Skraku: Oh, I had some pretty bad ones in AAO. Fear not, your prayers have been answered, the new chappie's here. Take a look!
Monica: Well, take a look and you'll see why. Promise!
Wolfwings: *grins* See above response.
Mira: *waves to new reviewer* It seems that even the lurkers want to come out and admit I'm evil now. I wonder if people are trying to tell me something. *wink* I'm glad you're enjoying my story. I love writing it, but I love it even more when people tell me I should keep doing it.
Ankhutenshi: Yay! Review from Ankh-chan. I'm sure Theoris would very much appreciate your glomping; meantime, I very much appreciate your noting the supposed originality of the duels. I work hard on those – as you know! *wink* You might get to see someone tell Madison off. Wouldn't that just annoy her no end. And... good! Someone knows!
MysticalMan Eusine: *waves to new reviewer* Good to know you like the story. But was the cliffie really that bad? Wow. I may have to write more like it. *grin* As to Monica, you're about to find out, so sit tight and read onward, my friend. Theoris is especially fun to write, so it's good to know you enjoy him as much as I. And I will most definitely, as you and Wolf both say, "Keep 'em coming!"
-------
Kyle blinked. "Um... yes? That would be me?"
She was frowning at him. "Is there a hidden flashlight or something around here?"
"Uh..." It was his turn to frown. "Not that I know of. Why?"
"Because I could have sworn I just saw a light shining on your head."
"Oh." He gave her a winning smile. "Must be my halo."
She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "No, not that kind of light... it was on your forehead. I could have sworn I saw something..."
He raised his eyebrows and shook his head. "No... not that I know of. But if it makes you feel better, I'm not going to stop you if you decide to look. What're you doing here, anyway?"
She gave him a look. "Hmm, let's see. I'm standing here in the lounge where the semi-finalists are supposed to go after winning their respective divisions. I'm a good duelist. Put one and one together."
"Uh..." Kyle still felt slightly dizzy from the rapid transition from Theoris' transfer of control, so he chose that moment to act deliberately obtuse. "You wanted to corner me in an empty room. That must be it."
She scoffed. "You wish. I got into the semi-finals, of course. Why're you here?"
"Oh. Same reason."
Her frown deepened. "You? Now that was something I hadn't expected." She began searching around the room – presumably for a hidden light source. "This could prove to be an interesting tournament after all. Just don't tell me you didn't expect me to get this far."
"Promise," he responded. He looked at the donut he was holding and raised an eyebrow at it, inspecting the bite in it as though it held the secrets of the universe. What's going on, Theoris? Did she somehow see you in control?
Yes, she did. I can tell from her description. It is similar to my experience with the Millennium Shield while Khensthoth was within it.
What do you mean?
When I am in control, the glowing Eye of Horus appears between your normal eyes. Your eyes also glow.
What?
Perhaps you would be best served to find a reflective surface so that I might show you.
Kyle glanced over to Monica. "Did you see a convenient bathroom nearby?"
"Out the door, turn left, go up the hall, it's on the right side," she answered, still searching.
"Thanks." He followed her instructions, then carefully looked around the bathroom to make sure no one else was going to be watching. He locked the door – I'll only be a minute – and then stepped up to the nearest mirror. Okay, show me.
First you must disfocus.
Kyle did so, and once again, he felt as if he were floating – much as Theoris had described. It wasn't as hard this time, since he knew what to do. His eyes drifted closed.
When they opened again, he could see through them, but it wasn't Kyle that was controlling them.
His eyes stared directly into the mirror.
And just as Theoris had said, they were glowing. The pupils, specifically, were giving off golden light. Not only that, but there was also a third eye – though this one looked more like it was light poured into a carving – in the center of his forehead.
Kyle had an urge to jump away from the image, but he wasn't in control – so it was all the more disturbing when he felt Theoris start at the sight. What, what is it?
I... had not quite expected this exact sight.
You're the one who knew about the eyes!
This is the first time I have ever been able to see it so exactly as this. I never saw a reflection of myself like this in my own time... Adjedaa told me of it.
Adjedaa. The healer?
Yes. Now I will give you your body back. Kyle's eyes drifted closed again, and when they reopened, they did so by his direction.
"Wow," he said aloud. "That was... weird. I am going back to the lounge now."
And that he did. When he got there, however, Monica was nowhere to be found, and standing next to the refreshments table was Abigail Madison, smiling her little smile.
"Mr. McCraine," she greeted. "I was informed of your success. Congratulations for making it this far."
He nodded. "Thanks, Ms. Madison. I'm glad I got this opportunity."
"Which is good!" Her craggy smile widened. "Any semi-finalist should feel fortunate for making it as far as they have. It's a wonderful achievement. For now, though, I would imagine you're rather tired of dueling."
