A,N: Hello my dear readers. So sorry for the wait you guys. I finally completed it. Fully this time. Hope you find it to your liking. A head's up. The story might have some mentioning of killing and stuff. Just thought you wanted to know. However, hope you will read it regardless. Thank you so much too with all your support. I couldn't have gotten here without you. So thank you. I appreciate all your support. But without further ado, let's read!

Vector's p.o.v.

"Nii san!"

A voice shouted through the corridors and made Vector and his entourage stop up. Everyone who was assigned to the barian lord knew they should let this girl pass, or there would be consequences. Terrible consequences perhaps, considered what mood Vector was in. This girl were the only person who could bring light to the moody emperor. Something his entourage wouldn't mind at all.

"Zaira, what do you want?" the emperor questioned when the girl was standing beside him gasping for air. "Weren't you supposed to study?". The orange haired girl smiled happily.

"I finished it all!" she said proudly "So I have a little free time. I was wondering if we could do something together Nii san".

Vector hummed a little. His sister was only a couple of inches lower than his barian form, and Vector could see her purple, hopeful, eyes look at him. Vector rubbed his stony hand at her cheek.

"I am sorry Zaira, but I have a meeting in some minutes" he then replied.

"I know that Vector Nii san. Lord Dumon told me all emperors have a meetings now" she replied, "I just well hoped we could do something afterwards". Vector scratched his hair.

"What would you like us to do then?" he then questioned slowly.

"A trip to Baria sea! Or maybe explore the forest on your grounds Vector nii. Never been on your grounds before and would love to see them" she shouted in an excited tone.

"Zaira... I" He said slowly and looked at one of his advisers. They were all shaking their heads. "I can't. I have a tight schedule at the moment and..".

"You always say that!" she said in a sour tone and looked grumpy at him "We never have time to do stuff together that much anymore. You all have meetings to attend to all the time".

Vector didn't reply her on that. How could he? They were at war, and she was still too young, to understand the importance. Not even being 100 years yet. Her body may look forever 16, but compared her age to his, she was still considered a child.

"Emperor Nash says I might be considered for the test to become an emperor when I become over 100" Zaira then suddenly said to Vector's surprise "If I do all my studies and training, they might nominate me".

"Nash says so many useless thing" Vector mused coldly. He rubbed her hair a little "And being emperor is hard business. You will be bored to almost death by those meetings".

"But still, we will spend more time together" Zaira said firmly "And if Alito can become one then so can I. Don't you want me to become one?". Vector hummed a little.

"Let's talk about this when you reach the proper age" he then replied, "When you know more, and if you still wanna do it, then sure, I don't mind you becoming one little sis".

"Yes! Thank you Nii sama, I love you". She hugged him deeply.

"I love you too Zaira" he replied slowly.

"Vector!".

Vector eyes flew surprised up, when someone yelled his name loudly through his head. Vector found himself in the dimensional gateway. The barian lord eyes widened in surprise, but slowly remembered that he was on the quest to find the mythyrian number cards in name of Don thousand. Although he might have fallen asleep on the way. Vector shook his head in confusion. It was not like him to dream of the past.

"Vector focus" the deity shouted inside his head "We have no time for daydreaming. We have an important task ahead".

"I know that" Vector sneered and shook the image of the dream out of his head.

The loving picture of Zaira hugging him. How he missed her embrace. Her smile. Her caring nature. His sister in general. But all he got, was an angry and confused sister, who didn't want anything to do with him. Vector would lie if he said that didn't sting just a little. He still couldn't believe Yuma and his little friends were still having her in their custody. Dumon didn't lose his match. He should be able to grab her, before Sargasso broke down, but instead she was back on earth instead of barian world. Wonder if she still denies that she is one of us?! She should have come to her senses by now. Yeah, she should. Then she will realize she is mine. My sister! I can't let Yuma and Astral have her. She belongs with me and Barian world!

"You will soon be reunited with her." Don thousand replied and chuckled darkly. Vector knew he had read his mind. "You should focus on the numbers for now Vector. Zaira, your beloved sister, will return to us when the time is right".

"Oh, and how can you be so sure of that? Those pitiful humans can already have filled her heart and soul with more lies" Vector replied "Maybe she even will plot against us". Vector could hear Don Thousand laugh inside his head now.

"Don't worry she won't. She is a barian and has pride as one. She will betray them, when the time is right. Now bring me those numbers".

"As you wish" Vector said slowly "But do you know where the numbers are?".

"I found them in the deeps of your memory" the deity replied which confused the emperor, but Don thousand didn't explain himself further. Instead he said "But before you search for the numbers, you must find him".

"Who?" Vector questioned confused. The deity didn't say anything in reply though. He opened a path and made Vector follow him instead.

Time skip.

