Boy Meets Ai

Chapter 56

Chapter 56

After the players paid the tailor, they made their way back up the hill towards the arena. It was so empty in comparison to when the tournament was going. The banquet was invitation only, the tournament contestants were the only ones permitted on the premises during the event. The quiet made them a little uneasy as if they had drifted into a ghost town. That feeling didn't last too long though.

"Ohhh! Welcome friends!" Hati and Skoll came charging at them from the entrance of the arena. Large smiles plastered on their faces, they greeted the adventurers, each scooping up half of the party in a bear hug.

"We were thinking that after we first met, you would most likely die early in the preliminaries!" said Skoll.

"But you are all so strong! We wish we could have fought you!" said Hati.

They managed to wriggle free after a moment of resisting the giants' affections.

Hendricks looked around. "Has anyone else shown up yet? That Gearhead jerk?"

"Oh? No, we saw him leaving town a while ago. I doubt he'll be coming. But Ogun is here! He is sitting with Gabriel inside!"

Seiko felt a slight twinge of anxiety in his chest. He wasn't ready to see his opponent again so soon.

The group made their way into the entrance hall together. They were stunned at the changes that had been made. The space had been completely altered to look like a lavish dining hall fit for a king. A long cherry wood table occupied the middle of the room, laden with extravagant plate ware and several crystal vases filled with cream-colored roses. A massive chandelier hung high above them, its magical glowing lights swirled and rotated around a central luminescent amber gem. They could see Gabriel and Ogun casually talking at the opposite end of the room. Seiko noted that his previous opponent hadn't changed his attire, or lack thereof for the event.

Shinobu stared up, admiring the chandelier when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to see one of her old competitors, Honey badger. He and his Ai were dressed in what could only be described as "steampunk formal". He had a glamour applied that made his hair look as if it were made of flames dancing on his head.

"Well, it looks like we're both losers now." He grinned devilishly.

"Hey! How ya been smoky?"

"I'm doing so great. I feel super blessed to have been eliminated so early in the tournament by a hack that lost to a healer." Sarcasm dripped from his words.

She just shrugged. "Can't win em all. Glad you're taking it in stride though buddy."

Shinobu's lax attitude irritated the badger, causing his flames to intensify for a moment before calming down. He clicked his teeth and walked away. His Ai bowed politely then followed after him. With all but one of the contestants present, they took their seats around the table. Gabriel of course sat at the head. He snapped his fingers, which caused several angelic looking servants to appear by each of their sides. They looked like maids, but their faces were almost entirely devoid of features. Small dove wings sprouted from their backs and halos rested just a few inches above their heads.

"We are the sounding trumpets of Gabriel. How can we assist you tonight?" They said in unison.

"Please. Feel free to request whatever you are craving. Our technology can't actually sate your hunger, but that doesn't mean it won't taste exactly how you remember it in the real world." As he spoke, Gabriel's plate filled with a pyramid of tiny little hamburgers and fries. The players' faces lit up with excitement.

"The soufflé pancakes I had in Tokyo please!" Shinobu exclaimed. She squealed in delight as thick, soft, cakes materialized in front of her. They were smothered in maple syrup and at least a pound of butter. She didn't wait on ceremony to begin scarfing down on the pancakes.