I entered. Dark cave, little light.. but the fact that there was light in itself was strange. I saw some glimmering in the distance and stopped, wondering. I looked back, but the entrance was sealed, so there was no turning back. So, forward I went. I walked and I walked, but the glimmering didn't seem to get any easier, until suddenly it was as if it was straight in front of me. I saw the source of the light, it was a fire. And alongside the fire sat a great man, with sad eyes, staring into the fire.

He gestured for me to join him, and thus, I sat. I wanted to speak, but I could not, so we both remained there, silently, staring into the fire. I don't know how long we remained there, staring, warming ourself, but finally I managed to force the words through my mouth.

''So what now?''

The man looked up and pointed further into the cave. There, too, I saw a glimmering light, though I knew for certain it was not another fire. I looked at him, questions written all over my face, and he noticed. A grin appeared on his face, contrasting strangely with his sad eyes.

''There are two options. You can offer yourself here, be reborn into the world there.'' he said, pointing towards the closed entrance, which somehow was visible enough to be seen, despite the scarcity of the light and the distance of the entrance.

''Or, you go that way. Exit the cave, see how far you can get.''

''What is out there?'' I asked.

''I don't know.'' the great man admitted. I frowned. ''Perhaps, if you ever manage to survive to find your way back here, you can tell me. But, the gods decide which path you must take.''

He pulled out a coin and flipped it. Heads.

''Go.'' he said.

''Until next time.. Earel.'' I said. He was surprised I knew his name, but I had paid attention to the myths and stories of home. I stood up, and walked further into the darkness, abandoning one light for the other.