"And someday
If I don't stand out one bit
Oh someday, I may be normal enough
To fit in."
(Carrie: The Musical)
"You had trouble sleepin' last night," Yusei spoke as he was making himself some ramen for breakfast.
"Yeah," I was painting my nails a fresh coat of black. Pharaoh was on the table next to my arm purring like a demon bulldozer. "Usually do."
Yusei was quiet for a second. I notice him transfer his noodles out of the pot and into a bowl. He sits down beside me, which is unusual. He normally keeps his distance by sitting across. "You're in the city," He comments. "You ever gotten that checked out?"
"Nah," I finished my last nail, my pinky, and inspected my work. "My existence requires that there always be at least six things wrong with me."
"Just six?"
"Shut up." I gave Yusei an evil look. I reached out and took one of his hands, not yet gloved, and smirked. "Lemme paint them."
"Just one," Yusei didn't seem surprised.
"Deal," I chose his thumb to paint a beautiful black. My phone starts vibrating on the table. Ike. I don't hesitate to shove the brick off the table so I don't have to see his name pop up. Yusei shoots me a look. "Don't tell me how to exist," I hiss.
Yusei looks lost in thought. "You're right-handed now, but your duel disk was built to be left-handed." It's not the statement I was expecting to come out of his mouth.
"So?" I took my time to paint his nail. Holy shit his fingers were calloused. Similar to mine. "That's just how it was. That's how I learned."
"Yeah. That's how I built it." Yusei rolls his eyes. "I recognize the model."
"Hm," I screw the lid back onto the bottle. Beside me, Pharaoh was tapping my deck of cards. I let out a quiet chuckle. "Yusei?" I let the question come out almost soft and thoughtful. Yusei turns his eyes to me. "How are we gonna get through this?" I set my mouth into a fine line.
"What?" Yusei furrowed his eyebrows.
"This. This shit," I shook my head. "The rest of the tournament. What comes after."
"Guess I don't have an answer," Yusei took his time to respond.
Pharaoh bats my hand. I finally look at him, only to see him meowing loudly as he bats at my cards once more. Fine. I'll see what they have to say. I reach out and grab the first on top of the deck.
XVII. The Star.
Yusei. This card represents him. Hope. Faith. Unshakable odds to a brighter future. I take a peek at him above my card. He's not looking at me. He's eating his food. I let myself have a secret smile.
"Alright, tell me my future," I announce to the table dramatically as I draw two sets of cards. II. The High Priestess, and the Two of Swords. I've never drawn the High Priestess before, but in my mind, I clearly see Aki. This is who the card stood for.
"Well?" Yusei is waiting for my answer.
"It's about Aki," I tell him as I set my cards down onto my deck. Pharaoh seems satisfied. He yowls until I pick him up to place him onto the floor where he saunters back to probably lay in my bed and sleep all day. "It's saying there's a barrier," I murmur. "A wall hiding the truth. Hiding emotions. I think…" I tap my nail onto the counter. "I think it's telling me to break it down." I frown. "How the fuck am I supposed to do that?"
"Cute braids!" Lucy exited her room dressed in only an outfit Lucy would wear. A neon green cropped top that stated 'NICE GUYS FINISH LAST' underneath a sleeveless striped yellow and blue vest and flaming red shorts.
"Thanks," I gently patted my short pigtail braids. "Guess my hair got long enough."
"Wow, hey Eurydice!" Lux climbed in through the window and patted Pharoah's head. Full house. Nice. Yusei flinched beside me. "Ah, sorry," Lux swipes a hand through his bleached hair. "Braids. Brought back memories. Paint mine." Lux sits on the other side of me and sets his hands on the table. I go to work.
"Eurydice," I mused aloud. "She's the one who tried to walk out of hell. With her lover. It's a tragedy."
"You can remember the myth, but not that it was your old codename from our days in the Arsenics?" Lux snorts. "Go figure. You used to love mythology."
"Darn. That's all I remember," I mutter dryly. "Lucy," I lift my gaze to meet the green-eyed girl. She was chewing on an apple. "What can you tell me about Aki Izayoi?"
"The Black Rose Witch," Lucy says with her mouth full. She swallows. "Well, I'd definitely say she's probably the third most powerful psychic duelist I've ever come across. Mostly because she can't actually control her powers."
"Who's the second and first?"
"Not important!" Lucy rolls her eyes. "Just remember to breathe. Stay defense, not offense. And…" Lucy holds out her hand. She raises her eyebrow ever so slightly. My hand pauses when I go to re-dip the brush into my polish. Lux gives me that look.
"No," I shake my head. "I'll rely on what I have."
