Ven gave an easy laugh. He knew the difference in the spectrum between hope and despair, sure enough. There was no comparison. "That's true. I guess... that's what the city really needs right now, huh?" he mused. "I don't think we should lie to each other or anything, but -- if we focus on the bright side, then everyone else might, too."

Not that there was anything bright about war itself, but things could certainly have been worse. As he'd said before, the Heroes all had each other, friends and allies and fellow individuals who wanted to save this world. That was always something to be thankful for.