The woman standing in the center of the grand hall scanned the room, her piercing gaze capturing the confusion etched on every face. Their wide eyes, trembling hands, and hushed murmurs made it clear: they couldn't digest what they were seeing or hearing.
For one, her appearance was beyond their comprehension. Her majestic white, feathered wings hovered a few feet above the floor, fluttering lightly with an ethereal glow. She radiated an otherworldly beauty, a kind that humans would describe as divine, though it was far from anything they could consider normal.
Fear had gripped most of them; panic was spreading like wildfire. Seeing their unsettled state, the woman tilted her head, her expression softening as she considered her next words carefully.
"You are all dead," she began, her voice calm yet firm, slicing through the tension like a blade. "On Earth, anyway. But the Deities, in their infinite mercy, have decided to grant you a blessing—" her eyes swept over the crowd, "—a second chance at life."
The room erupted.
"Dead?"
"A second chance?"
"What's going on?"
The angel raised her hand, and the cacophony subsided, leaving only a few whispers in its wake. "I am Hetan Jarvis," she continued, bowing her head slightly. "Ninth Angel Guardian, and I will be your guide for what comes next: your rebirth."
That single word—rebirth—spread like wildfire through their minds, igniting confusion and disbelief.
Murmurs broke out, louder this time, a wave of unease crashing over the room.
Meanwhile, Yuka simply stood there, absorbing every word like a sponge. This... it made sense, at least in some twisted way. Still, the questions forming in his mind far outnumbered the answers she had provided.
Hetan, sensing the rising tide of uncertainty, decided to press on. "Now, let me explain what is about to happen," she said. Her tone carried an authority that demanded attention. "You will all face a test. Before your new life begins, you will choose the gifts that will accompany you. These gifts will shape your destiny. However," she paused, her gaze sharp, "know this: the gifts can also choose you."
She extended her hand toward the left wall, which, moments ago, had been bare. Now, it stretched into infinity, covered with thousands of doors. Each door was unique, labeled and colored differently, radiating an aura that seemed to call out to the souls in the room.
The collective gasp was audible.
"Behind these doors," Hetan explained, "are blessings from the Deities who have decided to aid you on your journey. Choose wisely, for your decisions will shape your path. Once you have chosen, return here. Any questions?"
A man raised his hand, his voice trembling as he spoke, "I—I don't get it. Are we being reincarnated?"
Hetan's nose scrunched slightly, a small sign of annoyance. "You could call it reincarnation," she replied, "but that's not entirely accurate. You'll understand when the time comes—"
Another voice cut her off, a desperate cry from an older man. "Wait! What about my son? My daughter? I can't just forget them!"
A woman screamed, "My fiancé! I can't leave him behind!"
"Please send me back!" another begged. "I need to see my parents!"
"My PC! At least let me clear my search history!" someone muttered, drawing a few nervous chuckles.
The room devolved into chaos. Yuka, however, stood silently, staring at the floor. He had complaints too, regrets clawing at his heart, but he knew better than to voice them. What good would it do?
Hetan sighed, her patience wearing thin. She raised her hand again, and a surreal wave of energy pulsed through the room. Instantly, the noise ceased, an unnatural silence gripping everyone.
"Enough," she said, her tone colder now. "There is no going back. Even if I were to send you back, you're already buried. Time here doesn't flow the same as it does on Earth. It could have been years, decades, or even centuries since your deaths. Forget about those you left behind. Your focus should be on the now."
Her words hit like a hammer, shattering what little composure they had left.
"Any other questions?" she asked, her eyes scanning the room.
This time, no one spoke. The weight of her words had crushed their spirits.
"Good," she said, folding her arms. "If I were you, I'd start choosing your doors—"
A lone hand shot up, cutting her off mid-sentence.
Hetan blinked, startled. Who dared to speak now, after she had so thoroughly broken their confidence? Her eyes narrowed, searching for the source.
It was Yuka.
He lowered his hand slowly, feeling the weight of every gaze in the room. "Can you at least give us a hint?" he asked. His voice was steady, but there was an edge of desperation to it. "What kind of world are we being sent to? I mean—what should we expect?"
Hetan stared at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, a small smile tugged at her lips.
"Interesting," she murmured.
Straightening, she addressed him directly. "I can't tell you much," she said, "but if I were you..." Her smile widened, and there was a hint of something ominous in her tone. "...I'd prepare for the worst."