Deep within the Narrator Neural Network, in a corner of the "New Dream City" modeled after the imperial capital of Cecil, a towering oak rose from the center of the plaza. Beneath its magnificent canopy, a breeze flowed with the pleasant, faintly audible sound of Wind Chimes. Pale golden fallen leaves carpeted the ground beneath the great tree, while sunlight streamed through sparse gaps at the edges of the branches, scattering mottled patches of light and shadow across them like an afternoon cut apart by alternating brightness and darkness.
The plaza was open and quiet, with few pedestrians. The city's residents seemed not yet to have noticed this tranquil scenery tucked away in one corner. Directly beneath the oak, a small square table had been placed atop the fallen leaves. Sitting beside it were two of the plaza's only "regulars"—an elderly "elf" with white hair and beard, an aged yet kindly face, and a beautiful, mysterious "human" lady dressed in an elegant, solemn Black Court Dress.
Before the two gods, a game of chess had reached a deadlock. Pieces whose fates had already been arranged fought and shifted across the tiny board, struggling to seize every inch of territory, while the players remained calm, treating all that killing and contest as mere leisure. This atmosphere had continued for who knew how long before the Nature God, seated at the table in the form of an elderly elf, suddenly looked up toward the entrance of Golden Oak Tree Plaza.
"Looks like we have a guest, Old Deer," said the black-haired lady, who had also sensed the suddenly appearing presence. A smile appeared on her face as she looked toward the figure rapidly materializing at the edge of the plaza. "Gawain—what made you suddenly think to come find us in Dream City?"