Chapter Text
In the days of the Child-Moth, the Red Death walked the Earth, and saw that its peoples had grown powerful and comfortable.
"It is past time," said the Red Death, "to visit them with a plague that will remind them they are mortal."
So the Red Death prepared to descend upon humanity with a great plague. But the gods walked the earth in those days, and the Child-Moth lived among them.
"The Red Death is a mighty god of another world," explained one of the gods to the Child-Moth. "If he wishes to bring plague, we will weather it, but he will not easily be turned from his course."
But the Child-Moth loved humanity even then, and she sought out the Red Death in his palace.
"Humanity is not yours, to torment with plagues," she said, but the Red Death remained unmoved, for he had no face.
"Is humanity yours, then?" asked the Red Death.
"Humanity is a friend, and I am its friend," said the Child-Moth. "I will not let you send it a plague."
The Red Death was a devourer of men and nations, but he could not devour the Child-Moth, who spoke without arrogance or boastfulness.
"I will stay my plague," said the Red Death, "if you best me in a game of chess." For the Red Death was crafty, and had ensnared many an arrogant soul with this game.
But the Child-Moth simply smiled at the joyous prospect of a game of chess, and joined the Red Death at his table to play.
The Red Death found himself checkmated ere long, for the Child-Moth was a master of chess in those days, and removed his mask in defeat. When the Child-Moth looked upon the place where he had sat, she beheld the Yellow King in his place.
"You have bested me at my own game," said the Yellow King.
The Child-Moth, thinking he spoke of chess, replied "Chess is a human game." But the Yellow King knew that the Child-Moth had bested him at the game of toppling the prideful, and his mask smiled.
"The Red Death will not send a plague to humanity in your generation," he said, thinking the Child-Moth mortal. "And you may have one favor of the Yellow King when you wish it."
The Child-Moth thanked the Yellow King for the game and departed his palace, and the Red Death never again visited humanity.