"Take a step back Chazz"
Zane stands confidently behind Chazz, a piercing gaze in his eyes. "You wouldn't want Dr Crowler finding out you're bullying the tournament winner because you're a sour loser."
"I…What are you talking about Zane?! I was just telling her to get on her way, otherwise she'd be late for marked duels!" Chazz remarks grumpily.
"Of course." Zane replies, eyes narrowing. "Come on Azure, let's go and get some food." I nod and stand, following behind, giving Chazz a sharp look for good measure. We walk along the deserted path, and once out of sight Zane curls his arm around my waist.
"Was that the boy Jaden won against? In the tournament?" I ask, and he nods.
"I'd try and stay clear of him. He gets his wins through powerful cards his family pays for, probably what got him into obelisk." Zane comments.
"Alexis told me about him. Oh well, not much can be done then." I say. "Oh, actually I told Hunter about us this morning." Zane tilts his head towards me.
"And?"
"Well, he was good with it… I think. Though he may go to speak with you at the marked duels to… er… make sure you aren't… er…" I struggle to phrase it politely and he chuckles.
"I get it. Come on, I'm going to make sure you're on time for these duels." He says, and we separate as the cafeteria comes in sight.
"Azure!" Alexis calls my name, and I turn my head. "You'll never guess who your opponent is!"
"What do you mean? Please tell me it's not Jaden." I plead, and she shakes her head.
"No, but its Chazz Princeton. The snob idiot I told you about?" Alexis says and I scowl lightly.
"Yeah. I met him this morning actually. Lovely bloke." I add, sarcasm dripping through my voice. "Well, I guess I'll just have to win then. He plays XYZ doesn't he?"
"Yeah… but he may have others, he has loads of decks." Alexis says doubtfully, and I bite my lip.
"I'll just have to see how it goes then." I mumble, before Alexis sits down next to me. The first duels pass rather quickly, and I see Bastian and Jaden win theirs. My eyes catch Zane watching at the top railing as usual, and I search for any sign of Hunter. None for now, why am I nervous?
"Azure Roarke and Chazz Princeton, area 2" I hear my name and stand, and as I make my way to area 2 I lock eyes with Chazz as he does the same.
"Let's duel!"
"My turn, I summon Chthonian Warrior in attack mode (1200/1400), and place one face down. Try getting past this!" Chazz starts as I look over my cards.
"Alright, I summon Water Shadow Hunter (1600/1400) in attack mode, and activate its effect, allowing me to gain the attack points of a monster as life points once a turn." My life points rise to 5600. I wasn't expecting the chthonian cards, but I've played them before and I think I remember damage being inflicted on me as well if destroyed in battle. So, I need to find another course of action. Water shadow hunter has higher attack points than his soldier, so I can afford to wait a turn to try and figure out a strategy. Maybe…
"I also summon shadow thief (1200/400) in attack mode. I end my turn." I don't have any useful traps for defence, so I'll have to rely on Shadow thief's ability.
"Too easy!" Chazz laughs and I harden my stance. "I use the spell inferno reckless summon, which allows us both to summon all the monsters from our hand deck and graveyard the same as the ones already on the field." I narrow my eyes, but two more shadow thieves are summoned onto my field.
"Now I equip chthonian alliance which adds 800 attack points to one of my soldiers for each monster on the field bearing the same name." Chazz says smug, and one soldier out of three goes up to 3600 attack points. Of course. It's a very reliable strategy.
"Now Chthonian soldier attack Shadow thief!" Chazz says, and I'm surprised.
"I activate Shadow thief's special ability, which switches your monster's attack points with my monster's attack points." I say evenly. Rather predictable. Chthonian soldier is destroyed, but we both take the damage of 2400 life points. Chazz sends a glare straight at me, and I just shift through my cards. Damn it I forgot to use Water Shadow Hunter's special effect last turn.
"You got lucky I guess. I end my turn."
"Great. I draw. I activate Water Shadow Hunter's special effect once more and lets me gain 1600 life points." My life points rise to 4800. This isn't great. I have two polymerisations in my hand, and I just drew a negate attack. Not terrible, but I need something I can use now. Not to forget his face-down. I can at least set some of it.
