Kara was led into a breathtaking city—its light shimmered like the most precious gem, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.
Towering walls surrounded the city, great and high, with twelve gates—each made of a single pearl. At every gate stood an angel, and inscribed upon them were names—names that carried weight and meaning.
The wall itself was made of jasper, and the city... the city was pure gold, so transparent it gleamed like glass. Its foundations sparkled with all manner of precious stones, each glowing with divine beauty.
Kara's eyes widened in awe.
"What... what is this place?" she asked without realizing she'd spoken aloud.
Angel Haniel smiled at her childlike wonder.
"You're lucky to be here," she said gently, then continued leading her toward the voice that had spoken like many waters.
They walked on streets made of pure gold, glowing and gleaming like translucent glass. Finally, they arrived.
"We are here," Haniel said softly.
Kara looked up.
A magnificent throne of sapphire stood before her, and from it flowed a river as clear as crystal. Seated on the throne was a figure—majestic and radiant. His form shone like burnished gold, as though made of fire and light. His head and hair were white as snow, and His eyes burned with blazing fire.
His feet glowed like bronze in a furnace, and at His right hand stood a Lamb—looking as if it had been slain, yet alive.
Surrounding the throne were elders dressed in white, golden crowns on their heads. Each held a golden bowl filled with incense, the prayers of the saints. They sang in worship, their voices like heavenly choirs.
But when Kara entered, the voice of many waters echoed again, and the music ceased.
"My Lord, we are here," Angel Haniel said, bowing low.
The figure on the throne leaned forward.
"Come closer, Kara. I am the Lord Almighty. And you are My child."
Kara's eyes welled with tears. Her legs trembled, and she looked away, unable to face the glory before her.
This can't be real, she thought. This is all a dream. I need to wake up... Mom, wake me up!
"I hear you, My child," the Lord said, interrupting her thoughts. "But this is no dream."
Kara clenched her fists, her voice trembling.
"I'm not Your child. My dad died. I prayed. I begged You! And You ignored me. You let me suffer in silence. What do You want from me now?"
"Your father," God answered solemnly, "chose a path I could no longer reach. His heart wandered far, despite what others saw."
Kara gasped.
"What do You mean? He was devoted to You!"
"Watch your tone!" one of the elders warned sharply.
God continued, unfazed.
"There are depths even My children cannot see. But I brought you here, Kara, to offer you something precious—another chance."
Kara blinked.
"A second chance? What kind of chance?"
"You will return to earth," God said. "And you will bring back the souls you misled after your father's death. If you succeed, you will live out your days with your mother and experience My goodness. But if you fail..."
He paused.
"You will fall into the hands of Lucifer, the fallen one."
Kara shivered, a chill running down her spine. Her thoughts flew to her mother—Nareen, the woman who had already suffered so much.
Nareen had never recovered after her husband's passing. And now, she had lost her only daughter.
Kara's heart sank.
"You seem uncertain," God said. "Would you like to see your mother?"
He waved His hand, and a screen appeared before them.
There was Nareen, in the hospital morgue, sobbing uncontrollably over Kara's lifeless body.
"Kara, why did you do this to me? Why so soon? We had so many dreams... so many plans. God, why?!" she cried.
The screen vanished.
God turned to Kara once more.
"This is how many of My children blame Me for their pain—when I gave them opportunities they rejected. Now I offer one to you. What will you choose?"
Kara dropped to her knees, unable to speak. Tears streamed down her face as she nodded, trembling, her whole body surrendering to the moment.
"Take her in. Prepare her," God commanded. "Angel Michael will reveal to her all that she must know before she returns."
As Kara was led away, the elders resumed their songs of praise—voices rising in harmony, a melody of redemption.
A soul once lost was now rising.