The Bow

Oh, Apollo, with your bow in hand,

You protect us in every land,

Your arrows bring justice, swift and fair,

Defeating darkness with your sacred flare.

- A part of the hymn dedicated to Apollo Arcitenens.

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"I will leave you to it then." Thetis gently pressed her hand on Apollo's shoulder.

"I will inform Hephaestus of your visit," Apollo replied.

"No." Thetis shook her head, her eyes twinkling with a knowing smile. "That would only cause him to abandon his work on your commissions and come after me. And I can see that you are in a hurry."

Apollo nodded, then rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I wouldn't call it a hurry; perhaps more of an anticipation?"

"Then I wish you well on your endeavour," Thetis said, turning and making her way towards the arched gateway of the forge.

Apollo also turned his gaze towards the heart of the forge, where Hephaestus was fully engrossed in his creations, unaware of the identities of the visitors to his forge. But before he could take his first step, a voice from the sea caught his attention.

"You are remarkably considerate for a god, Lord Apollo," Thetis whispered. "Such kindness is an almost unseen quality among us. You should tread carefully when you enter the Court of Olympus, lest they take advantage of you."

"I appreciate your concern, Thetis," Apollo acknowledged with a hum, then he sensed the presence of the sea gradually fading away as many gazes from all around the forge were directed at him, but they didn't stop him as he made his way to Hephaestus. He also made sure the dust, dirt, and smoke in the forge didn't dirty him, all melting away into the embrace of light before they could touch him.

As Apollo stepped into the heart of the forge, he could feel the raw power pulsating and coursing through the air. Fiery trails erupted from the burning cauldron, taking on various forms that danced and swirled in response to Hephaestus's every strike. It was a breathtaking spectacle, akin to tributaries of a blazing river converging upon Hephaestus' bronze hammer. Each strike carried the collective might of these fiery trails, amplifying the force behind them to perform the symphony of creation and destruction.

"Hephaestus," Apollo approached his sibling, his voice clear and sharp enough to cut through the cacophony of chaotic sounds in the forge, capturing the attention of the God of Forges. "It's good to see you in your element."

Hephaestus paused his work, grunting in annoyance at the interruption. However, as he looked up to identify the intruder, his displeasure quickly faded. "Ah, Apollo!" he grumbled in acknowledgment, putting down his hammer. "Your timing couldn't be more perfect." He gestured towards the golden mould of the bow he was crafting. "Your bow is almost complete. Come, let's finish it together."

Apollo approached the arrow mould, standing proudly on its elevated platform, while Hephaestus wiped the sweat, grime, and ash from his rugged face using a cloth he had picked up from the nearby counter. With a firm grip on the hammer, Hephaestus fixed his sharp, fiery gaze on Apollo. Anticipation filled the air as Apollo, surrounded by swirling rivers of blazing fire, sought clarification. "What do I need to do?"

"Infuse your essence into the mould, and you shall come to know," Hephaestus responded, raising his hammer high, its weight felt in every word he spoke.

Apollo closed his eyes, fully immersing himself in this momentous occasion. The object before him was to become his ultimate weapon, an emblem of his power that he would wield throughout eternity. With a surge of anticipation, he opened his eyes, and they blazed with an intense, churning light. "I am ready," he declared, his voice resolute and determined. "Let's do it, Hephaestus."

The God of Fire swung his mighty hammer down upon the mould, and simultaneously, Apollo infused his own blazing essence into it while the fiery rivers converged, their unstoppable forces colliding within the mould. In an instant, all the elements united, merging into a single, explosive culmination.

The entire island of Lemnos rumbled, shaking its very foundations. Thetis steadied herself and turned her gaze towards the volcano. Soon, her figure became awash with a brilliant light that erupted from its mouth, shooting up like a heavenly pillar towards the dark sky filled with twinkling stars. In an instant, the night above the island burst into a magnificent glow, spreading its radiance far and wide into the Aegean Sea surrounding the island.

Within the core of blazing brilliance, Apollo channelled his ethereal energy, pouring it into the creation of his celestial weapon. Every fibre of his being resonated with this divine masterpiece, as if it had been meticulously crafted to perfectly align with his essence. Yet it was not without its imperfections—How to put it?—Ah, it lacked the harmony and melodic quality that would truly reflect his godly nature. And so, just as his brother said, he knew exactly what he had to do now.

