-3 years later -
In Tyson's dream, he found himself in an unknown place, a vast desert surrounded by towering mountains. Before him lay a battlefield, where two armies stood facing each other with unwavering resolve.
One army donned black armor, their forms obscured by an eerie darkness that seemed to emanate from within. Their eyes glowed with a fierce intensity, their presence foreboding. Leading them was their king, a figure draped in shadows, wielding a sword with an ominous gleam.
Opposite them stood another army, adorned in pristine white armor that seemed to shimmer with purity. Like their counterparts, they too were enveloped in an ethereal energy, but of a radiant white hue.it was almost like chess in real life. Among them, Tyson stood tall, his expression confident as he surveyed the scene before him.
With a determined smile, Tyson whispered to himself, acknowledging the challenge laid out before him. "Looks like I should make the first move," he murmured, his gaze fixed on the unfolding battlefield.
In response to Tyson's command, one of the white soldiers surged forward, his footsteps echoing across the desert sands. With swift precision, he brandished his sword, ready to engage the enemy. Across the battlefield, the black king raised his sword, signaling his soldiers to advance.
As the black soldiers charged forward, the clash of metal against metal resounded through the air. The white and black armies collided in a flurry of strikes and parries, each side locked in a fierce struggle for dominance.
Amidst the chaos of battle, Tyson watched intently, his eyes darting from one skirmish to another. With every move, every clash of swords, he calculated his next steps
In the midst of the intense clash, Tyson watched from above, his keen eyes tracking every movement on the battlefield below. As the black rook made its bold advance, Tyson's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Sending your rook as a decoy and secretly preparing your queen to attack. Not bad," he mused to himself, "but unfortunately, I saw that coming miles away."
Before the black army could react, the white horse sprang into action, swiftly tackling the rook with precise timing. At the same time, a white soldier dealt a fatal blow to the black queen, sending shockwaves through their ranks. With each passing moment, the black army's numbers dwindled, their once-unshakeable resolve crumbling in the face of Tyson's strategic prowess.
"Guess it's my turn to attack," Tyson murmured, his voice carrying across the battlefield. With a decisive command, he ordered his knight to advance, setting the stage for the final confrontation. Yet, before the black king could mount a defense, the white queen seized the opportunity, her sword poised at the king's throat.
"Checkmate," Tyson declared, his words cutting through the chaos like a clarion call. With the battle won, he smiled with satisfaction, acknowledging the valiant efforts of his comrades. The white army erupted into cheers, swords raised in jubilation as they reveled in their hard-fought victory.
But amidst the celebrations, a sudden sandstorm engulfed the battlefield, shrouding everything in darkness. Tyson struggled to see through the swirling sands, his senses dulled by the onslaught of nature's fury. In the confusion, the black army seized their chance, launching a devastating counterattack.
Before Tyson could react, the black elephant charged forward, knocking him to the ground with brute force. As he struggled to rise, a black knight pinned him down, his foot pressing into Tyson's back, rendering him helpless.
Surrounded by the black army, Tyson felt a sense of impending doom wash over him. With grim determination, the black king approached, his sword gleaming in the dim light. In one swift motion, he raised his blade, poised to strike the final blow.
But just as the blade descended, Tyson's eyes snapped open, his heart pounding in his chest as he jolted awake from the vivid nightmare. Sweat beaded on his brow as he struggled to catch his breath, the echoes of the battle still ringing in his ears.
The soft chirping of birds sound gently nudged Tyson awake, his consciousness emerging from the depths of slumber. he reached out to silence the insistent beeping of his alarm clock.
Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Tyson sat up in bed,
-Back to main character pov-
What the hell was that? A nightmare? No... more like a lucid dream. But that last part—it was unexpected. Too bad I couldn't see it through. I guess there's nothing after death.
