The room was silent except for the slight sound of shifting sand through the timer. Shadows from the dim light danced across the heavy oak table in the center, where the dragonchess board lay, a three-tiered marvel of mismatched wood and hand carved pieces. I faced my successor, V, a prodigy whose strategic prowess had grown formidable. This game would test if he had surpassed me before he set off on his first assignment.

"Your move" V said, his voice calm but excited. I moved my Dragon Knight to the top tier, threatening his Mage. I watched as his fingers hovered over his pieces, planning a counter. He moved his Elf Ranger defensively, protecting his Mage while setting up an attack on my lower tier. "Bold," he remarked. "Too bold?" I countered, shifting my Dwarven Berserker to block his advance. A glimmer of his smile shone through the firelight, confident yet cautious. The pieces clinked softly as we played, the game intensifying with each move.

V moved his Phoenix to the top tier, threatening my Dragon Knight. It was a move I hadn't anticipated. I moved my Sorcerer to the middle tier, preparing a counterattack. The tension was palpable, each move bringing us closer to a definitive answer. He shifts his Mage to the lower tier, aligning it with his Phoenix. "Check," he says softly, eyes gleaming with triumph. I stared at the board, realizing he had trapped me. Pride and defeat surged within me.

"But not enough," I said, moving my Dragon Knight to the middle tier, sacrificing it to capture his Phoenix. I stare through the set seeing his eyes widen for but a brief moment, the first crack in his composure. The game was not over yet. Attacking, countering, defending, and sacrificing pieces back and forth. Finally, it came down to a single move. V's Queen Dragon poised to deliver the final blow. I moved my Sorcerer to the top tier, casting a spell that neutralized his Queen Dragon's attack. "Checkmate," I whispered. He stared at the board, disbelief and respect mingling in his eyes. The sand slipping through the glass timer quickly settles to the bottom lying still. "You won. . ." he said, a hint of a smile ”this time.". "You played brilliantly, Ventis. One day, you will surpass me. But today is not that day."

He stood, offering his hand. I took it, the bond between leader and successor became stronger for the test we had just endured. As we stood in front of the flickering fireplace, I knew greater battles lay ahead, and we would face them readied.