I'm on another writing streak! Sorry that this chapter is short, but I should update again soon!
Whispering Hope: Thanks. Same to you! ^_^
*Chapter 24: An Unbeatable Force?*
Claire had been walking the whole day, trying to reach the canyons where she had seen Rue dueling. She had woken up in the town, and spent a while trying to slip past the officials. After that, she had walked to the canyons.
Her companion resembled a centaur. His body was of a white horse's, but at the location where the horse's neck would be, was the waist and up of a man. He wore blue and gold armor. He had white feathers that covered the horse's sides, arms, and on his waist. His blue helmet ha a red jewel in the middle, and a tiny wing on each side. A gold halo also circled it. In one hand, he carried a shield; in the other, a sword.
Perseus looked around the area doubtfully. "Are you sure he was in the canyons?"
"There is no other area that is like this one."
"True, but even if we find him now, it will probably be too late to save him."
Claire had known this, but had not said it out loud. "Even if that is right, I must see for myself."
They walked on in silence, the only noise being the footsteps of them. Perseus suddenly noticed something ahead.
"Look up ahead. It seems like statues."
The rest of his words were lost as Claire ran forward. She had soon reached the stone figures, and stared at them. Perseus soon caught up, and breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's not Rue or Ruecian, thankfully. Claire, is this the General?"
She nodded. "So Rue won… thank goodness! I was so worried…"
He nodded. "So what now?"
"We still need to find him. I've been thinking… that General somehow managed to connect that duel to our TV. That means they know where we live."
"I see… so you want to tell Rue?"
"That's right."
They spent the remainder of the day walking around the canyons and the mountains, not finding anything. Claire looked around.
"Well, we have a few hours left. There's the forest, and the lake. Let's try the forest first."
They walked into the forest and searched quietly. Yet they found no trace of Rue or his companions.
*****
"Sir, she looks so easy to kill. Why can't this be a death duel?" the man protested.
"I have told you before, and I will tell you again. There are four teens that are interrupting our work. We must dispose of them. That girl is one of the boy's most treasured things-he will do anything to save her, even if it means his own life. So beat the girl, capture her, and then I will give you new directions."
The man grinned wickedly. "Yes sir."
*****
"Oh, it's no use!" Claire cried. "It will be dark before we find him. Maybe we should call it a night…"
Perseus nodded. "That would be wise. Do you know somewhere we can stay?"
"There is a clearing near here. Let's go there."
After a few minutes, they entered the clearing, only to find someone else in it.
The man was concealed with a black cloak, hiding all of his features. The Soul Monster that was beside him was one Claire easily recognized though. With light brown fur, three eyes, green arms and legs, and white claws, it was not difficult for an expert duelist.
"A Critter…" Claire muttered. She raised her voice to talk to the man. "Are you a General of Hell?"
"I am indeed. So you are Claire, the sister of Rue, eh? I was commanded to duel you. When I win, your brother will be the next casualty to the Ritual."
"Say what?!" She growled angrily. "And what gave you the idea I would just lie down and be defeated? I'll win, for Rue's sake!" Perseus nodded in agreement.
"Do not make promises you cannot keep. So, are you ready to duel?"
"You would be a fool to believe otherwise!"
Claire: 8000
???: 8000
"What is your name, anyway?"
"You will know soon enough. Since you were the one challenged, you may go first."
Claire drew her hand quickly, and smiled. "This will be over quickly. I play Sanctuary of the Sky first!"
A grand, white temple rose under their feet. Soon, they were on what appeared to be a temple that was too high up to even see the ground.
"This card negates all battle damage done to any of my Angels. Next, I play Magic Guarder! You will have to destroy my magic counter before you can destroy my Sanctuary. Finally, I will lay one monster in defense mode, and a card face down."
The man simply examined his hand, and shrugged. "A nice hand indeed. I will lay one monster in defense mode, and two cards down. I will also activate Angel's Gift. I draw three cards, and then discard Emissary of Harmony and Quick Squirrel. Your turn."
Claire was pleased by her next card. "I play Stealing Goblin! You lose 500 Life Points, and I gain 500 as well."
Claire: 8500
???: 7500
"I will also flip over my Saint Magician. I get back one magic card, and I choose Stealing Goblin. I will activate it!"
Claire: 9000
???: 7000
"Then I sacrifice my Saint Magician for Agent of Judgment, Saturn! (2400/0) I will also equip my monster with Dagura Blades! This raises his attack by 500! (2900/0) Now Saturn, attack his defense monster!"
"You destroyed my Black Forest Witch. (1100/1200) I get to search my deck for a monster with 1500 defense or lower."
"Now I'll explain Perseus' Deck Master ability! I choose one of my Angel Sub-Types on the field, and he gets a trample effect. Also, whenever he does battle damage, I draw a card. Also, my Dagura's second effect comes into play. When my Angel Sub-Type does battle damage, I gain Life Points equal to the amount you lost! I'll be done there."
Claire: 10700
???: 5300
"I play Jar of Greed, drawing two cards. Then, I lay another monster in defense mode."
Perfect! "I summon Agent of Power, Mars! (0/0) His stats are the difference in our Life Points! (5400/5400) Now, both of my monsters attack!"
"I activate Emissary of Harmony, but my face down monster is revealed. It's my Critter. (1000/600)"
"Then it's your turn."
The man smirked. "Good… I switch Critter to attack mode. Attack Saturn!"
"What? Are you that stupid?"
"I need his effect, so I am willing to make a small sacrifice."
Claire: 10700
???: 3400
"You just raised Mars' attack and defense power though! (7300/7300)"
"I do not care about small matters such as that. I lay one card down, and end my turn."
Claire sighed in relief. "You think your traps will stop me? I activate Harpy's Feather Sweep!"
"I chain my Cry of the Living Dead on Black Forest Witch. She is destroyed though, so I get to search my deck. Oh, and I also chain Emissary of Harmony."
Claire shrugged. "It won't matter next turn. I end."
The man snickered. "Oh, I think it will matter…" He drew his next card. "I have won this duel."
Claire gave him a doubtful look. "There's no way you can. I have too many Life Points, and you have lost too many to come back!"
"You doubt me? Then look for yourself." Then he placed five cards on his monster zone.
Claire gasped at the sight. A huge, towering monster stepped out of a portal. Resembling a man slightly, is had chains wrapped around its limbs. A ball of light began to glow in his hands. He stepped forward and let the light loose, firing it at Claire.
She only had time to whisper one word before she was hit.
"Exodia."
Then she was struck down, unconscious. Perseus, overcome by the pain, vanished into his Soul Card. The temple and the monster vanished as the man walked over to the unconscious form of Claire.
He took out a radio and spoke into it. "Boss, I defeated her. What are your next orders?"
To be continued…
