Writing roll! I love writing rolls!
John: Yeah.
Captain Obvious: Skill Drain wouldn't help him much. Oh no, Gilford falls down a Bottomless Pit Trap! Kuribo's reign has not ended!
Chapter 8: Trial of Emotions: Fell
Fell found himself in darkness when he arrived at his destination. It was nighttime, and where he was, the only thing to provide light were the countless stars.
Pushing that concern out of his mind, Fell looked around where he was. He stood in front of the forest, nearby the lake. There was a cool breeze, making the only sounds he could hear the faint whisper of the wind and the quiet movements of the water.
That was what concerned Fell. Even at this time of night, he should have been hearing the noises of random monsters, if nothing else. He cocked his ear towards the forest, listening. But he seemed to be the only one there.
Feeling uneasy, he went to the lake, which was lit up from the reflection of the many stars. He went to the water and looked into it.
With a jolt, Fell leapt away from it, his heart pounding. Then he slowly looked into it again.
The reflection he saw was no different than the first time. Its fingernails were longer, like claws, and its teeth like fangs. Its hair was longer, and its eyes were blood-red.
Fell quickly looked at his hands, wondering if he had somehow transformed into his werewolf form without knowing it. But they looked the same as usual. He glanced at the reflection again, but it had not changed.
"What is this supposed to mean?" Fell muttered. Still concerned at what it could be implying, he looked up at the sky again.
This time, he saw the moon. As he did, he felt a sharp pain go through his body. It was a full moon.
No! Not now! Fell growled as he felt the changes slowly begin to affect him. I can't give into this…
Despite how he tried to control it, he could feel the power from the moon overtaking him. His body was almost completely transformed. The only thing left normal was his eyes, which were flickering between yellow and red.
Fell could clearly remember the last time he had been in his werewolf state. He had butchered innocents in the town, had enjoyed doing it… and he had nearly killed Rue. Fell winced as pain shot through him again, but for more reasons than that. He could clearly remember what he had said to Larka when she had asked him why he had not responded to what he had done.
"We have two paths to choose from; one of pain and one of nothing. The painful one comes from friends. You feel happiness, but you also feel as though your heart is torn apart when they leave. I've had enough pain already… I took the road where, with no allies, comes no sorrow. I feel no regret about what I did-and nobody can force me to."
Fell considered those words. I always thought I had devoted myself to that path of nothingness. Yet I had not. Even back then… I cared that I had killed the ones I had. I acted as though I didn't, and my act was so well rehearsed that I even made myself believe I didn't. How odd… the one I was fooling most was myself. Despite my doubts… I feel loyal to them. Another wave of agony nearly caused his eyes to become permanently red. Fell began to focus his attention completely on forcing his werewolf side away. This would never work on a real full moon… but in this illusionary world, perhaps it will…
After much effort mentally, the werewolf effects finally began to fade. His body was slowly returning back to its normal form. He continued to fight the power until it was finally gone, leaving him exhausted but satisfied.
The reflection of the moon on the water, which landed nearby the shore, suddenly became black as the water parted there, leaving a hole. Fell knew that to go on, he would have to leap into it. He did so, plunging into the darkness.
Fell finally landed, and found himself inside a hallway. It was rather plain, with white walls, tan carpet, and nothing else. Despite how plain it was, Fell was almost sure he knew this place.
Anticipation flooding through him, Fell slowly walked to the end of the hallway. He came into a room that also did not have much. There was a table in the center of the room and four chairs around it. That was about it.
But then Fell saw a boy sitting in one of the chairs. With a jolt, he recognized the boy's black hair and brown eyes.
"…That is… me." Fell looked around the room again, and he realized why it seemed so familiar. "This is where we lived… before…"
He was cut off as he heard a door open and shut. Then a young girl, with silver hair and brown eyes identical to Fell's in color, ran up to him.
"…Larka…" Fell said softly as the younger version of his sister went to his other self. He could see that she was holding several flowers, with a red rose in the center of them.
"Brother! Why are you just sitting in here?" Larka asked, gazing at him with concern.
"What's the point in going out?" Fell said. "Mother and Father don't let us out for long."
"They're so overprotective," Larka agreed with a frown. "Why?"
Fell shrugged. "No idea. Maybe that's why we move so much though."
Larka turned her eyes to the flowers she held. "Maybe… but it's still hard…"
"I know you want friends," Fell said, looking downcast. "I do too. But this is the way things are. We aren't even like other kids our age. Most would be in school by now, yet we aren't…"
Larka slowly nodded. "Will they ever tell us why?"
"…I don't know." Fell got up and went over to her, placing his hand over hers. "We'll make it though. At least we have each other, until we can understand what this is all about."
Larka smiled in return. "Yeah, you're right. Thanks."
