I Matter
"You want us to what?"
Yomi sat at one of the various little laboratory chairs, the circular sort that were far too small for comfort yet just large enough to support the weight of most human bodies. She was sandwiched between Connor and Eric, who both looked just as dumbfounded as her.
"I want you all to come over to my home," Caitlin grinned. "We should celebrate our victory!"
"We haven't really won anything, though," Eric pointed out.
"Still!" the blonde pouted. "We managed to get my deck back! This is cause for celebration!"
"I don't know," Yomi said. "This seems a little sudden."
"B-b-but," Caitlin stuttered, bringing her index fingers together nervously. "I-I was thinking we could have a great feast together…"
"A feast?" that piqued her interest, certainly.
"Free food?" Connor blurted. "Sign me up."
"Yes," Caitlin nodded. "There's going to be a lot of food. It is our Thanksgiving dinner, after all."
"Oh," Yomi didn't realize it was that time of year already. Time certainly did seem to fly by quickly. Although her family didn't really celebrate it, perhaps it was a typical custom here.
"So…" Caitlin looked at the three of them, eagerly awaiting their answer.
"Uh…sure, I guess," Yomi shrugged. It wasn't like she had much to do in the evening. Besides, there was going to be food! How could she pass that up?
"Count me in, too," Connor said.
"A-and Eric?" Caitlin looked to the green-haired boy, who had been silent for most of the conversation.
"I'd love to," he started. "But I can't."
"B-but why not?"
"I…I have plans," he said, his silver eyes betraying a brief flicker of regret before they reverted to their original blank state.
"O-oh…"
"Maybe next time," he smiled apologetically as he stood up. "But tonight, I just can't. So if there's nothing else to add, I'll be heading home."
"Right," the other two Club members stood up as well, just as Eric moved across the lab to the door.
"See you guys tomorrow," he murmured as he vanished out the door.
"I honestly thought he could join in," Caitlin frowned.
"I guess it just wasn't a good time," Yomi replied. She wondered what sort of plans he had.
Come to think of it, she never really knew what his life was like outside of school.
###
The trees rustled in the chilly winter wind, echoing down the streamlined road. Eric could feel fresh, ice-tipped fingers brushing at his face as the air grew colder with the sluggish yet certain fall of the sun. The birds were on their final notes of daytime cheer, ready to huddle back into their nests as the night began to settle in. He looked down at his watch. There was still time before dinner. Time before he was expected at home.
The Royal Paladin player eventually stopped at his destination, turning to face a house not unlike most in his particular neighborhood. It wasn't dirty or dilapidated by any means, but it wasn't the fanciest home out there. Not that he'd seen many fancy homes in his lifetime. He wondered what Caitlin's mansion looked like. He was well aware of her rich status, never thinking too much on it. Though he would be lying if he didn't at least imagine what it would be like living in her shoes.
It'd be a comfortable life.
He walked over across the front lawn, passing by the house's maroon mailbox, with the surname "Ryder" etched neatly on its side. He knocked lightly on the door.
"Coming!" a feminine voice came from behind the door as the sound of hurried footsteps drew closer. Eventually, the door clicked and drew back, revealing a girl just around his age, not much younger. Short locks of curled ginger hair wisped down to her neck, framing her pale, round face. She shared the same hazel eyes and warm smile with her brother. "Oh, Eric!" she chirped. "You're here to tutor Matt, right? He isn't back yet, but please, come in, come in."
"You baking something in there?" Eric asked as he stepped through the door. The aromatic scent of dough and chocolate wafted out from within the house, warm and welcoming.
"Yup! Cookies!" Estelle answered as she led him into the living room. "Why don't you make yourself comfortable while I go fetch the goods?"
"Uh, sure," he said, watching her disappear into the kitchen. He paced around a bit, observing the living room. He'd been in the house several times, so it was nothing new, but the atmosphere was nice, fresh change of pace. It was like being inside a chamber of eternal sunlight after wandering about in pitch black darkness. He glanced at the coffee table, which was covered in various Vanguard cards. "Messiah?" Eric wondered aloud.
