Chapter 9: The Game

Sebastian began setting up a chess board for us. I had only one recurring thought running through my mind: This is it. The chess match will turn determine everything.

''This is quite a gamble you're making,'' Ciel started, ''considering it's nearly impossible for me to lose.''

''True,'' I commented, ''you're a demon. You could beat me with your eyes closed.''

Ciel scoffed. ''What I am as nothing to do with this. Demons wouldn't know how to play unless they were taught the rules.''

''Fair enough,'' I said, ''but you've been playing since you were little. I only started a few years ago. You have the advantage.''

''You make it sounds as if you're at a disadvantage,'' Ciel mused, ''and if that's true, why did you bother to challenge me in the first place?''

''To give myself a chance,'' I answered, ''this is my spider's thread, and I'm clinging to it.'' I noticed Sebastian pause for a moment, a small smile on his lips. ''This is my last hope.''

Ciel looked at me a moment longer, but didn't say anything. Sebastian stood up, and motioned to the chess board. ''The game has been set up.''

''Are you ready?'' Ciel asked me.

''Of course."

''Best of luck to you, my lord.'' Sebastian said to him. Then he turned towards me and said, ''And to you as well, my lady.''

''I don't need luck,'' Ciel grumbled. He walked over to his armchair and sat down. I sat across from him, looking down at the board. Everyone Ciel plays loses. My best bet at this point would just be to drag the game out as long as possible. Before we started, Sebastian bowed towards us, then exited the room.

''White moves first,'' Ciel said, once the butler left.

I moved a pawn out towards the center. ''They say whoever controls the center controls the game.''

Ciel then moved one of his pawns to the center. ''Yes, and that's normally true. But not always.''

Over the next few minutes, I focused on moving my minor pieces out. My bishops and knights started covering many squares, and surprisingly, none of them were getting captured. Ciel was doing the same thing with his minor pieces, being sure to keep them protected.

As I looked around the board, I noticed there were a few openings where Ciel's king was. I decided to move one of my rooks out in an attempt to get Ciel in check. However, as soon I moved it, the Earl captured it with his knight. Then I moved a bishop forward, attempting to capture the knight.

''Be sure to keep up a good defense in addition to the strong offence,'' he said, moving his queen forward, capturing my bishop. I ignored Ciel's outburst, moving my other rook forward to capture one of Ciel's newly available pawns.

''You play this game in an interesting way,'' The Earl mused. ''You let go of many minor pieces, but your knights are never in harm's way.''

''My knights are my best pieces,'' I exclaimed, not taking my eyes off of the board.

Ciel moved his queen forward. ''They are my preferred pieces as well.''

''Somehow,'' I said, moving a pawn forward, capturing one of Ciel's pawns, ''I'm not surprised.''

Ciel smirked. He slid a bishop forward, capturing my queen. ''But they're not the only pieces on the board.''

I clenched my jaw. I was at more of a disadvantage than ever. Without the queen, it's going to be impossible to win. But then I noticed something: The bishop Ciel used to capture my queen was also protecting his queen. My mood instantly brightened. I slid my rook forward, pinning the queen in front of the king.

Ciel's eyes widened slightly. He slid the bishop back in front of the queen. I moved my knight, capturing the bishop. Ciel's king was now in check. I saw Ciel stiffen as he moved the king backwards. I slid the same knight forward, checking the king yet again. Ciel was forced to move it.

And now I have his queen. I slid my rook forward, claiming the piece.

''Not bad,'' the Earl remarked, taking my rook with his knight. ''It's a close game now.''

''It is,'' I replied, noticing the hefty amount of pieces we had each captured. The board was beginning to look rather empty.

''I'll admit, you're a better player than I thought.''

''Never underestimate the opponent,'' I exclaimed, sliding a bishop across the board, checking his king.

From then on, the game continued back and forth with checks. We demolished each other's sides, capturing pieces left and right. Soon, all I had I left besides the king was a knight and a pawn. Ciel had the same exact pieces as me.

I blocked his pawn's path with my king. Ciel did the same thing with his king. Our moves are always so similar. It's like we're playing an even match.

I moved my knight, trapping Ciel's pawn. Ciel also trapped my pawn with his knight. Then I captured his pawn with my knight. Though within seconds, I instantly regretted it. My knight was now directly in the path of Ciel's. Without out any hesitation, Ciel swopped in and captured it.

I lowered my head slightly. I lost. I pushed my king forward, capturing his pawn. It was the only offensive move left for me to make. However, that's when, I realized something: Ciel only had a king and knight. There weren't any pawns left on either side. The only pieces left on the board were my king, his king, and one knight.

I looked up at him, our eyes meeting. We both opened our mouths, speaking at the exact same time: ''Stalemate.''