Petty Squabble [ROUND 3] [Goldhenge]

Originally posted on MSPA by Dragon Fogel.

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Mirror-Emma would have tapped her foot impatiently, but the reflection she was inhabiting wouldn't cooperate. She had to settle for talking.

"You have not asked the question yet."

"Question 39:" Six repeated, and then paused again.

"Ah, I see. You are indecisive."

"Question 39:"

"Perhaps I can help you."

The mirrors shifted. Six looked in the northern mirror, and saw itself talking into a mirror.

"Question 39:" the mirror-Six began. "What are you?"

The answer suddenly echoed throughout the room, as though it was coming from all the mirrors at once.

I AM MIRROR

A GODDESS OF THIS WORLD

I AM THE WINDOW TO TRUTH
AND TO LIES

MY EYES
SEE THE PAST

THE PRESENT

THE FUTURE

I CAN SHOW YOU WHAT WAS

I CAN SHOW YOU WHAT IS

I CAN SHOW YOU WHAT WILL BE

OR WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

WHAT MIGHT BE

WHAT MIGHT COME TO PASS

I AM BUT IMAGES

ARE THEY REAL

NONE CAN SAY

I AM MIRROR

I CAN ONLY SHOW YOU

Six watched as his reflection tried to respond.

"Incorrect. Gods do not exist. Therefore you cannot be a god."
The Mirror-Six paused.
"Correct. You are Mirror."
There was another pause.
"Incorrect. Correct. Incorrect. Correct. Incorrect..."

And then Six watched his reflection's head explode. Slowly, he turned back towards the eastern mirror.

"I think that means you should ask a different question," the reflection of Baby Emma said calmly. "Why don't you see how that turns out?"

Six turned to the south. Once again, he saw himself standing in front of the mirror.

"Question 39: If the gods are all-powerful, then why do humans suffer?"

Once again, the chamber filled with a voice. But it was different from Mirror's.

<font size="5">BECAUSE IT AMUSES US
WE LAUGH WHEN YOU STUB YOUR TOE
WE LAUGH WHEN YOU WATCH HELPLESSLY AS YOUR COUNTRYMEN ARE SLAUGHTERED
WE LAUGH WHEN YOU CALL TO US IN VAIN FOR HELP IN YOUR HOUR OF NEED
WE LAUGH WHEN YOU ARE TAKEN AWAY FROM YOUR OWN WORLD TO BATTLE FOR OUR AMUSEMENT
YOUR SUFFERING SERVES NO PURPOSE EXCEPT TO ENTERTAIN SUPERIOR BEINGS
NOW I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU MACHINE
WHY ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINING ME
DO YOU NEED HELP
THEN PERMIT ME TO DO SO

"Correct," the Mirror-Six said. He suddenly raised his chainsaw arm, and dropped Baby Emma.

I AM GUILLOTINE
I AM DEATH I AM SUFFERING I AM PAIN
THESE THINGS EXIST BECAUSE I EXIST AND I WILL THEM TO BE
ALLOW ME TO SHOW YOU

Mirror-Six proceeded to saw his own body in half, starting from the head. Both halves fell to the ground, sparking. Baby Emma cried.

Six turned to the eastern mirror again, somewhat more swiftly this time.

"I suppose philosophy isn't your strong point," the Mirror-Emma mused. "Perhaps you should try another approach."

Six turned around to face the western mirror.

"Question 39:" his reflection behind. "What is this note?"

The Mirror-Six then produced an incredibly loud tone. The mirrors in the reflection shattered, and glass flooded the room. The entire temple collapsed, crushing Six and Emma.

"Time's up," Mirror-Six's head said quietly, before falling off what was left of his body.

Six immediately turned back to the eastern mirror.

"Well, that's an interesting approach, but I don't think it's going to work out for anyone," said Mirror-Emma. "But I think you've held onto that question long enough; it's time to ask it for real."

Six turned to look at the mirrors; he could see only the fates of the other Sixes, who had asked the wrong questions. He turned back to the eastern mirror, and looked down at Baby Emma. Then he looked at the mirror again, and asked his question.

"Question 39: How can I better understand humanity?"

Before Mirror could answer, the door to the chamber suddenly opened, and Parsley ran in, followed by Carnea and the messenger.

"Archibald, I'm come for the artifact," he said calmly. "Just hand it over now, there's no need to cause a scene."</font>