The Player And His Piece

I began stirring, for it had grown hot. Like, heavy hot. The only other word I can describe it is muggy, and that just makes me sound like a child.

Anyways, the air had become too hot to remain comfortable. So I opened my eyes and....

Umm.....Now I know some crazy shit has happened to me. Like waking up in a spaceship: Being in a body that isn’t mine and taking a space-shuttle to a planet called Equis where I met minotaurs and unicorns.

That’s some pretty crazy shit.

But this shit.....This shit is bananas. And not Chiquita bananas....I’m talking fucking KING KONG-sized bananas. This shit right here...This shit right here.....

Right, er, sorry.

I was having another one of my freak outs, which was not doing wonders for my ability to comprehend foreign situations. You would think waking up in an environment you don’t recognize for a second time would lessen the chances of me freaking out, right? That shit don’t get old.

I hastily stood up, snapping my head and turning my body in every direction possible. I even pulled out my sword from its sheath and spoke the words to make it sharpen. I’m sorry, did I say spoke?

I meant yelled.

Like a big bitch if I may add.

The air was littered with yellow clouds of a sulfuric aroma. I covered my mouth and gave a cough at the pungent smell, noticing the copper-colored mountains that could be made out through this yellow miasma.

It took awhile for my nose to get used to the smell, but I eventually stopped my coughing fits and wiped my eyes of stank-induced tears. No seriously, it was that bad. I’m surprised I was even standing after inhaling that much....shit-gas. Yeah, I like the sound of that.

From now on, the rocks were covered with yellow-colored shit-gas.

I’m a genius.

“Where the fuck am I now!? Can’t a guy catch a fucking break!?” I yelled into the mist. I was upset because I had finally gotten some sleep. All the times I tried back on the spaceship and on Equis didn’t really last long. And the one time I do drift off, I wake up to this shit.

I’m a little pissed off.

And scared. Can’t forget scared.

“Who’s responsible for this shit!? I swear to God, Siri, if you were behind this I’m gonna melt you down and make you a can opener!” I thought angrily as I began to walk forward.I didn’t get too far before I heard the flapping of wings.

Wings and the sound of fire, to be exact.

And suddenly, I don’t feel like moving forward anymore.

Or holding my bladder.

No, definitely gonna hold it.

“Wait. Wingbeats and fire equals dragon,” I did the equation on my free hand, putting down fingers as I solved it quickly, “And if a dragon is coming this way; then doesn’t that mean I’m in danger?” I asked myself out loud.

Quite frankly, I was jumping to conclusions. Just because I heard wingbeats and what sounded like a raging inferno coming my way, doesn’t mean it’s a dragon that’s ready to eat me. Besides, it’s not like I know it’s a dragon coming for me!

*ROOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!*

Well, shit...

“MOVE LEGS!!! MOVEEEEE!!!” I screamed as I sheathed my swords and tried to move my legs. No dice. They were fear-locked in place.

*FWUMPH....FWUMPH....FWUMPH....FWUMPH....*

NOT GOOD! I could feel the wind from each monstrous flap of the wings. SHIT! It must’ve heard me yell!

That’s it then.

I’m gonna die at the hands of a dragon.

Shit.

I heard the noise of what sounded like a mountain landing on top of another mountain, following by booming drags of scale on rock. All of this was happening to the left of me, and I slowly but surely turned my head in that direction. Before me was a mountain base which was the same copper color as the ground and rocks around me. It trailed up, up, up into the sky where I saw a monstrous silhouette standing at the largest point.

And when I say monstrous. I meant fucking MOUNTAINOUS!!!

This thing had to be what, SIXTY meters tall!? And it was most definitely a dragon! I mean, just look at those fucking wings! The fucker could probably cause hurricanes with those shits!

Especially that long-ass tail.

Jesus, please don’t tell me this big sonuva bitch heard me!

“Shoo! Shoo Shoo! Go away!” I whispered desperately as I made the motions of ‘shoo-ing’ something at the dragon that was shrouded. Please work!

The dragon’s massive head, completed by two massive horns that curved up and what appeared to be an oval-shaped gem between them, swiveled about as it appeared to be looking for something. I could see a neon-blue color in its eyes through the smog, chilling me to the bone as I looked on in fear and awe.

And then....

.....It talked....

