image [https://img.wattpad.com/d599a66aec025d5dc641fa6d099b3c62833465a8/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f386439796d5933643773393453513d3d2d313431373330353332342e313761646166633962623732396264343238323036353736333837312e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Part 4: What is the Ego?
The Seeker and the mysterious stranger are walking up sandstone stairs, etched into the stone face of a canyon. At the very end, the Seeker spots an enigmatic archway made of ancient sand stone, inscribed with cryptic runes. As the companions reach the end of the stairs, they cross the archway.
Suddenly, the Seeker hears a heavenly chant appearing from nowhere:
"Checkpoint 2 saved"
"Three-Hundred-Sixty-Three," mumbles the mysterious stranger silently [https://img.wattpad.com/a619d4583dee877988fb1ff0317de4c34b65f321/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f7841632d795a35556666746e5a773d3d2d313431373330353332342e313761646166636338383264356636343937323831323832333131322e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
"Three-Hundred-Sixty-Three," mumbles the mysterious stranger silently.
As they pass through the archway, the road in front of them, splits in two directions. One path leading left, the other leading right.
"Which path should we take," asks the Seeker the mysterious stranger. "Left or right?"
"Doesn't really make any difference," yawns the mysterious stranger. "We will end up, exactly where we are supposed to, anyway. Just try to remember this time, will ya? It's starting to get repetitive."
The Seeker looks at both possible paths with discernment [https://img.wattpad.com/b3df694acfbca78ef865c267e803c6ad1f83389f/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f734a38556d4567567a5f636f42513d3d2d313431373330353332342e313761646166643033386665656162633938303330373630373731352e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
The Seeker looks at both possible paths with discernment. First they look to the left, then to the right, then back to the left.
"Let's take the left path," decides the Seeker , after some contemplation.
"Who would have thought," comments the mysterious stranger, rolling her eyes sarcastically.
And thus, the mysterious stranger and the Seeker take the left path. They silently walk on the gravel road, surrounded by fields of grass and flowers. A small creek is flowing next to the path. Every now and then, they spot small, solitary trees standing in the grass.
"Since we crossed that gate, you've been awfully silent," notices the Seeker after some time of traveling [https://img.wattpad.com/c1a137f11000cc0f3d7a55d694a20daec479313e/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4b5171517233754e48546c7356673d3d2d313431373330353332342e313761646166643336366533626234613333343530353833363639332e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
"Since we crossed that gate, you've been awfully silent," notices the Seeker after some time of traveling. "Is anything up with you?"
The mysterious stranger sighs, massaging her temples.
"Do I really do need to repeat everything again?"
She takes a deep breath. "Alright... Let us discuss the Ego. You still remember when I told you, that love is, when the self is not?"
The Seeker nods. "Yes, you mentioned that, when you were talking about that Haddaway song..."
The mysterious stranger continues:
"And you also remember when we discussed the reason, we can't find the truth within?"
The Seeker shakes their head.
"I said, that your natural state of being is in connection with the world, but due to the ego, we live in the illusion of separation. And I said, that the ego is a challenge, that we are supposed to overcome. Do you remember?"
The Seeker shrugs their shoulders. "Nah, doesn't ring a bell..."
"Alright," sighs the mysterious stranger with a tired voice.
"Seems, like I really do need to do this all over again... Understanding and revealing the ego is a very difficult task... Believe me, I have tried multiple times... This will take some time. The best way, to show it, is through examples. However... Let me try something different this cycle..."
As they proceed to walk on their path, strange rock formations appear in the high grass, in front of them. Several of these rocks are put together, to form a concentric structure.
Contemplating, the mysterious stranger stares into the orange horizon in the west [https://img.wattpad.com/71bac2aadfcd73cdbb8d2eec9414415a8360c0f8/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f7872555a554d362d375f636a51413d3d2d313431373330353332342e313761646166646265306135626635633738313633383236353535372e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Contemplating, the mysterious stranger stares into the orange horizon in the west. Her voice becomes serious, as they walk towards the structure:
"Let me use for the sake of simplicity a metaphor, so that we can conceptualize the Ego. Before you say anything... I am fully aware of the dangers of creating concepts and ideas. However, due to the limitations of language, I think it would be a starting point for any true Seeker to start with an idea, before we can later on dissolve it.
