Boss Rush
XXVII: Twilight Rose Knight
The handle of the mug shattered.
Rex glanced down where the coffee had spilt, the brown liquid staining the table with the shade of coffee that was hardly tasteful and more the opposite. His frown persisted as Ryuusei sat down. "Congratulations on your win."
"You too," Rex answered. "How was it?"
"Satoshi-san was a tough opponent," Ryuusei answered.
"Yeah," Rex nodded, having drawn with the Fire Duellist. "That Viper..."
Ryuusei turned to see Adrian sit at their table with Chase. The half-Hispanic man blinked. "Is this seat occupied?"
"It's his job to worry about strangers," Chase quickly intervened. "Well, after the last few stalkers-"
"This I have got to hear," Adrian leaned forward. "Who's getting stalked?"
"Ryuusei," both immediately answered.
Ryuusei glared as the Venom Duellist began to crack up. "Dios mios, really?"
"There's just something about him that brings out the crazies, doesn't it?" Chase pointed.
Adrian stared. "When you think about it... there is something very magnetic about him... is it passive?"
"Either way, it's brought about... what was it?" Chase asked the blond.
"Five stalkers, twelve attempted kidnappings, and fifteen rape attempts that thankfully never gone through," Rex answered.
Adrian turned to the red and black-haired Duellist, his facial expression sympathetic. "You are so sought after, but I don't even feel envious. In fact, I feel sorry for you."
"Thanks," Ryuusei muttered.
"What is it about some people...?"
"Okay, thank you."
Chase quickly changed the subject. "Youkai and I won as well. Soon we're going to be the only ones left!"
Somewhere else on the island, Kiyomi was running.
Fear can literally feel like ice water. It can be a cold feeling that you swallow, that rolls down your throat and spreads into your chest. It steals your breath and makes your heart labour when it should not, before expanding into your belly and hips, leaving quivers behind. Then it heads for the thighs, the knees (occasionally with an embarrassing stop on the way), stealing the strength from the long muscles that think you should be using them to run the hell away.
Kiyomi was running, and did not stop until his breath ran out and he was in the full sunlight, the brilliance devoid of the shadows that seemed to cling upon the ice queen.
"Hey."
Kiyomi nearly jumped out of his skin as he turned to regard the cold-eyed Michiru. "W- What?"
"You're a Duellist, right?" Michiru tapped her Disk impatiently. "I challenge you."
Kiyomi considered. If he struck here... maybe, just maybe... "I accept."
"Excellent," Michiru smirked.
"Duel!"
Michiru: LP 8000
Kiyomi: LP 8000
"Draw!" Michiru declared. "I'll discard a card to special summon The Fabled Nozoochee [1200/800] to the field. By its effect, The Fabled Cerburrel [1000/400] is special summoned. Then, I can summon The Fabled Rubyruda [1100/800] to the field. I set two cards, and then I tune level two Nozoochee to level two Cerburrel. Legends hidden under the veil of secrecy, finally lift the curtain to show the lies! Synchro summon! Come, The Fabled Kudabbi!"
Hooves clattered on the ground as the white veil covering its head appeared. By it, an imp bounced on the elaborate saddle the bovine creature wore. It let out a low moo [2200/1100].
"Turn end," Michiru finished.
"Draw!" Kiyomi declared. "I summon the tuner monster, Deep Sea Diva [200/400] to the field. Now, I activate its effect to special summon Atlantean Heavy Infantry [0/1600] from my deck in defence mode. With the effect of Atlantean Heavy Infantry, I can normal summon again during my main phase, so I summon Atlantean Attack Squad [1400/0], which gains eight hundred attack power when I control another Fish, Aqua or Sea Serpent monster [1400/0 → 2200/0]. Now, I activate the Field Spell, Lemuria the Forgotten City! All Water Attribute monsters gain two hundred attack and defence!"
"Huh," Michiru sniffed as the three monsters glowed [2200/0 → 2400/200] [200/400 → 400/600] [0/1600 → 200/1800]. "And?"
"You don't get it, right?" Kiyomi sighed. "Attack Squad, attack The Fabled Kudabbi!"
"Trap card, Horn of the Phantom Beast!" Michiru called as her monster grew long, twenty-point horns [2200/1100 → 3000/1100].
