“It’s the first law of magic: tamper with the source of life, the essence of self, only if prepared for the consequences of the most extreme and dangerous kind. It is similar to the Muggle physicist, Isaac Newton’s, third law of motion: for every action, there is an equal but opposite reaction. You see this best exemplified in a murderer’s soul being torn apart. It’s really not that hard to understand.”
“I think I follow,” Barbara mused, scooping up another spoon of ice cream from the tub and quietly savouring it as she perched on the counter. “Do you think you can ever reverse it, though? I mean, some people spend their whole lives trying to repent for their actions, and I’d like to believe, but… if your soul is actually TORN APART, then I don’t know. Have you ever studied that?“ She stayed quiet for a few moments, pondering another thought. “And does that rule always apply, or only when the intent is there? I mean, would you reach the same result if you intend to murder someone as when it’s done in self-defense?”
