"I am not entirely sure how things are conducted back in Francia, my friend," Arnau began, adopting a stance that signaled readiness, his gaze fixed on the dark treeline from where the threat would soon emerge, "but here in Iberia, nothing bridges the divide between Christians and Moors quite like a good game of chess."
Julien, his mind racing with the impending danger, found Arnau's mention of chess baffling; The comparison felt alien, almost offensive, amidst their current predicament. "Why is he talking about chess at a time like this?" He wondered silently. Despite his curiosity, he responded, voice steady with resolve, "I've watched a game or two from a distance but never learned it myself." With that, he drew his sword, signaling to Robert to ready his shield.
Arnau's response was a knowing, almost smug, smirk: "Let me teach you about the pieces, then."
The night air, once filled with suspense and anticipation, erupted into sheer chaos as ten to fifteen massive wolves burst forth from the shadowy forest; Their imposing figures were larger than any wolf Julien had ever seen, each set of eyes burning with malevolence, and teeth glinting like daggers in the torchlight.
"These are the 'pawns' of our chessboard, Julien Mazars," Arnau spoke, even as he conjured flames to envelop them in a protective barrier of fire. "Alone, they may not seem formidable, but in numbers or when combined with more powerful forces, they can pose a significant threat."
The sight of the encircling flames caused a few of the wolves to recoil, their instincts driving them back into the darkness from whence they came. However, the others, pushed by a relentless bloodlust, lunged towards the trio with a terrifying ferocity. Yet, the flickering flame aura caused them to falter, their movements becoming hesitant and predictable.
Arnau, with a warrior's grace and the precision of a seasoned Enochian, set five of the wolves ablaze, their howls fading into the night as they fell. With swift, decisive strokes, he beheaded three more, each movement fluid and lethal.
Julien, following Arnau's lead, engaged the remaining wolves. His sword moved with accuracy and intent, cutting through the air, and finding its mark each time; The precise slashes and pierces dispatched his foes with efficiency. Robert, like a silent guardian, held his position, shield raised in a defensive stance that allowed his companions the freedom and peace of mind to strike.
As the last of the 'pawns' either fled into the darkness or fell beneath their blades, Arnau's words became more audible: "In the end, pawns are just pawns," he remarked with a sense of temporary respite, "an experienced player knows how to navigate their presence on the board."
The brief moment of calm was shattered, however, as six larger figures emerged from the woods, but those could hardly be labeled as mere wolves. Their massive statures rivaled that of an auroch, and among them, abnormalities flourished: two walked upright on hind legs in an unsettling pose, evoking in Julien images of nightmarish tales; another pair boasted two heads each, their gazes independently scanning for prey; one was devoid of any fur, its skin a grotesque and malformed display of what lay beneath; and the last seemed to salivate excessively, its drool pooling ominously at its feet.
As the monstrous forms loomed larger, Julien couldn't help but voice his horror, his words a mix of revulsion and disbelief: "And what in the name of our Lord are those?" The grip on his sword tightened, a physical manifestation of his attempt to prepare for what lay ahead.
Arnau, however, seemed to find a grim sort of anticipation in the encounter: "These are our bishops, rooks, and knights, Julien Mazars," he declared with determination, "unlike the pawns, these pieces open possibilities for more complex and deadly strategies." With a steady, purposeful stride, he began to advance towards the grotesque assembly: "Underestimating them," he continued, "could spell disaster even for the most seasoned of players."
As Julien and Arnau advanced into the fray, the protective flames that once held the lesser wolves at bay now seemed absolutely ineffective. Undeterred, they raised their shields, a barrier against the onslaught, and moved as one. Arnau, with a fluidity born of countless battles, unleashed a swing of his sword that was both graceful and devastating, wounding the nearest Elioud with surgical precision. Seizing the opportunity, Julien delivered a lethal thrust, his blade finding its mark between the creature's eyes, a swift end to a monstrous adversary.
Their focus on this single opponent, however, momentarily exposed them to greater danger. Two more of the grotesque Elioud attempted to flank them, their movements brute but swift. But just as they prepared to strike, Arnau conjured an intense wall of fire, a barrier that momentarily checked their advance. The sudden inferno illuminated the night, casting their monstrous forms into stark relief against the flames.
Starting to breathe heavily from the exertion, Arnau seized the moment to impart more wisdom: "Pawns and other more valuable pieces are sometimes used as traps for the unwary," he cautioned, his gaze sweeping the battlefield for any further threats, "always take into account your surroundings as well.
In a display of sheer audacity and skill, Arnau hurled himself through his flame barrier, his sword a deadly extension of his will. With a fierce cry, he cleaved through the abdomen of one of the advancing Elioud, its rancid blood and viscera erupting in a gruesome spectacle that coated both the creature and Arnau in the remnants of its life. Unfazed by the gore that now adorned him, Arnau spun, his eyes locking onto another Elioud that had Julien pressed on the defensive.
