Kintsugi

by The White Wulf

The practice of repairing broken pottery with precious metals. it signified the importance of an item's history and the beauty of imperfections. In one reality, the God Hephaestus experiences such a concept. The melding of a Heroic Spirit and Divine Entity creating an impossible miracle. A new God walks the earth...for good or ill. (Will go from Ancient Greece to modern day).

5. Chapter 5

Hello All! I am on a roll!

Kintsugi Chapter 5 completed.

Kintsugi Chapter 6: 300 words (at time of this chapter release)

Legend of the Strawhats: 4,500 words (at the time of this chapter release)

And even Supernatural Love: 1,500 words!

My fingers hurt XD! But I'm having a blast. Till the next chapter folks!

Also, I apologize for some modernish language in the fanfic. It is understood that the language being spoken here is ancient Greek and the mannerisms are more akin to older cultures. With that said, some modern sensibilities do leak here (both in language and in Hephaestus actions, due to ARCHER's influence). The Chiron mistake has been fixed!

WARNING TAGS: Death, murder, combat, politics, humor, tragedy, romance, drama, familial drama, adventure, LGTBQ elements (I don't remember the rest of that Acronym, don't really care to). Trigger warnings will be placed for other more specific genres/events at certain points of future chapters if I feel that they are required.

NOT BETA READ, WE DIE LIKE KENNY!

Kintsugi Chapter 5:

If one were to ask what a "fight" between Gods normally entailed, it would be quite boring. Under ordinary circumstances, it was usually a battle of raw energy. Whomever held the greater limits of divinity was the greater authority, the domains irrelevant. Conflicts were never drawn out…war was never a concept, much less an option. Yet, conflict was an ever-growing beast, ever evolving. In the beginning authority was absolute, ever stagnant…until Kronos was born. In Myth, Kronos castrated his father, severing him limb from limb. It seemed easy; an attack was done in the night, barely any resistance at all. But it was precisely that concept, the night, that allowed Kronos to win. Kronos was a Titan of Harvests, of reaping. On his own he was weaker than his father, but he knew of a time when his father's strength would leave him. Ouranos was a primordial of the sky but when night fell, Nyx would come into play. She usually stayed within the depths of the underworld, maintaining her incredible strength. Ouranos found refuge in Gaia…willing or otherwise. It was in this that Kronos evolved into conflict. By using the domains and restrictions of the divine, he weakened his father, striking in the night and severed his father, both in body and domain.

His own natural domain allowed for the separation and reaping of concepts, allowed him to harm and damage divine entities even when they were ethereal. A dangerous and frankly disturbing power, and the reason none stood against him. While the severance was not permanent, that mattered little. After all, the primordials had seen what had occurred to Ouranos, knew that Gaia backed her son. What was the point of fighting back if you couldn't truly hurt your enemy, but your enemy could harm you? Kronos cemented his power further by obtaining the domain of time. None were entirely certain how this had come to be, the power of reaping was incapable of obtaining a domain. The most popular theory was that Gaia orchestrated the boon for her child…a decision she came to regret.

Like father like son, Zeus changed the playing field once more. When Titans took physical form, it did nothing more than grant them flesh and blood. All the enjoyments of mortal living, the taste, the sensations, the intensity! But that was all it was…a façade. But the Gods were different.

When Gods were physical, their power was crystallized into a higher level. They were at their strongest, elevating even further once they consolidated into their "true" form. But, this same state was also their most vulnerable. So great was this consolidation, so potent and vast, that it obliterated any mortal that looked at it. Even weaker spirits could not maintain themselves. Injuries could accumulate. Cuts, bruises, broken bones, all of this and more could be dealt to a God. If harmed enough, if damaged enough, their core would suffer, and a God would disperse. The time for said dispersal varied greatly on the injuries accumulated and the damage done. Sometimes it was days of recovery…other times it was millennia. This was why Kronos, and others, would imbibe on nectar and ambrosia for a time, before dispersing back into an ethereal state. At least in that form, the core of their beings could not be harmed. Even Chaos could not do so. As immutable as the human soul. It was why the Titans never fought in this state, for there was no point. To feel sensation in all its beautiful glory, but nothing else. Why bother?

Zeus' might surpass his father by a large margin, and his power eclipsed him when he took physical form, a fact no other Titan was aware of. In a display of cunning, he tricked Kronos into ingesting a concoction that kept him in physical form, courtesy of Hecate. So toxic and horrific was this concoction, that Kronos regurgitated his own children. His attempt at devouring them and severing their divinities to add to his own was simply too infeasible, for as he had learned too late that it was entirely impossible, no matter the method. They came fully grown, and watching Zeus, adapted to their power with frightening speed.

It sealed Kronos' fate, and the fate of all divine entities within the Greek pantheon. Zeus dealt a debilitating blow, and war was waged for the first time in Greek History. A glorious, brutal, and short war. For the wrath of the Greek Gods was great. Zeus' lightning, Poseidon's seas, Hades' necrotic power, Hera's unreasonable strength, Hestia's flames, and Demeter. Demeter was the worst of them, for it was her that had inherited her father's domain, that had inherited the domain of harvests. That inherited the power, HIS power, to REAP. It was her that severed her father's body, cutting it for the egregious sins against her mother, destroying it as thinly and hatefully as she could. Zeus, using his speed, would break into Tartarus to spread the remaining essence of Kronos, slowing his recovery down to a point that Kronos would never truly recover ever again.

Since then, many divine and spiritual entities have taken to maintaining a physical form. Life was worth living in that state, and with Hecate and Hera both having the mystical means to force a physical confrontation, there was no sure safety in remaining ethereal any longer.

Hecate was a victim of this comfortability. For while she was not a God, and thus lacked the increased benefits of taking a physical form, she still felt a greater and more comfortable connection to her domain this way. A fact she regretted. She should have just teleported Kassandra outright, instead of chasing her down. She should have ignored the thrill of chasing her, the feel of the wind on her skin, the grass on her feet. Instead, she now found herself in a pocket dimension that destabilized her magics and confronting a God. Her divinity was a match for Hephaestus, pound per pound. She was not weaker than any Olympian in sheer power. But she could see it even from here. This was no minor God, nay. She could see within him the same impossible strength. Hera's unreasonable strength, the strength that had forced Atlas out of Mount. Othrys, the strength that had (literally) punched the head clean off a continental giant.

