To the guest reviewer: Thank you very much! I'm very happy to hear that! I hope you'll keep enjoying the story.

Thanks Astlexis for all the reviews too!

Chapter XVIII

Recruitment

Zane's eyelids open sluggishly, his cheek flattened on the pillow, his shoulder aches, supported on the freezing, hard floor, numbness reaching his fingertips. His blanket floats over to the side as he sits up straight, looking around, it's his room. He shields his squinting eyes from the strong sunlight outside with an arm, his hangover headache throbbing more, unsettling his stomach too.

A reminiscence crosses his mind, after he and Rie cleaned the apartment, it was already a bright morning by then. She looked distressed and since both the windows on her room and living room were broken, it'd take at least a few days for people to come fix it. In the meantime, he couldn't just let her sleep in that open room after all that transpired, so invited her to use his room instead, but she seemed frightened at the suggestion, he figures it's probably because of the choking incident.

He'd be fine relinquishing the whole room to her, but as he tried to get out, she suddenly grabbed his arm in panic. It dawned on him at that moment, the problem wasn't his presence there, but the lack of it. True enough, had he been there at the time, Makoto wouldn't have gotten far in his schemes.

How long has it been since he last slept on the ground like this? Well, at least now he even had a pillow and a blanket unlike in the war when they had no supplies.

His lips split apart as he stands up, all he can see is a neatly made bed, but no one around, touching the bedsheets, he investigates.

It's cold. She's been gone for a while…

Did she get any sleep at all? In the next split second, his head implodes at the sound of the doorbell ringing. A visit now, really?

Still in his sleeping garments that consist of nothing more than baggy pants and a T-shirt, he answers the door, raising a brow as he sees Aster Phoenix standing outside. Taking a look from tip to toe to confirm the sight, making space for him to enter.

They walk to the living room in silence until he points at the couch, plopping down on it while Aster chooses one of the padded chairs from across it.

"Do you know which time it is?" Zane mumbles a complaint in the middle of a yawn. "Do you usually visit people so early?"

"It's past ten," he checks on his expensive wristwatch, "Most people are awake at this time, you know?" he pauses, reassessing after seeing the burnt collar marks all over Zane's body, averting his gaze sourly for his inconsiderate remark, "Oh, right, I forgot your schedules are inverted due to the underground, my bad. But this is an urgent matter…" his blue orbs roam around, looking at the missing windows, "So, are you reforming your apartment or something?"

"Someone broke in earlier and they've demolished my windows. I got an auto proclaimed rival and cops sniffing around my house and I had to clean up after that. Did you know that I only got to sleep around eight in the morning thanks to that mess?"

Aster sighs in search of patience, bad mood isn't something he wants to deal with at the start of the day too.

"I'm sure whatever you have to ask to me can be asked to Syrus."

"I already did, but he can't help me with this one. It has to be you."

Wrinkles take shape between his brows, a dire, earnest glint in his eyes as he says that, if it wasn't important he certainly wouldn't be coming here out of nowhere. They're both distracted, the sound of smooth footsteps draws their attention.

The stern traits on Aster's expression soften as a pink-haired woman shyly hides behind the corridor's half opened door.

"Ah, this is Rie, and Rie this is Aster Phoenix, he's a summoner like me. You don't need to be scared of him, his grumpy mug is all a façade, I assure you."

Startled at his rude remark in front of the other man, she skittishly comes closer. She's more normal than he expected considering what he heard about the duel energy leak problem. He exchanges a glance between her, and Zane.

Bowing politely, she stops behind the couch, a lowered gaze, a strange behavior, isn't she also a guest here? Is this because she was trained to act like this?

"So you are the fabled catalyst."

She fidgets while looking at Zane, who simply sighs tiredly and answers patiently:

"Don't fret, Rie, he's an ally. This guy is all about justice, so much he nags me about the underground. I guarantee he's not even at the bottom in the list of people who'd harm you."

"That's true, ever since Zane here became an edgelord, I thought some good and friendly advice might keep him in check," he retorts, to break the ice.

