All right, finally got this chapter done! Enjoy and review!
Asuka had beaten up every last Prophet Follower that had dared to cross paths with her. The fact that she managed to do this alone baffled Kokoro and Sophie while Lilith... seemed very impressed.
"Never take me on in a straight up fight." Asuka said to the unconscious followers.
Asuka then tread over their beaten bodies and the other girls followed her, only they actually tried to sidestep the bodies. Sophie couldn't help but look back where they came occasionally.
*... I hope Dad's okay...* Sophie thought with a look of worry on her face.
Eve, Shroud, Aura and Jeremy continued walking their assigned corridor. They have yet to encounter anyone in the Prophets or the Arcana.
"I'm curious." Jeremy spoke up. "What exactly have you kids gotten yourselves into?"
"You'll have to ask Spiral." Shroud responded. "He's the one whom was responsible for taking in his daughter and yours."
"And it would be safe to assume that his daughter is from the future as well?" Jeremy guessed.
"You're right on the nose." Eve confirmed. "The Arcana wanted to capture your daughter and kill her because she supposedly bears the mark of the Fool, the number 0. If it weren't for Spiral's daughter, Sophie probably wouldn't even be alive right now."
"Then I'll have to thank her and Spiral when we meet again." Jeremy said.
"Why would you need to thank Spiral?" Shroud questioned. "It was his daughter that rescued yours."
"That's exactly why." Jeremy said. "It shows just how well he'll raise her. Aura, you haven't spoken a word yet. Is something the matter?"
"N-no..." Aura stuttered a response. "I... I'm fine."
Jeremy found the response to be somewhat suspicious, but he knew that it was pointless do pry about it any deeper so he remained silent and the group continue walking down the hallway.
Sophie, Asuka, Kokoro and Lilith continued forward until a figure with a white cloak appeared in front of them.
"You want some, too?" Asuka asked, cracking her knuckles.
"... That is very unbecoming of a woman." The figure said. Based on the voice, they could clearly tell that the figure was a man. "You need to learn your place in this world." The man removed his hood and revealed a man in his 50s, his hairs a little bit grey. His left sleeve revealed a Duel Disk on his left arm. "I am Arcana Number V Adamthe Hierophant. Now which of you will be my first opponent?"
"Bring it on, old man!" Asuka responded with a cocky smirk. "You girls go on ahead while I take care of this guy."
"Remember, Asuka. Don't lose." Lilith reminded.
Sophie, Kokoro and Lilith all ran past Adam and continued to make their way through.
"Let's go!" Asuka activated her Duel Disk and Duel Gazer.
Adam (LP 4000) Asuka (LP 4000)
"Since you're a lady, you may have the first move." Adam said.
"Don't give me that chivalrous crap!" Asuka shouted. "You go first!"
"... Very well then." Adam said as he drew his first card. "I summon Garoth, Lightsworn Warrior (Lv.4 1850/1300) in attack mode. I end my turn by placing one card face-down."
"My turn!" Asuka drew her first card. "I summon Aquaria the Musician (Lv.3 1500/800)!"
A form of water shaped to look like it was holding a guitar appeared on Asuka's side of the field.
"Since I summoned the Musician while I don't control any other Water cards, I can Special Summon an Aquaria monster from my hand!" Asuka stated. "I'm going to summon Aquaria the Sniper (Lv.3 900/100)!"
Another form of water shaped to look like a person holding a sniper rifle appeared on Asuka's side of the field.
"And thanks to my Sniper, she can attack you directly!" Asuka declared her attack.
Aquaria the Sniper fired a water bullet at Adam, inflicting him with 900 points of damage.
Adam (LP 3100) Asuka (LP 4000)
"Next I activate the Quickplay Spell from my hand Adrenaline Xyz!" Asuka continued. "This allows me to Xyz Summon during my Battle Phase! Now I overlay my Level 3 Musician and Sniper to Xyz Summon Aquaria the Aural Brawler (Rank 3 2100/1700)!"
Out of the overlay network appeared a form of water shaped to look like it had spiked fists and a strange ripple in the center of its body.
"Aural Brawler, attack his Lightsworn Warrior!" Asuka continued.
Aural Brawler punched Lightsworn Warrior and destroyed him, inflicting Adam with 250 more points of damage.
Adam (LP 2850) Asuka (LP 4000)
"Before I end my turn, I activate Aural Brawler's special ability!" Asuka said. "Once a turn, I can detach one of her Xyz Materials so I can summon Water card from my hand and increase its attack power by 400! I'm summoning Aquaria the Knight (Lv.4 1900/1200)!"
Another form of water with its body shaped to look like armor except for its head, which had what appeared to be long hair, so it was probably a woman.
"I place one card face-down and end my turn!" Asuka finished.
