Old Lady(ies). Olympus Is Overrated?

Just moments before the scaling of Olympus…

"Do you know who I am?" An elderly lady whispered in a croaked voice.

"No," Hephaestus smiled to the lady, "I do not,"

Hephaestus wanted to go up to Olympus as fast as he could but he knew that was no excuse, in his opinion, to be rude.

"Don't you know who I am?" The old woman whispered again, but this time a tone of curiosity rose in three different voices that were let out of her mouth.

"I'm sorry," Hephaestus shook his head, sneakily preparing his utility belt, "I think you have me mistaken for another,"

Hephaestus tried to find a polite way to walk away.

"You truly don't know who we are?" She said once more, her cloak dripping over her head.

"We?" Hephaestus asked in confusion before a bright flash of light overcame him.

The sudden effect of the flash lessened and he looked to reveal three elderly women. They all had ragged white hair and skin stricken with old age, creased into wrinkles.

One carried a big clump of wool.

One held some string that came from the clump.

One had her nail placed along the string that was held, constantly searching over it.

"Yes…'We' are the Moirai, and you, young God, have been a nuisance,"

"I don't remember even involving myself with the three of you," Hephaestus said defensively, now completely on guard at the knowledge of their identity.

"Ahhhhh but you have. You have caused plenty of problems to the world. Past, Present, Future. All people, gods, goddesses, and many more things to come have been thrown out of balance, and we pinned the source to you," they said, synchronized.

Hephaestus put on a confused face and asked, "What are you talking about?"

"It seems you too, do not know of your effect…no matter, everything eventually aligns. EVERYTHING," The one holding the big clump spoke.

"Care to elaborate?" Hephaestus asked.

"No…too much said with too little time. Now…" She cut herself off before handing me some metal and wood. "MAKE IT," she demanded in a heavy voice.

It felt as if a light breeze came over me as I questioned, "Make what exactly?"

She showed how the string she held was a huge unorganized clump and said, "I have a feeling you should know,"

I looked over to another one of them, the one who traced the string with her nail, swiftly snipping it, most likely ending a life.

"Ah…" I sounded aloud, now understanding, "Yes, I shall help you,"

Then I swiftly started thinking about how to make the most convenient drop single and scissors.

I was quickly able to almost completely create them under a minute or two; time becomes iffy when I am crafting things.

Suddenly, a plan comes to my head as I ask them, "May I borrow the thread for a few moments?"

They look at me suspiciously before I say, "I must understand the material I am working with. I cannot complete this task if I do not know if my scissors can cut the wool. Or the drop single can handle the threads,"

I suggest my hand over to them, waiting for them to hand it over to me.

All three share a look before they hand over the thread. They must have seen the future and figured out nothing would happen…

Of course, they can see the future, but what if I do something they cannot see in person?

I know, I know, 'meSsInG WiTH tHe FAtEs iS a HoRRibLe IdeA'

But the opportunity given to me is too great.

Once in possession of the thread, I decided that I would test the threads against some creations.

Surely the strings of fate would be the epitome of material used to weave. Unfortunately, not much could be made from it without cutting it.

Now THAT is a bad idea.

Cutting some string would probably kill someone before their allotted time and I don't want that to be in my hands.

And so, I used the string and tested it against an extremely strong and efficient look.

Something that I would give as a gift to Athena. Just one of a few things I will present in what I have planned for the future.

Just like that, I handed a finished pair of scissors and drop single and gifted it to two of the Moirai, since the third does not need anything; before heading up Olympus to continue my small journey; marking down the Moirai to be in his good graces.

….

"I've come to bargain!"

This single declaration would be written in texts. Said at meetings and demands. A phrase known and renounced as the bravery of an aspiring God, a phrase which would prove that one could overcome anything they feel they could not.

However, at the current moment, it just caused silence.

Before a boisterous laugh sounded out from a large, burly, muscular man with palms as wide as a bed slat and clothes which seemed unfit for his muscle mass.

"Look at this guy!" They said, "Quite the pompous individual,"

However, despite his outright provocation, Hephaestus continued to look in the direction of Zeus.

The other Gods and Goddesses stayed silent, waiting for what Zeus would say in return.

"Would you be the 'incredible light' we have been told of?" Zeus questioned.

"I don't have a single idea of what you are talking about," Hephaestus promptly responded.

"I see. Well…how about this…Have you fought a woman in chains lately?" Zeus questioned differently.

"In chains? Yeah, I did," Hephaestus answered before being suddenly enraptured in the surroundings.

He took in the lack of artistic and aesthetic value of the room. It all seemed extremely simple and, without much disrespect to the crafters, was not a job well done.

"-re for?" Hephaestus managed to hear.

"Pardon?" He asked, trying his best to be polite, "Excuse my rudeness. Just got slightly distracted,"

"It is a beautiful room, isn't it? I would know a thing or two about beauty," A woman voiced, attracting the attention of the male Gods.

