Heavenly Boss Mission: Bahamas (Short)

 

Dedicated to the incredible Lord/Lady Leviathan, Poseidon, Amphitrite and the Atlantean gods of old. May our Greek gods and goddesses (and those from other pantheons) continue watching us, loving us, and helping our souls evolve to the highest potential.

 

There was a manilla folder on Docile’s desk. “E.L.F. Case File # 737

Location: The Royal Towers Atlantis Resort, Bahamas, Earth

Description: Atlantis mystery

There was a photo of a human male with brown wet hair, white skin, posing with a pink castle-shaped building with tall towers and beaches in the background.

Info: Hello E.L.F. Heaven’s healers, blessers, and mortal life savers. I humbly ask you to complete my request, for closure for me and for my family if possible. Within the Royal Towers of Atlantis in the Bahamas lies homey hotel rooms, the jubilant Junkanoo music fests, a Pegasus fountain, a Mayan temple Leap of Faith water slide with underwater views of sharks, the famous casino, fine dining, and the marvelous marine habitats. But don’t get distracted like I did. My name is…was…Hesperus Leonardo, Leo for short. I was just an ordinary rich guy on vacation in the Bahamas. Apparently, I discovered something I shouldn’t have…a portal in the water, and shadowy figures swimming near it. Just as I hypothesized that the portal could lead to the real Atlantis, I felt a stab and blacked out. I first thought it was the sharks, but…it was murder. My family is heartbroken by the loss…they thought a shark ate me. In despair, my family literally gambled their life away…my father got drunk at the bars, my mother got into debt overnight at the casino and my sister…um…is convinced she’s married to Poseidon. Now they’ll be homeless…what I’m saying is…they can’t help you with finding the portal; you’ll be on your own. I studied Atlantis and Greek history for a bit, and I worry what would happen if aliens saw our world and decided it wasn’t to their liking. Mankind is too scared, and perhaps too arrogant to even think about coexisting with angels, demons, gods, or aliens…their souls have forgotten the grains of truth sprinkled in their mythology tales. It’s more than angels vs demons now…aliens and the gods have been amongst humans since the start of time. It’s only a matter of time before humans learn about their divine mentors…or become enslaved by oppressive alien forces and themselves. Please help comfort my family and find my alien killer before it’s too late. God bless you E.L.F. and good luck. – Leo. P.S. WATCH OUT FOR THE F**KING SHARKS.”

 

0 0 0

 

 

 

 

 

Docile, Tirred, Timmid, and Sunna tumbled out of the diamond-shaped portal, created by Docile’s pink Camaelean crystal. The portal closed above their heads. To the delight of the elves and the heaven cat, they had tumbled onto a beach. The sky was a brilliant blue, matching the dazzling teal-blue ocean before them. Palm trees swayed in the gentle breeze. Not too far away, vacationers lounged in chairs and under umbrellas with margaritas and fruity drinks in hand. A boy wearing sunglasses and blue swim trunks relaxed on a green towel, slurping up a drink from half a coconut with a twisty red straw. Several pink seashells lined the sandy floor, and waves playfully lapped the shore.

 

The crew stood up and brushed the sand off their uniforms. Sunna let out a yawn.

 

“Where are we?” she asked.

 

“Did we make it to the Bahamas?” asked Tirred.

 

Docile grinned, looking around. “I’ll say we did!”

 

Timmid smiled, lifting her hands in the air. “Vacay time!”

 

“Not so fast guys, we have to get to the hotel…” Tirred began…

 

“…and we can have fun along the way,” Docile finished with a wink. “But first, disguises!”

 

The elves summoned their staffs in their hands and waved them. In flashes of heavenly light, they soon appeared in their human disguises, halos, wings and pointed ears vanishing from mortal eyes. Docile had white skin and short black hair, Tirred had slightly darker skin, a heavier build, and black hair slightly past his ears, Timmid had white skin and straight blonde-white hair, while Sunna smiled with stunning dark skin and her hair in thick dark braids. An ankle bracelet wrapped near her foot was golden with a cat paw print on it. All their eyes were heavenly blue.

 

“Hang on,” said Docile. He waved his staff again and their clothing became more appropriate for the beach. Sunna smiled as she wore a white bikini with two golden suns on the breasts. Her thick black braids swayed in the breeze. Several guys glanced over at her in curiosity. Timmid wore a one-piece light blue suit with angel wings on it. Tirred had black boxers with flaming blue swords decorated on them. Docile posed in his own light blue boxers with eyes on them. The staffs in their hands vanished.

 

Laughing, the E.L.F. crew, (Tirred reluctantly joining in) raced into the clear cool water, splashing and swimming and spotting marine life among the coral reef below.

 

Timmid gaped in awe as she spotted several colorful fish maneuvering around her white legs. Tirred was trying not to get his feet pinched by a nearby red crab. Docile floated on his back and looked at Sunna. “Hey, how come you’re not afraid of the water?”

 

Sunna giggled, spinning in circles on her back. “You forget I’m no ordinary cat. There’s no way I’d miss out on the fun!”

 

She splashed Docile, who laughed and splashed her back. After a water fight that lasted around five minutes, the disguised elves swam back to shore.

 

“I’d love to do some surfing,” said Sunna. “Too bad the waves aren’t very strong today.”

 

Docile shrugged. “It’s alright. It’s the perfect sunny day to relax.”

 

Docile muttered a spell in Enochian and they were magically dry. Sunna sunned herself on a nearby lounge chair. She manifested a coconut drink in her hand and slurped the pink drink through a straw. Timmid built a sandcastle and decorated it with pink seashells. Tirred with a small grin, buried Docile in the sand, writing “loss boss” on top of his sandy body with a finger. Tirred dumped a pile of sand over Docile’s face who sputtered aloud.

 

“Sweet heavenly iced treats! Don’t bury my head, Tirred!” Docile spoke telepathically to him, magically removing the sand from atop his face.

 

“Hey,” Timmid said when she was done with her castle. “This castle could be a safe haven for sea creatures.” She then looked downcast, “Man I wish mortals took better care of their oceans! All the pollution and plastic aren’t good for the marine life. Or the mermaids. Or the Atlanteans…”

 

Tirred stood up with wide eyes. “Fiery underworld crystal knives! We got distracted! We must get to Atlantis!”

 

“Underwater?” asked Timmid.

 

“No, the hotel, bimbo!” he called.

 

Timmid spoke, “Yeah, uh…we have no money, and I heard that place is dreadfully expensive. How are we supposed to persuade them to let us stay?”

 

Tirred grinned. “Perhaps a little gambling outta…”

 

Timmid glared at him.

 

“We’ll figure something out,” Docile said with a muffled voice, before teleporting himself above ground, brushing himself off. He snapped his fingers, and they all appeared in their work uniforms again. Docile had his suit, Tirred his white suit with a blue bowtie, Timmid in her white blouse and leggings and Sunna in her white sun dress with a sun on it. They also had black shiny shoes on their feet.

 

“Come on, Sunny!” Docile called, snapping her out of her daze. Sunna sighed and stood up to follow her boss and adoptive dad.

 

Teleporting out of the sight of mortals, they finally arrived at the Atlantis Resort.

 

“Whoa!” they all breathed in amazement.

 

Before them was a towering salmon pink palace, the dozen spires on top of the towers an emerald green. There were twenty-one stories of luxurious rooms, many of them facing the vast blue ocean. There were two towers in the center that were the tallest, and underneath was a decorative archway connecting them together. Below was a round structure with a green pointed round roof. Below was an array of palm trees spread out like a leafy carpet with a small pool in the center. Stunning blue lakes surrounded the front and off to the left was another pink building with two narwal statues posing together. Off to the right was a view of a Mayan temple with stairs and a water slide. A dome over an eating area was decorated with giant seashells, a spiral shell pointing at the center top.

 

“Dang,” Timmid breathed. “And I thought the Seraphims in Heaven had it well.”

 

Tirred scoffed. “The Seraphims and the Thrones in our Heaven would consider this place a mere child’s playground! Our Heaven has palaces of real gold! And spa rooms made of precious stones! And never-ending feasts of holy fruits and vegetables and sweets and meats to keep the gods immortal…!”

 

“Hate to burst your bubble, Tir, but we’re not gods,” reminded Docile. “And despite your greedy desires, we’re seen as mere common mortals here, and the lowest in all Heavens. It’ll take a miracle for us to get inside…”

 

The E.L.F. crew made their way across bridges and down the cobblestone path flanked by palm trees. Seagulls flew and cawed overhead. A few people were kayaking across the lake. Sunna leaped into the air and took some selfies by an incredible fountain with a dozen golden Pegasus statues. Docile pulled her back over. “Focus, Sunny!”

 

Glancing over to the left, they spotted a small pink part of the building with small pillars on top and a closed water grate at the bottom. The grate was flanked by rusted green seahorse statues and water trickled out of spiral seashells in the corners.

 

They soon entered the lobby, relieved to get out of the hot sun.

 

Timmid gulped as she read the cost to get in: $700 per night and $1000+ for the water park.

 

“Welp, we’re dammed.”

 

“Keep going,” Docile urged. “We might be able to find our client’s family members.”

 

Once again, they gasped when they entered the lobby, feeling small as if entering a cathedral. There were no stained-glass windows, but they weren’t needed: the ceiling was incredibly high, revealing indents of seashells encircling the inside of a white dome in the center of the space. The dome was supported by eight dotted white pillars. The floor was spotless and clean, revealing orange pointed sun designs. Behind the desks, Atlantis-inspired banners hung beautifully near orange torches with spiral black holders from the walls.

 

Most impressive of all was the vivid mosaic artwork on display surrounding the dome. One showed what looked like mermaids with blue tails sitting on rocks in a blue wavy ocean with an orange and yellow sun in the background. Another showed a naked deity on top of a shell, a black-haired shirtless man with a griffin by a tree of grapes and people in a forest by white Greek columns. A third showed sailors in white sailboats moving toward an island with animals and a white unicorn. A red dragon appeared in the water on another display. A notable mosaic showed a man with a trident fighting off a green sea monster with its tail out of the water, close to a nearby Greek city.

 

An archway nearby read: “Casino,” “Crystal Court,” “Convention Center,” “Coral and Beach Towers.”

 

Docile went up to the desk where a pretty blonde woman was typing on a computer. She wore a black suit with a small blue Poseidon trident logo over the left side.

 

“Good afternoon,” she said, looking up. “Do you have a reservation?”

 

Docile cleared his throat. “Good afternoon, ma’am, uh, yes, we do. Three nights…”

 

“Oceanic suite,” added Tirred…

 

“Room…333…”

 

“Group of four!” Sunna finished.

 

The woman typed into the computer. “Uh, room 333 is already taken. I don’t see any reservations here for…” She looked at their outfits, puzzled. “Who are you, exactly?”

 

“Uh, I’m Aquari,” said Docile. “And theses are…the Freaky Fishers. We’re a famous band.”

 

“The woman glared, “Uh, I don’t think so. I have other guests coming in, and you all don’t seem important at all. So, either pay up front or leave.”

 

She glanced over at a sign: “Upfront payment: $1,111 per night.”

 

“Oh spit,” Docile hung his head. “I forgot my wallet upstairs! I’ll just go grab it real quick…”

 

“Nice try, freak,” spat the woman, freezing Docile in his tracks. “Pay up now, or I’m calling security!”

 

“Please, ma’am, we’re on a really important mission here,” Docile seethed. “Someone has been murdered, someone named Hesperus Leonardo, perhaps last week?”

 

“Who is that?” she asked, her face blank.

 

“He was a guest at the hotel with his parents and sister. Look him up.”

 

She browsed through the list of past reservations. “I’m sorry, there’s no one by that name who’s been here.”

 

Docile swore under his breath, tapping his staff from inside his work coat. He glanced at Tirred, sending him a thought, “Divine forces must’ve erased the memories of the humans who witnessed the attack on Leo. I bet even his remaining family won’t know who he is!”

 

“Well, sir, I can see why they would do that, wouldn’t want mortals freaked out by alien Atlantis forces or supernatural beings for that matter. Why don’t we just go invisible, crash in the nearest room and then…”

 

Sunna stood with a determined look on her face. She walked forward.

 

“Sunny, what are you doing?” Docile hissed.

