A, N: And I am back with another chapter my dear readers. Though have to give you a quick warning. This chapter has a bit of death in it along with a bit of gore and emotional turmoil. Not too graphic, but if you are not into any of this, you might jump over Nash and Vector's battle in general. If you were wondering why, it is because Vector is insane. Do we need more reasons? If you are okay with it, then, by all means, go for it. Have fun reading!
Nash's p.o.v.
The wooden cross stood mighty and tall on the pile of rocks they had all gathered. Everyone was following their king's order without complaint. The silence was met between them. It was their way of honoring the fallen. Or in this case the fallen. To Nash's dismay. He had not been able to do a thing. He had not been able to change anything, and it frustrated him beyond belief. Why had he let her go? Why had he trusted that she would be all right when her brother was the insane ruler, he had to fight? Why had he not used better judgment? Why had he not decided to follow her earlier? There were so many other ways he could have prevented this. Not staring at the pile of rocks with a wooden cross in it. It was the best he could do in creating a memento of her. No grave was needed. Her insane brother had run off with her body to who knows where, and it left a sour taste in his mouth. He could have stopped him. He could have killed Vector right then and there. In one fell swoop, but instead had shown him compassion. He had left him to grieve. Just as he did. Just as his men silently did and Dumon, his noble friend, was lying on his knees paying his respect to the memento. Nash could hear him cry his heart out. He had not moved for a while now either, but neither one of the people here wanted to interrupt him. Yet.
Nash let out a deep sigh. Deep down asking himself why he was not grieving. The girl killed here today had after all been Zaira. His beloved Zaira. It stung so badly in his heart. But besides that, he was not having a nervous breakdown like Dumon was. Maybe it was because of his men. He needed to seem strong for them in those troubled times. Maybe it was because of his knowledge of the future. Knowing full well Zaira would be reborn somehow. Although when that time was, he did not know. Or maybe it was because he knew this was just him reliving the past. Whatever the reason, he knew it was all for none. He could not change the events that had happened. All they could do was move forward. Somehow.
"Dumon...", Nash cleared his throat.
"Go away", was Dumon's only response. It hurt Nash to hear how broken his voice sounded. Truth be told out of everyone here, the one hurt the most over Zaira's passing would surely be Dumon.
"Dumon, we have to...".
"No, we do not", Dumon cut him off. "You do. I am not part of your army. I am not yours to command".
"But I...". Nash let out a deep sigh now. "Dumon, I need you...". There were no responses, as his friend did not move from that spot. That was how devastated he was.
"You can sit here and mope all you want, but it will not change anything. Zaira will not come back. No matter how much we wished it were so", Nash remarked in a firm tone. "We have to move forward. We owe it to her and the sacrifice she made...".
"But I... I was so smitten with her. She was the one holding my heart", Dumon whispered weakly. "How can I... when she is not there...".
"Dumon! Come on!", Nash growled at first but then sighed again. "I fell in love with her too. You are not the only one who got their heart ripped out...".
"Huh? What?". That of course got his friend's attention.
"I had feelings for her too", he repeated with a sigh. "And if that was not enough, she was supposed to be my...wife". He was hesitating on that last part. He felt awful.
"You... You were... betrothed?". Dumon had turned his face towards him now. "Why did you not tell me? I was... courting her...".
"I did not want to win her that way. Things were arranged. I wanted her feelings for me to be genuine", Nash admitted with a sigh. "Zaira was oblivious as well, had I not told her. But... Dumon...".
His friend surprisingly rose to his feet and pulled him into an embrace. Nash was completely taken aback by that.
"I do apologize Nash. I did not know", his friend apologized. "You must be hurting just as much as I do...".
"Yeah...", Nash mused which was not a lie. The pain radiating in his heart at the moment was indeed swelling at the sheer thought of it.
"I blame Vector!", Nash then hissed out, because his frustrations needed to be vented somehow. Why not blame it on the evil ruler that ruined their lands in the first place?
"He will regret ever messing with me. With us. With her. This I swear!".
"Of course, your highness!", some of his men uttered as encouragement.
"We are at your disposal sire".
Loud cheers from his men could now be heard and Nash appreciated each one of them. However, his eyes were still fixated on the cross at the makeshift pile of rocks. Then he turned towards Dumon.
