Chapter 19- The Epiphany of Faith Shattered II


Authoress Notes MJS: Hola! For those who say that they will read this story, I'm extending this chapter more. I think Luanne is one of those girls that want a relationship but her love of career is the only way to make her known. She is just learning from her sister's mistake to not rush into a relationship. Abbey and Oliver will be in this story from Life of Trifolium. These few last chapters have been non-introduction until this point.

In this story, I have planned to set out the debate in my head. Regardless of how people argue, there is no winning side and most arguments turn ugly in regular discussions. There are three kinds of love; that is; Philos, Eros, and Agape. Be gracious and love in Philos. Loving even your community, family and friends in Philos. Eros is intimate and it is where marriage is designed from a spouse from the biblical model with man and woman. Agape is love for God and God for us. To choose an ideology in front of a society is tricky. It is never smooth sailing as I have tried the left wing and right wing synthesis. *sigh*

Spanish, as I was writing this... I remembered my trip to New York and three anonymous strangers conversing in helping a homeless man in Spanish. Four years later, we see a social change as migrants are less tolerated but people are game enough to stand up to racism. Siobhan, one of my University friend reminded me of that incident as she went to Spain this year. In my previous chapters of 'Life of Trifolium' and this story, I have had the deepest connection of Luanne standing up to injustice. Last but not least, I'm also not throwing these languages to confuse people. Luanne and her family are Egyptian and Spanish descent. Marik does know her background but I chose to make it unknown. Also when I was seven a Spanish family showed hosted us when we first moved to Sydney. This is deeply ingrained in how I write about her. Sorry, I used Google translation so I could be stuffed on grammar.

Español used:

Sí, soy un idiota y tengo una razón para estarlo: Yes, I am a jackass and I have a reason to be.

Un imbécil que matará a una religión por su propia agenda egoísta: A jackass that will kill a religion for his own selfish agenda. Eres un líder de culto terrible ¿sabes?: Are you a terrible cult leader you know that? Peligroso: Dangerous

Es demasiado riesgoso cuidar el medio ambiente sostenible cuando hay otros problemas sociales como la clase que no se resuelve: It is too risky to care for the sustainable environment when there are other social issues such as the class that is unsolved.

Me gustaría Licor de Orujo: I would like to have Licor de Orujo

Ella va a tener un té Earl Grey con leche descremada: She's going to have an Earl Grey tea with skim milk.


Bryn hung out with Carissa most of their days as Marik was sitting on the throne. The Karnak temple was the very place counterfeit cards were being tested. It was a Cloudless evening. The Rare Hunters have gathered except Bryn who did not want to be a part of the test.

"Why do you not want to join the assembly?" Marik asked Bryn and he shrugged as he began to wonder what was Bryn's intention as he walked out of the meeting. Everyone was puzzled as Marik's approach to his Elite. The crowd jeered as the Leader of the Rare Hunters could explode anytime. Bryn realised Marik was not I the mood of excuses, even if he was close to him.

Bryn had to bow, as he knew full well he could not find an answer as to leaving the assembly. He could even remark on the terror of people volunteering for the test of the Winged Dragon of Ra.

"No reason, sir… I-I can't see my presence needed." Bryn felt his sweat dripped from his forehead.

Marik gripped his Millennium Rod tightly; he could see that Bryn was disobeying him. Odion and the two participants bowed.

"Master Marik, the cards are ready to be tested!" A scrawny Rare Hunter approached the Egyptian Teen. Marik stood up, as he wanted Bryn's attention.

"BRYN!" The temple echoed and Bryn turned around. He was aware he had angered his Master but it also meant that he had to stop what he wanted to do, which was spend more time with Carissa by the Sacred Lake where her mother was thrown in when she was young. Tasara Lilwen Dane was a ruthless woman, a séance to be exact. Bryn then pouted and stood where Luanne and Carissa were. It was at the back of the line. To Marik's relief, his Rare Hunter obeyed him as this intrigued him a little. Luanne smiled at Bryn remorsefully as

"Brynny, do you like a hot cocoa after this demonstration?" Carissa whispered into Bryn's ears.

"Yeah of course I do!" Bryn cheered up hearing Carissa's effort to lighten his mood.

The same scrawny man took a deck designed for testing. Marik smirked as he felt an inkling of lust to see one suffer. He allowed a chained another Rare Hunter walk over to the opponent. He abounded heavily with chains and a collar with a leash on it. A handler pulled him towards the duelling table and his head was slammed cruelly as a demonstration of a forsaken Rare Hunter. Marik chortled uncontrollably as it happened. The man let out a scream and he was pulled up and was forced to take a deck.

The assembly was afraid of Marik's little enjoyment and so were Luanne and Bryn. They both looked at each other and cringed together. Everyone was waiting for Marik to announce the agenda for this meeting but Odion was back.

"I think this is going to be impossible a nightmare…" Bryn whispered as he glanced up to Marik. Luanne could hear everyone muttering as the temple echoed with theories of suspicion.

"We shall test the replication of an Egyptian God Card, our Master Marik will decide the outcome of the game." Odion stood by Marik and allowed Marik take over.

Marik glanced at Bryn and Luanne and signalled for the test to begin. Luanne giggled when Bryn showed her something from his phone. He hates the fact that Bryn was taking this too lightly.

"I watch Naruto…" Bryn showed Luanne his Crunchyroll Subscription. Luanne covered his mouth and looked pointedly to Marik's direction.

"My brothers watch them too! Anyway, I really love NaruHina pairings over NaruSaku." Luanne giggled.

