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‘So do you have an actual destination in mind?’ Hector asked. ‘Or are we just going to wander around and hope for the best?’

‘What’s wrong with wandering around and hoping for the best? Maybe the universe will do us a solid for being such nice people all the time.’

‘So you believe in karma now?’

‘Not even a little bit. If the universe rewarded people for being nice, there wouldn’t be so many rich assholes in the world. Also, nature itself would be fundamentally different, and evolution as we know it would be dramatically altered. “Survival of the fittest” would be “survival of the friendliest.” Which sounds pretty awesome, actually. If I ever visit an alternate reality, I hope it’s one where that’s somehow a rule.’

‘...So we’re really just wandering around right now, is what you’re telling me?’

‘No, I’m scanning the area for souls that are carrying the aura of death around them.’

‘Oh yeah,’ said Hector. ‘I keep forgetting you can do that.’

‘Well, it’s not the most useful power when I’m just watching servants tear each other limb from limb. Which is something you seem pretty keen on taking part in.’

‘Hey, you can’t blame me for that shit. That first time when we went to meet the Queen--that was YOUR stupid plan.’

‘Well, maybe you shouldn’t be such an unthinking follower, then. Maybe you should come up with some amazingly clever plan of your own instead of relying on me all the time.’

‘Maybe I will,’ said Hector.

‘Alright, then.’

‘Good.’

‘I’ll be waiting with bated breath to hear what ingenious plan you formulate for us.’

‘Of course. But, uh. In the meantime, are you sensing anything?’