Sorry for the delay, just needed a break. I won't ever take this down, it is my best story and I am so proud of it.

This is mostly a flexing my mental muscles to get used to writing for this story.

Shaking, Aaron embraced Pluto warmly. "I am going to be a god... not just for the Underworld but entirely, on a grander scale. It seems... impossible."

Pluto laughed. "It really is about time for another being to become a god naturally. It happened with Hercules and Dionysius. Really on some level, it should have been expected that someone in this powerful generation of demigods and so on that one of you would become immortal. My son Nico and Daughter Bianca are likely to become fully immortal next, I have never had such powerful children, nor has Posiden with Percy."

"Wow, really?"

"Yup, and to be honest I suspect Leo is going to become immortal too. His aura is stronger than any child of Hephestuas I have ever come across, by miles and miles. Your training has magnified his presence severalfold just in a matter of weeks. And as for you personally, there hasn't been a witch as strong as you since Medea and in some ways, you are stronger than her. Not as experienced, she lived a long immersive lifetime around magic as a priestess of Hecate, but you managed to gain so much strength in a matter of a handful of short years even as a mortal."

Nodding, he cuddled into his lover for a moment before sighing. "Let's go to Hephaestus."

They walked away from the dark corner they were hiding in and marched away, down a long lane of stone and trees, past countless temples to a massive smoldering mechanical temple oozing the might of Hephaestus. The Forge, Volcanoes, Crafts, Mortal Ingenuity all warped into one, it radiated a unique power that touched deep inside of Aaron making him shudder. He drew from this domain more than most, he was a rather intelligent and crafty person, a master of magic and creator by nature. His magic tripled and deepened just by being near this place.

Pluto smirked. "You are so sensitive to magic, it's fun to watch you react."

"I can't help it, I am so tied to this domain, even without a sensitivity to magic I'd likely be drawn to its potency."

"Likely, yes. Most people never realize that in many ways, this is why he is ugly. He represents the transition from raw materials to something incredible. It is one of many reasons why Hera's actions towards him were so disgusting. I never hated him or held his appearance against him, ever."

That made Aaron smile. "I am glad for that, makes you all the more appealing."

Pluto shifted then, turning to Hades. He was taller as Hades, just slightly darker skinned with a leaner frame and a less pointy nose. His aura was equal but darker in strength. He let out a long sigh. "I am so glad that I can be either self around you and remember all that I am with each form."

"As am I, it is like being loved by one being as opposed to two separate forms."

And then, like that, they entered the temple of Hephaestus. It was impossibly warm, comforting, and overbearing all at once. He started to sweat immediately. "Wow, this is someplace." He said as they walked past various machines in various states of completion. Wagons, cars, birds, and other things that were a bit beyond him. He could feel their subtle and potent magics, unique and structured as Hepheastus' magic tended to be.

Hades smirked. "I always felt the same, I have long been fond of Hephaestus if I am being honest. He is a favorite of mine, one of my less judgmental relatives."

"That I am." They both jumped as a deep, rumbling voice shattered their bubble. They turned to face Hephaestus, who was gruff and grubby with his thick beard and rash-covered face. The man had sparks and flares around him, his aura more godly than he might typically portray around a mortal or it might have been Aaron's stronger mystical might that allowed him to see the god in his natural form. Or at least closer to his natural form. "I know why you are here, is it time?"

"Yes, it is Nephew. This will be both easier and far harder than anything you have cast before. It will require invoking powers that you have never tampered with, out of fear of your Father's wrath. Are you ready for this?"

The bulky god nodded, his body swelling. "There is nothing I cannot cast, no machine or metal I cannot mold. I got this."

"Good, for it will take all of your skills."

"I relish the task."

"Be sure that you do it well." Hades finished, his tone hard as only a leader could be. "Metis and Oceanus have provided you with the purest Orichicalcum from the depths of the seas. Even I could not have found better ore. Do whatever you can to mold this properly. I will leave Aaron in your care, for only he can cast the spells needed for this magic." Hades pulled out a silver blade, slitting his palm and allowing the blood to drip into a chalice he summoned from nowhere. "Use my blood wisely, Nephew, I do not give it lightly."

The God of the Forges nodded, his mismatched and lopsided eyes as serious as could be. "I understand Hades. I have a great deal of work ahead of me. A blade to sever My Grandfather's essence, and an Automaton to hold his form until he freely becomes whole once more. My swan song, if you will."

Aaron groaned, separating from Hades. "It will also be my swan song, a spell on a level that is beyond anything I have ever cast, three spells actually. One to make the blade, one to free the severed aspect, one to bond it to the Automaton. This is not going to be easy... if I was not going to become a god, I would likely destroy my very soul... ugh..."

Hades and Hephaestus both looked deeply uncomfortable with that notion, which brought him some joy. It was nice to be cared for in any way.

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a lot of fun to write, mostly it was me flexing to get used to writing for this story.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.