The imposing figure of Arbella, the massive white bipedal lion with a feathered mane, descended upon the platform. Matthew, Chia, Marcus, and Yosuke found themselves frozen in awe and fear. The deafening crash of its landing still echoed in their ears, and its booming laughter resonated through the grand chamber.

Arbella's eyes, a mesmerizing shade of golden yellow, locked onto the group with a penetrating intensity. It was as if the creature could see into their very souls, and the weight of its gaze sent shivers down their spines.

‘Crap, crap, crap, this thing must be the final boss of this place. I knew this place was bad news.’ Chia thought. As Chia's thoughts raced with fear and uncertainty, the colossal figure of Arbella continued to loom over them. Matthew, Marcus, and Yosuke shared the same mixture of dread and awe, their hearts pounding in their chests.

"Well now, humans, are you going to speak or must I start things off!?"

Suddenly, a gentle and melodious female voice emerged unexpectedly. "Brother Arbel," she gently admonished, "you're frightening them; this isn't what we rehearsed." As her soothing words filled the air, the anxious assembly found comfort in her voice. They shifted their focus to discover the source of the sound, amidst the dominating presence of Arbella.

From above the ceiling, three more figures began to gracefully descend on a platform adjacent to Arbella. As the three figures descended from the ceiling, the atmosphere in the grand chamber shifted from one of pure fear to curiosity mixed with trepidation. The colossal figure of white bipedal lion with a feathered mane, Arbella, remained imposing, but the presence of these newcomers added a layer of complexity to the situation.

The first to descend was a tall, bipedal regal elderly goat-headed creature with grand horns shaped like a helix. Its imposing presence commanded attention as it stepped gracefully onto the surface. The onyx horns, spiraling upward with an otherworldly elegance, gleamed with an iridescent sheen, catching the light in mesmerizing patterns.

The second entity to descend was a bipedal avian being, its feathers a testament to natural beauty, outshining even the most resplendent plumage found in the avian kingdom. These feathers, adorned with a rich palette of colors, left peacocks and other avian wonders in awe of their sheer magnificence. As it gracefully touched down, its plumage glowed with a kaleidoscope of hues, casting a breathtaking and vivid spectacle upon the surroundings.

The third individual to gracefully descend was a woman of indescribable loveliness, possessing features that seemed otherworldly and enchanting. Her lengthy, flowing blonde locks resembled a cascading spectrum of colors, shifting like a mesmerizing rainbow. Her closed eyes exuded a profound sense of wisdom and kindness, capturing the attention of everyone around. Her wings, fashioned into an elegant dress, added to her allure. She emitted an aura of serenity and compassion, a stark contrast to Arbella's imposing presence and the otherworldly beauty of the goat-headed and avian beings. The stage was now set for an exceptionally extraordinary encounter, leaving the humans intrigued about what awaited them in this mysterious realm.

 

“Greetings, humans. I deeply apologize for my big brother's behavior earlier. He didn't intend any harm,” the woman spoke softly.

The avian creature chimed in, saying, "We can't turn our heads for one second without our meatheaded brother running off, who knows where."

The goat-headed creature let out a bleat, responding with a simple "Baa."

“Frightened, hmph, I did no such thing.”

Arbella responded, "Were you frightened, humans? Did the mighty Arbella manage to scare you?"

As the tension in the grand chamber slowly dissipated, the humans began to regain their composure. Matthew, Chia, Marcus, and Yosuke exchanged bewildered glances before Matthew finally found his voice.

“Uhh, we were taken by surprise," he admitted, "but I wouldn't say we're scared anymore," Matthew said nervously.

Chia nodded in agreement, her initial fear giving way to a deep sense of curiosity. 

"I mean, you've got to admit," she said, "this is not what we expected when we entered this place. It's like a whole other world."

Marcus added, "Yeah, and you guys are... well, you're not exactly what we're used to seeing on Earth."

Yosuke chimed in with a question, "So, who are you all, and where are we? And what exactly did you rehearse? You all seem to have been waiting on our arrival?

The woman with hair that cascaded like a rainbow smiled with a gentle warmth. 

