The Magicians Thus Far:
Razel—The Magician of Black Chaos
Von—The Ancient Elf
Rae—Rapid Fire Magician
Brie—Breaker the Magical Warrior
Neo—Neo The Magic Swordsman
Lazar—The Blast Magician
Zefrasaber "Zef"—Swordmaster of the Nekroz
Jalak—The Timegazer Magician
Rai—Arcanite Magician/Assault Mode
Brom—The Oafdragon Magician
Gian—The Dragonpit Magician
Lux—The Dragonpulse Magician (pupil of Gian's)
Penn—The Pendulum Sorcerer
Seeka—The Trump Witch
Kisa—The Nobledragon Magician
Nyala—The Performapal Skullcrobat Joker
Pien Fang—The Xiangke Magician
Mei Ya—The Xiangsheng Magician
Jarle—The Insight Magician
Axel—The Oversight Magician
Helion—The Stargazer Magician
After the invite to dinner on Saturday, I was on cloud nine. We were to meet at a swanky Italian restaurant close to where Sebastian's was in Domino city. He escorted me out to the parking lot and had Roland drive me back home. The thing was, Seto watched as the car, Roland and I drove away.
"You know," Roland began as we made our way back to my house, "Mr. Kaiba does not show favor to many. Especially to those who don't know him. Clearly you made quiet the impression on him back there."
I felt my body heat up and I crossed my legs. "You think?"
Roland nodded. "Absolutely. The only person I've seen Mr. Kaiba be that civil towards, and I've been with Mr. Kaiba for many years, is his brother Mokuba. You know that Mr. Kaiba obviously values your opinions."
"I certainly hope so. Otherwise I just wasted a whole morning," I laughed.
"Oh no, he does. He never orders for champagne. Not even when he has a personal breakthrough alone. The fact that he wants to see you again on matters concerning Battle City is something of substance."
"Yeah? That makes me happy to hear that."
"I should tell you, Mr. Kaiba admires power and a keen intellect. He sees idleness as a disease and hates it when those he is dependent upon cheat his kindness."
I gave Roland a glance. He strongly followed Seto and was one of those businessmen who blindly believes whatever their boss says is gospel.
"Well—I won't cheat him. I have no reason to, to be honest. And you're wrong Roland…Seto depends on no one."
As I watched my reflection in the car's window, I had a sly smirk on my face. Beside me Roland spoke.
"In matters of business, he never used to."
He dropped me off at my house, waiting until I opened my door, and left. Inside it was strangely yet peacefully quiet. I leaned back against my front door and let a glowing smile show.
The Following Week:
Training went by in a blur. I went through with Razel's programs but I was miles away. I could not believe this was happening to me. Seto Kaiba, the self-made multi-billionaire, Master of the Blue Eyes White Dragon, was asking me on dates. My Duel Spirits noticed the odd way their Mistress was behaving and questioned it. The men found my slight smiles and happy sighs mildly annoying. They took training with Razel seriously, trying every possible method to keep up with him. Then here I was coasting along matching Razel's movements, while I had a Southern belle simpleminded grin constantly on my face.(An homage to GWTW) Neo, Rae, Brie, and Von gave me curious glances frequently. As my top four under Razel, they were the closest to me going in order from Von, Rae, Brie, and Neo. The other mages I acquired were close but not as close. Of course, I knew the four of them the longest so our bond was more akin to that of siblings. Only my female mages understood me as they too shared similar feelings towards either Razel, Neo, Von or Helion the Stargazer Magician. Have mercy, how they adored those guys.
It goes without saying that Razel was the epitome of Spellcaster masculinity and power. His handsome face with those piercing red eyes caused my female mages to blush. He knew it. At least I think he did. He never paid much attention to that sort of thing. Either that or he was just so accustomed to it he that he didn't see it anymore. He was jaded. Von found the whole infatuation humorous. He was, as always, very gentlemanly about it, smiling and waving. He enjoyed the attention, having never really gotten much before, he told me once. It did not bother him to find special gifts left for him outside of the room he occupied in my house either. Neo, on the other hand...
Neo is, as I have mentioned before, truly a perfect specimen of what the ideal male should be. His face is perfectly proportioned and symmetrical, with a fine straight nose, whose nostrils are slightly flared but not unattractively so, and a smooth forehead that it not too small nor to high. His brows are finely arched over his mid-set almond-shaped eyes. The green of those eyes is like an emerald, rich and shining. His chin and jaw are angular and sharp, evoking images of Norsemen or Celtic warriors. His ears are perfectly shaped but are often hidden behind his golden blond hair that extends to the middle of his back.
