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I stood on a platform of ancient, rotting wood. It was poorly built and its weak joints creaked under my weight. Supported by unseen forces, it seemed to be suspended in air. All around me was a room of brilliant white. I could not guess its size because the walls lacked perceivable depth. It was both infinitely large and suffocatingly small. The walls were of such purity that I could not see where one ended and the other began. It gave the impression of being perfectly round.

Below me lay what I can only describe as a deep chasm. The white that dominated the room sunk into consuming darkness. I had an instinctual feeling that the abysmal depths of this void knew no end. To fall into it would be certain death. For though I could see no bottom, I knew it must come. I stood transfixed by the sight of this Stygian pit. To me it seemed the perfect counterbalance to the rest of the room. I imagined it was slowly pulling the white walls into it and transforming them to utter black. I averted my eyes and looked to the other edge of the platform. They rested upon a set of stairs leading to a landing above me. They seemed of solid construction as they were made of dense stone and mortar. The landing above was made of the same material and was much more sturdy than my own feeble resting position.

On the side of the landing farthest from me was a door made of a rich and heavy wood. It was finished so that its smooth surface had the reflective quality of glass. Its handle was gilded in gold and shone dully. The platform began to shudder and crumble. Hastily I crossed it and climbed the first stair. As I did so I watched the platform disintegrate and its particles tumble into the pit. I never heard the pieces hit the bottom, and I was now sure that its bottom lay very far below. Feeling I had no other place to go, I began to ascend the rest of the stairs. The climb was difficult, but I managed it with relative ease. I felt no worse afterwards than I had before, but I took a moment to catch my breath. I moved to the door and had an inkling that behind it was an escape from this odd place. My curiosity being aroused, I pulled the door open. Its hinges groaned audibly, but it still opened easily. I looked through the door frame and was puzzled at the sight of another flight of stairs. This set was much steeper and was constructed of perforated metal similar to that found on a ship. This flight looked much longer and I realized it would be considerably more difficult to climb.

Far above was another landing similar to the one I stood on. It looked identical in every aspect except that a door of much greater beauty stood on it. It was made of beautiful black marble and its handle was inlaid with jade and ivory.

After I had taken a brief respite to compose myself for the ensuing climb, I began to make my way steadily up. After a short time my breathing became strained and I perspired freely. The muscles in my legs ached dully and it took concentrated effort to keep moving. In order to distract my mind I began to dream of what was behind this door. I imagined a palace beautifully decorated from top to bottom. In my mind I created comfortable chairs and couches on which to rest my increasingly weary body. I believed that would be my reward for this test of will and stamina. About three-quarters of the way up I was forced to stop and take a break. My breath came in ragged gulps and it felt as though a wet rag had been placed over my mouth and nose. No matter how hard my burning lungs worked I could not assure myself an adequate supply of oxygen. I sat down on the steps and allowed myself to slowly resume normal operation. Feeling somewhat refreshed I struggled up the remaining distance. I was forced to move slowly and with great effort. At each step my weight shifted backwards as though I would slip. I was constantly fighting to maintain equilibrium and not tumble down from where I had come. I reached the landing and with an unexpected surge of energy I moved to the door. Under normal circumstances I would have been captivated with its beauty and stopped to examine it closely, but I had an insatiable desire to discover the secrets that lay within. This door was much heavier than the previous due to the fact that it was made of solid marble. As I forced it open I slowly sank to my knees and collapsed on the floor in a heap. More Stairs.

From where I lay I could see that this would be the hardest climb yet. The stairs were much taller and steeper than any I had ever seen. Each one was at least chest high and made of thin wood held loosely together by only nails. I could see that it would be an exhausting and treacherous climb. I could not see past the first few steps, so I did not know where they would lead me. I desperately hoped this would be the last flight and at its end would be the reward I so desired. My ravaged body could take little more punishing than it had already endured.

Against my own will I forced my exhausted limbs up. The longer I rested the harder it would be to continue. Slowly I began pulling myself up the stairs, crumpling at the top of each flimsy apex causing it to sway violently. Had my energy supply not been so greatly depleted it would have been cause for serious concern. The dull ache had now turned to a piercing throb. Tears blurred my vision and ran hotly down my cheeks. Bile rose in my stomach with each tortured wheeze I emitted. My body felt like shutting down, but I mustered my strength and moved on from sheer determination. Bitterly I fought the incessant pull of gravity. My mind grew weary from exhaustion and soon I found my thoughts to be the ravings of a mad man. With each new step I passed further into delirium. Between each individual stair I felt an eternity pass and I could see no end in sight. After hours of climbing it took all I had not to give up hope.

Just as I had resolved not to go any further and discontinue this hellish ordeal, I caught sight of the next landing. I froze in awe at what awaited me at its summit. There sat the most magnificent door I had ever seen. It's surface was solid gold and it shimmered so brightly that it hurt my eyes. The large handle was encrusted in diamonds and other precious stones of all shapes and sizes. Engraved upon the smooth surface was the sign of the cross and many smaller symbols I could not make out.

Seized by some unknown force I was propelled the rest of the way at an insane pace, quickly depleting my dwindling resources. I ignored all but that door and the great reward I knew must be behind it. I felt that only heaven itself could be there. No other place could have such a grand entrance. Here I would find the peace I so desperately sought.

I reached the landing and with my very last ounce of strength pulled the handle and swung it open. It must have weighed a ton and in my madness I thought I was pushing a boulder of gigantic proportions. It took me a very long time to open it fully, but what awaited me on the other side caused me to forget the trouble.

I looked across the threshold and gasped in wonder at the intense light that poured through. I could see nothing but the blinding array of luminescence before me. I knew I had reached my goal and had triumphed over this abomination. I limped through the door and into the warm light. As soon as I had crossed to other side the door slammed shut behind me and all faded into a darkness so deep that no light could escape