Ice carried the boys one in each arm down the hallway. Riot snored softly, already lost to sleep. Stuart blinked awake as Ice tossed them onto the bed.
"Hey…" Stuart mumbled before drifting off again. Ice chuckled. "Brats." He stepped out, the hallway quiet behind him.
In the kitchen, a bottle of brandy caught his eye. Dusty. Elegant. Forgotten.
"Man… brandy. Haven't had a drink in years." A voice behind him: "Would you like me to pour you a glass, sir?"
Ice turned. Albert stood there, calm and composed. "I used to have a glass or two before the world flipped," Ice said.
Albert nodded. "Then allow me to share something special. This brandy was made exclusively for royalty. Never sold. Never traded."
Ice followed him into the study. Two Victorian chairs waited crafted for comfort and conversation. Albert poured two glasses. Three ice cubes each.
"Cheers," he said, handing one to Ice. Ice paused. Ice gave a nod and they drank.
Albert set his glass down. "Have you thought about the future, Mr. Ice?" Ice exhaled. "The future? I'm just trying to survive the present."
Albert nodded. "Understandable. But if you win this war… what then?" Ice took another sip. "Honestly? I haven't thought about it."
Albert leaned forward. "The more powerful you become, the more possible victory becomes. It's still a long shot but it's not impossible."
Ice smiled, eyes distant. "Before the world flipped, I'd have agreed. I believed in odds. But I've seen humanity break. I've seen its sins. And yet…"
He paused.
"…through all this hell, a few people changed my mind. Blaze, Ace, Thomas. Luke. Sophie. Even the brats. They don't know it, but they inspire me. They remind me that odds can plant doubt but hope plants fire."
Albert listened, silent and respectful.
"I've seen the power of humanity," Ice continued. "Community. Will. The drive to live. These days, I don't listen to odds. I listen to the beat of victory."
Albert raised his glass. "To you, Mr. Ice. And to all the heroes." Ice lifted his own. "For humanity." They tapped glasses and drank deep.