Chapter 9: The Dragon's Fang
"Oh my God...That's the President!" Reno yelped.
"It's safe to assume you're the President that Reno and Rude have mentioned in the past, correct?" Saphira asked.
"You have relations with some of my men?"
"Not in the way I'm certain you're thinking, you perverted bastard." Saphira snapped, showing him the two cards.
"You're a Duelist that's not on their side? Perhaps there's hope for this shattered world after all."
"Okay, let's get some questions answered now. Just who the hell are you? What exactly are you the President of? How do you know Reno and Rude?"
"My name is Rufus Shinra, President of Shinra Corporation. Reno and Rude are subordinates of mine." Rufus replied, keeping up his cool.
"Well, that basically makes you out to be a loaded man with an army who is somewhat of an asshole. Wonderful. Next set of questions. What the hell are you doing in this world? How did you get here? How did you learn about Dueling and all related concepts?"
Rufus sighed.
"My own curiosity. I saw some children playing a round of Duel Monsters, and became intrigued while listening to them. I couldn't just simply take their word for what they were saying. How could there be such things as cards that call out spirits from other realms for a game? Could I, as the President of Shinra, use this to my advantage somehow, in order to repay the debt I owe the world? I had to know more."
They sat down on some rocks.
"I ordered my men to find out more. When I discovered that there had been instances where humans had managed to venture to the spirits' worlds, I was even more sceptical. This was sounding more and more like complete bullshit to me every day."
"You seem like that kind of man. What changed your tune, eh?" Saphira demanded.
"An accident. I was determined to prove to people that the whole idea of the cards having spirits was nothing more than a load of bullshit. However, the group I had hired to assist me had an accident during one of my visits, well after Reno had seemingly disappeared, while I was being guarded by Tseng, Elena, and Rude. The four of us were swallowed into a portal and were separated from one another. It's good to know that two of my men are alive, but Elena is a klutz, and Tseng isn't one to really ask for help openly. They've come close to death twice. I don't know if they can cheat it again, considering how brutal and merciless the oppressors of this world are."
Reno materialized himself.
"So, basically, we don't know where the chief and Elena are, do we?" He asked, looking down.
"No, we don't." Rufus confirmed. Reno's face became even darker. He sat on a nearby rock.
"... I believe that those two will come out alive. They have the devil's luck." Rude added coldly.
"I hope you're right, partner…" Reno whispered. They added a few extra sleeping areas for the newcomers, and huddled in for the night. Soon enough, the dawn came, with Saphira rising to meet it. She began to survey the area before rousing the others, and soon came upon a horrifying scene. Reno materialized himself in a panic.
"Elena! The chief! That Zeke kid!"
Saphira picked up Zeke, Elena, and Tseng, dragging them back to the campsite with Reno's assistance. The noise slowly, but surely, roused the others. Yuna, Aeris, and Vanille got to work, treating the wounds of the wounded trio.
"Reno, get the others' attention. We aren't leaving here-not yet."
"Alright, got it!"
Reno sprinted off, following his master's orders. Tseng was the first to come to, and looked up towards his caretaker with his cold eyes.
"Those are awfully cold eyes to give to the person who helped save your ass." Saphira said, a taste of disapproval in her voice.
"You're not going to kill us?" Tseng asked, suspicion in his voice.
"Funny, your President had the same reaction upon learning I wasn't here to kill him. Tell me… Exactly who tried to kill you?"
"...They called themselves The Dragon's Fang. I imagine it's some sort of group, but what they want… their origins… we couldn't get any of that information before we were forced to flee."
"We have a name at least, right? It's a start…"
"I wish that we could've gotten more information, Elena."
"Your friend is right. A group name is a start. We can see if there are any resistant forces, and assist them. The Duel Monsters World isn't supposed to be like this."
Unbeknownst to them, a figure was prowling the area.
I will sacrifice anything if I will no longer be alone…
The cloaked figure looked towards Zeke.
Forgive me, Zeke Kazuya…
She began her descent towards the Duelist boy.