"I place two face-down and end my turn." I say, and he looks at me weirdly.
"If you say so. I tribute one chthonian soldier to summon Chthonian Emperor Dragon(2400/1500)! Now Chthonian Emperor Dragon attack Water Shadow Hunter!" At least he learnt.
"I activate negate attack." I reply easily, and the attack stops.
"Haha unlucky for you-" Chazz starts.
"Chthonian Emperor Dragon can attack twice in the same battle phase. Yes?" I finish for him, and he snarls.
"Yes, so say goodbye to your lifepoints! Emperor Dragon attack Water Shadow Hunter!" Chazz orders, and my monster is destroyed and my life points decrease to 2400. He still has 1600 though, so I'm not too worried.
"Okay, I draw!" Yes, finally! "I summon Fire Shadow Hunter onto the field, and activate Call of the Haunted to bring Water Shadow Hunter back to the field. Now I activate Polymerisation to summon Shadow Prince Azarias(2500/1500)." 100 more attack points than you.
"Now Azarias, attack Chthonian Emperor Dragon." Chazz takes 100 points of damage as his dragon is destroyed.
"Huh, lucky draw you punk!" Chazz snarls and I smile.
"I guess so. I activate the spell shadow freeze, which if a level 5 or higher monster has been destroyed this turn, allows me to take a direct attack on you. Funny how things turn out. Azarias?" I say confidently. I can't believe I'm actually able to use this card! I don't think I've ever been able to before, so I thought it was dead weight when I drew it first. I guess even small things can surprise you.
Chazz' life points go from 1500 to 0, and I grin as I am declared the winner. I walk across the field and hesitate slightly at the sight of his scowl.
"Well played. That was a brilliant duel, that combo of inferno reckless summon and chthonian alliance was brilliant." I say holding my hand out. He looks at me sceptically before glaring harder and turns his back and I sigh. Well there goes trying to be nice.
"Az! Great duel as usual!" Jasmine and Mindy shout to me from over the railings and I wave.
"Thanks guys! Jazz you did brilliantly as well, and I'm sure you'll win as well Mindy." I say lightly.
"Well thanks but you're amazing out there! Like a completely different person!" Jazz laughs, and I smile.
"Anyway, let's watch the rest of the duels." I say shyly, before sitting down next to them.
In the afternoon it's back to classes, and I find the caffeine in me starting to dwindle as Dr Crowler's voice begins to slur. Luckily, he doesn't ask me any questions, and I'll have to ask Alexis if he was saying anything important later.
The class ends and I make my way out to see my brother standing and by the looks of it, waiting for me.
"Hunt?" I say, and he smiles.
"Come take a walk with me Az." He says smiling wickedly, and I immediately put my guard up. That face is never good. However I follow him out and we start walking to the library.
"So, Zane." Hunter says and I mentally hit myself for forgetting about that.
"Yes, Zane." I agree. "What about him?"
"I don't know. I didn't think he'd be your type." Hunter says looking away with mirth in his voice.
"Well then what did you think would be my type? What makes you thinks you'd know?" I answer snappily.
"Well for one your just so adorable and cute-" I pout then scowl at his words "- and I'd thought you'd also go for someone bright and innocent- not an upperclassman with that air of… what is it?"
"Well I like him." I whinge. "So don't try and force your ideals on me." He laughs loudly.
"Of course, I wouldn't dream of it. He seems like a perfectly good bloke. I spoke to Tom though, he says Zane hasn't really dated before either." Hunter says.
"Shouldn't that be a good thing?" I ask honestly.
"Well yes, but, I don't know he seemed to really like you as well." Hunter says cleanly and I blink before blushing and looking away.
"Oh."
Hunter laughs and turns to face me.
"Don't worry Az I'm only teasing. I've got my next assignment. It starts next week in South Africa, so I was thinking I'd go visit mum beforehand." He tells me and I nod.