Kiyomi crossed his arms as his monster shattered.
Kiyomi: LP 8000 → LP 7400
Michiru: LP 8000
"Are you stupid!" Michiru screeched. "Anyway, I draw a card thanks to the Horn. Now, I activate the Trap card, Phoenix Wing Wind Blast! Get Lemuria!"
Kiyomi frowned as the Field Spell was bounced from his field to the top of his deck and his monsters weakened [200/1800 → 0/1600] [400/600 → 200/400]. "Why... my cards... I'll set a card. I end my turn."
"Draw!" Michiru declared. "Activate the Spell, Dark World Dealings. We'll both draw and then discard a card from our hands."
"Er, yeah," Kiyomi snapped out of his daze.
"Due to the discarded Fabled Krus, I can special summon a level four or lower Fabled monster from the graveyard other than Krus, such as Fabled Gallabas [1500/800]," Michiru declared as the mace-wielding monster appeared. "I discard a card to destroy a monster with lower defence power than the attack power of Gallabas, such as Deep Sea Diva!"
"What?" Kiyomi gaped as the diva was destroyed.
"Now, Kudabbi!" Michiru called. "Attack the Atlantean Heavy Infantry!"
Kiyomi groaned. Now his field...
"Rubyruda, Gallabas, direct attack!" Michiru called, standing tall and scornful just like her...
Kiyomi: LP 7400 → LP 5000
Michiru: LP 8000
"What, you can't even stand up to that attack?" Michiru's tone was scornful when Kiyomi managed to get back to his feet. "I draw thanks to Horn. Tuning, level four Gallabas to level four Rubyruda. Legends long hidden in the false lies, rise from the fires of doomsday to show the authority! Synchro Summon! Terrify, Fabled Valkyrus!"
The Fiend Roar Deity [2900/1700] appeared in shining armour.
"I set a card, turn end," Michiru announced.
"Chain quick-play Spell, Call of the Atlanteans," Kiyomi announced. "I special summon all three Sea Serpents in the graveyard. Now, I offer all three monsters as a sacrifice to special summon Poseidra, the Atlantean Dragon!"
The gigantic, trident-tailed blue dragon appeared in a splash that nearly knocked her to the ground [2800/1600].
"When Poseidra is special summoned by this effect, I return all spells and traps on the field to the hand," Kiyomi announced.
"Trap activate, Fiendish Chain!" Michiru declared as chains snapped out to wrap around Poseidra. "I won't let you use this effect!"
Kiyomi groaned. "Very well. I activate the Lemuria Field Spell once more to augment his power. Turn end."
"Draw!" Michiru called. "I set a card. Now, Kudabbi, attack Poseidra!"
"What?" Kiyomi blinked. "Are you trying to tie for-"
"When I hold no cards in hand, Kudabbi cannot be destroyed by battle or card effect," Michiru placidly answered as Poseidra shattered. "I draw a card. Valkyrus, direct attack."
Kiyomi: LP 5000 → LP 2100
Michiru: LP 8000
"Weak," Michiru spat. "Useless. Are you crying now? I end my turn."
The resemblance was too much, too much, those cold eyes, that exact cadence, that same stance of scornful dismissal and far too young to be stunning but far too old to be innocently attractive, liquid grace and thoughtless glamour. Perhaps the cruel, cold queen's influence rubbed off on her.
"D- Draw," Kiyomi could feel his throat drying out, and he thought to welcome it. At least...
A shadow flickered, and he startled as he stared at the cards. "I... I set a card. Turn end." Tornado Wall could not protect him forever, but for now... just for now...
"Draw," Michiru glanced. "Activate the Trap, Trap Stun."
Kiyomi's heart sank. Now, the Tornado Wall was useless.
Michiru's voice was tinged with malicious glee. "Get him."
Kiyomi: LP 2100 → LP 0
Michiru: LP 8000
The white-haired man found the strength to mumble as Michiru advanced upon him. "Why?"
"Why?" Michiru looked confused.
