Chapter 5: Shadows of the Past
As the final card was revealed, Elias felt a surge of anticipation. The stakes were high, and the tension in the room was palpable. Viktor Kane studied his cards, his expression unreadable. Elias remained calm, his mind focused on the game.
The holographic dealer placed the card on the table – a ten of clubs. Elias's heart skipped a beat. He had a full house, eights over tens, a strong hand. He waited as Viktor revealed his cards – a pair of kings. Elias's full house triumphed, and he collected the pot, his expression unchanged.
Viktor Kane's face betrayed a flicker of frustration, quickly masked by his usual composure. Elias could sense the telepath's mind working, analyzing the game, searching for weaknesses. But Elias was a master of deception, his true thoughts hidden behind a mask of indifference.
As the night wore on, Elias continued to play with skill and precision. He won hand after hand, his stack of chips growing steadily. The other players watched him with a mix of awe and apprehension, knowing that he was a force to be reckoned with.
During a break in the game, Elias stepped outside onto the balcony of the casino, needing a moment of solitude. The night air was cool against his skin, and the lights of Neoverse glittered in the distance. He thought back to his childhood, to the day he had lost his sight.
Elias had been born into a wealthy family, the only child of a prominent businessman. His parents had doted on him, showering him with love and affection. But when he was eight years old, tragedy struck. A fire broke out in their home, engulfing the house in flames. Elias's parents had managed to escape, but Elias had been trapped inside, his sight lost to the flames.
After the fire, Elias had been sent to live with his aunt and uncle in Neoverse. They had been kind to him, but Elias had felt like an outsider, a stranger in his own skin. He had turned to gambling as a way to cope with his loss, finding solace in the thrill of the game.
But gambling had also hardened him, turning him into a cold and calculating man. He had learned to trust no one, to rely only on himself. It was a lonely existence, but it was the only one he knew.
As Elias stood on the balcony, lost in thought, he was joined by Lila Voss. She stood beside him, her gaze focused on the city below.
"You're doing well," she said, breaking the silence. "You're a natural at this."
Elias nodded, his eyes distant. "It's all I've ever known. The game, the gamble. It's who I am."
Lila placed a hand on his arm, a gesture of comfort. "You don't have to be alone, Elias. You have me, and you have your friends. We're here for you."
Elias looked at her, his gaze softening. "Thank you, Lila. I appreciate that."
They stood together in silence, watching the lights of Neoverse twinkle in the night. For a moment, Elias allowed himself to relax, to let go of the walls he had built around himself. In that moment, he felt a glimmer of hope, a spark of warmth in his cold heart.
But the moment passed, and Elias's focus returned to the game. The Colossus Cup was far from over, and the challenges ahead were greater than ever. He knew he had to stay sharp, to stay one step ahead of his opponents.
As he reentered the casino, Elias felt a renewed sense of determination. The game was far from over, and he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. In Neoverse, the gamble never ended, and neither did his resolve.