That strength was his…and he was still young. Gods became more powerful as they aged, it was why the Olympians were so unusual in their strength in respect to their youth. Why Leto have such pride for her children. Why Hecate kept honing her domains over and over…because eventually she would not be a match for the Olympians anymore…and she needed all the advantages she could hone. Of course, the forsaken child would be the one to inherit Hera's greatest attributes. There was more locked in this child's blood, hidden away and dampened from Hera's rejection. He was…a half creature. No...a Demi-God. His blood was connected to Hera in a way neither of them truly understood…in a way Hecate didn't understand if she was honest. She had always theorized that these beings were possible but was interesting to see that they were in fact feasible. Shame, she really did not want to do this, but the fact remained that Kassandra had overstepped and needed to be punished.

The problem was that Hephaestus eclipsed her physically just as she dwarfed him mystically, not to mention that his physicality was likely greater than the average mortal formed God. Trying to drag Kassandra or run with her was not going to be possible. Her physical form was needed to be the medium to transport Kassandra in this blasted pocket dimension. If they were outside this dimension then it was easy to do, Hephaestus or no Hephaestus, but she could feel it. The way this dimension kept tearing away at her. It was too crudely done to harm her or limit her more potent magic. But it did restrict basic transportation. Irritating. She raised an eyebrow, watching Hephaestus get in front of Kassandra. He stood in front of her, protectively. Strange. What hold did Kassandra have over this creature? Surely not a physical one, humans were not into the equine form as much as she gathered.

"Hephaestus go!" yelled Kassandra, "this is my business."

He remained silent, summoning a spear in his hand. It was blood-red and shrouded in his divinity. She couldn't analyze it, his divinity interfering with such a basic aspect of her divinity, but there was no mistaking the foreign magic that made up its creation. Her domain didn't register it, hence her knowledge that this was not mortal or a divine creation. Ridiculous. Ignoring THAT particular impossibility, she focused instead on preparing as best she could. Around her was an invisible shield, it would withstand one, possibly two, blows from him. Enough to grab Kassandra and go…but she'd rather be diplomatic about this. There was no need for violence. He was young, and from what she gathered at the ceremony, a polite young God. A rarity.

"I take it you are unaware of who this mare is?" questioned Hecate.

"I do not care."

Ah...stubborn. Polite but stubborn. This could get difficult. Hecate clasped her hands in front of her diplomatically, tilting her head.

"Truly? She could be a criminal?"

"If she was, you would have smited her a long time ago."

A fair point, Hecate admitted internally. Direct punishment was rare for a deities to enact. The very nature of free will, the physical world, and the magic permeating through it, were all factors that restricted the Gods. That wasn't even mentioning the ancient laws, the laws of Xenia, and the undercurrent of Chaos and the mist as Hecate came to call it. However, if an action warranted "punishment", then the God that was acted upon can respond in any way they wish, ignroign all restriction. If someone stole from her, fully knowing that it was theft, then yes she could have killed Kassandra with a blink. Yet here they were.

"She came to you to learn magic did she not?" he questioned, placing himself closer to Kassandra. He scowled when Hecate moved Kassandra the same distance he moved. He scowled, but kept his voice leveled.

"There was no thievery or criminal action. Whatever this is, ceases…or I'll stop you myself."

He hefted his spear as if it would make her afraid. His confidence in it was adorable, she would admit. She had gotten…attached to the boy, in a way. What she had saw up on Olympus revealed a levelheaded fellow, one that had a head on his shoulders rather than a dick, like most of the "male" centric gods. Though, it seemed to be a head filled with nonsense at the moment. But she would allow him his folly. A lesser deity would abuse this lack of foresight and experience. She was no such monster. Youth was to be the grindstone for experience, not the detriment of it.

"She did steal from me, just not in a way you'd understand" sighed Hecate. She spoke to him like he was a misbehaving child, one that she was chastising like a teacher. She began forming several sigils in response to his movement. To her surprise, he seemed to recognize about three of them, judging by his expression. Strange that they were the more…basic…structures. It struck her like one of Zeus' poor attempts at flirting. The reason that she was here.

"It was you," she whispered, "you're the apprentice?"

Hephaestus blinked.

"That...that's what this is about!?"

His outrage was understandable from an outsider's view. Magic was possible for mortals, male or female. What did it matter if Kassandra knew magic.

"The basics of magic? Are you that against the concept of others learning magic?"

"The magic I teach is not some mortal fallacy," she explained, gesturing around her, "I teach a way to communicate with the world, to expand beyond the physical. In a way, it is a step out of the norms of both mortality and divinity. Kassandra joined the coven fully knowing my terms. She knew the risk teaching you."

Hecates confidence was waning as she saw Kassandra's genuine confusion. Bless the poor mare, but the girl couldn't lie to save her life. Literally in this case…was Circe wrong?

Hephaestus turned to Kassandra, his eyes narrowed, but not in mistrust. His divinity began to climb, forcing the weight of his existence to crush the runes that she had brought forth. The weakest of them splintered apart harmlessly, but the strong sigils that she had created remained firm.

"Did you bind yourself?" he asked finally, after a moment of silence.

"What," neighed Kassandra, "of course not! I know how witches work!? I wasn't verbally agreeing to anything! Circe told me that it was a safe space to learn! That I could come and go whenever I needed to!"

Hecate stared at Kassandra. Like any God, discerning truth from lies from Mortals was always…challenging. When the covering of one's core signified a sense of duplicity, it was easy to be prepared for half-truths. You would parse each word like the covers that they were, constantly peering into the intent, the truth beneath them. After all, Gods in their perfections were incapable of lying directly. Mortals on the other hand had no such restrictions. They could lie as often and as little as they pleased. Quite skillfully too. Hephaestus scowled.

"At least unbind her. Not like we could go anywhere."

Hecate conceded to that point. She crossed her arms, using the action to both unbind Kassandra and cover her hands once more. She could weave magic with even the slightest of twitches. It would do to hide some advanced magics from the Godlings eyes. Hecate already formed countless invisible spells all around her. Kassandra rubbed her throat and stomach, grimacing at the pain. The bindings used sapped at one's magic in a most predatory fashion, leaving bruises and lingering pain for days.

"So…this is about a breach of contract of some sort?" prodded Hephaestus.

"Of a sort," agreed Hecate, "I was more than willing to leave Kassandra be. She had the good sense to keep the specifics of her magic to herself, despite Circe's warnings."

She nodded, one filled with a solemn air.

"I believe that still. But it is the reveal of magic to another that I have greater concerns about. THAT, was non-negotiable, regardless of joining the coven or not. You are aware of that much."

Kassandra gave a hesitant nod.

"But…the words were about mortals discovering magic? Hephaestus is a God? How does that?"

She blinked, staring at her friend.

"Wait…is he?"

Hecate only nodded.