"Hah, says the guy who's dressing like a duel monster to go around raiding houses and extorting info from people on the streets, at least in my line of work I get to do that for money and in style."

"They're all criminals that must be punished, I do not pity them."

"So am I, technically."

"You're different, but I wonder how much the pretending is getting to your head."

"As much as it does to yours," he crosses his arms, a sulky curve on his lips.

"Ah, no, we work very differently," he also crosses his arms starting a stare contest, his eyes half-lidded in disagreement, "But it's good to see you too, Zane."

The girl is left off in that conversation, perhaps she shouldn't intrude their friendship? Fumbling her fingers before taking a decision, she darts off somewhere in the kitchen, but as if used to her antics, the teal-haired man simply continues:

"So, what brings you here?"

"You know I have been studying the Ancients, right?"

"Yeah, I told you to tread carefully in the territory, but how does that bring you to me?"

"I've got some clues on the documents professor Banner gave me the other day, and an interesting name came up: the name Fujiwara."

Zane adjusts uncomfortably on his seat. "Fujiwara, huh…"

"I'll be short: I want to ask about someone you know, Yusuke Fujiwara. Alexis told me you were friends with him in the past. I've tried researching other members of the family, but nothing came up, which leads me here. I have to know all I can about him."

"Was his name mentioned anywhere in your sources?"

There's a light of hopefulness in Zane's green orbs, something he could see in Alexis too whenever the names of her brother or this boy were mentioned, their disappearance was connected. He solemnly sways his head, they've been searching for so many years, and even someone stone-cold like Zane could have such an expression…

"No, I just saw mentions of the surname Fujiwara, there wasn't any other name attached to it."

"I see," he can't hide his disappointment.

"I've tried to contact lady Kisara, but it didn't work. You also know her personally, right?"

"Yes, from back then in the warzones, but we didn't meet in ages and ever since this martial law was instituted, she's been hiding her presence more, she won't even talk to an old friend like me, her subordinates are handling all communications currently. Anyways, this isn't what you came here for, Sy can help you with that, I'll tell you everything I remember from Fujiwara, if that helps."

A clacking makes them flinch, it's Rie again, this time she brings a tray with two glasses of water, serving them and stepping aside.

"Is she working as your assistant as a disguise?" Aster dares asking.

"What? No! Rie, what are you doing? You're a guest here too."

His voice comes off a tad nervous, if she keeps doing this, it will give the wrong impression on how she's being treated in this house and if Aster snaps, no matter how busy he is, he's sitting Zane down for a 3 hour straight conversation about morals, etiquette and all this stuff he likes to nitpick about.

Typing quietly on her PDA, she shows a message. "Visitors must be served properly."

There's an eerie chill bristling his pores as he reads that sentence. That wasn't Rie speaking to him, but Bonaparte, his words. Of course if she stayed long enough in that mansion, being treated as a slave, it would be hard for her to forget the whole mentality in a few weeks. There's a fundamental issue in her way of thinking and it'll take time to fix that.

"Can you sit here for a moment?"

He points to the empty side of the couch next to him, she nods firmly, obeying without questioning, Zane slides the cup on the table, towards her side as she blinks confusedly, taking it and looking at him.

Aster sneers, containing a chuckle as he receives a deadly glare from the other, he seems… Troubled. Zane taking care of someone? Now that's a sight he'd never seen in person. Such a serious, determined scowl on his face as he lectures collectedly:

"You're not a maid here, Rie, you don't need to serve me or other people that come here in any way, there are no 'musts' in this house, you do what you want to do, not what someone orders you to, you're a guest too, remember that."

She's flustered for a moment, wondering why he'd suddenly give a passionate speech, drifting off, staring at the rippling water.

"Now," he turns back to his other guest nonchalantly, "Where was I? Ah, yes, Yusuke was definitely an odd guy."

"That coming from you?"

"He was a closed off person, we barely heard him talking about himself even though we were his friends. From what I remember, he was interested in some unusual topics like other dimensions, what you'd expect from guys like Bastion."

"Did he ever mention his family?"

