The Opening

"Welcome"

Startled, Dante looked around, his eyes searching the void for a source. The blackness was total, an abyss without end, save for one peculiar figure standing a few feet away. It was a small skeleton, adorned with worn boots, its eye sockets flickering with a ghostly flame. The sight was otherworldly, akin to a character ripped from the pages of a novel or the screen of a game, a being both eerie and strangely comical in its appearance.

There was a silence, thick and tangible, as Dante regarded the skeleton. His mind, always agile and quick to adapt, raced to make sense of the situation. He was alone in this unknown void with what he guessed was a talking skeleton, a scenario that would have sent many into panic. Yet, Dante felt a strange calmness, a cool-headedness that had always been his anchor in unpredictable situations. His life, though ordinary in many respects, had honed a resilience in him, a knack for learning quickly and responding with a clarity that often surprised those who knew him.

The skeleton seemed to be waiting, its fiery gaze fixed on Dante. A myriad of questions swirled in Dante's mind, each clamoring for attention. Where was he? What was this place? Was this a dream, a hallucination, or something far beyond his understanding? The situation was bizarre, yet there was an undercurrent of intrigue, a puzzle that beckoned to his innate curiosity.

"Let's see, for you... what about a game of chess?" the skeleton proposed, its voice a strange blend of ageless wisdom and playful mischief.

Dante, still coming to terms with the surreal nature of his surroundings, observed as two chairs and a chessboard materialized from the void, seemingly conjured by the skeleton's whimsical gesture. The pieces, carved from unknown materials, gleamed under an unseen light, casting elongated shadows on the board.

"Care to take a seat?" the skeleton invited, its tone laced with an enigmatic challenge.

Dante, eyeing the setup with a blend of skepticism and fascination, eventually acquiesced. He took a seat opposite the skeleton, still processing the bizarre turn of events.

The skeleton initiated the game with a bold move, its bony fingers deftly pushing a pawn forward.

e4

Dante took a moment, his initial wariness giving way to focus as he contemplated his response. After a brief pause, he mirrored the skeleton's determination, his movements precise and calculated.

e5

The skeleton, observing Dante's move, continued with another pawn, advancing it into the heart of the board.

f4

"The King's Gambit," it announced, a tone of ancient mystery weaving through its voice. "An opening as old as the game itself, full of risks and rewards. Much like the journey through life, wouldn't you agree?"

Dante, still wrapped in his cloak of silence, contemplated his next move. He countered the skeleton's gambit with a bold stroke, his expression calm yet focused.

d5

"Ah, the Falkbeer Countergambit," the skeleton mused, its eye sockets glowing brighter in the darkness. "A response that speaks of courage and a refusal to be intimidated. It's like a dance, isn't it? A dance of strategy and intellect, where each move tells its own story."

The skeleton's next move was methodical, a calculated advance that added layers to the unfolding chess drama.

exd5

Dante found himself increasingly absorbed, his initial hesitation fading into the background of this unexpected chess match. Unfazed, he captured the pawn with his queen.

Qxd5

"Ah, seizing the center with the queen," the skeleton observed, its voice a whisper of intrigue. "Bold, very bold. But remember, in chess, as in life, every action has its risks."

The skeleton then maneuvered its knight, positioning it to threaten Dante's queen.

Nc3

Dante's queen retreated, maintaining a strong presence on the board.

Qe6

"Retreat, but not surrender," the skeleton noted, a hint of amusement in its tone. "There's wisdom in knowing when to pull back."

The game continued, with each move a testament to the players' strategic acumen. The skeleton's pieces wove around the board with grace, each move a silent challenge to Dante's skills. Yet, Dante responded with equal finesse, his every move a counter to the skeleton's intricate strategies.

As the endgame approached, the tension in the void became almost tangible. Dante's focus narrowed, each calculation a step closer to an unseen end. The skeleton, sensing the impending climax, paused longer with each move, its eye sockets burning with a ghostly light.

Then, with a series of swift moves, Dante began to turn the tide.

Bxc3, bxc3, Rd1+, Ka2, Ne4

"Impressive," the skeleton conceded, as Dante's knight captured a key piece. "You've learned to dance with the shadows, it seems."

The skeleton's army dwindled, its pieces falling one by one under Dante's relentless strategy. With a final, decisive move, Dante cornered the skeleton's king.

Qg7#

"Checkmate," Dante announced, the first words he had spoken since the game began, his voice calm but triumphant.

