[ WP ] Two god-like beings , disguised as old men , play a game of chess on a park bench to decide the final fate of humanity . The players , however , are distracted by a couple seated across them ...

`` I'm going to miss this,'' the one said, his long beard flowing in the gentle breeze. The scar running down one cheek was partially obscured by the eye patch he wore, but his other eye was ice-blue and twinkling. A child ran up from playing in the park, blond curls bouncing. 
 `` Hey mister,'' the child shouted, `` can I have some more candy?'' 
 The old man grinned and tossed the child a dum-dum. The little blond kid grabbed it and smiled widely. `` Thanks old man!'' 
 The one-eyed old gentleman chuckled gently and looked at the chess board in front of him. The game was slow, for both players were masters. For years upon ages, they had warred and battled their way across these worn checkered squares, sacrificing pawns in needless battles, and entering the fray like thunderstorms when they moved their queens. This particular battle had only been going on for an afternoon, but it was more important than the others. It was this day, after years of meeting in the park to battle over middling fates of ultimately minor individuals, that the two old men would have their last sparring match. Today was the Day of Reckoning. 
 The other old man at the table sported a more well-trimmed beard, and his white shirt boasted of his physique, showing weathered but massive muscles through the fabric. He certainly appeared muscular to the other patrons of the park, but the strange cane he carried changed the image. It was wildly bent and angled until it resembled a bolt of lightning. A strange cane, to be sure, but then there are all kinds of people, are n't there. You never know what you'll find in a little city park. 
 
 The one eyed old man nodded thoughtfully. `` Bit of a pickle we're in. I rather enjoy this game.'' 
 
 `` Confound those human expressions! Gods must not stoop to such a level. And, my friend, you are wrong. I greatly tire of this game. It is time.'' The muscular one growled. 
 
 The ice in the other man's eye twinkled. `` Not so hasty. Fate is a funny thing. It changes... rather quickly, when one looks at it from a one-eyed perspective.'' 
 
 `` We're too old for such levity. Focus on your game, friend, or forfeit humanity!'' 
 
 `` Sourpuss.'' 
 
 `` Continue to compare me to an ill-tempered feline, and I shall call down lightning upon thine hoary head!'' the muscular one rumbled, gray eyes sharpening. 
 
 `` And with the lightning, what then? Thunder always follows, and I doubt very much you want to bring my son into this game of fate.'' 
 
 `` Just move. It's check in five.'' 
 
 The two men bent to their game, trading move for countermove, and strike for counterstrike. It went on like that, neither gaining any advantage over the other. Ages of chess-playing had rendered the old gods incapable of dominating the other. Suddenly, in the midst of a particularly devious strategy by the one-eyed gentleman, the two caught sight of a couple on a bench across from them. The woman's glare was fierce enough to singe the old men's eyebrows. The one-eyed man gave a chuckle, and bits of frost quenched the sparks. The muscular old god frantically patted at his eyebrows, his magic unsuited to putting out fires. He was more used to starting them. `` Wretched mortal emotions! Such power without restraint! Something must be done.'' 
 
 The woman exclaimed, `` How could you?! With Linda!? That bitch!'' 
 
 The one-eyed man stifled a loud, rolling laugh. `` Ah, this poor man. I can feel his fear!'' 
 
 The muscular one frowned and looked at the girl. A very slight smile creased his wrinkled face. `` Hades hath no fury, I suppose.'' 
 
 The man took his wife's hands in his, desperately searching her eyes for hope. `` Honey, I'm sorry. You were gone... and... and I was weak. I promise, it was a one-time mistake. I really love you.'' 
 
 The woman was unfazed. `` How dare you! I leave for a week, and I come back to you screwing another woman. How can you expect me to forgive you.'' 
 
 The muscular gentleman looked back to his game. `` Just recompense for the man, I deem. She will not forgive him.'' 
 
 The one-eyed old man shook his head. `` Tis sad, indeed. But let us watch for a bit. Hasty judgments can never end well.'' 
 
 `` You speak rightly.'' The two old gods bent to their game once again, but each kept an ear tuned to the conversation across from them. 
 
 `` Honey, I'm sorry. I'll never do it again.'' The man pleaded. 
 
 The wife refused to look him in the eyes. `` It's over. I'm sorry.'' 
 
 The lightning god whispered gruffly, `` It is as I said.'' 
 
 `` Hush, old greybeard. Not everything happens in the flame of passion.'' The ice god chided. 
 
 The man refused to let his wife go. She tried to stand and leave, but he gripped her hands. `` Honey, honey, stay! I'm sorry! 
 
 `` No! You're scum!'' 
 
 Tears fell. `` I know. I'm sorry. I know it was wrong. But... Becky. I married you ten years ago.'' 
 
 `` Well, that seems to have been a mistake,'' the woman fired back. `` Clearly you ca n't keep it in your pants, even if you're married.'' 
 
 `` Do you remember our vows?'' 
 
 `` Do n't you dare bring that up now!'' She threatened. 
 
 ``'for richer, for poorer. In sickness and in health. Till death do us apart.' Becky, I was drunk and I was stupid. But I believe in our vows.'' 
 
 The ice god stifled another rolling laugh that would have disrupted the entire park and the two old men's entertainment. `` Ha! Ha, ha! The ale strikes again. I wonder how much he put away.'' 
 
 `` That is not the issue. Watch.'' the other god replied, his gray eyes regarding the exchange curiously. 
 
 The man and his wife stared into each other's eyes. And, gradually, like wicked ice melting in the glare of the sun, the woman's face softened. `` You're really repentant, are n't you.'' 
 
 `` Yes, yes I am.'' The man replied. `` I'm very sorry for my mistake. You do n't know how I've been beating myself up over it.'' 
 
 `` And you decided to tell me, instead of hiding it.'' She sat down, and for a moment she seemed to struggle with saying something. `` I... I forgive you.'' 
 
 The one-eyed old man moved one of his last pawns. `` What think you?'' 
 
 The other took the pawn swiftly with his knight. `` These mortals... they interest me.'' 
 
 The ice god laughed. `` And it only took a couple thousand years.'' 
 
 The lightning god replied, still gruff. `` I have not changed my mind, mind you. But... might we continue this game another day? I wish to deliberate.'' 
 
 The one visible eye twinkled. `` Oh? And put off our long-awaited Day of Reckoning?'' 
 
 `` Perhaps the mortals deserve a break. At least... this man does.'' 
 
 The ice god stroked his beard. `` I agree. Let us continue another day then.'' 
 
 And thus, the world did not end. The two friends played again, the next day. And then the next. And to this day, they continue, in parks all across the world, to play for the fate of humanity. But still we continue to exist. There might be a lesson in that, somewhere, if we look hard enough.
