A,N: Ta-da! The final chapter of Zaira's ruin is done and over with. I cannot believe it. Now there is only 4 or 5... unsure here, chapters left before I continue on to the fourth and final zexal book. I am so excited! All thanks to you dear readers. Oh a warning, Zaira supposedly chooses her lover at the end. Supposedly. Knowing me there will be doubts. Lol. Like I will give up on this love triangle so fast. You will understand when you read. So with further go, have fun reading.

Dumon's p.o.v.

While the duel progresses.

Dumon had never felt so heartbroken in his entire life. He tried. He really did, but nothing else that terrible came to mind. He was sure it had happened before in his life, but right now he just couldn't find it. Zaira's declamation about loving Shark took him completely off guard, and even worse, it scattered the fragments of his stony barian heart. Deep down Dumon had known. Deep down he knew Zaira had moved on. Or maybe not moved on per say. She had forgotten everything and thereby in some way moved on. Dumon knew his beloved Zaira would never break their relationship off if she did. She was loyal and caring individual. They had been together for over a century. There was no way she would break that off by being with someone like Reginald Kastle. That he knew. To some degree he had actually hoped she would remember their love before she literally broke his heart. Now that she had, even if it is in directly and because she had forgotten, it hurt Dumon more than he could handle. If it wasn't for being tied up to his enemy Reginald Kastle, Dumon might even have cried. The duel had even been a blur to him at first. That until the guardian had done something. Dumon had only vaguely been aware that Zaira had ranked up Cy and summoned yet another beast monster. However, what he did notice was the vibrations the Guardian had send out because they also now hit him. Just like Zaira he was forced to witness the memory of Zaira and him in ancient times.

Memory flashback.

"Mach! Mach, I beg you" Dumon pleaded as he was trying to catch the lines of his stoic flying horse.

The horse just huffed proudly in his own horsley matter as he pulled the reins away from Dumon's grasp with his own huffed reply that only Dumon could understand.

"Bite me!". An insolent worthy of a flying horse.

Dumon growled rather annoyed as he once again tried to get his hands-on Mach's reins in a wild frenzy. An act his pegasus of course saw coming and countered making Dumon fall down to the grassy ground of the courtyard with a loud 'Bump'. Dumon sighed deeply as he got up from the ground once again. He couldn't believe Mach was being so difficult. They had been together for as long as he could remember. They even understood each other in ways no one could fandom being horse and rider. Dumon understood what Mach was saying. Just like his pegasus understood him.

"But Mach I gave her my word" Dumon began, which only made the horse whinny.

"That has nothing to do with me".

"Mach, I beg you. Allow Zaira and I a ride on your back".

"No" was the only answer he got.

"But Mach. I gave her my word. I assured her a ride...".

"Not my problem" Mach replied him with as he began walking away forcing Dumon to follow. It all puzzled Dumon to no end. Mach usually wasn't this difficult.

"I assure you that you will be well fed tonight. I even grant you an extra apple...".

"No apples in the world can fix this Master" Mach snorted out in an angry neigh "I am oh so mad at you".

Dumon must admit he was staring. In all their times together, Mach had never shown any sign of anger towards him. He thought he was a good master.

"I apologize?" Dumon questioned rather puzzled "Why are you mad? What have I done wrong?".

Mach snort again as his muzzle puffed him in the chest. It was not that hard, but it took Dumon by such surprise that he fell down on his rear end.

"You did not include me in your decision" Mach then huffed out "Just because you are smitten with your little female companion, does not mean you can do whatever you want. I thought we were partners!".

Dumon was staring dumbfounded at his friend and pegasus. He could even see the hurt in Mach's eyes and Dumon could feel the guilt roam around him now. Of course, Mach would be mad at him. He did after all promise Zaira a ride on Mach without asking the horse if it was okay.

"Oh, Mach I am so deeply sorry. I just got carried away. She looked so happy when she asked, I agreed without thinking. I did not consider your feelings" Dumon began apologizing and got up again.

His hand was stroking his partner's muzzle. He was surprised Mach let him to it. Then footsteps could be heard behind them. Dumon couldn't keep himself from gasping a little bit, as Zaira was standing there beside him in all her radiance. She was so beautiful that he for a moments were even loss for words.

"Here I am. Hope I am dressed for the occasion. Never been on a flying horse before" she announced.

She was dressed in a simple purple and white dress and good tied up sandals. Even though Zaira was a princess she hated being dressed as one after all, but this simple outfit in Dumon's eyes made her look even more beautiful.

"Oh, um yeah" Dumon coughed trying to gather himself "You look fine. I mean good... for a horseback riding".

