6. TO FACE YOUR FEARS, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THEM

6 [https://img.wattpad.com/cd3a25a1deb93723bcbd8c29648dc6ebf916da21/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4d4d557942587a397574586230413d3d2d313432323732353235382e313762333930373337643137623138643737353038353835323232322e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

6. To face your fears, you must understand them

The Seeker runs. Without a destination, just running through an unknown land. The distance to the black tower is growing ever larger and larger. Until it's just a small point in the background. The Seeker runs through desert land, gazing at the dark clouds above. Where the Seeker runs, there is no path, no vegetation. Only sand and dust. After hours and hours of running, the Seeker gets exhausted. Tired, they let themselves fall on the desert floor.

They look around them. Something is off. The clouds above aren't moving. As still, as mountains. Even the wind is silent. As the Seeker becomes aware of their surroundings, they realize, that the desert floor is completely flat. No hills, no pits, not even sand dunes. The entire desert is completely even, flat plains of sand all around them. Not even in the distance are irregularities visible. Where are the mountain ranges gone? The tower? The sand stones? Where are they?

Where are the mountain ranges gone? The tower? The sand stones? Where are they? [https://img.wattpad.com/368636c6300c421450b2ba7f1b39620df5bca270/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4a565a597665664c67476a4254773d3d2d313432323732353235382e313762333930373534313037333538343438333839363630333039322e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

The Seeker can't tell, from which direction they came. Wherever they look, it's all the same. A sudden feeling of loneliness. Fear is creeping up into the Seekers consciousness. Are they all alone? Is there no way back? Where should they go? What should they do?

"Hello," shouts the Seeker into the stillness of the odd desert. The words echo back. "Is anyone here?" No reply, only Echo. The Seeker loses track of time. Nothing happens around them. They notice their thoughts repeating, like a scratched record.

"Hello, can anyone hear me," they scream even louder. No response. Just the echo in between the silence.

The Seeker walks around in circles. Repeating the same cries for help over and over again. Only Echo. They scratch their head, walk around, cry for help, then they scratch their head again. Repeating the same pattern over and over.

Repeating the same pattern over and over [https://img.wattpad.com/63a2fc7f7e4a4fae965204288992c0d9950d9f11/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f694776396f795563654f36425a773d3d2d313432323732353235382e313762333930373762626666373663343630333231363537343636332e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

After suddenly... the Seeker takes a deep breath. "Mr. Stranger... Are you still there?"

Caught by surprise, the Seeker gets startled from behind, as they feel a tap on their shoulder.

"You called?" asks the calm voice of the mysterious stranger.

"Where the hell have you been," shouts the Seeker angrily and relieved at the same time. "You have abandoned me! I... I can't even tell, how long I have been stuck here..."

"You ran away," reminds the mysterious stranger calmly, as he observes the confusing environment around him. "We really are far off the path..."

"Is there a way back?" questions the Seeker, both frightened and hopeful at once [https://img.wattpad.com/6c8317236dbfb7123c96d6cde4247ad64961011e/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f506b71466762335957675f3359673d3d2d313432323732353235382e31376233393037613938626637643566373130323737303839352e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

"Is there a way back?" questions the Seeker, both frightened and hopeful at once.

The mysterious stranger chuckles. He starts walking, the Seeker follows.

"There always is a way back on your path. No matter how far you have striven off, you can always get back on track. But I am being honest with you... The further you go, the harder it is to find your way again... This won't be easy..."

"Please," begs the Seeker [https://img.wattpad.com/6e478e1fd9fa4cf629c88bd5d78bb456de5b0aa6/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f72356742416864546a64523037513d3d2d313432323732353235382e313762333930386266373665376365623733323636393639363933372e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

"Please," begs the Seeker. "Help me. I can't bear being here any longer, in this lonely place..."

The mysterious stranger nods his head, asking: "How did you end up here?"

"I was running away."

"What are you running away from," questions the mysterious stranger.

The Seeker takes a moment to contemplate.

"Consequences... I was running away from the consequences of my actions."

"Why are you avoiding these consequences?"

"Because... I am afraid..."

"Afraid of what?"

The Seeker swallows their spit. "I am afraid... of being hurt."

"That's it!" confirms the mysterious stranger with a slight smirk. "This is the root of fear. The avoidance of pain. Now... Let's ask a different question: Who is it, that is afraid? Who is it, that avoids pain? Who is it, that runs away from consequences?"

