Jasmine

A couple of days had passed since Jasmine had woken up on the island with Ven. Upon getting herself cleaned up, they worked together to build a shelter out of palms and fallen trees. Ven taught her how to fish with a spear, taking her to the cove and diving in with her. Even though it was full of sharks, Ven was not worried. He knew how to keep them at bay leaving Jasmine safe. It took some time but she eventually got the hang of it and started coming out with a catch full of morsels for the evening stew. As the food cooked, he taught her how to use a sword so she wouldn't have to use the Nazaleem again. He always had spares in a thick leather roll full of interesting swords he looted from his enemies.

"Move your feet," he said as they had another session. "That's it."

"You're holding back on me!" Jasmine said, blocking his attack.

"You want my best?"

"Yes."

"Very well." He came at her with all his might, turned, then used his right leg to sweep her off her feet. She fell on the sand hard and he pointed the tip of his sword under her chin. "You have a long way to go before you can spare with me at my best, ladyship."

"Asshole," Jasmine grumbled.

Sarinx was watching their sparring from the top of a cliff overhead. She bit into a peach and laughed at Jasmine's humbling. "She's such a lost cause. But...if she's the one you want. What can I do?"

Ven helped Jasmine back up. "Supper's ready." He went for the cauldron, which he kept in a magical sack that seemed to carry anything he needed. He added some salt to the stew and noticed Jasmine staring off into the sea. "Is something wrong?"

"Those islands were not there yesterday," she said pointing at some small rocky islands dotted with palm trees here and there. "I noticed the surf goes sideways instead of straight. The shadows under the sun move a lot faster too. What in the world is going on? I'm so confused."

"I thought you knew."

"Knew what?"

"I guess not. Come on. Follow me."

Ven led her to the northmost point of the island. Jasmine had been there so many times gathering coconuts, he figured he would have seen the creature already. He led her closer to the water then pointed something moving underneath the veil of turquoise. Something big was moving left and right. Jasmine thought it was some kind of sea serpent, however, she realized it was the head. Ven whistled. The creature lifted its head out of the water. It bellowed blissfully as if greeting the whistle.

"And Island Turtle!" Jasmine gasped. "No way! We've been on the back of an Island Turtle. Hold on a minute." She backed away from Ven. "We didn't get stranded here. You...you brought me here."

"I did. I know this creature well. I'd come to live here on his back if I ever wanted to get away from Poseidra and my duties as Prince of Atlantea. He's never in the same place twice, which would make finding you rather difficult. You'll be safe here."

"And just how long do you plan on keeping me here?" Jasmine yelled. "I have a family to get back to."

"And what are you going to do if more pirates attack you. You're dealing with The Emerald Death, Jasmine. He's a whole new breed of pirate. He had no fear attacking Port Peace and he will attack again if you're there. I know for a fact he knows you have the Nazaleem. He will do anything to get it. Even slaughter all of your people. If he gets his hand on that jewel, the ocean and everything in it will belong to him. So I'm going to keep you here until I wash away all that pomposity and softness that's been shoved down your throat all these years. I need you to become the hero you've been chosen to be."

"I didn't want to be a hero! I was..."

"Wishing on a star. Well, you got your wish. Now you have to live with it. You can't run from a destiny such as this. Not when so much is on the line. The Nazaleem isn't just some piece of jewelry, Jasmine. It's the heart and soul of the ocean itself. And you are its guardian. Its voice. I need you to listen. Go ahead. Listen closely."

Jasmine did as she was told. She closed her eyes.

"Listen to the waves against the rocks. Feel the wind against your skin."

Jasmine breathed slowly and calmly. All of a sudden all the sounds around her; the waves, the wind, the seagulls. She began to hear whales calling to her from the deep. She heard Deep-sea leviathans that swam in the darkest depths of the ocean howling and crying. All the sounds started to become one. One sound. A voice. She heard her name in a haunting melody that caused her to open her eyes and gasp from shock and amazement. Jasmine backed away from Ven once more. A joyful tear rolled her cheek.

"Now do you understand."

Jasmine was too awestruck to speak. She just sobbed against a laugh and nodded her head.

"I am glad." He summoned his aquatic sword, stuck it in the ground, and went down on one knee. He bowed his head in respect. "Master Yugi tasked me with aiding Termnnia any way I could. When I asked him what it was he needed of me, he just smiled and said to keep a lookout. Destiny has a way of leading someone to their goals. By some miracle, that jackass commodore found the Nazaleem. I swear the moment he thought to give it to you, the thought of finding you must have come to me. Destiny has led me to you. You are my task. And I will see to it that you become the ocean's mightiest warrior. Jasmine, I lend you my sword. I will fight for you and defend you. Even if it means my life. Will you accept me as your guardian?"

