1 Who Am I?
As the world plunged into darkness, a profound sense of identity eluded him.
His voice, tinged with uncertainty, broke the silence. "I don't know who I am," he murmured,
his gaze fixated on the distant sparkle that pierced through the obscurity.
Straining his eyes, he squinted, attempting to discern its ethereal glow amidst the shadows.
In that moment, a flicker of determination ignited within him.
With a surge of anticipation, he propelled himself forward, propelled by an unspoken yearning to unravel the mysteries that lay concealed within that beckoning light.
No longer bound by his self-doubt, he leaped, his movements driven by a desperate quest to uncover the truths that awaited him.
Heart pounding in his chest, he raced towards the beckoning light, his footsteps echoing through the void, the only sound that could be heard amidst the stillness.
Each stride carried him closer, the rhythmic beat of his own exertion mingling with the desperate symphony of his panting breaths.
As he closed the distance, a surge of anticipation coursed through him, rendering his vision a blur of colors and shapes. Determination etched across his face, he squeezed his eyes shut, a testament to his unwavering resolve, and propelled himself forward.
The whoosh of air rushed past his ears, drowning out the world around him, leaving only the pulsating cadence of his own rapid movements.
But amidst the fervor of his pursuit, his foot caught upon an unseen obstacle—a treacherous rock jutting from the ground. The collision sent a resounding clack through the air.
He stumbled, his body jolting with the unexpected impact, momentarily threatening to disrupt his trajectory.
Gasping for breath, he forced his eyes open, his gaze shifting from the ground to the figure before him. The stranger stood there, a silhouette bathed in the glow of the light, an enigmatic presence that hinted at a profound connection yet to be unveiled.
His lungs still heaving, he took in a deep breath, the rush of air filling his chest, a mixture of relief and anticipation intertwining within him.
Before him, perched upon a peculiar formation of rocks, sat a monkey.
Its lithe body was gracefully crossed in a meditative pose, as if in perfect harmony with the world around it.
The arrangement of stones formed a striking V-shape when viewed from the front, creating an almost ethereal frame for this mesmerizing creature.
Struggling to discern the details, he squinted, his eyes narrowing in an attempt to bring clarity to the enchanting scene.
As his vision adjusted, he realized that the monkey itself was the source of the sparkling light that had guided him through the darkness.
Its fur seemed to radiate a luminous glow, casting a celestial aura upon the surroundings.
Astonishment washed over him, mingling with a sense of reverence and awe.
The balance the monkey maintained, both physically and energetically, spoke volumes about its profound connection to the universe.
It was a moment that transcended the boundaries of what he had previously known, defying the scale of reality he had come to expect.
The monkey, far larger than any he had encountered in his waking life, appeared almost otherworldly, an embodiment of the wondrous and mystical.
With cautious steps, he approached the enigmatic monkey, each footfall echoing softly in the profound stillness that enveloped them.
The rhythmic tapping noise of his footsteps reverberated through the air, a tangible reminder of his presence amidst the ethereal scene.
As he stood before the radiant creature, his gaze fixed upon its majestic form, he squinted, his eyes struggling to adjust to the brilliance emanating from the monkey.
The light was almost blinding, casting a glow that seemed to transcend the boundaries of this world.
It whispered of hidden truths and untold stories, beckoning him closer to the heart of the mystery.
Summoning his courage, he posed the question that had weighed upon him with every step of his journey.
"Can you tell me who you are?" His voice, tinged with curiosity and vulnerability, reverberated through the space, an echo that seemed to fade into infinity.
But the monkey remained silent, unfazed by the inquiry, as if rooted to the very essence of existence.
Its stillness mirrored the wisdom of ancient trees, weathered by time, unperturbed by the ebb and flow of the world around it.
Frustration and determination intertwined within him, coalescing into a tightening grip on his clenched fist.
His brows furrowed, forming a resolute frown that mirrored his mounting exasperation.
With a surge of emotional intensity, he let out a piercing scream, his voice echoing through the vast expanse.
"Just tell me already! I've encountered you countless times in my dreams. Who are you?"
The words erupted from his core, infused with a mixture of longing, desperation, and a tinge of resentment.
His plea hung heavy in the air, pregnant with the weight of his yearning for answers.
But the silence persisted, amplifying his disappointment and anger. It fueled his frustration, escalating it to a boiling point.
As if consumed by his emotions, he unleashed his fury upon the unyielding surroundings.
Stomping his feet with an increasing intensity, he lashed out, striking the rocks with his legs, his fists, and anything within reach.
Yet, with each forceful impact, the stones remained unscathed, as if guarded by an invisible shield—an impenetrable barrier that defied his attempts to lash out at the enigmatic monkey.
