Scourge of the Great Steppe

Mimoko scowled as she sat with her hair wrapped up in a towel. 

"The nerve of that woman! Esteemed mother of Mimoko-sama, I implore you to let me thrash her," Utami fumed.

"Well you're in luck, because it just so happens the Hebrew Federation is our next opponent," Daria nodded. 

"We're up against the New Empire of Mongolia as they now call themselves. And of course this comes after an encounter with one of their members," Okisato grumbled.

"They don't look too intimidating, at least in terms of their game records, save for their leader, Genghis Jad. Despite their perfect sweep last round, the team did suffer a loss in the 2nd round to Prussia, so they aren't invincible," the masked man stated. 

"Still odd for them to face us since they won, while we lost, but I assume it's due to us being even point-wise," Ryonosuke nodded as he stroked his beard.

"Us ladies arguably have the tougher opponent, especially given what's befallen us," Daria scowled as she glanced towards Iori, who was now huddled under the covers, shivering.

"I can play- ACHOO!"

"It's not a matter of if, you might not even be allowed to set foot inside if you're spewing snot everywhere," Tenju snarled.

"I can wear a mask-"

"She's got a point. Your sickness would effect your own thinking skills, leading to you playing worse than normal," Okisato argued. 

"That, and some nations might raise a fuss if we field a sick player as it could cause their player to get sick as well. Poland's still filling complaints against us as we speak, even though the WWCF has already ruled in our favor," Maida growled as she shot a glare at Okisato.

"Hey, Ginji was the one that set me up. I even brought Jadwiga to the playing hall so it's on her and her team for what befell her."

"We got lucky with that, but if we field a sick player and one of our opponents' players or another player nearby gets sick, we'll be easy to blame," the masked man stated.

"Thus, you're sitting out for round 5, and that's final," Daria huffed.

Iori sighed and rolled her eyes as she stared up at the ceiling. There was no winning the argument for her.

"Speaking of Inohara-dono, he informed me that he'd be sitting out the next round," Ryonosuke stated. 

That only caused Okisato more anxiety as even a sidelined Ginji could still be troublesome, as proven in round 2. "Did he say why?" 

"No." 

"Lovely." 

"Getting back on track, we've got our work cut out for us as with Iori out, we all have to play. A shame since I feel Mimoko could've easily handled Irit, while you all took care of the rest," Daria sighed. 

"The one with the white hair from dinner?" 

"Correct. She's the Hebrew Federation's president, as well as a grandmaster and DSPCM of Beersheba." 

"'Beersheba'? That's the city with the most grandmasters per capita in the whole world!" Mimoko gasped.

"Indeed it is, and Irit does the city proud on the chessboard. That being said, she knows how strong I am, which will increase her stress levels and make her a much easier opponent to beat compared to normal. That means the next strongest player is 2548-rated grandmaster, Chaya Shamir." 

"The whore who violated Mimoko-sama's lips and and spat a mouthful in her face. I'd love to punish her, but there's nothing more fitting than Mimoko-sama enacting revenge against her herself," Utami huffed. 

"Tea baggin' Chaya? I wanna play- ACHOO!" Iori sneezed. 

"You're not playing at all with that cold, Ishikiridokoro-chan" Maida glared.

"I agree. Even if your condition improves, we both saw how she plays. She's not someone you can beat if you're not in top form," Mimoko frowned.

"DSPCM Golda Goldschmidt is no slouch either. She may have unorthodox opening tendencies, but she's able to convert them into wins. In your current condition, I don't see you being able to take advantage of that," Daria sighed. 

"So one of us has to play Golda... Ugh, I guess I'll volunteer. If I get Black, it'll be a struggle, but if I get White, it's a guaranteed win," Tenju groaned. 

"That leaves Shira Meiri, who's 2205, and Lea Yedua, the unknown, at 2052." 

"That's the one that managed to calm both Irit and the vile whore down," Utami noted. 

"Not surprising considering that in addition to serving as DSPCM of Eilat, Shira was also a peace activist, and a highly effective one at that. Some say she could've single-handedly brought peace to the Middle East, but then... she got kidnapped... We know not what was done to her in captivity, only that it forever changed her. She's tries her best to act like she always did, but all it takes is a good look at her to tell she's pushing herself to her limit to avoid having a panic attack. That being said, her chess skills have not deteriorated in the slightest, possibly even improved slightly as it's now her avenue for calm. As for Lea, we know nothing of her." 

"I'll be taking whichever plays then," Utami nodded. 

"Then lets train. There's a particular line I think you need to know how to counter if you want to win this," Okisato nodded.

