⋆༺𓆩нєρнαєѕтυѕ𓆪༻⋆'s Den

I’D LET THE
WORLD BURN

You look around carefully. It’s a new area that wasn’t here before. Or was it? You can’t really see the landscape through all the smoke. Your paws are heating up, can’t breathe, eyes watering up.. you want to get out of here. As you turn around to go back to your pride, fire breaks out and blocks the way. It surrounds you. You’re trapped.
- Who are you?
An unfamiliar, young voice. You try to make out his form that’s slowly getting closer. It’s an adolescent looking lion, fur as dark as the smoke around him, with parts in it that resemble the wild and deadly flames coming from his… paws?! Just who is this kid and why is he burning down the savannah? You ask him. He seems happy to answer all your questions.
- I’m Hephaestus, the God of Fire. Why this adolescent form you ask? Haha it’s because I need to get stronger in order to show you my true self. This is only temporary. The savannah? sorry about that, I was testing my powers. It will go out eventually.
He looks so calm while speaking. Uplifting voice, really makes you listen to every word he says. Makes you forget the chaos around you… it must be his god charm.
- Once I am strong enough to be the god I truly am, the fire will never go out until I let it. I came here to see if the lowly still fear and worship the gods. They must. It is their purpose.
He paces as he speaks. His head held high, you can feel the power he possesses. It is suppressed by his weak form but once it becomes more like his true self there will be no peace. He is evil. He has come here to rule and you want no part in that.
- I’ll make everyone fear the gods. I’ll show everyone true power. They will come and pray and cry for mercy.
As he gets too worked up by his speech, the fire that had begun to die down suddenly begins to spread and rise so high you feel as if it could swallow you whole, leaving no crumbs behind. It’s so hot. So dangerous. He comes closer. His paws in fire, eyes sparkling and even his reddish fur looks like dancing flames.
- I’ll let you go. I need someone to spread the word that Hephaestus, the God of Fire is here and will take over everything and everyone. Fear the fire and fear the wrath of the gods. We have seen all of you who have forgotten us. The others will come if you will not pray and worship them all over again. And you don’t want them to come here.
The fire behind you fades out, showing you a path back to your pride. You turn around and run as fast as you can.
You look back once more to see Hephaestus sitting in the fire, roaring into the sky. It’s a beautiful sight, even after all this.