“Self study is a sacred act. The deeper you go, the clearer you see that awareness is a divine treasure.”

As Flash continued, the tiny specks of light in the ceiling grew, and began to illuminate his surroundings.

One of these ceiling lights protruded from the darkness above, and Flash could see that it was the bottom end of a crystal refracting light from the surface. Strange as it might seem, Flash had almost forgotten that he was on (or in) Olo. The darkness took away all sense of place or time, and now his sight was being restored. He could see that this was a long, straight passageway rather than a huge arena, as he had pictured it at first.

More lights appeared above him as he continued to walk on beneath them, and as he progressed, the gems produced beams of light that looked like spotlights or illuminated pillars. Within the beams, a slowly swirling haze caught the light, like dust particles hanging in the still air. He continued walking, sometimes stepping into the projected lights, as they became more frequent. A ray of red light caught his eye, not only due to the hue, but because he thought he saw something… a form or figure in the haze. On closer inspection, he saw only a nebulous cloud, and continued on his way. In another beam, he thought he saw a hand reaching out to him. In another, the hand was beckoning.

The shapes became more defined.

He now walked through a rainbow of light, and it reminded him of the time he hovered with the whales above the throng of acquaintances on the plain below, or when he plunged beneath the waves on the ocean planet.

The hands that encouraged him along, now seemed to be attached to misty bodies. The hands were no longer muddled. They gesticulated in an urgent, yet inviting manner along the still straight and unobstructed pathway.

This whole time, Lem was in the apartment in the castle. She had breakfast on the balcony, and enjoyed some quiet time alone. As the light changed throughout the day, the hologram also changed, and kept her entertained.

Flash continued walking through the tunnel. He was curious, yet confident, knowing that he was walking through a painting of his life. Like the cave, his life had been a straight road. Options not taken were not options at all, since they were not utilized. If he had taken any detour, he would not have arrived here. He would be someone else, somewhere else.

He continued on, though the lights faded away. It was much darker now. Not pitch black, but nearly. He knew what to do. He just continued walking straight ahead, the darkness didn’t slow him down.

Another light appeared, a white beam ahead of him in the distance. As he neared it, he saw a figure in the light. The nearer he got to it, the more distinct it became.

The figure of a little boy stood in the shaft of light, staring at Flash with wide eyes. Flash recognized him at once. He recognized himself.

“Hello,” Flash said quietly, the first word he had spoken since he entered the cave.