...duels continued from last chapter:

RAIN ORICHALCUM [LP: 1900] vs. MISTY TREDWELL [LP: 4000]

R Cards in Hand = 4 / Cards on Field = 1 face-down spell/trap

M Cards in Hand = 2 / Cards on Field = Field Spell Mirror Labyrinth; Sad Story - Atrocious Day, Sad Story - Unwavering Truth, Sad Story - Sorrowful Memories; 1 face-down spell/trap; Dragon Queen of Tragic Endings [1900/2600] in Attack Position

KALIN KESSLER [LP: 3000] vs. AKIZA IZINSKI [LP: 4000]

K Cards in Hand = 2 / Cards on Field = Field Spell Pandemonium; 1 face-down spell/trap; Tragoedia [2CiH x 600 = 1200 ATK/DEF] in Attack Position

A Cards in Hand = 2 / Cards on Field = 1 face-down spell/trap; Black Rose Dragon [2400/1800] in Attack Position, Violet Witch [1100/1200] in Attack Position

"How long, baby, have I been away?
It feels like ages though you say it's only days.
There ain't language for the things I've seen,
And the truth is stranger than my own worst dreams"

(Meet Me in the Woods - Lord Huron)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Legendary Knight Critias

The crystal dome above gleamed fuchsia with the blend of the Pandemonium Field Spell's scarlet clouds and Misty's violet geoglyph. I at least had some sort of plan of action against the wicked god now.

Young dragon?

What would the Crimson Dragon need right now?

Have you recalled any long-lost memories?

One memory I had was from Roman, and that trick led to Martha's downfall. The second was my moment with Timaeus. I hadn't remembered beyond that.

I see. A mixture of relief and trepidation plagued his tone. I wondered what could be wrong. He said, Do not fear. You are working hard to defend the afflicted Signer, are you not?

For Aki? Absolutely. If even the Dragon could sense an altering to her usual personality, there must've been something really wrong. Why would he say that now, though? Was he surprised I finally followed through on his 'protect the Signers' shtick? I mean, I've accomplished it several times already.

He offered no answer. Meanwhile, the duel behind me distracted me from my own. Kalin faced Aki. He bore the fresh wound on his upper arm with a grin. "It's my move now! I sacrifice Tragoedia to summon Archfiend of Gilfer in attack position, and I'll use it to destroy Violet Witch!"

Aki's life points dropped to 2900. The black-winged fiend passed through her. "It didn't hurt me?"

Kalin tapped his temple. "Only Dark Signers can make Shadow Duels."

"You're not so lucky," Aki shouted. "Violet Witch lets me add a monster to my hand from my deck, so I choose Phoenixian Seed. Your monster isn't as strong as my legendary Signer Dragon!"

"Too true. A filthy, evil Satellite like me can't hope to stand up to one of the saviors of the world. I end my turn."

Aki's crimson sign cast a ghastly red sheen upon her glower. "You finally know your place. I summon Phoenixian Seed and use its effect, tributing it to summon Phoenixian Cluster Amaryllis. Black Rose Dragon, attack Archfiend of Gilfer!"

"Forgot to add: the clouds above you spell 'gullible!'" Kalin snapped his fingers. "Forbidden Chalice activates, boosting Archfiend's attack by 400 points!"

"I activate my trap, Synchro Back! Black Rose Dragon returns to my Extra Deck."

The storm ended with Black Rose Dragon's departure. Kalin whistled. "The legendary Signer Dragon, running away with its tail between its legs."

"I can't wait to wipe that smug look off your face when my Dragon returns. Synchro Back re-summons her in my next Standby Phase!"

"You have me terrified now. Terrified!"

Aki snarled, "I hate you! I set two cards face-down and end my turn!"

"Don't treat her like your enemy, Kalin," Yusei said. "She's a good person, I swear it! Do you hear me, Akiza? I know you're in there! Whatever Sayer did to you, I'll find you and bring you back!"

"Sayer showed me he's the only one I belong with, and that Dark Signer killed him! He's gone forever. I don't belong anywhere anymore."

"That's not true," Yusei urged. "You belong with us! Remember our marks. Can't you feel how worried we are about you, and how much we care about you?"

"The only thing I feel is anger," Aki spat, "and my need for vengeance! I'll have it once I'm through punishing Kalin!"