"It's not a lot," Lux reminds me. "You can't summon monsters. From what I saw in the stands, she sure as hell can."
"Guess I'll just have to be the better duelist," I state boldly.
"That might be the best plan," Yusei agrees with me, for once. "If Kallen exposes herself, that puts a target on her back."
"As a psychic. Yeah." I nod as I finish the final nail for Lux.
"That's such bullshit," Lucy wrinkles her nose. "One psychic goes crazy and suddenly all of us are witches."
"It's that cult y'all were talking' about, yeah?" Lux flexes his fingers to check out his nails. "That's what's makin' her wacko."
"So we get her out," I lean back in my chair and cross my arms over my chest.
"Easier said than done," Yusei doesn't look convinced. "We're all connected through our marks. That's why Godwin is doing this- to expose us, and what? Create an army?"
Lucy takes on that serious look. She stands straight, her expression forlorn. "It's not a joke this time," Lucy almost mumbles. "You guys should've seen the spirit world. Something's coming. Something not so nice."
"Godwin isn't a good guy." Believe me. I'm his blood, and I'm still the first, second, and third to say that. "But what he's doin' isn't bad."
"You mean, besides how he blackmailed everyone?" Lux grins.
"Yeah, well, he's an asshole, but he's supposedly doin' this for the greater good." I tap my nail on the table. "We've only found four signers. Aki, Jack, Yusei, and Ruka." I let the implication sit in the air. "Who's the fifth?"
"Obviously they were invited somehow," Lucy is staring at me with a look I can't explain. "They're either dueling or in the stands."
"Yeah," Yusei is also looking at me. "Guess we'll find out."
"What did I do to deserve being ten feet away from the King?" I heard Jack step through the door of the waiting room I was using to work on my d-wheel. "I thought I had to wait in line."
"You're the exception," Jack had that small, teasing smile. I let out a snort and dropped my wrench back into the toolbox Yusei brought. Yusei was already backstage waiting to go on for his duel against Bommer. "Come watch the duel with me."
"I'll pass," I stood up and stretched my arms. "You? Sure. But that also means climbing upwards into hell to the evil clown and the even bigger scum lord."
"You can't walk upward into hell."
"From this angle, sure," I let out a laugh.
"Kallen," Jack takes a step closer to me and interlaces his fingers through mine. He's not saying please. His eyes were enough of a question as they peered down at me. They weren't soft. But they meant something.
"Oh no," I placed a hand on my head and sighed. "My legs have mysteriously broken, and now I can't move."
Jack looked torn between snorting or sighing in exasperation. "Whatever," He shrugged, and proceeded to lift me over his shoulder and walk away.
I smacked my hand against his back. "What the hell are you doing?!"
"You said you couldn't move. I'm moving for you."
"I'll murder you."
"Hm," Jack hummed. "That's shit."
"This is gonna be on the news. King kidnaps unwilling victim."
"I play a deranged girlfriend who threatens to kill the King of Games."
"We-we're not-!" My face flushes red. "We are not dating."
"Could have fooled me." Jack still hasn't set me down yet, despite our now arrival to the elevator. My body wiggles under his arm, forcing his grip to loosen. I manage to roll out of his reach and land on my feet.
"It's a damn miracle," I state dryly with a hand on my leg. "They work again."
"Convenient," Jack gives me a look with a raised eyebrow. "Kallen." The name doesn't come off as a question. Yet, I know he's about to ask something from me.
"Talk," I walk out of the elevator and lean against the railing. The duel is about to start. Bommer's d-wheel practically dwarfs Yusei and the Yusei-Go.
"The final round- that's meant for Yusei and I to duel," Jack comes up beside me. He's not looking. I can't stand to look at him.
My tone is monotonous, "Are those your words, or my Uncle's?"
"Mine," Jack states proudly. "You took the duel away once. Don't do it again."
"You like to say I'm all hot and cold. Here you are. Tellin' me what to do. Tryin' to order me around like I'm one of your little girls." I turn to him with a bitter smile. "Not very equal partnership, yeah?"
Jack's eyebrows furrow together. "That's not the point. That final duel-"
"My Uncle, no, Godwin, took away any fairness this competition had when he did what he did," I interrupted Jack and turned so I could see Yusei and Bommer take off around the first turn. "You're not takin' away the only thing I had left. My dueling. I ain't throwin' any duels just so you can get your hard-on for revenge out of the way." My eyes burned straight to Jack's. "I respect you. Really. If I win, I win. If I lose, you duel Yusei. If not, you duel me. If you ask again, you lose. If you respect me at all…" I let the words trail off.