"Indeed. The first of his kind I've come across."

"I thought they couldn't exist?"

Hecate chuckled.

"Really child? Directing the conversation elsewhere now?"

"Is it truly that disastrous? Mortals learning magic?" interrupted Hephaestus, "its not as if they are not capable of it already."

"No," admitted Hecate, "that I will grant you. However, the magic that mortals are accustomed to is a different breed than the one I teach my coven. You could say that mine is a…purer form, more potent. This is offset by the fact that they are bound to my coven, the witches I train and hone cannot go galivanting off into the world, turning every person they see into animals or what have you. The depths of magic house great power…ripe for the unresponsible and uncaring to abuse."

A younger Hecate would have never cared…no…didn't care. She remembered the countless days experimenting, uncaring of the people hurt or the ecosystems destroyed. It wasn't until landmass splintered, becoming peninsular with thousands of islands that Hecate learned the consequence of power. So many nature spirits…gone. She was young, her strength so much greater now than it was then. It would not, WILL NOT, happen again. The consequence is to dire to even consider. Discipline, control, direction. All of it was needed to ensure the proper mindset for true magic. Hecate narrowed her eyes, her wavering resolve hardened once more.

"You are correct young Godling. I care little that Kassandra knows my art. She has proven she has the intelligence needed to wield it with care, regardless of the opinion's others may have."

She than stared directly into Kassandra's eyes, her own completely green eyes boring into her.

"I care only that she bares little thought to the consequence teaching said art to someone. You may bare divine blood, lord…but you are still mortal. Kassandra took an oath with me…one she broke."

"One she broke unknowingly," mentioned Hephaestus, his anger becoming more difficult to contain. It was too soon after Calliope, his emotions too raw to properly crush. He knew that, in the perspective of Gods, Hecate's grievance was warranted. But he was too volatile to truly care all that much. It was a struggle to maintain his emotional range…far more than his time as EMIYA evidently.

Hecate hated that he had a point. But it was a point well made. But even so…an example had to be made. All it would take is the barest hint of her power, the slightest twitch of her finger to snap little Kassandra's neck. Her magic, invisible to all but herself, was already wrapped around Kassandra's neck, hovering just centimeters from her skin. A twitch, that was it…but she couldn't do it. The eyes of this Godling blazed with…something she couldn't quite put her finger on…damnit. She had really become sentimental, hadn't she?

"…Tell me more of this…contract with Circe that you rejected. I may yet let you live," she sighed.

A bit of a falsehood. It was not like Daphne or Alexandra, those two she had little qualms ending…the parasites. Kassandra…the dear deserved at least some mercy.

"She...had a contract. It was made of a skinned wood of some kind."

"Papyrus?" supplied Hephaestus.

Kassandra glared at him. Was now the time? She continued.

"Said that it was for the coven and that we couldn't leave at all. Kept telling us that it came directly from you. Said that the island was going to be a haven for witches, bring about glory or whatever else she was spewing! Said something about animals and cementing our place? It was crazy nonsense! I didn't come to learn to be dragged into an army…uh…my lady," she squeaked at the end.

Hecate's eyes widened.

"…no…she wouldn't."

She scowled.

"I will not take any lies in my presence. Circe has been loyal for centuries! She wouldn't disobey my orders! She wouldn't dare enact that ritual!?"

Deep within, Hecate felt a betrayal. But it did not sting like the others…because she had always known Circe was capable of this…she just hoped it wasn't something she directed to her. She needed to know. Needed to be certain…certain beyond doubt. Kassandra went to speak, but the words would not leave. Hecate would not allow it, her magic crushing the words before they could form in a metaphysical sense. Hecate raised her hand, several runes and sigils that Hephaestus had never seen before coming together to form several magic circles. Kassandra recognized it has a truth-based ritual. Hephaestus did not. Kassandra blinked, her words returning. She reached for her friend, who had already moved.

"HEPH WAIT!"

He charged forward, his spear at the ready. Hecate scowled, her barrier more than enough to prevent-SMPH.

Hecate's eyes widened as she felt the blade of the spear simply pass through her barrier. It did not break, or puncture. It did not slash, or shatter. No…it simply bypassed the barrier as if it didn't exist in the first place. She stared at the blade that nicked her neck, her golden blood flowing down the strange weapon. It was only a nick. A warning. She glared at Hephaestus, her own magic having speared the earth through his ribs and legs…or at least tried to. His flesh was easier to puncture, but his legs were armored by something. She felt her own surprise at the sight of his red blood, feeling the heat from the liquid even from here. A few of pieces were pushed out as his body healed. Intriguing. The Gods erased damage, not healed like this.

"Whatever you're about to do to Kassandra, STOP. I won't hesitate-GRK!~"
Hecate narrowed her eyes into a flat stare as Hephaestus was smacked at the back of his head by Kassandra. She groaned, shaking her poor fist. Seems the boy was more reactive than he appeared.

"I TOLD YOU TO STOP!" she grunted, "it's just a truth spell…a highly advanced…extremely difficult truth spell…well, that's more of a ritual really…wow that is a lot of…WOW."

Kassandra was trying her best to read the several now hundred magic circles, each a binding concept that when enacted would garner the truth in its purest form. To put it in modern terms, it was the equivalent to a 28,000-page contract. An absurdly huge and complicated truth ritual that quite literally rejected the concept of lying in all its forms. It used to be enacted with several dozen circles, but experience has given Hecate the need to use several hundred with mortals, the clever little liars that they were. Hecate ignored him, and the way that he kept his spear blade trained at her. She turned to Kassandra.

"Speak."

The ritual circles shattered, the green particles glowing strongly, saturating the air like a fungus. The fragments of magic quickly finding their way into the bodies of all who spoke here.

"Circe tried to have me sign a contract," explained Kassandra, "told her no. Then she got angry, and a bunch of other witches drove me out of the island after a few weeks."

Hecate sighed, rubbing her eyes in frustration.

"…Circe…no," she whispered.

Hephaestus cleared his throat, his face taking on a more empathetic expression.

"…my lady," he started, his attitude relaxing…but the blade remaining, "I think its safe to say there is more here than either of us knew."

Hecate smiled, though it went unseen beneath the clothe she wore around her face. The scarf, black and green in orientation, ensured that only her eyes and the bridge of her nose were visible. Though, it had some other uses as well. The dimension relaxed around her, Hecate laughing internally at the attempt she had just witnessed from the Godling. He had moved as the centaurs moved. It was shoddy, and barely functional. In makeshift dimensions like this, the divine power needed to warp space as you move was easier to grasp. In reality, she doubted the young godling had much success in actualizing the ability. She doubted he'd ever be capable of using it in battle as he just did. The young man stood before her strong and resolute. His eyes bright…but not naïve. Ignorant, yes, but not naïve. A lesson than, an experience to help him grow…why not.

