Chapter I

A prelude to Darkness

The night insects play a symphony outside the Osiris Red dorm, a few students chat in the kitchen, most are already in their rooms either checking decks or sleeping. Amidst the mundane scenery, black footsteps venture outside, Daitokuji is engulfed by the forest and its shadows.

The boys stop chatting when a scratching sound comes from the sliding door, Shou jumps on his seat, but Judai carefreely slithers the door open, looking around, a meow shifts his confused gaze to the ground.

"It's just Pharaoh!" He quickly lifts the cat that meows. "Good boy!"

"Eh? Where is professor Daitokuji?" Shou comes to the doorstep, supporting his hand while scanning around.

"Probably sleeping! Now, Pharaoh, you should come in!"

In the meantime, the professor arrives at his destination: the ruins at the island. A smirk glazes on his lips. He whistles, the sound spreading under the veil of the black night, entering the crevices of the rocks, a somber breeze following it, shaking the trees slowly, but ominously.

From the rocks spread all over the ruins, a couple of shadows stretch out, the lenses of the teacher reflecting only the moonlight.

"How is the progress?"

"He's becoming more impatient, we've tried to open the seal on our own, but it didn't work for the past year. Only the keys can open the lock. Not even Darkness' powers can break it alone."

The brown-haired young-looking man has a frivolous vibe to him. His expression occulted under a mask, the mystery adding a certain charm to which features could be hidden there.

"I see… You all did a good job, but as strangers, it's hard for you to have a closer look into this… I suppose it's time we invest in a different approach, or rather, I already prepared something for the case."

The bushes move as if something is out there, they all look at the place in reflex, a smirk on Daitokuji's lips as he declares fearlessly:

"It seems someone else decided to come for a night walk, let's go back for now…"

With the order given, all the shadows who once were there jumped each in a different direction, disappearing from sight, he quickly walked to the woods, hiding amidst the eerie trees and observing.

Not long after

The silver-haired duelist steps firmly into the ruins, he bends down, supporting one of his knees on the ground, brushing his hand on the stony and sandy ground, wiping the dust away. There are some strange lines forming unknown patterns.

He sighs deeply, standing up and looking around, the uncanny pillars towering all over the structure under the open sky and the moonlight seemed to stir conspiracy. He puts a hand to his chin, his dark-blue eyes squinting analytically.

"An archaeological site on the island, huh? Are they trying to hide it and pretend it's safe for the students or what? I didn't see any of this in my first research… Perhaps this is why Saiou said I should come in person… I bet the principal is very aware of everything the island has… This academy reeks…"

With a scoff, he takes his student PDA and starts making pictures of the place for future studies. After finishing, he follows a trail back to the obelisk boys' dorm, his eyes fixed on the screen of the PDA, his finger sliding there to check some sort of list containing pictures of the faces of the students, he stops on the picture of a stoic looking dark-blue haired student.

"He never lost a duel?" His brow raises in an uncalled response. "Given the level of people around here, this is unsurprising, but maybe…"

A chill runs down his spine, his eyes open wide, he turns around in a flash, he has the impression someone is watching him, but all he can see are the trees half swallowed by the darkness.

"I'm getting paranoid. Get your thoughts straight, Edo…"

The cold wind blows past him, accentuating his distrust even more, whatever those ruins are, he wouldn't be surprised this is but one of the secrets this school is omitting to the public.

Two weeks later,

The calm, soundly steps travel through the corridor, some eyes cast onto the teal-haired boy passing by, he stops methodically at the chairman's office door, knocking it twice before opening the door as he hears the allowance to enter, like he has done many times in the past.

"Ryou." The bald man all the way on the other end of the room smiles kindly.

He's not the only one there, a subtle flinch occurs when his eyes catch a glimpse of Daitokuji and a girl standing by the teacher's side. It's brief, a second before he turns his attention to someone else:

"Principal Samejima, can I help you with something?"

"Yes, I'm sorry for bothering you so early in the morning, but I want you to guide our transfer student here to the third year's classroom. Actually, Daitokuji-kun, why don't you introduce her?"

"Sure. Ryou-kun, this is my niece, Rie Kinomoto-chan. She had some issues transferring to the duel academy before, so she only came a couple weeks after the official start of the year. Could you guide her to the classroom, please?"

