Ali's deep sleep

“Sleep is my lover now, my forgetting, my opiate, my oblivion.” ― Audrey Niffenegger

Emmeline's POV

It has been three days since my little sister has fallen into this deep sleep. Her beautiful blue-grey eyes were shut and were lifeless. The gorgeous long red hair she had was tied into a messy bun, and her skin was becoming pale. For years she has suffered from a number of different illnesses, but this was completely different. Even in this deep sleep; she hasn't needed water, food, or to get up and use the restroom. It is like a magical force was keeping her alive, while she slept. This has become so concerning I decided it was best to contact our father; Basil Moonbeam. Dialing his number on my cell phone, I listened to the ring as my heart began to beat faster than the sound of a bass guitar.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Dad. Something is terribly wrong with Ali," I tried to explain while holding back my tears.

"What happened?" he asked me calmly.

No matter my father always remained really calm. Both of our father and mother were spiritual hippies. My father was currently living in San Francisco about eight hours away from him, Ali and I were heading towards the Grand Canyon when this happened.

"We were traveling in the RV, and Ali said she felt really tired so she fell asleep. When I went to wake her up, when we reached the rest stop just right outside of Los Angeles. I tried to wake her up to feed her some In-N-Out and she wouldn't wake up. It has been like this for the past three days, and I don't know what to do," I said nearly crying.

"This is troubling indeed, where are you two now?" he asked me in the same calm voice.

"I haven't left this rest stop," I said wiping away my tears.

"Alright listen to me Emmie. I need you to drive the RV to San Francisco, I know someone who can help," he explained to me.

"Ok," I answered.

"I will see you in eight hours," he said.

As he hung up the phone, I sat there in silence as I cried. After a few minutes of self-pity, I wiped my tears away and slapped my cheeks.

"Alright Emmeline. Time to woman up and go save your sister," I whispered to myself as I sat down in the drivers seat.

I turned on the RV, and listened to the engine roar at me. Looking back and my sister who was still peacefully sleeping. I left the parking lot of the rest stopped and pulled back onto I-5 North to head towards San Francisco the city by the bay.

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Basil's POV

My heart dropped to my stomach when I got off the phone with my oldest daughter. My youngest daughter Ali, who has always struggled with illness was now in a deep sleep. Raking my fingers through my hair, I debated if I should call their mother or not. She was on her yearly trip to India to reach enlightenment. The only one who I could turn to is Luca, a friend Celeste and I met during Burning Man. This young man was powerful, and was in touch with the spirits of this land. If anyone could save my daughter from this sleep it was him. Dialing his number, I was praying to the Gods that he would answer.

"Hello my old friend," he said.

"Luca. It has been a while," I said.

"Yes it has indeed. You need to come down to our new bar, my beautiful sister has become an amazing bartender. Drinks are on me," he said.

"Another time I promise. The reason why I am calling is because I need your help," I told him.

"Anything for you my friend," he answered.

"Do you remember my youngest daughter Ali?" I asked him.

"Yes."

"Right now she is in a deep sleep, and I am very afraid it is not your normal coma," I explained to him.

As there was a long pause on the phone, before he finally spoke;

"Basil, I told you I can not interfere with the affairs of mortals."

"Please Luca. I understand that demigods can not meddle in the affair of mortals. But Ali has been asleep for three days! That is not normal," I told him.

Again there was a long pause, and then I heard him speak to someone else. I couldn't make out the words since he was speaking in Latin. After the female finally got done speaking he spoke once again;

"This is very peculiar. Normally we would not interfere with the affair of mortals but this is a special case. I need to address this matter with the council, but if what you are saying is true. Then the council will grant us permission to help you my friend."

The council of the Greek Gods, who rule over this land. When Luca told me he was the Son of Hades, I laughed in his face. Until the day he saved Celeste and I from a monster who came to attack Luca.

"Thank you," I spoke.

"Not a problem, where is your daughter?" he asked me.

