From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

"You rely too much on raw power," Aldric said, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Even the strongest fire can be extinguished by precision and patience."

Ty growled, forcing the Sovereign to charge again. Her flames roared brighter, melting the frost on her frame as she swung her staff in a fiery arc. The strike collided with the Cavalier's lance, sending another explosion of fire and ice across the battlefield. The Cavalier stumbled, its spectral armor fracturing further.

"That's it! One more!" Ty pushed harder, believing he was about to turn the tide.

But Aldric's calm voice froze the battlefield. "Icebound Reversal."

The shattered frost around the Cavalier reformed instantly, encasing its armor in an even thicker layer of spectral ice. The Frost terrain surged, amplifying its power. With renewed strength, the Cavalier lunged forward, its icy lance piercing through the Sovereign's molten shield. Ty's heart sank as he felt the connection falter. The Sovereign staggered, her flames flickering dangerously low.

"No!" Ty shouted, desperation clawing at him. He tried to reignite the Sovereign's power, but Aldric's Cavalier pressed forward relentlessly. With one final, devastating thrust, the frosted lance pierced the Flamecaller Sovereign's core, shattering her into a thousand glowing embers.

The ethereal battlefield collapsed around them, the weight of the defeat dragging Ty back to the chessboard. His Queen was gone. Her square on the board lay empty, her power extinguished.

Phillis's voice broke the silence, cold and mechanical. "Ty's Flamecaller Sovereign defeated. Ty, five Life Coins remaining. Aldric, four Life Coins remaining. Board status updated."

Ty's breath came in short, ragged gasps, the pain of losing a Soul Coin battle still resonating in his chest. He stared at the board, his confidence shaken. The Sapphire Cavalier had returned to its position, its icy aura bolstered by the Frost terrain that now dominated the center of the board.

Aldric's gaze was steady, his expression calm but edged with satisfaction. "Strength without strategy is a weakness, Ty. You fought well, but every move you make is predictable."

Ty clenched his fists, anger and frustration coursing through him like a wildfire. He scanned the board, desperate to find a way to recover. Aldric's pieces were gaining dominance, the Frost terrain creeping across D6, E5, and F5, amplifying the power of his ice-aligned forces. Ty's Scorched terrain was shrinking, the heat it radiated fading under the relentless cold.

"Think, Ty," he muttered, his voice hoarse, his fingers trembling as he reached for a Life Coin. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple, the weight of the battle pressing down on him like a physical burden.

He slammed the coin onto the Pawn at E4. Flames burst from the Infernal Footsoldier's form, its daggers glowing with molten energy. "Sacrificial Flame on D5!" he commanded, his voice cracking with urgency.

The Pawn surged forward, trailing embers as it charged the Frost terrain. Upon impact, it erupted in a fiery explosion, sending shards of Frost and chunks of scorched debris flying into the air. The Frost terrain shattered, steam hissing violently as ice met fire. Phillis's voice rang out, monotone but cutting through the chaos: "Scorched terrain reestablished at D5. Frost terrain disrupted. Surrounding visibility obscured by steam."

Ty wiped his brow, his hands slick with sweat. His heart pounded as he grabbed another Life Coin. He couldn't stop now—he couldn't let Aldric maintain control. "Infernal Footsoldier, Sacrificial Flame on F5!" he barked, placing the coin on the Pawn at F4.

The second Footsoldier bolted forward, flames swirling around its form. Another explosion rocked the board, steam surging upward in thick clouds. Ty's breath came in shallow gasps as he watched the Frost terrain dissipate, replaced by a fleeting patch of Scorched ground. His chest heaved with every exhale, the toll of losing Life Coins beginning to manifest as a dull ache deep inside him.

"That's it," Ty muttered, his lips curling into a grim smile. He looked up at Aldric, expecting to see panic, but his opponent remained composed, his icy blue eyes scanning the board.

Aldric's calm voice broke the tension. "Predictable, Overlord. You fight with passion, but no clarity." He placed a Life Coin onto the Sapphire Cavalier. The spectral Knight shimmered with icy brilliance, its frosted lance glowing as it repositioned itself. "Sapphire Cavalier, retreat to C6."

