PART TWO

MOTHER OF THE DEEP

HEPHAESTUS

Hephaestus's mouth had an awful taste of iron and mud. When they tried to open up their eyes could feel that someone was moving them from their arms. ''Where..' Their head was spinning. Their vision was still blurry. They couldn't feel the cold metal and sock that was at their limb before. They slowly turned around and saw that they were moving away from a giant wall.No energy to react. They just turned back again and let out the sound of the birds and left when the cold wind blew them. They could smell a strange scent. ''Roses'' They stumbled and fell asleep again. To a garden with blooming red flowers as the water, stream lets deers come and feist for the cold liquid of life.

A giant cliff loomed before their almost closed eyes. ''I am gonna fall'' They whined.

Hephaestus looked at their hands, which were pinched by the eagle. Their scratches were healing by themselves. The old man laughed and crawled closer to the prison cells. Hephaestus's eyes were looking at it for a while. The man explained to them that warlocks could heal themselves. Hephaestus noticed that the eagle was now eating some parts of the old man. But he couldn't heal properly as his flesh was starting to replace the old one and then it stopped replacing in the middle of the process. The iron handcuffs around his limbs were making them bleed. He smiled and looked at Hephaestus while he tried to wipe the blood from his beard.

They sat down and tried to touch the cell bars. They felt a strong burn and There was a small red wound on their finger that didn't heal quickly. ''Hey, do you....want me to tell you another fairy tale?'' The man asked them. He tried to stretch his wrists as the iron was burning them. ''I am ten...'' He laughed and he spit some blood. ''What about it?''The footsteps became more. Some of them sounded like the shoes were made from metal. It was the army. It came to take the man away.

Hephaestus took a deep breath and looked at him frightened. The eagle started screaming and flying around. Trying to avoid the loud noise of the eagle, the young kid heard loud and clear their friend's question.

''How about a story about when I saw the Mother of the Deep''Prometheus growled as Hephaestus's big blue eyes started to shed tears. They fell to their melanin skin. Laughing, the man told them the story about walking outside the wall.

''COME WITH ME. YOUR FREEDOM AWAITS'' Sedna told me, encouraging me to travel with her.

The soldiers were trying to break out the door. Hephaestus stood up with trembling hands. The man pointed at the window. ''What happened after?' Hephaestus never learned what happened to Prometheus. If he traveled with her or not. But then again, seeing how his life turned out. It did not matter.

The man started coughing violently as the blood sank deeper. Hephaestus had to hide. Or ran. ''I was far too scared to leave everything behind'' He lied as he pointed at the door. The young child looked out the window. The bars were shaking and making strange noises but they couldn't go away. The man screamed their name.

''Hide kid. If he sees you..'' He rasped. Hephaestus lifted their eyes and looked at their friend. They took a step back and looked at his dark eyes that were burning from the pain. Hephaestus knew that if he would come to take their friend away, that would be the last time seeing him.

''Prometheus I ...'' They looked around for something. He laughed and touched their head, messing up their copper-brown hair. ''Hide'' He growled.

Screams. Prayers for the spirits to save them. The fire was eating the house up. The dark smoke was going right above the dark clouds.

Hephaestus could feel the dirt on their face as they woke up outside from the massacre. They tried to catch a proper breath as the dark smoke was filling their lungs and neck. Their eyes were sweating. The cold wind was blowing them from behind while they were feeling hot from in front of them. They tried to remember whose screams were. But none sounded familiar or important. They looked down at their body and noticed every one of their wounds had been healed. Except for one. ''My…’’They stuttered ‘’My leg is...''A scream broke. They couldn't feel it. It had been cut off from the knee and all down. The wound had been healed but it couldn't grow back.

They took deep breaths and looked behind them. People started gathering and chatting. Their eyes met the eyes of a boy who was stealing some pockets. His white locks covered half of his face but they could see his light blue eyes staring at them

Sirens from the cars were approaching the crowd. Hephaestus tried to crawl away but someone grabbed their hand and dragged them away with him. It was that boy. The crowd tried to warn the soldiers that the child had been dragged away but they didn't try anything as they tried to save whoever had been left inside the house.

''Sorry for the mess'' The boy apologized as he walked Hephaestus inside of a small apartment. The ceiling was dripping and the water was falling to a teapot with a synced rhythm. The boy pulled out the wallets and put them down on the wooden table. He then made Hephaestus sit down on his cracked small bed. The boy told them that the apartment belonged to his uncle and he lived with him. But he was missing for over a year and he was now alone.

I am alone too, Hephaestus thought.

The boy smiled and He walked away looking for anything to eat in the drawer. ''I have...jam and bread...'' Hephaestus crawled closer to the window. They could see the Great Wall that was a thousand miles away. They turned their head down and saw the military cars dragging people inside a strange cage that was behind the car. The one who was going inside turned towards Hephaestus and looked them dead in the eyes. ''Another warlock'' A citizen whispered. And after that, big applause from the crowd for the soldiers who caught them.

''Aren't they amazing?'' The boy sat next to them looking at the soldiers with admiration. Hephaestus stretched their wrist whispering a yes. He looked at them again and noticed that they didn't have any wounds. Hephaestus looked away and tried to find a good lie. ''I crawled away before the fire'' They stretched their wrists again. The boy didn't say a thing and walked away.

Hephaestus lay down on the bed and raised their hands. Don't end up like me. Prometheus told them to Survive. And...

The boy returned with a deep plate with water and a towel. He put the towel inside the water and then he started cleaning Hephaestus's face. The roughness of the towel and the cold water made their face turn a bit red. ''Sorry,'' He laughed, listening to their whimpers. Hephaestus asked his name. He smiled. His smile felt like it was appearing from the foam of a lake. ''Venus'' He muttered.

''We have a lot of patients'' A strange calm voice announced. Hephaestus thought of medicine when they first heard that voice. ''I don't know who I will send'' His soft footsteps fade away. Someone touched Hephaestus' forehead. A wave of energy concurred their body, making them open their eyes. They tried to breathe properly to realize that they were in a hospital. Everyone around seemed badly injured. The one that was right in front of them writing something in a notebook and murmuring. The only thing that Hephaestus was thinking right now was to touch his head belonged to a fish. Nose hooked and lean with his fingers covering slowly his big plump lips.

His skin was in the shade of bronze with fish scales touched on it and the light made them vibrata in the shade of rainbow. His wet white long hair was stuck on his neck, exposing his ears which looked to be fins as right on his neck, his gils were taking air and opening wide. Then, it was his eyes which they had the shade of blue. But not just his irises. Every part of his eyes was blue like two pool drops of water.

In the end, Hephaestus could imagine that he was human. He was probably at the age of thirty. He had a human body, figure hands, and skin even with the scales. His clothes, his white medical suit, and his ciel tunic belonged to a human.

But Hephaestus answered with a scream.

The strange person turned to them and gasped with his fingers moving on their shoulders. ‘’It’s alright.’’He whispered and Hephaestus noticed the tattoo in the middle of his throat. Three wheels making a circle.

‘’I am going to ask for help alright?’’

Hephaestus tried to remember how to breathe as their hands touched his skin. It was oily and soft with the scales threshing on their own skin.

His blue eyes opened wider and replied with a laugh and pulled away from them. ‘’Stay here.’’

''Doctor, They are awake''The man moved far as they now glared back at Hephaestus, whose hands could still feel the scales tingling on their fingertips.

Hephaestus tried to move around and asked for help but they saw that they didn't have their prosthetic leg anymore. ''My baby'' They whimpered. Someone opened the door from the room intensely. A man with pink hair tied up in a ponytail walked closer to the patient. Next to him, a person was wearing a white mask, and judging by the familiar height, it was the masked person from before.

Hephaestus tried to talk while the strange person walked away with his head down. The pink-haired man looked at them as the person from before closed the door for him. ''Well...'' he twitched his lips. Both of them were wearing medical robes. ''Seems that Lancelot was right.’’

Hephaestus grabbed the pillow and threw it at the masked person’s face. He let out a small shout of pain. The pink-haired man tried to remain calm, restraining his laugh. Hephaestus screamed and breathed heavily.

They looked around once again. These clothes weren't theirs. This place wasn't familiar. The air wasn't familiar. Nothing was familiar to them. Some patients looked like Lancelot while others were sitting down on the medical beds. They raised their head and saw an orb made of light, hanging up to the ceiling. Cold sweat showered on their face.

''Where...'' They moved their shoulders up and down and stretched their wrists. They swallowed and looked at the pink-haired man. ''Where am I? Did I...'' They remembered that they got shot. ''Am I dead?'' They asked. The man started laughing loudly as he just heard the greatest joke in his entire life.

The masked person was now wearing strange clothes. They got used to seeing people wearing tight and with the color copper. Inside the long wide white robe, he was wearing a wide dark purple fabricated blouse and a dark blue skirt.

''After you learn the truth '' The pink-haired man who was wearing a medical robe and dark leathered pants explained softly, almost bored. ''You would have wished for him to have ended your life back then''' He said, looking at the masked one with a cold look. His lash flattered as he turned back to the young gunsmith clearing his sore throat as his lips curved a gentle, honest smile.

"I am Hermes," he said, placing his hand near his chest and bowing his head to the gunsmith's savior.

'I assume, they have introduced themselves to you''

‘’Not actually’’ Hephaestus narrowed their eyes to his side.

Hermes pouted and looked at the one next to him disappointed. The masked one gave a half-shrug. ‘’What would have been the point?’’

‘’Can’t you just be polite?’’Hermes sighed disappointed and cleared his throat.

The masked person shook his head and turned to Hephaestus, moving his hand awkwardly to wave it. ‘’Mordred’He let out with all of his strength, ashamed.

Hephaestus’ eyes narrowed. ‘’Pleasure.’’

The young inventor had infinite questions, playing to a music record inside their head. But when their eyes glared at their savior only three words were spat from their mouth,

''You threw me'' Hephaestus complained.

''I did not'' Mordred whined. ''You fell by yourself''He took a deep breath and turned back at Hermes who was studying him from head to toe with a clenched jaw. Hephaestus could see that he was a strict man. Especially towards Mordred. Probably he was a doctor too, just like him. Maybe, he could have been even his superior.

I am alive. I have to go away from here. Hephaestus crawled and fell from the bed to look outside the window. A window. They had to find a window. But there was nowhere to be found. A drop of cold sweat drew to their brow.

‘’You can’t keep me here’’They shouted.

Hermes walked closer to them. Mordred stayed still. Hephaestus stepped back with their hands, they crawled and let out some whimpers. ''I ....'' They tried to reach the strength to speak.

''We are gonna tell you whatever you need'' Hermes admitted. ''We just want to ask you some questions'' Hephaestus looked at the others. None was looking at them. They didn't have another choice. They looked at the doctor and agreed in silence.

''Your name'' He walked back and returned with a dark brown back.

''Hephaestus'' They said.

''Age...''

''Seventeen and seven months'' Hephaestus replied with honesty and fast, making Hermes smile from amusement.

Hermes pulled out some devices from the bag. It had their signature. Hephaestus stared at him who was checking out with light green eyes, filled with curiosity. ''You made these...?''

''Leave them '' Hephaestus yelled desperately. Just the thought of some stranger using them made their stomach sick.

Hermes's lips curved into a satisfied grin, making Hephaestus worried about what would happen next. Then, he pulled out some papers and gave them to the gunsmith.Wrong.He threw them to the floor.

It was their crappy handwriting of calculations and drawings of their inventions. They looked at the doctor. ''Is that a sort of code?'' He asked. Hephaestus looked at him with a mouth wide open. They disagreed with him.

''Alright,'' He said and looked at Mordred. They went closer to Hermes. ''Next and final question'' Hephaestus took a deep breath and from the corner of their eyes saw that the legs of the medical beds were made of steel.

''What are you?'' The doctor asked but he changed the question in an instant.

''What do they call you?''

Hephaestus frowned. ''A...'' They flinched and tried to think. ''I told you, I am Hephaestus''

Hermes chuckled and walked closer to them. ''What do they call you?'' Hephaestus didn't respond to that question.

