Hey guys and girls, so a quick word from me. First off, Dimension Divided has turned a year old! That's just crazy to think about. Thank you to everyone who has read and given my story a chance, I appreciate all of you. Also, just so everyone is aware, the style of writing will shift due to the direction the story is taking. Although there will be duels here and there, expect a more fantasy-style story from here on out, except with everything being Yugioh related (the spiel Jaden gives towards the end of the chapter sort of sets this out). I know its a bit of a departure from what I've written so far, but I hope it will come to be embraced as the story unfolds. Anyway, that's enough from me. Enjoy the new chapter!
Chapter 38 – Into the Spirit World
As Jorann looked out of the transport as they approached the island, it quickly became clear to him and the others that something had gone wrong. The Three were either standing or sitting near what seemed to be a glowing white rift of some kind, but most importantly, they were alone. As they got closer as the transport came into land, the dejected look on their faces made it clear to everyone present exactly what had happened.
"They lost," Elise whispered in disbelief.
The Three turned and faced the transport as its wheels landed on the ground, the door quickly sliding open so that those within could leave, with Jorann and Jack bringing up the near as the former exited gingerly, Jorann on crutches in tow. Once they were all out safely, it was clear that none of the Three were in the mood for friendly chatter, the soft hum from the rift behind them the only thing that could be heard. Fortunately, it was Jack that soon broke the silence.
"You lost," he said, more as a statement of fact than anything else.
"We thought we had it under control," Yusei replied quietly. "Tanion's a lot stronger than we anticipated."
"There's no telling where he's gone in the Spirit World," Jaden said. "I suspect straight to the castle his monster spirits inhabit, but there's no way of telling from here."
"Then we follow him in," Jack said.
"We can't just –"
"No, Jaden, I agree with Jack," Jorann said, cutting him off. "It's clear now that Tanion's motivations are tied to his monsters since he has gone to their world. He holds incredible power, and there's no telling what his monster spirits will use that for. We have to follow him."
"We could be gone a long time if we did that," Yugi pointed out. "Even though a week in that world is roughly a day in this one, we've no idea how long it would take to track him down."
"And the security of the Spirit World will come into question should we all enter at once," Jaden added. "Most spirits aren't pleased when a human walks amongst them."
"But they let you," Jorann said. "Tanion is our problem. We can't leave the Spirit World to defend for themselves, especially with the power he possesses."
"Agreed," Elise chimed in, Darrien nodding alongside her. "Tanion has been our responsibility since day one. Darrien and I brought him here in the first place. I won't let fate decide his future now, not when it could be out of his hands now more than ever."
"I still don't like the idea," Jaden said, crossing his arms.
"Neither," Yugi agreed. "The Spirit World isn't like our own, and more to the point, we aren't exactly welcomed with open arms there."
"So you would leave Tanion in their hands?" Jorann argued. "With the power he possesses? You've no idea how that could affect that world."
"He's our responsibility," Elise repeated. "We have to help him."
Jaden considered the statement for a moment. "Fine," he said eventually. "But you do exactly what I say, when I say it, alright? The Spirit World will chew you up and spit you out otherwise."
"Let's discuss this with Seto and the others first," Yugi said, clearly still unconvinced.
"You do that," Yusei said. "I suspect that they will reach the same conclusion we have, so we will get everything ready for the crossing in the meantime."
"Will they be willing to spare all of you though?" Jack wondered aloud.
"Most of us have a reason to go after him and bring him home," Jorann said to him. "The Three have a responsibility as our strongest to protect both this and the Spirit World from his power. Elise was right in that Tanion is our responsibility. We did bring him here after all. You're the only one who has no reason to go, Jack, and I'd guess that Seto, Felirae and the others will see it that way as well."
Jack huffed. "If Yusei couldn't stop him, then you're going to need all the help you can get," he retorted. "I'm coming with you, whether they like it or not."
As Yugi spoke with Seto and the other leaders via call from the cockpit of the transporter, the others began to make preparations to leave. Despite the injuries that Elise, Darrien, Jorann and Jack possessed Jaden seemed nonplussed, stating that he would be able to heal most of the damage before they woke up on the other side. As none of them had ever been to the Spirit World before, it would take roughly a week in that world for them to wake. The Three, on the other hand, would not be affected due to their previous visits.
"Yubel will stay with you during that first week," Jaden said as they prepared. "Yusei, Yugi and I will try and find any information we can about Tanion's whereabouts, although I'd be very surprised if the Knights' castle isn't the right place to start looking. We will see what happens once we're on the other side."
At that moment, Yugi exited the cockpit. "Well?" Jack demanded.
Yugi shot him a look before turning his attention back to the crowd. "After a few… choice words about not using the God Cards from Seto, they came to a decision," Yugi said, scratching the back of his head guiltily at that error of judgement. "We are all to go through. The two pilots are to return to Stromberg. but the rest of us are to go after Tanion. Felirae and the others were in agreement that he's far too dangerous to be left to his own devices now. We have to bring him in."
