//------------------------------//
// Epilogue 
// Story: Tale of a Cockatrice 
// by Xenos 
//------------------------------//

It has been a few nights since I set out on my journey to find more of my kind; to find out what I truly am. 

I found them. It didn't go well.

There seems to be some sort of arrogance with them. Each one I found thought it was greater than me and every other creature included. I learnt that, due to a lack of trust, my kind does not live together. We wander the forest alone, searching for scraps to feed on, and searching for place to sleep that night. Consider us scavengers. 

I have learnt that there isn't a lot of time for rest: we have to always be alert. We love nothing more than turning our companions to stone. It is an act of superiority and is a common occurrence amongst us. There can be no links of trust between us; no friends are made.

That may be fine for them, but it is not for me.

All I seek is acceptance by at least one life-form. I don't want to be a tormentor of others, but it feels like they are the tormentors of me.

I just what a good friend? Someone to talk to...

Is that too much to ask?

It looks like it is thanks to that damn snake. 

I never found him; I never got a proper look at his face when he fled that day.

Would I thank him? Kill him? No. I would pass him by.

What is done is done and I cannot erase the past, no matter what I do in the future.

However, I don't want this future. I want to be free of this torment; free of the inability to be companions with other creatures.

That is why I am standing at the river bank, ready to live a new life. 

I figured this is what's best for me. Nobody will miss me, but I may gain a few friends now. Maybe something will come by, and vent their feelings?

If they do, I'll be listening.

Maybe they'll take me home and play with me?

If they do, I'll do the best I can.

Maybe they'll put me on display for others to marvel at?

If they do, I'll be marvelling right back at them.

Goodbye mother, hope that one you come by me and say hi.

But more than anything, I hope that you could hear my words whilst imprisoned in stone. That you could hear how much I loved you and would never hurt you.

What if I can't hear now? It doesn't matter, I just want creatures to look at me without fear etched across their faces

Goodbye.

I inch forward and extend my long neck over the river bank. Staring down, I see my own reflection staring right back: ready.

Let's put a nice, warm smile on my face. I'm sure they'll prefer that.

Attempting a grin the best I can, I let the power surge through my eyes. 

It's working; I feel the coldness rising up my sides and along my tail. I can feel the warm spirit inside me choking on the harsh grip of stone. My internal organs are struggling to keep up; are just letting defeat wash over them. Time to go to sleep.

So that's what it feels like.

Oh mother, I'm so sorry. Forgive me.

Almost done now, almost done...

...