[ WP ] Confronted with Death , he offers you a second chance at life upon completion of a trial . He lays in front of you three paths to choose from : blood , sweat , or tears .

**The Tale of Tom Linson** 
 
 Tom Linson was a soldier. This was the only life he knew. His father was a soldier, and his grandfather, and so on. Tom Linson has fought in many wars, and in countless battles. And now his death is near. 
 
 
 *************************** 
 `` The Outlanders are terrorizing another coastal fishing village.'' The commander said. His voice both soft, yet booming, like the rumble of distant Thunder. `` We have been ordered to crush them.'' 
 
 The soldiers all responded simultaneously'Yes, Sir!' 
 
 `` And then,'' the commander continued `` We get drunk off of the King's fancy wine and bed his servants.'' 
 
 The rest of the company chuckled, and they rode out to the village of Kyresh. The Outlanders were raiders from the East, who came only to destroy. When the company of soldiers arrived, they saw not just a small pocket of raiders, but a large army of them. The company was outnumbered ten to one. A violent battle ensued. dozens slaughtered, innocent civilians were killed, raped, and taken as slaves. In the battle, Tom Linson died. He suffered a blow to the chest from an Outlander ax. Tom lie on the ground, bleeding out, and the only thing he could think about was the love of his life, Erica. Tom was going to marry her, when his time of service was over. Royal soldiers could not take on wives until their service was complete. He is not going to be able to have a child now, the Linson line ends with him. Everything faded to white, and then, darkness. 
 
 Tom woke up in a daze, everything hurt, and his vision was fuzzy. When he cleared his head, he saw where he was. He was in a room that looked like a huge cathedral. It was completely grey stone, and very large. Tall arches rose up to the ceiling. There were stained glass windows with very dark images on them. No light came through the windows. The room was only dimly lit with candles that looked like they had been burning for years, and the wax building up around the candle stands looked centuries old. Tom sat in front of an oak table. The table was small, and round. Another man sat opposite of Tom. He wore a long, black cloak that was darker than a starless, winter night. His face was obscured by shadow. On his left shoulder rested a scythe on a long pole, and in his right hand was a scroll. This man was Death. Death pointed a bony finger at Tom. 
 
 `` You,'' Death said, in a voice that sounded like the shrieking of a thousand demons of hell. `` You have been chosen.'' 
 
 `` Chosen for what?'' Tom responded. Death slammed the scroll down on the table with a loud thud of wood and bones. The scroll was a contract. It read: 
 
 `` Because of your past sins, including murder, genocide, and pillaging, you have been chosen to receive a second chance at life, as a guardian of balance. You will suffer, so that unnecessary people do not have to. You will be given eternal life. There are three paths for a guardian. Blood, sweat, and tears. If you do not choose a path, you will be damned eternally. 
 
 ____ BLOOD ___ SWEAT ____TEARS'' 
 
 `` But what do these paths mean? Why should I pick one over the other?'' Tom asked. Death was silent. Tom thought it over, then said 
 
 `` I've had enough blood and sweat in my life. I choose tears.'' Death took Tom's hand, when Death touched him, he could feel the life draining from his body. Death took out a small knife and pricked open Tom's thumb, so that a few droplets of blood dripped on the paper. Death spoke again. 
 
 `` Remember these words: I suffer a life alone, to bring balance where I roam, The balance can not decay, take everything away.'' 
 
 `` That must have been a mouthful for you, bonehead.'' Tom replied, a little upset that Death did not politely ask foe some of his blood. Death merely grunted and waved his hand, and everything turned black. 
 ************************* 
 Tom woke up again in the village, and there was nothing but utter devastation. Homes were burning. The wounded and dead filled the streets. The Outlanders were carrying slaves back to their ships. Tom then knew his task. 
 
 `` Well, here goes,'' Tom said, `` I suffer a life alone, to bring balance where I roam, The balance can not decay, take everything away.'' There was a bright yellow light that engulfed the village. It looked like the Sun had touched the Earth. When the yellow light disappeared, the village was back to normal. The fishers were bringing in their catch. The Outlanders were gone. There were no dead, and no wounded. His company were there as well. 
 
 `` Nothing here, damn fishermen. Alright, fall in maggots, false alarm.'' The commander said. 
 
 `` Wait, where's Tom?'' One of the men asked. 
 
 `` Probably taking a piss. He's a big boy, he knows the way home,'' The commander said. 
 
 `` Wait guys, I'm right here.'' Tom yelled, but no one heard him. He tried to speak to the villagers, but each one ignored him. Tom now realized that what the words said was true, Tom was completely alone. He could not speak to anyone, and no one noticed him. It's as if he was invisible. 
 ************************** 
 Tom traveled the Kingdom for years, bringing balance to the world where there was evil. Completely alone, and unable to communicate with anyone. He eventually learned to live with being invisible. He could take what he wanted, and no one noticed. Food and lodging were completely free. He went around, fixing things that needed to be brought back. Burning orphanages, poverty - stricken cities, and even deaths. Tom was in control. One day he went to a wedding, only for the free alcohol and food. When the ceremony began, the organ started playing the classic song, and everyone stood up, looking so happy. Except for Tom. 
 
 The bride was Erica, the love of his life. 
 
 Tom felt devastated. The only thing that mattered to him, he had completely forgotten. Erica was now getting married, and there was nothing he could do to stop it. The groom, tall and thin, and muscular, was a good friend of his in the army. Jack was his name. The ceremony commenced, and Tom could do nothing but watch in dismay. Tom felt a tear come to his eye. Then everything stopped. 
 
 `` Outlanders!'' Someone screamed, bursting in from the chapel doors. `` Outlanders have attacked the City!'' The man fell on his face, an ax sticking out of his back. Everyone screamed and headed for the opposite end of the church. Some of the men there tried to bar the doors, but the Outlanders broke through with ease. The Outlanders began slaughtering everyone in the church, including Erica and John. Tom could only watch in horror as Erica was attacked and killed, and rushed to her side, weeping. 
 
 `` Erica, Erica, no, please stay with me.'' Erica opened her eyes and looked at him. 
 
 `` Tom?'' She said, and then she died. 
 
 Tom screamed, begged, and cried, and there was nothing he could do, and he knew Erica could see him all along. Tom pulled himself together, stood up, and said, 
 
 `` I suffer a life alone, to bring balance where I roam, The balance can not decay, take everything away.'' 
 
 The familiar yellow beam came down from the skies and blanketed the city in its light. When the yellow light left, the wedding was just starting. Tom rushed over to Erica, and tried to get her attention, but to no avail. She now could not see him, or notice him, and Tom wept. A small yellow light surrounded Tom, as Erica looked at him, and smiled, she could see him, but no one else could. 
 
 `` Thank you,'' she mouthed. 
 
 Tom ascended to the heavens with the beam of light, and Tom Linson, the Guardian of balance, died that day, when he paid the price of tears for his sins.
