《YUGIOH: It's Time to Duel!》 Chapter 1: What is this!? Chapter 1: What is this!? ? [???? POV] I stood before the mirror and stared at my reflection in a daze. Staring straight back at me was a young woman with aquamarine eyes. She has a truly beautiful appearance. I pinched my cheek and pulled as the woman in the mirror did the same. Eventually, I let go and groaned as my face became slightly swollen with redness, contrasting with my soft porcin skin. I sighed and fiddled with the light blue hair that ran down my shoulders, reaching my waist. Finally, I nced down at my chest, where there were tworge melons that made my shoulders stiff. I poked the melons and they made a strange bouncy noise: "This isn''t happening..." I muttered, and a soft, charming voice left my throat. [A/N: MC''s appearance is based on Esdeath.] I threw myself onto the bed in the corner of the room and buried my face in the pillows. I screamed and kicked the bed in frustration. After ten minutes of yelling and rolling around, I sat up with a tired expression and observed myself in the mirror. ''Even with messy hair, I looked good....'' Now you may be wondering, who am I and why I''m currently having an identity crisis as we speak. In the simplest way possible to say it, I''ve died... If I said this to a stranger on the streets, I would probably be considered an insane person and be locked away in an asylum. However, despite this absurd im, I knew I''d died since this wasn''t my original body and a body I woke up in. My past name was Aki Kudo, and I used to be an ordinary Japanese girl. Well, normal wouldn''t be the correct word to describe me as a nerd. I never had any friends and people will always avoid me due to my gloomy atmosphere. Dark silky hair that covered my face, I walked with my head lowered and was shunned. Naturally, being ignored everywhere made my self-esteem extremely low and my social level was so horrible that I would be too nervous to even talk to anyone in the first ce. Thankfully, even with all these downsides, there was something that made my life enjoyable. Yugioh, A Game of Dueling Monsters. I love the card game and would spend my entire time dedicated to this game. Chatting on forums, buying cards left and right, building my own deck, and of course, dueling in tournaments! When I duel, I don''t have to worry about my social anxiety. It''s a game where anyone was epted, and nobody will question your identity, as long you have cards, you can duel! Now, onto my death, I died in a foolish way. One night, I spent so much time browsing through the Yugioh Forum and tripped on the stairs. The next thing I knew, I woke up here, in a new world and a new body. I know that you''re confused about what I mean by a different world, but I''m not lying to you. I really transmigrated into a different world and what specific universe I''m talking about? I sat up and unveiled the curtains beside the bed. "I summon Vorse Raider in attack position, and I will attack your Feral Imp!" "No, not my Feral Imp!" The child whined as he dropped his cards in defeat. Yep, I have been sent to the Yugioh world. I smiled wryly and watched two children below my apartment before copsing back onto my bed: "I still couldn''t believe it, I''m in the Yugioh Universe..." I chuckled in disbelief. I always imagined what would happen if those isekai troupes happened to me in real life. Now that it really happened, I don''t know what I should do...N?v(el)B\\jnn No, what am I saying? Since I''m in Yugioh, it''s normal for me to duel, right? The more I thought about it, the more excited I have be. It really sounded amazing, and I sprang onto my two feet with newfound confidence: "Alright! I will be one of the best duelists in the world!" I shouted. Thankfully, there was no one else in my home, or else I would really die of embarrassment. Now that I''ve set my goals, I first need to gather some information. The name of this current body was called Yuna Sano, and she''s a student at Domino High School. Already knowing this much got me excited to the point that I''m dancing with joy. Domino High School! That''s where all the main crew was from! However, from what I could gather, I don''t have any rtionship with the characters, so despite how pretty I was, I''m still an extra. Well, it''s okay, not that I really care. Besides my school life, I live alone in this tiny apartment. Yuna''s parents supposedly passed away when she was young, so I''m living off of their inheritance. Thankfully, there''s still a lot of money left, so I should be fine for a while. With my situation sorted, I need to n my next move. Well, the first step as a duelist was I need a deck, right? Yuna doesn''t seem to own anything rted to dueling monsters, so I have to build one from scratch. However, with the current timeline in Yugioh, it may be difficult. [Host Sesfully Assimted into Body!] [Starting Download!] Huh, what was that? My eyes darted around the room when I heard a mechanical voice. [5%] [67%] [100%] [Installing] Suddenly, a bright blue screen appeared before me. I was startled and hurriedly jumped back, but the disy seemed to follow me: "Is this one of those godly systems in those cliches??" I wondered. I nervously reached out and waved my hand. My fingers fazed through the digitized panel, confirming my suspicion. epting this fact, I took a deep breath and calmly observed the screen: [Name: Yuna Sano Title: Rookie Duelist Credit: 0 Task (1) Inventory (1) Shop] The system seemed more straightforward than I expected. I hovered over the shop button and pressed it. The disy shifted, and hundreds of cards were listed in front of my very eyes, sorted by their rank frommon to ultra rare. My pupils shone with excitement, and I vigorously scrolled through the list of cards. [A/N: They''re ranked like how master duel ranks them.] The shop also sells things like booster packs and structure decks that make things very alluring. However, apparently, all these items could only be purchased with something called credits, and I noticed that my current credit count was zero. Some cards also cost way too much that I don''t even think it''s worth it. Well, at least it''s there for me to gawk at. I sighed with a heavy heart and exited the shop. Then I pressed the task function, and the disy changed once more. [Task (1) Make yourself known! Start your duelling career by first making a name for yourself! Reward: Five Hundred Credits] Five hundred credits? I grapsed my chin deep in thought. From what I''ve seen previously, that much should at least get me somemon or one rare card. However, the task description was highly vague. Can I do anything as long I could be famous as a duelist? I hummed and finally went to the inventory section. My eyes widened in surprise, and saw the item waiting for me. [Duelist starter pack: 1x Starter Deck 1x Ultra Rare Ticket 1 x Card Box] YES! At least I get something! I hurriedly pressed the duelist starter pack, and I heard the sound of a bell ringing inside my head. I felt something fall onto mymp, and when I nced down, it was a small box. I opened the box, and inside was a small deck of Yugioh cards and beneath was a ticket in rainbow colours with the letters UR printed in the middle. I skimmed through the deck with anticipation, but my face quickly turned into despair: "What the hell is this!" I yelled angrily and tossed the pile of cards across the room. I copsed on the ground: "How the heck I''m going to duel with these?" "Aligator Sword" "Armail?" "and Armoured Zombie?" "What are these garbage?!" I screamed: "I don''t even get a single effect monster?" Even with spell and trap cards, they were mediocre at best with things such as Reinforcement, Wakobu, and Sparks. At least among the pile of trash, there was a Monster Reborn, which I''m at least happy with. Calm down, Yuna. Maybe you think of these as rubbish, but it''s arguably good in this day and age where Link, XYZ, and Synchro don''t exist yet, right? .... .... Who am I kidding? I sighed and stared at the floor in a daze. Remembering the Ultra Rare ticket on the bed, I reached for it and frowned. On the ticket, it exined that I should tear it and it gifted me a random Ultra Rare card. I sighed; even with an Ultra Rare, there were still chances that I would get something useless. Well, what''s there to lose? I tore the ticket with a heavy heart, and the card I got was... Chapter 2: School Life Still Sucked Chapter 2: School Life Still Sucked ? Next day in Domino High [Yuna POV]N?v(el)B\\jnn ck ck ck The sound of my heels echoed across the school hallway. I kept my gaze straight and tried my best not to observe the stares of the students I passed. My heart beat loudly, and I felt my back sweat from nervousness. Even now, my anxiety remains, and I can''t help but imagine what other people think of me. In the corner of my vision, I noticed all the students purposefully avoiding me, their faces were full of fear and surprise. ''Yuna, what did you do??'' I thought with a stiff face. Gathering my courage, I approached a girl who was by herself. She seemed terrified and stared at me with a pale expression. I wanted to say hello, but words won''t leave my mouth; when was thest time I actually tried to hold a conversation with someone? Okay, I read online that to first make a good impression you need to smile. Alright, Yuna, you got this! I slowly raised the edge of my lips: "H...He...Hey," I stuttered. "I''m sorry!" She screamed and barged past me. The student then ran off while covering her face. I sighed and tightly clenched my fist. I guess that once a loner, always a loner... [3rd POV] Meanwhile In the corridor, the student gasped and hurriedly made way for the beautiful girl walking down the hallway. Yuna Sano, everybody in this school knows her name. Her appearance fits the title of the Ice Princess, a silent person that seemed to hold a domineering presence. Her personality was extremely distant, and she would refuse to interact with anyone. In the past, students would try to talk to her but all they will receive was a stare they said that can create trauma. There were rumors that Yuna was in the mafia or that she was from a powerful family that can easily destroy someone''s life. Even if the rumors were false, it didn''t help nheless. Eventually, people stopped trying and deemed Yuna a cold beauty that could only be observed from afar like a thorny rose. Anyone near her would seem irrelevant as all the focus was on her. However, today seemed to be different as Yuna approached a student, which she had never done. She stopped in front of a young girl, and with her height, she easily loomed over the student. Under everyone''s watchful gaze, Yuna''s lips twitched and twisted into an arc. It was a horrifying smile that felt like it was reminding you thatpared to her, you''re nothing. Yuna then said something intelligible, but the students assumed it was something bad as the girl ran off crying. As they watched the leaving figure of Yuna, they sighed tiredly and continued their day... [Yuna POV] I groaned and rested my chin on my hands. It seems like I had to be alone in this life as well; around me were empty desks that nobody seemed to want to sit at. Luckily, I chose a window seat so I could at least distract myself from the loneliness. In front of me wasughter as a group of students gathered around a table. There were three boys and one girl ying the game of duel monsters. Their appearance was familiar as they were the people I''d seen on a screen. I particrly stared at the short boy as he exined the rules to his friends. Yugi Moto, the main character of Yugioh and the one that held the Millenium Puzzle. I observed with interest another person that piqued my curiosity, the tall boy sitting across the room. Kaiba Seto, Yugi''s rival. Seeing these two here made me realize that I''m in the world of Yugioh, or else I would feel doubt. The ss soon began, and everyone returned to their seat. Surprisingly, the desks beside me were filled, but the people sitting there were desperately averting their gazes. I sighed once more, causing people near me to flinch. Am I that scary? The lessons were rtively normal, and I ignored the teacher while focused on my System Screen. The Ultra Rare card I received yesterday really surprised me. I hovered at the Inventory Section and read the card for the hundredth time. [Name: Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand Rank: UR Attack: 2800 Defense: 2800 Description: If this card is Special Summoned from the Graveyard: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls or in their Graveyard; banish it, and if you do, this card gains ATK and DEF equal to the banished monster''s original Level/Rank x 100. If this card destroys an opponent''s monster by battle: You can target 1 Level 7 or 8 Dragon- Type monsters in the Graveyard, except "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand"; Special Summon it to your field. ] Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand... Seeing it made my mood sour. Ultra Rare, my a$$, wasn''t that a Rare card!? Where''s my Ultra Rare?! I still remember what happenedst night, and I really felt that I was being yed with... [sh Back] "What is this?! Isn''t this a rare card?! I''m being scammed!" [Glitch detected within system; the UR Ticket''s appearance was altered, and in actuality, it''s a Rare Ticket] "Then apologize! I demand a refund!" I screamed. [Unfortunately, the user has already utilized the ticket given] WHHHHHATTTTT So I don''t even get a refund?!!! WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY [sh Back End] I clicked my teeth and startling the ssmates beside me. There''s no pointining about it now; no matter what I say or do, the system won''t allow it. At least in terms of rare cards, what I received was pretty lucky. In my original world, the card itself didn''t seem to y much, but it wasn''t a bad card as it was used in some dragon-based deck. However, this card may truly make a difference for me right now. Completing the first task may not seem so difficult; however, summoning it was a lot different matter. To fully utilize the effect, I need to special summon the dragon from the graveyard, and I only have one Monster Reborn. There were other cards that could do the same, but Monster Reborn was all I get right now. Otherwise, Felgrand will only be a 2800 attack beat stick, which wasn''t something to scoff at. I sighed as summoning DDLF was already pretty difficult, counting the fact that all my monsters have no effect. I nced at the young Yugi intently listening to ss: ''Seems like I need to get some cards...'' And I know just the right ce. Chapter 3: If I help you can I get a discount? Chapter 3: If I help you can I get a discount? ? Next Day... [Yuna POV] I checked the directions on my phone and stared at the small building with anxiety. Kame Game, a store that sold Duel Monsters Cards and it was also the shop managed by Yugi''s grandfather. You may be wondering why I would go somewhere like this. Well, wouldn''t you? This was the ce where it all started and I will be damned if I don''t visit here once in my lifetime. Gathering my minuscule amount of courage, I entered with shaky steps. When I opened the door, the smell of fresh books assaulted my nostrils. I approached the counter where there was an old man with grey hair, wearing a green apron with a dark ck cap that covered his messy hair. The man smiled upon my arrival: "Hello how may I help you?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om I froze and cautiously stared at the man. His full name was Solomon Muto, grandfather of Yugi. I wanted to return the greeting but words won''t leave my lips. After minutes of standing idly like a weirdo, I pointed at a card on the ss counter. "Ah, you''re interested in Dueling Monsters?" Grandpa Muto said with a soft smile. I nodded and he ced the card I pointed on the counter. I gently picked it up and I couldn''t describe my excitement. On the picture of the card was arge pot with a smiling face. Pot of Greed. A spell card that allows the user to draw two cards. A card that was banned in Yugioh and deemed one of the most powerful cards in the game. That same card right now was in my hand and it wasn''t even banned yet. "H....how much...." I muttered. "That card?" Grandpa Muto repeated: "That''s sixty-five yen." EHHHH sixty-five yen???? Was it only that cheap???? [A/N: That''s around 50 cents] I stared dumbfounded and shyly held up three fingers. Grandpa Muto smiled and packed the cards in the bag. I then pointed at the other cards and they were apparently just as cheap as Pot of Greed. Graceful Charity? Call of the Haunted? Foolish Burial? MUHAHAHA they''re all mine! I snickered and continuously buy those powerful cards. I raised my head and noticed Grandpa Muto staring at me with a worried expression. No way, did my face show?? KYAAA ITS SO EMBARRASSING!!!! "Hmm, are you sure you want those cards? They''re cheap because they aren''t that good." Grandpa Muto exined. Um, what... Did you say that they''re not good? Excuse me I think my ears have malfunctioned. He really just said it right? Sensing my doubting gaze, Grandpa Muto cleared his throat: "Cards that just send other cards in the graveyard for no reason? I don''t really know why they made cards like that." I felt like I''m going to vomit blood. If anyone else in my words hears this they will tell you to switch to a different game because obviously, you don''t know how to y Yugioh! But right now, the one that''s telling me this was none other than the grandfather of the Duel King, which makes my headache even worse. "It''s... Okay..." I mumbled. Grandpa Muto smiled: "Well as long as you''re happy." I hugged the bag close to my chest and made my way toward the door with fast steps as that was already enough interaction for today. BAM Suddenly, the door to the store was swung open with force. I was knocked to the side as threerge men dressed in suits entered. They marched towards the counter and the man in the middle pointed at Grandpa Muto with scrutiny. "Solomon Muto, you areing with us!" He stated. "May I ask what for?" Grandpa Muto responded with a frown. "Master Kaiba wished you duel you for your treasured card!" They dered. "Hmph," Grandpa Muto scoffed: "What if I decline?" "I''m sorry, we must insist, or else we may have to use force." The man warned as the two bodyguards stepped forward and revealed... holy sh*t, was that a gun?! I watched quietly like a mouse, hoping that they wouldn''t notice me if I didn''t make a noise. Grandpa Muto wasn''t fazed by the weapons and even cursed Kaiba, calling him a naive brat who didn''t understand the real purpose of the game. As I watched this tense scene, I muttered a praise of bravery for Grandpa Muto as he continued to ramble on and on, not afraid that the guards would actually use the guns on him. Eventually, he agreed and followed the three men. Wait a minute. I remembered now that they were going to meet Kaiba, right? This was a significant opportunity right before my eyes. Get a hold of yourself, Yuna! You can''t let this go! [3rd POV] As the four men went through the door, Solomon stopped as he felt someone grabbing his sleeve. He turned and saw the shy girl pinching his clothes tightly... "Take me.... with you." Solomon understood what Yuna was saying and shook his head: "No it''s dangerous, I obviously couldn''t let you get involved." He tried to shake Yuna off, but she held on: "Can..help," Yuna raised her head and stared into Solomon''s eyes. Despite the emotionless face, Solomon could see the fierce determination in her eyes that made him want to trust her. "You don''t have to force yourself." He said with a wry smile. At first, he was surprised by Yuna''s unapproachable attitude. Solomon realized that she was really just a timid girl, so he assumed that she must be terrified. Unbeknownst to him, what Yuna was actually thinking was how much profit she could gain right now. "W..want help." She said with resolve, and Solomon eventually agreed... I hope you enjoy it Chapter 4: ITS TIME TO DDDDDDDUEL!!! Chapter 4: ITS TIME TO DDDDDDDUEL!!! ? [Yuna POV] Currently, we''re in a ck luxurious car and being taken to KaibaCorp HQ, a multi-millionairepany managed by Seto Kaiba himself. Knowing this information, I always wondered that even if Kaiba was so rich already, why does he need to attend a normal high school? He''s pretty much like a loner like me so I don''t really understand his choices. But since I''m not a millionaire so I could only judge him on amon sense level. As I was saying, the ride was prettyfortable in itself and I spent the time organizing my deck through the system while also rechecking the task. During my time at the shop, I concluded that right now was the best moment for me toplete the first task. If I could defeat Kaiba in a duel, it would easily make me known as a strong duelist. Also wouldn''t rescuing Grandpa Muto be a win for me as well? The way I see it, he''s going to be so grateful that at the minimum I could get a discount in his store! This was obviously a golden opportunity for me! Why the heck would I ignore this? While I was thinking of my reward when I win, I felt someone tapping my shoulder. "It''s okay, they won''t really hurt us." Grandpa Muto soothed. Um, I''m not really scared you know? Why would you think I''m terrified? Unfortunately, all I could muster from my mouth was a weak yes, further amplifying the misunderstanding. Me and my speech impediment... We eventually arrived and were ushered out of the vehicle. I stopped before the building and was pretty impressed. Kaiba Corp HQ was a tall skyscraper with two statues of Blue Eyes White Dragon by the entrance. I was impressed by Kaiba''s obsession with BEWD but it wasn''t exined why other than that it was his main summon in the Egyptian time. But still, this might be too much. As we entered the building, we were guided toward the elevators. The ride was long and uneventful as nobody opened their mouth. When the elevator stopped, we stepped into arge office. The room have a wall made of ss that allow people to overlook the entire city, at the end of the room was arge desk and there sat a tall young man with brown hair and sharp features. He watched us with narrowed eyes as Grandpa Muto and I approached the desk. [3rd POV] Seto stared at the two before him, he was satisfied with his subordinate''s result of sessfully bringing Solomon here but frowned when he nced at the girl behind the old man. Yuna Sano was someone that always has a mysterious charm floating around her. She gave the reputation of being perfect and elegant while keeping everyone away. But why was she here? What was his rtionship with this old man? These unknown variables made Seto feel cautious as he stood up. He eyed Solomon who what watching him calmly: "You have something that I want." "I told you, boy, I''m not handing that card to you," Solomon replied sternly. "I already gave you your chances geezer." Seto growled: "This time, I will take it by force, I challenge you to a duel!" "If I win you will give me that card." He dered while pointing at Solomon: "Then if I win, I will give you my most valuable card!" "Very well! I will teach you a lesson on respect!" Solomon responded. "Good, follow me, old man." Seto scoffed and walked towards the elevator with Solomon following close behind. "Wait..." A soft voice froze them in their tracks as they turned around. Yuna clenched her fists tightly as she stared at Seto: "F...fight me..." Seto couldn''t believe what he was hearing, fight her? As in a duel, he clicked his teeth: "No, I''m busy." "S...scared..." "What did you say?" Seto scowled and red at her. Yuna coldly stared back as Seto subconsciously shivered. He felt that her eyes were piercing into his soul and mocking him simultaneously: "How dare you taunt me, do you know who I am?" "Yes... Want... Fight..." Yuna answered and stood her ground. Solomon was surprised watching this exchange, he could sense the confidence extruding from her and thought that Yuna might have something on her sleeve. "So what? You have nothing to offer me," Seto replied. Yuna grasped her chin and seemed to be deep in thought. Her eyes showed a conflicting emotion before returning to firm determination: "H...have a card... y... you want." "Impossible," Seto frowned: "There''s no card I can''t obtain, don''t tempt me with lies." "N...not lie..." Yuna shook her head: "Y... you can''t get... Only one..." Seto''s eyes widened as he interpreted her word. A card he couldn''t get and she has it? Silence dominates the room and they stared at each other. "Hmph, let''s get this over with," Seto gave in to his curiosity as the elevator door opened. Before Yuna could apany Seto, Solomon stopped her: "You shouldn''t risk it." He warned.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Yuna shook her head: "I.... want" "Then take this," Solomon gave Yuna a card and her eyes widened: "Since it''s supposed to be my fight, the least I could do was to give you this card." "C...can I?" Solomon nodded as they all went in... Ten minutester... The trio went underground of the KaibaCrop HQ where a massive stadium awaits them. Yuna and Solomon stared in awe at theplex construction while Seto walks to one side of the field. "This is the Virtual Stadium, I designed it myself and I believe it will make the game more interesting." Seto boasted. He ordered Yuna to press the button on the monitor. She nodded and hesitantly interacted with theputer on the side. BOOOOM The technology activated and together, they were lifted off the ground: "Since this is my ce, we will y by my rules. We will each have 2000 life points and the first one that reaches o loses." Yuna agreed as she ced her deck in the designated area. Seto smirked: "You better be ready, I won''t show you any mercy." Yuna closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her eyes snapped open and her aura changed dramatically. Seto was caught off guard by her change in attitude. Yugioh was her life and she dedicated her entire being to it, she won''t let her personal issues get in the way. Her breathing rxed and she lost her focus to her surroundings. Yuna met eyes with Kaiba and smirked Yuna was ready... "It''s time to duel!" x2 Yuna [2000 LP] Seto [2000 LP] Chapter 5: My Dragon is Stronger! Chapter 5: My Dragon is Stronger! ? [Yuna POV] "It''s time to duel!" Kaiba and I shouted in unison. [Seto Kaiba: 2000 LP] [Yuna Sano: 2000 LP] Huh, what''s happening..... I ced my hand over my chest and felt my beating heart. It''s calm... Why am I not scared? Why can I speak normally?! I stared ahead as Kaiba yed his first card: "I summon Hitotsu-Me Giant!" He yelled. [Hitotsu-Me Giant: 1200 Attack, 1000 Defence] The space between us lit up like a Christmas light as an enormous green cyclops emerged. The monster''s pupil dialled on me and roared, and it felt so real as I instinctively covered myself with my arms. Even if I knew it was an illusion, seeing it now still frightened me. I took a deep breath and looked at the monster in amazement. This was what duelling was about! My eyes shined in awe, and my shoulders trembled in excitement. However, Kaiba seemed to take that as a sign of fear as he smirked: "It''s not over yet! I used the equipped spell Invigoration! My Hitotsu-Me Giant now gains 400 attacks and 200 defences!" [Hitotsu-Me Giant: 1200 -> 1600 Attack, 1000 -> 1200 Defence] "I will then set a card and my turn!" Kaiba announced, and a faced-down card appeared on the back of the field. "I end my turn; let''s see how you fair against that!" Heughed with arrogance. I drew my card and rxed my mind. I encouraged myself and cleared my throat. For the first time in years, I yelled at the top of my lungs, full of confidence: "First, I use Foolish Burial and send one of my monsters from my deck to my graveyard!" I took my deck and searched for the card I wanted. I smiled as I slid that card into the graveyard. Kaiba, who was watching me, scoffed: "Have you yed before? Why would you waste a monster like that?" "Hmph!" I pouted and ignored him as I continued my turn. "I will summon Alligator Sword in attack position!" I said while a lizard wearing armour appeared on the field. It wields a massive ornamental scimitar and waves the weapon intimidatingly. [Alligator Sword: 1500 Attack, 1200 Defence] "Next, I will y Banner of Courage; during the battle phase, my monsters will gain two hundred or more attacks!" I shouted, and arge g appeared on the side of my field. "Now, Alligator Sword, attack Hitsou-Me Giant!" I pointed at Kaiba''s monster. Alligator Sword roared and charged toward the Cyclops. The Banner of Courage emitted a strange light, engulfing my monster, and the lizard roared as strength entered its body. [Alligator Sword: 1500 -> 1700 Attack, 1200 Defence] With newfound power, Alligator swung its sword, and the giant was shed into pieces. "Tsk", Kaiba clicked his teeth as his life points dropped. [Seto Kaiba: 2000 LP -> 1900 LP] "I will also set one card face down and end my turn," I said in a calm tone. Kaiba drew his card, and his smile widened: "Seems like the match has already ended." I frowned and felt a bad premonition happening: Imend you foring this far, but it''s over. First, I use Ancient Rules!" An old map appeared on the field.: "Ancient Rules allows me to summon a level five or more monster from my hand!" A level five or more... Could it be... Noticing my disturbed expression, Kaibaughed: "Yes, I showcase to you my trump card: BLUE EYES WHITE DRAGON!" "GUO0000000000000!" A monstrous roar shook the stadium as an enormous dragon manifested out of thin air. The dragon was blue, with two massive wings growing from its back. The creature has sharp ws and rows of sharp teeth, and the dragon''s howl bursts my eardrum. [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] "Now, Blue Eyes White Dragon, destroy that garbage monster!" Kaiba ordered. The dragon soared into the sky and dived down on the Alligator Sword, instantly killing it. I clicked my teeth and saw my life points draining right before my eyes. [Yuna Sano: 2000 LP -> 500 LP] Damn, one attack has already taken more than half of my life points. Things were not looking good. Kaiba smirked: "Now, I will activate Mystical Typhoon to destroy that lousy banner, it''s over, I will end you on my next turn!" I drew a card with a calm expression: "I will set one of my monsters to face down. Then I will set another card, and end my turn...." Two cards appeared both face down on my side, and I watched Kaiba, who was grinning so wide that his lips were reaching his ears: "No matter your reputation at school, it seems like you''re still mediocre at best; this is goodbye!" [3rd POV] Seto drew his card, and he chuckled with a face full of arrogance: "I first summon Lord of D!" [Lord of D: 1200 Attack, 1000 Defence] "Then I use Flue of Summoning Dragons! That allows me to summon two more dragon-type monsters from my hand!" Seto announced. "Two more dragons..." Yuna muttered: "So it seems..." "Yes! I special summon two more Blue Eyes White Dragons!" Seto bellowed: "Be proud to be faced with my full power!" Two Blue Eyes White Dragons were summoned, and they roared at Yuna. Together with the third, they truly made a horrifying presence that made her feel that she was going to copse. Solomon, who was watching on the sidelines, grimaced: "Would I even win if I was the one up there?" He muttered. The old man stared at the young girl facing Seto, and he felt shame. Why would he agree to let her duel? ''It''s my fault....'' Solomon thought: ''I should have been the one fighting...'' "Grandpa!" A young voice yelled. Solomon turned around and saw Yugi and his friends running toward him. They stopped to catch their breath and were relieved to know that he was okay. However, their expression stiffened when they noticed the battle happening right before them. "Hey, that''s Sano-san, right? Why was she duelling?" Joey wondered out loud. "Another question was, why is she fighting Kaiba?" Yugi added. They were greatly confused; thest person they would expect to y cards was standing right there. The group felt like their reality was shaken, and they turned to Solomon for an exnation. The old man sighed as he retold the story of how he was forced to duel Seto, but Yuna herself stepped up and even bargained her cards to protect him. Everyone felt a tremendous amount of respect for the beautiful girl. They all thought that Yuna was a cold person, but who knew she could be so kind? Unbeknownst to them, her actual reason for battling was to gain profits, but that''s something Yuna herself will never admit... "Hey, but isn''t she losing?" Tea asked, and they all hadplicated expressions. "Yes, at this rate, she will lose..." Yugi answered with a sad tone. They couldn''t do anything but watch as Yuna would get destroyed by Seto''s monsters. "HAHAHA, seems like more people will witness your defeat!" Seto mocked when he noticed the crew: "My Blue Eyes annihted her with Burst Stream of Destruction!" In unison, the three BEWD opened their mouth and fired a white beam. BOOOOM Smoke littered the field as everyone waited for the aftermath with bated breath. However, once the smoke settled, their eyes widened with shock as Yuna''s Life Points were seemingly unchanged! "Before you attack, I activated my Trap Card: Wakobu! For this turn, I take no battle damage, and monsters cannot be destroyed by battle," Yuna yelled as one of the Trap Cards she set revealed itself. "You only extend your life for one turn, and I will win soon enough!" Seto shrugged without a care in the word: "I will end my turn for now." Yuna smiled as she drew her card: "Unfortunately, the one loss will be you!" Seto''s eyebrows narrowed: "Stop joking. Can''t you see the situation you''re in?!" Yuna merelyughed before staring with confidence: "I use Pot of Greed! Which allows me to draw two cards!" She added two more cards in her hand before ying another: "Then I use Graceful Charity! Which allows me to draw three more cards and discard two!" "End it with the fruitless acts. You can draw as many cards as you want, but you will never beat my dragons!" Seto dered with pride. Yuna drew three cards, and her eyes shone with relief. She discarded two cards and crossed her arms: "You continued to taunt, but unfortunately, you couldn''t predict your loss!" Yna: "I used De-Spell, which removes one set trap or spell card on the field!" Seto frowned as he watched his set card explode into a million pieces. "So what?" Seto: "Destroying me the set card is not enough!" Yuna ignored him and activated another spell card: "I use Monster Reborn! I will special summon a monster from my graveyard!" "Special summon as many as you want, but no monsters can beat my Blue Eyes!" Seto retorted. "However, what if I tell you there is?" Yuna said: "You have shown me our trump card, but now it''s time to show mine! The creature that has been resting in my graveyard all this time! I call upon you! DIVINE DRAGON LORD FELGRAND!!" BOOM The ground rumbled as a golden portal appeared. A fast figure burst out of the warp gate and disyed its beauty upon everyone. It was a dragon the same size as the Blue Eyes with golden armour ting covering its body. Tworge wings grew from its back, and steel spikes ran along its body. The monster''s red reptilian pupil zoned in on the monsters on Kaiba''s side and howled with elegance. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, Defence: 2800 Defence] "So that''s the rare card you have been talking about?!" Kaiba chided: "It''s useless. Its attack was weaker than my dragons!" "That may be true..." Yuna smiled wryly: "But Felgrand''s first effect activated. Once I special summoned this monster from the graveyard, I can banish one monster my opponent controls, and then Felgrand will gain attack and defence equal to the banished monster''s original Level/Rank x 100! I banish one of your Blue Eyes!" "What?!" Seto muttered in shock as he watched one of his blue eyes die right before his very eyes. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3600 Attack, 2800 -> 3600 Defence] "Now my monster is much stronger than your Blue Eyes White Dragons!" Yuna yelled: " Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, attack one of his Blue Eyes!" Felgrand roared and vanished in a blink of an eye. The monster bit a Blue Eyes White Dragon in the throat, killing it. [Seto Kaiba: 1900 LP -> 1300 LP] "Damn, but it''s not enough. I still have one Blue Eyes left on the field, and you can''t possibly destroy it!" "Oh yes, I can", Yuna responded: "Felgrand''s second ability activated! If this card destroys an opponent''s monster by battle, You can target 1 Level 7 or 8 Dragon-Type monsters in the Graveyard, except "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand"; Special Summon it to my field!" Yuna: "I choose the Blue Eyes White Dragon from my graveyard!" Everyone: ????? "I see...." Solomon smiled, realizing her intention: "So that''s her n all along!" "What do you mean, Grandpa?" Yugi asked. Solomon smirked: "The Blue Eyes she''s summoned was mine. I gave it to her earlier to help her win against Kaiba!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om The group: !!!! "GUOOOOOO!" A Blue Eyes White Dragon appeared on Yuna''s field. [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] "Since it''s still my battle phase, I will use my Blue Eyes to kill yours!" "But both Blue-Eyes White Dragon are both going to die! They have the same attack!" Seto yelled. Yuna didn''t as she shrugged, and the two Blue Eyes White Dragons killed each other: "Finally, myst move. I use Call By the Haunted I''ve set earlier and revive my Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Seto was too shocked even to speak as he understood it was all over... "Rise my Blue Eyes and attack King of D!" *ROAR* BOOM [Seto Kaiba: 1300 LP -> 0 LP] I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 6: Reward Chapter 6: Reward ? [Yuna POV] As Kaiba''s life points dropped to zero, he copsed onto his knees and dropped the cards in his hand. His face was full of shock and he couldn''t ept his defeat. I patted my chest and felt my thumping heart. My breathing was shaking as the adrenaline was still coursing through my body. That battle was unlike any duel I have ever yed. Everything felt so real... Was this what it feels like? To be a real duelist? I watched as the virtual monsters slowly disappeared from the field and the device automatically turned off. I was let down from the tform and was immediately confronted by a group of people. "Sano-san!" I heard them calling my name. When they got closer, my eyes widened, why were the main characters here?! I stared dumbfoundedly at Yugi and his friends as strange scenarios yed in my head. Oh god, I didn''t do anything weird right?! I definitely said some cringy things during that duel! Ah, what were those looks you''re giving me?! Turn away don''t stare! Wahhh, my social life went down the drain right before my very eyes! Oh, wait, that probably died long ago... "I never knew you were so good at dueling Sano!" Joey praised. "Yes, that''s right! That''s amazing!" Tea added. Tristan: "You showed him (Kaiba) alright!" "It was really an outstanding feat," Yugi said with a smile. Ahh, all these praises feel so embarrassing! What were does looks, the smiles, they''re too bright! My retina burn! So much positive energy was directed my way it''s longer''s biggest weakness! I groaned and lower my head so I don''t have to see their admiring gazes. I hurriedly barged past them and approached Grandpa Muto. If I stay with that group any longer I''m going to faint from their outgoing auras. I stop before the old man and nervously held out the Blue Eyes White Dragon he gave me. Earlier, I was really caught off guard when he handed me that card as it was his prized possession. I would''ve dly kept it but my consciousness and my pride in being a Yugioh yer. So with a regretful feeling, I returned the card. At least I should be d that Kaiba didn''t tear it in half or else I would have really gone mad. Grandpa Muto grinned with pride and heughed: "To think you''re such a great duelist! Good work!" "Nn," I averted my gaze and groaned. I muffled a sigh, seems like my anxiety returned and I could barely speak again. Do I really change when I duel? I don''t really understand but it''s nice to know that I won''t be too afraid to say anything during a fight or else I might as well give up my duelist dream right then and there. Grandpa Mutoughed even louder as he patted my shoulder like a master being proud of their disciple. I felt my face heating up with awkwardness, damn these guys were way too kind. Thankfully, I manage to escape and finally went towards Kaiba, who was still lying there in a daze while muttering something unintelligible. I hesitantly poked him and he flinched. Kaiba glimpsed at me with sunken eyes as I nervously opened my mouth: "Lost," I said: "Card..." I reminded Kaiba of our wager, he stared at his deck and gulped. It was obvious that he was unwilling to follow through, but knowing his personality, his pride won''t allow him to weasel his way out.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Kaiba reluctantly gave me his deck and I eagerly skimmed through his cards. He watched anxiously and with every flip of a card, his breathing became tenser. Eventually, I found a card I wanted and presented it to him. He snatched it out of my hand and frowned: "You want this?" I nodded and he gnashed his teeth: "Stop fooling around, you would definitely take my Blue Eyes White Dragon, won''t you?" What were you on about? Didn''t I show you the card I wanted? Kaiba didn''t seem to believe me and I felt that I''m being treated as an idiot. I shook my head: "Want... this" Kaiba still seemed doubtful: "Your jokes aren''t funny." I told you I''m not joking! I want this card! Screw your dragons. Just gave it to me! "Serious..." I said calmly: "This card." Kaiba scoffed and tossed the card toward me, and I caught it in midair. He stood up, and his height easily towers over me. Kaiba red and whispered in a rageful tone: "Next time, I won''t lose." Ummmmm okay... Does it kind of sound like you just set up a g for yourself? Without a word, he left with quick steps. Kaiba must have assumed that I would change my mind and take his Blue Eyes White Dragon so it''s best to get his wives out of there. Well, I don''t me him as the BEWD seriously looked very tempting... I read the card in my hand, it was a spell card, and the picture of the card showed an image of a woman as she holding a love heart in her hands. On one side, the woman has the appearance of an angel, while on the other was a demon. [Name: Change of Heart: Description: Select and control 1 opposing monster (regardless of position) until the end of your turn.] My lips slowly formed a smile, another card that was deemed severely overpowered in modern times. This was definitely better than a dragon any day! Suddenly a bell noise rang inside my head and a disy appeared before my eyes. [Task (1) Complete! Collect Reward?] I happily epted and watched eagerly as my credits when up from zero to six hundred. Grandpa Muto appeared beside me and huffed as he watched Kaiba leaving: "What card did he give you? Surely he gave you one of his Blue-Eyes White Dragon?" I shook my head and showed him my new card. Seeing my reward, Grandpa Muto frowned: "That lying brat, does he have no shame?!" Eh, what are you talking about? This was already as great as the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, you know? "No... Better..." I tried to exin, and thankfully, he seemed to get my point. "If you''re satisfied, then I won''t argue any further." Grandpa Muto sighed: "I still haven''t thanked you for what you''ve done. Next time you visit, you will definitely get some special benefits." My ears twitched, and I held my breath. WOOOOHOOOO YESSSSSSSS. That''s what I''m talking about!!! Luckily, I made sure not to let my smug face show and bowed. With all matters settled, I returned home thinking I would get some rest but oh boy how wrong I am. Chapter 7: Pegasus Chapter 7: Pegasus ? A weekter... [Yuna''s POV] Iy on my bed while fiddling with the system. [Name: Yuna Sano Title: The One Who Defeated the Champion Credit: 200 Task Inventory Shop] Almost a week has passed since my victory over Kaiba. Things have been rtively quiet. Kaiba has stoppeding to school recently, and when he doese, he ignores me like I''m air. I assumed he wanted to forget about his humiliating loss. It''s okay, I get it. It definitely didn''t hurt or anything. Also, by beating Kaiba, I wondered what had changed. I''m not sure if Kaiba now would see Yugi as a rival since I basically stole the spotlight. But somehow, I felt like I didn''t have to worry too much. They have to cross paths one day, you know, with the ancestral history of Duel Monsters and everything? So, no matter what I do, it should probably be okay. Anyway, along with Kaiba''s defeat, I also gained six hundred credits for my system shops. With that amount, I could only get one rare card or three standard cards. The Super Rare and Ultra Rare cards were truly expensive, with the Super Rares costing one thousand eight hundred credits while Ultra Rare cost five thousand four hundred credits, which was three times as much as the Super Rares! Don''t even get me started on the Structure Decks, as they cost even more! One day, Yuna... Fortunately, the cards I wanted they''re rtively cheaper, and I decided to use four hundred of my credits to purchase twomon cards. Two of them were monsters while one was a spell, all rted to the Felgrand Series. [Name: Guardian of Felgrand Type: Monster (Level 4) Attack: 500 Defence: 500 Description: If this card is Normal or Special Summoned, You can equip 1 Level 7 or 8 Dragon- Type monsters from your hand or Graveyard to this card. This card gains ATK and DEF equal to half the ATK and DEF of the monster equipped to it by this effect. You can Tribute 1 monster and this card, then target 1 Level 7 or 8 Dragon-Type monsters in your Graveyard; Special Summon it.] [Name: Return of The Dragon Lords Type: Spell Description: Target 1 Level 7 or 8 Dragon monster in your GY; Special Summon it. If a Dragon monster(s) you control would be destroyed by battle or card effect, you can banish this card from your GY instead.] My options were somewhat limited, and these two cards were the best I could get. Thankfully, I still got a lot of extra cards I bought from Grandpa Muto. After being rewarded, I may or may not have been abusing his discounttely. Well, who wouldn''t? It''s fine as long we''re both happy, right? Thanks to Grandpa Muto, I was able to get many cards at very cheap prices. They were cards I barely used, but it''s best to have them since it would give me alternatives. Also, it''s very cheap, so my wallet won''t take a dent from the purchases. *DING DONG* The doorbell to my house echoed loudly, and I sat up from my bed. Strange, who woulde to find me at this time? I don''t recall hanging out with anyone. Perhaps... I jumped onto my feet and cursed. I sprinted towards the door and swung it open with great force. There it was, an ominous white box resting outside my entrance. I gulped and hesitantly picked up the package. I went inside and ced it on the table. I nervously pranced around the room while eyeing the box. Oh god, please don''t be what I think it was... I gathered my courage and carefully opened the package. Inside a weird gauntlet, two stars, and a VHS tape. "Dammit," I muttered and grabbed the VHS tape. Knowing what awaited me inside this VHS, I didn''t really feel like I should y it. Pegasus, that crazy madman..... Unfortunately, I don''t have a grandpa for his soul to get taken in case I lose, so I think it''s best if I don''t risk it. I approached the bin and held the tape between my fingers. [Task(2) Impress Maxillion Pegasus during the shadow duel! Reward: 3000 credits] I froze and stared at the disy that suddenly appeared. Well... three thousand credits sounds really alluring right now... Wait, Yuna, this was a shadow game we''re talking about! Your life''s important! But with that many credits, just how many good cards can I get??? After debating for an hour, I shrugged and excitedly shoved the VHS into a record yer I found in my living room. The device began to y, and a man appeared on the screen. He wore a bright red suit with long white hair covering one side of his face. "Greetings, my name is Maximillion Pegasus, the President of Industrial Illusions and the creator of Duel Monster!" "Yuna Sato, I have heard of your recent victory against Seto Kaiba." Pegasus smiled: "You intrigued me." Um, alright, thank you, but your looks were giving me creepy vibes. Without knowing my inner thoughts, Pegasus continued to speak: "Your skill interests me so much that I wish to have a duel with you. How about it? We will y for fifteen minutes, and the one with the highest Life Points in that time wins?" He didn''t even wait for me to answer, and my surroundings turned dark. I felt an eerie coldness, and time seemed to freeze in ce. "Wee to the shadow realm!" Pegasus announced with pride: "Do you know the cards we''re using are magical?" "Hoh? You don''t seem to be surprised?" Pegasus chuckled with amusement. What were you talking about? I''m pretty surprised you know! Can''t you see my eyes widening by like three centimetres? "No matter, let''s have some fun, shall we?" He said and drew five cards. "Wait." I stopped him before our duel: "Can... prepare?" Pegasus was stopped in his tracks, and he burst intoughter: "Alright, go for it; however, non/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om matter what you do, it won''t help!" Hold on, what does that suppose to mean? I nced at his amused smile, and I would do anything to wipe the grin right off his face. I checked through my inventory, and an idea formted in my mind. Fine, I was going to make a regr deck, but now you really set me off! I will make this duel the most painful one of your life!! After a few minutes of rebuilding my deck. I took a deep breath: "R...ready..." "Hmph! Let''s begin then..." Pegasus scoffed. "Duel!" x2 I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 8: An Unbelievable Loss Chapter 8: An Unbelievable Loss ? [3rd POV] [Yuna Sano: 2000 LP] [Maximillion Pegasus: 2000 LP] Pegasus smiled as he made his first move: "I will first set one card and a monster both in face down position. Then I will end my turn." "Hey, do you want to raise the ante a little?" He suddenly asked as Yuna flinched. She stared at the man suspiciously: "What are you nning?" Pegasus was slightly caught off guard when Yuna spoke in a perfect sentence as she uses broken words earlier. He hummed and tapped his finger on the desk: "I''m hosting a tournament and if you lose I wish for you to attend." "That''s it?" Yuna asked. Hearing this, Pegasus frowned: "Were you expecting more?" Yuna shook her head before muttering something that Pegasus couldn''t hear. She eventually raised her head and stared: "What will happen if I win?" Pegasus froze before erupting intoughter: "That we will talk about when you win, for now, please y your card." Two minutes have already passed, and he still hasn''t seen what she''s capable of. Thankfully, Yuna agreed and drew her card. "Alright, prepare yourself," she warned. Pegasus suddenly felt a shiver down his spine and he twitched: ''What was that feeling of unease just then?'' He thought. He dispelled the unnatural feeling and activated his Millenium Eye. He observed Yuna''s current hand and frowned, they''re all traps and spells? Where were the monsters? Pegasus smiled wryly and felt disappointed, like others told him, maybe Yuna really won using luck and he was wasting his time. No monsters, what kind of deck did she even build? He deemed that it was useless probing her mind since he assumed Yuna''s panicking right now. However, he could be never all wrong... "I will first set two cards to face down and end my turn." Yuna smiled innocently. "Did you really end your turn?" Pegasus muttered. "Yes." She grinned. Pegasus drew his card and chuckled: "Acting doesn''t work against me, I can see through everything," He boasted: "I summon Flying Elephant in attack position." [Flying Elephant: 1850 Attack, 1300 Defence] Pegasus: "Then I will reveal my set monster: Dark Rabbit!" [Dark Rabbit: 1100 Attack, 1500 Defence] "My monster will now attack." Pegasus ordered: "Seems like it will end quicker than I expected." "Not so fast!" Yuna yelled and flipped one of her set cards, "I used Waboku! All attacks are negated." The two monsters stopped their actions and stood still in a daze. Pegasus clicked his teeth: " That trap only saved you momentarily, let us continue then..." Yuna smirked and drew her card from her deck: "I will reveal my set card! Behold my trap card, Solemn Wish! I will gain 500 LP every time I draw a card!" Pegasus''s brows furrowed, why would she use a card like that? She has no monsters that could protect herself, even if she does, I can summon a third monster soon so why? ''Wait!'' Pegasus''s eyes widened and used his Millenium Eye again, his mouth opened and he finally understood her strategy. "I use Pot of Greed!" Yuna shouted. Arge smirking green pot appeared on the field. The pot showed itsrge tongue as if mocking Pegasus before vanishing. Yuna picked up two cards and smiled. [Yuna Sano: 2000 LP -> 3000 LP] "Then I will use Pot of Greed again!" "Wha..." Pegasus muttered as he helplessly watched Yuna draw another two cards. [Yuna Sano: 3000 LP -> 4000 LP] Thankfully, he noticed Yuna have run out of the Pot of Greed in her hand and he sighed with relief. Unfortunately, it was only the beginning... Yuna: "I then use Graceful Charity! I can draw three cards while discarding two cards from my hand!" [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP -> 5500 LP] Pegasus watched agape as Yuna''s Life Points increased to an absurd level. If anyone else should hear about this, they would naturally deem it a myth. Yet that unbelievable event was happening right before his eyes. "I will use my final Pot of Greed!" [Yuna sano: 5500 LP -> 6500 LP] Her hands were filled with cards and Pegasus thought that any second it will all fall down in a pile. Yuna then set one monster card and one spell/trap card onto the field.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "A...are you finished?" Pegasus asked with a strained smile. "Nope!" Yuna cheerfully replied: "I will use Card Destruction! We each discard all our cards in our hands and draw the same number of cards that we discarded!" Pegasus gulped and counted the cards in her hands: ''One, two.... three.... five... T...ten...'' He counted as he felt a massive headache rising. Even with the Millenium Eye what could he do to stop this onught??? Yuna and Pegasus discarded all their cards and draw the same amount. The man stared pitifully at the massive amount of Life Points. [Yuna Sano: 6500 LP -> 11500 LP] "Now I will end my turn." Yuna smiled mischievously: "Your move." Pegasus stared at Yuna in a daze, he hesitantly picked up a card: "I...I use Monster Reborn and I will revive my Ryu-Ran that I discarded back from my graveyard." He said with clenched teeth. A small egg appeared on the field, the shell split open as two legs and arms burst out from the side. A pair of bright yellow eyes peeked through the cracks and the monster growled angrily. [Ryu-Ran: 2200 Attack, 2600 Defence] ''There''s no need for concern, she merely has high health and with only one monster and one set card on the field. I just have to keep dwindling her health and I will seed.'' Pegasus smiled and persuaded himself. "Then I y Negative Energy! My dark-type monsters will have their attack doubled!] [Dark Rabbit: 1100 -> 2200 Attack, 1500 Defence] "Now attack!" Pegasus yelled. "Hold on!" Yuna restored and flipped open her set card: "Once again I will use Waboku!" Pegasus''s monster attacked but they dealt no damage. However, in doing so, they have sessfully revealed the face-down monster on Yuna''s field and he recoiled in shock. It was a tiny jar made of a strange ck metal. The vase tipped over and revealed arge eye and mouth within. It giggled and Yuna said in a clear voice: "My monster Morphing Jar''s ability has been activated, once flipped, both of us have to discard as many cards from our hands as possible and draw five cards!" Pegasus wanted to scream and jump through the tv at this absurd strategy he was witnessing. However, as the one who initiated the duel, he must follow the rules. Thus they discarded all the cards in their hand and redrew five more cards. [Yuna Sano: 11500 LP -> 14000 LP] "F....fourteen thousand..." Pegasus mumbled. He sighed and ran his hand across his hair: "I... I end my turn...." Yuna smirked as it was her turn once more. [Yuna: 14000 LP -> 14500 LP] She stared at her card and her smile widened even more. Pegasus scowled and hurriedly checked the card in her hand with his Millenium Eye. His face turned pale and he dropped the cards in his hand. "I will use Sword of Revealing Light. This card will be destroyed automatically during the end phase of your third turn. However, when this card was activated and on the field, all monsters you control won''t be able to attack." Dozens of bright swords dropped from above and surrounded Pegasus''s monsters, trapping them: "I will end my turn." Yuna said. Pegasus clenched his fist, this was the first time he felt this humiliated before. He couldn''t do a thing to stop her frompleting this absurd strategy and now his only hope for ast- ditched attack was gone as well... He nced at the timer he settled and only one minute remained. Pegasus angrily red at the girl before him and dejectedly lowered his arms: "I surrender...." I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 9: My Opinions Mattered? Chapter 9: My Opinions Mattered? ? [Yuna Pov] I watched as Pegasus surrendered with a hopeless smile and felt a sense of euphoria. HA, HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT!!! Honestly, I got insanely lucky with that duel. Not that I relied everything on luck, but only just a little bit! I promise! I nned my deck based on stalling the game as long as possible. It would only work since Pegasus has set a timer on the game. Otherwise, I would''ve died. My entire deck only consisted of spells and traps while only adding a couple of monsters, just in case. I couldn''t describe the panic when I used a risky move and discarded my hand using Cards Of Destruction while holding most of my monsters... It truly felt like a Heart of the Cards moment when I drew the Sword of Revealing Light and trapped Pegasus entirely, crushing his will to continue. Otherwise, I felt that I would be defeated on the following turns. SO TAKE THAT, HA! I resumed my celebration while keeping aposed face. However, my shoulders shook at my all-out effort to control myughter. Pegasus sensed what my feeling as he sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Noticing his disturbed mood, I stopped. Wait, I shouldn''t beughing, right? Pegasus still controls the Shadow Realm. He won''t change his mind and take my soul, right? RIGHT? I averted my gaze and nervously fiddled my thumbs. Pegasus nced at me, and I instinctively flinched. It was a cold re devoid of emotions, and I thought my life was over. But the intense feeling disappeared as heughed: "To think there''s a strategy like that!" He wiped the tear from his eye: "Seems like you really beat kaiba-boy with your skills." "Unfortunately, another boy I recently duelled didn''t meet my expectation...." He muttered. "Yugi?" I asked to confirm my thoughts. "Yes, him..." Pegasus repeated: "But I hope to see his growth in the future." So Pegasus duelled with Yugi anyway? How does that work? But now, thinking about it more properly, I don''t think it''s impossible. With how frequently I visited Grandpa Muto''s store, Pegasus will naturally know about him and eventually discover the Millenium Puzzle in his possession. I glimpsed at Pegasus, who was observing me keenly. When I returned my attention to him, he smirked: "This time, it was my loss, but I hope you will stille to my tournament. It would be an honour to have you participate." "Kay..." I nodded. Despite him being the antagonist, he sure has some humility... Even if I wasn''t invited, I still nned to attend somehow. From the anime, the first-ce prize was like three million dors! Who in the right might pass a golden opportunity like this? "Finally, there''s one more thing I wanted to ask you," Pegasus said and held out a paper. The paper passed through my tv screen, which weirded me out, and I hesitantly took it: "T....this?" "It''s the rules for my Duelist Kingdom Tournament: "I want to have someone of your calibre review it for me." EH me? Hold on, did our duel bring you enlightenment or something? Why were you putting so much pressure on me? You treated me like a nobody a few minutes ago! "Don''t get me wrong." Pegasus interrupted my thinking and said sternly, "I only show respect towards people that deserves it." Hearing being respected by Pegasus himself felt pretty good, and I obediently read through the content. 1. Each yer begins the Duel with 2000 Life Points. 2. Direct attacking the opponent is not allowed. 3. Only one monster is allowed to dere an attack per turn. 4. yers can summon monsters regardless of their levels 5. If a yer fails to summon any monsters during their turn when they didn''t control one, they will automatically lose the duel. 6. When a card effect destroys a monster, the card''s owner takes damage equal to half of that monster''s ATK. What were these stupid rules... I looked at Pegasus with disbelief, but he seemed proud of his creativity: "How is it? It''s pretty good if I say so myself."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om However, I shook my head, and his expression immediately turned sour. All these rules sounded so annoying, and I still couldn''t ept them as the card game I know and love. There was one that extremely infuriated me that I couldn''t ept, no matter what. I pointed at rule number four: "Bad...." "Is that so? Care to borate?" Pegasus said with a frown. To the best of my ability, I tried to exin that it''s useless for monsters to have levels if they can be summoned normally. What will be the point if everythinges down to who got luckier on their drawing? "But that''s the original rule of Duel Monsters? Are you suggesting that we should change it entirely?" Um, what... So you''re saying that has always been a thing. I stared at Pegasus with a dead-panned expression and slumped my shoulders: "No... strategy..." Pegasus grasped his chin deep in thought: "Then I assume you have something in mind?" I nodded and began to exin the concept of tributing. I knew this rule was eventually implementedter on during the Battle City Arc but it''s best to have these rules early. It wasn''t giving me an advantage since almost everyone has decks filled with normal monsters. Definitely not! Yep... "That''s an interesting idea," Pegasus muttered and smiled: "You''re truly an intriguing person. Very well, let''s try it, as you said, it would be more fun." Phew... I wiped the imaginary set from my forehead. At least I could convince him, I still wanted to change all the other rules but as long as I''m careful, I should be fine. Why did I feel like I just set a g on myself? "Anyway, it''s unfortunate, that our conversation has to end here. It will be goodbye for now." Pegasus waved as he disappeared and my surroundings returned to normal. I copsed on the floor tiredly and sighed: "Thank goodness I survived..." I mumbled. However, I immediately sat up: "Wait didn''t I win? Shouldn''t I get something?!" I red at the tv where Pegasus have already left and screamed "I GOT SCAMMED AGAINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!" Chapter 10: Duelist Kingdom Here I Come! Chapter 10: Duelist Kingdom Here I Come! ? Two weekster... "This should be everything..." I muttered to myself and checked my bag. I have packed clothes, food, and other daily necessities that I needed while outside. Thankfully, the tournament will onlyst for two days, so I don''t have to cram as many things. I checked my outfit in the mirror and hoped that it wasn''t an embarrassing outfit. I wore a white shirt and jeans and finished everything with a ck jacket. I twirled around, checking every nook and cranny before nodding to myself. Yosh, time to go! I wandered around my room. Knowing that I won''t be here for a while saddened me. This was possibly the only ce that I felt safe in, where I could be my real self. Well, it''s not like I''m leaving forever. I cheered myself up and grabbed the envelope Pegasus sent a week ago. Inside were a couple of cards, they weren''t made for the game but more for the tournament. I pulled out two cards, one has literally no image while named Glory of the King''s Opposite Hand. The other card has the image of a pile of gold and misceneous jewels, named Glory of the King''s Hand. If I remember correctly, The Glory of the King''s Opposite Hand was used to challenge Pegasus in a duel, while Glory of the King''s Hand was required to enter the fight for the three million dor reward. I excitedly exited my home and got a lift. To reach the Duelist Kingdom, we were supposed to travel by boat... So to the Domino Pier, we go! The ride was rtively quiet, and I wondered why the driver was shaking a lot. I thought I dressed nicely...n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om I eventually arrived at Domino Pier, and my eyes widened in awe. Before me was a gigantic yacht, and I was reminded of how much money Pegasus owned. There were already many people waiting as they formed a singr line while being ushered in. I equipped myself with the duelling gauntlet and ced the two-star chips I received into the tinypartment around the glove. Surprisingly, from how it looked, the gauntlet was surprisinglyfortable. With everything ready, I encouraged myself and nervously approached the group. [3rd POV] As the duelist was waiting to be let in. They all heard a sharp noise of footsteps approaching from behind. Everyone instinctively turned their head and gasped. It was a majestic woman with light blue hair and eyes. She had an appearance of a celebrity, and the people held their breath and watched with awe. However, immediately, they all felt a sense of unease. They stared at her face, it was an extremely beautiful face, but strangely it was exceedingly cold. It felt like her eyes could pierce their souls, and everyone instinctively averted their gaze. The woman pursed her lips. Even that motion was elegant, and people blushed. She continued her steps, and the duelists got out of her way. She approached the bodyguards waiting by the entrance and presented her identification. The men dressed in suits snapped out of their daze and hurriedly checked her invitation. Instantly, their eyes widened: "Ms Sano! W... we''ve been waiting for you!" Hearing the flustered voice, everyone tilted their heads in confusion. Sano... If they remember correctly, that''s the name of the duelist who defeated Seto! They stared with awe and thought that she had the presence befitting of one that defeated the strongest in Japan. "Hey, let me go!" Everyone suddenly turned their heads and spotted two officials wrestling with a tall boy with blond hair. "I''m sorry, sir, but you don''t have any star chips, so leave!" They shouted sternly. The three people resumed their struggle until another boy ran towards them frantically: "Joey, what are you doing here!" Joey''s expression brightened: "Ah, Yugi, there you are!" "He''s with me. You gotta let him on!" Yugi exined. "Only people with star chips are allowed to enter, no exceptions." One of the staff exined. "Joey does have a star chip!" Yugi said and beckoned Joey to hold out his hand. To people''s shock, Yugi handed Joey one of his star chips and smiled brightly: "See, he has a star chip, so it''s okay to let him board the ship." "I''m sorry, sir, I''m unsure if we''re allowed to do that." The guards replied apologetically. Joey and Yugi clenched their fists with helpless expressions. However, to their shock, an unexpected figure decided to help them. "Let... Them", A soft charming voice echoed across the pier. Everyone''s eyes zoned in on the girl standing in the middle of the stairs. She gazed at Joey and Yugi with an indifferent expression that they couldn''t grasp her thoughts. "But, Ms Sano." "It''s... fine.." Yuna muttered and went up the stairs. The two guards stared at each other and shrugged. They have been warned to listen to Yuna''s request to the best of their abilities unless they want to lose their jobs. The staff let Joey go and proceeded with the boarding... [Yuna POV] As I got on the ship and turned around in the corner. I made sure there was no one near me and exhaled with relief. That was way too stressful! Everyone''s eyes were on me! I tried toy a low profile, but they turned their heads anyway! And why Pegasus? You don''t know the shock I got when the staff called my name out like that! Also, why the heck did I help Yugi out? It was unnecessary, but I felt that Joey wouldn''t be let on if I didn''t do it! Ahhh, they must think I''m an arrogant woman abusing my power!! I sighed; there''s useless worrying about this now and let''s check my room. Normal participants would sleep together in themon area, but Pegasus told me I would get my room instead. "Wait, Sano-san!" I turned around and noticed Yugi and Joey running toward me. Wait, what do you guys want from me now?! Please leave! Unfortunately, I couldn''t transmit my thoughts to those two, and they approached me with wide smiles. "Thanks, Sano! You saved our hides back there!" Joey said. Well, maybe don''t get caught while sneaking on a high-end cruise next time. Anyway, seems like they''re just thanking me, so I will make my leave now. However, I froze when Yugi grabbed my wrist. Eh, you can''t just grab me like that! What would people think? Haven''t you heard of manners?! Yugi immediately let go and rubbed the back of his neck: "Sorry, don''t go yet. I need to give you something!" He slipped a card into my hand, and my eyes widened. What''s the Blue Eyes White Dragon doing here!? What??!!! My mind went nk as Yugi continued to exin: "My Grandpa got sick," He muttered vaguely: "I brought this card with me, and I want to lend it to you since you''re the only one that earned his trust in this card. From your skill, I believe that you won''t let him down!" Hearing his exnation, my mood slightly dampened. After getting to know Grandpa Muto better, it hurt a little that his soul was kidnapped, but despite how harsh it sounds, it''s something Yugi has to solve himself. Still, it was really surprising to meet with Blue Eyes White Dragon again. But since it was presented on a silver tter, I will dly take it! I stored the card away and began to leave. However, I stopped... Taking Blue Eyes White Dragon so free like that made me feel bad. After all, nothing was free. I sighed and hurriedly scrolled through the system store. After picking the correct card, I tossed it at Yugi. He caught the card, and his eyes widened: "This is?!" I didn''t respond and used this opportunity to escape. However, I stopped and sighed. I nced at him from the corner of my eyes and hesitantly opened my mouth: "Weevil... Be careful..." It took Yugi a few seconds but he seemed to understand my message and nodded. Guessing that''s enough for payment, I walked away without turning back. I hope you enjoy! Chapter 11: Arrival and First Challenger! Chapter 11: Arrival and First Challenger! ? Next Day... I woke up with a pleasant feeling and felt light in my steps. The room I was given was truly a luxurious one with arge soft bed, walls withvish designs, afortable sofa, and my own private bathroom. I like to think of this as the apology gift from Pegasus so I will ept it with a sense of bittersweet. As a habit every morning, I opened my system and checked my status: [Name: Yuna Sano Title: The One who Defeated the Champion Credits: 2600 Task Inventory Store] I navigated towards the task option and read the brand new objective I received. [Task (3)n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Earn 10-star chips and safely advance to the next stage of the tournament! Time Limit: 48 hours Reward: 1000 credits per duelist defeated] Hmmm, there''s a timer for this task. It most likely corresponds to the time limit we were given to reach the Duelist Castle. The rewards for this task seemed pretty good, one thousand credits for every win? With some calction, look like I will earn a minimum of four thousand credits! I changed my clothes and opened the door. Instantly, I was confronted by a huge gust of wind and was reminded that we were still at sea. I brushed my hair to the side and stepped out of my room while tightly clutching the handrails. I stared into the distance, wherey arge ind. Thend was covered by a forest with an enormous t hill at the centre. Above the hill was a medieval castle and the entrance was connected to a long staircase going all the way to the bottom. Knowing our destination was near, I returned to my room and organized my belongings. By the time I finished, we had already arrived, and I walked toward the boarding area. Countless duelists were already waiting but they immediately cleared their path when I appear. Geez... I even prepared myself nicely this morning. Was it still not enough? I sighed, causing people beside me to flinch. Hey, I''m not dangerous, you know? The only people that would talk with me were Yugi and his friends. I noticed Tea and Tristan were amongst the group as I remembered that they must have snuck onto the shipst night. As we left the boat, the staff informed us that we would be climbing the long sets of stairs to reach the castle. The top... I stared at the staircase with aplicated feeling. I never knew that bing a duelist needed this much physical prowess! Alright, here goes nothing, I thought and begrudgingly took my first step. One hourter... Finally... I survived. I stiffly raised my foot and stepped on the final set of stairs: "Geez Sano, how aren''t you tired yet?" I heard Joeyining from behind. Um excuse me, what do you mean? My legs were killing me you know? "Yeah look at her, she''s not even breaking a sweat!" Tristan eximed. But I am! Just because I''m not expressing anything that doesn''t mean I''m not tired! Didn''t you guys see me drinking a lot of water on our way here? I groaned, it''s much more time-consuming to solve the misunderstanding so lets them believe what they want to believe. I stopped paying attention to their chattering and focused on the top of the castle. A security guard emerged from the balcony and announced in a gruff tone: "Attention, your benevolent host will now be greeting you all!" We heard the sound of footsteps approaching from within the castle. A man with white hair and dressed cleanly in a red suit appeared with a smile. "Wee to my Duelist Kingdom!" Pegasus spread his arms and dered, "I have invited each and one of you due to your outstanding skills in the game of Dueling Monsters." "However, once this tournament ends, only one can be crowned as the Duel King." He said while crossing his arms. "In thispetition, new rules will be implemented that would challenge your skill as a duelist like never before." Pegasus seemed to be staring at me with amusement while saying that particr part of the speech. "To track your progress in the tournament, you''ve been each given a dueling glove and two precious star chips. You will need to wager your star chips for each duel and one that earned ten-star chips then you will gain permission to enter my castle!" "Now set forth duelists! You got one hour to prepare yourselves and good luck!" This was it, I clenched my fists. Those three million dors will be mine! A few hourster... Huh, where am I... I checked my surroundings but the only things I could see were trees and nothing else. After the one-hour preparation have ended, I decided to travel to the forest on the north side of the ind but somehow got myself lost. Yugi and his friends have asked for me to follow but that''s not a very good idea. There were already two duelists among the group and they have to find a lot of people to duel just so everyone can make it to the castle. So it''s best if I just go alone, well only if I''m not lost though... Wait what''s that smell? I raised my head and sniffed the air. It smelled like someone was cooking something in the distance. Hope relit in my heart and I excitedly followed the scent. If there''s food then there will be people! I marched with purpose and after passing the nth tree, I emerged from one of the bushes. To my surprise, I seemed to have left the forest and found myself at the border of the ind. I stared at the ocean filled with crystal-clear water and gasped. It was beautiful, on the ship, I haven''t paid attention to the sea as the trip was at the night, and in the morning I was more focused on preparing for the event. However, when everything was slowed down, I felt that I couldn''t take my eyes off it. I reluctantly nced away and spotted a campfire still burning on the rocky shores. Strangely, I felt a sense of deja vu but couldn''t recall why... I cautiously approached the campfire as the smell of cooking be more evident. There doesn''t seem to be anyone while I knelt beside the fire and observed it. It was very recent as the fire was still burning and there were fish on sticks by the side. "Who cooked this?" I muttered to myself. PHEW! Suddenly, I noticed something burst out of the water, generating a whistling sound in the air. I frowned and squinted at the object traveling towards me. When I finally gained a clear view, my eyes widened and I stepped backward. THUNK A long harpoon embedded into the ground close to my feet. A man climbed up from the cliff and pointed at me: "Stop! My name is Mako Tsunami and you have taken my bait!" Ah... That''s why it felt so familiar... I hope you enjoy! Chapter 12: The Sea Duelist Mako Tsunami! Chapter 12: The Sea Duelist Mako Tsunami! ? Hi, guys happy easter! Well by the time you''re reading this, easter will probably end in a few hours or probably already ended. Oh well. [3rd POV] "I challenge you to a duel!" Mako dered boastfully. He was extremely happy that his n had worked, luring people with the smell of his deliciously cooked fish just so he could catch them off, guard! Mako scratched the side of his face pride and eagerly checked his opponent. However, the fisherman immediately froze and realized that he may havended a bigger catch than expected. He stared at the dashing woman that stood rigidly as the waves sshed from behind, creating an extravagant appearance. Her azure eyes shinned fiercely and Mako subconsciously flinched under her intense re. Oh... it''s her... That was the first thing that came to his mind when he met her gaze. Mako couldn''t remember much but he faintly recall her name was Yuna. Other than that, all he know was that she was the person that defeated the infamous Seto Kaiba, the World Champion of Duel Monsters. Mako noticed the harpoon he had thrown embedded by her feat and he began to sweat profusely. No way, was she mad at him? His suspicion was only confirmed by her intimidating expression. Despite the unease, the fisherman continued with his n and he awkwardly cleared his throat: "Ahem, you''re going to ept aren''t you?" Thankfully, Yuna nodded and reached for the deck in her bag. Mako''s confident smile returned and excitedly led her to the end of the shoreline. He found the hidden button built into one of the stones and pressed it. WHIRRRRRRRRRRRR A mechanical mour overwhelmed the loud sound of the ocean and a tform slowly surfaced out of the water. It was arge Duel Arena, a technology with two podiums and using Kaiba Corp''s holographic technology to create amazing illusions of the monsters and cards that the yer summon. Mako eagerly climbed onto one side while Yuna approached the other. He crossed his arm and smirked: "Let''s wager one of our star chips for this duel!" "Y...yes..." Yuna muttered quietly and detached one of the stars from her gauntlet before cing it on the side. Mako: "Alright, here we go! Let''s duel!" [Mako Tsunami: 2000 LP] [Yuna Sano: 2000 LP] [Yuna POV] When I heard the signal for the battle, I felt my heartbeat increase and adrenaline entered my body. My mind rxed and ced all my attention on this duel as my surrounding became quiet. I drew my cards and waited with anticipation as Mako made his first move. "I summoned Fiend Kraken in attack mode!" Mako dered and ced his card, "I then end my turn." [Fiend Kraken: 1200 Attack, 1400 Defence] A monstrous roar echoed across the field and a dark shadow appeared under the water. I immediately frowned and remembered a concept in the Duelist Kingdom: Field Power Bonus... Essentially in each Dueling Arena, each had the properties of a specifdscape. If a monster was summoned onto a field it favoured, it would receive a 30% increase in its ATK and DEF. The monsters will also gain a special ability depending on the field. For the sea terrain, all aquatic creatures gain a 30% increase in their stats while also allowing them to hide beneath the depth so opponents couldn''t attack them. I sighed, this was already getting annoying. Unfortunately, unlike Yugi, I couldn''t perform the infamous ATTACK THE MOON strategy so I have to think outside the box... [Fiend Kraken: 1200 -> 1560 Attack, 1400 -> 1860 Defence] I checked my field, which was a drynd that was beneficial towards Dinosaurs, zombies, and Rock-type monsters, so it''s useless to me. I nced at my hand and clicked my teeth: "I will summon Dragon Knight of Creation!" A burst of white light shined down from the sky, and once it disappeared, a tall figure stood with elegance. The monster has an appearance of a knight with a red mane and golden armour while holding arge sword. [Dragon Knight of Creation: Attack: 1800, Defence: 600] Another new card I purchased from the system store. It''s a monster from the Felgrand series. Unfortunately, I couldn''t utilize its effect as I have to destroy my opponent''s creature through battle and this was the only creature I can y at this moment. You may be thinking, what does that suppose to mean? Well let me exin, it was due to a specific rule that people usually gloss over in the Duel Kingdom Arc... During your turn, if you couldn''t able to summon a monster, you lose automatically. It was a very strange rule but it''s logical as you couldn''t attack a yer''s life point directly so I couldn''t build my deck as I wished. Thankfully, this rule was changedter in the Battle City Arc so I really have to thank Kaiba for that... But I should''veined with Pegasus when I have the chance. Anyway, what''s done was done so I will chew Pegasus outter! "I will end my turn," I dered with a calm expression. Makro grinned and drew his card: "Seems like today will be a great harvest! I will now call upon Great White Terror!" [Great White Terror: 1950 Attack, 1600 Defence] "Great White Terror attack!" Makoughed. An enormous shark burst out of the water. My Dragon Knight swung his sword but missed as the Great White Terror dragged the knight into the depth. [Yuna Sano: 2000 LP -> 1850 LP] "I will set a card and end my turn." He smiled with confidence: "Your move Yuna." I nodded and activated a spell: "I will use Foolish Burial and send a card from my deck to the Graveyard," I yelled and discarded one of my cards from the deck. "Then, I will use Return of the Dragon Lord and special summon one level eight or even dragon from my graveyard! The monster I choose is Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" A white dazzling light came down from heaven, the clouds dispersed and a golden dragon soared down from the sky. Dragon Lord Felgrand roared and its mere howl blew the waters away. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] Mako gritted his teeth at the pressure exerted by the golden beast. Fortunately, he has a backup n and hurriedly triggered the set card he ced in the previous turn: "Not so fast! I activate my trap card Fiendish Chains! The monster that you special summoned will have its effect negated and won''t be able to dere an attack!" Dark ck chains appeared out of nowhere and wrapped around my dragon. Felgrand bellowed with rage and was dragged to the ground and restrained like a caged bird: "Hah! With your dragon trapped, you couldn''t make a move now!" "Tsk," I clicked my teeth: "I will set a monster face and a card down and end my turn..." Mako smirked as he drew his new card: "With this, the win will be mine! First I activate Mystical Space Typhoon and destroy your set card!" BANG My ced card instantly shattered and I frowned in annoyance. "Now! With no obstruction! I will bring out my strongest beast! I sacrifice my Fiend Kraken and summon my most powerful card! Kairyu-Shin!" One of the monsters on Mako''s side exploded and a huge sea monster reced where the Fiend Kraken previously stood. The monster slowly surfaced from the dark depth of the ocean and roared. It resembled an eel with blue skin and rows of sharp teeth. [Kairyu-Shin: 2340 Attack, 1950 Defence]n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "Then I will set the Field Spell Umiiruka, giving my sea monsters 500 more attacks while removing 400 defence points!" Mako dered. [A/N: Btw, Field Bonuses are not field spells so yers can still set their field cards.] The sea on his terrain rose to an extreme level and even my field was flooded by the ominous waters. I could spot the shadows of Mako''s creature hiding amongst the waves and I felt a sense of unease. [Kairyu-Shin: 2340 -> 2840 Attack, 1950 -> 1550 Defence] "Now, I activate my Equip Spell Steel Shell! I can increase one of my sea monsters'' attacks by 400 but lower its defence by 200!" Mako smiled: "I think you already know which monster I''m equipping this to..." [Kairyu-Shin: 2840 -> 3240 Attack, 1550 -> 1350 Defence] Mako: "Now attack Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" Kairyu-Shin burst out of the ocean and mped down on the restrained dragon. My Felgrand was destroyed, and I watched helplessly watch my life points drop. [Yuna Sano: 1850 LP -> 1410 LP] Mako: "Then my Great White Terror will attack your face-down monster!" Following the sea serpent, the shark attacked my card, revealing my Komuri Dragon. My monster was killed off, leaving my field barren and defenceless. "Hahaha, I will end my turn," he said. I drew my card and frowned: "I will use Pot of Greed to draw two more cards!" When finished, I stared at my hand with aplicated expression. What can I do... "I will use Graceful Charity! I can draw three cards while discarding two cards from my hand!" I inhaled sharply and nervously grabbed three cards. I stared at them in silence and sighed. I glimpsed at the image of therge silver dragon before checking the rest of my hand. Wait... This might actually work... If I couldn''t attack Mako''s monsters, then I will just force them out! I gently held the Blue Eyes White Dragon card between my fingertips and prayed. Please help me out once more! "With Graceful Charity''s effect, I will now discard two of my cards!" I shouted as I slipped my Blue Eyes White Dragon and another card into my graveyard, "Now I will use Monster Reborn!" "Are going to revive your Divine Dragon Lord? It won''t work, my monster''s attack is higher!" Mako yelled. "No! Instead, I will summon a monster I just discarded! I call upon you, my Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" "What!?" Mako stumbled backward in shock. A silver dragon appeared on the field and its enraged roar shook the entire arena. Blue Eyes White Dragon, wasn''t that Kaiba''s card? Why was it here? [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] Mako seemed to be anxious but announced hesitantly in his attempt of calming his nerves: "It doesn''t matter! My Kairyu-Shin''s attack power will still be higher than your dragon!" I ignored him and set two more card face down: "My turn ends..." "Looks like this battle will be in the bag!" he cheered: "Now Kairyu-Shin, destroy that Blue Eyes once and for all!" Mako''s Kairyu-Shin snarled and appeared before my Blue Eyes White Dragon. The two powerhouses roared and were going to tear each other apart, but that''s what I was nning all along! "I activate my trap card Reinforcement! I can select one monster on the field and this turn that monster gains 500 attacks during the battle phase!" [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 -> 3500 Attack, 2500 Defence] "Now my Blue Eyes White Dragon is stronger than your Kairyu-Shin!" I yelled. "Wait Kairyu-Shin get out of there!!" Mako shouted desperately. "Unfortunately, that''s impossible and I activate my second trap card! Battle Mania!" I waved my arm and my second face-down card revealed itself. "All fac-up monsters my opponent controls are changed into Attack Position and couldn''t change their battle positions this turn. Then all monsters must attack this turn!" "NO!!" Mako clutched his head in panic. The Kairyu-Shin lunged and the Blue-Eyes White Dragon bit the serpent on the throat, killing it instantly. Mako gasped and he watched his strongest creature die. [Mako Tsunami: 2000 LP -> 1740 LP] "This duel is not over!" Mako gritted his teeth but froze under my smile. "But it is!" WHOOSH Suddenly, amongst the waves, the Great White Terror that have been hidden all this time voluntarily appeared. As if possessed, the shark threw itself toward therge dragon and performed a suicide attack. Mako seemed confused but his expression immediately turned pale: "All monsters must attack..." "Yes, that''s right, so the Great White Terror must also attack no matter what!" I screamed. "WHAT!?" Mako shouted in disbelief. Blue Eyes White Dragon opened its mouth and fired a bright stream thatpletely dissolved the monster. [Mako Tsunami: 1740 LP -> 0 LP] I hope you enjoy it, this battle really made me go crazy cause I have to think of a way for Yuna to attack Mako''s monster Chapter 13: Unforeseen Assistance Chapter 13: Unforeseen Assistance ? Just a little treat for yall [Yuna POV] I stared at Mako''s zero-life point and finally rxed. My heart rate slowed down and I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. Thank goodness it actually worked, I really had a moment of doubting myself there. I picked up the card that won me the duel. Battle Mania Another card was deemed useless in themunity. I understood their mindset why would you activate a card that just asked your opponent to kill you? However, with the number of high-attack monsters I have in my deck, this card can truly determine a win or a loss. As the Duel Arena switched off and we were brought ontond once more. Mako sighed and detach a single star chip from his gauntlet: "A strategy I have never seen before... Amazing." He held out the star with a grin: "Here, you earned it." I nodded and took the star from his hand. I ce the token in my own gauntlet and felt happy at my achievement. Alright, seven more to go! My lips twitched and slowly transformed into a smile. "Anyway." He said while rubbing the back of his neck: "Would you like to have some food? These fish will go to waste soon if nobody eats them." I nced at the cooked fish resting by the fire and the delicious scent entered my nose. Suddenly, my stomach rumbled and I blushed. OH GOD, THAT WAS SO LOUD!!!!!!!!!!!! Did he hear that?! He must have! I nervously sneaked a nce at Mako who was staring at me with a stunned expression. My face paled and my legs felt weak. Goodness... He heard it... Suddenly, Mako burst intoughter and I felt my eyes getting teary: "Don''t worry, I have more than enough, please enjoy!" Wait you didn''t think that I''m weird? I felt troubled and before I could beg for forgiveness, Mako was already walking towards the campfire. Am I really overreacting? I patted my stomach with aplicated expression. Well... Despite how shameful it was, who would pass a free meal? Meanwhile... In a distant forest, two people were in an intense duel. "Ke Ke Ke, it''s useless Yugi!" A young boy with cyan colour hair andrge round yellow sses, "My Great Moth can''t be defeated!" Yugi gritted his teeth, and on his saidid a single Curse of Dragon while on Weevil''s field were the powerful Great Moth and Hercules Beetle. Weevil has one thousand four hundred life points left while Yugi has merely seven hundred. [Great Moth: Attack: 2600, Defence: 2500] [Hercules Beetle: Attack: 1500, Defence: 2000] [Curse of Dragon: Attack: 2000, Defence: 1500] Things were not going well but Yugi refused to surrender. He drew a card and his eyes widened: ''This....'' Yugi nced at his field and nodded to himself: "I will set a monster and another card face down! Then I will end my turn." Weevilughed: "Looks like that''s the best you can do! Now Great Moth attacks his Curse of Dragon and my Hercules Beetle go attack that set monster!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om The Great Moth dived down from the sky and caught the dragon with its jaw. The Curse of Dragon was killed without effort as Yugi''s life points dropped [Yugi Moto: 700 LP -> 100 LP] When it was Hercules Beetle''s turn, the giant insect charged. Instantly, the set card revealed itself as arge arm emerged from the card, grasping the beetle by the horn. The monster revealed itself to be a stone giant and it tossed the Hercules Beetle away. [Giant Soldier Stone: Attack: 1300, Defence: 2000] Weevil scoffed as Hercules Beetle''s attack failed and he received damage from the aftermath. [Weevil: 1400 LP -> 900 LP] "You may survive this turn but my bugs will crush you soon enough Yugi!" Yugi clenched his teeth as Weevil taunted with arrogance. He took a deep breath and draw a card from the deck. Yugi''s excitement grew as he potentially drew the card that would help him win this game! Yugi''s shoulder trembled and heughed with relief: "Unfortunately for you Weevil, luck is on my side today!" "I will activate my set card! ETERNAL SOUL!!!" Arge stone tablet rises from the ground. The tablet has a carving of a strange mage and multiple unreadable hieroglyphs. "Eternal Soul? I''ve never seen that card before." Tea muttered while watching the duel. "Ah! That''s the card Yuna gave him!" Joey yelled as he remembered the event a day ago: "We encountered Yuna on the ship and that time Yugi gave her his grandfather''s Blue Eyes White Dragon and in return, she gifted him a powerful card." "Really? What does Eternal Soul do exactly?" Tristan asked with curiosity. "Well..." Joey murmured: "It''s best if Yugi exins it to you...." They all resumed spectating the duel as Yugi regained momentum: "With Eternal Soul''s effect! I can special summon one Dark Magician from my hand or graveyard! Soe out my strongest card, Dark Magician!" The stone tablet glowed with brilliance and a person wearing a purple robe and armour appeared. He held a green sceptre as the mage spun the staff in the air. [Dark Magician: Attack: 2500, Defence: 2100] "Hmph! Your Dark Magician may be strong but it''s not strong enough!" Weevil dered with confidence. Yugi smirked: "That may be, which is why I will activate my spell card, Book of Secret Arts! This spell allows me to increase the attack and defence of my Spellcaster monster by 300!" [Dark Magician: Attack: 2500 -> 2800, Defence: 2100 -> 2400] "Then I will tribute my Giant Soldier of Stone and I call upon my Summoned Skull!" A bolt of lightning struck Yugi''s stone giant and the monster was absorbed. A demonicughter echoed across the field as a fiendish demon with wings appeared where the Giant Soldier of Stone previously stood. [Summoned Skull: Attack: 2500, Defense: 1200] Yugi chuckled: "Now I have two powerful monsters, you must know what this means Weevil?" The insect fanatic flinched and recoiled in shock: "No... It... it can''t be!?" "Yes..." Yugi smiled: "Dark Magician, attack the Great Moth! Dark Magic Attack! The Dark Magician waved his staff and fired a stream of ck magic toward the insect. The Great Moth exploded and was instantly defeated by the attack. [Weevil: 900 LP -> 700 LP] "Let''s end this once and for all! Summon Skull, destroy that Hercules Beetle!" The demon roared and charged toward the beetle while brandishing its ws. Summoned Skull stored through Hercules Beetle''s armour like paper and died. "NOOOOOOO!!!!" Weevil screeched while grasping the side of his head. [Weevil: 700 LP -> 0 LP] "Alright Yugi won!" Joey cheered while the rest of Yugi''s friends shared the same celebratory feeling. As the podium set Yugi down, all his friends rushed towards him: "Yugi you''re amazing!" Tea praised with sparkling eyes. "Yeah, you really showed that brat how it''s done!" Tristan said. Yugi rubbed the back of his neck: "Actually, the person we really should be thankful for was Sano-san, her card really helped me out." Everyone felt extremely grateful for the unexpected but weing help. They each muttered a thank you in their heart to the mysterious girl in their ss. Back at the seashore... "Achooo," Yuna gently sneezed and dropped the cooked fish in her hand, ''Was someone talking about me? I hope they''re not badmouthing me right?'' .... ... ''Who am I kidding, they probably are....'' Yuna sighed and bit into her fish while pouting depressingly. I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 14: Awkward Encounter Chapter 14: Awkward Encounter ? A few hourster... [Yuna POV] "Now, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, attack and defeat his Gemini Elf!" I shouted. I watched Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand soar into the sky before puffing up its chest and unleashing a deadly beam that wiped out thest monster on my opponent''s field. The duelist gasped in shock as he couldn''tprehend his loss.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om As we were lowered to the ground, the duelist handed me his remaining Star Chips with a face as if he had eaten something sour while I collected my winnings with satisfaction. After finishing lunch with Mako, I decided to set out and part ways with the fisherman so I can search for more duelists to battle. Now I have five Star chips, half the amount I needed to enter the castle. In my opinion, it was a good result, and I earned myself a break. The sun was also beginning to set so I should find somewhere to rest. However, even during nighttime, I have to be alert for duelists, especially the Eliminators, they were people Pegasus hired to purposely remove weak participants from the match. I don''t know where the man got those Elimnatiors from since from the show, each and one of them got something wrong with them. Well, if I y it safe then I should be fine... As I wandered through the forest and I searched for an area that could block the cold. The sun was setting as the orange light illuminated the leaves, my pace quickened as walking in the dark was not really ideal. *Rustle rustle....* Huh, what was that!? My head darted to the noise urring in a nearby bush. Was it a wild animal? I observed keenly while tension crept up my body. If it was an animal please be small like a rabbit, I don''t want to be forever known as the girl that got mauled by something like a mountain lion while participating in a Yugioh Tournament... I nervously stepped backward as the sound grew louder and more intense. WHOOSH Suddenly, a figure burst out of the ntation and rushes towards my direction. At first, I thought it was a beast, but instead, the figure had the appearance of a small boy. He wore a miss matched red shirt with a striped orange sleeve and blue pants while his face was hidden by a light blue bandana. I was momentarily stunned as the boy bumped into me before running away. However, in the corner of my vision, I spotted something shiny in his hand. My body moved in a sh, and I snatched him by the wrist. The boy struggled while my mind was still in a daze at the impulsive action. My body became rigid like a statue, and I felt like I was going to faint. I couldn''t believe it, did I really just do that? My face turned white as sheets and felt like I''m going to cry even if I was the one that caught him. I''m not a child kidnapper I promise! Wait, Mr Officer, what were you doing with those cuffs?! "Let go!" The boy screamed as he struggled desperately, snapping me out of my intrusive thoughts. However, I refused and gently shook my arm. Suddenly, multiple small objects spilled out of his palm, and I gasped. They were my Star Chips! When that boy bumped into me, I sensed something was wrong, and I was right! See, I''m innocent, innocent, I tell you! Even if this seemed wrong, these were all my Star Chips we were talking about! You better think twice if you''re going to steal them! However, what do I do now? The boy continued to fight against my restraint; the bandana covering his face loosened and fell to the ground. The boy''s face was fully revealed; he has long ck messy hair andrge purple eyes. Eh?! Isn''t he Mokuba, Kaiba''s little brother!? What was he doing here!? My brain went to shut down as I was hit with another shock of the century... [3rd POV] "Get your hands off me!" Mokuba growled and tugged on his arm. Unfortunately, Yuna was still tightly gripping him by the wrist, and he was stunned by her strength. Mokuba nced at his capturer and froze. Why does she feel strangely familiar... Her luscious blue hair, those cold eyes, and her beautiful face... The boy''s eyes widened, and Mokuba tugged with all his strength. He managed to escape her grasp and dropped to the ground. Mokuba stared into Yuna''s eyes and gulped, fear overwhelmed his thoughts as he felt that her eyes were piercing into his soul. However, that fear soon transformed into anger, and Mokuba growled: "You''re the one that defeated my brother, right!? You''re Sano, aren''t you!?" She nodded, and Mokuba scowled: "It''s all your fault!" Yuna gazed at Mokuba silently before slowly bending down to meet his eye level: "My... fault?" "Yes, that''s right!" Mokuba yelled as he gradually regained his confidence: "Ever since that duel, he changed!" Yuna frowned at his absurd im: "He hurt... Grandpa." "I don''t care! I will get my revenge!" Mokuba said as he stood up full of vigour: "I challenge you to a duel!" 10 minutester... "How could this happen...." Mokuba muttered as he stared at the empty life point. Mokuba clenched his fists in frustration. Never had he felt this useless before, sprouting all this nonsense on avenging his brother, but he couldn''t evennd a single scratch. Mokuba nced at his emotionless opponent, who was indifferent to his pathetic appearance. As the duel arena set both of them down, Yuna nodded at Mokuba before leaving quietly... [Yuna POV] As I walked, my brain was in turmoil. To think I would meet Mokuba here and recalled that at the beginning of the arc, Pegasus kidnapped Kaiba''s brother in an attempt to take over Kaiba Corps. Then Kaiba has to duel Pegasus just to get his brother back, but unfortunately, he lost, so Yugi has to save him. Well, I wouldn''t mind helping, but Mokuba seemed to be really mad at me, and I don''t have the conversation skill like Yugi to change his mind, so it''s best if I just leave. After all, he should encounter the main crew soon enough. But... I slightly turned and glimpsed at the boy stalking me from behind a tree. Why were you still following me?? I sighed and decided to ignore him. Daylight was running out, and I still haven''t found a spot yet, so I should be quick. After wandering for at least an hour, I finally found a clearing that I think it''s safe andfortable. I set my bag down and carefully build a small campfire. Thankfully, I brought the required camping tools, or else I really don''t know how to survive in the wilderness. I stared at my hard work with pride as the sun set fully. I could still sense Mokuba''s gaze, which hindered my work speed. Was he going to stalk me all night? Thinking anymore today will really hurt my psyche, so I continued to ignore him and reached for the instant noodles in my bag. I boiled some water and poured them into the noodle cup. I smiled with contentment; no matter in which life, cup noodles will always be the best food for loners like me. I nced at Mokuba''s obvious hiding ce and sighed. Honestly, why was he still here? Doesn''t he hate me? In the end, after contemting to myself, I hesitantly opened my mouth: "C..e out." I muttered but loud enough for him to hear me. Mokuba flinched, and he cautiously stepped into the clearing. He approached like wary prey and sat down opposite me. Noticing my gaze, his brows narrowed: "Don''t misunderstand, I still don''t like you!" Ouch... I felt an invisible arrow just pierce my chest. For some reason, those words hurt even more when said by a child... As the noodles were cooked and I decided to put the depressed feeling aside and dwell on themter. I excitedly crawled towards my cooked meal, used my chopsticks, and picked up the noodles excitedly. The delicious smell entered my nostril, and I grinned, wahhh it smelled so good! I quickly grabbed a chopstick full and brought it towards my mouth. However, I stopped and noticed Mokuba''s jealous appearance. The boy stared in contempt at the instant noodles in my hand, and when our eyes met, he hurriedly looked away. When I refocused on the food, Mokuba was again gazing at the food like a sad puppy. Ehhh, what''s with that expression? I feel so guilty now... I sighed and set the noodles down. I gently pushed my dinner towards him, and Mokuba frowned: "Hmph, I''m not even hungry!" What were you lying for? Even a blind man can tell, you know? Fine, if you want to y that game, then let''s y! I took the bowl back, and Mokuba had eyes full of regret. His hands subconsciously reached out, and he looked at me like an animal caught in the headlights: "W...well, my brother tells me I can''t skip dinner!" He lied. I slid my instant noodle over, and he hesitantly grabbed the meal. As the noodles entered his mouth, Mokuba sighed with relief before vigorously wolfing the food down. Watching Mokuba eat also made me a little hungry, thankfully, I have more in my bag, so I don''t have to starve. We ate in awkward silence; both of us were too anxious to make a conversation. With each passing second, I felt more embarrassed and lost my appetite, and I glimpsed at Mokuba, who was eating with a calm expression. He must have been through a lot, separated from Kaiba and kidnapped onto an unknown ind before escaping into the wild while trying his best to survive, yet right now. He looked so rxed... I admired his confidence.... Why was he like this? I want to be like him... As curiosity got the best of me so, I anxiously asked: "A...arent s.. scared?" "Hmmm? Scared?" Mokuba raised his head and shrugged: "I''m terrified right now." What do you mean? Are you terrified? That''s impossible... "How?" I said with a bewildered tone. "Being scared doesn''t make you weak. " Mokuba exined: "That''s what big brother told me." "That.... so." I stared at the ground, deep in thought. "So, how about you?" Mokuba questioned: "What''s with you stuttering all over?" I don''t know what to say as my heart felt heavy. I hugged my legs and buried my face into my knees with a downcast expression: "People ...scary..." While drowning in my sad thoughts, I heard someone snickering across from me. I lifted my head and saw Mokuba trying his best not to break down intoughter: "What kind of fear is that? It sounds so stupid!" You''re right... it''s stupid, but fear''s still fear... Mokuba giggled andy on his back as he watched the stars: "Well, you should just believe in yourself more, you know? Who cares what other people think?" If only it were so simple as that... Even now, your own opinion of me was horrifying... I smiled wryly and pinched Mokuba''s cheek: "C..cute." I softly muttered. Mokuba blushed and hurriedly sat up: "Who are you calling cute!? Hmph!" As I continued to tease him, I began to rx gradually. Was this the child''s n all along? Probably not. Well, I''m grateful nheless. Suddenly an ominous voice resonated in the forest and stopped us in our tracks. The hair on the back of my neck raised. A man emerged from the dark forest, wearing an all-ck suit with a top hat, a cane, and a white theatrical mask covering half his face. His outfit reminded me of a musical about a musician that haunted an opera or something. On his wrist were tworge duelling gauntlets already filled to the brim with star chips. I immediately stood up and nervously clenched my fist: "Eliminator..." "Oh? You know about us?" The man chuckled: "That saved us some time, then you know what I''m here for..." The Eliminator turned his head and spotted Mokuba as his lips curved into a smile: "And also, that boy needs toe with me..." I hope you enjoy it Chapter 15: Dragons vs Demons Chapter 15: Dragons vs Demons ? Alright before we begin, you guys may be wondering about my choices in picking out cards for Yuna and her opponents. basically, I will mostly choose cards and decks that are in the period around 2000 to 2008 where 2000 was when Yugioh original anime begin and 2008 when Gx ended. That way, I would have more options while trying to retain bnce as much as possible. Also I won''t be using any absurd decks such Elemental heroes but there are some that are quite strong but still can be defeated normally. [3rd POV] "And that boy needs toe with me." The man dered and pointed at Mokuba with his cane. Mokuba flinched, and goosebumps crawled along his arms. He has already escaped Pegasus once. Who knew what would happen if the madman got his hands on him again? Will he show mercy likest time? As Mokuba began to feel a sense of terror, his face turned pale as sheets, and a figure stepped between them, blocking the man of his vision of the boy. Mokuba gulped and hesitantly raised his head as he stared at Yuna with surprise. "N..no." She muttered. The stranger tilted his head: "Unfortunately, you can''t decide that. My patron needs him." Yuna shook her head, and the man frowned: "Wager.." She said and pointed at the duel gauntlet the stranger was wearing. "Hmmmmm? What are you suggesting?" He asked with a hint of interest. "I...if... win... leave." "Then what if you lose?" The man questioned, and a small smile formed on his face. "T...take.. chips.. and... boy." Mokuba instantly stood up and nced at Yuna worriedly: "What are you doing?! If you lose, we''re both screwed!" Yuna turned her head and glimpsed at Mokuba''s panicking expression: "W...won''t lose." "What makes you so sure?!" He shouted and clenched his fist. Mokuba didn''t understand; the risk was too great. Why would Yuna be willing to go so far for him in the first ce? He wouldn''t be surprised to be abandoned immediately if it were anyone else. Yet to her, he was a whining brat who fawns over his brother. "Why are you doing this?!" Mokuba yelled: "What makes you think that you won''t lose!" "C...cause ... won''t.." Yuna replied confidently, and Mokuba froze. Mokuba stared at Yuna in a daze, and the strangerughed: "Such confidence! If a duel is what you want, then a duel is what I shall deliver." As if right on queue, the ground trembled as a hidden tform emerged. Once the smoke settled, they were presented with arge Duel Arena, and the eliminator eagerly stood on one of the podiums. "Before we start, let me formally introduce myself." He removed his top hat and bowed extravagantly: "Please refer to me as Ludere, and I will present you a duel you won''t forget!" Yuna stepped onto her side of the Arena, and Mokuba ran after her: "Will you really win!?" Mokuba met his eyes with Yuna and felt the change in atmosphere. The air surrounding her was much different. He sensed the unwavering confidence in her attitude contrary to her shy personality. It was as if Mokuba felt like he was talking to an entirely different person! Yuna nced down and smiled gently: "Trust me." Mokuba''s expression became serious, and he nodded. Yuna felt satisfied and faced Ludere contemptuously while the eliminator grinned with amusement. "DUEL!" X2 [Yuna POV] I drew five cards and stared at my opponent. He called himself Ludere and was an eliminator that doesn''t appear in the show. However, one of my biggest questions was why did I help Mokuba in the first ce? Was it because I felt guilty for the trouble I caused, or was it just another random act of kindness I did on a whim? Probably not. This duel will benefit me in some way. Yes, definitely, I won''t help him otherwise!n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Yet, even I wasn''t really convinced... I hurriedly shook my head. Why does it matter? What was done was done, and I should focus on this battle before me! I''m going first, so I activate my first card: "I will use Pot of Greed and draw two cards!" The infamous green pot appeared on the field, and I drew two more cards and added them into my hand: "Then I''m summoning Koumori Dragon!" A small ck dragon with bright yellow eyes dived from the sky and growled fiercely. [Koumori Dragon: Attack: 1500, Defence: 1200] "I will then activate Banner of Courage! My monsters will gain 200 attacks during the battle phase!" A red g surfaced from the ground. Komuri Dragon roared and felt theforting energy from the g. "My turn ends." I dered. The Ludere smiled and drew his card: "Let''s end this extravagantly; I will activate this field spell Pandemonium!" BOOOOOOM An old stone structure rises from the ground. The building has a demonic appearance with gargoyles and dark stains that suggest some horrible event has urred in this ce. RUMBLE A thunderbolt struck down on the centre of the structure, and the empty braziers instantly lit themselves and illuminated the arena. I frowned; Pandemonium... Wait, then that means... "I will summon Archfiend Soldier!" A demonic-looking soldier wearing ck armour with horns and a cape was summoned onto the field. The monster took out a massive sword and waved the weapon intimidatingly in front of the Koumori Dragon. [Archfiend Soldier: Attack: 1900, Defence: 1400] Pandemonium was a not so well known card but a must-have support for the Archfiend deck. In short, using Archfiends, the yer will always have to tribute their life points to y their monsters, as there''s never a winning deal with a demon. However, Pandemonium ignored that rule so duelists could summon them for free. Damn... To think he has an Archfiend deck. This might be way harder than I anticipated. "Now, Archfiend Soldier, destroy that monster for me!" Ludere yelled. The Archfiend Soldier dashed towards my side of the field and swung his sword smoothly. Komouri Dragon was instantly decapitated as it let out one final shrill cry and died. Thankfully, with my Banner of Courage, Koumori Dragon''s attack was boosted to seventeen hundred, so I didn''t suffer as much damage as the eliminator would have hoped. [Yuna Sano: 2000 LP -> 1800 LP] "I will set a card and end my turn," Ludere said, crossing his arms and watching me with anticipation. I calmly drew my card and made my move: "I summon Dragon Knight of Creation!" A golden armored knight appeared on the field. He raised hisrge sound, and the de shimmered under the moonlight: "Then I will set two cards face down before entering my battle phase!" [Dragon Knight of Creation: Attack: 1800, Defence: 600] "Now, Dragon Knight of Creation, attack!" With the effect of my Courage of Banner, my monster''s attack increased to two thousand. The armored soldier rushes to the Archfiend Soldier. The demon raised his sword, but my knight cut him down mercilessly. [Ludere: 2000 LP -> 1900 LP] "Now my Dragon Knight of Creation''s effect has been activated! If I destroyed a monster by battle, I could send one level seven or eight dragon monster to my graveyard! Then I can discard a card and tribute this monster to revive one Dragon!" I slipped a card from my deck and hand into the discard pile. I stared at the eliminator and smiled: "The one I will special summon is Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" Dragon Knight burst into bright particles and expanded in size. Slowly it gradually transformed into a shape of a beast. "GUOO000000000000" The light dissipated, revealing the form of an enormous golden dragon. Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand snarled at Ludere and red at him with blood-red pupils. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: Attack: 2800, Defense: 2800] "Your turn," I muttered with a dissatisfied tone. Ludere whistled: "Impressive... I''m really impressed. But it''s not enough..." The eliminator drew his card and grinned: "Looks like the duel is in my favor today. I will summon Terrorking Archfiend!" The altar on the building burst into mes, and a humongous demon emerged with bony skin, a veiny muscr frame,rge pair of wings, and wielding a dark sword. The monster unleashed a fierce roar that sent chills down my spine... [Terrorking Archfiend: Attack: 2000, Defence: 1500] "Then I will equip Terrorking Archfiend with Axe of Despair, giving my demon 1000 more power!" [Terrorking Archfiend: Attack: 2000 -> 3000, Defence: 1500] "Now, Terrorking Archfiend, y that gold dragon!" Ludere ordered. The demon howled and charged with its sword. "Wait, with my Banner of Courage. My monster will gain two hundred attacks! That means Felgrand will match with your monster!" I shouted. However, contrary to my expectation, Ludere wasn''t perturbed. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: Attack: 2800 -> 3000, Defence: 2800] The two beasts shed with each other and exploded simultaneously. Since they were equal attacks, we didn''t suffer any damage. But that didn''t remove the unease in my heart... As the smoke dissipated, both sides of our field were cleared except for the cards we had ced in advance. Ludere''s shoulder shooked, and heughed: "Do you really think I didn''t expect that?" He revealed one of his cards in his hand. At this distance, it was small, but I could faintly see the image of a skull octopus: "If you are not aware, this monster here is called Desrook Archfiend." He exined: "On the field, if my Terrorking Archfiend was destroyed on the field, I can discard this card and resummon the monster from my graveyard!" Ludere discarded Desrook Archfiend to his discard, and the demonic altar lit up with a blue me. A peal of lowughter echoed across the arena, and a ck shape slowly reformed into a monster. "Grrrrrr," Terrorking Archfiend snarled and mmed its sword to the ground." [Terrorking Archfiend: Attack: 2000, Defense: 1500] I ignored Ludere''s egotisticalughter and instantly flipped over my set card: "I will use Call of the Haunted and also revive one monster from my graveyard! Rise again, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" The golden dragon reappeared once more, and it seemed angrier than before. It red at Terrorking Archfiend as if saying how dare a low-level creature as you harm me?! "At this moment, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s effect will activate. I can target one monster you control and banish it while it gains the attack equal to that monster''s level multiplied by one hundred!" I pointed at Ludere''s monster: "The one I choose is Terrorking Archfiend, and remove that monster once and for all!" Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand soared into the sky and generated a white beam in its mouth. I nced at Ludere and frowned. The eliminator was eerily calm about the situation... "You really are a strong duelist, able to keep countering my strategy." Ludere praised with sincerity: "However, it saddened me that you underestimated my ability to protect my own?!" "I will activate my set card! Archfiend''s Roar!" Ludere announced: "I will sacrifice five hundred of my life points and bring back Desrook Archfiend!" [Ludere: 1900 LP -> 1400 LP] [Desrook Archfiend: Attack: 1100, Defense: 1800] "Then I will activate Desrook Archfiend and Terrorking Archfiend''s effect if I can roll a die. if itnds on two, three, or five, I can negate your monster''s effect and destroy it!" Arge dice appeared on the field and spun with vigor. It eventually dropped to the ground, and I held my breath... It''s a three... Ludere chuckled as my Felgrand burst into pieces. And since a card effect destroyed my monster, I suffered damage equal to half of its attack. I clicked my teeth, fourteen hundred damage... [Yuna Sano: 1800 LP -> 400 LP] "Let''s see how long you canst..." Ludere chuckled: "In my graveyard, I will use Axe of Despair''s ability. I can tribute one of my monsters and bring Axe of Despair to the top of my deck." Desrook Archfiend burst into nothingness, and Ludere ced his Axe of Despair on the top of his deck: "Then I will end my turn. No matter what you do, it wouldn''t matter anyway." I stared at my hand and bit my lower lip. The eliminator was correct, and I truly don''t have a n right now... It felt like I was stepping on frail ss. One wrong step, and I will fall to my demise... I know this is a cliff hanger, but don''t worry. I will post the second part this week. Just too busy so didn''t have time to finish second half. Chapter 16: Nothing is Free Chapter 16: Nothing is Free ? [Yuna POV] "I will set a monster and two cards face down!" I yelled in a frustrated tone: "Then I will end my turn!" The eliminator tilted his head: "That''s it? Seems like the show''s going to reach its finale." Ludere drew his card andughed: "Oh? Who''d''ve guessed it''s the Axe of Despair? Then you already know what I would do with it?" I ignored Ludere as he reequipped Terrorking Archfiend with the Axe of Despair, and the monster regained its mighty strength. [Terrorking Archfiend: Attack: 2000 -> 3000, Defense: 1400] "Now, Terrorking Archfiend, attack her monster!" The Archfiend raised its axe and smashed it into my defensive monster. My card was turned face up, revealing a hiding Battle Ox that easily fell to the fiend''s blow. I watched with bitterness as the attack killed Battle Ox, and I grasped my cards so tightly that they creased from the stress. "After that! I will summon Shadowknight Archfiend and boost my power even further!" [Shadowknight Archfiend: Attack: 2000, Defense: 1600] When it was my turn, I sighed pathetically: "I.... will set another monster and end my turn..." I nced at Mokuba, and he stared back with concern. Guilt washed over me, and I couldn''t imagine the consequences if I lost. Can I defeat him? This eliminator was strong, abnormally strong... Was I too arrogant? My chest heaved, and I felt anxious to continue to y. My fingers trembled, and my legs felt weak; my confidence wavered as doubt sprouted from my heart. "Sano!" Mokuba yelled, and I instinctively flinched. "You beat my brother, right?! So what''s there to be scared of!" "Wha..." I muttered in a daze, but his shouting made me close my mouth. "So defeat him!" Mokuba ordered in a loud voice. Yes, he''s right... I took a deep breath and calmed down. I''m so stupid. The match still wasn''t over yet! Like the old saying, as long as you have life points, even a losing fight can be a winning one! "I will set a monster and end my turn!" Ludere frowned: "I will summon Vilepawn Archfiend, then attack!" [Vilepawn Archfiend: Attack: 1200, Defense: 200] BOOOM I subconsciously covered my eyes as my monster burst into pieces. However, I didn''t give up and drew my card. My mind went into overdrive, and I thought of the best solution for me to survive. Wait... I was reminded of a card within my deck that could turn this situation around. I nced at my deck and gulped. Come on, Heart of the Cards, don''t fail me now! "Set a monster, and my turn end." Ludere: "I will attack!" I draw... "I will set a monster and end my turn!" Ludere: "Stop fooling around and destroy her!" I draw again... "Tsk." I clicked my teeth and set one more monster face down. I don''t know how long I canst. Only two more normal monsters were left in my hand. I know I''m running out of options, but I can''t give up now! The Ludere picked up a card from his deck and smiled: "Your strategy won''t work now. Time to end this once and for all!" "I activate my spell card, Checkmate! I will tribute one Archfiend monster, and my Terrorking Archfiend can attack directly!" Ludere announced. Attack directly..... I gritted my teeth. Normally, this wasn''t possible. However, if a card says so... Vilepawn Archfiend was suddenly absorbed into Terrorking Archfiend''s axe, and the metal shinned with a dark purple hue. The demon raised its weapon, dashed toward me, and ignored my set monster on the field. My eyes widened in shock as the monster swung its axe, and I watched in slow motion as the de gradually closed in on my face... [3rd POV] "NO!" Mokuba screamed as Terrorking Archfiend shed Yuna with its weapon. Mokuba covered his face with his hands, and he couldn''t bear to watch the scene ying out before him. There was silence, and a minute had gone by. Finally, out of curiosity, the boy peaked through the gap of his fingers. His jaw dropped to the floor, and he stepped back in shock. Why was Yuna still remaining in the duel?! [Yuna Sano: 400 LP] Terrorking Archfiend''s axe was an inch away from Yuna''s neck, and the demon seemed to be suppressed by an invisible force. "I... I will reveal my trap card, Negate Attack. If a monster deres an attack, I can target that monster, negate the attack and end the battle phase." Yuna exined while stuttering lightly. Terrorking Archfiend slowly returned to its original position. The demon let out a low grunt as if dissatisfied with failing to kill its prey. "Fine, you won''t get so lucky next time..." Ludere gnashed his teeth and summoned another Vilepawn Archfiend before ending his turn. [Vilepawn Archfiend: Attack: 1200, Defense: 200] Yuna took a shaky breath while grasping the handrails, turning her knuckles white. Despite there being mere holograms, it still felt too real... "Are you alright?!" Mokuba yelled from the sidelines. Yuna nodded and patted her chest; this was too close to her liking. Thankfully, she has set this card in advance, or else there''s no way to survive that blow. There was still one trap card on the field. However, if Ludere activates another Chekmate, Yuna will have no other method to protect herself. She drew her card, and her eyes widened. Was it really divine intervention? Yuna thought while staring at the card in her hand. Has her prayer really been answered?! Yuna turned to the arena. Alright, it''s possible! She saw her chance of winning; all it took for her to have a chance of winning was to survive the next turn! "I will set a monster and end my turn!" "Setting setting setting, I have enough of it!!" Ludere bellowed: "Stop this useless farce, just give up!" "Never!" Yuna screamed back. "Then suffer under my demon''s wrath!" He angrily yelled: "I tribute my Vilepawn Archfiend and Shadowknight Archfiend to summon Imprisoned Queen Archfiend!" A humongous demon emerged from the altar that easily towered the size of Divine Dragon Felgrand. Her bloody red hair ran down her rotten face as chains wrapped around her wrist and ankles. [Imprisonment Queen Archfiend: Attack: 2600, Defense: 1700] "Now the king and queen were reunited. There''s no chance of you winning!" He dered arrogantly: "Now attack!" Terrorking Archfiend and Imprisonment Queen Archfiend charged simultaneously. But Yuna was ready and flipped over herst line of defence: "I activate Waboku! My monster won''t be destroyed this turn, and I take zero battle damage!" Both demons stopped, and Ludere mmed the podium with his fist. He was greatly annoyed by Yuna''s tenacity and couldn''t understand why wouldn''t she surrender! Yuna smiled and felt the stress leaving her body. She made it, and now, it''s time for her to fight back! "I will tribute my two face-down monsters and bring out Blue Eyes White Dragon!" A terrifying roar resonated in the forest, and a silver dragonnded from the dark sky. The dragon''s scales glistened under the moonlight, and the beast howled fiercely. [Blue Eyes White Dragon: Attack: 3000, Defence: 2500] Ludere: "So what, are you going to attack with your Blue Eyes?! It doesn''t matter, as I can always summon more Archfiends!" "No, I won''t attack." Yuna corrects Ludere: "Instead, I will activate this spell card, A Wingbeat of Giant Dragon! By returning one level five or higher dragon monster to my hand, destroy all the traps and spell on the field!" Blue Eyes White Dragon transformed into a small white orb and flew back into Yuna''s hand. Suddenly, the demonic altar exploded and crumbled into pieces. Ludere frowned: "What is the meaning of this?! Did you think you could win like that?!" Yuna smiled and shook her head: "Actually, I have already won..." "What?!" "I will end my turn!" Ludere couldn''t shake off the uneasy feeling in his heart. However, with his pride, he convinced himself that it was a mere bluff, and he drew his card. He grinned; there it was, his second Checkmate, with nothing on Yuna''s field. This time it would really be his win!" "I activate...." Suddenly, Ludere froze and sensed something was wrong. He hesitantly raised his head and noticed Terrorking Archfiend and Imprisonment Archfiend were staring at him with a strange hungry gaze. "Wh...what''s happening?" He croaked. "Did you really forget?" Yuna''s voice snapped Ludere out of his daze," Nothing is free in this world, especially deals you made with demons! You have abused this rule with Pandemonium, but now that it''s gone, do you think your Archfiend will let it slide this easily?" "Ah...." During this duel, hepletely forgot... To keep Archfiend on the field, he must pay life points for every Stand By phase. However, Pandemoniumpletely controlled the Archfiends to be his ves. Now that the only thing keeping him safe disappeared, will his monsters stand idly by? Ludere hurriedly stared at his field. Terrorking Archfiend must pay eight hundred life points... Imprisonment Queen Archfiend must pay one thousand... Ludere gulped when the two demons approached him with a fierce smile: "Wait, stay back!" However, they didn''t listen and eagerly raised their weapons. With one scream, his ambitious dream of victory escaped his grasp... [Ludere: 1400 LP -> 0 LP] [Yuna POV] I took a deep breath and leaned against the podium. I won. I still couldn''t believe it. This fight was way too close to my liking. I truly felt I would''ve lost if I hadn''t drawn the correct card in time. Wingbeat of the Giant Dragon wasn''t the only spell removals I have in my deck, but strangely I haven''t drawn a single one yet. Finally, at thest desperation, I managed to get what I wanted. Man... I should really rebuild my deck... I was brought down from the podium, and Mokuba eagerly ran towards me: "You did it!" He cheered. Seeing him so happy made me feel excited as well. However, I tried not to show it on my face, or else his image of me would be ruined further. "You...." We stopped celebrating and noticed the haggard Ludere staggering towards us: "You you you!" He approached us with a crazed expression, and I blocked Mokuba with my arm: "L...leave." I dered. Ludere''s expression darkened, and he smiled: "No." "What do you mean no?! Sano defeated you, so scram!" Mokuba yelled from behind. "You brat." Ludere cursed and clenched his fist: "You will pay for saying that!" He hastily approached us and raised his fist. I closed my eyes and was fully expecting to be, for the first time in my life RKOed for winning a duel. However, the punch never came, and suddenly a painful howl reached our ears. I hesitantly opened my eyes and saw Ludere clutching his head while screaming in pain. A strange golden symbol appeared on his forehead, and he copsed like a puppet with its strings cut. After a while, Ludere slowly rises, staring nkly at the ground: "Good evening." He said in an entirely different tone: "I have to apologize for my subordinate''s unmanly action." "Pegasus..." I muttered upon realization. "Indeed," Pegasus responded with an amused smile. The dazed Ludered nced at Mokuba: "Please refrain from leaving so abruptly next time; you''ve caused me a lot of trouble." "What are you on about?! You kidnapped me!" Mokuba yelled in anger.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "Ah, that''s too crude of a way of saying it," Pegasus calmly replied: "I''m just simply relocating you." I stared at the expressionless Ludere with wariness. His empty pupils met mine: "You must be wondering what happened to this man, well it''s simple, sometimes losing a game can cost you more than you imagine, you know?" I quietly analyzed Pegasus''s choice of words, and my eyes widened. No way, did he really turn that duel into a shadow Game without me realizing it?! Since when!? I gulped; if I really lost back there, I would''ve lost much more than my star chips... "Well, as this man promised, I will leave you guys alone," Pegasus announced, and Ludere''s body slowly wobbled deeper into the forest. "Oh," he stopped: "I look forward to more of your duels, Yuna...." Before I could reply, Pegasus left, and the forest became quiet once more. Mokuba tiredly fell to the ground: "What in the world was that?" I felt exhausted and followed Mokbua and sat on the ground. I was still creeped out by what happened but wasn''t on guard as before. Despite how crazy Pegasus was, he always kept his word, so we should be safe tonight... I yawned and prepared the sleeping bag. Unfortunately, I only brought one, so I gave it to Mokbua. I''m not as heartless as to let a child sleep in the open so he could have it. Thankfully, I brought a spare nket, so it wasn''t bad. I decided to wash up tomorrow as it was already veryte, and losing sleep was a big no! That night, I fell asleep feeling content, knowing I seemed to have a better rtionship with Mokuba and my soul was still intact with my body Next Morning... The birds chirped energetically, and the bright sun shone on my face. I begrudgingly opened my eyes. I sat up and stretched; the sleep was morefortable than I imagined, so I felt refreshed. Mokuba was still asleep, so I quietly stood up and wandered into the forest. I found a small creek to wash my body. I dipped my toes into the water, it felt cold but soothing, and I bathed in a cheerful mood. When I returned, Mokuba was still asleep, so I made breakfast with the rations from my bag. *Click* "Don''t. Move." However, contrary to the peaceful morning I had hoped. I found myself before the barrel of a gun, pointing straight at the back of my head. I hope you enjoy Chapter 17: Whose Whos Brother Now? Chapter 17: Whose Who''s Brother Now? ? *Click* "Don''t move." I immediately froze upon hearing the gun cocking from behind. My hair stood on the edge, and I felt a tingle going down my spine. I have reincarnated into the Yugioh world, right? But why am I being held at gunpoint? Don''t we settle disputes with cards? "Huh, it''s you?" When I heard the voice again, it sounded very familiar. That egotistic and prideful tone, who have I met in this ce has a voice like that? Curiosity got the best of me, and I hesitantly turned around. If I''m going to die, at least let me know who killed me so I will haunt them for the rest of their lives! Then I spotted the notorious long indigo-blue trenchcoat, ck buttoned shirt, and pants. His brown hair and sharp features were presented fully under the bright sun. We stared at each other, and my mind went nk. WHAT THE HELL WAS SETO KAIBA DOING HERE? AND WITH THAT GUN, NO LESS!!!!!!!!!!!! [3rd POV] Earlier... Seto arrived in the Duelist Kingdom via a helicopter in the dead of night. To his dismay, he somehow met with Yugi''s group and had to be interrupted by a certain annoying blond- haired individual. After showing him his dueling skill, Seto left and traveled deeper into the forest to locate his kidnapped brother. Despite his arrogant personality, Mokuba was the only one he cared for, so he had to rescue him no matter what. Thankfully, the tracker Seto ced on his brother showed he wasn''t in the main castle yet, which was great news. Unfortunately, his helicopternded on the other side of the ind, as that was the only area he couldnd safely. Seto traveled through the dense jungle, walking for hours while avoiding Pegasus''s men and some venomous creatures. He managed to subdue one of the guards and confiscate his weapon, and Seto readied himself as he approached closer to Mokuba''s location. It was early morning when Seto finally arrived. He smelled the scent of a campfire and sneakily hid behind the tree. He heard the sound of someone tending to the fire, and there didn''t seem to be anyone else. Seto checked the tracker once more, and his brother was indeed there. He couldn''t see him unless he revealed himself. However, once he took out that suspicious person, they could reunite with each other again. He takes a deep breath; Seto rushes behind the tree and aims his gun at the assant: "Don''t. Move" The person paused, and Seto frowned when he got a clearer view of the person before him: "Huh... it''s you..." The woman that was behind held gunpoint slowly turned around. Seto stared at her azure eyes and clicked his teeth as bad memories began to resurface. He noticed her calm expression and was slightly impressed by her boldness. "Yuna Sano..." Seto spat with disdain: "Where is my brother?" "Mokuba?" Yuna repeated. "Tsk, keep his name out of your mouth," Seto growled, "Tell me now if you don''t want to get hurt." They gazed at each other in silence. Yuna stood up, and Seto cautiously created distance between them. Despite her frail and beautiful appearance, Seto knows it''s a mistake to underestimate people due to their physique. Yuna didn''t respond, and Seto''s patience was reaching its limit. He pointed his gun in the air, and all of a sudden... *BANG* The gunshot echoed across the forest and frightened anything nearby. Seto aimed the weapon back at Yuna and frowned: "I will give you ten seconds." "Ten." "Nine." "Eight." Seto''s eyes narrowed as Yuna still didn''t respond. Was she even aware of the situation she was in? Why did she look so unbothered? His finger tightened on the trigger at the thought of actually shooting Yuna came to mind, and his jaw clenched shut with unease. "Seven." "Six." "Five." "Four" "Three" "Two..." "STOP!!!!" Suddenly someone yelled from a distance and blocked Seto''s line of sight. Seto''s eyes widened, and he couldn''t believe the sight: "M..Mokuba?!" "What the heck are you doing!" Mokuba berated angrily: "Are you insane?!" Seto''s confusion reached a whole new level this time, and he couldn''t find the right thing to say as he stammered with fluster: "No, but I." "No buts!" Mokuba hissed: "Why are you threatening big sister?!" Yuna and Seto: ''B...big Sister?!??! "Mokuba, what are you talking about?" Seto asked and clenched his fist to calm himself from this mind-numbing scenario. "When I escaped from Pegasus, and he sent people to catch me, Yuna was the one that stopped them!" Mokuba exined: "She even provided me with food and shelter!" "And in return, you pointed a gun at her?!" He screamed. Seto was caught off guard by Mokuba''s outburst and subconsciously lowered his arm. Mokuba hurriedly snatched the pistol from Seto''s hand before tossing it. He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Unlike his angered attitude, he was expressing moments ago. Mokuba turned around and smiled brightly at the bewildered Yuna: "Let''s have breakfast." [Yuna Pov] An hourter...n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om I sat in silence while feeling scrutinizing eyes piercing through the back of my head. How the heck did ite down to this? When Kaiba pointed the gun at my face, everything went dark, and I''m pretty sure I fainted while standing up or something... But the next thing I knew was him counting down and Mokuba rushing to save me. If he arrived a littlete, Kaiba would truly put a bullet in my forehead... While being red at Kaiba, I anxiously rearranged my deck. Last night''s battle made me think I need to stop messing around. I still have a few thousand points left in my system shop, so I purchased some rare andmon cards to support my deck greatly. Otherwise, what''s the point of saving up if I can''t win right now? The Blue Eyes White Dragon briefly revealed itself as I shuffled my cards. I nced at Kaiba; he was gazing at the card in my hand. His eyes flickered, and I instinctively nced at the gun by his waist. No way, was he going to threaten me to destroy it?! Noticing my cautious reaction, he scoffed and crossed his arms: "Hmph, I will honor our deal, but don''t think you''re safe yet, I will win that card eventually." Hearing this, I rxed and patted my chest with relief before nodding with determination. Fine,e at me! I will make sure that you will lose so badly that you will never try again! "So, big bro, what are you doing here?" Mokuba asked amidst our conversation. Kaiba frowned: "Isn''t it obvious Ie to rescue you." "Hehe, seems like you''re a bit slow." Mokuba joked and smiled at me. Hey, hey, why did you say that? I could tell Kaiba''s mood''s dampening, you know? I''m just an ordinary hardworking civilian, and your brother''s a billionaire? I don''t want to disappear one night because of you! "So what are we doing now?" Mokuba asked his brother: "Should we get out of here?" Kaiba stared at the floor solemnly: "We can''t." "Huh, what are you talking about?!" Mokuba tilted his head in confusion. The president of Kaiba Corps nced at me with a frown. I noticed that he seemed to be judging whether I was trustworthy enough before nodding to himself: "I suspected the Big Fives betrayed me." "WHAT!" Mokuba stood up with anger: "How could they?!" ''Well, it''s not a surprise knowing how your brother treated them...'' I thought while quietly sipping the tea I made. In the anime, Kaiba cooperated with five corporate executives in Kaiba Corps, known as the Big Five. By promising them power, together, they overthrew Gozaburo Kaiba and ced the Blue Eyes White Dragon-loving maniac as the head of thepany. However, in the end, Kaiba never granted them the powers they wished for, thus leading them to be vengeful viins in theter arcs. From the lore, the Big Fives also nned Mokuba''s kidnapping. They secretly worked with Pegasus to take over thepany. I watched Mokuba insulting the Big Fives while kicking up dust clouds. I nced at Kaiba and observed his mood. He has a perpetual frown on his face, but despite the anger, he seems calm, like he''s nning for something. Mokuba crossed his arms and turned to Kaiba with a huff: "So what''s our n." "I will confront Pegasus personally." Kaiba answered angrily: "Then I will retake back what''s rightfully mine." "Awesome!" Mokuba praised with sparkling eyes: "When do we begin?!" Kaiba glimpsed at the excited Mokuba before ring at me. I hurriedly averted my gaze from the tension. I promise this has nothing to do with me! I won''t be a snitch! Eventually, Kaiba sighed and turned to his brother: "You''re noting." "What do you mean I can''te? We''re brothers, right, and we should always stick together!" Mokuba yelled. "It''s too dangerous. I won''t allow it," Kaiba said with a voice that wanted no further arguments. No matter how caring he was for his brother, I can already predict his way of thinking. Mokubs would only be dragging him down, so bringing him is not a smart choice. Mokuba must have also noticed, and he was staring depressingly at the floor. "Then what am I supposed to do?" He mumbled. "Go with her," Kaiba answered. The two siblings stared at me, one with contempt and one with expectations. Eh? When did I agree to this!? Does my opinion matter?! However, watching Mokuba''s pouting, I felt too bad to decline. I nodded, and Kaiba clicked his teeth: "If anything goes wrong with him, you will pay." He said before walking away. My body froze up in ce, and terrifying thoughts appeared in my head. I swear I won''t let a single hair fall from his body! So please don''t kill me!!!!! I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 18: Blond Guy Rescue and Tag Team Duel? Chapter 18: Blond Guy Rescue and Tag Team Duel? ? [Yuna POV] After the whole thing with Kaiba, I cleaned up the campsite and prepared to continue my journey. Thankfully, Mokuba was there to help, and we packed everything at double the speed. However, he seemed to be in a sour mood, constantly muttering about how selfish his brother was. Anyway, when everything finished, I slung the backpack over my shoulder. Together, we left the clearing and into the deeper part of the forest. Luckily Mokuba seemed to calm down, probably due to finally not having to hide around the ind like a fugitive, and he began to hum a tune under his breath. As we walked, I was starting to feel a little annoyed. There should be many duelists on this ind, but I couldn''t find one! Hello?! Anyone there!? I sighed and patted my empty stomach. Lunchtime had already passed, and we still couldn''t find a single person. Had they all been defeated already? Well, even then, some people should still be left, right? As I was wallowing in self-doubt, Mokuba called out to me: "Big sister, I think I heard something that way." He said and pointed in the direction of the trees. I still couldn''t get used to the fact that he was now calling me Big Sister, but the news of finding people outweighed that. I eagerly followed him as we stopped behind a couple of bushes and got close to a waterfall. The sound of the raging waters drowned out most of the noise, but we could still detect someone''s presence. We sneakily peeked from over the bushes and spotted a man by the bank of the waterfall. Just by looking at his ck spiky hair and fierce face, my immediate impression of him was evil goon number one. Regardless, you can''t judge someone based on their appearance, so I continued to observe him. He seemed pretty tired as he wiped the sweat from his forehead. The man approached one of the undergrowth away from us, and momentster, he returned while dragging; wait, hold on, was that a person? Alright, I take it back; you should maybe, just maybe..... you can assess someone on how they look? Just a little bit, though. I shook my head and stared at the unconscious person being abducted. He was tall, wearing jeans, a white shirt, and a green jacket. He has sporadically arranged blond hair and hazel eyes. I frowned. Huh, that''s Joey, but what''s he doing here? Oh wait, that''s right, I thought, hitting my palm with my fist. This must be when he gets kidnapped and battles a zombie child in a cave! If I remember correctly, that guy abducting Joey was called Zion, um, no, Zeke... Zebra? I couldn''t remember, as the character itself wasn''t important. But all I know was that in the arc, he and two others work for Bandit Keith, the guy behind this master n. I watched with interest and wondered if I should show myself or not since the matters would be resolved eventually if I let it be. I nced at Mokuba, and he was staring at Joey pitifully: "I feel bad just watching... Should we help that weak uncle?" Geez, Joey, even the younger brother''s looking down on you. Deciding to save his dignity, even just a little, I emerged from my hiding spot and confronted the duelist. [3rd POV] "Damn, this guy is heavier than he looks," Zygor muttered as he dragged Joey deeper into the forest. Under his boss''s order, he was supposed to kidnap a weak duelist and take their Star Chips in a duel. However, he was warned to avoid certain people unless he wanted to get obliterated, but Zygor wasn''t listening then, so he can''t fully recall what Keith said. ''Well.'' Zygor smirked: ''What''s the chance of that happening?'' "Stop..." Suddenly, a voice echoed from behind him, and Zygor frowned. He swung around and noticed a girl appearing out of nowhere. Zygor subconsciously shivered, he remembered seeing her somewhere before, but his memory was a little fuzzy. Nheless, she''s in the way right now, and his boss will get mad if he doesn''t return soon. "Go away, girly; this is none of ya business." Zygor chided. Yuna frowned and pointed at Joey: "L...leave him." "Huh, no, can''t do." Zygor crossed his arms: "Now scram before something bad happens." The girl didn''t budge and detached three Star Chips from her gauntlet. Zygor''s pupils shed with greed as Yuna gently tossed the Star Chips before catching them mid-air: "Take... i...if win." Zygor smirked confidently: "Sure, just make sure you cough up those Star Chips once you inevitably lose!" [5 minster....] [A/N: P.S Mokuba survived against Yuna for 10 minutes...] "H...how..." Zyogor copsed on all four and stared at his crumpled deck in shock. Yuna red at him, and he flinched: "T... That was just luck! I will be back!" Zygor shouted before sprinting off with his tail tucked between his legs... She watched as Zygor ran away with the speed befitting of an Olympic athlete. Yuna turned to Joey and sighed. She gently nudged Joey with her foot, and his face scrunched with difort. Gradually, Joey stirred and clutched his head: "Ugh... What happened?" He sat up and instantly noticed a beautiful girl standing before him. Joey''s first reaction was to blush, but he rxed when he recognized her identity. "Huh, Sano? What are you doing here?" Before Yuna could respond, Mokuba suddenly interrupted her: "Shouldn''t the first thing you say is thank you? Big Sister rescued you after all." Joey''s face turned red when he seemed to recollect what had happened before being knocked unconscious. He felt embarrassed being saved by a girl and scratched his cheek sheepishly: "Ah... Thank you." He hurriedly got up and patted the dirt off his pants; this was the first time he was alone with a girl before, and Joey felt a subconscious of his actions. Fortunately, Yuna wasn''t really interested in him, and he himself had a bigger problem at the moment. "So you''re the one that interrupted my ns." They heard a rough voice and loud footsteps approaching from the distance. Joey and Yuna tensed as a group of people appeared from the forest. The one leading the group was a buff man with a red shirt, jeans, and a ck vest. He had blond hair that was covered by an American bandana, and his ck sunss hid his eyes. Joey frowned: "Hold on, I know you! You''re Bandit Keith, the former U.S. Duel Monster Champion!" Keith spat angrily, being named as a former champion. He red at Joey and glimpsed at the girl beside him. At first, when one of his subordinates reported that a girl intercepted his operations, Keith was angry at their ipetence but kept hisposure. He was curious and wanted to check out the perpetrator that ruined his ns. However, it was someone he dreaded meeting the most. ''Sh*t, it''s her...'' Keith cursed between his teeth.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om He knew that girl, and he especially paid attention during the gathering on the ship back in Domino City. So it was obvious he would get wind of the duelist that defeated Seto Kaiba... Keith scowled, and his sses covered his annoyed expression. He knew some rumored that she won by luck; Keith was smart enough that sometimes rumors were deceiving. The duelist understands that his chances of winning may not be as high as he would''ve hoped, but there was one method... He took a deep breath and smirked: "Well, well, well, if it isn''t the famous Yuna Sano in the flesh." Yuna red at him, and Keithughed haughtily: "Heh heh heh, hey, how about it, let''s have a duel? We can also put our Star Chips on the line; after all, may the strongest win?" She felt suspicious of Keith''s suggestion, knowing his personality, his brazenly challenging someone for a duel meant he had some dirty scheme nned. However, Yuna agreed as she needed the Star Chips to advance further into the tournament. "I knew you would ept." Keith smiled: "But how about we make this a little interesting? I propose a tag team duel! You and that boy while I get one of my guys here." He exined and pointed at his group with the back of his thumb. Yuna frowned and couldn''t understand Keith''s thoughts. She nced at Joey, and he seemed to be really excited: "Alright! That''s what we''re talking about! Sano, let''s show them how it''s done!" Joey stared at Yuna intently, and she felt pressured by his confident attitude. She timidly averted her gaze and nodded. "Don''t worry; there''s no way we will lose!" Joey said, but Yuna wasn''t relieved of her doubt. Keith scoffed at Joey''s witty attitude and turned to his group: "Bonz, hurry up and get over here!" A young boy frantically arrived from the group behind Keith. He has messy purple hair with sunken cheeks and eyes, giving him an expression of a ghoul. "You better not mess up," Keith growled, and Bonz flinched in fear as he frantically assured his boss. When he was satisfied, Keith regained his smile: "Well, let''s get the show on the road." He pulled on a hidden lever beside a tree, and the ground rumbled. A huge tform, muchrger than an ordinary duel arena, appeared. Now four diffident podiums were located at each corner, and the field was wider to fit all the cards that would be yed. The four duelists stepped onto the arena with their team standing adjacent to them: "We will bet three Star Chips each. How does that sound?" Keith suggested "Fine by me!" Joey and Yuna sighed as they ced their respective Star Chips on the dueling table. The four duelists quietly observed each other, and a serious atmosphere engulfed the surrounding. "Duel!" x4 [Joey: 2000 LP] [Yuna: 2000 LP] [Keith: 2000 LP] [Bonz: 2000 LP] [A/N: You may be wondering why I''m notbining their LP, since in the Duelist Kingdom shown, the battle with para and dox didn''t have their LPbined, so I will leave it as it is but would change in Battle City Arc. [Yuna POV] ''Tag Team Duel, huh?'' I thought while staring at Kieth and Bonz across me. The concept was first introduced in theter episodes with Yami Yugi and Joey fighting against the Paradox Brothers. But to think I will be ying a tag team duel right now... The rules were fairly simple, we each had two thousand life points, and if one of us was defeated, the team lost altogether. Also, we can use each other''s monsters for tributes, materials for fusion, and activating their effects, but we can''t use the monsters for battle. A team also shared the same graveyard, so I had many more options. The order will be me going first, Keith second, Joey third, and finally, Bonz will go forth. As thest yer to make a turn, Bonz was able to make his first attack, so I needed to make a strong defense before starting my counterattack. "I will activate Foolish Burial!" I announced: "This spell card allows me to send one monster from my deck to the graveyard!" I searched through my cards before finding the one I wanted. and set the chosen card into the discard pile: "I will then summon Dragon Knight of Creation! And activate my continuous spell card, Ruins of the Dragon Lords!" A knight in golden armor and arge stone statue of a dragon appeared in my field. The Dragon Knight noticed the state and stood before it with a fierce attitude. "I will set two cards and end my turn," I said and watched Keith as he drew a card. I couldn''t shake off the suffocating feeling in my chest, and I watched his every move tentatively. "Hmph, first, I will summon Mechanicalchaser." He said a round floating machine with wings wielding multiple sharp weapons in its limbs was summoned onto the field. [Mechanicalchaser: Attack: 1850, Defence: 800] "Now I will activate Machine Conversion Factory! I can equip this to a machine monster, and it gains 300 Attack and Defence!" A small strange factory manifested beside Mechanicalchaser. The building began to make some loud churning noises, and metal flew out and attached itself to the monster. [Mechanicalchaser: Attack: 1850 -> 2150, Defence: 1100] "I will set two cards and end my turn." Keith smiled. Two set cards... I pursed my lips and nced at Joey worriedly. He was oblivious to the hidden danger and was extremely pumped up. "I''m going to summon Axe Raider and end my turn!" He said with an upbeat tone. [Axe Raider: Attack: 1700, Defense: 1150] Um, that''s it. Shouldn''t you at least set something? I stared with disbelief while Keith scoffed. He turned to the nervous Bonz: "y as I told you, and don''t screw it up." "Yes!" He yelped and hurriedly yed his card: "I''m activating the field spell Wastnd! All Dinosaur, Rock, and Zombie monsters on the field gain 300 Attack and Defense!" The forest on the all our field withered into nothingness, and a wide desert filled the area: "I will summon Snake Hair in attack position!" A green-skinned woman with snakes for hair arrived while flicking her reptilian tongue. The monster''s appearance reminded me of a monster from Greek mythology, and her slithering snakes made my skin crawl. [Snake Hair: Attack: 1800, Defense: 1500] (A/N: I already added the stat changes) "Now I activate Sword of Dark Destruction! I can equip this card to a monster, and they gain 400 attacks while losing 200 defense!" A ck sword with a hilt that has a design of a purple dragon materializes in Snake Hair''s hand. She swung the weapon and smiled viciously. [Snake Hair: Attack: 1800 -> 2200, Defense: 1500 -> 1300] "Now attack the Axe Raider!" Bonz shouted and pointed at Joey''s monster. "Not so fast!" I interrupted him and flipped my two trap cards: "I will activate Reinforcement and Battle Mania! Reinforcement gives my monster 500 more attacks until the end of this turn, and Battle Mania forces your Snake Hair to attack mine instead!" [Dragon Knight of Creation: Attack: 1800 -> 2300, Defense: 600] The Snake Hair suddenly changed trajectory and threw herself toward my knight. However, contrary to my expectation, things were not going as nned... "That won''t do!" Keith shouted: "I use Trap Jammer!" His set card revealed itself, and a thunderbolt struck my Battle Mania: "I can negate a trap activation and destroy it! How do you like that?" He smirked, and I cringed with disgust. Snake Hair returned to her original direction and swung her sword. The Axe Raider was cleaved in half. [Joey: 2000 LP -> 1500 LP] Joey gritted his teeth when his life points dropped considerably. Keithughed confidently: "Do you know? No matter how great of a duelist you are, as long you have a weak team, you are bound to fall!" So that''s what you''re nning... I nced at Joey with aplicated feeling. This will be tougher than I thought. I hope you enjoy! Chapter 19: This Stupid Game Hurt my Brain Chapter 19: This Stupid Game Hurt my Brain ? Before we begin, I''m wondering how do you guys feel seeing Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand as Yuna''s trump card, like Yugi with dark magician and Kaiba with BEWD? I will implement other decks in this story but Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand will be her main. [Yuna POV] So they nned to target Joey, huh? Even if I don''t like being in the center of attention, focus on me a little too! I clicked my teeth with frustration, I nced at Joey, and he seemed disturbed by their cowardly strategy. "Don''t look down on me!" Joey angrily mmed the table with his hands. Keith smirked and gestured annoyingly for me to make my move. I pouted and drew a card: "I activate Pot of Greed and draw two more cards from my deck!" I nced at my replenished hand and nodded: "I will summon Guardian of Felgrand!" Arge green-haired man in silver armor was summoned to the field. The knight smiled and crossed his arms, standing tall and rigid like a mountain. [Guardian of Felgrand: Attack: 500, Defense: 500] "With Guardian of Felgrand''s ability, I can equip one level 7 or 8 dragon monster in my graveyard to this card, and Guardian of Felgrand will gain stats to half of the monster that will be equipped! The one I choose is Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" Guardian of Felgrand pointed his weapon in the sky, and a beam shot down from heaven and was enveloped by the blinding light. Once the shimmer faded, a mirage of arge dragon stood behind the Guardian of Felgrand, like a guardian angel protecting its important person. [Guardian of Felgrand: Attack: 500 -> 1900, Defense: 500 -> 1900] "Then I will activate Ruins of the Divine Dragon Lord''s ability. I can tribute a card on the field and special summon a token onto the field; the one I choose is Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" The dragon behind Guardian of Felgrand transformed into a small orb of light and gently floated beside my monsters. By doing so, the Guardian of Felgrand loses his power and returns to its original strength. [Dragon Lord Token: Attack: o, Defense: 0] [Guardian of Felgrand: Attack: 1900 -> 500, Defense: 1900 -> 500] You may wonder, what was the point of going through all this? Ku ku ku, well, let me indulge in this grand scheme of mine! "Then Guardian of Felgrand''s second ability will be set in motion! I can tribute two monsters, including this card, and special summon one level seven or eight dragons back from my grave!" The token and Guardian of Felgrand burst into a flurry of particles: "Rise again, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" The bright particles slowly expanded and formed arge shape. A ferocious golden dragon upied my field, and its roar shook the entire forest. "Woah..." I heard Joey gasping with awe: "That''s crazy. No matter how many times I see it..." [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: Attack: 2800, Defense: 2800] "With Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s ability, I can banish one monster on the field and gain 100x attack and defense equal to the number of levels from the monster! The one I choose is Mechanicalchaser!" Keith''s Mechanicalchaser went limp and dropped to the floor. The ground opened up and engulfed the monster as it was dragged underground. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: Attack: 2800 -> 3200, Defense: 2800 -> 3200] "Now attack Snake Hair!" I ordered, and the dragon charged. No matter how sharp the Snake Hair''s sword was, it couldn''tpete with Felgrand''s ws and was easily devoured. [Bonz: 2000 LP -> 1000 LP] Hmph, how do you guys like that? If you guys target Joey, then I will target you, Bonz! I red at the zombie child, and he flinched nervously. I faced Keith, and he was desperately suppressing his anger. Phew, seeing his angry face made me feel a little better: "Your move," I urged. In a single turn, I managed to destroy all the monsters on their side, so it must havended a great impact on their psyche. However, I couldn''t afford to rx. Who knew what else they could pull out of their sleeves? Keith frowned and drew a card: "I will call upon Mighty Guard." He calmly summoned a green cyborg soldier that was a mix between a beefy man and a machine. The soldier unleashed a war cry and punched the air. [Mighty Guard: Attack: 500, Defense: 1200] "Now I will attack Machine Duplication, and I can choose a machine monster with 500 or fewer attacks and special summon two of the same monster from my deck," Keith exined. Two extra Mighty Guards were summoned, and the three monsters nodded at each other likerades in arms. When Keith ended his turn carefreely, I felt nervous, knowing that Keith summoned three monsters in one go. It never meant something good. I nced at Joey worriedly: "Be careful..." Joet gulped and quietly stared at his hand. I''m d he''s taking my advice to heart and thinking about his move instead of charging in like a madman. "I will set a card face down and summon Tiger Axe." He said while a huge anthropomorphic tiger wearing diator armor and holding a twin-headed battle axe rose to the ground. [Tiger Axe: Attack: 1300, Defense: 1100] Joey: "Now attack the Mighty Guard!" Tiger Axe rushes towards his foe. The monster raises his axe and leaps into the group of soldiers. The monster struck down, and the de easily pierced the armor and killed one of the soldiers. [Keith: 2000 LP -> 1200 LP] Alright, this was a good start, we have already brought both of them to low health, and if we y this sessfully, we can win. Strangely, Keith wasn''t bothered by the massive drop in life points as he turned to Joey. "You shouldn''t have attacked me." He warned. "Huh, what does that suppose to mean?!" Joey grumbled, and Keith shrugged, "I will end my turn." He said cautiously. When it was Bonz''s move, Keith said threateningly, "Follow the n." Bonz nodded: "I will tribute the two Mighty Guards on Keith''s field and summon Zoa!" A blue-skinned demon appeared, with a humanoid face with a horn, hunched back, razor- sharp ws, and two pairs of red fins behind its head. [Zoa: 2600, 1900] Bonz: "Now attack the Tiger Axe!" "Not so fast!" Joey hurriedly shouted: "I activated my trap card, Kunai, with chain and gave Tiger Axe 500 attack and forced Zoa into a defense position!" [Tiger Axe: Attack: 1800, Defense: 1100] Tiger Axe''s weapon was reced with a metal kunai attached to a chain. The tiger hurled the weapon and caught Zoa. The fiend thrashed but was eventually forced to return to Bonz''s side with a disgruntled expression. "Phew, that was close!" Joey eximed and wiped the sweat off his forehead. I sighed with relief; the good old Kunai with Chain once again saved the day. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I thought things would turn for the worse. However, the best oue has urred, and we can now begin our counterattack! Bonz frowned when things didn''t go as nned: "I will set a card and end my turn." "Tsk," Keith scowled: "Useless brat..." I drew a card and sighed; another monster card? Am I bricking that badly? Even if my deck has many effect cards, it seems like I still couldn''t escape the fate of a terrible draw. Sorry, Joey, I''m the useless one now... "I will turn Dragon Knight of Creation into Defense Position," I said as the knight stabbed his sword into the ground and knelt beside the statue. "I''m also setting a monster face down and entering my attack phase!" I announced: "Then Divine Dragon Lord! Destroy Zoa this instance!" "Not so fast!" Keith shouted, "I activate Magic Metal Force and use it on Zoa!" A blinding light emerged from Keith''s set card and engulfed Bonz''s Zoa. The monster''s skin turned metallic as machine and bolts reced its flesh: "With Magic Metal Force, I can turn monsters into a machine typing! Now Zoa has be Metal Zoa!" [Metal Zoa: Attack: 3000, Defense: 2300] Huh, but what''s the point? Metal Zoa was still weaker than Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, right? Metal Zoa will perish like normal, right? Bonz will lose his life points, right? Definitely not something extremely dumb that I have missed that would stop me, right? RIGHT? Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand puffed its chest and unleashed a stream of orange mes on Machine Zoa, covering the field into a sea of fire. When the mes died down, to my shock, Metal Zoa remained on the field, and Bonz''s life points hadn''t changed. OI OI OI, what this''s They didn''t even activate a trap card, and my dragon definitely attacked! Excuse me; I call the referee! "Suprised, are you?" Keith sneered: "With Magic Metal Force''s effect, Metal Zoa won''t be affected by non-physical attacks!" What... Non-physical attacks? W...WHAT THE *!@#$!? Keith clutched his stomach inughter, and I felt my anger rising. EXCUSE ME?! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?! NON-PHYSICAL ATTACKS? HOW DO I FIGHT THAT, THEN??? TAKAHASHI-SAN, EXPLAIN!!! [A/N: Kazuki Takahashi is the creator of Yugioh] "Such a powerful effect..." Joey muttered in admiration. My eye twitched, and I felt that I needed to check my teammate''s brain for a second. WHAT KIND OF BULL!@*#U WAS THAT??? HEY DIVINE DRAGON LORD, YA BIG GOOF. WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY FOR YOURSELF?? My teeth made a grinding sound as I red at my monster. I swore the dragon was purposely avoiding my gaze, and it seemed to be saying: "You''re the one that ordered me to attack, but you never specified how to attack..."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "I..... I end my turn..." I slumped my shoulders and leaned on the podium. Hey Joey, stop staring at me with that pitying look. It hurts... Keith chuckled: "I use Pot of Greed and draw two cards." "Then I''m activating Call of the Haunted and summoning Snake Hair." Bonz suddenly said. Bandit Keith nodded with a feral smile: "Then I will tribute Snake Hair and set a monster face down. I''m ending my turn." "Sano-san, get a hold of yourself!" Joey encouraged from a distance: "This wasn''t over yet." I sighed, don''t say that. It makes people think that I''m giving up. Deciding that it''s useless to dwell on that garbage effect, I straightened my back and answered: "We should y it safe; we don''t know the identity of Keith''s monster, and Metal Zoa was way stronger than your monsters," I suggested. "I see," Joey muttered thoughtfully: "Then I will set Tiger Axe into Defense Position. Joey held a card and glimpsed at me; grasping his intention, I nodded. Joey smiled and tributed my face-down fodder before setting a monster of his own. It was a good idea as my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand was currently protecting me, so it was smart to use my other monsters for tributes. "I''m setting a card face down and end my turn," Joey said and gave me a thumbs up. My sigh became even louder. Where did that faith evene from? Geez... I should have brought some aspirin, and I can already feel the headache setting in... I hope you enjoy! Sorry for the cliff, the battle took way longer than I have expected, I will try and release part 2 this week. Chapter 20: Tag Team Duel Continues! Chapter 20: Tag Team Duel Continues! ? Okay, this time, I will definitely post another chapter this week! The fight was longer than I thought, and I needed to improve thest part a bit! Besides that, was anyone else grinding the Master Duel Tournament right now? I had a 40- minute battle against an Ishizu/Naturia deck, which was an interesting experience... Short Recap: Yuna''s Field: Dragon Knight of Creation (Defense), Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand(Attack) Keith: Set monster, Magic Metal Force on Zoa, One set card. Joey: Tiger Axe(Defense), Set monster, One set card Bonz: Metal Zoa and One set Card [Yuna POV] I rubbed my forehead and sighed. Even after a couple of minutes of calming myself, I still couldn''t get over that stupid effect... *Sigh* Who could forget that in Yugioh, they take card descriptions quite literally? Even a normal monster might do something unbelievable if it said something random. I nced at Bonz while he drew his card. Bonz: "I''m going straight into the attack phase! Metal Zoa, go destroy Tiger Axe!" Metal Zoa''s eyes shed and pounced at the weak Tiger Axe. Joey gritted his teeth and hurriedly exposed his trap card: "I use Chasm of Spikes!" Before the monster''s steel ws reached Tiger Axe, arge cavity expanded between them. Tiger Axe swung his axe and mmed Metal Zoa into the hole. There was a shrill mechanical cry when the robot was impaled by the dozen spikes hidden inside the hole. Metal Zoa explodes into hundreds of pieces, and Joey points at Bonz with a smile: "With Chasm of Spikes, I can destroy one monster attacking monster, then my opponent will lose life points equal to a quarter of that monster''s attack!" Bonz''s Metal Zoa has a whopping three thousand attack points, which means that Bonz will have to take seven hundred fifty worth of burn damage! [Bonz: 1000 LP -> 250 LP] "Tsk... I will set a monster face down and end my turn." Bonz said with a bitter expression. WOO HOO! Great job, Joey! Now I will finish this! "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand! Attack Bonz''s set monster!" I yelled before stammering: ".... Use your ws this time!" Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand roared and plummeted from the air. However, Keith suddenly interrupted me and shouted: "I won''t let you! I will activate Negate Attack!" A barrier seemed to form between Bonz''s monster and mine. Felgrand roared with rage and shed at the barrier, but it won''t break no matter what... "With Negate Attack, I can end your monster''s attack and skip the battle phase entirely." Keith exined: "You need to try harder than that!" I pouted and turned my head, just let me y the game for once! It felt like Joey was the only one actually doing something... When its Keith''s turn, he smiled: "Finally, the moment hase!"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "I activate my set trap, Time Machine!" Keith announced, and arge ck machine appeared on the field: "With this, I can special summon a monster from the graveyard that was destroyed by battle! The one I choose is Mighty Guard!" The familiar cyborg returned to the field, and the soldier saluted gratefully at Keith. [Mighty Guard: Attack: 500, Defense: 500] "With this, I will tribute my two monsters on the field to summon my strongest monster! Now show yourself, Barrel Dragon!" Mighty Guard and Bonz''s set monster merged and transformed into an enormous creature. Its entire body was built out of metal and pieces of machinery as the monster stood on two legs. On both sides were two giant revolvers. There was also a revolver attached to its head. The dragon stomped its feet, and the revolved made a sharp noise when the hammers of the gun notched backward. [Barrel Dragon: Attack: 2600, Defense: 2200] "Now, I use my spell card, Seven Completed! Which allows me to grant Barrel Dragon seven hundred attacks!" [Barrel Dragon: Attack: 2600 -> 3300, Defence: 2200] "Then I will activate Barrel Dragon''s ability, and I can flip a coin three times and attack my opponent''s monsters to how many times itnded on heads (Anime Effect)!" A golden coin appeared at the center of the field. The coin hurled itself into the air, and we tensely watched the results. Heads... Tails... Finally, when the coinnded on the floor, I cursed and red at the head sculpted on the t side of the coin: "Ke Ke Ke, Inded on heads twice; that means I can target two monsters for battle!! So, I choose Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and Tiger Axe!" Barrel Dragon roared and aimed its gun at our monsters. BOOOOM!!! BOOOOOOM!!! The revolvers fired with a thunderous roar; the bullets struck Tiger Axe and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, and the monsters sumbed to their wounds. [Joey: 1500 LP -> 700 LP] [Yuna: 2000 LP -> 1900 LP] Keith cackled like a maniac while covering his face with his hand: "Now, with the obstacle gone, your chances of winning are over!" He ended his turn with a sneer; Joey clicked his teeth and nced at me: "What should we do?" I frowned at theplicated situation we found ourselves in. Bonz''s life points were still lower than ours, but Joey was just as fragile. It would be difficult to target Bonz directly under Keith''s assault, and the zombie boy''s monster will always be on the defensive, and right now, we have no choice but to protect ourselves as well. Voicing out my thoughts, Joey nodded and set a monster face down before ending his turn. When it was Bonz''s time to y, he copied us and summoned another monster in the defensive position, building himself a wall of creatures. I scowled; right now, in this type of stalling, there wasn''t any good way to stop them other than using cards to make the opponent''s monsters attack forcibly. Well, I still have two more Battle Mania left in my deck, but by looking at the history of my draws in this game, I''m not counting on it. Thankfully, Bonz was ying cautiously, so his turn was usually uneventful. I drew my card and sighed with relief, finally something I could use! "I activate Graceful Charity!" I announced. It allowed me to draw three cards and discard two cards from my hand!" I grabbed three consecutive cards and discarded two spare fodders I didn''t need. My smile widened. Yes! More spell and trap cards, just what I needed! "I will activate Swords of Revealing Light! All face-down monsters will now be flipped face- up, and no monster can attack until the end phase of my opponent''s third turn! Which means you guys couldn''t attack before Keith''s second turn!" Hundreds of white swords descended from the sky and surrounded all of Keith''s and Bonz''s monsters. The ones Bonz set face down were revealed. It was arge treasure chest with a mediocre design. The chest opened, and a ghoulish red monster emerged from within. [Yaranzo: Attack: 1300, Defense: 1500] It was a normal monster with a decent defense, so fortunately, it was not dangerous. I stared at my hand and turned to Joey, who was nervously biting his nails. He must have a hand as terrible as mine by gauging his reaction. I nodded to myself; I still had Life Points to spare, so I needed to support him the best I could. "I will y my spell card, Exchange! This allows me to exchange a card with a yer on the field." This was a card I purchased from the system store this morning. Even if it''s a super rare card, it''s one I definitely needed for my ns in the future. My eyes darted around and observed everyone''s nervous reaction. Bonz seemed creeped out by my stare, while Keith was smiling brazenly without a care of the world. Just you wait, and I will wipe that annoying smirk off your face! I gave everyone one final nce and decided: "The one I chose is Joey!" Joey''s eyes widened with disbelief upon hearing his name being called. The arena''s machinery came to life, and our two podiums were brought close to each other: "Take this, I whispered." And showed him a card. He nodded and added it to his hand while I took a random monster in return. When we returned to our original position, I summoned Joey''s monster in defense mode and set one card on the field before ending my turn. Right now, I hope he can put that card to good use... I hope you can enjoy Chapter 21: Team Work Makes the Dream Work! Chapter 21: Team Work Makes the Dream Work! ? [Short Recap] Yuna: Dragon Knight of Creation (Defense), Set Monster, Sword of Revealing Light Joey: Set Monster Keith: Barrel Dragon Bonz: Yaranzo, Set Card x1 [3rd POV] "I will end my turn," Yuna dered and red at Keith. The duelist in question smirked: "Stare all you want. It''s not going to change anything." Keith reached for his deck to draw a card. However, he paused and sneakily flicked his wrist; a card appeared underneath his wristband, and he added the card to his hand. Keith nced at his two opponents and chuckled; they were too oblivious... Keith needed to reach the finals no matter the cost, even if he had to cheat to get there. After all, that''s the only way he could do to regain his dignity. He could still remember the humiliating scene in the past. It all began with a match in the United States Final. It was him against Pegasus, the president of the Industrial Illusions, the creator of Duel Monsters. He was winning; everything was going great until he felt Pegasus had changed. Keith still couldn''t forget that eerie chuckle. Next, he knew Pegasus wrote something on a piece of paper before ordering a young child, who was watching from the sidelines, to y for him. "By following my instructions, you can win in one turn," Pegasus said confidently before walking away. Keith then took that as a bluff, but who would''ve thought the child would actually win? It was embarrassing that day, Keith spiraled into depression, and now he has returned! ''Pegasus, with this tournament, I will have my revenge!'' He swore in his heart. Keith stared at the card he "drew": "I will activate Seven Completed again! My Barrel Dragon will gain another seven hundred attacks!" [Barrel Dragon: Attack: 3300-> 4000, Defence: 2200] Four thousand attack, Keith smiled smugly; that''s even higher than the Blue Eyes White Dragon! However, his mouth tasted bitter as The Swords of Revealing Light hindered his ns. But it doesn''t matter. Keith could attack again in a few more turns, and then it would be all over. "Your move, boy," Keith said to Joey: "Better make it quick." Joey groaned and stared at the card Yuna gave him. He was surprised that Yuna would use Exchange on him instead of Bonz or Keith; she even gave him a card he needed most right now. He nced at his pathetic hand: "Yosh, let''s not put her card to waste! I will use Pot of Greed and draw two more cards from the deck!" Pot of Greed. The card Yuna gifted to him, without it, Joey would have truly been a third-rate duelist with a fourth-rate deck! Even if it''s such a simple effect, with a hand of nothing but normal monsters, he couldn''t ask for better help than this! He eagerly drew two more cards and held his breath; there it was! With this, he might be able to make a change! "Not yet," A soft voice brought him out of his excitement. Yuna nced at him from the corner of her eyes: "We still do not have what we need." Joey calmed down and nodded, and there were still a few more rounds before they could attack again. They have plenty of time. "I will finish my turn by setting a card and monster!" Joey announced with a serene expression. Bonz frowned and drew his card: "I will use Emergency Provisions! I send my set trap to the graveyard and gain one thousand life points." [Bonz: 250 LP -> 1250 LP] Joey swore under his breath while watching Bonz''s life points spike up. Now he was the one with the lowest health. Bonz smiled with relief when the tension left his body. He set a monster on the field but was immediately exposed to The Sword of Revealing Light. It was a crazed zombie warrior with throwing knives and dual sabers strapped to his back. The monster waved its weapon menacingly. However, it immediately knelt in defense position and calmly protected its master. [Dark Assant: Attack: 1200, Defense: 1200] "I will end my turn," Bonz said, gradually regaining his confidence. His boss was right. What was there to worry about? The victory was in the bag! ''Let''s just put this scary feeling aside...'' Bonz chuckled nervously. Yuna added a card from her deck into her hand. She gazed at her arsenal and nodded to herself. She locked eyes with Joey and grinned: "I will turn Dragon Knight of Creation into attack position." The knight stood back up and grabbed his sword: "Now attack Yaranzo!" she yelled and pointed at Bonz''s monster. Dragon Knight of Creation charged and approached the dangerous treasure chest. The red ghoul leaped out but was easily decapitated with a single sword swing. Unfortunately, Bonz''s monster was in a defensive position, so no harm was done to Bonz. "Then with Dragon Knight of Creation''s effect! I can send a level-eight dragon from my deck to the graveyard!" Yuna exined and slipped a card into her discard pile: "With Dragon Knight of Creation''s second effect, I can discard another card from my hand and then sacrifice my knight to revive my dragon!" "Rise and spread your wings again, Blue Eyes White Dragon!" An ear-piercing roar resonated through the forest. A white circle spanned across my field, and a silver dragon soared through the hole. The sunlight reflected off its scales, and the dragon landed majestically. [Blue Eyes White Dragon: Attack: 3000, Defense: 2500] Keith clenched hisn/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om nervously: weaker than my monster!" what you have, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon? It''s still "Yes, you''re right." Yuna responded, causing Keith to frown: "That''s why I will set a monster and a card before ending my turn." Immediately, the sword of lights surrounding Keith and Bonz''s monsters dissipated, and they regained their vigor. Instead of feeling the joy of being freed from the shackles, Keith felt anxious. Has she really summoned Blue Eyes White Dragon for nothing? ''No, impossible; she must be scheming something,'' Keith thought: ''I should destroy that dragon right away!'' He flicked his wrist again, slipping another Seven Completed into his hand: "I will use Seven Completed again! My Barrel Dragon wouldn''t be able to be defeated now!" [Barrel Dragon: Attack: 4000 -> 4700, Defense: 2200] "F...four thousand seven hundred?!" Joey stiffened in shock. "That''s right, and now you will face its full power!" Keith shouted: "Now I activate Barrel Dragon''s ability!" The coin reappeared... Heads... Heads... Heads! Keith''s confidence returned: "Now destroy everything she owns!" He roared, and Barrel Dragon aimed its barrels at Yuna, "This match is over. Destroy that Blue Eyes White Dragon and all of her monsters! Barrel Dragon fired, Yuna''s field was littered with explosions, and smoke engulfed her. Keith sneered and patiently waited for the smoke to settle. However, his mood turned sour when he spotted Yuna standing where she originally stood. A barrier covered her field; beside the shield were three female priests wearing blue cloaks and green uniforms. Their hands sped together, praying as their energy was gathered into the shield. When the attack stopped, the priests and the barrier disappeared as Yuna smiled: "You have triggered my trap card, Waboku! I take no battle damage this turn, nor can battle destroy them!" Keith huffed angrily, and his card crumpled in his hand: "You insect... Fine... Have it your way...." Since he has targeted Yuna specifically, Joey''s monster was leftpletely unharmed: "I will end my turn for now." Keith crossed his arms. ''Rx,'' He thought; ''There''s no way for them to win now...'' Joey only has one set card, while Yuna still has two monsters and one hidden card on the field. However, Keith calcted that there was no way that they could survive unless...'' "Sano-san, I''m ready!" Joey beamed. Yuna nodded: "Let''s do this!" Joey smiled: "I will activate my Time Wizard!" Arge humanoid clock appeared on the field, and the monster cheerfully danced in the air: "With the effect of Time Wizard, I can spin a roulette. If I seed, all the monsters on the field will age!" Time Wizard flexed its fingers and created arge magic wheel. On the wheel, there were two sides. One side had a skull symbol, while the other was a green tick. The arrow on the wheel began to spin, and everyone watched with nervousness. The arrow gradually slowed down, and Joey''s eyes widened. Time Wizard joyfully spun around and aimed his staff in the sky. Green light covered the sky and reminded him of the Aurora Borealis he had seen on those documentary shows. The Light covered all the monsters on the field, and their physique began to change. Barrel Dragon groaned, and rust coated its body, weakening its strength tremendously. Unfortunately, other monsters suffered the same fate, and Yuna''s monsters aged significantly. Rust-coated Barrel Dragon''s metal exterior, the monster groaned, and its movement became rigid. While the other monsters became a shell of their old selves... [Barrel Dragon: Attack: 4700 -> 2350, Defense: 2200] [Blue Eyes White Dragon: Attack: 3000 -> 1500, Defense: 2500] [Dark Assant: Attack: 1200 -> 600, Defense: 1200] The other monsters also have their stats altered. However, it wasn''t disyed publicly since they were originally set face-down. Joey chuckled; he was really d that it worked! With this, their counter-attack starts now! "Then I will tribute two of Sano-san''s monsters and summon my strongest card, Red Eyes ck Dragon!" Darkness was donned upon the two monsters on Yuna''s field. They werepletely engulfed, and arge shape was formed. When the darkness settled, a humongous ck dragon appeared. The monster has spiny scales,rge wings, and a beak-like mouth. The dragon''s pupils were blood red, and it roared with rage. [Red Eyes ck Dragon: Attack: 2400, Defense: 2000] "Now, I apply Dragon Nails to Red Eyes ck Dragon! Give it 600 more attacks!" Red Eyes'' ck Dragon''s ws grew longer, and its nails became darker. The monster bellowed at the exciting feeling of receiving its new upgrade. [Red Eyes ck Dragon: Attack: 2400 -> 3000, Defense: 2000] "Then I flip summon my set monster," Joey yelled, and a slim figure crawled out of the card. It wears a skin-tight suit while wearing a magician''s cloak and top hat. The monster hid its face with a hand-held mirror. [Copy Cat: Attack: 0, Defense: 0] "Keith, you may be wondering why I reveal this monster, right?" Joey smirked: "You will see once I activate its effect! Copy Cat allows me to copy a card yed by my opponent, and the one I chose to copy is Magic Metal Force!" Suddenly, Red Eyes ck Dragon''s skin turned silver. Its joints became gears and machines as the monster unleashed a metalized scream: "With this, Red Eyes ck Dragon has be Red Eyes ck Metal Dragon!" [Red Eyes ck Metal Dragon: Attack: 3000 -> 3400, Defense: 2000] ''Sh*t! Why didn''t I destroy it earlier!?'' Keith gritted his teeth, and his eyes widened: ''No way...'' He stared at Yuna, who was smiling at him brightly: "That Blue Eyes White Dragon was just bait?!" Keith haspletely glossed over Joey''s monster this entire time by using all his attacks on Yuna! Ultimately, this would be his downfall... "I will finally activate Grave Robber!" Joey dered, and his trap card revealed itself as a small gnome carrying a shovel appeared: "I can steal a card from my opponent''s graveyard; the one I steal is Seven Completed!" In Keith''s discard pile, the Seven Completed was taken by the Arena device and transferred to Joey''s podium. He took the card and activated it without hesitation. The familiar aura manifested around Red Eyes ck Metal Dragon, and the dragon growled at thefortable feeling. [Red Eyes ck Metal Dragon: Attack: 3400 -> 4100, Defense: 2000] "With this, it''s more than enough to defeat you, Keith!" Joey smiled and pointed at the rusty Barrel Dragon: "Now attack the Barrel Dragon!" "I won''t let you!" Keith shouted: "I activate Shattered Axe! Red Eyes ck Metal Dragon will lose 500 attacks!" [Red Eyes ck Metal Dragon: Attack: 4100 -> 3600, Defense: 2000] Red Eyes ck Metal Dragon''s nails cracked, and the monster howled at the painful sensation. "With this much, you still can''t win! When I survived, it would truly be over!" He roared. However, Joey wasn''t fazed and grinned: "You''re right; it is over, but not how you would imagine!" "Yuna!" Joey yelled as Keith''s eyes widened. "Yes!" Yuna responded and flipped over her trap card: "I will activate Reinforcement! That means Red Eyes ck Dragon will regain five hundred attacks!" "WHAT?!" Keith gasped: "No!" [Red Eyes ck Metal Dragon: Attack: 3600 -> 4100, Defense: 2000] Red Eyes ck Dragon''s wounds healed, and the monster charged. Barrel Dragon fired its guns, but the bullets couldn''t pierce its tough scales. Yuna and Joey: "This is the end!" The monster tore off Barrel Dragon''s limbs before chomping down on its head. *CRUNCH* Red Eyes ck Metal Dragon ripped off Barrel Dragon''s head. With one desperate groan and the machine, the monster erupted into a massive explosion. Keith was swept off his feet, and he screamed as everything he had built copsed before his eyes. [Keith: 1200 LP -> 0 LP] Before you leave, here are some rifications in the duel: Copy Cat was originally a spell card in duelist kingdom, but it was actually a monster card, and I decided to use the anime effect. For Time Wizard, even if it''s a monster card, the effect actually stated that it could be used as a spell, so I kept it in! I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 22: Danger, Threats in the Shadow! Chapter 22: Danger, Threats in the Shadow! ? [3rd POV, Earlier (Before the duel with Keith)] After leaving Yuna and his brother, Seto walked quietly through the forest. He stared at the castle in the distance where the perpetrator of this entire mess resided. Seto patted the area of his chest where his gun was hidden underneath his trench coat. He hoped he didn''t have to use the weapon but won''t show mercy if Pegasus refused to yield. Before Seto realized it, he was already at the gate of therge castle. It was too quiet, and he hadn''t encountered any Pegasus''s men. He turned and nced at the forest where his brother and Yuna were probably wandering around. He felt uneasy entrusting Mokuba''s safety to the girl, but at least Seto understood her intention was sincere. Seto took a deep breath and pushed against the gate, it moved easily, and he was surprised that it wasn''t even locked. His shoes made a sharp clicking sound in the empty hallway. The interior was eerily dark, and Seto clenched his fist to calm his stirring heart. Eventually, he reached a dead end, and before him was another door. Seto could hear someone inside; he equipped himself with the pistol and entered. The door immediately mmed shut behind him, and Seto frowned. In the center of the room was a man resting leisurely on an extravagant chair. The man wears a bright red suit and cuffs. He has long white hair that covers the left side of his face, and he smiles ominously upon noticing Seto''s presence. "Wee to my humble abode Kaiba-boy," Pegasus said with his English ent Japanese. Seto scowled and pointed the pistol at Pegasus''s face: "This foolish act has been going on far enough. Stop now before it''s toote." Pegasus chuckled: "I wouldn''t do that if I were you..." He pped his hands, and the lights came to life, illuminating the room and revealing dozens of armed men in ck suits pointing their firearms at the young Kaiba Corps President. A droplet of sweat dripped down Seto''s forehead, and he tightened his grip on his weapon. "Call of your men this instance, or else I will ce a bullet in your brain!" Seto threatened. "Oh?" Pegasus tilted his head: "You''re not one that should be making negotiations, you know? Unless you want your brother to get hurt." "What is that supposed to mean?" Seto gnashed his teeth. Pegasus flicked his finger, and a white screen slowly lowered from the ceiling. The projector machine across the room began to y, and Seto gasped. It was a live video of a girl and boy strolling through the forest, unaware they were stalked. "If you shoot me and my subordinates don''t hear from me after a certain amount of time..." Pegasus smiled: "I''m sure you know the implication of my words." "You dare!" Seto shouted in anger. "Oh, I do dare Kaiba-boy," Pegasus shrugged: "You see, I''m in control this entire time. So, don''t make me repeat myself." His smile suddenly vanished, and Pegasus stared at Seto coldly: "Drop. The. Gun." Seto''s arm trembled, and he red at Pegasus with hatred. The room''s atmosphere was so tense that it could be cut with a sharp knife. Eventually, Seto faltered, and his pistol fell to the floor. Pegasus''s smile widened: "Good, now we can discuss like civilized men!" All the security guards finally lowered their guns and confiscated Seto''s weapon, so now he''s left defenceless and under the viin''s clutches.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "I hope you understand that it''s nothing personal." Pegasus exined nonchntly: "Taking over yourpany was merely a stepping stone to reach my grand goal." "And that is?" Seto questioned with a scowl. "Now now, it wouldn''t be interesting if I reveal everything here?" Heughed: "But what I would give you is a chance." Seto: "A chance?" "Yes, an opportunity of some sort allows you to return everything to how they were." Pegasus exined: "It''s simple, as fellow enjoyers of Duel Monsters, isn''t it natural that we settle our dispute with a duel?" "But of course, if we were to duel, you would follow my rules." Pegasus dered: "Since I''m currently hosting a tournament, it would be a shame if it was ruined." Pegasus took something from his pocket and tossed a red glove at Seto, and it fell before his feet: "Go collect ten-star chips, then we can talk." Seto stared at the smiling Mokuba through the screen. He clicked his teeth and picked up the duelling glove. The fabric felt soft on his finger, but it disgusted him even further. Five Star Chips were already imnted inside the gauntlet. Seto slid the glove onto his life hand, and Pegasusughed. "That looked good on you." He smirked. Seto turned around and approached the entrance. His hand touched the door handle and stopped: "I will destroy you..." "Ha ha ha," Pegasus chuckled: "I will await that moment then. The clock is ticking, and you only have today before it''s toote. You don''t want to disappoint your brother, would you?" Seto''s anger soared through the roof, and he punched the wall, leaving a fist mark on the structure. Pegasus watched with amusement as the young duelist exited swiftly. He shifted his seat and watched the live footage. His eyes zoned in on the girl beside Seto''s little brother: "How fun! I want to duel you again, Yuna Sano! So you better not fail my expectation!" Pegasus grinned, and hisughter echoed in the dark castle... [Yuna POV, Present Time] I smiled when Keith copsed to the ground in shock. His arrogant taunting during the duel had got on my nerves, and seeing him in this state lifted my mood. Throughout the battle, I felt a hunch something was amiss, and it waster proven when Keith drew three Seven Completed consecutively. I might be wrong, as he possibly had the luckiest draw of his life. But familiar with his personality, I doubt that was the case. However, I''m not going to confront him about it though. Losing like that was already humiliating enough, and if I angered him even more, there was a chance he won''t use cards to settle the score... Geez, I need something to defend myself. Should I get one of those self-defense Tasers? As the brief thought lingered, we were lowered from the Podium. Joey sprinted at me with a wide grin. "That was some awesome dueling Sano!" He eximed like an excited toddler. "Of course, Big Sis was super powerful after all!" Mokuba added while appearing from the sidelines. My cheeks felt slightly heated from their high evaluation, and I could only nod weakly in response. "Joey, where are you!?" We turned our heads when a group of people emerged from the trees. Their eyes settled on us and widened. A boy wearing a blue school uniform with hair that looked like a starfish ran towards us. "Joey, we have been looking for you! Also, why is Sano-san here, and who are they?" Yugi asked and gestured at the dazed Keith and his group. Thankfully, Joey was there to exin, so I didn''t have to speak. Yugi seemed grateful for my rescue, and he stared at the American Duelist with contempt. The rest of Yugi''s crew also arrived, and together, we confronted Keith to collect our winning. To my surprise, Keithplied with a word. Even if he had resorted to cheating, he''s still a man who kept his word. I inserted the earned star chips into my gauntlet. All the slots were filled, and I sessfully survived the preliminary match. "Hey, Sano-san, do you want toe with us?" Tea asked on behalf of the group, who was waiting with anticipation. However, I declined the offer. Joey and Yugi still needed more Star Chips, and since I had gathered ten, I didn''t have to search for the remaining duelists. Also, I felt my mental state would suffer with this many people, so I''m content with only having Mokuba by my side. The crew was disappointed but respected my decision, and we parted ways. Mokuba and I decided to proceed to the castle at the ind''s center. We still had a few hours to spare, but the distance was pretty far, so we needed to travel steadily and not bete. I felt slightly worried about bringing Mokuba to the castle, and he didn''t hide his hatred toward Pegasus. However, knowing that I had a tournament topete in, he agreed to follow me despite the risk. His selflessness tugged on my guilty conscious as to whether it was the right choice. Yet, he insisted that we should go, I can predict his way of thinking, he''s probably still sulking about being ditched by Kaiba so he want to go meet him regardless of the dagner. The journey was uneventful as no random duelist appeared from hiding, demanding a duel. Mokuba and I spoke along the way; even if he was the one that did most of the talking, I enjoyed it. I tried to give him a thorough response, but the words I wanted to express refused to leave my mouth. Nheless, I enjoyed thepany, and the few hours hike went by like a breeze. However, my spirit dampened when we stopped at the bottom of the long winding stairs. Ah... Ipletely forgot about the stairs! I can still feel the cramps in my legs from climbing the first time! "Come on, let''s go!" Mokuba urged and jumped on the first step. I sighed while watching him eagerly skip up the stairs. With a heavy heart, I followed after him. Another hourter... "B... break," I begged as sweat stained my clothes. Mokuba, who didn''t even seem remotely exhausted by the strenuous climb, stopped and nodded. I copsed tiredly on one of the steps and gasped for air. When my pulse rate returned to normal, I dug through my bag and brought in bread; I tore the food in half and offered the piece to Mokuba. He epted gratefully and quietly nibbled on his bread beside me. At first, I was worried that he wouldn''t eat the food I prepared since I assumed that, being a brother of a billionaire, his taste buds surely would be richer than mine. We gazed at the scenery of the ind. It was a refreshing sight, and I would have had fun if only we didn''t have a time limit and still had to climb many sets of stairs... "ROOOAAAAAAARRRRRRRR" Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed from the castle. We can briefly discern the shape of an enormous creature emerging from the building, and our eyes widen in shock. The white scales, huge pings, sharp fangs, and most noticeable features were the three dragons'' heads snarling with rage. I dropped the bread in my hand and stood up. The Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon howled, firing a pale beam from its jaws. Our bodies moved on instinct, and we sprinted up the stairs. All my exhaustion was washed away, and adrenaline coursed through our veins as we ran with bated breath. When we finally reached the top, I couldn''t believe my eyes. Before us were Kaiba, Yugi, and the rest of the crew as the two duelists were battling in an open area outside the castle entrance. "Ha ha ha, Yugi! Behold the power of my Blue Eyes White Dragon, your Dark Magician doesn''t stand a chance!" He said with his usual haughty tone. What the heck''s happening?! Shouldn''t Kaiba be confronting Pegasus right now? I have Mokuba with me, so he shouldn''t be forced to do anything like dueling Yugi! However, no matter my thought, I couldn''t convince myself there weren''t things happening behind the scenes... I hope you enjoy! Chapter 23: A Duelists Determination To Win Chapter 23: A Duelist''s Determination To Win ? Before we start, to clear up any confusion, I will use Yami Yugi instead of regr Yugi when dueling but will return to Yugi when it''s back to normal or other characters are talking/ thinking about him. Disimer: This chapter contains a lot of Bullsh*t but the power of the Pharoah is too strong. You''ve been warned [3rd POV, A Few Minutes Earlier] "There''s no chance your pathetic Dark Magician and defeat me, Yugi!" Setoughed at the boy across from him, "Now Blue Eyes White Dragon, attack!" The dragon howled and caught the purple mage with its ws. As the monster struggled, Blue Eyes White Dragon in it with ease. [Yugi Mutou: 1500 LP -> 1000 LP] Seto smirked and felt that his win had be nothing but a certain fact. However, his anger immediately rose when he remembered who awaited him after... With Pegasus''s threat, he was forced to duel with unworthy duelists to earn enough Star Chips. Seto defeated his enemies smoothly using his recently invented duel disk, allowing him to progress quickly. However, with the day ending and the preliminary reaching its conclusion, Seto became more desperate. He waited at the top of the castle, hoping for an unsuspecting duelist to pass by. With his luck, one came. Yugi Mutou... He''s a quiet boy with no outstanding characteristics, someone simr to any random person he can find on the streets. In the end, Yugi was just another insignificant insect in his way! Seto drew his card, and his smile widened: "I will activate Polymerization andbine three Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my hand and field!" "Three Blue Eyes White Dragon?!" Yami Yugi eximed. Seto chuckled: "Now, I can summon my strongest card by fusing all my dragons! Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon!" Two of the Blue Eyes White Dragon cards in the duel disk transformed into a stream of light and were absorbed into the Blue Eyes on the field. The dragon''s size increased, and two separate heads grew from the base of its neck. [Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon: Attack: 4500, Defense: 3800] Just as his Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon was summoned, he noticed two figures sprinting toward the battle from afar. Seto frowned and nced at the girl beside his brother. Spotting the Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon, Yuna''s eyes widened ever so slightly before returning her usual nk expression. Seto''s eyebrows furrowed, and he felt dissatisfied with theck of reaction: ''Aren''t you impressed, Yuna Sano?!'' He thought with a feral grin, ''You must feel hopeless under my dragon''s power!'' He proudly stared at his Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon: "Your move Yugi!" Yugi has only four hundred life points remaining, while Seto has nine hundred life points. Everything was going in his favor, and he shouldn''t lose unless Yugi could pull a miracle. "I will summon Kuribouh in defense position!!" Yami Yugi shouted, and a small fluffy creature appeared. [Kuriboh: Attack: 300, Defense: 200] "Then I will use Multiply (Anime Effect) on my Kuriboh, allowing me to clone the monster and create a wall of Kuriboh!" Yami Yugi dered as the Kuriboh emerged out of thin air, forming arge wall, protecting the duelist, "With this many monsters, it''s impossible for your dragon to break through!" "This won''t work!" Seto shouted: "Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon, destroy them!" The three heads unleashed a fiery white beam and exploded against the group of Kuribohs. However, despite the severe attack, the wall of monsters didn''t seem to diminish as more Kuriboh surrounded the destroyed area. "Tsk..." Seto clicked his teeth: "I will end my turn..." He red at Yugi, and the young duelist smiled proactively: "I draw!" He shouted and stared at the new card in his hand: "I will activate my spell card Living Arrow (Anime Card)! It allows me to use my spell on my opponent''s monster, and the spell I willbine Living Arrow with is Polymerization!" Yami Yugi: "In doing so, I can fuse the Mammoth Graveyard in my hand to your Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon (Anime)!" "What!?" Seto eximed. A golden arrow impaled Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon in the chest, and the monster screeched in pain. To Seto''s shock, a skull resembling an elephant emerged from the dragon''s chest. Almost immediately, Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon''s scales rotted off its body, and its flesh melted onto the floor. [Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon: Attack: 4500 -> 3300, Defense: 3800] "How is this happening..." Seto muttered: "Why is my Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon getting weaker!?" "It''s simple, really," Yami Yugi exined: "Your Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon is a living light monster, while my Mammoth Graveyard is and dark undead monster. By fusing the two, your Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon will start to dpose (Anime)!" "D... dpose, my Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon?! Impossible!" Seto yelled. "Oh, but it is very possible, Kaiba," Yami Yugi said: "Since Mammoth Graveyard has an attack of one thousand two hundred, your dragon will lose that amount of attack every turn as a penalty!" "No!!!" Seto clutched his head in disbelief: "I won''t yield, continue to attack! Ultimate Burst!" Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon endured the pain and opened its jaws. It once again unleashed a beam of destruction but to no avail, as more Kuriboh replenished what was destroyed. [Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon: Attack: 3300 -> 2100, Defense: 3800] "I will summon Celtic Guardian!" Yugi shouted, and arge elf warrior wielding a great sword arrived: "Then I will end my turn, and your monster will rot even further. [Celtic Guardian: Attack: 1400, Defense: 1200] [Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon: Attack: 2100 -> 900 Defense: 3800] Seto gritted his teeth when he watched a chunk of flesh detach from Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon''s body, revealing its bone: "I... I will skip my turn..." "Since your Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon is lower than the penalty, it would naturally stop. However, it''s enough! Celtic Guardian, attack!" Yugi ordered. The elf warrior charged and cleanly decapitated one of the dragon''s heads. "Your Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon was a fusion of three dragons, meaning I must destroy all three heads." He muttered when Celtic Guardian retreated. [Seto Kaiba: 900 LP -> 400 LP] Seto couldn''t believe it. He can''t lose; no, he couldn''t afford to lose. The preliminary round will end soon, and Seto won''t have time to search for more Star Chips. For the first time, he felt an emotion that he never imagined he would ever feel: Fear... Seto nced at Mokuba, and a horrible feeling washed over him. He failed; he couldn''t protect his brother; after this match, Pegasus took Mokuba from him; can Yuna even defends his brother against an entire organization? Will she do it in the first ce? Suddenly, time seemed frozen in ce as Seto''s eyes widened in shock. He began walking aimlessly and staring at his Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon with aplicated emotion. Seto stopped when he arrived in front of Mokuba. He anxiously reached out his hand, and Mokuba''s figure warped when Seto''s finger grazed his brother''s face. Seto watched with disbelief as Mokuba''s body became slimmer and his hair turned brown, transforming into a younger version of Seto... "You failed." Young Seto said condescendingly. "No... no I." Seto stammered Young Seto: "You promised... You promised that you would always protect our little brother...." "You promised..." Young Seto muttered and grabbed his wrist. Seto wrestled against his younger self as Young Seto was absorbed into his body. He stared at the area where Young Seto touched him. Like the Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon, his skin melted, and he yelled in pain. ''Weak...'' Young Seto''s voice resonated in his mind: ''How could you say that you''re trying your best if you''re not even putting your life on the line?'' Darkness consumed Seto, and he gasped as he was brought back to reality. Seto found himself at his original position and copsed on one knee: ''W... What was that? Was it all an illusion?'' Young Seto''s words reyed in his head: ''My life on the line...'' He gazed at Mokuba, and a sense of calmness overwhelmed his inner turmoil. His younger self was right; he should put his life on the line to protect his brother! Seto''s eyes were full of resolve, and under Yugi''s cautious gaze, he walked towards the castle''s edge, where behind him was a cliff so steep that it would surely kill him.N?v(el)B\\jnn "Yugi... I will skip my move... In your next turn, if you attacked me with your Celtic Guardian, the shockwave would knock me off the cliff, killing me." Seto exined with aposed expression. "What are you talking about, Kaiba!?" Yami Yugi shouted angrily: "Are you going this far for a mere duel!?" "YES!!" Kaiba roared: "You have no idea! I will do anything to win! COME ON, YUGI! ATTACK ME AND KILL ME RIGHT HERE!" Seto inched closer to the edge as the heels of his shoe knocked a few pebbles off the edge. "BIG BROTHER!" Mokuba screamed. Before he could sprint to his brother''s side, Yuna grasped Mokuba''s wrist, restraining him: "Let me go!" He cried, but she shook her head. Seto''s eyes met with Yuna, and she stared at him with a disturbed expression. He found it bizarre that despite her troubled appearance, why didn''t Yuna seemed surprised. It was like she had anticipated his move from the beginning. He chuckled to himself; Seto felt he was going paranoid. Maybe it was the mindset of moments away from his death. The young president gazed at his opponent: "What was your choice Yugi? I will push myself over the edge without a moment of hesitation. That''s how much this duel is important to me!" Yami Yugi red at Seto: "I will... I will..." His pupils flickered anxiously. Silence dominates the field as everyone holds their breath. Seconds felt like hours until Yami Yugi''s expression became fierce. "Looks like you have made up your mind..." Seto said tranquilly. Immediately, Yami Yugi flicked his arm: "Here I go, Kaiba! Celtic Guardian Attack!" Everyone''s eyes widened in shock when the elf warrior charged. Seto nodded and spread his arms, embracing his fate. "YUGI, DON''T!" Tea shrieked from the side: "THAT''S NOT YOU!" Hearing Tea''s scream, Yami Yugi grasped his head in agony and fell to the ground. His atmosphere changedpletely, and he gasped in fear. The Celtic Guardian stopped, and the attack was canceled. Yugi trembled in disbelief: "W... What have I done...." Sweat drizzled down his face. Was he really going to allow Kaiba to die for a mere game? Seto quietly lowered his arms: "Seems like I have won..." He drew his card and activated monster reborn, and the decapitated head regrew back onto Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon''s head. [Blue Eyes White Dragon (Head one): Attack: 3000, Defense: 2500] "Now destroy Celtic Guardian!" Seto shouted as the restored dragon head destroyed the elf with its sharp teeth. [Yugi Mutou: 1000 LP -> 0 LP] Yugi couldn''t even register his loss and sobbed despairingly. His thoughts were chaotic, and horrible guilt sprouted from within him: "I... I really was going to kill him...." Since he unlocked that puzzle, Yugi felt another presence taking control whenever he duels. Now that same presence has almost murdered someone just because of a game. In horror, Yugi stared at the cards in his hand and threw them away. His tears stained the stone pavement, and his friend worriedly approached him. Meanwhile, Seto packed up the duel disks and took the Star Chips they had ced earlier to the side as bets. He calmly ced the chips into his gauntlet. Seto red at the castle, and without a word, he entered. Yuna and Mokuba were too stunned to speak, and the two quietly followed behind Seto. Yuna went past the group and stopped. She nced at Yugi with concern and pity. Tea knelt beside Yugi and gently wiped his tears. She raised her head and looked at Yuna from the corner of her eyes: "G.. go first, Sano-san... We.... we will meet you inside." Yuna nodded and chased after Seto, leaving the startling scene behind... I hope you enjoy! Chapter 24: A Not So Good Agreement Chapter 24: A Not So Good Agreement ? Seto traversed through the castle halls; he stopped when he heard two footsteps trailing his shadow. Seto turned around and stared at Mokuba and Yuna following close behind him. His eyes set on his little brother: "Mokuba," Seto''s tone was blunt and solemn. However, he still couldn''t hide the hint of anxiety in his voice. Hearing his name, Mokuba gritted his teeth and angrily barged past him. Seto was caught off guard, and his little brother sprinted down the corridor. As he gazed at Mokuba''s rapidly fading back, Seto sighed and turned to Yuna. They stared at each other silently, and Seto clicked his teeth at herck of emotions: "What are you looking at?" He growled in a sour mood. ''Nothing...'' Yuna didn''t respond and stared at Seto. "You must be cursing me in your thoughts, right?" Seto assumed: "Well,e on, then insult me!" No response again... Seto was flustered and roared with rage: "What are you waiting for? Berate me, call me weak! You must feel ashamed about what I did!" Seto''s mind was in chaos; on the one hand, he resolved as a brother to save Mokuba. However, on the other, his spirit as a duelist felt nothing but shame. Now he stood on a bnce where both sides of his heart weighed him down like shackles. So he wanted Yuna to decide; Seto wished she could scream at him, mock him for his weakness and tip him over. Knowing that Yuna couldn''t understand his role as a sibling, he only wished she could judge him in the opinion of the duelist. "But you don''t get it! You never will!" Seto rambled aimlessly: "I did it to protect my family, and I will dly throw away my dignity!" Yet, Seto desperately defended himself and couldn''t help butugh self-depreciatingly. Even though he desired Yuna to belittle him as she was the only duelist he had ever lost to, Seto realized how much pressure her words could be. His chest heaved when he ran out of breath. The silence returned to the castle; the only sound audible was Seto''s heavy breathing. Eventually, Yuna finally opened her mouth, and Seto waited anxiously: "No..." Seto''s eyes widened slightly, and he frowned. Yuna walked past him, and Seto stammered: "Why aren''t you saying anything? Aren''t you disappointed with my method?" Yuna shook her head, and her long blue hair swayednguidly: "Y... you... kept Mokuba... safe." Seto gaped with disbelief: ''Does she not care?'' "But..." Yuna''s pause caused Seto to flinch, and he keenly listened: "Val.. value yours...ss... self more..." Before Seto can retort, Yuna leaves, leaving him alone in the hallway. Her demeanour surprised him. Her soft and gentle voice yed repeatedly in his head, and the young president froze in ce. If Seto were in her shoes, he would feel so disgusted to be called a duelist while someone like that existed that he would quit Duel Monsters entirely. "Sir Kaiba," Amidst his thought, a man dressed in a ck suit and shade sses approached Seto from behind: "Mr Pegasus is awaiting you in the duel room. Please follow me." Seto faced the man and scowled. He nced at where Yuna and Mokuba left before nodding quietly. Soon he will have his revenge, and everything will return to normal. [Yuna POV] I strolled through the castle, searching for Mokuba. I swear, this ce was too big, and I''m not sure I can wander freely like this! No one has stopped me yet, so I assume it''s fine. That talk with Kaiba caught me off-guard, you know? Kaiba screaming like that scared me a little bit... He wanted me to insult him, but even if I thought negatively of him, I never had enough social skills to do it; the least I could do wasin in my head, but that may also be a stretch. As someone who watched the show, I know Kaiba''s motive, so I would be wrong to me him. But still, that was seriously reckless of him, so I had to scold him slightly. I hoped my tone was harsh, so my words should drill some sense into him. By looking at his expression, there can only be one thing! I must have done it correctly! I felt ecstatic knowing my social skills had levelled up, so each step felt like I was floating. After a bit of wandering, I finally found Mokuba after a strenuous search. He was leaning against a wall and depressingly hugged his legs. Seto threatening to kill himself must have been a great shock, and even though I predicted it would happen, it''s still startling to see it in real life. I knelt beside Mokuba, and he ignored me while continuing to sulk. I poked his shoulder, and The groaned angrily: "Leave me alone." His mood was justified; I mean, he did watch his brother almost kill himself for a card game... The mastermind was Pegasus himself, so Kaiba was not at fault here. Thinking of that white- haired America, I felt a shiver down my spine. If this goes like the anime, Kaiba will surely lose, and Mokuba will surely be devastated. Should I have given him a card? I don''t know if it was the smart choice, as one card won''t help him much... Eventually, I stood up as Mokuba curiously nced at me: "Let''s find Kaiba..." Mokuba grumbled and expressed his disapproval. Sorry kiddo, I''m not taking no for an answer! I gently pulled Mokuba by the hand and led him down the castle halls. Mokuba was still pouting, but at least he behaved, so we didn''t waste much time. We eventually found Kaiba by following the sound ofmotion. As I opened the door, what greeted us was arge room like a small stadium. It was a ce specifically built for duelling, and arge duelling arena sat in the middle of the room, almost to the walls. The door we entered didn''t directly take us to the room, but instead, a long open balcony loomed over the duel arena. IKaiba was standing at one of the podiums of the arena. His eyes were directed towards us; even if his face didn''t show, he seemed relieved to see us. On the other side was Pegasus, and The chuckled upon our arrival. "Ah Yuna Sano, I''m d you have made it." Pegasus beamed: "It would be unfortunate if you were defeated in the preliminaries, but your skill in duelling has exceeded my expectations!" I frowned, so he was observing us. Was this what Kaiba was angry about? Kaiba snorted when he met my eyes and red at Pegasus: "Let us begin." "Indeed." Pegasus hummed: "We can''t drag this on any longer." The duel arena came to life as the two stared at each other intensely: "DUEL!" x2 Twenty Minutes Later... The battle proceeded just like the original, and watching it felt painful. Using his Millenium Eye, Pegasus read Kaiba like a book, predicting his every move. All the strategies Kaiba fabricated were instantly shot down before they could begin. He even went as far as to steal Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes White Dragon from him using the card Prophecy, which allowed Pegasus to select a random card in Kaiba''s hand; if it was a monster, Pegasus could predict whether its ATK was over or lower than two thousand. If he guessed correctly, he could steal that card. Since Pegasus was reading Kaiba''s mind with the Millenium Eye, it was cheating, so he could guess correctly no matter what. Eventually, the match became even more one-sided as Pegasus used his trump card Toon World. If this was the real world, it shouldn''t be as powerful as now, but unfortunately, it''s the anime world, and just like any other old cards, it was a total scam. Any monsters Pegasus yed transformed into a cartoon version of themselves, and they hid amongst the Toon Book so Kaiba couldn''t attack them. With nothing to counter him, Kaiba must keep drawing cards as he was backed closer to a corner. "Big brother is going to lose, isn''t he?" Mokuba asked in a worried tone. I nced at Mokuba in silence, not knowing how to respond. He trembled and bit his nails nervously. It wasn''t long before the match reached its conclusion. Kaiba continued to draw until finally, nothing... He haspletely emptied his deck... Kaiba''s eyes widened, and Pegasus''sughter echoed across the room: "Looks like you lostn/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Seto Kaiba." Kaiba gritted his teeth as Pegasus continued aggravating him: "You have your only chance of getting revenge, but don''t worry, I will save you from living with the shame!" Pegasus revealed a card with no image from his breast pocket, and he smiled ominously. A brilliant golden light blinded my eyes, and I backed away. When the light settled, we saw Kaiba, unresponsive to the outside world. His pupils were blurry, disying ack of awareness. Kaiba''s knees buckled, and he copsed like a puppet having its strings cut. Immediately, Mokuba recklessly climbed over the railings separating us from the duel arena and athleticallynded from a couple of meters down. I hurriedly chased after him, and just as I was going to lift my leg, my body froze in ce. I felt my face turn slightly red and awkwardly stared at the floor below me. Wow, I was going to do something imprudent. I timidly cleared my throat and sped to the exit door. Wait for me, Mokuba! I''ming down when I find the exit! [3rd POV, A Few Minutes Later] The door to the duel room opens, and Yuna rushes to Mokuba. The boy was in tears and impatiently shook his brother, but Seto wouldn''t wake up no matter what he did. "Big Brother, wake up!" He yelled. Yuna bit her lips; she didn''t know how tofort the boy, and if she tried, Mokuba would probably cry more. Pegasus chuckled with amusement and pped his hands. The guards standing beside the walls moved at once. They approached the two brothers and restrained them: "Seems like the fun''s over," Pegasus said: "Take them away." Mokuba struggled desperately while Yuna tried to protect him. She pushed one of the guards away and stood between them: "S... stop!" She red at Pegasus, who smirked, and his subordinate approached in unison. Yuna was shoved to the ground, and they grabbed Mokuba while dragging him away. She groaned and gritted her teeth. Yuna stared at Mokuba, and aplicated feeling washed over her. Yuna was terrified, and her body shook with fear. However, Mokuba''s frightened face remained in her head, and something clicked inside her. "My... soul..." Pegasus stoppedughing and raised his hand. Immediately the guards let Mokuba go as he stared at Yuna with anticipation. Realising Pegasus was listening, she gathered her courage and opened her mouth: "We duel... If I win... Let them go!" "And why should I do that?" Pegasus hummed. "If you defeat....me," Yuna stood up and smacked her chest: "My soul!... You.... take it!" "Pfffft", Pegasus burst intoughter: "To think you even know about that?" He smiled dangerously and pulled back his hair, revealing the golden Millenium Eye. They stared at each other as sweat dripped down Yuna''s forehead. Pegasus sneered: "Fine, let''s y your game." He nced at his subordinate: "Assign their rooms and ensure they''refortable." He turned his back on Yuna and calmly walked towards the exit. Pegasus suddenly stopped: "I congratte you on making it to the second part of my tournament. I will see you soon..." [Yuna POV] I gasped for breath, and I felt light-headed. Did I put my soul at stake for these two? It was truly a spur of the moment, and my mouth moved impulsively. My brain went to autopilots, forcibly taking control of my body. When I thought about rejecting the proposal, a disturbing sensation overwhelmed my body and made me want to gag. I groaned and fearfully stood up. As I took deep breaths to remove the repulsive taste in my mouth, a system screen manifested before my eyes. [Task (#3) Complete! Collect Reward?] Deciding to retrieve my profitster, I sluggishly swiped my hand, and the screen disappeared. However, contrary to my expectation, another panel immediately reced the old one, and the neon blue light irritated my eyes. [Task (#4) Defeat Maxmillian Pegasus and take back Seto Kaiba''s Soul! Time Limit: Undetermined Reward: 10000 Credits] It seemed fairly normal, and I was surprised by the generous reward. Yet, right below the task screen, a red disy shed brightly and gave me goosebumps. [WARNING: Rejecting this task is impossible, and failure inpletion may result in dire consequences.] I shuddered; consequences as in getting my soul taken? Yeah, that sounds pretty dire to me... "Big sister!" Mokuba yelled while sprinting towards me. He scowled and spoke with irritation: "What do you think you''re doing? Why would you negotiate with that man?!" Oi oi, you will also get your soul taken if I don''t stop him, you know? "Pegasus was the one behind why my brother is being this way, right?!" Mokuba growled: "So why would you join our fight!" Why? I smiled wryly: "Don''t ... know..." "Haaa?" Mokuba was exasperated, and I felt a blow to my self-esteem from his condescending gaze. While he continued to rant, the guards led us into our rooms. Mokuba took Kaiba with him, I offered to carry Kaiba for him, but he readily refused before entering his room without another word. Mokuba must have been putting up a front. He should be grieving for his brother. I pressed my hand against his door and sighed with frustration. I wanted to help, but I didn''t know how. I have neverforted someone in my life, and I''m scared that I would only make things worse. After minutes of contemtion, I sighed again and returned to my room. I copsed onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. My hand reached for the bright ceiling as the system reappeared before my eyes. [Task (#3) Complete!] [Collect Reward?] I clicked the virtual button and watched as the system calcted my earnings. [Duelist Defeated: x5] Reward: 5000 credits] Five duelists... There was Mako Tsunami, the eliminator Ludere, an unfortunate side character duelist, Bandit Keith, and Bonz. I swiped my hand and navigated toward the main menu. [Name: Yuna Sano] [Title: The One Who Defeated The Champion] [Credits: 5200] [Task(#4)] [Inventory] [shop] Woah, five thousand and two hundred credits? This was the first time I had seen thisrge of an amount! However, my mood was immediately dampened knowing that I might not even get to spend it all if I don''t survive tomorrow! I groaned. What did I really get myself into? I hope you enjoy Chapter 25: Semi-Finals and Finals Chapter 25: Semi-Finals and Finals ? [Yuna POV] After a few hours, the men in suits returned and ordered me to follow. When I stepped out of my room, Mokuba was already waiting. His eyes were red and vaguely swollen, indicating that he was crying. Seeing his pitiful state, I felt guilty for leaving him alone. Should I have said something? Unfortunately, it was toote, so I ensured he could be happy now. I approached Mokuba and held out my hand. Mokuba''s eyes widened in surprise. He raised his head and smiled as he eagerly grasped it. My expression became tense but immediately loosened; my lips loosened, and I was satisfied by his uplifting mood. When we were ready, Pegasus''s subordinate led us deeper into the castle. Mokuba and I were wary and kept a fair distance from them. I still couldn''t trust Pegasus even if he had agreed not toy his hand on Mokuba. We walked for five minutes, guided through multiplevish hallways before arriving at a door. It was an extravagant dining room with chandeliers, beautifully designed pieces of furniture, and a long table filled with tes of food that only rich people could ever dream of eating. A group was already sitting at the table, and their expressions brightened when noticing us while I flinched in response. Yugi and his friends greeted us eagerly while I raised my hand weakly. No matter how often I met them, their overly friendly atmosphere felt poisonous. I had already expected their presence but thought it would be sooner. Probably Kaiba''s duel started earlier than the original, so by the time they made an appearance, it ended long ago... Mokuba and I sat across the Yugi''s crew in silence. While sitting down, I secretly nced at Yugi. His face was still pale, and he seemed shaken by what happened before. Well, he will eventually ovee it during the tournament. I turned my head and stared at the new person in the crowd. It was a fair-skinned woman with blond hair, a short-sleeved purple coat, and a white tank top. From watching Yugioh for so long, I instantly knew who she was. Mai Valentine, a supporting character in the show. She was distant in season one but eventually joined the crew and reappeared throughout the story. But since I hadn''t even interacted with her yet, we only nodded at each other briefly and focused on ourselves. As usual, the group tried to strike up a conversation, but unfortunately, Mokuba and I weren''t in the best mood to talk, so we responded haphazardly. Sensing our atmosphere, they thankfully stopped, and I focused on the food disyed on the table. My stomach quietly grumbled,ining about theck of nutrients. However, since nobody was eating, I was too embarrassed to be the first, so I dug my nails into my palms to endure the temptation. Suddenly the door to the dining room opened, and the person I wanted to see the most right now entered. Sensing my gaze, Pegasus''s chuckled, and he sat down on the far end of the table. I sighed and unclenched my hand; it looked like I just lost my appetite... As soon as Pegasus sank onto his chair, he spoke in a rxed tone: "Well, now that everyone''s here, I would like first to congratte Yuna Sano, Yugi Mutou, Mai Valentine, and Joey Wheeler for being the four duelists that survived the preliminaries match." Pegasus pped nonchntly, but nobody copied his apuse. He smiled, unperturbed by the unfriendly wee, and continued his exnation: "Now I will exin how the semi- finals and the finals will work." Suddenly, he revealed four cards from his breast pocket and presented them to us: "It''s simple; the four of you will draw a card; if your card matches with someone else, they will be your opponent for tomorrow!" Pegasus gestured at Yugi, Joey, Mai, and me to approach. We hesitantly picked our cards and went back to our seats. I observed the card in my hand, and there wasn''t anything special except for the front side of the card, where it was an image of Blue Eyes White Dragon. I curiously rubbed my finger along the picture, and aplicated emotion welled inside me. I red at Pegasus, who purposely avoided my gaze. As harmless as this card was, only Mokuba and I knew the hidden meaning deep inside... "Ah, that''s the same card I have, Sano-san!" Joey eximed and brought me back to reality. I nced at Joey''s hand, where he held the same Blue Eyes White Dragon Card. I then turned to Mai and Yugi, who also held simr cards to each other with the image of Dark Magician. Pegasus smiled: "Looks like you have found your opponents for tomorrow. Then allow me to exin further." He informed us that three matches would be held tomorrow. Two for staying in the semi- finals and one final match to determine the winner. He then ced two new cards on the table. I immediately recognized them as they were the exact copies of the cards he had given me before the beginning of the tournament! The one with images of gold and treasure was called the Glory of the King''s Hand, while the card with nothing but a grey box was called the Glory of the King''s Opposite Hand. You must possess one of the cards to participate in the semi-finals; otherwise, we will be disqualified. Thankfully, I remembered to bring both cards with me, or else things would have got awkward... Anyway, The Glory of the King''s Hand was needed to im the cash prize, while The Glory of the King''s Opposite Hand would allow us to challenge Pegasus for the Duel King title. When Pegasus finished speaking, he smiled and spread his arms: "Now please enjoy what I have prepared, and I can''t wait to see the amazing duels tomorrow!n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om The dinner itself was uneventful, Yugi''s crew couldn''t control their hunger anymore and excitedly dug in while Mokuba and I ate timidly. No matter how delicious the food was, there was no way I could enjoy it while eating at the same table as that man! It wasn''t long until Mokuba, and I left; Pegasus remained silent and only observed us from a distance, which was more terrifying than it should be. When we returned, I stopped in front of Mokuba''s room and gently tapped him on the shoulder. "Oh, you want toe in?" Mokuba asked, grasping my intentions. I nodded, and he shrugged in agreement as I curiously entered and scanned his room. Well, as I expected, it looked just like mine, so there wasn''t anything special. However, when my eyes wandered to the couch in the corner of the room, I froze. Kaiba was lying there motionlessly; his eyes closed and in a trance-like state. Mokuba sighed and held his brother''s hand as he muttered something unintelligible. His shoulder''s trembled, and he hurriedly wiped his face from the tears. I patted him on the shoulder, and Mokuba frowned when he noticed my sympathetic gaze: "I''m not crying!" However, no matter how much he tried to hide, Mokuba still couldn''t remove the sadness in his eyes. Eventually, he relented and embraced me. His bold approach caught me off guard, and I felt my anxiety rising again. I gulped, and my hand hesitantly wrapped around his back. We hugged silently as Mokuba buried his face in my stomach. I had never really embraced anyone before, and I couldn''t remember if I ever hugged my parents because I was pretty young back then, so it was a new experience. But, despite the weirdness, it doesn''t feel as bad as I would''ve thought... "Sister...." Mokuba mumbled; he raised his head and stared into my eyes: "Don''t lose tomorrow!" I gasped; seriously, this child''s way too cutepared to the arrogant piece of work called his brother! I pinched his cheek, and a strange chuckle escaped my lips: "Won''t..." He nodded and was convinced by my promise. Eventually, Mokuba yawned, and he rubbed his exhausted face. I guided Mokuba to his bed, and he fell asleep as soon as his body hit the mattress. Today was excruciatingly long, and many things that felt pretty traumatic happened. I quietly approached the soulless Kaiba. Right now, with his soul missing, he''s merely a shell. Yet he looked like he was in a deepa. I recalled Mokuba''s sad expression and gritted my teeth. It''s safe to say that Mokuba was my first friend, and his depressed mood hurts. I don''t want to see him sad and do that, and I will defeat Pegasus no matter what. I took a deep breath and stared at Kaiba. You can rest easy; I will protect Mokuba! With newfound determination, I rushed to my room and activated my system. I immediately navigated towards the shop menu and fervently scrolled through the list of useful cards. Links, XYZ, Synchro, Pendulums, and Tuners, are already out of the question as these gimmicks weren''t implemented in this timeline yet, so I ignored them without a second thought. I also skipped past some well-known card negations as they weren''t as useful in this first season, where all effect cards were simple, and there was no point stopping them. I''m looking for monsters or spells consistent with my current deck. My ystyle revolved around sending my powerful dragons to the graveyard and special summoning the monsters to utilize their effects. Therefore, I hoped I could find more dragon monsters that allow me to send monsters to the graveyard quickly while being cheap at the same time. Since with only five thousand and two hundred credits, I couldn''t even afford one ultra-rare card, and my options were limited. "Should I go for a fusion as well?" I muttered and crossed my arms, deep in thought. Having an extra deck won''t be that bad, but considering the cost and getting fusion materials, I can, at most, have one monster. As I fervently scrolled further down the screen, I stopped when some cards caught my attention. I stared at the cards intently and sighed, I wanted them all, but I definitely didn''t have enough. While sulking, I purchased the cards I could afford as my credits decreased rapidly. They were all monsters, and I ignored the spells as I already had a lot and needed to rece my fodders as soon as possible. Now onto my extra deck... I left enough to buy a monster in the Super Rare rank, but I''m having trouble with who to buy! I hoped I could get a dragon fusion monster to revive them through Felgrand''s Ability in case they were defeated; then, who should I choose? My dragons were mostly light and dark attributes, so they first needed light or dark monsters as materials. Geez... There''s not many, were there? WAIT! A light bulb lit up in my brain, and I vigorously searched in the shop. I finally stopped at a single card, and my eyes shone excitedly. This was it! I bought the card without hesitation, and it materialized mid-air and fell to the floor. As I eagerly reached for the card, a phenomenon stopped me from moving. Cold Sweat ran down my back as my fingers trembled in fear. Why am I feeling like this? My pupils slowly zoned in on the card, and I shivered uncontrobly. The card was extruding an eerie sensation as a wisp of purple smoke surrounding it. Gathering my courage, I picked up the card, and a petrifying fear washed over me. However, that suffocating feeling disappeared, and I fell onto my knees. I stared at the card in my hand in shock and was again reminded that Duel Monsters wasn''t a simple card game anymore... Each card contained a power I couldn''t fathom, and this was the first time I had tasted its might. But the question was why I hadn''t encountered this situation earlier. Knowing it''s useless to think about now, I focused on the card. I hurriedly ced the card into my deck as the atmosphere returned to normal. I exhaled with relief. Seriously, what the heck was that? I decided it was best to forget it; that card had stopped emitting the pressure, so I assumed everything was fine. After returning my deck to my inventory, I quickly showered before falling onto my bed. I gripped the sheets tightly, and my knuckles turned pale: "I will win, no matter what...." [Next Day, 3rd POV] Within the duelist castle, two people, one male, and one female, could be seen standing across from each other. Surrounding them was a massive duel arena that spans across the room. "You got this, big sister!" Mokuba shouted from the spectator seats while the other people cheered as well. The two duelists stared at each other in silence, the man''s expression twitched, and his anxiety spiked: ''Facing her is kind of scary...'' He thought while glimpsing at the quiet Yuna. Unlike in the past, her altitude was fierce, like a predator stalking its prey. Joey didn''t know what changed, but it was toote to turn back. He joined this tournament for the prize money to pay for his little sister''s surgery, so he needed to win. Unbeknownst to him, Yuna was also fighting for something incredibly important. She knew Joey''s participation purpose, but she won''t give up. "Are both duelists ready?" The referee asked from the sidelines. Yuna and Joey nodded as the duel arena appeared: "The match between Yuna Sano and Joey Wheeler has officially begun!" The two duelists breathed deeply and drew five cards into their hands. They gazed at each other and smiled proactively: "DUEL! x2" [Yuna Sano: 2000 LP] [Joey Wheeler: 2000 LP] -- I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 26: The Introvert against the Blond Hair Boy Chapter 26: The Introvert against the Blond Hair Boy ? NVM problem solved Hey guys, just letting you know, now that author notes will be ced at the end of the chapter there will be a [] with a number within to index which info to answer your questions. Also after duelist kingdom, should I add the virtual world arc? It was only 2 to 3 episodes long but Yugioh consider it as an arc anyway and it honestly didn''t contribute much to the story so tell me how you guys feel! [3rd POV] Yuna calmly gazed at her hand as a small n formted in her head: "First, I will use Foolish Burial and send a monster from my deck to my graveyard. Second, I will summon Dragon Knight of Creation, set two cards, and end my turn." The familiar knight with golden armour was summoned to Yuna''s field. The Knight proudly raised his fist at the thought of being brought to battle before pointing his giant sword at Joey. [Dragon Knight of Creation: 1800 Attack, 600 Defense] Joey frowned and recalled it was the same starting move Yuna had used against Keith and Bonz at the start of their duel. However, this time, Joey was cautious; she must have something nned... He stared at his hand, and it was perfect. Joey smiled enthusiastically and initiated his counterattack: "I will summon Baby Dragon!" A cute little dragon appeared on the field. It eagerly flew around and tried to act intimidating. [Baby Dragon: Attack: 1200, Defense: 700] "Then I will activate Time Wizard''s effect in my hand and y this card as a spell!" Joey dered, and a clock with limbs manifested in the middle of the field. "With Time Wizard, I can spin a roulette, if I seed, time will be altered, but if I fail, it will destroy all my monsters!" Joey announced: "Let''s go, Time Wizard!" The Time Wizard lifted his staff and created a spinner. The arrow spun rapidly before finally settling on the image of the Time Wizard itself. The clock monster eagerly celebrates and activates its magic affecting the arena and covering it in bright light. When the light dimmed, a humongous dragon stood on Joey''s field. It has brown scales, sharp teeth and a body full of muscles. "By forwarding time, my Baby Dragon has grown, so now it''s no longer Baby Dragon but Thousand Dragon!" Joey dered. [Thousand Dragon: Attack: 2400, Defense: 2000] "However, since time has moved forward, your knight was now an old man!" Contrary to his original glorified appearance, the Dragon Knight of Creation''s body was frail and skinny. Unable to stand, the Dragon Knight of Creation groaned and copsed on one knee as he barely had enough strength to lift his sword. [Dragon Knight of Creation: Attack: 1800 -> 900, Defense: 600 -> 300] "Now it''s time to attack!" Joey shouted: "Destroy that knight!" Thousand Dragon charged; each step was like an earthquake, shaking the room. Dragon Knight of Creation was too weak to defend himself and fell to Thousand Dragon''s ws. [Yuna Sano: 2000 LP -> 500 LP] "Alright! Joey almost won in one move!" Tristan cheered on the sidelines. Tea nodded: "Yeah, it was surprising how much stronger that doofus is getting, right Yugi?" However, Yugi didn''t answer and watched thoughtfully: "I''m not sure..." "Huh, what do you mean?" Tristan questioned doubtfully: "Is there something I''m not seeing?" Yugi shook his head and exined: "We have all seen how Sano-san has battled. She easily defeated Kaiba, the world champion. She has two set cards but has activated none of them. Isn''t that weird? I might be wrong, but I just felt worried..." Their excitement died down, and the crew watched the match thoughtfully. Yugi was the strongest among them; they should take his words seriously, and seriously, they should... As soon as Dragon Knight of Creation left the field, Yuna announced: "By destroying Dragon Knight of Creation, you have triggered the Keeper of the Shrine in my hand!" She revealed the card to Joey, and to his surprise, it was a monster card. Immediately, Yuna specialed summoned the monster in defence position, and a small tform rose from the ground, and a figure sat on the elevatednd. It was an elderly being with scales covering his body. A pair of dragon wings protrude from his back, and horns on his head. The old man stroked his beard and chuckled as he spread his arms, gesturing at the Thousand Dragon like a grandfather weing his grandchild. [Keeper of the Shrine: Attack: 0, Defence: 2100] "With Keeper of the Shrine, whenever a dragon monster on the field is sent to the graveyard or destroyed, I can special summon it from my hand or graveyard!" "I see..." Joey muttered: "Finally, I will set a card face down. It''s your move, Sano-san." As soon as Joey ended his turn, Yuna smiled and immediately activated one of the set cards: "I will use Solemn Wish. Whenever I draw a card, I gain five hundred life points!" she said while drawing, and her life points increased. [Yuna Sano: 500 LP -> 1000 LP] Joey gritted his teeth upon realizing Yuna had a way to replenish her life points. Now he felt like there was a time limit to the match, and he would surely lose if the game dragged on for too long... "I will use Pot of Greed to draw two cards from my deck." Yuna dered when a green vase with a goblin face appeared. The pot licked its lips before shattering as Yuna added two more cards into her hand. [Yuna Sano: 1000 LP -> 2000 LP] "Then I will use Keeper of the Shrine''s second effect! During my Main Phase, the Keeper of the Shrine can be treated as two tributes! Thus, I will use Keeper of the Shrine to tribute summon Arkbrave Dragon!" The elderly monster transformed into millions of bright particles and transformed into one shining orb. The sphere then began to stretch and contort, gradually forming into the shape of arge dragon. The monster has white scales with golden ridges and blue tints at the end of its ws, and four wings grew from the dragon''s sides. An emerald was embedded on the dragon''s forehead, and two crystalline bristles protruded from the back of its head. [Arkbrave Dragon: Attack: 2400, Defense: 2200] "Now Arkbrave Dragon, attack Thousand Dragon!" Yuna ordered, and Arkbrave Dragon charged relentlessly. "Hey, won''t that destroy both our monsters!?" Joey stammered but was surprised to see Yuna''s unfazed expression: "Tsk, I won''t let that happen! I will activate my trap, Kunai With Chain!" "It would give Thousand Dragon five hundred more attacks and force Arkbrave Dragon into a defensive position." [Thousand Dragon: 2400 Attack -> 2900 Attack, 2000 Defense] Yuna nodded as Arkbrave Dragon obediently returned. Ity on the floor and quietly lowered its head. "Then my turn ends," Yuna said and crossed her arms. Joey draws while analyzing the field. Yuna has Solemn Wish, one unknown set card, and a monster in a defensive position. Things seemed to be in his favour, but Joey couldn''t understand why he was still afraid. Frustrated, he clenched his fist: "I will summon Axe Raider!" A muscr warrior wielding a battle axe arrived next to Thousand Dragon. The warrior waved his weapon and smiled at the sensation of an iing battle. [Axe Raider: Attack: 1700, Defense: 1150] "Then I will equip my Axe Raider with the legendary sword, granting him three hundred more attacks!" The axe vanishes out of the monster''s hand, and a sword reces its ce. Axe Raider acted disgruntled on removing his favourite weapon, but he reluctantly wielded the de as it gave him strength. [Axe Raider: Attack: 1700 -> 2000, Defense: 1150] "Finally, I''m attacking your Arkbrave Dragon with Thousand Dragon. Go!" With Thousand Dragon''s potent attack, Arkbrave Dragon fell helplessly. However, in doing so, it has reactivated Keeper of the Shrine, bringing him back onto the field... [Keeper of the Shrine: Attack: 0, Defense: 2100] Joey felt a bitter taste in his mouth, and he realized that unless he banished Yuna''s monster, the Keeper of the Shrine would always return to the field... "Such a tough card," He murmured: "It''s your turn..." [Yuna Sano: 2000 LP -> 2500 LP] Suddenly, Joey winced when he felt his eyes getting irritated. He nced at the source of the annoyance and frowned. On Yuna''s field was a shiny green gem that felt strangely nostalgic. After a few seconds of contemtion, Joey gasped. That''s the emerald Arkbrave Dragon has on its forehead! What was it doing there?! As if responding to his thoughts, the emerald emitted a bright light. Everyone covered their eyes from the blindness as Yuna''s voice entered their ears. "Arkbrave Dragon''s effect has activated! If this monster was sent to the graveyardst turn, I can special summon one level seven or eight dragons from my graveyard!" "One level seven or eight dragons?" Joey eximed: "Wait, you don''t mean?!" Yuna smirked: "I will special summon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" The emerald burst into pieces as a golden dragon reced its ce. Joey grimaced: "To think I would be fighting that...." [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: Attack: 2800, Defence: 2800] Compared to Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Yuna''s Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand was fear- inducing. The monster''s effect was nothing to scoff at, and he thought his chance of winning had dropped to an all-time low. "With Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s effect!" Yuna continued: "When it was special summoned from the graveyard, I can banish one monster on the field or grave while Felgrand gains the amount of attack and defense equal to its level multiplied by one hundred! The one I choose is Thousand Dragon!" Thousand Dragon howled in pain as Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand condemned it, and the monster transformed into a golden orb before being absorbed by the dragonpletely. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: Attack: 2800 -> 3500, Defence: 2800 -> 3500] "Now I will attack!" Yuna shouted: "Destroy Axe Raider!" Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand howled and unleashed a beam. Axe Raider released a desperate warcry and charged with his new sword. Unfortunately, his strength doesn''t match his unwavering attitude, and he dies helplessly. [Joey Wheeler: 2000 LP -> 500 LP] "I will use Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s effect. If I destroy a monster, I can bring a Level Seven or Eight dragon back from my graveyard! I summon Arkbrave Dragon!" [Arkbrave Dragon: Attack: 2400, Defense: 2000] Yuna: "Then I will use Graceful Charity, and I can draw three cards and discard two from my hand!" [Yuna Sano: 2500 LP -> 4000 LP] "With this, I will use Keeper of the Shrine''s effect again and summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon, using it as tribute!" [Blue Eyes White Dragon: Attack: 3000, Defense: 2500] "Oi oi, this is a joke, right?!" Tristan shuddered. Tea: "Poor Joey. How is he going to win now?" Yugi clenched his fist: "C''mon, Joey, don''t give up!" Joey gritted his teeth and sighed depressingly. On the other side, three gigantic dragons loomed over him and his pathetic field. Despite his awful situation, losing wasn''t an option for him. He desperately needed the money, but to do that, he had to win. He drew, and a n formed in his head. With the cards in his possession, there''s no way that Joey can fully defeat this powerful board, but at least the best he can do was to stall... "I will first use Pot of Greed and draw two more cards." Joey dered as he filled his hand: "Then I will use my second Pot of Greed!" After the tag team duel with Yuna, Joey understood the limitations of his deck, which was that he barely had any spells to help him. Thankfully, his friends supported him by lending them their spare cards, and Joey managed to build a stronger deck which helped him tremendously... Joey: "I will set a monster and two cards face-down. I end my turn..." "Is that so," Yuna muttered softly and drew another card. [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP -> 4500 LP] "Then I will attack your set monster! Go, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" "Wait, not so fast!" Joey yelled: "I will activate my trap card, Chasm of Spikes! When my opponent''s monster attacks, I can destroy that monster, and they will suffer a quarter of damage equal to the monster''s attack points!" Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand dived downwards but identally fell into a deep hole full of spikes. The sharp edges pierced the monster''s body, killing it. [Yuna Sano: 4500 LP -> 3600 LP] Yuna instinctively scrunched her brows: "With my dragon defeated, Keeper of the Shrine in my graveyard will activate.." "I won''t let that happen!" Joey shouted, straining his voice: "I activate my second trap, Graverobber, and I will steal Keeper of the Shrine from your graveyard! Then I will be the one to use Keeper of the Shrine''s effect, and I will special summon him in defence position!" [Keeper of the Shrine: Attack: o, Defence: 2100] Yuna was surprised as her monster was summoned onto Joey''s side of the field. Without her knowledge, a small smile appeared on her face. Yuna knew the reason behind Joey''s desperation, and she felt guilty that Joey would be brought to despair if she won. However, watching Joey fighting with everything he got, Yuna chuckled as she realised that it would be rude to hold back. "I will end my turn." Yuna said: "It''s your move." [1] Joey nodded and drew, his eyes widened, and a small hope rekindled in his heart: "I will tribute the Keeper of the Shrine and summon Red Eyes ck Dragon!" The old man chuckled when a dark shadow engulfed him. A fierce creature rose from the darkness, and the dragon screeched in rage. [Red Eyes ck Dragon: Attack: 2400, Defence: 2000] "Then I will use Dragon Nail and grant Red Eyes ck Dragon seven hundred more attacks!" [Red Eyes ck Dragon: Attack: 2400 -> 3100, Defence: 2000] ''Arkbrave Dragon can revive Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand,'' Joey pondered: ''Then I should defeat Blue Eyes White Dragon First!'' "Red Eyes ck Dragon, attack!" The monster roared and lunged at Blue Eyes White Dragon. The two dragons shed; both seemed to be equal strength. However, Red Eyes ck Dragon gradually gained the upper hand and struck down its opponent. [Yuna Sano: 3600 LP -> 3500 LP] Naturally, the Keeper of The Shrine returned to Yuna''s field. [Keeper of the Shrine: Attack: 0, Defence: 2100] Yuna: "I will use Keeper of the Shrine''s third effect." "Third effect?!" Joey felt baffled as he couldn''t believe how troublesome this elderly monster was. "If the dragon sent to the graveyard was a normal monster, I can add one normal dragon monster from the graveyard to my hand." Yuna exined and revealed to Joey the chosen card: "I will bring Blue Eyes White Dragon back into my hand." Joey scowled: "I will set one card face down and end my turn." [Yuna Sano: 3500 LP -> 4000 LP] "I will use Keeper of the Shrine''s effect and tribute the monster to summon my Blue Eyes White Dragon again!" [Blue Eyes White Dragon: Attack: 3000, Defence: 2500] "I won''t let you!" Joey shouted: "I activate the set trap Trap Hole! If my opponent summons a monster with one thousand or more attacks, I can destroy it!" As soon as the Blue Eyes White Dragon arrives, it implodes. [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP -> 2500 LP] "Alright! I manage to take down her life points by a bunch!" Joey pumped his fist in excitement. Yuna smiled wryly and attacked the set monster with Arkbrave Dragon before ending her turn. The monster was a weak Tiger Axe that perished when it couldn''t even cry out in pain. Joey was deterred as the monster was originally nned to be a meat shield. He drew a card and couldn''t believe his insane luck! "I will activate Monster Reborn to revive Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" Yuna scowled as her trump card was used against her. Fa She could tolerate Keeper of the Shrine being stolen, but when it was Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, Yuna couldn''t help but feel slightly disturbed... Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand was revived onto Joey''s field and it roared gratefully. The Dragon momentarily red at Joey before facing its own master with reluctance. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: Attack: 2800, Defence: 2800]n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "With Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, I will banish your Arkbrave Dragon, and it will gain attack equal to its level multiplied by one hundred!" Joey exined as he tried to remember Yuna''s exact words. Arkbrave Dragon was consumed by Felgrand and transformed into energy as the dragon grew and its scales became more vibrant. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: Attack: 2800 -> 3500, Defence: 2800] "I can win this!" Joey grinned like a child: "Sano-san has nothing on her field now, and her Arkbrave Dragon couldn''t bring back any more monsters!" He nced at his friends, and they were as excited as him. Joey then turned to his best friend Yugi and paused. Yugi, however, wasn''t smiling as he stared at Yuna sceptically. Joey''s smile disappeared when he felt a sense of anxiety. He twisted his head and frowned when the huge turn of events didn''t faze her. Instead, Yuna expressed pity and regret at what she was about to do. "I... I will end my turn..." Joey stammered as he couldn''t attack her with no monsters: ''Calm down, Joey! With Red Eyes ck Dragon and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand at my side, I can''t lose!'' [Yuna Sano: 2500 LP -> 3000 LP] "Wheeler-san, Why do you want to win?" She asked out of the blue, stopping Joey in his tracks. Memories of his little sister appeared in his mind, and he clenched his fist. Why does he want the money so bad? So he can pay the surgery bill for his ill sibling! Joey couldn''t understand why Yuna had asked this question until he looked into her eyes. It was the same resolve as his, and he realized that she had something just as important to her. "I will activate my spell card Change of Heart!" She dered: "And I can take control of one of your monsters until the end of this turn!" ''Is she going to take back Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand? Even if she attacked my Red Eyes ck Dragon with it, I would still have one hundred life points left, so it should be fine?!'' But contrary to his belief... "I will take your Red Eyes ck Dragon!" Red Eyes ck Dragon roared as its mind was hypnotized. The dragon flew to Yuna''s side and lowered its head like a loyal dog. "Then I will normally summon Koumori Dragon and activates Polymerisation, fusing Red Eyes ck Dragon and Koumori Dragon on the field!" Everyone: ?????? A terrifying ck portal absorbed the two monsters as material. After a few seconds, an ominous creature emerged that could be described as horrifying... "W... what is that thing?" Joey uttered in shock. "Wheeler-san," Yuna called to Joey, grabbing his attention: "I also have something important I''m fighting for, so please forgive me okay?" Yuna smiled: "Now @#@$%! # attack Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!!!" The creature howled with hatred, and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand was killed in a blink of an eye, and with that, Joey''s life points were depleted... [Joey Wheeler: 500 LP -> 0 LP] [1] In the Duelist Kingdom, a duelist can only dere an attack using one monster in case you forget since most duels right now was when everyone only has one monster on the field anyway. I hope you enjoy Chapter 27: The Introvert vs The Pharaoh! Chapter 27: The Introvert vs The Pharaoh! ? [Yuna POV] Once the duel was over, Joey and I were lowered from the tform. He was still in shock, and he couldn''t believe his loss. His eyes were unfocused, and his friends worriedly approached him. They wholeheartedly encouraged Joey, but his mood didn''t seem to improve not even once. While watching the crew interact with each other, Mokuba hugged me from the side and raised his head like a cute puppy asking for attention: "Big Sister, that was amazing!" His eyes were bright like stars and his favorability meter would probably soar through the roof if this was a RPG. "What the heck was that in the end?!" Mokuba eagerly asked: "I have never seen that monster before!" Unable to answer his thoughts, I smiled helplessly and patted his head. Knowing I''m avoiding his questioning, he pouted but decided not to delve deeper into the matter. While messing with Mokuba, I nced at Joey in the corner of my vision. I was curious about his reactions and what he was currently feeling. This duel was more important to him than I would ever understand, so I hope he can get better soon. Noticing my stare, Joey''s gaze met mine. He broke away from his friends and immediately walked toward me. I felt anxious and guilty about robbing his chance to win the prize money. Joey desperately needed the money to pay for his little sister''s surgery, but I was the one that took that opportunity away from him.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Before I realized it, Joey stopped in front of me, and I nervously bit my lips. He must have sensed my anxiety and smiled wryly before reaching out his hand: "That was a good duel Sano-san." I was caught off guard and hesitantly shook his hand. When I let go, Joey sighed and frustratingly ruffled his hair: "You''re seriously way too strong. Geez, it''s just my luck that you''re my first opponent!" "N... not mad?" I asked and curiously tilted my head. "Huh? Of course, I''m angry." Joey shrugged: "I''m angry at myself for not being a better duelist!" "Well, I''m probably going back to my room and cry for a bit. Then I should be better." Joey said while smiling shamelessly. "B.. but mo.. money..." I uttered: "Need... it?" "Yeah, you must have realized it, right?" Joey chuckled: "Don''t worry, I can find other ways to get the money." I nodded and patted my chest in relief. However, I have to make up for him anyway! Don''t worry, Joey! If I''m still alive after this, you can get some money too! Shortly after, we were ushered by the referees as the second match between Yugi and Mai will begin. The rest of us went to spectator areas to watch the duel, and I sat beside Mokuba as he dragged me along. I was quite interested in how the battle might turn out. Will Yugi y differently with the Eternal Soul I gave him? Unfortunately, their duel was the same as the one from the anime. The episode was mainly focused on Yugi''s struggle with the pharaoh in his body. Even if I couldn''t see the interaction, I can tell what was happening with Yugi''s random change of emotions and his pale face. Ultimately, Yugi epted his alter ego and transformed into Yami Yugi. Then with his divine draw power, Yami Yugi summoned ck Luster Soldier that wiped out Mai''s strongest monster, the Harpie''s Pet Dragon. With no more cards to defeat the ck Luster Soldier, Mai surrendered, and Yami Yugi won. [1] So that means I have to fight Yugi now... My body tensed, and I nervously watched Yugi approaching his friends. Suddenly, a small hand rest on my shoulder and Mokuba spoke in an assuring tone: "Don''t worry, big sister will win!" That''s easy to say, but it''s the almighty pharaoh you''re talking about. Let''s not even consider his ability to create Shadow Games. His strongest power was the almighty divine draw, allowing him to get any card he wanted in the deck. Heck, he might even print new cards that he''s not supposed to have! I sighed and stood up as my name was called. Mokuba gave me onest encouragement as I went to the duelling arena. Yugi was already waiting for me and smiled upon my arrival. It was only a quick fleeting moment but the shift in atmosphere didn''t escape my detection. Yugi''s entire presence has changed and if I don''t know any better I would have thought he have became a new person. ''Ah....'' I thought: ''He''s here.'' "Let this be a great duel," Yami Yugi said, crossing his arms. I nodded, and we entered our respective areas: "I won''t be holding back, and I expect you to do the same." He announced "Yes..." I replied: "I won''t lose." "Are both duelists ready?" The referee asked. "Ready!" Yami Yugi and I shouted The referee flipped a coin andnded on heads: "Yugi Mutou, will you go first or second?" "First." Yami Yugi replied without hesitation. Referee: "Understood; let the final match between Yugi Mutou and Yuna Sano Begin!" [Yugi Mutou: 2000 LP] [Yuna Sano: 2000 LP] "My move!" Yami Yugi announced: "I will use Pot of Greed to draw two cards!" "Then I will summon Celtic Guardian in attack position! He yelled. An elven warrior wearing green armour appeared on the field. The soldier wielded a long sharp sword and nted the de on the ground before resting his arms on the hilt. [Celtic Guardian: 1400 Attack, 1200 Defense] "I will then set two cards and end my turn." I would be cautious when there were two set cards on the field if it were any other duelist. However, in the case of Yami Yugi, I might as well assume that there''s at least a Mirror Force or the sort ced, and I will suffer tremendously if not careful. However, I don''t have any Backrow Removal cards in my hand, so I can only pray that the damage will be manageable. "I will summon Pdin of Felgrand!" I dered. A young knight with blond hair was summoned. He wear dashing silver armour, and a white cape, and was equipped with a sabre that can cut anyone whoes too close. [Pdin of Felgrand: 1700 Attack, 300 Defense] "Pdin of Felgrand''s effect will activate! I can equip this card with a Level Seven or Eight dragon from my hand or deck! If Pdin of Felgrand is equipped with a monster, it couldn''t be affected by monster effects!" Pdin of Felgrand raised his sword in the air. A bright golden light shone down from the ceiling and flowed into his de. The knight yelled as he was wrapped with a glimmering aura. "Now attack Celtic Guardian!" I ordered and pointed at the muscr elf. Pdin of Felgrand charged and swung his sabre. However, the de never reached Celtic Guardian when a magic circle appeared beneath his feet. "I will activate my trap card, Spell Binding Circle!" Yami Yugi announced when one of his hidden cards revealed itself: "I can target one of my opponent''s monsters and use one or more of the following effects: The monster loses seven hundred attacks, negating the monster''s attack or changing its battle position." "I will choose to lower Pdin of Felgrand''s attack!" [Pdin of Felgrand: 1700 -> 1000 Attack, 300 Defense] I cursed as Pdin of Felgrand''s attack was already in motion, and I couldn''t cancel it. The knight swung his de but was easily parried by Celtic Guardian. The elven warrior countered with a stab and the weapon pierced Pdin of Felgrand''s chest. [Yuna Sano: 2000 LP -> 1600 LP] "I set a card and end my turn." I dered. Yami Yugi nodded to himself: "I will open my second set card, Eternal Soul!" ''Eternal Soul?'' I frowned and felt a sudden regret from gifting Yugi the card. A stone tablet rises from the ground. On it was an image of Dark Magician in all its glory. Yami Yugi spread his arms, and the picture shined a blue hue. "You''re already familiar with this card, right?" Yami Yugi smiled: "I will activate Eternal Soul''s second effect, allowing me to special summon my Dark Magician from my hand or graveyard! Come Forth, my greatest partner, Dark Magician!" The stone tablet came to life, and a figure emerged from the surface. The man wore a purple robe that wasbined with metal armour. In his hand was a green staff, and the man twirled the weapon before pointing it at my face. [Dark Magician: 2500 Attack, 2100 Defense] "Tsk..." I clicked my teeth, it was the second turn, and the Dark Magician has already revealed itself! Typically, the Dark Magician will be Yugi''s ace monster that turns a losing game into a winning one. By summoning it this early, it meant that he considered me a threat, and I don''t know whether to feel ttered at his high opinion of me or feel annoyed at the rise in difficulty. "I will then equip Dark Magician with the Book of Secret Arts, giving him three hundred more attack and defence points." Yami Yugi exined. A book appeared in Dark Magician''s free hand. He read it thoroughly, and a powerful spell emits from the tip of his staff. [Dark Magician: 2500 -> 2800 Attack, 2100 -> 2400 Defense] "Then I will set one more card and end my turn." Yami Yugi announced, and another card was ced. "Wait before you end your turn!" I yelled: "I''m activating Solemn Wish. I gain five hundred life points every time I draw a card!" Yami Yugi narrowed his brows: "The troublesome card has arrived..." [Yuna Sano: 1600 LP -> 2100 LP] I have been depending on Solemn Wish multiple times now; what can I say? It''s a great card in this day and age! With a measly two thousand life points per duel, adding five hundred every time I draw can make a difference. That''s why I can dominate Joey, as all his ns became fruitless. However, with Yugi as my opponent, I have to make the most of it this time, and I''m sure he has a way of removing it! "I will first use Pot of Greed and draw two cards!" [Yuna Sano: 2100 LP -> 3100 LP] "After Pot of Greed, I will use the spell, Graceful Charity, to draw three cards and discard two!" [Yuna Sano: 3100 LP -> 4600 LP] With my life points replenished, I can fight back with less worry! I have a new card that I haven''t used that can help me in this situation! "I will activate the effect of a monster in my hand!" I announced: "By banishing a DARK and LIGHT monster from the graveyard, I can special summon Lightpulsar Dragon from my hand!" The Pdin of Felgrand and the Koumori Dragon I discarded earlier were removed from y. Suddenly when the conditions were met, a dragon with blue and white scales was summoned onto my field. The dragon stood on two legs with sharp ws and wings behind its back. The monster''s blood-red pupils stared down at Celtic Guardian and Dark Magician before howling ferociously. [Lightpulsar Dragon: 2500 Attack, 1500 Defense] I present you the Lightpulsar Dragon, and you should also expect its sibling, the Darkre Dragon! But, Yuna, you may ask why I choose this card instead of Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy of the End, which has the same stats as Blue Eyes White Dragon and arguably a much better effect than the duo while having the same summoning conditions. Well, let me exin. Chaos Emperor Dragon simply doesn''t fit well with my deck. Lightpulsar Dragon allows me to revive Darkre Dragon from the graveyard easily. In contrast, Darkre Dragon allows me to send dragons from my hand and deck to the graveyard, which I must do as soon as possible to gain an edge in the duel. Also, you may say that Chaos Emperor Dragon''s effect can kill an opponent in one go by destroying every card in both hands and then dealing three hundred damage for each card sent to the opponent''s graveyard. The easiest answer was that activating the effect was too costly. First, I have to pay one thousand of my life points, and with a starting health of two thousand, I would rather not risk it unless I''m sure I will win. Also, sending all the cards from my hand to the graveyard? That''s too risky, as negates were rare but not none existent! Lastly, after activating the effect, I can''t activate any more effects for the rest of the turn?! Therefore, Chaos Emperor Dragon was not a good choice, so Lightpulsar Dragon and Darkre Dragon were my best options... Where were we? "Lightpulsar Dragon, attack Celtic Guardian!" I ordered. The monster flew into the air and lunged toward the elf warrior with determination. However, before the Lightpulsar Dragon reaches its enemy, a translucent barrier deflects its sharp ws. The dragon growled and stared at the barrier with annoyance while attacking it with fury. "You have fallen for my trap card," Yugi exined: "I activate Mirror Force! When my opponent deres an attack, I can destroy all attacking monsters they control!" Suddenly, the barrier glows an ominous red light as it condenses and exploded in the dragon''s face. Lightpulsar Dragon howled in agony as its scales melted from the heat. The monster finally copsed from the sky, its body charred. With onest roar, it sumbed to its wounds... [Yuna Sano: 4600 LP -> 3350 LP] I gritted my teeth and watched my life points drop considerably. To think that a Mirror Force wille out this early... "Since Lightpulsar Dragon was destroyed and sent to the graveyard! I can target one Level Five or higher Dark Dragon monster and special summon it! I choose Darkre Dragon!" A ck and red dragon appeared on my field. Opposite of Lightpulsar Dragon''s divine appearance, this one was demonic and menacing, inciting fear. [Darkre Dragon: 2400 Attack, 1200 Defense] "Then I will activate the Keeper of the Shrine''s effect in my hand! Once per turn, if a dragon monster was sent to the graveyard, I can special summon this card from my hand or graveyard!" A small tform emerges beside Darkre Dragon, and an old man with dragon features was spotted sitting on top of it. The man smirked as he sat crossed legs and rest his chin against his fist. [Keeper of the Shring: 0 Attack, 2100 Defense] "Finally, I''m activating Polymerization and using the two monsters on the field as materials!" "Fusion summon?!" Yami Yugi frowned: "So you''re summoning it now!" Words began to manifest one by one in my head. My lips moved independently and I felt a power resonating in my soul. The feeling of its spirit intertwined with my own and informed me of its impatience in unleashing itself to the world. "The two dark evils that dwell in this realm! From hell hiding within your shadows! Sacrifice yourselves and birth to another terror! I FUSION SUMMON! The poisonous dragon with hungering fangs! Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!!!" I hope you enjoy it! [1] Forgot to add this earlier, but in the anime, it was depicted as Yami Yugi as the one dueling Mai however, it more looked like Yugi himself was in control. So that''s why I''m using Yugi first before he fully epting Yami Yugi. Chapter 28: The Introvert vs Pharaoh [2] Chapter 28: The Introvert vs Pharaoh [2] ? Okay, I just realised I made a mistake with Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand. When it banishes a monster, it gained defense as well as attack and I felt that I haven''t been doing that. Well, its not that big of a deal but just letting you guys know as I will go back and change them! [3rd POV] "The Poisonous Dragon with hungering fangs! Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!" Darkness consumed Yuna''s field as Keeper of the Shrine and Darkre Dragon vanished from view. Soon everyone felt a new presence amongst the shadows. Yami Yugi frowned and noticed two yellow pupils staring at him. Immediately, countless yellow and red lights illuminated the darkness, and a disturbing sound entered his ears. The horrifying noise of flesh and bones merging together made everyone''s skin crawl and then a guttering roar of pain and hatred echoed through the rooms. The shockwave generated washed away the darkness, revealing a grotesque beast. The monster has green flesh with a purple carapace protecting its body-yellow and red bulbs on each of its joints, pair ofrge wings that stretched open like an insect emerging from a fresh moult, thin purple legs, sharp ws, ferocious face withrge horns and a long tail with a poisonous stinger at the end that resembled a scythe... [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 Attack, 2000 Defense] [1] "This feeling..." Yami Yugi mumbled: "Such terror," Snapping out of his daze, Yami Yugi frowned and remembered that he was still in a duel. Yuna smirked and raised a card in the air. "Then I will use Return of the Dragon Lord! I can special summon one dragon monster from my graveyard, and the one I will revive is Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" Beside Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, there was a golden glimmer shining from the ceilings and another dragonnded gracefully. Compared to the ominous darkness of Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, this monster was akin to a divine beast sent from the heavens with its pure and intimidating aura. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defense] "With Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s ability, I can banish one of your monsters in the graveyard or on the field, and it would gain the amount of attack and defence equal to that chosen monster''s level!" Yuna told Yami Yugi. "Since I couldn''t target Dark Magician because of Eternal Soul, I will banish Celtic Guardian!" Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand caught Celtic Guardian in its ws. The elven warrior struggled desperately but was brutally devoured. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3200 Attack, 2800 -> 3200 Defense] "I will end my turn." Yuna dered. Yami Yugi gritted his teeth, he had seen the capabilities of Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, and he couldn''t help but feel intimidated by its might. "I draw!" He shouted: "I will activate Eternal Soul''s effect! I can add the spell card, Thousand Knives, from my deck to my hand!" Yami Yugi searched through his deck before shuffling and cing it back onto the table: "Then I activate the spell Thousand Knives! If there''s a Dark Magician on the field, I can target one monster and destroy it! I choose Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" Dark Magician swung his staff, and knives manifested from all sides. The weapons shot towards Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand. However, before it reached, a blue translucent dragon spirit blocked the attack, and the projectiles fell helplessly to the floor. "I will use Return of the Dragon Lord''s second effect," Yuna exined: "If one of my dragon monsters is destroyed by battle or card effect, I can banish this card instead!" Yami Yugi watched helplessly as Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand roared with rage: "I will put Dark Magician to defence position and set a monster. Then I end my turn." A card appeared beside Dark Magician while he reluctantly followed his master''s order and knelt on one knee. [Yuna Sano: 3350 LP -> 3850 LP] "I will immediately go into my battle phase! Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, attack the set monster!" Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand swooped down from the sky and lunged at the hidden card. When the dragon reached its target, a man carrying a shield the size of its body emerged. [Big Shield Gardna: 100 Attack, 2600 Defense] However, despite its name, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s teeth easily pierced through the shield and reached the man''s flesh, killing him. "Then Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s ability has triggered!" Yuna announced: "By destroying a monster in battle, I can special summon one Level Seven or Eight dragon monster from the graveyard! I summon Arkbrave Dragon!" [Arkbrave Dragon: 2400 Attack, 2000 Defense] A smaller celestial dragon appeared, and it pped its four wings eagerly. Arkbrave Dragon sneakily nced at the two powerhouses with admiration, and it growled, determined to prove to them that its strong too. "With Arkbrave Dragon, I can banish as many face-up spell or trap cards as my opponent control, and it gains two hundred attacks and defence for each card! I will banish Eternal Soul and Book of Secret Arts!" [Arkbrave Dragon: 2400 -> 2800 Attack, 2000 -> 2400 Defense] [Dark Magician: 2800 -> 2500 Attack, 2100 Defense] "You must know what happens when Eternal Soul leaves the field, right?" Yuna smiled. Yami Yugi clenched his fist and said solemnly, "It will destroy all monsters I control..." As the stone tablet crumbled, it emitted an explosion that ravaged Yugi''s field. Dark Magician tried to raise a protective barrier but perished to the st. [Yugi Mutou: 2000 LP -> 600 LP] "Since you don''t have any more monsters, my turn ends here." Yuna dered with a smile. Yugi drew, and his expression became grim: "I will set a card and a monster, and that concludes my turn." [Yuna Sano: 3850 LP -> 4350 LP] Yuna stared intently at the set card, and her instincts warned her to be careful. Weighing her options, she nodded to herself: "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon will be set to defence position, then I will attack the set monster using Arkbrave Dragon!" Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon obedientlyy on the floor while Arkbrave Dragon charged. Yami Yugi frowned when his expectations weren''t met. However, he reluctantly activates the trap to protect his monster. "I will use Mirror Force again and destroy all monsters in the attacking position!" Arkbrave Dragon struck a translucent shield before erupting in mes. Yuna was relieved while Yugi gritted his teeth, knowing that with Arkbrave Dragon''s death, another mighty dragon would soon spawn. [Yuna Sano: 4350 LP -> 2950 LP] "Keeper of the Shrine''s effect has been activated, special summoning himself to the field," Yuna announced: "I will end my turn." [Keeper of the Shrine: 0 Attack, 2100 Defense] Yami Yugi drew with a furrowed brow, and it was rare that he was pushed to this extreme, and he hadn''t felt a sense of crisis looming over him even when he was battling other duelists participating in this tournament. Was it because it was thest duel he had to face before fighting Pegasus, or was Yuna simply that strong... "I use Pot of Greed!" Yami Yugi dered: "I can draw two cards from my deck!" "Then I activate the Mystical Space Typhoon, which allows me to destroy one spell or trap on the field! Disappear Solemn Wish!" Yuna frowned when Solemn Wish shattered into pieces. No longer can she regain life points, and she bit her lips nervously. "Then I use Card Destruction. Both yers discard their entire hand and draw the same number of cards!" Yami Yugi dered and dumped his cards into the graveyard. Currently, he has four cards in total, while Yuna has six. However, he wasn''t bothered and believed his deck wouldn''t fail. Yuna and Yami Yugi began to draw from their deck. With Solemn Wish gone, Yuna could no longer gain life points; otherwise, Yami Yugi would be in trouble. The two duelists stared at their new hand as strategies and ns formted in their minds. Yami Yugi''s eyes widened slightly at his hand, and he realised that his chances of winning may have increased drastically. "I will set another monster and end my turn!" He dered. "My turn!" Yuna said: "With Arkbrave Dragon''s effect, when this monster was in the graveyard because it was sent therest turn, I can special summon Level Seven or Eight dragon from the graveyard, rise Blue Eyes White Dragon!" A thunderous roar echoed through the room, and a white dragon emerged. It howled fiercely at Yami Yugi, and he instinctively stepped back. [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defense] While Yami Yugi was admiring the appearance of Blue Eyes White Dragon, Yuna scowled. She has detected Yami Yugi''s sudden shift in the atmosphere before focusing on a particr card. A piece of her soul told her to y it now, but another part sprouted doubt and informed her to be patient. However, if she doesn''t y the card now, when? If Yuna timed it wrong, it would ultimately spell her doom, so suppressing the anxiety, she shouted: "I will y the card Exchange! We will reveal our hands and take one card from each other!" Yami Yugi felt bewildered as the podium they were standing on automatically approached one another. Eventually, Yuna and Yami Yugi stood face to face and revealed their hands. "I will take the Monster Reborn," Yami Yugi said thoughtfully. "I...." Yuna frowned: "I will take Exodia, the Forbidden One!" Yami Yugi: !!!! "So, that''s your n," He smirked, impressed with Yuna''s bold idea. Using Cards Destruction, he retrieved Exodia the Forbidden One, the Right Arm of the Forbidden One and the Left Leg of the Forbidden One. However, it was now all useless when Yuna took one of the pieces... However, Yami Yugi knew that Yuna must have also understood Exodia wasn''t his only option. By taking the Exodia card, Yuna was announcing to him that she have methods to counter his ns. "Then I will set Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand to attack position and battle your set monster!" Yuna pointed at the hidden card on the left: "Go, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" The dragon unleashed a fiery beam and swept through his field. The Giant Soldier of Stone Yami Yugi ced earlier stood no chance and even its rocky body melted from the heat. "With Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s ability! I can special summon Arkbrave Dragon!" [Arkbrave Dragon: 2400 Attack, 2000 Defence] Arkbrave Dragon Blue Eyes White Dragon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand Keeper of the Shrine Starving Venom Fusion Dragon Yuna''s field was filled with monsters, and each one with strength sent chills down any duelist''s spine. Yami Yugi gritted his teeth and watched with anticipation: ''Yuna Sano... The first one to push me to this extent....'' Yami Yugi drew from his deck as soon as Yuna set a card and ended her turn. His heart thumped against his ribs as the anxiety was gradually overtaking him. ''Don''t worry, and we got this!'' Yugi''s determined voice echoed in the pharaoh''s head, and Yami Yugi nodded: ''You''re right. We will save our Grandfather!'' "I will activate Card of Demise! I can draw cards until I have five cards in my hand!" Yami Yugi dered: "However, I must discard my entire hand on my 5th turn after I yed this card. But we both know that this duel will end sooner than that!" Yami Yugi draws as his cards have now matched Yuna''s: "Here Ie Yuna Sano! This is my final stand!" "I will activate your Monster Reborn and summon Dark Magician from my graveyard!" Yami Yugi announced and the familiar mage emerges from a magic circle. He red at his enemies and readied his staff with resolve. [Dark Magician: 2500 Attack, 2100 Defense] "Then I will use Polymerization! Fusing Dark Magician and Gaia the Fierce Knight in my hand!" A portal appeared behind Dark Magician and the mage instantly stepped in. Soon, the sound of galloping hooves could be heard. A purple horse dressed in armour leapt through the portal and it ran across the duelling field. On the horse was Dark Magician but his outfit have transformed into a bluish knight armour instead of the purple robe. In his hand was arge rednce that was so sharp it can puncture the air. The warrior reined his steed as he swung hisnce with murderous intent. [Dark Calvary: 2800 Attack, 2300 Defense] "With Dark Calvary''s effect, it will gain one hundred attacks for each spell and trap on the field or in the graveyard!" [Dark Calvary: 2800 -> 4400 Attack, 2300 Defense] [2] "Now go and attack Arkrbave Dragon!" Yami Yugi shouted and he felt his voice going hoarse. Dark Calvary charged and pointed hisnce at the celestial dragon. However, a magic spell struck Dark Calvary out of nowhere, as if hypnotised, Dark Calvary withdraw from attack and returned to Yugi''s field. "I will activate the set trap, Negate Attack! I can target one of my opponent''s monsters and negate its attack before ending the battle face!" Yuna yelled as sweat visibly appeared on her forehead. "It will be your turn," Yami Yugi said unwillingly: "But I will end this battle on my next turn!" Yuna shook her head and Yami Yugi red with confusion: "No Mutou-san this duel will end right now! I will turn Starving Venom Fusion Dragon to attack mode, now go! Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, attack Dark Calvary!" The dark dragon slithered its way towards the warrior and pounced with its ws. Yami Yugi watched as Starving Venom Fusion Dragon wrapped its tail around the body of the horse. Yami Yugi clenched the railings and he was baffled. No matter how hard he thinks, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon was way weaker than his Dark Calvary and it would simply be suicide. Starving Venom Fusion Dragon roared and shed at the rider with its ws. Dark Calvary deflected with his weapon before stabbing into the creature''s chest and knocking it away. Before Starving Venom Fusion Dragon can recover, Dark Calvary stomped onto its skull... [Yuna Sano: 2950 LP -> 1450 LP] "What are you doing?!" He shouted with frustration: "Why ar...." Yami Yugi froze when he saw Yuna''s expression. He remembered clearly that unbothered face was the exact same as when she was looking at Joey during their duel! There wasn''t a hint of emotions except for her eyes, her pupils were wavering not out of fear but of pity and that''s when Yami Yugi understood that he was merely ying into the palm of her hands all along. Suddenly Yami Yugi''s heart sank as Dark Calvary fell off his horse. The warrior clutched the side of his stomach before ncing at his hand which was now oozed with blood and a green acidic liquid that was the exact same substance that was dripping from Starving Venom Fusion Dragon''s stinger. "Starving Venom Fusion Dragon''s effect has been activated...." Yuna said in a gentle tone: "When it was defeated and sent to the graveyard, destroy every special summon monster my opponent controls." Dark Calvary''s body convulsed uncontrobly, and green veins appeared along its face. It spat a mouthful of blood and fell on the floor, dead to the horrible poison. "No way... A suicide attack?" Yami Yugi spoke in disbelief. Dark Calvary''s body began to turn white, blinding the room. Yami Yugi blocked his eyes and heard Yuna''s soft voice. "Mutou-san, I will save your grandfather." She dered as Yami Yugi stared at her in a daze. BOOM [Yugi Mutou: 600 LP -> 0 LP] An hourter... [Yuna''s POV] I walked quietly down an empty hallway while reflecting on the previous match. When the adrenaline left my body, I realised the sole reason I win was the severe difference with our deck. My monsters could all be considered to have powerful effects in this erapared to Yugi''s normal monsters. Also, the only cards I really should worry about were Mirror Force and the Exodia. With me beating Kaiba, Yugi really didn''t have a chance to showcase it so Wevil didn''t toss the cards into the sea. Now that I think about it, there must have been a poor soul in the duelist kingdom that has to taste the defeat of Exodia, they have my condolences. Finally, my thoughts end when I reached a door. I held my breath and entered, revealing a dark vacant room. In the middle of the room was a table with two chairs, illuminated by a dim light. One of the seats was already upied by a man with white hair, dressed in a dashing redn/?/vel/b//in dot c//om suit. I sat down across from the man and observed him quietly. He smiled at me and rested his chin on his hand: "I knew you would win ~Yuna~." My anger rose at my silky voice and heughed: "Alright I get it, stop giving me that look. Let''s just get this over with. I, Maximillian Pegasus, the creator of Duel Monsters, challenge you to a duel!" [1] If you''re wondering why I didn''t activate Starving Venom Fusion Dragon''s first effect of gaining attack to one of the special summon monsters? Well, simply it''s useless as it would onlyst until the end of the turn and Yuna have already used her battle phase. [2] I know Dark Calvary was a monster that was made in 2019, contradicting my statement on using cards made before 2010. However, its way too cool not to use it and its the only fusion monster that seemed reasonable as its effect isn''t as broken as the others Gaia the fierce knight and Darkmagican was monsters Yugi regrly used. Chapter 29: Annoying Cartoons called TOOOONS Chapter 29: Annoying Cartoons called TOOOONS ? Hi guys, before we begin, just letting you know that this will only be the first part. This was mainly because the entire duel may have been too long for one chapter. However, don''t worry! I will post the second part after one or two days after this release! [Yuna POV] "I''m sure you prefer we duel like this, right?" Pegasus said while we shuffled our decks: "Free from outside interference and only a simple game between two duelists." Despite my dislike towards him, I couldn''t help but be grateful. Having too many people watching can be stressful, so I should act at least thankful since I can fight without worry. "Well, since you''re the challenger, I will give you the courtesy of going first," Pegasus exined and reached for the life point counter on the side of the table. With a few clicks of a button, the device turned on, signalling the start of the match. [Maximillian Pegasus: 2000 LP] [Yuna Sano: 2000 LP] I took a deep breath to calm my elerating heart. This was it. Mokuba had entrusted his life to me in this duel, and if I lost, Pegasus would take both our souls. The exhrating feeling in my body that always appeared when I duel has returned. My eyes became sharp, and all the anxiety vanished without a trace. Pegasus and I stared at each other, and we both smiled. "Let''s duel!" x2n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "I first use Graceful Charity, and allow me to draw three cards and then discard two from my hand," I said while drawing three cards from the deck before sending two cards in my hand to the graveyard. "Then, I summon Dragon Knight of Creation!" I dered. Suddenly, a strange feeling appeared, and I instinctively turned around. My eyes widened with shock at the knight standing behind me. Dragon Knight of Creation met my gaze and nodded as he rested his sword on the ground. "Suprised?" Pegasusughed: "I told you on our first meeting, Duel Monsters are more than you think, they are spirits that live in another dimension, and by ying this game, we channel them through our will!" He spoke, and his Millenium Eye shinned ominously: "But such poweres great consequences. I wonder if you''re ready to face the responsibility?" I momentarily forgot that I was in a duel with my life and stared at the Dragon Knight of Creation in awe. I subconsciously stood up from my seat and walked around the tall knight. From his fiery red hair, glossy golden armour and alluring, fine-toned muscles. Thinking of thest detail, I used my hands as a fan and hurriedly cooled my heating face. Anyway, every part of Dragon Knight of Creation seemed so real. After a few moments of hesitation, I reached out my hand. However, contrary to my expectations, my fingers fazed through his body like he was a ghost. "Despite the realness, they''re merely spirits only revealed to us through this Shadow Game." Pegasus exined upon noticing my shock: "Therefore, nobody except for us can see them." I nodded in understanding. I particrly noticed that I could sense the strength of the Dragon Knight of Creation. It was like my brain immediately knew the strength of my monster and its limits, as if the stats were presented right before my eyes. [Dragon Knight of Creation: 1800 Attack, 600 Defence] [1] "It''s natural to be curious," He continued: "However, remember that we''re still in the middle of something." I blushed with embarrassment and retreated to my seat. I lightly pped myself on the cheek and shook my head. Get a hold of yourself, Yuna! Your soul''s on the line here! "Ahem," I cleared my throat: "I will set three cards and end my turn." Pegasus stared at the cards ced on the table and hummed. Yeah, he''s probably reading my mind with the Millenium Eye. "I will use Mystical Typhoon to destroy the set card in the middle." Pegasus dered while pointing at the card he wanted to remove. A small tornado appeared on the table as it approached my back row. The tiny disaster struck one of my cards, and it flew off the desk,nding several feet away. The card flipped over, revealing my Solemn Wish. Yep... He''s reading my cards... Pegasus: "I will set a monster and two cards before ending my turn." He ced his remaining cards on the table and gave me an innocent smile. I clenched my fist furiously. This guy''s mocking me! Damn it, I should have just been a little harsher on our first duel! "I will go straight into the attack phase!" I announced as the Dragon Knight of Creation pulled his sword off the ground: "Go, Dragon Knight of Creation!" With a single leap, the knight flew across the table and swung his sword at Pegasus. Suddenly, a cartoonish ck rabbit humanoid appeared to block the strike. [Dark Rabbit: 1100 Attack, 1500 Defence] The de shed the monster in half, and it shrieked before fading away... "Then, with Dragon Knight of Creation''s effect, I can send one dragon monster from my deck or hand to the graveyard! Also, I can target one dragon monster in the grave, tribute my knight and special summon that monster!" Dragon Knight of Creation raised his sword, and a light beam shot down from the sky. When theser disappeared, a humongous golden dragon reced its ce. "I special summon, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s effect has been activated! I will banish Dark Rabbit from your graveyard, and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand will gain attacks and defence equal to that monster''s level!" "Ah!" Pegasus eximed: "The monster I have been waiting for!" Seemingly unaware of the danger, Pegasus stared with joy, and his shoulder trembled as he tried to hold in hisughter: "Yuna Sano, you don''t know how long I anticipated to face this creature, so you should''ve expected I already have ns for it?!" "I will activate the card in my hand, Dragon Capture Jar! I can special summon this card from my hand in defence position and capture one dragon monster on the field!" [2] A bronze jar manifested out of thin air andnded on the table. I red as Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand transformed into a wisp of smoke and slowly absorbed into the vase. The Dragon Capture Jar trembled uncontrobly as the dragon within thrashed with hatred. However, the jar soon became still, suppressing my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s power. [Dragon Capture Jar: 100 Attack, 200 Defence] "Since Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand has been captured, your effect has been cancelled," Pegasus said. Frustrated, I gritted my teeth: "I will end my turn." "That so?" Pegasus smirked while drawing a card from his deck: "Well, it is my move then." "First, I activate the Card of Sanctity. Both of us will keep drawing until we have six cards in our hands. Consider this as a professional courtesy." I snorted in disdain while we drew our cards. Upon seeing his replenished hand, Pegasus''s smile widened: "It was a surprise, but luck is on my side today. I will y Toon World!" A giant book appeared before Pegasus and it magically spread open, revealing a pop-up of a dark castle with tiny tombstones at the corner of the pages. "I''ve always been a fan of cartoons," Pegasus said while gazing at the book with pride: I grew up with them, and they essentially made me who I am." Yeah, and look how that turned out... I decide to not say that out loud and kept it in my head. However, Pegasus must have already read my thoughts and he smirked: "I will set another monster and end my turn." I clicked my teeth at his irritating but truthful statement. If that set monster''s what I think it was, I must remove it before the next turn! "I will banish my Dragon Knight of Creation and the Koumori Dragon I sent earlier from my graveyard, allowing me to summon Darkre Dragon!" A slender ck dragon emerged from the darkness. Its red underbelly glimmered under the dime light as it roared intimidatingly. [Darkre Dragon: 2400 Attack, 1200 Defence] "Now, Darkre Dragon, destroy the Dragon Capture Jar!" Darkre Dragon dived towards Pegasus, its ws aiming for the bronze vase. However, during the attack, dozens of dark chains shoot out from the darkness and wrapped around my monster. Losing control of its body, Darkre Dragon plummeted to the ground. "I activate the trap, Fiendish Chains. Your monster won''t be able to attack nor activate its effects," Pegasus smiled. "Then I set a monster and end my turn," I grumbled. I hadn''t realised it then, but Pegasus was a real adversary. He must have been studying for this battle, and I felt he has a counter to all my strategies. No, scratch that. Pegasus most certainly have counters for everything! "You''re staring at my monster intensely, don''t you think?" Pegasus chuckled while tapping the card: "I expect you to figure out already what it was." He flipped it over, and a purple vase as tall as the Dragon Capture Jar appeared. There were golden scribing on the body of the furniture by the lid was an eye. Hands grew from the vase''s side, and it held a flute, bringing it to a hole close to the eye. "I flip summon my Dragon Piper!" Pegasus announced: "Watch as it ys a wonderful tune and see what happens!" As if onmand, Dragon Piper began to y its flute. It wasn''t a bad song, but the overly stressful situation prevented me from focusing on the music. With the ying, Dragon Capture Jar reacted and spat out arge fume. The smoke gathered and transformed into a dragon that I was familiar with, but this time it was not on my side... Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand howled with hatred and immediately lunged at Pegasus. However, its body locked in ce when Dragon Piper yed its flute. "Now, now," Pegasus chided while wagging his finger: "You need to behave." I clenched my fist as my knuckles turned white. Pegasus noticed my fury andughed: "You haven''t even seen the good part yet! Now, Toon World, show Yuna your brilliance!" The book absorbed Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, and some strange cartoonish noise entered our ears. After ten seconds, a small hand poked out from the pop-up before dragging itself out of the book. The small creature snicked at me and happily flew around the room. Like an animate character from aedy show, it identally bumped the ceiling and rubbed its head confusingly. [Toon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "How could you..." I muttered in disbelief. Pegasus shrugged: "Everything will fall under my Toon World; even the powerful Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand can be subdued." "Now, Toon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, attack!" Toon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand giggled and dashed towards my Darkre Dragon, its ws expanded five times the size of its body, and it pped Darkre Dragon in the face, causing it to howl in pain and explode. [Yuna Sano: 2000 LP -> 1600 LP] "Return for now, my joyful dragon, let''s yter." Pegasus said shamelessly as Toon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand dived into Toon World. This guy... I felt so humiliated; this was the first time I have this much anger. Was it because Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand was the first card I officially received when I arrived, so I held a little sentimental value to it? Thus... watching Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand being treated like this disturbs me! "At this moment," I spoke up: "The Keeper of the Shrine in my hand has been activated, allowing me to special summon the monster in defence position!" [Keeper of the Shrine: 0 Attack, 2100 Defence] "I will then tribute my Dragon Capture Jar and summon Ryu-Ran," Pegasus said, and a small dragon appeared. It hid in its eggshell while its legs and arms stuck out. [Ryu-Ran: 2200 Attack, 2600 Defence] Pegasus: "With the effect of Toon World, Ryu-Ran will then turn into the Manga Ryu-Ran!" Ryu-Ran transformed. Its white eggshell donned a purple colour with blue rings, and its body became fatter. Ryu-Ran''s upper body was sticking out of the egg while wearing the eggshell like a helmet. [Manga Ryu-Ran: 2200 Attack, 2600 Defence] "I will also hide Manga Ryu-Ran in the pages of Toon World," He exined as Manga Ryu- Ran leapt into the pages of Toon World: "It''s your turn now ~Yuna~." Back in the show, the card Toon World was truly foul. I couldn''t harm Pegasus''s monsters while they were hiding in Toon World, but he could bring out his Toon Monsters anytime he wanted. "Ha," I sighed frustratingly: "I will use Pot of Greed, allowing me to draw two cards from the deck." However, the Gods have finally given me a chance! I glimpsed at Pegasus, and he was frowning as if he had tasted something bitter. I smirked, and my mood increased. "I will normal-summon Koumori Dragon!" I announced, and a dragon with purple scales appeared beside the Keeper of the Shrine. [Koumori Dragon: 1500 Attack, 1200 Defence] "Unfortunately, I''m going to stop you right here. I activate my hidden card, Trap-Hole and destroy your Koumori Dragon." Pegasus announced. A hole manifested on the ground, right beneath Koumori Dragon and the monster fell in. Swiftly, the cavity refilled itself as if it was never there and thest thing I heard was Koumori Dragon''s anguish cry. [Yuna Sano: 1600 LP -> 850 LP] "Then I activate one of my set cards, Call of the Haunted and bring Koumori Dragon back from the grave!" [Koumori Dragon: 1500 Attack, 1200 Defence] "Now, I use my spell card, Polymerization! Using the two monsters I have on the field as materials!" "Tsk," Pegasus clicked his teeth, and his mischievous expression disappeared: "The troublesome one..." "I fusion summon! The terror with hungering fangs! Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!" A soul-guttering roar pierced our eardrums, and I shivered in fright. When I used Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, it had never felt this real before... I anxiously turned around and came face to face with a bright yellow pupil. I stifled a scream and quietly stared at the sharp fangs gradually approaching me. Grrrrrrrr Starving Venom Fusion Dragon growled, and I felt the hairs on my body stand up. Who''s a good dragon? Sensing my distress, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon grunted and blew a hot breath at my face. Thankfully, it''s only a spiritual body, or I will probably pass out from the stench. Starving Venom Fusion Dragon grunted and unleashed a devasting roar, it turned its head and red at Pegasus as I sensed his eagerness to tear that man apart. [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 Attack, 2000 Defence] "It is an intimidating dragon indeed," Pegasus praised with a nervous tone: "But Starving Venom Fusion Dragon couldn''t gain attack because my Toon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand was yours that I haven''t taken control, so it doesn''t count as a special summon!" He was correct since I was the one who summoned Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, so I couldn''t choose it for Starving Venom Fusion Dragon''s effect, however... "Wait..." Pegasus scowled when he read my actual thoughts. "I will use Starving Venom Fusion Dragon''s third effect!" I dered: "Once per turn, I can target one level five or higher monster my opponent control! Until the end phase, this card''s name will be that monster''s name and have its effects!" Pegasus: ?!?!?! Starving Venom Fusion Dragon hugged itself into a fetal position and miraculously shrunk to a small size. Now it has be the same appearance as Toon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, except for its colours." [Toon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand (Starving Venom Fusion Dragon): 2800 Attack, 2000 Defence] [3] "Now your Toon Monsters aren''t protected anymore, right?" I grinned: "Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, attack Manga Ryu-Ran!" The monster leapt into Toon World, and the book wobbled. A few secondster, Manga Ryu- Ran and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon leapt out simultaneously, and my dragon punched Manga Ryu-Ran in the face and the fat Ryu-Ran burst into a puff of smoke. [Maximillion Pegasus: 2000 LP -> 1400 LP] [1] Yuna and Pegasus couldn''t see this except for their LP (Because of the LP counter). I added it so that you guys could understand it a bit easier. [2] I honestly am not even sure what this card''s type suppose to be anymore. In Wiki, it was drawn as a trap card and it was a trap in the modern Yugioh. However, Pegasus was ying it like a hand monsters trap like Ash Blossom or something during his duels. So I decided to just follow along and consider it as a monster with effects. [3] Lastly, you may say that Starving Venom Fusion Dragon can only copy a monster''s original name so shouldn''t it be Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand? Well, I was also thinking the same but in the anime, the toon isn''t a simple transformation as there were categorised as its own monsters with their own unique ability to hide in Toon World. Also, I considered other examples such as Joey''s Thousand Dragon (Baby Dragon under the effect of Time Wizard) and Red-Eyes ck Metal Dragon which were in the same situation. So ultimately I decided that Toon counts as a legitimate monster instead of a simple name change. I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 30: Faith in the Deck Chapter 30: Faith in the Deck ? Heh heh heh, see I upheld my promise! Anyway, with this chapter, there''s one more until pretty much the end of Duelist Kingdom! If you like the story so far, how about give it a review? [Yuna POV] Starving Venom Fusion Dragon returned to my side while grinning savagely. Pegasus watched with an impressed expression: "To think you have a method to counter my Toon World, I am thoroughly satisfied with your abilities." Despite his praise, I ignored him and continued ying: "I activate my spell card, Wingbeat of Giant Dragon. I can return one level five or more dragon monster to my hand and destroy all spells and traps on the field!" Starving Venom Fusion Dragon returned to its true monstrous form, and the dragon pped its wings. All the cards on the back row immediately flew off the table andnded several feet away. The Toon World book instantly broke apart into tiny pieces, and Toon Divine Dragon Lord cried as it wasunched into the air. The monster flipped all over the ce before bncing itself. It stared at its body in wonder as it grew, returning to its normal appearance. Now Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, it shook its head before ring at Pegasus hatefully. "Toon World has been destroyed so that all Toon monsters will return to normal," I exined. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "That is true, yet to destroy my Toon World, you sacrificed all of your defences," Pegasus pointed out while staring at my now empty field: "Quite a brazen approach, one I didn''t predict..." "But you couldn''t attack me directly with nothing on my field." I said with confidence: "I consider this even." "Hmph," He scoffed: "It is merely stalling the inevitable." When Pegasus draws a card, his expression bes disgruntled, indicating he hasn''t received the card he wanted: "I will set two cards face down, then I pass the turn to you." "First, I use the Card of Destruction. We discard our entire hand and draw the same amount of cards we have originally." As we set our hands on the graveyard pile, Pegasus hummed with curiosity. I stared at the new cards while formting my next course of action, even while well aware of Pegasus reading my mind. "I will use Return of the Dragon Lord and special summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my graveyard!" In the dim room, a sudden bright light emits between us. Once it settled, there stood a beautiful dragon with white scales. Blue Eyes White Dragon lowered its head and observed me with soft, gentle eyes before roaring fiercely at my foe. [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] "I will set one card face down, then attack with my Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" "Unfortunately, I can''t let you do that," Pegasus interrupted me: "I use Negate Attack to target your Blue-Eyes White Dragon and end the battle entirely." "So close to rescuing your beloved beast," Pegasus sighed, "Such a sha..." "I will set two cards and end my turn." Before he could finish talking, I interrupted him. Pegasus hummed amusingly, unbothered by my rudeness. He drew a card, and his mood finally improved: "Let''s end this farce once and for all. I will y ck Illusion Ritual! I will tribute my Dragon Piper to bring out my trump card, Relinquished!" A portal appeared beneath Dragon, and the monster was dragged in. Soon, a horrifying creature revealed itself. It was dark blue with white veins. Itcked a lower body except for a sharp point stabbing into the floor like a Beyde. The creature has huge arms with sharp ws, and instead of a face, there was a single eyeball connected by a thin long neck. [Relinquished: 0 Attack, o Defence] "Behold, this is the card I made to defeat you, Yuna Sano!" Pegasus eximed: "Be proud that you will be the first to taste its might!" A card to defeat me? I subconsciously narrowed my eyebrows. Shouldn''t it be the one to defeat Yugi? Or was the timeline changed so much that Pegasus has bepletely interested in me instead? However, Pegasus''s next words brought me back to reality... "Unfortunately, that''s what I wish to say," Pegasus exhaled with disappointment: "I doubt its strength is enough to defeat you." "T... thanks?" I responded with an awkward tone. He smirked: "However, that doesn''t mean you''re safe! I will use Polymerization! Using my Relinquished and Thousand-Eyes Idol in my hand as materials!" "Now behold the beauty! The one and only! Thousand-Eyes Restrict!" Relinquished''s body darkened as multiple pulsating flesh squirmed under its skin as if the monster was infested with parasites. Gradually, its skin ripped open, revealing thousands of slimy eyeballs. The main eye turned into a glossy golden colour, resembling the appearance of Pegasus''s Millenium Eye. [Thousand-Eyes Restrict: 0 Attack, o Defence] "Thousand-Eyes Restrict has a pretty interesting effect if I have to say so myself," Pegasus gloated confidently. "Once this monster was summoned, you can no longer dere attacks nor change battle positions! Also, once per turn, I can target one of your monsters and attach it to this card! Then Thousand-Eyes Restrict will gain attack and defence equal to all the monster''s statsbined!!!" "With this, I will activate Thousand-Eyes Restrict''s effect and absorb your Blue Eyes White Dragon!" Slimy tentacles shoot out of Thousand-Eyes Restrict''s body and wrap around my monster. It dragged Blue Eyes White Dragon towards itself, and the dragon became half-fused with Thousand-Eyes Restrict. [Thousand-Eyes Restrict: 0 -> 3000 Attack, 0 -> 2500 Defence] "What will you do Yuna Sano? Your Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand is still mine, and I have my Thousand-Eyes Restrict on the board! It''s over!" Pegasus preached. I bit my lips with frustration. Pegasus''s Thousand-Eyes Restrict has no counters unless I have a card that specifically targets. The only card I could think of was Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, but it''s currently under his control! "I summon Pdin of Felgrand in attack position," I shouted, and a young blond-haired warrior wearing silver armour appeared. [Pdin of Felgrand: 1700 Attack, 300 Defence] I was pushed to the defensive and I can feel myself getting cornered by the second. Forced to summon a monster this turn, I reluctantly continued to y while hoping I can stall well enough to survive this turn. "With Pdin of Felgrand''s effect, I equip Arkbrave Dragon from my graveyard to this card, then Pdin of Felgrand can''t be targetted by effects!" "I then set a card and end my turn..." Pegasus hummed and licked his lips as he stared at my back row with interest: "Let''s begin by using my second Mystical Typhoon to destroy that card in the middle." A second tornado destroyed another one of my traps, and I caught the card in midair with a grim expression. That was my Waboku, my most important defence, gone. "Now, Thousand-Eyes Restrict, destroy Pdin of Felgrand!" "Not so fast!" I stammered: "I use my trap card, Reinforcement, and grant Pdin of Felgrand five hundred more attacks!" [Pdin of Felgrand: 1700 -> 2200 Attack, 300 Defence] Thousand-Eyes Restrict swung its arm like a hammer, and Pdin of Felgrand raised his sword in a desperate attempt to block the attack. Unfortunately, the de shattered, and the warrior was ultimately defeated. [Yuna Sano: 850 LP -> 50 LP] I stared at my measly amount of life points in disbelief. Even a gentle breeze can spell the end for me. Pegasus''s assault should have been the end for me but yet I survived. Staring at the absurd strength of Thousand-Eyes Restrict, fear begins to set in. The thought of actually losing entered my mind, and I found difficulty breathing. I''m scared... What should I do? "I will set a monster and end my turn," I muttered anxiously. Pegasus chuckled: "Is this all you can do? Thousand-Eyes Restrict, capture that monster!" Thousand-Eyes Restrict simultaneously blinked with all of its eyes as it grabbed the monster hiding under my card. It pulled the Koumori Dragon out of the card; the dragon struggled in fear but was fused into the monster''s body while exposing one of the Koumori Dragon''s arms. [Thousand-Eyes Restrict: 3000 -> 4500 Attack, 2500 -> 3700 Defence] "Seems like that''s all you can amount to..." Pegasus mumbled with dissatisfaction. I flinched at his insults as each word felt like a stab to the heart. I visibly shrunk in my seat while staring at the floor with shame. I don''t think I can win... He was way too strong... My vision became hazy, and I felt myself struggling to concentrate. I grabbed the corner of the table and clutched my chest in pain. "W... what''s happening...." I gasped for breath. Pegasus sighed and shook his head disappointingly: " If your heart wavered, it meant you have admitted defeat." My arms felt numb, and it was like I was slowly separating from my own body. I dropped the cards, and a single tear dripped on the table. No... Not like this... Someone help me... Mokuba, I''m sorry... As I closed my eyes and epted my demise, I sensed a hand ced on my shoulder. Thinking it was Pegasus, I gritted my teeth. Using myst strength, I reopened my eyes and stared him down. But it wasn''t Pegasus... It was a woman dressed in full white. Her face was covered by a veil, revealing her beautiful lips and the hair as white as snow flowing down to her waist. "Who..." I groaned. The woman smiled and leaned close to my ear before speaking in a soft, silky voice: "Don''t lose hope. Believe in your deck. Don''t give up. You can win. So... Keep fighting!" I stared at her in shock as she delivered words of encouragement, and a warmness overwhelmed me. I raised my weakened hand and touched her clothes. However, like before, my finger merely went through her body. The woman giggled at my action as her figure gradually turned translucent. It wasn''t long until only her head remained, and she was still smiling as bright as the sun. Her mouth moved, but no words came out, yet I knew exactly what she said... "Don''t be scared, Yuna, you can win!" [3rd POV] Pegasus sighed with disappointment, and he thought Yuna would be more but turns out that the one with the highest potential will still fall to his Millenium Eye. As he was ready to collect her soul, Pegasus stopped and gazed at her in amazement. "I... I can continue..." Yuna growled. She reached for the cards on the floor and mmed them on the table. She drunkenly supported her body and red at Pegasus: "It will end... Only until I defeat you." Pegasus frowned as he couldn''t believe Yuna''s endurance. He felt himself losing the grip of her soul as it returned to her body. He read her thoughts, but to his shock, there was nothing. Something was ced between their connections, like a filter that stopped his intrusion. Pegasus''s body tensed, and he sat back down on the chair. He observed Yuna with a solemn expression while doubting himself: ''What happened? Why can''t I use my Millenium Eye?'' "My move," Yuna spoke with conviction, reminding Pegasus that they were still in the middle of a duel. "I will banish the Keeper of the Shrine and Pdin of Felgrand in my grave to summon Lightpulsar Dragon from my hand!" A slim white dragon appeared, roaring confidently, although severely outmatched. [Lightpulsar Dragon: 2500 Attack, 1500 Defence] "Then I tribute my Lightpulsar Dragon and summon my Darkre Dragon!" Lightpulsar Dragon tilted its head confusingly as if saying: ''Finally, I got called, but you''re immediately sacrificing me to get my brother?!'' However, before Lightpulsar Dragon could argue further, it was fully tributed, and Darkre Dragon reced its ce. [Darkre Dragon: 2400 Attack, 1200 Defence] "With Lightpulsar Dragon''s effect. When this monster was sent to the grave, I can special summon one Level Five or Higher Dark Dragon Monster from my Graveyard. I will revive my second Darkre Dragon!" [Darkre Dragon: 2400 Attack, 1200 Defence] The two Darkre Dragons conversed with each other. Seemingly enjoying each other''s company. "I will use Polymerization! Allowing me to fuse my two Darkre Dragons! I fusion summon Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!" Yuna shouted. [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 Attack, 2000 Defence] "Finally, I will set a card and end my turn." Pegasus frowned when he stared at the two trap cards on her field: "This may be troublesome." When he added a card to his hand, Yuna immediately flipped over one of those traps: "I activate Battle Mania; your monsters must attack me no matter what this turn!" "However!" Yuna exined: "Since you can only attack the yer''s monsters and not the duelist directly, you couldn''t absorb my Starving Venom Fusion Dragon and leave my field empty!" "Fine, let''s y it your way." Pegasus shrugged; "Thousand-Eyes Restrict, attack Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!" "Not so fast! I will use Waboku, and I won''t take battle damage, or my monsters can be destroyed by battle!" Thousand-Eyes Restrict''s ws struck a blue shield, and Yuna''s Starving Venom Fusion Dragon was protected from harm. When Thousand-Eyes Restrict retreated, it was Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s time to attack. The golden dragon flew from Pegasus''s side to Yuna''s and shed at Starving Venom Fusion Dragon. However, just like before, her monster was protected by a barrier, leaving it unharmed. Suddenly, Starving Venom Fusion Dragonshed out and cleaved Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand apart with its scythe tail. Pegasus clicked his teeth: "They have the same amount of attack... So you''re aiming to destroy that dragon all along?" "But, did you forget about one thing?" Pegasus asked: "Since I finished my attacks and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon is still on the field, it meant that my Thousand-Eyes Restrict will absorb it!" During his exnation, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon was also captured and joined along with Blue Eyes White Dragon. [Thousand-Eyes Restrict: 4500 -> 7300 Attack, 3700 -> 5700 Defence] "It''s your turn now, Yuna!" Pegasus urged. Yuna nervously bit her lips. This was it; with her previous actions, there was no turning back now, and she deemed it was all for nothing. She gritted her teeth and remembered that unknown woman''s words. "Believe in my deck...." Yuna mumbled to herself. She ced her hand on the remaining deck of cards. With a single motion, she drew a card and held her breath. Yuna''s eyes widened with shock before smiling: "Thank you..." Yuna raised her head and lifted the card in the air: "I will use Monster Reborn! Rise again, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" The golden dragon howled and appeared behind Yuna. Pegasus frowned for the first time in this duel, and Pegasus felt his anxiety grow by the second: "Don''t tell me, you''re banishing my Thousand-Eyes Restrict?" "No!" Yuna yelled, and his eyes widened in surprise: "I will target the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, that was being absorbed!" Pegasus: ?! The Blue-Eyes White Dragon howled and vanished from Thousand-Eyes Restrict. Now Pegasus realised Yuna''s intention. Thousand-Eyes Restrict absorbs monsters into its own, meaning they weren''t Equip Spells but became monsters he controlled! [1] [Thousand-Eyes Restrict: 7300 -> 4300 Attack, 5700 -> 3200 Defence] "Then I activate Ruins of the Divine Dragon Lord!" Yuna yelled, and a small statue of Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand emerged beside her: "Using Dragon Lord Ruin''s effect, I tribute my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and summon a light token! The dragon furled its wings and shrunk into a golden orb that floated gracefully. [Dragon Lord Token: 0 Attack, o Defence] Yuna: "I then summon Guardian of Felgrand in attack position!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om A tall armoured warrior with green hair and a battle axe was summoned onto the field. He crossed his arms andughed as his loud voice reverberated through the room. [Guardian of Felgrand: 500 Attack, 500 Defence] "With Guardian of Felgrand''s effect, I can equip one Level Seven or Eight dragon to this card, and Guardian of Felgrand will gain attack and defence equal to half the ATK and DEF of the monster equipped to it by this effect! The dragon I choose is Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand. Guardian of Felgrand shouted and tensed his body. His energy intensified, giving him strength like never before. [Guardian of Felgrand: 500 -> 1900 Attack, 500 -> 1900 Defence] ''What is she nning?!'' Pegasus thought while gritting his teeth. His Millenium Eye has refused to work, so there was no way Pegasus could predict Yuna''s next move. However, despite theck of information, all Pegasus knew was that what she was about to do would be extremely dangerous. ''Wait...'' Pegasus froze and remembered a particr moment he had seen in the tag team duel Yuna had yed: ''Don''t tell me?!'' "Now I activate Guardian of Felgrand''s second effect! I can summon a Level Seven or Eight dragon from the graveyard by tributing this monster and the token!" Guardian of Felgrand and the token burst into a stream of light. Yuna''s smiled and raised her hand as if responding to her call. The light swirled around her body before shooting into the ceiling. Yuna''s heart thrashed against her ribs, and a golden aura washed over her. She closed her eyes and began to speak: "With our tributes to the heavens! I call upon the guardian that protects thisnd! With your golden radiance and unyielding will! Rescue us from this sad fate! Please heed my words and show yourself! DIVINE DRAGON LORD FELGRAND!" BOOOOOM The huge golden dragon revealed its presence, generating a massive shockwave. Pegasus gasped in shock as Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand hovered behind Yuna. Pegasus cursed as he sweated nervously: "I won''t let you!" He shouted and mmed his hand against the table: "I will use my trap card, Bottom Less Trap Hole to destroy Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand "With this, you''re done for!" He cackled. A simr hole opened beneath Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand but this time it was much darker and more menacing. A goblin creature leapt out of the hole and grabbed Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s ankles as it grinned snobbishly. However, the dragon snorted and kicked the goblin back into the hole as the cavity closes up, leaving Pegasus bewildered. "Why didn''t it work why?!" He screamed: "It should''ve destroyed your monster and win me the game!" "I use the effect of Return of the Dragon Lord in my graveyard! If one of my dragon monsters would be destroyed by effect or battle! I can banish this card instead!!" Yuna yelled, leaving Pegasus speechless. "Now, I use Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s effect. I banish Starving Venom Fusion Dragon from the field and gain attack and defence equal to its level!" [Thouand-Eyes Restrict: 4300 -> 1500 Attack, 3200 -> 1200 Defence] [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3600 Attack, 2800 -> 3600 Defence] "Now I set a card and end my turn!" Yuna dered: "On your next turn, this duel will officially be over!" Pegasus gulped, and realisation set in. He could tell what that set card was even without the Millenium Eye. As he grimly drew a card, Yuna''s expression finally transformed into a smile: "During the Stand-By Phase, I activate Battle Mania, and your Thousand-Eyes Restrict must attack this turn!" Pegasus''s expression copsed, and his arms drooped to the floor. The Thousand-Eyes Restrict behind him charged fearlessly, but unexpectedly, the results were already set in stone... One thousand five hundred Attack vs three thousand and six hundred Attack... Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand opened its jaw as energy gathered in its mouth. At this moment, Pegasus stared at Yuna in a daze. Her beautiful appearance stood out under Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s radiance as her hair flew wildly by the unknown wind. For a brief moment, her pupils transformed into a golden colour that didn''t escape Pegasus''s observation: "NOW DIVINE DRAGON LORD FELGRAND, END THIS DUEL ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!!!!!! Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand roared and unleashed the bright orange beam. Theser pierced Thousand-Eyes Restrict and travelled towards Pegasus. The man spread his arms and let go of his cards. "Yuna Sano... As of today, I acknowledge you as the one who defeated me..." Pegasus muttered in eptance... B000000000000000000M [Pegasus: 1400 LP -> 0 LP] [1] In the anime, Thousand-Eye Restrict''s text said that it would absorb monsters instead of turning them into equipped spells. Also, there was also the effect that if the absorbed monster was destroyed, the original user would suffer the damage. Thus it meant that it''s not an Equip Spell. I hope you enjoy! Chapter 31: Soul Room Chapter 31: Soul Room ? [Yuna''s POV] Once the duel was over, the light turned back on, revealing our mess. Cards were everywhere, and several decorated vases in the room were knocked over, crooked paintings and dark marks staining the walls. I turned to Pegasus, still staring at me in a daze. I nervously cleared my throat, and he snapped out of his thoughts and blinked his eyes in astonishment. Pegasus then pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed deeply, and I felt his pupils ring into my soul. I fidgeted in my seat as multiple strange thoughts entered my head. No way he''s notpleting his end of the bargain, right? What if he took my soul anyway?! I don''t want to die! Noticing my thought, Pegasus and I stared at each other in an ufortable silence. Eventually, he burst intoughter. "Ah, Yuna Sano, it''s intriguing how you have such absurd imaginations." He said and wiped the tears from his face. "There''s nothing to fear, despite what you think of me. I''m a man of my word," Pegasus assured while picking up the cards on the floor. He grabbed the Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand with curiosity: "To think a card like this existed, it''s truly a mystery." Thankfully, he returned the card, and I swiftly packed my deck away: "Now that it''s over, you must be wondering why I did all this?" When I didn''t respond, Pegasus told me about his past passionately. At a young age, he fell in love with a woman named Cecilia. ording to him, it was love at first sight, and Pegasus was sure they were soulmates. However, tragedy struck when Cecilia died due to an illness right after their marriage. Distraught, Pegasus tries many ways to resurrect his past lover, eventually obtaining the Millenium Eye. He didn''t delve into the details, but watching the anime, I know that in Egypt, Pegasus encountered a man named Shadi,ter revealed in the show as a ghost that guards the Millenium Items. Recalling Shadi, I remember that he will appear today at the end of the tournament. Then Shadi will use his Millenium Key on Yugi to search his mind and stuff. I hope he won''t go after me, and I got too much embarrassing stuff that needs to stay hidden! With the discovery of Shadi and the Millenium Items, Pegasus began studying Egyptian Sorcery and learned that he could revive Cecilia. Still, he needed something called Spirit Energy, which can be found in souls. Pegasus also needed the Millenium Puzzle as well so that''s why he created this tournament. "Nheless, that''s the end of my story. I must thank you for not interrupting me until the end," Pegasus said gratefully. I nodded while awkwardly averting his gaze: "W... what now?" He smiled and stood up, and Iplied in doing the same. Pegasus then gracefully bowed: "I should congratte you on winning the duel and earning yourself the title of King of Games." I felt my lips loosen and form into a smile, causing Pegasus to chuckle and straighten his tie: "This was a very entertaining duel, and I hope we can battle like this someday. Of course, without the consequences of Shadow Games." Pegasus reached into his shirt pocket, revealing the two soul cards of Seto Kaiba and Solomon Mutou. His Millennium Eye emits a bright glow, and the picture on the cards bes nk: "I have released their souls as promised. They should wake up shortly." "Tha... thanks," I said, and he shrugged. Pegasus turned his back towards me and quietly walked to the other exit across the room: "Oh," he stopped: "The check for the prize money will be delivered to youter." "Wa... wait..." I hurriedly stopped him and stared at the floor. Remembering what happens to Pegasus soon after he leaves, I suddenly felt inclined to do something about it. Bakura, one of Yugi''s friends and the user of the Millenium Ring will be possessed by the spirit living inside the ring. Then he would challenge Pegasus in a shadow game and eventually take his Millenium Eye. In the anime, Pegasus falls into aa, while his fate is much worse in the manga. So shouldn''t it be best if I at least warn him? It wouldn''t be so bad to have the President of Industrial Illusions, the creator of Duel Monsters, as an ally. "Be... be careful," I muttered, pointing at his Millenium Eye: "In danger." Pegasus heard me and smiled wryly: "I wonder why you say something like that?" He tilted his head andughed: "Very well, I will keep your warning in mind." Also, I asked him about the woman I had seen in the middle of the duel. However, to my surprise, Pegasus was confused and said he hadn''t seen anyone else. He deduced that it must be my hallucinations during my soul momentarily detaching from my body. His hypothesis sounds believable, but the woman looks way too real... [3rd POV] In another part of the castle... Mokuba pranced around nervously in the waiting room, Yuna had left to duel Pegasus an hour ago, but he still hadn''t heard from her. Yugi and his friends tried tofort Mokuba, but he was cautious as the child had never interacted with them. However, their friendly and warm atmosphere allowed Mokuba to rx, and they convinced him that Yuna would not be defeated. Suddenly, the door to the room opened, and Yuna entered while gasping for breath as she had run all the way there. Instantly, Mokuba threw himself at Yuna, and she caught him in her embrace. "Big sister!" Mokuba yelled with relief: "If you''re here, you must have won, right?!" Yuna nodded, and Mokuba finally burst into tears: "That means big brother will be fine, right?!!!" "Yes..." She answered timidly. "Then what are we waiting for?!" He said with enthusiasm: "Let''s go!" Mokuba sprinted out of the room at an unimaginable speed and left dust trails behind him. Yuna sighed tiredly, knowing she would be so exhausted chasing the boy. "Wait, Sano-san," Yugi suddenly called to her: "Is my grandfather alright?" She nodded, and Yugi''s tense expression finally loosened. Just like Mokuba, he was extremely anxious about the oue of her duel, as Yuna had promised to save his grandfather beforehand. "Thank you.." Yugi said with sincerity. Yuna merely smiled as Yugi and his friends blushed: "Ahem, we shouldn''t keep you here any longer." he said awkwardly, averting his gaze. She waved goodbye to Yugi and his friends before fervently chasing after Mokuba. Yugi smiled as he watched her leave. Interacting with Yuna despite her aggravating reputation at school was weing. Well, as they all say, you will only know one''s real personality with a duel! "Hmph..." Yugi nced at Tea, pouting with her arm crossed: "So, you''re into big chests, huh...." "What are you talking about?!" The boy stuttered in shock. However, Tea didn''t answer and walked away while huffing with anger. Joey and Tristan sighed, leaving Yugi even more confused. Joey: "Geez Yugi, you really messed up..." Tristan: "Yeah, even I won''t fail that bad." Yugi: ????? Meanwhile... Remembering the direction of Mokuba''s room, Yuna moved hastily, not wanting to keep him waiting any further. However... "Big Sister!!!" Mokuba''s panicky voice echoed in the castle. Hearing his scream, Yuna dashed towards the sound and eventually found Mokuba in his room. Beside him was the motionless Seto, and seeing this scene, Yuna realised something may have gone horribly wrong. She knelt beside him with a troubled expression as Mokuba trembled in fear: "When I got back, big brother still hadn''t awakened, and I couldn''t feel a pulse!" Yuna frowned and felt a sense of crisis. Has Pegasus lied? Seto was breathing before, even without his soul, so what''s happening? Whatever, it was, Yuna knew that right now, she must get Seto''s heart to start beating again. She took a deep breath and suppressed the rising anxiety as Yuna crawled towards Seto and ced her hands over his chest. Following the instructions she had read online, Yuna began to perform chestpressions. Yet, after performing CPR for a few minutes, Seto still showed no sign of recovering. "Big Brother..." Mokuba cried as he watched helplessly. Yuna didn''t give up and continued her efforts. She stared at his mouth, then nced at the whimpering Mokuba. Gritting her teeth, Yuna hesitantly opened Seto''s lips and gulped. She nervously brought her face towards Seto''s, and as she was going to blow oxygen into his lungs... *Gasp* Seto''s eyes snapped open, and he sat up with energy. However, he felt something soft pressing down onto his lips, making him difficult to rise. When Seto''s pupils became focused, he froze in shock. Yuna and Seto gazed at each other silently as their lips firmly pressed together. Yuna''s mind went nk, and heat rushed to her face. Seto: "Wha...." "KYYYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAA" Yuna screamed and impulsively raised her hand. At that moment, a single word shed before Seto''s eyes as a fist approached him in slow motion. Death... [1] *BAM* Seto fell backward and went unconscious before his head hit the floor. Mokuba felt stunned and stared at Yuna, squirming in embarrassment. Finally, her brain overheated, and she copsed beside him. Mokuba:... Suddenly, the door to his room opened, and he frowned: "Hello, who''s there?" A young man stepped in, and Mokuba stared at him suspiciously. The man has brown skin and blue eyes. He wore a cream robe and a turban on his head. While around his neck was arge ornament that looked like an Egyptian Ankh. The stranger grasped the Ankh by his chest and pointed it at Mokuba: "Sleep." Mokuba''s eyes rolled towards the back of his head, and he copsed with a thud. The man approached the three unconscious individuals with an indifferent expression. He nced at Yuna and frowned: "She''s the one that defeated Pegasus..." After detecting the disruptive energy of two Millenium Items shing, the man immediately arrived to investigate: "The battle was between Maximillian Pegasus and an unknown individual that owns the Millenium Ring. This woman is thest known witness with him." Thankfully, with Yuna''s warning, Pegasus managed to survive the ordeal, and he''s currently resting in his room. Shadi gently pressed his Ankh on Yuna''s forehead and spoke forebodingly: "Take me to her Soul Room." The man closed his eyes as his surroundings changed. When he reopened his eyes, the man found himself in a dark corridor. The walls were made of ancient limestones, and torches dimly lighted the entire building. He starts to walk on a straight path, searching for any clues of Yuna''s true identity, not knowing the danger he put himself in. After walking for an hour, the man discovered arge vacant room. It waspletely pitch ck, and the only light he could see was the torches at the room''s exit across from him. Using his artifact hanging by his neck, he made a makeshift light source and carefully traversed through the room, careful of any traps that may hinder man. Suddenly, the man swung around when he heard a sound from behind. However, he couldn''t see a single thing. Sweat trickled down his chin as each second passed while being in this room. He felt the lingering gaze of someone getting more intense. WHOOSH The man threw himself against the floor as sharp ws swiped the area where he previously stood. He gasped in shock and stared at the monstrosity that ambushed him... It was a dragon with green scales and a purple carapace built around its body. A slimy and fleshy sound echoed across the room as its joints lit up with yellow and red bulbs like a nt revealing its fruits. Its scythe tail dragged across the floor, creating sparks, and the man''s expression turned pale. With a speed unbefitting of its massive frame, the dragon leapt into the darkness and vanished from trace. The man instantly stood up and sprinted towards the exit. By observing the monster''s actions, he knew it was toying with him, and his body trembled at the malice extruding from the creature. Unfortunately, before escaping to safety, he was tripped by the monster''s tail and thrownn/?/vel/b//in dot c//om across the room. His back hit the wall, and he groaned in pain. The creature revealed itself and pressed its ws on his chest. Blood stained his clothes as the sharp nails dug into his skin. Anticipating death, the man closed his eyes. However, death never came. He hesitantly lifted his head and saw the monster growling at another entity in the room. It was another dragon, andpared to the menacing aura the first monster emitted, this one had a divine feeling. With gold scales, huge pair of wings and red pupils, its appearance was truly awe-inspiring. The dragon roared at each other as if they were arguing. Reluctantly, the first dragon backed down and removed its restraint on the man, allowing him to breathe. "Are you alright?" A voice asked, snapping the man out of his daze. Between the two dragons stood a woman. She wore an elegant white dress, matching her snow-white hair that flowed down her shoulders. A shawl covering her face''s upper portion gave her a sense of mystery. "I apologise if Starving Venom Fusion Dragon have been too rough with you." She said apologetically: "May I ask who you are?" "My name is Shadi Shin," The man responded honestly, allured by the beautiful voice. "It''s nice to meet you, Shadi," The woman said with a smile. She nced at the artifact Shadi dropped a couple of feet away and stretched out her hand. To Shadi''s amazement, the item flew into the woman''s palm, and she rubbed her finger along the gold exterior: "This is the Millenium Key, correct?" Still stunned, Shadi nodded haphazardly, causing the woman to giggle: "I haven''t seen this item for a long time. It must be fate for me for the key to fall into my hand once more." Listening to the woman''s words, Shadi became solemn andughed even louder: "Don''t worry, I don''t n on using it." She exined and willingly returned the Millenium Key. Shadi tightly clenched the Millenium Key, and many questions surfaced in his mind. However, despite the rising urge to ask, he understands he has no authority to interrogate her. Noticing his unease, the woman smiled kindly: "There''s nothing to be afraid of, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon won''t harm you under my watch." Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand grunted and lowered its head. She patted the dragon affectionately, and it wagged its tail like a pet. The woman then scratched the side of Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, and the beast snorted but didn''t move away from her touch. "You must have many questions; pleasee with me." The woman said and quietly walked towards the other end of the hallway. With no options, Shadi followed, and he nervously passed the two intimidating spirits. Starving Venom Fusion Dragon gnashed its teeth while Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand paid him no attention. As they walked side by side, only footsteps could be heard. Eventually, gathering his courage, Shadi asked: "Who are you?" "Fu fu fu," The woman chuckled: "I''m merely an echo of history, a remnant that wanders in this realm." He frowned at theck of an answer: "Then what''s your purpose here." "My purpose," The woman muttered in thought: "I have been sentient for longer than I can count. However, all I''m doing now is to keep this ce from falling apart. Ah, speaking of.." A massive earthquake shook the hallway, and Shadi leaned against the wall for support. The floor beyond them cracked and split apart, revealing an endless void of darkness. The woman spreads her arms, and a wave of white light emits from her body. Gradually, the earthquake became milder, and the structures repaired themselves. Shadi sweated anxiously as he stared at the walls: "I have heard of this phenomenon... This only meant that..." "The soul is fragmented and broken." The woman affirmed with a sad smile: "Eventually, the damage will be irreversible." "Come on, we''re close." She continued, leaving Shadi speechless. The two continued to walk until they reached a door. The woman opened it and gestured for Shadi to enter. Inside, he held his breath at the majestic scene. It was an openndscape with a clear blue sky with soft grass beneath his feet. The woman walked towards the centre, where a figurey there peacefully surrounded by white and blue roses. Shadi approached the sleeping individual and noticed the familiarity: "Sano..." The woman nodded and gently held Yuna''s hand: "I don''t know how long she can live for... As you know, it was only a matter of time before her body sumbed to the damage of her broken soul." "How much time does she have?" Shadi asked. "Two more years at most..." The woman smiled bitterly. "But I have faith," She said: "I believe Yuna''soul can repair herself before the worst happens." Shadi: "Why are you so sure?" The woman merely smiled and said nothing. Shadi was momentarily at a loss and remembered the purpose of his visit: "Recently, I sensed two Millenium Items shed with each other. Do you have any knowledge on the matter?" She shook her head: "Yuna isn''t the one you''re looking for." "I understand," Shaid responded when he deemed the woman wasn''t lying: "My purpose here is aplished; I will be taking my leave." The woman smiled and stood up: "That''s a shame. I wish we could talk longer." Shadi nodded and, reactivating his Millenium Key, his body lit up and became transparent. The woman waved in farewell, and Shadi left Yuna''s mind. Once he was gone, the woman returned to kneeling by Yuna''s side. "It would be hard, but I have faith you can make it." She whispered and gently stroked Yuna''s head: "Please live, for all our sakes..." [Yuna''s POV] A few hourster... I opened my eyes and groggily sat up. I noticed Kaiba was still unconscious, and my face instantly heated up. I clutched the side of my head in released an inward scream. I can''t believe we did that!!! It was supposed to be a simple CPR in which I would blow oxygen into his mouth, but he had to wake up at that moment?! While kicking the air in embarrassment, there was the sound of groaning beside me. I turned my head and saw Mokuba also waking up. "Big Sister," He said while rubbing his eyes: "What happened?" Huh, hold on, shouldn''t I be the one to ask that question? First of all, why were you asleep, Mokuba? When I inquired about this, he said he couldn''t remember. Something else must have been at y, but I couldn''t pinpoint exactly what. At this moment, Kaiba also woke up, and Mokuba hurriedly sprinted towards him. Like the worried brother he was, Mokuba scolded Kaiba harshly, forcing him to apologise for doing something so foolish, and Kaiba could do nothing but nod. Kaiba nced at me as he calmed Mokuba down, and I instantly averted my gaze. I wish I could crawl into a hole and nevere out. I can''t even look at him without thinking of what happened beforehand. "Why are you two acting so weird?" Mokuba said, "Come on, let''s get out of here! I can''t stay in this dreadful ce any longer!" With Mokuba in the lead, we followed quietly out of the castle. Guards were waiting outside, and they guided the three of us back to the port where arge cruise ship was docked. Yugi and his friends were already on the ship, waving at us and standing by the entrance was Pegasus. "Ah, Kaiba-boy, I''m d to see you well," Pegasus eximed as if he wasn''t the one that took his soul in the first ce. "I hope it wasn''t that much of a surprise. After all, returning one''s soul made the person''s body temporarily shut down like a fresh corpse before their heart restarts automatically." Wait, I froze. Did he say what I think I heard? I don''t have to do all that? Kaiba will wake up by himself? Oi oi, I lost my dignity because of you. Pay it back with a thousand cuts! "Anyway, here''s the prize money I have promised," Pegasus said and handed me a check note. I read the numbers and almost copsed onto my knees in shock. There were six zeros! A whopping three million dors! Look, it''s not even in Yen but in American USD! If there weren''t other people here right now I would''ve been dancing with joy. Fine, I guess I would let you off the hook for now! I thought and glimpsed at Pegasus who was smirking at me. "The announcement of your victory will be postedter and I hope you had fun." Pegasus said: "It''s time for me to go now, I still have other matters to attend to. Goodbye." He soon left with the rest of his bodyguards, leaving us alone. The horn of the cruise sounded, signalling its departure and we quickly came aboard. I watched with bated breath as the ship slowly sailed away by the majestic site that was the Duelist Kingdom. These two days have been short but the events were crazy enough tost me a lifetime. Now, all I can hope was that the future would be kind to me, yet I already knew how unlikely that would be. [1] Imagine the scene in One Punch man with Saitama''s death punch on Genos I hope you enjoy Chapter 32: Rebecca the Brat Chapter 32: Reba the Brat ? Sorry for the wait, guys. This chapter also falls into the "that it became way too long, so I decided to split it" chapter. As previously, part two will also probably be released this week, but we will see. A few dayster... [Yuna''s POV] "Look it''s Yuna Sano!" "Have you heard she''s the new King of Games who defeated Pegasus!" "Yeah, who knew she''s that strong in Duel Monsters!" Sitting at my desk, I sighed tiredly while hearing the constant whispers. After defeating Pegasus, heter announced it to the media worldwide and now the stares I received don''t juste from my ssmates but themon citizens as well! However, strangely the gazes that were directed upon me no longer felt like it was one of fear. If I have to say, it''s more like pure admiration. It sounds arrogant, but that''s what it felt like. "S... Sano-san!" A sudden nervous voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked ahead and noticed a female student anxiously standing before me. In her hand was a deck of Duel Monsters, and she hesitantly reached out: "C.. can I have a duel with you?" My eyes widened in shock, and I nodded subconsciously. The girl was also surprised before eagerly cing a chair opposite me. Obviously, it wasn''t even a few turns until I utterly demolished her; however, the girl''s action started a catalyst of events. "Please duel with me too!" "I really want to see how strong the King of Games is!" More and more students gathered around me and dered challenges one by one, forming a line until, eventually, they were ushered to their seats by the teacher. During lunch, I went to ask Yugi about this, but he merely smiled and answered, saying that Duel Monsters can bring everyone together. I was surprised and reminded that this was the world of Yugioh. Your strength as a duelist also represents your status in life. Naturally, as the Duel King, people will start to see me in a different light. However, that amount of interaction may still be too much for me. Speaking of Yugi, I also gave Joey a portion of the money, enough for his little sister''s surgery. Saying grateful was an understatement when he prostrated and flooded the ssroom with tears. Even with my donation, there was still enough money to not worry about my financial issue for a lifetime. Not only from Pegasus''s prize money, I also received payment from Kaiba for looking after Mokuba. The amount he sent wasn''t something to scoff at either, and I haven''t properly thanked him yet, since I can''t even be next to him without being nervous. Anyway, other than that, my life became uneventful as always. A few dayster... I walked in a familiar street, eventually stopping at the Kame Game Card Store. I opened the door and saw Grandpa Mutou working by the counter. When Grandpa Mutou noticed me, he smiled: "Congrattions on winning the tournament. Yugi has told me all about it." His kind attitude warmed my heart, and I excitedly approached the counter. However, my mood dampened soon after when I recalled the reason for my visit. I nervously took out my deck and presented him with the Blue Eyes White Dragon. "Sorry..." I muttered. I bowed and closed my eyes. Hopefully, he can be more lenient with my actions. After all, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon card was very important to him. Out of the blue, I felt a gentle hand patting my head. Grandpa Mutou smiled and told me to lift my head: "How can I be angry at someone who saved my life?" "Don''t be nervous," Grandpa Mutou soothed: "I''m d you''re honest and returned the card to me." I grinned with relief, and Grandpa Mutouughed: "So don''t worry about it. Also, I just received a new shipment of cards, and I will give you fifty percent off!" My eyes shone with enthusiasm while staring at the box of booster packs he stacked on the table. However, before I fully immerse myself into the Duel Monster card purchasing spree... "You there, old man!" A high-pitched voice erupted from behind. We both turned around and spotted a little girl with blond hair tied into twin tails standing by the door. She wore a light blue shirt with a pink coat, a short red skirt and knee-high socks. In her hand was a brown teddy bear. The girl red at Grandpa Mutou fiercely as if he had stolen her candy. "May I ask who might you be?" Grandpa Mutou asked. The girl smirked and patted her chest: "I''m Reba, the current American Duel Monsters Champion, and I''m here to take back what''s stolen from me!" "What may that be?" He responded with confusion. "Of course, it''s the Blue Eyes White Dragon card you took from my grandfather!" Grandpa Mutou: !!! Ah, I remember now. She''s the granddaughter of Grandpa Mutou''s friend, who gave him the Blue Eye White Dragon. Reba didn''t make much appearance other than today and a few times in the future, so she''s pretty forgettable... "Is your grandfather''sst name Hawkins, perhaps?" Grandpa Mutou asked. "That''s right!" With pride, Reba dered, "And I, Reba Hawkins, here to take the card you stole back to its rightful owner!" Grandpa Mutou was obviously troubled and tried calming Reba down: "There must have been a misunderstanding. Your grandfather and I were great friends, and he entrusted this card to me as proof of our friendship." "Lies!" Reba screamed: "I don''t believe you, thief!" The audacity of this brat! I was already quite annoyed by her sudden outburst, but disrespecting Grandpa Mutou was uneptable! He''s the first one that has been really kind and patient with my timid nature. So watching him being berated like this despite being innocent, I couldn''t help and get mad. "And you!" Reba suddenly pointed at me while fuming hotly: "Mr Keith has told me all about it, how you''re freely using my grandfather''s card, so you''re just as guilty!" "What to do..." Grandpa Mutou muttered as Reba continued to screech like a wild Siberian Husky. Watching Grandpa Mutou''s exhausted expression, I moved on impulses and pulled his sleeve. Surprised, He stared at me, and his eyes softened: "Do you have a way to solve this situation?" I nodded and approached Reba while crossing my arms. Reba: "What do you want?" "Duel," I answered, showing Reba the Blue Eyes White Dragon. She instinctively reached for the card, but before she could, I ced Blue Eyes White Dragon on top of my deck and shuffled it. Finally understanding my intentions, Reba clicked her teeth. "Fine, if you want to battle me so badly, then so be it!" She growled: "But if I win, you better give me that card!" But I remained silent and stared at her. Eventually, Reba pouted, inting her cheeks like a chipmunk: "If I lose, I will leave you alone." I nodded and took out my phone before dialling a certain number. After a few seconds, the phone picked up: "Hello, Big Sister, what''s up?" Mokuba asked through the phone. "Huh, you need a duel room? Sure thing! Well, of course, I''ming to watch it! I have already sent you the address. I will see you there!" Mokuba eagerly hung up as I received the location through my text. Reba and Grandpa Mutou followed me and walked through the bustling city. We eventually arrived at one of Kaiba Corp''s Dueling Facilities, and Mokuba was waiting for us outside. I haven''t seen him for a few days, so I''m d he''s doing well. He led us into a massive duel room asrge as the one I''ve used in the Duelist Kingdom. Without further instructions, Reba and I stepped onto the podiums opposite each other. "You better prepare yourself. I''m pretty strong, you know!" She said. Hmph, brag all you want, and I''m not the winner of Duelist Kingdom for nothing! "Well, are both duelists ready?" Grandpa Mutou asked and acted as the referee. We nodded in unison, and he brought his hand down: "Begin!" "Duel!" x2 [Reba Hawkins: 2000 LP] [Yuna Sano: 2000 LP] "I will go first!" She dered, "I set a monster and a card, then end my turn!" "I summon Koumori Dragon!" [Koumori Dragon: 1500 Attack, 1200 Defence] "Now, Koumori Dragon attack!" I ordered and pointed at the set card on Reba''s field. The dragon charged, and when it reached Reba''s card, Koumori Dragon raised its ws and shed downward. The hidden monster was revealed, and it was a woman. She has purple hair and wearing a dark robe. However, the most prominent feature was the third eye on her forehead. The ws pierced her in the chest, and she was instantly defeated. Normally, I would''ve been happy with the small triumph, but I understood I shouldn''t be celebrating until I realised the monster''s identity. "You have triggered the ability of my monster, Witch of the ck Forest!" Reba yelled. "When this monster is sent from the field to the graveyard, I can add one monster with one thousand five hundred or less defence from my deck to my hand!" Reba smiled and searched her deck before adding a card to her hand. "I end my turn..." I said and anticipated her move. "My turn! I will use the Card of Destruction, and we discard both our hands and draw the same amount of cards." We dumped our entire hands into the discard pile and added the same number of cards. When I looked at the new cards in my hand, my eyes nearly popped out of my head. Hey, hold up, what''s this? Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand Arkbrave Dragon Blue Eyes White Dragon Reinforcement??? Oi oi, I understand that the three of you wanted some time to shine, but this might be too much... You know that if my Koumori Dragon''s not on the field, I will actually lose here! [1] "I will set another monster and card before the end of my turn." She said as another card appeared face-down on the field. Another set monster... There were now two traps waiting for me, and I couldn''t help but frown at Reba''s extremely defensive ystyle, and I can''t remember her strategy in the anime. Doesn''t matter, Koumori Dragon. Go for it; I believe in you! Koumori Dragon: *Sweating* "Now attack!" My monster flew towards Reba and attacked the monster she had set. What was revealed was a small creature with a brown furry body, green limbs and three eyes. Why does it always have to be three eyes? [Sangan: 1000 Attack, 600 Defence] Koumori Dragon unleashed a fiery breath, and Sangan died while making a disturbing Ke Ke Ke noise. "With the ability of Sangan!" Reba shouted: "If this card is sent from the field to the graveyard, I can add one monster with one thousand five hundred or less defence from my deck to my hand!" I clicked my teeth as she joyfully added another card: "I will y one card face down. Your move." "My turn!" She said confidently: "I will use Soul Exchange to use your Koumori Dragon as tribute!" Despite being my monster, Koumori Dragon was helplessly sacrificed to summon a monster Reba owned: "The monster I summoned with be set face down, then I end my turn." Usually, when you tribute summons, you would''ve summoned the monster in attack position as it was probably your trump card. But set it instead? There usually wasn''t a card that needed you to set in defence mode, nor Reba''s in the situation to do that. I gently tapped my temple while trying to remember the deck Reba used. There were two strategies she used, but what was it again? Nheless, whatever it was, I should find out what it was before it was toote! "I will call upon my Dragon Knight of Creation!" I dered. A knight with gold armour appeared before me. He cheered and lifted his sword, eager for another battle. [Dragon Knight of Creation: 1800 Attack, 600 Defense] "Then I activate my trap card, Reinforcements! Dragon Knight of Creation will gain five hundred attacks!" I exined. [Dragon Knight of Creation: 1800 -> 2300 Attack, 600 Defense] "Now, Dragon Knight of Creation, destroy that set card!" The knight rushes towards Reba''s field. He leapt into the air and grasped the handle of his sword with both hands before unleashing a wide downward sh. Suddenly, the set card flipped over, and a massive shield emerged. Dragon Knight of Creation''s de easily bounced off the shield, and the impact caused him to stagger backward. I stared at the imposing shield with caution. It has a red centre with a golden rim o the edges, and in the centre was the symbol of an Egyptian Eye. [Millenium Shield: 0 Attack, 3000 Defence]n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "Hmph! With my Millenium Shield, there''s no way for you to crack its defence!" Reba shouted with pride. [Yuna Sano: 2000 LP -> 1300 LP] "I will set a card and end my turn," I said, ignoring her taunts. "Hah, now it''s my turn!" Reba dered: "I will summon Cannon Soldier in attack position!" A metallic robot with a cannon strapped to its back was summoned. The machine snapped its sharp pincers imposingly and aimed the gun at my face. [Cannon Soldier: 1400 Attack, 1200 Defence] Reba: "I will also y Ring Of Maism on Millenium Shield, reducing its defence by five hundred, but now that your monster can only attack my shield and nothing else!" [Millenium Shield: 0 Attack, 3000 -> 2500 Defence] "I will end my turn here," Reba announced: "But on my next turn, it''s where the real challenge begins!" When it was my move, I couldn''t help but feel uneasy. What''s making me feel this way? I can''t understand. It wasn''t an emotion of worry of the impending danger. No, it''s more that ever Reba was going to do was going to set me off. "I will set a card," I said and decided to y safely: "I end my turn." Reba smiled gleefully like I had offered her an ice cream cone. She drew a card and yelled happily: "Now prepare yourself, Yuna!" "I will summon Witch of the ck Forest!" [Witch of the ck Forest: 1100 Attack, 1200 Defence] "Now, I activate Cannon Soldier''s ability! I will tribute Witch of the ck Forest to inflict four hundred damage!" The Witch of the ck Forest transformed into a beam of light and absorbed into Cannon Soldier''s weapon. The robot churned and fired the cannon at the projectile, striking my side of the field, searing a part with mes. [Yuna Sano: 1300 LP -> 900 LP] "While my Cannon Soldier keep inflicting damage, you can''t even harm it!" Reba cheered and hugged the teddy bear in her arms. Ah, that''s right, this bi... twat used a burn strategy! ..... She really has no shame, huh? [1] A reminder that this is still the Duelist Kingdom Rule where if you can''t summon a monster when you have none on the field, you automatically lose. Kaiba himselfter implemented the rule that we all know and love in the future I hope you enjoy Chapter 33: I Countered Countered Your Strategy! Chapter 33: I Countered Countered Your Strategy! ? Today, I fought against someone with a Teaments/Ishizu, full board, and I managed to win even though I simply shouldn''t. It might be the happiest moment of my life when he didn''t shuffle the cards in my graveyard into my deck! Also, you might recall that Cannon Soldier do five hundred damage. Still, after some change, it became 400 hundred damage only, as it happened in the show, so I decided to follow that instead of the card''s actual effect, so the earlier chapter was changed. Lastly, if there are any errors, please point them out. I was pretty tired while editing this chapter, so I might have some mistakes! Thanks! Anyway, enjoy! Recap: Reba: [Cannon Soldier, Millenium Shield (With Ring of Maism) Yuna: [Dragon Knight of Creation, set trap] [Yuna''s POV] There were many types of Yugioh yers out there, but in my opinion, burn decks were the worst of the worst! I mean, what''s the even point of ying if you''re not even interacting with your opponent? Reba''s strategy wasn''t exactly a burning type, but it isn''t nice! "I will activate Solemn Wish! Whenever I draw a card, I gain five hundred life points!" I shouted before Reba ended her turn. [Yuna Sano: 900 LP -> 1400 LP] Not intending to give up, Reba keptunching monsters my way, dealing a thousand and six hundred worth of damage in two turns with a series of the normal summons and special summoning. However, I survived by a hair''s breadth, taking advantage of Pot of Greed and my normal draw phase, causing my life points to rest at a thousand and eight hundred on my turn. "I use Graceful Charity." I shouted, and a praying angel dressed in white suddenly appeared on the field: "I can draw three cards and then discard two from my hand!" [Yuna Sano: 1800 LP -> 3300 LP] [1] Finally, I could discard my brick dragons and replenish my hand with more versatile cards! With the new arsenal, I fervently began my assault. "I will activate Dragon Knight of Creation''s effect; I will discard one card and send Dragon Knight of Creation to the graveyard and special summon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from the grave!" Dragon Knight of Creation disappeared into a beam of light. Gradually, the light formed a shape of a humongous dragon. Its golden scales shed brilliantly, and its roar frightened Reba. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "With Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, I will banish the Millenium Shield on the field, and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand will gain attack and defence equal to its level multiplied by one hundred!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3300 Attack, 2800 -> 3300 Defence] "Also, since Dragon Knight of Creation was sent to the graveyard, I can revive Keeper of the Shrine!" [Keeper of the Shrine: 0 Attack, 2100 Defence] "Now your Cannon Soldier''s no longer protected!" I said as Reba''s eyes widened in realisation: "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, attack!" Without hesitation, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand lunged at Reba''s monster. The dragon grasped Cannon Soldier in its ws and mped down with its jaw. The robotbusted, sweeping Reba off her feet. [Reba Hawkins: 2000 LP -> 100 LP] "Finally, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s effect has been activated after destroying your monster, and I will special summon Arkbrave Dragon in defence position!" [Arkbrave Dragon: 2400 Attack, 2000 Defence] "I will set one more card and end my turn," I muttered. Staring at my monsters, Reba sat there with a stupefied expression and nervously regained her footing. She pouted angrily and cutely raised her tiny fist: "You may have just bounced back, but it''s not over!" "First, I use Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy the Solemn Wish!" Reba dered, and a sudden whirlwind shattered my card into pieces. "Next, I will y Tribute to the Doomed and discard a card from my hand to destroy Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand! Hundreds of dirty bandages burst from the ground, wrapping themselves around Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s body. The monster was encased like a mummy and forcibly buried in the earth in seconds. [Yuna Sano: 3300 LP -> 1650 LP] "I will activate my Card of Sanctity to draw until I have six cards. I will also use Pot of Greed and add two more cards." "With this many cards, I can finally activate my strongest spell! Judgement ster!" Rebaughed: "By discarding five cards, I can destroy all the monsters on your field!" A beam fell from the sky and struck the Keeper of the Shrine and Arkbrave Dragon. The elderly man and dragon exploded instantly, without a trace. [Yuna: 1650 LP -> 450 LP] "Finally, I activate the spell, Monster Reborn! To special summon the monster I discarded earlier! Here ites, my strongest monster, Shadowl Ghoul!" A horrifying green monster emerges. It has four legs attached to a small mid-section with a slender upper torso. The Monster has a stretched-out face with pincers as its jaws and a green mane running down its back. The most disturbing thing was the fleshy red orbs growing out of every area of its body, simr to Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, but way more grotesque. [Shadow Ghoul: 1600 Attack, 1300 Defence] "With Shadow Ghoul''s ability, it gains one hundred attacks for every monster in the graveyard!" Remembering the number of cards Reba has been discarding, I frowned. Seeing my expression, sheughed and slowly announced the monsters resting in her graveyard... Three Witch of the ck Forest Three Sangan Three Cannon Soldier Two Skelegel Two Giant Soldiers of Stone One Electric Snake One Mystic Clown That''s a total of fifteen monsters... So fifteen hundred attack? [Shadow Ghoul: 1600 -> 3100 Attack, 1300 Defence] "Lastly, I use Card of Demise (anime) and draw until I have five cards. But I have discarded them during my fifth turn." With her hand replenished, Reba immediately set three cards on the field and rendered her turn. I gazed at Shadow Ghoul intently. Considering that it was starting at a thousand six hundred attacks, it was a feat to boost the Shadow Ghoul this high. With two more set cards on the field, it would be difficult for me to defeat it. However, that doesn''t stop me from trying! "Since Arkbrave Dragon was sent to the graveyard,st turn, it allows me to summon a level seven or eight dragon monster special!" I said, and light enveloped my field: "I will revive my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand returned to my field, and I instantly activated its ability: "I will banish Shadow Ghoul!" Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand roared and unleashed an orange beam from its jaws. Unfortunately, Reba already has precautions... Reba: "I will activate my trap card, Imperial Iron Wall! While this card is on the field, we can not banish any cards!" Before the beam struck Shadow Ghoul, a massive stone wall rises from the ground. The wall shielded her monster from the attack. n A doesn''t seem to work, but don''t worry. That''s why I always have a backup n! "I use the spell card Wing Beat of Giant Dragon, and I will return Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand into my hand, and I can destroy all the traps and spell cards on the field!" Yet, Reba also has a counter to that as well... "I will use my trap, Magic Jammer. I can negate your activated spell by discarding a card from my hand!" Reba announced: "Also, the card I discarded earlier was actually my Electric Snake, and my Shadow Ghoul gained one hundred attacks! [Shadow Ghoul: 3100 -> 3200 Attack, 1300 Defence] Umm... That doesn''t seem to work, either. Unbeknownst to her, I have a n C, and Reba won''t know what''sing! Well, that''s at least what I want to say... I gritted my teeth and ended my turn after much frustration. Reba giggled and instantly attacked. Since Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s ability didn''t sessfully activate, Shadow Ghouls'' strength was superior. The fiend rushed towards Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand. My dragon tried to drive the monster away with its ws but was easily suppressed and defeated. [Yuna Sano: 450 LP -> 50 LP] "I will set two cards face down and end my turn!" Reba said as two more cards appeared before her. Crap... I think I''m in trouble. My monsters couldn''t gain an edge in power with Imperial Iron Wall as my trump card, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, needed to banish monsters to grow. Other cards, such as Reinforcement or Polymerisation, were also used to summon Starving Venom Fusion Dragon. However, those ideas were already down the drain when Reba used Card Destruction earlier and I lost both cards. Thankfully, with my credits, I added some new cards to help me, but I haven''t even seen them yet... "What are you waiting for?" Reba crossed her arms: "Are you stalling now?" Sheesh, don''t rush me! Let me think this through! Unlike some of the other boss monsters I have faced in this world, Reba''s Shadow Ghoul was rather averagepared to Pegasus''s Thousand Eye Restrict, so I can y defensively without much pressure. However, Reba was thriving at the number of powerful traps and spells guarding her Shadow Ghoul, and I''m sure that if I didn''t do something major quick, it woulde back and bite meter! While pondering, I suddenly heard a loud shout from the sidelines. "Yuna Sano!" Grandpa Mutou yelled: "Don''t give up no matter what!" Eh, I''m not throwing down the towel yet. However, Grandpa Mutou couldn''t read my thoughts and continued lecturing me with a deep voice: "You''re a strong duelist! So believe in the heart of the cards, and you will never fail!" My cheeks felt warm, and I was embarrassed by his strong belief in me. Strangely, when Grandpa Mutou spoke, it sounded convincing, and I was caught up with his momentum. There was a cozy feeling in my chest, oddly nostalgic and yearning. Maybe it was theck of parental figures in my life, but Grandpa Mutou''s praise excited me, and I was determined not to let him down! Alright, like he said, Heart of the Cards, right? I will draw and see what happens. As I added a new card to my hand, I froze... Oi oi, what''s this, what sorcery that Grandpa Mutou deal with? Why was the card here now? I was resolved that I won''t get it until after at least three more turns! Please, Grandpa Mutou, share some of your protagonist power with me too!!! [3rd POV] Reba smiled; everything was going perfectly as nned. At first, she was greatly shocked that she almost perished from Yuna''s Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand. However, after foiling Yuna''s strategies, she felt safer. ''Soon, I can return Grandpa''s card from those thieves!'' However, Reba suddenly felt a slight chill and frowned when her opponent didn''t react like she wanted. Yuna stared at the cards in her hand with a thoughtful expression. "I will first y Pot of Greed to draw two cards from my deck!" Yuna shouted: "Then I use Return of Dragon Lords and special summon Arkbrave Dragon!" "After that, I activate Wing Beat of the Giant Dragon and bring Arkbrave Dragon back into my hand to destroy all the traps and spells on the field!" ''Again?'' Reba thought; luckily, she had already prepared something. She smiled, assuming that Yuna had run out of options and yed her card: "I will use Fake Trap! If one of my trap cards is going to be destroyed by a spell or trap card, it will destroy this card instead!" Reba thought she had won and rxed her guard, but that was ultimately the mistake. "I will then y Double Cyclone and destroy the Wing Beat of the Giant Dragon to remove your Imperial Iron Wall! Yuna dered: "Since I activated this spell after your Fake Trap, Your Imperial Iron Wall is no longer protected!" Reba: !!! Twin whirlwinds manifested from thin air, striking both of their fields. One of the tornados crashed into the massive fortified wall. Cracks ran along the structure, and the wall copsed, revealing the hiding Shadow Ghoul on the other side. "Then I will banish my Koumori Dragon and Pdin of Felgrand in the graveyard to special summon Darkre Dragon from my hand!" [Darkre Dragon: 2400 Attack, 1200 Defence] "I then used Darkre Dragon''s effect and sent Light Pulsar Dragon from my hand and the third Koumori Dragon in my deck to the graveyard and banished the Giant Soldier of Stone in your graveyard!" With the banishing, Reba gasped and watched as her Shadow Ghoul''s attack dropped. [Shadow Ghoul: 3200 -> 3100 Attack, 1300 Defence] "This was only the beginning. "The real show starts now! " Yuna smiled: "I use Monster Reborn to revive your Sangan!" The small furry creature with three eyes made another entrance onto the field. However, this time, it''s not on Reba''s side. [Sangan: 1000 Attack, 300 Defence] [Shadow Ghoul: 3100 -> 3000 Attack, 1300 Defence] "I will also activate my set trap, Dragon''s Rebirth to banish the Keeper of the Shrine and summon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from my graveyard!" The golden dragon was revived, and Reba thought it had never looked so ferocious until now. Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand snarled, disying its array of sharp teeth, taunting her. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "With Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s effect, I will banish your Witch of the ck Forest in your graveyard, and it will gain attacks and defence equal to that monster''s level!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3200 Attack, 2800 -> 3200 Defence] [Shadow Ghoul: 3000 -> 2900 Attack, 1300 Defence] "I will activate myst trap!" Reba yelled desperately: "I use Spellbinding Circle (anime) and use its first ability so Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand will lose seven hundred attacks!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 3200 -> 2500 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Now your Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s power is lower than my Shadow Ghoul!" Reba said while sweating. "So what?" Yuna retorted, and Reba''s eyes widened: "Who said I''m using Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand?" "I will use Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and Darkre Dragon as tributes! To summon Blue- Eyes White Dragon!" Reba took a step back as the majestic dragon towered over her. Its sapphire pupils stared into her soul, and the monster roared with rage. [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] "Now, Blue Eyes White Dragon, attack!" Yuna said and pointed at the Shadow Ghoul. Blue Eyes White Dragon howled and opened its jaw and generated a blinding white light in its mouth. The dragon unleashed the deadly beam, and Reba screamed as her Shadow Ghoul was vaporised instantly... [Reba Hawkins: 100 LP -> 0 LP] As the duel ended, Reba was still in shock as she opened and closed her mouth like a goldfish. Gradually, when reality set in, her face paled. Reba glimpsed at Solomon, who was praising Yuna for her performance. With a deep breath, she quietly approached them. Noticing her presence, Solomona and Yuna stared at her with anticipation. Reba clenched her fist: "Y... you win... I will leave you alone now..." Reba didn''t wait for their response and ran away in shame. However, she crashed into someone and tripped. She painfully rubbed her head and gasped when the girl saw the person she collided with. "Gran... Grandpa!" She squealed in shock. "Ah, Arthur, long time no see." Solomon greeted. The old man in question smiled: "Indeed, I have heard of what happened here." Arthur stared at the nervous Reba: "You should have known better. Don''t you know it''s rude barging into someone''s store like this?" "But Grandpa!" Reba reasoned: "He''s the one that stole your card." "Bah, I don''t know what you''re talking about," Arthur said with a wave of his hand: "I gifted Solomon that card." "So he never stole it...." Reba muttered nkly. She looked at Solomon and Arthur with horror. Her Grandfather sighed and crossed his arms: "Do you know how much trouble you''re in?" "I... I''m sorry!!!" She screamed while bowing at a ny degrees angle. As Arthur scolded the misbehaving Reba, Yuna tapped on Solomon''s shoulder. She showed him the Blue Eyes White Dragon with regret. No matter how much Yuna wanted to keep it, she understood that it was something she must do. Solomon stared at the Blue Eyes White Dragon in his hand and smirked: "Here, keep it." Yuna:!!! "I have seen your duelling spirit and think you deserve this card." Solomon exined: "Besides, it''s useless gathering dust in my store. Do you mind Arthur?" He asked his friend. Arthurughed: "Oh I arrivedte, but I have seen all I need. She''s perfect to have the card." Yuna stared at Solomon, who smiled kindly: "You heard him, keep it. You earned it." Suddenly, Yuna hugged Solomon tightly, catching him by surprise. "T... thank you..." She murmured timidly. Solomon grinned and patted Yuna''s back. She eventually broke away while blushing with shame. Solomon chuckled; despite Yuna''s beautiful and elegant appearance, he found the girl quite adorable and couldn''t help but treat her like a granddaughter. "Let''s go back, and I believe you still have business left in my store?" Yuna nodded eagerly and after saying goodbye to Mokuba, she followed Solomon back to the Kame Game Store... I hope you enjoy it!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Chapter 34: Rescuer Yuna Needed Some Rescuing Chapter 34: Rescuer Yuna Needed Some Rescuing ? Bonus chapter since I promised that I would finish Reba part twost week but didn''t so..... A dayter... [Yuna POV] Kaboom!! The thunderstorm outside roared fiercely as the harsh rain struck against the windows, creating a rhythmic tapping sound. Outside, the sky was dark, with no signs of life without traffic or pedestrians. I closed the curtains and sighed with boredom. Due to the heavy rain, there wasn''t much to do, and Iy on my couch while staring at the white ceiling. Absentmindedly, I muttered: "System..." The magical blue screen responded to my call, disying the list of pieces of information. [Name: Yuna Sano] [Title: King of Games/Duel King] [Credits: 8600] [Task] [Inventory] [shop] I stared at the credits while drooling. Finally, I have enough to get an ultra-rare card! However, now, it alles down to what I should buy. Well, it should first obviously be a monster, right? In this era, some traps and spell cards were already absurdly powerful andpared to having a single ultra-rare spell or an ultra-rare monster, it''s evident that thetter was better. Ultimately, I bought somemon and rare cards I can''t usually get and called it a day. It''s probably best if I save up for now, never know that I might need a card to save my life. *Knock Knock Knock* I frowned when someone knocked on my door. I peeped through the peek hole but couldn''t see anyone. I hope it''s not a ghost. I opened the door with a deep breath, and my eyes widened when I looked down. "M.. Mokuba?" I uttered in shock, seeing his drenched appearance. "Big Sister!" He cried: "I need your help!" [3rd POV] Earlier, in Kaiba Corps... "Brother, I''m unsure if this is a good idea!" Mokuba said with concern. "You don''t have to worry about it, Mokuba," Seto assured with confidence: "I have designed each and every program of this game myself." "But still...." Mokuba muttered. Together they went down the elevator leading to the underground levels of Kaiba Corps. Through a set of hallways, the two entered arge room full of monitor screens and wires. A mechanical chair built into a pod was in the centre of the room. As Seto approached the pod, Mokuba ran before him and spread his arms: "Before you do this, shouldn''t you at least fire the Big Fives first?! Who knows what they have done while you''re away!" Seto snorted: "The Big Fives were nothing. I can deal with themter. Thises first." Mokuba reluctantly gave in and moved away as Seto settled inside the pod. Mokuba went to the control panel and sighed. He couldn''t help but feel that whatever happened next would go horribly wrong. As Mokuba switched on the device, he stared at Seto through the pod''s ss with anxiety. Seto glimpsed at him: "I will return shortly." "~Mind Link Initiated~" An artificial voice spoke through the speaker as all the lights on the Pods lit up. Mokuba turned to the screens and confirmed that his brother had sessfully entered the game. Suddenly, the monitors distorted, and Seto''s shout entered thes. "Brother?!" Mokuba yelled in panic. He ran to the game pod and forcibly opened the hatch by typing the code on the side. Mokuba shook Seto''s shoulder, but he remained unconscious. *BAM* The door to the room shut automatically as the image on theputers changed. Five of the screens showcased five separate men, and Mokuba scowled. "What have you done to my brother?!" Mokuba hissed at the Big Fives.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om One of the Big Five members smirked: "Seto Kaiba always thinks that he''s invincible, but it''s quite the opposite." "We have trapped your brother in his own game, and now, if you simply surrender yourself or else things may get messy." Mokuba heard multiple footsteps approaching the door. He swiftly turned off the monitors and took his brother''s deck. Using a desk as leverage, Mokuba escaped through the air vents and eventually ended up in Yuna''s home. [Yuna''s POV] Present time... I sat beside Mokuba as he sniffled in tears while recounting what happened. There was a nket wrapped around his body to keep him warm and in his hand was a cup of hot chote. He had been in the rain for a long time, and when I first saw him, his lips had be a little blue from the cold. "Wh... what now?" I asked. "We have to go save big brother!" Mokuba uttered and grasped my hand: "Please help me, big sister! You''re the only one I can depend on!" So I''m getting involved in the Legendary Hero arcs now... What about Yugi and his friends? Will they be joining too? When I asked about this, Mokuba merely tilted his head: "Yugi? What about him? Big Sister is all I need!" With this much expectation ced on me, I couldn''t help but feel a slight amount of pressure. However, since Mokuba''s the one asking, I will definitely agree. When I gave him my answer, his face lit up with joy and he stood up eagerly as the nket fell to the ground. "Alright! We will go tonight! Let''s go save Seto!!!" He cheered, and I was caught up with his enthusiasm. For the next few hours, we prepared for our infiltration. Mokuba borrowed my phone and made various calls. He exined to me that despite Big Five''s takeover, there were still people loyal to his brother in thepany, and they would assist us. I was pretty surprised as it was never talked about during the show. But now that I think about it, that time, Yugi and his group sneaked into Kaiba Corps way too easily, so they must have had some help behind the scenes. With our preparationsplete, we waited until midnight to begin our operation. The rain has died down, so it made everything easier. Mokuba and I stealthily ran down the quiet streets before finally reaching the Kaiba Corps building. With instructions given by the employees, we entered through the back door and used the staff elevator to go down to the basement levels. Mokuba led me into arge room, and he flicked on the light switch, illuminating the area. "Thankfully, we still have spare rooms with those Game Pods, and it should be safe to use them," Mokuba said as he checked the status on theputers. I approached the end of the room where two Virtual Game Pods sat. The seat was made from soft ck leather that wasfortable to the touch. Around the seat were many mechanical machineries that were flickering on and off. "So, are we ready to go?" Mokuba asked. I frowned and stared at his innocent appearance: "Stay..." "What?!" He eximed: "No, I''ming with you to save Seto!" I shook my head and pointed at theputers: "Too dangerous. Also, help... from... here." Mokuba pouted but relented when I red at him sternly. He sighed, dragged his depressed self over to the table, and began typing into the console. I opened the game pod as the ss cover lifted, creating a cool futuristic sound. "Big sister, please set your deck on the spot below your right armrest," Mokuba instructed. I did as I was told, and the machine made a beeping noise, indicating the sessful scan of my deck. "Unfortunately, the Big Fives have prevented anyone from joining the game or changing its code." He exined: "However, Seto have made a DLC that was already operational inside the game but just haven''t been published." Mokuba: "By activating the DLC, the game will be forced to update automatically and through that window I can get you inside. Also, instead of starting as yourself, you will actually be taking control of a character that was already made so it would gave us some time before the Big Fives detected that another yer has joined." So in a sense, it will be a transmigration? But I also have transmigrated from the modern world, so... Trainsmigration squared? "Please close your eyes, and you will be in the game when you wake up." As the Game Pod came to life, Mokuba said, "There is a big time difference. One minute in the real world means one hour has passed in the virtual world." "Good luck, ande back safely." He said and pressed therge red button on the desk. As the sound of the machine became increasingly louder, I closed my eyes and felt a pulling sensation. The best way to describe the feeling was simr to when you''re in a ne while it''s taking off. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves as the feeling increased in intensity. Don''t worry, Kaiba. I''ming to save you again! I wonder, what character I will possess. [Sometime Later...] I groaned and opened my eyes. The first thing I felt was the soft fabric of a bed enveloping my body. I groggily sat up and found myself in a room. The walls were made of limestones with a window on the side, shining the sunlight into the room. There weren''t many things except a wardrobe, a desk and a mirror. I checked my body and can safely confirm that it was still one of a woman, and it seemed to be the same age as me in the real world. Luckily, I seemed to be wearing a gown, so I''m not just naked. Suddenly, a bell rang in my head, and I immediately opened the system. [Task #5 Rescue Kaiba in the Legendary Heroes! Reward: 5000 Credits] I wasn''t surprised by the task and switched it off as the mission was already imprinted in my brain. However, another panel appeared, this time in a different colour. [Wee to the Legendary Heroes! In this game, you will use your power of Duel Monsters to save this world! However, you must learn how to y the game before you start! 1. Each yer will be given a duelling gauntlet with the deck they have ced in the Game Pod. The duelling gauntlet will also disy your life points; you will lose the game if you run out! 2. Every time a battle starts, you may draw five cards. To use a card, raise the card you want to use in the air and shout its name. Spell and Monsters cards will be activated instantly, while Traps will take some time for their effect to activate. 3. You can summon as many monsters as possible, but remember that when a battle ends. All cards used will be discarded forever unless you have spells to bring them back. 4. To summon stronger monsters, you must tribute monsters currently summoned unless otherwise. 5. When a battle reaches its conclusion, all the unused cards will be ced at the bottom of the deck, and the defeated monsters will drop rewards that may be useful in your adventure. 6. Good Luck] I gulped and read the bundle of information presented to me. The screen vanished, and I couldn''t bring them back, no matter how many times I tried. I assume that must be the interface implemented inside the game instead of my system, as it acted differently. Before I could investigate further, I heard a knock on the door. "Young Miss, may Ie in?" A feminine voice asked through the door. "A... Ah... yes," I yelped, and the door opened. A young girl dressed in a maid outfit entered. Upon seeing me, she smiled brightly: "I''m really happy Young Miss is already awake. She must be excited as today''s her big day!" She brought me to the mirror and sat me on a chair. With a smooth motion, the maidbed my long hair as I observed myself through the mirror. In the game, I looked simr to my real-world appearance, but the main difference was my silky white hair, contrary to its ocean blue colour. "I really envy Young Miss''s beautiful hair." The maid muttered: "This really shows that Young Miss was the child blessed by our God." I stayed silent and tried to analyse the information. What was this god she was referring to? Afterbining my hair, the maid reached for the make-up cosmetics on the desk, and I stopped her. "Is there something wrong, Young Miss?" The maid said and tilted her head. "Why?" I asked and pointed at items in her hand. "Well, I have to make Young Miss as gorgeous as ever! There''s going to be thousands of peopleing to see you today!" Hold up, pause. What the heck did you say? "Huh, don''t tell me you forgot!" The maid gasped: "Today''s your debut as the new priestess of the Blue Eyes!" Priestess? Blue Eyes? Mokuba, where did you send me?!! "Come on, now raise your arms." The maid urged, and I couldn''t even argue as she helped me change into a new outfit. Atleast ten minutes has passed until the maid have finished. Staring at my changed appearance, she squealed excitedly: "Kyaaa, you''re so beautiful!" I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, and I naturally thought the same. My lips were carefully applied with light red lipstick, and blush was applied to my cheeks. There were also Eye- shadows near my eyelids, showcasing my blue pupils. My hair was kept natural except for three thin braids that hung closely from my sides and back. My outfit also wasn''t something to scoff at either. I wore afortable dress, and there were blue coloured engravings on the clothes. As I continued to gawk at my appearance, the maid gently led me out of the room... A few minutes of walkingter... We travelled through a set of limestone hallways, passing by countless guards armed with swords. I realised that we''re currently set in a temple as the maid continuously preached about things like God and priests. However, what scared me the most was what do any of those things have to do with me? I''m too embarrassed to ask her and I helplessly followed while crawling deeper into the rabbit hole I dug. "Young Miss," She called out amidst my stupor: "Are you certain you will be wearing that?" She worriedly pointed at the duel disk on my wrist. Before I was dragged out of the room, I managed to grab the duel disk, which was sitting on a table in the corner. Contrary to the duel disk I''m familiar with, this design was smaller and there were no slots where I can ce my cards. Instead, it was only a circr disk where there was a small screen currently disying my life points and below was my deck attached firmly so it won''t fall off if I make sudden movements. "I''m not sure where you got such ornament but it may look odd with your appearance." The maid said. I shook my head in denial and she kept her mouth shut. I''m sorry to be a burden, but right now, you never know what events will ur and I don''t want to find out what happens when I die in this game. When we arrived, what greeted me first was a massive hall, there weren''t any walls and the ceiling was supported by humongous marble pirs on both sides. The bright sun shines through the gaps in the pirs creating an ethereal feeling. In the centre of the room was a statue of a dragon. Even with its stony appearance, I can instantly discern its identity, affirming my suspicion. Of course, it has to be the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, why do I even bother? If it''s Kaiba and he made DLC for a game, wouldn''t it be obvious to be Blue Eyes White Dragon themed? When I stopped focusing on the designs of the room, I froze and noticed a horrifying sight. There were possibly hundreds no thousands of people gathered together, all dressed in fantasy from civilian outfits to clothes for rich people and all of them were staring at me... I was led to an elevated tform at the front of the room. I moved stiffly and felt all the pupils honing in on me like a hawk. On the tform was a lectern table where a book was ced. I approached the lectern table and stared at the pages full of scriptures: "The priestess will now give her sermon!" A guard shouted with a booming voice. Instinctively, everyone kneeled in silence as they gazed at me from the corner of their eyes. Their stares were full of expectations and I felt the butterfly in my stomach going wild. My mind was nk and my heart thrashed with fear. ABORT ABORT ABORT I CAN''T TAKE THIS ANYMORE, SAVE ME, SOMEONE!!!!!!!!! I screamed in my head while keeping an emotionless face. I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 35: I Have A Mom?! Chapter 35: I Have A Mom?! ? Part two will be released on Tuesday [3rd POV] The crowd stared at Yuna in admiration. Her gorgeous and dignified appearance took their breath away, and everyone keenly focused on what she would say. Their anticipation was over the roof as the people imagined what kind of enchanting voice she would have. However, unbeknownst to the audiences, their expectations would soon be shattered. Meanwhile, Yuna''s back was soaked with sweat as she glimpsed at the massive amount of people gathered before her. She gazed at the crowd and nervously opened her mouth. However, her throat suddenly felt incredibly dry, and she hurriedly reached for the ss of water on the table. Unfortunately, with the stress and pressure, Yuna''s finger slipped, and she knocked the ss over. Spraying water all over the floor and on the people kneeling in the front row seats. Yuna: .... Everyone: .... After a minute of silence, Yuna cleared her throat, and her face was tinged red with embarrassment. Regaining herposure, she etched the words on the book into her memories and began to speak. "On.. Once up.. upon a time", Yuna muttered, trying to preach to the best of her abilities. However, after two sentences, the young maid from before quietly approached Yuna and whispered into her ears: "Young Miss, the people in the back can''t hear you..." Yuna''s legs almost buckled under her, but she managed by gripping the edges of the lectern so tight that her knuckles turned white. When she calmed herself for the second time, Yuna resumed the speech. The words were very stiff, and the sentences were choppy as Yuna stuttered uncontrobly. Sometimes Yuna will speak loudly, while other times, she''s quiet as a mouse. Nobody could understand her, and some thought this was a bad joke. By the end, the audience was beyond belief. Couldn''t bear the embarrassment further, Yuna escaped back into her quarters... [Yuna''s POV, 10 Minutes Later...] I buried my face in my pillow and screamed. Thankfully, there was only me in the room, or else I would really die from the shame. It doesn''t even take a smart person to know how bad of a speech it was. Right now, I only wanted to dig a hole and from this world forever!! *Knock Knock Knock* Guhhh, what now? The door opened, and the maid peeked her head through the doorway. Her face was full of pity, and she patted my head tofort me. Even if I was the older one, I''m being treated like a child... "You did fine," The maid said: "It''s okay to be embarrassed." I didn''t respond and hid myself under the nkets. The maid giggled, she spread open the curtains, and I felt the heat of the sun through the fabric. After urging me to get out of bed, she eventually gave up and continued to clean my room. I thought the maid would leave sooner orter, so I endured her presence. However, her next words snapped me out of my sulking mood. "Your mother, Kaya-sama, has called for you..." She said. My body froze in shock, and I couldn''t believe what I just heard. Mother, a word that felt extremely foreign to me, and it''s like a whole othernguage. I held my breath and quietly stared at the maid. Unable to endure the curiosity, I left the bed and cleaned up my dishevelled appearance. With the maid''s help, I eventually arrived at a set of doors. "Kaya-sama wanted to speak to you in private," The maid said: "I will be off." Before I could inquire further, the maid disappeared around the corner. I touched my chest and sensed my heart beating like a wild horse. Knowing that my "mother" was beyond this door terrifies me. Gathering my courage, I gently knocked, and a voice beckoned me to enter. As soon as I went inside, the first thing I noticed was a tall woman with her back facing me. Hearing my entrance, the woman turned around, and I subconsciously gasped. The woman was dressed in a blue and silver dress with golden embroidery. She had long white hair and blue eyes simr to mine. "M... mom..." My voice felt hoarse, and I trembled. The woman smiled: "Yes, I''m here, Yuna." At first, I was initially surprised that my name was called as I imagined I would be given a new name. However, that thought left my head as fast as it entered when I felt something wet dripping down my face. I touched the side of my cheek and stared at the tear stain on my fingers. Why am I crying? Why does it feel so suffocating? Like a broken dam, my tears fell uncontrobly, and I sobbed. "Oh my..." The woman eximed and approached me: "What''s the matter, Yuna?" I reached out my arms and embraced the woman with all my strength. I never would''ve realised that I would ever feel something like this. It was an emotion hidden in Aki Kudo''s and Yuna Sano''s hearts, the yearning for a family. Numbness, Confusion, fear, guilt, relief and anger, I felt them all at the same time. Thoughts I never imagined manifested in my head. ''Why did you leave me alone?'' ''Where are you when I needed you the most?'' ''Who gives you the right to abandon me in this cruel world?!'' I let out all my emotions in my cry, dirtying her clothes with my tears. The woman was initially stunned by my sudden outburst. But instead of pushing me away, she smiled and returned my embrace. "It''s okay," she muttered: "Mom''s here now." The woman rubbed my back as I cried my heart out. Not once was she bothered by my behaviour, and I wasforted until I continued to weep until tears couldn''t fall from my face any longer. An hourter... I rested my head on my mother''sp as she caressed my hair: "Mom, Mom." I called and giggled "Yes, yes." She chuckled: "Gosh, you''re acting like a toddler today." "Do you... Hate it?" I asked nervously. Mom softly flicked my forehead and smiled: "How could I? Do you know how long I wished you stayed small for one more day?" We stayed like this for ten more minutes, and Mom brought up something I had forgotten: "I heard from Amy that your first sermon today has been quite eventful." I realised that Amy was the maid''s name and remembered how much trouble I caused. I blushed and averted my gaze: "Sorry..." "It''s natural to be nervous," she said: "Don''t worry. As time goes by, you will get better." Well, it''s probably myst time, though... I thought but nodded anyway. As my mother speaks, I can feel a nagging feeling in the corner of my heart. It reminds me that none of this was real; it''s just a game. However, I wasn''t disappointed by this obvious fact. Instead, I wished to cherish this moment even more, as it was the first time I learned what it means to have a family. "Ah, look at the time," Mother eximed while glimpsing at the clock: "I wish we could stay like this for a bit longer, but there''s still work I need toplete." I reluctantly broke away from her embrace, and with a warm farewell, I returned to my room. Now, alone again, I donned a serious expression and sat on my bed. Remembering the purpose of my mission, I began to recount the events that would happen in this arc. Kaiba got kidnapped by the monsters in this game and is currently held in a ck castle. The monsters wanted to sacrifice him to summon an evil dragon, and I needed to stop it before its toote. The dragon in question was called the Mythic Dragon or the Five-Headed Dragon in the modern world. A beast with five thousand attacks that couldn''t be destroyed by Dark, Earth, Fire, Water and Wind monsters. It may not sound that powerful, but it was close to invincible in this era. Fortunately, that won''t stop me from defeating it! I scanned through the system for a card I wanted. Eventually, settling on a few that would fit perfectly in this situation. After formting my ns, I faced another dilemma. "To defeat the evil dragon, I must first leave this ce, but how?" At that time, I didn''t realise that the answer would arrive way sooner than expected... *BOOOOM* Suddenly the entire temple shook, and I heard a distant explosion erupting at the far end of the building. Immediately, screams rang out from all areas, and I sighed. Maybe sometimes it''s best to keep my mouth shut. [3rd POV, A few minutester] Amy burst into the room and ran towards Yuna in fear: "Young Lady, we must go. There are monsters everywhere!" When the maid grabbed Yuna''s hand, a creature burst through the window, showering the room with ss. The monster has green scales and red flesh. Sharp ws on each of its limbs could easily tear a human apart. Lastly, three separate heads were growing out of its torso, and each face was covered by a white mask with two slits for the eyes. [Three-Headed Geedo: 1200 Attack, 1400 Defence] The monster roared, and the young maid shrieked: "S... stay back!" Amy warned and waved the feather duster in her hand. Unlucky for Amy, Three-Headed Geedo growled and brandished its ws. As she was ready to fight back with her trusty feather duster, Yuna stood between them. "Young miss, what are you doing? It''s dangerous!" The maid yelped. However, Yuna didn''t listen to her warnings and drew a card from the device on her wrist. Amy watched as the Three-Headed Geedo charged. "Kya, Young Miss!" She screamed and covered her eyes. Amy waited for the terrifying sound that she will about to hear. However, no sound came. After a few seconds, she hesitantly lowered her hands and witnessed an unbelievable sight. There stood a tall man with brown skin, and fiery red her stood in front of her. He was dressed in golden armour with an open design, presenting his muscles. A helmet hid the man''s face, but Amy felt he must be handsome. [Dragon Knight of Creation: 1800 Attack, 600 Defence] The knight caught the monster with one hand and threw it across the room. The Three- Headed Geedo crashed against the wall, and before it could recover, the Dragon Knight of Creation pierced the monster''s body with his sword. Amy admired as the knight wiped the blood off his de before approaching Yuna. Realising the strangeness of the situation, Amy hurriedly stepped between them: "Who are you?! How did you get in this room?!" The young maid red suspiciously but stopped when Yuna tapped her shoulder. Amy nced at Yuna in confusion while the Dragon Knight of Creation knelt on the ground. Satisfied with the result, Yuna drew another card from her deck and raised it in the air: "I summon Herald of Creation!" A burst of light blinded Amy, and she whimpered. Once the light dimmed, the young maid noticed a new figure in the room. It was a woman with blond hair. She was dressed in a long white dress draped to the floor, and she wore the same helmet as the knight, and instead of a sword, there was a long staff in her hand. [Herald of Creation: 1800 Attack, 600 Defence] "W... what is happening..." Amy muttered as her legs gave out. Yuna lowered her body to the maid''s eye level. Staring into Yuna''s eyes, Amy visibly flinched and noticed the atmosphere of her young master had changed. "Go find Mother," Yuna ordered and nced at Dragon Knight of Creation: "Protect her." Dragon Knight of Creation nodded and marched out of the door. Amy was still in shock, but with Yuna''s urging, she stood back up: "Y.. young miss." "Go," She said solemnly, and Amy bit her lips. Eventually, Amy left with the Dragon Knight of Creation, not before telling Yuna to be careful. Watching the young maid''s figure disappearing into the halls. Yuna picked up a card that manifested on the floor. There was any text on the card except for the image of stacks of gold coins. The card abruptly dissolved in Yuna''s hand, and a small bell sound reverberated in her head. [+ 20 Coins!] She smiled. Let the hunt begin... [Yuna''s POV] For the following duration, I sprinted through the temple structures with the Herald of Creation close behind me. With her strength, she easily dispatched any monsters we saw. [+5 Coins!] [+15 Coins!] [+30 Coins!] [+10 Coins!] The number of coins increased staggeringly, and I grinned as my nerdy mind was on cloud nine. With my efforts, it wasn''t long before all the feral monsters werepletely wiped out. When I could no longer find anything, I decided to locate my mother. Thankfully, it wasn''t hard to find her as I followed the bundle of coins left behind by the Dragon Knight of Creation''s massacre. Finally, I returned to the open area where I made my speech. Bursting through the doors, I witnessed the scene of a massive battle. Mother was in the centre beside the massive statue, surrounded by knights. The swarm of monsters pounced at the group as the soldiers defended with strength. The monsters shared simr appearances, fitting the descriptions of skeletal demons with pink flesh. Out of most demons, some were purple, wearing capes and sickles. However, there was one that stood out amongst the group. The monster has a height as tall as the ceiling, a body covered in bones, wings and a pair of curved horns protruding from the side of its head. [Vilepawn Archfiend: 1200 Attack, 200 Defence] x35 [Archfiend Soldier: 1900 Attack, 1500 Defence] x 15 [Summoned Skull: 2500 Attack, 1200 Defence] x1 I also spotted the Dragon Knight of Creation in the corner of the room, fiercely protecting Amy as the Archfiend Soldiers backed him into a corner. "Yuna!" Mom screamed: "Get out of here!" My heart raced when I saw her terrified expression. My body was seething with anger as I red at the monsters. Without hesitation, I drew a card and raised it into the air, attracting everyone''s attention: "I will use Dragon Knight of Creation and Herald of Creation as tributes!" The two monsters I summoned burst into light and were absorbed into the card between my fingers. I felt the card''s weight increase, but I endured and raised the card as high as possible. "With the two tributes, I will summon, Blue Eyes White Dragon!" A thunderous roar shook the temple as my card generated a blinding light. An Archfiend Soldier near me raised its sickle and lunged. As the de inched towards my face, a humongous dragon flew out of the card and caught the demon in its jaw. Archfiend Soldier was sliced cleanly in half, showering the floor with gold coins. With snow- white scales, ferocious ws, serene blue pupils, razor-sharp teeth and wings, the dragon stood with an intense aura that swept through the room. [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] "G... god..." The soldiers muttered and dropped their weapons in a daze "Blue Eyes White Dragon, attack now!" I ordered and pointed at the monsters in the room. Energy gathered in Blue Eyes White Dragon''s mouth, and Summoned Skull wasted no time to attack. However, the demon''s speed was too slow, and the dragon''s breath vaporised its opponent, not leaving a trace behind. When the dust settled, all the monsters had perished, and Blue Eyes White Dragon nced at me, wishing for praise: "Good job." I muttered. Blue Eyes White Dragon lowered its head, and I scratched its neck with a smile. There was silence as everyone watched my treating their God like a dog, and it was seemingly enjoying it. "Yuna... What..." My mother said in disbelief. "Y.. you hurt?" I asked worriedly. She shook her head, and I finally let go of the breath that I was subconsciously holding. Mom nervously approached me and flinched when Blue Eyes White Dragon snarled in weariness. "Stop," I said slightly annoyedly, and Blue Eyes White Dragon quieted. "To order a God like this..." Mom muttered with aplicated smile before signing solemnly: "My daughter, we are currently in great peril." "The monsters have stolen the White Stone of Ancient entrusted by your holiness centuries ago." She exined and bowed apologetically at Blue Eyes White Dragon: "It was entirely my responsibility, and I''m the only one who should be punished for this sin." Blue Eyes White Dragon nced at me, and I realised that I was the one that had to choose. I couldn''t believe that I was given this option of whether or not to punish her. Despite being merely a game, she''s the closest thing to a mother I could possibly get, and I couldn''t even imagine doing something like this. "No," I said, shaking my head, "Will, take back." I climbed onto the dragon''s back, and Blue Eyes White Dragon spread its wings: "Wait for me!" Mom smiled, and my body felt warm: "I believe the monsters will use the Stone of Ancients to revive the disaster that ravaged this world eons ago. You''re the only one that can stop it, please stay safe, and I will patiently await your return.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Blue Eyes White Dragon moved outside, and countless people watched me in awe. Some were worshipping like crazy, and I heard some calling a saint... The dragon spread its wings, and I waved at my mother as Blue Eyes White Dragon soared into the air. Gradually the temple became smaller, and I nced ahead. Don''t worry, Kaiba, your friendly neighbourhood Yuna Sano will rescue you! I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 36: Meaning of Trust Chapter 36: Meaning of Trust ? As I soared through the sky on Blue Eyes White Dragon''s back, I was greeted with a game screen. [Prolouge Quest Completed! Main Quest will now Begin!] Prologue Quest? If it''s a prologue quest, things would''ve made sense now. So the prologue was like the back story, and the Main Quest will be the actual story of the game and it would be stopping the Mythic Dragon summoning and finding the Stone of Ancients. Alright, I know what I need to do!" Rescue Kaiba! Defeat the Mythic Dragon! Find the Stone of Ancients! Let''s do this! I looked below, where the scenery of the ground changed constantly. Oh yeah, didn''t Yugi and his friends have to traverse through many terrains to reach the final level? But with a living flying dragon with me, I don''t really need to do that. Skipping through the useless levels and going straight into the boss room felt satisfying. However, I wished to spend the coins I gathered though... Oh well! After an hour of flying, I finally spotted something in the distance. It was a tall, dark, and ominous castle in the middle of the forest. Yep, if that wasn''t giving an evil bossir vibe, I don''t know what will. Blue Eyes White Dragon circled the building, and as soon as we got close, we were met with fierce defence. Humongous beehives were growing on the side of the castle, and countless deadly wasps spewed out of the hives. Beside the hive were two cocoons, and two creatures emerged. It was an insect with giant wings, green abdomens, orange horns and six legs... [Great Moth: 3500 Attack, 3000 Defence] x2 [Killer Needle: 1200 Attack, 1000 Defence] x 15 I cursed and ordered Blue Eyes White Dragon to dodge as the horde of insects chased us relentlessly. Suddenly Great Moth fired silk from its mouth and struck Blue Eyes White Dragon''s wings. I screamed as Blue Eyes White Dragon lost control and crashed into the castle. BOOOOM I held onto Blue Eyes White Dragon with everything I had as we burst through the walls. I groaned and nced at the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, slowly vanishing. I clicked my teeth and nced at my duel disk; my life points had dropped. [Yuna Sano: 2000 LP -> 1500 LP] The two Great Mothnded by the hole and snapped their disgusting mandibles threateningly. As the monsters approached me, I instantly reacted and drew from my deck. "I will use Change of Heart and take control of the Great Moth!" I shouted. A mirage of an angel appeared above one of the moths, and she fired a ray of light from her palms. The Great Moth''s aura changed, and I smiled confidently: "Now, Great Moth, attack the other Great Moth!" The insect I took control of threw itself at its friend. Together, they tumbled out of the hole, falling to their death. However, I couldn''t rx. Without the Great Moths blocking the cavity, the hordes of Killer Needles began flooding in. "I will use Foolish Burial and send my Koumori Dragon to my graveyard, and then banish Dragon Knight of Creation and Koumori Dragon to summon Lightpulsar Dragon!" My deck glows as my Koumori Dragon and Dragon Knight of Creation are banished from the game. Beside me appeared a new dragon. It shared the same white and blue colour as Blue Eyes White Dragon. However, its body was much more slender and agile. [Lightpulsar Dragon: 2500 Attack, 1500 Defence] "Lightpulsar Dragon, defend this area!" The swarm of wasps charged, but their venom stingers couldn''t pierce the dragon''s hide, and Lightpulsar Dragon tore them apart. As Lightpulsar Dragon was dealing with the Killer Needles, I used this opportunity to explore deeper into the castle. There wasn''t anything noteworthy, as the entire building felt like a maze. Finally, I reached a room. I ced my ear against the door and heard two voices talking. "Tsk, release me this instance." A man growled: "Override Protocol!" "I can''t do that," Another replied: "It doesn''t work anymore, and it''s no longer your game. Soon you will be sacrificed to the Mythic Dragon, and there''s nothing you can do!" I don''t have to listen further and already know who''s inside. I sighed and gathered the courage in my heart... [3rd POV] Seto red at the monsterughing arrogantly before him. The creature has red skin, pointy ears, blond hair and he was dressed in a purple suit. [Witty Phantom: 1400 Attack, 1300 Defence] "Let me go, damn it." He shouted angrily and pulled against the chains tied to his body. "It''s useless to struggle," Witty Phantom: "Sooner orter, your life will be forfeited." Seto''s face contorted into pure rage, and he felt humiliated being trapped in his own game. He was relieved that no one else was here to see him in this state. Suddenly, someone knocked on the door, catching the two by surprise. "Strange, I don''t remember calling for anyone..." Witty Phantom muttered and opened the door. BAM A punch sent Witty Phantom backward, and he fell to the ground: "Who??" "I summon Pdin of Felgrand!" The stranger shouted as a knight appeared out of thin air. The knight pinned Witty Phantom to the ground, bringing his sword close to the monster''s throat. Seto stared at the woman whom he least expected to arrive in a daze. Even if her hair colour differed, he couldn''t forget her face. Yuna approached the restrained Witty Phantom and took the key from his pocket. She went to Seto and unlocked his shackles. Seto rubbed his wrist with relief before frowning. "Why are you here?" He asked. "Re... Rescue..." She timidly answered. "I don''t need your help...." Seto retorted. Yuna didn''t respond and gazed at him in ufortable silence. However, the moment ended as Witty Phantom started to scream. "Ah, wait, spare me!" He begged: "Hey, I was just joking, so please show mercy!" Seto snorted, and his tall physique cast a shadow over the monster. In a swift movement, he brought his fist down onto the monster''s face, knocking him out: "Be quiet; you''re too loud." "Let''s go," Seto ordered as they left the room. However, the floor erupted from below immediately when his hand touched the handle. Yuna was swept off her feet as the force sent her flying towards Seto. They crashed into each other as the floor copsed and fell into a deep chasm. During their fall, Seto noticed the Dragon Capture Jar previously used to capture his own Blue Eyes White Dragon falling beside them, and he hurriedly pulled a card from his duel disk: "Go Trap Master, destroy the Dragon Capture Jar!" A humanoid creature wearing a green cloak and top hat appeared. Its skin was grey with dishevelled hair, and the lower body consisted of hammers, saws and screwdrivers. [Trap Master: 500 Attack, 1100 Defence] The monster flew towards the Dragon Capture Jar and easily shattered it. There was a roar as the Blue-Eyes White Dragon was released and instinctively dived towards them. Adjusting himself in the air, Setonded on the dragon''s back, and Yuna fell into his arms. [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] The first thing that came into Seto''s mind was that she was incredibly light. He glimpsed at Yuna as she blushed profusely. Remembering what happenedst time when an embarrassing incident urred between them, Seto set Yuna down and took a step away from her. As Blue Eyes White Dragon touched down on the ground. Yuna and Seto jumped off of its back. They found themselves in a wide tunnel. Suddenly, five voices simultaneously resonated: "Congrattions looks like you have reached the final level." "The Big Fives..." Seto growled: "It''s over; the Mythic Dragon has not been summoned. That means you have lost!" "Not so fast. There was another way to summon the Mythic Dragon!" They dered: "With the arrival of that girl over there, we retrieved the Ancient Stone of White, and we will use its power to revive the dragon!" A glowing purple circle enveloped the ground, and a terrifying beast emerged. With a body that almost filled the entire room, the monster roared as Yuna and Seto felt their eardrums bursting from the sound. The monster has brown scales with wings. There were five dragon heads, each made out of separate elements, Earth, Fire, Water, Wind and Darkness. [Mythic Dragon: 5000 Attack, 5000 Defence] Instantly, preparing for a battle, the two drew five cards from their deck. Deciding to make the first move, Yuna announced loudly: "I will summon the Guardian of Felgrand!" [Guardian of Felgrand: 500 Attack, 500 Defence] "With Guardian of Felgrand''s effect, I can equip Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand to this card, and Guardian of Felgrand will gain an attack equal to half of the stats of the equipped monster!" [Guardian of Felgrand: 500 -> 1900 Attack, 1900 Defence] "I will also use one of my traps that will be activatedter..." Yuna dered as a magic-like circle appeared beneath her feet. "That''s not enough power to defeat the Mythic Dragon!" The Big Fives shouted: "We will deal with you first, Mythic Dragon, attack!" All five heads of the Mythic Dragon unleashed a breath akin to their elements. All directed at Guardian of Felgrand. However, a blue barrier blocked the attack, and the breaths ricocheted in all directions. Standing beside the Guardian of Felgrand were three priests that maintained the barrier with magic. "With my trap Waboku," Yuna said as sweat dripped down from her face: "I won''t take damage, and my monsters won''t be destroyed by battle." "Looks like you can''t do anything..." Seto scowled: "Watch and learn!" "I will use Polymerisation and fuse the three Blue-Eyes White Dragon on my field and hand!" Two cards shoot out of Seto''s grasp and merge with his Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Two new heads grew from the side of Blue Eyes White Dragon''s body, and the dragons roared in unison. [Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon: 4500 Attack, 3800 Defence] "Tsk..." Seto clicked his teeth: "It''s still not enough..." "Kaiba-san, distract the Mythic Dragon. I will be able to summon my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand soon!" Yuna exined. "Don''t tell me what to do!" He said with a scowl. "We need to work together!" Yuna insisted. "Shut up!" Seto snapped, causing Yuna to flinch: "I can do this alone. I won''t rely on you or anyone else!" It had always been this way; ever since his life with his brother in the orphanage, they have been alone to face the outside world. Even when they were adopted, his life didn''t be easier but more difficult instead. He only survived because he trusted no one except for his brother and himself. Relying on other people was nothing but a weakness that can be exploited on... Yuna: "But!" She was suddenly interrupted as Mychic Dragon began charging another attack, this time aiming for Seto. "Sh*t!" He cursed: "Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon, protect me!" However, before Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon can move, chains burst out of the floor and wrap around the monster''s body, rendering it motionless. Seto noticed the still-alive Whitty Phantom smirking arrogantly in the corner of his vision, and a card was in the monster''s hand. "You should have killed me when you have the chance!" He eximed: "I will use this Trap Shadow Spell, and now your Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon can no longer save you!" Seto nced at his hand, hoping for anything that could get him out of this situation, but unfortunately, none of the cards could be of use to him, and Seto didn''t have enough time to draw more cards. He stared at the impending doom while his legs refused to move. Realising his fate, Seto could only grit his teeth in anger... "Guardian of Felgrand, defend Kaiba!" Suddenly, Guadian of Felgrand switched to a defensive position and rushed to intercept the attack. Acting as the meat shield, the Guardian of Felgrand took the attack head-on and protected Seto from harm. Seto nced at Yuna with wide eyes: "Why?" He muttered. "To survive, we have to work as a team!" Yuna said: "So cooperate wit....." BOOOOOM Yuna''s body was hurled helplessly in the air like a ragdoll as Mythic Dragon''s third attack ambushed her. With no monsters, Yuna could not defend herself as she took the full power of the attack. She skidded across the floor andy motionless. Her clothes were in tatters, and blood was seeping through the gaps in her outfit. Despite the pain, Yuna opened her eyes with difficulty as a purple screen appeared before her. [Yuna Sano: 1500 LP -> 0 LP] [Warning, you have run out of life points and have entered the fatal state. You can purchase one more life using the coins you gathered during this time. Disimer, you should not take any further damage, or your current life will forfeit] [Proceed] [Cancel] The game interface shed rmingly, and Yuna nced at the two buttons. She had just enough coins from the temple, and Yuna reached out with her broken arm. Suddenly, there was a roar, and Mythic Dragon was about tounch another barrage. Mythic Dragon unleashed its breath, and Yuna realised the attack would reach her before she could purchase more life. Watching the beam of destruction inching towards her, time seemed to have slowed down... "Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon!" Before Yuna understood what was happening, Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon appeared before her and was struck by Mythic Dragon''s breath. Despite its strength, Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon was defeated. Yuna pressed the button using this opportunity, and a warm sensation enveloped her. She felt her injuries heal rapidly, and all her pain gradually vanished. Yuna heard Seto approaching her, and he knelt by her side. He gently lifted Yuna''s head and stared at her with a scowl. "Fool," He spat in disgust: "I''m not sure whether your dumb or mentally insane." Seto began to sprout nonsensical curses directed at Yuna to hide his shock. She listened and smiled wryly as she was harshly scolded. "If I didn''t destroy the trap in time, you would have died." Seto growled: "Since you saved me earlier, consider my debt paid." Noticing Yuna''s dishevelled appearance, Seto coughed ufortably and threw his coat at her. He red at the Mythic Dragon: "I assume you have a way to defeat it?" "Yes...." "Very well," Seto muttered: "I will listen to what you have to say." With Seto''s help, Yuna got back on her feet, standing side by side. They red at the massive dragon before them. Not giving the two duelists time to rest, Mythic Dragon unleashed its breath, creating a massive explosion in the room. As the smoke filled the room, Mythic Dragon growled, and its five heads scanned through the smoke, trying to detect any life. Suddenly a small dragon burst through the ck cloud, and above the creature were Yuna and Seto. Yuna nced at the man beside her: "Kaiba-san!" "I know!" Seto shouted back, and together, they simultaneously drew a card. Yuna/Seto: "I will use Monster Reborn and summon Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon/Herald of Creation!" [Herald of Creation: 1800 Attack, 600 Defence] [Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon: 4500 Attack, 3800 Defence] "Then I will use Polymerisation!" Yuna yelled at the top of her lungs: "Fusing Herald of Creation and Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon together, summoning Mysterion, the Dragon Crown!" Light enveloped the two monster''s bodies, and they merged into one. Once the light diminished, Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon changedpletely. Its scales have turned gold with blue crystallised horns. Its body was long like a snake, and the monster''s size easily filled the room, matching the sheer mass of Mythic Dragon. On top of the dragon was the Herald of Creation, now dressed in shy golden armour with a helmet that matched her mount. [Mysterion the Golden Crown: 3000 Attack, 1500 Defence] ''Another monster I have never seen before...'' Seto thought while admiring Mysterion''s appearance. "With Mysterion the Golden Crown ability, they will lose one hundred attacks for every banished card in my graveyard!" [Mysterion the Golden Crown: 3000 -> 2800 Attack, 1500 Defence] "Also, since Blue Eyes White Dragon has left the field, I can immediately summon Keeper of the Shrine!" "However!" Yuna shouted: "I will use Mysterion the Golden Crown to cancel the summoning of Keeper of the Shrine and banish him!" "What is wrong with you?!" Seto asked: "Why are you doing something so strange as banishing your monster." Yuna smiled: "Trust me, we will win." Overwhelmed by her confidence, Seto shut his mouth and nodded. He stared at her face and was slightly entranced by her dazzling face. Somewhere in his head, a voice told him to believe in her, and Seto felt tempted by it. "By banishing Keeper of the Shrine, Mysterion the Golden Crown can activate its second effect and banish all the monsters that are the same type as Keeper of the Shrine so that all dragons will be banished!" mes gathered in the rider''s palm, and she shot it at the Mythic Dragon. Golden ropes encased Mythic Dragon as the binds burned into its flesh. Mythic Dragon thrashed in pain. "It''s over!" Yuna yelled: "Go back to where you came from!" Meanwhile, golden chains wrapped around Yuna''s Koumori Dragon, and the two immediately leapt off. Theynded on Mysterion''s dragon, and the warrior ordered her dragon to attack the ceiling. They broke through the castle walls with the monster''s strength and reemerged into the outside world. Seto watched the golden chains slowly pull Mythic Dragon deeper into the ground. After releasing one final screech, Mythic Dragon was banished from the world. Mysterionnded her dragon as Yuna and Seto approached where Mythic Dragonst stood. On the ground was a pure white stone that shinned brilliantly. Yuna picked up the stone and smiled at Seto: "See?" Unbeknownst to Seto, a smirk appeared on his face. Noticing his expression, Seto hurriedly faced away from Yuna and nodded. As Seto hid his smile from Yuna, she chuckled and climbedN?v(el)B\\jnn onto the dragon. "Let''s go." She said and held out her hand. Seto quietly stared at her stretched-out fingers. He reached out as Yuna used all her strength to pull Seto up as Mysterion guided the dragon into the air... When they returned to the temple, Yuna and Seto were weed by everyone. They celebrated the triumph of their saint, and people partied all night long. Two hourster... Seto was leaning against a wall as he waited patiently. The door beside him opened, and Yuna calmly strolled out. Spotting Seto, her eyes widened: "N...not left?" She was surprised that Seto could''ve left the game long ago as he hadpleted defeating the Mythic Dragon while Yuna had more tasks toplete. "I need to make sure that both of us left in case my subordinates identally shut the game down," Seto exined. In fact, it was merely a lie, and he was only curious about the reasons for Yuna''s reluctance to leave. She has alreadypleted the assigned tasks but chooses to spend the entire night talking with an NPC. Seto knew the details of the NPC and the character Yuna was ying, so he decided to stay to figure out what they were talking about. However, the contents of their conversation truly shocked him to his core. ncing at Yuna''s tear-stained face, he sighed: "Have you said everything you wanted to say?" Yuna wiped her nose and nodded: "Y... yes.." Seto typed themands on his duel disks, and a ck portal manifested in the hallway: "Let''s go," He urged, and together, they entered... Back in the real world, Seto''s eyes snapped open, and he stepped out of his Game Pod. Walking out of his room, he swiftly located Yuna''s where about. "Big Brother!" Mokuba shouted with relief as soon as Seto arrived. Mokuba eagerly hugged his brother, and Seto patted his back. He stared at Mokuba with a complicated expression and mumbled: "Mokuba, what would you do if our mother appeared before us?" "What kind of question is that?" Mokuba asked Ignoring him, Seto gently patted Mokuba''s head and walked towards the only activated Game Pod. Grabbing thetch, he forcibly opened the console and found Yuna asleep inside. Gazing at her sleeping appearance, he saw a single tear drop trickling down her eye. He clicked his teeth and covered her with his blue trench coat. Leaving Yuna alone, he left the room with Mokuba hurriedly following behind him: "Big brother, where are you going?" "Where I''m going?" Seto sneered and cracked his knuckles: "Get ready, Mokuba, a lot of people will be purged tonight..." I hope you enjoy! Chapter 37: Duel Disk Beta Tester! What a Privilege! Chapter 37: Duel Disk Beta Tester! What a Privilege! ? Three Days Later... [3rd POV] In the Domino City High ssroom, Yuna was fidgeting awkwardly. She recalled falling asleep inside the Game Pod and waking up with Seto''s trench coat covering her body. What''s worse was when Yuna woke up, she found herself drooling on the expensive coat! Too embarrassed to return the dirty coat, Yuna eventually took the coat home to wash it, nning to give clothing to Seto the next time they meet. However, Seto have not been at school for the past few days, and Yuna wasn''t ready to enter the Kaiba Corps building and request to see their young president or ask Mokuba for a favour. Sighing with exhaustion, Yuna gently rubbed her temples. Amidst the moment, she heard multiple girls screaming and cheering in the other ssrooms as her annoyance grew. Noticing the noise, the female students from her ss explored the sound and contributed to themotion when they found the source. Yuna knew exactly why they were acting this way and reminiscent of an arc that should be happening now. The voices of fawning girls became louder as the door to her ssroom opened. A young man dressed in the normal Domino High uniform entered. He had spiky hair held up by a red bandana, green eyes, sharp features, and a handsome face. The man in question was Duke Devlin. Recently, he opened a new game shop in Domino City and became a student at this school. However, opening a game shop was merely an excuse to hide his true goals. His enrolment was because he was curious about a certain individual known as the Duel King. It all started a year ago when Duek developed a new game called Dungeon Dice Monsters. After finally gaining the chance to discuss his ideas with Maximillian Pegasus, the creator of the Duel Monsters game, wishing for him to invest in Duke''s idea, however, the interview went in a different direction than he expected. Throughout the conversation, Pegasus had been praising the Duel King non-stop; even if the topic weren''t rted to Duel Monsters, he would find a way. Thankfully, Duke sessfully gained Pegasus''s support, only on the condition of adding a monster into his game called the Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand... Intrigued by Pegasus''s obsession, Duke decided to investigate the Duel King. So it wasn''t strange when he was shocked that the famous duelist was a girl in Domino High. So naturally, Duke enrolled in the school, hoping to find that person. His charisma and handsome appearance attracted many female students like a herder guiding a flock of sheep. But, no matter how many girls he met, none matched the description he sought. Eventually, when Duke entered thest ssroom, he found her. He held his breath and stared at the beautiful girl sitting in the corner of the room;pared to all the ones he saw, they were nothing. Duke felt his heart beat quickly as her majestic appearance attracted him. Was this love at first sight? Instinctively, he walked towards her. Hearing footsteps approached her direction. Yuna raised her head and stared at the young man standing before her. "Good morning. I hope I''m not intruding?" Duke smiled charmingly, causing the nearby female students to squeal. However, Yuna didn''t react and nkly gazed into his eyes. Theck of response caught Duke off guard, but his emotions were hidden with a chuckle: "To think there was such a majestic flower in this in grassy field, may I have the honour of learning your name." With a flick of his wrist, a luscious blue rose appeared between his finger, and he offered the flower to Yuna. She gazed at the flower, and her pupils flickered as Duke was happy that he managed to get a reaction. But unbeknownst to him, instead of feeling interested towards Duke, Yuna was wondering where the blue rose came from in the first ce. Realising that Duke was waiting for an answer, Yuna anxiously averted her gaze: "Y... Yuna... Sano.." Duke was enchanted by her voice. He gently grasped Yuna''s hand and nted his lips on her palm: "Yuna Sano, what a gorgeous name." There was silence in the room as people were shocked by what Duke had done. Yuna stared at the hand where he had kissed her, and her brain seemed to malfunction. *BAM* Suddenly, the door to the ssroom was kicked open, and a tall figure entered. He wore a neat ck shirt, pants, and a white sleeveless coat with the Kaiba Corps Logo embroidered on his cor. Without hesitation, he approached Yuna and crossed his arms. Yuna''s eyes widened: "K... kaiba..." "Come with me," Seto ordered. He turned his head and saw Duke holding Yuna''s hand. Seto sneered: "Get out of my way. I have business with her." Duke gritted his teeth and reluctantly backed off. Even if he was rich, he knew not to mess with the ferocious Seto Kaiba, who could easily dispose of him without the authorities questioning anything. Yuna stood up and followed Seto out of the room. They passed by countless ssmates, and she sighed bitterly when she heard the nonsensical rumours sprouting from this interaction... [Yuna''s POV] Ehhh, how did I get here... After Kaiba bailed me out of school, I was taken to Kaiba Corps and brought to his private office. None of us spoke a single word throughout the journey, and I felt myself slowly suffocating from the silence. Now, even when I''m in his office, he hasn''t done anything but stares, particrly at my right hand. Finally, Kaiba removed a few documents from his drawer and slid them across the table. I picked up the papers, and words were written inrge fonts that caught my attention. ''Battle City Rules...'' I read in my head, and I felt myself getting excited. Battle City! Finally, it''s here!!!! This was probably the most famous Yugioh arc ever, and the duels were amazing! However, what excites me the most was the rare cards I can get! I eagerly flipped through the documents and began to look at each rule Kaiba set enthusiastically. The rules were fairly normal, while some weren''t particrly noteworthy, but there were some rules that I took an interest in. #Rule 3: yers begin with 4000 Life Points. #Rule 12: yers can only have up to 6 cards in their hand unless the card: "Infinite Cards" is in y on their side of the field. #Rule 25: When a Fusion Monster is Tributed, that monster is counted as several monsters equal to the number of Fusion Material Monsters used. #Rule 27: Fusion Monsters must wait one turn after they are Summoned before they can attack, though the "Quick Attack" card can be used to circumvent this. #Rule 40: A monster that bes an Equip Card is treated as both a monster and an Equip Card. When I finished reading, I set the paper down, and Kaiba was waiting for me while crossing his arms: "I want to hear your opinion on this." "It''s good..." I answered honestly. Kaiba has written the rules and details so meticulously that I couldn''t find any loopholes that can be exploited. Satisfied with my answer, Kaiba stood up and gazed out the window. "This will be a new era of Duel Monsters," Kaiba dered with pride: "This tournament will be bigger than Duelist Kingdom and forever imprint itself on the world." Kaiba spread his arms andughed like a maniac. If you add a thunderstorm and eerie music in the background, you will have a viin in the making! Afterughing for a few minutes, he eventuallyposed himself and faced me. "However, there are still some things that need to be finalised," Kaiba said: "Follow me." He led me down the elevator and back down to the basement levels of the corporal buildings. We walked quietly through the hallway until we arrived at an underground bunker. There was an observation window on the side, and I noticed countless researchers working diligently. I saw Mokuba leading the team as he ordered the scientists, who were frantically running around like headless chickens. When Mokuba noticed me, he smiled and waved. Before I could inquire further, Seto approached a control panel beside us. He typed on the keyboards, and the machine dispensed two devices I''m familiar with. "These are the new Prototype Duel Disks I have created." Kaiba exined and handed a duel disk to me: "Put this on." I equipped the duel disk on my wrist with Mokuba''s instruction through the speakers. After sessfully putting on the equipment, I raised it in the air. The duel disk resembled an arm de with arge tray attached to the side of the device. On the tray, multiple slots indicated where to ce my monsters were sketched and below the monster slots were thin slits to insert my spell and traps. Like the duel disk from Legendary Heroes, the Disk''s centre includes the Deck and Graveyard slot and Life Point counter. There were tiny wheels in the graveyard slot, and like a vacuum, it seemed to suck up the cards I discarded. Finally, there were buttons at the back that allowed me to search for cards in my graveyard. "Have you finished?" Seto asked. I nodded, and we each went to the opposite side of the room. "I want you here to test this device and duel with the Battle City rules." Kaiba exined: "The profound duelling artificial intelligence I created no longer satisfies me, and you will suffice." Kaiba also said that since this was only a test, we won''t ce our rarest cards as wagers. I might be overthinking this, but maybe he was still traumatised when I almost took his beloved Blue Eyes White Dragon? "Are you two ready?" Mokuba asked. "Yes." We said in unison as our duel disks activated: "Duel!" [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP] [Seto Kaib: 4000 LP] "I will go first!" Kaiba dered: "I will summon Vorse Raider in attack position!" Kaiba ced a card on his duel disk, and a tall monster appeared before him. The monster looked human except for his demonic features. In his hand was a double-ded sword, which The wielded like a certain character from a space movie. [Vorse Raider: 1900 Attack, 1200 Defence] "Then I will set two cards and end my turn!" He dered as two cards manifested by his feet. If I recall, Kaiba''s deck has a massive changepared to the duelist kingdom, and he now has stronger cards. However, just like Kaiba, I have also changed, so I will not be looked down upon! "I will summon Starliege Seyfert from my hand!" I yelled. A small celestial dragon, the size of Mokuba, was summoned onto the field. Its body consists of multiple golden and obsidian tes that orbit around a sphere, creating a shape of a creature. [Starliege Seyfert: 1800 Attack, o Defence] "With Starliege Seyfert''s ability, I will send my Keeper of the Shrine and itself to the graveyard, allowing me to add one dragon monster whose level is equal to the total level of all the monsters sent to the graveyard through this effect!" I showed Kaiba the card I had received, the Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, and added it to my hand: "Then, with Keeper of the Shrine''s effect, I can special summon itself onto the field in defence position." [Keeper of the Shrine: 0 Attack, 2100 Defence] "Then I will set a card and end my turn," I said. "Draw!" Kaiba shouted: "I will activate Enemy Controller (anime). I can destroy your Keeper of the Shrine by paying one thousand life points!" A controller appeared in Kaiba''s hand, and after inputting a specific set of controls, the Keeper of the Shrine exploded, leaving my field empty except for a card. [Seto Kaiba: 4000 LP -> 3000 LP] "Then I summon Battle Ox!" Kaiba announced as a minotaur wielding a battle axe arrived on the board. [Battle Ox: 1700 Attack, 1100 Defence] "Now, Vorse Raider and Battle Ox, attack!" As the two monsters rushed towards me, I instantly activated my trap card: "I use Negate Attack to stop your Vorse Raider and end the battle phase entirely!" Before the monsters can reach me, they immediately retreated. Kaiba clicked his teeth in annoyance, and he passed his turn. "I will summon Dragon Knight of Creation and then attack Battle Ox!" [Dragon Knight of Creation: 1800 Attack, 600 Defence] My knight charged and swung its sword. However, the sharp de never came in contact with the monster''s body, and Battle Ox disappeared. Kaiba crossed his arms as one of the set cards revealed itself. "I will activate Interdimensional Matter Transporter and banish Battle Ox until this End Phase," Kaiba exined: "I have seen what that monster is capable of, and I won''t let you aplish your n." I smiled at Kaiba''s proactive remarks: "That''s only the first effect of Dragon Knight of Creation!" I dered: "Using his second ability, I will discard one card and then send Dragon Knight of Creation to the graveyard. I can revive one Level Seven or Eight Dragon monster, rise Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" A magic-like circle appeared on the ground, and a golden dragon emerged. The dragon roared ferociously, and Kaiba scowled as he red at the monster calctingly. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Using Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s ability, I will banish your Vorse Raider, and it will gain four hundred attacks and defence!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3200 Attack, 2800 -> 3200 Defence] "I will end my turn here," I dered. Unfortunately, I couldn''t attack as I had already used m Battle Phase. However, the sheer presence of Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand ced a lot of pressure on the board, hinting that unless he did something major, I could ultimately defeat him. As I ended my turn, Battle Ox returned to the field, and the monster seemed nervous, confronting Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand. [Battle Ox: 1700 Attack, 1100 Defence] He closed his eyes before reopening them in a few seconds: "Yuna Sano, I admit that you''re a duelist matching my level, but I won''t be defeated by the same strategy again!" Kaiba stared at his hand and smirked: "I will first activate Spell Sanctuary. We each add one spell from our deck to our hand." I watched warily as we both added a spell card into our hands. "Also, while Spell Sanctuary is on the field, we can activate spells in our opponent''s turns." Kaiba presented me with the spell card he had added earlier: "Then I will use Shrink, I can target one monster on the field and half its attack, and the one I choose is my own Battle Ox!" Battle Ox''s size shrunk from a giant, intimidating warrior to a small cute cow holding a tiny axe. [Battle Ox: 1700 -> 850 Attack, 1100 Defence] "Now, Battle Ox, attack Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" I was shocked as the small Battle Ox charged without fear. It struck Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s ankles, but the dragon easily punted the monster like a football. [Seto Kaiba: 3000 LP -> 650 LP] "Finally, the conditions have been met!" He announced: "I will activate my trap card, Crush Card Virus when one of my dark monsters with one thousand fewer attacks is destroyed by battle. Then all of your monsters on the field, hand or deck that have one thousand-five hundred attacks will be destroyed, and all monsters that were destroyed can''t be special summoned from the graveyard!" Ah, crap... Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand copsed in exhaustion as if infected by some disease, and it gasped for breath until the dragon finally perished. Many of my cards followed my dragon as I dumped half of my deck into the discards. "Now, I will summon Kaiser Sea Horse!" He dered. An armoured warrior wielding a shield and spear was summoned onto the field. The monster howled and spun its spear before pointing the weapon at me. [Kaiser Sea Horse: 1700 Attack, 1650 Defence] "Kaiser Sea Horse, attack!" Kaiba ordered, and the monster rushed towards me. The monster stabbed with its spear, and I felt the shock of taking damage. I slightly stumbled and breathed deeply. What the hell was that? I never knew that duel disk could do something like this... [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP -> 2300 LP] I may also be slightly paranoid, but when Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand was defeated, I felt my stamina disappearing. It was probably because of standing too long, and my leg muscles were tired, but knowing the history of Duel Monsters, I was slightly nervous. "So what will you do now?" Kaiba asked. "At this moment, the Keeper of the Shrine will be summoned from the graveyard. Since it was already resting in the grave, your Crush Card Virus won''t affect it..." [Keeper of the Shrine: 0 Attack, 2100 Defence] "Then I will use Pot of Greed to draw two cards from my deck." Since my monsters were in the discard pile and I couldn''t summon them from the graveyard, I have to find a way to get them back! Kaiba smirked and drew a card; ncing at his hand, the smile on his face widened: "This may be as far as you will go! While Kaiser Sea Horse is on the field, it can act as two tributes! With this, I can summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" I watched the intimidating dragon appear on the field. Using Blue Eyes White Dragon for a while now, and it felt ufortable seeing Blue Eyes White Dragon being used against me. [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence]n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Kaiba: "Blue Eyes White Dragon, attack, Burst Stream of Destruction!" The dragon unleashed a ming white breath thatpletely annihted my Keeper of the Shrine. I gritted my teeth; seriously, what''s the mechanics behind this design? I understand if it was to increase the immersion, but still... "I will use Monster Reborn and summon Keeper of the Shrine in defence position," I said, trying to hide my anxiousness: "I end my turn." [Keeper of the Shrine: 0 Attack, 2100 Defence] "It''s over now!" Kaibaughed: "I will summon de Knight!" [de Knight: 1600 Attack, 1100 Defence] "Blue Eyes White Dragon and de Knight, attack!" He shouted, and the two monsters charged. Blue Eyes White Dragon fired a white beam and instantly destroyed Keeper of the Shrine. Using this gap, de Knight swung its sword. It was only for a moment, but I felt myself getting cut... [Yuna Sano: 2300 LP -> 700 LP] I staggered weakly and coughed. What in the world was that? I touched my chest, where I sensed the sensation of being shed. I gulped nervously, thinking arge wound would burst open any second from now. "I will set two cards face down, then end my turn," Kaiba said and nced at me. "Then, I summon Guardian of Felgrand!" On my field appeared arge bulky warrior with green hair. As he appeared, I stared at Guardian of Felgrand with relief. This was probably the first time I was so d to see thismon card. [Guardian of Felgrand: 500 Attack, 500 Defence] "With Guardian of Felgrand''s effect, I can equip Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand to this card!" I said: "Then, Guardian of Felgrand will gain attack and defence equal to half of Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s attack!" [Guardian of Felgrand: 500 -> 1900 Attack, 500 -> 1900 Defence] "Then I will use Guardian of Felgrand''s effect to send himself and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand to the graveyard!" Normally, I couldn''t do something like this and needed the help of the Ruins of the Divine Dragon Lord. However, with the new Battle City rules, it''s different now. "Since Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand has returned to the graveyard, it''s no longer bounded by Crush Card Virus''s effect, so return to me, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" A ray of light burst forth, blinding the room. The golden dragon returned, and this time it was angrier than ever. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Kuh..." I groaned, and my legs gave out... I felt myself sweating profusely as if I just finished a twenty-kilometre marathon. Why was this happening to me? What''s wrong with my body? I nced at Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand. Despite being a hologram, I could feel the concern directed towards me. "Big Sister, what''s wrong?" Mokuba asked worriedly from the intes. I clenched my fist: "My legs were a little tired of standing too long..." "I think we have enough data now," Mokuba said shakily: "Let''s end the duel here." "NO!" Kaiba and I shouted simultaneously. Surrendering to Kaiba? I thought and nced at the confident man across the room. You must be joking! Gathering enough strength, I stood back up and growled: "Let''s continue!" Hearing this, Kaiba smiled: "Good, that''s what I expected of you!" "I will use Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s effect to banish your Blue Eyes White Dragon!" I shouted. Like a rey from the past, Blue Eyes White Dragon was ultimately banished, and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand strengthened. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3600 Attack, 2800 -> 3600 Defence] "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand," I shouted: "Attack de Knight!" "That I won''t let you, I will use Waboku and my monsters won''t be destroyed by battle or take any damage," Kaiba exined. I scowled as my monster''s attack failed: "It''s your turn..." Sensing my frustration, Kaiba smirked: "I will first activate my trap card. Return from the Different Dimension, and by paying half of my life points, I can special summon as many monsters that were banished onto my field." [Seto Kaiba: 650 LP -> 325 LP] To my unwillingness, Vorse Raider and Blue Eyes White Dragon were revived... [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] [Vorse Raider: 1900 Attack, 1200 Defence] Was Kaiba going to summon Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon now? Strangely, I wasn''t so sure if it was correct. Vorse Raider de Knight Blue Eyes White Dragon Three monsters... I counted and gasped. No way... "With this, the conditions have been met!" Kaiba shouted eagerly: "I will tribute these three monsters. Rise from your slumber and serve me. I call upon you. Obelisk the Tormentor!!!" The room''s lights flickered wildly, and the walls trembled. Cracks ran along the ss, and our duel disks were rmingly ring. A massive blue-skinned humanoid appeared. It has wings were asrge as the monster''s body growing from its back, and its body was covered in spikes. I stared at the creature and shivered in fear... [Obelisk the Tormentor: 4000 Attack, 4000 Defence] A... A god... If it were in the modern world, I would haveughed it off, but now, things were entirely different in the world of Yugioh. My body shook uncontrobly, and I sensed its eyes staring into my soul. "This is my true power!" Kaiba cackled: "Now Obelisk the Tormentor, attack!!" Obelisk''s massive body moved as it cocked its fist. Instantly, it swung its fists towards Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, and the dragon shattered into pieces. [Yuna Sano: 700 LP -> 300 LP] The force sent me stumbling backward. My drenched back hit the wall, and I gasped for breath. To think a god card will appear here... Despite the major disadvantage, I grinned and couldn''t hide my enthusiasm. Obelisk the Tormentor in the flesh! I was curious to see Kaiba''s reactions towards my tenancy, and he was staring at me with shock, but soon I realised that his surprise was directed at something else... I felt a warm liquid trickling down my lips, and I frowned as its red colour dirtied my duel disk. My mind was still in a state of adrenaline, so it took me a few seconds to understand my situation. Suddenly, feeling the urge to cough, I blocked my mouth and a stter of blood leaked through the gaps between my finger. ''Ah...'' I thought and gazed at the blood dripping down my hand, and then everything went dark... I hope you enjoy! Chapter 38: Lets Duel With Moderation From Now On Chapter 38: Let''s Duel With Moderation From Now On ? [3rd POV] Seto''s eyes widened as Yuna copsed on the floor. Blood stained her lips as shey there motionlessly. Researchers and medical staff immediately burst into the room and rushed towards her. As this was all happening, Seto remained in a daze, unable toprehend the entire situation. He stared at his duel disk, where Obelisk the Tormentor was ced. For the first time, instead of relishing in the God Card''s power, Seto felt nothing but disgust... "Be careful. Make sure blood''s not clogging up her airway!" The head doctor shouted: "Lift her gently in case any fluid enters her lungs!" Finally realising the seriousness of the circumstances, Seto gritted his teeth and removed the hologram of Obelisk the Tormentor as it felt displeasing to the eye. This kind of victory wasn''t one that he desired. Angered off having his triumph robbed from him, Seto left. However, despite his enraged expression, there was a moment of concern for Yuna''s health... [Yuna''s POV] Where am I? I quietly opened my eyes and found myself lying on a bed of flowers. Beside me was a massive tree that gave a cool shade while not obstructing the fluffy white clouds floating in the clear blue sky. I subconsciously reached out my hand, wishing to feel the clouds between my fingers. However, that thought left me immediately when I sensed another presence nearby. In the corner of my vision was a woman with snowy hair in a pure white dress. I recalled seeing her during the duel against Pegasus and always wondered who she was. But now that she''s before me, I couldn''t find the urge to call out to her. The woman''s back was facing me and seemed unaware of my awakening. Unlike her elegant appearance, her hair seemed slightly dishevelled, with signs that she had been pulling at them with frustration. The woman''s clothes were also dirtied and unkept, as if she had just finished sprinting from one ce to another. "What is he thinking?!" The woman yelled while biting her nails: "Summoning Obelisk the Tormentor?! Does he want to kill someone?" Was she talking about Kaiba? I listened curiously as the woman continued to rant: "Yet, she and that dragon may as well be as brain-dead as him!" The woman shouted, and I felt myself wincing from the insult. "To call upon a spirit despite having a broken Ba and him responding to the call even when he knew that?" She growled with annoyance. The woman eventually turned around and flinched in shock. Her gaze met mine as we bathed in the awkward silence. "Hey..." I called out to the woman, and she blushed with embarrassment. She hurriedly adjusted her outfit to maintain her elegant appearance, even if that image had already gone down the drain. "You''re finally awake..." The woman said bashfully: "Are you alright?" "Am I dead?" I asked the first thought that came to my mind, and I was surprised as the words easily left my mouth. Fortunately, the woman giggled and shook her head: "No, you''re still alive. Why would you ask something like that?" "Then I must be imagining it," I muttered and pointed at a branch: "Because I''m seeing a Starving Venom Fusion Dragon drooling from up there..." The woman''s expression stiffened, and she noticed the monster I was referring to. She kicked the tree trunk and raised her fist: "Get out! Can''t you see you''re disturbing her?!" Startled by the outburst, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon retreated deeper into the tree. Once the dragon left, the woman returned to her usual smile: "You must have many questions. Please ask away. However, it''s best if I don''t tell you my identity." Heeding her suggestion, I gulped: "Where are we?" "This is your Soul Space, Yuna; you must have heard of something like this, right?" The woman responded. I instantly understood her meaning. I recalled something like this in Yugioh, which was introduced at the end of the Duelist Kingdom, where Shadi invaded Yugi''s head. ''So this is mine...'' I nced at the empty grasnd: ''Was that why I can speak this freely?'' However, my mood soon turned solemn: "I heard just then saying something about a broken Ba.... What was that all about?" The woman smiled awkwardly: "Yuna, it''s obvious if I say you''re different from everyone else. That you''re not originally from here." I trembled in shock as my biggest secret was revealed. The woman still smiled nonchntly as if she hadn''t just dropped a massive bomb. "Our worlds are quite different from each other," She exined: "In this one, every person possessed a soul, and within was something called a Ba and a Ka." "Ba is the essence of a person''s personality or self and is linked to the mind." "While Ka is life energy channelled from Ba used to summon spirits..." I nervously clenched my fist: "Then what''s wrong with my Ba?" The woman sighed: "Under the stress of living in another world, your Ba is unstable and broken. With a broken Ba, your life could be in danger..." No way, am I going to die? I anxiously bit my lips, hoping there was any good news. "Thankfully, we are here to make sure that your Ba remains intact," The woman said, bringing her hands to her chest. "We?" I tilted my head and noticed arge shadow over us. BOOOOOM The creaturended beside us, causing the ground to quake under its weight. Under the yellow sun, its golden scales shrined brilliantly, and its red pupils were full of life. "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand?" I blurted. The dragon growled softly and licked my face. I giggled and gently pushed its head away. I was still surprised that Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand resided within me, but I felt secure in its presence. "To think you''re my spirit..." I muttered while rubbing my hand along its sharp spikes. "Yes, this one was quite eager to join you," The woman exined: "Even fighting off other spirits so that he can be the first one." Yeah, it all made sense now. That''s why I received Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand instead of an ultimate rare card, and it''s because this guy must have stolen the other monsters'' spot. Instead of feeling mad, I shrugged as I couldn''t deny how much help he had been, and despite being a rare card, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand was not weak in the slightest. "You have already seen Starving Venom Fusion Dragon. That one has quite an attitude, but he won''t harm you." The woman said and sighed like a mother being fed up with her child. I stopped patting Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and glimpsed at her: "Knowing this much about me, you must have known about the system?" I asked, and the woman nodded. "That''s correct. However, I couldn''t disclose much. But trust me when I say that the creator of your "system" meant no harm." "I see," I muttered in understanding. It was pointless to ask about the system''s creator, so I returned to the main topic: "So, is there any way for my Ba to recover?" "Yes, there is..." The woman nodded, much to my relief. "As you may already know, Duel Monsters is a game connected with the world of spirits." She said: "And every time two duelists battle, they will offer their Ba." "Only a minuscule amount of Ba will be used in a normal game, so it''s quite safe. Unfortunately, with the recent duel disk, the amount of Ba used has increased exponentially." She exined that the duel disk was based on an ancient Egyptian artifact called the DiaDhank. Using life force, the user can summon spirits to fight each other. "Normally, Ba would replenish after a duel, but with a fragmented soul, it''s impossible." The woman exined in an apologetic tone. "Then!" I uttered nervously: "Will I die if I keep duelling?!" "Quite the contrary," The woman said, and I let go of the breath I had been holding: "You need to keep duelling using the Duel Disk; by winning, you can absorb the other duelist''s Ba. The woman described people''s souls as a cup and Ba as water. She told me that since I have a soul akin to a broken cup, it meant that my Ba would be drained, and like an empty cup, it needed to be refilled. "However," She warned: "If you lose a game, your Ba will not recover, so keep in mind to win as many duels as possible." I nodded keenly, forever archiving this important information into my brain. But one thing still baffled me: "But in the match against Kaiba, I haven''t lost yet. Why did I copse?" "Well," The woman chuckled: "You''re fighting against a God Card after all; they can harm the soul. Don''t worry, we have kept the damage to a minimum, but it would have been easier if she''s here as well..." She? I tilted my head. Was there another spirit here beforehand? Where was she now? More and more questions filled my mind. And I knew most of them wouldn''t be answered... "Please try to avoid that situation again," The woman continued, ignorant of my troubles: "Still, even I know that suggestion is useless..." "Sorry..." I muttered and averted my gaze. With what will happen in Battle City, I''m afraid that Kaiba''s Obelisk the Tormentor wasn''t the only thing I should worry about... However, this time will be different now. As long I keep winning battles, I should have enough Ba to survive. Suddenly, I felt a headache and sped my head in pain. "Looks like you''re going to wake up now..." The woman said in a disappointed tone. "Wait, I have onest question!" I yelled while enduring the migraine: "Why did you help me? You''re not a spirit right." The womanughed and held my hand. Afortable warmth coursed through my body, and I rxed: "Fu fu fu, Yuna, you don''t know how important you are. Your transmigration wasn''t an ident but nned. Don''t worry, we will meet again..." As I struggled to stay awake, the woman ced my head on herp. She softly stroked my hair: "Stay strong, Yuna.... We will ovee this together." She muttered as I lost consciousness. Meanwhile... My eyes snapped open, and I gasped for breath. Instantly, a major headache assaulted my head as I groaned in difort. Using all my strength, I sat up and rubbed my eyes with exhaustion. Where am I now? I''m currently in a ce that resembles a hospital room. My clothes were swapped into a patient gown, and the rest of my belongings were ced on the side. I exhaled and clenched my fist, relieved that I was still alive. "You''re awake." A voice called out. My eyes widened in shock as I stared at the man sitting across the room. Kaiba snorted and crossed his arms: "You have been in aa for two days...." For two days, I thought and held my breath. To think I have been asleep for this long. Kaiba said that after I copsed, my body was swiftly brought to the Kaiba Corp''s private hospital. Suddenly, the door mmed open, and Mokuba stood by the entrance gasping for air: "Big sister!" He yelled and threw himself into me. Luckily, I managed to catch Mokuba before he could hit the ground. Mokuba buried his face into my stomach and cried: "Sister suddenly copsed. There''s so much blood, I thought... I thought!" Words won''t form in Mokuba''s mouth, and he clung to me like a baby ko. I couldn''t help but feel guilty for putting him through this. Within this month, Mokuba was kidnapped and watched his brother''s soul stolen. Then, immediately after saving his brother, he witnessed him almost getting sacrificed for an evil dragon in a game. Then, finally, I vomited blood and went into aa for two days. The fact that he was still hanging on was amazing, and I couldn''t help but admire him. I gently wiped his tears, and he sniffled. "Sorry..." I muttered: "Not... feeling well... recently." "Is Big Sister sick!?" Mokuba whimpered: "What kind of disease is it!" He stared at me, demanding an answer. Being put in the spotlight, I averted my gaze: "A cold..." "Stop lying!" Mokuba yelled: "What kind of cold have you vomiting blood!" I smiled helplessly, and Mokuba growled: "You''re just like big brother! I was never told anything!" "Mokuba..." I muttered softly, and he nced at me with his teary eyes. I wrapped my arms around him, hugging him close. The sound of his sobs echoed through the room. I gently patted his head as an agonising feeling sprouted from my heart. I was once reminded that I''m no longer alone in this life. Some people cared about me and felt my actions could greatly affect them. However, despite this, I was d... It wasforting to know that I wouldn''t be forgotten if I ever disappeared from this world. But that doesn''t mean I will call it quits anytime soon! "Won''t die..." I said soothingly: "Will live." "R... really?" Mokuba asked and wiped his face with his sleeves. I nodded, and Mokuba finally returned to his smiling mood. It wasn''t long until fatigue finally caught up with him, and he fell asleep beside me. I turned to Kaiba, who had remained silent the entire time. There was aplicated expression on his face. Kaiba pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed: "On behalf of Kaiba Corps, I apologise for what happened, and we willpensate for the damages." "Also," Kaiba said, avoiding my eyes: "I still haven''t repaid you for saving my life... What can I do to repay you?" Kaiba coughed awkwardly, and he seemed slightly embarrassed. His reaction surprised me, but his expression instantly became stern: "Don''t misinterpret my words. As a businessman, I dread having anything that can exploit me, so say your price, and then we were even." I nodded and sighed lightly. What am I expecting from him anyway? It''s Seto Kaiba we''re talking about here. However, I wasn''t affected by his mood and began thinking seriously. As the young president of a multi-billionairepany, there were many things he could possibly do, things I couldn''t even possibly imagine. "Three... Favours..." I eventually said and held out three of my fingers. Kaiba thoughtfully rubbed his chin. He must be calcting the ups and downs of my request. I felt tense for some reason. Will he disagree entirely, or will he change it in a way that could benefit him? "Alright," Kaiba agreed, catching me off guard: "As long it is within my capability, I will listen to three of your demands." [3rd POV] Seto felt annoyed as he had to follow Yuna''s orders three times. However,pleting three favours was milder than he had imagined. He can easily grant any of those money, power, or fame. Having Yuna saved his life and her being harmed within hispany grounds, she could ask for things that would be detrimental. Yet, merely listening to three of her requests was considered smallpared to the trouble he caused. Staring at her face, Seto grunted with dissatisfaction and stood up: "Wait." Yuna stopped him as he approached the door. With a frown, he turned around as Yuna reached into her bag and showed him her deck: "Duel, let''s..." "Are you using one of your favours already?" Seto retorted: "What a waste..." However, Yuna shook her head: "Haven''t finished, continue." Understanding her implications, Seto narrowed his eyes: "We both know that duel has already reached its end, and it should have been my win even if you didn''t go unconscious." Having enough of the conversation, Seto ced one foot through the door but froze when he heard Yuna''s next word. "Satisfied?" she asked while tilting her head. Seto clicked his teeth, frustrated that Yuna read his thoughts. She was right, and he was never satisfied with that type of win, and the angering emotions lingered within him for multiple days. Deep inside, he wanted to believe that Yuna had a way of defeating Obelisk the Tormentor, and the duel wouldn''t end with that. Wishing to satisfy the intense curiosity in his heart, Seto returned and ced a small table across the room onto the free area of the bed. Yuna smiled as they ced their decks on opposite sides and began ying. In the first game, Yuna stopped his Crush Card Virus strategy, leaving her with many monsters that overwhelmed Seto. In the second game, Yuna bricked, and Seto could summon Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon onto the field. In the third game, as Seto would call upon Obelisk the Tormentor, Yuna ended that thought by stealing the card using Exchange and summoning Mysterion the Dragon Crown, banishing his Blue-Eyes White Dragon, leaving him defenceless. They continued to y deeper into the night, and with each game, Seto''spetitive spirit grew as they exchanged various battles. Finally, after twenty rounds, Yuna won thirteen, while Seto only won seven. "Again," Seto growled and stared at his hand intently.N?v(el)B\\jnn Yuna nodded and yawned tiredly. Noticing her sleepy expression, Seto nced at the clock and saw they had been ying well past midnight. Seto eventually sighed and packed his cards away: "Go to sleep; it''s a pointless win if you''re not at one hundred percent." "Nn," Having no more energy to say anything, Yuna sank into her pillow and immediately fell asleep. Picking up the already asleep Mokuba, Seto stared at Yuna''s sleeping face calmly before leaving. Promising in his heart that he will defeat her, no matter what. Meanwhile, in Egypt... In a deep underground, countless cloaked kneeling towards a man sitting at the far end of the room. There was no sound except for the wax melting from the candlelight and dripping onto the limestone floor. The man in question had dark skin, purple eyes and white gold hair. He wore a purple robe and cape donned with an Eye of Anubis symbol at the centre. He was also equipped with gold jewellery, such as earrings, armbands and bracelets on his body. However, what was the most noticeable was the short golden rod in his hand. At the tip of the rod was attached to a sphere resembling the Millenium Eye, and on the side of the sphere were two small des that gave the tool a slight simrity to an axe. "Is it true that my sister went to Domino City?" The man asked. "Yes, Lord Marik, we believe Lady Ishizu went to Domino City for the Battle City tournament that will be held in a few days." The man, Marik, hummed: "Then what of the Obelisk the Tormentor?" "We believe she gave the card to a man named Seto Kaiba." One of the cloaked men answered. "Battle City tournament..." Marik muttered to himself. Ultimately, he stood up and red at the crowd kneeling before him: "We will be attending that tournament and take back what sister stole from me. Find a way to hack into the tournament." "Odion," Marik nced at the tall young man behind him. "Yes, master Marik?" Odion said while bowing. "Lead the Rare Hunters and participate in that Battle City tournament. Locate Obelisk the Tormentor and retrieve regardless of the cost." "Understood," Odion said, and the audience was soon dismissed, leaving Marik alone. He sat down on his throne and smiled as he fiddled with the Millennium Rod: "Battle City tournament... How interesting..." Chapter 39: Battle City has Begun But I Already Met a Boss?! Chapter 39: Battle City has Begun But I Already Met a Boss?! ? Part two will be releasedter this week. A few dayster... [Yuna''s POV] I was finally dispatched from the hospital once the doctors ensured I was healthy enough to move around. Not that there was anything physically wrong with me, and I doubt that they could detect the abnormality with my soul, so the examination ended swiftly. However, I was told to rest, so I took a school break to prepare for the tournament. With this much free time, I spent the rest of the remaining days organising my deck. While I asionally left my home, I noticed the increased number of people walking through the streets of Domino City. I understood that they were the duelists participating in this tournament. Apparently, Kaiba only invited duelists with a high enough ranking worldwide, and all the participants had to collect their duel disk in the Kaiba Corps registration office. With the title Duel King, my ranking was the highest, so I didn''t have to wait in the long queue to collect my duel disk. Surprisingly, the duel disk I received was slightly different than usual. It resembled a normal Duel Disk with a slender design instead. The central disk was made into a smaller oval shape, and the size of the tray was also minimized, not to a degree where I didn''t have spaces to ce my cards but small enough that it didn''t feel too clunky. I found a small paper at the slot where the deck would be ced and picked up. There was a small message written, and it said: ''Hello, Big Sister; I noticed the regr prototypes may be too awkward. I designed a new duel disk that''s better for you!'' - Mokuba. A small smile formed on my lips while I rubbed the note with my fingers. Due to my slender wrist, keeping my arm raised constantly was a little straining. However, this new duel disk would definitely make things easier. Mokuba has helped me more times than I could count. Maybe I should gift him a card from the system? Imagining Mokuba''s happy expression with Kaiba feeling jealous, Iughed in delight. Other than the duel disk, I was also given a transparent card. I remembered that this was the locator card that every duelist would possess. If my memory serves me correctly, we needed six of those to find the location for the finals. Putting that thought aside, I carefully brought the duel disk back home. Setting it to the side of my room, I eagerly leapt into my bed and faced the feeling with a sheepish grin: "Battle City... I can''t wait..." [3rd POV] Next Day... Yuna woke up early in the morning and quickly dressed up. The Battle City tournament begins today, and all the duelists were instructed to gather at the city square. When dressed, she approached the corner of the room and stared at a box. Yuna gulped and reached inside, grabbing her duel disk and equipping the device onto her wrist. She ran her finger along the smooth surface and grinned. Suddenly, a virtual screen appeared before her, catching her attention. [Task #6 Make it to the final of the battle city! Locator Card: 1/6 Rewards: x1000 credits for every duelist defeated!] She nodded to herself and turned off the system panel obstructing her vision. Yuna stepped outside her apartment. The morning sun felt warm, and Yuna closed her eyes to calm her nerves. Finally, a few minutester, Yuna took a deep breath and reopened her eyes. There was a fierce determination on her face as she exhaled: "I''m ready," An hourter... Yuna finally arrived at the city centre, where countless duelists had gathered. She saw few familiar faces, but other than that, there wasn''t anyone note-worthy. She nced at her phone; it was only one more minute before the tournament officially began. Suddenly, a duelist pointed at the sky and yelled: "Look!" Everyone raised their head and saw a massive airship flying over the city, darkening the street with its shadow. There was arge monitor attached to the side of the vehicle. As the duelist gazed at the airship, the screen flickered to life, disying a video of Seto Kaiba. "Wee, duelists, to the Battle City tournament, thergest Duel Monsters in the world!" Seto announced: "Every one of you is picked because of your talent in Duel Monsters, and this tournament will determine who will be the best of the best!" "I expected each of you to read all the rules already so that I will skip that topic altogether. Instead, I will exin how this tournament will proceed." Seto lectured: "All duelists were given a Duel Disk and a locator card. To challenge a duelist, you must wager at least one locator card and one of the most precious cards in your arsenal." "Our rarest card..." People blurted in shock while some were ncing at others greedily. "To reach the finals," Seto continued: "You will need to collect six of those locator cards, and by stacking them together, it will disy the location for the finals." Heughed: "But don''t get too cocky as I will personally participate in this tournament, and I intend to win it!" "Now, what are you all waiting for? Go and set forth your journey to collect some rare cards and perhaps steal a title from a certain person... You better defend your Duel King title well because I''ming for it, Yuna Sano..." Instantly, all the eyes turned to a certain girl standing at the group''s centre. Those gazes vary from admiration to envy and hostility. Yuna was annoyed by Seto''s provocation and activated her Duel Disk, startling the people around her. "Ha ha ha! Duel King? What a joke. How could a girl like you be the Duel King?" A man appeared before Yuna said with augh: "But since you are, I will thank you for forking over the position to me like a silver tter!" Yuna red at the arrogant man standing on the other side. Her ears twitched as she eavesdropped on spectators'' murmuring. "That''s the Germany''s number one Duel Monster yer, Jordan Becker!" [1] "To think he''s also in this tournament!" "Is he going to challenge her for the Duel King position?" Countless whispers made Jordan''s ego grow even further as he smirked at Yuna: "How about it, don''t tell me you don''t want to duel?" Yuna frowned and raised a card in the air: "I will wager one locator card and my Blue Eyes White Dragon." The spectator gasped. It wasmon knowledge that Seto Kaiba possessed the rarest card, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and they couldn''t believe Yuna had one herself. Jordan''s pupils flickered with delight as he imagined what it was like using the Blue Eyes White Dragon for himself: "Heh, I will wager my Darkness Destroyer in this duel." As if onmand, Yuna and Jordan''s Duel Disk came to life as the two opponents stared at each other intently: "Duel! x2" Ten minutester..... "H.... how is this possible," Jordan copsed onto his knees in shock as he watched his life points drop to a resounding zero. He stared at the Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand in fear, and the golden dragon roared triumphantly. Yuna calmly approached him and took his Darkness Destroyer from the Duel Disk. The duelist couldn''t object as he cowered under the terrifying presence of Yuna''s monster. "To think the Duel King is that strong..." "Maybe he''s just too weak?" "Still, to banish that Darkness Destroyer so easily, isn''t she amazing?" People voiced their opinions one by one, and gradually, the reputation of Germany''s strongest duelist crumbled into pieces. Yuna nced at the crowd surrounding her, and the ones that met her re hurriedly averted their gaze. She tapped the button on the side of her duel disk, and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s image disappeared, allowing the gathered duelists to breathe. Yuna walked towards the spectators as the people got out of her way. Before leaving, Yuna glimpsed at the group, and everyone shivered. She doesn''t need to use words as the duelist understood the message: ''If you want the title of the Duel King so badly, come and get it.'' With the very first duel in Battle City ending, it ignited the fire in all the duelist''s hearts. Reminding them that in this tournament, only the strong will survive while the weak will lose everything... [Yuna''s POV] Geez, why won''t anyone duel with me anymore? After defeating that arrogant guy, I''m sure people deliberately avoided me! Come on, what''s wrong? Don''t you want to duel?! With no luck, I went home depressed and decided to go outter. I wasn''t that sensitive to what happened, as my real goal would start at night! Waiting until evening, I finally left the house and continued wandering the streets of the quiet Domino City. You may wonder why I''m doing this; the answer was obvious. Currently, at midnight, it was the prime time to hunt some Rare Hunters! Who were the Rare Hunters, you may ask? They were an evil organisation created by Marik Ishtar, the main antagonist of the Battle City arc and the one that possesses two out of the three Egyptian God Cards, the Winged Dragon of Ra and Silfer the Sky Dragon. Marik aimed to use the three God Cards'' power to rule the world. Still, before he could, his sister, Ishizu Ishtar, stole the third God Card, Obelisk the Tormentor and gifted the card to Kaiba and informed Kaiba to take the other two God Cards, which ultimately led the young president to host the tournament to lure Marik out. Unsurprisingly, it worked, but Marik first sent those Rare Hunters as minions, leading us to now. So, finally, that''s where Ie in! In the show, Yugi defeated those Rare Hunters and attracted Marik''s attention. Wanting to defeat Yugi and take his Millenium Puzzle, Marik used Silfer the Sky Dragon but lost, granting our protagonist the card. But how about, instead of giving it to Yugi, it would be me? I have to defeat enough Rare Hunters to get Marik''s interest; then boom, he would use SIlfer the Sky Dragon to duel me! Pretty smart, right? You might think this would be too dangerous, but remember, it''s the Yugioh Universe we discussed. Everything can be settled with a duel! If things turned south, I still have a Taser for self-defence. Reflecting on my n, I continued to wander through the streets. Eventually, I entered a dark alley. My steps echoed, and I subconsciously reached for the stun gun in my back pocket. I walked with bated breath until I finally spotted some suspicious cloaked individuals. I hid around the corner and watched as more and more of them gathered. "Lord Odion, these are the Rare Cards and Locator Chips we have gathered." One of the Rare Hunters told the man in the middle of the group. My eyes widened. Odion? Marik''s right-hand man and adoptive brother? I felt nervous knowing that the second boss of this arc was close by. Maybe I should give up on this idea, or I might bite off more than I can chew. Unfortunately, it may already be toote for that... "Who''s there?" Odion questioned with a frown, and I hurriedly hid behind the walls. No way, did I get caught. My heart beats erratically; maybe he''s referring to someone else. "The one around the corner," He said with a threatening tone: "Come out now unless something bad will happen." [3rd POV] Odion red at the area where the intruder was hiding. It was when his subordinates were reporting to him that he detected the unwanted presence. Fortunately for Odion, the stalker was rather amateurish at their job, and they were found rather quickly.N?v(el)B\\jnn The stranger revealed themself, and Odion was surprised it was a girl. Observing her face, realisation donned Odion, and he recalled the girl''s identity. Yuna Sano, the current Duel King. His suspicion was further confirmed when he noticed the duel disk on her wrist. "This is not a ce you should be," Odion said calmly: "Why are you here?" Yuna paused and averted his gaze: "A... A cat," She lied. Odion froze in surprise: "A cat, you say?" He pinched the bridge andughed: "To think you came here for a cat?" He knew Yuna was lying. However, the excuse was so absurd that he couldn''t help but chuckle. Odion then nced at her duel disk and pondered. The Rare Hunters were too weak to stand a chance against her... "Sir, should we eliminate her?" His subordinate whispered. Odion has considered this option and instantly deemed it impossible. Yuna''s presence was too big, and her disappearance would hinder his master''s n. Secondly, despite her frail appearance, Odion could sense two insanely powerful spirits residing within her... ''Do I have to fight?'' Odion thought and nodded. He turned to Yuna: "Unfortunately, I have not seen the cat you spoke of. But, instead of offering nothing, how about a duel?" "My lord..." A Rare Hunter called from behind: "Let me fight, I will defeat that girl," However, Odion immediately turned him down: "All of you are too weak. The meeting ends now, and we will meet again at the set time." All the cloaked figures reluctantly left while only Odion and Yuna remained: ''If I win, I can get her Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand. Master Marik will be pleased.'' Odion activated his duel disk, and Yuna followed suit as the two devices came to life: "Duel!" [1] Self-insert character I hope you enjoy Chapter 40: Traps, Traps and more Traps Chapter 40: Traps, Traps and more Traps ? I will apologise once more for the dy, but it''s here, so I hope you enjoy it. Also I seemed to made a mistake, apparently Battle City happened all in one day, which sounded absured to me. So who cares at this point, I don''t think a lot people realised it as well [Odion Ishtar: 4000 LP] [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP] "I will go first," Odion dered: "I''m activating my field spell card, Temple of the Kings (Anime)." The surroundings beside them began to change. The alleyway was transformed into an ancient Egyptian mausoleum with pirs, torches and a limestone structure. Behind Odion rises an empty gold throne that glistened under the fire and a monumental staircase that reminded Yuna of the same annoying stairs back in the Duelist Kingdom. "Whenever Temple of the Kings is activated, I could activate traps the same turns they were set." Odion exined: "Then I will set three traps onto the field and end my turn." "My move! I will use Pot of Greed to draw two cards from my deck." Yuna dered. "Not so fast," Odion interrupted her: "I activate my set card, Magic Jammer and discard one card to negate your Pot of Greed." As soon as the green pot appeared on the field, it shattered into thousands of pieces, and Yuna instinctively raised her arms as the virtual shards flew towards her. Undeterred by the offset, Yuna continued: "I will use Foolish Burial and send one card from my deck to the discard pile." She glimpsed at Odion, who shrugged in response: "Then I summon Pdin of Felgrand!" A young knight with blond hair appeared before Yuna. The warrior readied his sword, prepared to strike at any sudden enemies. [Pdin of Felgrand: 1700 Attack, 600 Defence] "With Pdin of Felgrand''s effect, I can attach Arkbrave Dragon to this card," Yuna exined while slipping her Arkbrave Dragon into her spell and trap slot. However, before she could activate Pdin of Felgrand''s second ability, Odion interrupted her. Odion: "I will use Torrential Tribute and destroy all the monsters on the field." Deadly blue mes consumed the area, and Pdin of Felgrand was engulfed in the fire. Soon, the disaster ended, and the knight had long vanished. "Tsk..." Yuna clicked her teeth: "I will set one card and end my turn." "I will draw..." Odion muttered: "First, I will activate Temple of the King''s effect and banish one monster card from my hand, allowing me to summon itter. "Then I will set my Embodiment of Apophis, subsequently activating it!" A reptilian monster was summoned onto the field. The beast wore a dark blue and gold chest e with a sword and shield in each hand. On the back of the creature was the body of a serpent that slithered disgustingly. "The trap card, Embodiment of Apophis, will be treated as a monster upon activation," Odion exined. [Embodiment of Apophis: 1600 Attack, 1800 Defence] "Then I will tribute my Embodiment of Apophis and summon the End of Anubis!" The reptile dissolved into ck mud and gradually merged into the physique of a humanoid jackal. It has sharp and deadly ws, pale purple skin, and tworge sickles attached to the ornament on its neck. [The End of Anubis: 2500 Attack, o Defence] "While The End of Anubis is on the field, all spells, traps and monsters that target a card in the graveyard will be negated! Also, it''s no longer possible to activate effects in the graveyard!" Yuna: !!! Odion smirked: "Now, The End of Anubis, attack!" The jackal monster leapt into the air, throwing itself towards Yuna. Watching the monster''s jaw approaching, she pressed the button on her duel disk and the card she ced earlier flipped up. As the End of Anubis struck, a forcefield blocked its attack,unching the monster into one of the pirs. "I will use the trap, Negate Attack, and I can target your End of Anubis, stopping it from attacking and ending the battle phase." "Very well," Odion reacted calmly: "It''s your turn." Yuna nodded and observed the field. Odion still has one face-down card on the field. However, that''s nothingpared to the significant obstacle that was The End of Anubis. It was a monster that specifically countered her ystyle and locked her main strategy of using her graveyard. Yuna: "I activate Graceful Charity and draw three cards from my deck while discarding two cards." She stared at her hand thoughtfully before sending her Ruins of the Divine Dragon Lords and Starliege Seyfert into the graveyard. While Yuna couldn''t use their effects now, it would change once she dealt with that monster first. "I will set a monster and end my turn," Yuna said, shaking her head. "My turn!" Odion shouted and added a card into his hand: "I will summon Royal Keeper. Rise again, warriors that guard this sacred ground!" A tall coffin rises vertically from the ground. The coffin''s lid burst with a boom, and a zombified mummy emerged. The monster wields an old spear and shield, wearing golden jewellery that has lost its shine. [Royal Keeper: 1600 Attack, 1700 Defence] "Now, Royal Keeper, attack!" Despite being a century-old corpse, the zombie maintained its fighting form and unleashed a swift strike with its spear. The face-down monster was revealed as Dragon Knight of Creation leapt out of the card. Sadly, the knight was weaker and perished under the attack: "Now you have no monsters to defend you, so go End of Anubis!" "Not so fast! Dragon Knight of Creation''s defeat has triggered Keeper of the Shrine''s effect in my hand!" Before the jackal''s ws couldnd, the Keeper of the Shrine arrived on the field and tanked the attack, sacrificing himself for Yuna''s safety. "I will pass my turn," He said reluctantly: "Show me what you can do." "No need to tell me," Yuna remarked: "First, I will use Card of Sanctity, allowing both of us to draw until we have six cards, then I will use Magical Mallet (anime)! I can send any number of cards, including this spell, to my deck, and then I can draw the same amount of cards." Choosing three cards from her hand and the Magical Mallet on the field, Yuna returned them to her deck, and her duel disk automatically shuffled it for her. Finally, she added four new cards and nodded with satisfaction. "Then I will activate Polymerisation! Fusing Herald of Creation and Lightpulsar Dragon in my hand!" Yuna shouted and showed Odion the two monsters: "I will fusion summon Mysterion the Dragon Crown!" A golden wyvern with a long body appeared in the sky. On top of the dragon was a person dressed in ceremonial golden armour that matched the dragon''s appearance. [Mysterion the Dragon Crown: 3000 Attack, 1500 Defence] "Fusion Summoned monsters won''t be able to attack the turn they were summoned!" Odion reminded Yuna with a frown. "That''s why I use this spell, Quick Attack! Then Mysterion the Dragon Crown can attack this turn!" Yuna yelled: "Now, Mysterion the Dragon Crown, crush the End of Anubis!" Energy gathered in the rider''s palm, and she fired a bright beam from her hands. Theser vaporised the End of Anubis into nothingness, and Yuna felt a huge weight lifted off her chest. [Odion Ishtar: 4000 LP -> 3500 LP] "I will end my turn," Yuna said with a relieved expression. The End of Anubis was defeated, and she felt a deep weight lifted off her chest. Odion was impressed by Mysterion the Dragon Crown''s power and felt his excitement soar: "I draw! First, I activate my trap card, Curse of Anubis! All effect monsters on the field will be changed into defence positions, and their defence stats will be changed to zero! Lastly, they cannot switch positions except by a card effect!" On both Royal Keeper and Mysterion''s chest, there appeared a symbol of the eye of Anubis. The tattoo''s colour brightened, and the two monsters felt a massive pressure that forced them to the ground. [Mysterion the Dragon Crown: 3000 Attack, 1500 -> o Defence] [Royal Keeper: 1600 Attack, 1700 -> 0 Defence] "Now, I will activate a second Embodiment of Apophis and summon the trap as a monster." [Embodiment of Apophis: 1600 Attack, 1800 Defence] Odion grinned and pointed at Mysterion the Dragon Crown: "Attack!" Embodiment of Apophis slithered towards the monster and swung its sword. Under the restraint, Mysterion the Dragon Crown fell helplessly to the attack and left the stage. "My turn!" Yuna dered: "I will use Card of Demise and draw until I have five cards in my hand, but I have to discard my hand on the fth turn! After that, I will banish Mysterion the Dragon Crown and Keeper of the Shrine in my graveyard and summon Darkme Dragon!" A reddish portal manifested out of thin air, and a slim dragon with obsidian scales emerged. The monsternded before Yuna and shrieked, excited at being summoned for battle. "Then I will summon another Keeper of the Shrine onto the field, then use Polymerisation again!" [Keeper of the Shrine: 0 Attack, 2100 Defence] "Another one?!" Odion eximed as Darkre Dragon and Keeper of the Shrine transformed into shadows. "Using two dark monsters on the field, I fusion summon Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!" The shadow transformed into a slimy puddle on the floor. Suddenly, an arm burst out of the liquid, its ws leaving marks on the walls. The abomination pulled its massive frame out of the darkness, and Odion felt intimidated by its presence. [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 Attack, 2000 Defence] The power he couldn''t sense from Mysterion the Dragon Crown could be detected now. Odion''s gaze met with the dragons, and he nced at his trembling hand: ''So that''s one of her spirits... How vexing....'' Odion clenched his fists: "Starving Venom Fusion Dragon won''t be able to attack this turn." "I know," Yuna said: "Him being here is enough. I''m using Pot of Greed to draw two more cards before ending my turn." Being familiar with Starving Venom Fusion Dragon''s ability, Odion realises that Yuna wasn''t speaking empty words. If Starving Venom Fusion Dragon were to die, it would bring along any monsters Odion specially summoned with him. Odion touched his chest, where his heart was beating erratically. The enthusiasm of a duel, he had never truly felt this sensation before. Regarding Duel Monsters''s ranking, Odion would be above the mid-level range, even more powerful than some well-known figures. While he''s still below his brother and sister, Odion wasn''t a simple pushover. So, knowing that he''s being pushed to his limits in this duel, he couldn''t help but smile: "Looks like I can''t hesitate any longer." "First, I will use Pot of Greed to draw two cards." Odion said: "Then, I will activate the Temple of the Kings'' effect and tribute half of my life points!" [Odion Ishtar: 3500 LP -> 1750 LP] Odion spread his arms andughed as a light shot out of his body and injected into a zer in the middle of the staircase. "By sacrificing my life points, I can summon the monster I have banished from my hand on the previous turns!" Odion smiled as the temple behind him lit up with a brilliant golden light: "I will summon my strongest monster and mypanion, Mystical Beast of Serket!" Yuna felt goosebumps as a gurgling shriek entered her ears. She nced up and saw a humongous insect crawling on the ceiling of the buildings. The monster resembled a purple scorpion, with armoured spikes, sharp pincers, ws at the end of each of its legs and a tail with a stinger dripping with venom. There was a symbol of the eye of Anubis carved onto its back, and the eye glowed ominously as the beast rested on the temple stairs. [Mystical Beast of Serket: 2500 Attack, 2000 Defence] "Then I will set two cards and activate them both through the Temple of the Kings effect!" Chains shoot from the ground, wrapping around Starving Venom Fusion Dragon''s body: "The first one is Shadow Spell! Your monster will lose seven hundred attacks!" [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 -> 2100 Attack, 2000 Defence] "The second trap I will use is Metal Coat! This trap card can be equipped to a monster, and while equipped, that monster won''t be able to be destroyed by card effects!" A silver liquid covered the scorpion''s body. Like a coating, the fluid protected Mystical Beast of Serket from anything that may pose a danger. "Now, the stage has been set," Odion dered: "Mystical Beast of Serket, attack!" The scorpion pounced and destroyed the weakened Starving Venom Fusion Dragon with ease. Suddenly, dark energy erupted from the corpse of the fusion monster andunched itself at the Mystical Beast of Serket. However, before it couldnd, the metal coat on the scorpion''s body deflected the attack and dispersed it into the air. [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP -> 3600 LP] "With Mystical Beast of Serket''s effect, every time it destroyed a monster, it would gain half of that destroyed monster''s attack!" [Mystical Beast of Serket: 2500 -> 3900 Attack, 2000 Defence] "Then I set two cards and activated Emergency Provision, sending these two traps to the graveyard. I can gain two thousand life points." [Odion Ishtar: 1750 LP-> 3750 LP] "Finally, I will also use Card of Demise and draw until I have five cards," Odion draws, and he smiles in delight: "My wait has been rewarded; I will use Eye of Truth (Anime)! You must reveal all your cards in your hand until the end of this turn!" Yuna''s eyes widened in surprise at the absurd effect. Unfortunately, she was forced toply, and Yuna begrudgingly flipped her cards over, allowing Odion to scan her hand. Lightpulsar Dragon Return of the Dragon Lords Monster Reborn Quick Attack Wingbeat of Giant Dragon Koumori Dragon Some cards may be troublesome, but Odion believed he could handle them: "I will set four cards face down and end my turn. What will you do?" He questioned proactively. Yuna bit her lips and stared at the five trap cards, one currently face up and four still hidden, waiting for the opportunity to strike. As Yuna formted her strategy, Odion felt sweat dripping down his back. This was his deck''s ultimate move, and if Yuna could ovee it, Odion would undoubtedly lose. Even Marik and Ishizu have trouble defending against this strategy without using the Egyptian God Cards, so Odion can''t imagine Yuna finding a way. However, no matter how much he reassured himself, Odion couldn''t feel confident at all... "I draw and have to discard a card from my hand due to the six-card limit rule [2]: "Then I banish the Darkme Dragon and Pdin of Felgrand in my graveyard to summon Lightpulsar Dragon from my hand!" A white portal manifested out of thin air, and a slim dragon with obsidian scales emerged. The monsternded in front of Yuna and shrieked; despite the unfavourable situation, Lightpulsar Dragon roared with triumph at being summoned for battle. [Lighatpulsar Dragon: 2500 Attack, 1500 Defence] "Then I will use Wingbeat of the Giant Dragon, returning Lightpulsar Dragon into my hand and destroying all traps and spells on the field." "Not so fast!" Odion shouted: "I activate Judgement of Anubis to negate your spell card and, in doing so, destroy all monsters on the field, and the owners will receive damage equal to half of their attack stats!" While Mystical Beast of Serket wasn''t affected by the destruction, both Odion''s Royal Keeper and Lightpulsar Dragon imploded as the duelists suffered from the st. [Odion Ishtar: 3750 LP -> 2950 LP] [Yuna Sano: 3600 LP-> 2300 LP] ''Three more traps left...'' Odion thought anxiously, but he didn''t let it show on his face. "Since a dragon monster has been sent from the field to the graveyard, I can special summon the Keeper of the Shrine from the graveyard!" [Keeper of the Shine: 0 Attack, 2100 Defence] "When Lightpulsar Dragon was defeated, I can summon one level higher or dark monster from my graveyard! Return to me, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!" [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 Attack, 2000 Defence] "With Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, I can target one special summoned monster you control, and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon will gain attack stats equal to that card! I will choose your Mystical Beast of Serket!" [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 -> 6700 Attack, 2000 Defence] "Then I use Quick Attack and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, destroy Mystical Beast of Serket!" Odion growled in anger as Starving Venom Fusion Dragon howled, charging towards his monster. Forcing to make a y, Odion begrudgingly activated the trap he saved forter: "I will use Mirror Force! You Starving Venom Fusion Dragon will perish here!" The dragon''s ws struck a tough barrier, and the umted pressure was reflected into Starving Venom Fusion Dragon''s face, creating a massive explosion. Odion scowled and swiped the air, clearing the smoke around him. ncing at his field, where only two traps remained, he couldn''t rx, particrly since there were still three cards in Yuna''s hand. "I will enter my second main phase and activate Return of the Dragon Lord, summoning Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" Suddenly, Odion sensed a suffocating pressure that was evenrger than Starving Venom Fusion Dragon. A golden dragon descended from the sky, unfurling its wide wings, and its scales glistened under the moonlight. ''It''s here, the second spirit!'' [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Sh*t!" He angrily eximed: "I will use Solemn Judgement! Paying half of my life points and negating the summoning of your Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" Before Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand cannd, an old man appears before the monster. He held out his hand andunched a lightning beam into Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s chest, and the dragon disappeared in a sh of light. ''Onest trap...'' Odion sweated nervously as this final trap could determine the oue of this duel. "I will use Monster Reborn!" Yuna shouted: "Reviving my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" "Again?!" Odion eximed: "I won''t let you! I''m activating Magic Drain, and you must discard one spell card, or your Monster Reborn will be negated!!" Yuna gritted her teeth, and Odion knew that a spare spell card was something she didn''t have... ''Yes, does this mean I won?!'' He thought with anticipation but soon realised that was far from the truth. Odion nced at the opposite side and noticed Yuna''s confidence didn''t crumble; her smile had grown even further! "Now, there''s no more traps!" Yuna yelled: "My move!" "I will first summon Herald of Creation!" She said as a young sorceress appeared from a blinding light. [Herald of Creation: 1800 Attack, 600 Defence] "But you ran out of cards; you can''t use her effect!" Odion pointed out. However, Yuna smirked and ignored him: "Then I activate Starliege Seyfert''s effect by banishing that monster from the graveyard. I can add one level eight dragon monster from the graveyard to my hand!" She showed Odion the Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, and his expression turned sour: "Then I will use Herald of Creation''s effect; I will discard Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and add Arkbrave Dragon from the discard pile!" Yuna dumped her Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand away and retrieved another dragon, leaving Odion confused: "Finally, I will use Ruins of the Divine Dragon Lord in my graveyard and discard Arkbrave Dragon, adding this spell card to my hand! Once again, Yuna discarded another card, but instead of a dragon, this time it was a spell card. "What are you up to?" Odion questioned. "Have you not realised it?" Yuna tilted her head, and Odion trembled. He immediately began to reflect on what transpired. Retrieve Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, discard it to retrieve Arkbrave Dragon, then discard Arkbrave Dragon to retrieve Ruins of the Divine Dragon Lord. Wait... Discard Arkbrave Dragon? Odion''s eyes widened: "No...." "Yes! Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand will be reborn on your next stand-by phase, and your Mystical Beast of Serket is done for!" "Tsk..." Odion clicked his teeth and red at Yuna: "So no matter what I do, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand will be summoned." He was deeply impressed by Yuna''s thorough nning, and in his heart, he epted defeat. But, despite this, Odion will still fight with everything he gets!" Without fear, Odion drew his card and frowned. He stared at the new card with aplicated expression. ''Do I have to y it here?'' Odion thought and gazed at the card he drew earlier. As Odion reached for it with his other hand, he froze. His head spun wildly, and his surroundings warped. Suddenly, he stood behind a throne in an old, musty temple... "Master..." Odion gasped and immediately knelt on the floor, prostrating at the man sitting on the throne. "What do you think you''re doing?" Marik questioned nonchntly: "It''s the first day, and you''re already using that card." "I apologise," Odion said nervously: "My opponent is simply too strong." "You''re not a bad duelist, Odion." Marik pointed out with curiosity: "Who''s the one that can even back you into a corner?" Under Marik''s gaze, Odion hurriedly exined his situation. As he talked about Yuna, her sudden arrival and the Duel King''s status, as he spoke, Odion noticed that his master was listening keenly. Marik stroked his chin and hummed: "So there''s another variable to my n..." "Odion," Marik said sternly: "Don''t y that card for now; we still couldn''t pinpoint who owns Obelisk the Tormentor, and even if it''s a counterfeit, I don''t want to reveal its existence yet." Odion''s face inst ctively scrunched up: "What.... do you think I should do?" "Forfeit," Marik responded as it was the most obvious answer: "It''s only a game." "Understood..." Odion answered and suppressed the fighting spirit in his heart. Satisfied, Marik disabled the link, and Odion returned. Everything that transpired onlysted for a second in the real world. He glimpsed at Yuna, who was smiling as she raised her hand. "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, bani...." Odion: "I surrender." [Yuna POV] I let out a weird sound as what he said caught me off guard. Odion closed his eyes in contemtion and sighed. Eventually, he reached into his pocket, and my body tensed with suspicion. Suddenly, Odion threw something, and I hurriedly caught the item in my palm. When I opened my hand, I was surprised to see a locator card and beside it was the Mystical Beast of Serket. "You have won this duel; by rules, you will take my Locator card and rare card." Odion turned his back: "It''s just a suggestion but I rmend you to forget what happened tonight." I shivered and nodded frantically, my head bobbing up and down like a bobblehead on a turbocharged spring. Odion hummed and stared into my eyes in silence. Finally satisfied, Odion quietly left, and his figure disappeared into the dark alley. When he''s gone, I let out the breath I had held this entire time. Geez, I should stop getting myself killed... Suddenly, I froze when I heard footsteps approaching from behind. I sneakily reached into my trousers, where I ced my taser. When the stranger was close enough, I spun around and stabbed at the figure with the stun gun. BZZZZT I felt the end of the taser plunging into the person''s skin. However, to my shock, they grasped my wrist and pulled me towards them. Losing bnce, we crashed against the wall, and I groaned as my hand scraped against the floor. "W... what are you doing..." My eyes widened, and I lifted my head. I stared at Kaiba, who red at me while gritting his teeth in pain. I was still stabbing the Taser into his left shoulder and quickly pulled the weapon away. Kaiba took a deep breath and rubbed where my taser struck him. I stared at him in disbelief: "Why..." He snorted and let go of my wrist: "I heard that some suspicious individuals may hinder the Battle City tournament prowling in this area." Kaiba picked up the Locator card and Mystical Beast of Serket: "Seems like you have already dealt with them." Out of the blue, Kaiba fell onto his knees. Realising that the taser had done more harm than expected, I tried to support him. "Injured," I pointed out: "Need rest." "And who''s fault do you think that was?" He sharply retorted, and I averted my gaze out of guilt. "Sorry..." I muttered pitifully. I felt his body stiffening before he sighed exasperatedly: "Something like that is nothing, however, you''re much more wounded than me." pointed at my hand, and that''s when I noticed the cut below my palm where I grazed my Kaiba hand. The wound was red, and it was oozing blood. Thankfully, I had brought bandages for emergencies, but applying them with only one hand was difficult. Noticing my struggle, Kaiba took the bandages and began wrapping them around my injury. I watched with disbelief as his action caught me off guard. "Why..." I asked and stared at him in confusion. "Clearly you''re struggling and it''s pitiful to watch," Kaiba answered. Despite his rough attitude, his movement was extremely gentle, as if he was very experience with something like this. Sensing my thoughts, Kaiba exined that when he was young, Mokuba tended to hurt himself falling, and he had to be the one to attend to his injuries. "Mokuba... lucky..." I said with a small smile. Kaiba shrugged as he finished wrapping the bandages: "It''s what was expected of me as the elder brother." "That''s... nice... of you" I praised him sincerely as it''s probably one of the few good points about this guy.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om He seemed flustered by thepliment and stood up, leaving me confused as he began walking back the way he came: "Not... chase criminals?" "If they would still follow the tournament rules, I will overlook it for now." Not knowing what Kaiba was thinking, I followed quietly, and our journey was uneventful. When we exited the alley, a ck limousine was waiting for us. I gulped in awe as Kaiba urged me inside. There''s so much space if Iy t on the ground. There''s still enough room for me to spread my arms. We sat across each other and the soft leather seat made me rx my guard. Kaiba knocked on the ck-tinted windows behind him. The car began to move as if right on cue, and we left the dark street. The ride was eerily silent, and I nced at Kaiba, crossing his arms and resting with his eyes closed. With nothing to do, I fiddled with my duel disk and noticed the blood stain from my cut earlier. Trying to clean the device, I reached for the tissue box across the table between us. "Is itfortable?" Kaiba asked out of the blue as his eyes snapped open and stared at me. I flinched in shock, and I was visibly startled. Luckily, I managed not to fall out of my seat. Kaiba snorted in amusement while I red at him annoyingly: "What?" "The duel disk," He gestured: "Was it to your liking?" I realised that Kaiba was talking about my duel disk. I took the duel disk off and ced it on myp. This duel disk was amazing and only possible thanks to Mokuba''s kindness. "It''s... great...." A soft smile appeared on my face without me realising. However, I hurriedly turned my head and hid my happy expression. Kaiba nodded with satisfaction: "Good." Finally, the car stopped at the entrance of my apartment building. At this point, I couldn''t bother to ask how he knew where I lived because he managed to take control of the entirety of Domino City for a card game. Speaking of knowing my address, didn''t Mokuba arrive at my front doorstep not so long ago? I exited the car and stared at Kaiba through the window: "Thank... you..." "Instead of thanking me, you should be begging for forgiveness." Kaiba dismissed my gratitude with a snort: "Do you know how much I hate when people waste my precious time." With nothing to refute, I could only stare at the floor in shame. Kaiba scoffed and rested his chin on his hand. He sighed and tapped with his finger: "Next time, don''t go somewhere so dangerous." Huh, what did he say? Before I could respond, the car drove off, leaving a white trail behind them. Scolding me then telling me to stay safe? I seriously can''t get that guy... [1] In Battle City, you only allow to have six cards always, however, it can be ignored when you use the card Infinity Cards, which was what String (Bad guy with slifer) used against yugi Hope you enjoy it! How about a review?] Chapter 41: Mask of Light and Darkness Part One Chapter 41: Mask of Light and Darkness Part One ? Sorry for the dy, got too tired and fell asleep. Okay, as usual, part two will be releasedter this week, but this time it will actually happen. I have already finished the second part, but I split it because it''s pretty long. Don''t worry; a chapter will be released on Tuesday or Wednesday.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om [Yuna''s POV] It was thest day before the Battle City''s second round will began. The rulebook said I must have six locator cards to find the ce for the finals. Beside, I also have so secure Silfer the Sky Dragon before the end of the day. So much to do and so little time... Currently, I am trying to find Yugi because where''s Yugi was also where the Rare Hunters will be. He has split off with his friends to participate in the tournament alone, so finding him in this big city is difficult. I could also go where the Rare Hunters would appear from the show, but that''s also a problem. First, I had no idea where to look as there will many simr locations across Domino City. Second, with my presence in the storyline, things may have changed; Yugi may have already duelled against those Rare Hunters or that Marik won''t even mess with him in the first ce! However, with no better options, I continued. As I walked briskly, I felt a sudden vibration in my pocket. Taking out my phone, I pressed the ept call button and brought the device to my ear. "It''s Seto Kaiba, we need to talk." The young president''s snarky voice reverberated from the speaker, causing me to frown: "I''ve sent you the coordinates. Meet me there. I''m not taking no for an answer." Kaiba briefly hangs up, leaving me at a loss. What the hell does Kaiba want to do with me? Does he wish to duel me right now? I thought about ignoring his demands but ultimatelyplied. cing the address he sent into the map app. I started making my way there. Thirty Minutes Later..... Getting a taxi, I arrived at the designated meeting location. The first thought that came to my mind was whether or not I was in the right ce. Before me was a vacant warehouse by the docks, and no one else seemed nearby. Something''s fishy... My phone vibrated again, and Kaiba left a message urging me to hurry up and enter the warehouse. Yep, that''s too suspicious.... I should get out of here. As I pondered on my escape n, a ck car drove around the corner. It screeched to a halt beside me as the door opened. To my shock, Kaiba emerged and he doesn''t seemed pleased. "What do you want?!" Kaiba hissed. I titled my head and didn''t understand his question. Detecting my confusion, Kaiba pinched the bridge of his nose and snarled: "Are you an idiot? You called me here suddenly, and now you don''t know why?!" "But..." I muttered: "You... called me..." "Hah?" Kaiba sighed exasperatedly: "No, why would I call you?" We stared at each other in confusion as realisation set in. If we haven''t called each other, then who... "Something is amiss. We should leave this ce this instance." Suddenly, as Kaiba ced his hand on the car''s door handle, the vehicle drove off, leaving us stranded. Stunned, he didn''t know how to respond as his hand was still suspended in the air. ''Ah, the driver is probably bribed...'' I thought with pity. Sensing my thought, Kaiba looked away to hide his shame: "I will have him fired as soon as possible." Simultaneously, with a loud bam, the entrance to the warehouse swung open. It was as if beckoning us to enter, and we stared at the opened warehouse cautiously. "Who''s there?" Kaiba shouted and crossed his arms: "Come out now, and I will show you the consequences for crossing me!" We waited as the silence felt suffocating. When I thought it was all an borate joke, a raspy voice resounded from the warehouse, making my skin crawl: "Enter..." "Hmph," The young president snorted: "As if I do something like that!" The silence returned as the mastermind crafted his response: "I didn''t know the infamous Seto Kaiba is a coward..." I smirked. Were they dumb? As if a simple provocation like that will ever work. Tough luck, but you need to try harder than that! Right, Kaiba? Kaiba? When I turned my head, Kaiba had already disappeared and was walking angrily towards the warehouse. I hurriedly pulled on his sleeve to stop him: "Danger...." He shook my hand away and scoffed: "Hiding in an empty building to lure out your enemy is nothing but a spineless move. Step aside; I will deal with this." To think that taunt actually got under his skin... Biting my lips, I followed him and entering the obvious trap. As soon as we stepped inside, the warehouse door closed from behind, filling the space with darkness. Suddenly, the centre of the room lit up, revealing two figures beneath the light. Both wore matching outfits of purple robes with a hood. They also wear a mask, one with a different design to another on one side of their face. The man on the right wore a dark red frowning mask, and the one on the left had a white smiling mask. "I''m Lumis, the Mask of Light," The person on the left introduced himself. "I''m Umbra, the Mask of Darkness," The one on the right followed suit Lumis/Umbra: "We were the Rare Hunters sent by Master Marik to deal with the two of you." Our faces scrunched with wariness, Marik have finally sent his People after me. Which means The sees me as a threat and wanted me gone... "Marik..." Kaiba spat with disgust: "He''s the one that woman warned me about. So your masters possess two of the Egyptian God Cards?" "That''s right, by the time we''re done with you, Seto Kaiba, our master will regain Obelisk the Tormentor and use its power to rule the world!" Lumisughed. "So enjoy it while you can before we banish you both to the Shadow Realm!" Umbra dered. ''Shadow Realm,'' I gritted my teeth. That term always sounded hrious when I watched the show, but now, I couldn''t afford tough when I was threatened... The two rare hunters revealed the duel disks on their wrists and in unison, they activated the device. "Kaiba..." I called out to him, and he nodded. "Let''s crush these fools," Kaiba said confidently, and our own duel disks came to life. I was still quite surprised that he agreed to work with me this easily. Was it because of what happened in Legendary Heroes? It doesn''t matter; I don''t care what he''s thinking as long as we make it out alive! Yuna/Kaiba/Umbra/Lumis: "Duel!" [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP] [Seto Kaiba: 4000 LP] [Lumis: 4000 LP] [Umbra: 4000 LP] "I will go first!" Lumis announced when the light on his duel disk illuminated: "I will set two cards; it''s your move, Duel King." Until all of us have yed, nobody can attack. I should first see what they''re scheming: "I will summon Dragon Knight of Creation, set one card and end my turn." [Dragon Knight of Creation: 1800 Attack, 600 Defence] "It''s my move," Umbra said with a smile. "I summon Shiny Abyss!" A peculiar winged being appeared by the rare hunter''s side. The monster resembled a blue golem with the lower body of a sphere. Attached to Shiny Abyss''s back was a pair of golden wings that pped fervently, lifting the monster in the air. [Shiny Abyss: 1600 Defence, 1800 Attack] "Then I will activate my spell, mask of brutality and equipping it to my Shiny Abyss. With the mask''s power, Shiny Abyss will gain one thousand additional attacks but will lose one thousand defence points." A crude mask appeared on Shiny Abyss''s face, and I felt the mask emitting energy into the monster''s flesh. [Shiny Abyss: 1600 -> 2600 Attack, 1800 ->800 Defence] "A monster with twenty-six hundred attacks on the first turn?" Kaiba eximed and gritted his teeth. "Unfortunately, while Mask of Brutality is on the field, I must take one thousand damage in each of my stand-by phases." Umbra smiled: "But my brother can do something about that. Now let''s see what you''re capable of, Seto Kaiba." "I will also set two cards and summon Vorse Raider in attack position." He said calmly, and before him rose a wicked beastly warrior wearing a ck pointy helmet and vest. In his hand was arge double-sided de, and the monster ran his nails along the edge, creating a disturbing sound. [Vorse Raider: 1900 Attack, 1200 Defence] Kaiba and I nced at each other, sharing the same thoughts. Our turns were rathercklustrepared to Umbra, and now, our opponents could begin their assault. "First, I will activate the Masked Doll (anime) spell card. All the self-inflicted damage that Umbra and I will take will be negated as long as this card is on the field!" Between Lumis and Umbra, there appeared a mannequin; suddenly, a metal stake pierced through the doll''s chest and seemed to be draining an ominous purple wisp from the Mask of Brutality. Lumis: "Then, I use Mask of ursed and equip it to Dragon Knight of Destruction!" A strange mask attached itself to the Dragon Knight of Creation''s face. No matter how hard the knight was to pull, he couldn''t remove the mask. "While a monster was equipped with Mask of ursed, that monster couldn''t attack, and if it''s the only monster on the field, then we can attack you directly and you must take five hundred damage in each stand-by phase!" Lumis cackled like a madman before smiling at me with a disgusting grin: "I will end my turn." As I drew a card, the mask of ursed fired a dark red beam and struck my body. It was ufortable, but I endured and nced at my duel disks, where my life points dropped drastically. [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP -> 3500 LP] "My turn!" I shouted: "I will activate Ruins of The Divine Dragon Lords! While this continuous spell is on the field, once per turn, I can destroy one of my cards and summon a Dragon Lord Token! I will destroy Dragon Knight of Creation and special summon the token in defence position!" Dragon Knight of Creation calmly transformed, shrinking into a shiny orb floating in the middle of my field. When the Dragon Knight of Creation was attributed, the mask on his face shattered and erupted in mes. Good, at least I don''t have to take any damage for the time being... [Dragon Lord Token: 0 Attack, o Defence] "Then, I summon Starliege Seyfert! Sending my Blue-Eyes White Dragon to the graveyard and adding Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand to to my hand!" [Starliege Seyfert: 1800 Attack, o Defence] "Finally, Starliege Seyfert, attack Lumis!" "That'' won''t happen!" Lumis interjected as Starliege Seyfert flew towards him: "I''m activating Mirror Force, when Starliege Seyfert attacks; I can destroy all your monsters that are in attacking position!" Before the dragon could reach Lumis, an invisible barrier reflected its attack, directing the power back into itself. Starliege Seyfert roared as all the damage returned to its body, ultimately leading to its defeat. "I will end my turn here..." I muttered. "Hmph," Umbra snorted: "Looks like it''s my turn. I will attack Kaiba''s Vorse Raider!" "Tsk...." Kaiba clicked his teeth: "I activate Ring of Destruction, destroying your Shiny Abyss while we both take the same amount of damage equal to Shiny Abyss''s attack!" A shackle appeared on Shiny Abyss''s neck; there were multiple grenades without pins around the shackles, indicating they would go off at any second. "I won''t let you!" Lumis shouted from the side, revealing his hidden card: "I will use Curse Transfer! Your Ring of Destruction will be negated, and Curse Transfer will gain the effect of your Ring of Destruction, and I will use it on your Vorse Raider instead!" To Kaiba''s surprise, the shackle around Shiny Abyss disappeared before reappearing onto the neck of his own Vorse Raider! "Dammit, I will use Ring of Defence, all traps that inflict damage towards me will be reduced to zero!" Kaiba shouted. Unfortunately, Lumis seemed to have a counter to that also... "In response, I will use my second set card, Spell Transfer, and I can negate Ring of Defence like Curse Transfer. My spell card will take the effect of Ring of Defence, protecting myself from the Ring of Destruction!" Kaiba: ?! The grenade unleashed a devasting explosion that engulfed both duelists. However, before the explosion urred, I saw a shield appearing before the rare hunter, protecting him from the damage. [Seto Kaiba: 4000 LP -> 2100 LP] Kaiba: "You imprudent...." "Now, now," Umbra wagged his finger: "No need to get personal, let''s continue, and since a battle hasn''t urred yet, Shiny Abyss can still fight and attack Kaiba directly!" Shiny Abyss closed in, and I hurriedly activated my own trap card: "I will use Negate Attack, stopping Shiny Abyss from attacking and ending the battle phase!" "Kaiba, are you alright?" I asked out of concern. He nodded and regained his calm as Umbra passed the turn to him: "I draw!" he shouted, drawing his card from his duel disks dramatically. I couldn''t discern it from the distance, but he seemed to have drawn the card he had wanted. Kaiba smiled: "You two have truly crossed me; now get ready to face my wrath!" "I will use Monster Reborn, special summoning the Blue Eyes White Dragon from Sano''s graveyard!" To my surprise, my Blue Eyes White Dragon, which I discarded earlier, was summoned onto Kaiba''s field. His cloak pped wildly even if there was no wind inside the room. Behind him was a beautiful white dragon that roared with vigour and I subconsciously held my breath. Cool..... [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] "Blue Eyes White Dragon, wipe Shiny Abyss off the face of this earth!" The dragon unleashed a white beam. Struck by the deadly attack, Shiny Abyss was destroyed without a trace. [Umbra: 4000 LP -> 3600 LP] "Just wait; you will lose a lot more than a monster," Kaiba warned. Unheeding to the threat, the two rare huntersughed: "Keep talking; soon, you won''t be doing it much longer!" "My turn!" Lumis yelled: "First, I will activate the Mask of Dispel, attaching it to your Ruins of the Divine Dragon Lord," He said to me. On the stone foundation of the statue appeared another mask with a ghost-like appearance: "While Mask of Dispel is on the field, the effect of your continuous spell is negated, and you will take five hundred damage on every standby phase!" "Then, I summon Grand Tiki Elder and attack your Dragon Token!" Umbra said as he summoned a green ghoul monster onto the field. The monster''s face was covered by a native- like mask with various ornaments strapped to its neck. [Grand Tiki Elder: 1500 Attack, 800 Defence] Grand Tiki Elder lunged without hesitation and shredded my weakened Token into pieces: "Then, I''m setting one card to end my turn." "It''s my turn!" I announced and instantly took damage from Mask of Dispel. [Yuna Sano: 3500 LP -> 3000 LP] Staring at my new card in hand. I felt a sense of ecstasy at finally gaining a chance to make a move: "I will use Card of Destruction. All of us will discard our entire hand and draw the same amount of cards from our deck!" Following my instruction, we all discarded our cards simultaneously. I glimpsed at Kaiba for his reaction, and he seemed rather delighted at removing what I assume was a brick hand. "Then, I will use Return of the Dragon Lords to summon a level seven or eight dragon monster from my graveyard! Reveal yourself, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" *ROAR* I heard a roar erupting behind. Without turning around, I feel thefortable presence of Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, and a sense of relief washes over me. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "I will use Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s ability to banish your Grand Tiki Elder, and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand will gain one hundred attacks for each level Grand Tiki Elder has!" Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand fired a golden beam, engulfing Grand Tiki Elder whole. My powerful dragon then consumed the energy, and its strength rose sharply. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3200 Attack, 2800 -> 3200 Defence] "Now, attack Lumis!" I yelled, and following my orders, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand lunged. Striking the rare hunter with his ws. "I activate Mask of Impregnability," Lumis said calmly, presenting a new mask in his hand. cing it on his face, the attack was blocked by an invisible force and pushed Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand backwards: "With this card''s effect, all damage I take from my opponents this turn will be zero." Annoyed, I clicked my teeth: "I will end my turn here." Umbra nced at my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and whistled: "Impressive, Lumis. We should start to get serious now." "Agreed.." The other rare hunter nodded: "We can''t let Master Marik wait any longer." With a creepy grin, Umbra revealed the cards in his hand: "I will use the Ritual Spell, Curse of the Masked Beast!!" Hope you enjoy, the amount of time I have to write mask in this chapter is absurd. Chapter 42: Mask of Light and Darkness Part Two Chapter 42: Mask of Light and Darkness Part Two ? "Curse of the Masked Beast?" Kaiba eximed. "That''s right," Umbra smirked: "With this card''s effect, I will discard Mask of Darkness and Rougee Doll from my hand, allowing me to ritual summon my strongest monster, the Masked Beast!" An ominous darkness overwhelmed the field, and a humongous creature rose, with a height so tall that its head grazed the ceiling. It has the upper body of a humanoid, but its lower body consists of a beast, with the legs of an insect and a thick tail on its rear. Stretching its muscles, the monster raised its massive staff while unleashing a devasting scream that could shatter someone''s eardrum. [The Masked Beast: 3300 Attack, 2500 Defence] Umbra: "Now, Masked Beast, destroy Blue Eyes White Dragon!" The Masked Beast stumbled towards Kaiba and swung its weapon. Blue Eyes White Dragon shrieked as the sharp tip of the staff pierced through the dragon''s chest. [Seto Kaiba: 2100 LP -> 1800 LP] Blue Eyes White Dragon burst into light upon death, and Kaiba was blinded momentarily: "You bastard..." As Kaiba cursed at the two rare hunters, I couldn''t help but feel nervous. His life points were worrying low, and he had nothing to defend himself. While I still have my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand on the field, it''s still weaker than the Masked Beast... Was helping Kaiba summon Obelisk the only way? "I will summon Kaiser Sea Horse in defence position, set a card and end my turn," Kaiba muttered grimly. A blue armoured monster was summoned onto the field. Peering through the helmet, Kaiser Sea Horse huffed with dissatisfaction before kneeling and nting its sword on the floor. [Kaiser Sea Horse: 1700 Attack, 1650 Defence] "Looks like you''re running out of steam!" Lumis cackled: "First, I will summon Melchid, the Four-Faced Beast!" Arge pulsating flesh appeared out of nowhere. Gradually, masks began to grow from each area of the flesh, representing different emotions: Happiness, Sadness, Anger and Fear. [Melchid, the Four-Faced Beast: 1500 Attack, 1200 Defence] "Then, I activate my trap card, Call of the Hunted and revive Umbra''s Shiny Abyss!" [Shiny Abyss: 1600 Attack, 1800 Defence] "Finally, with two monsters on the field, I can summon my strongest card!" Lumis ced his hand on the floor, and I felt much more intense energy than The Masked Beast. A purple circle was formed on the floor, absorbing Melchid the Four-Faced Beast and Shiny Abyss. Heughed and spread his arms as an ominous figure rose from the circle, with a brown- coloured body, purple limbs, a green quivering heart exposed on its chest, a pointy head and three eerie blue masks protruding on its face and both sides of its neck. [Masked Beast Des Gardius: 3300 Attack, 2500 Defence] "Now, Masked Beast Des Gardius, destroy Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" BOOOM With an astounding speed, Masked Beast Des Gardius leapt across the field, pouncing onto Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand. In mid-air, the two monsters fought, desperately trying to kill one another. However, despite the disadvantage in strength, Masked Beast Des Gardius was repelled, and the monster was sent back to Lumis''s side, much to the rare hunter''s dismay. [Yuna Sano: 3000 LP -> 2900 LP] "I will use the effect of Return the Dragon Lords in my graveyard." I exined: "If one of my dragon monsters will be destroyed, I can banish the card instead." Regaining hisposure, Lumis huffed: "Fine by me, but you''re not getting away that easily! I will use my spell card, Mask of ursed!" Dammit, again?! The disgusting mask reappeared on Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s head. The dragon roared and shook its head, but the mask wouldn''t budge: "In case you forget, Mask of ursed made it so your pathetic dragon won''t be able to attack, and if it''s your only monster, we can attack you directly!" [3rd POV] "This concludes my turn," Lumis said with a slick smile. As soon as it was Yuna''s turn, the two masks parasitizing her cards drained away her life points and brought her closer to defeat. [Yuna Sano: 2900 LP -> 1900 LP] In this situation, she was at a loss for what to do. In her hand, she has nothing but spell cards and those spells won''t be able to save her in this scenario. Yuna nced at Seto, who was also as frustrated as her. Was there a way out of this one? What if? A realisation dawned on Yuna as she stared at her teammate with aplicated expression. Was this the only way? Resolve settled firmly in her heart as she began to y: "I will use Card Exchange, and I can switch a card with a yer I choose. I will pick Kaiba!" She approached Seto and presented him with a single card: "Take it." "Why are you giving me this?" Seto frowned, staring at the card in her hand. Disgruntled, Yuna leaned in, their face close against each other. The young president was visibly startled by her scent tickling Seto''s nose. However, he has no chance to care about these useless thoughts as Yuna''s next words shock him. Yuna took a step back and waited with anticipation. Seto''s face shifted through various ranges of emotions. Finally choosing annoyance, he scowled at the girl standing nonchntly before him: "Are you insane?" She shook her head: "It''s our best choice." "You call that the best?" Seto felt like he was going crazy. However, before he can object, Yuna slips away, taking one of his useless cards with her. "I will end my turn here." Yuna dered. "Is that all?" Umbra remarked: "Looks like this is the capability of the Duel King. Now, Mask Beast attacked Yuna Sano!" The Masked Beast charged, and Yuna closed her eyes. Being a Shadow Game, Yuna thought it would probably hurt. However, she knew that unless Kaiba didn''t lose, she shouldn''t die. "Stop!" Suddenly, Yuna heard, and the Masked Beast''s rampage stopped. Opening her eyes, she stared at the young president with bewilderment as Seto crossed his arms and scoffed: "Before you attack, I''m just warning you whether you''re making the right choice?" "What are you saying?" Umbra growled. "By attacking her, it will be my turn immediately afterwards and can you and your teammate survive what happens next?" "Your provocation won''t work." Umbra pointed out: "So cease these futile actions." "I''m only stating the obvious, and it''sughable that I have to point it out to you." Seto continued before raising one of his cards into the air, and the two Rare Hunters gasped in unison when their gaze fell upon the card in his hand. "If you attack her here, I will easily summon Obelisk the Tormentor onto the field." Seto announced: "Then your lives will truly be over." "Impossible! You only controlling one weak monster! There''s no way you can summon Obelisk in time!" Lumis yelled as sweat dripped down his face. Setoughed haughtily as if he had heard a good joke. However, that expression disappeared, leaving a freezing coldness that shook Lumis and Umbra''s hearts: "Try me..." Umbra stared at the field with anxiety and couldn''t discern whether Seto was telling the truth. "Umbra, don''t listen to him; he''s lying to you!" Lumis shouted, causing a wrinkle to form. "Quiet!" Umbra snapped: "I need to think!" Eventually, after minutes of contemtion and urging from Seto, Umbra finally shouted with rage: "You swine, I won''t fool for your tricks; attack the Duel King now!" The Masked Beast resumed its stampede. But to his surprise, the monster ignored Umbra''s order and began running towards Seto''s Kaiser Sea Horse. "I will activate my trap (anime), Attack Guidance Armor, onto my Kaiser Sea Horse, changing the attack target of your monster." Seto said, flipping over the card he ced earlier: "As if I would let you do what you want." "Damn you!" Umbra cursed: "I will use my Strike sh, and Masked Beast will be able to deal Piercing Damage this turn!" Despite being in a defence position, Kaiser Sea Horse was mercilessly blown away and Seto saw his life points going down. [Seto Kaiba: 1800 LP -> 150 LP] Yuna was in disbelief; she couldn''t understand what Seto was thinking. The n, theirst strategy, he haspletely thrown it out of the window!! "Your n is too stupid for me even to consider it," Seto said while staring ahead: "That''s why I will win through my methods." "I DRAW!" His voice echoed through the warehouse; with a swipe motion, a card magically manifested in his hand. Seto peeked at the card between his fingers and smirked: "I will use Pot of Greed and draw two cards from my deck!" "Then, I will use Double Summon, allowing me to normal to summon twice this turn!" Kaiba yelled and pped a card onto his duel disk: "I summon Saggi the Dark Clown!" [Saggi the Dark Clown: 600 Attack, 1500 Defence] "After that..." Seto muttered and nced at his stunned teammate: "I will use Return of the Dragon Lords, special summoning Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand onto the field!" The golden dragon was revived, and the monster roared. However, it soon realised it was currently serving under the wrong master, and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand snarled with discontent. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Then, I will banish your Masked Beast Des Gardius!" Reluctantly, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand attacks, banishing Lumis''s monster and stealing its strength. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3600 Attack, 2800 -> 3600 Defence] "Next, I use Mind Control to steal your Masked Beast!" He said to Umbra. Strange electricity struck Masked Beast''s head, and the monster convulsed before stumbling towards Seto like a zombie. Three Monsters... The Rare Hunters thought in unison. "Now..." Seto took a deep breath: "One final card left; using The Masked Beast, Saggi the Dark Clown and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, I summon Obelisk the Tormentor!!!" *RUMBLE* The three monsters vanished, and a gigantic figure slowly rose from a portal. Unleashing a terrifying aura, Obelisk the Tormentor emerged, and the entire building shook under its cry. [Obelisk the Tormentor: 4000 Attack, 4000 Defence] "What kind of monster is this? Umbra muttered. "It''s not a monster..."It''s a god! " Seto answered calmly: "Now Obelisk, obliterate him!" The Egyptian God raised its mighty fist and brought it down on Umbra. The Rare Hunter screamed, and he was sent flying across the room. [Umbra: 3600 LP -> 0 LP] Lumis''s body refused to move as Obelisk The Tormentor slowly turned its head, locking eyes with him. Lumis lowered his hand as his cards fell to the floor. Staring at the unconscious Umbra, fear finally crept in. "Ah... Ah, Save me!" He screamed, running for his life. However, as soon as his hand touched the door handle, he copsed like a puppet with its string cut. "It''s over...." Seto observed. As soon as Lumis ran away, he officially ended the duel and forfeited their souls. But, to his surprise, Lumis and Umbra simultaneously stood up with lifeless pupils. On top of their forehead was a glowing eye, and Yuna instantly realised what was happening. Yuna: "Marik..." "Yes." Umbra and Lumis''s voicesbined together, creating an eerie symmetry: "I believe this is the first time we met." "Ha ha ha ha," Marik chuckled: "Both of you have truly been a thorn in my side. But don''t worry, I will deal with you two soon. For now, there''s a certain Pharoah I needed to defeat." With a wave, the connections between Umbra/Lumis and Marik have been cut off, and the two Rare Hunters slumped to the ground. Yuna and Seto bathed in silence, not knowing what to say. Eventually, Yuna red at Seto with annoyance: "Why?" "Why? Shouldn''t you be thanking me?" Seto retorted. However, Yuna wasn''t ever bit pleased: "Could have lost... You risked us... idiot!" Having seen Seto''s hand earlier, Yuna understood how dire their situation was, and if he hadn''t drawn Double Summon, they would undoubtedly have tasted defeat and lost their souls. "Are you mentally insane?" Seto spat, grabbing Yuna by the shoulder: "Calling me a fool, yet you were so willing to sacrifice yourself?!" "But.... Winning duel..." Yunained, causing Seto''s forehead to furrow. "Yet to gamble your own life?!" He shouted ragefully: "Stop being so stupid!" Yuna bit her lips as her body shook. Why was she the one getting scolded? Didn''t Seto threaten to kill himself when he duelled against Yugi? Yet right now, he''s being nothing but a massive hypocrite! So why does he have the audacity to spout nonsense like the importance of life? This wasn''t fair! Unable to control herself, Yuna finally snapped and shoved his body away. "Why, care!" Yuna yelled at the top of her lungs: "Always selfish, always prideful! So why care!" Seto was speechless as Yuna''s outburst caught him off guard. Why does he care that Yuna will risk her life? For the years he has been alive, he has thought about no one but himself and his brother, so why does it irk him when Yuna suggests the ludicrous n? *Sniff* Suddenly, a whimpering noise brought him back to reality. Seto slowly stared at Yuna''s teary face as she hurriedly wiped, making her eyes swollen. He smacked his lips, unable to utter a single word. She was scared... She knows it''s stupid... But it was the only thing she could think of. Seto: "I...." "Enough!" Yuna screamed and turned around, unable to bear this atmosphere any longer. Marching out of the building, Yuna angrily stomped her feet, creating a sharp sound with each step and leaving a trail of tears behind her. Acting out of instinct, Seto grabbed her hand, stopping Yuna in her tracks: "Where are you going?" "Find Yugi!" Yuna hissed. Yugi.... Hearing his name ruined Seto''s mood. Out of anyone, why him? Why does Yuna want to find someone like him?n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "Why Yugi..." Seto muttered, gritting his teeth. "What?" Yuna snarled "Why does it have to be him?" He questioned. Yuna gazed into his eyes in silence and answered with confusion: "Yugi... danger..." Reminding Seto of what Marik told them a few moments ago. "Tsk... I''ming with you." Seto dered brazenly. "Fine..." Yuna left, leaving Seto alone in the warehouse. He stared at his hand, where the sensation of her fingers lingered. Clenching his fist, he sighed: "How vexing." Twenty minutester... No matter how much she wanted to admit, thanks to Seto''s help, they managed to locate Yugi quickly. Arriving at the familiar bridge, Yuna had seen through the show, and they stopped beside the sidewalk, watching Yami Yugi duelling with a Rare Hunter at the foundations below the bridge. "How is this possible..." Strings, the rare hunter controlled by Marik, muttered in disbelief. He dropped to the floor, losing all the ungodly amount of cards in his hands. Behind the rare hunter was a humongous red dragon: "To lose even with a god...." "It''s over now," Yami Yugi said: "You have lost..." "Impossible..." He mumbled as Yami Yugi picked up String''s Locator Card on the floor; he approached the rare hunter and grabbed Slifer the Sky Dragon from the duel disk. "With this, slifer, the Sky Dragon is mine..." Yami Yugi announced, raising the card into the sky. Watching this nostalgic scene, Yuna felt her face going pale. Digging her nails into her palm, she felt her stress spiking to a worrying degree. With this, Yami Yugi has officially secured Slifer the Sky Dragon, ruining Yuna''s ns and leaving her empty-handed. "Sh*t...." I hope you enjoy Chapter 43: Mokuba Rescue The Sequel Chapter 43: Mokuba Rescue The Sequel ? [Yuna''s POV] I stared at Yami Yugi, observing Slifer the Sky Dragon in his hand, and I felt all my intricate ns crumbling into pieces. Without a God Card, what should I do now? Should I quit early, even if I couldn''t fight against an Egyptian God? "Kaiba, Sano. What are you doing here?" Yami Yugi questioned, jolting me out of my thoughts. Immediately, Kaiba leapt into the air and with a crispnding, he pointed at Yami Yugi and dered loudly: "Duel me, Yugi! That God Card will be mine!" "Now''s not the time, Kaiba!" Yami Yugi shouted: "During my duel, Marik said my friends were in danger; I have to save them!" "Hmph, so you''re running away from my challenge then?" Kaiba scoffed: "Thest time I remember, declining a duel was against the rules, and it''s enough to have you forfeit this tournament." "Fine by me!" Yami Yugi retorted fiercely, unbothered by the threat: "My friend''s safety was way more important than a battle with you!" Ouch... Please apply cold water to the burned area... Kaiba blinked like an idiot and experienced a roller coaster of emotions, evident by the constant shift of expressions. "Ke Ke Ke Ke," An erieughter interrupted the two''s arguing. We nced at the Rare Hunter lying on the floor. He was staring at us, and a golden symbol of Anubis''s eye appeared on his forehead: "To think the three banes of my existence are all gathered here." "Marik..." Yami Yugi growled with disgust: "What have you done to my friends?!" "Don''t worry, they are fine, for now," He said as the Rare Hunter grinned: "But if you want to see them again, I suggest you meet me at the Domino City Shipyard. Better be quick. The clock is ticking..." "You..." Yami Yugi scowled: "You won''t get away with this." Chuckling, the Rare Hunter gazed at Kaiba: "I suggest youe along too." "Why should I listen to a trash like you?" Kaiba crossed his arms arrogantly, unbothered by the threat. "Then, do you know where your little brother is right now?" *Twitch* Kaiba and my body trembled simultaneously. Instantly, I took out my phone and dialled Mokuba''s number. To my horror, I couldn''t receive a single response, no matter how many times I called. "Damn you!" Kaiba roared and lifted the Rare Hunter by the cor: "Do you think you can get away with this?!" However, there was no response as the Rare Hunter''s head rolled backwards. Kaiba clicked his tongue and released the Rare Hunter, and the thug copsed onto the floor in aatose state. Nodding at each other, Yami Yugi, Kaiba and I wasted no time as we sprinted towards the direction of the shipyard, hoping to rescue the people we cared about. Ten Minutes... That''s how long we''ve been running for. However, with so much tension, that duration felt like years. Arriving at the shipyard, we entered through the unlocked metal gate. The atmosphere was quiet as a church mouse, and all of us were extremely anxious, worrying about the fate of Marik''s captives. When we ventured deeper, a figure sprang out of hiding, stepping before us: "Another Rare Hunter.." Yami Yugi muttered, possibly to Yugi, resting in his body. "Seto Kaiba," The Rare Hunter smiled: "I''ve been awaiting you." "Dammit, where is my friends!" Yami Yugi demanded: "Tell me now!" "It''s not my business to reveal anything to you." The Rare Hunter glimpsed at the Pharoah with repulse: "Master Marik told me that you will find out soon enough if you go a little further." "Bastard..." Kaiba cursed and breathed deeply: "Go ahead, I will deal with this buffoon." We nodded and ran past the Rare Hunter. I could hear the voices of Kaiba and the enemy behind me as they began to duel. Despite the hup earlier, I couldn''t help but worry in this intense situation. Eventually, Yami Yugi and I arrived at a crossroads leading into two separate areas: "Where should we go?" He asked. Suddenly, a speaker attached to the top of a wooden pole came to life, and Marik''s voice began reverberating from the device: "Pharoah, I rmend you to go left, and as for you, Duel King, your destination awaits you at the right." With no choice, Yami Yugi and I split up. I sprinted continuously for five more minutes, finally stopping at a cement dock stretching around three hundred metres long. On the left of the dock was a massive cargo ship that generated a massive shadow; on the right stood a short figure. I nervously approached the figure as they pulled down their purple hood: "Mo... Mokuba..." I bit my lips as the person dressed in the Rare Hunter uniform was none other than Mokba himself. "Wee, Duel King..." Marik''s voice resonated from a speaker on the side: "Before I exin, please take a look at their ankles," He instructed, and I immediately glimpsed at Mokuba''s leg. There, I noticed a long, heavy chain with shackles binding Mokuba''s shins together, and behind him, the chain was tied to a heavy anchor. "Listen closely," Marik instructed: "The two of you will duel for your lives! Whoever life points ran out first will be dragged to the bottom of the ocean!" "Before you can say anything." Marik''s voice turned extremely cold: "I believe it''s in your best interest if youply." Grasping what he''s hinting at, I reluctantly approached a set of chains he provided, and with a click, I locked myself to the spare anchor slowly lifted by a crane." "Oh, by the way," Marik said nonchntly: "The child can not hear you, so just duel and ept your fate!" My heart aches when I meet eyes with the brainwashed Mokuba. He readied his duel disk to Marik''smand, and I was forced to do the same. "What are you waiting for? Let''s begin!" Mokuba: "Duel!" "Duel...." I muttered weakly. [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP] [Mokuba Kaiba: 4000 LP] "I will go first," I said: "I''m setting a monster face down and end my turn." "My turn..." Mokuba announced in a dull tone: "I summon Krokodilus and attack the hidden monster." On the field appeared a humanoid cartoonish crocodile. The monster stood on its hind legs and raised its arms into a boxing position. [Krokodilus: 1100 Attack, 1200 Defence] The crocodile charged and punched my card. The set monster revealed itself as my Guardian of Felgrand, and the warrior was blown away from the strike. Ending his turn, I gritted my teeth. "I summon Dragon Knight of Creation and end my turn." I dered. [Dragon Knight of Creation: 1800 Attack, 600 Defence] Never in my life of Yugioh have I been in a circumstance of not wanting to damage my opponent? But right now, I couldn''t even afford tond a single hit... Dragon Knight of Creation is stronger, so I should be safe. However, I soon realised that I was wrong and was forced to face a terrifying situation. "Krokodilus, attack..." Mokuba ordered. To my shock, Krokodilus charged as my Dragon Knight of Creation swung its sword, cutting the monster cleanly in half. [Mokuba Kaiba: 4000 LP -> 3300 LP] "W... why..." I stuttered in disbelief. "Yuna Sano, do you think I will make it this easy?" Marik''sughed: "There will only be one person amongst the two of you that will survive." No way... It doesn''t matter how I y. Mokuba will always attack, and either I take damage or he will. After all, the results will always be the same, with one of us dying... "I will set a monster and change Dragon Knight of Creation into defence position. Then I end my turn." Mokuba drew a card and stared into my eyes. I couldn''t tell his thoughts, and his gaze unsettled me. Was there any way for him to wake up? "I will use Meteor of Destruction and inflict one thousand damage directly, and then I will summon Alligator''s Sword and destroy Dragon Knight of Creation." [Alligator Sword: 1500 Attack, 1200 Defence] I looked up and watched as a meteor crashed into where I was standing. Thankfully, being an illusion, I wasn''t harmed physically. [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP -> 3000 LP] Afterwards, a monster resembling a fantasy lizardman was summoned onto the field. Alligator''s Sword charged and swung its sabre at the kneeling knight. Watching the Dragon Knight of Creation fall helplessly. "Mokuba, please get a hold of yourself!" I begged but to no avail. "I will set a card and end my turn," Mokuba murmured, ignoring my plea. No matter what I do, Mokuba will either defeat himself by throwing his monsters carelessly at my own, or I will lose as he attacks me relentlessly. Was there any way to wake him up? "I will first use Graceful Charity to draw three cards while discarding two from my hand. Then, I set two cards face down and end my turn." Mokuba: "I tribute my Alligator''s Sword to summon Sword Stalker." As Alligator''s Sword vanished, a tall purple demon with horns and wings reced its original position. In the demon''s hand was a massive scimitar as tall as me, and the monster lifted the weapon effortlessly. [Swordstalker: 2000 Attack, 1600 Defence] "Swordstalker, attack," Mokuba ordered, and the demon rushed towards me as a ck dragon with ming breath appeared to my defence. [Koumori Dragon: 1500 Attack, 1200 Defence] "I activate my trap card, Waboku, and my monsters won''t be destroyed this turn, nor will I take any damage!" Beside Koumori Dragon appeared a priest dressed in blue robes. Raising her arms, she generated a forcefield that deflected Sword Stalker''s attack, driving the demon away. "My turn ends here," Mokuba mumbled, unbothered. Clicking my teeth, I ran my finger through my hair: "Stalling means that you surrender. Are you forfeiting Yuna Sano?" Mokuba said without a void of emotions. "Big sister," I growled, and the child tilted his head: "Call me like you always do." Mokuba nodded with a trace of confusion: "Are you forfeiting, big sis..." Suddenly, Mokuba clutched his head in pain, and his pupils trembled erratically. Out of instinct, I almost ran towards him. However, with my leg restricted to the anchor, I was forced to watch Mokuba''s suffering. He peeked at me through his fingers, and I finally felt a glimmer of hope. In that brief moment, life returned to his eyes, and I could see his desperate struggle to fight Marik''s brainwashing. "Mokuba!" I yelled: "Please keep fighting!" "Argh..." Mokuba groaned in response. Unfortunately, much to my dismay, Marik seemed to have regained control as his emotionless personality returned: "Let''s continue, Yu... Big sister." I grimaced; it was not enough. I needed to do something to wake him uppletely! Grimacing, I desperately tried to think of a solution... "I will end my turn." "I summon Luster Dragon in attack position." Mokuba dered without hesitation: "Now, attack Koumori Dragon." A medium-sized dragon covered in sapphire crystal-like scales dived down from the sky. The dragonnded and snarled like a beast and scratched its body with its ws. [Luster Dragon: 1900 Attack, 1600 Defence] Luster Dragon leapt across the dock andshed out with its ws. Koumori Dragon roared and tried to defend, but it was too weak and was defeated. "Now, Sword Stalker, attack." The demon rushes towards me, thrusting its sword. I stumbled as the virtual de stabbed into my chest. I patted my body and sighed as the realism of these projections startled me. [Yuna Sano: 3000 LP -> 1000 LP] "You disappoint me, Yuna Sano!" Marik mocked: "Come on? Where is it? Where is your divine dragon?" ''Divine dragon....'' Marik''s words repeated in my head as if urging me to retrieve it. Damn it, whatever it was, as long I can help Mokuba, it''s fine by me!'' "I will summon Starliege Seyfert!" I shouted, summoning a small dragon made from levitating obsidian tes. [Starliege Seyfert: 1800 Attack, o Defence] "After summoning Starliege Seyfert, I will use its effect to discard two Keeper of the Shrine from my hand. Then I can add a dragon monster equal to the total level of the monsters I use Starliege Seyfert''s effect, as the duel disk automatically searched through my deck before presenting the card I wanted on the top. I nced at Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand as Marik''s words became louder and louder in my head. Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand... Divine Dragon... Felgrand... A sudden realisation struck me, and my eyes widened: ''This might work!'' However, my expression instantly dimmed: ''But would it?'' Doubt sprouts from my heart as my resolve wavered. However, I hurriedly pped myself in frustration; what was I thinking? Do I have the audacity to lose hope now?! I''m sorry, just wait a little longer, I will bring you back! [3rd POV] Everything was dark, Mokuba thought as he wandered mindlessly. He can''t remember how he got here or why he was here. However, despite being in this ominous area, Mokuba doesn''t feel like leaving. It was as if a paranormal force convinced him that staying was better... "Mokuba!" Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice calling out to him. Mokuba turned around, and there was a white light. Mokuba subconsciously touched the light, and it expanded into a ss ne as a live video began to y. It was him, but he''s duelling... Yuna? "Mokuba!!" Yuna shouted again, and Mokuba''s body trembled: "Please keep fighting!" He was confused, and Mokuba couldn''t understand what she meant. But to his shock, the Mokuba on the screen responded in a dull tone as the Sword Stalker on his field charged and plunged its sword into his big sister''s chest. ''Good,'' A scary voice echoed in this empty void: ''Kill her, and the Duel King will no longer be a problem...'' "Kill big sister?" Mokuba muttered in disbelief. He doesn''t want that? First of all, how will he kill her in the first ce? His eyes wandered to the chains attached to her leg, and he watched as Yuna''s life points dropped and the crane holding an anchor began to move, dragging the chains into the water. "No!" Mokuba yelled in panic and punched against the screen: "Stop!" However, his body outside did not listen and continued to duel. With each battle, both of them inch closer and closer to death. To Mokuba, it was a horrifying show; every time Yuna summoned a monster, Mokuba would throw his creatures at her, regardless of their strength. If Yuna summons a strong monster, Mokuba will summon a weaker one and attack, forcing Yuna to switch, and Mokuba can take this chance to damage her. As he watched their anchors grazing against the sea surface, this back and forth terrified him. [Yuna Sano: 400 LP] [Mokuba Kaiba: 600 LP] Eventually, their life points were worryingly low, and Mokuba panted tiredly. No matter how hard he screamed and punched against the ss, it wouldn''t break. Beforehand, when Mokuba heard Yuna''s urging to call her big sister, he felt a sense of strength, but that had long disappeared... "Big Sister, I''m too weak..." Mokuba muttered, depressed and fell to his knees, "I can''t do it by myself." "Mokuba!" His big sister shouted as he weakly nced up: "Do you remember the card I gifted to you four days ago?!" "Four days ago?" He said to himself... "When you received it, you were so happy, and we bothughed when you told me that Kaiba acted like a jealous child?!" "Of course, I remembered. Big brother''s face was really funny that time..." "Back then, I said the reason I gave you that card was merely proof of our rtionship, but it''s more than that!" she yelled. "It was?" "You were always supporting me, helping me without a second thought!" Yuna released her feelings: "You were always bright and cheerful, and your bravery motivates me to work hard! Even if we''re not rted, I''m d to call you my brother!" Mokuba''s eyes widened, and he touched his chest, where his heart beat erratically. Standing up, Mokuba clenched his fist: "Sister is fighting so hard, I should as well!" *Bam!* He punched against the ss with all his strength. His knuckles hurt, but Mokuba didn''t give up, and cracks finally began forming. With the thirtieth punch, his arm went through, generating the sound of ss shattering. Grottomg his teeth, he tried to move his arm, which felt extremely cumbersome and looking at the screen, his right hand was gradually following his motion! "That card!" Yuna shouted: "Please show it to me!" ncing at his hand, Mokuba saw the card his Big Sister was referring to. However, no matter what, he couldn''t get his fingers to move! "Not sure what it is?" Yuna asked: "Then I will jog up your memories a bit! I will use Return of the Dragon Lords and summon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!!" A bright burst of light glistened on the water as an intimidating golden dragon appeared out of nowhere. The dragon red at Mokuba, unleashing a devastating roar that made him squint. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Then I will banish your Sword Stalker in your graveyard, and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand will gain six hundred Attacks and Defence!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800-3400 Attack, 2800 -> 3400 Defence] "Come on, Mokuba!" Yuna urged: "Wasn''t this big enough of a hint!" "I''m trying!!" He shouted, and he felt the weight on his arm became lighter. *WOOOSH* Suddenly, Mokuba copsed as his right hand was pressed to the floor, and Marik''s restraint strengthened. Watching himself on the screen, he drew a spell card, and Mokuba''s face turned pale. ''Quickly, use the Hinotama spell card and kill her once and for all!'' Following his instruction, his brainwashed body reached for the spell card. "I WON''T LET YOU!!!" Mokuba screamed. Enduring the intense pressure, Mokuba stood up with wobbling feet and moved his arm. The hand moving to Hinotama changed trajectory towards a card beside it. Mokuba watched as his hand slowly reached for the spell, and he frantically shouted with all he could. To Mokuba''s relief, his hand stopped, and he heard Marik''s angered tone. ''No, what are you doing!'' Marik roared. "Big sister, you want me to respond, right?" Mokuba smiled wryly: "Then I will answer!" With everything he got, Mokuba pushed against the light, and cracks formed: "COME ON!!!" Meanwhile, Yuna watched Mokuba raise a card into the air: "I will........ y... Hino... I will tribute my two monsters and summon Felgrand Dragon!!!" The two monsters Mokuba controlled disappeared as Mokuba called upon a dragon simr to Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand. With a smaller and less intimidating presence, Felgrand Dragon roared, and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand snarled in response. [Felgrand Dragon: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "See Mokuba!" Yuna yelled with a smile: "You can ovee Marik, I believe in you!" "Litsen to me you imprudent brat!" Marik bellowed: "Stop with your act and use the spell card and end her!!" In Mokuba''s body, Mokuba clutched his head: "No!! I will not harm Big Sister!!" He was slowly winning against Marik''s control! However, he knew it wasn''t enough, and his time ran out! If he doesn''t do anything, Marik will regain his body! ncing at his Felgrand Dragon, determination burned in his eyes. "Felgrand Dragon, attack!" Mokuba smiled: "If Big Sister won''t defeat me, I will do it myself!" Outside, Yuna shrieked in shock and disbelief that Mokuba wished to sacrifice himself: "Mokuba, stop what are you doing!!!" Felgrand Dragon threw itself into Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, and the two dragons attacked each other, scratches, bites and ming breath; both monsters utilised any weaponry in their possession. However, being the superior version, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand won... [Mokuba Kaiba: 400 LP -> 0 LP] "Tsk... how useless..." Marik spat: "Looks like you can''t save him after all." With a snapping sound, Mokuba found himself back in the real world. Confused, his eyes darted around before settling on the horrified Yuna. "Huh? Oh, Big Sister, I''m back! I''m..." Suddenly, his body lurched forward as the Anchor dropped into the water. Yuna screamed as the shackle binding her was freed, and she sprinted towards the edge. Reaching her hand, she tried to grab him, but their fingers touched, and he plunged into the sea...n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "Sano!" Yuna''s head swung around as she heard Seto shouting from behind. He threw a tiny shiny object in the air, and Yuna instantly caught the item. Unfurling her head, she saw a key and without hesitation, she followed Mokuba below the waves. Using the chains as a guide, she pulled herself into the depths and gradually reached the bottom of the ocean. ''There!'' Yuna spotted Mokuba holding his breath while he desperately tugged against the lock. Swimming towards him, Yuna hurriedly unlocked the shackles binding his legs as they swam back to the surface. Suddenly, a strong current sent Yuna spiralling through the water. Her back hit the seafloor, knocking the air out of her lungs, and she instinctively ingested a mouthful of water. Yuna''s body gagged, and more water entered her throat. Her vision darkened, and shest witnessed Mokuba swimming away, unaware of the horrible event behind him. Above, Seto watched with bated breath, his heart praying for his brother''s safety. After sessfully defeating the Rare Hunter in his way, he managed to secure two keys. Just in time, the remainder of Yugi''s friends, Tristan, Duke and Joey''s sister Serenity, arrived on the scene, and he could pass one of the keys to them. Arriving at where his brother was, he witnessed Mokuba being pulled underwater. He hurled the key to Yuna, and she dived into the sea to rescue his brother. That all happened one minute ago, but to Seto, it felt longer than that "Puha!!!" Suddenly, Mokuba''s head burst through the water, and Seto felt a huge weight lifted off his chest. However, Mokuba''s panicking expression didn''t put his mind fully at ease. Mokuba frantically looked around, his face contorted in fear: "Big Sister?! Big Sister!" "Calm down, Mokuba, tell me what''s wrong!" Seto frowned. "Seto, big sister is still down there!" He yelled. The young president''s eyes widened in surprise. His body stood still, unsure what to do, but he was brought back to reality under Mokuba''s urging: "Please save her!" Mokuba''s cry triggered Seto to act, and he moved instinctually. Taking off his coat, he fearlessly plummeted into the water. With his athletic arms, Seto swam through the murky waters, reaching the depth at a fast speed. There, he spotted Yuna floating, unconscious. Gritting his teeth, Seto grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to the surface. Emerging from the surface, Seto ced Yuna''s body on the ground. Yugi and his friends appeared as Tea and Serenity moved to resuscitate her. Palpable fear hung in the air as the surroundings radiated nothing but anxiety. *Cough Cough* After what felt like years, Yuna vomited a mouthful of water and wheezed for air. Yuna slowly opened her eyes, and everyone finally let go of the breath they had been holding. "Big sister!" Mokuba cried. Yuna weakly sat up, trying to remember what happened. However, her body was suddenly lifted into the air before she could reflect. In shock, Yuna was picked up as her leg was loosely on the side and her head leaning against something hard. "Wha..." Yuna whimpered. "We will be leaving now," Seto said with Yuna in his arms: "Mokuba, let''s go." "Huh ah, Yes!" Mokuba said with fluster as a helicopter Seto called earliernded before them. Getting on the helicopter, Seto nced at Yugi: "Just wait, slifer, the Sky Dragon will be mine." The vehicle took flight as the figures on the ground became more distant, and all this time, Yuna remained in Seto''s arms, too embarrassed to utter a single sound... I hope you enjoy. If you''re wondering I didn''t focus much on the duel here was because Mokuba doesn''t really have a good deck that''s interesting enough. Also, having too many duels in consecutive chapters might be a little tiring. Chapter 44: An Existence Beyond This Realm Chapter 44: An Existence Beyond This Realm ? [Yuna''s POV] Guess who''s back in the hospital again? Of course, it''s yours truly. With the first case of vomiting blood and the second time for almost drowning to death, I''m racking up quite a record. Thankfully, my injuries were not as severe this time, and I just needed to rest. Fighting against Umbra and Lumis and then rescuing Mokuba, today has been very hectic, and it has taken a lot of toll on my stamina. *Knock knock* With the sound of knocking, the door to my room opened. Unsurprisingly, the two Kaiba brothers arrived. Eagerly, Mokuba ran to the side of my bed and smiled with sweetness. "Big Sister!" He said with a cheery tone, and I felt my heart melt. Patting his head, I nced at Kaiba, who was snorting in discontent. When he noticed my stare, he sighed and reached into his coat. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed three locator cards. "Why...." I muttered in confusion when I realised that these locator cards weren''t mine. "Two of those were from the Rare Hunters we dealt with, and thest one was from the fool in the shipyard who thinks he can stand a chance against me." "Then..." I held out two of the locator cards: "It''s... yours..." Since it was a tag-team duel, Kaiba and I should each receive a locator card, respectively. But Kaiba was also the one who defeated the Rare Hunter blocking the path, and by following the rules, I must give it back to him. I held back a sigh, and if I requested an early discharge, I think I could get two more locator cards in time. However, to my surprise, Kaiba refused to take the cards: "I already have more than enough, so it''s useless in my hand." "But..." I frowned and took back one of the cards: "Yours." Through Kaiba''s words, I still felt reluctant and could only take one through the justification that I take both locator cards from the tag-team duel. "It will only gather dust with me." Kaiba said in a slightly louder voice: "Don''t think you can avoid the qualifiers; we will duel, and I will defeat you." With his relentless coaxing, I had no choice but to agree and ced the three locator cards on the bedside table. Then I watched Kaiba approaching the desk and cing my duel disk and deck. "With the Deck Protection System I''ve implemented inside the duel disk, your cards were left unharmed, and the damage to your duel disk was repaired." My eyes widened in shock. I hadpletely forgotten about my deck! I hurriedly grabbed the stack of cards and frantically flipped through all of them. When I was sure that not even a drop of water had stained my prized possessions, I let out the breath I was holding. When I dived into the waters, I never had the time to store my deck in my system. So, the fear of knowing they may be destroyed overwhelmed me. Before I realised, tears of relief trickled down my face. In the world of Yugioh, a duel monster card was more than just a card. Instead of a piece of printed cardboard, they were a tool to channel spirits to fight for you, so carelessly destroying them, especially the powerful ones that actually have spirits residing in them, was unforgivable. This was particrly crucial for me as my sentiment towards Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand can''t be described between a duelist and their card. It was a dragon that decided to choose me as its master and the one that was keeping my soul alive. Wiping my tears, I gazed at Kaiba gratefully: "Thank.... you.. so much..." Hearing my heartfelt gratitude, Kaiba''s body stiffened. Regaining hisposure, he scoffed and avoided my gaze: "It was nothing." ''What a massive Tsundere,'' I thought with a smile. Finishing his objective, Kaiba moved to the door: "Mokuba, let''s go." He said and left. Waving goodbye to Mokuba, I was once again left alone in the hospital room. Reaching into my jacket hanging by the side, I grabbed the rest of my locator cards. Remembering the instructions, I stacked all six of the locator cards together. Immediately, the LED light on the corner of the card came to life, and a map began to form. It wasn''t long before the device had finished, and I instantly recognised the location. Domino City Airport, that''s where I must go. However, I set the Locator Cards down. Can I even win? Kaiba, Yugi and Marik each possess an Egyptian God, but I don''t even have a card to fight against it. Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, maybe? But I needed Quick Attack, or its ability to gain attacks on the turn it was summoned would be useless. As I was lost in despair, a blue virtual screen appeared in the corner of my vision. [Task #6] [Make it to the final of the Battle City! Locator Card: 6/6] [Reward: 1000 x duelists defeated] [Status: Complete!] Oh yeah, I still have this Task... As I was going to click away, another panel ovepped the first, and I was surprised. [Congrats, you have discovered a hidden bonus!] [Defeat Rare Hunters: 2/1] [Reward: 2500 credits] To think there were hidden bonuses. Using my hands, I dragged these notifications to the corner and expanded the main menu: [Name: Yuna Sano] [Title: King of Games/Duel King] [Credits: 12100] [Task] [Inventory] [shop] With so many credits, my pupils sparkled, and I instinctively pressed the Shop Button. An array of cards appeared before my eyes. I scrolled through the cards haphazardly, buying the useful ones; however, none could help me defeat a god. Just wondering, if I search for the name of a God, it won''t appear, right? My body stiffened with anticipation as I nervously typed the name of the Egyptian Gods. To my absolute disbelief, as I pressed the search button, instantly, the list of cards was shortened to three different cards. What the hell, it''s really here. I tapped on Slifer the Sky Dragon, and I felt my heart pounding with adrenaline. However, as if there was a bucket of cold water poured on top of my head, my mood was dampened. [Locked, Card Unavable] A bright red text manifested before me in an intimidating manner. Swiping the notice aside, I grumbled with annoyance. Fine, Slifer, The Sky Dragon may not be avable, so how about Obelisk the Tormentor? [Locked, Card Unavable] Don''t worry, who wants Obelisk anyway? Everyone knows the strongest Egyptian God was none other than The Winged Dragon of Ra! [Locked, Card Unavable] Ahem.... Looks like the Egyptian Gods were out of the window. Wait, that must mean that it already existed in this world, right? So, how about a God that no one possesses? Ke Ke Ke Fine, then let''s try the Egyptian Gods'' counterparts, the Wicked Gods!! [Locked, Card Unavable] [Locked, Card Unavable] [Locked, Card Unavable] That''s alright, that''s alright if you can''t pick the exact replica and its counterpart. How about a knock-off that''s just as powerful? That''s right, I''m talking about the Sacred Beasts! [Locked, Card Unavable] [Locked, Card Unavable] [Locked, Card Unavable] N.... Norse Gods? [Stop Trying] Alright... Dejected, I sank into my pillows. What am I expecting? Of course, it''s not as simple as that! What am I going to do now? As I covered my head and let out a heavy sigh, I noticed something between the gap of my fingers. Sitting up, I gazed at a card that appeared out of nowhere. I was sure that I''d tried the entire list, so why was this card here? Out of curiosity, I tapped the card and was brought into its details. However, it was a decision that I soon came to regret. Immediately, a ck corrosive gunk began to spread on the corner of the screen, and the System started to glitch, creating a horrible grating noise. Unintelligible words filled the screen as the substance began to spread on all parts of the system, destroying it. [ERROR] [ERROR] [Presence of !@#($!Y&(*)! detected] [Removing all essence of !@#($!Y&(*)!] [Restarting System] [Restarting Progress: 10%] [Restarting Progress: 46%] [Restarting Progress: 76%] [Restarting Cancelled, Action Override by Overseer] An array of rectangr blue panels appeared one by one, so much so that it flooded my vision. Hundreds of questions filled my head, and the questions were increasing by the second, but none of them were answered. Yet, there''s one thing I''m sure of. I have encountered something I should never have essed... The substance has now covered the entire screen, but only the bright green buttony untouched, enticing me to interact with it. [Purchase Card?] [Cost: ????????] I froze at the cost: "Why is it just question marks... Shouldn''t it be a number?" However, I had no time to think as the liquid left the screen and was actually dripping onto my body. Wincing in pain at the acidic sensation of my skin, I frantically wiped the residue away. "So I really have no choice, huh...." I muttered: "Fine, if you want me to press it so badly, I will! Buy!!" I shouted and pressed against the button with all my might. Instantly, the rectangr screen transformed into a ck hole, and I was sucked in... Dragged into an unknown ce, my back hit the floor. Opening my eyes, I found myself in complete darkness. *Huff* Suddenly, a heavy breathing sound echoed behind me, and I shivered. Anxiously, I turned around and was faced to face with a massive eye. My entire body froze in fear as the golden pupil blinked. It was a monster covered in shadows, except for its eyes; I couldn''t discern any other features. The monster''s head moved, and I followed along with my gaze. ''What is a human doing in my domain?'' A deep, chilling voice growled curiously. Before I could react, the monster reached out with its ws. I felt a sharp pain when its nails dug into my flesh, and I was lifted into the air. ''Don''t make me repeat myself human. What is a mortal doing here?'' The monster snapped. Terrified, I bit my lips. Knowing that the longer I hesitate, the thinner the beast''s patience grew, and sooner orter, I will be killed. "Don''t.... know..." ''I see...'' The creature muttered in contemtion: ''Then begone...'' Instantly, the monster dropped me back to the ground. It opened its jaw, and I witnessed an intense light glowing from its throat. ''Ah.... I''m going to die....'' I thought, and the monster fired a blinding beam in my direction. However, before the attack reached, a figure blocked theser with its wings. *BOOOOOOM* I covered my ears as the resounding explosion struck against the figure''s flesh. Quivering, I glimpsed above me and gazed at Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand. The dragon nudged its head against my face, and I smiled with relief that I was able to survive. Unfurling its wings, we red at the giant monster that tried to kill me. Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand roared, and its radiating scales blew the darkness away. ''It''s you....'' The monster mumbled in surprise: ''What are you doing in my domain?'' However, before it could receive an answer, a second dragon darted through the darkness, spewing purple mes from its mouth. ''Annoying...'' The monster mumbled and swatted the attacker like a fly. The dragon was knocked to the ground and crashed beside us. Shaking its head, the monster hissed, and I ran towards the dragon with concern: "Starving Venom Fusion Dragon..... Are you hurt?" Starving Venom Fusion Dragon shook its head and pped its tail against the ground, eager to keep fighting.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om ''Why are you protecting this human?'' The monster asked. Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon roared simultaneously, arguing with the enormous being. ''Interesting... Then show me how deep your resolve is.'' With a speed unbefitting its size, the monster swung its arms. Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand carried me into the air, and the area where we were previously standing was utterly destroyed. Riding on Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s back, I watched as Starving Venom Fusion Dragon engaged in a fierce battle, darting around the monster''s massive frame and attacking through the gaps of its dense scales. "Aim for its eyes," I whispered, and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand grunted in confirmation. Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand dived towards the creature''s face while Starving Venom Fusion Dragon tried to gain its attention. Noticing us in the corner of its vision, the monster ignored Starving Venom Fusion Dragon entirely and snapped at us with its jaw. Twisting its body in midair, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand narrowly dodged through the space between the beast''s teeth. "Now Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" I shouted. Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand howled and swung its ws, leaving a trail of blood spraying out of the monster''s eye. We heard a thunderous screech, and the creature howled in agony. "Quick, it''s weakened; let''s finish this in one move!" Together, the two dragons gathered in the centre. They puffed up their chest, gathering all the energy into their mouth. In unison, my dragons unleashed their breath. *BOOOOOM* The entire space rumbled as one side where our opponent stood was littered with explosions. Our visions were blocked by smoke, and I couldn''t spot the monster''s figure. Suddenly, a rageful roar burst my eardrums: ''Congrattions, now you have my full attention!'' It was like a switch had been turned on, and simultaneously, the dragons were smashed into the ground, their back being pressed by an invisible force. I was thrown into the air andnded a few meters away from them. Gritting my teeth, I red at our opponent. Its injuries that we have dealt with earlier have beenpletely healed; not even a single scar remains. What''s worse, the pressure I was feeling earlier intensified, and I found myself having trouble breathing. Peering into my face, it snarled: ''I don''t understand how you made these two obey you, but it doesn''t matter, now die...'' The monster raised its arms, and I closed my eyes out of fear. However, the pain of getting my bones crushed never arrived, and I hesitantly opened my eyes. Just a few inches away from my face was its sharp ws. *Sniff Sniff* The monster sniffed with its nostril and bared its fangs: ''Why do you have her scent?'' ''What is your name, human...'' It asked. "Y.... Yuna..." I murmured, trying my best not to anger the already pissed-off dragon. ''Yuna....'' The creature hummed: ''So it''s you... You''re the one she''s was talking about...'' Confused, I couldn''t understand a single word as the monster chuckled to itself: ''You must havee to seek my power, correct? No... Rather, she dragged you into this!'' Recalling one of the messages from the system was having the control overridden. I subconsciously nodded. The monsterughed: ''How fun... So you wanted to defeat my children?'' Simply referring to the Egyptian Gods as their children made my jaw drop. Just who the hell am I speaking to!! ''Very well, I will give it to you... Use it well, and be sure not to waste it.'' It said: ''After all, I will only give you one opportunity.'' At the tip of its finger was a small orb. It gently guided the orb, and I felt the essence being absorbed by my body. I felt afortable feeling, and I hurriedly checked my physique to ensure nothing had changed. The creature then nced at the two dragon spirits and released their constraints. Instantly, they sprang to their feet and rushed to my side. ''Hmph... A tenacious bunch.'' The monster remarked. "Who.... are you..." I asked when I noticed the atmosphere had be calmer. The monster didn''t respond and smiled, revealing rows of sharp teeth: "You will find out when you wake up. Don''t disappoint me, I will be watching you.'' With a loud popping sound, I found myself back in the hospital room. I blinked in disbelief as everything that happened felt like a dream. Suddenly, I felt something in my hand. Opening my palm was a single card. "What is this...." I muttered in shock. What was this doing here? Reading the card''s text, I couldn''t believe my eyes at its absurdity: "Was this really the monster I was battling against?" Rubbing my fingers along its surface, my system activated out of nowhere. This time, the corrosive substance has disappeared, returning to its original visuals. [Warning: Card ???????? should be used only once. Exceeding the usage limit is not advised.] Recalling that thing''s warning, I sighed and stored the card away. Just what in the hell did I get myself into? I hope you enjoy Chapter 45: Battle City Quarter Finals! Chapter 45: Battle City Quarter Finals! ? [3rd POV] Hours Later... "Mokuba, is everything ready?" Seto asked while impatiently ncing at his watch. "Yep, they should arrive any second now," Mokuba nodded, tapping away at his tablet: "Everything is on standby awaiting your orders." Seto hummed with satisfaction. Subconsciously, he glimpsed at the woman standing quietly behind them. With her long ck hair and immacte brown skin, her beautiful appearance was further enhanced with the golden headwear with an emerald embedded at the centre. Ishizu Ishtar, that name already put him in a bad mood. The first interaction Seto had with her was when she gifted him Obelisk, the Tormentor, to convince him to host this tournament. Other than that, he knew nothing about her, and Seto thought she was highly mysterious. "You still haven''t exined to me why you''re here," Seto remarked coldly. "My brother''s inner darkness has run out of control..." Ishizu answered: "I will have to stop him myself. So you don''t have to involve yourself in my family''s matter any longer." "Your family''s matter?" Seto growled and stomped towards her: "What Marik has done was enough of a reason for me to put him six feet under." "Killing a Tomb Keeper is a great offence," Ishizu frowned in displeasure: "Can you bear the responsibility for your actions?" "Responsibility..." Seto scoffed. He suddenly grasped Ishizu''s cheeks, forcing her to stare into his eyes: "You should pray that your brother will live with his limbs intact." Letting her go, Ishizu scowled and ignored his re as she took a step away from the young president. Thinking about the chaos Marik has caused made Seto''s blood boil. What happened with Mokuba was truly unforgivable. If Yuna weren''t present at that time, he wouldn''t know if he could save Mokuba alone. Yuna... Seto clicked his tongue; why do things always lead down to her? He couldn''t understand; they had been crossing paths a lot of times already, and Seto couldn''t simply wrap his head around it... Suddenly, Mokuba''s face brightened: "Look, Big Sister is here!" Following Mokuba''s pointing, Seto turned his head and watched Yuna calmly approaching them. Dressed in blue jeans, a white tank top and a ck leather jacket, she walked with a calm stride and stopped before Seto. "You''ve arrived," he said. "Y... yes..." Yuna smiled awkwardly: "Others?" "They''re not here yet." Seto said while frowning: "I hope I won''t be disappointed." Not knowing how to continue the conversation, Yuna let out a weird cough. Thankfully, Mokuba jumped in and managed to keep the entire discussion alive. Not sure how long she had waited, Yuna finally spotted a group of people sprinting towards them. "Took you long enough..." Seto grunted as Yugi and his friends copsed in exhaustion. After the Marik incident, Yugi''s group spent the rest of the afternoon desperately trying to collect the remaining Locator Cards. Encountering Mai along the way, they dashed to Domino City Airport, which was all the way across the city. "We''re... We''re here." Yugi said while gasping for breath. "Pathetic..." Seto muttered, and Yugi smiled helplessly: "I wasted enough time waiting, Mokuba; we will end the qualifiers here. Stop anyone...." "Ah, did we make it in time?!" Suddenly, interrupting Seto, two young men arrived on the scene. One had white hair and brown eyes and was dressed in a blue open shirt over a light blue and white horizontally striped t-shirt. The second had dark skin, white-gold hair and purple eyes; he wore a sleeveless purple hoodie, golden ne, ck pants and shoes. "Bakura, what are you doing here?" Joey asked in surprise. "Me?" Bakuraughed: "Well, I''m here for the qualifiers." He held out his arm, showing everyone the duel disk on his wrist: "I also have six locator cards as well, so isn''t this enough?" Seto red at Bakura silently and glimpsed at the young man beside him: "Then is he a duelist as well or another stowaway?" "Oh, he''s a friend I met recently," Bakura introduced: "His name is Namu, and he''s also a duelist like us." Stepping forward, Namu smiled: "Hello, everyone, it''s nice to meet all of you." Yugi and his friends naturally warmed up to Namu''s friendliness, and thanks to Bakura''s introduction, they began to engage with him. However, only Yuna knows what''s really going on. "Big Sister, what''s wrong?" Mokuba asked as she blocked him with her arm. "Avoid.... him..." She muttered in a solemn voice. Yuna''s seriousness tunned Mokuba as he noticed the hand holding him tightened: "If Big Sister said so, okay." Relieved, Yuna visibly rxed. "We have enough people," Seto muttered observantly: "Let''s begin the...." "I apologise for intruding, but I would appreciate it if you wait just a bit longer." A deep voice echoed. "Tsk... what now..." Seto snarled in annoyance for being interrupted the second time. Everyone simultaneously turned their heads to the sound of leather shoes striking sharply against the floor. There, they saw a tall man dressed in purple robes with a cape, golden earrings, green eyes, bald head except for the strand of ck ponytail on the back of his head. However, the most prominent feature of his appearance was the tattoos of hieroglyphics on the half of his face. Without hesitation, the man approached Yuna: "We meet again, Miss Sano." Yuna stared at him ufortably, and Seto suddenly stepped between them: "Before you start snooping around the ce, how about telling us who you are?" The man calmly observed everyone''s tense expressions: "Very well.... Listen closely. My name is Marik Ishtar, the one that will unite all three Egyptian God Cards under my control." It was like time had stopped. Shock, disbelief and finally, anger appeared on everyone''s faces. Seto''s arm sliced through the air like the deadly strikes of a serpent; his fingers clenched around Marik''s cor: "So it was you! You really have the nerves to show yourself now!" His chest heaved with rage as he raised his fist, ready to give Marik the worst beating of his life. Seto had never felt this much anger before, and this was the first time that he wanted someone dead. Before he could break Marik''s nose, Yuna grabbed his shoulder. ring at her, Seto hissed: "Why are you stopping me? Let go," "Kaiba..." Yuna muttered worriedly: "Don''t...." Looking further ahead, Seto finally noticed Mokuba, who was terrified at whatever was about to happen. Realising that he was going tomit violence right in front of his little brother''s eyes, he wavered. Gritting his teeth, Seto lowered his fist and shoved Marik aside. Patting his wrinkled robes, Marik retorted in a calm tone: "I always thought the renowned Seto Kaiba would be a bit less barbaric than this." "What are you saying?" Seto scowled. Marik smirked and revealed his duel disk: "Let us settle this as we always do. Unless you want to break your own rules?" Yuna glimpsed at Seto, and she could hear the sound of his teeth grinding against each other. Not wanting to damage his pride, Seto turned around and pressed a button on his phone. A minuteter, a loud engine sound roared in the wind, and Yuna spotted a massive airship flying through the air. With a resounding boom, the shipnded at the entrance, opening and generating a whistling noise. Stepping onto the ramp, Seto suddenly stopped and nced at the group of people: "That reminds me, seems like there''s an odd number of duelists. Mokuba, Sano and you..." Seto spat thest part while pointing at Ishizu: "Let''s go, the rest of you all, go and work something out. I don''t care how you do it, but one of you won''t be advancing." "Hey, hold on, howe Sano-san and thatdy gets to go with you!" Joeyined: "Speaking off, aren''t you participating too, so why do you have a free pass!" "Because it''s my tournament, and these two were the only ones professional enough actually to make it to the qualifiers on time," Seto said while trying to hold in his anger. Without waiting for a reply, Seto entered the airship. ncing at Yugi apologetically, Yuna could do nothing but smile. "Don''t worry about us, Sano-san. We will work something out." He said reassuringly. Urged by Yugi, Yuna nodded as she quickly chased after Seto into the airship. [Yuna''s POV] An hourter... "So you''re telling me that Marik''s real name is Odion, and the person called Namu was the real Marik in disguise?" Kaiba repeated to make sure he got everything. I nodded with vigour as he stared at me in doubt: "Then how did you obtain this information?" "Overheard... From duel..." I lied, and Kaiba nodded, seemingly convinced. He knew that I had a battle with Odion on the first night, so he was able to construct a fake plot that sounded logical in his mind. "It doesn''t matter," Kaiba eventually snorted and stared at the windows: "No matter who''s the leader, they will all be destroyed." ''What a Kaiba thing to say...'' I thought and was going to leave. However, before I took one step, Kaiba suddenly grabbed onto my wrist and lifted my arm into the air. There, the sleeves of my jacket fell, revealing the bandages wrapped around my limb. "What happened." He questioned with a scrutinizing re. Crap, I havepletely forgotten about those! It was back in the hospital that I discovered the wounds on my body, and it gave the doctors quite a scare. The source of these injuries was from my battle against the "God", and what I thought was only my consciousness being dragged into its realm turned out my physical body was brought along as well. So all of its sharp scratch marks and the bruises of the tumble were evident for the world to see. Noticing that Kaiba was still demanding an answer, I said the first excuse I could think of. "Fell... off the bed..." Kaiba: ".....Bullsh*t" "It''s... true...." I insisted, and he eventually let go. "Fine," He spat reluctantly: "Have it your way." Kaiba seemed really irked. Was my lying disturbed him that much? Not wanting to bother him any further, I hurriedly sneaked away and entered the room personally assigned to me. Copsing onto the bed, I groaned infort. I could feel the airship slowly taking off from the ground, and I was surprised by how little shaking there was. That''s what a multi- billionairepany can do for you. Opening my system, I nned to buy a few more cards before the end of the tournament. Expecting arge amount of unused credit waiting for, what appeared was... [Credits: 0] "Huh, where did all my credits go!" I yelled. My fatigue instantly vanished. Standing up, I wracked my brain, thinking about where my credits could have gone. Suddenly, my eyes lit up as realisation dawned upon me. "So it was you!!!" I shouted at the card in my hand: "The heck are you hiding it for!? Instead of saying question marks, say all of my hard-earned ie and potentially my life into the mix!" Raising my hand, I wanted to toss the card to the ground. However, when I remembered who it was that was behind this card, I sighed and stored it away. Suddenly, I heard knocking on the door, and Mokuba''s voice rang from the other side. "Big sister, we will begin our take off. Big Brother said that everyone should gather at the top of the airship in about ten minutes." "Mokuba," I called out: "Yugi''s friend... who left?" "Ah," Mokuba instantly understood: "They decided to host a small tournament, and Mai Valentine has been eliminated." ''Mai huh...'' Typically, I would''ve felt bad for her, but since we barely interacted with each other, that feelingsted only for a moment. Mokuba soon left to help with Kaiba, and I was once again alone. Deciding to take a whiff of fresh air, I exited my room and strolled through the empty hallways. Leaving my room, I walked through the empty hallways and nced out the window on the side. Exploring through the massive airship, I spotted a young girl with brown hair peeking at something around the corner. ''That''s Joey''s sister...'' Recalling that she and Tea were the ones who brought me back from drowning, my attitude towards her was naturally good. Sensing my presence, she turned her head, and her pupils lit up. With an eagerness I''ve never seen before, she crossed the distance in a sh and grabbed me by surprise. "Hello!" She chirped: "I''ve always wanted to meet you!" "M... Me?" I uttered. "Un-huh!" she nodded: "How could I not want to meet my saviour!" "I heard from Joey that you were the one who paid for my eye surgery," She said with a voice full of emotions: "To think there''s someone so kind...." "Ah!" She yelled: "How rude of me! I haven''t even introduced myself yet; I''m Serenity Wheeler!" If I have to describe Mokuba as a puppy, then Serenity felt like a hyperactive gerbil that was begging for attention. I pointed at the corner, wondering why someone like her was alone. Understanding my intentions, Serenity dragged me around the corner and told me to look. There, I saw Namu leaning against a wall, seemingly absorbed in his world. "No matter how friendly he is, I couldn''t help but be suspicious!" Serenity scrutinised: "You must feel the same!" Impressed with Serentity''s detective observations, I stayed with her and watched. Suddenly, at the end of the hallway, Ishizu appeared. She calmly stopped beside Namu, and they exchanged a couple of unintelligible words. Whatever their conversation was, Ishizu seemed slightly shaken, and she quietly left, going back the way she came. Opening his eyes, Namu nced our way. "Eeeep! He''sing towards us!" In a panic, Serenity hugged me against the wall. Her face buried into my chest, like an ostrich sticking its head into the ground in danger. What were you doing? I screamed in my head, trying to pry Serenity off of my body. However, all my efforts only made her dig deeper, and I was beginning to hear her making some questionable noises. Namu appeared around the corner and stared at us strangely. Please, this wasn''t what you were thinking! Covering my blushing face, Namu eventually left, leaving us alone. I sighed with relief, and I nced at Serenity, who had her arms around me. I tapped her shoulder to notify her that she was in the clear, but no matter how much I nudged her, Serenity refused to budge. "Mufufufu... so soft..." She mumbled and rubbed her face against my chest. Heat rose to my face, and I hurriedly pushed her away. Serenity pouted and flexed her fingers: "But the divine pillow...." "Serenity..." I called, trying to talk some reason into her. My back was pressed against the corner as the perv... no Serenity approached me with a mischievous smile. I tried to block her, but Serenity ducked under my arms and began to tickle me. Unable to resist, Iughed uncontrobly as she continued her ticklish barrage. *BAM* Suddenly, a fist arrived out of nowhere and struck Serenity''s head: "I took my eyes off you for a second, and now you''re defiling someone." Joey scolded. "But we''re just ying...." Serenity pouted. "Oh yeah? It doesn''t look like Sano-san is feeling the same." Joey said and nced at me worriedly. As Serenity released me, I copsed on the floor and hugged my body, traumatised. It''s over... Who would want to marry me now... "I apologise on my sister''s behalf." Joey bowed apologetically: "She recently was able to step outside of the hospital. So she''s very excited." "That''s right!" Serenity grabbed my hands: "It was all thanks to Yuna''s kindness! You''re just like my brother!" She praised with pride. "He said that in the Duelist Kingdom, he felt bad for besting you in Duel Monsters and decided to forfeit and let you advance into the finals!" Joey suddenly flinched and smiled nervously: "Hey... Hey Serenity, it''s rude to boast." "But I''m not boasting! You said that Yuna already knows about it!" "Stop Talking!!" Joey screamed and covered Serenity''s mouth: "Ah ha ha, she doesn''t know what she''s talking about!" Heughed awkwardly under my re. What the hell were you telling her?! "Anyway, I heard that we will decide our opponents soon," Joey desperately tried to change the subject. Good, then I will really show who''s the better duelist.... Understanding my evil thoughts, Joey gulped nervously. Serenity pulled me up, and together, we walked to the top of the airship, where the rest of the people were waiting for us. "Looks like everyone''s here," Kaiba said and opened the door. Immediately, a vast gust of wing sted our faces. Walking with hesitant steps, we emerged onto the top of the airship with the clouds right below our feet. What appeared before us was a t field that was slightly elevated from the ground, simr to a boxing ring. Surrounding the duel field was a walkway used for spectators. Arriving at the centre of the field, Kaiba pressed a button on a remote, and the airship visibly slowed down. Onmand, a man with green hair, a ck suit and sses pushing a projector screen. "Good evening," The man greeted courteously: "My name is Rnd; I work as the Business Advisor of Kaiba Corps and the MC of Battle City. I will also be acting as the referee. If there are any questions regarding this tournament, please refer to me." I stared at Rnd''s face with fascination. Despite being a side character, he''s a little famous among the Yugiohmunity for being so unfazed by the paranormal activities of the Duel Monster card game, like summoning an actual god to fight your opponents, which was just an ordinary Tuesday for him. Also, something I haven''t noticed. Being the Business Advisor of Kaiba Corps meant that Kaiba trusted him a lot, which was surprising considering that Kaiba''s employees betraying him was the norm. "Now, please pay attention to this screen. Your first opponent will be randomly chosen." We watched with bated breath as the projector flickered to life. Instantly, two columns of names were formed beside each other. [Yuna Sano vs Bakura Ryou] [Yugi Mutou vs Marik Ishtar] [Seto Kaiba vs Ishizu Ishtar] [Joey Wheeler vs Namu Saad] I nced at Bakura, who was smiling at me. However, that smile transformed into a sly smirk, and I realised that I was no longer facing the Bakura I was familiar with but the evil spirit hiding within his Millenium Ring. "Yuna Sano and Bakura Ryou, please prepare yourselves; everyone else, please step out of the duelling ring." Returning to his smile, Yami Bakura walked past me, but he stopped midway, his lips close to my ears: "You warned Pegasus about me, didn''t you?" Not responding, Yami Bakura grinned: "It doesn''t matter. I will make sure to kill you in this duel..." Freezing, I nced at Yami Bakura, who calmly strolled to his side of the field. Rubbing the chills crept along my arms. Taking a deep breath, I regained myposure. Sorry to disappoint you, Yami Bakura, but I don''t n on dying anytime soon. With a new confidence, I made my way to the opposite end of the field. Activating my Duel Disk, I red at Yami Bakura. "Are both duelists ready?" Rnd asked. "Yes," Yami Bakura said with a cheerful voice while I nodded in silence. "Good, then the first match of the Balle City finals will now begin!" "Duel!" We shouted in unison. [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP] [Bakura Ryou: 4000 LP] I hope you enjoyn/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Chapter 46: Occult Duelist, Bakura Ryou! Chapter 46: ult Duelist, Bakura Ryou! ? [3rd POV] "Hey Yugi, who do you think will win?" Tea asked while staring at the two duelists on the field. "It should be Sano-san, right?" Tristan chimed into the conversation: "She did defeat the other you after all." "I don''t want to choose a side. Let''s watch and find out." Yugi said while rubbing the back of his neck. "It doesn''t matter!" Serenity said with confidence: "Yuna will win no matter what!" Under their warm gazes, Serenity cheered with passion. Sensing something strange, Yugi nced behind him and noticed his best friend, Joey, patting his chest. "Is there something wrong?" Yugi asked. "No, it''s just I''m relieved..." Joey muttered: "I think I managed to avoid getting killed..." Yugi: ?????? Gesturing for his friend toe closer, Joey began to whisper what he said about Yuna earlier. Gradually, as the story progressed, Yugi''s frown deepened, and he stared at Joey in disbelief. "So you got to keep it a secret!" Joey begged, sping his hands together in a praying motion: "My dignity as an older brother is on the line here!" Sighing exasperatedly, Yugi patted his best friend''s shoulder: "As your friend, I want to help you, but whatever happens between you and Sano-san is entirely your undoing." "What''s this about Yuna?" Serenity suddenly appeared between them and questioned curiously. "Oh, nothing!" Joey said in a panic: "We''re just discussing who will win the duel." "Ah, Big Brother must have insight on how this duel will turn out, right?" Serenity eximed with sparkles in her eyes: "After all, Big Brother said he''s stronger than Yuna!" Silence dominated the spectator field as everyone turned to the embarrassing Joey in shock. Tea: "You really have no shame, huh..." Tristan: "I can''t help but pity you sometimes..." Joey couldn''t help but smile, although his oundish ims had attracted the attention of two people he least wanted to encounter at the moment. Mokuba: "From what I remember, that''s not how you and big sister''s duel turned out." Seto: "What a piece of trash...." Usually, Joey would''ve argued against the arrogant Blue Eyes enthusiast, but in this situation, he could do nothing but bite his tongue. Detecting this awkward atmosphere, it doesn''t take long for Serenity to feel suspicious: "What really happened in that duel?" "Well, you see, your goofball of a brother here got trashed so badly he...." Suddenly, Joey lunged at Tristan before he could speak further. However, he had already said too much... "Joey Wheeler..." Serenity pouted: "You lied to me." "Wait, Serenity, I can exin!" "There''s nothing to exin." She said sternly: "Once big sister finishes her duel, you better apologise!" "Big sister..." Joey croaked and copsed. Listening from the side, Seto hummed. No matter how much he despised Joey''s presence, eavesdropping on what they were saying, he couldn''t help but nce at Mokuba and feel that they had something simr after all. [Yuna''s POV] I could hear amotion from the sideline, and I felt myself being embarrassed when my name was mentioned numerous times. But that anxiety vanished as I stared at Yami Bakura. "Let''s not keep them waiting and begin." He smiled, and the shadow beneath his feet expanded, covering the entire field. I felt the ominous darkness enveloping the ground and subconsciously cringed in difort. "There''s no need for me to exin what''s happening, right?" Yami Bakura taunted: "We will duel, and only one of us will make it out of here alive." "I will go first!" Bakura proimed: "I summon Headless Knight!" From the shadows, a suit of armour rose from the ground. It was armed with a massive sword and shield while its head was missing, reminding me of a Duhan. [Headless Knight: 1450 Attack, 1700 Defence] Yami Bakura then ended his turn and gazed at me with anticipation. I was a little confused by hiscklustre turn, but since the opportunity was presented to me, I will finish this as early as possible! "I summon Evilswarm Zahak!" Appearing on my field was a dragon with three heads, wings and a long tail. Its body was covered by some futuristic machinery while exposing some of its purplish flesh. [Evilswarm Zahak: 1850 Attack, 850 Defence] "Interesting, it''s a card I have never seen before," Yami Bakuramented. "Don''t worry, there''s more in store." I retorted: "Evilswarm Zahak, attack the Headless Knight!" The three reptilian heads snapped at mymand and, in unison, opened their mouth. Unleashing a deadly red beam, the Headless Knight was instantly incinerated. [Bakura Ryou: 4000 LP -> 3600 LP] "I will end my turn," I dered and observed Yami Bakura like a hawk, eager to know what he had in n. Yami Bakura calmly drew a card from his duel disk: "I will summon The Gross Ghost of Fled Dreams." *BAM* Suddenly, a bed appeared out of nowhere and dropped onto the ground, creating a loud sound. There was a very pale person sleeping on the bed, and the man seemed to be convulsing as if he were possessed. Gradually, a horrifying spirit wielding a sabre emerged out of the man''s chest. [The Gross Ghost of Fled Dreams: 1300 Attack, 1800 Defence] "Then I will set two cards and end my turn." ''Another normal monster?'' I thought in bewilderment. There were two set cards this time, but still, I expected more... "I summon Dragon Knight of Creation!" I shouted, summoning my reliable noble knight: "Now, my monsters, attack!" [Dragon Knight of Creation: 1800 Attack, 600 Defence] The knight rushed towards the ghost, its de shinned a golden light, and he cleanly sliced the spirit in half. [Yami Bakura: 3600 LP -> 3100 LP] "Then, upon destroying your monster, I will activate Dragon Knight of Creation''s effect and send one Level Eight dragon from my deck to the graveyard!" "Now, Evilswarm Zahak, continue the assault and attack Bakura directly!" Onmand, Evilswarm Zahak fired another barrage ofsers, this time towards Yami Bakura. He gritted his teeth as thesers exploded beneath his feet, dropping his life points considerably. [Yami Bakura: 3100 LP -> 1250 LP] "Finally, I will use Dragon Knight of Creation''s second effect to discard my Keeper of the Shrine in my hand, and by sacrificing my knight, I can special summon one Level Seven or Eight Dragon monster from the graveyard." I shouted and raised my hand into the air: "I will special summon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" cing his sword into the ground, the Dragon Knight of Creation burst into a wave of light. The light expanded and dispersed, revealing the form of a massive golden dragon. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Using Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s ability, I will banish the Headless Knight in your graveyard, and it will gain four hundred attacks and defences!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3200 Attack, 2800 -> 3200 Defence] "I will end my turn here," I said as Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand roared with vigour. Unfortunately, I didn''t have any traps I could set, so my back row was empty, but with Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, my safety should be secured. Yami Bakura stared at his low life points and smiled: "Perhaps it''s time to begin." Drawing a card, Yami Bakura began to yell from the other side: "First, I will use Foolish Burial to send The Potrait''s Secret from my deck to the graveyard. After that, I will use Graceful Charity!" Adding three cards to his hand while discarding two, Yami Bakura said in a calm tone: "Finally, I will banish The Potrait''s Secret, The Gross Ghost of Fled Dreams and the Goblin Zombie I discarded through the effect of Graceful Charity. With these three sacrifices, I will be able to summon my trump card, Dark Necrofear!" Three wailing souls burst out of Yami Bakura''s duel disk and dived into the ground. Together, they began to merge into the shape of a tall humanoid. The shadow dispersed, and what was revealed to me was a tall female demon with blue skin, a bald head and pointy ears. In her arms was a half-broken doll resembling an infant. The doll''s body moved, and its beady eyes stared at me, causing my body to shiver. [Dark Necrofear: 2200 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Now, Dark Necrofear, attack Evilswarm Zahak!" The demon suddenly appeared behind my dragon and raised her arm. There, I saw the gleaming reflection of her metallic ws as she swung the weapon down onto my monster''s back, killing it. [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP -> 3650 LP] "Upon destruction, I can activate Evilswarm Zahak''s effect to destroy one level five or higher monster on the field, and I will remove the Dark Necrofear!" *BEEP* A loud audible rm sounded from Evilswarm Zahak''s body, and the beeping became more erratic by the second. Toote to retreat, the monster exploded, and Dark Necrofear was caught in a sea of mes. "Additionally, I will use the Keeper of the Shrine''s effect in my graveyard. If a dragon monster leaves the field, I can special summon this card!" [Keeper of the Shrine: 0 Attack, 2100 Defence] Watching his strongest monster getting destroyed, I couldn''t help but be wary as Yami Bakura''s reaction was calm.... Too calm. "When Dark Necrofear dies, I was able to activate its effect!" He smirked: "I will be able to activate the field spell Dark Sanctuary directly from my deck!" *RUMBLE* Akin to an earthquake, the ground behind him shook as a tall, red castle emerged. Instantly, the darkness enveloping us was washed away; instead, it was reced with a bloody sky that felt way more intimidating. "Finally, I will set a monster and end my turn; however, with the effect of Dark Sanctuary, I must tribute a monster in my end phase, or else it will be destroyed." Yami Bakura shrugged: "Naturally, I will choose the set monster." I really can''t wrap my head around Yami Bakura''s n. Right now, it was apparent that I was in a more favourable position, and his life points could easily be wiped out from one attack. But still, my instinct was telling me that I should remove Dark Sanctuary as soon as possible... "I will activate Pot of Greed!" I shouted: "Which allows me to draw two cards!" "Next, I will activate Polymerization!!" Showing the Herald of Creation in my hand, I pointed at the Keeper of the shrine and dered: "Using these two monsters as materials, I will fusion summon Mysterion the Dragon Crown!" Plummeting from the sky appeared a warrior dressed in shy golden armour and her mount, a gigantic eastern dragon. The dragon''s size was so big that it wrapped around the entire blimp, creating an unreal feeling. Hearing the gasps from the crowd, I remembered that Yugi and his friends hadn''t seen this card yet, and all of a sudden, I wanted to brag. [Mysterion the Dragon Crown: 3000 Attack, 1500 Defence] "Then, I will use Quick Attack! Allowing Mysterion the Dragon Crown to attack the turn it was summoned!" I pointed at the set card: "Now, Mysterion the Dragon Crown attack!" Gathering energy in her hands, the rider fired lightning out of her palms. But before the attack couldnd, Yami Bakura instantly flipped over a trap card. Yami Bakura: "I will activate Call of the Haunted to revive the monster I tributed earlier, Earthbound Spirit!" [Earthbound Spirit: 500 Attack, 2000 Defence] The lightning struck the monster, and the Earthbound Spirit erupted in mes, turning into ashes in a span of a second: "Your field is empty! Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, finish him!" Following Mysterion the Dragon Crown, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand unleashes an orange breath that will ravage Yami Bakura''s entire field. However, to my shock, instead of reaching him, the breath suddenly changed trajectory and struck me! "What..." I mumbled and staggered backward. Staring at Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, I noticed something emerging from its chest. A ghastly spirit reveals itself and wanders back into the bloody castle. Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand patted its body in confusion, and it didn''t know how something this ominous was hiding inside. "You must be confused, but it''s straightforward." Yami Bakura began to exin: "Once per turn, Dark Sanctury will create a spirit called the Ghos of Dark Sanctury. The ghost can possess one of your monsters, and if that monster attacks, you will lose life points equal to half of the monster''s attack state while I gain life points equal to that amount!" Truth to his words, my life points began to drop while Yami Bakura''s life points rose. [Yuna Sano: 3650 LP -> 2250 LP] [Bakura Ryou: 1250 LP -> 2850 LP] "I... I will end my turn..." I fumbled at my words, and his grin widened. "How about we make this duel more exciting?" Yami Bakura smiled: "Before your turn ends, I will y my set card: "Destiny Board!" [1] Beside Yami Bakura, a ck smoke manifested in midair and a skeletal hand burst out of the cloud, tearing the smoke away. There stood a floating skeleton covered by a robe, and in his hand was an ouija board. "With Destiny Board''s effect, during your end phase, Destiny Board will create a Spirit Message "I", "N", "A", and "L" in this order. Once all letters are ced, I will win the duel!" I gritted my teeth as the situation became more troublesome than I thought. I helplessly watched as the skeleton began to move the nk on the Ouija board, directing it to the letter "I", and the alphabet appeared in a bright colour. "Three more turns to go," Yami Bakura smirked: "Will you be able to defeat me by then?" So I only got three turns... I only have two options: either I deplete Yami Bakura''s life points until then, or I should find a way to remove the trap card entirely. "My turn," Yami Bakura said while adding a card from his duel disk: "I will set a card and a monster face down and end my turn here," "But due to the effect of Dark Sanctuary, I must sacrifice a monster to keep the spell activated. I will tribute my face-down monster that was ced earlier." Yami Bakura smirked with confidence, and I frowned. His arrogance was really annoying, and I would do anything to wipe that smile off his face. "Three more turns," Yami Bakura reminded once again: "So enjoy your life while itsts because it will be all over soon." "It''s my move..." I muttered, deep in thought: "First, I will use Card of Sanctity and draw until I have six cards in my hand." "Then I will use Card Destruction, sending my entire hand into the graveyard, and I can draw the same number of cards." Discarding my cards, I drew the same amount with a calm expression: "Next, I''m using my spell card, Return of the Dragon Lords, to summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon from the graveyard!" Thunders illuminated the dark clouds as a third roar pierced through the arrow. Contrary to the golden colour of my two dragons, an elegant silver dragonnded between them. [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] With three powerful dragons on my field, it''s enough to brute force my way through Yami Bakura''s defences! While he could still use the effect of Dark Sanctuary, I could tank the damage, and my remaining monsters could finish him off. "Go! Mysterion the Dragon Crown, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and Blue Eyes White Dragon, attack!" In unison, my monsters charged, eager to be the first to tear my opponent apart. Yami Bakura gritted his teeth and hurriedly activated his set card: "I will use Fiendish Chain and bind your Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" Chains appeared out of nowhere and wrapped around the massive body of my golden dragon. Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand struggled desperately, but it wasn''t able to escape its binding and roared helplessly. "While Fiendish Chain is on the field, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand won''t be able to attack or activate its effect." Yami Bakura announced. "Tsk..." Ignoring the strange sense of deja vu, I clicked my teeth: "I will end my...." "I won''t let you," Yami Bakura shouted: "First, I will use my second Call of the Haunted to revive the monster Earthbound Spirit in defence position!" The muddy minion returned, and I swear it was smiling smugly at me. [Earthbound Spirit: 500 Attack, 2000 Defence] "Then I will activate Battle Route. If I control a monster, you must attack no matter what!" I cursed as Blue Eyes White Dragon ignored my orders and charged, lunging at the Souls of the Forgotten. However, as expected, Blue Eyes White Dragon suddenly swung around and struck me with its ws. [Yuna Sano: 2250 LP -> 750 LP] [Bakura Ryou: 2850 LP -> 4350 LP] "Mysterion the Dragon w, destroy that ugly guy!" I snarled. Finishing what Blue Eyes White Dragon can''t do, Mysterion the Dragon Crown wiped away Earthbound Spirit from the field. With nothing left to do, I set a card face down and reluctantly ended my turn. Immediately, the floating skeleton moved the nk to the letter "N". Two more turns left... "I will first summon Sangan." Yami Bakura''s voice brought my attention back to the duel. There appeared a small brown furry creature, and the best description I could give was that it looked like Kuribouh''s weird cousin. [Sangan: 1000 Attack, 600 Defence] "Then I will activate Monster Reborn to revive my Dark Necrofear in defence position from the graveyard!" [Dark Necrofear: 2200 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Finally, I will enter the battle phase and pass on my second main phase." Yami Bakura announced, leaving slightly confused: "I will set two cards and rece my Dark Sanctuary with Savage Colosseum!" The bloody castle disappeared, and what took its ce was a massive Roman stadium. Yami Bakuraughed and spread his arms: "With Savage Colosseum, you must attack if you can or else monsters that don''t attack will be destroyed. Also, the controller of those monsters that attack will gain three hundred life points." I see, so he''s intentionally ended his battle phase to avoid the effect of the Savage Colosseum... I quietly uttered a curse. Now, Yami Bakura has forced me to battle. With Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand still being locked down, I can only fight using two of my dragons and both targets aren''t that great. "Fine, if you want me to attack, I will!" I shouted angrily: "Mysterion the Dragon Crown, attack Sangan!" "Before that, I will activate my trap, Two-Pronged Attack, tributing my Sangan and Dark Necrofear to destroy Mysterion the Dragon Crown." Dark Necrofear and Sangan threw themselves against my monster. Together, they created a massive explosion, killing them. "Sangan''s effect has been activated. I can add a monster with one thousand five hundred or fewer attacks into my hand." Yami Bakura exined. "Damn it... Blue Eyes White Dragon, attack while he''s defenceless!" "You can certainly try!" Yami Bakura yelled: "I activate Dimensional Wall. All battle damage will be transferred back to you! It''s over!" Blue Eyes White Dragon struck a barrier, and the area illuminated an ominous hue. Swiftly, the shieldunched aser at my face. *BOOOOM* Yami Bakuraughed in delight as he found enjoyment in watching me cause my own downfall. Unfortunately for him, though, I''m not going down that easily. "I activate Waboku. My monsters won''t be destroyed this turn, nor will I take any battle damage." While I''m not focused on Waboku''s primary effect, the trap card''s second effect managed to save me from destruction... "I will set a card and end my turn." I gritted my teeth as the letter "A" manifested in the corner of my vision. "I got good news: with Savage Colosseum on the field, if you attack, you can actually gain three hundred life points." Yami Bakura teased: "So be grateful." [Yuna Sano: 750 LP -> 1050 LP] I crossed my arms and ignored him. Yami Bakura nced at the Ouija Board, grinning with ecstasy: "I will activate Monster Reborn and revive my Dark Necrofear." [Dark Necrofear: 2200 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Then I summon Jowgen, the Spiritualist!" A monster that resembled a Buddhist monk was summoned onto the field. The monk was dressed in a white ceremonial robe, and he mmed his staff onto the floor, creating a jingle sound with the bells. [Jowgen The Spiritualist: 200 Attack, 1300 Defence] "I will activate Jowgen The Spiritualist''s effect," Yami Bakura yelled while sending a card into the discard pile: "By discarding a random card, I can destroy all monsters that have been special summoned!" Jowgen, the Spiritualist, swung his staff and fired an array of magic, destroying my Blue Eyes White Dragon and his Dark Necrofear. "As intended, when Dark Necrofear was sent to the graveyard, it allowed me to activate my second Dark Sanctuary!" Yami Bakura grinned: "Rise again, my sturdy fortress!" The Bloody Castle reemerged from hell, recing the Savage Colosseum. Once again, the sky was plunged into a deep shade of red. "Finally, I will use Card of Demise to draw until I have five cards in my hand." Yami Bakura said: "To make sure, I will y The Dark Door. With its effect, we can only attack with one monster." Damn... Another troublesome card has surfaced. As Yami Bakura set two more cards and ended his turn after tributing his Jowgen, the Spiritualist, I couldn''t help but praise him for pushing me this far. But I think it''s time to end this once and for all. "I will draw!" I shouted. "First, I will use Foolish Burial to send one monster from my deck to the graveyard, then I y Monster Reborn to summon Pdin of Felgrand in attack position!" I shouted, and a young blond knight appeared on the field. [Pdin of Felgrand: 1700 Attack, 600 Defence] "I activate Pdin of Felgrand''s effect to equip Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand to himself." I quietly caught my breath: "Then I will y Ruins of Divine Dragon Lord and use its effect to turn Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand into a dragon token!" [Dragon Lord Token: 0 Attack, o Defence] "Then, with Pdin of Felgrand''s second effect, I will tribute him and the token to summon Arkbrave Dragon from my graveyard!" A bright light engulfed the Pdin of Felgrand and the Dragon Lord Token. Gradually, the light dimmed, and a small green emerald dropped onto the ground. A few seconds gone by, the emerald glowed, constructing a massive figure of a gold and white dragon. [Arkbrave Dragon: 2400 Attack, 1200 Defence] "With Arkbrave Dragon''s ability, when it was summoned from the graveyard, I can banish all the traps or spell cards on the field, and it will gain two hundred attacks for each card!" Arkbrave Dragon puffed up its chest and unleashed a green beam that covered the entire duelling arena. However, to my dismay, no matter how much I waited, none of the cards actually disappeared, and Arkbave Dragon''s attack did not increase. "Do you think I haven''t thought of that?" Yami Bakura smirked: "I activate my set card, Imperial Iron Wall. While this trap is active, we can not banish any cards!" I bit my lips as my first n was thwarted. However, I won''t give up now; there''s still more I can do this turn, and I will genuinely give Yami Bakura a run for his money! "I will activate the effect of Keeper of the Shrine in my graveyard to special summon him," I said, getting as many materials on the field as possible. [Keeper of the Shrine: 0 Attack, 2100 Defence] "I will use my second Card of Sanctity to draw until I have six cards!" I said and shamelessly filled my hand: "Then, I activate Return of the Dragon Lords and summon Darkstorm Dragon from my graveyard!" A considerable tornado arrived on top of the blimp, and the illusion felt so real that I thought it would really hurl me into the air. On top of the tornado was a ck dragon with a skinny frame but massive wings that were almost as big as our aircraft. [Darkstorm Dragon: 2700 Attack, 2400 Defence] "Darkstorm Dragon is a Gemni Monster, which means that currently, it''s treated as a normal monster." I exined: "However if I sacrifice my normal summon this turn, I will able to transform it into an effect monster!" Hearing my words, Darkstorm Dragon howled at the sky, and the membrane on its wings shed brilliantly. "Darkstorm Dragon''s effect! I will send my Ruins of the Divine Dragon Lord to the graveyard and destroy all traps and spells on the field!" The statue of Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand shattered as a Darkstorm Dragon pped its wings, sending a cascade of wind towards Yami Bakura. "Damn you..." He growled: "I will use Solemn Judgement and pay half of my life points to negate the activation of Darkstorm Dragon''s effect!" Before the wind reached him, an old man dressed in a white robe stood in the centre of the field. He spread his arms and reflected the sharp wind towards my dragon and destroyed it. [Bakura Ryou: 4350 LP -> 2175 LP] "What are you going to do now? Yuna Sano!" Yami Bakura shouted. "What I''m going to do?" I smiled: "This is just the beginning! I will y Double Summon, allowing me to normal summon twice this turn!" "Tributing Arkbrave Dragon and Keeper of the Shrine, I will be able to summon myst trump card, White Night Dragon!" My two monsters on the field vanished, and a new dragon revealed itself. It has glistening blue scales that resemble crystals, wings, jagged spikes that run along its body and a thin head thatcks pupils. [White Night Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] "Now, White Night Dragon, attack Bakura!" "You fool!" Yami Bakura shouted: "Have you forgotten Dark Sanctuary''s effect? You will...." Before he can finish his sentence, he hears something crumbling behind him. Turning around, Yami Bakura gasped as the bloody castle began to fall apart. "H.... How..." He muttered. "It''s White Night Dragon''s effect! If a spell or trap card targets this card, it will be destroyedn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om instead!" White Night Dragon dived towards Dark Necrofear. The dragon raised its slender arm as Yami Bakura closed his eyes: "Looks like I have been outyed..." BOOOOM [Bakura Ryou: 2175 LP -> 0 LP] [1]In the show, the letters in the destiny board were not counted as traps because of Dark Sanctuary for some reason. So, for this, I just decided not to turn them into traps altogether. Chapter 47: Quick Dive into the Past and Big Sister Privileges Chapter 47: Quick Dive into the Past and Big Sister Privileges ? [Bakura Ryou: 2175 LP-> 0 LP] Yami Bakura stared at his life points. His fingers twitched, and severalplicated emotions ran across his face. Following the rules of the Shadow Game, Yami Bakura will have to suffer the consequences of losing. I don''t know the exact details of the Shadow Game he has set, but it does look pretty painful. If I truly know the details of this Shadow Game, will I be able to y as calmly as before? I sighed. Ignorance was indeed bliss sometimes... "Do you really think this will be thest time we meet?'' Yami Bakura dragged his body towards me, and we red at each other with intensity: "I will return, and this time, I won''t lose. So this is goodbye, for now, Yuna Sano." The Millennium Ring on his chest shed as Yami Bakura suddenly copsed. In a surprise, I hurriedly caught his falling body, and he eventually reopened his eyes. "Huh, where am I?" Bakura mumbled in a daze: "Sano-san?" Realising that Bakura had returned to normal, I tried to help him stand as he thanked me in a weak voice. Glimpsing at the Millennium Ring, Yami Bakura''sst words echoed in my head. ''It may be best to keep it away from Bakura...'' I thought and reached for the Millennium Ring. However, as soon as I touched the Millennium Ring, an electric shock coursed through my body. Unable to bear the pain, I immediately retracted my hand while gasping for breath. "Sano-san, is there something wrong?" Bakura asked as sweat dripped down my face. I shook my head and regained myposure. To think it has a built-in anti-theft system. Noticing that Bakura was still waiting for my answer, I mustered a wry smile: "You.. alright?'' "I think so... My head is a bit dizzy; I might need to lie down a...." Bakura''s body slumped forward, unconscious. Worried, I moved him off the field, and the medical team soon carried him away on a stretcher. Yugi and his friends naturally followed. However, Serenity broke away from the group and ran towards me while pulling Joey by the ear. With a push, Joey fell onto his knees while trembling in fear. Serenity cleared her throat, and Joey visibly flinched as he shakily raised his head. With a deep breath, he bends forward, kowtowing and screaming at the top of his lungs. "YUNA SANO, YOU ARE A MUCH BETTER DUELIST THAN ME!" "And?" Serenity growled, causing Joey to tremble in fear. He mumbled something, and his sister nudged him with her foot: "We can''t hear you!" "AND COMPARED TO YOU, I''M GARBAGE!" Joey shouted before whimpering like a hurt animal. He stared at me as if begging for his life, and I figured out that if I didn''t say something soon, Serenity might really kill him. "It''s okay..." I said, hoping it would alleviate even a little bit of Joey''s suffering, but unfortunately for Joey, the agony was only the beginning... "~Yuna Sano, you are a much better duelist than me! Andpared to you, I''m garbage!~" Joey''s voice began to y from Kaiba''s phone, and he closed his eyes like it was music to his ears. ''Ah... I''m sorry, Joey...'' I stared at him with pity: ''Looks like I have to be the one apologising to you.'' Before he could say anything, Joey was dragged away by the cor. Being left to my own devices, I found myself instinctively moving to the two Kaiba brothers. Strangely, I feel morefortable staying with them than with Yugi. It''s probably because I have spent a lot more time together, and honestly, the events that we went through can''t be overlooked... "Big Sister, you''re awesome!" Mokuba cheered eagerly: "What were those two new dragons? They looked so cool! I really thought you might lose there, but then Pow! You keep ying card after card andpletely wipe him clean!" "She did really great, right, Big Bro?" Mokuba asked while tapping Kaiba''s chest. I stared at Kaiba with anticipation. He scoffed and turned his head to avoid my eyes. Realising that he chose to stay silent, I frowned, not about his rude attitude but more so at feeling a little disappointed. I smiled wryly and patted Mokuba''s head. Even if one brother was rotten, at least the other one didn''t turn out so bad. "Strong...." Huh? I suddenly raised my head. Kaiba was gazing at me and said in a solemn voice: "You got stronger... Good...." "Wha..." I uttered flusteredly. Before I could inquire further, we were interrupted by Rnd''s announcement: "The next match will begin shortly! Ishizu Ishtar and Seto Kaiba, please make your way to the duelling arena!" "Good luck, big bro!" Mokuba said while giving him a thumbs up. Kaiba smirked but soon turned to me. I was still a bit stunned, so I nodded nkly. Without waiting, Kaiba soon left to duel while Mokuba and I stayed to watch. Instinctively, I I clenched my fist [3rd POV] The wind prickled against Seto''s skin, creating an irking sensation. However, his mind was so focused on the woman standing before him that he could barely feel it. Typically, if it were any man, they would be attracted by her significant beauty, but her presence created so much discontent that Seto could barely bear it. In fact, was there even a woman who captivated him? Shaking his head to remove this impulsive thought, Seto activated his duel disk. "The oue is already set in stone, so we should get this over with," Seto said with absolute confidence. "I agree." Ishizu retorted calmly: "My Millennium Ne has already prophesied your fate, and Obelisk the Tormentor will return into my possession." Being provoked, Seto frowned: "Enough talk. Let us begin." Ishizu: "dly." "Duel!" x2 [Seto Kaiba: 4000 LP] [Ishizu Ishtar: 4000 LP] At the start, the battle was leaning towards no one, with both sides relentlessly exchanging blows with their monsters. Ishizu managed to gain a lead in life points as she disrupted Seto''s strategy using numerous traps, but the young president was able to push back andnd a hefty blow. "Dark Gremlin, attack her directly!" Seto shouted, and an evil Imp leapt across the field, shing with its ws. [Ishizu Ishtar: 4000 LP -> 2400 LP] Watching her life points drop gives Seto a sense of ecstasy, but that was immediately ruined by Ishizu''s calmness. "Next, I will activate Crush Card Virus! It will destroy every monster in your field and deck with fifteen hundred attacks!" Unfazed, Ishizu took out a portion of the deck and sent it into the discard pile. Despite the massive advantage, Seto wasn''t satisfied as Ishizu wasn''t seemingly fazed, as if she had expected something like this to happen, and soon, he had his answer. "I will activate Exchange of the Spirits!" Ishizu dered: "I will pay one thousand life points, and both of us will switch our decks with the cards from our graveyard!" Seto:!!!! All the cards he had sent into Ishizu''s graveyard were instantly brought back, while Seto had to discard the majority of the cards and switch with his discard. Now, with only six cards in his deck, the table haspletely turned. "Big sister," Mokuba muttered worriedly: "Big bro is in a pretty bad situation, isn''t he?" Unable to deny him, Yuna smiled helplessly and patted Mokuba''s head: "Trust...him..." Mokuba nodded weakly and stared at Seto with concern. Gazing at his frustrated expression, Yuna sighed and hoped this would go the way she expected... Forcing to continue to y, Seto found himself getting more desperate as Ishizu began to bombard him with monsters. However, Seto already has a n, a strategy that will end this duel once and for all. "I activate Soul Exchange!" Seto shouted before smiling triumphantly: "This card allows me to use your monsters as tributes! I will tribute your Zolga, Kelbek, and Agido to summon Obelisk the Tormentor!" The sky instantly darkened, and thunder began to form. Floating down from the clouds was a massive blue giant with wings, and the monster''s roar felt like it would break the sound barrier. [Obelisk the Tormentor: 4000 Attack, 4000 Defence] "It''s over, Obelisk the Tormentor, obliter...." Seto suddenly froze, unable toplete his sentence. Instantly, a sharp pain in his head made Seto drop onto his knees and memories that weren''t his own began to surface in his mind. His pupils darted wildly as Seto grapsed his head, trying his best not to scream. Watching this scene, Ishizu frowned and felt something was wrong. She couldn''t understand why he wasn''t attacking her with Obelisk the Tormentor. ''Does he know?'' Ishizu thought and quickly shook her head: ''It''s impossible to change one''s destiny. Obelisk the Tormentor will attack, and he will trigger the bomb I nted within the god. It''s over.''n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Seto''s pupils flickered. Everything was blurry, but he could still make out various images. There, with each picture, a soft and alluring voice echoed in his ear. "Ah, good morning, Seto!" "~Ha ha ha, Seto~" "Seto, watch out!" "Se...to... I... lov..." The voice stopped, and Seto''s eyes snapped open. He touched his face where a single tear left his eye. Seto couldn''t believe it. Why was he crying? Who was that voice? Nobody could answer his questions. Subconsciously, he nced at the card in his hand and a resolve burned in his heart. Slowly, he stood up, and Ishizu noticed something had changed. "I will first y Double Summon, allowing me to have one more normal summon!" Seto shouted: "Then I activate Silent Doom and summon Gadget Soldier in defence position!" [Gadget Soldier: 1800 Attack, 2000 Defence] "Gadget Soldier and Double Summon...." Ishizu muttered, and her eyes widened: "Wait, don''t tell me!" "Using Obelisk the Tormentor and Gadget Soldier as tributes, I will summon my pride and my soul, my Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" The two monsters burst into light as the particles floated toward the atmosphere. Another thunderstruck, illuminating the clouds and revealing the figure of a ferocious beast. The creature dived down from the sky, shing its majestic white scales. Seto smiled; he was sure now that it was the right decision. The unknown memory urged him so, and every cell of Seto''s body told him that this was the only way for him to win. [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] "Earlier, you said that my fate is already set in stone. But who decided that?" Seto growled: "Only I get to choose my destiny and nobody else! Now, Blue Eyes White Dragon, finish her with Burst Stream of Destruction!" Blue Eyes White Dragon howled and unleashed a deadly white beam. Izhisu stared at the iing projectile with a solemn expression. "To change one''s destiny...." She muttered and was engulfed by the white beam... [Ishizu Ishtar: 1400 LP -> 0 LP] Ending the duel, Seto regained his confidence. He nced at the spectator area and spotted his little brother celebrating vigorously. Turning to face the girl beside Mokuba, Seto couldn''t help but remember that abnormal scene. Gazing into each other''s eyes, Yuna eventually broke into a small smile, and Seto felt his steps lighten. "Wait..." Ishizu called out hesitantly: "You managed to ovee the fate that my Millennium Ne showed me. How?" "Like I have said. Only I will choose my destiny, not you and not anyone else." Seto replied: "I won this duel for the same reason I will win this tournament. My skills will surpass all duelists, and anyone who stands in my way will be crushed." "Perhaps," Ishizu smiled: "But I seem to have learned a valuable lesson in the nature of fate." She nced at her brother: ''Marik, despite what the Millenium Ne told me, I will have faith that there is still some good in you....'' "I will dly ept my loss." Ishizu bowed: "Your strength is undeniable." Being praised, Seto''s ears twitched as he snorted: "Of course." [Yuna''s POV] Witnessing Kaiba remembering a moment in his past life and tributing Obelisk the Tormentor sure was a spectacle to watch. It was always a breathtaking scene, but being here right now... I don''t know how to feel. "Big sister, is something wrong?" Mokuba asked. "Nothing..." I shook my head. There was no way I was going to exin my current emotions right now. It simply felt like its something I should keep to myself. Kaiba approached us with a satisfied expression. Crossing his arms, he looked at me as if he was anticipating something. Grasping his intentions, I covered my lips to hide my smile. "You... did... well.." The young president grinned. Puffing up his chest, he hummed while bobbing his head up and down with pride. ''This guy is a little too easy...'' "Big sister!" Suddenly, I heard Serenity''s cheerful voice getting louder from behind. Wait.... Big sister? Why were you calling me that as well?! Staring at her with bewilderment, Serenity eagerly hugged my arm and pressed her face against my body. Before I could register what was happening, Serenity was suddenly pushed away and blocking her path was an angry Mokuba. "Who do you think you''re calling Big Sister!" Listening to Mokuba, Serenity''s expression turned sour: "Why can''t I call Yuna big sister?" "You just can''t!" "And why is that?" "Because Big Sister is mine!" Mokuba yelled with embarrassment. "Oh really?" Serenity tilted her head innocently: "You''re not even rted. How can you make such bold ims." "But you''re not rted as well!" "Yes, you''re right." To his surprise, Serenity agreed easily. But soon, she smiled, and I felt a bad premonition in my heart: "Then, to solve that problem, I will just have to marry Big Sister!" Wait what..... Come one, Serenity, what were you saying? That''s not actually going to happen. I smiled awkwardly as strange thoughts began to fill my head, and I pictured myself in a wedding dress with Serenity in a ck tuxedo... Hold on, officer, it''s only an imagination! EEEP, What were you doing with those handcuffs?! While I''m drowning in my paranoia, Mokuba''s face scrunched up in dismay: "You''re too young to marry her!" Yes, good point, Mokuba. That''s something I definitely won''t do! "Well, then I will just marry her when I''m older!" Serenity dered: "Since you''re younger than me, I will be taking her first!" Mokuba''s eyes widened in shock, and I desperately shook my head to assure him that it was never going to happen. However, Serenity''s words have provoked him to the extreme, and he gritted his teeth, trying to think of the perfect counter. Finally, a light bulb seemed to light up on the top of his head, and he smirked: "I won''t let that happen!" Serenity: "Oh yeah, what are you going to do about it?" Suddenly, Mokuba turned around and patted Kaiba''s shoulder: "Because my Big Brother is much older than you!" ----- Kaiba:..... "W.... w.. what..." My lips trembled, and I felt the stutters I tried so hard to suppress were resurfacing. Unaware of our flustered expressions, the two continued to argue fiercely. "What are you implying?" Serenity asked with a smile that didn''t reach her eyes. "What do you think? Big Bro and big sister are around the same age, so they''re more suited for marriage than you!" "Hah?" Serenity''s smile cracked: "So what if they''re around the same age?! That doesn''t mean that they''re close!" "Oh, they are!" Mokuba smirked: "Much closer than you think!" "Prove it then!" Serenity yelled: "On a count of three, let''s both say the closest thing your brother and I have done with big sister!" "Bring it!" "3!" "2!" "1!" Mokuba: "Big bro and Big sister have ki....." Serenity: "I have touched Big sister''s...." *BAM* x2 The two winced in pain as my fists were brought down onto their heads. Thankfully, my fists of justice were fast enough, or else I would''ve jumped off this blimp. I glimpsed at Kaiba, who was gazing at me in a daze, not sure whether to be shocked by Mokuba''s oundish deration or the fact I just smacked his little brother. "Won''t... marry... you...." I muttered and squirmed in embarrassment. Kaiba blinked like an idiot and made a stupid sound: "Yeah...." "Joey Wheeler and Namu Saad, please gather at the duelling arena." Rnd''s voice red through the inte, cutting through this atmosphere. Simultaneously, we turned towards the field, and Joey was already waiting as Namu entered the arena. "Are both duelists ready?" Rnd asked, and he continued to speak after receiving their confirmations: "Then let''s..." "Stop." Kaiba''s shout caught everyone off guard. "Was there something wrong, Master Kaiba?" Rnd inquired. "Namu Saad, have broken the rules of using aliases during this tournament." Kaiba exined to everyone''s confusion: "Although I will overlook this matter, change Namu Saad''s name to Marik Ishtar!" They all gasped in unison and couldn''tprehend what they were hearing. Kaiba marched onto the centre of the field and smirked: "So, are you going to stop hiding now?" "I don''t know what you''re talking about." Namu calmly denied the ims: "Didn''t Marik already reveal himself." He said and gestured at Odion. Kaiba frowned and announced loudly: "Additionally, "Marik Ishtar" have also broken the rules of using aliases, so Rnd, please change his name to Odion Ishtar." Finally, there seemed to be some reaction with Namu(Marik) and Marik (Odion). The young man closed his eyes as the grin on his face became more profound. *WHOOSH* A burst of energy suddenly emits from Namu''s body as he digs into his vest, revealing a thin golden rod in his hand. "I don''t know how you found out," Namu said in an eerie voice: "But I congratte you for doing so." "You''re finally revealing yourself, Marik." Kaiba snarled as Namu, no Marik, opened his eyes, and a golden symbol of the Millenium Eye appeared on his forehead. Marikughed in delight: "I was nning to reveal myself anyway, but it''s even more enjoyable being called out like this!" "Enough with your tricks," Kaiba warned and returned to my side: "The match will continue." Rnd cleared his throat to get everyone''s attention: "Sorry for the interruption, Marik Ishtar and Joey Wheeler. Are both duelists ready?" "Uh yeah...." Joey said nervously while Marik merely smiled. "Then let''s begin!" "Duel!" x2 [Joey Wheeler: 4000 LP] [Marik Ishtar: 4000 LP] In my heart, I sincerely prayed for Joey''s sess in this duel. However, some part of me already knows that the oue wouldn''t be what I had hoped.... I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 48: Corrupted Evil and The Phoenix God Chapter 48: Corrupted Evil and The Phoenix God ? Another Chapter will be posted this week! [3rd POV] Joey stared at Marik with nervousness in his eyes. He expected to have a duel with Bakura''s friend and not an egotistical viin who was hell-bent on taking over the world. Suddenly, Marikughed, catching him off guard: "Is it true that your sister would have be blind if it weren''t for the help of one of your friends?" He asked with a sly grin. Joey frowned, and he felt a bad premonition in his heart. He didn''t know how Marik was aware of Serenity''s situation and knew whatever Marik was going to say wouldn''t be good. "Say, didn''t you also get saved by your friend when I brainwashed you?" Marik pointed out. "What are you nning at..." Joey scowled. "Nothing really," Marik shrugged: "I''m merely wondering whether you''re simply an ipetent man." He turned to Serenity, and his grin widened. Pointing his Millennium Rod at her, Marik said in an ominous voice: "What will happen if I take your sister? Will you be able to do anything about it, or do you need one of your friends to do your job?" "You!" Joey snarled. "Don''t listen to him, Joey! He''s only trying to provoke you!" Yugi shouted, snapping Joey out of his anger. Listening to his best friend''s advice, Joey took a deep breath and pped himself to calm down. Once he rxed, Joey red at Marik with annoyance: "Stop with your tricks, let''s duel!" Marik: "dly!" Joey and Marik: "Duel!" [Joey Wheeler: 4000 LP] [Marik Ishtar: 4000 LP] "Before we begin, how about we make this duel a little more interesting?" Marik suddenly proposed and waved the Millennium Rod. The artifact shone brightly and emitted a darkness that enveloped the entire field. Joey suddenly felt a strange sensation as he watched a faint thread appearing out of his chest and connecting with his duel disk. "This duel has now been transformed into a Shadow Game, and the rules of this game were very simple." Marik exined: "This game is no longer a mere illusion; with every battle, the damage we feel will be real, and the pain our monster will feel shall be shared!" "You''re insane....." Joey gasped. "There seemed to be fear in your eyes." Marik noted: "The fear of losing and having your soul sent to the Shadow Realm is very much evident!" "Shut up," Joey muttered, and their fight began. The battle started slowly as both duelists didn''t have the cards they needed in their hands. However, Joey soon summoned Panther Warrior and activated Scape Goats to summon four sheep tokens. [Panther Warrior: 2000 Attack, 1600 Defence] [Sheep Token: 0 Attack, o Defence] x4 With Panther Warrior''s ability, it must tribute a monster to make an attack, which was why Joey used Scape Goat, and the tokens acted both as fuel for the monster as well as a shield for himself. Being forced on defence, Marik soon summoned Helpoemer using the effect of Tribute Burial. [Helpoemer: 2000 Attack, 1400 Defence] However, Joey soon countered the strategy by summoning Rocket Warrior and attacking Helpoemer. Despite having a lower attack, Rocket Warrior''s effect activates and reduces the battle damage to o, and it won''t be destroyed. In doing so, Rocket Warrior will lower Helpoemer''s attack by five hundred. [Helpoemer: 2000 -> 1500 Attack, 1400 Defence] Now weakened, Panther Warrior was able to attack andnd a blow on Marik''s life points. [Marik Ishtar: 4000 LP -> 3500 LP] Marik breathed deeply, suppressing the lingering difort of Panther Warrior''s attack: "Helpoemer''s effect has been triggered. As long as this card is in the graveyard, after each of your battle phases, you must randomly discard a card." "Now it''s my turn..." Marik muttered: "First, I will set a card and then activate Premature Burial by paying seven hundred life points and summon Drigo from my graveyard!" [Drigo: 1600 Attack, 1100 Defence] [Marik Ishtar: 3500 LP -> 2800 LP] "Next, I will tribute Drigo and summon Legendary Fiend!" The monster, with dozens of sharp drill heads protruding from its body, disappeared, and what rose was a demon with light blue skin, legs covered in ck fur, four arms where two of those limbs had the heads of serpents and two massive wings on its back. [Legendary Fiend: 1500 Attack, 1800 Defence] "Legendary Fiend has a special ability. With each of my stand-by phases, the monster will gain seven hundred attacks." Marik warned. "Then you''re telling me I should destroy it now!" Joey yelled: "I will tribute one of the Scape Goat Tokens, and Panther Warrior will attack!" "Not so fast. I activate Nightmare Mirror! By discarding one card, I can reflect the attack to you, dealing one thousand damage!" As the Panther Warrior rushed towards Marik, a ck round mirror intercepted the attack. The monster was absorbed into the mirror, and a few secondster, it was shot out of the mirror, and this time, the warrior charged at Joey. To his horror, Panther Warrior swung his sword, and Joey grunted in agony at the feeling of being cut with a de, and he momentarily fell onto one knee. [Joey Wheeler: 4000 LP -> 3000 LP] He touched his chest where the weapon had shed him. There didn''t seem to be any wound, but the pain was definitely real... "Are you already giving up now?" Marik taunted: "How disappointing." "No..." Joey stood back up: "We''re just getting started! First, I will y the spell card Question! You must guess the name of the monster that was first sent to my graveyard. If you guessed wrong, I can special summon a monster from the discard pile!" Naturally, unable to remember, Marik''s answer was wrong. Then Joey was able to summon one of his trump cards, Jinzo, onto the field. [Jinzo: 2400 Attack, 1500 Defence] "As Jinzo was summoned, I can destroy any trap cards you control!" Joey shouted as Marik''s trap cards erupted in mes. "Next, I will summon Baby Dragon!" [Baby Dragon: 1200 Attack, 700 Defence] "Now, Jinzo, Baby Dragon, Rocket Warrior and Pather Warrior, attack!" Jinzo brought his hands together andunched a purplish orb at the demon. The projectile exploded upon contact, leaving Marik''s monster''s field empty. [Marik Ishtar: 2800 LP -> 2000 LP] Joey: "Now you''re defenceless, let''s end this!" "Fool!" Marik mocked: "I will activate my spell, Dark Wall of Wind. This turn, I won''t receive any direct damage from monsters!" Marik''s figure was shrouded by darkness, leaving Joey''s monsters confused. Joey gritted his teeth and ended his turn, annoyed that he wasn''t able to finish Marik off. "I have to admit, Joey Wheeler, your skills exceeded my expectations. Nheless, my expectations weren''t that high to begin with." Marik snickered. "It''s time for you to watch everything burn. First, I will summon sma Eel and equip the monster to your Panther Warrior; while attached, Panther Warrior will lose five hundred attacks in each of your end phases." "Second, I tribute Jinzo and Baby Dragon to summon Lava Golem to your field." The two monsters erupted into mes, andva began to flood the field. Merging together, the magma transformed into a massive monster. [Lava Golem: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] "I will set two cards and end my turn here." Marik dered. "My turn," Joey shouted: "Now, Lava Golem, attack Marik directly!" The golem charged, dragging its liquid body across the field. Marik smirked and instantly activated his set card: "I will y Relieve Monster to return sma Eel that was still attached to Panther Warrior back to my hand, then with its second effect, I can special summon sma Eel from my hand." [sma Eel: 500 Attack, 1200 Defence] Lava Golem unleashed its punch but was blocked by sma Eel''s body: "sma Eel has another ability. While on the field, it couldn''t be destroyed by battle!" With nothing else to do, Joey helplessly ended his turn. "During your end phase, Lava Golem''s effect has been activated, and you will take seven hundred damage!" [Joey Wheeler: 3000 LP -> 2300 LP] Joey gritted his teeth as he endured the feeling of getting burnt. As the battle prolonged, he was slowly getting exhausted from fighting against the pain. Although both duelists suffer under the same condition, Marik stands proudly, shrugging away from the pain as his past suffering is a lot worse than this... "My turn," He smiled: "I will activate Machine Duplication (anime) to target my sma Eeln/?