A, N: Hello dear readers. I am back with yet another hopefully awesome chapter. Eh, you see this content snuck in on me in the form of Vector. How the hell Vector got a whole chapter to himself is beyond me. But then again, he did have some great arguments I did need to consider. *hides behind Nash and Yuma now. So, if you dislike Vector, it is too bad. But do love the exchange between him and Nash. Be warned you properly will see him in a completely different light afterward. Can also be a bit graphic with Don Thousand. Just saying. Have fun reading.

Destruction was all around them. A ruined city, close to being burned to the ground was in his view. Only a few ruins of what once was were shown. It made him shudder slightly. Not that he wasn't used to the chaos by now. He had seen worst destruction than this. That said, this was having a personal impact on him. Seeing Heartland City in ruins just left a bad taste in his mouth. Who could blame him? It was the city where everything began and his new life as a dense transfer student began. He missed it. Not that he ever would admit that out loud of course. But it was here he had gotten friends, at least for a little while. A place where he was accepted. Especially by Yuma of all people. That meant more to him than he would let on. He still remembered the endeavors Yuma had gone through in his pursuit of rescue. He had done the right thing. He knew that. Letting go that day. He didn't regret it.

"I didn't want to do this" A voice suddenly whimpered behind him. As he turned his head, he was face to face with... a ghost? A see-through Yuma. Dressed in his usual attire when he wasn't in school, this ghost like Yuma was looking at him with depressed eyes. No, not looking at him. He was looking at something on the horizon. Something barely recognizable to him. If he squinted, he was sure he could see two silhouettes of someone, but that was all. Was this what the ghost could see?

"Yuma...?".

"I didn't want to do this" The ghost only repeated. Tears peeked out of his distant eyes, and he shuttered slightly, hugging himself for the warmth and comfort it could give.

"But he forced me" the ghost continued jabbing like a broken record "I didn't want to do this, but he forced me to. I destroyed everything!". To his surprise, the ghost kneeled defeated while it still embraced itself. Tears were flowing like waterfalls now.

"Yuma..." he repeated and tried to get this ghost's attention.

"I killed them all" the ghost continued in its broken voice "Tori, Bronk, Flip, Caswell, Cathy...". It continued on and on with names familiar and unfamiliar to him, but as it did, pictures of the said person appeared and disappeared in a pile of corpses that vaporized into nothing. He was staring bewildered at the scene in front of him.

"I didn't want to do this" the ghost repeated and changed suddenly tune to an angry sneer "I don't want this to happen! I don't want to be there. I don't want to rule. I don't want to be his emperor. I don't want to be near him. I don't want to be like him!". A hand reached forward to touch him all of a sudden which made him jerk surprised.

"Please help!" the ghost uttered and was looking up at him with begging eyes.

"But I... Yuma...?" He didn't know what to say or do. Help him with what exactly? Then unexpectedly a looming dark shadow was suddenly standing behind him. He gasped surprised when he noticed who it was. It was Don Thousand in all his radiance and beside him was... wait what Yuma? But how could that be? Sure, this Yuma was in Barian form and much more firm and solid compared to its ghostly counterpart, but they were the same, so how...?

"Kill this one too" Don Thousand ordered in a cold tone. Yuma, the barian nodded obediently and were holding up a huge energy blast in front of him.

"As you wish father," he said. No remorse was present in his eyes or voice as he fired the energy blast...

"Ahr!"

Vector flew up from the bed he was lying at. He was gasping for air for several seconds, which was very unusual for a barian to do. He was a barian. They didn't have a mouth. He didn't need to breathe, and it was not like he was in his human form. He checked. However, whatever the case was, the alias Vector was gasping for air. He shook his head in confusion. Had that dream raddled him that much that he needed air like those pathetic humans? He shook his head again. All to get his thoughts straight. What had happened? Barians didn't need much sleep to function. Sure, they could let themselves indulge in such pleasures if they wished so. Like when stored up in too much chaos and one's body needs time to access it all. Sleep was preferable then since you had to sit and wait for it all to settle. Or when they got severally injured. Both physically and mentally. However, Vector could not remember being any of that. To be honest he couldn't even remember when he had fallen asleep in the first place. The last thing he remembered was him escorting Yuma to his room after one of the dinners Don Thousand had insisted upon him. Yuma had to be with him every day now that he had become an emperor and...