Neo's neck is long and wonderfully sculpted. His body is as if Michelangelo carved it himself. Plus his scent is ethereal. His hands and arms are beautifully shaped and formed. Notwithstanding his skill with his sword and his magic, Neo is what every girl dreams of. So when I describe, or attempt to describe, what he looks like it is no exaggeration. At best it's only a smattering of how beautiful Neo really is. I've never encountered another Duel Spirit or human man as handsome. I can only imagine what his older brother is like.
Helion was akin to Razel. He was quiet and mysterious, often keeping to himself or with Razel in training. Some girls rooted for Rae, they found his lavender hair and orange eyes appealing, or they fixated on some of the older Pendulum mages. But Razel, Von, Neo, and Helion were the top four on the love stage. Penn almost made it but the girls found him too theatrical.
That Day:
Do you ever wonder why your life takes the turns that it does? Leading you from one path to the next? Some are good and wonderful, offering up multitudes of surprises and successes. Others take you down roads you might otherwise avoid. Struggles, pain, hurt and heartbreak, loss, fears, they all collide as you travel down that particular pathway. Some say that Fate decides where you will end up, and how you will get there. Some also say that it is you who, through your past actions, makes your future. Then there are those in the camp of it's who you meet that shape your life. I suppose I'm a bit of all three outlooks.
It was very funny actually. The ones who started this whole idolizing of my mages were the Apple, Lemon, Chocolate, Kiwi, and believe it or not the Berry Magician Girls. The Apple, Lemon, Chocolate, and Kiwi Girls, named Ruby, Freya, Sara and Reiya respectfully were sisters. They all challenged me one warm afternoon with a powerful intent of which I was unaware but would set me on the path I currently find myself.
Reiya the Kiwi Magician Girl was the oldest and the coldest and strongest of the sisters. She stood first, attacking me. Then the rest joined her. The Berry Magician Girl, Qinta, came at me with all of her weak might. Ruby and Sara were next followed by Freya. I was caught off guard by their combined strikes that I nearly forgot to summon a mage of my own. Using my powers I pushed them away from me, throwing their bodies far. I shielded myself, I projected my attacks. I managed to completely freeze one sister while fighting off the others. I was able to withstand their blows but taking all four of them at once was taxing. Yes my body was psychically fit, but defending against four mages would tire any Master in the beginning. Reiya was the most vociferous, yelling at me that what they were doing was necessary.
"We must do this!" She said while casting a spell at me. "They are coming and we need your aide!"
"Yes…they are coming!" Said Ruby.
"They plan to make war with us now that you have entered our world!" Freya yelled.
"Who? Who is coming?" I asked fending off Qinta, the Berry Magician Girl.
"They are," Qinta replied. "Our enemies and their hordes."
"If you are to be the true Master of us all you must prove yourself to us! Come sisters attack at once!" Reiya spat.
"Alright that's enough!" I said. Using my Energy, I summoned Axel, the Oversight Magician.
He appeared and fusing with him, our Energies overpowered the four sisters. As he held them to the ground with magic, I questioned him.
"What are they talking about!? Who are They?"
"I know not Mistress. Talk woman! The Master of the Chaos Mage desires to know of who do you speak!" Axel grilled them.
Reiya snarled. "Who else Axel the Oversight Magician? It is none other than the disgusting Warriors and their allies who have begun to stir in our world."
My heart froze. The Warriors? The Spellcaster's enemy? "What do you mean they have started to stir?" I asked moving closer.
Ruby spoke then. "The Warrior race has mobilized again. The Dragon race has informed us of this. They reported seeing hundreds of them. The result must be war."
"Hundreds? There are hundreds of Warriors? Is this true Axel?"
When I looked over, Axel's face, though half hidden by a mask, was hard and cold. "Are you certain of this witch?"
Ruby swallowed. "I am. The Warriors are readying themselves against us. The only matter is when do they plan to strike."
A chill shot through me. I had only met Warriors during my mock duel with Seto using the Duel Disks. I remembered how hotly my Spellcasters and they fought. They hated each other. If all Warriors harbored such extreme hatred for Spellcasters and no doubt their allies, then I was in serious trouble.
"Axel, how many Spellcasters are there?" I asked not wanting to hear any sort of answer.
"Not as many as Warriors. We are smaller in force numerically but our magic stands in where warm bodies would. It therefore is level playing field."
"But what do they want?"
"They want you, Master of the Chaos Mage. Our Dragon informant was privy to a conversation taking place between the Warrior's Celtic Guardian and Gaia the Fierce Knight. They are a mid-level and lower upper-level. They plan on attacking you directly." Reiya stated. "I'm sure that they mean to go to war."
