The Gods War

Ch. 17

Alex stormed forward the rest of the way to the armory. He kept thinking to himself.

"What is wrong with people in this  place? They don't know me, why are they judging me on who my father is?"

He walked into the building, and heard hammering to one side, a forge maybe? The other way was guarded by two people with full greek armor, and had spears crossed.  He walked up to them and said.

"Is that the armory? I was told to come here for something."  Alex looked from one to the other, they made no move, they didn't even seem to notice he was there. 

"Fine I'll just go see what's over here..." He grumbled. 

Alex turned around and stormed towards the other side. He kept walking until he found the forges, they were big, gigantic, there were four of them, and each one had four spouts to put metal into. Each spout was occupied with teenagers no older than him, they were covered in soot, grime, and metal shavings. Alex's jaw dropped. 

"Amazing isn't it son of Ares?" A gruff voice said behind him, causing Alex to jump. 

Alex turned around to see a man that looked like he was pulled through a woodchipper, then smashed back together. His black beard was on fire in some spots, he had massive hands. 

"I know I'm not the best looking, but you don't have to stare nephew." The man said chuckling. 

"Who are you?" Alex said slowly. 

"Hephaestus, god of the Forge, the one and only!" He said triumphantly. 

Alex blinked a couple of times.  The god looked down at him and frowned. Alex realized his manners, and bowed. The god smiled slightly. 

"Showing respect? From a son of the war god? Hehe, I like you already. In fact, hold on a second...." He rummaged through some metal on a table, muttering to himself.

"Need this one for later... Hmm... too dented...." He did this for a while until he pulled a hunk of metal that was beat up and rusty. 

"Aha! There it is, now you sit right there son of Ares." He yelled over his shoulder. 

Alex pulled up one of the stools and sat down. The god began to hammer, shave grind, and polish the metal, until it resembled a shield, then the god took it and muttered some words in ancient greek. He then smiled and handed him the shield. 

"This shield will compact into a watch, and it will sense when it's owner is in danger, like so." He finished his sentence and tossed a knife at Alex, and the shield exploded outward, blocking the projectile, which would have killed him if he hadn't raised his arm. 

"Woah..." Alex muttered.