Julien, shield raised against the relentless barrage, felt the strain of each impact, aware that his defense was a temporary measure at best. Arnau's voice cut through the chaos: "Playing defensively might keep you alive, Julien," he shouted, his blade finding its mark and severing the leg of Julien's assailant, "but will never win you the game."
The words ignited something within Julien, a surge of determination that drove him beyond the confines of defense: With a roar of his own, he launched a counterattack, his sword arching through the air in a series of vicious slashes that left the creature staggering, grievously wounded. A final, decisive blow sent it crumpling to the ground, lifeless.
"Three down, three more to go," Arnau declared, his breathing growing increasingly heavy. His gaze then met Julien's, a moment of shared resolve passing between them as they prepared to face the remaining threats.
As the battle raged on, two of the three remaining monsters charged with a ferocity that spoke of their desperation. Arnau's foe, a massive creature of pure malice, lunged towards him with deadly intent. However, it was met with a fury of its own: Arnau, standing resolute, unleashed a torrent of flames, a continuous stream of fire that enveloped the beast completely. The Elioud, caught in the inferno, had no chance to retaliate; its form was consumed by the blaze, reducing it to ashes before it could even land a blow. Arnau stood victorious amidst the embers.
The battle on Julien's front was a stark contrast: The two-headed Elioud, each head snarling with a hunger for destruction, advanced with a speed that belied its size; Julien, his shield raised in defiance, faced the onslaught head-on. The creature's claws were like weapons forged in the darkest depths, tearing through his buckler with a viciousness that left him exposed. In a heart-stopping moment, one of the beast's heads lunged for Julien's head, a maw wide enough to engulf it whole.
With agility born of necessity, Julien managed to sidestep the first head's attack, a move that saved him from immediate peril. Yet, the creature's second head quickly seized the opportunity Julien's evasion created: As it snapped forward, Julien's attempt to dodge was a fraction too slow; A scream, raw and piercing, tore through the night.
Robert's lifeless form, which had been a steadfast bulwark until now, succumbed. Tzipah. Julien's instincts and training under Arnau's tutelage surged to the forefront: Summoning from his well of hagic energy, he enveloped his trapezius in a protective layer, an impromptu shield conjured in the nick of time. The Elioud's teeth met not only flesh and bone, but also a barrier of concentrated energy. What could have been a mortal wound was reduced to a damaging, perfectly survivable, injury.
Arnau, alerted by Julien's cry, sprang into action: Closing the distance between them with urgency, he unleashed a torrent of flames upon that attacking creature as well. The fire, as violent as the previous one, also completely destroyed the enemy.
With the immediate threat dispatched, Arnau turned to Julien, a look of approval and relief in his eyes: "And that is why you must understand the rules before you play the game," Arnau remarked, his voice carrying the weight of hard-earned wisdom, "had I brought you into here merely two days ago, your fate would have been sealed."
Arnau's visage now bore the marks of fatigue, a testament to the relentlessness of his actions up to that point; His gaze, though weary, remained sharp as he assessed the remaining monstrous Elioud. With a commanding tone, born of both concern and strategic foresight, he directed Julien: "Julien Mazars, fall back and protect Count Robert. We cannot afford to let some stray pawns compromise his position. Defend him, but also try and conserve your own strength."
Julien, with an understanding nod, fell back to Robert’s side. As he arrived, he swiftly cut down another approaching corrupted wolf and, without hesitation, moved to Robert's side, adopting a protective stance trying to shield both the fallen corpse and himself. The battlefield, lit by the eerie glow of moonlight and the remnants of Arnau's flames, became a dynamic tableau of movement and shadow. Julien's eyes darted from one potential threat to another, his senses heightened to the slightest sound or movement.
As Arnau braced himself to confront the last of the monstrous Elioud, a creature of nightmares emerged from the dense thicket, casting a shadow that dwarfed even the structures of the village: This behemoth, with fur as dark as the void and eyes like burning coals, loomed over them with an imposing presence that seemed to swallow the light around it. Its teeth, gleaming and massive, served as a gruesome reminder of the creature's lethal prowess. In a display of sheer power and dominance, it devoured the remaining Elioud in one seamless motion.
Arnau, facing this new adversary, transformed his expression to one of solemn grit: "Bishops, rooks, and knights can indeed be formidable," he acknowledged, wiping away the remnants of the battle from his face, "but as you've seen, they pale in comparison to the force we are about to face."
He paused for a moment, allowing the gravity of the moment to sink in: "In the game of chess, there is one piece that reigns supreme in terms of power and versatility; It moves with unfettered freedom across the board, a force unmatched in its ability to dictate the flow of the game." With a steady hand, Arnau pointed his sword towards the towering creature, now revealed in its full, terrifying majesty: "Behold, the queen!"
