Was it yesterday last I basked in the warm glow of the hearth in our Shirogane home? A week perhaps? Two? I'd lost track. Surely it couldn't have been that long...

I let my eyelids shut to collect my thoughts.

I'd fought this foe a hundred times at least. Each time a mortal blow I'd strike, each time they'd rise again. A forever struggle.

Maybe I'd always been here.

I open my eyes.

A waft of salty sea air passes as I survey the battlefield. Our fledgling conjurer Y'shtola charges forward, her snow white braids whipping in the wind, cat ears pinned back as she jumps headlong toward the enemy commander; Merlwyb, a towering woman dressed all in black. They clash, my feline friend sent reeling by her attack, but I look past them to the leather-clad gunslinger, Hilda, who'd flanked behind. Her pistol thunders, her aim ever true as the commander slumps to the floor.

We've only a second to regroup before the opponent is back on the offensive. From the shadows a hulking Roegadyn leaps toward Hilda, the steely visage of the legendary pirate king Mistbeard adorning his helmet. But, no sooner had the pirate appeared then came a flash from above as the bristling dragoon, Estinien, fell upon him like a bolt from the black night sky, sending him sliding back into the darkness. We nod to each other and turn toward the remaining skirmish.

On the other edge of the arena a figure in a sea captain's tricorne, Rhoswen, pistol in hand, sends a volley of shot towards the dragoon. Her other hand wields a cutlass fencing with a chainmailed Vieran knight, Lyna. Their slight frames are both dwarfed by the titanic primal Leviathan looming over their battle, toothy maw agape, ready to devour the victor.

I know I, the Warrior of Light, will decide this contest. This selfsame scenario has played countless times before. I help up an out of breath Y'shtola, her magicks spent but spirits still high. I step forward, shoulder to shoulder with Estinien, busy brushing off flecks of shot which had grazed his armor. We take just a moment and turn to meet the giant sea snake Leviathan in final combat. We've done this so many times, it's reflex now...

I let my eyelids shut to collect my thoughts.

Maybe this will finally be it? No. I shouldn't get my hopes up.

I open my eyes.

8 to 2, another victory. O'kalkaya's familiar face stares back at me, ever cheerful. I wait for her to pass over our wager. 68 Manderville Gold Saucer Points, same as always.

Hmm... but what's this?

She's passed a card along with the coins. This one feels different. The stock thicker, the edges sturdier, the corners rounder, the faces smoother, the smell richer. Could it be? I slowly turn it over... 1... 2... 3,4,5 stars!

YES! This is it! My never-ending battle has finally come to an end.

I place the pristine Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn Triple Triad card into my deck, and give O'kalkaya a bow as an uncharacteristic smile sneaks onto my normally stoic face.

(Gaelicap)