The Seeker looks slightly confused. "Ummm... Me? The Seeker?"

"Who is this Me? Who is this Seeker? Where can you find this person? In your body? In your brain? In your memories? In your thoughts?"

"Hold on, hold on," interrupts the Seeker. "How the hell, should this get me out of here?"

For a short moment, there is an awkward eye contact between the Seeker and the mysterious stranger, as they stand still in the flat, quiet desert.

For a short moment, there is an awkward eye contact between the Seeker and the mysterious stranger, as they stand still in the flat, quiet desert [https://img.wattpad.com/2460d5e417f7c3b05e0d257e12e04e38ab18b952/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6c72783779645262716e4f716f413d3d2d313432323732353235382e313762333930386565386464643231643231373034383432303631322e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

The mysterious stranger scratches his chin.

"Hmmm, now that I think about it... You are probably right... It's too early for self-enquiry."

The Seeker facepalms.

"I will never get out of this desert," they sigh, as all hope is lost.

"Sorry... We'll find a way out of here," reassures the mysterious stranger. "Just don't forget... I am still growing as well... We are together in this... I won't leave you behind, as long as you don't push me away..."

The Seeker is surprised at the strangers statement. "So you are also growing Mr. Know-it-all?"

"Of course I am," responds the stranger with a warm smile. "Only the ignorant cease to grow. Like I told you, from the very first moment, we met: I am not your teacher, nor an authority or anything. I am just your friend. Nothing more and nothing less. And I want to reach out with my helping hand, because this is what friends are for."

The Seeker nods silently. For the first time, they see the mysterious stranger with different eyes.

"Alright," sighs the Seeker. "So how do we get out of here?"

The mysterious stranger continues walking, the Seeker walks beside him [https://img.wattpad.com/6727670490d8a793241bf0490de7711816647f2b/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f694b76306a6d447870384c7663673d3d2d313432323732353235382e3137623339303934396136303138383735323337313833393533392e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

The mysterious stranger continues walking, the Seeker walks beside him.

"Let us try to have an insight into the very nature of fear itself. What is fear?"

"A physical response to danger," answers the Seeker calmly. "Symptoms are sweating, trembling, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath..."

"Of course, this is fear as a natural instinct. A safety-mechanism, warning us from danger. Like when a hunter encounters a predatory animal. Or when you walk on a fragile ice sheet over a frozen lake. It's absolutely natural. Any animal knows instinctual fear. However are there any other kinds of fears? Fears, that are not based on our survival instincts."

The Seeker thinks for a moment. "You mean like phobias?"

"Yes," confirms the mysterious stranger. "Fears, that are psychological in nature. Fears, that are the product of thought instead of instincts. You see the difference? One is natural, beneficial for our survival and to a certain degree even healthy. The other though... the psychological fears... Are they beneficial in any way? Are they natural or healthy? Is it rational for your thoughts to be filled with irrational fears? Or are they just challenges, that need to be overcome?"

Are they beneficial in any way? Are they natural or healthy? Is it rational for your thoughts to be filled with irrational fears? Or are they just challenges, that need to be overcome?" [https://img.wattpad.com/d4b3fb522e8594cf87135883ce4aa094aa0975d3/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4e51776c71453962536d744d58413d3d2d313432323732353235382e313762333930393739323732343238393539333231373232373939332e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

"What kind of fears do you mean exactly," asks the Seeker after some contemplation. "Give me some examples."

"When you are afraid of losing your job, is that beneficial to you? Your anxiety will make you unbalanced. You lose focus. Your worries will cause mistakes. It's as if your thoughts of being fired, increases the chances of that outcome happening. As if your thoughts attract the object of your fear like a magnet.

Let's say you are walking on the street in a dark alley, afraid of being robbed. This fear will change your demeanor. Your nervousness might attract people, who are subconsciously aware of your fear. If they can feel your fear, you'll be an easy target to them.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

Now let us consider, that your trust was betrayed, when you were a child. Doesn't this create a fear against opening up? Perhaps in your adult life, you have a hard time trusting others. Perhaps you start projecting your mistrust on to them. Perhaps you treat others with bitterness. Perhaps you hide your true self, behind a wall.

