Jukes on you!

Lexi's queen at E3 slides over to C3, avoiding the original chance of self-sacrifice for a whole new one. Putting herself within Hecate's bishop's sights from A5 while simultaneously opening up an opportunity to **** Hecate's pawn at G7. Hecate chuckles. "Interesting. I don't know if they have faith in you or just aren't paying attention to their surroundings." Her eyes look at Lexi's. "Whoever your queen is is hard to read." Lexi warmly smiles. "Yeah, Merona is quite interesting and lovely."

She runs her pointer finger's tip over the top of Merona's piece. "She is important to me." Her gaze focuses on the board. "I could tell she was looking out for me the moment I created her..." Hecate tilts her head. "Created? So Merona isn't human?" Her form shifts to a teenager's then back to an adult's as she speaks. Lexi shakes her head. "No, she is an android that I created with the help of Gaia and Dr. Linda Kimble." As she speaks, she moves her pawn from B2 to B4, effectively blocking the bishop at A5 from being able to attack her queen at C3. "I really should spend more time with her. I would imagine she's been a bit lonely..."

Hecate places a hand on Lexi's right shoulder. "Be sure to spend quality time with her. That is all anyone can ask." Lexi's eyes look up from the board into Hecate's eyes. "You're right..." She places a hand on Hecate's and gently squeezes. Hecate's bishop at A5 takes Lexi's pawn at B4. Hecate's hand slips back while gazing at the board. "I can't let that go without support." She quickly moves her pawn at C6 to C5, giving her bishop at B4 an effective guard. Her form changes to an elder's. "I look forward to how this will all play out."

Lexi's queen swiftly moves from C3 across the board to G7. Taking Hecate's pawn while simultaneously putting Hecate's knight at G8 and rook at H8 in jeopardy. Lexi doesn't even have time to think as her body reacts. Using her rook at E1 to take Hecate's queen at E6, putting her own rook in danger of being taken by Hecate's pawn at F7. A risk she is more than happy to take over what could have been earlier. Hecate's bishop retreats from B4 to A5 followed by Hecate taking Lexi's rook at E6 with her pawn from F7.

She lets out a soft breath. "This is quite intense. I think fate is having fun with us today..." Lexi tilts her head slightly. "Fate?" As she asks, her queen at G6 takes Hecate's rook at H8. While pondering her next move, Hecate nods while saying. "Yes, fate. Fate is a very real thing. Don't get me wrong. Fate isn't as mighty as some mortals think it is. And before you ask, no. Fate isn't a deity or being of sorts." She gestures to the board. "Think of it like this game. There are so many moves we can make, but when certain moves happen. Well, that is when fate occurs. It happens when all other options are extinguished." Her form changes to a teenager as that final word leaves her lips.

Lexi's mouth opens slightly. "Huh. Fate sounds like a trap just waiting to be sprung." Hecate giggles. "You're quite right!" Her form reverting to an adult's. Lexi nibbles on her bottom lip while glancing at Hecate's bishop. 'I wonder if baiting her will work...' She moves her knight at B1 to C3, placing it in direct line of Hecate's bishop at A5. To her surprise, Hecate's pawn at B6 moves to B5, placing it in strike range of Lexi's knight at C3 and pawn at A4. Hecate shakes her head slightly, "Hmm, this is quite peculiar. He knows better than to do something like that..." her hand moving her king from E8 to F8.

Effectively laying a trap for Lexi's queen. Lexi watches carefully. "I guess there is only so much we can do for our followers, huh?" Hecate gently nods. "Sadly true. Which is part of the price we pay as deities." Lexi's pawn slides from A4 to B5. Taking Hecate's pawn at B5. Lexi gently taps the table with her right hand's pointer finger. "Fate bit us the very moment we became deities, huh?" She moves her bishop from C1 to B2. Placing in between her rook at A1 and knight at C3.

Hecate sorrowfully nods. "There are many things that are unknowingly thrust upon us when we become a deity. Not all of them are so blatant." She softly sighs. "I think it is safe to say that I have no way to win this match." As she speaks, her bishop at A5 takes Lexi's knight at C3. Without a moment's hesitation she moves her pawn from D5 to D4 to defend her bishop at C3. "She's lost her cool since your follower took out her boyfriend..." Her form shifts to a teenager's.

Lexi blinks several times. "Oh dear..." Hecate sighs so heavily that her teen angst is showing. She lays her head on the table. Her hands stretching along either side of the board. "I was doing so well too!" Lexi can't believe what she is seeing. Hecate whines. "I wanted to play with Gloria!" She lets out another sigh. During which Lexi's queen moves from H8 to E5. Blocking the path of Hecate's pawn at E6. Lexi reaches out a hand to rub the back of Hecate's head. "How about you come visit my pocket kingdom sometime? I'm sure Gloria would like to meet you."

Hecate stops whining. She looks off to the right. "Oo, I didn't think of that!" Her eyes soon looking up into Lexi's. "I think I will take you up on that offer." Shifting back to an adult as she spoke. Lexi takes this opportunity to take Hecate's bishop at C3 with her bishop from B2. Hecate looks down at the board. "I don't like losing though..." Her lips pursing at the end. Will Hecate give up early? Or will she fight to the bitter end to see if she can still win? If Lexi wins, what will the information she forgot she wanted to know be about? Lexi's real parents, Evelyn's real reason for wanting the phylacteries, or why she was given a female form?

(Author's note: Hmm, there was a split vote on discord for this chapter. As the tiebreaker, I chose based on the characters. I swear. I hear so little feedback, especially lately. Maybe my writing has lost its appeal. Not that it truly matters. This story is just a drop in the bucket amongst many others out there. I know there are many other writers and stories out there. Many of which are vastly superior to mine. Should I stop trying and put more of my energy into helping out around the house rather than wasting people's time here? I don't know. I'll think about it.)