Smack!
In the dim Great Hollow, a crisp sound echoed across the black-and-white chessboard. Chloe, the chocolate-skinned little girl lying before the altar, smugly advanced her "rook," forcing the enemy king into a corner.
"Check!"
"That's quite a tricky move. It seems I'll need to think it over..."
Across from her, a silver-haired, red-eyed figure in a black evening gown sat in contemplation. Her temperament was as pure as a baby's, as lively as a young girl's, and as graceful as a noblewoman's. One hand tapped a captured black piece while the other supported her smooth chin as she frowned at the fiercely contested board.
However, the moment Chloe heard the words "think it over," her eager little face immediately fell, and she grumbled unhappily.
"Mom, you're going to think again? How long are you planning to drag this out this time?"
"Not long, just half an hour or so, probably."
Pandora blinked and answered with a smile, though there seemed to be rather too much uncertainty in her words.
"Honestly, Mom, you're cheating again! We've already been playing this game for an entire day!"
Hearing that unreliable answer, Chloe nearly lost it. She leaned forward and helplessly suggested,
"How about you just surrender? I promise I won't laugh at you."
"Don't be ridiculous! How could I possibly lose!"
Pandora shook her head without hesitation, looking completely confident.
"Stop making noise and let me think properly. I'm amazing, you know. My next move will definitely turn things around!"
Chloe glanced at the board, where the outcome was nearly obvious. She curled her lips and gave Pandora a contemptuous look at this futile death struggle.
"Still, Mom, it looks like the fighting outside is pretty intense. Aren't you worried at all?"
The little girl's eyes rolled, and she raised a hand