[ WP ] Age , injury , and disease do n't kill people , that just the only time Death and his crew can convince people to leave their bodies .

`` Do n't I get to challenge you to a game?'' 
 
 `` If you wish.'' 
 
 `` Two-by-two tic-tac-toe, I go first.'' 
 
 ``... very well.'' 
 
 ``... you ca n't win!'' 
 
 `` Indeed.'' 
 
 Jacob woke with a shock, gurgling uselessly, if only for a moment. The pain was even worse, and soon, everything faded again. The terrifying dreams came once more, and soon he found himself seated before the skeletal figure, at the bank of a vast, churning river. There was no seeing the other side. Anchored to the bank was a small canoe, and though it rose and fell wildly with the swelling and waves, it seemed to actively fight being tilted. 
 
 Some ways up bank was a dense, dark forest. Out of it, footprints led to where he was. 
 
 His footprints. 
 
 `` But I... but I...'' 
 
 `` I hold no power over your world, Jacob. I ca n't reattach your neck, I ca n't bring oxygen to your brain.'' 
 
 `` But you're the Reaper-'' 
 
 `` The farmer plants the seeds. Is he the cause for their growth? The farmer reaps their fruit - but would the plants truly have lasted forever without him? The farmer can choose not to reap, but he can not turn the arrow of time. The farmer can choose not to sow - but then he's not much of a farmer, is he?'' 
 
 `` Then you're-'' 
 
 `` Do n't take the analogy too far. You humans have learned far more about farming than I've learned about how souls grow.'' 
 
 `` So what happens now?'' 
 
 `` When you are ready, we cross.'' Slowly, 
 
 `` To where?'' 
 
 The figure shrugged. `` I just help people cross. The other side is even more alien to me than your world is.'' 
 
 `` This ca n't be my only option.'' 
 
 `` You can wander the forest or the banks for as long as you wish, but without a physical body, you wo n't be able to move much. Without a physical brain, you wo n't be able to interpret much. You can seek out friends and family - the trees closest to you - and say goodbye in your own way. Will all your might, you might flip a light switch or move a pencil. With all your focus, you might hear them say your name. They still remember you, of course.'' 
 
 `` Still? How long has it been?'' 
 
 `` Your funeral was four months ago.'' 
 
 Jacob blinked, looking back at the forest. Slowly, he stood, and began walking towards the boat.
