Sorry for the wait. I wasn't sure how exactly to approach this chapter, but I figured something out. And I just realized that without this chapter, the story had hit 7,000 words exactly. That's just a little thing that I found kind of amusing about this story that I wanted to share.


I was soon subjected to yet another lecture. However, rather than being about the Orichalcos and "cleansing the world", he finally got into telling me about what he expects of me in this new world order. My expectations would be high since I would have to take over for him one day. The whole thing was rather dull as I felt myself wanting to sleep. Not that he or Valon would let me, the latter of whom was recuperating from an injured arm.

After almost two hours, Dartz would soon remove me from sight. Knowing that Alister had returned with Raphael, he wanted to have a moment to talk with him one on one. So he had me hide behind a curtain along with Valon. I wasn't entirely sure why initially, but I went along with it to appease him.

Neither of us moved as we heard the door open. I then figured he had us hide to hear out the visitor. Raphael stated how he had successfully completed his mission. Something about capturing the soul of the pharaoh, which Dartz had periodically mentioned to me during several of his lectures. However, Dartz would soon mention how wrong Raphael was.

It was at that moment that Valon decided to come out, bringing me along with him. I didn't utter a word as Dartz continued to bash the blonde. My attention was drawn to the two kids that I assumed stowed away with Alister and Raphael. One was a brunette wearing a red beanie while the other had aqua hair and glasses. They appeared puzzled by my presence. I suppose I was an odd sight to them, as they seemed more familiar with Dartz's biker trio.

These kids next move would fell rather awkward to watch, at least from my perspective. Even Dartz appeared rather puzzled by the duo. The brunette making a comment about the location of their hideout while the other tried to talk his way into letting the two of them join.

Dartz decided to play along with these two's request, giving them a test. The test required them to grab stones that would activate their cards. The catch: if they failed, their souls would be taken away. We all just watch, and I soon learned that their names were Rex and Weevil.

They would eventually pass their little test and Raphael, Valon, and Alister led them to a room full of cards. Their complaint about not being able to use the Egyptian God cards were soon dashed when Alister made a comment about using their own decks. His remark worked, as Weevil's attitude quickly changed.

Dartz would give them their mission, which they took. However, Rex couldn't leave without giving one more remark.

"I don't get it." He admitted. "Why do you have such a scrawny kid hanging around? He doesn't really look like much of anything, let alone a duelist."

I honestly didn't take offense to it, having learned to take not only criticism, but general rudeness and bullying as well. I could not say the same for the others. Raphael and Alister shoot the brunette a glare. Valon had a look of both amusement and horror. Weevil delivered a smack to the back of the head. But the worst had to come from Dartz, who had an eerily suspicious face of indifference.

"Did you really just say that?" Valon questioned, with a puzzled laugh. "Towards Master Dartz's heir none the less?"

Rex's expression changed, instantly regretting his choice of words.

"You'd better get out of here now," Valon ordered, "before you end up getting fired right after you got hired. Quite swiftly if I might add."

The duo didn't need another moment to think about it, as they scurried out of the building. Their fear following after him.

"They don't know when to shut up, do they?" Alister stated. "The brunette especially."

"Agreed." Valon confirmed.

"It matters not." Dartz added. "So long as we get what we want. Now Alister, I need you to take Syrus back to his room. I'm done with him for the day, and he needs his rest."

"Understood."

Alister placed a hand behind my back, forcing me away from the others.


Fun Fact: Valon and Syrus got along on friendly terms due to Valon having a similar personality to Jaden. Now I doubt I'll keep this in this version, as I kind of want to focus on maybe Alister and Raphael remembering their own siblings through Syrus.

I feel like I should add, I plan to make this 13-15 chapters. I do feel like this story is a little more constricted plot wise. Unlike my story And It's All Because of You, where the story wasn't as closely tied to the season until the end, this one does connect with the season. The only reason I am giving this one a few extra chapters because I still have a few episodes to work with (not that they'll all get mentioned).