Sitting within the heart of his forge, deep within Mount Olympus, Hephaestus studied the ticking motions of the Clock of Prophecy—the divine artifact that had birthed Tiresias. The power of Incarnation, as he now understood, was not simple summoning. It was the resurfacing of past selves through the medium of a divine artifact.
Each Incarnation was a fragment of himself, a life he had once lived, now given form and will. Tiresias had been a test, and he had worked beautifully—his prophetic mind, though separate, was still bound to Hephaestus' will.
Hephaestus have decided to make three more incarnation who will travel the world and be his eyes.
The first of these would be Daedalus, the great architect, inventor, and creator of mazes.
And for that, Hephaestus needed a body.
Hephaestus moved to a sealed vault within his forge, where he kept relics from ages past. Among them was a single branch, long turned into petrified wood, yet still humming with divine power.
A remnant of the World Tree.
Before Zeus ruled the skies, the World Tree stretched across the cosmos, its roots entwining the land, the sea, and even the stars. The Titans once walked its branches, using them as gateways to traverse realms. But in his conquest, Zeus felled the tree, severing the Titans' paths, and ensuring his dominion remained absolute.
Yet Hephaestus, long ago, had salvaged a small fragment.
With delicate precision, he carved the branch into a box, its surface etched with runes of containment. This was no ordinary prison—it was a perfect maze, one that expanded infinitely within, a domain where even gods could become trapped.
The Labyrinth of Daedalus.
A prison that could capture anything. Gods, monsters, even fate itself.
But a body was not enough. The soul had to awaken.
Hephaestus placed his hand upon the Labyrinth of Daedalus, feeling its intricate paths stretching into infinity. He closed his eyes, reaching deep into his own soul, searching for the fragment of self that had once been Daedalus.
Then—he activated his Incarnation power.
The forge trembled. Sparks of divine energy flickered around the box. The metal walls groaned as a golden mist seeped from Hephaestus' chest, wrapping itself around the artifact. A shape began to form—a figure emerging from the maze, like a prisoner stepping out of eternity.
Then, he opened his eyes.
A man stood before him.
He was tall and lean, his face lined with wisdom, his hands marked by years of craftsmanship. His eyes, gleaming with knowledge, carried a gaze that saw structures unseen, patterns hidden, the invisible blueprints of the world itself.
The newborn Daedalus blinked, adjusting to existence. He raised his hands, studying his fingers as if remembering what it was to touch, to build, to create.
Then, he looked at Hephaestus.
"Ah…" he murmured, voice laced with awe. "So, I have been given shape once more."
Hephaestus nodded, his molten eyes burning with curiosity. "You are Daedalus. My Incarnation. You were once a mortal, but you are also me."
Daedalus smiled, his mind already racing. "Yes… yes, I remember. I was once a builder, an inventor… a prisoner. But now, I see further. I see paths that do not yet exist."
He turned his gaze to the Labyrinth of Daedalus, the artifact that housed his essence. He reached out, touching its smooth surface.
"This…" he whispered, "this is a masterpiece."
"It is yours," Hephaestus said. "It shall serve as both your weapon and your domain."
Daedalus chuckled. "A prison of my own making. How fitting."
Hephaestus studied his creation. Daedalus was different from Tiresias—less of a puppet, more of an equal. His will was strong, his mind already forming designs for things yet to be built.
Perhaps… this was the true power of Incarnation. Not just summoning past selves, but letting them evolve beyond what they were.
"What is my purpose?" Daedalus asked, folding his arms.
Hephaestus considered. "You will guide mortals in the art of invention and construction. You will build strongholds for heroes, traps for monsters, and cities that defy time itself."
Daedalus' eyes gleamed. "A grand task. But tell me, do you plan to create more of us?"
Hephaestus nodded. "Two more."
Daedalus. "Then I will ensure my creations are worthy. The world shall see the rise of divine architecture unlike anything before."
Hephaestus allowed a rare smile. "Then let us begin."
And with that, the greatest builder in Greek history was reborn.