Chapter Ten- Destined Meeting

Weeks passed and Zane was now a pro duelist. He had indeed received the grades to be in the Graduation Match and chose Jaden to duel him. It had been the challenge Zane had wanted and found it a surprise when it ended in a tie. Zane knew without a doubt that he would have a rematch with Jaden in the future.

He had spoken with Shinestone at length about blood and family and he agreed that Syrus would have a VIP box for the summer matches and that Zane would have a blood bag for his morning drink and Shinestone would provide a small glass before evening duels at which point he himself would drink. This arrangement worked out as Zane had duels almost as soon as he woke up some days, but most duels were at night as duels were big evening entertainments.

He did keep in touch with the school, particularly Crowler. He would tell him about his accommodations and assured him he was getting his blood when he needed it. "Mr. Shinestone and I have developed a superstition before an evening duel. We toast each other and he gives me a good luck statement."

"Superstitions are part of a pro's life whether it's sports or games," Crowler had said.

"Yes, I'm aware of that." Zane had thought himself above such things, but the first time they did this, he had had a spectacular duel and so they continued to toast as a good luck superstition. Now, he didn't mind such things; as Crowler had said, it was part of a pro's life.

Summer flew by and Syrus returned to Duel Academy. Zane had a duel scheduled the evening after school started and, as usual, Shinestone was in the concourse, a glass of blood in each hand. Zane accepted his, clinked it with Shinestone's, and drank it down. Then Shinestone clapped him on the back and said, "Go get'em Champ." Zane handed back the glass, headed out, and received a surprise: His opponent was a dark vampire! His skin was pale, his eyes a deep ruby red, and his ears were pointed though they were concealed by his hair. No one else seemed to notice his odd appearance. The dark vampire's eyes narrowed at Zane and he wondered if he could tell Zane was a light one. He put that thought aside as the duel began.

Zane left the arena to thunderous applause and he had no doubt that there were cheers at Duel Academy. He exited through the main doors and encountered the media as usual. The first time he met the media, he had felt overwhelmed by such attention. Luckily, Shinestone had showed up and fielded the questions before leading his star away. After that, he gave Zane some pointers and soon he was handling the media with aplomb. He answered their questions and was soon outside and in a limo with his manager. "Excellent dueling as always, Zane."

"Of course. I noticed that my opponent was a dark vampire."

"I noticed that too and I must say I thought you would have dueled one before tonight."

"Are there a lot of vampire duelists?"

"Not as many as one would think, but a fair amount. The dark ones tend to duel only other dark vampires and usually in underground arenas with their own set of rules."

"Have you seen this?"

"No, but I'm actually on good terms with a dark one who regularly watches such duels though he doesn't speak of the rules, only that they vary a little from pro duels."

Shinestone's statement of having a dark one as an acquaintance surprised Zane as he had thought that light and dark ones hated each other. So, I could befriend a dark one as long as he or she doesn't try to turn me dark. I far prefer to stay as I am.

Shinestone looked through his digital planner and said, "No duels for a couple of days. Good thing as your next one could be challenging."

"Well, you know I love a challenge. Who's my opponent?"

"Does Aster Phoenix ring a bell?"

"It does, but I don't know much about him."

"Well, word is he recently re-did his deck and you'll be the first to experience it."

Zane's eyes glittered at that. "I'm honored and it'll be a true challenge as his deck's theme is a mystery." The limo pulled up to an apartment building, Shinestone's home being the penthouse at the top and Zane was rooming with him until he could afford his own place. "Since I won't be dueling for a couple of days," Zane said as they rode the elevator. "I would like to go flying."

"Go ahead, Champ. You earned it."

Zane bared a smile, fangs exposed as they entered the penthouse. He liked Shinestone's nickname for him and it was all because of his winning streak. Zane neatly folded his jacket and put on a shirt that had wing slits in the back. He went to the balcony, unfurled his wings, and took to the air.

The city spread out below him like a map of glittering lights. It was a breathtaking sight, one Zane never got tired of; every flight continued to fill him with wonder and awe. He looked up from the sight below to see a winged figure all in white. His breath caught at seeing another light vampire and flew toward the figure to introduce himself and as the vampire about his or her views on life. His approach was noticed as the other also flew toward him. The two braked as they came closer and Zane resisted the urge to react strongly as he saw the vampire was Aster Phoenix!

Aster arched a silver eyebrow and a smug smirk came to his lips. "Well, this is a surprise. I didn't know you were a vampire, Zane."

"I would say the same about you. How long have you been one?"

"Only a year and my manager was the one who turned me. What about you?"

"Several months and a dark one bit me out of love and she died the following night."

"So both of us are relatively new to being vampires but I say I'm far better than you."

"Do you?" Zane asked neutrally.

"I do. My manager said I was destined to be a vampire; one who can walk the line between light and dark, something no one else can do."

Zane felt inclined to agree as most light vampires he met did not exude the smugness or arrogance that Aster did. He also found the attitude very distasteful. But all he said was, "You're very special then, Aster."

"Oh, no doubt. I'm destined for greatness and everyone I duel helps fuel that greatness. That includes you."

"Really."

"It's true. It's your destiny to lose to me."

"You seem to be obsessed with the notion of destiny. I, however, determine my fate. Me and no one else."

"You can't fight destiny, Zane. You'll see that in two days." Aster wheeled around and flew off into the night." Zane frowned. I don't like that guy.

Shinestone frowned slightly as Zane recounted his encounter with Aster. "I think Aster was lied to. No vampire can be light and dark. It simply doesn't work that way. One is either light or dark, not both."

"Then, he's light as his wings were white," Zane stated.

"You said his manager turned him. It's possible he's a dark one who is trying to turn Aster dark."

"Then his attitude and notions of destiny are just his pro self and not a vampire attitude."

"Just so. Don't think on it, Zane. He's just trying to psych you out before the duel."

Zane nodded. "You're right. I won't let Aster get into my head. I don't believe in destiny and I control my path. We'll see who was right in two days."