Silence hung in the air for an uncomfortably long time. The smoke on Kei's field slowly cleared and, behind its veil, revealed himself to still be standing, though unsteady. [color=9C5F25]”Not... yet!"[/color] he groaned. His LP counter appeared next to him, the number on it reading a solid 2400. Next to Kei was a trap card that had been glowing brightly ever since the smoke cleared. [color=9C5F25]”Before you attacked my monsters... I activated... Nutrient Z! With another 4000LP, I survived your attack...!"[/color]

"So you survived huh? Seems like we are not the only ones with tricks up their sleeve to survive death against the odds. Good job, kid." Haruo spoke, giving a thumbs up that was mimicked by his monster. The two were in perfect sync with each other. "The effect of our Pride of the Weak Activates. Since we destroyed one of your monsters by battle and we have no cards in hand, we draw 2 cards. Turn end." 

[color=9C5F25]”Ngh... It's not kid, it's [i]Kei![/i]"[/color] he yelled, drawing his card to mark the start of his turn. The boy was breathing heavily from the exhaustion that had slowly been intensifying, reaching a breaking point when this new monster had appeared. The way it and his owner moved in perfect harmony was downright [i]unnerving[/i]. It reminded Kei far too much of that Red Ogre duelist. If this guy was the same as him, then Kei absolutely could not afford to lose this duel...!

The boy looked down at his hand. He didn't have many options, but he knew one thing: he needed to do something about that monster, or he had no hope of winning this duel. [color=9C5F25]”I activate Block Attack!"[/color] Kei shouted, desperately activating the card. King of the Skull Servants was forced into defense position, switching its grand 4000ATK for a nonexistent 0DEF. [color=9C5F25]”I'll break through with this... let's go, Partner! [i]Silent Severing Slash![/i]"[/color] Kei instructed LV5, who dashed forward and cleanly sliced through the skeleton. But unfortunately for Kei, it wouldn't stay down for long. Just as the King crumpled into a pile of bones, those selfsame bones begun reassembling themselves. Before long, the King of Skull Servants stood proud and tall on the field again, his 4000ATK staring the boy down again.

"Sorry kid, but we can't afford to fall that easily," the king and Haruo both said, each opening the palm of their hand and shaking their head. "The little ones count on us to protect them... and we inherit their wishes. By banishing a LV1 monster in our graveyard, our faithful Skull Servant, we revive from our destruction."

Kei grimaced, staring down at the last card in his hand. He paused, a hesitant [color=9C5F25]”..."[/color] as he looked down at his one remaining option. [color=9C5F25]”I'll set one card, and..."[/color] Kei trailed off, looking up at his monster. Silent Swordsman just kept his eyes focused on the king.

...Kei didn't want to end his turn. No matter how exhausted he felt right now, his partner had been through much worse. Once again today, he was facing down a 4000ATK monster. During the next turn, the king would attack Silent Swordsman LV5, definitively destroying it. Kei would have another 700LP and live to the next turn, but he couldn't do a damn thing to protect his partner. He clutched his fist in frustration and bit his lip. [color=9C5F25]”...I..."[/color]

[color=ABEFD6]"It's okay. I'll protect you."[/color]

That same voice, again, reached out to Kei. He looked up, but his partner was still staring straight ahead. Kei was sure of it this time, though- sure of who that voice belonged to. The boy looked up at Haruo. [color=9C5F25]”...Hey, you."[/color] he addressed him. [color=9C5F25]”'Not harmonious, or parasitic.' That's what you said, right?"[/color] Kei asked, determination in his eyes. [color=9C5F25]”I think... I know what you mean now. I've been hearing his voice for a while now..."[/color] he said, looking down at his hand. Then the young duelist clutched it, threw it to the side and stared straight at his opponent. It seemed he caught his second wind, brimming with fighting spirit. [color=9C5F25]”After this duel is over... tell me everything! Tell me about my partner! I end my turn!"[/color]