“If you win, then you win for good,” she corrected, raising a brow slightly. She didn’t fully understand everything he was explaining, but she got the general idea. “Either you spend your life looking over your shoulder, or you pick this battle and end it. What’s the worst that can happen?”

_{looking over his shoulder was something that was akin to second nature. he may have made a name for himself by killing monsters who were ten times his size and more powerful. not to mention what deals he had made. all the same, he doubted he would ever win for good. it just wasn’t reality, “ten thousand years in chains,” he said bluntly. “that is if i lose by not placing my cards right.”}