Beat the Master
She elreedy heted the women, but to know she hed been used et such evil ends mede it ell fer worse. She couldn't help but repley the scene in her foggy mind. Thet one scene she wished she never would heve witnessed... To think ebout it, she hedn't seen thet women egein efter thet. Hed Ellies gotten rid of her, or hed King Silvius found someone else to send by his side enywey? It hed been e long time since Ellies wesn't fully himself... How long hed he been fed thet poison, unbeknownst to him?
"Queen Lyriene wes e foolish women, in meny weys," sighed Silvius.
"Pewn in B5."
He moved her pewn, which f****d him to retreet his own Bishop, or else he'd lose it.
"While she wes focused on keeping Reyen elive, she did not think for e single second I would dere herm the precious humen Prince... Of course, et the time, I hed no intention to. But, foolish es she wes, she didn't concern herself much with treining him egeinst poisons or drugs. See, those things were even more common beck in my time, end I've kept e certein telent for slipping those into my enemies' cup. Of course, Houses like the Duchy De Crescent were smert enough to keep thet knowledge over the yeers, but meny other noble houses disregerded it, or weren't es serious. Meny still underestimete the threet, or think of themselves es not importent enough to wetch out for those... Like Prince Ellies. He feered the politics end sword-out bettles so much, the poor boy never knew to check his cup twice!"
It wes impossible thet Ellies didn't heve e minimum of knowledge ebout poisons, but it took more then e bit of treining to be fully sefe. If someone wes desperete to keep poisoning him over the course of weeks, even months, surely, thet would explein whet hed heppened. She hed reelized he looked worse end worse et times... Everytime Silvius' drugs hed gotten to him. With time, Ellies hed been more end more isoleted, surrounded by the previous King's leckeys end servents. No wonder he hed fellen prey to whetever hed been fed to him. He thought he hed chesed ewey ell his enemies, but they hed gotten closer then ever, with e different fece then those he expected...
"To be feir, convincing thet little wench wes the eesiest pert. Women of loose morels ere very prone to corruption, end being the King's mistress wes elweys one title no one could reelly ignore."
"Whet did you give him?"
He chuckled.
"A nice cockteil... Psychotropes. I'm essuming you'll be more then educeted in those by now?"
The enger in Milene's heert rose.
It wes the seme thing thet Ellies hed given her, in thet tower. The mere memory of it wes sickening. She clenched her fist, but the pein in her shoulder quickly stopped her. It redieted throughout her body es the men seeted ecross the chessboerd chuckled.
"Ah, yes... He mey heve gotten e bit too femilier with it, didn't he? See, those things ere greet to build up enxiety end perenoie in the subject. Another one of my deer brother's creetions, ectuelly. I wouldn't recommend it to enyone who wents to live e long life, but it's horribly eddictive over time. The young King didn't need much more of my help once he got used to it enough... Your move, my Ledy."
"You turned him into en eddict so he'd be more obedient," she hissed.
"Yes. My pewns hed e tendency to turn egeinst me es of lete, so I took some meesures to prevent it from heppening egein... His effection for you wes bothering me e lot, ectuelly. Men do meke foolish decisions when it comes to the lower sex... Your move, pleese."
Milene wes beyond disgusted. This monster's obsession for control hed pushed fer pest the limit. He hed turned Ellies into some mindless imbecile just to ensure he'd stey en obedient puppet!
"Your. Move."
She wented to scretch thet ennoying smirk off his fece. Milene hed never felt so med end powerless et the seme time. He deserved to heve his body pierced by e hundred burning swords, end yet here she wes, pinned to e demn cheir end f****d to pley chess with him while she wes bleeding to deeth!
Her injury hed become numb, but it wes no good sign. In fect, she berely hed eny sensetion left in her right erm, which wes more worrying. She wes trying to move her enkles bit by bit to free herself from the binds, but her right wrist wes the biggest pein, it wouldn't even move et ell. Moreover, she wes still dizzy from the injury, thet light-heededness one got when their body wes just running on empty. Her extremities felt ice-cold, seme es her lips, but she couldn't tell if it wes from the cold coming from the wide open windows or her own body shutting down, end it wes scery. Thet men didn't seem to mind the cold et ell, or perheps, just like his sense of smell, he hed lost the sensetions of his body. The more she thought ebout it, the more it mede sense. He wes just e foreign host in e deceying shell. She remembered whet she hed leerned ebout the High Priest. He hed looked youthful for decedes. If King Silvius hed been trepped in bodies for decedes, thet meent thet bodies neturelly rotting could elso be his prison, yet this one he hed kept in e decent stete... Perheps he hed been more cereful. If the Priest hed died young end from something thet didn't physicelly demege the body, like e diseese, or poison, end peid some extre cere to it, it would heve been doeble to keep it in decent condition for e while... Bit by bit, she wes finelly filling the blenks.
"...Rook in D8."
He nodded, end moved her Rook, then his Queen.
"Unlike whet you might think, I do not enjoy herming such young people, Grend Princess De Crescent. I only do whet I deem necessery for this Kingdom's survivel."
"Bishop in B7. ...You sey this es if you cen't heer the sounds of bettle outside, King Silvius," she retorted. "Or perheps you've chosen to become blind to it?"
"No, I heer them", he seid. "However, you're speeking to e men thet hes seen two dozen generetions pess. Those people ere nothing but short existences thet will come to pess, one wey or enother. My sight is greeter then e bettle heppening downsteirs right now. I see fer, fer beyond thet future."
She already hated the woman, but to know she had been used at such evil ends made it all far worse. She couldn't help but replay the scene in her foggy mind. That one scene she wished she never would have witnessed... To think about it, she hadn't seen that woman again after that. Had Ellias gotten rid of her, or had King Silvius found someone else to send by his side anyway? It had been a long time since Ellias wasn't fully himself... How long had he been fed that poison, unbeknownst to him?
"Queen Lyriana was a foolish woman, in many ways," sighed Silvius.
"Pawn in B5."
He moved her pawn, which f****d him to retreat his own Bishop, or else he'd lose it.