"That's the thing, he was very, how can I say…?" he makes a sizzling noise before catching the right word. "Selective with words when talking about his family, as if he was still holding onto something he didn't want to talk about. He entered the duel academy by being approved in the advanced exams."

"You mean the one everyone labels as hellish? I also passed that one, but I acknowledge most people wouldn't be able to."

"Yes, he's a great summoner, the point here is that normally you'd get recommended to the duel academy like Atticus, Alexis, Chazz and many of our friends, but Yusuke did the exam on his own and had no recommendations as well as no one to celebrate his success."

"Are you telling me his family might not have approved his path as a summoner?"

"It's likely. When we talked to him about it, he just brushed us off saying his family wanted him to become their next leader of whichever Clan they have and he couldn't stand that so he came to the duel academy to live freely as a summoner. He also told us his family was ultra strict and had a regimen for summoning training before he entered the school, and that coming from a guy who had a routine like mine of spending his whole time enhancing his skills. He seemed to be on very bad terms with them, but he never went into details of why besides these."

"Is that all?"

"He had a sister, I think, but he never spoke much of any relative, I'm sure if Atticus was here, he'd know more. He was the one who told me Yusuke was worried about his little sister… I never heard anything about a sister when I did my own research, though…" his voice trails off in dismay.

"So he had a little sister too, to think both of them vanished… I'm sorry for digging up your past like this."

Aster can't ditch the bothersome feeling of guilt and compassion, he's known Zane for a couple years now and there's nothing else that disquieted him more than talking about how two of his best friends seemingly dematerialized in a single day and how he could never find out what became of them after so long.

Rie takes a peek from the side, switching her focus to each of them as tension swells up, should she even be here, listening to this? Before when she mentioned Atticus, Zane wouldn't say more, now she understands why. Their friends were lost during the war? That can't be a pleasant topic to speak about, even more after the nightmare of a dawn they had.

"It's not a problem, if it will help you, we're in this chase together," Zane closes his eyes momentarily to regain his coolness, "Ever since back then, there was something that made Yusuke be seen as a creepy guy…"

"What?"

"When I think about it, I was maybe too young to understand, but Yusuke was reading books from the occult section of the library along with the different dimensions studies."

"He was? Hm… Do you think he was searching about the Ancients too?"

"I don't know, he never really told me much or to Adriel, but I can bet Atticus squished some more info out of him. I'm not the only one left to ask."

"You're not?" He can't hide his shock, recomposing by clearing his throat. "Who else? You told me you don't know about his relatives."

"Yeah, but there was this girl, Atticus said she was Yusuke's girlfriend and since I couldn't trust a word coming from that guy, I had to ask, she goes by the name of Illya Voguel. Apparently Yusuke was dating her back in school, but he was embarrassed to admit it out loud and said he was too much of a weirdo, it's possible he didn't want to ruin her reputation among her other peers by admitting she was with him."

"I take it Alexis, Syrus and everyone else couldn't know about that…"

"No, they wouldn't. I asked little and Atticus probably asked too much. But she was popular among students, from a rich family, recommended to the school by many nobles and renowned names and she was the leader type that had charisma. It's undeniable she knew Yusuke since he did hang around with her, but how much she knows, I'm not sure, knowing him, it's possible he just left the girl in the vacuum about his past."

"Sounds terrible. What about the war? If she's from a rich family, I assume like many others, her family exempted her from participating?"

"No," he scoffs, seeing the surprise stamped on Aster's face. "True, her family had everything ready, but when the war summon came, she desperately pleaded to the man overseeing the recruiting of students to take part in the war too."

"She asked to go, not to stay? Why?" he gulps, finding the answer himself soon after finishing his sentence, "Don't tell me she went because of…"

"Yes, she went to the war to be with Yusuke. She didn't say it in those words, but you can guess why she'd kick her family in the butt to go to war, a bunch of assholes they are. She lied to the army and said she wanted to bring glory to the Empire and to her family's crest. The problem is… Despite being allowed into the battlefields, her family still managed to pull the strings, rather than going to the fronts like us, she was sent to a backwater area at the inner borders of the south where nothing was going on, a different squad than ours. It goes without saying, she came back intact."

