chapter 15: The well known secret.

While Syrus Truesdale was "left" in charge of defending Domino city in one part of the world jaden and his group were well underway towards their latest destination, The Viking sanctuary of Lindholm Høje. After ariving to the closest airport possible Chazz was the first one out clearly relieved to be on solid ground again as he let out a well deserved rant on his part.

" why did we take the scenic route to get here again!?"

Hao replied instantaneously.

' firstly we haven't arrived just yet, we still have one more leg of the journey to cover and lastly we took the longer route with the intention of confusing Nightshroud.'

Chazz argued the following.

" confuse him?, doesn't he know what he's looking for or where to look for for that matter?"

Hao responded as such.

' he only knows what, I'm the only one who knows where.'

Chazz at that relented as he didn't want to argue with an ancient prince even if he was stuck in a contemporary slacker as the group booked a short train ride. While waiting for said train to arrive jaden noticed that Alexis was unusually calm knowing that a demon and the army of darkness were using her family member while targeting the rest of her family.

" hey, you seem very cool."

Alexis at that snorted.

" is that a dig about the weather?"

Chuckling, Jaden shot back.

" maybe but I'm just making sure you're alright with all this craziness."

Alexis gave a pleasant smile as she sighed.

" if it was anyone else I'd be worried out of my mind but I know my family's tough and I know you wouldn't go down without a fight too."

Jaden at that smirked.

" thanks for the vote of confidence."

With the group boarding the train it took them three minutes to get to their final destination in question as yet again Chazz remarked.

" pretty…. What am I looking at exactly?"

As the group took in the hills and mounds of north Denmark Adrian chimed into the conversation.

" honestly I would like to know too."

Henry Rhodes the second answered the query.

" it's a Viking cemetery, it said to contain a treasure trove of secrets and ship wrecks, not to mention the remains of an ancient city which I assume is what we're looking for."

Hao responded with.

' you're partially correct, what we are looking for lies beneath the ancient city.'

At this Jim Crocodile Cook grabbed everyone's attention.

" leave the search to me, archaeology is my forte."

The Rhodes men volunteered saying.

" allow us to lend our expertise as well."

Hao at that gave them a confident smirk.

' by all means.'

With th three getting down to work Jaden asked.

" so Hao?, you want the rest of us to stand guard while our researchers do their thing?"

Hao at that smirked.

' well I was going to give you a break as they say but if you insist otherwise….'

With that Jaden comically whined while also trying to avoid getting slapped upside his head by Chazz while Alexis shook her head in both dismay and amusement muttering to herself.

" boys…"

The next few hours proved to be crucial since the older gentleman in the group were busy trying to find the next step in their adventure while the younger ones were standing guard with their duel discs at the ready.

" Hao, not to whine too much but I thought you knew where was this ultimate power Nightshroud was after…"

Hao sighed in dismay saying.

' I know where it was supposed to be but time and evolution were factors no one could foresee.'

At that very moment Henry Rhodes the second called out.

" we've found the entrance."

At that precise moment Hao got an unpleasant feeling as he stated.

' they are getting nearer.'

Alexis surprisingly took charge as she said.

" me, Axel and Adrian will remain behind as a line of defense while you, Chazz, Jim and the rest of my family secure this power."

Jaden acknowledged.

" sure just don't do something too stupid."

As the latter group headed towards the entrance Chazz blurted out.

" don't worry you're taking all the stupid with you."

Jaden fainted ignorance as there was no time for playful banter as he asked his regal half.

" tell me are there any traps we should be aware of?"

Hao replied as such.

' only the garden variety ones.'

Jaden rolled his eyes at that response while Chazz bluntly said.

" you've been hanging around this guy for too long."

Hao only had this to say.

' not by choice I can assure you.'

Speaking of choices Alexis's group were preparing for the battle to come as Axel got straight to the point.

" since you took charge do you have any game plan in mind?"

Alexis took a moment to think before giving the following answer.

" we put our best cards forward, we hit them hard and fast but most importantly we trap them in place with battle damage cards to stop them from pushing through."

Axel nodded as he activated his duel disc, setting a few face downs saying.