Jack was silent. Slowly, quietly, he asked, "What would I lose?"
I swallowed back bile. "Me."
Jack didn't say anything. He didn't bring up the topic again. "You're confident I'll beat Aki," I change the topic.
"Isn't it obvious?" Jack shook his head with a slight snort. "There's only one outcome for the finals."
"Me versus Yusei," I finish for him. "That's it, yeah?"
"Yeah," He agrees. I take a deep breath. Without another thought, another word, I laid my hand over his. My fingers interlocked with his. Jack sucked in a breath. He tried to hide it, but I still heard it.
"What were we?" I feel like I'm asking this question out into the void.
"Does it matter?" His words almost come out bitter. "You've said so yourself. You're not that girl anymore."
"No, I'm not," I'm watching the duel. I thought it might've been exciting if my thoughts weren't consumed by the tall handsome blonde beside me. "That doesn't stop the feeling that any time I step away, it feels like she's behind me, like some kind of shadow. Like people have some kind of expectation of me, and when I'm not, it's my fault." I pause between my sentences. I register that Jack is staring at me. "I can't give anyone anything but. Me." I finally turn my head and smile bitterly. "Does that make sense?"
Jack's movements are slow. His thumb caresses my cheek, moving upwards to gently slide against my cheekbone. He pulls away, a tear stain dripping from his finger. Mine.
"You'll ruin my eyeliner," I attempt a joke. Jack relaxes his tension, his hand returning to move a stray piece of hair behind my ear. His hand pauses on the braids.
"I don't expect anything from you," His voice is gentle. "I have always wanted you. I made a promise to a different version. I'll do the same with you."
"What is it?" I blink my eyes. The sunlight is streaming through the open roof of the arena to directly shine on Jack, causing a halo effect that compliments his blonde hair. His eyes were intense but focused solely on mine.
"I promised you that wherever you went, I'd find you. No matter where you run, I'd follow. I promised I'd never let you push me away."
"Why?" I whisper out the word. "Why me?"
"Are you fucking joking?" Jack's eyes widened. "You are passionate, intelligent, so goddamn talented, and you are single-handedly the most physically-" He stopped mid-sentence.
"Yeah?" I smiled. "Finish that."
"Kallen." His serious tone was back. "I'm not going anywhere. I promise."
"You're a damn idiot, King," My words almost sounded breathless.
"And you're still too stupid to realize," Jack's face was right. In front of. Mine. "I'm in love with you. I always have been. I always will be."
I knew that. Some part of me knew that the moment our eyes met at that party a year ago. I kept pushing him away. Again. And again. I kept lashing out. I kept trying to be angry. I don't know why. Maybe- maybe because I knew it would all lead to this moment. And I wouldn't be able to run or deny it. He's done shitty things. And. So have I. He's forgiven me every time. He's never held it against me. And I kept lashing out like the asshole I am.
Why? Why was I like this? Why couldn't I let myself be happy?
I didn't know what to say to that. I don't think I could have said anything- nothing that made sense.
I could pretend Ike took away any chance I had- ruined me with our relationship of constant manipulation, entitlement, and abandonment. That was me. I let it affect me this much. I never let it stop hanging over me. Like her. Like my shadow.
For once, I did whatever the fuck I felt, with no thoughts about anyone else. I closed the gap between us. Jack let out a noise I couldn't describe, but his fingers raked against the back of my neck, almost as if he were restraining himself. I pulled back, gripping his lower lip between my teeth, and felt him swear against my mouth. My amusement was rising at the sight of dark red lipstick smeared faintly over his lips. Our eyes met one another. Jack let out a faint laugh like he couldn't believe what just happened.
"Did you like that?" My words were sweet.
"Like?" Jack snorted. "Fucking shit, Kallen. You-" He gripped the air in front of him, trying to find words, but instead like out an irritated groan. His free hand slid from my neck to the mid part of my back. He leaned in, closer-
"Yusei Fudo is the winner of the semi-finals against Bommer! Satellite's Shooting Star continues his winning streak!"
"Yusei, I must say well done…" That wasn't Rise's voice on the microphone. I push away from Jack, but he seems absorbed in what's happening below, like how I am. "I've lost. I have not lost my drive. I had plans to win this so-called tournament so I would be able to publicly expose during the ceremonies the horror Godwin has done. That is no longer possible. Here! LOOK AT THIS." I could see Bommer below. The picture on the screen changed. A broken, ruined village. My hands flew to my mouth in horror. On instinct, Jack's arm came around my shoulder to pull me close, almost as if he could shield me from what was happening. He couldn't. I didn't want it.
