THE FALL
HEPHAESTUS
AZTLAN, THE AREA OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE
One, two, three. Hephaestus tapped their fingertips upon the desk, counting those three numbers repeatedly. Three times the telephone rang. Three times they jumped from their wooden seat and grabbed it to talk to the potential clients. Three times they had to stop their work. But when they were placing the dark megaphone back in its seat, the young gunsmith was going back to their exciting work.
Their left mechanical leg was moving up and down, with the rhythm of the music, which was coming from the loud record.
It needs more oil, They thought as they kept looking at the pocket watch that they were fixing in the workshop, where they were working as an employee.
A gunsmith's job was pretty common in this area. Almost the only one that people in this area could accomplish. But Hephaestus' dream was to be a famous inventor whom everyone admired as they were going to show their devices and ideas. They were even hoping to go to Olympus, the noble area, to show everything they were thinking, watching their inventions come to life.
After they placed the oil into the regulator of the watch, they grabbed a small screwdriver and placed it inside while the gears were slowly taking their final place. Hephaestus touched with their other hand their mechanical goggles and cleaned the left lens.
They could feel every sync that was coming together while they were also memorizing every movement of the process.
The steel is too hard. They thought the moment they traced the watch with their bare fingers. A single gaze around before they taped their fingers to the problem of their work and moved their thumb to a circle. A wave of energy was left from their body until the steel was perfect for their succession and satisfaction.
One of their gift and curse was their memory. They could remember every touch, every smell, every noise, every sight. Everything.
But it didn't matter, because right now this curse was helping them to achieve the dream and the job they were craving. They could spend hours or even days in the workshop without getting any sleep, till they finished the invention they were making or repairing.
Hephaestus took their copper goggles off and looked around with their curious expression. They saw Talus fixing a small gun while they were also getting ready to test it on Orion.
''Don't you dare'' Orion yelled with a whimper, taking a step away.
Hephaestus restrained their laughter and looked at the others who were melting rocks in the fire so they could make materials. Sweat was dripping from their brow and lower jaw, falling to the ground and then becoming steam. Hephaestus was also sweating from the heat, even though they weren't near it.
One other was writing down a few notes with their left hand as they were also speaking to the telephone holding it with their right. They spoke heavy and fast, spitting and hitting the white papers right beneath the desk.
Hephaestus wiped the sweat from their melanin face and continued working. The melody from the record covered almost every noise. Even the boss was shouting.
''Talus'' She yelled.
Hephaestus jumped from the fear and looked at her eyes, which were filled with anger. A fire ready to burst out.
''The client wants their weapon back'' They groaned and put it inside a box.
Orion took a deep breath and looked at Hephaestus, who had finally finished the watch. They grabbed their gray cane and pocket watch with the other hand and got up with a big grin on their dirty face. Orion turned his head down with a groan, watching them walk with heavy steps, lowering their upper body.
....
''That took you long enough'' He scolded them while they were washing their dirty face in the small restroom. Hephaestus agreed with a simple hum. They took a towel and wiped all the cold water from their face.
Two days, five hours, and twenty-five minutes. They wanted to correct him but it did not matter.
''It's just'' They looked at Orion's left mechanical eye, which was glowing a bright red color. Hephaestus showed them the watch that was ticking and then curved a small smirk on their face.
''But now it's perfect'' Both of them could hear the materials work in perfection. Then Hephaestus tied up their long, till their nape-brown copper hair together with a piece of black ribbon. Orion sighed as he could see their gray shirt and brown tight vest were painted spots of oil. He could even smell it.
''You smell awful'' He complained.
Hephaestus laughed with a passionate and arrogant grin. ''That is the smell of a great inventor''
They placed their clean arm on their dirty copper brown vest. They took another look at their golden buttons and noticed that one of them had a dark spot of oil stained on it.
Orion looked away with a grin and a flustered face.
''Tell your client that'' He scoffed. Hephaestus tried to control their laughter again. Orion groaned and pushed them away from him.
''Let's go, I am starving...'' He whined and opened the door only to see Talus fighting with his client.
The boss wasn't around the room so Talus was an opportunity to show his anger to his client. Hephaestus and Orion groaned and walked closer to them.
''Are you kidding me ?'' The soldier shouted. ''I was waiting for half an hour.''
''Well, I made it so here take it''Talus jerked his head and showed the pistol to the soldier one more time.
''Do you think that the warlocks will wait to kill people for your delay?'' The soldier raised his voice twice than before, making people from outside take a look at the commotion.