" I have the perfect card combo in mind."

Alexis not wanting to be outdone no matter the situation activated her duel disc as she summoned a few of her ace monsters.

" you don't mind the reinforcement do you?"

Axel just silently nodded a no motion while Adrian Gecko activated his own duel disc, setting his own well known combo pointing out.

" now comes the annoying part, we wait for them to make the first move."

With that said and done a few minutes passed when an army of both shadow creatures and "Agents" shadows tried to draw first blood.

Meanwhile within the underground chamber with Jaden and the rest of the group.

" does anyone find it strange we haven't come across any booby traps?"

Jaden replied Chazz's question.

" what are you nuts? Don't jinx us."

The older Rhodes duo agreed with the sentiment as Jim spoke up.

" he at least made a good point about staying alert at least mate."

That good point proved itself as the group began bypassing trap after trap just like that time in the Bermuda triangle, however this time around they faced a few monsters just to keep things from getting too predictable to the annoyance of some with Chazz being chief amongst them. After traversing the traps laying in front of them the group entered a deserted but still maintained chamber made out of solid rock and supported by frames of wooden columns Jaden pointed out the following fact.

" why does this room feels like an arena to me?"

Hao replied immediately.

' in a sense it is.'

At this point Chazz chimed in.

" and looks like your opponents are statues, duel monster statues at that."

With that the group took a closer look at the statues situated in the middle of the room as Jaden pointed out.

" doesn't seem like their moving."

Hao added to the conversation.

' those are Elemental hero Sunrise and his dark counterpart Malicious Bane, if memory serves me right we'll have to defeat them in combat before they'll let us pass onwards to our destination."

Jaden asked without hesitation.

" how do we start this test?"

Chazz at that butted in.

" more importantly who's we exactly?"

At that Henry Rhodes senior spoke up.

" there's an inscription on the statue."

Without even asking the old man began translating the language written beneath the statues.

" only those with a pure connection to shadows and darkness may proceed."

With that said and done the monsters took a life of their own as the Elemental hero took a step forward.

' my liege…. Is that really you?!'

Hao admitted.

' in a limited capacity.'

Jaden at that added in excitement.

" this is cool and all but what are the terms for this test?"

Malicious Bane spoke next.

' simple, you fight us in perfect unity, you win, you pass, you fail and your fate will be that of ours.'

Chazz at that stepped forward as though he was intruding on a conversation back in the academy.

" I have a question that needs answering."

Sunrise, impressed by the sheer boldness of the human in front of him humored him.

"that inscription that brought you to life, does it refer to duel spirits?"

Malicious Bane nodded in affirmation as Chazz got to his point.

" I see spirits too, does that mean that I'm eligible to take this test as well?"

Sunrise took a moment to consider the question before answering.

' while it is true that you have a connection to duel spirits, said connection is too weak to fulfill the conditions for the trial.'

Hao at that added.

' what if I decide to let them join me?'

Malicious Bane let out a low growl saying.

' our orders are clear.'

Hao at that commanded the creature's attention.

' have you forgotten to whom you are speaking to?!'

that did not have the desired outcome as Malicious Bane began attacking both Hao and Jaden with Sunrise having no option but to join the fray. As the monsters attacked both Hao and Jaden managed to avoid the oncoming attacks as they both summoned Elemental Hero Flame Wingman.

' is that your best puny human?'

Both duelists replied in unison.

' no…..this is…"

managing to land attacks on both monsters Malicious Bane survived to oncoming blows. Just as Malicious Bane was about to attack the hero duelists Light and Darkness dragon appeared, managing to block said attack.

' weakling…. Only the one possessing true…'

Before malicious Bane could speak, a sneak attack destroyed him along with Elemental Hero Sunrise as Chazz said.

" too bad that attack was meant to distract you."

Hao wasted no time saying.

' follow me as closely as humanly possible.'

Doing just that the group ended up in front of what could only be described as a "crack"

in reality as Jim Cook guessed.

" are we supposed to enlarge this little crevice with our dueling energy?"

Hao only replied with.

' precisely.'

With that all duelists present poured all their energy into enlarging that reality tear, however that proved not enough for the whole group to pass through as Henry Rhodes the second stated.

