The luxury world of Teruta was everything and more than what Vatra had envisioned it to be. From a distance, the planet looked pristine. Up close, it was downright breathtaking.

The Agkistrodon hummed along the indicated flight path. It was marked with red lights deep beneath the water's surface, along the beach, and all the way through the treetops to the docking bay.

Vatra took her time. She guided the vessel with little regard to those that were without a doubt waiting to guide them into place. Her fingers trailed along the controls as she leaned forward in her seat, peering out over the ocean in front of her.

It might have been cliché to say the water below them was the bluest she'd ever seen. But, truly, it was. The water was as crystal clear as glacial water. Even more so. The still surface was inviting, and Vatra knew if she jumped into the water, it would be the perfect temperature.

Every rock and living creature were visible. Vatra could pick out the slightest movements of some type of school of fish swimming just below them. Their silver scales glimmered amongst the colorful marine life, darting away from the Agkistrodon as it lowered to the water.

The vessel skimmed the water's surface and sent a spray behind them. Vatra grinned to herself. She'd lost sight of the markers under the surface, but they were still visible in the forest in front of them. Narrowing her eyes, Vatra picked her target and increased their speed significantly.

A volley of shouting from the kitchen ensued, followed by a clatter of dishes. Vatra chuckled and turned her head, watching the water spray out around them like a tunnel.

"Give us a warning next time!" Enyalius yelled.

Vatra pulled the Agkistrodon up, away from the approaching beach, and barely missed the first trees before she slowed the vessel again. "Warnings are no fun," Vatra said, turning her head as Hisato leaned against the headrest.

Hisato was covered with a red liquid of some kind, the main splatter on the chest of his flight suit. He frowned. "I feel targeted."

"It wasn't on purpose," Vatra dead-panned. She looked back out the window in front of her with a tightened grip around the controls. Her eyes widened as she added, "Sorry, Hisato. Red looks good on you, though."

"You're an asshole." Hisato laughed. He turned and walked out of the cockpit.

Fake pouting, Vatra continued to guide the Agkistrodon along the markers. She kept a watchful eye out for wherever it was they were heading to, until in the distance, a structure rose on the shore of an inlet.

Sprawling at the edge of a beach, the markers had led them to a resort. It was at least eight stories high, and spanned such a distance until it faded into a haze. The sandy colored structure reminded Vatra of the resorts that Earth had, advertised in commercials as prime destinations with every possible amenity imaginable.

Trees similar to palms encircled the entire property. Their green and purple leaves swayed in a breeze.

Vatra's eyes widened so far to the point the muscles in her forehead actually ached. "We're here!" she called back, forgetting that the others might have wanted to catch an overhead view of their destination.

Revna and Hisato crowded into the cockpit, followed closely by Enyalius. They were almost trampled by Fulgora, who stampeded in after them and threw herself over the back of Vatra's chair. Her chest smacked the top of Vatra's head, and Vatra jolted forward.

"Gods, watch out-" Vatra turned around to scold Fulgora more, but the goddess was completely entranced with Teruta. Her attention couldn't have been directed to anything else even if Vatra smacked her across the face.

Tempting, Vatra thought with a scowl. She turned back around, catching Enyalius grinning at her. He looked between Vatra and Fulgora, smile widening even more.

"Do I want to know what you're thinking?" Vatra muttered. Something perverted, probably.

Enyalius leaned over the passenger seat. His forearms crossed just over Revna's head, and he rested his chin on one arm. "Definitely not," Enyalius said.

Both Revna and Hisato's attention were piqued at the sudden exchange between the two of them. They'd apparently missed Fulgora's entrance and Vatra's reaction.

"What happened?" Hisato questioned.

"Oh, nothing," Vatra said, pushing the Agkistrodon forward into its final descent.

Hisato's expression showed he didn't believe her, but he didn't push for another answer. Neither did Revna. Instead, everyone in the cockpit sat in silence until the Agkistrodon landed.

