[As the two of them begin this process, Hephaistos is greeted with a myriad of colors. Merging one's soul with another is always a tricky process. It's borderline dangerous because it's so easy to lose yourself during this process. However, Hephaistos is well aware of the risks and is eager to proceed. He shares everything with Themis, including his hopes, dreams, and fears. While a part of him is still afraid of rejection, Hephaistos is already aware that Themis has accepted him. This is why he allows the other to delve deep into his soul, allowing him to see everything about himself through a crystal-clear lens.
Themis witnesses all of Lahabrea's past and present accomplishments, including a glimpse of a young Hephaistos before Athena's blight. His red gaze is bright and full of life, with no hint of scorn. He looks very different from the old man who sits before him now, more like his would-be son. At this age, Hephaistos was less cautious than his older self, and he was willing to take risks even if they failed. He remained stern, but he was much more easily moved to laughter when the occasion called for it. His youthful gaze is eventually obscured by Athena's deception, and his demeanor changes over time as she works her poison into him. Even during this difficult time, there were glimmers of joy, one of which was Hephaistos' first opportunity to hold his beloved son. He hums a lullaby to Erichthonios, always grateful for the rare opportunity to be alone with him. Hephaistos smiles as those tiny hands touch his cheeks, looking very much like a doting young father.
As the memory fades, an unfamiliar voice speaks in a deep brassy tone. Themis would not recognize this person because it was far beyond his time, but Hephaistos would, as this quote has stayed with him his entire life.
"Remember, Hephaistos, true happiness can be found in the tiniest of things."
As memories fade from this precious scene, Themis is rewarded with a fleeting glimpse of a young Hephaistos standing on a ledge next to an elderly gentleman with long gray hair. The older of the two is seated on a boulder, his black robbed back to the viewer. While little of him can be seen, the outline of his face suggests that he is related to Hephaistos in some way, especially since the old man resembles Hephaistos' older self. The only difference was the pale amber glow of his eyes.
"When I return to the Star, they will most likely look to you to lead it. Pray, remember that true happiness can be found in the tiniest of things. Not everything needs to be so grand, Hephaistos."
The scene shifts yet again, this time to a much older and haggard looking Hephaistos gazing back at Athena. As the two of them attempt to merge their souls together, a cloud of darkness descends upon him. The feelings of an insatiable hunger suddenly builds within him, a hunger that craves knowledge and power. It builds and builds until Hephaistos suddenly severs the link between him and her. As Athena scolds him for not fully accepting her, Hephaistos digs deep within himself and rips the darkness out of him without a second thought.
He has lost all of his emotions, including love, happiness, and sorrow. Hephaistos tore himself apart in an attempt to overcome the madness that Athena inflicted on him. Hephaistos' shoulders are filled with a strange sense of emptiness after using the last remnants of his power to kill Athena with his bare hands. The act is quick and shockingly effective. It's a dark memory, one that Hephaistos tried countless times to forget. As he stands before Athena's corpse, his gaze shifts towards the young boy passed on the floor.
He did it all for him. To save him.
From here the memories come and go, some of which are too disjointed to make out due to his fractured mind. However, the last image of Lahabrea gazing up at the night sky is a haunting one as a terrible scream erupts from the dark. Little did any of them realize that scream with herald the beginning of the end, but it certainly did.
His memories of that time are erased, replaced by the confusion that accompanied his arrival in Amani. All of his hardships, including the deep jealousy he felt while watching his colleagues meander with these nameless others, are revealed to Themis. However, such negative emotions seem to quell as the bond between them strengthens. It's a long journey, one with many ups and downs, but now Themis has his wish.
He is one with Hephaistos, and he is dearly loved.
The strain of his union is visible on his face, but Hephaistos refuses to stop.]
incoming tl;dr with headcanon
Themis witnesses all of Lahabrea's past and present accomplishments, including a glimpse of a young Hephaistos before Athena's blight. His red gaze is bright and full of life, with no hint of scorn. He looks very different from the old man who sits before him now, more like his would-be son. At this age, Hephaistos was less cautious than his older self, and he was willing to take risks even if they failed. He remained stern, but he was much more easily moved to laughter when the occasion called for it. His youthful gaze is eventually obscured by Athena's deception, and his demeanor changes over time as she works her poison into him. Even during this difficult time, there were glimmers of joy, one of which was Hephaistos' first opportunity to hold his beloved son. He hums a lullaby to Erichthonios, always grateful for the rare opportunity to be alone with him. Hephaistos smiles as those tiny hands touch his cheeks, looking very much like a doting young father.
As the memory fades, an unfamiliar voice speaks in a deep brassy tone. Themis would not recognize this person because it was far beyond his time, but Hephaistos would, as this quote has stayed with him his entire life.
"Remember, Hephaistos, true happiness can be found in the tiniest of things."
As memories fade from this precious scene, Themis is rewarded with a fleeting glimpse of a young Hephaistos standing on a ledge next to an elderly gentleman with long gray hair. The older of the two is seated on a boulder, his black robbed back to the viewer. While little of him can be seen, the outline of his face suggests that he is related to Hephaistos in some way, especially since the old man resembles Hephaistos' older self. The only difference was the pale amber glow of his eyes.
"When I return to the Star, they will most likely look to you to lead it. Pray, remember that true happiness can be found in the tiniest of things. Not everything needs to be so grand, Hephaistos."
The scene shifts yet again, this time to a much older and haggard looking Hephaistos gazing back at Athena. As the two of them attempt to merge their souls together, a cloud of darkness descends upon him. The feelings of an insatiable hunger suddenly builds within him, a hunger that craves knowledge and power. It builds and builds until Hephaistos suddenly severs the link between him and her. As Athena scolds him for not fully accepting her, Hephaistos digs deep within himself and rips the darkness out of him without a second thought.
He has lost all of his emotions, including love, happiness, and sorrow. Hephaistos tore himself apart in an attempt to overcome the madness that Athena inflicted on him. Hephaistos' shoulders are filled with a strange sense of emptiness after using the last remnants of his power to kill Athena with his bare hands. The act is quick and shockingly effective. It's a dark memory, one that Hephaistos tried countless times to forget. As he stands before Athena's corpse, his gaze shifts towards the young boy passed on the floor.
He did it all for him. To save him.
From here the memories come and go, some of which are too disjointed to make out due to his fractured mind. However, the last image of Lahabrea gazing up at the night sky is a haunting one as a terrible scream erupts from the dark. Little did any of them realize that scream with herald the beginning of the end, but it certainly did.
His memories of that time are erased, replaced by the confusion that accompanied his arrival in Amani. All of his hardships, including the deep jealousy he felt while watching his colleagues meander with these nameless others, are revealed to Themis. However, such negative emotions seem to quell as the bond between them strengthens. It's a long journey, one with many ups and downs, but now Themis has his wish.
He is one with Hephaistos, and he is dearly loved.
The strain of his union is visible on his face, but Hephaistos refuses to stop.]