The child's voice emerged as barely a whisper.
"What if we lose everything, then is winning even worth it?"
The black-haired boy's lips curved slightly, something that wasn't quite a smile appearing.
"Maybe not for the usual games, where victory just means one side gets more than the other..."
His other hand rose, settling on the child's other shoulder so they faced each other directly.
"But in this one? Definitely."
His black eyes blazed brighter.
"After all, when the last move of our game is played, when we finally hold all the power that exists..."
His voice became harder, carrying conviction.
"We will get back everything we lost!"
The implications sat heavy between them, unspoken but understood.
The child's breathing slowed fractionally, his eyes finding the black-haired boy's face.
"The only price we need to pay..."
The black-haired boy's grip became gentle, almost tender.
"Is our pond in exchange for the ocean of our loved ones."