"Aw!". Vector let out a painful scream. His thump which had in just that moment lingered at his central gem at his chest, was now radiating painfully. So bad that Vector had to move his hand.

"What the hell?" Vector muttered surprised and poked at the gem again. Stinging pain was still radiating there, but it was less sensitive than before.

"I do not understand..." Vector mused thoughtfully "My gems should not react this way. I have not been involved with any of the... wait!".

"Do you want to hang out Yuma-kun?" he had asked him in Ray's voice.

Yuma had been so down lately that it was even pulling at Vector's heartstrings. No one knew why that was. All they knew was that he had changed the moment he entered the dining hall after the test in the dungeon. Not even his 'precious' Nash could make him joyful again. Vector at least wanted to give it a shot himself. Yuma had turned around and was sending him a smile that didn't reach his depressed eyes.

"Thanks, Vector, but I think I will pass".

"Huh? Yuma?" Vector was taken aback by this statement. Not that he didn't go for another attempt in persuading him "Come on Yuma-kun! We both have time off. Let's take the Ray way and go explore the unforetold lands of the Barian world. It will be fun!".

He could see how the gears were turning in Yuma's head now. It was clear he was debating with himself if he should go. Then Yuma shook his head.

"Thanks, but I don't think I am allowed to hang out with any of you".

Yuma's hand lingered on his shoulder, touching the shoulder gem slightly in reassurance. It was his way of telling him he wanted to go but couldn't.

"Huh? What do you mean with not allowed?" Vector had asked him, but the only answer given to him was the door almost being slammed in his face.

Vector growled annoyed as the memory ended. Yuma had touched his gem that day. Maybe a tiny bit of his power resurfaced there and...

"Yuma is resonating with me?" Vector let out a happy cheerful squeal of happiness.

When two barians were resonating with each other, it meant either those two barians were extremely close, almost akin to lovers, or were about to become good friends. Vector doubted it was the first since Yuma had that pompous Nash as a lover, but it still meant there was a chance of befriending him again. That was all Vector wanted. Ever since Yuma tried saving him back then with Don Thousand, Vector had wished for a chance to make amends. To show Yuma he had changed. Maybe this was his chance to show him he cared. If what the gems were telling him was true, this dream, this nightmare, had been Yuma's. Not his own which meant he might still be raddled about it and needed comfort.

"Yuma-kun I am on my way!" Vector uttered and rushed to the said Barian's quarters. All to comfort his precious Yuma-kun.

But oh, how life liked to toss a wrench in his plans. When Vector reached Yuma's quarters, sounds of voices could be heard from the other end before Vector could even knock and announce his presence. Annoyed, suspicious, but also a bit curious Vector opened the door to the room without anyone noticing. A dreadful sight met him, and Vector had to clench his hands to stop himself from doing something horrible. There, in the bed, cuddling sweet innocent Yuma was Nash! Stupid, annoying, pompous Nash who Vector wanted to grab and maim right now. How dare he steal this precious moment away from him! The only reason Vector hadn't let his anger vent was that Yuma was right there witnessing everything. He would be so sad. More than he was already. Vector couldn't handle that. He wanted Yuma back the way he used to be. To a bundle of joyful untamable energy that could shine sunshine on anyone's path by just smiling. That was the reason he was trying to keep his anger, and hidden jealousy, in check.

"...And then, he made me kill everyone Shark. I don't want to kill anyone. I don't!" he could hear Yuma hiccup with tears streaming down his face.

"Shh Yuma. It was just a nasty dream" Nash tried reassuring and pulled the red-eyed boy into a tighter embrace. His left hand was caressing Yuma's hair "None of this is real. You didn't kill anyone, and I know...".

"But he might ask that of me in the future!" Yuma insisted in a loud cry.

