Him? Aphrodite? It rattled in his skull, the idea of their marriage being nothing short of ludicrous. Did they all think this was a great idea somehow? The way all but Aphrodite seemed alright with it was just horrendous. Though, to be fair, Artemis wasn't a fan in principle, much like himself. Athena was just…Athena. Ares was the biggest surprise. His brother didn't seem to care whatsoever, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else.
The specifics of their relationship were always…difficult for Hephaestus to comprehend honestly. Love and hate intermixed in a strange and explosive love affair. It was far from healthy in his opinion.
He was still reeling from it all, his mind ringing with the word marriage over and over. In all honesty, Hephaestus had assumed he dodged the bullet, so to speak. From what he remembered of the tales from EMIYA's memories, Hephaestus had only been married to Aphrodite in one of two ways.
Either he forced the marriage, or she was forcibly married to him by Hera and Zeus due to the throne debacle. With Hera's caged throne destroyed, he had assumed it was all in the ether now. A make-believe tale only Hephaestus would ever hear.
Yet, reality always had a way of bitch smacking you in the most unexpected of ways.
Whatever the other gods had said about this whole thing never registered. Even with his near eidetic memory, he couldn't recall a single word of what others were saying during this council meeting. He was too far gone in his own thoughts. Yet, in the turmoil lay a single resolve. It weathered the storm, boring to the forefront as the Gods began to leave one by one. He eyed Zeus, making it clear he wasn't going to leave as he crossed his arms.
He felt like screaming, of throwing caution to the wind and simply raging to the world that he wanted no part in this. Yet…there were considerations to be made. Insults to be wary of. It was best to wait…until it was only them.
It was usually a quick affair, the council disbanding. In most cases, it was even lighthearted. The solemn air did little to ease the smug arrogance Zeus wore. He bore it on his shoulders, marring whatever civility there may have been. He had won…and he made sure they knew that. Hostility stained the air and Zeus simply drank it in.
Yet, he remained…and so did Zeus.
There was no easy way to start something like this. Perhaps he could have been more…diplomatic.
"No."
But diplomacy died the moment Zeus made this choice.
"Excuse me?"
The skies rumbled with dark clouds as Zeus stared him down.
"You heard me," said Hephaestus.
"You think this is something you can just say no to?" gestured Zeus with a lazy wave, "just like that?"
Hephaestus surged his own energy around him, circling the two in an aura of privacy. Like he needed whatever voyeurs that were around listening in any further.
"You know this is…idiotic," grumbled Hephaestus, "there's no purpose to be served with something like this."
"You're being a bit hasty." chuckled Zeus.
He wanted to clock the idiot. The way the now larger God just shrugged off his words was irritating in an all-new sort of way. He felt electric, like a piece of himself was being poked and prodded by something. He itched his chest, Zeus eyeing the slight static that built up on Hephaestus' fingers.
He smiled wider, feeding his newfound son's ire. It was adorable.
"I see that you do not understand the severity of what you've just ordered."
"I understand it quite clearly. It has been well thought out, you see."
"It could have been thought of by Athena herself and I'd still say no." Arms were crossed as he openly glared defiantly at the king.
"This marriage…it ends here, Zeus. Whatever plans you had…I won't be working with them. Aphrodite and I deserve better than this. You know that. Neither of us consented to this, so call it off…or we'll be having more than words."
He did not yell, yet his words echoed all the same.
Zeus eyed the young god, noting how the boy never moved and remained stalwart. His family was always loud, fighting to be heard. It was what, ironically, made Hephaestus so distinct. His voice was calm, steady, and its timber would bring any who heard it to a stop.
A different sort of charisma than the likes of Zeus.
Sadly, it did little to ease the situation as the monarch of Olympus stood, lightning curling around him. His face however, was rigid and cold. Zeus was larger than Hephaestus now. Hephaestus was more like a linebacker. Broad-shouldered and muscular with a 6'5 frame.
Zeus was slightly taller and somehow larger than life even with the slight difference in height. It made Hephaestus feel small. Zeus could see that, feel that even. Yet, golden eyes stared back, unmoving, undeterred. It was a strange emotion for him, pride and anger mixed in one.
"Your consent," said Zeus, "is unnecessary. This is no mere gift for you alone, Hephaestus. It is also for the good of Olympus."
"Forcing someone into a marriage? That's for the good of Olympus? Did you not fight for the freedom of the other Gods?"
Hephaestus paced around, gesturing to the open skies around them.
"What territory could you possibly desire that requires this sham of a marriage? There's nothing to be gained from marrying off two Olympians."
"How little you know," muttered Zeus.
"Knowledge matters little here," said Hephaestus, his voice dipping lower, "nothing changes that this is ultimately wrong."
"Wrong?" chuckled Zeus.
The skies rumbled with thunder as he stared down Hephaestus, walking steadily to loom over him.
"Right or wrong is for me to decide…son."
His smile almost broke the confines of his cheeks, enjoying the way Hephaestus mouthed the word son in confusion. His newest child looked to the side before focusing back on Zeus.
"I don't have to attend Zeus. King, you may be, but my home is fortified. If you wish to push this forward, then I will respond in kind."
"...oh really?"
It was obvious between the two of them that Zeus was superior. However, unlike his siblings, Zeus knew that Hephaestus didn't fight the same way they all did. In fact, he fought the same way Ares and Athena did. In conjunction with their authorities, rather than reliant on it.
In theory…it was certainly possible for Hephaestus to fight back, successfully even. He wouldn't win…but neither would Zeus.
Hephaestus knew this.
Zeus knew this.
Yet, it was the king of thunder that laughed. The skies echoed with it, carrying his joy-riddled laughter to the winds and beyond. It wasn't a laugh of a joker…but of someone who already won.
"...what did you do?"
Hephaestus kept his gaze as Zeus paced around him. The older god clasped his hands behind his back, his cloudy hair flowing freely behind him. His electric eyes brightened as Zeus smirked.