Dumon had to turn his head because heat was clearly rising in his cheek. Then he remembered Mach and quickly turned towards her again.

"But I am so sorry My 'lady but I cannot fulfil my promise today" he began as he could see Zaira's disappointed eyes look back at him "I neglected to ask Mach and...".

Reins were tossed in his open hand suddenly, surprising the gray knight. His gaze even flickered to his steed with a questionable look, making the pegasus neigh a little.

"Go on Master. Take your little female on a trip" he began and then added very subtle "Love your flustered persona". Making Dumon's heartbeat ten times faster.

Dumon gasped slightly as the memory disappeared all around him. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. He remembered the legend from the pegasus ruin, but it was first now he realized himself the truth in that. He had been a knight riding a pegasus and he had been in love with Zaira. That info only made him feel more heartbroken. Knowing he couldn't be with her now along with that memory only made it too much to bear.

"Dumon! Dumon snap out of it!" He could then hear Shark shout, making the gray haired barian look up in confusion.

"What?! Can't you see I am busy" Dumon hissed back right now. He wanted to be alone in his misery right now. That only earned him a smack from Shark's shoulder.

"We don't have time for you to wail in self-pity!" Shark sneered and pushed him again "As annoyed I am about this; I need your help Dumon".

"Why?" The former knight said rather puzzled. He didn't really want to.

"To get up from here!" Shark sneered "Zaira just lost major life points, meaning the ground for us, will not be safe for much longer. We need to get up, unless you don't mind get your feet burned in boiling lava, and before you say anything, I can't get up by myself. You are dragging me down".

Dumon eyes widened as he turned his attention to the duel screen. He had been so occupied with his self-pity that he had not noticed how the duel progressed. He managed to see Zaira down to 1250, before the ground around them really began rumbling and a wolf made out of the purest fire rose from the lava and ate a giant chunk of the rock they were on. Another wolf followed suit soon after and Dumon could see their predicament. He tried to pull himself up, only to find himself pushed down to the ground by the weight of Shark. That only made the purple haired teen hiss annoyed.

"What did I just tell you? We can only get up by doing this together" He lectured which surprised Dumon a great deal. He never knew Reginald Kastle was possessing such authority and leadership abilities when things were so hopelessly outmatched. In some way he reminded Dumon about Nash. As weird as it was.

"What are you suggesting?" Dumon mused as a wolf ate another piece of the rock and almost a piece of his left foot, had he not moved it to the side.

"Teamwork. Grab my hand at the other side of the pole. I count to three and we pull ourselves up at the same time" Shark explained and continued without waiting for Dumon's reply "1...2...3!".

Dumon had quickly grabbed around Shark's hand and did in fact manage to pull himself up together with Shark. They were in fact standing as close as they could to the pole. It had been the right decision because the rest of the ground around them, besides their footing just now, got swallowed by the lava. Dumon would lie if he said his stony heart was not beating at alarming rate now. It was too close for comfort and it made Dumon dread for the future if the duel continued in this rate. Zaira had only 1250 life points remaining; if it fell even lower than that, Dumon was not sure they would survive. By sheer instinct, his eyes were scamming their surroundings. There must be something they could do. Dumon did believe in his Zaira, he really did, but the chances of her winning were slim at best. If they just could get away...Zaira didn't need worry and could fight with full strength. He didn't want to die here! Then his eyes flickered to the pole they were tied up at...

"Reginald, tell me, why do you love Zaira?".

"Wait what? What kind of question is that?" Shark sneered back.

"We have nothing better to do" Dumon replied slowly "And I want to know".

"Oh yeah right. Like we aren't in a life dead threatening situation right now and have to escape boiling lava" Shark hissed back rather sarcastically.

"Just answer the question!" Dumon growled back. He could hear how Shark hissed in the background before sighing.

"I fell for her because she is as stubborn as I am" Shark then mused out slowly "She is one of the kind. A fierce wolf, but at the same time caring and fun to hang out with. She makes my heart race. She makes me happy and for that reason I want the same thing for her. I want to protect her forever if I have to...".

"I understand. I feel the same way" Dumon mused and nodded to himself. "I think I believe Zaira's choice in you. Thank you for your honesty Reginald".

"I really don't like you!" Shark sneered back in angry tone "Because of you, I doubted Zaira's love for me. what's with those questions anyways?!".

"You stated we needed to work together to survive this. I just needed to be sure I can trust you" Dumon mused slowly "I believe I have a plan, but it is dangerous".

"Okay..., and that is?" Shark questioned "Anything can't be worse than being here".

"I suggest that we help each other in reaching the top of this pole" Dumon then said "If we do, we might be able to get rid of the chains on my wrist, and I can access my Lapiz. But like I said it is not without danger...".

"I take it back. That is in fact worse. We can't see what we are even doing, and one fatal mistake will lead us to our dead" Shark pointed out rather angrily, before he actually sighed rather annoyed "Let's do it!".

Zaira's p.o.v.

Back to the duel at hand.

Zaira: 1250 Lp's.

Tala: 1500 Lp's.

I had never felt so lost in my in entire life and that was saying a lot. I mean usually I knew what to do in a duel. After a couple of moves I usually knew how to win. However, this time it was different. Tala was literally having the upper hand and worst of all pretended to be me. Somewhere in my head I was even having a feeling that she didn't pretend. She was really... If she really was my ancient self from the past, then she was in some way me. I was facing against myself here. I didn't want to admit it, but I could recognize my style through her and that meant only one thing. She knew my style too. Why else would she dare me to do my best with thunderous Cy only for her to take it down seconds later. That wolf slayer was in fact the only monster that could crust my strategies. Just like that. And if that wasn't all I had a feeling her wolf slayer could destroy whatever wolf I summoned regardless which turn it was. That thought terrified me deeply. Not because it might leave me to lose the duel. I have lost before. No, it was what it implicated. If I lost, I would survive but Dumon and Shark would not. They would plummet to their deaths and I was not sure I could handle that heartbreak. Not ever. Then I might as well join them in the afterlife if that was the case.

"What's wrong Zaira chan? Don't tell me you are giving up?" I could hear Tala mock in the background, forcing me to sit up on the ground and glare back at her. Surprisingly, she had taken the form of Vector. Dressed in his leather clothes while sending me his insane but caring smile. He had just ended his turn with a face down

"You are supposed to be my baby sister. You have more power than this. Show me! Show me or your boyfriends will die!" he said and chuckled darkly "You are after all my general and you know how I roll. If you aren't useful, I might as well kill you. Or in this case them. After all I can't kill my own Sister". I hissed angrily at that.

"Shut up! Just shut up! You are not my brother!" I yelled back while forcing myself to stand "I am not your general or whatever! Tell me why you are doing this Tala".

"Why? Aw my dear Zaira chan I thought I had explained that to you already? To reawaken you to your former glory of course" Tala said and chuckled darkly "Show me the ferocious you had in ancient times already",

"But I..." I began but went silent. There was nothing else I could say. Nothing else I could do. Sure, I had other monsters but her Lupa would kill it instantly with its effect. I didn't even know if I had anything in my deck that could help.

"Don't tell me you are quitting Zaira. You were supposed to be the wolf princess" Tala taunted and send me an evil smirk "You know what happens if you give up".

"Who said anything about quitting!" I hissed and placed my hand at my deck.

I just had to believe in my deck and hope I got something I could use. Then I drew, the spell card "Pot of greed" were in my hand now which once again gave me a chance for a useful card. I played the spell and drew twice from my deck. I was not sure what I was expecting. Something good of course. Finding the blank card, I found in these ruins had not been it along with the monster card "Giant rat". Not exactly the hand you were expecting to win with really. I was staring at the blank card though. I was sure I put it in my deck case, not exactly in my deck. I couldn't even see what card it was. It was still blank, but if I was looking closely at it, I was sure I saw the color green in it. Was this a spell and if so, what could it do? I could risk playing it, but since I wasn't sure what it could do, it might not even work.

"Have faith in yourself and your own powers".

I looked puzzled around. I was sure a voice had been speaking to me just now. It sounded male and reminded me of something or someone, but my mind was drawing a blank at the moment. What was going on here? was someone helping me?

"Zaira chan you are stalling?" Tala said and shifted form back to ancient me. "Hurry up already. Make a move!". I bit my lip. The voice had said to have faith, but at the same time I knew it was not time to play this card yet.

"I place one monster face down and end my turn" I then said and did just that.

As I had figured Tala Lupa effect did not get activated. She apparently could only use it on face up monsters. That would buy me a tiny bit of time. Or so I hoped.

"Boring" Ancient me stated and drew "Let me show you a real move".

