Chapter Fourteen: Clouded Memories - Force Of The Elder Brother
The duel had only just finished and the crowd was still cheering after such a thrilling outcome. Leo had met me at the centre of the duel arena to shake my hand, a wide smile across his face.
"That was magnificent Kaiser" He said. "To temper such a violent force the way you did... you know you truly are the person this world has been waiting for" He smiled.
"I have to thank you too Leo" I say in reply. "You pushed me to my limits, I cannot fault your skills. Its just a shame I've put an end to your journey" I say sadly.
"How have you?" Leo asked. "After all, as long as I defeat you at some stage, then the Pilgrimage can continue" He smirked.
"Rematch?" I ask.
"Rematch" He confirmed.
"I'll see you at the Calm Lands then" I smile.
"I'll be there" He said with a smile. "Good journey to you my friend" He said before leaving.
"Same to you" I say as he leaves.
The next few minutes are spent with crowds of cheering villagers all coming to give thier various forms of congratulations and such. Again being such a celebrity figure of this status was a little uncomfortable, but I let it go. Everyone had forgotten how Kilika had been destroyed, and I was not going to remind them of such a fact. In the end the crowd finally began to disperse as people entered the temple while many returned towards the village to rebuild thier lives. I was soon left with my travelling companions, and many of them were coming over to me with various forms of glee on thier faces.
"You won!" Yuna beamed.
"That was so awesome!" Tara echoed.
"I have to say I'm impressed" Lulu said, with Kimahri also giving a grunt of approval and a nod. "You tempered your Cyberdark Dragon it seems. An impressive feat of control"
"Of course he did!" Tidus said. "He's Kaiser after all!"
Blushing, I rub the back of my head.
"I would like to say its nothing... But truth is it took accepting it to earn its respect and value. At least now I know it wont be hurting anyone else when I use it"
"Good to know!" Wakka said cheerily. It was then he handed me my sword which I'd forgotten about. "Plus you scarred those Luca snobs off" He sniggered.
"Well yea..." I said. "He was starting to grate my nerves a bit" I smirked strapping my sword to my back.
"In any event" Lulu said. "We should head into the temple now" Lulu finished before leading the others forward.
"Make sure to hurry!" Yuna said cheerily. "We have to pray to the Fayth you and I!" She said as they made thier way in.
I was then left alone with Tidus once more, he was giving me that puzzled look that always made me want to roll my eyes.
"Oh dont give me that look" I say folding my arms. "Out with it" I say.
"Well its just... you had me worried for a second" He said.
"You mean like this?" I ask as my eyes change to black.
"I dont think I'll ever get used to that" He said cringing.
"Well its a part of me" I say. "Not accepting it before caused all sorts of trouble. Now I have, its in my corner and follows my rules. I cant do much better than that" I say.
"I suppose" He said.
"Well then" I say putting an arm around his should and pointing us towards the temple. "We gonna go in?" I say.
"Yea" He smiles. "Though I'd change your eyes back so you dont scare anyone" He sniggers.
As both of us errupted in laughter for a moment, we soon found ourselves heading towards the temple to follow the others.
"His eyes were pitch black when he put his arm around me..." Tidus narrates. "Its really wierd seeing him like that, but this time when I saw him like that... I felt safe... safe that I knew he wouldnt harm a soul"
"Something happened that day" I narrate. "After my recalled memory when I summoned Cyber End Dragon. As I put my arm around Tidus I felt a familiar feeling in the back of my mind... I didnt know it at the time but it felt familiar... It felt like I was holding my brother"
The familiar singing of the Fayth began to echo around the main chamber of the Temple as Tidus and I entered. It was very similiar in design to the Besaid Temple, but of course this one had a fiery twist to reflect its resident Aeon, Ifrit. As we walked towards the steps to the Cloister, I could see the others standing infront of a statue, with Wakka already on his knees praying.
"Lord Ohalland" Wakka began as he prayed at the statue. "Guide our feet."
Feeling a sense of serenity flow through me for a change, I nudged Tidus.
"You might wanna assist him there" I say with a nod.
"Praying to win isnt my thing" Tidus said. "I win by myself" Tidus smirked.
"Humour him then" I reply.