So please, don't turn, what I am about to say, into absolute truth. Don't make it a dogma, ideology or turn it into a new pattern of thought. Don't become attached to a metaphor. Use it only as a starting point. Is that clear?"
The Seeker nods, although they aren't really sure, what the mysterious stranger is trying to convey.
The Seeker nods, although they aren't really sure, what the mysterious stranger is trying to convey [https://img.wattpad.com/6710e5c798128c0d07224ee258a51cce3ee15c59/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f485549615a555f43324c6e4365773d3d2d313431373330353332342e313761646166646539326361663463363532353037363634373335372e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
The mysterious stranger takes a deep breath.
"I assume, that you most probably possess a computer, or a mobile phone, don't you?"
The Seeker stares at the mysterious stranger confused.
"A comp-What? Mobile phone? What is this?"
The mysterious stranger sighs:
"I will unfortunately need to break the fourth wall on this one. Please bear with me... So you, the one who is reading this... I am talking to you directly.
Through the computer, the hardware, you access the software. The software is programmed to fulfill specific tasks and to utilize applications. You can use the software to browse the internet. You can use it to play games, write a novel, create excel files. The computer, the hardware is functioning like a brain.
Now let's look at how human brains work. Through the brain, the hardware, we can access thought. Thought is programmed to fulfill specific tasks and utilize the physical body. Your habits are like computer programs, running through your thoughts. Your ideas and your beliefs are like computer programs, determining your behavior and your words. As you navigate through the physical world, by listening to your thoughts, the same 'programs', that run through your mind, therefore also affect the outside world.
That means, if you believe in an ideology, then you will also behave accordingly. You see, how the inner affects the outer? For example a religious person builds a temple or church and thus affects the outside world. Or a political activist takes part in a demonstration, affecting the outside as well. The programs in our mind, shape the world as much, as they shape us.
Often these 'programs' or ideas, were indoctrinated, by our environment or we formed them ourselves, as we grew up. The basis of every mental 'program' is knowledge or rather memory.
For example, you learn as a small child, that you will be punished, when you steal from others. So your mind creates a program that tells you to respect others property.
Another example: As a child you get sweets, whenever you passed a good grade at a test in school, so you develop a program, that makes you ambitious, eager to come home with good grades.
Then there are programs, like traditions, beliefs and rituals, that we were thought in church or at school. Such dogmatic thought patterns are often placed with pressure into the individual."
As the mysterious stranger and the Seeker walk their path, the trees around them grow larger and increase in density.
As the mysterious stranger and the Seeker walk their path, the trees around them grow larger and increase in density [https://img.wattpad.com/3220895c434e4ef3d09ae2d6037c8f286f5b7714/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f564569335a54696b39516a6c56673d3d2d313431373330353332342e313761646166653237393366353931663335383937333336313130302e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Annoyed, the Seeker shakes their head. "So you are telling me, that I am just like some machine...? Without any free will? I am just some program running?"
The mysterious stranger grins:
"No my friend, you are so much more than just your limited brain. What you actually are can never be ever fully grasped or expressed in words. But we'll discuss this to some greater extent later on. Now, let us first understand what the Ego is.
The Ego is the mental image, that we have of ourselves. It is a complex structure of thought, based on our memories. The Ego is our own inherent mechanism of self-protection. The Ego is the origin of our fears and of our desires. The Ego is illusory in nature, it separates the self from the rest of infinity. The Ego is our limitation. It is not physical but mental in nature. The Ego is identity. The Ego is attachment. The Ego is the story we tell ourselves, about who we think we are. The Ego is the center of the self. The main driving force of our behavior, of our thoughts and of our words.