They just asked him. ''Where is Venus? He is...'' They moved their hands around to describe him. They looked left and right, hoping to find his white snow hair shining close to them. Hoping he would see them and his long arms embrace them tight, kiss them till they could feel safe again.

Hermes and Mordred didn't respond. The thought of Venus being there vanished as another one came in.

''Are you going to kill me?'' They asked bitterly. ‘’If you do please’’Their lips shook.

Hermes groaned. ''I am the one who is asking questions right now..'' Hephaestus gulped, turning to Mordred’s covered face.

''What do they call you, bo-?''

‘’I am no boy’’Hephaestus corrected him dryly. Hermes held his breath and shook his head, slightly turning at Mordred. Two seconds later, back to Hephaestus.

‘’What do they call you, kid?’’ He kneeled down and pointed with his finger at their skull. ''You heard the name many times. You heard it calling a friend of yours, a stranger, a kid, a baby, someone like you'' Hephaestus looked away and breathed heavily. Who are these people?

Their eyes fell back on Mordred who wanted to speak to Hermes. He tried to touch his sharp shoulder with hesitation. ''I think that...''

''I am just making questions'' Hermes interrupted him with a rasp. Mordred did not speak after that and tried to avoid Hephaestus' face.

''Enough'' Someone shouted from behind them. It was a mysterious man the same age as Hermes. His light brown face was filled with scars, making it look distorted. His blonde long hair was down to his slim shoulders while he was staring with his green orbs at Hephaestus.

''Stop scaring your patients'' The man lectured Hermes and tried to reach Hephaestus. Hermes laughed, stood upon his height, and went back to his previous position.

Hephaestus looked at the man's strange appearance. Two pocket watches on each pocket of his dark red vest. His light brown cream shirt had two golden buttons and his dark pants also had a pocket watch, hanging around from his pocket to his silver belt.

His voice. Hephaestus knew where they had heard it before. The man was with the masked person inside the temple. Their heart was beating fast. And tears shed their face as they felt a sudden warmth from his curious gaze. Even his eyes seemed to look upset, watering.

''NO ''they yelled and moved their hands. The leg from the medical bed moved away from it and went straight to Hermes's face. They realized what they had done but it was too late. Or so they thought.

'' For Sedna’s sake calm down'' He moved his fingers around while the sharp leg was moving into the thin air. He went to the bed to fix it. Hephaestus stared at him in shock. ''You are a...''

''Warlock'' The man with the scars explained. ''Everyone, well most of us, here is ...'' The man grabbed a pack of clothes for them.

Hermes threw the pack with no hesitation at their face.

''Here '' He said and walked away.

'' We will talk later'' The blonde man stretched their neck and followed. As soon as he was ready to touch the doorknob, Hermes stared at Mordred with a sweet smile once more.

''They are your duty now'' He announced and looked at Hephaestus with a gentle gaze. ‘’Hope you will have a nice stay’’

The gunsmith noticed their doctor's tired stiff shoulders that were trying to hide from Hermes. But it actually made them feel satisfied.

I will make your life a nightmare schemed behind a small grin. Mordred shook his head and walked away. When he returned he had a small prosthetic in his arms. With one simple glimpse, Hephaestus could see that it was just for walking. They were wearing something like this when they were a kid before they fixed the one they had before. Not for running or making long trips.

Not for escaping.

Mordred got down on his knees close to them so he could help them wear it. They grabbed it from his hands and closed the white curtains that were close to the medical bed.

There was a sock inside the prosthetic, letting Hephaestus wear it before the prosthetic. The leather was soft, easy to slide at their limb. Then, there were the fabricated rubbers of the prosthetic. They placed the prosthetic on their limb, feeling a heated tingle in their skin. There was no cold. One thing they could not feel was cold. Their fingers found the rubbers, moving them high above their thigh, counting how far they had to be from their knee.

After they placed the prosthetic with ease, Hephaestus was getting dressed behind white curtains. There was no window around to see something. When they got out of their white blouse they realized that all of their wounds were now gone. Like they never existed. From the last day at least. They could still feel their burn marks from behind their back.

Hephaestus laughed confused''Did I dream..''

Mordred from outside murmured a no. ''I healed it''

Hephaestus scoffed. ''Liar''

''I never lie'' he admitted.

Hephaestus shook their head, remembering his rose tattoo. Say the truth till the Spirits and the light say otherwise. Your loyalty to the light will be unbound, unbroken.

That was the oath that priests were swearing the minute they got their tattoos. Hephaestus had a ton of customers, young children who were anxious about being marked and probably ever lying again. Maybe you can lie for good reasons. Hephaestus jumped to the conversation, trying to cheer them up. Like to protect someone’s feelings.

No lies. They insisted, looking at their naked wrists, afraid.

No lies. Hephaestus remembered, snapping out from their memories. I would suck as a priest.

Then, they checked the other scars around their body. It felt that Mordred could see them from behind the curtain. But it did not matter. Because they could feel that there was nothing to cover them up from the truth anymore. Or even him. They could understand when he was frowning or not. When he was moving his hands, his shoulders.

‘’What do you mean by..’’They checked one more scar around their forearm. This was old when they started working in the workshop and tried to fix an iron pistol.

‘’May I?’’ He said, moving his hand beneath the fabric of the cover.

Hephaestus gulped and offered their hand to him, slowly. His hands were soft yet cold like death as his thumb pressed to their heated skin, caressing their scar. They hadn't felt such a freezing feeling for years. One wave of energy struck their skin, showering them with a cold wind. Hephaestus watched their scar, the depth of it fading with just simple caressing.

A gasp came from their mouth.‘’ Amazing’’ Hephaestus complimented Mordred and he moved his hand far from their skin. Hephaestus kept touching the now healing piece as their eyes kept looking at the brooding shadow.

''I can feel your stare'' He pointed out with a ruthless and almost lifeless tone. ''Please stop''

Hephaestus' back was now facing the curtain. They could feel their back burning from the pain. They let out a painful groan, making Mordred aware of what they were touching.

''These, I couldn't, ''Mordred continued. ''No matter what these and your limb...'' Hephaestus avoided him and looked at the dark green blouse. The fabric was soft. When they got it they were ready to put on the dark red wide pants.