Vector was, in his human form of course, lurking in the shadows at the main entrance of city hall of a mayor's building. A celebration was held there. A congressman named Parker had just donated a lot of money to an Orphanage. Cheers could be heard from the audience. He seemed like a nice guy, but Vector knew better. He followed him to his hideout minutes later. There the truth was revealed. Illegal business where kept here in the shadows. Just like Don thousand had told him. Vector took a deep breath. It was time to act. Even though this was way beneath his dignity. He had to remind himself that this was for their future goals. He had to keep his act together. He might as well even have some fun, before that. He knocked out all the guards to the hideout, and did a fabulous entrance, at least in his head, and kicked the doors up to Parker's office. Congressman Parker and his henchman was inside and were looking surprised at him.

"I am shocked. In public he is the compassionate politician who will do anything for the people, but behind closed doors, he is a crooked conman who will do anything to get the edge" Vector said and walked inside the room "He-he you have a split personality".

The henchman attacked him, but Vector knocked him out with a shockwave. He turned towards the congressman.

"I wonder which one is the real you" he continued and looked at Parker.

"Well that depends if you are asking me or the congressman here" a new voice then said. It was spoken out of the lips of the congressman. A dark aura surrounded him, and Parker got dropped to the floor. In front of Vector now was 96 alias Dark mist.

"You are different. You are not an ordinary human" 96 said and smirked evilly "You reminds me a little of that girl Zaira, who Astral keeps around, but with a more boyish look. Clearly a male of your species".

Vector ignored the comment around his sister and instead kneeled down before the number. His head resting respectfully at the floor, before he spoke.

"That's because I am not human" He said and looked up at 96 "I am Vector, one of the barian emperors and now one of your loyal subjects".

"You have got to be joking. A barian emperor wants to be my minion" 96 said and chuckled. He clearly didn't believe a word he was saying.

"Yes you deserve to be the one true emperor, and I can be the one to help you do it" Vector replied and looked down at the floor again.

"Why me and not you?" 96 questioned and smirked.

"We both have the same goals, but you are more powerful than I am. It makes more sense" Vector replied slowly and sent him an evil gleam.

"If you think we have the same goals, you are sadly mistaken" 96 replied and floated down and was sitting at the desk in here.

"Neither of us has any interest in saving astral world..." began Vector, but 96 interrupted him quickly.

"True, but I don't feel like saving Barian world either".

"Well maybe I feel the same way".

96 eyes widened a little at that, but he was still not convinced in helping them.

"Let me prove it to you" Vector then said, "What if I give you the location on a new number".

That intrigued the number a little. Vector pulled out his last ace. He was holding up 'Rank up magic barian's force' now. That made the 96 extremely curious.

"Wait is that a barian card?!" 96 uttered surprised "You are willing to give me Barian powers?". Vector smirked at that.

"I will do whatever it takes to make you invincible" he replied, thinking the deal was made.

That 96 had bit on the hook. However when he looked up once again, the number was suddenly floating in front of him, with an evil gleam in his eyes. Tentacles wrapped around his body, pulling Vector up in the air so they were eye to eye. Vector groaned surprised by that, and if it wasn't for Don thousand shouting inside his head 'Don't fight him'Vector would clearly have done so.

"Tell me little pet, are you taking me for a fool hmm?" 96 said and chuckled darkly.

"I don't know... what you mean" Vector groaned out "Of course... I don't".

"Oh really now, then tell me, why you look so much like Astral's little pet? That guardian of his, named Zaira Wroom" 96 said and squeezed him slowly and painfully "And no lies!". Vector hissed a little. Like hell he was telling this number anything.

"Tell him Vector!" Don thousand voice ran through his mind now.

"What?! Are you crazy? My sister is not gonna get mixed up with this...".

"She already are Vector. Do you prefer it tortured out of you? If not, tell him".

Vector hissed again, but considered the plan and goal they were having, as well as the soon to be delivered pain, Vector told him everything. How Zaira was his sister, who disappeared from Barian world one day. How he figured the Astral world had taken her in and used her powers to protect Astral against them. Or at least that was how he saw it. 96 listened carefully to his tale, and when Vector had given him the information he wanted, he dropped him on to the floor.

"So that's why I can feel so much power from her eh" 96 said and grinned "Power of both worlds so to speak, and your sister have amnesia eh? I wonder if she would serve me, if she could remember where she belonged to".

"That I don't know" Vector said and got up from the floor.

He at least had a little dignity. His gaze was still kept at the floor though. His eyes were filled with anger. He could feel how 96 was floating around him, viewing his from every angle.

"You are not as strong as your sister, but she has two different powers so that is to be expected" the number then said and licked his lips "But your barian power is off the charge, so I have nothing against you being my minion for the time being".

"Well glad to hear that" Vector mused slowly. He could feel his chin got lifted up by one of the tentacles, so he was eye to eye with 96. Vector sneered inside. This was way, way under his dignity alright, but he didn't utter one word.

"Your sister" 96 then said and Vector's eyes instantly widened in surprise "I will agree on your terms, if you let me have her as minion as well. Your eyes reveal hope when I mentioned her, so are you that loyal to me that you would give me her if I asked? Hmm".

