I take the hit as Goblin Elite attack force destroys my Shadow thief, taking 300 of my life points. I had Shadow Replace set, but I can see myself needing the only other monster in my hand; Light Shadow Hunter, more than my shadow thief.
"You took that? Wow Az, it feels like you've gotten worse since we last duelled." Hunt says, scratching his head frowning.
"Hmph, or so you think." I say, smiling. Actually I have no idea. "My turn?"
"Go ahead."
"I draw!" I say, and swipe a card from my deck. Another monster, perfect. "I summon Light Shadow Hunter (1600/1600) in attack mode, and use her ability, which allows me to sort the next five cards in my deck into any order I want." As I sift through the cards, I put polymerisation first as I'll need it soon, an equip spell, de-fusion and then a monster.
"Now I activate my field spell Limbo, which gives all my Shadow warriors 1000 extra attack and defence points!" I say, as the arena turns a flat white. "And also, if you didn't know, it negates all other spell induced attack or defence point changes, so Goblin Elite Attack Force is left with 2200 attack points. Now Light Shadow Hunter, attack Goblin Elite attack Force!"
The arrow flies true, but at last moment it's stopped in its tracks and falls to the floor.
"Damn Az! Negate Attack." Hunter says, frowning ever so slightly. Okay, I started off with the offensive approach, but that doesn't seem to be working this time round. The last duel we had was all about the monsters, and it ended too soon when our mum started yelling at us for waking her up. I guess this time I need to change my strategy. But I know he's expecting traps, as that's probably my best suit.
"…I end my turn." I say sternly, straightening my posture. Hunt raises his eyebrows, before drawing.
"Well this is a lovely draw! I summon Goblindbergh (1400/0), and with its ability I special summon Scrounging Goblin (1000/2000)." What's he up to? Neither of those monsters have enough attack points to get close to Light Shadow Hunter.
"Now I place one card face-down and end my turn." Hang on… I know this move! He used it a couple of summers ago, and I lost because of it! I can bet that the card he has in there is the special one my mentors gave him…
"I draw!" I pull polymerisation out of my deck, and try to think of a way out of his strategy. If I'm going to beat him, something big needs to happen this turn, otherwise I'm going to fail my first ever practical test at Duel Academy.
Azure, the answer is right in front of you.
"Adynn! What do you mean?" I ask my duel spirit.
You planned to summon Azarias, did you not?
The black figure beside me disappears, and a smile creeps onto my face as I look up.
"That smile is not a good look on you Az…" Hunter mumbles.
"Of course you'd say that. First, I summon Earth Shadow Hunter (1200/1800) to the field. I then activate Polymerisation with Earth and Light Shadow Hunter to form, level 6 Shadow Prince Azarias (2500/1500)!" Because of Limbo, Azarias' attack and defence points rise to 3500/2500.
"I know what I must do." I hear the voice of my monster in my head and voice my order.
"Azarias has a special ability; by taking 1000 of my life points he can wipe your field of monsters. In this case, I am choosing to use this ability." I say steadily, and feel the strain as my life points go down to 2700. But as it happens, I watch as Azarias swings his longsword fluidly and destroys the three monsters on Hunter's field.
"…Oh God." Hunter exclaims, sighing as I smirk.
"Never thought you were religious Hunt! Well, Shadow Prince Azarias, attack Hunter directly!" I say, and Hunter is struck by Azarias, taking him down to 500 life points.
"Well that was fun!" Hunter says before drawing. "I activate Reinforcement from the Army, and move a monster card from my deck to my hand. I then summon that monster, which is Goblin Marauding Squad (1900/0) in defence mode and end my turn." On the defensive then. There isn't much I can do; there aren't any more monsters in my deck for a long way.
"I draw!" I take a card I already knew I would pick, Shadow spear, and keep it in my hand. "Azarias, attack Goblin Marauding Squad!" The monster is destroyed, but Hunter left unharmed as it was in defence mode. I wonder what will happen next.
"I draw. I summon Goblin Decoy Squad (1000/0) in defence mode." Hunter says. What a surprise. "I end my turn, but Az I think we both know we're in a dead-lock here. Neither can make a move."
"Not any more Hunt!" I say, drawing as I remember the card a placed a couple of turns ago. "Azarias, attack Goblin Decoy Squad!" I say confidently. "Now I activate De-fusion on Azarias!" Azarias forms back into Light Shadow Hunter and Earth Shadow Hunter, both powered up by Limbo.