Then Tala drew and just like me, she used the spell "Pot of greed" to draw two cards. To mock me she had once again changed her form to look just like me. Figures! She began her move by summoning two "Ancient warriors" to her field. Her continuous fire formation spell was still active, so she was allowed to normal summon twice. I hadn't thought that was a problem before, but now being in this predicament, I realized how wrong I had been. Her first warrior was named "A.W. Masterful Sun Mou" who was this level 4 monster with 1800 att and 1500 def points. The second being "A.W Eccentric Lu Jin" and he was also level 4 monster but had 700 att and 2000 in def. They were both summoned in att mode for some weird reason. Even her wolf slayer was put in att mode now. I had a feeling she was going for an overall assault with her monsters, and who could blame her since I only had 1250 life points remaining. She attacked with her Sun mou, having 1800 att he easily destroyed my Giant rat, but that also activated its effect. Since Giant rat was send to the grave, I could summon an earth monster with 1500 or less from my deck. Like my "Sliver fang".

"How cute. You think that beast can stand up against me!" Tala snort and made her wolf slayer use her effect once again.

By giving up battling with that particular monster, she could destroy my monster, and since it was a beast type, deal me damage equal to half of its att points. That was 600 points of damage.

"Not gonna happen Tala. By sending 'Sleeping wolf' from my hand to the grave, I won't take any damage this turn!" I hissed as my eyes flickered to the sphere with Dumon and Shark standing. They barely had any footing, so if I lost any life points they would surely die. Tala tsked at that.

"Clever, but you need a miracle to save you" Tala then responded as she ended her turn.

She couldn't do anything thing else after all. I bit my lip as I were staring at my deck. She might be right about that. Right now, I was only having 2 cards in my hands. One being the blank card I was having, the other the spell "Monster reborn". You can't really use them for must here. Sure, monster reborn could bring Cy back from the grave, but with her Wolf slayer Lupa on the field, still having an Ou, it would only cause my own dead. I needed a game changer. My right hand hitting the top of my deck. I was slightly shaking. I was a nervous wreck. If I didn't draw the right card. If I didn't, Dumon and Shark was done for.

"Have faith in yourself and your own powers".

Those words entered my mind once again. This mysterious voice h. ad told me this and I couldn't help but wonder. Could faith really be enough to win this battle? My gaze turned to the sphere with Shark and Dumon again and something peculiar were happening. Dumon and Shark, as unbelievable as it sounded, were actually working together, and even managed to climb up the pole they were stuck at. I was surprised they didn't manage to fall down again, considering this must take a lot of arm muscles and faith in each other. One mistake could kill them. My gaze fell on Tala before turning back to the boys again. That knowingly smirk on her face said it all really. The chain was rigged and at some point, will stop their boys attempt in getting completely up to the top. However, at the same time they didn't fall to their certain death soon, and that was all I needed. Shark and Dumon clearly have faith in that I would win and were trying to ease the load on me. That was so sweet of them. It even made my heart flutter a little.

"Zaira! Earth to Zaira" I could then hear Tala say in a mocking tone "You are stalling, but no matter what you do, you will never mange to save Shark...".

"Actually... Tala I want to change my answer to the question you asked me way back when the duel started" I interrupted and send her a confident smile "I will save Shark and Dumon. I will save them Both!".

I shouted the last part before I finally drew and as I did energies tingled around me. As fussy as it was, I had a feeling I used this energy before, and an unknown word even entered my lip for a weird reason. "Oblivion draw!". Light flashed from the now former blank card as it developed and revealed a certain spell card. I could win now. That I was sure.

"What... What was that?!" I could hear Tala utter. She sounded scared "That light?! That power... don't tell me...".

"Tala this is your end!" I hissed in an angry tone "I want my friends back! And this card might do the trick. I summon 'Aloof lupine' in att mode onto the field in att mode".

A grey level 4 monster with 1700 att and 300 def point appeared on the field. It was sitting on its rear end and wagged around with its tail in a friendly matter. It even had a special effect, but I was not going to use it right now. There was another reason this wolf was summoned to the field just now.

"Ha like those 1700 att points will help you" Tala snort coldly "It is not gonna stay long on the field anyway. I use Lupa's effect...".

And that she did. She used her last Ou to destroy my monster on the field and deal me damage equal to half of its att. That was 850 points of damage. An action that pushed me back on the field and left me with 400 life points. Not that I was giving up. Not by a long shot. My body was aching like crazy as I forced myself to walk back to the dueling field. After all, this had been my plan all along. To let Aloof lupine, get destroyed. All in order for Tala to use her last Ou on her wolf slayer. That and I was sending Dumon and Shark a silent prayer. In the sphere I noticed that almost all their footing had gone by that move I made. There were enough so the pole didn't sink in the lava, so if they hadn't climbed up higher, they would be filled with serious injuries about now.

"Thanks. You did exactly what I thought you would" I then declared and smirked. I could see Tala stare stunned at me now, so I continued "You are trying to hard to Be Me, that it makes you predicable. After all there is only one Zaira. One Me and she is standing right in front of you. Sure, you claim to be the ancient me and all that, but if you really are me you would have seen my last move coming".

