Collapse in morals

The next morning, all the prisoners were marched out of their cells.

"I hope you've all rested well. Today is the big day. But first, allow me to present the standings," Vasily's voice crackled through the loudspeaker. "In first place, despite a single loss, we have Lowri. And in last place with only a half point, an American idiot. Not surprising there. But Arina, you were a... hair's breath away from last. Truly, you sadden Mother Russia."

"Shut it!"

"What's that? You're upset you won't be getting any tattoos? The guards do have the means to tattoo-"

"I'M FINE! I'M FINE!"

"Getting back to where we were... Milady Shaw... into the chair."

Milady shrugged and did as she was told with Arina giddily anticipating what would come next. "Maybe they'll melt all that spray-tanned skin off her. I'd love to see her scream her lungs out," Arina thought.

Once Milady was secured, a guard got in position behind her.

"Now... pinch her cheeks," Vasily swooned.

Everyone's eyes went wide with disbelief. The guards, however, remained stoic, with the one standing behind Milady beginning to pinch and pull her cheeks.

"Good, good, I think that does it. Her punishment is over," Vasily giggled as the guard began freeing Milady.

Arina's heart began to thump as her eyes bulged with rage. "That's... it? ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? SHE GOT LAST PLACE, SO WHY ISN'T SHE GETTING PUNISHED LIKE I WAS!?"

"Because that's what I say, and I am the rules here."

"GO FUCK YOURSELF! MY HAIR, YOU SHAVED ALL MY FUCKING HAIR OFF AND KEEP ME FROM GROWING IT BACK! YOU SAID IF I LOST, I'D GET INKED, BUT THE FUCKING AMERICAN GETS A NON-PUNISHMENT!? YOU'RE A FUCKING AMERICAN AGENT!"

An audible sigh could be heard through the loudspeaker. "Guards, fasten her to the chair."

Arina kicked and screamed as the guards dogpiled her and dragged her over the chair. Within seconds, she was restrained though allowed free movement of her dominant hand, presumably so she could play chess proper.

"Now, we'll have Milady play her, with loser being sentenced to death. Sound good?" Vasily chuckled.

Everyone gathered around as the board was set up.

"Remember, we play each other, you give me my win," Milady whispered to Miyako as she passed her by.

Miyako's heart began to thump. "Hold on... if I lose here-"

But Milady was already at the board.

"Look at you straight out of the mental ward. Guess your own country wants to dispose of you," Milady sneered as she sat down across from Arina.

"I'm going to dispose of you... ALL OF YOU! FUCK YOU ALL!" Arina shouted as she opened by moving her pawn to e4.

"This hoedown won't be going the same as last time. Oh, but I didn't even bother playing you, just letting the time tick. All so I could unleash everything I know on you," Milady scoffed as she moved her pawn to d5.

Arina quickly captured said pawn with her e-pawn, with Milady instantly capturing said pawn with her queen.

"I'm not losing to you. I hate you... I HATE YOU!" Arina shouted as she moved her knight to c3.

"Shouting just makes me stronger," Milady sneered as she moved her queen to a5.

"YOU DON'T KNOW A DAMN THING ABOUT THIS GAME!" Arina screamed as she slammed her pawn down on d4.

"And what do you know about it? Nothing, just like me. None of us know a thing about this shit, but we got no choice but to play along," Milady scoffed as she moved her pawn to e5.

"My hair... My hair... WHY'D I LOSE MY HAIR AND NOT YOU!?" Arina sobbed as she captured the pawn at e5 with her d-pawn.

"Who knows. Maybe cuz they're more disappointed with their homegirl failing the test so bad," Milady shrugged as she captured the pawn at e5 with her queen.

Arina blocked the check with bishop b2, yet Milady refused to let up on the aggression, moving her bishop to b4.

As for Miyako, she was nervously watching hoping that Arina would prevail. "Milady sounded so sure I'd honor that "debt". Why would I? If I lose here, I die. I'm not going to give up, but what if she also requested the gift!? That bald idiot better win. If she doesn't, I might have to face Milady!" she thought as Arina moved her knight to f3.

"Ugh, I hate those horses. Never got how they're supposed to move. Not like I need em anyway," Milady thought as she captured the knight at c3 with her bishop.

Arina recaptured said bishop with her b-pawn, yet found herself in check again as Milady captured said pawn with her queen. "You think I'm stupid? I spent my time here refining my knowledge on the game thanks to the books the guards would leave out. I'm not falling for such a trap, especially to you," Arina thought as she moved her bishop to d2.

"Tch, can't get the rook," Milady snarled under her breath as she moved her queen to a3.

Her angst only worsened after Arina castled king's side, leaving her at an impasse at what piece to move. "I just don't get those horses. I tried learning them, but it's too complex for my meaty brain. That's why I opted to go for the "payback" strategy of resigning in exchange for wins. The only one who didn't let me win was that black-haired loner, who insisted on a draw, but she said that she'd throw if paired against me in this round. That means this idiot before me is the only one that I have no sway over. I beat her, I win this whole thing," she thought as she nudged her pawn to c5.

Arina's gaze widened slightly as she moved her bishop to g5.

"I have no idea what she's doing, but if I can just crack that king open, I win," Milady thought as she moved her bishop to g4.

Arina blinked for a few seconds as she stared at the board, before a smug grin overtook her face. "Fuck you, American. Checkmate!" she laughed as she slammed her queen down on d8.

"White has won," the board declared.

Milady's eyes widened in complete shock, yet not a word escaped her lips.

"And it seems we have our first elimination. Guards?" Vasily's voice crackled through the loudspeaker.

The guards nodded and freed Arina before fastened Milady to the chair she had been restrained in. One then pulled out a syringe, but Milady, still too dazed from her loss, didn't even react until the needle was inserted into her neck.

As the contents of the syringe flowed into her system, Milady began to scream in pain as purple veins began spreading throughout her skin. "WHA- WHAT IS THIS SHIT!?"

"A popular drug sweeping the streets. It's normally not lethal after a few injections, but I modified it into a nasty poison. Oh, but it won't come up as a poison if authorities were to investigate. Perfect for offing foes, wouldn't you say?" Vasily snickered.

Foam oozed out of Milady's mouth as her eyes slowly rolled back into her head. Seconds later, she was motionless and confirmed dead by the guards.

"Y- Yes... YES! SHE'S DEAD! I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT OUR DEAL ANYMORE!" Miyako joyfully cried.

The others all turned to her, horrified.

"Oi, what's wrong with you? She just fucking died!" Imono trembled.

"Did anyone like her?"

"A- Are you morally depraved- No, you're a cheater. I shouldn't be surprised," Lowri glared.

"I was going to resign should I had been paired against her, but now I can't," the black-haired woman sighed.

"OH SURE YOU WOULD! Hey baldy, you feeling good about this?" Miyako grinned as she approached Arina.

"No... And now I can see the monster I faced on the second day was no act. Should the others not finish you off first, I will be the one to avenge my defeat to you," Arina glared before walking away, struggling to stop her hand from trembling.

"What an interesting development. Miyako, you will now face Imono," Vasily chuckled.

"Perfect. I was hoping I'd get to put you in your place for that trick you played on me," Miyako grinned as Imono stared her down. 

The full game: 

White: Arina Drobysheva Black: Milady Shaw 

1. e4 d5 

2. exd5 Qxd5 

3. Nc3 Qa5 

4. d4 e5 

5. dxe5 Qxe5+ 

6. Be2 Bb4 

7. Nf3 Bxc3+

8. bxc3 Qxc3+ 

9. Bd2 Qa3 

10. O-O c5 

11. Bg5 Bg4 

12. Qd8#