Disclaimer: I do not own any of the copyrighted materials and characters contained herein. They are the rightful property of their creators and/or their associated companies. I do not make any profit from this and it is done strictly for entertainment.
Hephaestus' Workshop
Planet: Olympus
Several Days Later
After he'd been found by Aphrodite and his Jaffa, Hephaestus had been quickly placed inside a sarcophagus to recover. The powerful healing properties of the sarcophagus had rejuvenated both the host and symbiote, restoring them to their full strength. Upon exiting the sarcophagus, Hephaestus had been surprised by the immediate surge of energy that coursed through his veins. It was as if every cell in his body had been revitalized, and he felt a newfound vitality he hadn't experienced in ages.
Taking a new host, especially one that was still in the prime of its life, Hephaestus had anticipated a certain level of strength and vitality to be returned to him. However, the restorative effects of the sarcophagus surpassed his expectations. It was almost as if he had been reborn, and from a certain point of view, he had. With this new fountain of strength, Hephaestus found himself at a loss as to what to do with it. From the moment he had awoken from his time in the sarcophagus, he'd been feeling wound up, like a tense wire ready to snap. He had eventually acclimated to his newfound vitality, but the abundance of energy made it hard to focus on the meticulous tasks that his creations often required.
Thankfully, such bountiful energy lent itself well to tasks of a more manual variety. Tasks such as cleaning up the remains of his workshop so that he could determine the full extent of the damage incurred by the explosion. His once-impressive technological marvels were now reduced to broken pieces scattered across the floor. Precision tools turned into half-melted scrap. It was a chaotic sight, a stark contrast to the meticulous order he usually maintained.
As he had expected, the prototype had been completely destroyed. Many of his other active projects had suffered significant damage as well. It was going to take weeks before Hephaestus could properly fix his creations and start working on the new ones he had planned. Fortunately, his computer systems, and the data stored on them, had been located further away from the epicenter of the explosion and remained fully operational.
The projects that had gone into actual production would require them to undergo extensive repairs or be rebuilt in their entirety but with his files and notes still readily available to him, it would make picking up where he had left off a lot easier.
Hours passed as he cleaned up his workshop. His hands, once delicate and precise, now possessed an extraordinary strength that allowed him to move heavy debris with minor effort. The broken remnants of his creations were sorted into piles, separating salvageable components from irreparable scraps. It was this sight that one of the Jaffa walked in on as he watched Hephaestus dragging a piece of broken machinery across the room.
"My lord." the Jaffa said, getting Hephaestus' attention. "Lord Zeus has commanded that you come to his palace at once."
Hephaestus furrowed his brow, a mix of curiosity and concern crossing his features. "Zeus? What could he possibly want at a time like this?" he wondered aloud.
The Jaffa lowered his gaze, his voice respectful yet hesitant. "I am not privy to the details, my lord, but he seemed urgent in his request."
Hephaestus sighed, his mind momentarily torn between his workshop's unfinished tasks and his father's summons. The surge of energy that pulsed through his veins urged him to continue his work, but it would not be wise to anger the King of the Olympians.
"Very well," Hephaestus replied. "Prepare my Tel'tak for departure and then inform Aphrodite of the reason for my absence."
"At once, my lord." The Jaffa replied with a bow before quickly departing to carry out his god's commands.
Zeus' Palace
Planet: Delos
30 Minutes Later
The Tel'tak carrying Hephaestus sat down on a landing pad only a short walk from the palace. Upon exiting the vehicle, he was met by Zeus' First Prime, Heracles, who bowed respectfully to the Goa'uld. Heracles was one of the most formidable Jaffa alive. An extremely muscled man with bronze, tanned skin gained from long hours of training under the sun. His loyalty to his god was absolute and his skills in combat were nearly unparalleled. Heracles was a monster on the battlefield and many a foe feared standing across from him on one.
"Greetings, Lord Hephaestus." Heracles said, his voice reverberating with a deep timbre. "Lord Zeus awaits your arrival in the throne room."
Hephaestus nodded. "Lead the way."
As it was with all of the system lords, Zeus' palace was both opulent and gaudy. A tribute to his ego and a testament to his immortality and absolute power he wielded. Hephaestus followed Heracles through the grand halls of the palace, his eyes sweeping over the all-too-familiar designs and lavish decorations that adorned every corner. A few minutes later, the duo found themselves standing before a set of large golden doors. An unseen sensor was triggered by their arrival and the two doors slid open with a silent rumble.
Zeus' throne room was as ostentatious as the rest of his palace. Gold, precious gems, and marble covered the room. Every detail was embellished, from the carvings and pillars to the decorative tapestries. At the head of the room, a massive throne sat upon a dais, its back decorated with more intricate designs.
