false empathy | xvi

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On the afternoon of his departure, the boy bid farewell to his sheep and his house.

He was never going to come back, after all.

As he walked down the path, the raven was waiting by a rock.

"Are you ready?" it asked. "We must be quick. Time is running out."

The boy asked, "But where do I start?"

"That's easy. All you need to do is find these seven items:

Gluttony's knife.
Lust's ring.
Greed's coin.
Pride's crown.
Wrath's sword.
Envy's bead.
Sloth's wine.

Collect all this before the seventh day, and you will be able to live forever."

The boy nodded.

In its beak, the raven's pocket watch ticked dully, its lone arm running ever-backwards.

Tick. Tock.
Tick. Tock.
Tick. Tock.

He looked back one last time.

"Let's go."

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