Destined to be Yours

Chapter 24: The Beginning of an Epic Battle

Akia was feeling a bit worried about her friend. She started going towards the place Mai came out from.

"Where is she...?" Akia pondered as she kept walking around until she spotted the blonde woman."Mai-san!" The red-eyed girl called out.

When Mai heard Akia's voice, she stopped walking and turned around. "Akia-chan? Why are you here? You're not going to watch your brother's match?"

"They'll fill me in if I miss it. What's more important is how you're doing, Mai-san." Mai looked surprised at Akia's words. No one had ever cared much for her feelings.

"You... You were worried about me?"

"Of course, Mai-san! I mean... I do think of you as a close friend."

"Friend..." Mai smiled. Akia and her group of friends were very odd. At first, she openly disliked all of them, especially Jounouchi. But now, it was different. She really enjoyed being around all of them. She just didn't know if they felt the same way.

"Why didn't come back? I was looking forward to seeing the duel with you," Akia told her friend.

"Well, I did lose, so I thought there really was no point in me staying here any longer than I have to."

"But there is a reason! You could stay because I want you to."

"You really want me to stay?"

Akia nodded. Mai smiled.

"Then I guess I will," the blonde woman replied.

"Great! Let's go back in there then!" Akia took Mai's hand and dragged her back to the arena. By the time they reached, Yugi had given the final blow, which brought Jounouchi's life points down to 0.

"Jounouchi..." Mai called out his name.

Even though he lost, he had a smile on his face. It was a satisfying duel for him where both him and Yugi gave their all.

"Finally, the final round! Will the finalists please come to the arena? Mutou Yugi and Mutou Akia, our resident twins. This promises to be a very interesting battle," Pegasus announced.

"Oh! It's my turn!" Akia exclaimed

"Show us a great duel out there, Akia," Mai told her.

Akia held her deck firmly, "I'll fight with everything I have. Whether I win or lose, I'll be satisfied with the results."

"Because we're both after the same thing."

On her way to the arena, Akia bumped into Jounouchi.

"Jounouchi," she said his name.

"Akia... I look forward to your duel," Jounouchi expressed.

"The prize money," Akia reassured him, "either me or Yugi will get it to you."

"You don't have to-"

"It's not for your sake; it's for your sister's sake," the red-eyed girl interrupted him.
Jounouchi then nodded, "then I'll swallow my pride for this one. Thanks, Akia."

Akia grinned, "prepare to witness an epic duel!"

With that she headed inside the arena and took her spot.

"Since both of you wish to duel me, the loser of this match will get the prize money. The winner will advance and have the chance to challenge me for the title of King, or Queen, of games. It's a win-win situation, don't you think?" Pegasus announced.

Akia and Yugi looked at each other from across the platform. Akia knew very well that, this time, she wasn't dueling against her brother, but against the spirit of the millennium puzzle. It was going to be the toughest duel yet. However, she was fully prepared for whatever the other Yugi was going to throw at her. It was going to be a close fight. A very close fight.

"This will be interesting, don't you think?" Akia told the one in control of her brother's body.

Yugi smiled, "I look forward to dueling you, for real this time."

"Considering I never actually duelled against you, I'm really looking forward to this."

"Let me just warn you that it will be completely different from the times you duelled against aibou. I won't go easy on you."

"I don't expect you to. Actually, I want you to go all out, or you won't stand a chance."

"Alright then..."

"DUEL!" They both yelled out together and drew their first five cards. It was about to be one of the most intense duels yet.