A,N: Hello dear readers. Here is the next update. Hope I didn't keep you waiting too long. There were some kind of few blocks on the way but did knock them out. That and life is getting interesting. Being with my boyfriend can be quite distracting lol. Not that I mind lol. However, hope you will like this chapter and thank you so much for your support. Your comments and love for the story is very motivating. So thank you so much! Couldn't have done it without you. :D

Vector's p.o.v.

"Av that hurt your moron!" Vector shouted angrily and glared at the servant beside him. "Haven't you heard about being delicate to your Emperors?".

"I am sorry my lord, but I need to clean the wound, so please excuse my rudeness" the barian servant apologized, and bowed deeply, before kneeling down at the bedside once again, placing clothed fabric in a crystallized bowl with liquid, and soon rubbed it at the bloody wound.

Vector hissed in pain now. Purple plasma, the barian form of human blood, was running down his side. Right now, he was in his room, lying on his bed in barian form, getting treatment from one of his medic servants he was having. Not the best. At least not compared to Dumon, and his wide branch of knowledge of almost everything revolving Barians and barian world, but Vector would never ask. He was too prideful. That and admitting that his own sister had attacked him out loud to others, were not gonna happen. He still couldn't believe she had done that, but Vector had to remind himself that Zaira didn't know better. She had forgotten everything revolving Barian world and added with that she was in denial around her true ancestry, Vector forgave her. He could forgive Zaira for almost everything, unlike this medic in here, who he properly would kill, if they didn't hurry it up. Inside his head, he could hear the barian deity laugh at his predicament. Vector sneered angry inside. He knew he could ask for Don thousand to heal him, but he truly didn't want that. There would always be a price to pay, and he didn't want to owe him any favor. Not that he would keep his word anyway, but still. The feeling of owing anyone anything. Well he disliked that with all his might.

"Are you done yet?" Vector sneered angrily "I don't have all day. Just close it up".

"Close it up? But sire, it is a deep wound" the medic replied in a scared tone. "We need... need one with more expertise. Like...".

"If you say Dumon's name, I rip off your arm" Vector threatened "So either you close up that wound or are gone from my sight in 10 seconds. What will it be?!".

Vector didn't get that surprised when the medic, rushed to its feet and ran out of the room, as fast as their legs could carry them. Vector rolled his eyes. They were all so pathetic. He got up from the bed, placing a hand at the wound close to his left hip. He was still bleeding though. Purple liquid were running down at his side. Vector sneered. He needed to close this for the time being. At least Barians couldn't bleed out and die, but the headache and annoyingly pain were not welcomed. He grabbed the most effective in the room for now. Crystal pieces from a bowl in here. They were mostly for eating, but for barians every crystal were welcome for treatments, He pressed the different pieces into the wound, and closed his eyes, while trying not to scream up because of the pain. The pieces along with the plasma, kept at least some of the blood from running. He also grabbed one of the cloaks he was having in the crystalized closet in here and ripped off a big part of the sleeves. He wrapped the cloth around his torso. That would serve as bandage for now at least.

"You are pathetic, you know" he could hear Don thousand say inside his head. "That would not keep your wound shut for long".

"I know that! But we are having a meeting, and you said we were in a hurry" He sneered at the deity "So if you have anything to say, say it now, or I will be going".

He could hear Don thousand snort at him, but the deity didn't say anything else. Vector honked up in his sarong, trying to make it hide the bandage a little better, and then soon left the room.

Vector growled annoyed, as he sat on the stairs in the throne room and was waiting for Dumon and Mizar to show. He was really irritated because of the wound, and his patience were running short here, even though not even 5 minutes had passed. Finally, Finally, his colleges walked through the doors of the throne room and was looking rather annoyed at him. Mizar more than Dumon, but that was normal.

"Why did you call us here Vector?" Dumon questioned at once "You said it was urgent". Mizar nodded in agreement.

"This has better be important or else" Mizar threatened. Vector snort inside and got up, but as soon as he did, he wished he hadn't. Pain rushed through his body now. However he tried with all his might not to utter a word.

"Well?!" Mizar sneered in annoying's. Vector glared at him.

"Get a grip Mizar" Vector sneered back "I got some great news. Our threesome has become a five some". Mizar and Dumon's eyes widened, when Alito and Girag walked downstairs and was standing behind Vector now.

