Which is which?

When Ava opened her eyes she found herself lying in a familiar and comforting cushion. It was a beige couch she used to fall asleep in, while waiting for dinner as a kid. Though it was not the reason why she was in awe. She can't believe what she saw. When she stood up, the whole atmosphere shifted from their old house's living room into something grand. She was sure that before she lost consciousness, she was transported by an ambulance to the hospital. 

Am I dead?

She wanted to say it out loud but no voice came through.

This better not be heaven or is it hell, stepping up its game?

"You really have some serious trust issues, kid. Sorry to burst your bubble but it's neither of the two." A voice thundered out of nowhere which startled her.

She frantically roamed her eyes around the vast sea of golden clouds, following the voice. When she looked down she felt her knees wobble instinctively. Awestruck by how high she was above the ground. Literally, having an overlooking view of a planet below her. Its very beauty is one compelling scenery. The other side is covered in a blanket of dark shadow, adorned with sparkling golden lights that shone like fireflies. While the other is like a colorful marble with  rich hues of blues and greens - calmly satisfying. A contrast of day and night at its peak.

Subconsciously, she started feeling her body to check if she was indeed dreaming. Gently, she plopped on the fluffy floor of clouds, seeing her hands just slip through her arms. It’s been normal for her to have lucid dreams after the accident. No wonder she has a hard time connecting with other people after that. 

"You're not dead, I mean not yet," the voice chuckles and her brows knitted in annoyance. "I'm not trying to rain down on your parade either."

"Then cut to the chase!" She was surprised to hear her voice again.

"You need to do something about your temper and that terrible memory too."

"It seems like you know everything because even though you're conceited, you're still a god. In my defense, can you blame me?"

He chuckles again but in a condescending tone this time. "Fair enough, then why don't we have a wager?"

Ava stares at her nails in behalf of her translucent existence. Obviously trying to get on his nerves. Making it seem as if she was wasting her precious time. She stood up and stride through the sea of golden clouds. Stopping half way with a straight face while crossing her arms and impatiently tapping her bare right foot.

"I wouldn't strike a deal with someone I couldn't see."

"Humans and their doubts. Fine."

 "You?"

Ava was astounded when the voice finally took form and showed itself.

"Yes, is there something wrong?"

"You're not him."

"You mean thy keeper, Omni? Aren't you the conceited one? I'm the one you called out after all."

"Sea of golden clouds. Overlooking the view of the earth.” She then naturally smacks her forehead for the delayed realization. “Of course,  you're the sentry of time-Emett," she said, trying to suppress how his ethereal beauty bewitches her.

Get a grip Ava, he's supposed to be a god. Of course his looks should be off the charts. 

She mentally nags herself trying to snap out being spellbound.

Though naturally humble, Emett can't deny the fact that he's enjoying the attention. Aside from how she's torn on giving him compliments. He is everything regal wearing that overlapped silky white and golden cloth over his body. Some of it draped on both arms showing his toned chest and exposed right shoulder. A braided golden rope fastened it in place. Its length extends to the cloud floor. 

Emett ran his fingers through his flowy shoulder level blond hair then rested it behind him. Locking his azure eyes with hers as he closed their distance into a few inches. That instantly drew her into his space. She's stuck on that spot.

Excuse me? She protested in her mind.

"Sorry about that, reflexes kick in when my personal space is invaded."

Ava had to gulp twice in order to redeem her pride when he unfroze her. "It's not my fault you just keep on popping out of nowhere!"

Emett smiled ingeniously as an initial reply. He didn't know it was that fun to interact with humans as himself. It was his first after all. For the longest time he was just watching over them.  Using vessels if needed and doing his job behind the scenes.

Mere mortals but acknowledged by the gods. Humans are interesting creatures. Fiel's object of love and Thade's root of despair. No wonder thy keeper, Omni is fond of you. 

"Cirro to Emett. Still there?" Ava snaps her fingers in front of him-her sass on full display.

He was brought back to his senses when he heard the name of his domain. A genuine smile curved his face. Followed by his right brow raising.

