A,N: Hi you guys! Sorry for the wait. Life literally getting much more excited. Got an internship and starting there on Monday. So looking forward to it. Sadly my writing my get lessened by it, so trying to finish as many chapters possible before then. However, as for you a reward for your patience I decided to do the next opening before chapter start with Zaira in it. That and the second opening more or less fits the story now. Hope you like it.

https://youtu.be/_-h4RpAOf4U

The opening starts as normal, but when Yuma's door is opened at 0:04 to 0:06 a baria crystal is circling around Yuma's pendant. At 0:13 an extra scene is shown with Zaira, Grace, Cy and Haku who is trying to hug Cy.Around 0:37 Zaira is shown together with Yuma and Astral before they are merged into Zexal morph two. At 0:43 where Don thousand and Astral are circling around the numeron code, a weird dark silhouette is shown. Do wonder who that is?And lastly at 0:53 where the numeron code is shown, Zaira is doing a high five with Astral and Yuma before the opening is ending.

Hope it peeks your interests. Now lets get on with the story...

Zaira's p.o.v.

The room was covered in deep and pure darkness, and if it wasn't for the few shiny crystals at the walls inside this room, I might not be able to see anything at all. However, right now in this moment I actually wished I couldn't see anything. If I couldn't it means that I would not be able to see him as well. My so called brother. But then again, not seeing him, might be worse, considering what he could do to you. Right now etc. Vector was keeping me at bay like he did at our last meeting. Me pushed up against the wall and were keeping me in place. I still couldn't believe he should be my long lost brother. I mean why should he? My brother, in the few scraps of my memories, was always kind and I knew he loved me. He was not an evil and insane bastard. That was for sure! Tears began running down my cheeks as I was staring into his purple but also cold eyes. I just couldn't help it. I was so scared. Fear was all around me, and as it did, so was the shadows. They got bigger and scarier. It was like they were gonna swallow me whole. Funny enough however, Vector's grip prevented them from doing that, which was a little weird and counterproductive. But at the same time his gaze said everything. The silent words where his eyes were in some way whispering. The lies his eyes told me. I tried to look away as best as I could. Those words, they weren't true! They just couldn't be! It made me fight even harder, as I tried once again to get out of his grip. Not that it helped. Vector was still keeping me in place, but my actions made him chuckle darkly. An insane laughter I wished I hadn't made him say at all.

"The Astral world took you in and erased your memories, to serve them in the war Zaira chan" Vector then said in his sickening sweet voice. "They don't care about you. They are only using you as a weapon in the war...".

"No they didn't! they... didn't do that... the Astrals are..." I yelled but my voice was filled with hesitation.

I even tried to cover my ears from Vector's whispering lies. I tried to confirm my own statement here, but doubt had clearly entered my mind. A tiny seed. A seed of doubt nonetheless. Was this true? Was Vector speaking the truth? I wasn't liked a lot in Astral world. I knew Astral and Xena's family was the only ones who cared, but still. I wasn't a weapon for them, right?! Sure Eliphas wanted to toss my life away for his son, but I was after all his protector, so that was normal right?! More shadows approached me. It was like they were created as my doubt in here. Something that I didn't like at all.

"See I am right, aren't I Zaira?" Vector then said and chuckled darkly. "You are a barian. You are the wolf princess and my sister".

I tried to shake my head in a wild frenzy. All so I prove him wrong. It was not like Vector would listen or let go any time soon. But I continued on as I tried to get free. It was like I felt that if I succumbed to this, I accepted the truth of me being a barian. It wasn't true! I am not a...

"Zaira, Zaira wake up!" A voice then suddenly shouted and in some way were holding the shadows away from me. Light appeared which surprisingly made Vector let go of me and I...

"Ahr!".

My scream echoed in Yuma's room, as I woke up with sweat dripping from my forehead. I was gasping for air in at least some seconds, before I noticed arms around me. Yuma's red and a little watery eyes were looking at me with a lot of worry, while he was trying to make me calm down. His hands were rubbing my back in a kind gesture, and these movements actually helped me calm down. But only a little. As soon as I calmed down, I of course pushed him away from me. Yuma was actually sending me a cheerful smile now that he knew I was okay.

"Zaira are you okay?" Astral then questioned as the ghost flew worriedly beside me.

"Yeah. What is this? The third night in a row?" Yuma added in and looked at me.

"I am sorry. It is just..." I couldn't finish that sentence at all. Guilt was all over me.

After all I hadn't told Yuma or Astral the truth. About me and Vector, and me being a possible barian. It was surely the reason I was having this nightmare to begin with. Both Yuma and Astral was staring intensely at me, but when I didn't continue both of them actually sighed deeply. They knew how stubborn I were. They had been trying to make me spill the beans for three nights in a row after all.

"You do know it helps talking when you have a nightmare" Yuma then said rather wisely which made me lift an eyebrow.

"And that comes from someone who refused to share their nightmare with that dragon" I then lectured with a firm voice, which made Yuma rub his hair sheepishly.

