Chapter Fifty-One
51
Come What May
"You can't be seriously considering this, Ms. Connar!?"
Ever since Connar was released from the Chancellor, Kaibaman had not ceased to share his mind.
"You're really going to go back to that dorm!?"
"The Chancellor said that it was highly possible the Shadows began to move when I made contact with that Dorm." she stated."He said that he noticed strange things ever since I returned, not only with this, but with my own behavior as well."
"Well...I suppose that indeed is rather odd." he stated,"But then should that not be a reason why you must avoid that place!?"
Connar huffed a sigh as she closed her eyes and thought back to the conversation she had alone with the Chancellor after everyone had accepted their keys and thus sealed their fate.
XXXXX
"Now that we are alone, Connar, there are matters with you I must discuss." said the older gentleman as he seated himself into his chair.
"What is it, Chancellor?" she blinked. The sudden heavy aura she was feeling in his presence now was certainly not very comforting.
"Connar...I didn't give you a key because I feel the risk of it was much too high." he stated,"I know you are a strong duelist, your reputation proceeds you even today- But...you are also my boss's daughter." he said.
"Yeah...I imagine making me a target wouldn't go over well with my dad, huh..." she chuckled awkwardly,"Even if it were my choice."
"Even with that."he stated calmly,"There's still something you could do."
"And what's that, Chancellor?" She blinked.
"Connar...I know about your connection with the spirits." he said firmly, and her eyes went wide.
"You have unique abilities, Connar, and with your consent, I plan to use them." he stated,"See, I began to notice strange things ever since your unconscious body was returned to us from the Abandoned Dorm." he said,"I know your father doesn't dare speak much of any such things..." he blinked,"But this unique ability of yours may prove more useful to us than you think."he sighed,"I've noticed your change in behavior...how you seem more tired these days."he blinked,"I think that all may tie into all of this."
"...You think so?" she asked.
Truth of the matter was that somehow, she felt this too.
"With your strong connection to the spirits Connar, and the light and darkness that comes with them...I think that The Shadow Riders may target you too...with or without a key." he said,"Though I think it is more like your soul that will draw them in."
"So what should I do?"
"Use it." he stated,"Tap into these abilities of yours somehow...if you can, you might even be able to use that power to seek them out and sense them...before they get to us."
XXXXX
Not a lot of it made sense to Connar.
But one thing did.
Now...she was full of questions.
Questions that needed answers.
And while she did not have these answers...she had a feeling that there was someone waiting for her at the Abandoned Dorm who just might...
xxxxx
Somehow, the building seemed far more ominous when she last visited, as though it was hungrily awaiting her return. She stepped inside and immediately she felt the chilling wind of the presence she was seeking.
Kira...
"I Assure, milady, it would be best if we turn back now!"
"I can't." she said softly,"I can't explain why but I feel I need to do this." she sighed shakily,"Besides I feel some things may be solved if I push forward..."
"But, -"
It became impossible for him to finish once she crossed the threshold. Her connection with her parnter snapped like an electrical cut off through a thread that bound them together.
"Kaibaman?" she blinked as she called out to him, "Kaibaman Where are you...!?"
"Man that guy is really annoying~" a familiar voice spoke tauntingly followed by some ominous giggling that commanded Connar's attention as she turned and found exactly she was seeking, sitting one leg crossed over other and his hands folded as he sat pompously. "Duel Spirits are such troublesome things." his sharp eyes lingered on her and seemed to have a hot majenta glow.
"Kira..."
"Tis I~" he smirked and stood up. He stood out in his design with his clothing being skin tight and form-fitting. His face was Identical to Connar's, she would think it was an inverted mirror. She couldn't explain why, but his presence gave her a nauseating swirling pain in the pit of her stomach...and a writhing twisting pain in her chest. His smirk worsened that sensation as he approached her and cupped her cheeks and leaned in close.
"I knew you'd seek me out sooner or later~" he giggled,"but it seems you're not quite ready to remember me yet..." he said with a click of his tongue,"Too bad." he sighed as he pulled back and crossed his arms in a stubborn huff,"So what else is it that you are seeking from me? "Answers." she said firmly as she clenched her fists," Tell me...are you...a shadow rider?"
He gave her a blank expression and cracked an amused grin.
"Well Connie...tell me something?" he blinked,"Are YOU a Shadow Rider?"
"Of course not!" she snipped and he gave another amused chuckle.
"Then obviously I'm not..." he smirked,"But then, you knew that already, didn't you? So it was a wasted question."
Connar let out a low growl and gritted her teeth.
He was right...
She wasn't sure how she knew- but she just knew this guy wasn't one of them.
But then...just who was he?
How is it...that I know you?
"So then...are you one of the missing students who disappeared here?"
"So many questions~" he giggled teasingly,"But it would seem you're not ready for the answer, even though I've given it to you plenty of times already."
"You are me..." she said softly, which he replied with a scoff and mischevous hum.
"But what does that even mean!?"
"Look inside yourself, Connar...and you will know the answer."
She gulped as she felt her heartbeat pound against her chest. She had a feeling he was right. But Something also told her that if she did this...she wouldn't like what she found the answer to be...
He could read this expression on her face and his expression grew softer. "All in due time~" he said softly,"It's already starting to show within you. No matter what you do, you can't stop this change."he said,"All you can do is keep it within until the day comes when you won't even be able to do that anymore!"he said,"You will be forced to face it...and accept it...and when that day comes...I will be waiting for you once again."
"NO!" she cried out and stumbled back, quickly catching herself and trying to steady her breathing.
"N-No...I won't..." she didn't even know what it was that she was refusing. But whatever she was blocking out, she fought her hardest to keep blocking it. She shook her head violently and turned to run once again.
Coming here was a bad idea!
I should have listened!
I should have-
She stopped herself.
No...
She thought.
I have to...
She took in a deep breath and turned to face him one more time. He hadn't moved or changed his position.
Watching.
Waiting.
"I have...one more question." she stated.
"What is it?"
"Your purpose..." she said,"...What is it? Why are you still here?"
It seemed this was the right question. He smiled and the atmosphere of the whole room started to change.
The right answer...
But the wrong time to ask it.
Too soon...
He thought to himself.
Not yet...it's not the time.
"Who I am and what I do will become apparent soon enough." he said softly,"You are needed elsewhere at the moment."
"What do you mean?"
He chuckled and looked out a broken window. His Majenta colored eyes shined with a heated glow as he spoke,"It seems the first Shadow Rider has already struck." he stated,"Your fiery friend...has taken a heavy hit. HE needs you now."
"My...fiery friend?" Connar blinked before letting out a sudden gasp, "Jaden!" without pressing further out she turned on her heel and ran. Leaving him alone in his glow of shadows and dust.
The time will come soon, but not yet...
He thought to himself.
She's just not ready yet...but she will be.
He smirked and looked up into the cieling.
Until the day comes when she will be mine once again...Let the pieces fall where they land and come what may...!
To be Continued