"I told you, Akiza, he's our friend!"

Aki said, "You're too good of a person to do what should be done. I won't let him hurt you again."

"That sounds familiar," Kalin muttered. A confident grin wiped away his concern. "Try your best. You won't beat me. I activate Dark Core! By discarding, one of your monsters is removed from play. Say bye bye to your Cluster. I summon Terrorking Archfiend alongside my Gilfer. Okay, Gilfer, attack-"

"I use my trap, Illusion Destruction! Gilfer is forced into face-down defense position!"

"Uh, okay. Terrorking Archfiend still has his attack!" The monster blasted Aki, whose life dropped to 900. "See what I mean? I have my partner at my back, so I can't lose."

Aki's response was sharp enough to cut: "The partner you left behind?"

"Yep," he answered, his smile steady.

"The same goes for me!" I shouted. "It's my draw! Looks like I drew a card that's not a spell, trap, or monster!"

The purple glow of the Dark Signer's eyes widened. "What?"

"I'd accuse you, but I've never known an honest cheater," Kalin commented.

I revealed the dark blue card. A huge, black dragon stood in a rocky wasteland. I opened my mouth to speak but suddenly couldn't find the air. Another memory bubbled from the depths of my consciousness.

A monster covered in fur had me pinned against cobblestones. It batted my saber away with its claws. I shoved at its shoulders, holding its snapping fangs an inch from my nose. The beast came closer, closer-

"Honestly, this is just pathetic."

A lengthy sword stabbed through the beast's neck up to its black hilt. Critias's harsh, cobalt eyes seemed to pierce me in the same way. He said, "You're supposed to be our general, not an embarrassment."

I pushed the beast's limp body off me, snatched up my saber, and faced Critias. I sheathed the blade and placed my hand over my heart with three fingers extended. "Thank you, Critias."

"Thank me by not making a fool of yourself every time you step onto the battlefield. Your tactics are respectable from afar, but the second you join in, you become a chaotic mess."

"I-I'm sorry."

"Sorry?" he yelled. "Explain yourself! Is it because of this mess you made, you thrice-damned demon?"

My breathing hitched. I glanced around the outer courtyard, but that part of my memory was shadowed and hazy. "That could be it. I can't forget my anger. Maybe, in a way, it comes back to me. It's like a cloud in my mind. I can't think past it."

"Then do not anger."

"It's not that simple!" I screamed. "Don't you realize who I am?"

Critias shoved a finger into my collarbone. "You're the Knight of Destiny, our general, and someone I am forced to work for. I can't lose my dignity on someone else's fault, now can I, demon?"

My eyes were wide. "Y-yes sir!"

"Then keep your head on your shoulders, 'general!'"

Critias stomped into the shadows at the edge of the vision.

I held the card towards my opponent with the same conviction as my old friend. "This is the Fang of Critias, and it's a Legendary Dragon! My pal here can combine with a trap, so I fuse him with Birthright in my hand to create Last Rites Dragon!"

The black-scaled dragon roared onto the scene. A white veil masked his face, and red banners trailed from his wings. He had 800 attack and 1800 defense. I special summoned him in defense position, so he tinged blue and held his claws in front of his covered snout.

"Last Rites Dragon has some very special abilities," I explained. "For example: once per turn, I can special summon a Normal monster in my graveyard. Your Dragon Queen allowed me to send a very special monster there. Give a warm welcome to the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"

Another pinch on the back of my neck distracted me.

My grin at my favorite monster twitched down. My forearm ached. I noticed a soft, green glow on my skin. My Orichalcos pendant, which the red knight had returned to me, shone brightly.

"Stop right there," said the wicked god. "If you attack now, I will release the human I control. She will feel any damage you deal in my place!"

I lifted my chin and cast my hand forth. "White Lightning."

Sparks arced along my dragon's neck. Electricity built in his throat and exploded in a beam of evisceration. The wicked god screamed. My swift and guiltless command had caught it unaware. Its life dropped to 2900, and the Dragon Queen shattered.

"Er, Rain?" Kalin side-eyed me. "Are you-"

He turned on his heel. His disposition slacked to understanding. His mouth opened. Closed. Kalin said, "Oh. It's you."

