Chapter 36: Rivalry
Deep within the forests of the mountain, a dark figure cloaked in red walked along dust beaten path. He was barely visible in the pale moonlight blocked by the trees overhead.
"I know you're out there. Stop hiding and face me."
"You are truly amazing… what did you call yourself? Oh, that's right. Sagitar the Bloodwing," Garu said, walking out of the trees.
"I see. I've already gotten a reputation even with the Reckah," Sagitar chuckled. "So, what do you want with me?"
"Not me, but my master. He wishes to meet you, the famous Bloodwing who has been to hell and back."
"Not interested."
"But… he can give you a power that is unmatched by any other."
"Tell him he can shove it. I know all about the Reckah and their god, Aether, and the Orichalcos."
"You should really be more respectful."
"You honestly have no idea of the power you hold," Sagitar chuckled again. "A man named Darsus almost destroyed the world with it a long time ago. Of course, history has done a great job of writing his name out."
"Did you say Darsus?"
"Yes, he single handedly destroyed most of his own people just to revive his god, using the power of the Orichalcos to taint the souls of the many into joining his cause. Of course, after his defeat 700 years ago, his people finally got rid of their ruler. If your master is anything like Darsus, I would advise you to be wary"
"…"
"Now, if you don't mind, I have a Dragon to find."
"Wait."
"Hm?"
"If… if you don't join us… I will be forced to take your soul."
"You are prepared to fight a Bloodwing?"
Garu lifted his hands. Two twin swords appeared in his hand. "More than ready."
"You're braver than I thought," Sagitar replied. He opened his cloak, which turned into a pair of large red wings. His eyes turned a bloodshot red and his right hand turned into a black claw. Two long fangs began to protrude from his mouth. He began to spoke, showing his forked tongue. "I will fight you in my half transformed state," he hissed.
Sagitar beat his wings and rose into the air. Garu lifted his swords and charged at the Bloodwing.
"Hey, look at that," Kia pointed down at the forests below.
In the dark night, Bann was keeping guard on his friends. He looked down at the forests as his Cree has beckoned him to.
"What the hell?"
Two bright lights struck a dark aura.
"There's a battle going on down there. I know that aura, but… from where?"
"Should I check it out?"
"No, it's too far for me to project you. For now, let's just ignore it."
"But what if it's Rooko or the others?"
"The dark aura couldn't be coming from Rooko. As for the bright lights… I'm not sure what it is, but it isn't Cree. It's something else… similar, like a weapon."
"So… you don't think it's…"
"No, it isn't. I know it isn't."
click
Bann turned at the sound. "Who's out there!" He got up. Kia vanished.
"Didn't know you liked to talk to yourself, Bann. Then again, you were always a strange one."
'Uh, that voice!' "Is it really…?"
"Glad to see you again too, Bann."
"Morgen!"
Bann had woken up Tiamat, Recks, and Zakei. The four of them sat around the fire with Morgen, who told his tale of how he had gotten there.
"So, you see, I left Rooko and the others. He didn't need me anymore and wanted me to go back Janime. If I had known what was going to happen, I never would have left. When I returned, Lady Janime told me of your quest and sent me to help you."
"So, you must have been trailing us for a while."
"A few days in fact."
The Bashers sat around the fire, silent for a while.
Finally, Bann spoke, "You got down the mountain, back to the city, and back here in a few days… by foot?"
"Um… yeah. I managed to hitch a few rides… and Count Youngblood gave me a lift back."
"Oh, I see."
"Well, at least you're back. Together we can take on Darsus and put and end to this Orichalcos garbage."
"Yeah…"
Bann looked around. His eyes came to rest on Morgen's right arm. "Hey, what happened to your hand?" he asked, gesturing to the bandages that wrapped it.
"This? Um… I injured it. I battled a Reckah while I was trying to get away from the attack."
"Get away? I thought you said you went back by Rooko's orders."
"Yeah, it was an attack… after I left."
"I see."
"Well, enough about me. I say we get some rest. We've got quite the day ahead of us."
"Good idea, Morgen. Hey, why don't you take the next shift?" Tiamat yawned.
"Sure."
"Well, catch ya in the morning."
