Chapter 4: The First Round

Chapter 4: The First Round

The tension in the air was palpable as the first round of the Colossus Cup began. Elias sat at the poker table, his fingers lightly tapping the felt surface. He could sense the anticipation and the competitive energy radiating from his opponents. The holographic dealer, an elegant figure with an unsettlingly human appearance, dealt the cards with precision.

Elias's first hand was a pair of eights. Not a strong start, but not a terrible one either. He focused on the subtle cues from his opponents: the slight twitch in Viktor Kane's eye, the way Marcus's breathing quickened ever so slightly, and the steady calm of Jenna, the seasoned player.

"Place your bets," the dealer announced, her voice smooth and mechanical.

Elias placed a modest bet, choosing to observe rather than dominate in the early stages. Viktor matched his bet, eyes locked on Elias. Marcus raised, his overconfidence shining through. Jenna simply called, her expression unreadable.

The flop came down – eight of diamonds, queen of hearts, five of clubs. Elias's pulse quickened. He now had three of a kind. He remained calm, masking his excitement.

"Check," Elias said, maintaining his composure.

Viktor raised, pushing forward a sizable stack of chips. Marcus, unfazed, called the raise. Jenna hesitated for a moment before folding, opting out of this round.

Elias felt the challenge in Viktor's move. It was a test, a probing strike to gauge Elias's strength. Elias met the raise, signaling his confidence.

The turn card was revealed – an ace of spades. Elias considered his position. His three eights were strong, but the ace added an element of uncertainty.

"Raise," Viktor said, his voice steady and calculated.

Marcus frowned but called the raise, unwilling to back down. Elias took a deep breath and called as well, maintaining his stoic demeanor.

The river card came – a nine of hearts. Elias's hand was strong, but he knew Viktor was a master of mind games. He could be holding a higher set or a straight. Elias's heightened senses picked up the faintest tremor in Viktor's composure, a barely perceptible crack in his facade.

"All in," Elias declared, pushing his entire stack forward.

The room fell silent, all eyes on the table. Viktor's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Elias for any hint of weakness. Marcus, caught off guard by the bold move, folded immediately, leaving Viktor to make the decision.

Viktor's mind was a fortress, but Elias sensed his hesitation. After what felt like an eternity, Viktor called, matching the all-in bet.

"Show your cards," the dealer instructed.

Elias revealed his hand – three eights. Viktor's face remained impassive as he laid down his cards – a pair of queens. Elias's three of a kind triumphed, and he collected the massive pot, his expression unchanged.

"Nice play," Viktor said, his voice devoid of emotion, but Elias sensed the frustration beneath the surface.

The game continued, and Elias's focus remained sharp. Each hand was a delicate balance of risk and reward, strategy and intuition. He watched and listened, using his powers to read his opponents and adapt his tactics.

As the hours passed, players were eliminated one by one. Elias's stack grew steadily, his calculated approach paying off. He noted the movements and strategies of those still in the game, gathering information for the rounds to come.

During a short break, Elias and Lila regrouped in their suite. Lila was buzzing with information, her eyes alight with excitement.

"You're doing great," she said, her fingers tapping away at her tablet. "We've got some interesting developments. I intercepted a message from Nikolai Volkov's camp. He's planning something big for the next round."

Elias nodded. "What kind of plan?"

"Not sure yet, but it involves bringing in outside help. He's desperate to win," Lila replied, her brow furrowing with concern.

Elias considered this. Volkov was a formidable opponent, known for his ruthless tactics and immense strength. "Keep digging. We need to know what he's up to."

Lila nodded, returning to her work. "And Maya Sato? Any more interactions with her?"

"Not yet," Elias said, his mind drifting to the mysterious dealer. "But she's watching. I can feel it."

As they prepared for the next round, Elias's thoughts returned to the game. The Colossus Cup was more than just a tournament; it was a battle for control, a test of skill and resolve. The Quantum Key was within reach, but the path to it was fraught with danger and deceit.

Back at the poker table, the next round began. The stakes were higher, the tension thicker. Elias's opponents were more cautious, more calculating. Each move, each bet was a step closer to victory or defeat.

Elias's power, his ability to perceive the true nature of those around him, was both a weapon and a shield. He used it to navigate the treacherous waters of the tournament, to outmaneuver his rivals and stay ahead of the game.

As the night wore on, Elias found himself facing Viktor Kane once again. The telepath's mind games were relentless, but Elias held his ground, his cold-hearted nature serving him well.

The cards were dealt, the bets placed. Elias felt the weight of the moment, the culmination of years of preparation and practice. This was his world, his battlefield, and he was determined to emerge victorious.

With a final, decisive move, Elias pushed his stack forward. "All in."

Viktor's eyes met his, the tension between them electric. The room fell silent as the dealer prepared to reveal the final card.

In the world of Neoverse, where technology and power intertwined, the gamble never ended. Elias was ready for whatever came next, his resolve unshakable, his focus unbreakable.

The game was on, and the stakes had never been higher.