“This is one downer of a simulation.” The man says as he looks around.

 

The man stands on a never ending road to nowhere. Nothing surrounds this beam of a street.

 

“Your Dao-Heart is what you make it.” A voice sounds from nowhere, “For it is as infinite as I.”

 

“Identify yourself.” The man says.

 

“Azeem, it is I.” The voice without a body says.

 

Light particles gather in front of Azeem. With a flash, a dog appears. A small white Maltese.

 

“Rosh?” Azeem asks as he examines the floating dog.

 

“Quite so, Azeem.” Rosh says waving its paws excitedly.

 

“Alhamdulillah!” Azeem says as he grabs the floating little furball into a sweet embrace.

 

“Unfortunately, time is short.” Rosh says after a brief moment, “I am here on an urgent matter.”

 

“It’s quite hard to take you seriously when you are this cute.” Azeem says with a laugh.

 

“I can grow to ten times my size or just take your form.” Rosh retorts.

 

“I jest. I jest.” Azeem says jovially then asks, “Why are you in my subconscious?”

 

“I am here to jump-start your awakening.” Rosh says, “And to deliver an important message.”

 

“An important message?” Azeem asks, “From who?”

 

“The current Prime Guide, Nur.” Rosh says, “They said save Araoluwa.”

 

“Save who?” Azeem asks.

 

“Araoluwa.” Rosh further adds.

 

“But who is Araoluwa?” Azeem asks, still confused.

 

“I am merely relaying Nur’s message.” Rosh says with paws shrugging in the air.

 

“But how am I to find Araoluwa?” Azeem asks, “How am I to save them? Save them from what?”

 

“Sadly, Nur is in deep meditation and cannot be reached at the moment.” Rosh answers.

 

“And who is Nur?” Azeem asks, then sighs, “I am so lost.”

 

“Just keep moving forward.” Rosh says enthusiastically, “On to your awakening!”

 

“My awakening?” Azeem asks.

 

“Yes, do catch up dear lad.” Rosh says, then asks, “What do you see?”

 

“A road without end…” Azeem says, then asks, “Is this a Star Trek thing?”

 

“What is-” Rosh begins to ask then shakes its head, “Just cast out your senses on the path.”

 

“What do you mean by cast out my senses?” Azeem looks at Rosh.

 

“What do you think the path you are on symbolizes?” Rosh asks the suggests, “Experience it.”

 

“You want me to walk all of that?” Azeem says, “That looks bloody endless.”

 

“Catch me.” Rosh says then disappears and reappears away shouting, “I am your ticket out.”

 

So the chase began. On and on. Endlessly. Azeem feels no soreness, only joy. Like a child with wings. As he runs, he ponders. Rosh had told Azeem to experience the path to catch it. The path was monotonous. How could Azeem experience a path that does not change? Keep moving forward. Like a beam of light. Azeem’s perception expands. He senses… relativity. The beam becomes the wave. Azeem moves with intuition, appearing right beside Rosh.

 

“You caught me fair and square.” Rosh says with a laugh.

 

“I felt something, Rosh.” Azeem says excitedly, “I felt myself move through this entire path.”

 

“A lot rests upon you but…” Rosh says. “I have known you in your many lives. You can do this.”

 

“My many lives?” Azeem asks.

 

“You will experience it all in due time…” Rosh’s voice trails off as the world fades away.