"Girag and Alito?" Dumon uttered surprised.

"But how did you two wake up?" Mizar questioned "When you fought in the human world, your powers were totally depleted. You should both be in a state of eternal stasis". To that, Alito snort.

"We were stirred from our slumber, once we sensed your losers desperately needed our help" the red barian said. Mizar sneered at him.

"Losers!" he then yelled.

"The important thing is... that our friends are back" Vector said and hissed "Don't let meaningless squabble put a fly in your appointment".

He just said that, when the fly, Mr. Heartland appeared, telling them about the ruins in spartan city, and that they might should ambush Yuma and his crew. That caught Alito's attention, and he wanted to go. He had a bone to pick with Yuma. Vector hummed inside. Everything was going pretty well. Girag, as always, decided to go on his own search himself, and disappeared to who knows where. Vector shrugged, carefully, and decided to take his leave as well, when he noticed both Mizar and Dumon staring at him.

"What?! What are you two glaring at?" he then replied rather annoyed.

"You!" Mizar said and snort coldly "Why are you injured?". Vector froze by that. How? How could they notice? Vector had been careful about hiding in the shadow, making sure they wouldn't notice.

"What in the world are you talking about?" he said and tried sounding unaware of the situation, but Mizar saw right through him.

"Don't pretend you aren't!" the dragon tamer hissed "Blood pattern are all around the floor in here. That, and that is the worst first aid I have ever seen. I could do better, and I am terrible at patching myself up". Dumon sighed deeply.

"You really didn't listen when Nash and I had a course in that did you?" the gray barian questioned "I guess I have patch you up then".

"Yeah shrew you and Nash" Vector hissed angrily "I don't need your help for anything. I can take care of myself". Dumon rolled his eyes.

"Clearly you can't" he replied and sighed deeply "And don't deny it. I would rather have that you had come to me Vector. Even though Zaira attacked you, and it now hurts your pride. I told you be delicate around her, but I see you ignored my warning". Both Mizar and Vector looked surprised at Dumon now.

"Wait, Zaira? Zaira did this to him?" Mizar questioned "How did you come to that conclusion Dumon? You haven't even taken a look at him".

"Yeah how?" Vector asked as well. His eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Zaira and I have... well let's just say I know Zaira's powers better than you think, and right now you are radiating with her energies" Dumon replied slowly "Thereby I came to this conclusion that she also injured you in your human form, which explains why you can't get that wound to heal".

"You dare touch me!" Vector sneered angrily and pointed a claw at Dumon "Just tell me how I can fix this, and I will be on my way". Dumon rolled his eyes.

"It is fairly simple Vector. Barian world treatments doesn't work, because this is a human injury. Your Lapiz however, will be able to heal it up pretty quickly. As long as you are in human form of course" he then said "I truly don't understand, that you didn't try that on earth before you came here. It would have spared you a great deal of pain". Vector hissed angrily and walked down from the stairs.

"Yeah, well you don't know anything" He sneered at them "None of your relatives tossed you inside the interdimensional gateway, forcing you into barian form or you would end up lost. Now If you will excuse me, I have things to do". Then he walked past Dumon and Mizar, and out of the throne room.

Zaira's p.o.v.

"Rio, where in the world are you taking me?" I hissed out in an angry tone as she dragged me through the streets of Spartan city.

That was where the location on the next ruin was supposed to be at. However, because of lack of info our little gang had split up for the time being. It was actually a very beautiful city, if it wasn't for the fact that Rio, and in some way Tori, had been calling dips on me. It was something that was very surprising to me, along with that I had no idea where we where going at all. The two girls just literally dragged me through the streets with a lot of vigor.

"Oh I just figured we could need some girl time" Rio then replied and send me one of her charming smiles. In reality I knew better. Rio and Tori was up to something, and I wasn't sure if I wanted to be a part of it.

"And I figured we all could use a bite to eat" Tori then added and pointed at a sweet beautiful café "What about this place? It seems nice". '

My eyes narrowed at the sight of the café. It did in fact look nice and at the same time rather girly. It made me think of cute puppies and dolls. Not something I was fond off. This was clearly some spot for couples to hang out and go on dates.