"All right. I...I accept. Thank you, Ven. I am willing to learn and listen to anything you have to say."

Ven smiled and stood back up. "Well, that was easy. All right. Get some sleep, ladyship. Your training intensifies at dawn."

Aster

It was the final night before their voyage to the Thousand Island Estates. It took a few days (And a lot of paperwork, according to Bastion) but he was able to grant them a voyage to Port Peace on one of his family's luxury barges. They would have sailed hours ago, but the weather grew terrible around noon. Aster recalled Alexandra dancing atop the ramparts, Dueling against a gang of hedge knights who wanted to be in her service. As her Treasure Cards demolished them all, she just skipped around humming the tune of the song the bards wrote after she destroyed an army of princes alone with just her dragon Bruton.

The horses make the meadows quake. Hmm-hmm Hmm-Hmmm

The swords have clashed. The arrows fly!

Warriors meet. The shields all break. Hmm-hmm-hmm

The meadow echoes with their cry.

Tonight their widowed wives will weep. Hmm-Hmm Hmm.

They will never feel their lover's arms

Never will they join them at a feast.

The fools they love warm the belly of your beast.

After her Duel, the storm hit and they were trapped in the castle all day. Aster didn't mind. There was plenty to do in the castle arcade and the food was to die for. He and Hassleberry sat together in the mess hall once night fell. They were surrounded by sailors and mercenaries working for the Misawa family. The mess hall looked like one of the chapels downtown with vaulted ceilings, barely visible from the fog of the steaming meats and tobacco being smoked, and windows of painted glass. The thunder and endless tapping of the rain outside were drowned out by merry laughter and loud music from a band playing songs on the balcony overlooking the mess hall. Hundreds of candles and lanterns lit the darkness from the tables, shelves, and the iron chandeliers above.

Aster jabbed his fork into a potato and ate it with one bite. He was troubled. Antilles messaged him earlier that morning, again, asking for his progress with the item he desired. Aster, again, reported that he had not found it and that he was trying his best to get transportation to the islands. He saw Antille's glare at him from the communicator, filling him with fear. The smile that followed afterward, sent a shiver down his spine. Antilles was trying to hide it, but Aster could tell his patience was wearing thin.

"What have I gotten myself into?" he asked. "But if it means protecting Yuri, so be it."

Hassleberry savagely bit into a buttered scone and nodded at a pretty serving girl in a tight waitress's bodice and skirt. She poured him wine. "Fill 'er up, please," Hassleberry said. The girl complied, filling his treasured goblet to the brim. "Thanks a lot," he said. The serving girl then looked to Aster, who nodded and held up his cup. The girl looked at him with a sparkle in her eyes. Hassleberry noticed her bending forward lower and lower so the Gray Prince could have a look down her cleavage. Her cheeks were turning pink and she bit her lip to keep her emotions in check.

"Will that be all, M'Lord?" she asked, standing back up.

"Yup," Aster replied. He motioned his hand, shooing her away.

The girl looked around bashfully, wondering what to do to keep his attention. "Well, look to me if you need anything, Aster Phoenix." She bowed her head to Hassleberry. "Lord Kenzan." She turned, strutting away, shaking her hips from side to side in tantalizing dance. She looked over her shoulder, hoping that Aster was watching her.

"You don't have to do anything, do you?" Hassleberry asked, slamming his palm on the table.

"What do you mean?" Aster asked before he ate another potato. Thunder rumbled as he waited for a response. Hassleberry said nothing still, forcing Aster to swallow prematurely. "Well, what do you mean?"

"Whayamean?" Hassleberry mocked him with a babyish voice, shaking his head from side to side. "You know what I mean, playboy. You don't have to do anything. You just sit there in all your silvery glory and all the girls come flocking to you like pigeons to popcorn. What the hell's yer secret, man?"

"I don't know what you mean," Aster chuckled. He helped himself to another potato. "If you ask me, she had her eyes on you."

"She had her eyes on you, ya fucking bastard. Don't try to play coy."

"Hey, what about them?" Aster motioned his head toward a shark roasting over a spit. Three young serving girls were watching them from behind it, giggling when they saw Aster looking their way. "Well, lookie there. They've got their eyes set on you, big boy."

Hassleberry scoffed. "You kidding me? They've got their eyes on you, dipshit. They don't want me."

