Chapter 3

THREE

E llie's eyes snapped open at 5:30 a.m., a full hour before her alarm. Sleep had eluded her for most of the night, her mind a whirlwind of excitement and anxiety about the second day of the convention. She pushed herself up, her dark red hair a mess of tangles, and padded to her kitchen.

As the coffeemaker gurgled to life, Ellie leaned against the counter, her thoughts drifting to the day ahead. The game demos and trailers of Infinite Odyssey at her booth had been a hit yesterday, but today... today was the real test. The showcase. A chance to truly demonstrate what her game could do.

"It'll be fine, Ellie. It'll be great," she muttered to herself, pouring a steaming cup of coffee. "Time to show them what you're made of."

An hour later, Ellie strode into the convention center, her confidence growing with each step. She'd opted for a smart, casual look today – dark jeans, a yellow blouse that brought out the warm tones in her skin, and comfortable yet stylish boots. Her makeup was flawless, an armor of sorts against the scrutiny she knew she'd face.

As she approached her booth, she spotted Noa already there, arranging promotional materials with meticulous care.

"Morning, superstar," Noa called out, her blonde waves bouncing as she turned. "Ready to knock their socks off?"

Ellie grinned, some of the tension in her shoulders easing at the sight of her best friend. "As ready as I'll ever be. How's everything looking?"

"Tip-top," Noa assured her, gesturing to the demo stations. "I've run diagnostics on all the systems, and we're good to go. Your adoring public awaits."

Ellie snorted, but couldn't help the flutter of excitement in her chest. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We've still got a long way to go before world domination."

As they worked to prepare the booth for the day, Ellie's mind kept drifting to the upcoming showcase. She'd been thrilled when the organizers had approached her about participating in a special competition to highlight Infinite Odyssey's multiplayer capabilities. It was a golden opportunity to demonstrate what set her game apart from the crowd.

"Earth to Ellie," Noa's voice cut through her thoughts. "You're a million miles away. Nervous about the showcase?"

Ellie shook her head, more to clear it than in denial. "A little," she admitted. "There's so much riding on this. If I can really show what Infinite Odyssey can do..."

Noa placed a hand on her arm. "Hey. You've poured your heart and soul into this game. It's amazing, and they're going to see that. Just be yourself up there, let your passion shine through, and you'll knock ‘em dead."

Ellie took a deep breath, nodding. "You're right. Thanks. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Crash and burn, obviously," Noa quipped with a wink. "Now go on, get out of here. Go dazzle them with your genius. I've got things covered here."

With a final check of her tablet and a squeeze of Noa's hand, Ellie set off for the showcase arena. As she walked, she mentally reviewed her talking points, her fingers itching to get her hands on a controller.

The showcase area was already bustling with activity when Ellie arrived. Techs scurried about, checking connections and adjusting lighting. A small crowd had already gathered, industry insiders and eager fans alike, all buzzing with anticipation.

"Ms. Madden?" A harried-looking woman with a headset and clipboard approached. "I'm Jen, one of the stage managers. You're on in ten minutes. We've got you set up stage left. Any last-minute requirements?"

Ellie shook her head, offering a smile. "I'm all set, thanks. Just point me to where I need to be."

As Jen led her to the waiting area, Ellie's gaze swept over the impressive setup. Two giant screens dominated the stage, ready to broadcast the gameplay to the audience. Below them, a pair of gaming stations were set up, equipped with top-of-the-line hardware.

Ellie's heart rate picked up as she took her place offstage. This was it. Her moment to shine.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the announcer's voice boomed through the speakers, "please welcome to the stage, the founder of Madden Gaming and creator of the highly anticipated Infinite Odyssey, Elliot Madden!"

Taking a deep breath, Ellie stepped out into the spotlight. The applause washed over her, and she felt a surge of confidence. This was her element. These were her people.

"Thank you all for coming," she began, her voice strong and clear. "I'm thrilled to be here today to show you what Infinite Odyssey is all about."

As she launched into her presentation, Ellie felt the familiar rush of excitement that always came when she talked about her creation. She guided the audience through the game's unique character customization system, her hands flying over the controls as she demonstrated.

"In Infinite Odyssey, the only limit is your imagination," she explained, her eyes shining with passion. "Want to be a human with a 9-to-5 job who moonlights as a monster hunter? You can do that. Prefer to be a shapeshifting dragon who runs a bookstore? That's an option too. From witches and wizards to werewolves and werebears, the possibilities are endless."