 

“I’m going to ask you four to leave,” said the woman, taking out a walkie talkie from her pocket.

 

“Not good,” breathed Timmid.

 

In a flash of light, Sunna transformed into her normal cat form, angel wings and everything.

 

“Good heavens!” gasped the woman.

 

“Sunny, no!” Docile cried.

 

Sunny leaned forward and stared at the woman with big cat-like blue eyes. Her purrs resonated like warm healing energy throughout the area. In Sunna’s eyes, the woman was reminded of good things in her life: her baby boy, her own pet cats, the promise of a cruise job instead of working at the desk…Docile and the others glowed and hummed with heavenly light, aiding Sunna.

 

The woman smiled and sighed at the flashes of memories and how cute Sunna’s furry face looked…

 

Then, with a sudden glare, the woman shoved Sunna hard, sending her backwards to the floor.

 

Sunna whimpered as she stood up. “Our powers…they didn’t work…”

 

“Well, there are consequences for using magic on humans,” Docile mentioned in thought. “Though they almost always work…”

 

“Your magic powers don’t work on me! I’m calling security right n…”

 

She paused as her computer beeped. On the screen appeared a message that wasn’t there before. “Reservation for four: Aquari, Baracudo, Pearl, Shellia (with their human disguised photos) honorary crew members of the Amphitrite cruise, three nights, deluxe suite.”

 

And the final words before it all disappeared could only be seen by Docile: “Travel with care, E.L.F. – Goddess C.”

 

“Holy heavens!” Docile exclaimed.

 

The woman blinked and handed each of them a key card. “Enjoy your stay, fine ladies and gentlemen.”

 

Tirred grinned. “Now that’s more like it!”

 

Docile led the way, heading up the stairs to their room.

 

“Okay, that was freaking close!” Timmid declared.

 

“What the heck just happened?” Sunna asked.

 

“I think a goddess is helping us!” Docile exclaimed. “If that’s the case, this mission is even more serious than we thought.”

 

“But why this mission? Plenty of mortals have been murdered.”

 

“It must be because of the risk of the portal being open. I bet the goddess will help lead us to the portal.”

 

“I…don’t think I’ll be that easy,” Tirred mentioned. “We don’t even know who the goddess is. What if it’s a trap?”

 

“Then we’ll fight our way out of it like we always do,” said Docile.

 

“What did the message say?” asked Timmid.

 

“We’re pretending to be cruise members of the Amphitrite ship,” said Docile. “It ended with ‘Goddess C.’”

 

“Goddess Sea?” Sunna pondered.

 

“Who’s that?” asked Tirred.

 

“Amphitrite. She’s a goddess of the sea, the wife of Poseidon,” said Timmid.

 

“I bet Poseidon and Amphitrite are trying to help us!” exclaimed Sunna. “They also must be connected to Atlantis!”

 

“Yeah,” Timmid agreed. “Perhaps we should make offerings or do some research.”

 

“Or it could still be a trap,” said Tirred.

 

“Goddess Sea is our only hope,” said Sunna. “Especially since Leo mentioned his family can’t really help us…”

 

“Guys,” Docile said. “There’s a catch. I think her name begins with a C.”

 

“There are many goddesses like that,” said Timmid. “Cassandra. Calliope. Circe. Clytie…”

 

“Oh boy, that’ll take forever to find her,” said Tirred. “The best we can do is find the portal on our own.” Then Tirred grinned, glancing toward the casino, “But not before having some fun!”

 

Timmid grabbed his arm. “Hey, you’re the one who said no distractions. We’re staying together the whole time! End of story!”

 

Tirred slouched and followed the group. They stopped by a blue Pepsi vending machine near the pool area on aqua-colored tile. A coffee maker was off to the right. To the left of the Pepsi machine was another vending machine with a variety of chips inside. A small shelf off to the left displayed magazines and pamphlets advertising things to do near the hotel. Two large fluorescent lights glowed overhead.

 

“Is anyone thirsty?” Sunna asked.

 

“I am,” said Timmid.

 

“Are you sure you guys want to rush to junk food and sugary drinks when we can savor more authentic dishes at the various restaurants?” Docile asked.

 

“They have ice cold Pepsi here,” Tirred deadpanned. “And no one else is here. One tap of our magic staff…”

 

“Okay, Tir, I get your point,” said Docile. “But we don’t have any mortal money. Do it quick before someone sees.”

 

Before Tirred could tap the Pepsi machine to get a drink, the lights above flickered.

 

The angels paused.

 

The lights flickered and hummed, then briefly went out. A low ghostly growling rumbled in the air, sounding garbled like it was underwater.

 

Then, just as quickly, the lights came back on.

 

“W-what was that?” Timmid shivered.

 

“I don’t know. Faulty electricity?” Sunna asked.

 

“Did anybody hear that ghostly moan?” asked Tirred.

 

All of them nodded.

 

“Great, a haunted hotel?” asked Tirred. “I’m in no mood to play ghostbusters.”

 

“Hey, we deal with spirits all the time,” Docile reminded him. “Just keep your eyes and ears peeled.”

 

No one then wanted any snacks or drinks…they walked on without saying a word.

 

They entered a decorative hallway with a carpet floor and pictures of the ocean and Greek art on the walls. The lights on the ceiling were square in shape, with four black metal spirals meeting at the center.

 

They arrived at a wooden door decorated with two golden seahorses on the front. In the center was the room number: 690. Docile put his card in and the light blinked green. The door unlocked and the quartet of angels stepped in.

 

“This…is our room?” Timmid gasped.

 

“Room” was an understatement. Their feet made contact with a soft white carpet that felt like silk. There were four queen-size beds lined up in the space, the white pillows decorated with small teal seahorses in the corners. The bedcovers had a blue trident logo on them. To Timmid’s delight, some of the pillow sheets on the beds had been folded into origami shapes by the housekeeper: a swan, a crane, and a dolphin. On a mahogany desk was a plasma screen TV and a white Greek-style vase with scenes of shirtless men throwing disks and riding in chariots. A crystal chandelier glowed overhead.

 

Sunna beamed, “This must be a dream!” She hungrily eyed a school of fish and a stingray swimming by from the other side of a large glass window. The bathroom had a white colored hot tub and spa, and the brick walls were white, decorated with Greek-style blue swirls at the corners.

 

“Thank you, Goddess C!” cried Sunna, collapsing onto one of the beds. “Time for a much-needed rest…”

 

Docile lifted her up. “No time for catnaps, Sunny! We have to find the Atlantis portal asap! And I think it has to be somewhere underwater.”

 

“Why do you say that?” asked Sunna.

 

“I read Leo’s bio and he said he saw the portal under the water before he was killed. If we’re lucky, it’ll be in a pool. If not…we’ll have to get some scuba gear for the ocean.”

 

“Couldn’t we pray to Goddess C and gain mermaid powers?” asked Sunna.

 

“Probably not,” said Docile. “We’ll have to act like regular guests at this place. I’m sure Goddess C will show up when she’s meant to.”

 

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Docile opened it. Before him was a friendly maid with curly black hair, a white apron and a short black dress with the trident logo on it. Her name tag read “Cee.”

 

“Hello there,” she trilled in a Bahaman accent. “Housekeeping.”

 

Docile looked back. “Oh, hello, miss. Our beds appear to be already made. Our room looks nice and clean.”

 

“So glad you could make it, Docile.”

 

Docile looked taken aback. “You know us?”

 

“It’s the goddess in disguise!” Sunna whispered to Timmid.

 

Cee smiled. “I heard you four are the honored members of the Amphitrite crew.” She winked.

 

“Yep,” Docile said. “Thanks for helping us get in! Tell us, what is your real name.”

 

Cee whispered. “I can’t tell you that yet. But rest assured, I’ll help in any way I can.”

 

Timmid looked around. “Hey, where’s Tirred?”

 

The group paused.

 

Timmid then growled. “I bet he snuck off to the casino! What a prick!”

 

Docile pondered, then spoke. “Sunna, go track down Tirred. Timmid, you and I will go search for the portal at the Aquaventurine Park. Meet us back at the lobby if you can.”

 

“I’ll show you where the casino is,” said Cee. Sunna followed Cee, rushing down the hall.

 

Docile waved his staff and he and Timmid appeared in their bathing suits. “Let’s go!”

 

0 0 0

 

Sure enough, Tirred was already at the casino, engaged in a poker game. Cee bowed politely to Sunna and returned to her duties. Sunna shifted into her human disguise and looked around. The room pulsed with rainbow flashing lights and the sounds of slot machines and coins clanking and clinging crashed against her ears. Several men were playing pool off to the side, while a teenage boy cheered as he got three matching dollar signs in a row on a screen. A lady tossed a white ball onto a spinning wheel of red and black…the ball landed in the slot numbered 66 and she groaned in defeat.

 

Tirred sat at a table surrounded by four other people, three men and one woman. One of the men smoked and had several chips at his side. One of the men placed a handful of dollar bills into the pot. “I think the lady is bluffing,” he thought.

 

Tirred, of course, was using his telepathic powers to read the minds of the humans. He appeared to have the most chips.

 

Sunna spotted him.

 

“Tirred!” she hissed. “This is no time to be fooling around. We have to go back to the others!”

 

“Quiet!” seethed Tirred. “I’m on a roll here!”

 

The group placed down some more cards…Tirred could see the cards of the others in their mind.

 

“Stop cheating, Tirred!”

 

“Shut it, kitty cat!” he replied.

 

“There a problem, little man?” asked one of the bearded men to Tirred.

 

“My annoying girlfriend, that’s what,” Tirred bluffed. “She’s jealous that I’m so good at this game.”

 

“Why don’t you lay down your cards, so you can win,” Sunna suggested.

 

“Okay, I will, just buzz off,” he seethed. His cards were 6, 6, 6, and 2 4s. More hands were laid until one of the men revealed his winning pile: four aces. He grinned and grabbed the pot of bills and more chips.

 

Tirred stood up, facing a giggling Sunna. “Thanks a lot, pussy, you tricked me!”

 

“Serves you right, cheater!”

 

“I figured he was bluffing,” one of the men said. “That loser will lose all his money like Cynthia did.”

 

“Who?” asked Tirred and Sunna.

 

“Cynthia. Some heartbroken lady who wanted to get even richer than she was. She thought that losing herself in games would help her heal from the loss of her son. But she soon ran out of money and had to leave the hotel.”

 

“That was Leo’s mother!” Sunna gasped. “Where were you when it happened?”

 

“I left the hotel shortly after Cynthia lost her final game. Went for a boating ride on the ocean. When I came back to tell my friends about it, they just shrugged it off.”

 

Tirred gasped. “Sunna, he must not have been affected by the memory spell. Remember the blonde lady at the desk who forgot about Leo and his family? Their registration mysteriously deleted?”

 

“You’re right,” said Sunna into his head. “I bet the spell occurred shortly after Leo died, and only affected those still inside the hotel at the time.”

 

“Where is she now?” asked Sunna.

 

“No one knows,” he said. “She left heartbroken and never came back.”

 

A somber silence.

 

“You playin’ or not?” the man asked abruptly.

 

Sunna shook her head and looked around. Tirred was gone. “Not again!”

 

She raced after Tirred, who had already reached the Moon Club Bar.

 

This sleek bar was above the casino and smooth jazz music played to add a stylish chill vibe to the place. Sunna raced up the stairs and arrived at the top. The walls were dark and reflective, and golden light pulsed across the walls, horizontally and vertically. In glass lava lamp-like tubes, orange bubbles bobbed up and down. There were comfy chairs and sofas with pillows off to the side and some windows that showed a view of the casino down below.

 

In the center of the bar, several TVs showed football and sports. A large tank showed slow-moving moon jellyfish swimming gracefully through the dark water. They glowed deep blue and indigo colors. High soft chairs surrounded a sleek black table, where several people talked and drank. Above the bar, long rectangular tubes of glass and light pulsed in many different colors: purple, indigo, and blue. An array of beers, cocktails, wine, liquors, and every drink imaginable were handcrafted for all to see.

 

“Cloud Nine Wine circa 100 BC if you please.”

 

“Uh, sorry, sir, we don’t carry that here.”

 

“Perhaps your signature drink would suffice…”

 

Tirred was talking to the bartender, a bald man with a black mustache and a black suit with the blue trident logo.

