its hinted at that the Prison may very well be intended for guardians just as much as its residents. Variks gives the denizens alot of advantages to test guardians, like mines and what-not. Skolas having an edge fortifies this possibility. its also hinted at that variks would like to have a position of power, as he ultimately values self-preservation above all else. in the xur-released-skolas grimoire it states that Skolas is capable of feeling remorse, regret, and penance, as well as having fear of something greater, so couldnt he be capable of cutting a last-ditch deal with variks? the prison is in the reef, the reef teeters on the edge of light and darkness, and when announcing it Variks sometimes says "you face the trial of Skolas." its not too farfetched to make these connections, yeeeeeeeeeeees? the "other games do it" is meant to be more of a cushioning argument, but your right, that is in of itself a fallacy.