The Knight moved with precision, its frosted steed galloping to safety. Frost spread beneath its hooves, reclaiming ground and reinforcing the terrain. Phillis announced, "Frost terrain reestablished at C6."

Ty's smirk faltered. His head pounded as he tried to strategize. "Hellfire Marauder, L-shape to E5!" he commanded, placing a Life Coin on his Knight.

The skeletal steed reared back, flames pouring from its hooves as it surged across the board. It left a blazing trail behind, the fire clashing with the Frost terrain. The Knight lowered its flaming lance, locking its target on Aldric's Sapphire Cavalier.

Aldric didn't flinch. His fingers glided over the remaining Life Coins before selecting one. He placed it onto the Gilded Sentinel. "Imperial Bastion," he said with quiet authority.

The towering Rook moved forward, its golden aura expanding outward. The aura enveloped Aldric's Sapphire Cavalier and Enchantress, reinforcing their defenses. Frost surged back across the contested spaces, neutralizing the Scorched ground Ty had fought so hard to reclaim. Phillis's voice followed: "Imperial Bastion active. Frost terrain stabilized. Board status updated."

Ty's vision blurred for a moment, sweat dripping into his eyes. His hands trembled as he grabbed another Life Coin, the edges biting into his damp palm. His body felt heavy, like he was wading through water. "Obsidian Sentinel, Seismic Slam on D5!" he commanded, his voice breaking under the strain.

The massive Rook pounded the ground, sending shockwaves across the board. Frost shattered, and Aldric's Cavalier staggered, its icy aura dimming. Ty forced a ragged breath into his lungs, his body leaning over the board as though he might collapse.

"You're faltering," Aldric observed, his tone calm but with a trace of amusement. "The weight of this match is too much for you. How many more Life Coins can you lose before you lose yourself?" Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire

Ty didn't answer. His heart hammered in his chest, each beat a reminder of his dwindling resources. He wiped his forehead again, his fingers trembling as he assessed the board. He couldn't afford to stop—not when he was so close to breaking Aldric's defenses. He reached for another coin, his arm feeling as if it weighed a hundred pounds.

"Pyromancer Warlord, advance to C4!" he ordered, his voice a rasp. The Bishop surged forward, its maces blazing with fire. It stepped into position, the heat radiating from its form clashing with the surrounding Frost terrain. Ty gripped the edge of the table, his knuckles white. He could feel his strength slipping away with every move, but he refused to give in.

Aldric's eyes narrowed. He placed a Life Coin onto the Sapphire Enchantress, her staff glowing with renewed frost. "Frost Dominion," he commanded. The Queen raised her staff, and a freezing wind swept across the board. Frost surged forward, reclaiming D6, C5, and F5.@@novelbin@@

Ty's breath caught in his throat as the Frost terrain surged past his pieces, their flames dimming under the relentless cold. Phillis's voice was as detached as ever: "Frost terrain active at D6, C5, and F5. Scorched terrain neutralized. Ty, three Life Coins remaining. Aldric, three Life Coins remaining."

Ty's shoulders sagged, his chest heaving as though he'd just run a marathon. He stared at the board, the steam obscuring his vision, his sweat-soaked shirt clinging to his back. His fingers hovered over his remaining Life Coins, his mind racing. Every move felt heavier than the last, the weight of the game pressing down on him like a mountain. His pieces were dwindling, and his resources were nearly spent.

Aldric's pieces loomed like a coordinated army, the Frost terrain bolstering their power. Ty's Scorched ground had been neutralized almost entirely, leaving his forces without their fiery advantage. The Sapphire Enchantress stood imperiously, her frost aura radiating dominance. The Gilded Sentinel's protective barrier shimmered, encasing Aldric's forces in an impenetrable wall.

Ty's eyes darted to his Hellfire Marauder, still holding its position near the center. I need to take something—anything, he thought, his breath catching in his throat. He grabbed a Life Coin, his hand trembling, and placed it onto the Marauder. "Hellfire Marauder, advance to C6!" he barked. X X x