The veteran student just casts a blank stare at her, the girl is around Asuka's height, maybe even shorter, her light-pink hair is medium-sized, two smaller braids on the sides converging to the back of her head while some strands fall over her shoulders. Her eyes are a mix of light blue and some tinge of pink, he snaps himself out of his profiling and stretches his hand to greet her almost robotically.

"Ryou Marufuji. I'm a third year here like you."

Besides the fact she's wearing an obelisk uniform, there's not much to say. He'd seen some exchange students from other academies coming to spend some months over and some of their own students going to the other academies, a program to help students meeting different duelists and having a chance at varied approaches from other institutes. But a sudden transfer?

He dismisses those thoughts feeling her soft handshake, he could tell by her expression she was as uninterested as him in all the formalities, her mouth shut in a plain line. Her distant-looking orbs screaming internally to just get done with this all at once.

"Rie-kun." The principal calls her attention "About your student PDA, we had some delays and it's not here yet, it should arrive in a couple more hours, but you'll be in class. You can drop by during your break to get it. But…" There's a slight hint of worry in his tone. "Are you sure you'll be fine until then?"

She nods confidently, Ryou is a bit lost on why he'd ask that question, but ignores since it's none of his business, resuming the task:

"If you're ready, please, follow me."

He turns around walking towards the exit, she tags behind smoothly, casting a last glance at Daitokuji, he smiles faintly and beckons, her answer is a quick bow before leaving the room.

A deep silence is installed after the click of the door closing resonates within the room. Daitokuji sighs with a feeling of a job well done.

"I hope the best for your niece, I'm sure she will adapt to life at the academy soon."

"Yes, I hope so too. After what happened to her parents, I can just imagine how lonely she's been. I thought life here might be a good change of pace for her and she may find friends."

"You can go back to your tasks now, I already asked Asuka-kun to show her around later."

"Thank you very much for accepting my request, even though it came without previous notice." He scratches his cheek abashedly.

"Don't sweat it. I'm glad I can help with this."

In the school's corridors, both third years walk to the classroom. The blue-haired boy has some sort of aura to him that makes everyone around lower their voices as he walks past, his impactful presence seems to intimidate and amuse them at the same time, but they whisper while looking at the girl, her eyes keep looking forward even when she hears the mentions about her.

"If you are confused about something, you can always ask the teachers or the principal. Professor Chronos is the teacher responsible for the third years, but not the only one we will have classes with. You'll meet him soon, he will be the one lecturing today for the most part."

He comments, as polite as possible, trying to break the silence, not that he needed to, but he was given a job and he'd not want to look rude or inattentive. His eyes flash to the side, taking a peek at her expression, she just nods quietly again, their eyes never meet.

"Is there anything else you'd like to know regarding the duel academy?"

She shakes her head in denial, waving her hands too, a troubled smile appearing on her lips. The silence overcomes the atmosphere again. He's not very good at small talk, an inward grunt of complaint and certain annoyance strikes him.

They just asked him to do it because he's the honor student, but perhaps he should refuse some of those errands next time. She doesn't seem interested in engaging in any sort of conversation. He knows well he's also reserved enough to avoid people many times by going to quiet and lonesome places.

There is a sense of relief and accomplishment lightening the mood as he opens the door of the classroom, a finished task.

"Professor Chronos, principal Samejima requested me to bring her here."

"Maccaroni! The transfer student! Yes, you may go to your seat Marufuji-kun, I'll assume it from now on."

Ryou looks back only once before going to his seat as instructed, he can't help but hear all the gossiping that started about the new girl, she will probably be the talk of the month, not that he cares, still it's hard for him to understand why people would bother waiting their time like this, maybe he should stop trying to understand it.

"My dear studenti! This is Rie Kinomoto, a transfer student. Due to some issues, she couldn't come at the start of the year. Also, I would like to add that she is mute due to an accident, please be mindful of that! If you have any questions you can ask her after the class is over. She had to go through all the exams like all of you, so be nice to her, she is as much of an obelisk as all of you!"