"Bommer was fooled," I murmured. Jack's hold on me tightened. The Hanged Man. That's what I drew for Bommer. It was coming into effect.
"This is my village! My home! This is where my family- my brother and sister- went missing. It wasn't an accident. Godwin did this. He used my village as a testing ground to summon the Crimson Dragon. They're gone."
I see Bommer get back on his d-wheel. I want to do something, run, shout, do something.
"KALLEN!" He shouts my name first. "YUSEI! JACK! Don't trust Godwin. Avenge us. I'll settle things on my own accord. For my friends. For my villages. For my family. This pain brought forth- it will never-"
I don't hear the rest. I go sprinting down the hall, where Godwin's office is, and throw open the doors. Yeager is hiding behind my Uncle's deck. Rex Godwin, my uncle, my only blood relative, is standing in front of the window. He appeared calm. Stone-faced.
A shadow comes closer, masking Godwin's face in black. I run forward to step in front, my hand outstretched, and my powers concentrating on the hurling object coming closer.
There's a crash. I'm forced onto the ground. The wind leaves my lungs, and for a second, my world turns dark. I hear someone whispering in my ear, calling me an idiot, asking why I did that, asking if I'm okay. Jack. I blink my eyes to allow the light- my vision- to return. There's blood on Jack's cheek. We're surrounded by shards of glass. I lift my glove to wipe the blood. "Stupid," I murmur. He's not looking at me.
He's looking at my Uncle, the Director, who grabbed that fucking spike with his bare metal hand. Metal hand. Not a real hand. He flings it aside as if it weighs nothing, fixes his collar, and props his hands behind his back. "My guests in the audience, please remain calm," A screen appeared in front of Godwin that portrayed itself to the entire stadium. "As the Director of the Public Maintenance Bureau, know that it is my utmost duty to protect and serve. Even at the exchange of my own life. The situation is being handled." With that, the projection disappeared.
"What the fuck just happened?" I snap out from my position, still, under Jack. I hastily get to my feet, with Jack's hand in mine, and face my uncle. "You're part robot." I zone in on the hand.
"Who gave you the authorization to enter?" Yeager screeches from his spot behind the desk. With a flick of my hand, the metal spike lifted in the air. Yeager went back to hiding underneath the desk with a shriek. I let it drop back onto the ground when Jack hissed, "Kallen."
"I haven't been as honest as I hoped to be," Godwin admitted with that same cool look of indifference. "Niece, you are not the only one who has had a life-altering accident." Godwin flexed his metal hand.
"You never mentioned it," My voice feels hollow. I don't know why he wouldn't say anything to me. I don't know. Empathize with me?
"You came in to save me," Godwin notes. "Thank you."
I shouldn't have. Not after he murdered Bommer's family. Not after the shit he's done.
"Yeah," I say instead. "You're gonna let Rise off the hook now."
"Will you still complete your mission?"
"Guess you'll have to trust me," I counter. Godwin seems appeased by that. He nods.
"We have a deal," He agrees.
I let out a shuddery breath. The maintenance crew comes in for the window, with Elodie leading. When she sees me, it looks like she wants to throw her arms around my neck. But she doesn't. This is Professional Elodie.
"Miss Rikiya, due to the disturbance of our last duel, your duel will be starting in five. Your d-wheel is already set up backstage. Will you be ready?" Elodie bites her lip, a telltale sign of her concern. Jack's hand in mine squeezes once. Reassuring.
"Let's hit it," I start to follow her out. Jack pulls me back, his arm wrapping around my waist, and kisses me. My life feels like it's being pulled. No. I feel like I'm gaining life. When I pull back, I'm smiling.
"Good luck," He tells me.
"I don't need it," I say back cheekily, before leaning forward to teasingly bite his lower lip. Jack lets out a growl, but when he reaches for me, I'm already four steps ahead. "See you later, King," I give him a mock salute. He's smiling. For a second I think. He almost looks bashful. I'm imagining things.
"Don't," I say to Elodie as we're walking down the hall.
"I didn't say anything," Elodie almost sings out the words. "Rise is on call. She's worried."
"Give," I stretch out my hand. Elodie puts her headset in my hands. I quickly throw it over my head. "Yeah?"
"Kal, oh my gods I'm so sorry, are you okay-"
"Breathe, I'm fine," I roll my eyes. "Are we okay?"
"Yeah! Of course, we're okay. I'm sorry about yesterday. I mean, I'm not, but also I don't want us to be bad. Are we okay?"
"We're okay. I get it." And I do. This is weird. All of this is weird. "I'm about to head onstage. See you after?"
"Obviously! Love you, kill it! But not literally!"
