Chapter 11
The Glass has Broken

Alexis woke up with a sudden start, tumbling off whatever she was sleeping on.

"Ugh, damn it," she said, rubbing the elbow that banged against the floor. That's when she noticed that she was NOT home, but somewhere strange. The ground she was on was hard, gray, and stone cold. There wasn't much furniture in the room she was in. A small window was to her side, letting in some moonlight. A wooden table was right under it, bearing a couple yellowing parchments and a knife.

Alexis than began to wonder. Where was she? What happened? Where was Atticus?

Then her blood went cold. She quickly began to remember the recent events.

"Maybe it was a dream," Alexis told herself. She shivered and feverishly rubbed her arms. It was chilly in here all right, and it was definitely nighttime. Alexis sat herself onto the single bed. She noticed how soft it was.

The blonde began to think. With every thought pointing to the truth that her brother was dead made her heart ache and ache; more than it already did.

"It's all my fault," she said quietly, her eyes watering quickly. "Why was I so stupid? All that he did for me! All I needed to do was declare my attack! But I didn't! Why? What was stopping me?" Then Alexis remembered Zane's face, staring solemnly at her.

"I am Zane Truesdale."

It was all too much for the poor girl. Holding back tears or guilt and regret, she got up placed her hand on the knob of the door. "I feel anguish…" She clenched her eyes, hot tears dripping out. That was it, Anguish was his name, and he was the one who was causing her all these problems. It was his fault, not hers!

That's it! I tried my best! But it was that man who killed Atti'. Not me, it's not my fault at all.

Alexis felt the doorknob turn and she jumped back to face whoever it was. It opened casually.

"Oh, you're awake."

She blinked, slightly confused. Wasn't this person her enemy? Wasn't she supposed to hate him right now? The voice was kinder than she had expected. Now that she was looking at him, full in the face, she couldn't help but notice how different his eyes were from the Zane she knew. They weren't cold at all, soft and brighter, yet filled with a dreadful weight. She could see how much he had been through in his entire life. She could see every emotion he had ever been forced to experience and endure.

Was he really against her? Just looking at him made it harder for Alexis to stand against him, especially when he shares the same face as her precious person.

"Who are you?"

Zane sighed. "I'm sorry for delaying answers. Please rest and I'll tell you what you want to know."

Alexis obediently sat back down, the mattress sinking slightly under the weight. Zane however, remained standing, almost towering over her.

Alexis gulped before asking again, "Who are you? Are you really… Zane?"

He nodded. "My name is Zane Truesdale. I had a brother named Syrus Truesdale, I used to know the siblings Atticus and Alexis Rhodes. Jaden was my rival."

Had, used to, was?

"What do you mean?"

He turned his head slightly, closing his eyes and smiling sadly. "You don't know…" When he opened his eyes, they were glazed. "Everyone I ever cared about died a long time ago."

Alexis looked down; her fingers were digging into the sheets. "Then why…" she growled, suddenly getting angry. "Why did you kill him? If everyone you knew died like you said, then you should know how it feels!" She looked up furiously, glaring deep into her face.

He seemed unfazed. "You're talking like he'll never come back."

Once again, Alexis was confused. "Wait… what are you talking about?"

He smiled amused. "Your lack in faith in your brother disappoints me. He's not going to leave forever. Check you side."

Alexis looked bewildered for a moment then quickly felt the skin on her side. She felt no scar; it didn't ail her at all. Any signs of the corruption duel disappeared. Something healed it. She looked back at him, deeply dumbfounded. Chazz, Aster, and Jaden had all returned with some type of physical injury after the duel, but what about her?

"How can this be?"

Zane, as in response, pulled out Atticus's data key. The silver screen swayed back and forth. Instinctively, Alexis made a grab for it. Zane didn't even flinch or move to stop her. Alexis quickly learned why. The moment she wrapped her hand around it, she immediately let go, with a gasp of pain.

It felt like the key was red-hot.

"It doesn't belong to you. Gisei doesn't recognize you as its keeper. The same thing would've happened to me if I tried to forcefully grab that key from your neck. I'll tell you the truth: your brother's soul saved you from dying."