The students are in shock for a moment, Ryou flinches at the revelation, a drop of sweat rolling down his face. She's unable to speak, is that what he just heard?

Thinking back, she never said a word, is this why? He puts a hand to his forehead, how come he didn't notice it before? Well, part of the blame goes to the school for not telling it to him in advance, but he can't help feeling a tad ashamed he actually attempted to hold a conversation with someone who can't speak at all, not that it matters now. Now, a mute duelist? This is the first time he heard about it, is this some inclusion program of the school, maybe?

"What a mute student now? Can she even duel like that?" Someone blurts out in a surprised protest.

"Eh? Wasn't it enough to have that pro-duelist enroll as a first year student in our obelisk dorm, now they're letting no-names come too?"

"How can she even enroll in obelisk blue by participating in the preliminary exams after everyone else? This is unfair! They should've kept her waiting until next year!"

The voices just get louder and more comments until the teacher reprimands them and continues the lecture. Around the school, rumors spread like wildfire.

"Manjoume-san! Did you hear about the transfer student? It's a third year girl!"

Raizou darts into the room, the referred boy is sitting on the couch while nonchalantly stretching his legs on top of the table, his arms thrown at the back of his head.

"A third year?" He raises a brow. "This school... First that insufferable and smug-faced pro-duelist who didn't even need a duel against the professors to enroll, now a girl that transferred in the last year of school? Does she even have the right credentials for this?"

"She was accepted in the obelisk girls dorm, maybe she came from one of the other academies… And she's pretty too…"

"Is she a good duelist? If she was transferred here, she must have been either a very good student at other duel academies, or a terrible one…"
"I don't know, no one has dueled her yet, but…"

"Ah, I don't care… What's wrong with everyone making a fuss over a transfer student?!"

"Manjoume-san!" Taiyou also invades the room, startling the other two. "Did you hear about the transfer student?!"

"You're late, I was faster!" Raizou starts the conflict, electricity coming out of their eyes as they glare at each other in some sort of contest.

"Who cares?" Manjoume simply shrugs his shoulders. "I'm more interested in that arrogant baby-face that entered the obelisk dorm as if it was nothing! I will defeat him and show I'm the best first year here!" He plans ahead, ignoring the bickering of the other two in the background.

Hours later

The school bell soars, it's the end of the classes for the day, the frolicking and rustling of the students start as they come out of the main classroom in flocks. Outside the third year's classroom, Asuka stands, some boys blush while passing by her, she pretends she doesn't see anything, but she's startled when the pink haired girl comes out of the classroom.

They barely had a break in between classes and it's mid to late afternoon by now, her eyes avert to check the time on the clock hung on the wall.

"You're Rie-chan, right?" She promptly introduces herself: "I'm Asuka Tenjouin. Principal Samejima asked me to show the school around and take you to the obelisk girl's dorm."

The other girl looks around somewhat panicked, fidgeting, her lips opening with a gasp, raising a finger asking for a minute. She takes a student PDA from her pocket and smiles briefly after showing the message she swiftly typed:

"Rie Kinomoto, nice to meet you."

Asuka's head tilts slightly to the side, confused at the strange way she is just greeted, but resumes the task by walking through the main building and showing the main spaces: the classrooms of other years, the duel arenas spread through the place, the main office, the library, the card's store, the cafeteria, the gymnasium that had both a multipurpose court, a pool and some changing rooms with a few lockers plus showers; the outside snack bar and the other dorms until they stop at the obelisk girl's dorm.

"This should be all, but if you have any doubts or troubles finding yourself and reaching certain places, you can always ask me or Ayukawa-sensei, the head of our dorm."

"I'm sorry for bothering you like this…" A guilty smile protrudes on her mouth while showing the message.

"It's nothing. But if you allow me to ask… Why are you only typing? Do you have difficulties speaking our language? You don't need to worry if it's just that, we have plenty of language books and you could get help from other students."

Rie's eyes flicker slightly at the question nodding shyly, the keys of the device clacking a lot louder due to the tension building up. Asuka's eyes open wide upon seeing the text.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"

"Please, don't feel bad for it. Thank you for showing me around." they exchange a gentle smile.

The tour took longer than expected, as Asuka says the goodbyes after introducing her to Ayukawa-sensei, she hurries outside. Rie watches the scene somewhat absent-minded.

