People like to tell you it is all ok.

"You made a mistake. It's ok". That in the end, it doesn't really matter.

But the truth is, it does. Sometimes the choices you make change the direction of your life forever. And the worst part? You usually don't even know until afterwards.

Sometimes, you think you are doing the right thing - and it is absolutely the wrong thing. And sometimes you think what you are doing is all wrong - but it turns out to be right in the end.

Those aren't the ones that get to me.

See, sometimes I think I believe in fate. And sometimes I don't. Usually, I am not sure what to think. The reason is because of most of the choices you make.

They aren't right or wrong. They just determine a direction. Those are the ones that get me. Those are the ones that hurt. Thinking back and wondering "What would have happened if I had done this."

Or especially.

"If only I knew then what I know now." Yea. That one hurts the most.

I didn't know what I was doing. I couldn't have known. I am so sorry.

******

Kel woke the next morning to warm sunlight and cheerful birdsong. The smell of moist earth hit his nose and refreshed his mind.

Opening his eyes and standing up, he looked around. The forest floor was littered with debris from the night before and some of the larger trees had been uprooted. Smiling, Kel jumped down from the platform.

He was surprised at the difficulty of the jump. Yesterday he had been flying across the forest. Something had happened to him. Yesterday had been a series of disasters one after the other, leaving him very little time to think. But now he could, and much of what had transpired was alarming at best to him.

"I should test what I am capable of" he spoke to no one in particular. Glancing around to make sure no one was watching, he then stared intently at at tree trunk. Please let my eyes shoot fire he secretly wished.

Kel stared intently until his stomach loudly growled its protest at the lack of food. Breaking his concentration, Kel felt his ears turn red and once again glanced around to make sure no one had seen.

"Would have been cool" he mumbled, setting off to find some food.

The forest was peaceful, even with the debris scattered everywhere. The sunlight filtered down softly and the birds chittered and Kel collected nuts and berries for Tria and himself.

"I really need to go hunting soon" he grumbled, popping a berry into his mouth. "But not here" he finished, looking around at trees. He could almost feel the nod of approval.

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He tried jumping over a fallen log only to fall short and bash his shins. He cursed as he clutched his injured legs. That'll leave a bruise he mused, rubbing his shins gingerly. Wonder why I couldn't make the jump?

Kel stood still a moment and looked around. Bending his knees, he tried to jump.

It was the height of a normal jump. Nothing special.

Did I imagine it all?

But then a strand of his hair fell across his eyes. Reaching up, he held it away from his face. Still blue...so something changed.

What is going on?

Kel wandered through the wreckage of last nights storm back to the tree where Tria was, head bowed in thought the whole way. He found a ridiculously huge leaf and used it to carry some nuts and berries back for her.

Kel stood at the base of the tree looking up at the platform several feet above him.

Well apparently yesterday I could jump like Superman, but how the hell am I supposed to get up there today?

As if answering his question, the roots from the tree groaned and lurched, giving him a rough mass to clamber towards the platform. Huffing, he finally pulled himself the last bit of the way. "I don't feel much different" he grumbled.

"Hey Tria" he called out cheerily, looking around.

The blood drained from his face as he finally saw her. She was mostly absorbed into the tree, only her extremely pale face showing as it drooped downward, as if sleeping.

Kel dropped the food and rushed forward, dropping to his knees before her and cupping her face.

"Tria, Tria...talk to me!" he cried.

"She can't hear you, child" a sad and aged voice spoke from behind him. Kel spun about, crouching protectively before Tria.

Before him stood the strangest man. He was old. Old beyond years, his skin so wrinkled and browned it looked like bark. His shaggy white hair fell down his back, but was trimmed enough to avoid his face. His beard still held hints of grey. He wore nothing but a loincloth, and held a gnarled staff loosely in his hand.

"Who are you?" Kel asked quietly.

The man waved his hand softly and a branch raised out from the platform, giving them both a place to sit. The man patted the spot next to him, and Kel cautiously approached.

"You needn't be afraid, child" the man rasped gently, patting the branch. Kel sat with him, both of them staring out over the forest.

"Who are you?" Kel asked again.

"I am like your young friend" the man answered with a sad smile, looking over his shoulder at Tria. "I am the Keeper of these trees."

"What happened to her? Is she ok?" Kel blurted out.

"Hmm" the man sighed, turning to look back out over the forest. "You have changed much; and recently too, I sense. You are not who, nor what, you once were. But you have far to go, little one. Far indeed. Power does not happen overnight."

Kel had many questions, but sensed he should keep quiet and listen.

"I don't know who granted you the heart you currently hold, but you will harness great power indeed. Terrible power. Your benefactor must trust you indeed to entrust such to you. You can do much good, but you can also inflict much horror upon this world." The man sighed sadly again. "Much horror indeed."

"What do you mean?" Kel whispered, his hand held over his chest.

"Power takes time. You have yet to learn how to control it. Yesterday...everything you did? It will be as nothing to you one day. But now? Now you don't have the ability to do it. Everything you did was because the young Elfling poured her magic into you, granting you access to power you don't currently wield. Freely and without reserve she did so. And you used it all" the man continued looking forward, not meeting Kel's eyes. "An Elfling's magic is tied to his or her life. When it is gone, so is their life" he finished simply.

Kel felt the color drain from his face. Then from his hands and his feet too, as the world seemed to shrink before him. "I...I don't understand what you are saying" he croaked.

"The Elfling child" the man stated. "She gave her life to protect you yesterday. I don't tell you to punish you, but you should know what she did for you. I suspect your Benefactor meant for you two to meet and travel together. How he even found one of us is a mystery to me. But...she will not be able to leave. I have bound her to the tree, as the tree lives, so shall she. But she will never awaken" he finished sadly.

"No" Kel cried, jumping up and rushing towards her. A branch snaked up around his leg, tripping him before he could draw near. "You have done enough child. It is time for you to leave. " The man's voice was final. He wasn't upset. He sounded...disappointed?

The platform collapsed and Kel fell to the forest floor. "NO!" he cried, looking back up. Tria however was gone, as was the old man. "NO! TRIA NO!" he screamed, tears streaking his face. "I didn't mean it! I'm sorry!". But there was no answer. Not even the wind blew to acknowledge his pain. Kel slumped to his knees, his back bent in sorrow. He didn't know how long he stayed like that, but when he finally looked up the sun was past its prime.

"Tria, I promise you - I will find a way to give back what you gave to me. I will make this right" he whispered softly, kissing his hand and then placing it against the tree.

Kel turned and walked away, not looking back. He would find power. He would find a way to protect those who needed protecting. He had to.

As Kel's solitary figure walked off into the forest, the old man stood high in the branches of a tree, peering down.

"I will hold you to that" he whispered. His eyes hardened and his voice grew firm, "As for your benefactor, he will answer for this". Then, he faded away.

******

As it turns out, the world isn't kind - and good things don't usually happen.

I still remember that last night I had with Mel. How I had said I was glad the world ended. How I couldn't understand why she had gotten so upset.

I understand now. She knew more than I did. She knew the world is cruel. I just didn't.

I still don't know where she is, and I have looked for a long time.

I would give anything to take back those words.