Arthur was still trying to process everything he saw around him. The grandeur of the Elysian Fields felt like an impossible dream, but the sensation of the ground beneath his feet, the fresh smell of the air, and the soft warmth of the sun on his skin told him it was real.
Jesus, by his side, kept a patient gaze, as if he understood the whirlwind of thoughts running through Arthur's mind. The young man looked at him and asked:
"And now? What do I do?"
Jesus smiled softly, his eyes filled with an ancient calm. He looked around, observing the vibrant chaos of geniuses and legends gathered. The sound of music and conversations, interspersed with laughter and the echoes of hurried footsteps, seemed to fade away for them, while a serene peace hovered over the scene. Jesus, with his serene tranquility, leaned slightly toward Arthur.
"Now, you do whatever you feel like. The Elysian Fields are not a place for haste or agitation. Here, time has a different rhythm. All who arrive, even the most powerful, the greatest among men and women in history, are invited to reflect."
Arthur, still with his mind overwhelmed by the grandeur of the place, stared at the figures around him, some so far removed from his reality.
There they were, great figures from different eras, mixed in a bewildering scene. He noticed a group of medieval warriors exchanging stories with Roman emperors, and further ahead, Isaac Newton was discussing the laws of gravity with Aristotle. None of them seemed out of place, but at the same time, it seemed as though all of them were in constant adaptation to this new reality, as if the Elysian Fields were a fusion of dreams and universal truths.
"Do you feel small?" Jesus asked, reading the unspoken thoughts of Arthur.
The young man looked at him, not knowing how to respond. He felt a mixture of admiration and an uncomfortable sense of insignificance. How could he, a simple man from a distant land, be among giants?
"Yes." Arthur finally replied, his voice low. "How could I, I, be worthy to be here?"
Jesus gave a slight smile, the kind of smile that carries the weight of countless wisdoms, and replied with the softness of one who knows what is to come.
"Just by being here, you are already classified as worthy."
Arthur stared at Jesus, a whirlwind of emotions forming within him. Every word that came from the master's lips seemed to penetrate deep into his soul, stirring thoughts that he still couldn't control.
"Do I... need to understand all of this?" His voice, almost a question without answer, echoed in the silence that surrounded them.
Jesus, with a calm and serene movement, shook his head, his gesture simple, yet full of weight.
"No, Arthur. Not everything. Not now." His words floated in the air, gentle yet laden with meaning. "You don't need to comprehend everything at once. What matters is that, when the right moment comes, you will know what you need to learn. The Elysian Fields do not demand immediate understanding. They ask that you observe with attentive eyes, that you absorb the wisdom of those who have already passed through here. When the time comes, it will be this knowledge, which you will have internalized, that will guide your steps."
Arthur remained silent, absorbing Jesus' words, feeling a slight relief, as if the pressure on his shoulders had lessened, transforming into an expectation, not a burden.
Jesus, with calm and assured steps, guided Arthur through the earth and grass of the Elysian Fields. The ground, softly covered by a green and soft carpet, yielded with each step, as if the very earth welcomed their presence. The fresh aroma of leaves and flowers scented the air, while the trees around, with their golden foliage, seemed almost to whisper, telling stories of timeless times.
"So, what is expected of me?" Arthur asked, his voice now firmer, but still laden with doubt.
Jesus, unperturbed as always, looked around, his gaze lost for a brief moment before turning back to Arthur.
"What is expected of you... is your journey. You will be guided by those who will walk beside you, but in the end, the choice will be yours. What you do with what you learn here, what you decide to take with you to the world beyond these gates — that is what will truly define your path."
Arthur remained silent, his words echoing in his mind. The magnitude of what was to come was beginning to feel more clear. He was not here simply to watch, but to live, absorb, and then choose what to do with everything he would encounter. The future was not written. It was something he, and only he, could shape.
After a few moments, Arthur looked at Jesus with a more focused expression. "And when the right time comes? What will happen then? Will there be something that... I need to do?"