"Now Earth Shadow Hunter, attack Hunter directly!" I say, and the arrow flies rock hard and hit Hunter in the chest, taking the rest of his life-points, ending the duel.
I hear cheering from the audience and smile at my achievement, walking over to Hunter.
"Nice one sis, you saw right through my strategy!" Hunter says laughing awkwardly. He then whispers in my ear. "But couldn't you have made me look a little better than pathetic?"
I chuckle. "Sorry Hunt, but you were threatening my exam results!" I then lean close to his ear as well. "But you know that it wasn't all me."
A loud laugh brings us away from our banter, in the form of Chancellor Shepard.
"An amazing duel by the both of you! Getting beaten by a sibling is never easy Mr Roarke, but you held up well against the Duel Academy's reigning tournament winner." Chancellor Shepard says, congratulating us. "And meanwhile, Miss Roarke I am pleased to tell you that you have passed your field examination with flying colours!"
"Thank You Chancellor Shepard, it was a challenging duel. I'll see you later Hunt?" I say, before turning away to reach Alexis, Jasmine and Mindy.
"Wow, your brothers good, but how does it feel beating a sibling? I never beat mine…" Alexis says, and I look at her.
"Kind of weird… but he never goes full out with me, I see it when he duels others… he still wins sometimes but I always get the feeling he doesn't try as hard with me." I explain. "And I didn't know you had a brother!"
"…it's complicated. A little like you and Thomas I guess…" Alexis mumbles, and I frown. It seems like a sensitive matter, I better leave it.
"We should head back to the dorm, it's starting to get late." Mindy says anxiously. "Anyway, I'm beat after that set of exams."
"Yeah, I mean just watching all those duels made me feel tired!" Jasmine adds.
"I agree, even I feel a little tired. What about you Azure?" Alexis says.
"Uh… I'm not too bad. I guess I'm quite used to not getting much sleep. Plus the everyday coffee in the morning helps if I ever am tired." I wonder aloud. "But I have a book to finish, and some quiet reading time may be good so sleep well guys!" I say with a smile as we walk up the stairs in the girl's dorm, and I tuck myself in my room.
I take my jacket and shoes off before flopping onto my bed, and curl up for a nap. It's only 8, but I know I'll be tired if I stay up till 1. Letting my eyes flutter close, I think about the happenings of the day. Jaden got moved up to Ra yellow, I wonder whether he'll suit it there? He doesn't seem studious enough really… slifer's more his style. I mean seriously, he's crazy red. It may sound weird, but I feel like Jaden… I feel like he's something special. I mean he has a winged kuriboh as his duel spirit, and though I haven't ever brought it up with him, I know it must mean something. It must.
I wake up hours later, and looking at the time of almost 12, I get out of bed and slip my shoes and jacket back on, before climbing out the usual window. Apparently Jaden and Syrus got caught sneaking into the girls' dorm at night before I came here, but I'm not sure how they got caught, I mean no one walks around here at night. Other than Zane I guess. As I hear the waves nearing, I turn the familiar corner to see Zane waiting by the lighthouse, his head unusually turned towards me before I had gotten there.
"…Hey." I mumble as I close in on him. He smiles lightly and puts his arms around me and we turn to our usual spot, looking to the horizon.
"You duelled well today; I liked how you changed strategy mid-way through. Zane murmurs from above me. "You took a risk, which I know you don't like to do."
"Hunter didn't give me a choice really. But I'm trying… I guess I'm trying to take more risks." I reply, and he looks at me.
"And why would that be?" He asks his usual blunt manner.
"… well since coming here, it's just slowly been happening. I suppose it all started with me… talking to more people, making friends… Alexis, Jaden… you. I feel like I'm starting to find myself. Maybe I'm actually getting there." I say, not really sure of the words coming out of my mouth.
"You still doubt yourself. I can hear it in your voice." He tells me, and I blush uncertainly.
"Of course. Anxiety doesn't just go away. I still question everything I do, I can't stop it." I say. "I try to, but everything that happens or could happen brings another question."
"I wouldn't worry Azure." Zane murmurs with his deep voice. "You're so much more that what one would first see."