Shrugging with a goofy look, Tidus went to join Wakka in prayer with his new team member. As he did, I enjoyed the serenity some more until Tara came to my side.
"There calling you ya know" She said.
"What?" I asked.
"Cant you hear them?" She said. "Really listen. There asking for you personally"
Raising an eyebrow, I try to 'listen' as she put it the best I can, but all I could hear was the singing of the Fayth... no. There were voices underneath then... I could hear them!
"Kaiser... hurry and get here!" Syrus said.
"We have a gift for you!" Hasselberry added.
Gasping for a moment in suprise, I fail to notice that someone was descending the stairs of the Cloister.
"A Summoner are you?" A voice sneered from the top of the steps.
Everyone turned to see who it was who was mocking Yuna to find a dark skinned woman with little to nothing on. What she did have on was a cream dress that covered her shoulders and her chest, but proceeded to thin into just two thin strips of material that crossed over one another to her ankles.
"Oh how I didnt need this today" I sigh to myself.
Next to her was a large man who wore bright colours such as purple and green. He had a rather large head and tiny eyes , he didn't look like he had much going on in his brain. But I already knew who they both were.
"Its a shame your brother is your opposite" I think.
They descended the stairs just as Yuna called out. "My name is Yuna, from the Island of Besaid."
"Dona" She replied. "So, you're High Summoner Braska's daughter? That's quite a name to live up to. My, my, my and all these people are your Guardians and Duelists? My, what a rabble. As I recall Lord Braska had only two Guardians and one Duelist. Quality over quantity, my dear. Whatever were you thinking? I have need of only one Guardian and Duelist, right Barthello?"
As Barthello nodded, Kimahri sized him up and gave a low growl. I could feel the tension beginning to rise between them. Not that I knew Barthello stood a chance, after all Kimahri was huge, even if by Ronso standards he was small.
"I only have as many Guardians and Duelists as there are people I can trust" Yuna defended as she took a step forward to stop Kimahri from ripping Barthello's head off. "I trust them all with my life. To have so many is a joy and an honour. Even more so than being my father's daughter. Of course, I would never think of questioning your ways either. So, Lady Dona, I ask of you: please leave us in peace."
"You do what you want" Dona retaliated. "Barthello, we're leaving."
Grabbing her Guardian by the arm, Dona started to lead him out of the temple. However, I wasnt gonna let it lie with her looking down her nose at us.
"Lady Dona" I say, as she turned around. "Wish Leo my best. He was a good opponent. I've offered him a rematch after his loss to me just now"
"Leo lost?!" Dona spat. "Barthello! We find your brother now!" She stormed before heading out of the door.
"That was mean" Tara smirked.
"So was she" I winked.
"Anyway, its time to go" Yuna interrupted indicating the stairs as she turned and smiled at Tidus.
"A Guardian and Duelist is someone a Summoner can rely on, someone she can trust with her life. I wondered, did Yuna feel that way about me? What's she smiling about?"
"I've pretty much unleashed Sin itself onto Leo now" I narrarte. "Its ok, he can handle it... I'll get him a present down the line to make up for it"
Yuna led the way into the Cloister of Trials, which of course I knew were going to be fire based. Passing through the entrance doors, we quickly came upon a circular lift that would descend us into the Cloister.
"The Fayth is below." Wakka stated. "Let's do it."
"The Fayth?" Tidus questioned, peering around at the stone circle lift.
Smacking him on the back of the head to which he winced in pain, I smirk as I moved onto the lift.
"The Fayth Yuna and I need to see" I say.
"You didnt need to hit me" Tidus complained.
"But first, the Cloister of Trials" Lulu reminded. "Kimahri, Wakka, Tara, Kaiser ready?" She asked as we all nodded.
"Strength, everyone!" Yuna stated as she prayed for each of us. They proceeded to walk onto the stone circle and Tidus followed lastly, but only to find himself pushed off by Kimahri, to which I sniggered.
"Ah!" Tidus shouted as he stumbled over. "Hey, what gives?"
"You're not a Guardian yet" Lulu reminded him.
"Um, we'll be back as soon as we can, okay?" Yuna said in a way to offer comfort to Tidus. Before Tidus even had a chance to ask what was happening, we began to descend into the abyss, leaving Tidus alone.
