Escher's Maze

"Well, there are a lot of very bad people out there. I would know. I was one of them, once."

He shook his head, his memories flooding again, and held her hand a little tighter.

Flinching a little as John squezzed her hand Adara said quietly, "And yet here you are helping people. I don't believe that you are bad."

"Well, Oracle, what would you consider bad?"

He felt her flinch, and relaxed his grip again, the momentary surge of mental pain over.

"The pain and suffering of others is bad. To truely enjoy causing that to innocent people. That is bad." Adara said matter of factly.

John nodded.

"And what happens when one truly enjoys it but doesn't know whether the other party is innocent? That's still bad, right?"

"If it is not known 100% then yes, I suppose so." Adara agreed.

John looked up into the air, ashamed of himself.

"That means I was indeed a bad person, Oracle."

"You truely enjoyed causing others pain?" Adara said slightly shocked. She stopped and once again tapped her foot and then started walking in a different direction.

"It wasn't about the pain, it was the execution of the task... I loved using my weapon and watching its capability. I'd shoot on any target, human or can, and they gave me both."

He sighed.

Letting go off his Hand Adara sighed and tapped her foot and started walking again.
"If you are trying to make me hate you you will have try harder than that."

John blinked.

"Wha- No, it's not like I'm trying... I just think you put too much faith in me, Adara- Err, Oracle."

Stopping again, slightly more annoyed this time Adara again tapped her foot and started to walk in yet again another direction.
"Maybe you should have more faith in yourself."

"John, please do not get depressed. After all, if you loose faith in your skills as a protecter then what will happen to me?" Adara said calmly as she once again stopped to tap her foot and start walking again.

His eyes widened.

"Oracle, I didn't say I'd protect you..."

He had already broken one promise, he didn't need to break another right now.

"True you didn't. Then I suppose we will go seperate ways once I help you get out of this maze." Said Adara calmly as she checked the vibrations again.

John realized what he had said.

"Wait, no, that's not what I meant..."

"People tend to mean what they say." Said Adara stopping again and tapping her foot then walking away. "The things that first come to your mind are what's true. Besides, I would just slow you down anyway."

"No, Adara. I couldn't live with myself if you got hurt. Please, just stay with me. I can't promise to protect you because I'm not sure I have the skill, but I'll try as hard as I can."

He moved to her side, stopping her for a second.

"Please don't leave me alone."

"I won't leave you alone if you don't leave yourself alone John." said Adara strongly.

His eyes widened a little.

"Alright... I'll work on it." He nodded.

After a second, he spoke again.

"But what does that mean for you?"

Smiling quietly Adara half closed her eyes and sighed before stopping to tap the ground again and walking. "That is for me to know John. You will see soon enough."

John nodded, and thought for a second, clearing his mind of his doubt. It was a straining experience for him, but he continued on with it, tensing himself and preparing.

"Alright, Oracle, let's get out of this maze."

"That is what I planned to do. I think we are coming to the exit soon." Adara stopped and tapped her foot and started to walk smiling happily. "I'm right. Just a few more minutes and we should be there."

John nodded.

He would find the person that took his brother.

And he would use his skills to make sure no one would ever repeat that mistake.