"Why do you side with her? To this extent?" Kiyomi rasped. "She is violent, vicious, merciless. There are families who have been ripped apart by her in her quest to safeguard psychics. In the pursuit of equality even those who murdered their parents were acquitted. The Arcadia Movement has caused so much pain to all, and it grows ever more. She cares nothing about you, only that what she safeguards is intact and hidden. One day... one day she will destroy you."
Michiru smiled. It was terrible, cruel, the kind of smile that indicates a pleased malevolent intent which most could recognise. "I know. She tore apart my family to get me into her Movement. She is cruel to protect the members of the Movement, delicate monsters we are. Slowly, slowly, she loses every semblance of humanity, and it doesn't matter, you see. Because she is Queen Winter until she dies."
Kiyomi's eyes widened in shock.
"I will stand by her," Michiru giggled. "Before, she refused. Soon, she will be Queen Winter in body and soul, and I will be there to see it."
"Michiru," sighed the one voice Kiyomi dreaded to hear. "Michiru, dear. I never knew I was that to you. Don't you hate taking orders?"
"Oh, I do," Michiru answered. "I do. From you, they're requests, aren't they?"
"I have taught you that subtly speaking, they are orders."
"Couched as requests," Michiru smiled. "I... what shall we do, Setsuka?"
Setsuka smiled as she held out a hand. "We shall have the evening meal, where I will show you the elusive James Cook. As for him... well, tonight's entertainment promises something unusual. I will bring you along, if you wish."
"Yes," Michiru murmured. "Yes, please. Ah," the dark-haired girl frowned as Kiyomi managed to run away during the interim. "He ran."
"He is lawful prey, sooth," Setsuka murmured. "There will be other chances."
"I'm sorry, but you're Ishihara Takeshi, right?"
Takeshi glanced up from where Alexianna and he were watching the Duelling fields to the office lady. "Can I help you?"
"I'm sorry," the woman bowed. "My name is Satonaka Erika. I work as a secretary with Kaiba Corporation. I've been searching for you for a long time, Ishihara-san."
Takeshi sat up. "Satonaka... are you... related to Ryuuga?"
"My adopted younger brother, though he's my cousin," Erika acknowledged. "Could you... answer a few questions for me?"
Takeshi remained quiet for a few moments. "How much do you know about Ryuuga?"
Erika shifted. "Actually... I don't know that much about him. I've always been thinking about the future, even as a student of Duel Academia... Ryuuga started out life living normally, with a father and mother... until one day, his father went insane... and killed his mother after learning she was having an affair. With his father in jail, Ryuuga moved in with my family the day I graduated. I didn't really care about that brat then. He was so annoying, and I didn't really get to know that part of the family. Yet, Ryuuga... well, family is family, you know?"
"Yeah," Takeshi nodded wisely. "Nee-chan irritates the hell out of me, but I can't imagine her being gone."
"I gained a job at KaibaCorp, and I've been there for... a while already," Erika wondered. "How long...? Either way, I heard about Ryuuga landing in hospital... by your hand. And his right eye... I used a few connections at KaibaCorp, and I found out about Ishihara Kaname and your case. Please tell me... about yourself and Ryuuga."
"Takeshi...?" Alexianna murmured.
"Nee-chan and I met him in Duel Academia," Takeshi began flatly. "Ryuuga was a bully, let's not mince words. He took my Dragunity deck then. Nee-chan took him out with her Deck-Out deck. At that time, Nee-chan had a long belief in destiny and faith, that Ryuuga was fated to lose. Ryuuga... didn't take it well. Obsessed with proving her wrong, he challenged her time after time, and lost each time. Eventually..."
"What's wrong?" Erika murmured at his hesitation as he touched the goggles on his head.
"Do you believe in Duel spirits?" Takeshi murmured.
"Duel spirits?" Erika echoed. "Well, a lot of things we think are impossible can happen... d- did Ryuuga...?"
"Ryuuga came into contact with a Duel spirit," came the answer. "They made a deal, power in exchange for something. With it, he defeated Nee-chan, and the Duel spirit reduced her to a vegetable state for a while. I had become an apprentice of Harald for some time... using all three Aesir monsters, I challenged him and defeated Ryuuga. Having no more need for Ryuuga, the spirit was exorcised. I have no idea what happened to him after that, I'm sorry."