Aster laughed and motioned the girls to come forward. "Hey, ladies. Can you come here for a sec?" The girls laughed, fixed themselves up, and walked toward their table. "Have any of you heard of Ser Hassleberry of House Kenzan? The great knight who aided Queen Maria Delgado to win the coup of Feldia. He was one of the top students in class, too, and has a deck full of rare dinosaur cards he'd like to show you." He looked at Hassleberry. "There you go."

"Aster you son of a..." Before Hassleberry could finish he found himself surrounded by the girls, their partially exposed chests formed a ring over his head. "All right, all right." He stood up and put his arms over their shoulders, leading them out of the mess hall. "No need to call me Ser, girls. You can just call me Tyranno. Have any of y'all heard about Dark Tyranno?"

"No!" "No, Ser Knight." "Why, no."

"Well, did y'all know it's the cousin of the Black Tyranno, the ace card of Prince Yuri. He's gonna be my student you know and..." He disappeared down the hall and Aster could hear them no more.

At that moment, Alexandra came, holding a tray of cakes and other pastries. "Looks like he's going to have some fun." She sat down next to Aster, so close she could brush against his arm and hips. "You should take a page from his book and unwind yourself. Look at you. You're so tense. You know, I have a remedy for that."

"I'm sure you do," Aster said, grabbing his tray to stand. Alexandra grabbed him.

"Don't leave in anger. I just want to talk."

"So talk! But keep your fucking hands off me." Aster sat back down.

Alexandra sat up, rocked her head back and forth to regain her composure, and stared at a ring shining on Aster's finger. It was made of brilliant silver, depicting what looked like an angel with four arms carrying different weapons. A long, blue, multifaceted gemstone was inlaid on the angel's chest.

"Where is she?" she asked. "The woman who gave you that ring?"

Aster looked at the ring. Quickly, he yanked the sleeve of his enchanted leather jacket down so it could cover his fingers.

"She broke your heart, didn't she? May I ask who she was."

"Alexis."

"Alexis?"

Aster nodded. "Of the Royal House of Rhodes. It was a graduation present."

"Her!" Alexandra almost said in disgust. "Truly?" She almost burst out laughing. "I never would have figured her to like men."

"Say what?"

"Oh, don't listen to me, Aster. I once played with Alexis and Princess Evelyn of Elleria when we were little girls. Before we left for our first year of Duel Academy, I saw her and another girl named Kara Kestrel playing kissing games with each other by the fountain. I guess it was a phase she must have outgrown if she found a fancy for you. What happened, may I ask?"

"Politics," Aster replied. "It just made life difficult. After her brother, Atticus vanished, there was no heir to the Sapphire Throne. King Forrest was gaining many footholds in the southern territories and it was rumored that he was sending a navy of 2000 Balovaskian mercenaries and corsairs from the Black Sword Sea to attack Aquarius. Then, Queen Daria was attacked by assassins when she was bathing in the fountains of her palace. The cherry on top was when Alexis was almost killed by a girl named Belladonna Wyvernheart when she tried to free her dragon from its card."

"Why would she want to do that?"

"She wanted to get revenge on House Martin. During our senior class trip, they attacked her kingdom and killed her family. They took everything from her. She was so angry, so depressed, that she was willing to do anything to get her revenge. And she was going to start by killing their only heir, Andre. We stopped her, though. Anyway, Alexis needed to go home to be safe and defend her country. I wanted to go with her." He shook his head. "She told me off. She said we couldn't continue what we had. Her life was too complicated for a romantic relationship. And since we weren't high school kids anymore, life was going to get even tougher. She finally bowed her head, went to the ship at port, and sailed out of my life. What hurts the most, Alexandra. I didn't see a single tear come down her face that night." He sighed. "Makes me wonder."

"You poor thing." Alexandra placed her hand on top of his.

"Aw, fuck it. Besides, now that she's Entuli's Champion and fights crime with the Cyber Knight and Lady Infinity as the Platinum Valkyrie, I bet she thinks she's too cool for me anymore. Pfft. Whatever. I don't need her."

"Of course, you don't. Not when you have someone better."

She leaned forward, trying to kiss his cheek, but Aster moved his head to the left to prevent her lips from landing on it. Aster looked at her, thunder rumbled outside again, making his stare look even more menacing. He said: "No."

"Oh, Aster. I can be so much better than she was."

"No, thank you! Two things happen to men who go to bed with you. They either come out different — and never for good reasons — or they don't and are found lying in a gutter somewhere."

"Oh, silly, I never loved those men. They're not like you. You're special, Aster Phoenix. I will never abandon you when the going gets tough. Not like her! She was a spineless coward for doing that to you. If she truly loved you, she would have allowed you to stand by her side not toss you out. She's a strong woman, is she not? I think she kicked you to the curb because she didn't want you anymore."

