【55 - The Blind Hermit and the Helpful Wisdom of a Kaijudo Master!】


YouTube: Softest Beach Sounds from the Tropics - Ocean Wave Sounds for Sleeping, Yoga, Meditation, Study


The water helped to ease Luano's physical wound, but couldn't do much for his pride. He was kneeling submerged in the cyan water, his eyes on the smoking island with fear in his heart. He wanted to be with his fellows but he also knew there were invaders lurking through the jungle and the last thing he wanted was to be captured a second time.

He recalled yesterday afternoon, seeing Kanoa wander off alone at lunch. Knowing it was his chance he left when nobody would notice and took one of the canoes, sailing off in the direction Kanoa went and knowing he'd probably find him along the beach. Of course Meilani had noticed and left as well, sailing after him but waiting long enough to not be noticed. It was after Luano had defeated Kanoa in their duel that she showed up. Luano had proven what he knew all along, he was the better duelist and Jupiter rightfully belonged to him. Although snapping like he did and coming to blows wasn't smart, he knew Meilani had a fierce protective side and would've jumped in if he'd continued. Taking his frustrations out on them both was a bad idea, and with the girl threatening to tell his father he knew it was time to leave.

He'd sailed off on the canoe, cursing them under his breath. The chief could still be strict on his son when he feared some action of his could bring them dishonour in the eyes of their people. These thoughts kept Luano from spotting the pirate ship sooner than he did. He'd yanked at the strings controlling the sail and arced away. But he saw over his shoulder, the cannon protruding out. The vessel turned to get a clear shot and when he heard the boom Luano abandoned ship. He'd dived not a moment too soon, strips of wood blasting by him underwater.

He used breaststroke to get himself back up and then after breaking the surface he went into freestyle, as fast as his muscles could move him. He was burning by the time he reached the white beach. Behind him the ship had anchored and a rowboat full of pirates was making its way over, so he took off through the jungle.

He didn't get far - what felt like a wasp stinger stabbed him in the back. Luano had stopped to pull out the dart. He saw a different tribesman stalk out of the bushes in front of him, followed by others. They were darker and thinner than his people, with bone piercings and blank stares. Another tribe. Then Luano had collapsed forward and chipped his teeth.

What happened after that was history. He was detained in a human-sized birdcage made of branches, told by the crimson-eyed lieutenant that he was bait. It wasn't until nightfall that he was found and reluctantly rescued. Only they hadn't got far before another dart got Luano in the neck. He remembered someone carrying him, maybe Dominic, and then he woke up groggy in a cave by himself and caked in grey mud.

So much insanity had taken place in only 24 hours. Now the volcano was in the process of clearing their island of all its forestry, and what's more Heidi had tried to kill him. He figured they were both acting on rage brought on by all the confusion and stress. Luano too may have issued a direct attack if given the chance. And yet, he now had the distinct feeling that Heidi wanting to attack him with her dragon wasn't an emotional decision, but something she'd wanted to do from the start.

"This all happened because of the chosens. They brought chaos to our island..." Luano couldn't tell if the scorch mark on his chest would scar. He felt well enough to move, but didn't know where he should go. So he lingered in the water, his anxiety growing. He turned around and looked out to where the ocean turned jade and then far-out blue. Still nobody had come to their aid. This situation didn't even feel real.

When Luano turned back he recognized someone staring from the next bay. A white man with long, messy grey hair. That description matched the blind hermit, who'd only been seen by a few members of their tribe since his arrival. But if he was blind he couldn't be staring? Unless the kaijudo energy that let him sense cards also let him see people? The hermit turned away and Luano wondered if he'd perhaps not been seen after all. Regardless he stood out of the water and started to make his way over, jogging across the coastal shelf.

His wet feet traversed hot sand and took him over a dip. Luano saw a makeshift hutt just beyond the fringe of the jungle. It was small and shoddy, with only enough room for one person to curl up inside for sleep. The fact nobody had seen it meant he probably kept it hidden with that pile of huge leaves resting beside it. On the sand a small fire was going and the hermit was crouching beside a stand with a clay kettle, boiling his tea. Luano stared for a few seconds before approaching.