Bryn looked around, "Me too… I think they were made for each other. SasuSaku on the other hand-"

"IF YOU TWO HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY, I SUGGEST THAT YOU TAKE IT OUTSIDE!" Marik smirked, almost angered but he knew Bryn enough to reconcile his position.

Bryn bowed but remained silent. The two three Rare Hunters in the centre of the temple drew their cards each. While they did Marik's menacing features waited for them to place their first card to play.

"WELL? WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?" Marik yelled and the trembling men drew their cards.

The man drew three monster and two trap cards. He knows this was going to be a disaster. As he summons a weak monster and although it was just a display of cards, Marik could feel something within his own deck. The handler of the Rare Hunters stepped aside to see what the slave Rare Hunter was about to do.

"Odion, I believe those counterfeit cards will prove to be an effective tool for any of us to sell or duel as me. I don't see why I should reveal my identity if I am close to the Pharaoh." He chuckled, as two other cards were summoned face down.

The Rare Hunter could stop shaking and Luanne could see Bryn's fear in this demonstration. "Are you okay?"

"Tony isn't going to make it, nor is Roger. These Ka spirits are no ordinary and Master had once said he had an apparition and they have emotions-" Bryn looked around, "An apparition of The Egyptian God Card punishing a soul for that… wait…"

"Why would you want to anger a spirit by replicating its possession…?" Luanne was shocked to hear that.

Bryn shrugged and watched Marik's mediation from above the duel. The Rare Hunter on finally drew his final card on his last phase. "I sacrifice all three of my monsters on the field and I summon t-the W-" The man was nervous as his hand quivered by the incandescent crescent moon.

"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? SUMMON THE COUNTERFEIT!" Marik barked.

"The Winged Dragon of Ra!" The confused Rare Hunter thought it was real for a moment as the clouds gathered, blinding the moon but he didn't care, he was honoured regardless, at least that was what he thought.

"Oh shit!" Bryn shouted as the lightning hurtled around the temple floor, it inched closer and randomly striking the ground. Luanne protected Carissa as danger approached by pulling her away from the crowd. Bryn, on the other hand, was stuck as tall men were scrambling to a safe zone.

Bryn tripped as he was about to dash out of the screaming crowd. Marik just sat there spectating as Luanne ran back to Bryn. "Come on!" As the lightning danced around the two, it finally stuck the Rare Hunter. Carissa Margaux Dane screamed as she was worried about her Eurasian boyfriend. The Egyptian girl quickly pulled her safe. As the lightning subsided, Bryn winced.

"I nearly peed my pants… okay, that's too much detail" Bryn coughed as the jolt from Luanne's rescue tampered with his throat. He looked at the pain coming from his knee and gasped as it was bleeding. He rolled his pants to see the source of discomfort and there the bleeding knee shocked him. "Oh, my tardiness would have saved me from this fall…"

Luanne and Carissa were shocked to see Bryn's wound. Luanne then remembered that there was a spare Band-Aid in her bag so she unzipped to see if it was available. She sighed as she could find any. Carissa then helped Luanne search for it and luckily she did.

"Oh, I was sure anyone's tardiness and absence in this meeting would have saved the fellow Rare Hunter over there." Luanne growled as she thought how irresponsible I am…" Bryn silenced when Marik urbanely walked towards them.

"Someone clumsy as you wouldn't have fallen. You are lucky Luanne saved you." Marik glared at his lackey.

"What really happen?" Luanne frowned. Carissa hid behind Bryn and he cuddled her. Odion dealt with the casualty who was duelling and was soon gone. Marik sighed and checked Bryn's injury.

"Master Marik, Rivah would have walked away from this meeting… There are so much so we can't risk taking such as Ra raging over his image being copied." Bryn explained but Marik growled.

"ENOUGH! I NEED THIS TO HAPPEN! I NEED TO DEFEAT-" Marik halted in mid-sentence and helped Bryn with his knee.

"Okay! Shh, you've said that way too loudly." Marik then flashed a benevolent smile and stood up to see Odion returning. He had a handful of the Egyptian God Card in his hand and he waited.

"Odion has the final cards, Master Marik…" Bryn pointed.

"I know, that foolish Rare Hunter would perish for summoning that card.

Luanne saw a side of Marik that cared for the younger Rare Hunter. As she remembered that tonight, they will be heading to Madrid early, she wanted to approach Marik.

"So you have bought four tickets to Madrid?" Marik kept his eyes on Bryn's wound. His first aid skills were simply remarkable.

"Are they First Class accommodation too?" Bryn giggled. Marik grabbed all four of the itineraries and folded them.

He glanced at Luanne coldly and sighed. "Whatever you saw stays here. Do not go babbling to your family and friends about this, especially in Spain." Marik growled. Luanne was surprised how sudden his mood changed and despite her sincere help to his top-ranked Rare Hunter.

"You could be a little calmer but you sound as angry as the thunder…" Luanne sounded chagrined as she realised that Bryn was watching them.

"Lest you make assumptions about my emotions, you do understand that there are more than just one deity." Marik cheekily smirked at the Egyptian girl in front of him.

"And there is only one jackass in this temple and that is… you." Luanne gawked. She reminded him of Bryn. Bryn spurted in laughter. Marik decided to sit beside her with a composed expression. He grabbed her left hand and laced his fingers with hers. She was perplexed with his well hidden.

"Sí, soy un idiota y tengo una razón para estarlo." Marik grinned as he saw Bryn's reaction. Luanne blushed as the Leader of the Rare Hunters squeezed her fingers playfully. "Un imbécil que matará a una religión por su propia agenda egoísta."

Luanne tried to shake her hand from Marik's grasp but to no avail. "La víctima insensata que jugó la falsa Carta de Dios es llevada al hospital."

