It was only a check. Ren calmed himself. All he had to do was move, and when he did, the Queen followed him and uttered, "Check," yet again.

Ren was getting worried. The White Queen's calm face told him that she was leading him into a trap. A real checkmate without him knowing, and this was getting into his head.

"Ren!"

Elena stood before him with unwavering determination shining in her eyes. Her voice, filled with conviction, sliced through the air and cut through his worries.

"Ren, we've come so far," she said, her voice steady and resolute. "We cannot let doubt cloud our judgment now. Trust in your abilities and stick to the plan. We've faced countless challenges together, and this is no different."

Ren gazed into Elena's eyes, finding solace and reassurance in her unwavering belief. Her determination was contagious, and it reignited the fire within him. He knew he couldn't let his overthinking paralyze him or succumb to the White Queen's mind games.

"You're right," he replied and took a deep breath. "We've overcome obstacles that seemed insurmountable, and this will be no exception. We will press on with our plan, and we will emerge victorious."

Elena's resolve fortified his own, strengthening his resolve to face the challenges ahead. Her unwavering trust in him reminded him of his own capabilities, and he felt a surge of confidence running through his veins.

Right. There was still a chance left. If the White Queen could influence him into moving into her trap, so could he.

Ren studied the board reflected on the mirror above once more. He was analyzing a potential move that could change the battle completely.

He began to move again, and with his movement came the White Queen hot on his heels. Ren tried not to overthink about her strategy because he thought that it was also one of the reasons why they were losing.

The battle of wits intensified as each pieces was maneuvered with precision. And when the White Queen declared that familiar line of 'Check,' instead of moving to avoid her like he always did, Elena glided into the board and blocked the White Queen's advance.

Now the Queen's only option was to take down Elena and be taken down by him in return.

The tension in the room was palpable as Ren and Elena's strategy unfolded. The battlefield transformed into a battleground of strategy, with each move fuelling their determination to secure victory.

For the first time, the Queen halted. Thinking and thinking deeply, she did.

"I must admit," the White Queen whispered, a hint of a smile playing on her lips, "this is the first time in ages that I have been truly challenged. It felt . . . spectacular."

Her voice carried a mix of surprise and admiration as she observed Ren and Elena. The White Queen, accustomed to effortlessly outmaneuvering her opponents, found herself engaged in a battle of wits that ignited a spark of excitement within her.

The White Queen's eyes flickered with a newfound appreciation for the game unfolding before her. She had grown accustomed to the predictable patterns of her opponents, but Ren and Elena had introduced an element of unpredictability that enthralled her.

"To encounter opponents who can make me pause and ponder my moves," she continued, her voice filled with a genuine sense of awe, "is a rare delight. Your skill and determination have impressed me, and I revel in the challenge you present."

The White Queen's demeanor, usually composed and aloof, softened as she allowed herself to be momentarily captivated by the unfolding chess match.

The sheer brilliance of Ren and Elena's strategic maneuvers had kindled a flicker of admiration within her, an acknowledgment of their formidable abilities.

Ren thought that she was crazy, but it was probably just because of her love for games.

"Very well . . . I shall withdraw for the day," she said and went further away into the board, and when she did, Ren didn't waste any time and further ushered his pawn forward into the enemy base.

Now he could replace it with an important chess piece.

Ren summoned his rook back, and in a swift and calculated maneuver, his rook swooped in, delivering a decisive blow. The White Queen's defenses crumbled as her King was left vulnerable and exposed. The battle of strategy had reached its climax.

A surge of adrenaline coursed through Ren, and he grinned at the Queen. "Checkmate."

The White Queen's King was trapped, her forces scattered and powerless to intervene. The victory was within their grasp.

There was silence in the air. Thick and heavy before the Queen smiled in bliss.

The White Queen's voice resonated with a mixture of surprise and acceptance as she acknowledged Ren and Elena's victory. Her words carried a tinge of humility, a rarity for one accustomed to triumphing effortlessly.

"This is truly a first," she admitted, her tone tinged with a touch of self-reflection. "Perhaps I have grown overconfident, allowing complacency to cloud my judgment. It has been a very long time since I last tasted defeat, and in my hubris, I let my guard down."

There was a subtle shift in the White Queen's demeanor, a recognition of the skill and tenacity displayed by Ren and Elena. The defeat, although unexpected, was accepted with grace and respect.

"Your victory is well-deserved," she continued, her tone carrying a note of genuine admiration. "I extend my congratulations to both of you. You have proven yourselves as formidable opponents, and I bow to your strategic prowess."

The White Queen's words carried a sincerity that was unmistakable. Her defeat had not dampened her spirit or sparked resentment; instead, it had ignited a newfound excitement to hone her skills some more.

Despite her stature and regal bearing, she was able to acknowledge the brilliance of her opponents and accept defeat with dignity.

Ren and Elena stood before her, and their victory solidified. In the wake of their triumph, they had not only defeated the White Queen but also earned her respect, an achievement that carried weight within the realm of Fey.

With her words of congratulations, the White Queen closed the chapter of their battle, allowing Ren and Elena to savor their triumph.

[ACQUIRED! Orb of Rulership!]