I jolted. "What for!? What did I do?"
Axel tightened his hold on the four sisters, forcing them to speak up. "After you came to our world and opened the portal to the Human World, every Duel Spirit knew of your existence. None other than Seto Kaiba, Master of the Blue Eyes, Joey Wheeler Master of the Red Eyes Black Dragon and Yugi Moto have caused such a commotion. Yet you did the one thing they neglected to; you opened the two worlds. That amount of power and skill does not go unnoticed. You have been detected by the most powerful of the Warrior race; he is known as Demiuk, the Flower Cardian Lightflare. Few can stand against his brute might in our world. Of the Warriors he is supreme. We, the Spellcaster race, have good reason to believe that he intends to use your power for his own gain."
My face went white. I felt the blood leave with such speed that I feared I might faint. Was I that important? What should I do about this? This is all my fault! And who were Joey and Yugi? That's the third or fourth time I've heard his name. I have to find out who he is.
"This is bullshit! You are all fucking lying to me! Axel! What the hell are they talking about!?" I yelled angry and scared at the same time.
Upon hearing my shouts, my mages rushed to where I was.
"Mistress, what is wrong?" Von questioned. The white tunic he wore over his dark trousers was damp with perspiration from training. His brown eyes were fiery as they glared at the four females. "What did they say?"
I began to wring my hands together. Now as I thought about what the Magician Girls said, the panic was setting in. This was not, me getting this freaked out. I had control over my Psychic power but it weakened the more stress I was under. This news shattered my resolve and I thought of the lives I potentially ruined by my stupidity! I started to breath heavily. My chest tightened in fear that what I did was a huge mistake. Did I just start a full scale war?
"I…I…need…something. I don't…know. Von! Von! I think I fucked up! Holy shit!"
I whispered and hyperventilated. My eyes were wild as I spun round to see all of my mages behind me. Their faces were fraught with worry for me. I felt Von comfort me as he came close to put his arm around my shoulders.
"Mistress what is wrong?" Neo trotted to me and gripped my shoulders, pushing Von aside. My Ancient Elf stepped back a few paces, his face no doubt firmly annoyed. He and Neo had a sort of secret rivalry around me, and I think that Von was envious of Neo's beauty and popularity with the girls.
"Neo…Neo…The Warriors…they're coming! They are coming for me! I think I really fucked up this time." I whispered as my voice faltered.
"What!?" He shouted over me to the girls whose faces all flushed upon seeing him.
"It is true Lord Neo," Axel addressed his senior Duel Spirit. "They claim that the Warrior race is aiming for an attack against us and the Mistress."
"We must do something or else we will all die!" Qinta exclaimed.
"Shut up! We shall not be defeated! We have our Mistress!" Rae shouted, holding his staff high in the air.
I tried hard to calm myself, but the image of war being started by my foolish actions was too much. I stared at nothing as I inhaled and exhaled. My hands on Neo's arms were white.
"I have to do something," I repeated over and over. "I have to do something." It was like a mantra.
In the back of my mind I knew I had to calm myself and think rationally. A Mistress could not behave in such a way and still command respect. I was acting like a novice…and I was not. Though my ears hummed, I had to regain my control. Then I thought of Razel. I saw him in my mind's eye; my powerful upper-level mage. My elite mage. My…Elite…Mage…
"I need them." I said in realization.
"Who My Lady?" Neo asked.
My eyes met his and I could tell by my reflection in those green pools that my expression was now one of cold determination.
"The time for me to act like a scared kid is over Neo. I need the Elites." The tone of my own voice startled me. It was like I was a different person.
Neo's face whitened. "The Elites? Mistress you know not of what you speak. To go after and challenge the Elites is sheer madness."
My eyes were hard. I had little choice. "Do you think I cannot do it Neo?"
It was not a question, but a test. I left no room for discussion. There are times when I can act like the true Master I am, but most of the time I'm pretty laid back.
"Listen, everyone! What I have just heard, I cannot say is truth. But I do know this, the Warriors are your enemy and thus, mine as well. As your Mistress I have come to know each one of you and I love every one of you. Should the Warriors want war against us, if they want me, then they will have to fight for it. I will not be taken nor will they harm your homes. With your help and support, we can defeat them! Help me. With your powers I can get more Elite mages. The time for me to take in lower mages is over. I am being forced into advancing. I will still accept those mages who wish to join me, but now I have to fix what I have done!"
My mages inhaled with warrior's pride as I spoke. They were just as proud to serve me as I was to lead them. One by one they bowed to me.
"We humbly accept the wishes of our Mistress! We shall be your swords and shields!"
