A,N: Hello dear readers. So sorry for the wait. I actually had no attention of updating this chapter right now, since I was working on other stories, but sadly I had block on almost every other story I am having, beside this one, so guess you were lucky. Lol. However there is some few news I want to share with you. I think I am gonna change Zaira's age from 16 to 15 instead. Someone pointed out that Zaira would be in high school if she was 16, and should be not be in Yuma's school at all. Not that it changes much though. That only means she was 8 when she was found in Astral world, and in some way on the beach. Hope you are all okay with it, and thank you so much for your time.

Barian's p.o.v.

Girag and Mizar was gathered around their hurt and beaten up companion. Alito was in a really bad condition, who did seem to become worse by the minute. Girag couldn't believe this had happened to his student. He was beyond furious right now. Mizar was in the meantime making a check up on their fallen comrade. In some way a little first aid kid, but in the end, Mizar shook his head. This was beyond him. Healing and first aid stuff was really not his domain in the first place. Usually one of the members, Marin was usually the one to go to, or Dumon himself, since both of them had skills and information concerning this topic. However Marin had also disappeared many years ago, and Dumon was not here, but back in barian world. This really was a dire situation for the barian emperors.

"Alito losing his battle to Yuma Tsukumo and then getting attacked is most troubling news. How could he be so reckless?" Mizar then said and rose to his feet's. "It was lucky you found him".

Girag sneered angrily. He still remembered the last word that Alito had spoken to him. That Ray had attacked him, and it made the giant brute clench his fists in anger.

"I am gonna make this right" Girag then stated firmly and made Mizar look at him.

"Do not forget Girag, we now only have one Barian sphere cube in our possession" He informed his colleague. Girag send him a cold glare.

"Yeah! And I will use that cube to avenge Alito. I can't wait to when I get to duel that punk" Girag now hissed.

"No Girag! We cannot allow emotions to cloud our goals" Mizar said firmly "We are here to retrieve Yuma's numbers, not to get personal revenge. Is that clear?!". Mizar send Girag a cold firm glare, that usual would make the big barian scared of him.

"Eh yeah crystal!" Girag then replied slowly.

"I am glad you understand our priorities" Mizar replied and looked down at Alito again "I am returning to barian world, and I am taking Alito with me. Dumon must know what to do. I just hope this isn't too late".

He pointed at their fellow barian member and soon Alito were floating in the air beside Mizar as he opened a portal.

"You will remain here on earth to carry out our mission. Do not fail us Girag!" Mizar then said and were about to go through the portal. Then he turned around facing Girag once again "Oh yeah and one more thing. When you face Yuma, do not, and I repeat, Do not let Zaira Wroom enter the sphere field, is that understood?".

"Hu? The orange haired protector girl? Why can't she not enter the field?" Girag questioned in a confused tone. Mizar hissed annoyed.

"That doesn't matter. All that matters is that she doesn't enter it understood? You will head my warning. You will be sorry if you did. Remember Barian world is counting on you to succeed" he then said and disappeared with Alito through the portal. Girag looked after them, to make sure Mizar and Alito were gone. Then he sneered out.

"Barian world can wait. Revenge for Alito can't!".

Zaira's p.o.v.

I ran, and I ran clearly faster than I ever had before in my entire life. Yuma and Ray was right behind me, and we were running like there was no tomorrow, which properly was the case, considering that we were gonna get maimed by this giant dog if we stopped running. Sometimes I wondered why all these bad stuff happened to me. I mean I am a good girl right? I saved Astral world literally, so why did these things always happen to me? My eyes turned over to a certain orange haired male.

"Question, why am I chased by a dog first thing in the morning?" Yuma then uttered sacredly and looked at Ray too "Answer, because I took the Ray way to school!".

"Yeah Ray!" I uttered angrily now too "When I said you should find me a way that would make me come faster to school, this was not what I had in mind".

"Well you two know it could be worse don't you?" Ray replied sacredly.

I was impressed that under these circumstances, Ray could still be positive. However, he had just said that when 4 other giant dogs joined in the chase. I glared angrily at him. He just had to say that line of course. Like one dog wasn't enough.