"What is that supposed to mean?" Tala sneered back in an angry matter.

"If I were you, I would have used your wolf slayer's effect too" I countered and chuckled "And now you are out of Ou. Which means you can't stop this move!". The spell "Monster reborn" hit my duel disk, leaving one card left in my hand. With it though I could bring Cy back from the grave, which was in fact what I did.

"Mistress!" Cy uttered worriedly as he looked around the field. After all a lot of things had happened after he was send to the graveyard.

"Welcome back Cy" I greeted cheerfully and send him a big smile "I am okay for now, but I need your strength to take her down. What do your say?".

"I am all yours" Cy stated pridefully and glared down my double.

"Glad to hear that" I stated and slammed my last card, who had been the former blank card into my duel disk "I activate the spell 'Rank down magic Full moon descension'. Oh, and if you were clueless what this card does Tala, it ranks down my Cy into a completely new monster". Tala was staring in disbelief at me.

"Rank down but I... when did you get your hands on such a powerful card?" she questioned making me shrug rather casually.

"I discovered it in this ruin, just before Tara Yuki showed" I replied and looked puzzled at her. Shouldn't Tala have known that already? I mean it is her ruin and everything. I shook my head. She was clearly trying to confuse me.

"I rebuild the overlay network with Number 24 cyclone beast wolf. Go xyz D evolution!" I shouted as Cy disappeared into the overlay network for a bit "Come on out again Cy or should I say, 'Number 24 cyclone beast puppy!'".

In Cy's place a tiny blue puppy appeared onto the field now. It was a rank 1 monster with 0 att and def points. Might not look powerful at all, but appearance is not everything.

"Zero attack points? What do you think that pub can do against my wolf slayer?" Tala mocked. It only made me snort back in annoyance.

"Oh really? Then you might be in for a shock" I replied confidently "You see this pub just hates being alone, so when this puppy is the only one on the field, and were summoned by Beast monsters, all your monster's att drop to 0 until the end of the turn. It Go howling cry".

I had just said that when this little blue puppy began having tearful eyes now, and a cry of anguish soon followed, making all other face up monsters, join in its suffering and had soon 0 points. Tala hissed at that.

"So what? You cannot attack with that thing, and guess what, your hand and field is completely empty. On the next turn I will defeat it and you with it Zaira" she then told me, I just tsked at that.

"If you can that is" I stated "You see my puppy can't be destroyed by battle or special effects. It is way tougher than he looks".

"Woof" the wolf replied happily and wagged with its tail affectionately.

"Besides my puppy has a special effect, that makes it up for that" I also told her "Once by turn, by using one Ou, I can banish one beast Xyz monster from my grave, and this little pub will take on its name and stats for the remainder of this turn. I think my Thunderous Cy will do just fine".

As I pulled thunderous Cy out of the game, my little pub woofed once again, and changed it shape to match thunderous Cy. It even gained its att and def points, which left Tala rather speechless. Then she began laughing like crazy all of the sudden.

"Ha-ha that's the spirit. This is incredible. You clearly proved who is the true alpha here. Zaira Wroom. Don't hold back on my account Zaira. Finish me with all you got" Tala then said and smirked. She was holding her arms out wide. It was like she was embracing me and everything else that was about to happen.

"As you wish. Cy attack her and give her the defeat she craves so much. Go puppy fury!" I shouted and made Cy attack her number 60 Wolf slayer Lupa".

And then we attacked. A claw from Cy slashed through her number, dealing her 2500 points of damage which was enough to erase her restly life points. We had won the duel.

However, as soon as it did, everything changed. Rumbling sounds could be heard and a giant light flashed through my eyes. When I opened them again, I found myself on a green meadow, and were surrounded by my friends once again. The boys had escaped the ruins along with me and were now no longer tied up together.

"Zaira!" I could hear Yuma utter surprised, but that was properly because Shark, Dumon and I had appeared out of nowhere. "And Shark and wait, what are you doing here Dumon? No wait there are two of you. Am I hallucinating?!".

I turned surprised around to see two Dumon's standing on this meadow. They were both identically and dressed in the same dress code. It was like they were twins. Clearly another teasing trick from Tala here. Both boys were even staring at each other claiming that they were the real one. Their speaking patterns were identically as well.

"No Yuma you are not hallucinating" I replied getting everyone's attention "This is just a cruel trick of this ruin's guardian. You see this guardian is a shapeshifter with no body or gender. She takes on the form of people residing in their hearts".

"Wow that is remarkable" Astral mused surprised "Never knew something like this existed. Wonder who is the real one".

