Chapter 9: Olympus

Kilgharrah watched from the castle as a golden portal opened up and James walked through, logging back into Realm. The young king's look was somber and the weather of Camelot reflected his mood. Instead of its usual warm weather and clear skies, it continuously drizzled with gray clouds above, blocking out the sun followed by a cold breeze. James squatted near the giant dragon logo in the center courtyard, hovering his hand above it. He could feel the heat through his armored gloves as the logo slowly began to light up. As the fire reached the halfway point, James pulled his hand away and stood up then scanned the area catching the eye of the dragon. James waved to Kilgharrah, who leapt from the castle roof, and landed a few feet away from his king and bowed.

'Dude seriously you don't have to do that everytime I log in.'

'I am merely showing a sign of respect, my King. Also you have a guest inside the throne. She is very adamant about meeting you', said Kilgharrah.

'Camelot is closed off. How the hell did she get in?'

Kilgharrah slammed his tail on the ground before answering, 'She had a beast coin.'

James subconsciously reached for his glasses then stopped before realizing he was in the game.

'Okay, is she dangerous?', James asked.

'No I believe she wishes to talk to you. About what, I do not know', answer the Dragon.

'Alright then. I'll hear her out. And determine what to do with her. Any suggestions Kilgharrah?'

Kilgharrah slammed his tail down once again.

'Stay calm.'

James rolled his eyes and began heading towards the castle doors. The doors opened up for James and Kilgharrah then closed behind them as they crossed the doorways threshold.

James could make out the figure of the woman that sat upon his throne lazily. Her dark chocolate skin shimmered like gold as the light shined down through the large window where he once stood next to Arthur. The woman's dreads were tied back into a ponytail with one dread carefully hanging on the right of her face. Golden circlets complimented the lion-like eyes that glowed with an otherworldly beauty. James strided towards with confidence with Kilgharrah a few steps behind, standing off two his left. A smile curled on the woman's face as she saw James in his full black armor and red cape that shined like rubies.

'You are sitting on my throne', said James in a calm, yet authoritarian tone.

The woman's spine tingled as his voice reverberated through her body.

'Really?' She teased. 'Yet you do not sit upon the throne.'

'Camelot is not open to the public yet. I would ask that you please leave ma'am.'

'And here I was asking when you were going to show me around town James.'

James raised an eyebrow.

'Wait…Sekami!?'

Sekami laughed, rising from the throne.

'Hello James. It's good to see you again. Though I do wish it was under different circumstances', said Sekami.

'I didn't know you played Realm! Why didn't you tell me?', asked James.

'You never asked, she purred while circling him like lioness teasing her prey. Kilgharrah watched Sekami with a piercing gaze, but she simply ignored the threatening look the dragon gave.

'Still doesn't explain why you're in Camelot', Kilgharrah stated.

Sekami rolled her eyes and ended up in front of James. The King of Camelot raised an eyebrow waiting for her to answer.

'Well, as you both know Camelot has some open positions that are available to only the Round Table Knights. I wish for you, James, to consider giving me one of those seats.'

'No.'

'What!?', Sekami exasperated.

It was James' turn to circle around her.

'Think about it for a second. I have yet to open Camelot to the public. If I give you a seat before I give everyone else access, people will think that I am giving you special treatment. On top of that I barely know you, or why you want a seat at all.'

'Fair point,' agreed Sekami.

'But I will give you an opportunity to earn a seat at the round table', said James.

'And what must I do to 'earn' my seat? Get on my knees?', said Sekami, not even hiding the sarcasm in her voice as she folded her arms.

'What? No! What the fuck is wrong with you? Look, my friend and I fought a demi-god in the mountains a few weeks back. Heracles. I need you to scout Olympus to see if there are any others like him in Yoruba. Send me any information you have. You do that, I will give the highest position that is equal to that of the King of Camelot.'

Jame received a message from Marcus to meet in Olympus.

'And do I get to fight these demi-gods?, asked Sekami as James opened a portal.

'No. They have information I need. Meet me in Camelot in a couple days. Or just knock on my door.'

Sekami watched as the portal closed behind James, signifying the end of the conversation.

Sekami lit her joint and exhaled pink glittering smoke. She too was curious on the matter of how Heracles escaped from the Void Prison. The war goddess to a deep sigh then vanished into the shadows leaving the throne room.

Olympus was just as beautiful as Camelot James thought. Everywhere he turned there was Greek architecture built all over the massive city. Players took avatars of mythological creatures as if the books James had read came to life. There were minotaurs, goat-men (not like the ones he fought in Camelot), gorgons, and humans walking among each other. A true fantasy game the dungeon masters would be proud of.

James walked past stalls of vendors selling weapons, armor, amulets rings and precious gems. He stopped in front of a stall selling fresh fruit! James could not believe his eyes. The fruit itself seemed to shine brighter than any of the gems that were nearby. One fruit stood out to him. A peach the color of a dark blue night sky that was embedded with sugar crystals that shined like the stars. James could not take his eyes from it.

'It is beautiful, yes?', asked the vendor.

James looked up to see a beautiful Greek woman. Her skin was tan, hair red as rubies, but her eyes were what caught him off guard. The woman's eyes were the color of a garnet gem. Unlike Sekami who smelled of cinnamon and honey. This woman smelled of vanilla and lavender.

'Yes,' James managed to say after what seemed like an eternity.

'Good! It took me eons to perfect it. Practically had to beg Nyx for a drop of her blood.'

James picked up the fruit and his mouth began to water. He took a bite of the fruit and it tasted wonderful! Perfect balance of juice and crispness.

James' HUDs popped up in front of him:

"Gained, Eyes of Nyx(able to see clearly at night). Gained, Blood of the Primordial(immune to all status effects. Instant regeneration. All ailments will be cured.) Gained, Shadow Weaponry (your equipped weapon can absorb darkness and shadows. Weapons that are shadow imbued have long range attacks). Gained, Magic regeneration(your magic continuously regenerates in and out of combat.)"

'There James!'

'Marcus?'

Marcus was dressed in all black, fitted pants, with sleeveless leather armor, and a hood that covered the upper part of his face. His vambraces covered his entire forearms, the right engraved with a blacksmith hammer, and the left an anvil. His boots were covered in bronze shin guards that went from ankle to knee, engraved with the symbol of Vulcan. On Marcus' fingers was the Roman numeral for hundred on each finger signifying that he had killed ten-thousand players in PVP events in Realm. The highest count on any player. The reason he was ranked number one player vs player game play.

'C'mon man. Heph just got back. He's gonna be here for a few hours until next month', Marcus said with urgency.

'Month?', asked James.

'Yeah. He only comes once a month. You can get your gear turned into a God class item.'

James followed as Marcus began to guide him towards the smithy.

'Hey. What is "Heph" short for?', asked James as he noticed the other players began to walk in the same direction as he and Marcus.

'Hephaestus.'