Chapter 2: Chess
Five years passed and Scarle's facial features became more vivid. He had Hazel eyes and black hair just like his mother, his lips were tender and slightly reddish.
The situation in Etern became hectic, increasing the workload of people that even had a job.
Scarlett's mother worked as a software engineer in the underground safe zone department which was a very important place in any city.
As Scarlett grew, so did his imagination. He'd draw things that came to mind. Most especially creatures and armour that didn't exist. They'd be of different sizes and features.
High school was a daunting realm for Scarlett as he faced many challenges. One of them was bullying. He was prone to bullying because of his socially awkward behaviour and demeanor.
"Punch! Punch! Kick! Kick!", Scarlett would be left in pains crying after a gruesome beating; sometimes he had a nose-bleed. But the crushing of his self esteem was more.
With this experience, he learnt how to mask his social awkward behaviours which reduced the physical bullying to some extent but not the verbal bullying.
His female classmates and sometimes the upperclass girls would make fun of his drawings, calling it childish.
"No wonder he doesn't have a girlfriend", said one of his female classmates to her 3 other friends. "Hahahahaha", they all laughed hilariously. "Quick, lets move from him before he turns us into one of his wild imaginations" said one of the girls as they all walked past him in disgust.
Scarlett didn't feel anything due to the fact that he was used it, he just kept on drawing.
Scarlett never told his parents what he was going through in school and they never asked, they were too engrossed in their daily activities and paid less attention as to what was going on in their child's life.
This went on for long until Scarlett was in Senior high school 2. He had improved himself on hiding his weird attitude and so the physical and verbal bullying had reduced significantly. Also most of those who knew his weird side had left and new ones had joined the school.
On a fateful day that seemed like every normal day for Scarlett, he was reading a book about space and the cosmos while walking down a doorway when all of a sudden a black-haired girl with black glasses slipped as her leg swept Scarlett's right leg off the floor taking him down with her; this happened just at the entrance of the doorway.
He fell forward laying on her. As he started coming to be, he felt a soft, bouncy and squishy feeling on his face. It was her bossoms! On realising this, Scarlett got up from her in the blink of an eye.
"P-P-Pardon me!", Scarlett bowed his head.
"N-Not at all, it was my recklessness that got us into that situation", said the black-haired girl with a slight blush on her face.
"Anyways, I'm Aether Fhelia from senior high school 3", she added.
'She's my senior', Scarlett said to himself.
"I'm Scarlett Valoryn Voidaris from senior high school 2, nice to meet you". Scarlett stretched out his hand for a handshake.
"Nice to meet you too." She met hands with him.
"Let's exchange numbers, so we can keep chatting after now."
"O-Of course." Scarlett giggled as he scratched his head.
That day, Cecil walked home with a glowing smile on his face for the first time in his life. Teenage years were about to be the start of an interesting life for Cecil.
When they got to their homes, Aether revealed that she liked chess and so they agreed to play when next they met.
The School's name was Four rose petals. The junior high uniform was a white t-shirt with four separate rose petals aligned symmetrical to the center, it was located at the left side of the chest on black shorts that also had the same four rose petals design on the right thigh for boys, the junior high girls wore a white long sleeve which had the same four petals design and position on black skirt.
While the senior high male uniform was a black jacket on white long sleeve as well as on black trousers, only the white long sleeve shirt and black jacket had the four rose petals on it, the senior high girls uniform was a black jacket on a white short sleeve shirt which was worn on a black free skirt. The four rose petals location and position was the same with that of the boys.
Days passed after that fateful event and Scarlett had mastered the art of chess to some extent. He spent the past two days learning all the rules and moves in chess so as not to disappoint Aether. He also learnt how to communicate informally within those two days.
The day had finally come for the two to meet again. They had planned to meet at the School's relaxation park with the chess and the Hearts and Spade card game. After a few greeting exchange here and there, they commenced the game.
Scarlett, playing as white, opening with the classic e4, his fingers moving confidently as he advanced his pawn. Aether responded with e5, mirroring his move with equal precision. The opening moves were traditional, but both players knew that the game could take a dramatic turn at any moment.
As the game progressed, Scarlett and Aether exchanged their knights and developed their pieces, both carefully maintaining their positions. Scarlett's queen ventured out, applying pressure on Aether's king side, while Aether focused on central control.
Aether made the first daring move, sacrificing her knight for a powerful attack. Scarlett's brows furrowed as he contemplated the implications. After a deep breath, he accepted the challenge and captured the knight. Aether's response was swift and calculated; she pinned Scarlett's bishop to the king, leaving him with no choice but to sacrifice his valuable piece.
With her tactical brilliance, Aether had gained a significant advantage, but Scarlett remained unflustered. He pushed his pawns, creating a pawn structure that protected his king while Aether's own king remained exposed. The clock ticked ominously, a constant reminder of the limited time they had to make their moves.
Scarlett, sensing the urgency, initiated a series of exchanges, carefully trading off pieces. Scarlett, however, refused to crumble under pressure and initiated a clever exchange that led to a material balance.
The middle game transitioned into an intense endgame, with both players having only a few pieces left. Aether had a slight advantage due to her active king, but Scarlett's resourcefulness showed as he managed to create threats, forcing Aether into a defensive posture.
Aether defended skillfully, but Scarlett's persistence paid off. In a critical moment, he maneuvered his remaining rook to the seventh rank, threatening to promote a pawn to a queen. Aether had to act fast. With lightning speed, she initiated a series of checks, forcing Scarlett's king to dance around the board.
The climax of the game was reached when Scarlett, with seconds remaining on his clock, found a brilliant move that led to a checkmate in two. Aether's eyes widened in disbelief as she saw her impending doom. She extended her hand in graceful defeat.
Aether and Scarlett had played their hearts out, and in the end, it was Scarlett's unwavering determination that secured his triumph.
"Oof! you are a lot better than I thought, good game." said Aether as she had not been defeated in a while due to how good she was.
"Thanks, I should say, you're quite good as well and I'm sure there are only a handful of people that can beat you". Scarlett said as he cleared his throat in his mind.
"Ah thanks" uttered Aether as she looked down and her cheeks became slightly red.
"Look who's talking, you made me use my plan B". Aether said.
"Oh". Scarlett laughed.
'Plan B? Like a strategist?". Scarlett thought to himself as he shuffled the cards.
"I'm interested, what developed your passion for chess." Scarlett asked.
On hearing this, Aether's soft gentle smile slowly turned into a slightly sad face as she replied:
"Sorry I'd answer the question another time". This reply made Scarlett realize that it was a sensitive question and they weren't close enough yet for her to tell him and so he apologized and they commenced the card game.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone