Kanashimi: Well, the first question has yet to be anwsered, but you'll see the second one later in this chapter!

Nightshade, your question is also here!

Chapter 8 – The Psychic Angel

This was one fight she couldn't afford to lose... or at least, those were the vibes Aichi was picking up. Why that was, he didn't have the faintest idea, but he had the sneaking suspicion he was going to find out shortly.

"Spring Breeze Messenger."

"Black Dragon Whelp, Vortimer." Ren said. He eyed his opponent with those eyes, brimming with black energy. "I see your defeat.. this shouldn't take too long'

"No, It won't." Kourin agreed.

I go first... and I'll draw." Ren" said, drawing a card, choosing one and gripping it on the Vanguard Circle. "Ride, Scout of Darkness, Vortimer. At this point, his skill activates." He said, setting his hand down and picking the top seven cards, revealing on 'Spectral Duke Dragon' and adding it to his hand. He then called a second 'Scout of Darkness' in his backrow."Turn end."

"Draw." Kourin said, giving Ren a sharp glare. "I ride Listener of Truth, Dindrane, and spring breeze Messenger Moves behind her. With a boost from Spring Breeze Messenger, Dindrane attacks your vanguard."

"No Guard."

"Drive Check... nothing."

"Damage check... nothing."

Ren Drew a card. "Ride Black Dragon Knight Vortimer... and the effect of Scout of Darkness now activates. I retire one rearguard." He said, throwing aside the 'Scout of Darkness' he had called, and checked the top two od his cards. He then called them both- a second Black Dragon Knight,a nd a halo shield mark. "My vanguard will now attack Dindrane. Drive... nothing. Now, for my second one."

Kourin looked irked, taking a second damage. Even so, she continued to keep her cool as she drew. "Ride: Player of the Holy Bow, Viviane. Call: Mage of Calamity, Tripp. With a boost from Spring Breeze Messenger, Vivane will attack your vanguard."

"No guard."

"Drive check... Draw trigger. That's plus five thousand power to trip." She said, drawing an extra card. "At this point, both the Spring Breeze Messenger Activate. I'll start with Spring Breeze. Counterblast one, and Messenger moves into the soul." She said, checking the top three cards of her deck, calling a 'Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth' behind Mage of Calamity. "And one more counterblast for Viviane's skill." Sje revealed the top card of her deck, another 'Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth', which she called to an unoccupied column. " With a boost from Gareth, Tripp attacks your vanguard.. and since he hit, his effect allows me to unflip one damage. Turn End."

"You have a lot more fight in you than I seem to recall." Ren said, almost TOO jokingly, as he drew a card. "Proud hearted, Noble Dragon, appear from the netherworld. Ride, Spectral duke Dragon!" Ren said, slamming a card on the table as a fearsome dragon took place in front of Kourin, giving a loud roar. Kourin didn't budge though, looking at the dragon head on. 'Call- Master of Calamity, Tripp, Advance of the Black Chain, Kahedin. Black Dragon Knight Vortimer attacks your vanguard.." Ren declared, Kourin taking the hit "Spectral Duke Dragon attacks your vanguard."

"No guard." Kourin said, and Aichi blinked in surprise. She had three damage! A double critical trigger and she'd lose her game... and she certainly had enough cards in her hand... so why didn't she guard?" He breathed a sigh of relief when Ren's check revealed nothing. She then took another damge 'she's at five now... Kourin, what are you thinking?'

"Stand and Draw." Kourin said, pulling a card to her with a nod, repeating a ride chant that Aichi himself often used.. "O warrior clad in burning armor, give hope to the people in despair with your explosive flames! I ride, Incandescent Lion, Blond Ezel!" She said, the warrior with striking blonde hair and twin swords appearing. "Limit Break!" Kourin said, using Exels's ability to call a unit... which happened to be Lop Ear Shooter. She used his effect, allowing her to ditch a card in order to call a card from among the top three of her deck, Knigh of Elegant Skills, Gareth drawing his sword to fight behind Ezel. She retired Mage of Calamity, in it's place Calling Knight of Passion, Badgemagus.'

"This formation..." Aichi thought, as something began tinging in his head... a feeling of deja vu... of course, his dream last night! This was turning out exactly as he saw it in his dream! Upon realizing this, his Psyqualia seemed to flare up a bit. Kourin was going to lose this match! "Kourin!"

"It's okay, Aichi." Kourin said, turning to give the blue haired kid a slight smile. "With a boost from Gareth, Ezel will attack your vanguard."

"No guard."

"First check, Critical Trigger. I'll give the 5000 to Lop Ear shooter, and the extra critical to Ezel."

"Damage Check... nothing... second check... draw trigger." Ren said, giving Spectral Duke an extra five thousand."

""With a boost from Gareth, Lop Ear Shooter attacks your vanguard." Ren blocked

that, then the follow up. Kourin ended her turn.

"Stand and Draw." Ren said... that last turn had really decimated his hand. "Final Turn." Ren declared. Aichi gave a gasp. Kourin blinked. "With all these cards in my hand? Let's see it then!"

Ren gave a creepy, almost empty smile raising up a card that shone with darkness. "I ride... Convicting Dragon, Chrome Jailer Dragon!" He said. A dark light engulfed Spectral Duke Dragon as it changed form into something even bigger. "Limit Break. Counterblast 2. By sacrificing two rearguards, Chrom Jailer gains ten thousand power. And a critical!.. Your emperor desires a sacrifice!" He said. Chrome Jailer Dragon roared, turning the two front row rearguards into dust and inhaling it. "Now for his next effect- Counter Blast 1." Ren said, f;ipping over a card, and tossing a copy of Chrome Jailer . "By doing this, I call 2 units from the top few cards of my decks."

