Damian's throat worked, trying to form words that refused to come.
His mind raced through implications, through questions that spiraled outward, through pieces that didn't fit together cleanly.
"Why?"
The question came out broken, desperate.
"Why not save everyone else too? Why just me when you could have–"
"Because in the game of chess..."
The Sage's interruption came gentle but absolute, his hand rising with the white mask held carefully.
"The goal of every player is to make sure their side wins."
His purple eyes tracked across Damian's face one final time, seeing that other person through him.
"But before they can truly win, before victory becomes possible at all..."
The mask moved closer, those white edges catching the dying light.
"They have to make sure to protect their king."
A pause that felt like the universe holding its breath.
"And you..."
His voice dropped to barely audible, carrying weight that pressed down on reality itself.
"Were always my king."