"Are you certain of your decision? The declaration of war has yet to be made."
It was Razel. He stood among the group of mages, his back straight. He was a pillar of strength and poise amongst them.
"What do you mean Razel?"
He came forward. In his red eyes I saw that same distant gaze as I had before, glipses of some memory from ages past.
"This 'war' is mere speculation. If there was any real threat of war with the Warrior race I would hear of it first. Not the four Magician sisters. War is not something to make or take lightly. Have you seen war? I have. It is nothing but suffering, and death, and blood, and destruction. Spellcasters and Warriors broken on the field. Lives lost. Can you, from your perfect human world, picture it?" He was before me.
"I can. If there is one you taught me Razel it is not to back down. I can do this. But if this is true, I will need your help. I can't do it without you."
Razel stared me down. Those ruby eyes of his were like stones and his face was set with the resolve of a warrior. I was staring at the warrior mage, the Elite Spellcaster. Yet I saw something else in those eyes. I saw pain and loss. War is hard, I know—but Razel was keeping a secret from me.
"What have you seen, Razel? Who have you lost?" I whispered in our mind link.
"Someone close to me. They too entered into battle foolishly—I was unable to stop them in time." His voice was just as quiet and held a slight tremor.
"What happened?"
His jaw tightened as if he could not bring himself to say it. "She died at the hands of a Warrior."
My heart cracked for him. So this was it, what I sensed before. This was why he was so protective and obstinate with me. It was also the reason for his intense hatred for Warriors and why he pushed me and all of us so hard in training.
"Who was she?"
"I will not say here. Perhaps later." He said.
"Don't you want to see her vindicated?" I asked reaching for his right hand.
Razel tensed at my public action. He did not like to show contact in front of the other mages. That's when I turned to them.
"I'd like to talk with Razel alone if you all don't mind. Axel, let them up so that I might do an Energy Exchange."
My mages were not offended by my dismissal. They understood and wordlessly left us to our privacy. Axel did as I asked and quickly I brought over the four sisters. Now a part of my group, they felt relieved. Neo nodded to me saying that I can call for him for anything. To my disappointment, I did not see Von with them. I wondered if he was upset about Neo's rude brush off. I would need to talk to him later.
"Walk with me Razel."
"To where?"
"I don't know. I just feel like moving." I gave him a smile finally.
So we walked. The topic of the mysterious woman from his past did not come up. I got that it was an uncomfortable subject for him and I would respect his privacy. I'd wait for him to want to talk to me about what happened. I was fine with that. We discussed what was going to happen if what my four newest mages said was fact. According to Razel, the Spellcasters would receive a formal declaration of war from the Warrior race if it was true and from there, war was inevitable. Their allies would align and Razel told me that in the past they had embroiled themselves in many wars. This feud stemmed back thousands of years after all. We came to the training field. The Big Top tent was noisy with the voices of my mages.
"What about my life? After this, how can I keep living like nothing is going on though?" I asked looking up at him.
"You must. Leave these matters to me. I will handle it. I am an Elite after all, I know the proper protocols for war. I shall investigate into those imbiciles' statement. That being said, your outing with Seto Kaiba should continue. I have no doubts that we may need the alliance of the Blue Eyes and her siblings. That boy has some powerful Duel Spirits, though I fear that they are Warriors. I cannot see them helping you. For all we know they might even be against you. That is unless their Master commands them otherwise. In that case, I need you to continue your relations with the Kaiba youth." Razel's voice was filled with plot and his thoughts were three steps ahead.
"So, you want me to get closer to Seto in order to have a strong ally? I can do that." I said in truth. I was already as close as Seto would allow at the moment, and I also had no qualms with spending more time with him on a personal level. I liked his company and my feelings for him helped that.
Razel sensed my changing energy as I thought of Seto and me on our "date" this Saturday. His mouth formed a ghost of a frown. I did not really notice that he then stepped closer to me, walking nearer to my side. "I advise you to be cautious with him though. I still do not fully trust him."
Glancing up at him I smiled and playfully knocked my body into his. "Don't be such a stick in the mud Razel. Seto's fine so far. But I will keep your warning in mind."
That Night:
Back in my room, I sighed up to the ceiling. I had gone up after dinner and was laying on my bed, arms outspread and legs hanging over the edge. Downstairs, my mages, those who chose to stay in my world for the night, were cleaning up and doing the dishes. Razel had disappeared to his world. He was going to seek an audience with an old friend of his, the Dark Sage. He was another Elite, Torunka (his name in yugioh 5ds) was his name. I wondered nervously if their meeting would go well. Because Razel was under his Master, meetings between independent Elites and those under the control of their Master's had to follow certain rules. Razel was to see Torunka alone and in a designated place. This was not due to any inferiority on Razel's part. As an Elite mage and one who had fulfilled his destined pact, Razel called the shots. All of the Elite mages, however, saw each other as equals, except for the Sorcerer of Dark Magic. He considered himself superior, even with Sophia of Nekroz being more powerful (at least in our world.) Luckily, Razel did not have to deal with him much.
