Family of Lemnes

Zeus furrowed his brows as he sensed something in the air.

But what was it?

He couldn't pinpoint what it was but it felt as though… a new god had been established.

Zeus closed his eyes as he scanned from the heavens to locate the new god but eventually gave up when he found nothing.

Opening his eyes, Zeus began to ponder. Perhaps it was a new sea god. Or a new god in the underworld? Even Zeus with his almighty power would find it hard to penetrate his gaze into the domains of his brothers.

Zeus focused on sensing the new god once more before letting out a sigh of relief. It seemed that the new god was weak in power. Perhaps it was a weak god of some sort of practice. Realizing that the god would not pose a threat, Zeus put it aside as he once more nestled into the bed.

"What's wrong Zeus?" Said a woman with a hidden beauty from underneath the sheets.

"It's nothing, my dear Leto," said Zeus with a charismatic smile. "Just the birth of a new god. Let's go back to sleep."

"Mhm."

Just as Zeus and Leto were about to fall back to sleep, the air started to tremble as a loud scream erupted.

"ZEUS!"

Zeus and Leto went pale.

But separate from this incident on the island of Lemnos, Hephaestus brought Thetis and Eurynome into a showcase room where the completed sculpture was.

Thetis started bouncing around in joy as she circled the sculpture to see it from many different angles while Eurynome quietly absorbed the scene.

Before them was a sculpture of three people, two women and one boy.

The women were an exact replica of Eurynome and Thetis while the young boy resembled a younger version of Hephaestus.

"…did you make this for us?" Asked Eurynome overcome with emotion.

Hephaestus gave a smile and nodded.

"Wow! It's so amazing! This sculpture looks exactly like me! But taller!" Thetis said as she measured her height against the statues. "Thank you, Hephaestus!"

Thetis leaned in to give Hephaestus a kiss on the forehead. Before bouncing excitedly around the sculpture again.

Eurynome stared at the sculptures and watched her mirror image smile back at her.

With a warm smile forming on her face as well, she observed the lifelike statue with wonder and appreciation.

Hephaestus let out a cough.

"I call this sculpture, Family of Lemnos."

As Hephaestus placed a hand on the sculpture, it started to shift, changing from the scene of a young boy with his mothers to two women holding an infant baby. 

"This sculpture will show you any memory you wish to see, featuring the three of us," explained Hephaestus as the sculpture morphed to reflect the scene in the cave.

"Cause we will always be family. No matter how many eons pass by."

Eurynome stepped forward to give Hephaestus a hug, who bashfully reciprocated it.

"Thank you," whispered Eurynome as she gave him a bigger hug.

Hephaestus just replied with "Mmm."

"Why is your face hidden," asked Thetis, interrupting the moment with a curious question.

Hearing this Eurynome cast her gaze back to the sculpture and noticed the hidden detail that she had overlooked before.

Hephaestus's face on the sculpture only held a bright smile but no other facial features.

"What is wrong? Where is your face Hephaestus?" Asked Eurynome questioningly.

Hephaestus's expression warped in an ugly manner for a split second before putting on a wry smile. "Putting my face on the statue would only desecrate its beauty."

Eurynome furrowed her brows in mild anger. "Nonsense. You are perfect the way you are."

Thetis nodded her head with great vigor. "Yes, Hephaestus! We love everything about you, from your looks to your skills."

Thetis touched the sculpture changing the faceless face of Hephaestus into the face in her memory.

Hephaestus gave a strained chuckle before waving his hand once more at the statue to conceal his face. "It's better this way, mothers. But thanks for caring about me."

Hephaestus gave each of the goddesses a hug before leaving the cave.

Eurynome sighed at the somewhat pitiful figure of Hephaestus. "What will we do about his lack of confidence..."

Thetis touched the sculpture of Hephaestus once more to reveal his face before saying with a pout. "I personally think he looks rather charming. Like a rugged man. Strong and patient."

Eurynome and Thetis let out a sigh together at the perplexing situation.

"… maybe we should find him a young nymph to marry?"

"… hmmmm."