"Its adorable!" Rio uttered happily and pulled me with her as she grabbed my wrist once again. "Let's get a bite to eat, and Zaira you are coming along. That is not negotiable".

I growled annoyed, knowing full well that I didn't have a choice. Rio, and in some way Tori, could be very demanding sometimes.

We were soon sitting at a table in the corner of the shop, which was the only relief those two girls were giving me. This table was rather secured, and if people didn't know about this spot, they wouldn't notice us, which was something I preferred. That and it was a good spot if you were gathering entail. I had after all been a thief once. We all ordered some tea, along with a tiny piece of cake, which was not half bad. If this was all the girls wanted me to do with them, I guess I could survive. Sadly, fate has never been kind to me for long.

"Okay spill the beans Zaira" Rio then stated in a fierce tone and placed the fork down at her now empty plate "What's going around with you and Reginald?".

At that my eyes widened in surprise. I mean it is not like Shark and I fought in front of them or anything. We didn't even argue, so how did she know there was trouble in paradise?

"What are you talking about Rio? There is nothing going on with me and your brother" I answered and smiled an innocent smile. I was trying to go for innocent unawareness here. Something who wasn't quite working as of yet.

"Yep that was what I was going for" Rio said and chuckled lightly "You two are after all a couple. There should be something going on between you, but instead there is nothing. No kissing or even holding hands".

"Yeah it is like they both have the pest and is trying to avoid each other" Tori added and sighed deeply "That is why we took a hold on you to figure out why". I growled rather annoyed. I had literally walked into that one.

"Yeah why?!" Rio demanded as well. Now I was having two girls staring intensely at me. That really didn't help on the situation here.

"Shark and I just needed a break. It is no big deal" I tried lying. All that earned me, was Rio staring even more intensely at me.

"Stop lying Zaira!" she then sneered and had crossed her arms over her chest. "You and Reginald both have that hardcore attitude, where you believe you can handle everything on your own. But in reality, it is very different".

"Yeah even you two need someone to talk to once in a while" Tori added in and send me a little smile "We are your friends. We can talk about anything. No matter how embarrassing or difficult they are".

At that statement I did actually turn a little red. I had no idea if it was out of anger or embarrassment here. All I knew what that had no clue on what to say in this situation. I mean how could I, when this problem was way, way out of being a normal couple issue? In the end I just ended up staring down at my plate, while trying to speak. Sadly, I have no clue on what to say. It is not like I could just tell them I was supposedly a barian after all.

"Is it because you might be a barian?" Rio then questioned and got of course my full attention. I was literally staring at her with wide eyes and almost open mouth.

"What?" I stuttered out in a surprising tone "I... I...".

"It is true, isn't it?" Rio then continued and send me a warm smile.

"I... How do you know?" I questioned rather stunned. There was no point in keeping it in, since the cat already was out of the bag. That and I finally could tell someone.

"We have all known for a while" Tori mused out and sighed "It is not really that hard, considering how Ray, alias Vector looks as a human. You are almost his sheer image. That and how he treats you".

"We just hoped you would tell us. Without us trying to pry it out of you" Rio then continued and sighed "Guess you are once again too stubborn for your own good".

"Wait what? What do you mean with that you all have known?" I then questioned rather shocked "Who else knows of this...".

"You should instead ask how many doesn't know" Rio replied and chuckled "The only one I could think of would after all be Yuma, but he is usually slow to pick up on anything".

At that Tori actually chuckled as well. However, in my case I was just staring shocked at the two girls in front of me. How could I not, when supposedly everyone knew my secret, meaning Astral also knows!

"But I don't understand. If you all knew, why didn't you do anything..." I uttered rather shocked and clenched my hands "If everyone knew. IF Astral knew then... then... I am an abomination to the team! I might be your enemy. I might be a spy. Why? Why haven't you kicked me off the team yet? You can't just...".

"Accept you?" Rio questioned and leaned in over the table to hold my hands in hers now "Zaira how can you even be thinking of that?".

"Yeah there is no way we will just abandon you" Tori added in rather firmly "Besides you haven't done anything that is worth kicking you off the team for. I mean you saved Yuma and Astral in that duel in Sargasso. You done a lot of good deeds, so why shouldn't we trust you?".

