image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
9) THE APPEARANCE OF THE QUEEN
Sophia, unaware of the magic that coursed through her veins, walked alongside Ardelbert, a young man brimming with knowledge from his gifted education. They moved cautiously through the mist-shrouded forest, their steps muted on the damp earth. Above them, an owl glided silently, its golden eyes glowing in the gloom, as if leading the way.
“Do you think that owl knows where it’s taking us?” Ardelbert asked, a flicker of excitement lighting up his voice.
“I don’t know,” Sophia said slowly, her gaze fixed on the bird. “Owls are wise, but this… this feels different.”
The owl let out a soft hoot, and suddenly, a faint glow appeared deeper in the forest. With a flutter of its wings, the bird soared toward the light.
“It’s like a bishop in chess, moving diagonally and with purpose,” Ardelbert muttered, watching the bird disappear into the mist.
They followed until they reached a stone platform where the owl had come to rest. With a graceful, almost deliberate motion, the owl’s form began to shift, as if it were becoming one with the stone beneath it. Within moments, the owl was no more—only a stone monument stood where it had landed.
“Another monument…” Sophia started forward, curiosity pulling her toward it. But before she could take more than a step, Reinhart, her ever-faithful Chihuahua, jumped in front of her.
“Wait, Sophie! Don’t move!” Reinhart’s warning was sharp, his tiny body tense.
Sophia stopped short, her heart pounding. “What—?”
Ardelbert glanced between her and the monument, his eyes narrowing as he took in their surroundings. “Look carefully, Sophie. This monument... there’s something written on it.”
Sophia squinted at the stone, frustrated. “I need my camera… but it’s in the autogyro.”
Ardelbert shook his head, his tone turning cautious. “Best not. If this is part of a chessboard, you moving again might break the rules. In chess, moving twice can cost you the game. It could be dangerous.”
Sophia frowned, torn between caution and curiosity. “I want to know what’s on that monument.”
“Describe it to me,” Ardelbert suggested. “Maybe I can piece something together.”
Sophia nodded, focusing her gaze. “It’s long, with animals carved into it. They’re connected by trees... and there are nine lines of text. At the top, there’s a man holding a cat—probably a king. Then there’s what looks like a wizard. And at the end… a man holding a bird.”
Ardelbert’s face grew thoughtful. “That sounds like the Falstone monument. It’s a legendary artifact from ancient mythology, symbolizing the unity of the king, the sage, and the bird god. The king holding a cat—black cats were believed to have magical powers in ancient times.”
Sophia’s eyes widened. “I didn’t know that. What’s next?”
Ardelbert paused, glancing around as if expecting something to happen. “If I’m right, the Queen will appear next. The Queen is the most powerful piece in chess—she moves freely across the board. Her arrival would make sense here.”
Even as he spoke, a dark mist began swirling around Ardelbert’s feet.
“What... what’s happening?” Ardelbert’s voice wavered as he looked down, watching the mist take form. Gradually, a sleek black cat emerged, its golden eyes gleaming with an almost regal intensity.
Sophia gasped. “Is that...?”
The cat stood tall, elegant, its presence commanding. It circled Ardelbert slowly, its eyes never leaving him. Finally, it sat at his feet, its tail curling neatly around its paws, staring up as if waiting for orders.
“She’s the Queen,” Ardelbert whispered, awe in his voice. The cat’s gaze was unwavering, her posture one of quiet authority.
“What do we do now?” Sophia asked, her eyes wide with wonder.
“If she’s the Queen,” Ardelbert said carefully, “we can ask her to show us the way forward. We’re on a chessboard now, Sophie. We’ll use her power to uncover our path.”
The cat remained seated, majestic and calm, as if ready to guide them through the mysteries that lay ahead.
image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
10) THE WHITE KING LAUGHS
As the black Queen materialized before Ardelbert, the air grew thick with tension. Her cold, regal elegance was undeniable as she fixed her icy gaze on him, making it impossible for him to speak. Words caught in his throat, and he was left in a strange silence, beads of sweat forming on his brow.
