Finding myself in this situation I kept wondering what the heck was I going to tell them?
"I would like to know the answer to that myself"
Then realization hit me. I could just ask Dave!
"Dave, what's going on? Are you the reason I'm not affected?"
Dave: Indeed it's because of the system host. Bear in mind that this is just a temporary protection which can fail at any minute.
My eyes widened at that statement and I raised my right hand to my temple.
"Shit! If the protection disappears, what'll happen to me?"
Leo: What's the matter?
Leo asked probably because he saw my reaction.
Dyne: I just-
I stopped mid-sentence when I noticed a silver gleam. Without thinking I jumped towards Luna and pulled her to the ground with me.
Akiza saw me moving suddenly and tried to stop me to protect Luna but she was a step too late.
Both Leo and Akiza wanted to say something but an object crashed right at the spot where Luna was initially standing on.
Dyne: Are you alright?
I asked Luna while making eye contact, not bothered by the fact that I was still on top of her. She looked surprised but not scared.
Luna: I'm ok, thanks to you.
Hearing her confirmation, I smiled, stood up and helped her to her feet. Then I turned to look at the object on the ground while Leo hugged his sister.
Dyne: A sword?
It was a large silver sword with a weird warped hilt. I looked to Akiza and we both instantly turned our head when we heard footsteps.
Step after step after step. It came from a shadowy corner of the room. A man appeared as the shadows receded.
He was clad in black armor from head to toe except for his shoulders. Even his face was covered with a visor of the same material leaving his mouth exposed. A red cape-like cloth extended from underneath the chestplate. His long hair had the same red color as the cape.
?: Oho? I missed?
He stopped a few meters away from us and spoke in a deep charismatic voice.
Akiza: Who are you and why did you attack Luna?
He chuckled at her question.
?: Attack? Oh no, that was just a greeting. You can say it was a greeting from one emissary to another.
A sly smile appeared on his face. An undisguised provocation.
Luna: What do you mean 'from one emissary to another'?
Luna clenched her fists asked her question while I stayed silent taking it all in, trying to understand the situation.
?: Haven't you been to the spirit world a few times? Only an emissary can do that by themselves.
Akiza: What do you want?
?: Right now, nothing much. I came here since you three were gathered together but it seems a pest managed to bypass my field.
Disgust was evident in his voice as he looked at me.
Dyne: How about you tell us your name oh high and mighty one.
I said sarcastically.
?: You dare disrespect me you lower lifeform?!
His previous calm demeanor was shattered as he spoke angrily. He raised his arm and the silver sword was dislodged from the ground and flew to his hand. He went into a throwing stance and I felt a shiver through my spine.
"Shit! Dave! Give me my disk and deck!"
Dyne: Now!
I raised my left arm and shouted.
The man was about to throw his sword at me but stopped when a dueldisk materialized around my left arm.
?:What?!
Leo, Luna & Akiza: Huh?!
Just as I was about to say a snarky comment, my deck started releasing light. It got brighter and brighter until no one could keep their eyes open.
"What Happened?"
The light disappeared as quickly as it appeared but something's changed.
??: I am HERE!
Someone close to me shouted.
A man's voice, filled with energy and confidence.
I opened my eyes and gasped. In front of me was someone all too familiar with me. He had a sky blue armor with gold attachments to his chest and legs. On his shoulderpads two shields were attached with the same colour pattern.
The one who appeared was Number 105: Battlin' Boxer Star Cestus. He was standing in a 'heroic' pose with his fists on his waist.
Luna: A spirit?
Luna muttered and Leo looked even more surprised.
I wanted to say something but the red-haired guy interrupted me.
?: Who are you? Name yourself!
He demanded but his stance was a bit guarded.
Star Cestus: Who am I? That's not a matter you should be concerned with. What should concern you, is how much time I'm going to give you before you lose your life.
His voice was calm, like he was talking to a regular neighbor but at the end it became sharp and it felt as if the surrounding temperature dropped a few degrees.
?: You're interesting!
The guy shouted and charged towards Star Cestus with his sword in hand. It only took a fraction of a second to close the gap and he begun slashing with a speed that was difficult to follow with a naked eye.
Contrary to the attacking party's expectations, Star Cestus was not fazed and was able to use his shoulder shields to deflect the attacks. Not making any progress even after a few slashes, the guy stopped and jumped back.
?: Tsk this is a waste of my time and I've completely lost interest.
Hearing that, I couldn't help but retort reflexively.
Dyne: It seems like you're running away though.
?: Big words coming from small vermin.
He turned and walked away. As he approached the shadows, his body started melding together with the darkness.
?: My name is Gorz and pray that this is the last time you meet me.
His voice echoed around as as his body completely disappeared.