"Oh sure, like tomorrow soon I bet!" Tidus scoffed, figuring he might as well make himself comfortable if he believed that he was going to be here for a while.
"Stop complaining!" I yell back up the shaft with a laugh.
It took several minutes before the lift hit the bottom of the chamber, before opening up into what looked like a new temple, with a bridge and large doors awaiting us. As we all got off the bridge, Yuna took point, but I was slightly confused. This was the first time I would have seen this take place with this group.
"Errrrr" I say, eliciting a look from the others. "Do I need to do anything in these trials?" I ask.
"Your trial is over" Lulu stated. "Have you forgotten your duel already?" She said in a slight scold.
"That means you get to take it easy" Tara smirked.
"This is my trial" Yuna said putting her hands on her heart. "I will lead the way" She said before turning around and doing just that, as we all followed her.
Hanging to the back of the group, I decide to take Tara's advice and let the others lead the way and solve the Temple's puzzles. After all, it hadnt exactly been a normal day for me so far and I was starting to feel drained. As we walked throught the Cloister, my thoughts were interrupted by various sounds of sphere's being activated and flashes of fire across walls and glyphs, but I paid them no heed. That was until Tara came and stood by me as we waiting at one section as Yuna looked around.
"Why the long face?" She asked.
"Just tired" I say with a heavy sigh. "Its been a long day after all"
"Just a bit..." She smiled trailing off. "... I really appreciate what you said in your final turn" She smiled sweetly.
"Oh?" I asked, my mind drawing a blank.
"May we live and duel forever... I saw you looking at me too" She said.
"Oh... I ... errr" I said stammering.
Laughing in glee at what a state she had made me, she patted me on the shoulder.
"Im teasing" She said winking. "But I knew we hadnt lost you with what you said when you played Cyberdark Dragon"
"Its still sinking in for me too" I said regaining my composure.
"Well either way im glad" She continued. "Does that mean your gonna use it in future?"
"Yes" I say. "I owe it the victory, and at least now I know it cant consume me again"
We both failed to notice that Yuna had solved the final puzzle and we were walking into the waiting chamber where the Fayth was. Yuna had already ascended the stairs and began praying infront of the door. As it slowly opened to her inward command, she took a look round and looked at us all before entering the chamber, while Kimahri stood guard. We all quickly dispersed into separate sections while I sat alone against a wall. Taking a card from my deck, I look at Cyberdark Dragon.
"I know now it wasnt you that made me do those things in Besaid that day..." I think. "But it was your darkness that I was feeding on... But at the same time, now I know you've got my back, what is it that was pushing me down that road in the first place? That voice in my sleep? Just who is it exactly" I wonder.
My thoughts were interrupted by Tidus coming rushing into the chamber a few minutes later...
"Woah, woah, woah" Wakka gasped in shock as he shook his head in defeat.
"It was Dona and that big muscle-head man" Tidus defended.
"Clearly she is still a bit sore over Leo loosing" I say with a sigh.
"Yuna, will be the one to suffer the consequences" Lulu revealed with a sad sigh.
"What consequences?" Tidus asked.
"She could be excommunicated" Wakka explained hesitantly.
The group dispersed, leaving Tidus to think about what he had done. I was still stood against the wall watching him with those sad puppy dog eyes as if the world was against him. Rolling my eyes I walk across the room towards him.
"You know you could have just waited at the bottom of the lift" I say.
"Yea well..." He sighed "So, what's in there anyway?" The blonde inquired.
"The Fayth remember?" Wakka reminded across the room.
"Oh yeah, that thing, right" Tidus replied pathetically.
"The one's that inhabit Yuna, Tara and I?" I said reminding him also.
"The Fayth are people who gave their lives to battle Sin" Lulu explained in more depth. "Yevon took their souls, willingly given from their still living bodies."
"Huh?" Tidus questioned.
"Now they live forever" Lulu went on. "Trapped in statues. But when a Summoner and Duelist beckons, the souls of the Fayth emerge once again. That's what we call an Aeon and Duel Monster."
"All that in this room" Tidus asked.
"Yea, its a lot to take in" I say giving him a comforting pat on the shoulder.
"So, what's Yuna doing in there?" He asked once more.
"She prays with all her heart for a way to defeat Sin" Wakka explained just as the door that Yuna had gone into opened slowly.
