Morningstar

Wither watches as the door closes, leaving him alone. He looks at the chessboard. His stomach is turning. He is beginning to sweat. He takes a deep breath and sits in front of the chessboard. He lays the cane by the table’s leg.

“White player, your move,” Morning says through his earpiece.

Wither looks at the board. He remembers who is playing each piece. The fate of all of his team lays on his hands. He has to play and balance everyone’s lives. How can he do that? Zanna has won more games than Wither. She is better suited for this than him. Why would Icarus choose him instead of her? Is it because he cannot survive with a broken leg out there?

“White player,” Morning repeats. “Your move.”

“I know,” he answers, quite angry. He does not care if he is the lord of this place. This is Wither’s trial and he will play when he is ready. Morning places the rule, but Wither is the one who plays. He takes a deep breath. “Beta. Pawn to e4.”

“Pawn to e4,” Morning repeats as Wither moves the pawn on the chessboard that represents Beta.

“On it,” he hears Beta say.

Wither waits for Kline’s move, but he never talks. “Pawn to e7,” Morning speaks. Wither gets why. He cannot hear Kline nor anyone from Malefic. Morning serves as the bridge between them. That means that Wither nor Kline can hear whenever they talk to anyone on their team. That makes Wither feel a lot calmer.

Wither moves the black pawn that Kline moved. “Zanna,” he says. “Pawn to f3.” That way he can have Icarus, who is the king, open for an escape.

“Knight to d8,” Morning says for Kline. Wither moves the knight that Kline chose. What is he planning?

“Moneo,” Wither says.

“Here,” Moneo answers.

“Knight to g3,” Wither says and moves the knight that represents Moneo.

It does not take a second before Morning says, “Bishop to i5.” Wither moves the black bishop. He places it on the board. The bishop is now threatening Moneo. Is Kline playing aggressively?

“Moneo, can you take the bishop if it attacks you?” Wither asks.

“I don’t think so,” Moneo says. “The bishop is Rai.”

“Shit,” Wither swears. Rai is one of the best warriors at Morningstar, along with Odon and Tulle. Even Slier and East say that they are too strong. Wither knows that he has to move Moneo or else, she will kill him on the next move.

“Move me,” Tilray says. “Move me two steps and I can threaten her. She won’t let the opportunity of killing me pass by. I can take her.”

“But what if she does not fall for it?” Wither asks. “What if she wants Moneo?”

“I can hold her off,” Moneo says. “But you will have to move me away from her on the next turn.”

Wither thinks for a second. “All right,” he says. “Tilray, pawn to j4.”

“Yes!” Tilray celebrates as Morning repeats the move.

“Pawn to g7,” Morning says.

“What?” Wither asks as he moves the black pawn that is in front of the other black bishop. He did not move Rai, who is the other bishop. What is Kline planning?”

“Now, let me at Rai!” Tilray says.

“No,” Wither says. “I need to move Moneo away before Kline changes his mind of attacking him.” He scans the board and the black bishop’s range. “If I move Moneo, that would leave Slier wide opened for an attack from Rai.”

“Do it,” Slier answers. “I can take her.” Wither thinks for second, but then remembers that Slier is the queen, which means that she has her own weapon. The fact that she has her own weapon, makes Wither confident of Slier’s abilities.

“Knight to h5,” he says.

“Thanks,” Moneo answers as Wither moves his piece.

“Bishop to e1,” Morning says. Wither was right. Kline would force a battle between Rai and Slier. He hopes that Slier can kill her.

“What do I do now?” Wither asks, indicating the question to Morning. “Do I wait until the fight is over to move or keep playing?”

“Keep playing,” Morning says. “You can make her retreat from the fight or move another chess piece.” Wither looks at the board. He thinks about moving Slier, but she said that she can take Rai. He only hopes that she is right. He opens his mouth to say the next move, but Morning speaks again. “The white queen has slayed the black bishop.”

Wither smiles, even though another life has been brought to an end. Slier has killed Rai. Slier has won the fight. It sends a boost of confidence in him. Maybe he will win the trial after all.

***

East is standing on a white square. The chessboard is inside a pit. He can see the walls around him. He does not see the other team, because the squares are around five yards wide and five yards long. He can see Icarus at his left without any weapon. He only has his arms crossed. He is not afraid of Icarus not having a weapon. East knows that he can take on anyone without it.

At East’s right, he has an empty space where Moneo was, but after that square, he can see the figure of Norm. In front of him is Hakea, holding his spear. East wants to join the battle. He does not want anyone of his team to die.

“We are going offensive,” Wither says. East nods, even though Wither cannot see him. That’s what they need to do to win. “East, bishop to c5.” East smiles. He runs diagonally several white squares until he spots the one marked c5. “You should be targeting a pawn two squares away.”