"Its me!" Both Dumon shouted and glared coldly at each other. ¨

"No, it is a pain in the ass. I do not need two of him!" Shark hissed annoyed.

"Fine, fine give it a rest Shark. I will find the real one" I then proclaimed and looked at both boys, before pulling on of them forward.

As I did, the other dissolved and changed into something else. Into Tara Yuki so to speak, meaning I hit the jackpot. The others were staring in awe though. Especially Yuma who uttered Tara's name and how she was a legendary duelist in the old days. Something with that Master Roku had told him about her. She just never got a statue in her duel dojo yet. I just ignored him. I also knew the reason for Tara's appearance.

"Impressive Zaira. I guess I do not need to teach you anything else" Tala then replied and chuckled. A card flashed in front of her before it flew over to me and landed in my outstretched hand. Number 60 was now mine. I growled annoyed.

"Don't expect me to use you Tala, or Lupa or whatever your name is!" I hissed angrily and glared at the number guardian. "You put Dumon and Shark in great danger, and for that I will never forgive you. You never even told me the reason".

"It is because of the legend isn't it?" Kite then suddenly said and surprised me big time. The galaxy user had walked forward and were now standing beside me as he was glaring at the guardian as well "We assembled the stone tablet you left behind. That hole Zaira and Shark fell in. You sealed it so no one else could follow, because this legend only resolves around Zaira, Shark and Dumon right?".

"Oh, so you Did assemble it. That makes things so much easier" Tala replied and stretched out her hand, assembling the stone tablet so it was standing upright at the same place where Shark and I had fallen down in that hole. Now everything seemed fine though. Tala chuckled again "I believe you all have questions?".

"Yes!" almost everyone shouted in unison. I was about to continue when Kite came in between once again "I only have one. Why go to all this trouble of creating this? The puzzle, the shipwreck and the duel I believe Zaira had underground, and putting Shark and Dumon in danger, as Zaira stated seconds earlier?".

I looked stunned at Kite when he was done. Not exactly the question I was going to ask, but I guess it fitted into all this. Guess a lot of things happened while I was dueling.

"Oh, indeed good questions. No wonder Xinglong choose you Kite Tenjo" Tala complimented and hummed "How to explain... Every action and choice have repercussions. Nothing is left to coincidence. I needed to test everything. Not just Zaira and her companions". Tala hummed again before continuing.

"As You all know gaining a number gives a person incredible power, but unlike the other ruin's guardians, I had chosen Zaira to wield me from the start. I hid this ruin in order for Zaira to find it. However, Zaira needed to decide to find it on her own. After all, this is the place she died in. Not many would wish to see where they died in ancient times" Tala continued "I hit the number spot until she was ready. Until she was ready to face her heart and finally listen to her heart. That was why I kidnapped Dumon and Shark, because even though she denies it, she harbors strong feelings for. Just like her ancient self-fell for a certain knight in ancient times".

By that statement, my cheeks turned completely red. I didn't say anything, but it was clear that everyone knew of my feelings for Dumon and Shark.

"The duel was to see if Zaira really had what it takes to wield me, and that she does. You see Zaira and Cy are different than any other barian...".

"...She has a great destiny in store" Dumon added in and interrupted Tala "Not to sound disrespectful, but this has been our princess, or last empress's duty since she was born in our world. Our leader has stated this many times over that she was the hope of our world. Before she disappeared 15 years ago. I was...".

Dumon couldn't continue as his eyes flickered from me to Shark. The pain I could see in his eyes was so hard to ignore. I wouldn't ignore it and turned my attention to Shark.

"Shark trust me. Regardless what happens, let it pass okay" I then said, leaving Shark a big question mark.

I didn't really care what his reply was. I walked over to Dumon and took his hands in mine. He looked bewildered at me. Especially when I placed my hands on his shoulder and leaned in. Our lips crashed together seconds later.

Dumon's p.o.v.

Dumon were rather speechless as the girl he loved so much suddenly kissed him. In this case it was impossible to speak regardless, but the grey barian were sure he unable to do so for the rest of his life. Or at least until the shock disappeared. That was the reason he did not kiss back. He was too shocked to do so. That and the angry hissy growls from Reginald Kastle were enough to hold himself back. If eyes could kill, he would have been dead already. That was how intense the purple haired boy's glare was. His eyes were clearly saying "Kiss her back and I will kill you!". However, this was all Dumon had hoped for in his entire life. Or at least the years his beloved princess had been gone. Her lips against his. Not like they had kissed a lot as barians though. They as emperors kept their barian form up most of the time. Even in a relationship, but there had been moments of weaknesses....

