Hooray! Another story written by me. I guess it's really more like a poem though :ermm: .
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Rook takes Queen. Checkmate.
The Shepherd stands and bows leaving the Angel to ponder his loss.
A job needs to be done. His flock needs tending to.
His cloak flutters as he walks, contrasting with everything around Him.
The Gate stands tall, dwarfing any other structure in the Land.
He pauses for a while, listening to the Border River flowing by His feet.
He steps into the boat and sails away, watching the Land grow smaller behind Him.
Mist envelopes him as he travels to the Sphere, the water breaks on both sides.
The mist begins to fade as the edge of the Sphere comes into view.
The boat gently strikes earth and the Shepherd steps onto the soil as He has done many a time before
As always everything is dull, though it looks different from the view of the Residents.
Walking and walking His foot eventually touches concrete, buildings spring up all around Him.
Many things have changed since His time, things he would never have predicted.
He reaches the spot and looks at the Sun. Twelve more minutes.
The street is silent, as if it was deserted. He knows better though.
At the appointed time a man passes Him on His left side. Another man appears further down the street.
Closer and closer they come together, the scene looks innocent enough.
The man who appeared down the street rushes the other and pulls him close.
The other drops to the ground while the down street man searches his pockets and runs away with the man's wallet.
The ground becomes crimson and the Shepherd stares at the horrible sight.
The air shimmers next to the body and slowly becomes a form. The man looks down at his body, a vacant yet sad look covering his face.
The Shepherd walks up to him, it takes him a moment to notice but then he turns.
"Are you Death?" he asks, his voice shaking slightly."
"I loath that name. Blood has never stained my hands, I am but a guide. Your kind is the real Death. You slaughter each other and use money, revenge, or even religion as your reason. If you wish to have a name by which to call me I pray you to use my original. Abel I was called long ago, I'm surprised I remember it."
"Abel… what happened to me? Why can I look at myself at my feet?"
"You are another of the countless victims of Greed. Your life was taken for mere pieces of paper. I am here to bring you to the Court where you will be judged and sent to your home for the rest of eternity."
"I'm... dead. Killed for the little money I had on me. My wife... my kids..."
"You will see them again soon enough. Lets go."
He stands there, still staring down at his lifeless body. Phantom tears streak down his face and drop the the earth.
The Shepherd allows him a time of mourning.
He walks forward, "It's time to go, we can't stay here any longer."
The man looks up with that same vacant-sad look on his face. The Shepherd grabs his hand and he looks down.
They walk down the street, the same way the Shepherd came.
A Shepherd's job isn't easy, some sheep do not want to follow and leave the grazing plain.
A Shepherd must be firm and control His flock, for if He doesn't Chaos would ensue.
Misunderstood, He does his job dutifully. Never faltering, never sleeping.
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