I hand the headset back to Elodie. "How are you holding up?" Elodie looks worried.
"By ignoring anything that's happening," I respond with a dry tone. "And then I don't sleep. Just to process it all."
"Kal, seriously, if you need to talk, just let me know."
Ah yes. I would love to talk about how I'm not sure about my feelings for someone who's in love with me, how both of the people I care about are puppets for both Godwin and some mystical bullshit, and how I'm somehow a part of this. Real easy to talk about.
"I'm fine," Those words come out of my mouth instead. "I'm always fine."
Elodie rolls her eyes. We're now backstage. Someone hands me my duel disk with my deck attached. I pull a card, just to give me an idea of what was going on. XXI. Judgment. Neat. Someone's actions were going to be judged. Good or bad.
I take a deep breath. I close my eyes to focus on what's happening.
"Kallen," My name is called out. I turn to see Yusei. He gives me a thumbs up. I give him one back.
My platform rises to the duel field. The crowd is cheering my name. Aki's already positioned across from me. That energy comes swirling in. There's no fear. No anxiety. I would win.
Get ready! The final conclusion for the semi-finals begins! The Black Rose Witch- Aki Izayoi- versus the grace of Fortune Kallen Rikiya! Duel Start!
I nod at her to go first. Aki pulls the first card of the duel. "My turn," She announces.
ROUND 1: IZAYOI
IZAYOI: 4000 LP
RIKIYA: 4000 LP
"I place Wall of Ivy in defense mode," Aki sets the card down.
(Wall of Ivy is a Level 2 Earth Attribute Monster with 300 ATK and 1200 DEF)
"I place one card facedown and end my turn," Aki keeps that calm, cool facade as she glares in my direction. I smile. Wall of Ivy. I know that card when I had to play a plant-based deck back in the Academy for tests. I can guess the strategy she's planning. When a card attacks Wall of Ivy, the opponent automatically gets a token that when removed from the field, removes three hundred life points. Combined with a facedown…I needed to counter.
"My turn," I draw my card.
ROUND 2: RIKIYA
IZAYOI: 4000 LP
RIKIYA: 4000 LP
I don't have to look at the card I just drew. I only know I have to play it. "I summon The High Priestess in attack mode," I lay the card down.
(The High Priestess is a Level 2 Light Attribute Monster with 1300 ATK and 800 DEF)
"High Priestess attacks Wall of Ivy," I stretch out my hand. "Upright vision." The High Priestess takes her staff and bashes in Wall of Ivy, destroying it. An Ivy Token appears on my side of the field.
"When Wall of Ivy is attacked, an Ivy Token-"
"Appears on my side of the field. Yeah. I see that," I mark off for Izayoi. "Can I finish?"
Aki grits her teeth. My smirk only grows. "I lay one card facedown and end my turn."
"My draw," Aki pulls a card.
ROUND 3: IZAYOI
IZAYOI: 4000 LP
RIKIYA: 4000 LP
What surprises does the Black Rose Witch have this time? We've seen her strategy with summoning tokens before! I think we've seen the calm before the storm!
"I activate the trap Cursed Ivy," Aki flips over her facedown card. "With it, I bring back my Wall of Ivy and equip this card. I end my turn."
"Useless," I murmur. Her eyes twitch. "That's all you got?" I mock. "It's my turn," I pull a card.
ROUND 4: RIKIYA
IZAYOI: 4000 LP
RIKIYA: 4000 LP
I could sacrifice the Ivy Token and take the damage. A better idea forms in my mind.
I look up from my cards. "I tribute The High Priestess to bring out The Hanged Man in attack mode."
(The Hanged Man is a Level 5 Dark Attribute Monster with 1800 ATK and 0 DEF)
Kallen chose to tribute her own monster instead of the Ivy Token! Was that the right decision?
"The Hanged Man attacks Wall of Ivy."
"You'll receive three more Ivy Tokens on your side of the field."
"Gross," I blurt out as my entire field is now full of fucking weeds. I wouldn't be able to summon any more monsters without backing them out. Not that I needed to. Not if I could guess Aki's next plan.
"Gross?" Aki's eyes narrowed.
"I said what I said. Turn end." I held my head up high. "Your move."
It's a slow start! I don't think this will last forever, though!
ROUND 5: IZAYOI
IZAYOI: 4000 LP
RIKIYA: 4000 LP
Aki took a moment to look at her cards. "Gonna go, witch?" I goaded her. I saw the spike in her power flare. That made me laugh. "You really don't get it," I shook my head. "I bet you never once thought about helpin' anyone with what you got."
"I don't owe humanity a thing," Aki snarls.