Razel was going to discuss the rumors being spread about this war threat. Torunka, he assured me, was the wisest of the Elites and would know the truth. I trusted Razel to do what he must and reluctantly let him go. I remembered the moment:
"Razel…you sure about this? I should go with you. As your Master and the future Master of Magicians, I think it best if I made an appearance." I said looking anxiously over at the swirling portal to the Duel Monster Spirit World behind him in the field behind my house. It was dusk, but the summer's sun still cast a faint purple glow.
"There is no need for you to go. You are safer here with those imbiciles. If you came with me, then I would have to divide my attention between protecting you and heeding Torunka. I have faith in what Torunka has to say. Of us all he is the one we turn to for council. He is the wisest in our circle."
"Is that why he is a sage?" I cringed at my own bad joke.
Razel gave a small grin. "I suppose so. Do not fret Mistress. I shall return with certainty."
"It's not too dangerous for you to go back since you know…I'm connected to you? What if the Warriors sense me from your Energy suddenly in your world or something? What if they try to attack you? This is why I should go. We are a powerful team Razel." I left the implication hanging.
Razel blinked. "You make no sense. I swear the way your mind works is frightfully embarrassing. Do you honestly believe that I am in danger of being overpowered? Do you forget who I am?"
"I can't help it," I sighed and smacked my hands against my legs. "I'm worried about you that's all. I want you to be safe. With all this that's allegedly going on, how much the Warriors hate Spellcasters, their unpredictability, it makes me very nervous. If something were to happen to you Razel, I'd never forgive myself." I said shrugging.
Razel listened to me in that sage-like way of his. His eyes were on me but they were a bit distant, like what I was saying was foreign to him. He stood straight and tall, his long black hair gently flowing from the swirling dimensional wind behind him. I tried to meet his gaze but I was so embarrassed by what I had just admitted, it sounded like some wimpy girl's confession of love, that I darted my eyes here and there. I wanted desperately to sound blasé but instead what I gave was sap. The fact that the Chaos Mage was staring down at me wasn't helping me either. I've said this before, there are times when Razel's presence is too much—when his beauty and imposing physic make me feel not like a Master and student but like an insipid schoolgirl. I wasn't, mind you. I was in my early twenties applying to grad schools.
"Uggghhhh Razel stop looking at me like that! Damn I'm starting to feel like a little kid. Ahh, forget what I said. Look, just be safe ok?" I said taking a more casual, tomboyish stance.
With eyes half lidded in mock disinterest, I returned his gaze. Razel said nothing but tilted his head to the left. Then his face shifted expressions. Going from stoic to mildly soft, Razel's mouth ghosted into a small smile. His cheeks barely rose that's how tiny it was. But it was there nonetheless. That was Razel—the king of the ghost smile. Then he did something very uncharacteristic—he cupped my cheek. Out of the corner of my eye I saw his right arm rise up. His cerulean hand came towards my face, those long fingers curving around my jaw and resting on my right cheek. I froze as he touched me. Not because I was offended. It was just so unlike him that I did not know what to do. Razel had never touched me so gently, so familiarly like that. Even when I hugged him in my room that night after the duel with the white haired man and his Dark Necrofear, he did not hug back. He was highly anti-social. So feeling his thumb softly pressing on the skin of my cheek, the warmth of his palm, it startled me. Inside my heart raced. I felt my face begin to sting with red.
I should mention that up until that point, since Von's almost kiss when we first met, no man had been so intimate with me. My last boyfriend was two years ago, so having Razel hold my cheek made me blush. I caught the scent of his skin; it was spicy and relaxing.
"Razel?" I barely managed to eek that out I was so taken aback.
"I understand your concern. And I hear that you want to see me safe from harm. But rest assured I will be fine. War has not yet been declared between the Spellcasters and the Warriors so until that day comes, if that day comes, please do not worry. Torunka is powerful and a skillful tactician so fear not that I will be ill prepared should an incident occur. I am an Elite mage in my own right and can hold my own sufficiently enough in my world. Remember that our power levels differ from your human Attack Point allotment. We are far more formidable back home. Do not give me that look. I will be fine."
His thumb made soft rubs on my skin, a soothing gesture. His voice was so kind and low that my body felt light.
