Hang on. Was that flash golden? Or white?

A boiling heat passes through my arm. My vision wavers as the world tilts on an axis I can’t comprehend. More runes reappear in my peripheral, they move with the motion of my head as if stuck to my eyes. Even dazed, my mind processes the data and translates it.

Class Unlocked: Shepherd

Ability Unlocked: Tame Lesser Cattle

Empower to unlock more abilities

“I play Russian roulette with magic for a Goddamn minimum wage job," I remark at the sardonic joke.

“The symbols of Order have poisoned your mind. Mother protect us.” States the Satyr.

I stare into the green ether above me, imagining my friends back home cackling at my luck. This is a cruel world.

"Human, are you well? Have you lost your leaves?" She asks while watching me, shimmying slowly away.

I slump to the floor and try to rack my head around it without sounding mad.

“I gained a class. I suppose it was meant to be a reward. I defeated the enemy and the runes were offering me a prize to claim. Far stretch to consider herding cattle a prize.”

“There are no cattle here, human!” The Satyr snaps with flaring nostrils.

Her sudden hostility reminds me that our kind are enemies. I should think before I speak.

“Of course you would dream of gaining a Class from Order. It is your way.”

My Class is Shepherd then. It’s exactly like a game, except, instead of DnD, I’m playing Sheep Simulator. Brilliant, my five year plan now includes immediate survival in this gloomy forest. Then start building my flock and looking for new pastures.

Right, I need to focus and stop the self-pity, the sheep won’t come to me.

“I’m sorry, I’m just lost. Very lost. What is this Order you keep mentioning?” I need to figure this stuff out if I'm going to live through this crappy coma dream. Maybe I just need to survive long enough to wake up.

“Order, your petty God. I will not believe you have no knowledge of him.”

“We have many Gods in England, not everyone is a believer. I am being honest when I say I haven’t heard of Order.”

“Order is the god of humans in Silva and anything associated with their lives. Such as their hunting dogs.” She explains gesturing to the bloodied corpse.

“I haven’t believed in a higher power since I was twelve when I realised it was all a farce,” I say with contentment. My parents are deeply Christian and forced me to go to church for years, despite my protests and clear disbelief.

She stops trying to crawl away as her brow furrows “I have never known or heard of a human that doesn’t dedicate their worship to Order. How have you survived these lands without being burnt in a pyre?”

“With a bit of child cruelty and a sharp stone.” I chuckle to myself.

The Satyr smiles too, her ears twitching in amusement. She attempts to stand with great effort.

“Let me help you.” I reach down and take her arm, she flinches at my initial touch. But after some internal battle plays out she lets me assist. A deep moan of agony escapes her as she stands. I hope she lives nearby or we may be in trouble.

“Thank you, human.” She stares at me with a queer expression, then sniffs deeply.

“What? I probably smell like crap, I just fell in that dirt over there.” I say while inspecting my clothes, nobody likes to be accused of poor hygiene.

“No, the opposite. Which is odd. Humans always carry the smell of muck and urine. You do not sound like them either. Are you from their inner circles? Is that why you are so different?” She gingerly pinches my clothes.

Again I consider telling her the truth, that this isn’t my world. However, her lack of trust is apparent. I wouldn’t want her questioning my sanity as well. How can I change that?

“You just need to look at it as if we’re completely different people. Everything from our culture, morals, hygiene, clothes, education and classes. We don’t even call them classes, we call them jobs.”

Her eyebrows raise slightly and her ears twitch as she stares at my feet.

“See. We call them trainers. I bet you’ve never seen local humans wear them before.”

I take one off to show her up close. She finds the laces especially amusing and her shoulders seem to relax as my argument hits home.

“If you are not the same then explain how Order has rewarded you with a class or job?” Her scepticism is heavily fueled by a justified intolerance to my kind.

“I am not sure about that myself. I had never heard of Order, until just now. But think about this, you said followers of Order cannot collect Spirit from their kind. Which I just did from their bloody sheepdog. Then this ‘Order’ makes me a Shepherd for killing it.” I try to reason out my defence while simultaneously figuring it out myself.