"You are right! Five dogs does make things worse!" Yuma uttered sacredly, and then we ran even faster. There were no way all those dogs was taking a piece of us.

Time skip.

Finally, Finally, we arrived at the school and we all three were exhausted after that run. We were all leaning at the wall in the hallways and were trying to catch our breaths. I think this was my new personal record in running.

"Man I can't believe my body could move that fast" Yuma then said and took a deep breath. I followed up on that too, and just nodded as reply to his question.

"Well at least I got you here on time" Ray said happily and smiled a big smile "Look, there is 10 minutes until the class starts".

I just groaned. I wanted to be early, but at this rate, I had to use those minutes to get my aching feet into the classroom.

"Yeah, good going there Ray" Yuma commented "Now I just need to attend class..". Then Yuma fell face down to the floor. He was too exhausted to do much more here.

"Are you three okay?" Tori appeared in the entrance and looked at us all.

Soon the usual gang was assembled around us. If it wasn't for me being beat right now, I would have gotten up, so I at least stood with dignity in the hallway. I mean I have an image, but right now that had clearly fallen to the ground, along with my aching feet's. Yuma groaned slightly and got up from the floor.

"Oh yeah, never better!" He said in a happy tone. That until he moved the wrong part of his body, and were hissing in pain "Well maybe not never..".

"Sounds like you took the Ray way" Bronk commented with a smile.

"It sure does" Tori added and chuckled.

I snort coldly at that. The only reason I took Ray's shortcuts were because I had hoped it would get me faster to school. The faster I was there, the faster I could check up on Astral inside the key before school starts. Kairi and Grandma would flip on me if I ditched school, along with Astral's disapproved look, so I tried finish school faster, so I could see Astral faster. It didn't seem like that plan was working out so well.

"Ahr I am sorry Zaira, Yuma. I guess the Ray way usually ends up being the wrong way" Ray said and sighed deeply. Sadness was shown on his face now.

"I'll say, in the end, your ideas always end the same. With pain and trouble" Caswell now said and send Ray a cheesy annoyed grin.

"Yeah you will have to be nuts to take his shortcuts" Flip added and smirked.

"Oh my bad Yuma, Zaira" Ray replied in a depressed mood. I must admit I couldn't help but feeling sorry about him.

"Eh, it is okay Ray. At least your way is never, ever boring" Yuma then said.

"Yeah, you did get me faster here" I mused out as well. Ray lit up like hell.

"You two really think so?" He questioned happily. Yuma and I both nodded.

"You know why?" Flip said and chuckled "It is really hard to get bored..".

".. When there is major danger just around the corner" Caswell finished.

That made us all laugh a little. Then the bell rang, and we all entered our respective classrooms.

Time skip.

"Come on, Come on!" I mumbled rather annoyed and tapped with my finger at the table.

My eyes wandered to the clock at the wall. Only seconds had passed since I had last looked at it and I sneered annoyed. Why did this class session go so slow?!

"Zaira!" Shark said and grabbed my tapping hand at the table "Stop that. You are driving me crazy. The class will not go faster with you doing that".

"Grr I wish it did" I sneered out and bit my lip "I want it over already!".

"To do what exactly?" Shark questioned and his brows narrowed.

"To go help Astral of course!" I sneered out and send Shark a cold glare "As soon as it is lunch break, I will be out of here".

"No! I won't allow it Zaira" Shark then suddenly said and was holding my one hand in his. I was send him an angry look.

"What? What do you mean by that?" I growled angrily "You can't tell me what to do". Shark just rolled with his eyes which annoyed me even more.

"It is as I said Miss Stubborn. You are staying right here when we have lunch break" Shark sneered coldly back, and quickly continued when I was about to complain "When is the last time you ate properly? Or relaxed? You were completely depleted when you entered the classroom this morning. Astral can handle you not treating him this lunch break. You said he was out of risk right?". I growled annoyed.

"He is, but.." Shark send me a firm glare and made me stop in mid-sentence. It was clearing shown that he was not letting me go this lunch break. I sneered annoyed. Sometimes I wish Shark was not as stubborn as I was.

"Fine!" I growled again "I'll stay and eat. Are you happy now?".

