Gazes From The Abyss | Chilumi Fic

Chapter 2: Black and White

Life is rarely as straightforward as a simple dichotomy of black and white. Plans often take unexpected turns, and sometimes fate itself decides the outcome, leaving us with no choice but to accept our circumstances and wait for our own finish line. It is not easy to heed our own advice, to confront uncomfortable truths, and to navigate the murky shades of gray that exist amidst the stark contrasts.

Such thoughts flooded Lumine's mind, and she couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the weight of her responsibilities. There was still much to prepare, including a contingency plan, now that the Fatui had begun to interfere. She couldn't afford to sit idly by and let anyone disrupt their carefully crafted scheme.

"Checkmate," Lumine declared, leaning back in her chair with a smug smile playing on her lips. The Abyss Herald sighed in defeat, having lost to her once again. They had played five games, yet he had been unable to find a way to outmaneuver her. Her sharp and observant eyes proved to be an unbeatable force.

"As expected, Princess. Winning five times consecutively is certainly praiseworthy," the Abyss Herald conceded, though a tinge of bitterness colored his tone.

"I can't say the same for you. You didn't take me seriously," Lumine scoffed, her confidence evident.

The Herald's eyes widened, realizing that his lack of seriousness had been apparent. He hadn't intended to come across as so insensitive.

Shaking her head, the blonde-haired Lumine spoke again. "But I understand. The game of chess can be mentally draining. It requires careful consideration of every move, strategizing and thinking ahead. In many ways, the tactics employed in this game are reflective of real-life situations."

"Eh?" The Abyss Herald watched as their princess arranged the chess pieces, black and white taking their respective positions on the board.

"Chess... it's a foolish game that gives idle people the illusion of cleverness, when all they're doing is wasting their time," Lumine chuckled. "All these debates about the existence of God, atheism, determinism, liberation, societies, and death—they're just pieces in a game of chess called language. They can be amusing, but only if one doesn't become consumed by the need to 'win' or 'lose' this game."

In a swift move, Lumine placed a pawn right before the white knight, her expression contemplative. "That's how the Archon War unfolded. The fates of the Archons were already predetermined, driven by wishful thinking that ultimately led them to the depths of despair."

The Abyss Herald touched his chin, slowly grasping the mechanics of the game, yet Lumine's words hit him with a sense of realization.

"In the eyes of Celestia, the Archons are merely tools for her selfish desires. She must have become arrogant, thinking that humans posed a threat to their kind," Lumine huffed. "How dreadful it is to be caught up in a game without even knowing the rules."

"Princess, are you suggesting..." the Herald began, his voice filled with curiosity.

She knocked down the king, her gaze tilting slightly. Lumine's golden eyes were now veiled in shadows, the light within them slowly fading away.

"Celestia created her own rules, manipulating the destruction of your nation. She used the Archons as her pawns, and Khaenri'ah became her playing field," she revealed, her words resonating with a haunting truth.

Lumine observed the abyss herald lost in deep contemplation. While her words may not have been directly relevant to their current plans, she wanted them to understand that even if the Archons had destroyed Khaenri'ah, they were still mere pawns in a larger game. However, her realization didn't mean she would go easy on them. Apologies held no meaning when the damage had already been done.