It was a time out of time and a space out of space.
In the Golden Room, there laid an ever-pervading symbol containing in itself the blueprint that is Creation. This is the infinite great mandala of which everything was only but a finite drop of it.
Indeed, it was a place where you can look down on the world. A place that could be considered divine.
In this golden place, however, there was also an individual.
A little girl, dormant until then, slowly opens her eyes.
But she wasn't on a bed, nor she was lying her back on any surface. She was simply sitting somewhere. Her legs were crossed and her arms were extended and laying down, adopting a meditating stance. She had been dormant in this position for a while but was waking up at this moment. No, it would be more accurate to say she wasn't actually dreaming, but laying her consciousness somewhere else other than her present body.
"...Hmm."
"I see you are back. How was your experience down there?"
In front of the girl, a man with a black kimono speaks to her. He was waiting for her to wake up.
"Not very pleasant, I must say."
"And why is that?"
She sighs for a bit and closes her eyes while she speaks.
"I've managed to get a better understanding of the lower world, including its ontological properties, but someone, or something, was too strong even for my manifestation. The pain it induced on my being was very excruciating as well, even if for a moment. My existence had no choice but to draw back. Even after cautiously picking a future that I deemed favorable for my tests, I was still overthrown. Perhaps there are some things that truly can't be predicted, no matter how good your vision is."
The man in the kimono thinks for a bit before responding.
"I see. But this too can be grounds for learning."
The girl looks at him confused.
"In what way? What exactly are you trying to teach me anyway?"
"To get a proper hold of the Tao, of course. Once that is done, you'll become more complete with yourself and everything. But for that, you first need to find what your desire truly is. That is why interactions with the lower world are crucial. After all, there isn't much you can get from this place. As of now, your state as a god is incomplete."
"I don't know why you need me to be complete when you already have yourself."
"Differently from you, I cannot really step out of here. And, there are certain individuals whose existence is a threat to it, and to you. You should be complete before they get a hold of the Gate and access this place."
"I see, but I won't promise anything..."
"No matter. For now, just focus on what you have experienced, and build your next iteration."
The girl still had a lot of questions, but she decided to postpone them, and did what the man requested.