The goddess's calm eyes swept over the group as silence filled the grand hall. The tension in the air was intense, but her serene demeanor remained.
"I understand your concerns."
"You were torn from your world, brought to a place unknown, and asked to fight a war not of your own making. These are not burdens I place upon you lightly, nor are you here without reason."
She pointed toward the Orb of Awakening, the projection of the war-torn realm glowing ominously above it. "You are not mere mortals summoned to die in a foreign war. You are unique... beings of higher dimensional energy, vastly different from the inhabitants of this world. When you enter Astrithal, your very existence will alter the balance of power. You are stronger, faster, and more capable than any native of this realm. Your potential far surpasses anything they could hope to achieve."
Her glowing blue eyes locked onto Marcus, who had been glaring at her moments before.
"That is why you were summoned. You are not just ordinary people; you are destined to wield power beyond imagination. This realm needed champions, and only you possess the strength to stand against the Dark Lord and his forces."
The goddess began to pace from side to side, her robes trailing behind her as she spoke.
"When you descend to the Lower Realm, you will be welcomed not as outcasts, but as nobles... heroes of destiny."
"My people will honor and revere you. You will be given the finest training from masters who have dedicated their lives to the art of war and magic."
"Weapons and armor of unmatched craftsmanship will be yours to wield, designed to complement your extraordinary potential."
She paused, allowing the weight of her words to settle in than she continued.
"You will not fight alone. Elite soldiers, bound by loyalty and purpose, will serve under your command. They will shield you from harm, follow your orders without question, and ensure your success. You will be leaders, forces of hope and inspiration for a world on the brink of despair."
Her tone softened slightly, but her words carried even greater weight. "And know this: when your mission is complete, when the Dark Lord is vanquished, you will not be forgotten. Each of you will be granted noble territories to rule, places where you can build a legacy and live lives of comfort, respect, and greatness."
The goddess turned to the group, her glowing eyes radiating sincerity. "This is not a sacrifice; it is an opportunity. You are not here to lose but to rise. Your lives will not end in obscurity, they will shine as legends, remembered for eternity."
She then fixed her gaze back on Marcus, her voice calm but firm. "So, no, Marcus, you are not being thrown into this without cause. You are here because you are greater than you know. Because your potential outshines anything this world has ever seen. This is my promise to you all: as long as you survive... you will thrive. And you will leave behind a legacy far greater than anything your old world could offer."
The space suddenly fell silent.
Ian's mind raced, the goddess's explanation igniting a flame of hope that burned brighter with each passing moment.
This was more than a call to battle... it was a chance to rewrite his destiny. A chance to be something extraordinary.
"Now," the goddess concluded, her voice steady yet filled with quiet power, "the choice is yours. Will you rise to the challenge and claim the greatness that awaits you?"
The room fell into silence... One the felt uneasy, after the goddess's impassioned speech, her words sunk into the minds of everyone present.
Slowly, the murmurs began to rise, hesitant at first but growing louder as the group found their resolve.
"Well… she does have a point."
"Yeah."
"If we're going to be stronger here… and treated like nobles… it's better than being ordinary back home."
"Better than dying in some dead-end job."
"I mean, this sounds like something out of a fantasy novel. Might as well go all in."
"If we're going to be given training and high-level gear… maybe this isn't as bad as it sounds."
"Not just gear... territories, too. We could rule, like actual rulers!"
"I'll take that over my crappy apartment."
Ian listened quietly, his thoughts racing. Around him, more voices joined in all of them slowly coming to an agreement.
"Yeah, I'm in. If we're going to be stronger than everyone else there, then let's do it."
"I guess it's worth a shot."
"It's not like we can go back anyway, right?"
"Might as well aim for greatness."
As they all slowly agreed, the goddess stood, watching them with an unreadable expression. Slowly, her lips curled into a smile... a little too wide, a little too sharp. Ian felt a sudden chill creep down his spine, like an icy hand brushing against his back.
For a fleeting moment, he swore her glowing blue eyes gleamed with something far darker.
But he shook the feeling off, convincing himself it was just nerves. This was a goddess, after all... an otherworldly being. Of course, her mannerisms would be unsettling.
The goddess clasped her hands together, her expression softening slightly.
"Excellent." She said.
"Then let us proceed. To ensure fairness and clarity, I will call you forward in alphabetical order. Each of you will receive your initial gifts, the first step in realizing your immense potential."
She raised her hand, a faint golden aura surrounding her fingers as she pointed to one of the girls. "First… Amelia Harper."
A young woman with wavy auburn hair flinched slightly as her name was called. She stood hesitantly, her hazel eyes wide with a touch of fear and curiosity.
The goddess extended a hand toward her, beckoning her to approach. "Come forward, Amelia. Do not be afraid. This is your moment."
Amelia swallowed hard, glancing nervously at the others before stepping out of the crowd. Each step echoed in the chamber as she approached the goddess, her shoulders squared despite the trembling in her hands.
"Good," the goddess said with a smile that seemed to calm Amelia. "Let us begin."