"Okay that is enough!" Shark alias Reginald sneered as he broke them up. Jealousy were clearly shown in his voice now. Dumon felt the same way, surprisingly. To him the kiss had ended way to soon. He could hear Zaira tsk annoyed though.

"I told you to trust me Reginald!" she sneered and did try to push the boy away.

"But you.... KISSED him!" Dumon could hear Shark growl before Rio Kastle appeared onto the field, pulling her jealous brother away.

"I am sorry about that. Someone has difficulties trusting me" Zaira then told him, while sending dead glares to Shark before turning her attention back to him.

It left Dumon completely flabbergasted once again, if not ,more than before. Looking into her purple eyes while at the same time now holding her hands in his were making him feel like he was having butterflies in his stomach. He wanted to say something. Anything really. Maybe commenting her on her good looks or something that would please her. However, all that entered through his lips were words that he later categorized as "Um". He was not even sure what he was saying was even a word, but then again it made Zaira giggle and that was a victory itself. Even though he was feeling stupid and a flustered mess. Zaira hummed slightly now.

"Seems like I left you speechless Dumon. That might make things easier" she said as she squeezed his hands again "Dumon I need to tell you something".

"Anything!" Dumon were shouting in his mind.

The words were still not able to leave his mouth though. He could hear Zaira sigh now, as her gaze flickered to the ground now. She looked sad. That did not please the gray barian at all, as he were ready to kill whatever thing that made her unhappy.

"Dumon, I am sorry to say this, but.... I am breaking up with you" Zaira's voice were ringing all around him and Dumon first didn't even recognize what she had been saying. Her voice sounded like bells that rang beautifully. That until the meaning of the words struck him and his world literally crashed.

"Wh-what?!" he ended up uttering and took a step backwards.

"I am breaking up with you" Zaira repeated in a sad tone "I know you have been waiting and looking for me, being your princess and all, and that for many years to come. But I... I have a different life now. With Shark. I am sorry. I just felt like you deserved better than being dumped harshly. Especially after all those years, so I gave you a farewell present...".

Pain struck Dumon now. Right in his heart. The kiss they had shared were a pity kiss?! And not even that, but Zaira were also breaking up with him. This was too much to bear.

"I really am sorry Dumon. I know it is painful to hear, but this way you can move forward again and in the future find someone who will love you back" Zaira said and bowed respectfully for a sec "Sure I might be a barian too, but I am siding with Astral and Yuma, so that makes us enemies. Don't you see. It will never work...".

Dumon hissed. It almost sounded like the growl Shark had been saying earlier and it made Dumon hiss annoyed at himself. He was after all not like that douche at all.

"I see" were Dumon's first words, as he tried to comprehend this. Then he nodded "I understand. It would be problematic, and I cannot keep you against your will my princess. That would be selfish, and you deserve your freedom. Thank you for being honest to me. Now if you will excuse me...". The gray barian turned around on his heel and walked away.

Time skip.

Then a lot of things happened. Zaira and co soon after left towards the ship they have been traveling in. Or almost. Dumon couldn't keep himself from staying, until he was sure his last glimpse of Zaira was gone for good. After all he might not see her again. At least as an ally and lover. It was for that reason he noticed Zaira actually being able to access some of her barian powers, and healed Orbital. Something with that Orbital processor was driven on the power of a baria crystal. By healing that, Orbital were also regenerated and could access its different modes. Something with that Yuma and the others were going to look for the last remaining numbers, while Zaira and Kite, Dumon was surprised Shark even let Kite carry her on her glider, went back to Japan and Heartland city. Not that Dumon really cared here. He was finally alone on the island and stewing in his misery. Or so he believed. At some point he found himself staring at the same wolf girl who had kidnapped him from barian world. Or at least he believed it was Tala. Who else could this be but her?

"So, the dear knight lost this battle. How unfortunate" she said and Dumon was not sure if it was concern or mockery in her tone of voice.

"Go away and let me be" Dumon sneered back "Haven't you done enough? Kidnapping me from Barian world and making my stone heart break to pieces...". His lips lingered at his lips again. Regardless if this was a pity kiss or not, he was at least happy they had shared a goodbye kiss.

"Hmm maybe, maybe not. It comes down to people's perspective" Tala replied and chuckled "Do remember my dear, you might have lost this battle, but you haven't lost the war yet". Dumon sneered angrily at that.

"What war? The love of my life chooses Reginald Shark Kastle as her lover!" He then yelled furiously "She chose their side! Now people are expecting me to fight her of all people. I am the barian leader, until Nash comes back, if he ever does...".

