Original Yu-Gi-Oh Series
Parallel
Chapter 054
Originally Written: Monday, April 25, 2022 907AM to 1055AM
. . . . .
Yugi Moto laughed around a bite of rice. Bakura Ryou and Grandpa Solomon sat next to him in the Kame Game Shop. His puzzle wasn't around his neck. He hadn't worn it since he challenged Amane. Grandpa Solomon told a joke, and that was why Yugi laughed.
"Oooh, she finally switched to Duel Monsters." Solomon chuckled in amusement. "She might break through today."
Dark, nearly black clouds outside the game shop encased the area such that it seemed like it was night time, but it was only lunch time. Emergency sirens wailed, trying to determine the issue.
They expected Amane to find where the puzzle was within twelve hours. The Millennium Ring literally pointed out its location to her. However, watching her struggle to get it was amusing. Solomon was a master when it came to seals. The symbols covered the walls of the store, glowing in golden runes that Pharaoh recognized, but couldn't read. That was better than Yugi or Bakura though. Neither recognized them.
Half a day for her to find it. Another half day to learn of and examine the seals that prevented her from actually getting in. At the start of day two, she added Duel Monsters to the mix.
"What about the guy helping her? How much trouble would he be?" Bakura looked into his cup of tea.
"I'm unsure." Solomon admitted. "He has no magic from what I can tell."
They didn't know the name of her new helper. They could tell that though he did have some Asian features, he wasn't Japanese. He towered over Bakura, and was at least 2 and a half of Yugi and Solomon in height, not including their hair. With his dark eyes and long dark hair, he looked quite rugged. The three scars resembling claw marks from some kind of animal gave him the look of a hunter. From the way he stalked the Game Shop, he was clearly hunting.
Despite his human appearance, he fit in well with the Duel Monsters surrounding him. Yugi saw him through the window, speaking to a Duel Monster as if it was one of his family members. Yugi couldn't tell what Duel Monster it was.
Since he showed up, they hadn't seen Amane, but the trio could sense her in the area.
"But he recognizes my barrier well enough to point out the weak points. These are weak points he can't get past, but a Duel Monster could."
After lunch, Yugi climbed out the window of Solomon's spare bedroom. He spent quite a few memorable nights playing in this room.
"Hi there!" Yugi waved to the new guy. "Yea, you!"
The man stepped back to get a better view and looked up at him. "Good afternoon, Yugi Moto."
"You know my name, but I don't know yours." Yugi took a seat on the roof. "Bit rude, eh?" He leaned his arms on his knees.
"My name is Zorc." The man spoke with a bow.
"You're gonna piss me off, aren't you?" Yugi scoffed.
He smiled, just the smallest twitch of his lips. His dark eyes seemed to light in amusement. "I sure hope I do. You are most motivated when upset, and will be a peak challenge for me as a result."
Yugi blinked, unsure what to say. He wished he was wearing the puzzle, if only so Pharaoh could give him a proper response to that.
"I see your confusion." Zorc folded his arms behind his back. "We are playing a game, yes?"
Yugi watched him. He hated trick questions. He wondered if he could unknowingly change the rules of a game he started just by answering a question. "No. You're not a valid player."
"I agree. I am not." Zorc nodded. "This game only ends in one of two scenarios: If Amane touches the Millennium Puzzle and takes it for herself within the seven day time limit allotted, or if you successfully keep Amane away from that which is rightfully yours."
"So you're here for your own amusement?" Yugi frowned.
Zorc smiled again. "Do challenge me, Yugi Moto. I'll be quite upset if you don't."
Yugi watched him walk away. He waited until he was back inside the game shop to stomp his feet. Both Solomon and Bakura slightly soothed him by letting him know the man's name wasn't actually Zorc. Not-Zorc broke through the barrier by nightfall, interrupting their sleep. He stayed in the back with Amane while the Duel Monsters slammed into a second barrier that burned them almost instantly to a crisp. Amane screeched. Not-Zorc's laugh taunted them at the start of Day Three.