“That’s correct,” East says.

“Kline moved knight to g8, protecting the pawn that you are targeting, East,” Wither says. “Who is the knight? Can you see it?”

“No,” East answers.

“Should I risk you?” Wither asks.

“Yes,” East says. He can take anyone.

“Bishop to e7,” Wither says.

East moves, running towards the square where the enemy pawn is. He does not recognize the man standing on it. That is better for him. Killing someone that he knows is worst. He throws his spears as he approaches at the person that is playing the role of a pawn. The pawn moves to the side, but East is already slicing his katana. The pawn’s head rolls off his body.

“The white bishop has slayed the black pawn,” East hears Morning say as he picks up the spear.

“The knight is moving at your square, East,” Wither says. “Be careful.”

East looks around. He finds someone moving through squares. He has black hair and green eyes. He is a little smaller than East, but East knows that he is as strong as him. He is Odon, one of the people that East did not want to face.

East drops his spear and pulls out his other katana. Odon does not attack until he reaches the square where East is.

“I hoped it did not come to this,” Odon says. He takes a bow. He has always been well mannered. “May the best warrior win.”

He jumps towards East. East holds his ground, calculating Odon’s moves. Odon strikes his sword from the side. East places his katanas in front of him, blocking it. And that’s when East knows that the dance begins. He does not think. There is no time to think. He only moves, blocking and swinging as fast as he can. He twirls, he docks, he jumps, but most importantly, he tries to stay alive.

East takes a deep breath in one huge blow from Odon. Odon knows how East fights. He needs to do something that he will not expect. He acts before thinking. He throws his katanas at Odon. Odon rises his shield to block them on the air and redirect them elsewhere. East slips behind him. He wraps his arm around Odon’s neck and the other around his head. Odon drops his sword and tries to force East’s arms away. East turns Odon’s head with all of his might until he hears a pop.

***

“White bishop has slayed black knight,” Morning sounds through the earpiece.

Another one gone. Zanna is standing two squares away from Icarus. She turns to catch a glimpse of him. He is standing with his arms under his cloak and with his hood on. He has not spoken on the whole trial. Is he trusting them or testing them? She cannot figure out his true intentions.

“Are you all right, East?” Wither asks.

“Keep playing, Wither,” East answers.

“I am going to retreat you one square,” Wither says. “You need rest. Bishop to d6.”

Zanna waits for Morning to say the next move. “Pawn to h7,” Morning says.

It takes almost a minute for Wither to speak, “Phoenix, we’ll use you as distraction. Pawn to a4.”

“At least something,” Phoenix says. Zanna tries to look at the left towards Phoenix, but she is by the end of the board. She will never see her.

“Bishop to j7,” Morning says.

“Um,” Moneo says through the earpiece. “The bishop is Heigl. I can take him on. Make him pay for what he did to Kobo.”

“I…” Wither begins. “I had another plan for you, but if I move you, Zanna will be exposed to an attack from Heigl.”

“Do it,” Zanna says.

“No,” Wither says.

“I can hold my ground, Wither,” Zanna says.

“No,” Wither repeats.

“Trust me,” Zanna says.

It takes a second, but she hears Wither sigh. “Knight to g7.”

“Time to take a pawn,” Moneo says. Zanna wishes to see what is going on, but she can’t.

“Bishop to f3,” Morning says.

Zanna rises her spear. Here he comes. She watches a man running towards her, who she guesses is Heigl. He has a spear in his hands, and she can see the ends of the katanas behind his back. When he arrives, he stabs his spear. Zanna moves, but he is already swinging with a katana. Zanna docks while he moves again his spear.

“White knight has slayed black pawn,” Morning says.

“Wither!” Zanna yells. She cannot hold much longer. She only has one weak spear and Heigl has a metallic spear and two katanas. This is a battle that she cannot win.

“Pawn to f4,” Wither says. Zanna docks as Heigl swings with his spear. She rolls away and stands up quickly to the next square where Wither told her to move. When she is close, she jumps, evading a slash from Heigl’s katana. She lands on the floor hard, but safe.

She sits up and catches her breath. “Thank you,” she tells Wither.

She only hears him release a sigh of relief.

***

“Let me at him,” Fey says. “Let me at Heigl. He will pay.” She can see that she is two diagonal squares away from him.

“It is not my move,” Wither says.

“Pawn to a7,” Morning says.

“Why is he doing that?” Phoenix asks.

“I was targeting that pawn,” East answers.

“Ah,” Phoenix says.

“Let me at him, Wither,” Fey repeats as she holds her spear.

“I–” Wither begins.

“Wither,” Fey warns.

“Fine,” Wither says. “Bishop to f3.”