But after she said that, a sudden crash caused them both to spin around. Before either of them could say anything about it, a man wearing a dark outfit ran into the room.
"There you two are!" the man said with a smirk. He advanced on them, saying, "Just do as I say and you won't be hurt…"
The younger Fell could easily tell that the man wasn't about to keep his word though. As the man approached Larka, who was watching him fearfully, Fell sprang forward, grabbing onto the man's arm and biting into it.
That move caught the man off guard. He yelled out, and then slammed his fist into Fell's head. Although he looked dazed from the strike, Fell didn't let go of the assailant. Larka was completely terrified by now. She slowly backed away, the flowers falling from her frozen hands as she did.
The man struck Fell two more times. This was far too much for the boy. His grip finally loosened, and the man tore him off, throwing him into a wall. Fell slumped over, nearly unconscious.
"Did you have to be so rough?" said a voice from the hallway to the front door. The real Fell recognized who it was instantly, even before he stepped into the room.
"The brat deserved it!" the man snarled. Fell was able to now tell that he was the guard who had been killed a week before he and Larka had escaped from the laboratory.
"Do you think I care?" Viken snapped in return. "After all the time it took to track down these two, I do not want them being damaged. Understand?"
The guard was well aware that making Viken angry was a bad idea. He backed down, muttering, "I'm sorry, sir."
"You're forgiven… this time." As Viken said that, a second man stepped in. That was the guard that had died by Fell's hand. Viken indicated to Larka. "Seize her. But do it more gently than he did."
The second guard nodded and went up to her. Larka shrank away, pressing herself into a nearby corner as he approached.
"Just cooperate and I will not harm you," the man said as he came closer to her. "Come with us, quietly."
"No… I won't! Keep away from me! Brother!" Larka cried.
In response, Fell suddenly jumped at the second guard, latching onto him too. Unlike his companion, this one remained calm, despite the sudden bite and scratches he was receiving. He merely grabbed Fell around the waist and hoisted him up, ignoring the pain. "I highly advise you stop that. The more you resist, the more you will be hurt… as well as your sister."
That caused Fell to release his grip, licking away blood from the bites he had done as he glared at the man.
"How amusing. He even fights the way I want him to," Viken laughed. "These two will be interesting ones to experiment on." He glanced at the first guard. "Since it seems he's busy, you take the girl."
Any fight Larka had had in her was gone the moment she had seen Fell give up. The man easily grabbed her, flinging her over his shoulder. "So we're leaving?"
"Right away. It will be some time before their parents' bodies are found, but I am still concerned about it," Viken stated.
Larka grew even more pale at that. "Mom? Dad?"
"They have already departed from this world," Viken said with a sneer. "Unfortunately for the two of you, neither of you will be joining them yet… nor will you for a long time."
With that, the three men walked out, the guards still holding onto their captives. Then they were gone, leaving only the scattered petals from the dropped flowers and drops of blood on the light carpet to show signs of the struggle.
Fell had been watching all of this silently. Seeing that they were finally gone, he looked at the petals of the rose, which matched the blood's color. Even then, I failed at protecting her. That was when I was at my weakest. My efforts were not enough… she depended on me, yet I failed… Fell shook his head. I took on too much responsibility. By trying to be the only one to protect her, I inadvertently put her in more danger.
But now… I don't have to worry about that, Fell realized. I have placed my trust in my companions. Zack is there to help her while I am gone. She has friends that have fought for her before and will again if they need to. Although I wish to still assist her… I do not have to be the only one anymore. And that is what is safest for her.
"Speechless, are you?"
"…I rarely talk," Fell stated as he turned, his eyes meeting his reflection's. "As you should be well aware of."
"Of course," Dark Fell replied. "Still, I thought you would show some sort of a reaction to what you just saw. But I do not really care." A Duel Disk appeared on his left arm. "You must be well aware of what happens now."
"…Yes," Fell answered, turning on his own. "And I am ready for it."
Fell: 8000
Dark Fell: 8000
"…I am to go first?" Fell assumed.
"Yes," Dark Fell confirmed.
"Summon Mad Dog of Darkness (1900/1400) and lay one card down," Fell said.
"How ironic that you should do that," Dark Fell smirked. "I summon my own Mad Dog of Darkness and activate a magic card, Force. It takes half of your Mad Dog's attack and gives it to mine. (950/1400) (2850/1400) My Mad Dog attacks yours."
The Mad Dog tore through Fell's. Its attack was so savage that it went right through the monster, clawing Fell as well.
Fell: 6100
Dark Fell: 8000
"I'll lay two cards down and end my turn," Dark Fell said.
"…Summon another Mad Dog of Darkness and attack yours," Fell stated.
"Afraid not," Dark Fell sneered, flipping over a trap card. "Your Mad Dog runs straight into my Magic Cylinder."