"Go ahead. Keep on bein' a pawn over a human." I smile. "That's all you're good for, yeah?"
The tensions are rising! Will Aki take the bait?
"I lay one card facedown. From my hand, I play Seed of Deception," Aki plays the spell card. "I special summon one Level 2 or below plant type monster from my hand. I summon Dark Verger. That won't last for long. I tribute Dark Verger to summon Rose Tentacles!"
(Rose Tentacles is a Level 6 Earth Attribute Monster with 2200 ATK and 1200 DEF)
"A pawn?" Aki echoes my insult. "No. I am not a pawn. Rose Tentacles gains an additional attack for every plant type monster my opponent controls. For each card destroyed, you lose three hundred attack points."
Kallen already loses attack points for every Ivy Token destroyed! With Aki's effect, that's six hundred life points for every Ivy Token!
"I start by destroying The Hanged Man. Rose Tentacles, attack. Thorn Whip!"
KALLEN: 4000 LP - 3600 LP
My hair blows in the wind created by Aki. If she seems surprised her powers had little effect, she didn't let it show. She probably assumed she was saving it for the main course.
"Now for the rest of your monsters," Aki had almost a maniacal smirk. "Rose Tentacles, go!"
Rose Tentacles removed all of the Ivy Tokens from my side of the field. My eyes narrowed as I felt the thorns come close, but none touched me. Aki's eyebrows rose. She glanced down at her duel disk and must have gasped at seeing how my life points didn't drop.
KALLEN: 3600 LP - 6000 LP
What?! Did Kallen flip the duel on its head?!
"Impossible," Aki spit out the words.
"During my opponent's turn when they activate a card effect that would cause damage, I can remove the High Priestess from my graveyard so I gain life points instead," I raise my eyes to meet Aki's. "You're in the pro-leagues now. I don't know what you expected, Izayoi, but I'm not fucking stupid to fall for a trap like that."
"You-!" She stretched out her hand, but I held my own up.
"I'm. Not. Finished." I stress the words. "When The Hanged Man is sent to the graveyard, the monster who took him out loses one thousand attack points until my end phase."
ROSE TENTACLES: 2200 ATK - 1200 ATK
Kallen has managed to turn a painful outcome to her side! Look at her go!
"Is your turn done?" I asked nicely. Aki didn't answer. I took that as a yes.
"Draw," I pulled my card.
ROUND 6: RIKIYA
IZAYOI: 4000 LP
RIKIYA: 6000 LP
I could be more liberal with my actions now. I had life points to spare. "I summon The Sun in attack mode," I lay the card down.
(The Sun is a Level 4 Light Attribute Monster with 1500 ATK and 1200 DEF)
No wasting time. "The Sun attacks Rose Tentacles. Avoid this." I stretched out my hand. The Sun moved forward, destroying Aki's monster.
IZAYOI: 4000 LP - 3700 LP
"I got the first blood," I smiled at Aki. "Are you pissed?" The tension rises. I feel the heat from my pentacles necklace against my throat. "I know how much you like damage."
"Shut up," Aki's voice is low.
"Why?" I counter. "Tell me I'm wrong." There's a beat. A pause. "You can't," I raise an eyebrow. "Because why else do it?" I stare at her, up and down, while she does the same to me. "Turn end," I announce.
Aki has no monsters on the field! What will she do this round?
ROUND 7: IZAYOI
IZAYOI: 3700 LP
RIKIYA: 6000 LP
"You don't know a single thing about me," Aki's voice is shaking. Not from fear. "I reveal Ivy Shackles! All face-up monsters become plant-type monsters. Now I summon Copy Plant!" The small bulb appears on her side of the field. "Copy Plant can target one of your monsters and become equal levels."
Hey! That's my power! Goddamn, that card should've been mine.
I only have one monster on the field to copy. The Sun. A level four.
"When I control a plant-type tuner monster, Dark Verger can be special summoned from my graveyard. They won't stay for long." Aki's eyes were alight. "Chilling flames engulf the entire world. Pitch-dark flower, set into bloom! Synchro summon! Appear now, Black Rose Dragon!"
Aki's beautiful dragon arrived in a flurry of rose petals. She spread her wings, causing a roaring wind to soar. I lifted my arms in front of my face to block out the wind, but I could feel my feet starting to slide back. The crowd screamed in horror. Aki seemed displeased when I positioned myself back to dueling mode.
Aki hasn't played her ace monster yet, Black Rose Dragon! This is a first! What will be in Kallen's future? Can she counter?
"By removing Wall of Ivy from play, I have the ability to reduce your monsters attack points to zero."