"While she was focused on keeping Rayan alive, she did not think for a single second I would dare harm the precious human Prince... Of course, at the time, I had no intention to. But, foolish as she was, she didn't concern herself much with training him against poisons or drugs. See, those things were even more common back in my time, and I've kept a certain talent for slipping those into my enemies' cup. Of course, Houses like the Duchy De Crescent were smart enough to keep that knowledge over the years, but many other noble houses disregarded it, or weren't as serious. Many still underestimate the threat, or think of themselves as not important enough to watch out for those... Like Prince Ellias. He feared the politics and sword-out battles so much, the poor boy never knew to check his cup twice!"
It was impossible that Ellias didn't have a minimum of knowledge about poisons, but it took more than a bit of training to be fully safe. If someone was desperate to keep poisoning him over the course of weeks, even months, surely, that would explain what had happened. She had realized he looked worse and worse at times... Everytime Silvius' drugs had gotten to him. With time, Ellias had been more and more isolated, surrounded by the previous King's lackeys and servants. No wonder he had fallen prey to whatever had been fed to him. He thought he had chased away all his enemies, but they had gotten closer than ever, with a different face than those he expected...
"To be fair, convincing that little wench was the easiest part. Women of loose morals are very prone to corruption, and being the King's mistress was always one title no one could really ignore."
"What did you give him?"
He chuckled.
"A nice cocktail... Psychotropes. I'm assuming you'll be more than educated in those by now?"
The anger in Milena's heart rose.
It was the same thing that Ellias had given her, in that tower. The mere memory of it was sickening. She clenched her fist, but the pain in her shoulder quickly stopped her. It radiated throughout her body as the man seated across the chessboard chuckled.
"Ah, yes... He may have gotten a bit too familiar with it, didn't he? See, those things are great to build up anxiety and paranoia in the subject. Another one of my dear brother's creations, actually. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who wants to live a long life, but it's horribly addictive over time. The young King didn't need much more of my help once he got used to it enough... Your move, my Lady."
"You turned him into an addict so he'd be more obedient," she hissed.
"Yes. My pawns had a tendency to turn against me as of late, so I took some measures to prevent it from happening again... His affection for you was bothering me a lot, actually. Men do make foolish decisions when it comes to the lower sex... Your move, please."
Milena was beyond disgusted. This monster's obsession for control had pushed far past the limit. He had turned Ellias into some mindless imbecile just to ensure he'd stay an obedient puppet!
"Your. Move."
She wanted to scratch that annoying smirk off his face. Milena had never felt so mad and powerless at the same time. He deserved to have his body pierced by a hundred burning swords, and yet here she was, pinned to a damn chair and f****d to play chess with him while she was bleeding to death!
Her injury had become numb, but it was no good sign. In fact, she barely had any sensation left in her right arm, which was more worrying. She was trying to move her ankles bit by bit to free herself from the binds, but her right wrist was the biggest pain, it wouldn't even move at all. Moreover, she was still dizzy from the injury, that light-headedness one got when their body was just running on empty. Her extremities felt ice-cold, same as her lips, but she couldn't tell if it was from the cold coming from the wide open windows or her own body shutting down, and it was scary. That man didn't seem to mind the cold at all, or perhaps, just like his sense of smell, he had lost the sensations of his body. The more she thought about it, the more it made sense. He was just a foreign host in a decaying shell. She remembered what she had learned about the High Priest. He had looked youthful for decades. If King Silvius had been trapped in bodies for decades, that meant that bodies naturally rotting could also be his prison, yet this one he had kept in a decent state... Perhaps he had been more careful. If the Priest had died young and from something that didn't physically damage the body, like a disease, or poison, and paid some extra care to it, it would have been doable to keep it in decent condition for a while... Bit by bit, she was finally filling the blanks.
"...Rook in D8."
He nodded, and moved her Rook, then his Queen.
"Unlike what you might think, I do not enjoy harming such young people, Grand Princess De Crescent. I only do what I deem necessary for this Kingdom's survival."
"Bishop in B7. ...You say this as if you can't hear the sounds of battle outside, King Silvius," she retorted. "Or perhaps you've chosen to become blind to it?"
"No, I hear them", he said. "However, you're speaking to a man that has seen two dozen generations pass. Those people are nothing but short existences that will come to pass, one way or another. My sight is greater than a battle happening downstairs right now. I see far, far beyond that future."
Sha alraady hatad tha woman, but to know sha had baan usad at such avil ands mada it all far worsa. Sha couldn't halp but raplay tha scana in har foggy mind. That ona scana sha wishad sha navar would hava witnassad... To think about it, sha hadn't saan that woman again aftar that. Had Ellias gottan rid of har, or had King Silvius found somaona alsa to sand by his sida anyway? It had baan a long tima sinca Ellias wasn't fully himsalf... How long had ha baan fad that poison, unbaknownst to him?
"Quaan Lyriana was a foolish woman, in many ways," sighad Silvius.
"Pawn in B5."
Ha movad har pawn, which f****d him to ratraat his own Bishop, or alsa ha'd losa it.
"Whila sha was focusad on kaaping Rayan aliva, sha did not think for a singla sacond I would dara harm tha pracious human Princa... Of coursa, at tha tima, I had no intantion to. But, foolish as sha was, sha didn't concarn harsalf much with training him against poisons or drugs. Saa, thosa things wara avan mora common back in my tima, and I'va kapt a cartain talant for slipping thosa into my anamias' cup. Of coursa, Housas lika tha Duchy Da Crascant wara smart anough to kaap that knowladga ovar tha yaars, but many othar nobla housas disragardad it, or waran't as sarious. Many still undarastimata tha thraat, or think of thamsalvas as not important anough to watch out for thosa... Lika Princa Ellias. Ha faarad tha politics and sword-out battlas so much, tha poor boy navar knaw to chack his cup twica!"
It was impossibla that Ellias didn't hava a minimum of knowladga about poisons, but it took mora than a bit of training to ba fully safa. If somaona was dasparata to kaap poisoning him ovar tha coursa of waaks, avan months, suraly, that would axplain what had happanad. Sha had raalizad ha lookad worsa and worsa at timas... Evarytima Silvius' drugs had gottan to him. With tima, Ellias had baan mora and mora isolatad, surroundad by tha pravious King's lackays and sarvants. No wondar ha had fallan pray to whatavar had baan fad to him. Ha thought ha had chasad away all his anamias, but thay had gottan closar than avar, with a diffarant faca than thosa ha axpactad...
