Aster

The cooks working for House Misawa were truly remarkable. They were masters of their craft. They finished cooking the feast in less than two hours. However, as quick as they were, the hours felt like an eternity, especially on an empty stomach. One of the servants walked through the door and rang a bell, announcing that it was time to eat. He stepped out of the way and then a small army of cooks came out carrying all sorts of delicious morsels came parading out and neatly placing the food on the long table. Aster sat at the end of the table. He wondered what he was going to eat first. There was a smorgasbord of delicious things to dine on right in front of him. A circle of crimson crabs surrounded by lettuce and doused with the head cook's secret recipe. Scalloped potatoes served with salmon steak, ham doused in honey, and crusted with herbs and chicken wings that were coated with peanut butter.

Alexandra, being the sweet tooth that she was, immediately went for those. She cluttered her plate with cubes of cherry-flavored jello, bite-sized cupcakes, brownies, and rice treats. As the day progressed, Bastion's aggressiveness towards her found itself arrested by her charm and her sweet voice, and sapphire eyes. He was still wary of her though, Aster knew this. He may have been acting nicer towards her, but he was no fool. After all, men had fallen for her looks and her bubbly personality before only to find themselves dead.

They didn't call her the Slayer of Lords and Princes for nothing. While they waited for dinner, Alexandra learned so much about Bastion. She learned that he was going to be dual majoring at the university, attending both, Davion and Muto: the College of Science and the College of Dueling. He was going to study alchemy and, of course, Dueling. He needed to. His family practically owned Whiteblade Harbor, meaning that he was in danger of the Dueling Pact, a treaty that resolved conflicts with a game of Duel Monsters so as to avoid a costly war.

Hassleberry, sitting next to Aster, licked his chops and used his giant fork to jab at slices of steak, ham, and swordfish on the table. He bit into one of the steaks savagely. Aster watched his eyes, praying that he wasn't going savage on the count of the dinosaur spirit that was inside of him. "It's not rare enough!" he said. "I need to taste the blood in the meat!"

Yup, Aster thought. That was definitely the beast inside of him. "Thanks for dinner, Bastion."

"Think nothing of it," Bastion said. He flapped a napkin and placed it over his lap before digging in. "What brings you here to these parts? When last I checked you were caught up with Zane's shenanigans as the Cyber Knight. I heard he was attacked on the beach by Kieth Howard and a small band of Barrel Dragons."

"I had no part in that," said Aster. "I didn't know about it until I reached Dragon's Nest and met up with Alexandra here. But this guy," he jerked his thumb at Hassleberry. "He's a ghost or something. When last I saw him, he was being carried off into a DracoTEK lab. I never saw him again for months."

"DracoTEK," said Bastion. "Hmm. I was looking to work as an intern there. The former head nurse of the academy, Miss Fontaine found a job with them. She's working for their military division. Why? I'm not sure. But once I saw what was really going on in there, I just didn't have the heart to continue. Their visions and their goals are just too radical for me. For the longest time, I thought radicalism existed in politics and religion. But I see it can exist in the world of science as well. Hassleberry. I can only imagine what they were trying to do to you."

"They were trying to extract the dinosaur's spirit from my body," Hassleberry replied. He held up his arm, showing off a hole where a drill pierced through his flesh multiple times for tissue samples. "They pumped my body full of strange fluids, too."

"Goddesses, no," said Alexandra.

"Yeah. It made my muscles tense up. I felt like my organs were turning into paste. I overheard them in the night. One of the nurses asked what the purpose of the fluids was? The doc replied that it was meant to keep me alive. I kept passing out over and over again and each time my heart stopped, they jolted me back to life or pumped some other junk into my body to keep me alive. They wouldn't allow me to die. One day I woke up...I saw her."

"Who?"

"Nurse Fontaine. She was looking down at me. I tried to talk, but I couldn't. I felt like my tongue weighed a ton. She just smirked and walked off before saying: cut him open. Begin the procedure."

"Procedure?" Alexandra asked. "What did they do?"

"That's the thing. I don't know."

"I don't know what she's up to over there," said Aster. "But it can't be good. It's clearly obvious she's no friend of ours anymore. But why?"

"Money makes the world go round, Aster," Alexandra said.

"That's most likely the case," said Bastion. "As you said, we should take no chances should we encounter her again. How did you escape, Hassleberry?"

Hassleberry burped and thumped his fist against his chest. "'Scuse me," he said. "I got out cuz of a miracle."

"A miracle?"