"But regardless, it is still a good idea" Astral cut in "Please Zaira, we don't need details. Just the overall conclusion".

I sighed deeply and nodded. I just couldn't say no to those two with their worried gazes. I said one word that just explained everything. Or so I hoped.

"Vector".

At that Yuma actually froze a little as he had quick glances at Astral. Then he looked down in the floor rather guilty. Guess Yuma hadn't come to terms with Vector tricking him and create distrust between them. It was clearly showed that Yuma still felt bad about lying to Astral. Astral on the other hand had only eyes on me, which was kinda creepy.

"I see. I can assume he has had some mind games on you as well, and that is the cause for your nightmare?" Astral then asked in a surprisingly firm voice.

"I... yeah, sort of" I mused out slowly and quickly continued when I could see Astral ask into that "I... I want to become stronger! I was not any help at Sargasso...".

"What are you talking about?" Yuma questioned rather puzzled "You and that power was the only reason we won over Vector remember?".

"Yuma, I think she means her own skills. She didn't participate in any duel at Sargasso" Astral corrected and send me a little smile.

"Yeah I want to become better and stronger" I answered, which made Yuma light up like Christmas once again. He placed his arm around my shoulder in friendly matter.

"You know what that means. Dueling! I will be your partner, and I am sure Bronk and the others can help as well" he uttered cheerfully.

I just pushed him away again. I wasn't sure dueling was the solution to this at all. Sure I could duel fine now, but what if my opponent turned out to be Vector (or Dumon)? I was not sure I could duel the barians on my own. That and if Vector is my brother, the barians must know about my every card and strategy.

"I don't think dueling is the right solution here Yuma" Astral then suddenly said which once again surprised me a big deal. It was like he had read my mind. Astral continued as he saw Yuma and my puzzled face. "Remember when you lost to Kite? You could once again duel a tree and still lose. It was first at the teachings at the duel dojo that you came over it".

"So what? Are you suggesting Zaira should go to Master Roku for advice?" Yuma asked rather puzzled, but Astral shook his head.

"If she want to, she can, but I was thinking more like a new perspective" the ghost then replied and looked at me once again "I suggest you study and learn more about dueling and duelists". Silence entered the room now.

Vector's p.o.v.

In barian world

"Curse Yuma and Astral. I will get my revenge" Vector sneered angrily as he took some few more steps.

Right now he was currently at the beach looking out at the acid baria sea. Determination was written in the barians eyes as he walked out in the acid sea. A sizzling sound could soon be heard as the acid burning into his rock hard flesh, but Vector ignored it along with the pain. He was already injured after his fight with Astral, so what was a few more wounds.

"They are all going to pay" Vector hissed, and he dived into the sea "Astral, Yuma, even Dumon and Mizar. They are all going to pay for making my sister leave with those foolish humans".

Vector hissed angrily as he felt the acid burn in the rest of his body, but he still didn't care. He wanted power and he was going to get that regardless of what it takes. He was getting Zaira back!

"They may have defeated me but next time I will crush them. Our battle are far from over. Yuma and Astral are so going to pay. All that I require is the strength, and if the ancient barian legends are true, then I will find it in the dark deeps of baria sea" Vector sneered, and he dived deeper and deeper into the sea.

Most of his wings were already gone, but Vector was determined to reach his goal. He swam through the cracks at the bottom on the sea and were soon caught in a whirlpool of hot burning chaos and acid all around him. It send him flying to the bottom of the sea and he was soon in front of a very well-known barian crest. Vector's eyes lit up by that.

"Yes! This is it! It is the sacred resting place of the great deity Don Thousand" he uttered happily.

Barian power was already assembled into his paw as Vector slammed that power and claw into his barian Lapiz at his left chest. Pain like no other entered his body. This was almost unbearable. The acid in the sea was nothing compared to this, and Vector understood why it was a terrible thing for a barian emperor to lose or scatter their Lapiz. He felt like he was dying, which he in some case was. He was after all offering up his own life force here. A blank card soon were present in his hand and Vector activated it by holding it up towards the barian symbol. A burst of energy was now released and everything around Vector was shaking. It was like the whole planet was being destroyed. Then a blinding dark light covered everything, and Vector covered himself by instinct.

When he finally opened his eyes again, he was somewhere entirely different. Everything was dark, which in some way symbolized the power of chaos who Vector could feel all around him. Then a giant eye lid up everything and a giant barian creature was standing in front of him. Vector instantly knew who this was. This was the barian deity Don thousand. Most of this deity appearance was hidden in the shadows but Vector could still see how amazingly tall he was and that he was having a similar shaped wings on his back. The eye he had first noticed was present in his stomach and was radiating with power, while the deity's real red eyes were looking coldly and, in some way, demanding at him.

"You awoke me to plea for a favor. A gift of my power. Why?" the deity's dark voice then said. Vector clenched his fist angrily.

"There is someone I must defeat once and for all, but I can't do it without your help" the barian then replied firmly. Don Thousand hummed at that.