 

Sunna slid up to him. “I swear to the Seraphims, Tirred, if you don’t stop fooling around and wandering off…”

 

Tirred turned to Sunna. “Kitty, please…I know I said no distractions at first, but then I realized that I hardly get any real time off. I figured that a few things about the human world aren’t so bad…and who knows when we’ll get to enjoy such a vacation again!”

 

Sunna scoffed. “And you always accuse me of being the immature party girl! You don’t know how to really have fun with friends; the only things you find entertaining are the very mortal vices we try to avoid!” She glanced in disgust at a group of people smoking cigars in a corner booth.

 

Tirred waved a hand. “Go get high on catnip or something. There’s been a lot on my mind, and I don’t need your cheesy positivity.”

 

Sunna hissed. “I may seem like some kind of hippie to you guys, but I know when the stakes are high…and this is one of them! It’s not my fault that you can never seem to learn from your mistakes or change your grumpy attitude. If you wanna be no better than Sinners go ahead, but no matter how much of a jerk you can be, I’m not leaving you behind.”

 

Tirred glanced around, finally receiving a drink in front of him. He grinned. “Moon Bar Mojito…perfect enough.” The drink had raspberries, club soda, lime wedges, mint leaves, ice cubes and rum inside.

 

“Docile ordered me to fetch you,” Sunna said. “He needs your help.”

 

“Why can’t I be the leader and make decisions for my own?” Tirred mumbled.

 

Sunna crossed her arms. “Because the decisions you make almost always get you in trouble. You may not like to admit it, but we’re the only friends you have…or maybe even your family.”

 

“Some family I have. At least you don’t have to deal with an evangelical psycho mom and her doormat lawyer husband.” He drank some more.

 

“Timmid had to prove herself to her siblings and parents that she could be independent. I lived in a nice foster system…”

 

“Lucky you…” Tirred rolled his eyes.

 

Sunna glared before continuing, “But I never knew my real parents. Docile then adopted me…he lost his mother and doesn’t like his dad.”

 

“Again, sob stories are not my concern,” Tirred replied, taking a sip of his drink.

 

Sunna gripped his shoulder hard with her claws and he seethed. “What your concern is, Tirred…is getting your demon-hating ass out of that chair and helping our boss find closure for that family and save the world!”

 

Tirred grumbled. “Can I at least finish my drink in peace first?”

 

Before Sunna could retort, she spotted a hunched figure at the end of the bar. The figure looked over at Sunna and Tirred, staring blankly. His brown hair was matted, chin unshaven and his nice clothing hid the emptiness in his eyes.

 

“Who’s that guy?” asked Sunna.

 

“Graham,” said the bartender. “He’s a regular. He always is depressed at something, but he doesn’t remember what it is.”

 

“Where’s my wife, where’s my wife?” he muttered to himself.

 

Sunna’s eyes widened. She inched closer. “Excuse me, sir? Do you know a woman named Cynthia?”

 

“Cynthia…” the man pondered. “Yes…that’s my wife’s name. Where is she?”

 

Sunna’s ears lowered. “She…left the hotel. She is looking for you and you daughter and you son.”

 

“Son?” Graham asked.

 

“Yes, your son, Hesperus Leonardo. Leo. He died in the water recently…”

 

“I…don’t know anyone by that name…”

 

Sunna cursed under her breath.

 

“Language,” Tirred smirked.

 

“Shut up!” she hissed.

 

Sunna looked at Graham again. “I just want to let you know, you may not remember your son but know that he is safe in Heaven and misses you very much.”

 

“Again, I don’t think I have any kids…”

 

“And your daughter! Yes, Leo’s sister. Do you know where she is?”

 

“Can’t…remember…my head aches…aches all day…”

 

Sunna waved her staff and the pain and buzz subsided. But the mysterious memory spell had done its damage. Without recollection of Leo from family and witnesses, it was like the supernatural attack had never happened.

 

“Go out and find your wife at least, she misses you…”

 

“I…don’t think I know her…but I think she was a gambler…”

 

“You know her name, right?”

 

“Cynthia, yes.”

 

“Then at least tell me your daughter’s name. Who is she?”

 

Graham chuckled. “Ah…yes…it’s starting to come back to me…that crazy lil’ bitch Eirene. All I can recollect is her staring into the water and claiming she was gettin’ it on with this Poseidon dude. Between my drinking and my wife’s gambling, she was the one on drugs. Glad they’re not in my life…imaginary people…”

 

“How…how could you say that?! They’re your family!”

 

The man turned away and mindlessly watched some football.

 

“Give it up, Sunna, he doesn’t remember.”

 

She sobbed. “It’s not fair!”

 

“Life isn’t fair. Not even life in Heaven is fair.”

 

Sunna sobbed…

 

“Everything will be fine. Just hang out with me and forget this mess…”

 

and sobbed…

 

“Kitty cat, you’ve been crying for long enough now…”

 

and sobbed some more…

 

“Are you freaking done?!”

 

...

 

An annoyed Tirred had enough. He hopped down from the chair. “Will you shut your incessant crying and let’s go?!”

 

Sunna let herself get dragged by Tirred but was able to toss some gold heaven coins to the bartender. He looked at them, puzzled.

 

Sunna immediately brightened up, smirking at Tirred.

 

Tirred narrowed his eyes. “Were you faking it the whole time?”

 

Sunna did a small grin and admitted, “I only cried for about five minutes. The rest worked like a charm.”

 

“No thank you. I hate you,” Tirred scoffed.

 

“You’re not welcome,” she retorted.

 

Sunna eventually blinked back tears. Cynthia was out in the Bahamas, penniless, searching for her son whom she would never find. And Leo’s dad, Graham, was drunk in the hotel, having completely forgotten about his lost son.

 

But perhaps there was still hope…

 

“If the mother and father won’t remember their son until they join him in their deaths, then maybe his sister still knows about Leo!”

 

“Thinking out loud again, huh?” Tirred asked. “You know she may not remember Leo, either.”

 

“But she may give us a clue as to where to find the portal. We can also let Leo know his sister is alright. We need to find her!”

 

“Shouldn’t we find Docile first?”

 

“Let’s work on that, too.”

 

Searching, searching everywhere…nowhere did anyone know of a person named Eirene.

 

They settled for a fish meal at the Poseidon café, both of them lost in the salty goodness of the seafood.

 

“I wonder how Docile and Timmid are doing on this crazy mission?” Tirred wondered.

 

0 0 0

 

 

 

Timmid and Docile, meanwhile, were having the time of their lives…while still trying to focus on their mission.

 

Timmid wadded in a pool with a gold sun design on the bottom. She waved her staff as she walked (It appeared like a stick to mortal eyes) and scanned the pool tiles.

 

“No portal here,” she called.

 

Docile popped up in a hot tub with fat hairy men relaxing. Docile flinched. “Nothing here.”

 

Timmid weaved back and forth among small tan rocks in another pool with engravings of fish, tridents, and squiggle designs. “No portal here.”

 

Docile yelled as he rode in a tube down several blue water slides. “Whoooaaa! Nothing here!!!”

 

Timmid searched through the grotto, her white hair invisible among the rushing waterfalls. “Nothing over here.” She gently lifted up a little kid who had wandered too close to the pounding waterfall crashing to the surface.

 

Timmid hummed as she slid down a slow white slide, lazy river-slide. “Nope. No portal.”

 

“AHHH!” Docile cried as he rode down a tea-green Power Tower slide in a clear inner-tube, through dark cavern tunnels and with a big flip into the water.

 

Timmid and Docile raced each other down two white slides near the Mayan temple.

 

“No portal!” they cried and laughed as they both landed into the water at the same time.

 

“Man, this is so much fun!” cried Timmid. “Sunna and Tirred are missing out!”

 

“I feel bad for the mortals,” said Docile. They have to keep putting on sunscreen and it costs them a thousand dollars just to ride he rides here!”

 

“No sunburns on me,” said Timmid, thankful of their magic.

 

They got out of the pool.

 

“Did we do all the rides?” asked Timmid. Docile looked around and grinned. “Not quite. There’s still one more.”

 

He grinned and pointed to the main attraction. “The Leap of Faith!”

 

Timmid gulped. “T-that scary fast white slide at the Mayan Temple?”

 

“Bingo!” Docile snapped his fingers.

 

“Heaven’s no!”

 

Docile put a hand on her shoulder. “You’ll be fine. It could be our chance to…”

 

“We’ll never find what we are looking for,” she said glumly.

 

“Never say never,” said Docile. “Let’s try out this ride and then we’ll search the ocean.”

 

Timmid shuddered. “I’m still not going!”

 

“I’ll go first.”

 

“Fine!”

 

They made their way up the steps of the temple, the stones in five-layer stories. They made it in the shade at the top. Mayan calendar designs decorated the top part of the walls. The water slide was very steep and incredibly fast…it came out of a stone mouth of a Mayan monster creature with four sharp teeth. A woman screeched as she sped down the slide and through an underwater glass pipe where marine life swam around it.

 

“No, no, no way!”

 

“See you at the bottom!” called Docile. Quick as lightning, he lay on his back and sped down the slide.

 

A few minutes later, she heard him in his mind: “What a wild ride! And get this, I saw a flash of light to the right in the water!”

 

“S-so?”

 

“Slow down time and see!”

 

“O-okay…”

 

Trembling, shivering, shuddering, Timmid almost backed out.

 

Call it fate…call it coincidence…or call it dumb luck…

 

…but Timmid managed to accidentally slip backwards on the white top part of the slide…

 

“Whoa!”

 

…sending her screaming through the stone mouth and down the slide.

 

She chanted a word in Enochian…

 

And time slowed to a near-stop as she sped through the underwater pipe.

 

She breathed in wonder at the ethereal sight. Swarms of fish swam around her, their scales a shimmering silver. Great white sharks prowled the water, surprisingly mellow. More colorful fish dotted the water, and the sunlight danced in the space, shining from above. There were also a few stingrays and more striped fish swaying in circles.

 

“I wish the whole ocean were peaceful like this,” she thought, but then…

 

She gasped. A flash of light caught her eye, not too far away. Docile had been right.

 

The light flickered on and off, slightly warped by the wave of the water. It was down in the deep part of the area. Timmid’s angel eyes, magically immune to the water sprays soon saw…

 

“The portal!”

 

There it was…a white glowing spiraling sphere…that appeared to be glitching. A shadowy fish figure seemed frustrated. He carried what appeared to be a deadly-looking trident, his mouth full of sharp teeth. She read his thoughts, “Stupid thing! Glitching like this! Master needs it stable! So glad I disposed of the mortal boy and erased their memories on his orders…”

 

Timmid’s eyes grew wide. Leo’s murderer had been an Atlantean alien assassin!

 

“Good riddance to this scum of a planet! With those primate mortals away or under his command, we’ll start our civilization again…”

 

“…even the gods will tremble at our might, and bend to our will, with hostage humans…”

 

Timmid’s hairs stood on end…a demonic voice was soon mixed with the figure’s thoughts…his master thinking through him…

 

Then, the figure slowly turned his shadowy head…

 

And piercing through the slowed down time…narrow yellow glowing eyes glared right at her!

 

The figure snapped his fingers…and the sharks began to stir…

 

But before she could see more, time resumed to normal speed, and she shot out into the sunlight and landed with a splash at the end of the ride.

 

She stood up, coughing and shaking her head.

 

Docile clapped his hands. “Bravo, bravo, my good friend! I knew you had some courage in you!”

 

“Sir, you were right! The flash of light you saw…it was the portal…”

 

“Alright, good work, Timmid! Let’s go rejoin the others…”

 

“Leo’s killer is an Atlantean alien! He’s trying to get his master through the portal to conquer Earth!”

 

Docile swore out loud. “Sinning hellish infernal terrors! We have to stop them!”

 

“Leo certainly was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Timmid said. “He also said about the memory spell…”

 

“ROOOOAAARRR!”

 

A horrific sight befell the duo…an enchanted growling shark leaped out of the water, its eyes a disturbing red. Its mouth open agape, nearly catching Timmid!

 

Timmid screamed as Docile closed his eyes, sending them to the other side via teleportation.

 

“What the fudge was that?!” Timmid shrieked.

 

He remembered Leo’s warning, “WATCH OUT FOR THE F**KING SHARKS!”

