[video]

[alderwood]

As some of you may have noticed, there was an incident in Kithika that resulted in numerous people being injured or killed.

Those responsible are making reparations. Visiting hours in the prison are 1300 to 1900, for anyone that wants to see Kal or Jor-El.

[His expression flicks down to paperwork on his desk, which he straightens out meticulously.]

I'm offering compensation for any injuries sustained. This was done in my service, so if you were hurt either fighting the Kryptonians or the other dangers in Kithika, speak with me.

Comments

[strategisch]

So it is a powerful being, correct? Would it be too much of leap to suggest that "Han" might have been under some kind of mind control? The boils on its back would explode into creatures that would make people act strangely if they were touched by them. If there were so many stuck to him, he might have been under the same influence.

If so, whoever made it so sick may have been planning to use it somehow. Something so huge would make a good weapon.

[alderwood]

[He gives the boy an unimpressed look.]

Are you new here?

[strategisch]

[Armin withers a bit under his glare.]

N-no, I've been here for quite awhile. However I am poorly versed in most... supernatural subjects. My world has no magic. Or technology really. It's taken a long time for me to understand this much.

[alderwood]

Then you should be aware, there is no 'whoever made it sick'. It was our enemy, the name of which it's no longer safe to say. And I have no doubt it was responsible for the dragon, given that its domain is Death, and Kithika is a part of that.

[But he's not one to turn someone aside when they're obviously trying to help, so his tone is that of a teacher rather than a tyrant.]

[strategisch]

Yes, I would assume it was him. I fear referring to him though-- I never know what to say.

I don't understand, however, this Death? It's a place? Where I'm from, it's just something that happens to people, and you never see them again. When you die, there's nothing left. You don't go anywhere. That's just... it. It's over.

[alderwood]

Call him 'the Enemy'. [His mouth quirks in slight amusement.] Or 'Mally'.

[And you can thank Annabeth for that one.]

How do you know? Have you died?

[strategisch]

No. But I've seen enough corpses to know that they don't go anywhere.

I mean-- I know about Heaven and Hell. At least what people say about where a soul goes when the body expires. But I never thought they were places. If you simply move after you die, why struggle to live?

[alderwood]

And if you simply cease to exist after life, why does living matter at all? People always cling to what they have. It's not surprising. Living people may visit Death, but that does not make them dead. And what happens to the dead in that realm is not 'simply a move'.

[strategisch]

[Armin looks really, honestly puzzled.]

I always believed, that life is precious because it's all that you have. That it's something worth fighting for, because every day you see the sky may be your last.

As far as I'm aware, "Death" doesn't exist in my world. I've never heard it spoken of before now.

[alderwood]

No. There are things that matter more than life, that can't be counted or quantified. Life is a commodity. Something you sell if you have to. Dearly, yes, but the fact remains.

[He exhales, and looks askance at his paperwork.]

Death as I know it may not be a universal constant. There are a great many worlds.

[strategisch]

[Armin looks off into the distance over Evandau's shoulder, eyes glazing in thought. It's obvious this concept weighs heavily on his mind.]

...I'm sorry, I don't mean to bother you with questions that could be answered just as well by others. Thank you for telling me about the dragon.

[alderwood]

[That surprises him a little, and it's obvious by his expression.]

Contrary to what other people may believe, I am here to help. You're welcome.