My gaze drifting around the familiar surroundings of my bedroom. Family photos adorned the walls, a testament to cherished memories. my eyes lingered on the shelves lined with books, each spine a portal to a different world of knowledge. In one corner, my chessboard awaiting for my moves, a silent challenge that was calling me. if i remember correctly then that puzzle was set by Serena oh yeah she challenged me to solve her puzzle when i look at the board it is just reminding me about that dream
With a resigned sigh, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and pushed myself upright. Stretching my arms above my head, I let out a tired yawn. What's the time? I glanced over at the clock on my bedside table. 5:55 AM. I had a bit more time before school.
Dragging myself out of bed, I groggily made my way to the bathroom. The cold tiles underfoot sent a shiver up my spine, waking me up a bit more. I grabbed my toothbrush and applied a quick dab of toothpaste, vigorously brushing away the remnants of sleep. A splash of water on my face helped clear the last vestiges of drowsiness.
After the refreshing shower, the warmth of the water invigorating my senses, I stepped into my small dressing room. There, neatly laid out, was my school uniform: a navy blue blazer with the school crest embroidered on the pocket, a crisp white shirt, and a bright yellow necktie. Next to it lay my black pants. I quickly dressed, smoothing out any wrinkles, feeling the familiar weight of the blazer on my shoulders as I adjusted my tie to just the right length.
With one last glance in the mirror to ensure everything was in place, I grabbed my school bag and headed for breakfast.
Heading to the kitchen, I started preparing breakfast. But first, I needed my morning coffee. I flicked on the coffee maker and turned my attention to the toaster, popping in two slices of bread. As they toasted, I cracked a couple of eggs into a pan and began making an omelet.
As I finished preparing my breakfast, I arranged it neatly on the dining table—a cup of coffee accompanied by two slices of toasted bread and a flavorful omelet seasoned with salt and pepper. Satisfied with my meal choice, I took my seat and turned on the TV to catch up on the morning news. However, the mundane reports about the weather forecast and political updates failed to capture my interest.
After switching off the TV and washing the dishes, I returned to my room and noticed the chessboard Serena had left behind. Her challenge lingered in my mind, tempting me to solve it. With determination, I began tackling the puzzle, finding it surprisingly manageable. In just four minutes, I had completed it.
Glancing at the time—7:20—I realized I needed to head to school soon. Gathering my books and packing my bag, I grabbed my keys and stepped outside. My apartment, yep i live in this apartment its not too big or too small it was perfect and comfortable for me to live alone moreover which makes it awesome is the city view yeah by looking outside the window you will witness best city view which was great. As I locked the door, I was greeted by a familiar girl with purple hair.
"Good morning, Tyson," Iris greets, her smile illuminating her face as she approaches and with her usual ponytail hairstyle. Returning the greeting, I nod, "Good morning, Iris."
Iris, a girl who attends the same high school as me. she is second year student and she is close friend of serena, Recently, she's taken on the role of student council president, adding to her already impressive list of achievements. Despite being in different grades, our proximity as neighbors forges a strong bond between us.
Iris's popularity in school is undeniable, thanks to her exceptional looks and academic grades. Living next door, her family has become like a second family to me, always welcoming and friendly. i wonder is because they are worried about that i live alone without family well anyway i should be greatfull to them
"Shouldn't the president be present more early at school?" I teased, enjoying Iris's reaction. She always responded in an amusing way.
"Give me a break," she retorted, her tone pointed but playful. "I'm already swamped with my new responsibilities as president. It'll take some time to get the hang of things."
With a small smile, Iris urged us to hurry to school. "Let's go. We don't want to be late, right?"
"Yeah, let's go," I agreed, nodding as we made our way out of the apartment. The morning air was crisp as we strolled along the road, our conversation turning to the upcoming exams.
"Now that Alex has graduated, I guess you'll be owning the top spot in the school rankings," Iris remarked, glancing at me with a playful smile.
"You make it sound like he always owned the top spot," I replied, chuckling. Iris had a way of teasing that was both amusing and endearing.
