Hunter

Chapter Forty Nine - Back Stabbed

The stupid Hephaestus box was heavy. Not only that, but it was freezing cold. We took turns carrying it, but Aiden and I made everyone else hold it under the notion that we did more work. They didn't argue since I was basically walking on one leg, and Aiden's hands were raw. Andrea insisted on carrying the box on her own, but Jasper and Deirdre wouldn't let her. So among the three of them, they carried it up several flights of stairs and across many cobblestone floors. I was shocked to discover that everything was already in the process of being rebuilt. Within a matter of moments, Olympus would be back to the way that it once was.

With much hard work, we managed to reach the throne room, where all of the gods were seated, but one. Andrea placed the box in the center of it all. We all lined up and knelt before the gods. Aphrodite stood and walked to the container, lifting it up as if it weighed nothing. She had reverted back to her original size, and she was looming well above us.

"Rise." All of us stood, with much difficulty, but we stood. Behind me, I heard excited chatter. I turned around, before anyone else did, and saw all of the inhabitants of Olympus standing before us. Everyone turned after, and the people started clapping. They didn't cheer, but they stood their and clapped approvingly. Zeus raised his hand and the noise halted.

"Citizens of Olympus." His voice was loud, almost as if he was speaking into a microphone and the speakers were wired all throughout the world. "Today, we owe our city and our future to these brave individuals. We must offer them our most gracious hospitality for their gallant displays of courage." A glass of wine appeared in everyone's hand. "A toast to them, and a toast to the gods." Everyone raised their glasses and drank, before resuming their clapping. In a swirl of energy, our wounds were gone, and so were our tattered clothes. We were fresh and clean, adorned in beautiful gowns and jewellery. Aphrodite looked pleased enough as she approached us.

"Mingle amongst the deities. You are free to roam." After what had just happened, a feast in our honor seemed to be... a little out of place. I didn't dare reject the offer as I stepped down the stairs. The others followed close by. We were led to a large table where we sat on plush cushions and were served food. I sat down next to Aiden, staring at his hands. Although we were all healed, his fingers were still raw from the burns. I tapped him on the shoulder and pointed a thumb over my shoulder. I stood and walked somewhere quiet; he was close behind me.

"What's with your hands?" He glanced down at them and shrugged.

"I just figured out what I am. How would you expect me to know?"

"You're very special," Aphrodite spoke. I jumped slightly as she appeared out of nowhere.

"Wow, I guess there must be no such thing as privacy on Olympus."

"Aiden Steele," she spoke, completely ignoring me, "you are the descendant of Hephaestus, the lame lap-dog of the gods. He values his children, yet it was you he tried to kill." My thoughts flashed back to the incident in the cave. I knew those robots were targeting Aiden, but I just couldn't figure out why. "Every so often, when a descendant of Hephaestus dies, his equal is reborn with the same power. That child is the Phoenix, and that is what you are."

My eyes turned to him. He looked blue. Not a word left his mouth and his eyes were rock solid. I decided to intercede.

"Um, what is this Phoenix thing exactly?"

"The Phoenix could easily foil the plans of Hephaestus. Aiden was able to reverse the effects and smite the metal of the god of the forges because of his position. However, mark my words, young demi-god: the Phoenix is meant to live an honorable life and die an honorable death. Your hands do not heal as you are meant to die in flames, and from ashes you shall be born again." With that, Aphrodite disappeared, leaving the two of us alone. We walked back to the masses in silence, not a word shared between us. He sat next to Deirdre, his face fallen, and I sat next to Jasper.