Evelyn
"My lady, it's time." An ebony knight said to Evelyn.
Princess Evelyn stared sadly into her mirror inside her bedchamber. Her nose glowing red with sadness. Her eyeliner was washing down her face turning her tears black like oil. She sniffled and nodded in compliance, then ordered the knight to go.
"We shall wait for you, outside," the knight said. "I pray to the goddesses Prince Talion is well."
Not likely, Evelyn thought, for the head of Talion's beloved horse, Lady, was sent to their doorstep as a present for Evelyn's birthday just hours after hearing the news of her brother's capture. The flaming eye of the Church carved onto the stallion's forehead. A note was stuffed into her mouth. When unrolled, a ghastly sight was revealed. A finger was inside the note and it bore the ring Evelyn gave Talion the day he was born. The note read: Negotiate or your prince's head will be next. I shall meet you in the Emerald Marches to discuss our terms.
"You should take a warm bath before leaving," Alexis Rhodes suggested. "Mix the water with Twilight Shade to calm your nerves."
"I'll be fine," sniffed Evelyn, weakly putting on her tiara. She was quaking like the tail of a rattlesnake. Her unstable hands dropped the tiara and then she sobbed.
"It would be best if you did," Ezra pleaded. "You cannot visit King Forrest looking like this. For that matter, you will worry the children if they see you this way."
"Come on, love," Alexis said, helping Evelyn out of her chair. "Ezra, tell the Ebony Guard we will be a down in a bit."
Ezra dashed out of the bed chamber to let the guards know Evelyn would be down much later than anticipated.
Alexis helped clean Evelyn up after she had a soothing bath. While still saddened of her brother's capture she felt her nerves became less feverish and she had better control of herself. Alexis helped her dress into a shadowy black gown with the black knight of her House etched on the front.
An hour later she descended from her chambers and into the main atrium of the castle. Her mother, Sera was at the front door donning a black-armored gown.
"Father is not going?" Evelyn asked.
"No." Sera replied sternly. "Helmsley is feeling ill this morning. I don't expect much from you, so I have sent Mister Boroth to the Emerald Marches to join you."
"I don't need his help mother," Evelyn sharply replied.
"I don't care what you need, child. I want my son back. The sooner we do, the better. I weep for the future if it is you who is heir to the Ebony Throne. Now go."
Evelyn nodded sadly and stormed out of the castle to join her knights.
"What did Helmsley and Sera do to deserve her!" whispered Ezra. "They're horrible parents as well as royals."
"Say no more, Sunshine," Alexis said, her eyes glued to Evelyn's poisonous mother. "The sooner Evelyn meets with Prince Yuri the better. Perhaps, he'll not only save the country but get Evelyn out of this horrid family."
She and Ezra followed Evelyn down the white marble steps to her two-floored carriage.
"Ya!" the coachman shouted after cracking his whip. The ten warhorses then moved forward leaving the luxury and comfort of King's Rock to the war-torn city of Arborleen up north.
The carriage rocked on the dirt roads, but not even the infernal rocking could tear her away from her thoughts. Her country, Elleria was at war with the Kingdom of Naralia, as were many nations; but hers was being hit the hardest.
Its ruler, King Forrest Ungard III, was a man of many delights and pleasures with an ego the size of his kingdom. His country was the biggest and the richest in all Termnnia; and for this he bullied nations for years, taking over much territory from the Arctic Kingdoms of Winterrun and Frostborne all the way to most of Northern Katina and the Eastern Isles. But it was the southern kingdoms Forrest wanted, none more than Emboldor with the Diamond Throne.
Elleria was almost easy pickings for King Forrest. The country had been at war for so long that its economy began to crumble on Evelyn's tenth birthday. Refugees from the north then began to pour into her home, the capital city of King's Rock, so called because of the hollowed-out mountain where the castle she lived in was built.
The partially destroyed mountain looked like a crown and the founder of the city, Lord Eren Alteria, chose the location for the castle's foundation.
The mountain was ruined in an epic battle during the Dawn Era when the now extinct winged-people, called the Arva, went to war against the first men of Termnnia.
It was a grim time for Elleria which was why Evelyn was urged by her mother and father to marry Daveed.
As the new High King, he would possess the Divine Beasts and the best military in all the world. The Divine Beasts could keep King Forrest from conquering her home, hell, just one of those monsters alone could bring ruin to Naralia.
But surely the other kingdoms would be expecting their princesses or other daughters of nobility to do the same. Marrying the High King of Termnnia would bring great power to one's family. This Evelyn knew, for her father was once a contender for the claim of Daveed in the War of the Infant more than two decades ago.
I lost many men in that cursed war he spat when Evelyn refused the task. But if I can't adopt the future, High King, then it will be your duty to wed him! He will be returning to Termnnia soon, and I expect you to be his bride by the end of the school year, understood!
Evelyn shook her head in frustration.
What if he would not have her?
What would her family do to her if she failed?
What would happen to her country?
For a moment, she hated being royalty. She would rather have been the daughter of a pig farmer than go through this hardship. She got up from her seat and into the kitchen for a glass of wine. She heard footsteps pacing towards her.
Slender arms reached around her to encase her in Dancer's loving embrace. He slowly turned her around so she could see him.