"You speak of Astral?" he then questioned, and Vector nodded eagerly.

"Yes, and his pest of a friend Yuma Tsukumo. They took something from me, and I want it back with all means necessary" He then hissed out. He was about to say something more, but Don thousand interrupted him.

"Ah yes. I remember. The Astral's took one of our own and turned Her against us" the god mused and actually sounded amused "It is their own foolish attempts to win the war. Pitiful. A cowards way to win".

"Yes, I agree, but it doesn't change that they still have My sister!" Vector hissed angrily and made a quick bow to the deity "I will kill Yuma and Astral for taking her. She belongs with me! If you give me the power to defeat them and retrieve my sister, then I will do whatever you ask".

"Discover the locations of the 8 mytherian numbers" Don thousand then said in a firm voice "Retrieve them and we will be unstoppable".

"8 mytherian numbers?" Vector questioned slowly but then shook his head "If that is what is takes to defeat Yuma and Astral, then consider it done. Now your power. Give it to me!".

Vector was holding out his hand in hope of Don thousand agreeing. What he didn't know was how the deity was gonna do it. Without any warning or time to react, Don thousand had lifted his clawed hand and pierced through Vector's chest in quick movements. Vector let out a scream as the deity had grabbed around his Lapiz who had been hiding under his rocky skin. But at the same time Vector could feel how his body got filled with the deity's power. It was warm. It was suffocating him and at the same time it felt so good. Vector wouldn't trade this for the world. Not even his sister!

"Your life belongs to me now" he could hear Don thousand state "In exchange I will infuse your being with my power. From this day forward, you and I will be as one".

Vector let out another scream as he felt the deity's essence enter his body as well, but as he did, Vector could also feel how his body got reborn. His wings grew back and all the injuries he had got from the acid sea got healed. He was like a new person with a lot of more power and sharing his body with the barian god. Vector soon found himself at the coast of the baria sea. He was one with Don thousand now, and no one could stop them. No one could stop Him!

"Soon Zaira you will belong to me once again" Vector then said out loud and was grinning like an evil maniac.

Zaira's p.o.v.

Around the Same time.

"Ahr there must be something in here that can use to get better!" I sneered angrily and were once again reprimanded by the librarian.

I hissed annoyed but I did try to keep my voice down. I was currently at the library at Heartland academy. I had ditched classes to be here and I haven't told anyone were I was. Although I suspected Astral knew since he was the one suggesting this, but everyone else didn't, and I was fine with that. I needed my space since the events at Sargasso. A lot of stuff had after all happened and most of it, I didn't want to talk about. My resent nightmares was one of those things. I was filled with a lot of dread to be honest. After all Vector had stated I was his sister and a Barian. It was something I denied with all my heart, and the fear of the others figuring out... I just could not handle it. I could see how Shark and the others would kick me off the team, and if that happened, I truly didn't have any place to go.

"You still have me" Cy reassured as the blue spirit wolf appeared by my side "So don't fret. Whatever happens, I will always be with you. We can face the future together".

I send Cy a little smile at that, but then sighed again. Cy meant good, but even he, at some point in our lives had to return to Astral, being a number and all.

"I won't mistress. I will only stay yours forever. Maybe longer" The wolf replied and tried nuzzling my cheek as though he had read my mind. He properly had considering we were sharing the same soul but still.

"It is sweet Cy, but I can't ask you to be this committing" I then replied and took another book from the shelf without looking at it. "You are a number, and if what He states are true, I am... you know what. You can't live there". Cy snort coldly at that.

"I will still be by your side Mistress. Nothing will change that" He then replied firmly and looked at me with caring eyes.

I sighed deeply at that and were properly about to say something back to him, had it not been for my eyes wandering to the open book and the text before me.

"Woah! Here it is! Something about the legendary duelists" I uttered but in a surprisingly low voice. I mean I couldn't almost contain myself here. My hands roamed around on the text as I tried to read it. "Let's see. Yugi Muto, the king of games. Jaden Yuki, who tried to be the next king of games and... woah, his sister Tara Yuki who tried to become a pro and were dating Zane Truesdale. I can't believe this!". Cy chuckled a little by my side now.

"You seemed thrilled mistress" He then said and made me turn my head towards him.

"How can I not?! This is Tara Yuki for god's sake!" I almost shouted but contained myself once again "Sure she was not as famous as her brother. She didn't get a wooden statue of her favorite monster Cyber tech alligator in Master Roku's dojo, but still, she was known as one of the best female duelists in her time". Cy looked puzzled at me.

"Other people doesn't seem to share your enthusiasm though" he then said and pointed at the book with its nose "She died long time ago and this is an old book...".

