"Absolutely not," Eli declared, pacing the crystalline floor of Amaterasu-no-Taiyo. "We need to focus on developing a new Anchor strategy. Tris is out there with Alice and Vander, and I should be—"

  "Present. Here. Now," Galatea interrupted, her tone gentle but firm as she blocked Eli's path. The taller blonde crossed her arms, her white flowing dress catching the prismatic light that filtered through the shrine's windows. "You've been through three healing sessions and your energy matrix is still stabilizing. There's nothing practical you can contribute to Tris's journey right now."

  Eli opened her mouth to protest, but Sati wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Listen, we get it. Trust me, I'm worried about my lil bro too. But your obsessing isn't helping him. It's just preventing you from healing properly."

  "I'm not obsessing," Eli muttered, though the stubborn set of her jaw betrayed her.

  Aya flopped dramatically onto a cushion of woven light that hovered a few inches above the floor. "Girl, you've literally spent twenty-seven consecutive hours reviewing tactical scenarios. We live in a dimension where time is flexible, and you're still managing to be a workaholic."

  "It's not work when it's about Tris," Eli insisted, but her resolve was beginning to waver under their collective stares.

  Galatea stepped forward, placing her hands gently on Eli's shoulders. "What would Tris want for you right now? To exhaust yourself with worry, or to heal and return to him at full strength?"

  The question hit home, and Eli's shoulders sagged slightly. "He'd want me to heal properly," she admitted reluctantly.

  "Exactly!" Sati exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with the same enthusiasm that characterized her brother in his best moments. "And healing isn't just about those sessions in the pool. It's about joy, relaxation, connection."

  "Are you suggesting I just... forget about everything that's happening and have fun?" Eli asked incredulously.

  "Not forget," Galatea corrected. "Temporarily set aside. There's a difference."

  Aya sprang to her feet with graceful exuberance. "We're staging an intervention," she announced, tossing her sleek black bob. "Operation: Make Eli Chill the Fugg Out."

  "I've prepared a schedule," Galatea added with a slight smile, materializing a translucent scroll that unfurled elegantly in the air between them.

  "Of course you have," Sati laughed, reaching out to examine the shimmering document. "Oh, this is perfect! Look, Eli—seven full days of absolutely zero Phoenix Ascension talk. Just us girls, reconnecting with the joy of existence."

  Eli scanned the floating itinerary with skepticism that gradually softened into curiosity. "Neo-Kyoto's Hanami Festival is happening?"

  "Fifth-dimensional Neo-Kyoto," Aya confirmed with a grin. "Where the cherry blossoms emit actual music when they fall. And look—" she pointed further down the schedule, "the hot springs, shopping, the concert..."

  "All solid, real experiences," Galatea emphasized. "No ethereal, wibbly-wobbly meditation retreats. Actual places with architecture, substance, and sensory pleasure."

  "And fashion!" Sati declared. "We're going to dress up for every single outing. I've already designed a wardrobe that would make Earth's top couturiers weep with envy."

  Eli hesitated, torn between her sense of duty and the genuine appeal of the plan. "And you're sure Tris will be okay while I'm—"

  "Girl, NO!" Aya interrupted with theatrical exasperation. "That's exactly the thinking we're banning. Tris has Vander—a literal interdimensional Guardian—and Alice, who would unmake reality itself to protect him. He's in good hands."

  "Besides," Sati added more gently, "time works differently here. We could take a subjective month of adventures, and you'd still return to Earth at exactly the right moment."

  Eli looked from face to face—her soul sisters waiting expectantly. Finally, she exhaled and nodded. "Okay. Seven days."

  Aya whooped victoriously while Sati clapped her hands in delight.

  Galatea simply smiled, her serene expression barely concealing her satisfaction. "Excellent. Pack nothing—we'll create everything we need. First destination: Neo-Kyoto, one hour from now."

  "What happens in one hour?" Eli asked.

  Sati grinned mischievously. "Makeovers, of course."

  Neo-Kyoto emerged from the morning mist like a vision from a dream made solid—ancient Japanese architecture reimagined through the lens of fifth-dimensional aesthetics. Traditional wooden temples with upturned eaves stood alongside crystal pagodas that captured and refracted sunlight into rainbow cascades. Stone lanterns lined streets paved with what appeared to be riverbed stones but felt like cushioned silk beneath their feet.

  "Oh," Eli breathed, turning slowly to take in the vista. "I forgot how beautiful it is."

  The four women stood on a bridge arching over a stream where fish with scales of actual gold and silver darted beneath the surface. Cherry trees in full bloom lined both banks, their petals drifting down in choreographed spirals that chimed softly like distant wind chimes.

  "And this is just the entrance," Aya said with satisfaction. "Wait until you see the main market square."

  They looked like a fashion editorial come to life as they crossed the bridge. Sati had outdone herself with their outfits—modern interpretations of traditional Japanese attire, each customized to its wearer's personality.

  Eli wore a midnight blue yukata with a pattern of subtle stars that actually twinkled when she moved, cinched with a silver obi that matched her delicate geta sandals. Her blonde hair had been arranged in an elegant updo adorned with star-shaped pins.

  Sati herself had chosen a vibrant red kimono with phoenix patterns embroidered in gold thread that seemed to flicker with actual flame, her wavy brown hair partially braided and adorned with cascading gold ornaments that tinkled musically when she moved.

  Aya sported a thoroughly modern take—a short yukata in electric blue and black styled almost like a cocktail dress, with platform zori sandals that added three inches to her petite frame. Her sleek bob was streaked with blue highlights that matched her outfit perfectly.

  Galatea completed their quartet in a classic full-length kimono of pristine white with pale blue flowers that bloomed and closed as she walked, her blonde hair arranged in a traditional shimada with crystal hairpins.

  "I still can't believe you materialized all these outfits from scratch," Eli marveled, admiring the intricate details of her sleeves.

  "Design is my passion, Els," Sati replied with genuine pleasure. "Wait until you see what I've planned for the Celestial Springs tomorrow."

  As they entered the main market square, Eli gasped audibly. The space opened up into a vast plaza filled with hundreds of stalls, each more fascinating than the last. Craftspeople worked with materials that couldn't exist in the third dimension—metals that flowed like water, fabrics woven from solidified light, ceramics that changed color based on the emotions of whoever held them.

  "Where do we even start?" Eli asked, momentarily overwhelmed by the sensory feast.

  "Food, obviously," Aya declared. "You can't properly shop on an empty stomach."

  They made their way to a row of food stalls, where vendors prepared dishes that combined Earth cuisine with fifth-dimensional enhancements. They selected a table beneath flowering wisteria vines that provided musical accompaniment as they swayed in the gentle breeze.

  "I recommend the udon," Galatea suggested, scanning a menu that hovered in the air before them. "The noodles are infused with ‘essence of clarity’. Quite refreshing."

  "Ooh, and the dango," Sati added. "Each one contains a perfect moment of sweetness from somewhere in the multiverse."

