Arden.

I stalk through these woods, it is late and the venomous cold of Mother Earth nips at my being. With each step I feel the frozen ground beneath my feet, and the dead leaves that have fallen upon it. The atmosphere does not bother me, I am conditioned to live in this harshness. My adoration for this world forces me to ignore its abuse, and partially accept its wear and tear. My soul is used to such violation.1

There is a bitter current that whips against my body, I feel warned. I imagine I should not be here, but I am enthralled and will not stop. I inch further into the shadows. Every hair attached to my skin stands on end, I know I do not belong. I feel I should turn back, but I have already come too far. The night holds me in its steely grasp. I have given in, as I will every evening for the rest of my worthless life. Dark dreams wrap themselves around my thoughts, whilst I scream and beg for forgiveness. 2

The air becomes stagnant, I have immersed myself deeply in the protection of these woods. The forces of nature could not penetrate its stronghold; birds do not fly aimlessly between the trees, and other small creatures will not dare to wander here. They are afraid of she who inhabits this wondrous place, an almighty druid who hath stumbled into its great darkness.
This forest is what I make of it. This is the harsh reality created to contrast the fantasy of the outside world. None may survive here. The loneliness and despair found in my heart, reflected here, would destroy any mortal who tread upon this ground.3

It is a pity I am not stronger, it is a shame that the light in me could not expose the truth my eyes could not see. Now I am forever blinded, any hope I had was untimely ripped from my essence. I have no remorse, what I have done is not vile. I only wish I had a second chance, for now I see it is impossible to work with the night. I cannot work alongside evil, I can only work for it. I fear its power, and its power controls me.4

I come here to hide, to loathe the populace of this Earth. This is where I truly exist. My soul lives amongst these leave less limbs, my cold breath is in this air. I come here after I summon chaos, for here I cannot be found. This is my life, this is my immortality, and this is my punishment. I have grown accustomed to living with the darkness.5

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