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

there are no answers in such a thing. Perhaps there never was."
"I don't deal in the realms of perhaps and maybe," the practical one
sneered, eyes sharp with contempt. "I seek answers. It is what has allowed
us to get this far. If we had left life in your hands, we wouldn't have even a
fraction of the truth we now possess. And in that truth, lies power." He
turned to me. "You will realize that when we merge."
"No. There must be another way out."
"You're being stubborn," he scoffed, "THINK. Each moment you delay, your
companions' chances of survival grow slimmer."
"They would never survive with your guidance," I snapped, "I won't have
you using them as tools before casting them aside." I turned to the former
cartographer, "Do you know the way out?"
He shook his head sadly.
"You?" I asked, turning to the mad incarnation. "Do you know how I can
leave this place?"
"I will NEVER tell you. And you will NEVER leave..." He smiled. "It is QUIET
here. PEACEFUL."
"Do you see now?" the last incarnation said coldly, "If you fight me you will
lose. I've had centuries of honing my skills and your experiences are but a
flicker of a candle compared to my years. The only chance we have, the only
chance your companions have, is for you to merge with me." He sighed,
calm and placating, "I know how you feel. You fear for their safety more
than your own, but when we are one that aspect of you will become a part
of me. I will do everything I can to save them."
"You lie," I hissed, "I've seen what you did to Deionarra, how you poisoned
her against her father and sweetened your venom with lies. You drove her
to her death with words, and I won't allow you to do the same to me or my
friends. I will save them, and YOU will merge with ME."
He dropped the warm facade, and it slid from his face like cracked plaster.
"If you will not listen to sentiment then listen to reason. You know I can
overpower you easily," his eyebrows furrowed, "But if you wish to stall and
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