Alexis felt that same guilt bubbling in her stomach. "Yeah, he saved me again. He's still dead. I couldn't even finish the duel myself."

Zane chuckled. "You're missing the point. Atticus's goal was to protect you. That was his goal ever since you six were given the data keys. He didn't care about his own well being, nor whether he lost his key or not. Only you. Don't blame yourself, it was his choice."

"You say all this as if you know us… If everyone you loved died, then why am I still here?" Alexis valued the answer to this question more than the others but before Zane could respond, they heard a sharp rapping on the door.

"Oi, Anguish-Zane! Master would like to see you! I think he thinks you're on to something, and stop screwing with that girl! I mean it literally."

Zane sighed and turned to leave. "I'll lock the door to protect you from the outside, try not to cause any trouble if that's possible at all." Alexis nodded and he left.

- - -

"So you're going to just throw me aside!?" The powerful, showed figure said furiously at no one seemingly.

Ahh…. Don't think of it like that. This body served me well, but not anymore now. I've already found myself a lighter, purer soul to manipulate. Your power doesn't seem to satisfy me anymore…

"What?! We had a deal!" He shouted, outraged yet scared at the same time. He threw his arms into the air furiously.

Don't question me fool, or I'll just make it more painful for you. Now cooperate. Ah, never mind. I'll just do everything myself. Useless you are, even in your last moments.

Immediately, his arms fell and he turned to face the closed door way. Now that he was silent, he could hear a pair of voices on the other side.
"Eh, you better be careful Anguish-Zane. He sounds pretty angry. Might wanna brace yourself!"

"Whatever, Aries. Have any idea what the issue is about?"

"Er, not really. Maybe he found out about the girl. You better go in quick. You should know how impatient he is, honestly."

The door creaked open, pouring out a stream of yellow light before closing again. It was hard fro Zane to see. He could barely see the figure of the one who had called him here. He still knelt down. "You called?"

"Boy, I see a lot of potential in you."

The comment didn't matter to Zane but he still said emotionlessly, "Thank you, Master." He grimaced at his last word.

Suddenly, a groping shadow shot from in front of him and swiftly clasped itself around his throat, slamming him against a wall. The black, distorted hand held a tight grasp. Zane gasped for air and struggled to get free. He could not see where the thing had come from. He couldn't see anything. His eyes were clenched in pain and desperation as claws dug into his neck. It felt as if something was protruding from the palm, piercing his throat, he couldn't scream. An inhuman cackling rang in his ears.

Finally, the hand disintegrated into a cloud and disappeared completely. Zane fell to the ground on all fours, sputtering and gasping to take in as much air as possible. He gingerly felt his neck, a ghost of the pain still lingered in his skin. He slowly looked forward, but there was nothing there. The air seemed mustier than usual.

- - -

"Ah! What does this all mean?" Alexis was tugging at her blonde locks. She was not comfortable at all. When "Anguish" got back, she was going to ask him even more questions. He seemed strangely patient and kind. It was hard to think this was the same person who used to give off that frightful, dark aura.

"It doesn't make sense!" She cried needlessly. "And where's the Zane I know? How's he doing, what's happening to him? And Syrus too! Oh god, I didn't even find Syrus. What does Zane think of me now? And Chazz too, he's still at the airport I hope. Man, I wish he knew what had happened." Alexis buried her face into the sheets currently very stressed out. When she heard the knob turn, she sat back up, prepared to continue her questions.

Zane strode past her ignoring her when she started, "Why-"

She stopped when she realized he wasn't paying any attention to her. Alexis began to realize how colder the air became. Was it always like this?

Zane stood in front of the lone table, whatever he was doing was hidden from Alexis's view. "Hey, are you alright?" she said.

Alexis's eyes widened in surprise and fear. He turned around, the silver knife from earlier held tightly in his hand. His eyes were hazed and he was grinning slightly. "What are you going to do with that?"

He didn't reply but stepped closer to the frozen Alexis. Shit! He's going to kill me!
He raised his armed hand. Move Alexis! Get out of here!
Alexis looked up helplessly as the blade was brought down.