"Hm?" Estelle returned from the kitchen, carrying a creamy beige plate of cookies. "Oh, yeah, I've been polishing up my deck for the upcoming shop tourney," she explained, placing the plate next to the cards and plopping onto the couch. As she pat the cushioned space beside her, the redhead continued talking. "You are gonna be in it, right?"
"Uh, yeah," Eric replied, sitting down and plucking a cookie from the plate. "Me and my Club, I think."
"Nice, nice," she chirped, taking another cookie. "I have a good feeling about this tournament, you know, like it's going to be way more fun than last year."
"Why do you say that?" Eric asked as he bit into the cookie. Wow, this is delicious.
"I don't know, just a feeling," she shrugged. "Or maybe it's just my brother's recent cheeriness getting to me. Either way," she picked up one of the cards from the table. "I get to really put my new cards into play."
"Alter Ego Messiah," Eric mused as he looked at the card. "It's a good card."
"That, and it's cool," she grinned. "You know, I've been practicing a lot. You'd better watch out come the tournament."
"Well, if I ever end up fighting you, I'll be ready," he smiled. It was nice. This family has always made him feel so welcome. So…free.
"Well, I mean, I know how much it means to you, so you know, if it ever comes down to it, I'll switch with Matt so you two can have quality time together," she chuckled, a mischievous grin etching across her cheeks, prompting Eric to choke on his cookie. It didn't take long before he erupted into a chorus of maddened coughs.
###
"Is this really necessary?"
Yomi sat in the middle between Caitlin and Connor on the plush seat of the former's luxurious limousine.
"What is?" the blonde asked innocently.
"This…this car. Can't we just walk or take a bus or something?" it was slightly embarrassing, after all.
"But it's too far to just walk over there," Caitlin said. "And no buses or trains go there."
Where did this girl even live? "Oh…well, it's just, your limousine is really nice."
"Thank you," she smiled. "Don't you two have limousines too?"
Yomi shook her head.
"My parents can't even afford a car," Connor said.
"They can't?" Caitlin asked, as if the thought of not being able to buy a car was utterly foreign to her.
"Nope," he sighed. "We're not particularly well off."
"Really?" Yomi asked. It wasn't very often that Connor let them know about his personal life. Did he finally find them trustworthy? Or was it something else? Unfortunately, before she could say more, the car stopped.
"Little miss, we've arrived," the chauffeur said.
"Yes, thank you," Caitlin bowed her head before opening the door on her side. As Yomi stepped out after her, she couldn't help but gasp.
A vast garden stretched out before her, with a speck-less path extending out from the road straight forward into a fantastical mansion, bending only at the center, where a artfully sculpted fountain stood. Bordering the path were two parallel lines of maids, each bowing before their young mistress.
"Wow," Yomi said. "This is a nice place. It's beautiful."
"Is it?" Caitlin asked as she walked. "Thank you. What are your homes like?"
"Definitely not some little girl's fantasy land, that's for sure," Connor said, clearly unimpressed.
"Well, I guess everyone's home is a little different," Caitlin commented. "But I do think everyone deserves a home that they can always come back to."
"That is a nice thought," Yomi remarked. A home, huh. My house isn't particularly special. I'd say even United Sanctuary wasn't quite my home. I wonder, have I ever really had a home?
"Well, anyway," Caitlin grinned excitedly as the main doors opened. "There's still a lot of time before dinner, so why don't I give you a tour?"
###
"You're back," Eric stated as the door opened. He'd been sitting in Matt's room for a good ten or so minutes, reading his copy of To Kill a Mockingbird to kill time.
"Yeah, hey," Matt huffed. His short, fiery crimson hair was tousled and his breaths irregular. Yet despite that, he still put on his usual bubbly smile. Eric knew it was stupid, but that toothy grin always found a way to make his chest all fuzzy and warm inside. To be the honest, this entire household has always made him feel…at home, but Matt just made it…better.
