Dear Lifeform, This short text was discovered after bug-like creatures brought about an apocalypse on a world we have dubbed Basidiomycete. However, because the locals overcame this apocalypse some thousand years ago, they now believe the text to be mere legend. Our analysis indicates that it is, in fact, based on reality. The Lifeforms in this short excerpt actually existed. Addendum: They believe the characters in this particular story to be legend, not the apocalypse itself. __________________________________________________ In fields of green and woods unseen, there lives a kingdom of a mushroom dream. In a tower so high and bright, there lives a single knight. Guarding the kingdom with all his might, Mushy watches the fields day and night. “Mushy, Mushy, come and eat,” says the princess, all so sweet. “Nay,” responds Mushy in a breeze. “Apologies, princess, but my task is hard, and I need no distraction—be it sweet or not.” The princess huffs and puffs—until she climbs the tower, fast. “What are you doing?” asks Mushy, the mushroom knight. “If you won’t come down to eat, then I shall bring the food in heat.” Disgruntled but happy for this gesture so sweet, Mushy smiles and eats. “So, what do you do here all week?” the princess asks, mouth full of grease. “I look and observe the trees, far and wide, to see if any dare encroach on our kingdom home.” “That’s so brave and true. Can I watch with you?” “Like the days long past?” “Like when we were young. Oh, how fast we grow.” The princess leans over the tower window and, with a smile, twirls a pendant flower. “Remember when you gave me this?” It was black and gold, shining with a light so bright yet invisible to the naked eye—a trinket of some renown. Rumor claimed the gods of old had found it as the world shook forth into a new whole. “I do,” Mushy says with bliss. “It was a rainy day, back when we were but little and zany.” “We still are,” the princess laughs. “That we are.” Mushy smiles like a wish had been fulfilled. “Back then, I would always run around, and you would drag me back.” “Now the tables have turned, it seems.” “That they do. Remember when I got lost for days, with no food or water? All I wished was to see you again—one last time.” “Not for a tray of shewed plate of wen?” “Not even for a blewed bread from Rushen’s.” “That day, when I was ready to give up and forfeit my life, I saw the pendant glowing in the night. I believe it showed me the way back to you. It was the best day of my life, when I saw your face so surprised.” Mushy laughed. “I always wished I would marry you.” As soon as the words kiss his ears, Mushy’s eyes grow wide with fear. He had loved the princess too—but what is a common mushroom to do? He was a Button, and she a Veiled Lady. ‘Tis a tale as old as time, it’s true—but will Mushy be able to come through? “Princess,” he says with a stern face, “I am but a common fool—a boy who sits in a tower all day with nothing to offer you, per se. I only have my honor, a tolerance for pain, and my top-notch brain. I like chess and hate carrot cake, but I’ll do whatever it takes to make you mine.” The princess cries out in laughter as Mushy steps back to the rafter. Confusion and disillusion build up at the seams as his confidence falters and his hand shakes. “Oh, my sweet mushroom knight, calm your mind.” The princess takes a breath as she steps closer without fret. “I laugh not at your confession—well, I do, but not for the reasons you think. I love you too, it’s true, and I want to be with you.” “Then why?” Mushy asks, face growing pale. “Because of your earnest way, and because you called yourself both a fool and a genius in the same sentence. Though I do not deny you are both a fool and a know-it-all.” The princess leans forward as if to kiss his lips. “I’m sorry for laughing. Will you accept my apology, good sir?” “I think I’ll require more convincing,” Mushy says—as their lips touch and his heart drips. Not even a second later, a bell is heard, and Mushy runs to the window, his mind blurred. “What is it?” the princess asks, a little hurt. “No,” Mushy whispers first. “You need to go,” he says in distress. “An attack?” the princess asks. “And fast approaching.” Mushy runs to the tower bell in fret and rings it as sweat drips down his brown head. “It’s too late,” the princess says, her eyes falling upon the approaching threat. They appear black in color, with legs of thunder and wings so wide they could take flight— “…Yet instead they run.” The princess embraces Mushy in her arms. The tower shakes, and Mushy the Mushroom Knight pulls the princess to the corner. “If these are to be our last days, I’m glad I got to spend them with you,” says Mushy. “I love you too.” The princess’s blushy smile is the last thing our knight sees—before it all goes dark. __________________________________________________ Interesting. While I try to keep my work and Life Compendium research separate, I believe this story is somehow related to the First Universe. My current theory leads me to believe that the answers lie within worldwide apocalypse scenarios. To that end, I have created this collection of stories, which will serve as my way of gathering all the information I believe is relevant to the Life Compendium.