"You would want to believe that."

"I have seen dozens of couples stand and fight against insurmountable odds. You said so yourself. She didn't shed a tear when she ended your relationship — and so easily, too. She wanted that to happen. I won't. Now that my Uncle Antilles has named you the champion of our House, we're going to be spending so much time together. You know..." She started to whisper. "Uncle Antilles says we might oust my father from power soon. He is not worthy of Serania. The Dragon Lands are in his control and he plunges us into recession! He sends our elite Dragon Riders into meaningless wars. You know the Curse of Dragon Brigade had 1300 dragons in their stable But because he wastes our resources on meaningless wars, their numbers are now down to 200? A lot of other squadrons have had to retire because all their dragons or riders died. And guess what? He joined the confederates, too. He joins Prince Hector in wanting to take the Diamond Throne from Yuri. My Uncle was furious! When we get rid of him, Mother will step down and name me Queen. But...it probably gets so lonely in that giant bed chamber. And..what's a Queen...without her King."

"You'll name me King of Serania? Why?"

"Because I want you, Aster Phoenix. Say you will be my King. My Uncle will get right to work on my stupid father. He knows how to make...accidents happen."

"Am I interrupting anything?" Bastion asked, stepping in.

"No," said Aster.

"Yes," Alexandra said at the same time.

"Aster, I need to speak to you in private, if I may."

"It better be good. Alexandra, if you'll excuse me."

"Why not?" she pouted. "I have better things to..."

"Hail to the King!" shouted a knight in jeweled armor. Everyone in the mess hall stood and raised a mug as King Anastasio 'Stas' Trevelyan XIII of Mondé came into the room with an entourage of golden knights with giant pauldrons that carried the banner of Stas's inner circle. He was well-dressed in a gentleman's outfit colored royal red and adorned with gold thread. The jacket was open to reveal his chest and the multi-gemmed necklace that represented the Gem Dragons of his deck."

"Prince Stas!" Alexandra cried. She stood up from her seat as quick as lightning. "It's you! I haven't seen you since the Halloween party a few months back."

"Alexandra," said Stas. "You're looking beautiful. So...it's true. The legendary swordswoman, The Crimson Hood, is you."

"Guilty as charged. When your father is an oaf who sits around and does nothing while bandits wreak havoc across our lands, you can't help but want to get up and kick some ass. I have two Ellenanian Steel swords, a fine longbow made of Kingsteel wood and a fire-breathing dragon. And these enchanted clothes provide protection from magic and physical attacks, too."

"Makes for a great hero," said Stas. "I heard about your battle in the Pontar River. You against one hundred horse raiders. Impressive."

"Oh, my dragon did most of the work."

"Goddesses, there's something about girls fighting with dragons that's so mythical!" Stas said through his teeth.

"Forgive me," said Bastion. "But haven't you had an encounter with a girl riding a dragon, Prince Stas?"

"King," Stas corrected. "I am King now. Father jumped to his death from the highest tower just days before I came home from the war."

"He jumped from his window?" said Aster. "What happened? Was he depressed?"

"He was mad. He thought he could fly. I knew his mind was deteriorating but this was just...forget it."

"Indeed," said Bastion. "Many condolences."

"That man deserves none," said Stas. "As for the girl I knew, Christine. Yeah, it's best just to forget about her. Every thought I have of her is just too painful. She was the one I wanted but fate had other plans."

"Quite. So, how many knights have you brought from Mondé?"

"Seven hundred and fifty. That should keep the rivers in Elleria safe from Naralian troops until Yuri comes back."

"And they are loyal to the High King?"

"Of course, Bastion. Um, I wish I could talk, but I need to get going. I have to meet with Prince Ryon."

"Ryon?" said Alexandra. "As in Ryon Balor the Prince of Many Colors!"

"That's him. He just secured his borders from the Naralians last week. They tried to take the Termnnian Archives for themselves. Pfft, dumbasses. Aster. Long time no see. What are you doing all the way out here?"

"Hey, Stas. I'm on a mission. Can't say what it is."

"Oh, I understand. Well, good luck. May the Stars of Entuli light your path."

"Same to you," said Alexandra. "Goodbye, Stas."

Stas walked off, waving his arm goodbye before vanishing into the throng of people. Bastion tugged on Aster's arm. "Well, now that that's been taken care of, would you care to follow me upstairs. We need to have a talk."

Moments Later...