Fey is already running. She watches Heigl hold his spear in one hand and one of his katanas on the other. She does not need no katana. Her weapon of choice is always a staff. She can use this spear as one.

Heigl laughs. “Kobo’s defender to the rescue,” he says. “Kobo will be so devastated once you are gone.”

Fey does not answer. She swings her spear like a staff. He blocks with his own spear and swings quickly with his katana, but Fey is already pushing the other end of her spear up. His katana is sent flying. He looks back for a second to grab his other katana, and Fey knows that that is his error. She jumps and stabs her spear on his chest. She falls on top of him. She twists her spear, watching his eyes stop from glowing.

She will kill anyone that messes with Kobo.

***

Moneo is standing with his shield and blood-stained sword. He is standing on a square with a dead body near him. It was the body of a woman. He does not look at it. He does not want to feel something. This is war and it was either her or him.

“Castled kingside,” Morning says.

“Shit,” Moneo whispers. He sees the rook stop three squares away from him. The rook is none other than Zarf, another one of Kobo’s bully, and he is threatening Moneo.

“I can move you, Moneo,” Wither says.

“No,” Moneo says. “This one is mine. Leave me here.”

Wither does not answer. “Pawn to i4,” he says. That means that he let Moneo on the same place.

“Rook to g7,” is Kline’s move.

Moneo rises his sword and shield when he sees Zarf making his way towards him. Zarf holds his double-sided hammer with both hands. “I wanted Kobo, but you will do,” Zarf says.

“I wanted all of you, but you might be enough to send the message,” Moneo says.

“And what is that?” Zarf asks.

“That you do not mess with my best friend,” Moneo says and runs towards Zarf.

***

“I have a plan,” Wither says.

“And what is that?” Tilray asks. “Would you finally let me play?”

“I haven’t played either,” Killam answers.

“At least you moved, Tilray,” Shin says.

“Shut up!” Wither shouts.

Kobo flinches at the sudden outburst. He is worried about Moneo. He is facing Zarf, one of Kobo’s bully. He does not want his best friend to die because of him. He needs to do something. He cannot let anyone risk his life for him.

“White knight has slayed black rook,” Morning announces.

Moneo sighs. “Well, that was a little hard.” Kobo smiles as he feels his shoulder loosen again. He should have known that Moneo could win against Zarf.

“My plan consists of Rin and Tilray,” Wither says. “Rin, pawn to i5.”

“Knight to b7,” Morning says fast. Kline did not hesitate on making a move.

“He is targeting you, East,” Wither says.

“Can he leave me alone?” East asks.

“Who is the knight?” Wither asks.

“Miles,” East answers. Kobo’s chest compresses. Another one of his bullies.

“East, bishop to –”

“No,” Kobo interrupts. “Move me two squares.”

“But why?” Wither asks. “That will put you on the range of Miles.”

Kobo nods and then remembers that Wither cannot see him. “Miles will persuade Kline to attack me instead of East. I can take him.”

“But you have a weak spear,” Wither says. “Are you sure that you can take him?”

“Yes,” Kobo answers.

Wither sighs. “I am making too many risks today,” he says. “Pawn to c5.”

Kobo moves two squares. He waits for a few seconds. He has placed the bait. Now, the only thing that matters is if Miles falls for it. “Knight to c5,” Morning announces.

Miles moves to the square of Kobo. He smiles. “Hello, beastie,” he says. “Finally going to give in and become the animal that you are?”

Kobo swings his spear. Miles rises his sword. The sword cuts through the middle of the spear. He swings again the sword as Kobo lets go of his broken spear. Kobo jumps back. Miles swings again and again while Kobo keeps on jumping and rolling.

“What’s the matter?” Miles asks without stopping his attacks. “Is the animal afraid of the butcher?”

Kobo snarls. “If you want to see the beast, then fine. The beast will meet you.”

Kobo runs towards him. Miles slashes his sword. Kobo docks, evading the swing. He quickly stands up and bites Miles’s swinging arm. Miles screams as he lets go of the sword. Kobo body slams him. They both fall. Kobo looks at Miles’s scared eyes.

“What are you?” Miles asks. Kobo bites down on his neck.

***

Rin sees that Tilray is near her. She now knows that Wither is planning something with her and Tilray. They need to work together.

“White pawn has slayed black knight,” Morning says. Rin smiles. It looks like Kobo has taken her advice and stood up to his problems.

“East, bishop to a9,” Wither says. “It is time to play aggressive so threaten that rook.”

“On it,” East says.

“Queen to e6,” Morning says. Kline must be playing aggressively too.

“The queen is Tulle,” Beta says.

