Hephaestus

The first thing Hephaestus thought was run.
The last of the magic he was born of faded, billowing around the steel of his wings and dissolving. All around him, there was peace.
He couldn’t bring himself to move anyway.
Everything ached. He could only glance around without pain. Faint recognition washed over him when he saw the landscape, yet it would hide in the corner of his mind, flitting around and avoiding Hephaestus’s grasp.
Yes, that was his name. Hephaestus. Why hadn’t he known that before?
Odd icy fire burned it’s way through the dazed dragon’s veins, making him go limp. But he could move now.
The dragon behind him dragged him up. “Come on. I know you’re confused but I can explain.”
So she knew something. He staggered after her, legs feeling like crap. The first thing Hephaestus thought about this was spaghetti but he still couldn’t put words to it. The female led him away from the hilltop, and once he got a good look at her Hephaestus realized he knew her.
“I remember you.” His voice sounded odd and distorted, and hurt on the way out. Was it supposed to be this hard to speak? “Can’t put a name.”
The Skydancer looked back and grinned. “Hephaestus! You remember me?” She lunged forward, burying herself in his chest. “My name is Anubis, remember?”
Anubis. Just like his own name, memories tugged at his mind. This time Hephaestus caught the wisp avoiding him.
Happy memories. Warm days lazing in the grass, passing out food for the clan with a smile, singing terribly along to a musician’s song and all three of them laughing.
But then the terrible shadow of death settled in his chest. Walking, laughing under the full moon.
An assassin jumping out at them. Anubis’s cries. His jumping in to protect her. Steel claws cutting through him.
Tears dripping onto his blood-spattered chest as his breath failed to continue.
But that wasn’t right, was it? Not if he was here, with the same friend attached to his chest. Hephaestus spread his wings around her, not touching but shielding. It was his sort of hug.
Anubis was sobbing, claws tightening around his fur. Hephaestus didn’t say anything.
After a little while, Anubis finally composed herself. “I-“ She just looked up at him. “It’s been years… You-“ He shushed her. “I know. I just can’t remember everything.” His tail clicked as he curled it around his talons. He couldn’t remember why he bore steel instead of silk either.
“More clangoers! Trying to get away, eh?!” They snapped around. A group of four were appearing over the hills. Red glistened on their claws.
Hephaestus let out a snarl, spreading his steely wings. Behind him, Anubis raised a hand smoking with wind.
“Try me.” His voice was still off. It always was.
The Pearlcatcher at the front threw himself at Hephaestus.