Page 40 of Hephaestus
“Yes. I believe it is time for us to allow mortals the chance to thrive. Giving them this everlasting flame will allow them to further advance mankind,” I stated, expressing my opinion on the matter.
My response caused Hestio to light up. He was beyond pleased that I was on board with this plot of his. “Then let us create this fire together, Hephaestus.”
Hestio stepped towards me with his arms stretched out. I accepted them, holding his hands in mind. We closed our eyes together.
“Repeat after me,” Hestio instructed. “Just maintain deep focus and concentration as you do so.”
I nodded as Hestio recited his plea.
As Gods of fire, we unite.
To create this permanent flame of infinite light.
We use our powers in one combined.
To help advance the power of mankind.
Then, Hestio and I recanted these lines once more, squeezing our hands together, even tighter.
As Gods of fire, we unite.
To create this permanent flame of infinite light.
We use our powers in one combined.
To help advance the power of mankind.
Beneath us, a single flame lit brightly. Hephaestus and I stepped back, allowing Prometheus to claim it. He reluctantly retrieved the flame with his bare hands, being a former titan of fire, sweeping it beneath his tunic to conceal it.
“Thank you both,” Prometheus stated, expressing his gratitude. “This means so much, not only to me but to all humans as well. This service you are providing will not only advance their kind, but it will allow them to survive and thrive. You are in our greatest debts.”
Hestio shook his head in protest. “Do not thank us. Again, this is a gift from you. You were the one who stole it from Mount Olympus,” he reminded Prometheus once more, making him understand that our names should never be addressed in reference to this ruse.
“Yes,” Prometheus acknowledged. “From here on out, I will be sure to never utter a word about your names again. But alas, I must make haste and give this to the mortals. Farewell.”
And with that, he took off, leaving Hestio and I stranded together in the scorching, deepest cavern within Mount Aetna.
“I truly hope this works,” Hestio said aloud, seeming unsure of his decision.
I wish he wouldn’t second-guess himself. After all, I believed what we did was sensible. It would benefit both parties—us and the humans. “It will. This may sound strange coming from me, but I actually trust Prometheus and believe he will do right by us with this deed before him.”
“But that is not what I’m most worried about,” Hestio began to explain. “It’s not that I’m concerned with Prometheus going back on his word to us. I’m more distressed over the thought of him being caught. Zeus is the King of the Gods. He has eyes and ears at every which turn over the entire world. I just hope Prometheus is able to come out of this clean and unscathed.”
Seeing Hestio so tense gave me the need to step closer, wrapping my arms tightly around him in a heartfelt embrace to placate his uneasiness. “You have to give Prometheus more credit than that,” I replied. “Besides, this is a risk he is willing to take. He is well aware of the repercussions of his decision to do this if he is found out. At least we know for certain that he will succeed in allowing humans to acquire our eternal flame. As to whether Prometheus is discovered or not in the aftermath, we cannot concern ourselves with.” It may have sounded far more brutal than I intended for, but it was the cold truth.
Hestio let out a deep sigh. “I suppose you are right. Only time will tell with what becomes of Prometheus and this, but at least you and I can finally be together for so much longer than we had anticipated,” he stated with a bright, glimmering smile.
“That was our goal all along, was it not?”
He gave an affirming nod. “Yes,” Hestio said, before turning his head from side to side, glancing about the inner features of this volcano we were in, with the slow-flowing lava behind us.
“What are you looking for?” I asked him.
“Nothing,” he stated with a sly smirk, letting me know he was up to no good. “I do not think we have ever made love in a volcano before.”
It was an obvious observation, but I decided to take his bait. “We have not. But we can always change that.”
Instead of wanting to further discuss this, Hestio leaned in to kiss me. Forcefully, he propelled me further backwards until my heels were nearly creeping over the ledge of the cavern floor with the flowing molten lava just behind me.