"Blind hermit? It is you, isn't it?" He watched as the man didn't react or speak, he simply held out a dried half of a coconut and poured the steaming tea. The teen puffed his chest and raised his chin "I am Luano, son of the chief who owns this land." Once more the figure ignored him, busying himself with another makeshift cup. "Excuse me-"

"Sit." He held out the drink for him. "Have tea."

Luano was curious despite himself and walked over, taking the cup and then sitting down awkwardly. He stared at the man's lined face, at those tightly wrapped bandages. Luano stopped staring and blew on his tea. The hermit removed his little kettle and sat back with his own drink.

"...I always wanted to ask you, ever since I heard of you." Luano started, more earnest now. "How is it that you can survive out here by yourself, with no tribe to help you, and with your um, disability?"

The hermit sipped. Luano did too and it burnt his tongue. He swallowed painfully and it burnt his throat as well.

"...to be a true kaijudo duelist is to open yourself up to a range of powers one needs only to be tapped into."

"Okay. Well I don't know if you're aware, but this island is in a state of chaos. We're under attack, on many fronts, and no help has come. This all seems too calculated and that's the most frightening part."

"I am aware…" The hermit spoke mysteriously and drank.

"Blind hermit-" he stopped himself. "First of all, do you have a name I can call you?"

"I have no need for such a thing."

"Okay, Mister. This situation isn't something we can just hide from in the jungle and meditate our way out of. We need to take action, but it doesn't look like there are much actions we can take."

"Where is the chosen nature duelist? Where is Kanoa?"

"Heck if I know where that guy is," Luano turned away bitterly and sipped more carefully this time.

"...I met with him on his mountain walk."

"Do you mean his pilgrimage to the Sacred Mountain of the Spirits?"

"Yes. I told him to come visit me here and he never came. It was many days ago."

"A month, I think. Well…" Luano recalled what Kanoa had said in their duel. "Apparently, he said Jupiter was only rejecting him because he didn't want to leave the island and find the other chosens. If he never came to see you… maybe he was telling the truth, and this whole time has been battling with the desire to just give Jupiter away."

The hermit sipped and so did Luano.

The teen stared into his drink while the old man downed the last of his.

"How did you come to this island?"

"I was on a cruise boat hosting a duel contest and it sank. It was also where I received my injury. This was many years ago. I believed I was sent here to guide the chosen duelist on the path to his destiny."

"Well damn that Kanoa!" Luano suddenly snapped. "Train me! I'll be the hero if he doesn't want to be! I deserve that title!"

"You don't deserve anything talking like that."

"Why you…" but Luano wrestled with himself and after a great deal of effort calmed down.

"Duel me." The hermit said.

"What?"

"Duels among your people are supposed to be how you understand each other, right?" At the hermit's statement Luano nodded before remembering the other man couldn't see. "Duel me and I will look into your heart and determine if I should be the one to train you."

"Okay. Koi, I accept."

"But not here." The hermit stood. "We're too in the open. Follow me." He took his kettle and stand, returning it to his hutt before taking care to hide it with the leaves.

Afterwards he started walking along the beach and Luano followed. He was a mix of anxiety, impatience and curiosity. With effort Luano managed to hold his tongue. Around the next bend they came to rocks and stepped along, avoiding the oysters and barnacles. Again Luano wondered how this man could perceive his surroundings so well without vision. The hermit pulled his deck from a pouch hidden in his rags. The surf crashed beside them, but since it was low-tide there were many tide-pools full of marvellous creatures. Urchins, mollusks and even a trapped eel that was circling a pond. Luano stepped over and around until he was facing his opponent. Green then blue kaijudo flames caught and their tables faded into existence.

The blind hermit went first, charging nature-water twice and Luano summoned on his second turn "Spice Queens, Ingas Holy Evil!" The light-dark blocker appeared, twin fairies clutching a magic wand "My God Nova OMG's cost 1 less to summon."

"I summon Ochappi, Pure Hearted Faerie" A 1000 pink-haired snow faerie entered play but couldn't boost any mana with an empty graveyard.

