Hello and welcome back to 'Corrupted Symbol'!

...So, its been awhile... (laughs nervously). Well I guess I did say it takes me awhile to write, but then again I had a bit of a writers block (I think that's what its called) and I was also being REALLY lazy, so I owe you an apology. I am sorry. But here I am with the next chapter, so that's something! Well, I won't delay you any further, so here's the next chapter of 'Corrupted Symbol'!

Disclaimer: I don't own Battle Spirits in any way what-so-ever.

Started: 2/8/16-Finished: 3/9/16

...

Saying that Laila was scared would be an understatement, she was terrified. First, Eris-sama collapses as soon as they arrived in, according to Ian, the summoning shrine where the 13th Reverse Zodiac, Nakes the Ophiuchus, was released by Miroku. Then there was finding Rei and Kiriga unconscious and covered in bruises at the entrance. And from what she could gather from Mugen, the two of them were completely and utterly defeated before he and Ian were knocked out.

"Leader, some herbal tea."

"Hm? Ah, thank you."

Laila turned towards Eris-sama, who was previously looking towards the two still unconscious card battlers, to see her given a small cup of tea from Garbo.

She felt her eyebrows furrow in worry. Ever since her idol woke up she would always steal a glance at Rei and Kiriga, as if she was worried that something would happen if she looked away too long. What Laila couldn't figure out was what Eris-sama was so concerned about, they were perfectly safe on the Treasure Ship, right?

"Onee-chan?" Laila felt a tug on her arm. The pinkette looked to her side where her brother, Rikuto, stood with a concerned expression. Laila gave him a small smile and shook her head.

"Don't worry," She said. "I'm just a little tired." Tired of her, as Rei puts it, serious friends fighting and getting hurt while she just watches on the side. Granted, she has been getting stronger, but nowhere near strong enough to help fight back against the Reverse 12 Zodiac Braves.

Next to her, Laila's brother nodded at her claim, but his expression didn't change as he looked back towards Rei's bed. The elder sibling inwardly sighed before shaking her head. She may not be as strong as Rei, Kiriga, or Eris-sama, but she'll be sure to do her best to help in any way she can.

Rikuto looked towards the digital clock on the side wall. It's been at least four hours, which may not seem like much but they had felt like they were dragging on, since they had found Rei and Kiriga yet they were still unconscious. Mugen said that they had been through a really tough battle with Miroku and someone named Nakes, and with them still not awake, Rikuto could only imagine what had happened after they lost.

"Rei, wake up."

"Kiriga-sama, hang in there."

The younger April looked towards the two dragons floating above their respective partner's bed. Ever since those two had woken up they wouldn't move away from their side. Mugen didn't even budge when Salt made a freshly baked pizza. Then again, no one did...

"Ugh..." Rikuto, and everyone else that was awake, all turned to the two beds where their occupants were waking up. Rei was the first to open his eyes.

"Rei!" Shouted the light colored brunette, relived that his friend was alright.

"You're awake!" Said Salt from the side.

"Thank goodness!" Sighed Laila in relief. Rikuto briefly looked at his sister for her change in attitude and saw that the worried look in her eyes was still there. Deciding that he'd ask her later, the young card battler directed his attention towards his serious friend's bed.

"Kiriga-sama!" Ian shouted worried next to him. As Kiriga slowly got up he was holding a hand to his chest, grunting in slight pain, before giving the glasses wearing dragon a weak smile.

"Nothing's wrong." The older card battler said in an attempt to reassure his partner. Rikuto could tell that Ian didn't believe him.

"You know, you know..." Chocola exclaimed, floating closer to the previously worried group. "Eris-sama knew where you guys were!"

"The symbol reacted." Eris followed after, gesturing to the yellow gem above her chest. "Because the two of you were in danger." Kiriga closed his eyes and lowered his head slightly in thanks.

"Thank you." The blonde's expression then turned serious.

"So another user of the Reverse 12 Zodiac Braves appeared?" Rikuto slightly shivered at the thought of another Reverse Zodiac in their space. Meanwhile, Kiriga got up from the med bay's bed and headed towards the exit.

