CHAPTER 56: DEADLY CARD GAME — TIME FOUR

"Well then... if you don’t mind, shall we begin?"

"...Riven, you seem... different. I can hardly recognize you anymore."

"What’s wrong, Lirael? Am I supposed to always be the uncertain hero, clinging to hope?"

"..."

"It all started because of me. So the deaths of Sylas and Tyrion... that’s on me."

Riven carefully dealt glowing cards from the deck, handing them out one by one until both had four in hand. Lirael grew uneasy. This was the third time the rules had changed.

The first time, cards were dealt at the start of the round.

The second, they came after a dice roll.

And now, they had to draw them manually.

"Don’t worry, Lirael. I’m not cheating. The cards won’t reveal themselves until you pick them up."

Riven was unnervingly calm. Adjusting his glasses, he glanced at the cards in his hand.

"...You’re not going to look at yours?"

"Riven... are you torturing yourself with guilt? Thinking they died because of you?"

"If it gives them peace, then fine. Let it be my fault. But the truth is... they’re gone. They’re dead because I pulled us into that portal. What do you think, Lirael... did I ever have another choice?"

A heavy silence fell between them. Lirael swallowed and looked at her cards.

The dice spun. Her turn.

"You know, Lirael. You shouldn’t carry the weight of my death on your conscience either. If I die here, it’ll be because I wasn’t strong enough. This game reveals who has the spirit to endure... who’s willing to fight not just for themselves, but for others."

"Riven. In that case... I won’t hold back. I want to live too. But still... it’s hard to accept that this is really happening... Why must I... win against you?"

Riven smiled gently.

"Don’t worry. I won’t surrender either. It’s shameful to admit, but... I want to win. If I do... you’ll die."

Lirael played King 4-6.

Riven responded with two cards that were immediately destroyed by her King. The table cleared.

"Riven... maybe we could force a draw and go after the boss together?"

"Still worried about the whole death match thing? Stop troubling yourself with naive thoughts. Just play."

Riven placed a Tower and a King. His hand was flawless. How could he stay so calm, when his life was on the line?

Lirael wasn’t a stranger to him. And even she had grown attached to their new friends, no matter how briefly they’d known each other.

"Even if it’s only been a short while," Lirael whispered, "I’m happy to have friends for the first time. I mean it... I’m sorry. I hate this. I hate watching people die... or being the one to kill."

She played two Goblins and a Hunter. Cards clashed. In the end, only Riven’s King remained.

One of Lirael’s hearts vanished. Both of them had one life left.

The board cleared. Riven reshuffled.

Tears of bitterness streamed down Lirael’s cheeks. She didn’t even bother to wipe them.

"Before I met you all, Atheron told me I could trust you. But I never really spoke to him properly. I always felt like... I was doing something wrong. Atheron... he’s my summon. But why... why does he keep helping me, even when I treat him this way?"

"Atheron... is your summon? A High Spirit...?"

Lirael nodded.

"I see... I always wondered why sometimes he acts like a hero out of some ancient tale. Whatever he pretends to be — Atheron is a caring guy. Especially about you, Lirael."

"I want to go back to him. Riven, if I die... he’ll vanish too. I need to return. Otherwise, I’ll lose him... and I’ll have no one left."

Riven felt the sting in his chest.

"I get it. You know... he’s important to me too. He gave me strength. Taught me how to stand up for myself. I owe him a lot... but I can’t just let myself die. I’m terrified of dying."

They lowered their eyes. Gaze heavy, like a chasm.

"Let’s continue."

The dice hit the table. Their hands revealed their heroes.

Riven laid down his entire hand. Tower, two Kings, and a Mage.

Lirael seemed unsure. At a glance, Riven’s victory looked inevitable.

She stared at her cards in horror. Her shoulders trembled, breath shallow.

"Riven..."

"It’s fine. Let’s end this in one move. I can’t stand watching you suffer any longer."

Lirael placed her cards.

One Tower. Three Kings.

She had superior stats in every category.

In the end... Lirael’s King survived.

"..."

Riven lowered his gaze.

"So bitter... knowing it ends like this."

The duel ended in Lirael’s victory. She couldn’t stop her tears.

"You were stronger... It’s true what they say — you can never really tell what someone’s thinking by their face."

He looked at his palms. His skin began to wither before his eyes.

His body thinned, his hair fell away. His shoulders sagged.

"I don’t blame you, Lirael. What a shame... no second chances. I would’ve fixed everything..."

Soon, all that remained were bones. The skeleton collapsed and shattered.

Lirael was left utterly alone.

"Everyone... I’m so sorry..."

Somewhere else, beyond the edge of the domain.

A sunlit room.

Two figures in green kimonos sat together. In front of them, a canvas filled with black ink markings.

"Payton. Are you really sure this is the only way?" said the woman.

Payton sat beside her, serene behind his glasses, looking far older than his years.

"It’s necessary. You know exactly why, Sayuri. Don’t let doubt eat at you. Humans are fragile. These kids, however... they might be dangerous. They carry too much potential."

Sayuri. A woman with long black hair, with a body sculpted to seduce, and an expression twisted in tension.

"...I gave Sid full authority over my domain. You don’t think he might... go too far?"

"Sid knows what he’s doing. We have to trust our comrades, Sayuri. If Sid chose this path, it means it was the right one."

"But he’s... he’s really letting one of them die. These kids are overwhelmed, Payton. Are you sure this is the right call?"

"When did you start feeling sorry for people?"

"...I understand."

Two rooms remained in her domain. They decided to check on Oldrich.

Aimer and Ash were sprinting down a corridor, fleeing from him.

"Oldrich looks like he’s enjoying himself. Not often you see him so... excited."