Malya went to sleep in her own bed.
This is not her own bed. For that matter, she doesn't remember waking up. Is she dreaming? This doesn't feel like a dream...
"...things..."
"Fair. Uh, can you tell me something about the difference between the two aspects?"
"—more."
"...There are more than two aspects?"
"...complicated."
"Hm."
She studies the rings.
"Can you tell me something about what would happen if I stepped through right now?"
"—life—"
"Life! Okay, so is that because of the colors, the symbols, or something else?"
"Green."
"Green is life...what's red?"
"Metal."
"Huh! Yellow?"
"Mass."
"Huh. Blue?"
"Weather."
"Purple?"
"Magic."
"Aren't they all magic?"
"—different."
"--Okay. What does the star mean?"
"—mind."
"The spiral?"
"—air."
"The rock?"
"---earth."