"Yeah, yeah. It's always you and Alex who come first in the rankings. You both don't even leave a chance for me and Serena to break through," Iris said, her tone slightly pouting.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Yep. Alex was also studying in same high school even though we had one year older separation wall, we always compete against each other in various fields and one of them was Our academic rivalry was legendary—we were constantly competing against each other. The results were always surprising and, admittedly, annoying. More often than not, our contests ended in a draw. When one of us managed to edge ahead, the other would triumph in the next challenge. It was a cycle that left us perpetually wondering who held the upper hand. Personally, I held Alex in high regard; he is a formidable opponent.
"You guys always come in 3rd and 4th spot, right? I think it's a good ranking too," I remarked, teasingly.
"You really think that cheers me up? Just you wait, I will drag you down by ranking top 1," she retorted with a determined grin.
I smiled in response. "I'll be looking forward to that."
Suddenly, a group of girls in high school uniforms called out to Iris, one of Lily's friends. They were waving and calling her name excitedly. Iris waved back at them before turning towards me.
"I'll be going with my friends then. Want to join?" Iris asked.
Before I could respond, my phone buzzed with a message. Glancing at the screen, I chuckled softly and then turned back to Iris. ″Sorry iris, some important work came up. you go ahead i join you later.″
Iris nodded understandingly. "Don't get too late, okay? Bye."
She caught up with her friends who were waiting for her, waving a final goodbye to me. I waved back as they departed.
As Iris and her friends disappeared down the street, I pocketed my phone and adjusted my bag. It was fortunate timing—I hadn't been particularly keen on joining them anyway. My message provided the perfect excuse.
I chuckled to myself as I made my way towards the bridge leading to the Sun Familia's Headquarters. The message I received was from headquarters,an unknown player challenging me to a chess match. It might seem foolish to skip school just to play chess, but there wasn't anything particularly urgent going on at school right now. It was only 8:10, and first period didn't start until 9:00, so I still had plenty of time to kill. After all, this match seemed like the perfect way to pass the time. Besides, I had plans to meet up with Alex and Cedric later. They mentioned something important that they wanted to discuss with me. Iris, Alex, Serena—popular figures at school, always surrounded by others. They thrived on it, but that wasn't quite my scene. No, I was content in my quieter corner of the world.
Alex, especially, had a magnetic charm that drew people in effortlessly, especially the girls. Even after graduation, his popularity endured. I, on the other hand, seemed to have faded into the background as time went on. I wasn't exactly the life of the party—I preferred observing over participating, speaking only when necessary.
And you know what? That was perfectly fine by me. I wasn't interested in being the center of attention. I had a select few friends whom I valued deeply, and that was all I needed.
Standing on the bridge, I took in the morning cityscape. The sun painted the sky with warm hues, and Pink Flowering Almond lined the riverbank. Pink petals danced in the air, stirred by a gentle breeze, adding to the picturesque scene. A boy in a blue shirt blue bagpack walked ahead of me, while everyone seemed hurried, heading to their jobs. I marveled at it for a minute, It was a tranquil moment before the city fully woke up.
I guess today is going to be a beautiful day, i just wish nothing bad happens that's all [https://img.wattpad.com/a245a405681243dbb029e148ab30205f025f9e5b/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6c6644727877735953696f3878513d3d2d313438303139313533372e313766613034623334326264333832643838333932333335323531332e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
I guess today is going to be a beautiful day, i just wish nothing bad happens that's all.
-At astral city high school-
As the bustling corridors of Astral City High School filled with students, groups of friends chatted excitedly while making their way to their respective classes. Each person seemed lost in their own world, caught up in the morning rush.
Amidst this lively scene, a group of girls hurried into a classroom, their eyes scanning the room until they spotted a girl with striking black hair and piercing green eyes. She was deeply engrossed in a novel, seemingly oblivious to the commotion around her.