"Be honest with me…what makes you so averse to marrying love itself?"
"Don't change the subject!"
"Humor me," drawled Zeus.
He took a breath, crossing his arms as he looked around—anything for a clue as to why Zeus seemed so calm about all of this.
"Honestly? The principle of it, Zeus. This is childish and stupid. Aphrodite and I have far better uses of our time than simply playing make-believe in our marriage."
"You do perhaps, Aphrodite would rather fornicate," chuckled Zeus.
He said as if it were the funniest joke in the world.
"How Aphrodite uses her time is her own business," said Hephaestus. "Are you much better?"
Zeus blinked, turning to face Hephaestus.
"...quite the assumption you have of me there."
He stared blankly at the smirk Zeus held.
"You have several children, all with different mothers. You've also taken on human lovers…and if I am to hazard a guess, you have another kid on the way."
The twitch in Zeus' eye made him smirk.
"I find it foolish that you seek to punish Aphrodite for the same behavior you exhibit."
"...there is a difference, you know."
He said it sheepishly, as if this entire argument was just a discussion between friends. This was why Hephaestus detested interacting with Gods unnecessarily. Their emotions always flew off the handle or they were just outright weird. He had to handle this carefully, but he refused to simply take it either.
…he really didn't like the smug feeling he felt inside his chest right now. Styx and her misplaced pride were a distraction at the moment.
"I told you," reminded Hephaestus, "not to change the subject."
The smile fell and Hephaestus felt like his neck was between Zeus' jaw. He was all teeth as he turned and leaned into Hephaestus' personal space.
"I doubt principle will matter once you gaze upon Aphrodite. You'll thank me for this."
"Thank you?" leaned Hephaestus.
Their noses were almost touching. The room began to heat up as lightning and fire meshed around them. Privacy was eroded as any semblance of control was cast aside. Lighting echoed silently around the room as fire clashed with it.
A pyroclastic dance that, by physics, shouldn't exist.
"I should thank you for this? I want nothing to do with this! I've danced around the subject long enough, Zeus. Cease this marriage, now."
The lightning popped away, as the King of the Gods leaned back. He clasped his hands behind his back. The tension was eased out, any aspect of violence gone.
"Just because you disagree with it doesn't mean the marriage won't happen," chuckled Zeus.
It was the way he looked at him, as if it were truly a foregone conclusion. Hephaestus scratched his chest again. Yet as he reached his chest, eyeing Zeus' reaction, he blinked.
His hand fell away as it all clicked together.
He had felt this once before.
"No," muttered Hephaestus.
The growing smugness on Zeus' face assured his worst fear.
"...you've already done it," whispered Hephaestus.
An innocent shrug, a what can you do expression.
Hephaestus had enough and conjured Rule Breaker.
"I won't let this stand, Zeus."
Zeus blinked. He could feel it, the way the blade shimmered with such strange authority.
"...I admit, son…your arsenal is full of surprises. Honestly, when do you find the time to forge these oddities?"
He chuckled, watching as Hephaestus stabbed himself. It was more of a prick really, but whatever he needed to activate the strange blade was done.
Zeus ignored the boy, as his eyes narrowed in concentration. It was an interesting trinket. Certainly a devastating tool. From what little Zeus could sense, it had something to do with severing magic and bonds.
Unfortunately for Hephaestus, there was one glaring weakness.
Zeus could see it right away, the way the weapon responded to its maker. It reflected the user in a way, being able to funnel even divinity. There were cracks on the blade; the weapon was not strong enough to outright handle divinity constantly. Yet, it didn't need to last forever.
By all accounts, it was more than enough to sever divinity.
Well…ordinary divinity maybe.
He allowed Hephaestus to frantically grasp at his own core, smile widening as the boy turned to him with a wide gaze.
"...what is this?"
"The bond of marriage. It takes seven days for it to fully mature, hence why you'll be married in full then."
Zeus waved and any cosmetic damage was undone. The dark clouds around them dispersed, revealing a pleasant sun.
The light danced on Zeus' skin, the God having the audacity to bathe in its light for a moment. He turned back to Hephaestus.
"Interesting tool you have. Shame that it reflects the user so much."
"...you knew this would happen."
Zeus smirked.
"I've heard rumors that you could sever divinity. Hecate and Circe were not quiet enough to hide that. Yet, in the end, it all matters little. Hera's bonds are not simply curses or blessings, son. They are absolute."
He shrugged.
"Till death do you part. If I could, I'd separate our bond myself…alas, it cannot be done."
A gust and Zeus were there, flicking Rule Breaker. It broke into tiny little motes. Zeus rubbed his fingers together, staring at what specks of dust that remained on them.
"If I cannot break my bonds…what makes you think a little trinket like that would do so? Still, an excellent idea to hide such a thing within yourself. Your world is vast…I can't help but wonder what else lies in it."
Hephaestus frantically looked around, his own divinity creating a shoddy bubble around the two. Zeus waved it off.
"Have no fear son, there is no one who can listen to our conversations."
Hephaestus stilled as the winds pushed him to the edge of the council. There, it was an open sky, thunder clouds rolling. He was now standing beside Zeus, staring at the sights.
"I'll be leaving," said Hephaestus.
"To the rivers, I take it? You think they'll have the means to thwart Hera's authority?"
He bit his lip, the veins in his arms bulging as he clenched his fists.
"You can't possibly think that I'll just…accept this!?"
He turned to the older God. Every fiber of his body wanted to simply blitz him and just force Zeus' hand, somehow.
However, he wasn't a hot-headed fool. Well, at the very least, not every part of him. The shock of the marriage began to wane as he thought things through.
"If I just simply lash out, there's no telling what the consequences will be. What of Hera? What of the other Olympians? Going against this order…I need to be careful."
Zeus took his silence for another matter entirely.
"Your brooding is…understandable. Easily fixed, though."