"I see..." Erika sighed. "You're a nice young man. The past must hurt you."
"You needed answers," Takeshi simply answered.
Erika laughed slightly. "Actually... I've also been keeping something."
"What...?" Takeshi blinked as Erika shuffled through her deck.
"See this?" Erika showed them the card of the flying golden bird with outstretched wings.
Takeshi clutched at his left eye. "You mean, that's-"
"This spirit promised to help me," Erika sighed. "She said that maybe, you might have answers for Ryuuga's odd behaviour."
"Satonaka-san..." Takeshi looked down. "Goodbye."
"Thank you," Erika bowed as she stood to leave.
Alexianna stared at the Nordic Duellist. "What's with that cold face? She was pretty nice."
"Sorry, Lex," Takeshi murmured, as his left eye glowed with the ash rune. "But... she is entranced by the eyes of the dead."
"Huh?" Alexianna stared as Takeshi began to walk away. "O- OI! Don't leave me here! What d'you mean...?"
Evening and a communing dinner saw Adrian take a chair to spy on a specific table. To his right was a young man, regular Australian features baked brown by strong sun, a regular outdoors man, he guessed, which fit in with the cowboy theme he had on. A dead ringer, James Crocodile Cook the Second. Across James, or Jimmy Cook as he was more popularly known, was Tenjouin Michiru, chatting animatedly. With her back turned to him but her body angled to face Michiru as she sat beside Jimmy was his target.
The shadow of Vennominaga appeared. You are focusing on her words once more.
"She gave me power and made me stab my hand for it," Adrian grumbled. "No shit."
She is dangerous.
"Yeah. I know."
There is no knowledge to be gleaned without a price.
"Naga, look at her and tell me if she isn't the type to rule the world. We should stop her."
She already does. Or at least, half of one. Why would she claim this world?
"I get the feeling that she'd do it for kicks."
The sovereigns are bound by unbreakable rules and magics, more complex than mortals will understand, the snake goddess mused. Save your worry for that which lies before you, rather than that which is worlds away.
"Naga, people might die."
Dearest, we have been through this. I and the Venom Snakes are only concerned for the safety of my kind and, by extension, you. If we can help others, we will. Yet for all my power, there are those who would oppose us. People die all the time.
"Elvin!" a cry rang out as a student ran towards the dark-haired student Adrian identified as Madas Elvin. From the hurried tone and the frowns that appeared later on his face, the Central students were rather troubled.
"What the heck is going on...?" Adrian muttered as he turned back to spying, only to be met with a cold eye.
No, Setsuka's eyes...
The Winter Queen winked at him.
The Venom Duellist quickly lowered his head. See into another's eyes and the soul could be seen. He did not want to look into her soul, and neither did he want her to see anything.
"Adrian-san," Ryuusei's voice murmured as the Venom Duellist looked at the other. "We... have a situation."
"Three girls are missing?" he exclaimed later.
The Obelisk student who had run to the ectomorphic Madas, named Isaka, nodded furiously. "Hanazono Shizuka and Sakura, and Kobayakawa Mei all disappeared in the forests about the Obelisk dorm today. Usually, we'd think nothing of it, but..."
"But what?" Rex impatiently demanded.
"Well," Isaka shifted. "They haven't been found, not since last night, and we found Sakura's deck around the hills."
"The hills..." Ryuusei echoed. "Could it be..."
"A Duellist won't leave their deck behind," Madas pointed out. "When? How? Why?"
Ryuusei was already turning towards Setsuka's table. "You've heard all of that, right?"
A teacup was neatly set down on the saucer. "Ah," Setsuka answered. "It could be, that perhaps the three girls were spirited away into the spirit realms, but I find that unlikely. After all, with both of us here, spirits are unlikely to use the portals we create, no matter how convenient."
"And the other?" Ryuusei asked.
"The other, is that the spirit was called here, and required a sacrifice to be reborn into this world," Setsuka gave a small, cruel smile. "It would not be the first time students had disappeared from this island. In that case, a lot of power will be required for the sacrificial ritual."
"Power?" Ryuusei echoed. "The power supply generator?"
"The ley lines are few and far between, artificial power will be necessary," Setsuka answered as she stood, brushing her skirt free of dust. "James, how do you feel about a walk under the moonlight?"