"Emmie was driving with Ali to the Grand Canyon. They are somewhere outside of LA, and should be here in eight hours," I told him.

"Alright, that gives me enough time. When your daughter arrives, I will send my little sister over to your place. Unfortunately I have other affairs to take care of. My sister is more than qualified to handle this task," he explained.

"I think that will be perfect, just promise after this all settles you will buy me a drink and watch the Giants win," I said.

"Will do my friend. Will do," he said.

As we hung up the phone, I sank into my couch as I prayed that the Gods would allow Luca's sister to help us. Ali's fate was now in the hands of the Gods.

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Luna's POV

I watched my brother finally hang up the phone, as I watched his face harden. It was rare for mortals to know the truth about us demigods, but I knew how close Luca and Basil were. The questions was, if the council was going to grant us permission to interfere in the affairs of a mortal girl.

"Luca, what are you going to do now?" I asked him as I cleaned off a dirty part of the bar.

It was half past four, and we were getting ready to open up at five. The Giants game, and the Warriors game was going to be airing. So the bar was about to get slammed.

"I need to go speak to the council, when your shift is over I want you to head over to Basil's house. If all goes correctly you will be visiting the God of Dreams," he told me.

A smiled curled over my lips. To meet the God of Dreams was not an easy task, as he was in a separate realm.

"Interesting. Is this a solo mission?" I asked him.

"Yes. I think that you are more than capable in taking on this mission on your own," he smiled at me.

"Sounds like fun," I said as I walked from behind the bar to Kai who was eavesdropping on our conversation.

His eyes were burning into my soul. I could see the fear in his eyes, this would be the first solo mission I have taken on since he as returned by my side.

"Don't worry," I said.

"I will worry about you, even if you are just going to visit the God of Dreams something could go wrong. Let me come with you," he begged me.

"Kai, I swear upon the River of Styx I will return to your side. Now come on we have a bar to open," I told him as I kissed him on the cheek.

Just as predicted the bar was slammed, and because my brother was gone dealing with the council. Kai and I had to man the bar, around midnight my brother finally returned to the bar. At first I thought the council said no, by the look on his face. But he brightened up with a smile when he saw me.

"Though Zeus had a shitstorm over this request, Athena agreed with me that we need to help this girl. Luna, head over to Basil's house. Save his daughter and give her this," Luca spoke as he handed me a vial full of elixir that I assumed he obtained from the children of Hecate, "This should help with Ali's illnesses though it won't cure them. It will at least prevent this from happening again."

"Alright, well I am off."

I waved to my brother and Kai as I left the bar to go to Basil's house. Which was in the mission district. Being lazy and not wanting to walk there, I summoned all my power to my legs to jump from building to building. Until I finally stood in front of the house were my brother's friend was inside. I knew it was his because there was a giant RV in the driveway. Approaching the door I sensed an overwhelming aura radiating from the house. Knocking on the door, an older male with dirty blonde hair and light blue eyes answered the door.

"Are you Luna?" he asked me.

"Yes," I said.

"Oh thank the Gods, come follow me."

As he led the way into the house I followed him into a bedroom. I was instantly smacked in the face with that aura I felt from outside the house, but this time it felt sinister. Approaching the sleeping beauty, whose fiery red hair seemed dull. Her soul was weak as it was fighting the aura that was occupying her body.

"This isn't good," I mumbled to myself.

"What's wrong with her," a girl with beautiful blonde hair and green eyes asked me.

This must be her younger sister who is in this deep sleep, as I could see in her tired eyes a deep concern for her. Looking back to Basil who was just quietly standing in the opposite corner.

"From what I can see, something is fighting her soul. Whatever that is, it's keeping her in this deep sleep," I explained to her.

"Is there anything you can do?" she asked me.

"Yes. Though it will be difficult, the only one who will be able to wake her is the God of Dreams Morpheus. But the difficult part is reaching his realm," I explained.

"How is difficult?" Basil asked me.