"So are you." I answer back, smiling lightly while looking away, down at the floor. "No one would guess at what you have hidden inside of you." I whisper.
"Every word you say lately…" He chuckles, and I look up at him questioningly. "…It's like you're asking me to kiss you."
I blush rapidly and look away as fast as possible, shuffling slightly further away at his abash comment, twiddling my thumbs.
"Don't say that?" I try to say, but my voice betrays me as it rises at the end, making the supposed statement a question.
"Why not?" He asks and I look up at him to answer, only to find him gazing at me, eyes their dark teal the night makes them. My mouth tries to form words, but captured by his gaze my will falters as I stare back at him. A smile lingers on his lips as he pulls me closer, lowering his lips to mine. I kiss him instantly, and bring my arms around his neck as he pulls me closer into his warm embrace with his hands around my waist. His lips are welcoming with the usual fresh taste, and what used to feel embarrassing now feels familiar in the scent and feel. Our lips move together, his rougher than mine, yet still unbelievably soft as they pull at mine. The common soft tickle makes me smile and sigh at how good and happy he makes me feel.
Suddenly he breaks away and I'm about to frown until I feel his lips on my neck, first lightly but then harder, and I bite my lip as he makes me gasp for air. His hands rub circles on my back underneath my shirt, and I try not to swear as I feel his teeth graze my collarbone. Feeling slightly useless I bring his face back up to mine and kiss him again, slightly rougher than before, tangling one hand in his hair, the other pressed against his chest. As my lips start to get tired, even though I'm far from tired inside, I slow down, before pulling back softly.
He stares into my eyes, and I watch his eyes back, a shade darker than they were before, as I breath heavily, our breath mingling. After a few moments I smile lightly and he kisses me on the nose before curling me back into his arms, tightly secured in his hold. I rest there, content as the waves crash around us in the familiar setting, and my mind begins to wonder.
"…Zane?" I ask, and he hums in response. "Do you know about Alexis' brother?" Silence. "I don't mean to pry, but she seemed upset when it got mentioned earlier today, I just wanted to make sure she's okay.
"…I doubt she is." Zane murmurs, and I look up with a creased brow at his unusually sorrowful tone.
"What's wrong?" I ask, becoming increasingly worried at the extraordinary sad face of Zane Truesdale.
"His name is Atticus Rhodes, and he was a close friend of mine. No one knows exactly what happened, but a year ago, he and some other obelisk blue students lived in the old blue dorm. And then, they disappeared. The cover story is that they're abroad on a duel research program, but no one knows what happened. That's why they call it the abandoned dorm." Zane's voice sounds tired as he tells the story, and I turn to look up at him, anxious for him. If they were his friends, he must have been grieving. How did they just disappear?
"Zane, it's okay." I say as strong as I can, suddenly feeling terrible for bringing such a sour subject up.
"She's searching for the answer." Zane tells me.
"And I hope she finds it." I say. "I'm sorry for bringing it up, I shouldn't have, it's none of my business, I-"
"It's okay Azure." He says, bringing me out of my babbling. "You didn't know."
I bite my lip in uncertainty, and suddenly I feel my chin being lifted as a light kiss is placed upon my lips.
"It's fine, I promise you. And you really did do well in your duel today." Zane says, and I smile shyly.
"It's late." I say, almost looking at my watch in horror as I see it's almost 2. How long were we kissing for…? I turn and he walks behind me, away from the waves. "You look tired, I'm sorry for keeping you up so late."
"Azure." He says as he walks me back to the window. "It was worth it." He says, and I lean up and kiss him, licking his lips slightly before pulling away to climb up on the drainpipe to the window into my room.
I wake at six, and this time I really feel the strain on my eyes this time. Hopefully it will go away with the shower though. As I walk into the bathroom, taking of my pyjamas, I freeze at the sight of myself in the mirror. I didn't think he kissed me that hard…
On my neck and collarbone are two deep red marks. I'm not an idiot, I know how they… came to be. Slightly horrified at myself, I climb into the shower and try to wash the hang in my eyes away. I get out, change into my school uniform, and try to get to work with concealer and foundation on my neck. I then tie my hair in a side ponytail directly over the marks, do a little concealer, mascara and eyeliner on my face, before walking out to get breakfast, biting my lip. I blocked out the worries in my head if someone noticed, and actually headed out the door after at least 7 attempts.
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