Chapter Twelve- Light and Darkness

"Jaden!" Atticus called as she searched a part of the forest. Jaden had been released from the infirmary and had returned to his room…until a few hours ago. He had left without a trace and the group spread out across campus and the woods to search for him. She continued to call, asking him to answer her. She searched for hours before returning to her new room to rest. She hoped someone found him as she fell asleep.

She headed into the cafeteria the next morning to see no Jaden and something else strange and a bit weird. Chazz was dressed all in white and was preaching about seeing the light and that he had joined something called The Society of Light. His uplifted tone of voice was disconcerting to hear and she was visited by an urge to beat him upside the head. She looked at her friends and could tell that they felt the same way. I think I should keep my distance from Chazz, at least until he's back to normal.

It wasn't hard to stay away from Chazz as the boy suddenly made himself scarce. No one knew where he went and no one asked when he re-appeared. When Chazz was around, he would listen to everyone's worries and then claim The Society of Light would solve their problems. Atticus ignored Chazz as another worry came up on her list: Zane's descending popularity. Ever since his loss to Aster, he hadn't won a single duel. Syrus was likewise concerned about this. The two of them would sit and stare into space, their thoughts on their brother and boyfriend, respectively.

"This is awful," Syrus said after a day of silence and staring. He was holding a duel magazine and looking at an article of Zane that had an impressive picture of Zane with his ace monster behind him. Atticus felt her heart beat faster as she gazed at his picture.

"What happened to him?" Syrus asked, not really expecting an answer.

The magazine vanished from his hands and both looked up to see Alexis rolling up the book. "Don't believe this garbage," she said. "Zane is just going through a rough stretch. He'll get through it. He'll win tonight's match."

Atticus felt bolstered by her sister's words, but sank back into depression when Zane lost yet again. She couldn't understand it. Zane had been the top student in his class; he had been so strong. Was the real world tougher than any of them had thought? Based on Aster's victory over Jaden, it seemed the answer was yes. The way Aster dueled; it seemed harsh, angry, and unforgiving. Is that what it takes to be a pro duelist? Atticus shook her head. No, that's not true. Pros can be easygoing and respect their opponents. Chancellor Sheppard always preached respect for one's opponent. Zane took that sentiment to heart. He inspired others to follow that belief as well. Zane will get through this sting of losses. I know he will.

Zane left the cage, having secured another win. His blue eyes were darker than before and his desire to humiliate his opponent grew stronger. His new manager, Mr. Shroud, was pleased with Zane's new aggressive style and Zane loved the new him. Mr. Shroud was right. Everything about the old me needed to be tossed aside if I want to be a winner. Victory is the only thing that matters. As this thought passed through his mind, images of Syrus and Atticus popped into his head. His little brother and his girlfriend. Could he really toss aside the two people who mean the world to him?

I can't. I love them too much to do that to them. I want to protect them and I will do that by crushing anyone who gets in my way!

"And yet another win for Zane Truesdale! I'm telling you, Zane's dueling like a man possessed. Could it be his new black threads? Either way, Zane is back on top."

Atticus felt the blood drain from her face as she sat in front of the TV in Chazz's room along with Alexis, Mindy, Jasmine, Bastion, Hassleberry, and Syrus. She stared in shock at the image of her boyfriend. He looked cruel and intimidating; not someone she'd want to be alone with. She caught sight of Syrus' face; he seemed stunned and looked about ready to cry. I understand that. I feel like crying myself. He caught her looking at him and he nodded slightly. She knew they were thinking the same thing: Whoever that was, it wasn't the Zane they knew.

During Jaden's absence, Crowler and Bonaparte were devising ways to demolish the red dorm, but Atticus and the others kept thwarting their attempts. So, it had been no surprise to find a sign with a duel challenge to save the red dorm. Alexis offered to duel which would take place at midnight. Everyone else chose to go to support Alexis.

They arrived outside the school at the appointed time and learned that Alexis' opponent was Aster! Atticus was incensed: This guy defeated Zane and Jaden and now Crowler and Bonaparte wanted to add her sister to the list! The way Aster duels, we might just lose the red dorm for sure this time. Alexis, however, wasn't backing down. The group went inside and the duel was about to begin when, to everyone's shock, Jaden appeared!

He claimed he had been to outer space and acquired a few new cards. Everyone was skeptical about Jaden's claims, but Alexis was more than willing to let Jaden duel in her place. The duel backed up Jaden's story and more importantly, he defeated Aster! It was a happy outcome because it meant the red dorm was saved yet again.

Atticus spent the next day at the beach with Mindy and Jasmine. The girls chatted as they enjoyed the sun and the view of the ocean. Atticus pushed her sad feelings about Zane to the back of her mind during the time with the girls. They were passing Obelisk Blue when all three came to a dead stop: The dorm was all white!

"Girls, get Alexis," Atticus said before taking off toward the dorm. She opened the front doors to see Chazz single-handedly defeat a group of Obelisk Blue students. She gasped at the event and Chazz turned to her with a satisfied smirk. "Chazz, what is going on? Why is the dorm white?"

"I've made them see the light," he answered. A large group of people gathered behind Chazz, all wearing white like him. Chazz moved toward her, still smirking. "How about you, Atticus? Join the Society of Light."

"No way. Forget it." She turned to see students between her and the doors. She steeled herself and began to push her way through the crowd. She felt herself being buffeted by people as she pushed her way to the doors. She got outside and as she turned to be sure she wasn't being followed, a piece of wood nailed her in the temple and she hit the ground.

She heard Alexis call her name and sensed that she hadn't been out long. "Careful, Lexi. The dorm's gone nuts. They're with him now." She pushed herself up to sitting as she looked at the front doors. There, in front of the doors, were the students and some of them supported Chazz on a plank with a throne on it. Chazz let it slip that the Society was led by Aster's manager, Satorius.

"They're crazy," Jaden remarked.

"The only crazy ones are you dweebs," Chazz shot back. "Duel me and I'll help you see the light."

Jaden was about to accept when Alexis stood up. "Hold on, Jaden. I may not live here anymore but I'm still an Obelisk."

"You want to duel him?" Mindy gasped. "But, he's insane."

"Then he shouldn't be too hard to beat," Alexis reasoned.

The duel took place in the school's arena and Chazz's strategy of letting Alexis see his hand, which seemed crazy at first, soon became a brilliant move once Atticus pointed it out. "Alexis is distracted from her own cards and is trying to anticipate Chazz's moves." Atticus then called out, "Alexis, focus on your own cards. Don't worry about Chazz's cards. He's trying to make you second-guess yourself."

Her words jolted Alexis and she looked over with a smile. "Thanks, Atti," she said and Atticus gave a thumbs-up. Unfortunately, her advice came too late and Alexis lost the duel. Her friends rushed toward the platform.

"Sissy!" Atticus exclaimed.

"Alexis, you okay?" Jaden asked. "Look, you did your best," he continued as Alexis stirred. "You shouldn't be ashamed that you lost."

"You don't understand," Alexis said, her voice light and happy. "I'm glad I lost. You were right, Chazz. Thank you for showing me the light."

"Lexi, no," Atticus whispered. Her injured temple throbbed and it, combined with her sadness over Zane and the shock of her sister joining Chazz, caused her to faint. The last thing she heard were her friends crying out her name in alarm.