"I even got a message from Astral" Rio then said slowly "He said, and I repeat 'You are my best friend Zaira. You never showed any ill regards towards me, and therefore I still consider you my friend, regardless of your heritage'. So like Astral says, we still consider you one of us".

My eyes widened once again by that statement. Then without warning, tears were shown in the corner of my eyes. All this fear of being rejected and left alone... Well every emotion I was feeling, was just pouring out of me in form of tears. I just couldn't help it. Rio and Tori actually understood. I just couldn't believe they had accepted me. Sadly I was still having doubt, or in this case. Shark was having doubts about me, and it was killing me inside.

"Here" Tori then said and handed me a serviette from the box at the table. To dry my tearful eyes, and soon I was duping my eyes, while trying to calm myself down.

"Are you better now?" Rio then questioned and send me another smile.

"Well I don't really know" I admitted and bit my lip. Sure they all knew and had accepted me, but none of this helped me at all with Shark boy here. "I am grateful for all your trust but... I... It doesn't change anything. Shark still doesn't trust me. He is very suspicious of me. He may even hate me. I mean if he really knows then...".

"Hold on? Hate you? Why would my brother hate you?" Rio questioned slowly "Sure, he might feel hurt that you haven't yet told him the truth, but he could never hate you".

At that I sighed deeply. I wasn't so sure about that, and in the end, I told them everything that had happened. About our talk in the ship and how mad he had been in the pegasus ruin. It all started there. I mean I had never seen his eyes filled with so much anger. It even scared me a little. Sure Rio could be right about Shark being hurt, and he might not even hate me, but he had clearly lost his trust in me. That was for sure and that hurts more than I ever would admit.

"Okay this is really weird" Rio then admitted as I finished my story. "My brother usually isn't that Hardcore, which means we need him to spill the beans too. That's the only logical thing to do, and I know just the thing that will make him do that".

At that both Tori and I was sweat dropping. It was weird seeing Rio so excited. All I knew what that this couldn't be good news.

Shark's p.o.v.

Shark growled rather annoyed as he walked through the city of Spartan City, along with Kite, Yuma and Astral. They, or in this case the girls, had decided to divide their forces into a team of girls and one of boys, and usually Shark couldn't care less about stuff like that. Sadly, that wasn't the case right now, however. No, Shark was in a really foul mood and only one person were to blame. Zaira! As soon as that thought entered his mind, Shark shook his head rather wildly. That hadn't been the truth. Sure, Zaira was getting on his bottoms right now, since she had been keeping the truth from him and the others. Shark was even admitting to himself that he had lost his trust in her, making her suspicious in his eyes, but truthfully, he also still loved her. No the one to blame here, was Dumon! How dare he claim that Zaira were His lover once?! Like Zaira even could fall for a guy like that! However, that said, Shark just didn't have the guts to confront any of them about it. Dumon were after all who knows where, and Zaira... Well Zaira was right here, but Shark was just afraid to ask her in case he didn't like her answer. There was no way Zaira would join the barians. She might be one of them, but she would never join them in their evil schemes. However, at the same time doubt entered his mind. Because what if she truly was going to join them? Or said with other words; leave him in favor of Dumon. Shark shook his head rather wildly again. He really needed to get rid of those thoughts.

"According to the map, the number we seek is somewhere here. In the ruins of Spartan city" Astral then said and woke Shark up from his daydreaming.

"I gotta tell you, these are the newest looking ruins we been to so far" Yuma commented as he was scouting the area.

Shark was almost face palming at Yuma's stupid reply, but only almost. Like Spartan City itself are the ruins Yuma. You are so dense. If you can't see them, that just means they are hiding somewhere...

"Hey, did you boys miss us?" A voice suddenly said. Shark lifted an eyebrow as Tori and his sister was standing in front of them, dressed in a completely new dress code, instead of their school uniform.

Rio was dressed in a blue skirt who went down past her knees, and a blue and white striped top. Tori was dressed in a pink top and shorts who didn't go past her knees at all. This could only mean one thing. They had been shopping. Shark rolled his eyes at that. They had clearly Not been looking for the ruins. The only good thing that came out of it, was that Rio hadn't been dragging him with her this time. Yuma, however, was staring in disbelief at the two girls though. But if it was because he found them pretty or unusual Shark had no idea.

