Of course, he should have guessed ages back, a strange name, the only reason he'd remembered it specifically instead of just the vague emotional flavour of Johnny's past traumas. Foolish of him to play that, and not within the rules either, not as Zagreus thinks. But isn't that always the way, the rules are never as universally understood and obeyed as he thinks, when will he finally manage to murder and bury that dogged naivety. It could have been a good strategy, if questionable, but he just had to pick something meaningful, even if it meant losing. Well, at least that Zagreus understands. It's almost comforting.

"Your mother's name. Pelafina, was it?" he says it sourly, even though it should be a victory. The chimaera is a statue, awaiting some silent instruction from its other half, motionless except for a heat shimmer that doesn't belong to this sun. "How about another game." It's not a question, and Zagreus doesn't think he needs to specify what will happen if Johnny refuses. "Best of three. I get to be the executioner this time." So much for taking the high road.