The slowness of his words leaked an emotion he attempted to hide. I knew it. I remembered it. I offered a conspiratory smile that stretched my criminal mark and returned my focus to the wicked god. "Make your move. I'll see your host dead swift as the wind."

Ccarayhua clutched at its shoulder and growled, "I do not fear you."

My smile remained.

"So. That's your deal?" Kalin murmured. His inquisitive stare burned through me. "Killing's your answer to everything?"

I pressed a finger to my mouth. My lips hugged the calloused skin. The widening of my smile thinned my eyes.

Kalin's shoulders sagged as though in utter, utter defeat.

The wicked god hadn't caught the exchange. "My draw! This card is reshuffled thanks to my Sad Stories. By sending Sad Story – Atrocious Days to the graveyard, Dragon Queen of Tragic Endings returns to the field! Destroy Last Rites Dragon!"

The green dragon shot a purple stream of breath at Critias, who shattered. "I set one card face-down and end my turn."

"I drew a trap," I mused, "exactly the type of card I can keep because of your destroyed Sad Story. Fate seems to warp against you, 'god.' Blue-Eyes White Dragon battles Dragon Queen of Tragic Endings."

"You triggered my trap, Chaos Burst. By tributing my Dragon Queen, I can destroy your Blue-Eyes White Dragon and inflict 1000 damage to your life points!"

The shards of my dying Blue-Eyes rained upon me, tearing skin. My life points dropped to 900. I sneered at the wicked god's laugh. My expression evened despite the ever-louder roaring of blood in my ears.

I said, "Since my Battle Phase is over, I can use the effect of Last Rites Dragon in my grave. By removing it from play, I can restore a Normal monster in my grave to the field. Blue-Eyes returns, and your field is empty."

The Dark Signer was not shaken. "I activate Fires of Doomsday. Two Doomsday Tokens are summoned to my field!"

Black fires danced opposite me. Kalin murmured, "Shit."

"I can't wait to have a lovely reunion with you," I told the god with a bow. It prickled at the mockery. "I set a face-down and end my turn."

"Oh, no!" Leo exclaimed from outside the dome. "She's gonna lose!"

"We have to believe in her to the end," Crow said beside him. "She pulled it off against Kalin, and she can do it here, too!"

Luna shouted, "I believe in you!"

The attempts at motivation were pestilent as gnats buzzing in my ears. "You're finished, Crimson Dragon!" shouted the wicked god. "I release my two tokens to summon Earthbound Immortal Ccarayhua!"

A brown stone pulsed with purple arteries in the sky. Ghost-white energy of consumed souls streamed into the heart, which exploded into the form of the Lizard. The black of its form was broken by stark, green lines along its body. Its huge mouth was lined with fangs, and its tail whipped wildly. The disturbing eyes rotated in all directions.

I spread my stance and glared at the wicked god.

"No Crimson Dragon swooping to your aid," Misty said. Her flat hand caressed her own cheek. "You will die this time. Attack directly, Ccarayhua!"

As the Lizard's hand lowered, a holographic card flipped up behind me. "I activate Aegis of Gaia. While it remains on the field, my life points are boosted by 3000!"

I stood in the shadow of the giant palm. I looked skyward, and I was unafraid. The sheer force of the attack tore at my hair like a hurricane wind. I closed my eyes and-

Was pushed out of the way. Kalin had taken my place. He lay collapsed in the crater left by the Lizard's strike.

The roaring of the blood in my ears silenced. I blinked once. Twice. Glanced around. Had no idea how I got over here. I spotted my fallen partner and scurried to his side. He propped himself up on a shaking elbow. Every one of his movements flashed an expression of pain across his face. I said, "Hey, partner? Are you okay? What happened?"

"Goddamn," he murmured, "you're back."

"Huh?"

"You blacked out again, right?"

"I- I think so. I was over there and suddenly I'm over here."

He tried to stand and stumbled. I caught him. He leaned heavily on my shoulder. "I've gotta tell you something, partner. I've never forgotten my promise to you. I mean, I'm clearly no fuckin' angel, but I'm going to protect you no matter who you are. If we go down…"

"We go down together," I breathed.