"Welcome to the Seraphim Sanctuary, a realm that stretches far beyond the boundaries of your world. Allow me to introduce ourselves: I am Aria, The Song Seraphim. The one with the spiraling helix horns is the oldest sibling Basalt, The Construction Seraphim, representing knowledge and wisdom. The avian being before you is Avem, The Observation Seraphim, embodying beauty and freedom. And, of course, you've already had the pleasure of meeting Arbella, The War Seraphim, our protective yet occasionally exuberant sibling."

Chia couldn't help but think sarcastically, "The resemblance is uncanny."

Basalt nodded solemnly, and Avem extended his feathers in a dazzling display of colors. Arbella simply grinned, showing his massive, intimidating teeth.

Aria continued, "As for our rehearsal, we've been preparing for your arrival, but it seems Arbella got a bit carried away. Our intention was never to frighten you, but rather to welcome you to our realm and share our knowledge."

“Now, it is time to explain why you're here.”

Matthew, Chia, Marcus, and Yosuke listened intently, their initial fear giving way to a sense of fascination and curiosity. They had entered the Seraphim Sanctuary with no expectations, and now they found themselves in the presence of beings unlike anything they had ever encountered on Earth.

Aria, The Song Seraphim, continued, "You are here because of a prophecy telling of four heroes who will rise in our world's darkest hour. Their destinies intertwined, they will hold the key to the salvation of our realm and the souls who reside here."

The four humans exchanged amazed and bewildered glances. They had entered this realm with no idea of what to expect, and now they were being told they were part of a prophecy to save an entirely different world.

Chia retorted, "Are you truly suggesting that I should jeopardize my life for a place where I was essentially abducted, surrounded by creatures so grotesque that looking at them is a challenge? For all I know, you could be a demon in a clever disguise."

“Demon?” Arbella retorted.

Arbella's booming laughter echoed through the grand chamber once again, and his massive white form shook with mirth. "A demon in a clever disguise, she says! Oh, that's a good one!"

Aria, The Song Seraphim, maintained her gentle smile as she responded to Chia's concerns. "I understand that this is all very overwhelming and unusual for you. But I assure you, we are not here to harm you. We have been watching and preparing for your arrival because the fate of our realm and countless souls depend on you. It's a great burden, and we respect your right to make your own choices."

“Well, how about you three?”

“Nah, that is too much work. I already have too many things on my plate,” Marcus said bluntly.

“Yes,” Yosuke said eagerly.

Arbella, Aria, Basalt, and Avem exchanged thoughtful glances. It was clear that they had anticipated resistance and varied reactions from the humans.

Aria spoke first, addressing Yosuke, "Your willingness to help is appreciated, Yosuke. Your presence here will be invaluable."

Basalt nodded in approval and let out a joyful bleat.

Avem extended his feathers in a display of vibrant colors, signaling his approval of Yosuke's decision.

Regarding Marcus, Aria responded, "We acknowledge your concerns, Marcus. We have a solution for that scenario. If you join us, someone can take your place while you're in combat. However, if you still decline..."

“That's all I needed to hear,” Marcus.

“Well, welcome aboard.”

With Yosuke and Marcus now on board, the situation had taken an unexpected turn. The humans found themselves becoming part of a prophecy in a realm beyond their wildest imagination. Chia, who had expressed reluctance earlier, now faced a decision.

Chia still appeared skeptical, but she was more curious than fearful now. "And what if we choose not to help? What happens then?"

Aria's expression turned somber. "If you choose not to accept this quest, it will be your decision. However, the consequences of our world's fate and the souls residing here will be dire. The prophecy has foretold that your presence is the world's only hope, and the darkness that threatens to consume us will continue to grow."

“But how they are gonna fight,” Chia said.

“With magic of course.” Aria said.

“Magic as in casting spells!?”

“Indeed.” Aria said.

"I've reconsidered. I've always dreamt of becoming a magical girl!"

“Although you should’ve come soon for the girl part to apply, but whatever.”

“Wow, you're such a kid,” Marcus said chuckling

“What was that short stack!?”

“Short stack! You are probably two inches over me. “

"Looks like I struck a nerve didn't I." Chia said smugly

The banter between Chia and Marcus brought a much-needed sense of lightness to the tense atmosphere. The Seraphims looked on with mild amusement, seemingly enjoying the interplay between the humans. Arbella's booming laughter once again filled the chamber, echoing off the walls as the tension continued to dissipate.

