Prologue

It was his own desire to help his only friend. Hephaestus, the last of the giants, was determined to be of use to humans. He was visited by the hero, Zechros, the only strong defender of humanity.

Zechros mentioned that in the war of demons and humans, the demons are halfway done to conquer all the lands. So many had spilled their bloods, hopeless against the powerful beings. Zechros alone couldn't eliminate every demons. He needs other heroes to be chosen.

"Will you make seven weapons as powerful as the sword you made for me? It's the only choice we have", Zechros said.

"Can you really trust the people that you chose? This is a dangerous gamble so let me hear your conviction"

"I trust them with all my heart. They gave their mind and body to protect all the remaining lands. I'm sure they'll never succumb to power"

"Is that so? Then, as your friend, I shall fulfill your wish. Now, if you want to stay and watch me work, stand outside the seal"

"As you wish"

Hephaestus gathered all the materials brought by Zechros. The thrusts of his hammer created destructive waves deterred only by the dragon king's seal. Each day, a powerful weapon is being formed as a symbol of humanity's last hope. Seven days and seven nights passed and the weapons are finally finished.

"Did I made it in time?"

"All of them are finished?"

"All of them"

"Thank you Hephaestus! The heavens didn't left humanity just yet!"

The hero hurried and carried the weapons outside the cave. Hephaestus can't help but smile as he saw his friend joyful, ready to defeat the demons. He's hoping that he made a good contribution for the good of humanity.

Hephaestus is anticipating good news as the time passes. However, days passed and Hephaestus still didn't have any news as to whether the humans succeeded or not. Zechros was not visiting him every ten days like he used to. The last time he saw him was when he finished the weapons. Several years of waiting, Hephaestus grew impatient. He didn't know what's happening on the surface as his friend's nowhere to be seen for a long time. Decades passed, his patience run out. He's thinking of any possibility that could interrupt his friend's visits. The worst entered his mind.

'He might be dead. But no, Zechros is powerful even before he had the sword I gave him. No, the demons are said to be powerful, it's a possibility. Why am I making excuses? What am I doing all this time, waiting for his return. I should have done something. I should be doing something. I should be going out of this volcano. Here I am waiting without realizing that he might still need my help. I need to get there. I need to, NOW.'

Mustering his courage, he tried to destroy the seal of the cave. Whatever he did, he only injured himself. The seal is too powerful to be destroyed. He knew it. He's not strong enough to get out. He rest after a day worth of hurting himself.

Sitting in a corner, he realized that a very long time had passed. Zechros is only human. Even if he survived the war, he's probably dead of old age by now. It's hopeless. There's no one that will visit him anymore. He can only wait to die in his cave full of grief and regret.

He stood once again to try to entertain himself. As it was his passion, maybe making something can help ease his sadness but it's dull. He can't feel the once burning feeling he felt everytime he struck the molten metal. He put down the hammer and sat on the corner again. He thought maybe he can just wait for death but being a giant made him naturally resilient and long lived. He can't think of anything he can do. There are only regrets in his mind.

"I wish I can get out of here"

'I can't destroy the seal no matter how hard I try. Is there another way? Maybe a hole within the seal? Impossible. My father should have known one long ago. I want to go outside. I'm always dreaming about what the world might look like. All I know are rocks, crystals, wood, metals, fire, and weapons. I only know one human. I only know one giant aside from me. I don't even know the features of a dragon. Maybe I can live above. Even if the demons are reigning now, maybe I can still live a life. How can I do that? The only thing I know is to make something. Can I possibly make something that can bring me to the surface?'

The questions kept on bothering Hephaestus. Before he knew it, his body moved and got to work. From then on, he kept on making weapons that might bring him to the surface. He made a shield that can pass through the barrier but it's useless as everything can pass through the barrier except him. He tried to make an arrow that can swap places to the owner but the barrier repelled him. He made a shovel that can dig any surface but he discovered that the seal is a sphere that enclosed the cave around. At one point, he just used his hammer and hit the seal but the repulsion only knocked him out. Many failures were made but Hephaestus never gave up. He wanted to see the world and if possible, avenge his friend.

Several decades then several centuries passed, Hephaestus is fatigued and hungry. However, there's not a single day that he felt discouraged to continue. The surface is the goal. Only a single creation was needed. He gets back to work after every short sleep. Then an idea entered his mind. He might get out if he's to die and be reborn on the surface. He knew it's absurd to think he can make that a possibility but for all these years, a miracle was needed. The only question is how can he guarantee that when he die, he will be reborn? After some deep thought, Hephaestus unknowingly taught himself the nature of life and reincarnation. Soon enough, he made a blade that defied the natural laws. Reincarnation is a thing, but reincarnations with all your memories intact are unheard of. If such a being exist, he's definitely a powerful being, a deity of sorts.

Hephaestus never tried anything this drastic. His father taught him many things, but even his father's wisdoms fall short in this situation. A life or death situation with no prior knowledge of success, such is his terrible predicament. The terror of failure is crawling all around his massive body. If he die and nothing happened, he will never see the outside world. He wants to have a life for himself. A life that he will choose to have. A life that he will feel grateful and satisfied.

Mustering his courage once again, he point the blade to his chest. A big gulp, a river worth of sweat, then, he pierce himself with all his might. The blade disintegrates to nothingness. He feels an indescribable sensation. His body lights up so bright that the room doesn't look like it's underground. He feels his consciousness dissipating, his body turning formless. While his body deteriorates, he spoke his last words.

"I wish to have a fulfilling life next time".