Vector sneered angrily inside. No way! You are not getting her. Zaira was never part of this deal. I am not giving her to this...

"Vector!" Don thousand sneered inside "You are agreeing to this. Your sister will be fine. Now make the deal".

Vector hissed angrily inside. He couldn't be serious! However he couldn't dismiss the deity's order, considered his currently dilemma.

"Yes I would" he mumbled out slowly "Zaira will be yours if you say so".

96 smirked and let go of him. He floated over to the desk and absorbed the deck who was lying there. Then he turned towards Vector again.

"Come now my pet" He said "We have number and a girl to catch".

Vector nodded slightly, and 96 flew out of the room with Vector following tight steps behind him. His hands were clenched, however. Just you wait 96. At some points the tables will be turned, and I will be the one in charge. I hope for your own good you haven't touched a hair on My sister. Zaira is Mine! You got that! And harming her has great consequences!

Zaira's p.o.v.

We were all driving through the interdimensional gate way via Astral's ship, as we were on our way to get the second mytherian number card. We had one so that left us 6 cards remaining. Or 7 if you counted the one, which location was still unknown. However, in my opinion, that number could stay hidden. I had no intentions of getting it. Well at least not now. Everything was still much chaos around me. I mean I were supposedly a barian and Vector's sister. I still denied that with all my heart, but at the same time, I still hadn't told any of my friends it. The guilt was kinda eating me up here, but at the same time, fear was also present. I was still very wary of how much the others hated barian world. Because of the war and everything that was in between. Nothing good had ever happened hanging out with a barian, and Vector were the sole image to that. If Astral and the others knew about me, being supposedly barian then... I shook my head. I just didn't want to think about that, but I guess tossing me off the ship was a mild punishment. It also didn't help that Shark boy had been very weird since the events with the pegasus ruin. I still remembered how Shark had returned with water in some water bottle, mumbling something about Dumon and kicking his butt, before we got reunited with our friends at the ship. However, since then Shark had been very evasive and refused to talk to me, beside sending me glares once in a while. I really didn't know what was going on here.

"The map your father sent us, is indicating the location of the second mytherian number" I could then hear Astral say and got out of my daydream. I quickly joined the group as we were staring at the map in front of us.

"It is on a remote Island" I could hear Shark comment. I nodded at that. All which only made Shark glare even more intensely at me. I shivered. What was wrong here?

"Sounds like this could be tricky" Rio added in and Tori continued "And tricky means dangerous".

I bit my lip at that. I did understand Tori's concern. I mean the events in the pegasus ruin, had been terrible enough. I could praise myself lucky after all to be alive right now.

"Nah we will be fine" Yuma replied in a cheerful tone and grabbed the steering wheel. "Let's just get this search party started!".

Seconds later however, Yuma was bouncing up and down the ship, which was kinda funny to be honest. We had been hit with some slight turbulence, which made us all return to our seats, along with seatbelt, so we were not bouncing up and down like Yuma. Astral were of course beside him, sighing as he shook his head over Yuma's stupid stunt right now. I on the other hand had other plans. I was taking this opportunity to talk to Shark and figure out what was going on here. And there were clearly something wrong here. Shark could deny it all he wanted. As luck so happens, I had even got a seat next to him. It was the only seat left, considering Rio and Tori had taken the other two. That unless Shark wanted to bounce around like Yuma here.

"Hey Shark boy. What's wrong? And don't say it is nothing, I know differently. You have been grumpy all the time in here" I then started of this conversation. For a while silence were upon both of us, as we were only staring at each other with cold eyes. Then Shark growled annoyed.

"You know full well what wrong Miss Stubborn" he hissed out in a low voice.

"What? No I don't!" I replied in the same low voice. Shark apparently didn't want Rio or Tori to hear that, and I complied his wishes for now. "Are you mad at me? Have I done something wrong?". Shark growled angrily again.

"Yes, yes you have" he then sneered in a low voice. Our eyes met and I could see the anger flashing in his purple eyes now. "Or maybe I should word it differently. It is what you haven't done that pisses me off".

All that provided was me being a big question mark. Shark hissed again and pulled me closer. So close that he could whisper into my ear, and not let Rio or anyone on the ship hear what he was about to say. Something I later was very grateful for, with all my heart.

"I know the truth Miss stubborn. I know who you are. I know What you are and your connections to...".

I couldn't keep myself from gasping as he spoke my brother's name. I was not even sure Shark had been saying anything else in that moment either. Shock was written all around my face now, and thoughts like 'He knows!' and 'this can't be happening' entered my mind. I came to myself as I felt Shark's hand rubbing my cheek and we were once again staring into each other's eyes.

"Zaira, I love you, and for that reason, I will keep this between us. For now. But don't get me wrong, if you as much as hurt a hair on Yuma's head, being his sister and all, I will not hesitate in stopping you" He then stated in a low voice.