"A knight. A knight in platinum armor came out of the darkness. He slaughtered the doctors, destroyed the machines. He then looked down at me. He called me a brave warrior and said that it was not going to be my time to die. With my new gift, I was gonna change the world. The next thing I know, I find myself lying outside the lab, which was built underneath an ancient Norman ruin in Emboldor. It was burning" — he swirled his hand around — "all this smoke was rising up. I think he destroyed it or something."

"Emboldor?" Aster said. "What the hell are they doing that far west? Antilles has to know about this."

"Why not tell Master Yugi?" Bastion asked. "Or perhaps your 'new' master told you to steer clear from him?"

Aster dropped his fork and sat up straight as he tried to control his emotions. "Bastion, look, Yugi's heart is in the right place. But his decisions are too brash. Too...soon."

"Is that what he's told you?"

"There's still a lot Prince Yuri has to do before he comes home, you know this."

"Of course, I know. My family has been loyal to the High Kings since Tiberius Pendragon united the continent. I wanted to understand King Antilles's concerns. For a time, I did. But now it seems he's trying his best to keep Prince Yuri from coming home despite his accomplishments. He's done well in eliminating the mafia and the corrupt officials from the floating city he lives in. All that's left for him to do is become the world champion and he's due to come home once he finished high school. Then we can all join him. I vowed not to enter the university until he arrives. I could use the competition."

"You haven't applied?" Alexandra asked.

"None of my classmates have. Alexis, Zane, Jaden, even Chazz, have said they will not go to the university until he comes back."

"How come?"

"He's going to need us," Bastion replied. "Master Yugi saw potential in each and every one of us since we were the most skilled and brightest students in our class. Well, I don't know about Jaden, though. It's an absolute miracle he even made it to the university."

"Hey," said Hassleberry, "the Sarge doesn't need good grades. He's got skill. He's bested the top students in school. Chazz, Zane, even you."

"I suppose so. Jaden was rather unique. I have no doubt he's eager to Duel the future High King. But I wonder how he plans to do so. The university is going to be quite expensive."

"I'm sure he'll find a way," said Alexandra. "I haven't met the boy, but from what I've heard, he's resourceful."

Someone burst through the doors unannounced. A young man in a powdered wig, also wearing a tricorn hat and an armored trenchcoat. His face was coated in powder, the cheeks highlighted with red blush. He pointed at Alexandra, the ruby on his ring over his index finger flashed.

"Arrest her!" he shouted. He looked at Bastion with a glare. "Arrest her!" he repeated.

Bastion stood up, pushing his chair backward, making the feet squeal against the floor. "Carnarvon!" he said. "You cannot just burst in here! What is the meaning of this!?"

"I want this girl arrested!" Carnarvon barked. "For the murder of my cousin, Lord Venuvius of the Cloud Mountains! He died trying to win her hand in marriage. I want justice!"

The princess started to chuckle, her shoulders heaved, trying to contain her amusement in the man's words. Finally, she reared back her head and laughed. "You poor thing. Justice has already been served," she flung some hair over her shoulder. "The fool knew what he was getting into when he decided to join that meaningless war for my lovely bottom. He was a lustful, greedy, STUPID boy! I am not a prize to be won. Not by anyone! Understand me? They didn't even ask how I felt about starting a war that decided MY future. They thought because I was a girl that I had no say. That I was their property by right! Well, my dragon, Bruton, gave them all what they so rightfully deserved. Death! Slow, painful...satisfying. I enjoyed watching him devour them one by one. It made me so happy."

"You monster!" Carnarvon shouted, drawing a rusty cutlass. "I will kill you where you stand."

"Do that and you'll have to get through me!" Aster said standing up. His sword flew out of the scabbard on his back. The hilt slid perfectly into his hand. He grasped it and held the blade up.

"I am a well-trained swordsman!" said Carnarvon. "Do not test me, Gray Prince!"

"I have no doubt," said Aster. "But I won't need swords to kill you. I have all sorts of frightening heroes at my disposal, dude. I suggest you calm down, leave, and take a breather. Think about what you're doing. There's going to be death tonight if you continue this vendetta."

"He's right," Bastion said. "I warned Venuvius about his lust for Alexandra. He would not listen. He just had to have her. I don't know what he saw in this vile creature, but it drove him mad with love. Killing yourself isn't going to bring him back."

"She didn't need to kill him!"

Alexandra giggled. "No. I didn't. But he left me no choice. He was going to kill my parents and he slaughtered villagers in the farmlands outside the city. I wasn't about to let him get away with that. Blood can only be repaid in blood. And he spilled it by the gallons. His desire for me also made him forget that we have a True Dragon guarding our city." She laughed. "Like I said. He was a stupid boy. Go home, you insolent peasant! My knights in shining armor won't let me die."