Hephaestus looked over and saw…Algaea? Maybe a mixture of her and someone else he feels is familiar…like an actress he once saw?

"Quite the contrary…" Hephaestus mumbled to himself, taking more of the surroundings once more.

"Interesting…" Zeus said as he heard my words.

"Oh. Again, I apologise-""No No,"

"This hall was made by the elder cyclopes. You call their work contrary to beautiful?" Zeus continued.

"I do," Hephaestus told him, since this only offends the Cyclopes, not Zeus himself.

"I am better than any forger you could find. Better than any sculptor. More control over any smith. I can make anything you would desire. This is what I have come to bargain for. I bargain with you now, Olympians, if I am to craft anything greater than that of the Elder Cyclopes, grant me my birthright, with a position on Olympus!" I shouted to them, holding out my hand to Zeus.

Zeus grinned wildly at my words.

Apollo was interested and amused.

Artemis was annoyed and disgusted by my presence.

Ares' bloodlust seemed to increase tenfold.

Hera just sat still, clutching her throne with a Titan's grip.

Hades looked coldly over everything.

"Dam," Poseidon commented, extremely interested.

Hermes was bouncing up and down on his seat excitedly.

Hestia looked at me with concern.

Demeter seems uninterested, holding a neutral position.

Aphrodite looks pleased with what I have said.

And Athena…she seemed to have a gaze that screamed Omniscience, yet she stared at me with calculation not at all befitting what I saw moments before.

Somewhere around the world, Nemesis had a hateful and annoyed look, whereas Hybris seemed pleased and filled with adrenaline.

Zeus grabbed a bell before ringing it, letting out a melodic and calm sound. Then, three THUMPS clashed into the ground strongly. Then another three. Then more.

Eventually, the door to the throne room began to open and three large figures entered, all three radiating the aura of a transcended craftsman.

Instantly, the three turned their heads to me, as three eyes from three heads bore into me.

"He's good," said one of them.

"Extremely so," the second commented.

"He looks so cool. Look at that hair. I want fire for hair. Hey brother, do you think we can make fire hair?" the third said.

"Of course, we could Steropes. It would be a waste though. However it does look cool," the one who spoke second told 'Steropes'.

"Don't you think it is rude to talk about someone when they're in front of you?" The first time reprehended them.

"Who?" Steropes asked him.

"That God in front of yo-""Asked?" Steropes interrupted them as he and the second resounded a burst of booming laughter.

"Arges. Brontes. Steropes," Zeus called out.

"Oh. Hello Zeus," They said at the same time.

What is it with these people and saying things at the same time?

"Hello," he replied, annoyed, "I have brought you here for something important. This young God wishes to challenge you. He calls your work negatively,"

At his words, the Cyclopes look down to me angrily as the first one, Arges, says, "That's rude, you know that right?"

"Honesty is the best policy," I replied, happy to see such a craftsman in front of me.

These are the ones who created the big three's weapons!

"Such enthusiasm. That's nice. It seems the future generation still have some hope," Brontes said happily.

"Brother stop being annoying," Arges told him slyly.

"So, all in favor of commencing this challenge?" Zeus asked loudly.

Quickly, everyone in the room present, including me and the cyclops, raised their hand.

Except for Hestia, who seemed extremely concerned for some reason.

"Then, on the terms that each partaking team shall create three items of their choosing. For the side of the young god, who wants him to craft for them?" Zeus questioned the Olympians.

At this, three raised their hands:

Ares.

Athena.

Hermes.

For the Cyclops, the chosen were:

Apollo.

Artemis.

Dionysus.

Just like this, Hephaestus and the Cyclops swiftly left the room preparing themselves. The first true trial, in the origin of Hephaestus, had begun to spin its cogs.

"Hold up. He just said birthright didn't he?" Hermes voiced after the crafters had left, causing Hera to curse aloud.

Suddenly, they all turned to Hera, then where the God had been stood. Then suspicious glances to Zeus.

"This time I am positive the child is not mine," was his response, causing everyone to turn back to Hera.

….

Some time ago, Apollo was having a lovely time with his new girlfriend.

They had spent a small amount of time together but Apollo described their relationship to the woman as "written in the stars"

A true love story.

They were soon to attend apart and they were both getting ready, preparing themselves for the big, lovely night ahead of them.

"Honey," the lady called out to her partner, Apollo, "Be honest. Does this dress make me look fat?"

"Promise me you won't be mad no matter what I say?" Apollo said nervously.

"I promise," she said, wrapping herself in his embrace.

Apollo looked down on her and smiled brightly. Literally.

He decided to give her his answer…"I'm cheating on you with your sister,"

The woman paused, before she swiftly escaped from Apollo's grasp, slapped him, and promptly ran away with Apollo screaming:

"Was that not the right time my love?"