Gale ran almost blindly down to the Action Dueling pavilions, where she expected Brent would be. Though she had passed Josh along the way, and though he had seemed to offer something to her, she was beyond worrying about that. She wanted nothing more than the protection her brother could give her. Gale had guessed his location right, and found him there standing next to some other guy. "Brent!" she cried. "This guy . . . he just . . . we Dueled and . . . he said . . . " Gale was trying to tell Brent what had happened, but was having difficulty gathering her thoughts and speaking between her sobs.

"Calm down Gale," he coaxed, putting a relaxed hand on her shoulder. "Breathe slowly, okay?"

She followed his advice and did what she could to slow her breathing. She was still sniffling, but she would be able to speak finally.

"Better?" Brent asked.

Her only response was a very subtle nod.

"Alright. Start from the beginning. Who is 'this guy'?"

"Some guy named Korbin," she began, her voice still shaky. "He came to the Ritual classroom and Dueled me. Then he beat me and said that I was . . . I was . . . " she stopped again and started crying.

Brent's resolution became fierce in the single moment it took her to begin bawling again. He hadn't heard what this "Korbin" character had said, but he had heard enough. Normally, he wasn't the fighting kind of person, but he was also very protective of his younger sister. [i]No one[/i] would hurt her on his watch, and he would make this known to whomever tried to.

"Press?" Brent asked, now trying to keep himself from becoming overly angry until he could look the culprit in the eye. "I know I've barely met you, but I've got to go settle some scores for my sister. Mind sitting here with her just to make sure she's alright? I'm trusting I'd be leaving her in good hands with you."

---

"'[url=http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Masked_Beast_Des_Gardius]Masked Beast Des Gardius[/url]', attack his face-down monster," Kaeru commanded, completely unentertained that he and some other student were being used as examples in front of his Special Summoning class.

"That triggers its effect," his opponent said. "'[url=http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Giant_Rat]Giant Rat[/url]' now Special Summons my '[url=http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Superheavy_Samurai_Big_Benkei]Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei[/url]' from my Deck in Attack Position. Then, since it was Special Summoned 'Big Benkei' switches itself into Defense Position."

Kaeru yawned.

"What, not impressed, yet? Quick-Play Spell activation: '[url=http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Inferno_Reckless_Summon]Inferno Reckless Summon[/url]'! This Special Summons two additional copies of 'Big Benkei' to my field! And since the effect of your 'Des Gardius' requires Tributes for its Special Summon, and you only have that one monster on your field, it looks like you won't be getting the same benefits," the other boy taunted.

Kaeru didn't even care. "You know, I think I'll take advantage of your quick Summoning. I Tribute two of your new trio, Special Summoning '[url=http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Lava_Golem]Lava Golem[/url]' to your field," he explained calmly, throwing the card across the classroom to the other student. Then, moments later, the monster appeared on his side of the field. "I'll continue by equipping that 'Lava Golem' with '[url=http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Mask_of_the_Accursed]Mask of the Accursed[/url]'." With his words, the hideous mask appeared on the head of the already gruesome golem, engulfing its face. "I end my turn here," Kaeru said blandly.

"I draw," the other student said as his turn started.

"Then during your Standby Phase, 'Lava Golem' melts away 1000 of your Life Points," Kaeru said.

The other student seemed slightly annoyed as his Life Points were whittled down to 1600. Then again, said student was trapped in a cage. "I activate '[url=http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/The_Reliable_Guardian]The Reliable Guardian[/url]', boosting 'Big Benkei's' DEF by 700 points," the student said, and "Big Benkei" was increased to 4200 DEF. "I'll also activate '[url=http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Acidic_Downpour]Acidic Downpour[/url]', which is a Field Spell that also increases 'Benkei's' DEF, this time by 400." Again, "Benkei" grew stronger, now becoming 4600 DEF points.

"Now for my Battle Phase," the student said. "Since 'Benkei's' effect allows it to declare attacks while in Defense Position, using its DEF for its ATK, I'll have 'Benkei' attack 'Masked Beast Des Gardius'!"

Kaeru made no attempt to negate the attack or even reduce the damage he was about to take. His monster was struck down and he was reduced from 4000 Life Points to 2700. "This activates the effect of my destroyed monster, allowing me to activate '[url=http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/The_Mask_of_Remnants]The Mask of Remnants[/url]' straight from my Deck. When activated via this effect, this mask will take control of one monster it equips to, so my mask which turns the heart of its wearer, the very spirit of betrayal, seize 'Benkei'!"

The mask latched onto the giant machine, which wrestled to remove it from his face. After a few moments, "Benkei" ceased struggling and simply marched to Kaeru's side of the field. "Hehehehe . . . " Kaeru chuckled darkly. "Do you enjoy the face of the traitor? For your own card will be your destruction."

"I end my turn," Kaeru's opponent said.

"Then it's my move," Kaeru began, picking up his card. "Now the effect of my 'Mask of the Accursed' inflicts you 500 damage." The student's Life Points dropped to 1100, and Kaeru didn't bother with what card he had drawn. "I activate my face-down card, '[url=http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Phantom_Knights_Shadow_Veil]Phantom Knights Shadow Veil[/url]'. This increases both the ATK and DEF of 'Benkei' by 300 points." The monstrously powerful monster became 4200 DEF, towering over "Lava Golem". "Now, 'Benkei', attack and end this Duel!"

The titan smashed the ground, creating a fissure that erupted, destroying "Lava Golem" and depleting the last of his opponent's Life Points. "Nice try," Kaeru said, certain the student would be having nightmares from the view of such hideous cards, but that was the way Kaeru's Deck worked. The two returned to their seats, and the professor began lecturing again.