"Because, if you aim for the wrong realm. You could end up in the hellish pits of Tartarus," I explained.

Even mentioning Tartarus sent a shiver down my spine. I watched dread wash over Basil's face as he misunderstood what I said.

"But that doesn't mean it will happen. It is just a risk that I have to take," I explained.

"Take me with you," the girl said.

As shock overtook my body, I couldn't even speak. But before I could even answer her, Basil quickly spoke for me.

"No," he said.

"But-t," she tried to say but I interrupted her.

"Sweetie this isn't just some walk in the park. I am traveling to another realm, if I end up in Hades and at worst Tartarus. A normal mortal will not be able to handle it," I tried to explain.

"Emmie you would just get in the way. Mortals have no business to meddle with the Godly realms," he told his daughter.

It broke my heart to see her beautiful green eyes become teary, but it was the truth. To bring a mortal along would make this difficult task even more troublesome. But the look in her eyes, I knew what I had to do.

"I will bring you along with the condition that no matter what happens. That you will not interfere, we are meeting a God. They love to manipulate mortals," I explained.

"I will keep my mouth shut. Just please let me come with you to save my sister," she begged me.

"Alright. Basil, I want you to keep on eye on her. If anything strange starts to happen, call my brother. But I promise within the hour your daughter will be awake again," I promised.

As I grabbed the hand's of Emmie I started to chant a spell the children of Hecate told me. Usually I could easily travel to each realm, but traveling to Morpheus' realm was a different. It was smaller than Hades and twice as hard to locate. As my vision started to go hazy I watched Basil mouth me the words;

"Thank you."

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Emmeline's POV

For the first time in my life, my body felt like it was being ripped through space. It was painful as I began to tremble, so Luna held me tighter. Her presence alone was very calming, as I looked up to this demigod. Her piercing icy blue eyes were focused and her silky long black hair was tightly pulled back into a ponytail. If I didn't know any better, I would have thought she was a Goddess. Finally after minutes of this sensation, my vision cleared as I noticed we were standing in this great hallway. Filled with multiple columns and elegant statues, I felt like I was just transported back to ancient Greece.

"Is this?" I tried to asked as I was dumbfounded by this whole entire situation.

Less than an hour ago before Luna arrived, my father explained this all to me. It is a hard pill to swallow that these ancient stories about the Greek Gods was true.

"Yes this is Morpheus' realm," Luna answered my question.

"This is stunning," I said as we walked down the hallway.

"You should see Mount Olympus, Zeus built the heavens more elaborate than this," she told me.  

"Yes he did, but my realm by far is less stressful," a booming voice answered us.

Just as quickly as we entered this realm, a God appeared before us. I was stunned at his beauty, his perfectly chiseled face and skin. He had short curly brown hair that perfectly held this leavy silver crown on his head. I thought he would be wearing a toga, but he was wearing a pair of plain jeans with a white wifebeater.

"Welcome, demigod and mortal to my realm. I am assuming you are not here to chit chat," he spoke in a velvety voice.

I felt an overwhelming sense of desire for this God. For a second, I was really about to give up my life and live here with this God. The thought of never seeing Ali again snapped me back to reality. Was this the power of a God? No wonder Luna didn't want to bring me to this realm, while I am literally falling in love for this God. Luna had on a poker face, standing in front of this God cool as a cucumber.

"Morpheus, God of Dreams I thank you for accepting us in your realm. I am here to request your help, a mortal is trapped in a deep sleep. She has been asleep for more than three days, and I felt a sinister aura radiating from her soul," Luna explained to the God.

"You must be speaking of the mortal Ali Moonbeam," he said.

"How did you know about my sister?" I asked.

As soon as I spoke I realized that I shouldn't have opened my mouth. Before I could even react Luna was in front of me, I could feel her presences protecting me from the God.

"No need to get defensive child of Hades and Artemis. I swear upon the river of Styx I will not lay a hand on this mortal. Allow her to speak as well," he spoke.

"Is it alright Luna?" I whispered to her.

