9 floors · levels 1051–1500
The Sky
The ascending arm. In Altai shamanic telling the sky has nine layers, and those are Balbal's last nine floors: above the sea of fog to Tulpar's trail, from Huma's golden nest to Father Moon and Mother Sun, and on to the Golden Stake that holds up the tent of the sky. Each floor is brighter and emptier than the one before.
Floors
The Cloud Floor
Above the sea of fog. Mountain tops below, open sky above.
Tulpar's Path
The trail of the winged horse across the sky. Hoofprints glowing in the clouds.
Huma's Nest
The golden nest of the bird of fortune. Warm gold light everywhere.
Mount Qaf
The legendary mountain at the edge of the world. Nothing beyond it is visible.
Father Moon
The surface of the moon. Silver dust, long shadows, a blue world below.
Mother Sun
The door of the sun. Almost too bright; the tiles turn into silhouettes.
The Seven Stars
Seven stars — the Great Bear. The most familiar shape in the night sky, drawn in tiles.
The Golden Stake
The pole star: the golden stake that holds up the tent of the sky. Everything turns around it; it stands still.
Tengri's Floor
White light. An almost empty field; nothing but tiles and brightness.