Lining both walls of the throne room were members of Zeus' Olympian Guard. Like their counterparts who served under other Goa'uld, the Olympian Guards all wielded staff weapons. However, unlike the armor worn by other Jaffa, the Olympian Guards were garbed in tunics crafted from a material that was cloth-like in appearance and texture. The material was lightweight, but unlike actual cotton, it provided its wearer with a degree of resistance to weapons fire from a Jaffa staff weapon or a Zat'nik'tel. With the weight of their armor being so much less than their compatriots, the Olympian Guards were known to be some of the most agile Jaffa in the Goa'uld Empire.
Sitting on the throne was a man who appeared to be in his 50s, his full head of gray hair and beard giving him a distinguished aura. He was garbed in a pearl white tunic, reminiscent of the Olympian Guard, further emphasizing his status. Despite his apparent age, Zeus' physique remained that of a formidable warrior. He was known to engage in sparring matches with his Jaffa soldiers, matching his fierce warriors in terms of skill and tenacity.
Sitting beside him was a tall woman in a dark-colored gown, her long chocolate hair intricately styled with a gold crown resting atop her head. Her eyes gleamed with undeniable power, while her face exuded regal beauty, rendering her unapproachable to mere mortals. This was the Queen of the Olympians, Hera.
Hera possessed a cunning nature, always careful to avoid direct confrontation with her husband, Zeus, and ensuring her actions remained hidden from his scrutiny. Yet, she possessed a knack for subverting his authority in subtle ways to serve her own agendas. One such instance arose when she successfully diverted Zeus' attention toward the Goa'uld Salmoneus. Unbeknownst to Zeus, Salmoneus had been plotting a coup against him, but Hera's network of spies uncovered the scheme in its infancy. Although Zeus swiftly dealt with Salmoneus, his focus had momentarily shifted away from domestic matters, providing Ares an opportunity to try and eliminate Hephaestus.
The reasons for her animosity towards Hephaestus varied from day to day, but one consistent source of resentment was the favoritism Zeus showed him over Ares. While Ares earned his power through personal strength and conquest, Hephaestus was always shielded by her husband, keeping the mastermind behind his most potent weapons safe from harm. However, deep down, Hera knew that such considerations were ultimately inconsequential. If a chance arose for either her or Ares to eliminate Hephaestus, they would seize it without hesitation.
The fact that Hephaestus had arrived at the palace in a new host body, bode well for bringing about his eventual downfall.
Hephaestus was well aware of Hera's hatred towards him, but he also understood the situation's complexities. As he entered the throne room, his gaze shifted from Zeus to Hera, who sat beside him. Her icy stare met his, filled with a mix of disdain and resentment. It was a look he had grown accustomed to over the years, and he had learned to shield himself from the emotional turmoil it brought with it.
"Father. My queen." Hephaestus said as he knelt before the throne, an action mimicked by Heracles.
Zeus rose from his throne and walked to the bottom of the dais, nodding his head to dismiss his First Prime, before meeting Hephaestus. "Word has only just reached me of the devastation that befell your workshop and the injuries you incurred." he said, his voice resonating with authority. Zeus's eyes studied Hephaestus intently, searching for any signs of weakness or vulnerability. "I can see that your new host is a healthy one."
"Quite healthy indeed, Father." Hephaestus replied, rising from his kneeling position. "I have not felt such vigor in centuries."
"That is good to hear." Zeus said, returning to his throne and taking a seat. "Tell me, what is your progress with the task I have entrusted to you."
"It was going well." Hephaestus began, his voice carrying a note of regret. "Unfortunately, there has been a... substantial setback."
"I take it that this setback is the reason for you taking a new host." Zeus stated his tone a mix of concern and curiosity.
Hephaestus nodded solemnly. "Yes, Father. The explosion created by the prototype self-destructing caused my previous host to be grievously injured by shrapnel. My workshop also suffered extensive damage, destroying many of my ongoing projects."
"Did anything survive?" Zeus inquired.
"Fortunately, all data storage is kept in a separate location," Hephaestus reassured him. "All of my blueprints and notes for the device remain intact. It should not take long for me to rebuild the prototype and continue from where I left off."
Hera's curiosity about what they were speaking about eventually got the better of her. "What device do the two of you speak of?"
Hephaestus regarded Hera, his expression guarded yet determined. "Several years ago, my Jaffa discovered a device on a world that was once controlled by the Furlings. In its inactive state, it appears as nothing more than a simple mirror. However, when the device is active, it creates a... bridge... to a similar device, much in the same way that the Chappa'ai does. What is truly remarkable is that this second device is not located on another planet but in an alternate reality."
Hera's expression became one of bewilderment, her curiosity piqued by Hephaestus' revelation. "An alternate reality? How is that even possible?"
