Chapter 3 THRESHOLD OF DESTINY

For a fleeting moment, Austin was rendered speechless, utterly captivated by the ethereal spectacle unfolding before him. He watched in rapt attention as the shimmering fragments coalesced into a towering figure, standing resolute amidst the radiant glow, its presence exuding an aura of divine power so profound that it seemed to beckon reverence.

"Human, do not fret. I've come to help you," echoed the familiar voice, cutting through the silence like a gentle breeze.

Austin's gaze shifted towards the luminous silhouette, hesitant yet drawn by an inexplicable sense of trust. With bated breath, he waited, allowing the sacred moment to unfold before daring to speak.

"Please forgive me for my ignorance, but I'm confused right now," he began, his voice trembling slightly with a mixture of awe and uncertainty. "I died, and now I'm here. Is this my resting place? And those four doors... do I choose one to leave?" Each word carried a weight of apprehension, a longing for clarity amidst the swirling confusion that engulfed him.

"Human, you were chosen for this gift. Your death was a necessary step to receive it," the human silhouette replied, its tone gentle yet imbued with a sense of solemn purpose.

As the realization dawned upon Austin, he couldn't help but question the nature of this so-called gift. 'Death is a gift?' he pondered silently, grappling with the profound implications of the deity's words.

"It is not your death that is the gift, but what lies beyond these doors," the silhouette continued, its outstretched hand indicating the four imposing portals. Austin's astonishment deepened as he realized the deity's ability to perceive his innermost thoughts. Yet, despite this newfound revelation, he remained clueless as to the significance of the doors before him.

"These doors will determine your fate, your destiny," the deity declared, its gaze penetrating Austin's very soul with an uncanny insight that left him awestruck.

With a sense of urgency and longing for understanding, Austin beseeched the celestial being before him, "Please, holy being, help me understand."

"Very well," the human silhouette replied, its voice carrying a soothing reassurance that eased Austin's apprehension. As the divine figure began to elucidate, Austin listened intently, his mind racing to grasp the significance of each door and the promises they held.

"Each door represents a distinct gift," the silhouette explained patiently. "The marble door, adorned with a book, promises boundless knowledge upon entry. The steel door, marked by a coin, offers untold wealth. The iron door, etched with a fist, grants unparalleled power. And the stone door, with its enigmatic circle, remains a mystery. After choosing, you will be reborn."

As the concept of "rebirth" echoed in Austin's mind, a surge of excitement coursed through him. 'Rebirth? I will be reborn? Amazing!' he marveled silently, his heart brimming with anticipation at the prospect of realizing the fantasies he had long dared to dream.

"Yes, after receiving your chosen gift, you will be reborn to experience its fruition," the deity affirmed, its words carrying the weight of undeniable truth.

'Oops, I forgot, he could read my mind, but thanks to that my questions have been answered,' Austin found solace in the deity's unwavering guidance, each doubt dissolved by the clarity of its wisdom.

Intrigued by the enigmatic allure of the stone door, Austin sought further clarification from the divine entity. It was revealed that the last door held the promise of anything conceivable, a manifestation of fate itself. Whether this gift bestowed fortune or adversity would hinge upon Austin's own fortune, a testament to the unpredictability of destiny.

After careful contemplation, Austin resolved to embrace the uncertainty and take the leap of faith. Recalling the deity's instructions, he understood that all he needed to do was voice his decision. "I have decided to go for the stone door," he declared with unwavering determination.

As his words echoed through the ethereal chamber, a resounding BOOM reverberated from within the depths of the door. With a sense of anticipation hanging in the air, the door began to creak open, unleashing a rush of warm breeze and radiant light that bathed the chamber in a celestial glow.

Meanwhile, as the human silhouette prepared to dissolve into the ether, it imparted its final wisdom to Austin. "Your gift for choosing the Stone door is Multipotentiality skill," the deity intoned, its voice carrying the weight of divine decree. "You will inherit a multitude of aptitudes for learning, business, magic, and beyond. Furthermore, as a testament to your bravery in choosing the stone door, you shall receive an additional gift. Your memory and physical strength shall be enhanced, as well as your appearance and temperament. You will be reborn into another world, where magic is not only natural but also commonplace. Embrace your gift, and may fortune favor your journey."

With those parting words lingering in the air, the human silhouette dissolved into shimmering fragments, leaving Austin standing on the threshold of a new beginning, ready to embark on an extraordinary adventure beyond the confines of the known universe.