Then he let go of me and turned his head away from me completely. His body language said it all. That this conversation was over and done with, and that I shouldn't try anything, because he was watching. I bit my lip as I tried to keep myself from crying. I didn't utter a word, but on the inside, I was filled with a lot of pain and dread. After all how could I not. My boyfriend knew I was one of Them and worst of all he didn't trust me any longer, since I had kept this from him. I was sure, nothing could be worse than the emotions I was feeling in my heart right now.

Vector's p.o.v.

In the meantime.

Vector and Nb 96 had just arrived at the ruin of an old castle. That was the location Don Thousand had given him, and Vector wondered why. The deity had mentioned something about finding it in his memory, whatever that means, and he would be lying if he was saying he wasn't curious. However at the same time, he knew not to cross the deity. At least not yet, considering he was literally holding his life in his hands. Or crystal to be more specific. For that reason Vector complied as he joined forces with 96 for now. He was even so nice to blast the door open for the number.

"Charming spot to find a new number" 96 mused as he flew through the now blasted door.

Vector was right behind him. Or were. Suddenly something unexplainable happened. Vector couldn't explain it, even if he wanted to. A sensation of some kind ran over him, and it felt like his head was going to burst. Like something was trying to emerge from deep within him. He was almost about to reach it, when he heard laughter. Don thousand's laugher in his head.

"So you can feel it?" the deity questioned inside his mind and grinned again.

"What did you just do?!" Vector hissed back.

"You do not need to know right now" the god replied which pissed Vector off.

"Tell me!" he demanded and could hear Don thousand sneer back at him.

"Silence! You should instead set your sight on 96. You must absorb his powers".

"I will. I am just waiting for the right moment".

"Excuse me pet? Is there something wrong?" he could then suddenly hear 96 say, and Vector quickly turned towards the number who was standing some meters away and looked rather impatient.

Vector quickly regained his compose and followed after 96 through some creepy hallways. All his senses was however on high alert.

They walked through the hallways and soon ended up at a big crossroad with 5 different passageways. Both 96 and Vector was looking perplexed around.

"Alright, so which way do we go now?" the number questioned rather puzzled.

Just like at the door, Vector felt this strange sensation over him, and he walked quickly over to the middle pathway and jumped down on the stairs. As he did, the steps he was standing on was moving downwards to a secret passageway. 96 of course followed suit, which a big question mark on his face now.

"I suppose you have been here before" the number then questioned him.

"No I... I am just familiar with the legend of this ruin" Vector responded in a half lie half-truth. He just felt like he had truly been here before.

Zaira's p.o.v.

Time skip.

"Wow, hey guys, this is it. This is where the next mytherian number card is" I could hear Yuma say which made me roll my eyes.

Like that giant castle in front of us wasn't a dead giveaway, but I didn't say anything. After all Shark was still watching me like a hawk while at the same time holding my hand just like a couple. All which made me reevaluate our relationship. I did understand Shark's suspicion. I really do. But if he really was so suspicious, he shouldn't pretend this was normal. He just shouldn't! I must admit I had very mixed feelings right about now, and it didn't help with that we were staring down this ruin of a castle, who seriously could need an upgrade, like Yuma stated at the pegasus ruin. However, it was not only that. This place... there were something familiar about it. Like something from a dream. A fairytale maybe with king and queens, princes and princesses and stuff. In some way I felt rather drawn to this place. So much in fact that I got out of my boyfriend's tight grip and entered the doorstep to the ruin. A splitting headache entered my mind and I almost felt like I was throwing up, but I did contain myself. Pictures were floating around in there as well, before one of them caught my attention. A male. A male prince dressed in the finest ropes and jewels, while holding a sharp edged sword in his hand, who was covered in blood. He had spiked orange colored hair and an insane smile were plastered over his face.

"Vector" I blurred out and stumbled backwards, as I was trying to catch my breath.

Horror was clearly shown on my face. How could it not, when I just saw Vector, insane as ever, and were holding a bloodied sword in his hand?

"Zaira, Zaira are you okay?" I could then hear Yuma say and noticed that him and Astral were both present at my side now. They looked extremely worried. I guess I had been too shaken up to notice anything around me.

"Zaira are you feeling ill? You do look pale. Maybe you should wait at the ship" I could hear Astral suggest worriedly. I shook my head slowly.

"No, I... I will be okay. I just don't think we shall go in there at all" I then replied.

"Why?!" I could hear Shark growl suspiciously, which made me hesitate right on the spot. I couldn't after all tell them it was because I had pictures of Vector in my mind.

"I agree with Zaira" I could then hear Rio say and got everyone's else attention "This place feels dangerous. I just think the best thing to do is stay out of there".

"But how will we then acquire the number?" Astral questioned worriedly.

"Well... I guess we just have to be careful" Rio then replied and began walking slowly inside the ruin.

Yuma and I followed, with the others following right behind us. However, I were still having a terrible feeling about this place.

"Wow, this place is really spooky in here" I could hear Tori say after a little while.