In any case, do you see how this kind of fear starts out in your thoughts? Do you see, how it creates suffering? Not only for you, but for everyone around you as well... Think about it. Sometimes fear is instilled through education or upbringing. Irrational fears of other peoples, races, cultures, ideologies, religions have separated us. This has caused so much pain and suffering in this world. Do you see, how this kind of fear is the cause of so many problems on the individual and on the collective level?"

"Okay," says the Seeker. "I think... I understand. You are saying that fear is creating evil. Am I right? So what should we do about it?"

"Let us find out the root behind these psychological fears [https://img.wattpad.com/e95a11e9d0dc1e7b013dccce6bd14dbc4d5ea62d/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f362d764c326749784c4655374f673d3d2d313432323732353235382e313762333930396466303733353933353634353738363532383236392e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

"Let us find out the root behind these psychological fears. We need to understand it's very nature, otherwise nothing will ever change. Some of these fears are caused by experience. By memory to be precise. For example when dogmatic knowledge is instilled. Or when you have a painful experience, that shapes the way you react.

And then there are fears of losing something. Like the fear that something, which you have made a part if your identity, is being taken from you. This could be material possessions. This could be a role you are playing or a status you have earned. This could be an idea, that you identify with. This could be even other people, like close friends or family. What is the root of these fears?"

The Seeker intuitively touches the golden mask on their face. They swallow their spit, hoping that the mysterious stranger doesn't say the words, they fear most.

"The root of the fear of losing something is attachment," continues the mysterious stranger. "When you are afraid of losing your possession, identity, status, or relationship, then it's because you are attached to it. Even the fear of death is just an attachment to memories."

"I won't let go of my mask," shouts the Seeker enraged. "I have earned it. I have deserved it! It is mine!"

The mysterious stranger sighs tiredly. He knew, that this was going to happen.

"Okay look... I know it is difficult... But as long, as you are attached to that mask, you will continue being lost. It will only get worse and worse."

"No," insists the Seeker. "I have poured in too much effort. Do you even understand this masks value? Many have tried climbing the tower of desire and only I have succeeded in getting it! It is mine! Mine only!"

The mysterious stranger looks at the Seeker with sad eyes.

"You think you need it. You think without it you are nobody. You think that your attachment bestows you with meaning. You think, you can't handle the world without it. But you are wrong. You don't need this mask, this false identity. You never needed it in the first place. Take it off and see it for yourself. This freedom of letting go. This liberation, will be like a great weight lifted off. And then we will find our way again."

The mysterious stranger stretches out his palm, offering it to the Seeker [https://img.wattpad.com/c73056daa68b254ce934d934babc4034de5f8400/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f2d594a6932356856465a472d78513d3d2d313432323732353235382e313762333930613338303030376436633433343232333133353733322e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

The mysterious stranger stretches out his palm, offering it to the Seeker. For a moment the Seeker considers taking off their mask. As if there was a calling deep within their heart.

The Seeker shakes their head, laughing manically. "Now I get it! You want my mask for yourself. All of this is just a trick. I will never hand it over to you!"

The Seeker throws a punch at the mysterious stranger. The Stranger dodges.

"Please, stop it," warns the stranger with a saddened eyes. "I otherwise can't do anything to assist you anymore..."

"You damned hypocrite," shouts the Seeker, as they pull the sword of perception from their sheath. "You want to take my mask from me! You are just like all the others!"

The Seeker runs towards the stranger, swinging their sword, ready for an attack [https://img.wattpad.com/5b957149e031262e33fed180442932e5b3d51cc3/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f2d6c6c454f3837363870476e58673d3d2d313432323732353235382e313762333930613666323231346537663134333630353233303338362e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

The Seeker runs towards the stranger, swinging their sword, ready for an attack. The stranger deflects the sword, with a brush of his hand.

"Sorry," speaks the mysterious stranger, as he slowly fades away.

"I wish I could have done more for you... I will return with help... I promise. I won't leave you behind... You will not be forgotten."

The mysterious stranger has vanished. The Seeker stands all alone in the desert. Where the clouds don't move and the Sun never sets. Crying, they collapse to their knees.

Time passes, as the Seeker wanders aimlessly through the flat desert. They blame the mysterious stranger for their misery. Then they blame the unfairness of life for their circumstances. Then they blame the mask, trying to pull it off with force. Failing, blaming the Stranger once again. The Seeker walks in circles. Trapped in a Loop.