"The device opens up a doorway through the fabric of reality itself, creating a link between this reality and another. During my testing, I have seen alternate versions of Olympus. I sent my Jaffa on several test trips through the mirror and they survived unharmed." What went unsaid was the fact that the Jaffa that had been the test subjects were unable to be retrieved at that particular point in development. Still, he had been grateful to uncover the problem before he had attempted to send anything of importance through it. "The only accident to occur was when a Jaffa allowed his curiosity to control his actions and he was sent to a version of Olympus where its surface had been scorched by the heat of Helios."
"How does this help with the task my Lord Husband has assigned you?" Hera inquired.
"Lord Zeus commanded me to find a way to increase the resource-gathering abilities of his empire." Hephaestus explained. "My first inclination was to design and build automated harvesters and send them out to resource-rich planets, but the time it would take to construct and deploy such automated harvesters would be considerable, and the risks of malfunction or interception by rival Goa'uld would be high. It was shortly after I discarded this plan, that my Jaffa stumbled upon the device. The original mirror could only go to one specific point in each of these realities, but my prototype had no such limitation"
Hera's eyes widened with intrigue as she grasped the significance of Hephaestus' words. "This device could be the key to possessing unlimited resources?"
"Indeed it could." Hephaestus replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "I know not why the Furlings left the device when they abandoned that planet long ago. Neither do I know if it was created by them or if it was obtained from somewhere else.
Zeus laughed, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Hephaestus presents us with a remarkable opportunity. With access to the abundant resources of these alternate realities, Olympus will become unstoppable. Our empire will expand, our power will grow, and we will reign supreme over our enemies."
Hera's mind raced at the potential rewards Hephaestus' device offered. Her eyes gleamed with an insatiable hunger as she realized the kind of power they could quickly amass without any of their enemies being the wiser.
Zeus noticed the fire in Hera's eyes, recognizing her thirst for power that matched his own. He couldn't help but be pleased by her ambition and eagerness to seize this opportunity as he walked back up the dais and took her in his arms.
"Our reign will extend far beyond the borders of our empire," Zeus declared, his voice filled with conviction. "With this device, we can gather resources and knowledge from countless realms, and no Goa'uld will be able to challenge our supremacy. We shall become gods amongst gods."
Hephaestus, though more reserved in nature, couldn't deny the allure of such an outcome. His invention, once fully operational, would grant them access to limitless wealth and untold secrets from countless alternate realities. If this was to be done, he would have to focus on rebuilding his prototype as quickly as possible.
Hephaestus and Aphrodite's Private Chambers
Planet: Olympus
While her husband was answering Zeus' summons, Aphrodite indulged in a moment of relaxation, finding respite in a soothing massage provided by one of her Tau'ri slaves. The dark-haired goddess lay on her stomach, sensuously draped across a table within the confines of her and Hephaestus' private chambers as soft sounds of contentment escaped her lips. She practically melted under the skillful touch of her slave as he worked the knots nestled between her delicate shoulder blades. As the Goddess of love and beauty, she embraced her natural form, her nakedness an embodiment of her divine beauty. The slave attending to her applied warmed oil across her supple skin, creating a delightful tingling sensation as his skilled hands sought out and expertly addressed the tension nestled within her toned back.
A female slave sat in the corner of the room, skillfully strumming the strings of a lyre. Her melodic notes, when combined with the fragrant aroma of scented candles, enveloped the chamber in a soothing harmony. Aphrodite allowed herself to surrender to the moment, basking in the tranquil atmosphere when the sound of a throat being cleared abruptly shattered the idyllic conditions.
"Well, are you not a vision of beauty," a deep, resonant male voice spoke out.
Emerging from behind a pillar, a robed figure strode confidently into view. Brushing the hood off of his head, Ares' sharp eyes fell on the goddess, an arrogant smirk forming on his face. Though his muscular frame and imposing stature were hidden beneath his cloak, his piercing eyes radiated an innate sense of ambition, cunning, and danger. His dark hair cascaded down to his shoulders, adding to his aura of rugged allure. He locked eyes with Aphrodite as he walked closer, a sly smirk played upon his lips, hinting at the hunger and desire that so often fueled his actions.
Aphrodite climbed off the table, her every movement exuding grace and allure as she stood before Ares, baring her naked body to his gaze. The male slave was quick to try and preserve his goddess' modesty as he rushed to cover her with a thin, silk robe.
"Why are you here, Ares?" Aphrodite demanded as she tied the robe closed.
Ares' eyes lingered on the flesh still exposed by the silky cloth, a predatory glint in his eyes as he licked his lips. He was a creature of passion and instinct, a trait that served him well in his conquests. "Leave us, slaves." Ares commanded, but the two hesitated, unsure of whether to obey him until their goddess granted her permission with a subtle nod.
Turning her attention back to Ares, Aphrodite's expression hardened. "You seem to have forgotten your place, Ares. This is my palace and these are my slaves!"
"Forgive me, my love." Ares said with mock deference. "I meant no offense. I merely wished to speak with you alone." He made another audacious choice and moved to embrace her, but Aphrodite swiftly pushed him away, maintaining a firm boundary between them.