Yuna was once again unsteady on her feet, the act of another soul joining with her own having drained her own strength. Kimahri was once more by her side again in an instant supporting her while the others quickly followed, leaving Tidus and I at the foot of the stairs alone. Looking at the blitzer, for a moment, I could see that lost look on his face at feeling awkward and inadequate at not knowing anything, giving him a nudge, I smile at him to lift his spirits. He sighes heavily and looks up at the group.
"Kaiser... can I tell you something?" He said.
"Course" I reply.
"That song those Fayth things are singing... I know it from when I was a kid..." He said slowly.
Before I had time to respond, I noticed the group had made thier way down the stairs. Yuna had regained some of her strength and was smiling at me.
"Its your turn" She said.
Nodding, I know what I have to do. Giving a smile to Tidus I ascend the stairs towards the door. After several seconds it slowly opens as I enter the void of the Chamber of the Fayth.
"Only Kaiser knew what I thought that day." Tidus narrates. "That song we heard there in the temple, I knew it from my childhood. It was proof that Spira and Zanarkand were connected somehow. At least, to me it was. Maybe that's why suddenly, I felt like I just wanted to go home. I tried to say something, to tell them but the words wouldn't come... but I knew he was there to keep me going. But I have to admit, watching him walk into that room with the Fayth. I was worried... worried it would change him from the friend I knew"
"I have to admit I was worried" I narrate. "Each time I join with the Fayth, I take on thier feelings... but would that change me? I dont want to be an amalgamation of everyone else. I want to be just me. Then again, being me hasnt exactly always helped"
As I entered the final room, I could see on the ground the form of Ifrit's Fayth in stone. On either side of the chamber I could see a stone form of Super Vehicroid Stealth Union and Superconductor Tyranno. With a smile, I already knew who they represented as I stood at the foot of Ifrit's stone Fayth. The air seemed to change for a moment and in a flash of light, both Syrus and Hassleberry were standing before me in a half ghost form.
"Afternoon guys" I smile.
"Attenhut!" Hassleberry said saluting me and smacking Syrus to do the same.
"Owwww!" He said "What was that for?!" Syrus complained.
"We have to pay proper respect for the man that beat Leo dont we?" Hasselberry said still rigid in salute.
"I was thinking more along the lines of congratulations" Syrus winced.
Rolling my eyes and face palming I shake my head.
"Leo's right, living with both of you must be horrible" I laugh.
"HEY!" They both cried out.
For a few moments there was silence, until the three of us broke out into laughter that lasted several minutes. I was just thankful that no one could see us, in the end we all calmed down as Syrus spoke.
"Anyway, since you already won, we can head out soon, but we have something to give you" Syrus said.
"Well, its really the Sarge's that he left lying around" Hassleberry added.
"Like what?" I ask raising an eyebrow.
"Here" Syrus said, and in a flash of light a card suddenly appeared in my hand. I gasp for a moment seeing what it is.
"Yea, this is definately Jaden's" I say. "But what do I do with it?"
"Give it to Tara, but when you do it is up to you" Syrus smiled.
"Why not give it to her now?" I ask simply.
"Because it should be a grand gesture! You know like a romantic offering!" Hassleberry exclaims.
"Dont you two start" I say narrowing my eyes.
"Well it would be cute" Syrus smirks.
"Ill consider it" I say pocketing the card. "Shall we then? I know your brother wants to see you Syrus" I say with a smile.
"Really?" Syrus asks excitedly.
"He hasnt left the temple in a thousand years Syrus, of course he does" I smile.
Smiling in glee, Syrus pushes Hassleberry out of the way!
"People who beat bumbleberry in a duel go first!" He laughs actually flinging himself at me.
My eyes widen as he jumps forward as his soul joins with mine, and I could feel all his emotions flooding into me. The feeling of being inadequate, feeling a burden when someone is relying on you, feeling betrayed by your older brother as he seems to care only for his own goals and finally for feeling accepted by your brother, and inheriting his legacy.
Gasping for breath, I fall to one knee at the joining, but then something strange happened. I started to feel all warm and fuzzy inside my body, almost like I was being hugged by my family. It felt safe and inviting and loving. I knew what it was straight away even if I couldnt see it physically happening, Zane and Syrus had, had thier reunion properly after a thousand years, and I could feel it happening. Smiling, I started to miss my own little brother too.
