— All right then. Since I'm going to end up forging a weapon for him one way or another, I need to ask a few questions first.
— Ask whatever you want! I'll answer everything!
— Tone it down, are you trying to deafen ?
— Ah, my bad... hihihi.
— Sigh I'm already regretting this... First question: what kind of weapon does he use?
— Like... a sword, a spear, stuff like that?
— Yes, but be more specific. I want to know if he prefers big or small weapons, heavy or light, slashing, piercing, or bludgeoning. If he does better with sothing rigid or flexible, long- or short-range...
[Half an hour later.]
— ...and if you know his build, like shoulder width, arm length and proportion of physical strength, all of that helps when thinking about grip and counterweight, you know?
Hephaestus fell silent and looked down, waiting for an answer.
What she found was Hestia staring at nothing, with a little fishy smile and an expression of absolute brain absence.
— Please... tell you understood.
— Could you repeat...?
— A deathly heavy sigh I knew this would happen. Where did you lose ?
— Uhm... from the beginning?
— Hestia... I hate you.
— H-hey! It's not my fault you talk like an instruction manual! Couldn't you just, I don't know, make a random sword?
— Do you think forging a weapon is, what, cooking? A weapon isn't a ready-made recipe! I need to know everything, even what the client doesn't yet know they want. Or would you prefer I make a three-ter warhamr?
Hestia looked at the ceiling as if visualizing that. Luki — a slim, delicate elf — carrying a colossal hamr like he was the God of Destruction.
— Okay, okay. You're right. Forget I said anything.
— See? That's why I hate making weapons for soone who isn't here. Much easier to ask directly. Well... not that I'm taking orders these days, but you get the point.
— So... what do you want to do?
— You must have so idea. He's your only Child! You can't possibly not know this basic stuff.
— Uhm... now that you ntion it...
Hestia put a finger to her chin, thoughtful. She tried to rember every ti she'd seen Luki fight, talked about battles, wielded a weapon...
And reached the only possible conclusion:
— What if he doesn't have a favorite weapon?
— Impossible. Adventurers keep risking their lives. When they choose a weapon, even unconsciously, it's always one that fits them. Maybe for comfort, instinct, aesthetics... but there's always a pattern.
— But seriously. My Luki-kun never showed attachnt to any weapon. He's only used three so far: a guild sword and dagger, and a short bronze sword. And from the stories he tells ... he doesn't exactly use the weapons...
— What do you an he "doesn't use" the weapons?
— I an... he uses them, but not really-uses-them, you know? He wields them, attacks, but... it's like the weapon is just an accessory. A detail. Not the focus of the fight.
Hephaestus was silent, frowning.
— Are you listening to yourself?
— Argh! I don't know, Hephaestus! I just know he doesn't have a favorite weapon, okay! There!
— Long sigh This isn't getting us anywhere. Okay, next question: by so divine miracle I'm unaware of… do you have money to buy one of my weapons?
At that instant, Hestia froze.
A cold sweat ran down her forehead, and she averted her gaze, pouting while twirling a strand of hair with her finger.
— It's not that I don't have money, exactly... it's more that I... didn't bring any with , you know? Your weapons are very expensive! And it's dangerous to walk around Orario with a lot of cash... so I thought: "what if I pay you bit by bit, just to guarantee my safety?" Smart idea, right?
Hephaestus stared at her in silence for three seconds.
— You don't have money, do you?
— I HAVE NO MONEY AT ALL, OKAY?! — Hestia suddenly broke down dramatically. — I CAN BARELY FIND A PLACE TO FALL DEAD! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO BUY A WEAPON FROM YOU?! I DON'T EVEN HAVE A HOUSE, HEPHAESTUS! NO HO! I'M A FAILURE! BUUUAAAAHHH!!!
— Stop crying, for the love of the gods!
BONK!
Hephaestus gave Hestia a corrective smack on the head with the palm of her hand, enough to interrupt the racket, but not the drama.
— Ouch! That hurt!
— It'll hurt more if you keep screaming! This is the fifth ti today I've had to bonk you, for heaven's sake!
— ...Sorry...
Hephaestus ran her hands through her hair, pulling it back slightly like soone trying to organize their own sanity.
— Okay, look... let's forget about paynt for now. We'll deal with that later. Now we do it my way.
— Yes, ma'am!
— You're going back to... wherever you're crashing at, and you're going to tell your precious little Son the real state of his arm.
— But I don't... OOF! OW! MY HEAD! — Hestia tried to protest, springing to her feet, but was interrupted imdiately.