"You're trembling," he said softly. "Everything will be all right, my lady," he leaned forward to kiss her but she turned her head so his kiss turned to nothing more than a peck on the cheek.
"After we find, Talion, I want to run away. I've had it with this kingdom. I want to go south. With you."
"This is crazy, Evelyn. You can't just abandon your country."
"King Forrest will take huge ground after this meeting," Evelyn said coldly. "Once he claims the marches, Elleria will be free for him to conquer. Our soldiers are weak. Father's sellswords have deserted us to the northerners for better pay. There is no country left after this, Dancer."
"Whoa! Whoa!" called the coachman. He pulled the reins and the black mares pushing Evelyn's carriage came to a halt. An ebony knight opened the door then held out his hand to help the princess out of her carriage.
She was expecting the smell of flowers and pine, but all her delicate nostrils could pick up was the stench of war. She gave a petit cough and covered her nose with a pink silk handkerchief. The once prosperous city of Arborleen stood in greater ruin than it was before.
One of the captains reported that King Forrest's Meteor Squad, a trebuchet unit for hire, laid siege to them the night before. The city's gleaming red banners were torn and blackened by fire. Turrets and other towers stood with large gaping holes where stones from King Forrest's copper trebuchets smashed during an evening raid.
Bandaged up soldiers hobbled through the town. Dirty peasants coughed, and high-spirited mercenaries hooted and cheered with glee when they saw Evelyn arrive with her guard of Ebony Knights.
Josephine urged Evelyn to wear her jacket, for her gown exposed her shoulders and the upper half of her breasts, as well as the expensive diamond necklace gleaming over her neck and chest which cost over a million Star Chips.
"Do cover yourself, my lady," said Ser Kevin. "These dogs have not seen a woman in ages. They will show no remorse, even to royalty."
"Don't worry about me," said Evelyn. "You should have stayed at home, Kevin. You should study if you wish to pass your entrance exam into the academy. The Blue-Eyes White Dragon dorm is not easy to get into."
"My scores in the entry tests have landed me in the Red-Eyes dorm," Kevin said sternly. "That's well enough for me."
"I was hoping you'd join me and the others in the dorm," said Evelyn. "Please tell me you'll try harder, dear."
"If my princess wishes it, then so be it."
"Don't look at me as your princess, Kevin," Evelyn said beaming at her knight. "I am your friend."
"Of course, Evelyn," said Kevin, with a wan grin.
As Evelyn walked through town she threw sacks of Star Chips at the poor and gave the children bars of chocolate from the Cascade Factory, the best candy makers in Termnnia.
Evelyn hated poverty and knowing that the children of her country were suffering because of the power-trip of an egotistical king (As well as the careless spending of her family) filled her with rage.
The children all came running for the princess and her Ebony Knights. She knelt down and greeted them with a smile that filled their little hearts with joy. She snapped her fingers and then a squad of knights arrived with baskets full of bread, cheese, grapes and apple slices. They were also presented with Duel Monster booster packs and structure decks. This mostly pleased the boys, but the girls were content to know she brought them dolls and other toys.
"Is this wise my lady?" Kevin whispered into Evelyn's ear as she handed a fire monster structure deck to a little farm boy. "Cards are worth a lot of money; these mercenary scum know it. They will steal the cards from the children."
Evelyn turned to look at him. She gave him a cold stare.
"Then see to it that they don't steal from the children. Any knight who arrests the scum fool enough to take from my children will have five pounds of silver Star Chips and their armor damasked in gold."
"Understood, my lady," Kevin said with a bow. He left to tell the knights the news.
When her charity was done, she went into the town where she reunited with the rest of her friends, who were volunteering near the gates of the city.
"What are you guys doing here?" Alexis asked, running towards them. "I thought you guys would have gone home by now."
"We're here as aid workers," said Antoine. "Your father is paying any noble warrior and duelist to come here. And that's what I'm here to do."
"Me too," said Ethan. "I got so much better thanks to my time at the academy. I feel I can take on King Forrest himself."
"You've gotta be kiddin' me," said a cocky voice from nowhere.
Alexis and Evelyn searched around and spotted a young man, an Anime boy, eating an apple on the tree above them. He wore modern clothing from Domino. A brown leather jacket over a white t-shirt and black pants.
A belt was looped around his waist with a decorated chain hanging from his right hip. He had large brown boots, red at the bottom; and gloves, with carbon fiber knuckle guards that covered all but his index and middle finger. He had messy brown hair and brown eyes.
"Jaden!" called Alexis. "What are you doing all the way out here?"
"Highnesses," he said with mock courtesy.
"And you must be?" said Antoine.
"Ugh, that's Jaden Yuki," Ezra said poisonously. "A mercenary duelist."
"And a friend of mine from Duelist Academy," Alexis added. "Are you here to aid us in the war, Jaden? Where's Della?"
Jaden shrugged. "Who cares? Didn't need her anyway."
"You lost her?"
"Bingo," said Jaden finishing his apple. He had a bright and confident smile on his face. He was a cheerful young lad, but the group was displeased by his sudden intrusion.
"I know his type," Ethan said with as much spite as Ezra. "Lords, Nobles or anyone who have the money pay duelists like him to play for them because they lack the skill to duel themselves."
"And you think you can take on King Forrest?" said Antoine. "Come on down here then, tough guy, and show me what you got."