Marik chuckled. His lavender eyes secretly adored Luanne's fluent Spanish. He learnt Spanish pretty fast as well as language was never a problem for him. "Eres un líder de culto terrible ¿sabes?"

Luanne tried to shake him off but he began his teasing finger with an intimidating chuckle. He inched closer to the teenage girl. "If you know Spanish well you won't have a problem getting around. I run my organisation with idiots who know nothing about keeping confidentiality." Marik released Luanne's hand.

He glanced at the table where his Rare Hunter had left. "When is your solitude happening Master Marik?" Bryn asked sweetly. "Between eight and four, my solitude is crucial…" "By the toasty solarium room?" Bryn asked as he rested his chin on Marik's shoulder. Luanne found it odd that Marik remains tan in an underground environment. "If a fixing pixie comes and diced the mechanical store, I will be as pale as the polar cub," Marik said cryptically with a smirk. "I really do not get you." The annoyed Egyptian girl looked confused.

"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious…" Marik heard Bryn whispered.

Marik sighed, " Could you quit your random musical and anime quotations, Bryn?"

"Even though the sound of it is something quite atrocious", Carissa giggled silently after Bryn.

"If you say it loud enough you'll always sound precocious" Bryn snuggled his nose with hers.

"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!" Bryn giggled and paused to see Marik's annoyed face. Luanne giggled. Marik snarled as three of them were laughing.

The temple of Karnak wasn't filled with hysteric evil mastermind cackling, instead, they were the three teenagers forgetting Marik's callous treatment to the Rare Hunter. Luanne held her stomach as it ached from laughter.


At the gym, Luanne felt it was weird to have an underground cult with a functional gym. Luanne was walking on the thread mill with one of her favourite singers; Mandy Moore on her iPhone. 'Only Hope,' was on and she slowly sang. She wasn't the best singer, just a sweet imitator of voices. She could see Rare Hunters doing weights and a room Marik had not left since 7:45 pm. The news was on and she could only see her father's work on idle. Her now straight permed hair was tied up into a high ponytail. She did enjoy her new look. Carissa was definitely a fashionista at her best. She was puffing a lot as she realised she wasn't as fit as she thought after spending her December with this organisation.

Bianca Hill licked her lips as she eyed the girl before her. She placed her towel and drink bottle next on the thread mill beside Luanne's and smiled. Her toned tan body was very sexy even Luanne was a little envious of her.

"Like what you see?" She showed off her exquisitely carved stomach and grinned perversely at her.

"What am I seeing?" Luanne was oblivious to Bianca flirting with her as she was looking at her mileage.

"You know, girls dig me all the time in Lebanon. You, on the other hand, are killing my vibe." Bianca said in a –matter-of-fact.

"Bryn told me that you were attracted to women… However, I see that as your right of concealment in this country. I'm sorry Bianca, I am interested in boys and men only." Luanne stopped her walking and looked sternly at Bianca.

"I heard that you are a very, very conservative Christian from my Master himself, so you hate me? Are you a bigot you gorgeous girl?" She was teasing her quite literally and making Luanne very uncomfortable.

"It's not that… I believe that being with a man when I am dating is much more relatable. I am attracted to men only. If you want to address how I am in my religion, I see that God's creation is ultimate. Sorry I have done an evangelical mission all over Europe once so it is natural for me to talk about my religion."

"Oh my, so you think we don't deserve to love and marry our own sexuality?" Bianca taunted Luanne.

"Look, I am a Christian and I believe that marriage is only between a man and a woman. I have nothing against you personally." She stopped the thread mill. Luanne pointed her finger at right at her nose.

"Love is love, and if a woman loves a woman is a right," Bianca smirked. Luanne sighed.

"We have rights but the nation places many laws constituting our rights. It may be religious, or it may be based on totalitarianism. I can't give you my opinion on how I view your gender. Will it be helpful if I sugar coat my acceptance or refute with rejection? I believe in justice in civil rights too but not all are possible at this current time. Like cocaine or marijuana legalisation or decriminalisation of sex workers. Is it helpful for me to say the facts and not my personal P.O.V?" Luanne tried to reason. Bianca was surprised, as she saw how Luanne wasn't an arguing ideological changer. She has a set view in the society in general but she refused to address it.

"Alright, since I was young, I thought having a woman to love could solve everything…" Bianca sighed.

"Repeat after me…"

"Okay…?"

"Philos…"

"Philos?"

"It is love for friends and family. That is my love for people here and that includes you, Bryn, Carissa, Odion and so on. I can only give that to all of you as the rest is different." Luanne grabbed her bottle and drank the clear contents.

"Okay… I am starting to like you but not in a way I expect." Bianca arched her beige brow.

"Don't bother explaining, I am straight but I stand for justice as a feminist."

As she entered the locker, Marik was slightly rosier with his body dripped with sweat. It was 9:15 pm as she checked the clock. She averted her eyes away from him as he only had a towel tucked around his hips. Her cheeks could match the shade of his solarium body. He was smirking as he was holding a far too familiar object, which belonged to her. Her flower pressed notebook containing her writing.

He began reading her notes out loud, "Climate Change: Our Earth is dying and we know it. The pollution and rise of globalisation are literally killing our ecosystem and increasing our carbon footprint. While we enjoy our life in a developed economy. Economical debates and the love for our animals are sinking teeth against each other. It is sad to ponder about the next generations struggle in the well-developed lifestyle. While we enjoy our comfort at home, we complain so much about the environment and how natural disasters are on the verge of protest. It used to be called global warming and yes our winters are getting colder and chaotic and out summers are melting the roads in Delhi. As a Christian, I tried to do sustainable practices in shopping but the problem is, when we are too busy, we forget that we are meant to dispose of our garbage properly. How on earth do we share the environments with animals? We are terrible! We must look after our planet!"