"Then, her efforts…" his fists clench unwittingly, "She never got to meet this Yusuke Fujiwara again, did she?"

Zane's lips purse disgruntled as he denies with a head shake, afflicted, a memory lifting up in his mind. He did talk to her to give the bad news. That's what he was after the war, a messenger of bad news to everyone he knew. She was as displeased as him to hear it and lashed her anger out in acidic words, then she melted into unstoppable tears, crumbling down to the ground in misery. They both knew he wasn't to blame, but it looked as if she needed to unleash her fury on someone and he happened to be the perfect target, he couldn't say a word back.

Those chestnut colored eyes of hers, filled in despair and wrath as she cried, yelling unsavory words at him, he can't forget it. He never saw her face again after that and despite asking about Yusuke, she never answered back, but her name was mentioned in some pieces of info Syrus got.

"Do you know where she is right now?"

"Yeah, she works for the Empire nowadays from what I heard, after the war ended, she was recruited by the same man whom she asked for help before, the one overseeing recruitments, you know him, General Garius."

"That guy?" he almost spits in distaste. "Well, if that's true, then I might get a chance to see her. I have a meeting with him about the incident at the stadium."

"Is there anything else I can help with?"

"Well, does she…" the silver-haired man directs his query to Rie, "If it's not much to ask, would you tell me if you ever heard anything about Ancients during your time in the east?"

She replies with a negative head shake, engrossed into typing an explanation, they exchange a worried glance.

"Most of Bonaparte's clients were summoners, many soldiers from the Empire or people from other countries, some suspicious, shady ones like Zane too," he has to 'ouch' at the impression she gets of him, "But they only talked about catalysts and slave business, at least in the times I could overhear it."

"I guess it would be far-fetched if Jean Bonaparte knew about it… If you have nothing to add, this is my leave."

"I don't think I remember anything in particular now, but I'll call you if I do. I hope the bit of info was useful."

"Sure. I should let you rest now," he stands up cordially, walking up to the girl, pulling out a business card and offering to her, "If you get in trouble, miss, call this number, I'll come as quickly as possible, and…" he casts a side glance over to the other summoner, lowering his voice, "That guy has an habit of getting himself into life and death situations by overexerting himself, if that happens, call me too, I'll beat some sense into him."

"Stop spouting nonsense, she will end up believing you," he grabs Aster's shoulder, wobbling his hand to shoo him away, "Don't scare her."

"I'm just stating the truth."

Zane can't rebuke. The very first time they had disagreements was in the freezing north, some time after the war, when he went on a rampage wreaking havoc with his summons in the north, destroying every criminal in his sight for weeks and months, it was Aster who came and defeated him, clean and fair. Only later he found out both Syrus and Alexis asked him to look over Zane because they couldn't reach out to him. That brought him back from the mud.

Aster always had this righteousness in his posture and demeanor that irked Zane, not because he hated him or his guts, but it reminded him of the times he himself was a student at the duel academy, when things were simpler and he thought the same way, that was until the war.

After realizing he'd achieved nothing with that naive way of thinking, he had to change to a more harsh and dark approach, to get his hands dirty, to see the situation from a whole new perspective, but he couldn't bear to ask any of his friends to do this, he didn't want them to sink into this quicksand, so he did it himself.

Their world visions have clashed ever since they first met, while Aster pends to the hero side and he pends to an antagonistic spectrum, albeit in the end, they're both after the same, despite not thinking Aster's way of doing things is the best, he understand people like him are also necessary for the plight.

He ceases the daydreaming by speeding up the goodbyes. "If you've had enough talking, I have some sleep to catch up to."

Aster puts a hand to his chest, bowing smoothly, Zane always found the chivalrous act a bit over the top, but he insisted on good manners. Is this really Alexis' type? Atticus would be mind blown by it, he was always complaining how she was too much of a tomboy and would end up with the wrong guy if he didn't share his wisdom about love and dating with her.