"And you...?", he asked. Dumon's eyes flickered to the cross again but then knelled down in respect. It was not needed, but he figured Dumon had to do this.
"I am with you as well Nash. Until no longer needed I will always be by your side", the knight swore. Nash nodded.
"Then let us leave towards Victory!". An encouraging shout soon followed.
Time skip.
A heated war began. Between Nash's and Vector's forces. The locations changed due to Nash's pursuit of Vector. Many soldiers clashed and many soldiers died that day as well. On both sides. However, Nash never stopped chasing Vector. Dumon was right beside him of course. The knight and his flying Pegasus were instrumental to his success. Nash was of course very grateful for the help. However, even with Dumon and Mach's help, there was a lot of injured and death in its wake. It left a bad taste in Nash's mouth. The thought of all these innocent people. The thought on how much he had lost prior. His sister as well as Zaira. It made Nash solely focus on the little war orphan Iris who had opened up to him and showed him childish affections. Nash swore a silent oath that regardless of what happened in the war, he would be able to protect Iris. He would never again lose someone precious to him as he had with Zaira and Marin.
"Vector's whole army is down in that valley. Now is our chance your highness. One final attack and victory will be ours. You led us to this point. We are ready to finish this battle once and for all", one of his men encouraged him.
They were currently inside Nash's war tent to discuss the upcoming battle. Just like their scouts confirmed Vector's army was indeed in the valley, but Nash hadn't seen Vector on the battlefield lately. Was he even there or was he planning something else?
"We are at your command your majesty", another soldier added in.
A lot of his other men soon followed. The blinding trust they were having in their ruler was almost admirable. Almost. Nash did in return care for all his men, and he did not want them slaughtered for a meaningless fight. Especially if Vector was not there.
"All right. I let you know what actions to take shortly", Nash promised.
"Yes sire", all the men said in unison and left the war tent. Only Dumon remained.
"Nash, we do not have a choice. We can defeat Vector and his army if we strike now", Dumon informed him. "There will be massive casualties on both sides, but that is a sacrifice we must be willing to make".
Nash hummed at that. The loss of Zaira changed his friend's viewpoint drastically. He wanted Vector to pay for his crimes. Nash, however... knowing Zaira and her ties to Vector surely didn't want him to die. Capturing him and destroying his army was much more compelling. For many different reasons. That said, considering the injured and sick they were having now, it would indeed have those major casualties Dumon spoke of.
"I need time to think", Nash said and left the war tent.
Sitting on a stone near a pond in bright moonlight, Nash reflected on the things that had happened before. He couldn't sleep. He had promised his men a decision at dawn, but as of yet he had nothing. Even if I win the battle in the end and defeat Vector, my people will suffer. It will be all my fault.
"Reginald", a voice suddenly said, and a ghostly silhouette of his sister appeared in front of him. What was more surprising was that she was dressed in her present clothes from Heartland City.
"Rio?", he asked. The girl smiled at him.
"This is our past Reginald. Our distant past", she told him.
"Yes, I know", he agreed.
"I know you better than anyone else. So even know you can hide your emotions from the others, you cannot fool me", She continued. "I know you are wrestling with your thoughts. I know your heart is emitting immense pain. I know how troubled you are at this moment".
"Rio I... I just don't know what to do", Nash admitted.
"You are a good person and you want what is best. That makes some choices painful", Rio replied to him and send him a sad smile.
"Must be nice to be so dumb that you don't have any worries at all. Like someone I know", Nash huffed annoyed, and clenched his fists.
"You mean Yuma?", Rio questioned and chuckled a little.
"But I... I have all these other memories that keep surfacing", Nash admitted. "Like Dumon said we led two different lives".
"That is true. In this life, your decisions affected many. You were the one who was deciding the fate of this world. And you are deciding that destiny right now. Just remember that I am always at your side". Then Rio's spirit disappeared.
"Nash!".
The sound of small feet tapping the ground could be heard, as Iris rushed to his side. In her small hands, she was carrying flowers.
"Hello Iris, what brings you here?", Nash asked the little orphan.
"I brought you flowers, see". She was holding up a tiny bucket of flowers. Nash let out a little smile as he lifted the little girl in his arms.
"They are very beautiful Iris. Thank you", he replied to her.