"It had occurred to me," he admitted. "And I'll admit to a bit of nervousness about the upcoming finals."
"Well, don't you worry, my boy, I'm sure you'll do just fine. And if you don't, you're still walking away with quite the booty." She let out a small laugh. "And I'm not referring to your backside."
"Oh. Well, good." He crossed his arms. "Is there anything else I should know?"
"Ah, yes, your fellow finalist Ms. Zocallos has already departed for the hotel. She's resting up for the grueling finals this evening. You should probably do the same."
"Well, it might do me some good to know where the finals are. Are they going to be here?"
"Heavens, no," she scoffed, "I wouldn't dream of making finalists for our tournament duel on something so petty as a table. No, Mr. McCraine, the tournament semi-finalists will be sent taxis, which will then take them to the 'final' destination. You'll be dueling on a holographic arena."
He blinked in surprise. "Well... I guess that would make sense."
"Of course it would," she supplemented. "After all, this is a tournament sponsored by a subsidiary of KaibaCorp. We know how to treat serious duelists. In the meantime, you can stay here if you'd like, or you can go back to the hotel and get some sleep -- I can't imagine that being awake at 5:45 a.m. is normal for a college student's schedule."
He blinked again. "How do you figure I'm a college student?"
"It's my business to know who steps through my door," she responded smoothly. "It's also my business to know who my money's going to."
He narrowed his eyes in suspicion. She's definitely up to something.
That much is obvious. But it does not seem she is willing to share what she is "up to".
Too bad. But right now, I think I want to get away from her. "Come to think of it, I think I'll head back to the hotel. I am a bit tired."
"Quite right, you should go get some rest," she said. "We'll give you a wake-up call when it's time to go."
"Thanks..." Kyle stepped out of the room, his gaze wary. Whatever she's playing at, I don't think I like it too much. She's a bit... too accommodating.
Yes. Hopefully you will discover her true intentions, should they involve you.
If they have anything to do with me, I'm bound to. He approached the nearest elevator and hit the first floor button, then gave one last glance to the hall before the doors shut. Moments later, the doors opened again to reveal another hallway.
This seems almost sorcerous in nature.
Kyle chuckled. Trust me, Theoris, this is neither sorcerous nor natural. We're just using the laws of physics to move up and down in the building. He left the skyscraper a few moments later and looked up to the top of it.
By Ra, that building is gigantic. Taller than any palace or pyramid I have ever seen. Taller, perhaps, than even the cliff face in which I met my end.
Not your end, Theoris. Otherwise you wouldn't be here with me now.
Perhaps it would have been better if I had simply died as all do. I long for my family. My wife, my children... or even any descendants they might have left behind in this world. I wish to know my legacy.
I'm afraid I wouldn't know how to relate, my friend.
And I would not wish you to be able to relate, else you would know as much pain and sorrow as I.
You still have a friend in this world.
--
Kyle spent the next several hours in his hotel room, doing everything from napping to watching TV to rearranging his deck. He'd brought his cards with him and was trying to consider every angle of opposition. Magic/traps, effect monsters... I can't put together a deck that can counter everything, but if I could get a configuration to anticipate as much as possible...
Perhaps you should stop worrying about the upcoming duels and try to enjoy the city around you. How often do you go to a city like this?
Often enough.
And you do not appreciate being here?
I appreciate being given the opportunity to come here and do what I came here to do. I don't want to have to use my winnings to make up for whatever money I might end up spending on an afternoon on the town.
You noticed a vendor that sells parchments, did you not?
At that, Kyle laughed. If you mean a bookstore, yes. What about it?
If you scribe--
Write.
--write... "books"... then would it not stand to reason that it is wise to study others?
You're saying I should go buy a book?
Not one, several. And study them, so that you may increase your repository of knowledge. You say that in this world, "knowledge is power." If you wish to become more powerful, then by this statute, you must gain more knowledge.
You're just trying to get my mind off the duels.
Apparently it is not working as well as I had hoped.
Kyle considered for a moment. Two books. And I'll read three chapters out of each.
Chapters?
Segments, Kyle amended. Chapters are segments of text in a book.
Very well. But do not buy any books that deal with the game.
Deal. Kyle grinned, then went downstairs to find the bookstore.
--
The wake-up call came at 8:15. Kyle was already quite awake, and ready to go. He tucked his deck into his pocket and hurried downstairs to the waiting cabbie, who looked more suited to a job as a strip club bouncer. And there're probably plenty of those around here, too...
Wordlessly, the two of them climbed into the taxi, and the cabbie drove the car with the precision of a surgeon – and the speed of a stock car, which was normal for taxis, or so Kyle had heard.
To his surprise, Kyle found the cab driving toward the docks. Anchored to one of those docks was a small cruise vessel with the Madison Enterprises logo on it. That's got to be where we're going.
Another cab was already pulling away from the bridge to that ship, and its former occupant was now hurriedly running aboard. A frown creased Kyle's brow. She could have sent a single taxi for all four semi-finalists...
That would give the semi-finalists time to size each other up, Theoris noted. The suspense would be lost.
True.
"You'd better hurry," the cabbie advised. It was the first he'd spoken the entire time. "They're planning to leave shore in just a few minutes."
Kyle's frown deepened. "It's leaving shore with us on it?"
"That's the general idea."
"Where's it going?"
"Sorry, I don't get paid to know where it's going, I get paid to take you where I'm supposed to and tell you to get your ass on that boat before you lose the game by default. It's where the semi-finalists are, that's all I know."
Kyle wisely said nothing more, but instead got out of the cab and made his way across the bridge and aboard the boat. A lone guard was standing watch over the entrance, but from the size of the man, Kyle could tell that only one was required. He seemed twice the height and weight of the cabbie that had brought him here, and how he was able to stand on one side of the boat without causing it to tip dangerously to port was a mystery to the teen.
"ID," he said in a firm voice. Kyle, feeling obliged to indulge this mountain of a man, presented his driver's license. The guard nodded after a moment, apparently satisfied. "Go up the hall and turn left. Walk up that hall and stop in front of the blue door."
Kyle did as he was told. Why does this feel more and more like a death trap? We're on a boat, we're going out into the middle of nowhere, and there's a guy like that aboard blocking the exit.
Intimidation is a prevalent factor in a game. Especially one such as this.
Kyle glanced up and down the hall, but there seemed to be nobody in either direction. He felt awkward standing here in front of a steel blue door, just waiting for something to happen.
The awkwardness abated, however, when a voice came over the PA system set into the ceiling. "Greetings, duelists, and congratulations for making it as far as you have. With the last of you aboard, we are now preparing to get underway, and the moment we drop anchor, the doors will open. After you're aboard your dueling platforms, they will rise automatically, so you won't know your opponent until you're already locked in combat with him or her."
"Locked" being the operative word, Kyle scoffed.
"In the meantime, thank you for your patience so far, and make sure to have fun!"
Kyle scoffed again. Yeah, right. I'll have fun once I'm off this rig. For several moments, nothing happened at all.
But then the boat rocked just slightly to one side, and the deck rumbled – the engines were running.
The door slid open.
And there was a dueling arena waiting for him.
Kyle stepped into the arena. This area of the cruise ship had apparently been hollowed out for it, and it wasn't hard to understand why; a holographic dueling arena required a huge space to operate.
He was standing on the blue side of the arena. The platform was in its lowered position, ready to take him aboard. He stepped aboard it, but when he glanced to the left side, he noticed that there was no elevator button there. He frowned, not liking the concept of having to wait until the technicians were good and ready to let it rise. But that's how Madison said this thing was going to go, and I'll abide by it.
After several moments of impatiently tapping his foot, he felt a slight rumble under his feet, and the servomotors in the platform elevated it to play height. He instinctively grabbed the railing to steady himself until the platform was finished rising.
He glanced up and noticed that the red platform had likewise risen to play position.
And that was when he saw his opponent.
He paled.
Monica, for her part, smiled broadly at him. "Well, well. What a pleasant surprise, Kyle. I wasn't expecting to be dueling you, but..." She shrugged. "You're just lucky it's me, I guess. Shall we get this going?"
His mind raced. I'm not ready to duel her yet... my deck's good, but not as good as what she's got...
Relax, Kyle, Theoris admonished. You have never dueled against Monica by way of the sacrificial rules that have been put into effect for this tournament. All you have seen are the strongest monsters she possesses. Now she is forced to use weaker monsters as well. You have as much a chance as anyone else.
Which is to say, not a very good one at all. She has a lot more confidence than I do when it comes to this game.
One would not think so to look at you, Kyle. So do not let her see that you are unnerved. Simply do your best. You have gotten this far, and you are already guaranteed a reward for your efforts. Push further. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Well, it's good to know someone believes in me.
"C'mon, Kyle," said Monica, her tone becoming more serious. "Let's do this. We're both here, that means we're both good at this. Let's see which one of us is better. Give me everything you've got."
His eyes hardened. "Fine. I will."
"Good. Then you can go first."
And the duel was on.
-------
Whoops! Looks like that's the end of this chapter. People say I'm evil, and I cut off chappies in evil places, so... I guess it's true what the say. Coming up: the gut-wrenching duel you're all waiting for! Stay tuned! Meantime... *shamelessly begs for reviews* How am I doing? Could you tell me? Thanks and kudos to any and all reviewers!