Prolog~Zavya

 

"In the wake of my end I did not wish it would have to fall to you, the truth and the lie. But we dont get to chose do we?"

               

                The rain trickled down as the air weighed heavy on the outskirts of a large temple. Floating columns and rocks danced in the air, white rose petals covered the steps of a large stair case. A hooded figure gracefully ascended the steps almost floating as light footsteps could be made out through the pattering of the rain. A long cape flowed behind with silver designs running up and down the sides. As the figure made its way up to the top it paused to look around. Red and white rose petals blew over the cold marble stone beneath. A slight hum came from above as a blue crystal floated in a ring of marble. Rays of blue magic flew from the crystal as the figure reached out to clasp it. Rubbing the spark between its plated gloves the figure tossed it aside and looked back up seeing a table with two chairs before them. Slowly stepping closer the figure made its way to the center of the slab of marble where the table rests.

“It seems fair to let you make the first move” a voice echoed rumbling though the sky shifting the floating temple pieces slightly. The figure backed off and looked around as if to look for something mightier than itself. “First move or not, its the last one that deices fate ...but it seems you already knew that,” the figure huffed while glancing around. A slight chuckle could be heard as a wisp of fog swirled from the top of the temple drifting down to the slab of marble.

“It seems you're getting too clever for my tricks young one.” The fog formed into a ethereal being with a shimmering silver cloak floating with a mind of its own.  "But at the end of the day all you have are tricks...” his voice faded off. He clasped his hands while peering over at the table then back at the figure, ”I may have one more trick to show.” Walking over his silver orb head floated with him but still seemed to keep an eye on the figure. Sitting down he motioned the figure over with his hand peering back inquisitively. Straightening their shoulders the figure walked over eyeing the seat before sitting and looking over the table back the entity. With a wave of his hand he motioned the figure over to the table letting the mist fall off the sleeves of his cloak forming a chess table of sorts. Once his arm reached the end of the table he stopped, letting his arm rest back at his side. As the rest of the chess pieces formed the figure looked up peering out from under a black heavy cloak.

“A game? I thought you meant to trick me?” stumped the entity chuckled once again waving an arm up in the air lifting the board up slightly as the pieces floated above it ever so slightly. “In some games the object is to trick your opponent... but it seems you already knew that.” A sly smirk could be heard as he slightly tilted his head. The figure leaned back acknowledging their return. Soon they peered over the board looking at the pieces laid out before them. Some had heads of dragons while others were horses and lastly king and queen pieces were sitting secure in the back row. ”So white is the color you choose for me?” the figure asked. He nodded, “You are my guest and as tradition goes, you my dear, get white.” She chuckled, ”how fitting.”

The board was set and the players stared down one another as rose petals danced all around them, slowing down the time. He bowed slightly before placing his hands on the table.

“With out you I would not have gotten to where I stand today. Understand this, only one of us is leaving this table... don't let that keep you from enjoying our game. But as every wonderful story goes this too has to end.” A rose petal fell slowly in front of him just enough for him to snatch it out of the air and rub it between his fingers. ”Well my dear, will you finish this lovely story of ours? Our audience is waiting.”

His fingers let the petal float between them before snapping it at its end as he gestures to his opponent. "I used to think games were nothing but gimmicks and tricks just to pass the time." She held her hand out hovering over one of her pawns, "With lives at risk... being a loser in this game is not a great feat in the quest of hope." She then places her fingers on the pawn moving it ever so slightly forward, peering up as her first move was played. "But for old friends time is all I have" Crossing her arms she leans back peering over at the entity humming quietly as he watched her every move.

He then places a finger ever so slightly on his rook, "yes... time..." His voice trails off again before he moves his hand to a pawn and mirrors her move. He leans back before speaking again, "you say lives are pawns of a game. But doesn't that mean you are a pawn in your own game? A pawn for destiny?" She looks up as her hood kept her intentions hidden. It fell silent as it was her move but she waited, as time did not matter in this moment. She sat frozen, lost in her thoughts as the petals fall around like snow.

With a swift motion she again moved one of her pawns, placing it to flank the first. Both of her pawns were placed ahead as the board hummed with life as she spoke, "If one took their destiny in their own hands, not everyone gets to be king." The entity chuckled "And those who do not wish to be king are the greatest of them all." He places a knight in front of his pawn as he sighed, "Because they know the sacrifices needed to lead." She looked up studying him, "you know I didn't want this ." Undeterred she moved her knight to the middle in front of her pawns staring down his. "No, I know..." He kept his hands hovering over the pieces and moves a pawn close to his knight. And the game begins.