We were currently walking down a staircase, and like Tori stated it was pretty creepy here. Everything made me shiver and it didn't help that there were creepy muraled pictures on the wall. Just like in the pegasus ruin, but in this case, I felt like it was a warning for people who was lured in here. Oh how I wanted to leave!

"Yeah. Look at those drawings on the wall" Rio added in.

It was like she read my mind. Her hand roamed around a particular spot, where a girl, or at least I think it was a girl, was drawn into the wall. That made me freeze up right away.

"All these drawings must tell a story" Shark suddenly said and hummed "Just like in the other ruin".

I nodded slowly at that. Sadly, Dumon was not here this time to read the ancient scripts for us. I shook my head as soon as that thought entered my mind. What in the world is wrong with me? I couldn't be missing that gray barian could I?

"It is the story of the ancients and their sadness" Rio then suddenly said. Apparently, she could read it for some reason. Then again, Shark had told me how Rio had strange powers. Reading ancient scripts must be one of them.

"What are they grieving about?" Yuma questioned slowly.

"Can't we just find the number and get out of here" Tori suggested worriedly. She must be as scared as I felt right now.

"The grief of those past life's shreds tears and it can't be healed by time. This is the legend about this cursed place" Rio then said and surprisingly her eyes were now shinning in a green color "Ages ago a cruel prince lived in this castle and ruled this island with a lot of cruelty and an iron fist. He looked upon all people with suspicion. However, one girl, who he treasured with all his heart, kept this prince from acting on his paranoia and killing everyone. That until a war broke out which killed her on the battlefield. Grief struck the evil prince, driving him even more insane, and were now believing that everyone was plotting against him. Bloodshed began happening all over this kingdom, and when only the prince was left standing, he committed suicide in an attempt to be with this girl in his afterlife".

As Rio finished the last sentence of the legend, she tumbled forward, being a little dizzy. Shark was of course there to catch his sister, who was now a little shaken up. Who could really blame her when she should describe such a terrible legend? It made me feel like I should throw up again. All these innocent people! My hand roamed around the girl's picture once again and I was actually cursing destiny for being so cruel. I mean if this girl had been kept alive, I was sure all these people wouldn't have died.

"What is wrong Zaira? You look so thoughtful" I could hear Astral say as the astral prince flew over to me. I shook my head a little.

"It is just... I wonder if the girl who had died in the legend... could she have changed anything if she had been alive, instead of dying in the war?" I said slowly "Maybe the prince would then have changed his ways?".

"Yes, I wonder that as well" Astral then replied and hummed "That ancient ruler. Why did he betray those he should have protected?".

I shrugged at that. I didn't know that either. In the background I could hear Yuma mumble something with that this place really was cursed, and I hoped deeply inside that it was wrong. We continued down the stairs, not knowing that my brother and 96 already have claimed the number in here.

Time skip.

"How do we know which way we should go now?" Tori asked worriedly as we all were staring down this 5 divided pathway.

No one was answering her question, because no one truly knew. Not even I, but I believe that had another reason. Ever since we entered this ruin, I have had this feeling about that I knew this place. The legend of this ruin, however, hadn't helped the slightest. Only giving me a big headache to booth. Along with those flashbacks of Vector and this slight chilling feeling that something wasn't right here. You really can't blame me to focus in this moment. Also Shark was still over me like a hawk. I sighed deeply inside. This could clearly be noted as a really bad day here. However then suddenly I got this sensation running all over me, and without knowing how or why, I knew the way to the number. As weird and amazing as it sounds.

"Hey guys, I think we shall go...".

"Look that star on that pillar most be some kind of guidepost" Yuma then suddenly interrupted me and pointed at the pillar who was closest to the left side.

"But maybe not Yuma" Tori said slowly in a worried tone and Rio added in that it could be a trap. I sneered rather annoyed. No one had heard anything I had said.

"Yeah I agree with Rio and Tori" I then said but once again Yuma interrupted me.

"Ah don't worry about it. Just follow me".

Then he began walking down that path to the left without listening to anyone else. Rio and Tori both sighed and in the end everyone else began following him. I was left standing at the crossroad rather annoyed. Was my statements not counting for anything here?!

"Oh yeah you guys, listen to Yuma. He knows best!" I sneered out and pointed raspberries after him and the others.

The middle pathway was clearly the right path here. The left one... well I had no clue, but clearly not to the number we were after.

"Miss Stubborn are you coming?" I could then hear Shark yell and it kinda forced me to decide. I ended up following Shark and the others as well. After all they couldn't face this unknown danger all by themselves.

And of course there were danger. I had just caught up to Shark when it happened. This unforeseen danger. A weird rumbling sound could be heard, and we soon discovered that it was the sound of a giant boulder, who was coming STRAIGHT for us! To say that we had to run was an understatement, and I once again wondered why I was ending up in all this. Like the traps in the pegasus ruin weren't enough. Luckily Yuma noticed another star on the wall somewhere, which activated another hidden mechanism. A spot on the wall opened up, making a passage we could stand in, which we of course did, and we were now watching how the giant boulder ran pass us. Tori and Rio sighed relieved. I must admit I realized I had been holding my breath and were now trying to get air through my lungs again.