Luano's curiosity peaked again at witnessing him duel. He charged and then "Loud Park, True Flashing Right God!" The purple serpentine god emerged thanks to its lower cost. I mill 3 and return Wired, Spirit Knight Right God to my hand. I'm done."

Another confident draw and adding the card to his hand like any other player "I summon Raija, Aqua Ninja and return Ochappi to my hand." The 1-cost liquid soldier landed with his arms up, Ochappi was flushed back into his hand.

"...I summon Summer Sonic, Channeler of Suns Left God and god-link!" The white torso-shaped mecha combined electrically with the serpent. The combination was a 7000 blocker. "I draw whenever a God Nova OMG enters play. I'm done."

"Jasmine, Mist Faerie." Another green-haired snow faerie appeared. "I sacrifice her to boost mana."

Luano drew and smiled "I cast Faerie Life to boost mana."

Yes, this is a strong set-up. The teen was telling himself. What happened with Heidi must've been a fluke. If I find her again or another enemy they're going down for sure.

"I resummon Ochappi and send Jasmine to my mana zone. And now Shuff, Eureka." A casino card dealer started magically shuffling between both hands. "By choosing number 9 no creature or spell with that mana cost can attack or be cast next turn."

"I summon Lollapalooza, Spirit Knight Left God and tap Eureka, it doesn't untap next turn." The gold machine shone teal from its glimmering gemstones.

"Macallan Fine, Explosive Roar." The fire human in extravagant armor swung around his flaming sword. The blind hermit didn't declare an attack, only stood and waited for his opponent to go.

"I summon Rising Sun, Holy Evil Elemental." A four-armed deva emerged, wielding sword and spear. It had 6000 but in being another Left God couldn't combine with anything. "Now my God Nova OMGs all have shield trigger! I'm done."

"I cast Imen's Sign to bring onto the field Imen=Bugo, Dragon Edge!" This draguner was a blue crocodile wearing a headpiece of colourful fabrics. "I use it to bring out... Boaroaxe, Evil Tomohawk and then from my mana summon Inka, Karma's Curse Crest! But first my spell lets my draguner force battle with one of yours, I choose Rising Sun, Holy Evil Elemental!" His tail whipped back as he flung himself, with 7000 power he hacked through the other god and it blew apart.

"Boaroaxe, huh?" Luano said with his eyes on the tomohawk, it gleamed under the sun.

"Force battling with Imen's Sign doesn't count as attacking, however Imen=Bugo turns the cards in my mana zone into every civilization. This activates Macallan Fine's mana arms 5, turning all my creatures into speed attackers!" At his words the draguner shone rainbow while the human shone red. "Imen=Bugo, double break!" The reptile hissed and jumped right back out "I bring out Ochappi, Pure-Hearted Faerie."

"I block with Spice Queen's, Ingas Holy Evil!" The fairies intercepted and were slashed apart.

"I end my turn and with a total creature cost of 26 I dragsolution into Boaropagos, Evil Emperor Ruins." The axe levitated over his shoulder, becoming the temple with five dinosaur head statues.

"I summon Big Day Out, Holy Evil Demon and god-link to Lollapalooza!" Its head was an animal skull and it held a jagged sword, after combining it had 10,000 power. "With his effect I destroy Imen=Bugo and tap Inka, Karma's Curse." Blue lightning struck his draguner and the faerie crouched down. "My first god-link Sonic-Park then attacks her!" An outpour of power smoked Inka, thus removing her troublesome effect of preventing Luano from summoning on the blind hermit's turns. "I'm done."

"No charge. I end my turn."

"I summon Heracles, Birther of Gods." He showed a costly card that shone green. "When summoning him each god in my mana zone can count as 2 mana. Then after summoning him I can return any gods in my mana to my hand so I choose Mastermind and Izumo Super Godkind." The emerging beast wasn't technically a god but it was massive, some kind of horned beast with insect wings. It had 12,000 power and triple-breaker. "Now my gods cost 3 less to summon as well. I'm done." Luano smirked with confidence.

