A/N: Chapter 4 Oh boy. For me, it's the end of the beginning part. Enjoy!

That last conversation had Syrus wonder what Keel meant. More unstable..? What did they mean by that? Doesn't Jessie have Ruby Carbunkle hang around on his shoulder? Or is that different? How come it's a big deal? Well, it kinda is, right? He wasn't even able to see or hear duel spirits until now.

But, it all changed after that battle with Zane. When he woke up, that's when he saw them all.

He sighed. He knows he shouldn't be thinking over and over. He should be getting some sleep. But, he can't! Not with all these questions in his head.

Especially since he's been having a hard time looking for Zane.. He hasn't been able to talk to Keel about it yet. At most, they would see each other in passing, and Keel would tilt their head fondly at him before needing to return to the deck. Probably because Zane was getting farther from them.

He noticed they looked a bit sadder when he saw them last. Was it because of the duels? What was Zane doing?

His stomach twists in knots, thinking about those horrible collars.

"Sy!" Syrus heard Jaden's voice and gulped, knowing that he's been feeding into Jaden's suspicion during this time. Especially when he's sometimes listening to the duel spirits talk. He can't help but eavesdrop, they're everywhere!

Also, their conversations are very interesting, not gonna lie. Sometimes, it's like he hearing a soap opera happen.

"Syrus, hey!" Jaden sat down on the grass next to the blue haired boy, as Syrus smiled a bit. "Jay, what's up?" He asked.

"Sy, it's about time we talked." Jaden spoke with a serious tone. Syrus gulped.

"Uh... Sure. Um, what is it?" Though, he felt it was a stupid question to ask.

"Syrus, you have to be honest with me here. Okay? Be truthful in answering my questions." The brunette urged, as Syrus shrunk. Oh dear, he's in for it now..

"...O.. Okay.."

Jaden made a gesture with his head, as if signaling someone to come over. And that someone? It was Winged Kuriboh. It chirped as to flew around, before landing onto the ground in front of Syrus. He gulped as he looked at it's gaze, holding a bit of concern.

"You can see him, can you?" Jaden asked. He didn't answer. He couldn't. So instead, he shook his head. Jaden stared at his friend, a bit shocked. Well, that explains his weird behavior. "When did this happen?"

Syrus bit his lip, nervously figiting with his sleeve. He stayed silent, before taking a deep breath.

"W.. When I woke up in the infirmary." He whispered, as the brunette almost gasped.

"All this time??"

"Y.. Yeah..."

"Sy, how come you didn't tell me?"

"I-I panicked! At first, I thought it was just me being tired! But, then I kept seeing them.. I was worried of saying anything because.. Because, I was worried on how you would react! I mean... You already got so much on your plate and the fact this happened after-"

"Sy, it's kinda my job to be worried about you." Jaden blinked, before giving a smile. "You're my bud! Of course if something's up, I'd be worried." Then, he frowned. "But, you really didn't have to keep it hidden. Jessie and I could've helped you with all that."

"I-I know, I mean.. I just panicked." Syrus muttered. He began making shapes in the dirt with his finger.

"So then... What duel spirits have you been talking to? It seems you kinda disappear often. Is it Dark Magician Girl?" Jaden smirked with a tease as Syrus felt his face heat up. "Oh, shush Jaden!! I-I've been moreso listening to them!"

"Whoa, you're eavesdropping in on their conversations?? Man, didn't think you'd be so nosy!"

"Jaden!"

The brunette laughed as Syrus pouts a bit, trying to look mad even thought the laughing was infectious.

"Uh, actually.."

"What is it?"

Syrus hummed a bit, playing with a blade of grass. "Well.. I've actually been talking to Zane's deck.."

Jaden's eyes went wide. "Is.. Are they treating you okay?"

"Yeah!" Syrus blurted out. "Um, they're actually pretty nice, and they said they're sorry about... That.."

Jaden scoffed quietly. Of course. The duel monsters apologized before his own brother did. It made him feel bitter, that his own family doesn't even care enough to be worried.

Winged Kuriboh chirped, snapping Jaden from his simmering anger. Ah. Right. He looked at Syrus, who was rubbing his arms as he held his head low. "Uh... Sorry, I-"

"I-It's fine." Syrus smiled, though he still looked depressed. "I.. I keep thinking.. If I played differently, If I wasn't so-"

"Sy, no." Jaden shut him off. "You did amazing! You finally stood up to him!"

"But, I wanted to help him..!" Jaden was about to say something else, but shut his mouth.

He sighed, before reaching to hug Syrus, as the Ra Yellow Duelist blinked. He relaxed, as he tries to wipe the tears off his face with a sniff.

"That isn't Zane, Jay... I just want him back.. The.. The brother who cared about me.."

"I know.." Jaden spoke quietly, patting his back. "I know.." It makes his heart ache to see him like this.

God, if only Zane can snap out of his stupid edgelord phase. But, they can't do that. It's up to the elder Truesdale.

"Sy?" Syrus lifted his head to look at Jaden, giving him his attention.

"I know this isn't much, but.. To me, you've already proved to be stronger than him."

Syrus's eyes went wide, speechless as he stared at Jaden. It touched his heart as he felt his tears began to form again. He wiped them off before they fell. "T-Thanks, Jaden.."

"Hey, no need to thank me. It's what friends are for!"

Syrus noticed the sun set as he watched the sky began to grow dark. Thus, the two walked back to the Slifer Red dorm. That reminds him..

It's 12:40 AM.

Syrus got up, quietly changing into his blazer and exits the Slifer Red dorm. Thus, he walks off to the Obelisk Blue Dorm in the dead of night. Nobody would be around.

"Keel?" He called out, in by the side of the dorm. Are they awake? Do duel spirits even sleep?

"Keel, I'm here!"

Syrus..?

The Ra Yellow Duelist turned to see Cyberdark Keel, giving the duel spirit a smile. "Keel!"

You found us..

"Of course I would." Syrus gives Keel a pat on their head, his expression warm.

"Say, Keel? About our last conversation..?"

Yes. I'll explain..

I had to talk to the others..

Keel spoke as their tail gently curled around Syrus's arm, trying to mimic the gesture of holding his hand. Syrus blinked as he looked up at Cyberdark Keel.

Syrus.. I wish to protect you. But, I can't. Not while I'm with Zane. I don't want to risk a situation like that happening again.. They cooed.

That's why.. I had to make sure with the other Cyberdarks.

Syrus tilts his head. "Uh.. For what..?"

Cyberdark Keel's words struck him like lightning, leaving him wide eyed. W.. What?

Syrus, I'd like you to take us from Zane.