“Oh, no,” Rin whispers. Why didn’t she notice it before? Tulle is from the trio of Odon and Rai. She is one of the strongest warriors ever. It was obvious that she is the queen.

“She is threatening Beta and Lexan,” Wither says. “I can move one of you, but…” He trails off.

“Trust your instincts, Wither,” Lexan says.

“That is what Yenta would say…” Wither says. Rin wonders who Yenta is. “We’ll stay to the plan. Tilray, pawn to j5.”

“Finally,” Tilray says. She stops next to Rin. “Hello, looser.”

“Is that the best that you can think of?” Rin asks. Tilray rolls her eyes.

“Pawn to i7,” Morning says. Rin sees someone stand two squares away from her.

“He is not moving the queen,” Wither says. “Pawn to i6.” Rin moves to stand up in front of the other team’s pawn.

“Pawn to j7,” Morning says. Rin sees that a pawn is within her attacking range.

“Rin, attack,” Wither says. “Pawn to j7.”

“Gladly,” Rin says and heads to attack the pawn.

***

Icarus continues to be silent. Wither has played this game nicely. Everyone has handled their battles perfectly. What makes Icarus glad is that he has not spoken on the whole trial. They are handling the trial on their owns, and they are doing it correctly. They are finally a team.

“White pawn has slayed black pawn,” Morning says. Rin has killed the pawn. “Pawn to i6.”

“Tilray, attack that pawn,” Wither says. “Pawn to i6.”

“Finally, some action,” Tilray says. Icarus waits a few seconds.

“White pawn has slayed black pawn,” Morning says. Icarus knows that Tilray is a great warrior. He also knows that telling her will only rise her ego. “Queen to d5.”

Icarus has the chessboard memorized in his mind. The queen has just moved from e6 to d5. She is no longer threatening Lexan. She is now threatening Beta, Shin, and Kobo. Icarus knows what Kline is doing. He wants Tulle, the queen, to kill Icarus. Icarus trusts Wither, and he knows that he will continue with his plan. Icarus can defend himself, even if he has no weapons.

“Pawn to i7,” Wither says. That means that Tilray moves one step up, closer to the black king.

“Queen to d3,” Morning says. “Check.” The queen, Tulle, is threatening Icarus.

“Slier, defend Icarus,” Wither says. “Queen to e2.” Slier moves between Tulle and Icarus. Kline now will have to think twice before attacking Slier.

“Rook to e10,” Morning says. Kline is looking to make a checkmate instead of fighting Icarus.

“Beta, can you hold for a few turns against the rook that is threatening you?” Wither asks.

“Hold on, yes,” Beta says. “I do not think that I can kill her.”

“I just need you to hold for two turns,” Wither says. “Tilray, pawn to i8.” He wants to finish this game before Kline can.

“Rook to e4,” Morning says. Rook to face Beta.

***

“Who is the rook?” Wither asks. Tilray swings her spear like a baton. She is bored.

“Kimber,” Beta says. “She is one of Heigl’s crew. I can hold her off for two turns.”

“Perfect,” Wither says. “Tilray, win for us. Pawn to i9.”

“Yes!” Tilray says as she moves. She watches that she has a pawn diagonally to the right and the king diagonally to the left.

“Morning, question,” she hears Kline say. “Can I attack with my king to the pawn that is threatening him?”

“You can,” Morning says. “Take in mind that your king has no weapons. That means that he would be in a disadvantage. If the pawn kills him, you lose the trial.” Tilray smiles. Let him bring the king. She can take him.

“King to i10,” Kline this time says his move. The king blocks the last square from Tilray. It is the square where she can become queen.

“Tilray, pawn to j10,” Wither says.

“Perfect,” Tilray says. She moves to the pawn that is diagonally from her. The pawn rises his spear but Tilray has already launched her spear. It stabs the pawn on his chest. He falls, dead. Tilray has made it to the end of the board alive.

“The pawn becomes queen,” Wither says. Tilray sees from the sky her shotgun fall. She catches it. She lets go of the spear. She is ready to win this trial.

“The trial is over,” Morning says.

“What?” Kline says. “It is not over. I can still play.”

“You have four free spaces where the king can move,” Morning says. “In three of those spaces, the white queen can target you, and in the other the white knight can target you.” Tilray looks around. Moneo is a few squares away. “You can try and make the king take on the white queen, but he will not win. The trial is over. Draconic has won.”

Tilray hears her teammates scream in joy. None of them died. Everyone remained alive. Even Beta resisted the fight with Kimber until now.

“Now, Draconic, you may kill everyone from the Malefic team,” Morning says.

Tilray loads her shotgun. Morning did not give them an option. They won the game, but not the trial. Killing everyone from Malefic is part of the trial. She points her gun at the king. This trial is hers. She fires at him.