" run through your highness, me and the old man would remain behind to guard the entrance until your return.'

Hao was about to begin arguing before Jaden took control of his body dragging him, Chazz and Jim Cook along through that tear.

' what have you done that for?.'

Jaden replied as such.

" I don't know much of anything when it comes to those larger than life adventures but whatever power you seek cannot fall into Nightshroud's hands so I made a decision."

As Hao fell silent the group continued on surveying their surroundings.

" so we're in a dark and creepy forest with no real idea as to where we're going."

Before anything else could happen Winged Kurriboh materialized out of the card into fur, flesh and blood as he started hovering over Jaden trying to grab his attention.

" hey there little buddy, since you're real excited and real overall, could you point us to the right direction?"

Kurriboh chirped as if to say ' sir yes sir!' as Chazz spoke up as well.

" Alright you mooks, I know you're here, make yourselves useful and make sure furball over there doesn't mess his mission up."

The Ojama Brothers laughed nervously as Yellow spoke up.

" but who'll protect you when danger rears its head?, more importantly who'll protect us….."

Sensing a migraine coming on Chazz grunted.

" the only danger so far is you losers giving me an headache… now buzz off…"

With that the trio disappeared.

" that was extra mean of you."

Chazz laughed sarcastically.

" don't try and be my mother…"

before the banter could continue though Winged Kurriboh and the Ojama Brothers returned prompting Jaden to say.

" that was fast, so what's the scoop and where are we headed?"

Kurriboh at that began chirping and conversing with Jaden. Once the conversation between the two ended Jaden addressed everyone by saying.

" there's a castle just up ahead, might be a good place to start looking."

Chazz at this point pointed out.

" it could be a total waste of time, time that mind you we don't have."

Undeterred Jaden replied.

" okay then, let's ask Hao then, are we going in the right direction?"

Hao didn't respond at first before simply nodding stating that Jaden was on the right path as Chazz just thought to himself.

' weird….. what's with the silent treatment?'

with that the group continued on trekking with their duel discs at the ready and as per their worries up until they arrived at the castle they got jumped a few times as the group defended itself against a variety of monsters and wannabe duelists/ warriors. Arriving at said castle Chazz didn't mince words as he asked.

" don't tell me that you hid the source of all powers under your bed or something?"

Hao replied as such.

'this is no mere home, this is in fact a soldier's barracks.'

Chazz gestured the king to continue explaining so he did.

' within these Barracks lies the final portal where the power is being kept, it is a dimension inaccessible by any other means of travel.'

Chazz admitted.

" that's clever but what keeps your enemies from discovering your secrets or worse, steal them?"

Hao gave a cocky smile.

' sheer will power.'

With that said and done Hao led them towards the lower levels of the barracks as Chazz silently asked Jim.

" say!?…. Are we sure we could trust this king?"

Jim's only response was as follows.

" the way I see it mate?, we don't have many choice, nor time to walk about."

hating to admit it but Jim was right at saying that so Chazz played alone with Hao's directions and commands. Reaching the final portal Hao warned.

' clear your minds from doubts lest you wish to be tortured.'

Chazz asked bluntly.

" a precaution within a precaution?"

Hao nodded while taking Chazz by surprise.

' I have no reason to trap you, however when the time is right I shall defeat Jaden in a duel and take over his body.'

Jaden asked unfazed.

" what happened to sharing one body?, of unity and all that jazz?"

Hao responded bluntly.

' you're too pure and soft hearted to face Nightshroud at your current level, a weakness a hero can't afford to present your enemies.'

Jaden didn't push the conversation further as he took a deep breath before taking a step towards the portal. As the group entered Jaden and Hao began to convulse in pain and agony as what could only be described as a storm of both spirits and dark lightning surrounded the hero duelists, think the Quickening from Highlander only darker and more intense. As the group eventually exited the portal Hao got separated completely from Jaden as he came out with a body made out of intense dark energy.

" so what now?!, we duel?"

Jaden's question was answered abruptly but what he can only describe as an intense earthquake.

' Nightshroud's forces… we've been followed.'

Jaden at that said.