Jimmy offered his arm. "Where are we going?"
"As guests, we should do what we can, should we not?" Setsuka lightly replied. "Come."
The walk through the forest went slowly at first.
"It's so dark," Chase muttered. "Does anyone have a flash-light?"
"Mine's out," Madas shook his head. "I'm sorry, Ryuusei-kun, to call you on this..."
Jimmy held out a card. "Come, Jurrac Velo!"
Madas and Isaka started as the flaming dinosaur appeared to lead the way, orange light illuminating their path. "T- That's..." Isaka swallowed. "Just like Sakura..."
Soon they arrived at a building surrounded by a fence of steel wire, steel towers standing at four points to carry wires that stretched beyond to unseen places.
"Careful," Madas murmured. "This place supplies power to the entire island..."
Out of the darkness, the towers suddenly crackled into life, and most of the students stumbled back.
"Go find a professor who believes in Duel spirits," Setsuka pointed to Isaka.
"Y- Yes!" the student ran off.
"You've come," came the small voice as she stepped out of the shadows. Though she wore the blue of Obelisk, her frame was small, and her brown hair hung lanky and covering her face. "Madas-san."
"Hanazono Shizuka..." Madas murmured.
"Say, Madas-san," Shizuka murmured. "I've done it. I've summoned a Duel spirit, the Princess of Camellias, Tytannial. She said... she said to offer her sacrifices to be reborn."
"Tytannial...?" Ryuusei muttered.
"When Duel Spirits are killed, their souls may escape to the material world to seek power to be reborn," Setsuka murmured. "Of course, that chance was very small, but for the former Red Queen, we should not have underestimated her..."
"Sakura was the first," Shizuka giggled. "Then, Mei... ne, Madas-san, do you want to see her? I want you to be the last sacrifice... the soul of a powerful Duellist will bring her here at last, and I can get my wish..."
"Enough!" Ryuusei stepped up. "If you want a sacrifice, I'll be it! But, we'll duel! If I win, then you return the others!"
Shizuka's smile turned dark, and when she next spoke, her voice had turned more mature, deep and lilting like the dead princess's own. "You shall be a more than worthy sacrifice, Night Rose Knight... very well, I accept. Your power will feed the garden I shall create of this world..."
"You're an idiot," Setsuka crossed her arms as Ryuusei stepped up to face the clearly possessed girl.
"I just have to not lose, then," Ryuusei answered.
"Duel!"
Tytannial/Shizuka: LP 8000
Ryuusei: LP 8000
Electricity crackled as the projection of five cards appeared by the girl. "I'll go first, draw. I summon Lonefire Blossom [500/1400] to the field. Now, I activate the Field Spell, Zen Garden. While Zen Garden is face-up on the field, Water Attribute monsters cannot attack."
"Looks designed to counter a Water Deck," Jimmy noted as the field changed to become blank and covered in sand, like the Japanese gardens.
"Ah," Setsuka agreed.
"With the effect of Zen Garden, since I control exactly one Plant Type monster, I can special summon Artillery Flower [1000/500] to the field," she continued. "Now, since I control two or more face-up Plants, I can special summon Cosmos [600/900] from my hand. I create an Overlay network with three level three monsters! Exceed summon, Raging Flower Gunboat, Nadeshiko!"
Ryuusei frowned as the spaceship-like monster [2100/1800] appeared. "That..."
"I activate the Continuous Spell, Dark Room of Nightmare," his opponent continued. "Now, Activating the effect of Nadeshiko. Once per turn, I can detach an Exceed material to inflict three hundred damage to my opponent for every card in his hand. You have five, so take fifteen hundred damage! And, Dark Room of Nightmare adds three hundred damage each time you take damage by a card effect."
Light gathered around the cannon of the flower and fired.
Ryuusei: LP 8000 → LP 6500 → LP 6200
Tytannial/Shizuka: LP 8000
"Ryuusei!" Both Chase and Rex yelled as the Rose Duellist stumbled back.
"I'll set two cards before I end my turn," the girl gloated. "Your turn."
"Why...?" Ryuusei looked at her, hardly angry but more of quietly sad. "Tytannial..."
