Chapter Eight- Duel Challenge
Jaden sauntered out of school, pleased with himself. He had the entire school under his spell, even those in the white dorm. He glance back at it and recalled what the Neo-Spacians had told him. While it was gratifying to know that he alone could stop The Society of Light's plan, he wasn't too concerned about it. If I told the Society to disband and forego their plan, they would do so. No one can resist my magic except half-werewolves, like Syrus.
Jaden frowned. Syrus and he were two of a kind and yet Syrus resisted him instead of joining him in being dark. As a half-werewolf, surely Sy could bite others into werewolves on the full moon. His eyes glittered as he imagined Syrus as a dark half-werewolf biting others and Jaden still influencing them so no one would tell them about their mental barriers.
"Jaden," a voice drawled behind him and he turned to see Satorius who clearly did not seem to be under his spell. Jaden understood that this man was the founder of the Society as well as a new student. Satorius' presence irritated Jaden and he chose to make that known.
"What do you want?" he snapped.
"I want to offer an alliance. We both have strong powers and if we joined together, we could control the world."
"Control the world," Jaden repeated. World domination did not interest Jaden as he preferred satisfying his own personal needs. He fixed Satorius with a cold stare. "No thanks. I have no interest in controlling the world. I would rather play pranks and tricks as that is who I am." He tapped his magic and focused it on Satorius. "Surely, you agree that we don't need to join together. Our goals are not the same."
Satorius smiled in amusement. "Your magic has no effect on me. My powers are not of this world."
"Yeah, but they're light powers while mine are dark. Doesn't that mean they cancel each other out?"
"That's one way of looking at it, however I did say my powers are from space and should be able to overcome your feeble kitsune magic. I know you're a threat to my plans and I will do what I can to stop you."
"The only way you can try is to duel me." Jaden gave a dark laugh. "But, no one can beat me."
Satorius was aware of Jaden defeating Aster as he had told Aster to duel Jaden. He had assured his client that he would win, so it was a shock when Aster returned and said he lost. He reported on Jaden's half-kitsune heritage and the card that had brought about his defeat. All of this concerned Satorius as a human Jaden was trouble enough; a half-kitsune Jaden was worse.
"Everyone can lose at least once," Satorius said. "That is destiny. How about we duel right now and I will prove you can lose."
"No thanks. I have plans." Jaden turned to leave.
Satorius seized Jaden's arm in an iron grip. "It would be unwise to turn down my challenge."
Jaden yanked his arm free. "I have no interest in dueling you, so leave me be." His eyes glowed red as he glared at Satorius who glared back with white glowing eyes until a large gray wolf appeared between them.
Syrus was in high spirits as he left school. He had three people on his side on the island. I'll have more on my side once I beat Jaden, he thought. I know it won't be easy, but that's why I've been dueling more so I can get better. Syrus pulled out his deck, shuffled it, and drew the top card to reveal Wolf Spirit.
It wants to duel too. I can sense it. It wants to defeat Fox Spirit as much as I do. Syrus put his deck away and, as he did so, his nose caught Jaden's unique scent up ahead. He took his time walking, not really wanting to have another confrontation and yet Jaden's scent grew stronger. He could be waiting for me, in which case I might as well get it over with; in fact I could issue my challenge to him. He walked a little faster before coming to a halt. He saw Jaden face-to-face with Satorius and both were glaring at each other with glowing eyes. Jaden had related his visit by the Neo-Spacians to Hassleberry and Syrus and while the latter was in awe of the mission Jaden was being asked to do, the half-kitsune was dismissive of needing any card but Fox Spirit. "I'll win with Fox Spirit," he had said. "I can't lose with Fox Spirit."
Syrus was convinced that Jaden should duel with the Neo-Spacians, so seeing the two of them facing one another with Jaden in his dark state alarmed him. He changed to his wolf form before getting between them. He growled at Satorius first and then Jaden before saying, "All right, break it up."
Satorius looked at Syrus before flashing his wicked smile at Jaden. "Mark my words, Jaden. We will duel eventually." The tall man headed back to the white dorm.
Syrus resumed human form and faced Jaden, who seemed mildly irritated. "Ja," he began.
"Syrus, I was fine," Jaden snapped. "I would have easily handled him."
"Handled him how?"
"The way most things are settled around here. I would have dueled him. I would have shown him that no one can beat me."
Syrus was silent as the two headed back to Slifer before he said, "When do you plan to duel Satorius?"
"That's my business. I don't have to tell you."
"True, but you are still my friend. Ja, I would like to help you prepare for your duel with Satorius."
Jaden stared at Syrus before he laughed scornfully. "Are you…suggesting that we duel?"
"Yeah, I am. I have gotten better as you know and I would like to test myself against you."
Jaden snorted. "Why should I duel you?"
"Because…if you win…I will stop resisting your magic. You can do what you want to me."
Jaden blinked. "You would…lower your barrier?"
"Yes."
A cruel smile appeared on Jaden's face. "Sy, I have such plans for you. I win, we'll be best friends again and dark half-animals together. I accept the duel."
"Great. How about after school tomorrow?"
"Yeah and in the woods where you revealed that you're half-werewolf."
"That would be fine."
The two of them lapsed into silence, each lost in thought. Syrus was nervous at the thought of dueling Jaden. The duel with Aster flashed through his mind, particularly the moves Jaden had made. He had dueled in usual fashion, albeit, with anger and aggression. But when he drew Fox Spirit and summoned it, something happened to him. He became harsh and he went overboard in Fox Spirit's attack points. I only saw it in action once, but I'm familiar with what it can do and that my Wolf Spirit can negate them all and finish Fox Spirit. I can win. I just have to believe in myself and my cards.
Jaden was also thinking about tomorrow's duel. His deck was strong, but none of his monsters could match Fox Spirit. Yes, his life points had to be 1,000 or less in order to special summon it; indeed the only way he could summon his beloved monster. Once Fox Spirit is on the field, I will activate its effects and win the duel. Then, Sy will be under my spell again and this time it will be for good.