The demon sighed. "Well, I'm certainly not going to kill you, dear. That would be such a waste. But why do you struggle so? Can't you see that this is the natural order of things, and your way is the futile aberration? More than three-quarters of this world follows the true path, yet you and yours continue to fight in vain. Look at yourself; you've gone through so much pain and ahrdship, denied yourself companionship and the comforts of the flesh, and for what? What has it gained you? A life of fear and seclusion, trapped in your mountaintop fortresses, terrified of the day when you'll join the rest of the world. What do you hope to do? Even if I let you go right now, what difference would it make?"