"Thrilled" Shark replied with a smirk and squeezed my hand a little affectionate before he let go. "I just care about you miss Stubborn".

"I care about you too Shark boy" I replied with a tiny smile as well.

I guess Astral's healing could wait after school. It was not like we were gonna be attacked right away. Or even if we did, I would make sure to battle instead of Astral. That I was sure of.

Time skip. On our way home.

And I couldn't be more wrong or so did I think. Because on the way home, Yuma, Tori, Bronk and I were suddenly approached by Girag. However for some weird reason Girag was Not after our numbers. No he was here to duel Ray, which I found really weird. Astral had also appeared from the key, and I could see he was in a really bad shape. In no critical condition yet, but I was sure if he dueled, he would be. Once again I regretted that I hadn't healed him earlier. Yuma was looking very confused at the invite Girag had tossed him. Like me, Yuma couldn't believe what was going on here. Why would Girag want to duel Ray all of the sudden?

"Wait why Ray?" Yuma asked Girag now.

"I got a score to settle with that sniveling snake" Girag replied which confused me even more. What kind of score? What was going on here?

"Hold on Girag, what did Ray ever do to you?" Yuma then questioned.

"It is not what he did to me. It is what he did to Alito" Girag sneered and glared coldly at us "You see your little friend attacked him and left Alito in real bad shape".

My eyes widened in shock now. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Ray had attacked Alito? When? Where? Why? Why would Ray ever do that?!

"Wait, Ray hurt Alito?" Yuma uttered just as shocked as I.

"That's right, and now it is payback time" Girag sneered back at us.

"Hold on, there is no way that Ray could have done that!" Yuma yelled and took the words right out of my mouth. Girag looked even more pissed than before.

"How do you know hu?!" the big male then shouted back.

He clearly wanted a good explanation to why Ray could not have attacked Alito here. Beside that we believed he was innocent of course. Yuma looked troubled now.

"Well because.." he began.

"Yeah! Because of what?!" Girag shouted angrily now.

"Because.. that would mean he planned it, and Ray's plans never work out. I have the scars to prove it" Yuma then said in a determined voice.

I on the other hand face palmed. A lot in fact. The others didn't look that pleased with his answer either, and I could hear Bronk mumble something with that 'honest was the best policy', but I don't think Girag was happy with that answer.

"If you don't believe me ask Ray yourself. I'll be waiting for him" Girag then said and snort.

Then he turned around and left the place. I was looking as stunned as the others were here. One question entered my mind now. Had Ray really attacked Alito?

Time skip. At night in Yuma's house.

It was late at night and both Yuma and I couldn't sleep. right now we were both in the attic. Yuma was lying in his hammock, and I was sitting in the window still and looking out at the window. No one of us was saying a word. Astral was present in the room as well and were observing us as usual. I had given him another healing before bed time, and even though he was not up to full power yet, Astral was having it a lot better than before. Astral however also looked concerned at us.

"Why do you two look so troubled?" Astral then asked us. I sighed deeply.

"It is Alito" I said and sighed "Even though he is from Barian world, I like him. It is weird, but for some reason I trust him. He is a honest duelist, and them are there not many of in this world. Not in my opinion at least".

"I know what you mean" Yuma then mused and sat up in the hammock "Alito and I.. I believe we could be friends. He sounded friendly when we went to school together, and I really can't believe that Ray would want to or even be able to attack him".

I nodded in agreement to that. I couldn't see that happen either. Sure Ray was a goof ball and weird sometimes, but I really couldn't see him attack anyone. Not without good reason. Yuma however sighed again.

"I know it can't be true, but I am afraid to ask Ray about it in case I don't like what he has to tell me. I am so confused!" Yuma yelled out the last part and grabbed his head in frustration. I sighed deeply. I didn't have any answer to that question either.

"Rather than confusion, why not employ your usual mantra in situations like this" Astral then suddenly advised and smiled "Follow your instincts, and feel the flow".

I nodded in agreement to that. Yuma's 'feel the flow' had always solved out many situations. Maybe not the way we wanted it too at first, but still. Maybe it could help us solve this as well. Or so I hoped.

