The Beast (Harry Styles)

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Speak No Evil

There are games to be played by children,

Then there are the ones played by villains;

Yet what shall happen if they are the same?

Both child and villain, you already know their name. . .

~.~

Life is often like a game of chess. 

As one sits opposite of their opponent, they must read not only what is in front of them, but what happens beyond the normal line of vision.  While one may try to castle or put up a defense to protect their King, the clockwork gears of another's brain work tirelessly to find the weakest points of closure. 

One also finds that the mere intimidation of their opponent determines the game before it even begins. When one is up against someone who has proven to be superior, how hard does thou actually try? 

But then there are those who do use their inferiority as an advantage: oh, poor little them, they cannot possibly stand a chance against I!

And that is where it starts.

So they continue to battle, a war of not only logic, but of puffing one's chest and silent arrogance meant to degrade one's opponent. I shall make the silliest move because you will not see it; and I will see it, so you should not make this mistake again. 

Some do learn from their mistakes, yet others are so confident in their own abilities that they believe giving up a simple Rook or Knight does not affect them because, well, they still have their Queen; that is all they need. 

Maybe they are right, or maybe they have made the worst move of their life. Only time can tell.

Others claim that it is all about the mind: as long as one can destroy the defenses that guard the mental realm, they can, and will, be broken. Their skills do not matter as long as they make their opponent mentally crumble before their ineptness shows. 

Maybe this works, or maybe it is a more sophisticated arrogance. Glory is only found in confidence.

John lived by this: he was not stronger than Harry, nor did he have more influence in regards to physical space or people. But he did have an understanding of human weakness, in particular, Harry's weakness. 

He knew the trembling, sad boy that showed up to his father's castle. No one loses their fears, and no one truly changes their ways. He knew that firsthand. 

John had been punished for speaking evil of Harry to his father; he lost everything because of the spoiled boy who was barely human. Now he learned to wait and keep all things to himself.

The day had been haunting John for a very long time. No more would he fall prey to Harry's intimidation of power: the King was trapped in the corner, protected only by a few Pawns. Arrogance and underestimation had put the King in this corner, and it was the careful plan of the enemy that would cause its liberation by ending the game. 

So close, so sweet, so. . .beautiful to finally see the end.

He shall speak no evil, but that does not mean he shall not think it. 

~.~

"John, if you want to play, you must play fairly," his father scolded him for the umpteenth time.

"How am I not playing fairly?" John whined stomping his feet like an unbehaved child. "You told me that I did not play aggressively enough, and now that I do, you tell me to not because you do not like that I beat you!" 

His father sighed. Carefully taking each piece, he set the chess board back to how it should be. "Now, playing aggressively is not always about taking the most or  highest value pieces. There are certain kinds most essential to victory. Those are the ones you wish to take from your opponent." He moved his center pawn up two spaces. 

"You always start that way," John said scrunching his nose in disgust. "How can you ever win if you do not change your starting point?"

Laughing, his father shook his head. "Do you expect me to play as well as I can against my son who can barely differentiate the rook from the bishop?"

John looked at his like he was mad. "Of course! Do you not see me as a worthy opponent?"

"Son, there are some things you do not master after a week of learning. Chess takes years, and some never understand it until they are too late to develop the skill," he tried to explain, but John snorted. 

"All games have the same basis, and it takes more than learning the pieces to win," he snipped at his father.

"While you may be right, just trust me on this." John's father sighed. "Well, I have warned you, if you wish to play me at my best, do not get disappointed when you lose."

John sneered. "I will not lose."

He did not lose. John never loses.

~.~ 

Never ignore those who have determination:

It could be the beginning of a series of causation,

Where some do not mind getting their hands dirty;

So until then in chapter thirty. . .

~.~

Ahhh!!! I just love John chapters!!

I figured I would add another short update for dealing with me :) 

This is something that has crossed my mind about John's character, so I'm really happy I was able to add it in here and unearth another layer to him :)

Until next time lovelies!