This is my home I shall never leave. Isolation has its drawbacks but no one ever said being a spirit would be easy all I have is my forest and Elk and thats all I'll ever need but besides the lonliness there is the fear, The Firebird is not dead far from it. He like myself is a spirit and can never die only be contained my being here in the forest seals him and all is well till the next foolish creature ventures up there he's kept dorment by death any spark of life awakens him and I must begin to restore everything once again its never easy and never will be worst of all he knows now simply destroying the forest will not do anything he wants me the healer so still I'll remain forever and longer still for this is my home and i will never leave.

The sun rose high leaking light between the dense trees and on to ancient streams wet, green grass and awakening birds from feverish dreams. Everthing lays covered by this blanket of light. Nothing excapes it dureing the morning not even Sprites......... Elk carefully padded his way to tree is was old one but still beautiful because of her. Scrapeing the ground gently with a hoof he directed his gaze into the tree its self the branchs quivered softly as the energy the tree housed began to form its self hands, a face, then eyes soft mild ones similar to his own in a way stared back at him shifting her form from one of a large almost shapeless being to that of a long haired girl she stood before him. Old friends like them are never parted the Elk took pride in the fact he knew a force of greater power than he. Glideing elegently she sat herself beside him Sprite: how long has it been? Elk: <how long has what been?> Sprite: since we ever left our forest. Elk: <i'm not sure> the question was a good one yet it lost him as soon as it was spoken Sprite: sometimes...although this is my true home... i wish i could leave spread life to places that have never experienced it have you ever dreamed of going out into the world experienceing its wonders? that one he could answer Elk: <yes frequently now and then but it would be cold of me to leave you alone pity the balance here is so very fragile> Sprite: yes although i love this place and restoreing after the winter it leaves me yearning to do something more of course if i ever left it would be easy for someone to awaken the Firebird. she shudders at the mention of his name Elk: <although...i've never left these woods my father once did but the memories are old i can't remember any details> Sprite: *smiles faintly* i remember your herd. Elk: <you do?> Sprite: they moved here back and forth each summer and winter eventually they stopped comeing except for you. They spoke of far away places strange ones and beautiful ones i always was near when they spoke of them i miss their stories. Elk: <as do i> *looks down thoughtfully* <perhaps there is a way you can fulfill your dream.> Sprite: how? Elk: the only way the Firebird is awakened is when a liveing thing ventures into his realm right?> Sprite: yes. Elk:< besides you, me, and the birds we're the only liveing things here if i guarded the moutain you can go off with out a problem!> Sprite: *anxiously wrings her hands* i don't know can you handle guarding it from all liveing things? Elk: Sprite: *begins to stare off into the sky* well...oh..thank you Elk thank you so much! *embraces him* i'll finally get to see the world outside of the forest! Elk: <yes well it won't be easy to see you go dear friend but i'll manage some how> Sprite: so much lays ahead now i'll be back soon Elk i promise i'll return old friend. Elk: < goodbye!> watchs a bit misty eyed as Sprite takes to the air and flows off in the direction of the wind Elk: <and so your journey begins > takes off in the direction of the mountain but within sinester things brewed the Firebird sensed Sprite had left now it would be simple to gain his freedom once again and seek a bitter vengence on the Sprite through her own friend. Firebird: not long now just you wait child see how you like be banished into the core of this wretched den for eternity......Elk seated himself on a green patch near the moutain and began to watch birds flitted by every once in awhile sometimes incects but they seemed to know to stay clear the mountains core flying away as fast as their wings would carry them all seemed quiet till a familiar voice began to cry out listening harder he could make out the words Elk....help me...i'm stuck in this mountain...the Firebird has me help! analyzing the voice carefully a hidous realization came over him Elk: <Sprite!> begins to dash on up the slope to the top Firebird: one liveing ticket to freedom comeing up...heh heh heh...