I must admit I looked bewildered at him. That Cy mentioned Tara being dead for years to come made me remember I managed to snatch some old books at the orphanage as kid. That was why I knew of her existence, but it didn't surprise me as much as it did when I realized Cy could actually read! Why this surprised me so much, I don't know. I mean a number card who could read was not normal in my head, but then again 96, at that time where he dueled with Yuma at his side, also knew the cards Yuma played for him, so maybe it wasn't too weird?! I was about to say something, when something else caught my attention and made me stop up. A feeling. A very dreadful feeling that made me nauseous, and I knew that something had happened or were about to happen. I knew instantly what I had to do. I needed to find and tell the others. I needed to find Yuma and Astral. Hopefully the Astral being knew what was going on. I ran as fast as I could out of the library.

Time skip.

"Do any of you sense anything, Rio, Zaira?" Shark asked as we all were assembled on the school's roof.

Or all of us, might have been to bend the truth a little bit. After all it was only me, Cy, Shark, Tori, Rio and Yuma here. They had all felt this weirdness, just as I had besides Tori, and had all ditched wherever they had been doing which allowed us to meet up like this.

"No not so far" Rio replied for both of us and I continued on for her "I was sure I could feel a disturbance before, but now... there is nothing".

"Meaning we came up here and skipped my lunch for nothing" Yuma complained rather annoyed since his lunch break was about to start. I hissed angrily at that.

"Quit complaining, or I will make sure you skip dinner too!" I yelled annoyed at him. Yuma was of course apologizing like crazy. After all if there was one thing Yuma didn't want to miss it was dueling or food.

"But it is really strange that you all sensed it at the same time, don't you think?" Tori then questioned.

She had just said that when a lot of wind was blowing around us and before we knew it, we were all summoned to Astral's weird spaceship. We all looked around in the space ship. We were all clearly looking for Astral. I found him standing at the steering wheel, and as he turned towards us, I was sure a wrinkle was shown on the Astral being's face. That couldn't be good news then.

"Next time you bring us to your airship, how about a heads up?" Yuma then asked as we all assembled around him. I bit my lip. Astral did really look worried.

"I am sorry, but this matter is rather urgent" Astral replied and made a map of a globe appear "I was here on the deck when this planetary map unexpectedly appeared".

I hummed at that. this looked like the map of the whole earth itself. I remember seeing a map of our earth in geography at our school. Marks were shown on it. One seemed to be in Rome. One in China. Another one in Brazil and... I froze slightly. A little away from the coast of India was a mark too, and for some reason all I could feel was dread. What in the world was wrong with me?! However in the end I counted all the marks on the globe. It seemed to be 8 marks in total.

"There are ancient ruins on each of these marked locations, and more importantly, there is 8 mytherian numbers hidden there" Astral continued.

"8 numbers?" Yuma questioned confused.

"Yes, and along with the map there was also an important message" Astral replied and stretched out his hand once again.

We all turned around towards the now new hologram and both Yuma and I were staring stunned at it. It was no other than Yuma's dad Kazuma Tsukumo, who I remember seeing in one of my memories.

"Hello Yuma, Zaira and Astral. If you are seeing my message, the situation is much worse than I had hoped" we could hear Kazuma tell us "This map shows eight ruins. Inside of each is the eight mytherian numbers. These cards are unlike everything you have ever seen, and if they fall into Barian hands, an ancient evil will destroy everything you have been fighting for. That is why you must get those numbers before the barians can".

We all were staring in awe at the message. Or at least I think everyone were. I were for sure. Yuma's dad was surely sending us all three on to a very dangerous mission here. I clenched my hands. I was ready! Even if I had to fight the barians and my so called brother. I was ready!

"Oh and Zaira I am sorry I tied your destiny to those two" Kazuma then suddenly said and got my full attention. He was sending me, indirectly, a sad smile "I know you lost your memories. I know it is hard, and you want answers, but I know you can do it. You all can do it and that is in fact what I am counting on".

As Kazuma had spoken his last words, the hologram disappeared and left only silence in its wake.

"Dad!" Yuma shouted worriedly and sighed "Man I wished you were here right now". Astral tried placing a ghostly hand on him. All to reassure him.

"Your father has great fate in you. As do I" Astral then replied.

"Astral" Yuma mused but then looked rather determined. He turned towards all of us "There is no way I will let my dad down. I am going after all those numbers, and nothing is gonna stop me!".

"That goes for me too" Shark then stated fiercely "Those barian jerks rub me the wrong way. I love to take a bite at their plans".

My eyes turned slowly to my boyfriend. I don't know why but I was sure he had an ulterior motive. The grey Barian Dumon popped into my head, and I shook it wildly. Luckily no one noticed my weird behavior. Why was I thinking of that Barian all of the sudden?

"Which means that I have to go too and watch out for my brother" Rio then said and send her brother a confident smile.

Tori was also ready to get in on the action, and in the end there was only me. I didn't help on my insecurity that they all were staring at me, but I quickly nodded, when Yuma asked if I wanted to come with them. To be honest, I was no longer sure. After that speech Kazuma had spoken, my resolve had crumbled once again. What did he mean with that he tied my destiny to, what I figured must be Astral and Yuma? Where did he know of my memory loss or that I wanted answers? The dread was all over me again and for some reason I didn't want to go and look for those mytherian numbers. It all gave me a bad taste in my mouth.