"I don't deny your skills man," said Jaden, chucking away the core of his apple. It fell with a plop into the river. He wiped the juice off his fingers by rubbing them lightly on his pants. They were quite annoyed by his presence, but he still had his cheerful smile. "All I'm saying is you'll never get a guy like King Forrest to duel. He thinks dueling is for children and believes that real kings should settle their disputes in war."
"Bloodthirsty warmonger," said Ezra.
"What are ya gonna do?" said Jaden. "It's politics. Kings like Forrest have existed for ages. The Dueling Pact isn't enough to stop Man from behind his good ol' violent self. Now King Forrest's son, on the other hand, now that's a duelist worth taking down."
"But you said King Forrest hates the game," said Evelyn.
"Yes," Dancer agreed. "Why would the king teach it to his son?"
"Forrest had no hand in teaching his son Duel Monsters," Jaden said kicking his left leg back and forth and placing his hands behind the back of his head to cushion it from the hard bark of the tree. He yawned, covering his mouth. "The little prince taught himself." he continued. "Besides, Forrest would be a fool not to have at least one skilled duelist in his army. He has to follow the Dueling Pact. It's a must."
"Jaden is right," said Dancer. "The Dueling Pact is a sacred oath taken by the kings of old; with Horakhty herself as the witness."
"But yet he marches into our lands and claims them as his own," pouted Ezra.
"More like negotiates for territories," said Jaden. "Forrest wants to go to battle, no doubt, but both his council and the Church hold him back. So, he sends his son to duel for these territories. Those who give him smack when they lose, he threatens with his army. With all the land these kingdoms have lost, his son must be kicking some serious ass."
"Watch your mouth around the princesses, you peasant!" Antoine spat with anger.
"I'm sorry, and what are you?" Jaden said, shutting his eyes.
"I am the son of the Kalungan ambassador," announced Antoine.
Jaden shrugged as he yawned. "So? That doesn't exactly make you the Lord of Termnnia does it?"
"Away with you Jaden!" snapped Ezra.
Jaden responded with a snore. He fell asleep.
"Low-life mercenaries," said Ethan.
"Come, we are needed," said Evelyn. "King Forrest is on his way to make some deal for the Emerald Marches."
"Most likely he'll say: 'give me the marches and avoid war'," said Ethan.
Jaden's snoring could still be heard even from the distance that they walked.
"He could prove useful," Evelyn said looking back at Jaden. "I know that mercenary duelists are some of the best players in the land."
"Are you kidding? When you have guys like me?" boasted Ethan.
"To have a king chose you to duel for him is suicide," said Dancer. "You still have much to learn."
"We could ask him for help," Alexis said, her cheeks blushing. "I do find him...rather charming."
"Oh, please," said Ezra. "I know these mercenary dogs. They're scum, the lot of them."
The friends exited the city via the north gate, and they traveled up a dirt path into rocky hills that led into the mountains. The mountain which they were approaching was called Mt. Cedar.
It was here that the king of Naralia wanted to meet them. Upon reaching a hill, they spotted banners bearing the orange and black colors of the rival kingdom. A bear roaring in the night was the country's emblem. There were knights in surcoats bearing the colors and the bear of their kingdom over glossy metal armor with metal conicals and kettle hat helmets.
Under a red tent stood a figure surrounded by knights in gleaming gold armor trimmed with ebony and silver engravings. Their pauldrons were large and had the bust of a buxom woman with eyes made of galaxy cut amethyst. The figure in the middle was a large and beefy man dressed in maroon garments trimmed with gold. He was draped in furs to warm him from the chill of the mountains. There was a belt of golden escutcheons displaying images of his past battles looped over his torso. His feet inside dragon-hide boots. He had dark red hair and a bushy beard; lustful green eyes; a face red with drunkenness and a flat-top crown of gold sat on his head.
King Forrest Ungard III was as hideous as Evelyn's mother had said he was. He gave a smile and waddled towards them; his brown fur cape was swaying behind him. He held up his hands, covered in brown leather gloves. His knights followed, their entire right arms hidden behind their exquisite tower shields.
Evelyn saw a group of elderly men in dark blue velvet garments with gold chains over their necks standing a few feet from her waiting to greet the king. No doubt, they were from her father's council. Evelyn recognized them at once, for she had seen them eat at her table during dinner. The one in the middle she had no trouble identifying.
Richard Boroth, it was of no surprise to Evelyn that his vile man was here in the fields with King Forrest. His piercing blue eyes - as cold as winter - locked on to her. Evelyn crossed her arms over her chest, for her dress showed off enough decolletage to please him. He smiled at her once she and her friends arrived. Evelyn always felt uneasiness when she saw his mouth contort into the awful grin.
He turned when his old ears picked up the clink-clank of armor approach them.
Richard bowed and began his greeting to the king. "We most humbly greet His Majesty: Forrest Ungard III, King of Naralia; heir to the dynasty of the Great Bear; Master of the Diamond Throne; the future wielder of the Divine Beasts, Lord of Men, High King of Termnnia and all Her kingdoms."
"Welcome to Elleria," said another member of the council.
"I thank you for the greeting into my new territory," said the king. "Now, those not with me, get out! This land is now Naralian territory and property of the king, and, for those of you who are dunce, that's me! You all will pay dearly for losing my golden eggs."