 

“An evil enchanted shark,” Docile replied.

 

“No spit, sir!”

 

“Oh my goddess!” Docile cried, backing up. The shadowy fish figure slowly rose into the air, his trident glowing an eerie green. Two more sharks had magically appeared in the shallow pool next to them, having been shrunk to fit the space. The smaller sharks leaped out at the duo.

 

WHACK! WHACK!

 

Several hard whacks from their staffs send the sharks flying back into the water. They stepped back further as smaller sharks crawled up the pool wall and inched toward them on the hard ground. Several blasts from their staffs fried them to dust.

 

“He certainly is good at guarding that portal,” Docile fumed, punching another shark in the face.

 

“Oh no!” Timmid cried. She spotted another shark sneaking behind an oblivious kid in the water. She teleported to the kid and lifted him out of the water just before the shark leaped toward the spot where he had been.

 

Docile glared as the shadowy bipedal fish figure rose out of the water, only his glowing eyes visible. He teleported behind him, but a swift strong force from the fish’s head blasted him away back to where he started. Docile zoomed through the air toward the fish, but the magic from the fish’s trident blasted him backward to the ground. He slowly lifted himself up.

 

“The humans don’t know what’s going on!” he cried, sensing a heavy magic energy overhead. Sure enough, the humans could not see the attacking sharks or the aquatic assassin.

 

But the spell that enabled them to see the elves…

 

“Hey, you two!” a lifeguard pointed at them. “Stop attacking those kids!”

 

Docile put his hands up. “We haven’t done anythiiiinnnggg!” He yelled and ran for his life as several men tried to grab him.

 

“Call security!” said another.

 

“Man, these mental manipulation spells are off the charts!” Docile cried, narrowly dodging another leaping shark. “He must be able to read our thoughts, too!”

 

Timmid lifted another shark with her magic, straining, before tossing it back into the water.

 

“His master must’ve seen us coming,” panted Timmid. “We have to warn the others!”

 

“You dare put these innocent humans in danger!” Docile bellowed. Another shark crunched a chair in half. Another bit at a palm tree, sending it crashing to the ground.

 

“They’re mere playthings,” garbled the warrior fish with a grin. “Perfect tools to stop anyone in Master’s way.”

 

“Look out!” cried Docile. One of the sharks was flying in the air, about to eat another child. Docile teleported toward the child, pushing her away.

 

Docile yelped in pain as the shark bit into his arm. Golden blood spilled onto the ground.

 

“Sir!” Timmid cried. She fired a powerful blast from her staff that sent the shark flying into the air.

 

Docile stumbled and nearly collapsed before Timmid steadied him.

 

“I’ll be okay, Tim,” he flinched.

 

To Timmid’s horror, a final shark leaped into the air…

 

And devoured a lounging woman near the pool with a terrible SNAP!

 

Timmid screamed. The shark hovered back into the water, red blood swirling in the pool. A few fingers and toes were all that was left, floating on the surface.

 

“You monster!” Timmid seethed.

 

The menacing shadow figure shrugged. “Lady hardly felt a thing. Prepare to be arrested, elves!”

 

He laughed evilly as more men closed in.

 

Using the last of her strength, Timmid glowed and teleported her and Docile away just before they could be captured. The spell soon ended, and the sharks returned to their normal unpossessed positions in the water.

 

The fish figure growled as he slowly sank his head back into the water.

 

0 0 0

 

Docile and Timmid appeared back in their room. Docile rested on the bed as Timmid waved her staff over his arm, wrapping it up in a white bandage.

 

“Man, this wound will take a while to heal. Even my angelic magic is only healing it dreadfully slowly.”

 

“Dark magic,” Docile muttered. “I could sense the thoughts of the sharks…it was mixed in with the thoughts of someone…evil and ancient.”

 

“An evil magician, no doubt,” said Timmid. “He knew our location and was working through his minion.”

 

“We’re running out of time to stop him. If he gets through the portal, humanity could be in grave danger.” Docile moaned and shook, sweat on his face.

 

“That’s why Leo sent us here. And there’s still Goddess C. We’ll have to wait for the others.”

 

Around an hour later, Tirred and Sunna walked into the room, exhausted.

 

Sunna gasped in horror. “Dad!”

 

She rushed to his side. “What the heaven happened?!”

 

“Docile got attacked by an enchanted shark,” Timmid somberly reported. “I know where the portal is. It’s located by the Mayan Temple waterslide.”

 

“We have to reach it!” said Sunna.

 

“It’s guarded by the aquatic assassin who killed Leo! He’s got enchanted sharks and dark magic.”

 

“How are we going to get past him?” asked Docile.

 

“There’s more,” said Tirred. “We found out that Leo’s mother is poor and searching in vain for her son on the streets.”

 

“And Leo’s drunken dad doesn’t even remember he had a son. It was from the memory spell cast shortly after Leo died.”

 

“I bet the assassin cast it,” said Docile. “He could be anywhere within the hotel.”

 

Sunna gasped. “What if he’s the one also haunting the hotel?”

 

“That’s very possible,” said Docile. “Him hating humans and all.”

 

“What are we going to do now?” asked Timmid.

 

Tirred sighed. “We have to find that insane sister of Leo’s…Eirene is her name. She might be our only hope to bring Leo closure.”

 

“We’re gonna need all the help we can get at this point,” said Sunna.

 

They watched over Docile until the sun set. They gave him food from the Poseidon Café, and he slowly perked up.

 

The sky was now black, with stars and a full moon. The hotel building lit up for those outside to see.

 

As the elves settled into sleep, Docile heard a feminine voice in his head, “The spa, the spa…”

 

He sat up. “Huh?”

 

“Everything alright, sir?” asked Timmid.

 

“I just heard this voice talk about the spa in my head.”

 

“Making things up again,” Tirred shook and his head and yawned. “The attack’s messing with his mind…”

 

“Guys,” said Docile, “I think we should check out the spa.”

 

“Why? Is there a dangerous portal there, too?” asked Tirred.

 

“I don’t know, but it could lead us to more clues. Let’s go.”

 

Sunna stretched. “I sure would love the spa! My matted fur could use a little TLC.”

 

“Is it even open?” asked Timmid.

 

“One way to find out,” said Tirred.

 

Timmid, Sunna, and Tirred were soon dressed and ready to begin their search.

 

“Good luck, guys,” said Docile. “I’ll feel much better before you know it.”

 

The other three angels made their way down the hallway. A few more lights flickered overhead.

 

“We’d better make this spa trip quick, before the ghosts come out,” Timmid whimpered.

 

“Oh, don’t be such a scaredy-elf,” Tirred rolled his eyes. “We’re spirits, too.”

 

“But not the earthbound, distressed chaotic kind,” Timmid added.

 

Sunna sniffed the air and guided them down the halls, down some stairs, and toward the indoor pools and spa.

 

“We’re here,” she said.

 

Timmid beamed. “Look! It’s Goddess Cee!”

 

The maid was busy putting the last of her cleaning supplies away. She spotted the trio.

 

“Oh, hello there, esteemed guests. What are you up to?”

 

“We’re going to the spa, Goddess Cee,” said Timmid.

 

“Docile said you guided him to tell us to come here.”

 

“Oh yes, yes, yes,” she said. She looked at the sign. “The small rooms are still open...”

 

Tirred stared straight ahead to a glass door. “We’ll take the biggest best space!”

 

Cee then ran in front of the door, blocking their way. She stuttered, “Oh my d-dear friends, I can’t let you go in there.”

 

“Why not?” asked Tirred.

 

“There is someone in there…very dangerous…you don’t want to meet them.”

 

“Who is it?” asked Sunna.

 

“One of your greatest enemies…I had to tell other people to stay away…this being always visits at night…”

 

“That assassin!” said Sunna. “He’s in there!”

 

“Or maybe it’s the hotel ghost!” said Timmid.

 

“It’s okay, Cee, we can take him on again!” Tirred said.

 

“She’s trying to protect us,” Sunna protected. “We should listen to her.”

 

“The assassin’s in there. He’s too strong,” said Cee with a worried look. “I cannot allow you to enter!”

 

“Please, Cee,” said Timmid. “Docile himself…”

 

“Probably doesn’t know what he’s talking about!” Cee barked. “For your safety…”

 

“Screw your rules!” Tirred said, shoving her aside.

 

“Tirred, what gives?! She’s a goddess!” cried Sunna.

 

“Sunna’s right! Stay away from that individual!” yelled Cee.

 

“It’s okay, we’ll take him on!” said Tirred. “Go check on Docile! We’ll be right back.”

 

The elves opened the glass tinted door and vanished.

 

But inside the spa room, no one was there.

 

Once again, E.L.F. were amazed at the incredible sight. The space gave off a peaceful atmosphere, even more so at night. Large mosaic pictures showed white lotus flowers on green lily pads and blue water. A dark green column was decorated with yellow star-like dots as a path led to showers and steam rooms. Several lounge chairs were set up by two bubbling hot tubs. Two sheets of glass lit by blue lights had water running smoothly down the panes. Towels were folded neatly like scrolls on a small shelf. In another room, slabs of salt glowed in pink light and a few extra people relaxed on a comfortable bench as meditative music played.

 

Sunna and Timmid beamed. “Oooh, I love this place already!” purred the cat.

 

“Docile’s health is at stake here,” Tirred said. “We better find that assassin and defeat him before we’re kicked out of this place!”

 

Timmid was reminded of the spell that caused the hotel staff to go after them.

 

“Maybe Docile’s led us into a trap,” Tirred scowled.

 

“Don’t be like that. He knows what he’s doing,” said Sunna, brushing her hair back.

 

“Daddy’s little cat girl,” Tirred rolled his eyes.

 

“And one spoiled fat brat,” Sunna scoffed.

 

“Quiet,” Timmid began. She picked up on distant chanting.

 

Everyone followed her into the largest space. There was a large round swimming pool surrounded by glass windows curved up into a round glass roof above. By a white Greek pillar were rock formations covered with vines, flowers, and plants.

 

“What an exquisite place!” exclaimed Sunna.

 

Timmid frowned. The chanting stopped.

 

“Again, I don’t see anyone in here.”

 

Sunna summoned her staff and waved it around the room. She gasped and froze.

 

“Guys! I see…a human over by the pool. They’re on their knees…praying to some kind of god.”

 

“There’s no one here!” Tirred mentioned.

 

“She’s under a protective invisibility spell…I think by the one she prays to.”

 

“She?” asked Tirred.

 

Sunna nodded and chanted in Enochian. The form rippled until it manifested into existence. “That means that this person must be…”

 

The young woman kneeling paused and looked around. She gasped when she saw the crew.

 

“Eirene?!” asked Sunna and Timmid.

 

The woman stood up. “W-who are you and how do you know my name?”

 

Timmid raised her hands. “It’s okay. We’re sorry to disturb you, but we’re angels.”

 

Eirene brushed off her blue jeans, teal shirt and brushed her brown straight hair. Her eyes were sea-blue, with unfathomable depths. An old psychic soul was within this woman.

 

“You don’t look like…”

 

“I know,” said Sunna. “But we’re here to tell you about your brother.”

 

Eirene looked sad. “I know what happened to Leo. Poseidon showed me scenes of his death by that horrible alien.”

 

“So, the memory spell didn’t affect you?” Tirred asked.

 

“Poseidon protected me from it and granted me invisibility so I could honor him every night.”

 

“Guess that explains why hardly anyone noticed you around here,” Timmid mentioned.

 

“You know your parents are looking for you,” Sunna added.

 

Eirene folded her arms. “Are they really?” Tears began to form. “My dad thought I was on drugs and Mom accused me of having old man fantasies. Leo was the only one who was understanding of me, even though he didn’t fully believe me.”

 

A pause.

 

“My life was ordinary, like everyone else’s. But as my psychic powers grew, I discovered a warm loving presence. I thought it was the Christian God at first. But I read Greek mythology…and I was automatically drawn to the sea god. Needless to say, I learned that I had been with Poseidon in other lives and now I’m one of his many mortal godspouses…”

 

“Godspouse?” Tirred raised an eyebrow. “Mortals can’t marry gods. You’re delusional.”

 

Sunna elbowed Tirred. “What he means…” she glared at him before looking back at Eirene, “is that surely mortals can have a deep devotion to gods, so much so that the feeling becomes mutual.”