He laughed as he pinned her against the locker. "Where did you get that?" Luanne sneered.

"From your locker of course, did you think I would check your work before I let you publish anything? You think wrong. Climate Change is least of my problem; our country is too far removed with archaeology and religious wars, sustainability is barely addressed. Peligroso… Es demasiado riesgoso cuidar el medio ambiente sostenible cuando hay otros problemas sociales como la clase que no se resuelve.

"We don't have the policy yet and you can't just invade my locker and read my notes!"

Marik cackled, "I own your locker so it gives me every right to regulate the contents… "

She huffed and then flashed a fake smile.

"Human trafficking slavery: This is by far the saddest issue I have thought of how each of us is a contribution to this hierarchy of class. First, come imperialism and then capitalism and now neoliberalism. As we survive in the world, some people have to sacrifice their privileges but some have nothing. They have no income, no identity, no future but work with little to no rewards. Think about how our identity is filled with liability but we gain something in return because we are registered with a citizenship but some are not. It hurts to see this happen as I see the Myanmar fishing industry thrive with these exploitations of human mistreatment. There is no utopia here…"

Oh, slavery… my favourite issue. You know I have many here serving me without a citizenship. I have stripped it away…" He gripped her chin, tightening his hold on her. He clicked his finger and out came a little girl in the ragged beige dressing gown. Her hair was in disarray and she dashed towards the Egyptian boy who is her master.

"So you admittedly confessed that you are the problem to all of this?" Luanne growled. Marik leaned over to her and started kissing her neck. He nipped every inch making her moan.

"Yo soy tu peligroso. yo soy tu diablo…" His mischievous smirk.

"So you'd rather be my antithesis…?"

"Precisely! This is Farah, the girl who serves me without any identity." Marik quickly grabbed the little girl's ear.

"You're sick…" Luanne mumbled annoyed.

"I'm perfectly sane." Marik narrowed his eyes.

"Psychopath…"

"Who exploits little children like her?" She watched Marik chuckle harder and harder.

"Not to mention my exponential bias xenophobia against certain races." He began reading what Luanne wrote.

Marik just laughed and kicked his slave for her to leave she was only 9 years of age.

"Racism: Have you heard of genocide, the Holocaust and ethnic cleansing? They are all terrible histories. They are skeletons in our humanity's closet and it is still happening in out the age of the millennial. One's identity is profiled because of the culture I was brought t up, I was taught in and the language is being restricted kind of experience is a detriment to humanity. We must learn to live together regardless of our colour. A human being is the only one race we have and yet we are hostile against one another. It should stop! Respecting one another is important. All our neighbours are different and we MUST respect them! All of the human matter!"

He mimicked a 'Miss Egyptian,' pageantry in front of Luanne. This made her pissed, although he does make an exceptional pageant candidate.

Luanne stared coldly at the Egyptian boy, "You sound rather androgynous…" Marik could laugh but he commenced reading.

"LGBTQIA+: This community of people are either most hated or most loved. Throughout my Christian life and my study in Political Sciences, I have tried to grapple in synthesising my views towards, balancing my faith and the social discourse. What is Marriage? What is Love? What is gender? What are societal and human rights? What are children's legacies right in the future? What have both sides of for and against suffered if one of them has to compromise in each other? I think nothing ill of this issue nor am I for the practice. It is condoned in some aspects of Christianity or traditional religious societies. Most arguments have been heard in a social panel about marriage equality. In a Uniting church, they are condoned but in an Anglican church, it is forbidden." He finished reading and he could kind of read her.

"They are persecuted and I would leave the law untouched," Luanne said.

"Are you afraid of the society perceiving you as an unkind social inquirer or God-forsaken disciple? Perhaps I know how to flesh out what you really think about the community. Perhaps I won't…"

"Did you know Bianca was attracted to women?" Luanne asked.

"Oh, course I did, but she preferred to keep it low. You better not hurt her. As for me, I don't care for those issues like you do. She is a great asset to me in Rare Hunters. Bryn and I are protecting her identity in Egypt and it wouldn't prudent of you to expose this girl's gender to your government."

"It is forbidden spiritually in the Bible…"

Luanne nodded so she tried to reach for her notebook from Marik's hand. His tan was so perfect she was distracted.

"Now I want a different love from you. It is not Philos nor eros but… agape…" Marik surveyed her grey eyes. She was different from any other girls he had met. She was a merciful type of girl.

"I can't give that to you, you're only a boy and not god…" She smirked.

"Why, I knew would say that but have you hear of Joan Osborne's music?" Marik hinted the song Bryn sang in his sister's wedding.

"You mean, 'what if God was one of us'?"

Marik nodded quickly with a grin. "Yes."

"That's the biggest bullshit and I have packed for Spain." Luanne stuck her tongue out.

Bryn passed by as he grinned. "I am ah-choo… allergic to your religious bigotry- ah-choo." Marik smirked as Luanne's offended reaction.

"And I'm allergic to all kinds of bigotry… thus I have heard worse about debates calling out on those for is 'whore-riffic' but that's the terrible world we live in, I'm afraid." Luanne narrowed her eyes at Bryn playfully.

"Now, now Brynny, be nice… remember what I have taught you." His Master playfully warned.

"Yeah be respectful to everyone in our Ranks regardless of our views. Especially your future highness…"

"Good! For me I think it is real, I will be a god once I get what I want." Marik chuckled.

"Everyone is a mortal Marik… it is also quite creepy that you are brainwashing Bryn…" Luanne rolled her eyes. Marik chuckled and clucked his tongue.

