Female?
As you both prepare to leave Setsa's room and continue with your mission, Setsa hesitates for a moment, her eyes still filled with a mix of curiosity and concern. She clears her throat gently, as if deliberating whether to share something more.
"Actually," Setsa begins slowly, "now that you've mentioned it, there is a sphinx in my dreams as well. But she is different from the one you described. She's female, like me, and there's this sense of familiarity, almost as if I know her."
Her revelation intrigues you, and you turn to her, eager to learn more. "A female sphinx? That's interesting. Do you interact with her in your dreams? What role does she play?"
Setsa's gaze becomes distant as she recalls her dream. "Yes, we interact," she explains. "It's as if she's a guardian or a guide of sorts. She imparts wisdom and knowledge, just like the dragons, and there's this unspoken connection between us. I feel like she's trying to help me understand something important."
You ponder this new information, realizing that your dreams are even more intertwined than you initially thought. The idea of a female sphinx in Setsa's dreams, coupled with your own experiences, adds another layer of complexity to the mysteries you're unraveling.
Then, Setsa poses a question that catches you off guard. "By the way," she asks, "in your dreams, are you a male sphinx or a female sphinx?"
You pause, momentarily taken aback by the question. "I'm not entirely sure," you admit, furrowing your brow in thought. "I mean, in my dreams, I have never really thought about gender. I'm just... a sphinx. I suppose, since I'm male here, I would assume I'm male in my dreams, but it's not something I've dwelled on."
Setsa nods, understanding your uncertainty. "It's just that in my dream, the female sphinx feels strangely familiar, as if I've known her for a long time. It's an odd sensation."
The two of you exchange a knowing glance, recognizing that your dreams are weaving a complex narrative that transcends gender and reality. These dreams are a key to something greater, a mystery that beckons you both to uncover its secrets.
With a shared sense of purpose and curiosity, you decide to continue your conversation with Sensei Tobuo and seek answers to the enigmatic dreams that have bound your fates together. As you leave Setsa's room, the weight of the night and the impending mission hang heavily in the air, but you're both driven by an unshakable determination to understand the profound connection between your dreams, the dojo, and the destiny that awaits.
Written by - on 28 September 2023
The end (for now)