 

Eirene brightened. “Exactly! Interestingly enough, some say my name Eirene means daughter of Poseidon. Sometimes I feel like a child student, other times like a lover…”

 

“Relationships don’t work like that!” Tirred spat.

 

“Mortal ones don’t,” Eirene explained. “But when it comes to spirits, love and devotion have no boundaries. Gods can have many wives, husbands, and mortal devotees at the same time. It’s no issue because everyone knows each other’s thoughts, and each has an equal but unique connection of unconditional love.”

 

“How beautiful,” Sunna smiled in awe.

 

“How fascinating,” Timmid added.

 

“How ridiculous,” grunted Tirred.

 

Eirene sighed wistfully. “If only my family could understand…if only I had talked to Leo more and told him how much I loved him.”

 

She sobbed and Sunna comforted her.

 

“And we’re supposed to save this lunatic?” Tirred shook his head.

 

“Are my parents okay?” Eirene asked.

 

“I’m surprised you aren’t out looking for them,” said Timmid.

 

Sunna sighed. “Your dad’s still drunk and your mom is looking outside for Leo in vain.”

 

“Leo’s…okay?” Eirene asked.

 

Sunna put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Of course he is. He sent us from Heaven to bring closure for your family.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Yeah, we’re a company in Heaven that saves lives on Earth and heals families. E.L.F.?”

 

“Never heard of you guys.”

 

Tirred scoffed. “Doesn’t matter. Our maid warned us that the assassin was in the spa somewhere. Which means we all need to get…”

 

A dark distant growl reverberated through the space.

 

“D-did you hear that?” Timmid squeaked.

 

“I heard it, alright,” Tirred sneered. “It’s the assassin Docile talked about!”

 

The four disguised angels summoned their staffs, circling protectively around Eirene.

 

Eirene froze, pressing her fingers to her temple. “Guys, I feel a powerful force is trying to communicate and enter our world.”

 

“Someone evil?” asked Tirred, suspicious.

 

“No. They claim to be a helpful goddess from Atlantis who wants to stop evil forces from entering Earth.”

 

“Goddess Cee!” said Timmid. “But…she’s our maid, she’s already here. She helped us get into the hotel…without paying.”

 

Eirene then smirked. “How sly. Guess her more pure form wants to come in and help. Also, that’s not her real name. She says her name is…”

 

A ghostly growl sounded again.

 

Timmid looked frantic. “Can you use Poseidon’s power to help bring her here? We need all the help we can get.”

 

After a moment, she nodded. “Poseidon knows about the Atlantis threat but is deciding not to directly interfere. That’s why he’s bringing this goddess in to help.”

 

“A Greek water goddess?” asked Timmid.

 

Another shake of the room.

 

“Hurry!” urged Sunna. “We’ll cover you.”

 

Eirene began to pray, and a small portal opened. “She should now be able to…”

 

The room darkened. A tense unnerving silence.

 

Then…

 

A lone light shone on a strange-looking man. He was slender with white skin, bony hands, pointed ears, a pointed nose, and a mostly bald head (Save for blonde hair on his right side and a long lock of blonde hair pointing to the right above his head. He had thick eyebrows and wore large square-shaped gold tinted sunglasses. A wore a long sleeve gray shirt with a red sleeveless shirt over it. Two thin black hairs served as a mustache.

 

“Who the heck are you?” Tirred asked.

 

“Do you believe…in ghossssts?” he hissed creepily.

 

“Uh…” Timmid paused. “Maybe?” She cleared her throat. “Me and my team go around and try to save souls…and stop any hauntings. I…assume you know about the ghost?”

 

“I am glad to see you folks,” he mused. “We’ve been having more…disturbances that are killing my guests!”

 

He glanced over at a formerly alive couple in a corner who lay dead with terrified expressions on their faces. Timmid covered a mouth with her hand.

 

“Is that so?” Tirred aimed his staff. “Enough of your tricks, assassin! You can tell your master that you’ll stop haunting this hotel and run your ass back to Atlantis!”

 

The man paused. “Atlantis? My dear one, I have never been to such a place.”

 

“He’s in the Atlantis Resort right now,” said Sunna.

 

“No! The underwater world,” Tirred spat at her.

 

“You’re not even running this hotel!” Sunna reminded him.

 

“Wherever I go, I rule,” the man hissed. “Yes, I do have a master…but he’s not from Atlantis.”

 

The man slowly turned into a shadowy tall form. The angels cowered.

 

“You could say he comes from a realm a lot more…hellish…”

 

“W-what do you want, demon?” asked Sunna.

 

“Once in a while, I travel from my old hotel, taking a break from…watching my guests…”

 

Timmid did not like the way he phrased that…

 

“…and go for a change of pace, to terrorize the rich as well and feast on their fears. And…take possession of things…when necessary…”

 

“Things?” Timmid whimpered.

 

“Or people,” Tirred seethed, gripping his staff tighter.

 

“It appears that several opening portals besides my own have created a new disturbance in the usual energies. To have supernatural entities to play with, besides humans…hehehehheh, you know I can’t resist a little fun now and again…”

 

His shadowy form descended down…

 

“And as my honored ‘guests,’ I’ll start by giving these lovely ladies…”

 

Sunna and Timmid froze, their bodies suddenly cold. They grunted and pressed their hands to their heads, screaming in protest. They slumped down, heads lowered. Eirene and Tirred inched toward them, healing hands out…

 

The man’s eyes glowed yellow, sharp teeth appearing in his mouth, “…AN HONORABLE WELCOME!”

 

Tirred and Eirene reared back as Timmid and Sunna hissed loudly at them. Their eyes were glowing yellow, and their fangs razor sharp.

 

“They’re possessed!” Tirred cried. “But…how?”

 

“Angelic magic is no match for the power of the mighty Leviathan!” Timmid rasped in a distorted voice, a mixture of hers and the mans.

 

“Leviathan…” Tirred breathed.

 

“King and Prince of Envy, haunter of human souls,” Sunna said as the man spoke through her. She leaped at Tirred who dodged her claws. “Shy depressed Lucifer would truly be envious of my greater powers, hahahaha!”

 

Tirred fired a beam of light that Sunna leaped over. “You’re the Leviathan from the Hazbin universe!”

 

The shadow man shrunk until he appeared in his human form. “Correction, I’m a possessor demon from Envy, sent to haunt as many souls as possible to bring to Hell. A glorious feast of endless fear!”

 

The man roared and the glass from the surrounding windows shattered. Tirred grabbed Eirene, pulling her to safety and shielding her from the glass shards. He was almost at the edge of the pool. Eirene glanced nervously at the portal she had made. Tirred read her thoughts: “I hope the goddess arrives soon!”

 

“But you can call me Leviathan…if that makes you sacred…”

 

Tirred backed up. Sunna and Timmid had strangely vanished. Tirred had remembered being possessed by Kiva and almost being persuaded to become an Exorcist.

 

It felt very unnerving for him to see the other side of things.

 

To make matters worse, the man slunk into the shadows.

 

“Going a bit out of your depth, aren’t you, little one?”

 

His eyes glowed yellow, his teeth grew sharp…and a ghost of a fin replaced his hair.

 

“He’s an aquatic demon, alright,” Tirred thought. “Maybe he’s the dark Atlantis master messing with us…”

 

Tirred and Eirene suddenly screamed, barely having time to move. The pool water glowed teal-white…and out leaped the possessed Sunna and Timmid, arms out, mouths open in hideous grins.

 

Timmid shoved Eirene hard to the ground. “Poseidon’s plaything, huh? You’re little Aquaman can’t save you now!”

 

“How do you know about her?” Tirred cried as he strained to push Sunna’s arms away from him.

 

“I’m primordial energy,” said Leviathan’s man. “I’ll send that pointless goddess fleeing for her life and let the Atlanteans have their fun with the mortals after I return, nice and full…”

 

“Why won’t our angelic powers work?!” Tirred wondered out loud.

 

“Because I’m official and you’re not,” the man sneered. “You’re utterly forgettable.”

 

Tirred felt sick to his stomach. He was about to rush at him in rage, knowing he probably wouldn’t survive…

 

“Ahhhh!” Eirene shrieked in sudden fear and despair.

 

“What is it?” yelled Tirred, turning toward her. He shoved Sunna to the side.

 

“It’s Leo! Oh god, look what he did to him!”

 

Leo lay face-down before her, his head severed from his body and much of the skin revealing skull bones. Eirene sobbed.

 

“What are you talking about?” Tirred asked. “I don’t see anything!”

 

Eirene suddenly curled up into a ball. “Mom? Dad?”

 

Towering figures stood over her.

 

“Your fault, Eirene!” A man’s voice.

 

“Your delusions caused his death!” A woman’s voice.

 

“Please, no! It’s not my fault! You have to listen!”

 

Bellowing bone-chilling laughter from Leviathan’s lackey sounded through the area.

 

“Poseidon doesn’t love a flawed human like you!” Her mother.

 

Her father sneered. “I’m so glad I forgot about you!”

 

Eirene screamed and screamed. “STOP, STOP IT! NOOOO!”

 

Tirred moved over to her, shaking her shoulders. “Snap out of it! It’s just an illusion. He’s feeding off your fears, can’t you see?!”

 

Timmid appeared behind him and smacked his face hard to the ground several times. Black dots danced across his vision as he yelped in pain. Golden blood shone on the concrete, despite his disguised human face.

 

The demonic man scooped up some of the golden blood with his thin fingers and licked them.

 

“Angelic blood…just as tasty as mortal and demon blood if not more so…”

 

Tirred, about to pass out, froze as Sunna and Timmid…

 

…fell through a portal into Hell.

 

He strained to stand up, his legs wobbling. “No, wait, wait!”

 

He almost fell again.

 

“You’re next, worthless whimp of a son!”

 

“Mother?!” Tirred gasped. Blau stood with her arms folded, whip in her hand.

 

Docile stood with his arms folded. “I’m ashamed of you, Tirred. You’re no worthy colleague.”

 

Tirred soon shuddered in horror, crying tears as he watched hellish flames slowly burn the flesh off of Timmid, and Sunna…

 

Docile’s face morphing into that of a sneering red demon with horns and bleeding pitch black eyes…

 

...and his mother pushing him toward the flames…

 

Tirred cried out and closed his eyes. “This is not happening…THIS IS NOT HAPPENING! NOT REAL, NOT REAL…”

 

“Shut it, scum!”

 

A crack of the whip against his face from his mother sent him sobbing again.

 

He stared at the charred faces of his friends…

 

“You’re okay, you’re okay…I love you guys…I truly do…”

 

He turned to his mother. “T-there is no point in trying to please you…I’m done…I’m so fucking done!”

 

Blau screamed in rage and pushed him through the portal. Tirred screamed as the smell of burning flesh assaulted his nostrils and the imaginary screams pummeled his ears. Tirred closed his eyes, praying for God to take him…he could die as a hero, final proof that he cared for his friends more than money or vengeance or recognition…

 

All he could do was relax through the agony and wait for it to…

 

…

 

…

 

Tirred groaned, slowly opening his eyes. Sunna and Timmid stood like statues over him.

 

“A fine delicious soul for master Leviathan,” Timmid and Sunna spoke in distorted monotone voices.

 

Tirred sputtered. “Timmid…it’s me…it’s me…wake up…please…”

 

Timmid shook a bit, glared at Tirred.

 

The man clapped his hands, “Bravo, bravo! Finish them off and head to the portal!”

 

Timmid leaned down, hands gripping Tirred’s throat, hard.

 

“Stop…stop, Tim…I love you…fight it, fight it!”

 

Tirred gasped eyes bulging, fighting her in vain, never feeling so weak in his life.

 

Eirene backed away as white maggots and leeches slithered after her. She scooted away on her knees backwards as fast as she could.

 

She shrieked as they crawled on her legs and arms.

 

The man leered over her, licking his lips. “Give in to the ice-cold depths of your doom!”

 

“I-I’m not afraid of you, old man! By the glory of Poseidon, I demand you to leave me alone!”

 

“Foolish girl!”

 

He extended a clawed hand toward her, Eirene bracing for the worst…

 

And then like an idiot, she slipped backwards into a nearby hot tub. She felt a magical shove from the man, pushing her toward the bottom.