''This is for you'' Mordred gave them back their cane. Hephaestus grabbed it quickly. ''Thank you'' They said to avoid him.

''The plan was just to steal inventions, '' Mordred admitted. ''I found the workshop open...you know the rest '' Hephaestus rolled their eyes and laughed.

''Then why did you save me?'' They asked confused.

''My orders from Hermes were to steal inventions'' He explained. Hephaestus could see from the shadow of the curtain that he was playing with his bracelet.

'’Take the lives of the mortals that are standing in my way. You are no mortal'' He finished his sentence. ‘’So, it was better to take you here’’

Hephaestus found it ridiculous. But it did not matter because they were now alive.

''What do you mean Hermes' orders?'' They asked. ''I thought that you were a doctor..why did you''

''I am following his orders'' He replied and turned his head to them.’’To help warlocks'’

Hephaestus understood what he meant. They had met tons of people like that in Aztlan.

''So you are a soldier'' They muttered with disappointment.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

''I am a priest. I am a healer.''

They tried to get up in their new comfortable clothes. As they opened the curtains, they saw Mordred's back right in front of them. His gaze rose and took a step closer to them, studying every inch of them.

In satisfaction, he hummed, trying to hide his grin. ''You look alright''.

Hephaestus stretched their wrists and ignored his gaze and compliment. They just wanted to punch his face and break his perfect white mask. They could. Their fist clenched and ready. But they did not only because they had no idea where they were.

As they were now getting outside, Hephaestus started stepping slowly to the circular light purple, crystal stairs. They were touching with their free hand the purple crystal wall. They turned their head up and noticed that the ceiling was nowhere to be found. There was just a giant light.

One.Two. The infirmary was on the second floor,

The floor bellow floor felt like a different world. The floor down on the infirmary was filled with grass and strange animals eating the grass with other people petting them and others seeming to grow the grass and water it with incantation and buckets. Animals had wings that weren't supposed to. Animals had human hands that there was a certain reason why they should not. And the ceiling, the walls were still in the shade of purple crystal.Hephaestus had millions of questions but then turned to see one big cow with a trinket for nose to let out from her butt a golden heavy liquid.

‘’Oh Spirits’’Hephaestus bawled and Mordred grabbed their hand tighter.

‘’You will get used to it’’He sighed but it was clear that he was trying to hide his puke too.

When they got to the next floor, it seemed to be the final. So the infirmary is on the second floor. Hephaestus thought and now noticed that the final floor was a feast of fabrics and dancing.Taverns and shops filled with clothes were right in front of them while people played strange melodies, they were dancing, as if there was none around.Hephaestus smelled every delicacy that the cooks made. The clothes looked like they were made right in this instant by people who used magic. There were even small workshops. Hephaestus started walking away from Mordred but they grabbed their hand .A crystal blue fountain with rainbow colors for water was the center of it with children laughing and playing with it, making others wet.

But that was not the only thing that amused them. People. No, warlocks, using their magic freely and living normally. There was a kid who was manipulating water around his fingertips, throwing it to another one who attacked him with a burst of laughter and a blow of air after his body was wet. None seemed to care about that as there were more of them around. There were even creatures with horns, three or more eyes, more limbs, and even tails and wings.

I think that I am dreaming.

The sky or the supposed ceiling was red and purple with a big light orb on top of it. It looked like almost a fabric covering the top of the ceiling , while Hephaestus could not see the end of it. And at the supposed exit there were two doors one made of wood and the other with beaming light.

There was a garden filled with colorful flowers right inside the floor. The scent of pollen made Hephaestus sneeze. Then they could see that there was a dark statue inside the garden, right at the center of it. There was a little girl with a loaf of bread walking towards the statue and letting the loaf down while she was murmuring something. Hephaestus could now see that the statue looked like a woman with only one hand and no eyes.

Hephaestus realized that they were staring long enough when the girl turned to their sight. They could now see clearly that there was a scar around her neck and her hand with white bandages wrapped around them.

''Are you coming?'' Mordred asked, making them flinch from the shock.

''Who is that?'' They asked, pointing at the statue.

''Sedna'' Mordred replied. Her name gave Hephaestus chills down their spine. They wanted to ask more questions but Mordred seemed to be in a hurry to get downstairs.

When they finally stepped on the last floor, Hephaestus turned on Mordred and they smiled deviously at him. He let out a confused humming and the mechanic started walking faster than before to the glowing gate.

‘’No, don’t’’Mordred said out of boredom and Hephaestus ignored him even more.

‘’Stop. You shouldn’t.’’

And when Hephaestus got on the glowing gate they felt their body letting energy back and finally saw the blue winter sky.

Letting out a breath of relief, they turned back and saw nothing more than a dark pit. A pit that could hold a building and that could never find the end of it.

Hephaestus frowned from curiosity as they looked at their small cane and they swung it to see how deep the fall was. Before even trying to fall, the stick vanished into thin air.

One, two , three. Seconds after, the cane returned as if it was thrown to their head.

‘’Ow’’They shouted, falling to the floor. They grabbed their cane and stood up, returning closer to the hole, looking it down and kept walking, head closer on the end , power moving on their skin as they were back to the floor from before.

Everyone seemed to not be bothered as if they always had visitors like this. Mordred had his arms crossed.

What is happening? Hephaestus asked, confused and they returned to the room, frowning with more interest than before.

Mordred lifted his head.’’Welcome to Babel.’’

''You wanted an explanation'' They walked away from the door as they were now right in front of a crystal fountain. Hephaestus could notice a few girls, even boys being flustered as Mordred was passing by. Even with the mask, it seemed like people found him attractive. And Mordred was sick of it.

After that, there were stands with fruits, vegetables, spices, small portions of baked food, and even clothes. Right behind all of that, there were houses where families were living in peace.

Mordred returned with two apple pies while Hephaestus was sitting at the fountain and looking around with curiosity in their eyes. They looked down and saw a big colorful lizard also staring at them. The scales were thick and harsh as on top of the back, there it was again. Carved like a mark at the birth of the three-circled wheel.

''That is a firefly '' Mordred offered them one of the slices. Fresh crust and apple jam with tons of cinnamon.