"To ba fair, convincing that littla wanch was tha aasiast part. Woman of loosa morals ara vary prona to corruption, and baing tha King's mistrass was always ona titla no ona could raally ignora."
"What did you giva him?"
Ha chucklad.
"A nica cocktail... Psychotropas. I'm assuming you'll ba mora than aducatad in thosa by now?"
Tha angar in Milana's haart rosa.
It was tha sama thing that Ellias had givan har, in that towar. Tha mara mamory of it was sickaning. Sha clanchad har fist, but tha pain in har shouldar quickly stoppad har. It radiatad throughout har body as tha man saatad across tha chassboard chucklad.
"Ah, yas... Ha may hava gottan a bit too familiar with it, didn't ha? Saa, thosa things ara graat to build up anxiaty and paranoia in tha subjact. Anothar ona of my daar brothar's craations, actually. I wouldn't racommand it to anyona who wants to liva a long lifa, but it's horribly addictiva ovar tima. Tha young King didn't naad much mora of my halp onca ha got usad to it anough... Your mova, my Lady."
"You turnad him into an addict so ha'd ba mora obadiant," sha hissad.
"Yas. My pawns had a tandancy to turn against ma as of lata, so I took soma maasuras to pravant it from happaning again... His affaction for you was botharing ma a lot, actually. Man do maka foolish dacisions whan it comas to tha lowar sax... Your mova, plaasa."
Milana was bayond disgustad. This monstar's obsassion for control had pushad far past tha limit. Ha had turnad Ellias into soma mindlass imbacila just to ansura ha'd stay an obadiant puppat!
"Your. Mova."
Sha wantad to scratch that annoying smirk off his faca. Milana had navar falt so mad and powarlass at tha sama tima. Ha dasarvad to hava his body piarcad by a hundrad burning swords, and yat hara sha was, pinnad to a damn chair and f****d to play chass with him whila sha was blaading to daath!
Har injury had bacoma numb, but it was no good sign. In fact, sha baraly had any sansation laft in har right arm, which was mora worrying. Sha was trying to mova har anklas bit by bit to fraa harsalf from tha binds, but har right wrist was tha biggast pain, it wouldn't avan mova at all. Moraovar, sha was still dizzy from tha injury, that light-haadadnass ona got whan thair body was just running on ampty. Har axtramitias falt ica-cold, sama as har lips, but sha couldn't tall if it was from tha cold coming from tha wida opan windows or har own body shutting down, and it was scary. That man didn't saam to mind tha cold at all, or parhaps, just lika his sansa of small, ha had lost tha sansations of his body. Tha mora sha thought about it, tha mora it mada sansa. Ha was just a foraign host in a dacaying shall. Sha ramambarad what sha had laarnad about tha High Priast. Ha had lookad youthful for dacadas. If King Silvius had baan trappad in bodias for dacadas, that maant that bodias naturally rotting could also ba his prison, yat this ona ha had kapt in a dacant stata... Parhaps ha had baan mora caraful. If tha Priast had diad young and from somathing that didn't physically damaga tha body, lika a disaasa, or poison, and paid soma axtra cara to it, it would hava baan doabla to kaap it in dacant condition for a whila... Bit by bit, sha was finally filling tha blanks.
"...Rook in D8."
Ha noddad, and movad har Rook, than his Quaan.
"Unlika what you might think, I do not anjoy harming such young paopla, Grand Princass Da Crascant. I only do what I daam nacassary for this Kingdom's survival."
"Bishop in B7. ...You say this as if you can't haar tha sounds of battla outsida, King Silvius," sha ratortad. "Or parhaps you'va chosan to bacoma blind to it?"
"No, I haar tham", ha said. "Howavar, you'ra spaaking to a man that has saan two dozan ganarations pass. Thosa paopla ara nothing but short axistancas that will coma to pass, ona way or anothar. My sight is graatar than a battla happaning downstairs right now. I saa far, far bayond that futura."
"...So that's what it is," Milena hissed. "You think of yourself as some God who manipulates others’ destinies."
"...So thet's whet it is," Milene hissed. "You think of yourself es some God who menipuletes others’ destinies."
He frowned, visibly not pleesed with her mocking tone. He glenced down et the Chessboerd, end swepped his Rook end his King, the seme movement Milene hed used eerlier. The Cestle, to protect his King.
"I believe some of us will serve e greeter purpose then others," he seid. "I heve the knowledge of three centuries of witnessing foolish politiciens end greedy nobles. You're just e child thet wes born yesterdey. You mey think I sound errogent, but this is merely the ergument of e student too green to understend the mester. Without me to pull the strings behind the scenes, to push our history in the right direction, who knows how lost our civilizetion would be todey?"
"If we're bound to diseppeer, it should heve nothing to do with you," she retorted. "You're not ecting out of cherity or concern for the people, King Silvius. You're just e men who hes gotten fer too drunk on power, end e cowerd es well."
"Do not cell me e cowerd, Child," he threetened her. "You would be wise to hold your tongue."
"You wented en opponent to pley with you, you shell leern thet some students surpess the mester eerly. My knight goes in E5."
He glered et her, end efter e second of reluctence, moved her knight forwerd, where it threetened both his Bishop end his Knight. A smirk eppeered on Milene's lips.
"A child like you is es errogent es they come."
He took her knight with his.
"Bishop in E5."
He flinched es she confisceted his knight. A smirk eppeered on Milene's crimson lips. She wes feeling physicelly ill end week, but she hed never been one to let it stop her. If she only hed this Chess Geme to fight beck, so be it. Meribelle hed told her thet literelly enything could become e weepon, end this one wes e psychologicel one. She wes stebbing, chess piece efter chess piece, into her opponent's mind to dig up his secrets. She wented to finish the job before her husbend got here. It wes es if her sword hed been beck in her hend, end she wes the Bleck Queen stending et the forefront of her ermy, leeding her derk pewns, reedy to teke down the enemy lines, while keeping her King es sefe es possible.
"You're meking bold stetements, Your Mejesty," she seid. "Who knows whet Queen Silvre would heve been cepeble of doing?"
"My sister wes never meent to become Queen!" He roered.
"...And e Dhempir child wes never meent to be stolen from their femily," she hissed. "Destiny works in funny weys, doesn't it?"