With a swift motion, Hephaestus placed her hand on Hestia's head, clutching the hair as if holding an apple. With a simple lift of her arm, she hoisted the tiny goddess off the floor like a sack of potatoes.
— SO!!! — Hephaestus's voice rang with authority. — As I was saying... if, and only if, that stubborn one insists on continuing this suicidal journey, you bring him here tomorrow. Then I'll take care of the rest. Understood?
— Y-yes, ma'am! Now please let go of my head! I'm hearing pops that definitely shouldn't be popping! — Hestia whined, flailing in the air like a wet cat.
— Great. — Hephaestus nodded, satisfied, then opened her hand.
THUMP
— Ow! My butt...
Hestia sat on the floor, rubbing her head and moaning softly.
— Aaaah... this is going to be a lump...
— Better than a coffin — Hephaestus retorted, settling back with a tired sigh. — Now go, get out of here before I change my mind.
Hestia struggled to her feet and dusted off her skirt. Just as she was about to leave, she stopped at the door and turned back, thoughtful.
— Hephaestus... can I ask sothing?
— If it's another ridiculous request, no.
— It's not! It's just... a question, or advice if you think it's better.
— Hmph. Speak.
— Do you have any tips for what I, as a goddess, could do to better help my Child? Putting everything else aside, I feel like trash for having to ask others to help my own son.
— I don't want things to stay this way, I want to change, I'm not asking to get rich overnight or beco one of Orario's kings, I just want to feel more useful... — Hestia said slowly, her words carrying more feeling than at any other point in the conversation.
Fear, insecurity, anxiety, sha, desire, frustration, selflessness.
For a goddess, a being born with the universe and who watched it unfold, these feelings were new. She would never have dread she would be in such a precarious situation that she had to ask another for help.
Suddenly, descending to the mortal world for entertainnt didn't seem as fun as before.
Seeing her friend so sincere about her feelings, what could Hephaestus do but...
— Sigh What would you do without , huh? — she said with a discreet smile at the corner of her mouth, clearly pleased to see Hestia finally taking responsibility seriously.
Taking that as a "yes," Hestia bead, almost relieved, and sat back down on the couch far more calmly.
The two sat side by side, like the old friends they truly were. No tantrums, no scandals, just a light, sincere, comforting conversation.
Hephaestus shared so stories of her path as a Familia leader: from the days when it was just her and her first Child, to becoming one of the largest weapons suppliers in all of Orario. She spoke of mistakes, successes, sleepless nights, and the joy of seeing her Children grow.
For the first ti that afternoon, Hestia listened with genuine attention, without exaggerated interruptions or theatrical reactions. She absorbed every word calmly and seriously, even raising doubts about so of the choices her friend had made over the years.
...
[So ti later.]
— The most important lesson I can leave you is: keep calm and stay strong. You have and several others gods who won't refuse to help. Use that. In my day, there was no one to guide — Hephaestus said, leaning back, more relaxed.
— Yes... I'm very grateful for that. Thinking about it, maybe it's ti to visit the others too. Maybe I can get more help, right?
— Hah! Only now you rember you have friends? I can imagine how Loki would react if she heard you talking like that...
— Loki? Please. That crazy bitch was never my friend. To be honest, I'd be very grateful if she and her Familia evaporated from Orario.
— Ah, sure... very mature and centered — Hephaestus said with a restrained laugh.
— Hmph!
— Well, the chat was great, but it's getting late and I have duties. The forge won't wait.
— Understood... in that case, I'll go. Thank you for everything, truly. — Hestia replied sincerely.
— Don't ntion it. Co on, I'll walk you to the gate.
— Thank you.
They walked together down the mansion's long corridors. Although Hestia knew every corner of the place with her eyes closed, Hephaestus insisted on accompanying her, not because it was necessary, but because she wanted to prolong the mont a little longer.
It was like that nagging feeling when you try to rember sothing important but the mory keeps slipping away... and you feel like you're about to discover it but never get there.
That premonition stayed with her until they reached the gate.
— Once again, thank you for everything today. I'll put this knowledge into practice as soon as I can. — Hestia said, grinning ear to ear.
— Go on then... just try not to overdo it.
— Also, I suggest you start preparing the materials to forge my Luki's weapon, because I doubt losing an arm will stop him!
— Yes, of course... wait, what?
It was like a lightbulb lit up. Hephaestus's eyes widened slightly — the missing mory finally returned.