Her eyes widen at my words, stalling for a moment while she digests them.

“A Shepherd.” She repeats to herself.

“Yes, but call me Seth.”

I stick my hand out. The Satyr recoils and catches herself on a tree.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. Where I’m from, we shake hands when we introduce ourselves.” I quickly explain.

Through gritted teeth, she slowly takes my hand in her own and we awkwardly shake.

“Seth the Shepherd, I am Piia.” She manages a weak smile and practically throws my hand away.

“It's nice to meet you. Now I hate to be a burden on you, but I am lost and have no idea what I am doing out here. Could you help me?”

“Seth the Shepherd.” She repeats, then suddenly stands taller. “Mother’s Voice spoke of the coming of the Shepherd. Tell me human what brought you to these lands?” She squeaks out.

Revealing my name and class seems to have reinvigorated her with renewed energy.

“Oh, that’s a good question.” How do I explain without revealing anything that will make me sound insane or untrustworthy? Did she just say someone spoke of a shepherd’s coming? Assuming that is a good thing, I could play on that foretelling and maybe the Satyr will help me.

“To tell you the truth, I had a dream that brought me here,” I admit.

The Satyr ponders this for a few seconds, mulling over the situation.

“That sounds like her. You should come with me, Seth the Shepherd. Mother’s Voice will know what to do.”

“Mother’s Voice? Sorry, I am still wrapping my head around this place. You knew I was coming to Silva?” I hear the wheels of destiny turning over, being the main character in my own dream isn’t strange. Having a prophecy written of my coming is a little egotistical though. Didn’t my Doctor say something about being arrogant?

“I will explain on the way. My people are a few suns away, through Silva. Seth, you must understand that humans have not been our allies for some seasons and have rooted out my people. The coming of the Shepherd was foretold in the last Luna prophecy. It said they will lead us to Mother’s new lands.” She explains the situation to me flatly.

Pressure and responsibility flash through my body. A few seconds ago my main dilemma was being lost in this magical world. Now I am on the edge of a deep prophecy hole, am I supposed to lead a whole tribe to new pastures?

I have no idea where I am right now, how can I shepherd anyone? I assumed the Shepherd class was a random reward, caused by touching the symbols.

What if it was fate? And this explains my purpose for arriving in Silva. I take a deep breath and decide to jump in. Whether this is reality or not, I need help immediately. I have no idea what else I am supposed to do.

“Okay.” Is all I can muster while I accept the situation.

“Amazing.” Piia’s ears twitch delightfully.

“I have a ton of questions though.”

“We have plenty of time for that. Let me rest a while longer. The pain in my leg is starting to fade.”

The blood around her wound has coagulated in her fur. The muscle, exposed to the air, looks incredibly painful. I am surprised she is even standing, these Satyrs must be a hardy species.

“Are you going to be okay walking with that injury?”

She nods, already determining our path through the trees.

“I believe it, you will probably out pace me with one leg. I’m bruised all down one side and hiking isn’t exactly my forte.”

“You should empower with the Spirit you collected.”

Empower. That word triggers a memory of those strange runes I saw in my vision. So collecting the Spirit alone isn’t enough, there are more steps to this magical system.

“Empower. What is it and how?” I ask.

“To empower with the Spirit of your enemies. Humans do it after battle, they call it the ‘The Victors Prayer’. This land of yours must be very far to not use this common practice.”

“Far far away. You wouldn’t happen to know this prayer?”

The taste of empowerment is on my tongue and I am thirsty.

“It will be painful to show you, I can explain how.”

“Perfect.”

“You need to kneel and bow your head in submission to Order. Then offer the Spirit you have collected and beg for a taste of his power.”

I immediately drop to my knees and lower my head.

“Oh mighty Order, benevolent God of man, please take this humble dog spirit and bestow upon me an inkling of your great power,” I beg without grace or true veneration, hopefully, this God can’t see through the guile.

Piia makes a strange teeth kissing sound at my display.

I look up at her. “What happens now?”