"Have you lost your senses, Ares?!" Aphrodite said firmly. "This is my husband's home. If anyone not loyal to me were to witness such indiscretion, it would bring unimaginable consequences down upon the both of us!"
Ares paused as his gaze met Aphrodite's fiery eyes. Sensing the depth of her anger, his demeanor shifted, taking on a more softer tone. "Apologies, Aphrodite. I simply cannot resist your allure, even during the most inconvenient of times."
Aphrodite sighed, the tension slowly dissipating from her form. "I understand your nature, Ares, but you need to find ways to channel your ardor into more appropriate avenues. The repercussions of your recklessness would be severe."
Ares stepped closer to Aphrodite, reaching out and gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as his eyes filled with a mix of longing and tenderness. "You have always been my weakness, Aphrodite. You have a way of tempering my wild spirit with your beauty and grace." Ares said to her softly before leaning it to capture her lips with a kiss. However, Aphrodite rebuffed his attempt.
"I am your weakness because of your own lack of self-control." Aphrodite stated, her tone becoming sterner.
"Why do you concern yourself with his feelings?" Ares inquired, his voice becoming a husky whisper as he moved closer to Aphrodite. "I am the one that you truly love, Aphrodite. It is I who knows how to thoroughly satisfy your needs." Ares insisted, his voice brimming with confidence.
Aphrodite let out a sigh of exasperation at Ares' brazen advances. "I have already explained this to you countless times, Ares. Our connection is purely physical, a fleeting affair. When I invite you into my bed, it is solely to satisfy my desires, a temporary release from the burdens that weigh upon me."
"You can deny it all you want, but deep down, you know there is more between us." Ares argued, his eyes gleaming with a passionate intensity. "We share a passion that transcends beyond mere lust. We were meant to be together, Aphrodite. You must see that."
Aphrodite's gaze hardened as she met Ares' unwavering stare. "Passion, yes, but love? No, Ares. Love is a bond that extends beyond simple physical attraction. It requires a genuine connection that reaches into the depths of our souls. Our encounters, while passionate, lack the foundations necessary to build a lasting love."
"I can feel the way your body responds to my touch." Ares said, a hint of desperation creeping into his voice. "Your very being yearns for me. Perhaps you are just too afraid to admit the truth to yourself. That deep down your hunger for me burns as fiercely as mine does for you." Aphrodite's face flushed a light shade of pink at Ares' assertions. When he moved closer, attempting to envelop Aphrodite in his arms once again, she did not resist. "I know you hold a certain affection for Hephaestus, but deep down, you know that I am the one that stirs your true desires." Ares whispered in Aphrodite's ear, his voice dripping with raw lust.
"Perhaps." Aphrodite conceded, her voice a sensuous purr. "However, my affections do not blind me to the harsh realities of our situation."
Ares' fingers ran lightly up and down Aphrodite's side, eliciting a light shiver from the beautiful woman. "Then let us save the troubles of tomorrow for the morrow."
Aphrodite turned to face Ares, her hand lightly caressing his cheek as she looked at him. Silence lingered in the air as the weight of Ares' words settled upon Aphrodite's heart. Her hesitation spoke volumes, an admission of the forbidden desires that raged within her. And in that moment of uncertainty, Ares took advantage of her unspoken consent and captured her lips with a passionate, all-consuming kiss.
Aphrodite's body responded to the intensity of the moment, her own desires momentarily eclipsing her commitment to Hephaestus. The familiarity of Ares' touch ignited a familiar fire in her belly as her fingers tangled in his black locks. In that stolen embrace, they gave into the fiery storm that brewed between them, allowing the world around them to fade as they succumbed to the hunger that consumed them.
After Hephaestus returned from his meeting with Zeus, he and Aphrodite shared a dinner together. The conversation flowed easily between them, with Hephaestus revealing the purpose of his earlier meeting. Aphrodite listened attentively, her understanding of Hera's desires not surprising her. The complex dynamics among the gods were nothing new to her, and she knew well the lengths to which some would go to attain power.
As the meal drew to a close, Hephaestus informed Aphrodite of his plan to return to his workshop and finish cleaning it up. He assured her that she was free to spend the rest of the evening as she pleased. While the words saddened her, she recognized the importance of his work and the dedication he poured into his craft. With a brave smile, she nodded her acceptance, not wanting to burden him with her own desires.
The room was much like he left it, save for his Jaffa having collected more of the debris into piles for him to sort through to determine if the items were worth salvaging. With a heavy sigh, Hephaestus set to work, methodically organizing and clearing the workshop.
Hours passed, and the workshop gradually transformed under Hephaestus' careful hands, the chaos gave way to order once more. Once he was finally satisfied with the results of his efforts, he locked the doors behind him, leaving the workshop to rest until tomorrow's endeavors.
