1.17 The Golden Goblet

        "It is therefore with the most greatest of honors" King Atalon continued, "that I now present to you our finest product of the year, our most sacred offering to the Great Creator, for it is He who has saved us all from the evils of slavery and poverty!"

         "Medel  Medel  Medel..." 

         The crowds chanted as the drums rolled again, the moment was sensational. As the drums rolled to a pounding halt, the crowd hushed and necks craned to see.... Emerging from the waving sea of graduates appeared the image of an angel; Zoran almost glowed as he so effortlessly grasped the attention of the entire Grand Courtyard, now speechless, breathless, motionless…

         Zara found herself fighting back waves of emotion as he climbed the stairs to the red runway in his crisp white robe, the red lei now ominous-looking around his neck.

        

         Visualizing the string holding his head up, barely conscious of anyone other than Medel watching over him, Zoran walked down the runway towards the king and knelt down, so bravely before him, but inside he was trembling with fright. Was he good enough? Would he really go to the Promised Land or would he perish in Hellias forever as Hedena had threatened? As he lowered himself upon bended knee, the king raised his hand and the drums began to pound in steady beat.

        

         The crowds watched in silent wonder as Atalon drew his sword, gently touching Zoran's shoulders with the blade, honouring his servitude.

         Shaking and trying to hide his fear, Zoran stood up and turned to wave to the crowd, trying his best to smile, just like he had perfected so effortlessly in the rehearsals. Once again the crowds erupted in cheers, the rising tide of red flags offered little comfort, he knew he had been chosen because he was special but it didn't make his fate any less scary.

        

         The crowd cheered and whistled until the drums rolled to a stop.

         "Aribu of the Atlan Empire" Atalon continued. "I am honored to present you Zoran, the Serpent Year Sacrifice for our great Creator, Our God Almighty, MEDEL!"

         The crowd roared in delight, whistling and cheering, flags waving high. 

         Zara struggled with conflicting thoughts, suddenly feeling scared for Zoran, she was finding it difficult to feel the enthusiasm spreading through the crowd. The Promised Land was supposed to be Paradise, but where was it exactly? Why did the journey there have to be so scary? The thought of losing her friend to some unknown destination in the manner described by her textbook was uncomfortable now, it made her feel sad for his fate in spite of it’s rave reviews.

         "I never let sad thoughts ruin what's right" she recited an affirmation to herself out loud, waving her flag as wildly as she could whilst lecturing herself out of a major malfunction. She couldn't let herself think that way, it was wrong, she knew the adult world would be a learning curve, there had been plenty of lessons to gear her for this; Hedena had warned them. This would be a regular part of her life now, she had to grow up, was all.

         She took a deep breath and decided to face the truth. Zoran was going to the Promised Land, as promised, she could only hope to earn such an honorable fate someday.

         The drums rolled once again as two stagehands, dressed in black robes brought a golden altar onto the stage, set it down in front of the podium and helped Zoran lay down upon it. 

         Zoran looked up at the heavens, now twisted with the color of an evening sky…. It was so beautiful but there was nothing there… Was that really where he was going?

         Zara craned her neck to see, his face sparkled in the sun as if a tear had moistened his cheek... Was he crying?

         The crowd roared with delight the gods stood up and took their place on either side of the podium along with the king.

         "Hail Medel" Atalon roused the crowd.

         "Hail Medel... Hail Medel…" The crowds cheered in return, giddy too now, accompanied by another fantastic roll of the drums, with sensational timing the eyes on the statue of Medel were lit and blazed to life, illuminating his hollow eye sockets with flames of fire.

         On cue, another stagehand ran up to Malodon carrying a golden tray with a large Golden Goblet. The drum rolls grew into an exciting crescendo as Malodon finally stood to accept the goblet and joined the gods at the altar. The crowds hushed as Medena pulled out her sword and held it up high, capturing the attentions of one and all as the reflections of the setting sun glinted the silvery steel blade, adding a captivating flash of light; the performance was incredible.