" lead the way then."

Hao led the group back to the forest from which they came as Nightshroud's creatures came in droves as Jaden asked.

" does that means what I think it does?"

Hao replied while a duel disc and a deck materialized on his arm.

' not necessarily, he can command the creatures from this domain as well.'

With that the fight commenced as the group summoned monster after monster taking on every enemy until Jaden and Hao drew a card, one that made the attackers back up in fear or downright retreat. After the last of the enemies cleared out Jaden inspected the card saying.

" something's off about this card, it seems half finished."

Hao replied with no emotion in his voice.

' that's the power we received, a card simply known as Super Polymerization.'

Jaden nodded as he took a guess.

" you want to duel me cause only one of us can wield its power right?"

Hao's response was simply.

'indeed.'

With that Hao offered a detailed explanation about the card itself as they made it back to the Viking ruins only to discover the Rhodes men being surrounded by shadow creatures with Atticus in charge of the assailant group.

" for once you're right on time Jay."

Jaden asked carefully.

" you haven't done something you'll regret did you?"

Atticus gave a pleasant yet sinister smile.

" I didn't and I won't have to either if you hand over the card his majesty gifted you."

Jaden immediately asked.

" what makes you think you can control it?"

Atticus smirked.

" you duel great but I'm a great duelist."

Jaden and Hao half joked saying in unison.

" I don't think so.'

Atticus shook his head saying.

" figures, so I brought these…."

with a flick of his fingers two figures appeared, figures that Jaden recognized as Zane and Syrus Truesdale which for once made Jaden furious.

" what have you done with them!?"

Atticus chuckled.

"Yeah well they decided to stick their noses where it doesn't belong, so I'll be teaching them a lesson until you've decided what to do about guaranteeing their safety."

With that both Atticus and the monsters disappeared as Jaden tried to give chase while Hao stopped him by grabbing his arm.

" hey what gives?!"

Hao minced no words.

' our duel must happen unless you wish to go to battle unarmed.'

Agitated Jaden continued.

" and why a duel monsters card should be more important than my friends?"

Hao shut him down there and then.

' it is no mere dueling card, it is a weapon and like all weapons, being wielded by the wrong hands will bring disaster on the one wielding it.'

Jaden took a pause to breath before saying.

" yeah well I don't remember asking for it now move aside I've got my friends and a world to rescue."

Hao wasted no time getting in Jaden's way letting his actions tell him that if he continues acting this way then he's liable to get punched, the hero duelist disregarded that silent warning as he continued walking past the supreme king of gentle darkness. Wasting none of his energy Hao surprised Jaden by punching him in the gut saying.

' listen carefully, you may have defeated him before but everything is different now, he is far more powerful than his shadow rider days, the only hope for you to survive is to follow my orders.'

Wheezing a bit Jaden nodded gesturing Hao that he was listening.

' go and make certain that your friends survived, the last thing you will need is to be distracted as well as weak.'

Jaden at that said weakly.

" our friends Hao, they're yours too now."

With that said and done the group made their way out of the Viking ruins as Chazz was hung up on one thought that couldn't escape his brain.

'nobody's going to point out that Hao punched the slacker in the stomach?…. That how Houdini died…..'

as the group made it outside they saw Adrian, Alexis and Axel engaged in duels against a new group of cronies working under Nightshroud as he recognized a couple of them rather easily, Slade and Jagger Princeton.

" great… what are those two doing here…."

before he could get his answer though the group of cronies deactivated their duel disks stating that the next time they see each other it would be their last.

" don't tell me Atticus pulled a dirty trick on you?"

Alexis answered Jaden.

" he's using people that know us well like cousin Lana and even Echo."

Jaden went quiet before Hao caught their attention.

' make camp for tonight because tomorrow we give chase to both Atticus and Nightshroud.'

No one argued with hao on this as the camp was set quickly there after, once the night rolled in t the group all took turns standing guard.

" so why are we really camping out here tonight?"

Hao simply replied.

' I will teach you how ti=o use the weapon I gave you and Tomorrow you will face me in a duel.'

Jaden sighed.

" why is this duel so important for you?"

Hao replied.

' very well.'