The vessel landed softly on a designated landing pad at the edge of the resort. It'd been surrounded by flashing lights, and Vatra only assumed it was where she was supposed to land the Agkistrodon. 

Outside, she watched as someone slowly walked toward them from the main resort. The person was alone, but appeared to be wearing a uniform of some kind. It was too difficult to tell exactly what they looked like, though, as they were still too far away.

"I suppose this is a valet service of some kind?" Enyalius asked. "Damn, and I didn't bring any money for a tip." He patted the front of his jumpsuit as if he had any spare change on him.

 No one found the god's joke humorous. 

Vatra slowly turned off the controls, her ears adjusting to the volume change. "Hmm, I'm not sure how I feel about someone I don't know flying my ship."

"Maybe they won't," Hisato suggested. "This landing pad looks like it moves."

They all leaned forward, looking out at the landing pad. Sure enough, Vatra noted the ring around the outside, where it met the sand, appeared like it had a gap in it.

"At least we should go and talk to our tour guide," Vatra said.

She finished shutting off everything and stood, stretching her muscles. Everything ached after sitting for so long, and she was looking forward to a respite in the resort more than she thought. Even if her true intention was to find out more about Spyro and Ares.

Fulgora turned and raced out as quickly as she'd raced in. An echo of a laugh left in her wake. Vatra followed the traces of the goddess' laugh, and found her reunited with the other storm gods.

"I don't mind being left here," Fulgora said.

"You don't even know what this place is like," Geb stated, looking over at her with a frown. "Remember why we're here."

Folding her arms, Fulgora rolled her eyes. "You're all so serious. If no one else is as eager to enjoy this planet, I'll have enough fun for the rest of us."

"Trust me, I think all of us will find a way to enjoy some rest," Vatra said. She continued on through the kitchen and headed for the boarding ramp. By the time they'd finished their conversation, the person they'd seen through the window should have approached the Agkistrodon.

Vatra pressed the button to lower the ramp and stood in eager anticipation for what awaited them on Teruta. As much as she wanted to run around as Fulgora did, she kept her excitement on the inside. 

 A person dressed in a well-pressed uniform was stopped at the edge of the boarding ramp. His dark blue button down was tucked into a pair of white slacks, which were in turn tucked into dark blue boots. The worker's expression turned from monotone to bright and expressive the moment Vatra's face appeared from the Agkistrodon.

An exhausted worker, Vatra thought in observance. She neared the resort worker, descending the ramp with purposeful steps, her hands folded behind her back.

"So, do I need to pass the keys to you or-" Vatra started.

The man chuckled. "This mechanism will lower your vessel into our docking bay and safely park your ship inside. No one else will need to pilot it in your place," he responded.

"Good to know," Vatra said with a nod. "So, can we all follow you to the resort, now?"

"Eager bunch, aren't you?" he asked. "My name is Brian, and I'll be your guide around the resort. If you have any questions or need anything at any time, I'll be the one you all will ask for."

"Right," Vatra paused, "sorry, we've just been cramped in this ship for way too long. Everyone's a little too excited to get out and explore this place. I'm sure it will take us hours just to get a lay of the land."

A commotion in the Agkistrodon caused both Vatra and Brian to turn and look within the shadows of the ship. Narrowing her eyes, Vatra noticed Fulgora racing forward, speeding from the darkness with a bag in her hand, and a slip away from flashing everyone wearing whatever thin swimsuit she'd changed into.

"I hope I'm not too late to get on the front of the tour!" the goddess shouted. She slammed to a halt beside Vatra, her hand slapping onto Vatra's shoulder, her bag thudding into the woman moments after.

Vatra rolled her eyes and stumbled forward a step from the impact. "No," Vatra said. "You're just in time. Were the others behind you?"

"Close behind," Fulgora stated.

"Great!" Brian slapped his hands together. "We can begin as soon as everyone's here."