Planet Ignis | Chapter 8

...the most potent force shaping Ignian society has been the constant struggle to make do with limited resources. Miners and monarchs alike apply the Fourth Truth daily: “Melt two ingots with one fire.”

The essence of this principle is to encourage thinking before action. However, I suggest rephrasing it to avoid narrow interpretation and to inspire broader, strategic thinking. In many cases, it is possible to achieve three, four, or even five outcomes with one move. Thus, we could reword the Fourth Truth as “Melt two or more ingots with one fire.”

The benefits will be plenty. Consider...

From “A Proposal for the Review of the Nine Truths” by Trother, the Wise

After a few days of practice, Eli felt he had made real progress at Longevity Chess. Trother would change the rules daily, keeping Eli and his classmates on edge. Sometimes, he would remove one of the pieces—like the Rooks. Other times, he gave them more or fewer Longevity Stones.

Today’s rules brought a fresh challenge. Trother addressed the class, explaining, “We’re returning to fifty Stones, and today, all pieces can Burst.” The children gasped and exchanged excited glances. Trother had previously unlocked Bursts for only one piece at a time. Yesterday, they’d learned the rules for Bursting the Blue King, the game’s most powerful but costly piece, with actions that consumed at least ten Stones. It had the potential to flip the game entirely.

“Today, we’ll add another twist: clocks.” Trother held up a small device with two clocks and a lever on top, demonstrating its use. He moved a piece, slid a Longevity Stone, and tapped the clock to show it was his opponent’s turn.

“You’ll have thirty seconds for each move. Eventually, we’ll whittle that down to three seconds. I’ll personally play against each of you today.” He looked to Shury, one of his Batteries. “Shury, would you kindly help play against the children to even out the numbers?”

Shury nodded, and Trother moved to the teacher’s room at the back of the chamber, followed by Zawa, who had the honor of playing him first.

Eli’s first opponent was Bryner, a player who favored Bursting early for an advantage. With the white pieces, Eli went first, calmly flipping his Blue King and sliding twenty Stones forward. “Emission. Your Pawns.” This was one of the strongest moves available: the Blue King’s Emission could destroy an entire set of pieces—whether Pawns, Rooks, Bishops, or Knights—in one go.

Bryner’s eyes widened at Eli’s opening move, and Eli couldn’t help but think, Let him feel the pressure of being on the losing end for a change.

As Bryner struggled to find a way back, Eli’s attention drifted to the other games. To his left, Xana and Zion played a standard game, while on his right, Shury faced Arthur, a top player in their class. Arthur moved a Pawn, slid a Stone, and tapped the clock. In one fluid motion, Shury Burst a Knight, enhancing it with a powerful Burst to move four squares forward and three left, spending six Stones in a single move. Eli watched in awe—By Brodnir’s beard!—the speed and decisiveness took his breath away. Arthur looked stunned as Shury merely yawned.

After five minutes, Zawa exited the teacher’s room looking unusually thoughtful. Eli wondered what Trother had said to her, for the usually cheerful girl now seemed deep in contemplation.

“Checkmate, Bryner,” Eli said, finishing his game with a confident smile.

“Good game, Eli.”

He gestured to Zawa. “Zawa, we’re done. Come play.” Eli’s opening move had left Bryner scrambling, making the game easier than expected.

As he waited for his next match, Eli felt his stomach clench—a familiar pang. His chest pounded as his thoughts turned inward. By the flames, I failed again. The hunger had become unbearable, and in recent days, Eli had taken more food from the Mess Hall. Though he’d felt immediate relief, it had spiraled; he felt like he couldn’t stop. Guilt gnawed at him. How could I be so selfish? The shame was heavy, tainting his progress. Maybe Trother knew all along I would blow it. Maybe that’s why he made me a Lit.

Just then, Trother exited the room with his Battery, strolling around the classroom to check the games. He paused briefly at some boards, offering truths to guide each player.

“Xana, a flame spread is never dead,” Trother said softly. Eli, watching with interest, understood Trother’s message immediately: Xana relied too heavily on her Bishops, rather than using her full array of pieces.

To Zion, Trother said, “Better to Burst once true than twice blindly.” Though Eli didn’t grasp the full meaning, he could see the words weighed heavily on Zion, sparking a moment of reflection.

Trother seemed to read each student’s thoughts. Whenever he spoke, it was as if he reached directly into their hearts. Eli often felt dizzy after their conversations, as though his mind had been laid bare.

Eventually, Trother reached the board where Eli had reset his game with Bryner, then motioned for him to follow into the teacher’s room.

Eli quickly joined Trother, grateful he had reset the board so Trother wouldn’t see his previous strategy. If Trother is as good as they say, he’ll need no extra help, Eli thought, steeling himself.

As they settled in, Eli noticed Trother’s Battery, Klya, behind him, holding a cable connected to his arm. Eli looked at his own Battery, Fulia, realizing he had become so accustomed to the silent presence of his Batteries that he barely noticed them anymore.

Trother grinned, and Eli could almost hear his thoughts. You aren’t the only one who thought to reset the board first, the old man’s eyes seemed to say. By the flames, Trother was not someone you could fool easily. Rumors were that only Brodnir could stand a chance against him in Longevity Chess.

Trother shuffled the two Kings behind his back, revealing them in his closed fists. Eli picked the right hand and received the White-Blue King, allowing him to go first.

Eli repeated his opening from the previous game, flipping his Blue King and sliding twenty Longevity Stones. “Emission. Pawns.” Trother raised his brow, smiling.

“Bold move, little one. Burn the warmth for the greater heat, is it?”

Eli nodded, but Trother’s expression softened. “How is the pain today, child?”

Eli’s stomach rumbled. “It’s... manageable, sir. I think I’m getting used to it.”

Trother’s eyes, kind but piercing, seemed to cut through him. “I’m not talking about the hunger, Eli.” His voice was gentle. “I mean the pain that won’t stop growing—the pain of guilt.”

Eli froze, realizing that Trother knew. Of course, the Batteries reported to him. Eli’s lapses, his meals outside of portions, his quiet shame—they had all been known to Trother.

“But first, let me say I’m proud of you for how well you’ve done this week,” Trother continued. “I thought Longevity Chess might help keep your mind off the pain, as it does for me.” His hand moved to his heart. Eli wasn’t sure what that meant.

“You know, Eli,” Trother said, “you’re just a child. Mistakes will happen; it’s part of growing. Like in chess, one move rarely decides the game. There’s always a chance to turn things around.” He smiled, looking down at the board. “Check.”

Eli blinked in shock. When had Trother moved? The old man’s hands had worked quickly, flipping both Rooks, Bursting his AI, and sliding several Stones. Trother’s Rooks had activated their special ability, blocking Eli’s attack with an Enhancement Burst, and his AI Burst had given the Knight extra movement to place Eli’s King in check.

Eli’s eyes widened as he pieced together the sequence, seeing the thoughtfulness Trother had put into each move. Trother had even left gaps between each group of Stones, as if guiding Eli to retrace his steps.

“It’s alright, Eli. You haven’t lost yet. Remember, few things waste more energy—or cause more hunger—than excessive guilt.” Trother winked. A rush of relief broke through Eli’s shame. For the first time, he understood what it felt like to have a father figure.

“Now, Eli, future Lit of the Burrows,” Trother said with a grin. “Show me what you can do.”

Chapter 9