"Are we done here, my lady?" asked Hephaestus

"No, WE are not. Kassandra…the way I see it there is little reason to bring you back to the coven. If you wish to learn more, you must abide by my restrictions, both by word and spirit. Do you understand? If you can promise this when next you come to me, I will teach you what you wish to learn."

Kassandra nodded, "Um…in the future maybe?"

"Ah yes, your apprentice."

Hecate turned to Hephaestus.

"You owe me two favors Godling."

"I owe you nothing," said Hephaestus, tearing out a chunk of rock from his kidneys. His tone, while respectful, held an edge…as well as confusion.

She smirked, though she appeared emotionless to them.

"Oh? But was it not you who attacked me, though I did not attack you?"

"…that is…what?" Stated Hephaestus, "you had my friend trapped!"

"She was free was she not?"

He stuttered a bit, staring at Kassandra.

"Was she physically harmed?"

"….no."

Hecate smiled under her cloth, her eyes narrowing in amusement. Her experience with the weaves of magic more than enough to circumvent such things like circumstances.

"Then yes boy, by the nature of our laws, the laws of hospitality, and the laws of Xenia, you owe me two favors. One will be done in exchange for Kassandra's continued tutelage. The other, for drawing my blood. It is either this…or I exact my own retribution, if you would prefer."

For a moment, Hephaestus felt a savage urge to lash out. The idea that he had been chained in some form, AGAIN, gnawed on him, eating away at whatever weak piece it could latch on to. However, he reminded himself that it was different. He flexed, stiffening his body to try and stop the urge to grip the cloth at his chest. There was no dark force or subversive presence within him…he was free. But…there was a truth to this freedom, one that he had to admit had just reared its head. While he had the freedom to do as he wished…that did not mean the consequence of doing so was non-existent. He would face anything that Hecate would throw at him…but retribution did not necessarily mean a conflict with him…or a punishment directed at him. He couldn't be in two places at once and unless he decided to simply attach himself to Kassandra night and day…than there was only one choice. His freedom was too important to him to sacrifice for his stubbornness. Even as Friends, Kassandra was not worth the restriction on his movements. Besides, he still had to go to Olympus to deliver Zeus' weapon.

"Fine," grunted Hephaestus, "I'll enact two favors so long as they do not interfere with my morals. I…swear to the styx."

The sky rumbled at his oath. To Kassandra, it was a sign that the oath was accepted. To Hecate, it was bullshit. The thunder was lackluster, the clouds didn't even form, and the binding energy of the Styx was non-existent. It was just smoke and mirrors. Perhaps to the average, more instinctual God, they'd be none the wiser…but she was of course different. Hecate felt her blood rush, the thought of Styx running through her mind. That BITCH. Theoretically she knew it was possible for Styx to play favorites like this, but she had never experienced it, nor heard of it before in the last two hundred years! Pallas never swore oaths on his wife to begin with. He went overkill and swore on Chaos (the fool). Styx's children never bothered with oaths, so Hecate had no way to be sure. Yet now she was protecting this man!? This random Godling!? The thought was more galling than she had to admit. She had the boy wrapped around her finger, playing to her tune, and the control was just ripped right out from under her. She wasn't planning anything nefarious, but the fact the reigns had been removed left a sour taste. Whatever the reason, it mattered little. The favors were not that important anyways…it was his reaction, the actions that followed, and what these two would reveal that mattered more. And for that? She didn't need the Styx.

"Your favors?" he prodded.

Hecate shrugged, taking control of the conversation like it was a simple breath.

"One will be at another date, your retribution for cutting me."

Hephaestus ignored the fact that her wound was already gone.

She gestured towards Hephaestus' spear.

"Your first favor is simple enough. Create for me a focus, one fully capable of withstanding my magic and divinity simultaneously."

Hephaestus nodded. Easy enough. Besides, if he was honest with himself, it was going to happen anyways. From what he gathered; Hades had his own collection of Chthonic gods that he would outfit. Hecate being a prime member. It made sense, if the Olympians were to be outfitted with weapons like this, then Hades would seek to even the playing field.

"Now, as for your tuition."

Hephaestus scowled.

"Excuse me?"

"Yes," smirked Hecate, "a quest would do nicely."

"….now you're just milking this."

"….pardon?"

He sighed, rolling his eyes.

"What do you want," he grunted lowly. The husky nature of his voice sending a pleasant trill. One that was ignored. All the gods were pleasant and beautiful in some fashion anyways.

"A task for me," continued Hecate, "do this for me and I will allow Kassandra to teach you unabated, so long as you agree to my terms regarding the teaching others."

He narrowed his eyes. He turned to Kassandra.

"So," he said, staring at her, "Kassandra would be able to come and go as she pleases?"

"That was never a restriction in the first place," muttered Hecate, "but yes."

"…fine. What's your so-called task?"

He wanted this over with. Besides, it was not a favor, he could just reject it after all. If need be.

"Oh nothing difficult, I assure you," smiled Hecate, "merely cure the Stormbringer of his headache."

…..ah fuck.

He knew right then and there that this was a bullshit task. One that wasn't meant to be completed. A means to give Hephaestus a chance at learning, only to ensure that it wouldn't happen. Ahh…but sometimes, even the players can screw with the board. Because he already knew the malady that affected Zeus…and exactly how to cure it. Well, two could play it this way. Unbeknownst to Hephaestus, his body language was not as refined as he would like. While his face was stoic, the slight gestures of his body were not. To someone like Hecate, she could feel the confidence he oozed. One that made her smirk. Good, the Godling knew how to play.

"…a headache?" acted Hephaestus, "seriously?"

Hecate smiled. His inexperience was obvious, but the undercurrent of his lethality was nothing to scoff at. An edge he needed in this age.

"Yes. That's it. He asked me to cure him of it, I'd rather be anywhere else but near him."

Hecate was confusing for Hephaestus. Just from her nature he could garner she was an experienced woman, disciplined if her form was any indication. Reasonable as well. Most Gods would smite first, ask questions later after all, damn the consequences. Wouldn't be the first time a God was incapable of taking physical form for decades or centuries. He knew immediately that there were things at play here he knew nothing about. But he couldn't worry about things of that nature. He needed to focus on the here and now, the goals he wished to achieve. The Gods played these politics like it was war. All or nothing…but Hephaestus played the field of politics and battle in an asymmetrical fashion. So long as his goals were reached…who cares how it was achieved, bar his obvious objections.

