[ WP ] You are the last human alive but you are immortal . You meet Death who wants his retirement .

Alex watched a large wave wash up onto the beach, leaving a trail of shells in its wake. There was a slight breeze that brought in the smell of the sea, and Alex reveled in it. He had spent the last five years on this beach, and even though he was alone, he had n't grown tired of it. He was seated on top of a small rocky hill that overlooked the bay, and he had chiseled a seat into one of the rocks so that he could sit comfortably and watch the sunsets. A scraping sound came from behind him and he turned, his heart racing. Could it be somebody? 
 
 Instead, a man in ragged clothes with skin like leather and a long, white beard was ascending the hill. He looked up at Alex and smiled. `` Hello, Alex!'' 
 
 Alex sighed and returned to his perch. He watched the sea as the man climbed up the hill until finally he was standing next to Alex. 
 
 `` Do you mind if I sit?'' 
 
 Alex gestured at a second seat that he had carved into the rocks. Even after thirteen years of being the last human alive, Alex still held hope that there were others. `` Are you here about retirement?'' 
 
 The man followed Alex's gaze into the ocean and leaned back against the rock that was warm from the sun. He sighed. 
 
 Alex shook his head. `` I wo n't go.'' 
 
 `` Someday you will.'' 
 
 `` Perhaps.'' Alex looked at the man. `` I was thinking of you yesterday.'' 
 
 The man stared back. `` Oh?'' 
 
 `` Yeah. What do you do in your spare time? Just wander the earth?'' 
 
 The weathered man nodded slowly. `` Yes... Yes, pretty much. I just bide my time, Alex. One thing that I have is patience.'' He kicked off his sandals and rubbed his feet into the sand. `` Are you going to spend the rest of eternity watching over the sea?'' 
 
 Alex shrugged. `` Maybe I will.'' 
 
 `` The sea will dry up; mountains will crumble; all of earth will be left a desert wasteland.'' 
 
 `` And you know the future?'' 
 
 The man shrugged. `` The future is always the same, Alex. Nothing awaits but death and decay.'' 
 
 Alex changed the subject. `` So what will you do when you retire?'' 
 
 The man raised an eyebrow. `` Are you planning on dying?'' 
 
 `` Can I? You've asked for my life, but how will you take it?'' 
 
 `` Nobody is truly immortal. Perhaps your body can not die, but your mind can.'' The man looked up into the darkening sky, his eyes exploring the empty night ahead of them. `` When I retire, I will wander this place and find somewhere to rest.'' He looked at Alex. `` I can never have peace if there is work yet to be done. When I am finished, I will be able to rest. I will live forever, Alex, because even though humans would be dead, death will still take the universe. Perhaps I'll wander some other planet. I will rest, then I will began my work elsewhere.'' 
 
 Alex straightened. `` Is there life on other planets?'' 
 
 `` Life is everywhere.'' 
 
 `` That's not what I meant.'' 
 
 The man stood, slipping his feet into his sandals. `` Well, if you are n't going to let me take you, I guess I'll have to do some more wandering.'' 
 
 Alex put up a hand. `` Wait.'' He was lonely, and it was good to talk to somebody. `` Stay, please.'' 
 
 The man stroked his beard, his eyes still as he looked over the sea, pondering the request. Finally he turned. `` Alex, I have a deal for you.'' He sat back down. `` We play a game of chess. The victor will become Death, and the loser will die. Is that fair?'' 
 
 Alex thought about it. `` You can die?'' 
 
 `` If I let you become Death, then yes.'' 
 
 `` Fine. Let's do it.'' 
 
 `` That is your final decision?'' 
 
 `` Yes.'' 
 
 The man smiled, waving his hand. A table with a chess board on it appeared in the sand. Alex stood and stared at the hexagon-shaped board. On the board there were white, black, and gold pieces, each taking their places on the board, all of them facing the middle of it. Alex looked up at Death, his eyebrows furrowed. `` Three-way chess? But...'' 
 
 The man smiled as a look of realization flitted across Alex's face. `` Yes. Three players.''
