Chapter 2 - Chapter 02

"Thank you, miss! Hope to see you again soon!" I said with a polite bow to the woman and her kid as they left the store, each carrying a bag of groceries. The faint scent of fresh bread and detergent lingered in the air as the automatic doors slid shut behind them.

"Hey, Marcus!" my manager called from the back. "Can you give me a hand for a second? We need to put the new booster packs on the shelves!"

I turned toward her and smiled. "Of course, boss," I replied, stepping away from the register. I glanced at Yumiko, the trainee, who gave me a nervous but determined smile as she slid into my spot. "You've got this, right?" I teased lightly.

"Don't leave me for too long!" she muttered with a wry smile, already fumbling with the receipt tape.

I joined my manager near the storage area, where three small boxes of card packs sat on the counter. The bright colors on the packaging caught my eye—this was the newest edition.

"Won't we need more stock than this?" I asked, tilting my head as I picked up one of the boxes. Three cartons felt… light.

She waved a dismissive hand. "Nah, this'll be enough. If people want cards, they can go to an actual card shop. These don't bring in much profit anyway," she said, brushing a strand of hair from her face as we walked to the display area.

As we worked together, unpacking and neatly arranging the booster packs on the shelves, I noticed the faint hum of fluorescent lights overhead and the soft murmur of shoppers moving through the aisles. The familiar routine of the job was almost calming.

"Marcus," my manager said once we were done. Her tone was warm but brisk. "Thanks for the help. Can you head back to the register? I'm not sure if Yumiko can handle it alone right now."

I chuckled. "Don't worry, boss. I've trained her for a whole week. She won't mess up… I think." I smiled, giving her a playful shrug before heading back to the front.

"Hey, Yumiko, your shift's up," I said as I approached the register. The last customer of the day was just finishing up, the faint beep of the scanner signaling the end of the transaction. It was already noon, and with the store closing soon, this was probably one of the final sales of the day.

"You didn't run into too much trouble, did you?" I asked as the customer left.

"Nope, all good, boss," she said, flashing me a quick smile. "I fumbled a couple of times with unpriced items, but I figured it out. You weren't gone that long anyway."

"Good to hear," I replied with a nod. "You can head out—you've put in your hours for today. And don't forget, you've got school tomorrow. Go study."

"Thanks, Marcus," she said, gathering her things from behind the counter. Her bag rustled as she stuffed her notebook and pencil case inside. "I'll probably be late tomorrow, though. My last class is Duel Theory, and the professor loves dragging it out."

I chuckled. "Don't take it lightly, Yumiko. You've got a bright future ahead of you. This is your last year at Duel Academy, right? Any idea what you want to do after that?"

She paused, her expression lighting up. "I want to go pro, just like my mom!" she said, her voice full of determination. She zipped up her jacket and slung her bag over her shoulder. "I'm going to dethrone Jack Atlas and take his throne as King of Games!"

Her energy was contagious, and I couldn't help but grin. "Big goals, huh? Well, you better not slack off, then. Go get some rest and be ready to chase that dream."

"Got it!" she said with a wave as she headed out the door, her excitement still radiating as she disappeared into the sunlight.

"She'll make a good meal," Grapha's voice rumbled in my head, low and dark.

I shook my head, a wry smile tugging at my lips. "So, that must mean she's strong, right?"

"Not particularly," Grapha replied, his tone laced with amusement. "But she has a radiant soul—the best kind of treat."

"You're a sick dragon, you know that?"

"And you're a weak sack of meat," he shot back, irritation crackling through my mind.

I chuckled softly, which only seemed to annoy him further. His irritation was oddly satisfying. "Don't worry," I said. "We'll have plenty to feast on soon. I've got a trip to the docks later tonight."

"I sense darkness stirring in this city," Grapha said, his tone shifting to something darker, more focused. "Around a road nearby. It seems the Lord's prey has finally made a futile move."

I grabbed my jacket and slung my bag over my shoulder, feeling the weight of the duel disk inside as I left the shop. "We can't take them all down," I muttered under my breath, ignoring the faint hum of the bustling street outside.

