Once again I have left the ring of light, cast by yet another fire. Again, I have overstayed my welcome. But only after seeing the flaws and weaknesses in this group as well.
So back into the dark woods I go. Searching. Listening. But always staying out of sight.
The dark lonely paths I know well, and so I move unseen and unhindered by the other lost, or searching souls, and the hunting fire tenders.
The first of the fires still weighs heavy on my heart, regardless of how far I walk. As does the most recent of the fires that I left. The meals at those two were more filling, and better tasting. But their flaws were just like the rest...the fire tenders, those who served the food.
Though the initial spark that created each of the fires comes from truth, the tenders shaped them to their desires, and thus taint the flame. To myself I think Why is it that we as humans feel the need to corrupt truth, and deceive not just others but ourselves? It is because we are born with a desire to conquer everything presented before us. And if we cannot conquer it then we tell ourselves that it is not worth concurring. Though the truth is it is beyond us, and thus our mortal minds cannot possibly hope to control the fires around us, just shroud them in lies. Lies that we developed a need and taste for.
Ahead of me another soul, one that brandishes his hunger openly is confronted by tenders of a nearby fire and coaxed into their ring of light with groundless promises and ridiculous goals. I wait silently for them to leave the path, and like the shadows surrounding me I slip away without a sound. I've learned how to only show myself to those I choose, the rest are blind to my passing. I stop a short distance away from a fire that sends its tenders into the forest, and then assume the forms of wolves. These "wolves" then move to other fires and wait for those who stray too far to the lights edge, only to lead the weak , confused, and desperate back to their respective fires. Some of the wolves pick off the souls that wander the forest paths. I step aside as one such wolf passes, blind to me, yet it's focused gaze on another soul a short distance behind me brings a look of sadness to my face. But I leave the soul, if he is strong then he will resist, and find a fire and or a path of his own. If he is weak...
A drop of water lands on my head, and as I look, more begin to fall. Rain. Several souls rush to the closest fires, while others followed fleeing wolves back to their rings. Too few remained on the paths, to continue their quests. Those few like myself stepped off the paths and watched from under the shadowy trees those left on the path. The rain softened up souls for the wolves and those that wouldn't normally fall would. But as for me and those like me, I wait. When the rain ends, I will continue my quest. Alone.
