Chapter 14

Final Push

Darren saw the blood and rush into the room. "ZACH, LIL." Darren saw Zach and Lilith layed out on the floor covered in blood. "How could... No... They can't be..."

Not wasting time Hiryu ran over to them and bent down touching both their throats, "They're still alive only barely. Send Dark Blade for for a Medical team from the school and hurry," Hiryu quickly pulled out a med kit from his pack. Blushing slightly at the fact that even bothered to carry one. yeesh, think I was boy scout or something, he thought.

"Yeah right," Darren said. "But one thing first." Darren bent down and grabbed Zach's deck. he pulled out 9th Starr-Empowerment of Light. "Zach unlocked it so any of us should be able to use it. Don't worry buddy, I'll finish this." Darren held up the Millenium Scale and said, "Dark Blade these guys need a doctor and I'm not talkin Crowler."

Hiryu continued to patch up what he could glancing around the room spotting a dark set of clothing in next to Zach, "Ninja wannabe shed his skin."

"Well that means Zach didn't kill him that's good I guess. Wouldn't want that on his conscience," Darren stated looking releaved.

Hiryu nodded, "Hope Z, put the fear of god inta the moron before he passed out," he murmered gently bandaging Lili's forearm, the blood slowly subsiding. The beat down duelist then turned to Zach checking the wounds. "Zach's injuries are superficial, heck most of this ain't even his blood, who ever Ninja boy was he's probably limpin' away."

Darren looked at Zach. "Oh no," he said out loud. "He did that! No wonder he passed out."

Not being privy to Zach's abilities Hiryu looked in confusion, "What, did he do that's got ya spooked?"

"Zach uses the power of Dark Master-Zork who's one of the three dark Duel Spirits. When he get mad enough, he unleashes a butt load of power to destroy anything in his way. But there's a line and when Zach is on the wrong side of it he looses control and no one's safe. He must've done just that and passed out tring to bring himself back to normal. That idiot, he knows he could've killed Lil with that kind of power without even tring," Darren stated glaring at Zach.

Clarissa walked in with two paramedics. They started to put the two victims on stretchers. She looked at Hiyru,"You're not injured, are you?", she asked with concern.

Hiryu stepped back letting the paramedics do their work, with a small smile he shook his head. "I'm alright Risa," he said then gathered her into his arms to show her. "How bout you?"

She smiled as she placed his head in her chest, "I'm fine, just worried about you."

"We're fine," Darren said. "I'm just hopin Z and Lil can say the same soon."

Hiryu lightly pulled himself back looking down into her eyes cocking his head to the side looking at her, "I'm here and I'll never leave ya, just promise me you'll do the same?" Hiryu nudge Darren, watching Zach and Lili slowly awak up, "Man, ya guys look like shit," he chuckled lightly trying to lighten the mood a bit.

Zach held his head. "Oh my head. What did I..." Zach looked at Lilith and remembered everything. "Oh no Lilith. I'm so sorry. Are you ok?"

"She's alright man, maybe a little pale from blood loss, but nothin' major, and the blood loss wasn't you," Hiryu paused. "Though maybe handin' her flowers next couple of days and apologizin' like heck." Hiryu pulled Clarissa in tighter. "But Darren and me knows where yer coming from, can't help but lose it if yer girl is in trouble."

"I lost control," Zach said with his head down. "And almost lost Lilith because of it. I..."

Darren walked up to Zach and punched him in the back of the head. "IDIOT! How many times have I told you not to turn into the Dark Master. You almost did something you couldn't take back!"

Hiryu watched them for a moment, "I tend to agree with Darren, judging by what he explained. Was pretty foolish to transform into something ya can't control. Could killed Lilith, and ya probably severely injured Ninja wannabe wherever he vanished to." looking around Hiryu spotted a card on the ground, walking over, his eyes widen in shock. "Looks like I found Ninja wannabe," he stated holding up the Strike Ninja card. "The damn Ninja was a duel monster spirit."

"Then I didn't kill him?" Zach said a little releaved.

"Yeah Zach," Darren said. "But ya sure did try. You gotta watch that. I mean ya coulda brought the whole place down if ya did any more damage."

Hiryu tossed the card to Zach. "Ninja boy probably was severely injured in the fight and had to retreat back into the Shadow Realm. In order for that clown ta wake up again he's going to need a duelist that'll use him, otherwise he'll start doin' this crap again."

"Strike Ninja huh," Zach said as he looked at the card. "Darren your the warrior guy you can use him better than me."

"Awesome," Darren said. "Thanks Z. Think you can get up and go?"

"Sure D," Zach said as he sat up.

Hiryu smiled, "Let's take our girls and get them out of this dark rat infested hell hole," he states lightly. "Seven Star Asssassin's are done man, we beat the bad ones, saved the damsel, and probably got a month worth of Fusion homework to deal with," thinking about that the young beat down duelist groaned, "god I hate, fusions."

"Hah, you and me both pal." Darren said. "Your right, we can go."

"But wait," Zach said. "Strike Ninja said the gate's already open. Shouldn't we do something about it?"