  Eli found herself relaxing as they ordered, the familiar ritual of sharing food working its magic even in this extraordinary setting. The dishes that arrived exceeded even her expectations—visually stunning and affecting all senses simultaneously.

  "Try this," Aya insisted, passing Eli a delicate dumpling that shimmered with inner light. "It's filled with distilled joy from a summer festival in Kyoto—the regular one, on Earth."

  Eli took a bite and immediately felt sunshine warming her skin, heard distant laughter and the rhythmic beating of taiko drums, tasted the perfect balance of savory and sweet. "That's incredible," she murmured. “I can’t wait until Tris and I can have this everyday!”

  “Hey! No Tris-talk!” Sati chided, teasing gently. "Better than obsessing over tactical scenarios?"

  Eli acknowledged the point with a rueful smile. "Marginally."

  After their meal, they wandered through the market, stopping to admire craftspeople at work or examine particularly beautiful items. Eli found herself drawn to a stall selling hand-painted fans, each depicting a different landscape that actually moved as the fan was waved.

  "This one reminds me of the lake near Tris's—" she began, then caught herself. "Sorry. No Phoenix Ascension talk."

  "We're not saying you can't think about him," Galatea clarified, examining the fan Eli had selected. "Just that we're focusing on experiences that replenish rather than deplete."

  "Actually," the artisan behind the counter interjected, winking, "this fan contains a specific emotion—the peaceful anticipation of reunion. Perhaps that's why it speaks to you."

  Eli looked at the fan with new appreciation. "I'll take it."

  They continued through the market, collecting small treasures—incense that created three-dimensional scenes when burned, a tiny music box that played different melodies depending on the listener's mood, crystal hair ornaments that captured and held specific memories.

  As afternoon faded toward evening, they found themselves in a serene garden where preparations were underway for the night's Hanami Festival. Lanterns were being hung from cherry trees, their light causing the musical petals to glow from within.

  "We have two hours before the festival begins," Galatea announced, consulting her mental schedule. "Just enough time for tea ceremony at The Moonrise."

  The Moonrise proved to be an exquisite structure built entirely of polished dark wood and paper screens that somehow supported elaborate curved roofs without visible means. Inside, they were greeted by tea masters dressed in formal kimono who led them to a private room overlooking a rock garden.

  "This is nice," Eli admitted as they knelt on cushions around a low table. "Structured mindfulness without the pressure of meditation."

  "Exactly," Galatea agreed. "Presence without purpose."

  The tea ceremony unfolded with graceful precision, each movement of the servers deliberate and beautiful. The tea itself was unlike anything from Earth—pale green liquid that seemed to contain galaxies swirling in its depths, tasting rich and indefinable yet comforting.

  "I needed this more than I realized," Eli confessed after her first sip. "Thank you all for insisting."

  Sati reached across to squeeze her hand. "That's what soulkin are for."

  As darkness fell, they returned to the garden, now transformed by thousands of lanterns into a magical wonderland. Musicians played instruments that combined traditional Japanese design with fifth-dimensional innovations—shamisen with strings of pure light, drums made from materials that responded to the drummer's emotional intent.

  They joined other festival-goers in claiming spots beneath the cherry trees, where cushions had been arranged for viewing the evening's performances. Servers circulated with sake cups made from crystal that enhanced the liquid's effects without causing intoxication.

  "The Dance of the Sun is about to begin," Aya whispered excitedly as ceremonial dancers took their positions in the garden's central clearing.

  The Sun... Eli thought to herself.

  What followed was unlike any performance Eli had ever witnessed—dancers whose movements created actual manifestations of seasonal changes around them. As the Spring dancer twirled, flowers erupted from the ground in her wake. The Summer performer's gestures generated warm breezes and the scent of sun-warmed fruit. Autumn's dance scattered multicolored leaves that transformed into butterflies before touching the ground. Winter brought gentle snowfall that dissolved into stardust before reaching the audience.

  "I've unironically seen this performance a thousand and twenty seven times, and it still brings tears to my eyes," Galatea murmured, dabbing at the corner of her eye with an elegant handkerchief.

  When the final dancer completed her movement, the entire garden erupted in appreciation—not just applause, but expressions of joy unique to fifth-dimensional beings. Lights pulsed from upturned palms, small manifestations of beauty created spontaneously in response to beauty observed.

  Eli found herself creating a tiny constellation between her hands—stars arranged in the pattern she and Tris had once mapped together in Izanami. She released it to float upward and join the other offerings of appreciation.

  "That's the first time I've seen you smile like that since you arrived," Sati observed quietly.

  Eli hadn't even realized she was smiling. "It feels good to remember joy exists alongside worry," she admitted.

  The festival continued late into the night, with more performances, floating lanterns released onto the stream, and impromptu poetry composed and exchanged among strangers who quickly became friends.

  When they finally returned to their accommodations—a traditional ryokan with impossibly comfortable futons laid out on tatami floors—Eli found herself pleasantly exhausted in a way that had nothing to do with anxiety or dimensional trauma.

  "Day one: success," Aya declared as they prepared for sleep, changing into yukata provided by the ryokan. "Tomorrow: the hot springs!"

  "I haven't been to an onsen in ages," Eli mused, settling onto her futon.

  "Then you're in for a treat," Galatea promised. "The minerals in the water there are specifically calibrated for dimensional travelers. You'll feel like new afterward."

  Sati dimmed the lanterns with a gesture. "Sweet dreams, everyone. No tactical scenario planning in your sleep, Eli."

  Eli chuckled softly. "I'll do my best."

  As she drifted toward sleep, Eli realized something surprising—though she hadn't stopped thinking about Tris entirely, the sharp edge of worry had softened. In its place was something warmer, more sustainable—trust in his resilience, faith in their connection, and gratitude for the soul family surrounding her now.

  Perhaps this intervention wasn't such a bad idea after all.

  Morning found them on a sleek magnetic train gliding through mountains that would be impossible on Earth—peaks that curved improbably, valleys filled with forests of trees with crystal trunks and canopies that changed color as the train passed. The Neo-Kyoto they'd left behind was just one of many cultural centers in this realm, each offering different experiences.

  "Galatea wasn't kidding about the wardrobe changes," Eli laughed, admiring their new outfits.

  For the journey to the hot springs, Sati had designed casual but elegant travel wear. Eli wore wide-legged linen pants in pale blue paired with a fitted white top and a gauzy matching cardigan, completed with comfortable slip-on shoes perfect for travel. Her hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail, practical but flattering.

  Sati herself had chosen flowing palazzo pants in terracotta with a cream-colored wrap top, golden bangles jingling at her wrists. Her wavy brown hair was partially braided along one side, the rest falling freely over her shoulders.

  Aya sported high-waisted shorts in emerald green with a cropped white blouse and an oversized light jacket, platform sandals showcasing her legs despite her petite stature. Her bob was now sporting green streaks to match her outfit.

  Galatea maintained her characteristic elegance in a simple shift dress of palest lavender, her long blonde hair arranged in a loose chignon at the nape of her neck. She somehow made minimalism look sophisticated.