"It was Ophiuchus." The bulenette stated before stopping in front of the door. "His nature is unknown." Behind him, Laila gave him a worried look.

"You still need to rest." Rikuto nodded in agreement with his sister. Kiriga and Rei were in really bad condition when they had found them on Planet Kisaraam. Kiriga slightly turned his head back and gave them a small smile.

"Sorry," Said Kiriga. "But I want to think about Miroku." With that, the card battler left. Ian floated after him.

"Excuse us."

Contrary to what he said to Ian, Kiriga knew that there was something wrong with him. Ever since he woke up there was a pulse of pain going through his chest that had been gradually growing as time went on. Right now, he was grateful that there was no one, aside from Ian, in the corridor he was currently in, he was practically tripping over his own feet by now.

Kiriga entered an empty room, breathing heavily now, and leaned on a wall next to the entrance. As the door closed and lights turned on, his trusted partner floated closer next to him.

"Kiriga-sama!" Ian shouted, concern clearly showing in his voice. Said person just grabbed his shirt and tossed it off to the side. What was underneath shocked both the card battler and dragon. All over Kiriga's body there were purple marks on him and his Ultimate Symbol, and it he could feel it slowly spreading.

"Kiriga-sama..." Breathed Ian. "What are those bruises?" Kiriga raised his left arm, which was completely covered in the purple glow, and stared at it in disbelief. This was the exact same poison as before, only it seems to be stronger... Was it because Ophiuchus was released?

The Ultimate user's eyes narrowed. He clenched his hand into a fist and watched as the poison, while still there, fade from view. His partner floated closer to him, red eyes never leaving him.

"Ian," Kiriga warily said. "Don't tell anyone about this."

"Right." Despite saying that, Kiriga knew Ian didn't like it one bit. But he didn't want everyone worry about him when they are faced with the invaders of the other dimension, especially Rei. Knowing him he would drop everything to find a cure for him.

The Shooting Star's frown deepened, speaking of the Number One Star, Kiriga could tell that there was something wrong with the med bay's atmosphere. When he woke up, he didn't miss the brief glances the Morning Star made towards him and said person, like she was worried, no, afraid of something. He didn't know what she was so scared of or what he and Rei had to do with it, but he was also worried, though it was for something entirely different.

Before he woke up in the Treasure Ship's infirmary, Kiriga had found himself in a misty, dim lit area. Then, in a flash of dark light, he was faced with a stranger who looked like they came straight from a nightmare. He couldn't see their face, apart from a cold smile, but what, or rather who, was with them caught his attention. On the right was an unconscious, pale faced Rei who the figure seemed to, oddly enough, handle carefully on their right arm. And on the left was an also unconscious Eris, however, unlike Rei, she was covered in small, but noticeable cuts and bruises and was being dragged on the ground by her collar. Their Ultimate Symbols were also out, including his, but theirs were cracked, Rei's even more so.

"You won't be able to save them." They had said in a warped and eerily familiar voice. "I'd cherish the time you have left with your comrades if I were you, because when I'm free..."

The area changed into a fire-ridden wasteland, covered in the dead bodies of humans and spirits, including everyone currently on the Treasure Ship. The nightmarish figure in front of Kiriga spread out his arms, Rei and Eris dissipating into black dust, as if presenting the scenery around them. Their smile grew twisted.

"...I'll tear you all apart."

And the Shooting Star was swallowed up in darkness.

...

So that's 'Chapter 2: Worries'! I hope that it was worth the wait!

Just a heads up, I'm also working on another story I've already posted, its not in the Battle Spirits archive so don't bother looking, and a third story I'm still writing up, so you all may need to wait for awhile again before I update this one again. But I'll do my best, you can count on that!

On a side note, I just now realize that I forgot Salt for a majority of the chapter, sorry... Let's just say he was off cooking or something for this chapter! I'll have to find a way to get him more involved with the story...

Until The Next Raid!