Returning to their chamber, he found Aphrodite still peacefully asleep, her beauty accentuated by the soft moonlight filtering through the window. Climbing into bed beside her, Hephaestus wrapped his arm around her slender form, drawing her closer to his warmth. He breathed in the scent of her hair as he allowed the exhaustion from the day to drag him into the peaceful embrace of slumber.
An inhuman roar echoed out over a chaotic landscape. There were flashes of people... of things... through the dark fog. There were people fighting grotesque, nightmarish creatures. A neverending army of monsters that attacked without mercy. Screams and cries of fear and pain pierced the air. Then it changed. What was once a place filled with the sounds of agony, became a place of laughter and joy. Brief glimpses of tenderness, of faces that felt familiar, replaced the horror. Then the monsters returned. The sounds of battle grew louder as the sound of the creatures' shrieks came ever closer. A growing sense of dread, an inexplicable fear of what was hiding in the darkness, filled his chest. The last image he saw was of a man with an inhuman face and golden yellow eyes.
Hephaestus woke with a start, his heart beating rapidly and his breathing labored. It was the middle of the night, and a cold sweat clung to his bare skin. He could hear the faint sounds of his wife's deep, even breaths as she lay next to him. Reaching out to her, his fingers gently caressed the soft flesh of her naked back, a means of reassuring himself that everything was alright.
He took several moments to compose himself before he sat up in bed. The dream was... disconcerting, to say the least. Attempting to try and go back to sleep would be a wasted effort so he carefully pulled himself from his bed and put on a robe before he quietly left his room and went to work in his workshop.
Jaffa Training Ground
Planet: Olympus
Several Months Later
The problem with taking a new host was always adapting to its individual "quirks". It was not a hard process, nor a long one, but it was something Goa'ulds had to contend with. For Hephaestus, that "quirk" came in the form of the untamed energy that coursed through his veins and powered his muscles. Such vigor was intoxicating at first, especially when it came to single-minded tasks like cleaning up the damage his workshop sustained. However, that boundless energy also left his attention easily distracted when it came to matters that required a more focused mindset. As soon as he set himself to focus on the reconstruction of his prototype device, his mind would drift and become filled with ideas for an entirely different project.
He wasn't the only one to notice the changes. Aphrodite quickly took note of his inability to remain stationary for any sort of extended period. Being the woman she was, her ideal method of trying to drain some of his excess energy was to bring him to bed and indulge in carnal pleasures till their bodies craved rest. While it had the desired effect, the benefits were often short-lived. However, it wasn't just an inability to focus or an overactive libido. He was constantly plagued by the most absurd dreams that left him restless and agitated. He couldn't recall a time in his life when his nights were plagued with nightmares, and his dreams had never been so vivid and... strange. Only when he was exhausted in both mind and body, did he seem to find a peaceful night's rest. To aid himself in this endeavor, he had begun training with the Jaffa.
Hephaestus was a craftsman and an inventor, not a warrior. It was a realm he was unfamiliar with and his first attempts in hand-to-hand combat proved to be less than impressive. His movements were clumsy and his body felt unaccustomed to its newfound strength. The Jaffa were considerate of his shortcomings, praising him for his efforts and providing him with valuable feedback to help him improve.
The first few days were grueling, but Hephaestus remained steadfast in his efforts, driven by his seemingly boundless vitality. He continued training for several weeks, adapting to the nuances of combat and learning to control his newfound strength. His body adapted to the activities with a speed that astonished even the most skilled of his Jaffa. Muscles that were once untrained quickly grew toned and defined, his reflexes sharpened, and his endurance surpassed all expectations. The excess energy that once threatened to overwhelm him now fueled his every move, lending intensity to his training sessions.
Under the watchful eyes of his Jaffa, Hephaestus's skills gradually flourished. He absorbed their teachings like a sponge, honing his techniques and developing his own unique style. The Jaffa, impressed by his progress, began to increase the intensity of their training sessions, pushing Hephaestus to his limits and beyond. As the months passed, Hephaestus's body continued to mature and strengthen, growing taller and more muscular as a result of his efforts. He trained daily, pushing himself beyond where he thought his limits were.
Today was no different.
Hephaestus stood in the center of the training circle, his wooden training staff gripped firmly in his hands. Four Jaffa warriors, equally armed, encircled him on all sides.
"Kree, Jaffa!" Hephaestus signaled.
At his command, the Jaffa moved toward him in unison. The first Jaffa to reach him swung his staff, aiming a strike at his midsection. Hephaestus sidestepped the attack, countering with a quick strike to the Jaffa's exposed ribs. As the Jaffa staggered back from the force of the blow, the second Jaffa charged him. The Jaffa launched a series of lightning-quick strikes aimed at his chest, but Hephaestus parried the attacks with his staff. He deflected the Jaffa's attacks, then countered with a swift strike to the back of the Jaffa's thigh. Hephaestus' attack knocked the Jaffa out of his fighting stance, giving him an opening to attack. He quickly struck the Jaffa across the temple with his staff, stunning him.
