a wall

~jin~

my memories recently have been fuzzy, in my head it feels like theres a wall blocking me from passing through and seeing whats beyond it, i know theres something i can't remember but i don't know what and even the idea of a missing piece has begun to fade out of existence. i drift into sleep slowly, theres a large building with thousands of cots set up that we're staying at while we're at the sand village, i can hear snoring all around, and im just staring at the ceiling of the building, im scheduled for an evening fight tomorrow, i dont expect to win but its still fun to compete. ive been fading in and out of sleep for the last half hour or so, my eyelids feel heavy and eventually they stay closed, i fall asleep fully now.

in walking through complete emptiness, the world is pure white and there doesn't even appear to be a ground, im walking in what i can only assume is forward, it could be left or right or zigzag or even going in circles and i wouldn't be able to tell. im halted in my tracks by a large wall, it seems to have appeared out of nowhere and stretches as far as i can see, i walk alongside it brushing my hand across its surface. the wall is completely smooth and i cant tell what its made of

"do you fear what lies beyond?" a voice says, it sounds vaguely familiar, i look in every direction trying to find the source but there's nothing

"who are you!?" i shout out.

"do you know what is beyond that wall?" i keep looking around trying to find the owner of the voice.

"i dont know whats behind the wall!" i give up trying to find the voice

"not behind, jin, beyond" i look directly at the wall, its reflective and i can see myself staring back at me, my reflection speaks, "why are you really in this tournament jin?" i dont speak, my reflection talking to me doesn't feel weird or anything, i accept it.

"im here for the same reason everyone else is, to lead the world"

"we both know thats not true jin" my reflection beckons for me to step forward, "follow me beyond the wall"

"no."

"you cant hide from yourself forever jin" i reach out and touch the wall, my hand appears to go through it, i begin to step forward but my reflection speaks once more,

"why do you want to stop jeiku from winning?" i stop in my tracks.

i open my eyes as i wake up, theres still snoring all around me but its light outside, i dont know if i want to see whats beyond the wall. but i do know something, jeiku is a good person and friend but if he wins this tournament the ninja world could be doomed forever. i dont think anyone can lead us, well maybe thats not true, i do believe in one person, a beacon of hope, his name is Rōgan.