Now, before we start condemning the Ego, it surely has it's place in our mind-body-spirit-complex. It doesn't exist without a reason. After all, if it weren't for the Ego, society as we know it, could not exist. However, throughout the centuries something has happened. At some point, we became more and more attached to it.
The Ego has gotten way too strong. The Ego is a program in our minds, that has gotten out of control! It's like malware. Today almost every culture, every nation, every human being is infested with the Ego drive, which is running wild. We have no control over it, instead it controls us. It has corrupted every system, every structure, every organization.
The Ego is the root of our selfishness. And our selfishness is destroying the world. Look at the pollution, that is hurting the earth. This is the work of Ego.
Look at the countless wars, that we have fought throughout the centuries and are currently still fighting. This is Ego!
The Ego has built a system, that rewards selfishness. The Ego has built a system, that separates us, generates conflict and suffering. Poverty, wars, pollution, corruption... this is all a product of the reign of Ego.
But... Nevertheless... There is a way... Even though, the Ego has had such a tight grip on Humanity for so long... It is not too late to change. We will..."
Suddenly the mysterious stranger and the Seeker stop in the middle of their walk. Right in front of them the path ends. A raging river is cutting through the path.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
As the Seeker stares at the tumultuous stream, their face shifts into disappointment [https://img.wattpad.com/bfd5f229b1f2d929ff45d14108d22bf003902136/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f44386f77776e78744348656550773d3d2d313431373330353332342e313761646166653631646134323832383336323436323736353437392e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
As the Seeker stares at the tumultuous stream, their face shifts into disappointment.
"Seems like there is no way over the river, after all..."
The mysterious stranger smirks.
"Did you really forget everything, I told you? There always is a way. It only depends, if you are willing to find and walk the path. So this is your choice now. Are you ready to cross the river, or should we go back to the checkpoint and try to walk the right path?"
The Seeker considers both options. They scratch their head and caress their chin. After some time, they take a deep breath. "If there is a way over the river, then let us find it," thunders their voice confidently.
"I have never seen such determination in your eyes before," comments the mysterious stranger with a surprised look on her face. "Really... In none of the previous cycles... that is interesting..."
Suddenly the attention of the mysterious stranger shifts towards a bush, near the water [https://img.wattpad.com/37dbad2670cf0cff97a0b7cb471b5b731e80f874/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f51674e546d2d6e7837617a7268413d3d2d313431373330353332342e3137616461666632333338663635373331363031353033343030362e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Suddenly the attention of the mysterious stranger shifts towards a bush, near the water. She runs towards it, as the Seeker follows. From the scrub, the stranger pulls out a wooden boat with paddles in an almost perfect condition.
"Well, well, well... Look at this," expresses the mysterious stranger. "Wow! A boat appears, just as we need it."
The Seeker scratches their head. "I have looked at this scrub earlier. I could have sworn, that there wasn't anything..."
The mysterious stranger hops into the boat. "Alright, let's cross the river, before..."
Suddenly an unfamiliar voice interrupts her, screaming in an Australian accent: "Help me, please, please, help me."
The Seeker looks around, but they can't find the source of the sound.
"Please," pleads the voice from right below the Seeker. "Take me with you! I need to cross the river. This is of utmost importance."
The Seeker gets startled as they look at their feet. A small scorpion, carrying a bag behind it, crawls on the ground.
The Seeker is just about to trample it, as they hear the voice of the mysterious stranger yelling: [https://img.wattpad.com/187790beb8af79572af45cc04b57a33f438dec49/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f38745763704273345032586d6e513d3d2d313431373330353332342e313761646166663433656230613433333136393736333034323837382e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
The Seeker is just about to trample it, as they hear the voice of the mysterious stranger yelling:
"No, don't do it!"
With their foot still up in the air, the Seeker questions:
"What? Why not?! It's a damned scorpion."
"If you step on it, it will sting you!"
The Seeker sighs, as they put their leg down again.
"Oy thanks mate," the scorpion speaks, with both their scissors closed, like praying hands.