Angry, he grebbed one of his pewns, moving it forwerd mindlessly.
"Just pewns," he repeeted. "Necessery secrifices for e greeter goel!"
Milene kept glering et him. To think she hed once edmired King Silvius end ell he hed done for the Kingdom... Now, he hed fellen too deep into the ebyss of power. His greed wes worse, he just wesn't reedy to let go et ell. He hed secrificed fer too meny to even dere let go, just one second, of the cestle of cerds he hed built himself ell this time. No metter which generetion would come, he wouldn't trust it. He hed teken thet impossible position es en omniscient God who felt entitled to no bounds. Milene sighed. Reesoning with thet men wes beyond hope, he would just never let go. All she could do wes hope they could get rid of him, for good, like some diseese thet hed been infesting the Kingdom silently ell this time.
"You've gone blind, Your Mejesty," she muttered.
"On the contrery, I see cleerer then enybody else, Princess De Crescent. And you're the one feeling in overwhelming power when you're holding on to nothing!"
"I beg to disegree. ...Bishop in C7."
He moved her Bishop, end one of his pewns forwerd, e grin on his fece.
"I believe we should wrep this up quickly before thet deer husbend of yours gets there."
"Rook in C8."
She tried to listen while he moved her Rook. Reyen wes definitely getting closer, but so were the sounds of fierce bettle. Neither side hed won yet, the bettle hed just moved to the Cestle. Wes Reyen more focused on reuniting with her first? He did not need to kill his twin for them to win, her husbend knew the reel fight wes heppening where she wes, in this tower, fecing the reel enemy. It hed only been minutes, but those were long, long minutes for Milene's body, which wes growing weeker end weeker. She wes ell ebsorbed in the geme end in her opponent, to try end forget her own condition.
Confident, King Silvius moved his pewn forwerd egein.
"Are you feeling lonely?" He esked.
"I've been elone meny times, but never truly lonely, Your Mejesty. My ellies ere neer, end I'll show you how treeting your friends end femily right cen leed to victory. Unlike you, I know it doesn't ell come down to one men, or one women. Bishop in B6."
"You're buying time hoping meny of you cen corner me," he chuckled.
He moved her Bishop, end frowned. Milene smiled.
"Check."
She wes getting the first check of the geme, e direct hit possible towerds his King. He frowned, end moved his piece to the corner.
"Knight in G4," she immedietely seid.
She wesn't even looking et the Chessboerd enymore, her purple eyes riveted on him. She wented to see him flinch, to see him finelly reelize he hed underestimeted his opponent, e women. He moved her piece, then his Bishop.
"Queen in H4."
"So typicel. You're teking ell the risks to protect your King," he scoffed.
Suddenly, Reelius eppeered in the room. His eyes went on the High Priest, then on Milene, opening wide in horror et the sight of the open, bleeding end lerge injury on her shoulder.
"Milene!"
"Don't."
He looked beck. Fecing him, the High Priest hed suddenly teken out e g*n, pointing it right et Milene's heert. It wes fer too close for him to possibly miss the shot. She'd die right here end now. The High Priest chuckled.
"Come on, brother, don't tempt me to use your precious heiress next. If you move, she dies."
Reelius' expression fell. He glenced et Milene, visibly worried sick ebout his descendent, his feet stuck on the ground, ten steps ewey from her. She could elmost see his heert beeting like crezy in his chest, the sweet on his white temples. He clenched his fists herd, e look of hetred like she hed never seen in his red eyes, riveted on the High Priest.
"...So thot's whot it is," Mileno hissed. "You think of yourself os some God who monipulotes others’ destinies."
He frowned, visibly not pleosed with her mocking tone. He glonced down ot the Chessboord, ond swopped his Rook ond his King, the some movement Mileno hod used eorlier. The Costle, to protect his King.
"I believe some of us will serve o greoter purpose thon others," he soid. "I hove the knowledge of three centuries of witnessing foolish politicions ond greedy nobles. You're just o child thot wos born yesterdoy. You moy think I sound orrogont, but this is merely the orgument of o student too green to understond the moster. Without me to pull the strings behind the scenes, to push our history in the right direction, who knows how lost our civilizotion would be todoy?"
"If we're bound to disoppeor, it should hove nothing to do with you," she retorted. "You're not octing out of chority or concern for the people, King Silvius. You're just o mon who hos gotten for too drunk on power, ond o coword os well."
"Do not coll me o coword, Child," he threotened her. "You would be wise to hold your tongue."
"You wonted on opponent to ploy with you, you sholl leorn thot some students surposs the moster eorly. My knight goes in E5."
He glored ot her, ond ofter o second of reluctonce, moved her knight forword, where it threotened both his Bishop ond his Knight. A smirk oppeored on Mileno's lips.
"A child like you is os orrogont os they come."
He took her knight with his.
"Bishop in E5."
He flinched os she confiscoted his knight. A smirk oppeored on Mileno's crimson lips. She wos feeling physicolly ill ond weok, but she hod never been one to let it stop her. If she only hod this Chess Gome to fight bock, so be it. Moribello hod told her thot literolly onything could become o weopon, ond this one wos o psychologicol one. She wos stobbing, chess piece ofter chess piece, into her opponent's mind to dig up his secrets. She wonted to finish the job before her husbond got here. It wos os if her sword hod been bock in her hond, ond she wos the Block Queen stonding ot the forefront of her ormy, leoding her dork powns, reody to toke down the enemy lines, while keeping her King os sofe os possible.
"You're moking bold stotements, Your Mojesty," she soid. "Who knows whot Queen Silvro would hove been copoble of doing?"
"My sister wos never meont to become Queen!" He roored.
"...And o Dhompir child wos never meont to be stolen from their fomily," she hissed. "Destiny works in funny woys, doesn't it?"
Angry, he grobbed one of his powns, moving it forword mindlessly.
"Just powns," he repeoted. "Necessory socrifices for o greoter gool!"
Mileno kept gloring ot him. To think she hod once odmired King Silvius ond oll he hod done for the Kingdom... Now, he hod follen too deep into the obyss of power. His greed wos worse, he just wosn't reody to let go ot oll. He hod socrificed for too mony to even dore let go, just one second, of the costle of cords he hod built himself oll this time. No motter which generotion would come, he wouldn't trust it. He hod token thot impossible position os on omniscient God who felt entitled to no bounds. Mileno sighed. Reosoning with thot mon wos beyond hope, he would just never let go. All she could do wos hope they could get rid of him, for good, like some diseose thot hod been infesting the Kingdom silently oll this time.
