Disclaimer: I don't own Magic: The Gathering
When Erik woke up, he realized he was no longer on the rooftop. Instead, he was in a room he'd never seen before, but which seemed strangely familiar. The room was circular in nature with a single door at one end. Several heavily padlocked chests lined the walls. Erik sat up and saw he was sitting on a giant pentagram that was drawn on the floor of the room. He went over to the door, which had several locks and deadbolts on it, making it look more like the door to a bank vault. Opening the door, he stepped out into a hallway. Directly in front of the door he'd just stepped out of was another door. This door was a pale yellow color and in the middle of it was engraved the icon of a sun.
"Hello, Erik Morlock," said a voice.
Turning, Erik saw a cloaked man standing a few feet from him.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
"I am Lu Chao," said the man.
The name rung a bell. "The Planeswalker who told Arrathir to awaken the Keepers of Mana?"
"The same," said Lu Chao "And it seems he is succeeding."
"What are you talking about?" asked Erik "And what is going on here? One minute I was dueling that Sliver summoner. She attacked me…and I don't remember the rest."
"Erik," said Lu Chao "You have awakened. The spirit of the Keeper of White Mana was dormant in your body all these years. However, since you were in mortal danger, the spirit awakened and took over your body to save you."
"You're crazy," said Erik "I'm out of here!" He began to walk down the hallway. He walked for a few minutes, but the hallway seemed to have no end. Turning back to ask Lu Chao how to leave, he saw he was standing almost at the same spot he'd been before. Lu Chao was staring at him, amused.
"Give up yet?" he asked.
"What is this place?" said Erik.
"That," said Lu Chao, pointing at the room Erik had come out of, "Is your Soul Room. It is where your soul resides within your mind."
"So is this 'spirit' in control of my body right now?"
"No," said Lu Chao "Since the Keeper has not fully awakened yet, he was spent after his duel and retreated to his Soul Room to recuperate. His taking over of your body was only brought about by the stress of the duel. Until you choose to accept him into your soul, he will not officially awaken."
"What if I don't want him in my soul?" asked Erik.
"Then he will remain in his Soul Room," said Lu Chao "However, I beg you not to do this. Once the Keeper of White Mana has awakened, the remaining Keepers will begin to stir, making them easier to find and awaken."
"Look," said Erik "You may have dragged Arrathir into your little game, but I don't want to be a part of it. So if you could tell he how I can get out of here and back into my body, it would be appreciated."
"All right," said Lu Chao, a pained look on his face, "If you wish to leave, reintegrate your Soul Room and you will regain control of your body, but please reconsider what I've said."
"Good-bye," said Erik, entering his Soul Room and slamming the door behind him.
Back in the real world, Eva was first to awaken. Getting up, she noticed Anima wasn't there anymore. It seemed the duel was over.
(I guess we won. Ugh! I have a killer headache.) (A/N: Parenthesized text represents Eva's thoughts)
Looking over, she saw Arrathir passed out and Erik, in the same state, lying a bit further away. She went over to Arrathir and nudged him.
"Hey, Arrathir," she said, "Can you hear me? Arrathir?"
(I guess he's still drained from the duel. God, what time is it?)
Looking at her watch, she saw only a few hours had elapsed since they had begun the duel; it had seemed like an eternity. The stars were fading and she could see a faint glow to the east as dawn approached.
(It's a damn good thing I was up here when that Sliver bitch showed up. If her deck could hold against our three decks, I don't want to think what it would have done to Arrathir, had he been alone.)
Eva looked over at the table where her cards were still lying. She gathered her cards, along with Erik and Arrathir's. Placing each deck beside its owner, she shivered. The night had been relatively warm, but there had been a cold snap and her t-shirt and jeans weren't very warm. She went down to the balcony to warm up inside but found the patio door was locked. Cursing Erik, she suddenly had a brilliant idea. Why not summon one of her creatures to warm her up? Going back up the stairs, she concentrated and called upon her mana. Her hand burst into flames and the mana flowed from her hand, molding into a Jackal Pup. The black puppy scampered around Eva. Lying down, Eva waved the pup over. Obediently, the pup joined his mistress, lying on her stomach and placing his head on her chest. Soon, he was asleep. The warmth from the pup's body soon caused Eva to fall asleep.
Arrathir stood outside his mountain fortress, overlooking the dense forest below. Even now, he could see the enemy troops advancing through the dense foliage. Laughing inwardly at the pitiful creatures below, he felt the mana flowing through him in anticipation of battle. With a wave of his hand, the ground shook as his undead legions pulled themselves from their graves, ready to wreak havoc on their enemies below.
A single word passes Arrathir's lips: "Attack." With a howling battle cry, his troops flung themselves down the mountain at the advancing enemy, catching them by surprise. The enemy troops were demoralized by the sudden attack, but nevertheless, they engaged the advancing zombies. After a furious fight, they attempted to retreat, but found themselves trapped. Thy could only fight in despair as the undead warriors slew them all.