"When are you thinking of leaving?" I ask. "You've spent enough time here, so don't worry about leaving, I'm sure mum needs the company." I say and he nods.
"I was thinking tomorrow. I'll send her your love. And Tom's." He replies.
"Okay. I'll come see you off tomorrow." I say before waving goodbye as I run into the library.
I pick up a book on banned and regulated cards and head over to the comfy sofa in the corner I've grown a liking of. It's out of the way and on its own so no one can distract me, and you can't even see it unless you go to the non-fiction non-duelling aisle, which no one goes to.
After getting through the first couple of chapters I'm completely absorbed in the book, my legs folded onto the second cushion. So absorbed that I barely notice my feet being lifted up and someone sitting right next to me.
I look up abruptly and realise its Zane sitting next to me, his own book in hand. I can just read the cover, it's on specialised rare decks. I guess he's really researching on any future opponents.
"I've read that one, it's pretty good, I think you'll enjoy it." He says gently, looking at me.
"I am enjoying it." I agree, not knowing what else to say. "Hunter said he talked to you. He didn't do anything crazy?"
Zane chuckles. "No. Though there was the passive aggressive threat, but I expected that." I blink slowly, not really catching his meaning.
"He told me not to hurt you, which I have no plans on doing so." He says with a smile as a blush rises to my cheeks. He shifts slightly closer before kissing me lightly, then moving back to read.
When I think over an hour has past, and my legs are neatly snuggled against Zane's midsection as I'm almost finishing the short book. All of a sudden there's a crash coming from somewhere near the entrance, and both Zane and I are pulled from our reading.
"Sorry about that! I really didn't see it!" Jaden's voice is unmistakeable, and I shake my head. Those boys.
"Yes we're really sorry!" And Syrus. I'm pleased to note Zane no longer stiffens at his voice.
"Come on Sy, we should look up tag team strategies! I'm not really one for books but I barely know anything other than we have to work together! This way!" I from as I hear them getting closer to us and nervously remove my legs from the sofa as they come into view.
"You're in the non-fiction non-duelling aisle Jaden." I say helpfully, and he smiles as he sees us.
"Azure! And Zane! Wow, its great meeting you actually, would you happen to know any good tag team strategy books?" He asks scratching the back of his head. Sy appears beside him.
"Aisle 3 I think. Though none I've read have been particularly useful…" I trail off and look to Zane.
"… Aisle 3, under Orlando Reich. Tales of the Two. It has some good strategies including some special ones adapted from pros like the paradox brothers." He says, his gaze piercing as Sy looks around nervously.
"Thanks Zane! Are you two both reading? Haven't you had dinner yet?" Jaden asks. All about food, of course.
"No, I came here straight after class." I say absentmindedly, before looking at my watch. Holy shit it's already 8! It'll be curfew in a couple of hours.
"You haven't eaten?" Zane asks and I shake my head looking to him, and notice his wary gaze. "Come on, let's go, you need to have some food."
I'm surprised as he stands up and takes my book, checking the page number before shutting it and walking over to the loaning sheets. I fumble my way off the sofa and give a quick wave to Jaden rushing to aisle 3 and Sy watching us warily.
"You don't have to come with me, I mean if you have things to do, I mean if we're seen together people would jump to conclusions-" I mumble biting my lip. We've never been out like this on our own, I'm not sure how to act.
"Azure, relax. Maybe your crazy brother's gotten to me. I'm starting not to mind being seen with you." He says, wrapping his arm around me.
"Oh, okay." I mumble, silenced by the contact. "I guess we have been… er… together? For a while now…" I ramble nervously. How do I even put this?
"A while? Az, we've been meeting at the lighthouse for a few months, and dating for 2." He says, putting a slight emphasis on dating with makes my stomach wiz.
"…It's been longer than I thought." I say. He nods.
"What I'm trying to say is, perhaps I still want to date you privately, I wouldn't care if people saw us together either." I stay quiet as a blush blooms in my cheeks, before I speak again.
"By the way, Syrus' duel is tomorrow. How do you think they'll do?" I ask.