  Eli adjusted her focus, shifting from physical sight to the higher dimensional awareness they all possessed. Suddenly, the mountains revealed their true nature—vast, sentient beings in meditative communion with the cosmos. What had appeared as rocky outcroppings were actually facial features; what had seemed like forest-covered slopes were robes of living vegetation.

  "They're enormous! Are they... are they sleeping?" Eli asked in awe.

  "Dreaming," Aya replied. "They dream reality into being. Or at least, aspects of it."

  "Consciousness takes many forms," Galatea added. "Not all of them need to move around or speak to be fully aware. Co-creation is a universal right. It’s okay, you’ll be like new soon." She finished with a wink reminiscent of their uncle, Leo.

  The train curved around a particularly majestic peak, beginning its descent into a valley filled with mist. As they emerged from the mist, Eli gasped at the sight before them.

  The hot springs sprawled across the valley floor—dozens of pools of varying sizes and colors, some steaming gently, others bubbling energetically. Traditional Japanese architecture housed changing areas and resting pavilions, while natural rock formations created private bathing grottoes. The entire complex was surrounded by gardens where plants from across the multiverse grew in harmonious arrangements.

  "It's even more beautiful than I remembered," Eli murmured as the train slowed to a stop at a small, elegant station.

  "Remember, Tara itself was the diamond of the multiverse. It had genetic material from everywhere within Godsource; it was paradise itself.” Sati recounted with precision. “Wait until you experience the waters," Sati promised, leading the way off the train. "Each pool has different properties—some focus on physical renewal, others on emotional balance, others on spiritual clarity."

  They were greeted at the entrance by attendants dressed in simple blue and white uniforms who bowed respectfully and offered welcome drinks—crystal glasses filled with water that sparkled with its own inner light.

  "This comes directly from the Source Pool," one attendant explained. "It prepares your essence for the full experience of the springs."

  Eli sipped the water and felt immediate clarity spreading through her consciousness, as if layers of fog she hadn't even noticed were being gently blown away.

  "When was the last time you were truly relaxed?" Galatea asked, observing Eli's expression.

  "Define 'truly,'" Eli replied with a small smile.

  "Unable to remember what tension feels like," Aya supplied helpfully.

  Eli considered. "Then... not since before I entered Earth's dimension."

  "That's what I thought," Galatea nodded. "This place will help with that."

  “Even a day down there, entrenched in the human drama, can feel like a month if you’re not used to it. No one can blame you.” Sati added with warmness. “It just showcases how our boy, and how all humans, are doing so well and are appreciated, no matter what.”

  They were escorted to a private changing area where attendants helped them out of their travel clothes and into the onsen's traditional garb—simple white robes for walking between pools, nothing at all for the bathing itself.

  "The first pool I'd recommend is the Moonstone," their guide suggested. "It specializes in integration of fragmented energies—particularly helpful after dimensional travel or extraction trauma."

  "Perfect for Eli," Sati agreed.

  The Moonstone turned out to be a circular pool lined with actual moonstones the size of beach balls, arranged in a precise geometric pattern. The water itself was opalescent, shifting through soft pastels as it moved.

  Eli slipped into the water and immediately felt a gentle but profound effect—as if parts of herself that she didn’t know had been jarred loose during her violent extraction were being carefully collected and realigned. She closed her eyes and submerged herself up to her chin, surrendering to the sensation.

  "This is... incredible," she murmured after several minutes of silence.

  "The minerals in these springs exist in multiple dimensions simultaneously," Galatea explained, her voice taking on the slightly lecturing tone they all teased her about. "They create resonance patterns that help realign essence with form."

  "Less science, more soaking," Aya suggested, flicking water playfully in Galatea's direction.

  They moved from pool to pool throughout the day, each offering different experiences. ‘Star-light’ featured water that fell from an impossible height, creating a shower that massaged away tension while infusing their energy fields with revitalizing light. ‘Whispers’ was filled with water that seemed to murmur encouraging affirmations unique to each bather. ‘In-Deep’, true to its name, appeared shallow but somehow contained infinite depths, allowing them to float weightlessly while protected by the pool's consciousness.

  Between soaks, they rested on heated stone benches, wrapped in soft robes and sipping herbal teas prepared specifically for their constitutional needs. Attendants offered light refreshments—fruits that tasted like liquid sunshine, delicate rice balls filled with flavors that evoked cherished memories.

  "I can't remember the last time I felt this... substantial," Eli commented as they relaxed after their fifth pool of the day. "Being in physical form on Earth, even with dimensional awareness, feels so limited compared to this."

  "That's the paradox of incarnation," Galatea observed. "Limitation creates unique experiences unavailable to unbound consciousness. But periodic reconnection with your fuller nature is essential for balance."

  "Is that why you organized this week?" Eli asked, glancing around at her companions. "To help me remember my fuller nature?"

  "Partly," Sati admitted. "But mostly because we missed you. And because joy is as real and important as duty."

  As evening approached, they were led to a secluded grotto where a single pool glowed with soft inner radiance. Steam rose from its surface, forming shapes that momentarily looked like faces or animals before dissolving back into formlessness.

  "’Twilight’," their guide announced with reverence. "Reserved for our most honored guests. Its waters contain essence of transitional moments—dawn, dusk, thresholds of all kinds. Perfect for concluding your visit."

  As they settled into the perfectly heated water, soft music began to play from no visible source—nostalgic melodies that seemed to be coming from the water itself.

  "The pool is singing to us," Aya explained, noting Eli's surprised expression. "It composes unique harmonies for each bather based on their energy patterns."

  Eli closed her eyes and listened to the interweaving melodies—four distinct musical themes that somehow enhanced each other perfectly when combined. Like us, she thought.

  By the time they reluctantly left the springs, night had fallen completely. The path back to the station was lit by lanterns that floated just above Sati’s head in height, shifting position to ensure perfect illumination regardless of where they walked.

  "How do you feel?" Sati asked as they boarded the night train that would take them to their next destination.

  Eli considered the question seriously. "Whole," she finally answered. "For the first time since the extraction, I feel whole again."

  "Mission accomplished for day two," Aya declared with satisfaction.

  "Where to tomorrow?" Eli asked, finding herself genuinely curious rather than simply going along with their plans.

  "Lumina City," Galatea replied. "Shopping."

  "I thought you'd never suggest it," Aya grinned. "I've been saving ideas for outfits..."

  The night train sped through the darkness, the sleeping mountains mere shadows against the star-filled sky. Inside their private compartment, transformed by Sati's manifestation abilities into a cozy sleepover space complete with plush bedding and floating nightlights, the conversation turned to fashion, memories, and the kind of lighthearted gossip that only eternal soul families can accumulate.

  Eli found herself laughing at Aya's dramatic retelling of a dimensional mishap involving Yuki, Genmochi, and a peculiar incident with temporal butterflies.

  "I had completely forgotten about that," she admitted between giggles.

  "That's the problem with focusing too narrowly on duty," Galatea observed gently. "You forget the joy that makes duty meaningful."