It was for that reason Yuma and I had decided to approach Ray here the next day when we were on our way to school. Or that was our plan at least.

"Hey Ray!" Yuma greeted as we meet him at the river bed on our way to school.

"Hi Zaira chan, Yuma kun, good morning!" Ray greeted back and were holding up a Gps map system who showed the whole map of Heartland City "I wanna show you this. I found a new shortcut. It is a perfectly save way to get to school, and it should be really fast too". I looked at Yuma, and made a gesture to tell him.

"Hold on Ray, there is something we need to ask you.." Yuma then began

".. How I know it is totally safe?" Ray just continued on. He hadn't heard Yuma's question at all. "Well I got up really early and took it all the way there. Just to make sure. So don't worry Zaira chan, and Yuma Kun". Yuma and I looked a little stunned at him. Ray was sending us one of his brightest and happy smiles.

"You trust me right?" Ray questioned in an innocent tone. I growled a little inside. There was just no way Ray could have attacked Alito! There was just no way!

"Of course we trust you. Isn't that right Yuma?" I then said quickly.

"Oh yeah! Of course!" Yuma added in and hit Ray on the shoulder in a friendly matter "Just lead on pal. What can possible go wrong?!".

"Not a thing! We start here" Ray said and smiled. He showed us the map.

"The yard with the Pitbull?" Yuma questioned in a confused tone. I just rolled my eyes at that. However I had been truthfully to Ray there. I really did trust him. So soon we took another Ray way to school.

Normal p.o.v.

Time skip.

"Did you find them?" Tori questioned as she meet up with Bronk in the school's hallway. Bronk just sighed deeply and shook his head.

"I checked everywhere and nothing" he then replied. Tori was very worried now. Yuma had suddenly ran off after school, only mentioning something with Zaira, but when they went to her class, Zaira was gone too. They had first figured they had gone to one of the school's activities here, but after looking all over school, they figured that was not the case. Tori didn't like this at all. She had a feeling something really bad was about to happen.

"Hey Guys what's up?" Ray questioned. He had just entered the hallways and saw their worried faces. He wanted to know what was going on here.

"Well we are just trying to find Yuma and Zaira" Tori told him. Ray hummed a little.

"Yuma and Zaira? They both ran off after school. Something about helping Kairi out with a scoop" Ray then replied.

"That is a terrible lie" Bronk then uttered without consideration.

"Bronk!" Tori sneered and looked angry at him. Ray looked puzzled at him.

"What's that? Are you saying Zaira chan lied to me?" he then asked.

"No, not at all" Tori quickly corrected "Never mind that Ray". Then she ran off, and Bronk quickly followed.

Yuma and Zaira was running through the city. They were headed for the factory where Girag had told them to meet him so he could duel Ray. However neither Zaira nor Yuma had any attention of that happening. They didn't believe Ray had attacked or could attack anyone, so they had both decided to take on Girag's challenge instead.

"Yuma, Zaira are you certain this is wise?" Astral then asked in a worried tone.

"A 100 percent. No make that 110 percent" Yuma replied quickly.

"Don't worry Astral. I am here too. I will keep this numbskull out of danger" Zaira then replied and send the ghost a reassuring smile. Astral just sighed deeply. He didn't want anything to happen to both of them.

"I think I know where Zaira and Yuma went Bronk" Tori then said as they ran up the stairs to the school "I bet they went to duel Girag in Ray's place".

"What do you mean duel in my place?!". Ray was standing on the top of the stairs and looked very puzzled at them.

Tori had sighed deeply and began telling Ray the truth since the cat was already out of the bag here. She told him about the challenge Girag had given them, and that he believed Ray had attacked Alito.

"So Girag told Yuma and Zaira that he wanted to duel against me? So that means Zaira chan did lie to me" Ray then said and looked really sad now.

"Well Ray I am sure they had their reasons" Tori replied and tried cheering him up.

"Where is this duel?!" Ray then sneered out and surprised everyone.

"Hu? Wait why do you want to know?" Bronk questioned.

"Because Zaira and Yuma went to fight My duel, and I can't let them face that giant alone" Ray replied. He had turned his back to them and was looking up in the sky.

"You sure that is a good idea?" Bronk questioned "When you get involved...".