"Rie-chan, you can accompany me now, I'll show you your room."

Her bubble is busted as soon as she hears the voice of the school nurse and main teacher responsible for the dorm. Comments fly by as she walks down the corridor following the teacher:

"Do you see her? Is she even a good duelist?"

"I heard she doesn't even bother talking to anyone despite some people approaching and texting her, the attitude! But of course, with the school giving her special treatment, she will think she's something."

"Maybe we should test her skills."

"That is very interesting. Later?"

"You got my help, I will watch the door."

The smirk while crafting a plan for a challenge to a duel, considering this as a "welcome party" to the school newbie.

At the coast

The sun slowly descends into the horizon, half of it already diving into the ocean. Ryou stands, his arms folded and a stoic glance at the sea as the waves crash briskly near his feet, splashing some water on his shoes.

He adjusts his posture a bit to the side upon hearing familiar soft steps, the blonde girl stops and greets him with a smile, approaching enough to be right by his side.

"Sorry, I had to show the transfer student around. Did you wait too long?"

"You know I do not mind those pensive breaks, it's better than the burbling noise of the academy at times."

"I figured you'd say something like this. Though, people might not let you run from the spotlight, I heard comments all over you escorting 'the pretty transfer student' to the third year's classroom." Her eyes move curiously to the side, peeking at his reaction.

"I wish people had better things to talk about, like concentrating in their dueling or how to improve it." He continued with a cool tone "What do you think about her? Isn't it a bit strange to have a student come out of nowhere?"

"We had exchange students before, I don't think it's odd." Her eyebrows arch up in surprise. "Why are you worried about this? Don't tell me that she is another of your fangirls… Was she having dreamy eyes and swooning because the Kaiser accompanied her? That must've been fun…" She giggles while imagining it.

"Quite the opposite actually, she was very cold for a girl. I'm just suspicious of why they'd suddenly accept a transfer student."

"Are you telling me it's just your pride hurt because she is not fawning over you?"

"It's not that, you know I'd rather not have as many fans." He grumbles uncomfortably. "I'm just trying to consider all new happenings like every transfer student because…" He stops himself, but she knows the words lacking in that sentence.

"Because of what happened to my brother and how the school dealt with the situation?" His only answer is a pitied glance at her. "Why do you find her odd? It's not like you interacted much, she seemed very normal to me. Plus, that happened to Fubuki ages ago, I fail to see how this could relate, it feels like we are grasping at straws here…"

"I'm sorry, I just decided to consider every little thing that happens in the academy… Plus, I'd say her circumstances are special, still… We had a known pro duelist accepted too… I just couldn't shake it off my head… It's probably all a coincidence…"

"Well, about that pro duelist… No comments, the school wants some fame, it will boost their image out there. As for the transfer student, I'd say despite being shy, she seemed talkative to me… Are you sure it's not just you with your unapproachable expression and habit of looking suspicious? Maybe if you tried to talk to both of them, you'd see there's nothing wrong."

"I told you before, I came here to improve my dueling, not to make friends. My expression should not affect my final results as a duelist."

The tone comes off a bit harsher than he intended too, but it doesn't prevent the blond to continue:

"I know when my brother went missing it must have been shocking to you too, and this is your last year here, but…" Her eyes narrow faintly with a saddened glint. "Ryou, you can't just stop connecting to others because of what happened once… We will find him, you said it, right? It wouldn't kill to go out of your shell sometimes and make more friends, try to enjoy your last year at the academy too. Fubuki would be scolding you for not having fun enough by now."

Asuka was called the obelisk queen and said to be a frosty person, but no matter how much he would look at her now, it was clear as day she had this warming sensibility when talking to others, this was one of the reasons that made her brother so proud of her.

He'd like to ask her how he'd be able to think about having fun or enjoying anything at all when his best friend is missing and the school is just taking in other students as if it never happened, pretending the missing students are fine and well and sweeping their dirt under the rug. But his final answer is a brief and rueful smile.

"Did you find anything new?" She takes that as an end to the topic and proceeds.