"Not alone," Grapha admitted, his voice dripping with something close to amusement. "But there are others we can… weaponize. The Signers—they're the natural enemies of Nightshroud's prey."

I frowned at the suggestion. "We're not taking their souls, Grapha," I said firmly.

The dragon roared inside my mind, his voice shaking me to my core. "You'd let the warriors of the Crimson Dragon defeat them?!" he spat. "If they banish the snacks of Nightshroud, the Lord's power will never return!"

"We'll figure something out," I said, pushing the door open and stepping into the cool afternoon air. The faint scent of the ocean drifted in from the docks, mingling with the metallic tang of the city. "But I'm not doing this just to feed him."

Grapha didn't reply, but I could feel his displeasure simmering in the back of my mind. Tonight would be interesting—if not for the prey waiting at the docks, then for the battle between my plans and Grapha's hunger.

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The docks were as busy as ever, even at night. Crates and shipments poured in from every corner of the world, the workers moving like clockwork under the harsh glare of floodlights. The air was thick with the sharp tang of saltwater, oil, and rust, mixing with the hum of engines and the steady rhythm of dockworkers shouting orders across the harbor.

But I wasn't paying attention to any of it. My focus was locked on the Satellite, its jagged silhouette cutting into the horizon like a scar against the night sky. Calling it a city was generous—it was more like a prison.

I stared at it, a bitter taste rising in the back of my throat. The people there weren't just unlucky; many of them had been sent there after the smallest misstep. Steal food to survive? Get caught dueling without the right permissions? You'd find yourself shipped off to the Satellite, branded as trash, forgotten by society. And if you were born there, well, tough luck. No escape. Just a life sorting through garbage until your body gave out.

It wasn't just a wasteland. It was a stain—a reminder of how broken New Domino's system was, though most people here pretended it didn't exist as long as it stayed out of sight.

Sector Security was the only authority there, but they didn't enforce the law. Their only job was to keep the people trapped, to make sure no one rebelled or dared to climb their way out.

Even dueling was forbidden. If anyone managed to scrape together a working deck from the junk dumped there, Sector Security would find them. Owning cards was enough to get you arrested and sent to the Facility. The crime? Hoping for something better.

"How disgusting," I thought, my lip curling as I dissolved into shadow, my body slipping into the cool night air like smoke. The Satellite had its share of darkness, and tonight, I had business to take care of there.

"You're too soft, sack of meat," Grapha's voice growled in my head, sharp and impatient. "These creatures are nothing more than souls to harvest, yet you pity them. Stop feeling sorry for your food."

I ignored him, the cold wind rushing past me as I flew toward the Satellite. Grapha had his way of seeing the world, and I had mine.

The flight was short, and soon I hovered above the wasteland. My cape billowed around me as I looked down at the broken streets below. The city was quiet at this hour, but the faint wail of sirens and the harsh lights of Sector Security vehicles lit up the distance. They were chasing someone, no doubt, but that wasn't my concern tonight.

I flew lower, rushing through familiar streets. The sights and smells were as I remembered—damp concrete, rusting metal, and the faint, sour stink of garbage. After a few minutes, I reached my destination: a rundown shack barely held together by scraps. A pitiful shelter, guarded by kids no older than ten and a rugged man who looked like he'd seen too much of this life.

One of the kids squinted at me as I approached, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. Then his face lit up, and he bolted toward me with a wide grin.

"It's big bro Darkness!" he shouted, his voice full of excitement.

I braced myself as he rushed forward, his tiny arms wrapping around my leg like I was some kind of hero.

"We missed you!" they cried out, their voices overlapping as I heard the rush of footsteps. The other kids joined in, four of them in total—three boys and one girl. Their clothes were worn, their faces smudged with dirt, but they all wore the same bright smiles.

"It's time for me to keep my promise to you guys," I said, glancing at each of them before turning my eyes to Stephan. He stepped out of the tent, scratching the back of his head with a wry smile.

"Even you, Stephan," I added with a small grin.

"Hello to you too, Darkness," he said, his tone dry but warm.