"Thank goodness, someone is able to your brainwashing for its right context…" Marik applauds. "But some are powerful mortals worthy to be in the seat of immortals." He left as he turned his head around and he grabbed Farah by her wrist.


Marik pulled out his motorcycle and his entire suitcases. Bryn also had his one bags with Carissa's luggage. Luanne only had one luggage. Bryn was in his usual robe and an acoustic guitar where he kept playing it. Marik smirked as his lackey drew a bit of attention.

"Brynny Boo… you really had to bring your guitar with you huh?" Bryn's Master said nonchalantly.

"No kidding Master Marik, you could be likened to Professor Higgins with that girl over there," Bryn whispered to Marik

"It's not a vacation you know…" He told Bryn.

Bryn shrugged and he began to strum some chords on his guitar. "I know, I didn't think work was boring but I just wanted to feel like I could live in Spain again.

Luanne smiled at the young teen's implication of 'My Fair Lady', Carissa and Bryn began to play the tune her mom used to sing in the shower.

Carissa, Bryn and Jun Yoon, the three unexpected Rare Hunters were whispering about their current song.

"The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain!
The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain!"

"In Hartford, Hereford, and Hampshire...?" Bryn laughed as he strummed the chords with spoken syllables.

"Hurricanes hardly happen.
How kind of you to let me come!"

"Now once again, where does it rain?" Jun Yoon sang with Bryn.

"On the plain! On the plain!" Carissa chimed.

Bryn echoed "And where's that blasted plain?

Carissa, Bryn and Jun Yoon serenaded by the hallway.
"In Spain! In Spain!
The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain!
The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain!"

Luanne laughed and realised that she knew the musical since she was little. Marik, on the other hand, wasn't amused and growled at Bryn. This was one of those rare disapprovals Marik had displayed.

"We're not going to New York! If you want Broadway, there isn't the time!" Marik exclaimed.

"So who is driving us to the airport?" His Master was always the first to know everything.

"Inas is taking all four of us to the Airport and it will just be us from now on." Marik walks past them and went inside the car.

"Also I'm going to take Gissi to Salsa dancing because she loves-"

"You are going to dance Salsa alone or with me and Luanne, Bryn…" Marik mocked Bryn.

"WHAT?"

Luanne sat next to Marik in the middle as Bryn in on the side.


Soon they all arrived at the Cairo airport. Marik just opened the door before the car would stop. The Egyptian boy was eager to check in. Later he checked that the three were following him. They were all busy unloading their luggage and his as well. He had seven bags, which Bryn had to help bring them to the trolley, whereas Luanne and Carissa took their own. Luanne walked to Inas.

"Umm, thanks for taking us here." She said to the Rare Hunter whom she never really gets to speak to.

"Oh we will come later, this trip is just catered for Master Marik. Bianca and I will be around, you'll see." He scratched his head.

"OH NO! TIMBER!" They both heard Bryn yell and Marik eyed his baggage topple on top of another as it collided with another teenager.

"I'm so sorry!" Bryn panicked as the boy fell.

"I'm fine…" He quickly picked himself up and managed to pick the bags up and placed them on the trolley.

"WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING FOOL!" Marik yelled at the stranger teen. Luanne joined them as Marik had his hand behind him, holding his Millennium Rod. This is where it gets tricky.

Luanne and Carissa helped Bryn as Marik had met his newfound rival.

"I'm terribly apologetic for this mishap. Luanne walked in between them and placed her hand on the teen.

"It's fine, it is crowded after all and we just on our way to Ibiza. My name is Rory Adonis." Luanne gave a handshake to him.

"Are you really going to Spain?" Carissa asked the boy. Then the two older siblings came by.

"Yeah, That is where I was born. This is my brother Myles and my sister Eden." The boy was slightly tanned, and he was definitely from Spain judging from his accent.

She saw the older sister; she was so slender and tall like a model. Carissa was eager to meet her as she has the features perfect for modelling. She smiled and helped Bryn with Marik's bags. Her long hair mesmerised Luanne, whereas Rory's charms mesmerised Marik. They both unknowingly huffed simultaneously and blushed.

"Well, I am Eden Paulina Adonis, you can just call me Pau." She smiled at the pastel haired girlfriend of Bryn's and she was taken aback.

"I'm Carissa Margaux Dane, and I am called Gissi." She giggled. "So what do you all do?"

"I am into floristry and Salsa. I have a dance studio at Madrid so be sure to visit us, I mean I'm assuming that you are going to Madrid…" Eden blushed.

"No way! I was just talking about Salsa with Carissa and here you are, the destined instructor for us!" Bryn beamed

"What a coincidence! Yes, we welcome you from beginners, intermediate and advanced. I see that you are duelist too."

"I am but only when I'm on call. My pal over there, he's unbeatable." Bryn pointed to Marik who was with Luanne.

"Rory is testing out his new deck but come by to Ibiza. We are ministering to people about the Gospel." Eden smiled but it made it awkward for Bryn.

"A-a churchgoer? I'm not religious, sorry… I'm a Buddhist…" Bryn shyly said.

"Oh," Eden realised.

"Hey Rory, are you sure this is the check-in bay?" Myles finally reached them.

Marik proceeded, taking Luanne's elbow to the cue. He checked his passport and glanced at Luanne's photo. The nerdy daughter of the politician was not ready for her shot. He also had Bryn and Carissa's as he controls Bryn's employment.