With that Hao explained everything to Jaden, even opened up about Yubel's origins to him to which Jaden began smiling, leaving Hao confused.

" it seems that after a few thousand years we share the same thing, we deeply care for our friends."

Hao responded with.

'let us keep this wit each other and no one else.'

Jaden joked.

" okay, besides I really don't want to get another slug in the stomach again."

Hao gave his best attempt at a sincere apology as Jaden tapped his shoulder saying.

" don't worry about it, that was a good punch you got there."

With that said and done the two made their rounds before Chazz came to replace them both as Jaden said.

" have fun."

Chazz rolled his eyes.

" yeah right….."

Whatever fun meant for Chazz couldn't be more fun that the dreams Jaden was having tonight, though to be honest it was more like haunting thoughts of the friends he couldn't save at the moment, as for Hao?, he distinctly felt what his reincarnation did as he summoned Yubel.

' how much strength have you got left to interact with this world?'

Knowing where he was going with this Yubel answered as follows.

' just enough my lord.'

Hao at that acted quickly as he transferred a significant amount of energy for Yubel to use.

' find Nightshroud, rescue his friends at any cost.'

Yubel replied with a bit of sadness in her tone.

' it will be done.'

With that Yubel disappeared from view as Chazz noted.

" he won't be happy with what you've done."

Hao answered quietly.

' rescuing his friends you mean?'

Chazz corrected him.

" weakening yourself before a big duel."

Hao smirked.

' I am aware, I also admit that if it wasn't for me and that blasted helmet of mine he wouldn't be where he is at this moment.'

Chazz scoffed.

" knowing him?, If he wouldn't drag us to this adventure he would certainly find another."

Speaking of adventure as Yubel disappeared into the shadows she maintained a low profile following one of Nightshroud's many monster minions into what can only be described as a prison materialized with shadows. Subduing the minion in charge of this so called prison Yubel started roaming the complex that could and would be described as a beehive gone abstract until she heard low humming spotting Zane and a sleeping Syrus in the process.

" that's surprising."

Zane replied knowingly and coolly.

" not really I helped him relax enough to fall asleep."

Yubel nodded as she began ripping the cell's bars as Zane asked.

" did Jaden send you to free us?"

Yubel answered truthfully.

" his ancestor did as a favor for Jaden."

Zane at that couldn't help but get caught a bit of guard as he responded with.

" ancestor?!, seems Jaden got involved with one hell of an adventure."

Yubel agreed with that sentiment however she pleaded with Zane to keep the questions to a minimum until she could ensure their escape to which the latter agreed. As the group made it closer and closer to the outside it seemed that their escape went smoothly, key word seemed.

' going anywhere so soon?'

For a moment luck would seem to favor Yubel since the one in their way was nor Attiicus or Nightshroud but the mysterious older teen with the green hair, however since there was little to know about him no one could say if her luck was either good or bad so she took a gamble by saying.

' as a matter of fact yes, right through you…..'

With that a duel disc materialized on Yubel's left arm as the mysterious figure retorted.

' if you believe you must.'

At that a duel was about to take place until Zane stepped in front of her saying.

" take Syrus away from here while I'm keeping him distracted."

Yubel at that stated.

' you realize what you are doing right?'

Zane confirmed that statement silently before Yubel attempted to escape with Syrus although at that particular moment the green haired teen ordered an attack on them which the older Truesdale brother blocked with his reliable Cyber monsters.

" your fight's with me…."

Yubel wasted no time and teleported herself and Syrus towards her master's current location as the latter began waking up mid journey.

" Zane?!…. Where are you?!….."

Yubel instinctively reassured him.

' threat not, you will see him again.'

before he could say anything more Yubel used her powers gently to enduce sleep on the little guy. Once she stepped foot into the camp site she spotted Chazz arming himself with his duel disc.

' lower your weapon I am an ally bearing gifts.'

Chazz not missing a chance to flex simply replied with.

" beware of the Greeks even when they bring presents."

With a calm demeanor Yubel replied.

' it's a good thing I'm not Greek then.'

At this point and time an insomniac Jaden stepped outside hoping some fresh air would help him finally catch some sleep as he noticed Yubel and more importantly Syrus.