"Two Spectral Duke Dragons..." Aichi said. He knew what was coming next. " Chrome Jailer dragon attacks your vanguard.

"Silent Punisher and Elixer Sommiler will guard."

"Two triggers, and the attack will hit..." Aichi said. Ren revealed his first drive... "Critical Trigger. I give all effects to Spectral Duke Dragon. Second Check... . Huh? This can't-;

Kourin smiled, the second card wasn't a trigger. Ren looked incredibly shocked. "My Psyqualia... was wrong?... Spectral Duke Dragon attacks your vanguard!"

"Lop Ear Shooter Intercepts." Kourin said, the bunny guarding Ezel and Taking the hit for Kourin.

Ren almost took a step back, "With a boost from Advance of the Black Chain, Spectral Duke Dragon Will attack your vanguard!"

"No guard." Kourin said.

Aichi gasped. "That's six damage... Kourin lost?"

"Aichi..." Kourin said, then flashed him another smile. "I can't allow myself to lose... not in this situation. I have what it takes to defy that destiny." She said. Grabbing a card from the top of her deck and revealing it to Aichi. "Heal Trigger. I remove 1 damage."

"But... how? My psyqualia failed...?"

"it isn't your fault, Ren." Kourin said, standing her units and drawing a card. "You were indeed supposed to win this match thanks to your psyqualia... My psyqualia, however, saw what you were planning and allowed me to overcome that fate." Kourin said. Her eyes blinked once, a now glowing greenish tint appearing in them.

Aichi's eyes grew wide, matching Ren's , although his was still slightly creepier. "You... have Psyqualia, Kourin?"

"Final Turn." Kourin said. "Repel the darkness with the brilliance of your proud soul! Crossride Blazing Lion, Platina Ezel!"

Blond Ezel gave a shout as his armor turned into a plated silver, landing on the ground. "Call, Incadescent Lion, Blond Ezel. Now then... ltimate break!" Kourin called out. Platina Ezel nodded, a cloak of silver envolping the other units, giving each of them an additional five thousand power. "With a boost from Gareth, Platina Ezel Will attack your vanguard."

"Perfect Guard with Halo Shield, Mark." Ren said

"Twi Drive check. First check... nothing. Second Check... Critical Trigger. I'll give all effects to Badgemagus. With a boost from Gareth, Badgemagus will attack your vanguard!"

"... I can't guar." Ren said, tracking 2 damage, losing the game. As he did, something came over him, and he fell to his knees.

Kourin gave a slight nod, putting the cards back on top of her deck. As she started to return to Aichi, she fell to one knee, clutching her head. Aichi ran next to her to help stabilize her. "I never knew... Psyqualia took it out of you THAT much... don't worry about Ren... he shouldn't remember a thing when he wakes up."

"Kourin... will you tell me what's going on please?"

The blonde nodded, standing up. "I think... I need a strawberry sundae."

….

'What manner of game?' She has asked her dream vision, In response, Takuto had disappeared, then touched Kourin's forehead. His eyes turned rainbow for a second, as did the mark on his foreead, and Kourin clutched her head.

Takuto backed away giving a slight smile as he did. "The Psyqualia Game, of course. I just imbued you with not one, but two types of Psyqualia. The first gift is the usual, to see how you will either beat your opponent, or be beaten. The other is very special, and unique to you. It will allow you to see what's coming before that. It's a great advantage to be sure."

".. you didn't give me that kind of firepower without a reason. What's the catch?" She said, looking at the dream boy,

"Well, of course. I gave you double the power. That means that the corruption will spread twice as fast. Now, for the actual game. As you know, the winners of the previous Circuit... well, didn't do their jobs properly. Their mission to bring light to Cray failed, and the Void has almost completely covered the planet... and the ones who went in have been affected by this void, as well. If you can beat the ones swallowed by the void, then this special gift of yours will force the void out. If you or aichi should lose to someone like this, the Void will overtake you and Cray's chance with it." Takuto said, giving asmile that chilled the air.

"So not only do I have to fight a darkness within myself... I have to fight the darkness within others?"

"While fending off the corruption in Aichi Sendou as well." Takuto said. "That's what you want, isn't it? Think you can handle it? It's the burden you asked for, after all."

Kourin nodded, standing up. "I'll play your little game, Takuto. Aichi-kun.,, will not be corrupted, I have faith in him. And together... we'll sae Cray! Without fallen to that darkness!"

Takuto gave a slight laugh. "We'll see about that." He said, snapping his fingers to wake Kourin from her dream

…

"That's the story." Kourin said, taking a sip out of a sundae. "Forgive me if I've seen hard on you... I never noticed how hard it was to prevent yourself from falling into that darkness..."

Aichi took a few minutes to think, taking in her story. "So, the warrior who won the previous circuit were supposed to fight this' void' and save Cray... only all of them lost?"

"That's right. Because of that, there isn't much light left on Cray, and the void has further tapped into those using Psyqualia , like Ren... but when I beat him, I'm fairly certain I drove it out of him."

"I see... it's a heard tale, but I believe you. If the void can seal clans up, they can certinaly do what you're talking about... and don't worry, your personality didn't change much." He lied. In truth, he DID think that she was acting strange during the fight. He'd have to keep an eye on her, just like she was doing for him.

"Kourin-san...do you think we can actually do something like this?"

"Well, Aichi-kun, what do you think?"

"I think.. we have to. Not just for our friends, butfor Royal Paladin... Shadow Paladin, and Kagero. We owe them all so much."

Kourin nodded, giving Aichi a serious, yet kind smile. "Good luck to the both of us, then."

….

Ok, did EVERYONE understand all of that? Key points- Kourin has two types of psyqualia- the usual kind, and one that lets her see the events before the 1st comes to pass... as usual comment or question. Anything I missed, just let me know.