"What took you so long?" he questioned as the other boy strolled across the room to his closet. Was that blood stained on his shirt?
"Huh?" Matt picked out a spare t-shirt before peeling the one he was wearing off, exposing a lean, slightly muscular torso, encrusted with a few scars and gashes here and there, some fresh, some old, even some bruises plastered on his tanned skin. Eric's cheeks flushed a bit.
Wait, scars? Bruises?
"What happened?" he said calmly.
"Whaddaya mean?" the redhead replied innocently, putting on the new shirt.
"I'm not blind," Eric deadpanned. "How'd you get all those cuts and bruises?"
"Oh," Matt strode over and plopped down on the chair next to Eric. "I was running over here from school and I tripped."
"A fall got you that beat up?" Eric raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. It was a bad fall."
"I'm not convinced."
"Well, I fall a lot. I'm a big klutz," Matt chuckled.
"Well, I guess that's reasonable," Eric rolled his eyes. He was a reckless animal sometimes, after all. Perhaps it was just a result of countless past injuries. "Well, anyway, open up your Pre-Calculus textbook. We've got quite a bit to go through."
"A'ight," Matt pouted. "Whatever ya say, teach'."
Eric sighed. "Alright, show me where it hurts."
"On my body?"
"No, I meant in the textbook you doofus!" he snapped, thwacking the other boy on the head.
"Ow, ow, fine, Mr. Grumpyhead," Matt whined, flipping pages in the textbook. "By the way, you eating dinner with us tonight? My mom makes a mean Thanksgiving turkey."
Eric frowned. He really wanted to stay longer, but he knew very well that he couldn't. "No," he answered finally. "I can't. My parents want me home tonight."
"Aw," the redhead frowned. "Well, next time then."
"Yeah," Eric smiled apologetically. "Next time."
###
"I'm home," Eric called out as he shut the door behind him.
"Welcome back," his mother's head poked out of the kitchen. "Dinner's not ready, so why don't you settle down for a bit?"
He nodded, but before he could go up the stairs he was stopped by another, sterner voice.
"Wait," his father stepped out from the living room. He shared Eric's emotionless silver eyes, but his father's were far colder. Like stone. "What's your grade for your Maths class?"
"An A+," Eric answered, handing a sheet of paper to the older man.
"Huh," his father glanced at it for a moment, then looked back at him. "You can do better."
"Yes father," he said. "I'll do better next time."
"You'd better not be slacking off," his father warned. "I let you have your Vanguard Club and let you be a tutor to that kid down the street, but that is no excuse to be shirking your education."
"Yes father. I understand."
"Go then, I don't want my brother laughing at me because my son is eating a family dinner unprepared."
Eric nodded, then stepped past his father, hurrying up the stairs to his room. As far as he remembered, it was always like this. His father expected nothing but perfection, and as childish as it was, that was the reality that he lived in. It was always a brotherly feud between him and Eric's uncle, and Eric supposed that he was just another item on their list of things to compete over. He never really mattered, and it made his heart sank. Although, he was so used to it that at this point, he was numb to the pain. He was just…empty.
That is, until I met all of you.
The Royal Paladin player was ripped out of his thoughts by the ring of the doorbell. "I'll get it!" he called as he rushed down the stairs once he finished changing.
"Welcome," he greeted as he opened the door. It was his aunt, his uncle, and their son, Angus. His cousin looked much like him, but his face was far more angular, and his richer-looking green hair was longer, tied neatly into a short ponytail. They were about the same age, after all.
With nothing but a nod of acknowledgment, the three simply moved past him and into the house, where they would engage in the usual pleasantries with his parents, which, really, amounted to nothing but small talk that devolved into petty squabble. Everything in this house was comparable. A competition.
"Hey," his cousin said, staying behind while his parents were off.
"Hey," Eric greeted back as he closed the door. Oh how he wished this evening ended soon. He noticed a small sparkle on his cousin's wrist. A bracelet? "New accessory?" he asked, pointing at it. He had to make small talk at some point, didn't he?