"I'm a lot of things," said Hassleberry. "But a knight in shining armor for you. No way. I've heard stories about you that make even the dinosaur spirit quiver with nausea."

"You act all big and tough," said Aster. "Why don't you deal with him yourself. In a Duel."

"A Duel?" Carnarvon asked. "Very well. But if I win, she is to be bound in shackles and taken to the dungeon. I will take her to the Castilian of Gray Morning in the morrow."

"You poor fool," Alexandra said. "Aster. I am not happy with you. My Uncle is going to hear about this."

"See if I care. I never wanted you to come along in the first place."

"Hmph," Alexandra stuck her nose in the air and marched out of the dining hall into the courtyard.

Carnarvon followed and readied his Duel Disk before he even made it out of the hall. "At last cousin," he said, fervently kissing his deck. "You will be avenged. May your cards guide me to victory."

LP 8000

"Ladies first!" Alexandra declared. She looked up at the balcony above the courtyard. Aster, Bastion, and Hassleberry were watching her. She blew them all kisses. Just as she was about to draw, Carnarvon stopped her.

"You are no lady!" Carnarvon shouted. "I shall start first! I activate two Ancient Rules spell cards to special summon these high-level monsters from my hand! Behold Spiral Serpent and Phantasm Spiral Dragon!"

Two watery whirlpools manifested behind Carnarvon. He laughed, holding out his arms victoriously as two giant sea serpents swam out from the whirlpools. They hissed and screeched, calling on storm clouds to gather and ignite the sky with lightning. They both had the same attack and defense points 2900/2900.

"Sam Hill!" Hassleberry shouted over the harsh winds the Phantasm Spiral Dragon created. "Alexandra's already got to contend with two super-powered serpents! She's done for."

Bastion started to rub his chin. "It wouldn't single Alexandra out of this yet. She told me her deck is now equipped with the new summoning and game mechanics Prince Yuri's earthly father created."

"New game mechanics?" Aster asked. "From Earth? Is that even allowed?"

"We're going to allow them to use our own summoning mechanics next year," said Bastion. "So why shouldn't we have one of theirs."

"Alexandra never told me anything about that. I wonder what kind of surprises she has in store."

"My turn? Or are you done?"

"I am far from done, Alexandra! I activate the spell Umiiruka!" The ground was flooded with seawater. Dolphins jumped out here and there. Some sunlight even pierced through the Phantasm Spiral Dragon's storm clouds. "This spell card will increase the attack of my water monsters by 500 points, raising my serpents' attacking points to 3400!"

Perfect. My cousin's deck truly is powerful. I had everything I needed to summon these powerful monsters! And I have a Mirror Force trap card. If she even thinks about attacking me with those hellish dragons I've heard about so much, I'll send her attack right back at her with this.

"I set one card face-down and end my turn. Now you can go!"

"Thank you. I summon, Infernal Dragon Priestess - Angelstein!" Alexandra placed her card on the Duel Disk. A flaming flower bloomed beside her making way for a Dark Elf priestess in revealing robes. She slid her hands down her thighs and made an eerie laugh, blowing a kiss to Carnarvon. [ATK/1500 DEF/800 LV 4]

The boy went red at the sight of her. Alexandra took notice of that and made fun of him. "What's the matter, Carnarvon? She likes you?"

Carnarvon pulled on the collar of his coat. "Hurry and make your move!"

"If you insist. Using Angelstein's ability, I'm allowed to summon an Infernal Dragon Priestess from my deck. I call upon, Infernal Dragon Priestess - Rose the Red Witch!"

Another flaming flower bloomed beside Alexandra. The red witch jumped out, laughing maniacally. She wore a wine-red sorceress's gown that revealed a lot of her flesh. She had a high collar edged with black feathers and flashed with gold leafy ornamentation. Her gilded hair waved in the wind. She held out her arms and her attack points displayed beside her. [ATK/1600 DEF/800 LV 4]

"Lovely, lovely," Alexandra said as the half-naked priestess slowly glided down to her side. The tips of her long, armored, black boots tapped the surface loudly. "Now, when Rose is special summon via an Infernal Dragon effect, I'm allowed to place two Maiden tokens to the field times the number of Infernal Dragon Priestesses I have on the field."

Rose laughed and twirled her laugh around before slamming it on the water. An alter rose out from the surface, lifting Alexandra higher until she stood seven feet above the ground. Then, two beautiful young women in white linen dresses appeared at her feet. They were bound in chains and had tears coming from their eyes. [ATK/0 DEF/0 LV 1]

"What sorcery is this?" Carnarvon wondered."