Adam drew his next card. "I summon Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner (Lv.3 1000/1000). Now I discard a card from my hand so Lumina can bring back a Level 4 or lower Lightsworn monster from my Graveyard. Rise once more, Garoth, Lightsworn Warrior. Next I activate the Spell Card Solar Recharge. By discarding a Lightsworn monster from my hand, I can draw 2 cards, but then I send the next two cards to the Graveyard. Since one of the cards sent from my Deck to the Graveyard was Wulf, Lightsworn Beast (Lv.4 2100/300), I can Special Summon him to the field. I now equip Lumina with the Synchro Boost Equip Spell to increase her Level by 1 and her attack and defense by 500. Next I overlay Level 4 Lumina, Garoth and Wulf to Xyz Summon Priest of the Light Dominion (Rank 4 2700/1400)!"
A priest with white and golden robes carrying a golden tome appeared on the field.
"My Priest, attack her… 'knight'." Adam declared his attack.
A holy light shined on Aquaria the Knight and she was destroyed, inflicting Asuka with 400 points of damage.
Adam (LP 2850) Asuka (LP 3600)
"When my Priest destroys a monster in battle, he can detach one of his Xyz Materials to inflict you with damage equal to half of the destroyed monster's attack points." Adam stated.
Another holy light appeared above Asuka and appeared to inflict much pain on her as well as 1150 points of damage.
Adam (LP 2850) Asuka (LP 2450)
"I activate the Trap Card Aquatic Mirror!" Asuka reacted. "When I take damage from a card effect, you're inflicted with that damage as well!"
A stream of water rushed toward Adam and inflicted him with 1150 points of damage.
Adam (LP 1700) Asuka (LP 2450)
"I should also point out that my Priest can attack twice each turn." Adam added. "Attack her other monster now."
A holy light appeared above Aquaria the Aural Brawler and destroyed her, inflicting Asuka with 600 points of damage.
Adam (LP 1700) Asuka (LP 1850)
"Now it's time to detach another of my Priest's Xyz Materials so he can inflict you with more damage."
Asuka was once again inflicted with pain and 1050 points of damage by the holy light.
Adam (LP 1700) Asuka (LP 800)
"I end my turn." Adam said. "You should know your place, woman. Your unruly behavior is most unbecoming of a young woman such as yourself."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?!" Asuka asked.
"As the Hierophant, I oversee that all adhere to societal norms." Adam replied. "I have no qualms with women having more rights and opportunities, but that doesn't mean a lady should act like a brute. A lady should be classy and gentle."
"That's bullshit!" Asuka shouted. "It's guys like you that I hate the most! Guys that think of women nothing more than pretty faces to ogle and screw! I used to think all men were like that… until I met them… They actually agreed with me and acknowledged that they weren't any different from them. That's not something a lot of guys will admit… And…"
(Begin Flashback)
In the girls' locker room, Asuka and Kokoro were changing into their PE uniforms which, unlike most other Japanese schools, consisted of blue gym shorts.
"Asuka, there's something about you that's been bothering me for some time now." Kokoro expressed.
"What is that exactly?" Asuka asked.
"Well, my Arcana power allows me to sense feelings in one's heart, you know?" Kokoro said.
"What's your point?"
"How come whenever you're near Spiral, your heart feels lighter?"
"… What does that mean?"
"Usually, when a person's heart feels light, it's a sign of…" Kokoro then let out a sigh. "Screw it. Do you like Spiral?"
"W-wait, where would you come up with that? Maybe I just think Spiral is fun to be around."
(End Flashback)
*That was somewhat of a lie.* Asuka thought. *I do think Spiral is fun to be around, but… deep down I knew I liked him. No, I loved him. He never cared if someone had bad manners or how annoying they can be as long as they were a good person. I always thought that men only cared about looks, but he proved me wrong. He changed my entire way of thinking with merely one meeting. It was weird that I felt that way about a guy for the first time in my life. My only regret is that I have yet to tell him how I feel… but it's too late. Even if I did, it would only complicate his situation with the others. I couldn't bear to do that to him. But… he did teach me that…*
"It's okay to be me." Asuka smirked and drew her next card. "First I activate Pot of Greed to draw two more cards! Since I don't have any monsters on my field, I can Special Summon Aquaria the Hunter (Lv.5 2000/900) from my hand!"
A form of water shaped to look like it was carrying a bow and arrow appeared on the field.
"And since there's a Water card in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon from my hand Aquaria the Reaper (Lv.5 2300/1300)!"
Another form of water shaped to look like it was carrying a scythe appeared on the field.
"Lastly, since I control a Water card, I can Normal Summon Aquaria the Paladin (Lv.6 2500/1000) without a Tribute!"
A third form of water designed to look like an armored knight carrying a shield and long sword appeared on the field.
"Next I activate my Paladin's special ability! Each turn, I can change his Level anywhere between 1 and 6! I'm choosing 5! Now I overlay my Level 5 Hunter, Reaper and Paladin to Xyz Summon Marin (Rank 5 3500/1800)!"
Out of the overlay network appeared a beautiful woman wearing a blue dress with many azure veils wrapping themselves around her arms.