"Well no harm done" Yuma then stated. Shark looked rather pissed at that.

"What?! We followed your lead, and we were almost squashed by a gigantic boulder!" he yelled back at him.

"Yep! Isn't that exciting?!" Yuma uttered cheerfully back.

All which made me facepalm. Yuma can be so stupidly excited. And annoying and... I never managed to think that thought through, because Yuma's stupidity once again showed itself. I know for a fact that the others had been discussing something, but it really did escape my mind now that Yuma accidentally activated yet another trap. He had hit a hidden mechanism with his elbow and now I felt myself falling down a trap door along with Shark. A weird kind of tunnel system awaited us, and it might could have been an interesting rollercoaster, hadn't it been for the circumstances. Although the only good thing here was, that because of this unforeseen danger, Shark had managed to pull me close to his chest in an attempt to protect me. I could literally hear his beating heart at his chest along with his scent of the shampoo residues in his purple hair. He clearly have had a bath this morning. Not that it was important right now. However, it made me calm down a little. After the talk we had today it was nice to know, that regardless what happened between us, Shark still cared rather deeply about me. Then we hit rock bottom, and I mean literally. As we entered the end of this tunnel, we were both tossed to the ground in some other place. Although it didn't hurt as must as I thought it would, I was still a little groggy being tossed around just now.

"Are you alright Zaira?" I could hear Shark ask in a surprisingly caring tone.

"Yeah. Yeah. I think I can manage" I replied slowly and grabbed my head. This stupid trip hadn't helped on my headache at all.

"Oh that is good to hear." Shark mumbled annoyed "Now get off my back!".

It only took me seconds to realize that Shark had taken much of our fall just now and that I was sitting on top of him. I turned completely red of embarrassment as I got off him, mumbling something that sounded like a 'thank you' before I took in my surroundings. And of course things had gone from worse alright, because currently Shark and I had ended up in some kind of cell with bars and everything. I had never been arrested before, but this was clearly how it would look, if I ever was, and it felt me with a lot of dread. How were we supposed to get out of this predicament?

"Zaira, Tori? Everyone? Are you okay?" I could hear Yuma shout. I soon realized it was from a prison cell next door. That didn't help either. Rio and Tori were also in a cell, to the other side of Yuma.

"I am good, and so is Zaira" Shark said as he joined me at the bars.

"Guess this was a trap" I could hear Tori utter in a scared tone. Who could blame her? This clearly was the place where the evil prince crushed his enemies. Luckily, he wasn't alive, or we would have been in more trouble than this. Or so I thought.

"Well look who is here" a voice suddenly ran through the whole dungeon and made me freeze instantly.

No! this couldn't be... Horror struck me as I noticed my so called brother sitting on a throne, clearly this former prince's throne, and were smirking evilly as he was staring down all of us. He was in his human form, although he was no longer wearing Heartland academy's uniform. Instead he was wearing black leather pants, a purple t-shirt and with a black leather jacket over it. Fur could be seen at the collar of his neck and sleeves. Kinda punk gangster which I found cool in my opinion, hadn't it been for him being an evil insane bastard. I clenched my fists a little. This just couldn't be happening!

"Hello Yuma and my dear s...".

"Ray!" I shouted out interrupting Vector in finishing that sentence.

As fun as it was, Yuma had in that moment just yelled Vector's name, and we were both staring at each other now. Yuma and I. I must admit I turned slight red as I backed away into the cell and away from Yuma's prying eyes. I couldn't believe I had said Ray instead of Vector. Though deep inside I already knew the answer to that question. If I called my brother by his true name, it was almost as if I acknowledged us being related.

"Oh guess Someone is still having mixed opinions on who I am, or someone is Still in denial" Vector then replied.

He was still having that evil smirk plastered to his face. He was having emphasis on some of the words here, which clearly was directed to me. After all, his purple eyes were glaring at me right now.

"Vector just be quiet!" Yuma then sneered back at him in hope of shutting him off. That sadly had little effect and only made Vector grin like a maniac.

"I hate to break the news to you Yuma, but I have already taken the number you came here for" he then taunted us with and chuckled darkly again "But since you went through all this trouble to get here, let's have some fun. Let's have a duel and the winner gets the number".

"Anything to make sure you don't get it" Yuma replied fiercely.

My eyes widened at that info and I were looking perplex from Yuma to Vector now. They are gonna duel? But this could be a trap? Yuma shouldn't duel. I should! I should tell them that... My eyes wandered over to Shark who was beside me. I still had not forgotten the chat we had earlier, and it made me hesitate. If I spoke up now, what was keeping Vector or Shark in telling the truth? I shook my head a little. I just couldn't handle that now.