"Oh, you'll see soon enough. I'll now activate the spell card, Gift of the Infernal Dragons. I discard an Infernal Dragon Priestess and then I get to draw two cards. Now, I activate the equip-spell card, Scepter of the Infernal Dragons. And I'll give it to Angelstein. Watch as she transforms into Angellica - High Priestess of the Infernal Dragons!"

Angelstien took the scepter and her robes formed into armor with glowing red accents, still showing off much of her flesh. A hood edged with metal formed over her head and a mask materialized over her eyes.

ATK/2500 DEF/2400 LV 7

"Did you guys see that?" said Hassleberry. "She turned the card over."

Alexandra looked up at him, grinning that terrible grin of hers. "It's called a Flip Card, handsome. They're two cards in one." She held up her card. There was artwork for Angelstein on the top and on the bottom was her evolved form, the High Priestess, Angellica. Their artwork was separated by a thick, golden frame.

"How do those work?" Aster asked.

"I'm so glad you asked, my dear. Flip Cards can flip to the other monster when a certain trigger is activated. In this case, I gave Angelstein an Infernal Dragon equip-spell card, turning her over to become the higher-ranked High Priestess of the Infernal Dragons, Angellica. Now that I have a High Priestess on the field, I can invoke her powers to conjure the great dragons of the Infernal Realm. At the cost of two cards from the top of my deck, Angellica can raise the level of two monsters on the field to Level 8. And I choose to increase the level of my two Maiden Tokens."

Angellica cackled, spinning her staff around to create a rain of glitter that showered the two maidens, both their heads hung with fear and sorrow. The brunette looked at Carnarvon and whispered. "Please...help up."

"She spoke to me!"

"For what good that will do! Now the conditions are right for an Xyz Summon." Alexandra held out her arms and looked to a fiery gate that opened in the sky. "O' Kings of the Infernal Realm! Hear my call! I need thy power in this battle. Accept these two virgins as sacrifices and lend me your strength!"

A ring of fire formed around the two maidens. They hugged each other and sobbed.

"NOOO!" Carnarvon shouted. He wanted to run to save them, but it was too late. The ring of fire engulfed them both. Their essence was contained into two orbs which spiraled up to the flaming gate. A roar boomed through the gate.

"The offering has been accepted!" Alexandra said with a leer. "Xyz Summon! Rank 8! Infernal Dragon - Rhamphornus!"

All was silent, then BANG! A dark, gray, dragon with a jet-black underbelly flew out of the gate. It had fin-like wings that ran the length of its body glowing magma red. A crown of thirteen spikes formed around a red gem embedded on the top of its skull. Its eyes were like rubies shining next to a fire, its teeth were dripping with steaming hot saliva.

ATK/2900 DEF/2700 Rank 8

Carnarvon stepped back in fear. He had never seen such a fearsome beast. No doubt it was the work of her uncle, sparing no expense to make sure his beloved niece's personal archetype was powerful. "What monstrosity is this?" he babbled as the dragon loomed over Alexandra's shoulder. His head was as big as a carriage and as long as seven men. Alexandra rubbed her hand down the bumpy side of the dragon's jaw and kissed it lovingly.

"Aster," Hassleberry said, backing away from the balcony. "Why the hell did you let her come along?"

"I didn't. I never wanted her to come along."

"You monster!" shouted Carnarvon, the memory of the maidens getting sacrificed still lingered in his head. "YOU MONSTER! How could you do such a thing!"

"What?" Alexandra pouted, placing her hands on her hips. "They were only tokens."

"Those poor things."

"Get used to it, you fool!" I need them in order to call even more of my beasts to beat you into submission. When Rhamphornus is summoned, I can add a card to my hand that lists an Infernal Dragon." Alexandra searched her deck. "Ah, and I know just the one. Behold, the spell card, City of the Lambs! At the cost of 500 of my Life Points, I'm allowed to summon a Maiden Token to my field! I'll pay one thousand and summon two Maiden Tokens!"

Two young women, both blonde maidens appeared on the field, sobbing and praying for mercy.

"Leave them alone!" Carnarvon called.

"Ugh, so dramatic," Alexandra said vexingly. "I'd hate to see how he acts when Sheep Tokens are summoned. That's not all the City of the Lambs does. If I control an Infernal Dragon, I'm gifted with two Golden Keys for my Treasure Deck. Ah, I almost forgot about Infernal Dragon Priestess - Rose the Red Witch. When an Infernal Dragon is summoned, she is flipped over. Now she becomes Rose the Blood Rose Witch - High Priestess of the Infernal Dragons!"