"Ah…" his eyes narrow discreetly, the grip of his hands strengthening. "No, not yet… The last clue end around the abandoned dorms…"

"I understand…" He takes a deep breath. "I hoped the transfer student would be him coming back… They said he's in America, but…"

"Asuka." He lands a firm hand on her shoulder. "We're doing our best, I know the last weeks haven't been good, but we have a start, now we need to think on where else there could be clues about what happened to him. Remember you knew close to nothing when you came? But just two weeks later and we're sure he disappeared by unknown means and the school tried to cover it up with fake tracks."

"Even so… It's been many months since he disappeared, you were investigating even before me… And all we have is a simple clue… I can't deny it's disappointing…"

His hand recoils, a distraught furrow on his eyebrows, not knowing what else to say, a wrinkle of bother in between his eyes as he spins to the side, giving her space. He needs to set his thoughts straight too, his semblance changing to a cool, inexpressive air.

"We're bound to find vestiges of him in the school grounds, even if we need to scrutinize this whole island."

"Right. I can't get too depressed so early." She nods a bit calmer than before. "He'd be laughing hard if he'd known we're thinking this much about him." She brushes her finger on the corner of her eye, wiping a tear from there.

"Let's make sure he gets reprimanded first before we tell him this story, then." A faint curve blooms on his lips in an assuring manner.

He had this effect on her of offering some solace and supporting her search, she knew how close friends he was with her brother and how many times they'd talk about each other. Knowing that he was there as a friend in those times reassured that she wasn't alone in this pursuit and not the only one that cared about Fubuki in that whole school.

Due to that closeness and goals they shared, her brother being the glue that brought the three of them together, people often mistook it as something more than just a good friendship, and just as often they'd both deny it, with reason.

At the Osiris Red dorm

The sun set long ago, the students engross in a lively conversation, small bugs being attracted to the inside light while laughter echoes in the ambience. Daitokuji smiles petting his cat and watching over the students, then finally stands up from his chair:

"Now, now, it's time to sleep, you all."

Putting the cat on the ground, he claps his hands to get their attention, they all grumble in discontentment and start leaving the kitchen, he waits until every one of them disappears from sight and turns off the lights, closing the door of the kitchen. Instead of going to his own room, he scans the surroundings, a cynical smirk playing on his lips.

His slender legs trail a path decently further away from the dorms, into the forest. At the same time, the pink-haired girl walks towards the woods, sending her distrustful glance all over.

From afar, at the lighthouse, Ryou's eyes squeeze at the sight of the unmistakable pink hair, what is the new student doing there this late night? His feet unwillingly drag a step ahead, an attempt to follow her that is interrupted by another voice, his body immediately whirling around in reflex:

"Ryou? Where are you going?"

"Ah, sorry, I thought I saw someone…" Throwing a last glance over his shoulder, he decides to overlook it for now and focus on the important matters at hand.

"I don't think any other student besides us would be out at this hour and we could be in trouble for this."

"You're right. I must be imagining things. Let's go."

They set off on their own nocturnal investigation while Rie soon arrives at her destination, stopping right in front of none other than her uncle, Daitokuji, he greets her with a smirk.

"Rie-kun, how was the class? Are you mixing in well? And do you think of the duel academy?"

She takes out of her skirt pocket a student PDA, her fingers nimbly weaving a message:

"The students were curious about me, some approached to talk, but I just had small talk and cut it short. Most of the people were just commenting from the sides, I think they're unsure of how to best befriend me. There shouldn't be any problems for now, with time they'll forget I exist. As for the academy… It looks common, what I'd expect from such a place."

"Do you think you will be able to do your job without many hurdles?"

"Yes. I will be silent and do my best to not raise suspicion."

"There's a new student around, he's a pro duelist and I have a bad feeling about him, he could hinder our plans, will you keep an eye on him too? I already made all the preparations, you're getting a locker close to him."

"Right." The text is succinct, but her face seems somewhat consternated.

"You do understand why this is important, right?" He adjusts the glasses, the smile never dispersing from his lips.

Her eyes waver, her head bending down as she nods, reminiscing about something that seems to afflict her until both his hands land on her shoulders.

"You don't need to feel sad about this, we're just working for our goal." His hands slide away from her "Don't feel pressured, but we expect results. I hope you can find your peace at the end of this too for your sake and your parent's."