‘’Firefly?’’Hephaestus narrowed.

‘’One of the Mutated creatures’’He explained.’’They were created by the spirits just like demons.’’

Demons?

‘’You haven’t seen fireflies?’’He almost sounded disbieliefed.

‘’No, I suppose they have been extinct in Akhet.’’ They tried to act smarter than they seemed now.

‘’There is a chance.’’Mordred slightly agreed with him.’’Centuries ago, A Great Ruler decided to make a…hunting season with creatures like them.’’

Their eyes darted, seeing the firefly just sitting down and snoozling like a dog.

Hephaestus looked at it mistrusted. Mordred agreed with them by nodding. It was normal that they wouldn't believe it. He grabbed their apple pie and changed it with his. Hephaestus' stomach was growling like a beast, giving their hunger away. They grabbed it with a slight hiss. They took a big bite slowly. Then they started eating faster, tasting the sweetness of it. Mordred hummed as he lifted his mask a few inches off his face, exposing his mouth. His long fingers, nibbled the crust as he was taking small pieces to swallow. Hephaestus did not stop looking at him curious, wondering if he was either shy or obviously arrogant about his looks.

‘’If you don’t stop staring’’He groaned with crumbles to his face. Hephaestus chuckled warmly, pulling away from him.

Their curious gaze caught twenty warlocks walking around a giant piece of steel. They were moving their hands up and down, left and right, making the steel change shape.

Mordred wiped his face and moved the mask back.''How much do you...'' He moved his free hand around. ''Remember'' He asked them. Hephaestus sat closer to them and started sniffing him. Mordred tried to move his waist back. Their nostrils were filled with an intoxicated scent. Roses. The same as the one before.When they saw the cliff. Hephaestus could say that they remember everything. The two warlocks that were talking with the Great Ruler. The soldier that tried to kill them. Mordred choking him.

''Is he alive?''Hephaestus asked worriedly, clenching their right wrist.

''What difference will that make to you? He tried to''

''Yes, or no''Hephaestus was now demanding an answer.

Mordred kept looking at them confused. But he stretched his neck and replied softly. ''He is dead. '' Mordred explained.

Hephaestus let out a breath of relief. But they also felt regret. Mortal or not he was a human life and yet, they were grateful that he was dead.

Hephaestus looked back at the crystal fountain and touched the cold water. ''I am outside the wall'' They looked at Mordred again, trying to lie and hide things from him. ''...I remember a cliff...''

''Now you are inside the tower.''He explained formally.''Sedna's creation''

''Tower?''Hephaestus blinked.''Sedna?''

Mordred hummed. Hephaestus felt that he was ready to talk to them but a strange girl grabbed Salamander from the ground and walked closer to Mordred and Hephaestus. Her sharp light gray eyes stared at the horizon and tried to touch Hephaestus's hands.

''Hello'' Her squeaky voice was the sweetest one that Hephaestus ever heard. ''You must be new, I am Gaia, pleasure to meet you'' Her dark long hair was waving around from the wind. Her hands were covered with long dark gloves. As she was still staring at the horizon she announced to Mordred that they had been called. Mordred stared at Hephaestus and then at Gaia. ''Can you take care of them for a while?'' He got up and looked at the tower. ''Go to the library'' He said.

Gaia agreed with him and pulled Hephaestus up. They didn't know how to react and they just followed the girl back to the infinite stairs. Their eyes stared at the big lean cane she had and the way she was moving it right in front of her, carefully touching the ground, kicking a few of the marbles.

‘’Mordred is nice’’ She said. ‘’Sometimes a big idiot but he is kind’’ Her words seemed kind and honest. Hephaestus could see how beautiful she was. How clean her complexion, soft skin, plump lips well protected silk hair with a heavy scent.

‘’A lot of girls are interested in him too’’ She said with a cheer.

‘’People finding him mysterious’’

‘’And you?’’ They asked with a grin.

She responded with a scoff but the gunsmith found that her were cheeks turning red.

‘’He is kind’’She replied again. ‘’But he isn’t interested in that,’’ She explained, disappointed. ‘’He just wants to make Hermes proud’’

That Hephaestus could never understand. Even in the workshop, they had heard people telling of how hard they are trying to make their parents proud of them. That their failures won’t be enough. Hephaestus always looked at them confused. Why should they try so hard to prove something to the people that they were supposed to love them?

They took a small breath and nodded slowly. Their eyes found another big dark gate on the floor where people were getting inside a dark room.

"Where does the other door lead to?" Hephaestus asked Gaia who was trying to walk upstairs.

''It is only getting lower and lower,'' She replied calmly.

''A training room, prison cells for emergencies, and...'' Hephaestus saw that she was trying to hide something. Their curiosity was growing more and more, especially when she did not finish her sentence.’’But the rest of the floors have libraries, Enki's workshop...''

Hephaestus' eyes lit up, thinking of what they could see to the workshop, the inventions, someone else's work. Then they shook their head. No Hephaestus you shouldn't be distracted now.

''Council,rooms,’’Gaia explained. ‘’For most of the people to stay, if you like I can show you one to stay.’’

Hephaestus disagreed.

One.Two.Three. Four.This time they stopped on the fifth floor where a giant library was. Unlike the previous floors that had actually countless of brown doors this one was different.There weren't a lot of people inside. Hephaestus saw Lancelot's familiar bronze scales and tried to avoid him. A big sphere of light was at the top of the ceiling while the windows were showing the outside.

''So'' Gaia made Hephaestus take a seat and she sat on the other side of the table. She moved her hands that had black gloves around. ''You probably have a lot of questions'' Hephaestus agreed with her. Lancelot, the one that they met before, appeared holding an open book and showed them a specific page. Gaia did not react to his gentle presence and terrifying, harsh breathing. As if she got used to him being around her side. Are they close? Hephaestus imagined, confused as Lancelot kept looking at her with a calm gaze. On his left hand, there were two golden coins.

''Eke'els?'' Hephaestus asked, swinging them away from Lancelot’s hand. They moved them closer to the eyes, noticing that they both had holes in the center of it. ‘’I have never seen golden ones’’They said after,curious.

''Ruls''Lancelot replied growling. Hephaestus sighed, moving the coins to the desk, and continued looking at the picture on the page. A strange black form was on that page that had red crimson pupils. Hephaestus could feel like she knew who that was.

''Her name was Sedna'' Gaia explained to Hephaestus ''A powerful warlock. You may know her as Mother of the Deep'' Lancelot turned the other page and showed the other page that the tower was there.

‘’The Mother of the Deep?’’Hephaestus gasped as they would have never believed one of the most famous myths could have been true.

Gaia shook a yes.''She created Babel, this tower because she wanted revenge. She wanted Akhet to pay for what they did to the warlocks'' Hephaestus saw Lancelot looking away from the book after Gaia spoke those words.

‘’She also created Diyu and Naraka.’’Hephaestus thought about the stories people were telling their children.

‘’She had to do it,’’ Lancelot explained to them with a proud voice. Gaia laughed and kept talking.

‘’She killed thousands,’’ Hephaestus explained once more.

‘’She saved countless’’ Gaia did not give up on her beliefs.

‘’This tower is both a shelter and a kingdom. We are saving warlocks just like Sedna would want. But we also try to fight against Akhet, just like she wanted once''

Lancelot took a deep breath and spoke.''I believe you saw the door, one place a cliff, the other this place?''

Hephaestus nodded.

Sedna smiled.''Sedna's work too, an illusion.''

An amazing illusion.

Hephaestus turned to the other page which had seven people sitting around, looking at one person. '' Here we have council members...they are some of the most powerful warlocks here ''

Hephaestus interrupted her once more. ‘’Council?’’

Gaia nodded with a slight smile. ‘’Each of them is superior to a few departments. We have five…’’A long pause made her smile fade for a second. ‘’Four to the strategy and action department, two on the medical one, and for the technology and finance one of each’’

‘’Yes but what about the leader?’’

‘’Leader?’’ Gaia asked, confused.

Hephaestus leaned back and tried to explain to her

‘’A Ruler, Queen, King the one who makes the final order.’’

Gaia hesitated to answer. ‘’We have one, he is strong just like the rest but his importance is…’’She tried to continue but Lancelot rested his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it slightly. It seemed that the mechanic wouldn’t have the answers to the questions they had.

Gaia grinned as Lancelot moved his hands far from her side and kept her fingers searching for each of the pages of the old book.

On the other page, some figures used magic. ''We have normal fighters, warlocks that are going on missions to rescue others...'' On the last page, there was just a white mask, portraying an indecent old man. Gaia made a small pause and placed her hands on the top of her cane. ''Mordred is one of them, but he is also a healer to the medical room.'' Hephaestus flinched, as they didn't understand the term healer. Gaia leaned back in her chair and explained.

''A healer's magic is quite simple'' She lifted her hands pointing with her fingers to the ceiling. ''They are transferring their energy'' She moved her left hand close to the other. ''To the injured person. And as they have a big amount, they also need practice ''They can still get hurt with iron, and just makes them weaker. A rare incantation '' Gaia frowned and let out a small laugh. Hephaestus did not know why but it felt like she was staring at them.

''Just like yours''

Hephaestus felt shivers down their spine, making their back shake from the pain and surprise. Their eyes darted for a mere second.

''I don't know what you are talking about'' They lied, feeling betrayed by their mind.

''I was looking for you'' The familiar voice spoke right behind Gaia. Lancelot stood up straight and bowed his head. Gaia tried to get up on her own.

''It seems you are keeping them company'' The man told Gaia as soon as she was leaving. Her head tilted back to Hephaestus and her lips curved into a sinister grin.

In the end, she left with Lancelot helping her walk.

‘’Hope we’ll talk again.’’She whispered with a gentle smile. But it sounded more like a promise, rather than a regular wish.

Hephaestus' stomach was tied in a strong knot after what Gaia told them. But they did not have time to think about it. They had to know what he wanted from them.

''Sorry for keeping you waiting'' He said calmly, almost able to hear a sad, mourning tone with his hand letting down a folder at the table. Hephaestus continued staring while they could feel a strong wave of pressure, trying to attack them. It was coming from the man.

‘’I am sorry for Hermes’’He muttered.’’He can become a bit cruel but he means well’’He shrugged.’’He wants people to accept the reality’’He laughed like he does not believe his own words.

''My name is Janus'' He introduced himself. '' I am a part of the council, specialist of the spy department''

Hephaestus didn't speak as they let out a surprised sound.

They frowned confused.‘’I suspected Hermes was…’’

‘’I search for information, sending spies to find them.’’Jnaus tried to explain. ‘’Another is…’’His breath cut in half as he forced himself to speak again. ‘’Was in the archives, keeping the information, and messages in touch. And Hermes’ job is mostly to…’’He made one more long pause. ‘’Send messages.’’

‘’He sends people to kill others’’ Hephaestus realized and clenched their wrists tight with both of their hands.

‘’You make it sound barbaric.’’Janus clicked his long tongue and his gaze kept looking at the files. ‘’But I suppose so yes.’’

‘’Like a general?’’

He shook his head.

‘’We have others for generals for fighters and rescuers. Messengers like them are doing the quiet work.’’

It was not so quiet. Hephaestus looked down.

‘’What is your rank then?’’ Hephaestus asked.

‘’Rank?’’ Janus looked conflicted.

‘’Are you superior to…’’They stretched their wrists. ‘’Hermes?’’

Janus looked at his pocket watch, studying the time with such interest. Just like Hephaestus was fixing or talking about inventions and machines.

‘’This is not Akhet, Hephaestus.’’He finally explained. ‘’Each council member has an equal value.’’

‘’Yes but.’’They tried to speak.''There is a leader. Are you the...''

There was a laugh coming from his lips. ''No, mechanic, I am not the leader.''

There was a hint of disappointment about the answer. The man who was standing right in front of them seemed serious and yet gentle, and kind. With reason on his mind.

‘’But in power’’Janus hummed, moving his body back, trying to think of the right answer.

‘’Besides the leader, we are six…five’’He corrected himself with regret. ‘’I guess that I am third. Hermes second.’’