"Alright Astral. Lay out a course for the first sight" Yuma then shouted eagerly "This airship is going... Hu? Why is there suddenly missing a spot on the map?".

"Oh you are right. The mark near India just disappeared" Rio added in. She sounded just as confused as Yuma was. I looked hesitatingly up at the map as well, and just like the others had stated, the mark near India's coast had disappeared.

"Yes, it is rather strange" Astral then mused "But that mark had been appearing and disappearing a lot, since I discovered this map. I suggest we search for the other numbers, and then target the missing one as soon as it appears".

"Sure thing Astral. Let's just get on the road" Yuma uttered happily.

Apparently, his only concern was him not steering the ship. I on the other hand was also relieved. We were not going to India for the time being. I couldn't quite explain why, but I just felt it was a terrible place to go.

Dumon's p.o.v.

Around the same time. More or less.

Chaos was all around them in barian world, and it was not the usual chaos energy that was roaming around. Everything felt out of place and it didn't help that eruptions and earthquakes were terrorizing the land. Something was clearly at miss and it of course summoned the current leader of barian world inside the throne room. All his senses was high alert. His friend Mizar was also soon present, and they were looking around, scanning the land for something. Anything that could stop this chaos happening on their planet. So far nothing had come to show in their observing crystals.

"It feels like the whole planet is breaking apart" Dumon then stated.

"This could be the end of barian world" Mizar then uttered rather fearfully.

"It will take an incredible force to destroy an entire world" Dumon replied and hoped in his heart that this was not the case.

"But that is exactly what's happening" Dumon could suddenly hear an annoying voice say.

They didn't get surprised when Vector, as annoying as he were, joined them in the throne room. He had done a surprisingly quick recovery after his battle with Yuma and Astral, and looked as good as new. Dumon's eyes narrowed. There had been stolen medicaments from the storage of things they had for medic care. Could explain a few things if it had been Vector's doing. He had after all almost as much pride as Mizar. If not more at some points.

"Even as we speak, Astral is using his growing strength to threaten barian world" Vector then continued. At that statement Mizar walked over to him so they were staring face to face. All which made Dumon sigh deeply inside.

"If that is true, then the fault is entirely yours" Mizar then hissed angrily.

"How could I be to blame? After all I am the one who tried to stop Astral...".

"You tried and failed! And now thanks to your recklessness, Yuma and Astral have gotten stronger than ever!" Mizar yelled as he interrupted him.

"I was defending our world, and it was not me who gave those two their powers. It was Zaira. My sister! And you both know she has extraordinary powers" Vector defended and send Mizar a could glare. Mizar snort coldly.

"I knew you would place the blame on someone else Vector. But to do that on an innocent and confused girl. You are about to draw the line here" he then sneered.

"Oh are you still denying that This girl is my sister Zaira?!" Vector sneered back "And Zaira is far from innocent. Confused, I will admit is true, but innocent? Ha! Do I have to remind the both of you that when she faced her trial to become one of us, she did it with so much fierceness even Alito pale in comparison? She even beat your precious little, tame, pet, dragon Mizar...".

"Feel the wrath of my dragon, and we will just see how tame it is!" Mizar yelled angrily, and Dumon decided that he had to stop it, before they both began truly to fight. With the numbers and all.

"This is not the time you two" he said without raising his voice. But it still held so much firmness that Mizar and Vector instantly stopped fighting. Although he couldn't stop them from glaring coldly at each other. Then Vector chuckled evilly.

"As you know Astral has long been a threat to us" he then informed them. "Many ages ago he even defeated our great deity Don thousand and cast him into the deeps of the great baria sea. If he continues to absorb numbers, as well as using my sister's strength for his own, he will soon be in a position to completely destroy Barian world. But never fear Vector is here! I have learned of a way we can stop him".

"How is that?" Mizar questioned suspiciously.

"And I hope for your sake, that it doesn't entail kidnapping m... our princess again" Dumon added quickly in. His Zaira could after all not come home at the moment.

"No. At least not yet..." Vector began and coughed a little when Dumon send him a very firm glare "There are eight mytherian numbers that are scattered across the human world. When we acquire them, we can wield their power and use them to crush Astral, and thereby free Zaira from his grip".

Dumon and Mizar was both staring suspiciously at Vector. He was one of the barian emperors, but Vector was the least trusting of them all. If he gave you a deal, you should always read the fine print.

"How did you learn all of this Vector?" Mizar then questioned slowly. Suddenly a buzzing sound could be heard, and a weird fly creature landed on Vector's finger. "What a repulsive looking insect" Mizar then stated and glared at Vector. He was clearly waiting for an explanation of why he had brought such a creature here.

"Hey don't be rude! You think I enjoy coming back as a fly. Let me tell you it stinks. Especially when I land on garbage" the fly creature suddenly said and made Dumon stare stunned at it. As he did, he could see small details at it. It had a human looking face and was wearing glasses?! Vector chuckled darkly again as he was holding it up.

