[Third Person POV]
—1 month later—
"And I am finally f*cking done!!"
In Hephaestus's cave that was once a crude volanic like region, is now a complete forge and potion workshop. The walls were reinforced with metal and stone, with channels of molten rock providing constant heat.
The forge itself was built from dark volcanic stone and fitted with golden vents to control the temperature. Nearby tables held tools, molds, and raw metals. The air was thick with warmth, the steady glow of the forge, and the smell of smoke and metal still quite strong as if used not too long ago.
The alchemical section of Hephaestus's cave was organized and efficient. Stone tables were lined with neatly arranged glass vials, metal flasks, and with the same dull silver cauldron Hephaestus created 2 weeks ago, and a narrow vent above to keep the air clear of steam and fumes. Though everything looked pristine as Hephaestus's have yet to start his alchemical journey yet.
That wasn't all though, Hephaestus also realized the Essence of Crafter not only improved his ability in metal works which alone by itself he found incredible, but it also increased the quality and quantity of craftsmanships he could now do, such as sculpting, textiles, and every other form of crafts.
Therefore, he also created many other sections dedicated to a type of craft, and even made a few special sections that he has big plans for.
It didn't stop there either, as he was making these craft room sections, he also made a few equipment for his own personal use.
With abilities to summon inorganic or dead materials, he decided to have a bit of fun while he was building. Resulting in a crimson, scaled armor that features bright red and black colors, reflecting a certain monster's design, with armor pieces like spiked pauldrons and a tail-like tailguard that Hephaestus is currently wearing.
That's right, it was the Ratholos armor set from the third generation, though with slight modifications as Hephaestus's had also added other secondary materials, like mithril & adamantine from the Tolkien verse, Celestial Bronze from the Percy Jackson verse, and lastly mandalorian metal from star wars. Naturally it didn't there, because after going through a few sets beforehand, he managed to insert a skill into the current he is wearing a skill allowing Ratholos wings to sprout from back and grant flight. The previous one were all discarded in the storage section that made before making the other sections.
Did he need it right now? No. Did he get slightly distracted? Possibly yes. Did he regret wasting time making it? Absolutely f*cking not!
In Hephaestus opinion it was time well spent, also thanks to wings from the Ratholos armor set, he didn't have to constantly worry about tripping over, at least that was the excuse he made when making it. Oh, and he certainly didn't forget to add the heavy Ratholos hammer, or also known as the Rathalos Cosh, which by the way Hephaestus modify to be able to ignite and explode on impact.
"This is truly the life, and once this potion is made, then I can put that family trauma from the old Hephaestus to rest."
During the time when Hephaestus took a few naps in between making the craft sections, he would wake up trembling despite having no nightmares of any sort, but instinctuly he understood the reason he kept trembling every night was because he feared that this second chance for a good life was nothing but a dream.
Thus Hephaestus concluded it must have been the "trauma baggage" from the old Hephaestus, and it couldn't be from his human side, since John the streamer, actually lived a decent life.
"Honestly I still can't believe I manged to do all this much in just a single month. Even the old Hephaestus couldn't do it, and I am certainly gald as a God I don't really require as much food as compared to mortals, considering I haven't eaten since I got here."
"Still, once I get a hang of potion brewing, then making a potion to create food should be simple enough, at least I think so."
Soon enough Hephaestus made his way to the Alchemical section right before the dull silver cauldron already filled with clean fresh water. On the tables nearby are various tools and equipment to help break raw ingredients, since Mad Doctor only allow him to summon raw ingredients for now, though there might be a chance it could change since he also has Blank. Nevertheless he promptly removed any distractions from his mind, and now giving the cauldron his 100% focus on it as turn on the flames underneath the cauldron.
"Alright, I have never made a potion and I certainly have no experiences making one, still with both the knowledge, endless materials, and my supposed genius level intelligence granted by Mad Doctor, I have at least a decently good chance for a successful concoction, so hopefully after a few tries it'll be successful."
Within the Immense knowledge on Occult and alchemical lore granted by Mad Doctor, he learned of a potion that can repair and give even a God a physical rebirth, called the Elixir of Anástasis — the Reforging Draught.
To craft it, Hephaestus must used powdered bone from the Nemean Lion, symbol of unbreakable strength, and the scale fragments from the Hydra of Lerna, whose regenerative nature embodied endless renewal.
Next must he melt dust from the fallen Automaton of Talos(which by the way he originally made), the bronze guardian of Crete, and the ashes from a thunderbolt of Zeus.
The mixture then must be bind together with nectar residue from the Gardens of the Hesperides, and cooled with condensed mist from the River Styx, its touch supposedly linking the elixir to both life and death. When completed, the potion should pulsed with radiant energy, capable of reforging divine flesh, restoring broken bones, and rekindling the essence of immortality itself.
Failure? Obviously a big boom-boom, though the alchemical section should be tough enough to handle it.
