Wura
The match began.
On the left flank of the great circle, an enemy archer moved one step counterclockwise, stopping right beside their own archer. For now, nothing happened.
— We need to think through our next move, Nath said calmly.
But Ru didn't wait. He moved without consulting anyone, advancing in the opposite direction from the enemy. He stopped exactly one square away from the opposing swordsman. If a priest hadn't been standing just behind that enemy, Ru could have struck a decisive Impact.
— Why did you move on your own?! Wura protested. Nath said we had to think!
— Too late for long debates, Ru shot back. It's in the rules, one minute per turn. After that, the turn passes. Talk too much, and we're done for.
— But Nath has the best overview of the field!
— Exactly. He overthinks. And you clearly have no experience with this kind of game. If we want to win, let me take the lead.
— You want to take command and ignore us? Wura growled.
— Because I know what I'm doing, Ru said bluntly.
The next turn came. The enemy's left archer stepped back and fired a golden arrow. It hit their own archer square in the chest. The statue shattered into a cloud of glittering dust.
Pull.
A piece lost, and it was only the beginning.
— Nice work, genius…Wura muttered.
***
Ru
Ru ignored the jab. Sacrifices were inevitable.
— Nath, move along your radial line, he ordered.
Silence.
Nath stood still, eyes unfocused, as if staring at something invisible. A faint white glow shimmered in his gaze.
— Nath! Ru barked, irritation rising. Move, damn it!
Still nothing.
Ru was boiling inside. If he hadn't been confined to his circle, he would've shaken him himself. But he had to act. If Nath wouldn't move, maybe the right swordsman could turn things around.
— Right swordsman, adv… he began.
— No, Ru! Nath cut in.
— Too late, I've changed plans!
Ru gave the order. A red column of light erupted around the swordsman. Frozen. Time's up.
Ru froze too, eyes wide. He hadn't even realized the minute had passed. The glare he shot at Nath could have burned a hole through stone.
If he lost this trial, he'd never become a Black Warrior. He'd always thought it would be a mere formality, but he hadn't expected to entrust his fate to strangers.
He swallowed his anger. For now.
Across the arena, the enemy priest took a step toward the center. The Sanctuary was now only one square away. Their opponents exchanged smug smiles.
When their turn came, Ru didn't move, too bitter to act.
Nath, however, stepped forward calmly. Now the two priests stood face to face, right beside the Sanctuary.
— Forgive me, Nath said softly, smiling faintly. But they had to make the first move.
— What?! Ru choked out.
— You mean… you skipped our turn on purpose? Wura gasped.
Nath nodded serenely.
— Since the start, I've simulated over fifteen possible scenarios. The best outcome was this one. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner.
Ru stood speechless. He didn't regret getting angry, but knowing Nath had planned fifteen turns ahead left him stunned.
— Nath…Wura breathed, eyes shining.You're a genius!
Then she burst into laughter, bright, crystalline laughter that echoed through the hall.
***
Wura
The enemy's right swordsman moved clockwise, drew his blade, and brought it down on their own swordsman. The statue shattered cleanly before dissolving into golden dust. Nath's advanced position had allowed the Impact.
— Sorry about that…he murmured.
— You're going to apologize for every piece we lose? Ru grumbled, not taking his eyes off the board.
Their allied archer, the one on Wura's right, stepped forward, taking the fallen swordsman's place. Across the field, the enemy's left archer, the same one who had fired the first shot, continued his counterclockwise advance.
On the middle ring, their own right archer moved clockwise, aligning himself with Nath and Wura. There, he pulled the enemy's right warrior, who collapsed in a burst of golden light.
— Beautiful! Wura exclaimed, heart racing.
But the euphoria didn't last. The enemy's left archer moved again, right next to her. One backward step, and he could pull her. She'd be eliminated, and the game would be over.
— I can step back and pull him, she offered hesitantly.
— Bad idea, Nath replied calmly. If you do that, you open the Sanctuary for their priest. And once he enters, we can't predict what he'll do. Better not tempt fate.
Wura met Nath's eyes. He gave her a serene smile, inviting her trust. She nodded back, comforted.
Nath stepped into the Sanctuary. A blue interface appeared before him, showing the spells he could now cast.
— Level One Paralysis on the left archer, he announced.
The enemy piece froze instantly, immobilized for one turn.
But the enemy countered. Their left swordsman, another Initiate, moved along his radial line, reached the Sanctuary, and unleashed a burst of energy. The wave hurled Nath out of the board, far beyond the three circles. His body dissolved into white light.
Wura screamed.
— NATH!!
Her chest tightened; her throat felt dry. Was he…?
— He's not dead, Ru said, reading her thoughts. We'll see him when the match ends.
She nodded faintly, half relieved. But without Nath, the match had become far more dangerous. Three of their pieces gone, only one of the enemy's down. The left archer was still within striking range. The situation was dire.
Ru rubbed his face, frustrated.
— Ru, we have to switch! Wura shouted, panicking.
He turned his head slowly toward her. But this wasn't the time for ego. They were running on fumes.
— Fine, he admitted at last. But not with me.
— Why?! If we switch, their left swordsman will have to move into the Sanctuary, and then I can strike him next turn. It's our best shot!
— Only in appearance, Ru replied. If you kill him, their left archer can step back and pull me. That puts him on your line. And if you strike him after that, their priest will have a clear path to the Sanctuary. The danger isn't the immediate attack, it's the spell he might cast. If he grants their King two consecutive moves… we're finished.
Wura froze. He'd thought that far ahead?
She ended up switching places with their last archer, moving to the middle ring. The enemy's left swordsman entered the Sanctuary. He could have reached her, but the archer behind her blocked any Impact.
Ru, meanwhile, advanced straight ahead, reached the inner circle, and struck the enemy swordsman. One less enemy piece. The looming shadow over them finally began to fade.
But the enemy's left archer moved back clockwise, pulling their last archer in the process.
Panic surged again. After hope came the fall.
Ru didn't hesitate. He rushed clockwise and struck the enemy priest.
Now only two of them remained: Ru and Wura. Their opponents still had the King and two archers.
The enemy's right archer, who had remained still until now, advanced one step.
Ru moved into the space left by the fallen priest. Only one square separated him from the King. One strike, and it would be over, if the King didn't move.
But the opponents had other plans.
The King and the right archer switched positions.
— I figured, Ru muttered.
He could no longer reach the King. He turned instead toward the right archer, knowing it would cost him.
Wura screamed as Ru vanished. She was alone now, two enemies against one.
— You'll be fine, Ru's calm voice echoed faintly. Just stay focused.
But Wura was terrified. She bore the weight of her fallen teammates. She hadn't come here to prove herself, she'd come to turn her back on the occult world. If she failed, she'd drag them all down with her.
Her legs trembled, but she stood firm.
The enemy King stepped back. With a single motion, he pulled Ru.
Wura stifled a cry. They wanted to finish her quickly. The pressure was crushing.
Then she saw it, a breach.
She moved counterclockwise. A golden sword materialized in her hand. She struck without hesitation.
The blade pierced the enemy King clean through. He disintegrated instantly.
Wura exhaled the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
It was over.
She could hardly believe it.