 

“Drown little human. Your friends will meet you soon enough…”

 

Bubbles clouded her vision, flooded her mouth, and she held her breath as long as she could. Boy was the water hot!

 

When she couldn’t take it anymore, she broke the surface, gasping for breath. Her heavy wet clothing made her grunt with effort as she stepped out of the tub.

 

She looked around… and surprisingly the maggots and leeches were gone.

 

She gasped. “The angel was right, it was just an illusion. How did I break free?”

 

Give in to the ice-cold depths…

 

Ice-cold…

 

Eirene slowly turned toward a lone white bucket sitting by the poolside. She picked up the bucket and scooped up some hot water into it. She carefully carried it back out to the main pool area.

 

She shuddered as Timmid was about to choke the life out of Tirred. Leviathan was inching toward the goddess portal…

 

“I pray to Poseidon this works…”

 

Racing as fast as she could, she dashed toward Timmid and Sunna…and dowsed the hot water onto their faces. Both of them shrieked and leaned their bodies and heads backwards…

 

…but then their eyes glowed yellow again and they both grinned, leaning forward.

 

Leviathan’s man manifested behind her, letting out a chilling laugh. “Nice try, mortal. But my spell can only be broken right away by one who’s like me! And there’s no one…”

 

The man froze as waves of light flowed from the open portal. The light formed into a serpentine shape.

 

Cold water flowed around the man, and he turned around. “What’s that?”

 

Hot water flowed around the dragon of light, feminine in shape. With a splash the speed of light, the being sprayed Leviathan right in the face. He let out a thunderous shriek and he flew backwards as he hovered in shadow in the air. “IT BURNS!”

 

The water dragon sprayed water from her mouth, splashing Timmid, Tirred, and Sunna. Sunna shook her head. “Huh?”

 

Timmid gasped as she let go of Tirred’s throat. “Tir!” she cried. She and Tirred embraced, both sobbing.

 

“NOOO!” hissed Leviathan’s lackey.

 

“Head back to your hotel,” spoke the being…”and do not enter this space again.”

 

The Leviathan man recovered, fumed for a few moments, then did a slow sly grin. “Oh, very well. It’s about time I head back to my lair…in the human world that is. I’ve got some little imps to…play with…”

 

He gave the angels and Eirene one last leer. “Either from me or Atlantis or the wrath of the gods, your puny little planet will meet its…watery grave…”

 

He shrieked with demonic laughter before disappearing into a black shadowy portal. The portal closed and all was quiet. The lights came back on.

 

0 0 0

 

 

 

Eirene and the E.L.F. members were soon washed in healing light pouring over their heads.

 

“Cee was right about there being someone dangerous in the spa,” breathed Sunna.

 

“But she said it was the assassin…and it was much worse,” said Tirred. “She lied to us.”

 

“She did help us get to Eirene,” Sunna mentioned. “If we hadn’t been there when Leviathan attacked…”

 

“Leviathan’s minion,” corrected Timmid.

 

“Close enough!”

 

Timmid paused, her staff glowing. “I have a feeling that even Cee didn’t know about the Leviathan.”

 

The water dragon shifted and spoke, “Welcome, Eirene and E.L.F.”

 

“The goddess?!” asked Timmid.

 

The water dragon of light swirled over to a spot, spinning and morphing into a tall slender woman.

 

A woman who looked very much human, but with a spiritual air about her.

 

“She’s most definitely a spirit!” exclaimed Sunna.

 

She stood tall and regal, white skin, flowing long dirty blonde hair and wore a tank top, revealing her slender arms. A unique feature of her, besides her piercing wise gaze, were two bird/angel feathers on each side of her head. She also glowed with ethereal light.

 

Her voice swept over them like a calming sea.

 

“I am Cadenia, once a mortal human, now a divine spirit…a goddess by your standards. Yes, I am the ‘Goddess Cee’ that helped your elf gang enter this hotel.”

 

“We are eternally grateful,” said Timmid with a bow. “How did you know about us?”

 

Cadenia’s eyes gleamed. “When I saw Leo get killed from the assassin, I knew the heaven where he would go to. Knowing about your duties to save mortals and bring closure to families, I guided Leo to your office.”

 

“That explains everything,” said Tirred. “But why him specifically at that moment?”

 

Cadenia began, “I am from the same Atlantean world as the dark mage and assassin you try to defeat. I witnessed the portal open and know of the mage’s plan.”

 

She waved her hand over the portal.

 

“I lived in Atlantis in ancient times…”

 

Through the portal, everyone could catch a glimpse of the marvelous world. Glowing crystal towers, magic schools, beings in white robes and Greek-style attire happily practicing spells by a golden Poseidon statue and a golden Amphitrite statue. Children singing songs in Atlantean about the energy of all things, the elements, and peace. Several people manipulating water into artistic shapes. Warriors carrying tridents and riding on dolphins. Several magic groups used glowing crystals to harness solar energy, communicate with aliens, and even to time travel.

 

“This is what it looks like now,” said Cadenia.

 

The scene shifted and all that was left were ruins of the once great city. People could still use crystals and magic, but now many had moved on to other civilizations. The mage was furious that all his technology was eventually ruined.

 

“I, too, was well-versed in magic and psychic powers like my people. We used our energy and powers for the greater good. But some, like the mage, became consumed with greed.”

 

“The mage…who is he?” asked Timmid.

 

“Malevolent Mage Murkus. His shapeshifting assassin is Phiranan.”

 

“Bizarre names,” remarked Tirred.

 

“Many of us used crystals for healing and storing vast amounts of divine knowledge like computers of energy. Murkus specialized in harnessing crystals for teleportation and travel. He used them to make portals…but he exploited resources from other worlds and even made dark bargains with reptilian alien beings not welcome in our harmonious world.”

 

“How did Atlantis fall?” asked Timmid.

 

“A combination of factors: a flood, misuse of technology, alien wars and the like. In my life, I connected with the life forms of aquatic animals…I became so potent at my purpose…”

 

A pause…

 

 “…that I eventually followed the will of Lord Leviathan…”

 

Eirene and the E.L.F. members gasped out loud. Timmid could see the lobby mosaic painting of the man with a trident fighting a green sea monster in her mind.

 

“WHAT?!” bellowed Tirred, fists clenched. “You work for the monster, too?!”

 

“But aren’t you trying to help us?” Sunna asked.

 

“I am helping you at this very moment,” Cadenia explained. “The Leviathan you saw is a demonic entity from Hazbin Hell. I am an ambassador for the primordial divine often genderless version from my Atlantean world. My Leviathan is a fathomless force representative of mother nature and the gods themselves.”

 

“Leviathan, the sea serpent carried great wisdom from Atlantis and civilizations further past. Many modern people would view him…or her as a monster…but to many of my people, he was a loving, protective and powerful mentor for our very souls, just like the ancient gods and goddesses you’ve heard of. It wasn’t long before Murkus and many others became influenced by the dark alien beings. They imbedded their dark energy into our technology, resulting in mind control devices, Artificial Intelligence, animal-human hybrid experiments and DNA altering that divided people based on their magic abilities. Those who were born part animal were treated no better than slaves. And those without psychic abilities were treated as foreign outcasts, like how many people with disabilities are treated today.”

 

“That’s insanity!” cried Sunna.

 

“So is your world, today,” she retorted. “The influence of the dark forces posed a great risk to our civilization. So much so that even the gods began to worry.”

 

She sighed, choking a bit. “One fateful day, me and a group of priests and priestesses were tasked with unleashing the watery wrath of Leviathan onto the wrongdoers of Atlantis. It broke my heart to see the fear and destruction all around me…water breaking buildings and consuming all in its wake…it was a grave and somber duty…but it had to be done…I could feel it was a destiny point in my soul’s plan. After my death, I reviewed my life and fully understood the complexity of service to the greater good. Due to my noble services to the gods, Leviathan initiated me, and I became one of many evolved light beings who still guide mortal beings to this day.”

 

“I was not the one who destroyed Atlantis…I was merely the messenger of death, sent to warn the others of their misdeeds. Murkus, of course, saw fit to blame me for the destruction. He was not happy that his technology was ruined, and his evil contacts lost. In his twisted mind, he sought revenge…to rule over and harm the beings that the gods and my people mentored: humans.”

 

“Yikes,” murmured Timmid.

 

“Since he couldn’t communicate with his evil dealers in our world, he sought another world to exert his influence. With him beginning to influence people, it wouldn’t be long before reptilian aliens could begin doing the same…”

 

“Illuminati, much?” Tirred asked.

 

“In human terms, yes,” she said. “I was soon lost to the tides of history…but everyone knows that energy never dies, it only transforms. Murkus was able to create a portal with his magic and sent his assassin to search the area. How ironic and somewhat fitting he would choose the Atlantis Resort as the first place for him to dominate.”

 

“All the more reason he must be stopped,” pressed Eirene. “Does he have an army?”

 

“Thankfully no,” said Cadenia, turning to Tirred. “But his magic alone makes up for the lack. I figure that the higher ups in your Heaven will not directly interfere with matters not connected to Hell and Heaven. Thus, E.L.F., we need your help. For the sake of humanity’s safety, for the sake of Atlantis sharing its story and clearing its name in modern eyes…”

 

“And for, you know, our client Leo, the reason we came here in the first place,” Tirred muttered.

 

“Yes, him too. Now, where’s your boss, Docile?”

 

Timmid, Tirred, and Sunna froze.

 

“Oh, I do hope he’s alright!” Sunna cried. “Hurry, let’s head back!”

 

The group rushed back down the hall as fast as they could. The maid stood worried by the door.

 

“Come quick,” Cee said. She pushed open the door…

 

And there lay Docile on the bed, sicker than he was before. His face was blue and he was foaming at the mouth.

 

“What happened?!” cried Sunna, rushing over to him.

 

“I-I came in here to check on Docile,” said Cee, “and I noticed these bite marks on his arm.”

 

“Shark bites,” said Sunna.

 

“I think those bites are infected or venomous.”

 

“He’s poisoned?!” cried Timmid. “Oh no!”

 

Sunna steadied him and waved her staff over his head.

 

“My angelic light is not doing a thing!” she cried. “What could be so powerful as to interfere with my healing?”

 

“Did you have anything else to eat or drink?” asked Sunna.

 

“N-No,” groaned Docile. “Just a glass of water.”

 

“What can we do now?” Sunna whimpered. “Cadenia…do something…please…”

 

Cadenia tried healing him as well. “My magic is also very slow.” She closed her eyes and appeared worried. “Docile has indeed ingested a deadly poison…a poison invisible to the eyes and undetectable to the nose, mixed in with water. The only ones who know of such advanced water magic would be…an Atlantean.”

 

Tirred looked worried. “You don’t think…”

 

“Think what?” asked Sunna.

 

“That Cadenia herself poisoned him?”

 

Sunna looked shocked. “Don’t be an idiot, Tirred! Cadenia wasn’t even with us.”

 

“So? She’s still an alien spirit from another world. How do we know she’s secretly not working for the mage?”

 

Sunna folded her arms. “She healed us and sent the evil possessor demon away! You need to stop being suspicious of everyone you see!”

 

“Oh, I’m suspicious of everyone here! Cadenia ‘conveniently’ letting us into the hotel, Cadenia possessing Cee the maid to let our guard down…”

 

“I guess I can see why she didn’t let us into the spa room…”

 

“But who poisoned Docile?” asked Sunna. “The poison didn’t come out of nowhere.”

 

…

 

…

 

…

 

Sunna shuddered. “Uh guys…”

 

“Yeah?” asked Tirred.

 

“Remember when you told Cee to look after Docile?”

 

“Yes…”

 

“W-why wasn’t he poisoned before? And Cee,” Sunna asked her, “The goddess worked through you! Why didn’t you let us know about his condition earlier?”

 

Cadenia looked confused. “I have not possessed anyone in the hotel this entire time. And I have never taken the form of a maid.”

 

“What?!” Eirene and the others asked.

 

“So that means…” Docile began…raising a shuddering finger… “If Cee’s not the goddess…then who is…”

 

Everyone turned to look at the stunned maid.

 

…

 

“WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU?!” bellowed Sunna, adding to her thoughts, “Let’s find out!” Quicker than light, Sunna pounced onto the maid and scratched her cheek, barely giving her time to react. She remained frozen and unfazed…Sunna soon found herself flying backwards onto the floor. The scratch on Cee’s cheek healed instantly.

