Her eyes opened. She was walking, down an isle. Pushed from behind, she stumbled, tumbling forward. Everything was dark, empty. Robed figures glided forward, moving with unmistakable grace. They carried incense, and chanted hymns. They moved her forward, like water flowing down stream. She blinked, letting the total darkness fade. Through faint light she could make out detail around her. Pillars, intricate, wrapped by wooden dragons rose from the stone floor. Carvings of daemons stared down at here from higher up. Higher still, the darkness gave way to a million points of light, tiny indents in an endless sea of blue. It took her several moments to realize that she was seeing the night sky. The cloudless sky shone, every light a single candle in the darkness. The voices around her did not echo, but rolled and faded, disappearing over distance. She shivered, a breeze flowing around the pillars. Pulling her robes tighter, she suddenly became aware of the red satin cloth that flowed against her body. Several sticks of incense burned in her hand, smoke drifting in the open air. Slowly, the scene around her became clear, her eyes adjusting to the darkness.

Men around her, monks robed in red, marched almost silently down long stone isles. Their sandaled feet seemed not to touch the floor- they glided. Hundreds of candles, held firmly by the wooden claws of dragons and other carvings provided light. In the distance, beyond the pillars, shadows shifted and died in the waving branches of tall trees. She watched as light shifted and died as wind rustled through the trees. The chants grew louder, the monkís voices dimmer. She walked amongst them now, curiosity drawing her forward. The monks slowed, their march ending at the base of a small stone rise. Behind the rise, almost out of site, stood several large cylinders, suspended above the ground. A monk would spin one, creating the long wail she had identified as chanting. The wheels were spun in careful unison, creating deep harmonious chanting. One by one, the monks approached the raise. They would climb a stair, disappear from view for a moment, then return down the stair, now relieved of their incense. Their faces never changed, no emotion shown whatsoever. As she watched in fascination, she became aware of her distance to the stair. She would soon be the next to climb into the darkness. The last monk descended, gliding down an empty isle. She rose now, climbing the stairs. Her sandals shuffled against the stairs. The chanting died as she neared the top, total silence following. She climbed the final stair, standing high above the monks. Directly in front stood a delicately carved metal framework, multiple dragons  arching around a deep amber filled bowl. Thin smoke drifted upwards, vanishing into the darkness. She took a step forward, the chanting wheels renewed their vigor. She tossed incense into the ambers, more smoke flowing upwards. She looked skywards, following the trails of smoke. As her eyes met the stars, she listened with awe as the chants faded. The world around her vanished, darkening till only the stars remained. Wind whispered around her, then died, leaving only the faint glow of stars.

She blinked. And in that moment, the heavens opened themselves to her. Planets swung majestically past, seasons fled, then returned. Stars burned light casting shadows amongst the darkness of the ether. A moon rose high, hen dipped across the horizon, vanishing amongst the stars as night changes to day. Each pinprick of light became a star, empty planets twirling across her vision. As time past, and years ended, she felt the darkness flow over her once more. Stars died and faded, leaving blackness. The last candle of light flickered, then faded, only ether remained. She strained to see more. Through the dark she watched, seeing emptiness give way once more to brief light. It appeared before her, hung tranquilly against the ether. The ring.