/vel/b//in dot c//om and summon two more sma Eel from my deck. [2] [sma Eel: 500 Attack, 1200 Defence] x2 "Then, I will attach two of my sma Eel to your Lava Golem and Rocket Warrior, and in each of your end phases, they will lose five hundred attacks, and then I end my turn." "My move!" Joey shouted, desperation in his voice: "First, I will y Graceful Dice!" "Boosting your monsters again?" Marik scoffed: "It''s not going to help you." "I know," Joey smirked: ''That''s why I will use the spell on your own sma Eel!" A little emp magically appeared on the field. It rolled a die in its hand, and the diended on the number six, increasing sma Eel''s attack by six hundred. [sma Eel: 500 -> 1100 Attack, 1200 Defence] "Now, since sma Eel''s attack has exceeded five hundred, Machine Duplication''s effect will be cancelled!" The two sma Eels attached to Lava Golem and Rocket Warrior imploded, freeing them: "Finally, I will activate Gilford the Lightning in my hand! By tributing Rocket Warrior, Panther Warrior and Lava Golem, I can summon Gilford the Lightning!" The three monsters dispersed into a wave of light as thunder struck the field. As the lightning vanished, standing in its ce was a tall and mighty warrior. He wore a shing silver chest te and a helmet with horns. On his back was a de asrge as him, and the warrior unsheathed his sword, creating a dominating aura on the field. [Gilford the Lightning: 2800 Attack, 1400 Defence] "With Gilford the Lightning''s effect, once I tributed three monsters, it can destroy all the monsters on your field!" Gilford the Lightning raised his sword towards the sky, summoning the wrath of thunder that struck down Marik''s sma Eel. "Now, your field is left open," Joey shouted with excitement: "Gilford the Lightning, finish him off once and for all!" "It''s quite unfortunate that''s not going to happen." Marik sighed: "I will reveal my trap, Negate Attack. Ending your battle phase." With Joey ending his turn, Marik drew a card, and his smile widened: "Looks like it''s over," He said and revealed the spell card in his hand. "I will activate Monster Reborn, allowing me to summon one monster in my graveyard!" Joey suddenly felt a horrible feeling in his heart as he felt the air around them seem to shift. Marik raised his hand into the air, and a beam of light shined down from behind him. "I call upon you, the strongest of the three Egyptian gods, the dragon of chaos, the Winged Dragon of Ra!" With the sound of an earthquake, the light disappeared and behind Marik was a humongous golden beast with feathery wings, dragon-like scales and a sharp beak. [Winged Dragon of Ra: ? Attack,? Defence] Joey couldn''t believe his eyes as he stood before the god, and his heart beat with anxiety. Marikughed: "Behold the power of the God! Now I...." Suddenly, Marik''s body convulsed as he copsed. Holding himself up with one hand, his pupils shook with disbelief as a searing pain slowly sprouted within him. The Millennium Rod ttered onto the floor and rolled to his side. The artifact glowed ominously as Marik grabbed the side of his face and howled. Gradually, an eerie voice entered his head. Fool, do you really think you can control a god by your lonesome? It was never meant for you. You''re merely a mortal calling upon a power that''s not yours. Soon you will die. Marik couldn''t believe the words as he felt the pain increase by the second, and the voice continued to speak. But I can stop that. All you need to do is ept. You know you can''t resist my guidance... Let me help. Let me help. Let me help. Let me help. LET ME HELP LET ME HELP LET ME HELP!!!!! "GAH," Marik groaned as he desperately ignored this voice pounding against his head. However, with the roar of Ra, a surge of power made his lungs copse as his body lost control, and he reached for the Millennium Rod. Instantly, he froze, leaving everyone confused. The hand clutching his head loosened as he stared at the night sky. In this quiet silence, Marik''s eyes suddenly snapped open, bloodshot. A deep, offputting chuckle escaped his lips. With a newfound energy, Marik stood up, clenching and unclenching his fists in wonder. "What the hell is going on..." Joey mumbled, catching Marik''s attention. Marik smiled as he continued to duel: "I will activate Ra''s ability! Now, transform and present us with your proper form! I call upon you, Ra, the Egyptian God Phoneix!" [3] Onmand, Winged Dragon of Ra howled with rage. Its golden scales ignited, covering its body in mes and transforming the god into a ming Phoneix with golden feathers and fiery red eyes. [Egyptian God Phoenix: 0 Attack, o Defence] "Then I will activate the Egyptian God Phoenix''s effect by paying one thousand life points; when Egyptian God Phoenix attacks, it can destroy that monster no matter what!" Marik smiled: "Now, Egyptian God Phoenix, destroy Gilford the Lightning!" The Phoenix screeched; its voice echoed throughout the entire airship. The monster pped its feathery wings, conjuring a blood-red tornado. The tornado engulfed Gilford the Lightning, and immediately, an indescribable agony overwhelmed Joey''s entire soul. The sensation of being burnt alive made him scream in suffering as his eyes rolled up to the back of his head. As the tornado gradually faded, Joey stumbled on his steps. Marik raised his eyebrows, impressed: "To think you''re standing after facing divine punishment, your willpower is trulymendable..." Joey didn''t respond as his vision darkened; the fact that he was standing was nothing short of a miracle. "Now, in my end phase, Ra will return to my graveyard," Marik exined calmly and waited with anticipation. "M... My... Turn..." Joey''s breath was shaky as every time he moved, it felt like needles stabbing into his heart: "I.....I...." *Slump* Joey''s legs gave out, but he still tried to y. However, finally, unable to endure the suffering and copsed. There was silence as people couldn''t register what they were seeing. "B... Big brother?" Serenity stuttered, covering her lips with her hands. However, Joey refused to respond, and with each second, everyone was starting to feel increasingly worried. "Joey Wheeler will be given two minutes to recover. Otherwise, Marik Ishtar will win this duel." Rnd announced on the sideline. His friends screamed for him to wake up, but no matter what. Joey Wheeler won''t open his eyes. "The two minutes have passed, and due to being unable to continue, Marik Ishtar wins and will advance into the tournament!" Marik cackled as he stepped down from the field. As he walked away, Marik passed Ishizu, who stared at him with concern. "Brother..." She called out hesitantly. Marik stopped and smiled, disying his white teeth: "Your brother is gone..." Her eyes widened in horror: "Then who...." Sensing her fear, Marik... No... Yami Marik smirked: "Marik is probably already dead. I will use this body nicely." With boastfulughter, he left, leaving Ishizu alone... [Yuna''s POV] An hourter... "Big brother, please wake up!" Serenity cried while shaking Joey. However, no matter how much she nudged him, he wouldn''t open his eyes. "Big sister, what''s happening? Why wouldn''t Joey wake up!" She sobbed while clenching my sleeve: "How could a card game do this to him!" Unable to give her a reasonable answer, I embraced Serenity as she soaked my clothes with her tears. Gazing at Joey''satose state, a sigh escaped from my lips. If someone like Joey got hurt this badly, what would happen to me? This worrying thought made me doubt my abilities. However... I nced at Serenity, and it was something I couldn''t just sit idly by. Trying tofort her, I hesitantly wiped her tears and mustered a smile. "Can... save... Joey..." I said to reassure her. "Really, how?!" Serenity yelled impatiently while holding my hands. "Beat... Marik...." I answered solemnly. "But won''t that put you in danger as well!" Serenity yelped. *Smack* I gently flicked her forehead: "Won''t lose..." "That you must promise!" Serenity insisted, forcing me to nod along. Suddenly, Serenity tackled me, and I felt her arms wrapping around my back. I chuckled as I patted her head while she tucked her face into my chest. Wait.... Serenity: "~Mofu Mofu~" *SMACK* She shrieked as I unleashed my fist of justice for the second time tonight. Rubbing her head, Serenity swiftly broke away from the hug. Although she seemed to be in pain from the punch, her mood was much more rxed than before. "Ah, is big sister leaving now?" she asked as soon as I stood up. I nodded, and Serenity smiled wryly, wishing me a good night. After returning the gesture, I stepped into the hallway as the familiar system appeared before my eyes. [Task #7] [Defeat Marik Ishtar!] [Reward: 10,000 credits] I stared at the task given to me, deep in my thoughts. There''s still a chance that I won''t be able to duel him if he''s ever matched with Yugi or Kaiba. Still, if the possibility of me ever fighting Marik, it will be a motivation for me to work harder, well, if the fact that I would once again put my life on the line wasn''t motivating enough... As I was nning to return to my room, I heard a voice hesitantly calling my name. Turning around, I was shocked to see Ishizu standing behind me. She awkwardly rubbed her arms and spoke in a polite tone: "I can''t help but overhear that you will duel against my brother." "If so..." Ishizu took a deep breath and stared at me: "I ask you to please save him." "Before you say anything, first listen to what I''m going to tell you," Ishizu said and straightened her body. "Three thousand years ago in Ancient Egypt, its civilisation was being attacked by invaders, leaving countless deaths in its wake. The Pharaoh at that time, Akhenamkhanen, mystical means to protect his people, which ultimately led to the creation of the Millennium sought Items. There were a total of seven artifacts made, each with its unique abilities: The Eye of All-Seeing, The Ring of Guidance, The Scale of Judgement The Key of Perception The Ne of Prophecy The Rod of Maniption And finally, the Puzzle of Leadership... With these seven Millennium items, Akhenamkhanen quickly overturned his enemies and brought peace to thend. Then, the items were passed down from generation to generation, granting their wielders extraordinary powers." "However," Ishizu paused: "With these Millennium Items, there were three that were particrly weak to the intrusion of evil: The Rod, Eye and the Ring, which attracts spirits that can possess the user." "These past few events led me to believe that my brother, being the wielder of the Millenium Rod, has been overwhelmed by his darkness and an alter ego formed in his soul, taking over his body." Suddenly, Ishizu bowed gracefully: "I know that it''s an unfair request, but please save my brother. If you do, the Ishtar family will be in your debt!" Flustered by Ishizu''s pleading, I stared at her nkly, unable to form a response. Eventually, in the unbearable silence, I nodded, and Ishizu''s shoulders rxed. "I thank you, young hero," Ishizu smiled: "You will have my forever gratitude." Finishing her bow, Ishizu left, and I returned to my room. Falling onto my bed, I stared at the ceiling and sighed: "After this is Noah''s Virtual World..." Thinking of the shenanigans that will be happening in the future, I frowned. Despite only being semi-rted to Battle City, I knew that it was something I should attend. Joey, who was supposed to participate in Battle City, was now left in aa because of my interventions, so it would probably be best if I put some effort into helping out. Right now, Yugi should be having his duel with Odion. But with everything already revealed, I doubt that it will be worth the watch nor I have the stamina to stay awake. Soon, my exhaustion from tonight has caught up, and I closed my eyes, drifting off to sleep.... [1] Lava Golem: This card is Summoned to the opponent''s field by sacrificing 2 of their monsters. Each turn, that yer takes 700 damage. ATK/3000 DEF / 2500 [2] Machine Duplication: When a monster with 500 or less ATK is in y, the effect of "Machine Duplication" can Special Summon up to 2 copies of the same card from your Deck. If you do not control a monster with 500 or less ATK, destroy this card and the Special Summoned monster(s). [3] Some may wonder why there is no chant, well I want to save it forter. Also, queue the God''s Anger theme! :) Chapter 49: Dont Hate the Player, Hate the Game Chapter 49: Don''t Hate the yer, Hate the Game ? Hi, this chapter is actually longer than I expected, like long enough to be a once-per-week chapter. however, I still decided to post this was because I have an exam on next Monday morning and will be damned if I have to stay up and edit a chapter. So expect the next chapter to possibly bete or not released in the first ce. [Yuna''s POV] Next Day... I woke up early in the morning. My body still felt a little stiff, probably due to being in a different bed than I''m used to. Other than that, I also had a weird dream. I dreamt about being in a dark, gloomy space, and I fought against someone in an old duelling arena. I can''t really recall what happened in the duel, but it''s probably nothing... Sighing, Ibed my hair and changed into fresh clothes. Exiting my room, I decided to wander around to kill time as everyone else was still asleep. Unknowingly, after walking for ten minutes, I stumbled upon the control room of the airship. Understanding that this was probably a ce I shouldn''t be, I tried to leave but was suddenly stopped by Mokuba''s eager voice through the speakers: "Big Sister, good morning; feel free toe in." The door opened, and I hesitantly entered. Inside were a dozen men in suits, operating on keyboards and monitors that I couldn''t possiblyprehend. Overlooking the men was Kaiba as he stared at therge screen in the centre of the room. "Big sister!" Mokuba called excitedly as he spun around in his seat. Smiling, I patted his head, and his nose twitched with pride, saying that this was something he could brag to Serenityter. A chuckle escaped my lips, and I subconsciously nced at Kaiba, who was gazing at me with a raised brow. However, he chose to remain silent and continue observing the screen that was disying the path ahead. "M... Morning..." I mumbled. To my surprise, instead of ignoring me, Kaiba nodded in greeting. Although he didn''t say good morning back, this was already a pretty significant development. Following Kaiba, I turned my attention to therge disy, and we watched as it showed the real-life video of the sun rising, and the water''s surface perfectly reflected the image of the bright red star. As we flew further, I began to spot a tall, dark structure in the middle of the ocean. It was a massive monolith made of steel with a dark ck colour, casting a shadow through the sun. "That ce was where Kaiba Corps was born." Kaiba said, sensing my curiosity: "It was built from the ruins of my stepfather''s empire, and it symbolises the triumph of the new over the old. That ce will be where the finals of Batte City will be held." I watched with bated breath as the airship flew closer and closer. Knowing their background, I understood how significant that ce was for the two brothers, and I was excited to be able to set foot on this sacred ground. Suddenly, the airship groaned as the transport did a sharp left turn, throwing us off the course. Being caught off guard, we were hurled to the side of the wall with great force. Sliding across the floor, my back struck the wall, and I winced, imagining the bruise I would getter. Opening one of my eyes, I spotted Mokuba spiralling towards me, and I managed to catch him from the fall. However, in doing so, we were sent crashing against one of the windows. "Sano!" Kaiba shouted my name. He reached out his hand, and I instinctively took it. With insane strength, he managed to pull me and Mokuba to him moments before several heavy objects crashed into where we were. "Tell me what''s happening, damn it!" Kaiba shouted at his subordinates, and they hurriedly examined the systems of the ship. "Seto, look!" Mokuba gasped and pointed at the window beside us. In unison, everyone turned their heads and witnessed a humongous building emerging from the waves. It was like an underwater fortress, and its intimidating appearance sent slight shivers down my spine. As we stared in awe, the central screen flickered brightly, recing the image of Kaiba Corps Ind. There appeared an image of a young boy with teal-coloured hair, blue eyes and sharp features. He was dressed in a white long-sleeve jacket that gave him a professional look. "If it isn''t Seto Kaiba." The boy smirked. "Identify yourself!" Kaiba snarled. "Still as demanding as always?" The boyughed: "You and I gone a long way back." Kaiba clenched the handrails, his knuckles turning white: "Someone shut this thing off!" "I''m sorry, sir," One of the employees apologised: "Our mainframe has been breached." "That''s impossible!" Mokuba yelped: "Kaibacorp''s security system is top-notch. There''s no way it can be hacked!" "But unfortunately, it can." The boy taunted: "And I''m sorry to say that I''m putting a stop to your card games." The airship churned once more, and it began flying towards the sea fortress. Kaiba angrily ordered the men to take back control, but nothing they did worked. Eventually, the airship reached the fortress, and the structure opened up, revealing an internal hanger. *BOOOM* The roughnding made us stumble on our steps. Theputer screen flickered, and the boy returned: "Wee to my humble abode. Now, as your host, I insist on leaving this airship." Kaiba: "And what if we don''t?" Suddenly, the hatch doors on the hanger walls opened simultaneously, revealing dozens of turrets. In unison, the barrels of the weapons aimed at us as the redsers on the tips of the guns pointed at our heads. As if right on time, Yugi and his friends burst in, attracted by themotion. However, they instantly froze when they came face to face with the automatic weapons. "If you don''t, I naturally don''t exin what will happen, right?" The boy warned. With no choice, we stepped out of the airship with the guns still trained on us. "Good. Please enter the door to the right." He instructed as the automatic door unlocked with a hiss. "Sir, what should we do?" Rnd asked with a solemn gaze. "The rest of you wait here," Kaiba dered: "I will go alone and put an end to this farce." *BAM* As soon as he took a step, one of the guns fired, inciting the screams of several people. The bullet struck the floor before Kaiba, stopping him in his tracks. "I didn''t say just you, did I?" The boy uttered in an antagonizing tone: "Your subordinates can stay, but the other people will being with you." Kaiba scowled, and I could hear the sound of his teeth grinding together: "Fine... Let''s go." "Please wait," A voice interrupted Kaiba: "Mind if we join you?" We all simultaneously turned around and were surprised to see Ishizu and Odion standing on top of the ramp. Calmly, the two tombkeepers stopped before Kaiba and stared into his eyes: "I hope there won''t be any problems?" "....Stop with your jokes..." Kaiba spat: "Do you really think I can trust you?" "You don''t have to," Ishizu shook her head: "We were merely stating our intentions." "Don''t make me repeat myself." Kaiba warned menacingly: "Go.... Back..." The atmosphere was getting increasingly tense as the two sides refused to back down. I sighed and finally decided to step in. "Let them..." I said in the silence. Kaiba turned to me in shock: "What..." "It''s.. fine.." I insisted, and his face contorted into various emotions ranging from anger and annoyance. I also detected a tiny hint of betrayal... "Suit yourself..." Kaiba growled and walked away as the rest of us were inclined to follow. Walking through the dark corridor, I stared at Kaiba''s broad back as he marched in front of the group. I wanted to ask what happened earlier, but it''s best if I wait for now, as he''s clearly pissed off. I glimpsed at Ishizu beside me: "Why?" I couldn''t help but voice out. "Miss Sano agreed to assist the Ishtar family." Ishizu smiled: "It''s natural for us to help as well." I nodded with relief. After the duel between Marik and Joey, I was worried whether some things would change in the Virtual World arc. I assume that it should be fine with me to rece Joey. However, if Ishizu and Odion agreed to help, things would be much easier. Eventually, we arrived at a dark and empty room. There was silence except for the sound of our breathing. The light flickered to life, and the sudden change of brightness momentarily blinded my eyes. When my vision cleared, standing before us were five men dressed in business attire. Mokuba and Kaiba''s eyes widened upon realising their identities. "It''s the Big Fives!" Mokuba eximed: "What are they doing here!" The members of the Big Five smiled. Stepping forward, the leader of the Big Fives, Gansely, smirked: "Looks like we meet again, Seto Kaiba... And Yuna Sano...." His creepy grin made me shiver, and I subconsciously hugged my body. However, before I could return my re, Kaiba stepped forward and blocked my view. Hey, I want to see too! But much to my displeasure, Kaiba ignored me and continued to stare at the Big Fives: "I thought I had dealt with you scums, yet you cockroaches seemed to be still clinging to life." "Yes," Gansely growled: "Although our physical bodies have been lost, in ourst encounter, our minds were transported into the virtual world, and now we have returned to exact our revenge!" Kaiba smirked: "So you''re going to kill us?" "Quite the contrary," Gansely retorted: "Instead, we want you to suffer the same fate as us! Once we''re done, you will be merely a senseless data trapped in this virtual world while we will take control of your bodies!" Ha ha ha... No, thank you... I don''t want any smelly old man controlling my body! It was obvious that everyone shared the same sentiment as me, and they red at the Big Fives with anger. "I like to see you try," Seto snarled. "Indeed we shall," Gansely pped his head. The lights in the room brightened, revealing the rows of machinery mounted on the walls. Responding to Gansely''s p, the devices came to life, generating a loud noise as they powered on. "Let''s see if you can survive whates after next," The Big Fivesughed. Suddenly, a wave of dizziness struck me. My knees buckled, and I nced at the rest of our group. Simr to me, theirplexion was pale, and they were clutching their head in pain. So it begins, Virtual World arc. Damn, when I wake up, hopefully, I''m with someone, I thought before embracing the dizziness, and everything went dark. Some Unkown Time Later... Gradually, my consciousness returned, and I opened my eyes. My head was still a mess, but it was much better than before. Taking deep breaths, I was able to rx thoroughly, and I looked around to grasp my surroundings. I seemed to be resting on a chair, and the walls resembled an office. In front of me was a wide wooden desk, and I noticed that there seemed to be a man sitting on the opposite of the furniture. Slowly, I raised my head and took in his appearance. The red business suit, white shirt and ck tie... His fair-coloured skin, grey hair and moustache... The atmosphere of a calm but deceitful man... "Good morning, girl," The man opened his mouth, and a deep voice left his throat: "You may be wondering who I am. Then let me indulge you. My name is Gozaburo Kaiba, the former CEO of Kaiba Corps, also Seto and Mokuba''s adoptive father." F*ck.... I cursed while showing aposed expression. The Virtual World arc has only just started, and I''m already sitting before the final boss! In the office, Gozaburo and I stared at each other in silence. I can feel his scrutinising gaze, his pupils scanning me from up and down. Gozaburo hummed as his finger tapped against the wooden desk, creating a rhythmic sound: "Do you know why I summoned you here?" His sudden question made me jolt, and I awkwardly shook my head. "Well, usually I wouldn''t pay attention to a girl like you, but the way you acted around my "sons" caught my attention." Gozaburo exined: "Also, I heard that you''re the one that contributed to my subordinates'' exile." Ah... haha, I averted my gaze. Was it toote to apologise now? "So, I did some digging," Several documents manifested in Gozaburo''s hand, and he slid it across the table for me to see. "Yuna Sano, born from a family with no backgrounds." "Above average academic skills and no other noteworthy expertise." "General, a run-of-the-mill person from the streets." Each word felt like a sharp knife stabbing into my guts, and Gozaburo chuckled lightheartedly: "You''re really nothing special. The only thing that makes you stand out is the ability to y a card game..." "Yet," his voice turned cold: "How you still manage to get close to them is beyond me."N?v(el)B\\jnn "But, knowing those failures, it''s no wonder that you wormed your way into their inner circle." Gozaburo scoffed: "It was a mistake to bring those two in. My weapon industry was transformed into something that makes games! I should have left them in the orphanage to...." *Pak* I angrily smacked the table. Hearing them being insulted like this generated an indescribable rage within me, and my body moved on instinct. "Apologise," I scowled, inciting hisughter. "Oh, I will do no such thing," Gozaburo smirked: "Instead, how about we y a game?" Beside Gozaburo appeared a stack of Duel Monster Cards. Shuffling the cards, he smiled: "Despite what I said, I can''t find this game to be a little interesting, so would you want to have a wager?" Under my suspicious gaze, Gozaburo stood up and walked around the desk: "W... Why..." Gozaburo shrugged, and a duel disk magically appeared on his wrist. Sliding his deck into the device: "How about if you win, you will earn your freedom. But if you lose? It''s best if you don''t know." my Fine, I sat up from my seat; I will make sure you take back what you said earlier! I readied duel disk, but soon, realisation dawned upon me: I''m not wearing one! Remembering that I was in a virtual world, I began to panic. "Heh," Gozaburo nced at me with amusement. He swiped his arm, and suddenly, a duel disk manifested on my wrist: "For your deck, I will allow you to use any cards that you know. But Egyptian God Cards are obviously forbidden." I froze upon hearing his deration, and I tilted my head in a daze. "What do you have a problem with that?" Gozaburo smirked. No, it''s just... I glimpsed at the system screen that randomly appeared. [Task #8: Are You Sure About That?] [Make Gozaburo Kaiba regret his words] [Reward: 5000 Credits] [Special Condition: All Cards in the Shop will be temporarily unlocked.] [3rd POV] Gozaburo smiled as Yuna stared into space. Despite being known as the Duel King, he heavily doubted whether Yuna could best him in a game of strategy. ''Trapped in this world, I have studied this card game and created, in my opinion, the best deck that can ever exist. Duel King or not, the oue is already set in stone,'' Gozaburo thought quietly. However, Yuna quickly snapped out of her daze and asked worriedly: "You... sure?" Gozaburo frowned: "What is that supposed to mean? Of course, I''m sure!" "Promise?" "Are you taking me for a liar?! I, Gozaburo Kaiba, will never go back on his words!" Unconvinced, Yuna went to the table and grabbed a pen. After scribbling on a piece of paper, she handed it to Gozaburo: "Contract..." Gozaburo:..... Suddenly, he didn''t understand why; Gozaburo began to feel slightly nervous. Unfortunately, what was said had already been said, so he cautiously signed on the piece of paper. Making sure that it really was his signature, Yuna nodded to herself before choosing her deck. Soon, a stack of cards appeared in her hand, and she inserted it into the duel disk. "Alright," Gozaburo regained hisposure: "Let''s begin!" [Gozaburo Kaiba: 4000 LP] [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP] [Warning: The following content may be triggering, insulting, and possibly traumatising for the Yugioh yers out there, You have been warned.] "I will go first," Gozaburo dered as he drew five cards from his deck. ncing at his hand, his smile widened: "First, I will activate Painful Choice. I can choose five cards from my deck, and you will have to pick one while I discard the rest into my graveyard." Gozaburo approached Yuna with a smirk, presenting the five options to her: Exodia the Forbidden One Right Arm of the Forbidden One Left Arm of the Forbidden One Right Leg of the Forbidden One Left Leg of the Forbidden One Yuna gazed at the cards silently and picked out the Right Leg of the Forbidden One. Gozaburo took the card into his hand and moved back to his side of the field. "Next, I will activate Graceful Charity to draw three cards from the deck, and then I must discard two cards." Drawing another three cards, Gozaburo then slid two cards into his duel disk. When everything was ready, Gozaburo''sughter filled the room: "To think luck shines down upon me today, my preparations arepleted, and this duel will end swiftly!" "I activated my Contract with Exodia!" The floor seemed to shake as a colossal statue of the head of the Exodia rose from the ground. The eyes on the statue light up, and the stone structure opens its mouth, unleashing a yellowish breath. "When there are all of the pieces of Exodia in the graveyard, I will be able to y this card!" Gozabura exined: "Using two thousand of my life points as a sacrifice, I will be able to summon a monster stronger than a God! I call upon you, Exodia Necross!" Instantly, the eyes on the statue transformed into pure darkness, and the yellowish breath became murky like mud. *BOOM* An arm burst out of the disgusting substance as a peal of coarse and deepughter entered everyone''s ears. Yuna took a step back as the oppressive energy intensified to a dangerous degree. With its mere presence, the walls surrounding Yuna and Gozaburo were blown away. With enough space, the monster fully revealed its proper form. With a height as tall as Obelisk the Tormentor and its skin as ck as the night sky. The Monster that resembled Exodia stood up fully and released a chilling roar. [Exodia Necross: 1800 Attack, o Defence] "Although it may seem weak, Exodia Necross has a unique effect in that it would gain an ability for every Exodia piece in the graveyard. Exodia the Forbidden One: This card cannot be destroyed by battle. Right Arm of the Forbidden One: Whenever this card battles an opponent''s monster, it gains 1000 ATK at the end of the Damage Step. Left Arm of the Forbidden One: This card cannot be destroyed by the effects of other monsters. Right Leg of the Forbidden One: This card cannot be destroyed by Trap Cards. Left Leg of the Forbidden One: This card cannot be destroyed by Spell Cards." Gozaburo spread his arms with a face full of confidence: "With these effects, there''s no way for you to defeat Exodia Necross! It''s a being superior to the Egyptian Gods!" "So it will be your turn." Gozaburo said in a mocking tone: "How will the "best" Duel Monster yer get out of this one?" Yuna didn''t respond but gazed at Gozaburo silently. The man sneered as he thought that his opponent was freezing in fear at the power of his Exodia Necross. However, he couldn''t be more wrong... "Ah... I seemed to have a bad hand..." Yuna muttered disappointingly and uttered possibly one of the most cursed things you can say in a duel: "I will just set five cards face down and my turn." Gozaburo: "....You called that a bad hand..." "Yes," Yuna nodded honestly. Gozaburo stared at the five ced cards, and all of a sudden, he felt a slight chill: "I will draw," "Hold on," Yuna stopped him: "I will first activate Gozen Match; we can only have one attribute of monsters, and if we own any other monsters with a separate attribute, we send the monsters to the graveyard." "Then, I activate Rivalry of the Warlords; we can only control one monster type, and if we own any other monsters with a separate type, we send the monsters to the graveyard." "Are you done?" Gozaburo asked, but to his horror, Yuna shook her head." "I will also activate Summon Limit. We will only be able to summon two monsters per turn, and then I also y Skill Drain. By paying one thousand life points, we can no longer activate monster effects." [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP -> 3000 LP] "Is that all..." He muttered gravely, and Yuna finally nodded. Gozaburo pinched the bridge of his nose as he felt a migraine developing in his head: ''Don''t worry, there''s nothing to worry about; I still have Exodia Necross, so everything should be fine. Despite the Skill Drain, its effect has already been activated, so it doesn''t matter." "Now, Exodia Necross, attack!" The monster roared and unleashed a devastingser. Struck by theser, Yuna gritted her teeth and endured the damage, unbothered by the sharp drop of her life points. [Yuna Sano: 3000 LP -> 1200 LP] "Unfortunately, Exodia Necross didn''t battle a monster, so it can''t gain one thousand attacks." Gozaburo exined: "It''s your turn." ''There''s nothing to worry about, just one more hit and I will win. The earlier move may have scared me a little bit but its only empty threats!'' Gozaburo eventually regained hisposure and boasted: "Fool, are you aware that your trap cards affect you too?! You have just shot yourself in the foot; good luck destroy...." "I will special summon Gameciel, the Sea Turtle Kaiju, from my hand. Its effect allows me to tribute one of your monsters and special summon this card onto your side of the field." Gozaburo: "Come again?" Exodia Necross suddenly burst into millions of pieces and was reced by a giant turtle monster that seemed to be taunting him. [Gameciel, the Sea Turtle Kaiju: 2200 Attack, 3000 Defence] "Ha.... There''s nothing to worry about! The monster you gave me is still powerful! How should you defeat it?!" "Um, I will y myst trap card, Eldlixir of Scarlet Sanguine. This card allows me to special summon my boss monster, Eldlich the Golden Lord, from my deck." *WHOOSH* The ground in front of Yuna trembled, and a tall figure donning golden armour emerged. unting the purple cape on its back, Eldlich the Golden Lord crossed its arms and stood with an imposing atmosphere. [Eldlich the Golden Lord: 2500 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Now, Eldlich the Golden Lord, attack, please," Yuna ordered as the monster charged, destroying the sea turtle with one punch. [Gozaburo Kaiba: 2000 LP -> 1700 LP] "Ah... Ah..." Words refused to leave his mouth as Gozaburo wanted to tear his hair off out of frustration. What the hell was this?! This was pure evil! That woman was definitely a demon! He drew a card, and his expression somewhat brightened: "I will y Special Hurricane! I can discard one card and destroy every special summoned monster on the field!" Gozaburo hurriedly dumped one card into the graveyard, and he watched with delight as Eldlich, The Golden Lord, got smitten by lightning and perished. "I will end my turn here," Gozaburo said with determination. He was safe for now. As long as he gets a monster on the field before her, he can win! "Oh no... My Eldlich, the Golden Lord," Yuna mumbled: "Anyways..." "I activate Eldlich the Golden Lord''s effect in the graveyard, and I will destroy my Skill Drain. Then I can add Eldlich the Golden Lord back into my hand and special summon a zombie monster from my hand. I choose the Eldlich, the Golden Lord." [Eldlich the Golden Lord: 2500 Attack, 2800 Defence] Immediately, all the hope drained from Gozaburo''s face, and he copsed onto his knees. As if the wound wasn''t deep enough, Yuna then grabbed the metaphorical knife in his stomach and began twisting it. "Then Eldlich the Golden Lord''s second effect allows it to gain one thousand attacks." [Eldlich the Golden Lord: 2500 -> 3500 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Now attack." Gozaburo: "Oh for fuc...." *BOOOOOOM* [Gozaburo Kaiba: 1700 LP -> 0 LP] I hope you enjoy this one. Chapter 50: Not So Different After All Chapter 50: Not So Different After All ? Next week chapter will bete as well. [3rd POV] [Gozaburo Kaiba: 1700 LP -> 0 LP] Gozaburo blinked in utter disbelief, the cards slipping from his grasp. Just one turn... It took her only one turn to secure victory, leaving the ultimate strategy he had so meticulously crafted inplete shambles. "Y... You..." He growled in a surge of rage. However, Gozaburo''s expression grew rigid as Yuna presented him with the contract, prominently disying his sizable signature on the document as if silently conveying, "I told you so." Never in his life had he experienced such humiliation, and his body trembled with anger. "NOAH!" Suddenly, a boy with light teal hair materialized beside Gozaburo. Sensing the man''s foul mood, the boy named Noah hesitantly bowed in respect. "Y.... Yes, Father?" "Deal with her now!" Gozaburo roared, his finger usingly pointing at Yuna. Noah nodded and fixed a menacing re on Yuna as she anxiously took a step back. "Our deal..." Gozaburoughed menacingly, "I''m an entrepreneur; we never uphold amitment. Now disappear." With Gozaburo''smand, Noah firmly gripped Yuna''s wrist, causing her to vanish into a ck void. Noah began to manipte the space around her, a thought forming in his mind: ''Father wants her gone. I should lock her consciousness...'' When bringing victims into this digital realm, Noah had the facility''s drones ce each individual inside a virtual pod, effectively transferring their consciousness into this alternate dimension. Within this world, their subconscious became aplex array of data and code that could be manipted. Typically, a person''s mind was heavily locked, but it could be unlocked by breaking their will to resist. For instance, they might experience the consequences of a game of Duel Monsters, with the loser genuinely believing that the punishment was real. Noah also possessed the power to influence a person''s mind forcibly, but it required intense concentration, and it came with its own set of risks. Nevertheless, this was an order from his father, and he had to carry it out. Reappearing before Yuna, Noah extended his hand and ced it atop her head. With this touch, he began to intrude into her subconscious mind. Soon, Noah found himself in a dark, damp room within the depths of her psyche. Unfazed, Noah tapped the limestone walls of the subconscious realm, causing the area he touched to transform into an intricate disy of binary numbers and codes. Noah wore a confident smirk on his face; it would take time, but he was patient enough to eventually conquer and manipte this space entirely. "Where am I anyway..." Noah muttered to himself, his childlike curiosity taking control as his eyes roamed around the room. Despite the darkness, he had adapted his data to see through the night, and he spotted a door. Unable to quell his interest, Noah made his way to the door and attempted to open it. "It''s locked..." Noah muttered in disappointment as he returned to check on the progress. However, his expression froze in disbelief when he realized the codes had entirely disappeared. "Her mental strength is more formidable than I anticipated," Noah mused, genuinely impressed as he restarted the process. *ck ck* Noah swiftly turned around at the sound of an object colliding and dragging across the ground. To his puzzlement, there appeared to be nothing behind him. *ck ck* The sound repeated, now much closer, and Noah''s hair stood on end. *ck ck!" The frequency of the noise increased, and Noah hurriedly pressed his back against the corner of the room. His pupils darted wildly, trying to locate the source of the sound. But unbeknownst to him, by putting himself in the corner, the young boy unfortunately missed the two long arms emerging from the walls... A minuteter... The door to the room swung open, and a woman with white hair entered. Immediately, her gaze fell upon Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, holding a twelve-year-old boy in its arms, ready to devour him at any moment. "Ahem, what are you doing?" the woman called out, and the dragon froze, caught in the act. "Put him down this instant." Reluctantly, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon released its grip, and the unconscious boy tumbled to the floor. The woman knelt beside him, waiting patiently as he slowly opened his eyes... When Noah regained consciousness, his mind was still in disarray, and the events of the past few minutes seemed like a blur. Sitting up, he noticed a woman beside him, her upper face concealed by a shawl. Even from just seeing her lips, Noah could deduce that she must be stunning. "Are you alright?" She inquired, and Noah instinctively blushed. However, he soon spotted a dark figure lurking behind the woman. When his eyes finally focused, his skin paled with fear as he remembered everything. In a panic, Noah screamed and fled, exiting the space with no trace of him left behind. Staring at the spot where he had been sitting, the woman scowled and directed her re at Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, which had already retreated to avoid her scolding... Outside, Noah gasped for breath, his body still trembling from fear. *Tap Tap* "AHHH, STAY AWAY!" He instinctively yelled and quickly moved away from whatever had touched his shoulder. Turning around, Noah paused when he realized it was just Yuna; he sighed with relief. Regaining hisposure, he soon adopted an antagonizing tone to mask the anxiety in his heart. "F.. Father wants you gone! So I''ll leave you here forever! Goodbye!" he dered, generating a portal and making a hasty escape... [Yuna''s POV] I observed with surprise as Noah screamed like a little girl and hastily dashed into the portal. If I had to guess what had happened, it was likely that Starving Venom Fusion Dragon had paid him an unexpected visit while he was attempting to take control of my body. Well, it seemed that Noah must have been somewhat traumatized because he left the portal open. With no better n in mind, I decided to follow him through the portal, and in an instant, I found myself in apletely new area. Calmly examining my surroundings, I discovered that I was now in a luxurious bedroom. A king-size bed upied one of the walls, there was a cozy lounge area nestled in the corner, and shelves were brimming with books and various expensive stationery items. Immediately, I spotted Noah standing at the end of the room with his back to me. I concealed myself behind the couches, observing him as he seemed engrossed in watching something on a multitude of disys mounted on the wall. Squinting my eyes, I managed to discern the images on the screens and realized that Noah was spying on Yugi and the rest. It appeared that he and Tea had already defeated two of the Big Five, and they seemed to be steadily making progress. The remaining members of the Big Five weren''t faring any better as they were being soundly defeated by Kaiba, Ishizu, and Odion, respectively. ''Wow, bringing them here turned out to be a better decision than I had imagined...'' I thought while Noah nervously chewed his nails. Suddenly, a second portal materialized, and Gozaburo emerged, walking resolutely toward his son. Noah quickly straightened his back and saluted. "F... Father!" "Have you dealt with that woman like I instructed you to?" Gozaburo inquired sternly, causing Noah to flinch. "Yes, Father, I have trapped her in a ce where she can''t escape," Noah answered. However, Gozaburo didn''t seem pleased at all: "I don''t think you understand what I meant when I said that I want her gone." Noah froze: "I... I" *p* "You disappointed me." Gozaburo scolded harshly and pped his son across the face. Noah didn''t react and could only helplessly lower his gaze as his cheek turned red. Gozaburo nced at the screen, and his brows creased further: "Seems like your n on using the Big Five is failing as well." "I will make sure that they won''t interfere with your ns." "Hmph," Gozaburo scoffed: "Don''t disappoint any further..."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Gozaburo returned to the portal as it closed behind him. Despite being left alone, Noah refused to move as he continued to gaze at the floor absentmindedly. *Sniff* Noah sniffled and wiped his eyes with his sleeve. Biting his lips, Noah tried to subdue the sadness, and he returned to his calm expression. Approaching the screens, Noah pressed a button, and a terminal appeared. Noah typed on the keyboard, and he soon pressed a second button, summoning a portal. Staring at the portal, Noah gritted his teeth and entered as it disappeared behind him. Once he left, I emerged from the hiding ce and hesitantly approached the terminal. Watching the group fighting passionately on the screen, I knew that Noah must be going to intervene in the battle personally, so I must chase after him. But... How the heck do I operate this thing? Remembering what Noah did, I carefully pressed the keys. WOOSH Not understanding what I did, I was caught off guard as a portal magically manifested before my eyes. I really hoped that I had entered themands correctly and not created a portal to the centre of a volcano. "Screw it..." I grumbled. It''s either I risk it or stay here forever! After lightly pping my cheeks, I rushed into the portal... [3rd POV] Meanwhile, in another part of the Virtual World... Seto''s face furrowed with a frown as he stared at the modest white building in front of him. Memories, tinged with nostalgia, flooded his thoughts as he stepped inside. As he made his way through the deserted hallways, Seto eventually pushed open the door at the end of the corridor, unveiling apact ssroom. The desks were clearly designed for young children. Almost instinctively, Seto''s feet guided him to the room''s far corner, where he discovered a chessboard resting on a small desk. Absently, he picked up one of the pawns, his thoughts drifting as he hummed softly. Unexpectedly, Seto''s sharp ears detected a sound, prompting him to cast a cautious gaze at the door. The closed-door inched open, revealing a face peering through the frame, causing Seto''s eyes to widen slightly. "It''s you," he muttered as Yuna entered the room, her eyes darting around curiously. "Where..." Yuna mumbled, her gaze fixated on the chessboard atop the desk. "This was the orphanage that Mokuba and I once called home," Seto replied, and her eyes widened in realization. Seto couldn''t help but scoff at Yuna''s reaction, a familiar response he often received when revealing his past. "Yes, Mokuba and I are orphans. Do you have a problem with that?" he retorted, his toneced with annoyance. Yuna quickly shook her head, avoiding direct eye contact." No parents... either..." she whispered, her gaze drifting to the floor. "Car crash... When young," Yuna exined with a wry smile. "Alone since..." The room fell into an awkward silence as Seto contemted the shared experience. Yuna moved around the desk and, with curiosity in her eyes, asked, "Last name... do you have one?" "I don''t remember," Seto replied honestly. "Ever since I received the name Kaiba, I''ve sworn to bury my past..." The room returned to its silent state. Eventually, she fiddled with one of the chess pieces and spoke out: "Gozaburo.... met him..." "What..." Seto eximed but then frowned: "Yes if it''s him, this all made sense...." Earlier, Seto had found himself moving through several terrains, each representing something from his past as if it was here to remind him of something. He knew that the boy who threatened them shouldn''t be aware of these things, but if his father was involved... "But what is my father doing here?" Seto questioned. His tone was a mixture of confusion and disbelief. "He died years ago, and what about that boy?" "Gozaburo... called him son..." Yuna added, and Seto''s fingers grazed his chin as he delved deep into thought. "Yes," Seto nodded in self-realization. "I can recall now, it was when Mokuba and I were first brought in that I heard from a servant that my father used to have a biological child that died." "I see...." Seto''s smirk revealed a hint of bloodlust in his eyes. "Looks like being overthrown wasn''t enough. I will wipe him out once and for all." "Hate him?" Yuna inquired, prompting Seto to sneer. "Hmph, hatred isn''t a strong enough word for the feelings I have for him," Seto muttered, clenching his fist. He extended his palm and sighed, revealing the crushed chess piece. "Anyone would think that being brought into a rich family would mean a life of luxury, but for me, it was absolute hell." "Hours, days, I waspelled to be someone I wasn''t, and disobedience meant punishment," Seto recounted, his gaze distant. Sinking into a small chair, Seto sighed, "Even when I copsed, I wasn''t spared from the harassment." "Why... tell me this..." Yuna frowned. "Because your curious eyes are getting on my nerves," Seto replied. "So I might as well tell you now." Yuna flinched, "Sorry..." Seto observed Yuna quietly as she awkwardly rubbed her arm. Finally, he stood up and moved to the door, "We''ve wasted enough time. We need to find Mokuba." Yuna nodded in agreement, "Yes..." Together, they left the ssroom, walking side by side down the hallway. Their silence was palpable, and Yuna, with a hint of nervousness, finally spoke up: "Your childhood... was it difficult?" Seto nced at her peripherally, keeping his gaze forward. He replied, "You could say that. But even when I felt on the verge of copse, Mokuba was always there to support me, bringing me back from the brink of death." "How about you?" Seto inquired, his tone still retaining its characteristic bluntness. "Aren''t you an orphan too? What was your life like?" Upon hearing Seto''s question, Yuna touched her lips with a wry smile as she delved into her past memories. "It was lonely..." Seto couldn''t help but probe further. "Does your speech have something to do with it?" Yuna''s eyes widened in surprise at the abrupt personal question. Realizing that she, too, had been somewhat intrusive, she let out a helpless chuckle and remarked, "Children''s innocence... is cruel..." "Oh," Seto murmured, uncertain of how to react. He stole a nce at Yuna and observed a sense of mncholy in her expression. Feeling Seto''s curious gaze, Yuna offered a smile, but it was clear to Seto that her smile was strained and forced. "Forget about them," Seto blurted out with a hint of condescension. "Only a true fool would let other people''s opinions dictate their life choices." Yuna flinched at his scathing tone but then sighed. Understanding that Seto was offering advice in his way, her eyes curved upwards, and her lips shifted into a genuine, warm smile like a crescent moon. "Thank... you..." For the first time in his life, Seto watched Yuna''s sincere smile; his usual indifference momentarily shattered, and his heart skipped a beat. I hope you enjoy it. Chapter 51: My Deck Master is Bigger Than Yours Chapter 51: My Deck Master is Bigger Than Yours ? [3rd POV] Seto felt a brief warmth spread through his heart, a sensation he couldn''t quiteprehend. He touched his chest as if trying to grasp the fleeting emotion that had washed over him, leaving him momentarily perplexed. "Kaiba?" Seto''s reverie was interrupted when he heard Yuna call his name. He quickly refocused on their current situation, his demeanour returning to its usualposed state. "Nothing, let''s go", Seto muttered. With a final nce around the area, he brushed off the momentarypse and took the lead, with Yuna trailing behind. As Seto and Yuna stepped out of the orphanage, they were greeted by the sight of Noah hovering in the sky, arms crossed and a menacing re in his eyes. With a swipe of his hand, he summoned all of the Big Fives. The five members of the Big Five copsed to the ground in shock, their faces pale with disbelief. "How did you all lose?? You can''t even defeat one of them!" Noah growled. "Young master!" The Big Five begged: "Please give us one more chance!" Noah closed his eyes, contemting the fate of the Big Five. After a moment of reflection, he wore a faint smile, a glimmer of opportunity in his gaze. "Very well," he said, his tone calctive. "I will grant you one more chance if you can eliminate them for me. The members of the Big Five couldn''t hide their delight, their smirks growing more expansive as they stared at their foes. Yuna frowned and reached for her duel disk, preparing to battle, but Seto halted her. Seto''s voice oozed with confidence as he asserted, "She doesn''t have to get involved. I alone will be sufficient to deal with the five of you." His gaze flicked toward Yuna, a silent acknowledgment that they needed to focus on their mission. "We can''t waste any more time here. Get that brat and find out where Mokuba is." Yuna nodded in agreement. "Be... careful," she said with concern in her voice. "Hmph," Seto sneered, performing a light stretch to prep himself. "I won''t even break a sweat." With that, he headed towards the Big Five, eager to deliver a piece of his mind. As Yuna sprinted past the members of the Big Five, her voice rang out, "Noah!" Her shout seemed to startle the boy, who had been floating in the sky. In response, he frowned andnded, his attention now squarely on her. "Mokuba, where?!" She demanded angrily as the boy scoffed. Noah''s smirk didn''t waver as he replied, "Why should I tell you? It''s all your fault that Father is angry with me. But I will regain his approval by defeating you and Seto right here and now!" The tension in the air was palpable as Yuna and Noah locked eyes, neither willing to back down. Noah extended his left arm and summoned his duel disk: "Let''s settle this once and for all." "Yes," Yuna agreed, preparing herself for the battle that was toe... [Yuna''s POV] I gazed at Noah cautiously as his duel disk activated: "Now, get ready to duel!" However, his mouth froze, and his eyes widened as if he had realised something important. Immediately, he gestured with his fingers as my deck flew into his hand. Before I could ask what he was doing, the deck ignited in mes, turning into cinders. "There''s no way I''m letting you duel with that horrible thing..." He eximed: "Go and pick something else!" Typically, watching my deck getting destroyed like that would have set me off on a frenzy, but... I can''t really me him, can I? "Then... I want... my deck..." I exined, and Noah agreed as a stack of cards appeared in my duel disk slot. Checking the content and making sure that everything was all there, I nodded with satisfaction. "Another thing," Noah added: "You may not have experienced it, but in this realm, we duel with new rules." "Before the start of each battle, we will pick a card to be our Deck Master, and they will be fighting alongside us during the duel. Each Deck Master has a unique effect, and we can special summon our Deck Master onto the field at any time. However, if our Deck Master were ever destroyed, we would lose the duel, and if our Deck Master were ever tributed or used as materials, the monster that was summoned would be our new Deck Master." "So what will it be, Yuna Sano?" Noah smiled: "Are you up to the challenge," Suddenly, my deck glowed as a blinding light filled the area. *BOOOOOM* A loud, resounding boom generated around me as a streak of light shot out of the image of the card. The light dispersed, revealing a beautiful dragon covered in gold scales. "Impressive..." Noah couldn''t help but praise as Divine Dragon Lord Felgrandnded beside me. The dragon lowered its head and nudged against my shoulder like a puppy. Smiling, I gently patted its neck while the monster emitted a low-pitched growl, expressing its wish to be my Deck Master. However, I averted my gaze in guilt: "Sorry.... Not you..." I shook my head, much to Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s disbelief. Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand stared at me with eyes full of betrayal, and I felt my heart twisting at this horrible emotion. No, stay strong, Yuna, don''t yield to the influence! I screamed in my head. Crap! my hand it''s reaching for its head! sping my wrist, I dered in a loud voice: "I... pick Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!" Responding to my call, I held out the card as the shadow beneath me expanded. Gradually, a tall figure emerged from the darkness, and the monster rxingly curled its slender body around me. "Why is that thing here!" Noah cried and fell onto his back. Starving Venom Fusion Dragon responded with a snarl, disying its long, jagged teeth. The monster excitedly tapped the ground with its scythe-like tail, generating a rhythmic clicking sound that seemed to turn Noah''s face pale. "Starving Venom Fusion Dragon will be my Deck Master," I nced at Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand apologetically. "Promise to summon you... in the duel.." I reassured. Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand grunted reluctantly, and its shoulder drooped with disappointment. But no matter how much it wanted to whine, the dragon understood my intentions and vanished. "Ready?" I asked Noah, who was still gathering his courage. Noticing my stare, his face turned bright red, and he hurriedly stood up. "So y.. you picked that!" Noah continued: "That''s fine. My Deck Master has already been chosen!" I nodded, and my body instinctively tensed up. Noah Kaiba, a dangerous duelist and someone who possesses a deck that directly counters mine: ''This is not going to be easy....'' But I have already expected this and added a few cards that could even it out. ''I hope I don''t mess up...'' I smiled to myself as Noah and I eximed in unison: "Duel!" x2 [Noah Kaiba: 4000 LP] [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP] "I will go first!" I dered: "I will set one monster and one card face down. Then, I end my turn." "Hmmm, my turn." Noah hummed thoughtfully: "I will summon Chiron the Mage in attack position and activate its effect!" Appearing on the field was a tall centaur warrior. In his hand was a magical staff, and he spun it, casting an array of light from the weapon. [Chiron the Mage: 1800 Attack, 1000 Defence] "While Chiron the Mage is on the field, I can look at one set card you control and destroy it!" Without me activating, my set trap flipped over, revealing my Negate Attack. The trap card exploded into pieces, and Noah smiled: "Now, Chiron the Mage, attack!" Chiron the Mage galloped towards me and swung his field at the set monster. But to the monster''s surprise, the staff bounced off as an old man with dragon features emerged from the card. [Keeper of the Shrine: 0 Attack, 2100 Defence]n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om [Noah Kaiba: 4000 LP -> 3700 LP] "Tsk... I will set a card and end my turn here," Noah announced as his lips gradually curved into a smile: "This is nothing to get angry for. Our duel has just begun." "I can say the same," I smiled: "On my move, I will activate Keeper of the Shrine''s effect! During my main phase, the Keeper of the Shrine can be treated as two tributes! Thus, I will summon Blue Eyes White Dragon onto the field!" A thunderous roar pierced the sky, and a majestic dragon covered in white scalesnded with a loud thud. Noah smiled wryly as he covered his eyes from the clouds of dust: "The fourth Blue Eyes White Dragon, the only one that Seto Kaiba does not possess." [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] "So I assume you will be attacking me now?" Noah asked with a smirk. "Not yet!" I yelled: "Now, I will use my Deck Master, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon''s ability!!" Noah:!!!! "By paying five hundred of my life points, one per turn, one of my monsters can copy the effect of one of my opponent''s. So Blue Eyes White Dragon, transform into Chiron the Mage!" Blue Eyes White Dragon folded its wings as it roared, and a mirage of Chiron the Mage appeared from behind the towering dragon. [Chiron the Mage (Blue Eyes White Dragon): 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP -> 3500 LP] "Now, with Chiron the Mage''s effect, I will destroy your set card and then Blue Eyes White Dragon, attack Chiron the Mage!" Blue Eyes White Dragon howled, unleashing a white beam that devastated both the monster and the set trap. [Noah Kaiba: 3700 -> 2500 LP] Noah frowned as his trap card, Earthshaker, was destroyed: "Well yed... To have such a unique ability..." "But," Noah smirked: "My Deck Master''s ability is superior!" *BOOM* The ground rumbled as thend behind Noah caved in, creating a massive crater. Instantly, water rushes from the sides, filling the cavity and generating a wide area resembling the ocean. *Rumble* The water rises, and a massive ship rises from the depth. Noahughed proudly and pointed towards the sky: "Now, ravel at the power of my Deck Master, SHINATO''S ARK!" I cursed and watched the massive ship floating above the water''s surface as thunders ran down onto the wooden decks. To think Noah has revealed his Deck Master this early! Things may have turned terrible for me... "With this reveal, I will activate Shinato''s Ark''s effect," Noah announced with beaming confidence: "Now all monsters in our graveyards will be absorbed by Shinato''s Ark, and any monsters that were sent to the graveyard will also be absorbed!" I frowned as my Keeper of the Shrine and Noah''s Chiron the Mage appeared and flew into Shinato''s Ark. The bow of the ship opened, revealing an entrance that brought the monsters inside, never to be seen again. "After this, Shinato''s Ark also has two effects." Noah exined: "First, I can banish any number of monsters in Shinato''s Ark, and I will gain five hundred life points for each card banished this way. Second, if you dere an attack while I control no monsters, I can special summon monsters in defence position from the ark equal to the number of monsters you control!" It''s more absurd when I hear it directly from Noah himself. Essentially, my graveyard, the most crucial aspect of my deck, was taken away from me. It felt like a part of myself was missing, and it''s unsettling... "So, I will activate Shinato''s Ark''s first effect to banish Keeper of the Shrine and Chiron the Mage to replenish my life points." [Noah Kaiba: 2500 LP -> 3500 LP] "Next, I will y Great Flood. We will send all monsters to the graveyard, and we both have to discard every monster card in our hands." My face crumpled into a genuine scowl as I nced at my hand. There were three monster cards: the Pdin of Felgrand, Starliege Seyfert and, of course, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand. Ah, I might not be able to keep the promise after all... Staring at the monsters entering the ark, Noah whistled: "Seems like I have caught a big fish." "It''s my move," I muttered, deep in thought: "I activate my spell, Card of Sanctity, to draw until I have six cards." "Next, I summon Dragon Knight of Creation and end my turn," I said with bitterness. Being forced on the defence really wasn''t my cup of tea... [Dragon Knight of Creation: 1800 Attack, 600 Defence] "Hmph," Noah sneered, and I could see his confidence rising: "I will summon Last Tusk Mammoth!" He shouted as a giant brown mammoth appeared on the field. [Last Tusk Mammoth: 800 Attack, 1200 Defence] "Last Tusk Mammoth, attack Dragon Knight of Creation!" Noah dered. Despite being the weaker monster, the Last Tusk Mammoth charged without fear. Dragon Knight of Creation readied his sword and unleashed an upward sh that sliced the mammoth in half. However, upon copsing, the monster''s body emitted a strange beam that struck me, and I blinked in disbelief. [Yuna Sano: 3500 LP -> 2500 LP] "You must be surprised. Well, it''s all because of the Last Tusk Mammoth''s effect. All battle damage taken from this monster will be dealt to you instead!" So, not attacking wasn''t even an option? I''m really being put on the spot here... "I will set one card face down and end my turn." With my strongest monsters already in Shinato''s Ark, I could do nothing but grit my teeth. Noah could even use my monsters against me, which just made my expression sour thinking about it. Was this how Kaiba felt when other people used his Blue-Eyes White Dragon? Wait, the gears of my head begin to turn. Maybe summoning my monsters might not be so bad after all... "My turn!" Noah''s voice brought my focus back onto the duel: "I will activate Deepest Impact to destroy all monsters on the field, and both of our life points will be halved!" Suddenly, a massive earthquake urred in the centre of the field. The ground beneath Dragon Knight of Creation shifted as the rocks copsed on top of him. [Noah Kaiba: 3500 LP -> 1750 LP] [Yuna Sano: 2500 LP -> 1250 LP] "Next, I summon Gradius!" Noah eximed and summoned a spaceship. [Gradius: 1200 Attack, 800 Defence] "Then, I will y the equip spell, Cyclon Laster, giving Gradius three hundred more attacks!" [Gradius: 1200 -> 1500 Attack, 800 Defence] "Now, Gradius, Attack Yuna Sano directly!" Noah shouted with a smile: "With this, it''s my win!" "Not so fast!" I yelled and hurriedly activated my trap card: "I activate Waboku. I will take no damage this turn!" As Gradius loaded its cannon, the weapon swiftly fired a beam ofser towards me. BOOOM Theser struck my feet, generating a bright explosion. However, as the dust settled, I was still standing unharmed. Frowning in displeasure, Noah clicked his teeth: "Fine... I will activate Shinato''s Ark''s effect to banish Dragon Knight of Creation, Pdin of Felgrand and Keeper of the Shrine to gain back fifteen hundred life points." [Noah Kaiba: 1750 LP -> 3250 LP] "I will set a card and end my turn here," Noah said calmly, and I was relieved that I was able to dodge a bullet. "It''s my turn!" I dered: "First, I activate Pot of Greed and draw two cards! Then, after that, I will y Graceful Charity to draw three cards and discard two from my hand!" "Remember, the ark will immediately absorb any monsters you sent," Noah mischievously reminded me. I ignored his provocation and continued the duel. Now, it''s time to return my dragon to me! "I will y Polymerisation! I shouted, using Arkbrave Dragon and Herald of Creation to fusion summon Mysterion the Dragon Crown!" A dash of light escaped from the cards in my hand, and from the sky came upon a gigantic golden dragon with a serpentine body. Riding on top of the dragon was a knight dressed in matching golden armour, and two orbs of lightning appeared in each of her palms. [Mysterion the Dragon Crown: 3000 Attack, 1500 Defence] "Then I will y Quick Attack. This card allows my fusion monster to attack this turn!" I dered as Mystery The Dragon Crown nodded, eager to deliver a devasting blow to Noah''s life points. "With this, I will also summon Axe Dragonute in attack position!" Beside Mysterion the Dragon Crown appeared a ck bipedal dragon with wings. He wore an obsidian-colored chest te, and in his hand was a massive two-headed axe. [Axe Dragonute: 2000 Attack, 1200 Defence] "Now, Axe Dragonute, attack his Gradius and Mysterion the Dragon Crown, attack directly!" I ordered, and my two monsters charged. Axe Dragonute leapt into the air and brought his heavy axe down on the mechanical spaceship, creating a massive explosion that littered the field with smoke. [Noah Kaiba: 3250 LP -> 2750 LP] Emerging from the smoke was Mysterion the Dragon Crown, and the dragon rider unleashed a stream of lightning from her hands. "I won''t let you!" Noah shouted: "I will activate Shinato''s Ark''s ability and special summon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and Blue Eyes White Dragon!" His lips turned into a smirk: "How does it feel to have your monsters used against you?!" The massive ship opened, and two familiar dragons emerged, using their bodies to block the attack. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] "Mysterion, the Dragon Crown, cancel your attack!" I instructed as my monsters returned to my field. If I destroy Noah''s monsters here, it will just return to the ark, which means that all of this will be useless. I need to make sure that I do not let him abuse my monsters any longer. "On my second main phase, I will y Ruins of the Divine Dragon Lords, using its effect to tribute my Axe Dragonute to special summon a Dragon Lord Token." [Dragon Lord Token: 0 Attack, o Defence] "Now, I will be able to activate Mysterion the Dragon Crown''s effect! When a monster is special summoned, I can target that special summoned monster, banish it and all monsters with the same type!" Instantly, chains shoot out of the ground, wrapping around Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, Blue Eyes White Dragon and the Dragon Lord Token. Gradually, the two dragons were dragged into the ground and disappeared. "Unfortunately, with Mysterion the Dragon Crown, it will lose one hundred attacks for each of my banished monsters." [Mysterion the Dragon Crown: 3000 -> 2800 Attack, 1500 Defence] "So, are you resorting to banish your monsters now?" Noah eximed in amazement. Not responding, I pointed at the floating ship behind him: "Your Deck Master, I will make sure to destroy it on the next turn." [3rd POV] Noah stared at Yuna in disbelief as he couldn''t understand how Yuna would possibly destroy Shinato''s Ark. For starters, the card was still in his Deck Master zone, and there was no way for Yuna to destroy it unless Noah would summon it himself. Wait.... Noah grasped Yuna''s meaning: ''She''s saying that she will force me to summon my Shinato''s Ark?!'' His eyes darted frantically on the field: ''There''s nothing that should threaten me, no wait, was it Mysterion the Dragon Crown!'' Noah red at the fusion monster with a hint of unease: ''Yes, that must be it. Unfortunately for you, Yuna Sano, I will crush your ns right here!'' "I will activate Fissure! This Spell card allows me to destroy one of your monsters with the lowest attack. However, since Mysterion the Dragon Crown is your only monster, I will kill that instead!" Suddenly, arge cavity opened up beneath Mysterion the Dragon Crown, and the monster helplessly fell in. Before they can escape, the crack swiftly repaired itself, sealing the monster in. "Ha ha ha!" Noahughed: "Now that Mysterion the Dragon Crown is destroyed, it will now enter Shinato''s Ark! What will you do now!" But, no matter how much Noah taunted, he couldn''t remove the anxiety as Yuna observed sharply while the Starving Venom Fusion Dragon seemed to be grinning at him. "Is that the end of your turn?" Yuna questioned. "Shut up!" Noah snapped while sweating nervously. He nced at his hand where only two cards remained, and none of them were monsters: "I will set one card and use Shinato''s Ark''s ability to banish five six monsters and gain three thousand life points!" [Noah Kaiba: 2750 LP -> 5750 LP] "Try and defeat me now!" Noah eximed, believing that Yuna shouldn''t possibly force him into a corner. But, a part of him still couldn''t feel confident with his im. Yuna smiled ominously as she drew a single card from her duel disk: "Now, I''m ready to sink that ship once and for all!" "I activate my trap card, Castle of the Dragon Souls!" The ground rumbled, and the area around Yuna was being lifted to a new height. Beside her stood a tall tower that reached the sky. ncing up, Noah could faintly see the figures of dragons soaring above the clouds. "Next, I will activate Mystical Space Typhoon and destroy my own Castle of the Dragon Souls!" Noah tilted his head in confusion as the imposing tower was instantly destroyed, and the boulders were sent cascading down from the atmosphere: "With this, I can activate Castle of the Dragon Souls'' second effect. Once this card is sent to the graveyard, I will be able to special summon a banished dragon monster!" "A banished dragon..." Noah''s eyes widened: "Wait, don''t tell me!" "Yuna: Yes, with this, I will summon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!!!" *GUOOOOO* A roar full of might and fury resounded. Noah felt like his eardrums were going to burst. Raising his head, he was face to face with a massive dragon adorned with resplendent and intricate armour made of brilliant, shimmering gold. With a grand wingspan, it possesses a regal and serpentine form, radiating an aura of divine power. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, attack!" Yunamanded, and the Divine Dragon Lord responded with a fierce roar. "Damn it!" Noah cursed: "I will use Shinato''s Ark''s effect and summon Mysterion the Dragon Crown in defence position!" [Mysterion the Dragon Crown: 3000 Attack, 1500 Defence] "It was an impressive strategy, but have you forgotten it won''t work!" Noah yelled: "I will be protected no matter how many times you attack!" "That''s true," Yuna nodded: "Then should we test it out? She suddenly held out a card in the air: "I activate the monster Honest from my hand! During the damage step, when a LIGHT monster I control battles. I can send this card from my hand to the graveyard. That monster gains attacks equal to the attacks of the opponent''s monster it is battling until the end of this turn!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 5800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Mysterion the Dragon Crown is still in defence position, so even if you have such a high attack, you wouldn''t be able to hurt me!" "Oh really?" Yuna smirked: "Finally, I activate my quick y spell, Dragon''s Fighting Spirit! Every time you special summon a monster this turn, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand will gain one additional attack!" BOOOOM The stream of yellow beamspletely incinerated Mysterion the Dragon Crown, and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand began charging up another attack. "Ah! I activate Shinato Ark''s ability again and summon Arkbrave Dragon!" [Arkbrave Dragon: 2400 Attack: 2000 Defence] BOOOOOOM As soon as Arkbrave Dragon was summoned, it was instantly destroyed, and to Noah''s horror, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand resumed its attack. "Wait, what''s happening... Why can it still attack?" "Have you not heard what I say?" Yuna asked, and Noah red at her sharply: "With Dragon''s Fighting Spirit, as long as you special summon monsters, Divine Dragon will always gain one additional attack!" Noah:!!!! His jaw dropped, and his face paled in terror. No matter what he does, it was useless as Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand continuously obliterates anything he summons. ''Ah....'' Noah realised. If he hasn''t summoned Mysterio the Dragon Crown, would he let Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand get this strong? Ultimately, it was his eagerness to boast about his superiority on using Yuna''s own monster against her that led to his downfall. ''Was.... was there really nothing I can do?'' Noah bit his lips. "It''s over, Noah," Yuna said factually: "You have lost." "No, no, no, no!" Noah screamed: "Shinato''s Ark protect me!!!" The ship moved forward onto the field as Noah watched with bloodshot eyes. [Shinato''s Ark: 0 Attack, o Defence] BOOOOOOOOM The ship imploded, generating mes in all directions. However, instead of losing, the ship shined a brilliant light as Shinato''s Ark''s final ability was activated. "W... with Shina... Shinato''s Ark''sst effect, when it was destroyed, I will be able to summon Shinato, King of the Higher ne, and that monster will be my new Deck Master!" Rising from the rubble rises a giant robotic angel with six pairs of wings. Usually, Noah would have been confident at seeing its trump card on the field, but now, he could feel nothing but hopelessness. [Shinato, King of the Higher ne: 3300 Attack, 3000 Defence] BOOOOOOM Before it could even fully disy its radiance, it was immediately killed by Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand. [Noah Kaiba: 5750 LP -> 3250 LP] "Ah..." Noah fell onto his knees, and his heart still couldn''t ept what was happening. "Seems like your Deck Master is gone," Yuna pointed out: "By the rules, Noah Kaiba, I have won..." Noah nodded nkly as he gazed at Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand onest time, as the monster didn''t seem willing to let him go. Without the game even pausing, the dragon unleashed one final roar, one full of rage, and its bright beam moved closer and closer... Eventually... B0000000000000M [Noah Kaiba: 3250 LP -> 0 LP] I hope you enjoy it. Chapter 52: Noah Chapter 52: Noah ? Surprise, surprise, here''s a chapter! I want to get the virtual arc over and down so we can go back to Battle City! Cheers. [Yuna''s POV] Noah''s mouth pped open and closed like a goldfish gasping for breath. He tumbled to the ground,ughing in a daze. Ah, I must have broken him. Well, I mean, Noah''s ace, Shinato, King of the Higher ne, didn''t even make a whole appearance and was beaten up in one move. "This isn''t the way it was supposed to end!" Noah suddenly eximed, interrupting my thoughts. I advanced toward him, lowering myself to his eye level. "It''s... Over.... Let us go." Noah''s ears twitched, and disturbingughter escaped his throat: "Ha ha ha... Ha ha ha... It''s not over yet... Who cares about a card game? I will kill you myself!" In an instant, Noah lunged, hurling himself at me. However, the attack was predictably executed, and I sidestepped out of harm''s way *Poof* He crashed face-first onto the ground, grinding his teeth, unable to bear the weight of his humiliation. "It''s all your fault! You''ve ruined everything!" "If it wasn''t for you...." Noah froze, and we both turned simultaneously to the portal materializing behind him. [3rd POV] As Noah ranted, he heard the sound of a portal opening from behind. The familiar echo of leather shoes sent a shiver down the boy''s spine as the deep voice of a man resounded. "Noah Kaiba," Gozaburo uttered chillingly, "You have failed again." "Fa.. father, I...." "ENOUGH," Gozaburo snapped. "You are nothing but a disappointment and one that''s unfit to be called a Kaiba." "No, Father, I...." Noah desperately pleaded. However, Gozaburo merely scoffed, and Noah felt his heart shatter. The old man raised his hand, going for another p as the boy closed his eyes with anticipation. *p* The sharp, resounding sound of Gozaburo''s hand made Noah cringe, but to his confusion, he didn''t feel any pain. "Y... You..." Gozaburo muttered in shock, and Noah hesitantly opened his eyes. Standing in front of him, he saw Yuna awkwardly falling to the ground. Her hand was holding the left side of her cheek as she gritted her teeth, enduring the stinging sensation. Gozaburo frowned as he stared at the girl who stepped between his son, her expression blocked by her long hair. However, as Yuna raised her head, he saw a cold, contemptuous re that seemed to criticize his very core, which infuriated him. "This b*tch!" Gozaburo snarled and instinctivelyshed out with his fist. BANG Noah was shocked as he witnessed his father being knocked away. Blocking his path was Seto, who had arrived just after dealing with the big fives. "It''s you!" Gozaburo roared with a haggard expression. Seto smirked and crossed his arms. "Long time no see, old man. You look much uglier than thest time I saw you." He nced at Yuna silently, his gaze focusing on the red mark where Gozaburo''s hand came in contact with her face. Instantly, he felt a raging anger rising, and Seto was bewildered by his feelings. However, as soon as that anger appeared, it vanished. "Looks like you''ve seen better days," Seto smirked as Yuna stared at him strangely. Seto turned to Gozaburo, who was standing shakily, not believing that he had just been punched. "How dare you!" "What''s wrong?" Seto scoffed while clenching his fist. "Shouldn''t this be how we greet each other?" "B*STARD, is this a son should be treating his father?!" Gozaburo howled but was instantly blown away by Seto''s second punch. "Father!" Noah cried out, but as he was about to intervene, Seto''s intense re made him freeze on the spot. Suddenly, Gozaburo began tough like a maniac, making Seto frown. "Fine, if this is how you wanted to y? Very well!" Before Seto could react, Gozaburo created another portal. Yuna and Noah were thrown into the portal as it closed as soon as they entered. "Where have you sent them?" Seto questioned. "There''s no reason I need to tell you," Gozaburo remarked. "Now, should we have some fun, as father and son?" Meanwhile... Noah and Yuna fell through the portal and copsed onto the ground. Yuna groaned and sat up, finding herself in the same dark void where Noah had brought her before. Turning her head, she glimpsed at Noah, who was curling into a ball with his back facing her. asionally, Yuna could hear the muffled sniffling, and she stared at the boy with pity. "Noah..." "Go away," Noah mumbled in disdain. Her arm froze in mid-air while gazing at Noah in silence. Since her parents died long ago, she never had the urge to impress them so she couldn''t empathize with him. Quietly, Yuna crawled towards Noah and patted his shoulder. Noah''s body stiffened upon Yuna''s touch. The first thing he felt was the warmth of her palms, and that mere thought brought the boy to tears. Hearing Noah''s weeping, Yuna began to panic, believing it was her fault that he was crying. Yuna bit her lips at the sense of cluelessness, and she frowned, trying to figure out the best way tofort this despairing child. While Yuna was lost in thought, Noah''s tears intensified. For so long, he had been trying to earn his father''s approval, enduring scolding and holding onto hope that Gozaburo would change. But now, he had failed his most significant opportunity, and his heart truly shattered as Gozaburo always called Noah by his name, but he called Seto, the adopted child, his son... As Noah wallowed in his sorrow, he was suddenly pulled into a sitting position. Before Noah could understand what was happening, he felt two arms wrapping around him from behind. "There... There...." Yuna muttered, soothing him as one wouldfort a toddler. Recing the sadness was a sudden sense of shame and embarrassment as Noah''s face turned bright red. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING? GET OFF ME!" He pushed Yuna away, leaving her confused. "Worked... with Mokuba..." Yuna mumbled to herself while grasping her chin. "I''m not a kid!" Noah angrily shouted while pping the ground. "Something like this won''t work on me!" "But not sad... anymore?" Yuna pointed out, and Noah felt baffled. "It doesn''t work that way," he sighed. "Besides, you don''t even know what I''m going through." "Then exin...." Yuna spoke, her voice full of sincerity. "Want to learn..." "Hmph," Noah sneered. "Fine, let me indulge you a little, that feeling of when you get your parents..." He froze, and his eyes widened in shock and horror. The feeling of receiving a parent''s approval, Noah didn''t know what it was like... Upon that realization, Noah''s hands dropped to the floor, and heughed. In fact, had Gozaburo ever shown things like affection? "Ha.... So even I don''t know...." Noah muttered, and tears reappeared. "So he never cared in the first ce...." "There... there...." Yuna said and patted his head. "Stop doing that!" Noah yelled and pped her hand away. "You think this is all a joke? For years and years, I have been trying to seek a form of attention from my father, but now that I realize that it''s all meaningless! Do you know how devastating that must be!" "I.... don''t..." Yuna answered honestly. Noah crumpled to his knees, a torrent of emotions flooding through him. "What am I supposed to do?" In the midst of his turmoil, Yuna embraced him once again, and this time, Noah found himself too drained to resist. "Move on," she gently suggested her words carrying a weight of understanding. "Are you messing with me?" Noah snarled. Yuna shook her head. "There... other options?" She responded, making Noah subconsciously hold his breath. It was clear that Yuna was correct. Moving on was simply the most obvious choice. But her answer made Noah''s mood worsen. "That''s harder than it sounds." "Yes," Yuna agreed. "Then give me a more reasonable solution!" Noah said with a hint of pleading and distress. Yuna closed her eyes, thinking about Noah''s words. Then, as if a light bulb switched on in her head, she nced at Noah while holding up one of her fingers. "Get approval.... from someone else..." "Who?" Yuna shrugged. "Not... Gozaburo...." "But he''s my father." "So?" Yuna''s retort left Noah speechless. "If he won''t... acknowledge you... then don''t acknowledge him." "Don''t seek approval from father..." Noah mumbled to no one in particr. "But even then! There''s no one but him! I''m a dead person, my real body already buried six feet under. I can''t leave this ce on my own!" "Can''t I help?" Yuna tilted her head, making Noah pause. "Why...?" he stammered, genuine confusion etched on his face. "I tried to kill you, so why are you helping me?" Meeting his gaze, Yuna smiled, a sincerity shining in her eyes. "Because... I want to." For a moment, something shifted in Noah''s perception. He couldn''t quite figure her out. What was her angle? Yet, he couldn''t deny the possibility that maybe, just maybe, she held the key to freeing him from this virtual torment. "Why should I trust you?" Noah inquired cautiously, his scepticism palpable. With a soft chuckle, Yuna rose and extended her hand toward him. "Because... there''s no one... else." Noah hesitated, a war raging in his mind. Trusting someone else, especially after a lifetime of seeking approval from his distant father, felt like uncharted territory. He clenched his fist, his pulse quickening. Finally, as if fueled by a surge of resolve, he extended his hand, and their fingers intertwined. It marked the first time Noah Kaiba chose to entrust his fate to someone other than his father. As they parted, Noah couldn''t shake off the strange adrenaline coursing through him. Yuna observed, her eyes filled with amusement, thinking that Noah must have just hit a pivotal moment of self-discovery or realization. "Now what?" Yuna asked, breaking the silence. Noah, snapping out of his daze, shifted the focus to the urgent matter at hand. "First, we need to stop my father. He''s... He''s nning to take over the world..." He went on to reveal Gozaburo''s sinister n, his words unfolding a tale of hidden weapons and a looming threat. Yuna listened intently, her determination solidifying with every revtion. Noah revealed to Yuna that despite Seto''splete reformation of transforming Kaiba Corps from a weaponpany to a gamepany, he hasn''t actually destroyed all of the weapons Gozaburo created, well, not the ones that he''s aware of. "In space, there currently orbits a satellite possessing dozens of ballistic missiles," Noah exined: "After taking over your bodies, Gozaburo wanted to use the missiles to gain power and control humanity as he pleases." "Have... to stop him..." Yuna said solemnly, and Noah nodded. "Unfortunately, my father has a higher authority in this virtual realm, and I''ve been locked out of the system, but if you give me some time, I could still hack into the mainframe and regain some control," Noah said and aprehensive interface appeared by his side. "As soon as I start hacking, the security system will resist us," Noah warned, preparing to delve into the virtual realm''s intricacies. The air grew tense as he initiated the process, triggering an rm that echoed through the virtual void. A murky substance began to materialize on the ground, birthing malevolent figures that crawled out one after another. [Armoured Zombie: 1500 Attack, o Defence] [Gil Garth: 1800: Attack, 1200 Defence] [Three-legged Zombies: 1100 Attack, 800 Defence] Numerous monsters emerged, their numbers ranging to the hundreds. Gradually, they marched towards Yuna and Noah, eager to tear them apart. Suddenly, Yuna''s duel disk glowed and began beeping frantically. "Quick! I redesigned your duel disk!" Noah yelled: "It''s just like that virtual game. Use it to defend us!" "Okay!" Yuna eximed. She observed the wave of monsters as a smile manifested on her face: "Let''s duel!" "I will use Foolish Burial to send a card from the deck to the graveyard. Then I will activate Return of the Dragon Lords to summon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!!" In this ominous darkness came a bright light. As the light dimmed, before Yuna stood a massive gold dragon, disying its majestic appearance with vigour. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s effect has been activated, and I will banish the Gil Garth, giving my dragon four hundred attacks and defence!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3200 Attack, 2800 -> 3200 Defence] "Next, I will summon Axel Dragonute and Keeper of the Shrine! With these two monsters, I will then activate Polymerisation! Please fight alongside me, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!" In the dark puddle, a colossal figure suddenly burst out. The monster howled viciously, destroying any other creature in its way. It spread its wings and flew towards me,nding next to Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand. [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 Attack, 2000 Defence] With the two massive dragons, Yuna smirked as she pointed at the monsters: "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, destroy them!" *GU0000000000000000*n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om *HISSSSS* The two dragons charged fearlessly as they devoured anything in its way. All of the monsters sent to kill Yuna and Noah were mercilessly obliterated, leaving no traces behind. "I''m done!" Noah shouted as the attacking monsters stopped spawning, and Yuna was able to finish off the rest. Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon returned to her cards, and she approached Noah, who used the interface to create a new portal: "Your friends were all trapped in the same realm; you just have to go and find them. I have already granted you the ability to exit the virtual world so you can all leave together." "How... about you..." Yuna hesitated near the portal''s entrance. "I will go and stop Father," Noah responded solemnly. Yuna nodded and walked towards the portal. "Wait!" Noah called out, and she froze in her tracks. "When you wake up from the real world, please go to the server room of this sea fortress and retrieve the hard drive containing me." "You have to promise!" Noah''s voice quivered with anxiety. In response, Yuna smiled and patted his head. "I promise." Noah nodded, his eyes fixed on Yuna as she disappeared through the portal. He gripped his chest, attempting to calm his nervous heart. He still couldn''t fullyprehend the gravity of whaty ahead. However, it was toote to back out now. After a prolonged moment of hesitation, Noah steeled himself, ready to confront his father once and for all. Creating a second portal, Noah stepped through and found himself immediately greeted by his father and Seto, duelling in a wide colosseum. The battle reached its climax, with Gozaburo sporting a confident smile and Exodia Necross dominating the field. [Exodia Necross: 5800 Attack, o Defence] As Exodia Necross lingered on the field, it grew stronger with each passing turn, pushing Seto into a corner. Despite having a mere two thousand and six hundred life points left,pared to Gozaburo''s nine hundred, Seto didn''t feel like he was in control. "Give up, Seto!" Gozaburo cackled. "My Exodia Necross is invincible!" Seto frowned, a sense of familiarity creeping over him as he listened to Gozaburo''s boasting. After a moment of contemtion, Seto realized that Gozaburo''s demeanour mirrored own in the past when he considered his Blue-Eyes White Dragon unbeatable. That was until Yuna Sano humbled him, forcing Seto to reevaluate his entire strategy. his Now, instead of always relying on Blue Eyes White Dragon, Seto has learnt that he still has other ways that he can win: ''If I''m still acting like the past me, I would definitely lose this duel...'' Unknowingly, Seto smiled to himself at this irony. Now, having learned not to rely solely on Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Seto saw this as a test, a measure of his growth as a duelist. "I will draw!" Seto announced. "First, I will activate Monster Reborn and summon Ancient Lamp from the graveyard!" [Ancient Lamp: 900 Attack, 1400 Defence] "What are you going to do with that weak monster?" Gozaburo mocked. "I suggest you give up now." Seto gritted his teeth, but then he calmed down and smirked. "We shall see about that." Gozaburo: "What?!" "I activate Ancient Lamp''s effect!" Seto interrupted. "This effect allows me to summon La Jinn, the Mystical Genie of the Lamp, from my hand!" [La Jinn the Mystical Genie of the Lamp: 1800 Attack, 1000 Defence] "Now, I will activate my trap card, Soul Demolition!" Seto dered. "During each of our turns, if we control a Fiend monster, we can pay five hundred life points to banish a monster from the opponent''s graveyard!" "I will pay my life points to banish your five pieces of Exodia!" Gozaburo: !!!! [Seto Kaiba: 2600 LP -> 100 LP] Gozaburo mmed the table in disbelief. Once again, the strategy he believed was invincible crumbled before his eyes. Without the five pieces, Exodia Necross lost all its effects and reverted to its weaker form. [Exodia Necross: 5800 -> 1800 Attack, o Defence] "Finally, I will tribute my Ancient Lamp and La Jinn, the Mystical Genie of the Lamp, to summon my Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Seto dered with triumph. "Blue-Eyes White Dragon, destroy him with Burst Stream of Destruction!" [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] The dragon howled and unleashed a deadly whiteser that engulfed Exodia Necross. Gozaburo screamed as he was caught in the massive explosion and sent flying through the air. [Gozaburo Kaiba: 900 LP -> 0 LP] Seto flicked his wrist, and the end of his trench coat rustled. He calmly watched Gozaburo hit the ground and approached him. "Looks like you have lost again," Seto said in a condescending tone. "You!" Gozaburo snarled with a face full of rage. "I WILL KILL YOU!" To Seto''s shock, Gozaburo''s body began to transform. His size increased to match that of a skyscraper easily, and the man burst into mes, bing a massive monster covered in fire. "DIE!!!" He howled in a low guttural voice and pounced. However, Noah stepped in, generating a dome that protected Seto from the attack. Seto was caught off guard, and when he snapped out of his daze, he scowled. "Why did you save me?" Noah shrugged and smiled wryly. "I had a little chat with that friend of yours. She made me realize many things..." "You brat! How dare you stop me!" Gozaburo roared and smashed his fists against the barrier. "It''s best if you go now," Noah said, making a waving motion. "She should already have everyone rounded up, and the sooner all of you leave, the better." Unable to think of a counter, Seto quietly nodded. Noah made a portal, and Seto entered without hesitation. Noah smiled as the exit closed behind him, shifting his focus back to his monstrous father. With a push, the barrier expanded, knocking Gozaburo away. "Why!?!" Gozaburo couldn''t understand. "To have the audacity to betray me!" "Father..." Noah stared at his father calmly. "May you answer one question for me?" "DAMN IT, WHAT IS IT?!" Gozaburo roared. Noah: "Do you know when my birthday is?" "What?" Gozaburo stammered. "Why should I care about something so trivial?!" "I see..." Noah closed his eyes to control his emotions. "Thank you for the answer. My resolve has been strengthened." "What in the world are you talking about?" Gozaburo snapped. "The satellites containing all those missiles? I already gained full control over them, and I fired at least twenty of those missiles targeting this ce. In about five minutes, the underwater fortress will be wiped out, killing you." "TRAITOR!" Gozaburo bellowed and attacked Noah, but the boy skillfully repelled him. "YOU''RE GOING TO DIE TOO!!!" "Fine by me!" Noah retorted, hiding the fact that he may still have a chance of survival: "Let''s die together!" Concurrently... Seto sprinted through the dark hallway of the underwater fortress. With Noah''s assistance, he sessfully left the virtual world and found himself in a virtual reality pod simr to the ones he had designed for the game Legendary Heroes. BOOOOOM An explosion made Seto lose his bnce as he leaned against the wall. Struggling, he tried to remember his path, and he felt his tension rising as the frequency of the explosions increased. As Seto made it to the hangar, he spotted his subordinates waiting outside, their expressions brightening upon spotting him. "Sir!" They cried out with relief. "Someone tells me what''s happening!" Seto demanded, and he was shocked to find out that missiles had bombarded this infrastructure and could sink at any moment. "What are you waiting for?!" Seto shouted. "We need to leave now!" "But Master Kaiba!" Rnd interrupted. "Contestant Yuna Sano is still missing!" "What?!" Seto eximed, and his brain seemed to have stopped. "Master Kaiba?" Rnd called, waking Seto up, and he bit his lips in frustration. "Wait here, and I will go and find her," Seto growled, making the subordinates who wanted to object shut up. Before they could argue further, Seto rushed back deeper into the fortress, leaving everyone stunned... On the other side of the fortress... "Damn, where is it?" Yuna muttered while searching through the rows and rows of servers. When she separated from Noah, she wasted no time rounding everyone up to exin the situation, and together, they all safely left the virtual world. Then, immediately after waking up, Yuna began upholding her end of the bargain and ran to the server room. BOOOOOM Yuna yelped and fell against the floor. She gritted her teeth from the pain and continued to move at a much faster pace than before. "N-13, N-13..." Yuna repeated to herself while walking through the rows of machinery marked in alphabetical order. When Yuna finally reached the correct row, a second explosion urred at the opposite end of the room, and she gasped as the st created a raging fire. Swiftly, Yuna sprinted to the correct server and began typing on the keyboard on the side. Recalling Noah''s instructions, she hurriedly input severalmands. Sweat dripped down from her face as each mistake made the anxiety in her soul blossom. "There!" She eximed when finally a drive the size of her fist was ejected, and Yuna eagerly stuffed the item into her pocket. BOOOOOM Yuna screamed as the force threw her to the side. Enduring the pain on the side of her head, she witnessed the tall servers falling one by one like giant dominos. "Sh*t!" Yuna let out a curse as one of the servers barely missed her fragile body. Smoke began to rise to the ceiling, forcing Yuna to crawl. Covering her mouth with her sleeve, Yuna moved with vigour, and it wasn''t long before she reached the door. BANG Suddenly, one of the heavy servers fell before her, blocking the door. Yuna''s face turned pale, and she desperately pulled at theputer to no avail. Yuna felt her strength weakening as the smoke filled the room, and in onest desperate attempt, she pounded against the door. "Help!" She screamed. BANG To Yuna''s shock, the door was suddenly kicked open, and the server blocking the exit was sent flying across the room. In awe, she stared at the man standing by the doorway. "Kaiba..." Without hesitation, Seto grasped Yuna and dragged her out of the room. "You idiot! Do you want to die?!" he shouted angrily. Under Seto''s reprimand, Yuna chose to stay quiet, causing him to click his teeth. "Can you move any faster!?" Yuna panted while trying to keep up with Seto''s speed, but it was not enough, and she began tog. Seto gritted his teeth and stopped as he stuck out his foot, tripping her. Before Yuna could fall, Seto quickly lifted and carried her like a sack of potatoes while uttering curses along the way. Finally, they managed to make it to the hangar as half of the fortress had already sunk: "LIFT OFF NOW!" Seto roared while racing to the ramps with the mes chasing after them. As the blimp slowly rose into the air, Seto sprinted through the hangar, dodging the various obstacles in his way. When he was close enough, he tensed his arms and threw Yuna onto the ramp. Yuna gasped as she was thrown into the airship, her lungs copsing from the force. Immediately, she witnessed Seto leaping into the air. Worried that Seto might not make it, Yuna held out her hand. Seto grabbed onto her hand and grunted as Yuna pulled him onto the ramp. The two panted in exhaustion as theyy on the cold steel ground. The airship soared into the sky, using all of its power to move as far away from the fortress as possible. BOOOOOOM Everyone heard the loudest explosion of their lives as the fortress blew up. If they had been even a few secondste, they would have been caught up in the st. Yuna silently watched the mes melting through the steel structures, and she instinctively patted her pockets, making sure that Noah''s hard drive was there. When Yuna felt the rectangr object through the fabric, her adrenaline finally disappeared, and she sighed: "Too... close...." I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 53: Semi-Finals Starts with a Battle Royale! Chapter 53: Semi-Finals Starts with a Battle Royale! ? [3rd POV] "WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?!" Seto''s voice thundered through the airship as it finally reached a safe distance from the danger. "Does your life mean nothing to you?" "I...." Yuna stammered, lowering her head with guilt. "Sorry..." "Tsk, you better have a good reason," he snarled. "Or else I''m going to throw you off this airship myself." Yuna gulped and hesitantly reached into her pocket. Opening her palm, a small disk drivey there as she nervously averted her gaze. "Noah... have to... save him..." Seto''s eyes widened, and aplex emotion coursed through his head. He doesn''t understand how he should feel, even if he''s his brother. Noah had tried to end their lives. "Kaiba...." Yuna blurted out: "Please.... ept him...." "Why," Seto questioned. "To think you would risk all of our lives for an enemy''s." His tone wasced with annoyance. "Because... I promised." Yuna answered solemnly. Seto remained silent, staring at her outstretched hand. After a moment, he reached out and carefully picked up the hard drive resting on her palm. "I need some time to think..." Standing, Seto moved to the door. "Go rest. You look like you''ve been through hell and back." At his remark, Yuna smiled slightly and chuckled. "Can... say the same... about you..." Seto briefly observed his own battered body. His clothes were torn on the sides, and several areas were ckened from the fire. Bruises and scratches ran along his arms, and he found himself barely having the energy to remain standing. "And who''s fault do you think that..." Seto stopped and gazed at Yuna, who had fallen asleep with her head against the wall and her long hair draped to the floor. Subconsciously, he approached her and knelt on his knees. Listening to her quiet breathing, Seto''s fingers twitched as he hesitantly reached out. Unaware of his actions, Seto gently tucked Yuna''s hair behind her ear, revealing her tranquil face. "Don''t you know, you should never show your weak side to anyone, and yet you have fallen asleep right before me," Seto muttered to no one in particr. Retracting his hand, his fingers brushed past her lips, and Seto frowned: ''Soft...'' "Tsk... What the hell am I doing?" He abruptly stood up. Reaching for his phone, he called his right-hand man, Rnd and the man dressed in a ck suit arrived shortly. "Did you call for me, Master Kaiba?" Rnd asked respectfully as Seto gestured at Yuna with his chin: "Take her back to her room." "Yes, of course," Rnd nodded and approached the sleeping girl. "Stop." Seto snapped, and Rnd froze in his tracks: "I changed my mind; I will do it myself." "Huh, yes?" Rnd answered instinctively as Seto brought one of his arms under Yuna''s legs and the other supporting her back. Without much effort, Seto quickly lifted Yuna into the air and began walking away. Her head rested against his chest, and he could feel her tranquil breath. Shaking his head, Seto continued to move, and all that he could think of was how light the girl in his arms was... An hourter... At the control of the airship, Seto calmly gazes at the gradually approaching Kaiba Corps Ind. "Sir, following this speed, we can still arrive on schedule." One of the pilots exined. "Good," Seto nodded. Relief sighs filled the room. Earlier, they noticed their boss seemed to be frowning a lot, and they guessed that he was in a bad mood. "Everybody out." Seto let out a strange order. When he noticed that no one was moving, he scowled, and his tone became more stern: "Don''t make me repeat myself, leave!" Frantically, all the workers quietly ushered out of the room, and Seto locked the automatic door so not even Mokuba could enter. Setting the airship to autopilot, he took out the hard drive and ced it on the counter. With his technical skills, it wasn''t difficult to upload the content in the drive into his system and disy the content on the wide-pitch ck screen. Gradually, pixel by pixel, an image of the boy with teal hair wearing a long-sleeved jacket with purple markings and white shorts was formed. The boy slowly opened his eyes and observed his new surroundings: "Have you fully wake up now, boy?" Seto called out. Hearing another voice, the boy focused on Seto standing outside of the screen: "So I''m alive..." "No, you''re still dead," Seto crossed his arms and smirked: "Despite how great I am, I couldn''t revive someone." "How arrogant of you," The boy, Noah, retorted with a scowl: "How wonderful that the first thing I woke up to is that annoying face of yours." "Watch your tone," Seto snapped: "Unless you want me to upload your consciousness to a rice cooker." Noahughed nonchntly, unbothered by the threat: "With this level of programming? Good luck with that. In fact, I have already found several problems with your systems." "Impossible," Seto felt a vein pop on his forehead: "There''s no way the interface I designed has any loopholes." "Then how do you think I hacked it in the first ce? I have lived as a digital data for years. Of course, I can spot things even you can''t find." Noah said smugly as a virtual keyboard appeared by his side: "Don''t believe me, I will fix it right now." Seto watched as Noah began modifying the codes: "Hey, by the way," He said while his eyes were focused on the keyboard: "Is she alright?" "What does it matter to you?" Seto responded, a sense of unease in his voice. "Yuna Sano is my benefactor. Should I not be concerned about her health?" Noah answered as if it was obvious. "Stay away from her." Seto suddenly warned, and Noah''s fingers paused on the keyboard. He glimpsed at Seto with a hint of displeasure and curiosity: "What does it mean to you?" Noah observed keenly, and his interest was piqued when Seto didn''t answer his question. "Haven''t you noticed? You seemed always to treat her a lot more differently than other people." Noah pointed out: "There must be something going on between the two of you." "What are you getting at?" Seto snarled, his mood sour by the second: "There is nothing between us. She was just someone I had to defeat." "Then what happens when you win? Are you going to toss her away?" Noah''s pupils turned cold: "If so, you disappoint me, brother." Seto clicked his teeth as he already began to regret ever reviving this snarky boy. However, Noah''s words set deep in his heart. What will Seto do once he defeats Yuna? "Just stay quiet and repay my favour," Seto ordered, wishing not to talk further. "Yeah, yeah," Noah shooed him away: "Whatever you say." Seto scowled but remained silent. He closed his eyes and tried to sort out his thoughts as Noah seemed to affect him more than he ever imagined. ''What does she mean to me....'' [Yuna''s POV] A few hourster... "M... Mn... Where am I?" I mumbled and slowly opened my eyes. I gazed at the familiar ceiling, and it didn''t take me long to figure out that I was back in my room. I remembered that I had fallen asleep near the entrance of the airship, so there was no way that I could make it back to my room by myself. So, who carried me here... "You''re awake." I heard a voice and nced in the direction where the sound came from. There, on the TV screen of my room, was Noah, who was calmly smiling at me. My first thought was why he was on my TV, but recalling that, I handed Kaiba the hard drive, and he must have already done something about it. "Noah...." I called out, and his smile visibly widened. "You must be surprised." Noah said and shrugged: "I am too." I nodded and lowered my head. My hand clutching the nket subconsciously tightened as I felt the anxiety slowly seeping out of my body. After rescuing Noah, there was a thought in the back of my mind that what if I didn''t get the correct hard drive or I identally broke it, and I would''ve killed him? "Thank you, by the way," Noah said out of the blue, causing me to flinch in shock: "You saved my life." Embarrassed, I turned my head to hide my face: "Only fulfilling... my end.. of the deal..." "But still, you almost died because of me. It''s natural for me to feel grateful." Noah exined and then bowed: "So thank you for giving me another chance." Being extremely flustered by Noah''s sincerity, I frantically waved my arms. I felt my cheeks heating up, and my embarrassment grew even further. Staring at my expression, Noahughed: "Anyway, I should probably leave now. I don''t want that guy to get jealous of me again." "Who..." "Catch youter," Noah said and vanished from the screen. Hisst remark left me stunned. Who in the world will be envious of Noah? I tilted my head, deep in thought, but no matter how much I pondered, I couldn''t seem to find the answer. I sighed and slipped out of bed, but my body instantly ached from all the bruises and cuts underneath my clothes. I should probably visit the clinic, and I wonder what the doctor will say when they see me for the third time. *Knock Knock* Huh, who would knock on my door at this hour? With curiosity, I opened the door and was shocked to find Kaiba standing at the entrance. "I heard you''re awake." He stated and tossed something at me. I frantically caught the item in mid-air and was surprised to find myself holding a first-aid kit. Upon my questioning gaze, Seto exined that I might have needed it. "Thanks?" I thanked him with awkwardness. He nodded, seemingly satisfied: "Once you''re done. Wait until the airshipnds for further instructions." Kaiba notified and swiftly walked away. As I closed the door, I stared at the first-aid kit in confusion. To think that Kaiba would personally deliver a first-aid kit to me. Knowing his personality, it was honestly quite a surprise for him to be this considerate. Wait, was Kaiba the one who would be jealous? I froze in silence upon the realisation. However, I immediately burst into a fit ofughter; who the hell am I kidding? Kaiba, being jealous, there''s a higher probability that pigs will grow wings and flypared to that! Still giggling to myself, I glimpsed at the first-aid kit with a small smile. Despite how snobbish he was sometimes, he''s pretty kind... Thirty Minutester... After using the first-aid kit, I patiently waited for the airship tond. Thankfully, with Serenity and Mokuba entertaining me, times went past faster than I had expected. "Big brother said we should meet up at the entrance," Mokuba exined and stood up. I nodded and followed him to the door, but Serenity suddenly grabbed my hand, stopping me in my tracks. "Hey! Let go of Big Sister, or else she will bete!" Mokuba frowned: "Do you want her to get disqualified?" However, despite Mokuba''s warning, Serenity didn''t let go; she held on even tighter: "Serenity..." I called her name when I realised something was wrong. "Big sister..." Serenity mumbled and lifted her head, revealing the tears threatening to drip down her face: "Are you really going to duel him?" Understanding what she meant, my face turned serious, and I nodded. Serenity trembled at my answer as she struggled to open her mouth: "Why... If you... If you lose..." Serenity cried as she couldn''t imagine my fate. She must have been traumatised by what happened to Joey, and now she thinks the same thing was going to happen to me. I turned around and held Serenity''s other hand as she leaned against my shoulder. "What if you just forfeit?" She asked optimistically: "Then you will be safe." "Serenity," I said, my voice turned slightly cold. Hesitantly, she met my gaze: "You... think... I''m weak?" I questioned, and Serenity''s face turned pale. "No, of course not! Big sister is powerful," Serenity yelled, and I saw Mokuba agreeing at the corner of my vision.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "Then... why doubt?" "I will never doubt big sister''s skills!" Serenity eximed: "I''m... I''m just scared..." "I know..." Pulling Serenity close, I calmly embraced her: "But... I will never... surrender." Serenity''s fingers weakened, and thest ounce of her willpower to oppose me had vanished. She could do nothing but cry and nod helplessly as I gritted my teeth. I''m sorry, Serenity. Losing was never an option for me, or else I will die. I let go and moved towards the door: "Serenity..." I called her name onest time as she slowly met my gaze. "Believe... in ... me.." I smiled. "Her eyes widened, and Serenity gasped: "UWAHHH BIG SISTER!" She cried and charged at me. Together, we fell to the ground as Serenity clung to my side. I sighed and patted her head. Glimpsing at Mokuba, I noticed that he was about to say something, but I gestured with my eyes, and thankfully, he understood my intention. Ten minutester... Luckily, I was able to calm Serenity down. However, in doing so, I was prettyte to the meet- up time, and I rushed outside of the airship, where everyone was already waiting for me. "Took you long enough..." Kaiba grunted, and I hurriedly apologised, causing him to scoff in annoyance. He walked ahead while everyone except Marik gave me an understanding smile: "I''m sorry, Big sister." Serenity whispered while we followed after Kaiba: "You got in trouble because of me." "It''s okay..." I reassured as we moved towards the centre of the ind. ncing around, there were countlessrge rubbles from various buildings and machines. Beside me, Mokuba''s expression was a little grim as he observed the rustic structures. "You know, this ind used to be a military base owned by my father." Mokuba mumbled: "Each of these buildings stored countless deadly weapons that have taken many lives in the past." With this knowledge, I looked at the debris in a new light, and I was hesitant to get too close. Before I knew it, we had arrived at the centre of KaibaCorp Ind, where the colossal metal monolith that I had seen on the airship stood. From a distance, the tower was already very tall. However, now that I am standing at the foot of the building, its size feels highly intimidating. Approaching the structure, Kaiba ced his hand on the wall, and the door beside automatically opened with a hiss. Entering, we were brought to an ample space. *Rumble* The floor we were standing on trembled and began to elevate as the hidden elevator brought us all the way to the highest floor of the tower. Eventually, the elevator stopped, and a door opened, revealing a t space on the top of the building. Standing in the middle of the field was the referee, Rnd, who seemed to have arrived much earlier than us. "Wee, duelists. This will be the ground where the four remaining contestants shall battle." Rnd greeted with his arms behind his back: "Marik Ishtar, Seto Kaiba, Yugi Mutou and Yuna Sano. Please step forward." Following his instructions, the four of us moved in front of the crowd, and Rnd adjusted his sses before continuing to speak: "Before we start the semi-finals. A small event will be held to determine your opponent for the next match." "The rules were rtively simple: it will be a battle royal duel with all four duelists being at one thousand life points. With this duel, the winner of this battle may choose their opponent. Then the remaining two contestants that haven''t been chosen will be duelling each other instead." "Are there any questions?" All of us remained silent as we gauged each other''s reactions: "Good, now please choose a corner, and the match will start shortly." Without hesitation, all of us moved and found a corner for ourselves. When I got into position and turned around, the three others were also ready, eager to duel. "Is everyone ready?" Rnd asked. Kaiba: "Hmph... Yes." Yugi: "Of course!" Yami Marik: "Heh, heh, let''s get this thing started!" All three eyes turned to me. I took a deep breath and lightly patted my chest before nodding: "I''m ready." Rnd: "Now, let''s begin!" "Duel!" x4 [Seto Kaiba: 1000 LP] [Marik Ishtar: 1000 LP] [Yugi Mutou: 1000 LP] [Yuna Sano: 1000 LP] [3rd''s POV] "I will go first!" Seto dered: "I will activate Polymerisation and fuse the three Blue-Eyes White Dragons to summon Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!" Three dragons covered in scales soared over Seto''s head before merging and bing a much stronger beast. [Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon: 4500 Attack, 3000 Defence] "I will end my turn," Seto said with a smirk, satisfied that he started this duel with a bang. "It''s my turn, I draw!" Yami Yugi, who had already emerged for the battle, yelled: "I will first y Card Destruction to discard my hand and then draw the same amount of cards." Dumping his hand into the discard pile, Yami Yugi drew the same number of cards from the duel disk and nodded to himself: "I will y Monster Reborn to special-summon a monster from the graveyard! I will choose my Buster der!" Before Yami Yugi appeared a tall, armoured warrior, the warrior reached for his back and pulled out a massive sword the size of his body. [Buster der: 2600 Attack, 2300 Defence] "While Buster der is on the field. He will gain five hundred attacks for each of my opponent''s dragon monsters on the field or in the graveyard!" [Buster der: 2600 -> 4600 Attack, 2300 Defence] "I will set a card and end my turn." Yami Yugi announced and nced at Yami Marik. "I shall y..." Yami Marik smirked: "I will activate my ritual spell, Curse of the Mask Beast, using my God Card, Winged Dragon of Ra to ritual summon the Masked Beast!" Seto and Yuna frowned in unison at the familiar name of the ritual monster as the Masked Beast rose from the ground. [The Masked Beast: 3300 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Then, I will set a card face-down and end my turn." Yami Marik said calmly. Finally, it''s Yuna''s turn, and after this, all hell will break loose. Yuna examined the field with a composed expression, and eventually, she smiled. "I will use Polymerisation, fusing my Herald of Creation and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand to summon Mudragon of the Swamp!" Gradually, a fusion dragonposed solely of mud and water was formed. The monster dragged its heavy body onto the field and roared. [Mudragon of the Swamp: 1900 Attack, 1800 Defence] "Mudragon of the Swamp''s effect will activate, allowing me to change its attribute to a dark type and following up with that, I will summon Keeper of the Shrine." [Keeper of the Shrine: 0 Attack, 2100 Defence] "Finally, I will use polymerisation again, summoning Starving Venom Fusion Dragon in defence position!" [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 Attack, 2000 Defence] Hearing its name, the three duelists all showed various reactions. Seto frowned in displeasure, Yami Marik whistled, and Yami Yugi chuckled while shaking his head. "What''s wrong?" Tea wondered out loud: "Why are they reacting so much to Sano-san''s monster?" As everyone tried to figure out the answer, Mokubaughed from the side, and all the heads turned to him. With pride, Mokuba puffed out his chest and exined confidently: "Don''t you guys get it? With only one thousand life points, anyone could lose in simply one turn, so you need to protect your monsters as much as possible. Also, do you remember Starving Venom Fusion Dragon''s secondary effect?" Instantly, a couple of people''s eyes widened, and Mokuba eagerly wagged his finger: "Exactly, Big Sister essentially just ced a nuclear bomb onto the field. As soon as Starving Venom Fusion Dragon dies, it will blow up every monster they own, and you can imagine how well that will go." "But have you also considered that Big Sister will just blow Starving Venom Fusion Dragon up herself? Basically, the oue of this duel can very well be over in a couple of turns!" I hope you enjoy it. If you like it so far, please give it a review, and if you want, you can tell me what to add in the future! Chapter 54: You know whats better than one god? Two! Chapter 54: You know what''s better than one god? Two! ? [3rd POV] On the field, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon dragged its sharp ws across the floor and hissed at the three duelists, green acid spewing from the gap of its teeth. "Tsk... How troublesome..." Seto muttered as the dragon hissed at him. "Indeed." Yami Yugi nodded and smiled: "One wrong move could destroy all of us." Turning to Yuna, he spoke calmly: "From all the dragons that you summoned and sent to the graveyard, Buster der''s attack will increase. [Buster der: 4600 -> 6100 Attack, 2300 Defence] "This is more fun than I have expected!" Yami Marikughed: "What is your n now, girl? It would be obvious that we''re not simply going to let you do what you want." "Of course," Yuna smiled wryly: "But I won''t give up here." "I will use Card of Sanctity to draw until I have six cards in my hand," She exined and refilled her entire hand with cards: "I will set two cards face down and end my turn." "My turn..." Seto grumbled, ring at Starving Venom Fusion Dragon with discontent before observing Yami Marik and Yami Yugi, who seemed to be sharing the same thoughts as him. ''Before I do anything, it''s best if I deal with Starving Venom Fusion Dragon first...'' Seto thought to himself, but in doing so, he would have to sacrifice his Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon... "I will set a monster and a card face-down," Seto said while cing two of his cards onto the duel disk: "Then I end my turn." Unable to bear the thought of using his Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon as cannon fodder, hd decided to be on the defensive and wait to see who should be the one to attack first. "It''s my turn." Yami Yugi said and drew a card. ncing at his Buster der, Yami Yugi felt a sense of confidence for having the most powerful monster on the field. But it doesn''t mean much with all the set cards on the field, ready to be activated at a moment''s notice. ''What should we do?'' Yugi asked his partner, and Yami Yugi hummed, deep in thought. Gradually, his pupils wandered to the Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: ''As much as it bothers me, Sano''s monster is too troublesome. Slowly opening his eyes, Yami Yugi''s face was full of resolve while gazing at the monster hissing at him: "I have made up my mind, Buster der, attack Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!" Seto/Yami Marik: !!! The warrior charged and leapt into the air with the giant sword in his hand. Starving Venom Fusion Dragon roared maliciously, lunging at Buster der and coiling around his body. *SLASH* With his sword, Buster der separated the tail from the dragon''s body before driving the weapon into the monster''s chest. Starving Venom Fusion Dragon unleashed a shrill cry and copsed as Buster der returned to Yami Yugi''s field. "The effect of Starving Venom Fusion Dragon has been activated." Yuna dered: "Now, all the special-summoned monsters on the field will be destroyed!" As if onmand, Buster der, The Cursed Beast and Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon copsed. All the monsters have already absorbed the toxic pollen spread by the evil dragon, and they fell one by one. "Additionally, you have triggered the effect of Keeper of the Shrine in my graveyard and allowed me to summon him in defence position." She exined as the elderly dragon returned. [Keeper of the Shrine: 0 Attack, 2100 Defence] "That is fine." Yami Yugi nodded: "Next, I will activate my trap card, Eternal Soul and with its effect, I can special-summon Dark Magician from my hand!" Responding to Yami Yugi''s chant, a portal manifested out of thin air, and a tall man dressed in purplish robe/armour emerged. The mage spun his green staff and raised it towards the sky. [Dark Magician: 2500 Attack, 2100 Defence] "Now, Dark Magician, attack Marik directly!" Yami Yugi shouted. The Dark Magician fired a beam of magic towards Yami Marik, and the man smirked: "I will activate Scrap-Iron Scarecrow. When you dere an attack, I can negate it and reset this card instead of sending it to the graveyard." As Yami Marik finished his exnation, a small totem made of metal rods and other various objects appeared, deflecting the magic attack. Disgruntled, Dark Magician crossed his arms and quietly returned to his master''s side. "I''m setting a card and ending my turn." Yami Yugi stated calmly. "Finally, my move." Yami Marik eximed: "First, I will y Pot of Greed to draw two more cards." Examining his hand, Yami Marik grinned: "Next, I will summon Dark Jeroid in defence position." He said as a grotesque monster appeared. [Dark Jeroid: 1200 Attack, 1500 Defence] "When Dark Jeroid is summoned, I can target one monster on the field, and it loses eight hundred attacks." Yami Marik then pointed at Yami Yugi: "I will pick your Dark Magician!" "That won''t work," Yami Yugi interjected: "While Eternal Soul is on the field, my Dark Magician won''t be targeted for effects." As Dark Jeroidunched a dark wisp towards the mage, the attack was soon dispelled, and Marik shrugged helplessly: "I will set two more cards and end my turn here. This is not even a real match, so there''s no need for us to get so serious." "Unless...." He smirked: "I noticed the three of you were trying very hard in this meaningless event. I assume you all have someone you''re keen to duel?" "Oh, let me guess, you wanted to duel me?" Yami Marik asked Yami Yugi: "And you, you wanted to duel her?" He then nced at Seto. Finally, his eyes wandered onto Yuna: "How about you? There wasn''t really a reason for you to fight any of us." Yuna red at Yami Marik: "I wish to duel you." "Oh?" Yami Marikughed: "Don''t you feel bad leaving the young president out of this? How about it, if I win, I will duel Kaiba so he won''t be left out." "p*ss off." Seto instantly growled as if he had chewed sh*t, inciting Yami Marik tough even harder. Unexpectedly, Seto found himself more irked by Yami Marik''sment than he had realised. ncing at Yuna, a wave of disappointment struck him. Why doesn''t she want to duel me? "My turn." Yuna''s voice brought his focus back onto the duel: "I will summon Pdin of Felgrand and activate his effect to equip Arkbrave Dragon to him." [Pdin of Felgrand: 1700 Attack, 300 Defence] "Then, with Pdin of Felgrand''s effect, I will tribute him and Arkbrave Dragon to summon a dragon monster from my graveyard. Now, let''s show them your power, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand! [1]" *ROAR* Instantly, a ferocious golden dragon arrived on the field. The Monster stood on two feet and spread its wings, unleashing a thunderous cry. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "When Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand was summoned from my graveyard, I could banish one monster in my opponent''s graveyard, and it would gain power equal to the banished monster''s level!" Yuna smiled and pointed at Yami Marik: "I target Marik''s Winged Dragon of Ra!" Seto, Yami Marik and Yami Yugi expressed their surprise as they couldn''t believe Yuna was banishing a god. As if following their thoughts, everyone heard a grateful screech as a golden bird appeared out of nowhere, pping its wings wildly. However, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand remained fearless and unleashed its power. Ra screamed in pain as the god shrunk and was absorbed into the dragon''s body, bing a sustenance that fuels Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s strength. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3800 Attack, 2800 -> 3800 Defence] "Next, I will activate Monster Reborn, reviving my Arkbrave Dragon from the graveyard!" [Arkbrave Dragon: 2400 Attack, 2000 Defence] "When Arkbrave Dragon is special-summoned from the graveyard, I can banish all of my opponents'' spell or trap cards, and Arkbrave Dragon will gain two hundred attacks and defence for each card banished!" The three duelists'' expressions indeed became grim; all of their traps were removed from y. With Yami Yugi''s Eternal Soul and Magical Cylinder, Seto''s Attack Guidance Armor and Yami Marik''s Scrap-Iron Scarecrow and Malevolent Catastrophe. [Arkbrave Dragon: 2400 -> 3400 Attack, 2000 -> 3000 Defence] "Also, with Eternal Soul banished, Dark Magician will be destroyed." Yuna pointed out as Yami Yugi''s Dark Magician closed his eyes and disappeared into thin air. "I''m entering my battle phase!" Yuna shouted: "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, attack Marik''s Dark Jeroid!" Following hermand, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand plummeted from the sky,nding before the demon and tearing the monster apart with its ws. "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s effect has been activated and allows me to summon a level seven or eight dragon monster from the graveyard. Return to me, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon! To everyone''s horror, the Starving Venom Fusion Dragon that they sacrificed so many resources to remove has just been revived... [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 Attack, 2000 Defence] "Arkbrave Dragon, attack Yugi, and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, attack Marik!" The two dragons charged at the two defenceless duelists: "I will y the Kuriboh in my hand, and the damage taken by Arkbrave Dragon will be zero!" Yami Yugi yelled as a small fluffy creature stood between the dragon and him. Arkbrave bit down and devoured Kuriboh, saving Yami Yugi from the attack. While this was happening, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon lunged at Marik. With nothing to defend him, he sighed as the virtual ws of the monster shed his body, bringing his life points to a resounding zero. [Marik Ishtar: 1000 LP -> 0 LP] [Yuna''s POV] MU HA HA HA HA HA FEAR ME!!!! Iughed like a superviin while crushing Yami Marik under my might. The battle royale mode may be the best type of duel I could ask for. Who cares if they all target me? They were all the same when my dragons destroyed them!! Now, with Yami Yugi on the brink of death, Kaiba will need to attack him with one thousand or more attack monsters to finish him off, and the one versus one will be in the bag! As I watched with anticipation, Yami Yugi gritted his teeth: "Kaiba..." Hearing his name called, Kaiba scowled, and I couldn''t determine what he was thinking. Come on, Kaiba, I cheered in my head, attack Yugi, I know you want to! "You know how much I abhor that idea that it makes me want to vomit." Kaiba suddenly said out of the blue. "I could say the same," Yami Yugi muttered: "But was there any other option?" Kaiba: "Just don''t get in my way...." Suddenly, Yami Yugi and Kaiba adjusted their body so that they were facing me, and my face shifted into a slight panic. Wait, hold on... Why were the both of you looking at me like that?! "I hope you understand." Yami Yugi smiled apologetically: "But this win meant much more to me than you have realised." "Kaiba..." I stared at him with an expression of betrayal, but she hurriedly avoided my gaze. "Damn it..." A curse escaped from my lips as I felt the situation became worse than I had ever anticipated: "I''m setting two cards and ending my turn." "It''s my move," Kaiba grunted, and his eyes widened at the new card in his hand: "I will activate my spell card, Soul Exchange and allow me to tribute summon with my opponent''s monster as if they were my own!" I muttered a second and more inappropriate curse as I watched the three of my monsters burst into light and move towards Kaiba. The stream gradually solidified, forming the body of a humongous blue titan. "Crumble under my true power, show them who was the one that truly ruled this ce, Obelisk the Tormentor!!" The giant puffed up its chest and opened its mouth, emitting an intimidating warcry with a voice truly befitting a god. [Obelisk the Tormentor: 4000 Attack, 4000 Defence] "Now, Obelisk the Tormentor, attack her Keeper of the Shrine!" The God roared and raised his fist. As he brought his hand down from the sky, I hurriedly activated my trap card: "I will activate my Waboku!" BOOOOOM Obelisk The Tormentor generated a colossal explosion that obscured everyone''s vision. Once the dust settled, I saw Obelisk the Tormentor''s fist an inch before Keeper of the Shrine''s face. The old man chuckled and gently pushed against Obelisk''s hand, and the god moved back to its original position. "Although a god card is unaffected by traps, spells and monster effects, that is only meant for cards that target Obelisk himself. Waboku will only affect me, and therefore, I''m protected." "Hmph..." Seto scoffed, but I could tell that he seemed satisfied: "I know that this much won''t defeat you... I will end my turn here." "My turn!" Yami Yugi shouted but was instantly interrupted by me. "Thanks to Kaiba, I can activate the ability of Arkbrave Dragon. If it was sent to the graveyard next turn, on the next stand-by phase, I would be able to special summon a level seven or eight monsters from the graveyard. I will choose Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and summon the dragon in defence position!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "With Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s effect, I will banish Kaiba''s Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon and give the dragon power equal to its level!" Kaiba gasped as my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand was immediately reborn with the power of his Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon supporting it. The monster howled, ring at Obelisk the Tormentor with hostility and was not afraid to give the god a beating of its life. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 4000 Attack, 4000 Defence] "It''s power... It''s just as strong as Obelisk the Tormentor!" Kaiba mumbled in disbelief: "Yugi!" "Understood." Yami Yugi nodded: "I will y Card of Sanctity to draw until I have six cards! Then, I will y Pot of Greed to draw an additional two cards." "After that, I activate Spell Reproduction, sending my Polymerisation and Magical Hats to retrieve Monster Reborn from the graveyard, and I will y Double Summon and then summon Queen''s Knight!" [Queen''s Knight: 1500 Attack, 1600 Defence] "Then, I activate Monster Reborn to summon King''s Knight from the graveyard!" Yugi shouted. [King''s Knight: 1600 Attack, 1400 Defence] "When King''s Knight is summoned while I also control Queen''s Knight, I''m able to special- summon Jack''s Knight from the deck!" [Jack''s Knight: 1900 Attack, 1000 Defence] "Queen''s Knight, King''s Knight and Jack''s Knight..." My eyes widened: "Don''t tell me!" "Finally, with three monsters on the field, I will be able to call upon my strongest monster!" Yami Yugi shouted and raised his hand in the sky: "Rise and fight by my side, Slifer the Sky Dragon!!" *HOWL* The sky suddenly rumbled, forming a thunderstorm. The lightning shed, and the figure of a dragon could be seen through the clouds. Finally, the dragon emerged from the storm, gliding above Yami Yugi as its long serpentine body moved harmoniously. [Slifer the Sky Dragon:? Attack,? Defence] "With Slifer the Sky Dragon, it will gain one thousand attacks and defence for each card in my hand!" Yami Yugi exined and presented a single card in his hand. [Slifer the Sky Dragon:? -> 1000 Attack,? -> 1000 Defence] "Finally, I y the final card, Card of Demise and draw until I have five cards in my hand, but I must discard them at my fifth end phase (anime)!" [Slifer the Sky Dragon: 1000 -> 5000 Attack, 1000 -> 5000 Defence] Yami Yugi: "Now, I will enter the battle phase, Slifer the Sky Dragon, attack Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand with Thunderforce attack! Both jaws on Slifer the Sky Dragon opened, unleashing two beams of yellow lighting from its mouth. BOOOOOM The beam annihted Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, and the dragon''s figure disappeared within the beam. I groaned as the shockwave sent me stumbling backwards, holding in a shriek at the feeling of electricity coursing through my veins. Gasping for breath, I slowly regained my calm just in time to witness Yami Yugi ending his turn by setting a card. [Slifer the Sky Dragon: 5000 -> 4000 Attack, 5000 -> 4000 Defence] Standing up, I took a deep breath and stared at Slifer the Sky Dragon and Obelisk the Tormentor, my expression turning grim. Hey, weren''t you two going a little bit too far to defeat me? I mean, I''m ttered, but... "My turn..." I muttered and drew a card: "To think I''m going against two gods..." "I''m sorry in advance." Yami Yugi apologised: "It was indeed a shameful move." I sighed and lightly pped my cheeks. Alright, you got this, Yuna; just because there are two of the most broken cards fighting against you, that doesn''t mean I have lost yet! Probably... "First, I activate Return of the Dragon Lords, reviving Starving Venom Fusion Dragon from the graveyard!" [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 Attack, 2000 Defence] "Wait, upon summoning, the ability of Slifer the Sky Dragon has been activated." Yami Yugi interrupted: "Every time you summon a monster, that monster will lose two thousand attacks until the end of this turn, and if its attack bes zero, it will be destroyed!" [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 > 800 Attack, 2000 Defence] tive ability of your dragon will no longer work on our gods," Kaiba "Also, using added. "That''s right," I responded: "But I will activate Starving Venom Fusion Dragon''s second effect!" "There''s a second effect?" Yami Yugi uttered in surprise, caught off guard by my deration. In fact, I don''t think I have ever revealed Starving Venom Fusion Dragon''s second effect to anyone except Pegasus and Noah. I''m somewhat unsure if this will even work, so Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, please bear with me here! "Yes, with its second effect, I can target one monster on the field, and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon will gain its name and effect until the end of my turn!" I shouted: "I will target Slifer the Sky Dragon!" Starving Venom Fusion, Dragon howled, and its body began to transform. Flying into the air, my monster gradually merged a simr but more grotesque appearance of the Egyptian god. [Slifer the Sky Dragon (Starving Venom Fusion Dragon): 800 Attack, 2000 Defence] "You must be surprised," I exined to Yami Yugi: "Yes, Slifer the Sky Dragon is unaffected by the monster''s effect, but like my Waboku, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon only affects itself, and the gods can still be targeted for effects!" "Simr to your god, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon will have its attack and defence equal to the number of cards I currently own." I showed them the number of cards in my hand: "I have four cards, so Starving Venom Fusion Dragon will have four thousand attacks!" "Since it''s changing the attack entirely instead of gaining, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon won''t suffer from the penalty of losing two thousand attacks." [Slifer the Sky Dragon (Starving Venom Fusion Dragon): 2800 -> 4000 Attack, 2000 -> 4000 Defence] "Finally, I reveal myst set card, Castle of the Dragon Souls and with its effect, I will banish Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from my graveyard and give Starving Venom Fusion Dragon seven hundred more attacks!" [Slifer the Sky Dragon (Starving Venom Fusion Dragon): 4000 -> 4700 Attack, 4000 Defence] "Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, attack Slifer the Sky Dragon!" I yelled. The god and its doppelganger shed, a battle between a divine being and a demon. The monsters used everything they had to kill each other, but eventually, it was my Starving Venom Fusion Dragon that won, and the god card was destroyed... [Yugi Mutou: 1000 LP -> 300 LP] "During the battle phase, I will activate my quick y spell, Twin Twisters and discard Ruins of the Dragon Lord to destroy my own Castle of the Dragon Souls." I said and witnessed my card getting destroyed by a small tornado: "Once it''s destroyed, I can activate Castle of the Dragon Souls''s effect to bring back one of my banished dragon monsters. Thus, fight for me once more, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand will banish the Dark Magician in the graveyard and attack Yugi!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3500 Attack, 2800 -> 3500 Defence] "Not so fast!" Yami Yugi shouted with desperation: "I will activate myst trap, Mirror Force and destroy all of your monsters in attack position!!" However, despite expecting my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand to be destroyed, it didn''t, and the dragon continued its attack. "I activate Return of the Dragon Lord from my graveyard. By banishing this spell, it can protect Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from being destroyed!" With nothing to defend him, Yami Yugi sighed in defeat before chuckling to himself: "Not even a god...." BOOOOM [Yugi Mutou: 300 LP -> 0 LP] "Next, I will tribute my Starving Venom Fusion Dragon and Keeper of the Shrine to summon Blue Eyes White Dragon in defence position." [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] I couldn''t let Starving Venom Fusion Dragon stay on for the next turn, or else I wouldn''t be able to endure the hit: "Finally, I will set two cards face down and end my turn." My heart was pounding with anticipation. As Kaiba observed my expression, a slight smirk slowly formed on his face: "You can even defeat a god." "Suprised?" I asked, and Kaiba chuckled. "No..." He shook his head: "That''s what I expected from someone like you. But, can you defeat two?" was never an option for me, was there?" "Probably not." Yuna admitted: "However, giving "Of course not." Seto confirmed: "I won''t let you go this easily...." As we stared at each other, I suddenly felt the urge tough. Unable to resist, I covered my mouth and giggled while Kaiba also seemed to be quietly chuckling across from me. When we finally calmed down, our expressions turned severe. "Bring it." Kaiba: "Say no more!" "I will summon Saggi the Dark Clown!" He yelled, and a small, skinny clown appeared beside the massive God. [Saggi the Dark Clown: 600 Attack, 1500 Defence] "Then I''m able to activate Obelisk the Tormentor''s effect. By tributing Saggi the Dark Clown and the set monster from earlier, I will able to destroy all of your monsters and inflict four thousand damage!" "I won''t let that happen!" I yelled: "I will activate my trap card, Hallowed Life Barrier, by discarding one card. I will take no damage this turn!" As Obelisk the Tormentor attacked with its fist, a blue barrier appeared before me, protecting against the devasting punch. However, my dragons weren''t within the shield and were destroyed by the st. "I will set two cards and end my turn." Kaiba hummed: "I believe this match to be over."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "It''s my turn," I muttered, unable to suppress the anxiety in my heart. I was correct, as Kaiba instantly activated his trap card. "I will y Ring of Destruction and target my Obelisk, the Tormentor!" Kaiba shouted as an iron shackle with grenades wrapped around the god''s neck: "Ring of Destruction, allow me to destroy my Obelisk the Tormentor, and we will take damage equal to its attack!" "I''m activating my second Hallowed Life Barrier!" I shouted and hurriedly revealed the trap. As the blue barrier formed around my body, it suddenly cracked before dissipating into nothingness. "You have triggered myst trap''s effect, Trap Jammer. By discarding a card, I will be able to negate the effect of your Hallowed Life Barrier!" "So we''re both going to lose?!" I yelled in disbelief. "Hmph," Kaiba smirked and revealed the final card in his hand: "I will y Ring of Defence; reduce the effect damage of Ring of Destruction to zero!" I gawked in shock as the cor around Obelisk exploded, casting a fiery explosion. Instinctively, I raised my arms as the mes soared towards me... [Yuna Sano: 1000 LP-> 0 LP] [3rd POV] Seto sighed tiredly as he pressed the button on his duel disk, and the image of Obelisk the Tormentor vanished. The final battle with Yuna was brutal as the two utilised every possible resource they owned, and it was he who eventually came on top. His heart was still pounding from the adrenaline as Rnd''s voice echoed: "Congrattions on Seto Kaiba for winning this duel. As mentioned, who will be your opponent?" Seto''s pupils swept through the three duelists standing before him: Yugi Mutou, Marik Ishtar and finally, Yuna Sano. His gaze lingered on the girl, and Seto''s leg instinctively stopped in front of her. Yuna lifted her head and smiled wryly: "You... won..." She muttered. However, Yuna soon sighed and averted her gaze but didn''t hide the painful tone in her voice. She gritted her teeth and lowered her head, unable to meet his eyes. Seto assumed that the disappointment she was feeling was immeasurable as he also knew what its like to work so hard only to face defeat at thest moment. Seto quietly stared at her with aplicated emotion. Despite the fact that he won, it doesn''t feel fair, and just like before, he hated the oue. Yuna herself almost bested Seto and Yugi even when they were controlling two Egyptian Gods. Doesn''t he have shame? "Sir... Seto Kaiba, what''s your answer?" Rnd urged as Seto clenched his fist. "I pick..." He nced at Yuna''s face onest time: "I will pick Yugi Mutou as my opponent." I hope you enjoy it! [1] In battle city rules, equip monsters are still treated as monsters instead of cards Chapter 55: Battle Between True Rivals (1) Chapter 55: Battle Between True Rivals (1) ? I decided to split this chapter because it have already reached 6000 words and I''m still not done. I may post the second part this week but we will see. Another thing, Slifer is such a pain to write since I really need to keep track of the cards and I couldn''t really Card of Sanctity out of this one. [3rd POV] "Are you certain?" Rnd inquired, eyebrows raised. "Once finalized, altering your decision bes impossible." "Yes," Seto affirmed. "Yugi Mutou will be my opponent." "Very well!" Rnd dered, pping his hands to gather everyone''s attention. "For the Battle City semi-finals, Seto Kaiba will be going against Yugi Mutou, while Yuna Sano will be going against Marik Ishtar!" With nothing more to add, he ushered the four duelists off the field. Once released, Yuna hastily departed, weaving through her friends, eager to distance herself from the unfolding scene. "Stop," Yuna heard a voice behind her, and she froze. Controlling her facial expression, she turned around with a strained smile. Noticing the change, Seto frowned. ''The loss seemed to have affected her more than I expected...'' he thought calmly, approaching her. "Are you angry?" Seto questioned. Confused, Yuna tilted her head. "Why would I be?" ''So, she''s not mad...'' Seto concluded. Yet, frustration crept in as he recalled the pained look on her face. "We defeated you unfairly. At this moment, you have more than enough reason to despise us." Yuna silently stared at him, and Seto waited with clenched fists. Eventually, she chuckled slightly. "It''s part of the rules." Seto: "I see." "Kaiba..." Yuna called his name: "Why... pick Yugi?" "Why..." Seto mumbled, the memory of Yuna''s earlier expression shing in his mind. "His god card-I will take it from him." The two locked eyes in silence, unsure of the next words. "I need to go," Yuna abruptly exined with an apologetic tone. "Is something wrong?" Seto blurted out the question that was stuck in his head. "I''m alright...." Yuna grinned and not waiting for his response, she walked away with a much faster pace than before. Watching her shrinking back, Seto visibly scowled. The stiff smile, the shallow breathing, and the constant fidgeting, all these subtle expressions, did not escape Seto''s watchful gaze. "What are you hiding from me..." He muttered in a dull tone: "You''re clearly not alright...." Wishing to get an answer out of Yuna, Seto moved. However, just at this moment, Rnd''s loud voice echoed across the entire tower: "Seto Kaiba and Yugi Mutou, please rendezvous at the duelling field. The match will start in five minutes." "Tsk..." Seto clicked his teeth and a conflicting emotion surged through him. Eventually, his desire to battle won and he began marching back onto the field. However, as Seto walked, he found himself unable to focus as all he could think of was the pain in Yuna''s clear blue eyes.... Meanwhile... Yuna briskly barged past everyone, keeping her face under control. Without hesitation, she rushed to the bathroom. Yuna felt her knees buckling and frantically grasped the edge of the sink. *Cough Cough* With each cough, the pain in her throat increased, and it felt like someone was stabbing her lungs with a knife. Finally, Yuna vomited, and a mouthful of blood stained the ceramic sink. "Damn... Gods sure do hurt like hell..." She grumbled painfully. ncing at the thick red liquid, she frowned with disdain, anxiety creeping in about her impending expiration. Emotions ranging from fear to eptance flickered on her face. Finally, self-deprecatingughter left her lips. "Aki...." Suddenly, Yuna''s ears perked up. There was only one person who would call her this name. She gazed into the mirror, particrly at the ghostly reflection of a woman with white hair. The woman bit her lips with worry: "Are you okay?" "I can already feel the pain subsiding," Yuna reassured. "Thank goodness..." The woman patted her chest with relief, but that brief emotion soon vanished, and what reced it was a deep sense of concern: "It was fortunate that your monsters have absorbed both attacks if it is yourself directly..." "Aki... No Yuna..." She called once again: "Maybe that girl was right. You should forfeit this uing battle." "You too?" Yuna eximed while wiping the side of her mouth with a napkin: "You know I couldn''t do that." "Besides... That''s too big of fish that I would let it off the hook that easily..." She joked. "Fu fu fu..." The woman giggled: "That''s so you... Nheless, please be careful. Ra is the strongest god out of Obelisk and slifer. If you have taken damage from someone of that calibre..." She couldn''t finish. Eventually, the woman sighed: "Well, even if you did, we will make sure that you at least won''t drop dead on the spot. It will hurt a lot, though..." "Well, there''s never such thing as free stuff." Yuna said, and the woman smiled wryly: "Alright, I will be careful." "Good luck..." She muttered and vanished from the mirror. Alone, Yuna slumped her stiff shoulders and sighed: "Thanks... I will definitely need it," She mumbled to no one in particr. "Seto Kaiba and Yugi Mutou, please rendezvous at the duelling arena. The match will start in five minutes." Yuna heard Rnd''s faint voice, signalling for the first semi-final duel of this tournament. She thought about the two people who would be fighting against each other in the position of the finals. Deep down, she had already expected who would stand victorious in this duel, but strangely, Yuna sincerely hoped Seto would win. "Should I have given him a card beforehand?" Yuna mumbled before sighing: "It''s toote now. He probably would say something like wanting to win using his strength anyway.." She giggled and imagined the typical Seto response. After a few more minutes to catch her breath, Yuna swiftly returned and moved to the spectator area. When she arrived, Seto and Yugi were already facing each other with their duel disks ready. "Big Sister, you''re back!!" Mokuba waved excitedly: "Where did you go?" Subconsciously, Yuna wiped her lips with her sleeve: "Toilet..." She answered, and Mokuba nodded in understanding. Although what she said was not a lie, if Yuna told him what she was doing there, that would have been an entirely different story. "So, who do you think will win?" Mokuba asked with anticipation. Not wanting to ruin his mood, Yuna smiled wryly and shrugged her shoulders: "Don''t know... Let''s watch..." He nodded, and she patted his head instinctively. Yuna''s eyes were focused on Seto''s stern expression: "Good luck, Kaiba..." She muttered. On the field, Seto red at his opponent before him: "I expected you to choose Sano as your opponent." Yami Yugi spoke up: "What happened?" "Unfortunately for you, I changed my mind." Seto retorted. "Don''t get too cocky Kaiba." Yami Yugi said with a frown: "Let''s begin!" "dly!" Seto snarled. "Duel!" x2 [Yugi Mutou: 4000 LP] [Seto Kaiba: 4000 LP] "I will go first!" Yami Yugi shouted: "I will summon Queen''s Knight in defence position, then I will set a card and end my turn!" [Queen''s Knight: 1500 Attack, 1600 Defence] As the female warrior donning a bright red armour appeared, Seto instinctively scowled as he remembered what Yami Yugi had used the monster for. "My turn, first I will activate Spell Sanctuary. We can both add a spell card from our decks to our hand, and during each of our turns, we can start our spells at any moment as long as it''s set beforehand." Seto then proceeded to add his Soul Exchange and watched as Yami Yugi added a spell from his deck to his hand. "Next, I will summon X-Head Cannon." He shouted, summoning a mechanical war machine with a humanoid upper body and a pair of long barrels protruding from its shoulders [X-Head Cannon: 1800 Attack, 1500 Defence] "X-Head Cannon, attack Queen''s Knight! The monster dug its arms into the ground as the cannons on its body churned. With a loud resounding boom, X-Head Cannon fired a massive shell. The missile struck the Queen''s Knight directly, generating a gigantic explosion, and the warrior vanished in the mes. "I will set one card and end my turn," Seto said calmly. "I draw!" Yami Yugi shouted, swinging his arm and making a wide arc: "First, I will y Change of Heart to take control of your X-Head Cannon!" "Not so fast!" Seto yelled and activated his face-down card: "I y Interdimensional Matter Transporter and banish my X-Head Cannon. Thus, your Change of Heart will be useless!" "Very well," Yami Yugi nodded: "I will summon Alpha, the Ma Warrior and attack your life points directly!" [Alpha the Ma Warrior: 1400 Attack, 1700 Defence] Appearing in Yami Yugi''s field was a robotic soldier consisting of mas. In its hand was a sword and shield as the monster charged, swinging its weapon at Seto. [Seto Kaiba: 4000 LP -> 2600 LP] "I will end my turn here." "Then, during the end phase of this turn, my X-Head Cannon will return to the field from the Interdimensional Matter Transporter''s effect," Seto exined: "Now it''s my turn, I will draw." [X-Head Cannon: 1800 Attack, 1500 Defence] ''I need to summon Obelisk the Tormentor as soon as possible.'' Seto thought while staring at the God Card resting in his hand. If it were a battle between two Gods, the one that summoned their Egyptian God first would undoubtedly gain the advantage. However, his thoughtful expression hadn''t go unseen and Yami Yugi activated his card as his instincts told him so: "I will activate my face-down spell card, Lightforce Sword!" Yami Yugi yelled: "This card allows me to randomly choose a card in your hand and banish it and return it to you on the fourth stand-by phase after this card has been activated!" Seto frowned as he inserted his hand into the duel disk, and Yami Yugi pressed a button on his device. Instantly, in response to the button press, one of the slots on Seto''s duel disk lights up. Revealing the card that has been chosen, Seto scowled in frustration as he dumped the card he least wanted to get chosen into banishedpartment of the Duel Disk: "You have only dyed the inevitable." "First, I will y Luby of Obedience!" He shouted: "By paying one thousand of my life points, I will be able to dere a card name of a monster that''s level eight or higher. If that monster is in your deck, I can add it to my hand! I will choose your slifer, the Sky Dragon!" [Seto Kaiba: 2600 LP -> 1600 LP] Yami Yugi nced at his hand and grunted. Slowly, they walked towards each other as he looked into the deck and retrieved Slifer''s The Sky Dragon before handing the card to Kaiba. Returning to where he previously stood, Seto stared at the Egyptian God Card with content. "Next, I will summon Y-Dragon Head in attack position!" [Y-Dragon Head: 1800 Attack, 1500 Defence] Beside X-Head Cannon was a red wyvern built from machinery. The dragon soared through the air and emitted a mechanical roar. "Now, I can activate Y-Dragon Head''s effect and equip itself to X-Head Cannon, giving the monster an extra four hundred attacks and defence!" [X-Head Cannon: 1800 -> 2200 Attack, 1500 -> 1900 Defence] "X-Head Cannon, attack Alpha the Ma Soldier!" Kaiba ordered as the automated cannons unleashed a second barrage, this time more fierce and deadly. [Yugi Mutou: 4000 LP -> 3200 LP] "I will activate my trap card, Soul Rope when one of my monsters is destroyed. I can pay one thousand life points and special summon a level four or lower monster from my deck or hand." Yami Yugi exined: "I will special-summon Big Shield Gardna in defence position." [Yugi Mutou 3200 LP -> 2200 LP] [Big Shield Gardna: 100 Attack, 2600 Defence] "Fine," Seto growled: "I will set a card and end my turn." "My move!" Yami Yugi said: "I will y Exchange. This card allows us to take a card from each of our hands!" Seto''s face scrunched up into a scowl as the two duelists once again walked towards each other. Now, Yami Yugi quickly picked up Slifer the Sky Dragon and returned the stolen card to his hand. With no choice, Seto glimpsed at Yugi''s cards and chose the Life Shaver trap. "Then, I will set a monster face down and end my turn." Yami Yugi dered with satisfaction in his voice, regaining his Egyptian God card. ''Three more turns until Obelisk the Tormentor returns to me...'' Seto gritted his teeth: "My turn, I will y Pot of Greed and draw two cards from my deck!" "I will normal-summon Z-Metal Tank!" [Z-Metal Tank: 1500 Attack, 1300 Defence] "Then, I will activate Y-Dragon Head''s effect and unequip itself from X-Head Cannon!" [Y-Dragon Head: 1800 Attack, 1500 Defence] "Finally, by banishing X-Head Cannon, Y-Dragon Head and Z-Metal Tank to special- summon XYZ-Dragon Cannon!!" The three machine monsters churned as they began merging, with X-Head Cannon on the top, Y-Dragon Head in the middle and Z-Metal Tank at the bottom, creating a massive killing machine. [XYZ-Dragon Cannon: 2800 Attack, 2600 Defence] "I will activate XYZ-Dragon Cannon''s effect to discard one card, and then I can destroy your Big Shield Gardna!" The weapons attached to XYZ-Dragon Cannon''s body fired simultaneously, generating a massive shockwave. The projectiles struck into Gardna''s shield, and the man was blown away. "Next, I will y Quick Attack, allowing XYZ-Dragon Cannon to attack this turn!" Seto pointed at Yami Yugi''s set monster: "XYZ-Dragon Cannon attack!" BOOOM Yami Yugi instinctively raised his arms as the clouds of dust flew towards him. When the smoke settled, he red at the monster and grimaced. "I will end my turn." Seto smirked. He believed that if he could keep up with the pressure and make sure that Yugi wouldn''t have the chance to summon his own God before Obelisk the Tormentor returned, he could win. "My move... I will y Pot of Greed to draw two cards from my deck. Then I will set two cards and a monster. Then I will end my turn." "Hmph, it looks like you''re running out of options." Seto grinned: "I will activate XYZ- Dragon Cannon''s effect again to destroy that set monster, and then, I will attack you directly!" "Not so fast!" Yami Yugi yelled: "I will y my trap card, Eternal Soul and use its first effect to summon Dark Magician from my hand!" [Dark Magician: 2500 Attack, 2100 Defence] "Before that, I will also activate my trap card!" Seto yelled: "I y Cloning (Anime)! When a monster is summoned onto the field, I can duplicate that monster and special-summon it to my field!" Suddenly, a mirror appeared right before Dark Magician. To the mage''s shock, the reflection in the mirror moved in its will and emerged from the ss. [Dark Magician (Seto Kaiba): 2500 Attack, 2100 Defence] "Very well, Kaiba," Yami Yugi muttered: "Then, in response to your Cloning, I will y my second face-down card, Magic Form, giving my Dark Magician five hundred more attacks!" [Dark Magician (Yami Yugi): 2500 -> 3000 Attack, 2100 Defence] Seto clicked his teeth in annoyance and cancelled the attack of his XYZ-Dragon Cannon: "I end my turn." "It''s my go!" Yami Yugi yelled while gritting his teeth: "I will activate Eternal Soul''s second effect and add Thousand Knives from my hand!" "Next, I will y Thousand Knives! If I control Dark Magician, I can target one monster you control and destroy it, and I target the XYZ-Dragon Cannon!" Waving his staff, Dark Magician summoned thousands of knives and instantly, the sharp weapons hurled themselves towards XYZ-Dragon Cannon. With the sound of des piercing metal, XYZ-Dragon Cannon was riddled with wounds, and the machinery exploded. "Now, I will y Card of Sanctity so we both draw until we have six cards. Then I will also activate Polymerisation, fusing Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts and Berfomet in my hand to summon Chimera, the Flying Mythical Beast!" *ROAR* A loud cry was heard in the distance, and a beast covered in fur galloping from out of nowhere. The creature leapt onto the field and howled, disying the two massive white wings on its back, and its two heads snarled simultaneously. [Chimera the Flying Mythical Beast: 2100 Attack, 1800 Defence] "Finally, Dark Magician, attack the clone!" The mage nodded and unleashed an array of magic at Seto''s Dark Magician. [Seto Kaiba: 1600 LP -> 1100 LP] "I will end my turn." Although Yugi could defeat Seto that turn, he sn''t sure due to the number of traps his opponent had set, and he deemed that summoning the fusion monster was the correct move as it could be used for two tributes, and he could summon Slifer next turn. "I draw!" Seto eximed: "I will y Double Summon and summon Kaiser Sea Horse, then I will use Kaiser Sea Horse''s effect to use itself as two tributes to summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Instantly, Yami Yugi and Seto heard a piercing cry. They turned their heads towards the tallest point of the tower, where arge dragon with white scales stood. [Blue-Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] "Blue Eyes White Dragon, attack Chimera, the Flying Mythical Beast!" The pure white dragon soared into the sky. It opened its mouth and unleashed a zing beam that vaporised the monster. [Yugi Mutou: 2200 LP -> 1300 LP] "I will set onest card and end my turn," Seto said, unfazed. "My turn, I will y Monster Reborn!" Yami Yugi sprang into action: "With this spell, I will revive Queen''s Knight in defence position." [Queen''s Knight: 1500 Attack, 1600 Defence] "Then, I summon King''s Knight in defence position!" [King''s Knight: 1600 Attack, 1400 Defence] "Finally, with King''s Knight''s effect, I can summon Jack''s Knight from my deck!" [Jack''s Knight: 1900 Attack, 1000 Defence] "Now, Dark Magician, attack Blue Eyes White Dragon." Following Yugi''s orders, The Dark Magician charged fearlessly, ready to sacrifice himself to destroy the dragon. "I will y Command Silencer!" Seto finally activates one of the set traps: "When one of your monsters deres an attack, I will be able to end the battle phase, and I get to draw a card." Before Dark Magician reached Blue Eyes White Dragon, he leapt backward andnded beside Yami Yugi. The resolve to sacrifice himself was absent from his face. "Then it''s your turn, Kaiba." He said: "It will only be one more turn until Obelisk returns to your hand." Yami Yugi smiled: "But also, in your main phase, I will activate my Waboku. Now my monsters won''t be able to be destroyed by battle, nor can they be destroyed." Seto clenched his fists and soon realised the summoning of the God Card was unavoidable. To stand a chance, he must set up a solid defence so he can survive the next turn. "I will change Blue Eyes White Dragon to a defence position, and then I will set a monster facen/?/vel/b//in dot c//om down. Next, I will use the Card of Demise to draw until I have five cards, but I must discard my entire hand on my fifth stand-by phase. "I will set two cards face down and end my turn." "Very well!" Yami Yugi shouted as the tension in the duel increased dramatically, and Seto frowned, knowing what was about toe: "I will tribute my Queen''s Knight, King''s Knight and Jack''s Knight to summon Slifer the Sky Dragon!" With the familiar roar, Seto raised his head and red at the sky. As the lightning shed, the figure of a red flying serpent appeared, gliding above Yami Yugi. [Slifer the Sky Dragon: ??? Attack, ??? Defence] Yami Yugi: "Since I have three cards in my hand, Slifer the Sky Dragon will gain three thousand attacks." [Slifer the Sky Dragon: ??? -> 3000 Attack, ??? -> 3000 Defence] "Dark Magician and Slifer the Sky Dragon, attack!" The two monsters pounced, both destroying the two remaining monsters on Seto''s field. "I will activate two of my trap cards; first, I y Magical Trick Mirror. When one of your monsters deres an attack, I will be able to y a spell in your graveyard. I will target you, Monster Reborn. Activating one of Yami Yugi''s spells, Seto used Monster Reborn to revive the XYZ-Dragon Cannon that was destroyed earlier in the duel. [XYZ-Dragon Cannon: 2800 Attack, 2600 Defence] "The second trap is Life Shaver; during your end phase, I''m able to ce one counter on this card. During the main or battle phase, I can send Life Shaver to the graveyard, and you must discard cards equal to the number of counters on this card!" "Understood..." Yami Yugi nodded: "I will set a card and end my turn." [Slifer the Sky Dragon: 3000 -> 2000 Attack, 3000 -> 2000 Defence] [Life Shaver Counter: 0 -> 1] Seto nodded solemnly, and his attention was caught by the slight beeping of his duel disk. As anticipated, the moment that Seto was waiting for arrived as Obelisk the Tormentor was automatically ejected out of his duel disk. Grabbing the card in midair, his smile widened: "I have tomend you for making it this far, but it will soon be over! Now, using my XYZ-Dragon Cannon as three tributes, I will summon my Egyptian God, Obelisk the Tormentor!!" BOOOOOM Responding to his cry, a colossal thunderbolt struck the ground behind him. To everyone''s awe, the lightning hit the ground once more, and there stood a massive blue humanoid with a sleek and muscr body and a head crowned with two curved horns... [Obelisk the Tormentor: 4000 Attack, 4000 Defence] Now, the battle between two Gods has begun.... Thanks for reading. This is probably one of the more difficult chapters I ever wrote. I think I counted the number of cards correctly, I hope. Anyway, if I manage to finish the second part early, I will probably also release it this week. If not, then I will apologies in advance. Chapter 56: Battle Between True Rivals (2) Chapter 56: Battle Between True Rivals (2) ? Hey Guys, here''s the second part of the fight. Sorry about the numerous mistakes in thest chapter; I was pretty tired. Anyway, the main change that should be noted was Yugi''s life points are 1300 instead of 2300 because I forgot to pay for the cost of Soul Rope. Unfortunately, the next chapter may be dyed because of the big battle between Yuna and Marik. Also, I''m on a three-week vacation and won''t focus on writing, so I will probably write on the next week. [3rd POV] Seto smirked and glimpsed at his Obelisk, the Tormentor, on the field. Now, the real battle will begin! "Upon summoning your Egyptian God, you have triggered Slifer the Sky Dragon''s second effect, and now Obelisk the Tormentor will lose two thousand attacks this turn!" [Obelisk the Tormentor: 4000 -> 2000 Attack, 4000 -> 2000 Defence] "Then I will end my turn, and Obelisk the Tormentor''s attacks will return to normal," Seto spoke begrudgingly. [Obelisk the Tormentor: 2000 -> 4000 Attack, 2000 -> 4000 Defence] [Slifer the Sky Dragon: 2000 -> 3000 Attack, 2000 -> 3000 Defence] "My move; I will activate my set card, Pot of Greed and draw two cards from my deck!" Yami Yugi exined: "With this, Slifer the Sky Dragon will gain an additional two thousand attacks!". [Slifer the Sky Dragon: 3000 -> 5000 Attack, 3000 -> 5000 Defence] "Now, Slifer the Sky Dragon, defeat Obelisk the Tormentor!!" Yami Yugi yelled, and the God eagerly charged towards his opponent. "I won''t allow this!" Seto bellowed: "I activate Negate Attack to stop your Egyptian Card and immediately end the battle phase." Before Slifer the Sky Dragon reached Obelisk, the dragon faltered and retreated to Yami Yugi''s side. Staring at the trap card that Seto had just activated, Yami Yugi chuckled with a wry smile. "Negate Attack? That card felt familiar." Hemented. "Hmph," Seto smirked: "I can say the same for your Waboku..." Simultaneously, the two duellists chuckled at the thought of a certain girl who gave them the idea of using these cards: "I heard she gave you a card in the past." Setomented "That''s right," Yami Yugi smiled and nced at the activated Eternal Soul: "It''s so useful that I can''t believe I have never known of it." "Yes," Seto closed his eyes and thought about the girl in question. With every battle, Yuna would never use the same cards, and every time, there would be new cards he had never heard of. It was like she was a being that evolved and adapted after every fight. This forces Seto to always be on his toes, or else he will be overwhelmed. However, despite this setback, in Seto''s opinion, it was what made duelling her so enjoyable... ''That''s why I must win,'' He clenched his fist: ''I will duel you again, no matter what!'' "Enough small talk, let''s continue," Seto ordered, and the fight resumed as the moment''s rxing atmosphere was consumed by the pressure emitting from the two men standing across from each other. "Since the battle phase has ended, I will set two cards and end my turn." [Slifer the Sky Dragon: 5000 -> 3000 Attack, 5000 -> 3000 Defence] [Life Shaver Counter: 1 -> 2] "Draw!" Seto shouted, and Yami Yugi immediately activated his set cards. "During your main phase, I will y Card Destruction! Both of us discard our entire hands and draw the same number of cards!" "Following that, I will also activate Disgraceful Charity (Anime) to add the cards we discarded this turn back into our hands!" [Slifer the Sky Dragon: 3000 -> 6000 Attack, 3000 -> 6000 Defence] Seto: "It''s useless! I will y Thirst for Compensation (anime)! I can activate this card only when you add a card(s) to your hand by a card effect, and I can special summon two level-four monsters from my hand!" Seto exined and showed Yami Yugi two cards in his hand: "I will summon de Knight and Sword of Soul!" [de Knight: 1600 Attack, 1000 Defence] [Sword of Soul: o Attack, 1900 Defence] "When Sword of Soul and de Knight are summoned, Slifer the Sky Dragon will destroy these two monsters because their attack is lower than two thousand!" Yami Yugi yelled. "That won''t be happening!" Seto shouted: "I will y Card Guard (anime) to discard one card, and my monsters can''t be destroyed by card effects this turn!" "Tsk..." Yami Yugi clicked his teeth. "With these two monsters, I will activate the effect of Obelisk the Tormentor, tributing these two monsters and destroying all monsters you control! Then I will be able to inflict four thousand damage to your life points directly!" Obelisk the Tormentor smashed his fist onto the field. Slifer the Sky Dragon was able to dodge the attack, but Dark Magician wasn''t so fortunate. But to Seto''s Shock, Yami Yugi''s Eternal Soul reacted and generated a wide blue barrier to protect the mage. "While Eternal Soul is on the field, any card with the name Dark Magician is unaffected by my opponent''s effect!" "There''s an ability like that as well..." Seto mumbled: "Well, no matter, four thousand damage will still be inflicted on you! It''s over, Yugi!" "Unfortunately, it''s not!" Yami Yugi countered: "I will reveal Kuriboh in my hand! Reducing the damage being inflicted on me to zero!" [Slifer the Sky Dragon: 6000 -> 5000 Attack, 6000 -> 5000 Defence] "Tsk..." Seto clicked his teeth: "Since I have activated Obelisk the Tormentor''s effect, I can no longer attack, so I will set a card and end my turn." [Slifer the Sky Dragon: 5000 -> 6000 Attack, 5000 -> 6000 Defence] "I will immediately enter my battle phase. Slifer the Sky Dragon, attack!" "Not so fast! I will activate my set card, Power Bnce! Once I have no cards in my hand, you must discard half of your entire hand, and I can draw cards equal to the amount of cards you discarded! (Definitely Anime)." With reluctance, Yami Yugi dumped three cards into the graveyard, significantly weakening his Egyptian God. [Slifer the Sky Dragon: 6000 -> 3000 Attack, 6000 -> 3000 Defence] "Fortunately, the cards I discarded included my electromaic turtle, and its effect was activated during the battle phase. If this card was sent to the graveyard, I can immediately end the battle phase!" Yami Yugi shouted, tension oozing from his voice. "I set two cards, changed Dark Magician to defence position, and ended my turn..." [Slifer the Sky Dragon: 3000 -> 1000 Attack, 3000 -> 1000 Defence] [Life Shaver Counter: 2 -> 3] "Now it''s my chance!" Seto''s eyes gleamed: "Obelisk the Tormentor, OBLITERATE!!" "I won''t let you do as you wish!" Yami Yugi frowned: "I will y my set card, Magical Hats. This card allows me to discard my entire hand and draw a card. If it''s a spell, I can y it immediately!" ''Heart of the cards guide me!'' He eximed and anxiously drew a card. Staring at the spell card in his hand, Yami Yugi''s eyes widened: "I will y Card of Sanctity, and both of us will draw until we have six cards!" [Slifer the Sky Dragon: 1000 -> 6000 Attack, 1000 -> 6000 Defence] "You think that will stop me?!" Seto eximed: "I will activate Life Shaver''s effect by sending the trap to the graveyard. You must discard cards equal to the number of counters that are currently on the card!" [Slifer the Sky Dragon: 6000 -> 3000 Attack, 6000 -> 3000 Defence] BOOOOOOOM Obelisk, the Tormentor''s fist, mmed into slifer''s body, and the dragon was knocked to the ground. Before it could recover, Obelisk brought down his second fist, this time fatally wounding the Egyptian God. [Yugi Mutou: 1300 LP -> 300 LP] "It''s the end!!" Seto shouted with delight: "Your God is dead while mine remain! Next, I will also summon Lord of D in defence position!" [Lord of D: 1200 Attack, 1100 Defence] "Then I will y the Flute of Summoning Dragons, and we can both special-summon up to two dragon monsters from our hand. I will summon two of my Blue Eyes White Dragons!" [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] "Then I will summon Red Eyes ck Dragon in defence position!" Yami Yugi dered. [Red Eyes ck Dragon: 2400 Attack, 2100 Defence] Seto stared at his three new monsters, and the smile on his face widened. With this, it''s more than enough to activate Obelisk''s effect once more and entirely end the duel... "I will activate Obelisk the Tormentor''s effect to tribute my Lord of D and Blue Eyes White Dragon to destroy your Red Eyes ck Dragon and deal four thousand damage to you directly!" "In response to that, I will y Monster Reincarnation to add one monster card back to my hand!" Yami Yugi shouted: "The card I added is my Kuriboh! Then I will be able to discard Kuriboh, and the damage I would receive from Obelisk the Tormentor will be zero."[1] Although Red Eyes ck Dragon was destroyed, Yami Yugi was thankfully able to survive. However, Seto knew that his opponent was running out of miracles. "Fine, I will y Dragon''s Mirror, banishing the Blue Eyes White Dragon on the field and the two Blue-Eyes White Dragons from the graveyard to fusion summon Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!!" GUOOOOO A loud howl could be heard as a wide, t mirror magically appeared on Seto''s field. Gradually, a prominent figure slowly emerged, spreading its wings. The monster''s three separate heads roared in unison and created an intimidating sound. [Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon: 4500 Attack, 3800 Defence] "Now, I activate Quick Attack, Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon, destroy Dark Magician!!" The three heads opened their mouth and fired a white beam that destroyed everything in its path. Dark Magician hurriedly raised its arms but unfortunately perished in the st. "I will set a card and end my turn here." He said, trying to keep calm: "On my next turn, I will discard my entire hand due to the effect of Card of Demise." But since there were no cards in Seto''s hand, it was never really a significant loss. ''There must be something I can do!'' Yami Yugi bit his lips: ''This next turn may very well decide the oue of this duel.'' "DRAW!" He yelled louder than usual as the Millennium Puzzle by his chest glowed. In the corner of his vision, Yami Yugi nced at the new card in his right hand as a revtion struck him. This was just the exact thing he needed! "First, I will use Eternal Soul''s effect to revive Dark Magician from the Graveyard!" [Dark Magician: 2500 Attack, 2100 Defence] "Next, I will y Double Spell!" Yami Yugi''s clear voice swept through the field: "I can select any number of Spell Cards you activated this andst turn and activate their effects as if they were mine!" "What!" Seto eximed. Ignoring his cry, Yami Yugi continued: "I will y my set card, Polymerisation! Fusing Dark Magician and Buster der to summon Dark Pdin!!" Dark Magician suddenly spread his arms, summoning a set of majestic ck armour. The armour wrapped around his already existing robe, and amanding presence swept through the field. The staff in his hand had now transformed into a beautiful sword that shined brilliantly under the sun. [Dark Pdin: 2900 Attack, 2400 Defence] "With Dark Pdin''s effect, he will gain five hundred attacks for each dragon monster on the field or in the graveyard!" [Dark Pdin: 2900 -> 3900 Attack, 2400 Defence] "Now, with Double Spell, I will also activate Quick Attack, allowing Dark Pdin to attack this turn!!" Boldly, the mage, now warrior, charged and leapt into the air. Obelisk the Tormentorshed out with his fists, and Dark Pdin brandished his de, ready to confront the god. "You fool! Dark Pdin is still weaker than my Egyptian God!" Seto couldn''t help but shout. "That may be true, but I will also activate the spell, De-Fusion, splitting your Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!!" In midair, Dark Pdin pointed his weapon at the dragon beside Obelisk. Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon''s body radiated a bright white hue, shrinking and separating into three figures. [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] [2] "Thus, Dark Pdin''s attack will increase!!" [Dark Pdin: 3900 -> 4900 Attack, 2400 Defence] "Now, Dark Pdin is stronger than your god!" "I won''t allow this!!" Seto bellowed: "I y Energy Dragin to reduce your Dark Pdin''s attack to zero and draw one card! (ANIME)" [Dark Pdin: 5400 -> 0 Attack, 2400 Defence] "It''s over!!" Seto yelled eagerly, but Yami Yugi''s smile instantly made a crack on his smirking face. "Yes, for you!" He said: "I will activate Dark Pdin''s effect. I can discard a card and negate one of your spell cards! I will negate your Energy Drain!" [Dark Pdin: 0 -> 5400 Attack, 2400 Defence] Seto couldn''t believe his eyes as the two entities came in contact. Dark Pdin''s sword easily sliced through Obelisk''s massive fists. The mage sprinted along the Egyptian God''s arm, and with a heavy swing, Dark Pdin decapitated Obelisk the Tormentor''s head. Seto stared at the scene as his surroundings had gone silent. As if in slow motion, his pupils tracked Obelisk''s head, which was falling to the floor. ''I... lost....'' The realisation has finally donned on him, and he subconsciously turns his head, locking eyes on the girl he wanted to defeat the most. ''Kaiba....'' Seto saw her mouthing the word, and a disgusting feeling welled up from his chest. Averting his gaze, Seto red at the floor as he could not meet her eyes, and he finally understood what the emotion was. It was the feeling of unbearable shame... [Seto Kaiba: 1100 LP -> 0 LP] [Yuna''s POV] "So, Big Brother lost in the end," Mokuba muttered: "He was so close as well..." Nodding to Mokuba''s words, I observed Kaiba with a frown. Currently, he was still standing on the field in a daze, seemingly in disbelief at what had just happened. What finally snapped him back to reality was the sound of his Duel Disk shutting off and Yami Yugi''s footsteps approaching him. "It was a good battle, Kaiba." Yami Yugi said with respect. Gazing at Yugi, he quietly reached for Obelisk, the Tormentor still resting on his duel disk and dropped the card onto the floor. Unable to utter a single word, he left the field. "Seto," Mokuba ran up to his brother. However, as if lost in his world, Kaiba gently brushed past Mokuba''s shoulders and swiftly entered the elevator. Big brother, wait!" he yelled, but it was toote as the elevator door shut right in front of him. Staring at the elevator in shock, we both couldn''tprehend what just happened and were unsure how to act. "Big sister..." he turned to me, at a loss. My face also slightly stiffened at this dilemma. For my entire time watching the show, Seto Kaiba has never behaved this way... "Will... talk to him..." I said, deciding to sacrifice myself for the greater good. Mokuba nodded, seemingly reassured: "Okay... I will talk to Rnd so the time before your match can be extended." I waited patiently as Mokuba approached the referee, and after I was given the thumbs up, I hurriedly chased after Kaiba and went down the elevator. Five minutester... "Huff... Huff... Where is he?" I groaned with exhaustion while running around the ind. Sensing a vibration in my pocket, I quickly answered the call and was relieved to hear Mokuba''s voice from the other side: "Big sister, one of the workers told me that brother wasst seen entering the airship." I stopped and lowered my arm before copsing onto my knees in frustration. That''s all the way on the opposite side of the ind!! Holding back my tears, I shakily stood up and began jogging back towards the direction of the airship. Screw talking to him! How about I gave him a piece of my mind?! Fifteen minutester... After walking for who knows how long, I finally arrived back at the airship. Upon entering, I was immediately greeted by Noah, who had a face as if he had just eaten dog poop. "Hey, you''re looking for that guy, right?" He spoke with a scowl Seeing me nod, he sighed tiredly: "Well, he''s in his room; whatever happened up there must have driven him insane. I tried to talk some sense into him, but he destroyed the television like a rabid animal. It was so unprofessional..." Thanking Noah, I hightailed towards Kaiba''s room and in the hallway, I could hear the sound of things being knocked over and items crashing against each other... Nervously, I knocked on the door: ".... Kaiba?" "F*ck.... off..." A voice croaked from inside the room, and I instinctively frowned. Hesitantly, I turned the doorknob, and the door swung open as the corridor light shone into the darkness, revealing the chaos inside. Curtains covering the windows were torn to shred, a desk was thrown across the room, the mirror in the bathroom was shattered, and the entire bed was flipped over. If you told me that this was the room of what happens after a drug deal goes wrong, I would have one hundred percent believed you, no questions asked, but the room of a young billionaire? Turning my head, I nced at the perpetrator of this mess sitting against the wall with his head lowered. Slowly raising his head, Kaiba red at me with rage: "I told you to leave," "Kaiba..." I muttered worriedly. I carefully pushed away the shards of ss and sat down beside him. It was very dark, and I wanted to turn on the light, but it would probably annoy Kaiba even more. ''How should Ifort him?'' I pondered: ''This is Kaiba we''re talking about after all...'' Realising that my Ten Tricks to Please Mokuba/Serenity wouldn''t work, I quietly sat beside him and hoped that he would calm down enough for us to talk. As I counted the two hundred and fourth sheep in my head, Kaiba finally opened his mouth: "Am I weak?" He asked, his gaze pleading for me to make a response. "What makes... you say that..." I uttered in surprise. Kaiba clicked his teeth with pure frustration: "For so long, I imagined myself to be the strongest, someone who''s undefeatable. But that day, the duel with you was a wake-up call." "You''re... wee?" I blurted out, and he chuckled wistfully. "After that, I slowly began to realise the limit of my capabilities..." He continued: "Because of that, I have epted you as another mountain I have to conquer." "And... you did..." Imented: "I lost..." "Yet for me, that is not a victory," Kaiba growled and clenched his fist. I shrugged, unable to refute. If that''s what Kaiba think, then it''s not my right to judge. "I trained without rest, gradually gathering strength so I could match your level." Kaiba spoke with a hint of pride: "Just when I believed that I had caught up... He bested me...." His face contorted into anger as he picked up a part of the broken desk and hurled it across the room. Burying his face into his knees, I couldn''t see Kaiba''s expression. However, I could telln/o/vel/b//in dot c//om that he was really disappointed in himself. Sitting in silence, I observed him and contemted what I should say, "Not weak..." I spoke up after some time: "You''re... strong..." Kaiba scoffed as if he couldn''t believe what I just said: "Stop messing with me." "You... are!" I insisted, and Kaiba grumbled. Despite how much I praised him, Kaiba''s mood seemed to be grumpier and grumpier. Eventually, I gave up and decided on a new approach, one that would surely get some reaction. "Give up?" I asked, and Kaiba''s eyes widened. "What are you sprouting this time?!" He growled, obviously agitated. "You lost... to Yugi..." I pointed out: "Are you... giving up?" "Who do you think I am!" Kaiba suddenly jumped to his feet. Following him, I also stood up and held my ground as he red at me: "Then tell me..." I pressed on. "You..." Kaiba snarled, enraged. He stepped forward, and I subconsciously ced my back against the wall: "Do you think all my hard work and all the time I spent is just a joke?!" "No." I denied it and shook my head fervently. "Then...." "Kaiba..." I spoke as sternly as possible: "I always..... believed... you won''t.... give up..." As a fan of the show, it was already well known that Seto Kaiba was someone who didn''t know how to quit. Even when Atem returns to the afterlife, Kaiba creates technology to bring himself there and duel him. "What makes you think that you know everything about me?" He growled. "I... just do..." I answered vaguely. Immediately, I became embarrassed by how cringe that sounded, and I felt my face heating up. As Kaiba tried to gauge my thoughts, I hurriedly avoided his gaze while nervously thinking that he may think of me as a stalker. Kaiba clicked his teeth and leaned his head towards me: "Why aren''t you looking at me?" ''What kind of question was that!?'' My face subconsciously stiffened: ''Haven''t you learned a thing about personal space?!'' "Look at me." He ordered, his tone heavier than before. We were so close that I could hear his breathing, and I felt my brain about to explode. Taking a loud audible gulp, I nervously turned my head. In silence, we stared at each other, both unable to form words. "Um..." I made an awkward sound and rubbed my shoulder as I became more and more anxious with each passing second: "K... Kaiba..." However, he was seemingly stuck in a trance, and my body squirmed ufortably. With my back against the wall, there was no way I could escape. ''What in the world is this romance drama development here!'' I screamed internally: ''And why do they have to make Kaiba this handsome!'' "Kaiba!" Unable to handle it anymore, I finally snapped. I weakly pushed him away, and he stared at me in shock. Almost instantly, an awkward silence hung over us. "Too... beautiful?" I smiled stiffly and joked to lighten the mood. Kaiba:..... ''Please respond with your usual snarkyment!'' I begged: ''You''re making it sound like you''re actually into me here!'' Suddenly, I froze, and a faint blush appeared on my cheeks: ''Hold on, what if he actually likes me!!!!!'' Just thinking about it made me feel embarrassed. "Ahem..." We suddenly heard Noah''s voice projecting from one of the speakers at the end of the hallway: "If you two are done in there, that guy with the sses looked a bit annoyed and kept asking when you''re ready for the next duel." Taking Noah''s words as a sense of salvation, I ducked under Kaiba''s arm and quickly moved to the door. Remembering Kaiba, I swiftly turned around and mustered a slight smile: "You''re strong... don''t give up..." "Yeah...." Kaiba stammered. "Oh..." I suddenly pped and stared at him yfully: "Kaiba.... three favours... remember?" Watching him nod slowly, I felt my grin widen with relief: "Will.... use one... now...." [3rd POV] Without looking back, Yuna ran out of the room. Seto stared at the opened door quietly and sighed at the chaotic emotions coursing through his mind. Stepping out of the room, Seto turned to the maids patiently waiting in the hallways: "Clean up the mess." "Right away, Master Kaiba," The maid in front bowed courteously as they silently ushered in. "Master Kaiba," Suddenly one of the maids called out to him and approached the door; in her hand was a single Duel Monster card: "We found this on the floor. Have you lost it?" Grabbing the card, Seto turned to the front image and subconsciously gasped: "This..." He stared at the card with aplicated gaze. "Yes, it''s mine." Managing his astonishment, he answered, and the maid bowed before returning to her duties. Seto sighed as he couldn''t control the smile forming on his face. Turning his head towards the mirror in the corridor, he touched his face with wonder. For the first time after a while, he genuinely smiled. I hope you enjoy it! [1] For those confused, Kuriboh can''t be used as chained link 2+ because its effect will be resolved before the damage is even dealt, and the card''s effect will reallye into y during the damage calction. Thus, it can be used. [2] For De-fusion, it wasn''t really exined whether the monster that was banished for fusion material coulde back. But since they have only used polymerisation and nothing else, with the additional fact that De-fusion''s description was so vague, I believe it''s possible. Chapter 57: Ras Wrath Chapter 57: Ra''s Wrath ? Hi guys, went all out on this chapter! Part two will be released on Wednesday! [3rd POV] Yami Marik''s devilish smirk curled at the edges, and he observed the girl standing calmly before him. "So, it hase down to this moment," he remarked with a sinister satisfaction. Hisughter caught Yuna off guard. "In all honesty, you''ve always been the one who interests me the most," he admitted, Yami Marik''s toneced with amusement. "I have to thank you for allowing me to satisfy my curiosity." "Well, that''s enough from me; let''s not drag this out, shall we?" Yami Marik''s grin widened until the corners of his lips reached the tips of his ears. Suddenly, darkness consumed the field, creating arge ck dome thatpletely blocked Yuna and Yami Marik from the outside world. "Big sister!" Mokuba and Serenity screamed in shock at the supernatural event. They pounded against the barrier, but to their horror, no matter how much they exerted their strength, the two couldn''t enter as if there was an imprable wall before them. "Rnd, do something!!" Mokuba yelled at the referee, but even he seemed flustered and unsure whether to cancel the duel. At this moment, the elevator door opened, revealing Seto, and his eyes slightly widened at the absurd scene. "Brother!" Mokuba cried. "Big Sister is trapped in there!" Stunned, Seto approached the barrier, cing his hand on the surface and feeling the force fighting against him. Frowning, Seto pushed, and his limb slowly sank into the darkness. BZZZZT "Brother!" Mokuba yelled in surprise as Seto was suddenly sent flying backward with an electric shock. Hitting the floor, Seto groaned in pain and red at the barrier with anger. "What should we do!?" Mokuba asked, in tears. Seto gritted his teeth and stood up: "Let the battle continue." "What!" Mokuba eximed: "There''s no way we can resume the duel!" Seto closed his eyes, recalling an earlier moment when he reluctantly epted one of Yuna''s requests. ''Kaiba.... No matter what.... don''t pause... the duel...'' Yuna''s words still lingered in his mind. Although he was confused, Seto now understood why she had insisted on something like this. "Trust her," he eventually said and announced loudly to everyone around him. "We shall continue." Meanwhile... Yuna stared at the darkness surrounding her with a frown and nced at Yami Marik, who observed her with an unsettling smile. "Even a fool doesn''t have to tell you that this duel is not so simple," he remarked. "After all, it wouldn''t be fun without some new additional rules." "In fact..." Yami Marik paused. "Wouldn''t it be more special if you find out about these new gimmicks yourself? It''s best if I won''t spoil the fun!" "You maniac..." Yuna cursed, and the dark spirit cackled. "Let''s begin!" "DUEL!!" X2 [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP] [Marik Ishtar: 4000 LP] [Yuna''s POV] This was it. Just like against Pegasus, this duel would decide whether I would live or die painfully. Tension coursed through my entire body, and my fingers twitched with anxiety. "I will go first!" Breaking out of my nervousness, I shouted: "First, I will summon Dragon Knight of Creation in attack position!" [Dragon Knight of Creation: 1800 Attack, 600 Defence] Upon summoning, the knight drove his sword into the ground and rested his arms on the hilt. He exuded a confident aura, ready to serve me in another battle. "Next, I will set two cards and end my turn," I announced and watched Yami Marik intently. Smiling, Yami Marik drew a card: "I will summon my Gilgarth!" [Gilgarth: 1800 Attack, 1200 Defence] "In response to your summon, I will activate Dragon Knight of Creation''s effect; during my opponent''s turn, I can increase his level by four!" "I don''t see how that''s relevant..." Yami Marik muttered: "I will set two cards and end my turn." "During your end phase, I will activate my trap card, Proof of Powerlessness!" I smirked: "If I control a level seven or higher dragon monster, I can destroy all monsters you control that are below level four!" Dragon Knight of Creation gripped his sword and swung in a wide arc, generating a white sh that cut the demonic monster in half. With the finalization of the end phase, Yami Marik was left with no monsters on his field, which meant it was the best time for me to attack! "My turn!" I yelled: "First, I will y Pot of Greed to draw two cards from my deck! Next, I will summon Herald of Creation!" [Herald of Creation: 1800 Attack, 600 Defence] "Dragon Knight of Creation, attack Marik''s life points directly!" I shouted as the warrior raised his sword and charged. *THUNK* Suddenly, I heard a strange sound and felt an intense heat forming in my stomach. ncing down, my jaw noticeably dropped at the scene. The giant sword Dragon Knight of Creation was wielding appeared embedded deep into my abdomen, and immediately, the burning pain made my mind go nk. Dragon Knight of Creation''s arms trembled in disbelief, and the knight let go of his weapon. "Suprised?" Yami Marikughed: "It was all thanks to my card, Spell of Pain. When an attack or card effect would do damage to me, I can inflict the damage on my opponent instead!" Hisughter echoed across the field: "Oh? You may not have heard me; you''re still in shock after all..." I gritted my teeth as his exnation flowed through one ear and out the other. My head still couldn''t register the massive de piercing through my abdomen. Anger clouded my mind, and I tightly gripped the handle. Understanding my intention, the Herald of Creation and Dragon Knight of Creation nervously extended their arms. Together, we pulled the sword from my body, and I shrieked at the sharp pain. Bloody sprayed the floor, and I clutched my stomach. My pupils quivered in doubt: ''Am I truly going to die here?!'' Instantly, my body glowed, and miraculously, the flowing wound healed in the blink of an eye. Patting the area where the sword rested previously, I frowned in confusion, and if my clothes weren''t torn from the de, I wouldn''t believed that I was never harmed in the first ce. [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP -> 2200 LP] "This is a dimension that I have created using the power of the Millennium Rod." Yami Marik exined, snapping me out of my daze: "It is a ce right between thend of mortals and spirits. That means all monsters we have been summoning have be more than just simple projections." ''No wonder the Herald of Creation and Knight of Creation acted more life-like than before.'' I thought with a grim expression: "So what?" "They are spirits that live just like us, and this realm was where we can exist in the same space, and naturally, they could be able to touch us..." Yami Marik snickered: "That''s why the damage felt so real!" "You''re insane!" I couldn''t help but yell angrily: "We''re going to die before the duel could even finish!" "Don''t you think I already knew that?" Yami Marik retorted: "Thus, there''s onest rule you should remember. As long as we have life points, all injuries we sustain will be healed at a rapid rate. However, once we ran out..." His voice trailed off, hinting that no further exnation was needed. "So don''t die so quickly." Yami Marik warned maliciously, "Not until I''m done ying with...." *BOOOOOM* A fireball struck Yami Marik, and he was sent flying across the field: "Be quiet, you madman..." I warned as the Herald of Creation lowered her staff. [Marik Ishtar: 4000 LP -> 2200 LP] "I will end my turn here," I said, and he stood up, smoke rising from his clothes. Yami Marik chuckled and threw his singed cloak to the ground: "Unlike that coward I duelled earlier, you''re more tenacious than I thought..." "My turn. First, I will y Card Destruction, and the two of us will discard our entire hand before drawing the same number of cards." "Next, I will set two cards and then activate the trap I set earlier, Left Arm Offering! By discarding my entire hand, I will be able to add a spell card from the deck! I will choose Monster Reborn!" "Monster Reborn..." I mumbled under my breath: "No way...." Yami Marikughed and raised his hand into the air: "Joey couldn''t handle its power, but I wonder, could you?" WHOOOSH A gold symbol appears on his forehead, and a tremendous amount of pressure gathers towards him. Yami Marik''s eyes bulged in excitement, and his words were like thunder: "Great beast of the sky, please hear my cry! Transform thyself from the orb of light and bring me victory in this fight! Envelop the desert with your glow and cast your rage upon my foe! Unlock your powers from deep within so that together, we may win! Appear in this Shadow Game as I call out your name, Winged Dragon of Ra!" Using the effect of Monster Reborn, Yami Marik chanted and pointed the card towards the sky. Suddenly, I felt a searing heat, as if someone had spiked up the temperature to the extreme. Momentarily, I was blinded by a white light, and when my vision cleared, I saw a bright orange sun floating in the space above us. BOOOOM The sun expanded, constructing into the form of a massive armoured dragon covered in gold. Its eyes glowed with fierce intensity, reflecting its immense power. [Winged Dragon of Ra: o Attack, o Defence] "Then I will pay one thousand of my life points and activate Ra''s ability to allow my god to emerge as the powerful Phoenix Mode!" Yami Marik dered as the Winged Dragon of Ra''s body erupted into mes. [Marik Ishtar: 2200 LP -> 1200 LP] [Winged Dragon of Ra (Phoenix Mode): 0 Attack, 0 Defence] "Now, all monsters Ra battles will be destroyed. Additionally, when special-summoned, the Winged Dragon of Ra can attack you and all of your monsters!" Dragon Knight of Creation and Herald of Creation readied their weapons as the god charged. Before the warrior and mage could react, they were swept by the burning mes and incinerated entirely. "Now, Winged Dragon of Ra, attack her life points directly!" "But Ra currently have zero attacks?" I blurted out in confusion: "Attacking will do nothing." However, Yami Marik merely smirked as the Winged Dragon of Ra howled and plummeted from the air. As I watched the mes burn the ground, realization finally dawned upon me, and I frantically pressed the buttons on my Duel Disk. "I will activate my set card, Command Silencer, and I can negate the attack of your Winged Dragon of Ra!" [1] Before the searing fire reached me, Winged Dragon of Ra flew back to Yami Marik''s side, and I sighed with relief. ncing at my arms, which were filled with goosebumps, I shivered at the thought of possibly having just escaped death''s grasp. "Hoh?" Yami Marik looked genuinely impressed: "You''re smarter than you look." "Just because there''s no damage to my life points doesn''t mean I won''t feel the pain..." I muttered, and his smile widened. "You''re just full of surprises," Yami Marik apuded: "I''m attracted to you more and more!" "No thanks, you''re not my type." I snarled and covered my mouth in disgust.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "Ha ha, that''s fine," He smirked: "You might change your mind once I break you a little..." "Shut up and keep ying!" I snapped, repulsed by his words. "Very well. Since I have no cards in my hand because of Left Arm Offering, I will end my turn, and Winged Dragon of Ra will return to my graveyard." Yami Marik exined as the ming dragon vanished and the darkness set in once more. "My turn..." I muttered with a frown: "First, I will summon Pdin of Felgrand in defence position and use its effect to equip Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from my deck to this card!" [Pdin of Felgrand: 1700 Attack, 300 Defence] "Next, I will use Pdin of Felgrand''s effect to tribute himself and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand to revive Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from the graveyard!!" Amidst the darkness, a golden ray shone behind me, and I smiled. The soothing sound of Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s pping wings gave me a sense offort and security. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Upon summoning from the graveyard, I will activate its effect to banish Winged Dragon of Ra!" "Not this time!" Yami Marik shouted. "I activate my trap card, Fiendish Chains! When this card is on the field, your Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand will have its effect negated and cannot attack." Immediately, chains shot out of the ground, binding the dragon in the air. I gritted my teeth in frustration at the unfortunate turn of events. "I will set one card and end my turn," I muttered with a frown. "Ah, it''s my turn..." Yami Marik smiled and drew a card. "I will y Card of Sanctity, and both of us will draw until we have six cards in our hands." Tsk... In times like this, I was unfortunately reminded that Yugi wasn''t the only one with the power of the Heart of the Cards in this show... "Next, I will y Mining for Magical Stones to discard two cards and add Monster Reborn back into my hand," Yami Marik snorted. "However, I couldn''t y the spell this turn. So I will set one card face down and end my turn." While Yami Marik has no cards on the field, knowing that he was nning to revive the Winged Dragon of Ra next turn sets me on edge. "My turn, I draw!" I shouted to lessen the tension. "First, I will change Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand to a defence position!" "Then, I will banish Axe Dragonute and Herald of Creation to summon Darkre Dragon from my hand!" [Darkre Dragon: 2500 Attack, 1200 Defence] "Upon summoning, I will activate Darkre Dragon''s effect! By sending one dragon monster from my deck and hand to the graveyard, I will be able to target one card in either graveyard and banish it!" Showing Yami Marik the Blue Eyes White Dragon from my deck and the Keeper of the Shrine from my hand, I pointed at him and yelled: "I will banish your Winged Dragon of Ra!" "In response to your Darkre Dragon''s effect, I will activate my trap card, Call of the Haunted and revive my Winged Dragon of Ra in defence position! Since Ra will no longer be in the graveyard, your dragon''s effect will be nullified!" [Winged Dragon of Ra: 0 Attack, o Defence] "Then, Darkre Dragon, attack Winged Dragon of Ra!" I shouted, and my dragonshed out with its ws. This time, Yami Marik didn''t activate Ra''s phoenix mode and the God was destroyed by Darkre Dragon''s attack. However, I was not satisfied with the results of sending Winged Dragon of Ra back to the graveyard. I need it gone. "My turn." Yami Marik smiled: "Now that the restriction of my Mining of Magical Stones is over, I will activate Monster Reborn and revive Winged Dragon of Ra again!!" [Winged Dragon of Ra: o Attack, o Defence] "Paying one thousand of my life points, Winged Dragon of Ra will be reborn in its almighty Phoneix Mode!" [Marik Ishtar: 1200 LP -> 200 LP] [Winged Dragon of Ra (Phoenix Mode): 0 Attack, o Defence] Yami Marik: "Now I will enter my battle phase and activate the effect of Juragedo in my hand, allowing me to special-summon the monster onto the field." [2] [Juragedo: 1700 Attack, 1300 Defence] "When Juragedo was summoned through that effect, I will gain one thousand life points." He exined: "Also, with Ra''s ability, I can tribute Juragedo, and my God will gain its energy to use for itself!" [Marik Ishtar: 200 LP -> 1200 LP] [Winged Dragon of Ra (Phoenix Mode): 0 -> 1700 Attack, 0 -> 1300 Defence] "Now I will battle! Winged Dragon of Ra, attack all of her monsters and then attack her directly!" "Stop! I will activate Negate Attack, cancelling Winged Dragon of Ra''s attack and ending the battle phase!" "Don''t think it will be that easy!" Yami Marik snarled: "I activate Trap Jammer, cancelling the effect of your Negate Attack!" "Sh*t!" I cursed instinctively: "I will activate Waboku! Any battle damage I''ve taken will be zero this turn!" The Winged Dragon of Ra unleashed a deafening cry, conjuring a pair of ming tornados aiming for my Darkre Dragon and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand. Despite being physically weaker, Ra''s effect easily destroyed the two monsters with its divine skill. Since Waboku was only protected from monster attacks, the two dragons couldn''t be saved. As Winged Dragon of Ra slowly turned its head towards me, I flinched in fear. Recalling the pain that I felt when fighting against Obelisk and slifer, I couldn''t even possibly imagine what it was going to be like with Ra... I''m scared... My thoughts unknowingly spread to my face, and Yami Marik licked his lips in delight. As the Winged Dragon of Ra charged, I instinctively closed my eyes and waited... BOOOOOOM There was no time to prepare as the sensation of mes coating my entire body and my nervous system red in rm. Unable to endure, I screamed, and a shrill cry left my throat. Words couldn''t possibly describe the pain that I''m currently feeling, and the heat burned away any tears I shed. "Stop..." Yami Marik''s voice echoed deeply. "Winged Dragon of Ra, return!" Suddenly, the me disappeared, and I fell face-first onto the ground. Unable to turn my body, I gasped for breath like a fish out of water. "I know this wasn''t enough to defeat you." He taunted: "Stand up. This duel is still long." Gritting my teeth to the point they''re going to shatter, I pushed the floor with one of my arms, propping myself up. Shakily, I managed to stand, and even the slightest movement felt like pure agony. Witnessing my suffering state, Yami Marik snorted: "I will set two cards and end my turn." "M... My..." Before I could even finish a sentence, I copsed on one knee and vomited a mouthful of blood. Yami Marik watched with interest as I punched my chest to get the rest of the thick red liquid out of my lungs. "Don''t go dying on me too quickly." Yami Marikughed loudly at his joke. ring at him, I wipe the corner of my mouth with my sleeve: "I''m fine..." Standing up, I regained myposure. My body still stings from the pain, but I was able to endure it this time. "I draw..." I growled: "First, I will activate Return of the Dragon Lords to revive Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from my graveyard." [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, banish Winged Dragon of Ra in the graveyard!" I yelled with a strained voice. To my relief, this time, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand was able to carry out my orders sessfully and banished the God. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3800 Attack, 2800 -> 3800 Defence] "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, attack!" I shouted with passion: "Make sure to kill him!" Sharing my thoughts, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand roared and pounced with enthusiasm. The dragon swung its arms, and Yami Marik was thrown into the air. Grabbing him in mid-fall, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand then proceeded to m him into the ground with all his strength. [Marik Ishtar: 1200 LP -> 5000 LP] "What..." I uttered in disbelief and stared at Yami Marik''s life points, which just increased tremendously. Sitting up, Yami Marik chuckled: "Suprised? It was all thanks to my trap card, Rainbow Life. By discarding one card each time I take damage, I will actually gain that amount instead." Now fully standing up, he smirked and twisted his head: "But it sure does sting, though... You''re done. Go back to your master." He shooed Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand away, and the dragon howled with fury. "I will set one card and end my turn," I said with a clenched fist. "Ha ha ha," Yami Marik covered his face andughed: "Do you know how surprised I was when you banished my God card earlier?" However, his expression turned cold: "But I''m not such a fool to fall for it again!" "Draw!" Yami Marik shouted: "In my main phase, I will y Return from the Different Dimension; by paying half of my life points, I can special-summon all of my banished monsters!" [Marik Ishtar: 5000 LP -> 2500 LP] "You think it will be that easy?" He smiled: "Now, Winged Dragon of Ra, show yourself in your Phoneix Mode!!" [Winged Dragon of Ra: 0 Attack, o Defence] [Marik Ishtar: 2500 LP-> 1500 LP] [Winged Dragon of Ra (Phoenix Mode): 0 Attack, o Defence] Staring at the Egyptian God that has been revived for the fourth time, finally, a concerning thought formted in my head: ''I might actually die....'' I hope you enjoy it. [1] If people are wondering, Yuna didn''t activate Command Silencer a little earlier because it will only negate one of Ra''s attacks. [2] I like the Errata Juragedo better, so I''m using it. (The original was just a normal monster) Chapter 58: True God Chapter 58: True God ? [3rd POV] Yami Marik closed his eyes and imagined himself holding a baton, mimicking the motion of a conductor in an orchestra, masterfully guiding his musicians on perfectly performing their piece of music. *SCREAMMMM* "Ah..." He groaned with pleasure at the torturous shriek emitting from Yuna''s mouth: "Such pleasantness to the ears..." As Winged Dragon of Ra retreated to Yami Marik''s side, he eagerly observed Yuna standing weakly. Her bangs covered her eyes, hiding her stupored gaze. "After my battle phase, I will activate Cursed of the Masked Beast." Yami Marik continued nonchntly: "Tributing Ra, I will Ritual Summon The Masked Beast from my hand!" [The Masked Beast: 3200 Attack, 1800 Defence] "Since Winged Dragon of Ra was used as a tribute and sent to the graveyard, it will no longer be banished at my end phase from the effect of Return from the Different dimension." "I will end my turn here." Yami Marik smiled: "What''s the hold-up? I still haven''t finished ying with you yet." Yuna''s fingers twitched, and she awakened from her daze. Her entire body was numb, and her nervous system had already shut down from the pain... "Set one.... monster.... one.... face... down...." Yuna mumbled weakly: "End... Turn...." "Very well, it is my turn." Yami Marik smirked with glee: "First, I will y Feather of the Phoenix; by discarding one card, I can add one card in my graveyard to the top of my deck." "Next, I will y Pot of Greed to draw two cards," He dered, drawing the card that was added to the top of the deck moments ago: "With this, I will reactivate my Monster Reborn, reviving Winged Dragon of Ra!! In response, I will also activate my trap, Spell Remation; if I trigger this trap after I y a spell, I can return that same spell into my hand." Yuna''s eyes flickered when she heard the Egyptian God''s name. Slowly raising her head, she gazed at the Winged Dragon of Ra, and her face contorted into an emotion that Yami Marik wanted to see the most... Fear.... [Winged Dragon of Ra: 0 Attack, o Defence] Yami Marik: "Winged Dragon of Ra, transform into your immortal Phoenix Mode!" [Marik Ishtar: 1500 LP-> 500 LP] [Winged Dragon of Ra (Phoenix Mode): 0 Attack, o Defence] "Now, Winged Dragon of Ra, attack!!" Yami Marik shouted, his voice full of relish as if he had just tasted a three-Michelin star meal. The Egyptian God howled and plummeted down on Yuna, setting her entire field into a sea of mes: "Now, The Masked Beast, attack her life points directly!!" With no choice, Yuna frantically activated her Command Silencer to defend against the demon''s charge. Unfortunately, in doing so, she has left herself defenceless against the Winged Dragon of Ra''s final attack, and her body suffers through another round of hellish torture. *SCREAMMM* ''Please stop this!'' Yami Marik suddenly heard a voice shouting from the side. Picking his ear, he nced at the spirit of the real Marik Ishtar, who was staring at him with a begging gaze: "This is going too far!'' "But isn''t this what you would''ve wanted?" He sneered: "Otherwise, how do you think I was born in the first ce?" ''No...'' Marik shook his head in denial: ''I would never stoop as low as you...'' "Really? All this revenge, all this hatred... Did you think that your hand is clean?" Yami Marik calmly remarked: "You''re nothing but a coward, unable to kill; thus, you created me. A way out, an excuse that you can use when you''re backed into a corner with nowhere left to run." ''Shut up!'' Marik grasped his head and yelled. Yami Marik shrugged: "Just sit back and rx as I perform my masterpiece." He said and brought his attention back to the girl in question. Despite not having her life points changed in the slightest, it was obvious that Yuna could no longer continue this duel. However, ignoring this fact, Yami Marik forced her to continue. After all, he was not going to let her go this easily... For the next few turns, Yuna truly understood the meaning of suffering. Her mind was too preupied with the pain even to think properly, and Yami Marik took this chance to have some "fun"... Gaining Life points. Revive Winged Dragon of Ra in Phoenix Mode. Attack. It was a merciless cycle that no one knows when it will end. Yuna had already lost her voice from the constant screaming, and she could only moan in pain. As Winged Dragon of Ra finally stopped, with no more strength, Yuna''s body struck the cold, hard ground. It was indeed a miracle she remained standing this entire time. "I thought you could stillst a few more turns." Yami Marik muttered disappointingly: "Why do the good toys always get broken so fast....." "Oh well..." He sighed: "I will activate my trap card, Premature Burial, to pay eight hundred life points and revive the Masked Beast from my graveyard." [Marik Ishtar: 1200 LP -> 400 LP] [1] [The Masked Beast: 3200 Attack, 1800 Defence] "The Masked Beast, attack." Yami Marik instructed with a sigh: "I hope the Pharoah is as fun as this..." BANG A dull sound suddenly echoed through the field as The Masked Beast''s weapon collided with a blue transparent barrier. The area where the weaponnded glowed an ominous orange hue, and the barrier unleashed a ming vortex thatpletely consumed the demon whole. "What the hell happened!?" Yami Marik growled: "How is she still alive?!" "I won''t let you kill her...." "What?" Yami Marik eximed at the strange voice in the air. WOOOSH Yami Marik clicked his teeth and covered his eyes when a blinding light began to emanate from Yuna''s body. The particles of light solidified and began to take the shape of a woman wearing a pure white dress. Her face, except for her lips, was covered by a veil, and her white hair hung loosely behind her shoulders. Kneeling, the woman gently lifted Yuna''s wrist and tapped the button on her duel disk as the trap card Yuna ced in advance was revealed: "By activating the trap card, Mirror Force, when your monster attacks, this card will destroy all attacking position monsters you control." "And who are you?" Yami Marik questioned, his body poised with caution. The woman smiled wryly and slowly hoisted Yuna''s head into her arms. Like a mother who would soothe a child, the woman stroked Yuna''s hair. Gradually, a faint white energy gathered in her palms, and she ced her hand on Yuna''s forehead. Slowly, a warmth covered Yuna''s body, and her expression momentarily softened: "I''m sorry, I can only alleviate the pain just a little; please don''t give up..." "Please...." She mumbled shakily: "Please, Yuna, wake up and fight..." "Heh, it''s useless," Yami Marik snickered: "It wouldn''t be surprising if she''s brain-dead already." "Tsk..." The woman clicked her teeth at his non-stop chattering. But just like Yami Marik has said, Yuna doesn''t seem to stir no matter how much she pleads. With reluctance, the woman nced at the Duel Disk. Resolve was etched on her face, and she slid the device off Yuna''s wrist before equipping it onto her arm: "Then I will fight for her." "You?'' Yami Marik spoke in a surprised tone: "This is a shadow game. It should not be possible to interrupt it unless...." He chuckled in realisation: "I see... So she''s just like that boy...." Meantime... Yuna''s eyes snapped open, and she gasped. Sitting up, she feverishly pats her entire body, wondering if she has indeed kicked the bucket or not... "I don''t feel dead..." Yuna mumbled to herself, and she quietly hugged her knees: "But I probably am..." *Drip Drip* Teardrops soaked the floor as she wept. The pain that she felt was something that she couldn''t possibly forget, and every time Yuna closed her eyes, she imagined herself engulfed by the divine mes burning her body. "I don''t want to do this anymore..." She whimpered: "It hurts..... It hurts so much..." Other than the despair, Yuna also felt a profound shame. With so much confidence when she would boldly face Yami Marik, she found herself utterly crushed and tortured under his mercy... As Yuna cried, she heard a huge form slithering around her. Nervously raising her head at the loud sound, she met eyes with a massive beast with a height as tall as the sky-scrapper. ''Will you quit the crying?'' A deep voice echoed in her head, causing Yuna to flinch. "It''s you...." Yuna mumbled, remembering their first meeting with the help of the system: "Why... am I... here?" ''Because I brought you here,'' The beast smirked, disying its sharp teeth: ''Did your intelligence decreasepared to ourst encounter?'' "So....what..." She sulked: "Mock... all you want.... already dead." ''But that''s not the case,'' The beast responded: ''Although your subconsciousness is with me, your physical vessel is still in working order.'' "How?!" Yuna asked in agitation: "Yami Marik.... have... killed me..." ''Not yet,'' Slowly moving towards Yuna, the monster dragged its massive serpentine body across the ground. With a wave of its arm, the beast created a mirage, disying the current situation of the duel. Yuna gasped and watched the woman duelling Yami Marik with her duel disk. Despite it seeming like she was holding her ground, Yuna could tell that her skills were not enough, and she was gradually being suppressed. Yuna subconsciously extended her arms, and the mirage vanished: ''What are you going to do now? You can ept death and exist with your failure forever, or stop whining like a child and fight.'' "I..." Yuna held her breath before smiling self-deprecatingly. All this talk with Seto on not giving up, and here she was. "How.... can I win?" Yuna pleaded for an answer. No matter what she does, Yuna can''t stop Yami Marik from summoning the Winged Dragon of Ra. Wrapping her arms around her shoulders, Yuna shivered, unable to bear the thought of being attacked by the god once more. ''Do I really have to spell it out for you?'' The beast growled in annoyance: ''Use me, with me, even that gold chicken won''t be able to touch you...'' "Ah..." Yuna finally remembered the card resting in her deck. ncing at the monster, she felt embarrassed for forgetting this crucial detail. The monster snorted: ''Hmph... Then what are you waiting for.'' Standing up, Yuna pped her cheeks to try and get her nerves together: "Think... I''m... ready...." ''Go now,'' The beast urged: ''You better not disappoint me.'' "Nn." She nodded, albeit still a little scared. A few minutester... ''Why are you still here?'' The monster questioned, clearly annoyed by Yuna''s presence. "How... do I go... back?" ''....'' || || Back in Reality... "Now, Masked Beast Des Gardius, attack the Blue Eyes White Dragon!" Yami Marik shouted, and the colossal demon rushed towards the woman''s monster. Blue Eyes White Dragon tried to resist, but its power was just weaker and was ultimately destroyed. [Yuna Sano: 1200 LP -> 900 LP] The woman staggered in shock at the defeat of her Blue Eyes White Dragon. Tension was apparent on her face as she desperately tried to defend against Yami Marik''s onught. "You or her, it doesn''t matter." Yami Marik snarled: "All will fall!" Gritting her teeth, the woman felt desperate, and she realised that she was unable to keep thisN?v(el)B\\jnn up for much longer and in time, Yami Marik would win. "What should I do... She muttered and bit her lips, on the verge of despair. Watching her frustrated appearance, Yami Marik smiled with satisfaction. The thought of devouring this persistent obstacle filled him with ecstasy. However, that smile soon vanished, and what reced it was an obvious disdain.... "When Blue Eyes White Dragon was destroyed, I can activate the effect of Keeper of the Shrine in my graveyard and special-summon him onto the field." [Keeper of the Shrine: 0 Attack, 2100 Defence] The woman''s ears twitched with surprise at the familiar voice, and two arms wrapped around her from behind. An indescribable sense of relief washed over her, and she lowered her strained arms. "Why do you only wake up now?" The woman pouted to hide the sadness in her voice. "I''m a heavy sleeper," Yuna joked and noticed that her friend wasn''tughing; she buried her face into the woman''s back: "I''m sorry..." ".....Is it painful?" "Yes," Yuna answered without hesitation: "It hurt so much that I wanted to cry." Lifting her head to show her teary face: "But crying about it is a bit pointless, don''t you think?" "Yuna...." Wiping her tears, Yuna''s lips trembled slightly, but she swiftly controlled her expression with a small smile. Reaching for the duel disk, she slid it back onto her wrist and stepped forward as the woman watched with admiration: "Let''s finish this. I will draw!" ncing at the new card, Yuna smile widened: "First, I will activate Monster Reborn! Reviving my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from my graveyard!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "With Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s effect, I will target Winged Dragon of Ra in your graveyard and banish it." "In response, I will y my second Call of the Haunted and revive Winged Dragon of Ra!!" Yami Marik shouted. [Winged Dragon of Ra: 0 Attack, o Defence] Yuna''s expression stiffened at the sight of the Egyptian God, and the traumatic memories surfaced from her mind. Before being consumed by the memories, Yuna felt someone holding her hand and glimpsed at the woman smiling at her. Taking a deep breath, Yuna grinned, reassured that what she feared the most would not happen ever again. "I will y Return of the Dragon Lords to revive Blue Eyes White Dragon!" Yuna continued with vigour, summoning the majestic dragon in white scales. [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 attack, 2500 Defence] "Then, I will summon Axe Dragonute and activate Polymerisation, fusing my Keeper of the Shrine and itself to fusion summon Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!!" [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 Attack, 2000 Defence] "I will y Card of Sanctity, and we will both draw until we have six cards!" She announced, replenishing her entire hand: "I will activate Polymerisation again, fusing Herald of Creation and Arkbrave Dragon in my hand to summon Mysterion the Dragon Crown!!" [Mysterion the Dragon Crown: 2800 Attack, 1500 Defence] [2] "Finally, by banishing Herald of Creation and Keeper of the Shrine, I summon Lightpulsar Dragon from my hand!" [Lightpulsar Dragon: 2500 Attack, 1500 Defence] [Mysterion the Dragon: 2800 -> 2600 Attack, 1500 Defence] "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, Blue Eyes White Dragon, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, Mysterion the Dragon Crown and Lightpulsar Dragon, all pieces in the puzzle were ready!!" Yuna announced. "Yuna!" The woman smiled: "Let''s do this together!" "Yeah!" Yuna eximed with a beaming smile. In unison, they red at their opponent and began to chant. WHOOOOOSH The energy around them intensified, and Yami Marik took a step back in shock. With each word, the darkness surrounding them began to dim, and light burst forth, illuminating the entire space. "Oh, the lord of this realm and the one that stands beside Holoactie, the Creator of Light! Please respond to our mortal hearts and use these sacrifices to descend from your heavenly domain! Grant us the strength to destroy this impending evil and fill thend with your merciful grace! I call upon you, oh Great God! The Creator of Beginning! The Ruler of all Dragons! WE SUMMON YOU, TEN THOUSAND DRAGON!!" BOOOOOOOM A loud explosion shook the entire tower. The five monsters on Yuna''s field instantly transformed into beams of light that shot towards the ceiling of the dome, creating five small holes that pierced through the darkness. The tower trembled once more, and cracks slowly formed along the walls of the barrier: "The shadow dome... Is breaking?" Yami Marik eximed in disbelief. BOOOOOOM Before he can register everything, a massive w bursts through the remnant of the barrier. Turning the hand, the w easily tears away the shadow dome created by the power of the Millennium Rod, and Yami Marik was able to get a full view of the monster''s proper form. The beast''s height easily outmatched the tower. Its upper body consisted of a torso, a pair of arms, wings and a head, while its lower body was long and slender, like a serpent that wrapped around the entirety of the tall structure. The dragon''s body was converted entirely of golden scales and white ting, resembling armour in each segment of its body. Its head was shaped like a dragon and a thick white mane on the back of its head. [Ten Thousand Dragon: ??? Attack, ??? Defence] "When summoned, Ten Thousand Dragon will have its attack and defence boosted to ten thousand and any monsters that aren''t dragon-typed or have the name dragon in their name will be destroyed!" [Ten Thousand Dragon: ??? -> 10000 Attack, ??? -> 10000 Defence] Yami Marik watched in disbelief as Ten Thousand Dragon opened its jaw and spewed a mystical fume. The smoke spread through the entire field, and Masked Beast Des Gardius, who inhaled the gas, instantly crumbled into dust.... "Now, Ten Thousand Dragon, attack!!" Yuna shouted with energy, and the God howled: "Destroy him once and for all!!" "It won''t end like this!!" Yami Marik yelled: "I will pay one thousand of my life points, transforming Winged Dragon of Ra into its ming phoenix mode!" [Marik Ishtar: 1600 LP -> 600 LP] The Winged Dragon of Ra cried and tried to spread mes across its entire body. However, the fire instantly extinguished, and the Egyptian god crashed weakly into the ground. "What is happening?!" He uttered: "Why won''t my god activate its effect!" Yuna: "As the true God, Ten Thousand Dragon won''t allow beings lower than itself to get in its way. The turn this card was summoned onto the field, all other monsters will have their effects negated, regardless if it was a God or not!" "Impossible... IMPOSSIBLE!" Yami Marik screamed, but Ten Thousand Dragon''s howl drowned out his voice. Suddenly, golden strings appeared from the sky, binding the Winged Dragon of Ra in ce. The Egyptian God was lifted into the air, and the thread slowly pulled the monster towards the dragon''s jaw... *CHOMP* The sound of the Ten Thousand Dragon''s grinding into the Egyptian God''s flesh could be heard, and the Winged Dragon of Ra screeched in agony before bursting into ash... "This can''t be...." Yami Marik muttered, his face paled. Turning its head, Ten Thousand Dragon nced at the small man. Gazing into the blood-red pupils, Yami Marik felt himself trapped in an endless abyss and a foreboding feeling washed over him. "Stay away..." He stammered: "Stay away from me!" He tried to run, but the golden threads shot towards him like bullets, wrapping around each of his limbs. Yami Marik howled and thrashed as the strings slowly dragged him before the presence of the almighty dragon. Ten Thousand Dragon roared, unleashing a golden beam from its mouth. Striking Yami Marik directly, the evil spirit shrieked as the divinity corroded his very being, gradually eradicating him from this realm. "NO0000000000000000000!!!!" He screeched: "NOT LIKE THISSSSSSSSSS!!!!" The devasting attack drowned out his voice, and the malicious spirit''s eyes darted wildly towards the perpetrator of his impending doom: "YOOUUUU THINK THIS IS OVER?!! I WILL BE BACK!!!!!!! REMEMBER THIS I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE!!!! YUUNNNAAAA SANNNNOOOOO!!!!" BOOOOOOOM [Marik Ishtar: 600 LP -> 0 LP] As the dust settled, there was absolute silence. The spectators gazed at the two duelists in utter shock, and none of them was able to say a single word... *Thud* The threads wrapping around Marik''s limbs vanished, and he fell to the ground. The towering monster that annihted Yami Marik slowly transformed into particles that floated into the sky as the afternoon sunset in once more. Yuna''s body swayed as she gasped for breath. The pain she suffered from Ra still left a lingering sensation, making her entire body numb. Despite this, all Yuna could do was smile, relieved that she managed to survive this terrifying ordeal... "We did it..." She muttered and searched for the woman but realised that she had already disappeared. As the tension that kept her adrenaline in action left, Yuna''s legs gave out. However, before her head hit the floor, she felt her body being supported by someone. Weakly opening her eyes, Yuna smiled at the man who had caught her. "Kai....ba...." "Tsk...." Seto clicked his teeth at Yuna''s dishevelled state: "You truly are an idiot." He scolded, and Yuna giggled at his uratement. "Does it hurt?" She paused at the question and carefully moved the joints in her body: "Not... Anymore..." Yuna shook her head and muttered as if the searing pain she was feeling earlier was a mere dream. "I see..." Seto replied: "You did good..." Yuna stared at him in disbelief at the praise. She felt her heart tinged with a sense of warmness, and her lips broke into a soft smile. Seeing her beaming face, Seto smirked: "Rest now, I will take it from here." "Nn..." Yuna nodded and closed her eyes. Eventually, losing to her drowsiness, she drifted off to sleep. Gently shifting her into a morefortable position, Seto examined her sleeping form and gritted his teeth: "You indeed are a fool... Why do you always have to do this..." Looking at the sky, Seto sighed deeply. There were so many questions he wanted to ask the girl that suddenly dropped into his life. Yet right now, although he doesn''t want to admit it, Seto''s d that Yuna was safe... I hope you enjoy it!!!! What do you guys think of Ten Thousand Dragon''s effect? Considering its difficult summoning requirement, I think that it befits to have these powerful effects. [1] It was many turns after, so his life points obviously won''t be the same, so I chose a believable value. [2] Mysterion the Dragon Crown loses one hundred attacks for each monster of Yuna''s banished monsters. Since two were already banished to summon Darkre dragon, it will be weakened upon summon. Chapter 59: Loss and Reconciliation Chapter 59: Loss and Reconciliation ? Hi guys, I will apologise again for the dy. Happy New Year!! (I want to say it once more). From the speed of this story, I think I can finish it at the end of this year? But we will see... [Yuna''s POV] "Where am I this time..." I mumbled and slowly opened my eyes, finding myself under the shade of a massive tree and lying on thefortable soft grass: "My subconsciousness?" I blurted out upon noticing this familiarndscape. Standing up, I quietly stepped into the sunlight and observed the scenery with a serene feeling: "Speaking off, where is everyone..." I mumbled. *THUD* I was suddenly swept off my feet as something hard struck my back: "Yuna!!!" A soft voice eximed with relief, and I felt two arms wrapping tightly around me. Glimpsing at the woman behind me, my smile widened, and I returned the embrace. After a while, she broke away and pouted: "Do you know how worried I was!" Sulking, she reached out her hand and pulled on my cheeks. "Sorry..." I apologised, and the woman reluctantly let go. "You should be. If it weren''t for me, you would''ve already died by now!" She said sternly. "Yes, yes, I am very grateful that you''re here to look after me." I smiled while rubbing my sore face: "If it weren''t for you, I wouldn''t know what to do." "Hmph, that''s right!" The woman''s nose twitched, and she nodded proudly. As we smiled at each other, the silence began to drag out, and I sensed the atmosphere bing strangely solemn. The smile on the woman''s face gradually disappeared, and she bit her lips wistfully: "Yuna... I don''t think I can help you anymore." I froze, and I stared at her with wide eyes: "What are you saying.... Is it because I keep getting myself into these situations?! I''m sorry, please don''t leave. I promise I will do better!" "No, no, no!" The woman hurriedly waved her arms: "I don''t care about that!" "Then!" Examining my panic-stricken face, the woman chuckled: "Yuna, have you ever thought about what kind of existent am I?" "Uhhh.... I always thought that you''re like my guardian angel, like that magical cricket from the cartoons!" I answered honestly. "Ugh... Thatparison..." She groaned. Sighing, the woman smiled wryly: "Unfortunately, I believed you''re not ready yet, so the best response I could give you was that I''m a remnant of an ancient past that''s currently residing in your unconsciousness." "That''s still pretty vague, though..." I muttered nkly, and she awkwardly scratched her face. "But other than that!" I frantically stood up: "You still haven''t exined why you have to leave!" "Fu fu fu..." The woman patted my head: "I have used too much strength to manifest into the physical world, and protecting your soul from the Winged Dragon of Ra, I no longer have the energy to maintain myself here." Slowly, she lifted her arm, pulling back her sleeve; I gasped in shock at the cracks running along her limbs. "No way..." I gasped, on the verge of tears: "Then it''s all my fault..." *TAP* I winced as the woman flicked my forehead: "Don''t ever say that. I could never let you die." Suddenly, I was pulled into an embrace, and she slowly stroked my head. I hesitantly reached out with my arms but was too scared that her fragile body would break under my strength, and my hands hung loosely in the air, unable to move. "Don''t ever me yourself. As long as you''re safe, I''m happy." She said. "Why?" I sniffed and wiped my tears: "You''re not my mom or anything, so why am I so important to you?" " ~Well, you will find that out soon- " The woman teased lightly, and I felt annoyed by the nonchnt response. "I will miss you..." I murmured: "It''s going to be lonely without you..." "But you''re not alone, though?" The woman gestured with her chin, and I turned around to find two dragons timidly observing me: "So smile; it''s not the end of the world." I tried to smile, but my lips kept drooping down. Noticing this, she giggled in resignation: "How about this, if you keep thinking it''s your fault, then will you do one thing me to call it even?" "Yes, of course!" I answered eagerly: "Anything for you!" "Call me by my name." I froze and stared at her in shock. Sheughed and waited with anticipation as she urged me with her hands. Although I wanted to shout that she was asking for too little, her demeanour had already shown me that she had made up her mind, and there was nothing I could do to change it. Averting my gaze in embarrassment, I nervously utter the name that was in the back of my mind all this time: "K... Kisara..." Instantly, her smile bloomed like a majestic flower, and she removed her veil, revealing a set of beautiful blue eyes: "Let me introduce myself again. My name is Kisara. Unfortunately, I don''t have ast name, but it''s a pleasure to meet you. ~" "Why do you hide your identity?" I find myself asking out loud: "I don''t think it should mess up anything if you tell me who you are, right?" "Well..." Kisaraughed embarrassingly: "I always thought it was a little cool to y a mysterious character...." "Hey, don''t look at me like that!" she yelled while blushing: "If you have already known, why haven''t you said anything?!" "I do have an inkling of suspicion since there''s not a lot of people with white hair..." I answered: "Also, you looked like you were having fun, so I decided to keep my mouth shut..." "Ah, my image..." Kisara copsed on all fours: "The elegant and mysterious image I perfectly crafted is in tatters..." ''It was destroyed a long time ago when I first woke up here...'' I thought and coughed awkwardly. "Don''t worry, I won''t tell anyone," I assured and patted her shoulders: "Your secret is safe with me." Kisara grabbed my hands and stared at me with eyes full of trust: "I know I can depend on you, Yuna!" ncing at her sparkling face, I chuckled at how fast she ditched her elegant persona, and I couldn''t help but think of all the times I acted differently with other peoplepared to being by myself. Suddenly, as she held my hands, Kisara''s body began to glow. Stunned, she observed her hands and her lower body begin to disintegrate into tiny particles of golden light. "Wha... what''s happening!" I yelled shakily. "Looks like it''s time..." Kisara muttered before smiling wryly: "Yuna, I wished I could have stayed longer, but fate said otherwise." "No, you can''t leave!" I pleaded desperately: "I needed you!" However, Kisara giggled and shook her head: "No, you don''t.... You never needed me; the reason that you''re where you are was due to your efforts, not mine." "Stand proud, Yuna, you are strong." Kisara smiled brightly, and I clenched my fists, holding back the tears. "Oh wait, I forgot to tell you onest thing." She smirked: "This is a question you will probably ask me in the future; I will answer it now. I don''t mind if you take him because....." Her words trailed off as Kisara''s voice quietened. "Huh, I can''t hear you. Who am I taking!?" I questioned in confusion. "I said," Kisara brought her hands close to her mouth: "I don''t mind you..." Her voice died out again, and realising that I could no longer hear her, Kisara closed her mouth. With a sigh, she smiled brightly as if it couldn''t be helped. "Just you wait. The next time you see me, I''m going to be much stronger!!" I yelled. She listened andughed, although no sounds came from herughter... With one final wave, Kisara has disappeared... Staring at the ground where Kisara previously stood, I dug my nails into my palm to control my swirling emotions. Suddenly, something nudged me, and I nced at Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand with its head lowered next to me. Hugging the dragon and burying my face in its neck, I sighed in sadness: "Kisara...." I mumbled in despair, and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand groaned with concern. Gradually, I felt my consciousness wading. Realising I was leaving my subconsciousness, I thought about what was going to happen in the real world. I''m definitely going to cry a lot when I wake up... Let''s hope nobody sees it.... Meanwhile... [3rd POV] "Why hasn''t she woke up yet?" Seto snarled at the doctor, who was sweating nervously. "I... I''m sorry! But, no matter how much we examined her, we couldn''t find anything wrong with the patient''s body!" The doctor exined nervously. "Tsk..." Seto''s mood worsened considerably: "Just get out of my sight..." Once the doctor hurriedly retreated out of the room, he quietly observed the unconscious girl on the bed. Sighing, Seto closed his eyes as he remembered the indescribable duel that happened two days ago. [sh Back] The atmosphere was bathed in deafening silence as everyone stared at the massive dark barrier withplicated emotions. "Hick... Big Sister..." Serenity whimpered as the anxiety overwhelmed her. It had already been some time since the dome was erected, and nobody could see anything inside. Finally, unable to bear it, Seto marched towards Ishizu and Odion with intimidating pressure. "Tell me how to remove that thing." He ordered. Ishizu calmly scrutinised Seto''s expression and briefly nced at Odion as they nodded at each other: "What the evil spirit within my brother has created was a Shadow Game. It was a duel created through a battle of sorcery, and outsiders could not intervene." "Shadow Game, sorcery and evil spirit?" Seto fumed: "Don''t bullsh*t with me! Destroy that barrier this instant!" "Kaiba, calm down." Seto clicked his teeth and glimpsed at Yami Yugi, who approached from behind: "I know it''s very hard to believe, but what she said is all true." "Yugi..." Suddenly, he grasped his cor with anger: "You''re sprouting that nonsense as well?!" In aposed manner, Yami Yugi grabbed Seto''s wrist: "Kaiba, I understand that you''re concerned about Sano-san''s safety, but we must be patient." Listening to Yami Yugi''s remark, Seto froze: "Me... Me concerned about her?" Stepping back, he exined flusteredly: "I''m only bothered by how long this duel will take and if we can finish everything within schedule!" pping Yami Yugi''s hand away, Seto hurriedly retreated to Mokuba''s side, his head lowered to hide his embarrassed expression. BOOOOOM Suddenly, the entire tower rumbled deeply, and everyone was caught off guard: "Tsk... What''s happening now?!" Seto shouted. "This.... This isn''t possible." Everyone swung their heads towards Ishizu. Her pupils were unfocused, and her body shook in nervousness: "Such energy... To reach this level...." ROOOOAAAARRRRR A thunderous roar echoed through the entire ind, clutching their ears; the spectators couldn''t fathom what being had unleashed such a devastating cry. "Brother, look!" Seto spun around from Mokuba''s exmation and gasped. Slowly, rising from the edge of the tower was a massive head of a dragon. The dragon''s red pupils glowed ominously as the rest of its upper body was fully raised above the tower, disying its majestic white mane, wings and ws. "What in the world...." Tea mumbled while shaking in fright. ''Other me, what''s happening!'' Yugi asked frantically as Yami Yugi stared at the dragon in a daze. "There should only be three Gods...." Yami Yugi mumbled: "But that one has a stronger energy than all three!" Yugi''s eyes widened, and ever since he had known his other self, this was the first time that Yami Yugi had ever been frightened. The dragon howled, and everybody covered their ears from the noise. It raised its arm and smashed into the dark dome, piercing through the barrier like its paper. BOOOOOOM Cracks ran along the dome, and the shell exploded, finally revealing what was inside: "Big Sister!" Serenity yelled upon seeing Yuna standing on the field. Strangely, relief washed over Seto, and he let go of the breath he had been holding this entire time. Suddenly, his eyes widened as he gazed at Yuna and noticed another woman standing beside her. Seto clutched his head as a sharp headache assaulted him. Kneeling, he groaned in pain. Gritting his teeth, Setostare at the woman once more and found out that she had already disappeared... "Ten Thousand Dragon!" He snapped out of his daze when Yuna shouted: "Attack!!" The dragon roared, and to everyone''s absolute disbelief, Ten Thousand Dragon picked up the Winged Dragon of Ra and devoured the Egyptian God in one bite. Even when the match finished, Ten Thousand Dragon continued to move, attacking Yami Marik with a deadly beam, and the people watching began to think that it was more than just a simple virtual illusion... [sh Back End] For thest two days, Seto researched extensively on the monster Yuna had summoned. However, no matter how much he searched, the result would always return empty, as it was a card that he had never seen before... Even when he secretly searched through Yuna''s deck, the card of that monster vanished without a trace. "K.... Kaiba?" Seto instantly snapped out of his daze at the sound of someone calling his name. On then/?/vel/b//in dot c//om hospital bed, Yuna slowly opened her eyes, and she groaned in the difort all over her body: "How long.... was I... asleep?" "Two days." Seto answered: "Do you need anything?" "Water.... please..." Yuna croaked. To her relief, heplied and handed her a cup filled with water from the nearby dispenser. Carefully sipping the water, she sighed with relief as the cool liquid refreshed her dried throat. "Have a rest, and I will go get the doctor," Seto exined. However, before he took a step further, Yuna grabbed the end of his sleeve and stopped him in his tracks. "What is it?" He frowned. "Kaiba...." Yuna called out hesitantly: "Have.... you... lost someone close.... before?" Confused, Seto thought about her question and responded solemnly: "There''s no one in particr that''s ever "close" in my life other than my brother." "That... so...." She mumbled, clearly disheartened. "Now that I think about it..." Seto found himself speaking despite not wanting to: "When we were young and living in my fa.... Gozaburo''s mansion, there was an old caretaker who looked after us. She treated us more warmly than everyone else, so I always had a favourable impression of that woman." "Wh... what happened?" She probed, wanting to know more. "It obviously didn''t go unnoticed, and Gozaburo fired her as he assumed she would be a hindrance to my studies. It was onlyter on I found out that she passed away shortly after that incident." "How did.... it feel?" "That..." his eyes narrowed: "I don''t remember. Naturally, the news saddened me, but that was it." Is that all of your questions?" "Y... yes..." Yuna muttered stiffly, and her disappointment didn''t escape Seto''s observant gaze. To his shock, she suddenly leaned forward, nting her face into his stomach. Caught off guard by her actions, Seto''s body tensed, and his face contorted into a scowl: "What do you think you''re...." *Drip Drip* The sound of droplets hitting the cold floor resonated faintly in the quiet room. Gradually, he felt his shirt dampened with tears, and his hand that tried to push Yuna away froze in midair. Grasping his shirt, Yuna quietly cried, pouring all of her suppressed emotions out like a raging river. Kisara''sst moment was still vivid in her mind, and no matter what she did, the tears refused to end. It was the first time Yuna had felt this much anguish, and her heart couldn''t handle this pain. For Yuna, Kisara was like her "Big Sister", someone whom she couldfortably talk to and who would always look after her, keeping her out of danger. So, with Kisara gone, what would be Yuna''s fate now? Suddenly, as she wept, Yuna felt warmth on her head. Opening her eyes, she saw Seto gently stroking her hair; his expression was cold, but Yuna could sense the gentleness in his action. "Kai...ba...." She uttered in surprise. Seto sighed: "I won''t ask what made you cry like this, and you don''t have to listen." He spoke dully: "But everything would be alright." "Ah..." Yuna''s eyes widened slightly. Although Seto''s words were short, they were the exact things she wanted to hear the most... "So don''t cry anymore...." He muttered, and Yuna nodded. As ten minutes passed by, Yuna was finally able to control her emotions and backed away from Seto. ncing at the dark stain on his shirt, Yuna stared at her hands, and her face reddened with embarrassment. "Wipe your face," Seto ordered as he tossed her a handkerchief: "If you don''t need me anymore, I''m leaving." Holding the soft fabric in her hands, Yuna felt the temperature on her face rise again: "Kaiba!" she yelled with her head lowered: "Thank... Thank you!!" "Hmph," Seto snorted and covered his mouth, which kept trying to raise into a smile. *CLATTER* Suddenly, Seto and Yuna recoiled at the piercing sound of something hitting the floor. With a scowl, he stared at the two children, gasping in shock. Their hands were suspended in the air as the metal tray full of snacks they were holding. "Big... Sister?" Serenity mumbled, and tears welled up in her eyes: "WAAAAAHHHHHH BIG SISTER!!!!" "Big Sister...." Mokuba''s lips trembled: "Did big sister really wake up?" Smiling wryly, Yuna spread her arms, and the children leapt onto the bed, tightly clinging onto her from both sides. Clicking his teeth, Seto frowned at the mess Serenity and Mokuba made as he instinctively wanted to order the two to leave. However, when Seto witnessed Yuna smiling with joy, his thoughts wavered, and he unclenched his fists: "You have been through a lot... Rest well." With that, he quietly left the room as the sound of three people crying reverberated behind him... A few Hours Later... "Hey, hey, if it has been a few hours now, are you still going to keep hanging onto the patient?" Noah scowled with discontent. Yuna chuckled and shrugged as Noah''s words merely made Mokuba and Serenity hug harder, and she couldn''t bear to reject while being under their whimpering gazes. Thest couple of hours were uneventful, and the doctors thoroughly examined Yuna. Thankfully, she had suffered no severe injuries, well, injuries that could be detected from the medical devices, at least... With the remainder of the time, she asked about what happened shortly after her duel. Mokuba exined that both she and Marik were unconscious and sent to the infirmary. Marik seemed to have woken up much earlier than she had, and around that time, Joey and Bakura had also recovered. Despite Serenity not wanting to admit it, it was evident that a great weight was lifted off her chest. Suddenly, they all heard footsteps in the hallway, and a knock swiftly arrived on the infirmary''s door. Since Yuna was told to stay in bed, Mokuba went and opened the door for her, but he instantly froze upon the three figures standing outside. "May wee in?" Ishizu asked with her usual soft tone, and Mokuba blinked nkly while making room for her to enter. Naturally, following behind the woman was Odion and, of course.... Marik... "Serenity... Mokuba.... Noah... Please leave..." Yuna calmly requested. The three immediately wanted to protest, but under her firm gaze, they had no choice but to exit the room obediently. As the sound of the door closing resonated behind her, Ishizu approached the bed and smiled: "I''m d you''re alright, Miss Sano; you have given us quite the scare." "Thanks to your bravery, the foul spirit that gued my brother''s mind has been eradicated.... If it wasn''t for you...." Unable to finish, she kneeled, cing her hand over her chest in a deep bow, her head almost touching the floor. The two Ishtar brothers stared at their sisters in shock: "Sister, what are you doing?" Marik uttered in disbelief. "Odion Ishtar, Marik Ishtar, I order you to bow this instant!" Ishizu''s stern shout triggered the childhood instinct in the men''s hearts, and they frantically followed after her and knelt on one knee. "For saving the heir of the Tomb Keepers and my family, the Ishtars will forever be Miss Sano''s debt, and we shall follow any orders thedy has." Odion: "We shall follow...." Marik: "W... We shall follow..." "What..." Yuna''s eyes bulged in disbelief, and she hurriedly waved her arms in a panic at the deration that seemed to be executed on a whim: "I can''t... It''s too much..." Straightening her body, Ishizu''s eyes were full of amusement as if she had heard something unbelievable: "Despite being ancient Tomb Keepers, the Ishtars still have significant wealth and political influence in the modern world, so almost everyone wanted to have a good rtionship with us. This is the first time that someone has rejected my sincere offer..." "Are... you mad?" Yuna asked hesitantly and sneakily crawled to the other end of the bed. "Quite the contrary," Ishizu smiled: "It convinced me that my decision wasn''t a foolish one. So don''t feel stressed by this gift." "O... Okay..." Yuna eventually nodded. "Good." Ishizu grinned with satisfaction: "Other than that, there is another purpose for our visit." ncing at Odion, they both nodded and quietly exited the room, leaving Marik and Yuna alone. As the door closed, the atmosphere instantly turned quiet: ''This is too awkward...'' They thought in unison. "Um...." Marik rubbed the back of his neck: "About what...." Instantly, he held his breath as a suffocating pressure swept through the room. Behind Yuna was a vast shadow that covered the entire side of the wall. Gradually, two pairs of pupils took shape, one small and yellow like the nectar of a flower while the other sharp and red like blood. Marik felt himself having difficulty breathing, and he grasped his chest in difort. Noticing the presence, Yuna raised her hand, and the shadow vanished: "Marik..." She muttered softly: "Why?" ''Why....'' Marik repeated the word in his head, unable toprehend her intention. Yuna stared at him calmly and crossed her arms. "We both... know.... not everything could... be med on the spirit...." Marik flinched and gazed at the floor. He couldn''t formte any words and shamefully bit his lips. "You... killed...." "You.... swindled...." "You... stole...." Each word was like a sharp knife stabbing into Marik''s chest, and Yuna red coldly: "You also hurt.... people I.... cared about...." "So... Why..." She clenched her fist: "Why... do you... do it?" Marik''s heart churned in disgrace: "Because I was blinded by revenge, and I became a selfish, greedy and cruel person... I''m not asking for forgiveness for what I have done, but I genuinely regret my actions... I know it''s impossible to fix the damages I have done, but no matter how difficult the future is, if it can even heal a little bit of the destruction, I will dly walk it." "Yuna Sano..." Marik bowed: "I''m sorry....." Yuna stared at Marik with aplicated emotion. Despite wanting to berate him, she also knew his past, and she felt unsure of how to act: "Do you....truly promise?" With determination, Marik took out his Millennium Rod and held it between them: "I shall, and I will prove it to you right now...." "In the name of Marik Ishtar, I will create this shadow game. In this game, the yer Marik Ishtar should never break his promise to Yuna Sano. If the vow was broken, I will lose, and my soul will be forfeit to the great darkness." Instantly, the artifact shined, and Yuna frowned as she sensed an ominous power, but the energy disappeared before it could envelop the room. "I hope this has demonstrated my resolve." Marik answered calmly: "If I ever stray from this path, I will die." Yuna gulped at this recklessness and was momentarily impressed: "I still... haven''t... forgiven you..." "I understand." He nodded: "It''s foolish of me if I wished for you to forgive me." With nothing left to say, they stood opposite of one another, trying to gauge the other person''s emotions. Eventually, Marik remembered another matter and dug into his pocket: "I forgot, but I will give you this." Grabbing the card from his hand, Yuna scowled deeply upon seeing the image of the giant golden-winged chicken: "I know it must have been difficult for you to ept this card, but Winged Dragon of Ra can greatly help you in your future duels." Tightly clutching the card between her fingers, Yuna recalled all of the painful memories of the Egyptian God''s attack, and she subconsciously trembled. However, knowing that Marik was right, she bit her lips and sulkily tossed the card away: "Fine..." Marik''s face stiffened slightly at the mistreatment of the Egyptian God but still exined with a smile: "Here''s also the inscription for Winged Dragon of Ra''s chant. You must memorise it to wield God''s full power." As Yuna stored the scroll somewhere safe, Marik coughed, unable to endure under her cold eyes: "It will be best if I return to my sister''s side. I sincerely hope for your recovery and your victory in the next battle... I will say this again... I''m really sorry..." "Marik... wait..." Yuna suddenly said, and his hand stopped on the doorknob. Gesturing him toe closer, Yuna brought her hands to her chest, and when they were face to face, she smiled. Marik blushed at her beautiful appearance, as he had never noticed it before, and he felt his heart beating slightly. However, her following words shook him from that dream. "This is... for... hurting... Mokuba." She uttered with a lifeless smile, and before Marik could register what was happening, she swung her arm with a blinding speed... Outside Yuna''s room, Odion and Ishizu patiently waited for Marik''s return. In their hearts, they were anxious that their little brother was going to do something stupid, but they decided to put their trust in him. As Marik eventually stepped out of the room, they were stunned by the state of his face; half of it was entirely swollen with a bright red mark on his cheek, and when Marik opened his mouth, a small trail of blood dripped down from his lips. Ishizu/Odion: ''What in the world happened in there....'' I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 60: Last Battle of Battle City Chapter 60: Last Battle of Battle City ? [3rd POV] After waking up, Yuna''s strength swiftly returned to her body, and in the evening, she had fully recovered. However, Seto still wasn''t convinced and postponed the match for another day, much to herint. With the free time, Yuna begins to prepare herself for the final battle, one that''s possibly more difficult than the duel against Yami Marik... A dayter... "Sano-san, are you sure you''re alright?" Yugi asked worriedly. Feeling her confidence surge from the exhration of the uing duel, Yuna smiled and nodded: "Thanks for your concern, but I''m okay now." "I''m d," Yugi replied, smiling with relief. As the two duellists smiled at each other, the spectators were fervently discussing the oue of the uing battle. "What do you guys think? Will Yugi win this time?" Joey curiously asked his friends. Tristan shrugged: "Who knows? Sano-san is super strong, after all." "Hmph, of course, Big Sister will win!" Serenity said with confidence. "Hey, Tea, who do you think will...." Joey held his breath and was frightened by Tea''s cold demeanour. "The two sure areughing happily, huh..." She muttered with an emotionless expression. Joey gulped, and he quietly backed away from her. However, as soon as he does, he senses another chilling pressure and hesitantly turns around, seeing Seto scowling: "The hell is that midget smiling at..." ''What in the world is wrong with these two?'' Joey thought to himself and decided to stay away from them so he wouldn''t get caught up in whatever was happening... "Are the two duellists ready!?" Rnd''s loud voice brought everyone''s focus back onto the duel. On the field, Yugi took a deep breath, and Yuna sensed a power powerful energy emitting from the Millennium Puzzle. Once he opened his eyes, she could tell that the normal Yugi had disappeared, and she was now facing the ancient pharaoh. "Let''s have a great battle." Yami Yugi grinned: "I have be strongerpared to thest time we duelled. "Of course," Yuna replied: "But I want to keep my title and have no nning to lose it!" "DUEL!" X2 [Yugi Mutou: 4000 LP] [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP] "I will go first!" Yami Yugi eximed: "First, I will summon Queen''s Knight in attack position and set two cards. Then I end my turn." [Queen''s Knight: 1500 Attack, 1600 Defence] "It''s my turn," Yuna dered: "I will y Card Destruction, and we sent our entire hand to the graveyard before drawing the same number of cards. Next, I will activate Return of the Dragon Lords, summoning Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from my graveyard!" "Already?!" Yami Yugi eximed in shock, and a ferocious presence immediately dominated the field: "It''s my oversight for not expecting something like this..." [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Well, I''m not cking off this time," Yuna smiled: "Now, upon resurrecting, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand will activate its ability and banish Queen''s Knight on the field, then it will gain attack and defence equal to Queen''s Knight''s level multiplied by one hundred!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3200 Attack, 2800 -> 3200 Defence] "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, attack Yugi directly!" She shouted, and the dragon responded to her orders with a roar. "I will activate my trap card, Mirror Force!" Yami Yugi interjected and revealed the set trap on his field: "When your monster deres an attack, I will be able to destroy all monsters on your field that are in attack position!" Before the attack struck, a blue shield deflected Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s ws before firing a stream of me that swept the dragon away. Although feeling disappointed by the failed attempt, the smile on Yuna''s face remained: "I will set a card and end my turn; that was a good move, Yugi." "Thank you," Yami Yugi chuckled: "Let''s keep going, I will draw!" "Before you enter your Main Phase, I will activate the effect of Arkbrave Dragon in my graveyard! When Arkbrave Dragon was sent into the graveyard, on the next stand-by phase, I could revive one level seven or eight dragon monster! I summon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Since you have no monsters on your field or graveyard, I can''t activate Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s effect." Yuna smirked and crossed her arms: "You can continue, Yugi." Yami Yugi''s expression stiffened slightly: "I will summon Berfomet." [Berfomet: 1400 Attack, 1800 Defence] "When Berfomet is summoned, I can add Gazelle, the King of Mystical Beast, to my hand." He exined: "Then, I will y Polymerisation, fusing my Beformet and Gazelle, the King of Mystical Beast, to fusion-summon, Chimera the Flying Mystical Beast!" Two beasts suddenly appeared and roared in unison. Gradually, the animals merged, creating a two-headed monster with wings. [Chimera the Flying Mystical Beast: 2100 Attack, 1800 Defence] "The fusion monster will be summoned in defence-position. Then I will set a card and end my turn." ''He fusion summoned a much weaker monster than Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand...'' Yuna frowned, and her eyes shed with a realisation: ''I see. It''s battle city, which meant that Chimera, the Flying Mystical Beast, counted as two tributes....'' "I will enter my battle phase, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, attack!" The Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand charged, and the Chimera''s body tensed on the impact. BOOOOM With a single breath, Chimera, the Flying Mystical Beast, was incinerated: "When Chimera the Flying Mystical Beast is destroyed, I can special-summon either Beformet or Gazelle, the King of Mystical Beast, from the graveyard. I will choose Beformet and summon the monster in the defence position." "Also, I will activate Soul Rope and pay one thousand life points to special summon Breaker, the Magical Warrior from my graveyard!" [Berformet: 1400 Attack, 1800 Defence] [Yugi Mutou: 4000 LP -> 3000 LP] [Breaker the Magical Warrior: 1600 Attack, 1000 Defence] "That''s fine," Yuna shrugged: "When Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand destroys a monster in battle, I can target a level-seven or eight dragon in the graveyard and summon it onto the field. I will choose my Arkbrave Dragon!" [Arkbrave Dragon: 2400 Attack, 2000 Defence] "Now, when Arkbrave Dragon is revived, I can banish all of your traps, and it will gain two hundred attacks for each card banished!" "That won''t be possible!" Yami Yugi interrupted: "I will activate my trap, Dark Renewal; when my opponent summons a monster, I can send that monster and a spell caster monster I control to the graveyard. Then I can bring back a spell caster monster from my grave!" Breaker, the Magical Warrior, pointed its sword at Arkbrave Dragon, and a beam of light shot from the tip of the weapon. The light struck the dragon, generating a blinding explosion that destroyed the two monsters on the field. "Now, I will special-summon my Dark Magician that I discarded earlier from your Card Destruction!" Yuna was momentarily caught off guard before frowning at the convenience of the power of the Pharoah. [Dark Magician: 2500 Attack, 2100 Defence] "Then I''m ending my battle phase." She continued: "I y Foolish Burial, sending my Blue Eyes White Dragon into my graveyard from my deck. After that, I will set a card and end my turn." "It''s my turn! I will draw!" Yami Yugi shouted with vigour. ncing at the card, his eyes gleamed with tion, and his expression didn''t go unnoticed. "Wait!" Yuna yelled: "Since you sent my Arkbrave Dragon back to the graveyard, its effect will trigger once more, and I will revive my Blue Eyes White Dragon!!" "Such a troublesome monster," Yami Yugi grumbled with a smile as the roar shook the tower and the sound of a huge figurending could be heard. Blue Eyes White Dragon stretched its wings and howled as Yuna smiled wryly and remembered a certain girl. [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] However, the smile soon disappeared when Yuna felt a bad premonition in her heart, and she immediately understood why: ''A God... Yugi will definitely summon a God this turn.'' Unfortunately for Yuna, her thoughts became a reality as Yami Yugi began to y: "I will first activate Double Summon, allowing me to normal summon twice this turn!" "Next, I will summon my Celtic Guardian in attack position!" He yelled, summoning an elf knight who proudly disyed his sword. [Celtic Guardian: 1400 Attack, 1200 Defence] "Now, all the conditions have been met!" Yami Yugi shouted, raising his hand into the air: "With three sacrifices, I will call upon the almighty God, Obelisk the Tormentor!!" A massive gust of wind swept through the field, and Yuna shielded her eyes from clouds of dust. As a dark portal consumed the three monsters on Yami Yugi''s side, a colossal blue humanoid rose from the shadow. The giant bellowed and clenched its fists, exerting a menacing pressure that made Yuna tense. [Obelisk the Tormentor: 4000 Attack, 4000 Defence] "Obelisk the Tormentor, attack Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" Yami Yugi ordered, and the Egyptian Godshed out with its fists. BOOOOM [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP -> 2800 LP] As Obelisk the Tormentor retracted its arms, Yami Yugi was surprised when Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand unfurled its wings, revealing its healthy body: "I know it wouldn''t be that easy...." Yuna smiled: "I will banish Return of the Dragon Lords from my graveyard and prevent Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from being destroyed. "Hmph, very well. I will set a card and end my turn." Staring at Obelisk''s massive frame, Yuna grumbled: "Does every duel I y now have to involve a God?" Sighing, she swept her hand over her bangs: "My turn, draw!" "First, I activate Pot of Greed and draw two cards from my deck." She announced: "Next, I summon Dragon Knight of Creation!" [Dragon Knight of Creation: 1800 Attack, 600 Defence] "With Dragon Knight of Creation''s effect, I can discard one card. Then I will send Dragon Knight of Creation and resurrect a level-seven or eight dragons from my graveyard, and I will summon Arkbrave Dragon!" [Arkbrave Dragon: 2400 Attack, 2000 Defence] "When Arkbrave Dragon is summoned, I can activate its effect and banish all of your set traps or spells!" The dragon roared, and the green emerald on its head unleashed a devasting beam that wiped out Yami Yugi''s entire back-row as the card flipped over, revealing the dangerous Magical Cylinder that made her sigh with relief. "With each card banished, Arkbrave Dragon will also gain two hundred attacks." [Arkbrave Dragon: 2400 -> 2600 Attack, 2000 Defence] "I will set a card and end my turn here." As Yami Yugi watched Yuna uneventfully ending her turn, his brows subconsciously furrowed: ''What is she nning....'' ''What should we do?'' The real Yugi asked. Despite having a God on their side, the two still couldn''t feel assured. ''I don''t know...'' "First, I will activate Card of Sanctity, and we will both draw until we have six cards in our hands." Yami Yugi exined while they both drew six cards: "Next, I will summon Feral Imp!" [Feral Imp: 1300 Attack, 1400 Defence] "Then, I will bring back my Dark Magician through Monster Reborn!" [Dark Magician: 2500 Attack, 2100 Defence] ''If she''s hiding something, we will just force her to reveal it to us!'' "I will enter my battle phase and activate Obelisk, the Tormentor''s greatest ability, Soul Energy Max!!" Yami Yugi shouted, and the pupils of the Egyptian God shone ominously: "By tributing my Feral Imp and Dark Magician, Obelisk the Tormentor will unlock its true power, raising its attack to be infinite!" [Obelisk the Tormentor: 4000 ->¡Þ Attack, 4000 Defence] "I... Infinite attack points?!" Serenity yelped: "How is Big Sister going to defeat that?" "How is that even possible? There''s no way a monster can get that strong!" Mokuba uttered in disbelief: "Big Brother, is she going to lose?" Seto stared at Obelisk the Tormentor with a frown. He couldn''t even think of an immediate strategy to destroy such a powerful monster. However... ''If it''s her, she can do it.'' Seto thought to himself, and of course, he didn''t say it out loud. Sure enough, his expectations weren''t shattered as Yuna swiftly responded to Yami Yugi''s assault. "Obelisk the Tormentor, attack Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" Yami Yugi shouted: "Use your Fist of Fury!" Yuna stared at the Egyptian God, and the giant''s fists plummeted like a ming meteor: "I will activate Honest in my hand! When a Light Monster I controls battle, I can discard this card, and that monster gains an attack equal to the attack it''s battling!!" BOOOOOOOOM Obelisk the Tormentor struck, creating a vast explosion that coated the field with dark smoke. WOOOSH With a p of its wings, the smoke was swept away, and Yami Yugi instinctively held his breath. Blocking the Egyptian God''s fists was Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand; the dragon howled and sent Obelisk the Tormentor stumbling backwards. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> Attack, 2800 Defence] Enraged, Obelisk the Tormentor bellowed and attacked again as the dragon countered with its breath. In a thunderous detonation, the two monsters were caught in the st and with a blinding light, they were wiped from the field. "Obelisk the Tormentor, a monster with infinite attack, was defeated..." Yami Yugi mumbled; slowly, his lips raised into a grin, and heughed: "Kaiba was right... This duel... is so fun...." "I''m having a lot of fun as well...." Yuna smiled. "That''s good to hear," He chuckled and closed his mouth, staring at her quietly. This feeling... it was strangely nostalgic... Shaking his head, Yami Yugi snapped out of his daze: "Let''s continue. After the battle phase, I will set a card and end my turn." "My turn; I will draw and battle immediately!" Yuna shouted: "Blue Eyes White Dragon and Arkbrave Dragon, attack Yugi''s life points directly!" "You activated my trap card, Eternal Soul!" Yami Yugi countered: "This will allow me to special summon my Dark Magician from the graveyard,e forth my most trusted ally!" [Dark Magician: 2500 Attack, 2100 Defence] "With Dark Magician, I will summon him in defence position and shield me from one of your dragons'' attacks!" Dark Magician knelt on one knee while Arkbrave Dragon soared into the sky. Diving down, the dragon attacked the mage, andpared to physical prowess, Dark Magician swiftly fell. "Now, Blue Eyes White Dragon, attack!" Yuna yelled, and Yami Yugi hurriedly revealed the card in his hand: "That won''t be happening! I reveal my Kuriboh! By discarding Kuriboh, I will take no damage from your Blue Eyes White Dragon!" Blue Eyes White Dragon roared and unleashed a white beam. Suddenly, a small brown furry creature appeared, standing bravely between the path of the attack. BOOOOOM As the explosion settled, Yami Yugi stood calmly, undamaged. Yuna sighed: "Then I will set one more card. and end my turn here." She announced. In her head, Yuna calcted the type of cards Yami Yugi still had in his deck: ''Slowly, if I keep being careful, I can whittle him down enough....'' However, before she could even get to that level, there were still a few hurdles she had to cross. "I will draw!" Yami Yugi shouted, ncing at the card; he smiled. ''Here ites!'' Yuna''s body tensed, knowing that the second stage of this boss battle had just begun. "I will activate Eternal Soul''s first effect and summon my Dark Magician from my graveyard!" [Dark Magician: 2500 Attack, 2100 Defence] "Now, with Dark Magician, I will also y Polymerisation! Fusing my mage with Buster der, the dragon yer! I fusion summon, Dark Pdin!" Dark Magician closed his eyes as his clothing began to change, from the purplish robe to an obsidian ck armour with gold rims and the long green staff in his hand transformed into arge steel scimitar. The warrior opened his eyes and shed the air, readied to fight. [Dark Pdin: 2900 Attack, 2400 Defence] "With Dark Pdin''s effect, he will gain five hundred attacks for each dragon on the field and graveyard!" [Dark Pdin: 2900 -> 4900 Attack, 2400 Defence] "With this, I will activate my spell card, Diffusion Wave Motion, paying one thousand of my life points; Dark Pdin can now attack each monster you control!" [Yugi Mutou: 3000 LP -> 2000 LP] "I will battle!" Yami Yugi shouted as Dark Pdin readied his de: "Attack Arkbrave Dragon!" "I won''t allow you!" Yuna growled: "I will activate Negate Attack, cancelling Dark Pdin''s attack and ending the battle phase." "That won''t work. I activate Trap Jammer, discarding one card to negate the activation of your Negate Attack!" "Damn!" Yuna cursed as Dark Pdin struck andnded a fatal blow on the Arkbrave Dragon''s body. [Yuna Sano: 2800 LP -> 500 LP] "At this moment, I will be able to summon Keeper of the Shrine from my graveyard!" Yuna growled. [Keeper of the Shrine: 0 Attack, 2100 Defence] "That''s fine, Dark Pdin, attack Blue Eyes White Dragon!" Yami Yugi yelled eagerly: "It''s over!" "Tsk, it''s not over! I will y Waboku, and my monster can''t be destroyed, and I won''t take any damage this turn!" Yuna cried out frantically. [1] CLANG The sword bounced off Blue Eyes White Dragon''s scales, and Dark Pdin retreated to Yami Yugi''s side: "There''s no point in me continuing attacking; I will set one card and end my turn." "That was close..." Yuna muttered with a shaky breath: "With Arkbrave Dragon, I can revive my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from my graveyard!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "With Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, I will banish your Dark Pdin!" She shouted fiercely!" However, Yami Yugi frowned and immediately revealed his trap: "I activated my Dark Illusions; if an effect targets a dark monster on the field, I can negate the effect and destroy that card!" "Tsk..." Yuna clicked her teeth: "Understood; I will y Pot of Greed and draw two more cards from the deck." "Next, I will activate Return of the Dragon Lords to revive my Arkbrave Dragon!" Yuna dered. However, as the golden light of the spell card began to form, it instantly vanished: "In response, I will activate Dark Pdin''s effect." Yami Yugi exined: "When you y a spell card, once per turn, I can discard one card to negate that spell card." Taking a deep breath, Yami Yugi closed his eyes to suppress enthusiasm: "Such excitement, it''s not something I can feel from any duels..." With a wide smile, he swung his arm: "Show me, Sano-San, what will you do now!?" Yuna sighed and chuckled wryly: "Looks like you give me no choice...." "First, I will y Polymerisation, fusing my Koumori Dragon and Herald of Creation in my hand! I fusion summon, Mysterion the Dragon Crown!" [Mysterion the Dragon Crown: 3000 Attack, 1500 Defence] [Dark Pdin: 4900 -> 5400 Attack, 2100 Defence] "All conditions have been met!" Yuna yelled excitedly: "Using Mysterion, the Dragon Crown, as two tributes and Blue Eyes White Dragon as my final sacrifice, I will call upon the strongest out of the three Egyptian Gods, the Winged Dragon of Ra!!" WOOOOSH Instantly, a huge golden sphere rises from the ground. The sphere shinned, and hieroglyphics orbit the massive globe. "Great beast of the sky, please hear my cry! Transform thyself from the orb of light and bring me victory in this fight! Envelop the desert with your glow and cast your rage upon my foe! Unlock your powers from deep within so that together, we may win! Appear in this game as I call out your name, Winged Dragon of Ra!" BOOOOOM The sphere trembled and hissed as steam erupted from its surface. Gradually, the lines along the round object opened and revealed the best within. Unfurling its golden wings, the Winged Dragon of Ra screeched, and its bird-like cry echoed throughout the entire field. [Winged Dragon of Ra: 0 Attack, o Defence] "Since Winged Dragon of Ra is summoned using three tributes, it would gain attack and defence equal to the sum of all the powers of the sacrifices!" [Winged Dragon of Ra: 0 -> 6000 Attack, 0 -> 4000 Defence] "Ah..." Yami Yugi''s eyes widened in realisation. Yuna had defeated Marik, so it was natural for her to have Winged Dragon of Ra! "Winged Dragon of Ra!" Yuna''s voice brought his focus back onto the duel: "Attack Dark Pdin!" The Egyptian God howled, unleashing a sea of mes that engulfed Dark Pdin whole. [Yugi Mutou: 2000 LP -> 1400 LP] Meanwhile... "So you gave her Winged Dragon of Ra after all...." Ishizu muttered and nced at her little brother, who was intently watching the match: "It is dangerous for a normal person to wield an Egyptian God, especially the Winged Dragon of Ra." "Yes..." Marik nodded: "But I believe she''s more than strong enough to control it." "What led you to that judgement?" His sister asked. "Because the monster she used in the duel against the evil spirit was more formidable than the Winged Dragon of Ra." Sensing a hint of admiration in his tone, Ishizu raised one of her brows in curiosity. Noticing her gaze, Marik blushed slightly: "It''s not that you think..." However, his denial only convinced her even more, and she frowned with aplicated expression: "Very well..." Ishizu replied, her words trailing off. Back at the duel, Yami Yugi observed the Winged Dragon of Ra with awe, and he felt a difference from thest time he had seen it. When Marik used the Egyptian God, it was intimidating, violent and ferocious. But with her, Winged Dragon of Ra felt more serene and divine. "I will set a card and end my turn here!" Yuna dered: "This is myst stand, Yugi." Yami Yugi bit his lips as the Winged Dragon of Ra responded to Yuna''s will and roared. This turn was his only chance to get out of this disadvantageous position, or else he would no longer have the capability to interrupt her, and Yuna would gain too much momentum and overwhelm him. "You''re right; it''s now or never! I will draw!" He shouted, glimpsing at the card; he nodded to himself: "First, I will y Card Destruction, sending our entire hand to the graveyard, then we''re able to draw the same number of cards! Then, I activate the Shallow Grave, and we both can special summon a monster in a face-down position from our graveyards." Yami Yugi: "I will summon my Dark Pdin!" [Dark Pdin: 2900 Attack, 2600 Defence] "Then I will choose Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" Yuna added: "But since it was summoned in a face-down position, I wouldn''t be able to activate it''s effect." [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Yes," Yami Yugi nodded with a smile: "With your dragon, the conditions have been met." Under Yuna''s confused gaze, he eagerly revealed the card in his hand: "Now, I will y my magic spell, Soul Exchange! I will be able to target your Keeper of the Shrine and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and tribute them as if they were monsters I control!" "Now, I will bring out myst trump card. With these three sacrifices, I summon thee, Slifer, the Sky Dragon!!" The thunder shook the sky, and a dark cloud enveloped the atmosphere. Yuna frowned and blocked her ears from the loud reptilian roar as a red serpentine beast plummeted from the sky. [Slifer the Sky Dragon: 0 Attack, o Defence] "Since I currently possess three cards, slifer''s attack and defence will be boosted to three thousand." Yami Yugi exined, showing the cards in his hand. [Slifer the Sky Dragon: 0 -> 3000 Attack, 0 -> 3000 Defence] "Then, I will use Card of Sanctity, and we both shall draw until we have six cards. With this, the power of our Egyptian God has be equal!" [Slifer the Sky Dragon: 3000 -> 6000 Attack, 3000 -> 6000 Defence] Yami Yugi: "Now, Slifer the Sky Dragon, attack the Winged Dragon of Ra!" ''Sh*t!'' Yuna cursed: ''If Slifer and Ra destroy each other, Yugi will be able to revive his Dark Magician, and I will be defenceless!'' "Winged Dragon of Ra, I will use my life points as an offering; stop him!" she yelled loudly, and the Winged Dragon of Ra roared towards the sky. Gradually, the remainder of Yuna''s life points began to drop, being absorbed into the Egyptian God''s body: "With Winged Dragon of Ra''s effect, I will lose all my life points except one, and the remaining amount will be transferred to the god''s attack points!" [Yuna Sano: 500 LP ->1 LP] [Winged Dragon of Ra: 6000 -> 6499 Attack, 6000 Defence] BOOOOOOOOOM The two Gods crashed into each other, generating a massive explosion filled with a golden light, blinding everyone. Yuna and Yami Yugi hissed at the intense light as they tried to spot their Gods in the chaos. *SCREEECH* A sharp cry was heard, and when the light dimmed, the Winged Dragon of Ra proudly stood atn/?/vel/b//in dot c//om the centre with the fallen Slifer, the Sky Dragon, beneath its feet. [Yugi Mutou: 1400 LP -> 901 LP] "Did I do it?" Yuna mumbled to herself. After everything, her Winged Dragon of Ra was the final monster left standing on the field, and soon, she would wipe out the rest of Yami Yugi''s remaining life points... Yuna''s rapidly beating heart gradually rxed, and her breathing became calm. Her body trembled with excitement, and she thought that she had managed to pull off the impossible. "Sano...." Yami Yugi chuckled: "Thank you for making this duel so enjoyable; I never thought I would have this much fun." "Yugi-san..." "But!" Yami Yugi''s tone became solemn: "I won''t give up now! Even with your Winged Dragon of Ra, I will fight until the end!" "What... What is he nning now?" Yuna mumbled in disbelief, and an unsettling feeling swept over her. "I will set thee cards and end my turn!" He dered confidently: "This will be myst n. I never thought I would have to use it..." "Set three..." Yuna muttered nervously. She knows that Yami Yugi has genuinely run out of resources to keep fighting, and it could also be said about her; ncing at her hand, there wasn''t much she could do... She closed her eyes and calmed her heart: "Very well. Then, I will also do my very best! I will y my final Return of the Dragon Lords, reviving my Arkbrave Dragon!" "In response, I will activate Solemn Judgement!" Yami Yugi shouted: "Cancelling the summon of your Arkbrave Dragon and pay half of my life points!" [Yugi Mutou: 901 LP -> 451 LP] "Tsk..." Yuna clicked her teeth: "I will summon Pdin of Felgrand!" [Pdin of Felgrand: 1700 Attack, 300 Defence] "With Pdin of Felgrand, I will equip it with Arkbrave Dragon, then with his ability, and I will tribute Arkbrave Dragon and Pdin of Felgrand to revive Arkbrave Dragon again!" [Arkbrave Dragon: 2400 Attack, 2000 Defence] "Arkbrave Dragon, banish all of Yugi''s cards!" Yuna shouted intensely. However, before Arkbrave Dragon could move, chains appeared out of nowhere and bound the dragon in ce. "With my Fiendish Chain, Arkbrave Dragon will have its effect negated, and it could no longer attack." Yami Yugi smirked: "I won''t give up, no matter what." "Damn," Yuna grumbled: "You gave me no choice, Winged Dragon of Ra, unleash your fury and attack Yugi directly!" Her pupils zoned in on the final set card on Yugi''s field. ''What is it? Magical Cylinder has already been used! What card does he have!'' "On your attack, I will use Eternal Soul, summoning Dark Magician onto the field!" Yami Yugi announced, reviving his most trusted servant. [Dark Magician: 2500 Attack, 2100 Defence] "Are you only using Dark Magician to block Ra''s attack?" Yuna questioned: "That won''t be able to stop me!" "I know," Yami Yugi agreed: "Yuna Sano, your strength as a duelist is truly unrivalled, and it was an honour to duel someone like you. That''s why I have deemed that winning may also be difficult for me..." "What are you saying..." Yuna muttered: "Wait, no, it can''t be!" Understanding her thought, he smiled: "I will activate my final card, Ring of Destruction, by targeting my Dark Magician. I can destroy it, and both of us will be inflicted by damage equal to Dark Magician''s attack!" Suddenly, a cor with grenades appeared on Dark Magician''s neck. The mage nced at the deadly tool withposure, and the pins on the grenades flew off, setting the explosive to life. "So you''re going to bring both of us down?!" Yuna uttered in disbelief. Yami Yugi: "If that''s what it takes not to lose, then so be it." "Ha... Ha..." Sheughed shakily: "The power of the Pharoah sure is bull...." BOOOOOOM [Yuna Sano: 1 LP -> 0 LP] [Yugi Mutou: 450.5 LP -> 0 LP] I hope you enjoy it. I tried to make this match very close to show how strong Yami Yugi ispared to others. [1] Yugi activated a countertrap that was faster than a normal trap so that Yuna couldn''t respond, and she had to activate Waboku in a new chain. Chapter 61: Battle City Just Ended But Another Trouble Has Arrived! Chapter 61: Battle City Just Ended But Another Trouble Has Arrived! ? This will conclude Battle City, meaning we''re halfway there! I really want to say thanks to all of you readers; your support really meant a lot. I never expected this to blow up this big, but it was a great surprise. Thank you, and I will not let you guys down! [3rd POV] The entire field was silent, and nobody uttered a single word. The spectators held their breath as thest few moments of the duel gradually registered in their heads. "D.... Draw?" Mokuba mumbled in disbelief: "To think it would be a tie; Big Sister is so close!" "I can''t ept this...." Seto snarled and clenched his fists: "To use such a method..." "But Big Brother..." Mokuba nced at him awkwardly: "You did something like that earlier against Big Sister, too..." Seto: "..... That''s obviously different; I have used it with the intent of winning, not settling on something pathetic as a mere tie." Clicking his teeth, Seto urged Rnd to say something, and the referee snapped out of his shock hurriedly: "This match has concluded in a draw! Thus, both duellists Yugi Mutou and Yuna Sano will be considered the champions of the Battle City!" "So they both won?" Joey muttered out loud: "Then who would be the Duel King now?" Everyone''s shoulders flinched slightly as Joey''s voice travelled through the air. ncing at the people close by, each of the spectators awkwardly observed the other''s reaction. "In my opinion," To everyone''s surprise, it was Ishizu who spoke up first: "Miss Sano has not lost the duel; thus, she doesn''t need to forfeit her title." "But Yugi didn''t lose as well, and since he''s the challenger, shouldn''t he take the title?" Tea voiced out. "Yes, but for a challenger to take the title from the champion, the champion must be defeated." This time, it was Marik who answered. Gradually, the discussion became heated as one side argued and emphasised who should possess the name of Duel King. Listening to this childish quarrel, Seto sighed: ''So annoying....'' Casting a nce in Yuna''s direction, he observed her standing alongside Yugi, seemingly unsure of her next move. In an instant, Seto''s countenance grew sombre, evidently disturbed by her apparent distress. As Yuna turned her head, their eyes met, and she mustered a troubled smile. "Enough!" Seto eximed, "I''ve had my fill of this senseless debate; just give the title on both of them and let''s put an end to it." Instantly, a collective urge to protest bubbled up among the participants, yet under Seto''s unwavering stare, they held their objections within, mindful of the fact that he was the one who had orchestrated the tournament in the first ce. Advancing onto the field, he halted in front of Yuna and Yugi, a palpable disdain emanating from him. "Hmph, starting today, both of you will bear the title of Duel King, at least for the time being." With a brisk turn, the tails of his coat swirled in the wind as he strode away without a backward nce. Observing Seto''s retreating figure, Yuna couldn''t help but giggle to herself before turning towards Yugi. "Congrattions....." Taken aback by her affectionate smile, Yugi blushed slightly, feeling a touch of embarrassment. "I don''t deserve such praise," he stammered humbly: "I didn''t even win, so I don''t understand what the big fuss is all about." "But.... didn''t lose... either..." She shrugged: "So... good job..." Nodding, Yugi grinned: "Thanks Sano-san." An hourter... Following the climactic final duel, the tournaments swiftly came to a close, with Yuna and Yugi jointly securing the first-ce position. Subsequently, a second match was organized to determine the runner-up and third-ce positions, featuring Seto and Marik. Unexpectedly, at themencement of the match, Marik promptly forfeited, much to the profound displeasure of Seto, who was visibly angered by the abrupt decision. In the cockpit, Yuna observed in silence as the airship gracefully ascended. "Are you satisfied?" Seto inquired, prompting her to turn her head and meet his gaze. "Satisfied....?" She replied in confusion. "The oue of the duel," He exined while looking ahead: "If I were you, I would not be happy with it." "Yugi... is strong," Yuna replied hesitantly, "It''s normal... not to win... every duel." "I see," Seto muttered, ending the conversation with those two words "Big brother, everything is ready!" Mokuba, seated nearby, called out suddenly, capturing their attention.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "Good." Seto nodded, a satisfied smile ying on his lips as he caught the small remote in his palm: "With this, I can finally put everything behind me." "Sir, we are now far enough that we won''t be caught up in the st radius!" One of the pilots announced loudly. "Kai... Kaiba?" Yuna uttered, sensing the strangeness of the conversation. "Brace yourselves," Seto announced and pressed the button. B0000000000000M A massive explosion rumbled in the distance, and the shockwave shook the airship, catching Yuna off guard. Stumbling, Seto caught her body as they looked at the devastating destruction. Their pupils reflected an orange light as the ind was engulfed in a sea of mes. The tall tower where they once duelled churned as the metal weakened under the heat. Gradually, with a loud snap, the building broke in half, and the debris copsed on top of each other. "Woah," Noah whistled: "I was wondering what you were doing when you asked me to set up this many explosives. You really don''t want anything that reminds you of our father to exist, huh..." "This is the best," Seto calmly answered: "Even just knowing that a remnant of that man remains disgusts me." *Cough Cough* Seto nced at Yuna, who was awkwardly clearing her throat, and he realized that he was still holding her in his arms. Finally letting go, she hurriedly created distance between them, embarrassed by the prolonged contact. Clenching and unclenching his hand, Seto frowned at the lingering sensation of her waist, and he noticed that everyone was observing his reaction: "Keep your eyes straight," He growled, and the pilots flinched, nodding frantically. ncing at Noah and Mokuba, the two also averted their gaze, sensing that their brother was in a foul mood. "Where do you think you''re going?" he called out, and Yuna, who was inching towards the door, froze. "Back... to room?" Yuna answered awkwardly. "I see..." Seto muttered: "Then go." Sensing his condescending tone, Yuna hurriedly retreated. However, unsure if she should really leave without saying anything, she stayed by the door frame, watching him. "Why are you still here?" Seto questioned without turning around. "I thought you were going to leave?" "Kaiba...." Yuna mumbled, gathering her courage, she bowed: "Thanks...." "Hmph, what for?" He frowned. "For... Battle City...." Yuna answered: "Thank you.... for inviting... me. It was.... so fun." Seto recoiled to Yuna''s sincerity, and his body visibly stiffened. Realising that he had no intention of turning around, she smiled wryly: "I will... see you...ter..." "Just... get out of here..." Seto grumbled. Yuna nodded and giggled. Not wanting to bother him further, she quietly left, leaving the cockpit of the airship in an ufortable silence. "So.... About our ns for the future...." Mokuba''s words trailed off, and he stared at his brother in disbelief. Blushing profusely, Seto tightly clutched the handrails as the red tinge on his face grew more and more. His expression was stuck permanently in a frown, and a swirl ofplicated emotions spread through his body, his other hand resting on his chest. *Badump* *Badump* *Badump* "F*ck..." An inappropriate curse escaped from his lips as he felt the erratic beating of his heart: "She''s driving me insane..." A few dayster..... With the conclusion of Battle City, the oue of the vast-scale tournament reverberated throughout the world. As Duel Monsters gained increasing poprity globally, anticipation grew for the champion who would emerge victorious after facing countless formidable opponents. To everyone''s surprise, the announcement revealed two individuals standing in the first ce. One was the current Duel King, Yuna Sano, while the other was a neer, Yugi Mutou. Yuna''s name had already gained recognition in the duellingmunity for defeating Maximillian Pegasus, the creator of Duel Monsters, and emerging victorious in his Duellist Kingdompetition. However, with Battle City, her renown soared even higher, prompting more and more people to question the mysteries surrounding this silent beauty. While Yuna garnered considerable interest, the spotlight also shifted to the second winner, Yugi Mutou. Though some were aware that Yugi had previously participated in the Duellist Kingdom, having been defeated in the finals, his name had never truly gained widespread recognition. Now, however, people couldn''t stop discussing the young boy who had managed to achieve a tie with the Duel King... "Wow, this is crazy..." Yuna muttered to herself as she scrolled through the countless media posts on herptop. Non-stop forums discussing her and Yugi kept popping up every couple of minutes, and she felt increasingly embarrassed with each post. "But still, I''m surprised there are no hate comments yet..." Even when deliberately searching for negative forums, Yuna couldn''t find any. Additionally, a few days have passed, and she has not been overwhelmed by journalists or paparazzi: "The Kaibas probably have something to do with it..." She thought, imagining Mokuba and Noah devotedly deleting every nastyment that appeared. As Yuna smiled, her phone buzzed, and she nced at the number calling her with a slight frown. Tapping the answer button, Yuna brought the phone close to her ear. "Yugi...." She mumbled: "Hello...." "Ah, hello, Sano-san." Yugi said flusteredly: "How are you doing?" "I''m.... fine..." Yuna answered and frowned when Yugi had gone silent: "What''s..... wrong?" "Oh, it''s nothing!" He frantically replied: "It''s just, I don''t know how to ask you.... *Ahem*" Yugi cleared his throat: "Can I borrow your Winged Dragon of Ra?" "Okay," "I understand what I''m asking you is a lot, but please let me exin...." Yugi paused and momentarily forgot his formality: "Huh, what did you say?" "Okay," Yuna repeated, and she heard a loud crash from the other side. "Wait, really!?" Yugi eximed, exhaling with relief. Yuna: "Yes...." "Thank goodness, I was really afraid you''d say no," heughed awkwardly. "Anyway, I''m sure you must be confused about why I''m asking for such a big favour." "Sano-san," Yugi''s voice shifted to seriousness. "What I''m about to say sounds extremely crazy, and I promise you that everything I''m saying is the truth." "I host a spirit in my body, and he takes over every time I duel." After delivering this revtion, Yugi held his breath, waiting for her response. The silence lingered, and the palpable awkwardness in the phone call became more evident. "I.... believe you...." Yuna replied atst, and Yugi was shocked by how easily she seemed convinced. All the points he had nned to emphasize were thrown out of the window. "Um, you must still have a lot of questions, right?" He chuckled: "Please let me exin." In a detailed exnation, Yugi rified the need to borrow the Winged Dragon of Ra, shedding light on the existence of the spirit sharing his body. This enigmatic presence would manifest every time he duelled, acting as the driving force behind Yugi''s journey to his current state. Yet, when it came to thispanion, he struggled to recall any details about his past or the nature of his connection. However, recently, they have gained a new clue, revealing that acquiring the three Egyptian God Cards was pivotal in unlocking the door to his lost memories. "Apparently, from Miss Ishizu, she told us that we could unlock my friend''s memory once we gathered all three God Cards and the seven Millennium Items!" Yugi''s tone became more excited. ''Despite what I did, Ishizu still told them....'' Yuna mused and continued to listen. "Thank you so much, Sano-san!" He said gratefully: "Once the school holidays start, we nned to visit the Museum and investigate whether it was really true or not." "See you.... then," Yuna said, and the conversation swiftly ended. Setting the phone down, the smile on Yuna''s face gradually vanished, and a heavy sigh left her mouth: "The Waking the Dragons arc is already starting, huh... The next few months are going to be hectic..." Knowing the number of hardships that await everyone, Yuna bit her lips with anxiety. Taking a deep breath, Yuna shook her head and gathered herself: "But I will be ready." Her eyes turned fierce: "Dartz, I will stop you." She has saved enough credits in her system; whatever the world will throw at her, Yuna will be prepared. However, unbeknownst to her, another problem will fall onto herp before that ever happens... A weekter... In a dim and dark alley, a blinding light suddenly manifested out of nowhere. As the light expressions reflecting confusion about gradually dimmed, three individuals emerged, their unfamiliar surroundings. "Where are we?" a girl among the group questioned curiously, her eyes scanning the alley walls. Unable to provide an answer, they cautiously stepped onto the bustling streets where the vibrant city nightlife greeted them. Neon signs flickered, casting a colourful glow on the eclectic mix of shops and eateries lining the sidewalks. The distant hum ofughter and music intertwined with the rhythm of footsteps, creating a lively symphony of urban sounds. However, the most captivating feature of this area was the tall white tower standing majestically in the distance, its illuminated facade piercing the night sky like a celestial beacon. "That''s Kaiba Corps headquarters." One of the two men pointed out: "This means we have arrived in Domino City." "Thank goodness," The girl muttered and slumped her shoulders: "I thought Yusei-kun''s Duel Runner took us to a whole new ce." The boy, Yusei, sighed: "That would be impossible; the Crimson Dragon will always guide me to the correct path." "I know, I know. But still, I''m surprised that you even brought me." The girl joked while nudging Yusei yfully. Yusei averted his gaze and coughed awkwardly: "Since Yumi''s skill is quitemendable and can help us defeat that man...." But even an idiot can tell how badly of an excuse it was. The girl, Yumi,ughed, and thest boy rolled his eyes at the two''s interaction: "Anyway, it''s still night. Do we even have a ce to stay?" Yusei nced at Yumi as she grasped her chin deep in thought: "Oh, I know a ce!" [Yuna''s POV] *DING DONG* My eyes snapped open at the loud sound of my doorbell. I grumbled in annoyance and sat up, checking my phone; I almost threw it against the wall in anger. Who in the right mind was ringing my doorbell at three o''clock in the morning?! Wait, my body froze. Oh god, what if it was a serial killer? But even if it''s a serial killer, I should be more worried about them than myself. After all, I don''t think Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon will let that slide. I sighed, alright, let''s get it over with. With tired steps, I approached the door and opened it, embracing whatever was going to appear. *BAMMMM* In an instant, I mmed the door with such force that I wasn''t surprised when the hinges broke. My hands instinctively flew to clutch my chest, attempting to contain the massive shock I had just received. This was much worse than dealing with a serial killer. Slowly, I reopened the door, cautiously peeking a small part of my head out. To my astonishment, Yusei Fudo and Jaden Yuki were standing outside my apartment building! "Sorry for bothering you sote at night," Yusei said with respect. "Please trust me that we meant no harm." "May wee in?" Jaden added with a smile, and I hesitantly nodded, fully opening the door. Yusei and Jaden seemed momentarily surprised but still entered. As I made way for the two guys, my shock heightened when I noticed a third person following them. "Hello!" The girl smiled sweetly at me, and I found myself staring at her in a daze. My first thought was, who was she? Try as I might, I couldn''t figure out her identity, no matter how much I wracked my brain. I quickly snapped out of my thoughts and noticed that she was still waiting for me with a smile. "Hello..." I greeted back, and the girl giggled before darting inside. As I gazed at her retreating figure, my eyes focused on her back, and a sense of familiarity spread through my chest. [3rd POV] Five minutes earlier... "This should be the ce," Jaden said while examining the number on the door. Yusei nodded before ncing at Yumi, who was getting more excited by the second. "Remember, you should not reveal too much, or else the timeline may be greatly affected." "Yes, of course!" Yumi nodded eagerly and pressed the doorbell. *DING DONG* The loud sound of the bell echoed, and the trio could hear slow, deliberate footsteps approaching the door. Gradually, as the door creaked open, Yusei and Jaden''s bodies tensed an eerie silence enveloping the air. It was quick and unexpected. A suffocating pressure, thick with an ominous aura, oozed from the small crack. ''Jaden!'' His spirit, Yubel, screamed: ''Be careful!'' *Growl...* As they slowly raised their heads, the dim light revealed two pairs of malevolent eyes ring down at them from the darkness. Yusei''s mind was paralyzed, and amidst the chilling silence, his thoughts echoed, ''If I still have Stardust Dragon with me, can I still win?'' Finally, Yusei understood why the person in the house was nicknamed the Ruler of Dragons in the future. However, contrary to Yusei and Jaden''s thoughts, Yumi trembled with enthusiasm in the back as she stared at the girl standing by the door: ''M... Mom!'' I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 62: Time Travel Shennenigans and More Chapter 62: Time Travel Shennenigans and More ? [Yuna''s POV]n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om In a bewildered state, I robotically guided the trio to thepact living room. Excusing myself, I headed to the kitchen to fix some drinks. My mind continued to grapple with disbelief, and my hands quivered slightly at the surreal notion of sharing the same space with Yusei Fudo and Jaden Yuki, the main characters from Yugioh 5D and Yugioh GX. However, my hand came to an abrupt halt in midair. There was only one conceivable reason for the unexpected appearance of protagonists from distinct timelines. It all traced back to a particr time-travelling viin, fueled by the sinister ambition to pilfer the duel monster spirits of renowned duelists, with a calcted agenda to bring an end to the entire era of Duel Monsters. That means my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon... *Ssh* The teapot slipped from my grip as my attention wavered, and scalding water sttered onto my hand. Despite the pain, I remained unmoved, fixing my gaze on the small puddle and clenching my teeth. It was at that moment I recognized the tumultuous emotion churning within me was none other than anger. "Hi, may I help?" Startled from my thoughts, I raised my head and looked at the girl standing beside me. Her bright smile instantly had a calming effect on my mind. With a nod, I wiped my hands with a towel and observed as the girl effortlessly took charge of cleaning up the spilled tea. My initial impression was that she was quite attractive. Dressed in a white sleeveless shirt paired with jeans, her long, light brown hair cascaded smoothly down her shoulders, draping over her back. The girl possessed delicate features, her eyes exuding a warmth thatplemented the charm emanating from her smile. "What is your name?" I inquired, a slight frown forming and noticed how effortlessly the words flowed out of me. "My name is Yumi Kai....no." She stammered awkwardly. "Kaino.... As in timid?" I repeated with a questioning smile, and Yumiughed while rubbing the back of her neck. "I''m Yuna Sano," I introduced myself. "It''s nice to meet you." Yumi''s excitement seemed to intensify oddly, and I responded with a wry smile. However, she gasped upon noticing my reddening hand, scalded by the boiling water. "It doesn''t hurt that much..." I replied, my gaze fixed on my hand. After the incident with the Winged Dragon of Ra, I felt a diminished sensitivity in my body, and I doubted it would return to its previous state. "But still!" Yumi protested. "If we leave it like this, it will leave a mark!" Frantically, she pulled me towards the sink and submerged my injured hand in cold water. Following my instructions, she hurried to theundry room and returned with a first-aid kit. "You need to take care of yourself more!" She scolded while wrapping the hand with bandages. Nodding, I found myself smiling at Yumi as she worked diligently. Once done, Yumi sighed and wiped the imaginary sweat from her face: "Here, I will also carry this for you!" She said and eagerly took the tray on the counter. Still fatigued from the sudden awakening, I expressed my gratitude and together, we returned to the small living room. Setting the tea on the table, Yusei and Jaden sipped with relish before finally cing their cups down. "You must be confused by what''s happening, but please listen closely," Yusei said politely. "That.... depends...." I responded vaguely, inwardly annoyed by the return of my anxiety. "Well," Yusei sighed apologetically. "The simplest exnation is that we three are from the future," he exined, gesturing at Jaden and Yumi. "How is that... possible?" I replied with doubt, attempting to sound surprised. Yusei stood up and removed the gloves from his right hand, revealing a dragon''s head mark on his forearm. "This is the mark of the Crimson Dragon, and only six people in the world can bear this mark." "In my timeline, I am the bearer of the head of the Crimson Dragon, while the five other people possess the rest of the body parts." "It was the Crimson Dragon that brought us here," Yusei exined. "Something bad will soon happen, and we''re here to prevent it." "What.... will happen?" I questioned, my fingers fidgeting nervously, hesitant to hear what he had to say. "That...." Yusei gritted his teeth, Yumi bit her lips and grimaced, and Jaden looked at me with pity while averting my gaze. "Yugi Mutou, Maximillian Pegasus, Seto Kaiba and..." He gazed at me: "All of you will die...." The entire room fell silent, punctuated only by Yumi''s asional sniffling. The realization that I might actually die made me feel nauseous. Suddenly, a hand rested on my shoulder, and I saw Yusei''s reassuring smile. "Don''t worry, that''s why we''re here," He said: "I promise none of you will get hurt." Clenching my fists, I nodded, and Yusei chuckled: "Anyway, it''s gettingte. I suggest you rest for now." Remembering the time, a tired yawn left my lips. Unable to keep my eyes open, I decided to put the matter on the side. Letting the three rest in the living room, I returned to my bedroom to sleep.... [3rd POV] An hourter... Yusei awoke, his eyes fluttering open, restless and unable to sumb to sleep. Surveying the dimly lit room, he noticed Jaden reclining on the chair, yet Yumi was conspicuously absent. Silently rising from his position, he left the confines of the house, discovering Yumi gazing at the moon by the balcony of the apartment building. "Yusei..." She pivoted, offering a wry smile with eyes that betrayed a hint of swelling. Yusei advanced, leaning casually against the railing. Catching Yumi''s silent scrutiny, he inquired, "Are you alright?" "I... I''m scared...." Yumi mumbled while bringing her hands close to her chest: "Mom and Dad... They''re...." She halted, sensing a warm sensation. Yusei smiled softly and patted her head. "Yumi, I will not let that happen." The reassurance in his words permeated the air, providing a glimmer offort in the face of an uncertain future. "I owe a great debt to your mother," he spoke. "Because of her, my parents were able to livefortably today. She was the only one who listened to them when everyone was ready to toss them away." sa "Not just me, Jack, Akiza, Luna, Crow and Leo; your mother had helped them all, and she''s a very important person to us. That''s why..." Yusei red into the distance: "I won''t let them die." Listening to Yusei''s confident im, Yumi giggled, "Yes, we will save Mom and Dad no matter what!" Inhaling deeply, her eyes softened, and her usual smile returned. "Thank you, Yusei-kun; I feel much better now." "That''s good." Yusei smiled back: "Go back to sleep, it''s already veryte." Nodding, Yumi excused herself and slipped back into the house, leaving Yusei alone. Sighing, he silently observed the night... [Yuna''s POV] Next morning... I awoke early with my mind still shrouded in a haze, having endured one of the worst nights of sleep. Despite the fatigue weighing heavily on my body, the realization that school awaitedpelled me to drag myself out of bed. "Why can''t Kaiba hold Battle City during the holidays..." I grumbled at the thought of catching up on all my missed sses. As I left my room, I stumbled upon the scene of Yumi sleeping on the couch, recalling that three people were staying in my living room. I quietly approached Yumi as she mumbled in her sleep, and a small smile appeared on my face. Reaching for the fallen nket, I draped the covers over her, and Yumi hummed infort. For some reason, seeing her sleep so soundly like this put me at ease, and the tension in my body rxed. "You''re awake..." Suddenly, I jumped and turned around, noticing Yusei sitting straight on his chair. Sighing, I nodded and curiously scanned the room. "Where''s... Yuki?" "He left early," Yusei answered while ncing at the door. "He didn''t exactly say where, but probably to explore the city." "I... see...." I mumbled: "How about... you and... Yumi?" "I will go with you and as for Yumi...." Yusei''s eyes softened noticeably. "Yumi can rest for now; she has been through a lot...." A sense of pity swept over me, and I subconsciously reached out my hand. Yumi smiled as I gently caressed her cheek, and uncontrobleughter escaped from my mouth. "Ah..." I paused, realizing that Yusei was still here, and I restrained myself from doing anything more. Standing up, my expression returned to normal as I grabbed my bag. "Let''s.... go..." We stepped out of my house and walked in silence, side by side. Amidst the silence, I couldn''t help but steal a nce at Yusei''s striking profile. "Is there something on your mind?" Yusei inquired, catching my subtle gaze, and I couldn''t help but blush in embarrassment. Shaking my head, I regained myposure, yet a myriad of questions lingered in my mind. "Future... what''s it like?" I inquired, my curiosity outweighing my earlier embarrassment. Yusei nonchntly shrugged, "Unlike the present, technology has advanced remarkably. While I can''t speak for other ces, in the future, Domino City thrives on an endless supply of energy, rendering it incredibly prosperous." Hearing Yusei''s response, a slight frown creased my forehead as it didn''t align with my preconceived notions. Considering that Yusei mostly lived in Satellite after the catastrophic event of Zero Reverse, I realized he might not be divulging more details. Deciding to let the topic rest, I moved on. "Yumi...." I asked curiously, "What''s... your rtionship?" Yusei''s body briefly tensed at my question, and he coughed, seemingly caught off guard. "Me and Yumi? We''re just friends; we''ve known each other since we were very young because our parents worked together a lot." Parents? Yusei''s parents were still alive? Just what in the world was happening in the future? More questions gued my mind, but the more I asked, the more confused I got, unable to perceive why everything had changed. Unsure of what to ask next, I decided to address the most crucial question: "In the future... Was... I still alive?" "Yes," Yusei answered honestly, and I released the breath I had been holding. "So I''m still alive... Although I would be in my fifties by then, knowing that I lived brought me joy. Excited, I began to probe more: "What... was I... like?!" I eagerly inquired, curiosity overtaking any sense of reservation. Yusei''s face assumed a slightlyplicated expression. "I don''t want to reveal anything more, but all I can say is that you will be someone great. That''s what I think, at least...." His gaze, filled with respect, bore into me, causing me to squirm ufortably. "Ah, we''re here," Yusei muttered as we stopped at the entrance of Domino High. I couldn''t hide my disappointment, pouting as our Q&A session was abruptly interrupted. As we stood in the distance, I began to take notice of the students around me. As they walked by, their gazes were focused on us, and I could hear the whispers among the crowd. "Look, it''s Yuna Sano; she won the Battle City Tournament!" "Who''s that boy beside her? He''s so handsome!" "No way, are they dating, kyaaaa!" The gossip and attention from the students created a buzz around us, adding an unexpected layer of noise to our entrance. Thest whisper was particrly concerning, and my face stiffened instinctively. "Excuse me...." A timid girl approached us, staring at Yusei with sparkling eyes. "Um... are you a student here?" she asked with a mix of awe and curiosity. Yusei frowned slightly before ncing at me and rubbing his chin deep in thought. "Yes, I''m a new transfer student here starting today. Please take care of me," he said, offering a polite nod to the inquisitive girl. All the female students listening squealed, and I stared at Yusei in disbelief. Sensing my gaze, Yusei shrugged: "We must protect you at all times. Don''t worry; we will have our ways of getting in." Other than using a particr dark spirit named Yubel to manipte the principal, I couldn''t think of a legitimate way of applying to the school in such a short time, though... "Then... see you," I uttered, seeking an escape from the attention. Unfortunately for me, it was already toote. "Who the f*ck are you?" Yusei and I simultaneously froze, our attention drawn to the source of the brash voice. Ah.... A wild Seto Kaiba has appeared.... Kaiba scowled menacingly while ring at Yusei. "Don''t make me repeat myself, who are you?" If you''re not a student here, get out of my sight this instant, or I will have you removed forcibly." Aplicated expression marked Yusei''s face, signalling his uncertainty about how to proceed. Sensing the tension, I intervened reluctantly, aiming to prevent Kaiba from resorting to extreme measures, like hiring a hitman. "He''s.... a friend..." I hurriedly exined, positioning myself between the two of them to diffuse the situation. "A friend?" Kaiba spat, his brows scrunching up in discontent. "Nheless, he shouldn''t be here." "He''s..." I slurred, ncing at Yusei and was dragged into his lie: "A transfer.... student...." Kaiba''s scowl deepened, and I averted my gaze to shield myself from his intense scrutiny. After a moment, he sighed and conceded, "Fine, then let''s go; ss is about to start soon." Without waiting for my reply, he seized my wrist and briskly led me towards the school, sparking excited cries from more students. However, in the process, my sleeve was yanked upward, unintentionally revealing the bandages around my hand. Staring at the injury, Kaiba''s pace quickened, and I was practically dragged into the school. As we turned around a corner, he abruptly stopped, and I could sense the agitation in his voice. "Why are you hurt again?" he snarled, and I was stunned by this unexpected question. "It... was an... ident..." I hurriedly answered: "Hot.. water..." "When?" Kaiba questioned, interrupting me. "Yes... Yesterday?" I replied hesitantly. "Let''s head to the infirmary," he dered, and, to my confusion, Kaiba forcefully led me in the opposite direction. "Kaiba..." Kaiba: "Why are you so slow? Walk faster." "Kaiba!" I finally snapped, and he looked at me in shock. Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I mustered aposed expression: "I''m.... fine. So... stop..." Kaiba''s gaze bore into me, and his emotions were hidden behind a nk expression. After a minute of tense silence, he hissed, "Fine... We will do it your way." Without dy, he took hold of my hand, this time forcibly guiding me towards our ssroom. Upon entering, all eyes were fixated on us, and I blushed in shame. Finally releasing his grip, I quickly made my way to my desk. Shooting a re at Kaiba as I sat down, he shrugged nonchntly and returned to his seat. Staring at my bandaged hand and then at Kaiba, I felt my energy draining rapidly from my body. With the sudden appearance of people from the future, then finding out I''m probably going to kick the bucket in a few days, and now having to deal with an estranged billionaire? I sighed; the day had just begun, and it was already exhausting... A few hourster... *Booom* During the lunch break, Yumi burst into the ssroom with enthusiasm, Yusei and Jaden following closely behind. What caught me off guard was that they were already donned in Domino High uniforms. I couldn''t help but wonder how legitimate their methods were... Upon entering the ssroom, Yumi gasped slightly, her gaze fixed on Kaiba in the front row. Embarrassed, she hastily made her way to my side, and a frown of dismay appeared on my face. ''Don''t fall for that guy, Yumi!'' I shouted in my head: ''Don''t judge a book by its cover!'' "Yuna, we should start preparing. Let''s go and find somewhere quiet to talk," Yumi suggested. Her soft voice tickled my ears, and I nodded. Standing up abruptly, I followed Yumi out of the ssroom. However, before I could step out of the door, Kaiba halted me with a re, eyeing the trio waiting by the exit. "Where are you going?" He interrogated. "My... friends...." I answered. "Eat... with them...." "That''s clearly a lie. You didn''t even bring anything with you." He pointed out, and I subconsciously clicked my teeth. ''Why the hell are you so perceptive!'' I thought stiffly. ''Even then, why do you care!?'' As the seconds dragged on, the atmosphere became more and more awkward. "Hello, excuse me, but may I butt in?" Suddenly, Yumi appeared, catching both of us off guard. "W... Who are you?" Kaiba muttered in suprise. "My name''s Yumi! Being a good friend of Yuna, it''s natural for you to be worried about her!" She said cheerfully, and a subtle tension gripped our expressions. Kaiba: "Wo... worried?" Yuna: "Goo... Good Friends?" "No way!" We shouted in unison. "He he," Yumiughed, brushing off our protest. "But there''s no need for concern; we''ll just borrow Yuna for a second." "Yumi..." I tugged on her sleeve with a strained smile, silently pleading for her to stop talking. ''Are you trying to destroy my dignity here?'' But, to my disbelief, Kaiba''s lips trembled, and he covered his flushed face: "Why in the world will I be worried?! Just Go!" He yelled, and Yumi smiled brightly, leading me out of the ssroom. "Isn''t he wonderful?" Yumi whispered while we walked down the hallway, and I stared at her weirdly. "What part of that is wonderful?" I whispered back. She giggled: "You two seem close, and it looks like you''re bickering like old friends instead of enemies?" Yumi exined. "We''re not that close..." I mumbled and looked away: "I don''t even think he considers me as a friend." "Well, I don''t think so." Yumi smiled: "From the looks of it, Kaiba treated you unlike anyone else." ''Gosh, what is this girl saying?!'' My face heated up: ''There''s no way Kaiba think of me as a close friend...'' "We''re here," Jaden announced, abruptly ending our conversation. Stopping before an empty ssroom, he unlocked the door and led us in: "I''ve reserved this ssroom in advance; there shouldn''t be anyoneing in here." Grouping four tables together, we all sat down, and Yusei said seriously: "Now, let''s discuss the disaster that will befall us. To be exact, the attack that will happen four days from now." "Unfortunately, we don''t know much about the perpetrator, but all we know is that he can also freely travel through times and possess the ability to steal other people''s Duel Monster spirit." Absorbed in Yusei''s exnation, I rubbed my arms ufortably, the gravity of the situation sinking in. The mere thought of my Starving Venom Fusion Dragon and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand being in danger sent shivers down my spine. The room''s atmosphere grew heavy, and I couldn''t shake off the anxiety that enveloped me. "Don''t worry," Yusei smiled. "We will make sure that won''t happen; we will definitely stop him before that ever happens." Suddenly, I raised my hand when a question formed in my mind. "Why.... won''t.... he attack... earlier?" Yusei nodded in understanding and answered in a polite tone, "The man will want to wipe all of you out in one swoop." "Although I wasn''t sure of the exact details, Maximillian Pegasus will actually visit this school during that time, making it the perfect moment for his assault." "Then what should we do?" This time, it was Jaden who asked the question. Yusei rested his chin on his hands. "Preparation is key," he emphasized, cing his deck on the table. "We must be familiar with each other''s strategies, ystyles, and decks. Otherwise, when he arrives, we''ll be stumbling over one another." "This won''t be easy," Yusei continued, his tone serious. "But for the sake of the people we care about, we must try." His smile softened. "So, let us save everyone..." I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 63: Paradox Chapter 63: Paradox ? Four dayster... [3rd POV] "Could you refresh my memory? Why exactly are you here?" Seto inquired, his finger tapping a steady rhythm on the desk as he fixed a prating gaze on the man seated opposite him. Maximillian Pegasus hummed contentedly, taking leisurely sips of his tea. "Isn''t it only natural for me to ensure the well-being of my esteemed business partner?" he remarked casually. "Nevertheless, I must admit, I was quite surprised when you agreed to this meeting. Boys your age usually prioritize their studies... But then again, you''re not like most boys, are you, Kaiba-boy?" Seto scoffed dismissively, leaning back in his chair and propping both feet up on the desk. Behind him stood the Domino High principal, visibly anxious as he nervously rubbed his palms together, bracing himself for whatever orders Seto might issue next. "Hmph... I could breeze through these mediocre teachings without even batting an eye," Seto boasted confidently. "Is that so?" Pegasus smiled calmly. "Well, I''m not one to criticize Japan''s educational system. That aside, you do seem quite different from thest time I saw you." "What the hell are you babbling about now?" Seto scowled, sensing a strange shift in the conversation. "Well, don''t get me wrong, but back then, I always saw you as someone who held their head high with pride and wouldn''t listen to anyone else," Pegasus chuckled softly. "But now, you seem moreposed, more mature, and more tolerant of other people..." Resting his chin on his hands, the American businessman smiled: "You changed Kaiba-boy, perhaps for the better. I wondered if something caused this transformation or if I had to guess... Someone?" Seto flinched, and his calm expression began to crumble. The image of a girl that had been bothering him for thest four days resurfaced in his mind, and Seto felt his mood worsening. It was only four days ago that they argued, and they haven''t talked ever since. This wasn''t the first time they had gone without seeing each other for a while, but for some reason, this instance felt the most memorable to Seto. He couldn''t quite understand why he felt so uneasy about facing her again... "Looks like I was right," Pegasus grinned knowingly. "And we both know who I''m referring to." "Shut up," Seto snapped, his tone sharp and final. Pegasus chuckled softly. "I apologize. I always enjoy witnessing young love blossoming. It reminds me of the times I spent with my beloved Cecilia..." "How about you cut the bullsh*t and tell me why you''re really here?" Seto mmed his fist onto the table; his voice edged with impatience. "If I have to endure any more of your drivel, I feel like my ears are going to rot." "Fine, fine," Pegasus sighed with disappointment. "You''re way too uptight. Loosen up a little." Smiling, he ran his hand along his long white hair: "It''s true that I wanted to check up on you once in a while, but the second reason was I was merely delivering a package to someone." "A... package?" Seto frowned disapprovingly. "Instead of wasting all of our time, couldn''t you have just gotten someone else to do it?" "I shall do no such thing!" The American man eximed loudly. "The recipient was none other than the esteemed Yuna Sano! How could I entrust just anyone with such a task?" "Y... Yuna Sano?" Seto blinked in disbelief, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected name. "But of course," Pegasus smiled warmly. "To think she would request several cards to be made. I have to say, I haven''t had that much fun in years. Unfortunately, most of the cards she ordered resulted in failures, as her creative mind was too big for me to handle..." He mumbled, his words trailing off with a sigh. "I... see..." Seto muttered, processing the information. After a few seconds of silence, he extended his hand. "Then give it to me. I will deliver it to her." "Never!" Pegasus eximed, gripping the white envelope tightly to his chest. "This b*stard..." Seto cursed, also rising from his seat, his annoyance evident. "If you keep going to be a pain in the a*s, for the love of god, I will..." *ROAR* Immediately, the two men fell silent, their attention drawn to the loudmotion outside. Seto''s eyes widened in disbelief as he instinctively turned towards the window, witnessing the sight of a massive, slender dragon descending from the sky. "What are you ying at?" Seto growled, turning to Pegasus, but to his confusion, Pegasus seemed just as bewildered as he was... Meanwhile... [Yuna''s POV] As I sat there, I subconsciously fidgeted in my seat. For the past three days, we had been diligently preparing for the arrival of Paradox: nning the best strategy to defeat him, predicting where he would show up, and setting up countermeasures for the innocent people who might get caught up in the duel. As the final day arrived, my mind raced, and I found it difficult to focus on the ss, mentally preparing myself for what was about toe. *ROAR* Instantly, everyone turned toward the wide windows, gasping as they beheld the form of Stardust Dragon soaring through the air. "Is that a dragon?" "This must be some kind of prank, right?" "No way, it looked way too real..." Skrrt The silence shattered as I stood up, the sound of my chair scraping against the floor. "I... need to... leave," I stammered, my voice drawing everyone''s attention. "Sano-san?" Yugi spoke out. "Where are you going? Do you know what''s happening?!" "Yu... Yugi..." I muttered, my expressionplicated. Shaking my head, I calmly stared at everyone and waited. Almost immediately, from the back row, the students groaned and clutched their heads in difort. One by one, they copsed, falling into unconsciousness. Quietly watching the scene unfold, everyone except me fell like dominos. Once I made sure they were all asleep, I hurriedly retrieved my duel disk from the compartment under my desk and stormed out of the room. "Stop." Suddenly, a domineering voice stopped me in my tracks. Turning around, I gazed at Yugi slowly rising from the floor. His demeanour had changedpletely, and I understood that he was no longer the Yugi I was familiar with. "So you do know what''s happening," Yami Yugi spoke, crossing his arms. "Sano-san, just who is behind all this?" I closed my mouth, at a loss for words. However, to my surprise, before I could respond, Yami Yugi smirked and held out his hand. "Just go; you must have your reasons," he chuckled, ncing out the window. "Be careful, Sano." Nodding gratefully, I rushed out of the door. Sprinting, I observed all the students gradually falling asleep. Once I reached the stairs, I began to ascend with haste.....n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Meanwhile... [3rd POV] Standing on the roof, Jaden and Yusei observed Stardust Dragon roaring furiously in the sky. "Jaden..." Yubel muttered. "Everyone has fallen asleep." "Thank you," he replied, his gaze fixed on the Stardust Dragon. "So, that''s your spirit..." "Yes," Yusei said, his eyes lingering on the Stardust Dragon with a touch of nostalgia. "Sano and Yumi will arrive soon, but please, we need to stop Stardust Dragon before it causes any harm." "Understood," Jaden nodded decisively, extending his arm. "Elemental Hero Neos!" WOOSH Suddenly, a tall humanoid with a sleek and futuristic design materialized in the air. The humanoid donned a tight-fitting suit in a strikingbination of white, blue, and red colours, entuating his streamlined appearance. His distinctive helmet boasted a sleek visor, adding to his high-tech and heroic demeanour. Without hesitation, Elemental Hero Neos soared towards Stardust Dragon, plunging into fiercebat. The sh between the two formidable entities was intense, with neither side gaining a clear advantage over the other as they battled relentlessly. "Yusei-kun, we''re here!" The door to the rooftop burst open as Yumi and Yuna appeared. However, upon witnessing the intense battle unfolding in the sky, they both stopped in their tracks, watching in shock at the massive sh before them "I''m d you''re both here," Yusei said with a smile. "Get ready. He should be arriving soon..." The two girls nodded in understanding, and just as Yusei finished speaking, they all heard the sound of something hovering behind them. "So... the three of you are still alive..." A deep voice echoed. Standing on a white hovercraft was a man d in a sleek, dark blue suit adorned with intricate patterns and metallic ents. A ck and white mask concealed the man''s expression, but his surprise was palpable in his voice. "Who are you?!" Yumi yelled, her voice tinged with anger. "Why are youmitting such heinous acts?!" "Why..." The man muttered, his gaze locking onto her. "Fine, I will tell you. In two hundred years, the world will be destroyed..." Yumi/Jaden/Yusei: !!! "The cause?" He scoffed disdainfully. "Is none other than these Duel Monsters! With three of myrades, we were thest survivors of humanity. But I will change that future once I kill Yugi Mutou, Seto Kaiba, Maximillian Pegasus, and Yuna Sano." Yusei shouted angrily, "How does killing them do anything but cause tragedy and despair?!" "You don''t get it..." The man growled. "These four were the spearhead in the poprity of Duel Monsters. With their death, I could prevent this cursed game from overtaking the world." "It doesn''t make sense," Jaden muttered. "Why don''t you just stop Pegasus before he even created Duel Monsters in the first ce?" "It''s not so simple," he said wistfully. "Duel Monsters already existed long before Maximillian Pegasus brought it to light. Thus, there''s no way to destroy its roots, and Duel Monsters will reappear eventually..." [1] "Then couldn''t we change it!?" Yumi shouted desperately. "If we now know what will happen in the future, what''s stopping us from preventing it?!" "Little girl..." The man chuckled: "I cannot put the fate of the future merely on your naive notion. This is something I must do, and if you retaliate, I have no choice but to kill you all." "Then we also have no choice," Yusei stepped forward boldly. "Your schemes end here!" Heughed and removed his mask, revealing striking golden pupils and a red mark running along his face. "I highly doubt that will be possible...." Contorting into a malicious smile, he spread his arms wide. Suddenly, his Duel Runner glowed ominously, revealing two hiddenpartments. With a hiss, the doors opened, revealing two new copies of the man standing within. "Imend your strategy for trying to stop me," he began, his voice dripping with confidence, "but it all ends here. After all...." The two other copies opened their eyes simultaneously, their voices harmonizing: "Can you stop all three of us?" x3 Instantly, the two clones leapt off the Duel Runner and dashed towards the exits. Seeing this, Yusei instinctively chased after them. "Yusei, watch out!" Yumi screamed as a vast shadow loomed overhead. BOOOOOM The ground where he stood exploded, and Yusei dove forward, seeking cover. In the air, a white serpentine dragon with feathery wings and golden spikes soared, its body adorned with various rainbow-coloured gems running along both sides. "Rainbow Dragon, eliminate him," the manmanded as the monster prepared to unleash another breath attack. "Yubel, halt, Rainbow Dragon!" Jaden shouted, and his spirit dashed towards the beast. "Yusei, go!" Yumi shouted, urging Yusei as he hesitated. "We''ll hold him off here!" Without further hesitation, he nodded and dashed down the stairs. "Tsk... How troublesome..." He clicked his teeth in annoyance. "Fine, I will y your games..." Holding out a card, Rainbow Dragon let out a deafening howl as it returned to its card form. Jaden, Yumi, and Yuna exchanged nces and nodded in unison. Simultaneously, they activated their Duel Disks, fixing their opponent with intense stares. Jaden eximed, "Alright! Get ready to get your game on!" Yumi dered, "Your evil ns end here. Let''s get this show started!" Yuna vowed, "I won''t let you harm anyone! I won''t lose!" The man chuckled darkly as he activated the Duel Disk on his wrist. "Heed my words; my future will be saved. For I, Paradox, will crush your futile efforts right here and now!" "Duel!!" x4 [Paradox: 4000 LP] [Yumi/Jaden/Yuna: 4000 LP] Meanwhile... Seto''s head throbbed with agony as he regained consciousness, the pain pulsing as if he had been jolted awake by an external force. Entering the hallway, he was greeted by the sight of all the students lying there, not dead but unconscious. The scene disturbed him deeply, and he quickened his steps, his subconscious leading him back to the ssroom. In his mind, thoughts of a certain someone consumed him... Entering the room, Seto''s eyes hurriedly scanned the interior, but to his surprise, Yuna was nowhere to be found. Turning towards the boy gazing out of the window, Seto growled, "Yugi... Where is..." "Sano-san left as soon as the dragon appeared," Yami Yugi calmly interrupted before Seto could finish his sentence. "I don''t know where she went." Seto''s frown deepened, his gaze filled with contempt as he red at Yami Yugi. Suddenly, footsteps echoed from the hallway, slowly approaching them. The tension in the room heightened as the door swung open, revealing an ominous figure standing in the doorway. The two duelists instinctively tensed their bodies, ready for whatever was toe. "It''s over," Paradox spoke coldly as he entered the room. "Give up the struggle; you will both die here..." "Kaiba..." Yami Yugi muttered, his voice heavy with resignation. Seto nodded solemnly. "I know," he replied, determination burning in his eyes as they both reached for the Duel Disks in their bags. "Stop!" A voice shouted from the door, and Seto''s re shifted to the sudden appearance of Yusei. Paradox nced at Yusei with amusement. "So, you''re abandoning Pegasus to chase after me? Looks like you couldn''t save everyone." Contrary to his expectations, Yusei smirked. "Do you really think we haven''t considered that possibility?" "What are you talking about?" Paradox snarled. "You don''t need to know," Yusei replied enigmatically as he activated his Duel Disk. "So, are we dueling or not?" Paradox gritted his teeth. "Fine... Just because you''re here, the oue will never change." "We''ll see about that," Yusei mumbled confidently. [Paradox: 4000 LP] [Yusei/Yugi/ Seto: 4000 LP] At another part of the school... "Kaiba-boy, where did you go?" Pegasus called out, his voice echoing through the empty halls. However, before advancing any further, his path was blocked by a figure standing in his way. "I''m sorry, I don''t recall anyone dressing as strangely as you." Paradox scoffed. "Keep talking for now, but your life will soon end." Pegasus raised one of his eyebrows. "Many people have wanted my life. You''ll "Ho-oh?" need to get in line." "Enough with the jokes!" Paradox snapped, revealing his Duel Disks. "Let''s get this over with." Yet, to his dismay, he sensed three new presences approaching. "Unfortunately for you, Maximillian Pegasus won''t be perishing today," a feminine voice announced while two figures stepped forward to join her. Pegasus hummed thoughtfully as he turned around. "Ah, Madam Ishtar, I never knew you would be here today!" Pegasus said with genuine surprise. Ishizu, Marik, and Odion brushed past Pegasus, positioning themselves protectively between him and Paradox. "We were also not expecting to be called so soon," Ishizu replied calmly. "But if the Miss has spoken, we will undoubtedly follow." Turning to the displeased Paradox, Ishizu spoke calmly but firmly: "I apologize, but to reach Pegasus, you must get through us." "So many insects... Just keep getting in my way!" Paradox shouted in rage. "Just like moths throwing themselves into mes! No matter how many people appear, their death was fated!" "Hmph, to talk about fate..." Ishizu scoffed, her Millennium Ne shining ominously. "Let me show you what true fate is!" [Paradox: 4000 LP] [Ishizu/Marik/ Odion: 4000 LP] [Yuna''s POV] This was it, the duel against Paradox. Yusei had gone to chase after the two clones, while Jaden, Yumi, and I would fight against the main body here. Thankfully, knowing that Paradox was actually an android programmed with the memories of the real Paradox who passed away in the future, the notion that there could actually be more than one body never left my nerdy mind. "Let''s get this over with; I will show you the true difference in our strength," Paradox spoke confidently as he nced at his hand. "First, I will y Pot of Greed, drawing two cards from my deck. Then, I will activate Malefic Territory to add Malefic World to my hand. Additionally, once this card is on the field, you can''t target Field Spells with card effects." Paradox: "With this, I activate my field spell, Malefic World...." WOOOOOSH Suddenly, our entire surroundings began to change. The sky darkens, taking on an eerie and ominous hue as if shadows themselves are creeping across thendscape. The ground below us cracked, revealing a purplish otherworldly terrain, and the air around us became heavy with unsettling energy as if we had been transferred into an alien realm. Staring down at us, Paradox cackled maliciously, and our bodies tensed: "Now... Let us truly begin!" I hope you enjoy it! [1] I still couldn''t really figure out why Paradox just did not kill a young Pegasus or something so I just made something up. Chapter 64: Battle for the Future Chapter 64: Battle for the Future ? [Yuna''s POV] "While Malefic World is active, in each of my draw phases, I will be able to add a random Malefic Monster from my deck to my hand instead of conducting a normal draw," Paradox borated. "Then, I will activate the effect of Malefic Cyber End Dragon in my hand by sending Cyber End Dragon from my extra deck to the graveyard; I will be able to special-summon this card onto the field!" [Malefic Cyber End Dragon: 4000 Attack, 2800 Defence] At Paradox''smand, a colossal mechanical beast with three distinct heads materialized on the field. Observing this spectacle, Jaden''s fists clenched tightly in frustration. "You even took Zane''s monster..." he seethed with anger. Paradox smirked, brushing off Jaden''s remark. "Next, I''ll activate Field Barrier, ensuring the safety of my Malefic World from destruction and barring anyone else from activating field spells for as long as this card holds sway. And with that, I''ll set three cards before ending my turn." "It''s my turn! I will draw!" Yumi said excitedly: "First, I will normal-summon, Noh-P.U.N.K Ze Amin!" [Noh-P.U.N.K Ze Amin (Tuner): 600 Attack, 600 Defence] "Then I activate Noh-P.U.N.K Ze Amin''s effect to pay six hundred of our life points and add one P.U.N.K monster from my deck to my hand." [Yumi/Jaden/Yuna: 4000 LP -> 3400 LP] Paradox: "In response, I will activate my trap card, Skill Drain. To pay one thousand of my life points, and all monsters on the field will have their effects negated!" [Paradox: 4000 LP -> 3000 LP] "Tsk..." Yumi clicked her teeth in frustration: "Then, I will activate the effect of Noh-P.U.N.K. Deer Note, revealing the Noh-P.U.N.K. Foxy Tune in my hand, then I will send Noh-P.U.N.K. Foxy Tune to the graveyard to summon Noh-P.U.N.K. Deer Note in defence position!" [Noh-P.U.N.K. Deer Note: 2100 Attack, 1800] "Now, with a Tuner and a Non-Tuner on the field, I will synchro summon!" Yumi shouted as a swirling green circle appeared beneath the two monsters'' feet. I felt my heart beat enthusiastically. Never had I imagined being able to see a proper synchro summoning here, and I felt giddy with excitement. "With a level three Noh-P.U.N.K Ze Amin and level five Noh-P.U.N.K Deer Note, I will summon Colossal Fighter, level eight in defence position!" Upon being absorbed by the circle and summoning a tall cream-colour warrior dressed in intricate armour. Crossing his arms into an X, the Colossal Warrior knelt on one knee and shielded himself from any iing attacks. [Colossal Fighter: 2800 Attack, 1000 Defence] "I will also activate the effect of Noh-P.U.N.K Deer Note in my graveyard, allowing me to special-summon Noh-P.U.N.K Foxy Tune in the graveyard!" [Noh-P.U.N.K. Foxy Tune: 2300 Attack, 2600 Defence] Yumi: "Finally, I will set one card and end my turn." "It''s my turn." Paradox dered with a scoff: "What a pathetic attempt of Synchro- Summoning, I will draw!" "However, the ability of my Malefic World has been activated, allowing me to add one Malefic Monster instead of drawing normally." He exined as the Duel Disk automatically shuffled his deck and dispensed the card he needed. "I will send my Rainbow Dragon from my deck to my graveyard and summon the second Malefic monster, Malefic Rainbow Dragon!" *Roar!!!!* The same Rainbow Dragon that had attacked Yusei reappeared in the sky. Its serpent body swirled through the sky while the dragon snarled in hatred. Suddenly, ck armour pieces manifested around Rainbow Dragon''s head before attaching themselves to the monster''s face. Rainbow Dragon howled in agony, and Jaden bit his lips in rage. Gradually, the roar died down as the Monster became obedient; its once shiny, feathery wings had turnedpletely ck and mechanic, losing their lustre. [Malefic Rainbow Dragon: 4000 attack, o Defence] "Now, Malefic Rainbow Dragon, attack!" Paradox shouted: "Destroy her Colossal Fighter!" Uponmand, Malefic Rainbow Dragon plummeted and dived towards the synchro monster. Colossal Fighter attempted to fight back, but its strength wascking against Malefic Rainbow Dragon and was ultimately defeated. "When Colossal Fighter was destroyed by battle and sent to the graveyard, I will be able to revive a Warrior-Type Monster!" Yumi announced: "The one I will bring back was none other than Colossal Fighter himself!!" "Such a simple strategy will not work!" Paradox shouted: "I will activate my set spell, Called By The Grave! This will banish the Colossal Fighter in your graveyard and thus negate its effects or any monster with the same name until the end of the next turn." [1] However, to his dismay, Yumi immediately revealed a card in her hand: "That won''t be happening; I will tribute Artifact Lancea in my hand! Now, no cards can get banished this turn; that means your Called By The Grave will not work!" Paradox clicked his teeth as the Colossal Fighter was sessfully revived. The monster flexed its arms, brimming with energy for another battle. [Colossal Fighter: 2800 Attack, 1000 Defence] "Fine, then I will continue my battle phase!" Paradox yelled angrily: "Malefic Cyber End Dragon, attack Noh-P.U.N.K. Foxy Tune!" The robotic monster charged, and Foxy Tune was unable to fend off the dragon''s assault and sumbed to its might: "I will end my turn." He dered and nced at Jaden: "Now it''s your go, boy." "I will draw!" Jaden yelled and glimpsed at Yumi''s Colossal Fighter, and they nodded at each other: "First, I will y Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy your skill Drain on the field!" A fierce tornado shattered the pale blue barrier that surrounded us, and I felt the energy gradually returning to the field and the weak sensation vanishing. Jaden: "Next, I will y Polymerisation, fusing Elemental Hero Neos and Colossal Fighter to fusion summon, Elemental Hero Neos Knight!" Colossal Fighter burst into particles of light as Elemental Hero Neos appeared on the field. The light surrounds the hero and transforms into a shy armour that protects his body. An orange mane grew from the back of Neo''s head, and in his hands was a sword and shield. [Elemental Hero Neos Knight: 2500 Attack, 1000 Defence] "When Elemental Hero Neos Knight is fusion summoned, it will gain half of the Warrior Fusion Material used for its Fusion Summon, except Elemental HERO Neos." [Elemental Hero Neos Knight: 2500 -> 3900 attack, 1000 Defence] "Then, with my Assault Armour Spell Card, Elemental Hero Neos Knight will gain an additional there hundred attacks!" [Elemental Hero Neos Knight: 3900 -> 4200 Attack, 1000 Defence] "Now I will battle!" Jaden dered, and Elemental Hero Neos Knight lifted his shield: "Elemental Hero Neos Knight has a second ability; during the battle phase, this card will be able to attack twice! Now, Elemental Hero Neos Knight, for Zane and Jesse, destroy Malefic Rainbow Dragon and Malefic Cyber End Dragon!!" Fearlessly, the hero rushed into battle, leaping between Malefic Rainbow Dragon and Malefic Cyber End Dragon. With a spin, Elemental Hero Neos Knight majestically wields his sword, slicing both monsters in half. [Paradox: 3000 LP -> 2600 LP] "You have activated my trap card, Malefic Tune." Paradox announced calmly: "When my Malefic monster is destroyed by battle, I will be able to draw two cards."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "Very well," Jaden nodded: "I will set two cards and end my turn." Staring at Jaden, Paradox chuckled: "How foolish, so much for so little damage...." "I will draw, but with the effect of Malefic World, I will add Malefic Paradox Gear to my hand instead. Then, I will summon Malefic Paradox Gear!" [Malefic Paradox Gear: 0 Attack, o Defence] "With Malefic Paradox Gear, I will tribute itself to special summon Malefic Parallel Gear from my deck, and I can add a Malefic monster to my hand!" [Malefic Parallel Gear: 0 Attack, o Defence] "The monster that I have added is none other than Malefic Stardust Dragon!" With Paradox''s exmation, Yumi''s face stiffened, and I also felt my lips pursing into a frown. "Now, I will send Stardust Dragon into the graveyard and summon Malefic Stardust Dragon!" [Malefic Stardust Dragon: 2500 Attack, 2000 Defence] "Now, with Malefic Stardust Dragon and Malefic Parallel Gear on the field, the conditions have been met..." Paradox smirked as he raised his hand: "With a tuner and a non-tuner, I will synchro-summon!" "Synchro Summoning?!" Yumi gasped in shock, and Paradox stared at her as if he was meeting a child. "Fool.... Do you really think you''re the only one? Your narrow-mindedness is what''s going to get you killed." He smirked, ignoring her intense re: "With a level-two tuner and a level- eight non-tuner, I will summon, level-ten, Paradox Dragon!!" *ROAR* A terrifying howl shook the space where we stood, and the three of us all instinctively covered our ears at this ear-piercing cry. Opening one of my eyes, I witnessed the sight of a dark and imposing dragon with a sinister aura that made my skin crawl. The dragon''s body was entirely ck with red and purple ents, sharp angr features, and a menacing expression. pping itsrge bat-like wings, the monster howled with malice, and we instinctively frowned with caution. [Malefic Paradox Dragon: 4000 Attack, 4000 Defence] "While Malefic Paradox Dragon was synchro-summoned, I can target one synchro monster in my graveyard and summon it, ignoring all summoning conditions. Therefore, I will revive Stardust Dragon!" [Stardust Dragon: 2500 Attack, 2000 Defence] "Stardust Dragon...." Yumi mumbled and clenched her fists: "That''s Yusei''s monster; you have no right using it!" "So what?" Paradox scoffed: "A card is just a card... Who cares if it belongs to someone else?" "You!" Yumi held her breath, suppressing the anger fuming in her heart. Worriedly, I held her hand, and she glimpsed at me with surprise before smiling with relief: "Thanks, Yuna, I''m alright now...." Nodding, I released my hand, and we both stared at Paradox with a scowl: "Let''s continue." He stated nonchntly and resumed his turn: "Unfortunately, it will soon be the end. While Malefic Paradox Dragon is on the field, all face-up monsters you control will lose an attack equal to the total attack of all face-up synchro monsters I control, except for this card!" Malefic Paradox Dragon howled, and a wave of darkness swept through the entire field. Instantly, Elemental Hero Neos Knight grunted in difort, and his shoulder slumped, severely weakened. [Elemental Hero Neos Knight: 4200 -> 1700 Attack, 1000] Now, I''m entering my Battle Phase!" Paradox dered: "Malefic Paradox Dragon, attack Elemental Hero Neos Knight!" "Not so fast!" Jaden shouted, activating his trap: "I will respond with Hero Barrier! Targeting your Malefic Paradox Dragon and negating its attack!" "That won''t happen!" To our surprise, Paradox countered and revealed his trap: "I will y Red Reboot, which will negate the activation of your Hero Barrier and set it face down onto the field. Additionally, you can set another trap back from your deck, but you won''t be able to activate any trap cards for the rest of this turn!" Jaden clicked his teeth as the Hero Barrier he set earlier returned to its face-down position, and he chose a trap card to set onto his field. With the failure of his trap, Malefic Paradox Dragon resumed its attack once more, destroying Elemental Hero Neos Knight. [Yumi/Jaden/Yuna: 3400 LP -> 1100 LP] "This is the end, Stardust Dragon; attack Jaden Yuki directly!" Paradox ordered, and Stardust Dragon charged with its ws raised. "Not on my watch!" Yumi interrupted: "I shall activate Performage Damage Juggler and discard it, reducing the next battle damage to zero!" Frustrated, Paradox let out an angered curse: "Fine," He spat: ''I will activate Pot of Avarice in my hand, shuffling Malefic Rainbow Dragon, Rainbow Dragon, Malefic Cyber End Dragon, Cyber End Dragon and Malefic Stardust Dragon back into my deck and drawing two cards." "Then, I will set three cards, ending my turn," Paradox grumbled. Finally, Yumi and Jaden turned to me with expectations. I took a deep breath and smiled as I felt my body tingling. If they have tried their best, it''s natural I must not let them down! "My turn, I will draw!" I shouted with determination: "I first activated Card Destruction, and we will discard our entire hand! Then, we will draw the same amount of cards we''ve discarded!" Staring at my new hand, I smiled with contentment: "Next, I will activate Return of the Dragon Lords to revive a level-seven or eight dragon from my graveyard; I will summon Arkbrave Dragon!" [Arkbrave Dragon: 2400 Attack, 2000 Defence] "When Arkbrave Dragon is special-summoned from the graveyard, I can banish all face-up spells or trap cards on the field, including your Malefic World!" Yumi and Jaden cheered as Arkbrave Dragon unleashed a devastating breath in our surroundings, attacking the Malefic World. However, the celebration swiftly dies down as Paradox activates his trap card. "I won''t allow that to happen!" Paradox roared: I will activate Lost Wind, negating the effect of your Arkbrave Dragon and halving its attack points!" [Arkbrave Dragon: 2400 -> 1200 Attack, 2000 Defence] "Damn..." I mumbled: "Very well, I will summon the Guardian of Felgrand and equip Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand to this card, and the Guardian of Felgrand will gain attacks and defence equal to half of the attack and defence of the equipped card." [Guardian of Felgrand: 500 Attack, 500 Defence] [Guardian of Felgrand: 500 -> 1900 Attack, 500 -> 1900 Defence] "Now, I will activate Guardian of Felgrand''s effect, tributing itself and Arkbrave Dragon to summon a level-seven or eight dragon monster, and I will choose Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" *GUO000000000* An intense howl shook the Malefic dimension, one more rageful and ferocious than the one of the Malefic Paradox Dragon. A divine light shed before me and transformed into the form of a golden dragon. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "There it is!" Yumi eximed with excitement: "Mo... I mean... Yuna has brought it out!" Feeling giddy by her praise, my lips twitched, and I struggled not to smile sheepishly: "I will activate Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s effect, targeting the Malefic Paradox Dragon to banish it, and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand will gain attack equal to the banished monster''s level multiplied by one hundred!" "It''s not going to be that easy!!" Paradox bellowed with annoyance: "I will activate my other trap card, Skill Prisoner and target my own Malefic Paradox Dragon! Now, any monster effects that target my Malefic Paradox Dragon will be negated!" "No!" I shouted instinctively in frustration as Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s attack was cancelled: "Guh... I will set two cards, ending my turn." Witnessing me end my turn, Paradox began tough: "Is this what only the three of you can aplish? I''m disappointed...." "During your stand-by phase!" I interrupted him: "With Arkbrave Dragon''s effect, I will special-summon Blue Eyes White Dragon in defence position!" [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence] "Hmph, it''s useless!" He said with a wave of his arms: "Now, Malefic Paradox Dragon, attack Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" Malefic Paradox Dragon roared, and I watched it plummeting towards my dragon: "In response, I will activate Honest in my hand, and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand will gain attack of your Malefic Paradox Dragon!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand; 2800 -> 6800 Attack, 2800 Defence] "Fool, don''t you realise that I have already thought of that?!" Paradox shouted with a smile: "I will activate the Dark Honest in my hand!" Upon his deration, my eyes widened with disbelief. "Now, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand will lose an attack equal to its original attack!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand; 6800 -> 4000 Attack, 2800 Defence] BOOOOOM The two dragons crashed into each other, creating a devastating explosion that shook the area where we stood. When the dust settled, both of our monsters had disappeared entirely, and Paradox smiled. "Congrattions, you have fallen into my palms..." Paradox chuckled, pressing the button on his Duel Disk: "With this, the stage is finally set... I will activate the Malefic Paradigm Shift and pay half of my life points! When my Malefic Paradox Dragon is destroyed, I can special summon my strongest monster from my deck, Malefic Truth Dragon!!!" [Paradox: 2600 LP -> 1300 LP] The Malefic World trembled upon the calling of a massive beast. Its scales were yellow, with spikes growing along its back. The dragon donned two massive wings bigger than its body, and there was arge red crystal embedded in its chest. Malefic Truth Dragon roared, and our faces paled, understanding the seriousness of the situation. [Malefic Truth Dragon: 5000 Attack, 5000 Defence] "Now, Malefic Truth Dragon, attack Blue Eyes White Dragon!" Paradoxmanded, and the yellow monster unleashed a deathly beam. "I will activate Return of the Dragon Lords in my graveyard. Whenever a dragon monster is destroyed, I can banish this card instead!" Paradox scowled in displeasure: "Very well, then I shall end my turn here. However, I believe this soon would be over..." He''s right... I clicked my teeth. Yumi, Jaden and I have all yed our turns. This meant that Paradox no longer had to attack as consecutively and could now go for anyone... [3rd POV] Yumi bit her lips nervously. She nced at Yuna and knew that they were thinking about the same thing. If Yumi doesn''t do something now, Paradox will be way too powerful for them to handle... "Yumi..." Yuna quietly muttered. Raising her head, Yumi nced at Yuna, smilingfortingly. She gently held Yumi''s hands: "We shouldn''t give up yet." "Sano''s right. A Duel''s not over ''till thest card is yed!" Jaden added confidently. Wiping her teary eyes, Yumi nodded with a small smile: "Mn... I''m sorry for being like this... But what should we do?" Suddenly, Yuna poked her in the shoulder with a grin: "I have a n." A minuteter... Paradox patiently waited as the three duellists broke away from each other: ''What are they doing now?'' He questioned with a suspicious frown. "It''s my turn!" Yumi dered with a newfound determination: "I will y Monster Reincarnation! This allowed me to discard a card and add a monster from our graveyard to my hand!" [2] With enthusiasm, she picked up a specific card ejected out of Yuna''s Duel Disk. Staring at her hand, the n they had formted began to go in full force. "I will first y Monster Reborn! Summoning Noh-P.U.N.K. Ze Amin from my graveyard!" [Noh-P.U.N.K. Ze Amin (Tuner): 600 Attack, 600 Defence] "Now, I will pay six hundred of our life points to add Noh-P.U.N.K. Deer Note from my deck to my hand! Next, I will activate Noh-P.U.N.K. Deer Note''s effect, revealing this card and Noh- P.U.N.K. Orgre Dance. Then I can send Noh-P.U.N.K. Deer Note to the graveyard to summon the other P.U.N.K monster!" [Yumi/Jaden/Yuna: 1100 LP -> 500 LP] [P.U.N.K. Orgre Dance: 2500 Attack, 2000 Defence] "Finally, I will synchro-summon with a level three tuner and a level eight non-tuner! To summon, level-eleven, Ukiyoe-P.U.N.K. Amazing Dragon!!" SWOOSH An array of colourful paint sshed into the air. The colours intertwined with each other, gradually forming the figure of a bright dragon with a vibrant mix of neon colours. Its body was adorned with patterns reminiscent of traditional Japanese prints, featuring swirling motifs of waves, clouds, and geometric shapes. [Ukiyoe-P.U.N.K. Amazing Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2800 Defence] "When Ukiyoe-P.U.N.K. Amazing Dragon is synchro-summoned, I can target cards on the field equal to the number of level-three psychic monsters on the field or graveyard and send them back to the hand!" "The card I will choose is the Malefic Truth Dragon!" "I won''t allow this!" Paradox shouted: "With Skill Prisoner in the graveyard, I can banish this card to target my Malefic Truth Dragon, and any effect that targets it will be negated!" "That is fine!" Yumi grinned: "Now, everything''s ready! Yuna, Jaden!" Yuna: "I''m on it! I will activate Call of the Haunted and summon my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!!" Jaden: "Let''s do this! I will activate Soul Ressurection and summon my Elemental Hero Neos!!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence] [Elemental Hero Neos: 2500 Attack, 2000 Defence] "With Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s effect, I will banish your Stardust Dragon, and it will gain attack and defence equal to its levels!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3800 Attack, 2800 -> 3800 Defence] "Now!" Yumi raised a single card into the sky: "This is the best day of my life!" She eximed: "With Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, Elemental Hero Neos and Ukiyoe-P.U.N.K. Amazing Dragon as tributes, I will summon WINGED DRAGON OF RA!!!!!!! Paradox gasped in horror as the three monsters were engulfed by a zing sun that burst through the dark Malefic World: "Do you really think you can just summon a God who gives you the right to control it!" "Ha!" Yumiughed while staring at Paradox with pity: "Don''t you know? How many times have I asked Mom to chant it for me!? I can even say it in my sleep!""With a broad smile, Yumi begins to speak and the aura surrounding them changes. "Sh*t!" Paradox cursed as each word matched perfectly, and he clutched the side of his hair in disbelief. "Now, I summon you!" Yumi yelled: "Appear in this game as I call out your name, Winged Dragon of Ra!" [Winged Dragon of Ra: 0 Attack, o Defence] "When Winged Dragon of Ra is tribute summoned, it will gain attack and defence equal to the monsters that were used to summon it!" [Winged Dragon of Ra: 0 -> 9300 Attack, o -> 8600 Defence] "Winged Dragon of Ra, attack Malefic Truth Dragon!" Yumi dered excitedly, and the Egyptian God roared. Rising into the air, it unleashed a ming sun at Malefic Truth Dragon,pletely burning the monster alive. "NO, NO, NO!!!" Paradox screamed as the mes travelled towards him: "I was supposed to change the future!! WHERE HAVE IT GONE SO WRONG?!" With the raging fire, thest thing Paradox saw was the three duellists'' determined expression as he was consumedpletely, wiped without a trace... [Paradox: 1300 LP -> 0 LP] *Crack* The Malefic World surrounding them disintegrated like fragile ss, fracturing into countless minuscule shards that scattered into the wind. Paradox and his Duel Runner vanished without a trace, leaving behind only the card forms of Cyber End Dragon, Rainbow Dragon, and Stardust Dragon strewn across the floor. "Did... Did we do it?" Yumi mumbled in a daze, her gaze fixed on the spot where Paradox had stood moments before. Gasping for breath, Jaden copsed onto his back, eximing, "We won... We really won!" Watching the two cheer, Yuna couldn''t help but let out a small, relieved smile. With eager steps, Yumi excitedly approached the cards and picked them up. Handing Cyber End Dragon and Rainbow Dragon to Jaden, they quickly descended from the roof to search for Yusei. After a ten-minute walk, they finally located Yusei resting in the ssroom, where Yugi and Seto were also present, equally restless. Noticing Yumi, Yusei''s face brightened, and he rushed towards her. "Are you alright?!" he asked with a face full of worry. Yumi nodded. "How about you? Where''s Paradox?" Yusei began to exin that during the duel, Paradox''s clone suddenly began to act even more strangely as if it had lost a part of its brain. Taking advantage of this, Kaiba, Yusei, and Yugi were able to exploit the situation and defeat him efficiently. Upon Yusei''s exnation, Yuna also received a message from the Ishtars exining a simr scenario, and her mind finally rxed, knowing that it was all over... "Thank goodness..." Yumi yelled and enveloped Yusei in a tight hug: "We won!" Caught off guard, Yusei''s face reddened slightly, and he coughed in embarrassment. In the background, Yuna felt a flutter in her chest as she observed Yumi''s intimate gesture. ncing around the room, she noticed Seto had suddenly vanished. Frowning, Yuna quietly slipped out of the ssroom and found him in the hallway. "Kaiba..." Yuna called out, and Seto stopped abruptly, his expression guarded. "Why are you here?" he questioned curtly without turning around. "I thought you were going to celebrate with them?" "But...." She hesitated, sensing his tense demeanour. "Where... are you going?" "Where do you think?" Seto retorted sharply, his tone reflecting his impatience. "I''m going home." Without waiting for a response, he started to walk away. However, Yuna reacted quickly, reaching out and grasping his hand, her touch unexpected yet firm. "Why are you holding me?" he snapped, his irritation evident. "Let go." "Kaiba...." Yuna mumbled hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Are.... Are you angry... at me?" "No," Seto responded quickly, his tone clipped. "Lie!" she eximed, her frustration evident. Staring at her in the corner of his vision, Seto sighed and shook away her hands. "You wanted me to leave you alone, so that''s what I''m doing," he exined, his voice tinged with resignation, and he spread his arms. "Isn''t this what you wanted?!" "No, I...." Yuna stammered, her frustration evident as she bit her lip. She soon realized that this wasn''t Seto''s typical angry attitude; he was legitimately sulking. "Kaiba," she mumbled, averting her gaze. "I''m sorry... I don''t want... you to leave..." Suddenly, Seto''s lips twitched, and he covered his mouth to hide the gradually forming smile. "What makes me believe that you actually mean it?" "I like being friends... with Kaiba..." Yuna blushed in embarrassment and bowed her head. "I''m... really... sorry..." At this point, Seto was smiling from ear to ear, seemingly amused by his newfound hobby of teasing Yuna Sano. Crossing his arms, Seto furrowed his brows, feigning annoyance. "Sorry, just won''t cut it. If you really want to apologize, then you must prove it, right?" "I don''t... understand," Yuna replied, taking a small, wary step back as she noticed his ominous smile. "Well, since you acted so discourteously, I think you should do something for me," he smirked, his tone yful yet challenging. "What... is it..." Yuna questioned nervously, her apprehension growing. "It''s simple, really," Seto shrugged nonchntly. "Just tomorrow, you just have to be my servant for a day. Oh, and you should alsoe dressed in a maid costume." His smirk widened as he watched her reaction. Yuna''s face turned pale, and she stared at Seto in disbelief. She couldn''t imagine the pure shame that would bring, dressing up in a maid costume and addressing him as "young master." Suddenly, Yuna snapped out of her daze when she heard Seto''sughter. Finally realizing that he was messing with her, Yuna''s re intensified, and her shoulders trembled in humiliation. ''Fine, if this is how you want to y it!'' Yuna thought to herself, her determination growing more assertive as she prepared to face Seto''s challenge head-on. To Seto''s surprise, Yuna''s expression returned to normal. cing a finger on her lip, she averted her gaze and hugged her waist with her other arm. "If that''s... what you''re... into," she murmured softly. "Huh?!" Seto let out a strange noise, his face reddening with confusion. "What the f*ck are you talking about?!!!" Realizing how awkward she sounded, Yuna also blushed, and the two stared at each other in ufortable silence. "Pu ha ha ha..." Breaking the ufortable silence, Yuna doubled over, clutching her stomach asughter bubbled out uncontrobly. Seto''s finger twitched nervously, and his heart rate quickened inexplicably. Strangely captivated by the sound of herughter, he felt an unexpected warmth spreading through him. It was beautiful, he thought, in a way he couldn''t quite exin. It was only for a moment, but Seto thought that Yuna''sugh... Like a majestic melody, this beautiful sound should only be meant... for him... An hourter... "Wow, is this a motorbike from the future? How does it work?!" Yugi asked with excitement, his eyes wide as he curiously circled Yusei''s Duel Runner. "Yes, in the future, there will be a new style of duelling thatbines with racing," Yusei exined, and Yugi''s eyes sparkled with intrigue. "Hmph... To think there''s something like this...." Seto huffed, his expression a mixture of scepticism and curiosity as he grasped his chin in thought. "This new method called Synchro- Summoning is also very interesting..." "Right?!" Yumi nodded enthusiastically. "I wonder what other new ways to duel there will be in the distant future!" Watching Seto agree with her, Yuna couldn''t help but feel a sense of awe at Yumi''s ability to befriend even the infamous Seto Kaiba. She had always believed that she might be his only friend for his entire life. However, seeing Yumi and Seto talkingfortably with each other, she couldn''t shake off a feeling of unease. "Yumi, Jaden, it''s time for us to leave!" Yusei shouted as he started his Duel Runner. "Looks like I have to go!" Yumi eximed, turning to Yuna. "Yuna, thesest few days have been so much fun." "Nn..." Yuna nodded with a small smile. "I had a lot... of fun as well..." Suddenly, Yumi extended her arms, pulling both Seto and Yuna into a tight embrace. Yuna and Seto nced at each other in awkwardness, bewildered by her unexpected actions. Eventually, Yuna chuckled and raised her arm, gently stroking her hair. Watching her return the embrace, Seto felt a sense ofplicated emotions overwhelming him. His instinct was to push her away and berate this strange girl for suddenly touching him like this. However, Seto could not find himself doing so... With this unfamiliar motion, Seto extended his hand, and he hesitantly patted her back. Yumi''s heart quickened, and she leaned against Yuna''s chest. The bright smile on her face was only growing increasingly more significant. "It''s really nice to meet your two..." Yumiughed and broke off from the embrace. Gently grabbing Yuna''s shoulders, she stared at her: "Yuna, before I go, can you promise me one thing?" With Yuna''s agreement, Yumi squealed and whispered into her ears. Backing away, Yuna froze like a statue, gazing at her in shock. "Can you do that for me?" Yumi asked with a giggle. "What... do you...." Yumiughed and shrugged off her question. Before Yuna could grab her, Yumi darted between her arms, leaping onto Yusei''s Duel Runner: "Jaden, Yusei,e on, let''s go go go!" "Wa... Wait!" Yuna eximed, but the Duel Runner''s loud engine drowned out her voice. With a press of the throttle, the bike sped through the school grounds, creating a mountain of clouds of dust. To everyone''s amazement, a humongous red dragon appeared beside Yusei, engulfing the Duel Runner whole and with a sh of light, they disappeared... Staring at the space, Yuna clutched her chest in confusion, frowning at Yumi''s final words: "Yumi... Please exin to me what the hell you mean when you say that you wanted a big brother?!" I hope you enjoy it! [1] IMO, Paradox should have these strong cards since he was from the future. [2] Since this still follows the tag team duel, which means that graveyards are shared. Chapter 65: Thief VS a Starving Dragon, Who Will Win? Chapter 65: Thief VS a Starving Dragon, Who Will Win? ? [3rd POV] Two monthster, in the Domino High Library... "Is this truly so confusing?" Seto asked, his gaze fixed upon the array of mathematical materials spread out before him. Yuna rolled her eyes in exasperation, focusing on the questions before her. Her pen moved hesitantly across the paper, tracing out each answer with uncertainty. Amidst the quiet of the library, the only sound was the rhythmic scribbling of her pen. As she worked, Yuna''s gaze drifted to the man seated across from her, and she couldn''t help but wonder how they had found themselves in this perplexing predicament. It began about a week ago when Mokuba decided to pay a surprise visit. Upon arriving, he was greeted by the sight of books strewn across the kitchen table. To Yuna''s disbelief, Mokuba effortlessly grasped the questions, dismissing them as simple despite the fact that it had taken her a while toprehend each topic. Transported into the world of Yugioh, Yuna had never fathomed that she would find herself back in school, facing the same academic demands as before. The sheer volume of work was driving her to the brink of insanity. Noticing her situation, Mokuba shrugged: "Maybe Big Brother can help you? Since he''s much smarter than me. I can ask him if you want?" With little to lose, Yuna nodded nonchntly, anticipating Seto''s typical response of urging her to figure it out herself rather than going out of his way to teach her. However... "All you need to do is transfer the numbers from this side to that side, and then the variables will be isted," Seto said, gesturing towards Yuna''s notes. Yuna furrowed her brow as she stared, trying toprehend his exnation. Finally, with a pinch at the bridge of his nose and a resigned sigh, Setomented, "Why is this so difficult for you to grasp? Look..." He picked up the book and scanned its contents. "How about this?" he proposed. "If your opponent has eighty-five thousand seven hundred life points with nothing on their field, and you''ve just summoned Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from your graveyard, what level of monster do you need to banish to..." "Eight hundred... and twenty-nine," Yuna answered promptly. Seto paused his expression a mix of surprise and disbelief. "Then try this question," he said, sliding the book towards her. However, Yuna merely furrowed her brow deeply at the equation, unable to grasp the form. "Why don''t you try thinking of each question as rted to Duel Monsters?" Seto suggested with a hint of resignation in his tone. "Duel... Monsters..." Yuna repeated, her tone uncertain. To Yuna''s surprise, Seto began to reframe each question in terms of Duel Monsters, and she found herself able to solve each one in the blink of an eye. As she finally closed the book, a realization dawned on Yuna at how childish the method was. Blushing, she nced at Seto, who appeared to regard her with a mixture of amusement and perhaps a touch of condescension, as if he were indulging an infant and her face flushed even redder with embarrassment. "If you approach it like that, I doubt you''ll have any trouble passing," Seto stated assertively, raising an eyebrow. "Is that everything?" "Nn..." Yuna murmured, shaking her head while staring down at the table. "Thank you," she added softly, her voice filled with gratitude. She patiently waited, but Seto remained seated, his arms crossed as he observed her with a prating gaze. Yuna squirmed ufortably under his scrutiny, feeling the weight of his cold eyes. Finally, Seto opened his mouth, addressing a question that had been weighing on him for months. "By the way, do you have anyone you like?" Yuna stiffened, staring at him in shock. "What... do you... mean?" she asked cautiously, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "Is there someone you''re interested in?" Seto repeated while leaning back in his chair, shrugging casually. "I''ve heard it''s something people our age talk about." ''But people like us just talk about Duel Monsters...'' Yuna pondered. ''Especially Kaiba, so why is he asking something like this?'' she wondered, her suspicion growing. "I... don''t," Yuna answered honestly, her voice trailing off as she gauged Seto''s reaction carefully. "Then who is it..." Yuna heard Seto mumble under his breath. He bit the tip of his thumb, lost in thought, his expression unreadable. It had been two months since the three visitors from the future bid their farewells and returned to their respective timelines. Seto couldn''t help but overhear Yumi''s whispered words to Yuna, words that shook him to his core... "I want a big brother..." Seto instinctively shuddered, his mind racing as he reflected on those words. ''This means that Yumi is Sano''s....'' he thought, a myriad of emotions swirling within him. Running his hand through his hair in agitation, Seto couldn''t shake the wild notion forming in his head. ''What if... What if I''m the father?'' he thought, his mind racing with the implications. Suddenly ovee with embarrassment, Seto covered his face, desperately trying to hide the deep blush creeping over his cheeks. The idea wasn''t entirely impossible, given that they shared the same hair colour. However, Seto also knew that brown was a standard hair colour, and a wave of pessimism washed over him as he realized the absurdity of the situation. "Kaiba?" Snapping out of his daze, Seto turned to the girl sitting across from him. "How... about you? Do you... have anyone?" she asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and hesitance. Freezing, Seto found himself contemting the question in a way he hadn''t expected. Typically, if he were asked something like this, he would scowl and brush it off with disdain. However, this time, he found himself unable to do so... "I don''t know," Seto responded quietly, his gaze fixed on the scenery outside the window as he grappled with his thoughts. Yuna blinked in surprise at the unexpected answer, and a palpable awkwardness settled over the room. She couldn''tprehend what had prompted Seto to respond so vaguely, and she felt a sense of distance growing between them. The Seto Kaiba she had idolized through the screen seemed increasingly elusive. Despite the difort, Yuna couldn''t help but smile, realizing that the characters she adored were far moreplex and nuanced than she had ever imagined. Three Weeks Later... Soon, the final exams flew by in a blur, and thanks to Seto''s guidance, Yuna passed with ease, and she found herself once again in his debt. With the conclusion of the finals, the holiday season swiftly approached, and the much-anticipated day nned with Yugi had arrived. Stopping outside of the Museum, Yuna gaped at the building in awe. History had never been her strong suit, and the sheer magnitude of the monumental structure left her feeling slightly intimidated. "Lady Sano, you have arrived," Ishizu greeted warmly as Yuna nced up the stairs, spotting her waiting at the entrance. Following Ishizu''s lead, Yuna stepped into the Museum, where she began to guide her through each exhibit expertly, exining the history behind each attraction with the skill of a seasoned tour guide. "Where... are other... people?" Yuna asked curiously as they made their way through the museum, noticing the absence of other visitors despite it being prime opening hours. "I had made sure that there would be no intrusion," Ishizu responded, gesturing towards the exhibit at the centre of the museum. "Although I wanted to show you more, I believe it''s best if weplete our objective today first." Moving towards the Ancient Egyptian exhibit, Yuna finally spotted the massive limestone tablet disyed on a ck obsidian pedestal. Upon the tablet were various engravings of countless hieroglyphics and depictions that Yuna recognized as the Dark Magician, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and two figures standing beneath the towering Duel Monsters, facing each other. Approaching the artifact, Yuna instinctively held her breath upon witnessing the scene depicted before her. Subconsciously, she halted, her gaze fixed intently on the engravings, absorbing every detail with rapt attention. "Ah, Sano-san, you''re here!" Turning around, Yuna saw Yugi and his friends, their expressions noticeably brightening as they greeted her warmly. "Yugi..." Yuna murmured, reaching for her waist where she had stored her deck box. With careful precision, she retrieved the Winged Dragon of Ra, holding it out for Yugi and his friends to see. "Thank you, Sano-San; I''m truly grateful for this," Yugi responded with genuine sincerity, his eyes reflecting his gratitude. As Yugi epted the card from Yuna''s hand, her gaze lowered slightly, and she suppressed the sigh that threatened to escape her throat. Despite the trouble the Winged Dragon of Ra had caused her, she couldn''t deny the allure and power of a true Egyptian God. "Look, those are the pictures of the three Egyptian Gods," Joey pointed out excitedly. "That''s Slifer the Sky Dragon, Obelisk the Tormentor, and the Winged Dragon of Ra." Nodding solemnly, Yugi took a deep breath. The Millennium Puzzle on his chest began to shine with an ethereal light, and everyone present could sense a shift in the aura surrounding him. Standing before the tablet, Yami Yugi gazed at the three drawings etched upon it. With a determined expression, he held out his hand, cing each of the cards on their respective pictures. Almost immediately, the cards in Yami Yugi''s hand began to glow brilliantly, causing everyone present to shield their eyes from the blinding light. However, the intense light soon vanished, giving way to an overwhelming darkness that seemed to engulf the room. Yami Yugi let out a pained groan as the Egyptian God Cards emitted a crackling, purple electricity, striking him with its force. "Yugi!" Tea shrieked in shock, rushing towards him as he copsed onto his back. As the three cards slipped from Yami Yugi''s grasp and fell to the floor, the tablet beneath them began to tremble. To everyone''s disbelief, the artifact was suddenly enveloped in a shimmering, translucent ice. "What in the world..." Joey muttered in a daze. Suddenly, a bloodcurdling scream pierced the air, jolting everyone out of their stupor. Without hesitation, they rushed out of the museum, only to be met with a scene of utter chaos and horror. Monsters of all shapes and sizes appeared in the sky and on the ground,unching relentless attacks on the unsuspecting civilians nearby. Panic and fear gripped the crowd as they struggled toprehend the nightmarish spectacle unfolding before them. "Miss Sano, be careful!" Ishizu warned, pulling Yuna towards her just in time as a yellowish- flying beast swooped dangerously close overhead. The monster let out a deafening roar before perching atop the museum rooftop, its lengthy snake-like body coiling around the gpole. "That''s the Curse of Dragon!" Tristan eximed, leaving everyone speechless. "But what is it doing here?!" Unfortunately, Tristan''s questions remained unanswered as the Duel Monster attempted to attack once more. It lunged at him, and he dropped to the floor, narrowly dodging the dragon''s razor-sharp teeth. Losing its bnce, Curse of Dragon crashed onto the hard stone pavement and immediately snapped around, this time aiming towards Yami Yugi and Tea. However, to everyone''s surprise, Curse of Dragon merely phased through their bodies, its image flickering before it swiftly flew away into the sky. "What was that..." Tea mumbled shakily, her voice trembling with fear. "Do you think what happened earlier has something to do with it?" "Or maybe it''s Kaiba Corp''s doing!" Joey grumbled angrily. "Don''t they make these types of things?" However, before he could borate on his point, he sensed an intense re behind him, causing him to falter. "Wheeler-san... Please apologize..." Yuna muttered in displeasure. "Ah..." Joey flinched, realizing his mistake. "Sorry, I misspoke," he apologized sincerely, acknowledging his error. "Nheless, it still doesn''t hurt to check with Kaiba; he might know what''s happening," Yami Yugi exined, ncing at Yuna for confirmation. Seeing Yuna nodding in agreement, Yami Yugi smiled with relief: "Alright, let''s go." "Although I would love to follow suit, I humbly apologize," Ishizu interjected, her voice filled with sincerity. "But I shall remain here and investigate what happened to the Tablet of Memories. I pray that you will be safe on your journey." With their resolve firm, the group set off, navigating the chaotic streets with caution, mindful of the Duel Monsters lurking around every corner. Some creatures paid them no heed, while others exhibited hostile behaviour before running away, much like the Curse of Dragon. "Looks like there''s less and less monsters." Tea said, and everyone felt their confidence returning. With hurried steps, they finally reached the imposing entrance of Kaiba Corp. However, as they approached, they realized that they weren''t the only ones there. "Was Kaiba Corp responsible for this chaotic event!?" "Is this the result of the Duel Disks holograms malfunctioning!?" "Does Kaiba Corp have any exnation for what happened!?" Hundreds of reporters swarmed outside the entrance of Kaiba Corp, bombarding the staff with questions in their quest for information. Standing at the forefront of the chaotic scene was Rnd, Seto''s trusted right-hand man, skillfully managing the onught of reporters while wiping the sweat from his face with a handkerchief. "Everyone, please calm down," Rnd urged, his voice projecting above the mour of the crowd. "Mr. Kaiba will be holding a press conferenceter tonight, but I can assure you that this has nothing to do with Kaiba Corp..." However, his words were immediately drowned out by a barrage of even more questions from the persistent reporters, each bombarding for answers amidst the chaos. "I don''t think we have a chance of getting our answers after all..." Joeymented, his expression grave as he observed the chaotic scene unfolding before them. "Didn''t Rnd say that Kaiba will hold a conferenceter?" Tea pointed out, her voice a beacon of reason amidst the chaos. "Looks like we just have to wait."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Each of Yugi''s friends voiced their agreement, acknowledging that waiting was the best course of action given the circumstances. With no immediate answers forting, they decided to call it a day, bidding farewell to Yuna before departing for Solomon Mutou''s Card Shop. Naturally, unable to unlock the Pharoah''s memories, the Winged Dragon of Ra was naturally returned to her deck, and Yugi promised that they would try again next time. Waving her hand in farewell, Yuna nced at the swarm of reporters engulfing the Kaiba Corp building, a sense of unease settling in her heart. She couldn''t help but feel worried for the two Kaiba Brothers, knowing the challenges they were undoubtedly going to face in theing days. However, amidst her concerns, she held onto the faith that they would undoubtedly ovee it. Night... "From thest twenty-four hours, monsters have been spotted all over the world, including a winged dragon perched on top of the Taj Mahal!" The news reporter''s voice echoed from the television. "These creatures are believed to be life-like holograms associated with the popr game Duel Monsters." Staring at the screen, Yuna''s expression darkened with aplicated mix of emotions. Already aware of the true mastermind behind all this chaos, she understood just how nefarious the enemy''s ns were. Anxious about the uncertain future thaty ahead, Yuna couldn''t shake off the feeling of unease gnawing at her heart. "We now take you live to the Kaiba Corp press conference, where the gamingpany president, Seto Kaiba, will make a statement," the news anchor announced as the broadcast shifted to the Kaiba Corp press conference. Immediately, Yuna''s eyes fixated on the screen as Seto calmly walked onto the stage. : "Ah... He''s definitely pissed off right now..." She muttered to herself. Adjusting the microphone with a sigh of annoyance, Seto began his statement. "After thorough testing of our hologram simtion system, I can assure you that these sightings are unrted to Kaiba Corp. Our state-of-the-art technology is working perfectly." Without offering any further exnation, Seto Kaiba swiftly exited the stage, leaving the onsite reporters stunned by his abrupt departure. "You heard it, folks," the news anchor dered, addressing the audience. "Seto Kaiba ims that they were not responsible for today''s events!" *Click* Not wanting to hear any more spection, Yuna turned off the television with the remote. Moving to her bedroom, she sank onto the bed and hugged her legs, feeling a mix of frustration and apprehension swirling within her. Opening herptop, she began to scroll through the inte and search through today''s event. Despite not being responsible for the events, Seto was still facing bacsh and criticism on the online forums, with many people unjustly ming him for the chaos. Yuna sighed in frustration and closed herptop, feeling irritated by the unfairness of the situation. It troubled her to see Seto being unjustly med for something beyond his control while the actual perpetrators remained atrge. "Tsk... Dartz, karma will surely hit you like a truck," Yuna mumbled angrily, clenching her fists in anger. Suddenly, Yuna''s phone came to life, the loud rm breaking the tense silence in the room. Hastily picking up the device, she pressed the answer button and brought it to her ear. "Sano-san!" Yugi''s urgent voice pierced through the line. "Just moments ago, someone robbed my grandfather''s store! They stole the Egyptian God Cards!" Immediately, Yuna froze as a chilling realization washed over her. A single fact that she had forgotten suddenly shed in her mind: in this arc, all three Egyptian God Cards would be stolen by Dartz. But, now that it has changed, she was the one who had the Winged Dragon of Ra... Just at that moment, the lights in Yuna''s apartment floor flickered ominously before abruptly cutting out, plunging her into darkness. Heart pounding, Yuna stood up slowly, her senses on high alert. She could hear the front door opening, and a sinking feeling settled in her stomach as she realized that someone had entered the house... "Someone''s here..." Yuna muttered under her breath, her voice barely above a whisper. "What!?!! Who''s here?!" Yugi''s panicked voice came through the phone, filled with concern and rm: "What''s happening?!" "I have to... go..." Yuna replied urgently, her mind racing with apprehension. Before Yugi could ask any more questions, she abruptly hung up the phone. Taking a deep breath, Yuna tried to stay calm and said in a whisper, praying to the spirits residing in her soul: "Starving Venom Fusion Dragon... Please help me..." WOOSH Immediately, a dark presence materialized in front of her, merging into the form of a sinister dragon. Yuna met its gaze with determination, feeling a sense of reassurance wash over her. With a nod from Yuna, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon acknowledged hermand and slithered into the darkness. Meanwhile... A man stood silently in the centre of Yuna''s living room, his presence casting a chilling aura in the darkness. He was dressed in a full-body coat with padded shoulders, belted sleeves, and fingerless gloves, giving him an ominous and intimidating appearance. Scanning the room with a trained eye, the man meticulously checked each area, ensuring that there was no sign of his target. Moving with stealth and precision, he approached the bedroom door, reaching out to touch the handle. Suddenly, with a gasp of surprise, he leapt backward as a w-like appendage phased through the door, shing at the spot where he had been standing just moments before. "I knew this wouldn''t be easy..." the man muttered under his breath as the figure of Starving Venom Fusion Dragon fully revealed itself, bursting through the door with a formidable presence. Standing up to face the imposing creature, the man''s gaze shifted to the girl standing at the other end of the room, her eyes ring at him fiercely. Yuna raised her arm, her hand trembling slightly as she pointed at the intruder with a commanding gesture. "Stop... him," Responding to Yuna''smand, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon hissed menacingly and swiftly lunged towards the intruder with lethal intent. The man clicked his teeth in anticipation, swiftly dodging aside as the dragon crashed into the nearby table with incredible force. The impact caused the wood to explode into a million pieces. "Tsk... Guardian Grarl, protect me from that beast!" he shouted and revealed a card from his pocket. Suddenly, the hallway rumbled as a giant brown bipedal lizard appeared, its towering figure d in imposing armour and wielding a formidable battle axe. With a roar of defiance, Guardian Grarl fearlessly charged towards Starving Venom Fusion Dragon. With nothing standing between them, the man advanced towards Yuna with the intent to capture her. Gritting her teeth, Yuna yelled: "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" BOOOM The man was thrown across the room, crashing against the wall with a resounding impact that left a noticeable dent. Despite the pain, he chuckled grimly as he struggled to rise to his feet, his gaze fixed on the majestic golden dragon standing protectively between him and his target. Even though Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand had not been summoned to its full size, its imposing presence still sent a shiver down the man''s spine. The sheer power emanating from the majestic creature filled the room, casting a formidable aura that made it clear the intruder was facing a force to be reckoned with. "To face the rumoured Divine Dragon... It''s quite the sight," the man remarked, his tone more subdued. Yuna, her voice steady despite the tension in the room, cut to the chase. "Who....are you?" she asked, her gaze fixed on the shadowy figure before her, trying to make out his features in the dim light of the room. "My name is Rafael," the man introduced himself, his voice carrying a hint of solemnity. "I am one of the three swordsmen of Doma, and I''m here to retrieve the Winged Dragon of Ra." Hearing Rafael''s deration, Yuna''s frown deepened, and she subconsciously patted the deck box attached to her waist. However, unbeknownst to Rafael, all of Yuna''s valuable cards were safely stored in the system, inessible to anyone else but her. "I won''t... give it... to you..." Yuna stated firmly, her resolve unwavering as she took a step forward. With a flick of her wrist, Yuna activated her Duel Disk, the deviceing to life, and a system screen appeared in the corner of her vision. [Task #9: This is My House!] [Fend off the intruder from your home.] [Reward: 2500 Credits] Gazing at Yuna with a smirk, Rafael slowly stood up from where he had been thrown against the wall. "Guardian Grarl, return," hemanded, and with his words, the monster engaged in battle with Starving Venom Fusion Dragon vanished in a burst of light. Rafael then extended his arm, revealing a Duel Disk that resembled the de of a scythe, a menacing glint in his eyes as he prepared for the impending duel. "Looks like you won''t yield... Good," Rafael chuckled darkly, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Then I will just take it from you forcibly... Get ready, and I will show you the power of our great God!!" "Duel!" x2 [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP] [Rafael: 4000 LP] I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 66: If at First You Dont Suceed, Blast them with your Felgrand Again! Chapter 66: If at First You Don''t Suceed, st them with your Felgrand Again! ? Hi, Yellow Duck here; I noticed that sometimes, readers would get confused about what positions the monsters are in. That''s why I will try a new style for writing monster stats where I will only disy the numbers of their attack/defence if they are in that position. [Yuna''s POV] With the light emitting from our Duel Disks, I was finally able to witness the extent of damage to my house, and my lips trembled to suppress my tears. Most things in the living room have already been destroyed by Starving Venom Fusion Dragon and Guardian Grarl''s battle. There was even a significant dent on the side of the wall where Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand had thrown Rafael. Just thinking of how much trouble it would be to rece everything made my blood boil. ''This b*stard! Whose pocket do you think the money ising out of?!'' I screamed in my head. "I''ll start things off!" I dered while gritting my teeth in displeasure: "I first summon Starliege Seyfert!" [Starliege Seyfert: 1800 Attack] "Starliege Seyfert lets me send dragon monsters from my hand to the graveyard. Then, I can add a dragon monster equal to their levels." I exined and dumped a card from my hand into the discard pile: "The card I have sent is the level-seven Crescent Dragon, and I will add a second copy of Crescent Dragon to my hand." "Lastly, I''ll set one card and end my turn," I stated, keeping my tone focused andposed. "During my end phase, Crescent Dragon has a special ability. It can be summoned from my hand or graveyard. However, once it leaves the field, it heads straight back to the bottom of my deck." Upon my call, a tall, green, draconic beast appeared. The monster was covered in dark armour with blue and red patterns, and in its hand was a twin de that curved inward like a crescent moon. [1] [Crescent Dragon: 2200 Attack] "Since you''ve got another one of those monsters in your hand, you can summon it again at the end of my turn," Rafael muttered, his voiceced with annoyance, and I couldn''t help but grin at his attitude. Thankfully, these were among the few cards that Pegasus had managed to recreate. While I hadn''t obtained all the cards I desired, the ones I did acquire were sufficient for now. Plus, I could always restock the rest through the system store if necessary. "It''s my turn," Rafael said as he drew a card, his expression focused. "I summon Backup Gardna in defence position!" With a flourish, a tall ck demon with wild red hair materialized next to him. [Backup Gardna: 2200 Defence] "Next, I will equip Celestial Sword-Eatos to Backup Gardna, boosting its attack by five hundred points!" Rafael announced confidently, his strategy unfolding with precision. "With this, I will be able to summon my most trusted monster, Guardian Eatos, from my hand!" In a burst of energy, a tall, breathtaking woman materialized on the field. Adorned in a tribal dress adorned with intricate patterns that seemed to pulse with magic, she exuded an aura of ancient power. Her form was ented by various pieces of ornate jewellery, including an animal hat crafted from the feathers of a giant bird creature. A pair of majestic wings sprouted proudly from her back, signifying her divine nature. [Guardian Eatos: 2500 Attack] Rafael: "Then, I will activate the effect of Backup Gardna, transferring its Celestial Sword- Eatos to Guardian Eatos!" As Rafael''s move took effect, the white sword previously wielded by Backup Gardna appeared in Guardian Eatos'' palm. With a satisfied smile, she waved the de with familiarity, ready to unleash its power upon her foes. [Guardian Eatos: 2500 -> 3000 Attack] "Now, I will battle! Guardian Eatos, attack Starliege Seyfert!" Rafael''s voice echoed with determination as the woman charged forward, her sword gleaming with deadly intent. With a swift and precise motion, she sliced through my dragon with a single decisive strike. [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP -> 3200 LP] "Finally, I''m setting two cards face down and ending my turn," Rafael stated firmly, and cards appeared beside his feet: "Your move." "During your End Phase, I will summon my second Crescent Dragon from my hand!" I announced, and a copy of the Crescent Dragon materialised in front of me. [Crescent Dragon: 2200 Attack] "It''s my turn. I will draw," I dered, my gaze fixed on the cards next to Rafael. "First, I activate Twin Twister, discarding my Blue-Eyes White Dragon to destroy your two set cards!" With a swift motion, two white tornados surged forth towards Rafael''s cards, swirling with destructive force. Yet, before they could make contact, an invisible barrier dispersed my attack, causing the cyclones to vanish into thin air. "I will activate my trap card, Guardian Force," Rafael calmly exined. "While I have no Guardian monsters in my graveyard, I can negate one of your face-up spells." "Tsk..." I clicked my teeth in frustration. "Then I will summon Pdin of Felgrand from my hand!" [Pdin of Felgrand: 1700 Attack] "When Pdin of Felgrand is summoned onto the field, I will then equip Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand to this card," I announced confidently. "With Pdin of Felgrand''s second effect, I will tribute both Pdin of Felgrand and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand to summon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from the graveyard!" A thunderous roar filled the air, shaking the very foundations of the building. Rafael''s expression darkened in frustration while I instinctively covered my ears to shield myself from the overwhelming sound. Before us, in a dazzling disy of power, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand emerged, spreading its wings as if to block Rafael''s view from me. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack] "Now, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, banish Guardian Eatos!" Imanded, my voice ringing out with determination. With a triumphant cry, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand unleashed its power, and Guardian Eatos was engulfed in a blinding array of light, vanishing from the field. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3600 Attack] "I will enter my Battle Phase!" I shouted, my determination burning brightly. Pointing towards Backup Gardna, who stood defensively on Rafael''s field, I called out, "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, attack!" With a mighty howl, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand unleashed a torrent of orange mes, engulfing Backup Gardna. As the mes subsided, there was nothing left but ashes and the defensive monster was vanquished in an instant. "Thanks to Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s effect, after destroying your Backup Gardna, I can now summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my graveyard!" [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack] "In response to your summon, I will activate Aid to the Doom from my hand!" Rafael shouted. "This spell card can be activated during my opponent''s turn when one of my monsters is destroyed. By discarding two cards, I can end the battle phase." "Very well," I responded, my annoyance simmering. "I will set one card and end my turn." Rafael hummed thoughtfully. "I should have known you were this powerful," he conceded, his gaze sweeping over my formidable group of monsters standing resolutely on the field. "However, that doesn''t mean I wasn''t prepared either." "First, I will activate the Card of Sanctity, allowing both of us to draw until we have six cards in our hands!" Rafael exined, and with a swift motion, we both replenished our hands simultaneously. Rafael: "Then, I y my continuous spell card, Guarded Treasure!" Suddenly, a mystical figure of a woman materialized behind Rafael, her presence radiating power. With a graceful gesture, she spread her hands, and a radiant light poured forth from her palms, enveloping him in a protective aura. "To activate Guarded Treasure, I must first discard five cards from my hand, which then draw two cards. Now, during each drawing phase, I''ll be able to draw two cards instead of one," Rafael elucidated, his strategy unfolding with calcted precision. "And now, I reveal my second trap card, Disgraceful Charity," Rafael dered assuredly. "This means all cards I''ve discarded this turn due to a spell card will be added back to my hand!" My eyes widened as I witnessed Rafael''s Duel Disk ejecting cards like there was no tomorrow. Bring the total of his hands to seven. Smiling, he began his ys: "I will first activate Burial From A Different Dimension and allow me to return my banished Guardian Eatos to my graveyard." "And now, I will y Monster Reborn, reviving Guardian Eatos from the grave!" he eximed. [Guardian Eatos: 2500 Attack] "I will battle! Guardian Eatos, attack one of the Crescent Dragons!" Rafael yelled, his voice echoing in the space as the woman unleashed deadly magic from her hands. [Yuna Sano: 2800 LP-> 2500 LP] "Finally, I will return Back-Up Gardna to my hand using Monster Reincarnation by discarding one card. Then, I''m setting four cards face down, ending my turn," Rafael smiled, but beneath his smirk, I sensed something ominous lurking in his words. "It''s my turn," I muttered. "Wait," Rafael interjected as I found my instincts to be correct. "after you draw, I shall activate my trap card, Zero Gravity! This trap will change the battle position of all monsters on the field!" *WHIRRRRR* Out of nowhere, a deafening noise reverberated throughout the room. I watched in horror as all my monsters stumbled dizzily as if suddenly losing their bnce and copsing onto their knees, unable to stand and trapped in a defensive posture. "Then, I will activate my second trap, Spirit Hunting," Rafael dered with a cunning grin. "This card allows me to change my Guardian Eatos''s battle position and then destroy all defence position monsters you control!" Suddenly, Guardian Eatos stood tall, seemingly unaffected by the pressure of Zero Gravity. With a graceful gesture, she extended her arms, and one by one, my monsters copsed as if their strings had been cut. I stared in disbelief at my now empty field while Rafael smirked with satisfaction. "You shall continue," he taunted, his confidence soaring. Clicking my teeth, I ignored Rafael''s taunt and focused on my hand: "I will summon Dragon Knight of Creation!" [Dragon Knight of Creation: 1800 Attack] "In response, I will activate my final trap card, Crystal Seal!" Rafael dered, revealing the card on his field. "By targeting your Dragon Knight of Creation, it can no longer attack, activate its effect and be tributed! Additionally, while this is the only monster you control, I can attack you directly instead. However, if Dragon Knight of Creation''s attack ever changes, the trap will be undone." Beneath the Dragon Knight of Creation''s feet, crystals erupted from the ground in a sudden burst of energy. The shimmering crystals swiftly enveloped his body, encasing him in a crystalline prison that immobilized himpletely, rendering him unable to take any actions. "Then!" I eximed, my resolve unwavering. "I activate my trap, Castle of the Dragon Souls! This card allows me to banish a dragon monster from my graveyard and target one monster I control, increasing its attack by seven hundred!" My Duel Disks ejected a single card from the discard pile, and I grabbed it in midair. With a smile, I revealed the card and announced: "I will banish the Starliege Seyfert in the graveyard, and Dragon Knight of Creation will gain seven hundred attacks, thus breaking free from your crystal seal!" [Dragon Knight of Creation: 1800 -> 2500 Attack] Inside the crystal prison, I felt Dragon Knight of Creation''s aura begin to change, condensing and growing stronger by the second. *Crack* The crystals shattered, and the warrior unleashed a mighty howl, mming his great sword into the ground as he burst forth from the cage, ready to resume the battle with renewed intensity. "Now I activate Dragon Knight of Creation''s effect," I dered, my voice steady with focus. "By sending him and one card from my hand to the graveyard, I can revive my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack] "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, banish Guardian Eatos once more!" Imanded. "That won''t be possible! I will activate my Forbidden Dress and target my Guardian Eatos!" Rafael yelled, his voice filled with determination. Instantly, the woman''s outfit transformed into a beautiful, clean white dress adorned with golden embroideries. "With the effect of Forbidden Dress, Guardian Eatos will lose six hundred attacks, but it can''t be targeted or destroyed by a card effect this turn!" [Guardian Eatos: 2500 -> 1900 Attack] "Then, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, attack Guardian Eatos now!" Imanded with eagerness, watching as Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand rushed across the room. With a mighty swing of its arm, the monster unleashed a devastating sh that tore through Guardian Eatos, dispersing her form into fragments of light. [Rafael: 4000 LP -> 3100 LP] "When Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand destroys a monster, I can special summon a level seven or eight dragon monster from my graveyard," I exined triumphantly. "I will summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon again!" With a surge of energy, Blue-Eyes White Dragon emerged from my graveyard, its majestic form towering over the battlefield. [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack] "Now, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, attack Rafael''s life points directly!" Imanded firmly, the intensity of the moment palpable as the mighty dragon unleashed a devastating white beam straight into his face. *BOOOOOOM* [Rafael: 3100 LP -> 100 LP] Being struck by the powerful attack, Rafael stumbled backward in shock, his hand instinctively flying to clutch his face. "To be this... powerful..." he muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief. ncing at me, Rafael''s eyes gleamed withpetitiveness, a faint smirk ying at the corners of his lips. "However, I''m not done yet," he chuckled, his voice filled with resolve as he prepared to continue the duel. "Why are you doing this?!" I growled with agitation. "What is your purpose?!" Rafael smirked and spread his arms wide. "Very well, I shall indulge you, as it is only fair for you to know," he said. "We are Doma, and our purpose is to revive the Great God of Orichalcos and purge mankind of all its evil!" "With this, the world will truly be at peace," Rafael proimed confidently. "That''s why, Yuna Sano, I''m asking you, will you join us on this just cause?" "And how will you achieve this goal?" I questioned, my tone betraying a hint of scepticism. "What is the method to revive your great god?" Souls," Rafael answered grimly, his voice tinged with solemnity. "We must gather human souls to feed the God so it can gain the power to awaken itself from its slumber." "You call that just?" I scowled in disbelief. "Sacrificing people''s lives?" Rafael''s expression stiffened momentarily, a hint of unease flickering across his face. "This is a price worth paying..." he muttered, his voice trailing off with uncertainty. "Is it?" I questioned, my voice tinged with mncholy. "If this is what you truly believe, then I must stop you right here." I sighed. Despite my fondness for Rafael as a character, facing him in real life required me to set aside any biased views and focus on the task at hand. "Is that so..." Rafael muttered in disappointment: "Then we shall continue. Upon Guardian Eatos''s destruction, I will activate the effect of Guardian Dreadscythe and summon it onto the field!" A shadowy figure slowly rises before Rafael, with a physique simr to that of Guardian Eatos. However, now draped over its tribal dress was a dark makeshift armour. Her white wings were now ck as coal, and her face was hidden behind her dark, messy hair and white mask. [Guardian Dreadscythe: 2500 Attack, 2000 Defence] "When Guardian Dreadscythe is summoned through this effect, I can equip Reaper Scythe - Dreadscythe from the deck or hand to this card," Rafael said, and a massive scythe appeared in the monster''s hand. "With the Reaper Scythe, Guardian Dreadscythe will gain five hundred attacks for each monster in my graveyard." [Guardian Dreadscythe: 2500 -> 3500 Attack, 2000 Defence] "Tsk..." I clicked my teeth at the troublesome obstacle: "Then I will set two cards and end my turn." "It''s my turn," I will draw, Rafael dered: "However, thanks to the power of my Guarded Treasure, I will draw two cards instead of one." ncing at his hand of cards, he sighed and stared at me: "It indeed was a shame, Yuna Sano. I hated to resort to this, but I was left with no choice." "I!" Rafael shouted, and I sensed the seriousness in his tone: "Will activate the Seal of Orichalcos!!" WHOOOOOSH The floor of the apartment building glowed with an ominous green light. The light slowly circled us, trapping our bodies in a dome. Immediately, I felt the effect of the seal, and I trembled in difort. It was a suffocating feeling, as if someone had their hands around my neck, threatening to tighten at a moment''s notice. ring at Rafael, heughed while clutching his head in pain. Groaning, he lifted his head, revealing the pattern of a unicursal hexagram etched onto his forehead. "There is no turning back now." He said: "Our lives are bound to the seal. The victor will remain standing while the loser will have its soul forfeit." "Additionally, while the Seal of Orichalcos is active, my monsters will gain an additional five hundred attacks and card effects can''t destroy this spell card!" Simr to Rafael, Guardian Dreadscythe''s forehead also donned the same pattern, and I could feel its strength increasing. [Guardian Dreadscythe: 3500 -> 4000 Attack, 2000 Defence] "Next, I will equip Guardian Dreadscythe with Wicked-Breaking mberge-Baou! By sending one card in my hand to the graveyard, giving Guardian Dreadscythe an additional five hundred attack!" [Guardian Dreadscythe: 4000 -> 4500 Attack, 2000 Defence] "Also, the card I''ve sent is none other than my Guardian Grarl! Thus, Guardian Dreadscythe''s attack will be boosted even further!" [Guardian Dreadscythe: 4500 -> 5000 Attack, 2000 Defence] "Finally, I will activate my Mystical Space Typhoon and destroy one of your set cards!" Rafael shouted while pointing at the card to the left of me. The card flipped face-up, revealing my Negate Attack as a small cyclone ripped it to shreds. "I will enter my battle phase!" He announced as Guardian Dreadscythe raised her weapons: "Guardian Dreadscythe, destroy Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" "That won''t be possible; I will activate Comman Silencer! This spell will negate Guardian Dreadscythe''s attack and allowing me to draw a card!" "Tsk, how troublesome..." Rafael cursed: "Then I will also set one card and end my turn. I believe this duel will soon be over." "You''re right." I chuckled wryly: "I will draw!" Taking a glimpse at the card, the gears in my hand began to turn. "First, I will tribute both my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and Blue Eyes White Dragon to summon my third Crescent Dragon!" [Crescent Dragon: 2200 Attack] "Then, I will activate the effect of Keeper of the Shrine from my hand since my Dragonn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Monster was sent to the graveyard!" [Keeper of the Shrine: 2100 Defence] "With two Dark Monsters on the field, I will activate Polymerization! Using Crescent Dragon and Keeper of the Shrine, I summon Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!" [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 Attack] "When summoned, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon can gain the attack of one of your special summoned monsters until the end of this turn!" I exined. [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 -> 7800 Attack] "Now, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, attack Guardian Dreadscythe!" "Not so fast!" Rafael bellowed in anger: "I will activate Guardian Formation! When my Guardian is targeted for an attack, I can negate it and then move my Guardian Monster to any spare monster zone I control. Then, I''m able to activate a spell card directly from my deck, and the card I will activate is Nightmare Binding." "The spell will make your Starving Venom Fusion Dragon lose eight hundred attacks while I gain the same amount of life points. Also, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon can not activate its effect or be tributed." Chains shoot out of the ground, wrapping around both of Starving Venom Fusion Dragon''s arms and restraining the dragon in ce. [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 7800 -> 7000 Attack] [Rafael: 100 LP -> 900 LP] "I end my turn," I muttered while ring at my opponent: "Starving Venom Fusion Dragon will lose its additional attack." [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 7000 -> 2000 Attack] "This is the end!" Rafael shouted with delight: "Now attack Starving Venom Fusion Dragon and end this!" As Guardian Dreadscythe charged, I frantically activated my trap card: "Castle of the Dragon Souls, I will banish Crescent Dragon and boost Starving Venom Fusion Dragon''s attack!" [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2000 -> 2700 Attack] BOOOOOM [Yuna Sano: 2500 LP -> 200 LP] Kuh... I gritted my teeth and felt the confining feeling worsening. Coughing, I red at Rafael with caution. I need to escape this Seal soon before something wrong happens. Drawing a card, I glimpsed at it and frowned. "This..." I mumbled. It''s the second card that Pegasus was able to make for me. Initially, I have ordered five different cards. Unfortunately, only the set of Crescent Dragon waspleted, while the others unfortunately failed. "Alright, this can work; they said the third time is the charm," I mumbled to myself before turning to Rafael with confidence: "I will begin by activating the effect of Chaos Dragon Levianeer!!" Suddenly, the image of Dragon Knight of Creation, Pdin of Felgrand and Blue Eyes White Dragon materialises on the field. Their body illuminated by a translucent light. Gradually, their figure dimmed as they were absorbed and appearing before me was the body of a massive dragon covered in shadowy scales that shimmered with light. The monster exudes an aura of chaos, with jagged horns protruding from its head, sharp ws extending from its massive limbs, and bright blue energy swirling through its body, lighting up its horns, body and wings. [Chaos Dragon Levianeer: 3000 Attack] "Chaos Dragon Levianeer has a total of three effects. However, I can only activate one base a set of conditions." I said while holding up three fingers. "First, if I had only banished Light Monsters to summon this card, I can special summon a monster from my graveyard in defence position." "Second, if I had only banished Dark Monsters to summon this card, I could shuffle one random card from your hand back into your deck." "Third, if I had banished Dark and Light Monsters, I would be able to destroy two cards on the field." I said with a smile: "Since I have only banished light monsters, I will use its first effect to summon a monster from my graveyard!!" Rafael''s eyes widened as he immediately grasped my intention. Grinning, the ground beneath me glowed brilliantly: "Please punish this evil and be reborn once more, Divine Dragon Lord Feglrand!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Defence] "No, no, no!!" Rafael cursed; although Guardian Dreadscythe is being protected from the destruction effect, the Guardian was just susceptible to being banished. He could do nothing but watch as Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand fed from his monster. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3600 Defence] "Now, Chaos Dragon Levianeer, attack!" I yelled eagerly: "Finish this!" BOOOOOM [Rafael: 900 LP -> 0 LP] [3rd POV] Rafael blinked in shock, and his body trembled: "I... I lost?" KWANG Before he could react, the Seal of Orichalcos glowed, and the magical circle surrounded him, trapping him in one ce. Knowing that it was useless to escape, Rafael sighed with resignation: "I have been thoroughly defeated...." Staring at the girl before him, Rafael spoke calmly: "Unfortunately, my master already has his eyes on you. This won''t be the end...." Yuna''s face stiffened, and she calmly approached Rafael, who was getting weaker by the second. Stopping inches away from him, Yuna stared with aplicated emotion on her face: "Are you... afraid?" "Afraid?" Rafael repeated: "There''s nothing I can do now... The Seal of Orichalcos will take me whether I''m afraid or not." "I''m sorry..... It doesn''t... have to be this... way", Yuna mumbled. "This is my own doing." Rafael replied while falling onto his knees: "You shouldn''t feel guilty; I have tried to harm you." "Do you believe... what you''re doing is... right?" she asked. Rafael: "For the greater good...." "No..." Yuna interrupted him and shook her head: "I''m not asking about... your goal... I want to know... from your heart... was what you''re doing... right?" "I...." Rafael paused, unable to respond. Losing strength, he copsed on all four and raised his head in pain: "I don''t know...." Perhaps, he may never know, Rafael thought to himself as his vision began to fade. "Rafael!" Suddenly, a man rappelled through the window,unching ss shards in all directions. Frowning, Yuna dodged the debris and stared at the intruder running towards Rafael. "Sh*t, to think you got defeated!" He cursed and reached for the small ne on his neck. Pulling the string apart, the man threw the ne into the Seal of Orichalcos and the magical circle churned shakily. In an instant, the power of the magic waned, and Rafael snapped back to reality as he gasped for breath. "Alister?" Rafael called out in bewilderment: "What are you doing here?" "You didn''te at the rendezvous time!" The man, Alister, snarled: "I came to check and found you like this!" Cursing one more time, he grabbed Rafael and slung him over his shoulder. ring at Yuna, he spoke coldly: "There won''t be a next time." He warned before hurriedly escaping with Rafael through the same window. Gazing at the fading apartment building. Rafael frowned with aplicated emotion: "Was it really right?" "What are you saying?" Alister questioned while carrying his injuredpanion to his bike. "It''s nothing..." Rafael responded and shook his head. However, for the first time, he began to doubt... This was honestly a bit of a hassle to write since Rafael''s deck wasn''t that interesting to begin with. But I still tried my best so I hope you enjoy it! [1] Crescent Dragon is an ocg card, since Yuna was from Japan originally, this wasn''t impossible, right? Chapter 67: World of Spirits Chapter 67: World of Spirits ? [Yuna''s POV] Observing Alister and Rafael bound out of the sixth-floor window, my lips quirked in annoyance. As if wrecking my furniture wasn''t enough, now they''re onto shattering my windows too? Sighing heavily, I forced my weary body toward the door. But with each step, the room spun and tilted, causing me to stumble and clutch the wall for support. "Kuh..." I groaned, my head throbbing with pain. The strain of summoning Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon still lingered, and the stress worsened the Seal of Orichalcos. Gritting my teeth, I fought to regain my footing, gasping for breath as exhaustion threatened to overwhelm me. "Phone..." I muttered weakly as I dragged my exhausted body toward the bedroom. However, before I could reach it, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over me, and my vision faded, enveloping me in its silent embrace... [3rd POV] In the pitch-ck night, a sleek, dark ne sliced through the air above the vast expanse of the ocean. As it approached a remote ind, the cargo bay door smoothly opened, revealing three figures riding motorcycles. With mechanical precision, the vehicles roared out of the ne, streaking across the ind''s rugged terrain. Emerging from the dense rows of trees, thendscape abruptly shifted into an eerie, deste, tnd devoid of any signs of life. As the three individuals approached, a subtle vibration resonated through the ground, and like clockwork, the earth obediently split open, unveiling a concealed underground tunnel. Without hesitation, they guided their motorcycles into the shadowy depths of the passage, navigating through itsbyrinthine twists and turns with ease. Finally, their journey came to a halt at the tunnel''s terminus, where an ominous elevator awaited. Five minutester... As the elevator door slid open with a soft hiss, the three figures stepped into a hushed and dimly lit chamber. Across from them stood a solitary figure cloaked in a pristine robe of white and blue, its foot-length cloak cascading behind him. Adorning his neck was a stone pendant emzoned with the unmistakable symbol of the Orichalcos, its intricate design glinting faintly in the subdued light. Turning around, the man fixed his gaze upon the trio with eyes aze in hues of gold and green, their brilliance piercing the darkness. "Alister, Valon, and Rafael... You''ve arrived," "Master Dartz," the three swordsmen intoned in unison, their voices reverent as they bowed deeply before him. "We have returned." "So, how did it go?" Dartz inquired, his voice tinged with expectation as he awaited their report.