Time passed by as Zac wallowed in his defeat.

He'd never been a very confident person to begin with. To find out he had done his absolute best, believed in himself as much as he could have, only to be defeated in the end was just too much.

What would his friends think of him? Knowing them they would have undoubtedly won their own battles, regardless of who they were facing. Zac felt wracked with guilt for letting them down but then he frowned.

No. This is their fault too. They told me I could do it and that I was strong. Zac clenched his fist and closed his eyes tight. They were wrong. I don't owe them anything.

With that in mind, Zac stood up slowly and made his own way back home. He trudged through the evening streets on his own. His mobile started ringing. Zac checked the ID and saw it was Samual calling him. He answered the call.

"Zac? Where are you? Why didn't you meet us back at the shops?"

"I'm over it, Samual. I'm just not cut out to be a duellist. I'm leaving the tournament."

Samual could tell by the sound of Zac's voice that something was very wrong "What are you talking about? Where are you now?"

"I'm going home. I just want to be alone for a while. Please don't call me back." Zac hung up before Samual could say anything more.

The thought of continuing on in this game with them is just too much. I would only drag the two of them down.

Zac loved Duel Monsters but he just didn't have the necessary skill that his friends had. Or that Carson had...

Zac's mood worsened as he thought about the amazingly talented white-haired teen he'd duelled seemingly only moments before. Zac had been worried that his opponent may have been a step ahead during the whole duel, but it turns out he was ten steps ahead and could have ended that game at any time.

He'd only been toying with Zac. It's because I'm not even good enough for him to have taken me even remotely seriously. Zac reached his house and it was late evening, the sun casting everything in yellow. He opened the door and meant to travel to his room but Kurisu was standing in the kitchen.

"I see you've returned."

Zac looked down sadly.

"Samual called. Told me that he was afraid something bad had happened to you and that you didn't want to talk to anyone. Both of your friends worry about you."

"I want to quit the tournament, Kurisu." Zac told him quietly.

Kurisu stared in shock and then his face died down to a sad understanding.

"Is this because you lost a game?"

"I didn't just lose a game! I realised something."

"Like what? That you're not cut out for Duel Monsters?" Zac just nodded solemnly. Kurisu sighed, then his expression hardened.

"You've loved that game since you could barely walk."

"That doesn't mean-"

"You do love it, don't you?" Zac didn't answer, he didn't need to. "If you love the game then that means it's already in your heart."

Zac stared at his guardian questioningly.

"If that game is in your heart, then you are already good at it."

"How does that work?"

"Since you love it so much, and it's inside your heart, you'll get better. Every time we lose we come back stronger. Our defeats allow us to improve ourselves."

"You don't know what happened. It was my ultimate defeat."

The smirk of the mocking white-haired teen flashed into Zac's mind again: Isn't it obvious? I was playing with you this entire time. Also, I wanted to crush your hopes completely. I wanted you to understand that despite all your efforts it was pointless. I wanted to deliver to you the ultimate defeat.

"Ultimate defeat, huh?" Kurisu closed his eyes and a smile formed on his lips. He opened them wide. "Even better! That means the climb back up will be all the more worth it, and when you do reach the top all the way from the bottom everyone can see that it was a much more impressive climb!"

Zac stared, amazed. He still wasn't too sure though. About what Chris said, the game and of himself.

"It's okay if you still want to mull it over. If by tomorrow you still don't feel like competing in the tournament I won't force you. You should still have a serious think about it. I know, and you must also know that Duel Monsters has always been your love and dream."

Zac walked past him "Thanks Chris. I promise I'll think about it."

Chris stared in concern as Zac made his way up the stairs and to his room. Zac closed the door behind him and collapsed onto his bed. He lay there for a while. Thinking and uncertain. Coming to no conclusion on his own, Zac decided to go to sleep and hope that the answer would come to him when he awoke.


Meanwhile in a dark cavern, a mysterious group of cloaked individuals convened by candlelight.

"Fascinating. Truly fascinating." A dark character concealed in the shadows, hidden by a black hood that concealed their face, addressed the small mass of cloaked Akutenshi "To think there were duellists out there who'd never been in a tournament before that were strong enough to defeat Kouzan and Asaju."

The candlelight flickered and the faces of the two defeated Akutenshi could be seen under their hoods.

Kouzan grit his teeth, thinking of his humiliating defeat against the young red-haired boy. Asaju remained emotionless as the leader continued to lecture the group.

"I founded the Akutenshi to weed out the weakling duellists. It seems this upcoming tournament may have attracted the individuals with the power I need."

In the dull light a wicked smile could be seen forming on the face of the Akutenshi's leader. They grasped unconsciously for the golden millennium bracelet attached to their wrist.

"I shall continue to test these skilled individuals. If they can defeat the twins then they are perfect candidates for my plan."

In the darkness two other cloaked figures could be seen smiling in anticipation for their coming battle.


AN: I sense another duel is on its way. The tournament will be starting soon. What will Zac's decision be? Who are the twins of the Akutenshi? Most importantly, who is this mysterious leader who possesses a millennium item and is plotting behind the shadows? Only time will tell...