Mia sat alone on a pale stretch of earth that felt neither warm nor cold. All around her, the colors were washed in silver. Voices drifted like wind. And before her-just a few steps away-Ariya sat on a low stone bench, dressed in pure white.

Children gathered around Ariya's feet, all wearing the same soft white garments.

Some leaned against her legs, some played with strands of her hair, some hummed in little circles around her. People passed by in slow, peaceful waves, waving to Ariya as ...