Not many knows how deep in a trouble Hephaestus is. For once in his entire life, he actually felt, fear.
Before, not even Ares can strike fear in his heart. But now? He fear for his life.
As he stares to the endless void, not sure where he is. He was on his way to the next location for raw divinity but he suddenly fell endlessly when he was tripped by a log.
The endless void was filled with screams that echoes from god knows where before it suddenly became quiet.
A bright light shines in front of him, and a figure walk out from the blinding light.
Hephaestus stares in shock but the light seems to be blocking his eyes for him to observe the figure.
A chuckle was heard, making Hephaestus had a goosebumps.
The chuckles echoes in the endless void. Hephaestus' mind frantically screaming inside.
" Why, aren't you a scared one? " The figure suddenly spoke with a playful tone.
The voice seems to be female, soft and gentle but powerful.
" I- I... Wh- Who are you--? " He stutters as he asked with nervousness hiding his fear.
The pressure that leaked from the figure was too great that it even overwhelmed Hephaestus.
" Hm~ It's interesting because this is the first someone actually came here. When I sensed a presence enters my realm, I immediately teleports here. To my surprise, I found such a cutie~ "
The light dispersed and Hephaestus finally able to see her clearly.
A long night-ish black hair that reaches her legs. Black retina with orange mixed red iris. Delicate skin you'll never see anywhere. Dark red lips. Truly someone who represents beauty and power itself.
" Oh my, why are you staring, hm~? " She said with smirk and a raised eyebrow.
Hephaestus snapped out of his trance in an instant and look away in embarrassment. " I- I wasn't-- I mean... Damn it, I did-- "
She suddenly frowns, " Language young man, or I'll erase you from existence with just a thought. "
Hephaestus shuts his mouth and swore inwardly to never say anything unless he was asked a question.
She smiles and nodded. " So, who are you? To be able to enter my realm, is not even the higher beings manage to achieve you know? "
Hephaestus gulp, " I-- I'm just a God of Fire and Forge, Hephaestus is my name my lady. "
Raising an eyebrow, she hums to herself as she narrow her eyes which making Hephaestus even more nervous.
" The God of Fire and Forge you said? As in, one of the Greek Gods? " She asked tilting her head a bit.
Hephaestus nodded, " Yes-- "
Humming again, she lightly tap Hephaestus' forehead with her thumb. Hephaestus step back a little, a bit shocked of her actions.
Then, Hephaestus saw her eyes suddenly spins. Well, only the iris not the entire eyeballs.
A few minutes has passed and Hephaestus could see hundreds of expression she made. Happy, angry, frowning, sad. Hephaestus was confused as he just stood there doing nothing but staring.
She suddenly close her eyes and open them back again before looking at Hephaestus. She sadly smiles, " Ah, I see. So that's how it is. "
Hephaestus blinks in confusion.
" It must've been hard, right? " She said as gentle as possible.
Not knowing what's happening, but judging by her statements, Hephaestus figured something out. Before he could say anything she cuts in by pulling him into a hug.
The fear, nervousness and all that faded instantly as Hephaestus received the warm hug. All he feels was the warmth that he never felt before. Something that... He never able to taste and feels...
Unconsciously he brought his hands and return the hug. She hugs her a bit tighter after receiving his response.
Hephaestus' eyes were wide open. He never felt this before. It was like, a piece was put together into a broken puzzles.
His heart clench and tears forming in his eyes.
She gently pat his head. The hug is still not broken as she lets him keeps hugging her. Smiling while tearing, she doesn't stop patting him.
Hephaestus eyes was already closed as he keeps wanting more of the warmth he's never able to get in his life since birth.
--
Poseidon knocks the Aphrodite's palace door. He cough a little and then quickly puts a relaxed and charming smile when the door was opened.
Eros greets him as Poseidon looks a bit disappointed. " Oh, hello-- uncle. What brings you here? "
Poseidon smiles back and scratch his head on the back, " Well you see, I'm here for Aphrodite... "
Eros raised his eyebrow, " Any reason why? "
The God of Sea fumed making Eros even more irritated, " Why I'm here doesn't really matter for you, kid. "
Frowning on his ridicules, Eros almost about to retorts when Aphrodite's voice reached both gods' ears. " Who is it, Eros? "
Poseidon looks like he almost jumps in excitement but managed to control himself. Eros keeps frowning but answers his mother's question, " It's uncle Poseidon, mom. "
Aphrodite's figures slowly approaching them, " Poseidon? What brings you here? "
Poseidon smiles so wide that made Eros shocked at the sudden change of temper. Like, Eros literally has a disgusted face.
" Ah--! Aphrodite dear, I heard of what has happened of your marriage... I must say-- not only Hephaestus is crippled, he is also blind, to divorce someone as beautiful and lovely as you..! "
Aphrodite's face darken as she looks down.
Poseidon was about to continues before he was punched to the guts by Eros.
Surprisingly, Poseidon was sent flying.
" Don't you ever dare, talk about my father as such...!! "
" How dare you..!!? Aphrodite!! Why is this bastard son of yours so insolent!? " Poseidon barked as he yells. He summoned his trident as he gets ready to throw it to Eros.
Aphrodite glares him. She raised her hand and points the air, her hand were shaking with anger as she slowly says, " Leave before I make you... "
The place was silent as they glares and staring at each other. But if someone that can sense divinity, they could feels the air around the three was clashing from both sides.
-- [ End Chapter ]