I took a deep breath, my voice steady as I addressed them all. "I'm going to get you out of here. I've finally gathered enough to take you five to New Domino City. No more of this gutter trash. No more struggling to survive in this place."

Their faces lit up almost instantly, their excitement bubbling over as the hugs came faster and tighter. Arms wrapped around me from every direction, and for a moment, it felt like the weight I carried wasn't so heavy.

"Big bro Darkness, is this true? Are we really going to leave the Satellite?" one of the boys asked, his voice trembling with disbelief and hope.

I felt a small smile creep under my mask, one they couldn't see, but I hoped they could hear it in my voice. "Of course," I said, steady and confident. "I never lie, remember? You're all going to live together in a big house. I made sure of it."

Their cheers echoed in the cramped space, full of pure joy. It wasn't the kind of happiness you saw every day in this place, where smiles were rare and fleeting. This was different. Genuine.

I didn't miss the way Stephan was watching me from the corner of the tent. He stepped forward, clearing his throat. "Darkness," he said, his voice low but firm. "A word, please?"

The kids hesitated, but with a few reassuring pats on their heads, they reluctantly pulled away, leaving me alone with him. Stephen folded his arms, his expression unreadable as I turned to face him.

The quiet between us was filled with the faint hum of the wind outside, rustling the worn fabric of the tent. The Satellite was never truly silent, even at night. Somewhere in the distance, I could hear the faint echo of a Sector Security siren, a reminder of the world we were still standing in.

"Leaving the Satellite isn't going to solve everything," Stephansaid finally, his tone cautious but calm.

"I know," I replied, keeping my voice even. "But trust me, Stephant, no one's ever going to hurt you or the kids again. I'll make sure of it."

He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. The lines on his face looked deeper tonight, and his eyes carried a weight I knew all too well. "Do you have papers? A plan? Getting out is one thing, but what happens after? A house is a big deal, but I don't want these kids to step into New Domino and end up just like they are here—forgotten."

I met his gaze, "Listen, Stephan. You saved me. You took me in when you didn't have to. You helped me remember who I was when I didn't even know myself. You and the kids are everything to me. I'm not someone who forgets a debt."

I reached into my coat and pulled out a thick folder, its weight solid in my hands as I held it out to him. "Here," I said.

Stephan hesitated, then took the folder, his fingers brushing against mine briefly. He opened it, flipping through the carefully arranged papers inside.

"Everything you need is in there. IDs, paperwork that says you're a single father with a divorced wife who passed away two years ago. It's all airtight. The kids will be enrolled in school two months from now when the new term starts. They'll have time to settle in before then."

Stephan stared at the papers, his jaw tightening as he absorbed the information. The flicker of doubt in his eyes slowly gave way to something softer—relief, maybe, or trust.

"You've thought of everything," he said quietly, his voice almost breaking.

"I told you," I replied "I always pay my debts."

For a moment, we stood there in silence, the weight of everything unspoken hanging between us. Then he nodded, tucking the folder close to his chest like it was something precious.

"Thank you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

I didn't respond, but the small nod I gave him was enough.

"So, come on, let's pack up your things! The house is ready for you!" I said with a smile, gesturing toward Stephan as he called the kids back to the tent. I crouched down to help gather what little they had, stuffing worn clothes into a couple of battered suitcases and crates.

"Hey, big bro Dark!" Juliette's voice piped up behind me. I turned to see her tugging at my sleeve, her wide eyes full of curiosity. "Will we have cards to play with? Like big bro Crow's gang?"

I let out a soft sigh, setting the crate of clothes down and resting a hand gently on her hair. Her dusty curls were soft under my fingers. "Not right now, but I promise, I'll make sure you all get a deck one day," I said, giving her a reassuring smile.

Her face lit up instantly, and she practically bounced on her feet. "Let's go!!" she shouted, running off toward the others to share the news. Her voice was so full of joy it almost made me forget where we were.

I stood up, brushing dirt off my hands, and turned to see Stephan approaching with his luggage slung over his shoulder. He walked slowly, his steps heavier than usual.