"Yes, but choose your words wisely. No matter what he is a God and they will twist your words," she explained to me.

"I will," I whispered back.

"Now then, so you are well aware of Ali's situation then I guess," Luna spoke up once again.

"Yes. This poor mortal girl has been very ill. I wanted to grant her so much needed rest, I didn't realize that it would cause a demigod and mortal to come visit me," he answered Luna.

"So you have just been keeping her asleep because she needs to rest? What about the evil aura I felt in her soul?" Luna asked him.

"Phobetor has been fighting with my aura, he has been haunting this poor mortal with terrible nightmares. That is why I have kept her asleep for this long," he explained.

"So my sister's nightmares have been caused because of this God?" I asked him.

"Yes. My brother, even though he is not an evil god. Still likes to make mortals suffer through nightmares," the God spoke.

"I understand, but it is time to let her wake up. Morpheus her soul is weakening," Luna sternly told the God.

"I see, no wonder you came to my realm. I will have her awaken in the morning," he told us.

"Thank you," I said to the God.

As a smile curled up on his face, I felt my heart skip a beat. Luna then glared at the God as if she knew what he was doing was making me feel like this.

"No need to thank me, but daughter of Hades I have a price. You must allow me to create some wonderful dreams for you," he spoke to Luna.

"Not a problem, it will be a nice break from the shadows," she spoke.

"Well it is has been a pleasure, but I must send you both on your way."

As he finished his sentence my vision started to get hazy as the beautiful realm of Morpheus began to fade into the shadows. Luna grabbed my hand and held onto my body as we both faded into the darkness.

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Ali's POV

For the first time in my life, I felt free. Free from illness and pain, this was a perfect dream world. From the meadows that stretched for miles and the overwhelming sweet smell that radiates from the flowers. I was in heaven, and I didn't want to leave. All I wanted to do was lay in the fields of grass and look up at the perfectly blue sky.

"Ali you need to wake up," a velvety voice spoke.

Who just said that? I got up and looked around but no one was here. Laying back down in the field of grass, I went back to watching the clouds in the sky. Finding crazy shapes like guitars and microphones. I was missing all my rocker friends and family but this peaceful world was too perfect to leave.

"Ali it is time to wake up," the same voice spoke.

"But what if I don't want to wake up?" I spoke to the voice in the sky.

I felt the warm breeze kiss my skin, it was comforting. Like a warm embrace from mother Earth, I felt at peace.

"I promise my child, this won't be the last time you see this peaceful world," it spoke again.

"Alright," I agreed with it.

As soon as I agreed I felt my whole entire being, rising to the sun. My vision went blurry as I got closer to the sun, going completely white I closed my eyes. By the time I opened them again I was staring at my sister Emmeline, my father Basil, and this unknown woman who hand a hand over my heart.

"She's awake!" Emmeline yelled as she embraced me.

"Jez you are acting like I was dead," I whispered to her as I noticed that my mouth was really dry.

"You almost were," the unknown woman spoke.

"I don't know how to repay you," my father spoke to the unknown woman.

"There is no need, just come visit us when you get the chance," she spoke as she left the room. Emmie followed the woman out of the room to thank her as well.

"Who was that?" I asked my father.

"The woman who just saved your life," he explained.

"How so?" I asked him.

"Honey. I do not know how to explain this to you but you have been asleep for the past three days," he told me.

"What?!" I said in shock.

"Yes. But that it doesn't matter now what matters is you are awake," he said as he gave me a big hug.

"I love you dad," I whispered to him.

"I love you too hon," he said.

As Emmie entered the room, she had a big smile on her face. She was just as happy to see me as dad was. She came over to the bed and gave me a big hug as well.

"You ready to see the Grand Canyon?" she asked me.

"Yes," I answered with a smile.

"As long as this time you don't fall into a coma, we should have a blast!" she spoke. As Emmie handed me a glass of water, that I desperately needed. All I could feel was grateful to the voice who woken me from my deep sleep.