Disillusioned Knight Antonius returns home from the Crusades to find his country in the grips of the Black Death, he challenges Death to a chess match for his life. Tormented by the belief that God does not exist, Antonius sets off on a journey, meeting up with traveling player Mia and becoming determined to evade Death long enough to commit one redemptive act while he still lives. But Death is always around the corner, biding his time. Knight Antonius cannot escape his fate, and the two begin their game.