Chapter 179

They would never in a million years forget who defeated them: Elven Gard— No… Auri-El. The Elf agent plenipotentiary—Auri-El Violhart. This ain’t over yet… Far off in the distance, a giant chess piece loomed over the horizon. Perched atop the black king piece’s crown was a small boy kicking his legs. Technically he wasn’t a boy, or even a human, for that matter; his eyes, with their diamond-and-spade-shaped pupils, were on a book in his hands. It was the One True God, Tet. He smiled. “This little book has really started to fill up. I bet the story’s approaching its end.” He sounded very excited but also somewhat lonely. A medley of emotions struck Tet as he flipped through the book. Now…what should this page say next? He looked out at the crimson moon and thought for a moment. Eventually—perhaps the result of a sudden divine revelation—the One True God began writing on the blank page with a feathered quill. “‘The second coming of the weakest—found an archrival in the second coming of the strongest.’ ” Yeah, I like it. He briefly stared at the sentence with significant satisfaction before gazing into the distance again. What he saw was a world on the verge of changes that could never be undone. Was the world he created going to end as a long, drawn-out, dysfunctional game? Or would it end just as he hoped—this time, as the most fun game in existence? It was all or nothing for this six-thousand-year-long once-in-a-lifetime gamble. The outcome of which not even the One True God knew. Tet watched with mounting anticipation as the game at last plunged into its climax. “‘…See you soon. —Next time, on the chessboard.’” A promise he held dear. A future he awaited with all his heart. “He’s gonna be your biggest obstacle if you want to keep your promise, Blank.” You can do this, right? I’m counting on it, you know. I believe in you. So hurry up and get over here. Bring the world—bring him—with you. You’re almost there—to a world where we can all play together. Meet me here, in the future……