Rose's robes grew longer and developed armor over the shoulders and sleeves to make pauldrons and gauntlets. Her hair grew longer and glowed until it looked like fire and her body became more and more voluptuous. Her staff then took the form of a black battle-axe with a glowing red gem in the center.

ATK/2450 DEF/3000 LV 8

"And so the conditions are set once again!" Alexandra called. "I send three cards from the top of my deck to the Graveyard and use High Priestess Angellica's special ability to increase the level of my Maiden Tokens to 8."

Angellica spun her staff around to shower the priestesses with light. Then, red-hot chains shackles formed over their necks leading toward Rose's, snaring her as well for the sacrifice, to which was was giving herself willingly.

"Here comes another one!" laughed Alexandra. "I Overlay my two Maiden Tokens and my high priestess. Xyz Summon! Rank 8! Infernal Dragon - Pathaargonax!"

Woosh! Another colossal dragon flew out of the gate. In the light of the three moons, Aster could see that it was colored grayish-green fading into scarlet on the tail. The horns and wings. And the spikes lining its belly were colored scarlet and the wings were crimson in color and bladed with scythe-like appendages. Its claws were as tall as a man and the tail was weaponized with a two-bladed battle-axe colored scarlet as well.

He landed on the ground, his wings folded. The beast snarled as it got closer and closer towards Alexandra's side.

ATK/3200 DEF/3000 Rank 8

"And the conditions are ripe for a Rare Summoning!" Alexandra called. Her two dragons reared up their heads and roared into the sky, making the gate's flames turn whitish-gold.

"Rare Summoning?" said Aster.

"What did you just do?" Carnarvon asked.

Alexandra replied with an obnoxious giggle. "You haven't heard of the new game mechanics from Earth? It's quite simple. Yuri's guardian, Jacob Montgomery, added his own rules to the game to give it a little more spice. The Flip Cards were just one of them. See this extra slot here on my Duel Disk?"

She raised up her arm. There was another deck right next to her extra deck.

"It's called a Treasure Deck. And it's filled with very special cards. In order to use cards from the Treasure Deck, I have to unlock a certain requirement. In this case, I Xyz Summoned two high-ranking Infernal Dragons! Now I can call upon my beast from the Treasure Deck. I Rare Summon Infernal Dragon - Goldun!"

All of a sudden it started raining molten gold. The water hissed when it was touched by the droplets. Angelillca smeared the liquid gold all over her chest and slid it down her belly as she laughed. Alexandra held out her palms and collected the mirage as though it were real. She smeared it on her breasts making Carnarvon get nervous. Wooosh! Another colossal dragon flew over him, causing his tricorn hat to fly off into town and Alexandra tittered trying to keep her skirt down. "Oh my! What a terrible wind he's making!"

Goldun made his appearance at last. His entire body was covered with golden armor accented with incredible scrollwork filled in with glittering silver. The membranes on his wings were like amber against the light of the moon and his eyes flashed red. Carnarvon saw something glittering on Alexandra's Duel Disk. It was a card. Goldun's card. Treasure Card was a fitting term indeed. The card was decorated with leafy designs on the edge and he was outlined with raised gold lines. The background flashed like the foil of an Extra Secret Rare card and his name sparkled in all the colors of the rainbow, like a Secret Rare card.

"Beautiful, is he not?" Alexandra chimed.

ATK/5000

"What the?" said Bastion. "That card doesn't make any sense. Where's its Level? It's Rank? It's Defense? Or the Link Rating? It has none of that?"

"I think there's more to these Treasure Cards," said Aster. "And I think I'm about to learn more than I already want to know."

"Hmph," said Bastion. "They do make for a rather interesting mechanic. Not my cup of tea but their card design is truly rich. I look forward to trying my hand against them soon. Although I must admit, I am glad I'm not Carnarvon, the damned fool. Come, gentlemen. Let Alexandra finish her opponent. It's time for dessert!"

Jasmine

The melody from her birth mother's music box almost drowned out the sounds of the waves outside her window. Even though it was dark, Jasmine could hear the seagulls calling around out there. She gazed at the ocean's surface, the water touched by the moonlight glimmered like crystals, reminding her of the stars above. She looked up and held out her palm, stretching her fingers apart. She moved her ring finger to the right just enough to make the star called Annuvié look like it glistened on it like a ring.

Growing up, Jasmine adored the tale of Evangelia Pendragon, The Galaxy-Eyes Queen, as she was called. Jasmine favored her other title, Queen of the Stars, for it's been said she was found inside a shooting star that landed in the highest gardens of the Spire of Kings. The egg containing her Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon was right under her arm. Throughout the years, Evangelia's beauty grew and grew. One knight was so in love with her, that he conjured a spell to capture one of the stars above. And he then crafted it into a ring to present her with as he asked to marry her. The knight never got his answer, for Evangelia vanished into the Void on the back of her Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon. Never to be seen again.