When the carnage had ended, Arrathir went down amidst the bodies to find a few dying enemies to be sacrifices to the dark Gods. He happened across a young elf. The lad was breathing heavily through a crushed ribcage. Arrathir smiled at the struggling elf, knowing he was doomed. His lungs had collapsed and soon, he would drown in his own blood.
"How does it feel?" he asked "Knowing your life is at an end and to be helpless against it?"
"Black scum!" spat the elf defiantly.
Arrathir's mouth twisted into a sadistic grin. He brought his staff butt sharply down into the elf's chest. The elf cried out and drew in a gurgling breath. Arrathir twisted his staff in the wound, relishing the cries of pain from the creature at his mercy. Finally, tiring of his game, he called over one of his undead minions.
"Gorge yourself," he said.
As the zombie began to eat the still-living elf, Arrathir walked away, listening with pleasure to the elf begging for death.
Arrathir sat up, waking from his dream.
Another weird dream…what do they mean? Why am I always dreaming of killing someone and enjoying it?
Arrathir looked over to Eva. She was sleeping soundly with a small dog on her chest. Arrathir smiled as he recognized the Jackal Pup. Eva was sleeping soundly, looking peaceful. Arrathir looked at her, remembering last night. What would have happened had Anima not shown up?
Just tell her how you feel.
How? I'm just supposed to go up and say, 'Hey, Eva. I really like you'?"
A direct approach is always the best.
Give me a break OK? I'll tell her when I'm ready.
You'll duel against a Planeswalker and share your body with the spirit of a Keeper of mana, but won't admit your feelings to a girl? Pathetic. I may have to take manners into my own hands…
WHAT?
Just kidding, but you should really do something about this. You like her and I get the sense she is attracted to you as well. Just maker her your mate already.
Chikuro! This isn't like in ancient times!
Yes, I know. You modern people and your 'dating'. In my days, if a man liked a woman, he married her, end of story.
Arrathir rolled his eyes and looked over at Eva. The Jackal Pup suddenly woke up. Seeing Arrathir awake, it began to growl and bark Eva woke up and, seeing Arrathir was awake, leaned over and slugged him, knocking him back down.
"Hey! What was that for?"
"I nearly died in that duel because of you!" shouted Eva "If you hadn't kept sacking your stupid Havoc Demon and killing all my creatures, we could have beaten that bitch a lot sooner! Say, where'd she go anyways?"
"I Exiled her," said Erik.
"Say what?" asked Arrathir.
"Well, the spirit did anyways."
Arrathir braced himself for his other self's mental screams.
WHAT? THAT PRICK IS THE KEEPER OF WHITE MANA?
"Wait," said Eva "So you have a spirit in you too? How? You haven't had any mana training!"
"I was about to die when the spirit took over and saved me," said Erik.
Yes, that makes sense. A great danger would cause the keeper to awaken to protect his existence.
"Where is he?" asked Chikuro, coming out in spirit form "I've got a bone to pick with that bastard."
"He's not coming," said Erik "I did not open his Soul Door."
"What is he talking about?" asked Arrathir.
"When you entered my Soul Room," said Chikuro "You accepted me into your soul. To awaken a Keeper, the host must open his Soul Door or else the spirit never truly awakens."
"So the Keeper of White Mana hasn't awakened?"
"Not yet," said Chikuro "Erik, I cannot force you to accept the Keeper of White Mana into your soul, but you realize this is your destiny. You are the reincarnation of the Keeper of White Mana and there's nothing you can do to change that."
"Destiny," said Erik "I don't believe in it. I make my own decisions and I abide by them. I want no part in your little game, even if I am the reincarnation of this Keeper."
Arrathir had to exert great control to prevent Chikuro from attacking Erik.
That little prick! Thinks he can do whatever he wants!
I thought you hated the Keeper of White Mana.
That's beside the point! He shouldn't go against his destiny.
The duellists went back down to their rooms where they caught up on some much-needed sleep. When they woke up around noon, Eva and Arrathir went on their usual romp in the city. Passing by a comic shop, Arrathir froze and his eyes went wide.
"Hey, Arrathir, you coming?" asked Eva "What are you looking at…" Eva's jaw dropped as she saw what was posted in the store window: A poster advertising a Saviors of Kamigawa tournament.
"I'd totally forgotten about Saviors," said Arrathir.
"Well, let's go!" said Eva, dragging Arrathir into the store.
To be continued…
Author's note: There! Short and sweet! First off, gomen to all those who caught me with Akroma in the last chapter. Yes, I overlooked her Trample ability, which was a glaring mistake on my part. Second, I'm taking up Igor's challenge! I vow to do all in my power to post one chapter every day for one week! Even if I have to steal, cheat, or kill. For tomorrow is another day! Due to the massive amount of reviews for the last chapter and the lateness at which I am writing this, you'll forgive me if I cut out the usual question-answering session. Until tomorrow, Sayonara!