Alone

     I had shunned others and isolated myself precisely to avoid corruption, it was not to be corrupted by some stupid power trip! No, I would avoid killing and consuming strangers but I still used the power surge I got with those pathetic humans to grow the forest utterly impenetrable. I couldn't be too fast or it would draw unwanted attention but I eventually did it.

     My forest was virtually closed to the world. I still let a few opening up to allow necessary light to reach trees but thorny plants made a tick and aggressive barrier at the border and my predators were strong and dangerous enough that even their howls deterred potential outsiders. I made the forest self-sufficient but I had to make some big efforts and sacrifices to do so. I created to new self-sustaining balance, but I lost half my fairies, most of my bears and all my griffins. Winter spelled their doom. Too bad, but it served me as a good lesson; even assimilation can bring pain. It comforted me in my decision to not let anyone in.

     Centuries went in a blur after that. I just wandered aimlessly in my forest, making sure the cycles were not broken. Sometimes I felt someone or something trying to break through my barrier. I would react in kind every time, making sure they didn't. My home was closed to all.

     I felt time pass, I was older and older. Soon maintaining a youthful appearance was harder than letting it whither naturally. So, to gain more energy for the forest I sacrificed my youth. When it became too old to survive naturally I let it go. The fairy queen, I forgot her name... she had been right. When enough time had passed I was one with the forest and I did not have use of a physical body anymore. I felt my former shell decay in my soil, it was a strange feeling. Not really unpleasant, just unusual.

     Once I had truly became the forest, it all became easier. I just had to rest and let things follow their course. I did not feel any pain anymore, just nothingness. Why had it taken so long? I was at finally at peace, I let go of everything. I let everything happen naturally, without my intervention. My felt my thorn barrier wither and strangers beginning to venture in. Cautiously at first, then more daringly.

     I felt the animals' reaction when new wind carried fresh smells to them. It didn't matter.

     I felt the moss' glee and the mushroom's sorrow when light reached them. It didn't matter.

     I felt the encounters with the monstrous beast I had created and the results. It didn't matter.

     I felt the pain when my trees and bushes were cut down. Even that didn't mater.

     I felt the sensation of being torn apart piece by piece, tree after tree, but I was blissful enough that it didn't matter.

     I felt my territory decrease in size and diversity faster than I thought possible. It didn't matter.

     It didn't even matter when they cut my last tree and I felt myself leave this world.

     I didn't know where I was or what would happen to me, but I was at finally peace.

     Nothing to disturb me, no sensation whatsoever.

     Just the peace and me.

     The void.

     Forever.

     ENDING: THE LONE SPIRIT