"I wish I could join you," Jasmine sighed. "You get to swim in the stars and chill. I'm down here trying to appease my father as I get wedged farther and farther into Termnnian Politics." Jasmine clasped her hands over her chest and closed her eyes. "Evangelia Galaxy-Eyes. I wish...I wish with all my heart. I wish that I can be like you. I wish I could have adventures like you that get told into songs and tales. I wish I could find a dashing knight who's willing to make jewelry out of stars just for me. You're so lucky. If I could only have just a pinch of that luck. I'd be forever thankful."

Her face drooped with sorrow as she brought herself back to reality. "Oh, but who am I kidding? The Age of Magic is over. The modern world is taking over and Yeyunism is hunting down all remnants of magic across the world. And in the name of tolerance, our leaders just sit back and let them do it. The time of fairy princesses, star queens, True Dragons, and dashing knights is long gone."

She walked behind her three-panel dressing screen and changed into a wine-red nightgown. As she walked out from behind it, she swirled her finger over her hair, disarming a charm that held it up the way it was in those strange jagged layers. Once free of the charm, her hair fell down past her shoulders and her bangs turned to swirls over her face, which she gently brushed back with her fingers.

She sat down in front of the lit vanity mirror and brushed her hair. Normally a maid would do this, but Jasmine was in such a foul mood this night. She didn't know if it was that rebellious Prince Ven. The way he just swiped her hand and kissed it without asking. Or perhaps it was the young Commodore. He talked about killing pirates like they were roaches he just squashed underneath his boots. If there was one thing Jasmine hated more than corrupt politicians, it was fools who thought that they were ending bloodshed by shedding more blood — and being happy about it to top it all off.

He boasted about his kills like they were regular game in the forest like a boar or a deer. Didn't that pompous windbag know there were more than a hundred thousand pirates out there, perhaps even millions! If they banded together seeing Commodore Sidney as a common enemy, the results could be catastrophic. There had to be some way to reason with them. They were human after all — even the lizardmen they commanded were smart enough to bargain.

They always want something in return. Perhaps with a little diplomacy, they could work out a deal that could keep them from pillaging the Thousand Island Estates and the Tropical Kingdoms.

As she slid her brush down for the fiftieth time, someone knocked at her door.

"Lady Jasmine," Commodore Sidney called from behind the door. "May I come in? Are you decent?"

Before Jasmine could even answer, the Commodore let himself in. Jasmine turned and looked at him with a deadly stare. She wanted to tell him off until she saw the wooden box in between his hands. She gently set her brush down, her other hand slowly creeping underneath her stood for her dagger in case the boy had any ideas.

"I am happy to have met you tonight. I do look forward to showing you around the ship tomorrow morning."

"Ahem," Jasmine said. "I did not allow you inside."

Sidney stepped back noticing her short nightgown. "Forgive me. You seem decent enough. I've traveled to ports where girls swim in the fountains naked. Even with other men."

"Only enter when I say you can enter," Jasmine said. "I did not allow you inside."

The Commodore bowed. "A thousand apologies, my lady. It won't happen again. I bear a gift for you."

"Really?" Jasmine said. "Close the door and I'll scream," she said as the commodore was about to shut the door to her chambers. "Whatever you can say to me, I'm sure the guards won't mind."

"Of course." He let go of the door handle and walked towards her. Jasmine turned away and continued brushing her hair to avoid looking at him. As he got closer, she could smell his awfully musty cologne, which had a slight scent of ocean breeze to it. "I've traveled far and wide searching for this," he said.

He set the box by her arm on the table and opened it. He opened it slowly to keep Jasmine in suspense, and it was working. She was looking at the gift like a child ready to tear open her presents on Christmas morning. Jasmine gasped when she saw a necklace made of platinum and giant aquamarines haloed by small sapphires. The necklace lay in a bed of thousands and thousands of tiny diamonds. Just a handful of them would make her richer than her father.

Jasmine was mesmerized by the gift. So lost in the endless twinkles of the jewels was she that she paid no heed to Sidney getting down on one knee and brushing her hair back with his fingertips. He kissed her on the cheek. She just turned and looked at him, mouth agape in confusion and wonder. He kissed her.. No, no, no. He couldn't do that. But she was just so overcome with awe by the splendor of the mythical necklace that she had no words to say.

