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Chapter 2 - The Judgement

Days upon days, weeks upon weeks, maybe even months had passed since I began my journey. I walked hundreds and hundreds of miles, and finally the goal is in sight. Before me stood a canyon of glistening gold and ruby so pure and bright, it seemed my eyes would melt. Maybe one or two more hours of walking until I arrive. As I inched closer the canyon seemed to consume me.

The canyon walls were separated into two colors, the floor into two more. To one side the wall was as deep a crimson as freshly spilled blood, the floor green as pure cut emeralds. The other side was a wall of pure gold not even the richest could afford a gram of, the floor white as the purest snow from the first shower of winter. Deep into the canyon I heard booming voices and screams. Still a force would not let me leave, so I continued the march towards my fate.

When there were only four people in front of me, I finally got a view on the center of the canyon. It was a bowl. The center was inlaid with an intricate black stone pedestal. On the ends of each color path was a door, each door the color of their path. Thirty feet above the ground was an alcove where five thrones were carved, and In each throne sat a giant. The giants were wearing regal attire from ages past. Their faces were that of men, all aged to the point that they have lost all pigment in their hair. Each giant wore a different crown with each being more intricate than the last.

As I was examining the Giants, the next person in line stepped forward. The pedestal they stood on sank a meter into the ground. The centermost Giant boomed, "The Shades!" The others nodded as if agreeing. Out of the red door emerged hands a deep shade of crimson. The hands approached the man on the pedestal and grabbed him by the arms. He screamed. The screams were of primal fear and horror as he was pulled through to the other side.

The next person stepped forward, and the pedestal rose a meter into the air. After a pause, the giant boomed, "Nirvana!" and the others nodded. The golden door opened and the man walked inside. The next person stepped forward. After a second or two the pedestal started to sink. The pedestal sank half a meter before stopping. The giant again boomed, "The Mist!" and the other giants nodded again. The white door opened and misty tendrils surrounded the man. He tried to scream then went quiet, slowly walking towards the door with clouded eyes. As the door closed the next person stepped up. This time the pedestal rose half a meter into the air before stopping. "Rebirth!" the giant boomed. The others nodded. The green door opened and a golden net was cast out and wrapped around the man. He screamed as he was ripped through the door.

I stepped forward. I stood on the pedestal for what felt like eternity, but it didn't move. The giants started whispering amongst themselves. After a few moments, the center giant turned towards me and said, "again!" I stepped off and walked back on nervously, but still, it didn't move. They started conversing amongst themselves.

After about five minutes they turned toward me again and all shouted in unison, "custos!" From behind every door emerged three stone giants that stood three and a half meters tall. They grabbed me and dragged me out of the canyon. As I was dragged away I heard one of the giants muttering, "The judgement should have been perfect..." before I was dragged behind the canyon. Behind the canyon was an abyss, a cliff that led only toward an infinite darkness. All but two of the stone giants backed off and they each grabbed one of my arms. They approached the edge and dropped me. As I fell I looked up and saw nothing but an inky black sky.