"This creatures fate was sealed, till I decided to bring him here. Say hello to Mr. Heartland" he then explained and Dumon could see how the little fly was jumping up and down on his finger.

He was clearly annoyed that Vector had brought him back as a fly. That until two fingers of Vector's were squeezing him slowly, almost killing him in agonizing pain. He did stop in time, but it clearly silenced the little creature.

"You should be grateful that I even listened to you. Mr. Heartland! Not many people live to tell their tale when someone attacks MY Sister" Vector hissed and made the little fly shutter in his grip before he released it. He turned towards Dumon and Mizar again. His hand summoned one of the screen crystals to his side "For such a tiny pest he delivered big time. Heartland was full of entail that will lead us to the numbers we need. He told me about these eight previously unknown numbers hidden in the human world. There are 23 different locations where the numbers could be sealed away".

Dumon hummed a little at that. He usually didn't trust Vector on something he didn't know off himself, but in this case, it did seem Vector's entail was right. He did after all remember that those 23 points on the map Vector had shown them, was in fact the same locations Vetrix knew off, at his short visit in barian world.

"If your information is correct, then it is paramount that we find those numbers before Astral does" the grey leader then stated.

"We might also discover something else" Vector then said and got their attention once again "If we travel to the human world, we may find clues that could lead us to Nash".

Dumon's eyes widened as their former Barian leader's name got said by Vector and he could hear how the insane barian chuckled darkly before he continued "It seems like only yesterday that we 7 barian emperors were together and My sister joined our palace for training" Vector reminisced "However then we got reduced to 5. When our fearless leader Nash and his sister Marin disappeared from barian world. But I was thinking, we may be led to our lost comrades as we explode the dimensional doorways and the human world. After all my sister got found in the human world, so who is to say Nash couldn't be there".

Dumon clenched his fists a little. It was not because of anger. Even though he like Mizar, once in a while thought of maiming Vector for his annoying disturbance. No he had clenched his fists because of hopelessness. Because he hadn't been able to do a thing. For Marin and Nash, and for his beautiful princess. He squeezed his hands even tighter.

"Vector is right. We must split up and begin our search immediately" He stated fiercely. He memorized the map and the 23 different locations, opened a portal and went for one of the marks. He knew Mizar and Vector was doing the same thing.

Or so he believed. Dumon didn't know how wrong he was or how cruel destiny could be to him. He didn't know of Vector freeing Don thousand and becoming his vessel. He also didn't know that Vector used his newfound powers from their gods to slowly heal/revive Alito and Girag, and what was even worse was that the mark he had selected also had been the one Yuma and the crew was after, meaning Dumon and the space ship they were using, met in the gateway between the worlds, which led to a crash.

Time skip.

Dumon opened his groggy eyes and found himself some place entirely different. This was not the interdimensional gateway and worst of all he was currently in his human form. Right now he was in some kind of tropic jungle and was currently lying in the grass. Dumon let out a pained groan as he tried to get up, realizing soon he was in quite a predicament. His right arm was having a nasty wound and his Lapiz around his wrist had gotten a big rift, which explained why he was in his human form right now. Dumon groaned slightly as he got up on his feet's, clenching his right arm.

"Oh that is just great. My baria crystal is damaged" Dumon said out loud and sighed "Without it I can't use my full powers here. If I just had been more alert. I didn't spot that ship before it was too late. I am sure it is Astral's, meaning my princess is not far behind. So much for keeping my distance. This mission is not off to a good start".

He had just said that when he felt a presence beside him. Dumon turned surprised around and realized he was now face to face with an angry ferocious bear. Dumon couldn't keep himself from letting out a surprised scream as the bear roared angrily at him. He even took a step back as he tried to figure out the situation. If he had been able to tap into his barian form, this bear wouldn't be any problem for him, but with his Lapiz damaged like this, he didn't know what to do here. He was after all as weak as a human. Sure he had read about how Humans interacted in books around dangerous situations but of course that knowledge escaped him now that he was in real danger. The bear roared angrily. It was standing on its hind legs and were about to attack when they appeared.

"Keep your paws to yourself!" Yuma shouted as he jumped down from a tree branch and were now shielding him from the bear.

Astral was floating right beside him as always, which of course confused the current barian leader. I am saved by Astral and Yuma? Or at least he thought that for a second until the bear roared angrily again.

"Real smooth Yuma" Zaira said and rolled her eyes "You just made it angrier".

Dumon's eyes wandered to Zaira now too. She hadn't been as flashy as Yuma had been by jumping down in front of him, but just seeing her beside him was enough to make Dumon's heart ache.

"I can't see you doing anything here to help" Yuma complained rather annoyed and for a second it seemed like they all had forgotten the bear.

Then Zaira snort and walked forward towards the bear without fear. Her eyes had narrowed and were now sending the bear the angriest wolfy glare Dumon had ever seen. That along with an intimidating aura made the bear actually stop up in fear. Then without saying anything she made the bear turn around and ran scared away through the bushes.