"It's an ancient treasure created by the merfolk in the First Age of the Sun. When the Ocean King - Theldrost and his leviathans of the deep had sunk the Orc cities to the bottom of the sea and made their alliance with the merfolk of Waystolvia. The Mermaid Queen gifted him with precious jewels. The Blue Stones of Arwenya. The finest of these pieces was called the Nazaleem. "

"It can't be!" Jasmine whispered. The giant aquamarine used as the centerpiece of the necklace was shining like water reflecting light. "The Stars of the Ocean," Jasmine said as Sidney slowly joined in.

"It most certainly is. A necklace that ended an alliance. So beautiful was the piece, that the Merfolk demanded it back. They were just too proud of it. It was the work of Merfolk. So it had to go back to its rightful place. When Theldrost refused, the smiths who crafted the Nazaleem attacked his ship with a hundred hired spears. The fools had forgotten he could summon a mighty beast called Daedalus. The monster destroyed them with a giant whirlpool and the necklace was lost forever. Until I found it. It was in the hands of a pirate captain called Captain Lotus. How he found the jewel remains a mystery. But now it has found its rightful place."

He placed his fingertips on her chin and slid them down to her collarbone. "Right around your beautiful neck."

He picked up the necklace. Jasmine pushed all her hair to the side. She watched her reflection in the mirror. The necklace sparkled endlessly as it slid up from her cleavage to her neck.

"Beautiful," Sidney whispered.

He sure liked that word a lot, Jasmine thought.

"If the tales are true, it should increase your magic power two-fold so long as you're in the water. Being the coastal dream that you are, I'm sure it will come in handy."

"Why would you give me this?" Jasmine asked. "A relic such as this is too precious to just give away. What do you want in return?" Jasmine already knew the answer to that. She just wanted to hear it straight from the Commodore's mouth instead.

He smiled for what seemed like hours and said: "You."

Jasmine blinked and gingery placed her fingers on her chest. "I…"

"I am the Empress of Light's most formidable officer, Lady Jasmine. Termnnia has long sought to make you a part of its territories, but you'll find the Empire to be a much more profitable and powerful ally. While they squabble against each other and rot their kingdoms away, we grow. Perhaps one day, we will claim all of Termnnia."

"Highly unlikely. Go to war with the future High King, and you'll have something worse to fear than pirates. Thirteen powerful princes and three angry God Cards. Oh, and an Eyar named Yugi Muto. I wouldn't cross paths with them if I were the Empress."

"No, of course, not. She's too smart for that. She'll find some way to treat with the High King, whoever that may be."

"You're not confident in Yuri's claim to the crown?"

"No. There's too much mystery and controversy surrounding it. But let's not speak of those matters. The Empire and the Thousand Island Estates are their own entities entirely. High Kings and God Cards matter not, here."

"Why not ask for one of King Kendrod's daughters. He has like thirteen of them."

"Because they don't interest me. You do. Wear this for the next couple of days. Think about it."

"Think about what? You haven't even given me a proposition or the terms of said proposition. What is this for? Diplomacy? Imperial foothold on our lands? What?"

"Well, all three, I suppose. But mostly because I've been an admirer of yours since your father came to our home last summer and spoke about your incredible feats in the Diet of the Ocean Lords. How you've come up with small legislations that helped the poor greatly. You're negotiations with the Kings of the Tropical Kingdoms and the West Termnnian Trading Company have elevated your citizens into a booming middle-class. I find it all extraordinary, Jasmine. And you're still so young. With the power of this jewel and the resources Empress Accelia could lend you, we can rule the Estates together and turn it into a bustling network of trade, unlike anything the world has ever seen. And with our troops guarding these waters, the pirates wouldn't dare set foot here."

"It's a bold vision," said Jasmine. She looked down at the necklace and traced the outlines with her finger. "One a madwoman would resist. I'll need some time to think it over."

"Take all the time you need, my dear. My father and I will be here hunting pirates for the next month. I expect an answer before we leave. If not, I'll be taking the Nezaleem with me."

Once he left, Jasmine rushed out of the castle to the beach where no one would bother her. It was just so unfair how life could just twist and turn your dreams around until it was something completely unrecognizable. First, she thought she was going to be one of the Blue Palace Dueling Maidens, protecting the Blue Opal King with her incredible Duel Monster skills. Then, she was supposed to go to the magic university of Broxiton and be some sort of court magician to impress Prince Yuri. Now a Commodore from the Empire of Light has come down, presented her with a jewel that hasn't been seen in over 100,000 years, and expects her to marry him to bring power to this shattered nation of islands.

It was too much. She fell to her knees in the sand and let out a scream. "WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO!?" she shouted at the Goddesses. Only the waves answered her back. "What is your plan! Is there any for me? Zorc damn you! What is my purpose for being here? I wish my destiny was clear like High Queen Evangelia or Prince Yuri's. Aw, man! I'm so confused!"