"It was just that one time!" Hassleberry shouts pulling my from my thoughts.
Smirking, I stand back up ready for him next.
"Well you best get in there and sort him out for his insolence" I smirk.
"I like your style Sarge!" Hassleberry said.
Hassleberry started walking towards me and turned into mist before entering my body. The feelings began to overwhelm me, but they were not as intense on my reaction this time. A feeling of indomtiable strength, ferocious power coursing through my very lifes blood, fighting overwhelming odds against a foe to protect those you hold dear and finally looking out for those who's feelings were true, even if it means throwing away victory in a duel.
I manage to keep my feet steady after a small stumble, and bringing a hand to my face, I feel my eyes changing again and turning feral like Leo's even though I couldnt see them. Taking a few deep breaths, I turn around to leave the Chamber of the Fayth, with my mission complete.
As I exit the chamber I felt the eyes of the others look straight up at the door as it opened. Within seconds they had all greeted me, Yuna rushing up first. All of them happy that I had been accepted by the Fayth. I could see Tidus was still hanging back by himself, almost like a lost child excempt from a group. After a few minutes of the group speaking to me, Yuna announced thier intention to leave as she led the way back through the Cloister, but I held back, waiting to walk with Tidus.
"I have a new trick" I say to him with a smirk, as my eyes went feral.
"I've already seen that with Leo" He said sighing.
"Pfft" I snort. "If your gonna be a miserable sod all day then I'm off and you can walk by yourself" I snap back.
"Its not that" He said weakley. "Its just all thats happened here... I really want to go home" He said.
"You will" I say giving him a pat on the back. "Just give me time on that one ok?"
Smirking he shrugged my hand off quickly.
"Im glad your here you know" He said.
"Dont start this, I'll get all misty eyed" I smile.
"Would be an improvement" He said his mood returning
"Oh you so didnt go there!" I snarl my eyes turning black.
With a yelp of terror, I tear after him down the Cloister after the others for an impromptu beating.
As we once more entered the main chamber of the Temple, Yuna gave the traditional sign of Yevon to the assembled Monks and a few crowd mongers. I was again strong armed by Yuna into a meet and greet for the Temple's latest Summoner and Duelist. Many of the people I was speaking to had been present at my duel, and of course the hot topic was of if the Blue-Eyes White Dragon was my soul monster. Deciding this time to veer down the road of caution, I didnt show them the card. I had enough publicity to deal with right now and that would just tip the scale.
I kept trying my best to steal away and speak to Tidus throughout. He was looking lost in the crowd once again, his memories of Zanarkand no doubt plaguing him some more. Wakka must have noticed something was wrong too for he was bending his ear off about the upcoming Blitzball tournament. But I could see it wasnt helping, Tidus was merely going through the motions in his response's to Wakka. I kept shooting my friend a smile every now and then to which he had noticed, but I couldnt get away. Yuna's vice like grip was firmly on my arm and she wasnt letting me go for anything.
"I thought I had put my feelings for Zanarkand behind me, but they were there and they grew inside me bigger and bigger till I was just about ready to burst. Wakka's conversation didnt help either. Sure I loved talking about Blitzball, but today it just wasnt having the same effect... But he helped me again that day, just showing he was thinking about cheering me up was enough. But why does he do this? For someone who was a stranger only a few days ago. Its something that I would often think about" Tidus narrates
"Being a dignitary was never my thing, sure I loved talking to people, but this non stop chatter and people asking me the same questions over and over was getting boring. This must be the life celebrity's lead. Its certainly not something I'm interested in. I'm more interested in helping Tidus, the poor guy seems to be getting worse and I can only help him so much... But its fine, Luca is coming up soon where he can turn it around" I narrate.
An hour or so later, Yuna and I were alone in one of the rooms in the Temple. We had just been treated to a meal made by the Temple Monks in celebration and had just of course filled our stomachs with the fine food. The others were apparently waiting for us outside the Temple, but Yuna and I were having a few minutes to recover from such a feast. Yuna had come and sat with me on one of the plush seats in the room and at the moment we were both in silence, until she let out a loud sigh.