The man wasn't engaging over the counter, but rather he knew what he was doing. Marik then scowled at the lack of professional service. "Where is the gate? What time is the plane due to fly? Could I have an isolated seat?" The man's bashfulness broke into fear. Bryn saw the potential storm Marik was about to stir so he excused himself from the Adonis family. " Sorry, nice to meet you… I have to talk to my disgruntled friend there."

"Oh, that blond boy… I'll see you later then." Rory waved.

Bryn hesitated to tap his master on his shoulder so he cleared his throat. "Ahem, Marik! It's written in the ticket and the bags are here to be weighed."

"I KNOW THAT BRYN!" Bryn cowered slightly as he was being yelled at. Luanne elbowed Marik for his callousness and then placed the entire luggage and baggage on the conveyor belt.

Soon after clarifying everything, Marik sighed thinking about why he didn't involve Odion directly. He had to be the driving force alone to make sure everything was according to plan.

Marik stormed off without them as he took their ticket and passport. All three of them were shocked at Marik's mood.

"He's usually not that crazy but I guess…" Bryn shrugged as he led both Luanne and Carissa where Marik was waiting for them. Bryn tried to talk to him but he turned around, being rather childish about it, Luanne whispered. "You know, your Millennium Rod would have helped you read that man's mind…"

Marik drew his Millennium Rod and pointed at her. "And what? It seems you are familiar with my powers, what would you do? Read his mind?" Luanne was speechless as Marik stared down at her. She then saw the trio they have met early chatting at the customs check.

Luanne shook her head reluctantly and observed Marik's lips sneer. Marik sighed and grabbed her hand subconsciously, as though he knows her.

As they placed their items for a customs check, Bryn was having dilemmas with the TSA. They opened his hand carry bag containing his laptop. "Wait wait wait… that is mine". The lady confiscated Bryn's bag.

"Sir we would like to ask you to step aside…" Bryn bit his lips as he saw Marik, Luanne and Carissa proceeded.

"It's only a lap-" Bryn realised he packed an extra equipment that is illegal, a scalpel and a gadget Marik gave him for hacking.

Marik turned around as he saw Bryn was not present. "Where is Bryn?" He asked Carissa and she shrugged. He growled and dashed back to see if Bryn was left behind. He held his Millennium Rod and he spotted the guard leading Bryn away. He took control of all three guards.

Bryn was surprised that the guards gave him his bag back. He then realised his eyes were dull and lifeless. He turned to see, someone none other than his Master. He was unreadable, and Bryn pulled a guilty face.

"So…" Bryn started but Marik glared at him. Marik grabbed his bag, wondering why he had to take care of his junior Rare Hunter.

"I expect an explanation, my little Rare Hunter." The Egyptian teen folded his arms.

"I was only carrying the things you have instructed me to carry. Inas did say to place it in the luggage but I forgot to place it in your large luggage." Bryn whined a little. Marik rolled his lavender eyes and he wanted more explanation.

"And you could negotiate that with me while you were playing your guitar a few moments ago…" He growled.

"I'm really really really really sorry!" Bryn pulled a long face and it made Marik pulled him along to the ladies that were waiting for them.

"It seems Odion demands another mission from me…" He checked his phone as he whispered to Bryn secretly.

"Have we ever been to Australia?" Bryn asked Marik. Marik shook his head. Bryn laughed.

"There is nothing in Australia we need regarding Duel Monsters. I've told you before, I have been wanting to go to Melbourne for a Rare Card but they were shipped to Sydney."

"I see, did that mean I get to go after this Undercover?"

"No, I need Egyptian Governorate to submit to me in order that I can gain control of Egypt and Africa." Bryn shushed him.

"Not too loud…"

"Luanne's sister lives in Naama Bay with her supposed lover. We could expose that to the Egyptian Media about her crazy controversial life." Marik smiled.

"So you're making Odion expose Luanne?"

"No… I was only stating the obvious dilemma when we expose her. As for Odion, he is working on the Egyptian God card replication so that there isn't another blowup. I plan for him to pose for me at times. I just need to figure out what it is."

"What about his mission then?" Bryn asked.

"Just a wake of thought, I am going to assign more Rare Hunters to capture… you know…" He hinted Bryn that more captives to take charge in the parliament, more criminal organisations and stealing in the underground market.

As the announcement for their gate resounded within the Cairo International Airport, all four of them queued up. Marik found is a secluded seat. It was just nice to him. Luanne and the rest were at the back.


As the plane took off, Luanne sat beside a troubling child with his grandparents. He kept kicking the seat in front of him where is Grandfather was sitting a few rows in front. Bryn sighed as he saw the brat next to Luanne being boisterous.

"Hey, screaming isn't going to solve anything!" Luanne shouted. "What do you want?" The boy cooed as he reminded of Idogbe.

"I want to sit beside Grandpa and Grandma…" He started sobbing. Luanne smiled and went to the front.

"Hi, your grandson wants to sit with you and I was wondering we could make a swap-"

"THAT BOY NEEDS TO LEARN HIS MANNERS!" The elderly woman yelled. Marik was right in front of them, he didn't want to bother them, and he couldn't care less.

"Well looks like this Lucky Lu isn't very lucky after all. I could give her my seat but I want to see how she copes with this little dilemma of hers." Marik smirked.

"He's hoping for someone to talk to and-" the flight attendant who was about to demonstrate the safety and emergency procedure of the plan; interrupted Luanne.

Marik couldn't contain his adamant chuckle so he reached for Luanne's arm and pulled her next to her on a vacant seat. "Pay attention or you will be left in a plane crash." His tan hand muffled her mouth. He could feel Luanne's hot breath on his palm. Marik pulled the instruction card from the pocket and slapped it on Luanne's lap.

"What is wrong with you?" She hissed.