Either way, a conflict has been avoided. Good. The less he showed of his capabilities, the better.

"It will be done my lady," he uttered.

Hecate scoffed, going as far as to ruffle his hair like a child.

"You're smart to be so deferential to the others, but don't use such ploys on me child."

"I am no child," muttered Hephaestus.

"In human terms, you're correct. As a God you're barely formed as is, bar your fractured nature."

Hecate sighed, snapping her fingers.

"Farewell Kassandra…I hope I see you amidst our numbers again."

Hephaestus doubted that this was all there was to it. Hecate was always a…mysterious entity. Even with the noble phantasms he had, the stories that revolved around Hecate were far and few between. But such stories were not to be trusted anyway. Take the Athena situation that was going on right at this moment. In natural myth, Athena busted right out of Zeus' skull, clad in armor. Other stories had himself splitting Zeus' head with an axe, granting Athena the means to leave her father's skull. Stories and myth were not to be trusted as the truth regarding Gods.

"…Heph…"

He turned to face Kassandra.

"I'm…" she couldn't say anymore.

He smiled at her.

"You act as if you've done something wrong my friend."

She bit her lip, holding her arms to her chest.

"Owing a Titan a favor…that's…Heph that-"

She was cut off by Hephaestus shrugging.

"It was either that, or be attached to you forever. I like you well enough, but I'm not signing up to be your bodyguard for all eternity."

He had the audacity to smirk at her.

"Besides, it was my choice. My responsibility. There's nothing for you to apologize for."

They made their way home slowly that night. Arriving at the simple cottage brought a sense of stability in this otherwise ravaged night. The sun was already beginning to rise, and Kassandra yawned.

"I…I think I'll get some sleep Heph."
"Again, don't call me that," he grumbled.

She waved him off, a sense of a depressive atmosphere almost palpable from her. He wished he could do more for her, but at this juncture, sleep was a better solution than words. Besides…he had things he needed to do. He wasn't in the mood to simply waste time. The faster he delivered the spear, showcased his abilities, and disappeared from Olympus, the less of a risk he had of being involved with them. Zeus was surprisingly…chill, but Hera was a firm and frankly needed reminder of how the Gods truly functioned. They were selfish and cruel, just as they could be benevolent and selfless. Their unpredictable behavior made interacting with them exhausting and quite frankly dangerous. His current nature ensured that the Gods would never be out of his life, but that didn't mean he had to embroil himself entirely in their politics. As he had just experienced with Hecate, there was more than one way to squeeze him for more favors and the like. Gods would use any tactics to get what they want, abusing the nature of their divinities and their power alike to achieve their objectives. In a way, Hephaestus was thankful to Hecate, he couldn't imagine being unprepared for such an eventuality. He had always assumed the divine laws (the likes of which he STILL didn't rightly know the intricacies of), would be the only rules the Gods played with. He was right, he just didn't realize the Gods played between said rules as well. Alright…best to get this over with.

"HERMES!"

He yelled, his eyes glowing as his voice was saturated in his divinity. Hermes appeared in front of him, nary a sound to his arrival. The assassin like grace was more than enough to gauge that Hermes was more akin to a fixer for Zeus, just as Ares was likely his enforcer. The chesire like smile didn't help the feeling at all. This time Hermes' hair took on a sheen like the night. Pitch black, with a few speckles of light between. He didn't wear his helmet nor winged sandals, neither really needed for his position nor abilities in truth.

"What do you need cuz?"

"To Mount Olympus, I have Zeus weapon."

He'll keep it short and sweet.

Hermes grinned and they were there. It was still strange, moving instantly. Even in ARCHER's experiences, the idea of true instant transportation was frankly impossible. There were always seconds involved, a means of sensing the radiation/magical energy that was used in the spell. A charge time, or a tradeoff. There was always something. This? This was just an instant.

Hephaestus looked upon the works of Olympus…and found it lacking. It wasn't bad, per say. It was certainly beautiful in appearance. Otherwordly even. His divine senses, screwed up as they were, allowed him the ability to discern beyond the surface level. Outwardly it was beauty beyond human comprehension, but to one of his ilk, the innards of such magnificence was…hollow. He could do better, easily do better. But that was a project someone would have to pay him for. His time, his freedom, was not so easily given as EMIYA's in life…right? BHefore he could think on such a thought, he was brought to the same throne room as before. His nervousness previously had dulled his appreciation of the place, only now was he realizing the entirety of Mount Olympus was an ever-revolving structure. Each God having their own room, nothing in between, but freely controlled by those that could interact with it. Interesting if…strangely inefficient. Than again, when one could transport themselves at instant speeds wherever they wished with barely a smidge of effort, such concepts as a solid structure were likely not even thought of.

He was getting distracted, far easier than he would have preferred. Oh, was that celestial bronze?

"Welcome nephew!"

He turned, his eyes locking to the grand form of Zeus himself. His beard was even fuller than before, reaching just below his chin. His dark skin clashed beautifully with the sheer snow like features of his hair, his electric blue eyes adding even further. His bellow was as jovial and baritone as he remembered, not that it had been that long. The purple toga that wrapped around him was pure energy, a shroud for his human form. Following him were Apollo and Artemis, a surprise for him. Apollo was playing his harp softly, the sound an accompaniment to this conversation, rather than a detriment. Artemis merely nodded at him. While her gaze was less threatening, the sharpness had never dulled. She wore something akin to hunting leather around her arms and legs, her toga a strange addition to her garb, seemingly an afterthought. Hephaestus simply kneeled before the king, bowing his head low.

"Lord Ze-"

"Uncle."

He dared not stare up, but he relented.

"Uncle Zeus," he said hesitantly, ignoring the chuckles from Hermes and Apollo, "I come baring that which you have requested of me."

The room darkened a tad, though what for, Hephaestus knew not.

"…you built it already?"

A dangerous tone was placed underneath Zeus' seemingly innocent inquiry. Hephaestus felt his spine tingle as he remembered, Zeus wanted to witness the creation of his weapon, make it a spectacle. Was he always so forgetful? What, was it like he just randomly got ADHD or something? He was sharper than this, surely!

"I…apologize Lord-"

The sky rumbled as his anger grew.

"UNCLE Zeus," he corrected.

Zeus rolled his eyes.

"Honestly, you're no better than that sycophant Zephyros, rise."

He rose, locking eyes with Zeus against his better instincts. The room was heavy with the King's divinity, his eyes sharp as he looked towards Hephaestus.

"So, what is your excuse for defying my rather unobtrusive request?"

