Page 19 of Hephaestus
But I had to overcome such thoughts, for I needed to be stern in this moment. Showing any sign of weakness or vulnerability would not be very godly of me. I needed to prove to her that I belonged here on Mount Olympus and that I was here to stay permanently.
“I have returned, Hera.” I greeted her with, as I placed my covered creation down on the floor beside me.
“Hera?” she repeated back to me. “Since when have you ceased to call me your mother?”
“Since you stopped acting like one,” I quickly rebuked, without even the slightest hint of hesitation.
“Hmph,” she grunted. “You may still hold resentment for all that I did to you, but it was all for your own good.”
“How!?” I questioned with a defiant tone.
“You were a weak boy. I did what I needed to do to make you stronger and more resilient. And, well, look at you now.” She raised her hand out toward me as if putting on some sort of display. “Clearly, I did right by you. Just look at how you’ve turned out.”
How could Hera even think she played a part in the person I came to be today? Her audacity knew no bounds. It was beyond egotistical of her to presume that she was the reason behind how great of a god I now became, with age. Not to mention, it was also delusional. Did she honestly believe that treating me like vile vermin was the appropriate thing to do? Did she really consider her throwing me from the cliffs of Mount Olympus to be a brilliant plan? It was all unfathomable.
My fists clenched by my side at how angered I was by this response of hers. I could feel the flames within me begin to stir. As much as I wanted to yell and berate her, I knew that would be unwise. That was her goal all along, wasn’t it? Hera wanted me to take the bait. She had intended for me to unravel and go berserk. But I would not give her that satisfaction. I was now too smart to cave into her devious ploys and mind games.
“Yes. I have turned out to be quite sensational, haven’t I?” I asked to acknowledge her earlier comment, but at the same time, ignoring her condescending digs she threw in there.
“Something like that,” she muttered in a disdainful tone. “At any rate, what is that giant contraption you have hiding under those deplorable sheets?”
“It’s actually a gift for you.”
“Oh? A gift for me?” She placed her hand over her bosom as if she were shocked by the gesture. “Well, I can’t imagine what you have to offer me that would be worthwhile and pleasant of that size. I was hoping you would come and adorn me with some of the most beautiful jewelry I’ve heard you can create. Why not craft something gorgeous and useful like that to give to me? It is the least you could do.”
I paid her opinion no mind whatsoever. Instantly, I grabbed the tarp and yanked it. The object in question was then revealed.
“Oh… my…” Hera gasped. “Is that truly what I think it is?”
I simply nodded. “Yes. It’s a golden throne. I made it with my own bare hands and tools.”
“I…” For once in her existence, Hera was finally rendered speechless for a moment. She rose from her own throne and ambled towards me. Her eyes widened as she graced her palms over the intricate carvings of the golden throne, admiring every well-defined curve and edge. “You are telling me you made this just forme?” she eventually asked.
“Yes. Consider it a gift for being so kind as to welcome me back to Mount Olympus.”
“My son… you really have outdone yourself. I have never seen anything so miraculous. You truly are a talented craftsman, unlike any other I have ever come across.”
It was odd to hear her pay me these compliments. They were no doubt long overdue, but nevertheless, I wasn’t quite used to seeing this awestruck and referential side of the Queen of the Gods.
Although I knew it was only a matter of time before her demeanor would completely change. I studied Hera closely, watching her every move as she scrutinized every fine detail of the throne.
“Thank you,” I simply said to her.
“I think this meeting between us is exactly what we needed to mend things,” Hera admitted.
“I think so too,” I concurred with her. “Here, why not try out the throne? Take a seat. See if it’s to your liking,” I offered.
For a second, I thought I saw Hera eye me suspiciously, but if she was skeptical, it was only for a brief moment. She firmly held the arms of the throne, propping herself up to take a seat in it.
As soon as she sat down, a smile crept up on my face. “How does it feel?” I asked.
Hera began to adjust herself in the chair. “I mean, I have sat in things that were far more comfortable, but this will have to do.”
The Queen of the Gods then proceeded to try to stand up but was instantly thrown back into the confines of the throne. Her wrists struggled to lift from the arms of the chair, but they were restricted. Hera was trapped and could not move whatsoever.
She glared at me while continuing to fight against the restraints. “You! What is this!? What have you done!?”
“Something I should have done long ago,” I revealed. “You needed to be put in your place, and now you finally have, literally.”