"To help us in our number search, we checked out the local scenery" Rio then said.

"And now that we have explored those fashionable clothing shops..." Tori continued but got interrupted by Rio, who had turned their back to them and seemed to be arguing with something or someone behind her back.

"Ah come on. After all this trouble we went to get these clothes, and then you don't want to be seen in them. Get a grip girl" Rio snort out rather loudly and pulled someone in front of them "Now go over there and talk to him".

Shark was not sure what he had been expecting. Knowing Rio, it couldn't be something good, but still seeing Zaira now standing in front of them, also dressed in a completely different clothes than her usually get go had clearly not been one of them. She was dressed pretty simple, yet elegant. Purple shorts going down to just before her knee, a white t-shirt with a black wolf picture on and an open black vest used almost as a jacket. She was in other words very beautiful and her blushing like crazy just added on to that.

"Hi Reginald" Zaira then greeted and tried to not stare at him, which just confirmed how embarrassed she was feeling right now. "How do I look?".

Shark, however, was not sure what to say here. He was not sure if this was some kind of cruel joke from his sisters side, or if Zaira really were so innocent in all this, as she made him believe. Seeing her in those clothes, no matter how pretty and beautiful she were, made his heart ache like crazy. He walked some steps forward, passing by Zaira, as he said:

"You look nice. Now let's get going. We don't find those ruins by just standing around".

He refused to look at Zaira as he walked down the street with the others soon tagging along. He didn't want to see her hurtful face impression. He just didn't want to start a fight with her. After all she was dressed in similar clothes, with the vest and all, to Dumon in his human form, and that hurt more than he could actually bear right now.

Zaira's P.o.v.

To say that I was surprised was an understatement. I mean sure Rio's plans doesn't always work, when it came down to Shark and I, but this was totally ridiculous. I mean even I, who is pretty clueless on being a girl knew how to get a boy's attention. Looking pretty or food. That usually did the trick. Sadly, with Shark boy here it only seemed to make matters worse, which made me feel like an even bigger fool than before. I mean I usually don't dress like this, and the matter of fact that Rio and Tori sort of forced me into this, didn't make me feel any better. I was pissed and were almost ready to go over there and shake him like crazy, while shouting "What the hell is wrong with you?", but sadly it was only almost. Instead I kept my distance as we were walking through the city, and no matter what Rio or Tori said, they couldn't change my mind regarding Shark. I was just too stubborn.

"Okay seriously. This city is huge, so how will we find the ruins we are looking for" I could then hear Tori say and shook me out of my thoughts.

"Well we could ask the locals, or maybe buy a guidebook?" Rio then suggested. Both reasonable ideas. At least if you were a tourist. I was about to give my input on the subject when Yuma suddenly interrupted me by shouting an awe filled "Wow". That of course got everyone's attention.

"Hmm what's up?" Shark questioned and Kite continued "Did you find where the ruins are?". Yuma shook his head rather wildly.

"You guys aren't gonna believe this!" he then yelled and pointed at a television screen who was hanging on the wall advertising an action packed dueling showdown between two pro duelists. All which made me facepalm. Of course Yuma was watching a duel. It was so typical him.

"Figures. I should have known you would go gaga over a duel" Tori then snort out.

"Forget the duel!" Yuma then surprisingly shouted "Cheek out the duelist in the mask". We all turned towards the tv screen Yuma was pointing at and we all could hear how the commentators were giving their review to this showdown.

"This will be the most action packed smackdown ever, as those duelists are using their mighty monsters to claim a spot as this year's championship. This duelist in particular is a Fan favorite. Say hello to 'Nistromo the star voyager'".

I must admit I was staring in awe as well, since I now also recognized this duelist. Dressed in a weird space galaxy outfit in red, blue and yellow colors as well as wearing a mask who supposedly should hide his identity maybe, I still recognized him...

"That looks like Nistro" Kite then said which surely had been what everyone else was thinking. No wonder Yuma freaked out about this earlier.

I still remembered him from the WDC in Heartland city. Both him and Dextra had been pretty amazing duelists, but I never really knew what happened to them after the whole carnival ended. I guessed that Nistro had left Heartland city to go pro, now?

"Yep that is differently Nistro" Yuma stated back.

