"Who, or what, are we to turn to if the beliefs we have trusted to guide us prove to be false? What if everything we have put our faith in was nothing more than a collage of lies, an intricate web of deceit, and that we have all been mere fools to have been misguided by its vile logic? What if? What if? I guess, there isn't really much of an answer to that question, for the answer is obvious - we either place our beliefs in something or someone else, or, we do not believe in anything ever again.

Do old folks deserve the respect they so command in the people? So what if they have lived many years before us? Does it give them the right to command such respect from the younglings? True, they indeed have lived longer than us, but they have merely gained experience, not necessary knowledge. And experience, how vague that is! Of course, there are those who truly have experienced and learned much much more than others, and have gained a mountain of knowledge in life and perhaps their craft. Ironically, these are the ones who do not request that we give them much, and are as humble as us younglings. The respect that I feel for them comes so furiously that many a time i am forced to fight back a tear when i see them stride through the challenges that they face through the coming of age.

But many, oh so many, certainly do not deserve respect, and yet command it as though it were their birthright. We were taught to respect our elders, to listen to them, learn from them. But what if they are not always right? Are we to belive and follow their wrong ways in the face of respect? What if that elder had committed sins too grave and sick to even be forgiven? Are we to respect and care for these bastards just because they have lived their pathetic lives and are now old and weak?

If that is so, then perhaps respect is a double edged sword.

the only way I would approach this wicked blade would be to think before putting my respect in the wrong people."

- the avenger