Two of the Jaffa rushed forward, attempting to surround him. Hephaestus shifted his position, keeping the two Jaffa in front of him. One of the Jaffa lunged at him, and he dodged the attack, countering with a strike. The move left him open to fourth Jaffa's attack, however. The Jaffa delivered a powerful strike to his midsection, forcing the air from his lungs. Hephaestus gasped, stumbling back, but recovered quickly as he blocked an overhand strike from the third Jaffa. Again, he left himself open, this time being struck across the jaw and sent sprawling to the ground.
Hephaestus scrambled back, gaining distance from his opponents. The four Jaffa warriors closed ranks and surrounded him, their staffs held at the ready. As the Jaffa moved in to attack, a ghostly image of a young woman with blonde hair manifested in front of him. It felt like a long-forgotten memory finally remembered as he watched the woman doing battle with the inhuman monsters from his dreams. Hephaestus watched her as she weaved around the creature's wild attacks, landing blows that knocked her opponents around with brutal force.
He shook the bizarre image away as he blocked the attack from one Jaffa before using his training staff to twist him into the path of one of his compatriots as he charged forward at the other two Jaffa. He ducked below the swing of one Jaffa's staff and rolled to the side as the second Jaffa swung his staff overhead, missing him. He jumped back to his feet and flipped over a low swipe that was meant to take his legs out and turned it into a spinning kick that caught the Jaffa in the jaw, sending him reeling backward.
The other three Jaffa quickly recovered and charged him, swinging their staffs. Hephaestus managed to dodge and deflect most of the blows, but one strike landed squarely against his shoulder. He grunted at the sudden spike of pain and spun his staff, catching the Jaffa in the ribs, but another strike from behind caught Hephaestus in the back of the leg and dropped him to a knee. The Jaffa pointed their training staff at his throat, signaling for his surrender. Hephaestus dropped his weapon and conceded the match, panting from exertion.
"Good work, my lord." One of the Jaffa praised. "Your technique has improved greatly."
"Indeed." Hephaestus panted as he regained his feet. "However there is still progress to be made."
"There are very few Jaffa capable of defeating multiple opponents in hand-to-hand combat at one time. It is only because you limited yourself from using your godly abilities that we were not defeated, my lord." Varrin assured him.
Hephaestus nodded his head in response as he climbed back to his feet. A slave brought over a towel for him to wipe the sweat from his brow and a jug of water to refresh himself with. "You are dismissed." he told them as he walked back to his chambers to clean up after his morning of training. During the entire walk back, his mind was preoccupied with trying to figure out who the woman from his hallucination was. In his heart, he knew this woman, but he could not figure out how.
As he entered his personal chambers, Hephaestus waved away the servants who approached him as he walked into the bathing area, stripping off his training attire as he went. He walked down the carved marble steps into the large swimming pool-like tub, sunken into the floor. The hot water soothed his sore muscles as he slowly eased himself down into the pool. The scented oils in the water gave the water a light floral fragrance as he leaned back against the edge and closed his eyes, allowing the warm water to lull his senses.
After a short while, his solitude was broken by the sound of bare feet padding across the floor's marble tiling. Opening his eyes, Hephaestus turned to look at the bath's entrance and saw Aphrodite walking into the room with two of her female attendants in tow. She looked at him with an affectionate smile on her face, a look that he noticed was appearing on her face much more often these last few months.
"Good morning, my love." Aphrodite said softly. "I hope my presence is not an intrusion."
"Your presence could never be considered an intrusion, Aphrodite.." Hephaestus smiled in response. "I was simply enjoying the warmth of the water on my sore muscles. Come, join me."
Aphrodite nodded before one of her attendants removed the robe she was wearing. Her attendants carefully folded up the robe before undressing and following her into the heated pool, followed by her attendants. Given the height difference between his current host and his previous one, the water level only came up to just below his waistline, allowing him to comfortably walk through the water. Because of their much shorter statures, Aphrodite and her attendants had to wade/swim through the water until they reached the seating area ringed around the outer edge of the pool.
"Mmm, the water feels wonderful." Aphrodite purred as she leaned against Hephaestus's side and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Indeed it does." Hephaestus remarked as he twisted his head and pressed a kiss to the top of Aphrodite's head.
"What tasks require your attention after you have finished bathing?" Aphrodite asked.
"That which has taken me far too long to achieve." Hephaestus informed her. Aphrodite lifted her head to look at him, a look of confusion clear on her beautiful features.
"Today is finally the day." Hephaestus elaborated. "I have finished the device."
"You have finally solved the recall problem?" Aphrodite asked, her blue eyes widening in surprise.
"No, but I have decided on a solution that works all the same." Hephaestus responded.