"Your golden eggs?" snapped Ezra. "They would have hatched by now if it hadn't been for your intervention."
"I'm begging your pardon my dear, but it was the earthquake that did the loss of the eggs. They would have been mine if it had not been for that Yugi. But that is history. This is now. I want my land!"
"You jest," said Antione. "We're not going anywhere."
"I do not 'jest' young man. I am serious. But if you're going to be stubborn, then how much do you want for the land? Name your price; I can pay you anything."
"This land is not for sale!" Evelyn said, stepping forward to face the king.
"And who is this?" asked a vulture of a man, covered from head-to-toe in blue robes. He had chains of gold encrusted with jewels hung around his neck, a white flat top hat on his head. Donald the Vulture, the king's right-hand man, and court wizard.
Forrest smiled, baring his teeth when he saw the young girl approach him. But his wizard was displeased with how much skin Evelyn's attire revealed. "I do not recall summoning wenches to deal with us," Donald snapped.
"Mind your tongue, vulture!" Ser Kevin spat angrily. "This is Evelyn of the Alteria Family. The Princess of Elleria."
"You truly are a fool, Donald," laughed King Forrest, slapping his wizard in the chest. "Do you not see the tiara on her head? I must say, this is quite the surprise. I was expecting to treat with your father, yet he sends you, my lady."
"I came on my behalf," said Evelyn. "I will bear the authority to treat with you."
"I am afraid that will be my authority, princess," said Richard, arrogantly walking by her. "Your mother knew you would come here to Arborleen to do things your way. So, she sent me, and the council, to treat with His Majesty."
"Looks to me like you were about to sell your names and the land off to him," said Alexis, marching past her friends to stand beside Evelyn.
"So much beauty here in the South," King Forrest said licking his lips when he saw the golden-haired Eldori princess approach him. "I cannot wait to claim these kingdoms."
"I want her to be my bride father!" called out a young boy, only thirteen-years-old. He had the same dark red hair as Forrest, and his bright lustful eyes as well. Prince Malcolm was his name, one of Forrest's many children. His hair was curled, and he had big front teeth protruding from his mouth, and he had an indigo and gold Duel Disk on his right arm.
"She's beautiful, father! Make her my bride!"
Alexis made a face of disgust, crossed her arms over her chest and took a step backward. King Forrest laughed and patted his son's back.
"My boy, when I conquer all the Kingdoms of Termnnia I promise to get you any girl you want. Including this one. I know you, child, you are of the Rhodes family am I correct?"
"You are," said Alexis, with a nod.
"And what do you think of my son? A strapping lad, no?" He placed an arm around his boy.
Alexis glared at him coldly, like a dragon ready to sear the flesh of a thief foolish enough to steal from her horde. The look caused no fear in the boy, but it displeased his father.
"What? You think yourself too old? Girls far younger than you have wed. They are eligible to marry after their first bleeding; I'm sure you had yours many years ago."
"I am aware of our customs," said Alexis.
"Termnnian wedding traditions are not why we are here," said Donald. "We are here to see if you, members of King Helmsley's council, are going pledge your allegiance to Naralia, and accept the king's new nomenclature?"
"WHAT!" shouted Evelyn.
"I am sorry, princess," said Richard. "Your father is a good man and all, but I fear that we can no longer hold this kingdom against its foes."
He stepped forward more, casting her aside as he came closer to King Forrest.
"As for the price; the council demands five hundred thousand gold Star Chips, to each of us. I require the royal chateau in the Emeralds; and a title of marquis in your new kingdom, Your Grace."
"Traitors!" snapped Antoine. "Lady Evelyn was going to turn her summer home into a hospital for the children!"
"Hold your tongue, Redborne!" said Donald.
"Why such a title?" asked Forrest.
"Look around you," said Richard. "This is Northern Elleria. Termnnia's significant supplier of coal and steel ingots. We hold hundreds of quarries that harvest limestone and shale. Our mines are rich with cavities of gold and silver, and our magicians produce some of the finest Mana Crystals; the very life force that's used to charge Duel Disks.
We own the largest industries in all Termnnia and are the major trade route between the Kingdoms of the West and the City-State of Domino. To say nothing of The Grand Beach which brings in the wild and licentious youths of all the nations adds a significant boost in revenue during the summer months. You will need someone who will know how to control such resources, Your Grace. There are many Houses in this land who have accepted your rule, but I assure you none of them have the knowledge of maintaining an economy as I do."
"Richard, my family, trusted you!" said Evelyn.
"And I them," said Richard. "But it appears they know nothing about maintaining a government, nor what it means to hold a crown. It is because of your family's constant spending that they've brought Elleria to the wretched state that it's in. This land was once the place where the Arva gained their wings and helped the Celtra forge Termnnia into what it is today. Despite all the precious history Elleria holds, your parents treat the land's economy like it's their own purse. For the love of all that is holy, princess, your father took a loan from the Termnnian Bank."
"The Big Five?" King Forrest said with a shudder. "Even I am not foolish enough to take a loan from them. The last time a kingdom didn't pay them a debt, it was turned to ashes by their 'pet.'"
"Yes," said Richard. "They would soon sic that fell beast upon us should Helmsley not give them their dues."
"So, you're going to turn your back on your country!" said Ezra.
"Do not speak to me, bastard girl!" shouted Richard. "I am not betraying my country; I am saving it. King Forrest the Stupendous is the way for a new Elleria! For a new Termnnia!"
