Bloody Rose

Finale!

NOTE* Here it is! The time we have all been waiting for; the final challenge and final chapter of the Battle of the Minds arc. Hope you like it and Enjoy!

Chapter Thirty-two:

Battle of the Minds Finale! Pt 10.

CONAN POV

"So..." started Hattori as they walked, "I kind of get the second one, but I don't get the first one at all. Just what are the riddles talking about?"

"I must admit, I am curious as well", agreed Hakuba as placed his hand on Conan's head so he could speak to the shrunken detective.

"Me to", whispered Rinji as Conan's side.

"It's not really that hard to figure out. It's not even a real play on words this time. The riddles are merely describing something in a simplistic yet roundabout way. Let's look at the riddles again, shall we?" Conan said a she pulled the letters out of his pocket.

I come in many forms, many languages and many different versions of myself. I am something that never dies, never grows old or withers with time. I am something that expands and can be seen as one of the greatest treasures. I am universal, eternal, and ever changing. I am unobtainable at times, but nevertheless sought.

"Many forms of languages with different version. Something that can't actually die and can't growl old or wither. Something that expands and is considered a great treasure. Universal and eternal yet it can change. Unobtainable yet still sought. If there is any play on words here, it would be the word unobtainable. Obtainable means you can't actually ever have it. If we think this over again, what is that we truly seek yet can't ever fully have because it changes over time, is universally understood and can't ever die and comes in many different forms?"

"Um..." Rinji, Hakuba and Hattori were silent as they thought it over before Hakuba all at once gasped.

"It's knowledge!"

Conan grinned and nodded.

"Right, it is knowledge, the thing people consider the most valued thing in the entire world. Something that cannot be actually held like a possession that changes over time. When you really think about the words, it describes it perfectly, don't you think?"

"So what about the second one?" asked Rinji, still confused.

"Oh I know that one", muttered Hattori, "I mean think about it."

I am something that never ends, but never begins. I am forever and yet never. I am considered the thing most wasted yet the thing most wanted. I cannot be touched, heard, seen, tasted nor smelt and yet I am known by one and all. Those who have me, do not always use me. Those who gain me, rejoice but those who have lost me, grieve.

"Something that never ends and doesn't even begin. Forever yet never. The most sought after thing in existence and yet it's the most wasted. Even just those first few sentences were good enough hints. The answer is time."

"Right", agreed Conan, "Time and Knowledge, two of the universes biggest factors. Two things that are wanted the most but far out of reach, as they cannot be controlled, only used until we pass and they continue on past our deaths."

"I don't really see how those are connected though", Hakuba said as they continued walking, "how do you even know where we are going Kudo-kun?"

"Well, they..." he stopped when he noticed the look on Hattori's face and smirked.

"You figured it out Heiji?"

Hattori nodded with a smile. "You mind if I explain?"

"Go for it", the small detective said with a knowing grin.