Hephaestus grabbed a pickaxe leaning against the stone wall of the cave and comfortably swung it against the wall.
Stone shards started flying out causing lacerations into the earth but bounced harmlessly off of Hephaestus's godly physique. Eventually, Hephaestus was able to carve out a three-meter-long cube separate from the cave wall.
Putting down the pickaxe, Hephaestus picked up a stone hammer and chisel before eying the stone cube with a contemplative look.
Once he decided on what to do, Hephaestus placed the chisel on the stone cube and gently struck it with the hammer.
It was as if something had possessed Hephaestus as his entire attention was absorbed into carving out the stone into the ideal image placed within his head.
Each gentle tap of the chisel would scrape away a small bit of stone but Hephaestus did not feel a need to rush. Piece by piece, strike by strike, the cube became transformed.
Within the corridors of the cave, a rhythmic tapping sound echoed around reaching the ears of Thetis and Eurynome.
"Is Hephaestus making something?" Asked Thetis with a lazy swoon as she leisurely laid down on the bed that Hephaestus made for her embodying the image of a youthful mom.
Eurynome shrugged as she adorned herself with Hephaestus's gifts, which over the years had grown to a staggering amount, embodying the visage of a mature and rich mother. By now, Eurynome was dubbed the "Jewel of the Sea" and had attracted the gaze of many powerful gods such as Poseidon.
When Poseidon tried to forcefully court her using his almighty power, Eurynome threw an anti-god device that Hephaestus crafted and hit Poseidon in the head, causing the device to explode with black oil.
While the sea god was temporarily blinded, Eurynome made a quick getaway, giggling at the foolish appearance of the bested Poseidon.
"He is always making something. How should I know?"
"You didn't ask him for another bracelet?"
"I have enough ornaments already. In fact, I told him to stop making them but he keeps giving me more," said Eurynome with a sigh.
Thetis rolled her eyes. "Why don't you wipe that smug grin off your face first Miss 'Jewel of the Sea'."
"Oh my. How embarrassing," said Eurynome with flushed cheeks as she tried to cool her face by fanning it.
With a look of mock disgust, Thetis threw a pillow at Eurynome. "Why don't you go ask Hephaestus what he is making? I'm curious."
"You go do it!" Snapped Eurynome as she caught the pillow and tossed it back, hitting Thetis square in the face.
Rubbing her slightly red nose, Thetis stuck her tongue out. "I can't escape the confines of this bed… Oh! I understand now! Hephaestus must've put a curse on this bed making it impossible to get up from! Damn Greek gods are all the same trying to drag beautiful women to their beds-"
Thetis let out a yelp of pain as Eurynome threw one of her bracelets hitting her on the forehead. "Stop being an idiot. Our Hephaestus would never be like those gods."
"Owie… I was just joking around," said Thetis while rubbing her forehead with a wronged look. "Just do me a favor and go take a peek at what he is doing."
Eurynome rolled her eyes. "You know he gets peeved when we enter his workshop while he is making something."
Thetis grumbled to herself as she sunk deeper into her bed.
Eurynome sighed at the sulking Thetis and started adjusting her earrings, trying to find the perfect match for her fit.
Back at the workshop, Hephaestus had carved out three basic figures with no features with a look of satisfaction. Now that the basics of the sculptures were done, he started to work on the details.
With even lighter hammer taps and smaller scrapes, he began to bring his vision to life.
He gradually forgot about the hammer and chisel in his hands as they became an extension of his body. His eyes started glowing a vivid orange as sweat started dripping from his body. Time became irrelevant as Hephaestus focused on the task before him, all that mattered was reaching the finish goal. Before his eyes were no longer a piece of rock but three people smiling back at him.
With each extra chisel, the sculptures became more alive. The statues started radiating a mystical quality, moving yet still. Inanimate but alive.
Just as Hephaestus finished the last stroke of the sculpture, he was consumed by a wave of emotions and memories.
A baby falling from the sky.
Two women embracing a boy.
A young man hugging two women.
Hephaestus closed his eyes as the hammer and chisel fell to the floor. Letting himself be moved by the emotions, he sat there in silence for a moment before opening his eyes with a smile.
"Ah… I am a god."