  As they eventually settled into sleep, lulled by the rhythmic movement of the train, Eli realized she hadn't thought about tactical scenarios or Anchor strategies for hours. Instead, her mind was filled with the day's experiences—the feeling of healing waters, the sound of her friends' laughter, the simple pleasure of being fully present.

  She still missed Tris with an ache that never quite disappeared, but it no longer consumed her awareness. Instead, it had become part of a richer emotional landscape that included genuine enjoyment of the present moment.

  Progress indeed.

  Lumina City's ‘Crystalis Majoris’ made Neo-Kyoto's market look positively restrained by comparison. Buildings of impossible architecture rose toward a sky where multiple suns of different colors created an eternal golden afternoon. The streets themselves were paved with a material that responded to footsteps by creating ripples of light, while fountains throughout the district sprayed water that formed elaborate mandalas before dissolving back into the basins.

  "This is... excessive," Eli noted, taking in the sensory spectacle with wide eyes.

  "Gloriously so," Aya agreed with evident delight. "Crystalis is where fifth-dimensional aesthetics reach their most exuberant expression."

  For this expedition, Sati had outdone herself with their outfits. They were dressed in high fashion that would be impossible on Earth—fabrics that defied gravity, colors that shifted with mood and lighting, accessories that incorporated actual manipulations of time and space.

  Eli wore a dress that appeared to be made of liquid silver, clinging in all the right places while moving with ethereal grace. The hem seemed to dissolve into mist around her knees, while the neckline featured an elaborate necklace of what looked like diamonds but were actually solidified moments of clarity. Her hair was arranged in an intricate updo with strands that defied gravity, held in place by combs that subtly altered local time flow to prevent disarrangement.

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  Sati had chosen a jumpsuit in a material that continuously shifted between deep purple and midnight blue, creating the impression of a personal galaxy surrounding her form. Her hair was woven with actual starlight, tiny constellations forming and dissolving with her movements.

  Aya sported a mini-dress constructed from interlocking geometric shapes that rearranged themselves subtly as she moved, creating an ever-changing pattern in jewel tones. Her bob was now streaked with corresponding colors that shifted to maintain perfect coordination with her outfit.

  Galatea completed their quartet in an ensemble that appeared deceptively simple at first glance—a column of pure white that, upon closer inspection, revealed itself to be composed of thousands of miniature feathers, each capturing and reflecting light in unique patterns. Her hair fell in a platinum cascade down her back, adorned with combs that looked like they were carved from moonlight.

  "I feel slightly ridiculous," Eli admitted as they strolled down the main promenade. "But also... fabulous?"

  "That's the Crystalis effect," Sati laughed. "Embrace the fab, girlie!"

  The shopping district was divided into themed sections, each dedicated to different aspects of fifth-dimensional lifestyle. They began in the Pavilion, where perfumers created scents that evoked not just smells but complete sensory memories. Eli found herself drawn to a fragrance that somehow captured the essence of moongazing on a summer night—the warm air, the subtle sounds of nocturnal creatures, the emotional quality of wonder.

  "This would make a wonderful gift for Tris," she commented, then caught herself. "Sorry—"

  "It's fine," Galatea assured her. "Shopping for loved ones brings joy. That's allowed."

  From the Pavilion, they moved to the Nexessa, where designers created garments that transcended mere clothing to become experiences in themselves. Animated prints that told stories as they moved, fabrics that adjusted their properties based on the wearer's emotional state, accessories that functioned as both adornment and practical tools.

  "You absolutely need this," Aya insisted, holding up a shimmering scarf that seemed to contain an entire underwater seascape within its folds. "It would look amazing with your coloring."

  "Where would I wear something like that?" Eli laughed.

  "Who cares? It's gorgeous and it makes you happy. That's reason enough."

  The logic was hard to argue with in their current setting.

  They spent hours exploring boutiques, trying on outlandish creations, and accumulating a collection of packages that should have been unwieldy but were conveniently stored in dimensional pockets created by Galatea.

  "Lunch at Terrace Yummerie?" Sati suggested as midday approached.

  The Terrace Yummerie turned out to be a restaurant situated on a platform that appeared to float above the city, its floor composed of a material that reflected not just appearances but emotional states, creating swirling patterns beneath their feet as they were led to a table overlooking the entire Crystalis.

  "This is wild," Eli whispered to Aya as they settled into chairs that conformed perfectly to their bodies.

  "Isn’t it?" Aya agreed cheerfully.

  The menu featured dishes designed to be as visually spectacular as they were delicious—molecular gastronomy taken to metaphysical extremes. They ordered a selection to share, each dish arriving as a miniature performance piece.

  "I should be taking notes for when I return to Earth," Eli commented as she sampled a dessert that recreated the experience of walking through a forest after rainfall. "I could revolutionize human cuisine."

  "I'm pretty sure most of these ingredients don't exist in the third dimension," Sati pointed out, "but I appreciate the entrepreneurial thinking."

  After lunch, they continued their exploration in the Market du Memoire, where artisans specialized in creating objects that preserved specific moments in tangible form. Here, Eli found herself genuinely touched by the possibilities.

  "Could I... could I preserve a memory to bring back to Tris?" she asked hesitantly.

  "Of course," Galatea replied. "That's a beautiful idea."

  They approached a craftsman whose stall was filled with crystal spheres of various sizes, each containing what appeared to be moving scenes suspended in transparency.

  "I'd like to preserve a memory," Eli explained.

  The craftsman, a being with features that shifted subtly as if unable to decide on a final form, nodded understandingly. "Personal or observed?"

  "Personal," Eli replied. "A shared moment I'd like to give as a gift."

  "Perfect. Think of the memory you wish to preserve, and hold this." The craftsman handed her a small crystal that was completely clear.

  Eli closed her eyes and focused on a particular memory—one of her favorites with Tris. It was from their time in Izanami, before her incarnation on Earth. They had been creating a garden together, each manifestation reflecting their complementary natures. The moment she chose was Tris's expression when he realized their separate creations had naturally formed a perfect whole, his joy at their inherent harmony.

  As she held the memory in her consciousness, the crystal in her palm grew warm, then cool again. When she opened her eyes, the formerly clear stone now contained a moving image of the exact moment she'd recalled, Tris's face captured in an expression of pure delight.

  "Beautiful," the craftsman commented. "A moment of recognition."

  "It's perfect," Eli whispered. "Can it be set in something he could wear?"

  "Of course." The craftsman selected a setting of what appeared to be gold but was actually a fifth-dimensional metal that couldn't tarnish or break. With deft movements, he secured the memory crystal within a pendant designed to be worn on a chain.

  "When given, simply press the crystal to his heart while thinking of the memory," the craftsman instructed. "It will transfer the experience directly."

  "Thank you," Eli said, carefully placing the pendant in a small box the craftsman provided. "This means more than I can express."

  As they left the Market du Memoire, Eli felt a lightness in her spirit that had been absent since her extraction. "I think I'm actually enjoying myself," she admitted.

