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

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"How are we <strong>to</strong> <strong>be</strong>come one?"<br />

"You must surrender your will <strong>to</strong> me - your knowledge and skills: whatever<br />

little you've managed <strong>to</strong> accumulate in your life may prove useful." He sized<br />

me up again. "It ultimately will <strong>be</strong> but a fraction <strong>of</strong> my power, but it might<br />

have it uses."<br />

"And if I choose NOT <strong>to</strong> surrender my will <strong>to</strong> you?"<br />

"You have no choice in the matter. You <strong>do</strong> <strong>not</strong> know how <strong>to</strong> escape this<br />

place. I <strong>do</strong>. If you refuse <strong>to</strong> surrender with me, I will refuse <strong>to</strong> surrender <strong>to</strong><br />

you - and neither <strong>of</strong> us will ever <strong>be</strong> able <strong>to</strong> leave this place. Only one may<br />

leave, and it will <strong>not</strong> <strong>be</strong> you." He spoke with cold certainty, and a<br />

stubbornness that came from self-assurance.<br />

"I could kill you."<br />

"You could try." The man seemed amused. "You <strong>do</strong> <strong>not</strong> have the power <strong>to</strong><br />

<strong>be</strong>st me, nor <strong>do</strong> you have the will <strong>to</strong> force me <strong>to</strong> merge with you. I would<br />

prefer <strong>not</strong> <strong>to</strong> kill you <strong>to</strong> escape this place, but it is a small price <strong>to</strong> pay for our<br />

free<strong>do</strong>m. It makes no sense that one <strong>of</strong> us die, when by merging, I could <strong>be</strong><br />

strengthened."<br />

Hrmph. And he chose <strong>to</strong> use reason now? "Yet you came here previously...<br />

and were defeated."<br />

The man frowned. "I was taken unawares. And I did <strong>not</strong> anticipate that my<br />

companions would <strong>be</strong> split from me upon my arrival... what happened after<br />

that... is confusing."<br />

"So even if I were <strong>to</strong> surrender <strong>to</strong> you, then we could still fail?"<br />

"Unlikely. I'm the only one who possesses the knowledge necessary <strong>to</strong><br />

succeed - this moment is the culmination <strong>of</strong> centuries <strong>of</strong> planning. Many<br />

have suffered and died for us <strong>to</strong> <strong>be</strong> here... their sacrifices must <strong>not</strong> <strong>be</strong> in<br />

vain." The last sentence chilled my blood - it was delivered like a speech,<br />

with no passion <strong>be</strong>hind the words.<br />

"How <strong>do</strong> I surrender my will?"<br />

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