The Mad Dog went into the first cylinder and came flying out of the second, crashing into Fell. It savagely attacked until it abruptly realized that it was assaulting its master. It backed away, whining.
Fell: 4200
Dark Fell: 8000
Fell got up slowly. "…Go."
"That is all you have to say? Well, as you wish," Dark Fell shrugged, drawing. "I play Enemy Controller to switch your Mad Dog into defense mode. Then I summon yet another Mad Dog. We seemed to have been fortunate in drawing them, no? My first Mad Dog attacks yours, and my second attacks directly!"
Once more, Fell was slashed by several wicked claws. Now bleeding heavily from several areas, Fell was barely able to remain standing.
Fell: 2300
Dark Fell: 8000
"You may take your turn now," Dark Fell said with a confident smirk.
Despite the horrible odds Fell now faced, he was not even close to giving up. "Activate Dark Assembly Line to put both Mad Dogs into my hand. Summon one, and attack yours. Lay two cards down."
"Not a big loss," Dark Fell said. "I activate Cry of the Living Dead, bringing my Mad Dog back. Then I summon-you guessed it-my third Mad Dog of Darkness!"
Fell did not seem alarmed by the three growling dogs. "…Activate Ambush, special summoning Mad Dog. Then Mythological Age, special summoning my destroyed one in defense."
"They won't save you! My three Mad Dogs attack!" Dark Fell declared.
Fell flipped his final trap card over. "Attack Nullification."
"What a pity. I will have to wait until next turn to kill you. Make your final play," Dark Fell said.
Without replying, Fell drew. He was hoping to get one monster that would make the play he had in mind possible.
Luck was on his side. "…Summon a third Mad Dog of Darkness," Fell stated, playing it.
"If I did not know better, I would say that we stacked our decks," Dark Fell commented, looking amused. "But what do you hope to do?"
"…Switch the Mad Dog brought back by Mythological Age to attack mode, and activate Delta Attack," Fell said.
Dark Fell glanced at the Mad Dogs, which were all snarling at him now. "Three direct attacks? It will be painful but nothing I can't deal with."
Fell smiled coldly. "Not when this hits you. Equip the third Mad Dog with Hell Alliance."
"Hell Alliance!" Dark Fell exclaimed as the Mad Dog howled. The other five on the field began to howl too. Dark energy surrounded the Mad Dog that had been equipped. "That raises your monster's attack by 800 for each monster on the field that has the same name as it! So now your Mad Dog's at… 6700!" (6700/1400)
"Your arrogance has lead to your downfall," Fell stated. "You do not reflect my personality as much as I had feared. My first two Mad Dogs attack, and then the third one does."
The three Mad Dogs eagerly tore apart the reflection, barely leaving him alive.
Fell: 2300
Dark Fell: 0
"Grrr… you got… lucky…" Dark Fell snarled as he vanished.
Fell gave the petals one last glance before the room faded away. Then he patiently waited for the darkness to lift. Although he was still in great pain from the duel, the blood flow had already slowed. He was not concerned about having difficulty with making it out alive.
After a moment, Fell reemerged in an area unlike any he had ever been in. It was a large room that was dimly lit with a few lamps hanging from the ceiling. There were several tables with random items scattered on each one. Some couches were around too. He caught sight of several odd machines against one wall, along with a counter and an area where a person would stand. But nobody else was in the room, as far as he could see.
Puzzled by where he was, Fell headed towards the back corner, which he could not see very well. As he got closer, the small light there showed him that his instincts were correct. Someone was indeed there. It was a man, who was looking at something he held. He seemed very casual as he calmly shifted the item he was holding. But Fell could not make out any details on the man. He was out of focus.
Fell cautiously approached the man, who did not look up until Fell was in front of him. "Hey. Looks like you're a newcomer."
"…I have never been here before," Fell confirmed.
"Thought so; I'd remember you if you had been." The man gestured to the chair across from him. "No need to be shy. Go ahead, sit down."
Fell did so, never taking his eyes off the man.
"So, are you up for playing a round?" The man showed him the item he held. It was a deck of cards, but not Duel Monster ones. They were regular playing cards.
Fell shook his head. "I do not know how to play."
The man raised an eyebrow at this. "What? Then why are you here? This isn't the best place to learn how to."
"I do not even know where we are," Fell said.
This caught the man off guard. "You're telling me you accidentally stumbled into a casino, of all places?"
"What is a casino?" Fell inquired.
"…You know what? It's probably better that you don't know," the man replied as he shuffled the deck. "I should have figured that you were a bit young to be gambling, but I never thought I would meet someone who didn't know what a casino was. Learn something new every day, eh?"
"Gambling?" Fell asked.
"Yep. Don't tell me you don't know what that is," the man said.
