This better be worth it. Xanth growled as he marched down Luna Lane in the Twilight Market. He was walking with his two goblin henchmen, Varseen and Vallen.
"My sources say this is the best place to find old books and tomes! You just have to be in the right place at the right time", Varseen declared.
Xanth grunted in response, too flustered by the various stores surrounding him that involved pink sparkly objects, cookies, and toys.
"Here it is!" Varseen said in a whisper, as he stopped in front of a black door. Vallen squatted down so Varseen could stand on his shoulders and grab the lambda door knocker. Before he knocked, he suddenly brightened and turned to Xanth. "I have a great idea! Before we go in this place, why don't we go over to that bakery I saw on Astra Avenue and get some donuts! The ones with the pink frosting and the sprinkles on them!" Varseen exclaimed.
"Yeah!" Agreed Vallen.
I have an even better idea. How about I inflict an excruciating amount of pain upon your physical person so that in a fit of madness and desperation you open that damned door and let me in? Xanth rebutted.
"I like his idea better", Vallen said, pointing upwards at Varseen.
Xanth glared his ruby gaze at Vallen and Varseen, causing Vallen to gulp, and Varseen to hurriedly knock on the door. After a few moments, the door swung open, and they all walked into the three story atrium that was the foyer of the Lyceum. Xanth glared around at the magical trinkets, not seeing anything that interested him, but then his gaze fell on the upper floors where all the books were shelved. Striding over to the stairway around the blackened trunk, he merely crossed his arms and floated upwards as if he was inside an invisible elevator. He then stepped off on the second floor and began to peruse the collection of books. After several hours of careful selection, he had amassed a small stack of tomes that he found interesting enough to purchase. As he rounded the last aisle, he found himself staring at a curious assortment of Duel of Magic memorabilia. There were old fanzines, programs, and souvenirs pertaining to the various duelers over the more than 25 year history of the sport. Xanth's glance was almost cursory until it happened to fall on one particular unofficial program:
Xanth stopped and read the cover. The memories of that night came flooding back to him. Even with all his victories in the Duel of Magic, being the first All Title Holder, having the most Elemental Towers, he felt he always came in second when compared to DeAngelo. He remembered all the times that Lem had defeated him, how he felt that if he could just gain that one elusive and decisive victory over him, that he would be seen as the best Mage in RhyDin. After years of frustration, he had been sure that that would be his night.
At first, that didn't seem to be. Lem had jumped out to a 3.5-1 lead in the first match, but using all his ability to focus, with an Arctic Blast, Wizard Blades, and a Foul Fog, they were tied at 4.5 in the 6th round. Xanth used his favorite spell, Wizard Blades, hoping for the win. But Lem and his wintry blast took the round and the match.
He lost by that one point. Xanth would win the second match, but lose the third. So it all came down to that one round and that one point. One point away from him being the Best, from being Number One.
Slowly Xanth took the program in his black gloved hands. His ruby gaze seemed like it was boring a hole into the paper as he recalled what might of been.
Varseen walked around the corner. "Hey, whatcha lookin' at? Oh, ArchMage, huh? You haven't been ArchMage since . . . "
Watch it, Xanth barked. Varseen cringed and ran back around the corner.
Xanth focused on the program again for a few long minutes.
In the end, I did defeat you, DeAngelo . . . in a way. For you are gone . . . and I am still here . . . and I still fight.
Xanth put the program on top of his pile of books. He floated down to the pentagon shaped desk. He held up the program to the cashier. How much is this?
"Oh, that's quite a collector's item, that'll be . . . " Adjusting their glasses, the cashier then rapidly looking between the program and Xanth himself standing there in person. "Uhh . . . Twuh-twuh-twuh-twenty five silver nobles."
Xanth grunted a bit in displeasure, but added it to his haul. When he turned to the door. Vallen was standing there, holding half a pink, frosted donut, with more frosting smeared around his mouth. "Hey Varseen . . . I found those donuts you wanted and . . . " Vallen stopped and winced as Xanth approached.
Get going. Xanth commanded, pointing at the door. Vallen and Varseen then scurried out with Xanth following close behind.