"I knew, that you are a reasonable fella. So please... hear me out... I have seen you finding the boat and had hoped that you might take me with you. I really need to cross that river. It's a life-or-death situation."
The Seeker turns their head towards the mysterious stranger. "What do you think about this? I don't trust Australian scorpions."
The mysterious stranger shrugs her shoulders. "The decision is yours."
The Seeker turns towards the scorpion. "No. Find yourself a different boat."
The Seeker expects to be stung by the scorpion any moment... Clutching their fist, ready to fight.
The scorpion sighs disappointed:
"No worries, mate... I understand you... Most mammals distrust scorpions... I just hope, that lil' Lachlan will not starve to death, before I found another way, to cross the river. Nevertheless, farewell my friend. I wish you good luck on your journey."
The scorpion turns around, dragging his bag behind it.
Suddenly the Seeker feels very uncomfortable as a dooming chant appears from heaven:
- 10 vibes lost
"What," questions the Seeker annoyed. "Why did I now lose points? I don't get it... I am just being careful?!"
"No," denies the mysterious stranger. "You are not careful, you are biased. Bias, is a product of the Ego, trying to protect itself from potential danger. Bias is also rooted in ignorance, basing it on subjective memories and irrational fears. Face it: This is Ego."
"It's just a f*****g scorpion!"
The mysterious stranger raises her eyebrows.
"Yeah, just your regular, everyday talking scorpion..."
The Seeker sighs. They turn around and run after the scorpion.
"Alright,"says the Seeker , as they catch up. "You can join us on the boat. But if you even think about stinging me, I will crush you."
"Oy thanks mate," responds the scorpion overly excited. "That's really kind of you. My wife Shazza will surely share some of our dinner with you guys."
Thus the Seeker, the Scorpion and the mysterious stranger enter into the boat, traversing the river. As the scorpion enters the boat, the Seeker hears an uplifting melody from heaven singing:
+ 5 vibes added
The Seeker grunts, as they had hoped to get back into the earlier vibration level.
"My name is Bruce," the scorpion introduces himself, trying to initiate some small talk [https://img.wattpad.com/f59cdc6c92c072f0258a22d724188805075ebfc4/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f7868473555787a574276585f76513d3d2d313431373330353332342e313761646166666265653061363139383539393433363636313939322e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
"My name is Bruce," the scorpion introduces himself, trying to initiate some small talk. "What's your names?"
"I am the Seeker and this is... She... He... this Persons... This Entity's name is... I actually don't even know."
The mysterious stranger caresses her chin:
"Call me, S. T. Ranger... No that sounds stupid. Call me... Dr. Stranger... No, that ones already taken... Call me Mysterio... Nah, that doesn't fit either... You know what... Just call me the mysterious stranger... This shall do for now...
I'll tell you my actual name, once we open the book of humanity... Until then, let's keep it at that... Anyway, Bruce, what makes you actually cross the river?"
"I went out, to fetch some food for my family," explains Bruce, the scorpion. "My wife Shazza and our three kids, Lucas, Chloe and lil' Lachlan have been starving for weeks. It took me quite some time, to actually get some food, because we have this code..."
As Bruce the scorpion goes on, elaborating on his family life and their customs, the Seeker loses themselves in his thought:
'This f*****g scorpion will kill me,' thinks the Seeker silently. 'I know it for sure. Any moment, this vermin will just use it's sting to attack me with it's venom. And then he will rob me... Steal my sword, that I have found... Or he will pierce a hole into the boat and have me and the Stranger drown in the river... I can see it in his eyes... in his evil eyes... He is out there to get me...'
The Seeker stares directly into the Bruce's eyes [https://img.wattpad.com/76f182cb7a99f7f345e6bae05763742f609265f9/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f454257314d4854414675596449513d3d2d313431373330353332342e313761646166666634633631326332663737333030313935363933322e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
The Seeker stares directly into the Bruce's eyes. Then they avert their gaze.