Walking him to the door and beckoning, he yawns again once his friend leaves, maybe he should go back to sleep? But all the talk about Ancients and Yusuke made him restless. Sitting back at the couch, folding his arms, he scowls, pondering hard about it, but his consciousness eludes him, it takes but a few minutes until he's nodding off.

Rie gasps after hearing his rhythmic breathing, standing up as silently as feasible and walking off somewhere, coming back with a blanket on her hands, enveloping the blanket around him. Given the whole last night, no wonder he just passed out, an afflicted glint in her eyes.

Is it fine for her to be here like this when all they're getting as a reward are troubles? When will she be able to join the rebels? And is this really her end goal here? What will she do after that? Can she really contribute to them and repay her debt as a person or as a catalyst? A genuine wish sprouts in her as she casts a last glance over her shoulder, before disappearing from the living room.

Sleep well, Zane.

Shadow Riders HQ,

South,

A melodic whistling echoes in the corridors along with the calm, preoccupied footsteps, Rex hides his hands in his pockets, the stone door closing behind him as he enters the dark, creepy room. Kneeling down, he lowers his head, a smirk drawn on his lips.

"It's exactly as I told ya, boss. Our girlie is gone."

"Where to?"

"I'd bet she followed that master of hers, a bit hard to believe, but she's nowhere to be seen, it seems her loyalty was never pledged to you."

"We require her power. Failure won't be accepted."

"I don't get why she's so important, but you can leave that for me, I'm acquainted with those parts of the North. I'll drag them both here, if you allow me."

"Very well. Give my order that they're both to return. If a bud is rotten," the vines around Rex cling to his leg, alarming him as a bead of sweat rolls down his face, "We reap it from the roots."

The plants wrap around his leg strongly, vines climbing his torso, coming up to his neck, forcing his chin up to look at the decrepit sight of his master, his body wavering slightly.

"That is also valid for you."

"Y-yes, sir."

"Do not defy my rules or play games with me," the vines recoil, the sound of many voices speaking all at once entering his ears, "Bring them back to me and I shall take the providence. I want their power."

"I'll do that, Sir!"

He lowers his head, eyes filled in panic until the voices all cease, a disquieting silence occurring, with haste he gets up, almost stumbling on the roost spread over the room as he leaves it.

Adjusting his collar, he gulps dryly, looking over his shoulder to the closed door of his master's chambers, his whole face creased in disgust.

"That phony old man, scaring me like this," he dusts off his clothes, "Whatever, I got what I wanted. To the north, it is!"

The rage spiraling inside him, only fermented by his wish for revenge and now, given a purpose as an excuse to act as unbridled as he could.

At the northern wastelands,

The clinking of rocks bashed by pickaxes soars, muffled by the strong wind blowing snowflakes obtusely, the hands and noses of the slaves dressed in rags are red from the cold, their eyes demotivated as they repeat the manual labor.

Some men carry ready bricks in a line, chained together by their feet, handing it to the other slaves building walls. The ramshackle scenery from where they scrape rocks and materials is paired with scarce pine trees afar.

One of the slaves sways left and right before collapsing, all the workers stop, a burst of whispers permeating the place until a soldier cracks his whip at the back of the fallen slave, awakening him. All the others can think is how they'd kill him to wear his fluffy, warm coat now.

"Don't slack off, slug! Get up!"

The man's arms trembles as he cries, supporting his bare hands on the freezing ground that prickles his skin, whimpering as his tears are absorbed by the snow, his eyes raising to glare at the man who again whips him, until he stands up, shielding his body with both arms, taking his brick in a hurry and continuing the sequence of labor.

The soldier clicks his tongue annoyed, tautening his whip in disgust, his uniform is similar to the Empire's, with the difference that there's a slight discoloration on the shape of a crest that should have been there, proving his affiliation.

"Why did the higher ups send us to this land of no one?"

"We have to rebuild some structures, that's the most boring work," a colleague comes and pats his shoulder. "The rebels destroyed the last lab we had, but look at them now, they have to pay for causing trouble now that they've been recaptured."

