Charlene stepped out of the void and into the light. She moved carefully, fists clenched, unsure of what awaited her on the other side.
At first glance, she was astonished—this realm looked so much like Earth. The grass was green, the trees familiar. A soft golden glow bathed everything, giving it an ethereal quality. But as her eyes adjusted, she saw the differences. Towering domes stretched across the landscape, some small, some vast. Homes? Offices? She couldn't be sure. Their surfaces shimmered like liquid metal, reflecting the surroundings yet remaining solid.
A cool breeze rolled through the valley, carrying a scent both familiar and foreign. It was crisp, alive, as if the very air held whispers of the past. Charlene tilted her head back, inhaling deeply. The sensation filled her chest with something she couldn't quite name—peace, perhaps, or nostalgia for a place she had never known.
"This is home. Everything here has a life of its own. Can't you feel it?"
Charlene closed her eyes, breathing in, breathing out. The air hummed with an energy that resonated deep within her. It was unlike anything she had ever felt on Earth.
"Do you hear them? This is your family."
A sound rose around her—a hum, constant and steady, like bees in a hive. No discord, no arguing. Just voices, working, speaking of things unknown to her. Yet, instead of being overwhelming, the noise felt like a song. It pulsed, harmonizing with her heartbeat, filling the space with purpose. She should have been anxious, but the sound soothed her, like a lullaby for the mind.
"You think that's peaceful?" ReNew's voice carried a teasing lilt. "Try this. Take off your shoes. Run your toes through the grass."
She hesitated, then obeyed. The moment her bare feet touched the ground, a sensation like rippling warmth surged up her legs. The grass was unlike any she had known—soft like velvet, yet firm enough to support her weight. It gave slightly beneath her feet before springing back.
"That's… weird," she murmured. "But it feels so good."
Charlene dropped to the ground, laughing as she swept her arms and legs through the grass, creating an angelic imprint. The warmth enveloped her like a comforter on a cold winter's night.
"ReNew, if you've never been here before, how do you know so much about it?"
"Your father." The answer came softly. "He told your mother everything. I used to listen for hours—about how he grew up, about his parents, about how he never quite fit in. He was always… different."
Charlene propped herself up on her elbows, intrigued. "Different how?"
"He felt too much. Cared too much. He was what they called 'the little weirdo.'"
"That's cruel."
"Not to them. Here, emotion was seen as weakness. But your father? He felt deeply, especially for the humans he guided on their final journey. He couldn't just be neutral like the others. And that was a problem."
Charlene frowned. "I don't understand. Why would caring be wrong?"
"Because fate must be impartial. Fate cannot get attached. A soul must make its own choices—whether to ascend, to descend, or to try again on Earth. Interference upsets the balance."
Charlene pondered that. "But if a soul chooses to return, then it's not their final journey… is it?"
ReNew chuckled. "You're catching on. Yes, they get another chance. But they don't remember their past lives. Each time is a new beginning."
Charlene's mind raced. "So what about the Fates? What's their deal?"
"Ah, now you're asking the real questions."
ReNew's voice grew thoughtful. "There are two groups here—the ones who lead and the ones who guide souls on their journeys. The Fates are the workers, the ones who carry out destiny. Over time, their spirits pass on, recycled into new lives—either as another Fate or as a soul awaiting rebirth."
"And the others?"
"The Originals. The first to leave Earth. They can create more Fates through procreation. They are ancient, revered, like nobility. But sometimes… sometimes, one is born like Seth, carrying human traits. And that, Charlene, can be… complicated."
Charlene scoffed. "Why? What's so bad about emotions?"
"Think about it. Imagine being the only one on an entire planet going through puberty."
Charlene burst out laughing. "Okay, yeah, that would be awkward."
"Exactly. We don't lack emotions, but we don't let them rule us. We think of the whole, not just ourselves. That's why rules here are rarely broken."
Charlene raised her hand, parting her fingers. "It's only logical," she said in her best Spock impression.
"Oh, now you've got jokes?"
ReNew playfully nudged her. "Come on, no more time to waste. Let's find your father."
Charlene scanned the sprawling structures. "Where do we even start?"
"If I had to guess," ReNew said, nodding toward a building with glowing orbs drifting in and out, "I'd say that's a hub. Some sort of transportation center. Let's check there first."
"We can't just walk in dressed like this. We'll stand out."
Charlene darted toward a small dome, slipping inside. The space was foreign—no furniture, no appliances. But then she spotted it: a side room where layers of clothing floated in the air, suspended as if weightless. Some fabrics bubbled, others dripped, all in muted tones—white, cream, nothing flashy.
"This is how they clean their clothes? Wild."
She grabbed something resembling overalls and slid them on. The fabric responded instantly, shrinking to fit her frame, molding around her feet. It felt like silk woven by unseen hands.
"Now this," she murmured, admiring the sleek material, "is something Earth could use."
ReNew smirked. "Ready?"
Charlene nodded. "Let's go find my dad."
As they stepped out of the dome, the sky above them shimmered. Charlene squinted, trying to make sense of the shifting colors—gold, lavender, and deep indigo swirled together like liquid opal.
ReNew followed her gaze. "The sky here isn't like Earth's. It changes depending on the energy of those within the realm."
Charlene hesitated. "What does that mean?"
"It means the realm is alive. And it's watching us."
A shiver ran down Charlene's spine, not from fear, but from awe. She felt small yet significant, as if she were part of something grander than she could comprehend.
"Then let's not keep it waiting," she said, stepping forward.
ReNew grinned. "That's the spirit."
Together, they moved toward the glowing hub, the path before them stretching into the unknown