His hands clinging to the folds of Nash's maroon shirt. All of which made Vector jerk slightly. The remnants of the dream still whispering in his ear:

"I didn't want to do this, but he forced me to. I destroyed everything!".

"Yuma..." Nash send him a soft smile "I would never let that happen. You know that. Your father has to... Huh? Vector! What are you doing here?!".

Vector lifted surprised his head, meeting Nash's cold blue gaze. He had been too caught up in his thoughts it seems to notice anything else. However, now that the deed was done, he might as well enter the room completely.

"Hello to you too. Nash! Yuma..." he greeted and was trying to come up with any reasonable explanation for why he would be here in the middle of the night.

"Did my father send you? Is he asking for me?!" Yuma asked. Panic rose in his voice as he tried to get out of Nash's protective arms. It was an action that Vector instantly shook his head.

"Relax. It is nothing like that" he reassured and cursed himself for losing such an opportunity. Because what else reasonable explanation was there?

"Then why are you here?!" Nash demanded to know. His eyes narrowed suspiciously. All of which made Vector glare back just as fiercely.

"I wanted to check up on Yuma-Kun of course" Vector then stated nonchalantly. "Heard him screaming and wanted to soothe his mind with some comfort, but guess I was too late. That position is already taken". At that Nash huffed.

"You want me to believe you heard Yuma scream from your quarters, which is much further than any of the other barian's quarters, and Yuma's put together" Nash stated in pure disbelief. Vector shrugged casually.

"What can I say, I have good hearing" he responded with a lie and added, "I am sure everyone else heard it too, but know you are spending the night here to take care of it. A heads up on my part would have been nice". An action that had Nash growl.

"You self-absorbed maniac! All you are here for is to lash at Yuma for favors since he is Don Thousand's son!" Nash deducted with a hiss "Either that or use him for yet another one of your evil schemes. I won't let you!".

"How dare you?! I would never do that to him. Not any longer!" Vector hissed back at him, but he knew Nash would never be convinced. Therefore, he added, "What about you? Like you wouldn't use him to gain favors or your old rank back".

"Of course not! I care about Yuma!" Nash countered fiercely.

"And I don't?!" Vector sneered back. He felt hurt that Nash would think that. Especially now that he was linked to Don Thousand. Even if Vector wanted to hurt Yuma, the deity would never allow it. Unless...

"Please. Please don't fight over me. I am not worth it" Yuma then suddenly said and caught both boy's attention.

Right now, Yuma was lying in bed looking up at the ceiling with that sorrowful look in his eyes. All of which made Vector's heartstrings pull again. Yuma was in such distress, and he was partly to blame for it. It gave him a bad taste in his not-visible mouth.

"Of course," Nash reassured and leaned in to kiss his forehead, before getting out of the bed. His fingers intervened with Yuma's for a sec before he turned to glare at Vector yet again "I will just follow Vector back to his quarters Yuma. Then I will be back". Vector could see the despair in Yuma's eyes at the thought of Nash leaving, but in the end, he nodded.

"Don't take too long" he said and placed himself on his side with his back turned towards them. It was the last thing Vector saw before Nash pushed him out of the room.

"So, will you tell me the real reason for intruding on Yuma now?!" Nash growled at him as soon as he was sure they were far enough away for Yuma to hear.

"I have no idea what you mean Nash" Vector denied instantly "I just wanted to cheer Yuma up. That is the...". Nash snorted at that.

"Cut the crap Vector. We both know you would not be there without a reason" he cut him off with "Did Don Thousand call for any of us?". Vector hummed slightly at that. Nash truly didn't know, did he? That was interesting indeed.

"No, he did not. I am not here because of him" Vector stated truthfully.

"Then tell me the real reason" Nash demanded of him "There is no way you could hear Yuma scream from your quarters, let alone know about his nightmares...".

"And yet I do Nash" Vector said in an evil chuckle "Guess what, Yuma and I are resonating. As in gem resonating. I saw and felt his distress in that dream. That was the reason I was there. To do what you did. Give him comfort".