Thus the strategy was set, however... 

"Huh? I remember her," Iori mumbled as she stared at an image of Lea. 

"What do you mean?" Daria asked. 

"A few days ago... When they were checking... her card... Zzzzz." 

Daria frowned as Iori fell asleep, yet the words had clearly resonated with her. "Don't tell me..." 

...

The next morning, heavy rain was once again in the forecast. Worse than the day before, it was like there were curtains of rain, making some wonder if the round would even occur today. However, it looked like things would be on as no official word on cancellation was sent out.

As he walked out to the bus, Okisato noticed Genghis Jad, along with the other members of the Mongolian team just standing in the rain off to the side. There also appeared to be a sizeable army of undead Mongol warriors lined up, presumably there as spectators for the event.

Jad glared from beneath his horse skull mask as he watched Okisato get on the bus. The driver then called out for anyone else that wished to climb aboard, stating that this would be the last bus to the venue, at least the last one that would get there in time to avoid a round forfeit. Yet the Mongols didn't budge an inch, with Jad' glare still focused on Okisato, who was now seated next to a window.

"They're not getting on? Well, I'll take the win then. The weather's worse than it was yesterday and the day before, so I don't see them being able to get a ride there if they forgo this one. Heck, with how flooded the roads are, I wouldn't be surprised if this bus, and the others have trouble making it. But I still think the busses can make it at least. If the Mongolians are betting on the round being postponed, they don't know how the WWCF works."

As the bus drove off, the Mongols still continued to stand in the rain. Once the bus was out of sight, Jad cloaked himself in Genghis Khan's visage and turned to face his army.

"Өнөөдөр дайн тул бид тэдний цусыг дээрэмддэг [Today is war, so we rob them of their blood]!"

"Өнөөдөр дайн тул бид тэдний цусыг дээрэмддэг [Today is war, so we rob them of their blood]!" the army repeated.

Тэднийг цохиж, өшиглөж, махыг нь хус [Bludgeon them, kick them, scalp their flesh off]!"

Тэднийг цохиж, өшиглөж, махыг нь хус [Bludgeon them, kick them, scalp their flesh off]!"

"Өршөөлгүй, бид нядалгааны төлөө тэмцдэг [Without mercy, we fight for slaughter]!"

"Өршөөлгүй, бид нядалгааны төлөө тэмцдэг [Without mercy, we fight for slaughter]!"

A deranged smile spread on Jad's face as he summoned an army of undead horses for his soldiers to ride on. Once everyone was mounted he gave the order to charge. As they did, lightning flashed and the ground shook as thousands of boney hooves galloped through the rainy road.

Ginji smirked as he watched the Mongols ride off into the rain. "Oki-chwan, you really think I took a break out of good-will? Jad's a maniac. Even with your unorthodox sadism, you can't beat him, for today he's declared war on Japan, all because of you."

Onlookers froze in terror as the Mongols rode through the streets, leaping over and running atop vehicles, both moving and stationary as they headed to the venue.

From the bus, Okisato heard the rumbling as well as Volkner's panicked shrieks. "T- The Mongols... They're after us!"

Hooves slammed atop the roof of the bus while all sides of the bus became surrounded by undead Mongols on horseback causing nearly everyone on board to panic.

Okisato was a bit unnerved, especially when Jad himself rode up to the window and to personally relay a message. "Эхлээд цус чинь урсаж, дараа нь үндэстэн чинь живнэ [First your blood will flow, then your nation will drown]."

With a roar, Jad then sped off as all the other Mongols picked up the pace. Lightning flashed, and the rain poured down harder, but it didn't so much as hinder the stampeding Mongol horde.

At the venue, an arbiter nervously stepped outside. While some players had arrived, not a single one of the many buses, which was the primary mode of transportation for a majority of the players, had arrived.

"Mr. President, we should delay the round until tomorrow. The weather's just too bad," he pleaded as Raymond stepped out.

"No, they will show up."

"Mr. President- ...?"

The rain was so heavy, it was hard to see even 10 ft in front of you. Yet, the arbiter was able to make out a large shadow, or rather shadows approaching. Jad and his Mongol horde sprung forth from the wall of rain, charging straight for Raymond and the now terrified arbiter. The arbiter curled up on the wet ground in terror, as Raymond stood, completely unwavering as all the Mongols leaped over him and the cowering arbiter.

"Flashy as always, Nikolai. No need to worry, the round will proceed as planned. If the Mongols are here, the others will soon follow," Raymond declared as he turned to head back inside.

The Mongols meanwhile were already marching in, with the players heading for the boards and the other heading for the spectator area.

