'None of them are close.'
Raziel's target was obvious, but he still needed roughly six more moves to reach Magnus. Ordan, despite his threat, was no different.
'I have ti to plan.'
"Bodum. Three domains left."
'What?'
Atticus narrowed his eyes and turned toward Ordan. It had been the man's turn, but despite the hidden aning in his words, he'd moved his champion farther away from Magnus.
'Is he planning sothing?'
Ordan was dangerous, there was no doubt about that. Underestimating him would be a fatal mistake, and Atticus had no intention of making it.
'What do the domains in that direction do…'
He hadn't been idle since arriving in this layer. He'd been watching everything, every move each Marquis made, and more importantly, every restriction announced.
It was already known that a domain's penalty never changed, no matter how many tis it was claid.
Because of that, Atticus had built a ntal map of every domain the Marquis and their champions had advanced on since his arrival. Many were still unknown, but one particular penalty in that direction stood out, and in this situation, it was especially dangerous.
And the champion was only two domains away.
'Figured it out yet?' Whisker asked suddenly.
'…Yeah.' Atticus swallowed. 'He's heading for a domain that lets him target any champion on the board.'
A deathlike silence settled in Atticus' mind as Whisker, Ozeroth, Magnus, and even Noctis, turned toward him.
'It's fine. I've already decided. I'm going to contes—'
'Atticus.'
Atticus frowned slightly at Magnus' voice. He'd heard that tone too many tis not to recognize it. He hated that tone.
'You're not fighting. End of discussion.'
'Atticus… look at .'
'I'm not changing my mind.'
'…'
Atticus exhaled slowly, feeling Magnus' silent gaze even without turning.
'Shit.'
He looked anyway, and imdiately regretted it.
Magnus was staring at him with a warm smile.
'This is my turn.'
Atticus clenched his teeth until the tallic taste of blood filled his mouth.
'It's your call, my star actor,' Whisker said. 'But I don't think I need to spell out what happens next, right?'
'I'm with you,' Ozeroth added quietly. 'Whatever you decide, bond.'
'Kuu!'
Atticus silenced every thought. But no matter how hard he tried, his heart kept hamring in his chest. So he did the only thing that could quiet it.
He slipped into Logoth, and the world fell silent.
The aning behind Whisker's words was clear. No matter how much he repositioned Magnus, there was no escaping a direct challenge. The only way around it was to contest, using power points.
And that was the problem.
Aside from rapidly draining his power points, contesting would expose his weakness to the entire board. Raziel and Ordan wouldn't be the only ones watching anymore. Dravek, and possibly others, would move the mont they understood.
What would happened when he ran out of power points?
Still, the alternative was no better.
Letting Magnus fight. Magnus versus a Willguard… there was no need to imagine the outco. Both choices led to disaster.
So… which one should he choose?
'This is my turn.'
Atticus repeated Magnus' words in his mind and released a slow breath.
It unsettled him, but Magnus hadn't reached this point by chance. He'd trained and worked for it. Denying him the right to fight because of his own fear would be nothing but selfish.
'Alright…' Atticus swallowed, fixing his gaze on him. 'You can fight.'
Magnus gave a silent nod, his expression firm.
As the turn progressed, Atticus took the risk and inford Anorah and Ozerra of the situation. Both of them said nothing, their eyes settling on Magnus.
In his turn, Raziel moved his champion closer.
Then it was Atticus' turn again. The die rolled and landed on three.
'This is all I can do for you, Grandpa.'
"Magnus, two domains to the right. Whisker, one forward."
Light swallowed both as they were taken to their respective domains. Monts later, the penalties were announced.
Ordan tapped his staff against the ground.
"An impressive move, Atticus Ravenstein," he said calmly. "As expected, you've already seen through my play."
Confused murmurs rippled through the other Marquis. Atticus didn't react. Still, Ordan's eyes only glowed brighter.
"But tell ," he continued, "will it matter at all?"
Soon, it was Ordan's turn.
Atticus had never trusted luck in his life. Ordan needed two movents to reach the domain he wanted, and rolling one would give Atticus more ti to plan. But the universe rarely sided with him.
The die rolled and stopped on a solid three.
Ordan's champion advanced to the chosen domain, with another movent to spare.
"The domain's restriction allows the forced challenge of any champion across the board," the board announced. "By choosing to claim it, you accept this condition."
"I accept," Ordan replied without hesitation.
"Please select the champion to challenge."
Ordan's gaze flicked briefly to Atticus, eting his eyes for a mont, before he raised a hand and pointed.
"Him."
The Marquis' eyes narrowed at once.
"It's his last champion."
"Does it matter? They're all monsters."
"The Willguard looks confident… maybe he knows sothing we don't."
The whispers spread across the board. Still, Atticus kept his expression neutral as the board's voice rang out.
"Marquis Atticus. Do you accept the challenge, or would you like to contest it?"
"Now, what will you do?"
Three gazes pressed down on him at once. Dravek observed with narrowed eyes, calculating. Raziel wore an amused, almost eager smile. Ordan simply stared, waiting.
'I have to trust him.'
Atticus exhaled slowly, ignored the weight of their stares, and spoke.
"I accept."
Light engulfed the Willguard champion in the next instant, transporting him to Magnus' domain.
Magnus studied his opponent in silence. The man was tall, compactly built, his dull, detached eyes visible through the faceless mask he wore.
"Marquis Atticus has accepted the challenge," the board announced. "One mandatory power point from each side has been staked. The domain penalty is… no will may be used within this domain."
A brief pause.
"You may begin."
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