OLD-WORLD EXTRA

Chapter 311: Rule Of Ten II

Chapter 311: Rule Of Ten II

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The rest didn't notice his reaction, not only due to the 'Fog,' but also because Mr. Board dealt the 'Flop,' which took their attention.

[Q] [104] [5]

"Sar Phalaki, known as the Last Wish, serves as the abode of Astrals, diviners of stars. Guided by the Oracle 'Themselves,' it harbors the Fortunate Ones, the Wheel's blessed, alongside those ensnared by the cursed corruption element, such as Ms. Queen. Those who traverse its hallowed grounds tread the fine line between destiny and damnation."

Mr. King 'checked,' not yet seeing what he wanted.

Ms. Queen now had a strong 'Flush Draw,' four Spades, with only one more needed at the 'Turn' or 'River,' so she asserted her 'Hand's' dominance by 'Raising,' increasing her bet to a total of fifty Valora.

Emir folded after a long moment of thought, his fingers tapping his chin. The bet was too high, and the 'Community Cards' showed no promise.

Ms. Knight now had a pair of Queens on the board, giving her a good chance of winning, but she still hesitated before matching the bet, a result of Ms. Queen's actions. She hoped to improve her 'Hand' on the 'Turn' or 'River.'

Mr. King took a moment when it was his turn to call or fold. Calling the bet with his hand was viable-a pair of ten, a decent kicker-but he wasn't in an incredibly strong position.

"I fold."

He threw his cards into the table's middle, playing it safe once more. It seemed to be his usual playstyle.

"Guardians against the unknown emerge from Kiremonjin, known as the Edgekeepers, in collaboration with Stahlgeboren, the Steelborn, their primary provider of all things Tech. Celestials of Kiremonjin are less simple than just that; however, for unmatched cyborgs and cyber-enhanced individuals call it home, a result of wicked experiments conducted by dwarfs of Stahlgeboren who decimate monsters alongside their bladed brethren. Many among them dwell in the Celestial Forge, a realm of dying stars."

Not even stopping for a moment, Mr. Board continued to explain as he dealt the 'Turn' which showed:

[34]

"Mahalchei Hachalal, my brethren, the Void Walkers, akin to the Legionnaire, we traverse the unknown. Yet unlike them, our pursuit is singular: to uncover our true home, not to roam without purpose, aimlessly seeking lands to plunder. Sayeh Taranah, dwellers of shadows, aptly named Shadow Song, announce their presence while remaining shrouded, unveiling themselves only when one's death is inevitable... We've mourned many fallen to their grasp, including a pawn from this very club. Trust, to confront them alone is to court oblivion, for their whispers herald the coming of a True Night."

Ms. Queen's 'Flush' was now certain, her 'Hand' the best that it could be, one could check here, but to remain dominant, she 'Raised' once more, doubling her previous bet and totaling it to a hundred Valora.

Her intention was obvious; she was forcing Ms. Knight to make a decision now, before the River, in case she might lose the advantage.

Ms. Knight, whose cards did not deteriorate nor improve, didn't relent, she made her choice, 'calling,' hoping for something more concrete at the 'River,' trusting her luck not to fail her. "Kaiwhatu Wairua, the stewards of the Nether's River, and the life that embraces us all bear the title of Soul Weavers. They have a certain dislike for people like Mr. Rook over here. A man of Sumrakove?, the Duskmourn, a folk who revel in the night as they're creatures of darkness and darkness alone. You'll find moon lovers amidst them as well, alongside Celestials that transformed to match mystical entities known throughout all of time, their souls bound to the Void Beyond, an abyss that lies past the stars."

As Mr. Board's flowery words, which described the Sumrakovec, ended, he dealt the 'River,' reaching the final round of betting.

[Q] [104] [5?] [34] [8+]

"Penultimate are the Cecidi Angelus, the Fallen Angels, beings who fell from grace, cast down from their incomplete heavens while remaining among the living. Their wings bear the ashen stains of their downfall and erstwhile splendor. Yearning for redemption, they toil relentlessly to attain it. Numerous among them were Class-Two, Celestials who attained immortality, akin to Mr. Player in rank. However, unlike him, they faltered, unable to maintain their grasp on the cusp of godhood as the competition to reach their path's end, the Apex, was much too fierce."

Ms. Queen 'Raised' once again, increasing her bet to a hundred and ten, all in, for she knew her 'Hand' was a winner.

Ms. Knight wasn't as quick to 'Call' as last time. She held off, pausing for many seconds, staring at Ms. Queen, her mind filled with thoughts of probabilities. Yet it didn't take long for her to make a decision.

Her hand reached forward, nearing her cards...

"Last but certainly not least are the Cember-i On. Once they united the ten clans beneath their banner, yet such unity eludes them now, not due to incapacity, but because only nine endure. Thus, their appellation, Circle of Ten, resonates with irony. Nonetheless, these people operate under a structure where eight leaders serve under one, each hailing from a different clan. It wasn't an act of betrayal, but a deliberate choice made by all, as they deemed it imperative to unite against the Order and other Galactic Federations. Though now fractured still, the ember of unity continues to smolder, awaiting rekindling by one courageous enough to strike the match."

Her fingers skipped over them as she took a chip and threw it into the 'Pot.'

"Call."

She decided to play, trusting her luck, even against a woman from the Last Wish, Celestials, who were known to be incredibly lucky, blessed by the Wheel of Fortune or not, simply absorbing the leftovers from those they frequent.

But she soon found out that her decision was a bad one, and Mr. Board was the elf who delivered the news:

"Wrong call, Ms. Queen wins."

And just as those words registered in her mind...

"SHOW ME YOUR HAAAAAAAAND, YE MANEATER!" Mayhem ensued.