Sphinx
As the lightning flashed again, revealing the mysterious figure, Daniel's eyes widened in disbelief. The dim light outlined the majestic form of a sphinx, as if she had stepped right out of Greek mythology. Her wings were spread wide, and her golden eyes bore into his.
"Hi, Danielle," she said, her voice resonating with an otherworldly calm.
"Daniel," he corrected, his mind still struggling to comprehend the surreal scene unfolding before him.
"Yes, that is the name you choose for your disguise," the sphinx explained, her voice echoing in the room. "Now it is time for your real form to return."
Daniel's confusion deepened. "Real form? Disguise? What are you talking about?"
The sphinx gracefully descended to the floor, her wings folding behind her. "You are not who you think you are, Daniel. You've been living a human life, a facade, but the time has come for your true nature to emerge."
The storm outside intensified, the rain beating against the windows like a thousand tiny drums. Daniel felt a strange energy in the air, a mixture of fear and anticipation.
"I don't understand," Daniel stammered. "Who are you, and what do you mean by my 'real form'?"
The sphinx approached him, her large, lion-like body moving with a hypnotic grace. "You are not human, Daniel. You are a sphinx like me, Danielle. I have no idea why you would choose a male form," the sphinx stated, her voice resonating with a mix of curiosity and amusement.
Daniel, now fully aware of his true identity as a sphinx, flexed his wings experimentally. The room seemed to shrink around his newfound, majestic form. "I... I don't remember making that choice. I don't remember much at all," he confessed.
The sphinx regarded him with a compassionate gaze. "The transition to a human life comes with its challenges. Your memories were intentionally clouded to allow you to experience the human world without the weight of your true nature."
"But why?" Daniel asked, his mind still grappling with the enormity of the revelation. "What about my friends? Are they sphinxes like me?"
"No," the sphinx continued, her golden eyes holding a hint of sadness. "They have their own forms and their own journey. Each of you plays a unique role in the intricate tapestry of the realms."
"I know it is a shock to find out you're not human, but time is short," she added, her voice taking on a sense of urgency.
As the swirling portal enveloped them, Daniel found himself in a realm that transcended the boundaries of space and time. The air hummed with ancient magic, and the sphinx guided him towards a series of ethereal gateways.
"The first gateway," the sphinx explained, "will take you to the abandoned military complex your friends dared to explore. There, you will find clues about the mysterious visitors and the purpose behind their actions."
Written by - on 02 December 2023