carried and pulled

just under the shade was the prize.
the reward.
it's never as easy as they say it is.
ten more feet.
i took one.
a rattle in the branches above.
i ignored.
i stole another step.
eight more.
i could see the chest.
it sat at the trunk.
another crash above felled some cones and leaves.
still i pursued.
this was the third step i had taken.
a child's laugh.
i drew my weapon, and stared up.
i saw nothing.
the wind blew through the leaves.
it was a chilling breeze.
"don't go that way," it whispered as it jumped back and forth.
i could not find it.
i took a fourth step towards my desire and my journey's end.
a silence above.
"who are you and what do you want?" it asked me.
i won't say.
"who are you and what do you want, human?" it repeated.
i can't.
i spun around and managed to snag two steps before it fell in front of me;
the creature.
it's hideousness is beyond words.
i swung my sword.
he grabbed it. "who are you?"
i kick at him.
he falls over laughing and i end him with a swing.
i inhaled deeply.
the treasure was right there before me.
a ninth step.
"look at what you have become," the bleeding creature managed.
i turned at him.
"you've given up all you have believed in for this that means nothing," he gargled.
blood everywhere.
"you're not who you were. i've won." those were his final words.
the last he every spoke.
he fell over and died that instant with a smile on his face.
"you're wrong."
i took that final tenth step and picked up the chest.
it's heavy.
i need not look to see it's contents.
i already know.
ten more feet towards the river i stride.
the water rushing.
"that which destroys lives, may you rest at the never ceasing river."
the water calls for it.
it flies into the air and splashes aloud as the current catches it.
forever carried and pulled.
the river steals that which man should never have.