"I know. Things doesn't always end the way I plan them too, but this time it will be different" Ray interrupted in a determined voice "You gotta trust me and take me to them right away".

Girag's p.o.v.

Girag was sitting at this place somewhere inside this factory. It was not the factory him and Alito have had as hideout, but a different one. After all that other place had too many memories of Alito, and therefore he couldn't truly focus. Here however, in this other factory, Girag was ready. He was ready to crush Ray and avenge Alito. In his hand he was holding his deck, as memories surfaces through his mind. Don't worry Alito! I will make them pay for what they have done to you. You just wait! Footsteps could be heard, and Girag lifted his head, only to find Yuma and Zaira here along with Astral. There was no Ray in sight.

"Looks like someone is missing. Ray better show up!" Girag sneered at them. "For both of your sakes. Where is that sniveling snake so we can get this duel started?".

"He couldn't make it Girag. So you will just have to be losing to us" Yuma told him. Girag hissed angrily. He was already pissed as it is.

"I can't believe Ray didn't show. What a coward!" he then sneered out.

"Enough! Can't you just forget about Ray already Girag" Zaira sneered back "I thought you barian's wanted our numbers, so come and get them".

Girag glared angrily at Zaira. Like he could ever forget Ray. He did that to his student and payback was gonna happen. One way or the other. However at the same time Mizar's warning did enter his mind. For some reason, Zaira was dangerous to let inside the sphere field. For what reason, Girag didn't know, but he did heed the warning.

"I am sick of you messing with my plans. This is between me and Ray got it?! So why you just butt out okay!" he then yelled back at Zaira.

"Listen up Girag. The only way you are getting to Ray is through me" Yuma yelled back to him. Girag didn't get any happier by that.

"Why you little! Alright this calls for a change of plans. I'll crush you And Ray!" he shouted back in a wild frenzy. If he had to beat them to get to Ray, then so be it.

"Hold everything!" a voice suddenly shouted and Ray along with the crew of Tori and Bronk entered the factory seconds later. Something who of course pleased Girag quite a bit. Now he could get his revenge for Alito.

"Ray you are here?" Yuma questioned in a worried tone. Zaira on the other hand looked really pissed at him. She had clenched her hands and were glaring at him.

"You shouldn't have come. Girag meant serious business" she told Ray.

"So why did you two decide to come here and duel" Ray uttered "Is it because you think I can't take care of myself. That I'll mess things up like I do with most everything else?". Yuma and Zaira both shook their heads.

"No you got it all wrong" Yuma said slowly. Ray didn't look happy though.

"I know I am kinda new to dueling, but I can't let you two fight my battles for me" he then said and then looked at Zaira "How else should I become stronger?".

"I understand" Zaira said slowly and send him a little smile "You are a lot tougher than you look. I do believe in you and the Ray way".

"What I can't believe is that you actually fell for Zaira's lie here" Yuma then added in with a grin. He began hugging both Zaira and Ray now. Girag could see Zaira didn't look too thrilled about that.

"If you three are done chit chatting, how about I take both of you on at the same time" Girag then yelled and without warning fired a energy blast at Zaira.

She was clearly taken off guard here, since she was entangled in Yuma's grip right now, and soon she got send frying to the ground. However before anyone could react or do anything. Girag activated his sphere cube and created a sphere field. It quickly dragged in Yuma, Ray and Astral along with himself. While Zaira was left to Tori and Bronk on the sidelines.

Zaira's p.o.v.

I was looking stunned as the sphere field appeared in front of me, and dragged Yuma, Ray and Astral inside, leaving me on the sideline. I must admit I was pretty surprised here and not for reasons you thought. Not because the sphere field or the Girag wanted to duel. Not I was surprised because I was not part of any of this. I hadn't seen that coming at all. That energy blast. Sure I could sense it, and I knew Girag had fired one, but sadly I couldn't do anything about it. I were entangled in that weird hug of Yuma's, and therefore couldn't escape. Not that I wanted. If I did Ray or Yuma might get hurt instead. It still hurt not to be part of the duel though. I mean I promised myself to take care of Astral, and leave the dueling to me, but.. well it was pretty hard to do when I was now standing on the sideline together with Tori and Bronk. In the meantime however, Girag had entered the sphere field too and were about to duel Yuma and Ray. Not that he was gonna have any trouble with Ray. He was a newbie which was one of the reasons I was a little worried here.

