I was sleeping when a slight breeze stung by skin waking me up from my dream.

I opened my eyes very slowly and when they were fully opened and after taking a quick look about my surroundings I felt confused.

I was standing before a forest that covered almost that place and around an immense volcano that was in the centre of what it was supposed to be an island; as a matter of fact there was a wide extension of water around me.

At first I remained still and oddly admiring the landscape but in no time confusion took over me again; that place was really breath taking for its exotic nature but in a matter of seconds I returned on being puzzled. Well this was only a natural reaction of someone being in an unknown place... andthen the breeze hit me again and I felt colder that I thought. I thought I was still in my pajamas on but when I looked at myself I noticed I wasn't; as I didn't have a mirror I looked into the water and I saw I was wearing a plain long red dress.

It was really simple yet fancy with no sleeves; the shoulder straps were tied by leather fibula and just under my breast there was a tight stripe with floral decoration to support my bosom to then let loose the remaining part of dress to the ground. And even if I wasn't that type of girl to wear dresses I found myself beautiful.

I left then the shores and walking up and down the beach I thought about what to do and after a moment I chose to explore the place. Since I was there what was the harm on visiting it? I just wanted to look what that site could hide.

As I entered and walked further in I saw only imposing trees with enormous trunks and all of them had branches growing only near their tops... and it was all desert; the only noises I heard was the chirping of birds and that sound was really pleasant to my ears. I kept on wandering around touching the trees getting in contact with nature walking barefoot and suddenly the ground trembled and startled me and it was strong. I looked in the direction of the volcano thinking that maybe it was the reason of that earthquake but from that mountain there was no activity if not only few lapilli; in this way I felt uneasy and I began worrying. Indeed that earthquake didn't stop better it persisted and became only stronger until it became unbearable... and until I saw only few meters away from me two enormous feet.

I raised my eyes and as I saw an horrid creature I screamed for fear. It was enormous like a tree with the strongest muscles that anyone could have. I didn't remain still to observe it better but I only needed to look at his face and got terrified by its expression and only one eye in the centre of the forehead. I screamed again and then by impulse I started running away for fear and for my life; but that long dress was an hindrance, damn it!

It wasn't enough being barefoot and running stepping on the branches on the ground that hurt my feet like hell. No! I was already scared and I got even more terrified every time I fell on that damned dress with the fear that monster could reach me and kill me... yes, it was chasing me and I did my best at fleeing but in my escape I had to run as fast as I could on the branches and at the same time avoid traps. It was the only thing I needed in that situation.. and traps were almost everywhere. However, while running and at the same time looking back to check where that monster was I stepped on a hidden trap and by passing on it I activated that setup; a net closed on itself and in a second I was almost catapulted into the sky but only after a moment it stopped and made me remain suspended in the air.

That monster caught up with me and when it and I exchanged glances it raised its hand to grab the net.

He then headed toward the volcano.

Oh boy! That couldn't mean anything good for me... maybe it was returning back to his home to then feed on me. I curled up to hide from the awful end it awaited me and I began sobbing thinking about Christopher, my love.

We took a while reaching the mountain and I realized we stopped when I felt that horrid creature leaving the grip making me fall on the hard ground with the net on my body.

"An intruder" he growled.

"Leave now! I'll deal with it" someone commanded him and that giant followed his order and he went back into the forest.

As I felt that someone's hand removing the net from my body I raised my eyes still with tears to meet his.. and when I saw him I covered my mouth for the shock; he was the perfect copy of Chris! I remained astonished and silent until...

"Y/n?"

"Chris?". I asked him. "Chris! My love! Oh my... oh thank god!!". I rushed into his arms.

"I-I thought I would die alone in an unknown place without you" I cried hugging him.

"Hush hush it's okay now" he comforted me hugging me back and closer.

"What was that horrid creature that tried to kill me?".

"A cyclop, a supernatural being... and I'm sorry for how he treated you. You arrived here and you didn't have a warm welcome, my love". He then cupped my cheeks and kissed me and after we parted he took a look at me.

"Oh my, look at you! Your beautiful dress is ruined and you are covered with dirt. I'll accompany you to get you cleaned".

- Time passes by getting refreshed in a river -

Once I bathed myself in a clean and cool stream in a peaceful area of the forest I wore again that red dress and returned back in the volcano; I didn't go that far so I took little time to head back without getting lost.

When I entered the mountain I took a better look at its inside as before I didn't see much as I was busy being scared for all that happened to me.

I went forward and looking around curious I found myself at last in a strange room; I saw tables and lots of working tools and strange weapons all around the place and then my attention was caught by the noise of a fire burning.

There I saw Chris working and he was dressed in an unusual way.

"Chris?" I called for his attention.

He turned at me and I noticed him wearing a pair of normal and plain trousers and a leather gown that covered his bare chest; and he also had gloves and in his hands were work tools.

"Why are you like this? What is this place?".

He got near me and he made me seat on a chair.

"Listen my love I am sorry if I talk about this only now, but let me explain everything" he said and then he began.

"Here I'm not the Christopher you know; here I'm called Hephaestus. Y/n I am a Greek god, god of fire and metalworking" he confessed and when he noticed I was looking at him puzzled because of what I just heard from him he took my hands in his.

"The Greek gods and goddesses you know about actually exist and I am one of them; and among all of them I am the least perfect and the unluckiest one" he admitted with a sad expression on his face.

"No, it's not right. Yeah, I know about your story but to me you are perfect; I love you and I love you as the person you are" I smiled at him and kissed him on the lips.

"So all that happened to us, our meeting and everything else was fated, you think? Because you are the god of crafts you fell in love me for what I do in my life?".

"In part my love, in part. Yes I got attracted by your skills but the I fell in love and I am still in love with you for your lively, sweet and caring character".

I giggled and then I hugged him.

"So... I am the companion of the great Hephaestus, a god. Who could expect all of this? I am so happy" I spoke my thoughts out loud and Chris, hearing me, chuckled and caressed me. "I am so happy and so lucky to have met you.".

He then led the way and showed me around his forge and every instruments he created for almost every member of his family; and I remained always in awe hearing at every story behind each weapon he forged and if I admired his skills and loved him so much I fell in love even more; if that was even possible! I was head over heels for Hephaestus, I loved him with all myself.

And as we noticed evening was getting near we decided to go outside.

We went out on the open space just before the entrance of the forge that overlooked almost all the island reaching then the great expanse of the sea. And when we saw the sun getting down making the sky and sea turning red I let an exclamation of wonder for the breathtaking landscape we were looking at. We were living together a magical atmosphere and moment and I felt so excited I was with him and I turned to look at him with eyes full of love and a wide smile on my face... and then he took my hand and he led the way into the forest.

I followed him and together we went to the beach. Once we found ourselves on the sand we remained silent enjoying the sound of waves crashing against the rocks and shores and chirping of birds.

We sat down on and we hugged each other.

"Look at all of this... You're lucky to see such wonderful and magical landscapes everyday" I made him notice.

"Yeah.. but from this day on I will have and see something even more wonderful than all of this, darling... and that's you y/n." he confessed.

I faced him and I let happy tears while I leaned my head on his shoulder.

"Thank you for everything Hephaestus. Thank you for making me feel the luckiest and happiest girl alive and so loved".

"Don't thank me. I do what my heart tells me to do and it always tell me to hold you forever and love you forever" he confessed with his sweet voice. "I'll never leave your side, never".

And then, staying in each other arms, we remained silent and waited for the night to come and moon to rise to see the starry sky together.