'I need to step on the scorpion. I need to crush it, before it hurts me. It's a threat! It's dangerous! I need to do it! NOW!'
As the Seeker stands up, the mysterious stranger grabs them by their forearm.
"Don't do it," she says with a serious look on her face.
The Seeker swallows their spit, takes a deep breath and sits back down again [https://img.wattpad.com/9d5c03b4c09ca10a57e6afd9ce90e5d0ea93b819/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6f5f37426b4b4b52454d483337413d3d2d313431373330353332342e313761646230303439613033303362373230323731343939373230302e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
The Seeker swallows their spit, takes a deep breath and sits back down again. Keeping silent for the rest of the river crossing.
The boat has reached the other side. As the Seeker leaves the boat and steps onto the river bank, the Seeker hears again the uplifting melody, as if rewarded for making the right choice:
+ 2 vibes added
As Bruce is carrying his bag out of the boat, it suddenly rips at the end. From the bag, the corpse of a dead frog is slipping out. The Seeker points their finger at the Scorpion frantically, as if proven right. Ready to crush Bruce with their feet.
"I knew it! You are that damned scorpion from the story. You are a killer! I knew it all along. We have helped a Killer to cross the river. I f*****g knew it! We should have never trusted him! Take that, Mister stranger! I was right all along."
Bruce, the scorpion, looks at the Seeker confused. "Did you not, listen to our conversation on the boat?"
"I am afraid, he didn't listen," comments the mysterious stranger.
"As I said earlier," reminds Bruce, while looking at the hovering foot ahead of him.
"I am a pacifist. Me and my family are practicing a form of diet, where we only consume the meat of animals that have died from a natural cause. Such as, old age, illness or drowning. I went all the way into the land of the frogs, until I finally found a fresh corpse. My family hasn't eaten in weeks, since is so hard to find the right meat without hunting."
The Seeker shakes their head and sets their foot back on the ground.
"Alright... I guess, there's no way to prove you wrong... I'll just need to take your word on it."
Again the Seeker hears the heavenly chant:
+ 2 vibes added
"Thank you, for making the effort to understand me," says Bruce, while winking at the Seeker and the mysterious stranger. "Farewell my friends. If you're ever nearby, Shazza will fetch you the best marmite sandwich, that you have ever eaten."
Thus, the mysterious stranger and the Seeker continue on their journey.
"I really need to give it to you," states the mysterious stranger with a warm smile [https://img.wattpad.com/acb05c7b8b05c032249512683aa0f646146f764d/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4a334376622d59703775326636773d3d2d313431373330353332342e313761646230303866313439383130353332363631313030363433322e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
"I really need to give it to you," states the mysterious stranger with a warm smile. "You have done well. You have not given in to your fear and ego, instead everything went peacefully. I am really proud of you... I don't think we ever made it this far."
The Seeker begins to smile. "Ha, I guess you are right. I am really great."
"No," warns the mysterious stranger. "Don't let this get over your head..."
"I am a very peaceful and collected person," continues the Seeker with their self-indulgent rambling.
"I am really special. In fact, I'd say that I am better, than most people. I bet, they would have just stepped on that little scorpion. But not me, no. Someone as considerate, as me... Someone as tolerant as me, would never..."
CRUNCH
The Seeker suddenly realizes in horror, that they stepped on something [https://img.wattpad.com/e94fbb877196cfe8ed89da194ac0281791317052/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f716a7543326455694756787a69513d3d2d313431373330353332342e313761646231363434333065323061373230343635373634363835382e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
The Seeker suddenly realizes in horror, that they stepped on something. Their face turns pale, as they examine their shoe sole. Pieces of Bruce are stuck on their shoe.
Suddenly a female scorpion appears from a tiny puppet house:
"Bruce? Darling? Is that you? I thought I just heard your voice."
It was Bruce wife, Shazza.
She screams in panic, as she sees, how the Seeker scrapes off parts of her husband from their shoe with a stick.
"Aaaaahhhh! Oh my god?! What have you done to Bruce?"