The little girl was giggling happily. Her actions did clear all of Nash's thoughts on what to do. There is a way to end this war without taking heavy casualties and it all rests on my shoulders.
Normal p.o.v.
The next morning.
"What do you mean Nash is missing?", Dumon uttered in high volume.
The soldiers were all assembled in the war tent, but since their rulers were missing, the panic was spreading quickly throughout the camp.
"Sir, the emperor, and his horse are gone", one of the soldiers told him.
None of them noticed that sweet little Iris was also present. She was hiding behind the door flap of the tent. She was very horrified that Nash had left.
"He must have gone after Vector alone", Dumon concluded with a huff. "How could he be so foolish?".
"What should we do, Lord Dumon? Without our leader...?!".
"We will rescue him of course!", Dumon uttered. "Tell everyone to man up and fight. We will save Nash. No matter the cost".
The men let out a loud cheer as they rushed to get their weapons and horses. No one noticed that Iris had left the camp in pursuit of the emperor.
Nash's p.o.v.
With encouraging movement, Nash spurred his horse forward. Through the immense frontline of Vector's army. Not that Nash cared. He had his sword ready to slice anyone who got in his way. As a backup, he summoned Abyss Splash. With its immense size, none of the creatures Vector's sorcerers summoned was a match for them. It made it possible for Nash to ride past the frontline relative unharmed. His only goal was to find Vector. Abyss Splash had told him where Vector was residing, but being told about it, and seeing the place for yourself, were two different things. Especially since:
"This is the Labyrinth where I dueled Abyss", Nash mused surprised.
His knowledge of the future still baffled him from time to time. However, since he knew about the labyrinth and its magical abilities, he was wise not to set his feet there just yet.
"Hey, Vector! I know you are in there! We do not need our armies to battle this out! Let's settle this ourselves! Just you and me!", Nash instead shouted.
"All right Nash! You are on!", he could hear Vector shout back at him.
As he did, the labyrinth and its buildings moved out of the way and created a clear path for Nash to follow. One the emperor of course took. He leads his horse down the path until a hidden underground staircase was revealed. Nash decided to go on foot from here. A long stone-carved staircase awaited him. Followed by a hidden chamber. But the closer Nash reached the chamber, the more awful it smelled. Like something rotten and foul. Was Vector leading him to a grave? It wouldn't surprise him. Or so he thought. As he finally reached the hidden chamber, he was met with a weird, formed arena of some kind. Different stone platforms connected with stony stairs were in front of him. Vector was of course found on a different platform at a parallel height than his some meters away.
"Tadaa!", Vector greeted him and chuckled his insane laughter.
"Vector...", Nash mused. The foul stench around him was worse than ever. He had covered his nose with part of his cape. What was this?
"What is this rotten smell? Whom did you maim down...".
And he froze. In just that moment, Nash had turned his head a bit to the right, viewing a platform that was placed between the both of them, and found Zaira leaning up at a pillow. Or to be more specific, her maimed, dead, and slowly rotten corpse. The sight made Nash throw up. He just couldn't help himself. Knowing his beloved Zaira was sitting there dead just did that to him. He was just happy he didn't eat much for breakfast.
"Aw, what is wrong? Are you feeling under the weather?", Vector mocked him. "We can always postpone our battle". Nash gasped for air for a sec, before turning towards his enemy with a murderous glare.
"Never!", he yelled fiercely. "I will kill you if it is the last thing I do!". His eyes flickered over to Zaira again. To know that Vector had violated her that much. To not showing Zaira the proper respect...
"Why haven't you buried her?!", he demanded to know. "Zaira fought a valiant battle. She deserves a proper rest. But you! You are using her to make me withdraw from our battle. Are you insane?!". The latter being rhetorical. He knew full well Vector was insane. Who else could pull that kind of stunt?
"What are you talking about Nash? My sister is not dead. She is just resting. Is that not true, my dear Zaira?", Vector replied to him and laughed again.
Further proving Vector's fall from grace. It made Nash grimace. Without Zaira in his life, Vector had lost whatever sanity he had left. Either he was caught in a delusion that everything was fine and that Zaira was not dead. Or he just refused to accept it. Either way, he was affiliating himself with a corpse.
"Get this through your thick skull of yours! Zaira is dead! She will never wake up".
"You are just afraid you will lose", Vector singsong. "Someone just cannot accept the fact that I made the impossible, possible. Or at least I will after I defeat you!". That made Nash wrinkle his forehead. What in the world was he talking about?
"Since you were the one who choose where we battle, I think I should be the one to decide how we battle", Vector continued.
"Fine!", Nash huffed. The quicker he killed off Vector. The quicker this war was over. After that, he would bury Zaira himself. With a proper burial.
"I choose a shadow duel!", Vector proclaimed.
As he said that stone tablets fell from who knows where. Each of them has either monsters, spells, or traps inscribed on them. In some way, this was an ancient way of duel monsters.
"This Shadow duel is going to be tons of fun", Vector continued.
"So, these stone tablets function as cards?", Nash mused to himself. Then he was sending Vector a dead glare. "I am going to make you regret that you challenged me to a duel Vector!".
"He-he-he. We will see", Vector grinned.
Vector: 4000 Lp.
Nash: 4000 Lp.
Vector decided to go first. He started his move by summoning "Gorgonic Ghoul" to the field. It was an lv 1 monster with 100 att and def points. Since Vector now controlled a Gorgonic Ghoul he was allowed to special summon another one from his hand by sacrificing 300 life points. But why stop there when he could summon 2? (Lp's: 4000- 3400). Nash was carefully studying his opponent's move. Vector were having 3 level 1 monster on his field. Was he going for an Xyz summoning?
"I was never one to follow the rules, so I activate 'Breaking the Norm'", Vector told him. He could activate this spell card because he was controlling 3 monsters with the same level. "I can now summon a monster with the same level onto my field from your deck. So instead of just using my monsters to take you down I will use one of yours as well".
"Wait, you will use one of mine?", Nash questioned bewildered.
"Hmm let's see", Vector pondered as he was now allowed to see all Nash's level 1 monster. "How about this one. I summon 'Mermaid Shark'".
Nash looked on in disbelief as the said monster now appeared on Vector's field. Sure, it was only having 100 att and 300 def, and Vector had summoned it in att mode, but it still bugged Nash that Vector was using one of his monsters.
"I place two stone tables face down and end my turn", Vector said and did just that.
"It is my move then", Nash proclaimed and drew. "And with it, I promise to crush you and your monsters. Starting right now!".
He started his move by summoning his "Spear Shark" onto the field in att mode. It was an lv 4 monster with 1600 att and 1400 def points. Since he controls a water monster, Nash was also allowed to special summon a "Silent angler" from his hand. But why stop there? He had a second 'Silent angler' so he of course summoned both to his field in att mode.
"Spear Shark! Time to attack!", Nash ordered his monster and made it target one of Vector's Gorgonic Ghouls.
"Bad move my friend. Because I am activating the trap 'Gorgonic Temptation'", Vector said and chuckled darkly. "My Gorgon entrances your little guppy so that it will attack a different monster. Like your mermaid shark".
"That does not change anything!", Nash proclaimed. "My spear shark has way more attack points". Vector, however, was laughing like crazy now.
"Ha-ha you do not understand how a Shadow duel works, do you?", he replied.
"What?!", Nash uttered rather confused.
"I am so happy to educate you", Vector said.
As he did, a weird-shaped crest that was hanging on the wall behind Vector glowed. A bright light appeared which forced Nash to close his eyes. When he opened them again, he was floating in the sky outside the labyrinth and was witnessing a brutal battle about to be taking place.
"We must save the emperor!", he could hear Dumon say. His friend as the second in command was leading his men towards Vector's army. All to save him.
"Hold on! Who gave the orders to attack?", Nash questioned confused. "They shouldn't be fighting".
"Well, they are, and their destiny lies in your hands", Vector said. He was of course also a ghost floating in midair along with Nash. Though he was at the opposite end.
"This is a shadow duel, Nash. We are the ones who control what happens. Our duel determines the fate of our armies, and you are the one who made it happen", Vector said and smirked evilly.
To prove his point, he brought them both back to the duel, where Nash's spear shark slammed into his 'Mermaid Shark' and killed it off. Sure, Vector did lose a lot of life points (3400-1900), but the mad ruler didn't care. His main focus was the shocked expression Nash was having.
