A symphony of bamboo sticks tapping against drums, fiddles, lutes, and nasally horn echoed in the vast theater accompanied by two opera singers as they danced across the red-carpeted stage with glowing lanterns. Blinking LED lights hung from the red curtains of the bright blue-golden stage of the opera theater. The majestic colorful statue of Lilith, standing seven feet tall, sat cross-legged in the middle of the colorful stage. The two opera singers were acting priestesses dressed in traditional flowy red and orange robes, dancing around the Lilith statue with in sync harmony. The lanterns they held represented the lost spirits finding their way to the Queen of the Underworld.

The first row of red chairs was left empty for spirits to watch the performance. The musicians were seated in the left corner below the stage. People filled the front and middle seats.

At the top of the balcony, Tiamet watched the opera performance. Her ears perked up as she listened to the music carefully. The balcony was closed off to guests, but the three-eyed cat snuck upstairs to observe the view.

So far nothing looks unusual, but something smells really bad...  A bad stench reeking in a room usually meant there were negative energies lingering. Tiamet’s heightened sense of smell aided by her intuitive third eye helped her sense and feel negative energies.

The two acting priestesses laid the lanterns on each side of the Lilith statue, dropping down to their knees and bowing to the Goddess.

Cold air crept into the theater, making Tiamet shiver. The temperature suddenly dropped down which was unusual on the hot summer night. There was no air conditioning in the theater. The audience whispered and glanced at each other with confusion, complaining about the sudden coldness as they rubbed their arms to keep their skin warm.

Tiamet glanced around the theater quickly, sniffing the air with disgust. There’s a demon close by!

A short blue hooded monk carrying a bamboo basket entered the stage, strolling over to the statue of Lilith. The two acting priestesses looked up at the monk with confusion.

The monk stopped in the center of the stage, scattering small reddish brown discs from his basket toward the audience as if he was feeding pigeons. Each disc fell onto the front empty row of chairs. The audience joined in laughter, amused by the absurd skit.

Tiamet stared at the small reddish brown discs with her third eye. Her third eye gave her super vision to see objects in a long distance.

Hell Flakes?! These candies can only be obtained in the Underworld!

The monk tossed cylindrical wrapped Hell Flakes, appearing almost as small firecrackers, at the Lilith statue. Flames shot up, consuming the colorful statue of the Goddess, peeling away its glory into black ashes.

The audience gasped which shock, clapping their hands at the elaborate stunt of the opera. Music ceased in the auditorium as the acting priestesses screamed, running off the stage.

“Get him down!” a security guard shouted. “He’s not part of the act!”

“Rise, spirits!” the hooded blue monk hissed toward the empty seats. His sharp row of yellow teeth glistened under the spotlight. “Rise!”

The Hell Flakes scattered across the front seats were gone. Black blobs appeared into thin air, growing into monstrous sizes of hideous humanoid forms.

The monstrous creatures stared at the human audience, flailing their arms into angry frustration.

“More candy! More!” each of them boomed, filling the theater with angry protesting. “More candy!”

The audience screamed, trampling out of the opera theater. The security guards edged away from creatures, running out with the audience.

The creatures howled and shrieked chasing after the people.

