Chapter 2 – Queen of Silence

As the two walked toward the Slifer Red Dormitories, Celia piped up, "So, Ronald. Be honest. When did you win that?"

"Honestly, I didn't think I was going to win at all," Ronald replied, "He opened up with [Geartown] and [Ancient Gear Beast]. I didn't draw [Machina Gearframe] until… turn 8 or so."

"You took a really big hit when you summoned your [Machina Gearframe] in attack mode. If Crowler had been able to pull out another [Ancient Gear], you're the one who would have been sifting through scrap metal."

"Yeah. It was a major risk to summon [Machina Gearframe], but it let me pull [Machina Fortress] out of my deck, which was the card I needed."

"In the end, you lucked out again, didn't you?" Celia shrugged.

"Well, yeah. Part of the game is luck," Ronald replied with a smile.

"Hey, are you ever going to use your Ancient Gear deck again?"

"Not likely. I don't want to look like I'm copying that guy," Ronald grumbled, "Shame too. I really like prevention effect of Ancient Gears, but I prefer the speed of Machina units. They also repair and replace each other. Another bonus."

Suddenly, a boy's voice called toward them.

"Are you Celia?"

Ronald and Celia turned toward the source and saw a boy with a yellow uniform. Celia stepped forward and replied, "Yes. Is there something you need from me?"

The boy smiled, "I heard you run LV monsters. I want to test my LV deck against yours."

Celia scratched her chin. She hesitated and the shrugged, "Sure, why not?"

"My name is Jeff," the boy said offering his hand, "I hope we can have a great duel."

Celia took the hand and shook. The two Duelists shuffled their decks and offered their opponent the chance to shuffle and cut their decks. When both were satisfied, they stepped away from each other, allowing ample space between them. Ronald sat down on the ground behind Celia.

"Ladies first."

Celia smiled, "How polite, but you just might regret that."

Turn 1
[Celia]: 8000
(Jeff): 8000

"I draw," Celia shouted dramatically as she pulled a card from her deck, "I'll open with three face down cards and I'll summon [Silent Magician LV4] to the field!"

The image of a young girl in white robes appeared before Celia giving an emotionless glare at Jeff.

"With that, I'll end my turn," Celia said.

Turn 1
(Celia): 8000
[Jeff]: 8000

"My turn then, I draw!" Jeff said excitedly.

"Before you do anything, I'd like to inform you that my [Silent Magician LV4] gets a [Spell Counter] for every time you draw. For each [Spell Counter] she has, she gets an extra 500 attack points!"

"Doesn't matter," Jeff smirked, "My opening hand is amazing! First, I'll summon my [Dark Lucius LV4]!"

A demonic looking warrior appeared, facing down Celia's [Silent Magician LV4].

"Unfortunately, he's not strong enough to beat your Magician right now, so I'll use this! Spell card, [Level Up!]"

"Oh boy," Celia muttered.

"Since you run an LV deck, I'm sure you know what this means!" Jeff laughed, "[Dark Lucius LV6], come on out!"

The demonic warrior mutated and grew more spikes and horns over his body.

"And then let's throw on another [Level Up!]!" Jeff continued laughing confidently, "Time for some pain! [Dark Lucius LV8]!"

[Dark Lucius LV6] began to grow a large pair of wings. Purple flames engulfed his hand and grew into a massive sword. It swung the sword down and pointed it toward [Silent Magician LV4] who looked in fear.

Celia slouched and grumbled, "This is gonna hurt. That's 2800 attack points."

"Alright! Let's start the battle! Take down that Magician, Lucius!" Jeff pointed at [Silent Magician LV4].

Celia looked at her Magician and inhaled deeply, "I don't think so! Trap card, [Astral Barrier]!"

Ronald gave a low whistle, "She redirected that without a second thought."

"What!?" Jeff gasped.

[Dark Lucius LV8] flew toward [Silent Magician LV4] and brought the sword down on the young witch, but an image of Celia appeared before the magician and took the blow.

(Celia): 5200
[Jeff]: 8000

"[Astral Barrier] allows me to redirect attacks toward my monsters straight to me," Celia smiled, "I will protect my [Silent Magician]!"

Jeff chuckled, "I see. That's a pretty good strategy. I guess my Battle Phase is over. But what are you going to do about this, then!? I cast the Spell card, [Lightning Vortex]! I discard a card from my hand and destroy all face up monsters you control!"

Lightning shot out of the blue sky and toward [Silent Magician LV4] who watched with sheer terror.

"And I'll respond! Quick Spell, [My Body as a Shield]!"

(Celia): 2700
[Jeff]: 8000

"You've got to be kidding me," Jeff grumbled.

The lightning turned midway and shot toward Celia instead. [Silent Magician LV4] floated toward Celia, as though worried about her.

"That's right! [My Body as a Shield] can negate the activation of a card that would destroy a monster I control! I just have to pay 1500 life points!" Celia panted heavily, as though the game were straining her, "Don't worry about me, [Silent Magician], "We can win this."

Jeff sighed, "Fine, fine. One card face down, and I'll end my turn."

Turn 2
[Celia]: 2700
(Jeff): 8000

"My turn! I'll draw!" Celia announced, "Next, I'll activate my own [Level Up!]"

[Silent Magician LV4] was engulfed in a light and rapidly aged into a woman.

"Unlike your [Dark Lucius], [Silent Magician LV4] jumps straight to [Silent Magician LV8]," Celia explained, "Did I mention she also has a whopping 3500 attack points?"

"Uh oh," Jeff whispered to himself.

"Now it's time for my counter attack! Go ahead and blow 'em to smithereens, [Silent Magician]!"

[Silent Magician LV8] raised her wand and created an orb of light. She pointed it at [Dark Lucius LV8]. The orb flew toward the demon warrior at a breakneck speed.

"Trap card, activate! [Negate Attack]!"

A vortex appeared in front of [Dark Lucius LV8] as the orb of light shot toward the demonic warrior. The orb was engulfed by the vortex, which disappeared almost immediately.

"Wow, not bad," Celia crossed her arms, "Don't worry though. She can go all day. Well, since I can't attack anymore, I'll take this chance to set a card."

Turn 2
(Celia): 2700
[Jeff]: 8000

"Alright, I draw," Jeff scowled. He frown immediately changed into a smile, "I'll cast the spell card [Hidden Armory]! By sending the top card of my deck to my graveyard, I can pull any Equip Spell card from my deck or graveyard and put it into my hand. I can't do my normal summon for this turn, but that doesn't matter. I only need my [Dark Lucius LV8]!"

Jeff rummaged through his deck.

"I pick my [Fusion Sword Murasame Blade]!" Jeff revealed the card to Celia.

"Uh oh," Celia whispered softly.

"Now, let's equip [Dark Lucius LV8] with [Fusion Sword Murasame Blade]!" Jeff smiled, "That puts me at 3600 attack points! Go! Take down that magician, [Dark Lucius]!"

"I activate the effect of my [Astral Barrier]!"

"Are you insane? That'd let me wipe out the rest of your life points!"

"Then I'll activate my [Spirit Barrier] trap card!"

"Oh."

"I guess you already figured it out," Celia smiled, "[Spirit Barrier] negates all battle damage I would have taken if I control a monster…"

"Which means I have to find a better way to take down your Magician…" Jeff sighed, "I thought this was going to be a lot easier… I'll end my turn."

Turn 3
[Celia]: 2700
(Jeff): 8000

"I'll draw," Celia pulled a single card from her deck. She smirked, "Just what I needed…"

"I don't like the look in your eye," Jeff grumbled.

"Quick spell, activate! [Level Down!?]!"

"Oh crap," Jeff stepped back fearfully.

"This lets me weaken your [Dark Lucius LV8] and bring him down about four notches!"

[Dark Lucius LV8] was struck by a colorful gas and doubled over. The wings on his body disappeared, the sword in his hand crumbled. His body became smaller until it reverted back into [Dark Lucius LV4].

"No way!" Jeff gasped as he watched his monster weaken.

"Next, I'll summon my [Element Valkyrie]!" Celia shouted, "She may not be that strong, but she's strong enough to take down your [Dark Lucius LV4]! Attack, [Element Valkyrie]!"

The newly summoned [Element Valkyrie] charged at [Dark Lucius] and struck him with a staff, causing the image of [Dark Lucius] to explode and disappear.

[Celia]: 2700
(Jeff): 7500

"Now, [Silent Magician LV8]! Attack him directly!"

[Celia]: 2700
(Jeff): 4000

"I'll end my turn there," Celia said, holding out her hand.

Turn 3
(Celia): 2700
[Jeff]: 4000

"I draw and…" Jeff looked at the card he drew. He sighed as he shook his head, "I can't win with this card… It was a good duel. I'll make sure to win next time."

The two duelists smiled at each other. Jeff turned around and walked away. After Jeff was no longer in view, Celia fell to her knees, her hand covering her mouth. She was coughing violently. She reached into her left hand pocket. She slowly looked toward her pocket, horrified. Her coughing was getting more violent.

"Forgetting something?" Ronald asked with a warm smile, handing Celia an inhaler.

Celia wheezed and graciously took it quickly.

"That was a good duel," Ronald commented, "Sorry I missed the end of it. I went to get your spare inhaler, just in case. I kinda expected your asthma to act up again, what with all the dramatic shouting."

After Celia's breath returned to normal, she sighed, "I can't believe I forgot it again…"

"You really should've chosen a different game to play. Duel Monsters is really hard on the throat."

"Y-Yeah…" Celia pocketed her inhaler. Her eyes widened in surprise.

"What happened?" Ronald asked as he saw Celia hang her head.

Celia pulled out two inhalers from her right hand pocket, "I didn't forget it."

Ronald laughed heartily as Celia's pale skin turn the same shade as her hair. The two continued on their way to the Slifer Red Dormitory. Ronald made sure to mention that they'll look back on this moment and laugh.

End Chapter 2