  "That was the plan," Sati grinned, linking her arm through Eli's. "Now, who's ready for Le Sond? They're featuring a multi-dimensional orchestra today."

  The afternoon dissolved into a sequence of new experiences—music that could be seen as well as heard, interactive art installations that responded to the viewers' thoughts, a demonstration of light sculpture that left them all speechless with wonder.

  By evening, they were pleasantly exhausted, retiring to accommodations Galatea had arranged in one of Lumina City's exclusive floating pavilions—a structure that drifted gently above Crystalis Majoris, offering panoramic views while providing perfect privacy.

  "I've planned a small gathering tonight," Galatea announced as they settled into the luxurious space. "Just a few friends for drinks and conversation."

  "Define 'a few,'" Eli asked suspiciously.

  "Six, perhaps eight others," Galatea replied innocently. "Nothing extravagant."

  The "small gathering" turned out to be exactly as advertised—intimate and relaxed rather than the elaborate soirée Eli had feared. The guests were interesting beings from various parts of the fifth dimension, each bringing unique perspectives and experiences to the conversation.

  Sati had created yet another wardrobe change for the evening—elegant but comfortable attire suitable for a casual dinner party. Eli found herself in wide-legged palazzo pants of deep green paired with a simple cream-colored top that flattered without requiring constant adjustment. Her hair was arranged in a casual updo secured with a single ornament that caught the light beautifully.

  As the evening progressed, Eli found herself engaged in genuinely stimulating conversation about art, philosophy, and the nature of multidimensional existence—topics that had nothing to do with the Phoenix Ascension or her worries about Tris.

  "This is what I've missed," she confessed to Galatea as they stood on the pavilion's balcony, watching Crystalis transform into a wonderland of lights as darkness fell. "Conversation that exists for its own sake, not as a means to an end."

  "Balance," Galatea nodded. "It's the eternal challenge for beings who exist across multiple dimensions. Finding harmony between purpose and presence."

  "I've been all purpose and no presence lately," Eli acknowledged.

  "Understandably so. But unsustainable in the long term."

  When the guests had departed and they were alone again, Aya suggested they continue the evening with what she called "a proper girls' night"—complete with face masks, nail painting, and movie watching.

  "And I've curated a perfect selection of Earth films that became interdimensional sensations." Aya insisted.

  The "proper girls' night" turned out to be exactly what Eli didn't know she needed. Sati transformed the pavilion's main room into the ultimate sleepover space—plush floor cushions arranged around a floating screen, soft throws in various textures, and a table laden with snacks that combined Earth comfort foods with fifth-dimensional enhancements.

  "Is that... popcorn?" Eli asked, examining a bowl filled with what looked like popcorn but sparkled with inner light.

  "Each one contains a tiny moment of joy," Sati confirmed. "Plus butter and salt, because some things are perfect across all dimensions."

  They changed into loungewear that Sati manifested—luxuriously soft sets in their preferred colors, the kind of clothes that made you sigh with comfort the moment you put them on. Eli's was a soft blue that reminded her of Earth's sky on a perfect summer day, with Tris on a hill daydreaming.

  "First, beauty treatments," Aya announced, producing an array of containers filled with substances that glowed, shimmered, or gently pulsed with inner light. "These masks are infused with essence of celestial bodies—stars, nebulae, even black and white holes that have been properly stabilized for cosmetic use."

  "Is that... safe?" Eli asked dubiously.

  "Absolutely. The universe's beauty distilled for our benefit," Aya assured her. "I'm thinking the nebula mask for you—it helps with dimensional realignment and gives you that 'just spent a week in perfect meditation' glow."

  As they applied the masks—cool, tingling substances that adhered perfectly to their skin—Galatea arranged an array of nail polishes that contained actual captured phenomena: sunrises, aurora borealis, meteor showers, all miniaturized and suspended in clear lacquer.

  "I've been saving these for a special occasion," she explained, selecting a bottle that appeared to contain an entire galaxy swirling in deep purple and blue. "I thought we could do each other's nails while the masks work their magic."

  Eli found herself relaxing into the simple pleasure of having Sati paint her nails with a polish that contained what appeared to be Earth's northern lights in miniature. Each nail became a tiny canvas displaying shifting curtains of green and blue light.

  "This is beautiful," she murmured, examining her completed hand. "And completely frivolous in the best possible way."

  "Frivolity is underrated," Aya declared, holding out her hands for Galatea to apply a polish that contained what looked like shooting stars against a midnight sky. "Especially by cosmic beings on important missions. The joy of unconditional love and whimsy should be gently whispered across the infinite expanse of the entire multiverse."

  When their beauty treatments were complete—faces glowing with otherworldly radiance, nails displaying impossible celestial phenomena—they settled onto the cushions with their snacks as Aya prepared to start the first film.

  "I've selected classics that achieved interdimensional recognition," she explained, manipulating a crystalline remote control. "Starting with Spirited Away!"

  "I remember watching this during my observation phase," Eli commented. "Before incarnating. It's about memory... how fitting."

  The film played on the floating screen, its story of love, loss, and the power of memory resonating differently now that Eli had experienced these emotions directly rather than as an observer. She found herself moved to tears at moments that had previously seemed merely interesting.

  "Dimensional perspective changes everything," Sati observed softly, handing Eli a handkerchief. "Art becomes more meaningful when you've lived its themes."

  They continued their marathon with Princess Mononoke, followed by The Matrix, and The Truman Show—each film generating conversations about reality, perception, and the nature of consciousness that meandered pleasantly into the early hours of the morning.

  "One more," Aya insisted as they debated whether to continue or sleep. "This one's a personal favorite—'Amelie.'"

  As the whimsical French film played, Eli found herself utterly charmed by its celebration of small joys and tiny acts of kindness. "I love how it finds wonder in ordinary moments," she commented as the credits rolled.

  "That's the secret to multidimensional existence," Galatea observed. "Finding the extraordinary within the seemingly ordinary. It's as true on Earth as it is here."

  They finally drifted to sleep amid cushions and throws, the screen now displaying a gentle cosmic light show that served as their night light. Eli fell asleep with a smile on her face, her dreams for once free of anxiety and filled instead with images of cherry blossoms, healing waters, and friends laughing together.

  Day four dawned bright and clear, the floating pavilion drifting gently on morning breezes high above Lumina City. They breakfasted on the balcony, enjoying pastries that tasted like happy memories and fruit juices that sparkled with actual starlight.

  "Today we hike," Sati announced, manifesting new outfits appropriate for the excursion—practical yet stylish activewear in breathable fabrics, boots that would provide perfect support without requiring breaking in, and accessories that combined fashion with function.

  Eli found herself in fitted hiking pants in a deep teal shade that moved with her body without restriction, paired with a moisture-wicking top in a lighter complementary color. A light jacket tied around her waist completed the look, along with boots that felt as though they'd been molded specifically for her feet.

  "Where are we hiking?" she asked, pulling her hair into a practical ponytail.