"Is that right?" muttered Hephaestus.
"Oh yes. A simple rollick in bed, that always brightens the mood!"
"..."
Hephaestus resisted the urge to groan aloud. Of course, Zeus, of all gods, would think sex was the solution.
"That has to be the most ridiculous fu–"
"Have fun."
Olympus shattered in his view as he was suddenly shifted elsewhere. He quickly looked around, shaking off the nausea that came with teleportation.
"I need to fix that," he growled.
His vision settled, seeing that he was surrounded not by marble and thrones, but drapes. It was a tapestry of pink, purple, and beige clothes all spread across a marble room. He wasn't alone in this clothed temple, eyeing a random serving girl. She was a waif of a thing, pretty in a petite sort of way.
"U-um Hello Lord Hephaestus. L-lady Aphrodite is right this way!"
"...I'm in Aphrodite's temple?"
She gave a meek nod, doing everything she could to avoid eye contact.
"...you are?"
"Aglaia, lord Hephaestus."
… Well, this was awkward. He remembered the name as some other wife Hephaestus had in myth, yet for himself he couldn't really imagine such a thing. For starters…she was admittedly too small. She was beautiful, sure, with golden hair framing a cherub-like face. However…she was short.
As in her head barely met the middle of his stomach. Not to mention she was rather underdeveloped in all truth, not his cup of–
"What the hell are you thinking?" thought Hephaestus, "snap out of it!"
The fog that settled on his…groin dispersed as he flushed divinity through his system. The worry the little Goddess carried dissipated with it, a sigh of relief in her tone.
"Please," she said, "follow me. She's right this way."
"Of course, this entire area is saturated in her most…annoying authorities," thought Hephaestus.
It was a temple to Aphrodite. It was dyed in the colors of desire and lust. He could feel the way it all bubbled to the surface, just under his skin.
He wasn't the first to fall to this temple's oddities, if Aglaia's reaction was any indication. It would seem he had to be careful for an entirely different reason. He entered the hall, noting that this temple was far larger than it should be. Like someone had copied what they thought a temple should look like, but had no knowledge of how to build it.
He was brought to a room filled with blankets and pillows. They were not modern by any definition, but they were all silken and fluffy.
The stitching was sublime, though. At first, he had assumed Aphrodite had her own skills, but a quick structural analysis noted that these were done by Athena's hand, reluctant as they may have been.
Yet, there she was. Sprawled across her beddings. The silken sheets wrapped around her exposed body like a shield. Her eyes were open and narrowed. She sat up, exposing her chest. He looked away. The form she had today was too reminiscent of Sakura. Her hair was more a brown color, but the drooping breasts were–
He stopped it cold, his eyes narrowing.
"Could you stop that?"
"It's not me," she grumbled.
"...the bond?"
"Obviously."
Her voice was stern and short. Yet even so, it had its way to wrap around him. Even angry, her voice echoed with the husk of desire, as if she were just one word away from undoing him. He could see why other gods were desperate for her attention.
"If I may ask, please clothe yourself."
The sound of her laughter trailed along his spine.
"Am I too indecent for you? Too much of a whore?"
The word was laced with venom, the pure spite of it making his skin pop. He turned to her, eyeing the swirl of colors that were her irises.
"You are no whore. It is simply a principle."
She snorted, crossing her arms.
"So much like Hera."
She was angry. Spiteful. A part of him wanted to be the same. The name of his mother irked him, always putting him in a foul mood. He felt a thrum of displeasure not his own.
"...It is merely a request," he said carefully, "if it displeases you that much, feel free to ignore it."
It was quiet for a moment…though he noted a grimace. A swirl of cloth wrapped around her body. It did nothing to hide the contours of her form but at least she was apparelled.
"Thank you."
"What do you want?"
"A solution."
She eyed him. Her gaze was skeptical, blank in that way of disbelief. He was honest as he could be. Even went as far as to open his core. It wasn't a hard thing. Kind of like a switch that he had to consciously flip.
"...you're serious?"
He nodded.
"Zeus put me here. I would ordinarily leave but…we need to talk and figure this out."
"...you…want out?" she mumbled.
"Of course I do? Do you not want the same?"
Her lips soured a bit, her hand on her hips.
"You want out of this marriage? With me?"
"I don't believe I can be any clearer."
He stepped forward, his hands gesturing empathetically.
"I do not wish to be married to you. You do not wish to be married to me. We should be working together to…Lady Aphrodite, are you alright?"
Her face was nearly red, her eyes taking on a crimson hue.
"You…don't want me!?"
Hephaestus blinked.
"I…think you're focusing on the wrong thing here."
"Oh! Now I'm not focused? I am plenty focused. Where do you get off!"
She jammed a finger into his chest, she winced a bit, noting he was firmer in a way. Ares was just as muscular, but there was a softness to his form, something only a God would ever really feel.
Hephaestus was flesh and bone. Solid. Solidly annoying.
"I am love itself!"
"...I understand that," he stressed, "but this is not about desire but about–"
"Principle, I know! By the fates, you're just…just…stupid!"
She was shuffling now, wrapping her arms around her hands around her shoulders.
Her words rolled off his back, his expression softened as he noted her own ruffled state.
"...do you feel better?"
"...yes," she muttered quietly.
"I apologize if I've intruded. I know this hasn't been easy for you. I believe if we work together…we can find a solution to this. My own attempts have been…less than fruitful."
She stared at him. The constant derision waned yet there was still something to her gaze. He couldn't put his finger on it.
"You honestly think we can get out of this marriage?"
"Nothing in this world is absolute. Nothing."
He looked at her, his own divinity surging to back his words.
"Freedom is a right for all sentient life."
He meant it. The memories of the way that EMIYA had been chained in service even after death echoed within him. The memories that detailed a life beholden to an ideal that wasn't even his own…it made him detest all forms of entrapment. Contractual, spiritual, and of course, physical.