She was deeply engrossed in a novel, seemingly oblivious to the commotion around her [https://img.wattpad.com/d3363779f6df47207164d9829f0a7978bcae5a0d/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f77542d59426643697344793632413d3d2d313438303139313533372e313766613038396236313136323862383130373035333230323432322e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
"Hey Serena!" the girls exclaimed enthusiastically, hoping to capture her attention.
Serena looked up from her book, her expression calm yet slightly annoyed at the interruption.
"We heard that Tyson is going to play chess against Oliver Sinclair," one of the girls announced eagerly.
Serena's reaction was immediate—a faint scowl crossed her features. "That moron," she muttered under her breath. "He's getting cocky just because he won against my brother yesterday."
The girls gasped in surprise. "Tyson won against your brother in chess?" they asked incredulously.
Serena nodded in response, though some of the girls seemed less shocked. "What's so shocking about that?" they chimed in. "It's a normal thing between them."
Curious, the girls continued, "Hey Serena, who do you think will win? Oliver or Tyson?"
Serena's expression grew somber. "By Oliver, you mean Astral City's chess champion, Oliver?" she clarified.
"Yes, that Oliver," the girls confirmed.
Serena sighed, her thoughts momentarily clouded. "I just wish Oliver wins against him," she admitted softly.
The girls exchanged puzzled glances. "Shouldn't you be cheering for Tyson?" they asked, confused by Serena's response.
"Why should I cheer for that moron?" Serena replied, her tone slightly defensive. "Sure, he's lazy, but he's not an idiot."
At Sun Familia Headquarters :
Entering the Sun Familia headquarters, I found the place bustling with activity. Employees hurried about, engrossed in their tasks, making the facility buzz with purpose. The headquarters itself was modern and sleek, with sunlight streaming through large windows, creating a lively atmosphere.
As I walked through the corridors, some colleagues greeted me warmly, and I returned their greetings with a nod and a smile. Since becoming a Sun Familia member, I had grown familiar with everyone. Initially, they had been hesitant, understandable since I was an outsider. But over time, as we worked together, they had grown close and treated me as one of their own.
The building wasn't officially the Sun Familia headquarters yet, but in few days later it would be soon. To outsiders, it appeared to be a busy office building, unaware of its true nature and purpose.
As I pushed open the towering doors to the chess chamber, the room revealed itself in a dimly lit ambiance, enveloped by a mysterious air. The ceiling was painted a deep black, and soft white lights glowed in the corners, casting an eerie yet captivating atmosphere over the space. Several figures stood in conversation, their voices murmuring against the quiet backdrop, seemingly oblivious to my arrival.
"Hey, Tyson."
I turned to see Marcus, the supervisor of Sun Familia headquarters, dressed impeccably in his usual black suit. "Morning, Marcus," I greeted him with a nod. Marcus was not only a respected leader but also surprisingly warm-hearted, known for his occasional playful antics that defied his stern appearance.
As I stepped further into the chamber, my presence became apparent, and a wave of hushed whispers rippled through the room.
"Isn't that Tyson?"
"Yeah, that's him."
Ignoring the murmurs, Marcus approached me with a teasing glint in his eye. "You okay with skipping school?" he asked, a knowing smile tugging at his lips.
"Don't worry, this won't last long. Plus, I still have some time," I replied, glancing casually at my wristwatch. It was 8:30; I had a good twenty minutes to spare.
Marcus chuckled softly, the sound barely audible over the hum of conversation. "I was just imagining their reactions after witnessing the game," he confessed, a devilish smirk playing on his lips.
Before I could respond, a familiar voice cut through the chatter. "Hey, big brother Tyson!"
I turned to see Henry, Marcus's spirited twelve-year-old nephew, with fiery orange hair that matched his exuberant personality.
"Hey, Henry. How are you?" I greeted him warmly, a smile touching my lips.
"You're late, big brother Tyson! I was tired of waiting for you," Henry exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
"Well, I was on my way to school when someone sent me a challenge invitation without my knowledge," I explained, shooting a pointed look at Marcus.
