The moment consciousness started to seep back into Kyira's mind she tensed and groaned. Her head hurt so badly. Forcing her eyes open she stared at the swirled, dark sky above her. Where in the world am I?
As she started to stand, she heard a scraping sound on the ground at her right. Jerking her head to the side she saw a duel disk clamped to her arm. Giving it a jerk she discovered it wouldn't budge. It won't come off…
Getting to her feet, Kyira's turquoise eyes scanned over the horizon. The land was barren, completely devoid of anything; people, plants, even a house in the distance. The whole place seemed depressed and alone; Kyira could sympathize.
Seeing nothing but a towering mountain in the distance she started walking towards it. After all, staying at that one spot wasn't any better.
Her feet dragged at the heels, though Kyira trudged onward. This whole place was strange, seeming to never change as her sore feet carried her onward. Small puffs of dust rose up from where they fell.
Kyira didn't notice it until it smacked into her face. "Wha-!" she yelped, rubbing her stinging nose. A wall? What would a wall be doing here? But then, what am I doing here in the first place?
Inching along the stone, left hand trailing across the bricks, Kyira found where the supposed 'building's corner was. Peering around it she saw a large, gaping entrance in the side. It was a dark, ebony portal that lead downward, though to where was anyone's guess.
Taking each step in the near pitch black staircase carefully, slowly, Kyira descended into the building, her left hand still trailing against the wall. Her right hand had moved back over her deck, which had appeared mysteriously as the duel disk.
Shouts from further down the hallway reached Kyira's ears, causing her to rush down the stairs faster and almost trip. At the bottom she froze, her eyes wide as they settled upon the sight. That figure from before stood at one end of the dimly lit room, smirking.
"So you found this place after all," he chuckled, eyes dangerously calm.
"Look! I don't know what you want, but leave me out of it!" Kyira yelled at him, still feeling her weariness from the long walk, and the before happenings.
"How about we settle that with a duel?" he stated, stepping forward just enough for the light to splash over his face, causing him to look even more menacing.
As much as Kyira wanted to run, her legs just didn't seem to listen to her. Her eyes filled with fear, If I couldn't win the entrance exam, what makes me think I can win here?
"Are you scared? How pathetic." the figure hissed.
"She has every right to be," a cold voice intervened through the following silence.
Kyira's pained eyes turned to see a blue haired form, standing in calm confidence step into the light. Be what; scared, or pathetic? her mind questioned.
The dark figure glared at him, seeming to back down. "We'll settle this later." he muttered and disappeared back into the shadows.
Having regained control of her legs Kyira let a small smile of relief cross her face. "Hey, thanks. I owe you one."
He nodded, not having said a word to her since he arrived. Turning, he started to leave, though Kyira stepped forward to try and stop him.
"Wait! Don't go!" she called, though only the shadows seemed to still be around to listen. I don't want to be alone again! her mind screamed.
Sighing to herself, Kyira tried to get back up the stairs she had arrived by, but they seemed to have disappeared along with everything else. Only the dimly glowing lights remained.
Taking the next hallway she found, she walked down it silently, her footsteps echoing around the stone walls. Looking to her right her heart soared as she caught sight of an upward going staircase!
Just as she started up she heard loud rumbles and thudding sounds from further down the hallway. Rapid foot steps were approaching her current location.
Rushing back into the hallway Kyira squinted in the faint light to see a figure running at full speed away from falling walls and floors. This is so cliché… she thought to herself, remembering when her friends had watched a movie just like this.
"This way!" she yelled, standing up on the first step. A powerful hand clasp around hers just as the floor gave way. Yanking with all her might, the figure was jerked onto the stairs. The two seemed to fly up the stone steps, hearts pounding.
Reaching an exit Kyira made it out first, and the other dove to the flat, bare ground just as the door gave way. Picking himself up, he brushed himself off and started away again like nothing had ever happened.
"This is how you treat people who save your life!" Kyira yelled at him. "You could at least say thank you or something!"
He turned, cold, blue eyes clashing with her stubborn turquoise ones. He didn't come any closer, or move any farther away.
"Well you're the polite one!" Kyira hollered, taking out her frustration on him.
"I could say the same thing about you," he replied with a calmness that really got under Kyira's skin.
"If you think you can just walk off without explaining, then you got another thing coming!" Kyira shouted, attitude remaining defiant.
When he still said nothing Kyira felt like screaming. "Come on! I don't even know your name! You could at least let me know that!"
He seemed to consider telling her for a moment, which was taking its toll on Kyira's already short temper. She was just about to yell again when he said, "It's Zane."
At that he started to walk away, leaving a still puzzled Kyira standing there. "You can't just leave me here!" she protested, taking a step after him. He didn't stop or turn and look this time. Fine then! I can take care of myself! she told herself, knowing it wasn't true.
Tears crept into her eyes. This whole day had just been too much. Taking cautious steps she trailed behind him, feeling like a beaten animal that needed attention, regardless of whom it came from. I am pathetic…Kyira thought, staring over the bleak horizon that remained the same, save the mountain that reached above the clouds in front of them. My first day as a student at the Academy, and this is what happens? I don't even want to know what a hard day is like…
In silence they walked, Kyira keeping her distance and neither of them saying a word.
Back at the Academy beach, Kyira's form lay collapsed on the sand, unmoving and still as the waves washed in and out, in and out…