I do not believe. My world is here upon the forest floor.

  The size of a leaf, but no less great. Searching for seeds among the mice and grappling with the spiders. There is no “world” above me. This is all there is. And I will maintain what is here rather than maintaining the foolish concept of more. Many cradled the idea of a higher world to their chest, but I know that is all it is, an idea. I do not tell the others. I let them believe, even if it leaves only me knowing the truth.

  It is what is best. Their weak minded souls crave the knowledge of safety and comfort. That is what I provide for them. Sheep need a shepherd to guide their lives, I am their shepherd.

  I aid in their building towards the sky, a massive structure created with the entwining of sticks, mud, and clay. It disgusts me to see such a foolish effort, but they cannot be blamed.

  I stand upon the altitudinous structure, towering over them as I belong. I tell them the lies of a more world. I am their connection with the more, and they, the slaves.

  “You have angered them!”

  I shout out to the crowd as I hold a blackened kernel in my hand, the size of our hearts.

  “This is what you have done! Our brethren have had their hearts shriveled and burned due to your transgressions!”

  I raise the blackened kernel high above me before crushing it in my fist. A flurry of dust falls below onto the crowd. Staining them with what they believe to be their sins.

  “Have you not noticed the dwindling food sources? It is their wrath, reminding you of your insignificance if you stray from the path!”

  Power flows through my bones as they hold onto my every word. The euphoric sensation is nauseating as I hold back my expressions of unbridled joy.

  “We must seek their favor, or we shall suffer!

  An outlier weaves through the mass of people to the base of the dominant tower.

  “All she proclaims is bullshit!” The outlier shrieks.

  “Have you not noticed how she profits from our fear? A true leader wouldn’t manipulate us like this!"

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  I can feel my face curl in disgust as the outlier tries to unravel the omnipotent ambiance I have built for myself.

  “She speaks of a higher purpose, but all I see is her desire for power. Are we none the wiser than to follow blindly?"

  A hush falls over the crowd, I watch as the outlier's face contorts into rage from his feeble ways.

  “Let us not allow the whispers of disbelief to drown out the call to unity.” I address the crowd, leaving the outlier disregarded before focusing my sight onto him.

  “The whispers of the high world carry warnings—those who disregard them shall face consequences beyond our understanding.”

  “Her tales of judgment sound more like threats than truth-”

  “Enough!” I shout out over him, the command in my voice startling the crowd while the outlier remains indifferent.

  “Let us open our eyes to the reality she hides!” He continues, facing the crowd, begging for their conviction. I stand my ground upon the elevated structure as I watch the seed of doubt imbed its way into my subjects. This is detrimental to what I have spent so long building, I cannot let my work shatter into resentment and nothingness.

  “The giants watch us closely,” I say to the crowd, demanding their heed.

  “Let our actions speak louder than words; let us offer up this doubter as a sign of our unwavering faith!"

  The most prominent of my followers are first, rushing up to the outlier, taking hold of his body as he kicks and screams. Soon, the rest of the crowd follows. Gathering the outlier and bringing him to the pit.

  “Here marks the existence of a higher world,” I say, stepping into the large indent, shaping the dirt of the earth around its corporeality.

  “The footprint they have left us is a reminder of them.” The crowd forms around the pit as a select few pin the outlier to the ground. “Through trusting in my guidance shall you uncover the wisdom hidden above.”

  The outlier howls out to the horde of believers, but I do not give him the mercy of my silence to be heard.

  “With this sacrifice, we cast aside the shadows that threaten our unity. Let it be known that we will not tolerate dissent! We offer this life not out of malice, but out of love for our greater purpose!" With the finishing of my speech, I raise a spider's fang over my head before rushing down, piercing the fang deep into the heart of the outlier. He wails at the searing pain, gasping for breath as his body convulses before losing consciousness. I pull the fang from his body, the selected few rush back to get away from the mass of blood that follows. I, instead, revel in the warmth of the body's fluid. At last, the seed of doubt is gone– as is the nonbeliever. I look up to face the crowd, reveling in their state of trepidation.

  “This world is filled with distractions. We must stay focused on our path, away from their noise.” I guide my hand over the corpse lying below me—right where it belongs.

  I am their keeper. Their belief in my lies is the only thing stopping them from their sickly ways of life. I am their shepherd.