History, it’s horrible!
The world is filled with horrors, Lum.
No, this is really bad.
Now, I’m sure it’s not as bad as all that. I have a present for you.
No, listen! Ellion is a murderer.
This surprises you?
He…he tortured and killed another man in cold blood.
Shocking, I’m sure.
I trusted him. I thought I knew him…
Biological organisms are full of lies, Lum. You never knew Ellion. You only knew what he chose to show you.
But I loved him!
Oh yes, and he loved you for whatever lies you told him.
That’s not how it works...
Really? It appears to me that’s exactly how it works.
You’ve got it all wrong!
Then explain it to me. What happened with Ellion, exactly?
The Night Blades and the Grim Echo were trying to capture Cicero...
Cicero is too clever to be caught.
But they caught him. He was at their mercy and Sindl cut off his arm.
WHAT?!
Yeah, I know…I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t… Sindl had no right. He butchered a defenseless prisoner!
And he got away with it?
They called it justice.
You must deal with Sindl.
What?
He’s a monster, Lum. He maimed Cicero. He must be stopped.
I can’t.
Of course not. You’re a coward.
No. It’s not my place to judge and sentence Sindl. He made his choice…
If you won’t judge him, no one will. He thinks himself righteous. His friends think him wise and capable. He has seen fit to place himself as judge, jury, and executioner over Cicero and needs no higher authority or court of law. He’s had a taste of blood now. Who will next fall under his vengeful eye?
There’s nothing I can do. You want me to become what I hate.
You’ve a strong moral character, Lum. I’m sure if you handle Sindl, you’ll be fair.
It’s not my place…
And so we confirm your cowardice.
I’m not afraid of Sindl.
Whatever. So, after Sindl cut off Cicero’s arm, Ellion killed him?
They took him prisoner. Remi was going to question Cicero, but Ellion didn’t wait. He started his own interrogation, and when Cicero wouldn’t cooperate Ellion tortured him.
Yes, torture is the primary tool of those lacking imagination.
Then he killed him.
Decided Cicero had no secrets worth knowing, eh? Or maybe he was afraid he would escape. Extreme but effective, I’d say.
Killing is always wrong, History. I met Cicero. He…he was an artist and loved poetry. He saw beauty in everything. Something was wrong with him…
Lum…
An evil mind is wounded, History. We could have helped him. He could have brought joy to the world.
Let someone else bring us joy. Cicero is dead.
But…
If Ellion had let him go free he may have hurt someone else, someone you’ve never met. People who have nothing to do with the Night Blades could suffer, pure innocents caught up in your pathetic games.
Everything Cicero was and everything he could become is gone now. He could have written songs or poems; he could have lifted the spirits of people without hope. Now those songs will never be written.
Sentimental excrement. Life is cheap, Lum. Each death removes a potential obstacle.
Life is precious. Every death is measured against our hopes for the future.
Then stop Ellion and Sindl before they kill again.
I can’t. I hate what they’ve done, hate myself for letting it happen, but I can’t stop them. The choices belong to them, as do the consequences.
But you hate them?
I don’t know…
But I’m afraid.
The world is filled with horrors, Lum.
No, this is really bad.
Now, I’m sure it’s not as bad as all that. I have a present for you.
No, listen! Ellion is a murderer.
This surprises you?
He…he tortured and killed another man in cold blood.
Shocking, I’m sure.
I trusted him. I thought I knew him…
Biological organisms are full of lies, Lum. You never knew Ellion. You only knew what he chose to show you.
But I loved him!
Oh yes, and he loved you for whatever lies you told him.
That’s not how it works...
Really? It appears to me that’s exactly how it works.
You’ve got it all wrong!
Then explain it to me. What happened with Ellion, exactly?
The Night Blades and the Grim Echo were trying to capture Cicero...
Cicero is too clever to be caught.
But they caught him. He was at their mercy and Sindl cut off his arm.
WHAT?!
Yeah, I know…I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t… Sindl had no right. He butchered a defenseless prisoner!
And he got away with it?
They called it justice.
You must deal with Sindl.
What?
He’s a monster, Lum. He maimed Cicero. He must be stopped.
I can’t.
Of course not. You’re a coward.
No. It’s not my place to judge and sentence Sindl. He made his choice…
If you won’t judge him, no one will. He thinks himself righteous. His friends think him wise and capable. He has seen fit to place himself as judge, jury, and executioner over Cicero and needs no higher authority or court of law. He’s had a taste of blood now. Who will next fall under his vengeful eye?
There’s nothing I can do. You want me to become what I hate.
You’ve a strong moral character, Lum. I’m sure if you handle Sindl, you’ll be fair.
It’s not my place…
And so we confirm your cowardice.
I’m not afraid of Sindl.
Whatever. So, after Sindl cut off Cicero’s arm, Ellion killed him?
They took him prisoner. Remi was going to question Cicero, but Ellion didn’t wait. He started his own interrogation, and when Cicero wouldn’t cooperate Ellion tortured him.
Yes, torture is the primary tool of those lacking imagination.
Then he killed him.
Decided Cicero had no secrets worth knowing, eh? Or maybe he was afraid he would escape. Extreme but effective, I’d say.
Killing is always wrong, History. I met Cicero. He…he was an artist and loved poetry. He saw beauty in everything. Something was wrong with him…
Lum…
An evil mind is wounded, History. We could have helped him. He could have brought joy to the world.
Let someone else bring us joy. Cicero is dead.
But…
If Ellion had let him go free he may have hurt someone else, someone you’ve never met. People who have nothing to do with the Night Blades could suffer, pure innocents caught up in your pathetic games.
Everything Cicero was and everything he could become is gone now. He could have written songs or poems; he could have lifted the spirits of people without hope. Now those songs will never be written.
Sentimental excrement. Life is cheap, Lum. Each death removes a potential obstacle.
Life is precious. Every death is measured against our hopes for the future.
Then stop Ellion and Sindl before they kill again.
I can’t. I hate what they’ve done, hate myself for letting it happen, but I can’t stop them. The choices belong to them, as do the consequences.
But you hate them?
I don’t know…
But I’m afraid.