch smack, she was blasted off her feet as a torrent of crimson energy flooded the room. Sirens blared as other servants rushed in.
"Energy readings are off the charts…again!"
"It's a five-star servant!"
"I told you to stop classifying them! The servants don't like it!"
It would usually end by now, but Gudako just kept smiling as Mash's poor shield rattled away under the pressure.
"MORE!"
"But we can't affect that!?"
"MORE!"
The torrent got even larger when suddenly the room was bathed in a crimson flame. Gudako covered her face, the armament and bodies of several servants covering her. She blushed horribly at the mash of muscles that covered her, giggling a bit. She was a bit sad when they all separated…until she saw him.
He was massive. Easily 6'5. Not the tallest servant that she had, but there was no denying his physique. Bulkier than most with crimson hair to match. He was certainly unique.
His eyes slowly opened. He wore nothing across his bare chest, a swatch of red cloth wrapped around his waist as a mantle, flowing freely behind him.
His golden eyes were familiar, in a strange way, staring right at her. There was something indescribable there.
"... Are you my master?" he asked.
"OH hells yes! I wanted a caster but a new melee servant will do just fine!"
The other servants chuckled as they left the room, with only a few remaining behind. She grinned at him and the small smile he had at her just about made her into a puddle. Was it strange that it seemed to be a knowing smile? Sure. But the handsome servant guy just made her weak in the knees all over again.
"So, who are you! The name's Gudako!"
Typhon was behind her, scowling freely.
"I…am Hephaestus."
"...say what now?"
A burst of azure flame, and a god forsaken Phoenix erupted from the cracks that suddenly formed at Hephaestus' shoulder. He smiled.
"So even you have joined me here, my friend."
She nuzzled his face, eyeing Gudako with a cold expression. Any thought she had of petting a flaming bird turned to ash at the gaze.
A tablet was given to her with all her servants' specks…and she nearly shat herself.
True Name: Nameless
Epithet: Hephaestus
Class: Caster
Parameters:
Strength: A
Endurance: A
Agility: D
Mana: EX
Luck: B (F)
Class Skills:
Magic Resistance: B
True Name Discernment: EX
Territory Creation: EX
Personal Skills:
Taming: C
Each divine beast is a creature that Hephaestus had met in life, forging a strong bond between each. The circumstances are not similar, nor are they linear with any sort of concept with taming. However, in turn there is no means of severing their connection for each beast lives within his reality marble. Even if they are slain or harmed, they can seek refuge within his inner world.
Ifrit: The Azure Phoenix. The bird of legend. This phoenix's flames are so pure they burn a bright blue. It can burn any enemy and will fight even without Hephaestus' intervention. They are connected as God and Divine Beast and as such Ifrit will abide by his will. However, she is her own animal and will devastate enemies even if Hephaestus does not wish to. Be careful around her, for she does not view the master with the same respect her God does.
Aaren blackthorn gdiff: Error. This name cannot be deciphered. No new information can be gleaned.
Denver Honolulu hath: Error. This name cannot be deciphered. No new information can be gleaned.
Divine Blacksmith:
Hephaestus retains the skills he has honed in life. So long as he has materials, he can create magic tools and various other armaments. He can even create Divine Items, given the time and energy to do so. Even noble phantasms can be replicated, so long as he has seen it once.
Reinforcement:
Hephaestus can augment his stats by one rank using reinforcement.
Master of Arms: A
Over the course of his absurdly long life, Hephaestus has been armed with many weapons, gathering strength and skill with each one. Some were symbols of power…others were simply stupid. His skill with each is undeniable.
.
Noble Phantasms:
Unlimited Blade Works: E-EX
This cannot be classified as a noble phantasm in truth. Yet, it is undeniably Hephaestus' true skill. A culmination of his life from mortal to god, it encompasses all that he is and all that he has become. As a god, Unlimited Blade Works has evolved to an unprecedented level. Who knows what secrets lie within it.
Abigale Trumann
Error. True Name cannot be registered. No information can be accessed.
Designation Alteration: A
Not much is known of this Noble Phantasm. Only that it invokes the most ancient of seals known to man. What it does and how it functions are unknown.
Hephaestus smiled, Ifrit roosting in the rafters above.
"So, master. What mission ails you that you would need my assistance?"
"Hephaestus!"
He blinked, turning to face a…child?
"...Yes?"
"You…are Hepahestus?"
It glared at him. It was a cute kid, sure. Yet, for whatever reason, this child filled him with equal amounts of dread as it did annoyance.
"I am."
"You cannot be! You're not of this world! You are a system error!"
He blinked, narrowing his eyes. Typhon shivered a bit, realizing what he was doing.
"Pathetic mortal. No one can simply–"
"Typhon?"
She stopped, glaring at him with an expression only a child could have.
"You…that's not allowed!"
Hephaestus blinked. Typhon was a loli…for some fucked up reason.
"...Master."
"Yes?"
"...your life is weird."
"...I don't think you can tell me that. You're the fifth Nameless I've summoned!"
"Of course I am."
Right on cue, EMIYA entered and the two locked eyes. The last time this happened with Muramasa, the two almost got into a fight. Instead, EMIYA looked up, Hephaestus looked down. He gave a small smile. To Gudako's shock, whatever came between them…it made EMIYA smile in return. The blue bird came surging down, fluttering on the shoulder of EMIYA. He stilled, cringing away slightly at the soft, almost motherly hug of the phoenix. It wrapped its wings around his head, refusing to move.
There were so many questions brimming in her head. So many things that she wanted to learn. Instead, Gudako turned to Hephaestus and grinned.
"Wanna go farm Saint Quartz with me?"
He chuckled, moving behind her.
"So you're that one," he muttered, stepping in pace with her.
"What's that supposed to mean?"