Rummaging through his pants' pocket, he takes out a collar with a big circle adorned with differently colored jewels.

"This will keep you safe, you can also use it to hide, but it's not perfect yet, I couldn't make it like the original shown in the book, so you should use it wisely."

"Is this another result of one of your experiments?" He sees her hand gripping the PDA unnecessarily strong, the tips of her fingers becoming white.

A scoff as he reads the screen, a tad of compassion in him while answering in a placid and unoffended tone looking into her blue eyes that seemed concerned:

"I'm fine, you shouldn't worry. Concentrate on your end, will you? We have a long way to go…"

Brushing off the topic and spinning around, he takes his leave and soon, she also goes back to the girls dorm. Her distractedness interrupted by the sound of someone else, she hides behind a tree.

It's the blonde student who showed her the school earlier. Asuka looks around before entering the girl's dorm unnoticed by anyone besides the other girl. It seems everyone in this academy has their own share of secrets and objectives, but she can't say anything about it because she too is here for a reason she can't tell anyone.

Rie threads soundless and also enters the dorm after ascertaining her surroundings are safe. While walking on the dark corridors of the upper floor towards her room, she puts a hand to her chest in relief. Her hand is already at the doorknob.

Before she opens, a voice comes from behind, she whirls around in reflex to see two girls standing each on one side, their eyes shine ominously in the dark, they both have crossed arms.

"Going out for a night walk, newcomer?"

"What were you doing? It seems having Kaiser walk you to the class and the obelisk Queen show you around is not enough for you, huh?"

"Yeah, getting all the privileges, aren't you? Transferring in your third year to the prestigious duel academy, do you think you can get away with that? We'll teach you how to do things here!"

She frowns slightly at the comments, the other girls chuckle at the reaction, one of them raises both hands with a sarcastic tone:

"Don't worry, we won't tell anything about your night excursion if you duel us!"

"Yes, but both of us at the same time! If you're so good as the teacher said, you sure will be able to win."

She blinks in shock, a challenge to a duel? What did she expect from students in a duel academy? Her hand reaches the amulet in her pocket, the girls cast a distrustful glare.

"What are you hiding there?!" she whispers almost as a shout, controlling her voice to not wake up other girls. "You better not try to run or pull any trick on us!"

The girl grabs her hand, jerking it away from the pockets, Rie holds some sort of strange amulet, the other two exchange a weirded out glance. For a moment, their whole surroundings start to become pitch black, their eyes become empty. A shout interrupts it, their eyes become enlivened again hearing the scolding tone:

"What is happening here?! Why are you all out of your rooms?!"

A lamp swings dispersing the darkness, the person holding it is the nurse and head of the dorm, the girls' eyes almost pop out as their teacher approaches with a reprimanding glare.

"We were…" The two girls exchange a glance, letting go of Rie's wrist in an attempt to escape the blame. "We were just going to grab some water in the kitchen…"

"What about you?" She puts the light closer to the pink-haired, her eyes twitch in reaction, her hand shielding the face forming a twilight.

Rie discreetly puts back the amulet and takes her PDA out of the pocket, typing an answer:

"I needed water too."

"Girls, you know the rules! No going out of your room after midnight and everyone should be inside the dorms at the latest at ten! Moreover, you have tap water and if you want filtered water, you should bring a jar to your room and a cup before curfew, you have bathrooms in the rooms too, so that's no excuse. I will let it pass this time, but be mindful of the rules next!"

"We're sorry!"

They all bow in unison, Ayukawa sighs and gestures with the head so they go back to their rooms, she watches silently until they're out of the corridor, then, turns to the new student.

"You shouldn't break rules too, I know you are new, but try to stick to the curfew hours, okay?"

The pink-head nods worriedly, the teacher smiles and wishes a goodnight before going away, after everyone is gone, she enters the room, closing the door and supporting her back against it, her hands unwittingly racketing her pocket for that amulet, an ominous glint in her gaze, staring deeply into the gems imbued there.

A gulp and a shadow of terror covering partially her face, she has no idea how this was crafted, but whatever this is, she hopes there won't be much use for it.