Lies would do no good here, Hephaestus reasoned, the Gods likely had such countermeasures anyway. Still, his thought process was quick to come up with what he hoped was a rather reasonable rebuttal.

"I worry for the Cyclops," he muttered, his distaste clear.

The raised eyebrow urged him forward.

"They've…no, one stole my work before. Displaying my achievement as their own…I refuse to allow another such an opportunity, no matter how unlikely."
It was an excuse at first, but as the words flowed, he found himself agreeing with the sentiment more and more…almost obsessively so. The idea of someone, anyone, stealing credit for his skill…why he might just kill a man over it. IT was not borne of jealousy, or hate. But rather, from a cold hard truth. His skills were earned. The noble phantasms…he lived through each of EMIYA's experiences as if they were his own. EMIYA was him; he was EMIYA. The memories of both the original Hephaestus and EMIYA had changed him into someone new, both hardened and softened by these experiences. What he knew was simple. Steal what he creates, steal credit for others hard work, and he would have a problem with you.

Huh, perhaps this is what it was like holding a grudge?

Thankfully, Zeus reacted well enough.

"I'll ignore the insult to my ability to handle my workers, show me the weapon. I'll see what punishment you'll have after."

Fuck.

He withdrew the weapon from his internal world, and gave it to his uncle. The God merely took the weapon, a small shudder running through his human form. The skys lit up with a surge of impossibly blue lighting, the azure taint of Zeus' power now almost overflowing. Greater and greater the divinity grew, and yet the spear, no, THE MASTER BOLT held true. Zeus smile grew as he admired the weapon.

"…I must admit, your work is beautiful Nephew," the king grunted, rubbing his head, "I apologize for my…anger. This infernal pain won't leave me."

Considering Gods rarely felt pain at all, it stood to reason that it would be annoying. Hephaestus cleared his throat.

"If I may uncle. I believe you might be suffering from a headache."

Zeus blinked.

"There is a name for this?"

"Amongst humans yes," explained Hephaestus, doing his best to follow as Zeus moved to his throne. He ignored the way Apollo scowled at him.

"I've already told him this before."

It was the first time he had heard Apollo outright speak before. His voice…it was every bit the way he imagined the God of Music's voice being. It was if every word spoken was a symphony, perfect harmony. An i9mpossible sound for human ears…his true voice. He merely nodded.

"I have little doubt you've done everything you can lord Apollo."

He needed to be the one to cure Zeus, because he had little doubt that if he let Apollo do it, Hecate would just screw him over on the technicality.

"But if I may offer a perspective?"

Apollo grunted, giving way to the slight look Zeus gave him. The god smiled as he shook his head.

"You're more like me than I first thought my boy. Reign it in, lets here what my nephew has to say. Won't hurt to listen no?"

Hephaestus pointed to his head.

"The humans suffer headaches for a variety of reasons, mostly to do with pressure in the skull. This can originated from bruises, dehydration, or tissue growing along the skin pressing on the skull."

The last one was an asspull, but he had their attention.

"But…you're a God."

Zeus grunted, a smile forming.

"I've liked to think I've gathered as much."

"…but that's the point of error here. You're a God. Your flesh heals, dehydration is not a concept your body has. The headache…what if in treating the pain, you've neglected the source."

He turned to Apollo.

"Your skills are unmatched as a Healer, your divinity would cure any malady within lo-um Uncle Zeus, no?"

Apollo nodded…than his eyes widened.

"The cause is not in your core father!"

Apollo's eyes widened as he looked outside of his fathers body. He blinked, his expression turning…amused.

"Oh…well…this is unexpected."

He smiled wide, looking at his father with a faux sort of joy.

"Congrats father, you're pregnant!"

Artemis scowled, muttering something that was unknowable. Literally. Whatever sounds she used, no God could decipher. Zeus blinked.

"…what?"

"There is another core, trapped within your divinity father! The pressure it exudes on you as it grows is what is causing your headache. I knew there was nothing wrong with me!"

Of course that was his takeaway, though it would be a concern for a God if their domains weren't working.

"Than excise them!" said Zeus, his smile becoming bigger, "if they're ready I mean!"

"The core is fully formed," muttered Apollo, "actually, it's fully developed as well…it's been with you a while building strength…I've…there's no way to accurately excise it…this might take a moment."

Zeus felt a vein pop on his head as scowled.

"You're telling me the cause of my pain after all these years, and now there's no solution? Damn."

Hephaestus raised his hand, drawing the attention of the others. Artemis chuckled, perhaps realizing what he offered to do.

"Simple is best. Split your head open," said Hephaestus, "it's not as if your body cannot withstand it. If the pain is in your head in this mortal form, crack it open at the source."

Everyone blinked.
"That…it can't be that simple!?" sputtered Apollo.

Artemis drew forth a random axe, one that Hephaestus had found to be forged by Skilros. The history within it signified that Artemis used it purely for harvesting trees…though why she needed to do that, he didn't really care to know. Her business. He grabbed the axe, nodding to Zeus.

"If I may?"

Zeus scowled, closing his eyes and nodded. It was quick really, the axe more than enough to split the skin and bone. From a God's perspective, the axe left barely a splinter in Zeus' divinity. Not even a wound really. Hephaestus was not so lucky. Weapons born of divinity tore through the opening, spearing Hephaestus through the shoulder, launching him across the room, his arm bleed freely as he landed a distance away, pushing every instinct to counterattack down. He scowled at the disgusted look Apollo shot his way, the way the Sun God looked at his red blood. Artemis proved a different sort, the look she harbored…it wasn't something he could read, loathe as he was to admit it. Zeus didn't seem to care, his interest first in watching his wound close, the second at who Hephaestus assumed was Athena.

He couldn't lie…she was stunning. Her features were sharp, even if they were obscured by her regalia. Her muscles were compact, dense with strength and purpose. She was not built as he was, instead her form better suited for battle, honed like a blade's edge. Her hair was a brilliant blonde, though it turned black as night for a moment, almost as if the Goddess had second thoughts. Her grey eyes though were…intense. They locked eyes for a moment, her eyes widening as she watched his red blood sizzle even on Olympian marble. She watched as the last of his wound healed, before locking eyes with him again. The energy in her storm like eyes was gratifying in a way he'd never felt in this life. He then crushed the feeling without a second thought. All Goddesses were impossibly beautiful. It would take more than an impossible beauty for him to lose his head.

Still though, DAMN.