"You promise you'll be ok? 'Cause if not I'll come and kick your ass." I asked leaning into his touch. I wanted to hear that he would be. We were connected on a spiritual level, he was my Duel Spirit. To confirm my question, I brought my right hand to hold his against me.
Razel lightly tensed at my gesture despite his outward show of affection. Leaning down, much like a mentor to a frustrated pupil, Razel brought his face equal to mine. Our proximity unnerved me on a strange level but I ignored it. Razel was a raging flaming dickhead at times but he could also be very compassionate. Those instances were rare though. I tightened my grip on his right hand. My pulse increased. Why was I so nervous? I thought. It's just Razel, so why am I getting all flustered? I mean yeah I haven't had a guy this close in a while but c'mon! This is ridiculous.
As if sensing my inner monologue, Razel gave a quiet chuckle. "You really are hapless."
"Shut up. Will you be ok?" I asked again.
"I promise. I'll come back to you."
My face practically burned then. The way he said it…it sounded oddly like what a lover says before they part for years. I swallowed the forming lump in my throat.
"You better. I'll be pissed otherwise."
With a final light squeeze on my cheek, Razel let me go and turned away. I watched as he vanished into the portal and I stayed until it closed behind him. On my way back to my house, my mind buzzed with hundreds of unanswered questions about my blue mage.
Back In My Room:
"Uhhhhh this is bullshit. Fucking Razel for making me think about him like this. Doesn't he know that what he did only worries me more? That was so unlike him. I mean, people don't act that way unless they're planning to get hurt or die right? Geeze…I need a vacation."
Sighing heavily I brought my hand up to my right cheek. I remembered Razel's larger hand neatly wrapping itself around the side of my face. How warm it was too! In meaning and temperature. I felt a slight heat bridge across my nose. My skin still tingled a bit from his touch. I blinked when someone knocked on my bedroom door.
"Yeah?" I said lazily. I really didn't want to be disturbed.
"Mistress, it is I Neo. May I come in?"
Oh my God as I live and breathe! His angelic voice wafted past my door and caused me to turn my head in his direction.
"Sure Neo. Hold on." I was not going to get up, so I tried a new trick I learned from Lux. You were supposed to do this more controlled but I wasn't feeling it so I lazily pointed my left index finger at my door knob. Focusing my power, I flicked my finger to the side and unlocked my door. I did it using Psychic Energy.
Neo emerged looking humorously impressed. "I see you're putting our teachings to good use."
"Until I can open bank safes I'm not good enough yet," I joked with a wink.
His long legs brought him to my side. His light green tunic and dark trousers smelled of fresh grass, a testament to the outdoor training he was doing before we ate. I gave him the shameful once over and gritted my teeth. He was fine.
"Mmm, mmm, mmm Neo. You are a sight to behold." I told him with a laugh.
He too laughed. He was used to girls acting that way and it flattered him immensely that I fell in with them. Not always but hey, a girl has eyes right?
"Thank you Mistress. It seems that Reiya has been watching me all evening, though she does not know that I am aware. If she did it would probably humiliate her." He took a seat next to me.
"Mmmmm, Neo…why are you so handsome? It's not right." I whined as I let myself roll towards him from his weight on my mattress.
"It is a curse I bear Mistress. My brother too."
He reclined on my coverlet, resting on his elbows.
"I hate you both then." I chuckled while pushing him. I could only imagine what his brother was like. If I took him into my group my heart might explode.
"Why?" He asked.
"Because—you're too good looking. It makes me wonder how men like you look at women like me."
"What do you mean?" He rolled onto his side, resting his head on his hand.
"Well you're up here and I'm down here. I can't compete. It must be because you're a Duel Spirit. When girls see you they freaking swoon. It's crazy. And sometimes when I watch you I wonder if Duel Spirits ever think of their human Masters like that. Or humans in general. Do they? Can Duel Spirits find humans attractive?" I glanced over at him.
Neo thought for a moment. "We do. We have feelings just as you humans do. But finding a human attractive is very different than finding one's Master attractive."
"Why is that?" I was curious now.
"Well—it's common knowledge that it's forbidden for Duel Spirits to find their Master enticing. So I've never come across a case where this has happened."
"Really? Why is it forbidden?" I was really interested now, though mildly disappointed that he included me in those cases.
Neo inhaled. "It just is forbidden. If a Duel Spirit engaged in intimacies with their Master, then it sullies the sacred relationship. Now, that's not to say that we cannot harbor those feelings, we can. It's the action of those feelings that is forbidden."
"But why? What would happen if a Duel Spirit wanted to sleep with their Master? Would the world implode?" I half grinned.