The four got up and walked into the cave, leaving Morgen in the dark.
"I told you that you weren't a match for me," Sagitar said. He transformed back.
"Damn you," Garu growled.
"You are no threat to me. Go tell your master that if he sends anyone else, I will search him out and kill him."
"You… bastard…"
Sagitar walked off into the woods and vanished.
The next day was filled with dark skies. Thunder crashed in the dark clouds overhead.
"Ah, don't you just love this kind of weather?" Jesi asked as he danced around a bit.
"Only you, Jesi," Vaila replied.
"Oh, come on."
Recks told the others about Morgen. They thought it was great that they now had another ally along with them. Morgen was probably their best lead on where Rooko and the others could possibly be, and if he could track them down, it should be a problem to find their lost friends. Morgen led the way, taking them to where he had last seen Rooko.
"We should probably find a place to rest soon. Who knows when the rain will start?" Vaila told the others.
"You won't have time to rest."
"Who's there?"
"I'm here," said a commanding voice in the trees.
"It… it's that Garu guy."
Garu appeared. His clothes were slightly singed, but he was otherwise exactly like he was on that day, the day Tiamat fought Drake.
"You see, my comrades and I have surrounded you. You will not escape."
"Oh yeah!" Bann yelled.
He ran at Garu but was stopped by Morgen. Morgen pulled his sword out of his sheath with his left hand and stopped Bann from going any further.
"Morgen… what the hell are you doing? We have to stop this guy."
"He isn't your prime concern right now."
"What?"
"The enemy you should be worrying about… IS ME!"
Morgen spun his sword in his hand and charged at Bann.
"What the hell are you do…?" but Bann didn't get to finish. He pulled his own sword from its scabbard and blocked Morgen's strike.
Thunder roared and lightning clashed. The skies opened and rain poured from the heavens.
"Ha ha! Friends to foes. The power of the Orichalcos can overcome even the strongest of hearts. I'll leave you to take care of this," Garu told Morgen. He turned and walked back through the trees.
"Zakei…"
"Yeah?"
"Take the others and follow him."
"Right. What about you?"
"I have unfinished business."
Zakei nodded and ran past Bann and Morgen. The others followed, leaving Bann, Morgen, and Migome who refused to leave.
"Migome! I said go!"
"No, I can't let you two fight."
"It's too late for that, dear, sweet Migome," Morgen responded.
"You're sick, Morgen. I thought you were my friend."
Morgen laughed and lifted his right arm. He slowly unwrapped the bandages, revealing a burnt hand. On his index finger sat a small ring with a green gem fastened into it.
"Wait, that's…"
"I activate the Seal of Orichalcos!"
The green gem ignited with an eerie glow. The Seal surrounded the field. Above Morgen's eyes, which now glowed a deep red, the green hexagram shape appeared, signifying the Seal's protector.
"So… you… you're one of them now…"
"Ha ha ha… mu ha ha ha ha ha ha! Yes, I, Morgen Jundi, am now your executioner!"
"You bastard."
"Just duel."
"You can make the first move, asshole."
"Then I'll start by summoning Armed Samurai – Ben Kei."
The seal appeared on the samurai's forehead, just like on Morgen's. Its eyes glowed red as its power increased.
"I equip my samurai with Fusion Sword Murasame Blade, further increasing Ben Kei's power. After I cast a Spell, I'll end my turn."
"You aren't so great, Morgen." 'Perfect. This will end the duel quickly.' "I summon the Knight of Twin Swords. Then I Special Summon Timaeus."
Together a purple clad knight wielding two blades and the teal dragon or time appeared on the field.
"Now that they're together, I can activate the Special Ability of Timaeus, fusing him with…"
"Not so fast. You've activated my trap! I activate Rivalry of Warlords! You see, we both run Warrior-Type monsters, but now… you have your little dragon. Well, my trap forces you to choose if you would rather play with Dragon-Types or Warrior-Types."
'Then… then I can't use Timaeus' ability to fuse with my knight!' "I return Timaeus to my mind."
"Then it's settled. I have successfully sealed Timaeus from play."
'Damn… he's right.' "I cast a Spell. End turn…"
"Now… you die."
Next time on City of Fire: Dino Storm