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“You… cheated!“ Spooks’ cries of indignation were broken by a violent sneeze from the cold. “Nobody tricks Spooks for a second time and gets away with it!”
“Me? Cheat? Never!“ Zoe broke into a grin as the will-ó-wisps gathered around Shadow’s brow, leaving a crown in their wake. “I’m afraid your jelly party with the Titans will have to wait. It looks like Shadow’s still the true ruler of the Underworld.”
But Shadow turned to Zoe with a smile “I wouldn’t be so sure of that.”
Zoe looked in confusion as a will-ó-wisp approached. It called to its companions with a melodic whistle, until dozens of the tiny creatures bathed her in their glorious light. Zoe watched in wonder as their bodies flickered with light, until she felt something emerge on the crown of her head. She glanced at Shadow curiously, only to gasp as she saw her reflection in his eyes.
“It would seem I’m not the only one in charge of the Underworld.” Shadow broke into a smile, and took Zoe’s hands into his own. “My Queen.”
Zoe gazed at her reflection in wonder. The will-ó-wisps took flight in a shimmer of gold, leaving behind a beautiful crown nestled in her hair. Its body was woven with the delicate branches of Persephone’s Tree, while ruby-colored buds gleamed like gemstones in its center. She turned to the specters in bewilderment, only for the Phantom Fiestadores to doff their sombreros and for Misty to sweep into a graceful curtsy. Even Spooks lowered himself into an unusually subservient bow, until Zoe gazed at the group in shock.
“I don’t know what to say, I...”
A shrill beep pierced through the stillness of the night. Zoe watched in surprise as Spooks emptied his pockets, sending a small mountain-worth of gadgets, gizmos and knick-knacks tumbling to the earth, until he retrieved her laptop. She studied the screen in confusion, before her eyes widened in shock.
“I don’t believe it...”
“Whatever is it, sugar?” Misty fanned herself as she peered at the screen. “Don’t tell me Spooks has been browsing the adult entertainment sites again...”
Zoe ignored Spooks’ cries of protest, and drew a shaky breath.
“No, it’s not that, it’s...” She turned to Shadow, and broke into a smile. “We have a reservation.”
The crowd gasped audibly, while Misty swooned into the arms of the Phantom Fiestadores. Despite the commotion, Shadow took a tentative step towards the laptop, his eyes gleaming in the light of the screen.
“You mean...”
“This time tomorrow, the Underworld Motel will open its doors to its first guest in centuries. A lost soul, in need of saving.” Zoe’s heart swelled in her chest as hope bloomed Shadow’s eyes. “And with it, magic will return to the Underworld.”
The ghosts burst into celebration, until their joyful cries echoed across the Underworld. Cerberus chased his tail excitedly, while Spooks released a toot from his makeshift trumpet.
“Say no more, fleshie! We’ll have a grand re-opening fit to raise the spirits!” He released a handful of confetti, before barking orders at the group gathered below. “Miguel, sweep the floors! Jose and Javier, prepare the beds! Misty, prepare a fresh batch of Boo-Berry Muffins! And I... I will prepare a show that our guest will remember for the rest of their afterlife! Everything must be perfect!”
The crowd dispersed in a whirlwind of excitement. The motel filled with a flurry of activity as cobwebs were cleared, beds were made, and every surface was left spotless. As the neon lights of the motel sign shone like a beacon across the landscape, Shadow gazed at the sight in wonder, before he turned to Zoe with a smile.
“You’ve transformed this town, Zoe. Just like you promised.” Shadow’s eyes sparkled with an inner light, before he turned to the motel, where the ghosts frantically prepared for their visitors. “Well, I guess we should get to work.”
“Actually, I was thinking we could take the night off. It would be a shame to waste such a magical night, after all.” Zoe broke into a smile as she looked from her ghostly body, to the Throne of the Underworld. “Race you there.”
18
Starlight danced across the Underworld, casting the landscape in an ethereal glow. Beneath the silver rays of the moonlight, vast crystals of ice slowly melted to reveal the new life that awakened below. As each blade of grass broke through the blanket of snow, and each flower bud slowly unfurled, a lone pair sat at the edge of a mountain peak and gazed at the panorama below. The King and Queen of the Underworld, who watched as life returned to their kingdom.
Zoe closed her eyes, and relished the gentle breeze that drifted from the valley. It raced through her ghostly body, filling her with delicate floral scents, and caressing her with its warm touch. As verdant vegetation grew from beneath the snow piles and icicles melted into crystalline rivers, Zoe caught a glimpse of the true beauty of the Underworld. Spring was in the air, awakening after years of the eternal winter. And as she looked into Shadow’s eyes, she realized its magic had awakened something powerful within both of them, too.
“It looks like the Underworld is finally open for business again.” Shadow’s eyes sparkled as a group of will-ó-wisps danced playfully around the branches of Persephone’s Tree, tending to the ruby-colored buds that bloomed with life. “Thanks to you, its magic is finally returning.”
“I think the magic was here all along.” Zoe gazed at the beauty of the valleys as they slowly returned to their true form. “I just needed to open my heart to it.”
Zoe looked across the beautiful vista, and recalled just how much had changed since she’d first stepped into these lands. She thought of when she’d first sat here with Shadow, and had been unable to see the beauty in his kingdom. But now, with Persephone’s gift flowing through her veins, she felt her body connect to the magic of the Underworld. She could feel the playfulness of its spring breezes, the beauty of each unfurling flower bud, the vibrancy of each blade of grass. Her eyes widened as a melody filled the air, just like the song of the will-ó-wisps, until she turned to Shadow questioningly.
“You hear it too?” Shadow smiled and gazed across the landscape below. “It’s the song of the Underworld, slowly awakening from its slumber. And if you can hear it, if you feel it inside of you, then it means one thing. This place isn’t just my kingdom anymore. It’s yours too.”
Zoe’s eyes widened as she listened to the beautiful melody. She placed a hand to her chest in wonder, feeling the magic that would forever connect her to the magic of the land below. She turned her gaze to Shadow, to see a golden light flash nervously in his eyes.
“Is everything okay?”
“I’ve been thinking about the future, Zoe. About what comes next, after we save the Underworld.” Shadow took Zoe’s hand in his, and held her gaze longingly. “I know we belong in different worlds. That you have a life to live, in the mortal world. But the Underworld will always be your home, if you want it to be.”