"I've heard enough!" Ethan called out. He jumped down from the rocks and morphed a silver bracelet on his wrist into an ornate silver Duel Disk. "King Forrest, by the decree of the Seven Kings of Old, I invoke the right of the Dueling Pact and challenge you!"
"No, Ethan!" shouted Dancer. "Your skills are not good enough. King Forrest, I will challenge you!" he morphed his ring into a Duel Disk.
"No, duel me!" Antoine shouted, his gauntlet turning into a massive Duel Disk of platinum, silver, and myrrh.
"The boy has already issued the challenge," said Forrest. "However, since I don't play this silly game, you will duel my son."
Prince Malcolm grinned. He stepped forward and held out his Duel Disk proudly so the sun could make the gold engravings shine brightly. He shined it proudly before Alexis, hoping its beauty would entice her. It only made her frown.
"So what are the conditions?" asked Forrest.
"The conditions are simple," said Ethan. "When I win, you and your armies will turn back to Naralia. You are to leave these lands and never come back! And these traitors will be returned to King's Rock to be executed."
"WHAT!" shouted Richard.
"The penalty for treason is death," said Kevin Garat. "You of all people should know this."
"And if I lose the Emerald Marches are yours." Ethan continued. "No more discussions needed."
"ETHAN!" his friends shouted.
"You cannot just speak for Lady Evelyn you fool!" shouted Kevin.
"Ethan, you always lose!" cried Evelyn.
"No, I won't. Not this time. This time, I will make you proud, my lady."
"Ethan..." Evelyn murmured.
King Forrest bowed. He raised himself back up and slammed his fist onto his chest with a loud thump. "I agree to the terms, and by order of the Dueling Pact, I will accept the challenge. My son will duel, Ethan, in my place."
The two duelists took their positions. The wind blew around them. Evelyn and her friends stepped back as did Forrest, Donald and his knights.
The two started with 4000 Life Points. Alexis tossed a golden coin in the air. Ethan called heads and Malcolm called tails.
The coin fell.
Heads. Ethan began first.
He drew his card and looked at his hand. "I summon M-Warrior #2 in attack mode!"
Ethan summoned a humanoid warrior with flaming red skin and bronzed armor. He carried a curved sword as long as his arm. The warrior stood over nine feet tall and growled as he jumped to the field from a magical vortex. It had 500 Attack Points.
"And that will end my turn," said Ethan.
Evelyn smacked her hand on her forehead.
Ethan already started the duel horribly. He summoned a weak monster with no spells to make it stronger or any traps to keep it safe. Prince Malcolm noticed this too and gave a hideous laugh.
"You're such a fool." he sneered. "I will play, Marauding Captain,"
Malcolm's monster appeared on the field. It was a blonde-haired knight in blue-steel armor decorated with gold fastenings. A white and red cape clung to his neck by an ornate golden brooch. He carried two swords with golden guards.
"Once my Marauding Captain comes to the field, his effect allows me to summon one level four or lower monster from my hand; and I choose it to be my Command Knight."
Malcolm's new monster appeared onto the field. A knight in gleaming red armor adorned with white feathers with a curved helmet that had four long wings near the bottom. An enormous black cape was fastened onto the knight's pauldrons, and he carried a large sword that reflected the world like a mirror.
Both monsters had 1200 ATK (Attack), but with the Command Knight now on the field, it increased the ATK of Malcolm's Warrior-Type monsters by 400 points so now both the Command Knight and Marauding Captain were at 1600 ATK. To make matters worse, the Command Knight could not be designated as a target by Ethan's monsters thanks to its effect. Malcolm smiled, seeing the distress on the faces of Ethan's friends, none more than the two princesses. He was convinced that he would impress them, so he began his Battle Phase, the time in the duelist's turn when they could attack their opponent's monsters.
The Marauding Captain attacked first. M-Warrior raised his blade and blocked the blows of Marauding Captain's swords. For a moment, it looked like the monster would survive, but he was too slow. Marauding Captain sliced off the M-Warrior's sword arm, sending it flying into the air.
Forrest roared with laughter, while Donald snickered in delight and clapped his hands. M-Warrior fell to his knees. The Marauding Captain walked towards him. He crossed his swords over M-Warrior's neck and cut off his head.
The headless body of Ethan's monster tumbled to the ground and disappeared. The difference between the two monster's ATK was subtracted to Ethan's Life Points. The battle cost him 1100 Life Points dropping his score to 2900. To end his turn, the young prince placed two cards face down on his spell and trap card zone
"Okay, it's still just the beginning of the duel," said Alexis. "Ethan can turn this around."
"Don't get your hopes up princess," Dancer assured her, sadly. "Remember, Ethan is one of the worst duelists in our class. He once ran a deck with nothing but monster cards."
"Well there go the Emerald Marches," moaned Ezra, slouching forward.
Ethan drew his next card. He summoned a monster called Kojikocy, a large muscular man with a long white beard and bushy eyebrows wearing green pants and a golden tasset with green and gold armbands and a green and gold helmet. He swung his curved blade furiously. Ethan then activated a spell called Banner of Courage.
When he did, a banner with fiery red and blue colors emerged from the ground and waved in the wind. The banner could increase the attack of all of Ethan's monsters by 200 points during Battle Phase. Kojikocy roared then charged at Marauding Captain once Ethan declared his attack.
