Author's Notes: Unlike previous chapters, this one is actually from Larix's POV. Enjoy.

"Believe it or not, there was a time when I was in love. Key word being was. Her name was Agathis, a fellow Wood Golem."

"I met her years ago, in the forest where I had met the two of you, Asagi and Pleinair was it?" The two girls had nodded. Clearing my throat, I continued. "I was casually relaxing in the sun's rays, until I heard screaming."

"I noticed a female Wood Golem being attacked by a few orcs. Suffice to say, after a good bashing and them fleeing like cowards, I tried to comfort Agathis. She had welcomed my hospitality and from then on, we fell in love."

"There was one time we had tried to catch fish in the local lake and for the life of me I could only catch the one thing that wasn't faster than me, an old boot."

"Agathis was resourceful, however. She had managed to weave a net from some loose vines on my back and used that to catch some fish. Even if my back itched like crazy afterwards but still."

"It was all so wonderful. I hadn't a care in the world, so long as I was with her. There on, we decided to perform a sacred ritual of the Wood Golems."

"You see, when two Wood Golems see each other as soul mates, they form together to become a single tree."

The two girls seemed so surprised. "Before you ask, yes, most of the trees in the forest were actually Wood Golems in love. I say 'were' because once they perform the ritual, it cannot be reversed, sacrificing their mobility and individuality in the hope of becoming one and at peace."

"I've heard many say it is such a foolish decision, basically performing suicide with your parents. But it's nothing like that. It's a sacred tradition that keeps love eternal."

"The actual process involves the two of planting their feet firmly in the soil, letting their 'toes' take root and hugging your lover, as their skins become more dense over time, thus the two of them become a tree."

"Agathis had brought up the idea to me one morning. I admit, at first I was hesitant, nervous even, but what melted away my doubts and concerns was her."

"On that day, we decided to perform the ritual. We had taken the steps and within a few hours, the bark was starting to form. Everything was going great…until they had arrived."

"You'll have to forgive me you two, it's not easy remembering this part of my life." They had just stared at me, eyes curious at what had happened that faithful day.

"They consisted of three demons, a warrior, a mage, and an archer. They were working for Overlord Theras, looking for something in the forest. The noticed Agathis and I."

"The warrior had rushed over to us, and used his accursed sword to stop the ritual, slicing down the middle of the almost formed tree, and separating us."

"Dazed from the separation, I tried to retaliate but the archer had shot several arrows into my arms and legs. I couldn't move. I asked them why they were doing this. What would it avail them."

"The warrior spat out, 'Cut the crap you overgrown plant. Overlord Theras told us to look for something of immense power in this forest. Where is it?'"

"I told of them I didn't know of such a thing. That was when he lost his patience. He ordered his mage to burn Agathis, who was unconscious from the sudden separation."

"The mage just gave me a sick grin as he erupted his hands in fire, and incinerated my love. 'Agathis! You bastards! I'll kill every last one of you!' I said with such rage, I didn't know I was capable of. They just laughed and laughed, showing no signs of remorse."

"What pained me the most was that I couldn't do anything because of the damned arrows. I tried to move but it felt like my legs were about to fall off. All I could do was watch. Watch as my love was dieng right in front of me."

"The archer said, 'We're wasting our time. Theras isn't paying us enough for all the trouble we've gone through.' The mage agreed, 'She's right. Though I can't deny how much fun I had!'

" 'Fun' he said. That monster had fun in slowly killing my unconscious lover in front of my eyes."

"Agathis was nothing left but a charred husk and they had left the forest, just like that. It took several hours for my limbs to completely heal after I had removed the arrows. After recovering, I rushed to Agathis' corpse, weeping. I gave her a proper burial ground, next to a small tree."

"It wasn't over though. It took me months but after paying many people for information; I had found those responsible for the loss of my love. They were residing in a small shack, resting for the night."

"I charged in, roaring in rage. They had woken up but it was too late. I crushed the archer's head underneath my foot and tore the warrior's arms and legs limb by limb. The mage was cowering in a corner, asking for mercy. The fact that he asked for mercy only made me more angry. He apologized over and over, sobbing profusely, but that didn't cut it. Apologizing would not bring Agathis back. I grabbed his meager head in my hand and crushed it. His skull was no more."

"I what I did was excessively brutal, but in my mind, I was right." Pleinair and Asagi looked at me half afraid and half pitiful.

"D-Don't worry about it. Those monsters deserved what they did to Agathis." Asagi said, trying to sound comforting, with Pleinair nodding in agreement.

"Thank you for understanding. Anyways, it has gotten late. Why don't you two sleep in the inn, seeing how it's now…vacant." They had agreed, Asagi saying goodbye as she and Pleinair went back inside the inn.

I merely returned back to the forest, with my treant family. About an hour had passed until I woke up from the sound of someone. I couldn't make out his face. I asked him who he was and what he wanted from me.

"Who am I?" he said. "Heh heh, I think you should be asking what I can do for you."