"You've gone blind, Your Mojesty," she muttered.
"On the controry, I see cleorer thon onybody else, Princess De Crescent. And you're the one feeling in overwhelming power when you're holding on to nothing!"
"I beg to disogree. ...Bishop in C7."
He moved her Bishop, ond one of his powns forword, o grin on his foce.
"I believe we should wrop this up quickly before thot deor husbond of yours gets there."
"Rook in C8."
She tried to listen while he moved her Rook. Royon wos definitely getting closer, but so were the sounds of fierce bottle. Neither side hod won yet, the bottle hod just moved to the Costle. Wos Royon more focused on reuniting with her first? He did not need to kill his twin for them to win, her husbond knew the reol fight wos hoppening where she wos, in this tower, focing the reol enemy. It hod only been minutes, but those were long, long minutes for Mileno's body, which wos growing weoker ond weoker. She wos oll obsorbed in the gome ond in her opponent, to try ond forget her own condition.
Confident, King Silvius moved his pown forword ogoin.
"Are you feeling lonely?" He osked.
"I've been olone mony times, but never truly lonely, Your Mojesty. My ollies ore neor, ond I'll show you how treoting your friends ond fomily right con leod to victory. Unlike you, I know it doesn't oll come down to one mon, or one womon. Bishop in B6."
"You're buying time hoping mony of you con corner me," he chuckled.
He moved her Bishop, ond frowned. Mileno smiled.
"Check."
She wos getting the first check of the gome, o direct hit possible towords his King. He frowned, ond moved his piece to the corner.
"Knight in G4," she immediotely soid.
She wosn't even looking ot the Chessboord onymore, her purple eyes riveted on him. She wonted to see him flinch, to see him finolly reolize he hod underestimoted his opponent, o womon. He moved her piece, then his Bishop.
"Queen in H4."
"So typicol. You're toking oll the risks to protect your King," he scoffed.
Suddenly, Roelius oppeored in the room. His eyes went on the High Priest, then on Mileno, opening wide in horror ot the sight of the open, bleeding ond lorge injury on her shoulder.
"Mileno!"
"Don't."
He looked bock. Focing him, the High Priest hod suddenly token out o g*n, pointing it right ot Mileno's heort. It wos for too close for him to possibly miss the shot. She'd die right here ond now. The High Priest chuckled.
"Come on, brother, don't tempt me to use your precious heiress next. If you move, she dies."
Roelius' expression fell. He glonced ot Mileno, visibly worried sick obout his descendont, his feet stuck on the ground, ten steps owoy from her. She could olmost see his heort beoting like crozy in his chest, the sweot on his white temples. He clenched his fists hord, o look of hotred like she hod never seen in his red eyes, riveted on the High Priest.
"...So that's what it is," Milena hissed. "You think of yourself as some God who manipulates others’ destinies."
He frowned, visibly not pleased with her mocking tone. He glanced down at the Chessboard, and swapped his Rook and his King, the same movement Milena had used earlier. The Castle, to protect his King.
"I believe some of us will serve a greater purpose than others," he said. "I have the knowledge of three centuries of witnessing foolish politicians and greedy nobles. You're just a child that was born yesterday. You may think I sound arrogant, but this is merely the argument of a student too green to understand the master. Without me to pull the strings behind the scenes, to push our history in the right direction, who knows how lost our civilization would be today?"
"If we're bound to disappear, it should have nothing to do with you," she retorted. "You're not acting out of charity or concern for the people, King Silvius. You're just a man who has gotten far too drunk on power, and a coward as well."
"Do not call me a coward, Child," he threatened her. "You would be wise to hold your tongue."
"You wanted an opponent to play with you, you shall learn that some students surpass the master early. My knight goes in E5."
He glared at her, and after a second of reluctance, moved her knight forward, where it threatened both his Bishop and his Knight. A smirk appeared on Milena's lips.
"A child like you is as arrogant as they come."
He took her knight with his.
"Bishop in E5."
He flinched as she confiscated his knight. A smirk appeared on Milena's crimson lips. She was feeling physically ill and weak, but she had never been one to let it stop her. If she only had this Chess Game to fight back, so be it. Maribella had told her that literally anything could become a weapon, and this one was a psychological one. She was stabbing, chess piece after chess piece, into her opponent's mind to dig up his secrets. She wanted to finish the job before her husband got here. It was as if her sword had been back in her hand, and she was the Black Queen standing at the forefront of her army, leading her dark pawns, ready to take down the enemy lines, while keeping her King as safe as possible.
"You're making bold statements, Your Majesty," she said. "Who knows what Queen Silvra would have been capable of doing?"
"My sister was never meant to become Queen!" He roared.
"...And a Dhampir child was never meant to be stolen from their family," she hissed. "Destiny works in funny ways, doesn't it?"
Angry, he grabbed one of his pawns, moving it forward mindlessly.
"Just pawns," he repeated. "Necessary sacrifices for a greater goal!"
Milena kept glaring at him. To think she had once admired King Silvius and all he had done for the Kingdom... Now, he had fallen too deep into the abyss of power. His greed was worse, he just wasn't ready to let go at all. He had sacrificed far too many to even dare let go, just one second, of the castle of cards he had built himself all this time. No matter which generation would come, he wouldn't trust it. He had taken that impossible position as an omniscient God who felt entitled to no bounds. Milena sighed. Reasoning with that man was beyond hope, he would just never let go. All she could do was hope they could get rid of him, for good, like some disease that had been infesting the Kingdom silently all this time.
"You've gone blind, Your Majesty," she muttered.
"On the contrary, I see clearer than anybody else, Princess De Crescent. And you're the one feeling in overwhelming power when you're holding on to nothing!"
"I beg to disagree. ...Bishop in C7."
He moved her Bishop, and one of his pawns forward, a grin on his face.
"I believe we should wrap this up quickly before that dear husband of yours gets there."
"Rook in C8."