Talus was ready to curse him with his red lips but Orion leaned into his arms and covered his mouth. Hephaestus took the box from them and gave it to the soldier.
''Apologies for him'' They looked at the soldier with a fake smile taking their friend's place of saying sorry to their client. The soldier scoffed, looking at both Hephaestus and Talus as if they were nothing more like servants for him. And that pissed Hephaestus off.
''Finally, a response that I deserve...''
But Hephaestus interrupted them. ''But they took extra care and tested it so ...''
The soldier's thick eyebrows frowned
''Are you questioning my authority?'' He showed his light white uniform with the ox badge.
A drop of sweat appeared on their forehead.
''No.. not at all actually'' They admitted and pointed at the gun. Talus and Orion were both standing behind them, praying to the Spirits to save their friend.
''I just find you rude that you are yelling at someone who took good care of your gun...'' They pointed at their badge that had an ox four times.
Shit, they are guards from Elysium. Hephaestus thought and looked left and right, searching for the right materials. Probably in the fancy school they went to, they did not teach any manners.
The soldier didn't say a thing after Hephaestus spoke rudely to them and looked at Hephaestus' calm face and then at their prosthetic leg and their silver cane. One other thing that impressed them was that they were not wearing a shoe on their prosthetic. It was just a naked machine made of metal and elastic fabric, being naked without any other cover.
The soldier scoffed mockingly. ''Ha...''
They gave them a small bag with Eke'els waved a farewell and laughed hysterically. ''May the spirits guide you''
Hephaestus said. The soldier responded with the same wish.
Damn, I hate that one. Hephaestus thought.
They moved their fingers slowly, turning their wrists to the other side and a piece of steel that was on the exit fell to the soldier's left foot. They shouted from the pain and continued walking by jumping fast and continuously.
Orion and Talus walked closer to Hephaestus, placing their hands up their stiff shoulders.
''Are you alright?'' Talus asked nervously. Hephaestus smiled and waited for a few seconds so the soldier would have been away from the workshop for good. One. Two. Three.
They let out a deep breath from their mouth and leaned their body lower. Both of their hands were clenching the handle of their cane.
''I thought he would shoot me'' They said, breathing heavily from relief, placing their hands on Talus' shoulders. A small cough left their lungs and Hephaestus tried to clear their throat, while they felt a wave of energy leaving their body.
They walked closer to a small drawer, behind the cashier which had a lot of empty boxes, and placed the watch inside.
Orion chuckled and pointed to the canteen with sandwiches on the next road.
''Hephaestus'' The boss yelled their name with anger. Hephaestus exhaled deeply.
'' Go'' They said bitterly and walked closer to where the voice was coming from.
...
The boss lit up a big cigarette and the smoke filled Hephaestus's lungs. They despised it. They told her once that it annoyed them and in the end, they ended up staying all night repairing work that was not even theirs. ''You have a big mouth'' She said before she showed them the work they had to do. And most of it was not repairing but cleaning the scourge that was probably there for decades.
They stretched their wrists and looked at the boss's gray eyes. Their gaze fell to their office. The walls were filled with copper tubes that were transferring warm air around the shop.
''Did you cause any trouble?'' She asked with a tone of anger in her voice. Hephaestus disagreed.
''I heard a client screaming'' She continued smoking. Hephaestus explained that a piece of steel fell to their leg but she didn't buy it. She let out a groan. Hephaestus knew how she was acting. After all those years, she was seeing them as a chore.
''You are two days late for the next client'' She explained in a rough voice. Hephaestus was aware of that.
''And rumor has it '' She crossed her hands together. ''That you caused a small incident at the earliest meeting'' She was right again.
Once every week every mechanic or inventor was showing to the others a new idea and invention. Hephaestus was at least an apprentice in the workshop. A third grade. They did not have the license. They could not show their work. Not if they did not lie.
Dressed in heavy clothes to cover their face, Talus slips the boss's license into their pocket and Orion keeps silent about the plan. The moment Hephaestus exposed their ideas, they heard someone laughing. Heart skipped a beat but that did not stop them. But the explosion from their machine did.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Hephaestus did not snitch the others as it was their idea in the first place.
''Stop acting like a genius inventor''She hissed at them. ''Do not forget, you are still a gunsmith, a mechanic.''
Still a gunsmith. And they tried to do everything to be an inventor. But only their inventions, failed inventions were not enough. And the boss did not seem the generous one to give them credit for anything.
