It's a pleasure to hear once again that many people have enjoyed my previous stories. I greet you, my friends, as KaleidoMirror. I am working on updating and improving my stories, and I may consider revisiting some of them. For now, I'll bring you the enhanced and revised versions.
Greetings to all.
Amidst the dense clouds that shroud the immortal skies, hidden within the divine mist that enshrouds it, rises a landmass that escapes mortal sight. A place that oozes divinity and mystery, its magnificence rivaled only by its inaccessibility. Olympus, once situated on the eponymous mountain in Greece, stands as the abode of the Olympian gods since time immemorial.
Within the majestic Throne Hall, located in Zeus's temple, the sovereign monarch sits on his golden throne, exuding a formidable presence. His countenance, usually serene, currently reflects noticeable displeasure. Outside, lightning and thunder rumble, obscuring the view of the constellations that once adorned the celestial ceiling. The thrones of the other Olympian gods sit vacant at the moment, silent witnesses to the restlessness that plagues the ruler of the gods.
In the center of the vast chamber, a blazing fire burns brightly, casting golden gleams that illuminate Zeus's furrowed brow. A deep disquiet stirs within him, for he has sensed a disruption in the threads of fate for a fleeting moment. Just as the flame appears to flicker into darkness, it reignites with astonishing speed. Something has disturbed the balance of the world, a challenge to the divine harmony that only he seems to have detected.
Assuming the form of an immense eagle, the King of the Gods abandons the hall in a nocturnal flight that will take him to the far reaches of the world. Through his divine senses, he discerns the source of the disturbance, a flame originating from the Land of the Rising Sun, as humans of this era call it. He follows the trail of this mystery as he descends upon a city with astounding population density: Japan.
Transforming his appearance to that of an imposing man, with a tanned complexion and meticulously trimmed beard, his eyes emit a penetrating gaze. He walks the streets of this archipelago, which he hasn't seen in a long time. Although he dislikes the idea of being in lands beyond his dominion, he cannot afford to divert his attention from the intrigue that has brought him here. With firm and resolute steps, he ventures into an urban labyrinth, where it seems that the traces of disturbance have dissipated without a trace.
Leaving his throne and kingdom is not something Zeus does lightly, and he dismisses the notion that his advanced age is the cause of this unease. That nagging restlessness, ever-increasing, compels him to investigate further, aware that he cannot prolong his stay without arousing unwanted suspicions. The King of the Olympian gods, visiting the land of another pantheon without apparent reason, could generate more conflicts than he is willing to tolerate. And so, casting a final glance at the imposing Throne Hall, he decides to return temporarily to his home on Olympus, but he will not forget what he has experienced.
Hephaestus, the god of forges and fire, has led a life marked by solitude and misunderstanding. Throughout the millennia, his genius as an inventor and blacksmith has kept him apart from his divine brethren and, at times, from mortals as well. His mistakes, some irreparable, have been borne on his divine shoulders like heavy burdens.
He has come to the conclusion that, often, dealing with machines is simpler than dealing with humans. If you break a machine, you can repair it, but when you break a person, the wounds run much deeper and are harder to heal. This lesson, etched into his heart by the fervor of volcanic fire, has led him to isolate himself from both gods and mortals.
He decides to descend to the mortal realm and seek the solitude of seclusion, where his only companions are the creations of his own hand and the blazing flames of his forge. Here, far from divine troubles and intrigues, he can lose himself in his work and the spark of creativity. Transforming his divine appearance into that of a slender man, with tanned skin and a disheveled beard, he strides through the bustling streets of a city he never expected to visit again: Japan.
Despite his distaste for being in lands beyond his dominion, he does not worry that deities like Amaterasu will take reprisals. He has more important matters to attend to at the moment, so he walks aimlessly through the various streets and avenues of this island nation. However, the disturbance he felt on Olympus seems to have dissipated without a trace.
Leaving his forge and his isolation is not something Hephaestus does lightly, and he attributes his unease not to his advanced age, a characteristic that his divine siblings often teasingly mock. That vibration in his being continues to resonate, a call urging him to investigate further. However, he knows he cannot prolong his stay in foreign lands without arousing unwanted suspicions. The visit of the King of the Olympian gods to the land of another pantheon could trigger unnecessary conflicts. With one last gaze at the horizon, he decides to return to his home on Olympus, but he will not forget what he has experienced.
Lost in his existential thoughts, Hephaestus fails to notice his surroundings and accidentally collides with a person. The young woman, pained by the impact, groans on the hard sidewalk. Recognizing his mistake, the god extends a helping hand. Intrigued by the stranger, the woman accepts his assistance, grasping his warm and strong hand.
The beauty of the young woman takes his breath away. Her long, reddish hair gleams like fire, her eyes shimmer with a golden hue like the very sun, and her skin is as fair as snow. A pristine smile adorns her face, and her gestures exude charming shyness.
