Magic, one of the primordial forces of the universe. Everflowing it passes through all of existence, but the way it interacts with the beings of the world wasn't the same. No, some materials and even creatures are more naturally attuned to mana. In the world of Alteria, where there were as many unique species as stars in the sky, their development each took its own twist and turn, and many more were discovered every day.

The Ancient Dragons, which used the world's essence to fuel their bodies, massive mana factories and walking engines of mass destruction.

The Majestic Pegasus, whose hoves danced as gracefully on top of clouds as they did any grassy meadow, their massive wings and shining mane a breathtaking sight.

The Enchanting Syrens, free-spirited travelers who regaled weary seamen with tales of adventure and their endless melodies.

Yes, all beings of the world are blessed with the gift of magic, although not all were graced equally with its love. Humans were only of those which turned their back on the Great Mother, seeking instead to expand their own knowledge rather than accepting grace. One could not outright say their path was wrong, for it was a fact that their people spread through all corners of the world. Countless schools and branches of magic have been founded and countless more shall continue to grow as the previous generation pass on their wisdom.

The Mages of the Tower of Babel, one of the greatest Order of Mages, which sought to control nature's might. Their spells were immensely powerful. However, humans who have lost the ability to hear the voice of nature, who curbed their instinct and lived within their own isolated world soon in the name of advancement never realized what they had truly left behind on their path.

Magic was a thing of the soul as much as it was of the mind.

The humans who envied the gifts of the other races never managed to discover their own. They created spells that only managed to imitate the innate abilities of others. One of the most obvious signs of the roots of humanity's magecraft was none other than those known as Druids and Shamans.

Yes, human magic was nothing more than trying to bring oneself closer to a more powerful existence. Of bears and wolves, of roaring flames and crushing tsunami.

And so, one lonely tree would unknowingly walk towards such a path of magic, but never let it be said that magic didn't come with its own consequences.

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"Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost."

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What does one do when one is lost and confused? Was it not natural to seek aid? To find comfort or advice from kin? The tree knew not if it had "family" like it had observed the other creatures roaming the forest these past few years. There was no one to feed it when it was hungry, none to teach it the skills needed to survive, and certainly, none to keep it warm during the cold. No, it only had one friend and that damned bird took her away.

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It had spent so long with the squirrel now, it couldn't even imagine how it would spend the long days without her. That was a lie. It could, and that terrified the tree greatly. It had no heart, but surely if it did the thing would fly out of its chest at the moment.

Slow... Slow slow slow. Too slow to react, too slow to stop the bird, and now too damn slow to catch up. It was frantically growing its roots. More. More more more more more.

Longer, larger, farther.

It paid no heed to how the roots too slow to get out of its way was mangled and severed behind it. It kept crawling, clawing its way through the dirt with all its might. How could it get faster? The mana trail was fading and the distance between them had only grown if anything.

Think.

How could it catch up when it couldn't fly? More vines clearly weren't the solution, even as it grew more to resemble a wooden centipede. What was fast? Birds were fast, but wooden wings didn't work. Snake? Should it just make one large root? Boars?! Did it need to beat the ground harder?!

Its roots started thrashing on the ground, sending piles of dirt flying into the air, however, all it did was end up bruising and crushing its own limbs with no increase in actual speed.

Frustration and guilt built up within its trunk as if invested with a million termites.

It had no tears to shed, yet its leaves wilted and started to shake. This was just like all those years ago. Lost, helpless, alone.

What would it do even if it catches up? It still couldn't do anything to the bird. It was too fast! It was also probably too late, it has been so long, what if the bird already ate her?

However, something entered its field of mana vision right as it burst through an unfortunate bush. A family of rabbits...

These weren't white, they were actually a rather boring and dull brown, fitting for ones living in such a large forest. Still, it made the tree remember the first animal it ever met. An image that was engraved within its mind and tied with the very feeling of hope.

And so came along a flash of inspiration, not unlike the first meeting.

If crawling and slithering didn't work... How about hopping?

It came to a slow stop. This would require all of its considerable concentration, and moving about or panicking wouldn't cut it. At first, it attempted to make legs. Four enormous roots each a quarter of the size of its trunk. However, walking quickly proved an impossible task. The distribution of mass was off, the fine motor control required none existent. No, it needed another method.

Think. How did animals walk? What was different between them and how could the tree close the gap? Every second wasted would bring its friend who knows how many damn miles away? The tree rummaged through its entire life, memorizing and recalling every single creature no matter how faint the memory.

And finally, it found the two it needed. From the smallest and most insignificant beings it had ever came across, its life and form would be the one the tree needed to save its friend. One was a midnight snack years ago, the other was one of its most hated enemy. Yet was the enemy of its enemy really a friend? It didn't know, but it wasn't above using despicable methods to save her.

Its hundreds of tendrils retracted until they were slowly coiled and wrapped around themselves, forming knobby, but still functional spider legs. Soon, the bastardized Treeant uprooted itself, leaving the warm comforts of the ground entirely for new unexplored territory.

It stood at a menacing 12 feet tall, harsh spikes of broken bark stuck out here and there, and the family of rabbits had soon fled from the terrifying sight of a walking tree.

If it had a mouth, surely it would've smirked in smug satisfaction. Watch out, because your worst nightmare was coming in.

The wooden spider plotting death and revenge took its first step into the world... and promptly toppled like a house of cards.

As soon as it learned how to walk, it was definitely going to make the bird pay! Sigh, at least 8 legs were easier to use than 4. Hopefully the other trick will come easier.