"Marin, attack that Priest now!"
One of the azure veils elongated and wrapped itself around Adam's Priest. Streams of water enveloped and wrapped around the Priest like a snake until the Priest was destroyed, inflicting 800 points of damage to Adam.
Adam (LP 900) Asuka (LP 800)
"Now it's time for her special ability!" Asuka continued. "I can detach one of her Xyz Materials to inflict you with 1000 points of damage for each Water card I control! Since Marin is the only one, you take 1000 points of damage!"
Another stream of water wrapped itself around Adam and ensnared him, reducing his Life Points to 0.
Adam (LP 0) Asuka (LP 800)
Adam fell to the floor, completely drenched from the Duel.
"… I can't believe… that a woman could beat me…" Adam groaned.
"That's what you get for underestimating us." Asuka glared down at him.
"Heh, it was my own hubris that got the better of me…" Adam lightly chuckled. "Go on ahead and meet with your comrades… I cannot stop you anymore…"
Adam's body disintegrated into nothingness, leaving Asuka alone in the hallway.
"… I better catch up with Sophie and the others." Asuka said to herself. "I just hope they're all okay."
Asuka ran down the corridor in search of her friends.
Meanwhile, in another room, Morgan was watching Kokoro's group running down one of the corridors on a video monitor.
"That's right, walk right into my trap." Morgan grinned. "Soon you will pay the price for deserting us. Isn't that right, Naoto?"
Morgan looked over to Naoto, whom was just standing nearby with a blank expression on his face and in his eyes.
English Voice Cast
Caitlin Glass Asuka
Cassandra Lee Sophie
J. B. Blanc Adam
Maxey Whitehead Shroud
Luci Christian Eve
J. Michael Tatum Jeremy
Alexis Tipton Aura
Karen Strassman Kokoro
Cherami Leigh Lilith
Stephanie Young Morgan
Preview
Kokoro: What has Morgan done to Naoto?
Eve: 'What's happened to him'?! What's happened to this girl I'm going to fight! She's more hopped up than Shroud was when he accidentally ate that pixie stick!
Shroud: That was not a good day for me.
Eve: Next time on Arcana of Fate! The Lovers & The Chariot!
Shroud: Do you think we should tell the readers where everyone else is?
Eve: Not yet, and don't spoil anything!
Asuka's Cards
Aquaria the Musician
Aqua/Effect (ATK 1500 DEF 800)
Level 3/WATER
When this card is Normal Summoned while you control no other WATER monsters; You can Special Summon 1 "Aquaria" monster from your hand.
Aquaria the Sniper
Aqua/Effect (ATK 900 DEF 100)
Level 3/WATER
This card can attack your opponent directly.
Adrenaline Xyz
Spell/Quickplay
Activate only during the Battle Phase. Xyz Summon 1 Xyz Monster. (You must have the appropriate Xyz Material Monsters on your side of the field.)
Aquaria the Aural Brawler
Aqua/Xyz/Effect (ATK 2100 DEF 1700)
Rank 3/WATER
2 Level 3 WATER Monsters
Once per turn; You can detach 1 Xyz Material Monster from this card: Special Summon 1 WATER monster from your hand, and if you do, increase its ATK by 400.
Aquaria the Knight
Aqua/Effect (ATK 1900 DEF 1200)
Level 4/WATER
As long as this card remains face-up on the field: Your opponent cannot select another WATER monster you control as an attack target.
Aquatic Mirror
Trap
Activate when you take damage from a card effect. Inflict damage to your opponent equal to the damage inflicted to the controller of this card.
Aquaria the Hunter
Aqua/Effect (ATK 2000 DEF 900)
Level 5/WATER
If you control no monsters; You can Special Summon this card from your hand.
Aquaria the Reaper
Aqua/Effect (ATK 2300 DEF 1300)
Level 5/WATER
If there is a WATER monster in your Graveyard; You can Special Summon this card from your hand.
Aquaria the Paladin
Aqua/Effect (ATK 2500 DEF 1000)
Level 6/WATER
If you control a WATER monster; You can Normal Summon this card without a Tribute. Once per turn: You can declare a Level between 1 and 6; this card's Level becomes that Level until the End Phase.
Marin
Aqua/Xyz/Effect (ATK 3500 DEF 1800)
Rank 5/WATER
3 Level 5 Monsters
As long as this card remains face-up on the field: Your opponent cannot be selected as a target (either by battle or by card effect). Once per turn; You can detach 1 Xyz Material Monster from this card, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to the number of WATER monsters you control x1000.
Priest of the Light Dominion
Spellcaster/Xyz/Effect (ATK 2700 DEF 1400)
Rank 4/LIGHT
3 Level 4 LIGHT Monsters
This card can attack twice per turn. When this card destroys a monster as a result of battle; You can detach 1 Xyz Material Monster from this card, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to half of the ATK of the destroyed monster.