"Oh this?" Angus raised his arm, eyes still bored. He didn't inherit the silver eyes that their fathers had, but they were still a brilliant green. "Yeah, it's something that I got recently."
"Nice," Eric faked a smile. It did look peculiar, however. It was simple, gray-plated, but it had a very intriguing diamond-shaped stone on its center. It almost seemed to glow on its own.
"Kids, dinner is ready," Eric's mother called.
"Angus, get over here. Now!" his aunt shouted. The two teenagers looked at each other before walking over to the dining table, where the two men in the family were bickering.
"And how is your son's studies?" his uncle asked.
"Just fine, thank you," Eric's father answered, shooting Eric a brief glare. He knew it very well. It was the look he gave whenever he was disappointed. Which was, most of the time.
"And clubs? Angus here has captained every single one he's been in. Isn't that right?"
"Yes, I have," Angus answered while Eric's mother was busying herself with cutting the turkey. "I've recently been given the leadership position in my school's Vanguard High School Team."
"Well Eric here is also the leader of his own Vanguard Club," his father said. Eric nodded in response. Of course he left out the part where I formed it. I guess it'd be too embarrassing for him.
"Really? How many tournaments have you won?" Angus asked.
"Well, not any yet," Eric explained. "I only started not too long ago."
"Huh," Angus chuckled. "So it's pretty much a low-leveled team."
"Well, I don't know. I don't think we're that sort of team," Eric replied, but as soon as his father gave him that stern look again, he felt compelled to continue on, like his mouth had a will of its own. "But we're working on being more competitive."
"Well we'll see at this year's Regionals, or even Nationals, won't we?" Angus mused as he took a bite out of his food.
"We certainly will, won't we Eric?" his father looked down at him.
"Um, we will?" he looked back at his father.
"We will. I expect you'll bring home a trophy this year, then?"
"Y-yes father," Eric mumbled. As much as he wanted to protest, as much as he wanted to say no, he couldn't disappoint his father here. If anything, Vanguard was the one thing that he didn't want to turn into a competition. And he just had to ruin it with his big mouth, didn't he?
"Well then, it'll be a spectacle," Eric's uncle said. "I think we'll all be there to watch it," he glanced at Eric's father, who stared back with an equally intense competitiveness in his eyes.
The rest of the dinner was, suffice to say, quite stressful, and it lasted for what seemed like an eternity, with each man going back and forth, going down their little list of things to compare. Was that just human nature? Eric would never really know.
"Hey," Angus called as Eric started to walk up to his room.
"Yeah?"
"I didn't know you played. Vanguard I mean," he said.
"Well, yeah. I do. What of it?" somehow, he knew where this was going.
"Since I'm probably gonna be stuck here for who knows how long," Angus grinned. "Why don't we have a game? Just a casual little match."
Eric really, really wanted to say no, because rarely ever did Angus Stewart did things for 'fun.' "Sure, why not?"
###
"So," Caitlin's parents announced in unison.
"We have this tradition in our family," Caitlin's mother explained. "Where we state what we're thankful for before we dig in. Does anyone want to go first?"
"Oh me! Me!" Caitlin chirped, raising her hand. "I guess, I'm thankful for all the friends that I've met at high school. All the fun experiences I've had."
"Well that's great to hear," her father smiled. "I'm glad that you kids have been so good to our dear daughter."
"Oh it's nothing," Yomi laughed nervously. She really didn't need to be thanked. Not really.
"Well, what are you thankful for, Yomi?" Caitlin's mother asked.
"Oh, um, well," she mumbled.
"Don't be shy!"
"Well, I guess I'm thankful for the fresh start I've been given. Moving over here, you know?" she said at last. She was thankful for it. Even though she was still playing Vanguard, there was none of that hate. None of that scorn. The pressures back in United Sanctuary. After having her beliefs shattered by Shindou, it was nice to experience something new. Was this what he was fighting for? This sort of Vanguard?
"And Connor? What about you?"