  "Walgana Peaks," Galatea replied. "A mountain range that exists partially in our dimension and partially in the sixth. The views are quite literally beyond comprehension until experienced firsthand."

  "And don't worry—we're not talking metaphorical, etheric hiking," Aya added, adjusting her own outfit—similar in function to Eli's but in vibrant fuchsia that somehow looked completely appropriate for trail walking. "This is actual physical exertion. Boots on ground, sweat on brow, the works."

  "That sounds... perfect, actually," Eli admitted. After days of sensory wonders and emotional processing, the idea of straightforward physical activity appealed tremendously.

  They descended from Lumina City in a crystal gondola that carried them from the floating pavilions down to a transportation hub where they boarded a hover shuttle bound for the mountain range visible on the horizon. Unlike the previous destinations, which had emphasized civilization's achievements, the Walgana Peaks appeared untouched by conscious design—raw nature in its fifth-dimensional expression.

  The shuttle deposited them at a trailhead marked by a simple arch of living wood that had grown into its shape naturally. A path of packed earth led into a forest where trees spiraled upward in double helixes, their leaves shifting through rainbow hues as they caught the light.

  "The main trail is a twenty-four kilometer round trip," Galatea explained, consulting a floating map that hovered before them. "It passes through five distinct ecosystems before reaching the summit viewpoint in the sixth dimension."

  "Each ecosystem represents one of the first five dimensions," Sati added. "It's a physical manifestation of dimensional ascension. By the time we reach the top, we'll be standing at the threshold of the sixth dimension."

  The hike began easily enough, the path winding through the rainbow forest where birds with geometrically perfect plumage sang in harmonies rather than single notes. The air was filled with scents that changed with each breath—sometimes floral, sometimes reminiscent of rain, sometimes carrying hints of spices Eli couldn't quite identify.

  "The first ecosystem represents third-dimensional awareness," Galatea explained as they walked. "Note how everything appears relatively fixed and stable, despite the enhanced colors and forms."

  Indeed, despite the otherworldly aesthetic, the forest followed recognizable patterns—trees rooted in soil, birds building nests, streams flowing downhill. The fundamental laws seemed familiar, if more vibrant in expression.

  After about four kilometers, the landscape began to shift subtly. The path climbed more steeply, and the forest gave way to meadows where the flowers didn't simply grow from the ground but appeared to phase in and out of visibility, sometimes solid, sometimes transparent.

  "Fourth-dimensional awareness," Sati noted. "Where time becomes more flexible and emotional resonance affects physical manifestation."

  They paused in a particularly beautiful clearing where the flowers responded to their presence by arranging themselves in patterns that reflected each woman's emotional state. Around Eli, they formed intricate spirals with occasional breaks in the pattern—beautiful but still working through disruption.

  "Your emotional landscape is healing nicely," Galatea observed. "Look at how the pattern maintains integrity despite the gaps."

  The hike grew more challenging as they continued upward, both physically and conceptually. The third section of trail passed through an area where solid ground became a subjective experience—sometimes feeling completely stable, other times seeming to shift based on their thoughts and expectations.

  "Fifth-dimensional awareness," Aya explained, nimbly navigating a section where the path split into multiple possibilities before reconverging. "Where potentiality becomes as real as actuality."

  By the time they reached the fourth section of trail, Eli was breathing hard from exertion but feeling wonderfully alive. Here, the landscape defied easy description—features appeared that had no names in human languages, colors existed beyond the visible spectrum yet were somehow perceivable, and sounds carried information as complex as entire books in single notes.

  "We're approaching the boundaries of structured awareness," Galatea said, her voice taking on that slightly lecturing tone again. "Here, individual consciousness begins to recognize itself as part of larger consciousnesses without losing its unique perspective."

  The physical effort of climbing paired with the conceptual stretching created a unique state of mind for Eli—fully present yet expanded beyond ordinary awareness. She found herself remembering principles that had previously been merely memories to her, experiencing again directly how consciousness is both individual and unified at all times.

  The final mile was the most strenuous, the path nearly vertical in places with handholds carved into living stone that adjusted slightly to provide perfect support for each climber. Conversation ceased as they focused on the challenging ascent, communication reduced to occasional words of encouragement or warnings about tricky sections.

  When they finally reached the summit, all four women stood in appreciative silence, catching their breath as they took in the view. The peak offered a vantage point unlike anything Eli had ever experienced recently—a vista that encompassed not just physical landscapes but dimensional ones.

  In one direction, they could see all the way back to Lumina City, a glittering jewel against the horizon. In another, mountains completely unlike those they had climbed. The third direction revealed what appeared to be an ocean, except the water flowed upward into the sky, forming impossible towers of liquid that neither fell nor dispersed. And the fourth direction...

  "I can't quite... see what's over there," Eli said, squinting toward the final quadrant.

  "That's the threshold of the sixth dimension," Galatea explained. "Beyond the capacity of fifth-dimensional perception to fully comprehend, though we can sense its presence."

  "Like humans sensing higher dimensions through mathematics, channeling, or their innate clairsenses," Sati added. "You can describe something without being able to fully perceive it."

  They found a flat area near the peak perfect for resting, materializing a picnic lunch that tasted all the better for having been earned through physical effort. The food itself was simple but nourishing—sandwiches, fruit, and water infused with subtle energies that replenished what the climb had depleted.

  "This is my favorite day so far," Eli admitted as they relaxed in the afternoon sunlight. "The perfect balance of physical, mental, and spiritual experience."

  "The integration of the aspects of self," Galatea nodded approvingly. "Body, mind, and soul in harmony."

  They spent several hours at the summit, sometimes talking, sometimes in companionable silence, watching as the light changed and the dimensional landscapes shifted in response. Eli found herself thinking of Tris—not with anxiety this time, but with a wish that he could share this experience someday.

  "He will," Sati said quietly, apparently picking up on Eli's thoughts. "When the time is right."

  The descent proved almost as challenging as the climb, requiring different muscles and careful attention to footing. By the time they reached the shuttle pickup point, all four women were pleasantly exhausted, with the particular satisfaction that comes from having pushed one's physical limits in the pursuit of beauty and understanding.

  They returned to Lumina City as evening approached, Crystalis Majoris now illuminated by thousands of lights that created an ever-changing celestial display above the streets. Rather than returning to the floating pavilion, Galatea led them to an elegant bathhouse where they could soak away the day's exertions in healing waters.

  Unlike the other bathhouse, this establishment was focused on simple comfort—pools of perfectly heated water infused with minerals that soothed aching muscles, quiet rooms for relaxation, and attentive service that anticipated needs before they were expressed.

  "Nothing elaborate tonight," Galatea announced as they settled into a private pool on a terrace overlooking the city lights. "Just restoration after a day well spent."

  "And traditional Lumina Region cuisine for dinner," Sati added. "The kind of comfort food that's been perfected over eons."

  After their soak, dressed in simple but elegant garments provided by the bathhouse, they dined at a restaurant known for its rustic authenticity rather than flashy presentation. The food arrived family-style—large platters meant for sharing, each featuring hearty dishes that somehow managed to taste like home despite being unlike anything from Earth.