He bowed to her, retreating slightly to the corner of the room as the other Gods entered. He made a pointed effort to ignore Hestia and her hearth…though the two strangel glowing stones that floated beside her were intriguing. Primordial shards if the feeling was right…the red and black on was strangely enthralling, but that wasn't something he was concerned about. Hestia smiled as Athena broke her stares from Hephaestus. Sher found it strange that the other God kept his distance. She had felt his power when her spear pierced his shoulder…he was not inferior to the others that stood in this room bar a few. His eyes were…they resonated with her. She could feel her domains shudder in the similarity that existed between them. But for now, her focus was elsewhere. She knew of all these people, of her siblings and cousins. Of their skills and talents. While Hephaestus' abiltities were of the most interest to her, that wasn't to say that they were not all interesting. She felt her domains shudder a second time today, as a new God entered the room. His face was youthful, pretty even. He looked like he was a teenager on the very cusp of adulthood. His hair was jet black, his musculature perfection for a warrior. Wide shoulders, thick legs, strong wrists. Perfect for a warrior of both fist and blade.

But his eyes…she detested them. Hephaestus was…a broiling flame, ingenuity in its purest form. She knew who this was. Ares, the God of War. His eyes screamed for nothing but slaughter, the crimson color drenched in the blood of all those that fell beneath him. He inspired rebellions, and while she knew of his reputation of protecting women…she also knew of his casual dismissal of people as well. There was no telling what this God was capable of. The sneer he sent her way was mutual. Hera was a bigger surprise though. She nudged her son, Ares begrudgingly mellowing out. She was beautiful. It was ironic to Athena that this woman shared a greater similarity to Hephaestus than Ares. Even their eyes were the same, though Hera lacked his spark.

"Another, so soon?"

The resigned tone was more…relaxed than Athena expected. The queen stood before her, the divinity she expunged a reminder that not all strength could be found in wisdom and arms. There was no denying that Hera's statesmanship and political ingenuity was a strong reason Zeus' reign has gone so well as it has the last two hundred years. There was not much Athena would admit she respected from her father's memories...Hera was one, just as Hestia was an inspiration as well.

"Queen Hera," greeted Athena, her stature larger and more imposing than the queens, "I am Athena, daughter of Zeus."

"I gathered as much," drawled Hera, turning to her sister. The pointed ignorance of her son Hephaestus was something Athena noted.

"Is she the reason the grey shard kept reacting to Zeus?"

Hestia nodded, the shard flowing seamlessly into Athena.

"…Apollo and Artemis were welcomed with full honors," muttered Zeus, "Athena should at least have the same? Why rush the process?"

Hera rolled her eyes.

"Come now, we just gathered all of them not a time ago. You know how our subjects dragged themselves here. Best to simply move on…why is he here?"

Zeus grinned, holding up his spear. All the Olympians bar Hades was here, each of them staring at the weapon Zeus wielded. There was no denying it functioned flawlessly.

"…."

Hera said nothing, moving away. She stood near her son, obviously here more for Athena at this time.

"If he is to replace Skilros, than have it done quickly."

Hephaestus stood, moving towards the group. Best to get this over with than.

"I take it there is a procedure in place for his replacing? How long would this take?"

Zeus smiled.

"Oh, not long at all Nephew!"

He snapped his fingers…and Skilros was ejected from Olympus and straight to the ocean below. Hephaestus turned to watch the cyclops falling body as it fell from some higher floor, blinking at the absurdity of it. Nice to see how Zeus "treated" his workers. Was it strange that this was comforting? It at least meant there was something to the myths he had access to, something he could use to better gauge the king of the Gods. Ares was…more of a concern than he thought. The savage, almost blood letting grin, that tore through his face made it obvious what he wanted.

"I take it you want me to get the rest started?"

Zeus nodded.

"Oh yes, once you're settled that is your first task. There will be several more. Your new forge will be where Skilros was."

Hephaestus nodded, looking over at Hestia for a moment. The…pitying look she had was beginning to become a worry. What was going on with her? The shard proved to be glowing, but considering that Zeus thought nothing of it, Hestia must be the owner. It stood to reason after all, Hestia gave up her throne for Dionysus. The process must have been the ejection of that primordial "throne".

"I appreciate the offer," stated Hephaestus politely, ignoring the way the other Gods stared at him, "but I have my own set-up that is perfectly suited for my needs. While the facilities here are superior, my current forge is already complete."

Not really a lie, considering said forge was his reality marble. Still hadn't gotten the hang of deploying the reality marble in full outside of himself, but that would come in time.

"Truly?" muttered Zeus, "well...I can't deny the result. If you are comfortable, then I won't force you. We Olympians stay here on Olympus usually. Takes time for the thrones to really settle," Zeus smirked as he looked at the figner tapping Artemis, "not many like feeling stuck up here as it settles."

Hephaestus tilted his head, ignoring the way Athena mimicked his action.

"It…has to settle?"

"Well certainly! Your core just got invaded! It's beneficial, but the fact remains that it is better to be here with family, than out in the open. You have a place here nephew. You may not be part of the council, but I assure you that you need not worry about that…no matter the words and feelings of others."

Zeus eyes glowed and for a moment the divinity in the room almost became suffocation.

"My word is law. You need not fear being rejected."

Hephaestus smiled, bowing to the King of Olympus, it was about time he left anyways. Hera's pointed stare was drilling into him anyway.

"I appreciate this, truly, but my place is not here. I'll send for Hermes for the symbols of power. I swear that my work will not be impeded by this distance."

He said this to the rest of the Gods present, not really wanting to be near them at the moment. The casual indifference Hera displayed was…grating on him more than he liked to admit. He wanted to just…be alone for a moment…or several.

"…a shame..hmm?"

Hephaestus turned, wondering what Zeus was looking at.

THUNK! SQUELCH.

He blinked, staring downwards at the crimson and black shard that had just launched itself into his chest. Blood pooled from his chest and mouth as he felt it ravaging his body. It tore through every piece of him, settling its way into the crevice beneath his core…said core that was now open for all top see. The Gods in the audience watched as the primordial shard tore through Hephaestus' mortal pieces, only to connect the pieces in a clear and beautiful fashion. If before his core was a shamble, broken pieces that were barely held together by a sinew of divine energy and familiarity. Between his mortal and divine fragments, now stood the primordial shard, acting as a bonding agent, cementing Hephaestus fractured core into a singular, repaired entity. The strength he felt from such a bonding was not much, surprisingly. Instead, it was if he had gained…authority. Like his divinity had…deepened or matured. His blood kept pooling from the new orifice that had been gouged into him, his blood steaming beneath him, bubbling the stone into a molten slag. He coughed, feeling a hand on his back and chest.

Imagine his surprise to see Hestia smiling at him weakly.

