"Not enough off my game to fall for that one," he smiles—and, indeed, it's just a little shadowed, and gone the next second. He traces a finger down Ren's cheek.

"We have people here who've taken on gods. Actual gods. Crow—I think you know we can't keep him out of the picture on this—was happy enough to tell everyone he's done two. Phoenix did Maruki, I believe, when he was in his god period. But by the sound of things, you think it won't be enough, and...."

He glares down at the carafe, looking pale again. "I'm inclined to agree."