Games of Ambrosia {Book I}

2. Welcome to the Games

   While we were descending to Ambrosia's Capitol through an elevator made out of glassy emerald, all I could feel was my hammering heartbeat clamouring against my chest and the tip of my fingers. Clammy, I clenched my hands into tight fists. My mouth tasted foul and my throat had gone dry.

   The Capitol was a palace completely made out of emerald glass, which wildly contrasted with the rest of the kingdom's buildings. The sheen of the gemstone monument reflected all luminosity so much it lit up the whole realm at night which made people label it "Gods' Light". The seat of the government was known to be used as Ambrosia's judicial court, or for strictly-elite parties, meetings, and training.

"We're almost there." I heard someone whisper.

   The elevator was lowering to an unknown ground, where everything was so lustred and ethereal. Tall columns made of pure emerald, which was the most abundant resource in our mines, and six high different thrones. Eventually, the elevator reached the glossy floor.

I swallowed.

"Welcome to Gods' Light. Here is where the Consul mainly judges law offenders and criminals and where they greet capitol guests."

   Witch Sylvester then guided us through a massive door, there was a long and spacious corridor that lead to different rooms and hallways. We then came into an immense training centre where you could see various fighting gears, combat armours, and countless weapons. All of us were in awe, as a cameraman recorded our first reactions into the palace for the live stream of our Games. 

"This is crazy!"

"Woah!"

"Here is your training centre, where you will prepare for the Games for the next three weeks. You will get to experiment different weapons so you'll know what could be used to your advantage rather than to your detriment. Of course, after the Numbering, you will all have been placed into teams, whom you'll train with. Any questions?"

A moment of silence passed.

"Great. I suggest you follow me to your dorms then, you must all be drained."

We exited the centre and went down another hallway, which ended at the dorm chambers: many closed rooms for each one of us occupied the whole section. 

"You have everything you will be needing in your chambers, and if you require any help, ring a bell and a servant will be on their way. Now, I will be attributing these dorms to their respective occupants. Tomorrow will be your first interviews, which will be broadcasted all over Ambrosia. Your personal styling team will be helping you throughout the entire festivities, making sure you look your best at all times. The interviews will be followed by the Gathering. I will give you more details at tonight's supper. Now, for your assigned rooms, a list of your names just came in..."

He addressed each room to a competitor of the Games according to the list.

"Beatrix Syleph, room 09!"

   Now that all were gathered, I understood that we were way more numerous than I had initially thought, considering that we came from all over the kingdom. I tried to quickly find and get to my room, but as I squeezed myself through the crowd, I collided into a hard chest which made me stumble back and let out a groan.

"Excuse me," I said.

When the guy didn't budge, I growled. "Excuse me."

   I looked up, only to see a very tall guy with a sharp jawline and cheekbones, metallic dark blue eyes and messy jet black hair. His mesmerizing, smouldering gaze bore into mine, almost making me forget how to breathe and my knees buckle. I seemed to be trapped in a dreaming state. Though, a small arrogant smirk crept onto his lips, thrusting me right back into reality. After an eye roll, I glared at him and pushed through him with force.

What a jerk.

***

   The dining room was incredibly luxurious, where all of us were having supper along with the elite. The Consul sat at their own table, which was on a higher platform, giving them a complete view of the space. 

   Tonight, we were eating a little later than usual, but since I was starving, it didn't really matter. I tried to eat as decently as possible, swallowing tender pieces of veal dressed in some rich, savoury sauce. I almost moaned, but decided against it, since there reigned a pretty uncomfortable silence at our table. Only the Elite and Consul seemed to be enjoying their dinner, booming laughter resonating against the walls and the effects of Ambrosian wine colouring their cheeks a rosy tint.

   Thankfully, the awkwardness was interrupted when the Consul spoke.

"Greetings, dear competitors. We've been eagerly waiting to meet you, future leaders of Ambrosia. As you all know, tomorrow will be your first live interviews. We hope you choose your words wisely because as plausible future Consul members, you want to gain the kingdom's respect as much and as soon as possible. Know that to them, each of you represents the different Ambrosian factions and gods, which is extremely important to the citizens. Also, a styling team, whom you'll be meeting tomorrow, will be helping you throughout the festivities. After the interviews, there will be the Gathering. The Gathering is Ambrosia's most awaited and famed ball. You will be wearing your best costumes, which will be representing your respective factions. This event can be seen as an occasion to get to know one another, and also to show off your talents."

It was Faery Elyza's turn to speak. "Let me remind you that to win these Games, you will have to be the remaining team on the field. Only then will you become the Kingdom of Ambrosia's Royal Consul, your closest family members will become royalty, and your distant relatives will be part of the Elite. To motivate you even more to win, this royal lifestyle will ensure a life of wealth and tranquillity for your family as well as yourself. Of course, there's a catch. In these Games, what you may risk losing is your lives: if you don't survive, you may fall into a peaceful state of sleep for a hundred years only to wake up to solitude, despair and hopelessness..."

Ceremoniously, Angel Rafael soon added:

"With that, we officially welcome you to the Games of Ambrosia, and may the gods bless your beings..."