Time skip.

Soon we entered this city's tournament Colosseum where an epic semifinal duel between Nistromo and a guy calling himself 'Muscules the Magnificent' happened. The tributes were packed which just showed how impressive these duelists were. Even I found it interesting as they dueled back and forth, not giving an inch while trying to win. Yuma, who was standing beside me was as hooked up as the fans were, and he was soon cheering loudly, as Nistro in the end attacked with his monster and send Muscules to the floor with 0 life points. He had won the duel and were now moving up to the finals. The second Simi-final was about to begin, but me and the gang didn't stay to watch. Instead we went to greet Nistro, who currently was in the hallway outside the arena, signing autographs for his adoring fans. He was surprisingly not alone. Dextra was beside him, dressed in her usual outfit. After some few autograph signings and fans cheering him on, and wanted him to win the championship, we all made us selves known. Or Yuma did.

"What's up Nistro! Dextra! Can I have an autograph too?". That of course got both Nistro and Dextra's full attention.

"Wait that looks like Yuma! And Sky girl is even with him!" Nistro then uttered which made me almost do an anime fall down. I had completely forgotten Nistro's weird nickname for me.

Time skip.

Soon we were all inside Nistro's dressing room, as the soon to be champion had sat himself down in the only sofa in here, looking excitedly up at us. Dextra was standing beside us as she was staring down at me. I figured it was her way of checking me out. That or she was still hooked up on Kite and still saw me as a potential rival. Whatever the case I of course stared right back at her.

"So you went pro hu Nistro? You got a cool new name; some awesome threads and you are a totally fan magnet" Yuma then pointed out.

He was seriously having that 'I can't believe I knew a soon to be champion' awestruck grin on his face. I almost wanted to point out that he was WDC championship for fun, just so I could see the look on his face when he realized that Nistro was now soon catching up to him, but I did contain myself.

"I suppose. The kids love my whole galactic warrior persona" Nistro admitted with a cheesy grin "But the best part is that I am winning and now have a shot at the championship".

I hummed a little at that. I was a little stunned by those words. Knowing that Nistro wasn't doing this for the money or fame, but instead did this for the joy of dueling... well let's just say he had earned my respect.

"And have you become a professional duelist too Dextra?" Tori then asked.

"No way! I am Nistro's manager" Dextra then proclaimed and smiled.

"It is a big carrier change, but we decided that we wanted to give young people hope" Nistro added in "And I figured that by becoming Nistromo the star voyager, I could give fans a hero they could look up too. Ha. I guess that sounds pretty corny to you".

"Are you kidding me? I think it is fantastic!" Yuma exclaimed rather wildly. We all of course nodded in agreement to that.

"What you are doing is important. Fans need to feel that someone is battling for them" Kite then said in a surprisingly supportive tone "I felt exactly like you do when I dueled for my brother".

A statement that made Rio tease Shark about how someone valued their siblings in this group compared to him. All which made Shark pretty angry and everyone else laugh. Besides me. I knew it had not been Rio's intention, but her little outburst made me think of Ray alias Vector. My so called brother. I just wondered if he was okay. Then I shook my head rather wildly. I had enough on my mind as it was. Who really cares here? After all Vector has done, including the whole event in the mad prince's ruin, he deserves that injury I gave him! Yeah, he does! So does! But I am still worried...

"So what brought all of you to Spartan city anyway" Dextra then questioned and made me snap out of it. My mind was on the right track so to speak.

"We are on a mission. We are looking for some ancient ruins" Yuma then replied rather firmly, which made Nistro and Dextra look rather puzzled at him.

"What ruins?" Nistro then questioned.

Time skip.

"So these ruins you are all looking for, is somehow connected to your father?" Nistro then questioned as he sat down the wine glass on the table.

Currently we were at a hotel's restaurant, where we all had dinner. Nistro and Dextra had invited us, since our explanation regarding the ruins could take a while. Being one of the top duelists in town had it perks as Nistro was even able to get us all rooms here at the hotel for tonight, which was something we all appreciated. It was late in the afternoon and the sun was almost about to go down. I mean I was just happy that I for once could sleep in a real bed, and not in one at Astral's ship. Talk about uncomfortable.

