The dining hall fell silent, save for the distant laughter of the children outside. The raw, unfiltered anger of a woman ready to burn down the world for her family hung heavy in the air.
From the other side of the table, the old woman gently reached out.
"My child," the old woman spoke, her voice soft but carrying the immense weight of a seasoned matriarch. "We are not trying to stop you. We would never stop you. But you must remember... once this game officially starts, it will not end until one side is completely struck down. There is no middle ground."
Hearing her aunt's warning, the blazing fury in Grandma Marcuset's eyes slowly cooled into a chilling, absolute resolve. She looked down at the table, a self-deprecating, deeply dangerous smile forming on her lips.
"When was it ever going to stop, Aunt?" Grandma asked softly.
She looked back up, her eyes cold and steady.
