Darius had watched everything play out from the fourth floor of the mage tower. Xela who stood beside him sighed on behalf of the kids.
Their little plan had been obvious to anyone even if they didn't use their Mind Power, nevertheless Xela had been rooting for them. She had hoped that Gunner would humor them, at least allowing them to demonstrate their entire strategy, even if it would be too much a request for the half-giant to let them win.
Alas, Gunner had been as brutal as ever, crushing their hopes before they ever really got the chance to show off.
"Is this really okay? Aren't you worried that taking loss after loss will leave them disheartened?" Xela asked uncertainly.
Darius nodded with a slight smile. "I'm actually counting on that."
Xela gave Darius a glance askance, wondering what her scheming Master was cooking up this time. Noticing Xela's look, Darius chuckled and offered her some insight into his plans.