"I suppose we best be going" She said.
"I guess" I reply with a sigh of my own. "But I feel too stuffed to move" I chuckle.
"Me too" She smiled back sweetly.
For a moment she stopped, but then she finally spoke.
"You know... I'm so happy with your duel today" She said finally.
"Well its a step forward on the journey" I reply
"Not that" She said quickly. "I mean how you handled your Cyberdark Dragon"
With a smile, I take it from my Extra Deck and hand it to her.
"See for yourself" I say
Taking the card with a cautioned look, she holds onto it, examining its picture.
"I can feel it..." She said softly. "I still feel the darkness coming from it... but its not like in the duel with Tara... it feels different" She said.
"I thought that too" I say. "Its fueled by my own darkness, and with no malice, its changed" I say.
"I could tell in the last duel" Yuna replied. "It didnt destroy Leo's monster"
"Technically it did" I reply. "But since it had no itention of injuring Leo in the process, it simply won the battle... Something I'm grateful of"
"Either way" She says handing the card back. "I'm glad that it wont influence you know" She smiled.
"Me too" I say, despite knowing it wasnt infact Cyberdark Dragon that had been truly influencing me. "Shall we then?" I say standing up.
"Lets" She smiles linking in my arm as we walked from the Temple.
Rejoing the others a few minutes later, we all began the trip back to the boat. As we approached the area where we fought the Sinspawn, I could feel my heart beginning to race. Its not everday you visit the area where you die, and I could feel the tension beginning to rise inside me.
"Hey look its a duel!" Tara suddenly squealed.
Flying back to reality, I could see she was right. Two people were dueling in the wide open space that it offered. The first was a kid of around fifteen or sixteen, dressed in the usual Kilika robes for comfort in such a climate. His raven black hair and sneer on his face already gave me the impression that I wouldnt like him. He seemed to be supported by an entourage of five other kids at a similar age to him, who were all jeering his opponent.
The other player was a kid of no more than about ten years, he also wore the robes of a Kilika citizen, and he was panting heavily. He had blond short hair and a face of pure innocence, he reminded me of my little brother in a way.
Looking at the duel field, I could see why he seemed to be panting. He had only a Mad Dog of Darkness on the field, while the other kid's field was dominated by five monsters. The most lethal seemed to be Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest. The older kid drew a card with a sadistic smile before pointing a finger out.
"Green Baboon! Destroy his monster!"
With a roar, the Baboon jumped forward and with an overhead strike by its club, swatted the poor dog into Pyreflies, as the other young boy stepped back
? 8000 ? 1000
"All other monsters attack directly!" He followed up
In a flurry of attacks, the four remaining monsters all flew forward to assail the poor kid, who was kicked punched and beaten to fly backwards on the floor, his deck coming out of the duel disk to litter the floor.
? 8000 ? 0
"That wasnt nice" Tara said.
"Dishonourable at very best, since only one attack would have attained victory" Lulu chipped in.
The group of six boys marched straight over to the downed boy who was wincing in pain while trying to pick up his cards. The lead boy who had dueled, very cruely brought his foot down on the boys hand, making him cry out in pain.
"Dont touch those trash" He spat. "You lost and now your decks mine!"
"I never agreed" The boy said tears in his eyes. "You said I had to! You know I dont even know how to play properly! My brother was gonna teach me" He sniffed.
The group of boys let out a gleeful laugh as the lead one continued
"Awwww, what you gonna do, cry to your brother? He's dead remember! Killed by Sin only yesterday! He cant teach you a thing!"
Immediately I felt a lump in my throat as my heart broke for the poor child, not only was his brother dead, but now he was being bullied by complete cowards. Suddenly, the boy on the floor's image started to change... he now looked like my little brother!
"Dandy?" He asked. "Will you teach me to be as good as you?"
"Of course I will" I said. "I'll always be here for you, you know"
"Yay! Thanks big brother!"
Gulping again, I see celebrating at the thought of being taught was both my brother... and a younger Tidus.
Gasping sharply, I take in my breath to calm down.
"There it is again" I think. "Why are my own memories changing?" I think.
"This is getting bad" Wakka said, pulling me out of my thoughts
The group of boys now had the younger one held down while they were collecting his cards, sniping various insults at him.