The Seeker hears a terrifying chant from heaven, like music from a horror movie singing:
- 12 vibes lost
"It's not, what it looks like," the Seeker tries to explain [https://img.wattpad.com/4506ba1c2adc16657166d1934056f2385d293922/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f736e38493954577372316a6f41673d3d2d313431373330353332342e313761646230313565353536623034383130313231333231323130362e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
"It's not, what it looks like," explains the Seeker. "It happened on accident."
Suddenly three little scorpions also come out of the puppet house.
"Mom, is it true what you just said? Is dad finally coming back," asks Lukas the oldest son.
"Did he bring food with him? Does our starvation finally end," asks Chloe the middle child.
"Yay, dad is finally back," shouts Lachlan, the youngest one, full of excitement.
Lukas has to throw up, as he sees the remains of his father on the floor. Chloe loses her consciousness and little Lachlan is frozen by shock.
- 3 vibes lost
Shazza, the mother, tries to calm her kids down but nothing works [https://img.wattpad.com/340bdf019a065fea82bd29c651849bc713a058c6/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6a516e4e4661394950675a485f773d3d2d313431373330353332342e313761646231343635376539393365343534343438313735343236322e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Shazza, the mother, tries to calm her kids down but nothing works. Lachlan remains in shock.
"You monster," shouts Shazza towards the Seeker, whilst hugging her youngest.
"How could you?! Bruce was the nicest scorpion you could find. He never ever harmed a single animal in his life. He traveled 2 kilometers to find a frogs corpse, because he couldn't bear to kill one."
"No really," the Seeker tries to explain.
"It didn't happen on purpose. It was an accident..."
"As long as I live, father," swears Lukas, the oldest child, as he stands above the remains of Bruce. "By the heaves, I swear... I will avenge your death, father!"
Lukas attacks the Seeker with it's venomous sting [https://img.wattpad.com/c0072349877828f5379b6430ee65d85e5b3333f5/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6b4857435854786950514e4244513d3d2d313431373330353332342e313761646231336665313236656633643738383331333336343230302e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Lukas attacks the Seeker with it's venomous sting. The Seeker feels an indescribable pain, as everything around them gets darker and they hear the sound again:
- 3 vibes
Before the Seeker loses consciousness, they hear the words of the mysterious stranger:
"Listen Seeker... This is the price you pay for Ego. I really thought, that we will progress this time... But now we'll be back at checkpoint 2... again..."
The light fades, utter darkness [https://img.wattpad.com/3b452a668fdf1a60eaa74428a9facfa72d54573d/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f376e5744694e455775336d6778513d3d2d313431373330353332342e313761646230316437343537393735393638343935323831373035322e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
The light fades, utter darkness. Memory lost, the cycle starts anew.
"Three-Hundred-Sixty-Four," mumbles the mysterious stranger silently, as they pass through the archway gate. The road in front of them, splits in two directions.
"Which path should we take," asks the Seeker the mysterious stranger. "Left or right?"
"Here we are again," yawns the mysterious stranger. "You'll take the same way again, as always..."
The Seeker looks at both possible paths with discernment [https://img.wattpad.com/75be6032499c3fc3dc081c5dfb11694fff25783d/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f703373536a76314631582d4e45513d3d2d313431373330353332342e3137616462303230633739393830306532373634373739383139312e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
The Seeker looks at both possible paths with discernment. First they look to the right, then back to the left, then again to the right.
"Let's take the right path," decides the Seeker , after some contemplation.
The mysterious stranger sighs. "See, that is exactly why... Wait a second... Did you just say the RIGHT path?"
"Yeah," affirms the Seeker. "Let's take the RIGHT path."
The mysterious stranger smiles in excitement. "Well... This is new... Okay... Let's go for it. Let's take the right path."
And thus, the Seeker and the mysterious Stranger, walk towards the path on the right, into the unknown. A path that seems rocky, hard and difficult. But nevertheless a path... that seems RIGHT.
TO BE CONTINUED