Henry's expression shifted to one of puzzlement. "But Uncle Marcus was planning this since yesterday. Didn't he tell you?"
Marcus glanced away briefly, whistling nonchalantly as if feigning ignorance. "Oi, Marcus," I called him out, sensing something amiss.
He hesitated before replying, "Y-yes?"
"Care to explain?" I inquired, narrowing my eyes.
Marcus glanced away briefly, whistling nonchalantly as if feigning ignorance. "Well, you see, I was planning to tell you about this yesterday, but Alex told me not to spill the beans and keep it as a surprise challenge. Heh, sorry," Marcus admitted, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
I let out a sigh, muttering under my breath, "That moron." "Well, complaining about it now won't change anything," I remarked to Marcus with a resigned shrug.
Henry, eager to join the conversation, interjected with youthful enthusiasm. "It's going to be exciting, Tyson! Oliver Sinclair is no pushover," he exclaimed, his eyes bright with anticipation.
I nodded, a smile tugging at my lips. "Where is he?" I inquired, glancing over at Marcus.
Marcus nodded toward a door behind him with a thumb. "He's waiting for you in there," he replied.
"Got it. I should head in then," I said, adjusting my posture.
Henry handed me my ID card with a wish of good luck, to which I responded with a casual wave before striding confidently towards the back door. Without looking back, I reached for the handle and entered the room.
The chess chamber was shrouded in a mysterious ambiance, painted entirely in dark black with dim blue lights casting subtle shadows in the corners. As I entered, my eyes adjusted to the unique atmosphere, the focus drawn to the central feature—a chessboard positioned under a striking Ceiling Lights Black Down Focus Lamp.
Oliver Sinclair stood patiently beside the board, his posture relaxed yet poised. I approached him, sensing a slight tension in the air from my delayed arrival. "Sorry for making you wait, sir," I apologized, trying to dispel any discomfort.
Oliver's reaction was unexpectedly warm. "No worries at all, Tyson. I wasn't waiting long," he reassured me with a friendly smile. "And please, don't call me sir. Just Oliver is fine."
I was surprised by Oliver's easygoing demeanor, expecting someone more rigid and distant. "Okay, if you say so," I replied, taking a seat opposite him at the chessboard.
"I've heard a lot about you," Oliver continued, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. "They call you 'The Ruler of the Battlefield.'"
I chuckled softly, a hint of embarrassment coloring my expression. "That's just a silly nickname people came up with. Please ignore that," I replied modestly. "I've also heard a lot about you. I've watched your matches; you're truly the chess champion."
Oliver's smile widened, appreciating the compliment. "Thanks. Well then, shall we begin?" he suggested, gesturing towards the chessboard.
"Yeah," I responded absently, my gaze fixed on the chessboard before me. As I readjusted my pieces, my mind involuntarily flashed back to that unsettling dream—the rushing elephant, the oppressive weight of the knight's foot, the cold glint of the king's sword—a haunting reminder of mortality that lingered at the edges of my thoughts.
Oliver's voice broke through my reverie. "Hey, Tyson, you okay?"
Startled, I refocused my attention on Oliver. "Yeah, I kind of zoned out there for a moment," I admitted with a slight shake of my head, trying to shake off the lingering unease.
"No need to be nervous," Oliver reassured me, sensing my distraction. "This isn't an official game. Think of it as just a friendly match."
I managed a soft smile, even though i was not nervous i was grateful for his concern. "Thanks, Oliver. I appreciate that," I replied, feeling a wave of reassurance wash over me as I regained my focus.
As the tension eased, I turned to Oliver with a newfound determination. "Shall we begin, then?" I suggested, ready to immerse myself in the strategic challenge ahead.
Oliver nodded affirmatively, a twinkle of excitement in his eyes. "Absolutely. Let's make it a memorable match," he agreed
-To be continued-