"I have embraced death in the imaginary world," she laughed. "Doma's embrace was about to come... then, this weak girl summoned me. Did you know that she cursed her powers? That her sister was the one masquerading each time they pretended that the other had power, when it was in fact this one? When offered a sacrifice, who am I to refuse?"
Madas started. "So, Sakura's boast of hurting people... that was Shizuka's work?"
"Looks like it," Setsuka answered.
"Why didn't the Arcadia Movement do anything?" Chase demanded.
"We only help those who come to us first," Setsuka stoically answered. "It did not look like the Hanazono siblings were keen on admitting the state of their power. Doubtless they have kept it secret for a while, from the faculty, but not from the students."
"In the end, mortals are foolish, weak and hateful," the possessed girl laughed. "They would sacrifice even their family and friends into the darkness."
"No! Not all of them are like that!" Ryuusei argued. "I'm sure, Sakura-san had things she wanted to say to her sister as well! If these things go unsaid, then it's over! That's why, I'll free you, and them as well!"
"Say all you want, Night Rose Knight," Tytannial purred. "But, can you?"
"Draw!" Ryuusei called. "I activate the Spell, Reincarnation of Hope to discard two monsters, and in two standby phases I can add a monster from my deck to my hand. Now, I activate the Spell, Angel Baton. I draw two cards, before I send one monster from hand to graveyard. I summon the tuner monster, Junk Synchron [1300/500]!"
With a squeak, the orange-uniformed monster raised a tiny fist at the giant spaceship.
"The effect of Junk Synchro allows me to special summon Tuningware [100/300] to the field." Ryuusei continued. "Activate the Spell, Machine Duplication to special summon two more Tuningware. Tuningware can be treated as a level two monster for a Synchro summon. Limiter Removal, Level Five! Regulator open! Thruster warm-up, OK! Up-link all clear! Go! Synchro Summon! Come on! Tech Genus Hyper Librarian!"
"Oh..." her eyes misted over as the monster appeared [2400/1800].
"I draw a card," Ryuusei announced. "Now, I mill a card to special summon the tuner monster, Glow-Up Bulb [100/100] to the field. Tuning, level two Tuningware to level one Glow-Up Bulb! Evening shades envelop the world; herald of the night, shine. Take flight, Synchro Tuner, Twilight Rose Dragon!"
With a caw, the draconic monster shifted leathery wings [500/1400].
"A card drawn due to Hyper Librarian, and another for Tuningware," Ryuusei announced. "I banish Bulb to special summon the tuner monster, Spore as a level two monster. Tuning level two Tuningware with level two Spore, Synchro summon Armoury Arm [1800/1200]. Draw two cards again. Now, tuning, level four Armoury Arm to level three Twilight Rose Dragon. Chilling flames engulf the entire world. Pitch-dark flower, set into bloom! Synchro Summon! Bloom, Black Rose Dragon!"
"That's Ryuusei's ace monster!" Chase exclaimed as the florid rose dragon [2400/1800] appeared.
"Mirror Force or Wall of Thorns...?" Ryuusei commented as Shizuka paled. "Well, no matter. I draw a card by Hyper Librarian's effect."
"That's quite a few cards," Chase was still counting on his fingers.
"Activate Double Summon, and by banishing the Amarylease in the graveyard, I can summon my faithful Gigaplant [2400/1200] to the field," Ryuusei continued. "Equip with Supervise, Gigaplant gains its Gemini effect to special summon Twilight Rose Dragon from the graveyard. Tuning, level seven Black Rose Dragon to level three Twilight Rose Dragon! Farewell, glorious sun; flower of the night, bloom!"
The skies overhead rumbled with thunder, the muggy heat like that of July's worst wave as the petals began to gather.
"Accel Synchro!" Ryuusei yelled as the dark wings gathered, and the unholy cry rang through the copses of trees about [3000/2500]. "From the darkness greet me, Night Rose Dragon!"
"N- N- Night Rose..." By the sidelines, Adrian swallowed. "Somehow, it's even more terrifying like this..."
"Activating Quick-play Spell, Trap Booster, I discard a card to activate the Continuous Trap, Rebirth Judgement," Ryuusei continued. "Now, all monsters in either graveyard are treated as Plants. I therefore banish three Tuningware to destroy your field! Now you're wide open!"