Malcolm laughed and activated a trap called Reinforcements, which increased his monster's attack by 500 points raising Marauding Captain's ATK to 2100. Marauding Captain dodged the attack and dug his blades into Kojikocy's back. The monster wailed in agony and coughed out blood, falling to his knees. Marauding Captain then held out his arms, his blades cutting Kojikocy in half.
Evelyn covered her eyes to shield her view from the gore. The monster's body vanished, and Ethan lost 600 Life Points dropping his score to 2300.
"Ethan, remember what I taught you!" Dancer called out with much urgency. "Combine spells to make your monsters stronger!"
Ethan nodded, but he had not the courage to tell Dancer that he took out most of the spells and traps, for he thought them too complicated to use. He thought brute force was the way to win duels. He placed a card face down and ended his turn, much to Malcolm's delight.
Malcolm drew his card, then summoned a monster called Valkyrian Knight, a fair-faced warrior in dazzling red armor with gold decorations and a golden-winged helmet.
Its ATK was 1900 now 2300 because of the boost Command Knight gave to Malcolm's warrior monsters. Malcolm would have won the duel had it not been for the trap card Ethan placed. It was called Negate Attack, and it ended Malcolm's Battle Phase. With nothing else to do, Malcolm ended his turn.
Ethan drew his card. He used a spell called Pot of Greed, which let him draw two additional cards from his deck. He placed two cards face-down and summoned a monster in defense mode. "I would rather a battle." yawned Forrest. "These duels are so long and boring."
Evelyn stared at him poisonously. The Fat King wanted to resolve things with bloodshed. She saw many of his soldiers behind him relieved that they were resolving the dispute for the Emerald Marches with a duel.
Ethan continued his turn and placed a card face down. He ended it rather quickly.
"Boy, are you boring," Malcolm said drawing his card. He attacked with Marauding Captain. The knight sprinted for his next victim, but his swords came in contact with a massive shield.
"WHAT!" pouted the young prince as his Life Points dropped to 3000.
"YES!" Evelyn cheered when the attacked monster revealed itself. A massive man with tan skin and long oily black hair wearing a blue shirt and orange pants. He carried a heavy gold and burgundy shield. Marauding Captain's blades got chipped from the impact. He nursed his wrist, the bone almost shattered.
"Big Shield Gardna!" Evelyn cried out. "With a defense of twenty-six hundred! Marauding Captain's swords didn't stand a chance. Well played, Ethan!"
"Don't get so excited your majesty," said Richard, watching the duel with his arms behind his back. He had a blank expression on his face. "Yes, Big Shield Gardna has an impressive defense, however, after the battle, he is switched to attack position once the damage is calculated."
Big Shield Gardna stood up. Its ATK was a mere 100 points.
Malcolm laughed and attacked with Valkyrian Knight.
"The Emerald Marches are mine!" Forrest said as the knight ran to attack. "Was there any doubt?"
"Don't get settled in just yet!" called Ethan. "I will use the trap I set; Mirror Force!"
Malcolm's mouth dropped. "Oh no, that's one of the rarest trap cards in the game!" he shouted.
"That old thing?" said Forrest. "What for?"
"Look, Your Grace!" shouted Donald, pointing at a wall of light that appeared before Big Shield Gardna. The knight's sword hit the wall and smashed into tiny pieces. The Valkyrian knight stared at his broken weapon, but then the shield exploded destroying all of Malcolm's monsters. There was nothing he could do this turn except play his own Pot of Greed. He drew his two cards. He gave an ear-to-ear grin and summoned a monster in defense mode then ended his turn.
"Okay, now it's my turn," said Ethan. He drew his next card. "I tribute my Big Shield Gardna to summon Cyber-Tech Alligator!"
The beast Ethan summoned was a winged lizard-like cyborg with slimy green scales. It was once a dinosaur that was mauled by a dragon. It would have died, but it was saved by a scientist who rebuilt it. Its right wing was now red metal as was its right arm. Its torso covered in red metal armor and its left leg was now machine.
The ATK was 2500.
Monsters had stars on the top of their image on the card. The stars determine the monster's level 1 being the lowest and 12 being the highest. Monsters with four stars or less could normally be summoned. Monsters with five or more stars had to be summoned by tribute. Five or six stars meant players had to tribute one monster to summon it; monsters with seven stars or above had to be summoned with two tributes. Cyber-Tech Alligator was a five-star monster, so Ethan only needed to tribute one monster to summon it. Though the beast was fierce and vigorous Malcolm cared not. He shrugged.
"No harm done," he said playing with one of the curls in his hair. "If he attacks I still won't lose points."
"Not when I cast this spell you won't," announced Ethan. "I play the equip spell Big Bang Shot. This card will increase the attack of my monster by 300, raising him to 2800 points."
"So?" said Ethan.
"So, that's not all it does, little prince. This spell will allow my monster to inflict damage to your Life Points even if your monster is in defense mode. And do not forget about my banner. It will increase my monster's attack to 3000!"
Ethan's friends cheered as his monster took flight. Then it dived down and struck the face-down monster. A blue-clay jar that shattered into pieces. Evelyn jumped for joy when Malcolm's points dropped to 600.
King Forrest was displeased.