"Then it's settled," Jaden muttered, taking in the news as best he could. Seven humans will enter the Spirit World at once. This'll be fun…"
At that moment, the sound of a jet could be heard on the horizon. Turning north in the direction of the sound, all of them except Elise and Jorann, who were unable to due to their injuries, raised their duel disks in preparation for what was to come. The jet itself was bland, giving no indication of allegiance or motive. However, as the jet landed, the back lowered, and what appeared to be its pilot exited, looks of wariness turned to hatred as they saw who was before them.
"Zera," Yusei snarled. "You dare to show your face to us?"
The woman raised her hands above her head. "I did not come here seeking the fight you," she middle-aged woman said. "You think I'd be stupid enough to try and face you all by myself?"
"No, that's why we are wary," Jorann said. "Why are you here?"
"For the same reason you are," she replied coolly. "I felt a disturbance in this world's energies mere hours ago, and traced it here. Your friend has unbalanced the natural flow of energy in the world. You can feel it too, can't you Yugi?"
He seemed displeased to admit so, but Yugi nodded nonetheless. "Tanion is an anomaly that doesn't fit this world," he said. "We need to help him."
"Agreed," Zera said. "I'm here to help. I've as much, if not more knowledge about how Duel Energy works thanks to my time working with the shrines."
"You expect us to trust you after everything you did with the Order?" Darrien asked angrily.
"No," Zera answered. "I was with the Order because Irene saved me. She promised me a new world, the likes of which would be nothing like the one that left me to rot for 10 years. But now there's no way of achieving that goal anymore, and this is the world I'm stuck with."
"You think Tanion threatens this world?" Elise asked her.
"If you don't, then you are a fool," Zera responded. "He has power the likes of which have never been seen before, and likely never will again. I can't stand by and let this happen when I can help."
"I believe her," Jorann said, eyeing off the woman.
"What?!" Elise exclaimed. "You of all people believe her?"
"I do," Jorann answered, eyes analysing Zera for anything to give away the fact that she was lying. Nothing. "She has nothing to achieve by coming here. Her and Erial have been hidden ever since Irene's demise. She's one of the most wanted people on the planet, yet she is freely appearing before some of the only people who have the strength to best her. I believe she's telling the truth."
"Thank you, Jorann," Zera said with a slight nod of the head.
"It's your funeral," Elise muttered in disgust.
"So what will it be, heroes?" Zera asked them. "I'm here to help. Will you accept it or will you throw me in a prison?"
Looking around the group, it was clear to Jorann that many were undecided, most likely because they knew the merit of his words. I don't trust her for a second, not after everything she did as one of the Twin Commanders, he thought to himself. If it were under any other situation, I'd have cut her down where she stands. But this is not a time for holding grudges, as the events surrounding Tanion are bigger than any of us.
"If she wants to help, so be it," Jack said eventually.
"You'd trust her?" Yusei gasped.
"Until she gives me a reason not to," Jack replied. "You're letting Akiza cloud your judgement of her, Yusei."
Yusei's eyes flashed red. "You dare to bring her up? Now of all times?!"
"Yes, because it's true and you know it!" Jack roared back, unintimidated by Yusei's rage. "Zera is strong, and she offers you her knowledge and strength. You would let that go to waste?"
"I…"
"Let go of your hatred for now, Yusei," Jack said. "I'm sure she will turn herself over to us once this is over, right?"
Zera nodded. "I was on the losing side," she said. "Once this is over, my fate is yours to decide. I simply do not wish to sit by and let fate decide my future when I can have a hand in deciding it myself."
"One false move, and I send you back, understood?" Jaden warned.
"You too, Jaden?" Elise said in disbelief.
"I can send her straight into one of the cells at Stromberg if needs be," he said, lowering his duel disk. "If she is willing to risk that, then her intentions are genuine in my mind."
"Agreed," Yugi said, he too lowering his disk.
"Four to three," Jorann noted. "Seems we've come to a decision then."
"Are you crazy?!" Elise screamed, turning on Jorann. "She murdered innocents!"
"This world gave me no reason to want it anymore," Zera commented. "It abandoned me, so I abandoned it for Irene's dream. With that gone, I have to try and believe in what's left of this world once more."
"Bullshit," Elise muttered.
"She can be brought to justice later," Darrien said soothingly, wrapping an arm around Elise's shoulder. "We might need her knowledge in the Spirit World."
"Darrien, even you...?" Elise asked, tearing slightly.
"My personal feelings cannot be allowed to get in the way of such a decision," Darrien said. "That can come later, once this is over."
"Can I lower my arms now?" Zera asked. "They're getting sore."
"Yes, Zera," Yugi muttered. "Let's get this over with."
With the tension so thick between the group that it could be cut with a knife, Zera took her place in front of a wary Jack as Jaden closed his eyes and began to manipulate the rift. After a moment, the rift opened, revealing a grassy clearing in what appeared to be a forest of some sort on the other side. So that's the Spirit World… Jorann wondered to himself.
"One at a time," Jaden ordered, standing to the side whilst still manipulating the rift between the two worlds. "I'll see you all on the other side."
