The Game’s Conclusion

Silence persisted in the locker room for so long that the referee just quietly excused himself.

Asmodeus shot his son the closest thing to a hateful glare that he could muster.

He brushed past Abaddon roughly while making his way towards the tunnels.

His fingertips paused just shy of gripping the door and opening it.

"As your father, and not your general… I am asking you not to do anything stupid. For my sake, and the sake of your mothers."

Asmodeus left the locker room immediately after saying his piece and left Abaddon and Ayaana among the field of sleeping teammates.

The wives glanced at their husband out of the corner of their eye, uncertain of how exactly he was feeling.

They gingerly pushed his hair out of his line of sight and spoke to him much more softly than normal.

"Honey… are we still sure that we're doing the right thing..?"

Abaddon's resolve didn't waver.