"I'll want them to go to Duel Academy someday," I said as I glanced over at the kids, now excitedly packing their things together. "When they're old enough."

Stephan nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I'd love to see that," he said quietly. "To see each of them get the chance to chase their dreams. Not like me." His voice was tinged with regret, the kind that ran deep.

I looked back at the kids, their laughter cutting through the grim surroundings of the Satellite. "I'll do everything I can to help them grow into great people. They deserve better than this," I said, my tone firm. "Right now, they're just kids. They deserve a real childhood. A happy one."

I paused, my gaze drifting back to the familiar broken streets around us. "Nobody deserves to grow up in a place like this. Like rats trapped in a cage."

Stephan didn't reply, but I saw the flicker of agreement in his eyes. We both knew what it meant to survive here, and we both knew that for these kids, things were going to be different.

A few minutes passed as we finished gathering the kids' belongings—what little they had—and soon they were all standing around me, their excitement palpable despite their worn expressions.

"Alright, everyone, it's time to go," I said, reaching into the shadows, pulling at the familiar power within me. Darkness shot out, swirling around us like a cloak. None of the kids flinched or cried out—they'd seen me do this plenty of times before.

I focused, mentally mapping out our destination, and in an instant, we were there. The shift was seamless, and suddenly, we were standing inside a large house. I flicked my fingers, and all the lights came on with a soft click. The glow of the bulbs illuminated a clean, spacious home. It wasn't extravagant by New Domino standards, but for these kids, it might as well have been a palace.

"So, everyone," I said, turning back to the group. "Pair up. I need two pairs since there are only two bedrooms for you all."

The kids jumped into action without hesitation, quickly forming their pairs. It was almost too smooth—until I noticed the way Nozoi was glaring daggers at Kakui. My lips twitched into a smile as I pieced it together. Nozoi wanted to share a room with Juliette, but she'd chosen Kakui instead. Stephan must've noticed too, judging by the heavy sigh he let out behind me.

"Alright, follow me," I said, breaking the tension as I led the group through the house.

The next hour was spent giving them a proper tour. I showed the kids and Stephan everything they needed to know—how the lights worked, how to use the appliances, even something as simple as turning on the water. The youngest ones were wide-eyed with curiosity, poking at switches and opening cabinets, while the older kids listened closely, nodding at my explanations like they were memorizing every word.

Stephan stuck close, asking questions here and there, mostly about things the kids might need in the coming days.

I took my time, making sure everyone was comfortable and that nothing was overlooked. This house was theirs now, and I wanted it to feel like a home, not just another stop on their rough journey.

As we wrapped up, I glanced out the window toward my own apartment down the street. I'd deliberately picked this house because of its proximity—I wanted to be close enough to keep an eye on them, to make sure they'd be okay.

"Alright," I said, clapping my hands together. "You've got everything you need here. Settle in, and if anything comes up, you know where to find me."

The kids beamed, and for the first time in what felt like forever, they looked like they had hope.

The kids rushed to their new bedrooms like a storm, laughter and excited chatter trailing behind them, leaving Stephan and me alone in the living room.

"Care for a smoke?" I asked, pulling a pack from my coat as I leaned against the wall.

Stephan chuckled, a low, warm sound that felt oddly grounding in the quiet. "It's been years since I've had one," he admitted, scratching the back of his head. "But yeah, I think I'd like that."

With a flick of my wrist, the mask dissolved from my face, and I felt the cool breeze from the open window brush against my skin. I handed him a cigarette, lighting his first before taking my own. The faint crackle of the tobacco and the sharp, earthy smell of smoke filled the air.

"You know," I started after a moment, exhaling a thin plume of smoke, "you're the only person I can talk to. The only one I can really… confide in."

Stephan took a slow drag, letting the smoke curl from his lips before replying. "Not great at making friends, huh?" he said with a knowing grin.

I shrugged, tapping ash into a nearby tray. "Not really. I find people in New Domino… bland. They're all obsessed with working themselves to death or worshiping duelists who don't have half the skill they think they do. It drives me insane."

Stephan chuckled again, the sound light but thoughtful. "You're just different, Marcus," he said, using my real name instead of the alias everyone else knew me by.