"That's right. Have you heard anything from the locals here?" Yuma questioned and placed down his fork at his plate. Unlike everyone else Yuma had already eaten his course of dinner for tonight. Talk about quick.

"I heard some of them talk about a legend..." Nistro began which piqued my interest.

"It tells about a ruined Colosseum who is haunted by the spirit of a warrior" Dextra then continued rather firmly "According to the legend there was once a warrior who only battled with his hands. Even so, he was the greatest warrior in the city. His only true rival was the prince of the city, who himself was a mighty warrior. The two battled many times and gained to respect each other's skills. One was royalty and the other a commoner, they eventually became friends...".

"However, none of this made the prince's advisors very happy" Nistro added in.

"And so, they started to look for ways to get rid of the warrior for good" Dextra continued and sighed "During a public match, the advisors accused the warrior for being a traitor to the empire. The warrior swore he was innocent, and the prince defended him too, but the warrior was found guilty and were soon executed in front of a large crowd...".

As Dextra continued to tell this tale, I on the other hand could feel my stomach turn slightly. It was not because of the warrior being executed. It just hit me, how much me and this warrior had in common. I mean if I was considered a barian, I was in some way a traitor too. After all, it didn't matter which side I chose, I would be traitor to one of them. Sure, in my case my friends were having my back. Astral supposedly didn't see me as a threat, but still, I wasn't sure the barians were gonna tolerate my absence for very much longer. Knowing Vector, and his insane thoughts about life itself, I had a feeling that if I didn't join them, I would end up just like the warrior, killed for being a traitor. That made me feel rather nauseous.

"Time passed and the great city fell in decay" Dextra then continued on with the story "But legends says that even now, the spirit of the warrior wanders the Colosseum ruins...".

"His spirit was still angry that he paid for a crime he didn't commit?" Kite guessed.

"No you are wrong. His spirit is there because he still wants to fight" Nistro then claimed and sighed "The prince's advisors stopped the match between the warrior and prince, before it was done. The outcome was never decided, so the warriors spirit can't rest...".

"Yeah it still lingers in the coliseums ruins which is now under water" Dextra finished which made us all look at her with confusion.

"Wait I thought those ruins were supposed to be here in the city" Yuma then uttered rather stunned.

At that Dextra nodded and pointed out at the giant window in the restaurant. From there we could see a giant lake with Pillars sticking up.

"They are, but the people of Spartan City were afraid of the spirit, so they build a huge dam all around it and then filled it with water" Dextra then explained.

I hummed slightly at that. So the huge lake we could see in the window was where the ruin was. That kinda made our quest a little tricky I suppose.

"But how can we reach the number if it is under water?" Yuma uttered rather perplex.

"It will be dark soon Yuma" I then stated and got my adopted brother to look at me "Let's deal with this tomorrow after a good night sleep".

"Hmm yeah I guess you are right" Yuma mumbled slowly as he sat down on the chair again.

My eyes also wandered to the lake we could see in the window. Then my eyes turned towards Shark who was in a heated discussion with Rio. Something about her teasing him once again. My eyes wandered to the lake again, as I recalled the legend Dextra and Nistro had just told us. All which made me clench my fists a little. If there was one thing those legend taught us, it was that we should never repeat the past. Or in my case, I needed to sort this out with Shark boy and everybody else. . After all I didn't want to live with regrets for the rest of my life.

So I coughed a little, making this fake noise to clear my throat. That of course got everyone's attention. It had sort of been my plan, but at the same time I felt rather embarrassed about this. So much in fact that I couldn't say a word at first.

"Zaira is something wrong? Are you getting a cold?" Yuma of course asked, as stupid and innocently as he was. This didn't make the situation much better really.

"No, can't you see she is trying to say something" Shark surprisingly defended which was weird since he had crossed his arms over his chest and still looked pissed at me. However at the same time it gave me the courage to speak.

"Um yeah well... there is something I need to speak to you all about" I began and took a deep breath to calm my nerves "I know from Rio that most of you already knows this, but I just need to state this myself... kinda a closure thing for me I guess. Well I mean people say they are more relaxed and relieved after this and I just...".

I stopped up as I noticed that everyone at the table was staring in disbelief at me. That and Shark was actually tapping with his finger at the table, which clearly stated that I had to hurry it up. I took a deep breath once again.