"We should help him!" Tara and Tidus echo.
"No" I say sternly. "You all leave this one to me" I say
There were slight gasps as the group looked at me, my eyes once again jet black.
"Dont worry... I arent going to do anything like that. You all go head to the boat. Ill handle this one"
Some of them looked uncertain for a moment, until Yuna stepped forward.
"Lets go everyone" She said with a smile towards me.
Despite some strange looks in her direction, the group followed thier unofficial leader and they were already leaving the platform down the next flight of stairs. As they left, Tidus stopped to look back at me. Smiling for a second, I let my eyes change to thier shining blue for a moment before they change back to normal, and satisfied with a smile of his own, he dissappeared from sight. Satisfied they had gone, I draw my sword and rush foward in a flurry of speed. At the sight of me charging them, the boys quickly dropped the cards and retreated, leaving me standing infront of the crowd and shielding the smaller boy.
"Grab your deck" I say without turning around to the smaller boy.
I hear him quickly start to scurry around with his cards, while my attention was focused on the group infront of me. I simply place my sword back on my back and fold my arms. The group had been murmouring to each other, until the lead boy stepped forward.
"Who in Sin are you to get involved?!" He spat.
"My name is Kaiser" I reply. "Champion of Besaid Temple, and winner of the duel you may have just seen against Leo"
"Liar! Besaid hasnt had a champion for nearly a thousand years and Leo wouldnt be beaten by someone like you!"
"Really?" I say, my eyes changing between various states to finally become feral like Leo's.
"Yevon its true!" One of the boys said.
"So I suggest you leave right now" I said.
"Why should we!" The lead boy spat. "We won his deck fair and square!"
"He agreed nothing. I can tell" I reply.
"Come on Elan" One boy said. "These two arent worth it"
"So thats your name Elan?" I say. "Well maybe you would care to make a wager instead in a duel" I offer
"Such as?" He said.
"You get a deck built with Fayth power" I say holding up my duel disk. "If you win of course" I say.
The group could hardly contain thier glee at such a thought.
"Fine your on! But you have to agree to a condition!" He said.
"You have to use Beast type monsters only like that runt!" He said pointing at the fallen boy.
"Done" I say simply. "But you must take one as well, if I win, you leave him alone and never bother again. Agreed?"
"Yea" Elan said. "Not that your gonna win" He sniggered.
As Nomis and his group moved into a position near one side of the area, I turn round to kneel and help the boy who had gathered his cards, and was sobbing quietly. Smiling at him, I speak to him softly.
"You ok? Whats your name?" I ask.
"Nomi" He says sniffing.
"Well Nomi, these guys arent gonna bother you again after today. Trust me"
"But you cant win" He sniffed again. "I saw you duel, you use Machina monsters. But you agreed to Beasts" He said.
"Maybe" I say, "But trust me. I have a few tricks up my sleeve"
Nomi's face began to light up once more as he smiled to me.
"You remind me of my big brother" He said with a sad smile.
"Well that makes me in good company" I say. "I heard what happened, is there anyone to look after you?" I say.
"No" He said, his sobbing returning. "I only had my big brother... now he's gone to the Farplane" He said a tear in his eye.
Reaching out, I take the hand of the young boy. His expression reminding me of my own little brother so much right now.
"Dont worry, I'll look after you. Im heading to Luca soon. Come with me and I'll make sure your looked after" I say
"Thank you..." He said wiping a tear from his eye.
As he did, he suddenly lunged towards me, wrapping his arms around me in a hug, beginning to cry once again...
"Cyber End Dragon attacks your monster. I win Joji" I say across the table we were playing on.
"Your so good Dandy" He said smiling.
"Your getting a lot better" I said. "Your starting to whittle down my life points quite nicely" I say
Standing up, he moves around the table to hug me, his head resting on my shoulder. I return it, holding onto him tight.
"I love you Dandy" He said
"I love you too Joji" I say opening my eyes, noticing that a young Tidus was resting on my other shoulder
Alien memories make me inhale for a second, but then I put my arms around the kid to return his hug. Moving back, I stand up.
"Get a good seat, your gonna enjoy this duel" I say moving away.
"Alright Elan!" I say my duel disk activating. "Lets duel!"