With every new repetition, something changes. Their veins around the mask swell up. The Seekers skin gets coarser, harder, thicker. Their voice gets rougher. The glow in their eyes extinguishes.

Stuck in an endless time loop, the Seeker loses their mind. Their rambling words turn into nonsensical sounds and screeches. The Seeker forgets, who they once used to be. The Seeker is gone, the mask has taken over. A desire for more is born. An endless hunger for attachment.

An endless hunger for attachment [https://img.wattpad.com/b0322fda3a7693f560b9b6052a54dc8965d60ad0/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f795f61777238704f2d6f654a55513d3d2d313432323732353235382e313762333930616365616366663733313737323236363138353231362e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

The Seekers body transforms. Horns and stings sprouts from its skin. Wings grow fromk their back. The monster with the golden mask flies around the area, searching for new attachments. Flying through the air, they escape the flat desert. Sometimes the monster spots people on the road, flies down below, catches its target with its claws and absorb them into its body. Sometimes they catch mice, scorpions and other creatures. With every new attachment the monster grows in size.

As the monster flies through the air, it finds the dark tower of desire in the distance. Something seems familiar to the creature and thus it builds a nest at the top of the tower. Time passes. Years. Decades. Centuries. Millennia.

For many countless cycles, the monster roams mindlessly through the desert land around the tower of desire [https://img.wattpad.com/aa9a99befe06b88f5911fec6b78122cf14a5b5cd/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f5353655f456b5554565a353641673d3d2d313432323732353235382e313762333930623037336632663033323739373437313934383835332e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

For many countless cycles, the monster roams mindlessly through the desert land around the tower of desire... Until one day, two figures appear near the dark tower.

"There must be some way up there," says the Seeker to the mysterious stranger, as the wind begins to howl. They are both standing at the foot of the dark tower of desire, where the monster resides.

"Are you really sure, that you want that mask?" asks the mysterious stranger with a concerned voice.

"Yes," confirms the Seeker, as they pull out their sword. "I will slay this monster, no matter the price."

The mysterious stranger sighs [https://img.wattpad.com/9062b082d1a79d29e1a86d475dd5547a39d29447/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4e43637277594d4c4f38514955513d3d2d313432323732353235382e313762333930623538353837313138343932333730373332353030312e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

The mysterious stranger sighs. "You really should stop talking to dubious rats..."

Suddenly, an attack from above. The monster with the golden mask flies directly towards the Seeker. The Seeker evades its sharp claws. The creature flies back to the top.

"Well," says the Seeker, as they take a deep breath and pull out a rope from their pocket. "At least that rat did me a good deal, by trading this rope against that red mask from the previous monster."

The Seeker swings their rope. High above, the Seeker catches a pylon and tightens the rope.

"Don't forget, what I told you," reminds the mysterious stranger the Seeker.

"To face your fear, you must understand it!"

The Seeker nods and starts climbing the dark tower. The flying beast, attacks the Seeker, as it aims for the rope. But the Seeker won't let themselves be shaken off. They climb ever higher and higher. Utilizing the rope. Until they reach the nest at the top.

Up there, the Seeker is afraid of the height below. Keeping their eyes straight. The branches and twigs of the nest are not sturdy. Swallowing their spit, the Seeker moves a step forward, towards the terrible creature. Gazing into the golden mask hiding the face of the monster.

"I-I don't want to harm you," says the Seeker with a calm voice, trying to hide their fear. "You don't want to harm me either, do you?"

The monster doesn't move. As if it could understand the Seekers words, the creature calms down.

"Listen," continues the Seeker, as they grip the handle of their sword in the sheath. "I don't want to fight you. I am just here for that golden mask on your face... Just hand it over peacefully and we won't have any problems..."

" [https://img.wattpad.com/9f866d2b5635a63adbaa048d99da8240ef419a98/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f41574b3753755f617359695f6b773d3d2d313432323732353235382e313762333930633363373039346262653233313833343539373539342e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

The flying beast, angered by the Seeker, screeches. The wings lift off. The monster starts flying. The Seeker throws their rope, catching the monsters feet. Holding the rope tightly, the Seeker lets themselves be carried down below, as the monster loses altitude, due to the weight.

