Throne of Samsara

Wedge The flames flickered and licked the half-dried wood, illuminating the faces of the prisoners with a flickering light. Water dripped from nowhere, and the cave echoed with a ticking sound. In response, the crackling sound of fire rushed through the silent cave. Everyone stared blankly at their own shadows, as if they were staring at the distant footsteps of an old friend who had been with them for many years, or perhaps a sworn enemy who had been entangled for many years. A discordant fire came over, splitting the shadows of these people. "I found the exit and saw the sun." The young prisoner held up a torch. After a long silence, everyone laughed, like an owl, or rather cried. "He's crazy," one person said, and the others remained silent to express their agreement. "Why don't you believe it? I can take you to see the bright sunshine and warm wind." "Enough" the voice echoed in the cave, like the shouts of countless individuals. "Old rules" sounded like ice, and the prisoners spontaneously moved forward, lifted the young prisoner, and threw him into the fire. His body did not curl up and carbonize in the flames as ordinary people expected. Instead, it seemed to be deconstructed by invisible forces. The skin, muscles, and bones were like peeling walls, layer by layer turned into glittering crystal dust. The wailing in the cave continued to echo, and after countless deconstructions of echoes, there were roars, prayers, and chants, and finally fell into silence. The prisoners still stared at their own shadows.