Chapter 3: Reconstruction
"Very well, since it seems that the matter has been brought up, I will address it," Zeus said, his voice carrying the weight of his authority but also embarrassment as he glares at Hephaestus. "Hephaestus and I made a deal, an agreement forged and bound by an oath to the river Styx."
All eyes were on Zeus as he continued, explaining the nature of the agreement he had made with Hephaestus. "Hephaestus sought a way to free himself from his marriage to Aphrodite due to her repeated infidelity. In exchange for Hephaestus crafting powerful weapons and artifacts for the gods, I promised him the right to divorce Aphrodite with no contest and to release him from the curse of servitude that he bore if he ever deemed he had enough"
The room was filled with murmurs and surprised expressions. Even Ares, who had initially smirked at Hephaestus's claims, now seemed intrigued by the revelation. Aphrodite's eyes widened as the implications of the deal became clear to her.
Zeus continued, "I granted Hephaestus this right as long as he felt it was necessary. And it seems that the time has come for him to invoke this agreement. The curse of servitude too Olympus is lifted, and Hephaestus has the right to dissolve his marriage."
Aphrodite's heart sank as she processed the gravity of the situation. She had taken Hephaestus's love and loyalty for granted, believing that he would always be there for her regardless of her actions. Now, faced with the consequences of her choices, she realized the depth of her feelings for him.
Hephaestus looked at Aphrodite, his gaze unyielding yet tinged with a hint of sadness. "I have made my decision, and I invoke the agreement we made, Zeus."
Aphrodite stood up from her throne, her voice trembling as she spoke, "Hephaestus, please, I know I have wronged you, but I am begging you to give me another chance. I realize my mistakes now, and I promise to change, to be faithful to you."
Hephaestus's expression remained stern, as he looked at her with a look mixed with disgust, dislike but mainly disappointment.
"No, Aphrodite. The trust between us has been irreparably broken. I cannot continue in a marriage that is built upon betrayal. I wont allow myself to endure it any longer" He getting emotional at the end but he quickly gathered himself finished with one sentence.
"I simply have lost any love I used to have for you and I think I knew this for awhile now but refused to accept it, i thought one day you might look back at me and realize you belong with someone who loves the woman underneath the make up, clothes and the act you use to hide the true you" He threw his hands forward to emphasise his point "But i couldn't accept that the person i once saw and fell in love with was the act instead" a singular tear fell down his cheek washing away any dirt on his face leaving a trail on his face.
Aphrodite's face contorted with a mixture of shock, heartbreak, and realization. She had hoped for a different outcome, for a chance to salvage their relationship, but now she understood that Hephaestus's decision was final and how far she screwed up.
As Aphrodite's world crumbled around her, the once-glorious ring on her finger that was forged by himself began to disintegrate into fine particles of shimmering dust. It was as if the very symbol of their union was succumbing to the weight of their broken bond. The room fell into an eerie silence as the dust settled, leaving behind a poignant reminder of what was now lost.
Immediately Hephaestus left the meeting not even waiting to be dismissed by Zeus and found himself in his forge, a place that had always been his sanctuary, but now seemed devoid of its usual vitality. The roaring fires had dwindled to mere embers, and the rhythmic symphony of hammers striking metal was replaced by a haunting silence. Hephaestus sat on a rugged stone, his gaze fixed on nothingness, lost in his own thoughts.
The weight of his decision hung heavy on his shoulders. He wasn't one to easily express his emotions, but the sadness he felt was palpable. He leaned against his worktable, tracing his fingers over the cold, unworked metal. Each touch seemed to reflect the emptiness he now carried within.
He remembered the moments they had shared, the laughter, the tenderness, and even the trials they had faced together. Despite the betrayal, there had been genuine love between them once at least he hopped it it wasn't fake. Hephaestus didn't regret his choice, for he knew it was the right path for his own well-being and dignity. But that didn't mean he was immune to the ache in his heart.
As the hours turned to days, Hephaestus began to channel his emotions into his work. The once-dormant forge slowly came back to life, fuelled not only by flames but also by the determination to shape his own destiny. He crafted intricate weapons and magnificent artifacts, each piece reflecting his skill and dedication, but also his resilience in the face of heartbreak.
While he banged his hammer down he didn't realize but his form changed from the ugly and disabled he is used too to something so much more and as timed past the heat increases and increased until Hephaestus began slowing and stumbled to his bed and passed out.
As the moon cast its silvery glow through the bedroom window, an astonishing metamorphosis began to unfold. The once unassuming figure, passed out and shrouded in darkness, began to stir. Subtle ripples of energy coursed through every fibre of their being, reshaping contours and rearranging features. As the transformation continued, their features morphed into a symphony of aesthetic harmony.
The jawline, once crooked and unremarkable, chiseled itself into a strong, commanding angle. Cheekbones emerged, his complexion improved to a attraactive tan. Their body, previously broken and disgusting now swelled with newfound muscle, his bones rebuilt aand either shrunk or grew to match his current body Even their hair seemed to catch the moonlight with an otherworldly gleam, cascading effortlessly around their radiant face. In their sleep, the ugly duckling had been reborn as a swan, he released a sigh of relief as the pain that haunted him for his entire life disappeared and in for once in his life he smiled in his sleep.
Sorry for shorth length but I was focused on a another story but hope you enjoyed
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