"What do you mean the barge has been canceled?" Aster wondered. He followed Bastion frantically around his chamber as he grabbed his coat and messenger bag. Rain slammed against his window from the thunderstorm outside. It was not a night to go anywhere, but a matter of great importance forced Bastion to dress up and head off into the night.

"It means what it means, Aster," said he. "I will say no more. Your jolly little voyage is just going to have to wait."

"It can't wait any longer!" Alexandra yelled, barging into the room. "Did you not hear the news? Port Peace was attacked by pirates. And Lady Jasmine has gone missing. Some sort of strange storm sucked her away. It's the item we're looking for it has to be."

Bastion sharply turned, almost like a pirouette, and pointed at her. The ponytail of his powdered wig whipped around his neck. "NOT another word! Purse your lips and turn about. I allowed you in good faith to walk freely in the castle but you are not welcome in my bed chambers. Ever! It makes me sick knowing a filthy Dragonheart can walk freely here. When I desire to see you locked away in the dungeon for your crimes against various crowns in Serania."

"I aim to please," Alexandra pouted.

Hassleberry walked into the room with a plate of peanut butter chicken wings. "Mmm. What's the commotion? What's all this talk about the barge being docked until morning."

"I don't know," said Alexandra. "Mayhaps, Lord Bastion is afraid to sail in a little storm."

Hassleberry's mouth went open, revealing the bits of chicken meat on his tongue. "Huh? That can't be true, is it Bastion? When last I checked Misawa Shipyards boasts unsinkable luxury barges that can survive even the worst of storms."

"That is no lie," Bastion said putting on his coat. "The Goddess of Storms herself couldn't sink our ships. If I wanted to, we could leave right now. But a matter of great urgency has come to my attention."

"So why not just let us go?" Aster asked. "See to your business and let us tend to ours."

"Your business is now my business, Aster. I'm going to tag along with you. If the item you seek is what I think it, then it's a most important discovery; one that needs proper studying."

"It's not some science expedition," said Aster. "This is the business of the king."

"No merely a high-ranking one. If you wish to hand the item over to Antilles, so be it. But I wish to document it for a while. It won't take long, I swear it."

Aster crossed his arms then drummed his fingers over his biceps. "All right, all right, fine."

"That's the spirit. It's also in your best interest that I go. When last I checked you're about to sail into a very unstable region of the Singing Seas. You're going to need the help of our mercenary fleet."

Aster smiled for the first time since they arrived at Bastions castle. "Thanks, Bastion. You're all right."

"What's stopping you from setting sail, though?" Hassleberry asked. "What's so important?"

Bastion gave a heavy sigh. Lighting flashed outside his window, his head slowly turned towards it. He started to button the cuffs of his coat and slowly marched to the window. The windows of the other buildings in town were lit up against the darkness and the orange glow of the iron lamps revealed columns of chimney smoke slithering off into the night. The bell from the central pavilion's clock tower rang slowly to sound the eleven o'clock hour.

"For the past several weeks, our town has been attacked...by a monster. Seventeen people are dead, including scores of livestock and great damage to the city. Earlier today during breakfast, I received a letter from the asylum. Apparently, they have captured the monster."

"Really?" Aster asked.

"Yes. And the monster claims to know me. I didn't think about it at first and just shrugged it off. But I started getting more letters, each of them repeating the same thing. The monster knows me. I thought nothing about it until an hour ago when I got another letter. The monster claims it went to Duel Academy with me."

Aster and Hassleberry looked at each other. Alexandra just whined and gave a stretch.

"It is why I must head there at once and see who this 'monster' is."

"Sounds dangerous," said Aster. "I'd better come along."

"Same here," said Hassleberry.

"You go on ahead," said Alexandra. "I shall be in my room at the barge. Clearly, my presence is not wanted this night." She again stretched and whined as her back cracked. "Besides, I'm growing rather sleepy. Goodbye." She swept around and marched out of the bedroom. She stopped at the door. "Aster, dear. When you get back from the asylum, do come to my room and cuddle with me. I hate thunderstorms.'

She blew him a kiss and walked away giggling.

"For goodness sake," said Bastion. "Someone give an award to the drama queen, will they?" He grumbled. "Pfft, Dragonhearts."

Aster shook his head. "It's always the blondes that give me trouble."

"Oh yeah," said Hassleberry. "What happened between you and Alexis anyway?"

Aster held his palm over Hassleberry's face to shut him up. "Don't mention that name around me again."

Bastion clapped to ease the tension in the air. "Gentlemen. Let's keep our cool shall we? I thank you for coming along with me. Let us be off."

