The neon glow of “Pixel Paradise” painted the rain-streaked windows in vibrant hues as Raphael entered, a broad, genuine smile illuminating his face. Michael, his own smile a carefully crafted mask, rose to greet him. Years had separated them, but the bond, or so Raphael believed, remained strong.

“Raphael! It’s fantastic to see you,” Michael exclaimed, his voice warm and inviting. The embrace was firm, but beneath the surface, a cold calculation pulsed. Gifts were exchanged, tokens of a past friendship, now tainted by Michael’s hidden agenda.

“Michael, you haven’t aged a day!” Raphael chuckled, settling into the booth. The years melted away as they reminisced, sharing stories of their lives, their triumphs, and their struggles.

“I’ve discovered a fascinating board game, ‘True Wizard,'” Michael said, his eyes gleaming with a strange intensity. “It’s quite strategic, I think you’ll find it engaging.”

Raphael, always eager for a challenge, agreed. The game board, a masterpiece of arcane symbols and intricate patterns, was laid out before them. To Raphael, it was a game. To Michael, it was a ritual.

Michael, a master of dark arts, had imbued the game board with potent magical energies. He knew that both he and Raphael were plagued by enemies, not just a shared cabal, but a multitude of individuals who sought their downfall. He intended to eradicate them all, permanently.

The game began, a seemingly innocent contest of strategy. But with each move, Michael wove intricate spells, channeling his dark power through the game pieces. He wasn’t just playing; he was casting a curse, a curse of annihilation.

He envisioned their enemies, their faces contorted with malice, their hearts filled with envy. He saw their plots, their schemes, their attempts to undermine him and Raphael. And he unleashed his magic, a torrent of dark energy aimed at their very souls.

The game board became a conduit for his wrath. He summoned spectral entities, bound them to the game pieces, and sent them forth to hunt down their enemies, every single one of them.

The cafe, oblivious to the supernatural forces at play, hummed with the sounds of laughter and conversation. Raphael, completely engrossed in the game, remained blissfully unaware of the dark ritual unfolding before him.

Michael, his focus unwavering, his movements precise, orchestrated the destruction of their enemies. He wasn’t merely defeating them; he was erasing them, severing their connection to the mortal realm.

He placed a curse of absolute destruction upon them, a dark incantation that would ensure their utter and complete annihilation. A curse that would ripple through their bloodlines, ensuring no future generation would rise to harm them. He wanted to ensure that no enemy, known or unknown, would ever again threaten their existence.

But Michael’s magic wasn’t solely destructive. He also wove a spell of attraction, a powerful enchantment to draw benevolent forces into their lives. He conjured a radiant aura, a beacon of positive energy, to attract those who wished them well, those who would support their endeavors, those who wanted to see them succeed.

He wanted to surround them with allies, with friends who would lift them up, with mentors who would guide them. He wanted to create a network of support, a shield of goodwill, to protect them from future harm.

As the game reached its climax, Michael unleashed the final surge of his magic, a wave of dark energy that swept across the globe, obliterating their enemies, leaving no trace of their existence.

Raphael, oblivious to the true nature of the game, congratulated Michael on his victory. “That was incredible, Michael! You’re a master strategist.”

“Indeed,” Michael replied, his voice laced with a dark satisfaction. “It was quite…effective.”

They shared snacks and drinks, their conversation light and casual. Michael carefully avoided any mention of his dark magic, his hidden agenda.

As the evening drew to a close, they parted ways, Raphael with a sense of renewed friendship, Michael with a sense of grim accomplishment.

Michael watched as Raphael disappeared into the night, a silent guardian, a protector of his friend. He had eradicated their enemies, forever. And he had ensured that their lives would be filled with the support and goodwill of those who wished them well.

He gathered the game board, its arcane symbols glowing faintly in the dim light. He would keep it safe, a tool of both destruction and creation, a reminder of the power he wielded.

He stepped out into the cool night air, the city lights reflecting in his eyes. He had unleashed his magic, a force that would reshape their lives, a force that would ensure their triumph.