One of the most important lessons she'd recently learned was that looking strong and confident was sometimes all the people required of you.

Could you please explain to me exactly what the staff is that you carry?" Cronus proudly held the symbol of his power and authority aloft. "It is the scepter that denotes my control of the Physical Realms. All who defy me should look on it and tremble." "Oh, I see! Do you know, I thought it was a giant toothpick, or perhaps something you shoved into other parts of you anatomy. I never realized it represented your supposed right to rule," said Her Vampiric Majesty lightly.

Thanks, Dad," she whispered in his ear. Then recovering her composure, she knelt before him and said, "I give thanks, my Father. May your decision be proved right and true.

A conflagration always made such a nice backdrop to a battle. Fire made everything so much more joyously apocalyptic.

But leave us some magic in the world. Leave us some mystery to enjoy.

To be really honest, I think if anybody did derive comfort from the fact that 'there's always someone worse off than yourself,' they'd have to be a pretty sad and sick individual. If I've sprained my wrist, I'm not made happier by the thought that someone somewhere has broken their leg!

One of the most important lessons she'd recently learned was that looking strong and confident was sometimes all the people required of you.