Aster and Hassleberry were both treated to lavish black overcoats and umbrellas. But by the time they got into the carriage, the rain had slowed down to a trickle. Even the clouds were starting to part, but there was still lighting flashing in the clouds and a few rumbles of thunder. Hassleberry was munching on another platter of peanut butter chicken wings, and a bottle of the castle's best cold beer from the cellars, compliments of the chef.

"Man, this stuff is good!" Hassleberry said. He stuffed another into his mouth and pulled it out, leaving nothing but the bone behind. "Mmm. Bastion, you've got some awesome cooks, lemme tell ya."

"Try not to eat us out of house and home, will you?" Bastion said with a chuckle. He flipped to the next page of the book he was reading. Two gold lamps provided them with light.

Aster looked away from the window towards Bastion. "So, Bastion, never thought I'd see you running an important place like White Harbor. I always took you for a science nerd back at the academy. The fancy coats, the powdered wigs, the responsibilities of a lord. Heh. It's so unlike you, man."

"Well, the war has been keeping my family busy. My father is a patriot and he is loyal to Termnnia and the Heart-EartH Crown. And my mother, believe it or not, is in charge of the industrial-military complex around here. She also bleeds loyalty to the crown. Once they heard troops were needed up north, they gathered all the soldiers in our estate and marched to battle. Father's hoping he can bag himself a Dragonheart, or perhaps take down that pompous prince riding the Clear Wing Synchro Dragon. I, of course, was left to manage the town and the shipbuilding business we own. I was also left with a garrison of 50,000 men to guard the city. Can't be too careful since we are so close to the confederacy to the east. Goddesses only know when they'll feel emboldened to attack us."

"Damn, you sure have your hands full," said Aster. " Will you be able to come back to school?"

"But, of course, I will. With a high king back on the throne, the conflict will subside. My parents will come back and continue their duties and I can finally go to Brixiton University and work on my degree. You all will be returning as well." He set his book down and chuckled. "So there won't be a short supply of opponents for me to Duel. Prince Yuri, too. Master Yu-Gi-Oh claims he's becoming a great Duelist wherever he is. I'd love to try my hand against him."

"Hey, y'all forgetting he runs a deck full of dinos just like me! I plan on taking him under my wing. Who knows? He might be a great student of mine."

"You're kidding, right?" Aster said.

"Nope." Hassleberry stretched and rested his head against his hands. "So what about you, Aster? Plan on taking on the high king?"

"If it happens, it happens," Aster replied. "If we do Duel, things aren't going to be easy for him."

Thirty minutes later, they arrived at the asylum. It looked like a red-bricked palace with black roofing. The iron gate at the front opened, allowing Bastion's carriage to come through. The three boys exited the carriage and proceeded into the asylum.

As soon as they walked through the doors, their ears were met with a cacophony of eerie sounds. Doors banging deep from the asylum. Chains rattling, the infinite screams and groaning of madmen.

A man dressed in black medical attire approached the boys, halting their advance down the halls.

"Lord Bastion," he said. "We've been expecting you."

"Yes. I wish to see this monster."

"Follow me," said the man.

He led them down dark hallways lit by torches on iron sconces and bowl-shaped chandeliers. There was electricity in the castle. Naturally, it lit only the offices of the best doctors, their lounges, and the owner's private quarters. There was even WiFi in the asylum but the signal was weak.

The man took them down a hallway to the left that led to two green doors with fogged glass windows. They heard a voice coming from behind the doors. The man opened them. He extended his arm, making way for the three friends.

They slowly walked into a small lecture hall. The only light sources were two torches on the walls on either side of the doors, the tall window at the back of the lecture hall showing the dull light of the moon shining through the clouds as the storm passed, and a fluorescent ceiling lamp that hung over the stage where a man in a monocle and a gleaming white suit and tie was giving a lecture on human psychology to his fellow doctors and even groups of esteemed journalists from the city papers.

The man with the monocle turned dramatically, clutching his black pointer with a gold tip. "Ah, young Lord Bastion. I see you've brought some friends. Come in, come in. The monster is on his way."

Bastion said nothing. He turned his head to look at his friends and jerked it to the upper stands. Aster and Hassleberry agreed silently. They wanted to get away from the prying eyes of the men surrounding them. And the stage. It was made of white tile, now vanilla in color after years of degradation. There was a drain at the center pooled with someone's blood, making them hurry the hell out of there.

Once they got to the top, the doors were flung open. Two men pushed someone wrapped up in a straight jacket. into the lecture hall on a wheelchair. Someone big.

"Chumley!" Bastion, Hassleberry, and Aster cried out together.