No matter the form it would take, he would be chained no more. He had thought with Rule Breaker that he could free himself of anything mystical or divine…he was wrong. He needed something stronger.
"...Easy for you to say," muttered Aphrodite.
He turned to her. It was uncomfortable their silence, but she eventually gave in to explain.
"You, me. We're not the same," she muttered.
"I am well aware of the difference in our station."
She snorted.
"Are you now?"
She began to walk away, the cloth falling around her shoulders swaying with the wind. Her brown hair turned black as she turned around, her eyes glowing with a mischievous glint.
"You're barely a child," she chuckled, "what would you know?"
In that moment, she felt as if his golden eyes pierced right through it. As if she were completely open to him in the worst of ways. His words only cemented that feeling.
"I am well aware of your Primordial nature…though the extent of it eludes me. I–"
The room grew heavy, Aphrodite staring at him. Only Zeus and the elder Olympians knew of her full nature. Even Ares, for all the time they had spent together, had no inkling as to the truth of what she was.
She hated that he just stood there unfazed. As if he somehow faced worse than what she brought forth. She bit her lip, remembering the state that he had returned in from the battle with Typhon.
"...it's a secret?" muttered Hephaestus.
"..."
"I see. I apologize. I honestly thought everyone knew."
She stared, his golden eyes filled with sincerity. It was a strange thing, looking at these eyes. They were usually cold, indifferent. Yet, here they were ablaze with warmth and life.
"You have her eyes," muttered Aphrodite, "it stands to reason you have her sight."
"I don't," he muttered, "it's just pure logic. The nature of your birth is well known. Even if you are not a Primordial, you're at least of the Titan generation. Has no one really put it together? Athena must have."
She had indeed. It was part of the reason that Aphrodite got all this cloth made for her.
"It doesn't matter," she sighed, "just…forget it."
"Understood. Now, onto solutions. I believe we can sever the bonds and–"
She stomped away, swerving her hands in the air. "You really don't get it do you?" she growled.
This entire conversation was exhausting. Hephaestus felt his own irritation gnaw at him, the words grinding in his throat, begging to come out.
"Enlighten me," he said shortly.
"The marriage isn't about us, it's about me."
"...Zeus mentioned there was more to it. Yet, why does that matter?"
She chuckled hoarsely.
"Of course, it doesn't matter, for you. Zeus detests the sway I have over the other gods. The way they fight over me, lusting for my favor."
Her smile was sweet. Sweet in the same way a poisonous flower could be.
"To have that power is…intoxicating. Their affections, their love, it's all so wonderful."
Her smile died as she looked at him.
"Zeus thinks that by having me married to someone, it will curb the worst of it."
"...that's…just asinine?" muttered Hephaestus, "marrying me would do nothing to cease that behaviour."
She blinked.
"...did you just call me a whore?"
"What is wrong with you and that word?" he mumbled, "we're not married for love, Aphrodite. I may not know you very well, but your reputation precedes you. Marriage would do nothing to stop that, nor should a forced marriage stop that."
He really didn't care what she got up to; he was fighting this more on principle anyway. She blinked. This time, the chuckle was far more benign.
"Oh…you poor innocent soul," she cooed, "you're adorable!'
"...what?"
"You think this is because of sex? Oh…sweetheart, feel the bond between us."
He placed his hand on his chest. Yet, he could barely feel the twinge that made him itch and the surface of her thoughts. She placed a hand over his and the connection deepened.
"It's not about lust, honey…it's about control. Marriage is a connection, a bond. With it…they can influence me. Curb me."
He stilled.
Since he had been…born, he had always felt hot. The frigid feel of his blood turning to ice may have been entirely metaphorical but the chill remained. She leaned forward, her eyes as colorful as ever. Yet, the shadows under them and her hollow smile…it just made what she said hit all that harder.
"They can use me."
"...It…that's insane!? Surely you can do the same?"
She gave a brittle smile. She actually held his cheek for a moment.
"...you're actually truthful…I like that. But no, Hera twisted this as a punishment for me. You were just saddled with the chain."
It was a punishment for both. He had heard of Hera's ability to analyze, that her insights into others were terrifyingly accurate. Did she know? Did she know how much he loathed this? He had been so focused on the idea of being collared again that he never considered he might be the one holding the leash.
It was evil.
It was disgusting.
It ended. Today.
He noted that Aphrodite's hand was still on his chest as he slipped it out from under her. Her eyes were wide, a crooked smile forming. A small dimple rose with it, sending a shock straight into his groin. She truly was devastatingly beautiful.
"You're so righteous…it would be more adorable if not so maddingly naive."
"Doing nothing does little to help the situation…I know that from experience."
She rolled her eyes.
"I'm not talking about you. Even if you succeed, I'll be in the same place. Zeus would probably laugh, throw you a party, and move on."
Actually…
"How did Hera force this on you? There's no way she could…what did you do?"
She frowned, yet it faltered in the face of his leering eyes.
"I did nothing."
It took a moment for him to piece it together, but the frown soured even further when he did.
"How much destruction have your lovers caused to force you into this?"
"It's their actions, not mine!" she growled.
She turned from him, her hair taking a lighter shade. A mousy blonde covered her eyes slightly, her build becoming more lean and muscled. She grew a tad shorter as well.
"They're the ones fighting in my name and begging for my hand. Yet, I'm the one who is held responsible for their destruction!?"
On the surface, it would seem ridiculous.
"Says the woman that enjoys such power."
She growled, turning on him again.
"Shut your mouth! You know nothing! This is entirely unreasonable."
"Yet, we are gods. To force this on you must mean that they could restrict your divinity enough to do so."
"I never told them to do any of what they've done!"
He sighed.
"Words alone do not make consent."
"What?"
"Implied consent," said Hephaestus, "your very inaction, your silence, was permission enough."
She laughed.
"That's ridiculous. It has more to do with the way they just tossed their faults onto me! A bunch of men just–"
His raised hand stunned her enough to remain silent.
