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The discussion between Kranua and the wrapped god was very interesting to observe. It lacked the casual air that was held with the floating guest (They did not possess the aura of a god, and Balta knew the disguise of every demon in attendance, of which they were not one), but remained friendly and amiable, even enthusiastic at one point.
Balta eyed her cards. They were nothing of note, not being enough to win on their own, so she had not been playing to win. She– as well as Krika– had taken to playing certain cards deliberately to hurt other players' victory chances, while boosting their own, having likely doubled the total round time by this point.
She played a middling card, resisted the urge to grin at the defeated slump of the next player’s shoulders, and turned her attention back to the distant conversation. If she had to guess, she’d say that the wrapped god and the Dark One had met at least once before– though likely not personally– unlike the floating guest, who had likely been in contact with Kranua much more closely, possibly consistently if they had given the mission.
When Kranua gestured towards the games table, an invisible inverse pressure weighing down suddenly, Balta did not cower. She knew the true nature of the Dark One and their schemes and did not fear death at her Creator’s metaphorical hands.
Beside her, Towering above, Krika remained equally stoic, the dull glow of his eyes not even tightening at the twin gaze of the two faceless conversationalists. The floating guest also refused to bend, as did a bird-masked third guest that she did not recognize.
Kranua and the god exchanged a few more words, before moving back towards the table together. The wrapped god returned their cards to their hand and took a glance at the current state of the game before focusing on their next move.
“I hope I haven’t kept you two waiting,” Kranua said. “It’s your turn.”
As soon as the un-sound was registered in Balta’s mind, she knew that they had been directed at her and Krika.
She and her blade-limbed companion shared a quick and silent look, before lowering their cards as one. They proceeded to the distant table, no fear in their shadowy hearts.
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Kranua sat first, indicating them toward two chairs, one of which Balta could have sworn wasn’t present before.
The seats were not especially comfortable, nor were they particularly uncomfortable, leaving no note of their odd quality except for how average they were.
“I am impressed,” the Dark One stated in a soundless neutral tone. “Your discovery of the greater purpose was a surprise, though a welcome one. You’ve brought unpredictable movements, unique choices, and exciting decisions that add to the experience.” Their voice carried a slight sense of pride in their creation, sending a strange shiver up Balta’s spinal cord. However, neither Balta nor Krika responded verbally, merely bowing their heads slightly in reverence and acknowledgment.
“The next round will be played in a new location,” Kranua continued. “Observation and preparation will start soon, but I’ll be allowing an advanced preview ahead of schedule for you two, as well as permitting you to pick the board.” The Dark One’s disguise tapped on the table, drawing the two’s attention to a deck of cards that had certainly not been there before. Upon further inspection, the cards appeared to describe planets in great detail, including the size of the planet and its continents, the biology (or geology, Balta corrected upon seeing the description of a golemoid lithium-based lifeform) of the inhabitants, and even the composition of the atmosphere.
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“Each is random, chosen based only on whether intelligent life exists there,” Kranua said simply, gesturing at the cards. “Choose one wisely and together. I will interfere only if you have questions. Planets not chosen may still be used in the future, you’re just choosing which goes first.” They clarified.
Neither Balta nor Krika moved for a moment, before each drawing a small number of cards, looking through them intently.
“Ilreon: large and cold, with civilizations floating on icebergs,” Balta proposed, holding up one card, showing a deep blue planet. “I believe it would be good for mixed aerial and aquatic combat.”
“A good start,” Krika toned in his hissing tongue that would be otherwise indecipherable to any non-demon, as he removed a card from his hand, and drew another. “Iocli: a small asteroid-like planet with underground reptilian and simian races.”
“Ooh, I like that. Rullert: Dry and covered in deserts, with dominant reptillian and avian life. Unstable continental plates and unpredictable weather.”
“Good, but I lean toward no. It’s too. . . basic. Ezuno: Dead surface, but the atmosphere is full of free-floating life.”
“I feel like that’s too much. Kiepra: Forests so big and deep that they’re practically oceans in their own right. Avian, reptilian, and simian races“
“Interesting. Tuccoth: a planet covered almost entirely by an expansive collection of cities leaving no room between. Excellent for urban warfare.”
“That’s good. How about this one?” Balta held out one card in particular, the planet in question displayed alongside a short name and thorough description. Krika looked at it for a moment, mouthing the name and description silently.
“Our armies will have to be altered, our strategies redesigned, almost everything will have to be changed,” Krika hummed. “It provides a challenge we’ll have to adapt to, as well as a unique setting.”
He looked back to Balta. “It’s perfect.”
As one, they turned to Kranua, who had been sitting silently across the table, observing them intently. Balta slid the card towards them without a word, confident in her and her companion’s decision.
Kranua appraised the card for a moment and the fabric that concealed their face behind the mask stretched into a hidden grin, one mimicked by Balta and Krika after the words said next registered.
“The choice is made.”
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They spoke for a little while longer, coming to an end with Balta and Krika returning to the games table satisfied while Kranua vanished back into the crowded celebration.
Balta held back a smirk. In their absence, the wrapped god, bird-masked demon, and the floating guest had grouped into an alliance, taking turns hindering other players and bringing each other closer to victory. To combat the new threat, a second coalition formed against them, transforming the previously single-player game into a budding team game.
No words were exchanged between them, only actions, and almost the instant they returned to their seats they were a part of the wrapped god's alliance.
The table quickly evolved into a battlefield of several large teams and many more smaller teams vying for victory. Cards were being shared across teammates, battle plans were being discussed, and it seemed less like a card game and more like a war simulation.
Eventually, after many hard battles, treaties, backstabs, and desperate last stands, victory was snatched by a small team consisting of only three players: Two demons, one large and topheavy, and one tiny with branching horns, as well as a softly glowing god that radiated friendliness. Balta knew the names of the demons, and would be sure to congratulate them later, but for now she simply laughed alongside her competitors as they picked the next game to play.
The celebration continued for many hours, and many more games, a few of which were won by her or other members of the alliance, though not all of them.
Balta could not name a time when she felt safer or more at home.
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