That was not something that Hephaestus wanted to hear. But then again, the way Hermes seemed to act, it was obvious how strong he was.

''Is he the leader?''

''Such an interest in the leadership.''Janus gasped amused.

Hephaestus faced down on their fingers.

''Well, if he could just be sober for a day he might become one day.''

Hephaestus' brow arched. So, the doctor who made those peculiar questions was just a mere drunk.

Janus tried to speak again''Did Gaia informed you about...''

''She told me a story about Sedna'' Hephaestus looked back at him.

Janus frowned and laughed. ''And?''

They remained silent. They knew that they could believe the story.

''Is she still alive?'' Hephaestus asked, hoping that they would find an answer to Prometheus's story. Janus chuckled and shook his head.

''Many warlocks believe that they have seen her ghost, guiding them here. Leading them to a new home'' He fixed his beard and walked around the table. Hephaestus was pleased with his answer but they were also even more confused. How can ghosts exist?

''Tea?'' He asked them and snapped his fingers. With a blink of an eye, Janus was now pouring from a white teapot with pink flowers and a bronze liquid to a china tea cup that had red flowers for details. Hephaestus stuttered. ''How did you?''They grinned amused.

''All warlocks have a single type of incantation, call it a gift'' The man explained and showed with his head the other teacup, Hephaestus nodded a yes, feeling that it would be rude to say no. ''Mine it is Time. I can stop it for a while with a single '' He snapped his fingers again and he was now behind Hephaestus and gave the cup of tea. ''You enjoy that, don't you?'' They asked him and he let out a small chuckle.

As they took a small sip from the tea they felt the sweet aroma hitting their nostrils. The flavor was sweet, bringing them peace and relaxation around their body. ''Thank you '' They lifted their head looking directly at his green eyes. ''You said that everyone gets a type...''

''A gift'' He corrected them. Hephaestus laughed ironically.

''Is it funny for you?'' He asked them, shocked.

''A virus'' They whispered behind their grinding teeth.

Janus let out a shocking, curious sound.

''You call the reason that I am getting hunted a gift''Hephaestus shrugged and glared at him,'' I call it a virus''

Their mind believed in morality in numbers. Not in gifts and prayers. That is how they were supposed, to believe and see another day alive. To see clearly.

Janus nodded his head in silent agreement and started drinking his tea. His eyes scan, studying their nervous movements. The gunsmith was sitting silent, tapping their flexed fingers on the table hoping that Janus was satisfied by the answers he had conceived

The man frowned and pulled out of a bag a military glove and a device that could create smoke. Hephaestus scoffed. ''Are you working with the army?'' He asked them, changing the subject

''My boss does...'' They admitted. ''Why?''

Janus played with his blonde beard and scratched one of his scars. ''They were alright'' Hephaestus flinched and then laughed hysterically. Janus let them finish.

''What do you want?'' They grinned nervously.

Janus moved his head. ''Are you upset?''

Hephaestus scoffed. ''Of course, I am'' They tried to get up but it was impossible. ''You grabbed me away from my friends from...'' They stretched their wrists as they realized that the man remained calm. ''I saw you''

He announced. ''I saw you trying to save the kids'' Hephaestus's eyes flinched. ''Did anyone thank you? No. Did you see anyone trying to save you or heal you?''

Hephaestus looked away. They knew that he was right. They knew how people treated them but still. They felt like everything was just an awful horrible dream.

''I saw you too'' They admitted and tried to change the subject. He seemed surprised by their words. He did not tell him. Hephaestus thought about Mordred.

''You were talking to Boudica with another person...'' They made a pause and tried to remember what she said to him. ''You lost someone'' They flinched their eyebrows.

''Didn't you?'' Their voice was calm. Janus' expression became shocked, the color faded, and tried to look away.

''I had someone too. And you people took me away from him'' They shouted in anger. When they realized what they said they shrunken and leaned their back against the chair.

''I am sorry'' They mumbled. ''I...'' Janus raised his hand. ''No need''He said calmly.

Trying to change the subject again, Hephaestus asked another question. ''Is Gaia also a warlock?''

''No'' Janus answered with honesty. ''But she needs shelter. Mortals who need shelter here must swear to Sedna's cause and not betray her. And with that, they can get inside Babel. If not, if their cause is betrayal, they will fall without a second thought to the cliff's edge.

An oath? Hephaestus was now even more confused but they asked one another questions.

''What are demons?'' Their eyes found Lancelot, hiding behind a shelf.

Janus let out a long deep sigh, muttering nonsense but Hephaestus caught Mordred's name. ''They are like us but more ancient. They told us that they were here before the fall of the spirits. Just like mutants.'' While he was saying the word us, Hephaestus felt an awful taste around their tongue. They were not like him.

He let out another chuckle. ''They can hide better than us you see. And it is better to stay far from Akhet.’’His voice lowered, echoing with a rough burn.

‘’The wheel’’ Hephaestus panted. ‘’What does it mean?’’

Janus cleared his throat and forced a smile so he would change the subject. He probably didn’t even know the answer.

‘’Yes,’’ Janus nodded with a soft scoff and changed the subject. ‘’Centuries ago they could completely control one element each, water, earth, sky, blood, fire, nature, Heret..’’ He let out the last word to fade as he coughed dry.

‘’But now only the ancient ones can manage this control’’His eyes shifted back to Lancelot. ‘’He is far older than he looks. One of those who can still control the water completely’’He whispered, moving his body closer to Hephaestus.

‘’Freeze it, make a mist’’

‘’Please stop telling anyone my power’’ Lancelot interrupted him from behind with a growl.

‘’You rarely use it’’Janus hissed with a grin. ‘’What’s the problem of telling it?’’ He asked playful and with a cocking grin.

One, two, three, four, five. Thirty seconds passed till someone spoke and Lancelot walked away. Both of the warlocks pouted their lips, sharing an uncertain look.

Janus scoffed to clear his throat.

''I...'' He made a big pause as his gaze looked far away from their eyesight.

‘’Biscuits’’ They said. Janus arched his brow, confused.

‘’Give me biscuits and I will listen to your boring lecture.’’

Janus let out a tired breath.’’Any kind in particular?’’

