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“If only I’d sent that thing to Tartarus. At least then, Mr. Gravesend couldn’t follow me to the Underworld...” Zoe looked glumly at the tracking device, before she drew a sharp intake of breath. “Wait, maybe that’s it!”
Zoe studied the tracker, as an idea began to form. An idea that might just save the Underworld, after all. She turned to the will-ó-wisp as it buzzed questioningly, before she spoke once more.
“This tracker isn’t just for taking readings. It’s also a beacon that sends our location to Mr. Gravesend. And as long as it’s here, he and his army of drills will be able to find the Underworld.” Zoe drew a breath, and broke into a smile as an idea crossed her mind. “But, if we were to take the tracker as far from here as possible, then...”
The will-ó-wisp flapped its wings, and somersaulted through the air in understanding.
“Precisely. He’d have no way to find the Underworld, and your magic would be safe.” But Zoe sighed as she glanced at the group of specters gathered in the motel. “The only trouble is finding someone who can take the tracker elsewhere. You’re all bound to the Underworld, and even the Spooks Express has to follow some rules. Unless...”
Zoe’s heart sank as realization struck her. She glanced at the road in the distance, trying to think of another solution, but knowing there was only one. As she stood in silence, the will-ó-wisp perched on her shoulder, and buzzed questioningly.
“I’m the only one who can take the tracker back to the mortal world.“ Zoe felt the breath leave her lungs at the cruel twist of fate. “The only way to protect the Underworld is if I leave.”
The will-ó-wisp let out a high-pitched squeak and flashed brightly in protest. But Zoe held her ground, and shook her head.
“Of course, I know what this means. The moment I leave, this will all be nothing but a distant dream.” Zoe blinked back tears as they came to her eyes. “But what choice do I have?”
Her mind tossed and turned as she tried to find another way. But as she gazed at the beauty of the Underworld before her, finally emerging from its eternal slumber, she knew she had to protect it. Even if it meant giving up everything she loved.
“I promised to save the Underworld. And that’s only possible if I leave. This way, Shadow can save a lost soul, and the Underworld’s magic will be restored for good.” Despite the strength of her conviction, Zoe’s voice wavered, while tears welled in her eyes. “Isn’t that what the Queen of the Underworld would do?”
The will-ó-wisp’s wings drooped sadly, before it let out a mournful tune. But despite its anguish, Zoe knew there was no other way. If she stayed, Shadow would lose everything, and lost souls would be doomed to forever walk the earth alone. But if she left, she could protect that magic, and keep that hope alive. Despite the pain in her heart, she knew it was worth it. Even if it meant giving up everything she wanted.
She packed her satchel quickly, before she paused on the staircase and watched the ghosts prepare for the grand reopening. She smiled as Spooks and Cerberus chased each other in circles, as the Phantom Fiestadores jostled for Misty’s attention, and as dozens of will-ó-wisps gently lit the motel with magical fairy lights, until her gaze lingered on Shadow. Where once, only darkness had dwelled in his eyes, now an inner light bloomed. A light of magic. A light of hope. And she knew this was the only way to protect it.
She held her camera to her eye, and with a soft click, captured the sight before her. She studied the photo of the spirits, their bodies no more than a blur of light against the backdrop of the motel. She knew that once she returned to the mortal world, she’d lose every precious memory she’d made here. But maybe, just maybe, this photo would spark something within her. A distant memory of the magic she’d witnessed. A sensation of being embraced by the darkness. A feeling of being alive.
Zoe drew a shaky breath as she walked down the staircase. With every step, her memories of the Underworld flashed before her. Of Spooks’ natural talent of causing chaos and pandemonium with just a click of his finger. Of the irresistible scent of freshly brewed coffee at Misty’s saloon. And of her magical nights spent at the Throne of the Underworld with him. She treasured every memory, hoping to hold on to the magic of the Underworld for as long as possible. Because once she crossed into the mortal world, she knew only fragments of them would remain.
A low whine pulled Zoe from her thoughts. She turned to see Cerberus pace from the darkness, his tail hanging limply between his legs. A will-ó-wisp fluttered onto his ears, before it buzzed softly, as if whispering to the giant dog. Zoe sighed, knowing that with gossiping fairy sprites on the loose, there would be no such thing as a quiet escape.
“I’m sorry boy.” Zoe scratched the lovable dog behind his ears, and gazed into his glossy eyes. “But this is for the best–”
Cerberus barked in protest, spurred on by the buzzes of the will-ó-wisp.
“Hey, don’t take that tone with me. I wanted to say goodbye to you all, but...” Zoe sighed hopelessly. “What if he doesn’t forgive me? Shadow was nearly destroyed by Charon’s betrayal, and it plunged the Underworld into an eternal winter. We can’t risk that happening again. Not when you’re so close to saving the magic of the Underworld.”
Zoe gazed at the landscape as the lilac flowers slowly unfurled their petals in the morning sun, while rivers of crystalline ice water coursed through once-sparse valleys. Where once the lands had been devoid of life, now they reawakened from their slumber. And all it would take was one lost soul, one name signed within the pages of the guest book, for the magic to finally return.
“Just, take care of Shadow for me, please.” Zoe scratched Cerberus’ ears, and whispered to him softly. “And tell him... tell him thank you. For showing me what it means to truly live.”
Without another word, Zoe slipped out from the motel, until her feet crunched along the melting snow. The sounds of the Phantom Fiestadores’ music filled the air, like a siren song calling her back, but she forced herself to continue, knowing time was running out. Her heart pounded in her chest as she approached the bridge that arched over the River Lethe, its frozen waters shimmering with their otherworldly magic. A magic that would wipe her memories of the Underworld, until nothing remained.
Zoe stood on the threshold of the bridge, and closed her eyes. She drew a deep breath, and pictured the light that sparkled in Shadow’s eyes. A light she so desperately wished to protect. She held the image in her mind, and took a step towards the bridge, holding on to the memory for the few precious seconds she had left.
“Going somewhere?”
Zoe’s steps faltered as a gravelly voice filled the air. She turned in surprise as Shadow emerged from the shade of a nearby cactus, his silent steps leaving no trace of footprints in the snow behind. She glanced from him to the bridge, paralyzed by her inner battle of head against heart. She knew that with one more step, she could protect Shadow and the Underworld. But where her resolve had once been steadfast, now it crumbled under the intensity of his gaze.
“Don’t tell me Spooks has put you on welcome parade duty to greet our guest?” Shadow glanced back to the motel, where the poltergeist merrily readied his contraptions in preparation for the new arrival. “I’ve already had to talk him out of inviting the Titans to join a celebratory conga line.”
Zoe hardly dared to breathe as Shadow returned his gaze to her. He glanced at her satchel, before his gaze lingered on the frozen waters of the River Lethe. His eyes flashed in concern, before he raised an eyebrow.
“Is everything okay, Zoe?”
Zoe drew a shaky breath, while her mind struggled to find the right words to say. She cursed as the clocks chimed, counting down the minutes until Chthonic Power Solutions’ workmen arrived. She had to leave, before she placed the Underworld in any more danger. But no matter how hard she tried, she felt powerless to fight against the magic that bound their spirits together.
“Shadow, I have to tell you something...” Her words tumbled out of her mouth, while her heart pounded in her chest. “I don’t belong here. I never did. And every second I stay puts you in danger...”
