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(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

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This was easy. "A human, who crawls on all fours at birth, walks on two legs<br />

during youth, and leans on a cane during old age."<br />

"That is correct. For the second riddle: I groan, but words never escape my<br />

lips. I may <strong>be</strong> empty, but never am I full. What am I?"<br />

"Are you hunger?" I answered.<br />

"Yes. The third riddle is this: What flies, and can<strong>not</strong> stand still? What<br />

devours all it <strong>to</strong>uches, yet eats <strong>not</strong>hing? What can never <strong>be</strong> lent, yet is<br />

always wasted? What is always spent, yet never earned?"<br />

I knew the answer for this as well, "The answer is time."<br />

"You have <strong>be</strong>sted me. Your <strong>appear</strong>ance led me <strong>to</strong> <strong>be</strong>lieve that your wits<br />

were a match for your scarred exterior. I have failed in my duty, and I yield<br />

the blade <strong>to</strong> you. I must depart this place."<br />

"Thanks," I muttered as he burned away in an angry flame, leaving only a<br />

greasy black streak upon the floor. Celestial Fire hummed in my hands.<br />

I'd ended one injustice. It was time <strong>to</strong> end a<strong>not</strong>her.<br />

~~~~~<br />

"What need you, mortal?" Trias in<strong>to</strong>ned, eyes closed as if trying <strong>to</strong> grip on<strong>to</strong><br />

every ounce <strong>of</strong> self he possessed.<br />

"I have your sword."<br />

He looked shocked for a moment. "Celestial Fire? You have recovered my<br />

blade? Will you free me? Then strike a blow against the chain!"<br />

I held the blade awkwardly in my hands for a moment, balanced on the edge<br />

<strong>of</strong> indecision. Something felt wrong about wielding something so<br />

otherworldly: it would've <strong>be</strong>en like swinging a piece <strong>of</strong> art, or dulling a ritual<br />

blade against a rock. I hefted the unease aside on one hand and squelched<br />

that giddy, primordial sense <strong>of</strong> mischief that craved destruction on the<br />

other. I did this <strong>be</strong><strong>cause</strong> it was right.<br />

The chains sundered easily under the blade, and the sound <strong>of</strong> a thunderclap<br />

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