A flame kindled in my chest, and a memory burned through. A voice deeper than the Crimson Dragon's rumbled, We now share three abilities. The first is Shining Burst. When your heart is conquered by fury, you have the power to increase your strength to leagues beyond that of a human's. The second is Shining Diffusion. When you find the serenity of kindness towards others, you may offer healing or protection.

"Yoohoo." Kalin waved a hand in front of my face. "Did it happen again?"

"I'm here," I whispered. Shining Burst was what happened when I slammed Regulus, who said these abilities related to my Blue Flame. I wondered if, based on the memory-

I planted a kiss on Kalin's criminal mark. My palm rested on his chest, and heat sprouted there. When I backed away, he was wide-eyed. "Did you, uh, do something?"

I tilted my head and smiled. "I'm not sure what you mean."

"I just feel a lot better all of a sudden."

The Crimson Dragon's voice rung out. Young dragon, I can reach you again! Please listen to me. You have to look at your arm!

"My arm?" I shifted the makeshift bandage Kalin had torn from his shirt. Violet light spilled out. Pushing it further back revealed a glowing mark of the Spider.

"Woah woah woah!" Crow called. "Is Rain a Dark Signer?"

"That's one of those marks the Shadow Drones sent after me had," Yusei said. "They were being controlled by the Dark Signers!"

"So that's what was wrong with you. Roman's trying to screw with your head," Kalin said. He saw the fear written on my face. "Don't worry, I can help. You're not gonna like it, though."

"W-what do you-"

Kalin grabbed my shoulder and shoved his hand down the back of my shirt. I yelped and struggled. He released me. A tiny spider was crushed between his fingertips. It faded in dark fire. "There. Not so bad, right?"

I frowned. "Why didn't you warn me?"

"He can control people with the Spider shit. It's creepy. I wasn't about to take any chances."

"Control? Have all the blackouts been him?"

The tilt in his eyes reminded me of our first day as partners. Of my horrifying question. Of Aki's reaction to my inquiry about genocide. Yet in the next moment the expression was wiped away for neutrality. Kalin said, "Could be."

Young dragon. His voice was soothing. However Roman affected you, you managed to find the light again. I was able to break through a tear your Blue Flame created to reach you.

That was only because my partner protected me. "Hey, thanks for rescuing me."

"Happy to do it!" He jumped to his feet with ease. I noticed the torn skin of his arm had healed along with the dark god's attack. He crossed to face Aki, who was dazed. "Sorry for the interruption! I believe it was your turn."

"You saved her," Aki muttered, her stare far away. "Just like Sayer did for me. He's gone forever. He was the only one who didn't hate me because of my powers. He was my partner."

"You psychics have it pretty bad, huh," Kalin lamented. "Hunted from every angle."

"That's why we needed the Arcadia Movement," Aki said. "It was a safe haven for us, but Misty destroyed it! She killed my partner and razed my home, and she'll pay!"

Mina stepped forward. "The Arcadia Movement was the opposite. Sayer was using the Movement as a front to conduct experiments on anyone with psychic powers and use them to further his power-hungry agenda."

Yusei said, "That guy used one of his cards and left me for dead. That's not the sort of partner you want, is it, Akiza? He's been using you! He pinned all of those deaths he caused on you. He was the reason everyone hated you!"

"No, Sayer loves me. He would never use me! He saved my life today, and he told me he believed in me to defeat the Dark Signer. Those were his last words to me! I have to fulfill them!"

Aki swiped the top card off her deck. "I hope you're ready, Kalin. I've learned your weakness. My draw! Thanks to Synchro Back's effect, Black Rose Dragon returns to my field."

The razor rose petals stormed within the dome. Aki's Signer Dragon growled at Kalin's two monsters: Archfiend of Gilfer in face-down defense position and Terrorking Archfiend in attack position. Terrorking's attack increased from 2000 to 3000. "What?"

"Oh, right." Kalin set a fist on his hip. The harsh winds from Black Rose Dragon had both of our cloaks flapping, and hairline gashes opened wherever our skin was bare. Despite everything, he had that wonderful smirk on his face. "Last turn, I discarded Imprisoned Queen Archfiend. While she's in the grave and I have Pandemonium up, I can add 1000 attack to a level 4 or lower fiend of my choosing once per turn. Pretty cool, huh?"