"What you decide to do with your free time is your own. But do me the courtesy of not treating me like a fool. It would take more than implied consent for this."
She turned. It was then he felt it, a searing rage that was unlike him. It bubbled and popped in his chest, stinging with a sense of betrayal and…
Heartbreak.
"...what happened?" he asked.
Perhaps it was the softness in which he asked or perhaps she was just done with it all.
"...they betrayed me," she whispered, "all of them save for Ares and a few others. The second Zeus started throwing his weight around they all threw me to the wolves. I never lied to them, you know."
She scoffed, looking at her hands.
"Told them exactly where I stood. That marriage wasn't happening. They all told me that was fine…I should have known better."
She turned to him.
"Free yourself at least. Me? I'm stuck in this one way or another."
"...Perhaps we can shift this marriage to Ares?" he muttered, "you two seem far more agreeable."
She rolled her eyes.
"We have a good fuck every now and again but…no. We'd kill each other."
She actually grinned at this. It was a different thirst than he was accustomed to, filled with a lust for battle rather than a lust for sex.
"It would be a lot of fun, though. We know each other well. He gets jealous every now and again but he's a good boy. He's a wanderer, like me."
She deflated, sagged with defeat.
"If we work together–"
"Stop," she whispered, "just stop. No matter what we do, the only thing that would change would be you. It doesn't matter what we say, do, or even think. I am to be married."
He tried to further this conversation, but she just waved her hand. He was on land this time, right in the mortal realms.
"...I hate that," he muttered.
He needed to fix that, now. Best part, he knew the perfect place to go.
"IFRIT!"
The great phoenix erupted from within him, curling him in a bundle of flaming feathers. They rocketed to the skies, their destination clear.
It was time to call in a favor.
-The Island of Hecate-
"When I said you were welcome to come back with my symbol, this isn't exactly what I meant."
He stood before the queen of witches, eyeing the multiple flasks that she had made to handle her concoctions. There was actually three of her wandering around, each an exact copy of the other.
One was at the cauldron, another at a different table, and of course the third that he was conversing with. In his hands were the old symbols that he had crafted for her. He always knew that he'd be remaking them eventually, so he had simply made them modular to begin with.
It would take only a short burst of power from the two of them to complete their functions.
"A goddess of your caliber, I assumed you already knew," he smirked.
"Quite," she muttered.
She seemed…lesser in a way. Not as bright. He wasn't entirely certain why but he needed her help, now more than ever.
"Your students were not happy with me here," he snarked.
"They never are. Some find their place here due to the ostracization of the outside world. Others are born here. They don't take kindly to outsiders."
"I find that so strange," he murmured, eying the glade they were in. A comically large cauldron was bubbling away with green liquid, benches lined with strange apparatuses, and of course, Hecate herself. She stood near the cauldron, the cloth around her shoulders exposing the muscles across her back and arms. She smirked at his appreciative gaze, noting how soon he had given up on trying to hide it.
"How so?" she murmured, eyeing a pink concoction in a flask she held.
"You've always been so welcoming. Makes me wonder where all those rude rumors ever came from."
She actually chuckled a bit, finding his sarcasm endearing, the sultry tone heightened with her narrowed eyes. Even with half her face covered with a shawl, she was still dangerously beautiful.
"Others lack your sense of respect, boy. You've earned that modicum of trust after all. Are you almost done?"
He did the final touches on her design, the two torches fluttering with a strange flux. She held them both, putting her current experiment to the side. As she grasped them, her works settled into a finalized state, perfectly mimicking her flow.
"Quite the clever move," she cooed, "making them incomplete on purpose."
"I knew I'd be fixing them for you eventually. Besides, I did say I'd have it done within the week."
She let the torches float behind her, eyeing him severely.
"You're allowed to recover, Hephaestus. But, I doubt you came here solely to keep your word."
She ignored the slight flutter his smirk brought.
"I've come to seek a favor."
She stilled, eyeing him. There was a judgment there, though he didn't know what of.
"Speak."
Her tone was all business, any sense of flirtatious attention gone.
"...I seek to sever the bonds of marriage between me and Aphrodite."
Her eyes widened, her flask dropping. It never shattered, as her magic simply caught it.
"...you're serious?"
"Of course."
"You're married?"
"Unwillingly," he muttered, "and within the last few hours. Apparently it takes–"
"Seven days, yes." sighed Hecate, rubbing her brow, "Hera's bonds are not simply authorities, Hephaestus. Nothing can break them."
He scoffed.
"There are no absolutes in this world. I believe you could do so with this."
Zeus had made it clear that the issue with Rule Breaker had nothing to do with the ability of the noble phantasm, merely its skill. Hephaestus wasn't stupid. He knew that in terms of raw divinity, Hera easily eclipsed him at the moment. Even within the Olympians, there were degrees to their power, though the means of its usage could differ drastically.
They were all individually stronger than most if not all the minor gods, bar a few. However, between each other? That was a different matter. It would take centuries before they were all roughly equal…but Hecate was roughly their equal now unlike himself.
There was also the fact that she was skilled beyond even the Medea of EMIYA's memories. She was the Goddess of magic itself. There would never be someone more suited to Rule Breaker.
Case in point? Her reaction.
She eyed the wicked dagger, marveling at it. He urged her to take it, holding it out to her. The moment she held it, her breath sucked in.
"How did you make this?"
He merely smirked.
"Hephaestus, this is nothing short of astounding. Especially when we consider your lack of talents."
He frowned a bit at that. After his debacle with Ares and the poor exploding boar, he had gone to Hecate to inquire why it was his blessing that caused such a disaster.
The answer?
He basically sucked. Bounded fields, adjusting leylines, all of these were not matters of will, of outer forces reacting to his divinity. Blessings, outright spells, and other such concepts were…well beyond him. It was a shame really. He had an inkling this would be the case, considering his difficulties with the ancient Greek runes, but it still sucked either way.