The rebuilding of his portal device was a quick affair for Hephaestus, thanks to his meticulously documented notes surviving the sabotage intact. Once the second prototype was completed, Hephaestus addressed the three problems the gateway device presented. First, he had to figure out a way to deal with the portal's stability. Because of the constant need to monitor and adjust the device's energy levels, the portals that the device opened were incredibly unstable. The fragile connections between realities were easily severed if the device wasn't properly controlled. His first few attempts using the original prototype caused several test drones to be lost or destroyed because of this problem.
After careful testing, Hephaestus discovered that the energy levels of the device were constantly being thrown off due to the portal itself. His initial assumption was that the portals created by the device were like a "doorway" into another room, the same way the mirror worked. Instead, his device created something more akin to a "hallway" with the "doors" connecting the two realities on opposite ends of it. Rather than a fixed path, this corridor between the entry and exit points exhibited constant shifting and twisting. It took him creating a feedback stabilizer that adjusted itself to the extra-dimensional energies being generated whenever a portal was opened to finally fix the issue.
The second, and most easy to solve problem, was figuring out a reliable way to pick and choose destinations at will.
Though he could alter the destinations that the portals opened to, Hephaestus had no reliable way to pinpoint specific realities at will. Even the device his prototype was based on, which he had dubbed the Quantum Mirror, was incapable of choosing a specific destination. Once the quantum mirror was powered down, the reality that it had been attuned to would be lost. Through careful experimentation, Hephaestus learned that each of these alternate realities resonated at a unique vibrational frequency with one another. Through trial and error, he was able to create a device that could switch the portal generated by the prototype to a specific reality using its unique vibrational frequency as a fingerprint. Once this breakthrough was discovered, Hephaestus worked quickly to build a database for the vibrational frequencies of these alternate realities, programming the system to use the last vibrational "address" accessed as the starting point for every activation of the device.
Using his home reality as the reference point, he mapped out a network of "neighboring" alternate realities. It quickly became apparent to him that the further out on the vibrational spectrum he looked, away from the starting reality, the greater the divergence between the alternate worlds.
His first destination had been a reality with a vibrational frequency nearly identical to his own. There the drone revealed that much was the same as he knew it, save that this alternate version of Hephaestus was still in possession of his previous host. After he was satisfied with his answers he returned the drone through the portal and noted the changes in the database before moving on to a new different reality. He continued to catalog these alternate worlds for the next several days, creating a "map" of the multiverse.
His third, and final, hurdle was the portability of the prototype.
Having the prototype placed in a static location while undergoing testing was fine when the goal was to fix any issues that arose during experimentation. However, attempting to use it for anything other than spying on different locations, proved to be a challenge. When he sent Jaffa through the portal to the other side he discovered that there was no way for them to return through it from the reality they traveled to. His prototype was a one-way journey because there was no prototype on the other side of the portals it opened. The original mirror only connected to its counterparts that were located in the various realities. His gateway device could open a portal from any location he wanted, he just had to transport it to the new location. However, there was no way to return once you traveled through to the other side.
After careful thought, Hephaestus realized that he would have to establish landing sites on the other side of the portal and build another gateway device on the other side if he wanted his idea of creating an avenue for the harvesting of unlimited resources to succeed. A redesign of the prototype had been required, which eventually changed the design from a vertical door-like frame into a cannon-like structure, mounted on top of a hover platform for easy transportation. The redesign also incorporated an advanced control interface, situated at the back of the cannon. With the control interface, users could choose a destination from the database to open a portal to.
Now was the day that he would lead an expedition team to explore an alternate version of Olympus that showed great potential for resource extraction. Initial scans from his drones showed that a vein of Naquadah was located close to the surface near the mountains where Mount Olympus now stood.
"How many Jaffa will you be taking with you on this expedition?" Aphrodite asked as one of her attendants began to bathe her while the other moved to do the same for Hephaestus.
"Antaeus has selected one hundred of his most battle-hardened warriors to accompany me." Hephaestus replied. "If all goes well, we will establish a secure base at the foot of the mountains. I'll take samples of the extracted Naquadah to test its purity. If it is suitable for harvesting, then I will order our Jaffa to begin transporting the pieces for the automated harvesters through the portal so we can begin mining operations."
Aphrodite's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Oh, the possibilities are endless! You will earn great favor from Lord Zeus for this success."
"Indeed, my love." Hephaestus agreed, his voice filled with anticipation. "Once my device has proven its worth, I will petition Zeus to raise me to the rank of a minor system lord. With planets under our direct control, I could expand the reach of the harvesting and increase our manufacturing capabilities a hundredfold."
"There is nothing you cannot achieve once you have set your mind to task, Hephaestus." Aphrodite said confidently.
