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“Which is why I plan on staying here.”
Shadow drew a startled breath, before he turned to her in shock. “You do?”
“Of course I do.” Zoe smiled as a golden light bloomed in Shadow’s eyes. “Besides, I’ve found the perfect job for myself, right here.”
“And what’s that?”
Zoe turned, and watched as a vine emerged from the earth nearby. It pulled Swindleton from the darkness and deposited him back onto solid ground, before dismissing him with a disapproving flick of its tendrils. Swindleton gazed at the emerging beauty of the Underworld in surprise, until a will-ó-wisp fluttered before him, bathing him in its golden aura. As Zoe watched her former colleague’s eyes brighten in wonder, she smiled, and felt an idea form in her mind.
“I think it’s time we helped every lost soul see the magic in this world. Be they living, or dead.“ She laced her fingers through Shadow’s and smiled. “Now, let’s get to work.”
26
Awarm breeze drifted across the Underworld. A scattering of blossom danced in the winds, playfully meandering across sunlit fields of meadow-flowers, while the boughs of the pomegranate trees were laden with fruits. Where death had once reigned in the Underworld, now it teemed with life. And where once, a lone figure had surveyed his kingdom, now, a group of visitors watched and waited.
“Over there, look!”
At once, dozens of camera shutters clicked as a creature fluttered from the branches of a pomegranate tree. Photographers gasped in awe at the sight, each eager to capture a picture of the rare winged creature said to inhabit these lands. Zoe smiled to herself as the will-ó-wisp darted through the undergrowth, until it tended to the dozens of flowering trees lower down in the valley. Thanks to the tiny creatures, business was booming in the Underworld. And it meant that all lost souls, both living and dead, could be saved.
The clocks tolled, announcing the end of another day. Zoe led the group of photographers to the motel, where they excitedly shared their shots of the beautiful landscape over slices of fresh cake at Misty’s saloon. As the Underworld filled with the life of the mortals, Zoe couldn’t help but think about just how much had changed. Despite Shadow’s initial uncertainty, she’d been determined to save the lost souls of the mortal world, before it was too late. And so, the Underworld Photography Tours, a nature-based retreat for those who felt a little lost in the world, had been born. She spent each day showing mortals the beauty of nature, until they left with renewed appreciation for the magic in the world again. And it was the best job she’d ever had.
Zoe watched as more groups returned from their tours, their eyes sparkling with the magic of the Underworld. She smiled as holiday-makers played fetch with Cerberus, while peals of laughter told her that the Phantom Fiestadores and Spooks had begun their night’s entertainment. Thanks to the poltergeist’s perfection of the Ecto-3000, they were able to give the performance of a lifetime every night, with guests none the wiser as to their true ghostly nature. And yet, there were some mortals who knew the Underworld’s secret. Some who had agreed to protect it, and to guard it alongside her…
Zoe waved to Swindleton as he led a group of photographers out into the Underworld for a night-time stargazing tour. Since his brush with life in Tartarus, he’d been a changed man, and had been all too eager to make amends. She watched as he eagerly pointed out a nearby will-ó-wisp to the group, before leading them to the most scenic spots in the valley. Zoe repressed a giggle as a tree branch swatted him on the behind, and his sharp yelp echoed through the air. Something told her that the Underworld would forgive him in time, but it would take a few centuries for it to truly forget.
As a fleet of busses arrived, Zoe bade farewell to her guests, who excitedly swapped their tales of the Underworld on their journey back to the city. With a honk of a horn, the bus driver peered out of his window to reveal a familiar face. Gus waved at Zoe, and grinned as he gazed at the beauty of the Underworld.
“Well, I for one won’t ever tire of this view. I just can’t help but get the feeling that I’m forgetting something about it. Something… spooky…“ Gus glanced at the motel, as the memories of that fateful night remained buried within the recesses of his mind. “It must just be my brain playing tricks on me. I’ll see you tomorrow, boss!”
Zoe couldn’t help but smile as the bus departed, driving over the new and improved road, built to bypass the River Lethe and its memory-wiping magic. As she gazed at the beauty of the Underworld, she realized she’d gotten everything she ever wanted. A promotion into a job she had always dreamed of. A feeling of fulfillment at the end of every day. And as office views went, the Underworld’s beauty was unsurpassed.
She turned as a low whine filled the air, while a pair of paws impatiently scratched at her side. Zoe stroked each of Cerberus’ heads affectionately, and smiled knowingly.
“I know, I know. No more working after sunset. I suppose some habits are just hard to break.” Zoe chuckled as Cerberus’ tail wagged excitedly. “Now come on, it’s time for the real magic to begin.”
As the sun set in the sky and darkness bloomed across the lands, Zoe followed the playful pup to the gardens, where the Spectral Soirée was in full swing. The air was filled with the lively music of the Phantom Fiestadores, while a long line of eligible bachelors queued by the dancefloor, each eager to win the affections of Misty as she danced the night away. Within the center of the party, Persephone’s Tree stood tall, its fruits gleaming like rubies in the moonlight, as dozens of spirits consumed the magical fruit and returned to their mortal form. The air sparkled with joy as ghosts spent the night sharing moments with their loved ones; their last conversations, their last dance, their last kiss. Where once they had been lost, doomed to drift through the shadows for eternity, now they radiated with an inner light.
One by one, the ghostly visitors signed the guest book, until they soared into the heavens and took their place among the stars. Zoe smiled as a lone figure bade them farewell, until he gazed at the night sky.
“The stars are shining brighter each night.” Shadow turned to Zoe as she approached, the motel guest book clutched in his hands. “And it’s all thanks to you.”
Together, they looked at the guest book, its pages filled with the names of spirits and mortals alike. Each one a soul that had been saved, thanks to the magic of the Underworld. And with every soul that was saved, the world grew a little brighter.
“Alright, break it up, you two.” Spooks appeared between them in a puff of blue smoke, breaking the magic of the moment. “Otherwise, you’ll miss the race! And this time there’s no way you’ll beat me. Mark my words, when I’m King of the Underworld, it will be custard slides and jelly parties in Tartarus!”
“Face it, Spooks. You’re never going to beat us.” Shadow fixed the meddling poltergeist with a knowing look. “No matter how many times you cheat.”
“Me? Cheat? Never!“ Spooks cackled as he strapped what looked like a rocket to his back. “Although just wait until you see my new invention. This thing has enough power to send me to the moon!”
“A pity it won’t keep you there.” Shadow’s eyes narrowed, before he groaned in defeat. “Fine, we’ll race on the count of three. One, two–”
“See ya, suckers!”
With a chuckle, Spooks lit the fuse of the rocket, until it burst to life in a shower of sparks. Zoe watched in bewilderment as the poltergeist was thrust across the landscape at breath-taking speed, sending him on a collision course with the closest cactus patch.
“When will he ever learn?” Shadow sighed as an explosion of cactus needles filled the air, before he turned to Zoe. “Well, shall we?”
Zoe watched as the ghosts chased after Spooks, until their laughter echoed through the skies. But as the stars burned brighter, she turned away from the race, and glanced at a spot in the distance.
