Checkmate

Hello ^^ This is my new story that I am submitting in the gatekeeper contest! Thanks for reading it and please comment I would love to hear what you think! :D

Chapter 1

Most people dread becoming 18 years old because of all the responsibilities and expectations strapped to it. They want to stay children, be able to get in trouble without it meaning going to jail, and have it easy.

I wanted no part of that.

I couldn't have been happier when I turned 18, it was like a God send. Because it meant I would finally be able to fight. It meant I was going to be able to take revenge on those evil creatures. The monsters that live beyond this town of Aelburn. They have killed our people, destroyed homes, and all without a trace of remorse. They are foul beings that must be stopped.

Which is where I come in.

~

I burst out of the doors of Aelburn School finally a graduate. My best friend Rhyker was beside me with a smile on his face.

I nearly screamed, "Can you believe they pick partners tomorrow!? I'm so excited!"

He turned and smirked, "Yeah you are excited to get Jaren as a partner."

My face turned red and I looked around to make sure no one had heard his embarrassing, yet true statement. I punched him in the arm and he winced and rubbed his arm while saying, "Yeah you'll be a perfect Piece."

I laughed, "Sorry, I forget that you are a Player."

We talked and walked together until we split to go to our separate homes. The excitement was wearing off due to the fact that there was still nearly 14 hours until the partner ceremony took place. When I got home I announced my presence and closed the door behind me. My father was in the living room playing chess with one of his Player friends. Because of our shared blood I could hear some of the thoughts he was projecting.

When I move the rook he will move his knight which will leave me an opening...he could counter attack with his bishop...

I said with amusement, "Dad you're projecting your thoughts so loudly that one day Greg is going to be able to hear them even though he is a Player."

Dad looked over at me like I had appeared out of thin air and once what I had said processed he laughed and so did his friend Greg. Greg looked at me and then turned to dad, "She is going to be a great Piece just like her mother, she already has impeccable hearing."

I smiled at his compliment, "Thanks Greg. Well I'm going to go get a snack, you guys want anything?" They both shook their heads and I turned and headed toward the kitchen. As I passed a picture on the wall I stopped and looked at it. The picture was of my mother, her hair blowing in the wind. Her arms were sculpted and there were a few scars on her face as all Pieces eventually acquired.

I touched my unmarked smooth face. One day my face would be like that. The excitement chilled as I thought of the monsters that put the scars on my mother's face. I only seen one once. I was seven years old and playing outside with Rhyker.

I kicked the ball to Rhyker and as he picked it up there was a deafening sound. A cracking sound like bones alarmed my ears. I looked toward the treeline to the north and a few trees slowly fell down crushing whatever was beneath it. That seemed to be the monster's entrance because suddenly it was in sight. Its black fur was matted with blood and splinters of the trees it had taken down. The fangs were a gleaming ivory that looked like they could break through diamond.

"Look Alessia our parents are down there!"

I focused on locating my parents. There! My dad was standing off to the side and my mom was attacking the monster. Her sword plunged into the monster's leg and it cried out. Its shriek was terrifying. I held my hands over my ears in an effort to drown out the noise. I saw movement out of the corner of my eye and spun to see Rhyker moving closer to the action.