Hephaestus smiled before leaning down and capturing his wife's lips. The wanton look in Aphrodite's eyes when he pulled back from their kiss almost made him want to have his way with her and their two slaves, but there were more pressing matters to attend to today. Getting his manhood wet could wait until the celebration of the successful return of his expeditionary force.
"As much as I wish to indulge you, my dear, I am afraid that I must cut our time together short. I have much work to do to prepare for the journey." Hephaestus said apologetically.
Aphrodite gave him a disappointed pout as they pulled away from one another to allow the two attendants to finish bathing them. Once they were done, Hephaestus and Aphrodite rose from the water and climbed out of the tub. Their attendants followed closely behind as they dried their god and goddess off with towels before applying scented oils to their bodies. They took care to ensure that every inch of their masters was oiled down before they dressed them in diaphanous robes made of the finest silk and the two walked into their chambers to get changed.
Empty Chamber
Planet: Olympus
Late Afternoon
Once all the bugs had been worked out of the portal device, Hephaestus had moved it to another part of the palace. There wasn't enough space in his workshop to have people constantly traipsing in and out without the potential for one of his other projects getting damaged, so he'd had a nearby room cleared out to house it. Next to the prototype was a large frame that would act as a receiver for the incoming portal from the second device. It wasn't really required, it was more to keep anyone from getting too close to where the actual portal would open once the device was reassembled and reactivated on the other side. It'd taken numerous, meticulously calculated measurements to guarantee that the portal would open in that specific spot and he didn't want anyone stumbling into it by accident.
The repurposed room was now filled with containers carrying the supplies they would need for a three-day expedition to survey the site he had chosen for his first off-world mining operation. The Jaffa were carefully bringing in the last pieces of the redesigned prototype and sat them out of the way with the others. Hephaestus had done his best in making the breakdown of the device as simplistic as possible, but he didn't want to leave room for error and spent over an hour training a team of Jaffa how to reassemble the device and how to open a portal back. He would not be going through on the first journey so he wanted to minimize the chances of the Jaffa screwing something up as much as possible.
"I want the first squad of Jaffa through the portal to establish, and secure, a perimeter. The assembly team will be second with the device. Once they have reassembled the device and opened a portal back home, you will begin transporting the supplies for our expedition through the portal." Hephaestus outlined to the Jaffa
"Understood, my lord." Antaeus, First Prime of Hephaestus, responded. "Your will shall be done."
"Good. I will travel through the portal with the final group in case something should happen with the device here." Hephaestus informed. "See that everything is carried out to my specification before my arrival."
"I will not fail you, my lord."
Hephaestus walked over to the control console and started the activation sequence for the portal device. A loud hum filled the room as a shimmering wall of blue energy appeared within the metal frame. The portal wavered for a few moments before it settled and the blue light faded to show the landscape beyond. One of the Jaffa took a deep breath to calm his nerves before walking through. When the others behind him saw that he had arrived safely on the other side they quickly followed his example and stepped through the portal.
After checking to make sure that all the system's readings were in the green, Hephaestus signaled to Antaeus to send the next group through with the second portal device. Though he would never allow himself to give voice to the feeling, as he watched the Jaffa carry the pieces of the second device through the portal and disappear, now was when the feeling of trepidation hit him the hardest. He had long since moved past any concerns he might have over something going wrong on his end, but leaving the construction of the second device in the hands of his Jaffa gave him an unsettling feeling. The next fifteen minutes proved to be some of the most nerve-wracking in recent memory. If this attempt failed, then he would have wasted so many years of work, not to mention his reputation with Zeus would be irreparably damaged. Just when he thought he would have to scrub the expedition, another portal opened up.
The portal looked much more different than the "water surface" effect produced by the original prototype's door-like frame. Though the calculations had it opening exactly where he'd planned, this new portal appeared as a swirling, tunnel-like wormhole with a mixture of blue and white hues. Moments after it opened one of the Jaffa from the assembly team stepped through.
"The device is in position, and a perimeter has been established, my lord." He announced proudly. "We await your arrival."
"Were there any difficulties in your return trip?" Hephaestus asked as a small smile crossed his features.
"No, Lord Hephaestus. The journey was quite uneventful."
"Excellent." he replied as he turned his head towards the other group of Jaffa who were waiting for his orders to begin transferring the equipment and supplies. "Begin transferring the gear and supplies."
The Jaffa nodded before they began carrying the containers through the "departure" portal. As they passed through more Jaffa walked through the "return" portal to help move the supplies from their home reality to the alternate Olympus. Once all the containers had been carried through, Antaeus led the last group of Jaffa through the return portal, leaving only Hephaestus behind.
Hephaestus stepped up to the portal and paused for a moment as he stared at what he had created with his own two hands. Pride came before the fall, but what he was about to do would guarantee his ascension. This was his moment!
"One small step for man..." He said to himself as he stepped through the portal.
AN: Check me out on Twitter for updates and information on my upcoming stories: /CorridorComics