"Phew!–I can't help but feel nervous, it's kinda exciting yet equally terrifying..."
"Okay first thing first!" Hephaestus raised one tiny hand as he summoned the first ingredient. A pile Nemean bone materialized on top of the worktable, using his divine energy to make it more brittle, because the Nemean Lion having the unique gift to being indestructible to all mortal weapons/tools and add the fact he didn't have a magical tool of some kind to crush it needed his divine energy to make it brittle.
Though Hephaestus prefered this method anyways since his divine energy could do the job anyways, besides with limitless ingredients, he really doesn't mind if his brewing fails a few times, since he's not expecting to succeed on the first try, and more focus of practicing his craft.
Also with the Old Hephaestus experience, he had no problems using his divine energy efficiently. Placing the bones in mortar he used the pestle to grind the bones, slowly turning it into a soft golden powder that he gently poured into the cauldron, and as it touched the boiling water, the flames underneath the cauldron shifted from a reddish orange to a deep, steady gold. The powder melting evenly, releasing a faint metallic scent and forming a glowing foundation for the elixir.
"Okay, now with the Hydra..." Next, he summoned The Lerna Hydra scales and several dark-green scales appeared, slick with faint residue from their long-dead owner.
"Oh Sh*t!–"
The aura radiated from residue left on the scales terrified Hephaestus for a moment as he almost dropped it in the cauldron, thankfully he manged to catch it before making contact with the cauldron's contents.
"Phew! Good thing I caught it, although I don't mind failing, I rather not try to cause as many explosions if I can help it."
Though his fear isn't entirely unnatural since these are THE Lerna Hydra scales, the same one who's posion is potent enough that it was deadly even to Gods, since their posion can also somehow "burn" away divine energy.
With a small motion, Hephaestus swiftly crushed them between his hands until they cracked, then proceeded to throw the pieces into the cauldron. The liquid shifted in color as a hiss followed with a sharp and loud sound, in the cauldron the liquid had began into streaks of green and bronze twisting together as the regenerative essence of the Hydra bonded with the Nemean strength.
"Haaah, haha...okay, I almost screwed it up but no biggie, let's keep going."
The baby god's eyes flickered with focus as he summoned the third ingredient—fallen armor pieces of the bronze automaton talos. Causing Hephaestus to look with a quiet reminiscence for a few seconds before he harden his expression again, focusing on the task at hand.
Using a metal scaper to file the metals into another mortar separate from the one he used for Nemean Lion to prevent cross contamination, and like before used a pestle to grind it, this time into a rusty bronze powder, that gave a sensation of being alive as Hephaestus's could it the powder move, if ever so slightly. Hephaestus slowly sprinkled the into the cauldron which began to vibrate. The metallic mixture thickened when coming into the green gold liquid, becoming denser, more alive, almost breathing. The forge behind him pulsed in rhythm with it, echoing each motion of the bubbling surface.
"...Thinking of talos, I can probably an improved version of it, possibly an organic version?...I can think of that later."
Without pause, he extended his hand again.
This time, a small jar appeared, sealed with a faint blue flame — ashes of a thunderbolt of Zeus. Fortunately for Hephaestus it seems this particular ingredient is already prepared, only having to throw the ashes directly into the cauldron.
"Still, this might hurt."
He broke the seal, and static energy filled the chamber instantly, snapping across the air in bright threads of white. When he poured the ashes into the cauldron, a burst of blinding light flared upward, shaking the ground beneath him. The mixture roared, bright arcs of lightning curling through the now volatile molten blend before finally settling into a smooth, unsteady glow.
"*Cough! *Cough!"
"Augh! Even when you're not here, you're still such an ass."
"And I man I do not look forward to doing that a few more times."
Hephaestus wiping the soot smeared across his cheek and face with his small hands. Carefully, he summoned nectar residue from the Gardens of the Hesperides — thick, golden drops releasing a sweet aroma already in class container. He promptly poured the honey, and the cauldron increasly violent energy to soften, becoming calm and radiant.
"Now for the last ingredient..."
Finally, he summoned a thin vial of condensed mist from the River Styx, its gray vapor twisting like smoke trapped in glass. When pouring(?) In the mist, once it touched the mixture, it hissed and cooled instantly, forming a dense, molten bronze liquid that reflected every color of the forge.
Hephaestus leaned forward, watching as the potion stabilizes. The surface pulsed once, then again, in perfect rhythm, almost like a heartbeat. It glowed with a steady, deep light, not wild or unstable, but alive. The Elixir of Anástasis was....complete!?
"It's complete!!? On the first try??"
Hephaestus quickly checked the final product of the draught, checking and comparing to one from the Occult/alchemical knowledge granted by Mad Doctor. Confirming it matched the one in his memory.
"Its should be correct!...right???"
"...I should probably practice on a few animals first."