THE SUN: 1500 ATK - 0 ATK
This was going to hurt. A lot.
"Attack! Black Rose Flare!"
RIKIYA: 6000 - 3600 LP
I was thrown onto the ground several feet behind, rolling eventually to a stop on my side. It took me a second to come to my senses. All I felt was anger. Fury. I wanted to do the same. My hand went to rest on my pentacles necklace, to yank it off, to show her the same fucking thing I just felt-
I saw my glove. There was dried blood. Jack's. When he pushed me aside. Just because he didn't want to see me hurt. That arrogant, selfish man putting himself at risk just for me.
Rise was talking. The crowd was shouting. Some for me. Some at Aki. I didn't care about anyone else. I looked up Aki, her grin wide, her eyes burning. She was sixteen. A kid. I look at her and see…Me. That was me at that age. I took my time getting back onto my feet. And I laughed. That must have thrown her off.
"We're so goddamn alike," I tell her genuinely. Her eyes widened in response. "I think that's why I look at you, and I get pissed." I point my finger at her. "That Arcadia Cult didn't create a monster. You did. You allow it. You choose, over and over, to lash out because you can't fucking accept that someone might like you for something other than what you are!" I throw my arms out to my sides. "You're not a monster. You're a damn kid who doesn't know any better."
"You know nothing!" Aki snaps. "Stop it!"
"I know nothing," I echo back hotly. I laugh out of sheer disbelief. "I know nothing," I repeat, the indignation heard fully through my tone. "You run because all the kids at school call you a freak. You meet a man who promises you the world. Says he gets you, he'll help control your powers, he's not like the other commoners. Then you do 'missions' for him. You hurt people. You know what you're doing. And you don't care. Because he loves you for it." I smile. It's not real. It's full of pain. "Is this my story, or yours?"
Aki puts one foot behind her like my words were a force of wind. "I lay one card facedown and end my turn," Her words are quiet.
"It's my turn!" I forcefully draw a card.
ROUND 8: RIKIYA
IZAYOI: 3700 LP
RIKIYA: 3600 LP
"Once per duel, I can summon The Sun from my graveyard when there are no other cards on my side of the field. Now, I summon the Queen of Cups! But she's not staying for long." My eyes burn as colors swirl above me. "There's only one road to destiny. It's this. It's what we create with the cards we hold. Synchro summon! Come forth, my Arcanite Dragon!" My ace card appears on the field. Aki immediately doubles over gripping her arm painfully. I see the outline of a red mark appear. Her Signer mark.
Kallen summons her ace monster, Arcanite Dragon! This duel is increasing in excitement!
"D-damn," She murmurs out the words. "This mark…this destiny…" She snarls out the word like it was poison. "It's taken everything from me."
"It's offering you a home," I take a step forward. "Friends who share the same path as you. It's giving you the chance to connect with people like you."
"Like me?" Aki shakes her head. "You heard everyone. I'm a witch. I'm a monster carved by this mark."
"Don't you dare," My tone is cold. "That mark you share is connected to people I care about. They are not monsters for it." My glare at her. She's not looking at me. "Arcanite Dragon, attack Black Rose Dragon! Arcane Fire!"
"I activate my trap card, Rose Blizzard! Your dragon is forced into defense more. The attack is negated." Aki drops her hand on her arm.
"I end my turn," I step back, dissatisfied.
ROUND 9: IZAYOI
IZAYOI: 3700 LP
RIKIYA: 3600 LP
"We are not alike. You're wrong. I hate myself. I am the monster I created." Aki is holding a mask in her hands. "This isn't me. It's a version I created. She doesn't care if she destroys. Divine taught me I don't have to think like that. I don't have to think. I could just be. Me. Those words saved me."
"He's using you," I tried to knock some sense into her. "You think I didn't hear those words? You think I wasn't told don't think, let me do it for you, it'll be okay. That's not how it works." I took a shaky breath. "You have to think for yourself. Otherwise, you are not yourself."
"Then I don't want to be! Myself." Aki was looking hopelessly down at the mask in her hands.
"Gods, fuck you," I'm shaking my head. "You know who you are. You don't need anyone else telling you. You're Aki Izayoi."
I'm envious of her.
"No. I'm the Black Rose Witch. I won't think of anything anymore. I can't. It hurts. I'll only just feel."
"Reality hurts. That's how it is," I want to reach over and shake her. "That's how we know we're alive."
"No. I don't care." Aki slips the mask over her face. "Divine will think for me. He will live for me."
"You stupid-" I want to scream. "You selfish idiot. This doesn't make you happy. It makes him happy. Who are you? Who are you without Divine, without that ugly mask? Who are you really?"
