Bab 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.

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.