Infernal Chess

There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. Those used to be peaceful lands where the greatest excitement and adrenaline rush one could get was from skinny dipping or diving into the river from the top of a cliff. Not anymore.

The first sign of bad news was the crimson red sky at night. It wasn’t an anomaly, but the light emanating from the neighboring village just on the other side of the hills. The rider who went to find out what was happening, returned on foot three hours later. What surprised everyone was him coming back on foot with his beloved horse nowhere to be found. The scout’s clothes drenched in sweat were sticking to his body. His face covered in soot, the whites of his eyes were completely red. As he stopped in front of the elders he fell on the ground clutching his chest. Before losing consciousness, he whispered one word - “Dragon”.

Villages fell one after another. People decided to abandon the lands of their ancestors and seek shelter in the cities far away from the flaming hell that they used to call homes and fields. The dragons did not stop on just a few villages but seemed hell bent on purging the entire valley off of humans. Once green fields, now scorched as far as an eye can see.

This big change brought about great happiness to some. Greedy merchants would purchase escapees' possessions at dirt cheap prices and sell the day to day necessities at prices way above market value. Another delighted group of people was the bandits. They started by taking tribute from migrants in exchange for safe passage, but it quickly turned to blood fest. Runaway people were either killed or taken in and sold to slavery. Their goods stolen and their dignity stripped away.

One of such escaping groups was traveling through the unaffected yet fields. A convoy of seven carts pulled by a single horse each was traveling at a moderate pace. The day was young and they wouldn’t want to exert the animals before they encountered the next stream or a lake. The last cart on a convoy was slightly different. It was pulled by a mule, and an older looking man that was driving gave off the feeling like he never worked a day in his life. His hair, although gray with a retracting hair line, was clean and cut neatly. His brown habit free of stains was a sign that the man was a monk or a priest of some minor deity. Beside him sat a boy in his late teens. The youth was the complete opposite of the old priest. His hair, dirty and unkept, almost reached his shoulders. Their natural color was dark blond but without washing it thoroughly it was hard to tell. His clothes saw the better days. His boots were slightly too big for him, definitely second hand. Patches of tanned skin visible from burn holes could definitely be due to work around a fire oven or a forge. His shirt, although at one point had sleeves, was modified to expose his thin but muscular arms.

“So… have you thought as to where you will settle?” Asked the priest without taking his eyes from the road. “There is still a week worth of the road before we reach Iron Hills”

The youth looked at the man and scratched his head in embarrassment before answering. “Anywhere really. As long as there is a shortage of smithing apprentices”

“Aren't you a little too old to be an apprentice?” the old man interrupted. “You must be what? Fifteen? Sixteen?”

“Eighteen next week” answered the boy with a grim expression. “Master Cliff said that with my skills I will become the best nail maker in the entire kingdom. But I don't think that it was praise”. Both of them became silent for a moment. And when the priest opened his mouth to cheer up the boy, he got interrupted by the outburst. “Like, is it my fault I can't stay hidden and aim properly like you can dad?! Or sorry no forest spirit answered when my mom tried to induce me to her druidic circle! I'll just be your dumb little Adam for the rest of my life!!!”

Bunch of people turned in his direction as he was throwing his tantrum, glad they had some entertainment in their boring travel. Seeing that, Adam sat down blushing in embarrassment.

“Sorry Brother Hus. I didn’t mean to scream right next to your ear”

“Don't worry, youth must not keep all that inside. Rather, I think that the valley on the other side of the forest is yet to hear you, so don’t worry, let it all out” answered the clerk with a grin on his face. He picked Adam up on the road about two nights ago. No one should be traveling alone on the road and a talking companion could help fill the travel time with the latest gossip. “I’m sure they don’t feel exactly like you described them, they are your parents after all…”

“In that case why are they not here?” Complained, now calmer, boy. “My dad decided he can easily hide and wait the dragon attack out in the forest, while mom went to one of those damn druidic gatherings to figure out what they can do about the dragons. But those damn bureaucrats will take years before they even decide on the flavor of the tea for the said meetings.” He stayed silent after that.

The old man grew to like young Adam. but couldn’t shake the feeling that there won’t be much that the youth will achieve. He seemed to be willing to start a new life and try out new things. But approval he seeks and sense of not being able to live up to his parents will be his downfall. Old clerc thought hard on how to keep the conversation from dying. 'This might be the perfect time to introduce him to our parish’ he thought.

“Adam what do u think about maybe dedicating your life to something greater” He started with the most calm and welcoming tone he could master. “I did not know what i wanted to do for a long time but following my god’s doctrine and spreading his teachings gave me a sense of fulfillment like no other” Then the old man paused waiting for the youth’s answer. But hearing none…

“Adam?” the priest called out to the young blacksmith and turned to look at him. But as he did, he just shook his head as he understood why Adam got completely quiet all of the sudden. The boy was staring intensely at Monique - convoy’s scout and hunter. She was maybe a couple years older than Adam was. Her chestnut hair shaped and clipped into a perfectly symmetrical and tight bun. Skin slightly tanned with a tiny scar on her chin and the golden eyes that could pierce through one’s soul. She was wearing light brown leather outfit so as to not confine her movement when she scouted ahead or used her bow. She joined the convoy about a day after the cart’s departed from their village but everyone welcomed her, especially with her skills with the bow. She had caught the eye of a few other young adults traveling with the caravan. And although polite, she shut down all the attempts at flirting. Many times did Adam try to start a conversation when she rode beside the cleric’s cart to check up on their wellbeing. However every time he opened his mouth, no clear sound would be uttered.

