Zo rested in the field as the sun climbed the skyline. This time of year, on the latter edges of winter, the ground still frosted over in the morning. Far removed from the country roads and the pressures of xeir usual responsibilities, this meadow offered a longed for reprieve.

There was something mystical about this sliver of dawn, when nature paused for its daily devotional. With dew drops delicately frozen in place mere inches from their eyes, and the rest of the sprouting landscape before them, Zo could finally be still.

By high noon, the crystals would give way to sunrays warming the Earth, beckoning its inhabitants come alive. Until then, time nearly seemed to freeze in place, too.

Breathing allowed Zo space to connect back to basics of xeir being, to feel xeir body and connect with the Earth. Zo remembered dreams and traced their imagination onto other planes. Here, existence felt like more than an obvious chore. Existence felt like a possibility.  

Beyond this moment, two worlds were ever pulling in opposing directions. One that kept routines and stability, the other ebbing towards chaos and unpredictability. And where did Zo land on the expanse between steady solid and dissipating gas? Zo supposed xey were something like a liquid, connected and coherent enough, and yet still loose and fluid in xeir movement… Not quite one or the other.

Zo sighed, allowing the grass to absorb their exhaustion, their worries, and feed xem energy, like a plant in photosynthesis, cycling oxygen and carbon, water and sunlight, in a balanced exchange. For these few stolen-back minutes of the day, xey felt at ease, replenished, even. Xeir eyes drifted closed, transitioning into dreamspace…

Zo felt a light brush against xeir arm that startled them. This touch was lighter than the grass, even lighter than the morning breeze. Zo opened their eyes to find pink petals floating through the sky. Almost like blossoms, but there were no trees here, no origins in sight.

Zo scanned the skies, their eyes gravitating to a ripple in the air that almost seemed like a gaseous mirage. Zo crawled closer, inching forward until the ripple seemed to break open. Lava seemed to ooze from the gaping fissure in the sky.

Zo recoiled, breath hitching, thoughts racing with alarm. But something about this anomaly in the sky was alluring. Dripping lava ignited, taking on a more intense fervor in flame. Zo did not turn away.

Despite their primal and rational objections, something deep inside Zo ignited, urged xem towards the fiery ring opening before them. As Zo drew nearer, the flames did not bite, actually almost tickled. Xeir skin glimmered like white hot metal.

What is this? Where does it lead?

Zo opened xeir hand and allowed their fingertips to pass through, then their palm, and forearm… Radiance. A bright light enveloped them and then, nothing… and then, everything.

Welcome.