It was him alright. His beady eyes saw his friends at the top of the lecture hall. He tried to speak, but a gag of cloth was wrapped over his mouth, forcing him to bare his teeth and keeping him from talking. "Mmmmmm!" he yelled through the gag. He tried to move but he was strapped to the wheelchair with heavy leather belts.

"Ah, so you do know him," said the doctor in the monocle.

"He's a companion from school!" Bastion yelled. "Doctor, what is the meaning of this!?"

The doctor flung his pointer upward. "What is the meaning? What is the meaning? I am so very glad you asked." He held the pointer behind his back with an exaggerated whip, then strolled calmly towards Chumley. "This gentleman you see here... what was his name again?"

A nurse handed him a clipboard with Chumley's dossier on it. The doctor took it and skimmed through it quickly, flipping through the pages.

"Ah, yes. Chumley Huffington. We found your friend naked in the slums. There was a noose around his neck. Apparently, he tried to hang himself."

"Chumley..." Hassleberry whispered.

"Chumley, why?" Bastion cried out. "Why didn't you just call me for help?"

"He could not," said the doctor. "He, unfortunately, has lost his mind to madness. The boy was babbling incoherently when the town guard came to arrest him. He said that he was...a monster. Since we have taken him into custody, he has screamed for his death. And shortly after, he was calling for you, Lord Bastion. And I am very glad you came to witness my genius at work. Long have your parents doubted and criticized my work here at the asylum. Mr. Huffington will help me prove them wrong."

"Let him go!" Bastion shouted.

"I cannot do that, My Lord. I am writing a paper on the causes of mental instability and Mr. Huffington will prove to be a very valuable asset in my research. We also need him for a very brief experiment tonight."

"I order you to let him go!"

"Chumley is to remain with me. This is the order of the Earl of Wendorhod, who need I remind you is the one who is truly in charge here while your parents are gone. Do not think because you run a shipping business and govern this town that you have any power over us, young man. You are merely warming your father's chair until he gets back."

"Damn!" Bastion said, relinquishing his desire to shout again. "This is exactly why Master Yugi started the alliance. Senile old fools like you who are too proud to take orders from those younger than you."

"Alliances are not the reason why we are here, Lord Bastion. Please, leave your petty politics for the House of Parliament."

"What kind of experiment are you going to perform?" Hassleberry asked.

"I am so very glad you asked, son. As I said before, Mr. Huffington thinks he has the capabilities to turn into a monster. One that manifests himself with every full moon."

"You're saying Chumley's a werewolf?" asked Aster.

"I am only saying what he believes, young man. This is why I am so glad that you and your fellow classmates are here tonight. Perhaps you can help me prove to Mr. Huffington that he is no monster. Prove that the full moon has no sway over him. And that he is an ordinary human being."

"Mmmmm!" Chumley said, shaking his head wildly.

"We will all remain in this room and see that he will not transform."

"I think you're the looney one here," said Aster.

"Say what you wish, young man. But my little experiment will help Mr. Huffington take his first steps on the long road to mental recovery." Mumbles of agreement from his colleagues. "Let's take a look at his track record. A failed student at the elite high school, Duel Academy. He flunked all his classes, lost every Duel, failed to achieve a thing. A Slifer Slacker in every sense of the word. Sometime during the redo of his first year, his excellency, High Chancellor Pegasus, took a liking to his exquisite artwork and offered him a job at Industrial Illusions to create cards. There he met the love of his life, Lady Abigail Tremayne, the daughter of the Count of Baronrose."

He stopped and looked around, smiling. "Yet, we find you rolling around in filth with no clothes in the middle of the slums here in our beautiful city. What could have caused Mr. Huffington to fall from such grace? That, my friends, is an easy question to answer. Let us take a look back to Mr. Huffington's past. We all know he has witnessed very traumatic things as a child. Your father creates the best saki in Eredas. An astute businessman with an exceedingly high reputation, however, he drinks a little too much of his own product, causing him to behave irrationally, daresay even violently. And he witnessed his mother getting disemboweled by a Phantom Griffon when it attacked their carriage as they were returning from a summer trip to visit the Baron of Ivermorn. And just recently he witnessed another tragic death."

"Mmmm!" Chumley growled. He was warning him not to talk about Abigail.

"Yes. As you two were on your way home, you were attacked by Yeyunists. One of them stabbed you in the heart. And all you could do was watch helplessly as they hung your wife on a tree and burned her."

"Sam hill..." Hassleberry said softly.

"They wanted to make you suffer for making cards for the game they detest so much, yes." He looked at the second page on the clipboard. "Ah, but here is where it gets interesting. You claim that something monstrous broke out of the forest and killed them."