She drew her fingers on her thick brow. ''Listen, ''She removed from one of the drawers a file of theirs. ''You haven't been to a school, so you have no education in mathematics, literature reading...''
Was she trying to find them another job?
''You are good with the machines but barely, you can't even stand fire...''She continued.
''Are you going to fire me?'' Hephaestus gasped and tried to not stretch their wrists as she hated to watch them doing it.
They apologized for that. But the boss was furious. ''I should kick you out right this instant'' She ordered. Hephaestus tried to disagree but she explained once again as she let all the smoke to their face. Hephaestus coughed. ''I can't have rumors spreading that an employee of mine, causes something like that''
Hephaestus' stomach was tied up. They stretched their wrists slowly.
''But I made a deal with the army so I can't ''She exhaled disappointed.
And they were grateful for that. They wouldn't be on Aztlan or free without her help and deal.
''I will stay overnight'' They finally spoke and looked away. The boss murmured a yes and gave them the key. ''No more trouble'' She repeated holding her burning eyes at them. ''You know, your mind must make a choice sooner or later''
Hephaestus' brow arched, trying to play interested in her words.
''Follow the line and become actually something great.''She made a long pause. ''Or don't and keep doing what you do. You might stay a gunsmith forever just like Talus.''
...
''I am telling you I was ready to kick their ass'' Talus whined while the others were eating the sandwiches fast. They were sitting at the table that the canteen had, smelling the meat and vegetables getting cooked in the kitchen. '' And you would be fired,'' Orion continued.
Hephaestus was trying to catch every pickle that was falling from the bread while half of the meat was outside from the dark bread. ''It would have been your third time that you got kicked from a workshop''
Orion showed with his free hand that everywhere there were small or big workshops. They could hear the sound of hammers or the matches that were lighting the fire. Some of them were even testing weapons for the army outside but away from the people. One of them showed everyone an electric glove and an iron net. It was completely normal as all the area was made for inventors and mechanics.
Even the houses were looking like they belonged to a machine. The thick gray smoke conquered the sky and it was hard to breathe. Hephaestus couldn't remember the last time they saw at least a small glimpse of sunlight. But of course when they and their friends had the time they were climbing to the highest building to see the sunset or the sunrise. And their eyes could not stop staring at the big wall that was far away from the area, covering the entire Akhet so they could protect them from danger.
Hephaestus never understood what it meant. There was always danger, even without the wall. For them, it was just an idiotic way to spend time building it. What could it be on the other side?
Did they know what was on the other side?
The clock tower bells rang every time one hour was passing, making Hephaestus's eardrums scream from the pain. The synced sound of cogs was a melody that they got used to hearing and never got tired of.
''Your rumor isn't the best here '' Orion took another bite and his mechanical eye stared at Hephaestus. They tried to hear the music from the record as they were tapping their fingers on the table. ''Unlike you...'' Hephaestus turned nervous towards him thinking that they made a mistake. ''What?'' The lettuce fell to the plate.
''You caused an incident'' He pointed to the table with his dirty finger. Hephaestus agreed in silence. ''People will gonna talk''
Hephaestus agreed once again. Talus and Hephaestus made eye contact and laughed. Orion groaned and let his food down.
''It's not funny you know''
''Sorry,'' They both apologized.
''Have you ever thought about the army?'' Orion suggested to both of them. And they both looked at him with an idiotic expression.
''If you want to cause a mess and explosions''He moved his palm around to explain his thoughts. Hephaestus gasped dramatically and hit their heart with their tight fist, pushing themselves back at Talus.
''How could you say something like that to them?'' Talus whined mockingly.
Hephaestus did like the sound of explosions, and the colors that it could make from just a few chemicals and cogs put together. The smell of oil and phosphorus. But the one thing they hated was the aftermath. Looking at the violent end of the most beautiful machines they could have created.
Hephaestus's curious gaze fell on the poster that was on the wall right next to them with a big smile. It was painted with bright and wild colors, most of the complexions of green, pink, and red and it had the big flag of the kingdom. Green, red, and purple with the head of a deer in the center.
The letters were black and big as they were in the middle of the flag.
On Sunday night the great Ruler Budica,
will appear with the great scientist Thoth,
to show the newest device,
On the main temple of AZTLAN.
Their heart was beating fast from exhilaration. They were looking forward to it. They were now in their thoughts, imagining what the new device could be.
''Wake up'' Orion hit their head. Hephaestus groaned and laughed.