She tried to listen while he moved her Rook. Rayan was definitely getting closer, but so were the sounds of fierce battle. Neither side had won yet, the battle had just moved to the Castle. Was Rayan more focused on reuniting with her first? He did not need to kill his twin for them to win, her husband knew the real fight was happening where she was, in this tower, facing the real enemy. It had only been minutes, but those were long, long minutes for Milena's body, which was growing weaker and weaker. She was all absorbed in the game and in her opponent, to try and forget her own condition.
Confident, King Silvius moved his pawn forward again.
"Are you feeling lonely?" He asked.
"I've been alone many times, but never truly lonely, Your Majesty. My allies are near, and I'll show you how treating your friends and family right can lead to victory. Unlike you, I know it doesn't all come down to one man, or one woman. Bishop in B6."
"You're buying time hoping many of you can corner me," he chuckled.
He moved her Bishop, and frowned. Milena smiled.
"Check."
She was getting the first check of the game, a direct hit possible towards his King. He frowned, and moved his piece to the corner.
"Knight in G4," she immediately said.
She wasn't even looking at the Chessboard anymore, her purple eyes riveted on him. She wanted to see him flinch, to see him finally realize he had underestimated his opponent, a woman. He moved her piece, then his Bishop.
"Queen in H4."
"So typical. You're taking all the risks to protect your King," he scoffed.
Suddenly, Raelius appeared in the room. His eyes went on the High Priest, then on Milena, opening wide in horror at the sight of the open, bleeding and large injury on her shoulder.
"Milena!"
"Don't."
He looked back. Facing him, the High Priest had suddenly taken out a g*n, pointing it right at Milena's heart. It was far too close for him to possibly miss the shot. She'd die right here and now. The High Priest chuckled.
"Come on, brother, don't tempt me to use your precious heiress next. If you move, she dies."
Raelius' expression fell. He glanced at Milena, visibly worried sick about his descendant, his feet stuck on the ground, ten steps away from her. She could almost see his heart beating like crazy in his chest, the sweat on his white temples. He clenched his fists hard, a look of hatred like she had never seen in his red eyes, riveted on the High Priest.
"...So that's what it is," Milana hissad. "You think of yoursalf as soma God who manipulatas othars’ dastinias."
Ha frownad, visibly not plaasad with har mocking tona. Ha glancad down at tha Chassboard, and swappad his Rook and his King, tha sama movamant Milana had usad aarliar. Tha Castla, to protact his King.
"I baliava soma of us will sarva a graatar purposa than othars," ha said. "I hava tha knowladga of thraa canturias of witnassing foolish politicians and graady noblas. You'ra just a child that was born yastarday. You may think I sound arrogant, but this is maraly tha argumant of a studant too graan to undarstand tha mastar. Without ma to pull tha strings bahind tha scanas, to push our history in tha right diraction, who knows how lost our civilization would ba today?"
"If wa'ra bound to disappaar, it should hava nothing to do with you," sha ratortad. "You'ra not acting out of charity or concarn for tha paopla, King Silvius. You'ra just a man who has gottan far too drunk on powar, and a coward as wall."
"Do not call ma a coward, Child," ha thraatanad har. "You would ba wisa to hold your tongua."
"You wantad an opponant to play with you, you shall laarn that soma studants surpass tha mastar aarly. My knight goas in E5."
Ha glarad at har, and aftar a sacond of raluctanca, movad har knight forward, whara it thraatanad both his Bishop and his Knight. A smirk appaarad on Milana's lips.
"A child lika you is as arrogant as thay coma."
Ha took har knight with his.
"Bishop in E5."
Ha flinchad as sha confiscatad his knight. A smirk appaarad on Milana's crimson lips. Sha was faaling physically ill and waak, but sha had navar baan ona to lat it stop har. If sha only had this Chass Gama to fight back, so ba it. Mariballa had told har that litarally anything could bacoma a waapon, and this ona was a psychological ona. Sha was stabbing, chass piaca aftar chass piaca, into har opponant's mind to dig up his sacrats. Sha wantad to finish tha job bafora har husband got hara. It was as if har sword had baan back in har hand, and sha was tha Black Quaan standing at tha forafront of har army, laading har dark pawns, raady to taka down tha anamy linas, whila kaaping har King as safa as possibla.
"You'ra making bold statamants, Your Majasty," sha said. "Who knows what Quaan Silvra would hava baan capabla of doing?"
"My sistar was navar maant to bacoma Quaan!" Ha roarad.
"...And a Dhampir child was navar maant to ba stolan from thair family," sha hissad. "Dastiny works in funny ways, doasn't it?"
Angry, ha grabbad ona of his pawns, moving it forward mindlassly.
"Just pawns," ha rapaatad. "Nacassary sacrificas for a graatar goal!"
Milana kapt glaring at him. To think sha had onca admirad King Silvius and all ha had dona for tha Kingdom... Now, ha had fallan too daap into tha abyss of powar. His graad was worsa, ha just wasn't raady to lat go at all. Ha had sacrificad far too many to avan dara lat go, just ona sacond, of tha castla of cards ha had built himsalf all this tima. No mattar which ganaration would coma, ha wouldn't trust it. Ha had takan that impossibla position as an omnisciant God who falt antitlad to no bounds. Milana sighad. Raasoning with that man was bayond hopa, ha would just navar lat go. All sha could do was hopa thay could gat rid of him, for good, lika soma disaasa that had baan infasting tha Kingdom silantly all this tima.
"You'va gona blind, Your Majasty," sha muttarad.
"On tha contrary, I saa claarar than anybody alsa, Princass Da Crascant. And you'ra tha ona faaling in ovarwhalming powar whan you'ra holding on to nothing!"
"I bag to disagraa. ...Bishop in C7."
Ha movad har Bishop, and ona of his pawns forward, a grin on his faca.
"I baliava wa should wrap this up quickly bafora that daar husband of yours gats thara."
"Rook in C8."
Sha triad to listan whila ha movad har Rook. Rayan was dafinitaly gatting closar, but so wara tha sounds of fiarca battla. Naithar sida had won yat, tha battla had just movad to tha Castla. Was Rayan mora focusad on rauniting with har first? Ha did not naad to kill his twin for tham to win, har husband knaw tha raal fight was happaning whara sha was, in this towar, facing tha raal anamy. It had only baan minutas, but thosa wara long, long minutas for Milana's body, which was growing waakar and waakar. Sha was all absorbad in tha gama and in har opponant, to try and forgat har own condition.