"How did you...?" Yuma began but then sighed relieved "I guess he couldn't bear the thought of taking you on". Zaira just send him an annoyed glare.

"Or you are just a whimp Yuma" she then stated. Dumon was staring in disbelief as well.

Mizar had told him Zaira could go toe to toe with his dragon, but it was something entirely different seeing it in real life. However, sadly in that moment pain ran through his body once again, and it forced the barian to fall to his knees.

"Hey, are you okay?" he could actually hear Zaira say and heard a sound of something getting ripped.

A torn cloth were soon wrapped around his injured arm and it made Dumon look up in the most beautiful purple eyes. His heart ached even more and the thought of "How could I ever lose you to him?" entered his mind.

"Here this should help" Zaira then said and send him a big smile.

"And Kairi is gonna have a flip when she finds out you ruined your school uniform" Yuma mused. All which made Zaira sneer at him.

"Not if you keep your mouth shut Yuma!" she yelled at him. Dumon could just watch as they both were about to fight. He wanted to thank Zaira or at least say something, but the words wouldn't leave his mouth.

"Careful you two. Better keep your distance from that guy" a voice suddenly rang through the forest as Shark appeared from behind one of the bushes. Dumon's gaze instantly turned towards the male. Reginald Kastle! Why is he here?!

"What's wrong?" Yuma questioned rather confused.

"You know this person?" Shark asked.

"No not really. I saw that he was in trouble and jumped in to help" Yuma replied sheepishly and rubbed the back of his hair.

"Yeah. I figured that much" Shark hissed angrily and glared at Dumon "But seeing as we crashed into some energy being on the ship, I wonder if that being could be him".

"I... I don't know what you are talking about. My name is Nash and I am here on vacation" Dumon then said and tried making his lie sound believable. It hurt him a little that he had to lie to Zaira as well, but it just couldn't be helped.

"You don't really expect us to believe that do you?" Shark sneered angrily back and Astral also pointed out that he could be a barian. Not that it helped Dumon on his cover here. If they knew the truth, he was done for.

"No, I believe we can trust him" Zaira then suddenly said and got everyone's attention "I can't explain why, but it's just a feeling I am having".

"Not you too Miss stubborn" Shark sneered and grabbed her hand "Do I have to remind you what happened last time you had such a feeling?! You trusted Ray for god's sake!".

Dumon's eyes narrowed in a cold matter. He didn't like how Reginald Kastle was shouting at his princess. With or without memories, you just didn't treat her that way! The hurtful expression she was now having on her face, didn't help on the matter either. Dumon now knew Zaira hadn't told them her connection to Vector. The pain she must be feeling right now, knowing Vector being a barian, and her being his sister must still cause her great deal of pain. Dumon was debating with himself if he should risk it, by meddling in this fight, when suddenly a scream rang through the whole jungle.

"Hey that was Tori!" Yuma then uttered rather scared and without warning they all began running towards it. Dumon followed them as well.

Zaira's p.o.v.

We ran and ran through the jungle with great speed, as we followed Tori's screams. None of us were letting up, but I did see that Nash was following us as well, even though he was clenching around his injured arm. I must admit I couldn't stop smiling for some reason. Maybe it had something to do with that feeling I was having. I mean usually I am as suspicious as Shark when it comes to strangers, but there was just something over this Nash character that made me stop up and help. I just knew he wasn't there to harm us. That and Cy hadn't actually shown up either. My blue wolf companion usually were always first to appear when I was in danger, so him being here must mean Nash was a good character right? Shark apparently didn't think so and neither did Astral. I did understand their suspicion. We did after all collide with some energy being in the dimensional gateway but still. I bit my lip a little worriedly. Shark's words from before still stung a little. I mean he was right. Ray had turned out to be Vector and his scheme almost destroyed us, but... He is my brother. As soon as the thought entered my mind, I shook my head wildly. No that is not true. Vector is not my brother! But at the same time another thought entered my mind. But why were I then defending him?

We soon reached our destination however and were now staring at the ruins we were actually seeking. Tori's cries of help could be heard from the inside.

"Wow this building needs some serious upkeep" I could hear Yuma mumble and rolled my eyes.

Yuma could be so clueless sometimes. I did however leave it to Astral to explain everything to that dork. Instead I rushed inside the ruin in an attempt to rescue Tori. It didn't go so well. As I entered the ruins, I had stopped up at the sight of the danger Tori and Rio was in. They were standing on a rock while a herd of snakes were surrounding them. I instinctively took some steps back, as Yuma and the others also had appeared in here. I hissed annoyed to myself. Snakes?! Why does it have to be snakes?! Since the events in Astral world with Astral getting attacked by those chaos snakes, I had disliked snakes ever since. Therefore I decided to stay back and let Yuma and Shark deal with them. It was not like they needed help anyway.

"So you have a fear of snakes, but are not afraid of a bear?" I could suddenly hear someone say and noticed the boy from before, Nash, standing beside me. I must admit I turned a little red by that and tried to turn my head away. I didn't want him to realize that he was right here. I could hear the boy chuckle a little.