"But, you don't have enough..." she trailed off as he revealed a card in his hand.
"But, I can banish the Skill Successor in my graveyard to give Night Rose eight hundred attack [3000/2500 → 3800/2500]," Ryuusei innocently answered. "I'll send you off now, don't worry."
As the dragon loomed a tear trickled down her cheek. "So this is mortality... how painful it must be, then."
"Yes, it is," Ryuusei agreed. "My monsters... direct attack."
Tytannial: LP 8000 → LP 0
Ryuusei: LP 6200
Slowly, the girl sank to her knees. "It hurts..."
"Shh," Ryuusei murmured. "It's alright."
Using the human features, green eyes flickered as the spirit cried. "Doma's embrace... perhaps, we will meet again in nature. I wished... I wished that she would return, you know. The Glorious Queen... make it great again, the court, Marguerite... Your Majesty..."
The tears faded, green dying into the night as the girl finally collapsed. The dust gathered around her, the bodies of two girls slowly forming.
"This..." Madas coughed. "A Duel Spirit..."
"Tytannial," Adrian bowed his head, as did Rex, Chase, Jimmy, Setsuka, even Marguerite and Ryuusei.
"E- Eh?" one of the girls woke up as the sound of footsteps approached. "What's going on!? Shizuka! Shizuka, please, wake up!"
"Good job," Setsuka murmured as she watched the two siblings. "You won."
Exhausted, Ryuusei just stood. "I... I did that to Tytannial..."
"You could not have known," Setsuka murmured. "You did what you have to. She thanked you. Wrap your memories in this, that you never forget the lengths people would go. There is something to be taken away from this."
"Like what?" Ryuusei asked as the teachers ran over to check on the unconscious Shizuka.
"That I do not know yet," the Winter Queen answered. "But time will tell."
"N- Nee-chan..." came the quiet whisper. "Nee-chan..."
"Police are still investigating," Setsuka murmured on the last day of the tournament. Having bowed out early by some whim unknown to Team Black Knights, the finals contained Rex and Michiru, the tie-breaking Duel between best friends having come early.
Ryuusei remained silent, crossing his arms as he watched Rex's Dark World monsters duel Michiru's Fabled monsters. "Are they?"
"Yes," Setsuka nodded. She was leaning against Jimmy, and obviously both of them were enjoying the close contact.
"What's the official word?"
"A prank gone wrong," Setsuka shook her head. "And something about a gas leak. People don't want to believe that Duel Spirits exist, that they are real, and that student of Central were almost sacrificed. People would be accused of incompetence, publicly embarrassed, fired. No one wants that. So, gas leak."
"But it's stupid!"
"It's life. The last thing the twenty-first century wants to admit is that it might not know everything."
The Duellist with the red bangs glanced away towards the Duel. "Why do you think they did that? That Shizuka-san tried to sacrifice her own sister?"
"There are indefinite things in this world that remain unexplained," Setsuka answered. "No matter how weird it is, mankind will always observe it. It will always be so with mankind. But it is the imagination. But it is the past. People are the world's strangest creatures."
"Red Demon's Dragon!" Rex's yell spread through. "Direct attack!"
"With that, Rex Atlas wins!" the announcer's voice went through. "The best of the new generation, Rex Atlas!"
The reception and the after-party went well, several surprised with the dark-horse win. Even Rex looked stupefied at the congratulations, and he kept fixing Ryuusei with odd looks. Ryuusei only nodded. "You're catching up. I might even have to work harder this time."
Rex nodded severely. "You, me and a Duel marathon."
When the ferry left the jetty at last, it was carrying a load of satisfied students, a few laughing pros, and quite a few spirits' songs echoing across the waters towards the future.
The sun was setting, darkness calls, and it was a new day.
The stories went that in the night, the mysterious people of the under-hills would walk into the night, drinking, singing, dancing and laughing in their hunt. Clad in glamour and cast against the night, these people loved the beautiful and honourable, facing death and war to protect that which they held dear, and always held to the end of any bargain. These fair folk, clad in magic and unafraid of time, were the start of the fairies' legend.
Please review!