"So they rode here. Well, that should psych them up, and spread weariness to you, herr oni-tiger," Red Reaper thought as he watched Jad and his 4 other teammates sit down at their boards to await team Japan.

Meanwhile, the buses all began arriving, though nearly everyone that had been on them were now jittery, courtesy of the Mongol encounter.

"Crazy Mongols. Some of us can't handle the extra stress," Ragnar huffed as he waddled into the playing hall.

It would be more accurate to say Ragnar was jealous at how cool the Mongols had just been, rather than frightened by them. Though his teammate Stressaður was most certainly frightened as was Volkner, both of whom supported each other as they wearily trudged in.

"Ain't sleeping in great? Ya still get to catch the bus, and get an undead Mongol escort. Talk about premium service," Skaberghast sneered as he forced himself in between the two.

"I'm staying up all night. I got coffee," Stressaður crazily chuckled.

"Give me some of that coffee too," Volkner cried.

Team Japan, meanwhile, scowled as they arrived at their boards and stared down the Mongols.

"The last time I fought a Japanese man was in Manchuria. Your blood will be the first taste of Japanese blood, in a century," Jad growled.

"I thought zombies wanted brains, not blood. Well whatever. Though if you're declaring war on Japan itself, I'd rethink it. We did stop you once before from conquering us," Okisato scoffed.

"And I'm going to take over you in turn! The Mongol empire, MY SECOND Mongol empire, will rule the world!"

Okisato sighed and sat down across from Jad. "Alright, Genghis, you want a war, I'll give you one."

Board 1 wasn't the only source of turmoil as a beef was quickly brewing between Ryonosuke and Jochi on board 3.

"What's with the frown, geezer? Afraid of me crucifying ya nude?" Jochi sneered.

Ryonosuke scowled. "The young are too cocky, worse you're obsessed with being "edgy". Seems some schooling is in order."

The two locked eyes and immediately went to war once the round officially began. Jochi opened the game by moving his knight to f3, while Ryonosuke responded by moving his knight to f6.

"Hoh? You're going for a mirror? Too bad, bone bag, now I can show you why Mongolia was FEARED! Time to conquer Japan!" Jochi thought as he slammed his knight down on d4.

"The Mongolian Attack... I figured you'd try something like that, which is why I goaded you into this. Now how about I begin a schooling for you," Ryonosuke thought as he moved his pawn to e5.

As for the two remaining boards, Mori was on board 2 against a normal-looking man named Orda Ichin while board 4 was occupied by the masked man and the visage of Ögedei Khan. This left the visage of Chagatai Khan, the final member of the Mongolian team, sitting out on the sidelines alone as Ginji hadn't bothered to come to the venue.

Mori's game opened with him moving his pawn to d4, and with Orda's response of d5, a London System was soon on the board following knight f3, c6, bishop f4 and knight f6.

"That lard goaded me into a fucking London. I'll kick his ass!" Orda thought as Mori moved his pawn to e3.

Finally, the masked man was busy showing his disrespect to Ögedei in the form of a Meadow Hay Mistake, which went, a4, e5, and rook a3. Ögedei didn't see it as disrespectful, but rather charitable as he captured the rook at a3 with his bishop, going up a rook in an instant. The masked man naturally captured said bishop with his knight, but Ögedei could have cared less as he moved his pawn to d5.

But after the masked man moved his pawn to d4, Ögedei's play of pawn e4, made him nod. "Just as I thought, this may be a visage of one of Mongolia's greatest military commanders, but he's yet to grasp modern opening theory. This will be easy," he thought as he moved his bishop to f4.

As for the main event at board 1, Jad had the White pieces and opened by moving his pawn to h3.

"He trying to make a statement? The Clemenz is pretty much the slightly worse cousin of the Anderssen," Okisato thought as he moved his pawn to e5.

But when Jad moved his pawn to e3, that's when Okisato realized things were personal. "Oh, now you're trying to mirror the Japanese Opening I created. Alright ya Genghis Khan cosplayer, I'll show you why the Clemenz is inferior to the Anderssen, why your opening that's yet to be named is inferior to the Japanese opening," he thought as he moved his pawn to d5.

Jad matched with d4, so Okisato doubled up by moving his knight to c6. Jad didn't care and captured the pawn at e5 with his d-pawn, prompting Okisato to capture said pawn with his knight.

Jad then played bishop d2, with Okisato nearly mirroring him with bishop d6. But bishop c3 and knight e7 later, it was clear this game would soon turn into an intense bloodbath.

"Certainly a warmonger aren't you," Okisato thought as he prepared himself for battle.