The Seeker let's go of the rope, seconds before the monster crashes into the desert ground. As the cloud of dust vanishes, the Seeker stands up again and grabs the rope, lying on the ground once more. The monster wants to lift off, but the Seeker pulls the rope. The monster can't escape. The Seeker approaches slowly, with their sword shaking and their palms sweating.

"I must face my fears," mumbles the Seeker, before they sprint towards it, attacking with their sword. As the sword touches the monsters skin, the item absorbs it into its being.

As the sword touches the monsters skin, the item absorbs it into its being [https://img.wattpad.com/b72cd0c9bace051593e45a29db86dc4e7f8c805c/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f55334d4142516d694d55692d31673d3d2d313432323732353235382e313762333930633634636231323738333937393134373433363837322e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Sword of Perception destroyed

- 2 vibes Lost

As their weapon is lost, the Seeker runs from the monster. But the monster sucks the Seeker towards it, like a magnet.

The monster throws itself at the Seeker, standing right above it, as the Seekers life force is slowly being absorbed by the monster. They can feel the loss of vibes each second.

They can feel the loss of vibes each second [https://img.wattpad.com/1c834f821556ce9a7cfddb4b3207195ae8012875/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f632d57504c7643737a5f535159773d3d2d313432323732353235382e313762333930633934636561396266373834373932313131303539312e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

- 1 vibe lost

- 1 vibe lost

- 1 vibe lost

The Seeker cries in pain, as their energy gets drained. But just before the Monster absorbs the last remaining vibe, the Seeker stares directly into the eyes of the monster, that are hidden behind the golden mask. Their eyes make contact.

Suddenly the monster stops. As their stare looks directly into the eyes of the Seeker, the beast remembers. For a short moment, long forgotten memories of what it used to look like, behind the mask, pop up. The monster remembers, that it used to be a Seeker as well. The faint glowing in its eyes return.

A desire is born in the monster. To be free. To be liberated. To get rid of its attachment.

To get rid of its attachment [https://img.wattpad.com/3cc94717e8f6d67f987c940a8d71e202173c3c8c/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f71426d4a6a38766c6c464b3677773d3d2d313432323732353235382e3137623339306431343335623630343037333731343038383330392e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

The Seeker sees it as well. Even though they don't fully understand, they know what to do. They grab the monsters golden mask at the edges and start to pull.

The monster pulls it's face away into the opposite direction. The mask starts coming off. Slowly, it detaches from the skin. The Seeker and the monster both pull with as much force, as never before. Until the mask is finally lifted and the Seeker falls on the ground. Holding the golden mask in their hands.

As the Seeker stands up, they take a look at the monster. It has transformed. The wings are gone. The horns are gone. The former monster has the same appearance as the Seeker. They are identical.

image [https://img.wattpad.com/01d9a709738877618fafc66fb22cd9d031cedaf9/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f3675756f646b56527834464d54673d3d2d313432323732353235382e313762333930643364333434623933323339383133373234363033392e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

The former monster takes a last look at the mysterious stranger.

"Thank you... For keeping your promise."

The two Seekers merge and become one. In the first few seconds the newly merged Seeker has two sets of different memories, before the oldest fade and only the newer memories remain.

The Seeker and the mysterious stranger leave the dark tower behind and get back on their path. Continuing on their journey through the desert lands.

Continuing on their journey through the desert lands [https://img.wattpad.com/3f042388a0570979810c53e80fcbf230ca45db69/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f7642443636575937387a4e6958513d3d2d313432323732353235382e313762333930643538376265346630383536333432353438353037392e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Level UP!

Maximum Vibes increased

+ 20 vibes

1 x silver-spray-paint added

1 x golden mask added

"It's whispering to me," mumbles the Seeker, as they stare at their new item. "This golden mask... the one from the monster. What do you think... Should I wear it? Will it give me some extra buffs?"

"Please don't put it on again... I know it's tough to resist that desire... But trust me... It ain't worth it."

The Seeker looks again at the mask. There is an inscription on the inside:

'This mask adds the bonus of + 1 aesthetic point'

The Seeker considers wearing it for a second, then they shake their head.

"Just 1 aesthetic point? This mask is absolutely useless... Why the hell did I even went through all that trouble?!" shouts the Seeker annoyed, as they throw the golden mask away.

TO BE CONTINUED