"…" For a long moment, I think he hasn't heard me, or just won't answer, before in perhaps the softest voice I've heard, "…I'm worried. I don't trust Crowler with my brother's chances of staying."
I curl myself into him even more, and let my lips brush against his neck. "I'm confident they'll be fine." I tell him, lying slightly. "Remember who he's with. Jaden's not easily trifled with. And I'm sure he'd never let himself lose a duel with expulsion on the line. They'll do amazing."
His eyes tilt down to mine as a light smile traces his lips as we get to the cafeteria. He uncurls his arm from around me as we enter.
The next morning as classes start, my heart feels reminiscent as Hunter is no longer on the island. Words, questions, and answers float around me in the class, and before I know it it's over.
"Hey Az! You're looking down, what's happened since yesterday in the library?" Jaden's uplifting voice stops me as I leave.
"Hey Jaden, Hunter left this morning, nothing crazy. You seem in a good mood, considering your tag-team duel is coming up later today." I answer, a smile coming to my face.
"Ah, that's a pity, he was pretty cool! And yeah, but me and Syrus are gonna do brill! That book we got yesterday gave us some last minute tips as well!" Jaden carries on.
"I'm glad. I hope it goes well, I mean, I don't think I'd be anywhere near as happy here without you and Sy." I say truthfully. Though Zane may really take a hit, although I can never be completely sure where he stands with Syrus.
"Well thanks Az! Gotta dash, me and Sy are gonna cram before the duel this afternoon!" Jaden says, waving.
"Sure, you do that!" I reply, waving as I head in the other direction.
Later that day, as I head into the duel arena and put myself next to Alexis.
"I guess today's the day." I say to her, and she nods.
"I can't believe there in this mess. I should be duelling up there too, but Crowler's stupid hierarchy…" Alexis agrees frustrated. "Did you hear? Apparently Crowler's got in some trained professionals for them to duel! With loads of experience against the best!"
"What?" I exclaim. Crowler can't do that! He's basically dooming them, though I guess he would. "No way! Jaden and Sy have improved a lot together, but not that much." I say in disbelief.
"Exactly what I was thinking. Plus, I still don't think Syrus is confident enough. I mean one duel between Jaden and Zane isn't going to fix everything. Speaking of which, I thought Zane would come to watch. I'm almost disappointed, if I didn't know how much difference there is between those two." Alexis says.
"I agree, but I'm sure he'll come." I say, but Alexis shakes her head.
"There's 20 minutes until the duel is scheduled to start now, and one of Zane's friends told me he was going to be researching in the library for the rest of the day." Alexis says, and my eyes widen. "I'd go and get him, but it's not like anyone could ever convince him to change his mind about anything."
I stare at the ground, thinking. I know Zane's worried about Syrus, he's told me himself, and I know he wasn't lying.
"I'll be two secs." I say lightly, and try to walk/run/sprint my way to the library without drawing attention. As soon as I'm out of the arena however, I start running to the library, knowing it will take me at least 5 minutes to get there, and hopefully less than ten to convince him to come. I pass Bastian with a smile, cursing the uniform for the skirt once more, before I arrive at the Library.
As I walk in I search in a hurry, looking for any sign-
In a corner of the computers, back facing me, books sprawled out, computer whizzing with information, sits Zane. From a distance I'd think exactly what any would, he was studying, hard, and didn't want to be disturbed. But as I moved closer I noted little details, which confirmed what he told me yesterday.
More than one book still on the contents page, one upside down. Only a title and date plus a few words on the notepad beneath him. The internet page, still at the very top. But most of all, his hand clenching his pen so tight it would break. Anxiously, awaiting what could be a storm, I take that step closer, and place my hand lightly over his.
Yay, I've uploaded! In case anyone hasn't noticed through my previous updates, my updates are random, unpredictable, normally months apart, and ususally depend on whether I've been watching anime, films, or reading, which makes me remember one of the three stories I'm writing. Anyway, I hope everyone enjoys it (a little bit of a filler chapter, though Zane was calling, and sadly, I got carried away), and constructive criticism/ ideas/mistakes I've made are always welcome! :)