“...This is... strange...” Ardelbert tried to force the words out, but his voice failed him. He could feel something constricting his throat, a force that left him speechless.
The Queen’s lips curled into a slight smile, clearly amused by his struggle. Her voice rang out, cool and sharp. “What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”
Before Ardelbert could respond, his Doberman, Gustav, stepped forward, his stance firm and dignified as he addressed the Queen.
“My master is unable to speak due to... familial bonds,” Gustav declared, his tone calm but filled with respect.
The Queen narrowed her eyes slightly, her curiosity piqued. “Is that so? Then it falls to you to make the move on his behalf.”
Gustav bowed his head low. “That would be above my station, Your Majesty. I am merely a messenger.”
The silence between them was palpable, and then, after a few heartbeats, Gustav spoke again. “However, my master did mention ‘Qh4+’ earlier.”
The Queen’s eyes gleamed, and she gave a nod of approval. “Ah... an excellent move. It puts the enemy King under pressure.”
With that, she moved—graceful as ever, stepping elegantly onto the chessboard as though she were gliding across a ballroom floor. She advanced to the fourth square from the bottom, her movements deliberate, and as she did so, she began to sing an ancient and haunting melody.
"God almighty stripped himself,
when he wished to climb the cross
brave before all men.
I dared not bow down but had to stand fast...
I raised a powerful king,
the Lord of the heavens;
I dared not bend down...
They pierced me with dark nails..."
Her voice echoed eerily through the forest, its haunting cadence chilling the air around them. As the final note faded, the Queen began to change—her elegant form morphing into a massive sandstone cross. It stood towering over them, worn but imposing, its 5.5-meter height radiating an ancient dignity despite its chipped surface.
“What... what is happening...?” Sophia muttered, her face a mix of disbelief and awe.
Just then, something stirred in the swirling mist beside her. From the fog, a massive white face slowly emerged, its expression twisted with anger, as though deeply displeased.
“Witch, make your move, and rid me of this irritation!” the face growled in a deep, rumbling voice.
Sophia took a step back, her eyes wide. “Me? What... what is this? And why is that face so big?”
The massive face glared down at her. “Hurry up, now! I’m waiting for your move!”
Sophia hesitated, overwhelmed by the sheer absurdity of the situation. But as her mind began to clear, her logical thinking, sharpened by her scientific background, took over.
“Okay... let me think this through.”
1. I was flying the autogyro when this strange fog appeared, and then I passed out. When I woke up, I was here.
2. We’re somehow involved in a chess game.
3. Ardelbert mentioned that it’s dangerous to move twice in chess.
4. The dogs are talking and seem to be predicting what’s happening.
“So... if we keep playing this chess game, maybe we can escape this world when the game ends...”
She tried to steady herself, though hunger gnawed at her stomach. “...I’m starving...” she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.
The white face looked down at her, clearly puzzled. “What? You’re hungry... now?”
Just then, Sophia spotted a cluster of ripe, wild grapes hanging nearby. “I’ll eat these grapes... let’s just say they’re a gift from the King.”
“What!? This is no time for—” Ardelbert started, but the giant white face suddenly burst into laughter.
“Oh, amusing indeed! To worry about your hunger at a time like this—such is the way of a true witch!”
The face swayed with mirth, its laughter rumbling through the mist.
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“Go ahead, eat! If it keeps things interesting!”
Sophia, still bewildered by the strange turn of events, plucked a grape from the bunch. The fruit glistened like a small jewel, and she hesitated only for a moment before popping it into her mouth. The sweet, tangy flavor spread over her tongue, and she couldn’t help but smile.
For a few moments, she was entirely absorbed in the simple joy of eating the grapes.
Ardelbert, watching her with an exasperated expression, sighed. “Sophia, this is not the time for a snack break...”
