MYTHOS

sorrows

In the depths of Mount Olympus is a workshop; a workshop owned and operated by the god of foundry, Hephaestus.

Lit up by the sparks of scorching hot metal, his soot covered face came into view. Hephaestus was not accustomed to visitors but he had always had a keen sense of hearing. The visitors' movements were calculated from the moment they'd stepped foot on the mount.

"What do you need, nymph?" his voice booms to the entrance of his cave.

"How did you kno-"

"You all have the same smell"

To be fair to the forest nymph, it was a sweet smell. But in contrast to the burnt embers that were embedded into his nostrils; that 'sweet smell' struck through the musk and caused his head to ache.

"I have news"

The nymph tried to straighten her back and speak with distinction but she was clearly failing.

"Well," he was impatient this day, "out with it!'

"Your wife, has been having relations with-"

Hephaestus kept his back toward her, expressing outwardly that he was uninterested.

"I do not concern myself with her affairs." his statement was final and just as he began to return his attention to the sword he was hammering.

"My lord, something must be done!"

With this outburst Hephaestus turned his attention to the nymph to truly tell her off. But before he could his eyes shifted downward and noticed the bruising around her neck. One million questions rose to his mind but not one of them were in any possible reference to his wife being the perpetrator of this heinous act.      

"Your neck is bruised," Hephaestus pointed toward her neck, his face twisted in confusion. "who harmed you?"

"You would not believe me if I told you, my lord"

The god of foundry gave her a knowing look. He had very little patience for people that would hurt a forest nymph.

"Speak child"

The forest nymph sent the same look back to the god. "Aphrodite did this"

"She maintains her jealousy then." bringing his sooted hand to his chin, he continued, "Something must've provoked her."

"I swear by the gods, I did nothing!" the forest nymph protested, this is exactly why she did not want to bring this to him; the blame was crippling.

"Calm yourself," Hephaestus raised his hands and tried to verbally assure the nymph. "I would not suggest that this was any fault of yours"

The forest nymph let out a deep breath, finally someone believed her. The other nymphs, her sisters, had protested in the name of their beloved goddess. It was seeming as though she would get nowhere, but now maybe something could be done.

"What led to these events?"

"She was with Ares-"

"After that" Hephaestus had no interest in hearing about his wife's carnal activities.

"But that's just it, my lord, they were together when it happened." The memory was corrupted by now due to the trauma of it all, but she tried to recall the incident. "Her eyes glowed red and suddenly my head was under the water."

"Then he is influencing her base emotions and actions, this is not ideal"

"What must be done?"

Hephaestus sighed in thought and tried to organize his thoughts before answering her.

"They must not be together if they are reaping havoc, they must be shamed for their despicable acts, I believe I carry a solution."

He reached for his utility belt and caught onto the net that he carried. Made from pure gold this net was a truth teller. Anyone caught in the net would have to tell the Gods' honest truth, no exceptions.

This will have to do.

uhmmm heyyy so first off i'm alive lol. and second i haven't abandoned this book. i want to finish it for sure but in my own time. i'm an adult now and i have a job so this book wasn't on my priority list. damn i forgot how it is to update though. anyway hope you enjoy this chapter.

bye babies!!!