Outside the room, the other two girls walk confusedly. They ponder about the scene before, their eyes forcing shut as they try to puzzle the pieces:

"Why were we talking to that girl again?"

"I can't… Remember… I guess she was just coming back to her room after drinking water in the kitchen and we got her breaking the curfew rules?"

"Anyways, we should go back before the teacher complains again. We can see what to do about her tomorrow."

Dismissing the topic, they both go to their respective rooms, seemingly forgetful of the latest situation. Not long after, Asuka opens the door of her room, stretching her head out and looking around, Rie's room is just two doors away from hers, convinced she had heard a ruckus happening nearby.

"For a moment, I thought someone saw me…" She thinks to herself, sighing in relief after confirming the corridors are as dark and empty as when she came. "I should take more care next time, though…"

Closing the door, unaware of the earlier events, she spends her nights plagued by nightmares about her missing brother, wondering when they will ever find where he is.

Far away from the academy

In the city

Footsteps approach the well lighted white room, there's a man waiting there at a transparent glass table, his eyes lift to look at the newcomer, a gelid and unsurprised glint in them.

"Edo." His eyes look down at the cards spread in a line on the glass. "I'm sorry to have asked you come back for a few days. How are the classes in the duel academy?"

"Too much basic stuff, I'm amused they even need to teach that, but that's expected of people who never had contact with pro-duelists." He leans his back against the wall, folding his arms, narrowing his eyes in distrust. "I found some ruins in the island, aside that, nothing stands out, but I didn't cover the whole territory of the place."

"Keep searching. You know the academy is hiding some very special cards there… My predictions never lie…"

"You said before those cards evoke disaster… How would they have something like that on an island?"

"That I do not know, but if those cards fall into the wrong hands, this world as we know would be threatened…"

Flipping a card open, his eyes twitch once with the result, the hermit, a smirk growing unperceived by the eyes of his friend.

"You will be able to grow in many senses in your life, I can see it… And meet someone you sought for…"

"You don't mean…" His eyes open wide, his posture breaking as he comes closer to the table, those words enticing him.

"Yes, from my latest readings the man you're searching for should appear in around a year if you wait there, but before that, there are other things you should look into and those cards I mentioned before…"

He gapes in disbelief and at the same time, perplexity. It has been so many years and finally his search bore fruits, but what is his friend talking about? And what exactly will happen in this academy for his manager to advice him to go there.

"What should I look into exactly? So far the most outstanding fact I found is that no matter where I go, my fans seem to haunt me everywhere…"

"You should start from the ruins you found. There is an immense power underneath the duel academy, something hidden and ancient. If you stay there long enough, you might find a clue about that man and about this ancient power… If he wants rare cards like your investigations, he oughta go to the academy to find those too…"

Edo's fists clench, he has been waiting for a long time for an opportunity or even the slightest chance he'd find a clue about the whereabouts of such criminal, and now an oddly opportune moment arises, if he can use those rare cards in the academy as bait, then he could have a higher chance than he ever had in his torturing years of search.

"I understand… Those cards, what are they?" He frowns, determined to fulfill the task.

A smirk crosses Saiou's lips, he explains the bits of information he has, Edo's eyes opening wide at the whole situation, he then nods and leaves, shutting the door with a soundly click.

Saiou's expression becomes blank as he stares to the entrance, a tear forms on one of his eyes, trickling down one side of his face, his mouth opening subtly, but not a single word coming out, instead it was a voice inside his head that talked:

"Why…? Why did you send him there?"

A half smirk forms on the other side of his face, his other eye with a maddened gleam, contrasting to his sad half.

"If we can get a hold of the power of the cards, surely our light will shine even brighter. Moreover, my predictions were not a lie…"

"You can't do this…"

"Ah, Edo. So compromised, so strong and so… foolish." His grin enlarges, a muffled evil laughter coming from the depth of his throat. "But it's fine, because that too is your destiny, to be a tool for our plans."

"Edo…"

The voice inside his head says a last time before dissipating completely, his laughter increasing, echoing in the eerie room. What does he want to achieve? And how many other schemes enlace together inside the academy? Each one is left to their own desires, failing to see the bigger thread of destiny that unravels ahead of them.