“Just... let me finish,” she mumbled through another mouthful of grapes.
The white face, still amused, chuckled again. “Ha! This witch is truly something else. Eat, then! You have my permission!”
Eventually, Sophia wiped her hands, her hunger satisfied, and refocused her mind on the chessboard.
“Right... now that I’ve eaten, I can think straight. Let’s figure out the next move.”
Her gaze sharpened as she began to calculate. “Let’s see... I’ve lost a pawn, so we’re down a point. The Queen’s out on h4, threatening the King. We need to defend.”
Sophia’s mind buzzed with equations and strategies, her scientific training kicking into gear.
“Our current risk is high—too high. If I don’t make the next move, the King will be in even more danger.”
Ardelbert nodded in agreement. “Yes, the next move is crucial.”
After a moment of careful thought, Sophia spoke with confidence. “‘Kf1’—moving the King to safety. It’s the least risky option, and it might buy us time to prepare an attack.”
The white face grinned, its massive features shifting into an almost approving smile.
“Good... the witch has made her move!”
11) THE OWL'S ECLAIR
Faced with the mysterious fog and the bizarre situation they found themselves in, Ardelbert and Sophia knew they had no choice but to press on. Though everything about this strange chess game defied logic, Sophia was determined to use her wits to find a way out.
Ardelbert, on the other hand, was focused on the stone monument at his feet, examining it for any potential clues. As he bent down for a closer look, a small rustling caught his attention. Out of the bushes hopped a tiny rabbit, heading straight for him.
“Huh? A rabbit?” Ardelbert blinked in surprise. After all they’d seen, the idea of an animal speaking to him wasn’t so strange anymore.
The rabbit tilted its head curiously before speaking in a soft voice. “Looking for b5, are you?”
Ardelbert knelt down to meet the rabbit’s gaze. “Well, yes... but can you show me where it is?”
The rabbit nodded and waved a tiny paw, gesturing for him to follow. “This way.”
Without hesitation, Ardelbert followed as the rabbit hopped ahead with light, swift movements. Eventually, the rabbit stopped at a particular spot and looked back at him.
“Here it is, b5.”
The rabbit jumped up, landing precisely on the square. “Thanks,” Ardelbert said with a smile, only to watch in amazement as the rabbit’s body stiffened and transformed into stone, turning into a small monument right before his eyes.
“Another stone monument...” Ardelbert muttered, narrowing his eyes to study the runes now inscribed on its surface.
“This... this is Futhark script,” he whispered, recognizing the ancient alphabet. The runes were part of the ancient Futhark system, a script that originally consisted of 24 characters and was divided into three Aettir, or families.
He stood back and mused aloud, “Three Aettir... groups of eight. Could the animals playing the roles of pawns in this game also be divided into eight groups?”
He began recalling the creatures they’d seen—first a mouse, then a squirrel, and now a rabbit—each of them turning into pawns after their roles were complete. “So, we’ve seen three so far... but what about the other five?”
Deep in thought, Ardelbert studied the runes on the stone monument again, hoping for more answers.
Meanwhile, Sophia sat nearby, utterly exhausted from the ongoing game. “This is so confusing... and I’m starving,” she groaned, rubbing her stomach in frustration.
Reinhart, her Chihuahua, let out a sigh. “Come on, Sophie, it’s your move.”
“I know, I know,” Sophia muttered, “but I can’t think when I’m this hungry.”
Reinhart drooped his ears, exasperated. “You might find food after your next move.”
Sophia’s interest piqued at that. “Really? Well, that’s motivation enough.”
She refocused, starting to piece together the game in her mind. “Let’s see... if I break down the moves so far using a mathematical model...”
Her fingers twitched as if she were sketching out the game’s progression in the air.
“1. e4, e5—control of the center.
2. f4, exf4—sacrificing a pawn for an attack.
