Shadows of Utopia

The High Sun Games

The towering stage came alive with vibrant dancers, their colorful costumes twisting and twirling as their performance unfolded. The stage stood stark against the backdrop of a vibrant sky, tainted in green and purple hues like a celestial ballet, remnants of the Solar Outage. The powerful sound of African drums filled the air, their rhythmic beats reverberating through the crowd, enticing onlookers to join in with claps. The dancers gracefully moved through their sacred poses, their movements intertwining with the music.

Cy and Eurelia stood mesmerized, their eyes wide with admiration as the spectacle unfolded before them. At the peak of the drumming, the dancers disappeared into thin air, leaving behind a hologram of Electra Steele. With her striking features—enormous eyes, high cheekbones, olive skin, and raven hair—she was a sight to behold. Cy had always been intrigued by her, rumors circulating among the citizens that she hid in a remote place, never seen face to face.

Electra, wearing a shimmering silver dress that caught the vibrant stage lights, raised her hand. The drumming abruptly stopped, causing a range of emotions between the wealthy and the impoverished. The former erupted in cheers and adulation, while the latter attempted to voice their discontent. Sensing the hostility, a squadron of Bot-Lice rushed to the stage, their menacing stares and glowing red eyes warning the citizens to back down. Weapons drawn, they commanded respect and attention, silencing the crowd in an instant. Murmurs of awe replaced the once deafening noise.

“Citizens!” Electra’s voice reverberated through the neglected city, capturing the attention of all. The crowd erupted in applause. “And elite members of Utopia!” She commanded silence, and the crowd stood in awe, captivated by her presence. Cy observed their faces, bewildered by how easily they fell for her charade.

“Out of all the citizens!” Electra’s voice soared. “I’ve seen exceptional talent develop over time.” She pointed her finger, adorned with a long, red nail, towards the citizens, her hand moving in an elegant arch. “May you discover your fate among the privileged, a future abundant with happiness and prosperity.” The crowd was electrified by her words, feeling a surge of exhilaration.

“Let the High Sun games begin!” she exclaimed. Her serenade echoed in the air and faded like a distant echo. Her hologram vanished instantly, leaving the crowd stunned and silent.

Cy stood at the edge of the bustling city square, his eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before him. The organizers, dressed in eye-catching uniforms, expertly separated the enthusiastic crowd into two distinct factions—the hopeful citizens, referred to as “hitch,” and the elite, known as “hitchers.” The sound of excited chatter filled the air, mingling with the distant hum of music playing from nearby speakers.

Cy’s gaze lingered on Eurelia among the line of hopeful citizens. Their eyes met, and a bittersweet reunion unfolded. She radiated an undeniable aura of anticipation, her eyes sparkling with hope. Her appearance was meticulously curated, every detail carefully chosen to embody the essence of this long-awaited moment.

Mixed emotions tugged at Cy’s heartstrings, memories of their shared past intertwining with the bittersweet reality of the present. The weight of impending separation settled heavily upon him, and he could already feel the ache of missing her if she was hitched. Despite his inner turmoil, he remained steadfast in his support for Eurelia’s lifelong dream.

In a serendipitous moment, Eurelia turned towards Cy, her gaze piercing through his soul. The sight of her stirred a whirlwind of emotions within him, igniting a deep-seated envy towards whoever would be fortunate enough to be her hitcher. She embodied perfection; the stars aligning just right for this moment. Disregarding the rules, she blew him a goodbye kiss, a silent gesture filled with bittersweet emotion. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he pushed them aside, determined to remain strong.

With a gentle smile, Eurelia mouthed him a farewell, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. The realization that she made an effort to bid farewell rendered him speechless, his face a canvas of surprise and gratitude.

“See you in Utopia,” Eurelia mouthed, her eyes sparkling with determination and a shared sense of unity. The organizers gently guided her away, their hands clasping her arms, leading her towards a group of eagerly waiting citizens. Cy took a step back, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears, his outstretched hand yearning to touch her one last time. He reluctantly retreated into the crowd, joining the spectators, their eyes fixated on the grand ceremony unfolding on the colossal screens surrounding the city square.

The crowd erupted into a thunderous applause, their hands clapping together like a roaring storm. Cheers and whistles filled the air, creating a symphony of excitement. As the first of the elite, Xander Ashborne, made his appearance, the crowd’s energy grew palpable. Flanked by his two imposing bodyguards, their presence sent a shiver down the spines of onlookers. The smell of anticipation hung in the air, a mix of perfume and adrenaline.

Xander started at the end of the line of hopeful citizens, his confident strides echoing through the space. The elaborately dressed girls who vied for his hand stood regally, their shoulders back, emanating an aura of refinement. Their faces were carefully concealed with stoic masks, yet a subtle glimmer of amusement played at the edges of their mouths. Xander approached each of them with a deliberate slowness, his hat tilted just right and his eyes locked onto theirs. The emotions were clear on their faces—some turned a deep crimson with embarrassment, while others couldn’t help but let out girly giggles. Xander was the epitome of charm, and they all recognized it.

Cy’s heart raced within his chest as Xander inched closer to Eurelia, who stood out like a vibrant postcard amidst the crowd. With a nod of his head, Xander proceeded down the line, the anticipation building to a crescendo. The crowd held their breaths, creating a collective silence that hung in the air like a suspended moment. And then, abruptly, he stopped before Eurelia. Cy’s heart pounded in his ears as he noticed the flicker of understanding in their eyes.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Xander raised his hand triumphantly in the air and exclaimed the single word, “Hitch!” A gasp escaped the lips of the crowd, mingling with their held breaths. Eurelia wrapped her arms around Xander, her joy radiating through the space as she planted a kiss on his cheek. A raucous roar rippled through the crowd, shaking the very ground beneath their feet, the sound reverberating in Cy’s chest.

With a flick of Xander’s fingers, the sound of it echoing through the speakers, a sleek black Emberjet limo appeared in the sky. It hovered effortlessly just above Xander and Eurelia, its engines whirring softly. Slowly, it descended to the ground, the gentle hum of the limo’s doors opening adding to the anticipation. Xander took Eurelia’s hand in his own, leading her into the luxurious interior adorned with white leather seats. Cy’s eyes widened as the door slammed shut, the sound echoing with a resolute finality. In a flash, the limo whizzed into the sky, soaring towards the horizon. The crowd waved goodbye, their eyes filled with joy and wonderment. The Prince of Utopia was finally hitched.

“There goes the one I loved,” Cy murmured to himself, his words barely audible amidst the boisterous celebrations. He let out a deep breath before he turned and walked away, his shoulders drooping in defeat. He jostled through the crowd, returning to the market and his fish stall. The scent of fish filled his nostrils with every inhale, mingling with the vibrant energy of the nearby festivities.