The God of Light infused his essence, willing it to flow through the nascent celestial weapon, saturating its imperfections with his divine nature. He carved his will, his resolve, and his unwavering determination into the very fabric of its stellar frame.

Though Hephaestus was the master forger, using his mighty hammer to shape the creation, it was Apollo who truly crafted the weapon, guiding its forging with his indomitable will. With every careful stroke, he melded the bow into a masterpiece that could only be wielded by him, a weapon that would evolve alongside him throughout the ages.

Like that, the forging of a mighty weapon continued, guided by the hands of Apollo and the skill of Hephaestus. As the divine energy fused with the molten metal, a blinding light once again enveloped the forge, illuminating everything with otherworldly brilliance. The air crackled with anticipation as the celestial bow took form, its sleek lines and ethereal glow reflecting the essence of the God of Light himself.

At last, the forging reached its crescendo, Apollo recalled all of his essence back to himself as the radiant light subsided, revealing the completed masterpiece. Apollo beheld his new weapon with awe, its golden surface adorned with intricate engravings, each symbol reflecting a facet of his divine power. He reached out and grasped the bow, feeling its familiar weight in his hands. It was a perfect extension of himself, a conduit for his divine will.

"It is my symbol of power," Apollo declared with a grin.

The golden bow pulsed with latent energy, yearning to be unleashed upon the world. With a knowing smile, Apollo turned his gaze towards Hephaestus, who observed the forging with an air of satisfaction.

"It is truly one of my finest creations," the God of Fire whispered, his usually harsh tone now softened. "Wield it well, Apollo."

Apollo's voice brimmed with gratitude as he replied, "Thank you, Hephaestus. I owe you one."

Hephaestus, who had been reaching for a clean cloth on a nearby counter, momentarily froze at Apollo's words, gripping the cloth tightly.

"What is it?" Apollo asked, sensing the weight behind Hephaestus' reaction.

"It's just that hearing 'Thank you' from someone in our own family, it's...," Hephaestus grumbled, using the cloth to wipe away the remnants of their forging session. "Well, it's a first."

"Oh," was all Apollo could stupidly say.

Hephaestus shook his head wryly, seemingly questioning his decision to bring up the subject. Then he turned his attention to the exterior of the forge, where the automatons and cyclopes had paused in their work. They were all gazing in awe at the celestial bow that was forged. Hephaestus, noticing their distraction, raised his hand and gestured dismissively. "What are you all staring at?" he commanded. "Get back to work."

Apollo shifted awkwardly for a moment, contemplating his brother's words. In all honesty, it shouldn't have been a surprise, considering that if mythology was any indication, the Olympians in general, including his namesake, were pretty much assholes.

Shaking off these sombre thoughts, he directed his attention towards his gleaming golden bow. As if sensing his mood, it emitted a melodic hum that resonated solely within him, and serenity filled his heart.

"You can test it out," Hephaestus suggested, observing his brother's fixation on the golden bow. With a wave of his hand, he manipulated the heart of the forge, causing it to dim and cool down to match the outside environment. Almost instantly, two cups of nectar materialised—one in front of Apollo and another in front of Hephaestus.

Apollo willed his bow to merge with his being, transforming it into a magnificent golden bow tattoo adorning his right arm. With a gesture, he reached for the cup of nectar and took a sip, mirroring Hephaestus, who did the same.

As nectar filled with vitality, the God of Light shook his head. "Nah," he replied. "The first arrow from my bow shall be of vengeance."

Hephaestus raised an intrigued eyebrow, a glimmer of interest dancing in his fiery eyes. "Vengeance?" he inquired. "So, is that the purpose behind your request for this bow?"

Apollo clarified silently. "That's just one of many," he said as he sipped his nectar. "I suppose it's not much of a secret. In fact, I'm heading to Delphi right after this."

Hephaestus nodded, his understanding evident. "That explains a lot. The King also sent a summons for a council meeting later tonight; maybe it is related to your endeavour."

