Olympus: The land of Tan

The divine land of Tan is the home to the Hephaestus sect and its people. Known as the holy land of blacksmiths, it is one of the leading sects of Aether in terms of divine engineering and was spearheaded by Hephaestus himself. Surprisingly, during that time, the palace itself took on a more classical style and was run without the use of these products of creation. Due to Hephaestus' stylings, such tools were been outlawed in his palace but allowed outside of it.

                                     -A.X.E ( The Book of All: Sects of Olympus)

The entire throne room was mostly empty, yet it was filled with the tension of emotion. Dimmed by the lack of candles, its 50-foot ceiling, littered with tapestries of history imparted a sense of awe to viewed it. Desolate scarlet drapes hung over the chamber’s grand windows, painted the space in an ominous light, the room’s cracked marble floors giving a sense of ancient beauty. One man clad in an ivory robe, with crimson accents, reminiscent of ancient Greek attire, kneeled before a golden throne.

"We need to talk about the recent movements of Athena's palace", he spoke. 

"Olympus' current affairs are putting us in a rather precarious position, especially since you have not determined who your heir is going to be...We need to-"

"Konstantin....." a deep voice from the throne interrupted.

"It seems you are too focused on inheriting my throne, child." Konstantin, the kneeling man, took a glance at the throne and saw a singular cold eye staring back at him. The other was presumably obscured by cloth. This face was the same one that Konstantin had seen nearly every day of his life, it was his father's. It was Hephaestus'.

"F-father...I didn't mean to be perceived as presumptuous, I just wanted to acknowledge a threat to our sect" Konstantin spoke.

"Let this be the last time....." The man on the throne spoke.

With Hephaestus’ words, a heavy aura spread around the room, forcing Konstantin to bow further down, so much so that his forehead kissed the graces of the marble floor. As Konstantin prepared a reply to his father, the grand doors to the room opened, and a young stubby man entered. It was a page.

"Permission to speak?" requested the page as he bowed.

"Granted". Konstantin said as he stood from his kneeling position.

However, the page stood still and instead turned towards the throne still half bowed. Konstantin clenched his fists. Hephaestus nodded at the page, thus the page began to speak.

"The second princess has given birth."

As the page spoke, Konstantin released his fists and his heart rate quickened, his eyes lowering into a glare

" Birth?.." he wondered. 

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" Is it a boy?" Konstantin questioned with a frown.

The page bowed "Yes, but they are twins sir... one boy and one girl"

As Konstantin relaxed, a bead of cold sweat rolled down his face. 

Upon the news, A light smile appeared on the lips of Hephaestus, who suddenly raised his voice.

" Konstantin, you may leave..."

"Yes, father... but we shall continue this discussion" Konstantin gritted his teeth, muttered, and quickly left the throne room.

After Konstantin had left, Hephaestus spoke...

"Page... bring me to the first princess..."

"Yes, Lord Hephaestus", the page replied...

                    The manor of the first princess(Emila)

A few minutes later Hephaestus and the page then stood in front of Emila's Quarters, in her manor. However, as the page made its way to open the door, Hephaestus stopped him.

 " Your name?..." Hephaestus asked. 

The page then stopped his actions and bowed to Hephaestus, "Norton sir, my name is Norton....." 

Norton stood extremely still, nearly holding his breath, wondering what about him had caught Hephaestus' interest. Instead of resolving Norton's curiosity, Hephaestus merely smiled and said "You are now appointed head Constable of the servants." 

Shock filled Norton's eyes, but instead of relief all he heard was the rustle of metal armor.

Two burly figures, clad in golden armor, appeared out of the shadow of Hephaestus, and as Norton looked on in fear, they took him away from the bedroom's door. After they had left, Hephaestus then entered the bedroom. Entering the quarters, it was clear that something had happened here, the room was set with a light iron smell and dim lighting. Emilia's quarters were more modest than any other in the palace; one could say they were small, but it was rather comfortable. Emila, the first princess, slept in her bed, with two wrapped children on either side of her, Hephaestus looked at the three, in serenity, Hephaestus smiled and said, " They look just like you.'' 

Hephaestus then lay his hand against the face of his daughter with deep sorrow visible in his eyes. He then snapped his fingers and two blood-red pendants appeared, hovering over his shoulders. He wrapped one on each of Emilia's children and left.

This day was the last anyone had seen Hephaestus.

In his manor, Konstantin threw a fit. His formerly lavish room now decimated by his rage. Paintings ripped and thrown off their holdings. Vases and other priceless artifacts shattered and broken presumably from him throwing them.

"How dare he treat me like this...."

"That old man..."

Suddenly he laughed

"hahaha...it's funny, why am I so pressed about that old fool, he hasn't got much longer anyway."

A knock sounded on the door to Konstantin's quarters. The knock bore a special rhythmic pattern: a long knock followed by seven short Knocks and a final long knock.

" ah, just the person I was looking for... Tell me how many doses does the old toad have left before he finally croaks?"

" Today was the last one," a mysterious voice from the other side of the door replied.

"Good, when does the plan begin?" Konstantin smiled.

" two sticks of incense time, in the throne room" the voice responded.

" very well ... but, why do you help me? What are you after?" Konstantin asked the voice

The voice paused before stating "My master says, you need not know this, we are just a helping hand to a person in need."

Konstantin opened the door "And who is your master?"

However, this question fell on deaf ears as Konstantin opened the door to an empty hall with no traces of anyone ever being there.

" cryptic and elusive as always, " Konstantin spat.

This night was sure to be a sleepless one. This was the night Konstantin the 3rd son of