Flash! Friday–Vol 2 – 45: The King is Dead--Again

Every Friday our challenge is to craft a 150-word story (10-word leeway) based on the photo prompt. We must also incorporate a specific word or topic.  This week's special element was "a nemesis." We were strongly encouraged not to use the word "chess." No problem.  

My heart's often in Camelot, of course, but it's sometimes on the Enterprise with Jean-Luc Picard, so this week's Friday Flash Fiction challenge allowed me to visit both realms. The Merlin and the Moriarty-in-a-box concepts collide. Here's the picture, and here's my post: 

Georgian writers Ilia Chavchavadze and Ivane Machabeli playing chess, 1873 St Petersburg. Public domain photo. 

The King Is Dead—Again

160 words

“The king is dead, killed by the knight named Mordred.”

Merlin shrugged, but his heart whispered, I’m sorry, Arthur, for the thousandth time. “I challenge you, again.”

The wizard across the table regarded him with a kind, but exasperated expression. “The Fixed Points game gets its name because some points in time are just that—fixed. You need to move on.”

“Again.”

“This is why I’ve told the Time Council that allowing wizards to visit the game realm causes more harm than good.”

Merlin clenched his jaw. “It’s not just a game. You haven’t visited, so you wouldn’t understand.”

“This game you’ve been playing only affects one tiny part of the timeline between two fixed points. Every time you lose, a new timeline materializes without your precious Arthur. And yet you continue. Have you considered how many new, Arthur-less futures you’ve created?”

“But, eventually, he will survive. And I will play until he does.” Merlin gazed at the wizard. “Again.”

Try your hand at flash fiction--it can be addicting!