3. Bc4, Qh4+—the King was threatened but...
4. Kf1—we dodged the check.”
Sophia thought deeply, weighing her options. “Now that Black’s moved to b5, my Bishop’s in danger. But if I take that pawn, I can attack the queenside and set up future moves.”
Her eyes sparkled with renewed determination as she turned to the chessboard. “Alright, Bishop! It’s your turn—take b5!”
Suddenly, a majestic owl, representing the Bishop, swooped down in front of her. “At your service,” the owl hooted, spreading its wings before gracefully gliding forward and seizing the pawn on b5.
Sophia couldn’t help but grin. “Well, since you’re such a helpful Bishop, can you conjure up something sweet for me? I’m really hungry.”
The owl blinked at her, its feathers shimmering. “Of course. My offering is... this.”
With a flick of its wings, a shower of sparkling light descended, and from it, a beautifully crafted éclair appeared on a small table.
Sophia’s face lit up. “An éclair! Just what I needed!” She reached for the treat, taking a big bite. The rich custard cream burst in her mouth, and she sighed in contentment, the sweetness washing over her like a warm blanket, soothing both her tired body and her frazzled mind.
For a moment, everything else faded away, leaving only the delightful taste of the éclair as Sophia savored every bite.
image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
12) THE EARTHQUAKE
As Sophia savored the éclair, its sweetness calming her mind, she took a few unconscious steps forward.
Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath her feet. She stopped mid-bite, locking eyes with Reinhart, the Chihuahua.
"Hm?... What's that?" Sophia muttered just as a deep tremor surged through the earth.
"It's an earthquake!" Ardelbert shouted.
The tremors intensified rapidly, shaking the entire forest. The ground groaned, trees swayed violently, and the leaves rustled frantically in the chaos. Sophia, barely able to maintain her balance, instinctively glanced towards the autogyro.
"Sophie, watch out!" Reinhart barked, his small voice urgent. Steadying herself, Sophia managed to stay upright amidst the swirling wind and cracking ground. The trees shuddered, shedding leaves, and the earth beneath her rippled as though the forest itself was alive, writhing in distress.
"Whoa... hold it together!" Sophia muttered to herself, planting her feet firmly as the tremors grew stronger, splitting the ground in jagged lines. Even the stone monuments around them began to tilt precariously.
Ardelbert, struggling to keep his balance on one knee, shouted, "Doberman, go to Sophia!"
The Doberman leapt into action, racing toward Sophia with unwavering speed despite the quaking earth. His eyes locked on her, determined to reach her in time.
Sophia glanced at the autogyro, her mind racing. "I need to get to the autogyro—now!"
"Sophie, wait! It's dangerous!" Reinhart warned, but Sophia, her resolve hardening, sprinted toward the autogyro, ignoring the shaking ground beneath her. The earth buckled and heaved, pebbles rolling underfoot as trees crashed to the ground, but she pressed on, her focus unwavering.
The closer she got, the more the earthquake seemed to intensify.
"Almost there...!"
Sophia urged herself forward, her eyes fixed on the autogyro. The wind howled around her, the trees swayed wildly, as if the very forest was alive and trying to communicate something. She stumbled briefly, catching herself with her hands, but pushed forward with renewed determination.
Meanwhile, Ardelbert kept a close watch on Sophia’s progress while maintaining his own balance. The tremors continued, fierce and relentless. From the cracks in the ground, white smoke began to rise as if something ancient and powerful was stirring beneath the surface.
The Doberman darted to Sophia’s side, his voice steady. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah... somehow!" Sophia responded, reaching for the autogyro with trembling hands. Relief washed over her as she grabbed hold of it, steadying herself against the machine.
But something felt off. The tremors grew stronger with each step she took.
Leaping into the cockpit, Sophia began frantically preparing to start the engine. "Come on... if I can just get this started, we can get out of here!"
The Doberman returned to Ardelbert’s side as he watched Sophia, finally exhaling a sigh of relief.
"I get it now... the earthquake was triggered because she moved—it's a penalty!"