"Caring for your safety, my dearest Misfit Journalist." He pointed to the whistle on the page as the flight attendant mentioned it just to spite her. "Don't forget your seatbelt!" He wrapped his arm around her to reach for the two metal buckles securely around her.

All the passengers stared at Marik and Luanne's way, as they were busy chatting, thus they also earned a glare from the instructing flight attendant. Even when it was finished, Luanne turned around, refusing to look at Marik in the eye.

Marik sighed, as Luanne was upset with him. "Do you know, Rare Hunters in an aristocratic lens are not that intimidating? If I were to revoke your rights as an individual, my little 'princess' of Egypt, you would see me differently."

"Like what? Kill my family and hold me in ransom is going to make your Rare Hunter's gig scary…" Luanne whispered.

"Now we're talking… The resentment of yours is not strong enough to harness my mistreatment. Honestly, if Bryn wasn't here, I would also be a completely different boy."

"Why do you say that?" Luanne arched a brow, trying to understand what he was getting at.

"I'm being very, lenient on you… do you not know I could make the politicians bow to me?" Marik whispered as he gazed into the window of her soul.

"For what? Why do you need to be feared? You' re just an entrepreneur in a strange organisation-"

"That is what I mean by misinterpretation. You fail to see my criminalisation of obtaining cards as a threat because I have these two with me." Marik pointed to the back with his thumb, Bryn and Carissa who are peacefully resting their heads on each other by sharing an earphone each.

"You want me to fear you now?" Luanne gawked at Marik.

Marik laughed, "No…" as he rolled his lavender eyes. "It ashamed you don't get to see my terrible side and feel intimidated. You have a unique sense of control in how you deal with the opposite sex."

"I live with three brothers and a father who practices diplomacy, you shouldn't be surprised."

"Well, I'm not… I just don't have my ways with you…"

"Now that I think about it, we met in a pretty average way. Oh, the Superior-Schmuck Ken Doll has finally shed light on my supposed misinterpretation… Good job…" Luanne scowled sarcastically.

"A Ken Doll in today's context of plastic surgery is a subculture in our society. I am not a plastic with botox and I have blinking eyes. A Ken Doll, which you have mistakenly associated me with does not work and care for the family. I, on the other hand, I do think for the society."

"So you are a humanitarian Ken Doll who likes ruffling me up as your Barbie? Puh-lease… enlighten me without children's toy philosophy." Luanne almost wore a genuine amusement in her smile.

"You started the philosophy, Humanitarian Barbie. You're still my little agent duelist, the agreement sets you apart from the beautiful little fools I was mentioning. If you have a red string of fate, that is how I see… us." Marik mused.

"I am going to be blunt and cringe about your fate theory… 'Master' Marik. I don't know how many girls you have manipulated in doing things for you but I assure you I won't be manipulated."

"I think you may be a little overconfident there Luanne. Doesn't your father ever teach you to be humble?"

"Humbleness ironically is my middle name…"

"You have too many names…" He narrowed his eyes.

"W-What's wrong with that…?" She looked hurt for a second. Marik shrugged.

"Luanne… Quibila… Issa… Khait… Your name is perfect and beautiful, I wouldn't trade it for anything else…" Marik thought to himself.

A few minutes passed and neither of them continued their conversation. The trolley with beverages stopped by. Luanne was in a daydream as she had hugged her knees. Marik's charm was starting to get to her. He deliberately brushed his hand to her elbow. He had Luanne's attention for a while but he turned to the trolley.

"Me gustaría Licor de Orujo." Marik announced smoothly. Luanne turned to him and the stewardess and glanced at the trolley.

Before she had the time to say hers. "Ella va a tener un té Earl Grey con leche descremada." Marik's left hand was holding the Millennium Rod to access her mind and she could sense a brief invasion of her mind then.

"Uh, thanks… Earl Grey would be great."

She smiled. "I knew would like that." He simply said. Upon receiving their drinks, Marik saw the clouds caressing the plane glass.

Luanne in her faint silhouette was quite captivating to watch but he quickly shook his head as her floral dress created a petite, feminine and graceful girl. Then it shattered as she slumps with a sudden sigh. She sipped he boiled tea with an inelegant slurp. She grabbed the remote control and checked the channel as to what to watch.

He smirked as she compromised into her imperfect ways. "I heard 'Amistad' is a great movie." He was reading a magazine from his hand carry.

It was 'Two Wheelers Magazine with a shot of a cross motorcycle rider modelling. How did he know what she was about to pick? "You know, the thing I wrote is solely on observing the movie and current world issues. I am not perfect but at least I am zealous for justice…"

"Aren't we all, in our own little way, Luanne? My justice is as swift as a law enforcer, perhaps more efficient." He placed his magazine down. Tell me, what kind of justice would I serve from your observation? An accurate interpretation please…" Luanne felt an uneasy glare from Marik.

She knows if she says the wrong thing, he will not forgive her. "Do I tell him about negative aspects too or just the sugar-coated positive aspects?"

"Well, everything…" Marik answered her mental enquiry.

"I'll start with your positive traits, Marik…"

"Go ahead."

"You care for people like Bryn. You have a strange sense of compassion and a good sense of fashion. You are a sophisticated teenager whom I would say could lead an army of men to duel for you. Um, you have great leadership skills… I don't know."

Luanne shied away. Marik chuckled; he leaned forward, as he was only a few inches from her. "Anything else?"

He taunted her as he roughly grabbed her face. "Do not be alarmed, I just want to see how well you can describe me, positively with my current antics."

"You are an amazing teenager who possesses great wealth and you have an ego worth cowering upon… you are an arrogant boy who made me sign a contract…" She averted her eyes.