He cackles looking at the whole camp, filled with many slaves of all ages and genders, it's their fault there's so much to rebuild in the first place. They exchange a glance, laughing with each other until a thunderous boom crashes behind them.

Sharp silver claws dash on the ground, sparks flying as it breaks chains shackling the slaves, producing an ear bursting sound, leaving trails on the snow, scratching the thin ice formed below it.

A shrill makes all soldiers shout and gather around, gasps of fear spreading at the sight of the Red-Eyes Black Dragon, its master jumping down from his back, landing with a hefty bang, his eximious posture standing proud, his gaze accessing the vicinity, beneath his mask.

"Who are you?!"

"S-Shoot him!"

Bullets fly towards the intruder, but that's no match for his powers, with a mere breath of fire from his dragon, the projectiles explode as he walks fearlessly, a single move of his arm and all over the place, the cuffs binding the slaves shake, the metal resonating with something, a veil of darkness coming from between the scratches, rusting the metal until it snaps, setting them free.

"W-What is happening?!"

One of the soldiers despairs after seeing the slaves' surprised gasps and whispers, filled in hope.

"Who are you?!"

Red-Eyes dragon roars from behind his shoulder, instilling even more pressure on the men, the leader getting them together:

"Stop being such wusses! Attack him!"

He sets the example by materializing Summoned Skull right in front of the troops, the monster roaring before gathering a blast of electricity, shooting it at the Red-Eyed Dragon, the explosion scorching the snow, making it fly everywhere as the soldiers brace for the after impact.

As the lukewarm steam from the melted snow dissipates, the soldiers who had been tensely standing open wide their eyes, a violent, irregular mass of darkness cloaks the Red-Eyes Dragon as well as its master as he proclaims:

"Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon, show your might!"

They're forced to cover their ears at the shriek of the monster that is more armored and menacing than ever, without a second delay, he flies high in the sky, spreading flames all over his body like a whirlwind, darting down enveloped in the blaze, taking down Summoned Skull who attempts to defend form its claws.

"H-He'll disappear if we get the master!"

One of the soldiers aims the rifle, shooting at Nightshroud, the bullets stop in front of him, as if an invisible barrier blocked them, dark flames evolving the capsules, making them fall dull into the snow.

"W-What are you?"

"I am an envoy from the Shadow Riders."

From out of his body dark energy gushes out, spreading quickly, wrapping around the soldiers who squirm to get free, in the background, Summoned Skull is overpowered by Red-Eyes, burning into ashes.

"Heed my words, slaves!" his composed, loud voice paralyzes the entire crowd. "The Shadow Riders will open the gates of heaven in this world, a whole new realm awaits on the other side!"

An imperial soldier yells annoyed at his nonsense. "Shut up you-"

"Red-Eyes."

It was a command, in the next second, his dragon rips apart the head of the man in a gruesome fashion, as the blood squirts out, soaking the pure snow in crimson red, cries of angst and fear mix together, the dragon proceeds to devour the other soldiers, the fate of whoever opposes his announcement.

"The Shadow Riders will wrench open the gates to a new world, unseen by all! A world free of the Empire and of men's ambition! We are aiming for new heights, a world without pain and suffering!" he steps above the blood splattered everywhere, approaching the slaves who cower in fear, "Those who wish to join the cause, follow me! And for those who don't," his mask turns towards them, they shrink at his gaze. "Spread the word around! That the Shadow Riders wish to share their ideal world with all if you join our cause!"

Under the sound of a roaring dragon, some slaves drop their pickaxes and raise their hands, cheering at the victory, while others shake their heads, conflicted and hushed voices scattered abound.

"Make up your mind, slaves! It is time to be free and make your own choices!"

With open arms, he shouts, motivating some to come around him, expectant eyes, to this man who ruthlessly killed the soldiers yet has such elegant posture. Most of the slaves stay behind, wary of him and unwilling to move thoughtlessly.

With a swift look around, he counts the small numbers of recruits. "Very well."

Flicking his cloak he makes his way towards a new location, the slaves confusedly follow his back at the doubts of their former companions who question why he isn't killing all the ones who refused.