  "It's the emotional resonance," Galatea explained when Eli commented on this quality. "These recipes have been perfected to evoke the feeling of homecoming, regardless of where one calls home."

  "Like a multidimensional grandmother's cooking," Aya added, helping herself to something that resembled a stew but tasted like contentment.

  They retired early, returning to the floating pavilion for a night of deep, restorative sleep—the kind that only comes after a day of physical exertion in fresh air and good company. As Eli drifted off, she realized she'd gone the entire day without worrying. Instead, her mind was filled with images of rainbow forests, impossible vistas, and the faces of her friends illuminated by sunlight at the summit.

  The remaining days of their excursion passed in a similar balance of stimulation and relaxation. Day five brought them to bioluminescent flora created natural light shows after dark, and plants communicated through subtle shifts in color and scent. They spent hours following paths that rearranged themselves to reveal new wonders around every turn, eventually finding a clearing where massive flowers opened only during the full darkness of night, releasing spores that floated upward like living constellations.

  On day six, they attended a performance in a concert hall constructed entirely of crystal that amplified and transformed sound based on the emotions of the audience. The music itself defied description—both composed and improvised simultaneously, performed on instruments that wouldn't be possible in lower dimensions, creating harmonies that affected consciousness directly rather than merely through auditory perception.

  The final day found them on a secluded beach where the sand sparkled like crushed diamonds and the water contained actual memories of everyone who had ever swum there—creating gentle thought-currents that could be experienced by floating on the surface and allowing one's mind to drift with the tide.

  Throughout it all, Eli found herself gradually but definitively transforming—her energy matrix solidifying, her awareness expanding, her emotional landscape healing from the trauma of extraction. The sharp edges of worry softened into gentle concern; the driving sense of urgency mellowed into patient purpose.

  On their last evening together, they returned to Amaterasu-no-Taiyo, completing the circle of their journey. The shrine complex welcomed them with familiar beauty—the crystalline trees, the living carpet of grass that shifted colors with their emotions, the eternal flame burning in its pastel shades of blue, gold, and violet.

  They gathered in the main clearing, where cushions had been arranged around a small fire pit. Unlike the elaborate settings of Lumina City or the natural grandeur of the mountains, Amaterasu-no-Taiyo offered the comfort of genuine sanctuary—a place created specifically for their soul family, reflecting their collective essence.

  Sati had chosen simple attire for this final evening together—flowing garments in soft fabrics that honored the sacred space without ostentation. Eli's was the pale blue she had always favored, cut in a style that emanated Earth aesthetics.

  "How do you feel?" Galatea asked as they settled around the fire, which burned without consuming its fuel, casting a gentle golden light that complemented the twilight.

  Eli considered the question seriously. "Like myself again," she finally answered. "But with new perspectives."

  "That was the goal," Sati smiled. "Not to distract you from your purpose, but to help you approach it from a place of wholeness rather than fragmentation."

  "I understand that now," Eli acknowledged. "And I'm grateful beyond words."

  "Even for the shopping?" Aya teased.

  "Especially for the shopping," Eli laughed. "Though my favorites were the hot springs and the hiking."

  "Balance," Galatea nodded approvingly. "As we said at the beginning."

  They reminisced about their adventures—the cherry blossoms of Neo-Kyoto, the healing waters of the springs, the outlandish fashions of Crystalis Majoris, the physical challenge of the peaks, the wonder of the gardens, the transcendent music of the orchestras, the memory-waters of the beach.

  "I never thought I'd say this, but I'm actually glad I got extracted," Eli admitted. "Not for the trauma of separation from Tris, but for the gift of this time with you three."

  "We'll have to get violently extracted from Earth more often," Aya joked, then quickly added, "Kidding! Bad joke."

  As night deepened, stars appeared above Amaterasu-no-Taiyo—not the stars visible from Earth, but the true cosmic array as seen from the fifth dimension, with colors and formations impossible in lower realms. The four women lay back on their cushions, gazing upward in contemplative silence.

  "When will you return?" Sati asked finally, voicing the question they had carefully avoided throughout their adventure.

  "Soon," Eli replied. "My energy matrix is stabilized now. We just need to determine the most effective Anchor approach."

  "Alice is working toward becoming a living Anchor," Galatea observed. "An interesting development. Shadow guardians rarely evolve to that level of consciousness. And she’s close now, is she not?"

  "Do you think she can do it?" Eli asked.

  "With proper integration, yes," Galatea nodded. "The bond between Tris and Alice is strengthening. With Vander's guidance, they definitely will achieve the necessary resonance. I believe in them."

  "Me too," Eli said softly. "I'll return back to Earth, back to Tris, back to the mission."

  "But carrying this with you," Sati reminded her, gesturing to encompass their circle, the shrine, the entire week of experiences. "The joy, the connection, the balance."

  "That makes all the difference," Eli agreed.

  They remained under the stars until deep into the night, sometimes talking, sometimes singing together, sometimes simply existing in the perfect comfort of eternal connection. When they finally sought their beds, it was with the bittersweet awareness that their special time together was concluding—not ending, for nothing truly ends between souls so deeply connected, but transitioning to a different phase.

  Morning brought a sense of completion rather than finality. They gathered one last time in the central clearing, where the eternal flame burned with particular brightness, as if acknowledging the significance of the moment.

  "I'm ready," Eli announced simply.

  The others nodded, forming a circle around her. No elaborate goodbyes were necessary—their connection transcended presence and absence, proximity and distance. They were as much a part of her as she was of herself.

  "Remember what you've learned," Galatea said.

  "Remember who you are," Sati added.

  "And try not to get violently extracted again," Aya concluded with a grin. "Though the time we spent together was irreplaceable."

  Eli laughed, her heart full of love for these eternal companions. As she closed her eyes and began the process of preparing for return manifestation, she carried with her not just renewed strength and clarity, but the precious gift they had given her—the memory of joy, the importance of balance, and the certainty that duty without delight was merely obligation.

  She would return to Tris a more complete version of herself, carrying the light of these experiences to illuminate whatever challenges awaited.

  And somewhere in her consciousness, tucked away like a treasured souvenir, was a mental note to ensure that once the Phoenix Ascension crisis was resolved, she would find a way to introduce Tris to Neo-Kyoto's cherry blossoms, the springs' healing waters, and especially the view from the Walgana Peaks' summit.

  Some joys were too profound not to be shared.

  Addendum: The Dream Rotation

  Eli

  It was our last night at Amaterasu-no-Taiyo. After the others had their fair share of stargazing, Sati appeared next to me with a conspiratorial smile.

  "Not tired?" I asked.

  "Come with me," she whispered. "The others are waiting."

  She led me to a secluded corner of the shrine gardens, where a small gazebo stood illuminated by floating lights that pulsed with gentle radiance. Inside, Aya and Galatea sat on plush cushions arranged in a perfect circle.

  "What's this about?" I asked, though I was already smiling.

