Edited by luvtaread
*
Lloyd and Jill had been scouring the mountain for hours trying to find some way to speak to the Goddess's ex. They had been looking for a secret cave or entrance to the heart of the mountain when Lloyd got an idea. He spotted a research station and made for it.
Jill still seemingly not understanding why they were there asked, "Lloyd I thought we needed a cave why are you headed for that station?"
"I overlooked something, I just remembered why this sight appealed to me so much."
"I thought we were trying to find the Goddess's ex?"
"We are, Hephaestus, the mythical husband of the love goddess."
"And what makes you so sure he exists?"
"The Goddess mentioned it before I jumped, she talked about how he and his parents, that would be Zeus and Hera, tried to foolishly imprison her. Well foolish or not they must have succeeded in some way or found some way of making the Goddess play nice for all those years."
"But I thought she was one of them, it's even said she was Zeus's daughter."
"Only in some tales, others say she is older than the gods and some of the titans. Given what I heard before she tried to kill me I think she's something else entirely, and if there's anyone who would know it would be her immortal ex."
"So why here?" Jill asked as they gained entry to the research station.
"Simple, because not only was Mount Etna the last known forge of Hephaestus, but as you can see it is one of the most technologically monitored volcanoes in the world." He chuckled and shook his head, "Only the Goddess would forget about Hephaestus's power and call him only a blacksmith. If I'm right a little used ability in ancient times would make him a very present figure in today's society." Then raising his voice to the machines Lloyd said, "Isn't that right Step-father? I, Eros, call you forth, speak Hephaestus Lord of Technology."
To the amazement of both the screens around them filled with the face of the one known as the lame god. The face smiled as it looked at Lloyd and Jill.
"Very good young Eros, you have done better than expected."
"Thank you, and my apologies for using your realm to aid your ex-wife, I was blinded by lust and greed."
"You are not the first and it was my pleasure to aid one who for once had humanity's best interests at heart. However you are not here because you wish to pay homage to me, you are here because of what my ex-wife has done."
"Yes Lord, I suspect the cameras told you that and I need not tell you what is going on."
"Yes, and it has only grown worse since your flight, Her appetite for lust grows by the minute and it will soon consume the city. Observe."
The screens then filled with images of chaos as most of Las Vegas was now under the same spell that those at the ceremony had been exposed to. Mass orgies now consumed hotels, casinos, restaurants, and some even spilled out onto the street.
"She must be stopped, so many innocent people are being taken in by her sickness." Jill said quietly.
"Agreed mortal, but it will not be easy, I will help you anyway I can, but it will require strength and courage from you both to defeat her. As Lloyd so correctly put earlier in his explanation to you Jill only the power of true love can conquer her now."
Neither questioned how he had heard that private conversation. Lloyd simply asked, "So what did you and your parents have on her? Knowing her she did not like working with the other Olympians, someone must have had dirt on her."