It was why the blessing went so awry. Most Gods could use them instinctively with the rare few needing to concentrate. Hephaestus though? His divinity was so explosive, so fractured, that any attempt to use it as other Gods did resulted in…issues.
Divinity was a subtle and temperamental mistress, it would seem.
"Can you try?"
She hesitated. She felt the warmth of his hand on his shoulder.
"I'm not going to ask you to sever it outright, only to see if you are able to."
She slowly brought the blade to bear on his skin. At first, it fought against her viciously. It was so strange, the way that it rejected her. Yet, her magic would flow, overriding what she could. Sure enough, it responded to her will.
She felt the flow of magic and all her divine authorities roll into one. The blade immediately cracked, but it held firm long enough for her to nab a "thread" so to speak. A little snip…that's all that it would take.
"...I can do it," she said.
"Interesting. Would it remain severed?"
"Not likely," she admitted.
"Understood."
Hecate crossed her arms, noting the way the blade dispersed into motes. Such a strange way to weave, yet she couldn't deny its effectiveness.
"You wish to separate yourself from Aphrodite…why?"
He blinked at her. Her blood boiled at the way he did so, as if she had asked the stupidest question to ever be asked.
"Why would I wish to be married to someone I do not love?"
It floored her.
"...You're serious?"
He stared at her. His face, his eyes, the way he stood there with his arms at his side. The words he spoke echoed with the surety that the sky was blue and the earth was round.
"I am stable in my affections. If I were to ever marry, it would be with the one I intend to remain bonded to forever…Aphrodite is not her, not as she is."
It was the truth, yet it carried more impact than Hephaestus would ever know. He blinked at the sound of soft laughter.
"Some would call that naive, you know?"
"Perhaps."
"So, you're…stable as you call it?"
He leaned forward, delighting in the sparkle that was in her eyes again. There it was, that little light she was missing.
"Of course. If I cannot keep my word than what's the point of having them."
Her eyes crinkled as she shook her head.
"You're a young god. That will change."
He hated to admit it, but there was a point there. The future was uncertain. It wasn't unreasonable for her to assume he would change. He probably would…he just hoped for the better rather than for the worse.
"I had feelings for a woman before," said Hephaestus.
An ancient memory, one of a Shirou that had loved not one but several women.
"Several women, actually," he chuckled.
"Oh?"
"Surprised?" he muttered, "I admit I'm a tad rusty with it all. Perhaps you're right. I'll just galivant off the moment I can and gather a gaggle of women for the sake of it."
She chortled, covering her face mask to stop it.
"You speak as if you're an old man" she chuckled, "what could you have lived in a short thirty years?"
He smirked.
"Have you considered it is you who has lived so little?"
She scoffed, waving him off.
"You still think like a child."
"Does that mean I'm no longer a child to you?"
She rolled her eyes at his petulant smirk.
"You can figure that out."
They moved comfortably. While it was true that Hephaestus' memory was quite sharp, the truth of it was that Hecate felt…comfortable.
It was not overwhelming lust or amorous feelings. Just…comfort. Even now, she didn't know if that was good or bad.
He didn't leave, as she noted. He seemed to struggle with what to say next.
She met him halfway. "Why did you ask if I could sever your marriage?"
He leaned on a table, looking at her with his hooded eyes.
"Principle and insurance," said Hephaestus, "there's something I need to do…and I think you're the only one who could teach me how to do it."
What he asked almost made her smite him. If not for their history, she just might have.
"How could you ask for something like that!? Why on Gaia's…"
Her voice faltered as she whittled down. Her anger sputtered at his calmness.
"Do you trust me?" he asked.
Her logical mind was laughing its ass off. Did this fool God actually believe she would teach him something like–"
"...yes."
It slipped out, her mouth moving before her brain. The way he smiled softly just made it all the more damning.
"You have my word, it is not for the nefarious purpose you believe it is. The way Aphrodite described it…I just want to make sure I'm able to do what I need to."
Whatever doubt she had was instead filled with a deeper respect. He explained to her his plan, the methods. His only concern was time.
"Is it doable?"
She crossed her arms, resting her elbows on her hands.
"...it's possible. If we start right away. The largest concern is material. It would normally take months to negotiate with Hades, but he owes me a favor. It's convincing the rivers to part with their power that's–"
She stilled as he conjured a couple of jars. Her face slowly lost all expression, staring at the umbral pithos that were glittering at her. It was made from the same material as the doors of Hades and within their number was water taken from Styx, Phlegethon, and most importantly, the Lethe.
"..."
He smiled.
"...do I want to know?" she asked.
"To be honest? Probably."
"...would you even explain if I asked?"
"Probably not."
"...very well," she sighed, "let's get to work. Even if we have everything together, we may not have enough time."
It was on this day that Hephaestus began his first official collaborative project. He just hoped it wasn't too late.
-7 Days Later-
Aphrodite scowled, metaphorically dragging her feet this entire wedding. She was wreathed in fine silks, cloths of such dye that humans would kill for them. Her skin was soft and she smelled of roses.
Her form would ordinarily shift, but for today, she stood tall, with curly blonde hair that danced around her heart shaped face. Glittering green eyes, pouty lips, and of course a curvaceous body that put others to shame. It was her preferred state. The light of her hair danced with the sun as she looked in the mirror.
She looked good. Even on a day like today she wanted to look her best, if only to feel a little less shitty about everything.
Marriage for the Gods was obviously a different affair from their human counterparts. With that said, it was not without its similarities. The seven days for the marriage to cement were supposed to be filled with celebrations, family, and various other traditions that had formed from the Age of Titans.
Yet…hers was bleak and lonely. Only Ares had shown himself to her, offering a roll in the hay for old times' sake. She found it sweet, in his own way. Probably would have taken him up on it, if not for the annoying grinding in her skull. Heavenly restrictions were a bitch to get out of, go figure.