"YOU FOOL!" he roared at his son.
Malcolm was not phased. The monster Ethan attacked was called Morphing Jar. This nasty monster caused players to discard their hands and draw five new cards. Ethan was pleased with what he got.
"Time to end this!" said Ethan. "I activate, the spell Ookazi, which will deal 800 damage to your Life Points!"
"YOU DID IT!" cheered Evelyn.
"I knew you could!" shouted Alexis.
A fireball shot out of the sky and rocketed towards the prince. King Forrest was cursing up a storm, but Malcolm countered the spell with a trap called Magic Jammer. By discarding a card from his hand, he canceled out the effect of a spell.
He saved himself.
"Argh!" grunted Evelyn. "So close!"
"Come on, Ethan, we believe in you brother!" cheered Antoine.
But Malcolm was calm. He had a plan, and it worked perfectly, for so proud was Ethan of his attack that he ended his turn with nothing but Cyber-Tech Alligator. He was bowing as though he had already won the duel. But as he gloated, he lost. He had no traps, spells, no nothing to keep his cyborg alligator safe.
"My turn," said Malcolm. "And I will use the spell card Monster Reborn to bring back my Lady of the Mountain. Now when I tribute for an Earth monster; this lovely knight counts as two tributes, so, I can summon this to the field: Gilford the Legend!"
"Wait…that card!" stuttered Evelyn.
Higher-level monsters, when summoned, came out more extravagant. Gilford was a level eight monster, so the earth quaked when he came out. Runes appeared over the field and shot down beams of light which formed to make the glossy silhouette of the monster. He took shape, at last, revealing a towering man wielding a massive golden sword and clad in black armor with a torn black cape. But this one was wearing brilliant armor of gold, trimmed with white and elegant engravings. His cloth-of-gold cape shimmering like the stars.
His ATK was 2600; it was less than Cyber-Tech Alligator's for now. Malcolm gleefully used its effect. It allowed him to equip every equip-spell to warriors on his side of the field. Gilford was the only one out. Thanks to Morphing Jar, Malcolm earlier discarded three of them to his graveyard and the card he discarded to use Magic Jammer was an equip spell.
The giant swordsman held out his blade.
Card one was Divine-Sword Phoenix Blade which increased his attack by 300; a great golden sword in the shape of a phoenix melded with his already large blade gracing it with gold designs and a fiery aura.
Card two was Fusion Sword Murasame Blade which increased his attack by another 800 points; the blade grew longer and had an organic-like design on the sword's guard, and the fire turned dark purple.
Card three was Lightning Blade, which increased the attack by 800 more points; the blade grew longer and wider, and sparks of electricity erupted from the guard and hilt.
And finally, Wicked-Breaking Flamberg-Baou which increased the attack by 500. The blade now looked like darkness made solid and grew to be thirty feet long.
Gilford's ATK was now 5000.
Malcolm sneered, making it only worse when he used a spell called United We Stand. The spell card boosted Gilford's attack by another 800 points. The warrior attacked upon his master's command and with an earth-shattering attack pulverized Cyber-Tech Alligator and dealt 3000 points of damage to Ethan. He was knocked back a few yards due to the force of the warrior. He tumbled in the air and landed hard on the ground. He lay on his belly; face buried in the grass in shame. He could hear the disappointment of his friends and the clapping of King Forrest and his knights.
Malcolm put his cards back into his deck and took a bow.
"You'll marry a fine duelist, my lady," Forrest said to Alexis.
"Your Grace," said Evelyn. "Where did Malcolm get that card?"
"What card?" King Forrest asked. He had a grin on his face. He was obviously lying.
"GILFORD!" Evelyn shouted. "How does your son have that card! There was only one ever printed with armor of gold, and it belonged to my brother! How does he have it!"
The Naralian soldiers laughed at her outburst. Evelyn could feel her insides twisting from all the rage.
"Ah yes," said Forrest. "Young fellow, donning black armor, long black hair in a ponytail."
"Where is he?" Ser Kevin asked, taking a large step forward past Evelyn.
"We have him with us right now," said Prince Malcolm, jerking his thumb back at the camp.
"Let him go!" shouted Evelyn. "Or I'll…"
"Now, now, now. There's no need to get hasty, young lady." King Forrest said with a laugh. "Soldiers, the princess would like her brother back. She has lost enough this day; it is only fair we ease her pain."
"Thank you, your Grace," Evelyn said, bowing.
"There is but one favor I ask of you," King Forrest said, holding up his hand. "Get on your knees and kiss my ring."
He held out his beefy right hand and quickly pulled the glove off it to reveal his sausage-like fingers all adorned with beautiful rings. The ring Evelyn was supposed to kiss was the signet of his House.
"Evelyn…" Kevin said, beginning to protest. But the princess walked to the king despite his pleas. She got down on the grass and then placed her hands on the ground. She crawled towards King Forrest, but then he walked farther back.
"Wait," said the king. "I want you out of that dress!"
Evelyn glared at the king, her lip trembling in fury.
"Evelyn, don't do it!" shouted Alexis. "Please!"
"Stay out of this, Alexis," Evelyn said. "I love my brother so much that I'm willing to do anything. Just shut up and let me do this." She started unlacing the back of her dress.
