I remember who I used to be in my past life. My name was Bek Nalan, the Father of 'Naturology'. That was just a nice little title people in my past life gave me because of the amount of natural sciences I was an expert in. I was respected in the communities of Botany, Geology, Zoology, Ornithology, Ichthyology, Ecology, Entomology, Mammalogy, Herpetology, Ethology, Physiology, Zoogeography, Ecophysiology, Mycology, and even Anthropology. Oh, how I loved nature and wanted to do my best to preserve it. I even funded several national parks and built one with my life savings before I died! Sadly, I was killed during a protest while in my 50s. 

You see, a young 'influencer' on some social media website would bulldoze a tree if he got millions of likes on a video. The tree was an incredibly old one that families like mine had celebrations around like weddings, birthday parties, childbirths, and funerals. I know it was wrong, but many carved little messages into it as it grew up. While it isn't as large as General Sherman, I was able to conclude it would surpass it with time. Now hundreds of people protested the bulldozing of the tree, but the little bastard used daddy's money and influence to get trained guards and expensive equipment to disperse the crowd. I heard about it and decided to play dirty to save the tree; I bought the land the tree stood on as well as the surrounding land around it a week prior to the bulldozing. I wrote my will to give the land to my youngest granddaughter, who everyone considered a hippie but she loved the environment like me and went to the bulldozing with the deed in hand. Unfortunately, I was crushed by the bulldozer before I could show the deed and stop everything. 

Now, I'm floating within an abyss. It's actually nice if you like deafening silence and mind-numbing isolation. How long have I been here? Days? Weeks? Months? Years even?

???: Poor little soul, died protecting the very thing you loved.

That voice, it's comforting. It's like a mother comforting her child after they did something wrong.

???: Come here and let me take all your stress and pain away.

The owner of the voice gently envelopes my soul in a hug. It's pretty weird considering I don't have a physical body. I managed to get a good look at the woman comforting me, and she looked like a goddess! Despite her skin being green, she's incredibly beautiful. The flowers and white attire only make her look mature while her clothes can drive a man wild. Those wide hips and bubble butt in particular are what give me less than Christian thoughts. Now I may be old, but give me some Viagra and I can show a woman a good time.

Woman: I am Natura, the Goddess of Nature. I've seen your entire life and how much you cared about nature. Even going as far as buying the land a tree grew on to preserve it for future generations to enjoy. It's sad to see such a pure, nature-loving soul perish because of humans, but it was a blessing in disguise.

A blessing?

Natura: I met you didn't I?

Natura giggles. My lord I wish I had a physical body, I wanna cuddle this woman until the end of time! Her hands glow green and I feel something within me, something good. Next thing I know, Natura transports us to a serene-looking area. There's lots of wide open space with clusters of trees littered everywhere and rocks dotting the landscape. Natura gives me a gentle kiss before digging a small hole and placing me within the ground. 

Natura: Grow big and strong Bek, my Nature Spirit. I believe in you. 

Natura smiles at me one final time before burying me within the dirt. Guess she turned me into a seed. What kind of plant I am, I don't know. This area seems too big for a small shrub or bush to grow, so I assume she made me into a tree. But why would I be a tree if I'm a Nature Spirit as she says? Only time can tell, so guess I'll just wait it out. I don't know why but when she said my name, I felt something weird within me.

5 years later
How long has it been? Years, decades, centuries, maybe an entire millennia? No, that's too far-fetched. I've grown to an impressive height within the time I've been growing. I don't seem to be a specific species of tree, but I look similar to an Oak tree with green leaves, a thick trunk, brown bark, and a ton of branches. Funnily enough, I have fruit growing from my branches: apples, oranges, pears, cherries, and even peaches! I wish I could eat them, but I get all of my nutrients from Photosynthesis. Speaking of Photosynthesis, it's one of the skills I have as a tree/Nature Spirit. 
Healing Dew (minor): User's leaves create a special dew that heals minor cuts. The more dew collected in one spot, the better the injuries will heal.

Chlorokinesis (minor): User has control over small plants and minor control over larger ones

Nature communication: User can communicate with plants, animals, and nature itself.

Nutrient absorption: User can absorb nutrients from the soil.

Photosynthesis: User can create food from carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight.
- Oxygen generation: A byproduct of Photosynthesis.

Fruit growth: User's branches can grow apples, oranges, pears, cherries, and peaches

It took some time, but I learned to manipulate my roots to a limited extent and control my branches like arms. It may be lonely in this field, but the scenery is really nice. Every so often, small animals come and roost in my branches. I get sad when they leave but life must continue on. I'm really tall too, maybe about 20 feet with lots of branches. Suddenly, I sense something. Being alone for so long in this single spot, I've learned to sense the life force of living things. I see it like threads connecting to a ball of green, purple, or red energy depending on what the creature is. The thing I sensed however is a large group of Goblins. There are about 25 in total with 15 of them being children. 

