Never Die (The Mortal Techniques)

by Rob J. Hayes

The difference between the rich and the powerful was always made so much clearer by walls. The rich hid behind them, the powerful tore them down.

"The truer test is to do nothing when called to action. Though the reward is often thankless. I will protect those in need of it, and leave the glory to those more suited to it.

There were monsters in the world, Cho knew that well enough, but none were nearly so monstrous as man.

Tomorrow is just more of yesterday.

"It takes a lifetime of evil to be a villain, and only one moment of good to be a hero."

Heroes were little more than fools waiting to find the one battle they couldn't win.

"For you cannot find yourself, if you do not first lose your way."

Every fight we enter is a risk. Perhaps I'll have a bad day. Perhaps I'm a little too tired and slower than normal. Perhaps my enemy knows how to counter every move I make. Life is a series of risks, Bingwei Ma.

She taught to me think three different ways at once. The past, for it is important to remember what has come before in order to see what may come again. The present, because one cannot make plans without first knowing what resources one has available. And the future, to know what one's opponent must do and when, and to position oneself to counter their every move.