Dila slowly opened her eyes. The world around her shimmered in soft, white light. She blinked, trying to focus.
"Where am I…?" she whispered.
Below her stretched a vast expanse of clouds, like she was standing or floating on a soft, endless sea of white. Tall, glowing pillars pierced the sky, reaching higher than her eyes could follow. The air was calm, almost sacred, and it carried a faint hum, as if the place itself was alive.
Dila squinted against the brightness. "Am I… dreaming?" Her voice was fragile, hesitant, barely more than a breath.
"Nari? Are you there?" she called, her tone trembling with both hope and uncertainty.
Only the echo of her own voice replied.
"Hello?" she tried again, louder this time. Silence. Nothing answered, only the soft, empty hum of the place.
She shivered. The dream or whatever it was—felt both beautiful and strangely lonely.