The White Aura Whale that Ven rode on surfaced out of the water, letting out its eerie call. The silver light of the biggest moon, Luvia, revealed a figure walking out of the waves. It was Ven. He carried four big fishes by the tails and had a harpoon gripped in his right hand. Aside from his leather breeches, he was naked from the waist up. "Lady Jasmine?" he asked. "Is that you?"

"Ven!" Jasmine cried out, backing away in the sand with her hands. "Oh, by the waters of Aafi. You scared me."

"Well, sorry. I just didn't think you'd be out here. Say. What are you doing out here anyway?"

"This is my favorite spot. I always come here when I want to be alone. What are you doing fishing out in the ocean at night? Can't you see?"

"Atlanteans can see in the dark underwater," he answered. He set down his gear and walked to a big burlap sack that he kept hidden in some rocks. "I can see everything as though it were crystal clear." He opened the sack and took out a log. He then poured small red beads on it. After that he poured a green liquid on them, causing them to burst into a roaring fire.

"Sit," he said. "You look cold."

"Am I interrupting?"

"No. But I know I'm interrupting you," Ven replied. He stuck one of the fish through the mouth with a stick and held it over the flames. "What ails you?" he asked. He reached into his sack again, taking out spices and lemon to squeeze on the fish after he gutted it.

"A lot of things," Jasmine said. She crawled to the fire and then sat down, wrapping her arms around her legs. "But I imagine things are tougher for you. Being a prince and all. I just passed by a sleeping bag and a pillow. Are those yours?"

"Yup."

"Why don't you sleep in the castle? We've got nice beds and hot food for you?"

"I haven't been one to live the life of the hoi polloi," he said. "I like to sleep under the stars and get served the food nature provides for me. Besides, all those soft pillows and silk sheets will turn you lazy."

"So you just go out into the ocean and face all of its dangers because you're bored?"

"Yeah. That's why I started hunting down that Kairyu-Shin. He was the only challenge left in the sea for me to face."

"You know I wish I could be like you."

"Why wish? All you have to do is earn your sword arm and then you can face any challenge life throws at you. Getting pampered and having your ass wiped for you isn't going to teach you how to survive out there."

"I don't..."

"Don't lie to me," Ven said with a chuckle.

Jasmine rolled her eyes. "Okay, sometimes I tell them not to."

"Sometimes? Ha! You wouldn't last a minute in my lifestyle."

"Oh yeah?" Jasmine remarked, cocking her head to the side and flashing him a cheeky smile. "I bet I can. I'm a well-trained Aquamancer. I can manipulate water."

"Magic spells, huh?" Ven left his fish over the fire and stood up. He walked a few feet away from Jasmine. "All right, give me your best shot."

"You asked for it!" Jasmine said. She aimed her arm at the water and motioned it towards her. The water came to life, turning into a stream that circled all around her. Jasmine twirled and flung the water towards Ven. He yawned and held up his palm, conjuring an arcane aegis that blocked the attack.

"No way!" Jasmine cried. She could combat thieves and pirates with that spell. Prince Ven just shielded himself from it like an umbrella repelling a splash from a puddle. Being that he was a prince selected to join Master Yugi's esteemed alliance, she guessed that ward wasn't even a portion of the power he possessed. Then she remembered what Sidney told her about the Nezaleem. She focused all her power on it, making it glow. Jasmine tried her water spell again, this time she manipulated the water to become a Water Dragon (ATK/2800 DEF/2600)

"WHAT THE!" Ven cried out in shock.

Water Dragon roared and flew right towards him. Ven tried to ward it off, but he was smashed as though he got struck by a carriage. He crashed against the rocks and waited until the water died down. He slumped down the rock back onto the sand. Ven spit seawater out and coughed. He looked at Jasmine, her hands were clamped over her mouth in shock. Even she hadn't realized what she had just done.

"Ven!" she cried and ran towards him. "Ven, I'm sorry! Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he said. He rubbed the back of his head. "But emotionally I'm shaken. That is no trinket you carry."

"You know what this is?"

"Yes. I do...LOOK OUT!" He jumped on top of her and shielded them with a dome that looked like water made solid. BOOM! Something landed on the sand and created a massive explosion. Jasmine covered her ears and screamed.

"What was that?" she cried out. She looked to the ocean and saw what appeared to be torches lighting up the darkness on the horizon until there was a fiery line that stretched across the ocean. The sky went alive with what looked like orangish-red shooting stars. Jasmine then realized those were projectiles launched by trebuchets.

"PIRATES!" Ven shouted. "Jasmine! Run!"