Page 16 of Hephaestus
Finally, once I had readjusted myself, I returned to face him, and we talked of coming up with a plan on how to help him learn to use his powers with fire. Before I could even rationalize what I was saying, I was already offering him to stay in my palace until he mastered his skills. I’m not sure what came over me then, but now that I had officially met and conversed with Hephaestus, I didn’t want to part ways with him. He was so amiable, and I found myself wanting to have more discussions with him. Perhaps it was my loneliness in choosing to remain isolated for much of my existence, locked in my own palace away from the other gods and goddesses and their daily histrionics that was getting the best of me and longing for a new companionship.
No matter what the case, I was relieved when Hephaestus agreed to my suggestion. I smirked once he confirmed that he would remain here in my palace until I helped him establish his godship with the flames. Maybe now was the time for me to open myself up more. At least I felt that I could do so with him. He was someone that I was growing to believe I could trust. And I’ve never trusted anyone at all before, so this was a rarity. But nevertheless, it was apleasantrarity.
***
The next several days proved to be eventful. Hephaestus and I wined and dined together every morning, day, and evening. In between, we practiced with fire. I must say, I wasn’t surprised when Hephaestus was able to pick up his skills so quickly. He became a natural and was soon able to voluntarily draw up flames right out of the palms of his hands. That was only part of the challenge. The more advanced techniques that I would be teaching him in the coming days would be how to control the movement of the flames that were already aglow.
I stood just behind him in a spacious training room within my palace. The floor was covered in sand, with various tall wooden poles sticking out of it, scattered throughout the room.
“Go ahead. Release your flame,” I whispered into Hephaestus’s ear, more intimately than I had intended.
Hephaestus raised his palm, aimed at one of the wooden stakes. Soon, a red glimmer emitted from his hand and struck the pole, lighting it ablaze.
“Good. Now it’s time for you to learn how to control this flame. Close your eyes. Concentrate heavily. What I want you to do is move the flames from the current wooden stake they are on and to the one beside it.”
He did as I instructed and closed his eyes firmly shut. As much as I wanted to keep my eyes on the fire to monitor his progress, I could sense my gaze wandering over to Hephaestus. I admired his physique and the gorging muscles he had contracted as he remained deeply focused.
My attention soon drifted back up to the flame that now rose into the air and formed an arc. It was transferring itself to the adjacent wooden stake where it soon resided. He had done it. I was quite impressed with how quickly he was able to pick up on the skill.
“Open your eyes,” I softly uttered to him.
Hephaestus did so and instantly his face lit up upon observing he was able to control the direction and movement of the fire. I’d never seen him smile as wide as I did now since the day he first came to my palace. Seeing him so delighted sent a soothing, tepid wave throughout my body. It pleased me to recognize that I was the one that was delivering this newfound joy to him.
“I did it!” he exclaimed in a chipper tone.
“Yes. I’m quite impressed.”
“Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without you,” he further added.
“Well, I think you would have learned how to eventually, but I am glad that I was able to help expedite the process.”
“So, this is it then, right? Once I master this technique, there’s not much else for you to teach me, is there?”
I shook my head. “I’m afraid not. The rest is in your hands.”
As I stated this, I realized this meant Hephaestus would likely be leaving in the near future. I had grown so accustomed to him staying with me, it pained me to think of him now departing for good. Grief then washed over me.
I could also sense the sudden change in Hephaestus’s demeanor too. His jubilant expression turned into one of sorrow. I wondered if he felt the same as I did with the looming thought of us no longer seeing each other every day like we had done so for the past several weeks. Why else would he display such anguish now, of all times?
“I guess this means we’ll be saying our goodbyes then,” Hephaestus said with disappointment.
“I guess so,” I simply stated.
“Should I prepare to leave right away, or do you think I can wait until tomorrow?”
“I would hope you wouldn’t leave this very instance. Let’s have a celebration tonight for all that you’ve accomplished. I’ll have a feast prepared and then we can relax by the hearth with a full supply of Dionysus’s wine at our heart’s content.”
This idea caused Hephaestus to smirk once again. “I would love that.”
“Then it’s settled. I’ll have my servants make the necessary preparations. I want your final night here to be as splendid as possible.”
He then winked at me. “I think with or without the celebration tonight would be grand.Everynight has been grand so far in your presence.”
I could not help but blush at his flattery. The flames rose to my cheeks, heating them up at his remark.
***
The feast was nothing short of spectacular. I’ve never had so much food made in my palace, but tonight called for a special occasion. Hephaestus was beyond thankful and protested at the amount I had provided, imploring that it was far too much, far too extravagant.
