To Will, it felt like he had just been yanked out of space. This was because, in a sense, he had been.

He had been pulled into a layer of reality just above the one he was familiar with, and the world shimmered below him as if submerged in a shallow lagoon of stained glass.

An angel is not limited by merely three dimensions. What to a mortal looks like an entire being is merely a slice of something larger and stranger dipping through into the world from outside of it.

Will was not able to perceive the fourth dimension, as such, and so could not behold the sublime beauty of the true angelic form and subsequently weep with joy at the sight.

Instead, he tried very hard to not throw up, and eventually succeeded. Glory handed him a damp towel to cover his face for a few moments.

“Warn a guy before you do that next time,” Will said, more confused than belligerent.

“Sorry,” Glory said. “Only fifteen percent of mortals have such an adverse reaction to this mode of transportation.”

“Lucky me.” Will said flatly. He looked down at the world below him. “Where are we?”

“A layer of reality ana to the one you are used to,” Glory said. “Ana meaning a higher point in the fourth dimension.”

“The fourth dimension.” Will said flatly. It wasn’t a question.

“I’m… approximating. It’s hard to explain to non-angels.” Glory admitted. “The point is, it’s somewhere neutral.”

Will kneeled down and touched the shimmering, translucent floor. It rippled slightly at his touch, but didn’t give at all, like wobbly concrete. “Is this… heaven?” Will asked.

“In the sense that angels live here, yes,” Glory said. “We don’t usually call it that, though.”

“Seems awfully dull,” Will said, looking around. The place was perfectly flat as far as Will could tell, with the horizon obscured by a distant haze of fog or dust.

“Well, a bit.” Glory admitted, sounding defensive. “It’s an empty lot. It’s not all like this.”

Will made a noise of affirmation but kept looking for any sign of… well, anything.

“Are you done with the exposition?” Honor asked, sounding bored. The silver rings that comprised his physical form tightened and swirled into a more organic, serpentine shape. Hope floated at his side, seemingly finding the exchange amusing.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

“One more bit,” Glory said, turning from Will to Honor then back. “I, Honor, and Hope can reshape the environment.”

To demonstrate, Glory made a fist in the empty air and pulled a hexagonal column of heaven-matter from the ground, the structure reflecting light in strange ways. As Glory unclenched, the shaft sank back into the ground.

“Well, that seems slightly unfair,” Will said. “What’s to stop you from just trapping me in a pit, or something?”

Hope looked to Honor, who probably looked back, though it was hard to know for sure without eyes. The look said ‘what is stopping us?’

“I suggest we construct an arena ahead of time, and don’t manipulate it afterwards. Is that agreeable?” Glory asked.

“And why would we agree to your terms?” Honor asked shrewdly.

“Because I’m only here because it’s less annoying than the alternative, and you’re trying my patience.” Glory said flatly.

“That’s a good point,” Hope said aloud to Honor, which meant he wanted to be heard agreeing.

“Fine.” Honor grumbled. “What arena do you suggest?”

“Any suggestions, Will?” Glory asked.

“How would I know?” Will asked, harsher than he meant. “I’ve never been in a gladiatorial arena before.”

“Picture someplace familiar. Somewhere you know the layout well enough that we can recreate it and you can navigate it.”

Will considered this. The places he frequented didn’t generally lend themselves to ritualized combat. He found his mind drifting to, of all things, the game store he worked at, and the mall it was located inside.

It had been run-down and unfashionable when Will had been born, but it had somehow stuck around. Most of the stores were local, small businesses that had moved into the vacant lots left by chain stores and restaurants, including the one Will worked at.

“This is a strong memory,” Glory said, eye focusing on the empty space in front of him. “I can use this.”

The three angels assembled a translucent, shimmering facade that resembled the mall as Will recalled it. There were no people, and the structures became less and less realistic the further away they were, but it was still pretty impressive in Will’s opinion.

Will opened the door to Dice to Meet You, the game store he worked at. Inside, the recreation was lavishly detailed, down to the branding on the boxes of cards.

The nostalgia was so focused it pierced Will’s heart like a drill. He wanted to explore more, to drown himself in this memory, but he was tapped on the shoulder by Glory.

“I know this is… challenging,” Glory said diplomatically, “but I think it’s better for everyone if we just get started. I’ve stalled long enough as-is.”

Will nodded and turned, stepping back out into the wide hallway. Hope and Honor were sitting on a padded bench, Honor draped over the thing like a tree snake.

“We aren’t holding together a megastructure for tearful reunions, you know,” Honor said bitterly.

“I thought it was good,” Hope said politely. “It was a vulnerable moment.”

“I could do without the peanut gallery,” Will said in response, which earned a laugh from Glory and Hope and a disgruntled noise from Honor.

Glory mimicked the sound of someone clearing their throat. “If that’s everything, I’d like to get started.”