Amidst his relentless assault, the only sounds that reverberated were the echoes of his own voice and the hollow clack noises of stone meeting stone.
The stark quietude weighed upon him, intensifying his sense of vulnerability.
It was as if the absence of external noise left a void that whispered of lurking threats, hinting at the lurking presence of a hidden darkness.
Finally, exhaustion overtook him, draining the strength from his once-firm grip.
With a weary exhale, he released his clenched fist, the tension dissipating as weariness settled upon his shoulders.
A deep exhalation escaped his lips, carrying with it a hint of resignation.
"Well, I don't even know who I am, so maybe it's not right for me to ask you," he murmured, his voice laced with a newfound introspection.
Slowly, he retreated a step, putting a modest distance between himself and the enigmatic monkey.
His gaze remained fixed upon the creature, studying its inscrutable countenance.
Within that gaze lay a flicker of curiosity, a spark that yearned to uncover the truths that eluded him.
Yet, a sense of acceptance had begun to permeate his being, an understanding that the answers he sought might not be found.
Lost in his contemplation, he gradually became aware of his surroundings.
The realization washed over him like a cold current—this place was not merely dark, but a bottomless pit, an abyss of unfathomable depth. The sheer vastness of the void sent shivers down his spine.
His gaze shifted to the opposite side of the radiant light, a creeping unease tugging at the edges of his consciousness.
A primal instinct warned him that if he let his guard down, something insidious would seize the opportunity to snatch him away.
A shiver traced its way down his spine, and an unsettling feeling of dread coursed through his veins, making it impossible to fix his gaze upon the enigmatic monkey for too long.
"It's like a reflection of my own predicament," he mused, his voice tinged with a mixture of melancholy and apprehension, as he stared into the vast emptiness before him.
The absence of light and the all-encompassing darkness mirrored the depths of his own uncertainties and fears.
As time passed, a subtle change unfolded in the dimly lit realm.
The once-muted surroundings gradually grew brighter, the illumination creeping in with a deliberate pace.
His keen observation revealed that, in this expanding radiance, there existed only the two of them—himself and the enigmatic monkey.
The revelation failed to startle him; instead, a sense of calm settled over him, as if this intimate encounter in the midst of the gradually brightening space was somehow predestined.
The monkey's eyes slowly opened, revealing an enigmatic gaze that seemed to hold a wealth of hidden knowledge.
Within its depths, a complex mixture of emotions stirred, evident in the fleeting thoughts that raced through the protagonist's mind.
"Finally, it's coming to an end," he thought, his internal voice betraying a subtle conflict.
There was a part of him that was hesitant to let go, a part that found solace in the familiarity of this enigmatic realm.
Yet, deep down, he knew that lingering in this endless cycle was not what he truly desired.
As the monkey's gaze remained fixed upon him, a smile tugged at the corners of the protagonist's lips, contrasting with the stoic expression on his face.
Amidst his inner turmoil and confusion, he found a glimmer of contentment, knowing that the journey was nearing its conclusion.
Slowly rising from his seated position, he took a moment to survey his surroundings.
His gaze met the unwavering eyes of the monkey, causing a slight retreat in his stance, a subtle instinctual response to the intensity of that gaze.
"Ahh... I...uh..." his words stumbled out, the uncertainty in his voice evident as he struggled to find the right words.
He closed his eyes briefly, collecting his thoughts, before fixing his gaze upon the monkey once more.
An inexplicable sensation stirred within him, like a whispering presence that gently tugged at his senses.
"Why do I feel something?" he pondered, his footsteps gradually leading him closer to the enigmatic monkey.
Each step was deliberate, his approach filled with both trepidation and an unyielding curiosity.
Just as he was about to reach out, a sudden halt seized him, freezing him in his tracks.
His gaze fixated intently upon the monkey, his mind yearning to decipher the message it seemed to convey.
Words formed upon the monkey's lips, yet the sound eluded him, slipping through his grasp like an ethereal breeze.
Frustration creased his brow, his outstretched hand desperately trying to bridge the gap between them.
But time seemed to slip away, and before he could make contact, the world around him exploded into blinding brilliance.
"Wait, nooo!!" he screamed, his voice filled with a mix of fear and desperation.
In a reflexive instinct, he squeezed his eyes shut, shielding himself from the overwhelming radiance that engulfed him entirely.
When he finally dared to open his eyes again, he found himself in the familiar surroundings of his own room, reality reasserting its grip on his senses.
His breaths came in ragged gasps as he slowly realized that what he had experienced moments ago was a vivid dream, fading into the recesses of his memory.