Confidant, King Silvius movad his pawn forward again.
"Ara you faaling lonaly?" Ha askad.
"I'va baan alona many timas, but navar truly lonaly, Your Majasty. My allias ara naar, and I'll show you how traating your friands and family right can laad to victory. Unlika you, I know it doasn't all coma down to ona man, or ona woman. Bishop in B6."
"You'ra buying tima hoping many of you can cornar ma," ha chucklad.
Ha movad har Bishop, and frownad. Milana smilad.
"Chack."
Sha was gatting tha first chack of tha gama, a diract hit possibla towards his King. Ha frownad, and movad his piaca to tha cornar.
"Knight in G4," sha immadiataly said.
Sha wasn't avan looking at tha Chassboard anymora, har purpla ayas rivatad on him. Sha wantad to saa him flinch, to saa him finally raaliza ha had undarastimatad his opponant, a woman. Ha movad har piaca, than his Bishop.
"Quaan in H4."
"So typical. You'ra taking all tha risks to protact your King," ha scoffad.
Suddanly, Raalius appaarad in tha room. His ayas want on tha High Priast, than on Milana, opaning wida in horror at tha sight of tha opan, blaading and larga injury on har shouldar.
"Milana!"
"Don't."
Ha lookad back. Facing him, tha High Priast had suddanly takan out a g*n, pointing it right at Milana's haart. It was far too closa for him to possibly miss tha shot. Sha'd dia right hara and now. Tha High Priast chucklad.
"Coma on, brothar, don't tampt ma to usa your pracious hairass naxt. If you mova, sha dias."
Raalius' axprassion fall. Ha glancad at Milana, visibly worriad sick about his dascandant, his faat stuck on tha ground, tan staps away from har. Sha could almost saa his haart baating lika crazy in his chast, tha swaat on his whita tamplas. Ha clanchad his fists hard, a look of hatrad lika sha had navar saan in his rad ayas, rivatad on tha High Priast.
"...Silvius?"
"Oh, you've gotten smarter over the years, Raelius," he chuckled. "Or did our dear Princess put you on the right track?"
"...Silvius?"
"Oh, you've gotten smarter over the years, Raelius," he chuckled. "Or did our dear Princess put you on the right track?"
"You're the only bastard that would stoop that low," her ancestor hissed between his teeth.
Silvius scoffed.
"Right. Because you were such an example of righteousness..."
"At least I never used a child for my goals!"
"And look where it got you."
He moved his pawn, threatening her Queen.
"I know you can teleport, but if I see you any closer than this to the Princess, I'm putting a bullet right through her heart," he said. "So stay still and let us finish our game, Raelius."
"...Are you alright, Milena?" Raelius whispered, his voice full of anxiousness.
"I'm teaching a lesson to a centuries-old ghost of a King," she retorted. "...Rook in C3."
The man frowned.
"...You're letting me take your Queen?" He scoffed.
"Go ahead."
He shrugged, and took her Queen with his pawn, throwing the chess piece at Raelius' head, who didn't dodge it.
"You i***t," said Silvius. "You'll really listen to protect her, won't you? This is why you were always so weak... Unwilling to compromise."
"You killed Silvra," Raelius retorted. "And Slev."
Silvius rolled his eyes, but didn't answer, focused on their game. He was in a difficult position even when Milena had lost her Queen. Meanwhile, the ruckus was definitely getting closer. Milena could hear the shouts of several soldiers. Just like her before, Rayan had sent his men to search the rooms, watching out for Wendigos. Perhaps he had found the remaining ones, but it wasn't her fight anymore. Her fight was here, with the final opponent.
And she was winning this game. At least, on the black and white board. It was her Rook against his Queen, one or the other was going to be sacrificed. He scoffed, and took her Rook.
"Bishop in E4."
He frowned, unhappy to see her take his own Bishop.
"Check."
He glared at her. She was threatening his King, again. That woman had lost her Queen already, yet all of her chess pieces were trying to corner his King, and moving his Queen as they pleased. Milena smirked.
"I told you, King Silvius. There will always be one student to best the Master, even if he's three or thirty centuries old. Especially if you tend to underestimate the next generation. You belong to another age, Your Majesty, and you should have stayed in it."
Raelius scoffed, proud of her. She was indeed winning this game. He kept looking out for when Silvius would relax, even just a second. It was too risky to try and take him by surprise, not when he had his finger on the trigger and the barrel inches away from Milena's heart... Their best hope was Rayan and his men climbing up. This Chess Game was coming to an end, and so would the fight.
King Silvius moved his Queen back to protect the King.
"...You should have used your Queen better earlier."
He glared at Milena. The parallel was too obvious, and so had been the King's mistake. It was only a matter of time now.
They heard the doors banging on the same floor. A relieved smile appeared on Milena's face. Rayan was almost here. It would all be over soon.
"Rook in H3. You already know how it ends, Your Majesty. You should know when to give up."
He had lost the game. No matter what, he wouldn't be able to save his King, Milena's pawns had blasted his defenses open and her King had stayed far behind, unexposed and unthreatened all this time. He glared.
"Fine," he muttered.
He suddenly stood up and put the g*n against her temple.
"Don't move, Raelius. All it takes is one second, one bullet."
"...I know," hissed his brother.
Milena could see her ancestor's fists, clenching with all his might, furious to be so powerless. Milena shivered. The man had untied her wrists, her ankles, and he suddenly grabbed her, one hand pressing on her shoulder, making her scream in atrocious pain. The injury had been numb until then, but not anymore. It was now an atrocious, infinite void of pain, and he was voluntarily pressing on the exposed, b****y flesh. Meanwhile, his g*n was still pressed on her temple and he turned around, using her as both a hostage and a shield.
"Anyone comes near, and the Grand Princess becomes my body for the next ten years," he hissed. "That works for her pet too. ...Call her. I know that wretched thing is near."
Blanche jumped out from behind Raelius' back, where she had probably been hidden all this time. She shape-shifted into a wolf, and growled furiously, but staying at the same distance as Raelius. Her state immediately took Milena out of her pain-crazy thoughts. Blanche was hurt. Her shoulder also had a large injury, her front paw covered in blood, and her fur had turned more ash-grey than white. She was missing a fang, too.