"You are more than just a leader now. You are the man that unknowingly started a worldwide war", Vector tormented Nash.
"But why?!", Nash demanded to know. "Why did you have to drag others into our fight Vector?!". Surprisingly, the mad ruler was having a serious look on his face.
"You know why", Vector stated. His gaze fell over to Zaira at the other platform. "What reason do I have for living when my dear beloved sister is no longer among us?", he continued with and chuckled his insane laughter. "So, I made a deal with the deity living in this underground temple. In return for bringing her back, I have to sacrifice as many human souls as possible. Better yours than mine".
"Vector!", Nash yelled at first, but then his gaze flickered over to Zaira.
He knew full well that Zaira was not going to be happy about killing her brother. It took all his restraint to not try and kill Vector right here and now. He owed it to Zaira to try and reason with him. One last time.
"Do you believe Zaira will be happily resurrected like that? To come back knowing the deed you have done Vector?", Nash said and tried to make him see sense. "Besides, who is to say that deity will keep their word. Or worse, revive her looking like that!". He pointed out the rotten zombified version of Zaira. Vector just chuckled.
"Like I care. My sweet sister will soon be resurrected. Ha-ha. She will be all mine. I will love her with all my heart, and it will all be thanks to you, Nash!".
"What is that supposed to mean?!", Nash demanded to know.
"Ah, how rude of me. I did not give you the fine print, did I? Ha-ha!", Vector replied to him. "The resurrection process is very delicate. You see I can only resurrect her, by offering up a soul that is equally as strong as hers. We both know none of our pathetic soldiers are holding up the same standard. But you do, Nash. Why do you think I brought you here? For tea and cookies?".
"Wait, what? But my men...!".
"That was just a bonus", Vector replied with an evil grin. "Seeing you suffer and tormented before you sacrifice your life to feed my cause will be my crowning achievement".
Then he was laughing like hell. Nash, however. Whatever restraints he had before, were gone now as he only had hatred and contempt for Vector.
"Vector!!!", he shouted fiercely.
"Hold that thought. Because I will activate the trap 'Disaster conspiracy'", Vector then told him and activated that said trap. "All your monsters, including your deck that are stronger than 'mermaid shark' are destroyed. Since mermaid shark only had 100 att points, all your fish are finished!".
"What? No!", Nash uttered in pure panic.
But it was too late. All his monsters on the field disappeared along with the ones in his deck. They were all sent to the graveyard and in terms meant all Nash's men were going to die in this shadow duel. To further rub it in his face, several of his stone tablets were lying crushed before his feet.
"My monsters are destroyed...", Nash said in pure disbelief, but then regained some composure. Vector was not going to win this!
"I place one stone tablet face down and end my turn", he said.
"Well, that means I draw", Vector proclaimed and did just that. He started his move by summoning "Gorgonic Cerberus" to his field in att mode. It was a level 3 monster and since it was summoned, it allowed Vector to change all the monsters he controlled to lv 3 as well. Meaning he was having 4 lv 3 monsters now.
"I overlay my Gorgonic Cerberus and ghoul. With these two monsters, I build the overlay network and Xyz summon 'Gorgonic Guardian'", Vector told him.
Nash hissed annoyed as he was once again face to face with those dreaded snake-like creatures. Many of his men had been turned to stone because of it.
"But why stop there", Vector continued and used his two remaining monsters to Xyz summon yet another "Gorgonic guardian". Both of them were having 1600 att points.
"Here comes a world of pain", Vector stated and made both his monsters attack Nash directly. Nash got sent flying backward into the staircase. He was only having 800 life points remaining.
"This is so much fun", Vector stated and grinned like a maniac. "Just one more attack and your life force will resurrect my dear beloved sister...".
"Do not bet on it", Nash growled. He was on his knee, using his sword as a crutch to get himself up on his feet again. "I will not fall to you. Zaira will not be resurrected".
At least not this way. The angry look Vector was sending him had made that speech so worthwhile. However, it was his turn. Nash drew. Even though he had no monsters in his deck, he could still use their special effects in the graveyard. By using his two lv 5 "Gazer Shark" in the graveyard, he could Xyz summon. The only drawback was that they were banished from the game afterward. But that was a small price to pay.
