AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Actually, I’ve got a different idea.” She chuckled as Spooks’ yelps filled the air as he rocketed headfirst into a group of boulders, pinging between them like a pinball machine. “Why don’t we take the scenic route?”
Zoe plucked a pomegranate seed from Persephone’s Tree, before she took to the skies in her spectral form. Together with Shadow, she soared in a blur of light and darkness across the landscape, until they reached the Throne of the Underworld. They gazed at the view in wonder, where the starlight sparkled in a heavenly spectacle above the beauty of the Underworld.
“Looks like we’re right back where we started.” Shadow drew himself closer, and watched the spectacle of lights in awe. “Where we brought each other back to life.”
Zoe smiled as she leaned into Shadow’s embrace, and thought of her first nights spent in the Underworld. Of how Shadow had helped her see the magic in the world once more. Of how he had taught her to live, here in this land of death. She gazed at the beauty of the moonlit trees, of the golden will-ó-wisps as they fluttered through the air, and of the ruby-red fruits of Persephone’s Tree as they gleamed like jewels.
“No matter how many times I look at this view, it always feels like the first time.” Zoe inhaled the warm spring breeze of the Underworld as it carried the floral fragrance of the valleys beyond. “And it will always be magical, with you by my side.”
Under the silver light of the moon, the pair embraced, their bodies merging in a rich tapestry of light and darkness. But Zoe glanced at Shadow as a flicker of doubt raced within his eyes.
“Is something wrong?”
“It’s just…” He turned to the panorama below, where Spooks whizzed across the skies in his rocket. “Shouldn’t we try to stop him from winning?”
Zoe followed his gaze, and watched as the poltergeist was rocketed into the heavens at an eye-watering speed.
“Perhaps even a meddling poltergeist deserves to have jelly parties in Tartarus every now and again.” Zoe returned her gaze to Shadow, and broke into a knowing smile. “Besides, you could do with taking a night off work once in a while.”
A flicker of a smile crept across Shadow’s lips as Zoe drew herself closer. As they embraced in a kiss that transcended life and death, Spooks’ rocket exploded in a series of magnificent fireworks that illuminated the Underworld in a magical glow. As it bathed the landscape in technicolor light, Zoe marveled at the magical view of the panorama before her. And she vowed that together, they would protect the Underworld, as King and Queen, forever.
Epilogue
“Idon’t believe it! We’ve done it, wind man!”
Zephyr watched in amazement as light filled the once-gloomy Underworld. Thanks to their meddling, the final Son of Olympus had fallen in love, and the flames of Olympus would burn brightly once more. The breezes danced around him and Iris in excitement, engulfing them in a scattering of blossom, until the pair gazed into each other’s eyes.
“Does this mean… we’re heroes?”
“You bet! I always knew we’d make quite the team.” Iris’ eyes sparkled in the light, until she broke into a warm smile. “Thank you, for the greatest adventure of my life.”
Zephyr drew a startled breath, taken aback by the mischievous Goddess’ unusual sincerity.
“Iris, I…” Zephyr gazed into Iris’ technicolor eyes as he tried to summon the right words. He thought of all the times his doubts had held him back. But if he’d learned one thing from the Sons of Olympus, it was the importance of speaking from the heart. He summoned his courage, and drew on the strength of his winds to guide him. “There’s been something I’ve been wanting to tell you…”
Before Zephyr could finish, a golden light enveloped his body, until he was lifted high into the heavens. He blinked in surprise as he found himself returned to the palace of Olympus, where a sea of well-wishers greeted him, and the sound of music filled his ears.
“What the…”
“Behold, our heroes have returned!”
A chorus of cheers echoed through the marble palace of Olympus, while a spectacle of fireworks filled the heavens. Zephyr looked in bewilderment as a party launched into full swing within the palace courtyard, and watched as a Minotaur led a conga line across the dancefloor, while Artemis merrily used a toffee apple stall as target practice for her archery.
“My Queen?” Zephyr looked in surprise as Hera emerged breathless and red-faced from the conga line. “What is the meaning of all this?”
“Why, it’s your hero’s ball, of course! You’ve done it, both of you.” Hera smiled warmly, before she cleared her throat and addressed the revelers. “When darkness threatened our lands, one hero and heroine set forth to restore the flames of Olympus. They braved the fiercest of storms and the hottest of infernos, plunged into the depths of the oceans and ventured into the darkest of nights, all to fill the Sons of Olympus’ hearts with the light of love. And thanks to them, Olympus will shine bright once more. Behold, the flames of Olympus!”
A roar of flames erupted from the hearth, powered by the magic of the Sons of Olympus. Zephyr watched in awe as the magical flame burned brighter, filling the palace with light, until the darkness receded from its touch.
“I always knew that the two of you would make quite the team.” Hera smiled as she turned to face Zephyr and Iris. “And now, for your reward.”
Zephyr blinked in surprise as Hera conjured two objects in her hand. Between his brush with the ghosts of the Underworld, and his crush on Iris, he’d forgotten all about his reasons for setting out on this adventure. He peered closer at the sparkling objects, before Hera spoke once more.
“For you, Iris, a key to my personal vaults. Take any treasures that will add an extra sparkle to your rainbows.” Hera’s smile deepened as she turned to Zephyr. “And for you, my loyal subject…”
“My hero’s license!”
Zephyr looked in wonder at the parchment, stamped with the official hero’s seal of Olympus. For years, he’d dreamed of this moment. Of officially becoming a hero, and being welcomed into the Heroes Bar with open arms. Of spending long nights drinking champagne in the company of the greats, and regaling the Muses with tales of his heroic adventures. And yet, despite being granted everything he’d wished for, Zephyr felt flat, as though the wind had been taken out of his sails.