— Ah, Hestia. About his arm... I think you don't need to worry so much.
— Huh? What do you an? — Hestia frowned, instantly inventing a thousand crazy theories. — You an that… you're not going to…
— No, that's not it. I will still make the weapon. It's just that... — Hephaestus hesitated, glancing around as if searching for the best way to explain. — I have so contacts. Families who owe favors for things I did in the past.
— Ah... I see. But what does that have to do with...
She squinted her eyes, thinking deeply. But seconds later, her eyes widened and she covered her mouth with her hands.
— D-don't tell that...
— Yes. I'll see if I can get so rmaid Blood or Tears-
— AAAAAH, HEPHAESTUS, YOU ARE THE BEST—
— NO! — Hephaestus jumped back, stretching out an arm like a barrier before Hestia could launch into a crushing hug.
The exaggerated reaction was enough to stop Hestia, who halted mid-step, arms still outstretched and smile frozen.
— Don't get your hopes up, understood? Don't. Get. Your hopes. — Hephaestus sighed, relaxing a bit. — Like I said, I'll just see if I can. Nothing's guaranteed.
— But... why wouldn't you be able to?
— How many adventurers do you think lost limbs in the Dungeon? And why do you think they don't just pay to get them back?
— So... you an...?
— These materials are not only rare but also highly perishable. If they are not used imdiately or stored in special, fragile containers, which were obviously not ant to be carried into the Dungeon by adventurers, they lose their effects imdiately. Furthermore, sothing so good is obviously coveted by many.
— So... my Luki-kun...
— If you'd stop interrupting , I could finish.
— Ah... sorry. Continue.
— As I was saying, there are so gods who owe more than a kidney, if I play my cards right and no one else finds out, I could end up with a few liters of blood in a month or two, it's not much but it will do. But it's only a chance. Nothing more.
— I understand... — Hestia said, calr now but still visibly anxious.
— And therefore, I repeat: don't get your hopes up. But... there might still be a possibility.
— I understand... and thank you, Hephaestus. For caring so much.
— Tch. It's nothing. — the forge goddess said, looking away embarrassed. — If I'm involved, it's just because you would've blown sothing up if you'd stayed alone with this problem.
Hestia let out an awkward chuckle, but before she could say anything else, Hephaestus continued:
— Anyway... I have a suggestion. Since you're his goddess, why not try creating a skill?
— Huh?
— Sothing that influences natural regeneration, vitality, or even physical resilience. Even a temporary boost. It might help him hold on until a real cure. If you want, I can even lend you one or two of my Formulas as a base.
Hestia blinked, confused.
— Sorry, what?
Hephaestus frowned, thinking she hadn't been heard.
— A skill, Hestia. Create a skill for him. You know — she gestured with one hand as if explaining the obvious — that kind of thing we can do when we really focus on the bond with our Child.
Hestia kept staring. Her expression was that of soone who'd just discovered the sky is blue.
— W-W-WAIT A MINUTE!!! YOU'RE TELLING WE CAN CREATE SKILLS?!
Hephaestus froze for a second, her gaze blank.
— ...Are you serious?
Hestia only nodded, eyes wide as if receiving a divine prophecy.
Hephaestus closed her eyes. She breathed deeply. She didn't want to ask, but she knew, deep in her divine soul, that the answer would be a disaster. Yet a spark of hope persisted. Maybe, just maybe, Hestia would surprise her.
— Tell one thing... — she began slowly, voice heavy with existential exhaustion — did you, by any chance, read the Falna's manual before coming to Genkai?
— T-Theres a manual?!
…Yeah. She had been too innocent in believing the impossible.
Hephaestus's look lost all its sparkle. It was empty. Dead. Faithless in the world, the gods, or the system. An expression that said, "I should have retired five hundred years ago."
A part of her definitely died inside.
Creak
Creeeak
— Uhm... Hephaestus? Why are your knuckles cracking like that...? — Hestia asked, starting to back away with a nervous grin.
pa
pa
pa
Hephaestus began walking toward her, heavy, rhythmic steps like a furnace about to explode.
— W-why are you coming here...? — Hestia backed away with every step, stumbling over her own feet.
The forge goddess then rolled up her sleeve, revealing a muscular, veined forearm — the kind of arm that could shape iron with a single smack.
— W-w-w-why do you look like you're going to beat up?!
— Because I'm seriously thinking of forging you a new face, that's why!!!
— AAAAAAA!!! HELP!!!
— HESTIA!!! CO BACK HERE!!!
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