Cyber Mortality

Chapter 29:

The royal palace looks like it takes up the entire sky as we enter the large main gate into the great hall. Guards clad in gold and navy tunics with chain mail watch us shuffle through with the stream of other competitors. Inside, tapestries line the walls, tall marble columns wind up toward the ceiling with golden swirling braziers lighting the room. Ten long tables which stretch for over one hundred feet fill the room leading back toward the high table with a golden chair in its center. The tables are swathed in white linens with golden goblets and glass dinnerware as far as the eye can see. Pitchers of drinks every few feet with a dark red liquid dot the tables.

"Come on," Rocky gestures us farther into a gigantic room. "Our seats are over here." We follow him halfway up the fourth table before standing beside our chairs. 

The room fills in and soon there are so many people I can't even comprehend the number. Everyone here wants to win one prize. More than likely they have a reason beyond greed, like my own. Perhaps they have someone they love who they are trying to save in the real world as well.

A trumpet trills and all heads swivel toward the head table. Guards bedecked in the finest armor appear, followed by a man wearing a golden tunic with a crown on his brow. Even from here, fifty feet away, I can tell he is handsome. His lips look soft and have a slight fullness to them. Not a single wrinkle touches his face. His gray-blue eyes could swallow a person. His rich brown hair falls just to his shoulders with subtle waves. His lips turn up in a smile as everyone cheers for his entrance. He raises a hand to silence them before starting to speak.

"Welcome!" he calls out in a rich baritone. "To the Tournament of Champions! It is my great pleasure to have you all here for tonight's festivities before the games begin tomorrow morning. In this room, we have our champions, but we must discover who they are. Any one of you could be a champion but through this tournament, we shall discover who you are. You will be tested mentally, physically, and emotionally. But for tonight, please enjoy yourselves." He raises his hands and then a bright golden light flashes.

Our plates fill with foods and an abundance more line the tables. Rich pastries, cakes, and puddings, every kind of meat, mashed potatoes, rolls of all variety, and colorful vegetables dazzle from across every table. The scent of the beef stock gravy makes my mouth water as I gaze at it in its boat.

"Please, take a seat," the King sits down at his own table surrounded by his advisor's and the room fills with the sound of chairs being pulled out. "And enjoy this wonderful meal."

Saliva fills my mouth as I gaze at everything before me.

"I don't think I could eat more than a bite of everything here," I groan and reach out for one of the rolls which had been slathered with butter and herbs. It is warm and soft to the touch and melts in my mouth. I tear into a tender slice of still sizzling sirloin and moan at the flavor as it touches my tongue.

"Oh my god," I groan. "I wish I could eat this food every day in the real world."

"I am always amazed by how good digitally coded food can taste," DeNyle sighs and scoops a pile of potatoes into his mouth. "Yet it is almost better than the real world. Sometimes I wish I could stay here forever. The sky is bluer, the food amazing, and I can be whoever I want here."

"I think many people would agree with you," I glance around at the others near us at our tables. 

Everyone jabbers away with their neighbors and the room fills with groans of satisfaction at the sensuous taste of the food.

I eat until my belly feels like it will burst or I will throw up. I want to eat more, but I know if I do it won't turn out well.

"I'm so full," DeNyle sighs and pats his belly with satisfaction. "I hope I can still dance after this."

"There's dancing?" I inquire and perk up a bit. "Like a real ball?"

"Yes," DeNyle grins. "And more alcohol."

"I don't know if I need any more of that," I giggle, already feeling slightly tipsy from the bit of the red drink I had had.

"What did it taste like to you?" DeNyle leans his elbow on the table so he can look at me with all of his attention.

"Cherry. Is that not what it tasted like to you?" I inquire and look at his cup.

"Lemonade," he grins. "Why do you think that is?"

"Is the drink enchanted?" I question and look down at the red liquid.

"You're close," DeNyle grins and holds out his cup. "It's the cup that is enchanted to taste like your favorite flavor. Mine is lemon. This is simply red wine." He swirls the liquid before finishing it off. "Want proof?"

I cock my head to the side in confusion before nodding slowly. His left-hand slides behind my neck to clasp it and he draws my face toward him. His lips brush mine gently, then his tongue enters my mouth to caress it. He pulls away slowly but keeps our foreheads touching.

"What did you taste?" I mull over the flavor on my tongue for a moment before answering.

"Cabernet," I whisper with a smile. "That was pretty sly by the way."

He shrugs and pulls back. "I can be cool like my brother sometimes."

"Thank you," I clasp his hand.

"For what?" he grins and squeezes my hand.

"For everything. I wouldn't have gotten this far without you," I reply.

"Anything for you, Love," he raises my hand to his lips and kisses it softly. I blush and glance away only to notice Rocky watching our exchange with his lips pressed into a flat line. I quickly look back toward DeNyle and try to forget the look on Rocky's face.

"The dancing will start soon," DeNyle rises from his chair and holds out his hand to assist me. I pull my dress up so as not to trip and then follow him toward another large room to the right of the great hall.