HEPHAESTUS
Foundation in architecture is the element of an architectural structure which links it to the ground, and transfers loads from the structure to the ground. The grandeur of Mountain Olympus was a city worthy of a strong and powerful foundation. I focused on availability, modifiability, performance, security, testability, and usability, and I couldn't design a foundation with such attributes. I crumpled the piece of paper I drew a foundation on, making it the hundredth and sixth paper crumpled today.
A year has passed and I'm still not close enough to designing the perfect foundation. Jamie's vision of Olympus is one I love, he's a guy I revere so much. The table I stood against is laden with the very designs of Mountain Olympus, the city, the houses, the parks, walls, industries, barracks, temples, town halls, security measures, emergency escapes, basic amenities such as water and electricity, drainage systems, farms, dams, technological advancements, weapons, armories, prisons (quarantines), grave yards, roads, divers, domestic homes for animals, traps, city limits, secret stairs, statues, even the very gates of Olympus is accounted for, but the foundation to hold a great and visionary city such as this needed to be eccentric, substantial, everlasting and with so much vitality.
I fell to my knees slowly, my body was dry as a scorched leaf, rough as sand and my eyes were red and swollen, painful consequences of staying up for a week continuously.
Being a god, I rarely felt hunger, stress, strain and pain, but now I was actually faced with a challenging task, my stomach rumbled as if a boulder was rolling down, my head ached and my legs kept wobbling.
I remembered the first time Jamie suggested the idea of Mountain Olympus, the idea seemed rather foolish because building such a city on earth would be impossible, and if it was then the UN will never stand for it. Then Dora revealed the former resting place of Mountain Olympus in the old world, destroyed in the clash of the Titans. The idea seemed to be bearing fruits, at first the doubt in my mind blinded me to the bigger picture, but Dora and Jamie were a persuasive bunch, Jamie especially. I began designing the landscape of the Olympus, after that everything just fell into place, Jamie helped with the lot of it. Every inch of Mountain Olympus was finally designed by Jamie, me and Dora. Before his slumber, Jamie noted the foundations of such a glorious city like Olympus would be challenging. I doubted him at first and now here I was. I walked out of the cabin with more ideas brimming in my mind. I sat by the oak tree shading the cabin. I found faith in the nightingale chirping, a bit of peace but never quiet. Alabama, Phoenix was a wonderful town. I was about a six miles from the Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital where Jamie slumbered. I missed him, his vibrant form, crooked smile and that multiple personality disorder of his, most of all his sarcasm and everlasting hope. He was always plotting, always ten steps ahead and ready for the unexpected.
I missed Dora more though, we just started dating and I was very much in love with her. I couldn't remember the last time I felt that much affinity towards a lady. Although, her ex-boyfriend and I were not on good terms I respected him a lot, but I hated and loved his partner, Thanatos, he scared the heaven out of me. Dora continues to bear feelings for Hades, and I didn't know what to make of that. No one of us truly knew except Jamie, they were brother and sister, Shaggy and Scooby.
I looked at my watch; the beeping sound only meant Jamie. I reached the cabin in a fast pace, snapped my fingers and the designs on the table neatly folded into a rubix cube. I pocket it and raced to my Camaro parked behind the cabin and step on the accelerator.
There's significant change in the atmosphere around the hospital, such energy signatures were only emitted by limbo. We had a guest, I knew Dora wasn't due until tomorrow and no one knew where we were. I drove through Chattahoochee River on 5th avenue, raced into an empty parking lot and ran out to the Hospital. I race past the reception hall, a quick wave at Maggie the receiving nurse. Maggie waved back not bothered by my rush hour. This isn't my first rodeo. I launched straight to the private ward. Sometimes I hated this hospital, it was occupied with over seventy patient rooms, security was tight but not against other forces. I blasted through the orthopaedic unit, and stop at room 65. I peeked through the glass pane; it seemed there was no call for attention. Jamie was still in his slumber. I took the hilt of my sword from my pocket, it sparked into a gold steel ready to slice through anything. I crafted it myself. I opened the door; I was very paranoid so before I walked inside, I slide the sword into the narrow space of the hinges and the wall just be sure no assailant is hiding there. I enter to no alarming interest. It's just a usual day for Jamie. I pocketed my sword feeling stupid as usual.
