NEVER NEVER NEVER

The Old Sage

"Who are you?" I ask.

"I am you when you are old," the old man responds.

"What?" I don't understand his meaning.

"You are looking at your own reflection through the mirror of life. You are me, and I am you."

"How could you be me? You are an old man," I am confused.

"You think I am old by looking at me. It is just an illusion. Your eyes are deceiving you," he smiles faintly.

"So you are me with more experiences?"

"Now, you begin to understand me better."

"Why did you appear now?"

"You needed me, and you asked me for guidance."

"What do you mean by, I asked you for guidance?"

"Whey you were running away from the dead warriors, you were desperately asking yourself, what option do you still have left with. So I came to rescue you."

I finally start to get what is happening to me. Probably, I have created my own self. So he really is my own image but older and wiser.

"I start to understand what is happening here. So if I doubt something, you will appear with the answer. Is that it?"

"Yes, you are right. I am you who is connected to all the universal conscience that knows all things."

"If you know everything, I want to find out something I don't have any clue of."

He smiles and asks me. "What is it?"

"Why was I reborn here on this world? What am I supposed to do with my life?" I am baffled about my situation and try to make sense of it.

"The universe knows that you can handle this war between the humans and the Gods." He looks at me seriously.

"But how on earth can I resolve this? Tell me how!"

"How is not your concern. You will get it done somehow. You will find the way." He continues.

"Otherwise, the universal force wouldn't bring you back to life. The humans need you. The world needs you." His voice is sincere and honest.

I stay quiet for a while, trying to absorb the knowledge I am receiving from the old sage. He let me continue with my thinking. He continues once my mind accepts this new idea.

"There are many many conflicts you need to overcome from here on. They are not easy. They are rather difficult and harsh. But I know you will find the way, one by one."

"When you try to see how to end it all, you will be overwhelmed by the enormity of your responsibility, and you will say it's impossible. So you concentrate on what's in front of you, resolve it one at a time, and a small success leads you to the larger victory."

 He is definitely an old wise man. Everything he tells me makes sense so far.

"When you accept your destiny and move forward with decisiveness, helps will arrive from everywhere. They will come from somewhere you never expected. You will be amazed at where they will come from. The universal force is unpredictable. It has its own strange logic. But the entire cosmic machine starts to organize itself for your help. You will witness its wonder."

I look at him as if a young pupil tries so hard to understand the words of the master.

"You can't solve it alone. It would be best if you gathered all the collaborators. You have to convince them, not by words, but by your action. They will see you if you are the one to trust or not. " I listen mindfully.

"In your past life, you were a lone wolf. All you needed to worry were to win your duels. In this life, you have to collaborate with many people. You need to build trust in people who want to fight with you."

I feel this huge responsibility upon me and have difficulty breathing.

"Can I win fighting with the Gods?"

"Am I strong enough?"

"What happens if I fail?"

Doubts creep into my mind, and my confidence is crushed under the enormity of the task. Old sage seems as if he detects my inner conflict. He tells me something completely different.

"I will show you something you have never seen before. Come and follow me."

I faithfully follow behind him. I have no idea where he is taking me to. Even in the middle of the night, the light was lit where we are heading to. The light becomes brighter and brighter. We finally arrive in a magnificent garden.

There are exotic plants everywhere. Beautiful animals roam around peacefully. Colorful birds fly all over the sky. I can't believe my own eyes, and I rub my eyes with my own hand.

"This is the enchanted garden of Eve." He grins.

"This is where you will come back to after you finish saving all the humans."

"Human destiny is on your shoulders. It is up to you to make the decision."

"Once you make a firm decision, the universal force will guide you all the way."

"So the most important thing in life is to decide." He looks at me firmly.

"Do you really think I can save all the humans?" I glance at the old sage.

He laughs loudly and voices his conviction. 

"If I don't think you can do it, I wouldn't be here. Of course, you can. Trust me!"

The old sage holds out his hand and asks me.

"So, are you willing to make a firm commitment, now?"

I stare at his hand and make my final decision.

"Yes, I am committed!" I shake his hand.

He holds me tight and hugs me with both of his arms.

"Remember one thing, Kojiro. You create unbreakable unity among people. The Gods rule the humans with fear. You unit the people with love. Love is the strongest force in the entire universe."

"Remember, you are chosen. Chosen by the universal force! The divine power knows everything and sees all things."

"The darkest moment will sure to follow. You feel as if nothing goes right, and the Gods are on your throat. But never loses hope, never gives up, Never, Never, Never! There is always a way out, Always."

"If you are in doubts, think of me. I will be by your side."

 He turns around and disappears into the wilderness as quickly as when he appeared.