"Welcome to the council, Nephew. I am sorry about before."

His eyes widened as she peeked a look at her own core. He saw…and he knew. She was vastly more powerful than any other Olympian here. She was the oldest. The strongest. The most chained and restricted. She was incapable of fighting directly, not with the responsibility she now bared of maintaining the flames of the west…whatever the actual fuck that was. Their shared domain of fire and Hestia's own domain of the hearth allowed her to ease his pain and hastened his healing process. She scowled a bit, disliking the scarlike nature of his own core. Hestia rarely felt hate…in fact she didn't even hate her own mother. Her father, she thought, was the only being to garner that hate, a hate she assumed was singular.

A hate she knew had grown to include her own sister. From a distance, Hephaestus core was merely shattered and broken. Disgusting sure, but that would be the limit of what a God would see. Up close and personal, manually hastening the healing process? All she saw was pain. A pain that had only recently been scabbed over…one that had scarred this Godling in a way the divine simply shouldn't be scarred. After all, imperfections were impossible for their ilk…until now it seemed. Hestia blinked, watching as Athena knelt beside her, hefting Hephaestus on her shoulder. Much like Hestia, she too shared a domain with him, her own divine energies completing the process entirely.

Hestia was more powerful, that was doubtless, but Athena and the other Olympians had command over their abilities and energy in a way Hestia couldn't match. She smiled, feeling pleased at the lack of care that Athena had for his true state. He stood on his own feet…and Hestia knew disgust. As he rose from the ground, she saw a moment the way his chiton rode up on his back legs, revealing for only a second at her angle the disgusting marred flesh of what was once his legs, replaced by the cold, black, metallic prosthetic. She knew not how this had come to be, but the craftsmanship was unmistakable of who created the legs he now stood on. The shroud and veil went back on, obscuring Hestia's distraught expression.

Hephaestus stood amongst his peers and could really only think of one thing that came to mind.

"Shit," he thought.

END

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Don't worry, a true combat will be coming soon, but I wanted to show that not every conflict with a God will end with Hephaestus cramming unlimited weapons down their throat. After all, unlike EMIYA, he has people he actually cares about.

With that said, I think it's about time I asked for a vibe check, if you would.

Not for this story, but other stories in general. The latest release of chapters of my older stories have revealed to me a sense of…schism if you would. My newer stories (Kintsugi, Supernatural, and Strawhat) represent my progress, my current skill level. Nowhere near a professional, obviously, but they carry my improvement in terms of greater story arcs and developments. Some are better than others no doubt. But they have a greater development than my older stories plus Fate/Clover.

Fate/Clover and Arcane Craftsman are a lot of fun! Pure nerdy fun for me, but they also carry my older habit of, well, just writing about a singular idea that I needed to get to page, rather than developing that idea further. I mean when I was a kid, Goku going Super Sayian Beyond was like, the greatest fan-fiction idea I ever had back then! The fights I envisioned were legendary. Hell, he sacked Satan (both Hercule and SATAN), pile drived Frieza into the sun, and went toe to toe with Batman and Superman! Would it be dope? Fuck yea it would be, especially since my inner 12-year-old was entirely vindicated that a silver super sayian transformation was in fact a thing! (Thank you, Ultra Instinct for existing, and fuck you Greg, silver was cool!)

But just because an idea is dope, doesn't mean that the idea by itself necessarily floats. I mean, the fights would be fun, but what of the story between? These last few days of typing just got me thinking that is all. A story built on just a single idea, with no support, doesn't tend to get carried far. It's what happened to Fate/Shield. A dope ass idea that I loved…and never really planned further with. I thought I did, but the means I employed for these newer stories showed that what I had for Fate/Shield is not the same as them in terms of progression.

I wanted to check in on you guys, the fans, about the stories overall. I still have fun typing them, though I admit the lack of direction I have with some of the stories does make it more difficult to get them done than I expected. I still feel the urge, the smile as I go wild typing the adventures. But I admit I'm really feeling a sense of…bareness regarding a few of my older/newer stories. I got the juice to keep writing, but I am considering the idea of shelving some of the older stories to give them the character arcs and full scope they deserve, with the risk that I never go back to them (cause I am both lazy or get inspired into a new direction from the ashes of these stories). Journey (the one that is on the backburner and won't be coming back unless demanded) is night and day in comparison to its original counterpart. I'm wondering if I should give stories like Arcane Craftsman the same treatment. A full rewrite from scratch. Risk and all that comes with it.

Or

GO WILD! Just keep fucking going until the tank is empty. Either way I'm having a blast, that I want to make clear. The updates may get slow, but I'll keep trudging along. But you guys have been on this adventure with me for quite some time. Some of you for days, others for years! While I do write for me…I admit the feedback and comments have grown on me XD. The criticisms especially have been informative in a way that I genuinely enjoy. It's a blast writing this, and I want it to be a blast for you! So, let your thoughts be known! Send me PM's, leave a review, and if you're uncomfortable with both, leave a vote on the page. Let's decide the future together.

With that said, I get no notifications about messages at all anymore and Fanfic doesn't run…the best. What would you guys say to me uploading these stories in both FF and A03, so if one or the other go down, you always have a place to read? Maybe set up a discord or some shit. I'm hesitant about the discord thing I admit, can barely keep a conversation going in truth…that and I'm barely looking at discord if I'm honest XD. Well, that and I can't moderate worth a shit and have no clue how to run it…well that and all the scams in Discord going on as well.

Anyway, back on track. As always, I promise nothing. I let my muse take me wherever it goes. Whether that's into the stars or…well right into the ditch. Either way, it's a laugh and step to the next road so to speak. The opinions and criticisms you guys have given me, it has shaped me as a writer. So, thank you. Your thoughts are important to me in this decision, and I'd love to hear from you.

Also, for those of you worried about Fate/Clover, the story in its current form is close to ending! Not in two chapters mind you, but I can't really see it running past 11, if it even gets close to that. The hollowness in the plot really won't allow it. But it's a fucking ride, one that I am excited to finish! (For once XD). So don't worry, that story will finish.

(proceeds to not finish).

P.S Gimme a shout for other Fandoms you'd like to see! I've been dying to see what new realms we can explore together and what other Canons I can flip the middle finger to! No promises, obviously.

P.S.S: yes I know that Ultra Instinct is not in fact a transformation, shut up. 12 year old me wanted silver super sayian, and I finally got it in my twenties.

P.S.S.S: yes the plot of the dragonball fanfic I mentioned obviously sucks absolute horse shit, but I was like 11 or something. You live and you learn XD.

Till next time, fellow adventurers!