The audience was rapt, oohing and aahing as Ellie cycled through various character models, showing off the intricate detail and customization options.

"But Infinite Odyssey isn't just about creating your perfect avatar," Ellie continued, moving on to the gameplay demonstration. "It's about the stories you create, the challenges you overcome, and the connections you forge along the way."

She dove into an explanation of the game's competitive missions, showcasing how players could team up or face off against each other in a variety of scenarios. The crowd gasped and cheered as she navigated her character through a particularly tricky dungeon, narrowly avoiding traps and dispatching enemies with fluid grace.

Ellie was in her zone, riding high on the energy of the crowd and her own passion for the game. Which was why the announcer's next words hit her like a bucket of ice water.

"And now, to really put Infinite Odyssey to the test, let's welcome a surprise challenger. Ladies and gentlemen, please give it up for the CEO of Ashford Entertainment, Zyan Ashford!"

Ellie's head snapped up, her eyes widening as she watched Zyan Ashford stride onto the stage. She'd seen him from afar yesterday, of course, but nothing had prepared her for the impact of his presence up close.

He was tall, easily towering over her petite frame, with a massive physique that spoke of regular workouts and an active lifestyle. His light brown hair was artfully tousled, and his eyes... Ellie felt her breath catch. They were a warm light brown with flecks of gold that seemed to glow under the stage lights.

Zy approached with a confident smile, extending his hand. "Ms. Madden. It's a pleasure to finally meet you properly. I've heard great things about Infinite Odyssey."

Ellie took his hand, trying to ignore the spark of electricity that jumped between them at the contact. "Mr. Ashford," she replied, proud of how steady her voice sounded. "I'm surprised to see you here. I wouldn't have thought you'd have time for impromptu gaming sessions, what with running an empire and all."

His smile widened, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "I always make time for quality gaming, especially when it involves going head-to-head with such a worthy opponent."

Her brow raised, a competitive spark igniting in her chest. "Worthy opponent, huh? We'll see about that."

As they took their places at the gaming stations, Ellie's mind raced. She'd prepared for many scenarios, but facing off against Zyan Ashford hadn't been one of them. She'd spent so long viewing Ashford Entertainment as the faceless enemy, the corporate giant that had profited from her ex-husband's betrayal. But now, with Zy standing next to her, larger than life and undeniably charismatic, she found her carefully constructed walls of resentment beginning to crack.

"So, Ms. Madden," Zy's voice cut through her thoughts as they waited for the game to load, "what character shall I expect to face? A fire-breathing dragon? A cunning witch?"

Ellie smirked, some of her usual sass returning. "Wouldn't you like to know? I think I'll keep you guessing, Mr. Ashford. Anticipation is half the fun, after all."

Zy chuckled, a rich, warm sound that sent an unexpected shiver down Ellie's spine. "I do enjoy a good mystery. And please, call me Zy. I have a feeling we're going to get to know each other quite well over the course of this match."

Ellie's cheeks heated at the subtle flirtation in his tone. "We'll see about that... Zy," she replied, putting a slight emphasis on his name. "I should warn you, I don't go easy on anyone, no matter how charming they think they are."

"I wouldn't have it any other way... Ellie," he countered, his golden-flecked eyes twinkling with mischief.

As the game loaded, Ellie took a deep breath, centering herself. Whatever mixed feelings Zy's presence was stirring up, she couldn't let it distract her. This was her moment, her game. She was here to win.

The match began, and Ellie immersed herself in the world of Infinite Odyssey. She'd chosen a character she knew well – a shapeshifting fox with a talent for illusions and trickery. It was a build that rewarded quick thinking and creative problem-solving, perfect for showcasing the game's depth.

To her surprise, Zy had selected a tiger shifter character. His choice piqued her curiosity – the tiger was one of the more challenging shifter types to master, requiring a delicate balance of raw power and strategic thinking.

"A tiger, huh?" Ellie commented, her eyes flicking briefly to Zy. "Bold choice. Not many players can handle that kind of power effectively."

Zy's lips curved into a small, almost secretive smile. "What can I say? I have an affinity for big cats. Plus, I enjoy a challenge."

As they navigated through a complex maze filled with traps and puzzles, Ellie found herself genuinely impressed by Zy's gameplay. He controlled his tiger shifter with a natural grace that seemed almost too real, seamlessly switching between human and tiger form to overcome obstacles.