"I summon Cebu Algol, Electro-Vanguard." A cybernetic blue blob weaved babyish arms and lightning leapt off, opening a portal to hyperspace. "It lets me bring out the psychic creature Prin Prin, the Victorious who freezes your blocker god until my next turn." the alien princess emerged with a cheer, using her umbrella to beat down on Sonic-Park. Boaropagos flashed green. "And also I get to put from my mana Prometheus Splash Axe. I boost 2 mana and return another Cebu Algol from my mana to my hand." His water-nature creature looked like a beast folk in crystal armor.

What followed was a tumultuos line of attacks "Ochappi, shield break! Aqua Ninja, shield break! Macallan Fine, shield break!" His nature, water and fire creatures struck and diced panels before a trigger was hit.

"Faerie Life..." Luano's glee quickly soured at the sight of his poor excuse for a trigger. He boosted mana and let his opponent continue.

"Shuff, Eureka attacks and I choose 12 so Heracles can't attack either next turn. Shield break!" More flinging glass. "Second Ochappi take out his last shield!"

And that was that. The blind hermit had used up all his attackers and taken out all of Luano's shields. It frustrated the teen that triggers was what turned his last duel around, briefly, but he'd received no good ones this game. Two of his creatures were useless this turn but he did have a full hand now, and he intended to use it.

"My move! I summon Loud Park, True Flashing Right God! I mill 3 and return God Izumo, Lawless Godkind to my hand. Next I summon Izumo Super Godkind for only 3 mana!" Strange waves of power pulsed from his table and the arising creature wasn't his typical Izumo, but an alternate light-darkness version. However it still had 12,000 power and a host of strong abilities "Thanks to Heracles reducing its cost by 3, and Izumo's own ability reducing its cost by 2 for each of my linked gods, I still have plenty of mana left." This prepubescent boy looked angry instead of bored. His skin was blue like the wings on his right side, the left side's were purple. "I get to put 3 cards from my hand or graveyard into my shield zone." 3 panels rebuilt and the hermit clenched his fist slightly. "Last but not least I cast the spell Violence Heaven! All non-God creatures immediately die!"

Heracles groaned as it sunk into the earth. Each of the hermit's creatures blew up one after the other in colourful explosions. Once everything settled the hermit's field was entirely cleared. Luano grinned but still wanted to be cautious "with that, I'm done."


+ Spy Kids 2 - Aztec Treasure Room


"Impressive turn," the blind hermit admitted as he drew. "I summon another Cebu Algol, Electro-Vanguard and Victorious Prin Prin returns from the hyperspatial zone, freezing Sonic-Park. Boaropagos lets me play Kiryu Jilves from my mana zone. For the rest of my turn each of my creatures now have slayer, speed attacker and go to my mana zone when destroyed." A twisted creature of three civilizations rose up with a scythe in hand. "Prin Prin, shield break!" She sprang and lashed with her umbrella, of course it was a trigger.

"Curse of Resurrection and Clash! I revive Spice Queens, Inga's Holy Evil." The light-darkness blocker appeared. Luano still had 2 shields left.

"Kiryu Jilves, shield break!"

"Spice Queens blocks!" The blocker swept in and both died.

The hermit studied the remaining 2 shields. Luano still had Loud Park to block with, and without any knowledge of his other triggers he decided it would be safer just to end.

Luano set down his signature card "God Izumo, Lawless Godkind! I link him between Summer Sonic and Loud Park. Now linked gods cannot leave the battle zone!" Electricity fused them to 19,000 and he hesitated once more, staring down his opponent's five shields. "I end."

The hermit drew another Imen's Sign but knew Izumo prevented spells that cost 5 or less from being played. He charged it instead "I summon Imen=Bugo, Dragon Edge and equip him with Jurapil, Egg Hammer. Boaropagos lets me bring out Macallan Fine, since he also counts as a nature card while in my mana. Then I summon Jasmine, Mist Faerie and again bring out Kiryu Jilves." Four new creatures joined his field. "Imen=Bugo gives my mana every civilization. Mana Arms 5 makes all my creatures speed attackers and Kiryu gives them slayer and sends them to my mana zone when they're destroyed this turn! Imen=Bugo, double break!"

"God Izumo blocks!" Luano rushed. The draguner was fried and blown away once more.