"And I am rambling. Sorry about that" I apologized and looked over at Yuma and in some way Dextra and Nistro "This might come as a shock to you three, considering none of you know the details. That and aren't as stupid as Yuma is, but please don't freak out until I am done. I am not sure I can start this up again".

I could see Yuma's puzzled face expression and Nistro's and Dextra's question filled expressions, but all of them nodded that they were not gonna interrupt me until I was done.

"I am a..." I began and took a deep breath once again "A barian...".

And then everything escalated from there as I began telling them everything. Or at least everything that I knew of from Barian world. I of course started off with Vector's planed kidnapping, which of course drew out shocked impressions from both Nistro, Dextra and Yuma. They however did keep silence as I continued my story. It also didn't help when I revealed I was related to Vector, which was one of the last times I revealed to them. At some point I ended my story and all that awaited me was silence. Or at least at first.

"The truth is finally revealed hu?" Kite then said and smirked "The whole event at Sargasso did also seem fishy to me".

He chuckled darkly, which clearly stated that he had known since we had left on the airship that day. He was not at all faced by that. Nistro and Yuma however, that was a different case.

"What? The Sky girl is one of them... she is a barian!" Nistro uttered rather shocked.

"Of course she is" Dextra replied and drank a bit from her teacup on the table. "She just told us".

All which made Nistro send her that look he did at the duel carnival, the day I felt down from the sky. At least in his eyes. Dextra had been this calm there as well, which surely pissed off Nistro even more.

"So wait Vector is your long lost brother?" Yuma questioned in disbelief but then his eyes lit up and a happy smile was shown on his lips "I am so happy for you Zai. You finally found him". At that I was literally staring at Yuma. I mean this was clearly not the reaction I had been expecting.

"Yuma. You meet Vector. You know how insane he is, and he is a barian. How in the world can you be happy for me?" I questioned in a puzzled tone.

"Hu? What do you mean?" Yuma then replied back in a puzzled tone "Why shouldn't I? Your search for him is finally over, right? and that means you get this...this...?".

"I believe the word you are looking for is called closure Yuma" Astral then said and sighed. The Astral prince was surprisingly beside me now. He send me a big smile "And I am happy for you too Zaira. I am also grateful that you finally were able to tell us the truth. I appreciate it".

At that I was looking rather stunned. Sure, Rio had delivered that message from Astral, but it was still something else when hearing it from Astral himself. It was really true that Astral still considered me his best friend.

"Astral I am sorry. I should have told you all right away" I then apologized and looked guilty down in the floor "I was just...".

"It natural to be scared Zaira" Astral then said and made me look up at him "I have studied human behavior for a while now, and that expression you showed at the ship just proved everything. You were in shock, right?".

At that statement, I was just really staring at Astral. I just couldn't say or do anything, as I recalled the event from the past. Astral might even be right. After a little while I nodded.

"I am sorry everyone. I wasn't sure how you would take it all, and I was afraid...".

"That we would kick you off the team" Rio then said interrupting me completely "I told you already, that we wouldn't. You are one of us remember?".

At that everyone at the table were nodding in agreement, which made me cover my mouth with my hands. I trying to keep myself from crying once again. I just couldn't believe that they all accepted me regardless from where I came from. However, sadly that happiness was only there for a short while, because...

"But what about Dumon?" Shark then sneered out and were suddenly staring coldly at me "How does he fit into the picture?". I was staring in disbelief at him.

"Dumon?" I then asked, "What does he have to do with anything?". That earned me another cold glare from Shark boy.

"Never mind" he then stated and got up from the table and looked at Nistro "Thanks for dinner. If you will excuse me".

Then he left without giving any of us an explanation. I looked after him and wondered if I should follow him or not. He seemed pissed enough that he actually wanted to be alone right now, so I was not sure. What in the world was wrong with him?

A,N: Well that was that chapter part. I felt like this was a good place to split up if you understand. However hope you liked the chapter regardless. In the next chapter the duel of course starts. Zaira and Shark are also having a hardcore talk with each other and... Oh yeah Zaira is gonna duel in that chapter. Hope that sounds interesting and that I have portrayed Shark boy correctly in this chapter. He does seem to be the jealous but prideful boyfriend, right? Please comment on what you think.