After the main attractions of the day, Arthur decided to take reishi to one more place before going home. They were heading through the south-western neo domino city which was the least developed part of the city. Broken down buildings lined the street with graffiti art tattooing the lowly bricks of the building. The street was covered with empty soda canisters from cheap brands. Multiple languages were being spoken on this specific street as the street's property value was low; which made it attractive to impoverished immigrants.
Reishi: U-Um are you sure it's safe to walk in this part of the city?
Arthur: Of course! I've been through these very streets tones of times.
Reishi: Ok then…. If you're sure.
Reishi sighed.
*Flip*
Arthur took out a book from his side pocket. It looked like some sort of almanac as it had a very plain cover and numbers all over it. He stared intently at it as they walked.
Reishi: Is something wrong Arthur?
Arthur: Nothing. Just thinking about something.
He closed the book with impunity.
Arthur: Well Today, You've asked a ton of questions about me, how about I ask some questions about you?
Reishi: H-Huh? About me?
Arthur: Yup. Don't be nervous I'm not going to interrogate you. Haha.
Arthur: I just wanna little bit about you, if you don't mind that is.
Reishi: Of course. Fire away.
Arthur: I want to know what a typical childhood in japan is like.
Reishi: …
She paused for a second.
Reishi: I wouldn't really say I lived a typical childhood in japan.
Arthur: Oh how so?
Reishi: I was mostly raised in a upper-class environment. I was homeschooled until I was 9 years old. Most days I just spent at home with my parents, barely ever leaving the mansion. I practically had to beg my parents to put me in elementary school.
Reishi: -And then when I was 11, I was sent to a dueling academy. Where I met one of my friends - Shima.
Reishi paused before continuing.
Reishi: The only typical thing about my life are my highschool years which are mostly uneventful, except for the whole shadowmancers thing.
She whispered that last part.
Arthur: Huh. I guess that certainly 'atypical' but your experience would certainly be different than any european girls in the same situation.
Reishi: I could say the same. Japan is a very harsh place.
Reishi: Even as someone who's been born here, Nippon, can be a pretty judgmental place.
Reishi exclaimed while looking downward.
Reishi: that's why I hope you don't feel isolated. japan can also be very xenophobic at times.
Reishi observed as she walked past a wall that had graffiti painted on it which read: "Go home Gaijins!"
Arthur: You shouldn't worry about me or anyone else reishi. I never pay attention to bigots anyway.
Arthur said as he smirked at the graffiti.
Reishi: You sure are strong-willed, Arthur.
Arthur: Of course. I try to remain positive, No matter the situation.
Arthur proclaimed while looking into her eyes. The two of them continued to walk down the sultry path until they came to an alleyway. The alleyway is darkness and the sour relics of a hundred take-away meals. As Neal walks between the walls that are too high for him to bother seeking the almost black sky. The buildings were tight together and loomed over her, like a forest of stone. When she looked up the roofs were so close together that she could only make out a sliver of the blue sky that was mirrored by the tiny stream of light that trickled along the cold stone ground. The alleyway twisted and turned back on itself, first going to the right, then to the left.
As they turned left into the alleyway, Reishi got a bad feeling in her gut. She felt like someone was watching her and arthur.
Reishi: (Wait... Isn't this the same part of the city where-)
Her suspicions were proven correct as she heard a voice come from above!
?: In the name of the moon, I shall punish evildoers!
A figure was standing atop the building next to them. His cape fluttered in the pale moonlight, His mask shining in the dark shimmer of the night. A twisted smile appeared beneath his mask which neither of them could see. He dabbed and leapt off the building.
Reishi: Arthur look out!
Arthur: ….!
Arthur quickly sidestepped as the masked man landed where he was just standing.
Arthur: What the-
Pathfinder: I'm the one who will alleviate the darkness from the night, I am the one who defeats the villians that prowl this city, I am the one who protects the innocent, I am the pathfinder!
The Pathfinder posed in the moonlight, His lengthy body looked peculiar to arthur and Reishi who did not seem to be amused.
Arthur: W-Who are you, Sir? -And how dare you pounce on us like that!
Pathfinder: Gee, Didn't you listen to my short monologue? I'm the pathfinder! Protector of those in need!
Arthur: The pathfinder?
Pathfinder: Yup! I'm a seeker of justice that protects the weak and serves the innocent….. At a cost.
Arthur: At a cost?
Pathfinder: Yup! These streets are dangerous! Rapists,Thieves and murderers roam this place like a sewer! And in order to protect you and your fine dame here I'll need a healthy payment.
Arthur: …..
Arthur paused for a second. He seemed to realize what was going on and stepped back a little from the pathfinder. The pathfinder in response took out his signature machete and turned his attention to reishi.
Reishi: ….
Pathfinder: Ah, You again. Third times the charm, eh?
Arthur: Do you know this guy?
Arthur asked.
Reishi: 'Know' is a subjective term. He's tried to extort me and my friend twice before.
Pathfinder: Extortion is not a word you should use to describe me! I'm asking for a mere remittance to keep you safe!
The pathfinder exclaimed whilst sharpening his machete.
Arthur: Ah. I see. You are just just a common street thug trying to appear honorable. My goodness, I do hate people like you.
Pathfinder: Listen, I'm doing the job that no one else will! I'm the hero that this city needs!
Arthur: A hero who's basically threatening people with violence if they don't give him cash!
Pathfinder: A morally gray one, Yes!
Arthur: 'Morally gray' so you just admitted you're scum that trying to scam people out of money?