Yugi was the first to enter, following by Yusei and then Zera, Jack in tow. Elise followed behind with Darrien still doting over her as they entered the rift, leaving only Jorann to enter. Trusting that Jaden would be able to heal his leg before he woke, he placed his crutches down on the ground just on the edge of the rift. Taking one last look at the world behind him, Jorann glanced down at his duel disk and to his deck before entering the rift. Here I come, my dragons…
When Jorann opened his eyes, he was surprised to find himself not in a clearing, but on the edge of a field that sprawled out for ages. The sun's heat pressed gently against his skin, warm yet not hot as its comforting glow enveloped him. Looking around, he noted that only one other person was asleep; Darrien, who was being watched over by a certain blonde.
"Welcome back, Jorann."
The voice came from Jaden, who was seated behind Jorann twirling what appeared wooden spoon in a pot of some kind. Yugi, Yusei and Jack were also sat around the fire, with only Zera missing. He had a fire going underneath it, but immediately Jorann recalled something Jaden had told him a long time ago.
"I thought humans didn't need food here," he asked, pulling himself into a seated position. No pain from my leg I see. No cast either.
"This isn't food, it's a medicinal mixture I got from a healer nearby," Jaden said. "It accelerates the healing process when ingested. I've been feeding it to you over the past week."
"So it's been that long, I see," Jorann said.
"Indeed," Yusei said. "Day 8 since we came through, in fact."
"Where is Zera?" he wondered suddenly.
"She wanted a private conversation with Yubel about this world," Yugi answered.
"And you let her go?"
"She's with Yubel," Jack reminded him. "You really think she could do anything even if she wanted to?"
"Fair point," Jorann conceded before turning his attention to Elise. "How is he?"
"Peaceful," Elise said without facing him. "Jaden reckons he will wake up within an hour or so."
"Is that right?" Jorann asked him.
"Yubel's guess, not mine," Jaden said. "She was pretty accurate about you, Elise and Zera though. Here, drink this."
Taking the bowl from Jaden, Jorann sipped on it and discovered that the hot liquid tasted suspiciously like lemon honey tea. Drinking it slowly, the general chatter amongst the group was interrupted by the return of both Zera and Yubel. As Yubel took up a position directly behind Jaden, Zera sat by herself on the edge of the group and Jorann could feel the warmth of the sun seemingly disappear as she did so. I wonder what happened between them while I was asleep…
"What have you learned while we were asleep?" Jorann asked, his mind changing thoughts on a dime.
"We've got two leads," Yusei replied. "Just before we arrived, the Knights' castle to the east was apparently all but abandoned, although it's not known what happened to them."
"Abandoned?" Jorann asked quizzically. "Do you know why? If Tanion did indeed come through straight into the castle, why leave their base of operations?"
"It's something we have to find out," Yusei said. "However, we went to a village to the north-west two days ago for supplies and apparently, the day before, a massive group of armour-clad monsters were spotted skirting the edge of the town, heading north-west."
"Could it have been them?" Jorann asked.
"It's viable," Jaden admitted. "I know the area. With the amount of people in the convoy the timing would work out, but I've no idea where they could be heading. They'd be bordering on Endymion's territory if they kept going that way, and not only is he not kind to outsiders, but beyond his kingdom are, well, less than hospitable lands."
"Who's Endymion?" Jorann asked. "And why would he put his kingdom on the edge of such lands?"
"The land we are in now is under his protection," Jaden answered. "To the south lies the kingdom of Shien, and to our east, far beyond the Knights' castle, is Gravekeeper territory. Endymion, a master in the magical arts, formed is kingdom and its lands here, and has ruled over them from his Citadel ever since. He and his armies often have to quell uprisings from the Badlands to the north-west, but this land, as vast as it is, is his. The reason he built here was because it was simply what land he could claim amongst the other rulers of these lands."
"So what do we do?" Jorann asked.
"We've had a discussion, and we think it's best to split up," Yugi said. "Yubel will take you, Zera, Elise and Darrien to the Knights' castle to see if you can find any trace of where they might be headed. Meanwhile, Jack, Yusei, Jaden and myself will follow up leads on this moving convoy and most likely head for the Citadel to confer with Endymion himself about this matter."
"There's a good chance Endymion has sensed Tanion's power already and is tracking it," Jaden said. "We could use that to find him."
"Will he go after Tanion?"
"Unlikely," Jaden answered. "Endymion is clever, and will have his forces prepared in case the Knights turn towards the Citadel. However, he will not leave the place undefended to go after Tanion. It's not his way."
"I will go with you so that you are not murdered by the locals for being human," Yubel said in her unnerving voice. "They will respect my connection to Jaden and his judgement."
"Thanks, Yubel," Jorann answered with a slight tinge of sarcasm. It made sense though. Humans do have a history for treating this place terribly after all…
"Then it's decided," Zera said. "Once Darrien awakes, we will be on our way."
Jorann nodded. "We will find Tanion and bring him home before he does anything he will regret," he said. "Let's just hope we get to him before he does."
Coming Soon - To the Castle