"We'll see who's smiling after I play this! The Thorn of Malice spell equips to Black Rose Dragon and increases its attack by 600, equaling your Terrorking! I'm not aiming for him, though. Thorn of Malice prevents the destruction of any monster my Dragon attacks, but it allows piercing damage! Black Rose Dragon, attack Archfiend of Gilfer, and aim for Rain!"

Eh?

A thorny vine tore past Kalin's monster and whipped my left arm, ripping off skin. I screamed as the vine slithered back into Black Rose Dragon, and Kalin's life points fell from 3000 to 2500.

Dead silence settled after my cry of pain. Blood dripped down my elbow. I tried my best to cover it and looked to my partner. The horrified look on his face sank my heart to my stomach.

"Akiza, no!" Yusei's voice was pained. "Why? Why would you attack your friend?"

"To see that look on Kalin's face," Aki said with a grin. "Now your Gilfer's attack and defense are decreased by 600 thanks to Thorn of Malice, leaving it with 1600 attack and 1900 defense! I told you I figured out your weakness."

"I'm starting to understand what being a 'friend' means to you Signers," The hiss in the words unveiled his fury. "It's like when you leave Rain for dead at the Arcadia Movement, right?"

He's talking about when I saved Aki. How'd he know-

"That mark's some kinda cosmic joke," Kalin scoffed. "You don't care about anyone but yourself. You'd let the world be damned for your revenge. You're just like me."

"I am not! I'll punish Misty once I'm through with you! That's the point of the Signers: to defeat the evil Dark Signers like you! After what you did to Yusei, it's only fair."

Kalin glanced at the horizon, which the orange disk of the sun had touched. "You got an interesting arrangement of priorities. For the way you talk about this piece of shit Sayer, still seems to me like Yusei's near-death experience hit you harder."

Aki turned to Yusei, whose hands were pressed against the dome. The pleading in his sapphire eyes was amplified by the violet light of the Lizard glyph against the dark clouds. The softness I knew returned to Aki's voice when she said, "Yusei, you're- you care about me, don't you?"

"Yes, Akiza. Nothing has changed since the Fortune Cup. Kalin and Rain taught me how tragic being born a psychic is. I didn't want you to suffer like they did or feel trapped! Sayer only made the reputation psychics had worse. Doesn't change anything, Akiza, because I see you for the hero you are!"

"Hero?" Her focus drifted to her crimson mark then to us. "How do you know about feeling trapped?"

"Oh, she missed the memo." Kalin grinned. "To be a psychic in the Satellite means a lifetime in the Facility. Rain here was too dangerous to even walk the streets! At least, that's what Sector Security decided for all Satellites with powers."

Aki's eyes widened. "Rain, your criminal mark!"

"The hell do you care," Kalin spat. "We're just pieces of Satellite trash like you said!"

I grasped his arm. "This is the real Aki, and she would never say that."

"Oh, right. This is the one who left you to die."

"I told her to leave," I said. "I was trying to save her! It's my duty to protect the Signers. The Crimson Dragon and I agreed on it! He gave me a purpose, like I always wanted!"

"So who's supposed to save you, huh?" His anger harshened. "Because none of your Signer pals came back for their big red dragon. They were content to let you die."

"H-how do you know that?"

"Misty told me." He observed the possessed Dark Signer behind us. The Earthbound Immortal's gaze bore into me. Kalin continued: "She wasn't happy with your little hero act. She wished Akiza had died there, but it would be her 'friend' instead."

"Rain, I, I almost got you killed," Aki said. "And all because I wouldn't listen. Now, it's happened again. I hurt you."

"And I didn't even think to check on you once we saw Akiza was okay," Luna said, her pigtails drooping with her lowered head.

Leo joined in: "I didn't believe some girl would have to save me, but you totally did. We all left, sooo if it weren't for Kalin, you'd be toast."

His final sentence struck me. "Kalin? What did you-"

"The duel isn't over yet, Signer. It's my turn now." He swiped a card off his deck, keeping his focus pointedly on Aki. "Terrorking Archfiend's attack is increased to 3000. I change Archfiend of Gilfer to attack position, and I'll use Terrorking to attack Black Rose Dragon!"

Since their power matched, both monsters shattered. A face-down on Aki's field flipped up. "My trap, Wicked Rebirth, brings Black Rose Dragon back at the cost of 800 life points! I use my Dragon's effect, destroying every card on the field!"