"He's funny if he thinks this would stop me," she chuckled, thinking of Zeus.
"It kind of did."
She pouted, turning to the Goddess that was grooming her hair. Thalia was the oldest of her handmaidens. She was also the quietest, but was stern when she needed to be. She was slightly taller than Aphrodite herself, beautiful in that sort of wild way. Her hair was curled, but bounced in a softer fall than Aphrodite's own. Her purple eyes narrowed in thought.
The two were currently in Aphrodite's temple, seated in front of a large shimmering mirror. Instead of glass, it was a field of reflective water, shaped like an oval.
"I see that look," muttered the Goddess of Love.
"The last time I spoke, you had me silent," grumbled Thalia.
She rolled her eyes.
"It was one time and you were harping on me for sleeping with Pan!"
"He's a goat!" she growled.
"A satyr. Not the same thing!"
Thalia looked at her with the same disapproval.
"You're supposed to be the God of cheer," grumbled Aphrodite.
"I am. Just not with you and your drama."
"...when did you get so bold," she scowled.
"When you got a husband."
She looked away at that. Thalia grimaced.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean that to be insulting. I know this whole thing is…nothing short of a disaster. If I didn't think I'd be obliterated, we could complain all night long."
She leaned into Aphrodite's shoulder, kissing the bare skin. She smelled of lilacs and berries. For a moment, Aphrodite was in that sweet space. Love and desire intermixed in that beautiful, intoxicating swirl.
She loved it, especially with those like Ares and Thalia. Actual emotions mixed with the raw desire.
"We can't do that," whispered Thalia, "not with eyes watching us."
She turned, kissing Thalia straight on her mouth. Her teeth dragged lightly across Thalia's lips as they separated.
"...I know. That shrew Hera would just explode."
She felt the twinge in her stomach. Hephaestus was lucky that his complete lack of skill with magic in all sorts was well known. She had assumed the restriction of a solitary partner had come from him at first. Turns out, it was just another leash the Olympians had put between them.
"Where's Aglaia?"
"She's getting the flowers and other things ready. I know many of the traditions have been put aside, but they still want the ceremony."
"...and Euphrosyne?
"...she still refuses to see you."
Her ladder grimaced and Thalia felt her heart twist.
"She'll come around and apologize," she assured her.
Aphrodite looked at the mirror, her devastating beauty on full display.
"...She was right…in a way."
"My lady?"
"Perhaps this is my own hubris," she grumbled.
Thalia stared at her, the shock wide and free.
"...Hephaestus had called it…implied consent. At first, I thought he was just playing at being a big god," she muttered, "but I talked with Athena…turns out that's exactly how Zeus and Hera were able to twist me into this damn thing."
She scowled. She didn't feel guilty. She still firmly believed that those idiots she slept with made their own choices. She'd be smarter next time, more communicative. Love was a journey after all. She would ordinarily avoid learning more about this whole debacle, but the curiosity for Athena and Hephaestus had won the day. She didn't learn much, scowling at the thought.
"My lady?"
"Oh, it's just so frustrating!"
She stood up, Thalia following behind closely, managing the last of Aphrodite's apparel with readied practice.
"That Athena is like a rock! I can't feel anything one moment and the next, she's a maelstrom of emotion, only to bottle it back in. I still don't know how she does that. Hephaestus, ugh!"
She buried her face in her palm.
"Always on that high horse. It's infuriating. All his talk and yet I'm the one here alone!"
Thalia opened her mouth, looking at Aphrodite like she had lost a skull. Unbeknownst to most, Hephaestus' reputation amongst the working gods in Olympus was rather stellar. Polite, helpful, and most of all…not a douche.
It was a rather low bar admittedly, but when you're surrounded by egotistical, all-powerful deities, a bit of manners goes a long way. It was also well known that he kept his word.
"My lady, with all due respect–"
"Oh by the skies that birthed me, not you too!" she groaned, "you're like Aglaia!"
She began mimicking her lover, literally. Aglaia's voice echoed perfectly in Aphrodite's timber.
"Oh, but Lord Hephaestus is not like that, my lady. He's always so noble, polite, hard working, and muscular."
She rolled her eyes. Thalia snorted as she looked at her lover.
"...you protest a little much, love."
The dull stare drilled into her.
"Don't. I like my men…more aesthetically pleasing."
"You mean beautiful," smirked Thalia.
"Same thing. He's handsome, sure, but he's far too…"
She tried to say it, but twisting the truth only got so far. She turned to eye Thalia with a pout.
"I'm not the one lying to myself, my lady. To be fair, you are very desirable and desire many. Why is it such a concern here?"
"Because it's not on my terms," she sighed, "that's the point, it's the princi–Oh, he's got me saying it now!"
The stress was getting to her. Especially when Iris revealed herself. Ever since Hephaestus had freed Iris, she had become an instant member of the retinue of the Olympians. In fact, she now served Hera directly as one of the very few handmaidens she kept.
She was a spritely thing, willowy and free. It was as if she danced in every room she walked through. Her hair was a brilliant shade of purple, with eyes that shone with the orange of a setting sun. She gave a breezy smile.
"It's time."
"...great, just great."
Thalia placed a hand on Aphrodite's shoulder.
"It's just the Olympians."
A gaze filled with contempt was her only response.
"Maybe here, but Zeus will make sure all hear about today."
A delicate thumb brushed Aphrodite's lip, Thalia looking at her with all the seriousness in the world.
"Hun…they've been doing that all week."
"...Be quiet."
It was a subtle foreplay for them, Thalia taking this dominant role, Aphrodite the more submissive of the two. One last dip in her freedom. It hurt, aching like a piece of her was missing. Funnily enough though, it put it all into focus. Most of her lovers, she wouldn't lose sleep over…but the divine restrictions that were put in? That she had enough with.
She could feel it, that it was possible to circumvent them, but how long would that take? Weeks, months…decades? The anxiety of not knowing the answer just made it all the worse.
