Bellerophon

Hephaestus had created many divine artifacts, but none were as important as the Gate of Hephaestus—a hidden realm that held his greatest creations. It was a space that defied the gods themselves, a fortress of weapons, knowledge, and power.

To ensure its protection, Hephaestus had forged a single artifact—the Key of the Gate of Hephaestus.

The Key was no ordinary object. It was a concept made physical—an item that could isolate all space around the Gate, making it impregnable, unreachable, untouchable.

Nothing could enter.

Nothing could leave.

Unless Hephaestus willed it.

But now, Hephaestus needed something more than a key. He needed a guardian.

A being who could judge those who sought his weapons. A warrior who would ensure that only the worthy could wield the creations of the Forge God.

And so, Hephaestus turned the Key into his incarnation.

Hephaestus took the Key of the Gate and placed it upon his anvil. The forge roared to life as flames of divine judgment erupted around it.

He raised his hammer, and with every strike, a body formed.

A warrior clad in silver. His skin shimmered like polished steel, his eyes burned with golden fire, and his presence radiated authority. He was no ordinary man—he was a living embodiment of the Key itself.

When the final strike landed, the figure took his first breath. His eyes opened, glowing with power.

Hephaestus stepped back, observing his work. "Bellerophon," he said. "You are born from the Key of the Gate of Hephaestus. Your purpose is to judge all who seek my weapons."

The warrior knelt, placing a hand over his chest. "I understand." His voice was deep, unwavering. "I will ensure that only the worthy wield the creations of Hephaestus."

The Power of Bellerophon

Bellerophon was unlike the other Incarnations.

He was not just a being—he was a gatekeeper.

His body itself was the Key.

No one could enter the Forge without his approval.

More than that, he could summon any weapon forged by Hephaestus, bringing them forth from the hidden realm.

But his duty was not just to grant weapons—it was to reclaim them from the unworthy.

Hephaestus extended a hand, and a golden spear appeared in Bellerophon's grasp. "This will be your weapon," he said. "The Lance of Reclamation. With it, you will judge those who wield my creations."

Bellerophon took the spear, feeling its weight and purpose. "And if they are unworthy?"

Hephaestus smiled grimly. "Then you will take back what does not belong to them."

The Role of Bellerophon

Hephaestus looked upon his new Incarnation. "You will stand at the threshold of my forge. You will watch, test, and judge. No god, no mortal, no beast shall wield my weapons without your blessing."

Bellerophon nodded. "And if they seek to take them by force?"

A fire burned in Hephaestus' eyes. "Then you will remind them why my forge is feared."

Bellerophon turned, his form shifting into golden mist, merging with the very fabric of the Forge's Gate. His presence became one with the space itself, making the realm truly impenetrable.

And so, the fourth Incarnation of Hephaestus was born—Bellerophon, the Gatekeeper of the Forge.

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With the birth of Bellerophon, Hephaestus had now forged four Incarnations—each embodying a crucial aspect of his divine craftsmanship.

1. Tiresias – The Prophet of Fate

Body: The Clock of Eternity (A divine artifact representing the past and future)

Purpose: Tiresias serves as the seer of destiny, capable of glimpsing the past and future. He guides Hephaestus with his wisdom, ensuring that his creations shape history in the right hands.

Powers: Foresight – Can see fragments of the past and future.

2. Daedalus – The Architect of Wonders. Body: The Labyrinth of Daedalus (A mystical prison capable of capturing gods and monsters)

Purpose: Daedalus ensures that the greatest creations of Hephaestus remain contained and that knowledge is used wisely. He watches over structures, mazes, and hidden forges, ensuring no creation falls into the wrong hands.

Powers: Master Engineer – Able to create near-impossible structures and traps. Dimensional Crafting – Can shape space itself within his labyrinth.

3. Pygmalion – The Sculptor of Life

Body : The beast Sculpture

Purpose: Pygmalion is the artist among the incarnations, tasked with bringing beauty and life into the world. He can sculpt beings that serve the forge and create wonders beyond mortal imagination.

Powers: Creation of Golems – Can craft animated statues. Bestial Form – Can transform into a winged, monstrous creature, defending the forge if needed.

4. Bellerophon – The Gatekeeper of the Forge

Body: The Key of the Gate of Hephaestus.

Purpose: Bellerophon ensures that only the worthy may wield Hephaestus' weapons. He judges those who come seeking power and reclaims any weapons taken by the unworthy.

Powers: Weapon Summoning – Can bring forth any of Hephaestus' divine weapons. Lance of Reclamation – A spear that can strip away unearned power.

With these four Incarnations, Hephaestus' influence extended beyond the forge itself, shaping the world through prophecy, invention, art, and judgment.