As the petal storm surged, Kalin instinctively wrapped an arm around me. I leaned into him and begged, "Please, please tell me the truth."

"Look, I…" He scanned the many wounds I'd earned today. "Misty said you bailed Akiza out. I had to make sure you were okay. You were crushed under this huge chunk of rock, and you were barely breathing. I got you the hell out of there and to the hospital."

"It was you?"

"Yeah. So forgive me for being more than a little pissed off on your behalf after seeing you half-dead. I could never imagine seeing that and leaving."

The words cut into Aki, and she grimaced. Her storm had ended. The Signer Dragon and Kalin's monster were gone. I said, "Stop it. You're hurting her."

He stared at the gash on my left elbow. "You shouldn't be so quick to forgive. What makes her a friend to you other than some shiny mark? You and Yusei talk mad game, but I haven't seen any proof of why she's a Signer."

"When Aki's been herself, she's shown me nothing but kindness," I explained. "Er. Begrudging kindness! Her conscience is the only reason why you've been able to make her feel so guilty! Stop it!"

"…Fine, if it's what you want. But you should know. Both duelists on this field tend to hold grudges."

"Like over attempted murder," Aki snarled, the fire burning in her irises again.

"Exactly! So. Let the duel go on!"

"Don't keep going!" Yusei said. "She was almost back! End the duel, Kalin. You have nothing to gain. This Akiza isn't the one Rain and I know. She's still trying to hurt you, and she won't be afraid to use Rain to do it."

"Tch. I would never give up on a duel. I'm fighting for something, too. Oh, and you can try, but there's no way in hell you're touching my partner again."

Aki's sinister smile made me shiver. "End your turn so I can prove you wrong."

"Certainly!"

Red petals like drops of blood stained the arena. Black Rose Dragon blossomed at the center of the swarm. Aki said, "Black Rose Dragon returns since it was destroyed by a card effect other than Wicked Rebirth!"

I glanced at Kalin's hand, which had a monster he could have summoned. "Um, Kalin?"

"Hey, Rain." He wrapped an arm around me and pulled me close. His lips brushed my ear so I could hear him over the roar of the Dragon and her storm: "After everything I managed to mess up, do you trust me?"

His instinct was to put himself on the line for my sake. Even as a Dark Signer, he found me and rescued me. He really was my guardian angel. I looked to my partner, to the criminal mark breaking his skin he had taken on my behalf. "I do."

"Black Rose Dragon, attack directly, and aim for Rain!"

Kalin moved between me and the approaching vines. I let him. The strike bit into his stomach. He clutched at it and stepped back, and I thought I heard him screaming, but-

He was laughing, caught in a mad fit. "That it? Really? Damn, Akiza, those friends of yours are right! You're all talk!"

His life points dropped to a mere 100, which matched Aki's. His field was empty, and his words had made Aki's fury blaze higher. The feelings leaked through to her Dragon, which made the petal storm fly at faster speeds. Kalin pulled me close again, and I noticed his fingers were bloodied. Aki said, "I set one card face-down and end my turn."

"Hey, partner. Think you could give me a hand here? Mine's a little occupied." He winked and held up his left arm, which had his borrowed duel disk clamped on.

"You mean you want me to?" He held the one card in his hand between his fingers, and I took it. "Uh, okay. Our draw!"

I pulled off the card and showed it to him. He instantly frowned. "Shit! C'mon, Rain! You were supposed to have the lucky fingers! Oh, goddammit."

"Hey! How is this my fault?"

"Just play the card! I remove from play Archfiend of Gilfer, Shadowknight Archfiend, and Tragoedia from play to special summon Dark Necrofear in defense position!"

I slid it onto his disk, and the blue-skinned fiend burst to life. Its stare bore into Aki's soul. In its arms it cradled a broken doll, whose empty glass eyes rolled around to follow wherever the fiend's gaze landed. Dark Necrofear had 2200 attack and 2800 defense. Kalin sighed. "We'll set a face-down and end turn, I guess."

Why was he acting like this? That card I drew and Dark Necrofear should- Oh, my stars. Was it all another big lie?

