It was about halfway through the audience when Stands through the Storm, 3,140^th emissary of the Unfallen, realized that today was the day that she would die.  Her great trunk and knotted boughs slacked imperceptibly with relief.  For she knew that the universe belonged to those who let go.

Before her stood three creatures of impermanence; three ambassadors from other worlds.  Each was a creature with a ragged lifespan of no more than 100 rings, maws filled with bone for eating and digestion evolved for producing excrement.  They stood now, baring the bones within their maws.  While Stands through the Storm knew such displays could be done in either friendship or aggression, today, as the ambassadors declared “war” there was no mistaking their intent.

Stands through the Storm was given her name by the sacred grove during her 23^rd ring because of her unusual patience when facing disharmony.  She was chosen as emissary of her people for these same qualities during her 316^th ring.  For more than 500 rings since her patience had indeed been tested: the creatures of impermanence spewed countless words that counted less, demanded answers in less than one ring, and seemed always empty from desire.

Stands through the Storm knew that freedom from desire was the great root of her people.  By overcoming themselves, by giving up their own bodies to form structures and vessels, the Unfallen had found peace and endured for hundreds of thousands of rings. 

“Well?” Sneered one of the ambassadors.  “Your … ‘people’ …  cannot stand against us, they must submit.  Do you have anything to say?”

But for the slight relaxing, Stands through the Storm had remained motionless, sitting upon the ground; her stillness enabled movement.  And move now she did.  Rising, higher and higher, her mane of leaves rustling as she reached her full length of 30 meters, towering over the ambassadors.  

And that is when Stands through the Storm lit herself on fire.  Her dry bark burst in flame, her leaves shriveled and withered. Not a sound could be heard except the crackling flame.  Surprise followed by panic washed over the ambassadors.  But as the fumes from the pyre entered their lungs they were given a glimpse of the freedom from desire.  Their sharp edges were blunted, their complications unraveled; they let go. 

When she finished burning I stepped forward, assuming my place beside the ashes of my once verdant mentor.  I, Blossoms in Winter, now the 3,141^st emissary of the Unfallen, barely aged 70 rings, sang the words I knew my teacher would have:

“The greatest crime is to have desire, the greatest disaster is to be without contentment, the greatest mistake is to hold tight.”   

Slow and melodious the words washed over the ambassadors. Their faces became dabbed with rain from their eyes and their heads nodded in solemn agreement; there would be no “war.”  

But my eyes did not rain.  For the universe belongs to those who let go.  So then shall it belong to the Unfallen.

****End Submission****

When I read the description of the Unfallen I was very struck by three things:

• How so much of their society depends on the selflessness of its citizens. 
• The parallels between the Unfallen’s method of gaining peace and the real life self-immolation of Thich Quang Duc in our own history. 
• How being an intelligent plant based lifeform in a universe filled with intelligent animal based lifeforms would make it very difficult to not feel a sense of strangeness and alienation when confronting the galaxy. 

This short is an attempt to try and tie those three themes together to illustrate the beauty, horror, and sadness that such an existence might lend to its people.

Also, in an effort to be transparent, I would note that most of the philosophical musings in this short are variations on the Tao Te Ching.  Although I do not believe that the Tao bares a copyright, I just want to proactively point this out in an abundance of caution. 

Any thoughts or comments (or spotted typos) are greatly appreciated.  Thank you!

I really love this story, especially the naming and use of "Rings" as the age.

It really seems to capture the essence of the Unfallen.

Just wondering though, for your sake, is the faction quest clear enough in it?

Or is the quest just to bring peace to the universe?

Anyways, really well written story. Great job!

@Dailybugler

Thanks for the kind words.  

Yeah, the quest would be to bring about peace.  Both between the Unfallen and others, and between other races.  

While the actual mechanics of the quest were not part of the contest I thought it would be cool if the quest requires you to sacrifice your own heroes (as is shown in this story).  

Friendly bump for a story I enjoyed! A good mixing of history with characters.

You do a stellar job at portraying the world through the eyes of a plant (...that sounds weird). It was a little bit difficult to read at first due to Stands through the Storm's name but it didn't take long for me to appreciate your attention to detail. Good job and good luck!