"You are lying! Yuma is Not resonating with a creep like you!" Nash yelled furiously, which was the exact reaction Vector was expecting. It thrilled him to see his archenemy this riled up.

"And yet it happened, dear Nashie. Must suck to know that your precious Yuma soon will care for me more than he does you" Vector replied and chuckled evilly.

Oh, how he missed tormenting Nash for so long. It was so fun making him lose his temper. Surprisingly, Nash was suddenly staring at him with this interesting facial expression, he was caught between curiosity and disbelief. Sure, anger was still fuming underneath. Vector could sense it, but it was pushed into the background for now.

"You are jealous" Nash then stated.

"Huh?! No, I am not!" Vector replied instantly.

"You so are" Nash bit him off with and smirked. "You have feelings for Yuma and don't deny it. You want Yuma to care for you the way he did Ray Shadows. He did after all see the good in you. Unlike me".

Vector hissed dangerously. It was so annoying, so infuriating when Nash did this! Turning his own game of verbal pain and suffering right back at him. Because deep down he knew Nash was right. He was indeed having feelings for Yuma.

"To be honest I don't care about your one-sided attraction. Yuma has not shown any interest in you in that regard. Believe me, I know, since he has been extremely clingy to me ever since the time in the dungeon" Nash sneered out in a cold tone. "But if you indeed are telling the truth this time. If Yuma's distress is resonating with you of all people, then I want you to tell me, or better yet help him get better!".

"Like I would tell you anything. Besides, I am sure he already told you everything about his dream when you cuddled" Vector snorted in a cold tone.

"Yes, he is afraid that Don Thousand turns him into a hard-blooded killer that will kill on his command. I told him repeatedly it will not happen. That I am there to protect him, but no matter what I do, he will not listen" Nash said with a defeated look in his eyes. "I can't make him smile. Not genuinely. If you saw something Vector. If you saw something different and have a shred of love for Yuma in there, you will help him!".

Vector lifted eyebrows at that. That almost sounded like begging and if that was the case, Nash must be quite desperate. Had it been another day and time Vector would have relished in the despair his sworn enemy was having, but this was not a normal time and day.

"I can't help him" Vector then said which was indeed the truth.

With the dreams images inside his head and the current knowledge he gained from Nash, he had a good idea of what was wrong with Yuma. He was afraid to be a tool for Don Thousand, which was eminent from the vision of the emotionless Yuma in the dream. But the ghost itself was his emotions and it was crying out to Vector for help. To reunite them in some way. The only problem was that Vector could not help him. Not directly since Yuma would not listen to anyone right now. Only one person could make him listen and that was his father.

"Only the one who caused the damage can revoke it and I don't know about you, but I have no intention of going against Don Thousand's orders" Vector continued and chuckled darkly. An action that had Nash flare up in anger once again, and soon Vector found himself slammed up against the wall.

"I don't care what you think or feel. All I care about is helping Yuma return to the way he was before. Whatever Don Thousand did to him, you march up there right now and tell him to reverse it!" Nash yelled at him "I would myself, but I am already on probation. The way Yuma is now he would not survive it mentally if I disappeared again, and I know you know it too Vector. So, gain some courage and ask him!".

"This has nothing to do with courage Nash" Vector huffed and pushed his rival away from him. "You know as well as I what the chaos god is like. He hates it when people are trying to tell him what to do. Gods have that condescending arrogance around them that makes them believe they know everything better. Besides, I can't just waltz in there and make demands like you. He will chain me in an instant, and I like the long leash I am having, thank you very much".

"What the hell are you talking about Vector? What leash? You don't have a chain on you" Nash huffed annoyed. All of which made Vector chuckle darkly.

"Ah. Dumon did not fill you in, did he? And here I thought you were close. Best friends and such" Vector said and chuckled darkly.

"Stop playing games Vector! What are you not telling me?!" Nash demanded to know. All of which made Vector chuckle in an evil tone.

"Fine. You want the truth" Vector said and grinned again. "Out of all the former 7 barian emperors, you Nash, are the only one with free will. Everyone else, including yours truly, are only, what did our sweet master call it, oh yes, pets for his selfish gain. He does only need to state an order and we will come running to him. Like good obedient dogs on leashes. Isn't it lovely?".

