Chapter 13. Tantalizing

I didn't know what the worst part of my day was, as I sat in the cold cell I had been put in. Whether it was heading to a meeting I dreaded, or finding myself in another world.

Or being shot at by pretty women who turned out to be strong warriors that I had to fight. Or fighting against a demigoddess who put me down without a scratch on her.

Or whether it was being caught and put in the coldest prison I could imagine and greedily eating a cold meal that disgusted me. My world felt so cold that I hardly saw the bright sides to everything that had happened.

Whatever force had put me in this situation had given me a chance to be great. A chance to be exceptional, with the ability to transcend the mundane.

With my gift (or curse), I could do a lot in this world of possibilities filled with a rich history of superhumans. I could become more than I could ever imagine, if, I left Themyscira alive.

That thought kept me going in this fortress of solitude I had found myself in. It kept me hopeful, alongside my whistling of one of my favorite songs that brought joy in my heart, and peace in my mind.

Whistling the first verse of the song broadened my smile as I remembered the singer walking through a forest pridefully with a stick in their hand.

{Minami mo Shima wa

Atta ke e ~ 🎵

Paina-puru-puru

Atama pokapoka

Aho bakaa ~ 🎵}

[Know the singer? : Images & GIFs]

I was about to whistle the second verse when a small scratch from somewhere in the cell distracted me. A small shadowy figure came out from the corner, it's physical attributes bringing an image in my mind.

At first, it looked like a rounded ball on a stick, but then a small rat's head came out to show it's nose features that I had mistaken. It moved it's nose up and down frequently, and I realized that it was sniffing something distant.

Something I couldn't smell.

Footsteps approached and two women dressed as royal guards came to the ones guarding me.

"Time for a duty shift." One of the new arrivals said beneath her helmet. "We'll take over from here."

"But our shift doesn't end until-" one of the old guards started, but the same new guard that had spoken stopped her as she removed her helmet.

"Those are orders from her highness." She said as she showed them her face.

Recognizing who she was, the old guard that had protested dismissed herself and her partner and turned to leave.

"What is that, smell?" The old guard's partner wondered out loud before they were far enough.

"How dare she!" The new guard's partner seemed to be incensed by those words, but her partner calmed her down.

"She meant, tantalizing aroma." The new guard told her partner.

Now that they mentioned it, I finally acknowledged the sweet scent in the air and understood why the rat had come out.

The aroma wafting despite the dampness in the cold cell carried a sweet and tantalizing blend of exotic spices, perhaps a hint of cinnamon and vanilla intermingled with a fragrance of tropical fruits.

It possessed a warmth that contrasted sharply with the frigid surroundings, creating a sensory allure that seemed almost out of place in the fortress of solitude.

"Let's deliver the package and call them back before they get far away." Persephone said to her partner.

"What's the rush?" Her partner asked hardly sounding in a hurry. "I have to get feedback from him - it's part of the meal. I'm sure you can stall them for sometime, right?"

Persephone chuckled nervously and unintentionally spoke her mind. "Anything for yo-"

"I mean. Sure. But make it quick." She re-assumed her demeanor. "We don't want them blabbing and putting my reputation in jeopardy. The princess has done enough of that."

I never got to see the first new guard as she walked away to stop the old guards from getting so far. Then her partner finally stepped in front of my cell, allowing me to scan her features.

On one part, her presence before me quenched the curiosity that had built up from listening in on their conversation. But seeing her before me brought so many thoughts in my mind that I couldn't focus on one.

She wore a helmet and attire, similar to that of the other guards, but she was... different. She was not the typical warrior I had seen or fought with. The simplest way I could describe her was by saying that she was, above average - in terms of her body size.

Whether it was her biology, or her habit of skipping practice for a munch that developed her body that way, it didn't stop me from being amazed that Themyscira didn't design a one size fits all attire for everyone.

She was holding something on her hand, like a basket, and it probably didn't do well for her reputation among her sisters. But what did I know? I never lived around her, and the first guard was genuinely into her. I could tell from how she had spoken.

She lowered her basket and produced a dish from it, then skidded it towards.

"You don't need to know who I am, but I'll tell you." She said and introduced herself. "My name is Fatsis, and I'm one of the few remaining culinary experts on this island."

"You don't say." I found myself wondering as I walked towards the bowl. The aroma was just so inviting that I could literally fly to get there. I never recalled smelling something so good that my stomach wanted to escape from my abdomen and feast on it. Especially after the cold soup it had been fed.

"While I prepared this meal, it's a courtesy straight from the princess that I don't think you deserve." She added as I opened the lid to the first bowl.

She had pulled out two more and pushed them towards me.

In the first dish, I found a succulent array of perfectly grilled fish, seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices. The aroma alone transported me from the cold cell to the sun-kissed shores of Themyscira.

Fatsis observed my reaction with an excited smile as I took a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship in the dish. The fish, cooked to perfection, flaked off effortlessly with each bite, it's flavors dancing on my taste buds.

"You might be wondering why the princess decided to grace you with such a meal," Fatsis said, sounding as if deep in thought. "Well, I'm wondering that myself. But if I was to guess, I'd say that she thinks you deserve a taste of Themysciran excellence before the lights go out completely for you."

I couldn't decipher what she meant since I was preoccupied, savoring the fish that seemed to melt in my mouth.

Fatsis continued her monologue, "Cooking is a forgotten art to the Amazons, but for those of us who still know what it means, we deliver our best. Each ingredient for that meal tells a story, from the depths of the sea to the heights of our mountains. It's a reminder that Themyscira is more than just warriors and battles."

As I indulged in the culinary delight, Fatsis leaned against the cell bars, watching my every reaction. "A decent meal is also a clever way to lure the secrets of all those who fall prey to it's tantalize. So, stranger, what's your story? How did you end up here, caught between the might of Amazons and the isolation of this cell?"

"I hear it's a story filled with mystery." She added.

I paused, considering that someone was actually interested in hearing me out. "Honestly, if Themyscira was this welcoming, I would want nothing more than to stick around and enjoy your company. But right now, all I want is to get out from beyond this island and live my new life to the fullest!"

Fatsis nodded thoughtfully. "Your perspective creates a completely different image in my mind. Different from the man I saw beat up most of my sisters. Maybe I too can see what the princess is seeing in you. Or maybe you are the one luring me in."

Finishing the fish, Fatsis presented the remaining bowls. "Now, for the side dishes. In the second bowl, you'll find a blend of seaweed and vegetables, a refreshing accompaniment to the richness of the fish. And in the third, a dessert made from exotic fruits found only on Themyscira, drizzled with honey."

I sampled each dish, appreciating the layers of flavors that complemented one another. Fatsis remained silent, allowing the meal to speak for itself. The cold prison cell seemed to fade away as the warmth of Themyscira's culinary delights kept on enveloping me.

As I finished the last bite, Fatsis collected the empty bowls. "I don't need words to describe everything I have just seen. You have enjoyed my meal, and that's something I rarely have the pleasure of experiencing."

"Too bad this is where your story ends." She added as she finished packing everything. "The queen made an announcement just an hour ago. Your execution has been set. You are to be sacrificed tonight!"

"At least, you had a final decent meal. Maybe, you will get a proper death after all." She walked away, leaving me to digest both her food and her paralysing words.

For those who have asked, Wan gets crazy & merciless. Thanks for reading. Vote for me and Keep the Comments coming. 5 Chapters Early Access in Patreon.com/CursedMillenial