"I don't think that. Not that the world would perish. But I am not positive what might happen. Duel Spirits have had sexual intercourse with non-Masters with no issue."
"Have you?" I wondered.
Neo's green eyes flashed to me. "Have I lain with a human woman?"
"Yup." I grinned at him. I was putting him on the spot. It was fun.
"I have. It was quite a while ago. She found me handsome and I found her quite pretty."
"No shit." I said in disbelief. "What happened?"
"She stumbled into our world through a loophole in dimensions. A group of companions and I found her. She was afraid at first but then she took a liking to me. One thing led to another and I had her."
I don't know why but hearing Neo talk of past flings made me disturbed. I did not want to picture my Neo sleeping with some human woman. I'd be lying if I said that I was not a little jealous too. I rolled onto my back.
"God, I can't remember the last time I had sex. That's sad. I need to get my freak on." I mumbled.
Neo chuckled loudly. "I'm not sure this is appropriate for me to hear Mistress."
"Why not? You just told me of one of your sexcapades." I said poking his thigh.
"But I am your Duel Spirit. The rules are different. If you ask me a question, I have a responsibility to answer. But since you are such a kind Mistress I do not mind sharing my past with you." He gave me one of his dreamy smiles.
"Neo…don't feel as if you have to tell me anything you don't want to. That's your personal business. We're not talking as Master and Duel Spirit. We're talking as friends." I replied.
"As friends? Well then, I agree. Then why have you not had any man?" He asked bluntly.
I laughed in shame. "Cause I'm busy with training, school hunting, and because I feel that guys don't think I'm attractive. So I don't look."
At that, Neo scoffed. "Not attractive? You are fooling yourself Mistress. No man thinks you are unattractive. Believe me."
"What are you talking about?" I shot him a questioning glance. "Who thinks I'm attractive?"
"We all do Mistress. When you clean up you are a veritable swan. I cannot tell you how often I catch Rae and Brie watching you as you train. The other mages are the same."
I felt my confidence rise. Really? I had no idea. "I feel better now, hahaha!"
"To be honest Mistress, there have been times when I have regretted becoming your Duel Spirit. My chances have been cast away!" He let his beautiful voice ring with laughter.
I, on the other hand, stared at him wide eyed. The bright blush that was unstoppable scorched my face. Sweet mercy! Neo wishes he wasn't my Duel Spirit because he thinks I'm pretty!? My throat tightened. It was like being near your favorite movie star. My chest puffed out as I inhaled and the cheesy, happy grin on my lips almost broke my jaw.
"Are you being serious or are you fuckin with meNeo? Cause if you are so help me…" I laughed out of nerves.
I must remind you that my relationship with Neo is a very free one. We talk like sailors to each other and relay our dirtiest stories. He is one of the few Duel Spirits I have that I can be truly open with. Oh he hits on me and flirts, and I do the same. It's fun and can you blame me? The thing is, I do it because I know that he is not playing me. He really first and flatters me. Being a woman I love that and I can likewise do the same to him. Often we both curse the fact, jokingly of course, that he is my Duel Spirit.
After I said that, Neo did something that still, all of these years later, makes my heart flutter. In good spirit, Neo suddenly braced himself over me on my bed. The move was so fast and effortless that I barely swallowed. On all fours, Neo now looked down at me with that sexy, dreamy glimmer in his eyes. The long blond hair swept over his shoulders, dangling like a golden curtain. His scent of freshness and grass wafted from his swift shift in position. I was frozen stiff under him. My mouth was cemented shut, my blood ringed in my ears. I cannot tell you how fast my heart was pounding but I felt dizzy from it. From my vantage point, Neo adopted a completely new altitude of sexiness. This mage, who was so beautiful, was now staring at me like I was the only girl in the world. It's awe inspiring.
"N…Neo?" I managed to say.
A nervous grin fought its way onto my face. "What's up?"
The shadows on his perfect face accentuated him wonderfully and as he let his fine mouth curve into a smile, I wanted to melt into my bed. As if it couldn't get any better, Neo slowly lowered himself towards me. He stopped inches from my face and I knew that his arms, strong from wielding a sword and Razel's training, braced him sturdily. He never shook from fatigue.
"Seeing you here with me Mistress, I must say," his voice was silky and low. He held my gaze the ENTIRE time. "It really is a shame that I am your Duel Spirit."