"BOO"
I jump like a scared cat, my heart racing through the roof. Dora laughed unpleasantly, you know like a mad woman. I wasn't pleased with her at all, yet still I felt warm, full of excitement.
"I TOLD YOU TO STOP DOING THAT" my hand patted chest annoyed.
"I'm sorry" Dora continued in her annoying laughter "I just can't help it"
She reached for my arm when I walk past her, then she did that teddy bear face I loved so much "You owe me dinner" I said trying so much not to feel less annoyed.
She nodded with a smile "Anything for you" she said.
"Yeah right" I shrugged
I raise my finger in time before she teased, oh not this time "Don't you dare babe"
"Then stop me"
I pulled her close with great pleasure and kiss her before those silly words escaped her lips, she wraps her arm around my neck.
"How's that for a show stopper?"
She laughed and kisses me more, Imma die for her. Slowly, Dora departed her lips "Anything for you" She whispers, and then we were stuck in each other's eye.
A blazing fireball flickers in my hand immediately I heard the low growl "Whoa" He shrieked
Dora clamped my hands to quench the flame. We stared at Hades, Thanatos, a guy and a very beautiful lady. Did he hear what Dora said? Anything for me! Because if looks could kill I'd be sleeping next to my mom's corpse. Coldly, Hades turned his gaze to Dora, as usual his lifeless face looked like a colourful rainbow when he faced Dora and I got jealous. Dora is impassive, still clamping my hand. Her sights were set on the blonde and the guy standing beside her.
"You're hard to find" Thanatos said, he had this knack for breaking awkward silence, and I appreciated that a lot.
Dora looked at him "You've evolved"
Thanatos chuckled "Bet I can take you on now"
"Don't get ahead of yourself" Hades flatly cuts in, the prideful smile on Thanatos face faded.
"How did you find me?" Dora queried.
Thanatos and Hades both stared at the blonde, which I'm guessing is Athena.
"Ellen!"
I saw the excitement in her eyes, as if she was happy to see Dora. I'm not ready for a love triangle. She walked forward with a brittle smile.
"When I read your mind the first time I managed to see into Jaimie's mind and hence I knew you'd be here. I figured I couldn't use limbo to get here so..."
"Hades used the path of Tartarus"
"We need to talk" Hades moved forward; whatever the case I knew it didn't involve his feelings for Dora. I knew his 'Dora face' and this wasn't it. He was serious now, more crew cut and stiff shoulders, and the frightening part was he's did not maintain eye contact with Dora, but with me.
"Rey"
"CJ"
And then there's the smouldering stare between us "You look good" I said
"I've been better"
I chuckled "I know" Dora released her hand from mine "So what's wrong?"
"John, take Ellen and Marlin to the light house" Dora ordered "We'll meet you there"
Thanatos smiled and obeyed, he touched Ellen and Marlin and puff they disappeared.
"I'm guessing that was Athena?" I asked Dora.
She nodded in response.
"Wow, I don't think I've seen a beautiful girl like that before" That was the gravest mistake I ever did right now.
"Babe_"
Dora's knee deliberately smashed into my groin, my knees buckled and I fell like a lifeless body in front of her. So much pain radiating in my pride and joy.
Her eyes were stormy, distant and full of rage, which was completely understandable. I couldn't say I didn't deserve that but it wasn't my finest moment.
"Three months in our relationship and you've never said I'm beautiful, cute or even nice" Dora knelt before me, my hands clenched my groin like a fragile egg, the pain was so intense I couldn't afford to utter another word because I was frightened and scared to say something foolish to inflate her anger more "Try being a better boyfriend" She recommended
I nodded instantaneously. She helped me up to my feet "You're the best thing that ever happened to me" I meant it, and I said it in hopes of assuaging her anger.