"I guess," he started, toying with his fork. "I guess I'm thankful for the new opportunities I've been given this school year."
"Yes, new opportunities are always good," Caitlin's father concurred. "We should always strive to grasp that which we desire, after all."
"Yup!" Caitlin said.
This is nice, Yomi thought. I wonder what you're thankful for, Eric. I mean, there must be something or someone you're thankful for, right?
###
"Is that all?" Angus questioned as his guardian sprung up from the earth, catching Eric's Vanguard off guard and sending him sprawling forward. Reflexively, he skipped backwards and elbowed his opponent to the ground, not unlike a stern knight disappointed in his squire.
"Drive check," Eric muttered, grimacing as he revealed a copy of Rachelle. They were playing in the safe, private confines of his bedroom, using one of Eric's many desks. [Drive Check: Blazing Jewel Knight, Rachelle (Critical Trigger)]
"Unfortunate," Angus frowned. "If only you'd adjusted your field and rearranged your attack pattern, you could've done far more in that one turn."
"I don't need a lecture, especially from you," Eric coughed, his avatar on Cray staggering back up.
"Well, it's fine either way," his cousin mused. "You just keep doing you. And I'll keep doing me. But I'm sure we both know which way is the winning way."
Eric
Hand: 5
(Jewel Knight, Swordmy) – (Blowing Jewel Knight, Altgaro) – (Empty)
(Stinging Jewel Knight, Shellie) – (Jewel Knight, Leizgal) – (Empty)
Damage: 2 – [Flashing Jewel Knight, Iseult] (F), [Flashing Jewel Knight, Iseult] (U)
Angus
Hand: 5
(Rindo Gentian Musketeer, Antero) – (Rindo Gentian Musketeer, Antero) – (Water Lily Musketeer, Ruth)
(Empty) – (Empty) – (Empty)
Damage: 3 – [Blue Rose Musketeer, Ernst] (F), [White Lily Musketeer, Cecilia] (F), [Freesia Musketeer, Rosalia] (U)
"Ride," Angus slid a new card onto the Vanguard circle, his arm moving like a gentle breeze. "White Clover Musketeer, Mia Reeta." [White Clover Musketeer, Mia Reeta – 11000 Power]
Back on the field, Antero's form was enveloped in an emerald glow before the light blossomed into the figure of a silver-and-bronze-clad warrior, her feminine form morphing to suit the image of Angus. He held up his rapier before his face, which glinted in the vibrant sunlight.
"I move Ruth back, and call Sylvia to the front," he declared. "Then I use Sylvia's skill to call Alain behind the Vanguard. Counter charge."
[Pansy Musketeer, Sylvia – 11000 Power]
[Gardenia Musketeer, Alain – 4000 Power]
"A critical trigger," Eric observed.
"If you think that's some horrific case of bad luck with no return, then you still have a ways to go," Angus smirked, turning over one of his cards. "Antero attacks Swordmy." [Rindo Gentian Musketeer, Antero – 9000 Power]
"No guard," Eric grimaced as the bejeweled leopard was cut down. No movement was wasted as the rapier danced in Antero's experienced hand. No stain was made as the weapon returned to its original, vertical position.
"Attack," turned his Vanguard over. "Alain boosts."
"No guard."
"Twin drive."
[Drive Check: Prunus Serrulata Musketeer, Tessa (No Trigger)]
[Drive Check: Freesia Musketeer, Rosalia (Critical Trigger)]
"It's almost surreal," Angus mused, as he readied his rapier. "Studies. Career prospects. Community projects. We've always been pit against each other in almost every aspect of our lives. And yet here we are, playing a game of Vanguard. Yet another competition," he dived forward, slicing through his opponent's Vanguard without falter as a bloodcurdling scream escaped Eric's lips. "But this time, there can only be one conclusion. Win or lose. We'll finally see who comes out on top."
[White Clover Musketeer, Mia Reeta – 11000 + 4000 = 15000 Power, Critical 2]
"Do we really have to make this a competition?" Eric asked as he took his damage. "Why can't it just be fun and games for once?"
