Chapter Seventy

70

Welcome To The Battle Arena!

The remaining key keepers along with Connar, wandered the woods carrying a strange knap sack that was turned in to Professor Banner at the end of class so that he could properly lead his stdents through the brush and plants of the Island's forests.

"I wonder why that pack was left in the middle of no where like that?" Jaden wondered as he held it close to his chest while Connar led the march.

The way Connar seems to be entranced by whatever is leading her into the woods...

It wouldn't surprise me of Spirits were involved...

He blinked.

Or another Shadow Rider...

"I'm more curious about where its owner is..." Bastion blinked.

"...I hope no one is hurt..." said Professor Banner.

Everyone called out for any sign or trace of a response but got nothing. They wandered further in and were in shock at what awaited them at the end of the path they traveled.

"Where did THIS come from!?" Jaden asked.

Before them stood a Colliseum. And it looked relatively new.

I'm not sure...But I do know one thing.

Connar blinked.

That's definitely a structure that was never here on the island before...

Surely dad would have known otherwise...

So wherever its origin is...

I don't get the sense of anything good coming from it...

"I'm going in!" Bastion declared as he took off in a run ahead.

"Wait up!" Syrus sighed, while the rest of the crew followed after.

XXXXX

The view was shocking...

The colliseum was just as impressive on the inside as it was out...and multiple students from class lined the walls in building work.

"Crowler!?" Chazz called out in shock, grabbing the attention of the ponytailed blonde who was also part of the laboor team.

"What are you doing!?" Syrus asked curiously.

"Ah...a man's work." he answered.

"A man's work?" Banner pondered curiously, "My...they must have been running very short on men..."

Connar stifled a snicker when suddenly they were interrupted by a snarl of a beast that startled Jaden back a few feet... before it started chasing them down.

"First a Collisum- then a Tiger- what's next? A Gladiator!?"

"We didn't somehow teleport to Ancient Rome, did we!?" Connar whimpered.

"Actually- I think she prefers the term, Amazon!"

"Amazon!?"

"That's right..." A tall woman stood proudly, seeming to tame the beast that had originally chased the crew up a pillar for safety, "Thanks to all of your friends, I was finally able to finish my arena!"

"Arena?" Connar blinked curiously.

"Arena for what?" asked Jaden.

"...Dueling." she grinned as she turned toward th workers who all rallied in line behind her, "Job well done, boys!" she beamed, "I had no idea that Duel Academy Students could make such fine laborors..." she hummed as she began handing out envelopes to each one, "As promised, here's your payment. Some rare cards~ Well deserved I might add- Until next time~"

"Hey!" Jaden huffed, "What is going on!?"

"What does it look like~?" the woman questioned with a grin as she folded her arms, "I'm setting the stage...for your vanquishihing." she stated, "I'm one of the seven Shadow Riders."

"Uh oh..." Jaden gulped and glanced back at Connar.

...So it WAS a Shadow Rider...

"A Shadow Rider?" Syrus gulped, "Aw man..."

"You mean Aw WO-man." said Chumley.

"Chumley's right." COnnar said softly, "Amazons are a warrior race of only women."

"Wow. You go girl..." said Alexis.

"The name is Tanya." said the Shadow Rider, "And now that the Battle Ground has been established, it's time we do battle~" she stated, "Now then...which of you big strong men will it be?" she tettered, "After all~ I would never harm a Sister!"

"Hey! Don't do me any favors!" Alexis huffed.

"Oh but it's more than just you, Sister." said Tanya, "You have the Spirit Caller too!"

"Spirit Caller!?" Chazz gasped and quickly glanced to Connar.

Spirit Caller...

Connar thought to herself.

That term again...in reference to me...

her eyes narrowed

But what does it mean to be a Spirit Caller?

she blinked.

What even IS a Spirit Caller?

Something tells me...I am getting closer and closer to finding out...

"So which of you males will it be, hm?" Tanya hummed, "Who's my man!?"

"Right here!" said Jaden.

"You're truly~" said Chazz stepping in beside him.

"I'll take you!" Claimed Bastian, coming in between them.

The three young men stood, battle ready and with fierce determination as Tanya slowly scanned each one...muxh to Connar's discomfort.

"Hmmm..." Tanya hummed as she shifted through the offerings, "Wellll...if this is reall the best you have to offer..." she stated softly, "Then I suppose I will pick..." she smirked, "You."

To Be Continued