"Well in that case, I am going to have to upgrade you to a ring side seat" Vector then spoke up and were suddenly pulling in some chains who came down from the ceiling.

As he pulled in one of them, Yuma's cell opened and literally made him fly out of it. He hit some kind of pedestal a little away from all of us, and across from Vector. In the background I could hear Vector laugh evilly once again.

"He-he I suppose I should mention, that if you don't know how these mechanics works, there is no getting out" he then told us "The number has taught me a lot about the tricks and traps in the labyrinth of screams. That's what they call it you know".

"Quit messing with me Vector! There is no way I can fight a duel from this puny pedestal" I could hear Yuma shout back in an angry tone. All which made Vector laugh once again. It send chills down my spine.

"You won't have to, because you are not the one who is doing the dueling. Astral is" Vector then proclaimed which surprised us all big time.

"Wait what? Astral?!" Yuma uttered rather shocked. I sneered angrily at that.

"Don't trust him Astral! Don't duel!" I then shouted and grabbed around the bars in my cells. Knowing how tricky Vector could be, there was no way this was gonna be any fair and legal duel. At that however, Vector chuckled evilly again.

"Now, now, now my dear Zaira. This is not your decision" he then countered and waved with his finger like he was lecturing me. Then his attention turned towards Astral and Yuma once again. He was clearly waiting for Astral's reply.

"Well that is true. I decided to accept your challenge. Let us begin" Astral then replied and flew down to the center, where this ring was.

It was the only ground around there, if you didn't could the pedestals, the cells, the place Vector were, and the pedestal Yuma was currently standing at. Around this arena it was this gabbing hole to who knows where, but I had a feeling that if you fell down there, you weren't coming back alive.

"I never said I would duel Astral" Vector then suddenly counted, and I knew for sure now that a trap had been said up.

It also didn't help that Number 96 had appeared on the other side of the arena, showing everyone that he was going to be Astral's opponent. I shivered even more. Compared to 96 here, I actually preferred Vector's company right now. That Number had some seriously obsessions.

"Nice to see you again Astral. Especially in such perfect settings for an all-out duel" the number then said and chuckled darkly.

"Number 96! Wait so you being here, does that mean you have teamed up with that barian?" Astral then questioned surprised.

"Well yes. The little pet sought me out and begged me to help him. I felt bad for the boy and ended up agreeing. Now you are not the only one with a helper" 96 explained with an evil grin.

My gaze went straight up to Vector after hearing that. After all the last thing 96 needed was help from the barian world. Surprisingly enough I noticed the angry expression who was shown on Vector's face. Apparently, this teamwork wasn't mutual or at least something like that. He clearly had a hidden agenda here. That and the pet comment was not helping on the anger here. Not that I didn't mind this at all. After all maybe that meant 96 was finally over claiming me of all people.

However, I soon discovered that wasn't the case, when suddenly 96 was floating in front of my cell and were staring at me with those creepy eyes of his. I instantly took some steps back. I was clearly acting on instinct, but who could really blame me, considering the history we had together. As creepy as that was.

"Hello, my dear little Zaira" he greeted me with that creepy voice of his.

"96!" I sneered out with as much bravery as I could muster.

The evil number chuckled as one of his creepy tentacles went in between the bars and were rubbing my cheek a little, which made me instantly freeze.

"Number 96! You dare do anything to Zaira!" I could hear Astral shout in the background which made 96 redraw his fang arms once again which I was grateful for "You wanted this duel, so get over here so we can start!". 96 tsked annoyed at that.

"Hmm let me think about that" he then replied and looked like he was really thinking about this. Then he grinned evilly "I don't think so. The stakes aren't high enough, so I don't feel like dueling".

My eyes widened at that, and I was sure everyone else was too. Or at least Yuma and Astral were considering the history we all had with 96.

"Explain yourself. What do you mean with the stakes aren't high enough?!" Astral then uttered rather annoyed "I will get the number you possess, and you will get the pleasure of destroying or absorbing me. Haven't that always been your goal?".

"That is no longer enough" the number replied and smirked again "But if I were you, I would listen to my new proposal, before you dismiss it again. After all I am not the one who is desperate in gathering the numbers to gain my memories back. You are Astral!".

I could see how Astral had narrowed his eyes in a concerned matter before he spoke. Hesitation was clearly shown in his face.

"And what is it you want exactly?" he asked the obsessed number.

96 chuckled darkly and then suddenly I felt this creepy slimy tentacle arm wrap around my shoulders and neck, who was surprisingly keeping me in place with a firm grip. If I didn't feel horrified before, I was clearly feeling it now. It also didn't help that I didn't get any support with this at all. The others were not here, and Shark was as much pinned down to the bars in here, since 96 knew he would meddle.

"No!" Astral then shouted in horror as well "No! You will not get Zaira!".

"Then there is no deal Astral" 96 said and grinned again "It doesn't really matter to me right now anyways. I will claim your little protector sooner or later regardless. It is only a matter of time".