The young woman, shy and uncertain of what to say, bids farewell to the god and hurries away. Hephaestus watches her retreating form, stupefied. Something inside him resonates with the mortal, and his divine heart ignites like a powerful flame. His internal forge is ready to receive the hammer, and his being burns like an erupting volcano, uncontrollable.
Without thinking, he chases after the young woman. Who would have imagined that this chance encounter would change the course of their lives? From their union, a new life would be born, one that would shake the destinies of both and resonate in more than one pantheon.
It had been more than a year since the god Hephaestus had captured the heart of Aimer Smith, and he could confidently say that this year had been the most fulfilling and significant of his existence. For the first time since his birth as a god, he felt truly loved. He had found love in a mortal in a way that surpassed any previous experience, even what he had once felt for the goddess of Love, his official wife.
Aimer Smith embodied what the Japanese called "Yamato Nadeshiko," the epitome of purity and feminine beauty. While her beauty didn't necessarily conform to Japanese standards, for Hephaestus, she was simply perfect as she was. Aimer radiated virtues like loyalty, inner wisdom, humility, and intelligence. As a young entrepreneur in the field of automobile and motorcycle design, she possessed an intrinsic knowledge of her craft that impressed the god. Using his divine gifts, Hephaestus helped her in her business, and over time, it thrived. Success and love intertwined, and as a result of their love, they created a new being: the little Shirou, whose birth was fast approaching. The days were growing shorter, and the due date was rapidly approaching.
However, deep within her, Aimer knew that Hephaestus would depart. From the moment she met him, she knew he was different from any other man she had ever encountered. She sensed something extraordinary in his essence, something that transcended the ordinary. When he finally confessed his true identity as Hephaestus, the Greek god of fire, forges, volcanoes, artisans, blacksmiths, and metallurgy, Aimer didn't know what to say. However, she loved him deeply, regardless of his divinity. She had fallen in love with his character: his kindness, his service, his sincerity, his dedication, and his honesty.
Hephaestus explained that he couldn't stay with her due to the laws of the gods of Olympus, especially one decreed by his own father, Zeus. This law prohibited gods from having any contact with their children, as spending time with mortals posed the risk of becoming too human and neglecting their divine responsibilities on Olympus. With immense heartache, Hephaestus promised that, even though he couldn't be there physically, he would always be there for her and their child. With a choked but firm voice, he swore that, despite not being the father their child might wish for, he would watch over them from the shadows. He promised to be in their dreams, always by their side.
Aimer cried in silence as she watched her husband depart, but the little Shirou she carried in her eight-month-pregnant belly seemed to understand her sadness. She gently caressed him, feeling a deep and mysterious connection with the demigod child soon to be born. She knew that her son's status as a demigod might pose challenges, but she was determined to be a good mother. However, that would be a task for tomorrow. At that moment, she didn't feel strong enough to bear the weight of what lay ahead.
Time continued its inexorable march, marking the rhythm of the seasons as they changed. Five years had passed since Shirou Smith's birth, and for Aimer, her son was the most precious blessing that life, or more specifically, the Greek gods, had bestowed upon her. Shirou had grown up without major complications, despite having a mild case of dyslexia and ADHD. Aimer's primary concern was how her son would interact with other children his age. Fortunately, Shirou proved to be a kind, honest, and responsible child, with a seriousness that seemed advanced for his tender age. He was also surprisingly creative, often playing with a couple of tools he had received on his last birthday. Another passion that blossomed in her son was cooking. From sweet pastries to Japanese dishes, Shirou was taking his first steps as a budding little chef. Aimer's life with her son was perfect, and she loved watching him grow, noticing more and more of his father's traits in him. Although he physically resembled her more, his attitude undoubtedly mirrored Hephaestus.
However, there was a topic that still pained her to address: Shirou's questions about his father. Who was his father? Where was he? With a heavy heart, Aimer had told her son that his father had to leave before he was born due to a problem with his job. She told him he had disappeared in flames, an explanation that was difficult for a child to grasp. But Shirou, with a wisdom beyond his years, never brought up the topic again after that conversation.
As the days passed, Aimer focused on the final details of their move. As the CEO and principal shareholder of her company, Vulcanus, she also had to attend to matters related to her business before their departure. She fondly remembered Vulcanus' humble beginnings as a small company and how, with effort and dedication, it had grown into a successful international corporation. She planned to open a branch in Las Vegas, United States, and she was confident that this new destination would be perfect for turning the page in their lives.
With a smile on her face and a heart full of hope, Aimer looked forward to the start of this new chapter. She was excited to enroll Shirou in a school with an excellent reputation and a high-quality education. Both of them were ready to embark on this adventure that the future held for them, trusting that it would be a new beginning filled with opportunities and happy moments.
Farewell, my friends. KaleidoMirror bids adieu.