A shrine is a place regarded as holy because of its association with a divinity or a sacred person or relic, marked by a building or other construction. A temple is where a God chooses to live. One is a symbol while the other is a home.

A shrine is no less important than a temple, but a God can not live in a shrine.

Elliotes' shrine was currently in the sticky hands of a five-year-old watching cartoons.

After the chaos of the museum, Elliotes accessed Teri's dream to pinpoint her current home. He then carried Teri and at her request, her mother Monica to the home. He hid his wings due to none of the humans having a set of their own. He was stopped a few times and questioned why he was carrying an unconscious woman. Teri, however, had that covered. "Mommy was drinking."

Her mom isn't an alcoholic. Kids just like to repeat what they hear. But in the state of Florida, we trust the five-year-old.

At this moment, Elliotes sat with Monica's head resting on his lap. Elliotes kept his hand on Monica's forehead as she slept.

"What are you doing to my mommy?"

"I'm giving her peace of mind."

"Why?"

"So she can rest."

"Why?"

"So she can have better energy when she wakes up."

"Why?"

"Because better energy brings a happier mood."

"Why?"

"Because humans and Gods alike are made of internal energy. The energy is gifted to the humans from the Gods in the form of answered prayers. Then, the energy returns to the Gods in the forms of thanks, beliefs, and more requests. We give to receive and receive to give again. Because the energy in itself is a recyclable entity."

Teri looked over at Elliotes, very confused. It is not often that someone will actually answer her questions of "why." She truly just asks why because she likes to hear her own voice and likes to push her mommy to the point of either screaming or crying. It's her fun and annoying "why" game.

Elliotes was different. He was unphased by the five-year-old and her questions. He probably didn't even notice he was playing a game. Still, an opportunity has shown itself. There was a real player here for the game of why. It was time to get all of the secrets to the universe.

Teri clapped her hand, preparing for the challenge. "Why?"

"Because without the Gods, the humans will die, and without the humans, the Gods will die."

"Why?"

"Because we are nothing more to each other than the filter of negative energy."

"Why?"

"Oh my God, please stop!" Monica yelled as she woke up.

"But why?" Elliotes asked. "How are we supposed to feed the young minds if we do not answer their questions?"

Monica released her current predicament. One second, she was with her daughter at the museum, and the next second, she was in her home laying on her couch with her head in the lap of a Greek God.

She shot up and took a second to survey Elliotes. He definitely had the body of a Greek God, but he was only wearing white sweatpants, and it took all her willpower not to check him out any further.

No matter how good-looking Elliotes was, he was still a stranger in her home. No matter how innocent his pale blue eyes were, he held unknown powers to her. No matter how strong he is or how safe she felt in his arms, or-

"Mommy," Teri started interrupting her mother's train of thought. "Is Elli going to live with us?"

"Elli?"

"Young Priestess. I have told you my name is Elliotes."

"Young Priestess?"

"Look, mommy! Elli gave me his tiny house." Teri held out the shrine proudly.

It was clear that Monica had no idea how long she was out for. Clearly, enough time for Elliotes and Teri to bond. Also, it is a miracle in itself that they all made it home, safely. Now she has to figure out what she is going to do with a Greek God.

He appeared to be in a deep conversation with a five-year-old about what a normal person woulf view as a toy house. At best a Christmas ornament for a Christmas village. It was not a normal sight.

"Normally we will have all-powerful beasts guard our temples. I however am not that powerful yet. I fear leaving this in your possession will bring danger to you."

"We have an all-powerful beast at school."

"Really? That's wonderful."

Did he say dangers? Wait, did she say school? Crap.

Monica quickly jumped up. "Okay, Teri, just because we have a guest doesn't mean we don't do the bedtime routine. Go get ready for a bath."

"Why?" Teri whined.

"So you can have better energy when you wake up?" Elliotes answered.

Teri glared at Elliotes as she got up and headed to her room. Monica got up and went over to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

"Elliotes, right?" Monica asked.

"Yes, my lady."

"I have a lot, and I mean a lot of questions. How did you get here?"

Elliotes nodded as he told Monica his story. He spoke of the little memory he had about his family. About how he didn't stand up to his father's standards, nor was it even comparable to his brother.

He talked throughout the nightly routine. Told stories over dinner and explained his powers as a bedtime story. He is the God of Empty Dreams.

"What's an empty dream?' Teri asked as her mother tucked her in with Elliotes standing by her bedroom door.

"It's those dreams that you can't really remember. There is no story, good or bad. You just sleep."

Teri just nodded. She has grown tired of asking Elliotes questions. He was truly unbothered by them. Wait, she had one last question.

"Can I take the sher-ime to school tomorrow?"

"Of course, young priestess. It's yours to protect."

"Why?"

"Because it was you who awakened me."

Teri said her good nights to both Elliotes and her mother. Elliotes watched as Monica closed Teri's room door.

"Okay. Now, what am I supposed to do with you?" Monica asked Elliotes. He, in return, just shrugged. If the stories are true, he has been locked away for 2000 years.