She stares back at me unblinking. I notice behind her, through the dense forest that fallen leaves sit perfectly in the air. Like a snapshot frozen in time, nothing changes. No breeze ruffles the shrubbery, and no animals or insects sing in the foliage.

I scan my surroundings, hoping the world hasn’t broken in my attempt to gain magic or power. Panic creeps through until a woman’s angelic voice sings to me with pure joy and hope that fills the void of silence.

“Honourable man of Order. Present your collected Spirits and the liquor of Gods will be yours.” Her soothing voice wraps me in a blanket of bliss, any anxiety or stress I felt before is swept away with each soothing word.

“How do I give you the dog’s Spirit? I have never done this before.”

“Strong warrior, search deep within yourself for a warmth, an energy detached from your own life. Look inside with the mind’s eye and think about the Spirit of another stored in your heart.”

I am in love with every sound she makes, closing my eyes to truly enjoy her with pure ecstasy. I wish she could talk to me forever.

Her words reverberate through my consciousness, unshackling my lost thoughts from the pleasant noise and guiding me through the process. I find the Spirit almost instantly, foreign to my internal being, it is easy to distinguish.

“I have found the Spirit. How do I give it to you?” I just want to please her.

“Wonderful, you are such an adept hero of mankind. Now see yourself grasping the Spirit with an imaginary hand and consensually part it from yourself and out to me.”

I do as she instructs, easily following her words even in my trancelike state. Bringing the Spirit out is met by minor resistance, another energy holds on for a few seconds before succumbing. Did I just feel my own Spirit resisting? I open my eyes to find a shining white light being drawn away by an invisible wind and abruptly vanishing into thin air.

“Noble adventurer, you have brought forth an interesting Spirit.” Her gentle voice sings out to me. I’m so high from her calming aura that I barely process her words at all now.

“The Spirit of Herder. Tell me, how has a Man collected a Spirit from one of Order’s followers? This is… unique.” The softness of her voice falls away slightly, breaking the illusion of my trance.

“I’m sorry, I won’t do it again. I didn’t know.” I say, desperate to return to the Xanax high.

“Peace, young legend of man. No insult was meant or taken. A Spirit from all walks of life is welcome to the kingdom of Order. The Elixir is yours to enjoy.” Her soothing words return with full force. I stand, swaying, with tears of happiness streaming down my cheeks.

A golden goblet appears before me, empty at first until a shimmering ultraviolet liquid begins to trickle in from thin air.

“Drink the Elixir and empower yourself with Order’s Will.”

The goblet floats to me with a mouthful of the ethereal liquid inside that resembles shimmering Mercury. Grasping the handle, I gulp down its contents without a worry in the world. Like a weighted frictionless gas, it flows down my throat.

The effects are instantaneous, energy courses through my body to revitalise my muscles and joints. My vision and hearing sharpened to perfection for a few seconds before reducing to a slightly improved baseline.

My head clears from the lack of caffeine, leaving me with a clarity I never knew possible. Aching bruises from my fall are washed away as if they never existed. Runes appear in my vision.

Empowerment:

Order’s Herder

Ability unlocked: Command Cattle

Passive unlocked: Improved Cattle Vitality

Attributes increased:

Ordo - 3/5

Neuo - 1/5

Chao - 0/5

A class ability to command my cattle will be useful for a Shepherd. I will need to gather my flock before I can use it. What are these hieroglyphic attributes I have increased?

“Collect the bounties for Order and stronger boons you will receive.” The voice promises more and time begins again upon her final word.

The leaves swish and twirl to the forest floor, a breeze tickles my face with smells of nature. Insect orchestras enact their continuous daily performances and Piia stares at me.

“Seth, why are you smiling?” She questions unaware of what just transpired.

“It worked, the victory prayer worked and a beautiful angel of Order empowered my class. I feel amazing, like I can run for days.” I can’t help but grin from ear to ear.

“Good, you will not mind helping me walk for a few hours then. We should begin our journey.”

“Of course.”

I take Piia’s outstretched arm around my shoulders and with renewed vigour, we set off into Silva, sinking deeper into the green sea.