"Mayhaps," Apollo doubted. It should probably revolve around his sister and mother's journey to Olympus. Perhaps his father was convening the council to officiate Artemis' ascension to Olympus, but it could very well end up being about his endeavour to Delphi. "But if what you say is true," he smiled offhandedly, "put in a good word for me, will you?"

"Oh, Apollo," Hephaestus snorted, gulping down the nectar. "I don't need to put in anything for you; your name is already as dazzling as it can be."

Apollo flashed a bright smile. "You flatter me, Hephaestus."

"And your modesty sickens me, Apollo," Hephaestus snarked, setting his empty cup aside on the counter, adding to the mess.

Apollo merely chuckled, finishing the last of the nectar in his cup and allowing it to disintegrate into particles of light, slipping through the gaps between his fingers.

"Anyway, come on," Hephaestus said, heading towards the other end of the volcanic forge. "Your other commissions are there."

Apollo followed his brother through the cacophony of clanging and ringing metals. Cyclopes and automatons cast curious glances his way as he passed them, engrossed in their various projects, ranging from weapons to palaces. Midway, they approached the platform of failures, where Pandora was placed. He couldn't resist the opportunity to satisfy his curiosity. "Brother, who is this?" he asked Hephaestus, pointing at the soulless Pandora.

"Ah, that." Hephaestus paused and gazed at Pandora with a mix of hesitation and frustration before his countenance settled into his perpetual mask of annoyance.

"You don't need to—" Apollo began in surprise.

Hephaestus waved his hand dismissively. "It's just something the King commissioned to inflict punishment upon humanity, under the wise suggestion of my wife."

"Aphrodite?" Apollo raised his brows, while thoughts flew at information. 'So indeed, the opening of Pandora's Box is coming soon, huh? Could I change something about that event? But I am far from strong enough to oppose my father. Stop, stop, stop, I am going far ahead; let's first join the Olympian Council, then proceed from there.'

"The one and only." Hephaestus snapped, resuming his stride towards the other end of the forge with an air of anger.

Apollo wisely chose to drop the subject as he had already obtained the desired information. He followed Hephaestus, and before long, they arrived at a counter filled with an array of mythical weapons.

Hephaestus selected a silver blade and a golden brooch from the collection and handed them to Apollo. "The moon blade and sun brooch, just like you asked."

Apollo scrutinised the items before him with keen eyes. The moon blade, destined for his sister, and the sun brooch, intended for his mother, possessed the very essence of those celestial bodies.

As for how they were obtained, You see, the Sun and the Moon were not insignificant celestial objects composed of mere stardust and rocks in the infinity of space. These celestial bodies, the Sun and the Moon, held profound significance within the expansive cosmos. They embodied a fusion of representations of abstract concepts, powerful symbols, and recurring motifs. This is precisely why some of the most formidable pantheons, such as those of Shinto and Egypt, had astral beings as their rulers. These deities' powers were intricately linked to the cosmic realm rather than the earthly plane, rendering them almost omnipotent among the divine.

The gods who governed the domains of the Sun and Moon possessed the extraordinary ability to harness the very essence emanating from these cosmic bodies. They utilised this power for various purposes, including the creation of highly sought-after materials used in forging and alchemy, such as moonstone and sundrop, which were both used in the creation of the Moon Blade and Sun Brooch.

'Now that I think about what uncle said, is the cosmos the key to Freedom and Power?' Apollo thought carefully in consideration of his future path, but he temporarily set those thoughts aside for another time as he tucked the Sun Brooch and Moon Blade into the light folds of his robes. "Once again, I am grateful, brother," he said to the God of Fire.

Hephaestus let out an exasperated huff. "Now, off you go; I wouldn't want to delay your noble undertaking."

'Just say already that you want me gone.' Apollo chuckled inwardly, sensing his brother's desire for his departure. Nevertheless, he understood that the time had come. With a swift motion, he initiated his teleportation, vanishing into thin air, leaving only a whisper behind. "Tell Thetis of my partings..."

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The Throne Room, Olympus.

Artemis reclined upon her gleaming silver throne, immersing herself in the intoxicating surge of newfound power. It permeated her being, imbuing her with a strength magnified many times over. In that moment, she comprehended the true reason why the Olympians stood unrivalled and elevated above all others.