“Now then Matthew, what is your decision?”

‘He'll say yes; he's such a goody two shoes, after all,’ Chia thought.

Matthew finally spoke. His voice quivered as he found the courage to speak, his emotions raw. 

"What type of messed up dream is this? You summoned me just to be a divine errand boy?”

 he exclaimed.

 "My mother called upon you in her most desperate moments throughout her life. She dedicated every moment, even her final ones, to you. So what makes you think I’ll help you out?”

Which caught everyone off guard. The atmosphere in the Seraphim Sanctuary shifted once more. Aria, Basalt, Avem, and Arbella exchanged somber glances, realizing that they had struck a deep emotional chord with Matthew. Chia, Marcus, and Yosuke remained silent, fully aware of the gravity of the situation.

Aria stepped forward, her expression filled with empathy and understanding. "Matthew, we are truly sorry for any distress our arrival has caused you. Your mother's devotion to us was unwavering, and we hold the deepest respect for her sacrifices. We did not summon you to use you for our purposes, but out of necessity to fulfill a prophecy that could determine the fate of our realm."

Matthew affirmed, "I'm still not interested."

Aria nodded solemnly, acknowledging Matthew's decision. "We respect your choice, Matthew. Should you ever change your mind, the Seraphim Sanctuary's doors will always be open to you."

"Now, let me clarify the reward once you fulfill the prophecy."

"After fulfilling the prophecy, you can make a wish, provided it relates to you and does not cause harm to the world."

The revelation about the potential reward intrigued the humans, and even Matthew, who had just declined, couldn't help but be curious about what the Seraphims were offering. The prospect of making a wish was a powerful incentive, and the atmosphere in the grand chamber became charged with a mix of emotions.

Chia, always quick with her words, chimed in, "So, any wish? Like, I could wish for a lifetime supply of chocolate, right?"

Aria smiled, "Well, within reason. The wish should be personal and not negatively impact the world or its inhabitants. But yes, it could be something that brings you joy."

Yosuke's eyes gleamed with excitement, So I can become the best doctor in the world and save many people.

Arbella, with his booming laughter, added, "Or you could wish for endless battles and challenges, just like me!"

Avem, the avian being, gracefully extended his feathers, creating a vibrant display of colors in approval of the humans' enthusiasm.

Marcus, always pragmatic, asked, "What if we wish for something impossible, like world peace?"

Avem responded "World peace is a noble aspiration, but it is beyond the power of even the Seraphims to grant. Your wishes should be personal and within the realm of possibility."

Aria added, "The purpose of the reward is to bring happiness to the ones who fulfill the prophecy, not to reshape the entire world."

Chia, with a mischievous grin, said, "Well, it's still a pretty sweet deal. Traveling a foreign world, a lifetime supply of chocolate, or even endless magical battles – we've got options!"

Yosuke nudged Chia, "But what about Matthew? You think he might change his mind?"

Matthew remained silent, deep in thought. The revelation about his mother's devotion had stirred emotions within him, and the weight of the decision hung heavily in the air.

Aria, sensing the emotional turmoil, spoke gently, "Matthew, the choice is yours. We understand the complexity of your feelings, and we respect whatever path you choose."

Matthew responded, "I'll give it some thought assuming that this isn't a dream.”

“Very well then we’ll await your answer by tomorrow.”

“Until then, exchange methods to contact each other.”

As the humans exchanged contact information with one another, the atmosphere in the grand chamber became more relaxed. The once overwhelming fear had transformed into a mix of curiosity, excitement, and a touch of apprehension.

Chia, always the chatterbox, couldn't resist making a quip. "So, how do we get back home, by clicking our heels three times or something?"

Aria chuckled, "Not quite, but the journey back is a simple process your souls all should be returning to your bodies by now.

“Huh?”

the humans said in unison

"Oops, I may have said too much. Farewell for now, humans. Be prepared for the long tomorrow, and make sure to stay in touch with each other as well."

 

The group of humans then began to fade from the seraphim realm and returned back to the world. 

Matthew awoke from his slumber still puzzled by the experience wondering if it was all real or not. 

End of Chapter 3