I glanced at him, curious, as he leaned back in his chair, staring at the smoke curling toward the ceiling.

"From the moment I met you, I could tell. You didn't belong—not with the people of New Domino, not even with us at first. You fit in with the kids and me eventually, but when you first showed up, you were like a block of ice."

His words carried weight, a mix of honesty and something softer, like concern.

"I've never seen eyes as empty as yours," he continued, his voice quieter now. "Even the kids—despite everything—still had hope. But you… You were different. Pure darkness."

I stayed quiet for a moment, his words hanging heavy in the room. The sharp tang of cigarette smoke lingered in the air between us, the faint hum of the city outside filling the silence.

"Maybe I was," I said finally, taking another drag. "But I guess darkness has its uses."

Stephan chuckled again, the sound deep and warm. "That it has," he said, exhaling a puff of smoke. "Even darkness can bring hope, huh? Guess there's still a flicker of light, even in the deepest pits."

I knew he was joking, but his words made me pause as I took another drag from my cigarette. The sharp burn of the smoke filled my lungs, grounding me for a moment.

"When I washed up in the Satellite, I'd lost everything," I said finally, my voice quieter. "My identity, my purpose—everything. Being with you and the kids gave me something I didn't think I'd find again. Hope. But back then, I thought about ending it all more times than I can count. Suicide felt like the only way out. A way to escape from what I had to do to survive, to try and get back to what once was."

Stephan glanced at me, his expression steady but softer than usual. "Marcus," he said, his voice low and even, "I don't know what happened to you, but time can't be changed. What's done is done. You can't rewrite it."

I nodded, letting his words settle over me like a heavy blanket. "Good advice," I murmured. "But it's not time I'm talking about." I hesitated, flicking ash into the tray before meeting his eyes. "To reach my goals, I've had to… end people. People who would've hurt a lot of others. But still, they were people."

Stephan studied me for a long moment, the cigarette dangling between his fingers as he puffed out another cloud of smoke. "I don't think that's the whole truth, and not that killing these people really bothered you in any way" he said finally.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "You're right. You want the truth? This house—the one I brought you and the kids to—it was bought with money from criminal activities. Multiple, in fact. All within New Domino City."

Stephan didn't flinch. He just smiled, the corners of his mouth tugging upward as he let out another low chuckle. "As if that would scare me," he said, shaking his head. "I've done far worse, Marcus. That's why I ended up in the Satellite in the first place."

"I know," I said, my voice firm. "But the kids… they must never know. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure you and they live without any problems. I'll give you everything, everything I have, to make sure you're all happy."

Stephan's smile softened, and he nodded, his silence saying more than words could.

We finished our cigarettes in silence, the faint glow of the embers fading as I gazed out at the city. New Domino stretched before us, its skyline dotted with cold blocks of concrete and towering high-rises. It was beautiful in a way—clean and polished from a distance—but up close, it was just stacks of gray stone designed to pack people in like sardines. Only the Tops had any real beauty, their glimmering buildings rising high above the rest, as if to remind everyone where they didn't belong.

I flicked the last of my cigarette into the ashtray and stretched, feeling the stiffness in my shoulders ease slightly. "I'll be going," I said, turning to Stephan. "I've got work to do tomorrow."

As I spoke, I let my mask return, the familiar shroud of darkness slipping around me like an old friend. The cool, shadowy energy hummed faintly against my skin as I adjusted it. "Tell the kids I said goodnight," I added. "And that I'll see them tomorrow after work."

I was about to teleport when I felt two arms wrap around me from behind, catching me off guard.

"Thank you, Marcus," Stephan said, his voice low and full of emotion. His grip was firm but not desperate, like he was holding on to hope itself. "Thank you for everything—for the kids, for all of this. I'll strive to become what I couldn't be back then. For them."

For a moment, I didn't move, letting the weight of his words settle over me. The faint scent of cigarette smoke still clung to him, mixing with the cool night air.

"You'll do just fine," I said quietly, my voice steady but soft.

With that, I let the shadows rise, and in an instant, I was gone.