Reishi: (Gosh, Things seem to be getting tense.)
Reishi: L-Listen, I'll just pay for 'remittance or whatever and you'll leave us alone right?
Pathfinder: Of course, I will. I am a man of my word… Kukuku.
Reishi lightly sighed and pulled her shiny and fancy wallet. Her nimble fingers slipped through the opening before she heard arthur object.
Arthur: Hold on milady!
Reishi: Huh?
Arthur: You shouldn't give into extortion like this, so easily.
Pathfinder: Hey, stop interfering. If the lady wants to pay her protection fee then let her!
The pathfinder proclaimed while dtaring at arthur.
Arthur: No. No one should give into extortion than theft so easily.
Reishi: Arthur, You really shouldn't-
Arthur: Reishi, I have to stand up for you! If I don't take a stand here, then who will!
Reishi: I get that and all, but its too dangerous to do so. He has a machete afterall…
Arthur: Lady reishi, You cannot let people walk all over you. Someone like him is beneath you and to let him have his way is despicable!
Reishi: …..!
Reishi paused in shock. She realized what arthur had just said was what she had told shima.
[Flashback]
Reishi: Shima…. Didn't I tell you to stand up to sakoshi?
Shima: I couldn't! He threatened to fail me if I didn't put on this damn perverted outfit!
Reishi: Shima! You can't let sakoshi walk all over you!
Shima: I know but... He's just too imposing-
Reishi: He is scum! To let him just have his way is wrong!
Reishi exclaimed heavily as shima put her head down.
[End]
She realized that what she had said to shima also applied here. She couldn't waver to evil!
Reishi: …..
She put her money back in her wallet and stared down the pathfinder.
Pathfinder: Eh? You're backing off too? You guys must be crazy.
Reishi: The guy in a mask and cape holding a machete is calling us crazy?
Pathfinder: Yes, you are! for refusing my protection!
Arthur: She's refusing to be extorted by you!
Pathfinder: Extortion? You guys sure do throw that word around, don't you.
He smugly laughed.
Pathfinder: But at the end of the day, I'm offering you a service. A service that you can resist…. At your own cost.
Pathfinder: If you're not gonna pay me in money, maybe you can pay me another way….
The masked man walked forward towards reishi with his machete in hand. Reishi grimaced and stood her ground.
Arthur: Get away from her!
Pathfinder: I need some sort of payment! -and I will get it!
The pathfinder mischievously put the machete to Reishi's neck. Its sharp and cut blade felt cold as it perched itself right neck to her neck. Reishi broke out in a cold sweat as the pathfinder whistled like a bird at his un-heroic action.
Reishi: Ah! You coward!
Pathfinder: Give me my due payments dear sir and I'll let you all go.
Arthur: We're not paying you anything. No matter how many physical threats you make.
Pathfinder: Then I suppose we're at an impasse.
The two of them stared each other down with glaring eyes and wavering hearts. The tension in the alleyway was reaching its climax and so was reishi.
Arthur: How about this you fiend! You fight me like a real man!
Pathfinder: Heh. I think you'll lose that fight, buster.
He pointed to his machete.
Arthur: No, not like that. I meant like this.
Arthur's eyes shimmered with his hand reaching into his pocket and pulling out a deck of cards. A dueling deck…
Reishi: Arthur!
Pathfinder: Are you challenging me? To a duel of all things?
Arthur: Yes, Of course. Unless you're not man enough!
Arthur said as his midriff got cold from the seething wind.
Pathfinder: Man enough? Who are you a prissy boy, to challenge my masculinity?
Arthur: I'm a strong one apparently, This 'Prissy boy' is the one challenging a man holding a machete after all.
Pathfinder: True, but what would I have to prove to you by dueling you?
Arthur: A lot.
Pathfinder: Huh?
Arthur: I have a proposition for you.
Pathfinder: ...
The pathfinder went silent while he seemed interested in what arthur was about to say.
Arthur: How about we have a little wager?
Pathfinder: Hm?
Arthur: If you duel me and you win, I'll give you all of the money you want and double it.
Reishi: Arthur!
Pathfinder: ...Are you serious?
Arthur: Yup. My family is rich and I'm 'Loaded.
Arthur pulled out several japanese yen bills and flashed them to the pathfinder. The pathfinder seemed impressed but not amused.
Arthur: This is 145000 yen right here! If you duel me, You'll get way more!
Arthur yelled with impunity! The pathfinder stood agape and put down his machete that he wielded to reishi.
Arthur: If I win though, You have to quit your life of extortion and false heroism!
Pathfinder: …..
He paused.
Pathfinder: Fine then! I accept your challenge.
Arthur: Heh. I know you couldn't resist a guinea or two!
Arthur exclaimed.
Pathfinder: Nevermind that, I want to see justice enforced! Even if I have to duel you for it!
Arthur: Yeah sure, whatever.
Arthur took out his duel disk from his back pocket. It was blue and gray in color and had the words: J.N.D plastered all over it, this duel was impressive as it was equipped with all the modern date technology.
The pathfinder pulled his duel disk out from his cape, it was rectangular in shape and was colored red and brown. The thing that stuck out most was how old fashioned it was! It seemed to be from the 2030's because of its distinguishing old duel slots and a small deck holder.
Reishi: (I hope you know what you're doing, Arthur.)
Reishi said as the two boys went adjacent to each other in the alleyway. The two stared at each other with the passion of the duelist in their eyes. Both had hope for their desired outcome of the duel and if that hope wasn't met…. Who knows what would happen?
Both: Let's duel!