" Sy….. what happened to you little buddy?"

Yubel's only response was.

' nothing much I just enduced sleep on him.'

Jaden at that asked worriedly.

" Zane helped you escape didn't he?"

Yubel confirmed Jaden's suspicions as the hero duelist carried Syrus to his tent as he placed him in his own sleeping bag.

' aren't you resting for your biggest test yet?'

Jaden confessed.

" I couldn't sleep even if I wanted to, oh… and Yubel?"

Yubel said nothing as she gave him her fullest attention.

" could you please gather some water for Syrus when he wakes up?"

Yubel only nodded with a positive response before disappearing from view as Jaden made sure his best friend, human one, was getting as much sleep as possible. Watching the sun rise the rest of the group sans Yubel and Hao began making sure Syrus was taken care of as they could with Jaden silently thanking Hao.

' do not thank me just yet you still have a duel to win.'

Jaden simply asked.

" what will happen to you when this ends?"

Hao's only reply was.

' that is unimportant.'

Jaden at that angrily shot back.

" don't you get it!?, it is important to me cause for better or worse you're my friend….. you're even more than that."

Slightly touched Hao's response was.

' I am saying this as your friend, you must let me go for you to have any chance in defeating Nightshroud…. Your loved one depends on it too.'

Jaden at that kept quiet as he took deep breaths.

" I'll be ready whenever you are."

With that the two agreed to conduct the duel right after breakfast as Jaden returned to his tent to check up on Syrus with Hao thinking to himself.

' he has matured a bit, let us hope he'll survive the battle to come.'

With breakfast taking place everyone got a well deserved meal as Jaden even left some on the side for Hao and Yubel who excluded themselves for obvious reasons. As breakfast finished Syrus surprisingly approached Hao saying.

" thank you, for the both of you."

Appreciative Hao replied with.

' be sure to thank Jaden when he rescues your brother as well.'

Syrus said his goodbyes respectfully as he made it back to camp as Jaden approached the pair.

" when and where?"

Hao at that gave him a confident smirk.

' the underground ruins, three hours from now.'

Jaden asked bluntly.

" having second thoughts?"

Hao at that returned the favor.

' you are not well rested, I need you at least somewhat awake.'

Jaden did not reply to that as his usual cheerful self wasn't present at the moment as he decided to go back to his tent and at least lie down on his sleeping bag until it was time for the duel as Hao found himself a nice and secluded place for himself, well almost deluded anyway.

' what may I do for you lady Rhodes?'

Alexis at that got straight to the point.

" what's the point behind your duel with Jaden really about?"

Hao took a moment before he responded with.

' when I was entrusted to safeguard the gentle darkness for the one true successor I failed to live up to the responsibility of the task placed in my hands.'

Alexis silently gestured for Hao to continue.

' I managed to drive away the light of destruction from destroying everything it touches but at the cost of the kingdom I grew up in, my own life but more importantly…'

As the flood of emotions and memories came to his mind Hao composed himself by saying.

' I failed to keep my promise to a very special friend.'

Alexis at that came to the following conclusion.

" so you don't want Jaden to be burdened by your failures is that right?"

Hao at that sighed.

' you are a very clever girl but there's more to it, I don't want to provide Nightshroud weapons against Jaden just for being around him.'

Before anything else could happen Jaden came walking by with a confident strut while locking eyes with Hao as he said.

" look I won't say I get all that but I will say that I have my own shares of failures so…"

With that Hao listened intently.

" if there's no escaping this duel let's make this duel about how the both of us lived okay!?"

At that Hao gave the biggest smirk he could muster before tossing a card over to Jaden, taking a look at this card he was surprised to see Yubel.

" are you sure you want to give such a powerful card to me?, considering who it is and all?"

Hao's only reply was.

' I am sure she is in good hands… or at least far better than mine could ever be.'

With that Hao left first as Alexis asked Jaden the following.

" how are you feeling?"

Jaden at that gave a smirk saying.

" never better."

With that said and done both of them left with Alexis offering to help him prepare for the duel to which he accepted gladly.

Next time: Duel with your duality.