"W-what? There is no way you..." Nash replied in pure disbelief, but then his eyebrows narrowed dangerously "Prove it!".

"What? You don't believe me? I am hurt, Nash!" Vector said in a pretending hurt voice "Why would I need to lie to you?". Nash huffed at that.

"Because you hate me. You lie, trick, and deceive people. Do I need to go on?!" he responded in a firm tone. Vector rolled his eyes at him, but to be fair he did understand his reasoning.

Vector wouldn't trust anyone over his doorstep. Besides Yuma of course. So, instead, he grabbed around Nash's wrist and pulled his hand on his Lapis at his chest.

"You are a smart guy Nash. I am sure you can sense his energies in the mix. Close your eyes. Sometimes it helps" he then advised Nash.

He could hear Nash growl annoyed, but seconds later, he did as Vector instructed. Mostly because this was in close to soul to soul as it could get. Not that Vector was going to reveal anything beyond the energies his Lapis was wrapped in.

"It is true" Nash then said. Horror was written all over his face now "Why is he doing all that? We served him...".

"You are talking about a time when we were all tricked by him Nash. Face reality, we would all betray him if we had a chance" Vector huffed back "I certainly would and so would you".

"Then why am I not chained like the rest of you? I am the strongest and most rebellious out of all of you. He knows that, so why..."

"Because you belong to Yuma of course" Vector cut him off and chuckled "Think about it. Yuma surely would notice if his strong, precious, Shark, was obediently following his father's orders without complaint. He would question the deal they made, and so Yuma might try to leave. That is the last thing he wants".

"Grr, and I thought you were manipulative Vector! I am so going to maim him!" Nash hissed angrily "If he wasn't using Yuma as a shield, I would so maim him right now. Can't he see that if he continues with whatever plans he is having with Yuma, he is going to ruin him? Yuma is a person. Not a tool for him to use!".

Vector hummed somewhat at that. It was not like he disagrees but knowing Don Thousand that was not his true goal. Sure, he had not told Vector anything substantial about his plans, however, Vector had been his vessel for a long time. He knew his train of thought. At least for a bit. Pain suddenly ran through his whole body, and Vector could hear his voice run through his head like an annoying headache. "Come!".

"Well, will you look at that? The master is calling me" Vector said and chuckled his insane laughter. "I would say it was nice chatting with you Nash, but then I would be lying.". He summoned a portal and was about to leave when Nash grabbed his arm and made him stop.

"At least try making a case for Yuma's sake Vector. You are Don Thousand's favorite. He might listen to you" Nash pleaded. All of which made Vector laugh again.

"Me? His favorite? You must have been eating too much chaos if you think that. He hates me!" he said and pulled out his grip "That said, take good care of our Yuma Nash. See you, never!". Then he went through the portal.

Time skip.

Vector let out a complaining grumbling sound for the mullioned time that day. His body was repulsed by the touch that petted him yet again. Why? Just why was this happening to him of all people? Why couldn't it be Dumon or Alito? Or preferably Nash. Yeah, Nash betrayed him too so why was he, not the one suffering this humiliation instead of him? Why was he the one he wanted to stay with him after this meeting with all the other barian enforcers was done? Why? Just why?

"You seem displeased Pet. What is the matter?" he could hear the deity rumble out in what Vector only could guess was satisfaction.

"Oh, you know, the usual" Vector huffed annoyed. "Why not try something different for a change. Like doing this to Nash or Dumon? They betrayed you too you know".

"They were not my vessel" the deity responded in a cold tone "Had you stayed loyal to me all this could be yours, alas you rip what you sow Vector. Now you will be treated as the dog you are".