The old priest did his best not to burst into laughter “I think picking you up was the best decision I made since setting on the journey. When I watch you, I don't know if I should pity you or just watch the comedy unfold. Let me give you some life advice” He said on a little more serious note. “She is a free spirit. Chasing the next adventure. She isn’t the type to settle. You on the other side are. You are going to the city and even though you could start anew doing anything you want, you decided to play it safe and stick with blacksmithing even though you might encounter ridicule from younger and more talented people. And don't think I did not notice that you did not say a thing last night when that carpenter kid took your piece of bread. You just looked at him and said nothing. You are not the confrontational type. Not that that's a bad thing. I'm sure you can find a nice barmaid who will enjoy ordering you around” He added the last part and couldn’t hold the laugh in any longer.

The convoy stopped near a small creek. Drivers took care of their horses, freeing them from the harnesses and leading them to water. Passengers disembarked from the carts and started to pitch tents and prepare for dinner.

“Everyone! A moment of your time please!” The melodic voice spread through the campground which instantly fell silent. Monique the hunter had an uncanny charisma. As soon as she spoke, people would stop whatever they were doing to listen. “I have been to these parts before. This area might have some tricky predators. They will not attack you if you stay in a group. Just to be safe I will go and scout the surrounding area. Until I return, please do not wander off”. Someone started to clap and soon everyone else followed. They were glad to have such a reliable companion.

Adam was one of those who were stupefied by the girl’s grace. “I will do it” Said the boy more to himself than to anyone else, but loud enough for Brother Hus to hear. “I will prove that i'm not a coward and woo her underneath the stars”

The cleric just looked at the determined face of his traveling companion and shook his head. ‘There is no dissuading this hopeless buffoon. I'll be sure to pick up your pieces when she breaks your heart young man’ Said the priest to himself.

As Adam was setting up the tent with the older man, he heard a scream from the opposite side of the campgrounds.

“Did somebody have an accident?” said the cleric. It was already evening and they followed the huntress' advice so any sort of danger did not even cross their minds. But a second after more screams could be heard. Plea for help could be heard which abruptly ended by a wet “THUMP” sound.

And then, they emerged from the forest. Their clothes resembled Adam’s father’s. Perfectly camouflaging with the surroundings. Hair and beards unkempt. In their hands were axes and bows that they proceeded to use. They charged at the unarmed people. Some were knocked out, some were not so lucky. With every swing, a limb would fly to the side with a trail following it like a sick version of a fallen star. Cries filled the air. People trampled over elderly and sickly just to save themselves. A carpenter, who was also the fastest runner, noticed someone at the edge of the tree line. “Monique! Bandits!” He screamed with a high pitched voice as he was now running in her direction. “Thank gods save us, they came out of nowhere, they…” He did not finish his sentence. He stood still and slowly turned around. The other runners also stopped in their tracks as they spotted a hunting dagger sticking from his belly. Monique tok a step in kicking the back of the man’s legs forcing him to go on his knees. She then grabbed the now pale victim by the forehead and while looking at the crowd with a cruel smile on his face she slit his throat in one swift motion.

“That’s the first one who promised me a night of my life. I must say not even a sound. Big disappointment!” She said in a theatrical voice as if she was telling them the latest juicy gossip while retrieving her knife from the now dead carpenter’s body. “I hope!” she exclaimed as she turned to other young men in the group. Eyeing them like a cat eyes a mouse. “That you will excite me slightly more!” She then threw her knives skillfully enough to disable her victims without killing them, then took out her bow. Just then, the cold reality hit them like a cold winter breeze - she led them into a lion’s den.

Adam could feel a cold sweat running down the side of his forehead. His hands numb. Legs shaking as if he just took a swim in a lake. A large man approached the old man standing right beside the Young blacksmith. His back was covered by a bear's pelt. His chest exposed, displaying a once impressive set of muscles. But now, they half faded. An enormous beer gut was held by a belt attached to a skirt made of different types of sown furs. As he approached, the priest's nose was hit by a stench of rot, alcohol and sweat. “I am a person of god!” Pleaded the priest. “Surely we can work this out. I have some goods on my cart that might interest you!” But madness painted the face of the bandit that approached the pitiful clergyman. Old man could do nothing but lift his hands in last attempt to save his life, but an axe fell nevertheless on his shoulder buried deep up to the middle of his ribcage. The assailant then kicked the boddy and yanked his weapon out of the unlucky old man. The body fell on Adam and they both tumbled on the ground. As they fell, the pendant that the old man was holding slipped out of his hand and landed on Adam's face. The whole commotion brought Adam back to reality. But what could he have done by now? No one is coming to save him, no god or spirit ever answered his prayer and from the look of his elderly companion’s state, the deity he worshiped didn’t bother with its worshiper’s well being either. But as a last thing in his life he decided to pick up the pendant that was now covered in the blood of the old man.