"Kiryu Jilves shield break!"

"Loud Park blocks!" The attacker slithered over and was smote, dropping its scythe.

"Macallan Fine, shield break!" The fiery sword threw burning chunks of glass.

"Curse of Ressurection and Clash! I revive Spice Queens again!"

"Prin Prin attacks!"

"Block!" Prin Prin smacked the blocker away with her umbrella as Luano tapped it.

"Jasmine, final shield break!" It flew to the opposing table and swiped the last panel clear.

"God Gate! Phew..." The only copy he'd been able to mill and then plant with his alternate Izumo. Five cards spread before him "I bring out Omega, Oracle Jewel and link with Max, Rage Crystal and regain a shield!" The platinum sword and shield stuck together.

The hermit removed his hand from his table.

Luano sighed with relief "My move. I summon Mastermind!" Another 12,000 power variation of Izumo appeared, this one wrapped in bandages. "I link to Loud Park. Now brace yourself old man. God Izumo, quatro-break!"

Glass exploded and the hermit put his arms out into an X to shield himself. Pieces still cut his face and sides before the old man stumbled back. He was on his knees as a glowing blue trigger drifted down to him. But that wasn't what alerted Luano. The bandages on his face had been cut and were falling in strips. As the blind hermit raised his head instead of a milky gaze or empty sockets... there were monochrome teal eyes.

"Those eyes..." Luano breathed. "The lieutenants have eyes like that."

"That is true." The old hermit said and stood. "My name is Hikiko Grey and I am a lieutenant underling to the Gatekeepers of the Outer Path."

"You're not blind. Your whole identity was a farce!" Urgency was raising in Luano's voice as he realised this duel was not a friendly game at all. The hermit only pretended his duels were friendly so that if he were to lose he'd be spared, but could still order a lethal attack if he happened to win.

"That is also true." He gave a smile showing yellowed teeth and took the card floating by him. "I'm out of practice, forced into hiding solo on this island under the General's orders. He wanted at least one lieutenant keeping an eye on each chosen at all times, so I was sent here to secretly watch over Kanoa and I've done so for a year now."

"Slippery bastard!"

"You hated Kanoa for being more special than you. Nobody cared you were the chief's son when another boy your age became the Hero of the Islands, delivering prosperity here and all around the other islands too. In the end it doesn't matter how special you are... because everyone here is going to die! Shield trigger, Ragnarok the Clock ends your turn!"

"No!" Luano shouted. The man floating upon the clock face weaved his arms, the hands moved and tolled, signalling the sudden end of his turn.

"My move!" Hikiko drew. "I summon another Jasmine and bring out Kiryu Jilves from my mana once more. I summon Ochappi and bring out Prometheus too. They all become speed attackers. First Jasmine, shield break!"

"Omega-Max blocks!"

"Second Jasmine, shield break!" The glass warped and broke, no trigger. Omega-Max untapped.

"Kiryu Jilves, shield break!"

"Omega-Max blocks!" The fiery swordsmen blew backwards after his strike.

"Ochappi, shield break!" His final shield was gone once more. Omega-Max untapped again.

"Ragnarok, todomeda!"

"Omega-Max blocks!"

"Macallan Fine, todomeda!"

"Loud Park blocks!"

"Victorious Prin Prin todomeda!" Luano panicked and raised his arms. As the purple-haired princess swatted him with her umbrella they heard multiple bones breaking. Then he fell back on the sharp rocks and punctured his skull, bouncing over and into the ocean. Blood mingled with the water. He became a blue blurr before fading, sinking to his death.

"Shit!" Kanoa let the rare expletive slip out.

Meilani stopped at his side and they stared out at another stream of lava that was flowing downhill. It spat embers angrily, moving with a hot glugging sound. It had cut them off, meaning the only directions they could go were up to the volcano's mouth, or down to the ocean which would be a much longer route.

Kanoa took Meilani's hand "come on."

When she pulled free he looked at her questioningly.

"What if we could go over somehow?"