 

“No human reacts that way!” Tirred cried. “It’s supernatural magic!”

 

The maid put up her hands, “I’m so sorry…”

 

“Drop the act!” cried Sunna, her voice breaking. “Did you poison my dad or not?!”

 

“I…” Docile began. “I did feel sick not long after she gave me some water…”

 

“Y-you have no proof,” Cee cried.

 

Cadenia walked over and pulled out a small black bottle from the maid’s apron pockets. She examined an alchemical symbol representing Murkus and dark magic. She poured the last drop onto a nearby ant, and it disintegrated.

 

“There’s your proof,” she declared. She leaned into Cee… “Imposter! Tell us who you really are and give us the antidote!”

 

Cee spoke telepathically to her: “Only if you let my master into your world and stabilize the portal for him!”

 

“Never! Wait…”

 

Cadenia pointed to Cee. “He’s the assassin! Phiranan!”

 

“And you all are running out of time,” he hissed, grinning an abnormal grin of sharp teeth.

 

“Why are you possessing an innocent maid?!” asked Timmid. “Why do all those horrible things?”

 

“Only to try and stop you freaks from reaching that wench!” he pointed at Eirene. “Her connection to her brother could’ve led you to close the portal and stand in the way of my plan. How easy it was to pretend to be your ‘Goddess C,’ after I saw that Cadenia let you elves in!”

 

“So…you weren’t trying to save us!” Sunna declared.

 

“You attacked me and Docile with the sharks!” said Timmid. “And poisoned Docile!”

 

“And cast the memory spell in the hotel that ruined my family’s lives!” Eirene sobbed.

 

“You knew about Hazbin Leviathan!” cried Sunna.

 

“Yes, yes, yes, yes…no,” he said. Cee’s maid form melted away. “I am no maid…”

 

“…I am your worst nightmare!”

 

A puddle of his human disguise remained under his webbed feet. His skin was an icky scaly brown, his eyes glowing large and yellow. His nose was two slit nostrils and had fins for ears. He wore black scaly armor, and his trident was kept at his side. He had rows of sharp teeth and had six long fingers on each hand and four large toes on each foot. His thin tail behind him had sharp spines on it, reminding Timmid of a scorpion.

 

Sunna almost retched. “God, he smells like rotten fish eggs!”

 

“You have two hours to let my master through…or your precious angel leader is…fed to the fishes! Only my master knows the antidote!”

 

“What if we kill you instead?!” Tirred bellowed.

 

Phiranan just chuckled. “Still not tellin’.”

 

Tirred began to choke him…and nearly got whacked by his poisonous long tail. Tirred leaped out of the way just in time. Docile gasped for breath, his body convulsing.

 

“Hurry, hurry,” the fish snickered. Before he vanished to his master, he added, “Oh, you fighting another Leviathan was quite unexpected. I’ll be sure to let master know that another heinous beast is in need of destruction!”

 

“He hates both Leviathans!” declared Sunna after he vanished.

 

“E.L.F., I have to let him through…”

 

Sunna frowned, ears lowered. “No, Cadenia, there has to be…”

 

“There is another way,” she said. She cast a spell that briefly covered the room white…preventing her telepathic thoughts from reaching unwanted minds. “Letting him through the portal will allow me easier access to his lair. It may take a while for me to fight off his guards. The lair is where he keeps the antidote. I will go back to our Atlantis world, grab it and heal your friend. You’ll have to fight off the mage, the assassin and the sharks.”

 

“Great,” sighed Timmid.

 

“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” she said. “Tirred and Timmid, you’ll be fighting off the sharks and the assassin…I’ll take care of the mage after I heal Docile. Sunna, you make sure all the people stay safe.”

 

Sunna nodded.

 

“And Eirene,” said Cadenia.

 

“Yes, miss?” she asked, briefly unsure.

 

Cadenia smiled warmly. “Keep praying to Poseidon.”

 

Eirene smiled, happy to have someone believe in her.

 

 

0 0 0

 

With a heavy heart, Cadenia waved her hand, standing by the portal. The portal glowed and stabilized. Pretending to be frightened, and screening her thoughts, Cadenia backed away when she saw Phiranan swim through with trident in hand and a pair of demonic red eyes glowing behind him.

 

“Ha! Run away, fake goddess!” mused a mocking dark voice in thought, “The mortals you love will soon be mine!”

 

Cadenia then glanced one last time at E.L.F. and Eirene. “Good luck. I’ll be back as soon as I can,” before vanishing back into her world.

 

Thanks to Cadenia’s magic, the angels were able to breathe underwater. Back in the hotel room where Docile began to fade, Eirene set up an altar and prayed to Poseidon and Amphitrite. Small blue candles flickered near a bowl of water, incense, a Poseidon statue, horse figures, and some seashells.

 

“Oh! I almost forgot! Lady Hestia of the hearth and home, the first and last, I thank you for food, shelter, and comfort. I request your permission to call upon my beloved patron god Poseidon…”

 

 

 

Phiranan arrived and hovered in the air, trident glowing menacingly. The sharks hovered in the air, eyes glowing and teeth bared. Timmid, Tirred and Sunna posed with their staffs at the ready.

 

Then they all shuddered with terror as Mage Murkus entered into the human world. He manifested as a moving shadow and flew upward toward the very top of the hotel. With a wave of his hand, a black throne manifested out of thin air, hovering dangerously over the hotel. Severla people glanced upward at the strange sight.

 

“Mortals!” Murkus bellowed out loud and through the minds of everyone around him. “Here you live your lives with your infantile technology, oblivious to the gods that run the universes. You even refuse to believe in other alien races…”

 

He shifted from shadow to sinister sentience: ocean-blue skin, red eyes, sharp teeth, ears fin-like. He wore a ceremonial robe made of shadow, shark teeth decorating the upper collar of his outfit. He wore a dark crown with two metal wings on either side, and a black trident shape in the center of the crown laden with three black pearls. His hair was long and black with a few gold bands on the ends. His throne was black marble.

 

“…well your comfortable restricted world is coming to a close. I, the Magnificent Murkus shall change this world to my liking…to reflect the true glory of Atlantis and refurbish the long-lost structures and technology once destroyed…”

 

Holographic images of pristine Atlantis crystal buildings flickered and shifted before him and the human audience.

 

Murkus shrugged. “I could easily manifest a whole city by myself…but…where’s the fun in that? I’ve been outed by the people in my world, but in this one…”

 

With effort, he manifested a large white pyramid-like crystal and set it in front of the hotel.

 

“…I can relive my former days of prosperity, richness, and trade. That’s where you come in!”

 

“This is not good,” thought Timmid.

 

“Accept me as your new ruler, help me rebuild my city and technology…and you’ll get to bask in the splendor of a civilization you once thought was a myth!”

 

“Work without pay?” called a man.

 

“Depends how loyal you are to me.”

 

“Okay, I’m in!” cried the man while several other people yelled “No!” to him at the same time.

 

“Get out of our world, fishface!” booed more humans down below. “And stay off of the hotel!”

 

Murkus shrugged. “Or, you know, you could die…”

 

He snapped his fingers and two of the hovering sharks flew forward and snapped the group of people to pieces. Screams, bone and blood flashed before Timmid’s eyes.

 

“H-how could he?!” she sobbed.

 

Murkus chuckled. He sent more sharks out to terrorize the people.

 

“Master,” hissed Phiranana, “Wouldn’t it be easier to just stay invisible to the humans? Take over in disguise?”

 

“That would take too long,” Murkus said, then grinned evilly, “Besides, I like to see my future subjects fear me early!”

 

Tirred yelled in anger and raced forward…and was promptly knocked back by a slap from a flying shark.

 

Phiranan seethed as he turned around. “It’s those elves!”

 

“Well, take care of them,” Murkus waved a hand. “I’ve got some world-building to do.”

 

After a few moments of using his magic, a beam of white light shot up from the pyramid. The pyramid was guarded by more sharks.

 

“Oh no!” Sunna cried. “He’s inviting the evil aliens over to Earth!”

 

“Timmid, you and I to the pyramid! Sunna, the people!”

 

“Got it!” Sunna said, teleporting to two people on a path. She waved her staff and sent a charging shark into the air. She leaped to the right and pushed a woman away from a falling piece of debris. Murkus laughed as he blasted nearby buildings with fireballs from his hand.

 

“Come on, Cadenia,” prayed Sunna.

 

Timmid and Tirred were able to blast several sharks away, causing gory explosions. Tirred’s blast against the pyramid had no effect.

 

“That bastard keeps manifesting more!” Tirred yelled, pointing to Phiranan forming more beasts using his trident.

 

Tirred and Timmid shared a look, then flew head-first toward his weapon.

 

“Oh no you don’t, worms!” Phiranan seethed, knocking both of them back, hard with his weapon.

 

“Look out!” Tirred warned as Timmid flew upward…she had almost been eaten.

 

Phiranan anticipated their every move as Tirred and Timmid teleported around him, launching various kicks, punches and telekinetic blasts. He blocked Tirred’s punches and kicked Timmid hard in the gut several times. He spun Tirred around, sending him crashing below…thankfully into a pool. Down below, Sunna was busy trying to heal several injured humans…but she was also getting exhausted.

 

“The great made-up E.L.F. outnumbered!” chuckled Phiranan. “You should’ve surrendered when you first caught a glimpse…”

 

In the blink of an eye, Phiranan caught the fist of a teleporting Tirred and slammed him into a palm tree trunk. “…of my master.”

 

“He got me…during his monologuing…” Tirred groaned, sliding down the trunk. Sunna caught him just in time.

 

Phiranan banged his trident, breaking the glass of many windows of the hotel at the same time. Sunna flew forward and rescued more humans, though got badly cut in the process.

 

“Ow, ow, this hurts…”

 

She collapsed onto the grass.

 

“So much for the cut-up kitty cat,” Phiranan leered. “Now what to do with you…”

 

Tirred spoke to Timmid in her head, “His psychic attacks are too fast even for us!”

 

Timmid sliced more sharks in half with her staff, straining to get another shark’s teeth off her weapon. “Heeellllpp!” she cried as she watched helplessly at more mortals running for their lives from Murkus’ fishy forces. One unlucky man was skewered when Murkus manifested a blue crystal from out of the ground.

 

“My incredible diabolical Reptilian allies,” boomed Murkus, hands raised, “…come forward to this Earth world…follow me from the past and into my incredible future…for these humans will soon be yours to feast on…and this land shall be mine to rule…!”

 

“Transmission received” and a reptilian face with greedy dark eyes confirmed its presence in the evil mage’s mind.

 

An out-stretched glowing hand strained through the open portal.

 

“Sunna!”

 

Sunna weakly moved forward. She saw Cadenia straining against Murkus’ elite guard holding her back in her world. “Take this to your boss! Hurry!”

 

Wasting no time, Sunna grabbed the diamond-shaped vial and screamed in pain as she flew back to the room. She crashed through the window, thankfully clutching the vial safely in her hands. It was full of blue liquid with traces of shimmering light.

 

“I’ll break that!” Phiranan sneered, appearing in front of Sunna, blocking her way to Docile…who appeared deathly still. The fish reached for the vial with his hideous elongated fingers. Sunna tossed it to Eirene, who stumbled to grab it. She opened it and held it over the disguised elf…

 

Then gasped and coughed as Phirianan’s trident struck through her stomach…

 

“NOOO!” Sunna cried in shock.

 

“Poseidon…forgive me…” she rasped…just before she took her last breath, she leaned the open vial over Docile’s face, allowing the liquid to fall. Sunna pried open his mouth and it fell inside.

 

“Foolish female,” Phiranan scoffed as he retracted his blood-stained trident, allowing Eirene’s body to fall with a thud. “Thinking her praying would help you guys in this fight.”

 

Sunna spotted Docile stirring…thankfully alive!

 

Thinking quickly, she shoved Phirianan away from Docile and into the window where the marine animals danced and swayed in their tank. Phiranan sent Sunna away with a blast of magic, her crashing against the wall.

 

The assassin waved his hand, and the tank glass broke, spilling a gush of water and fish into the room. Sunna coughed as water splashed into her face. She held onto Docile for dear life, guiding him away from floating furniture and the ruined altar. Both angels wailed in agony as Phiranan hovered in the air and shot electrocuting blasts of green lightning into the water.