[Damage Check: Jewel Knight, Swordmy (No Trigger)]
[Damage Check: Prevail Jewel Knight, Yvain (No Trigger)]
"Listen to yourself. Were you not paying attention at all?" his cousin asked incredulously. "Your Vanguard career's on the line. Your dad quite literally wants you to bring home trophies. The same goes for me."
"I know, but-"
"Eric. People like us, in this family," Angus said as the Sylvia to the side spun into the offensive. "We don't have a choice. We just fight on to satisfy our parents' expectations. We don't matter. The only thing that matters is that we win."
[Pansy Musketeer, Sylvia – 7000 + 7000 + 5000 = 19000 Power]
"You're wrong!" Eric snapped as two knights moved in front, intercepting the lethal blow, sparks flying as metal collided with metal. "I used to think that. But, ever since I started playing, the friend's I've made, the people I've met, they've helped me realize that maybe, I do matter. It's not just winning or losing or competition or strength. It's about the people who care about you and appreciate you for who you are!"
"Heh," Angus smirked. "Interesting. Turn end."
I do matter, Eric thought, as if to convince himself rather than to affirm his belief. I'll prove it to you, right here. Right now.
Angus
Hand: 6
(Rindo Gentian Musketeer, Antero) – (White Clover Musketeer, Mia Reeta) – (Pansy Musketeer, Sylvia)
(Empty) – (Gardenia Musketeer, Alain) – (Water Lily Musketeer, Ruth)
Damage: 3 – [Blue Rose Musketeer, Ernst] (F), [White Lily Musketeer, Cecilia] (F), [Freesia Musketeer, Rosalia] (U)
Eric
Hand: 3
(Empty) – (Blowing Jewel Knight, Altgaro) – (Empty)
(Stinging Jewel Knight, Shellie) – (Jewel Knight, Leizgal) – (Empty)
Damage: 4 – [Flashing Jewel Knight, Iseult] (F), [Flashing Jewel Knight, Iseult] (U), [Jewel Knight, Swordmy] (U), [Prevail Jewel Knight, Yvain] (U)
"Stand and draw. I ride Yvain." Eric glanced at his hand and field. There wasn't a lot to work with. His field building was definitely not as great as his cousin's, but the fight was definitely not over yet. He'd just have to overpower him with one final blow. "Illuminate the battlefield, Stride! Climax Jewel Knight Lord, Evangeline!" [Climax Jewel Knight Lord, Evangeline – 26000 Power]
"Call, Swordmy," he turned over a card in his damage zone. "And superior call Christine. With Christine's skill, I superior call Ashlei!"
In mere seconds his side of the field erupted in a fierce, blinding silver light. Once the fierce glow dissipated, what was once a decimated formation of knights was now transformed into a diamond-tough lineup as the troop filled its ranks one by one. With each new knight a new jewel was brought forth, and with each jewel, their swords sparkled ever brighter.
[Jewel Knight, Swordmy – 9000 Power][Calling Jewel Knight, Christine – 7000 + 3000 = 10000 Power][Pure Heart Jewel Knight, Ashlei – 11000 Power]
"Evangeline's skill," Eric stated as he flipped over another copy in his G zone. "During this turn, all Jewel Knight rearguards gain three-thousand for each face up copy of Evangeline in the G zone."
"So only three-thousand each," Angus yawned.
"With a boost from Shellie, Swordmy attacks!" [Jewel Knight, Swordmy – 9000 + 3000 + 7000 + 3000 = 22000 Power]
[Damage Check: Red Rose Musketeer, Antonio (No Trigger)]
The leopard charged forward, crashing into Mia Reeta like a rapid cannonball. Despite the force of the impact, the Musketeer managed to float delicately down after a somersault, bouncing off the ground with hand and back on his feet.