“Please! Anyone! Help” were the words he said as the ax wielding man brought the weapon down. Adam closed his eyes waiting for his life to end. But the end never came.

He opened his eyes, the edge of the ax was less than an inch away from his face and the owner was not moving. Adam looked around. Bandits in the process of murdering and pillaging, huntress laughing like a banshee. Yet everything looked as if frozen in time. Silence filled the air. It was so bizarre that he didn’t notice a man kneeling right beside the old priest’s corpse. Shaking his head and murmuring to himself he seemed unaffected by this bizarre phenomena of the frozen world.

“Excuse me… Sir? Do you know what is going on?” Said Adam in a timid almost whisper. The mysterious man jolted up in the air as if he never heard anyone speak in his entire life. Confused, he turned his gaze onto the young boy. The man had exquisite black shoes matching his black pants with not a wrinkle in sight. He wore a crimson red vest with a black shirt underneath. His hair and a goatee completely white and behind his glasses, yellow snake eyes stared at the boy as if deciding if what he had in front of him was a prey or not.

Next thing the butler looking man did was burst into laughter. “I'm sorry little mouse, I did not expect a contestant to emerge right here and now” said the man and then assumed a stoic demeanor as if nothing could bother him at all “I formally greet you my little fragile looking friend”. Adam was not tiny by any means. In fact, through working with hammer and anvil most of his youth, he was rather on a sturdy side of male’s spectrum. But the feeling he got from the white haired stranger sent shivers down his spine. “I’m here to offer you a gift. I can unlock a small gateway to power within you. It is up to you, if you work hard and get stronger so no one else could humiliate you like they did today” The old demon gestured at bandits as he said that. “You do not have to worry about the payment. All I want you to do is survive. Not a bad deal isn’t it?”

Adam hesitated for a second. His mother told him of devious creatures from different realms that come to trick and play with mortals. He then gazed upon the crimson stained axe of a bandit standing only a few steps away. The deal did not seem like such a bad idea. ‘if all I have to do is to ask for help to survive..’ He thought to himself. As he made the decision, the demon already held a contract in his hand almost as if he could read Adam's thoughts. Adam approached the man cautiously and then proceeded to sign the parchment. It felt as if it was made from the highest quality paper. The crimson feather did not require ink to dip in. It produced one automatically, although it looked like blood.

“Is that i…?” Adam didn’t have time to finish the sentence when the demon stabbed Adam in the chest with a bare hand. Pain like none other exploded from his chest. As if he was stabbed with a red hot poker. Molten lava spread throughout his veins. The whole experience lasted only a few seconds but might as well have been an eternity. As the demon pulled his hand out of the boy's chest, the wound instantly closed leaving a red scar. The burning sensation faded, and as it did, Adam felt something else inside himself – power. But as he gained something, he felt something was missing.

“Let me explain the situation to you” The devil announced in a festive tone. “Lord of the nine hells Asmodeus invited his fellow Devil Emperors and a few Demon Lords to a party and as an entertainment, he decided to make a hunt with a twist. He shall give power to 200 regular mortals and make them fight each other to the death in a huge battle royale. All of the souls are kept in the 9th layer of hell. The losers’ souls shall be devoured in a grand feast. Last one standing shall have his soul returned to them. Look at your left hand please” said the butler dressed demon. Adam nervously looked at his hand – a black tattoo pulsated and solidified itself on it. The tattoo was that of a number 200 and an arrow that moved itself depending how he positioned his body but always pointed into the same direction. “It’s a counter and direction rune” declared the devil ''It will display how many contestants are still remaining alive, as well as, it will always point you to the closest enemy. Bear in mind that as a human you have one of the shortest life spans of the contestants so I would advise against hiding away for the rest of your life. With this, good luck. Please do try to survive as I will bet 10 Vials of red on you. Good luck” Then he turned away from the stunned youth “before I go, here’s your parting gift” He snapped his finger and all bandits' throats slashed open. He disappeared and the time resumed.

All Adam could see around him was bandits holding their throats as the blood was gushing from them. He took one last look at the huntress. Her joy turned to fear as she fell to her knees outstretching her hand pleading for help. Adam looked at her, if it was him a few minutes ago he would be frozen, feeling anger, pity and maybe even try to help his former love interest. But now he felt nothing. He understood that there should be a variety of emotions he should be feeling right now but he couldn't muster himself to express anything. He only felt empty on the inside. ‘Is it the emptiness due to the lack of my soul? Is this permanent or will it pass?’ he thought to himself. “Those will be tomorrow’s Adam's problems. Now, I have more pressing matters. Dragons behind me and deathmatch free for all in front of me. And how the hell am I supposed to get out of this damn forest?’