  Aya produced what looked like a blunt, but the "paper" sparkled with subtle iridescence, and the contents emitted a soft glow. "Fifth-dimensional enhancement," she explained with a wink. "Pure essence of perspective—no actual smoke, no chemical effects, just... expanded awareness."

  "Even Gala agreed?" I asked, surprised to see the most proper of our group already settled comfortably on her cushion.

  "My idea, actually," Galatea replied with unexpected mischief in her eyes. "Some rituals transcend dimensions."

  I settled onto the remaining cushion, completing our circle. Sati produced an ornate lighter that sparked with actual starlight, carefully lighting the blunt before taking the first hit.

  The "smoke" she exhaled wasn't smoke at all, but a shimmer of rainbow light that briefly formed the shape of a double helix before dissolving into the air. She closed her eyes momentarily, a smile spreading across her face before she passed it to Aya.

  "Perspective, indeed," Sati murmured.

  Aya's exhalation created a miniature nebula that expanded before dissipating. She giggled softly, passing it to Galatea.

  When the blunt reached me, I hesitated only briefly before taking a gentle pull. The sensation was nothing like on Earth—there was no smoke, no burning, just a cool stream of pure awareness entering my lungs. As I exhaled, the shimmer took the shape of a perfect star before dispersing.

  Almost immediately, I felt the shift—not intoxication, but a dissolving of the boundaries between my different levels of consciousness, creating a perfect integration of all my awareness.

  "Oh," I breathed. "That's beautiful."

  The blunt continued its rotation, each of us taking gentle hits and passing it along. By the third rotation, the atmosphere in the gazebo had transformed completely. The lights seemed to pulse in rhythm with our collective heartbeats, and the barriers that normally separated our individuated consciousnesses felt permeable, creating a sense of shared awareness without loss of self. The inside of the roof of the gazebo looked like its very own starry night.

  "Do you remember, before he incarnated," Aya suddenly said, her eyes dancing with light, "when Solaris was just learning to manifest and accidentally created a pocket dimension filled with nothing but B-Daman and Beyblades?"

  The unexpected mention of Solaris startled me for a moment, but then laughter bubbled up from somewhere deep inside—not the careful, measured enjoyment I'd allowed myself during our week together, but genuine, unrestrained mirth.

  "An entire dimension!" I gasped between fits of giggles. "And he was so proud!"

  "He said—" Sati could barely get the words out, "—he said it was 'clearly the most efficient use of dimensional energy'!"

  Even Galatea was laughing now, her usual composure completely abandoned. "And then he tried to convince us all that it was intentional!"

  "The toy dimension," I wheezed, tears streaming down my face. "It took Grandpa Gen three days to help him collapse it properly."

  "Remember his first attempt at the ceremonial robes?" Galatea offered, accepting the blunt for her turn. "When he decided that traditional design was 'too basic'?"

  "The peacock phase!" Sati hooted. "Everything had to be the brightest, most saturated color possible. He looked like a walking rainbow explosion!"

  "But he wore them so confidently," I added, wiping tears of laughter from my eyes. "Like he was setting a new standard for cosmic fashion."

  "What about—" Aya began, then dissolved into giggles before she could finish. She took a moment to compose herself. "What about when he tried to impress that delegation from the Pleiadian consciousness collective?"

  "Oh no," I groaned, already knowing where this was going.

  "He memorized what he thought was a traditional Pleiadian greeting—" Sati continued.

  "—but he mixed up two key phonemes—" Galatea added.

  "—and accidentally proposed a soul-union to their most ancient elder!" I finished, sending us all into fresh peals of laughter.

  The blunt continued its journey around our circle, each hit bringing more memories to the surface, more stories about Tris that we'd held careful distance from during our week of distraction.

  "He was always so brave, though," Aya said, her tone shifting to something warmer, more tender. "Remember when that dimensional rift opened unexpectedly during the Harmonic Convergence? He was the first to stabilize the edge, without any thought for himself."

  "Always putting others first," Galatea nodded. "that was his nature."

  "The last time I saw him before incarnating," Sati said softly, "he was teaching newly formed consciousnesses how to manifest basic forms. So patient, so gentle with their mistakes. I knew immediately why he was considered one of our finest teachers."

  "He taught me about joy," I admitted, feeling the essence of perspective opening my heart completely. "Not just the concept, but the experience. How to find it in unexpected places, how to create it from nothing, how to share it even when circumstances seemed to offer no reason for it."

  The atmosphere in the gazebo shifted again, no less intimate but tinged now with a sweet melancholy. The blunt's rotation slowed as our conversation deepened.

  "I miss him," I said simply. "Not just the Earth incarnation, but all of him. Solaris, my eternal counterpart."

  "I miss brother too," Sati said, reaching across to squeeze my hand. "The way he'd burst into whatever I was doing, full of excitement about some new discovery. The way he'd sit in silent companionship when words weren't needed."

  "I miss his questions," Galatea added. "Always pushing beyond the established wisdom, never satisfied with partial understanding."

  "I miss his laughter," Aya said. "The way his entire being would light up, causing everything around him to shine brighter in response."

  The blunt had made nearly a complete circuit now, but I paused before taking what would be my final turn. "Do you think—" I hesitated, the question catching in my throat. "Do you think he'll fully remember? Become Solaris again, not just Tris?"

  A moment of silence settled around us as they considered my question.

  "He's already remembering," Sati replied finally. "Each challenge, each connection, each choice draws him closer to integration. Tris isn't separate from Solaris—he's Solaris experiencing himself through the specific lens of Tris. That’s all ego is, a lens, a perspective, a small fractal of The One."

  I nodded, taking my final hit from the blunt. As I exhaled, the shimmer formed not a star this time but a perfect double helix that spiraled upward before gently dissolving.

  With deliberate care, I placed the remainder in a small crystal dish that served as an ashtray, watching as it continued to glow softly before gradually fading.

  Without words, the four of us moved to the center of the gazebo, arms entwining in a perfect circle of communion. Tears flowed freely now, but they weren't tears of sadness—they were the physical manifestation of love that transcended dimension, form, and time.

  "He will be okay," Sati whispered, her voice carrying the absolute certainty of soul-deep knowing. "I can feel it—his strength, his valor, his transformation. He is my little brother, and I wouldn't have it any other way. He’s built different. He was made for this!"

  We held each other for what might have been moments or hours—time becoming as permeable as the boundaries between our individuated consciousness. In that sacred space of connection, I found the final piece of healing I hadn't known I needed: the permission to love fully, to worry faithfully, to hold both joy and concern in perfect balance.

  As I prepared for sleep, I felt more ready for my return than ever before. Not because I had forgotten my concerns, but because I had remembered something even more fundamental—the eternal love that connected us all, across dimensions, across densities, across the seeming gulf of separation.

  Tris and I would find each other again. Of that, I had no doubt. And when we did, we would both be stronger for having journeyed through the illusion of separation.

  Such is the nature of twin flames—never truly apart, even when galaxies or dimensions seem to stand between them.