All of which made Vector hiss at the sharp nails hitting his scalp forcefully. To be fair he did deem himself lucky that the deity was in an extremely good mood today or things might have been worse. Sitting here close to the throne petting him like this was child's play in comparison to the punishment he could have gotten. Vector had a feeling it had something to do with Yuma. The latest dinner they had been having was going very well. Seen from an outer view that is. Yuma had behaved splendidly and conversated with him. However, now that Vector knew how Yuma truly felt, he knew it was far from the truth. Yuma was fawning. Behaving correctly to please his father and avoid any sort of conflict with him. That was how scared he was inside. His true emotions were buried so deep within him now that barely any joy was surfacing when Yuma finally was left off the hook. As Nash had stated, if this continued, it would ruin Yuma completely. Vector lifted his head looking up at the deity sitting on the throne close beside him. Right now, he was busy screening the floating crystals in front of him. Vector hesitated. If he wanted to make Yuma's case, it was now or never. Who knew when this good mood of his would ever resurface again? That said, this was Don Thousand. Who knew what would happen? He had to play this exactly right.

"Master, what are you doing?" he asked curiously. He needed an icebreaker. "Are you following Mi... our lost renegade?". Don Thousand growled in displeasure.

"No. I am following Eliphas and the futile attempt of a resistance" he mused out in a cold tone and swiped away one of the crystals in front of him "They seem to be unaware of the true purpose of the numbers given to them. It is quite amusing".

"I am sure it is" Vector mused back at him. His eyes fixated on one of the floating crystals near him. A tiny picture there, barely visible though, gave him an idea.

"Is that Yuma's foster parents I, see?" he then asked.

"Those fools can barely call themselves anything. They were not raising the boy" Don Thousand huffed "Swooping around in things that do not concern them. Look at what that brought them. Forced to swear allegiance to Eliphas of all people. Pathetic!".

Vector hummed thoughtfully at that. It was not like Don Thousand was any better at raising Yuma. Not that he ever would voice that.

"True. They are of course nothing compared to you" Vector complimented. "You being the ruler of not one but two whole worlds. Just out of curiosity. If I had stayed loyal, would I have gained any of this? I mean in comparison to what Yuma would get off course". He could hear Don Thousand chuckle at that.

"Would you not like to know" the deity mocked and grabbed around Vector's neck and pulled him, so they were eye to eye.

Vector was grateful he was in his barian form right now, or he would have trouble breathing. That was how hard he was squeezing. He could see the evil smirk radiating on the god's lips now.

"In comparison to Yuma, you would have gotten nothing pet," the god said, "You should be grateful just being in his presence and carry that free will of yours".

"And I am. Believe me. I am eternally grateful" Vector rambled on like crazy. "Life could not be better for him or me for that matter. I love how you managed to raise him so well. Making Yuma so scared, broken, and unhappy. That is quite some feed What is your secret?".

Vector let out a surprised gasp when Don Thousand let go of him. Only for the god to grab him in both his wings, scraping the gems lingering there with his hand. Excruciating pain ran through his nerve system now.

"What pathetic lies are you conjuring up this time Pet? My Son is not unhappy!" The deity shouted angrily which made Vector feel like he got roared at by a herd of ferocious lions. It was something he could live without for sure.

"Master, your first order to me, was that I could never lie to you" Vector reminded him fearfully "I do not know how you did it, but you scared Yuma into submission".

Wheezing angry sounds were coming from the deity now. The pain soon followed and hit him hard, but Vector tried to ignore it the best way he could. He needed to tell everything before the god forced him into silence.

"He... he has nightmares. Of you. Of what... he thinks..." Vector tried saying while fighting numbness that was emitting all over his body now. He could feel something tear, but he continued "He is scared. Master, if you continue, he will... never love you...".

A loud anguished roar could be heard now and before Vector knew it, he was falling. Falling and continuously falling down the extremely long staircase, which would have killed a normal human by now. Vector, however, did manage to let out a defeated groan as his suffering was finally over. Or so he believed when two sets of arms grabbed him and yanked him up from the floor. Two barians, that being Girag and Nash surprisingly, were holding him in a tight grip, and were looking up at the enraged deity at the top of the staircase. Vector shuttered slightly at what he had created. He had never seen Don Thousand this angry before. It was like seeing lightning that could strike any minute.