"I do," Fell replied.
"Good. That would really scare me!" The man laid out the cards in a solitaire formation, although Fell had no way of knowing that.
"Why are you gambling?" Fell asked.
"Just something I enjoy doing. It's also the way I have managed to survive," the man stated. He moved a Jack of Spades onto a Queen of Hearts. "Believe me, I never would have gotten by otherwise."
"…You seem concerned about something," Fell said as the man turned over the card that Jack had been covering.
The man glanced up at him in surprise. "You can tell?"
Fell nodded. "I just got the feeling you were."
For a moment, the man was silent as he looked at the cards in front of him. Fell could tell that he was thinking about how he would reply. Then the man said, "You're right. I do have some problems on my mind. You want to hear me out? I could use an opinion. And I don't know why, but I trust you."
"…I will listen," Fell answered.
"Thanks." The man looked back up at him. "I'll try to keep this simple. For quite some time, I have had no friends. There's an exception to this, but… basically, I have known nobody else. Until now. Recently, I gained companions that I care for. Now I have more people to be concerned over than I have ever needed to worry about." Fell sensed that the man's eyes darkened. "They don't even know who I am. If they did… they might abandon me. I've… never had friends before. Or anything beyond that… although one of them is a bit beyond a friend… ah, nevermind," the man said awkwardly. "The point is, I need to tell them what happened before and why they could be at risk by associating with me. But… I don't want to be abandoned again." The man laughed shortly. "Call it cowardly, but that's how my mind works."
"…How close is your group, emotionally?" Fell inquired.
"Very close… at least for now," the man replied.
"Then do not worry about them doing that," Fell stated. "If they are truly friends, they will not leave you for a reason that is beyond your control. If they do, they never were friends in the first place. Tell them of your concerns soon. Either you will find that you are amongst valuable friends or lying impersonators."
"…I see your reasoning," the man said. "Yeah… I'm sure you're right. I have stalled long enough." He turned over another card, and then took it, placing it above the seven columns he had made. It was an Ace of Spades. "Thanks for saying that."
"Of course…" Fell was still bothered by something about the man. He tried to see him again. "…Are you sure we have not met before?"
"…Hm…" The man looked back up at him, and then shrugged. "Who knows? You did kinda remind me of someone, to be honest… so, I take it we'll see each other again?"
"I am sure of it," Fell replied.
"Excellent," the man said with a nod. "I will wait until that day, Fell."
The casino began to vanish, leaving only a second for Fell to see who he had been talking to. Then the man was gone too.
…So, it was him. Then I am sure we will indeed meet another time, Fell thought.
…
"Fell! You're back!" Larka exclaimed as he came out of the mirror. Then her eyes widened as she saw his wounds. "What happened to you? Are you ok?"
"…It is nothing," Fell stated, limping over to her and Daine. "Once we are done, I will heal myself."
"Try to relax until then," Larka said worriedly.
"I have been in worse conditions." Fell stopped beside them.
"That does not mean we have no reason to be concerned about you," Daine told him.
"…There are not many trials left. I can wait," Fell said.
"It looks like you passed," Zack stated, looking at the mirror.
Fell glanced back and saw that an image was now on the surface. It was a full moon. "Yes."
"Good," was all Zack said, not wanting to cause Fell to feel any more awkward than he already did.
They all faced the next mirror. The reflection came up almost instantly.
"So… I have to go now…" Larka said as she saw her dark image appear.
"No!" Brandi protested, speaking the first words she had for a long time. "Please… don't leave…"
"Brandi…" Larka said sadly. "I have to. We can't leave here until all of us do… and I have to go now. But I'll be back shortly…"
"No…" Brandi sobbed, gripping onto her tightly.
Malon whined softly as Max went over to them. "Larka, take care of your trial. I'll watch over Brandi in the meantime."
"…All right," Larka agreed. "You'll be fine, Brandi… really…"
After some more coaxing, Brandi finally let go of Larka, and Max took her into his arms. "We'll be ok. Just get your trial done quickly," Max said.
"Of course." Larka got up, and gave Malon a pat on the head. "Be good while I'm gone."
Malon whimpered, but did not do anything else.
"…You will make it through as well," Zack said, although his eyes reflected his concern. "I know you will."
"Thanks," Larka replied, giving him the same bright smile that always caused him to feel calmer. "I'm sure you're right."
"…Watch yourself," Fell said softly.
"I'll be cautious," Larka agreed. Then she went into the mirror.
…
They all watched Fell emerge from the mirror.
"As I expected," Sarius said.
"There aren't many left now," Amy stated. "Just Larka, Zack, and Hope…"
"And there goes Larka," Claire said as she went into her own mirror.
"She is strong too," Kisara whispered. "I think she will be fine."
To be continued…