"Naaw, it isn't that bad. At least you get to travel with me. I also do regard you as a close equal. Unless… you become a servant to me, I am still misrepresented."

Marik whispered. "I'd much rather go back to my seat…"

"You can't, the Grandparent has moved to your original seat." Marik knew it before she checked.

"I'm a criminal mastermind with a great sense of justice. Considerably fair as we all laboured differently of course. I am also a great listener and influential."

"Gandhi doesn't condone slavery, Mother Theresa was subjected to public scrutiny as she expanded her congregation while children were dying and Nelson Mandela, he… he-"

"He used violence to counter racism. Honestly, you are so worked up about the world and you forget that fighting for justice requires a little sacrifice." He shocked Luanne again.

"So you would sacrifice Bryn to get justice?" Luanne countered. Marik found it amusing.

"Yes, even Bryn, even Odion and you…" He watched Luanne's face starting to boil with hatred. "However, Odion and Bryn have been my most loyal Rare Hunters and their pledge of justice to me will not them fall. There won't be any circumstances for me to require any sacrifice. They have earned it all… You see, Bryn has sworn to worship me as his Master but you… I can't see that from you yet…" He hissed.

"I think not for the sake of calling you a Master if I were to pledge my allegiance to you, I would best become a Rare Huntress like Bianca and Bryn so that I understand your authority in this organisation. Besides, you wouldn't want another Rare Huntress to join your Ranks. I might betray you." Luanne said jokingly.

"Careful… careful when you used term 'betrayal'. We wouldn't want us to betray one another now, do we? I have so much to know about you. How you came to us so willingly and yet complain about this organisation with a rare contract."

"Because… you are inseparable. You make people slave for you and you treat them like prisoners by kidnapping them!" Luanne couldn't stop laughing. Suddenly Marik gave her the sweetest puppy eyes, "But it's solely for justice." He was a great imitator of Bryn's cute antics.

He knew Bryn too well. "You have terrible morals!" Marik muffled her mouth. The tray of lunch was distributed and Marik passed Luanne hers.

He was famished enough. Marik kept his smirk and shrugged. "It seems you have fallen for your hypocritical ways, my dear." He could hear Bryn and Carissa sniggering at a comedy they were watching.


Luanne fell asleep on the plane and Marik grabbed his Rare Hunter garment to cover her. Her hands were icy cold and the plane was so silent. He enjoyed arguing with her but she seems to be unsure about her points. It was only her class that keeps her high in his level. The fine line between able to manipulate her is almost impossible. He could sense a tiny speck of fear but it will grow in time. He slammed shut the window and lowered his seat. Perhaps a shuteye may restore a little of his energy. He loathed how Luanne is too concern about the world but not enough about herself. That is another factor of why she didn't fear him enough. He had encountered girls in the peasant to middle class stand up to their belief enough mainly because they don't have much to worry about in the society.

She lightly snored and Bryn got up. Marik eyed on his lackey as he subtly knelt down. "What is it?"

"Abbey and Oliver are spying on some new duelists who had entered the United Kingdom tournaments. We were wondering if you wanted some of their details and hunt some of them down for the Ultra Rare cards." Bryn whispered softly. Marik had his arms crossed his left arm and his right supporting his chin as he contemplated.

He patted Bryn on his head like a little pet softly. "What other options does Oliver have? Would it be easier for him to take those cards on a whim and sort them out or duel them?"

"Master, I think we could potentially sell their deck… you could just keep the Ultra Rare…"

"That had always been our procedure, you fool… should we start kidnapping them?" He narrowed his eyes.

Bryn yawned, then Marik had an understanding expression. "Perhaps send them to S.R?"

"Perhaps I could send them to the S.R but I have better things to worry about. If you know how to remove them from play, we could hunt for the people they are acquainted with as well. Like a chain ransom and it will work. Since when have we started using the abbreviation for the Shadow... Realm...?"

"Do you like it?" Bryn smiled.

Marik rolled his eyes, "Those three we have met early are our first target, not Oliver and Abbey's target."

"The Adonis people are nice…" Bryn pouted.

"I don't care to kidnap anyone you want, just inform Oliver and Abbey for now. You look tired Bryn, go get some rest." Marik dismissed Bryn.


Luanne woke up just as the plane landed. Marik was having his breakfast but looks like she missed out. He appeared more cold than usual. His demeanour changed for some reason. Marik surrendered his cereal bar to Luanne.

"I'm not famished," she whispered. Her hair became bouncy again. She ruffled it into a tall ponytail. Marik shoved it into her hand. "You will be, I plan to stay at Lady Fendi's home and you won't be invited."

"Who is she?"

"Bryn's Aunty. She is not as tolerable as I." Marik warned her. "Rare Hunter used to be somewhat weak before I obtained a position in the Kenosha."

This took Luanne by surprise. Marik opened the overhead locker for his hand luggage. Bryn and Carissa were already set to alight the plane. Luanne had to go back to her original seat but everyone had already stood up to exit.

"Oops, don't you need to get your bag?" Marik pointed with false sympathy. He used his Millennium Rod and an anonymous stud threw her bag in Marik's way. Marik caught it and decided not to hand it to Luanne.

"Cool thanks!" Luanne reached and grabbed her bag but Marik swerved around.

"You could have stayed… it's mine now!" He cheekily purred and earned a tch, from Luanne. "Buuuut… for those who ask me shall receive." He pouted insinuating her beliefs.

"Actually you seem to be able to man up and carry my bag… thanks! You're such a gentlemen!" She hugged him and followed the queue out. Marik could hear Bryn giggle and it was at him. Marik growled as Bryn and Carissa passed him.