"And now the duel I have been waiting for is finally here" Girag told them all "You gotta pay for messing up Alito, Ray". Ray looked puzzled at him. It confirmed what I knew all along. Ray had not attacked Alito!

"Wow what are you talking about? I would never hurt anyone" Ray then replied.

"Don't play dumb! Alito said you attacked him. That's all the proof I need" Girag shouted back. He really was pissed right now.

"Well I got all the proof I need too. Ray said he didn't do it and that is good enough for me!" Yuma shouted back and I smirked inside. When had he begun being so tough? It made me really proud.

"Yeah you tell him!" Ray shouted happily. Astral however didn't seem happy.

"Yuma, Ray admitted he is a novice and..".

The rest of that sentence got interrupted when Astral groaned slightly. My hand instantly went up to my chest too. I could feel Astral's pain right now. He was not feeling well at all. This time he couldn't hide how he felt, and I really wish I could help him. That or that he at least would retrieve inside the key. He was more or less safe there, even though I wish I could help him heal right away. Why were I else his protector if I couldn't help?

"Astral what happened? You okay?" Yuma asked Astral in a worried tone.

"Please do not worry. Both of you.." Astral said and locked eyes with me at the end other end of the sphere field. Then he turned towards Yuma again "Yuma this field. It's effects are harmful..". He groaned again. He was clearly in pain.

"Stay in the key. The field can't hurt you there" Yuma then suggested, but Astral shook his head. His gaze turned towards Ray now.

"Not now. I must remain. Just in case Ray makes moves that could endanger you" Astral replied slowly and looked over at Yuma "I can help remedy his errors. Now ready?".

I could see how Yuma nod at him, and both boys, even though Ray did look a little shaken, activated their duel disks. Girag let out a loud scream, and surprisingly tore his shirt apart. His suspenders were ripped off as well and showed an extremely muscular chest. I reminded myself never to go hand to hand in combat with him, because I would lose if this was a battle on strength alone.

"Go barian battle morph!" he then shouted and transformed right away.

Compared to Alito he didn't waste any time and were now using his full strength. His skin turned dark brown and yellow spots with gems were shown all around his body. A mask covered his face completely. His eyes were the only thing present. A giant emblem was also placed on his chest, and his clothes looked like he was in pants, and big blouse with cervical collar, although it could really not refer to clothes, considered it was merged with his skin. He looked alien like for sure.

"He just went from ugly to uglier" Yuma now uttered and I couldn't agree more.

"Now we duel!" Girag proclaimed. He had also activated his duel disk.

Girag: 4000 Lp's.

Ray: 4000 Lp's.

Yuma: 4000 Lp's.

"Prepare for the beginning of your end" Girag then said and drew.

He summoned his "Fire hand" who was a lv 4 monster with 1600 att points. However what was really weird, was when Girag equipped this 'hand' monster to himself. It was stuck on his right shoulder, and in my opinion it seemed like it hurt a little.

"Girag has equip himself with his own monster to harnish it extraordinaire might" Astral then explained as a shockwave tried to send them all flying.

"I didn't think it was possible but now he is even scarier" Yuma then uttered.

"Yeah this will give me nightmares" I could hear Bronk say beside me.

I sneered a little and cleaned my fists. If I was inside to duel I would show Girag what a true nightmare was. That was for sure! However, Girag ended his turn with a face down. Since this was battle royal rules, none of them could attack on their first turn anyway. It was Ray's turn now, and that made me worry for sure.

"Here I go. Time to get things started" Ray said in a surprising excited voice and drew "I'll show you that you don't have to worry about me. First of I am playing this card. My 'Shining destroyer' in att mode".

Then he did just that. There was only one problem with that move. It had 0 att points. It would have been a lot better in def mode since it had 1800 points there. I must admit I face palmed a lot.

"Why did he do that?!" Bronk uttered as well.

"Something tells me that was a bad move" Tori said. She was clueless as always.

