Introduction

It was strange how alone he was in this world. With how vast it was, there should be more than he, but there was no one. Only the things that crept in the shadows, things not truly of the world of men. But he was in the world of men no longer. There had been others before...before he had come to this place. Some had left, some were struck down, some foolishly cast themselves aside for his sake. But none of that mattered now, not here. He had come to a forest only a few days prior. It stood as an impassive wall, unending and stretching beyond belief. This world must be of giants, for everything in it seemed to tower above him, stretching and fattening itself. These trees were no different, they stood impossibly large. How they did not collapse beneath their own weight was a mystery to him. Moss and lichen covered the trees in dark patches of green and yellow and even blue, sunlight barely penetrated through the thick canopy of leaves above, and yet the inside was not dark, at least when the sun had risen. No light seemed to be coming from any particular place, but his vision was not hindered in the least.

There had been many strange things in this world, this being among the least strange; however, this startled him in a way he did not fully understand. Perhaps it was that it helped him in such a valuable way. One of the facts he had come to expect of this world was that it was cruel. Its offers of safety and refuge were often guises to lure him away and take him forever. Yet this place gave no such indication. There was no subterfuge, no jest or lie. It was as it was. The light was not warm, but cold did not find its way to flesh either. Neutrality rang out and filled every void; it was not a gift nor a curse, but simply a waystation on his journey. He might rest here and it would lead him to where he might need to go, but it did not offer anything else. The knight accepted this, as he had accepted everything else this world had offered him. He did not choose to think on it any longer. Thought would do him no good. More often than not, it led to downfall. Thought could lead down dark and disparaging roads of worry over consequence and failure. Many a young knight is slain by his own doubts and fears, rather than any blade. Better to focus on the task ahead and rely on thought only when there were problems that required it.

The metallic clanging of his armor as he moved almost roared in the deafening silence. Though the thick copse of trees deadened most echoes, there was such a lack of noise that any sound was a banging drum, his footsteps mirroring those of a giant. The sound of wings and the chittering of small animals, while commonplace elsewhere, were strangers here, marvels to behold for there were none to be found. This too filled him with trepidation. There is a calm before the storm it is often said, but he hoped that there was no such obstacle ahead. When darkness came, there was no buzz of flies nor chirp of crickets. They dare not play their fiddles here. The air remained stagnant, the black of night nor the mild light of day doing nothing to its temperament. He had traveled several days, when he came upon the largest tree he had ever seen, standing even taller than its brothers, peering down at them from the heavens. Through the space of its branches, he could see slices of blue sky and it was like the face of an angel. At its base, a smooth patch of bark remained free of any moss. Long flowing letters were carved into it, and below it a dusty iron helm was hung upon an old sword embedded into the ground. It read thusly:

“I mark this place in remembrance of myself. I was not strong enough in mind to continue onwards and so I leave my soul here, a forgotten relic known only to those that dared to brave the darker places of this world. May you remember the words I inscribe here as the baring of my soul and share them only with those who have themselves seen of it."

"Silent forests watch the world, waiting till the end,

Bearing witness to flame and stone, lonely day and night,

We come to seek and test ourselves, sans foe or friend,

Endless steps, titanic trees, soft undying light."

The knight stared at the words, studying them, and etching them into his heart. Putting his hand upon the helm, he smiled. One false step, one doubtful thought and his helm might have laid here, his words might be etched into this monument. And his shame would forever hound him. He would not forget what he had seen here, and he would carry those words with him, taking the soul that was left, and silently promising that he would never withdraw. He gathered himself, and walked away, heading off into the grey light that awaited him.