These are the questions I wish someone had asked me two years ago. Before Ike. During Ike. After Ike.
"I activate Magic Planter. I send one spell card I control to the graveyard, and I draw two cards. I lay one card face down." Aki's voice is monotonous. Cruel.
I didn't want to do this. But goddamn, I will.
"I activate my trap card, Eight of Swords," I flip the card over. "I chose one monster on the field to destroy. We both take damage equal to its attack."
"If you get rid of Black Rose Dragon, I'll only bring it back," Aki argued.
"I know," I smile. "I destroy my Arcanite Dragon."
"What?" Aki seemed shocked behind the mask.
Eight swords shot up and pointed at Arcanite Dragon. She let out a terrifying roar. She was destroyed, the shine of her remains targeting both of us.
IZAYOI: 3700 - 1300 LP
RIKIYA: 3600 - 1200 LP
What's this!? Kallen just destroyed her own ace monster! What's her strategy?
"When Arcanite Dragon is destroyed, she destroys as many monsters on the field as possible," I state. Black Rose Dragon is destroyed. Aki takes a moment to comprehend what just happened. I assume, anyway. I couldn't tell behind that idiotic mask.
"I play my trap card, Wicked Rebirth! By paying eight hundred life points, Black Rose Dragon is returned to my side of the field!"
Ah. That's what she meant.
IZAYOI: 1300 - 500 LP
Aki has her dragon back, but Kallen's field is open!
"Black Rose Dragon, attack-"
"By discarding Strength from my hand, I negate any battle damage caused by a direct attack," I cut her off, my words bored, my smile lazy. "As you were saying?"
Aki growled. "I lay one card facedown. Turn end."
ROUND 10: RIKIYA
IZAYOI: 500 LP
RIKIYA: 1200 LP
That card I pull. It tells me all I need. A smile jerks on my lips. Rad. "I play the Fool in defense mode! But I'm not done. By removing from play a level five or above monster card, I bring Arcanite Dragon back to my field. Thankfully, The Hanged Man volunteers." My dragon is back on my field. Right next to me. Me. The Fool. "Page of Cups wants to join. When a card is normal summoned this turn, he can be special summoned from my hand." The air around us feels hot. I know what I need to do. The same card I played earlier.
"It's time to end this," I announce not to the crowd, but to Aki. "We're not having fun. I'm not. You're not." I pause. "This is over, Izayoi. You think you hate yourself? You aren't the only one." I held up my hand. "The only way to get past is to deal with it. You can't run. You get better."
"There's nothing for me to repent," Aki cackles. "I know who loves me. That's enough."
"Fuck, he doesn't love you! He's using you. You aren't the villain in this story." And neither was I. "We were both goddamn victims to someone who wanted power." And I said it. I finally said it. My fist clenched in my hand. I directed my power, cracking the mask in half. Aki let out a shriek. "The Fool combines with Page of Cups and Arcanite Dragon! Come, my monster! Show yourself! I Synchro summon Judgement!"
(Judgement is a Level 9 Light Attribute Monster with 2900 ATK and 2900 DEF)
A new monster has appeared! Is this the end of the duel?
"There's only one outcome. I told you this was over." My eyes narrowed as I pointed to Black Rose Dragon. "Judgement. Attack Black Rose Dragon. Show her the truth. Upright war."
Judgment flung and attached itself to Black Rose Dragon. The dragon disappeared in a screech of petals left behind. The rest of Aki's mask came flying off her face, revealing a sobbing sixteen-year-old girl underneath.
"I-I play Ground Capture!" Aki's trap is revealed. "I halve the battle damage!"
IZAYOI: 500 - 250 LP
"I'm sorry. It's over." I move my steps closer to Aki. "Judgement's special ability activates. He inflicts damage equal to the attack of the destroyed monster."
"No! No!" Aki drops to her knees.
IZAYOI: 250 - 0 LP
IZAYOI: LOSE
RIKIYA: WIN
"H-help me," Aki is crying. I offer my hand down to her. She looks on helplessly.
"Get up," I tell her. "You can sit there and cry all day. Or you can choose to fight for yourself."
Aki looks torn. Slowly, she takes my hand and staggers to her feet. I can't describe the look in her eyes. Just a kid. Just a damn kid, I tell myself.
Then I'm being pushed away. Divine steps forward and throws his coat over Aki. She's limp in his arms. He doesn't say a word, just glares at me as he steps out of the arena. I'm alone.
Kallen Rikiya has just won the duel! She's going on to compete in the finals against Yusei Fudo for a chance to duel the King himself, Jack Atlas!