''What?'' They asked with a soft smile
''Anyway, I ''Orion pointed to himself with his thumb. A big prideful smile was shaped upon his thin face. ''I will go to Elysium ''
''She chose you to send them?'' Both of them asked him in shock.
Orion took the last bite from his sandwich and lifted his hand, ordering another one. ''Someone has to send the new devices to the army'' He turned his head and looked at them with a raised eyebrow.
''If you beg, maybe I will let you come with me'' He grinned with confidence''.
''You are evil'' Hephaestus whispered and continued eating.
''I will come'' Talus lifted his arm without any pleading.
''What about you Hephaestus?'' Orion asked excitedly.
They looked at both of them with a warm fake smile. ''Forget about it'' They moved their left palm around. ''The money for the train ticket covers only you'' They said, looking slowly at Orion. ''Besides, I have a lot of work to do'' They lied again. They had to. They couldn't say that if they went to Olympus, the area of wealth which is filled with iron, they would probably die.
The sound of iron wheels and machines was coming closer to them. Hephaestus let their food down and stretched their hands. The only ones that could use cars for the entire Akhet were either the citizens in Olympus or the army all around.
But... normal citizens could travel between areas only by train so the sound of the machine belonged to the army. Talus looked with admiration at the car and how it was working.
Orion turned back to see it with them. Hephaestus was taking deep breaths as they were starting to eat again. They were too afraid to look at them while putting the posters on the wall. Then the megaphones from above started shouting the names of the fallen soldiers from the enemy's attack.
FIVE SOLDIERS. TWO NEW RECRUITS FROM AZTLAN IN THE SNAKE ORDER. THREE WITH TWO STRIPES IN THE ROOSTER. ONE FROM DIYU, AND TWO FROM OLYMPUS.
The enemy could have been a small kid for all it mastered. Or an old man, who was far afraid to face the fire and tried to resist. But regardless. It wouldn't matter.
''Are you alright ?'' Orion asked. Hephaestus took the last bite and turned finally back. Most of the faces on the wall belonged to little kids. They smiled in relief and looked at the clear sky. ''Nothing my...''They touched their head. ''I had a small headache''
''A warlock'' A young woman screamed for help. Hephaestus noticed a boy around their age or younger running around the workshops with a bag wrapped around his left hand while his right was making the wind move, pushing people and objects away from his sight.
''The show begins'' The cook muttered from behind them, sounding bored, and with his sharp blade cut a piece of ham in half.
And he was right. Two soldiers loaded their guns and grabbed an iron net as they went after the boy. He was fast but not as fast as the iron bullet that hit his leg, making him fall.
''Go away '' He yelled, throwing his hand at them, making the wind blow them away. Or at least that is what he wanted to do but nothing happened.
His eyes flinched and his hand tried to reach for the boxes close to him. A strong pressure made them shake with the wind changing course to his side and pushing the boxes to the soldiers. This time, the attack made them fall down with the weight of the boxes crushing them.
Hephaestus thought that the warlock might have a chance of surviving, or winning. He thought that too, looking at the soldiers with a bright grin of victory.
And then, there was a shadow, emerging from behind the warlocks, holding a pistol tight. The warlock turned his head fast behind but it was too late as an iron bullet fell at one of his shoulder blades, pushing him down to the ground.
Now on his knees, he shifted the wind with the dust moving on the soldier's face. But the soldier dodged it fast. Hephaestus was amused by the speed of his as they admired for just a second his silver locks.
The crowd emerged closer to the fight, with the soldier now moving his free hand behind his back and then throwing an iron net at the warlock, stopping every future attack.
This time, the boy, tried to fight by using wind, even if his skin was becoming worse, bleeding to the ground. He tried to stand up but the soldier raised his foot and then kicked him in the stomach. He raised his weapon and looked at the warlock with ice-cold eyes. No emotion. As if the life he was about to take was nothing.
Hephaestus gulped harshly, feeling fear down their spine.
The crowd was cheering, throwing coins and flowers around the soldiers.
The boy's spirit broke as he stopped fighting to get free from his iron prison.
No matter how much power you have. In this world, you will be the prey.
Hephaestus thought.
Now the soldiers were waving with smiles of pride in a response to the crowd. Especially the one with the white locks.
''Thank the Great Ruler'' Someone spoke loudly.
''Thank the Spirits, the Made Ones''A priest said.
Hephaestus let out a laugh. With the crowd moving far from the fights and the soldiers standing up, Hephaestus had now a clear picture of the soldier with the cold eyes and locks.