The skeleton leaned back, its fiery gaze dimming slightly in acknowledgment of Dante's victory.

"Well played, Dante. Now that we are chess buddies, and all good..." the skeleton said, a new seriousness creeping into its voice. "Let's get down to business."

***

"The world is filled with uncertainties and choices," the skeleton began, its voice echoing softly in the void. "They intertwine in a beautiful, complex way – not entirely random, but not predetermined either. You're not completely free, yet not entirely a prisoner. To simplify... or perhaps complicate things, we are setting you humans in a game. A vast game, by your standards. The 'why' of this game is for you to uncover, as is its objective."

The skeleton's words hung in the air, a riddle wrapped in an enigma.

"But do not worry," it continued, "for this game is based on what you've created, what brings you joy and escape from your reality. And what is reality, after all? Is it what we perceive, or is it merely a label for what we know?"

Dante listened intently, his mind racing to piece together the skeleton's words.

"This game will follow a popular style," the skeleton declared, "a role-playing game where you are all the main character. You know the type – leveling up, stats, equipment, and so on. Sounds fun, right?"

The skeleton produced a card, seemingly out of thin air. "This card represents the randomness and choices in your adventure. It appears blank, or rather black," it said with a chuckle.

"But when you see," the skeleton flipped the card, revealing a pattern, "it shows your fate."

"Ah, the beauty of uncertainty," the skeleton mused, eyeing Dante knowingly. "You, with your background in physics, must appreciate the parallel. Much like the quantum world, where observation alters the state of things, your fate remains formless until observed."

The card displayed:

"You are an undead summoner," the skeleton read. "How fitting, given your current company."

"Your Might cannot increase due to leveling, item, or equipment." The skeleton's tone was almost apologetic. "A limitation, but one that challenges you to think differently."

"Select one summon and increase its stats by 50%." The skeleton raised a bony finger. "A very significant boost. Choose wisely."

"You lost and can never acquire your right arm." The skeleton's eyes flickered. "A grave loss, indeed, but every hero has their trials."

"Select one skill and decrease its mana cost to zero." The skeleton nodded approvingly. "A massive boon if used wisely."

"Your Essence cannot increase in any way." The skeleton paused, its tone somber. "Well, you're in a tight spot, aren't you? Without the ability to enhance your Essence, and as a summoner reliant on mana, you'll find yourself in quite the predicament."

The skeleton, sensing Dante's need for clarity, began to elucidate on the nature of the stats in this game.

"Let's explore the key attributes you'll be dealing with," the skeleton began, its voice echoing a professorial tone. "In this realm, you're governed by four main stats: Might, Finesse, Mystique, and Essence. Each is vital for your survival and success in their own unique ways."

"Might and Finesse are your physical attributes. Might, as you can imagine, is about your physical strength, defense, and overall vitality. It's the brute force and endurance aspect of your character. Finesse, in contrast, pertains to agility, perception, and dexterity – the essential elements for swift and skillful maneuvers."

The skeleton halted its discourse momentarily, allowing Dante time to fully comprehend each aspect of the explanation.

"Now, for the magical aspects. Mystique is the heart of your magical prowess. It influences the effectiveness of your spells, the swiftness with which you cast them, and the overall flow and management of your mana. It also enhances your cognitive agility, vital for strategic spellcasting and decision-making."

Dante listened, understanding the crucial balance between these attributes.

"The final stat, Essence, is particularly critical for you as a summoner. Essence governs your mana capacity, which is essential for summoning. With a fixed Essence, as your card dictates, your mana pool is unalterable. This directly impacts your ability to summon and control the undead. Essence also contributes to your soul defense and resistance to magical attacks."

Dante assimilated the information, his mind actively weaving strategies around the new constraints and possibilities presented to him. The realization of the challenge before him was stark – as a summoner with an unchangeable Essence, he was akin to a soldier stepping into battle without arms, a thought that ironically reminded him of his future missing arm. The game, as outlined by the skeleton, revealed itself as a multifaceted puzzle, intricate in its demands and abundant with mysteries. Within these layers of uncertainty, Dante recognized a path, a compelling journey he felt an inherent pull to undertake.

"The universe delights in uncertainty," the skeleton continued, "and so does this game. Your fate is a blend of chance and decision, an intricate tapestry of possibilities. The dice of chance have been cast, and now, the moment for decisions dawns."