It was a strange feeling for them. They thought it would be hard and painful, but instead it was soft and comfortable. They opened their eyes slowly and could not believe what they were seeing. They stood now in a world of clouds and starry skies. Auroras and several rainbows joined with the stars to develop an unbelievable view. The floor was misty, and the space seemed to be infinitely empty. That is, until it began sprouting several clansmen.
Several dark-skinned people like them, began to appear out of nowhere, with yellow halos shining at the top of the head. Esther knew them all, knowing for sure that everyone belonged to her clan. She realized what it meant. They had all just died. "A world of clouds, infinite and beautiful, of course it can only be Paradise. How I did not realize before? "She thought to herself. It felt good to have discovered the mystery that her tribe had searched for so long, but it was immediately flooded with a sense of anguish. So much she wanted to do and could not.
She told what was going to the still confused Zacharias. He was quick to get into a state of panic, wondering if his parents were with him. That's when Esther remembered her father. They got separated in an attempt to look for their respective parents. It didn't take long for her to find him:
- Daughter, you are here! - The father ran to hug her.
- So father also died?
- Yes. Who would have thought that after all this time looking for a forest similar to the Garden of Eden, Paradise is only composed of clouds.
- This is probably not the Garden of Eden. Pretty sure that we are currently in Purgatory. We haven't gone through the divine judgement yet, so we haven't yet reached Paradise. That's where the garden should be. - Esther pondered.
- You haven't gone through to the Soul Tribunal?
- No ... You have?
- Yes, it was like reliving my life all over again. I find it odd you haven't gone through there yet. I guess that explains why you don't have an halo. – He concluded as he felt the touch of his.
- I don't have one? I mean, neither did Zach... That's weird. - commented the curious girl.
*
The boy was still in search of relatives, however, he did not find them. He had been screaming their names, without receiving any response. He started pondering a bit about it and established that they should still be alive. He was not able to tell them that he loved them, not even to say goodbye properly. The last words were "I'm going to the fight of my birthday. See you later.", and to him that wasn't enough. Once he finished the search, he slowly walked toward her friend, thinking about what had happened to his parents. Looking around, he noticed everyone there started moving in unison to one spot.
That's when Zach heard a voice, gravely and powerful, gentle and soothing, inside his head.
- You, young man, go to the opposite side. There is something special I want to communicate to you and to your friend.
He decided to do what the unknown told him, noting that Esther did the same. Her father seemed surprised to see her daughter not go with him, but decided to go towards the light as most did.
After a short walk less than a hundred meters, it looked like they were already incredibly far apart, even with such a short distance. Shortly after, they heard the voice again and to stop them, a tornado of dust was formed before them. In the center appeared a man of colorful robes of blue, red and yellow. However, what stood out most were the six wings that came out of his back, shining more than the sun itself. That light could keep the uncertainty about the true form of this being, who began by saying:
- I am Vehulah, seraphim who gives life, who obeys the Father, who called you to me. I spoke to the prophets and I will speak with you now.
- Veluha? Veula? Vehulah! They have to start thinking about simpler to pronounce names. – Wondered the girl, realizing only after whom she was talking to. - Excuse me for my own carelessness, I did not intend to speak to you so disrespectfully.
- Do not worry Esther. - He stated, containing a small cry. - You can talk as comfortably as you like with me. I prefer you do it that way. And you're right. Over time several names were given to me, and this is the most simple of a long number of syllabic impossibilities.
- But why is an angel the one who comes to meet us and not God? It was He who called us. - continued the curious girl, now more naturally.
- You are not worthy to approach God. Please, refrain from disrespecting him in such a manner.
Esther was silent for a bit, for fear that she would further worsen the situation until Zach intervened:
- Sorry about my friend. She did not realize the seriousness of our situation. And when she heard that he could speak naturally she could not handle herself. We are both very grateful to stand before your presence, seraphim Vehulah.- He tried to explain while shaking.
- Zach, thank you. - He said relieved. - If only your friend was as careful with words as you are. However, you need not be so nervous.
- And ... I just ... you know Vehulah. – He wasn't able to speak straight out of pure anxiety.
- Okay, I'll leave that aside, however I still have more questions. First ... - Esther was interrupted by Zacharias, who put his hand in front of her, in a motion to shut her up. She got upset, but didn't want to show it to a figure of such high praise. That's when the seraphim spoke:
- Everything will be answered in time. For now let me tell you about the reason for your call. A full explanation would be too long, so I will be short. The Apocalypse has begun!