The brightness hurt his closed eyes, piercing his eyelids like blades of golden light. A pleasant warmth enveloped his body, unlike anything he had ever experienced. Slowly, he forced himself to open his eyes, blinking several times as his vision adjusted.
The first thing he saw was a face. Sun-bronzed skin, dark, wavy hair falling over his shoulders, deep brown eyes carrying an immeasurable depth. A slight smile curved the man's lips before him—gentle, yet firm—as if he already knew all the questions before they were even asked.
His body rested upon a stone platform, arranged in harmonious alignment with others like it, instantly reminding him of the ruins of Stonehenge. But here, there was no wear of time, no moss or cracks. The place seemed newly created, sculpted by the very will of the world.
Sitting up, he looked around. The air was pure, filled with a freshness that entered his lungs effortlessly. Above, the sky was an impossible blue, flawless, with the sun shining without burning. In the distance, mountains covered in lush greenery embraced waterfalls that cascaded into crystal-clear rivers. Animals that only existed in ancient paintings roamed through the tall grass, while vibrantly colored birds cut through the sky, singing melodies that sounded like stories whispered by the wind.
He stood up, feeling the firmness of the ground beneath his feet. The grass, soft as velvet, bent under his weight. Beyond the circle of stones, he saw a civilization rising in the distance. Majestic structures blended into the landscape, built from a material that seemed both ancient and eternal. Towers, temples, and grand buildings formed a setting that defied any era, as if all the great empires of humanity had converged into a single place. There were also dwellings with a more modern appearance, yet they did not clash with the surroundings, maintaining a balance between different ages.
He took a deep breath. Was all of this real?
He turned his gaze back to the man before him, who watched him patiently.
"Who are you?" His voice came out hoarse, almost hesitant, as if fearing the answer.
The man continued smiling, tilting his head slightly.
"You already know who I am, Arthur."
Arthur felt a shiver run down his spine. He hadn't said his name. Before he could question it, he forced himself to ask:
"Where… am I?"
The man's eyes gleamed with something unfathomable.
"You have arrived at the Elysian Fields. The home of those who left their mark on history."
The words lingered in the air, carrying an immeasurable weight. Arthur swallowed hard, feeling his heartbeat quicken.
"So, this is… paradise? The afterlife?"
Jesus smiled with understanding.
"It's more complex than that. Every soul passes through the Tribunal of Purification, where all impurities are removed before reaching its final destination. Some reincarnate, others remain here. There are also those who failed the judgment, and their souls are sent to Purgatory, where their stains are cleansed before returning to the cycle. Each world has its own journey, but all converge toward the same truth."
Arthur processed the words, his mind struggling to find logic in them. If the Tribunal of Purification judged all souls from all realities, then it was not just a religious concept, but a cosmic structure—a pillar of divine order that transcended time, space, and even human comprehension.
The souls of different worlds and civilizations underwent the same process, but each perceived the tribunal according to their own culture and beliefs. To a human, it might appear as a grand celestial temple. To an advanced alien civilization, it might be a field of pure energy. But the judgment was the same for all.
Arthur took a deep breath, trying to absorb the revelation.
"So technically, other planes, multiverses exist? And this tribunal judges all of them?"
Jesus nodded.
"Yes."
Arthur frowned, intrigued.
"Are you present in those other places?"
Jesus held his gaze firmly and replied with serenity.
"In my Father's house, there are many mansions."
Arthur pondered for a moment before asking:
"And in all those other places, is your story the same? Are you the same being in all of them?"
Jesus smiled slightly.
"In those worlds, I have another name. They must learn to recognize me by it."
As they walked toward the city, Jesus continued to explain:
"Time here is not like in the world you know. It is not felt the same way because there is no rush, no fear of tomorrow. The present is where all exist. Here, past grudges, ancient conflicts, hatred, and anger have no place. Only harmony, friendship, and joy."
After some time walking, Arthur began to hear the sounds of battle. The clash of swords, laughter, and shouts of encouragement. As they approached, he saw an open field where various warriors dueled. Some fought with swords, others with spears and axes.
Jesus pointed to two men fiercely facing off. One, imposing, with a firm stance and wild eyes, wielded his blade with brutal precision. The other, blond and sharp-eyed, moved with the grace of a born strategist.
"Temujin and Alexander the Great," Jesus said.
Around them, a group watched with excitement, drinking from large mugs and laughing heartily. Ragnar Lothbrok and his son Bjorn exchanged jokes while Richard the Lionheart clapped his hands, encouraging the fighters. Attila observed with an intense gaze but smiled between sips of mead.
A little farther away, the scene changed completely. An intense and energetic melody filled the air. Freddie Mercury sang with passion, his voice echoing like thunder. Around him, a legendary trio accompanied him: Mozart on the harpsichord, Beethoven with a viola, and Paganini drawing impossible notes from his violin.
Beyond them, a group of notable figures danced, surrendering to the rhythm of the music. Catherine the Great twirled in an elegant dress, while Cleopatra smiled and danced alongside her. Ada Lovelace watched the musicians with fascination, while Voltaire exchanged sharp remarks with Rasputin, who laughed.
Arthur observed it all with a mix of awe and disbelief. Was this truly the final destination of history's greatest names? A blend of eras, cultures, and legacies creating something unique—something eternal.
Jesus merely smiled, for all who came before him had the same reaction.