"What? No, much too dangerous-"

"All of this is dangerous! And I want to be there with the tribe if anything else happens! This is my home and I want to defend it! Maybe there's a tree, or a rock. A vine we could swing ourselves-"

Kanoa kissed her to cut her off. Then he took her arms "I already almost lost you. I can't take a risk like that ever. There's enough of the tribe to take care of each other. Now we just have to make sure we can get out of this."

At his words she nodded and let him pull her down the sloping terrain. They ran while the burning orange moved with them to their right. The minutes went by and then they slowed again to catch their breath. Meilani's stomach grumbled and Kanoa turned away to see if he could forage anything from their surroundings that she could eat. When he found a bush of something she saw him glow faintly green, using Jupiter's power to grow even more berries for her. Meilani turned and spotted a curious shape on a nearby trunk.

She stepped over to investigate, lifting a finger to prod it when an arm lashed out and grabbed her wrist. Dark eyes opened on the tree and she realised it was an Anemeon. The dried clay on his body had blended him in perfectly with the bark. She stepped back and he followed, raising a stabbing implement.

Meilani screamed and Kanoa's fist came out from behind and clocked him. Kanoa grabbed her shoulders and they continued on running. Strange whistling started up around them and more enemies crept out from hiding places. Kanoa's heart was hammering in his chest as he tried to keep weaving through trees, out of an easy-line of fire if they started with the darts again. A clearing appeared and Meilani screamed again, grabbing his arm.

They stopped by a short cliff-drop, maybe four meters but beneath them it burned brightly with swelling lava. The air rippled up from the intense heat. All three directions were blocked off, they had to go back the way they came and hope they could get around. When Kanoa heard rustling behind them he took Meilani's wrist and ran off once more.

Their harried breaths, the breaking of twigs and leaves underfoot, all seemed to mute under the pounding in their ears. Hands grabbed and spears were thrown. Kanoa was running for the rocks and burrows he knew would be further ahead, and Meilani seemed to know this as well. Anything that would help them lose their pursuers. They ducked below a branch, running the length of a long ditch. The fallen tree above their heads jostled, someone running along it. They got to the end and out. Their chaser jumped, but they swerved left and weaved between mossy boulders. They ducked back and when one lithe figure ran by they changed direction, slipping into a steep ditch and moving beside the winding creek until they could nestle themselves against the dirt. As their hearing returned Kanoa could hear his breaths and the running water.

Roots stuck out from the walls of dirt by their heads. Kanoa sat on one and Meilani rested on a stone.

"We lost them." Kanoa panted with hands on his legs.

"But for how long…?" Meilani clutched her middle, trying to ignore the pain. After they'd emerged from those caves at dawn, reunited and victorious they'd returned briefly to chaos back at the tribe. The usual feasts were foregone as everyone worried over Luano and those injured by the attacking invaders. The people of this island were strong-willed and decided that if help wouldn't come in time, they themselves would defend their land from attackers. But in not knowing how many were on the island even the young boys had fighting spears fashioned for them. Meilani had eaten a bit of whatever lay around but seeing the young ones accepting weapons in their clumsy hands took away her appetite. They had only a few hours sleep then went looking for Heidi. "I don't think we are going to unite with the tribe…"

"I'm not sure that's what we should even be doing anymore."

"What do you mean?" Meilani asked him.

"I brought this on everyone by staying-"

"You didn't know this would happen!"

"But still, if we do make it out of here by some miracle, I have to leave the tribe."

"I'm coming with you." Meilani said at once.

He smiled at her "then what we need to do is find Heidi."

"But something is very wrong with Heidi now… last time we were with her she wanted to duel you."

"I know. But I also know I can bring her back. I'm probably the only one here who could. I'm not sure we have any hope of getting off this island, but I do know that if there's even the slightest chance we need to be where Heid is so we can get out of here together."

Meilani stood and walked over, offering her hand to him "let's find Heidi then."


AN: Another day another chapter. Without giving them the creeps, I'd like to thank that one reader from Germany who went through and read this whole story. Always cool to see someone do that. At this point in time Acuma has not yet reviewed the last four chapters but he's also very busy with work and said he'd probably get to it on Friday. That reminds me, only 5 chapters left of this installment. Suppose Nature arc started off chill but like an earthquake, when destruction hits it hits hard!