         "In His honor" Medena commanded, "I shall sacrifice our finest seed, let his blood fuel the engines of His Creation! Let there be plenty!" Then, with a swift blow, she brought the heavy sword down, slicing off Zoran's head.

         Cheers erupted from the crowds as Medena picked up the dripping head by the scalp and held it over the Golden Goblet, turning it around for the crowds to see his final face.

         Zara gasped, choking up as she caught Zoran's final expression, frozen in his face, his cheek still glistening wet. Her legs felt weak and her head dizzying from the overload of emotions consuming her mind, freezing her thoughts, she felt panicky now. Was she malfunctioning? 

         "Hail Medel!" Medena announced as the blood ran out. She raised the goblet to the crowd, then placed the head on the tray which Malodon held up to the crowd for a final display.

         "Hail Medel" The crowds roared with cheer.

         Steadying herself, Zara felt really ill all of a sudden. What was happening? She clenched her fists, blinking heavily she had to force back real tears as Malodon paraded Zoran's head across the stage. She couldn't look, she closed her eyes to shut it out but now she couldn't get Zoran's final expression out of her mind. She wasn't happy or excited like she was supposed to be, like the others were. Why? What was wrong with her? 

         Blinking tears away, she scanned her peers for clues, for another face that would perhaps mirror hers, but seemed to be alone with her fears. Realizing the truth, that Medel was watching her every move, she pulled herself together and looked down at her feet, feeling ungrateful.

         Once more the crowds hushed as the drums rolled to a stop. Medena held the Golden Goblet up to the statue of Medel, looming above the stage and made a toast. "May Medel live for eternity in the heart of our great leader. Hail King Atalon!"

         "Hail King Atalon" the crowd cheered, waving their flags.

         Medena then knelt down in front of the great king and offered him the goblet of blood. Atalon took the Golden Goblet and held it up to his lips, pausing to inhale the warm aroma.

         The crowd went crazy, whistles and cheers climaxed as he drank the sacred blood, as they witnessed the power of Medel being poured inside of him, their leader, their king.

         Atalon then passed the goblet to Bakkon, Bakkon drank the sacred blood and passed it to Halios. One by one all of the gods took a drink of the sacred blood, each sip celebrated and adored by the loyal crowds. Once the last drop of blood had been consumed, the drums began again, and the gods returned to their seats. The two stagehands picked up Zoran's body, carried it to the pyre and lit the outer ring of twigs.

         Were they cinnamon twigs? Zara found herself asking difficult questions as the smoke began billowing into the air, obscuring the fabulous Creator God from view... She glanced at the Cow Goddess again, even more curious now, still seated alone in her balcony seat... Did she just wipe away a tear?

         Zara wondered who she was now, did she realize she was showing emotion on stage like Zoran did? Didn't she realize that everyone would be able to see her ungratefulness? How she felt made no sense. Why wasn't she happy? She just received a big gold medal and a silver sprig of ivy! From the king!

         Slowly it began to dawn how little she really knew about the Real World she lived in, she glanced across the courtyard towards the other canopied seat, alone at the end of the runway... Such a fortunate seat compared to hers... She didn't even know what a Cow Goddess was either, apparently. Not everything  had been taught in the rehearsals or textbooks she had read in Culloom. 

         Her gaze wandered towards the other graduates in the courtyard, avidly celebrating the sacred offering to Medel when she spotted Nolan amongst the Panthers, easy to spot because of their sunglasses. He was waving his flag with avid enthusiasm, obviously unfettered by the sacrifice…

         Nolan felt her gaze. He turned to look at her and smiled.

         Zara felt her cheeks flush, her blood gush, her heart race into spinny vortex feelings like magic, she couldn't help but return the friendly gesture and smiled.

         But no sooner had she lifted her hand to wave, she felt the searing burn of scrutinizing glares coming from the royal stage... In a snap she looked away, returning her attention to the Golden Goblet, and Medel once again.