The moment she said it, the world obeyed.
Not slowly.
Not gradually.
Instantly.
The board… shrank.
Not like before, where the edges crept inward with pressure and time.
This time, space itself folded.
Distances collapsed.
Fifty participants became thirty.
Thirty became fifteen.
Fifteen—
Became less.
Daeven felt it like a knife slicing through the structure of the game.
She's not reducing the zone.
A pause.
She's reducing variables.
Kael steadied herself as the ground beneath them shifted violently, her stance lowering instinctively.
This is cheating.
The Queen didn't respond.
Because it wasn't.
It was authority.
Lyria staggered slightly, grabbing the boy's arm to keep him from falling.
They're gone…
Her voice trembled.
So many…
Daeven didn't look.
Because he already knew.
Those who couldn't keep up…
Didn't remain.
Simple.
Clean.
Efficient.
The board stabilized.
Silence followed.
There were no distant fights anymore.
No scattered movements.
Only a small field.
And a handful of survivors.
Daeven counted instantly.
Eight.
Including them.
The Queen stood at the center.
Unmoved.
Unchanged.
Of course.
The others…
Were different.
Not weak.
Not confused.
Each one standing still.
Watching.
Waiting.
Survivors.
Real ones.
Kael exhaled slowly.
Now this is better.
Lyria didn't agree.
Her eyes moved from one figure to another.
They all feel… dangerous…
Daeven nodded slightly.
Because they are.
This is the real selection.
The boy swallowed hard.
We're going to die…
Daeven didn't respond.
Because fear wasn't useful.
Only clarity was.
The Queen spoke again.
Now there are no distractions.
Her gaze moved across the remaining participants.
No excess.
No noise.
Only results.
Daeven understood immediately.
She removed complexity.
To remove him.
Because his strength relied on interaction.
On variables.
On chaos.
Now—
There was none.
Just a few pieces.
And a controlled board.
Kael smirked faintly.
So we fight here until only one group remains?
The Queen tilted her head slightly.
If you can call it a fight.
A pause.
You've proven capable.
Her eyes moved to Daeven.
Now prove you're necessary.
Silence fell again.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Daeven exhaled slowly.
So that's her goal.
Force me into a situation where I either reveal everything…
Or lose.
Simple.
Effective.
Dangerous.
Kael glanced at him.
Your move.
Daeven didn't answer immediately.
He looked at the others.
One.
A tall man, quiet, his stance defensive.
Rook.
Two.
A woman with sharp, erratic movements.
Knight.
Three.
A thin figure, eyes constantly shifting.
Bishop.
Four.
Another pawn.
But not like the boy.
This one was calm.
Still.
Watching.
Daeven's eyes lingered on him for a moment.
Interesting.
Then back to the Queen.
Then to his group.
Kael.
Strong.
Direct.
Lyria.
Support.
Control.
The boy.
Unstable.
But alive.
Then himself.
Variable.
Hidden.
Daeven closed his eyes for a brief second.
Thinking.
Calculating.
Then—
He opened them.
And stepped forward.
Not toward the Queen.
Toward the others.
Kael frowned slightly.
What are you doing?
Daeven answered calmly.
Expanding the board.
The Queen's gaze sharpened.
Impossible.
Daeven looked at the remaining participants.
Then spoke.
You all feel it.
A pause.
This isn't a fight.
It's a filter.
Silence.
No one interrupted.
Because they understood.
The Queen watched.
Interested.
Daeven continued.
If we fight like this…
A pause.
We lose.
Not emotionally.
Not strategically.
Absolutely.
The knight frowned.
Then what?
Daeven's voice remained calm.
We add variables.
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
Now that sounds like you.
The rook spoke for the first time.
You're suggesting cooperation?
Daeven shook his head.
No.
A pause.
Temporary alignment.
The bishop laughed quietly.
And why would we trust you?
Daeven looked at him.
You don't.
A pause.
You just understand the alternative.
Silence fell again.
Heavy.
Real.
The Queen didn't interrupt.
Because she wanted to see.
What he would do.
What they would choose.
Daeven spoke one last time.
Right now…
A pause.
She controls the game.
He looked at the others.
If we stay separated…
A pause.
We're already dead.
The words settled.
Deep.
Uncomfortable.
True.
The knight looked at the rook.
The rook didn't move.
The bishop's smile faded.
Even the calm pawn shifted slightly.
And the Queen—
Watched.
Closely.
Because for the first time since she simplified the board…
Something unpredictable was happening again.
Daeven lowered his hand slightly.
His mark pulsed.
Soft.
Hidden.
Waiting.
Because this…
Was the real move.
Not fighting.
Not surviving.
Changing the game itself.