"Evangeline!" in his image of the battlefield, he spun his blade, its glittering radiance intensifying with each flick of his wrist. He looked around, glimpsing the battle-ready forms of his Crayan comrades. [Climax Jewel Knight Lord, Evangeline – 26000 + 5000 + 3000 = 34000 Power]
"Perfect guard," Angus sighed, holding up the aforementioned card.
It's not over yet, Eric thought. "Triple drive!"
[Drive Check: Flashing Jewel Knight, Iseult (No Trigger)]
[Drive Check: Straight Jewel Knight, Bartram (Critical Trigger)]
[Drive Check: Jewel Knight, Sacred Unicorn (Draw Trigger)]
"All effects to Ashlei! With a boost from Christine, attack!" [Pure Heart Jewel Knight, Ashlei – 11000 + 3000 + 10000 + 3000 + 5000 + 5000 = 37000 Power, Critical 2]
"Generation guard," Angus responded as a large, serpentine dragon emerged from the verdant earth. "Rain Breath's skill, I call Tatiana from my hand and he gains an additional five-thousand. I'll have Sylvia and Antero intercept as well." Ashlei, despite the immense power of her blade, was easily brushed aside by the creature's tail, smashing onto the ground like a fallen twig. [11000 + 20000 + 5000 + 5000 = 41000 Power]
"Well that was pathetic," Angus frowned. "I was hoping after all that bravado you'd at least put me on the ropes. But I guess that's my baby cousin for you."
"It's not over yet," Eric protested.
"Oh, but it is," he replied. "And I'll make you understand, just how inferior you are to me in every single way."
Eric
Hand: 5
(Jewel Knight, Swordmy) – (Prevail Jewel Knight, Yvain) – (Empty)
(Stinging Jewel Knight, Shellie) – (Jewel Knight, Leizgal) – (Calling Jewel Knight, Christine)
Damage: 4 – [Flashing Jewel Knight, Iseult] (F), [Flashing Jewel Knight, Iseult] (F), [Jewel Knight, Swordmy] (F), [Prevail Jewel Knight, Yvain] (U)
Angus
Hand: 2
(Empty) – (White Clover Musketeer, Mia Reeta) – (Empty)
(Empty) – (Gardenia Musketeer, Alain) – (Water Lily Musketeer, Ruth)
Damage: 4 – [Blue Rose Musketeer, Ernst] (F), [White Lily Musketeer, Cecilia] (F), [Freesia Musketeer, Rosalia] (U), [Red Rose Musketeer, Antonio] (U)
"You know, the interesting thing about plants," Angus said as he made a draw. "They look so delicate, so beautiful just sitting motionless on the earth. And yet, every second of every minute, ever hour of each day, it's a constant struggle to survive. Always growing, always reaching out for sunlight, some growing over others, burying them into oblivion to come out on top. To finally blossom."
"What's your point?" Eric asked.
"This world is harsh," Angus stated, moving Tatiana to the drop zone. "We have to be perfect if we want to survive. To be admired, loved. While I haven't forgotten that, it seems you clearly have."
Eric fell silent.
"You should be sparkling," Angus continued. "And yet here you are. Weak. Tainted far too much by filthy shadows. And that's why you will never be able to beat me. I'll carve you a grave buried by beautiful roses. Stride, Rubellum Lily Splendorous Musketeer, Myra!" [Rubellum Lily Splendorous Musketeer, Myra – 26000 Power]
"Myra's Generation Break," he stated, smiling. "During this turn, when I call a Musketeer, that unit gains power for each Musketeer rearguard I control until the end of the turn."
"Generation Break two…" Eric murmured. Then his eyes widened as he realized his grave error.
"I think you've figured it out, no?" his cousin smirked. "That final attack of yours was just an excuse for me to play a G guardian, so I can fulfill the requirements for this ability. And well, the alternative Stride cost wasn't too bad either."
He played me like a fool, Eric looked down, his breaths growing faster, the air coiling around him. It was suffocating.
"I call Tessa." [Prunus Serrulata Musketeer, Tessa – 9000 + 6000 = 15000 Power]
"Then I'll activate the Stride skill given to my Vanguard," Angus went on, swiping four cards off the top of his deck. "I superior call Mirkka and Ernst. Then I'll send Ernst back and call another Tessa. And because of Myra and Tessa's abilities combined, they all gain power."
