The Chessboard rose between them like a floating battlefield. It was not common wood or stone, but a construct forged directly from a Law.
Lucien immediately sensed it.
A pulse. It was soft, greedy, and deliberate.
The board drew a fragment of energy from both players.
Lucien was surprised. He turned his head left and right. The good thing was that no one seemed to notice his divine energy.
After the board drank energy from the two players, a change occured.
Lines of runes ignited. Each square shimmered faintly.
And then...
...the pieces awakened.
— The pawns became armored spirits exuding faint killing intent
— The rooks were like mini fortresses
— The knights coiled with spatial energy
— The bishops radiated shifting light
— The queens emanated sovereign majesty
— The kings radiated dormant calamity
Lucien's army glowed gold.
The scholar's army pulsed crimson.
When the board stabilized, a hush fell across the plaza.