"Why?! Why do you want Zaira? My sister!" Yuma then shouted angrily from his pedestal.

He was sending the number an angry look. That question had of course also been on my mind, but I never have had the bravery to ask 96 about it. Maybe I also didn't truly want to know. 96 chuckled evilly once again.

"Why? Well that is very simple" the number then replied "She is Astral's protector, and what belongs to Astral, belongs to me. So Astral, are we in agreement? If I win, I will absorb you and gain your little protector as my own? If not, I am out of here, and you will never get this number".

I could see how Astral was still looking shocked over 96 statement. He clearly was in a big dilemma and in some way, it actually made me much more determined. After all Astral was one of my best friends, and seeing him like this, wasn't just one my agenda today.

"Astral!" I yelled as loudly as I could. I even wickled me out of 96's grip and grabbed the bars in the cell with a lot of fierceness. "Astral it is okay. Put me on the line! I know you will kick his butt! That and you need this number to gain your memories. So just do it and win! You hear me!".

I could see how Astral was progressing these news at first, but in the end he nodded determined. He even used his powers to access Yuma's cards, which showed that he was ready to kick 96 butt.

"Well at least someone knows when it is time to surrender" 96 replied with that evil smirk plastered to his face "I knew you would come around Zaira...".

"In your dreams. I know Astral will win!" I sneered back at the evil number.

"Feisty as ever. I am looking forward to breaking that out of you, as soon as you belong to me, my dear Zaira" 96 replied and chuckled darkly. Then he surprisingly flicked with his fingers, and my cell opened. Just like that. "But since you agreed to this, I think we need a better place to keep our little trophy, don't you think so?".

"Actually I think I prefer this place" I said rather quickly and took some steps backwards as 96 creepy tentacles wrapped around my wrist and waist now.

"Zaira!" I could even hear Shark shout in the background.

He was no longer tied up since 96 had opened the cell, and he was trying just as fiercely as I, to get me out of this evil number's grip. All 96 however did was snorting and knocking him down with tentacle fist to his stomach.

"Shark!" I shouted rather worriedly.

I sadly couldn't do a thing as 96 lifted me up and flew away with me from this cell. Not that I wasn't fighting like crazy though. I was fighting with all my might, while I at the same time was wondering why this was happening to me of all people. I mean what was it with me and power hungry people? Like the events with Vetrix hadn't been enough. Now some kind of obsessed evil number was after me. Just great!

"Oh come on 96. Like I could have run away in that cell" I sneered and hoped I could convince the number to return me there. 96 just chuckled darkly at that.

"Oh I know little Zaira, but I wanted to claim my trophy in some place who is a little more magnificent than that cell" he only replied and grinned "Soon you and your delicious powers will be mine. With it I can rule the world".

That of course made me roll my eyes. Of course he wanted to rule the world. Now I actually prefer Vetrix. He at least were only a slight misunderstood...maybe. I growled angrily at that and were once again fighting the number.

"Let me go!" I yelled fiercely and glared up at him "If you don't let me go this instance, you will be so sorry...".

Then he let go! It took me only some seconds to realize that, before I was screaming. I mean we were I don't know how many meters op in the air. That and I hadn't been looking where we were going. He could have let me fall into that endless pit for all I care about. Luckily my fall was cut pretty short, when I got grabbed by some strong arms, which clearly had prevented my fall. I sighed relieved for at least some seconds. I was pretty grateful to whoever just saved me. Or I was, until I realized who actually had saved me.

"Well, well, well. Look who decided to drop down from the sky just now" Vector whispered in my ear now "If it isn't my beloved sister. So glad you came by for a visit".

I send my so called brother my best wolfy glare, as I tried to get out of his arms as well. Currently I was on the other side of the arena at the throne which Vector clearly had made his right now. I could see him smiling at me. All which didn't make me stop in an attempt to get free. I mean I was literally sitting on Vector's lap right now. How humiliating! Sadly, Vector had no intention of letting me go. Instead he let a hand roam around my hair, and then suddenly, I couldn't move at all. Besides my head, eyes and lips. The rest of my body were kind of paralyzed under his power.

"Vector, what did you..." I tried asking, as a finger silenced my lips.

"Shh my dear sister. I know you are eager for us to catch up, but I really want to watch this battle" he then said in a low voice and chuckled. His hand were still roaming around in my hair "I promise you I will answer all your questions afterwards. Now you just need to watch and enjoy the show".

If my eyes could be angrier, I was clearly sending Vector that look now. Sadly, Vector either ignored it or didn't actually care, and I ended up sighing. I might as well watch the duel for now, but if any chances of escaping presented itself, I was gonna take it. I was sure of that.

A,N: well that was that chapter. A kinda creepy one I know, but it had to happen. I can promise you this is not the creepiest part in my zexal story at all. Not sure if that makes you more thrilled or happy though. Lol. Well in the next part the duel of course happens, and Vector and Zaira is having a bonding moment. Sort of. Hope that at least intrigue you. Please comment on what you think.