Hei chopped through the air with his palm. The copper Ring of Weapon Return on his finger glinted, leaving a trail of blue flames. His spear, long and metallic, manifested amidst the fading fire.

Hei lowered his chin as he stared Doublerift down.

"You have 10 seconds to get out of my shop," Hei said.

"I am not here to fight you," Doublerift replied, his voice clear and cold as ice. The sheen on his glasses glared blank-white. He did not budge.

Hei moved his spear to the off-hand. His Ring of Weapon Return glowed again, and he stretched his hand out into the empty space beside him.

Wait. Did he now have a second weapon, besides the spear?

"Follow me, you both," Doublerift said with a thin exhale. He stood up from his seat, then headed for the front doors of the shop. I reflexively started walking in the same direction, and didn't catch myself until a few steps in. The glow on Hei's ring faded away, and after a pause, he followed too. His grasp on the spear had grown so tight, I swore I heard the metal shaft creak.

"I came here to clear up misunderstandings between us," Doublerift began. "Surely, after all the disagreements we've had, Hei, you'd have given thought to what my motives are."

"I know enough, crime lord," Hei said.

"Hei. Do I look like a happy man to you?"

"The most miserable I've seen."

"Then why do you think I'm here?" Doublerift asked.

Hei frowned.

Doublerift stopped at the sliding glass doors leading out. "I know you must think I'm a tyrant, ravenous for control and gold. And yourself, a crusader for the people's justice, opposing my every scheme."

"Get out," Hei repeated.

Doublerift turned back to face us. "Everyone who can leave and does not, has a reason to stay. Why do you think I'm here?"

"Just say what you're trying to say," I pressed.

"Make no mistake," Doublerift continued. "I take no joy in my dealings here. Were I concerned for myself, I'd have long left Platinum, and returned to earth. There, I do not fear death. There, a bright future awaits me. I am here because the people need me."

"You, and your money printing scheme?" Hei retorted.

"The people need me to free them from Alice," Doublerift said. "Before thirty days pass, I will destroy Alice, and I will destroy the foundations of this world."

Hei scoffed. "You want me to believe that's been your secret play the whole time."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

"Yes," Doublerift said. "Yes, I do. Alice must die. And after she does, I will bring everyone, Bronze to Platinum, back alive to earth. This world's very essence will fuel their return, and in doing so, this world will perish. We will never lose another life to the death games again."

"You've never sounded more insane," Hei said.

"I tell the truth," Doublerift replied flatly.

I looked back and forth between them. I shuffled uneasily.

"I think I trust Doublerift," I admitted to Hei.

Hei studied me with a look of incredulousness.

"I really think he's an unhappy person," I added.

Hei shrugged. "So be it. Doublerift, I will give you one month to prove your words. One month of ceasefire. You will leave us alone, and we'll do likewise."

"I need Sophia for my mission," Doublerift clarified.

"Your mission is of no concern to me," Hei said.

"I'm kinda concerned about it," I said.

"We've given everything to make it this far," Hei reminded me. "We've almost won. Don't gamble it all away for his scheme."

For the first time, I heard Doublerift laugh. It was shrill, caustic.

"Is this the man you are, Hei?!" he asked. "A coward among cowards? These games made your companions fight to the death. Alice killed your friends. You heard their dying pleas. Their regrets, their last wishes. And what do you do in response? You walk away. You let them down, and you walk away."

"It's not our fault!" I fired back. "None of this is. And, it's not like we can bring anyone back."

"How much longer do you think Atlas will last, in this accursed game?" Doublerift asked.

I flinched. "...What?"

"How long will Atlas be alive for," Doublerift said. "And Reens. And all your friends who you've saved. You and Hei can no doubt find your way back home. But what will the rest of them do without you?"

I thought Mr. Atlas and the rest would've been fine. But really, that was just what I forced myself to believe.

"You, Hei, Saber," Doublerift enumerated. "If anyone deserves to beat this game, you three do. But more so than anyone, Saber did. Despite being the strongest, she took on the duty of looking after those weaker than herself."

"Keep her name out of this," I spat.

"Well enough. I have made my point."

I clenched my jaws, tightened my muscles to stop shaking. I looked to Hei.

"Let's join him," I said.

"Sophia," Hei almost shouted. "Come on. We're all pawns to him."

"I'd call you my rook and queen," Doublerift commented. "Sophia and Hei. A team as fine as any other. Join me. We will be slaves to these games no more."

Hei, with spear still in hand, stared Doublerift down.

"Hei," I whispered. "I need you for this."

Hei's speartip wavered. He held his breath, and so did I.

"I hope we don't regret it," Hei finally said. "So be it. Thirty days is all you'll get."

"Thirty days is more than enough," Doublerift assured. "Come, I'll drive us back to base personally. Or do you prefer to drive, Hei?"

Hei dismissed Doublerift, and simply walked along towards the parking lot. I looked to Doublerift, back to Hei, and then to Doublerift once more. All this time, had he planned for his queen, his strongest piece, to be none other than Hei?

"Is this the real reason why you recruited me?" I asked Doublerift.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

That was as much of an answer as I expected.

Go ahead, play your game, Doublerift. We will be your pieces. We will fight your battles.

But make no mistake.

The one to decide the fate of this world would not be you.

It would be me.