"Bah, this is taking too long!" Forrest drew his dagger and cut the back of Evelyn's dress and ripped it apart. He pulled it down her shoulders until her breasts bounced free and her black thong was exposed to her friends. Alexis closed her eyes and turned to look away from the horrible sight. Ezra clasped her hands over her mouth and sobbed. Ser Kevin did everything in his power to keep himself from attacking the king. He was on the edge of a very steep precipice. For a moment, saving his friend weighed greater on the scale than risking open war.
Evelyn crossed her arms over her breasts and sniffled as she lay buried in a heap of her torn clothes. Again, Forrest commanded her to crawl towards him. Prince Malcolm was jumping up and down with joy at the sight of her. "Make Alexis do it next!" he commanded. But the King did not listen. Evelyn crawled out of her crumpled dress like a butterfly escaping its cocoon. Except for her thin, black thong and her tiara, she was practically naked.
The king laughed like a winded horse. "What a view!" he proclaimed. "Her ass is so big it goes over her head!"
Evelyn had to crawl ten feet to get to the ring. The soldiers insulted her while making provocative remarks, laughing and howling like wolves. Evelyn finally reached the king's fingers and kissed the royal signet. Then, something else came before her. The king whipped out his cock and commanded her to put it in her mouth.
"NO EVELYN!" cried Alexis. "Take me prisoner in Talion's place! Do what you want with me, but leave Evelyn alone!"
"And risk having your friend Zane sick his Cyber Dragons on us?" laughed Donald. "Out of the question. No, the princess is a good girl. She does as she obeys like the bitch that she is? Isn't that right, little Evelyn."
Evelyn said nothing and did as she was commanded. A chorus of disgruntled cries and sobs exploded behind her. Evelyn pleasured the king until he bellowed like a bull and unleashed his seed into her mouth. Evelyn gagged and spit the horrible liquid from her mouth. She started sobbing, feeling terribly humiliated for what she had just done.
"Oh, Evelyn," Alexis whispered. A big tear ran down her cheek. If only she still had her powers. She could summon 'him'. He would have slaughtered Forrest and all his men right now for what they made her do. Evelyn let them humiliate her just to get her brother back.
"Well done, little princess. I am a man of my word, so now you'll get your brother back. Men, release the prisoner!"
A knight approached from below the hill. He was holding a sack in his hands. Evelyn wanted to throw up. Every inch of her being wanted to believe that the king was toying with her, but she knew that sack he was holding contained her brother. Or a piece of him unless a spell enchanted the bag.
The knight threw the bag at Evelyn. It rolled a few times and undid itself. The content inside the bag came out then spun and stopped at her knees.
The Emerald Mountains then rang with a high-pitched scream.
Ethan heaved and vomited onto the grass. Ezra's legs wobbled and gave way. She fell to her knees, sobbing.
Alexis gasped and turned her gaze from the gory sight of Prince Talion's head.
His face was locked in a scream of agony. His crown, crusted with blood, was still standing on his forehead. King Forrest pointed at the grieving princess wheezing with laughter. His son is also finding the death of Evelyn's brother humorous.
"YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!" shouted Kevin.
"It is over, children," said Forrest. "Your threats mean nothing. I have the most powerful army in the world at my disposal. No one can stop me. Once I claim these lands I will march to Lorin and claim it," he pointed at Alexis. "I will see to it that you are wed immediately. My son will rule the city of water, with you as his queen, and I will make way for Rassay."
"Don't you get your hopes up!" Evelyn sobbed. "Even if you do take our lands, High King Daveed will stop your arrogant campaign! I will see you hanged!"
"A bastard boy has no hopes of stopping me," boasted Forrest. "If anyone is going to be hanged it will be him. And if you threaten me like that again I will see you dangle with him! Gentlemen. The duel is won so we may begin talks of your new abodes."
"Yes, your Grace," said Richard. "Evelyn, why don't I start with you? Marry me."
"You're delusional!" snapped Evelyn. "You...you...YOU TRAITOR!"
"I am not delusional, young lady, I am quite serious. We'll rule the newly established marquisdom together, and I promise the first thing on my agenda will be to aid the poor and downtrodden of the country. Was it not your campaign to grant new lives to the needy? Marry me. As the Marquis of the Emerald Marches, I will see to it we will eliminate poverty."
"I will not!"
"Have it your way then," Richard said at once. He walked past her; his cape gave a whoosh. He turned to look at her and said: "The blood of those impacted by the war that is to come will be on your hands, Princess. Forrest's army consists of mostly mercenaries who don't know the meaning of the word humane. They will slaughter all who get in their king's way. Consider this our resignation from your father's court Lady Evelyn. The next time I see you, you will be in chains in the Iron Dungeon. Don't think this silly game will stall King Forrest's advance any longer. The Dueling Pact is a dying tradition. Horakhty and the Mothers no longer care for us. And we no longer care for them. Neither Duel Monsters nor this, Prince Daveed, will be able to stop us. You kids have a good year at the academy. It will be your last."
And with that, he marched down the hills, following Forrest and his army. The other ex-members of the Ellerian council walked down with him, eager to hear of their new titles and estates when they returned to camp.
Evelyn remained on the ground sobbing and heaving.
"My country has no heir," she said, looking at her brother's severed head. "My home…is ruined. My brother…my…my brother is…. O' Horakhty. Goddesses divine! Daveed. Anyone. Help us."