I only wish Hades would wipe that satisfying smirk off his face even though I saw him bleeding out jealousy.
He can keep the smirk.
We gathered in Jamie's room to discuss the problem Hades held to himself. I sat on the bed next to Jamie, wallowing in my pain. Hades walked to the window, searching the atmosphere for who knows what. I felt the pain subsiding and then Dora took a seat on my lap and BAM the pain was back. I took the little joy I had left and wrapped my arms around her waist. Suddenly I was not feeling so bad at all.
Jamie's breathing was still and calm. CJ sets his eyes on him, he missed him I could tell. They were the best of friends before CJ was chosen to be Hades. He wanted to be Zeus, to be king actually but Jamie was chosen to be Zeus, and thus the best friend relationship was smashed into pieces in a fit of rage and jealousy. Come to think of it, Hades defining feature was jealousy.
CJ diverted his attention to us and he began "Old gods are resurrecting Dora"
I swallowed "As in the originals gods, the previous ones that died in the old world"
"Yes" CJ clenched his fists "Judging from the ones we killed so far they are the old gods who supported the Titans in the Titanomachy"
"The what now?"
"Titanomachy" Dora pinched me "The war between the titans and the Olympian gods that lasted for ten years"
I'm very aware of my lack of knowledge but I made it a point to ask questions about things I was clueless to, it was very helpful and I was not ashamed even though CJ was looking at me like I was the world's greatest dumbass. I got the girl CJ. I entwined my hands in Dora's hand as he watched, and stuck my tongue out.
Bitches do that a small voice in my mind said
Dora exhaled painfully "I feared this from the beginning"
Her body temperature gradually dropped, then the room is almost sour and grim.
"What is it you're not telling us" Hades asked.
Her balance shifted on my laps; the big man down there unexpectedly hardens as the soft touch of Dora's butt cheeks sinks into him. I hold my breath, of all things this just had to happen at the wrong time and place, beads of sweat trickle down my spine tickling me.
"Prometheus" Dora seriously said, "I accounted for all the titans after the destruction of Mount Olympus in the old world except for one"
"Prometheus, benefactor and protector of man" CJ shambled towards us, "Why resurrect the old gods and why now?"
I was freezing. Dora's body temperature was literally zero degrees celsius which I was thankful for because it caused the big man to loosen up and lie down.
"You know his punishment after he stole from Zeus?"
I've heard of the story of Prometheus on all account. The titan who deceived Zeus by asking him to choose between two offerings; beef hidden inside an ox's stomach (something pleasing hidden inside a repelling exterior) or bones wrapped in glistening fat (something inedible hidden inside a pleasing exterior). Zeus chose the latter and hence, a precedent was created in what mortals could sacrifice from that moment; so they kept the meat for themselves and sacrificed bones to the gods.
As a result of the trick, Zeus was enraged and hid fire from mortals as punishment. Prometheus, in an effort to help mortals again stole fire back and gave it to mortals. More enraged, Zeus punished Prometheus by having him chained to a rock, where an eagle ate his liver during the day, and the liver was regenerated during the night due to Prometheus' immortality. And thus his punishment set into motion. He was later saved by Hercules and never heard from again. I guess after millennia of hiding and the death of the gods he decided to emerge from hiding. Which meant_
"Wait does that mean?" I feared as much when I realized Dora and CJ were thinking what I was thinking.
"And it's not just that, they're going after newly chosen gods" CJ said "Preparing for an awakening of another Titan"
This time Dora stood up and sat next to Jaimie, a very concerned expression surrounding her face "After the Titanomachy, all the titans were trapped in Tartarus, bound together by the great Titan himself and the powers of the gods in a blazing chain." Dora heaved a sigh "but the minor gods who supported them were only cast away into the pits, bringing them back from Tartarus will not be a difficult feat for Prometheus. But to unchain a titan from Tartarus would require the total power of three gods"
"Preferably gods who are weak and don't stand a chance against old gods of strength yet possess great power"
Like Athena, Poseidon and the rest to follow
"We made it in time to save Ellen and Marlin" CJ didn't sound too excited "We've only began to grasp our second nature and war has been waged on us"
I could understand the concerned voiced in CJ's voice, it's only natural for him to be scared and believe me CJ doesn't scare easily. I've seen it before.
