Turned to statues... [ ah that is a bit of an inconvenience, although in a brief swell of self pity Viktor wonders if he's better off as one of them littering this place. ] Gambling? Of a fashion.

[ His eyebrows knit in consternation as Keita continues. There's a flicker of color in his eyes, colors of deep blue and red, sadness and anger. ]

From what you've described, I'd imagine this House, whatever sort of entity it may be, wouldn't let the winners go free regardless. [ An entity that feeds off its hosts like a parasite. Viktor winces, visibly, as he closes his eyes and brings metallic fingers up to his temple with the sudden throb of pain. Flashes of the hexcore, the people he turned, all flicker through his consciousness. The Herald is the final vision that makes him let out a sharp gasp before his eyes open again. A bit of sweat on his brow as he looks away at his hand, shaking ever so slightly, but he regains his composure quickly enough. ]

Thank you for your honesty and answers, it's been...illuminating to say the least.