[Dandelion Musketeer, Mirkka – 6000 + 3000 + 8000 + 4000 = 21000 Power]
[Prunus Serrulata Musketeer, Tessa – 9000 + 8000 + 4000 = 21000 Power]
[Prunus Serrulata Musketeer, Tessa – 15000 + 2000 + 2000 + 2000 = 21000 Power]
"You couldn't even compare to me in speed. And now I've far surpassed you in terms of power," Angus remarked. "Now that the perfect field has been set up, the right Tessa attacks with a boost from Ruth." [Prunus Serrulata Musketeer, Tessa – 21000 + 7000 = 28000 Power]
It wasn't really clear which came first, the sound of a musket firing or the burning surge that shot through Eric's Vanguard's thigh as he tried to evade, the hit quickly causing him to tumble onto the ground. Yvain attempted in vain to scramble back to his feet, never quite making it past the kneeling position.
[Damage Check: Pure Wind Jewel Knight, Kymbelinus (No Trigger)]
"And now it's my turn," his cousin flipped his Vanguard sideways. Myra's violet blade glinted under the sun's empowering rays as a spiral of lime green snaked its way around the weapon, covering it in a sinister flare.
"Perfect guard!" Eric retorted, as a crystalline barrier shot up to intercept the enemy captain's flurry of slashes.
"Triple drive."
[Drive Check: White Clover Musketeer, Mia Reeta (No Trigger)]
[Drive Check: White Lily Musketeer, Cecilia (No Trigger)]
As long as he doesn't get a trigger…I'll be safe. I can survive this.
"Third check."
[Drive Check: Blue Rose Musketeer, Ernst ( Trigger)]
"No…"
"Stand trigger, I give all of the effects to the rested Tessa," Angus stated. "A blue rose. The unattainable. A fitting end for one such as you. Tessa attacks once more."
"Guard, intercept!" [11000 + 10000 + 5000 + 5000 = 31000 Power]
"The strong prevail and the weak are cast aside. Your so-called friends are only with you for their own selfish reasons. As soon as you've exhausted your use, they'll toss you aside. Even that guy from down the street, what was his name again?"
"Shut up."
"Well, anyway, once you've exercised your use and pity factor, he'll toss you aside too. Without strength, you're trivia-"
"Shut up!" Eric screamed. Tears began to well up in his eyes as he gripped the table.
"The remaining Tessa will attack your Vanguard," Angus yawned.
Just as the three units were blown to motes by the right Tessa's bullets, the second one rushed through the resulting smoke, catching Yvain at point blank before he could lift himself up with his anchored sword. [Prunus Serrulata Musketeer, Tessa – 21000 + 21000 = 42000 Power]
"You don't matter," Angus repeated. "Because you've made a grave sin."
"I...I…"
And that was it. A single shot to the head, and Yvain crumpled onto the ground in defeat.
[Damage Check: Pure Heart Jewel Knight, Ashlei (No Trigger)]
As the sixth card fell into the damage zone, Eric felt his legs give way, and he fell to the floor. Tiny drops pattered onto the carpeted ground, staining the material wet.
"Angus, we're leaving!" came the voice of his cousin's father from downstairs.
Angus wasted no time gathering his cards together. "Well, that's my cue," he turned to Eric, who was still on the ground. "You're lucky this was just a casual match. Imagine if your parents saw you."
Eric didn't answer, though he twitched at the thought.
"You want to be loved right? Then get stronger. Start actually winning," Angus said as he opened the door. "Because in this family, weakness is a sin."
Then the door slammed shut.
And all Eric could think about were his cousin's last words.
Weakness is a sin.
And so the plot thickens~~
I swear, this chapter gave me so much anxiety with the execution and everything. Anywho, I hope you enjoy this very Eric-focused and emotionally heavy chapter. See you again next week~
