When did it start? I don't remember. It's been so long...

The world... my world is in shambles.

Step by dreadful step, I stumble over fallen comrades and enemies. Oh, how long has this gone on? I'm sick. I'm tired. In spite of that, I must trudge on.

Finally, I reach the forest. No longer do I have to endure the sight of fallen warriors, soldiers I fought both beside and against. Upon feeling grass beneath my feet, I fall to my knees. To think the soles of my boots have already corroded away.

Behind my gas mask, I begin to cough. Carbon dioxide mixed with blood spatter coat the mouth area of the mask. One by one, tears begin to crawl from my eyes. Their coldness drips down my cheeks behind my mask. How long has it been since I last tasted the salty flavor of a sincere teardrop? I can't recall. I don't care to. After today, what would be the point?

Pounding my fist on the grass that is slowly dying, I scream in anguish. The sound startles the few living birds that were resting on nearby tree branches.

Is this what it is like to be alone in the world?

Knowing I cannot stay here, I stand. Once more, I stumble forward on dwindling stamina. There are no animals nearby any longer. They are either dead or were scared away by the stench of death and rot.

In one last effort of regret, I turn to look at the scene of death and carnage behind me. Even though some of it is blocked by slowly decaying trees and foliage, the sight of chaos fills the visor of my mask. If only I had not been so interested in upgrading my mask beyond limit, I could have joined my fellows in the journey to the abyss. No... it is too late for that. I must say goodbye.

For a final time, I stand straight with my left arm at my side and my right hand curled into a fist over my heart. It is the salute for a fallen comrade, for one who died by your side. Tears are vigorously flowing from my tear ducts now. I want to join them. But, I want to live.

For several seconds I stand in reverence. Not only must I wish good tidings upon my comrades, but I must also wish good tidings upon the brave warriors that fought against us.

It is time to leave. I don't want to leave them, but I need to depart from here if I want to live. The toxin is strong and grows stronger.

Full of remorse, I turn to face the forest. The sky grows dark and night is coming. It is likely I will have to travel through the night.

One step, two steps... Not even two steps and I cut the bare sole of my foot on a stone. I am off to a great start.

Ignoring the pain, just as I always do, I force my way forward. Bushes and thorns are of no concern. The plasma blade built into my combat gauntlets is more than enough to remove such inconveniences from my path.

The sky continues to grow darker. The forest canopy looms ominously over me. Thoughts of my comrades fill my mind. I throw them out. They come back. I push them away.

I don't want to remember anymore. I said goodbye. Why do you haunt me?

To block the memories from preventing my progress, I begin slashing at everything in my path. The tree trunks, the bushes, the vines, the thorns. They will be my victims. I will destroy enough of them to remove the blood I feel is seeping over my heart.

Before me is an enormous tree. From afar I did not notice it, but now it looms before me in majestic splendor. Oh, it was good that I lived. To see such vibrant life before my very eyes. Perhaps I am losing my mind. Perhaps my marbles are rolling around on the grass.

Is it just me, or is the tree glowing in the remaining light of dusk? I stand in solemn silence and gaze upon the tree. It's greenish-brown bark looks alive, like nothing I have ever seen. Perhaps it will be angry at me for taking out my anger upon its kin. Do trees have such feelings? I don't know. I don't care.

I don't know how long it's been, but the sun has set. Still, I look at this tree that glows ever so gently with a soft aquamarine light. It looks like the sea in front of my vacation home that is filled with seaweed but still looks bright and lively.

Suddenly, I realize that I can no longer see the forest. A burning sensation fills my lungs. I look around. I can still see the big tree, but everything is covered by a thick green fog.

Oh, something is shining behind the densely packed leaves of the tree. I don't know what it is. I don't care. My lungs burn. Is this poison?

The winds that were dead before pick up, ruffling my combat robe. The hood attached to my gas mask flutters against it, making a flapping sound. Oh, the fog is swirling now, too.

It seems the light in the tree is approaching me. Is it? I can't tell.

Oh, it is approaching me. It is getting closer. Perhaps I should run, but I feel safe. Even though my lungs are burning, I want to find out what this light is, this green light that looks like the leaves of a tree in high summer.

Within the light, I can see the form of a creature, but I cannot tell what it is. I don't know what it is, but I feel safe. I am safe, right? Oh, the being within the light has landed on the ground now. I still can't tell what it is, though.

The light slowly dissipates from around the being. I am surprised. It is half my height, but it is majestic. It looks like a cat with fur the color of sand, but it has antlers. Well, it has twigs that look like antlers growing out of its head. Strangely enough, it is looking at me with three eyes that glow like emeralds swathed in sunlight. Around its feet, little flower buds begin to bloom. Am I dreaming? Am I hallucinating? I don't know.

I have not forgotten my comrades. I will not forget them. But, right now, this creature has my undivided attention. The fog that looks like poison gas swirls faster around us like a tornado, causing my cloak to flutter violently and my combat robe to waver against my skin.

The fog spreads out in every direction, slowly revealing a clearing that was not there before. Lush grass and sunlight surround me with warmth. Am I dead? I'm not sure. I don't care.

What was once flat is now a gently sloping hill with the giant tree at the crest. At the bottom of the hill, there are many small ponds. Perhaps, if I were to lie across them and stretch out, I could reach from end to end.

Still, the three-eyed creature eyes me. It is not uncomfortable, but it is strange. It makes a gesture with its front right paw as if telling me to follow and meanders past me down the hill. I was trying so desperately to live just moments earlier, but even if this creature leads me to death, I want to see where it will take me.

It stops at the pond that had previously been directly behind me and looks into it. I am a few steps behind. One step, two steps. Oh, my foot no longer hurts. My lungs no longer burn.

I reach the small pond and stand next to the three-eyed creature. It looks at me. I look back. It gestures with its left forepaw toward the pool. I want to see it. What is inside that this creature wants me to see?

When I look in, I am baffled by what I see. It is such a small pool, yet an entire world rests within. I'm not dreaming, am I?

The three-eyed creature looks at me and then saunters over the next pool. Within is another world. A planet. It spins. It is alive, unlike mine that is dying.

The next pool is the same, and the next. I follow the three-eyed creature in a full circle around the base of the hill and look into each pond. Each one is just as mesmerizing as the ones before.

Unsure of what I have seen, I follow the three-eyed creature back to the large tree at the top of the hill. It sits. I do the same. My physical pain is gone. My emotional pain remains.

Again, the three-eyed creature gazes at me with its deep and immeasurable emerald eyes. I think it can see my soul, if such a thing exists.

I don't know how much time has passed, but the sun is in the same position above my head. Still, the creature and I look at each other.

To my surprise, it opens its mouth to speak. A deep, soothing voice that could calm the most troubled of hearts says, “Child, will you watch this place with me?”

“This place?” I ask. My voice no longer sounds like my own voice. Of course, I do not know what this place is, or even if I am alive.

“Will you watch the Land Where Worlds Meet along with me? It is lonely to be alone.”

'It is lonely to be alone.' Wiser words could never have been spoken. At least, I believe so now. I look at the three-eyed creature and nod firmly. “I will watch this place with you. I do not want to be alone.”