《Atlas Awakens》Chapter 3- Revelation Comes With A Cost

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Kye had his future decided for him at that very moment. His parents arranged a meeting with the goddess Hephaestus who was in the Kingdom of Speria, neighbours to the Democratic Republic of Colondia where Kye grew up. They would need to board one of the companies jets and land at the Royal Sperian Airport, the trip wouldn't take very long but it was Kye's first time on an aeroplane. Despite this, he couldn't muster up the excitement that a child would often feel flying for the first time. The only thing on his mind was what Hephaestus would say about awakening his gravity mana and if it was even possible. There were so many unknowns that it made Kye's head spin. For one thing, his own body was so different to what it used to be, earlier he went to pick up a glass of water and it shattered into pieces upon giving it a little squeeze. It wasn't until he tried to not break the glass, not just simply grab it, did the glass not break. It was a fundamental shift in thinking that would take months, if not years for Kye to get used to. Martha was not with them on this trip as it was likely that Kye would be in the care of a goddess directly and the trials he would endure would be done for a reason. The flight and car ride to Hephaestus' forge was an uneventful one where Ashton kept his hand on Kye's shoulder as a sign of reassurance.

"Kye, we are here."

Nodding Kye opened his door and walked around the side of the car to stand beside his father. In front of him was a 2 story house made out of an uneven cut brick that gave the house a homely feel. There was a smokestack at the back right corner of the house billowing an arcane blue smoke from its funnel. The roof was dim slate tiling that ran up the slanted roof that met in the middle of the house. A rather humble abode for a divine being. Ashton grabbed Kye's hand and they made their way to the door. It was made of a rich jarrah that was treated to bring out the natural red of the wood. In place of a doorbell was a massive metal knocker fashined as a ring held in the mouth of a fierce looking dragon. Just above the knocker was the insignia of the Hephaestus clan, a hammer striking an anvil, done in a agnificent pearlecent material that seemed to dance with rainbows as the sun reflected off of it. Ashton lifted the metal ring and knocked twice, heavy thuds ringing out with each strike. Each one felt even heavier to Kye as his heartbeat synched up with the knocking, as if each one was taking a second off his life. The door opened to reveal a bronze-skinned woman, her jet black hair done up in a rough ponytail at the back of her head. Her eyes looked Ashton up and down before finding their way to Kye. They were like jewels that sat firmly on her face, one a brilliant ruby red and the other a shimmering topaz yellow.

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"Mr. Marken I presume. You contacted me about something but I don't run a daycare, if you need someone to babysit your brat go somewhere else."

"Please Miss Hephaestus, you need to help my son,"

Ashton looked around nervously briefly before returning her stern gaze.

"My son just turned 10 and had his blessing revealed."

"Oh, how good for you. Now excuse my rudeness but I don't remember blessing the kid if this is what this is about?"

"It isn't. By the heavens if it only was."

Hephaestus, seeing the serious exaserbation in Ashton softened slightly.

"Perhaps it would be best if we discussed this inside."

She held the door open allowing them inside. They both gave short bows before following behind Hephaestus to a rather snug living room with a few couches surrounding a small fireplace. Before taking a seat Hephaestus spoke out.

"Do you guys want anything to drink?"

"No thanks, we're fine. How about I bring you up to speed on why we sought you out?"

Finally taking her seat she nodded.

"Yes that might be a good place to start."

"Well, as I said, my son recently turned 10 and had his blessing revealed. The problem is he was blessed by Atlas, the Titan."

Her eyes went wide in surprise. She sat stunned for several moment before stiffly nodding.

"Yes I can see why that would be problematic and why you would come to me."

She frowned solemnly before continuing.

"When I forged the chains that bind Prometheus to this very day, I studied the primoridal forces so I could better understand what I could do to limit them. Truthfully, I never would have found the method if it werent for Atlas himself who helped me design the chains."

She looked sharply at Kye before continuing.

"Have you manifested mana relating to Atlas's primordial force yet?"

"No ma'am, thats the problem. I can't feel the gravity mana at all."

Hephaestus nodded her head.

"That's a good thing, It means your power is in its most pure form."

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Both of them looked at her incredulously before she continued.

"You would have obtained some form of skill relating to the body correct? Well, this means that the mana is not activated through mana veins like regular mana. Primordial forces pre-date the involvement of mana, what was powerful back then was bloodlines."

She knelt down in front of Kye before taking his hand and rolling up his sleeve to look at the underside of his wrist. She traced her finger along the vein lines along his wrist and into his palm.

"Bloodline magic is a fair amount more powerful than any mana could be, because it relies on the most primordial substance of the human."

She looked up into his eyes.

"Your blood young man, that is what will give you the power Atlas has bestowed upon you. It is not something you should feel, as it is you. It is your very being."

Kye paused for a brief moment before asking his question.

"Then... how do I make use of it."

To this question, Hephaestus just smiled lightly.

"Revelation is never without it's cost young man. The cost to awaken bloodline magic will be the blood, sweat and tears you shed while training."

Kye, now knowing that this could be overcome with great effort felt his head clear in an instant, like all the worries from before melted away into the corners of his mind.

"If it means being able to use these powers, I would go through hell."

Hephaestus let a slight look of surprise cross her face before it grew into a wide smile as she laughed.

"Hahahaha! Good! I like the fire in your eyes young man. Remember that resolve, it might be the only thing that keeps you sane in these coming years."

She turned to Ashton.

"I will take the young man in and help him. You should be proud Mr. Marken, your son will be a very fine man one day."

Ashton just smiled.

"I am already prous Miss Hephaestus, more than anyone coud know."

He caressed the top of Kye's head with his large palm. Hephaestus just nodded her head before she turned and walked to the telephone on the wall.

"While I can help him with equipment and understanding his primordial power, combat and dark mana are outside my expertise. Fortunately, I know a few people who owe me favours who can help in that department."

She shot Kye one last look.

"Be prepared young man, you said that you would walk through hell to use these powers right? Well, I might be about to put you through something worse than hell. Are you still sure about this?"

"I've never felt more sure about anything else."

And with this line, Hephaestus smiled and began dialing the two people who could help the young man grow. The God of War Ares and the God of Death Thanatos.

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