‘’Chocolate’’ They crossed their arms. ‘’Chocolate chips’

A plate with chocolate chip cookies appeared in front of them after Janus snapped his fingers. Hephaestus laughed, taking one of them and breaking out three small pieces before eating the piece. Too salty but not too sweet from the chocolate.

They shook their head, letting him continue as they wiped their chin from crumbles.

Janus cleared his throat.''Your inventions could help people. Our cause, Sedna's cause, and dream'' He touched his scars and tried to scratch them. Hephaestus exhaled deeply and stretched their wrists. They wanted to help people. They didn't know how he knew that or it was just a mere guess of his. They didn't know him after all. But they could see it in his eyes that like the patients at the infirmary, they were tired. They all were. But Hephaestus needed to go back. They wanted, no, they had to.

There was a plan in their mind. Two more years and six months. Two more years so they could gather enough money to take the special exam to become an inventor and six months to study for it. Then, they could go to Olympus, they could open a store in Akhet. They could do everything with the memory of being a warlock would be just that. An old memory. A story.

''Why don't you tell me a bit about you'' He placed his hands closer to his face, putting his fingers down to his sharp chin. Hephaestus looked the other way.

''Maybe it will make you feel less...'' Hephaestus looked at the folder and waited for him to open it.

Janus took a deep breath and his fingers slipped it open.

‘’We found the information easy about you… well, you didn’t have a lot.’’

Hephaestus stretched their wrists and waited to announce their own story.

''Your file starts when you are twelve. No school education, just your mechanic peculiar history and…’’He scoffed with a whistle. ‘’Five explosions.’’

‘’Failed experiments’’They corrected him.

‘’Ten assaults’’

‘’The clients were stupid.’’

‘’And then, your…relationships’’He glanced at them.

Hephaestus moved back and looked away. They could not tell him what he already knew.

‘’He seems nice’’Janus lifted a file close to him. ‘’Well educated, good soldier,’’ He laughed. ‘’You found a good alibi.’’

‘’It’s not like that’’They slammed the table with their hand.

One thing that Venus wasn't was an alibi for them to be safe. They would have never done that to him. Not after everything.

Janus’ eyes flickered and moved the file away. ‘’Then, tell me your story.’’

Hephaestus relaxed with one single breath and moved back.

'' I was ten when I started living on the streets.''They admitted bitterly and moved the teacup around as they were watching the liquid move too. Then, they took one more piece from the cookie, breaking it in half.

''I was twelve when the army found us..'' They paused and breathed heavily. They could still remember Venus's hand holding their wrist tight. Hugging them, kissing them, helping them, even loving them. They felt that he was still by their side, keeping them in touch.

Janus nodded telling them that everything was alright. They lifted their eyes up and tried to speak.

''Then the army found me and'' Their blue eyes fell to the inventions and leaned their back to the chair. ''You know the rest'' They rasped and drank the whole tea, making their tongue get burnt.

''But, what about before?'' He tried to ask them while they were trying to look away again. Their back, their limb, their eyes being in heat, listening to the screams in their head.

''I prefer not to talk about it'' They admitted and stretched their wrists again. ''I am sorry'' The man apologized and scratched his face again. Hephaestus nodded a no and hummed as they were clenching their dirty fingers to the clean white cup. ''Why ...'' They mumbled, lifting their eyes slowly.

''Why you?'' He finished their question. He raised his shoulders and hummed.

''Unfortunately, we cannot choose who is going to get the incantation, I mean magic'' His eyes went back to his cup. ''When the spirit's blood evaporated, it became one with the air. So, your chance of.''

''I know the story.'' They interrupted him and looked at their tea. ''Everyone knows it''

The first incantations tore the Spirits by the gift, making their blood fall to the earth, to the kingdom. Then, the incators, thirsty, and hungry for power drank the blood from the Spirits, turning them into something worse.

Even if that was the truth, the blood in time evaporated just like the corpses making the entire effects stay on the world without drinking any blood.

So for the mechanic, it was a virus.

''But still, you asked why you?''

''Don't you?''They asked, laughing, pushing the plate far from them.

Janus cleared his throat and showed with his finger one of his scars. ''Just like other types of incantations, they need a part of you and energy. Mine needs blood, skin'' He took away his finger and showed the small tip to them that had a small red spot. ''As long as I use it the more scars I will get’’He laughed with a small irony in his tone.

‘’Sometimes ‘’He made a long pause’’even time stops for me''

Hephaestus stretched their wrists and tried to speak but he interrupted them again. ''I had accepted my fate, and what I am, years ago'' He twitched his lips as his lower lip started bleeding. '' So I made a goal for myself. To help warlocks like you and me. What about you? Gunsmith?''

Hephaestus clenched their small nails to the cup again, breaking it into a million pieces. The tea fell to their clothes. ''Stop acting as you know me'' They mumbled.

''Because you had a life before this? We all did. You knew your fate the moment you found out what you are''

''But''

''Yes, you could live the rest of your life in fear. Is that what you would prefer?'' He raised his thin eyebrow leaning his head to the right.

Hephaestus stretched their wrists again and tried to restrain their rage. Even though the man said it was the truth, they didn't want to stay there. They wanted to go back to Venus. They thought that they didn't belong to a place like this with warlocks that caused ...this.

They tapped their fingertips three times on the table, making a rhythm.

Janus lifted his head up and then back down and stood up. As he walked towards them so he could leave he touched their stiff shoulders. ''You can trust us here'' He murmured. ''We just want to help'' His eyes shone like gems. ''You can stay here, live in peace. You can make a few machines or children's toys. Have money eat in peace, have a good life.''

''But you prefer me to help you''They said with a realization.

Janus nodded ashamed.

Hephaestus shrugged and finally spoke. ''I am no soldier'' They turned to him with a furious gaze, remembering how Mordred had acted. Waiting for an order to speak, to think.

''I won't obey any orders you make for me.'' Their voice sounded almost lifeless, making even them shocked.

Janus scoffed and shook his head, returning back to them. He offered his scared hand to them waiting for something to happen. Then he ordered them with a tilt of his head. ''Come with me. Mechanic'' He mocked.