Bek: 'Goblins?'

One of the children sees me and gets the happiest look I've ever seen in a child. He tries to climb my branches to get a piece of fruit, but he's unsuccessful due to his height. I inwardly chuckle and move one of my branches to the child. The child looks shocked as I smile, which he can't see because I'm a tree.

Bek: Eat child, I don't mind.

The Goblins look at me in shock and awe. I'm just as shocked as them! I finally spoke real words! But how, I don't have a mouth?!

???: 'Correction: You've projected your thoughts by using the Unique Skill: Thought Communication. It was unlocked through your desire to comfort the child.'

Ah yes, the creepy female voice in my head? Leaves? I don't know at this point. Anyways, the voice spoke to me after a period of time growing. 'She's' been keeping track of my skills and archiving everything I've learned so far in this world. Apparently 'she' doesn't have a real name, so I call her Poppy.

Bek: 'Alright!' Are you ok child? You and your friends here are free to eat from my branches. And feel free to stay here as long as you like.

I lower my branches for the Goblins to pick fruit off of.

Goblin 1: The tree speaks....

Goblin 4: It gives food.....

Goblin 8: It lets us stay.....

Another Goblin comes from the crowd. This one however has on a colored mask and his magic power is much stronger compared to the rest of them. I guess he's a Shaman.

Shaman: All hail the Guardian tree!

The Goblins get on their knees and bow to me. I'm too shocked at the entire situation at hand.

Bek: H-hold on, you don't have to do thi-

Shaman: My Tribesmen, this is where we shall make a new village!

Bek: Hey-

Shaman: We will protect the Guardian Tree with our lives!

Bek: You don't-

Shaman: Our children will protect the Guardian Tree, and our children's children, and so on until the end of our village!

Bek: 'They won't listen to reason, will they?'

Poopy: 'Answer: Not likely.'

Bek: I had a feeling that was what you were going to say....'

Sighing, I look at my new tenants. Now that I'm a bit calmer, I really take the time to assess their conditions. Many of them are malnourished and a majority of them have injuries crudely patched up. Their wounds look like they were inflicted by some sort of animal, maybe a wolf or something similar. Using my Healing Dew combined with the wind, I use as much of it as I can make to blow over their wounds and heal them. I can see the look of wonder on their faces as they're miraculously healed with the added benefit of a beautiful shower. All of them prostrate themselves while the Shaman raises his hands and staff high in the air.

Goblins: All hail the Guardian Tree!

Suddenly, I feel sleepy. My trunk and branches lightly sway as I close my nonexistent eyes. The last thing I hear before slipping into unconsciousness is Poppy's automated voice.

Poppy: 'Notice: Evolution to Guardian Tree imminent. Estimated evolution time: 1 month.'

1 month later
Ughh, my head. I'm aware I don't have an actual head, but something up there hurts. I look around and much to my surprise, there's an entire village around me. Granted it isn't big, but it's fairly sturdy for the inhabitants. Looking down, I see the Shaman doing some sort of ritual with green fire and chanting in an odd language.

Bek: What are you doing?

The Shaman looks up at me with a shocked expression, at least I think he's shocked. I gotta go off body language since he wears that mask all the time. What shocks me on the other hand is the fact that he's gotten taller, much taller than a normal Goblin. In fact, almost half of the Goblins are about as tall as a normal human and they're helping their smaller brethren with tasks.

Bek: 'What happened while I was asleep?'

Poppy: 'Answer: Due to the abundance of magic you produce, some of the Goblins have evolved into Hobgoblins.'

Bek: 'I thought Hobgoblins and Goblins were different creatures.'

Poppy: 'Explanation: In technical terms, both creatures are different races. Hobgoblins are one of two evolutionary paths taken by ancient Goblins who adapted to live in harsher environments. It is however possible for Goblins to evolve into Hobgoblins under some circumstances, such as getting stronger and killing other monsters.'

Bek: 'So my excess magic evolved some of them? Will the others evolve?'

Poppy: 'Answer: It is improbable but not impossible.'

Bek: 'Good, I'd like to help the Goblins evolve if I can. They deserve to get stronger to defend themselves.'

Shaman: Are you ok, Guardian Tree?

Bek: Yes, I'm alright. I've been asleep for... 'Poppy, how long has it been?'