Aki grinned. "You're finished. I'll use the effect of Black Rose Dragon! Dark Necrofear switches to attack position, and its attack drops to zero-"

"Nope! I'll use my spell, Forbidden Chalice! Black Rose Dragon's effect is negated, but its attack increases by 400, which only matches Necrofear's defense. No way you're getting past this monster!"

"That's what you think! I activate my trap, Overdoom Line! Every monster special summoned from the grave increases their attack by 1000. My Dragon now has 3400 attack, which is plenty for your pathetic monster. Black Rose Dragon, destroy Dark Necrofear!"

My mouth dropped open. "She actually did it. You're the best bluff in the world."

"You make a great accomplice," Kalin said. "Almost like we're partners in crime or something."

"Oh, wow, you're hilarious."

He was smiling anyway. Aki shouted, "Why are you two so happy? I just eliminated your last hope!"

"Nooot exactly. Dark Necrofear's ability activates!" Black Rose Dragon's shadow tinged blue, and a purple haze encompassed it. The Dragon flew onto Kalin's field. When it did, the storm around us ended, and my partner released me. "Check it out! A legendary Signer Dragon just for little old me!"

Through her teeth, Aki growled, "What?"

I explained, "When you destroy Dark Necrofear through battle or card effect, at the end of the turn, he can equip Necrofear from the grave to any of your monsters and take control of it."

Aki noted the single card in Kalin's backline: the monster she'd ripped to shreds. Kalin snickered at the twitch in her eye. "Since the cosmic joke of a Signer's gone nuts – relatable, by the way – guess I'll seal your tower for you!"

"Don't touch my card." Red energy streamed up from the earth at her feet, giving her anger form. "Give it back!"

"Tch. Not a chance 'till your tower's in the dust."

The Crimson Dragon growled. I do not like him. At all.

Yeah, I figured. But I think he's absolutely fantastic!

"My tower shall never cease!" the wicked god shouted from across my field. "The Mirror Labyrinth Field Spell will keep you locked with your Crimson Dragon, and my Earthbound Immortal will consume the three of you by duel's end."

Ccarayhua's screech had me covering my ears with my palms. Afterwards, I caught bits and pieces of a faraway conversation. Leo said, "I don't get it. Kalin's a Dark Signer. Why would he bother with the tower?"

"He's not a Dark Signer anymore," Luna said. "Maybe he doesn't care about us, but he does care about Rain. Since she's trying to get the tower sealed, he is, too."

Yusei shook his head. "Not much changed from back in the day. Can't say I agree with the methods, but Kalin gets the job done."

The scarlet energy about Aki fizzled, and she dropped to her knees. My partner had turned to focus on my duel. I murmured, "Were you trying for that the whole time?"

"A golden opportunity presented itself. What, am I supposed to let it pass by?"

"Aki seems really sad now."

He shrugged. "Might mean she's closer to being herself, right? Not a chance I'm about to take with the tower on a time limit."

"If Sayer's really dead," I said, "if she's in pain because he's gone, it's impossible for her to be herself."

"Then it's a good thing Black Rose is on my duel disk, huh?"

"Yeah," I said, the word quiet as a breeze. "Kalin. Sayer's gone? For real?"

"I wasn't here for it. You had to be. You were carrying him around-" His mouth snapped shut. "You blacked out before the time earlier, right? Like, twice today already?"

"…Yeah. I don't think- I mean, it's not like I have the option of resting, so I haven't stopped. They were because of Roman anyway!"

His unwavering hold of my stare went on long enough to make me uncomfortable. Finally, his focus dropped to the dirt. "You seriously have no idea what goes on during the blackouts?"

"None. Why?"

"No reason."

I rested my fingertips on my deck. Uneasiness plagued me.

What had I forgotten?

"Hey, partner." His easy smile had me wondering if he ever worried. "You're fine. Let's get this tower taken care of. Together."

"Together," I repeated.

End of Chapter Twenty-Three

A/N: Below is the description of the original card appearing in this chapter:

Last Rites Dragon

6-Star, LIGHT Attribute

[Dragon/Fusion/Effect] [800 ATK / 1800 DEF]

The Fang of Critias + Birthright

Once per turn: you can Special Summon 1 Normal monster from your GY. During your Main Phase 2: you can banish this card from your GY; Special Summon one Normal monster from your hand or GY.