"Hmm yes from your perspective things might seem dire, but from mine things are just beginning" Tala replied and smirked, which made Dumon even more angry.

"What is that supposed to mean? Why are you even here? Shouldn't you be with Zaira? She is the one holding your card!" He sneered back.

"I can move freely around the worlds Dumon. You should know that. I did bring you here from your beloved barian world" Tala replied and chuckled "Zaira have a piece of my power, but not all of it, so I can move away from her without trouble. As for why I am here...". A card suddenly glittered in the air in front of him.

"Wait what is this? A trap card...?" Dumon mused as his fingertips hit the card. As he did however, a strange light appeared, leaving Dumon blinded in at least some seconds. When he woke up however, he was some place entirely different.

Dumon found himself in an extremely dark place, where cold mist roamed around. It made it difficult for the gray barian to see, and usually Dumon would be up scouting the area in order to find out where he was. However, something else occupied him. All he needed to do was look down or feel the body in his arms. His stony heart skipped several heartbeats now.

"Zaira..." He whispered fearfully as he saw and felt the injuries on her body.

She was currently in her human form, dressed in her casual dress code and would have been pretty hadn't it been for the blood that soaked her clothes. The girl in his arms stirred and opened her weak eyes. Her left arm was roaming around his left cheek now. In some way a reassurance that everything would be okay before her hand fell to the ground unmovable.

"Zaira no!" Dumon instantly screamed, wishing, hoping, she had only gone unconscious. Deep down he knew that was not the case. Zaira died in his arms. Again.

"This is the fate of your dear princess Dumon, if you are not there to save her" a dark voice then suddenly said and got Dumon's attention instantly. "It always will be. Always has always will be unlike you change her fate...".

"I do not understand... Who are you? Are you Tala?" Dumon questioned rather puzzled, but at the same time Dumon knew that couldn't be it. This voice sounded male and ancient.

"No, I am something entirely different than that shapeshifter, but know that Tala is my minion and her powers comes from yours truly" the voice responded as light emitted around him and an entity appeared from out of the mist.

Dumon gasped as he quickly but also difficulty kneeled down on one knee. Without losing his grip in Zaira. He had to show this being respect, even though he had no clue on who this was. His instincts were just screaming at him to do so, and who were he to deny. The power that emitted from this being were more powerful than anything he ever felt in his life. He could hear the entity chuckle darkly at this though.

"Interesting. Seems like Tala did not judge wrong according to you knight. That pleases me. there might be hope for the civilian after all in this preposterous war" The person replied. Its fingers lingered at its own cheek as it titled its head "If I am to meddle, I might as well choose the right candidate to fulfill my wishes. All in order for my prodigy to come home".

"I... do not understand... are... you a god?" Dumon questioned rather fearfully.

He had been in the presence of his own god Don thousand once before, but he never felt this power or fear before. But maybe that was because he served him? The being snort his question away like he was swatting away a fly. It was not answering that. Instead...

"I do not have the time for chit chat knight. All you need to know is that there will come a time where your beloved princess would be or will be in danger. Unless according to your own actions will prevent that" the stranger said and sighed "I wish I could prevent this myself, but I am bound the ancient laws and therefore need someone to prevent history from repeating itself. I chose you Dumon".

"I... I feel honored... but I am not able to do any of this. I am not even able to save our own world from destruction not to mention change history" Dumon replied worriedly. This was way too much pressure on his shoulders.

"I am not asking you for that. All I want you to do is preventing certain events from happening" the entity stated and flew, walked or ran over to him. "Protect Zaira. That is all I ask of you. Prevent her from dying before her time...".

"I accept!". '

Those words left Dumon's mouth without thinking, and he found the same card he had touched earlier hit his palm.

"Use 'celestic bond' when you find yourself in a certain pinch. It will save your Zaira. Do note that this card has great risks" the stranger replied as a hand suddenly was placed on Dumon's forehead "I will send you back to your world now. You will not remember this meeting however, but your instinct will act on my request when the time comes. I hope we will never meet again Dumon".

Then light flashed in front of him, blinding him once again.

A,N: Well that was the end of the chapters 'Listen to your heart'. I hope the chapters fit the chapters lol. Can't believe I am done and over with it. It could never be possible if it had been for you readers. So, thank you so much. I am very grateful. In the next chapter we go to the last 2 number ruins. Or Shark and co is. Zaira decided to skip and return to heartland with Kite. Let's just say that a heartbroken Dumon, a confused Zaira still and a angry Mizar is the recipe for a great chapter. Or so I hope. As for the one talking with Dumon at the end of this chapter, it will be revealed in the next book. Lol love teasing yer. Please comment on what you think though.