The Exchange of the Knight and the Lich

A story presented throughout the ages by those Good and Evil.

## The Exchange

The Lich brought down a great wave of force to the Knight's shield, and for the first time in long seconds, the two met eyes. "When you are on campaign, do you make camp in battle?" asked the Lich, holding his position, looking down that the Knight from his lofty hover.

"At night, when no fighting is to be had," she replied, guessing the distance she would need to jump to strike, yet holding her vigilant guard.

"Then let it be night, in the opulence of this void for which we make our stage for vile exchange, " bellowed the Lich, his feet planting themselves on what no sane person would call earth, but a surface solid nonetheless. The Knight watched, curious.

"Would you treat with me?" asked the Knight, not willing to lower her shield, even as the aura of arcane fortitude ebbed from the Lich.

"If I may, or to be questioned," said the Lich, constructing a table and chairs of a plain variety, lit with light which mocked a candle in fantastic fashion. The Lich took his seat without hesitation, weary from long hours of combat. The Knight sheathed her blade and stepped to the chair.

"You are known to lie and delve into arts most foul. This is wont to be a ruse." said the Knight, with stoic resolve. Her hand could pull steel from hip as fast as wizards could utter an incantation of aid or harm, so she had little fear. Fear was useless in this time for her.

"Neither of us have the upper hand," asserted the Lich, hands folded, his arms at rest on the table. The Knight looked at the informal display; mulling with the truth of his statement. She decided to make equal to his informality and sat with little consideration to posture, leaning far back in the plain chair.

"Do you see yourself as evil"

"No"

"Then what Good do you bring to the world?"

"I care not to what I can bring to the world, I am my own man. I will gain what I may."

"So you focus only on personal gain?"

"Yes"

"Your quest as earned you many enemies. Your ways are unjust."

"If I was meant not to rise to this power, my progress would have been halted and dismantled."

"Were there not those who tried to hinder you?"

"There were, but I was stronger, and therefor deserved to progress."

"By hindering others to your own gain, you rob them of the success you so much enjoy, or even the chance."

"They had their chance, but I was the victor in any competition that beset me and slowed my growth."

"That is not a fair chance for them to have, if set upon by you."

"The world is unfair, and you complement me."

"A perfect world would be fair. My faith gives charity, to uplift those who cannot afford what we receive with no question, such as food and drink. This is Good for the world, as I see it. I serve to help others, and find myself to be your opposite."

"Yet your faith adorns you in gold and gifts you mystic iron to make your will upon the world with. Do you gain more in conquest or charity."

"Charity, but I am duty bound to smite down those who are Evil."

"To me, you are a symbol of wealth. I make employ of many, that is my charity."

"Many have been harmed by your actions, this is a simple fact. You take advantage of others."

"If I am an ailment to the world, so be it, but I am not a cause to this plight."

"In this moment, in this foul field where we make vile exchange, I will end many plights by striking you down. Your death will be no hinderment upon the world."

"Would your death be the same?"

"Mayhaps now, but in years time, what use will I have for mystic iron?"

"To construct another symbol of wealth, to thwart those whose path is too obstructive to those who you care about. If I may have a guess."

"To what end to you seek power? When can you be sated?"

"There must be no task I cannot accomplish, I wish to be the most powerful being to ever live. None shall stand above me, only below. Then I will be sated."

"And what world would you construct when this one denies you that luxury?"

"One where the strong defeat the weak and the weak accept that defeat. Where one may enjoy wealth without worry of the cost."

"And with you as the ruler of this realm, will you be challenged?"

"No."

"I forsee your downfall, not as any oracle would, but as any weakling may see it as well. You may think that none will surpass you, but this is far from true. One unchecked power that grows stronger and stronger will challenge you, and with pride you will fight. Will you accept your defeat in that moment?"

"I reject to believe there are those stronger than I!"

"Would you reject defeat if it was brought upon you? I repeat myself."

"I must ponder this. My defeats have all been temporary. Do you wish to prove me a hypocrite?"

"I wish to prove you Evil."

"I freely hinder others so that I may better myself, but I am not Evil."

"I will not die here, in this wretched place, for as a symbol of Good, I do carry wealth, but in my dying days, I will be poor, and other richer from it. For my wealth will not be in power, but in achievements. Aiding others can better you more than any hinderment may."

"There will be more like me, who take advantage of the imperfect world."

"I may say the same, but I know that you are Evil."

"I wish you to be more a cynic."

"To hinder me?"

The Lich laughed. The two agreed to allow each other to regain their strength so the battle could continue.