The ethereal battlefield dissolved, leaving Ty breathless and stumbling back to the chessboard. His Queen was gone, her space on the board now empty. The loss was a crushing blow.
Aftermath on the Board
Phillis's mechanical voice broke the silence. "Ty's Flamecaller Sovereign defeated. Ty, two Life Coins remaining. Aldric, zero Life Coins remaining. Board status updated."
Ty wiped the sweat from his brow, his breath ragged. He glanced at the board—his King stood alone now, surrounded by Aldric's remaining pieces. Pawns advanced steadily toward him, their ranks bolstered by the Frost terrain.
Aldric's gaze was sharp, his expression calm despite the absence of Life Coins. "You fight well, Ty," he said, his tone almost admiring. "But a King without support is just a man waiting to fall."