“I know you’re here, Justin. I’ve dragged you into this realm via the Dream Scrying spell and I will not stand for your hiding! Reveal yourself!” His voice sounded ancient and scraggly, but held more bass to it than a Bose subwoofer.

And the fact he knew who I was had me shitting bricks and sweating. I also know who he is as well.

“THIS IS FAKE!!! THIS IS SO FAKE IT’S RIDICULO-” I slapped a hand over my mouth as the dragon’s eyes instantly looked at me through the smog. I could feel my body trembling in fear.

DAMN IT! DAMN IT!

He HAD to hear that!

“....Found you.” And then he flapped his wings...hard.

*FLOOOMMMMPH!!!*

I was using every inch of my power in order not to be blown away. The smoke around me and around the dragon above me vanished, smitten by the monstrous beast in front of me. And quite possibly....

....My executioner....

“Holy...Shit....” I breathed out as I fell back on my ass. Birds that were still silhouetted in the smog flapped around and chirruped madly around his head. They wouldn’t dare attack him. Nothing would. The sun, if that’s what it is, casted his body in an impressive shadow that made his armor and scarf to appear on fire.

I’m in the presence of...of...

“Nicol-fucking-Bolas.” I finished as I swallowed the lump in my throat.

I had read memes and shit about this guy. Hell, I even played Magic:The Gathering 2012 for a little bit on my Xbox 360. But never, and I do mean never, have I actually entertained the thought of meeting him.

In the game, everyone except for Ajani Goldmane was his bitch. Plain and simple. But...that doesn’t explain what he wants with me and why he’s he-

“Rise,” Nicol Bolas demanded sternly as his scarf flapped about in the wind up there, “You have no reason to fear me.” I guess it’s okay to stand now.

...Hold on....give me a minute...

Yep! Not happening!

“I...I...can’t.” I called up lamely after stuttering in fear.

I could hear what sounded like a constant thumping in the air. Oh. He’s laughing at me.

“My presence has that effect on many things. But the time for words of fancy are over and I must speak with you.” Nicol Bolas said as he climbed down from the low-mountain till he was just beside me. He then sat down as he continued talking. What’s interesting is that his mouth doesn’t move when he speaks.

Bad.....ass.

“If you don’t mind me asking; Mister Bolas,” Nicol narrowed his eyes, making me fumble with my words, “Er...Sorry. Nicol Bolas, is this about how I ended up in this body?” I asked as I found enough courage to sit up before the mighty Planeswalker.

“Your abilities of deduction are almost on par with a blue-mage I’ve recently crushed in the Conflu..." He trailed off amusedly before going back to his serious expression, “....Almost. You are correct, human. This is about why you’re in that body and on that planet, yes.” He explained as I put my thinking cap on.

I also shied away from him a little bit, knowing about his 'touch' ability. If you are not familiar with the basis of this move, it's basically an overpowered poke to any part of your body that will instantly turn your mind to gelatin.

“Ah, you’re afraid of The Touch aren’t you.” It wasn’t a question. “Most people are. But enough of this idle chit-chat. This is a matter you shall tell no one else, no matter how hard they may threaten you. Am I understood?” He asked as his eyes narrowed and gave a guttural growl for emphasis.

I got dizzy from how fast I was nodding my head.

“Good. Now before I begin, you may not interrupt me during any point in this explanation. Doing so will result in me getting angry. Need I say more?” He challenged. Once again I made myself nauseous as I shook my head this time.

“You are but a Piece in a game all the gods are playing. I will say no more about the game, such as its rules or if any other players exist. You’ll have to find that out on your own. Just know that I am your Player.” With that he extended his wings, preparing to take off.

“....Wait, Bolas.” I called out, causing him to bat a disinterested eye at me.

“What is it, child? I am a busy entity, and do not wish to be kept from my tasks with your petty questions.” He responded harshly, making me flinch at the sudden aggression his voice took on.

“Why? Why are you doing this to me? I...I don’t want to play this stupid game!” I yelled.

“Too bad.” He said as an evil grin broke out across his face. With that, he waved an armored claw at my general direction, making me feel....

....Sleepy.

I gave a yawn as my eyes got tired out of nowhere. The bastard used blue-magic on me! But....I can’t....do...anyth-

*Krr!*

I fell backwards, smacking my head as the last of my will was broken. I began sleeping.