"With these two monsters, I build the overlay network. I Xyz summon 'Number 73: Abyss Splash'", Nash told Vector. Abyss Splash appeared proud and just onto the field.
With its 2400 att points, it was no pushover. But it got even worse because Nash activated his special effect. By using one Ou he could double Abyss Splash's att points. (2400- 4800 att)
"Abyss Splash attack!", Nash shouted determined.
"Not if I activate 'Gorgonic guardian's effect", Vector proclaimed.
By using one Ou, Abyss Splash would now lose all its att points and special effect. Or that was what was supposed to have happened. Nash had a counter for that. He activated the trap "Overlay Wedge". With this card in play, he negated the effects of both of Vector's monsters and made them utterly useless. To Vector's horror.
"Oh no!", he yelled in fright.
"You lose Vector!", Nash proclaimed and made his monster attack.
With only 1900 life points remaining Vector's life points soon hit zero. The attack itself send the mad ruler for a loop as well, but Nash could still hear him have his final words.
"By beating me, you think you won? You already lost. You just don't realize it yet!".
"It is over", Nash mused in distaste. His last remaining job remained though. To slay Vector. But when he turned his head towards the platform where he had been prior, Vector was no more. Had he fallen into the pit?
"No, my king. He escaped. Behind the crest", He could hear Abyss Splash say.
Nash's eyes lingered on the crest that had fallen blocking the exit path Vector must have taken. That said, there was something familiar about that crest. He felt like he had seen it before. A long, long, time ago. Or could it be called in the future since he technically was still in the past? Nash didn't care for details.
"Of course, he would flee! That coward!", Nash hissed but then sighed deeply. "I will deal with him later. First, I need to... wait where did Zaira disappear to?". No matter where he looked, he could not find the rotten corpse of his beloved. He wanted to give her a proper grave. Did Vector run off with her again?
"No sir. The battle caused her remains to fall into the blackened pit", Abyss explained with sadness in his voice "I believe it is for the better. This is how it is supposed to happen".
Nash nodded slowly with a big sigh. It properly was. This way no one could use her remains like this ever again. She might be at peace. One thought still lingered though. But if Zaira died like this, how was she able to become Barian? How did he...?
"I believe you need to attend to your subjects my king", Abyss splash advised.
"I guess", Nash mused. Hoping, praying that there was at least some alive.
Zaira's p.o.v.
I was crying. Tears were falling down my cheeks. I just couldn't help it. Everything I had seen so far was horrible. Just horrible! The thought of my own dead being the cause of it, left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I had not been able to do anything! The war continued like nothing had happened. Though I was happy for the memento Nash and Dumon had left me. It was still a bit weird to be back in my present body again. I must admit that I didn't have much recollection of what had happened there. I remember being hit by arrows. Then later stung by a sword. There had been a stranger there, though I couldn't quite recall who they were. After that there was nothing. Nothing at all. I woke up in my regular body at the top of the ruin. It was just like it was before he had entered the past. Or in this case our past. The pictures are still vividly in my mind. Dumon had been there the moment I woke up. He had greeted me. Helped me up on my feet again and comforted me. Not that it was needed. Yet. I had asked him to let me witness the rest of the tale with Nash. It had been possible, but Dumon had warned me it wouldn't be pleasant. That had indeed not been a lie. The dreaded sight of both armies clashing. The distinct duel between Nash and my brother. Not to mention my crazy brother's declaration in bringing me back to life. No, I just couldn't handle it and therefore left the ancient dueling field as the ghost I was. Instead, I witnessed the two armies clash. At least for a little while. That sight was no better than witnessing the shadow duel between Vector and Nash. Or in this case, he was still my Shark Boy no matter what name he went by. Dumon as the barian ghost that he had comforted me the best that he could, and this time I let him. My head was lying on his sturdy chest as I was crying my pain out. His embrace was warm. It made me realize that we weren't exactly together. That we were not the same people as we were in the past. I had broken up with him! That stung more than I would admit, and I tried to get out of his warm embrace. I didn't deserve to be held like that when I was so cruel to him. However, Dumon was not letting me. If anything, he pulled me closer.
"It is okay Zaira", he reassured me and padded my back in a caring gesture.
"But I... we broke up", I admitted.