"Oh yeah you can say that again!" I growled out in an angry tone. "I told him millions of times to study the card before summoning them".

"I summoned a monster with 0 att in attack mode?! This is not good" Ray uttered.

"You made a brilliant move Ray" Girag commented and chuckled "Anymore turns like that and you and Yuma will be crushed in no time".

"Oh Yuma I am so sorry" Ray apologies. I sighed deeply at that.

"Ray! Read your cards before you summon them!" I then shouted "That and adapt to your opponents. Then everything will be fine!". Ray nodded slightly.

"Ah yes Zaira chan. I will remember" Ray replied slowly. He didn't seem thrilled by his first move but who could blame him? It was terrible!

"Yeah everybody makes mistakes" Yuma added and send Ray a reassuring smile.

"That is true, but I have not seen a mistake that awful in quite some time, and please remember that includes all of your duels that I have witnessed" Astral then replied.

"Well nobody's perfect, but I come pretty close don't I?" Yuma then said which made me face palm even more. Yuma was one of a kind for sure.

"Eh Yuma?" Ray questioned. Maybe he wondered why Yuma was talking to himself. I don't think we actually did tell him about Astral now we were at it.

"Don't worry about a thing. All you gotta do is feel the flow" Yuma reassured him.

"Alright I'll try" Ray replied in a determined voice. Astral didn't look pleased.

"Yuma need I remind you that our foe hails from Barian world?" the ghost then said in a concerned voice "We need to duel flawlessly. That may not be possible with Ray here".

I sighed deeply. I did understand why Astral was so worried. With Ray here as he pointed out, they was in real danger of losing the numbers, and if he did, Astral, and maybe I, would vanish from existence. However on the other hand I did understand Yuma's dilemma here too. He wanted to protect his friend, and by not doing that, he was in some way going back on his word in helping Ray. As he pointed out to Astral right now. Ray ended his turn with a facedown. It was now finally Yuma's turn. He drew and he summoned "Dododo buster". He could summon this monster without tributing, by lowering this monsters lv from 6 to 4. After a little bit of arguing between Yuma and Astral, Yuma summoned his "Ganbara knight". Both his monsters were lv 4, so Yuma overlaid it to Xyz summon "Nb 39 Utopia" to the field. He then placed 1 card face down and ended his turn. I bit my lip. I was a little worried to be honest. I was liking how this duel were progressing. Ray was a newbie at dueling, and Yuma were arguing with Astral because he valued to protect his friend more than the duel itself. If this had been a normal duel I wouldn't be bothered by it, but they were facing a barian emperor from barian world, and they were tough. That was for sure. I just really hoped Yuma, Ray and Astral would be okay.

"You must be relieved that it is my turn, and not Ray's" Girag then mocked and drew. "So you don't have to worry about another foolish mistake".

I hissed angrily. Oh how I wished I could enter this sphere field and tell Girag a thing or two about mocking my friends. Like kicking his butt in dueling etc. Sadly that was not the case. Girag however, continued on with his move. He summoned another hand monster called "Ice hand" which he also equipped on to himself. Then he overlaid both hand monsters to xyz summon his over one hundredth number card. "Number 106 Giant hand". And that was a giant hand indeed. It was almost bigger than Girag himself. With 5 fingers and everything. Maybe even a giants hand. It was a rank 4 monster with 2000 att and def points. Yuma sneered at it.

"Another number over one hundredth" he mused out.

"Yes, and there is not a better monster with to avenge Alito!" Girag sneered back at them "Prepare the pain Ray!".

Then he of course attacked Ray with his monster. His goal was to destroy Ray's Shining destroyer. If he did, it would deal major damage to Ray since his monster had 0 att points and were in attack mode. Luckily Yuma was not gonna let that happen. He activated Utopia's eff. By using one Ou, he could stop Giant hand's attack. Sadly Girag was prepared for that. He activated his numbers eff. By using one Ou, Utopia's effect was now negated.

"But Utopia is still stronger than your giant hand" Yuma then pointed out.

"If that is what you believe, then go ahead and attack, but you will learn how very wrong you are" Girag then replied.

