Noble Demon

Author's Note: Enjoy the story and R&R.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to or of the Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL series.

Summary:

Durbe is a mighty shield.


"The purer a heart, the greater the backlash from the darkness born inside."

That was the speech Don Thousand later gave to expound his manipulation of Vector, but it need not describe Vector uniquely.

Not having their true memories as humans was no solace.

Durbe, more than any of the Seven Emperors, was closest to Heaven in life. He flew on Mach's back, a sage scout for his kingdom and the loyal knight-retainer of his dear friend Nasch. Or, if the winds changed, he could be justice's blade, bringing the wrath of holy lightning down from the sky. Riding on the wonderous wings of his pegasus.

Even after becoming the Barians' White Shield, his principles did not waver. Ideally, the fight was always by the book. His Duels always fair.

Employing dirty tricks troubled him, and though Vector cornered him into breaking his rule one time, he would have never planned something so low himself. There was no honour in battles won acting like a coward.

Durbe remained arrow-focused on their aspiration.

But Astral World and Barian World were neither Heaven nor Hell.

The denizens of Astral World were not saints and they did not wear glorious halos.

The Barians, not unsalvageable wretches themselves.

They were all stuck within the dimensions between life and a proper afterlife, sent there for containing Ranked-Up souls or souls touched by Chaos. Shadows of who they were on Earth, standing in the light of either world. Star seraph silhouettes.

And that was fine. Durbe and his fellow Emperors had a future worth rebuilding.

Yet the Emperors were still in Don Thousand's power. Strong Barians whose strength was a direct result of Don Thousand choosing the purest of pawns as his unwitting servants and sentries.

If "God" showed Himself – corporeality evidence of His weakness – would humans not gather their weapons and team up against Him?

For Durbe and the other Emperors (Vector included), Don Thousand is that "God." He "created" them. Their destinies are tied to him. But he is in their path.

Though Durbe points the unholy lightning he gained from Don Thousand at Vector, Vector's ploys know no rest.

Merag, this is goodbye.

Angels of damnation, carry us! Take him down with me!

Vector, with my holy rage, I escort you to Hell!

I live by the sword! So die by my spear!