Jesus remained calm, his gaze deep, as if seeing something beyond the present.
"When the time comes, I will make a proposal. A choice. But know that, as always, the decision will be yours."
Arthur frowned, hesitant. "But will it be mandatory? Do I... have to accept?"
Jesus smiled slightly, his calm expression unchanged.
"No, Arthur. My Father gave everyone the gift of free will. No one will be forced to choose what they do not want. What is expected of you, in the end, is that you make the decision that makes sense for your soul, for your heart."
Arthur, still with doubts, felt a slight relief. He would have the power of choice, and that, in some way, made the weight of the journey feel lighter.
As they continued, the terrain began to change. The soft hills and open fields gradually gave way to structures rising before them like a vision from another world. The scene seemed to be a fusion of all the empires and civilizations that had ever existed. Majestic towers, grand temples, and imposing buildings, constructed from materials that seemed to resist time, formed the backdrop of the city. Simpler dwellings, with traces of modernity, coexisted without contradicting the environment, creating a harmony of eras and styles.
As they approached the entrance to the city, the terrain changed again, now becoming a cobblestone path in a medieval style, but far more beautiful and refined. The stones were arranged to create a perfect path, with gentle curves and finishes that reflected the soft sunlight, giving the city a serene glow.
As they walked along the cobblestone path, Arthur noticed that the historical figures crossing their path not only observed them but seemed to recognize Jesus, greeting him with friendly gestures. Jesus' gaze remained serene, but in every greeting, there seemed to be an untold story, as if he were a link between the centuries.
They finally reached a wide central plaza, the heart of the city. In the center of the plaza, a simple but imposing stage rose from a stone base, with wide steps curving gently to the top. The stage did not have the ostentation of grand palaces, but its presence was undeniable, a platform that seemed destined to reveal something greater. The sound of conversations and laughter gradually quieted as people approached and gathered around the plaza.
Jesus, with a calm gesture, climbed onto the stage and motioned for Arthur to follow. The young man hesitated for a moment, still trying to comprehend the magnitude of what was happening around him, but upon seeing the confidence in Jesus' eyes, he climbed onto the stage beside him.
Once they were at the top, a reverent silence filled the plaza. The conversations ceased, and all eyes turned to Jesus. Arthur's presence beside Jesus seemed to draw a silent curiosity, as if the mere union of their figures was an expected event.
Jesus looked at the crowd, and the soft murmur that had come from every corner of the plaza stopped completely. He looked at Arthur and smiled with a lightness that seemed to illuminate the atmosphere around them.
"My friends," began Jesus, his voice soft but clearly audible to all, "Today, we bring among us someone who is here to learn, to grow, and, like all of us, to discover his own path. This is Arthur."
He paused, his gaze turning to the figure of the young man beside him, as if sharing a profound truth with all those listening.
"Like all of you, Arthur left his mark on eternity. Not through royal blood, but through the depth of his search, the courage to question, and the tireless will to learn. His journey, his desire to understand the unknown and find his truth, brought him to this moment. He, like so many before him, has the power to shape his destiny, to leave a legacy that transcends time."
The silence in the plaza seemed to stretch as everyone absorbed Jesus' words. Arthur, still a bit stunned, felt a gentle warmth spread through his chest. It was not a warmth of pride or vanity, but something deeper, something that made him feel more connected to the world around him.
"Arthur," continued Jesus, "is here to learn from each of you, to share and grow, as we all do in this eternal cycle of learning."
Then, the figures around the plaza began to move, some advancing toward the stage, others simply observing. But now, Arthur saw that they were not just historical figures, but people with a purpose, just like him. A silent exchange seemed to take place between them, as if the mere presence of Arthur on the stage was a form of recognition for all.
Jesus smiled slightly, keeping his gaze on Arthur.
"This is the beginning of your journey, my friend. Here, all are both masters and learners at the same time."