Darren smiled and said, "Its all good, Z. Even if the gate's open we gotta get more info on the Hellmouth thing before we can take it down."

"Yeah, so let's get Lili back to the dorms so she can recover and relax before we go off lookin' for info on this Hellmouth thing," Hiryu stated with a shrug, "Personally I could use the time off, savin' the world is rough work."

"Heh heh, I know whachya mean," Darren said. "A heroes work is never done right? Oh and Zach, Strike Ninja's better off with you. I'm the Warrior guy but your the Dark guy."

Zach took Strike Ninja back and said, "Ok if you say so. I beat him anyway so I guess he's my responsibility." Zach put Lilith on his shoulders carefully and said," Lets go."

"You should really be more careful Zach." Clarissa said, innocently. "Darren and I looked into the history of this place and you will find numerous accounts of odd occurrences. Now, I believe that this whole area is a center of mystical energy Things gravitate towards it that you may not find elsewhere."

"Okay," Darren said. "We'll do that but first things first, we gotta make sure Lil's alright."

Clarissa looked around a little, "We're up against something I don't think we can stop..."

"Heh heh, ya shouldn't give in that quick," Darren said with a grin. "We got this far so we can go all the way and finish this. Believe it!"

Lilith opened her eyes, "I... I feel really weak..." she said.

"Ok... to fix the gate you need a spell," Clarissa stated.

"LILITH," Zach said. "I'm so sorry are you alright?"

Darren looked at Clarissa. "What spell are you talking about."

Lilith gave him a small smile, "... you saved my life."

"But I almost killed you," Zach said while holding Lilith close to him. "I couldn't stop myself and I... I'm so sorry you had to see me like that."

She grabbed his shoulders, "you didn't mean to hurt me."

"But I couldn't stop myself," Zach said. "I'm too dangerous to be around. I could accidently kill you at any time. I'd understand if..."

Darren walked over and punched Zach in the back of his head again. "You really are an idiot, aren't you. Don't you think being away from you would be worse for her than anything you could do. Even when you're like that."

"Zach listen to me." Lilith said, "I love you and your not dangerous to be around so don't worry trust me."

Clarissa look at Zach, "The ambulance is on its way. They'll fix her up at the hospital, okay."

"I love you too Lil." Zach turned to Darren and Hiryu. "Guys you can handle things from here, right."

Darren smiled and gave a thumbs up. "No prob Z. Take care of Lil good ya hear? And don't even think of leavin her side or I'll knock ya again."

Hiryu stands there quietly gently putting his arm around Clarissa. After few seconds pause, "Let's hope whatever's truly behind this Hellbound crap cuts us a break for a while."

"Yeah," Darren said. "cuz anyone who looks can see we need it."

Hiryu snorted with a laugh, "Specially you," hugging Clarissa tightly. "Well, let's get Lili ta the hospital wing. Clarissa a set of blazers for whatever dorm she'll be in, then get lunch."

"Awesome!" Darren said. "What dorm's that gonna be anyway? Do ya know yet?"

Hiryu frowned rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, "Don't know, Professor Banner was suppose to tell us, but we got caught up with Mr. Strike Ninja."

"Well lets go do that while Zach takes Lil to the Hospital Wing. They could use some alone time."

"Zach..." Lilith said, "I love you ..." she was bleeding badly and blacking out

"I'll go get the stuff for the spell," Clarissa said.

Hiryu quietly followed her, "So what do we need?" he asked.

Clarissa walked next to him, "We need at least 4 people to do this, and draw a pentagram or a purple cloth make sure the cloth is big enough for everyone to sit on and 13 candles on the points," and she looks at Hiryu, "I need to practice the chant for the spell," she smiled sweetly, "and didn't get far on the research for the spell."

"I can handle the research," Zach said. "Even from Lilith's hospital bed. You just worry about that chant."

--

The only sound in the cold room was the sound of the heart monitor all the medical devices that were hooked up to lilith, keeping her alive."…Zach …" she whispered Then… beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep the monitor screeched

"LILITH!" Zach said. "What can I do? No... I can't let this happen." Zach went into his deck and pulled out a card. "9th Star- Empowerment of Light save Lilith!" The card started glowing and a ray of light hit Lilith's body.

"Za... c...h " Lilith moaned, "It... hurts... I'm... so cold..."

"Don't worry... the Star of Light... can help you. Its... yours afterall... because your a Star duelist." Zach was struggling not to pass out. He had to save Lilith.

--

Rubbing the bottom of his chin as they walked Hiryu sighed, "Sounds like will have ta raid Doctor Crowler's office and make it look like one of his oh so coveted Obelisk did it," with a smirk taking Clarissa's hand. "Want ta help me in a bit of deception my sweet?" sounding like the Wicked Witch of the West, poorly done. "And what does the spell sound like, maybe I can help ya with it."

--

The ritual went about as planned, Lilith was returned to full health and the small clique that formed grew stronger as the months rolled along. However an even darker force loomed over the horizon. And new chapter in Duel Academy is about to be written.

Author's Note: Well that's the end of it as far as I know, look out for the next installment in The Fourth God Card.