 

Sunna and Docile were unconscious within moments.

 

“Now for my finest feast!” Phiranan spoke with malicious glee, licking his lips and hovering over their unconscious forms. He raised his trident to deliver the final blow…

 

CRUNCH!

 

Phiranan soon found himself being torn to pieces and devoured by none other than a shark.

 

Not one of his own magical possessed sharks.

 

Just a regular shark looking for regular fish to eat.

 

Satisfied, the shark glanced around and went off on its way.

 

A shimmering blue light appeared in the room, taking the form of a figure driving a chariot. Sunna and Docile were magically lifted up into the air and the spirit moved through the walls of the room. Sunna and Docile were set on the ground and Cadenia pushed herself the rest of the way through the portal.

 

She glanced up at the angelic spirit in awe. “I don’t believe it…”

 

Murkus turned around. “What the…”

 

The spirit shot a blast of light from a golden trident, causing dark cracks to rapidly spread over the pyramid.

 

“NO! Not my communication device!”

 

Murkus and the remaining sharks were soon blasted away as the pyramid exploded into many pieces.

 

Cadenia teleported the hotel building several inches away…just before Murkus’ giant manifested throne came crashing down into the very spot it used to be on. Cadenia, too, collapsed from the effort.

 

Many people huddled together, terrified at the death and destruction around them. Timmid lay face-down on the grass, her right arm severed and laying next to her.

 

The savior spirit manifested into a watery shape that soon took the form of…

 

Poseidon and his wife Amphitrite in a chariot drawn by four giant green flying seahorses. Poseidon stood regal and strong, with muscles and tan skin. His beard was thick and black as was his hair. His eyes were sea-blue, and his golden trident hummed with great power. He wore green-blue armor made of tough scales. Beside him was his beautiful wife, who wore a teal silk dress with scale armor underneath. Her hair was long and black, flowing like silk in water. Her skin was beautiful and white. Both wore crowns on their heads studded with pearls, gems, and seashells.

 

Amphitrite waved her hand, and the traumatic scenes were wiped away from all the memories of the nearby mortals. A group of watery spirits helped repair the buildings and move the hotel back to its original spot. The windows were repaired, and the black throne was destroyed by Poseidon’s blast.

 

With the last of her strength (with Amphitrite’s assistance), Cadenia uttered a spell…and a watery sea serpent manifested to her will. Huge walls of water rose up from the ocean, finishing off the remaining sharks.

 

“I am worthy of the gods’ power!” Murkus bellowed. “I will restore Atlantis to it’s glory…curse you all…!” His words were forever silenced by a dark devouring death from the jaws of Cadenia’s Leviathan being.

 

The sea serpent raised its mighty green/blue scaly head and shook glowing white streams of water down below. The wounds of E.L.F. and mortal alike slowly began to heal. Timmid’s arm slowly reattached to her body. Leviathan slowly lifted Cadenia onto his back.

 

“Great work, E.L.F.,” she telepathically told them. “Thank you for saving us.” She and her mentor vanished back through the portal to her world.

 

Amphitrite looked sadly at the scene. “Not everyone was saved.” She spotted a sea of new souls rising to the astral world, Eirene among them. Poseidon glanced at the pyramid. “It’s only a matter of time before the dark aliens arrive on Earth. Though the battle against Murkus was won, Humanity may lose a greater war ahead…”

 

 

0 0 0

 

E.L.F. arrived back to Heaven, thanks to a portal created by Amphitrite. After a few days of recovering, Leo burst into the room with a happy look.

 

“E.L.F. you exceeded my expectations!”

 

Docile glanced at him sadly… “We…failed. Your sister was killed in battle. We all nearly died ourselves…and your parents still don’t know…”

 

Eirene and Leo embraced in a spiritual hug. “Sis,” Leo choked. “I’m so sorry for not believing in you…if only I…”

 

Eirene pressed a finger to his etheric lips. “It’s all done. Thanka to you, E.L.F. and Poseidon…we have found closure at last.”

 

0 0 0

 

Back on Earth, a semi-sober father and a super-somber mother lay respectively on a hotel bed and on a patch of grass. They slept unusually deep that night. Leo’s kind face appeared to his mother as she dreamed of being on the beach.

 

“Eirene and I are happy and whole again,” Leo spoke to her.

 

Cynthia flew in her dream and tearfully hugged her son and daughter.

 

“I’m so sorry…I searched everywhere for you Leo…and Eirene…oh god…I neglected you, left you to wander around…”

 

“It’s okay, mom,” Eirene said. “I completed my mission to honor Poseidon while on Earth. But more people need to know Atlantis’ true history.”

 

“But…I’m homeless now…with no money…”

 

“Start small,” advised Leo. “You may have to do some menial tasks for a while, but someone will notice your talents and give you a stable life…you just have to invest wisely.”

 

Cynthia smiled, hopeful. “I always did love sewing and fashion.”

 

“We’ll help you get noticed by the right people,” said Leo. “Just take the first steps.”

 

Cynthia cried. “But I won’t see yo when I wake up again…”

 

Eirene hugged her. “We’ll always be with you…and we’ll be here to welcome you back.”

 

Cynthia sighed peacefully and woke up with stars in her eyes, a new determined look on her face.

 

Graham had brief fits of nightmares until Leio’s kind presence made them cease.

 

“My son…” he began, as he met with Leo back in his childhood home. “I almost destroyed myself…I drank so much that I forgot who you were. And Eirene…” He could barely look at her.

 

“I forgive you, Dad,” she said, tears in her eyes. “I completed my soul mission and now I can help you and mom from the spirit side.”

 

“I don’t think I can ever get over this addiction…”

 

“You have to try,” said Leo. “Take it one step at a time. Whenever you reach for that bottle in a depressed state, imagine us by your side, talking you out of it.”

 

“How? You guys aren’t real…”

 

“Your waking life is not real at the moment,” Eirene mentioned. “Only the present moment is always real.”

 

Graham hung his head. “And to think I called you crazy…and thought you were on drugs…”

 

Eirene hugged him. “Now you understand the lessons you learned. Love is never lost. Leo and I will be here to welcome you back.”

 

“Go find mom,” urged Leo.

 

Graham woke up…the memory fog gone…

 

…and a special gold pendant on his desk that had not been there before.

 

He finally remembered his son and all that had happened.

 

And he somehow knew where to find Cynthia. When the couple reunited on the street as the sun set, they did not say a word.

 

For when Graham showed her the pendant…the beautiful gold pendant with the Leo astrological symbol on it…they knew who had reunited them together.

 

For when they hugged and embraced in tears, grateful to be alive and restored to normal, they could feel the invisible presence of their children smiling down on them.

 

0 0 0

 

E.L.F. were tired but satisfied, now back to their normal angel elf and cat forms. They had persevered through one of their biggest missions yet. Their staffs were taken in for repairs by angelic spellcasters in flowing white robes.

 

Leo and Eirene thanked them again and wished them a speedy recovery.

 

Leo smiled as he stood with a group of teens from different time periods who used to be alive on Earth. One wore bell-bottom pants and a short shirt, another wore a suit and top-hat, and a third posed in torn jeans, a leather jacket and tattoos of gang symbols.

 

“I’m off to mentor my new friends,” he said. “They suffered various addictions on Earth, and I’ll be leading them to help humans with similar problems on Earth.”

 

“How wonderful!” called Timmid. “Good luck!”

 

Docile looked at Erene. “What are you going to do?”

 

Eirene smiled as she bowed at Poseidon’s feet. She smiled as Poseidon draped her in a glowing white priestess robe and put a small, jeweled ring on her finger.

 

“I already know my destiny.”

 

“Thank you Eirene, for your devotion to me and dedication to preserving Greek and Atlantean history. Without you calling on us, E.L.F. wouldn’t have made it. Your previous lifetime on Earth is complete, and now is the time for your next stage. With great honor, I pronounce you one of my many priestesses and one of my many spouses.”

 

Their souls merged briefly as one with divine ecstasy and memories blurred together.

 

“Am I the only one tripping here?” Tirred groaned from his bed.

 

“Thank you, E.L.F.” said Eirene, now priestess and godspouse to Poseidon. “Perhaps we may meet again in Heaven, or in another life.”

 

“We don’t incarnate,” Tirred mentioned.

 

Eirene paused. “Oh…oops, sorry. I’m so used to talking to incarnating human and animal souls since they are the most popular subjects of focus in the spirit world and…”

 

Tirred waved a hand, “Yeah, whatever.”

 

“I wish you all the best,” Docile said. He winked, “And remember, if you want humans to be fine, call us from Cloud Nine.”

 

Poseidon took Eirene’s hand and sat her between him and Amphitrite. In a flash, the trio rode off on the seahorse chariot and vanished.

 

Docile eventually stretched. “Well, great work team, and congratulations on surviving.”

 

The other three groaned.

 

“Once you guys get healed up, we may as well get started on some overdue paperwork…”

 

They groaned some more.

 

“And then we’ll all take a real vacation for a while.”

 

They began to groan until they paused in thought.

 

“Oh? You mean like a place with no mission, life-saving strings attached?” asked Tirred.

 

“Yep,” said Docile.

 

“Egypt, please,” said Sunna. “They’ll love me there.”

 

“I’d be up for Ireland,” Timmid suggested. “Or Greece. Or London…”

 

“Paris,” Tirred said.

 

“You sound more like the tough Russian type,” Sunna mentioned.

 

Timmid giggled. “Tirred likes the city of love.”

 

“What?” Tirred shrugged. “They have incredible warrior art. Though nothing beats the Japanese samurai. Can we go to China and Japan, too?”

 

“We’re not billionaires, guys,” Docile reminded them.

 

Tirred grinned. “Only if I can go alone with Timmid.”

 

“Do you want to go alone or with me?” Timmid asked.

 

“With you.”

 

“Do you promise to behave?”

 

“Depends. If we’re doing everyday things, sure. But in the bedroom…”

 

“Tir!” Docile scolded as Tirred smirked mischievously. “Hey, gotta have fun sometime.”

 

“You know sex without procreation is forbidden…” said Docile.

 

“We live a long time…”

 

“But you can still have kids unlike the ex-human saints.”

 

“Shouldn’t we be able to magically manifest them to our will?”

 

“Tirred, children are not your minions,” Timmid began.

 

“I bet Sunna’s a mere minion to her so-called dad.”

 

“Hey!” Sunna protested.

 

Docile chuckled. “My crew is back, alright.”

 

“So, where should we go?” asked Timmid.

 

“Please don’t let it be Antarctica,” Docile mentioned. “Anywhere but there.”

 

“Where did that idea come from?” Sunna asked.

 

“Well, I figured that a place opposite to the Bahamas would be absolutely miserable. Not to mention the murderous penguins.”

 

Tirred, Timmid and Sunna looked at each other.

 

“They slur,” Docile whispered with worried eyes.

 

“You can plainly see that our employer has suffered delusions from the poison,” Tirred said. “All in favor of promoting me as the new manager, say ‘aye.’”

 

“Iiiiiii…” Timmid dragged on… “…think you’re stupid.”

 

“Shut up,” he scoffed.

 

Docile pushed a tall stack of paperwork to Tirred. “Get to work, buddy.”

 

Tirred glowered. “Sir, I’m not your buddy!”

 

Sunna sighed, looking at the white rotary phone shaped like a fish on the desk. “Guess I have a lot of phone calls to make.”

 

Timmid also sighed. “Time to work on the healing magic again.”

 

“Observing you guys and promoting my good deeds is what I do best,” Docile winked. “Five more hours and then get to work, everyone!”

 

 

0 0 0

 

Back on Earth, the Atlantis hotel was restored to its normal splendor…and all the people carried on with their tours and vacations like nothing ever happened.

 

Though some people report having fantastical dreams about Atlantis during their stays there…some could even imagine that the gods spoke to them through the various statues, fountains and paintings. Most would brush it off, but there were those who knew their presence without a doubt.

 

 

Far away from the Bahamas…near an old decrepit motel on Earth…

 

Yellow glowing eyes, a dark serpentine form…and a thin white man’s face grinning evilly with sharp teeth and a ghostly fin over his head…slowly rose from the dark ocean…