Shed your mortal skin and let me take you beneath the waves.

Here and now was always where Tempus was, not off somewhere in the realm of Greater Good or Mortal Soul or Eternal Consequence. He'd lost the ability to determine greater good, if there was one; his mortal soul he'd given up on long ago. And as for eternal consequence - he was its embodiment.

There is no mercy in trading life for life. And certainly no righteousness. Mercy, once given, cannot be taken back.

One man can make another's life so much better.

The Riddler says you make the world better one battle at a time.

I thought we'd die there, quarrels in our backs, you for what you did and me for bearing witness.

Then what difference does human striving make: mortal struggle, valor, pain? If you live, then live for the test of spirit, for the celebration of the heart. Live to fight on other days. Lose your beloveds one by one. And remember. Exalt the kiss of friend and horse and wind and sun, which venality cannot cheapen nor stupidity belittle.