Soil. A garden without end. A sleeping figure in the mud.

 

“Time to rise, Chieloka.” A voice booms from everywhere.

 

The man stirs from a slumber of the ages. His eyes snap open to a forest of green and brown.

 

“Papa was right.” Chieloka says as he scans around, “Heaven is a garden… in every season.”

 

“You are never without commentary, Chieloka.” A voice booms from all around.

 

“I dig the scenery, God.” Chieloka says, “Glad you could look past my artful browser history.”

 

“Hahaha.” The voice booms from everywhere, “I am not God, merely one of an infinite.”

 

“Then who can you be? An angel?” Chieloka queries.

 

“I wonder how you’ll react…” The voice booms all around once more.

 

Clay suddenly gathers in front of Chieloka. From the clay, a figure forms. A tortoise.

 

“Surprise.” The tortoise says flailing its arms and legs.

 

“Ezinwa?” Chieloka is shocked at the tortoise no larger than two fists, “Is that really you?”

 

“In the shell!” Ezinwa the tortoise says with jauntiness.

 

“So talking tortoises are real?” Chieloka asks as he grabs Ezinwa from the air.

 

“There is so much to say but time is of the essence.” Ezinwa says, “Look around you.”

 

Chieloka looks around at the luscious green world. Beyond this zone of spring, the world experiences all sorts of seasons and terrain. Some Chieloka have never even dreamed of.

 

“If this isn’t heaven, where am I then?” Chieloka asks, “Garden of Eden? I’m naked after all.”

 

“No, no.” Ezinwa says shaking its head, “This is your Dao-Heart.”

 

“Dao? Like a Dantian?” Chieloka asks with growing excitement.

 

“Your Dao-Heart contains your Dantians.” Ezinwa says, “All three of them.” 

 

“My wildest dream is coming true!” Chieloka shouts as he raises Ezinwa into the air, “Isekai adventure, here we come!”

 

“Haha! Slow down there.” Ezinwa says, “You aren’t getting reincarnated or moving to a different universe. Just experiencing your current world differently.”

 

“So no waking up with OP abilities in a new body?” Chieloka asks with growing disappointment.

 

“Now, now. I’m sure we can find a happy medium.” Ezinwa says with a head tilt, “Take a look.”

 

A mirror shimmers into existence beside Chieloka and Ezinwa. Holding the tortoise is a man of sculpted ebony. Gone is the bulky build of a 47-year-old, now his body is slender. His once brown eyes are now a dance of brown and green. His dark hair now has green and brown tips.

 

“Where did all my muscles go?” Chieloka asks in shock, “At least I’ve still got abs.”

 

“That’s your first question?” Ezinwa asks back.

 

“I might be better looking than Chloe…” Chieloka says, admiring his 24-year-old looking self.

 

“Are you a betting man?” Ezinwa teases.

 

After a momentary silence, Chieloka asks, “What about the chief? The others? Are they safe?”

 

“You’ll rejoin them soon.” Ezinwa reassures, “Now, what do you see? Really sense around you.”

 

Chieloka looks around the endless garden. All seasons happening at once yet separate. Like moments in a cycle. A cycle without a beginning or an ending. Repeating without ceasing. 

 

Chieloka is unknowingly engrossed in this musing when he notices the garden is no longer at his feet but all around him. A ring of soil orbits him. He floats in the midst of bountifulness.

 

“I am... flying.” Chieloka says breathlessly, “Wait till the fam gets a load of this!”

 

Just as Ezinwa begins to fade, it says, “Stand together and shine brightly.”

 

The world fades away...