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "Valon and I have sessfully retrieved Slifer the Sky Dragon and Obelisk the Tormentor from Yugi Mutou. However..." Alister paused, casting a meaningful nce at his colleague. "Please forgive me..." Rafael responded, his voice strained with frustration as he gritted his teeth. "I have failed... I couldn''t acquire the Winged Dragon of Ra from Yuna Sano." "Howe?" Dartz questioned. "Is her skill greater than we anticipated?" "Indeed," Rafael nodded reluctantly. "She proved to be more powerful than I had imagined. I apologize for my failure," he stated with a heavy heart. Dartz frowned, a contemtive expression crossing his features as he hummed in thought. "Although there''s been a shift in our ns, our ultimate goal remains unchanged. Even without the Winged Dragon of Ra, the offering of these two Gods will undoubtedly stir its attention." "Rafael and Valon," he spoke calmly, his voice carrying amanding presence. "You will be assigned a new objective: pursue the Pharaoh and his group, ensuring they won''t interfere with our ns," he instructed with unwavering authority, his gaze piercing as he conveyed the importance of their task. "Understood..." The two muttered in unison. "Then, Alister, take care of Seto Kaiba and Yuna Sano. Do what you need to do," Dartz ordered with a firm tone, to which Alister responded with a grin of contentment. "Master," Rafael spoke up, his voice carrying a note of concern. "Shouldn''t we also take Seto Kaiba and Yuna Sano''s souls?" he inquired thoughtfully. "Yes, having their souls would be pleasant. However, the Great God of Orichalcos will soon be awakened, and we can''t afford any interference at this critical juncture," Dartz dered with unwavering resolve. "Alister, exercise your judgment and do what you see fit." "dly..." Alister replied, his smile widening with a sense of anticipation. "Is that all?" Dartz asked, fixing his gaze deeply on Rafael, prompting him to speak if there were any further matters to address. Rafael: "Yes..." "Now go," Dartz ordered as the three swordsmen retreated to the elevator, leaving him alone in the chamber. With a heavy sigh, he reached for the ne around his neck, his fingers tracing its intricate design. Soon, everythi will be perfect..." he murmured to himself, a hint of anticipation colouring his words as he envisioned the culmination of his grand n. Meanwhile... "Sano-san! Sano-San!" Yuna groaned, her eyelids heavy as she struggled to open them. Blinking against the blurriness, she focused on the face hovering above her and squinted. "Kaiba?" she muttered, her voice hoarse with confusion. However, as her vision fully cleared, she noticed the distinctive star-shaped hairstyle of the boy above her, and a flicker of disappointment crossed her features: "Mutou...?" "You''re finally awake!" Yugi eximed with evident relief in his voice. Sitting up slowly, Yuna winced as she clutched her head in pain, a fit of coughing seizing her unexpectedly. Taking shallow breaths, she raised her head and noticed Yugi''s friends gathered beside him, their expressions etched with concern as they observed her condition with worried nces. "Mutou..." she mumbled through her coughs, feeling the familiar sensation of warmth trickling down her lips as she struggled to speak, her voice barely above a whisper. "Oh my god!" Tea eximed, her voice filled with rm. "You''re vomiting blood!" "Hurry! Someone call an ambnce!" Yugi shouted urgently, his voiceced with panic as Joey and Tristan immediately fumbled for their phones. "Here, Sano-san, can you stand? Let me..." However, before he could reach out, Yuna gently pushed Yugi away to create some space as she attempted to stand on her own. Concerned by her weakened state, Serenity and Tea swiftly moved to her side, each grabbing one of her arms to offer their support and help her regain her bnce. "Big sister, please, you need to rest! You''re hurt!" Serenity eximed, her voice filled with genuine concern as she pleaded for Yuna to prioritize her well-being. "I''m... fine..." Yuna denied, her voice strained as she wiped the trail of blood from her lips with the back of her palm. "This... happens..." she insisted, trying to downy the severity of her condition. "What?!" Everyone gasped in unison, their disbelief palpable as they processed Yuna''s nonchnt response to her rming symptoms, wondering if they had misheard her words in the midst of their shock. "Does that mean you''re sick?" Joey questioned. Instead of answering, Yuna offered a wry smile; her silence spoke volumes. "Then we must go to the hospital!" Serenity yelled in a panic, attempting to drag Yuna out of the room. However, despite Serenity''s efforts, Yuna''s feet remained firmly nted on the floor, her body refusing to budge. If doctors could mend a broken soul, she would have sought medical help long ago. Sighing deeply, Yuna resigned herself to the situation, acknowledging defeat with a weary smile. "It''s nothing serious...." "Nothing serious?!" Tea repeated: "You''re coughing up blood!" "Does anyone else know?" Yugi asked with concern etched on his face, prompting Yuna to meet his gaze before shaking her head in response. "You can''t keep it all to yourself. It''s not good for you. We should at least tell...." Suddenly, Yuna''s hand tightly grasped Yugi''s wrist, catching him off guard. "Sano-san?!" "Don''t... tell... Kaiba..." she said through gritted teeth, her voice taking on a cold tone as she pleaded with urgency. "Please..." Even Yuna was stunned by the words escaping her lips. For some inexplicable reason, the mere thought of Seto finding out about her condition sent shivers of difort down her spine, causing her stomach to twist with anxiety. "Alright..." Yugi replied grimly, his expression reflecting the seriousness of the situation. "I won''t tell him," he promised. Yuna smiled weakly, her gratitude evident despite her condition. "Thank you... I''m really okay..." she reassured them, though her words rang hollow in the air. Seeing that she was adamant about not seeking medical help, Yugi and his friends nodded reluctantly, silently agreeing not to press further on the topic. "Other than that," Serenity spoke up, her voice filled with concern. "I think we should find another ce to live. Big Sister still has the God Card, and the people who attacked us before might try again. "You''re right," Yugi nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "I don''t think Sano-san should stay here for the night; this ce isn''t safe," he concurred, echoing Serenity''s concerns about her current living situation. "Then Big Sister can stay with us!" Serenity eximed excitedly, her eyes gleaming with enthusiasm as she turned to Joey for confirmation. "Hold on," Tristan interjected, his brow furrowed in deep thought: "What if those guys attack again? I think Sano-san should stay with someone who''s also capable enough to defend themselves, right?" Serenity hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor as uncertainty clouded her thoughts. As much as she wanted to offer her support to Yuna, the fear of burdening her with her presence made her hesitant. "Then who''s at least skilled enough to be able to duel with Big Sister?" she asked tentatively, and everyone turned their heads towards the boy standing awkwardly in the room. Yugi: ".....Why are you guys looking at me like that?" F "Fifteen minutester..." "Mom, Grandpa, I''m back!" Yugi called out loudly as he stepped into the Kame Game Shop. Turning on the lights, Solomon emerged from the back, his eyes widening in surprise. "Yugi, I didn''t know you brought a guest?" he remarked, but his expression softened into a bright smile when he saw Yuna standing behind his grandson. "And if it isn''t Miss Sano, what brings you here sote in the evening?" "Um... Sano-san will be staying for the night," Yugi exined, his voice tinged with concern. "She was also attacked by the same people that robbed the store, but she was able to fend them off," "Goodness!" Solomon eximed in shock as he stepped closer. "Pleasee in. You must have been through a lot! Are you hurt anywhere?" Feeling overwhelmed by his kindness, Yuna shook her head in response as she followed Solomon into the house. As they walked through the hallway, the sound of footsteps echoed from deep inside. "Yugi, where did you run off to?!" A woman''s voice called out, apanied by the tter of a ladle in her hand. "The dinner is going to go cold...." Her words trailed off as she spotted Yuna standing nervously in the background. "Ah..." Yugi coughed awkwardly, breaking the silence. "Mom, this is Yuna Sano; she''s a friend from school and will be staying here for the night," he exined, introducing Yuna to his mother with a faint blush tinting his cheeks. "I''m sorry for... troubling you...." Yuna muttered softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she bowed politely, expressing her gratitude. "It''s not a trouble at all!" Yugi''s mother responded hurriedly, her voice slightly shaky with emotion. "You must be hungry. I just finished making dinner; please have a seat!" she insisted, gesturing for Yuna to join them at the table. "I will... be in your care..." Yuna smiled gratefully, her expression softening as she followed Yugi''s mother to the dining room. Five Minutester... In Yuna''s opinion, the dinner remained highly awkward as the table continued to be shrouded in silence, interrupted only by the sound of utensils clinking against bowls. However, the awkwardness was somewhat mitigated by Solomon''s efforts to engage in conversation, his attempts serving as a wee distraction from the uneasy atmosphere. "Reaching first ce in the Battle City Tournament took a considerable amount of skill," Solomon praised warmly, directing his words towards Yuna. "You''re a very formidable duelist, and I heard that you even give Yugi everything he''s got," he added. "I''m not that... good..." Yuna replied modestly, her cheeks flushing slightly as she averted her gaze, unable to ept the praise bestowed upon her fully. "Nonsense," Solomon chuckled warmly, his voice carrying a reassuring tone. "You should be more proud of yourself," he encouraged gently. Blushing at the attention, Yuna fell quiet and focused on her meal, feeling too embarrassed to continue the conversation. "Speaking of," Yugi''s mother interjected, instantly drawing everyone''s attention. "Sano-san, could you shed some light on your rtionship with Yugi?" "Mom, what do you mean by that?" Yugi asked nervously. She chuckled and waved her hand dismissively. "I''m just curious. Are you two dating?" *Cough* Caught off guard, Yuna identally choked on her food, and Yugi pped the table with a red face. "Mom!" "What''s wrong?" Yugi''s mother smiled. "It''s natural for me to ask my son about these questions." "We... We''re just friends..." He stammered. "Ha ha, I figured," she giggled. "Even I find it absurd that my son can bring such a beautiful lady home." Unable to keep up with his mother, Yugi sighed exasperatedly. "Mom, Sano-san is already dating Seto Kaiba." "Huh!" Yuna eximed in disbelief, identally dropping her chopsticks. "Me... and Ka... Kaiba?!" Yugi gasped, "Are you two not in a rtionship?" Yuna fervently shook her head in denial, "Since you both were always together, I assumed that you were a couple." Now that Yugi has pointed this out, Yuna has realized that she has spent a significant amount of time with Seto, especially during school. Typically, they would y Duel Monsters to pass the time, and it has somewhat be an unspoken routine. "We''re just friends..." Yuna answered firmly. "Ah, is that so?" Yugi chuckled apologetically: "Sorry if I sounded too rude; you must have been surprised." "It''s... fine," she said with a wry smile as the table settled into silence. However, the atmosphere had noticeably warmed... Two hourster... "I''m sorry if the room is too small; we haven''t really got a proper guest room," Yugi''s mother apologized as she guided Yuna to her sleeping quarters. "This is... perfect," Yuna said gratefully. "Thank you..." "Ha ha," Yugi''s motherughed. "What a kind girl," she muttered while patting Yuna''s head. "I''ve heard from my father-inw what happened; you must have been through so much," she said with a sympathetic smile. "I also heard that you helped him a lot, so I need to thank you too." "Anyway, you must be tired. I won''t bother you any longer." Yugi''s mother moved to the door. "Have a good night, Sano-san." Bidding farewell to Yugi''s mother, Yuna quietly assembled the provided futon before lying down with a small sigh. The damage to her home still left her frustrated, and she contemted how much it was going to cost to rece everything. But it''s not that she''scking funds or anything... Gently settling onto the soft futon, Yuna stared at the ceiling as today''s events yed out before her eyes. Immediately, the pent-up exhaustion seeped into her body, and she drifted off to sleep. However, her sleep would be anything but peaceful... [Yuna''s POV] I gasped, and my eyes snapped open. Spring onto my two feet, I scanned my surroundings and found myself under the familiar shade of arge tree: "I''m back here again..." Excitement rose in my chest at the thought of meeting Kisara. However, that eagerness swiftly faded away when I remembered what had happened, and all that remained was a bitter taste lingering in my mouth. cing my hand on the trunk, I raised my head, sensing a presence quietly looming over me. "Why am I here?" I questioned, and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon emitted a low-pitched growl as it descended from the tree. Patting the venomous dragon, I waited patiently as the dragon covered in golden scales appeared from the sky. Landing at the bottom of the hill, I happily went to greet my partner. "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, do you know why I''m here?" I asked. However, just like Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, it expressed its bewilderment, unable to understand my abrupt appearance. Suddenly, a golden light shed blindingly before my eyes. Shielding myself behind Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, I cautiously watched as the light began to condense and transform into arge shape. Gasping, I gaped at the figure as its details became more defined, and its appearance resembled thebination of a golden dragon and a bird. Even from a distance, I could feel the divinity emanating from its physique. "Winged Dragon of Ra..." I mumbled, and the Egyptian God screeched loudly. Under the watchful eyes of my two dragons, I hesitantly approached the Egyptian God. "Are you the one that brought me here?" I asked expectantly. To my confusion, the Winged Dragon of Ra refused to respond and instead beckoned me with its arm. Nervously, I reached out my hand, grasping God''s w, and immediately felt a pulling sensation as if being sucked into space, and my vision darkened. .... When I woke up again, I found myself on a floating ind. Groaning, I warily sat up, my mind still distorted by the rapid turn of events. Standing up, I moved towards the edge of the floating ind, and I held my breath at the majestic sight that unfolded before me. It was a beautiful utopia with lush forests and vast seas, featuring mountains as tall as Mount Everest and rivers as long as the Grand Canal. Overall, it was a sight to behold. However, the perfection was marred by the presence of an enormous yellow eye levitating in the centre of the sky. As if detecting my presence, the eye slowly shifted towards my direction, and I felt a sudden chill down my spine when its vertical pupil dted to an eerie degree. "The hell, what in the world is going on," I muttered while shrinking under the eye''s watchful gaze. "Wait, if that''s what I think it is, then that means I''m in..." Before I could finish, a gust of wind sted my face, and I stumbled backward from the force. Opening one of my eyes, I witnessed a dragon with white and golden scales flying in front of me. pping its four wings, the majestic creaturended smoothly on the ground, revealing the figure of a man d in armour leaping from the dragon''s back. Familiar with his appearance, my expression stiffened in surprise: "Dragon Knight of Creation," I instinctively called out the knight''s name. As the warrior approached me, I nervously gazed through his visor, and my eyes subconsciously wandered to the sword in his hand. I''m not going to get stabbed, am I? "... Do you remember... me?" I asked with caution. "I do," A deep voice echoed from within the helmet, and I let go of the breath I was holding. Kneeling on one knee, the Dragon Knight of Creation spoke solemnly: "You are my master. Together, we have fought countless battles. It was an honour to meet you." Letting the breath I was holding, I calmly greeted him "It''s... nice to... meet you too..." I smiled awkwardly, flustered by his formal attitude. "Although I''m pleased to kneel before my master, the timing of our encounter couldn''t be more unfortunate," he said wistfully. "A foul being has gued thisnd, and the inhabitants of this world are in danger." "I see..." I as our gazes simultaneously turned towards the eye in the sky. "Please overlook my rudeness," He spoke with guilt: "I''m not educated on the method of how my master reached this ce, but you must go back. It''s not safe." "What are you going.... to do?" I asked worriedly. Raising his sword, the Dragon Knight of Creation pointed his de towards the giant eyeball in the sky: "I will fight." The warrior said with conviction. ''So.... So cool...'' I thought as an imaginary golden radiance shone around his muscr body. "Master?" Dragon Knight of Creation''s voice snapped me out of my daze, and I hurriedly hid the drool dripping down the corner of my mouth. Fanning my face, I took a deep breath and regained myposure. "I will help...". "I apologise; it''s rude to question my master''s prowess, but..." "The three Legendary Dragons..." I responded with determination: "Take me... to them..." Dragon Knight of Creation froze, moving hesitantly, debating whether to follow mymand or urge me to get out of danger. However, under my pressure and insistence, the knight relented. "Understood, follow me," Dragon Knight of Creation nodded and led me to his mount. Smiling at the small victory, I eagerly followed after the duel spirit. Approaching the resting dragon, it opened its eyes and observed me with curiosity. "Arkbrave Dragon... Do you... remember me, too?" I mumbled, and to my relief, the dragon happily nudged its head against my chest. With Dragon Knight of Creation''s help, I managed to climb onto Arkbrave Dragon''s back, and the dragon swiftly took off, descending from the floating ind. The sharp wind blew against my ears as I watched us fly towards a tall castle-like structure below. Entering deeply into the building, I began hearing themotion from within. As Dragon Knight of Creation opened arge door, what greeted me were massive crystal statues of three humongous dragons disyed on a circr altar. "Amazing...." I muttered and gaped at the statues in awe. Walking towards the frozen dragons, my eyes scanned the swords imnted in each of their chests, and I subconsciously reached out with my hand... "STOP!!!" Suddenly, a loud voice stopped me in my tracks, and I turned my head towards the noise. In front of me stood a youthful girl wearing a cute, stylish blue and pink robe simr to the famous Dark Magician''s. She has blond hair and green eyes and wields a small, slim wand that matches her outfit. "Dark Magician Girl?" I said with surprise, and she smiled while flying through the air. "That''s right!" Dark Magician Girl said with pride: "You might have also known me as the best spell caster in the realm, Dark Magician Girl!" "You''re a lot shorter... than I have imagined..." I said as her head barely reached my chest. "Huh?!" Dark Magician Girl pouted as her cheeks inted like a chipmunk: "What is that supposed to mean!?" Averting her re, I giggled: "Too... cute...." Dark Magician Girl blushed and crossed her arms. "Hmph... Don''t call me cute!" However, remembering why she was here in the first ce, she frowned. "Anyway, you can''t touch that!" Dark Magician Girl warned while waving her arms in the air: "It''s dangerous!" "Please show some respect." Before she could say anything more, the Dragon Knight of Creation stood between us with an overbearing attitude: "You don''t deserve to talk to my master in this way." "So you brought her here?!" Dark Magician Girl yelled: "You dragons never follow protocols!!" "I don''t see the issue here." The knight shrugged nonchntly. "You don''t understand!" The young mageined: "Only certain people can touch those swords imnted in the statues! It''s gotta be someone like the ancient Pharaoh, or else they are going to be in a whole lot of hurt!" Rolling my eyes at the two''s argument. I glimpsed at the three long swords embedded in each of the dragons'' bodies. The longer I gazed at the des, the more the strange sensation I was feeling grew. Ignoring Dark Magician Girl''s warning, I decided to follow my instincts and reached out, my hands gripping the handle of the des, and with a huff, I pulled... [3rd''s POV] "Why can''t you understand?! It''s too dangerous!" Dark Magician Girl shouted, trying to knock a sense into the dragon knight''s head. "I believe in my master. Such things won''t harm her." "You stupid dragon!" She screamed: "No means n.....'' 11 RUMBLE RUMBLE Suddenly, the two duel monster spirits froze as the entire castle trembled as if threatening to copse. "Kyaa!! What''s happening?!" Dark Magician Girl shrieked in fright. "Are we under attack already?!" Dragon Knight of Creation growled: "Master, we must go now! Mas...." His body stiffened when he saw three swords in Yuna''s hands. "Hey... Hey..." Noticing the situation, Dark Magician Girl asked shakily, and her body twitched with disbelief: "Where did you get those..." Yuna pointed at the three empty spots on the dragons where the des originally rested: "I touched the swords..." She answered honestly, and the young mage fainted... I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 68: I Choose You, Not! Chapter 68: I Choose You, Not! ? [3rd POV] Dark Magician Girl gasped, jolting her awake from the depths of unconsciousness. Bolting upright, her chest heaved, and her eyes darted frantically around the room. A sigh escaped her lips, a mixture of relief intertwining in her voice as she muttered to herself, "Just a dream." "Hello..." The mage froze, her senses prickling with rm as she slowly turned her head to confront the unexpected voice. She stared nkly at the girl who seemed to be the source of all this chaos. "Looks like I''m still hallucinating," Dark Magician Girl murmured, her voice a fragile whisper in the tense atmosphere. Despite the confusion, a small, hesitant smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she continued, "Good night." With that, she settled back down, seeking sce in the refuge of sleep. However, before her body touched the ground, Yuna frantically grabbed her: "It''s not a... dream..." "Such nonsense!" Dark Magician Girl''s voice rang out with disbelief. "If I''m really not dreaming," she continued, her toneced with conviction, "how would you exin that the three Legendary Dragons, once imprisoned within lifeless statues, now stand before me in flesh and scale?" "They are..." Yuna murmured, her gaze fixed on the three dragons roaring in unison, their voice reverberating throughout the building. "Ah... Is that so?" Dark Magician Girl''s voice was barely a whisper as she struggled toprehend the impossible reality before her. Finally unable to ept the situation, she willingingly fell into the embrace of darkness, fainting once more. [Yuna''s POV] I cradled the unconscious Dark Magician Girl in my arms, my expression a mix of concern and bewilderment. Even I found it hard to believe that the swords embedded in the statues hade out so easily when I removed them. And now... I nced at the three dragons, their expectant gazes fixed upon me. Critias, Hermos, and Timaeus, I met the eyes of each dragon in turn, feeling the weight of their anticipation bearing down on me. What should I do now? "Master," Dragon Knight of Creation came to the rescue and whispered in the midst of uncertainty. "Since you were the one who awakened them, they may be waiting for your guidance." "My... orders?" I echoed, my voice tinged with uncertainty. What could I possiblymand them to do? As I racked my brain for an answer, a single word slipped from my lips before I could stop it a word that would soon weigh heavily on my conscience... "Sit..." Dragon Knight of Creation:... Critias:.... Hermos:.... Timaeus:.... *Thump* x3 The three dragons obediently lowered themselves to the ground, their massive forms causing the floor to tremble beneath them. As they settled into a sitting position, a stunned silence enveloped the room. My mind wentpletely nk, and nervousughter bubbling up within me to mask the overwhelming disbelief. Surely, they''re just tired from being trapped in statues for so long! Let''s give them one moremand just to be sure. "Hand..." I said nervously, watching with bated breath as each of the dragons raised their massive limbs. "Roll over..." I muttered with exasperation, my heart sinking as the floor trembled beneath the futile attempts of the colossal beasts to perform such a simple maneuver. ''Ah, that''s it... I must be dreaming, too...'' I concluded with understanding, I thought as my gaze lingering on the three dragons before me. Ten Minutes Later... [3rd POV] Dark Magician Girl stirred once more, her eyes fluttering open as she grasped both sides of her head, a bewilderedugh escaping her lips. "So it''s really real..." she murmured. Just the mere sight of the dragons looming over her made her mind goes insane. "It''s only obvious that master would be able to tame the three legendary beasts," Dragon Knight of Creation dered confidently, his words punctuating the air with a sense of certainty that only intensified the pounding migraine in the mage''s head. "Just who in the world is she..." Dark Magician Girl muttered as she nibbled on the tip of her thumb in contemtion, "To think you can awaken all three." Floating towards Yuna, Dark Magician Girl gently ced her hands on her waist, a curious sparkle in her eyes. "That means you must be more special than I had thought!" she eximed, her voice filled with wonder and admiration. The unexpected praise caused Yuna to chuckle awkwardly, her cheeks flushing with embarassment. "However, the prophecy still must be followed!" Dark Magician Girl dered with a sense of solemnity. "There still must be two more chosen people for two of the guardians, which means you can only choose one." Instantly, Critias, Hermos, and Timaeus emitted low, discontented snarls as theyprehended the weight of Dark Magician Girl''s words. Only one of them would be chosen by Yuna, while the other two would be forced to ept their losses and seek allegiance elsewhere. "Rules are rules," Dark Magician Girl stated firmly, her voice unwavering in the face of the monsters discontent. "It''s there for a reason." "So I can only choose one..." Yuna muttered quietly, her voice barely audible amidst the mor of the three dragons vying for her attention. She frowned, her brows creasing in deep concentration as she weighed her options carefully. Gently running her hand along each of the dragons'' neck, a conflicted expression settled on her face as the moments stretched on.... "So, have you chosen?" Dark Magician Girl asked expectantly. "Yes..." Yuna nodded, her gaze steady as she addressed the expectant dragons before her. "I will choose... None of them..." "WHAT!!??" Dark Magician Girl screamed in disbelief: "Why?!" Yuna smiled wryly as she continued to pat Timaeus''s head affectionately. Despite the allure of iming one of the Legendary Dragons for herself, she ultimately decided against it. In the simplest exnation, the three cards didn''t align with her deck''s strategy, and integrating them would require extensive modifications to her deck that she wasn''t prepared to make. If she really was going to pick one, Critias will probably be the best option, Yuna thought and nced at the ck dragon drooping its head. However, if she does choose Critias then that means Seto won''t be getting the card. A sudden immense worry gnaw at Yuna''s conscious. It was proven multiple times during the Waking the Dragons arc that these three legendary beasts have saved Yugi, Seto and Joey in several asions, if Yuna even took one.... She shuddered with worry and guilt "There are other people... who can treat you better," Yuna exined gently, her voice tinged with regret as she addressed the disappointed dragons. "Are you really not picking any?" Dark Magician Girl mumbled, a hint of skepticism coloring her tone. "Then do you even know who''s suitable for this role?" "Yes..." Yuna nodded solemnly as she leaned in to whisper three names into each of the dragons'' ears. "The first will be... Yugi..." "The Nameless Pharoah?" The young mage grasped her chin in contemtion: "I understand... What will you do now?" Turning around, Yuna offered a wry smile, though the exhaustion in her eyes was evident. With a resigned sigh, she shrugged and admitted, "I want... to go back to sleep..." [Yuna''s POV] "Ah..." I abruptly woke up, finding myself back in my room and realizing that I had returned to the real world. Suddenly, loud footsteps echoed as I heard Yugi sprinting down the stairs in a panic, yelling about needing to leave and saving the world, startling everyone awake in the middle of the night. While I couldn''t discern the time difference between our world and the spirit world, it seemed that Yugi had also journeyed there during his slumber. "Looks like he received Timaeus..." I muttered to myself, a sense of relief washing over me. With a contented sigh, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to drift back into sleep and the sound of Yugi''s distant screams faded down the streets.. Next Day... As morning arrived, I woke up with a tired groan. Despite feeling physically refreshed, the events of the previous night in the spirit world left me mentally drained, and I couldn''t shake the desire to sleep a little longer. After changing my clothes, I hurriedly left the room and encountered Yugi in the hallway. "Good morning," he muttered wearily, his face drawn and dark circles evident under his eyes. "Morning... Mutou..." I greeted Yugi with a sympathetic smile. Together, we made our way to the dining room, where Yugi''s mom was already waiting for us. As we sat down, I couldn''t help but overhear the news ring from the television in the background. "Breaking News! Last night, a mysterious yellow eye appeared in the middle of the sky of Domino City. Witnesses have reported that a massive blue dragon has also been spotted battling the eye, causing it to explode," the news anchor announced. Listening to the report, Yugi cleared his throat awkwardly, a sense of unease lingering in the air. I pretended not to notice his difort as Yugi''s mother returned from the kitchen, carrying a tray of breakfast items. "What is going on these days," Yugi''s mother sighed, her expression reflecting concern as she set the food on the table. "I just hope things will settle down soon." Turning to her son, she instructed, "Yugi, go get your grandfather. He should be outside the store." Nodding, Yugi left, leaving his mother and me alone in the room. "Sano-san," she spoke up, and I raised my head to meet her gaze. "I know that you will leave today but do you want to stay longer?" "Thank you... But I have to... decline," I smiled warmly, feeling a sense of gratitude welling up inside me. Even as an outsider, Yugi and his family treated me with kindness, and I couldn''t help but admire the closeness they shared. However, as I reflected on their bond, a slight dimming of my smile betrayed a twinge of envy that I couldn''t help but feel towards their tight-knit rtionship. As I stared at the table to distract myplicated heart, a suddenmotion broke out from outside as Grandpa Mutou and Yugi''s voice snapped me out of my daze. "I''m sorry, we''re not open yet. Huh? Hold on its you!" "What are you doing? You can''t go in there, stop!!" "Wait!" Before we could react, the door to the dining room was kicked off its hinges, and a man stood by the entrance. His sharp eyes swept through the room, and I felt a shiver run down my spine as his gaze honed in on my face.. "K... Kaiba?" I called out in a daze. "You," Kaiba growled and pointed: "You''reing with me." Without hesitation he approached me and grasped my wrist as I was helplessly dragged out of the room. "Stop!" Yugi''s mother intervened, brandishing a broom as she blocked the doorway. "Where do you think you''re taking her?!" Kaiba paused, his expression shifting as he regarded Yugi''s mother. With a resigned sigh, he released my wrist and reached into his pocket, retrieving a chequebook and pen. As he hastily scribbled on the cheque, I peered over his shoulder, my jaw dropping slightly at the sight of the numerous zeros he added before dropping the paper onto the floor. "This should be enough for the damages," Kaiba exined briskly, gesturing to the cheque on the floor as he grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the house. Passing by Yugi and his grandfather, Yugi smiled nervously while rubbing the back of his neck: "Don''t worry, Sano-san, we will bring your thingster..." "Sorry..." I mumbled in embarassment and I heard Kaiba clicking his teeth. Waiting at the entrance, a sleek ck limousine awaited us, and Kaiba urged me to enter. As I slid into the luxurious vehicle, Kaiba mmed the door behind us and took a seat across from me. The engine hummed to life, and we began to move, leaving the Kame Card Shop behind. Sitting in silence, the atmosphere between us was palpably tense. I could sense that Kaiba was in a foul mood, and I couldn''t shake the feeling that I had somehow contributed to it. "I''m sorry..." I murmured, nervously rubbing my palms together as I broke the silence. "Why are you apologizing?" Kaiba retorted sharply. "I have never said you have done anything wrong." I hesitated, my words catching in my throat as I struggled to articte my thoughts. "I thought..." "So you don''t even know what you''re apologizing for?" Kaiba''s voice carried a sharp edge, and my shoulders slumped in shame under his scrutiny. "Ah... sorry..." I mumbled softly. "Hmph," Kaiba snorted, crossing his arms tightly. "But you''re right, you did something wrong that angers me." Sensing my anticipation for an exnation, Kaiba sighed heavily, running a hand through his brown hair in frustration. "Last night... I heard about what happened." "Y.. yes?" I stammered nervously, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach as Kaiba''s scowl deepened. "I received reports from Noah that strange sounds were heard near your residence," Kaiba exined sternly, his gaze unwavering. "After he checked the security cameras and gathered reports from the residents, we saw an intruder entering your home..." "So," Kaiba suddenly leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "Why didn''t you tell me?" "I..." My voice trailed off as I squirmed ufortably in my seat "I thought you would... find it bothersome..." "I would," Kaiba responded firmly, holding out his hand to silence any potentialints before they could form. "But that doesn''t mean that I won''t do something about it." "Another thing, even if you didn''t call me in this situation, it annoys me that out of all the people you could have stayed with, you chose that guy..." Kaiba spat out, his frustration evident. "Then who?" I questioned, puzzled by his reaction. "I don''t know anyone but him!" Kaiba shouted with a flustered expression. "He can''t be trusted!" Eh... Yugi and untrustworthy were not two things I expected to put together. I glimpsed at Kaiba, who was observing my reaction to his statement. "Ok..." I eventually nodded, deciding to tread carefully to avoid provoking his anger further. "I will make sure... to rely on Kaiba..." I teased lightly, hoping to lighten the mood. However, to my dismay, he merely took a deep breath in response, his expression remaining impassive. Unable to continue the conversation, I turned my attention to the passing scenery outside the car window. "Where are we going?" I asked quietly, breaking the silence. "To the Kaiba Corp headquarters," Kaiba replied nonchntly. "If you''re even thinking of going back to your house, forget it. I''ll send people to clean it up, and I''ll also get someone to fetch your belongings from Yugi''s ce." I immediately shut my mouth as the question was answered before I even asked. Helplessly nodding, I patiently sat in the car and was brought to Kaiba Corps Head Quarters.... [3rd POV] As the car came to a stop at the entrance, Rnd rushed towards the vehicle with an expression of exasperation. It had been only an hour ago that Seto had suddenly left work without any exnation, stating that he needed to pick something up, and had gone without a moment''s notice. Now that he had returned, Rnd couldn''t help but feel a sense of frustration building within him. No matter how great a man his boss was, he couldn''t shake the feeling that he was going insane working under him. Maintaining a business-like smile, Rnd opened the car door and bowed in a professional manner: "Wee back, sir. I hope you achieved your objective." He said as Seto emerged with a calm expression. As Rnd was about to close the door, he noticed another person was trying toe out of the vehicle. Adjusting his mistake, he fully opened the door, and a girl with whom he was very familiar stepped out of the car. "Ah, Miss Sano, my apologies," Rnd said with a polite bow as he addressed Yuna. "It''s fine," Yuna replied with a slight nod, her expressionposed. "Sir, regarding the item that you''re referring to..." Rnd began, but before he could finish his sentence, Seto''s re intensified, causing Rnd to immediately close his mouth, understanding that further discussion was not wee at the moment. Watching Yuna follow Seto into the building, Rnd sighed with resignation, feeling a sense of frustration building within him. Under his breath, he muttered, "Why not just make it more obvious..." 10 minutester... Arriving in Seto''s office, Mokuba, who had been waiting for his brother''s return, noticeably brightened as the door opened. "Seto, where did you go?!" he eximed. "Our reputation is still going downhill, and the reporters are getting even more pushy than ever!" Hearing the frustrating news, Seto scowled and strode towards his desk. "Have they not found out who''s behind all this yet?" he demanded sharply. "What am I even paying for?!" His frustration was evident in his tone as he mmed his hand on the desk. With a worried expression, Mokuba sighed and then heard someone else entering the room. Spotting Yuna, his eyes widened in surprise, and he immediately rushed over to her. "Big Sister, I heard that someone broke into your home!" Mokuba said with a face full of concern. "Are you hurt? Did they do something to you?!" Hugging him, Yuna bent her knees to match his eye level. "Thank you, Mokuba," she said gently. "I''m okay." "Next time when any bad guys show up, just call me and I will deal with them!" Mokuba dered confidently, a determined glint in his eyes. Yuna couldn''t help butugh as she pinched his cheek. Quietly, Seto rested his chin on his hand and watched the two of themughing together. For a brief moment, he forgot about all the troubles that had been guing him since yesterday. However, as memories of certain events flooded back to him, Seto couldn''t help but furrow his brow in concern. "Sano," he called out, his voice cutting through the jovial atmosphere. "Who attacked you last night? "They..." Yuna paused, her expression tense as she deliberated how much she should reveal. "They called themselves Doma.... And the leader of the organization is called Dartz..." Scowling at this brand new information, Seto urged her to continue and Yuna nodded solemnly, steeling herself as she resumed her exnation, "They seem to want to... awaken a new God..." "Ridiculous..." he remarked, his tone filled with disbelief. However, despite his initial reaction, Seto couldn''t shake off the nagging feeling that, given all the recent unexinable events, summoning a new god didn''t sound as absurd as it should. "Kaiba, Doma must be... the ones that caused all this mess...." Yuna leaned over the desk, her gaze intense as she locked eyes with him. "You have to... believe me." Slightly overwhelmed by Yuna''s assertive tone, Seto nodded nkly, his mind racing with thoughts. Sensing the tension, Seto averted his gaze and nced at the awkward Mokuba, deciding to change the subject. "Mokuba, go tell them and let them know that the people we''re searching for is a group called Doma," Seto ordered, his tone decisive. Mokuba hurriedly left toplete his task. Left alone with Yuna, Seto sighed with exhaustion, pinching the bridge of his nose as he sank into his seat. "Are you... okay?" Yuna asked with concern, noting his disheveled state. "How can I be okay?" Seto remarked while rubbing his face. "There''s someone out there trying to make a fool out of me, and everything I have worked for is getting dragged down the drain!" His voice carried a mixture of anger and exasperation as he vented his frustrations to her Yuna spoke softly, her voice filled with empathy. "Kaiba..." "I have worked too hard for all of this to end!" Seto shouted in frustration, his emotions boiling over. With a sudden burst of anger, he swept his arm along the desk, sending things flying across the room. Copsing onto his chair, Seto let out a weary sigh. "How can this get any worse...." BAMM Suddenly, the door to his office burst open, and Mokuba, who had just left, rushed in with a look of urgency on his face. "Big Brother, we''ve got bad news!!" "What is it now?!" Seto snarled and he felt like his luck couldn''t possibly get any worse. "Allow me to exin," a voice said, and Seto nced at the monitor where the figure of Noah could be seen. Manipting the device, Noah disyed various graphs and data that caused everyone in the room to hold their breath. "Currently, there is a third party purchasing Kaiba Corp''s stock at an rming rate. If these numbers are urate, then that means they will soon own half ofn/?/vel/b//in dot c//om the shares of thispany." "Which means that if they buy any more, they can take control of this entirepany," Seto muttered, and cursed loudly as Yuna blocked Mokuba''s ears from the flurry of unseemingly words. "Dammit!! Who the hell is doing this!" He shouted. "Noah, stop them now!" "Understood, I will halt their progress," Noah replied with a nod. "However, even if I stop them, the third party will still have some influence on Kaiba Corp. We must get rid of the roots." "Do what you must do," Seto ordered firmly. ncing at Yuna, Noah smiled briefly before refocusing on the task at hand. However, that smile soon transformed into a confused frown. "Seto, I received a notification that someone wants to contact you," Noah informed him, his expression puzzled. "Tell them I don''t have time," Seto hissed, his frustration palpable. However, he paused abruptly upon hearing Noah''s next words. Noah''s voice was tense as he continued, "It''s from the third party...." For the next few seconds, Seto''s expression shifted rapidly from surprise to rage, and finally to disgust. Gnashing his teeth, he muttered coldly, "Put them on the line..." With a few clicks, the screen was reced by a live video call of a man leisurely sitting with his legs propped up on his desk. "So it was you!" Seto roared, while Pegasus simplyughed. "Good morning, Kaiba-boy!" Pegasus greeted cheerfully. "How have you been? Looks like we''re business partners now!" "I will never let a snake like you take over mypany!" Seto shouted with rage. "Come on now, don''t be so uptight. How about having a vacation?" Pegasus joked casually. "But don''t worry, I''m not really after yourpany. I want you." "What are you sprouting about?" Seto growled, his voice low and menacing, as he suppressed the veins bulging on his forehead. "I will challenge you to a duel!" Pegasus announced boldly. "And I assure you that I will not take no for an answer! Well, if you do decide to ignore my challenge, I will make sure to buy the rest of Kaiba Corps, taking it apart piece by piece." "Come to my castle in the Duelist Kingdom; I will be waiting... Well, Adios!" Without waiting for a reply, Pegasus hung up, leaving Seto''s office engulfed in silence. Sensing the solemn atmosphere, Mokuba gulped nervously before speaking up, "Brother, surely you''re not going!?" Seto remained quiet, his expression unreadable. Sensing his brother''s distress, Mokuba continued, "Look, Noah and I will get the stocks back! If you give us some time..." "I think something is wrong..." Seto interrupted, his expression pensive. "Pegasus wouldn''t act like this." Mokuba nced at his brother, puzzled. "What do you mean? He looks just as creepy as I remembered him..." "No," Seto''s brother shook his head and nced at Yuna. "He did not greet Sano at all." Yuna''s eyes widened in realization. All this time, although Pegasus had clearly spotted her in the room, he hadn''t even tried to say hello. Given his infatuation in her, it was indeed strange. "Something is going on," Seto mumbled, his mind racing with possibilities. "I''m going. Only if I confront Pegasus now will we get our answers." "Kaiba..." Yuna said softly, her determination evident in her voice. "I''ming... with you..." Albeit reluctant to involve her further, Seto nodded in acknowledgment. "Very well," he conceded. "Mokuba, stay here with Noah and deal with the problem first. We will get to the bottom of this." With that, the Kaiba brothers had made their ns as they began to work. Following Seto out of the room, Yuna subconciously frowned as she stared at his broad back, knowing that the next few days may decide the very fate of this world... I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 69: Maximillian Pegasus Real or Fake? Chapter 69: Maximillian Pegasus Real or Fake? ? Yellow_duck here. I''m sorry for the multiple mistakes in thest chapter. They have all been fixed now. [Yuna''s POV] As we exited the elevator that descended to the basement level, I quietly trailed behind Kaiba as we traversed through the lonely corridors. Kaiba''s voice sliced through the silence, shattering the tense atmosphere. "I don''t understand," he dered, his tone firm. "This is strictly between Pegasus and me. There''s no reason for you to involve yourselves." "You can''t go... alone," I reasoned, my voiceced with concern, but he scoffed dismissively. "I can handle myself well enough," Kaiba argued defiantly. "So I don''t know if you''re bold or foolish. This is yourst chance: stay out of this." His words carried a sharp edge. He locked eyes with me, his gaze piercing through my resolve, and I flinched. Gathering my courage, I took a deep breath: "Kaiba, I want to... help you," I said earnestly: "Please ... don''t stop me." Kaiba''s silence spoke volumes as he red at me. His reluctance was evident in his expression. "Fine... Suit yourself," he muttered begrudgingly before resuming his stride. After another five minutes of brisk walking, we finally arrived at the end of the hallway. The door''s mechanical hiss greeted us as it slid open automatically, revealing the room beyond. Inside, my eyes fell upon rows upon rows of imposing metal cabs, each securely locked and meticulouslybelled with distinct serial numbers. Approaching one of the cabs stationed at the far end of the room, Kaiba swiftly entered the code into the keypad with precision. I observed as he retrieved a sleek suitcase from within. Hesitantly, Kaiba utched the briefcase, revealing the gleaming metallic frames of his Duel Disks and his meticulously organized deck resting snugly inside. "Once school had ended, I had vowed not to touch Duel Monsters until I achieved my goal so that I wouldn''t be distracted any further. Yet I have to break this promise," he gritted his teeth. With a heavy sigh, he continued, "Do you know what my dream was?" "Mokuba... told me," I answered honestly. Kaiba nced at me briefly before closing the briefcase with a decisive click. "You must find it too simple for someone like me," he remarked, a hint of bitternesscing his words. "With Kaiba Corps, I can achieve almost anything, but what I wanted to do was build an amusement park." "I don''t...." I hurriedly shook my head in denial, and Kaiba chuckled with amusement, causing me to frown: "I''m not joking..." Standing up, Kaiba easily towered over me, his imposing figure casting a shadow over my more petite frame. He smirked as if already anticipating my reaction. "I know," he said, without waiting for a response, Kaiba left, and I followed after him, blinking in a daze. One hourter... After hastily preparing for our journey, Kaiba and I rushed to the Domino City airport. As our driver navigated through the bustling terminal, I couldn''t help but wonder what mode of transportation Kaiba had arranged for us. As we entered the private hangar, my jaw dropped at the sight that left me speechless. "Woah..." I gaped at the aircraft, which resembled a Blue-Eyed White Dragon. I had forgotten something like this existed. True to its appearance, the jet was indeed a striking replica of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon. The cockpit was ingeniously nestled within the dragon''s forehead, while two sleek turbo boosters adorned each of its wings. Remarkably, each of its limbs doubled asnding gear, giving the impression that the creature was standing proudly on all fours. "What are you just standing there for?" Kaiba said casually as he strolled towards the aircraft with pride in his eyes. I don''t know whether I should be more impressed by the sheer ingenious mind of the designer who made this thing fly or by the fact that Kaiba was able to unt it with confidence. Shuddering, I ascended the stairs and followed Kaiba into the aircraft. Inside, the cockpit waspact and designed to amodate only two people. Silently taking my ce in the co- pilot seat, I observed him expertly fiddled with controls. Gradually, the ne began moving towards the runway. "You''d better strap in," Kaiba warned. Before I could fasten my seat belt, the powerful thrusters roared to life, mming my body against the seat. Enduring the intense force, I nced at Kaiba, who was smiling with delight: "Are.... you crazy?" I growled, but my protests fell on deaf ears as he firmly pushed down the throttle, and the jet hurtled along the runway. As the ne finally ceased its eleration and settled into a steady speed, I let go of my breath and pushed away the seatbelt, pressing tightly between my cleavage. Sighing, I red at Kaiba, who was subtly glimpsing at me with reddened ears. ".....What?" I scowled. oughing awkwardly, he avoided my piercing gaze and looked straight ahead: "We will arrive in two hours...." Kaiba said and deliberately dodged my question. As the silence dragged out in the cockpit, my patience began to thin: "Hmph," I angrily crossed my arms and pouted: "Kaiba... pervert..." Kaiba flinched visibly, the colour rising in his cheeks. "I was wrong," he mumbled in embarrassment, his voice barely audible above the hum of the engines. An ufortable silence consumed the remainder of the two-hour journey. Two Hours Later "We have arrived," Kaiba finally spoke up, breaking the tense silence that had enveloped us. I nced out of the windows, spotting the familiar outline of Duelist Kingdom ind in the distance. Frowning, memories of the tournament flooded back, a mixture of unpleasant moments and fiercepetition. I couldn''t help but imagine that Kaiba must be feeling the same way. Touching down on thending strip, Kaiba switched off the aircraft and rose to his feet. "Pegasus must be aware of our arrival," he stated: "Remain on your utmost vignce." As we left the ne, we could already sense the strange atmosphere on the ind. Although Pegasus and his men should have heard our loud arrival, no one came and greeted us, making it seem like we were in the middle of nowhere, which we were. "Looks like I''m right," He muttered: "Something questionable is happening..." With tense expressions, we proceeded towards the heart of the ind, where Pegasus''s imposing castle stood. As we reached the foot of the towering cliff upon which the medieval fortress rested, we craned our necks to gaze up at its ominous silhouette against the sky. "Why did you stop?" Kaiba suddenly asked when my pace slowed down to a halt. I chuckled awkwardly, my gaze fixed on the imposing staircase that seemed to stretch endlessly upward. "Just some... bad memories," I muttered under my breath, the weight of past experiences heavy on my mind. I had hoped to leave this torture behind once the Duelist Kingdom arc concluded. Shaking off the lingering difort, I pped myself lightly on the cheek, summoning a surge of determination. "I can do this." Ten Minutes Later... I don''t think I can do this. I gasped for breath after climbing the hundreds of steps. Thankfully, I''m close to the finish line, and I won''t die from overexertion. But still... Why wasn''t that guy getting tired yet?! Kaiba, who was walking ahead of me, showed no sign of being remotely overwhelmed by this extreme workout, and I hadn''t even seen him breaking a sweat. As I continued grumbling to myself, we eventually reached the castle entrance. Despite standing at Pegasus''s front door, there was still not a single soul in sight nor any sign of activity emanating from the castle. With caution, Kaiba gently pushed against the door, and it swung open with surprising ease, revealing an empty and chilling interior that sent a shiver down my spine. Walking side by side, my body tensed with unease as the eerieck of signs of life sent a shiver down my spine. Opening another set ofrge doors, we were confronted by an expansive, familiar room¡ªthe Dueling Arena-its grandeur somehow magnified by the unsettling emptiness that pervaded the space. *THUNK* Suddenly, the lights zed to life, and I winced at the sudden brightness that flooded the room. Blinking to adjust to the illumination, I heard echoing footsteps from the other side. From the shadows emerged a man with striking white hair, his bright red suit standing outn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om vividly in the newly lit room. "Pegasus...." I mumbled. "Wee!" Pegasus eximed, spreading his arms wide with a warm smile. Then, turning to Kaiba, his grin widened. "So, you have arrived, Kaiba-boy." "I''m here," Kaiba snarled, his voice dripping with impatience. "So, are we dueling, or are you just going to waste my time?" "That, of course," he nodded. "But first!" To our confusion, Pegasus suddenly pped his hands, and a green light shimmered beneath me. Before I couldprehend what was happening, the light coalesced into a circle adorned with various intricate magic symbols. "Wha!" I gasped, instinctively attempting to step out of the way as the Seal of Orichalcos sprang to life before me. "Sano!" Amidst the chaos, Kaiba''s urgent voice snapped me out of my shock. Before I could react, I felt a powerful force knock me to the ground Lifting my head, my eyes widened in disbelief as I realized that it was Kaiba who had pushed me away, sacrificing himself in the process. However, his selfless act had left him trapped within thepleted Seal of Orichalcos. As he stood within the seal, Kaiba fell to one knee, gritting his teeth in pain. "Kaiba!" I yelled, my voice filled with concern, as I watched him struggle within the confines of the Seal of Orichalcos. "Oh, this is unexpected," he remarked, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "To think Seto Kaiba would sacrifice himself..." Pegasus''s eyes gleamed with interest as he focused his attention on me, assessing the situation with newfound curiosity. "You''re not Pegasus..." I pointed usatorily, my eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Who.... are you?!" The man smirked, a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes, as he reached under his neck, deftly peeling off his mask to reveal his true identity. "Surprised?" Taking off his wig and running his hand through his maroon-colored hair, Alister grinned maliciously. "I didn''t expect to get discovered that fast, but it doesn''t matter anyway," he dered with a sinister edge to his tone. "Ah, this outfit felt horrible," he mumbled, tossing aside the red suit to reveal a cropped top, long dark pants, and fingerless gloves. A new Orichalcos stone hung around his neck, recing the one that had been sacrificed to save Rafael. "What did you.... do to Kaiba?" I asked, my voice trembling with concern. "Rx, he''s not dead yet," Alister replied casually, shrugging off my apprehension. "But he will be, depending on what you do next." "That trap was supposed to be meant for you, but I think this is perfectly fine as well," Alister chuckled, crossing his arms with a smug grin. "Listen closely. His life currently rests in your hands. As time goes by, the seal will fully absorb his soul. The only way to save him now is by defeating me. However, if you lose, his soul won''t be the only one I''m taking..." Gritting my teeth, I steeled myself and calmly approached the podium. Alister watched me with a sinister smile as he activated the Dueling Arena. "F*ck...." Kaiba swore under his breath as I passed him. "You better not lose," Turning around, I locked eyes with Kaiba and offered him a confident smile. "I won''t...." I assured him with determination. [Task #10: Begone Imposter!] [Defeat Alister and rescue Seto Kaiba.] [Reward: 5000 Credits] "Enough!" Alister''s voice boomed, cutting through the tension as he waved his arm impatiently. "Let''s battle!" he dered, eager to begin the duel. "dly!" I shouted back. "Duel!" x2 [Alister: 4000 LP] [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP] I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 70: Dragon vs Machines Chapter 70: Dragon vs Machines ? [Alister: 4000 LP] [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP] "Looks like I will go first," Alister smirked, his podium lighting up in preparation for his turn. "Let me warn you: Rafael is someone dedicated to his cards, but for me, I will do everything I can to win." "So prepare yourself, Yuna Sano!" Alister shouted, his voice echoing through the Dueling Arena as he initiated his move. "I will summon Machina Gearframe!" With a dramatic flourish, a short robotic warrior d in orange armour materialized on Alister''s field, much to my disbelief. [Machina Gearframe: 1800 Attack] [1] "Machina?!" I gasped, my heart rate quickening as a wave of nervousness washed over me. "This is going to be much more difficult than I thought." Alisterughed: "When Machina Gearframe is summoned, I can add Machina Unspare to my hand," he exined, his grin widening. "And with Machina Unspare, if it''s added to my hand except by drawing, I can special summon the monster onto the field!" Besides Machina Gearframe, another robotic soldier materialized on Alister''s field. This one was markedly different, resembling a sleek ck soldier with a futuristic design. One of its arms had been reced with a massive, menacing drill. [Machina Unspare: 1800 Attack] "When Machina Unspare is summoned, I can send Machina Citadel from my deck to the grave." Alister exined: "Finally, I will set one card and end my turn." "Tsk... It''s my turn!" I yelled: "First, I will activate the spell Dragon Shrine to send Blue-Eyes White Dragon to the graveyard; then since the dragon I sent was a normal monster, I can send another dragon to the grave!" After showing Alister the Lightpulsar Dragon, I ced the card into the discard pile: "With Lightpulsar Dragon, I can discard an additional light and dark monster to revive it from the grave! So by sacrificing Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and Crescent Dragon from my hand, I will summon Lightpulsar Dragon!" [Lightpulsar Dragon: 2500 Attack] "Next, I will normal-summon Doomcaliber Knight!" I dered boldly, summoning forth a fearsome skeleton soldier mounted on a ck steed. [Doomcaliber Knight: 1900 Attack] "I will battle!" I said as my two monsters'' body tensed: " Doomcaliber Knight, attack Machina Gearframe!" The skeleton rider charged forward, its sword poised for the strike. With a single mighty swing, the de cut cleanly through Machina Gearframe, slicing the robot in half. [Alister: 4000 LP -> 3900 LP] "I will activate the effect of Machina Citadel!" Alister shouted: "When an earth machine monster I control is destroyed, I can summon Machina Citadel in the graveyard!" "Not so fast!" I interrupted: "In response, Doomcaliber Knight''s effect will activate to tribute itself to negate Machina Citadel''s effect! Now, Lightpulsar Dragon, attack Machina Unspare!" [Alister: 3900 LP -> 3200 LP] "Then I will end my turn," I dered, fixing Alister with a cautious gaze. "It''s your move." "Very well," He replied: "I will activate the effect of Machina Fortress in my hand by discarding machine monsters whose level is equal to eight; I can special summon this card onto the field." "The card I''m discarding is Machina Cannon, whose level was already eight." Alister exined: "Soe forth, Machina Fortress!" [Machina Fortress: 2500 Attack] "Machina Fortress, attack Lightpulsar Dragon!" Alistermanded as the cannon attached to the robot''s shoulder glowed ominously before firing a bright beam in my dragon''s direction. However, Lightpulsar Dragon swiftly dodged the attack, darting towards its opponent with incredible speed. With a deafening crash, the two monsters collided, unleashing a powerful explosion that engulfed them both in a burst of light. "When Machina Fortress is destroyed, the effect of Machina Citadel in my graveyard will be triggered!" Alister shouted eagerly: "You can''t stop me now. Rise, Machina Citadel!!!" *RUMBLE* As the Duel Arena reverberated with a massive vibration, I gasped in awe as a humongous machine began to materialize on the field. With its tetrapod body taking shape, the robot groaned as it reached its full height, casting an imposing and formidable presence. My breath caught in my throat as its green cyclopean eye scanned me, sending a shiver down my spine. I couldn''t help but tremble as I beheld the menacing sight of therge chainsaw and rail cannon attached to its limbs. [Machina Citadel: 3000 Attack] "Machina Citadel," Alister ordered, and the monster''s eyes glowed: "Attack her life points directly!" "H.. Hold on!" I snapped out of my daze and hurriedly shouted: "When Lightpulsar Dragon is destroyed, I will summon Crescent Dragon from the graveyard!" [Crescent Dragon: 2350 Defence] With blinding speed, Machina Citadel rushes towards me, its massive form towering over the battlefield. I raise its arm, swinging its chainsaw like a hammer, and bring the weapon crashing down with immense force. The chainsaw slices through the air with terrifying power, thoroughly crushing the dragon under its tremendous weight. "How wonderful!" Alisterughed joyously at the sheer power of his machine monster: "I will set two cards and end my turn." "During your end phase, Crescent Dragon will be revived." I announced as the once crushed dragon reappeared on the field: "However, when it is sent to the graveyard, I must ce this card in the bottom of my deck instead." [Crescent Dragon: 2200 Attack] Staring at Machina Citadel, I anxiously nced at Kaiba, whose expression was getting worse as time went on: "I will y Card of Sanctity; both of us will keep drawing until we have six cards in our hand." "I activate Crescent Dragon''s effect to discard and add a second copy of Crescent Dragon to my hand." I exined while shuffling through my deck: "Then, I will summon Guardian of Felgrand!" [Guardian of Felgrand: 500 Attack] "With Guardian of Felgrand''s effect, I will equip Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand to that card!" I dered: "Then, with Guardian of Felgrand''s second effect, I will tribute him and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand to revive my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack] "Now, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand will target Machina Citadel on your field and banish it. If so, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand will gain attack and defence equal to Machina Citadel''s level multiplied by one hundred!" "Unfortunately, that won''t be happening!" Alister dered," I would activate my trap card, Machina Overdrive. By targeting my own Machina Citadel, I will destroy it and special summon a different Machina Monster from my deck!" "I will summon Machina Metalcruncher!" [Machina Metalcruncher: 2800 Attack] "When Machina Metalcruncher is special-summoned, I can choose three machine monsters in my deck, and you can randomly add one to my hand."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Three cards appeared on the screen before me, and I frowned cautiously, unsure of what Alister had chosen. After a moment of deliberation, I reached out and selected the card in the middle, and Alister smiled confidently as he shuffled the other two cards back into his deck. ring at his monster, uncertainty swept over me. If I wanted to attack Alister''s life points directly, I must destroy Machina Metalcruncher, but if I did, Machina Citadel would return to the field. "I will activate the effect of Lightpulsar Dragon, discarding Starliege Seyfert and Crescent Dragon to summon it back onto the field." [Lightpulsar Dragon: 2500 Attack] "Now, I''m entering my battle phase, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand. Attack Machina Metalcruncher!" Without hesitation, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand fearlessly charged towards its foe, cascading both monsters into destruction. "When Machina Metalcruncher is destroyed, I will revive Machina Citadel from the graveyard!!" [Machina Citadel: 3000 Attack] "Now, I''m exiting my battle phase!" I announced upon seeing my target: "Then, I will activate the effect of Chaos Dragon Levianeer in my hand to banish Guardian of Felgrand, Blue Eyes White Dragon and Starliege Seyfert to summon it onto the field!!" [Chaos Dragon Levianeer: 3000 Attack] "Since I have banished three light monsters to summon Chaos Dragon Levianeer, I can activate its first effect and special summon monster from my grave. I call upon you, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack] "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, try and banish Machina Citadel again!" Alister scowled and clicked his teeth: "Give up; I will activate Machina Citadel''s effect and target itself to self-destruct! Then all monsters that are equal to or less than the attack of my Machina Citadel will be destroyed!" Suddenly, Machina Citadel''s chest opened up, revealing a round orange sphere connected to dozens of intricate wires and circuit boards. With a low rumble, the core expanded, and the machine''s electric current overcharged, causing a massive explosion that engulfed the entire field in mes. Once my vision cleared, none of my monsters had survived the devastation. However, instead of being upset, I smiled: "This is what I just wanted!" I yelled and revealed the spell in my hand: "I will activate Return of the Dragon Lord to bring back my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!!" To Alister''s disbelief, the dragon he had worked so hard to get rid of returned for the third time. As Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand appeared, it seemingly snickered and roared. [Divne Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack] "Since Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s effect was never once per turn!" I announced: "So, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, banish Machina Citadel in the graveyard!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3800 Attack] "I will set one card and end my turn," I spoke with a calm expression. I wouldn''t doubt that Alister has the power to bring Machina Citadel back. However, since Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand is much stronger now, I can win if I''m careful... "I can see now why Rafael is acting so cautiously when dealing with you," Alister remarked. But I won''t make the same mistake as him." "I will draw!" he shouted: "During my main phase, I will activate the Seal of Orichalcos!!" WOOOOOSH The entire building trembled, and the screens on our Duel Arena began to glitch and flicker erratically. Beneath our feet, the familiar green magic circle expanded ominously, its pulsating energy causing a suffocating sensation to envelop me once more, making my knees buckle under the weight of its power. Alister cackled in madness as the symbol of Orichalcos formed on his forehead. Clutching his face, he smiled and stared at me with ecstasy. "First, I will activate the effect of Machina Overdrive in my graveyard. By banishing this card, I can target three Machina Monsters in my graveyard or banish pile and shuffle them back into my deck." "Next, I will y Machina Redeployment. By discarding one card, I can add two Machina Monsters with different names to my hand. Then, by adding Machina Unspare, I can special summon it." [Machina Unspare: 800 Defence] "When Machina Unspare is special-summoned, I can send Machina Citadel from my deck to the graveyard." As he discarded the card from the deck, I felt a sense of deja vu. Alister: "I will set two more cards and end my turn. It looks like you''re running out of time." Suddenly, I heard a painful groan, and I frantically swung around. Behind me, Kaiba was clutching his chest in agony, and his expression strained as he fought to stay conscious despite the overwhelming pain. "Kaiba!" I yelled, and he red at me with bulging veins. "Focus!" He hissed, and my body froze: "If you lose, we both die!" Snapping out of my daze, I nodded anxiously and resumed the duel: "During the end phase, I will summon Crescent Dragon in attack position!" [Crescent Dragon: 2200 Attack] ''I must end this fast!'' I thought, concern stered all over my face: "I will first use Crescent Dragon''s effect to discard one card to add a second Crescent Dragon to my hand. Then I will battle! Crescent Dragon, attack Machina Unspare!" BOOOM With a precise swing of its de, Machina Unspare''s tough armour was cleanly sliced through like butter. "Upon destruction, I will reborn my Machina Citadel!" [Macina Citadel: 3000 Attack] [Machina Citadel: 3000 -> 3500 Attack] "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, attack!" I dered, and the golden dragon began to emit bright light in its jaw. "Not so fast; I will activate Machina Resavanger; by discarding this card, Machina Citadel will gain one thousand and two hundred attacks until the end of this turn!" [Machina Citadel: 3500 -> 4700 Attack] Before I could react, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand unleashed an orangeser that struck Machina Citadel directly. However, to the dragon''s disbelief, a giant arm burst through the light and caught the dragon in mid-air, halting its attack. In a shocking turn of events, a second red beam burst forth from the mes, striking Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand squarely in the face. [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP -> 3100 LP] "I will banish Return of the Dragon Lords in my graveyard, and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand won''t be destroyed this turn." "Hmph," Alister sneered: "It''s not going to save your monster, Machina Citadel, self- destruct again!!" BOOOOOOM When the dust settled, I surveyed the aftermath with a sinking feeling in my chest. My entire fieldy in ruins once more, and I helplessly clenched my fists in frustration. "I will end my turn," I muttered reluctantly: "During my end phase, I will summon the Crescent Dragon in my hand." [Crescent Dragon: 2350 Defence] No words need to be exchanged, as everyone clearly knows that my starting momentum was beginning to wane... "It''s my turn, I will draw." Alister dered and nced at his head with slightly widened eyes: "This is a st from the past; I will summon KC-1 Crayton (anime)!" To my surprise, arge tank was summoned onto his field. It does not look strange except for the cleanly drawn white KC logo on the side. [KC-1 Crayton: 1500 Attack] Kaiba gasped in disbelief: "That is!" "Hmph," Alister scoffed, his words dripping with contempt. "You must be very familiar with this monster; after all, it''s something your father has created that ruined the lives of millions!" Kaiba''s face paled, and he stared at the ground. Meanwhile, my expression stiffened as I recalled Alister''s backstory... "I can still remember, clear as day, the screams, the cries, and the mes..." Alister mumbled with a mncholy tone, his voice heavy with emotion. "It was so sudden when those soldiers and death machines showed up, ravaging my town, my home, and my family..." The pain of his memories echoed in his words, painting a vivid picture of the devastation he had endured. "My little brother..." Alister hissed with venom, his finger pointing usingly at the tank. "That very machine killed him, and my parents were ughtered by the very weapons yourpany developed!" "Kuh..." Unable to respond, Kaiba groaned with bitterness, his expression a mixture of frustration and guilt. Alister scoffed at his attitude, disdain evident in his eyes as he observed Kaiba''s reaction. "Pathetic...." Alister snarled, his tone dripping with contempt. "You truly are a shameful person..." "Stop!" I argued angrily, my voice cutting through the tension in the air. "Kaiba is not the one you should me!" I interjected abruptly, surprising both Alister and Kaiba with my sudden outburst. "Just like you, he despised those very weapons you speak of, which is why he overtook the company to use its technology for a better future!" I spoke passionately, my voice filled with conviction. "That''s how he and Kaiba Corps will atone for that sin!" Alister''s lips pursed as he regarded me in silence, his expression unreadable. Eventually, he spoke in a cold tone, his voice devoid of emotion. "Don''t make meugh. Will atoning now bring my family back to life?" "That''s..." "Will it bring back all the lives lost, killed by Kaiba Corp''s inventions?!" Alister interrupted, his voice tinged with anguish as he bit his lip and shook his head. "Even if I were to believe you, what would stop him from walking down the same path as his father?" "He won''t!" I yelled defiantly: "Kaiba would never do something like that!" "Fine," Alister sneered, his arms crossed in front of him. "Let me ask you a question. Where do all the funds to create these impressive technologiese from? Did they magically appear out of thin air?" "The clothes he wore and the food he ate to live..." Alister shouted, his voice filled with anger and usation. "All of it was Kaiba Corp''s money! Money earned by killing innocent people!!" "That''s why he will pay with his life!" he proimed. "After that, I will finally be at peace." My heart churned, a heavy weight settling in my chest as I struggled to find the words to respond to Alister''s despairing speech. Unable to utter a single word, I met his gaze with a mixture of anguish and uncertainty. Staring at me, Alister sighed heavily, his expression softening slightly. "Which is why I don''t understand," he murmured, his voice tinged with genuine confusion. "Even after what happened, why are you standing up for a man like that?" Freezing in shock, I lowered my head. Slowly, I nced at Kaiba, our eyes meeting in a silent exchange. At that moment, I saw a myriad of emotions hidden behind his stoic facade: disappointment, shock, anticipation, and sorrow... "Because..." I mumbled shyly. "Kaiba is a kind person..." "Hah?" Alister snickered derisively. "You must be joking." "I''m not," I asserted firmly, my voice rising with conviction. "Although he may seem like a frigid person, he''s really caring andpassionate! His dream was to build a theme park!" I eximed, slightly surprised by my passionate tone. "But it''s not just any theme park. It''s a ce opened for the sole purpose of giving underprivileged children a ce where they can y to their heart''s content, a ce where they can forget about all their worries, even if it''s just for a moment!" "That''s because Kaiba truly believed that games are something that can purify the soul!" Kaiba:.... Alister sighed: "Talking to you is useless; if you''re siding with him, it means that you''re just as guilty...." Alister eventually chuckled with exasperation: "That does sound grand, but it''s already toote to stop now. If you truly believe that man is what you said, then win." "I will activate my trap, Tank Corps and summon three Tank Tokens in defence position! Then, the effect of KC-1 Crayton will trigger, boosting its attack by five hundred for each Tank Token on the field!" [Tank Token: 1200 Defence] [Tank Token: 1200 Defence] [Tank Token: 1200 Defence] [KC-1 Crayton: 1500 -> 3000 Attack] "With the Seal of Orichalcos, KC-1 Crayton will gain another five hundred attack!" [KC-1 Crayton: 3000 -> 3500 Attack] "Then, I will activate Toy Robot Box and discard one card; then I can summon three Robot Tokens onto the field." Alister dered: "With the Seal of Orichalcos, I can also summon monsters in my back row." [Robot Token: 0 Defence] [Robot Token: 0 Defence] [Robot Token: 0 Defence] "Finally, I will activate Sky Union! Tributing the three Robot Tokens to bring out my ace monster, Air Fortress Ziggurat!!!" *RUMBLE* A loud mechanical noise echoed throughout the room, generating an eerie, thunderous effect that rattled my bones. Raising my head, I saw a massive airship levitating in the air, its imposing presence casting a shadow over the field. The machine was shaped like a disk with dozens of turrets sticking out of its body. At the front of the monster was the head of a mech that looked like it came straight out of a cartoon, its eyes glowing with a menacing light. [Air Fortress Ziggurat: 2500 Attack] "Thanks to the seal, Air Fortress Ziggurat''s attack will be boosted to three thousand!" [Air Fortress Ziggurat: 2500 -> 3000 Attack] "While Air Fortress is on the field, it is unaffected by your spell and trap cards. Also, if I control a Robot Token, you can only target that token for attacks!" Alister said confidently, "Now attack, Air Fortress Ziggurat, destroy Crescent Dragon!" Immediately, all the weapons on the flying fortress trained on my field. For the next few seconds, an absolute hellfire of explosions bombarded my field, and the poor Crescent Dragon never stood a chance... "Now, KC-1 Crayton, end her!" Alister snarled as the tank''s barrel slowly swivelled towards me. *Clunk* BOOOOOOOM With the sound of something heavy rolling and a massive bang, KC-1 Crayton unleashed a devastating projectile in my direction. "Sano!!" I heard Kaiba''s shout as time seemed to slow down... "....I activate!!" B0000000000000M I was engulfed in a raging inferno, and despite being an illusion, I couldn''t help but be reminded of the time the Winged Dragon of Ra attacked me, and my breathing became ragged. As the dust settled, Alister was still surprised to see me with my life points unharmed: "I activate my trap, Defence Draw," I panted while grasping the handrails to support my weakened legs: "During my opponent''s turn, if my opponent battles, I can make that damage zero, and I can draw one card..." Alister snarled in discontent: "Then I will set one card and end my turn. In my end phase, Air Fortress Ziggurat''s effect will activate, and I can summon a Robot Token." [Robot Token: 0 Defence] My hair stood on end at the dangerous obstacle thaty before me. I clicked my teeth and drew a card that was too close forfort... "I will first normal summon Keeper of the Shrine!" [Keeper of the Shrine: 0 Attack] "Then, I will activate Return of the Dragon Lords, summoning my Chaos Dragon Levianeer from the graveyard!" [Chaos Dragon Levianeer: 3000 Attack] "Next, I will activate Polymerisation, fusing Chaos Dragon Levianeer and Keeper of the Shrine to summon Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!" [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 Attack] Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, I will target your Air Fortress Ziggurat, and the dragon "With will gain your monster''s attack this turn!" [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 -> 5800 Attack] "Didn''t I already tell you? That wouldn''t work!" Alister exined: "You can''t target any monsters for attack except for the Robot Token I control!" "Then, I will activate Monster Reborn!" I shouted, and he snickered. "Are you summoning Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand again? It''s useless; I will activate my trap, Imperial Iron Wall, and while face up, cards can''t be banished!" However, unbeknownst to him, this was what I had expected... With a smile, I said: "The one I''m reviving isn''t my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand; it''s your very own Machina Citadel!" "What?!" Alister gasped in disbelief. The very same machine that Alister used has been revived to my side. Machina Citadel''s eyes shone coldly, unaware that its master had changed. [Machina Citadel: 3000 Attack] "Now, I will activate Machina Citadel''s effect, targeting itself to self-destruct!!" I dered, and Alister''s eyes widened: "Now, your Air Fortress Ziggurat and your tokens will be destroyed!" Alister:!!! Machina Citadel dashed towards Alister''s field, revealing its core. With a satisfying explosion, the flying fortress lights up in mes as it crashes into the ground. [KC-1 Crayton: 3500 -> 2000 Attack] "Now, I will battle!!" I dered as Staring Venom Fusion Dragon soared into the air: "I will show you that the faith I ced in Kaiba is genuine! Starving Venom Fusion Dragon attack KC-1 Crayton!!" Under our watchful eyes, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon swung its tail with tremendous force, shing through the tank with ease. As the scythe de on the end of the dragon''s tail continued its deadly momentum towards Alister, he stared at me in shock, unable toprehend the sudden turn of events. "Ha... Ha ha...." BOO0000000OM [Alister: 3200 LP -> 0 LP] [1] Giving Alister Machina is probably the only way to prevent him from getting destroyed in turn one. I hope you enjoy it. Chapter 71: Trip to America Chapter 71: Trip to America ? Sorry for the dy, guys. [3rd POV] When Yuna was lowered from the Duel Arena, she rushed to Seto with a face full of anxiety. With Alister''s defeat, the Seal of Orichalcos dimmed and vanished, freeing him from the suffocating prison. Kneeling, Seto panted with exhaustion, and he sighed as the soul- draining sensation finally disappeared. Concerned for his well-being, she tried to help him stand, but Seto hurriedly pushed her away: "Kaiba?" Yuna questioned with confusion as he deliberately avoided her eyes. Ignoring her call, Seto tightly grasped his chest as his heart thrashed against his ribcage. Yuna''s deration of her trust in him left Seto in a state of disbelief, and her words continued to rey in his mind like a broken cassette yer. Touching his face, which was heating up like a raging fire, Seto gritted his teeth while trying to distract himself by staring at the ceiling. Why was he feeling this way? No matter how much Seto thought about it, he couldn''t figure out the answer. No.... Deep down, Seto may have an idea of this new emotion... ''To think someone like me can feel this way...'' He thought with a self-deprecating smirk. Noticing that Yuna was still staring at him, Seto sighed: "I''m fine..." He managed to squeeze the words out of the gaps of his teeth, and Yuna smiled with relief. "Enough about me," he said, changing the subject, "What should we do about him?" Following Seto''s finger, Yuna looked at Alister, who was lying on the floor as the Seal of Orichalcos slowly crept towards him... Five Minutes Earlier... When his life points dropped to zero, Alister was swept off his feet as the Seal of Orichalcos''s power threw him against the ground. Before he could react, he felt his life force slowly leaving his body. ''Thing''s not supposed to go like this!!'' His pupils trembled with emotions: ''I should have won!'' Drowning in his despair and anger, Alister weakly turned his head and red daggers at the girl who was timidly approaching him. "Tsk...." Alister sulked uncontrobly. "Why did you get in my way?" Unable to respond, Yuna quietly knelt beside him as he continued to rant. "For years, I have dedicated myself to this moment and when everything seemed perfect!" He shouted: "I could''ve had my revenge!" "Revenge... is wrong..." Yuna muttered, and Alister gritted his teeth in anger. "Then what isn''t wrong?!" He roared: "Am I just going to sit there and ept the fact that my family were murdered in cold blood?!" Shielding his eyes with his arm, Alister bit his lips, suppressing the seething rage brewing within him. In a sudden moment of tenderness, he felt aforting warmth as Yuna gently sped his hand. "No...." She shook her head: "What Gozaburo did.... can''t be forgiven...." "Then!" Yuna: "That''s why... Kaiba did everything he could to stop him... That''s why he worked... so hard. So something like... this won''t happen again..." "I understand.... that it''s difficult," she continued, "But you can''t fuel... your hatred forever." Alister remained silent as his memories gradually resurfaced. After being picked up by Dartz, he patiently waited for the time when he could exact his revenge on Gozaburo. However, upon learning of Gozaburo''s demise and another person having taken over Kaiba Corps,plicated emotions overwhelmed him. Eventually, unable to ept it, Alister turned his hostility towards the Kaiba brothers, convincing himself that they, too, bore responsibility for his suffering. Chuckling resignedly, Alister nced at Yuna from the corner of his eye. "Why bother talking to me? I''m as good as dead, destined to have my soul imed by the Seal of Orichalcos." "Because... I want to," She replied with a small smile. Alister frowned, unable to grasp her intentions: "What a strange person...." "What if..." Yuna''s voice trailed off as she gazed into the distance. : "You can get a second... chance?" "Second chance, huh?" Alister mused as darkness crept into his vision: "That sure... sounds... nice..." Alister''s hand gradually slipped out of Yuna''s grasp as he closed his eyes. Staring at his lifeless body, she sighed and nced at Seto, her pupils trembling with uncertainty. "So this is what happens?" Seto scowled: "That time when they broke into your home, this is what happens if you lose, and you think it''s not important enough to tell me?!" "Kaiba, please..." Yuna muttered ufortably: "Not now..." Sensing her uneasiness, Seto stopped and sighed in exasperation: "Fine.... Regardless, we still don''t know where Pegasus went." Rising to her feet, Yuna nodded decisively. "There must be something... something he left behind." With their next objective clear, they wasted no time in setting their n in motion. Fortunately, with Alister defeated, there were no further interruptions from Doma''s henchmen as they made their way to Pegasus''s private office. Yuna deftly unlocked the door, and the two slipped inside. "Surprisingly ordinary," Seto remarked, scanning the room before heading towards the desktopputer stationed on the desk. With practised ease, Seto retrieved a USB from his pocket and shamelessly connected it to theputer. Taking a seat, he wasted no time in demonstrating his advanced hacking prowess, effortlessly breaching the system''s defences and gaining ess to the stored data. As Seto skimmed through the files, he noticed Yuna observing him with a disapproving frown. "We have to find out what''s going on," he remarked, clearing his throat. "Unless you have a better method?" Unable to refute Seto''s logic, Yuna fell silent and watched as Seto continued to work. After a few minutes, Seto''s eyes shimmered as he opened a video file that had been recorded only the night before... "Greetings, Kaiba-boy-" Pegasus waved cheerfully from the screen: "How have you been? By the time you saw this message, a lot of things had happened, things that couldn''t possibly be exined by science." "Thankfully, yourpany has taken most of the heat, so I''m not as stressed as I should be," he remarked, and Seto scowled: "Nheless, things have been pretty rough on my end as well." "Don''t worry. I may have an idea about who the clown behind all of this is." He spoke solemnly: "But it is most likely that you have already met them." "Anyway, it would be nearly impossible for me to exin everything in this video. It''s best if youe and visit Industrial Illusions Headquarters in San Francisco." Pegasus smiled: "Oh, please also bring Yuna Sano with you, but I doubt I needed to tell you since you will do it anyway. Oh, how sweet, young lo...." Before he could finish, Seto switched off the monitor. "It''s useless to keep listening to this guy''s chattering," he said under Yuna''s questioning gaze. "What... now?" She asked: "Are we... going?" "Do we have to?" Seto responded: "You said it yourself; the b*stards attacking mypany are called Doma, and as long we find them, it will all be over." "But... do we know where to start?" Yuna asked while tilting her head. Despite being familiar with the events of this arc, the location of Doma''s base was never explicitly mentioned. Unless they search blindly through the entirety of the United States, it''s best to let things y out. "We should go...." She exined: "Pegasus probably know... something we don''t." Grasping his chin, Seto quietly considered the advantages and disadvantages of meeting with Pegasus. On the one hand, Pegasus may possess information on Doma that they weren''t aware of, but on the other hand, he would have to listen to that man''s constant yapping. "It doesn''t seem like we have a choice," Seto replied reluctantly: "Let''s go." "Wait," Yuna grabbed his shoulder with a concerned expression: "What about... Alister?" Hearing Yuna say his name, Seto subconsciously frowned. "I will have someone take care of him," he answered with displeasure. A few Hours Later... Swiftly arriving, thanks to the speed of the Blue Eyes White Dragon Jet, Seto and Yuna found themselves at their destination. Despite the efficiency of their travel, the constant movement had left them both utterly exhausted. Though neither of them admitted it, they silently yearned for a break. "It''s alreadyte..." Seto exined, staring at his phone as they exited the jet. "We can go tomorrow." ncing at the descending sunset, Yuna nodded. It was fortunate that she packed some clothes before they left, or else she would have nothing to change into. Exiting the lift, Yuna and Seto found themselves at a bustling hotel in the heart of the city. Stepping out of the car, Yuna''s eyes danced with wonder and awe as she took in her new surroundings. As they entered the hotel, it felt as though all eyes were drawn to them, their presence sparking curiosity and intrigue among the onlookers. "Woah, are they foreigners?" "She looks so beautiful..." "That man is also pretty handsome as well...." However, as their eyes roamed over the duo''s figures, everyone couldn''t help but notice the Duel Disk securely attached to their wrists. "Look, isn''t that a Duel Disk?!" "Now that you said it, they looked awfully familiar... No way...." "If that''s really a Duel Disk, then they are!" Instantly, a shift in the atmosphere became palpable, causing Yuna to shiver as she picked up on the change in mood. "Um, excuse me," A man suddenly tapped her on the shoulder with a hesitant expression: "Are you by chance Yuna Sano?" Momentarily taken aback, Yuna stared at him, causing the man to flinch nervously. Though her grasp of English wasn''t perfect, Yuna understood his question and nodded in affirmation. With his suspicion proven correct, the man smiled with excitement while holding out a piece of paper and pen: "May I please have your autograph?!" Caught off guard by the request, she gazed at the paper in stunned silence. As the seconds stretched on, the man coughed awkwardly and slowly retracted the paper, sensing her hesitation. Snapping out of her daze, Yuna quickly scribbled her name before handing it back to him with a slight nod. Clutching the paper, the man smiled in delight: "Thank you so much!" Unbeknownst to Yuna, her seemingly simple action had triggered a chain of events far more significant than she could have anticipated. "Can I also have an autograph!?" "Please have a picture with me!!" "Duel! Please give me the chance to duel you!!" Stunned by the poprity, Yuna desperately tried to fulfil each request, but it was clear that she was getting overwhelmed: "Stop!" Before being drowned in the wave of people, a loud voice resonates throughout the room as her vision was blocked by Seto''s back. Scanning the crowd, his expression turned fiercely cold, a chilling intensity emanating from his gaze. Without a word spoken, everyone presents the overwhelming hostility exuding from him, causing them to shrink back instinctively. "Come on," Seto growled, and Yuna silently followed him to the counter. "I want two rooms," he ordered the receptionist while speaking perfect English. Blushing, the receptionist frantically nodded as she hurriedly entered the details into the computer. As Seto took out the ck card from his pocket, Yuna stopped him: "I will pay... mine." "No need," Seto waved it off and ced the card on the table: "This much is nothing for me." Yuna: "But..." "I loathe being indebted to others," He exined quickly: "This is merely an opportunity for me to repay you." Unable to refute his statement, Yuna nodded meekly. As she gazed at Seto, a smile tugged at her lips, and she felt a warmth blossoming in her heart... [Yuna''s POV] Next Day... As the sun rose, I gradually stirred awake from my slumber. Sitting up, I remembered that I was currently staying at a luxurious hotel in America instead of my cozy apartment building in Japan. "But, who knew there could be a bed thisfortable..." I mumbled and rubbed my fingers along the sheets.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om To think this was what authentic luxury tastes like! The bed was sorge that I could roll around freely without ever fearing falling off, and the mattress was so soft that I felt like I was sleeping on clouds!! "Is this what Kaiba feels like every time he sleeps?" I questioned. The power of the rich sure was terrifying. BANG BANG BANG Suddenly, a loud noise pounded against my door, and I heard Kaiba''s voice from the other side: "Wake up, we''re leaving." "...Com... Coming!" I said, loud enough for him to hear, and hurried to the bathroom. Fifteen Minutes Later... After showering and changing my clothes, I exited my room and spotted Kaiba waiting outside. His face was stuck in a perpetual scowl, and he was impatiently tapping the floor with his feet. "It took you long enough," he remarked, and I smiled bashfully. "Anyway, we should go now; we wasted too much time." Without waiting for me, he walked away, but I hurriedly grasped his wrist and stopped him: "Kaiba... Your face..." Gritting his teeth, Kaiba tried to avoid my gaze, but it couldn''t hide the dark circles below his eyes. "There''s still some work that needs to be finished." Kaiba exined: "So I didn''t sleep until it waste." "You should take... care of yourself more..." I said, but he scoffed and flicked my forehead. As I red at him, Kaiba smirked: "Look who''s talking, the amount of times you almost killed yourself is astounding." "Hmph..." I pouted, unable to refute his im. Why am I even worried about that snobbish guy in the first ce?! "Let''s just go," I muttered as I sped past Kaiba. I felt my embarrassment rising when I heard hisughter from behind. Geez... what''s with him? No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn''t understand the mind of Seto Kaiba... Ten Minutes Later... Thankfully, Industrial Illusions wasn''t that far away, and we arrived quickly. However, simr to the Duellist Kingdom, not a single employee was in sight, and we drove in without any hassle. "Sano!" Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice as we stepped out of the car, and I was surprised to find Tea running towards me. "Gardner..." I mumbled and tilted my head: "What are you... doing here?" Taking a deep breath, Tea began to exin the events of the day before. Soon after I left Yugi''s house, a man arrived and delivered a cassette tape. When they yed the tape, they were confronted by the message from Pegasus, telling them toe to America and visit him personally. However, once arrived, an unknown man iming to be working for Pegasus drove them to the middle of nowhere and abandoned them at a gas station as they got in trouble with a gang of bikers. "But then, we were also soon rescued by Mai Valentine of all people, but she decided to drive off, leaving us there." Tea grumbled in annoyance: "So, we hitched a ride here, but Mai was already waiting for us and challenged Joey to a duel." "Turns out she has joined that evil organisation that attacked us! Can you believe that girl?!" Sheined with a sigh: "Anyway, why are you here, Sano-san and... Kaiba?" I nced at Kaiba, and he scoffed while crossing his arms, dering hisck of interest in the conversation. Smiling wryly, I turned to Tea and began my exnation of the duel against Alister and eventuallying to America after finding Pegasus''s message in the Duelist Kingdom. "You must have it rough too..." Tea mumbled, and we shared a moment of kinship: "Come on, since we''re all going to find Pegasus, we can go together." Observing Kaiba, who merely shrugged, I agreed to Tea''s offer, and she led us further inside. It wasn''t long before we stumbled upon the rest of the Yugi group, and they approached us with anticipation. "Looks like the nerd squad have gathered..." Kaiba scoffed with contempt, but he quickly shut up when I elbowed him in the stomach. Thankfully, they didn''t seem to hear the insult, and I smiled as we exchanged light greetings. "It was a weing surprise to meet you two here, Sano and Kaiba." Yami Yugi said while nodding his head at both of us. "Enough with the pleasantries; my objective was to get an answer out of that white-haired b*stard; all of you can just scram," Kaiba replied coldly, erupting the rage of Joey and Tristan. "Kaiba, this isn''t the time to fight amongst ourselves. Pegasus seemed to have information about the organisation we''re up against." Yami Yugi reasoned while revealing a Duel Monster Card in his hand: "He gave this card to me and said that this card was able to arrange a meeting with him." "Tsk..." Kaiba clicked his teeth: "Fine, then what are we waiting for?" Luckily, we were able to locate the secret room pretty quickly. As we stared at the closed door hidden in Pegasus''s office, Yami Yugi anxiously approached the lock and swiped the Duel Monster Card like a key card. There was a noticeable hiss as the door opened automatically. "What in the world is this ce?" Joey mumbled, and we all subconsciously nodded at his remark. The room stretched out expansively, filled with an array of statues depicting Toon Monsters in various whimsical poses. Beneath us, an artificial grass floor sprawled,plete with a winding stream meandering down a makeshift hill reminiscent of a miniature golf course. At the heart of the room stood a towering statue depicting a colossal book with cartoonish castle turrets bursting from its pages. Perched atop the castle''s highest tower was the figure of Toon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, its expression adorned with a mischievous smirk overlooking the whimsical scene below. "Wee!" Suddenly, a hologram of Pegasus appeared, catching us off guard: "Yugi-boy, Kaiba-boy or Miss Sano, at least I hope it''s one of you that found this room." "If you couldn''t tell, I made this interior design myself. It''s impressive, isn''t it?" Heughed jokingly despite the solemn mood. "So, if you''re hearing this, it means that the gentlemen who tried to capture my soul have seeded." Pegasus sighed in resignation: "It all began when a mysterious man tried to buy out mypany..." "When I tried to investigate this individual, I discovered that he possessed an ancient power more substantial than I''ve ever seen. Pegasus spoke with a sign: "His name is Dartz," "All of you are in grave danger. Dartz nned to use my game and bring an end to civilization. He must be stopped!" Pegasus eximed: "Thankfully, I have made an exclusive card that could turn the tide to our advantage!" "I have hidden the card somewhere in this room," he exined with a smile. "Think strategically now where it could be ced, where could you get an extra card? Good luck, Sano, Yugi-boy, and Kaiba-boy..... You three may be the only ones able to stop this..." As the hologram finished speaking, the room was filled with silence: "So," Joey spoke up: "There''s supposed to be a very rare card in here somewhere?" "Where could we get an extra card..." Yami Yugi muttered thoughtfully. "Mutou..." I called and gestured at the statue of Pot of Greed with my chin: "There..." Realising my intention, Yami Yugi''s eyes widened: "That''s it!" Approaching the Pot of Greed with anticipation, he reached in and took out a singr Duel Monster card. Gathering around him, everyone stared at the card with curiosity: "Is that it? There''s nothing on there; it''s just a nk card!" Joey eximed. "It has to be special in some way, right?" Teamented in a hopeful tone: "Maybe it will appear if you y it." "That''s cool and all, but who''s keeping the card?" Tristan asked as Yami Yugi nced at me and Kaiba. "I have no use for a card that I can''t trust," Kaiba replied bluntly. Smiling wryly, I also shook my head. Since I already knew what the card was, it was useless for me to hold it since I don''t possess any of the three Legendary Dragons: "Mutou... should keep it." I suggested, and he nodded in understanding. "Are we done now?" Kaiba interrupted with displeasure: "I have wasted enough time here; I''m leaving." "Kaiba, wait!" Yami Yugi shouted frantically: "We should work together!" "Work together, with you lot?" He snorted coldly and headed for the exit: "You must be joking...." "Kaiba! Be reasonable for once!" Yami Yugi gritted his teeth to control his emotion: "We have to work as a team!" "A team?" Kaiba retorted: "Sorry, I don''t do the teamwork thing. I have apany to run. Goodbye." Biting his lips, Yami Yugi turned to me and said, "How about you? Are you joining us, Sano?" "Me?" I uttered in surprise before ncing at Kaiba, who suddenly stopped walking: "Sorry, Mutou. I''m going with... him." "I see," Yami Yugi smiled as if already expecting my answer: "Then stay safe..." Bidding farewell to the group, I followed Kaiba as we stood side by side in the elevator. As I stared nkly at the closed door, I heard Kaiba suddenly speaking out of the blue. "Why didn''t you join them?" He questioned with a frown. "Why... would I?" I replied with a shrug. They should manage without me, and I find myself morefortable this way. Hearing my answer, Kaiba smirked, seemingly satisfied. Suddenly, a beeping noise reverberated from his pocket, and he took out his phone. "Hello?" He said and quietly listened. However, I sensed something wrong as Kaiba''s face turned increasingly pale: "We will get there as fast as we can." "K... Kaiba?" I uttered in concern as he turned to me; his following words made me freeze in my tracks. "Kaiba Corps is under attack," he stated, his words hanging heavy in the air, and at that moment, it felt as if time itself had stopped... I hope you enjoy it. Chapter 72: Villains From the Future Chapter 72: Viins From the Future ? [Yuna''s POV] As if frozen in time, my expression morphed into a blend of shock and horror. Kaiba Corps under attack? Could Dartz himself orchestrate this chaos? What motive could drive him to such reckless actions? My mind raced, and I thought about Noah and Mokuba, who were still in Japan. The anxiety in my heart grew. As the elevator doors slid open, Kaiba and I bolted out of the building, adrenaline surging through our veins, propelling us forward. Securing a car, we sped to the airport and swiftly boarded the Blue Eyes White Dragon Jet. Without a moment''s hesitation, the engines roared to life as the ne shot down the runway, ascending into the sky with unprecedented speed. Seated in the co-pilot seat, I anxiously fiddled with my fingers, stealing nces at Kaiba, whose grip on the steering wheel was so tight his knuckles turned pale. "Damn it, of all times, why now?!" He growled, his breath shaky with frustration. "Kaiba..." I murmured, concern evident in my voice as I reached out to ce aforting hand on his shoulder. Kaiba flinched, his gaze piercing mine as he gritted his teeth. "Mokuba... he''ll be safe," I reasoned, trying to reassure both of us. "Noah will protect him." Taking a deep breath, Kaiba hesitantly nodded, and I heard him muttering a curse under his breath: "Dartz... I''m going to kill you..." He vowed. Three hourster... With the Blue Eyes White Dragon Jet hurtling at its maximum speed, we reached Japan in record time. Disregarding all of the standard aircraft regtions, Kaiba deliberately maneuvered the ne to touch down in the parking lot of Kaiba Corps, and we dashed into the headquarters building. Inside, the scene was grim, with countless bodies of Kaiba Corps employees sprawled on the floor. With caution, I approached one of the victims, my heart sinking at the sight. Though they were still breathing, their eyes held no spark of life, confirming my worst suspicions. "They''re just like... Alister," I exined, my voice heavy with sorrow. "All of them... lost their souls." "Sh*t," Kaiba cursed, his frustration evident as he shouted, "Noah, show yourself!" To our disbelief, none of the systems inside Kaiba Corps responded. Could it be that even Noah, an artificial intelligence, was attacked? As we cautiously scanned our surroundings, the loudspeakers in the reception hall emitted a loud, distorted noise before a voice crackled through the device. "Seto Kaiba and Yuna Sano. We have been expecting you..." said the voice from the loudspeakers. "What have you done to Mokuba and Noah?!!!" Kaiba''s voice thundered with rage, reverberating through the room, but the mysterious man only chuckled in response. "Rx, they''re safe," he said nonchntly, his tone unsettlingly calm. "But they won''t remain so unless you follow my instructions." "So, would you please be kind enough to step through here?" The man gestured towards the open elevator door, his tone oddly polite. With threats to Mokuba and Noah''s safety hanging over us like a dark cloud, we had no choice but toply with the man''s demands. As the elevator door closed behind us, I found myself rubbing my arms nervously and a sense of unease settling in the pit of my stomach. "I really hope... they''re alright..." I subconsciously muttered, and Kaiba nced at me. "They better be," He growled: "Or those guys were as good as dead." As the elevator doors slid open, we were met with long, stretched-out hallways that seemed to stretch into the distance. Recalling our location, I realized we were on the testing facility levels within Kaiba Corps. This was the very ce where Kaiba and I had first battled each other using the second prototype of Duel Disks. Investigating our surroundings, we stumbled upon a peculiar scene. "This is..." I mumbled, my gaze fixed on the random mirror standing in the centre of the hallway. Its presence seemed out of ce, casting an eerie reflection in the dim light of the corridor. Beside the mirrory an unconscious Kaiba Corps employee, his face frozen in a mask of perpetual terror as if he were a victim in a horror film. As we ventured further, we encountered more mirrors ced along the walls; some cracked and shattered, leaving a trail of broken ss on the ground. Yet, no matter how many mirrors we encountered, there always seemed to be a body lying nearby... "Sano," Kaiba called out as he knelt beside a broken mirror: "Take a look at this," As I walked closer, he picked up a small, thin card from the ground. At first impression, I thought it was a Duel Monster card, but instead, it was a card with the image of a man with the word "Fool". "What are they..." I asked curiously and yed with the flimsy card. "They''re tarot cards used for fortune telling," Kaiba exined with disdain. "Those fortune tellers like to use them to perform their scams." "Tarot Cards... Mirrors..." I mumbled with unease; why do they sound familiar? No matter how much I think about it, the answer remains stuck in the back of my mind.N?v(el)B\\jnn Noticing my apprehensiveness, Kaiba''s expression tensed. "Tread carefully," he warned, and I eagerly nodded to his suggestion. When we finally reached the end where the testing ground was built. Beside therge door, there was a man, his body lying slumped against the wall. "Rnd..." Kaiba muttered in shock, and my eyes widened at the familiar face. When we approached his unconscious figure, we noticed the Duel Disk attached to his wrist and a bundle of Duel Monster cards around him: "So he lost...." I remarked in a stunned tone: "Then his soul...." "Damn it," Kaiba cursed in anger, and I noticed his face showed a sense of loss. Staring at Rnd''s motionless body, I noticed something peculiar at the corner of my vision: "Kaiba... look." I pointed at Rnd''s hand, which was clenched in a fist with two fingers sticking out. "Two," He replied grimly: "So, the mirrors and Tarot cards are from two people?" Standing up, he calmly stared at the closed door. After a moment''s hesitation, he pushed the door open and marched in. "Mokuba!" Kaiba eximed when we both entered the room and witnessed his little brother being bound by duct tape. Opening his eyes, Mokuba trembled in shock and shook his body with excitement. Rushing towards him, Kaiba and I removed the tapes, and he cried with relief. "Big Brother, Big Sister!" Mokuba hugged us while shivering in fear. "Mokuba..." I soothed and stroked his head: "...Where''s Noah?" "I don''t know," He mumbled worriedly: "They sneakily injected some virus that even Noah couldn''t handle! That''s why we were caught so off guard." "Tsk..." Kaiba clicked his teeth: "We must get the system back online. Mokuba, take my phone and call for reinforcement." "Okay!" Mokuba frantically wiped his tears and gathered his courage: "But be careful, they''re very powerful!" "...Who?" I questioned with a frown, and Mokuba suddenly flinched: "Mokuba... What''s wrong?" Slowly raising his arm, he pointed behind us. Following his gaze, we spotted two figures quietly standing by the door we just entered, and our bodies tensed in surprise. However, that shock turned to disbelief as the ones who stood before us were none other than... "Children?" Kaiba uttered doubtfully as we stared at the two small figures d in dark robes. In unison, the two figures took off their hoods, revealing their young faces and cheeks with small amounts of baby fat, and I couldn''t help but gasp at their nostalgic appearances. Fitting of a brother and sister duo, the two children shared an equal resemnce. They had long dark blue hair and purple eyes. Their features were sharp, and I could tell that they would be more beautiful as they aged. Their looks gave me a sense of de ja vu, and their image began to ovep with two other people I know. "Who are you..." I questioned anxiously. Smiling, the boy answered: "Please. Call me Sartorius, and this is my sister Sarina." ''Sartorius and Sarina...'' My throat felt dry as I repeated the names in my head: ''The two main antagonists from the Society of Light arc in Yugioh GX. To think they would join Doma... But why haven''t they shown up on the main show? Has my involvement with Alister caused this? As I bit my finger and continued to ponder, Sartorius grinned: "Thank you both for agreeing to meet us here. "I''m sorry for deceiving you, but I have to change my voice to sound older if I''m going to be taken seriously." "What is the meaning of this..." Kaiba said with a flustered expression: "Why are there children here?" "Because we''re the ones Master Dartz sent to take your souls," Sartorius responded in an innocent tone, and I felt a shiver running down my back. "Is this some type of joke?" Kaiba growled, and the two children giggled. "Although it may seem absurd, please believe us that we''re telling the truth." Sarina spoke on her brother''s behalf: "Since Mr Alister has failed, we were entrusted with this task instead." "Why...." I asked in confusion: "Why would you two... follow that man? Why would you... do something like this?" "You don''t understand," he shook his head with a wry smile: "When the world rejected us, it was Master Dartz who took us in. He made us realise that the powers that we have are a blessing, not a curse." "Yet you would ..... even go this far?" I muttered, and I felt Kaiba nudging my arm. "It''s no use," Kaiba whispered beside me: "Words won''t reach those types of people." "But...." I hesitated while staring at the children''s faces: "They''re...." "Haven''t you seen what happened outside?" Kaiba retorted sharply: "They can no longer be treated as mere children." "But Kaiba..." "Sano," he interrupted me with a firm tone. "If you can''t do this, step aside and protect Mokuba. I will do this myself." Nervously, biting my lips, I switched my gazes between Kaiba and the two children. "What would it be?" he urged, and I involuntarily unclenched my fists and released my breath. He''s right; it''s either us or them. "I will... help you, Kaiba..." I said with resolve: "Just like... Battle City." "Indeed," Kaiba smirked: "Then let''s make sure we don''t lose this one also." Unknowingly, my lips lifted into a small smile: "Kaiba... not confident on winning??" "No," he chuckled at my teasing tone. "I''m just making sure that you don''t drag me down." Despite his rude words, I could feel the lightheartedness in his voice. As weughed, the boy smiled curiously and spoke up: "I''m d we can do this humanely," "Let''s settle some rules before we start. My sister and I will be duelling against the two of you, and our life points will be added together. Will there be a problem?" "No..." I replied, and Kaiba shrugged. "Great," He smiled: "Let''s have a good duel." We nodded simultaneously as we activated the Duel Disk on our wrists. Sartorius grinned as they also revealed their own Chaos Duel Disk that was almost half the size of their body. "Ah, sorry." he hurriedly apologized: "I''m still not too familiar with this technology. I prefer to y on a table, you see." "Brother here," Sarina muttered gently. She pressed the button on the device, and his Duel Disk came to life. "Thanks, Sarina," The boy smiled warmly before turning to us: "Then let''s begin!" "DUEL!!" X4 [Yuna Sano/Seto Kaiba: 8000 LP] [Sarina/ Sartorius: 8000 LP] "I will go first!" I dered when the little bulb on my Duel Disk lights up: "I will normal- summon Kuribandit!" On my field, an adorable little ck furball with tiny green arms and legs appeared. Wearing a yellow bandana and an eye patch, Kuribandit curiously observed its surroundings before cutely snarling, disying its two small fangs. [Kuribandit: 1000 Attack] "What the hell is that thing..." Kaiba stared at Kuribandit with disappointment, and the monster growled at his mocking. "Don''t insult him! Kuribandit is perfect just the way he is." I said with a pout and continued to y: "Anyway, I will activate Dragon Shrine, sending Blue Eyes White Dragon to the graveyard." "Since Blue Eyes White Dragon is a normal monster, I can send an additional dragon monster to the grave," I exined and showed everyone the Lightpulsar Dragon before sending the card to my discard pile. "Finally, I will set two cards and end my turn. However, during the end phase, I will activate the effect of Kuribandit on the field!" I announced: "When Kuribandit is normal-summoned this turn, I can tribute it and excavate the top five cards from my deck." Drawing five cards, I stared at them: "Then, I will be able to add one spell or trap card to my hand while discarding the rest of the cards in the graveyard." After dumping the four cards, I smiled: "Now, I activate the effect of Eclipse Wyvern that I just sent to the graveyard and banish Chaos Dragon Levianeer from the grave. Now, my turn will fully end." "Then it''s my turn." Sarina spoke up: "I will draw." ''Their decks, what would it be this time?'' I thought: ''The cards Alister used were much different as well....'' "Let''s begin; I will normal-summon Neiroy, the Dream Mirror Traitor!" "Dream.... Mirror..." I muttered grimly, and Kaiba nced at me with a raised brow. Appearing on the field was a young boy with dark hair and blood-red eyes. He wore purple ceremonial clothes adorned with jewellery, and on his back were two pairs of tiny bat-like wings. [Neiroy, the Dream Mirror Traitor: 1000 Attack] "When Neiroy, the Dream Mirror Traitor, is summoned, I can add Deiroy, the Dream Mirror Disciple, to my hand." Sarina dered: "Since I have a Dream Mirror monster on the field, I can special summon Neiroy, Dream Mirror Disciple!" Beside Dream, Mirror Traitor appeared another boy. Unlike his counterpart, the boy has luscious pink hair and is dressed in white clothes. His angelic wings pped excitedly, and he smiled brightly at us, regardless of whether we were friends or foe. [Neiroy, the Dream Mirror Disciple: 1000 Attack] "Next, with Dream Mirror Traitor''s effect, I can tribute my Dream Mirror Disciple to summon a different level Dream Mirror monster from my deck in defence position, and I can add a card that was mentioned by that monster! I will summon Ikelos, the Dream Mirror Sprite!" [Ikelos the Dream Mirror Sprite: 500 Defence] "Since I have chosen to summon Ikelos, I can add Dream Mirror of Terror to my hand," she said, her voice gaining confidence as her ns gradually fell into ce. "Finally, I will activate my field spell, Dream Mirror of Terror!!" I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 73: Dragons vs the Mirror of Dreams Chapter 73: Dragons vs the Mirror of Dreams ? [Yuna''s POV] *VROOM* A loud, indescribable noise filled the room, and our surroundings transformed before our very eyes. The walls beside the two children turned dark and ominous as a purplish castle slowly rose out of the ground, creating a strange contrast between fantasy and science on either side of the room. "While Dream Mirror of Terror is on the field if we control a Dark Type Dream Mirror Monster, you will take three hundred damage each time you special-summoned," Sarina exined, and I felt something sickling hovering over my body. "Next, with Ikelos, the Dream Mirror Sprite''s effect, I can add a trap card to my hand, and I will end my turn by setting three cards." "My move, I will draw!" Kaiba shouted and dramatically drew a card. "Kaiba..." I quietly muttered under my breath: "Careful... Dream Mirror is... finicky." Well, for this timeline, at least. Heeding my words, he nodded: "First, I will summon Assault Wyvern." On his field, a small futuristic dragon appeared with sharp features, blue scales, purple wings, and glowing blue light along its body. [Assault Wyvern: 1800 Attack] "Then, I will set three cards and end my turn," Kaiba said and stared at Sartorius: "It''s your move, boy." "Wait," Saina interrupted: "During the end phase, I will activate the effect of Dream Mirror of Terror and banish it to activate Dream Mirror of Joy from my deck!" Crumbling, the dark, gloomy castle shed its exterior, revealing beautiful white marbles underneath. Contrary to the gloomy presence we felt before, the new castle gives a new warm sensation that made me momentarily forget that we''re battling to the death. "Here you go, Big Brother," She said, and Sartorius patted her head. "Thanks a lot, Sarina." He smiled: "I will draw." "I will begin by ying my continuous spell card, Dream Mirror Phantasms, and add Pahntasos, Dream Mirror of Foe, to my hand." "Dream Mirror as well?" I frowned: "This might be moreplicated than I thought..." If the two children were ying the same archetype, then they could easily support each other and benefit significantly from their effects. "While Dream Mirror of Joy is on the field, monsters we control will also gain a five hundred attack buff thanks to Dream Mirror Phantasms''s effect." "Then, I will normal summon Phantasos, the Dream Mirror Foe," Sartorius''s voice pierced through my thoughts, drawing my attention back to the duel. With his deration, a giant demonic beast emerged, its form cloaked in crimson fur and adorned with formidable armor. Two goat horns protruded from its head, adding to its menacing appearance. [Phantasos, the Dream Mirror Foe: 1900 Attack] [Phantasos, the Dream Mirror Foe: 1900 -> 2400 Attack] "I will use Phantasos''s effect to tribute itself and special summon Phantasos, the Dream Mirror Friend, from my deck!" Opposite the demonic beast, another creature materialized onto the field. This monster resembled a big, fluffy white dog adorned in shimmering silver armour. The dog barked happily, its presence causing a tingling sensation in my consciousness, a silent reminder that we may have to destroy itter. [Phantasos, the Dream Mirror Friend: 1900 Defence] "When Phantasos, the Dream Mirror Friend, is summoned by the effect of a Dream Mirror Monster, I can summon an additional level eight or lower Dream Mirror Monster from my graveyard, and I will summon my sister''s Neiroy, the Dream Mirror Disciple, back to the field!" [Neiroy, the Dream Mirror Disciple: 1000 Defence] "Additionally, since Dream Mirror of Joy is active, the Dream Mirror Disciple can return one set card you control back to your hand." Sartorius said to me and pointed at the card in the centre: "I will choose that one." "After that, I activate Creature Swap. Each of us will choose a monster we control and switch it with another yer''s monster." Sartorius dered: "Since Yuna Sano doesn''t control any monster, she won''t be participating in this exchange." "I will choose Kaiba''s Assault Wyvern," Sartorius spoke up. "Tsk... I pick Phantasos, Dream Mirror Friend." Kaiba growled in discontent, and the dog ran to him eagerly. "Then I will choose brother''s Assault Wyvern and give him my Neiroy, the Dream Mirror Traitor." [Assault Wyvern] (Sarina) [Neiroy the Dream Mirror Traitor] (Sartorius) [Phantasos, the Dream Mirror Friend] (Kaiba) "Thanks to the spell card, I now control Neiroy the Dream Mirror Traitor, which means I can activate his effect to tribute Neiroy the Dream Mirror Disciple to special summon Morpheus, the Dream Mirror ck Knight!!" Opposite the miniature monsters they had been summoning before, now standing before Sartorius, was a towering figure d from head to toe in ominous ck armour. Resting casually on his shoulder was a massive sword, its size nearly matching that of the imposing figure itself. [Morpheus, the Dream Mirror ck Knight: 2800 Attack] [Morpheus, the Dream Mirror ck Knight: 2800 -> 3300 Attack] "When Morpheus, the Dream Mirror ck Knight, is summoned by the effect of a Dream Mirror monster, I can destroy a monster my opponent controls! I will target Phantasos, Dream Mirror Friend!" Raising his spare arm, dark magic began to surround the confused dog as itshed out at the vulnerable creature. "I will activate my trap card, Dark Sacrifice! When one of my monsters would be destroyed by a card effect, I can negate the effect and send one level three or lower Dark monster from my deck to the graveyard instead!" "No, You won''t hinder Big Brother!" Sarina retorts: "I will activate Dream Mirror Oneiromancy! If Dream Mirror of Joy is on the field, I can negate the activation of a spell or trap card!" Unfortunately, Morpheus, Dream Mirror ck Knight''s effect resolved, destroying the poor monster and leaving our field empty. "Now Morpheus, Dream Mirror ck Knight, attack Yuna Sano and Seto Kaiba directly!" With a grin, the knight charged and swung its massive sword, and we groaned as our life points dropped tremendously. [Yuna Sano/Seto Kaiba: 8000 LP -> 4700 LP] "Finally, I will set two cards and end my turn," Sartorius said with a beaming smile. "During your end phase," I said grimly, "I will choose to summon Crescent Dragon from my graveyard. [Crescent Dragon: 2200 Attack] "It''s my turn, I draw," I announced and smiled nervously. The duel had just barely begun, and we had already lost almost half of our life points. Hah... Just as I thought, the battle would be a drawn-out one. "Alright, I will start with Crescent Dragon''s effect to add another copy of Crescent Dragon and discard a card!" "Next, I will summon Lightpulsar Dragon from my graveyard by discarding Crescent Dragon and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from my hand!" [Lightpulsar Dragon: 2500 Attack] "With this, I will be able to activate Monster Reborn and revive a monster from my graveyard!!" I said excitedly and raised my arm: "Reborn and descend onto this field once more, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!!". [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack] "When Divine Dragon Lord is summoned from the graveyard, I can target your Morpheus ck Knight and banish it. Then it will gain power equal to your monster''s level multiplied by one hundred!" "Not so fast!" Sarina frantically shouted and pressed the switch on her Duel Disk: "I will y Silver Spirit Redirection!" "This trap card allows me to negate your monster''s effect that targeted a monster I control. After that, I can remove that monster from y!" Sarina exined: "So Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand will be banished instead!" I cursed in frustration as Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand was helplessly removed from the field: "Very well, in response, I will activate my set card, Castle of Dragon Souls." "I will also y Ruins of the Divine Dragon Lords and use its effect, sending Castle of Dragon Souls and summoning a Dragon Lord Token onto the field!" [Dragon Lord Token: 0 Defence] "When Castle of Dragon Souls is sent to the graveyard, its effect has been triggered, allowing me to bring back a Dragon from banishment; I will choose Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack] "Now, I will use Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and Dragon Lord Tokens as tributes!" I yelled: "I normal-summon, Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon!!" When the two monsters burst into tiny particles, they began to merge, and their colour began to change from gold to ck. When the particles solidified, there stood a gigantic metal dragon. Red veins glowing as bright asva run along its body, illuminating its fiery red eyes. Flexing its metallic wings, the dragon unleashed a deafening screech. [Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon: 2800 Attack] "That monster... It''s simr to that third-rate duellist''s." Kaibamented thoughtfully, and I shrugged with a wry smile. "I will use Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon''s effect! During the main phase, I can revive a dragon monster from my graveyard, and I will choose Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack] "Let''s do this again, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, banish Morpheus, Dream Mirror ck Knight!" "Brother!" Sarina eximed with worry when Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand lunged with hostility. "So this is the power of a strong duelist? I''m grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Sartorius smiled: "However, I came prepared! I will activate Morpheus, the Dream Mirror ck Knight''s effect!" "I can tribute this card and summon the ck Knight''s counterpart, Morpheus, the Dream Mirror White Knight, from my deck!" The dark warrior mmed his sword into the ground and closed his eyes. Gradually, his body began to change as his armour turned from ck to pure white. His hair changed into a dazzling blond, and feathery wings sprouted from his back. [Morpheus, Dream Mirror White Knight: 2800 Defence] "Since Morpheus, Dream Mirror ck Knight, has left the field, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s effect will be dissolved. Also, if Morpheus, Dream Mirror White Knight, is summoned by the effect of Dream Mirror Monster, it can''t be destroyed this turn." "Tsk... I will battle!" I announced: "Red Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon, attack Assault Wyvern!!" ZOOM Red electrical breath shoots out of the dragon''s jaw and destroys the monster in one fell swoop. [Sarina/Sartorius: 8000 LP -> 7000 LP] "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, destroy Neiroy, the Dream Mirror Traitor!!" Following Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon, the gold dragon dived down and swung its arm. Like a bat, its thick limb pped the small boy across the field. "When Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand destroys a monster through battle, I can activate its second effect and summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon from the grave!!" [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack] "Finally, I will end my turn," I exined, staring at the white knight with regret. "During the end phase, I will activate Dream Mirror of Joy''s effect." Sarina said confidently: "Banishing the field spell, I will rece it with Dream Mirror of Terror from my deck. Also, thanks to Dream Mirror Phantasm, if Dream Mirror of Terror is active, all monsters you control will lose five hundred attacks and defence." [Crescent Dragon: 2200 -> 1700 Attack] [Lightpulsar Dragon: 2500 -> 2000 Attack] [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 2300 Attack]n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om [Red Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon: 2800 -> 2300 Attack] [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 -> 2500 Attack] "Then I will draw..." She stared at her hand with a determined smile: "I will activate my spell card, Dream Mirror of Chaos!!" "Dream Mirror of Chaos?" My expression turned severe: "Kaiba." "It''s starting to get dangerous, right?" Kaiba smirked: "Good, I was hoping for a challenge." Have you not heard what I''ve just said? It''s trouble, big trouble! I found myself frowning at his nonchnt attitude. This guy can really make me mad whenever he wants to. "With this, I will use the power of Fusion!" Sarina''s voice brought me back to reality, and she shouted: "Since Dream Mirror of Terror is on the field, Dream Mirror of Chaos allows me to use the monsters in our graveyards as materials!" "Banishing Ikelos, the Dream Mirror Sprite and Neiroy, the Dream Mirror Traitor, I will fusion summon Oneiros, the Dream Mirror Tormentor!!!" The dark, gloomy castle rumbled loudly, and its door swung open with force. Slowly stepping out of the building was a tall man with purple hair. Dressed only in ceremonial pants, the man disyed his defined chest and the bright red amulet hanging from his neck. The man''s gigantic wings pped flexibly, generating a slight wind around his body, and he excitedly tensed his sharp ws, eager to tear us apart. [Oneiros, the Dream Mirror Tormentor: 3000 Attack] "Then, I will normal-summon a second Neiroy, the Dream Mirror Traitor!" [Neiroy, the Dream Mirror Traitor: 1000 Attack] "Using Neiroy''s effect, I will tribute my brother''s Morpheus, the Dream Mirror White Knight, to summon Phantasos, the Dream Mirror Friend in defence position!" [Phantasos, the Dream Mirror Friend: 1900 Defence] "Being special-summoned, Phantasos allowed me to target a level eight or lower Dream Mirror Monster and summon it in defence position. I chose Morpheus, the Dream Mirror ck Knight!" [Morpheus, the Dream Mirror ck Knight: 1000 Defence] "When Morpheus the Dream Mirror ck Knight is summoned through the effect of a Dream Mirror Monster, I can destroy your Crescent Dragon!" Gradually, more and more monsters filled Sarina''s field, and my mood soured as she pointed at me with ferocity: "Now, I will battle, Oneiros Tormentor, attack her Lightpulsar Dragon!!" With a single p of his wings, Oneiros appeared right before Lightpulsar Dragon''s face. The monster roared in surprise and lunged with its jaw, but the man instantly appeared behind the reptile, driving his hand through the monster''s heart. [Yuna Sano/Seto Kaiba: 4700 -> 3700 LP] "I will activate Lightpulsar Dragon''s effect!" I shouted: "When it was sent to the graveyard, I can target a level five or higher Dark Dragon Monster in the graveyard and summon it!" "I won''t allow it," Sarina yelled back: "I will use Oneiros, the Dream Mirror Tormentor''s ability! While Dream Mirror of Terror is on the field, I can negate Lightpulsar Dragon''s effect!" "Other than that, I will also active Dream Mirror Fantasy, targeting our Dream Mirror of Joy in the banished pile and shuffling it into your deck; then we can banish your Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand." "Continuing the battle phase, I will use Oneiros, the Dream Mirror Tormentor''s second effect, which allows me to tribute the fusion monster and summon Oneiros, the Dream Mirror Erkling, in defence position!" Oneiros, the Dream Mirror Tormentor''s eyes glowed, and its body began to change. Its obsidian wings turned white like a swan''s, and its purple hair turned pink. The clothes also shift into a white garment, giving him the appearance of a graceful angel. [Oneiros, the Dream Mirror Erlking: 3000 Defence] Sarina: "Now, big brother!" "Yes." He nodded and activated his trap: "Listen closely. I will y my trap card, Final Attack Orders! All monsters will be switched to attack position, and their battle position can no longer be changed!" In unison, all of the monsters stood up, their expressions tense, ready to fight. [Morpheus, the Dream Mirror ck Knight: 2800 Attack] [Phantasos, the Dream Mirror Friend: 900 Attack] [Oneiros, the Dream Mirror Erlking: 3000 Attack] "I will continue to battle, Oneiros; destroy Blue Eyes White Dragon", Sarina ordered, and the angel smiled. Spreading his palms, dozens of swords magically appeared in thin air, and the monsterunched the des towards Blue Eyes White Dragon, turning the poor beast into a porcupine. [Yuna Sano/Setok Kaiba: 3700 -> 3200 LP] "Then I will use Phantasos, the Dream Mirror Friend''s effect. If Dream Mirror of Terror is on the field, I can tribute it to bring out Phantasos, the Dream Mirror Foe!!" [Phantasos, the Dream Mirror Foe: 1900 Attack] "When I tribute a Dream Mirror monster, Oneiros''s effect will trigger, letting me destroy your Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon!!" Using magic, Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon exploded, leaving a trail of metal and particles scattered in the air. "Now, Phantasos, the Dream Mirror Foe, attack Seto Kaiba and Yuna Sano directly!" [Yuna Sano/Seto Kaiba: 3200 -> 2200 LP] "Morpheus, the Dream Mirror ck Knight, attack!" "I won''t let you!" Kaiba yelled frantically: "I will y Krystal Avatar!" Suddenly, before Morpheus, a humanoid warrior coveredpletely in crystal blocked his path: "When an opponent''s monster deres a direct attack while its attack is greater or equal to my life points, I can special summon this card in attack position with an attack equal to my life points! The attack will then be changed to this card!!" [Krystal Avatar: 2200 Attack] SWOOSH Morpheus mmed down its sword, and the Krystal Avatar exploded, sending crystals in all directions. Sartorius and Sarina''s eyes widened as the fragments flew towards their bodies, and they groaned in disbelief. [Sarina/Sartorius: 7000 LP -> 4800 LP] [Yuna Sano/Seto Kaiba: 2200 LP -> 1600 LP] "When Krystal Avatar is destroyed, my opponents will take damage equal to its attack," Seto growled, but the children ignored his words. "Fine!" Sarina glowered: "Neiroy, attack!!" [Yuna Sano/Seto Kaiba: 1600 LP -> 600 LP] "Hmph..." She pouted annoyingly, unable to finish us off: "I will end my turn... During the end phase, I will banish Dream Mirror of Terror and rece it with Dream Mirror of Joy. Then, with Dream Mirror Phantasos, all Dream Mirror monsters will gain an additional five hundred attacks. [Neiroy, the Dream Mirror Traitor: 1000 -> 1500 Attack] [Morpheus, the Dream Mirror ck Knight: 2800 -> 3300 Attack] [Phantasos, the Dream Mirror Foe: 1900 -> 2500 Attack] [Oneiros, the Dream Mirror Erlking: 3000 -> 3500 Attack] [3rd POV] Seto gritted his teeth as their abundant life points dropped before his eyes. Seething, he nced at Yuna, who was biting her lips with frustration and uncertainty. "There''s nothing you can do now." Sartorius smiled: "Surrender yourselves and be fuel for the great god!" "Shut up, I will...." Suddenly, as Seto reached for his deck, he felt his head beginning to spin: "What is happening..." When he opened his eyes, everything was grey. It was as if something had taken all of the colours from this world: "Sano." He called but received no response. Staring at Yuna, her expression was stiff as a statue, and her body was seemingly frozen in time. In fact, everybody except him wasn''t able to move. *Krrrrr* Turning his head, Seto witnessed the doors behind Sarina and Sartorius automatically open, and he felt an instinct that propelled him towards it. With hesitation, he walked away from the ongoing duel and slowly approached the door. Upon arriving from the other side, Seto''s eyes widened at the empty white void that stretched out as far as his eyes could see. Sensing a presence from behind, he turned around and spotted a massive ck dragon staring down at him. The dragon growled intimidatingly and stared into his eyes. Following the urges of his heart, Seto subconsciously touched the blue crystal embedded in the forehead of the beast, and a blinding glow swept him off his feet... "Kaiba!" Seto gasped when Yuna''s voice snapped him out of his daze. Feeling something strange between his fingers, Seto stared at the unfamiliar card in his hand. Gradually, information flowed smoothly into his brain, and hisposure returned. "Kaiba?" Yuna called him once more when his anxious attitudepletely vanished. Smiling, Seto smirked, and the two children frowned at his unknown confidence: "You have made a mistake. If you wanted to win, you should have defeated usst round." Sartorius/Sarina: !!! "Enough ying around; time to finish this!" Seto dered: "I will start with Card of Demise, allowing me to draw until I have five cards in my hand!!" "Next, I will reveal the Blue Eyes White Dragon in my hand to bring out Blue Eyes Alternative Dragon!!" A dragon resembling Blue Eyes White Dragon appeared on the field. The only difference was the glowing blue veins running along its scale and giving the monster a futuristic design. [Blue Eyes Alternative Dragon: 3000 Attack] "While on the field, Blue Eyes Alternative Dragon''s name will be Blue Eyes White Dragon, and once per turn, I can target one monster you control and destroy it." Seto said coldly: "I choose Oneiros, the Dream Mirror Erlking." "Then I will use Oniero''s effect!" Sarina shouted: "It will tribute itself to summon Oneiros, the Dream Mirror Tormentor and dodge your monster''s effect!" [Oneiros, the Dream Mirror Tormentor: 3500 Attack] "Hmph... Child''s y!" Seto sneered: "I will activate Monster Reborn, reviving Blue Eyes White Dragon from our graveyard!!" [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack] "Then I reveal my trap card, Tyrant Wings!!" Blue Eyes White Dragon howled as its wings shone a golden light, and the dragon''s body began to emit an immense power: "While equipped with Tyrant Wings, Blue Eyes White Dragon will gain an additional four hundred attack points, and it can attack twice this turn!" [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack -> 3400 Attack] "I don''t understand," Sartorius scowled: "How would a mere attack boost make you so confident?" "Because I''m not done!" Seto retorted: "This is over, I activate my spell card, The Fang of Critias!!!" WHOOOOOOSH The entire building rumbled, and Yuna gasped in shock: "Critias?!" Her voice was a mixture of excitement and disbelief. Just as she thought Seto might not have the chance to awaken the Legendary Dragon, it happened now. Towering above Seto stood a visage of a dragon in obsidian scales; its blue gem glowed brilliantly, blinding everyone in the room: "Using the Fang of Critias''s effect, I will use Tyrant Wing and fusion summon Tyrant Burst Dragon!!" [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3400 Attack -> 3000 Attack] [Tyrant Burst Dragon: 2900 Attack] "Now I will banish these two monsters!!" he dered. "Using these two powerful dragons as materials, I will bring out the Blue-Eyes Tyrant Dragon!!!" *ROARRRRR* Fusing into one, Tyrant Burst Dragon and Blue-Eyes White Dragon transformed into an oppressive beast. While twice the size, its shining white scales perfectly reflect off the light, and its golden wings p rhythmically, creating a beautiful illusion of an array of gold. [Blue Eyes Tyrant Dragon: 3400 Attack] Finally, I will y myst card, Mystical Space Typhoon, which will destroy your Dream Mirror Phantasms and return all of your monsters to their original attack points! [Neiroy, the Dream Mirror Traitor: 1500 -> 1000 Attack] [Morpheus, the Dream Mirror ck Knight: 3300 -> 2800 Attack] [Phantasos, the Dream Mirror Foe: 2400 -> 1900 Attack] [Oneiros, the Dream Mirror Erlking: 3500 -> 3000 Attack] "The time hase, Blue Eyes Tyrant Dragon attack!" Seto shouted with enthusiasm: "Destroy Neiroy, the Dream Mirror Traitor!" Blue Eyes Tyrant Dragon roared upon themand and unleashed deadly white mes from fire. its jaw, engulfing the young boy in the [Sarina/Sartorius: 4800 LP -> 2400 LP] "Kuh...." Sartorius groaned and stared at Blue Eyes Tyrant Dragon: "I have to admit I was quite surprised, but it''s barely enough to defeat us!" "That''s what you think," Seto sneered: "With Blue Eyes Tyrant Dragon, it can attack all monsters you control!!" "What?!" Sartorius eximed in shock as Blue Eyes Tyrant Dragon dived down from the sky... "Now, I will continue to battle!" Seto bellowed: "Destroy, Phantasos, the Dream Mirror Foe!" "Ah!" Sarina yelped: "I will use Phantasos, the Dream Mirror Foe''s effect and tribute itself to summon my Dream Mirror Friend!!" [Phantasos, the Dream Mirror Friend: 1900 Defence] BOOOOOM "Destroy Morpheus, the Dream Mirror ck Knight!!" [Sarina/Sartorius: 2400 LP -> 1800 LP] "Finally, Blue Eyes Tyrant Dragon!!! Destroy Oneiros, the Dream Mirror Tormentor!!!" [Sarina/Sartious: 1800 LP -> 1400 LP] "I will use the effect of Dream Mirror Fantasy! If one of our Dream Mirror Monsters is going to be destroyed, I can banish this card from our graveyard!" Sarina announced: "We won, you can''t possibly stop us now!" "Fools!" Setoughed: "That''s what I make you believe!! Blue Eyes White Dragon, attack!!" Fearless, the dragon followed Seto''smand, crashing into the Dream Mirror God, generating a wide explosion that destroyed both monsters. "When one of my Blue Eyes White Dragon is destroyed, I can activate the effect of Deep Eyes White Dragon in my hand, summoning the beast onto the field!!" Snarling, a brand new dragon appeared. Simr to Blue Eyes White Dragon, its body was slim with thin arms and legs. Floating behind the dragon was a brilliant blue arc, and the dragon roared loudly. [Deep Eyes White Dragon: 0 Attack] "When Deep Eyes White Dragon is summoned onto the field, you will take six hundred damage for each different Dragon Monster in the graveyard!!" Seto shouted as the arc behind the dragon began to spin. Blue Eyes White Dragon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand Red Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon Lightpulsar Dragon Eclipse Wyvern Assault Wyvern All these dragons'' power flowed into Deep Eyes White Dragon as its power increased drastically: "Three thousand six hundred damage," Yuna mumbled and stared at Deep Eyes White Dragon in admiration. "You''re both finished! Deep Eyes White Dragon, obliterate these insolent fools!!! BURST STREAM OF ANNIHILATION!!!" Unleashing a deadly beam, the children shrieked as a blinding light blocked their vision... BOOOOOOM [Sarina/Sartious: 1400 LP -> 0 LP] I hope you enjoy it Chapter 74: What Happened in the Office Stays in the Office Chapter 74: What Happened in the Office Stays in the Office ? [Yuna''s POV] I stood there, mouth agape, gazing at Kaiba in utter disbelief. The Deep Eyes White Dragon, suspended above him seemed surreal, and I struggled toprehend the scene unfolding before my eyes. "Yet... to possess both Blue-Eyes Alternative Dragon and Deep Eyes White Dragon already..." I murmured to myself. However, after facing these duels, the emergence of these new cards in our world doesn''t appear as absurd to me anymore. With a sigh, I deactivated my Duel Disk, causing all the holograms to vanish. Mokuba, who had remained silent throughout, finally breathed a sigh of relief. "You guys did it!" He eximed with excitement, rushing towards us. With a wry smile, I turned to Kaiba, who calmly gazed at the Fang of Critias in his hand. "Kaiba... that..." Handing me the card, I gulped in awe as the object seemed to shimmer between my fingers. "You don''t seem surprised," Kaiba pointed out, observing me thoughtfully. Flinching, I nervously averted my gaze. "I am..." I lied and quietly grumbled about how perceptive this guy was. "If you don''t want to say it, then don''t," he sighed. "We can talk about thister. Right now, we have other matters to deal with." Following his gaze, I stared at Sartorius and Sarina, their bodies frozen like statues, mouths open and closed like goldfish. Feeling a sudden chill, I nced to my side and witnessed Kaiba approaching the children with sharp steps, his expression akin to that of a demon. Casting his imposing shadow with his tall stature, Kaiba red coldly at Sartorius. "It''s pointless for you to struggle anymore; you have lost. I assume the two of you understand what that entails." "I will ask you questions, and I expect answers," he warned sternly. "Since I''m feeling merciful right now, it would be in your best interest if you don''t piss me off." "What are you going to do to us?" Sartorius asked hesitantly, but he was quickly cut off by Kaiba''s angered tone. "Did I ask for you to speak?" He snapped, and the two children trembled in fright: "Now, where is Dartz?" Sartorius: "We don''t..." *BAMMMMM* Kaiba''s fist struck the floor, sending shivers down all of our spines. As he lifted his fist, a noticeable dent marked the ground, and he nonchntly shook off the blood trailing down his knuckles. By now, Sarina and Sartorius''s faces were pale beyond belief, tears threatening to emerge from their eyes. "Let me ask again... Where. Is. Dartz?" "We really don''t know!" Sarina cried and hid behind her brother in fear. With resignation, Kaiba exhaled profoundly, and the two children yelped: "Please... don''t hurt us..." She whimpered. "Kaiba, stop..." I finally said and pinched the bridge of my nose: "At this point... they will be too scared to answer....." "Also... your hand." Grabbing his bloodied palm, I wiped the wound with some tissue: "Hitting the floor... are you insane?" "If they don''t feel threatened, then they won''t be obedient." Kaiba scoffed and nced at the shivering children. "You will listen, right?" he asked, and they nodded in a panic. This crazy man... I sighed exasperatingly. Staring at Sartorius, I leaned downward to match his eye level: "If you two behave... Kaiba won''t hurt you...." "So... you don''t know... Dartz''s location?" Seeing him frantically shaking his head, I nodded. "Then... where''s Noah? Have you hurt... him?" I questioned, my voice also turning icy. "No, no!" Sarina whimpered: "We were told to put something in theputer thingy to lock him out!" "They must have jammed the servers," Kaiba concluded. "Mokuba, go find the source and destroy it." As Mokuba hurriedly left, I continued the interrogation: "Is there only... the two of you?" "Yes," Sartorius answered. "Master Dartz said that we should prove ourselves first before fully joining his organization." "Then the people outside..." I muttered, and they nced at each other awkwardly. Shaking their small robes, countless cards fell out of their pockets. Picking up a card, I noticed the image was one of the employees I saw earlier. "T... Their souls were still here. We haven''t done anything!" "Release them," Kaiba ordered, and they immediately began to act, terrified of angering him any further. Using the green crystals hanging from their necks, a small glowing orb emerged from the card images and floated out of the door. Gradually, groans and shouting could be heard from outside. When thest card had be nk, Kaiba finally let out a deep breath, and his posture rxed slightly. As the door burst open, countless Kaiba Corps security flooded into the room. "Sir!" They shouted in surprise before bowing at a ny-degree angle. "Take these two brats away," Kaiba instructed, and the guards swiftly confiscated their decks and Duel Disk: "Give them a room and ce them under level two surveince." The security nodded and dragged them out of the room. ''At least he''s not throwing the children into prison.'' I thought with optimism and called Kaiba, who was directing the rest of the dishevelled staff. "What now?" I asked and stared at him with expectations. "My entirepany is in chaos, and I''m losing money as we talk." Kaiba exined with frustration: "I left for a day, and it turned out like this..." "Come with me," he continued without batting an eye: "It''s still not safe to return to your home; KaibaCorp has a ce for you to stay." Although I felt slightly annoyed, I couldn''t really refute his logic since I have no idea what Dartz will do at this point. Nodding reluctantly, I followed Kaiba back to his office, where Mokuba was awaiting us. To my relief, Noah, who seemed unharmed, was on the monitor. However, his expression was far from happy. "These brats really have the nerve to mess with me..." He growled: "Do you know howplex my programming is?! It''s not something you can temper with!" "Enough," Kaiba said, cutting his ranting and approached the desk: "Noah, are our stocks still being bought out?" Regaining hisposure, Noah shook his head: "I managed to block the anonymous ounts that keep trying to purchase our stocks, and any ounts that received ie from those blocked ounts were cklisted as well. Unfortunately, I still couldn''t trace the transaction to search for the perpetrator." "Keep trying. We will find him." Kaiba growled. Settling down into his chair, he ordered Mokuba and Noah to reorganize the remaining workers who had just woken up after having lost their souls. When they left, Kaiba finally began to work, and the sound of shuffling papers filled the room. With nothing to do, I sat in the lounge and spread my cards on the table. Thest few runs in with Doma have been too close forfort, and with each duel, my opponents seemed to be getting stronger and stronger. I have also felt that people have begun paying more attention to my deck, especially Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, and I find it harder and harder to keep him alive on the field. Thankfully, I had already managed to get myself several other boss monsters from the system to deal with this very problem. As I continued to switch out cards and test the deck, I suddenly sensed a presence nearby. Lifting my head, I noticed Kaiba sitting right across from me, several documents in his hand. When did he get here? He was just at the desk a minute ago. As I observed him, engrossed in his task, I hesitated to voice the question, opting instead to remain silent. Despite my reticence, I couldn''t help but notice his asional nces in my direction, indicating a keen interest in my activities. "Kaiba..." I called out as he set down the papers. "Can I borrow... Your deck?" Raising an eyebrow, Kaiba gave me a puzzled look but ultimatelyplied with my request. Retrieving his Duel Disk from a drawer, he handed it to me, his expression stern. "If you''re nning something, you better inform me beforehand." Nodding, I eagerlyid out his deck and examined it with fascination. To my surprise, the deck exceeded my expectations. Alongside several normal monsters, I also noted the presence of formidable dragons like Blue-Eyes Alternative Dragon and Deep-Eyes White Dragon. From the looks of it, his deck appeared to be a blend of cards from Battle City and his experiences during the events of Dark Side of Dimensions. But, I hoped that it could soon be fully integrated into thetter soon. "Kaiba, can I swap ... this?" I inquired, lifting Saggi the Clown. When he didn''t immediately respond, I presented my Doomcaliber Knight, a card I had previously utilized against Alister. Staring at the card, Kaiba nodded. "Suit yourself." With his permission, I began recing his normal monsters with effect monsters that were more useful in a duel, transforming his deck into something more fitting of his status. Additionally, I exchanged one of his Polymerization cards for Ultimate Fusion, utilizing some credits I could spare. "Here..." I said, returning his deck, and he nonchntly stored the cards away without a second nce. As I observed his carefree attitude, a nagging thought crept into my mind. Was Kaiba being too trusting of me? What if I pulled a Weevil Underwood and slipped Parasite Paracide into his deck or something? "You shouldn''t... trust people... that easily." I warned with a frown: "I... could''ve done something bad..." "Hmmm?" Kaiba scoffed with curiosity when he heard my words: "Do you really believe I''m that naive? The time I handed out my deck this haphazardly will be the time I have gone insane." "Then..." I slurred my words, unable to grasp his intention "That''s because it''s you." He answered cooly while dropping a random bombshell: "If it were someone else, I would''ve told them to get out of my sight for asking something so ridiculous." "W... What does that supposed to mean?!" I screamed and pped the table, my lips twitching with rm. "It''s exactly what I meant," Kaiba smirked: "I onlyplied because it''s you." Touching my face, I could feel the intense heat emanating from my cheeks, causing me to shiver: ''This guy is definitely teasing me right now!'' "I... I''m leaving!" I yelled and abruptly stood up. However, as I took a step, my foot got tangled with the leg of the table, and my vision tilted forward. But to my surprise, instead of falling over, my body was suddenly caught in midair as two arms wrapped firmly around me. "K... Kaiba?" I stammered, feeling my brain short-circuit as I struggled to process this unexpected turn of events. [3rd POV] Seto''s mind wentpletely nk. It was a spontaneous reaction, his body moving without his consciousmand. Just as Yuna was about to hit the floor, he caught her and pulled her towards him. A quiet gasp escaped Seto''s lips as he realized what he had done, but it was already toote. His hands found themselves instinctively wrapped around her thin waist and shoulders. Their bodies were pressed closely together, and Seto could feel the warmth of her breath against his skin. He also couldn''t ignore the softness pressed against his chest, causing his heart to flutter in response. "K... Kaiba?" Yuna''s voice snapped him out of his stupor. Managing his expression, Seto lowered his head and met her gaze. "Are you hurt?" he asked, his tone softened with concern. Yuna shook her head in response. Suddenly, the door to the office burst open, and Mokuba walked in: "Big Brother, we''re done! What are you two.... doing...." He froze in his tracks at the sight before him. Seto:.... Yuna:.... "I wille backter!" Mokuba blurted out, hastily shutting the door behind him, his face flushed crimson. Staring at the closed door in shock, Seto and Yuna''s faces reddened with embarrassment as they hurriedly separated: "I''m sorry, I''ve acted on impulse." Seto said while trying to hide his flustered expression.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "N... No, it was my fault..." Yuna muttered with a faint blush: "I should have been... more careful..." Engulfed in an awkward silence, Yuna stiffly packed up her cards while observing Seto in the corner of her vision. Rubbing her palm against her face, Yuna pursed her lips at the brief excited sensation she felt when her body fell into his embrace. "I should go..." She said, carefully standing up and making sure not to trip again. "I will have someone guide you to your amodation..." Seto replied awkwardly and watched as the door closed behind her. Alone, Seto sighed deeply, the memory of Yuna''s warmth still lingering on his skin as he clenched and unclenched his fist. "Tsk..." he clicked his teeth in annoyance, attempting to redirect his focus to the papers at hand. However, Seto''s movements were slower than before, and his mind was unable to shake off the distractions that continued to mess with his mind... Next Day... [Yuna''s POV] When morning came, I woke up with exhaustion, screaming all over my body. Although the bed wasfortable, I could''ve slept nicely if only "that" had not happened. It would have been fine if we were alone, but Mokuba had to show up at that moment and spread all sorts of rumours. He even went as far as asking all sorts of questions untilte at night, and I was constantly reminded of the shameful situation. Sighing, I groggily got up and swiftly got dressed. Leaving my room, I found myself with nothing much to do and I eventually returned to Kaiba''s office. After knocking on the door, I heard a voice from the other side telling me toe in, and I entered after much hesitation. In the office, Kaiba was already working hard at his desk, and I quietly nted myself on the couch in the corner. Quietly observing him, I noticed that there wasn''t a trace of awkwardness on his face, and he seemedpletely unfazed. After ten minutes, Kaiba finally set his pen down and stared at me. Silence resumed, and we gazed at each other, unsure of what to say. Eventually, he sighed: "I want to apologize again. I have acted too recklessly." "N.. No!" I eximed in surprise and waved my hands: "Its... really alright..." Deciding to change the topic, I smiled wryly: "Doma... Have we found... them yet?" Hearing its name, Kaiba gritted his teeth and scowled: "No... It''s unbelievable; despite having this much influence in the world, we only heard about them now." "Then how''s... KaibaCorps?" I asked curiously, knowing that Dartz had messed it up pretty badly. "Tsk..." Kaiba clenched his fist and identally crumpled the paper in his hands: "Because of Duel Monsters appearing out of nowhere, KaibaCorps stocks have plummeted dramatically, and they continue to decrease even as we speak. I have already lost millions of dors." Ah... Probably it''s best if I didn''t ask... While trying to appease Kaiba''s increasingly soured mood, the phone to his office rang loudly, and he pressed the button with annoyance. "Sir," A woman''s voice could be heard: "There''s a Mr.Wheeler on the line for you, sir. Should I put him through?" "It''s Joey..." I uttered in surprise and moved behind Kaiba to see the screen. "That loser wants to contact me?" Kaiba smirked with interest: "Very well, put him through...." "Understood, sir." The woman replied, and the video on theputer changed to Joey. Behind him were Yugi and the rest of his friends, looking over his shoulder. "Huh, he really took your call?!" We heard Tea''s doubtful tone from the other side. "What he did?!" Joey shouted in shock: "~Kaiba~, is that you?" Watching the webcam, Kaiba scowled with displeasure: "Make it fast. You''re wasting my time." "Sheesh, condescending as ever!" Joey eximed. "Anyway, we found some clues about the group that caused this entire mess!" "What kind of clues?" Kaiba''s pupils shone as he red at Joey with impatience. "Hold on, I''m not giving them away so easily!" Joey smirked: "But unless you give us a ride to Florida...." "Hmph, so this is what you''re ying at," Kaiba sneered: "Fine then, keep your secrets; we can find Doma ourselves." Hearing his rejection, Joey''s eyes widened, and he began to panic: "Wait, wait, wait! Let''s talk this out; we can both benefit from it!" "There''s nothing for me to benefit from this negotiation, goodbye," Kaiba announced. However, before he ced the phone down, I quickly grasped his shoulder. "Kaiba... Please wait." I mumbled and stared at Joey: "We will hear... you out." "Ah, Sano!!" Joey smiled with relief: "I knew you were here as well!" "...You do?" I tilted my head in confusion, and he smirked while nodding to himself. "It''s obvious for my detective brain, really!" Joey exined while his friends cringed at his roley: "Since you''re his girlfriend and everything, I expected that you could help us out!" Instantly, Kaiba and I froze as we stared at each other in shock. Kaiba: "Wh... what is this man saying..." "G... Girlfriend..." I mumbled in a daze. "Huh? You guys are not?" Joey asked with curiosity: "I thought you guys were in a rtionship since you were making out yesterday. Wondering how I know? This guy''s little brother bragged about it to my sister, and she cried all night, saying that Kaiba took Sano away or something." ...Mokuba... You!!! My face flushed, and I red at Joey in a fit of anger: "We..were not!!!" I screamed and raised my arm, about to m the phone against the table. "Hold on!!!" Joey yelled hurriedly: "I''m sorry, please don''t hang up!! Time is running out! Those guys defeated Yugi and took his soul!!" When he finished, Joey''s face turned pale, and The frantically covered his mouth. Kaiba:.... Me:..... "......He what?" Kaiba muttered, and I could hear his grinding teeth. ''Ah, sh*t... Joey, you idiot!! Keeping your mouth shut can save lives!'' I thought to myself, casting a nervous nce at Kaiba. But it was already toote... I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 75: Yugi vs.... Yugi?! Chapter 75: Yugi vs.... Yugi?! ? [Yuna''s POV] Dammit, Joey, you and your lousy mouth, why can''t you keep a secret!! I quietly cursed at the blond-haired boy in the video while observing Kaiba apprehensively. "Whoops, forget my earlier statement," Joeyughed awkwardly, but by now, the cat was already out of the bag. "He lost..." Kaiba muttered coldly. He red at Yami Yugi and must have realised the meaning, as the Pharaoh''s shoulders shrunk dejectedly upon being reminded of his devastating blunder. "Kaiba!" I eximed as he suddenly stood up from his seat and mmed his hands down on the table. "Yugi lost?!!!!" He shouted in rage, and I recoiled as an indescribable bloodlust filled the room: "How dare he!!!" "Hold on..." Yami Yugi muttered with anguish, which infuriated him further. "Who do you think you are?! Giving your champion title away to some random guy down the street, do you take me as a joke!!?" Kaiba roared: "It should have been me that defeats you!!" "You''re a disgrace as a duelist. You''re nothing but a...." "Kaiba!!" I finally snapped and red at him: "Stop this now...." "Sano, you..." Kaiba turned his head towards me, his eyes shaking with betrayal. "I know you''re angry... but please calm down...." I reasoned and patted his shoulder: "You''re more... rational than this..." Staring at my face, Kaiba''s lips twisted uncontrobly: "I need some time to think..." He muttered and walked away. "But this phone call..." "Handle it for me; I will just go with whatever decision you make..." Without waiting for my response, Kaiba left, leaving me alone in the office. Unsure of what to do, I eventually settled down in his chair and picked up the phone: "I apologise... Yugi''s loss was very shocking... For both of us..." "Yeah, I understand. We were all quite surprised as well." Joey hesitantly nodded and nced at Yami Yugi from the corner of his vision: "Anyway, does that mean you are willing to hear us -out?" "Yes..." I assured them, "We can negotiate once... I finish listening." Joey agreed and began to speak. Long story short, their journey happened the same way it did in the canon. After Kaiba and I returned to KaibaCorps, Yugi and his gang travelled all the way to Arthur Hawkin''s house to gain some clues about Doma. ''Even if I was the one who took the Reba duel, they still managed to get acquainted with each other.'' I thought as Joey continued to exin their past experiences through the screen. After arriving at Arthur Hawkin''sboratory, they found the ce in mes, and Doma had captured him. Yugi had to duel Rafael to get him back. "That''s when Yugi lost and sacrificed himself to save his other self." Joey said: "It''s some pretty crazy stuff, but luckily, we managed to save Mr Hawkins." "Where are you... now?" I asked, and Joey awkwardly scratched his cheek. "Well, we''re currently in Mr Hawkins''s RV in the middle of nowhere, which is why we need assistance getting to Florida! It turns out there''s an ancient tablet rting to Doma in the museum over there that can help us find these chums!" "Since they messed you guys as well, you must also want to have paybacks, right?!" Joey finally finished his speech, and I chuckled. "Okay..." I agreed: "Let''s rendevous... at the nearest airport..." "You''re the best Sano-san!" Joey beamed and sped his hands together in thankfulness: "I don''t know what we will do without you!" My smile stiffened momentarily at Joey''s praise, and I felt a prick in my conscience. I could''ve agreed to retrieve them from where they were now. Still, that would mean that Yami Yugi would likely miss out on a crucial character development moment when he meets Ironheart and Chris, the other two remaining citizens from Antis. These two will bring Yami Yugi to the Stone Wilderness of lost souls, where he will duel Yugi to purge the darkness in his heart. However, for that to even happen, Yami Yugi and T¨¦a will be separated from the group, and they have to go through some pretty hectic stuff that probably could''ve been avoided if we had just picked them up directly. ''It''s for the best... It''s for the best.'' I continuously repeated in my head: ''Character development arcs are always important!!'' "Sano?" Joey questioned when he noticed I wasn''t responding, and I hurriedly smiled to disperse his suspicion. "Sorry... I got lost in thought...Take care...." I waved and hung up the phone. In the end, if they really called for my help, I would dly do so. When the peaceful silence returned, I stood up and said to no one in particr, "Now... Where''s Kaiba?" Luckily, with Noah''s help, I quickly located Kaiba, who was in the virtual duelling arena. Opening the door, I was immediately confronted with the sight of two Blue Eyes White Dragons flying above me. "Blue Eyes White Dragon, attack Dark Magician!!" Kaiba roared, and the furious white dragon unleashed a deadly beam at the wizard floating on the other side. [Yugi Mutou: 2300 LP -> 1800 LP] "Now, my second Blue Eyes White Dragon, end this by attacking him directly!!" He shouted at the top of his lungs. BOOOOOOOOOM [Yugi Mutou: 1800 LP-> 0 LP] When the duel ended, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon and the hologram of Yugi disappeared, and a mechanical voice echoed through the room. "Simtion Over. Duel Ends. Seto Kaiba wins." "Kaiba..." I muttered as his shoulders heaved and sweat dripped down his face. Despite winning against artificial intelligence, Kaiba doesn''t seem even a little pleased, and for some reason, it seems to have angered him further. "This is not enough." He muttered, oblivious of my presence: "Again." "Restarting Simtion. Opponent Selected. Yugi Mutou." [Yugi Mutou: 4000 LP] [Seto Kaiba: 4000 LP] Like a crazy demon, Kaiba restarted the duel, his eyes sharp like a falcon as he red at Yugi''s figure. No matter what I say, my words don''t seem to register in Kaiba''s head, and he was completely zoned out from reality. Sighing anxiously, I eventually moved towards theputer and scrolled through the interface before finding something interesting... [3rd POV] "DUEL!!" Seto shouted and reactivated his Duel Disk, and Yugi''s hologram did the same. His mind was in utter chaos, and he was unable to ept Yugi''s loss. In the past, Seto have been the best Duelist in the world, then Yuna appeared in his life, snatching his position. Next, in the Battle City tournament, he suffered another defeat under Yugi, moving him to third ce. Now, someone defeated Yugi and took his title? What does that mean for him? Seto gritted his teeth. Fourth ce, him? Why was this happening? No matter how hard he thrived to be the best, there was always someone better than him. Slowing and drawing a card, Seto was about to start his first move when the artificial intelligence emitted a strange announcement. "Duel Paused. Cancelling Simtion." Frowning in confusion, he nced at the terminal and noticed Yuna operating it with a small smile. "You''re here," Seto called out, and Yuna smiled wryly in response: "So, what are you going to do?" "....We will go and help." She answered: "They will set off early in the morning.... and we should be arrive by then...." When Seto didn''t respond, Yuna continued to y with the terminal before finding something interesting. "Restarting Duel. Opponent Selected. Yuna Sano." Yugi''s body gradually transformed into a beautiful girl with blue hair and blue eyes. Yuna curiously wandered to the other side of the room, where her hologram stood rigid like a statue: "Why does this look so real?" "KaibaCorp''s technology is the best of the best." Seto eventually exined: "I won''t tolerate even the slightest imperfection." "Hmph... That so..." Yuna muttered before smiling cheekily: "Then... Who''s better? Me or that..." Seto:.... Not bothering to respond, he switched off the terminal, and Yuna''s hologram disappeared. Crossing his arms, Seto red at her with annoyance: "What do you want?" "....I''m just checking in on you," Yuna shrugged and walked towards the door: "You should go... get some rest." "I''m fine," Seto growled: "No need to be concerned about me." "I see... I''m only worried as your friend..." Pausing by the exit, she quietly turned her head and smiled: "Use it as motivation... to hunt those guys down... and take back what''s yours..." With a farewell, Yuna left, and Seto stared at the ground in contemtion. Pressing the button on the side of the wall, a Kaiba Corp employee swiftly arrived. "Prepare a transport. We will be travelling to America tonight." Seto ordered, and the staff saluted before hurriedly left toplete the task. "I will take back what''s mine..." Seto muttered and clenched his fist, his pupils zing with determination. Ten hourster... [Yuna''s POV] With enough preparations, Kaiba and I soon set off back to America. However, instead of taking the Blue Eyes White Dragon Jet, we decided to ride a private ne since the jet was not suitable for more than two people. "You look worried." Kaiba pointed out as we waited at the gates. "I''m fine..." I muttered and stared into the distance: "Just tense..." "These losers should be here by now," He grumbled, checking the time on his watch. What''s taking them so long?" "Nn..." I nodded quietly and fiddled with the phone in my pocket. Now, what would those guys do? Would they call us for help, or can they handle it on their own? Suddenly, as if right on cue, my phone vibrated uncontrobly, and I pressed the answer button. "Bad news Sano-san!!" Joey screamed through the speaker: "We have been attacked, and I''ve lost contact with Yugi and T¨¦a!!" "...What happened?" I asked and glimpsed at Kaiba, who was listening with a deep frown. "Weevil and Rex, those two little snakes, ambushed!" Joey said with anger: "I managed to defeat Rex, so we should be fine for the time being. Please go help Yugi!" He urged, and I hung up the call. "Kaiba..." I said with expectation, and he scowled. "Yes, yes, you want to save that brat, right?" He sighed exasperatedly: "Fine... Just leave it to me." ''This guy!'' I sped my hands together and stared at him with amazement: ''With enough time, even someone like Seto Kaiba can be dependable!'' "You..." Kaiba muttered: "You were thinking of something bad, weren''t you?" "Ha ha... Of course not..." Iughed and took his hand, and he was helplessly dragged away: "No time to waste... Let''s go!" Meanwhile... [3rd POV] Yami Yugi gritted his teeth as he stared at his opponent before him with aplicated emotion. It wasn''t long ago that the train they were on crashed because of Weevil''s doing, and they were rescued by an old man and girl who introduced themselves as Ironheart and Chris. Afterwards, Ironheart led Yami Yugi to this very Wastnd of Stone, where now he was challenged by the soul of his other self... Hispanion, Yugi Mutou... "Yugi, please stop." The Pharaoh pleaded desperately: "Why are you acting like this?" "I''m merely your reflection; you and I are the same..." Yugi replied: "The darkness that dwells in your heart also dwells in mine." "It''s already toote," He continued: "You have shown me who you really are... You only cared about yourself!" Yami Yugi: "Yugi wait..." "It''s my turn!" Yugi interrupted. This duel will be a chance to show you what you actually look like from the outside! I will activate my spell card, Seal of Orichalcos!!" "Yugi, no!!!" Yami Yugi shouted. However, it was already toote, and the seal was sessfully formed... To the Pharaoh''s horror, as the duel continued, Yugi began to use the strategy he had used while battling Rafael. Utilising the ability of Catapult Turtle, shamelessly sacrificing his monsters, and dealing damage, Yami Yugi''s life points dropped tremendously. "Now, I will tribute my Queen Knight and use her with my Catapult Turtle to destroy your life points!" BOOOOM [Yami Yugi: 1200 LP -> 200 LP] "One more attack and you will be the prisoner of Orichalcos..." "Yugi, I''m begging you!" The Pharaoh spoke with despair: "Don''t go through with this!" Yugi: "Toote! I will sacrifice my Dark Magician Girl! Launch, Catapult Turtle!!" Staring at the projectile travelling towards him, Yami Yugi gritted his teeth in despair. Realising that to keep the promise of saving his friend, he must put his feelings aside and win this fight. "I''m sorry, my friend..." he mumbled before shouting, "I will activate my trap card, Divine Wind!!! When a monster inflicts damage on me, I can negate it and return the same damage with double the strength!!!" Suddenly, a small tornado blocked the projectile and sent it back the way it came. Staring at the deflected st, Yugi smiled. BOOOOM [Yugi Mutou: 1900 LP -> 0 LP] "Gahhhh!!!" Yugi screamed and fell to the ground. In a panic, Yami Yugi rushed to his side and picked up his fallen friend. Groaning, Yugi opened his eyes and smiled: "You did it... You passed the test..." "I don''t understand," Yami Yugi''s eyes trembled in disbelief: "Did you n out all this." Smiling, Yugi exined that by defeating him, Yami Yugi had sessfully defeated the darkness dwelling in his heart: "Don''t give up this fight," Yugi muttered weakly: "I will be watching over you..." Closing his eyes, Yugi''s body gradually disappeared and transformed into particles of light... Biting his lips, Yami Yugi wiped the tears off his face as he noticed the sky began to darken considerably. The Seal of Orichalcos that Yugi used remained vibrant, and Yami Yugi felt an ominous presence looming from above. "Dartz..." He snarled and stared at the cloudy sky. Suddenly, the Seal of Orichalcos rumbled, and a tall figure emerged from the centre. It was a monster with a grotesque appearance and covered in full metal armour. Its eyes were dyed red, and the Seal of Orichalcos shined brightly on its forehead. [Orichalcos Soldier: 4000 LP] "Get out of there!!" T¨¦a screamed. Unfortunately, it was already toote, and the Seal of Orichalcos sessfully trapped Yami Yugi in ce. The monster revealed a de-like Duel Disk on its arm, summoning a brown deformed giant that burst out of the ground. [Orichalcos Gigas: 400 Attack] [Orichalcos Gigas: 400 -> 900 Attack] Orichalcos Gigas roared and swung its fists as Yami Yugi hurriedly dodged the attack: "What do I do?!" He shouted and nced at Ironheart for advice. "Use the power of your monsters to fight back! The souls residing in thend will assist you!" Ironheart''s booming voice travelled through the field, and Yami Yugi frantically activated his own Duel Disk. "I will use Polymerization to fuse my Gazelle, the King of Mythical Beast, and Berformet to summon Chimera, the Flying Mythical Beast!!" [Chimera, the Flying Mythical Beast: 2100 Attack] "Now attack Chimera!!" The Pharaoh yelled. The beast crashed into Orichalcos Gigas, and the monster burst into pieces. [Orichalcos Soldier: 4000 LP -> 2800 LP] Roaring in anger, the Duel Disk on the monster''s arm shed, and the ground erupted once more as the Orichalcos Gigas that was destroyed returned, this time much stronger than before.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om [Orichalcos Gigas: 1400 Attack] [1] "It returned, and its attack has increased!" Yami Yugi muttered in shock: "Tsk... Attack again, Chimera!!" *BOOOM* [Orichalcos Soldier: 2800 LP -> 2100 LP] [Orichalcos Gigas: 1900 Attack] "Every time I attack, it will only get stronger..." Hemented in observation: "Then I will use my spell card, Fissure! The ground beneath Orichalcos Gigas ruptured into a deep ravine, and the monster helplessly fell in. But much to Yami Yugi''s dismay, Orichalcos Gigas continued to return, and its strength only increased with every death. [Orichalcos Gigas: 2400 Attack] Orichalcos Gigas continued its attack. Swinging its fist, Chimera, the Flying Mythical Beast, was destroyed. The Pharaoh groaned, and he felt the damage to his body. [Yami Yugi: 4000 LP -> 3700 LP] "When Chimera, the Flying Mythical Beast, is destroyed, I can summon Gazelle, the King of Mythical Beasts, onto the field! Next, I will set a card face down!" [Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts: 1500 Attack] When Orichalcos Gigas attacked, Yami Yugi frantically revealed the trap card he had ced in advance: "I will activate my Trap, Mirror Force!!" He dered when Orichalcos Gigasunched another assault: "This will reflect Orichalcos Gigas''s attack and reflect it to itself!!" However, to his disbelief, the trap also didn''t seem to have an effect, and Orichalcos Gigas returned stronger than ever... [Orichalcos Gigas: 2900 Attack] "Trap cards don''t work either?!" Yami Yugi eximed in shock, and the monster attacked Berformet, knocking him to the ground: "Can nothing stop it?!" [Yami Yugi: 3700 LP -> 2300 LP] "Pharaoh!" Ironheart yelled and jumped off the ledge, dashing towards Yami Yugi with all his might. "Ironheart?! What are you doing?!" Yami Yugi shouted back while dodging Orichalcos Giga''s attacks: "Stay away! It''s dangerous!" Yet, his warning was ignored as Ironheart sprinted and revealed Timaeus''s Eye in his hand: "You must take this! This card is the only way for you to defeat that beast!!" "Wait, Ironheart, look out!" The Pharaoh warned when Orichalcos Gigas turned its head and changed its direction of attack towards the old man. But, instead of the gruesome scene of the elderly man being torn apart by the dangerous monster, a deafening roar shakes the sky, and the ground between Orichalcos Gigas and Ironheart erupts into a massive explosion. In shock, Yami Yugi lifts his head, and a silver dragon with three heads soars through the air: "That''s Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon!?" A helicopter was flying behind Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon, and Yami Yugi couldn''t hide the delight on his face: "Sano, Kaiba, you''re here!" ncing at Yami Yugi, Yuna smiled and calmly observed the situation. Thankfully, they made it in time before anyone got hurt. With the space created, Ironheart took this chance and shouted to get Yami Yugi''s attention: "Pharaoh, catch!!" He threw the Eye of Timaeus through the air, and the Pharaoh caught the card between his fingers. Taking a deep breath, Yami Yugi prayed in his heart before desperately raising the card to the sky: "I will activate the Eye of Timaeus!!" He announced, and the humongous blue dragon appeared before him. "Timaeus, you have answered!" Yami Yugi yelled with joy, and he smiled with confidence: "I will fuse Timaeus with the Dark Magician Girl in my hand and summon Dark Magician Girl, the Dragon Knight!!" [Dark Magician Girl, the Dragon Knight: 2600 Attack] "Next, I will enhance her strength with the spell card Excalibur and double her attack points!!" [Dark Magician Girl, the Dragon Knight: 5200 Attack] "Attack!" Yami Yugi roared: "Destroy those creatures of Darkness!" Raising her sword, Dark Magician Girl and Timaeus unleashed a deadly beam of energy that engulfed the two Orichalcos monsters in mes. [Orichalcos Soldier: 2100 LP -> 0 LP] I hope you enjoy it. It might be a little confusing if you haven''t watched the episode this chapter is referencing, but I hope that I have delved deep enough that you won''t have to. I will probably post another chapter this week since I want to speed up this arc. But that would means the chapter next week might take a little longer... [1] When this card is destroyed, you can Special Summon it immediately, but it cannot attack for the rest of this turn. When this is Special Summoned by its own effect, skip your next Draw Phase. This card gains 500 ATK x the number of times it was Special Summoned by its own effect during this Duel. Chapter 76: Taken by Suprise Chapter 76: Taken by Suprise ? [Yuna''s POV] I covered my eyes as the explosion from Dark Magician Girl''s attack emitted a light so blinding that I thought I was seeing heaven. When the light settled and my vision returned, I stared at the stone valley where Yami Yugi stood alone as the remains of the Orichalcos Soldierpletely disappeared. "Bring us down," Kaiba ordered the pilot, and the helicopter began to descend. When we finallynded, I stepped onto the ground, and Yami Yugi ran towards us: "Sano, Kaiba... What are you guys doing here?" "Your geek friends told us to help you." Kaiba snorted: "You should be grateful that I agreed." "For that, I''m d," Yami Yugi smiled: "Thank you both. I don''t know what would have happened if it wasn''t for the two of you. Do you know what happened to my friends?" "They should... be safe..." I answered: "We should... go." "Yes, but wait before that." Yami Yugi turned around and stared at Ironheart and Chris approaching us. "Have you aplished what you came here for?" Ironheart asked, and the Pharaoh grinned. "I have. Thank you for allowing me to purge the darkness in my heart." He bowed: "Won''t you twoe with us?" "No," the old man shook his head. It''s time to pass on our fight to you. Please defeat Dartz, stop the Leviathan, and end this battle that has been going on for far too long. "I will," Yami Yugi nodded: "I promise." With a refreshed resolve, he turned to us: "Kaiba, Sano. I know it''s unfair for me to ask, but would you please help me in the uing duel? Dartz must be stopped." "Hmph," Kaiba crossed his arms and sneered: "I''m nning to crush him in the first ce, with or without you. Nobody can mess with me and get away with it." "They had already.... attacked me at my home..." I said with a small sigh: "So it''s... payback." Yami Yugi smirked at our responses: "Great, then let''s go." Boarding the helicopter, the aircraft swiftly took to the sky. Travelling along the railroad, we eventually stumbled on Joey and Tristan carrying the unconscious Rex Raptor, who screamed with relief as they happily chased after the helicopter like crazed dogs. Arriving at the airport, we all boarded the private ne. As the aircraft took off, Kaiba, Joey, Yami Yugi, and I sat around each other, calmly listening to their discussions. "From the "clues" you give us, I have already sent people to the Museum to retrieve data rting to the artifact." Kaiba exined: "We will go to KaibaCorp to have it analysed." "Thank you," Yami Yugi said: "That would make things much easier. Also, it''s time we think about how to defeat Dartz..." "Who cares about strategy?!" Joey said with a wide grin: "Once we find him, I will just beat him up with my superior duelling skills!" His nose twitched with pride, and Kaiba snorted. "Even so, Joey, we must work together," Yami Yugi said: "Thankfully, we have multiple allies by our side." Taking a deep breath, Yami Yugi began to recount his dreams and experiences, about his card Timaeus and how Kaiba and Joey also have the other two dragons as well. "So you''re saying that these three "Legendary Dragons" were the key to defeating Dartz?" Kaiba said dubiously: "I find it hard to believe." "But it''s true," Yami Yugi affirmed while staring at the Eye of Timaeus in his hand: "We were the people that the three dragons had chosen." "Oh yeah! We''re pretty awesome, aren''t we?!" Joey bragged, and I suppressed the giggle that was about to form. "Awesome, you? Don''t make meugh." Kaiba sneered contemptuously. Then let me ask you this: why wasn''t Sano chosen before you?" "M.. Me?" I flinched in surprise when all eyes turned to me. Why was I suddenly the topic of the conversation? "You do have a point..." Yami Yugi muttered and grasped his chin deep in thought: "Was there some requirement?" Haha... Actually, I have been chosen... by all three, in fact. However, not wanting to say anything, I smiled awkwardly and shrugged: "It''s okay... I don''t have to be chosen... I can still... duel without it." "No," Kaiba responded grimly: "I won''t allow it." "What?" I uttered confusion: "What do you... mean?" "If these cards are the only way to stand toe to toe against that man, you should stay out of this fight." He exined calmly, and I frowned. "Are you saying... I''m not strong enough?" I questioned. "No," Kaiba shook his head: "you just shouldn''t." "Why?!" I stood up and stared at him. It didn''t make sense!" "That''s because I said so!" Kaiba snapped and also stood up, and I was caught off guard by his raising his voice. "That''s not a... good reason!" I argued. "Yes, it is," Kaiba retorted. ".... How so?!" "Just cause!" He shouted back before clenching his fist. Averting his gaze, I could feel his tension rising as he stared out the window: "Just cause... I don''t want you to get hurt..." "....." Speechless, I gazed at Kaiba in shock as his words slowly set in. My body twitched, and a slight shiver went down my neck... He doesn''t want me to get hurt... My face flushed, and a puff of steam rose from my head: "W... what a...are you saying!" Rubbing his neck, Kaiba looked into the distance awkwardly and refused to borate. I felt Joey and Yami Yugi''s gaze bore a hole into the back of my head. Losing my patience, I snatched Kaiba''s wrist and dragged him to the other end of the ne. When we were alone, I let go and red at him: "....Why would you say something like that!" Gathering hisposure, Kaiba calmly swept his hand along his hair: "You asked, didn''t you?" "B... B... B... B... But..." My mouth was unable to utter a proper word, and I punched his chest in frustration: "To say... that... of all things..." Why would such things evene out of his mouth?! "Then does that mean you will stay out of the duel?" Kaiba''s question snapped me out of my stupor, and I red at him. "No!!!" I fumed: "Of course... not!" "Then what should I do to make you back down?" Kaiba asked, crossing his arms. I can give you money, jewellery, or Duel Monster cards." "Kaiba, stop!" I snapped. Biting my lips, I averted my gaze and spoke dejectedly: "Why... Why are you doing this? I''m not so weak... So why...." Gritting his teeth, Kaiba''s face twisted with various emotions before he let out a resigned sigh, "I don''t know myself..." Covering his face, he groaned withplexion: "It just felt strange. When I know that you might lose your soul..." Staring at him, I quietly opened my mouth, but no words came out. I felt myself unable to say a single thing under the sincerity in his tone, making me realise how serious he actually was. "Kaiba..." I muttered, and we gazed at each other: "I won''t... lose... Please trust me." Under my pleading, Kaiba''s expression was distorted by annoyance, frustration, and eventually resignation. He exhaled deeply as if struggling to find the right words to respond. "Fine..." Kaiba said coldly and leaned so close that our noses almost touched. "But if you break your promise, I will never forgive you...." I gulped and nodded hesitantly, and Kaiba strolled off. Staring at his back, I felt confused about whether to follow him, and my instincts were telling me that he needed some time alone. In the end, I returned to where Yami Yugi and Joey were as they gazed at me awkwardly when I sank into my seat. "Are you sure that you two aren''t married or something?" Joey joked and immediately yelped when I gave him a deathly re. "I want to talk with the Pharaoh... Alone..." I uttered, and reading the room, Joey hurriedly scampered away, leaving me alone with the Pharaoh. Taking a long sip of the already cold tea, I quietly observed Yami Yugi, who seemed ufortable under my scrutinizing gaze: "How should I address you? Should I still call you Mutou?" "Anything is fine..." Yami Yugi replied: "You can still just call me Mutou." "Then... Mutou-san...Are you alright... now?" I asked. "I''m much better than before," he answered honestly: "The time in the Stone Wilderness allowed me to reflect on myself and strengthened my resolve. I don''t know what I would do without it." "Th... That''s good..." I smiled wryly and sneakily wiped the cold sweat from my face. Past Yuna really made the right choice then. "It must... be hard when you lost Yugi..." I spoke softly: "But we will... definitely get him back..." "Yes," Yami Yugi nodded: "I was so angry that time that I almost did something I would''ve regretted. But I won''t give up now." Seeing him clenching his fist, I chuckled and opened up the system store. Navigating through the array of cards before my eyes, I ultimately decided on one that may help Yami Yugi a lot, well at the cost of most of my credits... Biting the inside of my cheek to suppress the frown, I purchased tha card and sneakily summoned it in my pocket. "Yu... no... Pharaoh, please take this..." I said, showing him the card: "I hope... it can help you..." "Staring at it, Yami Yugi''s eyes widened with shock, and he couldn''t believe what he was reading: "Sano?! Where did you get something like this?" Smiling, I ced a finger to my lips: "Secret..." "I see..." Yami Yugi muttered and stared at the card wordlessly: "I will use it well." "Good," I replied after finishing the rest of my tea: "I do want it back.... It''s very expensive...." Yami Yugi:... What? I''m not giving it away for free; it costs a lot of hard-earned credits! Even then, you have to give me something back! That''s how expensive it was!! "Good luck... Pharaoh..." I said and stared at him with confidence: "Don''t lose..." Leaving Yami Yugi to himself, I passed his friends and moved to the front of the ne, where I found Kaiba. Freezing, I nervously stared at him, who was working on hisptop. After some hesitation, I decided to sit next to him, and I anxiously fiddled with my fingers. Eventually, unable to ignore my presence, Kaiba shuts hisptop: "What?" "What... are you doing?" I asked curiously, and he scoffed. "I have just lost contact with the men I sent to the museum, and I''m still trying to figure out what happened..." To my surprise, he willingly exined while gazing at my face. "Oh..." I sounded: "I hope... they''re okay..." As the silence was deafening, I nervously scanned his emotionless face: "Kaiba..." I mumbled anxiously, and he squinted his eyes at the mention of his name: "...Are you mad?" "Mad wouldn''t be the correct term to describe what I''m feeling right now." Kaiba exined while crossing his arms: "More like vexed? stressed? Irked?" "So... mad..." Kaiba:.... "I''m... Sorry..." I frantically apologised when another crease appeared on his forehead: "I... know Kaiba... cares about me..." "So you should realise what you''ve done wrong and listen to my advice," Kaiba said with an expectant smirk. "No..." I shook my head, and his mood immediately soured: "But please... listen.." "Kaiba... I can contribute to the fight..." I exined: "Which meant that if I was there... The level of risk will go down..." "I care about... Kaiba, too!!" I continued loudly, and he flinched in surprise: "So I will... also be worried... So if you duel alone..." When I finished, Kaiba and I stared at each other. Finally, he clicked his teeth and averted his gaze: "This is so unfair...." "???" I tilted my head in confusion. "Alright," He smirked: "I won''t stop you..." "I''m d..." I smiled back, happy that he wasn''t angry with me anymore... [3rd POV] When the nended, Seto immediately ordered a vehicle to bring them to the American KaibaCorp Headquarters. Suddenly, the sky began to warp as ribbons of light danced across the air, simr to an aurora borealis. "What in the world is happening?!" Tristan eximed in shock and wonder. "This must be Dartz''s doing!" Yami Yugi affirmed: "He has finally made a move." As everyone gazes at the sky in awe, Tea pulled out her phone and captured everyone''s attention: "Everyone, take a look at this!" Showing her screen, there were countless videos of Orichalcos Soldiers prowling through the streets all over the world. The police and the militaries tried to stop them, but it was useless as they couldn''t be destroyed using conventional means. "We must hurry," Yami Yugi urged: "Before anyone else gets hurt!" "Dammit," Seto cursed and tapped on the headpiece by his ear: "Noah, the image I sent you, have you finished analysing them yet?!" "About that, I got some bad news..." Noah replied: "The branch in America has been attacked, and I have locked out of the system, so you must do it manually." "Was it the b*stards from Doma again?!" Seto scowled. "Well... It''s best if you go and check it out for yourself...." "Very well..." Seto muttered grimly: "Yugi, Sano,e with me." "Hey, hold on!" Joey interrupted: "What about us?!" "I have already enough troubles on my te," Seto growled: "I don''t need another..." Leaving the whining Joey behind, they swiftly got into the car and sped off to their destination. One Hour Later... "What is this..." Yami Yugi mumbled in disbelief as they stopped outside the entrance of Kaiba Corps. Countless Duel Monsters could be seen flooding the entire lobby as they smashed every obstacle in their way. On each of their foreheads was the symbol of Orichalcos, and their pupils were filled red with malice. "Then we just have to push on through," Seto said, and three duelists simultaneously activated their Duel Disk. Yami Yugi: "I will summon Obnoxious Celtic Guardian!" Seto: "Kaiser Sea Horse, destroy them!" Yuna: "I choose you, Dragon Knight of Creation!" The three warriors rush into the horde, shing every monster in their path. When the room is clear, Seto guides them to the basement levels of the facilities, where they encounter countless monsters trying to ambush them. "There''s just too many..." Yami Yumi groaned. "Step aside!" Seto ordered: "I will activate the Polymerisation in my hand and bring out my Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon!!" Emerging from thin air, Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon howled before unleashing a shining beam that wiped out all the monsters in the hallway. Finally destroying thest of the monsters, Seto calmly opened the doors, where several giant high-techputers greeted them. Approaching one of the devices, Seto connected theputer to his phone, and he uploaded the image as it appeared on therge screen. Typing in themands, theputer began to analyze the image and cross-reference it with all archaeological records ever found. "No, wait... It can''t be!" Seto eximed as the image enchanted on a particr symbol.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "What is it?" Yami Yugi questioned. "That insignia, I''ve seen it somewhere before!" Seto replied while frantically bringing up several images onto the screen: "To think I have never realised!!" On the screen, a symbol resembling a tower with a long serpent wrapped around it appeared. Behind the building was a six-headed star resembling the Star of David, and encasing the entire symbol was a golden circle. "That symbol represents a secret financial organization known as Paradius. Rumour has it that they control a small piece of everypany in the world..." "Then that means the leader of Doma, Dartz, was the owner of this verypany!" Yami Yugi deduced in shock. Suddenly, their surroundings began to darken, and the space around them distorted: "Congrattions, Pharaoh!" An ominous voice greeted them, and they spotted a man standing on the top of a massive ck serpent. "Dartz..." Yuna mumbled, and the man''s smile widened to an eerie degree. "That''s right. I''m impressed that you three havested this far..." "Where is Yugi?!" Yami Yugi shouted angrily: ''What have you done to my friend?!" "Your friend?" Dartz chuckled. Well, he will be the sustenance for the Great God!! Soon, the Great Leviathan will awaken and bring this world into a new era!" Yami Yugi: "We will stop you before that ever happens!" "So you say..." Dartz''s pupils swept through the three duelists with a sharp glint: "Facing against the three strongest duellists indeed proved to be formidable. So why not even out the odds?" With a single hand wave, the ck serpent hissed and lunged at Yuna at a blinding speed. "Sano!!" Seto shouted and sprinted towards her with all his might. But no matter how fast he ran, the monster was too fast... "Kaiba..." Yuna mumbled in a daze, and she realised that Seto wouldn''t make it in time. She tried to move, but her body wouldn''t respond to hermand, and her feet remained firmly nted in the ground. "Ah..." Yuna stared at the serpent''s gaping mouth and nced at Seto''s desperation: "Kaiba..." BOOOOM The shockwave sted away Seto, and he rolled across the ground. When he opened his eyes, he saw the ground where Yuna stood, which was simply an empty void devoid of life. "We shall meet again, Pharaoh..." Dartz said with a smile, and his figure disappeared as the environment around them returned to normal-except for the disappearance of a certain girl. "DAMMMMITTTT!!!" Seto howled with rage, and he punched the ground: "DARTZ, I WILL KILL YOU!!!!" Meanwhile... [Yuna''s POV] "Nn..." I groaned and slowly regained consciousness. I could feel pain all over my body as I slowly sat up, finding myself in a dark room lit by torches. In front of me was a set of stairs leading to a wide altar illuminated by a sizeable fiery brazier that screamed out cultist vibes. "Where am I..." I mumbled in a daze. "So you''re awake?" a familiar voice answered, and I felt the hair on my arms stand on end. At the top of the stairs stood Dartz; his visage was contorted with madness as he smiled gleefully. Sensing something had gone terribly wrong, I hurriedly stood up and pressed my back against the wall. "Your friends won''t be here to help you..." Dartz calmly exined and stepped down the stairs. "You have always been a thorn in my side," he said coldly. So I havee to deal with you right here." "Damn..." I cursed and hurriedly activated my Duel Disk, sweat dripped down my face as the intense bloodlust directed at me send a chill down my spine. "Enough said...." I snarled warily: "Are we... fighting or what?" Dartzughed, and his voice echoed through the chambers: "To have such confidence, I look forward to whates next... Now, it is time to show you what true fear is!" "Are you ready to duel, Child from another world?" I hope you enjoy it! The darts duel might take a bit longer. Sorry about that, I thought about postponing this for next week but since I have already promised so oh well, I will figure something out. Chapter 77: Dartz Chapter 77: Dartz ? "What..." I stepped backwards in shock, and I couldn''t believe what I had just heard." "Are you surprised?" Dartz chuckled. "I was, too, to think there''s a whole other world out there, one that is much different from our own, and your soul may be the key for me to ess it." My body trembled in fright, and I felt my legs giving out: "How..." I managed to muster a single word, and Dartz smiled diabolically while reaching for his Duel Disk. Slowly, he revealed the Seal of Orichalcos from his Duel Disk and staring at the card, I could feel the aura even more ominous and disgusting than before... "Every time when the Seal of Orichalcos is yed, the two people''s souls will be connected with the power of the Great Leviathan. This meant our great God is always watching... Listening. Our thoughts, memories, and even our deepest darkest desires will be revealed." "Should I say that it''s thanks to Rafael and Alister that I was able to take a glimpse into this other world?" Dartz continued. "Thanks to them, I was able to find powerful Duel Monster spirits that have never been seen before, and with the Great Leviathan, I was able to harness their power and make the impossible possible!!!" ''I see now.....'' I red at Dartz with anger. That''s how they all have these insane decks that were never seen in the story. To Dartz, my mind was like a massive Yugioh encyclopedia with tons of information worth diving into. Just the thought of him going through my memories made me want to vomit. "Which was why I will take your soul now. With the knowledge, even the Pharaoh won''t be able to stop me!" "I''d like to see you try!"Let''s duel!" I snapped, "Very well," He smiled calmly: "I always wee a challenge." [Dartz: 4000 LP] [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP] "I shall begin." Dartz said: "I will start my turn by activating the Seal of Orichalcos!!" Immediately, the disgusting and ominous sensation washed over me, and I scowled deeply as the green seal formed beneath my feet. "Next, I will pay five hundred life points and summon Orichalcos Kyutora from my hand!!" He dered, and a small creature covered in spikes appeared on the field. The monster resembled a green sea urchin. Dozens of long, thin legs protruded out of every direction of its body, and in the centre was a massive red eye. [Orichalcos Kyutora: 500 Attack] [Orichalcos Kyutora: 500 -> 1000 Attack] "Finally, I will set two cards and a monster face down, ending my turn," Dartz spoke mysteriously, and my mind raced, unable to grasp his strategy. ''What was it going to be? Is he going to stick with the Orichalcos Deck, or will he pair it with something else?'' I squinted, deep in thought, while hesitantly drawing a card. "It''s my turn!" I dered: "I will y my spell card, Card Destruction! We will both discard our entire hands before drawing the same number of cards we have discarded!" Dumping all our cards into the graveyard, we began to draw, and I stared at Dartz warily: ''Now... What would it be? Will you finally show me what you''re hiding?'' However, nothing had prepared me for what came next... "First, I will activate Eclipse Wyvern in my graveyard to banish Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon from my deck! Any response?" "Hmm," Dartz rubbed his chin with a slight smirk: "Indeed, I will activate the effect of Shaddoll Beast in my graveyard to draw one card!" Me: !!! "Sh*t..." I quietly cursed in displeasure: "Out of all the decks... It just has to be Shaddoll?" This might be one of the worst matchups for me. While my deck''s strategy was to flood the field with my powerful dragons, Dartz''s Shaddoll consists of setting monsters face down while having various flip and graveyard effects that can severely hinder his opponent. Let''s not even talk about the number of powerful fusion monsters! Forcing myself to stay calm, I continued to y: "Next, I will activate Lightpulsar Dragon''s effect in my hand to banish Eclipse Wyvern and Keeper of the Shrine in my graveyard to summon it onto my field!" [Lightpur Dragon: 2500 Attack] "With Eclipse Wyvern''s ability, when it is banished, I can add a banished dragon monster back to my hand. I will choose my Red Eyes-Darkness Metal Dragon." "Now I will battle! Lightpulsar Dragon, attack that face-down monster!!" Lightpulsar Dragon lunged, swinging its arms and tearing a significant mark on the card while it flipped upwards. This revealed a puppet shaped like a golden gecko, and the creature squealed as its pupils shined a purple hue. "You have triggered the effect of my Shaddoll Squamata," Dartz exined with a wry smile. When this card is flipped, I can target you, Lightpulsar Dragon and destroy it!" Shaddoll Squamata screeched, and the strings protruding from its body pierced the white dragon''s scales, causing the two monsters to burst into ck, shadowy particles. "When Lightpulsar Dragon is sent to the graveyard, I summon one level five or higher Dark Monster from the grave! I will choose my Crescent Dragon!" [Crescent Dragon: 2200 Attack] "Crescent Dragon, continue to battle; attack Orichalcos Kyutora!" With my order, Crescent Dragon charged and swung its de, cleaving the sea urchin in half. "While on the field, Orichalcos Kyutora can reduce any damage I''ve taken to zero. Additionally, once it was destroyed, I will be able to bring out my second Orichalcos Monster, Orichalcos Shunoros!!" *RUMBLE* The floor bursts open, and a massive green arm emerges from underground. Pulling itself up, the monster reveals its entire appearance: a gigantic golem made of purplish and green metal. The monster stands motionless like a statue while its narrowed eyes cast an eerie glow. [Orichalcos Shunoros: ? Defence] "While Orichalcos Shunoros is on the field, it will gain attack and defence equal to the damage reduced to zero by Orichalcos Kyutora''s effect." [Orichalcos Shunoros: ? -> 1200 Defence] "Also, when Orichalcos Shunoros is summoned, I can special summon Orichalcos Dexia and Orichalcos Aristeros!!" Lifting its head, Orichalcos''s Shunoros groaned, and its arms suddenly detached from its body, acting independently from itself. [Orichalcos Dexia: ? Defence] [Orichalcos Aisteros: ? Defence] "Tsk..." I clicked my teeth. I would activate Crescent Dragon''s effect to discard Arkbrave Dragon in my hand and add a second of Crescent Dragon from my deck," I said with a grimace. I set one card face down and ended my turn. "Then, during your end phase," Dartz continued: "I will activate my trap card, Resh Shaddoll Incarnation, to target my Shaddoll Beast and special summon the monster in a face-down defence position; any problems?" "None..." I growled at his teasing. "Then I will draw," Dartz said, and I hurriedly interrupted him: "During the standby Phase, Arkbrave Dragon''s effect has been activated, and I will summon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from the graveyard!!!" *ROARRRRRR* A furious roar resounded behind me, and I smiled instinctively. With a loud booming sound, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrandnded and flexed its majestic wings while ring at Dartz with anger. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack] "When Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand is summoned from the graveyard, I can target one monster on your field or graveyard and banish it! Then, it could gain attack and defence equal to the monster''s level multiplied by one hundred!" With a smirk, I pointed at Dartz: "I choose you, Orichalcos Shunoros!" Opening its jaw, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand fired a bright beam, striking the statue. Unable to endure the attack, Orichalcos Shunoros exploded, sending stone shards flying in every direction. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3800 Attack] "Since Orichalcos Shunoros have left the field, Orichalcos Aisteros and Orichalcos Dexia will be destroyed along with it!" I dered, and the two limbs were also caught in the explosion. "Well yed," Dartzmented and nced at the new card in his hand: "Let me continue. I will first y the spell card Card of Sanctity, and we will both draw until we have six cards in our hands." "Next, I will activate the field spell, Orichalcos Deuteros!!" *WHOOOSH* The Seal of Orhalcos expanded, and I shivered as the sensation intensified. It was like someone was tightly gripping my heart, making it difficult to breathe... "This sensation... Can you feel it?" Dartz chuckled and spread his arms: "The Great Leviathan is watching over us." "You''re insane..." I swore and coughed in difort. "Soon, you will understand. For now, you need to be obedient." He shrugged and tapped on the button on his Duel Disk: "I will flip-summon my Shaddoll Beast!" [Shaddoll Beast: 2200 Attack] [Shaddoll Beast: 2200 -> 2700 Attack] "When Shaddoll Beast is flip-summoned to draw two cards and then discard one card from my hand," Dartz exined and showed me his card: "I will discard my Shaddoll Core and, with its effect, add back the Shaddoll Fusion I have sent to the graveyard earlier..." "Now, I will activate Shaddoll Fusion!! I will fuse Orichalcos Kyutora and Shaddoll Hedgehog to summon the fusion summon, El Shaddoll Construct!!" A dark portal manifested in the air, and a slim woman arrived through the ckish hole. Herplexion waspletely pale, and her movements were stiff like a doll. Her body was not that of a human, with parts wholly made out of metal and dressed simrly to a nun. Fixing its nonexistent eyes towards me, El Shaddoll Construct tilted her head as various pink strings emerged from her back. They tethered her against the walls, lifting her off the ground. [El Shaddoll Construct: 2800 Attack] [El Shaddoll Construct: 2800 -> 3300 Attack] I will activate the effect of El Shaddoll Construct and Shaddoll Hedgehog." Darz said: "El Shaddoll Construct allows me to send one Shaddoll Monster from my deck to the graveyard, and Shaddoll Hedgehog allows me to add one Shaddoll Monster from my deck to my hand." "I will send Shaddoll Dragon from the deck to the graveyard and proceed to activate its effect," He spoke while pointing at my set card: "When Shaddoll Dragon is sent to the graveyard, I can target one spell or trap card on the field to destroy it." "Then I will activate the trap you''re targeting, Waboku!!" I shouted, and my face-down card revealed itself: "This turn, I will take no battle damage, and my monsters can''t be destroyed by battle this turn!" "I won''t let that happen. I will activate my trap card, WireTap, to negate your Waboku''s effect!!" Dartz smirked. Now, I will set one monster face down and banish the Resh Shaddoll Incarnation in my graveyard to flip that monster face-up to reveal Shaddoll Squamata!" [Shaddoll Squamata: 1800 Attack] [Shaddoll Squamata: 1800 -> 2300 Attack] "With Shaddoll Squamata, I can target your Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and destroy it!!" "In response, I will banish the Return of the Dragon Lords in the grave, and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand won''t be destroyed!" "Then I will battle!" Dartz shouted back: "El Shaddoll Construct, attack Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand! Since Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand is a special-summoned monster, I can destroy it instead!" Raising one of her limbs, strings shoot out of El Shaddoll Construct''s fingertips, piercing Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, and my monster fell helplessly to the ground. "Shaddoll Beast, tear that Crescent Dragon to shreds!" Dartzmanded, and the monster fearlessly lunged. Crescent Dragon was overwhelmed by the creature''s sheer strength. [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP -> 3500 LP] "Shaddoll Squamata, attack her life points directly!!" *BANG* I was knocked off my feet, and I was sent flying, my body crashing against the wall, "Guh..." I groaned in pain and copsed on all fours. Covering my mouth, I coughed and felt the blood staining my palm. Enduring the stinging sensation along my back, I nced at my life points, which had dropped rmingly low. [Yuna Sano: 3500 LP -> 1200 LP] "Stand up," Dartz stared at me coldly: "I never told you that this duel ended." ring at the religious lunatic, I used the wall to support myself: "Don''t mind me, justN?v(el)B\\jnn tripped..." I spat and wiped my mouth with my sleeve. *Bzzzz* Suddenly, I felt a slight vibration in my back pocket, and I instinctively reached for my phone. The screen was cracked in several ces due to the fall, but the message disyed on the distorted ss instantly lifted my mood. Kaiba: I''m on my way. Be careful. "It looks like Rafael has failed," Dartzmented thoughtfully: "That was to be expected. He was always so stubborn about keeping true to his cards. That means he must have lost his soul." "Aren''t you even feeling remotely upset?" I growled: "Rafael was very loyal to you." "Loyal, yes," Dartz agreed: "Nheless, he has fulfilled his purpose, and his soul will fuel the great God." "This b*stard..." I cussed at him unhesitantly: "Enough with the babbling and keep ying." "Then I shall. After the Battle phase, I will activate the effect of Orichalcos Deuteros and gain five hundred life points for every monster I control." [Dartz: 3500 LP -> 5000 LP] "Finally, I will set three cards and end my turn. It''s your move, Yuna Sano." I bit my lips, my gazes alternating between the cards in my hand and the phone. Sighing, I quietly apologised to Kaiba in my head. It looks like this duel might be finished before then... "But..." My eyes turned fierce, and I tightly held my cards, feeling the texture rubbing against my fingertips: "That doesn''t mean I won''t go down without a fight!" "I will draw!!" I dered, and Dartz reacted by activating one of the set cards on the field. "During your draw phase, I will activate my spell card, El Shaddoll Fusion!! I Will Use Reeshaddoll Wendi in my hand and Shaddoll Beast on the field to summon El Shaddoll Winda!!" *Growl* Appearing out of another portal was a giant mechanical dragon coated in purple. The monster unnaturally tilted its head and eagerly snapped its jaw as its pupilless eyes zoned in on me. Standing on top of the dragon''s back was a short girl built from parts. Her neon green hair shook wildly as she waved her long staff in the air. [El Shaddoll Winda: 2200 Attack] [El Shaddoll Winda: 2200 -> 2700 Attack] "While El Shaddoll Winda is on the field, we can only special summon once per turn." Dartz exined with a wry smile: "Now, I will also activate the effect of Reeshaddoll Wendi and Shaddoll Beast." "Shaddoll Beast allows me to draw one additional card, and Reeshaddoll Wendi allows me to summon Shaddoll Hedgehog from the deck in a face-down position." Frowning, I stared at El Shaddoll Winda with annoyance: "Then I will y Return of the Dragon Lords and summon back my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack] "I will activate Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s effect to banish El Shaddoll Winda! With El Shaddoll Winda gone, the restriction has also been removed!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3300 Attack] "Next, I will summon Dark End Evaporation Dragon by banishing Starving Venom Fusion Dragon from my extra deck!" A tall dragon with scales as ck as obsidian appeared beside Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand. It had sharp ws, giant bat-like wings, and horns on both sides of its head. However, the most noticeable feature was the demon''s face on its chest. [1] [Dark End Evaporation Dragon: 2600 Attack] "When Dark End Evaporation Dragon is summoned, I can also summon Knight Armed Dragon from my hand!" [Knight Armed Dragon: 1600 Attack] "Using Knight Armed Dragon, I will banish that monster to summon Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon from my hand!" [Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon: 2800 Attack] "I will activate Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon''s effect to summon Arkbrave Dragon from my graveyard!" [Arkbrave Dragon: 2400 Attack] "With Arkbrave Dragon''s effect, I can banish all face-up spells or traps on the field!!" I shouted: "That means the Orichalcos Deuterous will be removed from y!" *BOOOOM* The temple rumbled as Arkbrave Dragon generated an explosion that consumed the field. Instantly, I felt the seal''s power weaken, and the Orichalcos symbol on his monsters'' heads disappeared. [Shadoll Squamata: 2300 -> 1800 Attack] [El Shaddoll Construct: 3300-> 2800 Attack] However, just before I could rx, the Seal of Orichalcos burst forth, and the energy intensified: "What..." I mumbled in shock: "I thought I had destroyed it..." "Fool..." Dartz sneered: "Do you genuinely believe that the Seal could be destroyed that easily? The card was merely a formality, but your fate was closed as soon as this duel began." "No way... Was this a Shadow Game all along?" I questioned, and Dartz confirmed my worst suspicion with a nod. "Indeed." He smiled: "Aren''t you excited when everything is on the line?" "Shut up!" I snapped. I won''t lose here; I will not die! "Dartz!" My shout travelled through the chambers: "This battle will end! Right here, right now!!" Raising my hand into the air, I gathered my breath and felt my body heat up as I began to chant... "Almighty protector of the sun and sky, I beg of thee, please heed my cry!" "Transform thyself from orb of light and bring me victory in this fight!" I beseech thee, grace our humble game!" But first I shall...call out thy name, Winged Dragon of Ra!" Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon, Arkbrave Dragon, and Dark End Evaporation Dragon all burst into light as they slowly merge into arger being. When the light dispersed, a gold dragon stood in the centre, its size reaching the ceiling, and the monster shrieked in sheer rage. [Winged Dragon of Ra: 8000 Attack] "Now, Winged Dragon of Ra, attack El Shaddoll Construct and end this duel!!" I demanded, and the god responded to my cry. "Not so fast!" Dartz shouted: "I will reveal my quick-y spell, Book of Moon and flip my El Shaddoll Construct facedown!!" *BOOOOM* Before the attack could reach her, El Shaddoll Construct hurriedly hid. The attack devasted where she stood, and the trace of the face-down card was utterly destroyed. When the smoke covered my vision, I anxiously gritted my teeth, knowing the result of the confrontation. However, despite the massive advantage, my instincts were screaming at me, telling my brain that something had gone terribly wrong... Suddenly, I dodged as a long figure emerged from the smoke, its humongous body calling across the walls. "Mu ha ha... MU HA HA!" Dartz''sughter echoed deeply as the beast revealed its proper form: a massive serpent with hideous features and green scales. Standing on top of the monster was Dartz, his eyes bloodshot as he giggled with ecstasy. "I truly have to congratte you. I had not expected someone like you to summon an Egyptian God Card during the duel. But you''re right; it''s truly over." "When my El Shaddoll Construct is destroyed, I will pay all of my life points and bring out my strongest monster in my deck, Divine Serpent Geh!!!" [2] [Dartz: 5000 LP ->0 LP] [Divine Serpent Geh: " Attack] "As long as this card is on the field, I cannot lose the duel, regardless of condition," Dartz announced. "During my main phase, I can send ten cards from my deck to the graveyard and attack!" "This is the end!!" Dartz shouted. I will activate my trap card, Maytr''s Curse!! Target your Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and Divine Serpent Geh to battle, and you cannot activate the monster effect in response to this card!!" "No!!" I yelled in horror as Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand howled in pain. No matter how much I shouted, my dragon groaned, ignoring my voice. Its pupil darkened and fearlessly charged at the deadly beast. Watching everything in slow motion, I felt my heart freeze as the two monsters collided... Ending the duel once and for all... *BOOOOOOOM* [Yuna Sano: 1200 LP -> 0 LP] I hope you enjoy it [1] Dark Evaporation Dragon is an ocg card that still hasn''t been released, but it''s cool, so it was used. [2] It was decided that Divine Serpent Geh''s effect was abination of the anime and real- life versions. Since the anime version was so difficult to summon, it would be better this way. Chapter 78: Bitter Taste of Defeat Chapter 78: Bitter Taste of Defeat ? [Yuna''s POV] *BOOOOOM* The explosion rocked the room, hurling me through the air with force. I felt the brutal impact as I skidded across the floor, every nerve screaming in protest. Clutching my stomach, I fought back the lunch rising in my throat. As I groaned in pain, I nced up to see the Seal of Orichalcos ominously advancing toward me, its sinister presence creeping like a hungry predator stalking its prey. "Looks like it''s my victory," Dartz smirked and watched as the Seal surrounded me: "Don''t feel too displeased. Your sacrifice will fuel the awakening of the Great God." "You..." I growled through clenched teeth, defiance burning in my eyes. "You won''t... get away with this..." "Who will stop me?" he asked with chilling nonchnce. "The Pharaoh? It''s already toote. Once I''ve delved into your memories, there''ll be no stopping me!" "Tsk..." I clicked my teeth in frustration, attempting to rise, but my legs betrayed me, buckling beneath the weight of exhaustion as the Seal of Orichalcos swiftly enveloped me. Agony surged through every fibre of my being, a searing torment that threatened to consume me whole. Clenching my fists, I dug my nails into my palms, a feeble attempt to ground myself amidst the overwhelming pain. I bit down hard on my lip, stifling the urge to scream as I endured the relentless onught. "Interesting..." Dartz observed curiously: "Typically, it''s much less painful than this..." "That''s because I don''t even have aplete soul, you b*stard..." I spat out the words, my re seething with anger. "Damn... it! Not... yet!" Despite my fervent defiance, every ounce of resistance seemed futile as I felt my strength ebbing away. Helpless and immobilized, I could only watch as Dartz closed in on me. Refusing to meet his gaze, I fixed my eyes on the ground beneath his feet, the sound of his sneer echoing ominously in my ears. With a chilling whisper, he leaned in close, his breath hot against my ear. "Don''t worry. I''ll ensure that boy joins you soon enough." I froze as Dartz''s words seared into my consciousness, igniting a fiery rage within me. Despite the agony coursing through my veins, I summoned every ounce of strength to rise, my eyes aze with fury. With trembling hands, I reached out and seized his cor, my grip fueled by sheer determination. "If you... hurt him!" My voice quivered with exhaustion yetced with an unmistakable warning. With a swift motion, I was knocked back to the ground as Dartz forcefully swiped my hand away, his eyes aze with contempt. "Keep your hands off of me..." His voice dripped with disdain. My limbs were heavy and unresponsive; I could only gaze helplessly at the ground, frustration boiling within me. "Dammit..." I muttered through gritted teeth, my fists clenched in futile resistance as the darkness threatened to consume me. But then, a glimmer of hope flickered as I turned my head slightly, catching sight of the Winged Dragon of Ra lying nearby. It was as if the card was calling for my name, and my instincts were telling me to grab it as soon as possible. With nothing left to lose, I stretched out my hand for the desperate lifeline offered to me. Noticing my subtle movements, Dartz''s sneer twisted into a cruel grin as he deliberately stepped on my wrist, sending a shockwave of pain through my bones. With my body screaming in protest, I pressed my hand firmly onto the card, and my vision dimmed. Damn... I could barely move my body now, and the pain seemed to lessen as every nerve felt numb. I wasn''t expecting much anyway since it''s only possible to defeat Dartz through the power of the Pharaoh. So, an extra like me could only stall for as long as possible. "Kaiba... Yugi..." I managed a wry smile. "If you guys throw now, you won''t hear the end from me..." With that final, half-hearted jest, my consciousness began to slip away, and I sensed my soul gradually detaching from my battered body... [3rd POV] As the Seal of Orichalcospleted its ritual, Dartz raised his hand. From within Yuna''s weakened form, a small white orb emerged, hovering delicately in the air before gently settling onto his outstretched palm. Frowning, he scrutinized the soul contained within the orb. Typically, the size of a person''s soul is simr to a baseball. In contrast, an elderly person''s soul will be more minor due to already spending quite some time being alive, and a child''s soul would beparativelyrger. However, gazing at Yuna''s soul''s diminutive size, Dartz couldn''t conceal his confusion. "Why is it so small?" It barely surpassed the size of a ping-pong ball, a third of the average soul''s magnitude. "Tsk, how disappointing... Barely enough for me to wield..." Just as Dartz was ready to offer her soul to the Great Leviathan, an overwhelming pressure surged throughout the chamber, catching him off guard. His body tensed instinctively, but before he couldprehend the situation, a powerful force sent him hurtling through the air with startling force. As Dartz regained his footing, he quickly realized that Yuna''s soul was no longer in his grasp. With a scowl etched deep on his features, he cast a venomous re towards the divine golden dragon materializing before him. The Winged Dragon of Ra let out a deafening screech, its powerful voice causing the very foundations of the building to tremble. ring back at Dartz with unbridled contempt, the Egyptian God made its presence known. Bowing its majestic head, the Winged Dragon of Ra emitted a soft whimper as it tenderly nudged Yuna''s soul. Bathed in a radiant golden light, the divine creature enveloped her essence with its expansive wings, shielding it from harm. Then, with a graceful flourish, the magnificent beast vanished into the ether, carrying Yuna''s soul with it, leaving behind a lingering sense of awe and reverence. Staring at the space, Dartz opened and closed his mouth dumbfoundedly, confused about what had just happened. Closing his eyes, he tried to locate Yuna''s soul with Orichalcos''s Power, but he was surprised when her soul disappeared without a trace-it was as if it had been erased from this world. "How..." Dartz muttered, his voice barely a whisper, as his bewildered gaze drifted towards the Winged Dragon of Ra now nestled within Yuna''s hand. *BOOOOOM* As the doors to the room exploded open, Dartz''s gaze settled calmly on the two figures emerging from the distance. His eyes sparked with intrigue as his eyesnded on the Millennium Puzzle adorning one of their necks. Slowly, a knowing smile spread across his lips, and he made a deliberate choice to push thoughts of Yuna''s soul aside for now. With fresh prey entering his domain, his focus shifted entirely to the new arrivals, his mission clear: to prepare them for sacrifices to his Great God... [Earlier] Seto''s frustration erupted into a disy of raw emotion as heshed out at the room. With a forceful punch, he struck the wall, his stoic facade cracking momentarily. Gripped by a rare surge of anger, he hurled a chair at the monitor, shattering the screen in a burst of fury. "F*ck!!!" he cursed, his voice filled with raw emotion as he vented his rage. "Kaiba, calm down!" Yami Yugi''s firm voice cut through the chaos. "We must act reasonably! The longer we dy, the greater the danger to Sano!" "You think I don''t know that?!" Seto''s retort was sharp, his re piercing through the tension in the room. Without hesitation, he snatched up his phone. "Noah, track Sano''sst known cellphone signal now!!" After a tense few seconds, a map materialized on his screen, revealing Yuna''s whereabouts. "What is it?" Yami Yugi inquired, noticing Seto''s furrowed brow as he examined the picture on his phone. It disyed a map of a remote ind, uninhabited by people, nestled in the Antic Ocean near the Bermuda Triangle. "You better not be messing with me," Seto threatened, his tone sharp with suspicion, as Noah hurriedly exined he was telling the truth. Reluctantly, Seto decided to follow the boy''s instructions, realizing they had no other viable options. However, as they moved towards the entrance, their path was abruptly blocked by three individuals. "I''m sorry, but your charades end here," Rafael dered, his arms folded across his chest as he fixed a stern gaze on the two duelists. "Rafael..." Yami Yugi growled, his eyes flicking towards the two figures standing behind him. "You must be Valon and..." His voice trailed off as he turned his attention to the woman standing awkwardly beside them. "Mai..." Mai opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a word, a loud voice shattered the moment. "MAI!!!" All heads turned to see Joey sprinting down the street, his friends in hot pursuit. Gathering his breath, Joey fixed Mai with a piercing re, his eyes brimming with questions. "I finally found you," he panted, frustration evident in his voice. "I don''t understand, Mai. Why would you even team up with people like them!?" Hearing Joey''s question, Mai cast a fleeting nce at Valon and Rafael before letting out a soft chuckle. "Because I''ve realized that I was merely a frog in a well," she mused, a hint of wistfulness in her voice. "It was only until recently that I came face to face with the real world." Joey shook his head in confusion. "I don''t understand..." "All this time!" Mai eximed, her voice tinged with self-realization. "I always thought that I was a powerful duelist, someone with above-average skills." "You are, Mai," Joey interjected firmly. "You''re not just some random duelist!" "Oh yeah?" Mai''s smile turned wry. "That isn''t what other people think. At first, I was known as the person who reached third ce in Pegasus''s Duelist Kingdom, but do you know what people call me afterwards?" "Someone who wasn''t eliminated in the Battle City Qualifiers, but a duelist who was kicked out just because there were too many people..." Mai''s tone turned cold. "I, who have put in so much effort, was easily surpassed by four random people that were never heard of." [1] "It was when I won a minor tournament that I overheard others say how embarrassing it was to lose to someone like me. I finally snapped... That''s why I joined Doma; with their help, I can gain strength like never before and prove to everyone that I''m not some weakling they think I am!" "Mai..." Yami Yugi and Joey muttered with guilt, uncertain of how to respond. However, their expressions shifted from uncertainty to shock as Seto''s sneer filled the air with contempt. "Pathetic," he uttered, his tone dripping with venom. "I was expecting something more dramatic, but it turns out to be this nd." "Kaiba!" Joey hissed angrily. "You''re out of line!" "Hmph..." Seto scoffed, his re piercing as he directed his gaze towards Mai. "If you''re going to join people like them for such a reason, then it''s natural for you to be this weak." "What the hell do you know about it, huh?!" she snapped back, her voiceced with rage. "What don''t I know?" Seto shrugged dismissively. "Do you think it''s just you who felt this way? I was the World Champion seven months ago. Where am I now?" "But, unlike you, who have to grovel beneath someone else''s feet, I actually used everything in my power to get back what''s rightfully mine," Seto uttered coldly. "So don''t give me that bullsh*t." "I have wasted enough time; I''m leaving," Seto dered, his tone final as he turned to walk away. Rafael moved to follow, but Seto halted abruptly, his icy gaze sweeping over everyone present. "If anyone''s going to stop me," he continued, his voice cutting through the tense silence, "I won''t settle this with a card game anymore."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "Then wait for us; you can''t go fight Dartz alone," Yami Yugi reasoned, understanding that trying to hold Seto back might only provoke him further, driving him to charge headlong into danger. "Tsk... Fine," Seto spat out begrudgingly. "Make it quick." "Geez, that one," Joey muttered, frustration evident in his voice as he ruffled his hair. Listen up, Yug. You deal with Rafael, and I''ll take on Mai and that other guy." "Good luck," Yami Yugi nodded, his gaze sharpening with determination. "Thest time we met, I was foolish and arrogant. But this time, I won''t mess up; let''s duel!!" [Rafael: 4000 LP] [Yami Yugi: 4000 LP] 30 Minutester... Seto impatiently tapped the floor with his foot, his annoyance growing with each passing second. Yami Yugi and his friends still hadn''t shown up. The urge to leave on his own intensified, but Seto resisted, knowing deep down that the Pharaoh''s words held truth. It would be pointless if he blindly rushed towards Dartz only to get defeated himself, and he wanted to trust in Yuna''s promise that she would be safe. "Kaiba!" Seto lifted his head as Yami Yugi ran towards him from a distance. Behind him were his friends, and Seto noticed Tristan carrying the unconscious Joey on his back. Without saying anything, Seto guessed what had happened by observing the pharaoh''s grimace. "Looks like you''re here," he spoke calmly, then opened the door of the helicopter. "Let''s go." As the helicopter soared through the sky, Seto nced out of the window to see a fierce storm raging ahead of them. Entering the storm, the vehicle shook wildly, and everyone clung tightly to the railings to avoid falling over. In the silent and tense atmosphere, Seto''s eyes subconsciously wandered to Joey, who was surrounded by all of his friends. Gritting his teeth, he tightly clenched the phone in his hands and stared at the message he had sent earlier. But to his worries, he had not received a single reply... "Sir, we are almost there," the pilot''s voice snapped Seto out of his stupor, prompting him to move to the cockpit. In the distance, the structure of an ind could be seen being struck by a massive cyclone. "Get us as close as possible, even if we crash," Seto ordered firmly. "We have to get onto that ind." "Understood," the pilot nodded, his expression grim. "Hang on tight; it''s going to be a bumpy ride." *BANG* Seto groaned as the turbulence caused the helicopter to veer off course, and he could hear T¨¦a shrieking in surprise as they were thrown to the ground. "Damn it, move!" Seto shouted, grabbing the pilot and pulling him out of his seat. With a determined grip on the cyclic stick, he used all of his strength to wrestle the aircraft back under control. The helicopter reverberated with the ring of rms and people''s screams. Cursing under his breath, Seto felt like his arms were about to be torn off as the storm''s power intensified. "Sir, we''re getting too low!" The pilot yelled in themotion. "I know!!" Seto hissed: "Brace... for impact!" Seto emerged from the wreckage, his body aching from the roughnding. He silently thanked his lucky stars that they hadn''t met a fiery end. "Anyone hurt?" Seto''s voice sliced through the tense air as he surveyed the group. The pilot shook his head. "Good. You stay put and call for help. The rest of you, stick with me." Pushing through the dense foliage, they stumbled upon a looming structure, its entrance gaping wide like the mouth of a beast. The allure of whaty inside was undeniable. "Is this it?" Yami Yugi''s voice echoed in the cavernous space, and Seto nodded, his eyes fixed on the massive Paradius logo adorning the wall. "It''s a wonder no one stumbled upon this until now," Tristan remarked, eyeing the open doors warily. "Do you think it''s a trap?" "There''s only one way to find out," the Pharaoh dered, his tone resolute as he strode towards the building, Seto shadowing his every step. Traversing through the dark hallways, the group suddenly found themselves startled as the entire building shook violently, sending tremors rippling through the corridors. "Woah, what was that?!" T¨¦a ''s voice quivered in fright. ROAARRRRR A deafening roar pierced the air, causing everyone to freeze in ce, their bodies tense with apprehension. Then, as if in response, a second explosion rocked the structure, knocking them off their feet. As the echoes of the chaos faded away, the building returned to an eerie silence, leaving nothing but the sound of their anxious breaths filling the air. "What was that..." T¨¦a trembled with uncertainty while Seto and Yami Yugi''s expressions darkened with concern. "That''s the sound of a duel..." Yami Yugi''s grimace deepened. "We have to hurry!" Ignoring the looming danger, everyone sprinted with all their might. As the silence enveloped them once more, Seto''s heart churned with anxiety, praying fervently that they weren''t too late... Five Minutes Later... *BANG* The door leading to thest room burst open as Seto and Yami Yugi arrived, their chests heaving as they struggled to catch their breath. The building was farrger than they had anticipated, stretching several floors underground. "Dartz!" the Pharaoh''s voice thundered across the room as he spotted the man standing in the distance, his features illuminated by the braziers ced along the room. "Your schemes end here!" "Wee, Pharaoh..." Dartz''s smile was chilling as his gaze locked onto Yami Yugi''s face with unmistakable interest. "I have been expecting you..." "Where''s Sano!?" Seto''s demand was punctuated by the clenching of his fists. "Where is she?!" Dartz chuckled dismissively at Seto''s remark as if he were facing a whining child. "Sano... Of course, she''s right there." Following his finger, everyone turned their attention to the side of the room. Their bodies froze at the frightening sight: Yuna''s motionless formy sprawled on the cold floor, her Duel Monster cards scattered around her. "Sano, no..." T¨¦a gasped, her hand flying to cover her mouth in shock. Staring at Yuna''s dishevelled appearance, Seto''s mind went nk, his heart pounding in his chest. He couldn''t tear his gaze away from her motionless form. Moving instinctively, he rushed to her side and grasped her shoulders, his voice trembling with anxiety. "Sano! Answer me! Wake up!" *Drip Drip..* Seto''s pupils quivered as he stared at Yuna''s face, his breath catching in his throat as he noticed a trail of blood leaking from her lips. Slowly lifting her head, Seto''s eyes widened in shock as he took in the blood stters around them. "Why is there blood... This has to be a joke, right?" But despite his desperate questioning, there was no response. Trembling, Seto reached for Yuna''s wrist, his shoulders sagging with relief when he felt a faint pulse beneath his touch. "Kaiba," Yami Yugi called out, his gaze flickering between Seto and Yuna anxiously. "Is she alright?" "She''s alive," Seto responded grimly, his voice tinged with worry. "But she won''t wake up..." "Then her soul..." Yami Yugi''s fists clenched, unable to finish. "To think Sano will lose as well..." "Tsk..." Seto clicked his teeth in frustration, his chest heaving with suppressed rage. Slowly turning his head, he fixed a piercing re on the man behind all this. "Dartz..." Watching from a distance, Dartz finally chuckled and descended from the tall stairs. "I assume you have finished the act?" "What did you do to her?" Seto snarled, his anger palpable as he confronted Dartz. "I merely followed the will of my God and defeated her," Dartz exined, his tone indifferent. "It was merely her ipetence that led to these results." "HOW DARE YOU!!!" Seto roared furiously, but Yami Yugi quickly halted his outburst before he could act on his anger. "Kaiba! You must calm down! We can''t beat him if you don''t get yourself together this instant!" "Shut up!" Seto snapped back with venom, his eyes zing with fury. "I WILL KILL HIM!!" *Thud* Suddenly, Yami Yugi''s fist connected with Seto''s face, causing him to stumble back in disbelief. Rubbing his sore hand, Yami Yugi spoke with a hint of regret in his voice. "I''m sorry, but this is the only way to get your act together. The only way to save Sano and Joey was to defeat that man right there, but we can''t do it alone." "Tsk..." Seto clicked his teeth in frustration, his re waning as he looked at Yami Yugi. He sighed and nodded in understanding. Turning back to Yuna, he quietly knelt beside her and took her deck from her Duel Disk. "Let me borrow this... I promise I will save you..." To the surprise of Yami Yugi and his friends, Seto''s usually stoic expression softened as he gently stroked Yuna''s head. His perpetual scowl transformed into a small smile as he carefully held her in his arms. If Joey were awake right now, he would be questioning whether his eyes were working correctly. Gathering the rest of the cards scattered on the floor, Seto began to merge them with his own. After a few minutes, he finally stood up; his expression determined as he approached Yami Yugi with a cold demeanour. "Don''t get in my way... I will defeat Dartz, with or without you..." "Hmph," Yami Yugi smiled confidently. "That makes two of us. Kaiba, get ready!" "Yes!" Seto nodded firmly, and the two shouted in unison. "Duel!!" [Seto Kaiba: 4000 LP] [Yami Yugi: 4000 LP] [Dartz: 4000 LP] [1] Bakura, Odion, Marik and Ishizu I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 79: Is this what its like to be on the side line? Chapter 79: Is this what its like to be on the side line? ? I want to provide a quick exnation of thest chapter. If you guys saw that ChatGPT tag, I identally copied it after using it to edit the grammar in my paragraphs. Don''t worry; this story isn''t AI-generated... Or is it? The curious folks will get a one-way trip to the shadow realm >:) [Yuna''s POV] Where... Where am I? As I slowly regained consciousness, my initial instinct was to grasp at anything within reach. Amidst the enveloping darkness, I felt disoriented, unable to discern even a glimmer of light. With a tentative stretch of my arm, I sought desperately for any semnce of solidity in this abyss of ckness. However, no matter how much I tried, my body seemed to ignore mymand, and I could only helplessly float like an idiot. Ah, I was a soul now. There were no arms to reach out, no eyes to see. Was this the reason for the all-epassing darkness? Amidst myment for my newfoundck of functionalities, a shiver ran down my incorporeal form as I sensed a presence looming in the shadows. "Ho-oh? You woke up faster than I thought?" boomed a deep voice, tinged with curiosity. Wait, how was I supposed to hear right now? No way... Did I finally go insane?! I refuse to be one of those crazies! "Although your mentality was already abnormal, it didn''t seem to deteriorate," the voice answered my thought, and I couldn''t help but feel a sting of insult. "Oh, that''s right... You''re still just a soul. Let me fix that for you." *Thud* In an instant, my world exploded with light, and sensation flooded back into my being. With a dazed blink, I ran my hands over my body. I breathed a sigh of relief as I found every limb intact and my clothes still clinging to me. As my heart rate slowed to a steady rhythm, I took a moment to survey my surroundings. Perched atop a sprawling hill, a sea of verdant grass stretched out before me. A table and parasol stood nearby, offering respite from the sun''s relentless rays, casting a cool shadow over my face. "For getting my soul stolen from an evil god, this is surprisingly peaceful. But, who was the man talking to me in the first ce?" I muttered in bewilderment. "Ahem..." I heard the unmistakable sound of a throat being cleared, causing me to startle in surprise. Slowly turning my head, I realized I wasn''t alone. Seated beside me was a man with light brown skin, his silver locks contrasting sharply with his eyes, a deep crimson reminiscent of freshly spilled blood. His attire consisted of simple loose pants with golden embroidery and no shirt, leaving his upper body exposed, and I thought his muscr chest was inexplicably shiny. "Who are you?" I inquired cautiously, unable to resist a furtive nce at his impressive muscles. "Are you somehow connected to the Leviathan?!" "Don''t associate me with that pest," the man retorted with a tone of disdain. "I''m disappointed. I thought you would remember. To think that you would forget as soon as you''re done using me..." Gradually digesting his words, I carefully observed his figure, and his subtle features strangle matches a monster I know... "Ten... Thousand Dragon?" I uttered, the name rolling off my tongue with a mixture of disbelief and realization. The man''s smile widened at my response, and I couldn''t help but gasp in astonishment. "But... how are you here?" "Do you not remember?" Ten Thousand Dragon eximed, facepalming with exasperation. "Seems like your memory truly has failed you." "That!" I pped the table with a flustered expression: "I''ve been through a lot, okay?! It''s not every day you will get your soul taken by an Evil God hell-bent on destroying the world!" As I finished my outburst, a cold shiver ran down my spine when I remembered who it was that I was talking to, and I nervously nced at Ten Thousand Dragon. His quiet gaze bore into my shrunken figure, each passing second feeling like an eternity. Then, just as the tension reached its peak, he finally smirked. "You''re bold... I like it," he chuckled, leaning on his fist. "But I won''t overlook your disrespectfulness next time." "Haha..." Iughed nervously, rubbing my palms together like a suspicious advisor. "Thank you for your generosity, Ten Thousand Dragon-sama; this girl gets to live another day." "Hmph, enough of that," the man sighed tiredly. "Just answer me. Do you remember what happened?" "Um..." I massaged my head, finally opening my eyes. "Ah, before I lost consciousness, I grabbed the Winged Dragon of Ra." "Correct, and it was that child who brought you here," Ten Thousand Dragon spoke calmly. "You were lucky. This was only possible since remnants of my energy still lingered in your body." "This is also why dragons were so attached to you," he exined. ''That exins... a lot,'' I thought, feeling a tinge of disappointment. And here I am thinking I was special... Sighing dejectedly, I sank back into my chair as Ten Thousand Dragon suddenly summoned two cups of hot tea onto the table. Taking small sips from my cup, I stared at the ground, lost in thought. "What will happen to me now?" "Nothing much; if I send you away, that insect will try to consume you again, so you just have to stay here for the time being," the god shrugged indifferently. "Then, by now, Yami Yugi and Kaiba should be duelling Dartz..." I muttered. "Is it possible for me to watch?" "Oh, ho? Worried, are you?" Ten Thousand Dragon teased, waving his hand dismissively. A vast mirror materialized above the table, and footage began to y through the ss. I immediately recognized the environment of Dartz''s chambers, witnessing Kaiba and Yami Yugi facing off against Dartz. With just a nce, I could tell the situation was dire. Come on, you guys... Don''t fail me now... MeanwhileN?v(el)B\\jnn [3rd POV] The duel unfolded in a manner neither Seto nor Yami Yugi had anticipated. The introduction of the Shaddoll monsters left them in a precarious position, besieged by the relentless onught of Dartz''s creatures. Additionally, they were currently facing another problem that added to Seto''s frustration. He nced at the anxious Pharaoh before turning his attention to the four Mirror Knight Tokens standing uniformly on the field. Typically, these weak tokens wouldn''t have been a bother except for the familiar faces etched onto them... Joey Wheeler, Yugi Mutou, Alister, and Pegasus-souls of the defeated-were being used to fight against them, and Seto felt nothing but contempt at this cowardly behaviour. "Enough messing around!" he snarled. "Let''s just destroy them and get this over with!" "No!" Yami Yugi shouted. "They''re our friends! What will happen to their souls if we attack carelessly?!" Seto clicked his teeth in annoyance. Though annoyed by Yami Yugi''s fervent denials, he couldn''t help but feel relieved that Yuna wasn''t among those tokens. This small insight gave him hope-hope that her soul wasn''t in Dartz''s grasp. "Now, I will battle! El Shaddoll Construct, attack the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!" Dartz laughed. "With its effect, when El Shaddoll Construct battles, it will be able to destroy the special-summoned monster you control!" Thin, fine threads shot out of El Shaddoll Construct''s body and impaled Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon''s body, causing the dragon to fall to the ground in pain. "Now, Mirror Knights, attack his life points directly!!" The four knights darted towards Seto''s side, aiming their rapiers at his chest. "Damn, Kaiba!" Yami Yugi shouted frantically, worried about the uing attack. "Tsk... I know!" Seto snarled in anger, and his gaze fixated on the face-down card inserted in his Duel Disk. As the attack bore down on him, memories flooded his mind, recalling the time when Yuna had gifted him a card-a card he would now use to save himself. "I will activate my Trap Card, True Light!" Seto announced, and from the ground, a massive stone tablet rose into position. The tablet emanated a beautiful blue light, gradually forming the familiar pattern of a monster Seto knew all too well: Blue-Eyes White Dragon. "While True Light is on the field, I will activate its first ability and summon a Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my Graveyard!" [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 2500 Defence] "When a Mirror Knight Token battles, it can gain attacks equal to the attack of the monster it was battling, so your Blue Eyes White Dragon will still be destroyed!" [Mirror Knight Token: 500 -> 3500 Attack] *BAMM* As one of the Mirror Knights shed down the defending dragon, the remaining three knights lunged at Seto with deadly precision. He groaned as the three virtual des pierced his body, gritting his teeth against the realistic sensation of being stabbed despite it all being a game. Clutching at his non-existent wounds, Seto nced at his life points, which had just been nearly halved from that devastating attack. [Seto Kaiba: 4000 LP -> 2500 LP] "Guh..." Seto groaned and stared at his life points with a frown: "This b*stard..." "Hmph, I will end my turn here." Dartz smirked and nced at Yami Yugi: "It''s your move, child. I was expecting more, but I''m thoroughly disappointed..." "Tsk..." Yami Yugi clicked his teeth and nced at Seto with concern. Gradually, the thought of Yuna losing became more believable as he never imagined Dartz to be this strong. Unsure of what to do, he couldn''t bear to attack the Mirror Knight Tokens holding the souls of his friends, and he felt his determination wavering. "F... Friend..." Suddenly, one of the Mirror Knight Tokens containing Yugi''s soul spoke up: "We will be alright... Just attack." Yami Yugi''s expression stiffened, but he finally relented under Yugi''s intense urging: "Then I will draw..." He stated and quietly stared at his hand: "Kaiba, I have a n. But I need your help. "Don''t waste my time, and just tell me what you want," Seto growled with frustration. "Then get a dragon onto the field. Are you able to do that?" The Pharaoh questioned, causing Seto to snort sarcastically. "Who are you taking me as?" He sneered, "I will activate the effect of True Light and bring back my Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon from the dead!" [Blue Eyes Alternative White Dragon: 3000 Attack] Yami Yugi: "In response, I will use polymerisation! I will use the Dark Magician and Blue- Eyes Alternative White Dragon as materials to fusion summon Red Eyes Dark Dragoon!!!" *WHOOOSH* As the Dark Magician and Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragonbined, the two monsters underwent a remarkable transformation, merging into a being unlike any seen before. Standing tall, it was a mage adorned in intricately designed gold and ck armour. The armour itself bore the likeness of a fierce dragon, its jaw forming a menacing hood while sharp spikes protruded from various parts of the suit. Behind the spellcaster stretched a pair of majestic wings, and a long, sinuous tail trailed behind, seeming to move of its own ord. Clutched in the monster''s hand was a slender spear emanating an aura of indomitable power. [Red Eyes Dark Dragoon: 3000 Attack] "Now, during my main phase, I can use Red Eyes Dark Dragoon''s ability to target your El Shaddoll Construct and destroy it. Then, you will take damage equal to that monster''s attack!" The mage opened his eyes and red at the doll with contempt. Pointing his spear, robust red magic bursts forth and shreds El Shaddoll Construct into pieces. [Dartz: 4000 LP -> 1200 LP] [1] "I will activate my trap card, Maytr Curse when one of my monsters is destroyed. I can force two of our monsters to battle. I will choose your Red Eyes Dark Dragoon and Mirror Knight of Yugi Mutou!" "Then, I will activate Red Eyes Dark Dragoon''s second effect to discard one card and negate Maytr Curse''s effect!" Yami Yugi smirked: "Then when Red Eyes Dark Dragoon negates a card effect, it will gain an additional one thousand attacks." [Red Eyes Dark Dragoon: 3000 -> 4000 Attack] "Finally, I will set two cards and end my turn." He spoke as Dartz clicked his teeth: "You have underestimated us. Now, get ready; you will pay for your sins!" Meanwhile... [Yuna''s POV] "Yes, Pharaoh, that was a good move!" I cheered with a fist pump as Yami Yugi fusion summoned Red Eyes Dark Dragoon onto the field, instantly changing the tide of the duel to their favour. As the battle continued, I couldn''t help but fidget nervously in my seat: "Ah, Kaiba, you should''ve summoned the Crescent Dragon! You already have two in your hands!" "Why are you keeping the Chaos Dragon Levianeer? Just banish something in your graveyard and summon it!" "Return of the Dragon Lord in your graveyard. Use it, or else the Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon will be destroyed again..." pping the table in frustration, I uncontrobly nitpicked his every move, even though I felt that I may have been a little bit too excessive... "Hmmm," Ten Thousand Dragon hummed: "Despitesting much longer against that man, you''re still questioning his choices?" "I couldn''t help but be worried, okay?" I mumbled with embarrassment: "Well, Kaiba lost in the original too..." "Yet you''re not concerned for the health of the Pharaoh?" He retorted, and I averted my gaze in guilt. "Well, it is the Pharaoh we''re talking about; he will probably do fine on his own." "That so?" the god asked, tapping the table with interest. "I guess it is true that humans tend to demonstrate more care and attention towards their mates." "M..m..m.. Mate?!" I eximed: "What in the world do you mean by that?!" "Mates, girlfriend or boyfriend, husband or wife, lovers..." Ten Thousand Dragon continued without batting an eye: "You humans like to give it so many terms, but it all means the same thing." "They''re not!!" I argued with a blush: "Also, Kaiba and I aren''t like that. We''re just friends!" "That''s what they all say," the dragon smirked. "Fine, let''s look at it this way...'' Suddenly, standing up, Ten Thousand Dragon wrapped his arm around my waist, and our distance shortened. As I rested against his chest, I frowned and stared at him strangely, confused by his action. "What''s with that look? You''re not even the slightest embarrassed." He teased. "I''m annoyed." I answered honestly: "To think the great dragon god is a sexual harasser." "The tongue on this one," he said with a chuckle. "Then how about this?" Feeling a strange sensation, I cautiously looked up, immediately holding my breath in shock. The face of Ten Thousand Dragon''s human form hadpletely vanished, reced by one I knew all too well. Smiling, he leaned closer, and I felt my face flush so intensely it could''ve boiled water. "Wh.. Why do you look like that?!!" I yelled, and Ten Thousand Dragon smiled mischievously while rubbing his chin: "Also, PUT ON A SHIRT!!!" "Is there a problem? I wasn''t wearing one before. I thought I looked pretty handsome if I say so myself..." The God chuckled and pulled me closer: "Don''t you feel the same?" "STOP!!" I screamed and covered my eyes: "STOP USING KAIBA''S FACE!!" "What if I say no?" He smirked and shed Kaiba''s signature crooked smile. Moving closer to my ear, Kaiba''s quiet voice instantly made my body tingle: "Is my appearance bothering you... Yuna?" Finally, unable to bear it any longer, I pushed Ten Thousand Dragon away, and he changed back to his original appearance. "You should''ve seen the reaction on your face!" Heughed, and I stared at the ground in shame: "Truly, the human my sister brought is quite interesting..." I grasped my chest and tried to stay calm, but my flushed expression betrayed me. This guy... I red at theughing dragon with displeasure; getting my soul taken by the Leviathan might not be so bad after all... [1] Dragoon can only inflict damage on the monster''s original attack. Chapter 80: Cultist Extermination Chapter 80: Cultist Extermination ? [Yuna''s POV] I groaned and rested my face on the cold table. ring at theughing dragon, I sighed helplessly as all the insults I had prepared stuck in my throat; no matter how annoyed I was, I didn''t want to die. "You spoke of a sister earlier... Who was it?" I asked carefully, gauging his reaction. Settling back in his seat, Ten Thousand Dragon smirked. "Who else do you think? The Creator of Light, the God among gods, the one who looked after humans." I closed my mouth at his preposterous answer and stared at him with doubt. "Then, may I ask what Ten Thousand Dragon-sama is the god of?" "Hmph... Well, if you have to know, I''m the God of spirits," He spoke with evident pride: "Every Duel Monster spirit you have seen was all created by me. Do you know how hard it was to create each of those troublesome creatures meticulously?" "Wow... So cool..." I pped half-heartedly, and his nose twitched at the praise. As the conversation finally drew to a close, my eyes subconsciously wandered to the floating mirror. "Kaiba... Pharaoh... Have they won yet?" I mumbled, and unable to resist my growing curiosity, I peered in and resumed watching the duel... [3rd POV] "Now, I will battle! Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon, defeat thatst Mirror Knight Token!" Yami Yugi shouted. The mage pointed his staff, firing a bolt of red lightning across the field. Staring at thest Mirror Knight Token containing Yugi''s soul, the Pharaoh''s face contorted into aplex expression. His eyes couldn''t pry away from his friend''s reassuring smile as Yugi muttered slowly. "Be careful... The hard part is not over yet." *BOOOM* The explosion roared as the Mirror Knight finally vanished. Yami Yugi clenched his teeth in barely restrained fury. The adversary they faced now was even more menacing than Marik, and his unforgivable deeds only fueled Yami Yugi''s resolve. "I will set two cards and end my turn!" Yami Yugi dered confidently, and Dartz scowled. "You truly have made this difficult, Pharaoh," Dartz said, ring at Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon with contempt. "The card you got from that girl is quite troublesome. But I''ve spent enough time messing around!" "I will start with Pot of Greed!" he shouted. "This will allow me to draw two cards from my deck!" "Then I will respond with Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon''s effect and negate your Spell Card!" Yami Yugi retorted. "Additionally, Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon will gain an additional one thousand attack points!" [Red Eyes Dark Dragoon: 5000 -> 6000 Attack] "Foolish Pharaoh..." Dartz mocked with an ominous smile: "You should have saved Dragoon''s power for something far more important, for something like this! I will y Shaddoll Fusion!" "Shaddoll Fusion allows me to fuse two monsters from my hand or field. However, when my opponent controls a monster summoned from the Extra Deck, I will be able to use monsters from the deck as materials as well!" Seto/Yami Yugi: !!! "I will send Re Shaddoll Wendi and QadShaddoll Keios from my deck to the grave. With these two cards, I will fusion summon my El Shadoll Construct!!" [El Shaddoll Construct: 2800 Attack] [El Shaddoll Construct: 2800 -> 3300 Attack] "Next, I will activate the effects of Re Shaddoll Wendi and QadShaddoll Keios!" Dartz dered, causing Seto and Yami Yugi to frown nervously as they tried to keep up with the multitude of effects unfolding simultaneously. "QadShaddoll Keios allows me to send the Shaddoll Beast from my hand to the graveyard," Dartz exined, his voice ringing with confidence. "And for the rest of this turn, all monsters I control will gain attack and defence equal to Shaddoll Beast''s level!" [1] [El Shaddoll Construct: 3300 -> 3600 Attack] "Then, with Re Shaddoll Wendi, I will be able to special summon Shaddoll Dragon from my deck in a face-down defence position." "Finally, with the Shaddoll Beast, I am able to draw one card. Now that''s settled, I will normal-summon Orichalcos Kyutora!" [Orichalcos Kyutora: 500 Attack] [Orichalcos Kyutora: 500 -> 1300 Attack] "I will battle! Orichalcos Kyutora will attack Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon!" Dartz demanded, and the small sea urchin charged fearlessly into battle. "Tsk... Don''t you know Orichalcos Kyutora is much weaker?" Seto remarked with a sneer. "Has your eyes begun to deceive you, old man?" "Yet your wisdom still couldn''t match mine," Dartz smirked as Orichalcos crashed into Red- Eyes Dark Dragoon and exploded into a green mist. "While Orichalcos Kyutora is on the field, any damage taken will be rendered zero," Dartz exined with a confident smile. "Then, when Orichalcos Kyutora is destroyed, I can reveal its true form; I will summon Orichalcos Shunoros!" *RUMBLE RUMBLE* Seto and Yami Yugi gritted their teeth as they stared at the massive jade statue standing before them. The statue''s eyes shimmered, and its two arms detached, creating three separate monsters on the field. [Orichalcos Shunoros: 4300 Attack] [Orichalcos Aristeros: 0 Attack] [Orichalcos Dexia: 0 Attack] [Orichalcos Shunoros: 4300 Attack -> 5100] [Orichalcos Aristeros: 0 Attack -> 800 Attack] [Orichalcos Dexia: 0 Attack - > 800 Attack] "Orichalcos Aristeros, attack Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon!" Dartz yelled. "When Orichalcos Aristeros and Orichalcos Dexia battle, it will gain an attack equal to the targeted monster plus three hundred!" [Orichalcos Aristeros: 800 -> 7100 Attack] *BANG* Orichalcos Aristeros shot through the monster''s chest like a missile, and Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon clutched its wounds in pain. Unable to endure the injury, it vanished into the darkness. [Yami Yugi: 4000 LP -> 2900 LP] "El Shaddoll Construct, destroy his Dark Magician!" Dartz shouted, and Yami Yugi''s trusted mage also fell helplessly to his attack. "Now, Orichalcos Shunoros, finish him off! Attack his life points directly!" Dartzughed, and the statue rushed towards Yami Yugi at unprecedented speed. "It''s over now, Pharaoh. Nobody can stop me!" "Tsk..." Yami Yugi gritted his teeth: "Not so fast! I will..." "I activate my Trap Card, Attack Guidance Armor, and I''ll equip it to my Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Seto''s voice cut through the tense atmosphere. Orichalcos Shunoros, interrupted in its deadly trajectory towards Yami Yugi, swiftly altered its course. With a sinister gleam in its eyes, it reattached one of its limbs and seized Blue- Eyes White Dragon by the neck, hurtling it to the ground. Before the dragon could regain its footing, Orichalcos Shunoros struck with merciless force, snuffing out Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s life with a thunderous blow. [Seto Kaiba: 2500 LP -> 400 LP] "Kuh..." Seto groaned, his body falling to one knee, his breath rattled by the immense damage he''d endured. "Kaiba," Yami Yugi muttered, concerncing his voice. "You shouldn''t have interfered. I would''ve been fine on my own!" "Shut up..." Seto red at him with contempt, "Do you think I wanted to do this?" Yami Yugi: "Then why....." "Because Sano said so," Seto growled, his anger and envy palpable. "She said you have the power to end this mess. And didn''t that b*stard Pegasus give you a card as well, or have you forgotten?" "Kaiba..." Yami Yugi muttered, clearly touched by his words, which only deepened Seto''s scowl, filled with annoyance. "What''s with that look on your face?! Just because we''re teaming up doesn''t mean we''re friends! Let me tell you right here: I still hate you, and I don''t trust you. I trust Sano, so save up your strength; I''ll give you time..." Seto cursed under his breath, the bright light of the Duel Disk blinking shily, irritating his eye. Even now, he was starting to feel regret over taking the hit for the Pharaoh. He wondered if he could duel Dartz alone. However, as Seto nced at Yami Yugi, he wavered. Despite his intense distaste for the Pharaoh''s righteous and naive personality, he still begrudgingly listened... For her. "Come on, geezer," he mocked at Dartz, who watched the interaction with interest. "y your cards; we don''t have all day." "Then, in that case, after Orichalcos Shunoros has attacked, it will lose attacks equal to Blue Eyes White Dragon''s defence." [Orichalcos Shunoros: 5100 -> 2100 Attack] "When Blue-Eyes White Dragon is destroyed, I''m able to summon Keeper of the Shrine from the graveyard," Seto exined, attempting to fortify his defence. [Keeper of the Shrine: 2100 Defence] "Fine... Then I will use Orichalcos Deuteros and attack the Pharaoh''s life points directly!" [Yami Yugi: 2900 LP -> 2100 LP] "Finally, I will activate the effect of Orichalcos Deuteros and gain five hundred life points for each monster I control, and I will set two cards; that concludes my turn..." [Dartz: 1200 LP -> 3700 LP] Staring at Seto, Dartz''s smile widened into a taunting grin. "What now, boy? Ready to show me how it''s done?" "Kaiba, your life points are low. Just step back and focus on protecting yourself," Yami Yugi urged, his voice tinged with concern. "You''ve done enough." "Step back?" Seto clenched his fists in anger. "What gives you the right to tell me to step back? I''m not someone who needs your protection." Silently, he gauged his hand and the cards ced across the field. Gears turned frantically in his head as he considered all the different approaches. "In the end, it''s all about life points..." Seto frowned. "First, I will set three cards face down and then activate Card of Demise. This spell allows me to draw until I have five cards, but during my fifth standby phase, I must discard my entire hand." "Next, I will activate Emergency Provision! By sending two face-down cards I control, I can gain two thousand life points!" [Seto Kaiba: 400 LP -> 2400 LP] "Then, I will activate Monster Reborn to revive a monster from any of our graveyards! I will choose the ck Luster Soldier!" [ck Luster Soldier: 3000 Attack] "Finally, I will activate my set card, Ultimate Fusion!!" Seto''s voice echoed with determination, and energy burst forth all around him, causing Yami Yugi''s eyes to widen in surprise. "This card allows me to Fusion Summon a monster that explicitly requests a Blue-Eyes White Dragon or Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon as material by shuffling monsters from my hand, field, or graveyard back into the deck!" Two portals suddenly emerged in the air, one beneath ck Luster Soldier and the other beside Seto. A deafening roar resounded from one of the portals as Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon emerged onto the field. "Using ck Luster Soldier and Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon as materials, I will summon Dragon Master Kni...." Suddenly, Seto''s grip tightened on his chest, a surge of intense sensation coursing through his body. Agonized groans escaped his lips as he fought against an unseen force, his words trapped in his throat as if shackled by invisible chains. "Got to hold it together..." He hissed at himself, struggling to suppress the unbearable pain pounding against his head. Turning his head, Seto noticed the two blue portals starting to flicker and crack. "No!" he shouted, but his voice was drowned out by the powerful energy that was wreaking havoc on his body. "What''s happening?" Seto muttered, his voice barely audible amidst the chaos. He could sense the subtle changes in his body, and he realised that the card was fighting against him. As his vision dimmed, he felt himself being pulled into an abyss. When he finally opened his eyes, Seto found himself engulfed in darkness, surrounded by an eerie void that seemed to swallow everything in its path. *Giggle* Seto lifted his head at the sound, his senses heightened with caution. Slowly rising to his feet, he fixed his gaze on the back of a woman with long white hair. "Who are you?" Seto demanded, his voice tinged with suspicion. The woman slightly tilted her head, revealing a faint smile. "Why don''t you tell me?" the woman replied, her tone enigmatic. Seto clicked his teeth in irritation at her nonchnt attitude. "Stop messing around; where is this ce? What am I doing here?!" Seto demanded, his agitation evident in his tone. "Answer me this instance!" "You''re trying to wield a power that you don''t deserve," the woman replied cryptically, her voice carrying a hint of warning. "Which is why you''re here now." "Who do you think you are? Telling me that I don''t deserve it?" Seto clenched his fists, his anger boiling. "I don''t have to prove anything to you!" "Indeed," The woman nodded, her demeanour unfazed. "But it''s not me that you''re going to convince..." *WOOOSH* A strange force knocked him backward, and Seto rolled across the floor. Catching himself, he skillfully stood back up, ring warily at where the woman had been. However, her figure had vanished, and in her ce stood a massive dragon with beautiful white scales. The dragon''s gentle blue eyes scanned Seto meticulously, and its head lowered in a posture of calmness. It neither moved nor uttered a sound, presenting unexpected tranquillity. As Seto''s breathing returned to normal, he cautiously advanced towards the docile creature, his steps marked by a mixture of confusion and disbelief. The memory of the enigmatic woman faded rapidly from his mind, reced by the overwhelming presence of the majestic dragon before him. "Why did you finally show up now?" Seto asked calmly, approaching the Blue-Eyes White Dragon with conviction. "The number of victories we''ve shared is too great to count." His scowl deepened as he continued, "Yet right now, you didn''t answer my call when I needed you the most." Hearing his statement, Blue-Eyes White Dragon snarled and snapped its teeth at him. Though it spoke no words, its thoughts echoed clearly in Seto''s mind. "Did you really believe that winning was the only thing I cared about?" Seto growled, his voice thick with disappointment. To his disbelief, the dragon slowly nodded, its eyes reflecting a deep understanding of Seto''s obsession with victory. Suddenly, Seto found himself drawn into a whirlwind of scenes, each revealing a different facet of his past. He witnessed his relentless pursuit of power, the battles fought, and the sacrifices made along the way. With each memory, the dragon''s silent narrative painted a vivid portrait of his journey to be the greatest duelist. As the final memory came to an end, Seto took a deep breath, the weight of his past experiences pressing upon him. In the silence that followed, he found himself lost in contemtion, grappling with the revtions unearthed by the dragon''s memories. "I do not regret what I have done, and I won''t regret anything I will do in the future," Seto spoke honestly, his words tinged with conviction. "But," he uttered coldly, his gaze unwavering, "you seemed to have mistaken my reliance on your power. If you''re not going to help me, then make sure to stay out of my way. My friend''s life depends on this duel, so I don''t need another obstacle." Without remorse, Seto turned his back to Blue-Eyes White Dragon for the first time in his life, his resolve unwavering as he walked deeper into the darkness, intent on finding a way out on his own. With each step, he distanced himself from the memories and revtions that had unfolded. After walking for what felt like an eternity, Seto finally came to a stop as light slowly filled his surroundings. Feeling the presence following him, Seto paused, his senses alert as Blue-Eyes White Dragon gently nudged its head against his shoulder. Despite his resolve to walk alone, he couldn''t ignore the bond that had formed between them. As their eyes met, Seto sensed a shift in the dragon''s demeanour. It seemed to understand his newfound determination, his desire to gain strength not for himself but for someone else. For the first time, Seto felt a glimmer of understanding; a connection forged not just through battles won but through shared trials and unspoken bonds. With a silent nod, he acknowledged the dragon''s presence, a silent promise of mutual support in the trials ahead. "Good, I''m d we reached a consensus... Now, show me the exit, and let''s finish the battle once and for all..." *WOOOSH* Back in Dartz''s chamber, Seto''s eyes snapped open, a surge of renewed energy coursing through him. With determination etched in his features, he rose to his feet, feeling the indescribable power flowing smoothly through his body. The once-crackling portals had now be serene, a testament to his newfound strength. He realized he had been foolish as the knowledge of Blue-Eyes White Dragon flooded his mind. Why had he summoned something so seemingly weak when another creaturey dormant, waiting for him? "I will summon!!" he yelled, and the entire room trembled under the immense pressure. Despite being underground, the wind blew fiercely around him. "Using ck Luster Soldier and three of my Blue-Eyes White Dragons as material!" "I call upon two beings that rule over light and darkness! The Mythical Warrior of Chaos that wields magic like no other! The Celestial dragon that''s the strongest of them all! Follow mymand and bring victory to this duel! I summon Dragon Magia... Master!!!" [2] The two portalsbined into one as the cries of both monsters echoed through the chamber. After a tense few seconds, a massive three-headed dragon emerged from within. Compared to the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon from before, this new creature''s scales had merged into tes of armour, and its ws and spikes had be sharper. On each of its heads, therey a red marking, symbolizing the pattern of chaos. Standing atop the dragon was a man wearing a ck suit, his long ck hair flowing behind him. He wore a helmet with two horns protruding from both sides and in his hand, he held a massive, sleek red staff that seemed to contain immense power... [Dragon Magia Master: 5000 Attack] "While using Ultimate Fusion, I can destroy cards equal to the number of Blue-Eyes White Dragon or Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon I used as material! That means I can destroy up to three cards!" With confidence, Seto eagerly pointed at Dartz: "I will choose Orichalcos Shunoros, El Shadoll Construct and the face-down monster on the field!" "I won''t allow this; I will activate my trap, Safe Zone and target Orichalcos Shunoros! That means that while the card is on the field, Orichalcos Shunoros cannot be destroyed by card effects!" However, to Dartz''s shock, before the effect could resolve, the trap card explodes into thousands of tiny pieces, leaving him dumbstruck. "I will use the effect of Dragon Magia Master..." Seto''s deep voice travelled loudly in the room: "Once per turn, when my opponent activates a card effect, I can negate the activation and destroy it. Additionally, Dragon Magia Master can activate the effect for each card type used, that be monsters, spells or traps." "Now, Ultimate Fusion, bring his field to oblivion!" Seto shouts as the monsters on the field are suddenly consumed by the massive blue portal, never to return: "With Orichalcos Shunoros gone, that means Orichalcos Dexia and Orichalcos Asterios will leave the field too." "Then I will activate the effect of Shaddoll Dragon that was destroyed and sent to the graveyard, targeting True Light and destroying it!" Dartz yelled frantically, causing Seto to smirk. "That won''t be possible. Dragon Magia Master''s effect will activate to negate your Shaddoll Dragon! Now, your field is truly empty, Dragon Magia Master; attack him directly!!" *BOOOOOMMMM* Smoke filled the field as the dragon unleashed a white beam from each of its three heads. When their vision cleared, Dartz was seen standing, sweat forming all over his face as if he had just stared death in the eye. "With Waboku... I won''t take any battle damage until the end of this turn." Slowly, Dartz''s shoulders trembled, and he burst into a fit ofughter. "Just like that girl, you have pushed me over the edge." His smile widened, but his eyes turned bloodshot as an ominous aura emanated from his body, sending shivers down the spines of Seto and Yami Yugi. "Congrattions, you now have my attention. It would be wise for you not to lose it!" Ten Minutes Later... The ferocity of the duel intensified tenfold as Dartz unleashed everything without hesitation. Under extreme pressure, Seto and Yami Yugi fought passionately, their life points hanging by a thread. With each move, they drove Dartz into a corner, their relentless onught slowly wearing down his defences. Finally, with hisst reserves of strength, Dartz found himself on hisst leg, his once-imposing facade crumbling under the relentless assault of Seto and Yami Yugi. When he finally ran out of options, Dartz roared in anger and unleashed hisst trump card, revealing Divine Serpent Geh... The Card that defeats Yuna. "There''s nothing you can do!" Dartz cackled, "My Divine Serpent Geh is unstoppable!" "Kaiba!" Yami Yugi shouted: "Follow my lead; I will activate Exchange!" Yami Yugi: "I will give you my Mirror Force!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Seto: "Here, take this Fang of Critias!" The two duelists threw their cards at each other, a symphony of determination and strategy echoing through the air. Yami Yugi skillfully caught the card before immediately activating another. "With this, all conditions have been met," he dered, his voice ringing with confidence. "I will use my Legend of Heart to pay one thousand life points and tribute my Obnoxious Celtic Guardian to remove Fang of Critias, w of Hermos, and Eye of Timaeus from the game to summon the three legendary warriors that guard Antis!" "Legendary Knight Timaeus!" "Legendary Knight Critias!" "Legendary Knight Hermos!" "I call upon you!" [Legendary Knight Timaeus: 2800 Attack] [Legendary Knight Critias: 2800 Attack] [Legendary Knight Hermos: 2800 Attack] "With the three legendary knights, their powers will bebined into one and summon Timaeus, the Knight of Destiny!" [3] Raising their swords simultaneously, light burst out of the tip of the de as they gradually merged, transforming into a tall knight covered in golden armour with a cape spanning into three separate colours. [Timaeus, the Knight of Destiny: ?? Attack] "Timaeus, the Knight of Destiny, attack Divine Serpent Geh!!" The Pharaoh ordered, and the knight fearlessly charged towards the humongous snake. "My Divine Serpent Geh has an infinite attack. Timaeus, the Knight of Destiny, will be destroyed!" Dartz shouted in confusion, but Yami Yugi merely smiled. "Unbeknownst to you, Timaeus, the Knight of Destiny have a remarkable effect; when it attacks a monster, this card will gain an attack equal to the strongest monster on the field, which is your Divine Serpent Geh!" [Timaeus, the Knight of Destiny: ?? Attack -> Attack] "Dartz!! This is the end. All the people you have harmed and the souls you have captured will be liberated today!" Yami Yugi spoke with conviction: "Timaeus, destroy that monster once and for all!!" "NOOOO!!!" Dartz screamed as Timaeus swung its de, and the duel reached its conclusion... [1] Qadshadoll Keios''s effect doesn''t affect the monsters currently on the field but to all monsters dartz control that turn. [2] Ocg card [3] Timaeus Knight of Destiny doesn''t require polymerisation to be summoned. Chapter 81: Evil God Last Stand Chapter 81: Evil God Last Stand ? Just a quick question before we begin. Do you guys enjoy these length of these chapters and how I''m releasing them at the start of the week. Or do you guys prefer if I split them and release them at the start and end of the week? [Yuna''s POV] "They won..." I whispered, feeling the relief washing over me. The final turns of the duel had been far more intense than they should have been, leaving me trembling helplessly in my seat. Watching Kaiba through the magical mirror, I covered my mouth in awe as he summoned Dragon Magia Master onto the field. That single move was the turning point,pletely changing the course of the duel. "Dragon Magia Master... I never even gave him that card," I mumbled in shock. "To think Kaiba could summon something like that..." I smiled with pride, realizing how much he had grown. Knowing that a character I liked had reached this level with some help felt rewarding. Without my powerful cards, he would have folded long ago. "So they defeated that man?" Ten Thousand Dragon eximed, eyes wide with surprise. "I really thought I would have to step in for a moment." "What will happen now?" I asked curiously. "Since my soul hasn''t been taken and Dartz has been defeated, is it okay to send me back?" "I could," Ten Thousand Dragon shrugged, "but let me warn you, the sensation isn''t going to be pleasant. Transferring a soul this frequently is not good for you."" "I understand, but do it anyway," I said with confidence. "Besides, if I don''t wake up now, I feel like I''m going to get into a lot of trouble." "Very well," Ten Thousand Dragon said, snapping his fingers. A golden light enveloped my body, shimmering with a warm, radiant glow. "When you wake up, do me a favour and make your life interesting," he smirked, turning his back to me. "Being alive for this long tends to get a little boring." With a final farewell, my vision turnedpletely white as I braced myself for the moment I''d wake up in the real world... Sometimeter... Guh... My head... As consciousness reluctantly returned, I was met with a pounding headache, as though tiny construction workers were remodelling my skull with jackhammers. Slowly, I coaxed my mind out of the fog, blinking against the harsh brightness of the room as I cautiously pried my eyes open. Thankfully, a wee shadow loomed over me, mercifully blocking out the intense light. As my vision gradually cleared, I could make out the figure kneeling beside me. "Kaiba," I called out, attempting to sit up. But my body refused to obey, and I realized Kaiba''s hand was firmly pressing my shoulder down. His expression was stern, and I couldn''t help but shudder at his cold demeanour. "You lied to me," he whispered, his voice barely audible yetden with a weight that sent shivers down my spine. His grip around my shoulder tightened, the pressure intensifying with each word. "H.. Hold on," I spoke frantically, desperation evident in my voice. "Let me exin..." "What is there to exin?" Kaiba scowled with anger, his voice cutting through the air like a whip. "You made a promise not to get hurt, and you broke it." "Kaiba... I..." I uttered, searching for the right words to appease him, but his irritation seemed to escte with each passing moment. "Stop!" He snapped, his pupils narrowing with intensity. "Don''t you get it? Promises aren''t just words, Sano." I paused, feeling the weight of guilt settling heavily in my chest, rendering me speechless. I pursed my lips, unable to meet Kaiba''s gaze, my eyes fixed on the floor. How had it taken me so long to realize that Kaiba cared about me... "Kaiba..." I mumbled softly, reaching out to gently grasp his wrist. Carefully, I attempted to sit up, and this time, he didn''t resist. We locked eyes in an ufortable silence, my heart pounding nervously in my chest. Summoning every ounce of courage, I met his questioning gaze and reached out my arms towards him. *Pat* Kaiba''s eyes widened in shock as I hugged him, our bodiesing together in an unexpected embrace. "I''m sorry..." I whispered, my voice barely audible as I buried my face in his shoulder. "I''m really sorry..." "I''m sorry for lying... I''m sorry for making promises so haphazardly... I''m sorry for hurting you..." Each word carried the weight of genuine remorse as I spoke, my voice muffled with guilt. "I''m sorry..." I apologized over and over again until my throat felt dry. Kaiba remained silent, and I bit my lip nervously, uncertain whether to continue the hug or release him. Then, I flinched as I felt a sensation around my waist, my eyes flickering in surprise as Kaiba awkwardly returned the embrace. "I was worried..." He muttered softly. "I was really worried." When Kaiba finished speaking, I couldn''t help but giggle, and he frowned in confusion. "What''s so funny?" he asked, his tone slightly offended. "I''m... just happy," I smiled wryly, trying to mask the sheepishness in my expression. Thankfully, Kaiba couldn''t see the slight falter in my smile. Yet, a shadow lingered in the back of my mind as I recalled the conversation between me and Ten Thousand Dragon.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om ''Does Kaiba like me?'' I pondered, swallowing nervously. ''Even so... Do I like him?'' My thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion, my emotions tangled in a web of uncertainty. Never in my life, not in my past life or this one, had I ever considered getting into a rtionship with anyone. "Hmph... Does my suffering bring happiness to you?" Seto frowned, tapping my forehead repeatedly. "What a good friend you are." "Of course..." I replied mischievously, "You should be... grateful..." Seto sighed, chuckling exasperatedly, while Iughed in triumph. With a glint in my eyes, my lips curved into a bright smile. That''s right, who cares about thoseplex rtionships?... I''m perfectly happy with the way we are... As we relished this fleeting moment together, a thunderous roar echoed from outside, shaking the very foundations of the room. Startled, I moved to stand, but before I could take a single step, Kaiba swiftly scooped me up into his arms. "You''re hurt. You shouldn''t walk yet," he dered, his voice resolute yet filled with concern as he held me close. "... I''m fine!" I eximed, my protests falling on deaf ears. "....Put me down!" Unfortunately, no matter how much I argued, Kaiba ignored my pleas and continued to stride out of the room, his determination unwavering. I struggled in vain against his firm grip, feeling utterly powerless as I was helplessly carried like a piece of luggage. ''When the hell did he get so touchy all of a sudden...'' I thought, ring at his face with a mixture of frustration and distress. "Are you embarrassed?" he asked, catching my frantic nod. "Good, this is payback." His smirk widened, clearly enjoying my difort as he continued to carry me like a princess. Trying to escape, I punched his shoulder and chest, but no matter how hard I tried, it felt like his body was made of stone, impervious to my blows. Though I could have aimed for his face, it was simply too handsome to attack... "Fine... Just do whatever you want..." I huffed in annoyance, feeling defeated, and from the corner of my eye, I could see his smirk widening. "What happened... when I was away?" As we walked, Kaiba began to exin the events that transpired before I woke up, detailing how they had used my phone to track my location. "....That''s definitely not concerning.... whatsoever," I muttered sarcastically, feeling a mix of amusement and apprehension at the thought of my phone being used in such a manner. Then, Kaiba recounted the details of the duel, exining how he summoned Dragon Magia Master and strategically used the monster''s abilities to gain the upper hand. As he spoke, pride emanated from him, his eyes gleaming with the satisfaction of showcasing his newfound power. "What happened... next?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. "Where is Dartz..." "When he lost, he was absorbed by a portal," Kaiba exined matter-of-factly. "Yugi and his group of misfits went to look for him while I stayed behind." "I... see..." I mumbled, feeling a slight blush creeping onto my cheeks. So he waited for me... *RUMBLE RUMBLE* A deep, ominous rumbling echoed from behind, sending shivers down our spines as the very ground beneath us seemed to quake. With hearts racing, we turned to face the source, only to find the tunnels we had traversed growing darker with each passing moment. The air thickened with tension, and the deafening sound of something massive crashing down echoed through the corridors, intensifying our sense of impending danger. *RUMBLE RUMBLE* "Kai... Kaiba..." I yelped, my voice tinged with panic as I tugged urgently on his cor. "R... RUN!!" The wind whipped against my face as Kaiba''s legs propelled us forward with unprecedented speed. ncing back at the tunnels copsing behind us, I continued to cheer him on, my heart pounding in my chest as the debris seemed to draw closer with each passing second. Finally, we spotted the stairs leading to the exit, and Kaiba made ast desperate dash. With a heart-stopping leap, we burst through the exit and tumbled across the floor, the force of ournding sending us rolling. As we scrambled to our feet, we looked back to see the stairs we had just traversed now fully crumbled, consumed by the darkness below. The once familiar hallway had transformed into a massive sinkhole, gaping like the mouth of hell itself. "Are you hurt?" Kaiba asked, concern etched into his features as he checked my body for any signs of injury. "I''m.... fine," I muttered, still slightly shaken by the close call. "That was too close..." "Not yet..." he warned, his voice tense with urgency, as a bubbling noise emanated from the large hole. Before I could even register what was happening, gallons of seawater shot out of the cavity, cascading into the building and rapidly flooding the space. Without a moment''s hesitation, Kaiba grabbed hold of me and pulled me forcefully out of the crumbling structure just before it waspletely engulfed by the onrushing deluge. As we emerged outside, the full extent of the situation became clear. Fierce cyclones tore through the ind, leaving destruction in their wake, while ominous dark clouds loomed menacingly overhead. A thunderous roar reverberated through the sky, causing my heart to race with fear. Then, as I looked up, I saw it¡ªa massive purple serpent, its imposing form soaring ominously above our heads, a harbinger of the chaos that threatened to consume us all. "Great Leviathan!" I called out, my face draining of colour as the monster''s eyes turned towards me with unmistakable greed. Suddenly, a small protrusion formed on top of the god''s forehead, and to my horror, a man''s figure emerged from its skull. His skin had turnedpletely ck and slimy, mirroring the serpent''s hide, and his eyes gleamed with an eerie golden hue devoid of any pupil. "D... Dartz..." I stammered in shock, my voice barely above a whisper, as the man grinned malevolently. "Yuna Sano..." He licked his lips. "Did you think you can escape from me?! Now get ready to pay!" The Great Leviathan lunged forward with terrifying speed, but before it could reach us, a searing beam of fiery energy struck the serpent''s side. With a deafening roar, the evil god crashed into the forest below, obliterating everything in its path. As we looked up in awe and relief, Kaiba and I spotted Slifer the Sky Dragon circling the fallen Leviathan, its majestic form radiating power and protection. And trailing close behind was Obelisk the Tormentor, who clenched its fists with rage. "Sano! Kaiba!" We heard a voice as Yami Yugi eagerly sprinted towards us. "You guys are alright!" Why is Dartz..." I began, my gaze fixed on the fallen Leviathan, a whirlwind ofplicated emotions stirring within me. "Why is he... like that?" "His mind has already be corrupted beyond repair," Yami Yugi grimaced, his expression darkening with concern. "I''m holding him off, but it''s going nowhere..." In a fit of rage, the Leviathan howled and ascended into the sky,unching itself at the Egyptian Gods with ferocious fury. As they shed in a fierce battle, it became evident that despite their numerical advantage, Slifer and Obelisk were struggling against the Leviathan''s overwhelming size and power. Its sheer magnitude allowed it to shrug off most attacks, posing a formidable challenge to our allies. "Sano," the pharaoh called urgently. "We need the Winged Dragon of Ra! You have to summon it!" Instantly, my eyes widened in realization, and I frantically pulled Kaiba''s arm. "...My deck! Where?!" Stunned, Kaiba handed me his deck, which contained my cards alongside the extras he hadn''t incorporated into his deck. Hurriedly flipping through the cards, my heart raced with anticipation until, atst, I spotted it-the Winged Dragon of Ra. Turning to face the unfolding battle, I felt a surge of determination coursing through my veins. Now, I need to summon it! With a steady hand, I activated my Duel Disk, swiftly sliding the cards containing the Winged Dragon of Ra into one of the slots, preparing myself for the summoning ritual. BOOOOM The ground beneath us convulsed violently, knocking me off bnce. With a groan, I struggled to regain my footing, my eyes widening in horror as cracks spiderwebbed across the forest floor. Seawater surged in through the gaping crevices, carving out a new ind within the heart of the first one. *ROAR* Turning our heads, we watched in astonishment as the Great Leviathan soared around us, its long serpentine body wrapping around the newly formed ind. To our shock, the ground beneath our feet began to tremble as the small ind began to ascend, lifted into the sky by the immense power of the Leviathan. "Watch out!" Kaiba''s urgent shout pierced through the chaos, and before I could react, he tackled me to the ground just as a massive tree crashed down right where I had been standing. "Yugi!" I yelled in panic as I saw him tumble over the edge, disappearing as we were forcibly separated by the cmity unfolding around us. Rushing to the cliff''s edge, I breathed a sigh of relief as I spotted him below, seemingly unharmed. But the distance between us had be too great to bridge with a simple jump, our separation as vast as the height of a skyscraper. Gritting my teeth, I nced down at my Duel Disk and felt a sinking sensation in the pit of my stomach as I realized that the Winged Dragon of Ra card was nowhere to be found... "There!" I eximed, pointing towards the card as it fluttered in the air, buffeted by the relentless wind. Pushing Kaiba aside, I sprinted towards the fluttering card, my eyes fixed on its precarious path as it crept ever closer to the edge. Trees and boulders crashed around me, the chaos of the copsing ind threatening to engulf me at every turn. With each narrow escape, my heart pounded with tension, the weight of our fate resting on this critical moment. *BOOOOM* My path was abruptly blocked as Slifer the Sky Dragon plummeted into the ground directly in front of me, the force of its impact creating a massive crater that swallowed me whole. Tumbling through the dirt, I collided with Slifer''s towering form, the impact sending waves of intense pain shooting up my right arm as I struggled to regain my bearings amidst the chaos. "Sano!" Kaiba''s voice cut through the chaos, filled with concern as he slid down into the crater. Noticing my injured arm, he gently touched my wrist, and I couldn''t suppress a sharp gasp as a wave of pain shot through me, causing me to jolt involuntarily. "Your arm..." Kaiba uttered in a daze, his gaze fixed on the injured limb. "I''m fine," I lied through gritted teeth, despite the arm gradually turning a purplish hue. "We can deal with itter...." "No," Kaiba denied firmly, his expression resolute. "If we don''t do something now, it will only get worse in the future." Scanning the ground, Kaiba quickly located a sturdy stick. Tearing a piece of his coat, he swiftly fashioned a makeshift splint, wrapping the fabric and branch securely around my injured wrist. "Your coat..." I muttered with regret, feeling a pang of guilt for the damage to his clothing. "You shouldn''t have ruined it...." "Idiot..." Kaiba scowled, dismissing my concern with a wave of his hand. "I can always get another coat." My cheeks tinged with a small blush, and I felt a flicker of happiness at his unexpected remark. However, quickly regaining my focus, I grabbed his sleeve with urgency, my expression solemn. "Winged Dragon of Ra!... I have to get it!" Nodding in understanding, Kaiba sprang into action. However, it quickly became evident to both of us that escaping from the deep crater would be no easy feat. Just as despair threatened to overwhelm us, the ground beneath us shifted, and we watched in astonishment as slifer, the Sky Dragon, slowly lifted its majestic head. The ancient Egyptian God''s gaze fell upon us, its expression one of curiosity. Seizing the opportune moment, my heart pounded with determination as I reached out, gently cing my hand upon slifer''s towering form. "Winged Dragon of Ra... Please take us there..." I whispered, my voice filled with earnest conviction. Craning its head, slifer''s gaze fell upon the distant Duel Monster card, and with a knowing nod, the ancient dragon understood our intentions. Gesturing with its head, it silently urged us to climb aboard. With Kaiba''s assistance, we scrambled onto slifer''s colossal head, our hands gripping tightly to its scaled surface as the dragon prepared to take flight. With a mighty beat of its wings, Slifer soared into the sky. The rushing wind whipped through my hair, sending strands flying wildly around me. With my uninjured hand, I clung tightly to one of Slifer''s spikes, feeling the reassuring solidity of its scaled form beneath my fingers. "There!" I yelled excitedly, my voice carrying over the wind as I spotted the Winged Dragon of Ra card drifting perilously close to the edge. "Please go... that way!" I urged slifer, pointing in the direction of the card''s flight path. My heart raced with anticipation as we neared our goal. Following the direction indicated by my outstretched finger, Slifer the Sky Dragon swiftly changed course, diving into a sharp descent towards the drifting card. Behind us, the thunderous roar of the Great Leviathan echoed through the air, signalling its relentless pursuit. With a sense of urgency, I braced myself as the Leviathan unleashed a barrage of attacks, its monstrous form looming ever closer. A purplishser shot forth from its gaping jaws, streaking through the air above us with deadly precision. Before the Great Leviathan could unleash another devastating attack, Obelisk the Tormentor arrived, mming its massive fists down onto the serpent''s snout. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air, momentarily stunning the Leviathan. "Now!" I urged, my voice cutting through the chaos. Slifer the Sky Dragon responded instantly, surging forward with a burst of speed. As we closed in on the elusive Winged Dragon of Ra card, I stretched out my arm, fingers straining to grasp it, my heart pounding with anticipation and desperation. *BOOOOM* Suddenly, Slifer howled in agony as the purplish beam struck the God on its side, causing it to reel in pain. I was thrown into the air, a scream of surprise tearing from my lips as my body began to free-fall. Time seemed to slow, the chaotic scene unfolding around me in agonizing detail as I plummeted, the wind roaring in my ears and the ground rushing up to meet me. Ah... I''m going to die...'' That was my first thought as I continued to fall, the ground racing toward me. A whirlwind of emotions surged through my mind¡ªanger, regret, and a profound sense of wistfulness. Of all the ways to go, I never expected to fall to my death while battling an evil God threatening to destroy the world... As I reflected on the events that led me to this moment, a sudden, strong force yanked me through the air. Blinking in a daze, I caught sight of the person holding me and froze, my mind struggling to process what was happening. "K... Kaiba?" I stammered in disbelief. "SHUT UP AND FOCUS!!!" he bellowed, snapping me back to rity. "What are you doing here?!" I shouted, momentarily forgetting my anxiety. "Are you trying to die too?!!!" "I''m here to save you, idiot!" Kaiba shouted in annoyance. "So stop staring at me and take the damn card!" "Huh... Ah!" My eyes darted to his hand, where the Winged Dragon of Ra was clutched tightly between his fingers. With a frustrated click of his teeth, Kaiba swiftly inserted it into the slots of my Duel Disk. My heart pounded with anticipation as I watched him work, feeling the rush of excitement building within me as the Egyptian God''s power stirred. Staring ahead, I locked eyes with Dartz, a chilling determination burning in his gaze as he commanded the Great Leviathan to surge towards us, its monstrous mouth gaping wide open. "DIE!!!!" Dartz''s roar echoed through the chaos, the very air trembling with his fury as the Great Leviathan lunged forward, its jaws poised to tear us apart with their razor-sharp teeth. "Sano!" Kaiba''s urgent cry caused me to focus. "Yeah!" With a surge of determination, I raised my arm defiantly, facing the oing threat head-on. "Please heed our call and aid us in this dire hour! I summon you, Winged Dragon of Ra!!!" *BOOM* A blinding burst of light erupted from the card''s image, illuminating the darkened sky with an otherworldly brilliance. A deafening screech echoed through the air, reverberating with the summoned creature''s raw power. As the light gradually dimmed, I gazed in awe at the majestic form of the Winged Dragon of Ra, its golden wings unfurling with a resplendent glow. As the Winged Dragon of Ra descended, aforting warmth enveloped us, and I felt the reassuring grip of its ws as it caught us in its grasp. With gentle care, the divine creature lifted us to safety, carrying us back to the floating ind with ease. Once we were safely returned to solid ground, the dragon''s golden eyes bore into me with a mix of concern and determination. It growled softly, a rumble of worry emanating from deep within its chest as its gaze fixed upon my injured arm. "I''m fine..." I reassured the Winged Dragon of Ra with a smile, reaching out to stroke its beak in gratitude. "Go and show that snake who''s boss!" With a resolute nod, the Winged Dragon of Ra acknowledged my words, its eyes gleaming with determination. With a powerful beat of its wings, itunched itself towards the Great Leviathan like a rocket, joining forces with Slifer the Sky Dragon and Obelisk the Tormentor. Together, the trio of Egyptian Gods waged a relentless assault against the Great Leviathan. Their conjoined strength pushed the malevolent serpent back with each ferocious blow. As the battle raged on, the three Egyptian Gods gathered their power, their auras intertwining as they prepared to unleash theirbined might. A brilliant beam of orange light, tinged with hues of yellow, red, and blue, surged forth from the united Egyptian Gods, illuminating the sky with its blinding brilliance. But even as their formidable attack streaked towards the Great Leviathan, the malevolent serpent refused to yield. With a defiant hiss, the Great Leviathan unleashed its purplish breath, a swirling vortex of dark energy that shed violently against the radiant beam. *KABOOOOM* I grimaced as the two opposing attacks collided, their cataclysmic sh engulfing the sky in blinding white light. The sheer force of the explosion was staggering, transforming the once- dark sky into an expanse of brilliant whiteness. It was as if a nuclear bomb had detonated right before my eyes, and I found myself in the front row of the devastating spectacle. Although it seemed like they were evenly matched, the three Egyptian God''s attacks burst through the explosion, their radiant attacks piercing the veil of destruction and homing in on the humongous serpent. With a deafening roar of agony, the Great Leviathan writhed in torment as dozens of brilliant white lights prated its colossal form. "NOOOOOO!!!" Dartz''s anguished scream echoed through the tumultuous air as the light pierced his very being. As the Great Leviathan sumbed to the overwhelming might of the three Egyptian Gods, it emitted one final, resounding roar of defiance before plummeting from the sky. With a deafening crash, the serpent''s colossal form crashed into the churning waters below, its body crumbling upon impact. In the aftermath of the fall, thousands of tiny pink particles began to flow out from within the shattered remains of the Leviathan, casting a radiant glow against the darkened waters like stars in the night sky. "What are they..." Kaiba asked. "They''re souls..." I answered while gazing at the sight with awe. "...It''s beautiful..." Laughing, Iy on the ground and took a deep breath. "It''s over... We won..." Giggling to myself, I raised my hand and grasped in the air in a daze. "Sano...." Kaiba muttered with concern and sat next to me. "Go and rest. I will have someone pick us up." "Nn..." I nodded as adrenaline slowly seeped out of my body and dizziness set in. My body was already tired after just abruptly waking up from Ten Thousand Dragon''s realm, and the last-ditch battle with the Great Leviathan had used my body in overdrive. Now, as I slowly closed my eyes, I wanted to do nothing but sleep. It''s alright; I can take a quick nap. What could go wrong? After all, I will be safe... Because he''s here..... I hope you enjoy it Chapter 82: Whos This Pinked Hair Chum? Chapter 82: Who''s This Pinked Hair Chum? ? Three weekster... [Yuna''s POV] It has been three weeks since our victory against Dartz, and many events have transpired since then. The souls Dartz stole have all returned to their rightful ce. The ones he took in the past were able to go to the afterlife, while the more recent ones were finally able to wake up from their long sleep. However, not everything went smoothly. The injury to my right arm was worse than I initially thought. During the fall, I broke my wrist, which was the source of the intense pain and bruising. As a result, I have to wear a cast over my wrist. Fortunately, with Kaiba Corp''s technology, it healed much faster, allowing the injury to recover in these three weeks. However, that didn''t make the time with the cast any less ufortable... Yet, for some stupid reason, that probably wasn''t the worst thing that happened... Sighing, I flung open the curtains as the morning sun struck my face. Moving my body onto the wide bed, I covered my eyes and stared at the phone beside me. "Kaiba... It''s already been three weeks since west talked." Usually, I wouldn''t have given it a second thought. But after everything we''ve experienced together, I felt like maybe we had grown a bit closer. It took me two weeks to realise that... I missed him... *p* I quickly pped myself and rubbed my stinging cheek. "What on earth am I thinking? Ten Thousand Dragon''s nonsense must be getting to me..." Frustrated, I ruffled my hair and angrily grabbed the phone. "Why am I still here? I should have booked a flight back to Japan as soon as I woke up. What''s the point of waiting for him?!" Suddenly, the phone buzzed uncontrobly and slipped from my grasp. I caught it mid-air, ncing at the caller ID. My heart skipped a beat. Pressing the answer button, I brought the phone to my ear and waited in suspense. "Hello?" I spoke hesitantly, holding my breath. "Do you have ns this afternoon?" Kaiba''s unexpected question caught me off guard. "Par...don?" I stammered, unsure if I had heard him correctly. There was a brief pause, followed by an awkward cough from Kaiba. "There''s a popr caf¨¦ near where you''re staying... Would you like to go?" ''Is... Is he asking me out?!'' A whirlwind of thoughts flooded my mind, and I fidgeted anxiously. This has to be like a date, right?! Why else would he be asking this? "Are you still there?" His voice broke through the silence, "Sano?" "Y... Yes!!" I jumped and yelped. "Do you not want to go?" Kaiba''s voice held an uneasy edge. "N... No! I''d be d to!" I stammered, trying to sound enthusiastic. "Understood. I''ll send you a time to meet. We''ll continue our conversation then," Kaiba replied. Just as he was about to hang up, I frantically stood up and shouted. "K-Kaiba, wait!" I shouted and bit my lip nervously. ''I have to ask him now... If I don''t, it''s just going to keep haunting me!'' Taking a deep breath, I tried topose myself. "K...Kaiba..." I gulped, my grip tightening on the phone. "Do... Do you like..." My voice faltered, nerves making my hands tremble. Kaiba: "I think there''s an issue with the connection. Can you repeat your question, Sano?" "Coffee!" I blurted out, hugging my knees in frustration. "...Do you like coffee?" "I do enjoy its taste, and I usually drink it when I have to work for an extended period," Kaiba calmly exined. "How about you?" I sighed softly, feeling the weight of my emotions pressing against my chest. My heart raced, threatening to break free from the confines of my body. As I gazed at my trembling hand, a sudden realization washed over me. ''Ah... It''s because I''m scared... Scared he might say... no...'' The revtion hit me like a gentle wave, stirring a blend of embarrassment and apprehension within me. Memories of our shared moments flooded my mind, and I couldn''t help but giggle in resignation. "Kaiba..." I closed my eyes and weakly opened my mouth. "I like coffee too..." ".... I see," Kaiba muttered in confusion, and I chuckled wistfully. "I got to go now. I will see you then." With a brief farewell, I hung up the phone. Tossing it across the room in annoyance, I fell face-first onto the bed. My heart continued to race, and I gripped the sheets in frustration, the weight of unspoken words heavy on my mind. "What am I overthinking for? He wants to talk, that''s all," I reassured myself, calming down. "That''s right, setting expectations will never end well..." With a resigned sigh, I went to the wardrobe to change, my emotions tangled in aplicated web of anticipation and uncertainty. Patience became mypanion as I waited for our meeting, ready to face whatever it might bring. [3rd POV] A few hourster... In the bustling street, a sleek ck limousine glided down the road before gracefully parking beside a quaint caf¨¦. As the door swung open, a tall, striking man with pink hair emerged. Dressed in a fashionable purple suit adorned with a purple rose pinned to his leftpel, he exuded an air of sophistication. A cerise-coloured frilled jabot adorned his neck, adding a touch of mboyance to his ensemble. A gleaming golden watch adorned his wrist, a subtle yet unmistakable symbol of his affluent status. The man moved with confidence as he entered the store, greeted by theforting aroma of freshly ground coffee beans that enveloped his senses. Despite his penchant for luxury, he found it amusing to visit these small establishments personally from time to time. Moreover, the beverages served here ideally suited his discerning pte, adding an extrayer of satisfaction to the experience. "Good afternoon, sir. Would you like to have the usual?" The waitress asked with a professional smile. "Of course," he nodded with a smirk, "just put it on my tab." As the receptionist left to prepare his order, the man leaned casually against the counter, crossing his arms. He couldn''t help but notice the curious nces from other customers, their eyes lingering on his luxurious outfit. The attention only fueled his confidence; sometimes, unting one''s wealth could be pretty exhrating. ~Ring~ As he basked in the attention, the bell attached to the door rang crisply, and the man heard footsteps approaching the counter. Instantly, the atmosphere in the caf¨¦ shifted strangely, and all the attention that had been focused on him vanished. Frowning at the suddenck of recognition, he subtly turned his head to nce at the person who had stolen the spotlight. Instantly, he gasped and froze on the spot. A beautiful young woman with luscious, long blue hair had entered. She wore a white sweater to ward off the cold and a long ck skirt that modestly hid her legs, giving a refined and mature charm to her appearance. Before he realised it, the woman had already received her drink and moved to a table in the corner of the caf¨¦. As she carefully took a sip, her lips curved into a small smile, leaving the spectators in admiration. The man touched his chest in a daze, finding himself entirely absorbed by her presence. "Sir, your drink is ready." The waitress''s voice snapped him out of his stupor. Gulping, he grabbed his coffee and walked toward the woman''s table with confident steps. As the man approached, he noticed her absent-minded gaze, lost in thought. "Ahem," he cleared his throat, "mind if I join you here?" The young woman blinked and turned her blue eyes toward him with curiosity. As she scanned his appearance from head to toe, her eyes widened, and the man couldn''t help but think she must be impressed by his wealthy look. "My name is Zigfried von Schroeder. May I know the name of the gorgeousdy before me?" He bowed courteously. "Zigfried..." she muttered under her breath, then looked up at him. "I''m sorry... I''m waiting for someone else..." "But they''re not here yet," Zigfried pointed out, his eyes sweeping the room. "Leaving someone as stunning as you waiting? They must not realize what a treasure they have in front of them." He offered a charming smile, hoping to capture her interest. "Please... take that back..." The woman warned, turning her head away. "I spoke out of turn," Zigfried hurriedly said, regret colouring his words. "They must have their circumstances too." Met with silence, he scrambled to find another topic to engage her. His gaze wandered to her bag, and he noticed something familiar sticking out. "If you don''t mind me asking, is that device a Duel Disk?" Zigfried''s eyes lit up with curiosity, a hint of excitement in his voice. "I happen to be quite the Duel Monsters enthusiast myself, if I do say so." "...Is that so?" she replied, her tone curious as she regarded him. Zigfried nodded enthusiastically, a spark of excitement dancing in his eyes. "Then, how about this? Let''s have a duel. If I win, can you give me a chance?" Zigfried proposed, gauging her reaction. "But if you win, I''ll back off and leave you alone." "Fine..." The woman sighed, reaching for the Duel Disk in her bag. Zigfried smirked confidently, convinced victory was within his grasp. Little did he know, he was about to face a challenge unlike any other, one that he would soon regret... [Yuna''s POV, Earlier] ''I seem to have arrived early...'' I nced at the time on my phone, observing the bustling caf¨¦ ahead. Even after prime time, it remained popr, with many customers still enjoying their food. "I hope I''m not overdressed..." I mumbled, feeling a tinge of embarrassment as I tugged on my cor. This attire wasn''t my usual choice, and it felt strangely unfamiliar. Stepping into the caf¨¦, I was enveloped by a cozy, inviting atmosphere that immediately put me at ease. After retrieving my drink, I found a table in the quiet corner and took a moment to gather my thoughts. Anticipating Kaiba''s arrival at any moment, I couldn''t help but wonder what he wanted to talk about. Why did it take so long for him to contact me finally? Was it because he was upset? I sighed, deciding to distract myself by opening the system that I hadn''t opened in a while. As I did, a notification suddenly appeared before my eyes, catching mepletely off guard. [Notification: You have a Message!] message? My heart skipped a beat as I stared at the screen with wariness. Never once have the system personally replied before... Bracing myself, I focused on the message, praying that it wasn''t something terrible. [Message: So, this is what my sister has been doing all this time. I have to say she put a lot of effort into it. Consider this a token of investment. Hopefully, things will get more interesting. Don''t disappoint me. Your Favourite God - Ten Thousand Dragon] [Notification: You received 10,000 Credits!] [ept?: Yes/No] So, was this his way of advising me to let loose? I don''t mind taking the suggestion, though. Gratefully epting the gift, I watched as my credits gradually replenished to their total amount. Though it''s not enough to purchase many powerful cards, it''s certainly a starting point I cann/?/vel/b//in dot c//om work with. It''s high time I enhanced my deck. The defeat of Dartz made me realize that my strategy was stillcking something. While the dragons proved formidable, I believe I now require another archetype toplement them. But what''s both affordable and reliable, and what wouldplement my dragons effectively? As I took a sip of my drink, inspiration struck, and a smile spread across my face. In a matter of minutes, I was able to restructure my entire deck and incorporate the new cards seamlessly. Taking a deep breath, I nced at my brand-new deck and smirked. Now, I just needed some chum to test... "Mind if I join you?" Suddenly, my thought was interrupted. I turned my head and stared at the smiling man before me with surprise. As I scanned his appearance, a feeling of familiarity washed over me, and my eyes widened in disbelief. Could it be that my prayers were actually answered? "My name is Zigfried von Schroeder. May I know the name of the gorgeousdy before me?" He bowed dramatically, and my expression stiffened at his obvious wooing. "Zigfried..." I muttered, my gaze flicking between him and my Duel Disk before I finally gave up. Kaiba would be here any minute now, and while this encounter was unexpected, I had more pressing matters at hand. "I''m sorry... I''m waiting... for someone else..." At my rejection, Zigfried''s eyebrows twitched, a hint of frustration shing across his features. He nced around the room, his eyes searching for an answer. "But they''re not here yet," he insisted, his tone almost pleading. "If someone left such a beautifuldy like you waiting, then they must not be a good person." I bit the inside of my mouth, feeling a surge of offence at Zigfried''s words. Frowning, I looked away with annoyance, unable to hide my displeasure. "Take your words back," I ordered, my voice firm. Hearing him insult Kaiba behind his back left a bitter taste. Sensing my sour mood, Zigfried quickly apologized. However, it was already toote, and I refused to engage further. Just as I thought the day was improving, I found myself facing this unexpected setback. Nheless, Zigfried was as stubborn as a mule, seemingly unable to take the hint that I was not interested... "If you don''t mind me asking, but is that device a Duel Disk?" Zigfried suddenly inquired, his tone shifting to genuine curiosity. "Actually, I''m also quite knowledgeable about the game of Duel Monsters, if I have to say so myself." To my surprise, Zigfried suddenly challenged me to a duel, and I blinked at him in disbelief. He proposed that if I defeated him, he would finally get out of my hair. But if I lost... I would have to go on a date?! The idea was utterly absurd, and I couldn''t help but feel a surge of dread. I''d rather have my soul stolen again than agree to this ridiculous bet. "Fine..." I spat with frustration, realizing that refusing the challenge would only make matters more troublesome. Standing up, we moved outside of the caf¨¦, but suddenly, a tall figure abruptly blocked my path. "Where are you going?" A familiar voice stopped me in my tracks, and I slowly lifted my head. "Kaiba..." I muttered under my breath, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension flood through me as I met his gaze. "We agreed to meet here," Kaiba stated, his expression filled with perplexity. "So why are you leaving?" "Um, no, it''s not like that..." I averted my gaze, feeling the weight of both Kaiba''s scrutiny. "Let me exin..." "What''s going on? I thought we had prior arrangements. Did you change your mind?" Before I could respond, Zigfried appeared behind Kaiba, peering at me over his shoulder. "Is this man bothering you?" he asked, his tone protective. It was as if a dark shadow had descended upon us, casting a suffocating atmosphere over the store. I felt a shiver run down my spine as tension crackled in the air. Kaiba''s pupils were trembling uncontrobly, and his knuckles cracked audibly as he clenched his fists, a storm brewing within him. "Is... that... true?" Kaiba growled, his voice low and dangerous, and I frantically shook my head, "Are you going to abandon me?" "A duel!" I blurted out, my face flushed with embarrassment. "...It''s not like that... he asked me... for a duel..." Kaiba took a deep breath, his demeanour gradually shifting as he seemed to regain control of his emotions. "I see... Then let''s go. You don''t have to fight someone that weak," he stated calmly, his voice carrying an air of authority. As Kaiba reached for my hand to lead me away, he was abruptly halted by Zigfried''s hurried intervention. "Do you know who you''re talking to?!" Zigfried''s voice boomed with anger. "My name is Zigfried von Schroeder, and I am the CEO of the Schroeder Corps!" "Pfft... So what?" Kaiba snorted dismissively, finally turning around to face Zigfried directly. "Do you know who you''re talking to?" "S... S... SETO KAIBA?!!!" Zigfried stepped back in shock, his eyes widening with disbelief. "What are you doing here?!!" As Zigfried''s exmation echoed through the caf¨¦, a crowd began to gather around us, and Kaiba clicked his teeth in annoyance. "Kaiba..." I squeezed his hand, urgencycing my whispered words, "We can go... Somewhere else..." But our exit was halted as Zigfried persisted, determined not to let us slip away. "I can''t ept this!" His voice thundered, drawing the attention of everyone around us. His gaze bore into mine with intensity. "Mydy, why would you align yourself with a man like him?! This man has never shown kindness towards anyone. He would hurt countless people to get what he wanted. What makes you think that you would be any different?" "Sano..." Kaiba''s expression stiffened as I reluctantly let go of his hand. "Enough..." I snarled at Zigfried, my patience wearing thin as I equipped the Duel Diskonto my wrist. "If I win... You will leave us alone, right?" "Of course, don''t worry, mydy, I will save you from that man!" Zigfried''s smiled, his words making my skin crawl. "Sano," Kaiba''s grip tightened on my shoulder. "You should just let me duel instead." "Kaiba," I gritted my teeth, frustration boiling over, "My day was fine until now... Let me handle this... or else you''re next..." Kaiba: "... Yes mam..." Excitement surged through the crowd as they made way for us on the streets. As I finally strapped on my Duel Disk, a ripple of recognition spread through the onlookers, their murmurs turning into excited chatter as they recognized me. "That''s Yuna Sano, the best Duel Monster yer in the world!" "How did I not notice it until now? Her aurapletely changes without the Duel Disk?!" "She looked more beautiful in real life..." Thestment was a little creepy, and the guy immediately fell silent under Kaiba''s stern re. ncing at Zigfried, I noticed the disbelief written on his face, and I couldn''t help but smirk. "Are you ready now?" Zigfried nodded quietly, his confidence evident as he spoke, "Thanks to the ingenious minds of mine, I''ve crafted my own Duel Disk that seamlessly interfaces with Kaiba Corp''s technology." With a flourish, he revealed a purple Duel Disk, its slim and elegant design catching the light. "Amazing, isn''t it?" "Remind me to file awsuit once this is over," Kaiba said while crossing his arms. "Sh.. Shut up!" Zigfried shouted with a red face. It''s clearly a much better design than whatever yourpany made!" "Enough is enough!" I snapped, my anger soaring over, "Let''s begin!" "Duel!" x2 [Zigfried Von Shroeder: 4000 LP] [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP] The following two weeks'' chapter might be dyed, I got exams... Chapter 83: The Valkyries needed to get cleaned up Chapter 83: The Valkyries needed to get cleaned up ? Before we start, I''m just wondering what your guys'' opinions on the recent anime Kaiju no 8 are. Do you guys like it? Are you interested in seeing a fic about it? I have an idea with a male MC this time and wonder if this is something you guys would want to read in the future. [Yuna''s POV] {Task: 16}0 {Show this pink-haired rich guy who''s boss!} {Reward: 5000 Credits} Subtly ncing at the system screen, I turned to the man standing confidently before me. Zigfried von Schroeder, the antagonist of the KC Grand Championship arc, carved a unique niche for himself among the viins. Unlike Marik and Dartz, whose ambitions soared toward world domination, Zigfried''s motives were refreshingly personal and distinctly petty. His grudge against Kaiba stemmed from a childhood rivalry where Kaiba consistently outshone him, fueling a fit of trivial jealousy that drove his actions throughout the arc. This is why I could afford to be a bit nonchnt; Zigfried''s antics, while disruptive, never escted to genuine evil. Sure, Zigfried attempted to upload a virus into the Kaiba Corp database, but Kaiba handled it with ease in the original show. Plus, with Noah now on our side, I doubt the virus would havested even a second. "Looks like I''m going first," Zigfried dered with a confident smile. "I summon Valkyrie Dritte!" In a dazzling burst of light, a striking woman on a white horse appeared on his field. d in shy armour, she brandished a gleaming sword and a golden shield. The Valkyrie smiled triumphantly, raising her sword high into the air as if to announce her impending victory. [Valkyrie Dritte: 1600 Defence] "When Valkyrie Dritte is summoned, I can search for Valkyrie Brunhilde and add her to my hand. Next, I will y my continuous spell card, Goddess Skuld''s Oracle!" Behind Zigfried, a tall woman appeared, her hands sped together in prayer as if invoking a divine blessing upon him. "When I activate Goddess Skuld''s Oracle, I''m able to add Goddess Verdande''s Guidance to my hand," Zigfried exined, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Then I will y the spell Goddess Verdande''s Guidance to add Goddess Urd''s Verdict and subsequently activate it!" Two more women materialized from thin air, and together, a holy light shone brightly behind Zigfried, creating a divine scene that left the audience gasping in awe. "Goddess Skuld''s Oracle allows me to look at the top three cards in your deck and arrange them in any order!" Zigfried smiled confidently. Grinning, he held my wrist and stared at me intently. "Now, the closer I am to you, mydy seems even more beautiful..." he whispered. A chill ran down my spine, and I shivered. "Just get on with it..." I frowned, watching as he eagerly drew three cards from my Duel Disk. Staring at them in contemtion, his eyes shifted from surprise to confusion. Judging by his expression, Zigfried must have encountered cards he had never seen before. Awkwardly, he ced them back into my deck. When I returned to my side of the field, Zigfried cleared his throat. "Now, I will use the effect of Goddess Verdande''s Guidance! This spell allows me to dere a card type on the top of your deck, and if I guess correctly, you must set that card on the field!" "Then, with Goddess Urd''s Verdict, I can target a face-down card and dere its name. If I guess correctly, it will be removed from y!" "I will guess the top card in your deck is a monster card!" he dered with a smirk. Frowning, I slowly drew the card from the top of my deck and revealed it to everyone: my Blue-Eyes White Dragon and ced the powerful monster onto my field. "Ara... Looks like I guessed correctly," Zigfried grinned smugly. "Then, with Goddess Urd''s Verdict''s effect, I dere that set card to be Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Sighing in resignation, I watched as my Blue-Eyes White Dragon was banished, and he chuckled triumphantly. "I''ll set one card and end my turn. Quite impressive, isn''t it?" "It sure is an interesting strategy," Imented with a sly smile. "But it''s time to show you mine! I will draw and summon Chamber Dragonmaid!" With a bright light, a woman suddenly appeared on the field. She has striking white hair cascading over a long, flowing European-style ck dress. Yet, unlike any ordinary human, she sported curved horns protruding from either side of her head and a thick, ebony tail extending gracefully from her back. [Chamber Dragonmaid: 500 Attack] "A Dragon... maid?" Zigfried frowned, his eyes narrowing in confusion as he stared at the feather duster in her hand. "I was expecting something more intimidating." As if offended by his remark, Chamber Dragonmaid''s brow furrowed, and she waved the feather duster in a somewhat menacing manner. Even Kaiba appeared slightly bemused, finding the appearance of a maid with dragon-like features both amusing and unexpected. "It gets better than this," I assured Zigfried confidently. "When Chamber Dragonmaid is summoned, I can add Dragonmaid Changeover to my hand." Without missing a beat, I continued, "I activate Dragonmaid Changeover! This lets me Fusion Summon a Dragon monster using monsters from my hand and field as materials!" "Using Chamber Dragonmaid and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from my hand, I will Fusion Summon the leader of the Dragonmaids, Dragonmaid Sheou!" A purplish magical ring enveloped Chamber Dragonmaid as she gracefully descended into it, bidding farewell with a serene smile. Momentster, a majestic, sleek dragon ascended into the air. Its glossy ck scales contrasted sharply with its pristine white underbelly, and its powerful wings, a blend of ck and red, beat rhythmically, creating a gust of formidable wind. The dragon emitted a piercing cry, its keen eyes fixating intensely on Zigfried with an unwavering gaze. [Dragonmaid Sheou: 3500 Attack] "Now, I will battle!" I shouted. "Dragonmaid Sheou, attack Valkyrie Dritte!" "Not so fast!" Zigfried countered sharply. "I activate my trap card, Waboku! This prevents me from taking any battle damage this turn, and my monsters cannot be destroyed by battle!" "That won''t happen!" I retorted confidently. "I activate Dragonmaid Sheou''s effect! By returning this monster to my Extra Deck, I can negate the activation of one of your cards! And then, I can summon one House Dragonmaid from my Extra Deck!" BOOOOM Dragonmaid Sheou wrapped her wings around her body and descended to the ground. As the dragon unfurled her wings, a transformation urred. Standing before everyone was a tall woman dressed in a ck maid uniform with a crisp white apron. Her oncerge wings now adorned her waist, and her tail extended gracefully down her back. Adjusting her sses, the House Dragonmaid bowed gracefully. Her smile remained on her face, exuding an air of delight at being on the field. [House Dragonmaid: 3000 Attack] "Since the trap has been negated, I will continue to battle! House Dragonmaid, attack!" Suddenly, the House Dragonmaid tensed her body and vanished in a blur, leaving only a fleeting afterimage. Reappearing behind Valkyrie Dritte, the maid swiftly raised her fists and unleashed a devastating punch that sent the warrior flying. With a smirk, House Dragonmaid wiped her hands with a handkerchief and calmly returned to my side. "I will set two cards and end my turn," I dered with a satisfied smile. "How''s that?" Kaiba chuckled, evidently enjoying himself, while Zigfried''s facade showed a slight crack. "Thank you for the generous lesson," he muttered through gritted teeth. Drawing a card, Zigfried''s eyes glinted with determination. "Be careful what you wish for, mydy... I will begin by activating the Equip Spell, Nibelung''s Ring. It will be equipped to the House Dragonmaid, rendering that monster unable to attack, be Tributed, change its battle position, or activate its effect." Suddenly, a ring materialized on House Dragonmaid''s finger, and she looked at it with surprise. Gradually, the maid felt her strength waning, and she cast a helpless nce towards me. "Now, I activate Pot of Greed to draw two cards from my deck. And then, I activate my trump card, Ride of the Valkyries!" "This card allows me to summon all of the Valkyrie monsters in my hand!" he announced with a confident smile. "Behold, my One-Turn Kill Strategy!" "I will summon Valkyrie Zweite, Valkyrie Brunhilde, Valkyrie Erste, and Valkyrie Erda!" Four distinct Valkyries, each astride a majestic white stallion, materialized on the field, standing side by side in formation like a formidable small army. [Valkyrie Erda: 2000 Attack] [Valkyrie Zweite: 1600 Attack] [Valkyrie Erste: 1600 Attack] [Valkyrie: Brunhilde: 1800 Attack] "When my beautiful Valkyries are summoned, each possesses unique special effects," Zigfried exined with a confident smile, flicking his hair casually. "Let me borate." "While Valkyrie Erda is on the field, all monsters you control will lose one thousand attack points, and any monsters destroyed by battle or card effect will be banished instead!" [House Dragonmaid: 3000 -> 2000 Attack] "Then, with Valkyrie Zweite, I can target House Dragonmaid and destroy it!" Valkyrie Zweite aimed her sword, and a beam of light shot out from its tip, targeting my dragon. Sighing, I revealed my set card and dered, "I activate my Quick-y Spell, Dragonmaid Send Off!" "This card allows me to target my House Dragonmaid and return her to my deck. Then, I can summon another Dragonmaid from my hand!" With a wave, the House Dragonmaid vanished, and in her ce appeared a petite maid with blue hair. Shended gracefully on the ground, her eyes widening in surprise as she took in the sight of the four warriors ring at her. "The monster I summoned is Laundry Dragonmaid. When she is summoned, I can send the top three cards of my deck to the graveyard," I exined, ncing at the cards in my hand before discarding them. At the sound of my voice, Laundry Dragonmaid turned her head and gazed at me with teary eyes. A pang of guilt struck me, and I looked away. It was unsettling-this wasn''t something a Duel Disk projection was supposed to do. Sensing the small connection between us, I bit my lip. It was unexpected for a Duel Spirit to appear so suddenly like this... Turning to Laundry Dragonmaid, I quietly encouraged her. "Don''t worry, keep fighting!" Laundry Dragonmaid: ... "Very well... Valkyrie Erste can target a monster in your graveyard and banish it," Zigfried continued, his smile returning. "The targeted monster''s attack will be added to hers. You have quite a powerful dragon in your graveyard; it would be a shame if it''s banished..." Scowling, I calmly sent Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from my discard slot to the banish zone. Before my eyes, I watched Valkyrie Erste''s power increase as she absorbed the strength of my dragon. [Valkyrie Erste: 1600 -> 2800 Attack] Zigfried: "Finally, with Valkyrie Brunhilde, she will gain five hundred attacks for each monster on the field!" [Valkyrie: Brunhilde: 1800 -> 2300 Attack] "This is over!" Zigfried shouted excitedly. "My Valkyries, attack!" In perfect unison, the warriors charged forward, their white horses thundering across the ground with a deep rumbling noise. *Bam!!* The Valkyries swung their swords, and Laundry Dragonmaid''s eyes widened in fear; however, just before the des could strike, a blue magical barrier formed, deflecting the attacks and keeping the young maid safe. "The Dragonmaid summoned through Dragonmaid Send-Off this turn can''t be destroyed by battle or card effects," I exined calmly. "That means Laundry Dragonmaid is protected from your Valkyries'' attacks." Frowning, the Valkyries reluctantly retreated to Zigfried''s side, casting contemptuous nces at the trembling small girl. Turning back to Zigfried, who was ring at me with gritted teeth, I couldn''t resist a smirk as I decided to educate him a little. "The strategy of aiming for a one-turn kill is certainly intriguing," I remarked with a smile. "But remember, you have to clear your opponent''s back rows first-they might have something to counter it. How about it? Do you want to try again?" At this point, Kaiba wasughing so hard that he clutched his stomach in pain while Zigfried''s face flushed red with anger and shame. "Thank you for your... generosity," Zigfried muttered, his lips twitching to suppress any profanity. "But you will soon regret that! I will activate Mischief of the Time Goddess, this allows the turn to be skipped into my next Battlephase!" "Go, my Valkyries!" Zigfriedmanded. Confidently stepping forward, Valkyrie Erda locked eyes with the Laundry Dragonmaid standing before her. Observing the scene, I sighed with the air of a teacher disappointed in her student. "You got a bit too excited there. Don''t forget, I still have a back-row card left. Behold, my Destructive Daruma Karma Cannon!" "This trap allows me to flip all monsters on the field face-down!" I dered triumphantly, and in an instant, all the monsters were transformed into face-down Duel Monster cards. "Now, none of your monsters can attack..." Zigfried looked like he was about to tear his hair out in frustration as his n was foiled once again. "Although the game aims to deplete your opponent''s life points to zero, it''s risky to bet everything on one move," I exined, mixing in some genuine analysis alongside my yful teasing of Zigfried. "Furthermore, your strategy relies heavily on swarming the field rather than individual monster strength. This makes you vulnerable if your initial assault fails, leaving you open to counterattacks," I continued, assessing his strategy critically. Zigfried: ... Kaiba: ... Everyone:... Eventually, Kaiba chuckled and broke the silence. Meeting my gaze, he snickered, shing his white teeth. "Would you show us how it''s done?" Frantic nods filled the ground as spectators watched with anticipation. With a small sigh, a smile formed on my lips, and I turned to Zigfried. "We can''t disappoint the crowd, can we?" "Tsk... I will flip summon back my monsters in defence mode except for Brunhilde, set one card, and end my turn," Zigfried muttered bitterly, his expression contorting with a mix of shame, anger, and nervousness. "Since the turn when Ride of the Valkyries was used was skipped, my Valkyries don''t have to return to my deck..." "Now it''s my turn. I will draw!" I nced at my hand and smiled. If people wanted a show so much, let''s give them a show! "I will y Painful Choice and select five cards from my deck. You can choose one card, and I will discard the rest, adding your choice to my hand." I gathered the five cards from my deck and presented them to Zigfried: Red Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon Card of Sanctity Return of Dragon Lords Parlor Dragonmaid Dragonmaid Lorpar Zigfried''s expression stiffened, clearly aware that any option he picked would not be in his favour. After a moment of nervous deliberation, he reluctantly chose Dragonmaid Lorpar, and I discarded the remaining cards to my discard pile. "Thanks to the effect of Laundry Dragonmaid earlier, I can now activate Dragonmaid Tidying from my graveyard by banishing it. This lets me revive my Chamber Dragonmaid!" [Chamber Dragonmaid: 1600 Defence] "As you know, when Chamber Dragonmaid is summoned, I can add Dragonmaid Hospitality to my hand," I announced, revealing the chosen card to Zigfried. "Next, I will special summon Dark End Evaporation Dragon by banishing Blue-Eyes Tyrant Dragon from my Extra Deck!" A fierce roar shook the field as the pitch-ck dragon with horns crawled out from the depth. Its soulless eyes scanned Zigfried''s field, and it licked its lips with hunger. [Dark End Evaporation: 2600 Attack] [Dark End Evaporation: 2600 -> 1600 Attack] "When Dark End Evaporation Dragon is on the field, I can use its effect to Fusion Summon using monsters from my field or hand as materials! With Dark End Evaporation Dragon and Chamber Dragonmaid, I will summon Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!" The two dark monsters on my field began to merge and transform into a dark, ominous cocoon. Suddenly, the cocoon ruptured, and a grotesque dragon with green and purple hues burst forth with a thunderous roar, startling Zigfried and the crowd. [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 Attack] [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 -> 1800 Attack] [Valkyrie Brunhilde: 2300 -> 2800 Attack] "When Starving Venom Fusion Dragon is summoned, it can gain attack equal to one of your special summoned monsters until the end of this turn! I''ll take your Valkyrie Brunhilde!" "That won''t work; with Goddess Urd''s Verdict, my Valkyries can''t be targeted by any of your monster''s effects!" Zigfried exined nervously, but I couldn''t help but giggle. "Unfortunately, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon''s summoned effect doesn''t target, so it doesn''t matter anyway..." I corrected. With a hiss and a disturbing snap, the wings of Starving Venom Fusion Dragon opened, revealing a bright pink membrane glowing eerily with energy. [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 1800 -> 4600 Attack] "You must have thought that Starving Venom Fusion Dragon isn''t enough to defeat you here," I pointed out, noticing Zigfried flinch. "Unfortunately, as I said, to achieve victory, you have to n meticulously!" "I flip summon Laundry Dragonmaid," I dered, and the adorable blue-haired girl poked her head out from her hiding ce. [Laundry Dragonmaid: 1600 Defence] "Next, I will activate the effect of Dragonmaid Changeover in my graveyard and add it back to my hand by returning Laundry Dragonmaid to my hand! After that, I will fusion summon with Dragonmaid Changeover using Laundry Dragonmaid and Dragonmaid Lorpar in my hand to summon Dragonmaid Sheou!" [Dragonmaid Sheou: 3500 Attack] [Dragonmaid Sheou: 3500 Attack -> 2500 Attack] "Next, I normal-summon Nurse Dragonmaid!" I continued, and a cute maid dressed in a nurse outfit appeared on the field, "When Nurse Dragonmaid is summoned, I can target Parlor Dragonmaid in my graveyard and summon it!" Besides the Nurse Dragonmaid, another maid appeared. She had green hair in twin tails and a mischievous vibe as she observed her surroundings with interest. "Parlor Dragonmaid allows me to send a Dragonmaid card from my deck to my graveyard. I send Dragonmaid Ernus!" "I activate Spell card Dragonmaid Hospitality. I revive Laundry Dragonmaid in my graveyard, then send a Dragonmaid monster with the same attribute but a different level to the graveyard from my deck." "I will choose Dragonmaid Nudyarl, and when Laundry Dragonmaid is summoned, I can send another three cards from my deck to the graveyard!" "Finally, I will y Dragonmaid Wee!" It makes my monsters gain one hundred attacks and defence for each Dragonmaid monster I control! Also, since I possess two or more Dragonmaid monsters, I can add back a Dragonmaid card from the graveyard to my hand. I add back Dragonmaid Tinkhec!" "Now my dragons'' power will be unleashed," I smirked. At the start of the Battle Phase, I can return Nurse Dragonmaid, Parlor Dragonmaid, and Laundry Dragonmaid from the field to my hand and summon their counterparts in the graveyard!" "Show him what will go wrong when you mess with us. I summon Dragonmaid Lopar, Dragonmaid Nudyarl and Dragonmaid Ernus!!" With bright smiles, the three Dragonmaid''s tails wagged excitedly. Together, a white light shimmered from their bodies as they began to transform. "Do you think I will allow that to happen? I will activate Valkyrie Erste''s effect and banish the Dragonmaid Lopar in your graveyard!" Zigfried retorted. Suddenly, the white light in Palor Dragonmaid''s body dimmed, and she blinked in disbelief. In frustration, she stomped on the ground and pouted, her cheeks inted like a chipmunk. Feeling sympathetic to the sulking maid, I clicked my teeth. "Then Palor Dragonmaid will still return to my hand," I exined as Laundry Dragonmaid and Nurse Dragonmaid finished their transformation, bing two beautiful dragons in blue and pink fluffy fur. [Dragonmaid Nudyarl: 2600 Attack] [Dragonmaid Ernus: 2600 Attack] [Dragonmaid Nudyarl: 2600 -> 1600 Attack] [Dragonmaid Ernus: 2600 -> 1600 Attack] "In case you didn''t notice, my Valkyrie Brunhilde is gaining a boost for each monster you control," Zigfried pointed out, "So you''re just making her stronger!" [Valkirie Brunhilde: 2800 ATK -> 3800 ATK] "Indeed, that is a pretty good power to have," I admitted. "It would be a shame, though, if someone copies it, right?" I smiled eerily, and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon snapped its jaw inughter. "I activate Mystical Space Typhoon. I destroy Goddess Urd''s Verdict, and with the card gone, your Valkyries are now exposed!" "This is the fun part! Starving Venom Fusion Dragon can target a level five or higher monster you control, and it will copy that monster''s effect and name. So, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon bes Valkyrie Brunhilde!" With a bone-snapping and gut-wrenching sound, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon''s body began to contort and shrink. Condensing the enormous flesh, green veins crept along the dragon''s skin as it became something smaller, something more human. To Zigfried''s horror, the dragon transformed into a copy of his beloved Valkyrie. However, unlike the divine appearance of these female warriors, my Valkyrie''s skin was entirely green with purplish armour made of pure carapace; asionally, fungus or red bulbs grew from its skin before vanishing, matching the looks of a diseased. [Valkyrie Brunhilde (Starving Venom Fusion Dragon): 4600 Attack] "Now, thanks to dragons on my field and the Dragonmaid Wee''s effect, my Valkyrie Brunhilde will gain attack as well!" [Valkyrie Brunhilde (Starving Venom Fusion Dragon): 4600 -> 6900 Attack] "This is the end! Valkyrie Brunhilde, kill them all!" Iughed, and Valkyrie Brunhilde, my Starving Venom Fusion Dragon in disguise, charged, waving its bony sword like a lunatic. "I activate my trap..." Zigfried tried to counter, but it was already toote... "You must be aware of Dragonmaid Sheou''s effect by now. I negate your trap activation and return Dragonmaid Sheou to the Extra deck, then summon House Dragonmaid from it." I mercilessly crushed his ns one by one. [House Dragonmaid: 3000 Attack]n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "No, no, no!" Zigfried screeched, "I decrease Valkyrie Brunhilde''s defence by one thousand to avoid her and my Valkyries being destroyed by battle!" Zigfried shouted. "It doesn''t matter." I shook my head, "I banished Breakthrough Skill in my graveyard to negate Valkyrie Brunhilde''s effect!" Smiling, I recalled the cards dumped by Laundry Dragonmaid''s effect; if she really was a spirit, I got to praise herter for sending the exact cards I wanted!" "This is what a true One Turn Kill Strategy is capable of!" Iughed, "Engrave this day into your mind, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, attack!" "No!" Zigfried wailed as he saw Valkyrie Brunhilde''s attack return to its original weakened state. [Valkyrie Brunhild: 3800 -> 1800 Attack] Tentacles burst out of Starving Venom Fusion Dragon''s back like a horror film. Each limb acted like a knife, plunging deeply into the warrior''s body, raising her into the air like a pin cushion. With a triumphant gurgle, the tentacles expand,pletely tearing the monsters apart... [Zigfried Von Schroeder.: 4000 LP -> 0 LP] I hope you enjoy it. Chapter 84: What Do the Rich Want From Me? Chapter 84: What Do the Rich Want From Me? ? [Yuna''s POV] Zigfried fell onto his back, startled by the intense ferocity of Starving Venom Fusion Dragon. As his life points dropped to a zero, silence engulfed the crowd. The only remaining sounds were the Duel Disks beeping loudly and the asional awkward coughs. Then, as if on cue, cheers erupted from all sides. I rubbed my shoulders, feeling a mix of pride and embarrassment at the sudden attention. "That gave me chills!" "I thought the dragonmaids were quite cute. But to think she has such scary monsters as well..." "That Starving Venom Fusion Dragon is going to give me nightmares tonight..." Various voices filled the air, making me blush. ncing at Zigfried, he sat up in a daze. His mouth opened and closed like a goldfish, struggling to find the right words. "In the end... Your ystyle isn''t that bad..." I smiled awkwardly. "But you still... needed some work..." Unable to respond, Zigfried could only nod helplessly, like a robot, as he packed his cards. Emerging from the audience, Kaibaughed haughtily, his voice dripping with disdain. "All talk but no skill. How about you leave now before embarrassing yourself further?" ''Ah... why are you fanning the mes?!'' I glimpsed at Zigfried worriedly. To my surprise, he seemed to have regained a bit of his spirit, ring at Kaiba with contempt. "You will pay for this insult, Seto Kaiba!" he growled, his voice trembling with anger. "Really now. What are you going to do about it?" Kaiba smirked arrogantly, "You can''t do anything. Like eight years ago, you will always be beneath me..." "Kaiba!" I snapped and pped his shoulder, "Why do you have to say that?!" "...Forgive him..." I smiled apologetically at Zigfried, "He''s... didn''t mean it..." "What are you talking about? I totally meant..." Kaiba immediately shut his mouth under my firm stare. Watching us, Zigfried hurriedly pursed his lips and walked back to his car. Throwing onest threat at us, his vehicle sped off. "... Why did you do that?" I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose as Zigfried''s car disappeared from view. "You sure like to create enemies..." Kaiba shrugged nonchntly. "There are hundreds of people out there who want a piece of me. So, one more doesn''t make any difference." "Now,e on, we''ve wasted enough time," he continued, leading me back inside the cafe. It was only after I entered that I realized the ce had emptied, with security guards posted at the door, preventing anyone from barging in. Sitting across from each other, the waitress nervously ran over. Seto pointed at some items on the menu, and she frantically sprinted to the kitchen to prepare them. When she left, silence filled the room. I averted my gaze, feeling a mix of emotions, unsure of exactly what I was experiencing. "I want to apologize first," Kaiba said out of the blue, catching me off guard. "I should''ve contacted you sooner." "N... no, it''s fine!" I hurriedly waved my arms. "You must have been busy..." "You could say that," Kaiba sighed wearily, his usuallyposed demeanour softening as fatigue crept into his expression. "Even with Dartz gone, his presence has left a deep scar," Kaiba exined. "I''m still trying to track down the remaining remnants of Doma, and there are still some subordinates running amok. Last I heard, the brats that attacked us escaped, and they''re still on the run." "That... so..." I muttered dejectedly. I had hoped to turn Satorius and Sarina to the good side, but that n seemed meaningless now. "Then how''s Kaiba Corps doing?" "Kaiba Corp''s reputation has gone down the drain, and even now, there are still investors and politicians lighting my a*s up like a Christmas tree," Kaiba grimly remarked. "...Then isn''t it pointless to waste your time with me?" I spoke urgently, feeling a pang of concern. "Who said I''m wasting my time?" Kaiba smirked confidently. "Don''t worry, I won''t be bothered by something like this." "Who says I''m worried..." I pouted, my cheeks flushing slightly. Thankfully, before I could feel any more embarrassed, the waitress arrived with a trayden with various desserts-cakes and macarons among them. After a swift bow, she departed, leaving me staring in awe at the glistening array of food before us. "Here, try some," Kaiba said, pushing the te towards me. I hesitated for a moment, then carefully cut a small piece and brought it to my mouth. A delighted yelp escaped me as the delicious taste exploded on my tongue. Unable to resist, I eagerly started attacking the remaining desserts. "If you eat all this, you''re going to gain weight, you know?" Kaiba said with an amused smile. "Then I won''t eat dinner..." I replied, eyeing the abundance of desserts that still seemed barely touched. "But still, it''s too much..." Kaiba muttered, pulling the te away from me. When he tried to bite himself, he clicked his teeth and quickly washed down the food with a gulp of water. "This is way too sweet..." Giggling, I watched him push the te back towards me, and I happily finished the rest of the cake with ease. "So... What did you want to talk about?" I asked curiously, eager to hear what was on his mind. "Right," Kaiba nodded as he exined the purpose of our meeting. "As I said, Dartz''s damage has been astronomical. However, that also means it can be an opportunity." "Thanks to what he''s done, the poprity of Duel Monsters has reached an all-time high. That''s why I want to host another tournament, and I hope you''ll participate." As Kaibaid out his n, I listened intently, realizing this was the start of the KC Grand Championship arc. "Along with the brand new opening of Kaiba Land, I wish to use this chance to regain Kaiba Corps''s reputation. It''s going to be a muchrger tournament, grander than Battle City. I nned to invite the strongest duellists around the world to give them a chance to fight for the title of King or Queen of Games." "Is Mutou participating, too?" "As much as I distaste inviting him, it''s something that will be done. The winner of the tournament can challenge one of you for the title." "Everything has already been prepared. The contestants have been chosen through a preliminary match. Thepetition is nned to start as soon as possible. All I need is your confirmation." Kaiba exined, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Is that so..." I smiled wryly. However, my lips twitched, and I sighed, "But Kaiba... I''m no longer the Queen of Games... I lost to Dartz, remember?" "Nonsense!" Kaiba shouted abruptly as he stood up and pped the table, "I will never ept him as someone better than you! I have beaten him. Are you saying that I became the strongest Duellist?!" "But you fought with Yugi..." I corrected, "So..." "Are you iming that without Yugi, I would have lost?!" He hissed, "I have contributed the most in the duel. So don''t you think I gain the title as well?!" "I guess..." "By that logic, you also helped, no?! Without the cards you have given us, we would have a much harder time duelling against him! So, since you participated, that means you should reim your title as well!" "That''s not how it works..." I uttered, but he suddenly grasped my shoulders, and I instinctively froze in shock. "Sano." Kaiba gazed at me intensely, "I will never acknowledge anyone else...." His eyes portrayed his seriousness, and I flinched at his sudden outburst, "Why... Why are you going so far..." "Far?" Kaiba chuckled as if my statement was absurd, "I don''t think so at all. It''s just because you''re that worthy." I blushed and hurriedly withdrew my gaze. My body tingled, and my heartbeat intensified. My emotions surged from shyness to happiness, causing me to squirm in my seat. Staring at his serious expression, I couldn''t help but question what was going on in his head... [3rd POV] Seto have never felt so embarrassed in his life. He didn''t realise that he would go this far, sprouting such cheesy lines that made him want to dig a hole and hide in it forever. Despite the humiliation, Seto truly felt what he said was true. Although his thoughts on Yugi had improved since then, no matter how many times he had to choose, Seto would choose her. "Please," He pleaded. Stuck in a quiet battle, the two stared deeply into each other''s eyes. Eventually, Yuna''s heart wavered, and she nodded stiffly at his sincerity, "Okay... But I don''t think... I would be great..." Seto''s lips twitched and stared at her in disbelief, "Such nonsense, look." Taking out his phone, he showed her thetest videos, which were recorded from various perspectives. It was the duel between Yuna and Zigfried that showed her effortlessly summoning her five dragons before obliterating her opponent in one move. Grabbing Seto''s phone, Yuna scrolled through thements in a daze. While Battle City was able to spread her notoriety in the Duelling Community somewhat, this waspletely different. "W... Woah.." She mumbled in disbelief, and Setoughed at her cute reaction. He remarked. "The world has noticed you, and they will only be more and more curious." "This is just too much..." Yuna murmured while staring at the continuously rising number. "You will get used to it soon," Setoforted with a smile, "It''s good that it''s happening early. A powerful duellist like you will get noticed sooner orter." "What... if I do badly?" She asked and gazed at Seto worriedly. "Such meaningless concern," he replied and gently tapped her forehead. I will make sure that never happens. Trust me, I won''t let you get hurt..." Staring at Seto, Yuna''s eyes softened, and she nodded, "Alright, I will do it..." Reaching out her hand, she smiled, "....Let''s work hard, Kaiba." Seto carefully grasped her hand, and they shook firmly, "Of course, let''s do our best..." Unknowingly, he found himself smiling alongside her. Suddenly, Seto felt a brief vibration in his back pocket. Taking out his second phone, he frowned at the constant stream of work calls flooding his screen. Supervising current projects, conducting business meetings, and signing valuable paperwork ¡ªthese were just some of the demands of his busy life. The extensive damage caused by Dartz had already stretched his work hours to their limits, and postponing his tasks would only compound the problemter. However... "...Is there something wrong?" Yuna asked curiously, pulling Seto from his thoughts. "It''s nothing," he replied, shaking his head as he shut off his phone. For once, Seto didn''t care about the constant demands of his work. Staring at her innocent face, he decided that just for today, he wanted to focus on her, leaving his responsibilities behind. [Yuna''s POV] A few hourster... When I finally returned to the hotel room, I copsed onto the bed in exhaustion. Despite my fatigue, I couldn''t help but smile. "It''s fun..." I mumbled to myself. Even though we had just talked, I found myself enjoying it more than I had anticipated. We talked, ate, andughed. It all felt so natural as if we had been friends for years. The connection was effortless, and for the first time in a long while, I felt truly at ease. As I reminisced about the afternoon, the telephone on the desk rang loudly, jolting me from my thoughts. I picked it up. "Hello?" I said. "Good evening, ma''am," a cheerful voice responded. "I''m sorry for bothering you, but there is a woman at the reception requesting to meet you. She goes by the name Ishizu Ishtar?" Ishizu?! My eyes widened at the unexpected name. "C... Can you put her through..." I requested, and after a few seconds, a familiar voice reached my ears. "Greetings, Miss Sano," Ishizu said softly. "I''m sorry for requesting your presence at this time, but do you want to join me for dinner? I have something I want to tell you, and it''s best if we talk privately." After working out the details, I hurriedly cleaned up my appearance and went back down to the first floor. As the elevator opened, I spotted Ishizu calmly sitting in the lounge. Her eyes curved pleasingly as she approached me. "I''m so d you decided to join me," she said excitedly, grasping my hands. "I''m sorry for noting to greet you sooner; things have also be busy on my end." "I could have contacted you this afternoon, but Miss Sano seemed to be having an enjoyable time, and it would have been rude to interrupt." Ishizu smiled slyly, and I blushed. "Let''s go. I know a perfect ce to talk." With a confident stride, I was brought to a Japanese restaurant. From the looks of it, Ishizu seemed to have already reserved a table as we were brought to a private room, away from the other customers. "So..." I stared at Ishizu calmly, "What is it... that you want to talk about..." "Of course," she smiled brightly. "But first, I have to thank you for stopping Dartz''s madness. It was something no one could do. Please take this gift aspensation. I hope you will find it to your liking."N?v(el)B\\jnn Sliding a piece of paper across the table, I carefully scanned the texts and froze in shock. "I don''t know a gift more fitting for Miss Sano, so I decided to purchase a modern vi. I also decided to provide a share of the Ishtar Corporation in case the first gift doesn''t suit your fancy." My pupils trembled at the absurdity, and I didn''t know whether tough or cry. "I.. Isn''t this too much? Where... do you even have the money... for this..." "Don''t worry. My family has quite an influence in Egypt, politically and financially. This much is nothing." Ishizu said with a wave of her hand, "Please tell me if there''s any more that you want." "No, no, no!" I hurriedly shook my head. It''s okay!" Just holding this paper was making me dizzy, and she said I could get more?! Was it me, but why did every rich person I encountered seem to have something wrong with their head? When I finally calmed down after taking a big gulp of water, I sighed. There had to be another reason that Ishizu would contact me and provide such borate items. ncing at Ishizu, she rxingly matched my gaze with a small, observant smile. "There''s another reason... you wanted to meet me..." I muttered. "...Was I correct?" Ishizu''s pupils flickered, and she chuckled, "Miss Sano isn''t entirely wrong, but please rest assured, I have no intention of bribing Miss Sano with gifts, and I believed that it was a justifiedpensation for your efforts," Ishizu exined. "However, that''s not the main topic I want to talk about today." Taking a deep breath, her chest heaved with aplicated expression. Abruptly standing up, Ishizu bowed, her head tightly pressed onto the floor in a prostrating position. "Miss Sano, please help us." Ishizu begged, "We really need your help." Panicking, I frantically pulled Ishizu up. Her face was red with shame and despair as her mask was broken away, "Please exin..." I urged, and Izhizu nodded. "It was only a week ago that my archaeological team discovered an ancient tomb..." Ishizu slowly began her story. "At first, we thought it was an average remains of a historic person. However, the deeper we delve into the chambers, the more ominous the atmosphere felt..." [3rd POV] A week ago... "So these are the ruins our team discovered?" Ishizu asked, stepping into the tent brimming with uncovered treasures. She delicately picked up a golden ne, her eyes widening in admiration. "It''s unbelievable that such valuables were only found now," she murmured. "Ah, sister, you''ve arrived!" Marik''s voice chimed in from behind a pile of gleaming gold coins. He looked up, smiling warmly. "Odion was just rechecking our supplies. We''ll soon be ready to delve deeper into the ruins." As she watched her brother diligently work, a tender smile spread across Ishizu''s face. Not long ago, Marik had been consumed by the corruption of his alter ego, and it was Yuna who had pulled him back from the brink. Now, seeing him embrace his role as the Tomb Keeper, Ishizu felt a profound sense of relief and pride. The heavy burden that had weighed on her heart for so long was finally lifting. Walking side by side, Ishizu and Marik arrived at the entrance of the ruins. Before them loomed a deep, dark cave, its mouth half-hidden by sand and debris. The remnants of civilization had long since faded away, leaving only sporadic traces of sandstone architecture to hint at the grandeur that once was. "Sister, brother, everything is ready," Odion announced, his voice steady and reassuring. "Very well, let us proceed," Ishizu replied. With a shared look of determination, the three of them began their descent into the cave. Fortunately, the path had already been cleared by the scouts they had sent in earlier, making their journey smoother than expected. As they ventured deeper, the air grew more stale and the light dimmer until they finally stopped before a massive door. Thousands of intricate hieroglyphics covered the stone entrance as she ran her fingers along the ancient symbols. "For my son. I shall grant you the power to conquer the throne. The Pyramid of Light shines upon you," Ishizu read aloud, her voice echoing softly against the stone walls. "The Pyramid of Light?" Marik repeated, puzzled. "It was never mentioned in our records...." "Brother, look," Odion interjected, pointing to a hole carved into the centre of the door. The shape was unsettlingly familiar, and the siblings exchanged uneasy nces. With a mix of hesitation and resolve, Marik took out the Millennium Rod and inserted the artifact into the slot. The cave responded immediately, rumbling ominously as the massive stone door began to creak open. Dust and debris cascaded down as the ancient portal revealed the deep, dark interior within. The siblings stood at the threshold, their hearts pounding with anticipation. "Shall we go?" Marik asked, securing the Millennium Rod at his waist. "If we work fast, we dinn " might even make it back be Ishizu and Odion nodded in agreement. With shlights in hand and Ishizu''s Millennium Ne to detect traps, they cautiously made their way through the cave. The journey was tense but uneventful, leading them to a smaller door blocking the final room. Luckily, it wasn''t locked. Odion pushed it open, and they stepped into arge, dimly lit chamber. At the centre of the roomy a massive stone sarcophagus. As if on cue, the torches lining the walls sprang to life, casting a flickering glow that illuminated the room. The sudden burst of light revealed the detailed carvings and murals that adorned the walls. With a mix of awe and apprehension, they approached the tomb. Ishizu''s eyes fixed on the ancient seal, her worry deepening with each step. "What powerful person would be buried in a ce like this..." Ishizu muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Sister, take a look at this," Marik''s voice broke through her thoughts. She turned, following his gaze, to the end of the room, where a strange artifacty atop a pedestal. "That..." Odion mumbled in disbelief as he took in the object''s familiar appearance. "Is that the Millennium Puzzle? No, it resembles the renowned artifact, but its aura is anything but just..." Although it shared the iconic design, the object before them was entirely made of blue crystal, unlike the Golden Millennium Puzzle. A bright red jewel rested at the centre, shining ominously under the orange glow of the torches. The eerie light danced on its surface, casting unsettling reflections that seemed to pulse with a life of their own. Besides the artifact, Ishizu noticed a tablet simr to the Tablet of Lost Memories currently disyed in the Domino City Museum. Yet the Tablet of Lost Memories depicts the pharaoh wielding the power of the three Egyptian Gods; this tablet showcases an unknown man raising his hand in the air with the three Gods subdued beneath his feet... Suddenly, Ishizu frowned as an intense pain shot through her head. Her mind was flooded with a brief but vivid vision of the future, leaving her face pale and her breath ragged. As the vision faded, she gasped, her eyes snapping to Marik, who was slowly reaching for the dangerous artifact. "Marik, stop!" Ishizu screamed, but her warning came toote. A purplish darkness erupted from the artifact, filling the room with an ominous glow. The lid of the sarcophagus exploded, sending shards of stone flying in every direction. Shielding their faces from the debris, they watched in horror as a mummified hand emerged from the smoke, wing its way into the dim light. "We need to leave. NOW!" Odion shouted, and the siblings sprinted toward the exit. As the mummified corpse fully emerged from the sarcophagus, the artifact flew into its hand, and malevolent energy began to seep from its body. Marik gritted his teeth, his face hardening with resolve. "Marik," Odion called out. The two men exchanged a nod, their minds reaching the same conclusion. They both stopped and turned to face the evil spirit, ring at it with contempt. "What are you two doing?!" Ishizu cried out in rm. "We can''t stay here!" "Sister, this thing cannot leave this ce," Marik replied solemnly. "Odion and I will stop it as long as we can." Understanding the gravity of her brother''s words, Ishizu nodded grimly. She paused by the door, biting her lip in worry. Marik smirked at her, trying to project a confidence he didn''t entirely feel. "Go," he urged. With a final nod, Ishizu reluctantly left, leaving her brothers behind to confront the ancient evil. The room echoed with the sound of her footsteps fading into the distance while Marik and Odion braced themselves. As the mummy stood upright, flesh and hair miraculously sprouted from its skeletal frame. Where once was a decrepit corpse now stood a living, tanned-skinned man with dirty blond hair cascading down his back, a testament to his days in ancient Egypt. "Who... has awoken me?" The man''s voice, deep and rough, echoed through the chamber. He surveyed Marik and Odion with a quiet intensity before a smirk twisted his features. "It doesn''t matter... Die." With a swift motion, he aimed the artifact, unleashing a ck beam toward them with startling speed. Reacting quickly, Marik drew the Millennium Rod from his waist and intercepted the deadly spell. The ck beam collided with the rod, creating a violent burst of energy that sent shockwaves through the chamber. "A Sacred Guardian?" The resurrected man uttered in shock, a hint of amusement colouring his tone. "Looks like I''ve underestimated you. If I can''t dispatch you easily, I''ll resort to the traditional method." With amanding gesture, he conjured a swirling mist of darkness that coalesced into dozens of small tablets hovering in the air. Marik and Odion tensed as the two activated the Duel Disks on their wrist. "Interesting. Are those the DiaDhank from beyond my time?" The man''s curiosity was piqued as he examined their Duel Disks. "Very well, let''s battle. Prepare yourselves against the power of the Pyramid of Light!" [Yuna''s POV] "After that, Odion and Marik did not return." Ishizu mumbled, "I wished to go back into the ruins, but I was advised to do so since I''m the only remaining Ishtar left." "Miss Sano, it is shameful of me to even ask you." She held my hand, "Please help us..." [Task 17] [Rescue Marik and Odion by defeating ???] [Reward: 10,000 Credits] I stared at the system screen before turning to Ishizu''s teary face. With a small smile, I pulled her up from her sitting position, "Don''t worry... I will help..." Ishizu stared at me nkly, surprised by my agreement. Eventually, she broke into a bright smile as she hugged me, "Thank you!" While embracing me, Ishizu continued tough in relief, and I chuckled awkwardly. How... How am I going to tell Kaiba about this... I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 85: Start of the Grand Championship Chapter 85: Start of the Grand Championship ? [Yuna''s POV] Next day... The bright sky exploded with dazzling fireworks, marking the grand opening of Kaiba Land. Despite the lingering turmoil from Dartz''s recent chaos, the new amusement park offered citizens a much-needed escape, allowing them a brief respite from the surrounding confusion. Crowds of people from across America poured into the park, rapidly transforming it into one of the world''s hottest attractions. While the cutting-edge rides powered by Kaiba Corp''s futuristic technology drew countless attention, the real buzz was about something far more exciting... "Sano-san, aren''t you nervous?" Yugi asked, nervously rubbing his palms together. "There are going to be so many people watching us." "...Scared?" I echoed, locking eyes with him. "I''m terrified... There will be at least fifty thousand people out there... Maybe more." "Ha ha, really?" Heughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "I''m d I''m not the only one feeling this way." Suddenly, the door to our waiting room swung open, and an employee stepped inside. "Yuna Sano and Yugi Mutou, it''s time." We stood up in unison, our hearts pounding as we walked into the dimly lit hallway. With each step toward the exit, the cheers from the audience grew louder, reverberating through the walls. Just before reaching the end of the hallway, Yugi and I paused, taking a moment to absorb the deafening roar of the crowd. "Do I really have to go out there?" he muttered, his voice barely audible over the noise. "There are way too many people." I couldn''t find the words to respond, so I just nodded stiffly. My heart was pounding in my chest; this was thergest crowd I had ever seen, and all their attention would be on us. Unfortunately for Yugi and I, there was no time to gather our nerves as the employees coordinated our entrance over the radio, "Alright, get ready. You''ll be going in three, two, one... Please proceed through the exit, and good luck." With that brisk farewell, Yugi and I exchanged a quick nod before stepping into the blinding light, bracing ourselves for whaty ahead. [3rd POV] Ten Minutes Earlier. The enormous stadium buzzed with hundreds of conversations as people eagerly took their seats. Suddenly, a cloud of colourful smoke erupted in the centre of the arena, drawing gasps of surprise from the audience. As the smoke cleared, a man with long white hair appeared at the centre. His bright red suit shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight. With a broad smile, he brought the microphone to his lips andughed. "Greetings!" Pegasus announced, his voice booming through the stadium. The crowd erupted into cheers. "How exhrating to see so many people here today." "As you know, I am proud to say that Duel Monsters has reached new heights, with duelistspeting all over the world. Now, thanks to Kaiba Corp, the best of the best are here today to prove their skills!" "In this stadium, several contestants will be demonstrating their duelling prowess until only one remains!" Pegasus announced with enthusiasm. "Now, you must be wondering, what''s so great that it''s making these duelists drool for the first ce spot?" He chuckled, leaning into the microphone. "Well, it''s none other than the chance to challenge the two best duelists in the world and im the title of King or Queen of Games! Let me introduce you to our champions, Yugi Mutou and Yuna Sano!!"N?v(el)B\\jnn Gradually, two figures emerged onto the stage, drawing the audience''s awestruck gazes. "From the right, we have the beautiful youngdy Yuna Sano, who imed first ce in both the Duelist Kingdom and Battle City tournaments! She wields dragons that surpass even the mighty Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Behold, the undefeated Queen of Games!" Behind them, the giant TV screen lit up with footage of Yuna''s duels during the Duelist Kingdom. The audience watched in awe as she summoned the Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and the Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, roaring fiercely and destroying any monsters in their way. The video then switched to her most recent battle, showcasing her Dragonmaids'' intense confrontation against Zigfried. The crowd erupted in admiration, and Yuna couldn''t help but twitch with embarrassment. As the video concluded, everyone apuded enthusiastically. Pegasusughed heartily. "How''s that? Amazing, right? Now, Miss Sano, do you have anything to say to the determined duelists?" Yuna hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of all eyes on her. Gathering herposure, she spoke into the microphone, her voice soft but firm. "I look forward to it..." Her words hung in the air, momentarily quieting the entire stadium. "Ho-ho?" Pegasus smirked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I like that confidence, and rightfully so! Anyone who challenges Miss Sano will need to bring their A-game, or they might find themselves swept away like that poor gentleman earlier!" Hisughter rang out, contagious as the crowd joined in, energized by the lively atmosphere. "Remember, besides Miss Sano here, we also have another Champion! While he reached the finals during the Duelist Kingdom, our friend here showed incredible growth, swiftly defeating powerful opponents like the infamous Seto Kaiba and even achieving a draw with Miss Sano in the same tournament. I introduce you to Yugi Mutou!!" Simr to Yuna''s introduction, a video was supposed to begin ying. However, to the audience''s confusion, the screen remained ck and silent, causing Yugi to frown with anxiety. Tapping his earpiece, Pegasus chuckled apologetically. "Actually... it seems there are some technical difficulties, and we weren''t able to present the video. But you''ll have to take my word for it!" Pegasusughed shamelessly, trying to diffuse the situation as murmurs spread through the crowd. It felt as though Pegasus had dangled a treat in front of their faces only to snatch it away. Frustration and annoyance crept over the audience, and some began to voice their discontent, causing Yugi to shrink further. "Oh? Looks like some of you aren''t convinced?" Pegasus rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "What should we do? Many seem to doubt poor Yugi''s skills, don''t they?" Voices of agreement filled the air, and Yugi gulped anxiously. "I could step down if that''s what everyone wants. Having two people with the same titles can be problematic..." "But that simply won''t do!" Pegasus interjected, shaking his head firmly. "You earned the title fair and square. No need to worry, and we can crush two birds with one stone!" Confusion clouded Yugi''s and the audience''s faces as Pegasus continued, his tone conspiratorial. "How about this? Yugi Mutou, let''s have a duel!" "Huh?!" Yugi stepped backward in shock, his eyes widening as Pegasus regarded him with a knowing smile. "Yes, you heard me right. Your performances in the Duelist Kingdom have piqued my interest! Despite facing Miss Sano as an obstacle, your growth has been extraordinary! What do you say? This duel should dispel any doubts, don''t you think?" Under pressure from the public, Yugi reluctantly nodded, and Pegasus pped his hands in delight. "Perfect! As a special treat, let''s kick off this thrilling tournament with a bang! I, Maximillion Pegasus, the Creator of Duel Monsters, challenge you, Yugi Mutou, the King of Games!" The crowd erupted with excitement at Pegasus''s bold deration. As the creator of the iconic Duel Monsters game, Pegasus''s skill was legendary and not to be underestimated. His participation promised to shake up the tournament leaderboard effortlessly. With a subtle gesture, event staff arrived and escorted the somewhat overwhelmed Yugi away. Once Yugi was out of sight, Pegasus turned his attention back to Yuna. "Now that that''s settled, there''s another problem everyone seems to be quite interested in." "Another... problem?" Yuna frowned, feeling caught off guard as she hadn''t been briefed on this beforehand. ncing at Pegasus, she sensed his mischievous smile and grew uneasy. "You see, there have been rumours circtingtely. Could you please exin this image?" Pegasus said, and on the screen, a picture of Yuna and Seto sitting together appeared suddenly. Both of them had broad smiles on their faces as they engaged in deep conversation. Recognizing the picture from yesterday, Yuna stared at it in disbelief. "Someone took this picture yesterday, and it''s gone viral!" Pegasus grinned mischievously. "Seto Kaiba, famously for his terrible personality, smiling? That''s quite unbelievable!" "So my question is, are you and Seto Kaiba in any particr rtionship?! That''s the most reasonable hypothesis!" Pegasus''s voice boomed through the stadium, amplifying the tension as he shamelessly brought the microphone closer to Yuna''s mouth. By this point, Yuna''s face had turnedpletely red. Under the scrutiny of everyone''s watchful eyes, she nervously tightened her fist and managed to utter, "We''re... just... friends..." "Hmm, is that so?" Pegasus chuckled, seemingly satisfied with her answer. "Oh well!" Hisughter rang out as he nced around. As Pegasus smiled, a swarm of security guards rushed to his side. "Looks like my time is up! Don''t worry, Kaiba-boy, there''s nothing wrong with love!" The audience erupted intoughter as Pegasus was escorted off the stage, presumably to face a potentially irritated Seto. Left alone on the stage, Yuna quickly bowed and stepped down, signalling the official start of the grand championship... [Yuna''s POV] Once the starting ceremony ended, I returned to the hallway alone while Yugi was dragged off to prepare for his match against Pegasus. My mind was still in disarray, and the image of Kaiba and me was now exposed to the world. Thanks to Pegasus, I knew it would be highly awkward when Kaiba and I met. Coupled with the fact that I hadn''t even told him about Ishizu''s request yet, I couldn''t imagine things going smoothly. As I massaged my head, trying to navigate this dilemma, a voice suddenly broke through my thoughts. "So this is why you defended that guy so passionately..." Recognizing the familiar voice, I turned around and saw a man leaning against a pir behind me. "Alister..." I muttered in shock, and he smiled. Just like thest time I saw him, he was dressed in his usual open ck coat with a grey shirt beneath. However, the Orichalcos stone and the Chaos Duel Disk he usually wore were gone, presumably discarded after Dartz''s defeat. "What are you... doing here?" I asked, my voice wavering with surprise. "I came to talk," he replied with a nonchnt shrug. "A lot seems to have happened after I got my soul taken. Is it true that Dartz lost?" "I think you... already know the answer," I exined, my voice steadying. "There''s still remnants of Doma remaining... Are you going to join them?" Alister chuckled and shook his head. "Ha ha, no. I''ve had enough of that life. Now, I want to get as far away from it as possible." "I see..." I nodded hesitantly, trying to gauge his reaction. "Do you... still hate Kaiba?" Alister sighed, running his hand through his hair. "I don''t know. In those three weeks, I had a lot of time to think. In the end, as you said, we''re all just victims of our circumstances. While I still don''t like him, I can at least ept that it''s not his fault..." "So thank you..." Alister mumbled, averting his gaze. "I think I''m finally ready to move on now." He approached me and handed me something from his pocket. As he opened his hand, I saw a burned, broken figurine. "I want you to have this." Gently cing the figure in my palm, Alister stared at it fondly. "This was my little brother''s favourite toy. It helps me remember him." "Why would you give me... something this important?" I asked, flustered and nervous that I might break the fragile object in my hand. "My brother always wanted to be a hero, and unfortunately, I couldn''t aplish his dream," Alister exined wistfully. "But I think you''re the very person he aspired to be." "You overestimate me," I said bashfully, causing Alister tough. "Well, that''s just my opinion, but I hope you keep it anyway. It''s my brother''s and my way of saying thanks." "Then I will keep this safe," I promised, smiling. Alister sighed with relief. "What are you going to do now?" "For now, I want to go back to my hometown. Maybe then I can find any survivors from my vige," Alister answered, turning to leave. "Thank you, Yuna Sano. We may meet again in the future." As Alister began to walk away, I hurriedly called out his name. He turned around, and I smiled warmly. "Good luck." Laughing, he waved and bid me onest farewell as he walked off. Although we were once enemies, I couldn''t help but feel sympathy for his past. In the end, all I could do was pray that whatever Alister decided to do next would go well for him... [3rd POV] Meanwhile, in the Kaibnd Control Room... "You see, I wanted to have a bit more excitement. It''s all for the greater good!" Pegasus exined with an awkwardugh, trying to diffuse Seto''s intense re. "Where did you get that picture?" Seto muttered, his fists clenched tightly. Pegasus merely shrugged. "Well, it''s everywhere, ~Kaiba-boy-," Pegasus said, raising his hands in mock innocence. "So don''t me me for everything!" "You..." Seto contemted punching Pegasus square in the jaw but restrained himself with great effort. "Find all those pictures and remove them, now!" he shouted, causing the staff to type away at theirputers frantically. Annoyed by Pegasus''s presence, Seto stormed out of the room, mming the door behind him. Walking down the hallway, he pondered Yuna''s response to the question, feeling a bittersweet taste in his mouth. "Just friends, huh..." he mumbled under his breath, unable to hide the disappointment on his face. Somewhere in his heart, he had hoped their rtionship could be more. Ironically, Seto found himself annoyed that Pegasus had inadvertently helped him realize his dissatisfaction. "Kaiba..." Lifting his head, Seto stared at Yuna standing before him, feeling a surprising sense of rxation. "Sano, when did you get here?" he asked, trying to mask his smile. "I just arrived," Yuna responded. "I see..." Seto nodded, taking in her presence. "You did well today. It''s not easy for anyone to speak in front of so many people." "Ha ha... It was nerve-wracking," she admitted honestly. "I almost couldn''t speak with everyone watching me..." "But you still did it," Seto praised. "So don''t underestimate yourself." Yuna''s eyes widened slightly before sheughed. "Thanks..." Enjoying her smile, Seto felt his heart lighten. "By the way..." He nervously slurred his words. "I currently don''t have anything urgent to attend to. Would you like to have lunch with me?" "Lunch... with you?" Yuna''s cheeks reddened, and Seto waited with bated breath. "I would love to..." "But, I''m sorry... I won''t be able to." Her words were like a bucket of cold water, dousing his excitement. Sighing, Yuna smiled apologetically, her regret evident. "Why..." Seto muttered, and she averted her gaze. "In a few hours... I''m leaving for Egypt." She exined her situation, and when she heard Ishizu''s name, Seto''s expression was crumpled in annoyance. "Kaiba... I know you don''t like this..." "Not liking it is putting it lightly," Seto scowled, grasping her wrist. "I can''t believe you''re only telling me now! You know how I feel about this!" "I do..." Yuna muttered softly. "Then don''t go. Ishizu can handle it herself," Seto proposed selfishly, and she chuckled helplessly. "You know she can''t..." Yuna answered patiently. "We can send Yugi!" he argued. "Isn''t he that pharaoh or whatnot?! Why not just send him?" "Because Ishizu asked me to." Her calm voice made Seto''s body tremble with anger. Unfazed, Yuna continued, "I feel more assured doing this myself rather than entrusting it to someone else." "I don''t believe this," Setoughed bitterly, leaning against the wall. "Is what happened with Dartz not enough? Now you''re seeking even more trouble?!" "Kaiba," Yuna whispered, "I will never promise you anything that I''m unsure of... That''s why I won''t promise I will not get hurt..." "And you''re still going?!" he shouted. "Yes." Yuna nodded. Suddenly, Seto embraced her tightly, leaving Yuna stunned. "Don''t go..." he ordered, holding her in ce. "I will go instead." Yuna''s body tingled, and she instinctively closed her eyes. The sensation of Seto''s warmth made her heart beat wildly. However, realizing she was sumbing to his touch, Yuna hurriedly backed away and caught her breath. Smiling bashfully, Yuna regretfully shook her head. "Sorry, Kaiba, I couldn''t let you do that..." "Why not?" Seto yelled in frustration, and sheughed softly. "Well... I don''t want you to get hurt, either." Yuna responded slyly, "So just believe in me this time." She stepped backwards, dodging his hands as she moved further away. "Sano, wait!" Seto shouted, his face red, trying to grab her. Stopping suddenly, Yuna chuckled and smiled wryly. "Then how about this? Let''s make another promise. But this time, I promise that once I''m back, I will tell you something important." "Something important?" Seto questioned doubtfully. "It''s something important to me..." Yuna exined, "But it''s something you don''t have to listen to..." Staring at the ground, Seto let out a deep sigh. After a minute of hesitation, he nodded. "Fine... You''re going no matter what, aren''t you? When that timees, make sure you tell me, or else you''ll be in trouble for getting me curious over nothing." "Okay!" Yuna spoke excitedly. "Just don''t hate me after..." "Why would I hate-" "Alright... see you!" Yuna smiled and ran away. Seto watched her fading figure and sighed deeply, worries guing his face as he recalled Yuna''s unconscious state during their battle with Dartz. However, a hint of curiosity and anticipation set in. "Stay safe..." As he stared into the distance, a brief notification sound entered his ears, and Seto reached for his phone. [Noah: All the images have been removed. However, I left one just in case you wanted it.] Clicking on the attachment Noah had sent. Seto gazed at the image and expanded Yuna''s bright face. Smiling, he quietly saved the picture to his phone, keeping it with him forever... I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 86: Is Soul Stealing a Common Skill? Chapter 86: Is Soul Stealing a Common Skill? ? Sorry for the dy, this chapter may be a bit short but a much longer one will be released on Wednesday AEST [Yuna''s POV] Shortly after bidding farewell to Kaiba, I hurried to the airport, where Ishizu awaited me with a weing smile. She guided me to her private ne, and I immediately experienced the epitome of luxury. Despite thefort, the flight felt excruciatingly long, especiallypared to the speed of Kaiba''s Blue Eyes White Dragon Jet. Nheless, the atmosphere of being on a private ne was unparalleled. I used the time to rx, meticulously sort through my deck, and mentally prepare for the battle ahead. When we finallynded, the intense desert heat hit me like a wave. The sudden temperature shift caught me off guard, but I quickly changed into a more suitable outfit, feeling a rush of relief as I adapted to the new environment. "Please follow me," Ishizu spoke softly, "There''s already a car waiting for us." We walked briskly to the car and settled into the backseat. Ishizu exchanged a few words with the driver, and soon, we were on our way. As we sat facing each other, I couldn''t help but be captivated by her serene expression. "Ishizu..." I began, catching her attention, "What if I... lose?" Her confident smile never wavered. "I have faith that you won''t be defeated, Miss Sano," she replied, her voice steady. "So, victory is already assured." "I see..." I answered though I sensed there was more beneath her calm exterior. "...Are you okay?" I asked, watching her closely. Her beautiful smile faltered for a brief moment, and I glimpsed a crack in herposed facade. "Ishizu..." I gently ced my hand over hers, "Tell me... what''s wrong?" "It''splicated..." Ishizu muttered with a wry smile. "Watching you prepare so diligently, Miss Sano, I''ve never felt so useless before." She sighed sadly, her gaze distant. "Even now, we rely on someone else to solve our problem because weck the strength to do it ourselves. In that tomb, I felt utterly powerless against that evil being. While I managed to escape, my brothers stayed behind to fight." "It has already been a week, and with each passing second, my worry grows. I have to face the possibility that Marik and Odion may not return alive..." Ishizu bit her lip, her nails digging into her palms as she struggled to hold back her tears. "Ishizu..." "No matter how much I want to rescue my brothers myself, I know I''m incapable..." Her tears began to fall, and the car was enveloped in a heavy silence. Watching Ishizu cry, I felt a heavy feeling in my heart. In my mind, I always thought of her as someone very mature and headstrong. But now... I grasped Ishizu''s hand while she wiped her tears with a tissue, "I''m sorry for showing you such an unruly side of me..." "Don''t apologise..." I smiled, "You must be very worried..." "Yes, of course." Ishizu chuckled, "These two were very stubborn sometimes, so I always felt concerned when I was away..." "But isn''t that what... having siblings is all about?" I replied, and sheughed. "That''s right..." Ishizu muttered softly. Suddenly, she pulled me into her embrace. As my face was buried in her chest, I heard Ishizu''s gentle whisper as she patted my head, "I always wanted a little sister. While Odion and Marik were everything I could''ve asked for, I couldn''t share the same closeness. Does Miss Sano feel the same way?" Ishizu stared at me with an expectant smile as I blushed. Averting my gaze, I nodded shyly, "It feels nice... with Ishizu-san..." "Miss Sano is too cute..." Ishizu muttered absentmindedly, and the arms wrapped around me tightened, "I really wanted to spoil you. Will another vi suffice?" "N... No, no!" I frantically shook my head, "It''s more... than enough!" "Fu fu fu," Ishizu giggled at my reaction, "I was only joking. So please don''t take it to heart." "Nn..." I pouted and nced at Ishizu''s mischievous expression. Hiding my face, I smiled softly, relief that Ishizu was able to return to her usual self... An hourter... After a long journey, the car finally stopped, and one of Ishizu''s subordinates opened the door for us. Stepping out of the vehicle, I was once again reminded of the severity of the situation. In the distance stood an ancient ruin from the remnants of an old civilisation. The ruins were half-buried by shifting sands, and the remaining structures that weren''t wholly buried were eroded by the centuries of harsh weather. As we approached the cave-like entrance, I spotted countless tents surrounding the outside. upying those tents were soldiers armed with intimidating-looking guns and military vehicles. Noticing our presence, the soldiers simultaneously turned their heads, and I instinctively flinched. "Don''t be afraid; they are here to prevent the evil spirit from leaving," Ishizu exined. "Times like this, I''m d I dabbled a little in politics so I can do something like this." As we approached the stairs leading down to the bottom of the tomb, Ishizu and I paused, taking in the sight of the deep tunnel and the evil presence that awaited us. Speaking in Arabic to a nearby soldier, she then turned to me with a worried smile. "We will be going down there alone," Ishizu exined. "These men will wait for us. If we don''t respond in two hours, a squad will be sent to locate us." "...And if that fails?" I asked, curiosity mingling with apprehension. Her expression turned solemn. "Then they will blow up the entire cave, resealing it," Ishizu replied without hesitation, "So there''s no going back." I took a deep breath, swallowing hard. "I''m ready... Let''s go." Under the watchful eyes of the soldiers, Ishizu and I cautiously descended into the ruins. The intimidating atmosphere weighed heavily on us, and we walked in tense silence, too nervous to speak. When we finally reached thest door, Ishizu inhaled sharply, her face paling. "Ishizu-san..." I called out softly, and she nodded hesitantly. "I''m sorry... I''m just preparing myself for what I might see..." she muttered, slowly reaching out towards the entrance of the tomb, "Here I go." With a gentle push, the door opened, and a wisp of smoke sted out, enveloping us. We gritted our teeth as the smoke cleared, revealing the room beyond. Stepping inside, I was able to see the scale of the situation that we find ourselves in. Craters and rubbles littered the room, showing signs of a recent battle. Beyond the debris were two figures slumped against the wall, their body lifeless. "Marik, Odion!" Ishizu cried and ran towards them, pulling the two out of the pile of sandstone. Suddenly, the smoke began to coalesce back towards the coffin in the middle of the room. Gradually, the dark smoke rose and formed into a humanoid shape. When the smoke dissipated, a figure of a man could be seen. He had muscr skin with pulsating veins, dirty blonde hair cascading down his back, and a few strands covering his ruby-red eyes. A blue jewel was embedded in his forehead. Thankfully, he wore a ck cape and pants, sparing us an awkward confrontation. "Have more souls arrived to offer themselves up to me?" the man chuckled, his gaze shifting to the frightened Ishizu. "Ah... you''re that woman from before. Did you change your mind and come back for yourrades? Unfortunately for you, it''s already toote." "My brothers! What have you done to them?!" Ishizu screamed in anger. "These fools thought they had the strength to challenge me." Anubis pointed with his chin and snorted. "They paid the price with their souls." "You two..." Ishizu wept and embraced them tightly. Turning his head, Anubis scanned me up and down before smiling arrogantly, "So, who is this littledy you brought before me?" "Someone... who will defeat you," I growled with disdain, causing the man to bellow with laughter. "You?! What will you even do?!" he snorted. "From what I see, you don''t even have a complete soul! You have nothing to offer me..." I smiled wryly, annoyed by his remark about my condition. Taking out my deck, I revealed the Winged Dragon of Ra. "Will you be interested... in this?" Instantly, the man''s eyes sharpened, fixating on the Egyptian God Card in my hand. However, before he could react, the card disappeared back into my system, and I smiled teasingly. "Do I... have your attention now?" His shoulders trembled, and he ground his teeth in anger. "Are you making fun of me?!" he roared. "What makes you think I won''t just take it by force?" "Because... you couldn''t," I responded. "Only I have ess to Ra. If you hurt me... forget about it." Knowing how much this guy desired the Egyptian Gods, I was confident he wouldn''t do anything rashly. "Tsk..." He clicked his teeth. "What is it that you want?" "A duel," I demanded. "If you win, you get my soul and Ra." "Although your soul isn''t as valuable as these two, the Winged Dragon of Ra will suffice." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Very well, I will do it." "Aren''t you curious about what happens if I win?" I asked, adrenaline coursing through me, raising my confidence level.N?v(el)B\\jnn "Fine... what will happen if you win?" He questioned. "You will be destroyed," I said, pping and smiling. "I also want Odion and Marik''s souls back." Ishizu''s tear-streaked face shed in my mind, fueling my determination to beat this guy up. The man scowled before bursting intoughter. "How bold... Very well, I ept your challenge." Lifting his arm, smoke gathered around us, and I felt the familiar oppressive sensation of a Shadow Game. Various small tablets floated around him, and the man smiled. "I, the creator of the Pyramid of Light, the powerful sorcerer Anubis, challenge you to a duel!" I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 87: Sometimes Punching Might be the Real Solution Chapter 87: Sometimes Punching Might be the Real Solution ? "Duel!" I shouted as my Duel Disk came to life upon my voice. [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP] Staring at Anubis and the ominous ques levitating in the air, I realised that this duel would be pretty different from the one I''m familiar with. While I get to have a counter that shows how many life points I currently possess, Anubis does not have anything like it, resembling a duel back in ancient times. So, everythinges down to my imagination... Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes, envisioning the image in my head. If I couldn''t see his life points, I must use my imagination. When I finally opened my eyes, a fake counter was visualised behind the sorcerer, allowing me to get a much clearer picture. {Anubis: 4000 LP} "Since you''re the challenger, will you be kind enough to let me start first?" Anubis asked slyly. "Suit yourself," I muttered while drawing five cards "Very well, then let me begin!" He spoke eagerly as a que floated into his palm, "I will cast my spell, Trade-In, to relinquish my Amunessia, the Ogdoadic Queen, to conjure two new tablets into my hands." "Ogdoadic?" I muttered in disbelief, "Where in the world did you get this?!" "I have no obligations to answer you." Anubis chided, "But if you defeat me, perhaps I might satisfy your curiosity. I shall continue!" "I cast my second spell, Snake Rain, to discard Flogos, the Ogdoadic Boundless and discard four more of my spirits from my inventory." Four new tablets appeared before our eyes, and Anubis clenched his fists as they crumbled to specks of dust. "Finally, since I control no monsters, I will use the power of Nunu, the Ogdoadic Remnant and revive it from my graveyard!" One of the tablets that was destroyed restored itself, and the hieroglyphics began to glow. Soon, a monster burst forth from within andnded on the field. {Nunu, the Ogdoadic Remnant: 0 Defence} It was a pitch-ck cobra adorned with Egyptian ceremonial armour. Upon seeing me, the serpent hissed and spat saliva onto the ground. Unlike the 3D projections from the Duel Disks, these monsters felt more lifelike than any I had ever seen. "Then, with the power of Nunu, I will sacrifice it and summon another one of my spirits! I will call upon my Keurse, the Ogdoadic Light!" A mass of dark smoke surged and coiled around Nunu, Ogdoadic Remnant. A horrifying screech and gurgle echoed through the air, sending shivers down my spine. As the smoke dissipated, a colossal monster d in gold armour stood before us. Instead of legs, its lower body was a writhing, tangled mass of slithering snakes, creating a grotesque and unsettling sight. {Keurse, the Ogdoadic Light: 2400 Defence} "When Nunu left this realm while it was summoned through its revival power, the spirit will be banished instead," Anubis exined. "Then, when Keurse is summoned, I can use its power to bring back Nauya, the Ogdoadic Remnant as well!" {Nauya, the Ogdadic Remnant: 2000 Defence} "Nauya''s power allows me to bring out the Ogdoadic Serpent Strike from my inventory. Then I will cast this spell!" *Booom* The room trembled as the spell activated, coating our environment with its power. Anubis smiled at the sensation while I frowned. "I will sacrifice Nauya and summon Aleirtt, the Ogdadic Dark!" *Roar* Standing in Nauya''s ce was a fierce beast d in golden armour and adorned with spikes. With the head of a cobra, the monster had thick, muscr arms and legs, each finger and toe tipped with sharp, pointy ws. {Aleirtt, the Ogdadic Dark: 2000 Attack} "The power of Keurse called upon Nauya so that it will be sent to the banishment realm. However, with Aleirtt''s ability, I''m able to recover Nauya and Nunu from the banishment realm." "Finally, I will cast two spells in advance and activate itter..." Anubis smirked, and a small magical circle appeared on his feet. "This concludes everything..." "Then it''s my turn! I will draw!" I shouted while ncing at my hand, "First, I will y the spell of Fusion Deployment. This spell allows me to reveal the Blue-Eyes Tyrant Dragon in my extra deck and special summon the Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my deck!" As soon as I inserted the card into my Duel Disk, I felt my strength ebb away, dropping me to my knees. "Tsk..." I clicked my teeth at the ufortable sensation, clenching and unclenching my fists in confusion. Staring at the white dragon standing before me, I could feel a connection between me and my monster. [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack]n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Dwelling on the feeling, I gradually understood my situation as I recalled the lore behind Duel Monsters. Back in Egyptian times, Duel Monsters wasn''t just a game; it was a method people used to kill each other. However, unlike in the past shadow games, this feeling was much worse, probably due to the fact that this duel was much more traditional than any I have yed before. Well, it''s notmon for people to battle an old spirit... "Well, well," Anubismented upon seeing my weakened state, "With your pathetic form of a soul. Can you even summon a single spirit?" Sensing the warm liquid trickling down my cheek, I smiled wryly, "You should stop worrying about me and continue this duel." I remarked while grabbing the second card from my hand, "I will summon Chamber Dragonmaid!" [Chamber Dragonmaid: 1800 Defence] "With Chamber Dragonmaid''s effect, I will add Dragonmaid Changeover from the deck to my hand!" I exined as Anubis furrowed his brow. "It''s time for me to activate my trap, the Offering to the Snake Deity! By sacrificing my Keurse, the Ogdoadic Light, I will kill the two spirits you control!" Anubis dered "I won''t let that happen!" I yelled, "I will respond with my quick-y spell, Dragonmaid Send-Off! By returning Chamber Dragonmaid to my hand and summoning Palor Dragonmaid instead!" With a wave, Chamber Dragonmaid vanished, and another young maid took her ce. ncing around, Palor Dragonmaid smiled at me before gazing at Blue-Eyes White Dragon in awe. [Palor Dragonmaid: 1700 Defence] As the spell shot towards my two monsters, it suddenly dispelled, leaving Anubis confused as Palor Dragonmaid danced around teasingly. "Since your spell only targets Blue-Eyes White Dragon and Chamber Draognmaid, by removing one of them from the field, the spell will be nullified!" I exined confidently, and Anubis clicked his teeth. "Since that has been resolved, Palor Dragonmaid''s effect will trigger! When she is special- summoned, I can send Dragonmaid Lopar from the deck to the graveyard!" "You have triggered the spell of Ogdoadic Serpent Strike. When you send a monster from your inventory to the grave, I will be able to do the same." "That will be fine. I will activate the spell Dragonmaid Changeover!" I announced as a portal appeared beneath Blue-Eyes White Dragon. "Using Blue-Eyes White Dragon on the field and Chamber Dragon in my hand as materials, I will fusion summon House Dragonmaid!" [House Dragonmaid: 3000 Attack] "Now, I will battle!" I shouted, "During my battle phase, I will activate Parlor Dragonmaid''s effect to return her to my hand! Then I can summon Dragonmaid Lopar from the graveyard!" Grinning, Parlor Dragonmaid jumped into the air, performing a flip. As if it was magic, she transformed into a beautiful dragon with green fur. [Dragonmaid Lopar: 2700 Attack] "With House Dragonmaid, when another Dragonmaid Monster I control returns to my hand, I can target your Keurse, the Ogdoadic Light and destroy it!" I dered, and a beam of light shot out of House Dragonmaid''s finger, piercing the serpentine warrior. "I will battle! House Dragonmaid and Dragonmaid Lopar. Go!" Dragonmaid Lopar charged, and she bit into the beast''s shoulder. Aleirtt roared in rage and tried to fight back, but the dragon easily dodged before finishing the monster with her ws. {Anubis: 4000 LP -> 3300 LP} "The path is cleared, House Dragonmaid. Charge!" I yelled, and the dragon dashed towards the sorcerer with murderous intent." "Not so fast!" Anubis smirked and revealed his second spell, "This concealed spell is called Snake Whistle! When one of my spirits is destroyed, I will be able to call upon a low-tier reptilian spirit from my inventory, Nauya, protect me!" {Nauya, the Ogdoadic Remnant: 2000 Defence} Blocking House Dragonmaid''s path appeared a tall serpent. The snake hissed as she unleashed her punch, and the monster exploded into pieces. Frustrated, House Dragonmaid and Dragonmaid Lopar returned to my side of the field as I helplessly continued to my turn. "In my second main phase, Dragonmaid Larpor will return to its maid form. After that, I will set one card face-down and end my turn." I muttered grimly as the two maids nced at me apologetically. [Dragonmaid Palor: 1700 Defence] "Ku ku ku..." Anubis chuckled and stared at me with pity, "It was certainly a much better attempt that''s better than those two, at least. But don''t let that get into your head because it''s my turn!" He announced with a broad smile as a new tablet formed around him. "During your stand-by phase, I will use House Dragonmaid''s effect and summon Chamber Dragonmaid from my graveyard." I interrupted, trying to set up a defence that would allow me to survive whatever the sorcerer was nning. [Chamber Dragonmaid: 1800 Defence] "Tsk... Then, first, I will conjure the environmental spell, Ogdoadic Origin!" Swirls of shadows began to grow on the walls and all over the room like vile roots. The veins slithered and squirmed as if they were alive, creating a disgusting texture. "Nunu, the Ogdoadic Remnant will be revived since I control no other monsters," Anubis smirked and resummoned the serpent. {Nunu, the Ogdoadic Remnant: o Defence} "Like before, Nunu will be sacrificed to revive Keurse, the Ogdoadic Light, and Keurse will bring back Nauya, the Ogdoadic Remnant." {Keurse, Ogdoadic Light: 2400 Defence} {Nauya, the Ogdoadic Remnant: 2000 Defence} "With Nauya''s power, I will retrieve the Ogdoadic Water Lily spell into my hand. Now I will also revive Aleirtt, the Ogdoadic Dark, by banishing Nauya!" Anubis spoke as he gradually rebuilt his entire field. {Aleirtt, the Ogdoadic Dark: 2000 Attack} "In response, I will activate Dragonmaid Tidying!" I yelled and revealed my trap card, "This card allows me to target my Parlor Dragonmaid and your Aleirtt, the Ogdoadic Dark, to return both monsters to the hand." "Then, with the effect of House Dragonmaid, I can target your Keurse, the Ogdoadic Light and destroy it!" I pointed at the two monsters as they disappeared from the field, restarting Anubis''s progress. "How bothersome..." Anubis muttered with an annoyed smile, "Next, I will use the Flogos, the Ogdoadic Boundless''s ability to relinquish Aleirtt and return Flogos to my hand. Then, with the power of the Ogdoadic Serpent Strike, I can send Flogos back to my graveyard to summon my most potent spirit, Ogdoabyss, the Ogdoadic Overlord!" Suddenly, an intense energy swept through the room. Trembling, I nced at my arm, where goosebumps crawled up my skin. All the shadows condense into one ce, forming a massive moving tower. Hearing a roar, all the gold ornaments and jewels in the room were absorbed by the shadows, forming borate pieces of armour around the dark mass. Wings sprouted from the creature''s back as its form stretched out, transforming into a massive cobra that shattered the ceiling, revealing a vast, empty cavern supported by enormous pirs and walls. {Ogdoabyss, the Ogdoadic Overlord: 3100 Attack} "When I discarded a spirit, I could also revive the second lord, Nephbyss, the Ogdoadic Overlord!!" Anubis cackled as a second enormous serpent emerges. Simr to Ogdoabyss, the monster shared a resemnce to a serpent with wings but with the upper body of a man d in gold. {Nephbyss, the Ogdoadic Overlord: 2200 Attack} "With Nephbyss''s power, I will be able to summon his queen! I will call upon the spirit of Amunessia, the Ogdoadic Queen!" {Amunessia, the Ogdoadic Queen: 2700 Attack} "Next, I will use the spell the Container of Greed, which allows me to retrieve two tablets from my inventory. Then I will summon my spirit, the Zohah, the Ogdoadic Boundless!" {Zohah, the Ogdoadic Boundless: 1500 Attack} "Finally, with Amunessia''s power, since your spirit was reborn from the graveyard, I can send it back! Now you have no spirits protecting you!" Anubis cackled with confidence as my Chamber dragonmaid disappeared from the field, "Attack my spirits, attack!" "During the end of your main phase, I will activate Dragonmaid Ernus''s effect to discard the card and special summon Nurse Dragonmaid from my hand!" [Nurse Dragonmaid: 1600 Defence] "When Nurse Dragonmaid is summoned, I''m able to summon Chamber Dragonmaid from the graveyard!" [Chamber Dragonmaid: 1800 Defence] "Annoying, kill them!" Anubis ordered, and the monsters charged at the frightened maids. "In the battle phase, I will activate Nurse Dragonmaid and Chamber Dragonmaid''s effect. Chamber Dragonmaid allows me to return her to the hand to summon House Dragonmaid while Nurse Dragonmaid will also transform back to Dragonmaid Ernus!" [House Dragonmaid: 3000 Attack] [Dragonmaid Ernus: 2600 Attack] "Like before, when a Dragonmaid Monster returned to my hand, I would be able to target one monster and destroy it! I will choose the Ogdoabyss, the Ogdoadic Overlord!" I shouted, and the House Dragonmaid fired the same magic, piercing through the Overlord''s armour. "How annoying..." Anubis muttered and red at me, "However, you have triggered the effect of my Ogdoadic Origin! When one of my reptilian spirits is destroyed, I can also choose one of your spirits and send it to the grave!" The veins suddenlysh out, wrapping around House Dragonmaid''s limbs. As the restraints tighten, House Dragonmaids burst into particles of light and vanished from my field. "Now, my spirits, attack!" Anubisughed as the Ogdoadic monsters approached my dragon. Amunessia swung her staff, and Dragonmaid Ernus let out a painful cry before copsing. As the dragon disappeared, I suddenly felt a slight loss of strength as my life points dropped slightly. [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP -> 3900 LP] Although I was relieved that I didn''t feel that much pain, that thought would soon go out the window when the two remaining monsters lunged towards me with merciless eyes. *Swish!* Zohah swung its massive halberd, and I felt a sharp pain across my body. Gasping, I clutched my side in agony. Before I could momentarily recover, a purple fireball struck me in the chest, sending me across the room. "Sano!" Ishizu screamed as my back hit the wall hard, creating a loud thud. [Yuna Sano: 3900 LP -> 2400 LP] [Yuna Sano: 2400 LP -> 200 LP] Panting for breath, I hesitantly touched my body. My clothes were torn from the attack, but there was no injury on my body. Just like the duel with Marik, the pain and damage were definitely real; there''s no doubt about that. But why wasn''t there a wound? Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I instinctively turned my head. Beside me stood House Dragonmaid as she smiled at me. While shocked by the appearance of the spirit, my eyes were glued to the massive cut across her shoulder as blood seeped into her clean uniform. Behind her, I also saw the rest of the dragon maids frantically pping Parlor Dragonmaid in the back, putting out the mes on her clothes. "Why are you here..." I muttered in disbelief, "And your wounds..." Smiling, House Dragonmaid patted my head and shrugged. Although she didn''t speak, I could understand the gist of what she was saying. Presumably, it was something like being a dragon, and this much damage wasn''t that serious for someone like her. Helping me stand, the House Dragonmaid pointed at my deck with a severe expression. "Ah, right," I answered stupidly, "We''re still fighting. I will try my best..." All the maids nodded with a relieved smile before transforming into golden particles. Standing up, I grunted and took a deep breath. ring at Anubis, he whistled in admiration. "You''re still standing after that, huh? Your spirits were more tenacious than I thought..." He praised, "Let''s continue. I will use the spell Ogdoadic Water Lily to discard Nunu, the Ogdoadic Remnant, from my inventory. Then I will be able to revive the Ogdoabyss, the Ogdoadic Overlord!" {Ogdoabyss, the Ogdoadic Overlord: 3100 Attack} "Now it''s your turn." He said, and I nodded. "I will draw!" I dered and nced at my life points. It was evident that I could no longer afford a single mistake. Typically, I would have felt nervous, but instead, I felt strangely calm, probably desensitized by the amount of dangerous situations I get myself into... "First, I will discard the Dragonmaid Lorpar from my hand and negate Ogdoabyss''s effect for the rest of this turn. Next, I will activate Dragonmaid Hospitality to special-summon Dragonmaid Lorpar from the graveyard." [Dragonmaid Lopar: 2600 Attack] "Then, I will add back Dragonmaid Changeover from my graveyard by returning Dragonmaid Lopar to my hand. Now, I will activate Dragonmaid Changeover; using Dragonmaid Lopar and Chamber Dragonmaid in my hand, I will summon Dragonmaid Sheou!" *Whoosh* Beautifully, Dragonmaid Sheou appeared, and she grew at Anubis fiercely. ncing at her shoulder, I noticed the wound had disappeared, and I sighed with relief. [Dragonmaid Sheou: 3500 Attack] "Next, I will normal-summon Nurse Dragonmaid, and she will revive Chamber Dragonmaid from the graveyard!" [Nurse Dragonmaid: 1600 Defence] [Chamber Dragonmaid: 1800 Defence] "When Chamber Dragonmaid is summoned, she allows me to add Dragonmaid Wee to my hand." I exined while searching through my deck, "Then I will activate Dragonmaid Wee; this spell allows me to recover Dragonmaid Changeover from the graveyard!" "Also, when Dragonmaid Wee is on the field, all my monsters will gain one hundred attacks or defence for each Dragonmaid Monster I control!" [Dragonmaid Sheou: 3500 -> 3800 Attack] [Nurse Dragonmaid: 1600 -> 1900 Defence] [Chamber Dragonmaid: 1800 -> 2100 Defence] "Afterwards, I will banish Dragonmaid Tidying in my graveyard to revive the House Dragonmaid in my graveyard!" [House Dragonmaid: 3000 Attack] [Dragonmaid Sheou: 3800 -> 4200 Attack] [Nurse Dragonmaid: 1900 -> 2300 Defence] [Chamber Dragonmaid: 2100 -> 2500 Defence] [House Dragonmaid: 3000 -> 3400 Attack] "Now, I will activate Dragonmaid Changeover again! Using House Dragonmaid and Chamber Dragonmaid on the field, I will fusion summon Protostar Dragon(OCG)!!" Jumping into the portals, the two Dragonmaids vanished, and a new dragon emerged. Covering in white and ck scales, the creature looked like a being from space. The dragon had ws sharp as knives, massive wings and green orbs embedded all over its body; the monster roared at my calling. [Protostar Dragon: 2500 Attack] [Protostar Dragon: 2500 -> 2700Attack] [Dragonmaid Sheou: 4200 -> 4000 Attack] [Nurse Dragonmaid: 2300 -> 2100 Defence] "When Protostar Dragon is summoned, I can destroy cards you control equal to the number of light or dark monsters I used as materials! I will choose over your Ogdoabyss and Amunessia, destroying them!" The green orbs in Protostar Dragon''s body began to glow as it gathered energy. Unleashing a pulsating breath, the two Ogdoadic monsters were swept away as they dissolved into nothingness. "Have you not learned? With the power of Ogdoadic Origin, I can also target one of your spirits and send it to the grave!" Anubis shouted as the dark tendrils around the room attacked once more. "However, before they reached Dragonmaid Sheou, the dark tendrils exploded, and the dragon roared triumphantly." "With Dagonmaid Sheou, once per turn. When you activate an effect, I can negate it! Then, after, I can summon House Dragonmaid from the Extra Deck!" [House Dragonmaid: 3000 Attack] [House Dragonmaid: 3000 -> 3200 Attack] "Now I will battle, and Nurse Dragonmaid will transform into Dragonmaid Ernus!" [Dragonmaid Ernus: 2600 Attack] [Dragonmaid Ernus: 2600 -> 2800 Attack] "Dragonmaid Ernus, attack Nephbyss, the Ogdoadic Overlord!" I yelled as the pink dragon danced around Nephbyss before mming him against the wall with her tail. [Anubis: 3300 LP -> 2700 LP] "Protostar Dragon, destroy Zohah, the Ogdoadic Boundless!" Once again, the dragon unleashed a green beam, obliterating the monster. [Anubis: 2700 LP -> 1700 LP] "House Dragonmaid, this is our payback! Attack Anubis''s life points directly!" I shouted confidently, and she dashed past me with a satisfied smirk. "Wait!" Suddenly, my voice travelled loudly through the room, and House Dragonmaid froze, her fist inches away from Anubis''s face. Gasping in shock, the sorcerer copsed onto his rear. As Anubis met my gaze, relief seemed to wash over him. Gradually, a nervous smile formed on his face, "Wh... What''s wrong? Are you too scared to kill me?" "Well, you seemed to make the right choice; how about this? If you end this duel now, I will tell you everything you need to know! You must be curious about how I got this powerful, right?!" "Are you saying you will tell me?" I repeated with a small smile, much to Ishizu and House Dragonmaid''s disbelief. "Of course! Of course! I swear in my name!" Anubis frantically answered, and my eyes softened. "S... Sano?" Ishizu uttered in a daze, and Iughed. "W... What''s so funny?" Anubis questioned nervously, sensing the strange atmosphere. "Nothing. I wasn''t nning on epting the deal anyway." I shrugged, and his expression crumbled. "Why?!" He screamed, "Don''t you want to know who''s behind all this?!" "Well, I have some idea..." I replied, "But that''s not the main reason I stopped the attack anyway." "Then...Why..." Anubis gulped as a sharp glint reflected from my pupils as I smiled. While I am a significant fan of Yugioh, in the end, I''m still an otaku at heart, so if such a good opportunity were presented to me suddenly, it would be too much of a shame to throw it away. Staring at Anubis pitifully, I apologised in my head, "House Dragonmaid,e here please." I gestured, and the maid approached me with a slight tilt of her head. After whispering some instructions, the smile on the dragon''s face returned as she approached Anubis while cracking her knuckles. "H.. Hold on, please hear me out!" Anubis begged as the House Dragonmaid forcibly made him stand, "Lady, you''re not going to really kill me, are you?!" [queue the Jotaro Kujo theme] "~Yare Yare Daze~" I muttered and turned my back towards him, "You really can''t stop whining, can''t you? But don''t worry, I will make sure to shut you up real soon..." Swiping my hand along my imaginary hat, I pointed at Anubis with disdain, "Go! Star t... I mean House Dragonmaid!" *BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG* At mymand, House Dragonmaid tossed Anubis into the air. With insane speed, she unleashed a barrage of punches, hitting every part of his body dozens of times in a matter of seconds. *BOOOOM* Finally, letting out all of her pent-up rage, House Dragonmaidnded a final punch directly in his face, sending him flying across the room before leaping up and his face, smashing him back onto the floor... {Anubis: 1700 LP -> 0 LP} I hope you enjoy it Chapter 88: Ones belief can boost one another Chapter 88: One''s belief can boost one another ? [Yuna''s POV] When the smoke settled, I slowly approached the crater where Anubisy. House Dragonmaid had caused far more damage than I had anticipated. His body was covered in bruises, and several bones were clearly broken. If Anubis weren''t an evil, powerful spirit, he would undoubtedly be dead. Sensing my presence, Anubis coughed in pain and opened one of his ck eyes. "Y... You..." "You lost," I muttered coldly, reaching for the Pyramid of Light artifact hanging around his neck. Too weak to resist, Anubis watched as I took the artifact from him. As I examined it with interest, the artifact suddenly glowed. Two faint blue orbs emerged from the centre and flowed towards Marik and Odion. As the orbs entered their bodies, their eyes snapped open, and they gasped for breath. Confused by the situation, they frantically looked around before being tackled to the floor. "S... Sister?!" Marik spoke agitatingly as Ishizu hugged him. "You idiots..." She cursed at them angrily before bursting into tears. "Do you know how scared I was?!" "But the spirit..." Odion muttered, looking around before meeting my gaze. Eventually, piecing things together, he nodded at me. Once I was sure they were both okay, I turned to the Pyramid of Light in my hand. Without a second thought, I smashed the artifact against the ground, shattering it into thousands of pieces. "Ke ke ke..." Anubis chuckled weakly as his muscles began to shrink and evaporate. "Do you really think this is over?" "... Are you still talking?" I uttered coldly, and the sorcerer smiled. "Well, it doesn''t matter anyway. You will find out eventually..." Anubisughed as his body crumbled. "Till we meet again..." Frowning, I watched as the remaining parts of Anubis turned to dust. On the ground, I noticed several tablets still seeping dark smoke. When the smoke dissipated, they transformed into Duel Monster Cards, and I cautiously picked them up. Unsurprisingly, I could sense the malice of the spirits residing in these cards. Unwilling to destroy them, I stored the Duel Monster Cards in the system forter use; they might prove helpful in the future... [3rd POV] When Yuna crawled out of the crater, she approached the Ishtar siblings, who were still embracing each other. Hearing her footsteps, Ishizu raised her head, and her eyes widened. Pushing Marik and Odion out of the way, she frantically hugged Yuna in tears. "Thank you... Thank you so much..." Ishizu cried with relief, and Yuna chuckled, "Miss Sano... You really are a beacon of light shining upon the..." Suddenly, Ishizu paused, her expression turning rigid. Confused, Yuna tilted her head and nced at the two brothers, who disyed contrasting reactions. Meeting Yuna''s eyes, Odion, flustered, quickly looked away while Marik stared at her nkly, like an idiot. "Miss Sano... Your..." Ishizu''s face flushed, and Yuna looked down hesitantly. Following their gaze, Yuna slowly lowered her head and froze. During the battle, she stayed safe thanks to the sacrifice and protection of her spirits. However, her clothes hadn''t fared as well... Holes riddled her jeans, exposing Yuna''s legs to an rming degree, and her upper body hadn''t been spared either. The buttons on her shirt had been ripped off by Ogdoadic Zohak''s halberd, revealing Yuna''s stomach and bra. Feeling the slight wind against her chest, Yuna finally became aware and frantically covered herself with her hands. Blushing, she red at Marik, who was still in a trance. "Y... You!" Odion desperately nudged Marik''s shoulders, snapping him back to reality. "Hold... Hold on, Miss Sano, it was an ident! Please, I don''t have any other intentions!" As he stood up, Marik''s foot slipped, and he fell forward in slow motion. *Ripppppp* Subconsciously reaching out, Marik''s fingers grasped what was left of Yuna''s shirt,pletely tearing it from her body. Falling face first, Marik blinked stupidly and timidly raised his head. Seeing the horrified expressions on Ishizu and Odion''s faces, he nervously nced at his hand, where the remaining pieces of fabric rested between his fingers. Before his eyes, Yuna''s upper body waspletely exposed, with only her bra covering her chest. This was enough to make Marik''s mind go wild, causing him to have a minor nosebleed. "A... Ahhh..." Marik uttered in a daze, "I... I didn''t mean to Miss Sano! It was an i...." *BAM* Before he could finish, Odion punched Marik in the back of his head, and his eyes rolled up his socket. In one smooth motion, he took off his cloak and draped it over Yuna''s shoulders. " "...Forgive him..." He coughed and muttered awkwardly. Even Odion felt that Marik might not get away with this one. "Let... us just go..." Ishizu answered stiffly, and she red at her brothers in disappointment, "Miss Sano, I will provide you with some clothing as soon as possible." Nodding shyly, Yuna followed the siblings as they slowly made their way out of the tomb. An awkward silence hung over them as they tried not to mention what had transpired earlier. Being his saviour, the two siblings both knew how hard Marik worked to redeem himself under Yuna''s eyes; however, after today, all his effort seemed to have gone down the drain... [Yuna''s POV] When we finally emerged from the ruins, the soldiers cheered. Watching the celebration, Ishizu smiled with relief as the massive weight was lifted off of her shoulder. Laughing alongside Odion, she tightly held my hand, asking me whether I would like to stay at her mansion for a few days. Although the offer was tempting, I wasn''t able to due to time constraints, so I immediately boarded the ne that took me back to America. Next Day... I yawned tiredly as the ne finallynded. Dressed in new clothes, I left the airport with circles under my eyes. Thankfully, I informed Kaiba in advance, and a car was already waiting for me outside. "Big Sister!" Mokuba eximed and ran towards me. Smiling, I patted his head as he excitedly dragged me to the car. Once inside, he began to ask about my trip to Egypt, unaware of the real reason for my visit. With a pang of guilt, I lied, telling him that it was an enjoyable ce despite my almost near-death experience. "How''s Kaiba..." I asked and tried to divert the conversation as he began to ask questions that were too difficult to answer. "Big Brother? He''s doing well, but he seemed to be very worried about Big Sister, you know?" Mokuba replied with a knowing smirk, "He would''ve picked you up himself if something troublesome didn''t appear." "Something troublesome?" Concern gued my face, "Is he okay?" I questioned and smiled sheepishly at Mokuba''s teasing gaze. "It''s not that serious. It''s just that some guy got caught ying under a fake name. He ims to be Big Brother''s greatest rival, and they''re duelling right now." Mokuba exined. "I see..." I muttered with a nod, remembering the plot in this arc. By the time we arrived, Mokuba and I were escorted back to the stadium, where I could hear the audience inside going wild. Being led to the private viewing booth, we stumbled upon Pegasus, who was watching the duel with delight. "Pegasus..." I greeted calmly as Mokuba hid behind me, still terrified of what had happened in the past. "Miss Sano!" Pegasus smiled brightly upon my arrival, "It was a delight to see you." Staring at Pegasus suspiciously, Mokuba moved to the corner of the room while I stood beside him. Gazing out of the massive window, I watched the two familiar figures duelling in the Duel Arena below. "Who do you think will win?" Pegasus asked curiously while twirling his wine ss, "You should have some idea, no?" Watching the duel in y, my brows furrowed while trying to recall the original scene. Right now, thanks to my intervention, Kaiba''s deck has improved significantly. While Zigfried''s skill level will probably remain the same, but there''s also the off chance that he will take my advice to heart. "Kaiba would win..." I answered thoughtfully, and Pegasus chuckled. "Are you sure that response wasn''t from how you''re feeling towards him?" "...No..." I replied while shaking my head, "Kaiba is stronger... That is a fact..." Smiling, Pegasus hummed, "Kaiba-boy sure got a lot of pressure now since Miss Sano has so much faith in him." He joked while observing me from the corner of his eye, "By the way that Miss Sano is looking at me, is there a question you want to ask?" "This..." I showed him one of the Ogdoadic cards, "...Do you know anything... about this?" "If you''re asking whether I created this card, then, unfortunately, no." Pegasus smiled, "As I said, Miss Sano, although Imercially distributed the concept of Duel Monsters across the world, these spirits have existed for eons. While in the past theye in the form of stone tablets, it''s not surprising that spirits have a new way of appearing in the physical world." "Why do you think I didn''t question anything when Miss Sano herself is revealing cards even I don''t know," Pegasus smirked, and I pouted sheepishly. However, now that I have confirmed that Pegasus has nothing to do with this, I''m certain who''s really behind this. Watching me deep in thought, Pegasusughed, "It seems you have figured it out." "Yes..." I answered grimly. "Nheless, I believe you can pull through. You always seemed to persevere, Miss Sano." He shrugged nonchntly as he resumed watching the duel. "Why... are you so interested... in me so much?" I asked in silence, and he turned to me with a glint in his eyes. "Hmmm?" Pegasus took a long sip of his wine and smiled, "Well, like I said, Miss Sano seemed to have a talent for finding these silly situations, and it never seemed boring. Besides, as someone who saved my life, how could I dislike you? Do you not feel the same?" "Just don''t do... anymore soul stealing..." I muttered, and heughed. "Of course, I have my fair share of that." Pegasus smiled nervously under my re, "Really, really, I won''t do it again!" "Nn..." I grunted and focused intently on the duel. "It''s not looking good, is it?" I heard himment, and I stared at Kaiba intensely. While it wasn''t as obvious, I could tell that Zigfried was gaining an advantage. However, I felt myself remainpletely calm. "Kaiba would win..." I spoke with conviction, "He will definitely win..." [3rd POV] Seto gritted his teeth at the annoyance before him. There were already so many things preupying his mind, yet another trouble was served before him. While Seto could have ignored it, his provocation was too irritating for his pride to bear. As the duel began, Seto found himself constantly losing focus. Knowing where Yuna went, Seto found himself being distracted, and despite receiving the message that she was returning, he wanted to see if she was safe. Because of that deep anxiety, Seto found two of his Blue Eyes White Dragons banished from the game and his monsters destroyed, leaving him weak and defenceless... "I will activate the effect of Pegasus''s Wing!" Zigfried''s confident tone snapped him out of his thought, "Since I can control a Fortune Chariot in my graveyard, I can halve the attack of my Valkyrie Brunhilde, and this turn, she can attack directly!" [Valkyrie Brunhilde: 2200 -> 1100 Attack] "Now, Valkyrie Brunhilde, attack his life points!" Zigfried shouted, and the warrior charged. "In response, I will activate my trap card, Shrink, which further halves the attack of your pathetic monster!'' Seto yelled, and the Valkyrie''s size decreased. [Valkyrie Brunhilde: 1100 -> 550 Attack] *BOOOOM* [Seto Kaiba: 1100 LP -> 550 LP] "What''s wrong, Seto Kaiba?!" Zigfried eximed, "After all that talk, is this all that you can amount to?!" "Tsk..." Seto clicked his teeth, "Be quiet and keep ying, or are you here just to bark like a dog?" Bothered by Seto''s response, Zigfried scowled deeply, leaving wrinkles on his face, "Fine, I will end my turn here..." [Valkyrie Brunhilde: 550 -> 2200 Attack] "Then it''s my turn," Seto muttered while gazing at the crowd, "Because your Nibelung''s Ring was still attached to my XYZ-Dragon Cannon, I will be able to draw two cards instead of one..." "I will start with Graceful Charity to draw three cards, then discarding Blue-Eyes White Dragon and Polymerisation! Afterwards, I will banish my Blue-Eyes White Dragon and Pandemic Dragon from my graveyard and summon Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy of the End!" Appearing on the field stood a dragon covered in green scales. Silver-coloured keratin that acts like armour around its joints, spine and wings. A luscious orange mane ran down its head, and with the keratin growing around its face, it created the appearance of the helmet of a knight. [Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy of the End: 3000 Attack] "Since you have summoned a monster, Valkyrie Brunhilde will gain an additional five hundred attacks!" [Valkyrie Brunhilde: 2200 -> 2700 Attack] Ignoring Zigfried''sment, Seto continued his move, "I will then set a card and activate Emergency Provision. By sending the card I have just set, I can gain one thousand life points!" [Seto Kaiba: 550 LP -> 1550 LP] "Finally, I will activate the effect of Chaos Emperor Dragon and pay one thousand life points, and then I will send all cards in both of our hands and field to the graveyard. Then you will beN?v(el)B\\jnn inflicted three hundred damage for each card sent by this effect!" [Seto Kaiba: 1550 LP -> 550 LP] Chaos Emperor Dragon roared, and the gem embedded in its chest glowed. Before Zigfried realised what had happened, Chaos Emperor Dragon exploded, destroying everything on the field, and the crowd cheered at the exciting sight. [Zigfried von Schroeder: 2600 LP -> 1100 LP] Now, both Seto and Zigfried have nothing in their hands, their field empty. Seto stared at the barren field and red at Zigfried, "I will end my turn here..." Scowling, Zigfried cautiously drew a card. ncing at the card he just pulled, his face lit up into delight, "Looks likedy fortune is shining upon me. I will activate Pot of Greed, drawing two additional cards from my deck!" "Afterwards, I will activate Magical Alms! Upon activation, this card will grant me one thousand life points! Then, during either of our turns, we can dere how many spell cards we will use that turn, and both of us will gain five hundred life points equal for each spell correctly predicted!" [Zigfried von Schroeder: 1100 LP -> 2100 LP] "However!" Zigfried pointed at Seto with a crooked smile, "If the yer activates fewer spell cards than they have dered, they will take one thousand damage for each spell card they said they would y!" "I will start!" Zigfried smirked, "I predict that I will y at least one spell this turn!" [Zigfried von Schroeder: 2100 LP -> 2600 LP] [Seto Kaiba: 550 LP -> 1050 LP] "The spell I will activate is none other than Final Light! By paying one thousand life points, I can special summon one light monster from my graveyard, and you will also be able to summon one monster with two thousand or fewer attacks from your graveyard!" Zigfried exined, "I will choose my Valkyrie Brunhilde!" [Zigfried von Schroeder: 2600 LP -> 1600 LP] [Valkyrie Brunhilde: 1800 Attack] "Then I will choose my Assault Wyvern..." Seto muttered grimly and retrieved the card from his discard pile. [Assault Wyvern: 1100 Defence] [Valkyrie Brunhilde: 1800 -> 2300 Attack] "Now, I will battle, Valkyrie Brunhilde, attack Assault Wyvern!" Zigfried ordered, and the warrior mercilessly shed the dragon apart... "How is this Seto Kaiba?!" Zigfriedughed, "This is what you deserve!" Seto gritted his teeth in frustration, his eyes hesitantly staring at his deck. Whatever he draws now will decide the very oue of this duel. Yet, as his hand touched the deck, Seto felt nervous and lost as he froze in motion. ''I have to win...'' He thought with resolve, ''I will never lose no matter what...'' Suddenly, his phone vibrated and broke Seto out of his concentration. Taking out the device, he stared at the message in silence. [Yuna Sano: Lookup.] Raising his head, his gaze subconsciously wandered to the private booth of the stadium. There, through the ss, Seto spotted the girl that had been guing his mind for days. Although dressed in a different outfit, her long blue hair couldn''t be hidden, and her smile shined brightly at him. Seto instantly felt an overwhelming relief, and he gradually calmed down. Focusing intently on her face, he watched as Yuna''s mouth began to move. Do... your best! While being distant apart, it was as if her voice flowed directly towards him, and Seto awkwardly scratched his ear. Without him realising it, a brief me flickered in Seto''s eyes, and he smirked. "Of course..." Seto rxed and stared at his deck, "I will draw!" As he slowly picked up the card, his eyes widened, and he smiled. "Zigfried," He called and crossed his arms, "I promise to defeat you this turn." "What, are you insane?!" Zigfried growled, you only have one card. What in the world can you do with it?!" In response, Seto held up four fingers, "I will show you; all it takes is four spells." [Seto Kaiba: 1050 LP -> 3050 LP] [Zigfried von Schroeder: 1600 LP -> 3600 LP] "I will start by activating the Card of Demise!" Seto shouted eagerly, "This card allows me to draw until I have five cards in my hand! Next, I will activate Spell Reproduction to discard Absorb Spell and Cost down to recover the Dimension Fusion from my banish zone!" "Then I will proceed to activate Dimension Fusion! I will pay two thousand life points, and then I can summon as many monsters that were in my banishment zone!" He exined, and five white portals appeared on each grid on the field. "Return my dragons!!" [Seto Kaiba: 3050 LP -> 1050 LP] [Blue-Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack] [Blue-Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack] [Blue-Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack] [Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon: 2500 Attack] [Cave Dragon: 2000 Attack] "Don''t forget, Valkyrie Brunhilde''s power will also increase!" Zigfried shouted nervously as he stared at the five dragons growling before him. [Valkyrie Brunhilde: 1800 -> 4300 Attack] "With this, everything will beplete once I activate my final spell card, Polymerisation! Using all three of my Blue Eyes White Dragon, I can summon the ultimate life form! Feast your eyes on the most powerful of all dragons in its fully evolved glory! Show yourself, Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!" The three Blue-Eyes White Dragon soared into the air. The dragons spun gracefully in the air as they began to merge and blind everyone in a white light. When the light vanished, flying in the air was a massive dragon. It boasts three fearsome heads, each with piercing, glowing blue eyes and jaws bristling with sharp teeth. The dragon has a sleek and muscr body, supporting its enormous wings and limbs with sharp ws. A blue energy crackled around the monster''s body as the dragon unleashed a devastating roar that left the audience with chills. [Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon: 4500 Attack] [Valkyrie Brunhilde: 4300 -> 3300 Attack] "Now, Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, attack Valkyrie Brunhilde! Use Beam of Destruction!" Following Seto''smand, the dragon howled and unleashed a whiteser from its mouth. The beam swept through the field,pletely engulfing Valkyrie Brunhilde whole. [Zigfried von Shroeder: 3600 LP -> 2400 LP] Seto gazed calmly as the smoke gradually cleared, revealing Zigfried''s arrogant grin. In front of him stood Valkyrie Brunhilde,pletely unharmed. "Unfortunately, your n won''t work!" Zigfried eximed, "If you''re not aware when my opponent deres an attack on Valkyrie Brunhilde, she can lose exactly one thousand defence, and my monsters won''t be destroyed by battle this turn!" Staring at Zigfried, Seto smirked before bursting intoughter. Caught off guard by Seto''s unexpected reaction, Zigfried frowned, "What is so funny?!" "I''mughing because you think I haven''t considered that?" Seto retorted, "Behold, let me exin to you the effect of Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon! While I have a Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon in my extra deck, Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon will be able to attack three times this turn(anime)!!!" "What!?" Zigfried shrieked, "No!" "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, attack Valkyrie Brunhilde again!" Seto yelled, and the dragon''s second mouth opened, firing the same attack. *BOOOOM* [Zigfried von Shroeder: 2400 LP -> 1200 LP] "This is the end, Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. Attack!!" Seto roared as the dragon roared, opening all of its mouths simultaneously-the three white beamsbined into one, overwhelming the Valkyrie as the beam shot towards Zigfried... *B0000000000M* [Zigfried von Shroeder: 1200 LP -> 0 LP] I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 89: Dragons vs Mechanical Dragons? Chapter 89: Dragons vs Mechanical Dragons? ? [3rd POV] As the duel reached its conclusion, the audience erupted into apuse. Seto smirked triumphantly, turning his back on Zigfried as he calmly stepped down from the Duel Arena without a word. Utterly humiliated for the second time, Zigfried''s knees buckled, and security moved in to escort him away. Suddenly, a boy sprinted onto the field, dodging the guards that were chasing him. Running towards Zigfried, he stopped and red at him angrily in tears, "Brother!" "L... Leon?" Zigfried muttered in a daze. "What in the world are you thinking?!" Leon shouted angrily, "Why would you do something so stupid?!" In response, Zigfried averted his gaze and bit his lips, ashamed of facing his little brother before him. "I know you''re mad... But are you really going so far just for revenge?!" Leon continued to shout. "You don''t understand!" Zigfried yelled back, "He ruined everything!" As the two brothers red at each other, Leon turned his head. He stared at Seto and begged desperately, "Sir, please forgive my brother! Please!" "Leon!" Zigfried screamed. In silence, Seto slowly approached Leon, his expression filled with contempt. The sound of his shoes hitting the ground sent shivers down the spines of the two brothers. When Seto finally stopped, his eyes glinted coldly at Leon, making the boy flinch.