We certainly do lack the numbers to fight the old gods, they had the advantage over us, on the plus side for them.
"You need to wake him" CJ bluntly dropped the bomb.
Dora clenched her hand into a fists like she'd expected it all this time "So that's why you came" Dora said painfully.
"You know better than anyone if we want to survive through whatever plan Prometheus has plotted we need a master mind like him"
That hurt CJ more than it hurt Dora for him to underestimate her thinking capabilities. Between Dora and Jamie, they were both the best master minds I've ever met. Dora planned five steps ahead but Jamie was always ten steps ahead, he's thoughts were accurate, always deducing and plotting something. His paranoia was more intense compared to mine. I glanced at him in he's slumber; aching for him to wake and witness him in action.
"I can't"
"Why?"
Dora remained silent and for once I saw fear in her eyes, fear of a child abandoned in darkness and left to die in the cold embrace of the night.
"Dora" CJ was beginning to get persuasive which annoyed me "What's stopping you? You put him in his sleep so it's only logical you can wake him"
Dora shivered. I held her hands and felt an electric zap fly in my veins.
"Dora"
"That's enough Hades" my voice suddenly boomed in the room with anger. I've never been protective over anyone except my mom but now Dora's wellbeing was beginning to be my top most priority.
"Leave her be!" That was a warning.
CJ took a step back finally realizing Dora had zoned out of the room. Then again he never did pay any attention to Dora. I held her hand slowly stroking her with heat. Her body temperature slowly rose to the normal temperature. Bit by bit I stroked, looking her in the eyes. The electric zap coursing through my veins caused a static shock which bonded my hand to hers. I increased the heat in my body to cool her temperature. She began to sweat profusely then finally she squeezed my hand.
Dora looked like she just won a wrestling match, panting and grasping for air. She released my hand with a non-apologetic look. Then gazed at CJ with contempt.
This is bad.
"Don't ever question me again kid"
Oh boy, the condescending term Kid. I took a step back and sat in my chair. She's all good.
CJ's eyes flared up in anger and he was still courageous to speak "We need a plan of action"
Dora got off the bed and returned to my lap "Yes we do" She embraced my neck and took my hand to hug her waist "We find the other gods and goddesses, we train them and we prepare for war"
"Did I hear right?"
"Don't push it Babe" Dora pinched again, I winced.
Even CJ was struck in awe.
Dora has hated the idea of all the new gods being together from the very beginning. Just the thought of having us fighting amongst ourselves and repeating history was repelling to her. I guessed things change when faced with dire circumstances.
"Even better I'm going to delegate the tattoos" Dora said.
"What do you mean?" His anger is curbed.
"I'll explain everything when we meet up with John and the others" her breathing was heavy, and she struggled to exhale "Well?" Dora raised an eye brow at CJ, like why are you still here? Move your ass to the light house and wait for us. I need some quality time with my man.
CJ grunted and like dissipating smoke he disappears.
Now it was just us, she turned around and next thing I knew she kissed me, I kissed her back "Thank you" she smiled wanly after looking at me with her puppy face "Anything for you" I winked at her.
"You're such a strong man" Dora's eyes gaze upon my groin teasingly.
Shoot!
She felt it back then, she felt the big man. I cleared my throat shamelessly, looking in her eyes "You can't blame me" I looked away shyly "In my defense it's not my fault I went all high and mighty"
"No, I can't" She wriggled her butt cheeks on my big man and I felt the sudden rise in me.
"Wow, thirsty much?"
One day, I will make you ask for it.
"Shut up Dora"
She laughed and in a blazing light she flew us out of the hospital room leaving the chair rocking itself.