Dared Not

He touched the tree again, feeling a powerful pull.

This time, he noticed particles of his own soul being absorbed.

As it happened, a realization dawned on him: he could control which part of himself he wanted to sacrifice.

Memories flashed through his mind—moments of joy, sorrow, fear, and anger—all intertwined with the experiences that had shaped him.

Each fragment of his soul represented a piece of who he was, a complex mixture of emotions and memories.

But now, standing at this crossroads, he knew he had to choose which one to let go.

'Don't tell me this is really the essence of it all,' he thought, frustration bubbling up within him. 'In order to gain something, I have to sacrifice another in return.'

He was stuck in a dilemma, unsure which part of himself to let go. The uncertainty weighed heavily on him.

What if he got rid of his fear?

On one hand, it seemed like a good idea. Imagine the benefits: