Chapter Two
Past, Present, Future
./before
Atlantis's foundation was a circular island, and the finer districts were clustered around Dartz's Palace in the center. The further and further one strayed from the middle, the deeper one traveled into the slums. I chose to build my home in the furthest edges of the island because of the scarcity of prying eyes.
Though even the dirty, starving children ignored the existence of an outcast.
The rickety wooden boards making up my shack were closer to a house of cards than an actual abode. There were no leaks in the roof, which was all I cared about. My "bed" was actually three stolen cushions from outside patio furniture. Hares hung from nails hammered into the boards. Dru had been staring at them for the past minute. He said, "Those are rabbits. Dead ones."
"Yeah! I go to the mainland for hunting every few days now. I don't… steal anymore."
He walked to the corner, where I had my shirts stacked. "They're all missing an arm."
The shirt I currently wore was one-armed as well; the sleeve was on the left while my right shoulder was bare. I said, "There's a sewing machine Ranue lets me use, but I'm not very good. Whenever I got to the other sleeve, I would mess it up and they wouldn't match. It wasn't very noticeable when I wore it, but… just knowing how wrong it was drove me crazy. Now I just kind of give up when I get to the second sleeve."
He pointed to my khaki cargo pants and said, "Those seem fine."
"Pants are way easier!"
"Shirts don't seem so hard, either. Why wouldn't you keep trying?"
"Limited fabric." He shrugged his shoulders and moved to the opposite corner. A crystal-blue hilt peeked from a leather sheath. I answered his question before he could ask: "The blacksmith Engu made that with me for my fifteenth birthday. For my sixteenth a few months ago, we made this."
I pulled the Orichalcos saber from the sheath tied to my belt loops. Dru thinned his eyes. "The blacksmith speaks to you?"
"Yep. He was always nice to me as a kid, and he says he understands what I'm going through because of his deformity."
"Makes sense," Dru muttered. "He's as ugly as a sack of rocks. How do you look at him for so long?"
I shifted my weight. "I don't think he's ugly. I mean, he's very kind and patient. He's lovely. He says I can be a knight in the army someday, like I always wanted."
"That's ridiculous. You're a girl. You literally can't. You're supposed to be good at the sewing and stuff, not hunting or…" He glanced around my home. His toe nudged the black box holding a stash of cards next to my bed. "Dueling."
I tilted my head. "Yeah, you're right. I, uh, it's just fun, putting decks together. I have a lot of spare time."
Dru exited my home. I followed him out, struggling to keep up with his longer gait. He said, "There are better things you could be doing. Like making me one of those shirts. Put some flames on it."
"…I can't even do both sleeves right. What makes you think I can embroider flames?"
"Because it's easy."
My gaze dropped to my dirty feet. "Not… for me…"
He stopped so abruptly I ran into him. "What is that?"
A black cat perched in the middle of the alley; its tail curled upwards and lashed out. I said, "Oh, that's Bird Noises."
"Huh?"
"Bird Noises. He's a stray I kept seeing around, so I shared food with him once. Now he keeps hanging around me."
Dru side-eyed me. "You named a cat Bird Noises."
"W-well, he makes these weird chrr sounds like a bird!"
"That's dumb," he said, and pink streaked my cheeks. I should not have said anything about the cat. Dru clapped his hands together, scaring away Bird Noises, and continued: "Hey! The tournament finals are in a couple days. Did you hear the winner gets to be right-hand man to Dartz himself?"
I pouted. "That's not exactly an honor."
"If only you could see the benefits!" He threw his hands in the air as though he had captured the sky. "The King's duelist earns a nice salary and a spot in the palace so long as they can defend their title. I don't plan on losing. Oh, forgot to mention – the other finalist is none other than Buster! He wears this wolf getup now and calls himself If."
Buster. He was a part of our friend group as a kid. He dyed his hair a dark blue. I asked him why one time, and he said it was because he wanted to be like Dru but also didn't. He struggled to keep up with Dru's skill, and losing irritated him beyond belief. He bloodied his knuckles on many walls back then. I wonder if he was any different; I hadn't talked to him in years.
The last time I did-
Three years ago, I was running along the bazaar's sun-bleached cobblestones. The shadows of an alley covered my tracks, and my breathing steadied. A shout came from above: "She's over here!"
Abi knelt over the corner of the nearest roof, her arms crossed over one knee. Brunette locks escaped from her messy bun and fell over her brown eyes. I growled and broke into a sprint away, but she called out, "She's heading east. You can cut her off."
I dashed towards the connecting alley's opening, but a body blocked me. Rough hands pinned my arms behind my back. I angled my head to catch a glimpse of blue hair. Buster was restraining me, so in front would be…
"Nice catch." Dru strolled forward and eyed my furious glare with an unbroken smile.
…Shit. I shouted, "Why the hell are you still chasing me? I haven't stolen anything in years!"
"Could be you just got better at it," Buster said. His hot breath hitting the skin of my neck made me cringe.
"Doesn't matter, anyway." Dru grabbed my chin. "You're still a monster. A proper curse for helping that dragon. Who knows how many poor villages it's destroyed since you let it live?"
"That dragon hasn't done anything!" I countered. "I know because it's-"
His fist slammed into my right eye. My head snapped back, and the ringing in my ears drowned out all sound. After earning more bruises, I picked up on a line from Buster: "Hey, woah! It's my turn!"
Fingers snapped in front of my face. I focused on the present: the fluffy, white clouds above, the turquoise sea meeting azure sky on the horizon, and Dru's piercing gaze. "You in there, Rain? You spaced out for a sec."
"Yeah. Sorry." I scratched the back of my neck. "I, uh, get caught up in the past a lot."
He turned towards the center of the island and shrugged his shoulders. "Waste of time. Look ahead. Speaking of which, I'm off to start prepping. Later, doll. I love you."
"W-wait!" I called. Dru paused but didn't look back. "I… I was wondering what you mean when you say you love me."
He laughed as though I had asked the most ridiculous question in the world. Maybe I had. To be honest, the phrase was confusing to me. My mother used to say it each day with considerate and due care laced within every word: I. Love. You. Then she forgot my existence as easily as tossing a piece of garbage. Ranue never used the phrase. He said things like, "I care for you."
The way the words rolled off Dru's tongue was so casual and quick, as though he were exhaling common sense. Even if the answer was obvious to him, how was I to know?
He stepped closer, and his lips brushed my ear: "It means you belong to me."
./after
My pale feet dangled over the edge of the palace roof. The workers in the vast gardens below were like ants milling through blades of grass. Wind tore at my hair but couldn't tear away the one black lock I had wrapped around my finger. I chewed my lip and curled the strand tighter.
"You're looking more nervous than usual." Ranue's voice was as beautiful as always – a melodious tone, as though his sentences were songs. It soothed me, if only a little. He plopped down beside me. He wore his more casual outfit of robes similar to Dartz's but with less gold.
"…I've never made it to the finals before."
"Yeah, but you've been looking better and better. I think you've found your footing with the Zombie deck!" He paused, his mouth hanging open. "Not the best phrasing I could have used there. I don't think you should come up here anymore."
I glanced around the empty roof. The circular area was unmarked besides the lone trapdoor leading inside the palace. The first time Ranue found me here was a day I wish I could forget. The wind picked up again, and I tucked hair behind my ear before it could tickle my cheek. "I like having a quiet place in the center of the city. No one is ever here."
"No one was ever supposed to be here." His accusing stare betrayed his concern for me. I broke it and observed my feet instead – along with the ground far, far below. "You have a couple of hours, right? What are you doing to prepare? Have you eaten?"
"Yes. Nothing. No."
His sigh was exasperated. "Why not?"
"My stomach's been in knots all day. I'm not that hungry. I think."
"You think," he repeated. "How about I grab you something, and you give it a shot?"
I bit my lip. "Mmkay."
Ranue stood up and offered me his hand. "You're going to do fine, Rain."
I accepted his help. "I hope so."
My brother brought some bread and cheese to his lab, which I had to sneak around the outside of the palace to access. I only managed a few bites of bread. The less time there was until the tournament, the more I felt like I had to vomit.
Dru had always brushed Buster off, but I knew he was better than what Dru made him out to be. Buster – or If as he goes by now – used Lightsworns with terrifying efficiency throughout the tournament so far. Last round, he won in only two turns by summoning his famous Judgement Dragon.
I had no choice but to win. First place was my only chance to face Dru, and my only chance to ruin him. As if it were possible to match what he did to me – but goddammit I was going to try.
"What's the plan, anyway?" Ranue asked. He rested his elbow on his workbench. "You beat Buster, you beat Dru, then what? Is the whole idea to take away his undefeated record?"
My mouth quirked up at a corner. I picked up my mask, which rested upon the black bundle of my costume. "The plan goes far beyond that, but it's a surprise. You'll see."
"Today," Ranue added. I wished I had the confidence to agree with him.
The Shadow costume's bulky nature didn't help my nausea. The mask was difficult to breathe through, and I was afraid of the voice changer picking up if I breathed too deeply. I placed my hand over my chest and leaned back against the wall. Ranue's eyebrows pushed together. "You okay?"
After a moment of silence, he continued: "You've never lost with the deck you're using. Think about that for a second. You went from not being on the rankings to number five in a matter of months. You can do this. Show those assholes who's the best."
I found small solace in his assurances. Above all else, even if I couldn't believe in myself, I could believe in my deck. It had carried me this far. I could go farther. I would go farther. My duel disk clamped onto my arm, and I offered Ranue a brief nod before departing.
Servants tossed fearful glances as I walked the polished halls of Dartz's palace. It was oddly better than the averting eyes I normally experienced. At the main doors, a trumpet blasted and the people around me immediately bowed. I followed suit slowly. The beak on my mask was an inch from the turquoise tiles.
Many pairs of footsteps thundered past, but one individual stopped. My father's voice chilled me: "Black Vulture. Rise."
I followed his orders. "Greetings, my liege."
His golden eyes scanned me up and down. "Enjoying a garden stroll before your big match, I'm guessing? I do wish you luck today. The power rankings could use a shake-up after being stale for so long, and my duelist could use a humbling."
He wants me to win. Good to know as much hasn't changed: he despises Dru almost as much as I do.
"I do question your persona," the King said. "I know enough to see past your mask for someone I respect. I wish the same for my people, but they have a hard time letting go of the nighttime myths their mothers told."
"I am not concerned with the crowd," I said – short, clipped. Hopefully he would get the message that I had places to be.
"A man of few words. I like it," he said. "Yes, I truly wish for your victory. Perhaps one day you will sit at my side."
One day. Becoming King's duelist involved the rigorous process of taking first place in the power rankings, which would involve defeating Dru and Buster… many, many times. My goal required a single victory, and it was far more satisfying than being this filthy King's pet.
Today, Ranue had said. Yes, today! I set my jaw and said, "Perhaps."
Dartz laughed. "A duelist who shows so little interest in being my chosen. My, you are an interesting one. You are free to go."
I spun on my heel and stalked beyond the silver palace gates. I could feel his gaze following my departure, and it irritated me like an itch all the way to the Poseidon Stadium. One of the many attendees led me to a dressing room. I locked the door and ripped off my mask, swallowing deep breaths.
The cool air hitting my already sweaty face refreshed me. I retrieved my deck and sifted through the cards. Red-Eyes Zombie Dragon gave me pause. If every one of these monsters were real, I wondered where this one was. Perhaps the Zombie Dragon was engulfing a distant village in blue fire and commanding the fallen humans as its own army.
I hoped it was.
A knock came at the door. I grabbed my mask and stole a glance into the mirror before pulling my scarf over my mouth. A curled smile remained from my thoughts about Zombie Dragon. My blue eyes were framed by sable locks, which clashed with my sickly pale skin. I wondered if the hair dye would ever wear off. If I were lucky, it wouldn't.
As if my misfortune would suddenly end. I pulled on the mask and exited, following the same attendee to the stadium entrance. The fog announcing my arrival was stained black today. The MC shouted, "Introducing your first finalist: the terror from the grave, Black Vulture!"
I merged with the mist. My arrival was as dusk upon Atlantis. I replaced the chorus of jeering directed at me with an imaginary cacophony of screams from the faraway terror of Red-Eyes Zombie Dragon.
White fog crawled forward from the other side of the stadium. A puff of red marked my opponent's entrance. If was as the rising sun against me. "Here's your second finalist: number two duelist in Atlantis, If!"
Buster wore his signature white wolf pelt over his head, and the long fangs cast shadows upon his face. His duel disk appeared on his arm in a green flash. The crowd cheered at his arrival. He hefted his white disk with yellow highlights into air and said, "Fine day for a duel, isn't it?"
The sky above was cast golden by sunset. "Night, more like."
"It may seem so, but I'll win this duel before the sun sinks beneath the waves."
Why do all the other pros have impossible confidence? Right, because they're pros. Meanwhile, I'm just some girl. I swallowed the lump in my throat. Ranue's words returned to me. I swung up my disk and stated, "Prove yourself."
"Easily. You offer me the first turn as is normal for you, yes?"
So he has studied my duels. I wouldn't expect any different at this level. "All yours."
The smile beneath his pelt's fangs unnerved me. "Excellent. Let us begin!"
We shouted, "Orichalcos trace the monster! DUEL START!"
The six-pointed star traced itself on the ground. During the setup, the MC said, "We have two very special guests joining us for the finals of the Paradius Tournament. Dru 'The Flame' Ilumari is here to duel the winner, and King Dartz Orichalcum himself will witness every match played!"
The two were in a box high above the stadium, but the display showed a close-up of them. The King gave a wide parade wave, his face neutral. The sight of the duelist beside him boiled my blood. Dru had his legs crossed over the back of the seat in front of him, and the grin on his face held wicked promises I had seen the end to. My fingers curled into fists.
Buster shouted, "You will know your first defeat by my hand, Flame!"
Wrong, I thought but didn't have the courage to say.
"It begins here! I draw and activate the spell card, Dimensional Fissure!" A rip tore open the sky. Purple-pink nether swirled beyond the tear. "This continuous spell causes every monster that would normally go to the graveyard to be removed from play instead!"
My breath caught in my throat. If my monsters aren't in the grave, I can't use any of their abilities..! Why would he use Dimensional Fissure? It prevents Lightsworns from being useful, too!
"I summon D.D. Assailant in attack position, set one face-down, and end my turn."
D.D.? I've heard of that series before, but I can't remember… Why did he make these changes to his deck?
"You seem slow to move, Black Vulture. Something wrong?" Buster mocked.
"Not at all. My draw. I begin with the Call of the Mummy continuous spell. Once per turn, if I control no monsters, I can special summon a Zombie from my hand. I'll use its ability now to special summon Malevolent Mech – Goku En in attack position." A mechanical gray dog lined with blue fire spawned from the holographic spell. Goku En wielded 2400 attack and 1400 defense. "I'll normal summon Paladin of Cursed Dragon alongside him. First, I attack Assailant with Paladin!"
1900 beat 1700, dropping If's life points to 3800. D.D. Assailant dragged Paladin into Dimensional Fissure. I nearly dropped my cards. "My monster..!"
"D.D. Assailant's special ability removes from play whatever monster destroys it," If explained.
Removed from play? That's right! D.D. stands for Different Dimension! Buster is using a completely different deck than he usually does, and all to counter mine. Goddammit! Is that even allowed?
"Your feathers are looking a little ruffled," If said.
"Counterplay doesn't mean you've won," I said through grit teeth. "Goku En attacks directly!"
A card flipped up in If's backline, and a white-wrapped being with a sun floating above it like a head appeared. "Trap activate: Macro Cosmos. Helios, The Primordial Sun is special summoned in defense position. Its attack and defense are equal to the number of removed from play cards times 100, so that would be 200. Oh, and Macro Cosmos is a continuous trap with an extra effect. Now every card removed from the field is removed from play, not just monsters."
Shit. "I still have the monster advantage. Goku En destroys Helios!" The monster shattered, leaving his field empty barring his continuous spell and trap. "I set one face-down and end my turn."
Buster drew and didn't bother to hide his smile. Am I that little of a threat? He said, "Because my graveyard is empty, I special summon Guardian Eatos!"
A warrior unfurled its angelic wings and pointed its blade towards Goku En. A hood fashioned into an eagle head covered Eatos's hair. Its 2500 attack looked down on my monster's 2400. If said, "Eatos battles Malevolent Mech – Goku En!"
Eatos slashed Goku En to shreds, and my life points dropped to 3900. If passed his turn to me with no mask over his smug look. I drew a third card for my hand and said, "I set two spell or traps, summon a monster in face-down defense position, and end my turn."
"Blind luck must have landed you in the finals. You've shown your entire hand! You're out of options already. Meanwhile…" He drew and said, "My hand is all the way at four. Guardian Eatos! Attack the face-down monster!"
Morphing Jar flipped up. Its massive, one eye blinked and it stuck out its tongue at If. I said, "Morphing Jar's flip effect activates! We each empty our hands and draw five cards!"
Sheer nervousness prevented me from laughing at Buster's clear embarrassment. I was reset to normal while he lost the ammunition he had saved up. He growled, "You've only prolonged the time until your inevitable defeat. I equip Big Bang Shot to Guardian Eatos! Its attack increases to 2900. Turn end!"
My hand was back to six. After a quick glance over the field, I said, "I use Call of the Mummy's effect to special summon Ryu Kokki. I'll summon Plaguespreader Zombie alongside him and tune six-star Ryu to two-star Plaguespreader to Synchro Summon Dark End Dragon!"
The aligning of stars materialized a two-faced black dragon; its head growled while its chest grinned with wickedly sharp fangs. The Synchro had 2600 attack and 2100 defense.
"Your deck is lacking in the attack power department," If mentioned.
"Maybe so, but I make up for it with special effects. Dark End Dragon can send a monster of yours to the grave – or remove from play, in this case – by dropping its attack and defense by 500 points!"
Black sludge dripped from my Synchro's torn wing webbing. The inky substance formed a tidal wave that swallowed a screaming Eatos. Dark End Dragon dropped to 2100 attack and 1600 defense. "Dark End Dragon now attacks you directly!"
A beam of dark energy tore through If, dropping his life to 1200. Through gritted teeth, he said, "You're more of a thorn than I expected, Black Vulture."
"An honor, I'm sure. My turn is over."
"There is no honor about you," he spat while swiping a card off his deck. "Your foolishness has only given me more power! Let me show you. I summon Helios – The Primordial Sun! Helios Duo Megistus is special summoned by tributing him, and Helios Trice Megistus is the final upgrade!"
The mummy-wrapped body appeared, fattened, and split into three parts. Its attack and defense increased to 4200. I sputtered, "Th-that's the strongest monster I've ever seen!"
"And all thanks to you! See, the Helios series have attack and defense values based upon the amount of cards removed from play. Your drawn-out tactics increased that amount to nine removed from play for me and five for you. Ah, but I'm not done yet! I hope you weren't expecting Guardian Eatos to take its rest lightly."
He summoned yet another Eatos. I tried to fight my panic, but it was difficult to hear my own thoughts over the hammering of my heart. If commanded, "Helios Trice attacks Dark End Dragon!"
"Trap activate: Magical Arm Shield!" An extending arm appeared from the flipped-up trap, stretched forward, and grabbed Eatos. The squirming warrior was dragged into Helios Trice's line of fire. Guardian Eatos shattered. My life points fell to 2200, but I had saved myself. I could use Dark End Dragon's ability next turn and win the duel. I shouted, "You doomed yourself with your greed!"
"Interesting choice of trap, but this duel is still over. Helios Trice has a second ability. If you still have a monster when it's done attacking, Helios can attack again! Destroy Dark End Dragon!"
The ability shattered my hopes so quickly I almost forgot about my second trap. Trice's solar flare was a hair's breadth from me when I activated it. "Nutrient Z allows me to regain 4000 life points before your damage takes place!"
My life point counter shot up to 6200 before dropping to 3800 through Trice's massive attack strength. "Saving yourself one more turn. Whatever. Your deck is weak. I knew you'd be easy to crush. I set a face-down and pass it to you."
My deck's… weak? I frowned at my hand. I had Book of Life and Magical Stone Excavation. With no graveyard, both were useless. He was right. I was out of options. What was I thinking using cards like these in the first place? I'm still some last-place loser…
No. No! I have to remember what Ranue said. I haven't come last place in months, and this deck has not lost! I believe in my deck! I executed what could be my last draw. This… is exactly what I needed. "I summon Necroface in attack position!"
A mutilated, blue baby head spawned and sprouted red tentacles. Necroface had 1200 attack and 1800 defense. If threw up his palms and said, "This is your way of giving up?"
"Just the opposite! Necroface's ability activates! Every single removed from play card is re-shuffled into our decks, and it gains 100 attack points for each card. That means Helios Trice Megistus loses all 4800 of its attack and defensive power! Necroface, meanwhile, is increased to 3000 attack for your ten cards and my eight!"
My monster expanded, and its tentacles snapped towards the now-tiny suns of Helios Trice. I was too busy taking pride in my move that I hadn't noticed Buster laughing. "You forgot to take a very important factor into account, Black Vulture. I use my trap, Bottomless Trap Hole, to remove your Necroface from play!"
My heart sank. Necroface was swallowed by the distant nether, and Helios Trice gained 600 attack thanks to the addition of my monster and his trap.
Nothing. There's nothing. I can't… "Turn end."
If drew, increasing his hand to one. "You're still just some rookie. You're predictable and rely on the same strategies over and over again. Luck only takes you so far, Black Vulture. The top level belongs to skilled duelists!"
Buster slammed a monster onto his duel disk. "D.D. Survivor attacks directly, and Helios Trice follows!"
A wanderer with robes similar to parchment dealt a blow worth 1800, dropping my life to 2000. Helios's strike left me with 1400. I drew and thought, My last chance is to destroy Survivor. If I can get rid of the stronger monster, I can at least survive one more turn. But beyond that..?
I said, "I summon Zombie Master and attack D.D. Survivor. Their equal attack strength means both monsters are destroyed. Turn end!"
Though both monsters shattered, D.D. Survivor rematerialized soon afterwards. If busted out laughing. "You're even worse than I thought! Not even able to read now, huh? When D.D. Survivor is removed from play, he comes back at the end phase!"
Goddammit! If I had just left my monster up, I could have had my other turn. Why did I attack? I'm such an idiot! Buster's right. I'm only here because of luck. Dru would never make an obvious mistake like that.
"Time to end your suffering. Both of my monsters attack directly!"
My life points hit zero, and my knees hit the floor. No, they're both right. I'm worthless, no more than a monster or a… belonging. I'll never reach my goal, I'll never prove myself, I'll never be-
The MC announced, "Congratulations to If, winner of the Paradius Tournament! Now he has the lucrative opportunity to duel Dru 'The Flame' Ilumari!"
Buster ran a hand through the hair of his wolf pelt. "Get off the stage, kid. It's time for the real players to have an actually close match."
A laugh from behind me shot electricity through my veins. Dru entered the stage through the same hallway I had. He said, "Let the newbie stay and watch. You won't feel so bad after I kick Buster's ass."
"My name is If," he seethed, "and I'm winning this time!"
To my right, Dru shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. That damned smile hadn't left his face. I couldn't prevent a matching snarl from forming on mine. He said, "Watch and learn, kid. Ready up, Buster!"
They shouted, "Orichalcos trace the monster! DUEL START!"
"Since I'm the champ here, I'll take the first move," Dru said. "First thing's first: I activate Dark Room of Nightmare! Any time you take effect damage, this baby'll tack on an extra 300 damage. Let's test it right now. I use the spell Meteor of Destruction!"
A massive chunk of rock landed on If, reducing his life points to 3000. A shadow formed behind him and stabbed him, further lowering his life to 2700. Beads of sweat formed on Buster's face. Dru said, "Great, right? It doesn't end there. I use Double Summon to normal summon two Solar Flare Dragons, both in face-up defense position! I'll go ahead and end my turn now."
Fire leapt from Dru's monsters and shadows chased them. Two splashes of 500 damage hit Buster, and Dark Room of Nightmare added on its 300 damage to each instance of damage. The 1600 damage total lowered If's life points to 1100.
"Oh, right. Forgot to mention," Dru said. "Solar Flare Dragon deals 500 damage at the end phase."
"I'm almost out of life points in the first turn," Buster muttered. "You haven't even attacked..!"
"Ah, I'm sure it's far from over like what you said to your feathered friend. Right, Shadow?" I tensed. Yes, he was never one to beat around the bush, but using my true name was more than bold – it was a death wish. An audible gasp ran through the crowd. Dru's grin widened. "They just eat this stuff up, don't they? Hey, Buster! You gonna move or what?"
His drawn card shivered with his fingers. "I summon Ehren, Lightsworn Monk in attack position! Ehren battles- wait, what? I- I can't attack your monsters!"
"Right, right. I may have forgotten to point out another tiny detail. See, Solar Flare Dragon can't be attacked if there's another Pyro monster on the field."
"They're both Pyros," If said, his voice little more than a whisper. "It's an infinite chain. There's nothing I can do."
Dru gave his opponent a round of applause. "Now you're catching on!"
Buster grit his teeth with such intensity I expected them to shatter. "I end my turn."
"Woah! Giving up so soon! You were so pumped up when we started, too! Ah, I think I'll pass my turn, too." The fire and shadows crossed the field once more, consuming If. His life points dropped to zero.
"Astounding!" shouted the MC. The crowd's cheers joined with his booming voice. "The Flame proves his first-place ranking once again by pulling off a three turn finish against If, his historic rival!"
"Hardly a rivalry if he's never won," Dru said. His back was already to his opponent. "Kind of serves you right. Only a piece of shit counterpicks a newbie."
Only a hypocrite calls someone else a piece of shit. I jumped to my feet and said, "I am not a newbie."
"'Course you are," he countered, "because only a newbie would make themselves predictable enough to be hard countered! You were seriously squirming! How embarrassing. By the way. Don't go thinking you have a chance. You'll end up like Buster over there."
If was still staring at his hand of cards. Sweat poured down his face – or were they tears? Dru continued, "Compared to me, you're all nothing."
"Nothing."
"You belong to me."
"You'll never be anything more than mine."
The echoes of his haunting words paired with painful memories forced me into hyperventilation. I swallowed air but still blackness encroached upon my vision. No! If I pass out here, they could unmask me. If they find out who I am, my career is over! Calm down, breathe, breathe…
My mind's eye refocused on happier moments: waking up to find Bird Noises curled up beside me, and Ranue giving me deck-building advice. Steady rhythm restored my breathing.
"Let's have one more round of applause for our participants today: Our winner, If, our runner-up, Black Vulture, and our ever supreme, The Flame!" shouted the announcer. The crowd was uproarious, but us three were like statues. "To wrap up the Paradius Tournament, King Dartz himself has a very important announcement for you all!"
Father entered the arena from Buster's side. The duelist was rigid, his fists stiff at his sides. Even his wolf pelt's hollow eyes appeared downcast. When the King passed him, he didn't move. I instantly dropped into a kowtow. Dru faced the King but remained standing. He kept his chin up and the same smirk as always. Dartz's distaste for Dru's disrespect was plain on his face. The expression disappeared the instant a camera focused on him.
"Congratulations to all participants, particularly Black Vulture. Your placing today increases your overall standings to third place, just below If." The King's slow steps towards me shot up my heart rate. "I've come to introduce an opportunity everyone present should be interested in. We have developed a revolutionary upgrade to the current dueling system and wish to test it in an upcoming tournament.
"The Orichalcum Grand Cup will utilize a new technology combining solidified holograms and the Orichalcos brain chip. The revitalized system will create an exhilarating experience that makes the damage and healing in duels as realistic as possible."
I couldn't breathe. The monsters would be real? What would that make duels – some sort of torture simulation?
"With great risk comes great reward," Dartz continued. "Normally, a top duelist must earn points through our ranking system to become the King's duelist. The Orichalcum Grand Cup results bypass the point system entirely. The duelist who wins the Orichalcum Grand Cup will take the title of King's duelist!"
Mixed gasps and cheers ripped through the stands. Dru scowled, stepped forward, and said, "Hey! What the hell does that mean for me?"
A sly smile stretched the King's lips. "It means if you wish to keep your title, you must participate and win."
"You can't-" Dru broke off, seemingly biting his tongue. Of course he could. He's the King of Atlantis.
"Rise, Black Vulture." I obeyed his command for the second time in one day. The King offered a handshake and said, "I would be honored to witness your participation in testing the new system. Shall I accept your entry?"
He was asking me to be the first sign-up in a sick game of true pain. The King was truly desperate to remove Dru from his title, but what was the purpose of real monsters? There must be some other goal to Dartz's tournament.
Whatever. The fate of Atlantis, physical pain – everything is secondary to…
The black, claw-like fingers of my glove wrapped around the King's own, and I reciprocated his handshake.
My vengeance.
End of Chapter Two
(((A/N: Thanks to the Undercaring, Underpaid Narrator for your review, and thanks to anyone who favorited or followed! I'll probably stick to my regular schedule of once-a-week updates, but I'll do this story on Fridays and AR on its normal Saturdays.
My note this time is an addition to some of Ranue's dialogue in case it wasn't clear. The before and after sections take place a few months apart. As my wonderful beta asked, "Before/after what?"
That's the question, isn't it?
Next week, we'll focus mostly on before in Chapter Three, Solitude, Broken.)))