"Don't worry your secret's safe with me" the boy replied and send me a warm smile. "Besides I need to thank you for saving my life earlier from the bear. You and your friend that is". The gray-haired boy pointed at Yuma, who now, along with Shark had kicked the snakes away from here.

"You are welcome I guess" I mused a little and looked away once again. Something with this boy made my heart ache for some reason.

"Hey, stop talking to my girlfriend!" I could suddenly hear Shark say and noticed the purple haired male beside me.

He was sending Nash a cold glare before he grabbed my hand and pulled me with him over to a blue kind of sealed rock. It was first then he had let go of my hand, but I could see how he was sending Nash cold glares. My eyes widened as I finally realized what was going on here.

"Shark, we were only talking. Don't tell me you are jealous" I said in a teasing matter and could see how a pink hue appeared on my boyfriends cheeks.

"Me? Jealous of that geek? Please" Shark said and snort. He had turned around and leaned his hand at the sealed blue entrance here. "I just don't like him or trusts him that's all. He could be with the enemy". I rolled my eyes at that.

"Right!" I said in a sarcastic tone.

It was not like I hadn't seen Shark jealous before after all. I still remembered a certain scene with Kite once. Oh and with Ray too. I bit my lip as I once again ended up thinking about my so called brother. Why? Why couldn't I keep him out of my head?

However, in the meantime the others were exploring the ruin, and with Yuma on the team that of course couldn't leave to anything good. At some point both Yuma and Shark had at the same time each activated a hidden mechanism. All which sealed off the entrance from which we came from. Apparently, we were all trapped in here now.

"Everyone calm down" Shark then reassured as Tori had let out a little scream of surprise. Shark had walked a little forward, while checking for any other hidden mechanism to open any kind of doorway that could lead us out of here. "Just keep your eyes and ears open for trouble".

Shark had just said that when Nash suddenly jumped on him and pushed him to the floor. They both were actually lying for my feet's before another wall came crashing down and divided us three from Yuma and the rest. I must admit I was staring in disbelief as I realized Nash just had saved Shark's life. He had after all been standing right where the wall were about to fall down. I let out a sigh I didn't know I had been holding.

"Ah just get off me!" Shark sneered and pushed Nash away.

"Shark? Zaira? Are you there?" we could hear Yuma yell as he slammed on the other side of the wall. The others were clearly worried about our safety.

"Yuma, where else would we be?" I sneered back annoyed. It was not like we could go anywhere. I had just thought that when the blue passageway suddenly opened up revealing a dark blue corridor. We all three were starting at it.

"Hey Shark, Zaira! The passage on our side opened up!" Yuma then yelled and confirmed my suspicion. Someone wanted us to split up.

"Same thing on our side" Shark yelled back and got up to his feet's "It looks like we have to split up for the time being". Then his eyes met with Nash's and he growled rather annoyed, before he grabbed my wrist again and pulled me with him.

"Come on Mrs. Stubborn. The quicker we get through this, the quicker we can get out of here" he then sneered and walked down the blue passageway.

I couldn't keep myself from smirking, because Shark was truly jealous here. It didn't help that Nash now had saved his life, and were now following us dutifully because how else would he get out of here?

Silence were all around us as we walked down the blue pathway. There were nothing much to discuss anyway, but I was happy that Shark had let go of my hand, meaning I could walk in my own tempo. Currently I was in last place. Shark was the one taking the lead, while Nash was kinda stuck in the middle. None of us had suggested this, but I could clearly see, this relaxed Shark boy a little, knowing that Nash, who he still believed was the enemy, couldn't try anything.

"Thanks for saving my skin back there" Shark then said and had a quick glance at Nash "But don't get the wrong idea. It doesn't mean that I trust you. The fact is I still believe you may be the enemy". I could hear how Nash snort back.

"Think what you like. I only saved you because I owed your friends for saving me" he replied, and I could see how he send me a quick glance.

"Hmpf, well fair enough, but you are still keeping your hands off my girlfriend" Shark sneered back "If I see you try one move on her you are toast". I just rolled my eyes at the scene here. Boys could be so foolish sometimes.

Time skip.

"We have come up empty" Shark sneered as we entered a room, who clearly was a dead end "There is no way ahead and nothing here".

He had just said that when we all heard a strange rumbling sound and I looked rather horrified as the exit behind us got shut of as well. We were once again trapped, and to make matters worse, the walls began to slowly close in on themselves. If we stayed here, we were soon gonna be squashed like pancakes.

"We have definitely walked into a trap" Nash uttered in a scared tone.

"We need to think of something fast or we are not walking out of here" Shark replied which didn't help on the situation at all.

A,N: Well that was that chapter. A good start on the mytherian number hunt don't you agree? And funny enough an interesting moment considering Zaira is trapped with her current boyfriend and her unknowingly former lover. Destiny can be so cruel, but at least you can kinda guess what happens in the next chapter right? However thank you so much for reading this story. I could never have come this far without all you readers support. You are all awesome. Please comment on what you think so far.