"Yes, but you are also in distress. What friend would I be if left you alone in these troubled times", he told me. "You are allowed to cry. To mourn".
I sniffed a little as I placed my head back on Dumon's chest. Truth be told I needed it.
"I don't understand...", I then mused out. "I have been at war before. I have killed countless people. But never have I once reacted this way".
"You did not have anything to lose", Dumon remarked and made me look up at him with bewilderment. He continued: "Back then, the only things you valued were your own life and Vector's. Now, however...".
His gaze fell on dying armies who were brutally slaughtered. The battle had stopped a while ago. All we were waiting for was finding out who the victor in the shadow duel was. I still believed it was my Shark boy. I loved my brother so much, but even I believed it was time he was put to rest. Together with me. We had caused so much destruction. It was only fair.
"I guess", was the only thing I responded with.
Time went on. I was not sure how long it was, but at some point, Nash did appear at the entrance to the labyrinth. The shocked expression on his face when he saw all his dead soldiers made pain once again radiate in my heart.
"My men", I could hear Nash say. His eyes looked over everyone dead on the battlefield. Even Vector's, whom my brother had just easily sacrificed.
"Those innocent souls...", Nash mused as he now walked past each one.
Just to make sure there were no survivors. The minute he noticed Iris at the start of the battlefield was the most heartbreaking for me. And for Shark as well. I had seen what had happened to her earlier. How she had been shut down by archers from Vector's army. What she was doing here still left a lot of questions. Why would anyone bring such a little girl to this horrific battlefield?
"Iris... Iris!!", Nash uttered as he rushed to her side, picking the dead girl up in his arms.
Tears were already streaming down his cheeks. "I didn't win anything. Iris. Say something. Anything". But his hope got quickly crushed when she remained lifeless.
"I brought this on. I am to blame for all of this destruction".
And then he let out a painful scream that would forever haunt me. The pain and sadness I felt, seeing Nash this tormented, hurt me like no other. It also didn't help that a strange light emitted from the clouds and slowly began... it was hard to describe, but to me, it looked like the dead people were being absorbed somehow. I was sure this was not helping one bit of Shark's pain. I had to do something. I got out of Dumon's embrace and rushed to the tormented king's side. I knew full well that I was a ghost. An overseer of the events so to speak. Shark could surely not see me or hear me, but I had to try something. I couldn't just stand here doing nothing.
"They are going to Barian world. There they will live as Barians", I could then suddenly hear Dumon say and realized for some unknown reason that Rio and Dumon had beat me to it. How was that even possible? What surprised me the most was that Shark could see and hear them.
"Rio, Dumon...Zaira". Shark's eyes flickered to my ghostly form as I landed beside him as well. My presence calmed him a little more down.
"This war. I remember. This was all part of my life before", Shark continued.
"You mean our life", Rio corrected with a sad voice.
"Now do you, see? Do you understand why you became the leader of the barians?", Dumon told him. "All their souls went to the Barian world and you, as a true leader, would not abandon your people".
That had my eyes widen in disbelief at what I was hearing. After reliving the past too vividly I had forgotten the true reasons for this. Dumon wanted Shark alias Nash to become the leader of the barians.
"I am a Barian", Shark mused. Tears were once again running down his face. "Who would have guessed it? Yuma. Astral. Kite. Who would have guessed that the leader of their enemies was... me".
I bit my lip as I was feeling his pain in all of this. I understood. Of course, I did. I had gone through the same feeling when I found out I was a Barian and Vector's sister. Neither one being pleasant discoveries.
"No! I just can't believe I am Barian", Shark repeated out of pure stubbornness. "Yuma, Astral, and Kite are all my friends. I don't know if I can turn my back on them".
That had me see red flags all over the place, because why did Shark have to be a Barian? Yeah, sure he found out he had been their leader once, but that didn't mean he had to be again. Shark could choose not to. But the way he was saying this, it sounded like he had already come to terms with it.
"Wait Shark...". But I was stopped by Dumon in reaching him.
"They are your friends. I do not think so. It is time to see your true friends. Everything you have lost is waiting there", Dumon then stated and made us all transform into energy balls to enter the portal to Barian world.