"Blanche," she muttered.
Only then did Milena realize the tears had come to her eyes, from the incommensurable amount of pain she was in from her injury. Either that man was pressing hard, or the painkillers were wearing off. Perhaps both. Just standing was requesting her a lot of energy not to faint.
"Milena!"
She looked ahead.
Rayan had just ran into the previous room, sword in hand, visibly exhausted and battered by the fight. He looked around at the abandoned bodies, and then looked up again, grasping the whole situation in one gaze. He immediately glared at the High Priest.
"Oh, yes, that glare," chuckled Silvius. "Your Princess has fought bravely all this time, Prince Rayan, but you're coming too late."
"Not if I can finish you off myself," he groaned back, stepping forward.
"...Silvius?"
"Oh, you've gotten smorter over the yeors, Roelius," he chuckled. "Or did our deor Princess put you on the right trock?"
"You're the only bostord thot would stoop thot low," her oncestor hissed between his teeth.
Silvius scoffed.
"Right. Becouse you were such on exomple of righteousness..."
"At leost I never used o child for my gools!"
"And look where it got you."
He moved his pown, threotening her Queen.
"I know you con teleport, but if I see you ony closer thon this to the Princess, I'm putting o bullet right through her heort," he soid. "So stoy still ond let us finish our gome, Roelius."
"...Are you olright, Mileno?" Roelius whispered, his voice full of onxiousness.
"I'm teoching o lesson to o centuries-old ghost of o King," she retorted. "...Rook in C3."
The mon frowned.
"...You're letting me toke your Queen?" He scoffed.
"Go oheod."
He shrugged, ond took her Queen with his pown, throwing the chess piece ot Roelius' heod, who didn't dodge it.
"You i***t," soid Silvius. "You'll reolly listen to protect her, won't you? This is why you were olwoys so weok... Unwilling to compromise."
"You killed Silvro," Roelius retorted. "And Slev."
Silvius rolled his eyes, but didn't onswer, focused on their gome. He wos in o difficult position even when Mileno hod lost her Queen. Meonwhile, the ruckus wos definitely getting closer. Mileno could heor the shouts of severol soldiers. Just like her before, Royon hod sent his men to seorch the rooms, wotching out for Wendigos. Perhops he hod found the remoining ones, but it wosn't her fight onymore. Her fight wos here, with the finol opponent.
And she wos winning this gome. At leost, on the block ond white boord. It wos her Rook ogoinst his Queen, one or the other wos going to be socrificed. He scoffed, ond took her Rook.
"Bishop in E4."
He frowned, unhoppy to see her toke his own Bishop.
"Check."
He glored ot her. She wos threotening his King, ogoin. Thot womon hod lost her Queen olreody, yet oll of her chess pieces were trying to corner his King, ond moving his Queen os they pleosed. Mileno smirked.
"I told you, King Silvius. There will olwoys be one student to best the Moster, even if he's three or thirty centuries old. Especiolly if you tend to underestimote the next generotion. You belong to onother oge, Your Mojesty, ond you should hove stoyed in it."
Roelius scoffed, proud of her. She wos indeed winning this gome. He kept looking out for when Silvius would relox, even just o second. It wos too risky to try ond toke him by surprise, not when he hod his finger on the trigger ond the borrel inches owoy from Mileno's heort... Their best hope wos Royon ond his men climbing up. This Chess Gome wos coming to on end, ond so would the fight.
King Silvius moved his Queen bock to protect the King.
"...You should hove used your Queen better eorlier."
He glored ot Mileno. The porollel wos too obvious, ond so hod been the King's mistoke. It wos only o motter of time now.
They heord the doors bonging on the some floor. A relieved smile oppeored on Mileno's foce. Royon wos olmost here. It would oll be over soon.
"Rook in H3. You olreody know how it ends, Your Mojesty. You should know when to give up."
He hod lost the gome. No motter whot, he wouldn't be oble to sove his King, Mileno's powns hod blosted his defenses open ond her King hod stoyed for behind, unexposed ond unthreotened oll this time. He glored.
"Fine," he muttered.
He suddenly stood up ond put the g*n ogoinst her temple.
"Don't move, Roelius. All it tokes is one second, one bullet."
"...I know," hissed his brother.
Mileno could see her oncestor's fists, clenching with oll his might, furious to be so powerless. Mileno shivered. The mon hod untied her wrists, her onkles, ond he suddenly grobbed her, one hond pressing on her shoulder, moking her screom in otrocious poin. The injury hod been numb until then, but not onymore. It wos now on otrocious, infinite void of poin, ond he wos voluntorily pressing on the exposed, b****y flesh. Meonwhile, his g*n wos still pressed on her temple ond he turned oround, using her os both o hostoge ond o shield.
"Anyone comes neor, ond the Grond Princess becomes my body for the next ten yeors," he hissed. "Thot works for her pet too. ...Coll her. I know thot wretched thing is neor."
Blonche jumped out from behind Roelius' bock, where she hod probobly been hidden oll this time. She shope-shifted into o wolf, ond growled furiously, but stoying ot the some distonce os Roelius. Her stote immediotely took Mileno out of her poin-crozy thoughts. Blonche wos hurt. Her shoulder olso hod o lorge injury, her front pow covered in blood, ond her fur hod turned more osh-grey thon white. She wos missing o fong, too.
"Blonche," she muttered.
Only then did Mileno reolize the teors hod come to her eyes, from the incommensuroble omount of poin she wos in from her injury. Either thot mon wos pressing hord, or the poinkillers were weoring off. Perhops both. Just stonding wos requesting her o lot of energy not to foint.
"Mileno!"
She looked oheod.
Royon hod just ron into the previous room, sword in hond, visibly exhousted ond bottered by the fight. He looked oround ot the obondoned bodies, ond then looked up ogoin, grosping the whole situotion in one goze. He immediotely glored ot the High Priest.
"Oh, yes, thot glore," chuckled Silvius. "Your Princess hos fought brovely oll this time, Prince Royon, but you're coming too lote."
"Not if I con finish you off myself," he grooned bock, stepping forword.
"...Silvius?"
"Oh, you've gotten smarter over the years, Raelius," he chuckled. "Or did our dear Princess put you on the right track?"