As if responding to the realization, the tremors began to quiet. The violent shaking eased, the forest stilled, and the wind calmed. Leaves drifted lazily to the ground as the eerie silence returned, the chaos ebbing away. Sophia, her heart still racing, checked the autogyro’s engine, trying to steady her breath.
"What... just happened?" Sophia whispered, looking up at the sky. Though the tremors had ceased, the mystery of the forest remained, leaving her with no choice but to go along with whatever this strange game had in store for her.
image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
13) ESCAPE (SOPHIA ALONE)
Sophia slipped into the cockpit, the vibrations of the trembling earth still lingering beneath her feet. As the shaking subsided, her mind was laser-focused on one thing: escaping this strange place, no matter what.
"Ugh, what is happening here...? At this point, flying is my only option!"
She flipped the switches, the autogyro's engine roaring to life. The propeller began to spin, sending familiar tremors through the aircraft. Sophia tightened her grip on the controls, her eyes fixed straight ahead. Right now, she couldn’t spare a thought for Ardelbert or anyone else—her survival was the only thing that mattered.
"W-wait, Sophie!" Ardelbert's voice called from behind her, but she didn’t hear him—or pretended not to. The engine roared louder as she pushed the throttle.
"Sophie, are we really going to fly?" Reinhart lifted his head from her lap, worry filling his eyes.
"Yes, we are! Staying here any longer would be pointless, don’t you think?"
The autogyro began to lurch forward, gaining momentum. With each passing second, the wind caught the rotor blades, and the aircraft surged ahead. Sophia felt the familiar lift as the autogyro began to rise, her body absorbing the rhythmic vibrations.
"We’re off the ground!" she exclaimed, a small smile breaking through the tension on her face.
She wanted to help Ardelbert, but the winds were too unpredictable, and attempting to turn back now could end in disaster. The best plan was to get out of there fast and bring help as soon as possible.
"I’ll come back with help," she muttered to herself, her gaze fixed ahead.
On the ground, Ardelbert watched the autogyro soar through the air, shaking his head in disbelief. His Doberman, standing beside him, looked up at him with an amused expression.
"Well, she just went and flew off, didn’t she?" Ardelbert remarked, half-shrugging at the unexpected turn of events.
"As expected from someone with witch's blood. All we can do now is trust her to handle it."
High above, Sophia was focused solely on the gray expanse ahead. The fog stretched in every direction—above, below, to the left, to the right—completely obscuring her path. But she didn’t waver.
"This fog... it’s everywhere. But I have no choice but to push through!"
The engine's rumble filled her ears, its noise a constant companion. Despite the tension, the familiar sound of the spinning rotor gave her a strange sense of comfort. She adjusted the throttle carefully, ensuring the aircraft remained steady. The autogyro was a sensitive machine—any shift in the center of gravity could send it bouncing up and down—but Sophia was more than capable of keeping it in check.
"Sophie, watch out! We can't see anything up ahead!" Reinhart warned, his voice laced with concern.
"It’s fine, Reinhart. We’ll figure it out!"
Sophia smiled, but the strain was evident in her voice. She gripped the controls tighter, her eyes scanning the endless gray fog. The propeller hummed steadily, cutting through the dense mist with a heavy, rhythmic beat.
The fog thickened, swallowing the horizon. All Sophia could do was maintain altitude and press forward. She glanced down at the instruments, her eyes darting between the altimeter and the fuel gauge. The needle was steadily dropping.
"Come on... I know the fuel efficiency’s terrible, but we can’t stop now."
Sophia gritted her teeth, pushing the throttle further. The engine roared in response, the rotor slicing harder through the oppressive fog.
Reinhart snuggled closer to her lap, his presence grounding her in the moment. "I know you’ll make it, Sophie."
"Thanks, Reinhart," she whispered, her eyes narrowing as she glared into the mist. Somewhere, there had to be a way out. She just had to believe.