Chapter Five- Heritage Revealed

Syrus' eyes flashed gold as his Super Vehicleroid Jumbo Drill attacked his opponent's life points directly and won him the duel. His opponent, another Ra, rose to his feet, gave Syrus a grin and a nod before returning to his dorm.

Syrus beamed and felt his confidence grow some more. It feels great to win and not be afraid to duel. I should never have messed with the second-level of my barriers and I will never do so again until the pro circuit. Syrus saw himself dueling before a crowd and being cheered for. Yes, that's my future.

Syrus ended up dueling three times this day. The first one was actually a lesson in class while the other two were the ones he had scheduled the day before. He subtly checked the sky and figured he might have time for either a duel and dinner or a large dinner. Hmm, I think I'll have a large dinner. I'll be changing tonight and I'll need all the food I can eat to have the energy to transform and move.

"Sy, that was a sweet duel," Jaden said, sounding like his old self. "Keep it up and you'll be promoted next year and a pro the year after that."

"Thanks. I do plan to be a pro so I have to improve."

"Of course." Jaden flashed a grin as the two of them and Hassleberry headed back to Slifer. "Hey, Sy. How about the two of us being foxes tonight to celebrate your three victories today?"

"Uh, maybe another time?" Syrus asked, thought he had no intention in agreeing to the suggestion. "Tonight and the next two nights aren't good for me."

"Really?" Jaden was disappointed. He had hoped that turning Syrus into a fox during the full moon would turn him dark and evil like him due to the transformation spell.

"Yeah. I'm sorry, Ja. You could change to a fox tonight if you want to."

Jaden nodded. "I intend to." They entered the cafeteria and Jaden inwardly scowled. He no longer liked Syrus' sweet disposition. If I can ambush him during the full moon, I'll be able to force the change on him. He grabbed his tray and manipulated some of the dishes into shrimp or fish before eating it eagerly. He would need food to change and work his magic.

Syrus also ate his food and got seconds of shrimp. His decline of Jaden's offer made him a little concerned. Ja does not accept no for an answer these days. He must have a reason for wanting me to be a fox and the only way I'll know is to ask him, but not now. I'll ask another time.

"What are ya doin' tonight that you would turn the Sarge down?" Hassleberry asked as Jaden left the cafeteria.

"Nothing, really. I've just got a lot on my mind and I can't think about it if I'm distracted by sharp senses and fox impulses," Syrus lied.

"I guess that makes sense."

Syrus nodded and rose from his seat. "I need to get started on those thoughts." Hassleberry nodded as Syrus headed out to a beautiful sunset. He stole into the forest, heading for a clearing where he could see the sky; it was a spot he had scouted out the day he had lowered his second barrier. He looked forward to being a wolf again despite his initial feelings two days ago. I was born a half-werewolf. Now is the time to embrace it again. Perhaps Zane and I can be wolves over the summer. We could run and play like we used to. Syrus smiled at this thought but it faded when he entered the clearing and saw Jaden near the center of it. "Uh, Ja. Hi," he said, trying to sound casual.

Syrus could see anger burning in Jaden's eyes. "So, tonight not a good night for you, huh Sy?" he asked tightly. "Seems like it is a good one."

"Ja, what are you planning?"

"I don't like your sweet personality. My magic is at its strongest on the full moon and I'm going to change you into a fox and you'll be dark and evil like me."

"I don't think so." Syrus sensed that the moon had risen and he howled as he eyes turned gold-silver. He grew bigger as he sprouted a gray fur coat and took his wolf form for the first time since attending Duel Academy. He growled at Jaden who took a couple of steps back in surprise.

"You're a…a werewolf?" he gasped.

"Half-werewolf," Syrus corrected. "Every male on my father's side is one. I changed shortly before our first year. I can keep it restrained with one of three mental barriers."

"Barriers?"

"That's right. The second one locks up the full moon changes, the sharper senses, the faster speed, and the natural confidence of a wolf."

"That explains the confidence I've sensed in you lately. But why unlock it now?"

"So I can stand up to you. My first barrier is protecting me from your magic. I threw off your spell on the third day after you dueled Aster."

"What!?" Jaden hissed. "You've been pretending ever since?"

"Yeah. You can't influence me anymore. I've unlocked my wolf side which is the top predator of the canine family, including foxes."

Jaden glared at Syrus before turning into a fox and stalking off, growling.

Syrus stood tall on his paws and his tail held high. He had stood up to his best friend, but it had come at the price of exposing his secret. Will Ja tell the whole school about me? He might, but then again he might not. Either way, it doesn't matter. I'm proud to be half-werewolf and I will not let any criticisms upset me. Syrus took a deep breath with closed eyes and then exhaled. His eyes opened to reveal that they were all gold and his human intelligence suppressed. He had sunk into his wolf frame of mind. He sniffed the air and then the ground before racing off after some prey that he would kill and, later on, eat. Once he had killed, he raced around the area, marking it as his territory. It was while he was eating did his human mind resurface.

His tail wagged and a wolf's grin crossed his muzzle. That…was…exciting! I had forgotten how it feels to hunt and claim a territory. Now that I remember, I am never going to forget again. Syrus threw back his head and howled in joy.

Meanwhile, Jaden staked the woods, furious. His best friend had broken his influence spell and revealed himself to be half-werewolf. Furthermore, that heritage protected him from Jaden's magic. His plan to have Syrus be like him was ruined. Syrus would keep his barriers up to protect himself.

He may be immune to my powers, but everyone else isn't. Whatever I want, I will get as no one can resist. If I wanted to make others dark and evil, I will do so. Syrus can't stop me from doing what I want to others.

Jaden's eyes glowed red as the howl of a wolf making a successful kill sounded and he growled at the sound. He's possibly thinking like a wolf. He thinks he's so cool being half-werewolf, but he's not. You take away his top canine status and all that's left are his barriers, the full moon changes, and being a wolf whenever he wants.

Jaden blinked as a thought occurred to him and he chuckled darkly and low in his throat. People revere foxes, but fear wolves. They especially fear werewolves. I will tell the whole school that Sy is half-werewolf. He will be feared and hated and he'll be sorry that he broke my spell and blocked the rest of my magic. Jaden laughed at the misery he was about to unleash on his friend while Syrus howled again, unaware of Jaden's revenge.