"For a skeptic, you are well informed huh?"

She purses her lips before answering. "Of course. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."

Emett wipes his right index finger in both directions as he clicks his tongue in disbelief. "That escalated quickly. I bet you and Thade could hit it off as best friends with those sentiments." 

Then he snaps his fingers and the atmosphere changes again. This time they were inside a wooden playhouse. A treasured place in Ava’s childhood.

"I think we can negotiate better here. This timeline is just about right, is it?"

Eight year old Ava in a red dress and an apple cut hair appears. Seated and snorting as she rested her head on the table then buried it on her arms, hiding her face. "Sure it's not traumatic at all," she said, exhausted.

Then a pair of tiny hands reaches out to her. When she looked up, a little boy around her age greeted her with a consoling smile. Middle parted blond hair this time but the same azure eyes.

"This is where I first met you."

Young Ava swats his hands away and leans against the chair. Looking away as she rolled her eyes. "I don't remember," she said, puffing her face.

Emett smiled bitterly as he looked down, fidgeting his fingers. "Of course you don't, you were devastated after all. I was Ms. Libbers that day."

She automatically darted at him with a look of disgust, waiting for him to tell her that it's a joke but he didn't. In fact, his face is even more serious too.

 "Their time was up. I did what I had to do. Everything should go according to schedule." He gazed at her with apologetic eyes.

Ava slams both hands on the table as she stands up. Going over the other side to yank his white shirt. She was breathing heavily out of rage. Her dark brown eyes lit up with bloodlust. Hands and lips trembling as she held him. Swallowing hard  before she could compose herself to say a word.

"You let them die and now you want to save my life? For what? to feel better about yourself? You know what, just keep messing with people's lives on your whims-you gods are good at it." Then she lets go, tossing him aside. "I'd rather be dead than owe you anything, murderer." Even if she calmly said that Emett felt every word as a storm that stirred him inside.

He sits up straight. "It was a first for me to be blamed for human death instead of Thade. I finally understood even just a bit of his solitude. Painted as the villain when we are just doing our part."

Ava wasn't able to contain her manic laughter, "so that's it? You get involved now because I tarnished your pride?" She still held her stomach as she wiped off stray tears. "That's funny coming from a god and also a load of cr*p!"

"Call it whatever you want but I want to prove my innocence."

She crouched to his eye level and flicked his forehead. "If you're bored, try it on somebody else. Get off my case. I just want to die in peace."

Emett massages his forehead then stands up. Holding her at arm's length with a solemn face. "How can you throw your life away like that? Others would kill for that extra second."

"Then let me switch with them. It's a win-win for both of us."

"Don't be sarcastic."

"I'm dead serious."

"No you're being stubborn."

"What's the hold up Em?" A young boy covered  in black clothes with pale skin appeared.

"Why did you summon us here instead?" Another one popped out of thin air. 

This time it was a young girl wearing a lime colored dress. Her emerald hair that matches her eyes, were tied in pigtails as the soft curls sprung from it. In contrast with the boy earlier she had stunning olive skin. When Ava looked closer, a ghost of a smile emerged from the boy in black as that girl held his hand.

"Thade, Fiel. It's uhm-"

He scratched the back of his neck and was about to begin explaining when Ava covered his mouth. "He wants to let me live," she snickers while the other two widen their eyes-flustered.

"Em, rules are rules-" Fiel reiterates while Thade hushes her with his right index finger. Excited by the turn of events. 

"Rules are meant to be broken, Fi. Though he broke it first for our sake. This time, we return the favor."

As payback for silencing her, roots emerged from the ground as Fiel bit his hand. The vines are crawling into his body, next thing he knows he was suspended upside-down in the air.

"Don't tolerate him, Tay. It would be dangerous to mess with the balance. Gods mingling with humans is unheard of. Not in their celestial form."

Emett's eyes twinkled as he shoved Ava’s hand away from his mouth. "When in Rome, do as Romans do, right?"

The two girls' jaws dropped while Thade gave him a sign of approval.