The doctor's colleagues looked at one another.

"It is my theory that Chumley's fragile mind could not take such trauma any longer. Therefore, he created this fantastical truth. That he was the creature all along. But you are not a monster, Mr. Huffington. You were not bitten by a beast plagued with Lycanthropy. Your mind has shattered. But I will fix it for you."

"Mmmmmm!" Chumley snarled, shaking the wheelchair from side to side.

"What the hell is he talking about?" Aster asked

"Of course none of this makes any sense," said Bastion. "He's unqualified to run this institution. He only got the job because the Earl of Wendorhod is a close personal friend of his."

Chumley muffled a few words.

"Uh, I believe Mr. Huffington wants to say a few words."

One of the guards removed the gag from Chumley's mouth. He breathed heavily and moved his sore jaw from side to side.

"Kill me..."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Huffington. We did not quite get that. Can you speak up, please?"

"KILL ME!" Chumley roared. He looked to his friends. "Guys. It's too late. You've gotta get out of here now!"

"I'm afraid you're going nowhere, Mr. Huffington."

Chumley snarled. "You fool! You just signed the death warrants of every person in this room. You're going to die. You're all going to die!"

The doctor did not listen. Instead, he turned around and arrogantly continued with his lecture, now going into the topic of Lycanthropy and how Chumely's case was not real, since the last werewolves in Thara were hunted to extinction at the beginning of the Third Age of the Sun.

"SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING!" Chumley shouted.

The clouds parted at last, revealing the three moons in the sky. They all shined their light on him. He started shaking violently in his chair. His cries and gasps turned into wheezing, then...into snarling. Aster recoiled backward when he saw Chumley's neck twist in an askew angle. More sickening cracks could be heard popping all over his body. His cheekbones twisted, pulling his skin upwards. He reared his head back, mouth agape in painful cries. Suddenly, his teeth began falling out of his mouth. They were being pushed out by longer, sharper, bigger, teeth. His beady black eyes became huge and formed irises that became the color of amber when a light shined through it.

The other doctor's started to grow very afraid. Some started standing up and pointing at Chumley, warning the head doctor about what was happening behind him. His ego was too large for him to hear them. And he was so in love with his own voice and his hypothesis that he was oblivious to the hideous transformation taking place behind him. Chumley's asylum rags started to rip apart as his muscles expanded. Coarse black shiny hair began to crown out of his flesh. He was growing bigger and bigger. The straps holding him down snapped, unable to hold him down any longer.

"Oh, Goddesses!" Bastion cried.

"Sam Hill!" Hassleberry exclaimed. "Chumley really is a werewolf."

"No..." Bastion croaked. "Eyewitnesses reported something bigger. I'm afraid this is much worse."

"DOCTOR!" a journalist cried out, pointing at Chumley, who no longer looked human.

The doctor finally turned around. His eyes widened. He dropped his pointer and stepped back as a giant twelve-foot black bear loomed over him. The monster glared at him with fierce amber-colored eyes and roared so loud, the lights flickered and he created a terrible gust. Many of the doctors' fragile eardrums popped, and they fell to the ground deaf.

"A werebear!" shouted Aster.

The monstrous creature held out its arms and let out another terrifying roar, causing all the doctors to run around in a panic, desperately trying to find a way out. The werebear looked at the doctor in the monocle one last time before he swiped him away with his claw. His mangled ruin splattered against the wall. The werebear went for one of the guards. He bit down on his shoulder, shook him around, and threw him out the window. The others were piled up against the door. They were so frightened that they couldn't get them open and trapped themselves in the lecture hall with the werebear.

The werebear decided to toy with them. It cornered them against the doors and roared loudly. The men screamed in horror. The force of the gust created by the werebear's roar was so great it caused the men to push against the doors until they fell down. The men who were pressed against the doors perished against the immense pressure. When the werebear had its fun, it turned around to look at Bastion, Hassleberry, and Aster. It snarled for a moment. Perhaps that was Chumley deep inside recognizing them. He howled at them, forcing them to get out of the way, then he charged up the steps and jumped out the window. The werebear landed on two guards, crushing them like ants.

Bastion, Hassleberry, and Aster looked out the broken window. They saw the werebear getting on all fours and sprinting into the city. It crashed through the eastern gate and sped off into the forests at the foot of the mountain. A loud, menacing roar echoed across the night as the beast marked its hunting grounds. No one in the city was safe now.

Hassleberry sunk to his knees, shocked by what he saw. "Aw, shit. This is not good."