"Darkness Dragon, lead the way."

The Dragon spins up to the skies, flapping its dark wings towards the sunset in the horizon, Nightshroud oversees as the troop moves along, staying behind the group, casting a distrustful side glance at the solitary pine trees on the side, his lips subtly curving down.

Somewhere in the capital,

Zane blinks awake from his dreams, massaging his neck that hurts from the position he'd slept in. A feeble streak of moonlight reaches his face, it's night time already.

As he stands up, a blanket falls over to the couch. He doesn't remember having it before, in fact he just passed out while sitting, there's also a cup of water on the table. Was it… Rie? A quick scan around is all it takes to conclude she's also not in the precinct.

Not that he should worry, he has bigger issues at the moment, a buzz occurs in his pocket. His cellphone. It's a message from his so-called manager, the entitled viper asks him to come to the underground again. He had this irritating skill of predicting the worst days to drag him there much to his displeasure.

His gaze drifts to his hand, his muscles twitch almost unperceived, his eyes squeezing as he forces duel energy through his veins, only a few specks coming out of him, this isn't good. The effects of the anti-summoning drug haven't completely worn off, but he can show no weakness in that place or it'll be over in an instant. With a huff, he shakes off his head as the challenge presents itself, he'd better find some gems.

Inside his empty room, he dresses up in dark clothes, the sleeves covering all scars and recent wounds. If he can put a stern face and pretend nothing is wrong with his body, nobody will ever doubt. Scrambling whichever leftover gems he could find, he's down to nothing more than less than a literal handful. Worrisome, but he'll find a way to deal with it. He always does.

As he arrives at the doorstep, he takes a last look around, he hasn't seen Rie ever since he woke up, she wasn't in his room either, did she go back to her own room? Well, it doesn't matter, he can ask that later, he won't be back until dawn.

The door closes softly behind him when he exists. A pair of blue marbles watches the scene, stepping out from the shadows of the corridor of the dark apartment, an afflicted frown twirling her brows.

Another dull ride through the city, the black, conspicuously shiny limousine stops by the door of a wacky building whose walls are cracked. Descending from the car, the Hell Kaiser in person. There are two guards in front of the thick metal door, blocking the entrance.

There are no sounds or lights outside, but the typical smell of fresh cigarette butts flares in the air, his steps crackling on the dusty ground as the two guards make space for him to enter, bowing in reverence.

On the other side of the door, the snake waits for him, a vicious grin on his face as he sees the duelist. Or should he say, summoner:

"My king! Tonight you'll be able to delight yourself in a nice surprise I've prepared," he cackles.

"Oh, I can't wait to see," he replies without a single drop of enthusiasm.

Shroud knew he was a hard one to please, but kept the fake grin on his face nonetheless, they both start walking down the corridor until they can hear the muffled sound of guards shouting aggressively at someone. His steps halt, this inkling feeling creeping under his skin as he looks back.

"Is there a problem, your highness?"

Shroud speaks from a safe distance, by his side, he'd know a friendly tap in the shoulder and Zane would break his hand hard, so averse to being touched was the man in the days his mood was bad.

"Outside…"

"The guards will take care of it."

He turns around, the next moment they hear the door banging open, a girl pushes it, the two guards each holding her by an arm as she tries to barge into the building, pulling her back, her legs flinging in the air as they effortlessly lift her from the ground.

"You need a membership card to enter!"

Zane's stunned, his sight transfixed in her: long blonde hair, her bangs swinging as she scuffles to get free; white skin, a seamless, very short sleeved dress, cut out at the front; her pear-green eyes landing on him, flickering nervously as if seeking for his help as he gapes slightly, speechless.

The only person he knows who'd not make sound while being roughed up by guards. That's…

Rie?

The appearance is different but he can tell, it's her, this was one of the sets of holographic features in the Kaiba Corp. watch. Just what in the world was she intending to do in coming to this place? His fists clench unwittingly. As if it wasn't bad enough already with his duel energy problems, now... What should he do?

Why did you come here, silly girl?