Boy Meets Ai

Chapter 30

Chapter 30

The days leading up until the Tournament of Soul and Steel were later referred to as the Pilgrimage by many. Whether they were competing or just coming to watch, practically every player made their way to the arena in Gebrochen. All the other cities began to feel like ghost towns as everyone left. On the flip side, Gebrochen became densely packed. It was an incredibly large, sprawling city that housed ornate, white stone buildings with blue glass windows. The royal district took up 50% of the city. It was filled with a majestic, 40 acre courtyard that was composed of lush, green shrubbery, intricately carved fountains, Mansions, high end shops and lastly, the Coliseum. Casting a massive shadow on the adjacent hotels and storefronts, the structure was the biggest thing most players would ever see in game. The gigantic ring was stacked 4 floors high. Gargoyles made of onyx, ringed the top of the Coliseum and stood in stark contrast to its alabaster walls. Seiko and the rest of the crew made their way through the cobblestone streets along with an endless sea of adventurers toward the imposing structure on opening day. Delicious smells wafted through the air; music swirled around them as the townspeople put on a grand festival to welcome the travelers. People danced and sang, confetti would rained down from open windows. Shinobu spat as a colorful piece of paper landed on her lip.

"This crowd is nuts." Seiko murmured. He turned to ask Oaklee a question but was unsurprised to see she had wandered off. The little Ai swayed to the upbeat playing of trumpets, stuffing a piping hot meat bun into her mouth gleefully. All her senses were bombarded at once and she loved it. All her calculations and worries fell away. The endless stream of data constantly permeating her mind seemed to dissolve as she became one with the crowd, one with their excitement, their joy, their anticipation. Oaklee was completely content, grabbing another pork and carrot meat bun from a stall. Just as she was about to gobble it down in one bite, her mood was interrupt by an abrupt jostle. Another player had practically shoulder checked her. The juicy, delicious bun tumbled from her hand. She watched it fall in slow motion, grasping for it before it hit the ground but to no avail. It splattered against the cobblestone. A heavy armored foot came down hard, squishing her treat flat and grinding it into paste. A small whimper escaped her throat, but her sadness was quickly replaced with wrath. Oaklee yanked at the knight's chest piece, trying to bring him eye level with her.

"You got any last words bucko?" She growled menacingly.

His familiar voice replied, also laced with malice. "Its funny, I was just going to ask you the same thing."

The knight was Gearhardt, as shiny and arrogant as ever. His perfect squared jaw framed around an evil grin. He grabbed her hand and began to squeeze. Oaklee winced. She could feel her fingers begin to crackle like dry twigs. Despite pulling with all her might, she couldn't free herself from his iron grip.

"Where do you think you're going?" Gearhardt squeezed even harder. Just as her hand was about to be crushed, Oaklee felt the tension release as Shinobu appeared seemingly out of nowhere, grasping Gear's forearm. The Ai was able to wriggle free as her friend stepped in front of her. Gearhardt jerked his arm from Shinobu's grip.

"You bastards. Can't ever fight fair, can you?" He shook his head, glowering at the two girls.

"Get lost, Geary. We don't have any more business with you."

"Oh, but I definitely do have unfinished business with you." Gearhardt stepped forward, putting his hand to the hilt at his side.

Shinobu did the same. "It wasn't anything personal man, some random wanted you killed in a public place, we just fulfilled the request."

"You really have no idea do you. What I lost? After your little stunt, all of my sponsors pulled their contracts!" His voice thundered. "It took me years to build myself up to where I was! And because of you, I'm back to square one! No, less than that!"