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I followed Yusei to the garage so I could observe how he worked on his Duel Runner. Tanner had walked down to meet us and give Yusei a warning about his opponent. I knew Shira was going to be knocked out and replaced by Hunter Pace, but I didn't say anything about it.

"What do you know about this Shira?" Yusei asked Tanner without looking up from his Runner.

"A couple fellas I know had a run-in with him a few years back in the underground duels." Tanner answered. "According to them, he wasn't a fan of playing nice. Back then, he was calling himself the Shadow Reaper. Apparently, he never takes off those creepy robes of his." He paused briefly. "You plan on using Stardust Dragon?"

"I'm saving Stardust for my duel against Jack." Yusei replied. "And when I face him, he's gonna wish he never gave it back to me."

"So you won't use your ace monster if we end up facing each other?" I asked after remaining quiet for a while.

Yusei looked over his shoulder and smirked. "I might make a exception for you, since I still owe you for the hospitality."

I smiled. "Great. And I promise I'll try to synchro summon my strongest monster since it's...rather complicated."

Tanner laughed. "You like to be the silent one with surprises, right?"

"Something like that." I replied. "I'm going back to the lounge."

"You don't want to join me, gramps and the kids in the stands?" Tanner asked. "The kids miss you."

I shook my head. "No thanks. I'm not fond of being around so many loud people. I also have some claustrophobia."

"I understand." Tanner said before he left.

"Are you sure you don't want to be with the others?" Yusei asked me.

I looked at him, confused. "Hmm."

"If you start to act up like before, at least you won't be alone." He explained.

I was touched with his concern, but still refused. "Don't worry, Yusei. I'll be fine. Besides, there are staff members and other duelists in the lounge, so I won't be alone if my heart acts up again."

Yusei didn't look convinced, but he let it go as he sat down on his Duel Runner with his helmet on and started the engine.

"Good luck out there." I told Yusei.

Yusei sent me a warm glance. "Thanks." With that said, he left the garage for his Turbo Duel in the arena.

I walked out of the garage and made it to the lounge just in time as the duelists were introduced. Greiger was still sitting on the couch as Akiza sat far away from everyone else. Her aura told me that she felt lonely, but also scared of being prejudiced. Not only were the few remaining duelists casting dirty glances at her, but so were the staff members.

I made up my mind and walked over to Akiza, but first I bought two cans of juice from a vending machine in the lounge.

Akiza didn't see me coming until I sat down next to her. She looked up, surprised to see me.

"What are you doing here?" She asked sharply.

I gave her a small smile. "I thought I could keep you company."

Akiza was even more surprised with my reply, but then she narrowed her eyes. "Well, I don't want your company!"

I wasn't really affected by her outburst, but I couldn't help but feel a bit sad for her. I gently put one of the cans of juice down in front of her. She looked confused.

"I thought maybe you were thirsty after your duel with that tin can." I said as I opened my can and took a sip, tasting the refreshing orange juice. "He had no right to insult you with all those words like you're a cursed person, because you're not." Akiza's eyes softened as she actually seemed to listen to me. "And even if you are cursed, you wouldn't be the only one here."

Akiza blinked in confusion. "What...do you mean?" She reached her hands out to her can of apple juice and held it.

I looked at her with a gentle expression. "Because...I'm also a so-called cursed individual."

Akiza's eyes widened and she was about to ask me something when we heard the announcement that Hunter Pace had taken Shira's place. I wasn't surprised.

XXXXXXXXXX

Akiza and I watched the Turbo Duel together while also interacting with each other. I could tell that she was slowly warming up to me, since I was probably one of the few people who willingly talked to her.

Just then, we heard the announcement that Yusei had synchro summoned Junk Warrior. I turned to the screen and watched the Synchro monster attack Hunter's Skull Flame, but the attack was negated by his Speed Booster trap card.

I started to feel a bit worried about Yusei. Even if I knew that he won in the anime, things were so realistic that it affected me a lot more.

I noticed Akiza glare at the screen, her eyes narrowing at Yusei. "Why do you dislike Yusei?"

Akiza growled under her breath. "Because of his Mark..." She touched her right arm where her own Mark was.

I glanced at Akiza's arm and could tell that she hated her Mark for real. I didn't say anything and kept watching the Turbo Duel.

XXXXXXXXXX

Yusei made it to the semifinals when there was a special announcement. The losers of the first round would be given a second chance to make it to the semifinals. I stood up from the chair to greet Yusei when he entered the lounge. He had put his helmet in our shared locker when I walked up to him.

"Congratulations." I smiled. "You were great out there."

"Thanks." Yusei nodded as he closed the locker.

We turned to the screen when the MC called Luna's name. They found her among the stands and even used a spotlight to show her to the audience.

"Luna's dueling?" Yusei said, surprised.

I was worried about Luna, because she was now going to face the Professor.

"I'm guessing they finally got the right kid for the match, huh?" Greiger suddenly spoke up as he stood next to us. "You know, by the end of our duel, I didn't think the boy was half-bad. I can't wait to see what his sister's got."

I grabbed my left arm in concern as I could sense Luna's fear. I was starting to wonder if I had a emotional connection with every Signer.

"You look worried, Estelle." Yusei noted. "Are you concerned about Luna?"

I looked up at him. "Yes."

"May I request that Estelle Malmstrom join me?" Luna's voice spoke from the speakers. "Just to be next to me on stage."

I looked up, surprised that Luna made such a request. Was she so scared of dueling alone?

The MC privately spoke to Goodwin before turning to his mic. "Goodwin approved Luna's request, as long as the contestant doesn't interfere in her duel. Estelle Malmstrom, would you care to join us?"

I let out a huge sigh through my nose. "I had a feeling Luna would request this."

"What do you mean?" Yusei asked me.

"I'll explain later. I have to go so the duel isn't delayed." I replied quickly before walking out of the lounge.

XXXXXXXXXX

I stood several meters away from Luna so I couldn't see her cards and help her. For a moment, I heard the voice of Luna's Kuribon. Was I also hearing the voices of Duel Monster Spirits?

Luna had the first move and summoned Sunny Pixie just like in the anime. Then the Professor summoned his Symmetry Rorschach and tried to hypnotize and manipulate Luna. I couldn't jump in and snap Luna out of it otherwise I would be disqualified. The arena was suddenly surrounded by a holographic forest. It was the field spell Ancient Forest.

I turned to the stands and found Leo among the crowd. He started to look faint just like Luna. I turned back to Luna and noticed that her eyes were hollow. She was back in the world of Duel Monsters Spirits!

Ido the Supreme Magical Force was also summoned to the field and growled at the girl who didn't respond at all. The audience started shouting encouraging words when they noticed that Luna was in a trance.

I wanted to go over to Luna and snap her out of it, but she had a important meeting with the guardian of the Duel Monster Spirits world. I couldn't bring her back to reality yet.

Luna's Sunlight Unicorn attacked Ido the Supreme Magical Force and both monsters were destroyed. Then I heard the Professor say the magic words.

"I broke through."

I had enough and walked over to Luna, ignoring all the shouts about why I went to help the little girl. I knelt down next to her and saw that her eyes were still hollow.

"Luna?" I spoke. "Luna, can you hear me?"

When I didn't get a response, I lifted up my left hand and put it on her shoulder. A second later, I felt my soul being pulled into another world when my body became faint, but still kneeling.