I don't really know when I started considering my life to be just one long tally of whom owes whom. But by the time I was thirteen, I realized that life was just a survival game.
The factions were no more than different versions of that game - different rules. Certain preparations during initiation, and then the same game for the rest of eternity.
The question was which game did I want to play?
Which rules was I willing to follow?
Which preparation did I need - did I want - to help me survive the game?
To come out on top of it all.