- - -

"Atticus, wake up! Please!" Zane was actually pleading, shaking the cold body of his friend. Jaden was kneeling with him with a trembling face. Aster stood by the two of them.

"How could this happen?" Jaden asked softly. He turned his head to look at the one other area full of bloodstains. It was just a couple yards away from Atticus. "And I wonder what happened to Alexis," he added.

Zane stood up, his eyes shadowed.
"What're you going to do, Zane?" Aster asked, his tone a little light. He felt that long-lost air of power radiating from him.

"I'm going to their world. I'm going to avenge Atticus, save Syrus and Alexis. I'll end this all. Whoever did this chose the wrong reality to fuck with."

"Hey Zane… Calm down," Jaden said. He too felt that none-too-good aura.

"Calm down!" he roared, facing Jaden. His hands were trembling and his eyes were filled with fury. "Sure I'll calm down! They took my brother! They took Alexis! They KILLED my best friend. How can YOU be so calm about this? From the beginning, I knew this was all wrong! If we hadn't split up, if we just behaved and kept to ourselves, sticking together, this WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED!" His voice cracked and he collapsed to the ground.

He inhaled and exhaled deeply, hands digging into the thin layer of dust, red stains under his palms. Jaden and Aster stared at him, not saying a word.

Zane's tone changed completely. "I'm sorry," he said softly. He stood up. The other too still remained quiet. "Everyone, take out your key. This is what my Data Guardian was talking about. We're standing on top of the first gate. If you're with me, take out your key and well activate this portal."

- - -

Alexis only stared, too surprised to say anything. Zane was kneeling down. He still held onto the knife, which was now sticking, out of his forearm. Blood dribbled from the wound and onto the floor.

Alexis finally got to her senses and reached out to help him. "Oh my god, why'd you do that for! You're bleeding like mad!" She looked around frantically for a first aid or something. But first, she tenderly held his arm. He flinched.

"This is going to hurt like hell," she warned. Zane closed his eyes. "Yeah. Go ahead," he let go of the knife's handle. Alexis fixed her hand around it firmly and yanked out the knife. He only clenched his teeth to prevent a cry of pain from escaping. Alexis grabbed one of the sheets and wrapped it extremely tightly around the wound for a tourniquet. This would stall the bleeding until she could find something more proper.

Alexis pulled open one of the drawers, quills, pens, and conveniently a roll of white bandage. With a fast pace, Alexis wiped the excess blood and swiftly wrapped the bandages around it. Zane only watched with slightly wide eyes at the girl who was tending to his deep incision. With her teeth, Alexis tore the end and finished her make-shift treatment.

"Thanks," he said, examining his arm. Alexis sat back and let out a huff of relief.
"No problem, but why, why would you stab yourself?" Alexis didn't know the answer to her question but she knew what was going on. He was going to stab her to death with that knife, but at the last minute he brought the blade upon himself to avoid hurting her. Alexis bit her lip as she thought about all the possible answers.

"I don't know." He raised a hand to his neck but when he noticed Alexis was still looking at him, he quickly lowered his limb. However, Alexis already noticed. "Huh? What happened to your neck? You have like… five puncture wounds."
Zane drew back when Alexis brought her head closer to his, examining his recently-obtained wounds. "They look more like burn marks than puncture wounds. How'd this happen?"

"Well you seem to know your stuff," he said, smiling a little.

"Eh, I took classes. You know, it's useful in situations like these. Wait, don't try and change the subject. How'd you get those? I didn't notice them before."

Zane's gaze darted to the side nervously. "It's nothing." It was a stupid lie and both of them knew it.

"...really?"

The next thing that happened was his eyes shot up met hers, yet they weren't so soft anymore. They seemed to flash as he growled darkly, "I said it was nothing."

Alexis blinked. "O-okay sorry-" before she could finish, he got up made his way out the door. "I need fresh air." Then without waiting for a response from her, he shut the door and Alexis heard the lock click.

-X-

So now Alexis is getting more attatched with the enemy, while Zane(1) is feeling very pissed off deep inside. Atticus is still dead, Syrus and Chazz didn't have any cameo. gomen.

Review 8D btw, the title of this chapter is a reference to chapter 5 x3