Chapter 53: As beautiful as Aphrodite

Zafron's mind reeled. A goddess? Aphrodite? He had heard tales of the old gods, of course, but they were just stories, myths from a bygone age. And yet, standing before this radiant being, he found he couldn't doubt her words."But... how? Why am I here? Am I dead?" The questions tumbled out of Zafron, each one echoing in the vast chamber. Searᴄh the Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Aphrodite's smile turned enigmatic. "Dead? Perhaps. Or perhaps you are more alive now than you have ever been. As for why you are here..." She paused, her gaze seeming to look through him and beyond. "That, Zafron, is something you will need to discover for yourself."

Zafron stood there, awash in the goddess's presence, his mind struggling to comprehend the situation. He had so many questions, so many uncertainties.

Aphrodite's eyes sparkled with an otherworldly light as she gazed at Zafron, her lips curving into a gentle smile. "This, Zafron, is Limbo," she explained, her voice a melodious whisper that seemed to caress his very soul. "And I am your spirit goddess, assigned by the universe itself to guide you on your quest."

Zafron's eyes widened, his mouth agape as he processed her words. The sheer magnificence of Aphrodite was almost overwhelming – her golden hair shimmered like sunlight on water, her skin radiated a soft, ethereal glow, and her eyes held depths of wisdom that seemed infinite. Not to mention, she had the body of a goddess if that even made any sense.

She had an hour glass figure with every curve just within the right dimension! Her very presence was beyond perfection. He found himself struggling to form coherent thoughts in her presence.

"Quest?" he finally managed to stammer, his voice barely above a whisper. "What quest?"

Aphrodite's smile deepened, a hint of mystery dancing in her eyes. "That, my dear, depends entirely on what you choose," she replied, her tone both playful and serious. "There are two paths before you, one more perilous than the other."

Zafron listened intently as Aphrodite continued, her every word captivating him. "The first road leads to your final resting place – a peaceful journey to eternal slumber. The second..." She paused, her gaze intensifying. "The second road may lead you back to the land of the living."

Zafron's jaw dropped, his eyes widening in disbelief. "A... a second chance?" he gasped, his mind reeling. "But how? Why? And why didn't you mention this first?" The questions tumbled out of him in a rush of excitement and confusion.

Aphrodite's lips curved into a smile that then morphed into laughter. Her laughter rang out like silver bells, filling the air with its enchanting sound. "Your eagerness is endearing, Zafron," she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "But remember, choices have consequences. Which path do you wish to follow?"

Without hesitation, Zafron blurted out, "The second option, of course! A chance to live again – how could I possibly refuse?"

Aphrodite's expression turned serious, a shadow passing over her ethereal features. "So be it," she said solemnly. "But heed my warning, Zafron. This road is significantly more dangerous than the first. Should you perish on this journey, you will lose the chance to find your final rest. Are you prepared to take that risk?"

Zafron nodded, determination etched on his face. "I am," he said firmly.

Aphrodite regarded him for a moment, then extended her hand. "Come with me," she said softly. "There's something you need to see."

'Okay? Where are we going? Are you taking me back to the land of the living so soon?!' Zafron thought. As much as dying sucked, he was surely going to miss seeing what perfection actually looked like.

As they stepped outside the temple, Zafron gasped in shock. The vibrant, otherworldly beauty he had marveled at earlier had vanished. The dual suns were gone, along with the shimmering pink sky and the iridescent forest. Instead, they stood at the edge of a vast, desolate field stretching as far as the eye could see.

Zafron's eyes darted around, trying to make sense of the dramatic change. The lush grass had been replaced by dry, cracked earth. The air, once sweet and invigorating, now felt heavy and oppressive. But what truly caught his attention were the figures moving across the barren landscape.

"Who are they? I don't remember seeing them when I came here," Zafron asked, his voice hushed as he watched the shuffling forms in the distance.

Aphrodite's face was solemn as she replied, "They are lost souls," she said briefly.

"Lost souls?... But something... something isn't quite right about them." Zafron said, looking at the open field of people wandering about.

The figures moved aimlessly, walking back and forth without purpose or direction. Their forms were pale and insubstantial, lacking the vibrant glow that Zafron had noticed in his own skin.

"Why are they behaving like that?" he asked, a chill running down his spine despite the lack of wind.

Aphrodite's voice was heavy with sorrow as she explained, "They died on their journey to the land of the living."

Zafron turned to her, confusion etched on his face. "Died? How does one even die twice?"

The goddess's eyes met his, filled with infinite compassion and a hint of warning. "They squandered their chance to either return to the mortal realm or find their final rest. Now, they have lost it all. They are doomed to wander this desolate plain for all eternity." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "That would be your fate, should you fail to cross the final gate."

"Gate?" Zafron's brow furrowed. "What gate?"

Aphrodite's lips curved into a mysterious smile. "Follow me," she said, turning and gliding across the barren ground with otherworldly grace.

As they walked, Zafron found his gaze continually drawn to Aphrodite. Her beauty seemed even more pronounced in this bleak setting, like a beacon of hope in a world devoid of color. Her golden hair flowed behind her, untouched by the stagnant air, and her every movement was poetry in motion.

"I'm sorry," Zafron ventured, his curiosity getting the better of him, "you mentioned a final gate. What exactly does that mean?"

Aphrodite glanced at him, her eyes twinkling with an inner light. "The gate is the threshold between this realm and the world of the living. It is your ultimate destination – and your greatest challenge."

They crested a small rise, and Zafron's breath caught in his throat. Before them, rising out of the desolate plain like a mirage, stood three enormous gates. They seemed to be made of pure energy, its surface rippling and shifting in mesmerizing patterns. The gate towered over everything, its top lost in the hazy, colorless sky.

"By the gods," Zafron whispered, awe evident in his voice.

Aphrodite chuckled softly. "Just one god here, I'm afraid," she said with a wink. Her expression then turned serious. "These, Zafron, are the trial gates. Beyond it lies your chance at a new life. But reaching it...

that is no simple task."

Zafron tore his gaze away from the gate to look at Aphrodite. "What must I do?" he asked, determination evident in his voice.

The goddess gestured to the vast expanse between them and the gate. "You must cross this plain, avoiding the dangers that lurk within. The lost souls you see are but one of many perils. There are creatures here, born of regret and unfinished business, that would love nothing more than to drag you down into eternal wandering."

Zafron swallowed hard, his earlier confidence wavering slightly. "And... and if I make it to the gates?"

Aphrodite's smile was enigmatic. "Then, you face your greatest trial. The gate itself will test. Only if you pass will it allow you passage back to the world of the living."

Zafron stood silent for a long moment, his eyes moving between the imposing gate and the beautiful goddess beside him. Finally, he squared his shoulders and met Aphrodite's gaze. "I understand the risks," he said firmly. "But I'm ready to face them. I want to live again, to have a second chance at life."

Aphrodite's smile widened, a look of pride crossing her features. "Then let your journey begin. But there is something I need to give you before you leave,"