Poppy: 'Answer: Approximately one month'

Bek:.... a month, so I'm a little disoriented.

Shaman: Ah, well I'm glad you've awoken Guardian Tree.

Bek: 'Why does he keep calling me Guardian Tree? I know Goblins are considered primitive, but worshiping a tree in a fantasy world?'

Poppy: 'Answer: Primitive species like Orcs, Goblins, Lizardfolk, and Ogres are notorious for worshiping nature, specifically something they have a connection to. An example would be a tribe of Orcs worshiping a black rock. They do however have their own set of gods.'

Bek: 'That's pretty down to earth. I didn't think that many races in this world were spiritual.'

There's a ding in my head, like a notification sound or alarm.

Poppy: 'Notice: Evolution to Guardian Tree is complete.'

Bek: 'Guardian Tree, isn't that just something the Goblins call me?'

Poppy: 'Answer: Yes and no. Guardian anything is considered a new status that grants additional abilities depending on how strong their belief is in you. The more people that believe in you as their guardian and the stronger that belief is, the stronger you will become.'

Bek: 'Well did I gain any new abilities?'

Poppy: 'Answer: Yes. You have received Minor Barrier and a higher magic capacity as well as a higher affinity with Chloromancy.'

Bek: 'That's pretty good.'

Shaman: Are you still disoriented Guardian Tree?

Bek: O-oh, just a little. Were you telling me anything?

Shaman: Yes I was telling you about the problem we were facing while you were slumbering. We've been raided numerous times by a pack of 30 Direwolves led by a group of Dire bears. The Hobgoblins and I have been defending them, but they still slip through the cracks and injure some of the Goblins. I healed them as best as I could, but my healing fell very short of your Healing Dew. 

Bek: Bring them to me, I'll help them how I can.

The Shaman nods and runs off with noticeable enthusiasm. Now that I think about it, the creatures who attacked had to have been fairly large to overwhelm every Goblin here, especially with the Hobgoblins here. Direwolves, or Aenocyon dirus back in my world, were large and extinct wolves that went extinct 10,000 years ago. A Direbear however isn't something I've heard of before except in works of fiction where 'Dire' just made a normal animal more dangerous.

Poppy: 'Explanation: Direbears are a species of Brown Bear known for being twice the size of a normal Brown Bear.'

Ah, so a 10 ft, 2,600 lb bear. That isn't concerning at all. Sadly, all I can do is provide a support role if they get into the village and only attack if they're close.

Poppy: 'Suggestion: Why not use your Nature walker form?'

Bek: 'My what?'

Poppy: 'Answer: Being a Nature Spirit blessed by the Goddess of nature herself combined with your desire, Guardian Tree Bek has the ability to become a human-like entity known as a Nature walker.'

Bek: 'And you're telling me now?'

Poppy: 'Answer: You never asked.'

I ignore her snarky answer and heal the injured Goblins. Luckily my slumber and evolution allowed my Healing Dew to evolve into its moderate stage as well as accumulate into a larger amount, so their injuries are either fully healed or healed to where rest will do them good. The Shaman and villagers praise me as a Guardian even more for my healing. I inwardly chuckle and look at the Shaman.

Bek: Excuse me Shaman, do you know of a way to combat the Direwolves? Even as your Guardian, I can't fight them alone.

Shaman: The only method I know of is recruiting a party of Orcs, but they're a stubborn bunch who only care for War.

I act like I'm stroking a beard to think. Orcs, from what I remember, are incredibly brutish but strong humanoids that are commonly associated with Goblins and frequently fight humans across various forms of media. They have a clan and tribal culture like the Goblins, but their simple-minded nature to fight might be easy to exploit. Plus, they'll bolster the defenses of the village when I'm not here because I do want to explore the world. If they do stay, I'll ensure that there is no conflict between both sides!

Bek: Shaman, I've decided.

Shaman: On what, Guardian Tree?

Bek: I will personally recruit a tribe of Orcs to help us fight the Direwolf pack. Now, what's the closest tribe here?

Everyone gasps at my declaration. Their shock is understandable as the larger Orcs might take the small Goblins as slaves or something similar.

Shaman: Are you sure Guardian Tree? I mean no disrespect to you or your wisdom, but Orcs are not the best of allies and-

Bek: I understand your concern, but I promise to keep you all safe and establish peace between both sides.

I sense his skepticism, but he eventually relents and sighs.

Shaman: I understand, Guardian Tree. The closest tribe of Orcs would be one south of here. It would take half a day to get there on foot as there are thick trees near their home.

I nod as the younger Goblins play on my branches. Tomorrow, I'll start the journey to the Orc tribe and convince them to join us!