As Astral asked what he meant by that, Girag just said he wouldn't want to spoil the surprise. That didn't make me feel better. He clearly had something up his sleeves here. However since he negated Utopia's effect, Girag could now continue his attack on Ray. His giant hand destroyed shining destroyer and dealt Ray 2000 points of damage. I looked horrified as Ray got send flying into the sphere field and jolted pretty badly. He looked beat afterwards.

"You alright?" Yuma asked Ray as he got away from the sides of the sphere field.

"Yeah I'll be fine Yuma, Girag however won't be after what's next" Ray replied in a determined voice "I activate shinning destroyer's effect. Since it was destroyed, you will be taking 600 points of damage".

I hummed a little at that. It was not a bad counter I guess, but I felt like there were something missing here. Ray and I have had a couple of training duels together, so I had a good hunch what his cards could do. Sadly at this moment it did escape me, but I just knew there were more to it.

"Not if I activate the trap 'hand block'" Girag then told them. I bit my lip. Since he had a hand monster on his field, the trap prevented him from taking any effect damage this turn. Girag chuckled darkly now.

"It seems to me you do not have a grasp on what your monster can actually do" the barian emperor then said "When your shining destroyer is destroyed, it deals 600 points of damage to all the players".

My eyes widened. That had been it. The thing that had escaped me some seconds ago. Ray's monster's dealt 600 points of damage to all the players, which meant 600 points of damage to Yuma and Ray as well. I must admit I ended up face palming again. Ray really should have paid more attention to what his monster could do before summoning it in the first place.

"Wait are you saying that we take damage?" Ray questioned in disbelief.

"That is right. Now why not use your last remaining seconds to think about all the dueling mistakes that brought you into this moment Ray. It has been my pleasure" Girag replied in rather cold tone.

He really disliked Ray a lot here. Then Yuma, Ray and Astral got send into the sphere field because Ray's monster blasted them with 600 points. Jolt went through their body, and I in some way could feel it because Astral got hit too. He was groaning in pain, and I was at the same time clenching my chest. I had a really bad feeling about this.

"Hey are you okay Ray?" Yuma asked his friend a little while later.

"Yeah, but I would be better if my monster hadn't blasted us" Ray replied slowly and sighed. He really sounded depressed to me.

"Yeah that is the thing about dueling. You have to expect the unexpected" Yuma replied with a smile. He was trying very hard to cheer up Ray. I on the other hand was not feeling so thrilled about it, and there were one big reason for that.

"Yuma.." Astral whispered weakly.

I was not even sure Bronk or Tori heard that. However being linked with Astral had its benefits. Sadly Astral was not feeling very well. He was flashing in and out, and his body was filled with pain. He needed treatment right away.

"Astral? Are you..?" Yuma questioned.

"You must.. reassess your approach.. to this duel" Astral said in a low voice "By protecting Ray you are leaving yourself woundable".

"But I can't!" I could hear Yuma shout "I just can't turn my back on a friend Astral".

"Listen to me. I know exactly how you feel but.. this duel.. may be my last.." Astral replied and sighed deeply. He truly didn't want to create this dilemma for Yuma.

"There are no but's. I will never give up on any of my friends!" Yuma shouted back and closed his eyes. It was properly because of this hard choice.

"I am not sure how much longer I can..".

Then Astral let out a little scream as pain once again entered his body. I was grabbing around my chest. This was the worse feeling I had ever felt right now. Almost as terrible at that time with Astral being in that sphere field Dr. Faker had used from his cannon. I fell so drained now. It did make sense however, because Astral had just collapsed inside the field.

"Astral!" Yuma and I shouted in unison. What we didn't know was that Ray was looking very carefully at Astral, before shades hid his eyes and his true intentions.

A,N: Well that was that. Cruel cliffhanger I know, but I think I made a decent chapter don't you think? 😊 The next one is of course the rest of the duel, and Ray's true motives. Maybe! When that chapter is done, I finally up to that chapter I already have made a lot of. Can't wait since it reveals a little about Zaira's.. well you have to continue reading to find out what I mean. Hope that peeked your interest though. Please comment on what you think of the story so far. Would love feedback, and thank you so much for reading and following me as the story progresses. I appreciate it really much.