We found ourselves once again in the Barian world. Or at least I did. I recognized the crystals and ironically the red sea at the cliff we were now standing on. It gave practically a view over the whole landscape. Why I recognized the red sea I didn't know. The few visits I had here, short as they were, had never been at that place. Or had I? I did have some fluctuating dreams.
"This must be...", Shark began but Dumon interrupted him.
"...The Barian world. But look over there. They have all been waiting for you to come home".
He turned around and was now looking at some strange tundras and rocky formations. A lot of red-light balls were however present. All flocking near Shark for some reason, before they took human form into all the dead soldiers from Nash's army. Along with sweet little Iris.
"My lord", one of the soldiers greeted.
"Welcome home your majesty", another one said.
"You are finally back", Iris said and was sending Shark a beaming smile.
"Wait, you are all right", Shark questioned bewildered. Or as all right as dead souls could be, but apparently, they were all living in the Barian world now.
"The Barian world is a miraculous place. Everyone here is connected", Dumon explained in a surprisingly sad tone. That had me lift my eyebrows.
"They are still willing to let me lead them", Shark mused surprised. The nagging guilt from getting them all killed in the first place was surely acting up.
"Of course. When the battle between the Astral world and the Barian world commences, they would look to someone for guidance. You will be the one to lead them to victory. You are the only one that they trust", Dumon told him.
"So, I must choose between these people or my friends back on earth?", Shark asked.
"That is right", Dumon agreed with a tiny nod. "Even if it means breaking your bond with Yuma and the others. Forever!".
"The Astral world, or the Barian world", Shark mused slowly. The pain was radiating in his eyes, before closing them. When he finally opened them again, they were filled with pure determination.
"I made my decision", he stated.
"Reginald", I could hear Rio say. "I will be with you no matter what you decide". All that sweetness made me almost puke.
"Yuma, we will defeat you! Together!", Shark then proclaimed rather determined.
"Oh well if that is not nice and sweet", I huffed annoyed, and got everyone's attention.
"Huh Zaira, what are you...?", Nash began, but I did not let him finish.
"Oh, I don't know. How about including me in this life-changing decision you two are having? I am your girlfriend after all", I hissed annoyed, and send him a dead glare. "I cannot believe you are getting swayed by this. I mean sure, they were your men in ancient times, and yes, I am sure the Barian world needs a good leader, but that doesn't mean it has to be you Shark Boy".
"Zaira...".
"No! I am not going to stay here and take this!", I yelled back at him. "I promised you that regardless of if my memories as a barian returned, I would still remember all the good memories I made on Earth. That I would still love you. But seems like you don't have the same commitment Shark boy".
"But Zaira I...".
"And you...!", I hissed and waltzed over to Dumon in angry fury. "How can you do this to me? Huh?! You know full well that I cannot return here. And then you... then you...". My voice cracked as tears were leaking from my eyes.
"I am so sorry Princess, but the Barian world needs their true emperor back", Dumon replied to me. His eyes fluctuated from mine because he could not face me.
"That is no excuse!", I yelled back at him. Then I was sending him a cold wolfy glare. "Open up a portal Dumon!". Dumon's eyes flickered from me to Shark, but in the end, he nodded. He stretched out his hand out and summoned a portal a meter behind me.
"Wait Zaira, where are you going?", Shark questioned bewildered.
"Home!", I declared.
"But I don't understand what is going on", Shark replied to me and grabbed my hand. "You are a barian too, so I didn't think you would leave".
"Well, you are dead wrong", I sneered back at him. Tears still lingered when I was sending him my best wolfy glare. "Shark, I think we shall stop seeing each other". He was staring at me with a very shocked expression.
"You... you are breaking up with me? Why?", he then asked rather flabbergasted.
"Why?! I will tell you why. Because you put me in an impossible position, that's why!", I yelled at him and took my hand back. Without saying anything else, I turned around on my heel and ran through the portal.
A, N: And that is it. For now. Talk about a weird creepy chapter with a lot of roller coaster rides writing. Man. But that concluded the memory arc. What do you guys think? Did I give Zaira's ancient memories justice? Do you understand Zaira's dilemma at the end? Oh, so many questions. But please by all means leave a comment. Would love feedback. That said, only 2 episodes to the Barian Onslaught Act. Not sure if I am looking forward to it. Though have written most of it in advance so would be nice for the story to match. ;D