Chapter Eleven- Brothers

"Zane, please talk to me," Syrus pleaded. "Let's work through this."

"You kept the fact that you're also a demon from me for two years," Zane said in a tight voice. "You could have, should have told me. Even if I didn't believe you, it wouldn't have been the shock it turned out to be. I now question our childhood, wondering if I was growing up with a demon all that time."

Syrus was a bit stung by Zane's last words. "Kage did not appear until I was thirteen. Our childhood is exactly what it was. I suppose I could have told you. No, I should have told you. It was not my intention to shock or scare anyone."

"Well, you did! That's why everyone's avoiding you. You revealed a secret when we were already in the midst of a duel with a vampire."

"And if I hadn't revealed it, you would have lost the duel, the key, and your soul. I have no doubt that we would have gotten your soul back, but then two gates would have been opened instead of the one we have right now. I also had to act fast to prevent my soul from being linked to Cyber End Dragon. Kage had said that if one of us was lost, the other goes too and considering we're merged, that makes sense."

Zane was silent. If Sy hadn't used his energy and demon form, I would have lost, I can't deny that. I'm still not sure who was talking after we escaped the castle. Was it Kage or Syrus?

"Zane?"

Zane blinked and took a step back as Syrus had changed again. "Syrus?" he asked slowly.

"Yes, though I prefer the name Kage when I take this form." He smiled. "I'm still your brother no matter what I look like or what I am."

Zane looked Syrus up and down, taking a good look as he hadn't looked properly before. He looked from the ears to the eyes, the face, the clothes, and the tail. He also noticed that Syrus was taller. He's right. He's been human and demon all his life. He did say Kage was fatally wounded so no doubt he had to recover from that after joining with Sy and could not communicate until later. He looked in Syrus' gold eyes and saw that it was Syrus looking back at him.

"Kage," he said. "You're right. You're still my brother. You've been like this all your life and didn't know until later. I know you won't hurt anyone." He smiled as Syrus seized him in a hug. He inwardly chuckled. Typical Sy.

Alexis smiled in amusement at a five foot two wolf demon hugging Zane. She found it funny as she knew Kage had been an assassin and yet Syrus was being his sweet self. The point is that Zane is not angry or afraid of Syrus anymore.

"Tell me about your demon side," Zane said as Syrus broke the hug.

"He was born with shadow powers. He lived with his parents who loved him and taught him how to defend himself. He did have one serious disagreement with his parents as they held to the belief that as wolf demons are superior, all others should fear and respect them. Kage believed that if his kind were superior, they should help those who need help or protection.

"He struck out on his own when he was seventeen or eighteen. He ended up being a hired assassin but did defend weaker demons when he was between jobs.'

"I imagine defending others attracted enemies as much as being an assassin would," Zane commented.

"Right and that's why those three demon attacked him and left him for dead."

"Were those three bullying someone?" Alexis asked as that point of the story was never mentioned.

"Worse. They were tormenting and abusing six small demon children. He was furious at this since he never had siblings or children of his own."

"He did the right thing defending those children," Zane said.

Syrus nodded. "He also helped reunite them with their parents."

"They wanted revenge and left him for dead, not realizing that he could escape and live…wait. Is he alive?"

"He is; even though he is soul and spirit, he is alive. He wasn't sure himself until I voiced the same question, adding that his soul survived."

"What will you do later in life, Sy? None of us will be pro duelists forever."

"I'm not sure. Perhaps, I will resume Kage's life."

"All of it? Defending others and being an assassin?"

"Eventually, I think so. I may not be an assassin at first, but I will be able to do it. Kage doubted he could kill his first target, but he did it."

"With his past known to you, I'm sure you could do it too."

"Thanks, but I don't plan to do it for a long time."

"Of course." A small smile came to Zane's lips. "Alexis, you were right in saying that, in a way, I have two brothers."

Syrus looked at her. "You said that? That's real nice."

"Well, it's kind of true," she said. She then smiled as she recalled her conversation with him last night. "Kage, have you tried adding wolf ears to your human form?"

"I have. Watch." Syrus took his human form but kept the ears. He opened his eyes and saw Alexis and Zane staring at him, the former with wide, amazed eyes.

"Whoa," Alexis said softly and then grinned. "You are cuter this way."

"Yeah. Ja said the same thing this morning."

"Well, he was right."

"I noticed that you and Jaden are talking again," Zane said.

"It's thanks to Alexis that we are. She went right up to our room, told Ja and Chumley off, and both of us explained everything."

"And the others?"

"They're okay with it now too. Bastion was asking me about my powers and overall demon strength. Chazz actually thought I was a Shadow Rider."

"I can see why he would think that. Is Banner okay with this?"

"Uh, I don't really know. I told Ja to talk to him when I left to come here. If he hasn't, I'll keep telling him to do it."

"He's the only one left to convince. I told Crowler that you're harmless and that way we saw was done to protect you and us."

"Speaking of which, if any Shadow Rider tried to duel using their shadow powers when I'm around, I'll neutralize whatever effects it'll have on you or anyone else," Syrus stated.

"I'd like that," Alexis said.

"So would I," Zane added and then grinned. "Those Shadow Riders had better watch out as we have a powerful wolf demon who has shadow powers of his own."

Syrus couldn't help blushing at Zane's praise. He had fully come into his demon side and would use his powers to protect his friends and himself from the Shadow Riders that were still out there.

The End