Demoniod spirits! Tiamet gasped. I must find Marina!

~~~

Marina’s teal green eyes drifted to the river, watching her lantern float further away from her on the stream of water. The shadow that disappeared in the corner of her eyes never left her mind.

What was that? Marina knew she did not imagine that shadow. Was it the enemy? A spirit or demon?

“Is something wrong?”

Marina looked up at Reese, shaking off her thoughts. “I’m fine,” Marina replied, forcing herself to smile.

Reese tried to maintain her own smile even though she knew Marina was lying. She was watching Marina while they were floating their lanterns, but Marina was silent and unfocused the entire time.

“I hope the ghosts find their way back,” Reese remarked. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

Many lanterns ahead sailed toward the sea. It was a beautiful sight watching the lights float on the water, joining the moonlight spreading across the river. Each lantern sailed one by one as if they were stars twinkling in the night sky. They were all hope for the lost spirits, guiding them on their journeys back to Goddess Lilith.

Marina nodded in agreement; this time smiling a little bit more.

A bloodcurdling scream echoed above the temple, drawing everyone’s attention to the top of the staircase.

Marina’s heart pounded. What was that?

People from the plaza were shouting and yelling, trampling over each to escape from some danger behind them.

The ground shook like an earthquake, almost knocking everyone to the ground.

“Woah, are you OK?” Reese caught Marina’s arm, preventing her from falling flat on her butt.

Marina nodded quickly. “Thanks.”

A woman screamed, making them spin around.

A six-foot black creature with a hundred glowing red eyes towered over them. Its skin was as black as the night covered by furious red eyes peering down savagely at the humans before them. Its foot slammed on the ground, throwing everyone off balance each menacing step it took toward the people.

Everyone fled frantically shouting, rushing toward the staircase to escape the monster.

Wh—what in the world is that!? Marina froze in shock, staring at the tall monster.

“Marina!” Reese shouted, grabbing Marina’s wrist frantically. “We need to run!” She pulled her hand hard toward the staircase, forcing Marina back to reality.

Marina instinctively ran toward the staircase with Reese.

Remember to transform if you’re in danger, but don’t reveal your identity, Tiamet’s voice echoed in Marina’s mind.

Wait! I can’t run! I’m the Water Priestess. Marina swallowed hard, yanking her hand away from Reese’s. She looked back at the roaring black monster several feet behind them. Everyone had evacuated, leaving them behind. It was stomping closer.

Reese furled around with confusion, staring hard at Marina. “Wh—Why are you stopping!?”

Marina squeezed her transformation locket beneath her dress.

I need to transform!

“Go!” Marina shouted, pushing Reese up the staircase. “I’ll meet you back at the parking lot!”

Amber eyes widened with outrage. “Where the hell are you going!?” Reese demanded frustratingly. Is she out of her mind!?

Marina’s heard pounded quickly as she dashed back to the direction of the temple room. The monster spun around, stomping after Marina.

“Marina!” Reese’s alarming cry echoed throughout the temple as she helplessly watched Marina run back to danger. The monster was going after her.

Marina caught her breath in the temple room, feeling sweat cling to her clothes. She took quick deep breaths to steady her heart that was about to burst out of her chest. She glanced around anxiously to make sure she was alone.

She flung her transformation locket out which landed softly on top of her dress. The inverted triangular piece of larimar glistened under the lantern light as the background of mosaic crystals came to life with its play of sea colors.

Marina squeezed her eyes closed, clutching the warm locket tightly. She opened her mouth as the ancient words slipped out.

“Aqua Spiritus!”

The birthmark on Marina’s wrist glowed blue with the locket. Bright blue light burst out from the locket shooting toward the sky surrounding Marina with its radiating light.

Marina transformed into the Water Priestess as her outfit was replaced by battling priestess garb. She felt the same serene energy that filled her entire body. Her heart and soul felt the warm vibration, its energy surging through her entire body. Marina could feel the power through her hands, extending to her majestic crystal trident.

The hundred eye black creature jumped in front of Marina. She pointed her trident at the monster, guarding herself with it.

The monster bellowed into the air, roaring more furiously than before. It backed away shielding itself from the blinding blue light.

“Who are you!?” the creature boomed angrily.

Marina felt another voice take over her body, connecting to the soul residing deep inside of her. She confidently stepped close to the raging creature.

“I am the Water Priestess,” Marina’s steady voice echoed throughout the temple. “Celestial Priestess of the Moon and Sea! Guided by Amphidea!”

The creature hissed as if her words inflicted pain. “How dare you speak of the goddess!”

The Water Priestess smirked, her warm teal eyes beaming.

“I am perfect in the Goddess’s eye.

My beauty born from moonlight,

My powers gifts from the sea.

Turn your evil away towards the stars,

Repent for the harm you done!

As above, so below!”

Marina swung her crystal trident at the creature as a rush of energy filled her hands to the crystal spear.

“Aqua Pura!” The foreign spell rolled off Marina’s tongue.