She had a whole week to get her game face ready, to show Zeus and his bitch of a wife that she would not cower beneath them.
Yet, as she walked into the open area of Olympus…she felt nothing but cowed. Beaten. Defeated. She had never felt so weak…and never so hateful.
The other Olympians all stood around her, Hera at the epicenter. It wasn't a large space they've created. There were flowers, scenery, and beautiful animals all strutting around. It was beautiful, that much Aphrodite would admit. The way Apollo made the sun shine and brighten this place just made it more picturesque. Yet, her focus was only on the open space in front of Hera, Hephaestus nowhere to be found.
A part of her hated him, thinking he had found a way out of this sham marriage.
A part of her admired him, wondering how he had managed it.
She moved silently, standing in front of Hera. There was no need for crowns or anything of the sort, at least not physical ones. On their cores, Hera's mark was already visible, like a band on one's finger.
"Is Hephaestus here yet?" muttered Hermes.
"...did…anyone tell him when this was actually happening?"
The room fell silent as they all turned to Apollo.
"What? Did no one actually tell him?"
Zeus smirked.
"He'll show."
Hera said nothing. Thankfully, no one's patience was tested. With an echoing screech, Ifrit entered Olympus. She felt the way their shambled realm shuddered to adjust, leaving Hephaestus to enter. He wore a rather high-quality ensemble. His chiton was replaced with a rather striking garment.
It was still a chiton, as far as Aphrodite could tell. It hung on his shoulders, hanging just below his knees, black in color. Yet, the front was unique, with the cloth overlaying. It was tied together with the same red sash that Hephaestus usually wore on his shoulders, wrapped lightly, like a belt.
Honestly, fashion-wise, it was horrendous. The man had no sense of how to actually dress himself in her opinion. Yet, when he gripped the overlay of the fabric on his chest and reached inward, he pulled out a smaller cloth to wipe some grime off his hands. He placed the cloth back inside his altered Chiton. She blinked as he got nearer, noting that there was a pocket on the inside of the cloth as he patted it down on his chest.
"Apologies. I lost track of time. So, what is it that you need me to do?"
Zeus blinked, a proud smile forming.
"Nice to see someone is on board. It's simple, Hephaestus. Hera will say a few words, then the bond will be finalized and announced to the world! All will know of your bond."
He simply nodded and all the anger and hate she had spread across the Olympians was now bared at him. Thalia had mentioned he was a man of his word.
Bullshit.
"Anything else?"
Zeus rubbed his chin, pretending as if he didn't know. The bastard.
"It is usually a period to…consummate the marriage."
"I see. We'll have privacy for such a thing."
"You desire it?"
"Immensely," drawled Hephaestus.
It brokered no argument. This was not something he would budge on. To Aphrodite's genuine surprise, Zeus agreed readily. The hedonistic nature of every God on this court was rather known. Even Demeter was known to be a little wild. The only exceptions were Hera, Hestia, Artemis, and Athena.
Hephaestus had been thought of in the same light till now. Of course, the male Gods were all grinning like loons. She felt like a toy. Hera just began speaking. Ancient words that were beyond the standard Mycenaean tongue she knew.
She was a Primordial damnit…yet it was Hera that knew such a language better than her. Maybe that was why she was so far behind the other Gods. How much of her own divinity did she actually stress to control and exert like the others?
It was funny how regrets could focus you. She gave a dirty stare at Hephaestus, his same calm expression only making it worse. The words were said, the bond solidified, and any hope of Aphrodite having escaped this withered.
"Let's party!" demanded Dionysus.
"...with what guests?" muttered Apollo.
Artemis scoffed, turning away. She actively glared at Hephaestus the same way Aphrodite did. To her disgust, Hephaestus placed a hand on her shoulder.
"If it's alright with you…I'd like a moment with my wife before…such celebrations."
They all blinked.
"Wait, you want a party?"
He turned to Dionysus and smirked.
"Why not. You've always wanted me to drink, right?"
Dionysus slowly began to become more animated than Aphrodite had seen in years. It felt like the knife was just being twisted now, as one of her oldest sex friends just went along with this whole bullshit like it was nothing.
"Fuck yes! How big are we talking?"
"As big as you can make it."
He gave Hephaestus a grin before he got right to work in his element. Athena stared at him, her eyes narrowing in focus. Artemis tried to leave, but you could hear the way her teeth cracked at the frustration that she could not, not with Zeus restricting her.
"An hour!" smirked Zeus, "and we'll call the lovely couple back hm!"
The clamor of noise stopped dead. The two are now alone. She felt a vindictive pleasure at the grimace on his face as he stumbled slightly.
"I hate teleporting," he groaned.
He reached into his pocket once more. Turning to Aphrodite slowly. They were in a bed chamber, her bed chamber. What had once been an open area had become closed off, a separate room from everything else. The wards and runes that littered this entire area warded off anyone from listening in nor checking in. Probably to reduce the disgust and shame of it all.
"Lady Aphrodite."
"What do you want," she growled, "because I won't be in that bed…you can't make me."
She remembered instantly about how he had fought Atlas. That Hera's terrifying strength had in fact been passed down. For a moment, she was genuinely afraid.
Instead, he stepped back, reaching into his garment to once again riffle through his pocket. She could smell the enchantment that was woven into it from here…it was Hecate's work. He produced a pink gold armlet. It was a small and delicate thing, with a crystal in the center of the piece that shone with an eerie green light. It was no emerald, no mineral. It was like an ethereal mist had been woven into a circular shape and socketed into the armlet.
"My lady…if there was ever one demand that I would ask of you…it would be this."
"You think a gift would–"
"Please. Just this once…"
She could feel the way the leash was lax, that his hand was far away from the strings that tugged between them. She hesitantly floated the armband to her. It was a beautiful piece, the shine of the metal exactly to the sheen she preferred.
She put it on, the metal slightly warm from his touch