"Master...?" Girag questioned puzzled. His eyes wandered over to Vector before settling on the angry god again. It was clear he had no clue what to do now.

"Take that pathetic excuse of barian away from my sight" Don Thousand yelled furiously "No one is to be near him, feed him or speak to him before he is ready to admit his traitorous lies regarding my son".

"But he is not..." Nash muttered before Girag stepped on his foot and forced him into silence. They began leaving, dragging Vector with them. He did however try one last attempt in Yuma's favor.

"Yuma is still frightened and unhappy! Ask him anything out of the ordinary and you'll see. You will all see. Yuma is unhappy!" he shouted as loud as he could.

Outside.

"Vector, are you out of your mind?!" Nash scolded him the minute they were far enough away from the throne room.

"Nash, we are not allowed to..." Girag began, but Nash cut him off.

"We have not carried out our duty yet. Meaning his orders are not in effect yet" Nash reminded him, before turning to Vector again. "What were you thinking?!".

"Hah? What do you mean...?" Vector muttered. Everything on him hurt. He could barely walk. That was how numb his body and feet were.

"I was going to make a case for Yuma!" he got out within a blur.

"Yes, but not this way!" Nash sneered "You let him maim you completely, but all you did was constantly talking. You made him rip off one of your wings". Vector lifted an eyebrow at that. He didn't remember that. No wonder he felt out of balance.

"Ah, so that is why my back is so sticky" Vector joked and chuckled in a low voice "Now I am more similar to Yuma than you are. Ha-ha!".

"Vector..." Nash growled, but he never elaborated on that.

Not that Vector wanted him to. Getting pity from his archnemesis was beyond humiliating.

"I told you, I was not his favorite" he instead muttered "He hates me for going against him when I was dueling you that time. If I had, maybe I would be better off than a dog he can kick whenever he feels convenient for him. You were always his favorite out of all of us. Always has, always will be".

"I seriously doubt that" Nash huffed "He maimed you one too many times if you would ever think that. He hates me!".

"Ha, yeah right. You, oh so free former barian emperor. Where is your leash?" Vector demanded with a huff. Jealousy was reeking in his voice now "You, the great Nash. The one with his shiny throne who commanded all of us, because He chose you. Don thousand's little favorite because you were deemed his preferable Vessel over me! Bah! I feel like I shall throw up!". Surprisingly, that made Nash stop, and as he did, so did Girag because he could not carry all of them.

"What do you want me to say Vector? That I am sorry I had to be the leader of the barians. That I am happy that I got chosen. That I feel sorry for you?" Nash yelled back at him. "I never wanted any of that kind of responsibility. I never wanted to be chosen as his favorite or be his vessel, and I sure as hell never will feel sorry for you. No matter how pathetic you are". Vector snorted right back at him.

"Well, that is at least something. Can you go back and tell him that?" Vector responded in a mocking tone, that soon had Nash grab him in wild fury.

"Grr, what the hell is wrong with you?! He maimed you almost to a bloody pulp in there and you want his recognition for being his favorite?!" Nash yelled at him. "Why is that so important to you huh?!".

"Because it is all I have!" Vector ended up shouting back at him "You always had everything, Nash. You had a kingdom and were loved by your people. Even as a barian things didn't change. But what do I have? Nothing. You robbed me of my kingdom, my title, and any love I ever would gain in the future by taking Yuma from me too. The only person that saw the good in me and guess what I just paid him back. Ha-ha look at the scoreboard you are so behind, in helping Yuma now Nash. I win!".

"And I think you have a concussion" Nash stated with a heavy sigh and together with Girag began dragging him away to who knows where.

A, N: And well, that was that chapter. Interesting I must say. Vector taking one for the team. Or in this case Yuma. As I am sure you noticed he might not show up for a while. Hopefully, this was not all in vain and Don Thousand does notice the changes in Yuma. You never know with him. In the next chapter, we have what I intended to add to this. Yuma's point of view mostly and how much he changed. Then bam fluff. Or so I hope. Vector did sneak into this chapter, so everything is possible, I guess. Please comment on what you think so far.