The fear disappeared instantly as there was now warmth of relief on their face.
Hephaestus smiled genuinely pulled some silver coins out of their brown pants and placed them on the table.
They could recognize his handsome figure and beautiful hair that was tied up in locks everywhere. They ran closer to him with their gray cane trying to jump around the road.
They felt his warm soft lips upon theirs. After a few seconds, they pulled themselves away to stare right at his light blue sky eyes.
''It's been so long'' Hephaestus said to Venus with a flirty smirk. He replied with a big and tight hug. The iron dust from the coat was slowly burning their naked skin. But Hephaestus didn't care. They were just happy to see him again. His smile was genuine and soft. His dark complexion made his perfect white teeth look brighter than they were.
''Seems you have a small fame''They grinned.
He rolled his eyes and laughed, looking at people who kept cheering him up as the warlock was getting pushed inside the wagon.
''Jealous?'' He pouted close to them.
''Maybe''
''I have to tell you so much''.He said with excitement. Hephaestus nodded and noticed his left arm had now two stripes. He got promoted. They thought and looked behind to see their friends with their mouths wide open, and jaws falling to the floor.
''You did what?'' Venus started giggling as he heard that Hephaestus caused a small explosion. Hephaestus whined like a small kid.
''It was my baby'' They played with their leftovers. ''May the Spirits guide you to rest Talus two'' They said with disappointment in their voice.
Talus scoffed. ''You really named it Talus two?'' He asked in a shocked tone.
''I thought that it was cute '' They explained and held Venus's hand that didn't have a glove. They then told him about the event.
''It's tomorrow ''They announced.
''It is also half a day by foot'' Venus explained and stretched his neck.
Hephaestus blinked twice naively and sighed dramatically.
''Don't do that face'' Venus pointed.
Hephaestus grinned and leaned closer to him with their blue eyes opened wide. ''What face?'' They asked with a soft tone.
Venus let out a groan from exhaustion. Hephaestus laughed.
''You win again''He chuckled. We will take a carriage'' He smiled softly and both of them looked around.
A lot of people came from Olympus and Diyu. The citizens from Olympus were sitting at the restaurants with elegance and laughing and chatting while the citizens from Diyu were hiding in some dark alleys and started screaming about who they were gonna steal from. Some kids from Diyu were staring at the inventions with admiration and curiosity.
The citizens of Diyu that were now in Aztlan were probably the most privileged ones. Diyu was a place covered with a dark veil, a curse made by the Mother of the Deep.
Most of the people who live there haven't seen the sun in their entire life. There was water around the area but it was poisonous from the junk and the drugs that were around. And right next to Diyu was Naraka, the area of punishment. And when someone was trying to get out of the area of forsaken without the right price or they had finished their debts they could not get out, not even for a few days. A reminder that you have to return is a dark collar with a clock, right at the center of it. Your time is up. You feel the pain, none can make you ready for it. The collar is made from carbon steel. Hard enough to break with simple tools you could find in any workshop.
That morning, Hephaestus heard that one citizen left their kid behind to the man who was working so they could see the event. Another one said that they spent half of their money but they were still in debt. If they stay more than they had to, the people who are their enemies will find them back, no matter what. Or at least that is what Hephaestus heard.
A familiar face – for Venus - walked around the streets. Hephaestus saw the person but they did not react at all. He was a young man, probably three years older than them, nineteen, or twenty. They were not sure but his hazel wavy hair that was caressing his thick neck was moving around, dancing with the wind. His hazel eyes were staring up at the dark gray smoke. His mind was not inside his head. His uniform was the same as Venus's but his badge was an Ox.
That is strange. They thought. The ones who had the ox badge were the ones who were guarding Elysium and they were also wearing different uniforms than the other soldiers. It was also really tight to his husky body.
In the end, they just lifted their shoulders and then placed them down as they did not care that much. They just turned their attention back to Venus who snapped out of his jealous expression. They did not blame him though.
A position as a guard to Elysium meant no danger, unlike a soldier who was guarding the borders or working in Naraka, even working as a normal soldier and trying to find criminals and warlocks in each place. And of course, those guards had all the glory.
They hummed and stretched their wrists. And their gaze fell back to the person and then they saw something around his light olive complexion. They narrowed their eyes to focus their vision. They could not believe that there were burn marks around his turtleneck.
In a world where magic is illegal and the punishment is death, the users of magic, the warlocks, had to hide their curse no matter what to survive. Working in the military. Was an insane way to survive.