Zak was certain that he'd be able to find more Numbers during the World Duel Carnival. Now armed with three Numbers and a fully functional Photon Gauntlet; he was ready for what was going to come at him. It was the day after his duel with Yuusuke and the day before the World Duel Carnival itself. It was now mid-afternoon and Zak was busy making last minute changes to his deck. He'd removed the Ring of Destruction which he'd found in there yesterday. As it turned out, the card had slipped in while he'd been modifying his deck beforehand. Zak didn't want to have to draw with other duelists again; he was in it to win it, so the trap card had been subsequently removed.

Zak had made sure that all of his gear was in check before leaving his home and locking the door. He'd hardly even seen his roommate at all during the few weeks after obtaining Number Thirteen and leading up to the World Duel Carnival. Now it was all set to begin the following day and Zak was certain that he was well and truly prepared for what lay in store for him. At least he hoped he was. But the worst that could happen was Kite happening, Zak thought. And if Kite came again, Zak was at least more prepared than he was. But even so, Kite meant business and Zak still harboured a fear of him.

Zak decided to head to his favourite place in the world: Heartland Hospital's rooftop. While he walked through Heartland under the afternoon sun, he thought about his self-assigned quest. It'd make sense that there'd be only or around 100 Numbers otherwise every single person would be possessed by one. Kite would obviously possess a fair few, but Zak wondered whether there were other Number Hunters out there like himself and Kite. The Numbers were strange and cruel cards; so someone would obviously be after them too. But why? That was the main question on Zak's mind. He himself was out to get them to save Heartland from them.

He didn't even know Kite's cause for hunting the dreaded cards down. Zak sighed; it was going to be a tough few days ahead, especially since he also wanted to get into the Finals too. He had to have fours duels for the Heart Pieces and a maximum of ninety-six for the remaining Numbers. Zak knew it wouldn't be that many all up, but it could very well be possible. Zak just hoped that it didn't come to that. All he wanted was a few short duels in which he came out on top and so the Number threat would then be removed from Heartland. And he had only three days to do all he could before the finals. No doubt the Numbers would be there too.

Zak strolled along in his black gear and armoured duel disk, receiving weird looks from half of whom he passed by. Most people assumed he was a costume-wearing duelist for the World Duel Carnival and Zak didn't mind. The sun was beginning to set and everyone who had been around setting up for the World Duel Carnival had all but left. It seemed that everyone was planning on an early night so they'd have plenty of rest to get set for the tournament tomorrow. The hospital wasn't too much of a fair distance from Zak's home; but it did mean a reasonable walk. During his stroll to his beginning of destiny; Zak had time to remember and reflect on the past few weeks and what had led up to where he was now.

Only four weeks ago was when all of this had begun. Only four weeks ago, Zak had found Number 13: Darkshine Dragon and had almost lost his soul. That was what had set him on this course. He did not have any wish for the same possible fate to befall other duelists at all. No one deserved to be possessed by darkness or to lose their soul. Two weeks after that, Zak had faced his first true Numbered opponent and had successfully won. That had resulted in his first Number Hunt and the obtaining of Number 50: Black Corn. And, only yesterday, Zak had faced an incredible duelist by the name of Yuusuke; who had also used a Synchro Monster. The duel had ended in a draw yet Zak had still obtained his third Number card; Number 93: Desolate. Not only had Zak retrieved a Number, but he'd also freed Yuusuke from the darkness of the Number and had made a friend in the process.

The doors of Heartland's hospital were open 24/7 so it was a simple task of entering the premises. Usually the Chief of Security would be standing guard somewhere nearby to try to tell Zak to buzz off whenever the latter approached, but he didn't seem to be around at the moment, which Zak found surprising. Zak guessed that the chief was probably attempting to change his deck so he'd be able to rematch Zak again to keep Zak off the roof. He'd attempted just that only a week ago when Zak had come up to the roof to clear his head. It hadn't gone the way the chief had planned and Zak had come out victorious. He hadn't been seen by Zak since. Zak lowered his hood and entered the elevator for the roof. The hospital was quite a tall structure, but the technology in Heartland was quite advanced; meaning that reaching the top only took roughly 20 seconds. The sun had set by the time Zak had reached the roof.

A sharp gust of cool wind blasted itself into Zak as he walked along the roof toward the edge. There were hospital beds off to one side of the elevator near the back of the roof. Zak sat atop the edge of the hospital roof and looked out into the thickening night. Tomorrow and the following few days were going to be tough and demanding. There was an uneasy feel of darkness floating around Heartland and Zak knew exactly where it was coming from. The Numbers were waiting too, they were anxious for duels with other Numbers. Zak could feel Number Thirteen feeling the same way; desperately holding out until it got to strike and destroy more of its kind. He pulled out all three of his dark Numbers and looked at them. These were Zak's weapons, but also his curses; and he was going to need their help to fight against them.

Ninety-Three. Fifty. Thirteen.

-END-