Chapter Two: The Collapse

After initiation comes the collapse.
The word sounds harsh — but it’s only the collapse of what was never truly you.

This is one of the hardest parts of the journey.
Inside, resistance builds. Outside, doubt echoes.
Everything seems to push back — people, situations, even your own thoughts.
The fire turns up until it’s almost unbearable.

Sometimes it feels like you’re breaking.
Like the world is laughing while you’re still in the mud.
And yet, deep down, something knows: this is exactly how it’s supposed to be.

Every once in a while, you get a glimpse — a moment where the system works,
a win that reminds you why you’re here.
But still, it’s hard.
Because how do you let go of what you’ve spent your whole life calling you?

The pressure gets heavy.
It can feel like everything is against you.
The more it burns, the more fire you catch.
The more fire, the stronger the will.

From the outside, it may look quiet.
Like nothing’s really happening.
We’re in the lab — studying, reflecting, talking, refining —
while the world assumes we’ve slowed down.
But we know what’s coming.
We’re not falling behind — we’re building pressure.
We’re taking our run-up.