Glistening water shot out from the trident, blasting at the hundred eye creature wrenching in pain. A bright white light blinded the creature, dissolving its giant hundred eyed form into a wispy human. Black smoke rose out from the creature.

The demonic form revealed a spirit of young woman. She smiled kindly at Marina and bowed in gratitude. The spirit vanished into thin air.

Stunned, Marina stared at the empty air.

“Marina!?”

The Water Priestess met Reese’s frantic amber eyes. The taller woman panted to catch her breath, freezing at the sight of the Water Priestess.

“Who—“ Reese stuttered with confusion who this woman was. She looked almost like a celestial being, a god. “Who are you? And where is Marina?”

A smile slipped from the Marina’s lips. “I am the Water Priestess. She’s safe.”

Reese scratched her head with confusion. “I just saw her run here. Where’s that… monster?”

Marina lowered the trident to her side. “It’s gone. I took care of it.” Tiamet was right! Reese can’t recognize me, but it feels so strange.

The Water Priestess spun around alarmingly as hairs rose on her skin. I feel danger coming!

Marina grabbed Reese’s arm, pulling her out of the temple. “We must go!”

Reese did not protest as she followed after her. “What’s happening?”

“You need to get out of here!” the Water Priestess exclaimed, running up the staircase with Reese. “You’re supposed to meet Marina back at the parking lot!”

Reese gasped. “How did you know!?”

“No time for questions!” the Water Priestess retorted.

A mob of three shorter slimmer black demonic creatures met Marina and Reese at the top of the staircase.

The women halted as Marina yanked Reese behind her, raising her trident at the monsters.

“Run now!” the Water Priestess shouted at Reese. “I’ll take care of them!”

Reese stared back helplessly at the mysterious woman and the black monsters. Swallowing hard, she took one last look at the Water Priestess before hurrying toward the exit.

“Perish or treat! Give us candy to eat! If you don’t, we don’t care! We’ll eat your eyes, skin, and hair!” The mob of monsters chanted, pipping in chaotic laughter as they surrounded Marina like rambunctious demonic children.

Marina aimed her trident steadily at the middle creature. “You are the ones that will perish! Aqua… Pura!”

The creature shrieked as it was blasted by water from the crystal spear. The magical water eroded its monstrous form into a spirit. Black smoke rose out from the spirit, revealing the form of a little boy. The spirit giggled, vanishing into thin air.

The demonic creatures roared furiously, charging after Marina one by one.

Before they could take any step closer to the Water Priestess, water blasted into their faces cleansing their monstrous bodies of evil.

As the smoke dispersed, it revealed ghastly silhouettes of two other boys. Their little hands waved goodbye to the Water Priestess before they vanished.

Marina sighed with relief, wiping sweat off her forehead.

I need to get to Tiamet before—

“Well, well, well….” A deep husky feminine voice interrupted Marina’s trail of thought. Marina gawked up to stare at a tall black-winged female humanoid swoop down to the ground. She stood nearly six foot tall with a black glossy bow that looked like shriveled wood dipped in a black bog.

The Water Priestess froze, looking up at her cold red eyes. They almost burned Marina’s eyes, making her legs grow weak. Marina could feel her deep hatred as her pale thin lips curved into a sinister grin. Her short snow white hair matched the complexion of her pale sickly skin tinged with lavender hues. Her short black garb covering her chest and legs, revealed only her rippled muscular stomach and toned arms.

A black ink snake tattoo curled in the center of her abs.

The viper’s mark. The Furies statue! 

Marina edged back as her teal green eyes widened with shock. Color disappeared from her cheeks.

“Are—are you—“ The enemy? Marina could only find herself stuttering incoherently.

The winged-humanoid barked with laughter. “Just then you were slaughtering my demonoids. Now you forget how to speak?” she taunted with a malicious smirk. “I am Aleta, Demon Princess of the Underworld, one of the great vengeful Furies.”

Aleta took a menacing step toward Marina whose feet was planted, frozen to the ground. “You must be the Water Priestess that has awakened.”

Marina’s palms sweated against her trident as she pointed it at the demon princess. “Why are you doing this!?” she exclaimed. “Aren’t you Goddess Lilith’s daughter!?”

Aleta ignored her questions. Right when she was going to take another step closer, Marina shouted, “Aqua Pura!”

Aleta’s palm stopped the water quickly, sucking it all through her hand like a black hole.

“What a shame. You’re a newbie still learning how to use your powers,” the demon princess remarked flatly at the gaping human.

Her pale cold hand seized Marina’s throat, squeezing it tightly.

Aleta leaned closely toward her face, amusement flashing through her red eyes at the frightened woman.

Her lips pressed against Marina’s ear seductively as she whispered. “I’ve always fancied a celestial priestess. It’ll be a shame to kill you off with your powers when you can become mine. Give me your souI, and I will spare your life.”

Marina dropped down from Aleta’s powerful hands, gasping for air.

Teal green eyes glared up at the demon princess. “Never! You traitorous demigod!”

Aleta scowled, reaching a sharp arrow from her quiver. She positioned the arrow to her bow, pointing it at Marina’s face. “I gave you mercy, Water Priestess. Now you will die."