Astral Plane

I had officially gone crazy. That was the only possible explanation; because there was no way that what I was seeing was real. Before me, there was a man of about six feet tall wearing a very bright silver armor and looking like a knight of the Richard the Lionheart's tales. A strange cross, some kind of symbol, was carved on his pectoral. In one hand he was holding a shield with the same incredible silver color of his armor. But what freaked me out where the two white folded wings peeking at least a foot over his shoulders.

I took a step back, but there it was that freaking invisible wall! There was no escape. When the angelic appearance started moving my way, floating without even moving its wings, I shut my eyes and began to babble.

"Wake up, Aníbal... Wake up... Fuck! Wake up! This is not happening! Shit! WAKE UP!"

"Do not be afraid. I am Rupiel, instructor of the Atlanteans Hunters," the calm voice resonated inside my mind.

Suddenly, as if by magic, we teleported to a beautiful meadow. I could hear the twittering of birds in my mind. There were trees full of multicolored apples and sweet fragrances drifting in the wind. I was so peaceful that it was nearly impossible to describe. I had never been there, I'm pretty sure. I crouched and put my hand on the damp soil. A few feet away from us several multicolored butterflies fluttered to the rhythm of soft music performed by trumpets, welcoming us. The angel smiled at me.

Suddenly, a deep feeling of sadness overcame me. Was I dead? Shit! I didn't even get a chance to tap Suhail! Damn!

"Bad words are banned here, especially that last one," Rupiel said without moving his lips.

I wondered how he found out what I was thinking. Then he laughed and replied again, in my head. "Here I can read your thoughts and you can do the same."

He approached levitating but without moving his wings. "Aníbal," he repeated in the same calm tone, "Come and fly with." He held out his hand to me.

I had nothing to lose. I was already dead with nowhere to go. Gosh! And to think that tomorrow was going to be my fifteenth birthday.

Just with a touch of his hand, I began to fly. I was amazed with what appeared in front of my eyes: from above I saw a city shining with its own light. It was similar to what could have been Athens, according to the images of my book of World History. It was certainly heavenly! Right in the middle, there was a huge building that resembled the Parthenon. From its different arcs countless rows of winged people were landing.

"Rupiel... That's your name, right?" "Yes."

I looked around and felt dizzy. We were high, high up above. Below us there were only clouds.

"I'm dead, right?"

"You're not dead," said Rupiel as we began our landing.