[mat13295]

"Good Dogs follow Orders."

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"A Good Hound never disobeys orders."

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"A Hound will always be at their master's side."

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A ghostly beast-like figure quietly wanders across a field within the depths of Helheim, wearing the colors of the Bastion of old combined with the holy glyphs and symbols of Athelios. They come to a halt, a blade in hand as she scans the field.

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"...Was it a Good Hound?"

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A question that haunts one of the latest souls conscripted in death to the eternal war over the Citadel and Helheim's dominion. One that gnaws away at their core as a starving Nethradin circles them. From the broken bodies of Helheim's beasts and demons does a javelin of congealed blood launch itself forth to strike it down as it comes for the Hound's throat.

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A swift battle, one that leads to claws tearing into armor and a blade of alloyed silver jutting through the neck of the damned.

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"Even now, you disobey that one order. Do not go alone."

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"...You never did learn, did you?"

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The spirit turns, collecting a few mementos from fallen comrades before beginning a slow trek back to a Citadel that pierces high into the heavens. To an impossibly large castle that overseas the Domain of Athelios. A helmet is soon removed as ears of a Wolf, twitching and always alert emerge with claws of a twitching madwoman snapping and clicking nervously at their side.. 

Before a Superior she kneels. Before them, amulets and rings of the fallen are returned..

And an admonishment once more given for the same disobeyed order that had led them to this new afterlife.

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This wayward spirit soon returns to a cell where they sit upon a bed sensation of safety washes over them.  Their face buried into claws as they 'breathe' in deep.

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". . . A failure. An oath broken. A Promise shattered."

"A Knight failed, a Nation abandoned."

"A Tragedy...Written in a trail of scarlet."

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"Perhaps then. This is your true punishment. To be crushed under the weight of your lonely sin."

"To be broken again and again in eternal battle for your bloody sins."

"Hahah...You never. Ever told them what you did. Did you? Refused to confront it."

"Glued a mask to your face, played the role of a tragic hero."
"To atone? Or to escape through madness?"

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"Good Hounds follow orders..."

"Good Hounds live and Die for their Master."

"There can be...No Regret in those failures."

"...The Oracle, The Shepherd,  The Rams. The Starlit Pontifice."

"The Cardinal..."

"A bloody end. All to keep them safe. All...To repay them for their love."

"Kindness. Mercy."

"This. Was the Only way. The Transaction could end."

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And so as another day comes to a close in a land of eternal twilight.

Another evening of constant 

And so does the Hound sit upon the edge of a Balcony.

Overlooking the world beneath them, eternally watching from the Umbral shadow cloaking them.

And if one were to listen quietly...

The howl of a wanting heart rings out, crying for a master far beyond the pale of death.