The People with Knives

Taku sheltered from the blades and cudgels atop the Wisest Stone, who had little to fear except chipping and scratching.

"An interesting aspect of their philosophy," the Wisest Stone said, "is their belief that they are dead."

"Nihilism?" asked Taku, primarily feeling thankful that the mob was in short supply of missile weapons.

"Not quite. They hold that they have already died and thus come to this world, which they will never escape."

"A world of eternal violence," Taku mused. "Born into damnation."

"That is not their perspective," said the Wisest Stone, as the gleeful shouts from below redoubled.