He paused above me as if her were about to kiss me. I wanted him to kiss me! I wanted him to kiss me! It took all of my willpower to not attack him, to pull him down and let myself feel him. Sensing his Energy, I knew he felt the same way. I've said many times that Seto Kaiba was handsome, and I was strongly attracted to him. Bit Neo was like a drug that was composed of the strongest addictive properties. Like being shown an oasis in a desert, you could try to go after it but alas! It was a mirage. That was what it was with Neo. If he were not my Duel Spirit, at that point, I would have. Absolutely. All night probably. Being a Master can be so cruel sometimes.
Instead of the kiss I desperately wanted to get, and he wanted to give, Neo opted to resting his forehead on mine.
"I'm afraid that we can't. So this will have to do for now."
I mock cried. "Why is the Universe so mean to me Neo?"
Before he could answer, another knock sounded on my door.
"Yeah?" I asked rolling my head away from Neo's.
"Mistress, it is that man Roland on the phone for you. He wishes to discuss when he will fetch you this Saturday." It was Rai.
"Oh shit that's right!" I said pushing Neo off and away from me. In my haze I had forgotten to follow Razel's words. To keep up my "meeting" as he preferred to call them with Seto. To which I did not mind. "I'll be right there."
When I turned to tell Neo that I had to answer it, he was already half through his dimension portal. "I understand. I should get back home anyway. If you need anything, do not hesitate to call for me Mistress."
"Thanks Neo." I said. I went up to him and hugged him goodnight. I wanted to feel him before he left.
"See you tomorrow for training." He said.
"See you later," I said letting him go.
Then he vanished. Uggggg! That Duel Spirit!
"Mistress? Should I hang up on him?" Rai asked.
"No I'm coming!" When I came out of my room, I smiled at him. Then winked, still thrilled from Neo's little act. "I have a date to get ready for."
Before and After I Went to Sleep:
By the time I settled down to sleep, it was nearing midnight. My conversation with Roland had gone well. He was going to pick me up at seven at my house on Saturday and then take me to the restaurant to meet Seto. After hanging up, I watched T.V. with my Spirits, Rae, Brie, Rai, and for a short time Von. Von, who had been absent all evening, mostly kept silent. I wanted to talk to him about it but ended up falling asleep on the couch with Rai following suit on my chest. He was still young and was a lower level mage so he tired more easily than my other mages. In a half slumber, I felt Rai's body weight removed from me and then the feeling of familiar arms picking me up. I was carried up to my room by my Ancient Elf. Realizing this, I was happy and relaxed further into my sleep. Von set me down onto my bed and tucked me in.
"Von, are you alright?" I asked tiredly.
"Yes Mistress. I was just busy with training all night. I want to get stronger for you and Lord Razel." His kind voice replied.
I saw his silhouette in the night. The pale tips of his ears peeking through his dark hair, his creamy skin—it made me feel safe. With Razel gone so long, I felt like an island. Sure my Duel Spirits were here but Razel was my true Duel Spirit. I missed him honestly.
"Hey Von, would you stay with me until I fall back to sleep?" I reached out for his hand.
"It would be my pleasure Mistress." Von turned and took my hand in his. He came to the side of my bed and sat on the floor. He gently rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb. I sensed his Energy pattern and was glad to find that he was happy. "I'll stay as long as you like."
I fell asleep with Von near me, guarding me. His scent of flowers and fresh air was so comforting that I got the best sleep in a long while. I held onto his hand tightly, not wanting to release it. I wanted Razel to come back. I wanted him to be safe. What was going on in his world? Was his meeting with the Dark Sage going well? Was he attacked by Warriors? I wanted to know. Von sensed my worry and softly began to sing a lullaby. It was the sweetest music. I was so glad he was with me then. I eventually felt Von's hair tickle my nose and I smiled to myself. He had fallen asleep too, his head resting on my mattress. He stayed with me the entire night, holding my hand, making me feel secure.
I don't know what time it was, or when it happened during the night but I had a dream of a figure standing over me as I slept. I could not see his face but I knew he was a man. He was silent as a ghost and still like a statue. He did nothing to me, just watched me. I did not see his face but I could tell that his eyes, if he had any, were on me. Strangely I was not afraid of this being, I got the indication that he was protecting me. The figure was dressed in black head to toe. Like he wore a long cloak. I smiled at him in the dream and said a name but I don't remember what it was. I did not hear myself speak. It was weird. Like waiting for voice activation, the man moved. He brought his right hand from beneath his cloak and bent at the waist. I felt his fingers gently brush my cheek, felt his palm graze my skin. He pushed strands of my dark hair away from my temple. It felt so real that I shifted in my sleep. What I did not know, what I failed to sense rather, was that my dream was not a dream. It was real. The figure standing over me was real. The hand that touched my face with a caring sentiment was real. What escaped me was the fact that the skin of that hand, of those long fingers, was cerulean blue.