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "Your brother attempted to hack into mypany''s main security system." Seto exined, "We have enough evidence to put him away for years toe..." At the mention of jail time, Leon''s face turned ashen, and Seto crossed his arms with a snort, "You are one of the contestants, correct? Despite the fact you''re his brother, why are you feeling remorseful if he''s the one that would be punished." Seto pointed at Zigfried, "This has nothing to do with you." "You''re wrong..." Leon stammered, shaking his head. "He''s my brother and my only family, so I can''t let you separate us!" "So, are you saying that you will go where he goes?" Seto questioned. "T...That''s right," the boy nodded, "even if it''s prison." Zigfried: "Leon!!" "Is that so?" Seto muttered and stared at the boy in silence. Subtly glimpsing into the private booth window, he gazed at Yuna, who smiled at him worriedly. With a sigh, he snapped his finger, "Let them go..." Surprised, Zigfried dropped to the floor and stared at Seto standing before him. "I will only give you this one chance, leave." Seto growled, "You''re lucky that my mood is good right now." "T... Thank you..." Leon spoke gratefully. "I didn''t do this for you," Seto scoffed, "I just don''t want to ruin the atmosphere of this tournament. So don''t disappoint me..." "Yes!" The boy eximed with a relieved smile. Turning to the stunned Zigfried, Seto knelt and whispered, "You should be grateful I let you off the hook, but there won''t be a next time..." Standing up, Seto ignored the two brothers'' reactions as he began to walk away. However, before leaving the scene, he stopped and added, "Also... stay away from Sano, or you''ll absolutely regret it." Leaving Zigfried stunned, Seto left without looking back. Thirty Minutes Later... When the situation with the Schroeder brothers was resolved, Seto immediately made his way to the private booth. Unbeknownst to him, his steps quickened as he opened the doors. "Sano." He muttered upon spotting a girl waiting in the room. Turning around, Yuna smiled softly, "Kaiba... I''ve returned..." "Yes," Seto nodded stiffly under her smile, and he felt his heart clogged up in his throat, "Wee back..." Lifting his head, Seto''s pupil instantly darted to Pegasus and Mokuba in the room. Pegasus: "Ha ha ha, I will gomentate on the finals. I have to keep the audience excited." Mokuba: "I just remembered that I made ns with Noah. See youter." While still in conflict, Mokuba and Pegasus made a tactical agreement to leave the room together. Nodding subtly, Seto waited as the door closed behind him, engulfing the room in silence. "See... I''m not hurt." Yuna exined and spun in a circle. Her hair flowed gently around her, "Are you satisfied... with this?" "Yeah..." Seto felt embarrassed and averted his gaze. Coughing awkwardly, he recalled the promise Yuna had made to him before leaving. Breathing calmly, Seto tried to hide the anticipation in his voice and asked with curiosity. "Sano... You said you would tell me something. Don''t tell me you''ve forgotten?" Remembering her promise, Yuna''s face suddenly turned red, and she flinched. Before Seto could say anything more, she hurriedly blocked his mouth with her hands. Squirming, Yuna averted her gaze, blushing furiously. "A...About...T... That..." Yuna whimpered with difficulty. Her pupils trembled wildly as she glimpsed at Seto in embarrassment. "Tomorrow!" Yuna screamed while staring at the ground, "A... Are you free tomorrow?" When she carefully removed her hand, Seto slowly nodded, "I should be free for a few hours..." "N... No!" Yuna eximed, "A few hours... is not enough..." She mumbled nervously. She gently closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. When Yuna finally gathered all of her courage, she gazed at Seto with resolve. "A day... Would you please... spare a day?" "A day..." Seto uttered in shock, and his mind began to go crazy. Recalling all the romantic scenarios exined by his brothers, he soon realised what Yuna could''ve meant... Under Yuna''s expectant face, Seto chuckled and ruffled his hair, "A day huh... What will we be doing?" "U... Uhhh..." Yuna stammered and bit her lips, her voice barely a whisper: "I... Want to visit... Kaiba Land... With you..." "D...Don''t misunderstand!" She eximed with a blush, "I... just never been... to an amusement park before, so I''m curious..." Seto looked fixedly at Yuna''s embarrassed appearance, realizing how adorable she was. Unable to resist, he decided to tease her a little. "Then you can just go with Mokuba, right?" he suggested with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Ah..." Yuna froze, and her pupils trembled, "T...That..." "He would happily agree," Seto continued, "So wouldn''t that satisfy your request?" Smiling to himself, he didn''t notice Yuna''s frustration. Finally, when he glimpsed at Yuna, Seto saw her taking a deep breath as she slowly unclenched her fists in resignation. "No..." She muttered quietly and lifted her head, "I want... to go with you..." Seto: "W...What?" "You heard me!" She yelled with a blush, "I... want to go with you..." Doubting his ears, Seto stared at Yuna in a daze. As the silence dragged on, Yuna nervously rubbed her palms, "You... ept, right?" Seeing him nodding stiffly, Yuna rxed, and her smile returned, "Thanks... I look forward to it." Moving to the door, her hand gently rested on the wood, "Come on... The finals will end soon." "Yes..." Seto answered, and together, they left the booth. Walking side by side, Yuna didn''t mention what happened in the room, as if it were a fever dream. However, Seto knew deep down that it was genuine, and he anticipated the next day with quiet eagerness. [Yuna''s POV] Walking beside Kaiba, I desperately suppressed the stupid grin that was forming on my face. The fact that Kaiba agreed almost made me leap into joy as I realised that tomorrow was my chance. When I finally calmed down, my expression returned to its usual nkness as we made it to the control centre of the stadium. By the time we arrived, Pegasus and Mokuba were already waiting, "Is the final match over yet?" Seto questioned. "Yes," Mokuba nodded, "It just reached its conclusion. Big Sister and Yugi-san should prepare for the title duel soon." "...Who won?" I asked curiously. Possibly due to my intervention, the time where Kaiba confronts Zigfried was in the semi-finals instead of the finals in the original series. That''s why Leon still has to duel onest duellist before choosing to battle either Yugi or me. As Mokuba handed me a tablet containing all the eliminated participants and the tournament tree. I was expecting the result to remain the same. However, the winner was someone that I was not expecting... Ten minutester... Yugi and I followed Pegasus and stepped into the centre of the stadium. Smiling, he took the microphone from the staff and brought it close to his mouth, "Greetings, everyone! It has been three days since the beginning of this exciting championship!" "In those three days, we saw intense battles that left us with chills and amazingmentaries between opponents. However, that all ends today since only one duellist has remained!" "Now, that duellist will face the toughest challenge they have ever seen!" Pegasus exined, "To im the titles of these two rulers, will they seed? Let''s see now!" The audience cheered as Pegasus gestured at the entrance of the stadium. Following his gaze, Yugi and I watched as a small boy emerged from the tunnel. The boy has dark blue hair and eyes. He was dressed in a dark blue buttoned jacket and pants, resembling a traditional dojo- type outfit. Walking towards us, the boy observed us calmly. However, he couldn''t hide his sparkling eyes as his mouth gaped in admiration. "Hello, boy; as the winner of the Grand Championship, may you introduce to everyone your name one more time?" Pegasus asked and handed him the microphone. "Zane... Zane Trusdale..." "Nice to meet you, Zane," Pegasus greeted with a professional smile, "You have really gathered a lot of attention in your matches. May I ask where you got these skills?" Embarrassed by thepliment, Zane smiled awkwardly and pointed at the audience, where a group of people dressed simrly to him sat, "I... trained in a Duel Monster Dojo of Cyber Arts... My seniors all helped me get this far..." As mentioned, all of Zane''s seniors cheered as they raised posters for the Cyber Art Dojo. Caught by the unexpected answer, Pegasusughed in amusement, "A dojo for duelling? That sure is interesting! So what is your goal for participating in this tournament?" "Our dojo is still small..." Zane replied cutely, "I wish to spread our infamy by winning this tournament..." "And spread your infamy you did!" Pegasus eximed, "However, now you have the chance to spread it even further! Now, Zane, you have the right to be the best of the best! But before that, you must face your most significant challenge. Who will you face, the queen or the king?" Staring at Yugi and I, Zane''s expression turned solemn. After a minute silence, Zane pointed at me, "Her..." "Oh?! You choose Miss Sano?" Pegasus smirked, feigning shock, "Why''s that?!" With sparkling eyes, Zane muttered thoughtfully, "Dragons are cool..." Hearing his response, the audience burst intoughter, and I nced at Yugi apologetically. "Looks like... I''ve been chosen..." I said, and Yugi smiled wryly. "It''s fine. Good luck, Sano-san." He replied. "There you have it!" Pegasus announced, "Get ready folks, now you will see the legendary Yuna Sano duelling today! Will our Zane be able to handle it? Let''s find out!" Rising from below, the Duelling Arena gradually showed itself as the crowd cheered. As I was going to move to my tform, Zane suddenly stopped me with a blush, "Can you please... sign this?" Staring at the card and pen in his tiny hands, I nodded. ncing at the card he had given me, I smiled at the familiar picture as I wrote my name on the image, "Good luck..." "Nn..." Zane held the card closely and ran to the opposite tform. As the tform lifted us to our respective positions, I smiled calmly at my opponent. "I won''t be going easy on you, okay?" "Please... use your full strength... I want to get stronger." Zane mumbled nervously, and I smirked. "Very well, good luck, Zane-san..." "You too," He muttered with a red face as Pegasus announced loudly. "Alright, it''s time; let''s start this duel! The battle between the Queen of Games, Yuna Sano and our challenger, Zane Truesdale, will begin!!" "Duel!" We both shouted in unison as the duel officially began... [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP] [Zane Truesdale: 4000 LP] As the duelmenced, I heard a voice through my earpiece, "Miss Sano," Pegasus spoke yfully, "Knowing your strength, I beg of you to make the duel a little longer. It wouldn''t be entertaining for the audience if it ends in just two turns!" "This shameless guy..." I muttered as my expression cracked momentarily. Regaining my smile, I gazed at Zane and continued, "Let''s start slow; I will normal-summon Dragon Knight of Creation onto the field!" [Dragon Knight of Creation: 1800 Attack] "With that, I will set one card and end my turn. It''s your go." Turning serious, Zane gritted his teeth as he observed my field. Excited at what he was cooking, I urged him with an anticipated smile, "Show me the power of the cyber art, Zane-san." Nodding, Zane nced at my knight with wary. Eventually, he began to move, and I was able to get a little taste of the plot''s armour power... "I will start and activate the spell Polymerization and fuse the three Cyber Dragons in my hand!" Zane shouted. "Three cyber dragons already?!" Iughed to myself, "This is crazy..." "With the three Cyber Dragons, I will fusion summon Cyber End Dragon!!" Zane announced, and the Cyber Art Dojo members cheered. With a light, a three-headed mechanical dragon stood before me. Flexing its wings, the machine roared, and the crowd burst into admiration. [Cyber-End Dragon: 4000 Attack] "I will battle!" Zane announced, "Cyber-End Dragon, attack!" The mechanical dragon responded to Zane''s cry as its body began to move. Lunging towards the Dragon Knight of Creation, his eyes lit up with joy, and I smirked with pity as my knight readied his sword. Suddenly, a burst of energy emitted from the Knight''s body as the golden angel appeared behind him. "In response to your attack, I will activate the effect of Honest in my hand." I exined, "When a light monster I control battles, they could gain an attack equal to the attack the monster they are battling with until the end of this turn!" "Do you have anything to counter this?" I asked, and Zane''s eyes widened. "I will respond with De-Fusion!" He screamed frantically, "This will allow me to split Cyber- End Dragon and summon back my three Cyber Dragons!" [Cyber Dragon: 2100 Attack] [Cyber Dragon: 2100 Attack] [Cyber Dragon: 2100 Attack] [Drago Knight of Creation: 1800 -> 5800 Attack] Taking a deep breath, I giggled and watched him panting with relief. However, I made sure not to let him get off the hook this easily... It was a good save, but ultimately, it''s not enough. "Then I will activate my trap card, Proof of Powerlessness." Iughed, "I''m able to tribute one of my level seven or higher monsters, and then I can destroy all level five or lower monsters you control!" "You must be confused, but allow me to exin. Dragon Knight of Creation has another special ability. During my opponent''s turn, its level will actually be increased to eight!" Zane: !!! Dragon Knight of Creation lifted his sword and transformed into a bright arrow. Soaring into the air, the projectile dived between the Cyber Dragons, generating a vast explosion that left Zane''s field empty. *BOOOOOOOM* As the smoke disappeared, Zane stared at me in disbelief while I giggled, "Don''t be too surprised; just because my field doesn''t look like there''s anything, you must prepare for cards in my hand as well." Snapping out of his daze, Zane nodded grimly, "I will summon one monster face-down and end my turn..." [3rd POV] Shock wouldn''t begin to describe what Zane was currently feeling. Eager to test his strength and bring pride to his dojo, he decided to participate in the tournament. As he battled numerous opponents, Zane managed to defeat them all, his confidence growing with each victory until now. Even when he started with what was possibly the best hand he could ever ask for, Yuna quickly dismantled his n in seconds, leaving the boy speechless. "This is the power of a champion..." He muttered and flinched upon witnessing her rxed smile. "Looks like it''s back to my turn." Yuna said and drew a card, "I will be ying Dragon Shrine. This will allow me to send the Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my deck to the graveyard, and since I''ve sent a normal monster, I can send Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand as well." "Next, I will activate the spell Return of the Dragon Lords and target my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from the grave to revive it!" Along with the crowd''s screams, the infamous Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand appeared before Zane. Watching countless videos of the dragon in action, Zane gulped as he was able to meet the beast with his natural eyes. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack] "As always, when Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand is summoned from the graveyard, I can banish one monster on the field or in your graveyard." Yuna exined, "Then it could gain attack and defence equal to that monster''s level multiplied by one hundred." "Zane-san, what monster do you think I would banish?" Yuna questioned trivially, causing him to pause. "It would be the Cyber End Dragon, right?" Zane answered nervously, "Since it''s the strongest monster?" Humming, Yuna nodded in understanding, "Yes, that would seem like the most logical answer. However, I will choose one of your Cyber Dragons instead!" Startled, Zane''s eyes widened as his Cyber Dragon disappeared from the graveyard, and the power of Divine Dragonlord Felgrand began to grow. [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3300 Attack] "Zane-san, from what I have seen, your strategy is using your Cyber Dragon cards to create more powerful versions of itself. Am I right in my judgment?" Gritting his teeth, Zane nodded reluctantly. With just three turns, he finds himself at a complete disadvantage... "Then I will battle, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand. Attack the set monster!" Yuna ordered, and the dragon swung its ws and destroyed his Cyber Phoenix, "Since I only have two cards in my hand, I will end my turn for now." Frowning, Zane carefully drew a card, "I will activate Card of Sanctity! This card will allow us to both draw until we have six cards!" In excitement, Zane began to replenish his entire hand as Yuna''s expression became stern. "Next, I will normal-summon Proto-Cyber Dragon!" [Proto-Cyber Dragon: 1100 Attack] "While it''s on the field, Proto-Cyber Dragon will be renamed Cyber Dragon!" [Proto-Cyber Dragon (Cyber Dragon): 1100 Attack] "Next, I will activate the Cyber Revsystem, reviving my Cyber Dragon from my graveyard!" [Cyber Dragon: 2100 Attack] "Then I activate Photon Generator Unit and tribute my Proto-Cyber Dragon and Cyber Dragon to special summon Cyber Laser Dragon!" [Cyber Laser Dragon: 2400 Attack] "Once per turn, I can target one card with higher defence or attack than my Cyber Laser Dragon to destroy it!" Zane shouted, "I will choose your Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" Powering its weapons, Cyber Laser Dragon fired two beams towards the flying dragon. As the projectile struck its skin, there was a massive explosion that obstructed Zane''s view. When his vision cleared, he saw the monster remained standing. "I will activate Return of the Dragon Lords in my graveyard." Yuna exined, "By banishing this card, I can prevent Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from being destroyed once this turn." "That is fine!" Zane responded passionately, "I will activate Monster Reborn and revive my Cyber End Dragon!" [Cyber End Dragon: 4000 Attack] "Now I will battle! Cyber End Dragon, attack Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand; since your Return of the Dragon Lord has been used, your monster is defenceless!" Zane shouted as the Cyber End Dragon charged, biting the dragon with each of its heads as Yuna''s monster was overwhelmed. [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP -> 3300 LP] "I did it!" Zane eximed in excitement, "I did some damage! Now, Cyber Laser Dragon, attack her life points directly!" As the monster fired itsser, Yuna revealed the card in her hand, "Because my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand is destroyed, I will summon Keeper of the Shrine from my hand!" [Keeper of the Shrine: 2100 Defence] *VROOM!* Theser struck the elderly man, creating a futuristic sound. Smiling, Yuna chuckled in amusement at the exhrating duel, "I was outsmarted here. Good job." Feeling embarrassed by thepliment, the boy blushed and anxiously set one card face down before proceeding to end his turn. "However, it may not be such a good idea to give me any more cards?" Yunamented while staring at her hand, "During your end phase, I will activate the effect of Mikazukinoyaiba, the Moon Fang Dragon and summon it from my hand." [Mikazukinoyaiba, the Moon Fang Dragon: 2200 Attack] [1] "Now it''s my turn, and I will draw," Yuna continued, "I will banish the Moon Fand Dragon on the field to summon Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon!" [Red Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon: 2800 Attack] "With Red Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon''s effect, I can revive the Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from my graveyard!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack] "This time, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand will banish the Cyber End Dragon and gain one thousand attacks!" [Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 -> 3800 Attack] "This is over, Zane-san!" Yuna yelled and pointed at him, "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, attack the Cyber-Laser Dragon!" "Not so fast; I will activate my trap card, Rare Metamorph and give Cyber-Laser Dragon five hundred more attacks!" [Cyber Laser Dragon: 2400 -> 2900 Attack] *BOOOOM* The dragon crashed into the mechanical beasts, creating an ear-grating sound as Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s teeth tore through Cyber Laser Dragon''s metal exterior. [Zane Truesdale: 4000 LP -> 3100 LP] Yuna: "Now, Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon, attack his life points directly!" Roaring, Red- Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon unleashed a bloody red beam, and Zane fell backward, stunned. [Zane Truesdale: 3100 LP -> 300 LP] Gasping, Zane''s heart beat frantically as adrenaline surged through his body. His hand trembled with a mix of anxiety and excitement. He hadn''t been pushed this far since he first picked up a deck of Duel Monsters. Staring at Yuna''s calm expression, Zane felt a shiver run down his spine. He nced at his fellow dojo members, who watched him with worry etched on their faces. "I can''t lose now..." He muttered to himself, "No matter how strong, I will push through!" Raising his head, Zane noticed Yuna smiling at him with her arms crossed. "That''s an outstanding attitude to have. Show me what you got." Setting one card face-down, she nodded at him, and the boy drew a card. "This is it!" Zane shouted, prepared to use all he had, "I will activate Cybeic Fusion Support and pay half of my remaining life points as cost!" [Zane Truesdale: 300 LP -> 150 LP] "Now, I can banish monsters in my graveyard as Fusion materials!" He exined and showed Yuna his other card, "With that, I will y Power Bond and fuse thest two Cyber Dragons in my graveyard to fusion summon Cyber Twin Dragon!" [Cyber Twin Dragon: 2800 Attack] "With Power Bond, the fusion monster I summoned will have its attack doubled! But I have to take damage equal to its original attack!" [Cyber Twin Dragon: 2800 -> 5600 Attack] "Now I will battle!" Zane shouted desperately, "Cyber Twin Dragon, attack Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" "Hold on!" Yuna interrupted, "At the start of the damage step, I will activate my trap, Damage Diet and all damage I take this turn will be halved!" Zane gritted his teeth as his eyes shined with reluctance and despair, "Ugh... Cyber Twin Dragon, continue to battle!" [Yuna Sano: 3300 LP -> 2400 LP] "Cyber Twin Dragon can attack twice! Go and destroy the Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon!" [Yuna Sano: 2400 LP -> 1100 LP] As the Cyber Twin Dragon finished its attack, Zane fell silent, staring at the ground in frustration. He knew it had been hisst chance to make aeback, but even that n had been thwarted. "Zane-san..." Yuna muttered worriedly as the young boy hurriedly wiped his tears. "It.. It''s alright..." Zane mumbled embarrassingly, "I have tried my best..." "Nn..." Yuna''s smile returned, "You did great..." Nodding, Zane smiled wryly before bowing, "Thank you for the duel! But I''m not going to go down without a fight yet!" Yunaughed and felt pleased, "Very well, let''s see if you can survive until the end! After my monster is destroyed, I will revive Keeper of the Shrine back from the dead!" [Keeper of the Shrine: 2100 Defence] "Then, I will normal-summon Cyber Kirin in defence position," Zane continued as a small cybeic dragon appeared before him. [Cyber Kirin: 800 Defence] "Because of Power Bond, in my end phase, I will take damage equal to Cyber Twin Dragon''s attack, but that damage can be negated by tributing my Cyber Kirin," Zane exined that the monster had disappeared as soon as it arrived, "Now I will end my turn." Yuna: "Then it''s my turn, and I will draw! First, I will summon Chamber Dragonmaid!" [Chamber Dragonmaid: 1800 Attack] "When she''s summoned, I can add Dragonmaid Changeover back to my hand!" Yuna exined and revealed the spell, "Then I will activate it, fusing Chamber Dragonmaid and the Keeper of the Shrine to fusion summon, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!" [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 Attack] "When Starving Venom Fusion Dragon is fusion summoned, I can target one special summoned you control, and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon will gain attacks equal to that monster''s attack!" Yuna yelled, "I will target your Cyber Twin Dragon!" [Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 -> 8400 Attack] "Then, I activate Pot of Greed, drawing two more cards from my deck!" She shouted and glimpsed at her hand, "Afterwards, I will banish Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Dragon Knight of Creation and Keeper of the Shrine to summon, Chaos Dragon Levianeer!" [Chaos Dragon Levianeer: 3000 Attack] "Since I banished light and dark monsters, Chaos Dragon Levianeer can target up to two cards and destroy them!" Pointing at the Twin Cyber Dragon and Zane''s set trap, the dragon unleashes its magic as the two cards explode into pieces. "Finally! Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, attack Zane''s life points directly!" The monster screeched, leaping across the field. Watching the monster lunge towards him, Zane thought, ''How long will it take to reach such strength?'' *BOOOOOOM* [Zane: 150 LP -> 0 LP] Watching his life points dropped to a zero. Zane sighed as he was slowly let down from the tform. Walking with his head lowered, he stopped as Yuna blocked his path. "...You okay?" She asked, and Zane nodded. "I just realised how weak I still was..." He replied, and Yuna patted his head, "Sorry if I didn''t be much of a challenge." "So... what?" Yuna shrugged, "All it matters... is you having fun... So did you?" "Yes." Zane smiled, "Thank you for giving me this amazing experience." Shaking Yuna''s hand, the audience apuded a fireworks littered the sky, signalling the official end of the intense tournament that had been going on for days. Staring at Yuna''s smile, Zane made a promise to himself, one day... He will definitely duel her again, and this time, he will be ready... I hope you enjoy it! This chapter is a bit long since I want to finish the arc in one go. [1] This was initially called Crescent Dragon due to the OCG trantion, but it became this name once the official TCG name was released for easier understanding. Chapter 90: The Day I Promised to be Brave... Chapter 90: The Day I Promised to be Brave... ? Next Day... [3rd POV] Deep in the underground chambers of Kaiba Corps, Seto stood quietly in an open white room. Closing his eyes, Seto rxed his shoulders as a mechanical voice echoed deeply around him. *Commencing Project SYN-01 Codename Synchro - Test #20 Awaiting Command* "Begin," Seto said as the machine in the ceiling came to life. Generating a hologram of Yugi Mutou, he gazed at his opponent calmly. *Commencing Simtion* When the experiment began, several monsters appeared on Yugi''s side of the field. Drawing a card, Seto took a deep breath and nced at his Duel Disk, where countless wires ran from the device into the walls, connecting to various circuits. "Command, forceful summon of Blue Eyes White Dragon," Seto ordered, and his familiarpanion appeared on the field. [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack] "Let''s begin!" He shouted, his voice turning serious, "I will summon Maiden with Eyes of Blue!"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om With a sh of light, standing before Seto was a woman. She was dressed in a traditional robe with light blue markings, simr to a priest''s garb. With white hair and beautiful blue eyes, her familiar appearance left him momentarily stunned. [Maiden with Eyes of Blue (Tuner LVL 1): 0 Attack] Regaining his focus, Seto frowned, "Now I willmence the synchronisation summon using both my Blue Eyes White Dragon and Maiden With Eyes of Blue!" An intricate green circle appeared beneath Blue Eyes, White Dragon, and Maiden With Eyes of Blue. The circle expanded, engulfing the two monsters as a sh of light formed from their body. Seto''s eyes shed with anticipation as they began to merge into a much more excellent shape. Suddenly, sparks and smoke began to seep out of his Duel Disk. The room rumbled as lights flickered and the machinery overloaded from the intense power. Struggling, Seto quickly took off his Duel Disk and grabbed his deck as the device exploded, filling the room with smoke. *System Protection Program Activated* The holograms instantly shut off as emergency venttion and sprinkler systems put out the small fire across the room. *Pausing Test* "Report, test 20 ends in failure also." Seto spoke out loud in frustration, "While the project tuner is sessfully summoned, there are still issues when performing the synchronisation summoning." "I hypothesise the technology at this time is still not as advanced as seen in the future. Further investigations will be needed..." When Seto finished his analysis, the machines began to turn off one by one as he stood quietly in the room-remembering the incident months ago with trespassers from the future fueled him to develop the new method of summoning. Although the time seemed to be far off still, Seto believed that he was getting closer... As he lost deep in thought, the door to the room opened. His assistant, Rnd, arrived with a towel in hand. "Sir, your appointment with Miss Sano will start in an hour." "Is that so?" Seto replied while wiping the sweat and water off his body, "I should go get ready now." "Should I have someone prepare the usual outfit?" Rnd asked, and Seto froze, "Sir?" "I will handle it myself," Seto responded and moved to the door. Watching his back, Rnd smirked at his master''s uncontained excitement. With a chuckle, Rnd wished Seto luck and that whatever happened would work out... One hourter... Arriving at their meeting ce, Seto spotted Yuna waiting patiently in the distance. As if sensing his presence, Yuna took her eyes off her phone, and their gaze met. Light seemingly returned to her eyes as she approached him with hurried steps. "Kaiba... You''re here..." She muttered with relief. "I''m sorry. Did I make you wait long?" Seto instinctively apologises, and Yuna shakes her head, exining that she just got here as well. Staring at Yuna, Seto''s eyes subtly lowered as he scanned her appearance. Contrary to her regr outfit, she''s dressed in a white one-piece dress. The outfit has a simple design with a thin white ribbon wrapped around her waist, which emphasises her chest, and an open cor that reveals her neck and corbone. Gazing at Yuna''s face, Seto also noticed she had applied some light makeup, which further improved her looks and left him stuck in his spot. "Does this not... suit me?" Yuna asked hesitantly when she noted his dumbfounded stare. "Ah..." Seto subconsciously made a stupid sound and averted his gaze, "No, it really suits you... You looked... good (beautiful)..." He spoke with difficulty as his true thought almost revealed itself. "That... so..." Yuna responded with a blush, "Kaiba looked... good (handsome) as well..." Simrly to Yuna, Seto also made changes to his regr outfit. Now, instead of his white trench coat and ck shirt, he wore a dark blue zer with a grey shirt underneath, creating a smart but casual appearance. Feeling embarrassed, Seto coughed awkwardly and rubbed the back of his neck. Taking a deep breath, he nced at her, "Should we go?" Yuna gulped and nodded as they both stepped into the park... [Yuna''s POV] Thanks to Kaiba''s presence, we were able to skip the long line easily and entered Kaiba Land. As Kaiba was conversing with the staff, I felt a slight vibration in my back pocket. Taking out my phone, I scanned the messages that were flooding the group chat. [Mokuba: Big Sister, have you met with Big Bro yet? He said he''s going to meet you at the amusement park soon.] [Yuna: I just met him now.] [Serenity: What?! Big Sister, are you cheating on me?! You''re so mean!! ???) [Noah: Who''s cheating with who? I don''t think she made any ns with you.] [Mokuba: Yeah, she''s way out of your league.] [Serenity: WAHHH, Sister, they are bullying me! ???) [Yuna: Cut it out, you two] [Serenity: Big Sister...???] [Mokuba:... Look anyway. Brother is a bit shy and stupid sometimes, so Big Sister must be assertive!] [Yuna: Assertive?] [Noah: Be more physical or something. Get him to notice you. It''s okay since you guys are on a date after all.] [Yuna: WE''RE NOT LIKE THAT!] [Noah: Sure] [Mokuba: Sure] [Serenity: Sure [] [Noah: For example, you can hold his hand.] "What are you looking at?" Kaiba suddenly appeared behind me, and I hurriedly hid my phone from his prying gaze, "Who''s contacting you?" "No, it''s nothing!" I yelled hurriedly, and the phone continued to buzz uncontrobly. [Noah: Hold] [Mokuba: His] [Serenity: []] Taking a deep breath, I desperately calmed my nervous heart. "Kaiba..." I mumbled shyly and reached out my hand, "There''s a lot of people here... We might get lost... so..." "What..." Kaiba stared at my hand in a daze, "You..." "It''s okay if you don''t..." I hurriedly added and retracted my hand, "Let''s just walk.." However, before I took a step, Kaiba tightly grasped my hand, and I froze on the spot. Turning around like a rustic robot, his face remainedposed as my body gradually grew hot. I could feel the hard calluses on his palm, and his fingers twitched as they wrapped over mine. Trying to ignore the sensation, I looked around me. Our surroundings were filled with dazzling sights of advanced technology. Countless rides were built in various ces as people''s excited screams filled the air. Along the streets, there were holographic disys of cartoon characters and Duel Monsters interacting with children as their parents watched with bright smiles. "Is there something that you wanted to try?" Kaiba asked attentively. "I don''t have anything in mind..." I answered honestly while shaking my head, "Actually, I wished Kaiba to tour the park with me..." Kaiba: "Tour the park?" "...Kaiba Land is your dream, right?" I continued while ying with my hair, "I want to see Kaiba''s dream... Is that okay?" He seemed surprised by my unexpected answer as he stared at me deep in thought. Eventually, Kaiba chuckled and nodded, "Then let''s go and don''t get lost..." Slowly, he led me deeper into the park, and I followed with excitement. [3rd POV] As they strolled together, Seto stole nces at Yuna, who walked beside him with quiet grace. Each subtle movement of her arm brushed against his, and the gentle touch of her hand in his sent thrilling sparks through his body, electrifying his every step. Remembering Yuna''s request, Seto quietly observed the structure of the park. In fact, just as Yuna have said, each of the rides and designs has some meaning in Seto''s life. While oblivious to the public eye, for the Kaiba Brothers, these structures implicate something personal. Now, Seto felt himself opening up every little secret one by one. Some were embarrassing, some were wholesome, and there were even some that were dark. All of these memories gradually resurfaced as Seto spoke nostalgically. "Kaiba... that ride... Why would you make that?" Yuna asked while pointing at a roller coaster ride. As the cart passed over them, screams filled the air as the roller coaster went through dozens of intense turns that felt dizzy just looking at it. "That..." He muttered, "Back when we were in the orphanage, there was another child. We weren''t friends, but we were friendly with each other. I haven''t heard from him ever since I left, but I remembered that he had always wanted to try those types of exhrating things." "Is that so..." Yuna replied with an understanding smile, "Then... should we try?" "Try that? Are you sure?" Seto questioned, and she shrugged. "Why not... Is perhaps Kaiba scared?" Yuna smirked and lightly nudged his shoulder. "Hmph, don''t be ridiculous", Seto scoffed, "I don''t mind you clinging to me when you get scared." "Hah?!" Yuna pouted and blushed, "Well... I don''t mind either!" She huffed sulkily as they approached the line. Thanks to Seto, they were quickly able to bypass the long queue and secure two spots next to each other. By the time the roller coaster started to move, Yuna and Seto were still staring at each other with daring smiles, and both refused to back down. However, they found themselves soon regretting it... Five Minutester... "Are you alright?" Seto asked worriedly as Yuna trembled, "We can sit down if you want?" "Ha... Ha... How in the world are you fine?" She questioned while catching her breath, and he smiled wryly. "I guess I''m just used to this sort of thing." He confidently lied and hid his shivering fingers. Thankfully, Yuna didn''t seem to notice and Seto patientlyforted her. ''Roller Coasters are no joke...'' The two thought in unison while trying to hide their anxiety from each other... Ten minutester... "Hold on... I need to go to the restroom..." Yuna exined apologetically as she let go of Seto''s hand. Momentarily staring at his freed hand, Seto frowned before watching her walk to the public bathroom. When she''s inside, Yuna lets out a deep sigh while fanning her flushed face. The mere notion of holding his hand was driving her crazy, and the previous bold attitude was nowhere to be seen... Taking a deep breath, Yuna stared at herself in the mirror, "Come out..." At her summon, several figures suddenly appeared behind her. Turning to face the six dragon maids, she smiled awkwardly, "Is my appearance still good?" Like a professional pit crew, the dragon maids diligentlybed her hair and reapplied her makeup. To Yuna''s disbelief, her appearance seemed to transform before her very eyes, and she nervously touched her face. When the maids retracted their hands, Yuna''s face seemed to sparkle as they nodded in satisfaction. "Thank you..." Yuna spoke gratefully, "I will try my best..." House Dragonmaid smiled and bowed professionally while Kitchen and Nurse Dragonmaids gave her thumbs up, but Parlor and Laundry Dragonmaids giggled as they mimicked kissing the air. Embarrassed, Yuna averted her gaze and frantically unsummoned her spirits. Leaving the bathroom, she went to locate Seto. Noticing his figure in the distance, Yuna eagerly approached Seto before stopping, her eyes turning cold as she stared at the people surrounding him. Some pests seemed to have appeared without her looking... Meanwhile... "Hello, what''s your name?!" "Kyaa, he''s so handsome..." "Are you perhaps single?" Annoying voices filled Seto''s ears as he stared sharply at the three girls who suddenly arrived out of nowhere. ncing at the parents and children around him, he clenched his fists and suppressed his seething anger, not wanting tosh out and make a scene. Unfortunately, his silence only provided them with the opportunity to probe further. As the nuisance around him grew, a girl emerged from the crowd and grasped his arm. Surprised, Seto looked down at Yuna, who was smiling wryly. "S... Sano?" "Sorry for taking so long..." Yuna muttered apologetically, "Should we go now?" With a slight nod, Yuna led Seto away, and the crowd quickly made a path for them as they gradually began losing interest. Glimpsing at her, Seto noticed the twitch in her brows, and her smile seemingly didn''t reach her eyes. "Sano," "Hmmm?" Yuna tilted her head and observed him with the corner of her pupil. "I have already promised to spend the day at your request." Seto calmly exined while gazing ahead, "So I''m not abandoning you." He answered honestly but felt strange as Yuna''s pace noticeably slowed down, "Sano?" "Y... You!" Yuna covered her face and whimpered, "You and... that mouth of yours!!" Seto:??? "Fine!" She suddenly shouted and ran forward, "Like you said... Let''s go do that then!!" Boldly grabbing his hand, she pulled him along, and Seto chuckled before willingly submitting himself to her lead... For the rest of the day, the two spend their remaining time having fun and experiencing all sorts of rides. Allowing them to have a memory they both couldn''t have when they were young. As the sun began to set, the park was starting to get more and more vacant, allowing Yuna and Seto to walk more freely. Wandering mindlessly, Yuna suddenly stopped when she spotted something that piqued her interest. "Kaiba... Should we ride that?" What she pointed to was a tall Ferris wheel near the centre of the park that allowed the visitors to get an entire view of Kaiba Land. Confused by Yuna''s choice, he lets himself be willingly dragged towards the Ferris Wheel. Before Seto could question her dedication, the door firmly closed behind them, and the Ferris wheel slowly brought the cabin to an ascend. When they reached the top, Yuna''s eyes focused on the expanding scenery. Her eyes shone serenely at the view, "It''s beautiful..." "Nn..." Seto nodded, and Yuna nced at him with an apologetic smile. "Sorry... You must not find this interesting, right?" she asked with an awkward giggle, "This doesn''t seem like something... Kaiba would normally do..." "I don''t particrly hate it or like it." Seto answered honestly, "However, I wouldn''t have known if I hadn''t tried." Yuna chuckled at the Seto-type answer and ced her hand beside him. Seto suddenly flinched as their fingers grazed each other. Even if they held hands for the entire day, for some reason that right now, just a mere touch right now sends a shiver down his spine. "Did you have fun today?" He questioned, and Yuna hummed. "I have never been to an amusement park before... It''s very exhrating..." "That''s good," Seto nodded and felt relieved. "It would be pointless if it wasn''t." Yunaughed, and Seto''s ears twitched at her voice. "Kaiba is quite the worrywart..." "Is... that bad?" He asked nervously, which caused Yuna tough even harder. "No, I like that... That meant you cared..." She responded and stared at the scenery, "I''m delighted that someone like Kaiba is one of my friends..." "One of?" Seto subconsciously repeated her words and hurriedly shut his mouth in embarrassment. "Well, there''s Mokuba... Serenity and Noah..." Yuna smirked, "Yugi and the others too, I guess... But they''re just ssmates..." Seto smiled wryly when he found himselfpeting with his siblings, and Yuna picked up his reaction, "Is Kaiba perhaps jealous that his only friend has friends other than him?" "That..." Seto averted his gaze, "I know some other people too..." Yuna giggled, "Don''t worry... Despite having many friends, I feel Kaiba was probably someone who changed me the most..." Staring at the ground, she took a deep breath, "Lately, when I was with Kaiba, I found my anxiety seeping away, and I was happy that I could talk this much without stuttering..." "Do Kaiba hate... my way of talking?" Yuna asked while tilting her head. "I never hated it. It doesn''t matter how you speak because it won''t change who you are." Seto carefully chose his words, and Yuna''s eyes curved pleasingly at his answer. "Kaiba... You''re really unfair sometimes..." She blushed slightly and sighed. "You know, I was never really a good person..." Yuna admitted, and Seto wanted to deny it but quietly closed his mouth as she continued, "Despite looking like I was being kind, I''ll only do something when I can benefit from it... so I''m quite greedy." "I always wanted more... But I never know what I actually wanted..." She exined, "But recently, I kept having this urge... It''s driving me insane, and... it took me some time to realise what it was..." "Kaiba..." Yuna muttered calmly, "May you close your eyes for a second?" Confused by Yuna''s request, Seto hesitantly closed his eyes and waited with anticipation. With his vision blocked, he heard Yuna shuffling in her seat as she gradually moved closer. Before Seto could react, something soft and gently pressed against his cheek. Freezing in shock, his eyes snapped open, and he watched as Yuna kissed him with affection. Realising what was happening, Seto instinctively moved, but he froze as Yuna''s hand firmly held him in ce. When she slowly backed away, Yuna smiled, and her pupils trembled in anxiety and resolve, "Seto Kaiba... I think I''m in love with you..." It was as if a gust of wind swept over Seto, and his eyes widened. Yuna''s words kept repeating in his mind like loud drums, and his body was unable to react to this shocking news, "Y... You''re joking..." He muttered while clenching his fists. In response, Yuna chuckled and grabbed Seto''s hand. In a tense atmosphere, she hesitantly brought his palm over her chest. Desperately trying to ignore another sensation, Seto sensed Yuna''s rapidly beating heartbeat that matched his own, "Do... you think I''m joking now?" "Sano I..." "Shhhhh..." Yuna hushed and ced a finger over his mouth, "I don''t want to hear it yet... I don''t think I can handle whates after..." Yuna''s body shivered uncontrobly, and Seto had an urge to embrace her. However, he refrained from doing so for her sake. When Yuna finally moved away, Seto felt disappointed that the Ferris Wheel reached its end. As the cabin door automatically opened, she slowly stepped out before pausing by the entrance. "Let''s end it here for today... I''m quite embarrassed myself..." She confessed with a red face, "So... When we see each other again in Japan... Will you give me your response then?" "Sano..." "Sano... Sano..." Yuna mumbled with a small sigh, "Please stop addressing me like that... It''s way too formal..." "See youter, Kaiba..." She continued, "I await the day I could call you... Seto too..." Without waiting, Yuna left, leaving Seto alone. When he finally snapped out of his daze, Seto frantically ran out of the cabin. However, it was already toote, as Yuna''s figure was nowhere to be seen; all that was left was the lingering feeling of her touch and scent. Subconsciously, his legs carried him back to where his escorts were parked. asionally, Seto still tried to look around, hoping to spot the girl who held a firm spot in his heart. "Sir..." Rnd approached him with a bow, "You have returned." "Y... Yes..." Seto stammered with regret, "L... Let''s go back..." "Hold on, sir," Rnd interrupted him, "There''s something on your face," Handing him a mirror, Seto observed his cheek, where a faint lipstick mark was firmly printed on his cheek. Touching where Yuna left her tracks, Seto held his breath, and his face turned bright red. ''I''m not going to get any sleep tonight...'' Seto thought as his heart churned with happiness and excitement... I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 91: To the World of Memories! Chapter 91: To the World of Memories! ? A few Days Later... [Yuna''s POV] "I''m home..." I spoke absentmindedly and opened the door to my apartment. It has been more than a month since I have seen this ce, and nostalgia overwhelmed me. Just like Kaiba promised, he has people to fix the damages. All the furniture was brand new, and it seemed like they had been reced with better ones. As I ran my finger across the new kitchen table, my mind subconsciously wandered to Kaiba, and my heartbeat quickened. We hadn''t talked once after that day. Soon, school will start again, and that''s when I will see him again and hear his answer. Moving robotically to my bedroom, I copsed onto the bed and groaned. I buried my face in my pillows while staring at Kaiba''s contact number. My finger hesitated on the call button as I desperately resisted the urge. Even if I stated that I would wait for him, it only made the feeling much worse... "Aren''t I pathetic?" I uttered out loud, "Someone that never experienced love crumbled just at the mere sensation of it..." Clenching my fists, I took a deep breath and gathered my thoughts. I have to be patient, and I would look like an idiot for running to him now. But I can''t help but wonder how he''s doing... Slowly sitting up, I yawned tiredly and nced at the time. It was already quitete, and the excitement of returning home gradually seeped away, leaving me fatigued. As I considered going to bed, the doorbell suddenly rang loudly, disturbing my peace. Frowning, I hurriedly moved to the door and opened it. However, to my confusion, I saw nothing waiting for me by the entrance. Sensing something amiss, I carefully closed the door and turned around. My instincts screamed at me, warning my body about an imminent danger. Tensing, I hurriedly summoned my spirit. "Divine Dragon Lord Fel...." However, before I could finish, something cold and sharp was tightly pressed against my neck, and an arm wrapped tightly around my waist. "Shhhhh..." A raspy voice whispered, sending a shiver down my spine... From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of the man''s appearance. He wore blue pants and a teal shirt beneath a ck trench coat that billowed around him. His face was unforgettable, framed by wild white hair and bloodshot eyes, reminiscent of a deranged asylum inmate. The Millennium Ring hung on his chest, its eerie glow casting sinister shadows in the dimly lit room. "It''s... you..." I muttered and red at Yami Bakura with disdain. Yami Bakura smiled, revealing his white teeth, "We meet again... Yuna Sano. Thest time we met, you caused me quite some trouble... By the way, I suggest you call those guys back. Unless you want to get hurt, that is..." Confused by his statement, I nced around and noticed my spirits surrounding him. Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand hissed, its ws dangerously close to his heart, and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon''s stinger hovered menacingly near his spine. In front of us stood House Dragonmaid, her hand aimed at Yami Bakura''s face, ready to gouge out his eyes. Staring at the spirits, Yami Bakura sneered, and he remained calm, "I rmended you not to do anything too rashly." He spoke to them, "If you even so happen to graze me, this knife will plunge into her neck." As if acting out his threat, Yami Bakura slowly dug the de deeper into my flesh, and I winced in pain as blood gently flowed down my wound. The dragons roared in frustration as Yami Bakura took out several ominous stone tablets from his pocket. "Now, lock yourself in those." He ordered the dragons. Sensing their hesitation, Yami Bakura scowled and with a swift motion, he swiped the de against my cheek, leaving a cut that left my spirits trembling, "Don''t make me wait any longer..." I desperately pleaded with the dragons not to go along with his order. However, I could feel their will to fight diminishing by the second. Eventually, their expression crumbled into sorrow as each spirit picked up the tablets, much to my reluctance. One by one, dark energy emerged from the tablets,pletely sealing the Duel Monster Spirits away, and I felt our connection being cut off. Storing the tablets away, Yami Bakura smiled triumphantly as he approached me with confident steps. "Now that''s taken care of..." He muttered and lifted his Millennium Ring, "You should sleep too..." Purplish smoke spewed from the ring, causing me to step back in shock. As I identally inhaled the ominous fumes, my consciousness began to fade. Struggling to stay awake, I eventually copsed. With thest ounce of my strength, I frantically searched through the system for a card in my inventory. As the card dropped to the ground, I touched it and yelled, "Winged Dragon of Ra!!" WOOOOSH A golden divinity sted Yami Bakura across the room, and a giant dragon loomed over me. Roaring in anger, the Winged Dragon of Ra charged at Yami Bakura with murderous intent and Yami Bakura began to battle with the god.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Thankfully, with Ra''s appearance, I was momentarily able to regain a little bit of energy. However, even with the Egyptian God fighting beside me, I knew time was of the essence as the toll of summoning Ra was already taking effect. Coughing in pain, I desperately reached for the phone that had fallen beside me. I frantically turned it on and began to type. Unable to check who I''m actually contacting, I resigned to hope and sent my message. BAMMM A loud noise jolted me out of my concentration as I saw the Winged Dragon of Ra being pushed back, its form slowly fading. Ensuring the message was sent, I quickly slid the phone under the couch to keep it out of Yami Bakura''s sight. Desperately, I attempted to unsummon the Egyptian God and store the card back in my system. But before I could, Yami Bakura snatched it up, humming in delight. "Damn..." I cursed before everything went dark... [3rd POV] Meanwhile... In the Kaiba Corp headquarters of Domino City, Seto was attentively skimming through the various important documents. The memory of a few days ago was still messing with him, making Seto unable to sleep and exhausted. Recalling Yuna''s smile as she confessed her love, Seto''s face turned bright red as he touched where she kissed her. His heart beat rapidly, and he recalled the warmth of her hand, which held his hand. Smiling, Seto resumed his work, but he quickly stopped when a figure appeared in the room. "Brother," Noah said with a frown, "Yugi Mutou has been trying to contact you." "Mutou?" Seto''s mood soured upon hearing his name, "Ignore it." However, Noah remained hesitant and coughed. "He stated that it was very urgent. Apparently, Big Sister is in trouble..." Seto froze, and he momentarily dropped his pen. Instantly, his expression turned solemn as he requested Noah to pull him through. "Kaiba!!" Yugi yelled frantically, "Sano-san need''s help!" "Exin," Seto scowled and tapped the desk impatiently, "This better not be a joke..." "I won''t be joking about these kinds of things!" Yugi protested, "She suddenly sent me this text. I don''t know what''s happening, but it''s very urgent!" At his request, Noah brought up the message, causing Seto''s expression to turn extremely grim. [Yuna: Send Help. In Danger. Not much time.] Reading the message, various scenarios went through his head. Seto''s face turned extremely pale as he held his breath, "Track her current location, now!" He shouted, and Noah nodded. When he showed that her phone was still in her home, Seto then ordered Noah to search through every avable camera near her street, finding someone walking suspiciously. A few minutester, he witnessed the same person carrying an unconscious girl away. "Yuna..." Seto''s voice choked, "Where are they going?! Tell me now!" "To the Domino City Museum..." Noah muttered in worry. Before he could even continue, Seto abruptly stood up, "I''m leaving!" He dered with murder in his eyes. "We will go there as well!" Yugi yelled through the call, "We will meet you there!" Swiftly, he hung up as Seto marched out of his office. Without waiting for anyone, he took off running. Jumping into a car, he sped down the road, tantly disregarding dozens of trafficws. As Seto raced closer to his destination, he fervently prayed that Yuna would be safe... Ten Minutes Later... [Yuna''s POV] I slowly opened my eyes, disoriented and confused about my surroundings. Gradually, it all came back to me-Yami Bakura had knocked me unconscious in my own home. I tried to move, but my arms and legs were tightly bound, my entire body secured to a chair. Lifting my head, I cautiously observed my surroundings. Egyptian artifacts were disyed throughout the room, each one meticulously ced. When I nced behind me, I saw the familiar giant stone tablet depicting the Pharaoh and the three Egyptian Gods. "Domino City Museum..." I mumbled, "Why am I... here..." As I was lost in thought, footsteps approached me, and my expression turned sour as I red at the man standing before me. "Good evening..." Yami Bakura greeted with a sneer, "You finally woken up." Clicking my teeth, I red at him with hatred, "My spirits... What have you done to them..." "You mean them?" He sneered and opened his trench coat as several tablets fell to the ground. Staring at my spirits, my heart twinges with guilt at their sacrifices, and Yami Bakura laughs. Gritting my teeth in helplessness, I asked anxiously. "What... do you want from me?" "What do I want?" He smirked and held the tip of my chin, "I just need you to sit nicely and act as bait." "Bait..." My lips pursed at the word, and Yami Bakura''s smile widened. Turning my chair around, he made me face the massive Tablet of Memories disyed against the wall, "I think you already know now, this stone tablet contains an immense power that can only be activated with the presence of the three Egyptian Gods Cards." "Are you expecting... the Pharaoh wille?" I replied coldly, "You should''ve... Kidnapped someone else..." Yami Bakuraughed as if I had said a funny joke, "Do you really believe that? Of course, he will show up. He''s the pharaoh, after all..." "Then..." "Don''t you get it?" Yami Bakuraughed and stroked the side of my face with his finger, "I''m also after someone else..." Realising who he was probably referring to, I bit my lips in anger, "You!" Suddenly, Yami Bakura grapsed my neck, and his expression felt demonic, "Yes... What face would you make if I harmed the person you love?" My pupils trembled, and I thought about Kaiba getting hurt. Sensing my fear, Yami Bakura smiled and released his hold as I gasped for breath, "Yuna Sano, you have always been the bane of my existence." "You stopped me from getting the Millennium Eye and then defeated me in Battle City, forcing me to bide my time and regain my strength. Because of that, I had to use the cards I''d been saving, but even they proved more ipetent than I anticipated." Confused, I frowned at Yami Bakura''s exnation. "Did you really think everything that happened over the past few months was natural?" "What are you... talking about?" "Dartz and Anubis," he said, crossing his arms and smirking. "Did you really think they appeared so randomly? It wasn''t difficult to influence Dartz''s mind to make him act rashly or to use some magic to revive Anubis prematurely..." It was as if something had finally clicked, and I stared at Yami Bakura in shock. All this time, I have been treating the events happening as if they would definitely happen, just like the shows. However, because of that, I have never questioned why they would happen in the first ce. So it is all because of him... My expression distorted, "What is your point..." I growled, "There''s no reason... To tell me all this..." "Indeed, it is just my mindless ranting..." Yami Bakura mused and approached me, "This is my revenge, Yuna Sano; I will make sure you will truly pay..." ring at Yami Bakura, he snorted and nced at his phone. Smiling enthusiastically, he showed me the live camera footage on his screen of a familiar man marching into the Museum. "Looks like the star has arrived..." Heughed, and I struggled desperately against my restraint. As my fear finally came true, I heard loud footsteps approaching us from the distance. My gaze settled on the calm but fuming man standing before us. My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met before immediately turning to worry. "Yuna..." Seto muttered quietly upon noticing me, and he clenched his fists as he red daggers at Yami Bakura standing beside me. "Kaiba... Be careful!" I yelled, trying to warn him. However, before I could say anything more, I felt a sharp pain across my face as a crisp sound echoed in our ears. Grinning, Yami Bakura flicked his wrists and nced at Kaiba, who was shaking in anger. "You dare..." "Hostage needed to stay quiet, you know?" Yami Bakuraughed. Without responding, Kaiba activated his Duel Disk and pointed at him, "Shut up... I will make sure you regret this...." As if anticipating Kaiba''s response, Yami Bakura''s smile widened as he followed suit, and the two began to engage in a fierce duel. Watching on the sidelines, I felt helpless and cursed in frustration. ''There''s got to be something I can do...'' I thought frantically, and my gaze gradually wandered towards the stone tablets that stored my Duel Monster Spirits. Duel Monster Spirits... Vitality slowly returned to my eyes as I opened my system in a hurry. Making sure I had enough credits, I began to mass-buy cards. Even now, I am still unsure of why Duel Monster Spirits will suddenly show up, but my highest hypothesis was because of Ten Thousand Dragon''s lingering power that connected the spirits during the purchasing process. So, why not try to get a new spirit? Praying passionately, I continued to purchase cards, and my credits got lower and lower. "Come on... You guys have always been fighting alongside me since the start... So please help me now..." I begged desperately as the duel had already reached its climax. As I kept buying cards, I suddenly felt something in my heart. It was as if I could feel another emotion, one that was not my own. Realising this, I exhaled with relief and red at Yami Bakura. It''s time for payback... [3rd POV] "I will activate the spell Spirit Illusion and equip it to my Diabound Kernel; this way, I can summon a Doppelganger with its same effect and attack!" Besides the monstrous white demon, another monster with the same appearance appeared, and the two fiends hissed maliciously at Seto. [Doppleganger Token (Diabound Kernel): 1800 Attack] "Now, I will activate the second Diabound Kernel''s effect and attach it to your Blue Eyes White Dragon. Then your dragon will lose attacks equal to Diabound Kernel''s!" [Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 -> 1200 Attack] "Now, Diabound Kernel, attack and destroy the Blue Eyes White Dragon!" Yami Bakura shouted as the demon fired dark magic and destroyed the Dragon. [Seto Kaiba: 1500 LP -> 900 LP] Watching the dragon copsing to the ground, Yami Bakura smiled and stared at Seto with excitement. Unbeknownst to him, when Diabound Kernel destroyed Blue Eyes White Dragon, it had already stolen its power... "Are you not going to end your turn?" Seto snapped, and he shrugged. "There''s no need to continue the duel any longer," Yami Bakura rolled his eyes, "I have already got what I wanted from you..." "What?!" Seto fumed, "You think I would let you get away with this?! After what you''ve done!" "What would you do?" Yami Bakura sneered, "I have enough of this, Diabound Kernel. Kill him!" To Seto''s disbelief, it was as Diabound Kernel forcibly broke free from his game as the monster acted out of control and not to the Kaiba Corp''s programming. Its body texture became more real as it lunged at Seto with the intent to kill. the *CLANGG* Suddenly, Seto''s eyes widened as a man dressed in golden armour appeared, blocking demon''s strike with his massive sword. Staring at the man, Seto felt his appearance to be familiar before remembering the man as a Duel Monster, one that Yuna used! Watching the scene, Yami Bakura frowned and sensed somethinging from behind. As he hurriedly dodged, a beam of magic struck the floor where he was previously standing... Turning towards Yuna, Yami Bakura saw a woman beside her. The woman was dressed in an elegant white robe, and her face was covered by a golden helmet. She skillfully wielded her long staff, creating several magic orbs that floated around her. Yami Bakura growled in annoyance as he summoned the rest of his Duel Monster Spirits, "Die!!" He screamed as they engaged in a fierce battle. "Kaiba, Sano!" The two heard a loud voice as Yugi, along with the rest of his friends, finally arrived, and they stared at the scene in shock. "Bakura!" Yugi shouted, "What do you think you''re doing?!" "Ah, Yugi... It''s about time when you finally showed .." Yami Bakura grinned, "Now I will take what''s rightfully mine! Go my spirits, retrieve the rest of the Egyptian God Cards!" The room was in utter chaos. Yugi and his friends desperately dodged the monster''s attack while engaging in a fierce battle with Yuna''s spirits. Watching, Yami Bakura chased Yugi before cornering him. With a smile, he summoned his Diabond Kernel as it grabbed Yugi and held him in ce. Dragon Knight of Creation tried to intercept but was swiftly blocked by Yami Bakura''s remaining spirits. Chuckling, Yami Bakura dug through Yugi''s pocket, retrieving the two Egyptian God Cards, "Finally... It''s time!" Under the cover of his monsters, Yami Bakura leisurely approached the Tablet of Memories while dragging Yugi by the scruff of his neck, "With the power of the three Egyptian Gods, I will now activate your power!" Suddenly, the carving of the Millennium Puzzle shone blindly. To everyone''s shock, Yugi groaned as the Pharoah emerged from his body. "Yugi!" Yami Yugi shouted frantically as he gradually floated towards the Tablet of Memories. Laughing, Yami Bakura''s body began to do the same as they were absorbed into the tablet. The room instantly became quiet as they stared at the copsed Yugi and Bakura in shock; the presence of the Pharaoh and evil spirits in their bodies was nowhere to be found. Out of the blue, the Tablet of Memories began to glow once more, this time more brightly than before. Each picture began to shine as the light condensed into a single line, illuminating the dark room. To Yuna''s shock, the light shot towards her at a blinding speed and pierced her chest. "Yuna!!" Seto screamed and sprinted towards her. Feeling something strange, Yuna gasped as her vision distorted, and she fainted. Thest thing she saw was her own transparent body floating towards the Tablet of Memories... [Yuna''s POV] Sometimeter... ''Where the hell am I now...'' I thought when I finally regained my vision. I could still remember the sensation of getting sucked into the Tablet of Memories as if I was being pulled by a massive vacuum Cleaner. Looking around, I saw that everything was dark, and I hesitantly reached out, touching something cold. "Metal bars..." I muttered in confusion before continuing to move my hands. Eventually, I touched something soft, and I ran my fingers along the object. Suddenly, I felt movement as the thing I was touching flinched, and I finally heard the sound of breathing. I visibly froze and nervously raised my hand, feeling a small lip, a nose and two eyes. Realising I was touching a face, I frantically retracted my hand. *Hick...* A small whimper entered my ears, and I nervously approached the person. Sensing their fear, I tried to be as slow as possible. Strangely, I felt calm like never before and as if the person before me was someone I had known for a long time. Finally, when I was close enough, I paused. A young girl sat in front of me. She had beautiful long white hair and baby blue eyes that were light, small sapphire jewels. Contrary to her majestic appearance, she was dressed in tattered and dirty clothes, showcasing her pitiful situation. "No way..." I muttered in shock as the girl stared at me in fear and curiosity, "Kisara..." "Who are you?" Kisara asked hesitantly, "How do you know my name?" I held my breath as her eyes scanned me from top to bottom. Too stunned to respond, we stared at each other in silence. ''What in the world...'' I thought. Out of all of the situations I encountered in this life, this was the one that left me speechless... I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 92: Returning the Favour Chapter 92: Returning the Favour ? [Yuna''s POV] Kisara... The name echoed in my mind, sending a shiver down my spine. My heart twisted painfully as memories of ourst moment together flooded back. Before my thoughts could fully gather, a soft voice pulled me back to the present. "He... Hello?" Kisara''s familiar tone trembled as she stared at me with wide eyes. "W... Who are you?" As I stared at her frightened expression, a wave of sadness washed over me, the weight of her past pressing heavily on my heart. The cold metal bars I had touched earlier only deepened the pain, a reminder of her past of being a ve. I hummed softly, lowering myself to my knees until we were eye to eye. "I''m here to help you," I whispered, hoping my words could reach her. "Help... me?" Kisara''s voice faltered with doubt. I offered a small, wry smile, knowing the trust I sought wouldn''te quickly. As I slowly extended my hand, Kisara instinctively recoiled, retreating until her back pressed against the cold metal bars. I hesitated, then gently rested my hand on her head, feeling her tense and squirm beneath my touch. "I promise... I''m not here to hurt you..." I soothed, "Please believe me..." But as Kisara whimpered softly, my heart ached. How much pain had she endured in her childhood to be this afraid? As I continued to rub her head gently, I reached out with my other arm and pulled her into a tender embrace. At this time, she was still around Serenity''s age, which only made me want to pamper her. When I hugged Kisara, she shivered, "You don''t have to be scared now. I will protect you..." Cuddling alongside her, I felt my clothes dampen by Kisara''s tears as her gentle moans gradually turned into cries. Biting my lips, I continued tofort her as she buried deeply into my chest. *BANG BANG* Suddenly, a jarring noise echoed through the cage, and I snapped my head up. A thug stood outside, his face twisted in anger as he mmed a wooden bat against the metal bars. "Shut it, b*tch!" He shouted, "Can''t you see I''m trying to sleep?! If you make any more noise, I wille in and shut you up myself!" Kisara, startled, nodded stiffly, fear paralyzing her. The thug, satisfied with his threat, wandered off, not even ncing in my direction. I watched him go, a bitter smile ying on my lips as I remembered the rules of the Memories World. Gently, I wiped away Kisara''s tears with my finger, trying to offer her somefort amidst the confusion. "I can only be seen by you..." I exined and tucked her hair behind her ear, "So just think of me as your guardian angel." "Guardian... angel?" Kisara muttered quietly so as not to disturb the guards. "Yes..." I nodded excitedly, "That''s why Kisara doesn''t have to be afraid anymore. I will make sure to protect you, and Kisara never has to be lonely ever again!" Hearing my deration, Kisara began to cry once more. However, her sobs quickly died down as Kisara smiled. It was a very bright smile, as if she was able to lift some massive weights off her shoulders. "Miss Guardian Angel..." Kisara mumbled while still clinging to me, "Do you have a name?" "My name..." I chuckled and stroked her hair, "My name is Yuna." Kisara quietly called my name and giggled to herself. Gazing at me with her sparkling eyes, I tightened my embrace and promised in my heart that even if this may be a reality created by the Tablet of Memories, I would definitely make sure that Kisara would never lose her smile... A few Days Later... For the past few days, we were transported from a dark prison to a moving caravan. While still trapped in a cage, we were thankfully able to breathe in fresh air and look at the view of the desert. Observing the bandit group transporting us, I saw that there were no other prisoners except for Kisara. She exined that she was unfortunately kidnapped while wandering through the streets, which only fueled my anger towards these thugs. During our time together, I also managed to learn more about my condition. Like in the World of Memories arc, outsiders will remain in a ghost-like state that can only be seen by certain people in this trial. This was proven true as none of the bandits here noticed me, and as time went on, they considered Kisara was going insane since it looked like she was talking to herself most of the time. While in this state, I also don''t need to eat, and I can perform some absurd feat like floating. At this rate, I might actually be a ghost rather than an actual person. As time passes, Kisara has be much more cheerful than before. She has be more talkative and enjoys our interaction. Even now, she was urging me to entertain her... "Yunaaaa," Kisara whined and pulled my sleeve, "I''m bored... I want a hug." Smiling wryly at her request, I spread my arms, and she eagerly embraced me. Purring like a cat, Kisara giggled happily when I patted her head. "Yuna..." Kisara muttered while looking into the distance, "When will we get out of here?" Staring at the rugged bandits, my lips pursed before smiling reassuringly, "It should be soon... In a few days, there will be someone that will save you." "Not Yuna?" She tilted her head in curiosity, and Iughed. "I could, but when you look back on it in a few years, you would much prefer it this way..." I replied. "Really?" Kisara asked hesitantly. "Yes, so please be a bit more patient." I soothed and stared at her innocent face. If the history ys out as expected, Kisara will soon be rescued by a young boy. Then they will meet again in a few years and fall in love. However, my hand subconsciously froze. Kisara will also soon meet her end after realising her feelings in the battle of the evil god... Thinking about the boy, my emotions swirled into aplex mix of confusion. Kisara''s destined saviour was none other than Priest Seto. Astonishingly, Seto Kaiba was the modern reincarnation of that very same boy. Even if Priest Seto was only his past life, it felt like I was hooking up the girl I deeply cherish with the man I love... "Yuna?" Noticing myplicated emotions, Kisara asked worriedly, "Are you okay?" "Hmmmm, I''m fine," I replied and lightly pinched her cheek. Seeing her relieved smile, I decided to ditch my whimsical thought. Who am I to judge? Kisara was the one that gave me the green light in the first ce. "Someone you will like wille to save you." I continued, but Kisara seemed a bit displeased as she pouted. "I don''t need to like another person..." She groaned, "I only need Yuna..." Kuh... My heart... Kisara''s cute attack left me speechless, and I frantically shook my head, "You must have other friends as well! It''s good to have many friends..." "Is that so..." Kisara muttered, albeit still a little reluctant, "If Yuna said so, then I will believe it." Relieved that I was able to convince her, I continued to stroke Kisara''s head as I stared into the distance, wondering when he would actually show up... A Day Later... It was nighttime when the ve traders finally made a stop. Fortunately for them, they were able to take a break from all the walking upon reaching an oasis amongst the desert sand. Hearing theughter by therge campfire, Kisara subconsciously shivered, and I hugged her to keep her warm. "Yuna... Aren''t you cold?" she asked. "Don''t worry about me. I can''t feel it." I answered, "Come on, it''s time for bed..." Nodding, Kisara yawned and rested her head on my thigh. Patting her back, my expression grew solemn as I looked at her frail figure. I felt my patience was gradually running thin as I considered if I had really made the right choice... Just how long does she have to suffer like this... As time went on, the idea of ying all these bandits using my spirits constantly crossed my mind. Despite losing connection with my dragons, Dragon Knight of Creation and Herald of Creation were more than enough to dispatch these cretins. While thinking of these dark thoughts, the bushes in front of us shook, and a boy appeared before us... [3rd POV] Earlier... Seto rode the horse through the dark desert night. The sound of the mount''s hooves striking across the sand created a rhythmic sound in his ear. Raising his head, he stared at the night sky in silence, bathing in thefortable moonlight. This wasn''t the first time he had ridden to distant viges; due to his father''s early absence in his life, Seto matured quickly to support his mother by trading various products from to survive. Although the job was physically demanding, times like this were when he really enjoyed this type ofbour, where it was only him on this peaceful night... When Seto lowered his head, he suddenly noticed a light in the distance. Being consumed by curiosity, he guided his horse towards that direction and eventually found arge camp. As Seto observed the group of men engrossed in their drinking, he decided it wasn''t his concern and guided his horse to turn away. But just as he was about to leave, something caught his eye that stopped him in his tracks. At the edge of the camp, Seto noticed a crude wooden cage. Inside, huddled against the biting cold, was a young girl no older than him. Her tattered clothes offered little protection from the chill. At that moment, any neutral thoughts Seto had about these men plummeted into utter contempt. "ve traders..." He spat with disgust and observed the girl with pity. Despite her unusual hair and eye colour, the girl''s appearance was striking. Watching her shiver helplessly as the men dined and drank without a care, a surge of anger welled up within Seto. Grinding his teeth in frustration, Seto began to question his judgment. Carefully, he guided his horse down the hill, dismounted, and slipped into the cover of nearby bushes. Moving stealthily, he edged closer to the cage, his determination growing with each silent step. When Seto was close enough, he emerged from the shadows and reached for the lock. The sudden movement caught the girl''s attention, and she lifted her head, her round eyes widening in surprise as she met Seto''s gaze. "Shhhh, I''m getting you out of here." Seto hushed and struck the lock with a rock. *nk* The flimsy lock shattered with a single strike, and Seto quickly swung the door open. He extended his hand toward the girl, who hesitated for a moment before cautiously taking it. He carefully helped her down, and as her bare feet touched the cold sand, she flinched as though the sensation was unfamiliar. "Come on, let''s go," Seto urged, grabbing her hand as they began to run. As they fled, Seto noticed something odd-the girl seemed to be clutching at thin air with one arm, as if she were dragging something invisible behind her. They raced to where Seto had left his horse, but just as they arrived, a man stepped into their path, blocking their escape. "Where do you think you''re going brat?!" He shouted angrily, "You''re going to pay for this!" As the man reached out, Seto snatched his wrist. Using the man''s weight, Seto threw him onto the ground, "Go!" The man yelled in rm, but Seto and the girl wasted no time. They scrambled onto the horse, and with a swift kick, Seto urged the animal into a full gallop. The horse surged forward, carrying them across the desert as the camp and its men grew smaller and smaller in the distance. "Are they still chasing us?!" Seto yelled as the wind blew past his ears. "No!" The girl replied, and he finally slowed down his pace. With an agile movement, he leapt off his horse and ran beside her, "Go now, get away beforen/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om it''s toote!" "Aren''t youing?" The girl asked, and Seto shook his head. "I will be fine!" He said, pping the back of the horse as the animal sped up. "Wait... What is your name!" The girl yelled loudly. "Seto!" The boy responded while panting in exhaustion. "I will remember this, Seto! I will definitely repay you!" she shouted, her voice ringing out as the wind carried her words. Seto slowed down, watching her figure gradually vanish into the distance. He realized that he never even got her name, but something inside him told him this wasn''t thest he''d see of her. Somehow, he knew their paths would cross again. [Yuna''s POV] "Kisara, I think we can stop now," I said while floating beside her. I don''t know how long we have been riding, but we were already very far away from the campsite, and it''s safe to assume that we have sessfully escaped. "Kisara?" I called once more when she didn''t answer, and the horse suddenly came to a halt. "Ah, yes?!" She jumped and blurted. "Are you okay?" I asked worriedly, and Kisara hurriedly nodded before averting her gaze. Her ears were slightly red as she fidgeted nervously in her seat, "you''re thinking about Seto, weren''t you?" "I''m not!" She stammered as I poked her teasingly. "Well, you are hugging him pretty tightly when you''re both on the horse earlier." I pointed out with a smile, "Is this the first time you met a boy your age?" "Yuna!!!" Kisara screamed while blushing, and she jumped off her horse and chased me. However, being able to fly, I easily dodged her whimsical attempt to grab me. When Kisara finally gave up, she copsed as I sat beside her, "I really don''t like him..." She muttered, and I nodded. "Okay, I will believe you." I replied and stroked her head as she yawned, "You have been riding for quite a while now. You must be tired." As the horsey down, Kisara crawled towards the animal and gently leaned on its stomach. The beast snorted and sniffed her hair before going to sleep. As we listened to the beast''s quiet breathing, Kisara held my hand as she smiled. "Good night..." I whispered, and she gradually closed her eyes. Five minutes had passed before I made sure Kisara was finally asleep, and I carefully slipped my hand out of her grasp. "Sorry..." I apologised softly, "I will be back soon." Rising to my feet, I calmly watched over her sleeping body. "You cane out now..." I called softly. At my words, Kisara''s body shimmered, and Blue-Eyes White Dragon materialized before me. The dragon''s piercing pupils locked onto mine as I extended my hand. The beast made no move to withdraw from my touch. Instead, it let out a gentle groan, its robust frame rxing as it closed its eyes. "You have been looking after Kisara all this time... Don''t worry. I will take care of her." I said, and the dragon yfully nudged against my chest. Laughing, I patted Blue Eyes White Dragon''s head as we stared at each other, "You know what we should do, right? Since he saved Kisara, we have to return the favour..." Without hesitation, I leapt onto the dragon''s back, and we soared into the sky... Meanwhile... [3rd POV] It was utter chaos. Screams and fire filled the air as Seto sprinted down the street. His heart raced, and panic-stricken his face. It was soon after rescuing Kisara that he found his vige up in smoke. The ve traders, angered by loss, decided to unleash their rage on this unsuspecting vige. Dodging several of the ve traders, Seto''s mind was only filled with the thought of his mother. *BAM* Suddenly, Seto was tackled and pinned to the floor. Lifting his head, he saw the same ve trader that he fought not so long ago smiling maliciously. Grabbing Seto by the hair, the thug forced him to watch as they set fire to his house. "MOTHER!!!" Seto screamed in fear as the mes consumed the building. Tears streamed down his face as the banditsughed. Turning around, Seto also saw the other vigers being captured one by one as they were put into chains. Being forced onto his feet, Seto''s wrists were tightly bound before he was thrown towards the group. "Mother..." He mumbled in despair while staring at his burning home... But suddenly... Seto heard shouts as the bandits began to run in panic. A blinding light dispersed the dark smoke that filled the night, and Seto saw the shadow of a giant beast. It was a dragon with shimmering white scales and piercing blue eyes. Turning its head, the dragon''s gaze made everyone freeze in their spot. pping its massive wings, the monster unleashed a deafening roar, and at that moment, the surroundings were quiet except for the dragon''s low, rumbling growl. *BOOOM* Seto''s burning house exploded, and he saw a golden forcefield expanding from within. Standing in the barrier was a tall woman wearing a saintly golden and white robe. She had long blond hair, and a mask covered her face. In her hand was a long magical staff, while in her other arm was Seto''s mother, unconscious but alive. Using some unexinable magic, the woman pushed the debris aside as she calmly walked out of the burning building. Snapping out of their shock, some ve traders charged with their swords. *CLANG* Before the attacks couldnd, a man dressed in gold armour blocked the de with his great sword. With some elegant technique, the ve traders were swiftly cut down, showering the ground with blood. It was a scene you hear from a mythical tale as the dragon and the two warriors effortlessly defeated the remaining ve traders. When dawn arrived, the vige was filled with bodies of the bandits that tried to attack. The man sheathed his massive sword and approached Seto with deliberate calmness. Seto''s nerves were on edge as he looked up at the imposing figure, unable to read anything from the knight''s hidden expression beneath his helmet. Without uttering a single word, the knight snapped the chains of the captive and set them free. "Th... Thank you..." Seto knelt next to his mother and spoke stiffly, "You should stay; our vige will definitely providepensation." However, to Seto''s expectation, the knight shook his head as he and the woman climbed onto the dragon''s back. Without wasting any more time, they took off into the air, never to be seen again... [Yuna''s POV] Meanwhile... "Meat!" I eximed excitedly, "Kisara would love this!" Storing the food into a satchel I found, I continued to search through the rest of the bandit''s belongings. When they left the camp in a hurry, several valuable items remained, and I happily collected them all. From small tools to food and money, I took everything that could help Kisara survive. I even found a small dagger that she could defend herself with, in case I''m not around. I also tasked my two spirits to retrieve anything they could find from the corpses, so now we have enough supplies that wouldst us for a few days. When I finished looting, I called for Blue Eyes White Dragon. However, I received no response. Confused, I tried to shout, but it was as if the dragon''s presence had disappearedpletely. "Ah..." My face turned pale upon realisation, "I messed up..." In a panic, I frantically flew back in the direction I came from. When I finally returned, I could only see the horse and traces of a small campfire. When Inded, I suddenly felt a presence that made my body tense. Awkwardly turning around, I saw Kisara staring at me with her arms crossed. "G....Good Morning..." I greeted her, and she scowled. "Yuna..." She mumbled coldly, "You lied to me..." "Y... Yes?" I stuttered nervously, and before I could fully process what was happening, Kisara closed the distance between us. In an unexpected burst of emotion, she threw her arms around me, and we both toppled to the floor. Like a ko, she clung to me with such a tight grip that I found myself unable to move, her embrace bothforting and immobilizing. "How long are we going to stay like this?" I asked, my voice tinged with confusion. Kisara mumbled in response, "Until I''m satisfied." Left speechless, I shut my mouth and stared up at the sky, pondering how things had taken such an unexpected turn.... I hope you enjoy it! There are a lot of skips/POV changes in this chapter since I wanted to get through some stuff faster, and I hope it still flows well enough. Chapter 93: Make Yourself Known! Chapter 93: Make Yourself Known! ? [Yuna''s POV] As the sun rose, Kisara finally loosened her embrace, setting me free. I couldn''t help but gaze at her with a mix of curiosity and confusion, but Kisara seemed unfazed. With a carefree smile, she turned her attention to the food I had brought, happily indulging in it as if nothing unusual had transpired. "By the way, Yuna, now that we''re free. What will we do?" she asked and took a big gulp of water. "Well, I took some money from the ve traders, so I think we should go to a city first." I replied, "Thankfully, we got a horse, so it shouldn''t take too long." Kisara nodded in agreement, finishing thest bite of her breakfast before effortlessly climbing onto the horse. The journey ahead was calm and uneventful as we rode quietly across the desert sands. To pass the time, we engaged in lighthearted conversations, chatting about anything and everything, even if the topics were trivial. What made the ride truly enjoyable was the simple pleasure of having someone to talk to. For reasons I couldn''t quite exin, I felt an unusual sense offort around Kisara. Her presence put my heart at ease, making our seemingly meaningless banter feel meaningful in its own way. Eventually, after a few hours of travelling, we arrived at a vige along a river. Entering the vige, we were able to purchase some information and secure a rough map. As swiftly as we arrived, we left the vige and continued our journey to reach the city. "So the capital is called Memphis..." Kisara muttered and stared at the hieroglyphics on the papyrus." "Kisara, you can read?" I uttered in shock while examining the unintelligible symbols, "I couldn''t even understand a single word..." "Fu fu fu," Kisaraughed, and her nose twitched, "So even Yuna have something she can''t do." Suppressing my urge to pinch her cheeks, I smiled nonchntly, "Besides that, when did Kisara learn to read anyway?" "Well, an old grandpa taught me when I was extremely young..." She exined with a hint of nostalgia in her voice, "I can''t remember much about him, but the old grandpa said that it''s a prettymon skill, so I should at least know this much." "I don''t think it''smon at all..." I muttered nkly, recalling that only a handful of people can count, let alone read, in this day and age... "But still, that must be very impressive!" I praised wholeheartedly, and Kisara blushed at my flurry ofpliments, "Kisara is really a genius!" Of... Of course!" she said with a mischievous grin. "Praise me more!" Ourughter filled the air as we rode off, Kisara''s enthusiasm propelling us forward. "Now, where were we? There''s no time to waste!!" With that, she urged the horse into a swift trot, and we continued our journey with haste. Three dayster... As we reached the top of a hill, Kisara''s eyes widened in amazement. "Wow... So that''s Memphis..." she breathed, taking in the vast cityscape that unfolded in front of our very eyes. Before us stretched a sprawling city, its vast expanse marked by endless rows of buildings that seemed to merge with the horizon. Enclosing Memphis were colossal limestone walls, their surfaces gleaming under the intense sunlight. Beyond the city''s walls, countless farms and lush green fields dotted thendscape, adding a surprising vibrancy to the sandy terrain. Yet, what truly captivated us was the Royal Pce, standing majestically at the heart of the capital. Constructed from the finest marble, the pce embodied luxury and grandeur, its gleaming facade a testament to the wealth and power of the Pharaoh. "To think something like this existed..." I muttered in admiration at the sight as Kisara eagerly nudged her horse. "I will race you there!" She eximed and rushed down the hill. "Ah, Kisara, wait! This girl, really..." With a small sigh, I frantically chased after Kisara and she sped down the road... Soon arriving at the gate, Kisara was swiftly stopped by the guards, "Halt!" One of them said and approached her, "Please state your identity." Intimidated by the spear in his hand, Kisara stammered awkwardly, "Ah, I''m just visiting..." "I see," The guard nodded, "However, you must first pay a small fee to enter." "Would I have to pay again if I leave?" Kisara questioned, and the guard shook his head and showed her a copper bar in his hand. "Once you have paid, you will be given this item, which proves your identity, and you can use it to enter or exit the city at all times." He exined. "Then I will pay..." Kisara muttered and handed the guard several coins. When he finished counting, the guard happily gave her the copper bar and moved out of her way. Gently guiding her horse, we finally entered the city and held our breath. The road was bustling with life. There were dozens of street stalls on both sides of the road, creating vibrant colours and various delicious smells that made us feel like we were in paradise. "Do you have anything you want to do first?" I asked Kisara, who was quietly watching the moving crowd. *Gurgle* At the rumbling sound, Kisara blushed and rubbed her stomach in embarrassment, "Somece to eat would be nice..." "Sure, you have only been eating in bread for a while now. You should treat yourself." I agreed, and her face lit up with joy. Fortunately, it didn''t take long for us to spot a small tavern nestled along the street. After securing the horse to a nearby wooden post, we made our way inside and settled into a cozy corner. To Kisara''s delight, the food arrived shortly after we ced our order. Her eyes widened in wonder as she gazed at the te of fish set before her. a piece of the fish. With a hint of hesitation, Kisara picked her fork and carefully as she took a bite, her eyes grew wide with astonishment, and tears began to well up. After days of nd rations, this fish was like an unexpected gift from the gods. "K... Kisara, calmed down." I muttered as we began to attract some unwanted attention. oon Wiping her tears, Kisara swiftly devoured the remaining food, not leaving a single bit behind. When she sighed with satisfaction, she made an ah sound. "I should have left Yuna some..." She mumbled apologetically, and I chuckled. "Don''t worry about me, and I don''t get hungry anyway." I exined with a small smile, "Besides that, now that we''re in Memphis, we have to figure out our ns for the future." "We first have to find a ce to stay. While we can still sleep outside, it''s about time we at least secure afortable shelter. Luckily, I''m pretty sure that this inn can lend out rooms, but at some cost, of course." Kisara; "But..." "But what about our money, right?" I took the words out of Kisara''s mouth, and she nodded worriedly, "Unfortunately, we currently don''t have a way to get money. "Then should I find a job?" Kisara proposed, and I stared at her frail frame with concern. "I''m scared that anything toobour-intensive might be dangerous for you..." I muttered worriedly and affectionately patted her head as she bit her lips in frustration, "It''s not your fault, so don''t be upset." "Yuna..." She mumbled, and I hurriedly stood up. "Enough of that troubling thought. How about we go on a walk?" Without waiting for her answer, I left through the door. Letting her chase after me. Despite not showing directly, Kisara''s uncertain future gued my mind. Wandering through busy streets, I asionally noticed Kisara glimpsing at the food stalls. However, knowing our financial situation, she could only walk past them with a heavy heart. Watching this scene, I could only clench my fists, frustrated at our current situation. "It''s okay, Yuna..." Suddenly, Kisara grasped my hand and muttered affectionately, "You being here is enough." Feeling guilty, I squeezed her hand with a sad smile, "I should be the one taking care of you. I promised that Kisara would always be happy." "But I am happy!" Kisara argued, "In fact, I''m having the happiest time of my life!" "Because I know that I''m no longer alone. I also know that you will always protect me. Who couldn''t be happy about that?" Kisaraughed sweetly, "I can safely say that nothing else could beat this moment now!" "You..." I slowly extended my hand... *Tap* "Ouch! What was that for?!" Kisara winced when I suddenly flicked her forehead. "Don''t dere that so carelessly. You should save it when you get married." I chided, and Kisara stuck out her tongue. "I''m fine without marriage! What''s so good about it anyway?!" "How is it not?! Marrying someone you love is really great, you know!" I argued back, and she frowned. "What makes you say that?! Don''t tell me!" Kisara gasped and stared at me with trembling eyes, "Yuna is ma... married?!" "No, I''m not!" I blushed profusely as she continued to attack. "Then Yuna must also have someone she likes, right?! Or else, all that talk about marriage and stuff has toe from somewhere!!" Kisara yelled, and I visibly stiffened. "Th...That" I averted my gaze, finding myself unable to lie. "Who is it?" Kisara sulked. "Whoever it is, I won''t allow it!" She huffed and crossed her arms, unaware that the very person she was rebelling against was the modern reincarnation of her lover. "E... Enough," I eximed and covered my face, "Don''t change the subject! So don''t im that this is your happiest moment so carelessly. There''s definitely going to be a moment in the future that will be better than this!" Still pouting, Kisara walked ahead of me as her cheeks inted like a chipmunk. Laughing quietly, I followed behind her with an amused smile, "Is perhaps Kisara jealous?" "Who''s jealous?" She sulked, and my smile widened even further. "Come on, don''t be upset. Kisara will find someone she loves in the future; should I also be jealous then?" "Hmph! I won''t fall in love! Ever!" She dered confidently, and I sighed. "Well, I''m not so sure about that..." I muttered. Smiling wryly, we swiftly forgot about her previous conversation and resumed our exploration through the city. It was more enjoyable than I had expected, mainly because these were things that I would never get to see in my present life. As the sun began to set, we finally stopped outside of the giant pce. A flight of long stairs made of smooth sandstone ascended towards the tall building as if it were a stairway to heaven. "Apparently, this flight of stairs leads to a temple," I exined while eavesdropping from the nearby, "The pce is built behind it." "That''s where the pharaoh lives..." Kisara muttered in awe, "If it looks this majestic from the outside, I wonder how beautiful the inside actually is." "Then should we go see?" I asked and pulled Kisara by the hand. With my assistance, we quickly ascended the stairs and found ourselves standing before an awe-inspiring Egyptian temple. The grand entrance left us momentarily speechless, its sheer size and intricate details overwhelming. The walls were adorned with vibrant carvings etched with meticulous precision. Massive statues acting as pirs lined the walls, their towering forms supporting the vast ceiling above. As we stepped inside, we entered a spacious room filled with the soft glow of candles and ancient scriptures. The air was thick with reverence as countless people knelt in prayer, creating a serene and sacred atmosphere. "This is the public area, and the pce should be revealed deeper inside." I hypothesised, ncing at the soldiers guarding the doors leading further into the temple. "Then I guess it can''t be helped..." Kisara sighed exasperatingly, "Should we just go back?" Staring at her disappointed expression, I felt determined as I took her hand. Going outside of the temple, I led Kisara all the way to the back, where there were fewer people. Finding an area along the walls, I suddenly embraced Kisara, "We will definitely see it." I dered as we began to float. "Y... Yuna!" Kisara yelped nervously, "We will get in trouble!" "Don''t worry, let''s have a small peek," I replied, my curiosity surging, wanting even to fulfil a little bit of her desire. "We... really shouldn''t be doing this..." She mumbled, but her excited expression betrayed her. As I carried Kisara to the top, I carefully let go, and shended gently on the temple rooftop. Thankfully, there seemed to be nobody in sight, and we were able to rx our guard momentarily. Moving closer to the edge, Kisara and I both gasped. In the distance, we could see the Royal Pce in its entire glory. At the front was an expansive vacant courtyard filled with luscious greeneries, and further were giant buildings constructed purely made of white quartz, giving it a divine appearance. Even if we couldn''t see the interiors, this much felt more than enough. Smiling, I nced at Kisara''s dumbstruck face andughed, "See, I told you it was worth it." "Yuna..." Kisara muttered, "Do you think we could ever step foot in there?" "I don''t know." I answered honestly, "But who said we can''t try?" "Well, if we do, let''s do it legitimately." Kisara chuckled, "It wouldn''t be good if we get arrested." "That''s true," I agreed with a nod. Kisara stood up, her eyes locked on the Royal Pce in the distance. "Just wait! I will definitely see what''s inside!" she dered, her voice full of determination. "That is my promise!" With a confident gaze, Kisara ced her hands on her hips and smiled, the sunlight reflecting brilliantly in her crystal-clear eyes. For a brief moment, we were so caught up in the intensity of her vow that wepletely lost track of our surroundings. Suddenly, a voice interrupted our thoughts. "You know," it began, "you can''t just get in there on empty promises." Swiftly turning around, Kisara and I spotted a boy with a bald head and sharp features. He was dressed in a delicate white linen robe, and several golden bracelets adorned his arms. Observing Kisara calmly with his bright blue eyes. "W... Who are you?" Kisara questioned nervously. "I should be the one asking that question." The boy frowned, "How did you sneak past the guards? This is a restricted area, you know?"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "Ah..." Kisara squirmed and averted her gaze. Eventually, her eyes wandered to the edge of the roof, "I... climbed.... up here..." "You climbed..."He made a stupid expression, "I find it hard to believe. Fine, even if you really did somehow climb all the way up here, you still haven''t answered my question. Who are you?" "Ki... Kisara," She introduced herself. "From your appearance, you''remoner?" The boy grapsed his chin, "Like I said, this is a restrictive area, and you shouldn''t be here." "Ho... Hold on!" Kisara interrupted him, "It''smon etiquette to introduce yourself too..." Caught off guard by her statement, the boy froze beforeughing in disbelief, "You really are a weird one. Fine, my name is Shada, and I am Shimon Muran''s apprentice, who''s one of the six Sacred Guardians!" Shada smiled proudly, and Kisara tilted her head. "Sacred Guardians? Who are they?" As if lightning struck, Shada froze in shock and stared at Kisara as if she were the strangest person in the world, "Do... Do you really not know?" When Kisara innocently shook her head, Shada sighed, "Alright, there''s no point in exining. If you don''t even know, just follow me, I will escort you out..." "Wa.. wait!" Kisara stopped Shada while glimpsing at the pce, "You said that I can''t get into the pce through empty promises. So please tell me how!" Turning around slowly, Shada observed Kisara''s sincere expression, "So you''re really serious about that? Well, it''s not like it''s impossible..." "First, you could be a royal servant who cleans the Royal Pce. However, that doesn''t seem to work since you looked fragile, but if you really did climb all the way up here, then it might be possible." "But to even be a royal servant, you needed trusted backing, or you couldn''t even remotely get close to the pharaoh or anyone important." Shada continued, and Kisara frowned. "Is there any other way?" "You can also be a priest, but that takes years of learning and religious rituals." Shad exined, "From the looks of it, you wanted to have a fast way, right?" Seeing her hesitant nod, Shada sighed, "There''s only one way then: be a scribe for the Pharoah." "A scribe?" Kisara tilted her head in confusion. "It''s like you record and write important documents," I exined quietly, "They''re basically civil servants..." "But that''s also very difficult." He continued, "You must know how to read and write thousands of different hieroglyphics. Then, you must also learn how to calcte mathematics and use ounting skills. However, they could be learnedter on if you''re chosen, that is." "And that''s why it''s also the fastest way!" Shada stated with a smile, "Every year, an exam will be held that will select new apprentices from hundreds of applicants." "Can anyone participate?" Kisara asked, her eyes gleaming at this opportunity. "If you have enough money, then yes." Shada nodded, "We can''t just have anyone participate since ink and papyrus are pretty expensive, after all." "I have personally passed this test!" He bragged, "It''s true for me to say that it''s a very difficult test and out of two hundred people that participatedst year, only ten passed!" "Then Shada must be pretty amazing..." Kisara mumbled, clearly impressed. "That''s why you should show me more respect!" He grinned, "Since you''re such a good listener, I won''t tell anyone about today if you just leave here now." Hesitantly, Kisara glimpsed at me in the corner of her eye. Seeing me nod, her shoulders briefly rxed, and she obedientlyplied with Shada''s terms. On the way down the roof, I asked several questions through Kisara, and Shada answered all of them, clearly happy that someone was showing so much interest in their job. With Shada''s presence, we were quickly able to pass the guards, and soon, we arrived at the Temple''s entrance, "Just don''t do something so reckless again. If you hurt yourself, no one could be able to find you." "Don''t worry, like I said. Next time, I will go in legitimately. It''s really nice meeting you, Shada; I will see you next year!" Kisara waved, and we began to descend the stairs. "Yes, see you... Huh, next year? Wait, don''t tell me you''re really serious about participating in the exam?!" "Of course, why would I promise something if I''m not going to do it?" Kisara tilted her head as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Leaving Shada stunned, Kisara ran down the street. I could feel both our hearts beating with anticipation, "Yuna! That exam, we''re definitely going, right?!" "Yeah!" I nodded, "Such an opportunity. How could we miss it?!" At that moment, our hearts were perfectly in sync, united by a shared determination. I vowed that through the uing exam, I would make Kisara''s name known to the world. With the fire of our resolve burning brightly, time seemed to blur, and before we knew it, an entire year had flown by... I hope you enjoy it! I apologise if this chapter went a little fast. I wanted to finish Kisara''s back story in a few more chapters so we can also get into the official World of Memories arc. Chapter 94: I Didnt Technically Cheat! It Was My Ability!! Chapter 94: I Didn''t Technically Cheat! It Was My Ability!! ? One yearter... [Yuna''s POV] An entire year has passed in the blink of an eye, and despite the short time, I watched Kisara grow from a young, innocent girl to someone that''s more mature and that''s getting more beautiful by the day. Even though I was ecstatic by her growth, I also felt a sense of dissonance with myself. Even if a year had passed, I haven''t found myself aging one bit, which was another reminder of the situation I''m in. It was safe to say that I''m definitely not in the world created by the Tablet of Memories. Instead, this might really be the past. Yet, that only filled me with more questions than before. Why was I brought to the past and met up with Kisara? Why did the Tablet of Memories select me? Andst of all, the question that I have always overlooked: why did Hctie choose me? What''s so important about me other than being good at duelling that I was brought to this world? Even answering one of those questions would satisfy my overflowing curiosity, but the possibility of achieving the answer in my current state was incredibly low. Finding myself lost in these mindless thoughts, the days gone past felt like a daze... "Yuna..." As I was lost in my thoughts, the door to our room slowly opened, and Kisara''s face appeared from the doorframe, "It''s time for us to go." "Ah yes," I nodded and hopped down from the windowsill. ncing at the room, I felt a sense of pride for how long we hade. With a clear goal in mind, Kisara worked passionately and was able to secure a job helping the inn owner with cooking, washing and cleaning. While the pay was a bit low, we were able to secure a room at the corner of the tavern and have been living here since then. "What''s wrong?" Kisara asked, sensing my quietness, "Is everything okay?" Noticing her worried gaze, I hid away my concern with a smile, "Don''t worry, I''m alright." Instinctively, Kisara fell into my embrace and hugged me tightly, "Yuna has been really quiettely. You would also stare into the distance and not move much." "Is that so?" I uttered in surprise, unaware of my behaviour, "I think I''m just a bit tired, that''s all." "But..." "Like I said, you don''t have to worry," Iforted her, and she pursed her lips, "Kisara, you really don''t have to worry, okay? I''m feeling fine." As if reassuring her, I kissed Kisara on the forehead, and her grip on my clothes tightened. Wanting to divert her attention, I gently held her shoulders. "Honestly, I''m more worried about Kisara. Today''s finally the moment you''ve been waiting for, so I''m quite anxious about whether something will go wrong." "Hmph, there''s nothing to fear!!" Kisara confidently stood up, "I have practised very hard, and I will definitely do my best!" "Even if I don''t know the answer, Yuna would just help me cheat, right?!" Kisara gazed at me withplete trust, and my smile twitched in disbelief. I take everything back; she has not matured one bit. But one thing she got right. I would''ve helped Kisara regardless, but it just didn''t feel very pleasant for her to point it out so tantly. *Sigh* "Try not to rely on my help too much. It wouldn''t be good if the answers were wrong." I exined, and Kisara nodded solemnly. Despite the challenging exam, I know that I don''t have to worry. During that time, Kisara worked really hard. From writing hieroglyphs in the sand to buying wooden boards and y tablets for her to use. There were even times we sneaked back onto the rooftop to try and find Shada again so he could give her some materials to work with. "Do your best, Kisara. Nobody could look down on the hard work you put in. Even if Kisara failed, I won''t stop being proud." "Yuna..." Kisara muttered with emotions, and she hurriedly wiped her eyes, "T... Then we have no time to waste! I will definitely pass this exam!!" With excitement, Kisara leapt out of the window. As she fell, I caught her hand, and she gently touched the ground in a fluid motion. "Why would you do that?! Just use the stairs!" I yelled, and she smiled mischievously. Before I could scold her, Kisara ran off, and the sound of herughter echoed down the busy street. Sighing for the tenth time today, I dashed after her. Fortunately, with her back turned, Kisara wasn''t able to see my embarrassing, warm smile... An hourter... By the time we arrived, the ce was already teeming with people. The exam was set in the very temple where Kisara had made her promise. Watching the crowd, we noticed the people lining up in a long queue and talking with several people sitting by a booth. Realising that''s where she should sign up, Kisara quickly entered the line and waited patiently for her turn. When Kisara finally reached the front, she hesitantly approached one of the booths, "H... Hello..." She greeted awkwardly, and the man sitting by the table raised an eyebrow. "Are you here to take the Royal Scribe Exam?" The man questioned, and seeing Kisara''s nod, he wrote down something on the papyrus, "Do you have anyone referencing you? If not, you must pay a fee to participate." Already being briefed by Shada, Kisara obediently ced a small bag filled with coins on the table. When the man thoroughly checked the amount, he nodded and wrote down Kisara''s name before handing her a small wooden tablet. "Alright, this is all for now; you may leave." He ordered, and Kisara was ushered away. Still, in a state of confusion, she moved to the ce where other people had also finished their registration. "It''s a little strange..." Imented while staring at the registration process in confusion, "I thought it would be a bit moreplex than this..." Nodding along, Kisara carefully observed the small wooden tablet given to her. Instantly, she gasped and quickly covered her mouth. Noticing her reaction, I grabbed her hand and led her to a corner where we were alone. "Yuna, look at this," Kisara eximed and showed me the wooden tablet. On it was a small inscription of hieroglyphics, and she began to read out what it said. "As the Ra''s Eye is at its peak, go to the sacred ground of our Gods'' earthly home. Stand where the shadow stretches longest, and you will find what you seek..." I frowned at the confusing words, and Kisara grasped her chin deep in thought, "This must be a puzzle of some sort." "But why would they give us this?" Kisara muttered before gasping, "Unless! Yuna, do you think the test already started?!" "What do you mean?" "Well, think about it! There has to be a reason that we were given this, but if my suspicion is correct, this is telling us the location of our test site!" Walking back to the group, we began to notice people examining the small tablet. Some seemed to have already realised the truth and moved calmly to their venue, while others were still left confused. "To think the eliminations have already begun," I uttered and tapped Kisara''s shoulder, "Have you figured out what ours meant?" "It first said that at Ra''s Eye at its peak." Kisara exined, "Ra''s Eye is alsomonly known as the sun. So when the sun is at its peak, it is midday, right!?" "Then, when it said God''s earthly home, do you think they mean the temple?" I said excitedly, "Also, where the shadow stretches the longest, that typically happens when the sun is setting, and the sun sets in the west!" Nodding eagerly, Kisara climbed the stairs to the temple. Once we were by the entrance, she turned left, following several other people who seemed to have also solved the puzzle. When Kisara finally stopped walking, we arrived at a courtyard connected to the main temple. Inside, multiple low tables were ced neatly in rows, further strengthening our confirmation that Kisara had gone to the right ce. As we admired the surroundings, a man dressed in clean robes approached the group. "For now, find a spot to sit down and await further instructions." He spoke calmly and gestured at the vacant desks. Following the man''s order, Kisara found a spare desk all the way in the corner and knelt. Unlike those modern school desks, the tables were longer and shorter, so everyone had to sit on their knees. "There''s not as many people as I thought..." I muttered while observing the room. With the numerous tables set for the participants, only two-thirds of the empty seats were filled. Suddenly, shouting came from the outside, and I curiously left Kisara''s side to observe themotion. Moving to the courtyard, there were a couple of people angrily shouting at the staff we talked to earlier. "What do you mean you can''t let us in!! We have paid the registration fee. Are you scamming us?!" A person in front of the crowd yelled with a red face. "Unfortunately, sir, this is merely the protocol. You all have already been informed of the location and time on the wooden tag." "How am I supposed to know that?!" The man roared, "You wrote this incoherent mess andn/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om expect us to understand?!" "Unfortunately, there''s nothing I can do. I apologise if you couldn''t understand the words written. I could only wish you be more attentive next year..." "Why you!!" The man barged out of the crowd and tried to assault the staff member. However, before his arms could reach him, several guards blocked his path. Intimidated by their sharp weapons, the group of people could only clench their fists in frustration. One by one, they eventually left, unable to do anything but remember their mistake and try again next year. Feeling strange about the merciless eliminations, I moved back to Kisara and held her hand. Watching her innocently tilt her head, I smiled worriedly. Things would really be fine... right? "We should now begin." The staff announced while standing at the centre of the courtyard. With a small wave, several more staff entered, carrying various papyrus scrolls and wooden boards. "You will each be given a wooden que that contains all the questions you must answer and a papyrus scroll that you can write with. During the examination, you may request for more scrolls, but only a maximum of three times." "If you are caught cheating during the exam, you will be immediately disqualified and banned from participating in this exam in the future." "Are there any further questions?" He asked and nodded with satisfaction when everyone shook their heads. "Good, you have two hours. I wish you all luck." Taking out a giant hourss, he flipped it, and the sand began to drop. Instantly, everyone grabbed their pens and unfurled their scrolls. Kisara''s face tensed with tension as she nervously dipped her pen into the bottle of ink, and the Royal Scribe exam had officially started... [3rd POV] "Ho ho ho... There are a lot more examinees this year..." An elderly manughed and stroked his beard with amusement. Walking through the quiet temple, he curiously observed each testing site, watching the potential new scribes diligently writing on their test papers. Stopping in one particr courtyard, the man hummed and nced at his apprentice, who was watching a participant in the corner. Following his gaze, the elderly man smirked when The saw that his young disciple was staring at a girl. "Shada, did that youngdy catch your eye?" "Ah, no, Master Shimon..." Shada shook his head stiffly, "She''s merely someone I know, and I didn''t expect her to really show up..." Staring at Kisara''s writing on the scrolls, Shada felt a strange sense of satisfaction. It wasn''t long ago when he overheard her bold im of stepping foot into the Royal Pce, and having the will to carry out that promise was admirable. Additionally, at first, Shada merely provided some spare resources out of a whim, but as time went on, he could see her talent in this role, and gradually, his advice became more serious as well. "Hmm, is this whom you''ve been giving those teaching materials to? And here I thought you were getting engrossed in your studies..." Shimon spoke with disappointment, and Shada frankly shook his head. "N... No Master Shimon! How could I ever?! Of course, I have already reviewed and memorised everything before giving it away!" The boy yelped with a pale face, causing Shimon tough. Realising he was being tricked, Shada stared at the ground with embarrassment. Thankfully, remembering their current environment, Shimon''sughter soon died down. "So, how is she? Does the girl show any potential?" Shimon questioned, and Shada frowned. "Kisara has a lot of talent. From what I can tell, she indeed has some background in literature despite hermoner background, and her speed of learning is remarkable." "That so?" Shimon smirked, "Then she must be impressive if my disciple praises her. But we must not look down on the others as well. In the end, no matter how much you praise someone, it''s meaningless if they couldn''t ovee the hurdle of this test..." "Yes..." Shada agreed with aplicated expression. "But I hope your judgement of her is correct." Shimon replied sincerely, "I would like to meet the one that my disciple personally trained, after all."Feeling embarrassed, Shada averted his gaze, but deep down, he couldn''t help but agree... [Yuna''s POV] "Oh, this guy''s answer is pretty good; Kisara, listen closely!" "Hmmm, this person''s calction seemed a little strange. Kisara''s answer is probably -correct." "Kisara, I think this is wrong here. You forgot to subtract this number!" I frantically corrected her mistakes and continued to pace around the room. Despite knowing that I might break her concentration, I couldn''t control myself at the thought of her failure. However, my worries were also misced as Kisara answered the questions with ease. Thankfully, most of these questions were rted to literature, which Kisara was able to solve due to her past. Additionally, the test contained several mathematical questions about general arithmetic. But with my help, within one year, Kisara learned how to calcte numbers and was able to perform some decent algebra skills. Although some questions were quite tricky, it''s not something a little bit of the ghost over- your-shoulder method couldn''t solve! Because of my non-physical form, I could sneak a peek and write the answer on Kisara''s scroll with my finger. This was the perfect crime, and I could never get caught doing it! Hmmm? Cheating? What was this cheating you''re talking about? This was merely a skill, yes... An ability that Kisara worked very hard for! Laughing cheekily at my brilliant idea, I continued to watch over Kisara and time quickly passed by. "There are ten more minutes left." The staff member announced suddenly, and everyone''s pace became faster than before. She increased her speed, and Kisara was able toplete the remaining questions. When she finally reached thest question, she paused as her pen hung inches above the scroll. "What''s wrong?" I asked, and Kisara frowned. "T...This question..." She whispered, her voice barely audible and gestured with the tip of her pen, "I don''t know how to answer this..." "Is it something we haven''t learned?" I questioned anxiously, and Kisara shook her head. "It''s..." She stammered in a flustered tone, "It''s asking why I want to be a scribe..." "A moral question?" I tilted my head in surprise. This was something unexpected... Unlike the regr exam questions, these questions were very strange. Unlike having a correct answer, they were something to judge someone''s character. Since people can easily lie about their answers, I don''t really know how they were able to tell if they were dishonest, but if they asked something like this in the first ce, the testers should have a method... As the sand continued to drop to the bottom of the hourss, Kisara bit her lips as she continued to hesitate. Gently, I ced my hands over her shoulders, and she flinched, "Just rx, there are no wrong answers... Just write whates to your mind." Nodding stiffly, Kisara began to write, and before we both realised, the remaining sand in the hourss dripped down. Thankfully, Kisara seemed to be satisfied, and a small, relieved smile bloomed on her face. "Now, everyone, ce your pens down, and we wille and collect the exam materials." The staff member exined, "The number of people participating was lower than expected; thus, please be patient. Your results will be announced soon." Gradually, people begin to stand up from their sitting ces. Following the other testers, Kisara left the courtyard. As the sunlight struck her face, Kisara finally released the tension in her body. "I don''t know what, but I feel more nervous leaving the exam than being in it," Kisara muttered. "Well, that''s just the way it is." I patted her head, "Well, whatever the result was, it doesn''t matter!" Smiling reassuringly at Kisara, I held back the anxious sigh; I hoped things would really go well... [3rd POV] Meanwhile, in the Courtyard... "G... Grand Vizier!!" The examiner screeched in shock at Shimon''s sudden appearance before quickly bowing, "W... What brings you here?" "Hmmm, can you show me all the test scrolls? Actually, give me the one that was used by an examinee named Kisara." Shimon exined, and the man nodded hurriedly. Handing him the papyrus scroll, Shimon hummed as he opened it, revealing all of Kisara''s answers. "Master..." Shada muttered as Shimon continued to read through the answers in silence. "Huh? Not bad..." Shimon chuckled to himself, "There are some minor mistakes, but most of the questions are correct." Typically, it was customary for people not to get all answers correct; however, instead of having specific questions wrong, there were many small mistakes, only making a part of the question correct. It was as if more than one person was working on this one scroll. But unbeknownst to Shimon, he didn''t realise how urate that hypothesis actually was... As Shimon continued to scan the remaining answers, he eventually reached the final question, which Shimon found to be the most interesting. Just as Yuna has predicted, it has no urate weight. However, it was indeed a method to test a person''s character. Since the test was already difficult enough to leave only a few people as candidates, they could freely get help from the Millennium Scale, which can determine a person''s sincerity in their writing. "How interesting..." Shimon stared at Kisara''s answer, and he felt his curiosity truly piqued, "Shada." "Yes, master?" Shada lifted his head as Shimon handed him the Papyrus scroll. "Go and find her." Shada: "Y.. Yes?" "Find Kisara and bring her to me." Shimon ordered while stroking his beard, "I want to see who she really is... I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 95: Each Others Secret Chapter 95: Each Other''s Secret ? [Yuna''s POV] "My master wants to see you." That was the first thing Shada said to us upon his arrival. Confused, Kisara nodded stiffly and began to follow him back into the courtyard. Moving deeper into the building, Shada eventually led us to a closed door, and I sensed a presence inside. "Master, I have brought her." Shada knocked on the door before turning to us, "Please enter quietly." "Are you noting in with us?" Kisara asked, and he shook his head. "He only requested you, and I will be waiting outside. But please don''t be disrespectful; my master is the Grand Vizier. One wrong word can get you in a lot of trouble." Shada exined. "G..Grand Vizier..." Kisara gulped nervously and shivered. At Shada''s urging, she hesitantly opened the door and stepped inside. Immediately upon entering, a pleasant fragrance hit our noses, and an elderly man sat at the centre of the room. Dressed in clean white robes, the man has spiky grey hair styled upwards and a wrinkled face with brown skin. On his neck was the familiar Millennium Key; while it looked like an ordinary ornament in Kisara''s eyes, I knew its power and couldn''t afford to rx. However, that''s not the main thing I was focusing on... ''He looked just like Grandpa Muto...'' I thought to myself and stared at him with difort. Even if I knew that he was not the same person, their appearance and behaviour were so simr that it left me in a daze. It felt like everyone I know has forgotten about my very existence... That I was alone, stranded in this passage of time. While I was able to endure at the beginning, as time went on, I could feel myself losing a sense of reality... Before I realised it, a single tear dripped down my face, and I struggled to control my emotions. Noticing my distress, Kisara nced at me worriedly but was unable to act in the presence of the elderly man. "Worry about meter..." I insisted, "Focus on what is happening now." "But Yuna..." She mouthed. "No buts!" I hushed, "Just listen to what he has to say!" Despite feeling reluctant, Kisara eventually nodded under my firm refusal. As the man finished his tea, he smiled calmly, "Please rx and sit down..." "Nn..." Kisara mumbled dejectedly, and I felt guilty for scolding her a little too hard. When she sat down, Kisara immediately held my hand infort. "My name is Shimon Muran, and as you heard from my disciple, I''m the current Grand Vizier of the great Pharaoh." Shimon introduced himself with a friendly grin. "I''m Kisara..." Kisara greeted ufortably, "Um... What am I doing here?" *Thud* Suddenly, we heard a scrambling noise outside, and I assumed Shada must have copsed in exasperation at Kisara''s manner of speech. Reaching the same conclusion as me, Shimon chuckled, "Don''t worry about your etiquette. Just speak like you normally do." "As for why you''re here, I''m merely interested in the girl that Shada spoke so highly about," Shimon exined, and we heard another loud noise outside of the room. "Ma... Master... Our rtionship isn''t like that..." Shada spoke in a flustered tone from beyond the door. "Hoh? Then what''s all that statement of her intelligence?" Shimon pointed out, "You were praising her passionately earlier." "Please excuse me! I realised I had something to do, so I had to leave prematurely." Shada frantically replied and ran away as we heard his footsteps fading into the distance. Caught off guard by this interaction, Kisara suddenly burst into a small giggle. When she finally regained herposure, she stared at the floor and blushed, "S.. Sorry..." Shimon chuckled and smiled wryly, unbothered by her reaction, "As I was saying, your test results have piqued my interest..." Taking out a papyrus scroll, Shimon calmly spread it open, revealing Kisara''s answers. "You see, I noticed something peculiar with your response. Unlike the other examinees, your response seemed to cover all aspects of a question, as if you put everyone else''s idea and merged it into one..." "How interesting is that?" Shimon smiled as Kisara and I tensed. No way... he didn''t catch on, did he? I sweated nervously as Kisara took a deep breath, sharing the same sentiment, "Is that bad?" Fortunately, Shimon still seemed oblivious to our cheating. "No, quite the contrary," He exined, "This shows that you have an objective view of the situation." "Other than administrative tasks, a scribe also has to write various documents, from legal contracts, religious texts and royal records. There will definitely be times when you won''t agree with what was written." "When those moments doe to fruition, you must separate your opinions from facts." Shimon said solemnly, so having a different perspective of things is indeed a favourable skill." Listening to his exnation, Kisara sighed with relief andughed nervously, "I''m not that impressive..." However, Shimon interpreted this the wrong way and smiled, "It''s okay to show some pride since it''s only the two of us here." At this point, Kisara''s eyes spun dizzily, unable toprehend the situation. Realising that the elderly man before her was getting scammed in real-time, we both felt pity while unable to speak up because our future were at stake. "Besides that, I''m also interested in your calctions." Shimon continued and pointed at the numbers on the page. The method of inventing an imaginary variable to solve the problem was something unorthodox but still exciting nheless." This time, Kisara seemed to agree since it was a method I taught her, and it was obvious that she was happy that my teaching was being praised. "Does this mean I''m qualified?" Kisara''s pupil gleamed with anticipation as Shimon slowly closed the scroll. "As for your achievements in the exam, you are indeed qualified. However," He continued with a pause, "There''s also another requirement that you must pass for you to be chosen." Without further exnation, Shimon reached for the Millennium Key hanging by his neck. "Kisara, would you kindly hold this for me?" He chuckled, and the room''s atmosphere became tense... [3rd POV] Shimon smiled calmly, his expression unreadable. As Kisara stared at the key, he noticed her hesitation in his instructions, as if she knew the details of the Millennium Key. In truth, other than being interested in Kisara, Shimon found her to be suspicious. She was a girl with no background that suddenly appeared seemingly out of nowhere. While othermoners hoped they could get lucky with the exam, Kisara ''s answers seemed to fit every criterion of a scribe that Shimon was looking for. ''Is she a spy?'' Shimon thought to himself, ''Her appearance was already much different from a normal Egyptian, but who would need to send a spy? Was it the Romans?'' Shimon wasn''t sure, but all will be revealed when she touch the Millennium Key... After much consideration, Kisara carefully reached out her tiny hand. As her fingers came in contact with the artifact, Shimon instantly felt their consciousness connected. However, before he could enter his mind, he froze. Floating behind Kisara was a beautiful young woman with blue hair. Like an angel watching over her shoulders, the woman carefully embraced Kisara''s back, openly disying her affection. ''Is she a spirit?'' Shimon analysed and nced at the girl before him. Kisara was still staring at Shimon strangely, as if unaware of the woman behind her. As he continued to gaze at the woman, she suddenly lifted her face from Kisara''s white hair and frowned. Noticing Shimon''s gaze, the woman''s brow furrowed before widening in surprise. Her lips pursed as she observed Shimon wary and the arms wrapping around Kisara tightened. Before Shimon could even think, cold energy swept through the room, and his body instinctively flinched as sweat beads down his face as if responding to the woman''s wariness, a dormant being seemed to awaken with Kisara, and Shimon felt as if a new pair of beastly eyes were watching his every move. ''Another one?!'' Shimon stiffened with rm, ''Such strength...'' As Shimon focused more, he could vaguely discern the creature''s shape, and he saw the shadow of a dragon looming over Kisara with protectiveness. Both the woman and the dragon were ring at him as if telling Shimon that one wrong move would spell his demise. Despite the openly disyed hostility, Shimon sensed the pureness of Kisara''s mind. There was never a scheme against the Pharaoh or anything like that. In fact, her thought was so uncontaminated that it felt unreal. ''Was that why those two cherish her so much?'' Shimon thought and glimpsed at the woman and dragon watching over her. "Um, Mr Shimon..." Kisara mumbled ufortably... "How long do I have to hold the ne for?" "Ah..." Shimon snapped out of his daze and glimpsed at her. Recalling her innocent and pure mind, he slowly retracted the Millennium Key. To his relief, the woman and dragon''s presence vanished, allowing Shimon to breathe. "Are you alright?" Kisara asked worriedly, noticing his cold sweat, "Do you need some rest." "Don''t worry. I merely over-exerted myself, that''s all." Shimon took a sharp breath and wiped the sweat from his face, "I will be fine after a few minutes... As for the second test, I believe you have passed." Surprised, Kisara jumped and pped the table, "R... really?!" "Of course," He smiled wryly, "As of now, you have officially be an apprentice scribe. In fact, just like Shada, I will teach you myself." Kisara''s face lit up with joy as she struggled to control herself from celebrating, "T... Thank you!" "You don''t have to thank me, and teaching is also merely a hobby of mine." Shimon chuckled, "I look forward to your growth." "Yes!" Kisara smiled brightly as Shimon patted her head. "This is all for today. Pleasee back tomorrow, and everything will be arranged before then." With Shimon''s reassurance, Kisara quietly left the room. Outside, she saw Shada waiting for her, "So how did it go?" "Fu fu fu, as of today, we are officially rivals!" Kisara confidently announced, and he frowned. "Don''t get too carried away, and you are technically my junior!" Shada poked her forehead and teased, "So you better show me some respect!" Pouting, Kisara crossed her arms before breaking into a sheepish grin. After a few more minutes of bickering, they bid each other farewell. Running home, Kisara''s steps were light as we both felt excited of our now bright future. [Yuna''s POV] "Yuna, we did it... We really did it!" Kisara stammered excitedly. However, noticing my perpetual frown, she anxiously tilted her head, "That''s good, right?" "I''m sorry, I''m just lost in thought..." I exined before quickly smiling, "You did great. I''m so proud..." Keeping the smile stered on my face, I stroked her head out of habit while recalling what happened in that room. He definitely saw me... My hand flinched, worried about Kisara''s safety gued my mind. As soon as she held the Millennium Key, Shimon''s gaze instantly turned from Blue Eyes, White Dragon and I. Despite his good intentions, I couldn''t overlook the off chance that associating with him would harm Kisara. But being taught by Shimon himself was also amazing... Ugh, I bit my lips as the pros and cons weighed heavily against my conscience. For now, it may be best if I watch; if something truly bad is happening, I will intervene... "Yuna...." Kisara spoke softly and hugged my body. Lifting her head, her face showed a hesitant expression, and her voice barely a whisper, "Earlier... You were crying..." "Yes..." I nodded, and my smile subconsciously disappeared, "Shimon just reminded me of someone I know..." "Then why would Yuna cry?" Kisara questioned, "Was he someone bad?" "No," I chuckled and yed with her hair, "Just like Shimon, he''s kind and caring..." "I think... the reason I cried was because I felt lonely..." I revealed my honest thoughts, "Kisara, you must know that I''m not from here..." Gradually, I began to open up my heart; I talked about where I really came from. What happened to me, and what is the situation I''m currently in? As I talked, I felt the sadness resurfacing, and my vision became blurry again. I missed Kaiba... I missed Mokuba... I missed Serenity... I missed Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand... I missed Starving Venom Fusion Dragon... I missed The Dragonmaids... "I missed home..." I wept and tried to wipe my tears, making a mess of myself. Unable to control my body, I finally released the pent-up emotions and cried... [Kisara''s POV] Yuna... My body trembled at the sound of her cry, and I didn''t know what to do. I clenched my fists at my helplessness as I couldn''t rte to her pain. From her story, I realised that all the time she had been supporting me, I wasn''t able to reciprocate that same kindness to her... Instinctively, I crawled and embraced Yuna, trying to use my tiny body to wrap around her. As I witnessed her sorrow, I also felt like crying too... "I''m sorry... I''m sorry, Yuna..." Words kept flowing out of my mouth as I stammered anxiously, "It''s because Yuna stayed with me that she couldn''t go back home..." Suddenly, two hands cupped my face as Yuna pulled my face close. She red at me with her red eyes, and I shivered at her angry expression. "Don''t ever say that..." She growled, "Kisara was never at fault!" "But Yuna..." "No buts!" Yuna yelled and pinched my cheeks, "You should never apologise for something you have never done!" Biting my lips, I nodded helplessly, and she released my face. In an awkward silence, I glimpsed at Yuna, who was hugging her knees with her back facing me. Unsure of what to do, I awkwardly tapped her with my hand. "Um... Yuna..." I called and patted my thigh, "Can youe here?" Under my invitation, she gentlyid her head on myp, and she glimpsed at me in confusion. Remembering how Yuna always does it, I carefully stroked her hair with a serene smile. "There there..." I muttered with a slight blush, "Everything will be alright." "Kisara, I... I don''t think this is necessary." Yuna stuttered in embarrassment and covered her face. "But it always worked with me!" I argued confidently, "So why wouldn''t it work with Yuna?" Speechless, Yuna watched me untangling her hair. With a giggle, I also wiped the remaining tears from her eyes, "Yuna always looked after me but never looked after herself..." "It''s unfair to show my weakness to Yuna all the time, and you don''t do the same." I pouted, and she averted her gaze. "Kisara, have enough worries," Yuna mumbled, "It''s not good if I add it anymore." "Kuuu!!" I frowned and exacted my revenge as I pulled on her face, "You''re all what I''m worried about!! I told you before as long as you''re with me, I don''t care what happens!" "I...." Yuna opened and closed her mouth in resignation, "I''m sorry for being so troublesome..." "I should be the one saying that," I sighed, "So it''s okay for Yuna to cry once in a while. I will make sure to hold you together!" Touched, Yuna smiled softly, and her eyes curved in satisfaction, "Then I will do just that..." She muttered. My shoulders rxed, and I felt relieved that her mood had improved. Still maintaining my smile, I brought Yuna to the bed and forced her to lie down, "Now, after you''ve cried, you have to sleep to regain all the lost energy!" Despite not needing sleep, Yuna eventually closed her eyes under my firm insistence. Crawling into the bed and embracing her, I patiently waited as she fell asleep. Remembering the other times Yuna fell asleep, I must wake her up forcefully or else she would really sleep for a long time... When I was confident that Yuna had fallen asleep, I sat up and held her hands, "I''m sorry, Yuna..." I apologised, "Despite having talked openly about your problems, I still hid mine..." Suddenly, light glowed from my hands as I felt my strength leaving my body. Staring at Yuna''s face, I watched as her pale skin gradually regained its usual vitality. "That''s all better..." I muttered and snuggled in her arms. Gazing at her healthy face, I smiled with relief. This would always be a secret of mine since Yuna would definitely get mad if she found out that I had been giving her some of my Ba. She herself doesn''t even realise her worsening conditions because I was able to replenish her energy discreetly. "I identally gave Yuna a bit more than I was nning," I took a tired breath. But it was worth it if she would get better. It wasn''t difficult for me to notice her depleting Ba. Whilen/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om ordinary people can always replenish their life energy, Yuna''s would constantly be drained away. "That''s why Yuna don''t have to know... I will make sure that you can continue keeping me safe, so don''t go anywhere... Just keep loving me, okay?" I smiled, closed my eyes, and drifted off to sleep... I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 96: What Are You Doing Here?! Chapter 96: What Are You Doing Here?! ? Two yearster... [Yuna''s POV] As Kisara was epted, time passed by like a sh. After arriving at the rendevous spot the next day, Kisara was admitted promptly as an apprentice scribe of Shimon Muran, the Grand Vizier. Naturally, there were protests due to her unknown background, but the power of the Grand Vizier shut that down. With no more hups, Kisara was able to adapt and find her ce in this massive pce. As an apprentice, her status improved significantly, and she secured a dorm room at the corner of the pce and gained a much more stable sry. Under this better environment, Kisara absorbed everything she was taught, and under my very eyes, she grew beautifully as her body matured, even reaching my height. Although I was disheartened that I couldn''t hug her like before, I felt proud that I was able to witness her growth first-hand. Time continued to pass as we survived together in our new life... Day... "Kisara, it''s time to wake up..." I quietly nudged, and she groaned, "Come on, you have lessons in the morning..." Hearing the word "lessons", her eyes fluttered open, and she yawned, "Morning..." When she got out of bed, I carefully helped her dress into her outfit. Sighing, I adjusted her sleeve while Kisara still struggled to keep awake, "What did I tell you about sleeping sote at night?" "But I almost finished the book..." Kisara whined, "It was just getting good..." I clicked my tongue yfully and finished brushing her hair. Before she could say anything, I stuffed a small piece of bread into Kisara''s mouth and pushed her out of the door. As we exited the room, Shada was already waiting outside for us, and they greeted each other with familiarity. "Have youpleted the work Master given to you?" He questioned as the two walked down the hallway. "Of course, who do you take me for?" Kisara smirked, and Shada snorted. Shada: "A smart, immature girl who still doesn''t seem to understand how the real world works." "What did you say!!" Kisara eximed and tried to nce at me as I averted my gaze. Sorry, but his statement perfectly described you, Kisara... As the two bickered, they finally arrived outside of Shimon''s ssroom, "By the way. Apparently, the final sacred guardian has been chosen. Since we''re Master Shimon''s disciples, we will also attend the ceremony." "Is that so? That sounds fun." Kisara readily agreed, and we put that thought to the back of our minds as the day began... A few Hours Later... When Kisara''s sses finally ended, she followed Shada and Shimon as they walked to the inner courts of the Royal Pce. Like a curious child, Kisara''s eyes darted around in admiration at this new level of luxury she was seeing for the first time. "It was really differentpared to the outer courts!" She eximed in shock. "Shhh, you have to be careful. You never know what you say may offend someone important." Shada warned, and Kisara nodded frantically before covering her mouth. "Rx, just be respectful as always, and you will be fine." Shimonughed reassuringly, and Kisara calmed down. As we stopped in front of a closed door, Shimon instructed the pair to mimic his movements before opening the imposing entrance. The moment the door swung open, we were met with a breathtaking sight. At the centre of the room stood a towering throne, approached by a bright red carpet that stretched all the way to the door. On either side, massive quartz pirs supported the grand space, each nked by heavily armed guards. Ornate golden decorations adorned the room, further emphasizing the opulence of the throne room. Sitting on the throne was an elderly man around Shimon''s age. Unlike his friendly and kind appearance, the man''s features were sharp and severe, but not in a wrong way. Instead, he gave out the presence of a great and powerful leader who instinctively wants you to obey his words. Besides, the man was a young boy around Kisara''s age. Dressed in simr clothing to the pharaoh, the boy with gold and red hair stood proudly with his head raised high. "Yami Yugi..." I muttered before shaking my head, "No, right now, he''s Atem, the Pharoah''s son." Knowing the content of the show, I was fully aware of Yami Yugi''s real name. However, I always refrained from mentioning it due to being afraid of really messing up the storyline. But looking at him now, I felt a strange sense of excitement as I was able to watch the backstory of the most famous character in my favourite anime live... "We greet the Great Pharoah and the Young Lord..." Following Shimon, Shada and Kisara both bowed in silence as they held their breath in anxiety. "You may rise." The man spoke calmly, and the three carefully raised their heads. As the man stared at Shimon, his serious expression disappeared, and he chuckled with amusement. "Wee, Shimon. I see you have brought your apprentices with you." "Yes, Your Highness, I hoped they could get some experience on the ordination ceremony today. I nned to have one of them seed the Millennium Key one day." Shimon exined as Kisara and Shada exchanged surprised nces. The Pharaoh stroked his beard and nodded, "That is fine. Also, how many times have I told you to address me as Aknamkanon." "As I stated before, I simply can''t do that." Shimon rejected, and Aknamkanon clicked his teeth." Moving beside the throne, Shimon continued to exchange words with the Pharoah as Kisara and Shada curiously listened to the conversation. "I heard that the new sacred guardian was a young priest who arrived not so long ago. Is that true?" Aknamkanon asked curiously. "Yes, it as rumours said." Shimon nodded and stroked his beard, "I heard he was someone quite outstanding... I also heard he''s..." Shimon leaned close to his ear before whispering something unintelligible. "Is that so?" Aknamkanon frowned, "That would be interesting..." "Yes," Shimon agreed before smiling softly, "How is the young lord?" He said to Atem, who perked his shoulders. "I have been working hard to follow my father''s footsteps." The prince answered, "I wished to be as great as him..." "I believe you will reach your goal." Shimon nodded, causing Aknamkanon tough. "Atem still have a long way to go!" He smirked and nced at Kisara and Shada, "If only he could learn a bit more discipline, like your students." "Fa... Father..." Atem blushed in embarrassment, and Shimon chuckled with a proud smile. "Haha, I''m merely a lucky teacher," Shimon replied humbly, and Kisara''s nose twitched at the Pharaoh''s praise. Kisara: "The Pharaoh really just praised us!" "Quiet! What if he hears us?" Shada hushed, but he couldn''t control the smile on his face. Finally, after a few more minutes of waiting, the rest of the sacred guardians arrived one by one, each of them adorned with their own unique Millennium Items. "I believe everyone is here." Aknamkanon returned to his serious expression, and his voice echoed deeply in the throne room, "It is time to ordinate thest of the Sacred Guardians." "For quite some time now, the seat has been vacant, but finally, the artifact has chosen its new wielder! Bring him in!" Slowly, the door of the throne room opened, and a young man entered. Dressed in bright blue priestly garments, the man bowed deeply, "I greet your majesty..." Nodding in satisfaction, Aknamkanon raised his hand, and the servants swiftly arrived in the room. With professionalism, they carried a small cushion, and resting on the cushion was the still unowned Millennium Rod, the artifact that gleamed coldly in the light. Immediately, all the other sacred guardians began to chant, their voices resonating deeply in the room. One by one, their Millennium items shimmered and glowed, reacting to their voices. Standing up from his throne, Aknamkanon brought his hands close to the Millennium Puzzle on his neck as the artifact activated. "State your name, young priest." "My name is Seto." The man announced his name as Kisara, and I simultaneously froze in disbelief. It has been so long since I worried about the events that would happen in the story as I was looking after Kisara. It haspletely glossed over my mind that Seto will show up again... From the start, I always had hoped these two would fall in love with each other, but that n soon changed when I wanted instead to have Kisara live happily. While the process remained the same, the goal changedpletely. ''Seto...'' My eyes gleamed sadly, and I felt the heaviness in my heart. Even when I thought I had ovee my homesickness, it came back stronger than before... "He''s not him..." I muttered repeatedly to myself, "He''s not my Kaiba..." I didn''t feel anything when he entered the room. My heart didn''t beat for him. That''s why my eyes gleamed while looking over Kisara''s shoulder. Kisara, I promise that you will definitely find love! With me here, there will be romance!! With newfound determination, I continued to watch the ordination as my mind crossed various ideas on how to bring these two together... "Seto..." Aknamkanon''s voice spread through the surroundings, "Do you swear on your honour and soul to carry out your duty as a Sacred Guardian?" "I do..." "Do you swear that you will use your powers to protect the citizens of Egypt and serve the Pharoah with your entire being?" "I do..." Seto muttered, and Aknamkanon nodded in satisfaction. "Then very well! As of today, I dere you, Priest Seto, as the sixth member of the Sacred Guardian!" Carefully standing up, Seto raised his head, and he froze. Lifting her head, Kisara and Seto found themselves staring at each other in silence. The gazessted mere moments as the young priest snapped out of his shock and reached for the Millennium Rod. His hand touched the artifact, and the Millennium glowed faintly as if registering its new owner. "This concludes the ordination. You will soon receive your new duties as a Sacred Guardian. As of now, you may all leave...." One by one, each Sacred Guardian bid their farewell to the Pharaoh as the ceremony ended, and the members went back to their respective duties... [Kisara''s POV] When we left the throne room, Shimon turned around and smiled at us, "It was very intriguing, right?" Seeing our nod, heughed, "Let''s call it early for today; I will see you both tomorrow." Still in a state of disbelief, my feet remained nted on the ground, and Shada nudged me on the shoulder in concern, "What''s wrong? Did you see a ghost or something?" He joked. "Sorry, I was just surprised by the ordination." I lied and smiled wryly, "I remembered that there''s something I have to do, so let''s talkter." "Is that so?" Shada frowned, sensing that I was hiding something, "Then find me if you encounter any problems." "Yes, I will, thanks." I smiled, and he also soon departed as I stood in the hallway alone. Thinking about the scene that transpired moments ago, my face turnedplicated while Yuna patted my head. "It''s really him, right? The one that saved me a few years ago?" I asked, and Yuna assured my suspicion with a light nod, "What should I do?" "Since Seto just became a Sacred Guardian, it will be difficult to approach him." Yuna voiced out her concerns, "Let''s just keep our distance for the time being." With nothing else left to do, Yuna proposed a visit to the library, and I eagerly agreed. But as if speaking of the devil, someone suddenly snatched my wrist before I could even take a step. "Wait," A voice uttered, and I stared at Seto, who tightly held my wrist, "You''re here, aren''t you? The one that the ve traders captured?" "Um ah..." My mind went nk by his sudden appearance, unable to formte a word. "Why aren''t you answering me?" He clicked his teeth with a frown, "Are you really going to act like nothing had happened?" "How... should I address you... Sir?" I stammered nervously, trying to gauge his reaction. "Just address me like how you address people normally." Seto sighed, "Then let me ask again, are you Kisara?" "My name, you remembered..." I uttered in shock before blushing in embarrassment, "I''m Sorry... I don''t know how to respond. I never expected to meet you again..." "Likewise..." Seto hummed as we bathed in an awkward silence. I never thought about what I would say when I met Seto again yearster. He was someone I should be grateful for, which makes it even more challenging to find a fine line on how to treat him. "Kisara, are you listening?" "Ah, yes?!" I jumped slightly, realising that Seto was still staring at me; I quickly bowed. "I''m sorry, I didn''t hear you." "Your mind is straying." He pointed out, and Iughed awkwardly. "I apologise. I was still in a state of shock... I don''t know how to feel..." I replied. "I was never able to thank you properly yet. If it weren''t for Seto that day, I would''ve still been a ve, or worse, I probably would''ve had an early death..." I smiled softly, "I will never forget this debt." While I believed that Yuna would never let my life go down that path, it was ultimately Seto who saved me, and I will always be grateful for that. But Yuna... I never questioned her judgement, not even once. However, I couldn''t help but wonder why I should be in Seto''s debt. Looking back at her, Yuna''s eyes matched mine, and she smirked. I suddenly felt a bad feelingn/?/vel/b//in dot c//om as her pupils darted between me and Seto. "Hold on... Isn''t this a perfect opportunity?" She mumbled to herself. "You know what, Kisara?" She rubbed my shoulders with an ecstatic look, "How about treating him to a meal? That should spark things up..." ''Spark, what up!!?'' I screamed internally while still maintaining a smile. "Fu fu fu..." Yuna imitated myughter as her eyes curved like a crescent moon, "Just listen to your big sister, okay?" Sheughed ominously as I shivered at what was in her mind... [Yuna''s POV] It was nighttime when I slowly opened my eyes. Feeling Kisara''s arms wrapped around my body, I broke into a smile and quietly escaped from her embrace. "Mmmmm, Yuna..." Kisara groaned, and I quickly stroked her head. To my relief, her expression softened, and she returned to sleep. Carefully opening the door, I left the room to get some fresh air. Moving freely in the empty courtyard, I stared at the moon with a bittersweet smile, "To think the guy could have an expression like that..." Under my careful instructions, Kisara offered Seto a meal, and he readily agreed. They spent the entire afternoon together. At first, both of them were pretty awkward, but with some patience, I noticed the two enjoying themselves as time went on. Sighing, I ruffled my hair, "Let''s just see how things go. Kisara really was having fun, so I have no right to step in..." I smiled wryly. Now I''m suddenly missing Kaiba, too... As I was lost in my thoughts, I noticed footstepsing closer towards me. Unbothered by the new presence, I nonchntly turned my head and was surprised to see Priest Seto walking by. ''What''s this guy doing here...'' I frowned and floated beside him. However, as I moved, my body identally nudged the vase ced beside the railings. The vase fell to the ground and created a loud, shattering sound that spread throughout the quiet pce. "Who''s there!?" Seto shouted, wary, his eyes scanning his surroundings. Cautiously approached the broken vase, he stared at it with suspicion, "Enough ying around, show yourself this instance..." "Let''s just go back..." I muttered with a chuckle as Priest Seto continued to patrol around the vase like a blind bat. As I was about to leave, I felt a chill and instinctively dodged as a spear stabbed the spot where I originally stood. Stepping back, I turned around and spotted a tall centaur wielding a long spear in his hands. Beside the monster was Priest Seto. On his wrist was a golden device resembling the Duel Disk from modern times. "Halt trespasser," Seto red at me, "How dare you step foot into this ce!" ''He saw me?'' I frowned as he waited for an answer. As I moved, Seto''s eyes seemed to be trained on me, and I sighed. "Can you see me... right now?" I questioned, and Seto made a stupid expression. "Then who else am I referring to?" Seto growled, "Now state your name, thief!" "Tsk..." I clicked my teeth in annoyance, "I''m not an enemy...." "I find that hard to believe." Seto muttered, "Fine... If you don''t tell me who you are, then I will just beat it out of you! Mystic Horseman, attack!" The Duel Monster Spirit charged at his command, and I summoned my spirits to defend. *BANG* Mystic Horseman''s spear was blocked by the Dragon Knight of Creation''s sword, knocking him back. Seto groaned as he felt the force of my knight through his spirit. While Seto does possess a Millennium item, my spirits were still more powerful. As he red at my spirit, Seto''s eyes widened upon his familiar appearance. Remembering that the Dragon Knight of Creation was one of the spirits that saved his vige. Now, we''re stuck at a standstill; while Seto was still cautious of my presence, he found himself unable to attack his saviour. "Stop..." I finally called out as the Dragon Knight of Creation lowered his sword, "I have no intention to fight..." After much hesitation, Seto also gestured as Mystic Horseman calmed down, "You still haven''t answered any of my questions yet. Who are you, and what are you doing in the pce?" Knowing that Seto no longer had any intentions of attacking, I rxed and nodded, "You can think of me as a spirit... Certain people could see me... I think that you could only see me because of the Millennium Rod." I pointed at the staff in his hand. "A spirit? How am I supposed to believe that?" Seto scowled. However, his question was soon answered as soldiers finally arrived at the scene of the commotion. When they noticed Seto, they quickly saluted, "Sir! We heard a disturbance. Is there anything wrong?" To Seto''s disbelief, the soldierspletely ignored me, even when I was standing right next to them. Eventually, Seto could only dismiss the soldiers with aplicated expression, and when we were finally alone, he stared at me as if he tasted something disgusting. "I... See..." He managed to muster these two words, and I smirked. "Besides that... The reason I''m here was none other than to look after Kisara, that''s all..." I smiled yfully, and Seto''s face tensed at the mention of her name. I couldn''t help but mess with him a little. "Other than you, Kisara was the only person who could see me, and I took care of her..." I exined, "Since Kisara started living in the pce... It''s natural for me toe along, too." Seto: "But that doesn''t exin..." "This exined everything..." I interrupted him with a firm tone, "Besides... Why would human logic apply to me?" Fully embracing my spectral form, my words left Seto too stunned to speak. "But you''re still trespassing..." Seto tried to argue but was immediately cut off. "Oh? Doesn''t that mean your spirit is trespassing too?" I replied, "In a sense, I''m Kisara''s spirit!" In the end, Seto found himself unable to refute anything I said. Ultimately, he could only rx his caution, and my words finally seemed to get into his head. Typically, I would''ve excused myself and left while I still could, but I couldn''t help but want to mess with him a little... "As I said before... As for Kisara''s spirit, I would usually always stay beside her, even today. I was there..." I smiled ominously, "You''re quite fond of my Kisara, aren''t you?" Seto: !!! "I don''t me you, honestly... Kisara is very beautiful, and I have always hoped that she would find a good man. However..." I wiped my nonexistent teardrops, "But after today... I was uwfully attacked. How should I exin it to Kisara... Her only family member was unjustly attacked in the middle of the night..." "Hold on..." Seto''s stammered, and hisposure began to crack. "Ah... It was so scary..." I muttered and hugged myself, "To think he actually has such unpure intentions..." "I... apologise..." "Sorry, what did you say? I didn''t hear you..." I replied nonchntly, and Seto knelt on the ground. "I apologise for my actions... I truly am sorry..." Seto responded while his head was lowered with shame. "Hmmm, I guess I will let it slide this time..." I giggled and ignored Seto, gnashing his teeth in frustration. When I finally stepped away, he carefully raised his body, his face a mixture of anger and embarrassment. "I have been away for quite some time now... I don''t want to worry, Kisara..." I said, "Let''s just forget what happened tonight... As long you keep quiet, I will ignore your moves on Kisara." "Cease with these obscene thoughts!" Seto demanded with a flushed face. Taking a deep breath, he nodded with bitterness, "I will overlook this incident today..." "Great...." I smiled in satisfaction, "Let''s end it here for today... If I''m not there when Kisara wakes up, she will get worried, and the longer I talk with you, the more I feel my blood pressure rise." "Please wait..." Seto stopped me, "Can you not tell her? I don''t want to think of me as weird." "Ok, fine..." I muttered as I stared at his handsome face. Turning my back towards him, I held in the sigh that was about to escape my lips, "I''m actually hoping for your sess... I could only give her so much happiness, but Kisara deserves much more..." With a sad smile, I glimpsed at him, "Don''t disappoint me, Seto. Make her fall for you, okay? Like I did with him..." Without waiting for his reply, I flew away, escaping from sight. When I made it back to Kisara''s room, I carefully sneaked back into the bed. As I crawled into her arms, her expression finally rxed, and I giggled. Who cares about the trial of memories anymore? I thought with a confident smile. However, unbeknownst to me, that brief notion would indeede and bite me in the future... I hope you enjoy it! I hoped to finish this arc in around five more chapters or less... And with that, we will finally reach thest arc of the official Yugioh anime!! What a journey it has been, and I''m thankful for you guys who are still here to see it! Chapter 97: The Trial Begins Chapter 97: The Trial Begins ? Two More Yearster... [Yuna''s POV] As time passed, Kisara finally reached adulthood, much to my pride. When she got older, her work ethic also grew, and she became much more intelligent than before. However, ultimately, it was Shada who inherited the Millennium Key and became a new member of the sacred guardian, taking Shimon''s ce. While it was regretful, another opportunity was opened for her. Since Shada will be a sacred guardian, Kisara will naturally take the role of the Grand Vizier! But that would still take some time, and Kisara has been preparing for this by attending as many meetings as possible. With this, she was also able to get much more familiar with Atem, Aknamkanon and the other Sacred Guardians: Mahad, one of Atem''s close friends and the wielder of the Millennium Ring. Karim, a calm and loyal man who wields the Millennium Scale. Anakadin, a mysterious old man who wields the Millennium Eye. Isis, a kind and intelligent woman and the wielder of the Millennium Ne. Finally, Seto and Shada, who possess the Millennium Rod and Key, respectively... Otherwise, Kisara''s life has been uneventful, except for one thing. With my approval, Seto became much more proactive, interacting with Kisara every chance he got. Even a blind man could tell that he had fallen for her upon first sight. To my relief, his hard work was not fruitless endeavours, and Kisara gradually became more conscious of him. Seeing their timid and cute romance first-hand, it was indeed a new form of entertainment, and the amount of teasing materials seemed to never end. However, this also came at a cost. As their affection for each other grew, I found Kisara to be less dependent on me than before. While I was disappointed, it was something I had alreadye to ept when I went through with this n. Eventually, I will leave Kisara, so if she could have someone else to be there for her, I can go home without worrying... As I was thinking of these sad thoughts, I heard Kisara''s happy humming while putting on her clothes, "Are you going out on a date with Seto again?" "He''s just taking me somewhere to eat..." Kisara blushed as I approached her. While I haven''t aged at all in these five years, Kisara now could be considered an adult, outgrowing me in many physical aspects... I''m definitely not jealous or anything... Sighing, I patted her shoulders, "Isn''t that just a date?" Before she could refute it, I gently poked her cheek, "What''s there to hide? Are you really going to lie to me?" I muttered and feigned a sad expression. "No, no!!!" Kisara screamed and blushed, "I just feel embarrassed..." "Of course..." I nodded and embraced Kisara as her head rested against my chest, "I''m really happy for you..." "Yuna..." Kisara mumbled before staring at me with an anxious look. "What''s wrong?" I yfully messed with her hair, "Worried about the date?" "No, it''s not that..." She shook her head, "Remember what we talked about five years ago when we first arrived in Memphis? I said that I never wanted to find love?" "Uh yeah, what about it?" I tilted my head, feeling that the conversation was going towards something strange. "When you said that it is a beautiful feeling... I didn''t believe you, saying that Yuna is enough for me... But now, I don''t think I can be happy without Seto too..." "Isn''t that a good thing?" I replied in a confused tone, "That means that Kisara has more people she can trust now." "Yes, but... Yuna... Didn''t you love someone too?" She stared at me with a pained expression, "While I could barely imagine myself without Seto... How would Yuna feel if she was separated for years?" Gradually, the smile on my face faded as Kisara mentioned a sore spot. Realising her mistake, her expression turned into horror, "I''m sorry I didn''t mean to!" I flicked Kisara''s forehead and stopped her rambling as I softly stroked her head, "It felt awful." I answered, "But it''s ultimately something I''ve gotten used to..." "Kisara, promise me that you will cherish this moment because you never know what will happen." I lectured, and she nodded solemnly, "Good, now go and have fun. I will be waiting here." Reluctant to leave her spot, I finally pushed Kisara out of the door, "Don''t bete now. You can''t have Seto waiting!" With a smile, I waved, and she finally left. When I couldn''t hear Kisara''s footsteps any more, my smile disappeared as I fell onto the bed. Since it would be inappropriate to go along on Kisara''s date, I found myself having a lot of free time with nothing to do. "So bored..." I muttered while staring at the ceiling, "Well, as long as nothing bad happens..." I thought to myself. However, I didn''t realise how wrong that was untilter... [3rd POV] "This is delicious..." Kisara muttered softly and carefully ced the food in her mouth. Closing her eyes, she thoroughly enjoyed the taste with a satisfied smile. "I''m d," Seto chuckled with relief, "I was worried that it might not suit your taste..." "As long as it''s Seto who''s introducing the food to me, I will always do my best to enjoy it," Kisara replied with a smile, and he coughed in embarrassment. Observing the woman sitting opposite him, Seto felt a rosy sensation in his chest. As the two years passed by, he felt his affection towards Kisara grow, and much to his joy, he realised that she also felt the same way. "There''s still some time before we must return to the pce. Would you take a walk with me?" Seto asked. "Of course," Kisara agreed, and they eagerly left the restaurant. Carefully holding her hand, Seto matched Kisara''s slow pace as they walked through the peaceful street. asionally, their shoulders will bump into each other, sending a tingle down Seto''s spine. However, as he glimpsed at her face, Seto could every so often notice hern/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om subtle frown. "Is there something on your mind?" Seto asked as Kisara let out a troubled sigh. "It''s nothing... I''m just worried about my friend, who I talked about..." "Ah..." Seto nodded, already knowing what friend Kisara was referring to. He could still remember the first time he met the spirit; she was unnaturally strong, able to summon other spirits to fight on her behalf. Additionally, he felt suspicious of her identity when she dered that she had a rtionship with Kisara. All doubt was cleared when Seto saw the spirit with her arms around Kisara''s neck as they wandered through the pce. While his rtionship was still awkward, Seto felt d that such a powerful being was watching over her. Yet, Seto finds it amusing that Kisara is the one who''s constantly worried about her. "Did something happen with your friend?" Seto calmly inquired, and Kisara smiled sadly. "Um, you see... my friend actually has someone she loves. But due to circumstances, they were separated for a long time..." She exined with a sigh, "I just wish there was a way tofort her..." "In my opinion, just being with her is enough." Seto replied with a knowing smile, "From the sounds of how much you worry about your friend, she sounds like someone very close to you." "Yes," Kisara averted her gaze and blushed, "Thanks... I think I know what I have to do... It''s about time we went back. We have been walking pretty far." "Indeed," Seto agreed before ncing around, "But let''s take our time..." Enjoying each other''s presence, they slowly made their way back towards the royal pce. When they finally reached the foot of the temple, Seto stopped with a regretful sigh. He truly wished that this moment couldst longer but was hindered by their duties. "I had a lot of fun today." Kisara smiled kindly. "Kisara..." Seto reached out his hand, caressing her cheek. He carefully leaned closer, and Seto felt her breath against his skin. Kisara''s eyes quivered in anticipation as she watched his lips inching closer towards her own. However, just as Seto was about to advance, a guard frantically ran down the temple. "My lord!!" He shouted urgently, and the two froze. Scowling deeply, Seto clicked his teeth and red at the guard in annoyance, "What is it?" As the guard approached him, he whispered in his ear. Seto''s eyes widened, and his face transformed from shock to horror in a matter of seconds. "Understood. I will be there immediately." He muttered coldly. "Seto..." She touched his shoulder, "What''s wrong?" However, she had never expected the following words toe out of his mouth. "The Pharoah... The Pharoah is dead..." [Yuna''s POV] A few dayster... The news of the Pharoah''s death spread like wildfire, creating chaos in the pce. Physicians said that he passed away due to illness, but that barely exined everything. It was around this time that Atem and Aknamkanon finally discovered the method to create the Millennium Items, which was created through the death of ny-nine people. Unable to bear the guilt, the old Pharaoh sacrifices himself to the Egyptian Gods as penance. Which ultimately lead to his death. Now, the seat of the Pharoah was vacant, leaving Atem to im that spot... In the throne room, all of the sacred Guardians were kneeling in one ce. Behind them knelt Kisara and other important figures as they watched Grand Vizier Shimon approach Atem on the throne. In his hand was a crown with an borate design, wings on the side and the symbol of the Millennium Items at the front. Gently, Shimon set the crown on top of Atem''s head and announced loudly, "In the name of our ancestors and the people of thisnd. I now ce this crown upon your throne, symbolizing your authority and our loyalty to our new king! All hail the new pharaoh, the exalted ruler of Egypt!" "Long live the Pharoah!" Everyone chanted in unison, their voices spread deafeningly. As the crowd cheered, I suddenly felt a massive headache assault my mind. Clutching my head in pain, Kisara glimpsed at me with worry as I groaned uncontrobly. It was as if a sense I had lost so long ago reappeared. To my disbelief, a sudden luminous screen manifested before my very eyes... {The Trial of Memories has Begun} The message that appeared before my very eyes shocked me to my core. My body froze as I watched Atem also groan and clutch his head while sitting on the throne. Instantly, I grasped Kisara''s shoulders and yelled, "Kisara! What''s the Pharoah''s name?!" "T... The Pharoah?" Kisara, with her head bowed, frowned. "Um... Isn''t it just the Pharoah? I don''t remember him having any other name?" Things have definitely changed. Despite having a friendly rtionship with the Pharoah, shepletely forgets his name, whom she has known for two years, in a matter of seconds. "No, he has a name, remember?! It''s..." I paused in a daze, finding myself unable to utter his name. No... No matter how much I tried, I also couldn''t remember... "Yuna... Are you okay?" She mumbled as my breath quickened, and I began to hyperventte, "...Yuna..." "I''m. fine..." I muttered through gritted teeth, suppressing the panic shaking my heart. It was also at this time that light also returned to the Pharoah''s eyes, and he blinked in confusion. That was when I knew that the trial had truly begun, and he was no longer the actual Pharoah but Yami Yugi himself. "Pharoah, is something the matter?" Shimon asked worriedly when Yami Yugi opened his eyes. Immediately, confusion gued his face, and his eyes wandered around the room. Eventually, Yami Yugi turned to Shimon before blinking in disbelief, "Grandpa?" "Pardon?" Shimon instinctively replied as Yami Yugi continued to look around in a state of shock. "Kaiba, Ishizu as well? What are you both doing here?!" He uttered sheepishly, staring at Seto and Isis. However, when Yami Yugi spotted me, excitement returned to his face, "Sano, is that you?!" "Pharoah..." Seto interrupted him with a solemn expression, "Please regain yourposure. I understand everything must be overwhelming for you. But right now, you need to remain calm." Remembering his situation, Yami Yugi coughed awkwardly and nodded, "I apologise..." However, his pupils were still trained on me. Yami Yugi: ''What are you doing here?'' Me: ''I will exinter!'' We talked with our eyes as Yami Yugi refocused on Seto''s conversations. Still stroking Kisara''s head, another system message appeared before my eyes. {Task: 17} {Assist ????? in passing the Trial of Memories} {Reward: #!)%*^(} Frowning at the vague message, I stared intently at the reward section on the screen. While the question marks were easy to interpret, the reward forpleting the task felt strangely ominous. Nheless, Yami Yugi should pass the trial, whether with or without my involvement. What''s more important right now is to keep Kisara safe. So I might have to get help from Yami Yugi after all... Meanwhile... [3rd POV] "Sano.... Sano!!" Seto screamed desperately, shaking her shoulders. Untying the restraints, Seto took a sharp breath as he sped her hand before slipping from his grasp, "Yuna!" Seto''s mind was in turmoil, and he stared at the Tablet of Memories in confusion. No words could describe his sense of confusion, unable to grasp what was happening, "Yugi..." On hisst wits, Seto begrudgingly turned his head towards the boy and his friends, "Tell me what is happening..." Stunned, Yugi began to exin everything. About his other self and how everything they''ve been through was for the purpose of unlocking the Pharoah''s memories. Now, they were able to reach the Tablet of Memories, which was the key to unlocking his memories and getting him home, "I don''t know why Sano-san was also brought into the trials..." He muttered with guilt, "I''m sorry, Kaiba..." Seto gritted his teeth in helplessness, and he extruded an atmosphere too intimidating for anyone to approach. As the group were at a loss for what to do, a figure materialised from thin air, surprising everyone. "Shadi!" Yugi spoke in amazement, and the robed man nodded calmly, "What are you doing here?!" "Greetings, young Yugi..." Shadi responded, "As you may already know. The Pharoah must pass the trial and relive the events in the past to unlock his memories. However, this journey may be a blessing and a curse..." "The Pharoah could finally learn about his past, but to do so, he must defeat the great evil that threatened the world all over again. This is an ultimate shadow game, where one wrong move could result in his death." Hearing his exnation, everyone gasped, and their faces were gued with worry. Licensing at the side, Seto''s pupils trembled, realising that Yuna was sent to that same trial as well... "Then you must end this!" Seto snapped, "Yuna is in there!!" When he tried to grab Shadi, his hand merely phased through the man''s body, leaving him stunned, "What in the world are you..." "Unfortunately, my mortal life has alreadye to pass, and I remained as a century-old spirit that wandered through this world. My earthly body was unfortunately destroyed by a tomb raider named Bakura..." Everyone: !!! "Like the Pharoah, Bakura was also an ancient spirit who battled the Pharoah long ago, and his goal was to use all of the Millennium Items to bring that great evil to the real world..." "Hold on then! Didn''t the Pharoah manage to defeat Bakura once? Can''t he do it again?!" Joey questioned. Tea: "Just because he has won once doesn''t mean that he can do it again..." "That''s right..." Shadi agreed, "Which was why you have to stop Bakura within the trials." "How!" Seto urged impatiently as he pointed at Yugi. "There''s only one way to enter the realm of the Pharoah''s memory. All it lies is in the Millennium Puzzle and the Tablet of Memories." With worry, Seto turned to Yugi in desperation. Holding the Millennium Puzzle, Yugi nodded with resolve and stepped forward, "Please, tell me how." Under Shadi''s instructions, Yugi raised the Millennium Puzzle in his hand. Suddenly, the artifact glowed as both the puzzle and tablet reacted simultaneously, creating a bright golden portal. "Once you enter, you can''t return unless the Pharoah reigns victorious", Shadi spoke solemnly, "There is a possibility that you may die in there..." Yugi and his friends nced at each other with concern as they gulped nervously. However, their anxious thoughts were broken as Seto clicked his teeth. "What is there to hesitate about? I don''t care about the consequences. I''m going..." "Kaiba..." Yugi muttered worriedly, causing Kaiba to snort. "Don''t tell me you''re running away? Here, I thought that you guys were at least brave..." "Huh, what did you say?!" Joey snapped, "There''s no way we''re leaving the Pharoah alone!" "Shall we go now?" Shadi asked, and the group approached the gateway to the past. Staring at the portal, Kaiba clenched his fists, his head subconsciously turned to the girl lying on the floor with her eyes closed. "Yuna..." He mumbled with a deep sense of concern. Taking a deep breath, Seto unhesitantly moved, and with determination, he stepped into the portal... I hope you enjoy it. This is going to be thest time skip since everything in the trial happened in the span of a few days... Chapter 98: First Confrontation Chapter 98: First Confrontation ? Before we start, I''ve realised I didn''t really exin much about the other five sacred guardians, but I will put their pictures here: Karim Isis Aknadin Shada Seto Mahad Also Diadhank are what Duel Disks are called in this era [Yuna''s POV] Evening... When the crowning ceremony ended, a grand banquetmenced to celebrate the new pharaoh. The hall was filled with government officials and influential figures engaging in lively conversations andughter while soothing music yed in the background. In the corner of the throne room, Kisara stood quietly, carefully holding a goblet of wine. Her lips pursed, and her eyes full of worry, she observed me intently. "Yuna... what happened earlier? You looked distressed..." "It''s nothing..." I lied, averting my gaze. "Yuna..." "Kisara, I''m sorry. I wasn''t trying to hide anything from you... I just needed some time..." I responded, my expression pleading. "My head is just a mess right now..." Kisara frowned, her expressionplicated. Sensing that I didn''t want to discuss it further, she sighed quietly and nodded. "Then I will wait... I know you would never mean me harm, Yuna. You must have your reasons..." "Thank you, Kisara..." I patted her head affectionately. "I will definitely tell you when the time is right." Smiling sheepishly at my remark, Kisara took a long sip of her wine to hide the blush on her face. As we quietly talked, I noticed footsteps approaching. Turning our heads, Kisara and I watched as Priest Seto calmly walked toward us. "Look who''s here," I smirked. "I''ll walk around for a bit. There''s no need for me to ruin this moment now..." Leaving Kisara under Seto''s care, the smile on my face faded as I moved away. Slipping through the crowd, I approached the throne, where Yami Yugi sat quietly. Beside him was Shimon, discussing various matters while he nodded absentmindedly. Noticing my presence, Yami Yugi''s eyes widened. I gestured at Shimon with my finger. Understanding my intentions, he awkwardly cleared his throat. "Shimon, may you leave me be for a moment?" "Of course, my liege. Call me if you need anything." Once Shimon finally left, I stood beside Yami Yugi with my arms crossed. "Sano... Is that really you?" he questioned hesitantly. "Look ahead. You don''t want to be seen as a strange Pharaoh," I ordered. "Huh?" "Only you and a select few can see me," I exined. "My presence is invisible to the naked eye." "I''m still so confused..." Yami Yugi muttered, grasping his head. "What happened? Why am I here, and what''s with your different way of speaking?" "I..." I averted my gaze, sadness in my expression. "Unlike you, who have just arrived, I have been here for five years already..."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Yami Yugi''s eyes widened in shock. "I don''t know why I was brought to this world as well, and I have no idea how to leave." "I''m sorry to hear that..." Yami Yugi said with pity. "Don''t be," I chuckled. "Although I miss everyone, I''ve gotten used to this life. Don''t worry, Pharaoh. I will make sure you pass this trial so we can leave this ce." "Understood. What do you need me to do?" "I only have one condition." I raised a finger and pointed at Kisara. "For the entirety of this trial, you must keep her safe." Who is she?" Yami Yugi inquired, and my expression softened. "Her name is Kisara. She''s Shimon''s disciple and will soon be the next Grand Vizier. More importantly, she''s someone who made these five years enjoyable. I consider her my family. So promise me you''ll keep her safe." "Of course," the Pharaoh nodded. "As a king, shouldn''t I at least do that much?" Seeing his confident expression, I rxed and smiled gratefully. "Thank you..." "By the way, since you''ve already been here, Sano, shouldn''t you know my name?" Yami Yugi asked curiously. "Can''t we just pass the trial now?" "I don''t think it works like that..." I smiled wryly. "Earlier today, everyone here knew your actual name. But as soon as the trial started, they all miraculously forgot it. Even I couldn''t remember, no matter how hard I tried..." "I see..." Yami Yugi stroked his chin, lost in thought. "Then there must be something we have to do beforehand..." His eyes shed with realization. "Bakura..." "Excuse me?" "Bakura!" Yami Yugi eximed, staring at me. "Bakura also entered with us!" "Ah..." Thanks to the Pharaoh''s reminder, I recalled that we were not alone in this trial. In fact, the most crucial task was to defeat Bakura, who would use the Millennium Ring to summon the Evil God, Zorc Necrophades... Suddenly, the door to the throne room burst open, and a guard rushed in. Instantly, the music andughter ceased, reced by a dreadful silence. Panting in pain, the guard raised his head and gasped for breath, "We''re... We''re under attack!!" Before he could finish, the guard winced as he fell to the ground, an arrow piercing deeply into his back. Immediately, screams and panic filled the air. Cloaked figures emerged from beyond the door, spreading through the room and engaging in fiercebat with the royal guards. To Yami Yugi''s astonishment, my body moved instinctively, and I soared over the crowd. Locating Kisara, I saw Priest Seto protecting her as he battled one of the attackers using his spirits. Without hesitation, I summoned the Dragon Knight of Creation, and the warrior shed the figure from behind. With the path cleared, I dashed toward Kisara. Stopping beside Priest Seto, who was trying his best to pretend not to see me, I said, "I will look after Kisara. Go and protect the Pharaoh!" "Understood," Seto whispered back and ran toward the throne. "Yuna, what''s going on?!" Kisara eximed in panic as I grabbed her hand. "There''s no time to exin. Just get away from the door!" I urged, leading Kisara toward the back of the room, where the other guests had gathered. Once I ensured Kisara was safe, I sent the Herald of Creation to look after her. The Dragon Knight of Creation followed me as I headed toward themotion. Cutting down enemies in our path, we eventually arrived at the throne, where a significant battle was taking ce. A crazedughter echoed loudly, and fighting the Sacred Guardians was a young man with white hair. He wore a red flowing robe, exposing his muscr chest, a kilt, and slippers. A four-stitched scar marked the skin under his right eye, and his purple pupils revealed a glint of madness. Laughing, the man scanned the crowd nonchntly, causing the Sacred Guardians'' expressions to tense. "Bakura..." Yami Yugi gritted his teeth at the sight of the familiar figure. "Good evening, Pharaoh!" Yami Bakura smiled mockingly. "I hope you enjoyed this moment, but it''s time to get on with this trial, shouldn''t we?" "What are you nning?!" Yami Yugi snapped, rising angrily from his throne. "Isn''t it obvious? To get revenge!" He sneered. "You shall pay for what you have done!" "What?" The Pharaoh frowned. "What nonsense are you sprouting?!" "You seriously have no idea, do you?" Yami Bakura''s voice trembled with fury. "The Millennium Items you all cherished were made with the blood of my family!" Yami Yugi''s eyes widened, unable toprehend the unsettling truth. "Enough!!" Anakadin interrupted, voice filled with anger. "Seto, destroy him!" Stepping forward, Priest Seto activated the device on his wrist. The tes unfolded like wings, revealing three slots. "I call upon Battle Ox!" A beam of light shot down from the ceiling, striking his duel disk. The device glowed, and a figure began to materialize, taking the shape of a minotaur wielding an axe. "Now, Battle Ox, attack that man!" "Truly pathetic! Do you think a spirit like that can stop me?!" Yami Bakura grinned. "Diabound, destroy that weak thing!" It was as if the room had suddenly darkened, and a heavy pressure enveloped us all. Behind Yami Bakura, a grey humanoid demon materialized. It had a solid, muscr build and a lower body like a serpent. The monster''s face resembled a mask, with grey streaks running down its eyes and horns jutting from the sides of its head. Seeing the creature, the Sacred Guardians gasped as the spirit unleashed a powerful energy. "Just how much hatred does this man have to create something so foul..." Shada muttered grimly. "Priest Seto, I''m afraid this beast is not something you can face alone..." One by one, each member raised their duel disk toward the air, summoning their spirits for battle. Karim called out, "I summon Bastest!" Isis followed with, "Spiria!" Shada added, "Zelua!" Aknadin dered, "Gadius!" Mahad chimed in, "Illusion Magician!" Various beams of light shot down from the sky, creating a stunning scene that left Yami Yugi speechless. When the light vanished, a group of spirits of varying sizes and forms stood ready. "Do you think this is enough to stop me?!" Yami Bakuraughed arrogantly. "Diabound, destroy them!" Bringing its palms together, an intense energy gathered in its hands. Watching this, I subconsciously frowned, sensing the familiarity of that energy. "Blue-Eyes White Dragon?" I muttered to myself, my eyes widening in realization. It reminded me of when Kaiba tried to rescue me in the museum. Yami Bakura''s Diabound had destroyed Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes White Dragon before iming he had gotten what he wanted, ending the duel prematurely and ordering his spirit to kill Kaiba directly... Before I could act, Diabound unleashed a white beam, striking the group of spirits. Karim''s Bastest and Aknadin''s Gadius were obliterated while the other spirits were flung across the room. "Such power..." Priest Seto muttered. "Karim, support me! I will summon my Mystic Horseman!" Beside Battle Ox appeared a centaur-like beast. As the spirit was sessfully summoned, Karim hurriedly stepped forward with his Millennium Scale. "With the vast power of the Millennium Scale, I invoke the spirit of Mystic Horseman and Battle Ox!" Karim yelled as the two spirits transformed into light and began to merge. "Combine and fuse into Rabid Horseman!" Galloping out of the light stood a giant beast, a fusion with the upper body of Battle Ox and the lower body of Mystic Horseman. "Rabid Horseman, attack!" Priest Seto shouted as the spirit swung its axe. "Do you think that''s enough?" Yami Bakura sneered. "Stop him, Diabound!" The demon deftly dodged Rabid Horseman''s axe, its snake-like appendage coiling around the monster''s wrist with crushing force. But Priest Seto remained unfazed, his eyes darting to Mahad. "Now''s your chance, attack!" "Illusion Magician, bind Diabound now!" Mahadmanded. Recovered from the initial attack, Illusion Magician waved its staff, casting a glowing magic circle that imprisoned Diabound in ce. For a moment, hope flickered. But then, Diabound roared, unleashing a devastating shockwave that shattered the magical binds and obliterated Rabid Horseman and Illusion Magician in an instant. "Spiria, defend us!" Isis cried out desperately. The small spirit valiantly generated a shield, but it, too, was quickly overwhelmed. The Sacred Guardians were thrown against the walls, their bodies crumpling to the ground. Panic surged through me; at this rate, they would all perish. "Go, Dragon Knight of Creation!" I shouted, my voice cutting through the chaos. The knight, undeterred by the odds, charged at the monstrous Diabound with unwavering resolve. Just before Diabound could finish off the Sacred Guardians, the Dragon Knight of Creation leapt onto its back, plunging his sword into the spirit''s spine. Unfortunately, the de couldn''t pierce deeply under Diabound''s tough skin, and the monster thrashed wildly, trying to throw him off. "Pharaoh!" I shouted, snapping Yami Yugi out of his daze. "Do something!!" "W... What do I do?!" he stammered. "Tsk, I don''t know! Just try and call the Egyptian Gods or something!" I yelled back, watching as the Dragon Knight of Creation struggled to hold his ground. "Hurry!" "Ah, Yuna Sano!" Yami Bakura eximed, a sinister smile spreading across his face. "What a pleasant surprise! I should have known when I saw that familiar spirit..." I forced a nervous smile. "Bakura... You always know how to annoy me." "What can I say? I have such a likable face." He sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. "My luck seems to be good today; not only do I get to kill the Pharaoh, but I can kill you, too." Dodging Diabound''s attacks, the Dragon Knight of Creation returned to my side. Thankfully, the spirit was still holding up. If he fell now, I doubted my soul could handle the bacsh. Come on, Pharaoh... If you don''t get your a*s off that chair, I''m really going to die here! As if responding to my thoughts, Yami Yugi finally stood up. He red at Yami Bakura before ncing at his wrist, where a DiaDhank restedfortably. Stepping next to me, his expression was full of determination, though doubt still lingered in his eyes. "Am I really able to pull it off? Summoning an Egyptian God?" Yami Yugi questioned, and I frowned. "Aren''t you the Pharaoh?" I retorted. "If you can''t summon the Egyptian Gods, who can?" "You?" Yami Yugi replied, causing me to close my mouth. "Well, I mean... the Winged Dragon of Ra has always helped me, but besides that..." I nced anxiously at Kisara. "Just try, okay!" Nodding, Yami Yugi closed his eyes in deep concentration, trying to connect with the Gods. Meanwhile, Diabound resumed its relentless attack. Cursing under my breath, I summoned both the Herald of Creation and the Dragon Knight of Creation in a desperate attempt to shield us, but the strain was taking its toll, evident as blood dripped from my lips. "Galestgoras, defend the Pharaoh!!" Suddenly, a brown dragon burst into the fray, tackling Diabound with a mighty roar. The dragon bit down on the demon''s shoulder, dragging it across the floor in a ferocious struggle. "Are you alright?" Priest Seto asked, returning to the battle. "I apologise for taking so long." "Apologizeter once we win," I muttered, unsummoning the Dragon Knight of Creation and wiping the blood from my mouth. "I will cover you..." Together, Priest Seto and Iunched a coordinated assault on Diabound. With the immense weight of Galestgoras, the dragon managed to knock the demon back while the Herald of Creation bombarded it with powerful magic. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Yami Yugi''s eyes snapped open. Raising his arm, he red at the sky with unwavering confidence and resolve. "Legendary gods of Egypt, please hear my call! In the name of every Pharaoh that came before, I now beseech thee! Awaken, mighty Obelisk, and rid the sacred pce of this darkness! I summon Obelisk the Tormentor!" ROAR A thunderous howl filled the air as ominous grey clouds gathered outside, blotting out the sky. Lightning struck the ground as a blinding light shot down and enveloped Yami Yugi. Gritting his teeth, he endured the divine energy as the light condensed, flowing into his DiaDhank. As the brilliance subsided, Obelisk the Tormentor stood in all its colossal, awe- inspiring glory. "G... God..." Shimon muttered, a mixture of fear and awe in his voice. As if under a powerful enchantment, everyone in the room began to lower their heads, bowing before the imposing figure of Obelisk the Tormentor. Yami Yugi''s eyes were resolute as he pointed at Diabound across the room, "Obelisk the Tormentor, destroy him." The God roared and swung its colossal arm. Diabound retaliated, and their fists collided with a thunderous impact, generating a massive shockwave that swept everything in the vicinity away. The confrontationsted only seconds before the Egyptian God''s strength prevailed, sending Diabound crashing to the ground. "Surrender now, or face annihtion," Yami Yugimanded, his voice echoing with authority. Yami Bakura''s face twisted into a crooked smile. "Surrender? Don''t make meugh!" Yami Bakura scowled as Diabound pulled itself from the rubble. Without hesitation, Diabound attacked once more. However, instead of aiming for Yami Yugi, Diabound lunged at the defenceless crowd. "Obelisk, block it!" Yami Yugi shouted. The Egyptian God moved with lightning speed, intercepting Diabound''s attack. A massive explosion shook the room, filling it with smoke and debris. When the dust settled, Yami Bakura and Diabound had vanished, leaving behind only the lifeless bodies of the cloaked figures as a grim reminder of their presence. I gasped for breath as the tension finally eased. "Good job..." I said with augh, but my relief was short-lived when I noticed Priest Seto staring at me strangely. Feeling something warm trickling down my lips, I wiped my mouth and stared at the blood on my hand in silence. "Ah..." I chuckled weakly, "How the hell am I gonna exin this to Kisara..." The room started to spin, and before I could say another word, darkness overtook me, and I copsed. [3rd POV] Next day... While Yuna was still unconscious... "We can''t sit here any longer! Your majesty, we must send the army to capture that man now!" Aknadin said and angrily pped the table. "And what happens after? Do you think the soldiers could defeat the spirit that man possesses? We will just be sending innocent lives to die." Mahad retorted with his arms crossed. "Then what do you suggest we do? His mere existence is a threat to this kingdom!" Aknadin argued, causing the other Sacred Guardians to frown. "As Priest Mahad have said, the soldier''s strength is not enough." This time, it was Shada who intervened, "I hate to admit, but even with all six sacred guardians presentst night, we were still defeated." "So, in the end, the problem lies in strength." Priest Seto muttered, voicing out everyone''s thoughts. "Thankfully, I already have a solution for that." Aknadin smiled. "Thanks to some insight from Shada''s Millennium Key, I was able to recreate a device that can test the heart of individuals. With this, we can find people with power spirits residing within them." He exined and ced an item that looked simr to the Millennium key but much smaller, "When someone touches this, the brighter it glows, the more powerful the spirit that resides within them." "Then what will happen with those people?" Seto questioned, not liking where the conversation was going. "Of course, we will extract the spirits from their body, allowing us to use it to battle," Aknadin announced, and the other sacred guardians blinked in disbelief. "Priest Aknadin..." Karim said with a hesitant expression, "I assume you''re aware that monster spirits were formed through a person''s life energy, and extracting the spirits could result in the person''s death. While this procedure is done with death row inmates, you''re saying that we should do this to civilians?" "I understand your concern," Aknadin replied calmly, "But it is a sacrifice we have to make. If we don''t stop Bakura soon, more people will die..." The sacred guardians'' expressions wereplicated. They understood Aknadin''s implication, and while they were unsettled about taking innocent lives, they also knew that if they didn''t do something, Bakura would create more chaos that they might not be able to handle... "We are to protect the innocent... Not kill them...." Isis spoke with difficulty as her pupils trembled. "But we have no other choice," Aknadin continued, "Rememberst night, we''ve barely won thanks to some unknown person''s help. While I was thankful for their assistance, I can''t find myself trusting them." Priest Seto: "What are you saying?" "From those two spirits'' strength alone, I believe it''s worth the sacrifice! That dragon-like knight and mage will be a great asset." Priest Seto, Kisara and Yami Yugi''s eyes widened as they realised who that unknown person Aknadin was referring to... "You can''t!" Kisara yelled with a fearful expression. Aknadin: "Young Miss... I know that you may be the next grand vizier, which is why you must put your emotions aside and think rationally." "I don''t condone this! This is inhumane!" Kisara argued fiercely, causing the old man''s eyebrows to twitch. "Then would you willingly let everyone die instead?!" "Enough!!" Yami Yugi sighed and interrupted the argument, "I agree with Kisara... There must be another method. I don''t want to discuss this any further... Meeting adjourned..." "Understood..." Aknadin muttered regretfully as everyone stood up. He still felt regretful, and resounding in his heart, he thought that this was the best method. As he was lost in thought, Kisara''s body suddenly nudged the item to the ground. With an apologetic expression, she handed the artifact back to Aknadin before quickly exiting the room. When Aknadin was about to store the item away, it suddenly shed a brilliant glow, so blinding it left him stunned. "Lord Aknadin, is something the matter?" A servant asked carefully, noticing his daze. "It''s nothing..." Aknadin answered and left the room. Unbeknownst to the servant, his final expression before leaving the room was chillingly cold... I swear writing these things about spirits, it really feel like a stand battle... Anyway I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 99: Corruption Chapter 99: Corruption ? [Yuna''s POV] It was night when I finally regained consciousness. As I cautiously opened my eyes, the soft rustling of the wind greeted me, its cool breeze brushing soothingly against my face. Iy there for a moment, taking in the unfamiliar yetforting sensation of the bed. I tried to shift, but something heavy weighed down my right arm. Looking over, I couldn''t help but smile wryly. Kisara, sound asleep, had nestled against me, her head resting on my arm. A sigh escaped my lips, a mix of affection and dread. I could already imagine the lecture I''d receive when she woke up... But then, something strange caught my attention. Our hands were sped, but there was more. Slowly, I lifted them, eyes narrowing in confusion as I noticed a soft, golden glow pulsing from her palm, flowing into mine like a warm current. I touched the glow with my free hand, feeling its gentle warmth seep into me. Instantly, thest traces of drowsiness vanished. I knew better than anyone what was happening to my body... and somehow, I was healing right before my eyes. I hurriedly retracted my hand in shock, but the sudden movement stirred Kisara, causing her eyes to flutter open. We locked gazes in a moment of tense silence. "Kisara, you need to let go of my hand..." I muttered, worry creeping into my voice. "Why should I do that?" she shot back sharply, making me flinch. As I sat up, I caught a clearer view of her face, and my heart sank. Dark bags hung beneath her eyes, and her cheeks were hollow as if she hadn''t eaten or slept in days. Deep wrinkles etched her skin, and all I could see was a deep frown etched across her features. "Your life energy... it''s flowing into me... S...so you must let go now!" I urged, panic rising within me, but her mood only darkened further. "Kisara, please..." "Do you think I don''t know that?" she scowled, her frustration palpable. "I''m not dumb, Yuna..." "Then why?!" I screamed, but my voice caught in my throat as I noticed a single tear escape down her cheek. "Why? Why do you think, huh?!" For the first time, Kisara''s anger erupted, and I felt the total weight of it bearing down on me. "How could I just let Yuna die?!" Stunned into silence, I could only absorb her barrage of words. "Yuna... you''re a very selfish person..." It felt like cold water had been thrown over me, and her usations sank deep into my heart. "You always keep everything to yourself, pushing me away from the truth. Even now, you never thought about telling me about your condition..." "To protect you..." I managed to say, my voice thick with emotion. "To protect..." Kisara echoed, grasping her head as a bitterugh escaped her lips. When she finally calmed down, the sorrow in her eyes pierced me. "Last night, when you copsed... I really thought you had died..." Her voice trembled, a mix of anger and pain. "I was so distraught that I couldn''t even focus on anything! I couldn''t sleep, I couldn''t eat.. I couldn''t even think!" "I was so worried... So please... stop hiding things from me..." she begged, her eyes searching mine with desperate earnestness. Each word twisted my heart, flooding me with guilt. "I hate it so much..." Tears streamed down her face, sttering onto mine. Each drop felt like a sharp knife stabbing into my soul, revealing the foolishness of my actions. What I thought was protecting her was only causing her more pain. "Okay..." I murmured slowly, fighting to control my emotions. "I will tell you..." Unlike in the past, when I only exined things vaguely, Iid everything bare, tears streaming down my face. I spoke of my past life, how I was actually from the future, and how this entire ordeal might be a trial inside the Pharaoh''s mind. As I recounted my story, I watched Kisara''s expression shift to one of utter disbelief. She seemed unable to process what I was saying. "So Yuna is from the future?" she muttered, dazed. "That''s crazy..." "But it''s the truth..." I replied, wrapping my arms around myself as a wave of vulnerability washed over me. "It''s everything I know... I promise." With a heavy sigh, Kisaray down beside me, her gaze fixed on my anxious face. "Do you think this is real? Are you sure that everything here isn''t part of the trial?" "I don''t even want to think about it..." I confessed in a whisper. "I want to believe that the times we''ve spent together will really change your past. I want to believe that you will never suffer again..." "Even if this may not be just an illusion of the past, the softness of this bed, the sound of my heartbeat, and being here with you, everything feels real to me. Isn''t that what matters?" She smiled wryly, and we stared at the ceiling in silence. Unaware of how much time had passed, Kisara opened her mouth once more. "Why will you go so far for me?" she asked hesitantly, confusion clouding her eyes. "I''ve never done anything for you in the first ce..." "Actually, in the future, Kisara has saved me a couple of times..." I answered, my heart warming with the memories. "You might not be there in the physical world, but you appeared several times in my unconsciousness. You even helped me battle an Egyptian God!" "Really?!" Her eyes widened in disbelief, and a blush crept across her cheeks. "I could barely hurt a fly..." "Well, I''m not sure about that..." I chuckled, knowing the power of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon lying dormant in her soul. "I believe that Kisara is very, very strong.'' 11 Before long, our tears had dried, reced by softughter that filled the room. To my surprise, it felt as if a massive weight was being lifted from my chest. "What should we do now?" I asked, my spirits lifting. "It''s already veryte. Let''s talk tomorrow," she replied, extending her hand from under the nket. Instinctively, I hid my hand behind my back and shook my head. "I can''t... your Ba..." "Enough already," Kisara chided, frustrationcing her tone as she snatched my hand. Instantly, afortable warmth spread throughout my body, but the guilt caused my pupils to tremble. "Don''t worry about me," she reasoned, her grip firm yet gentle. "My Ba can always replenish in time, but you can''t." "But still... I feel awful taking your life force like this," I protested, my voice thick with concern. "Besides, if everything follows the original timeline, the trial will soon be over in just a few days..." "Yes... but you still need strength to fight back," she insisted, pulling me into a tight embrace. "We just have to hold on for a few more days..." We exchanged sad smiles, both realizing that our precious time together was slipping away. "Even if our time together might be short, let''s make sure thest few days count," Kisara said, her grin widening. "Let''s achieve our happy endings." "Nn." I nodded, wrapping my pinky around hers. "Let''s do just that..." The Next Day... Early morning light spilled into the room when Kisara woke up. She quickly dressed and made her way to the entrance of the pce. Remembering our discussion, she hurried along, finding Priest Mahad leading a group of soldiers. It seemed that while I was unconscious, events unfolded just as they had in the original timeline. Mahad had volunteered to lead Yami Bakura to the Valley of the Kings, hoping to set at trap and ambush him. But that n, as history dictated, had ultimately failed and led to his death. "Lord Mahad," Kisara called out, her voice steady as she approached. He stopped his horse beside her. "Lady Kisara," Mahad greeted formally, his tone respectful. "What brings you here this morning?" "Due to the recent events, I wasn''t able to restfortably, causing me to wake up at an earlier time," she replied. "So, since I''m awake, I hope to grant you and the soldiers my blessing for a safe journey." Her words caused Mahad''s expression to soften. "Thank you, but I''d prefer if Lady Kisara remained in good health. We wouldn''t want Lord Seto to worry again," he teased, eliciting a blush on her face. "I felt like I should do at least this much..." Kisara mumbled, ncing down. "I wasn''t able to do anything when Bakura attacked, nor did I contribute to the meeting." "Well, I find that simply not true," Mahad said with a smile. "In fact, I believe Lady Kisara made the most significant contribution to that meeting, and all the Sacred Guardians would agree. If you hadn''t voiced your concerns, we might have all been swayed by Lord Aknadin''s proposal. You reminded us that, no matter how difficult the situation, we must always prioritize the people first. That is our duty." "Is that so..." Kisara yed with her hair, a shy smile creeping onto her face. "Anyway, please be careful, Lord Mahad. I don''t mean to be disrespectful, but wouldn''t it be safer to bring at least one more Sacred Guardian with you on this expedition? I hope you''ll reconsider your n. It might be too risky..." "I appreciate your concern, but Lady Kisara, you don''t need to worry," Mahad replied, his smile reassuring. "We can''t delegate too many forces to this attack in case the pce is invaded again." "But the danger is too high!" She eximed, her emotions taking over, "Lord Mahad, please think this through. I''m afraid that Bakura won''t be someone you can handle alone... Not to your disrespect." "I understand... But while we can''t split off any more of our strength, we also can''t just sit idly doing nothing. Now that I''m prepared, I believe I won''t be easily defeated like before." He met her gaze, firm in his resolve despite her protests. "Although I''d like to continue our conversation, I must depart..." "I see..." Kisara murmured, biting her lip in frustration. "Then promise me that if it gets too dangerous, you will retreat." "That I shall," Mahad replied, nodding before flicking the reins. His horse began to move, and as Kisara watched him and the soldiers head off, a heavy sigh escaped her. "No matter what, Lord Mahad seems determined to carry the mission through..." she said, a frown tugging at her lips. Despite her hopes for him to reconsider, it was toote. The army quickly became a distant speck on the horizon, swallowed by the vastness of thendscape. Her worries lingered in the air, an unshakable weight pressing down on her. Unfortunately, our fears soon became a painful reality, as ever since that day, Mahad never returned... Next day... [3rd POV] The pce was thrown into utter chaos. While Bakura''s initial attack had shaken the people,N?v(el)B\\jnn they managed to recover quickly. However, the disappearance of a Sacred Guardian was an entirely different matter. "Your Majesty! We can''t waste any more time!" Aknadin shouted, urgencycing his voice. "We have to go and search for powerful spirits tobat this great evil!" "Lord Aknadin, we can''t approach this recklessly," Shada countered, frowning. "The citizens are already feeling unrest; we can''t add more fuel to the fire." "Yet this is a risk we have to take..." Aknadin pressed. "Lord Aknadin..." Kisara interjected, still shaken by Mahad''s death. Her voice trembled with anxiety. "Please reconsider; there has to be another way..." "Lady Kisara, I''m afraid you might truly be unaware of our current situation," Aknadin replied cynically. "Sacred Guardians are mighty pirs of Egypt. Even with one of them missing, it could significantly weaken the kingdom''s defences." "I didn''t mean it like that..." Kisara mumbled anxiously, her voice faltering under the weight of the situation. "Enough," Seto interrupted before she could apologise further. He shot Aknadin a scornful re. "Lord Aknadin, I believe you have spoken too far. Lady Kisara merely voiced all of our concerns." "I see..." Aknadin replied, his tone shifting. "Then, Lady Kisara, what do you propose we do?" His question hung in the air, and all eyes turned to her. Kisara grasped her chin, lost in thought, as she quietly listened to Yuna''s whisper by her ear. Nodding to herself, she lifted her head with confidence, "During the attack on the pce, Bakura mentioned this was revenge rted to his vige." Taking a deep breath, she continued, "Based on this, I went to the royal records and did some digging. I found intriguing information in the documents." Her voice took on a solemn tone. "Around two decades ago, the poption in the vige of Kul Ena suddenly vanished after they stopped paying taxes, and no other contacts have been made since." She paused, allowing the gravity of her words to settle before continuing. "It was also around that time the Millennium items were introduced. I believe there is definitely a corrtion, and we might find answers if we investigate that vige." "I see..." Seto nodded with a proud smile. "Then I believe there''s no need for further discussion. I propose we first try Lady Kisara''s suggestion. If they are truly corrted, we should be able to find something that gives us an edge..." One by one, the others in the room voiced their agreement with Kisara''s n. Smiling with contentment, Yami Yugi surveyed the crowd. "Then we should follow Kisara''s n. If there are any objections, speak now." When he nced at Aknadin, the old man quickly averted his gaze in resignation. "Good, then we should leave as soon as possible." The Pharaoh stood up,manding authority. "Meeting dismissed..." As the meeting adjourned, Kisara, Seto, and Yuna found themselves strolling quietly through the courtyard. The soft rustle of leaves apanied their footsteps, a moment of respite amidst the chaos. "Thanks for standing up for me..." Kisara mumbled gratefully, her voice barely above a whisper. "It''s the least I could do," Seto replied, his tone warm. "I''m just d you''re still trying to find the best solution to our problem. While we were all just sitting idly without any ns in mind." "Don''t say that," Kisara countered. "The Sacred Guardians all have their duties to manage. I have to put in that much effort, right?" Smiling, Seto gently grasped Kisara''s hand, causing her to blush as her heart raced at his affectionate touch. "How sweet" they heard Yuna''s sly voice behind them. Flushing with embarrassment, Kisara quickly let go of Seto''s hand and coughed awkwardly. "Don''t mind me; just imagine I''m not here." "That''s a little hard, don''t you think?" Seto chuckled, a teasing glint in his eye. The day Yuna went unconscious, Kisara fully realized that she wasn''t the only one who could see her friend. The revtion that Seto was also aware of Yuna''s existence had initially made her feel betrayed. However, after Yuna''s exnation, Kisara forgave him, understanding that there was no point in staying angry over something so trivial. As the three continued walking, the sound of whimpering caught their attention from a distance. Curious, they approached themotion and spotted a young girl crying in the corner of the courtyard. She had long brown hair that was sporadically arranged, jutting downward in all directions, a small nose and lips, andrge green eyes filled with tears. Her outfit consisted of a shoulderless, sleeveless top and a miniskirt adorned with various bracelets around her wrists and ankles. "That''s Mana, Lord Mahad''s disciple..." Seto exined, the atmosphere growing solemn. As Kisara watched Mana weeping quietly, a wave of pity and guilt washed over her. She nced at Yuna, who looked equally dejected. "Don''t me yourself. It''s not your fault." "But if I had only tried to convince Lord Mahad harder..." Kisara muttered, her voice filled with regret. "Then maybe he might have survived..." "Nobody can achieve everything... Sometimes, you have to do what you can," Yuna replied softly. Kisara stared at the ground, lost in thought, grappling with her emotions. Without waiting for further encouragement, she approached Mana and sat beside her. Smiling softly, she beganforting her with a gentle voice. "She''s amazing, isn''t she?" Yuna remarked as Mana''s sad whimpers gradually faded, giving way to shy giggles as Kisara affectionately patted her head. "Yes..." Priest Seto nodded, watching Kisara with awe. His expression shifted, and he nervously clenched his fist. "Miss Yuna, may I ask you something?" "What is it?" Yuna replied, curious. "After this is over, I wish to ask for Kisara''s hand in marriage..." he whispered anxiously, his eyes wide with hope. "I hope that you will grant me your approval..." "M... Me?!" Yuna stammered in shock. "Why would you ask me?!" "Then who else?" Seto shot back, making Yuna fall silent. "You''re the most important person to Kisara..." "I see..." Yuna nodded awkwardly, a hint of suspicion in her eyes. "Marriage... Are you messing with me? This better not be a joke." "Miss Yuna... I would never jest about something like this..." Seto answered solemnly, his gaze steady and intense. "I hope you will give me a serious answer as well." As Seto waited in silence, each passing second heightened his unease. Eventually, Yuna shrugged nonchntly and smirked, "Well, it''s fine, I suppose... As long as Kisara is happy, then I have no further objections..." "Thank you..." Seto muttered with relief, his heart racing with excitement. "Don''t get too rxed yet; Kisara herself hasn''t agreed in the first ce," Yuna replied calmly, her eyes turning to Kisara with a loving gaze. Marriage, huh... Yuna smiled to herself. ''Kisara, you have to live now... I can''t let you miss out on such a bright future...'' Meanwhile... Inside one of the private research rooms, Aknadin bit his nails in frustration as he stared at the device on the table. "Why couldn''t the Pharaoh understand that desperate times call for desperate measures?" he muttered to himself, ncing at the soul-scanning invention that he had put so much expectations into. "We can''t just follow a baseless spection. Such a method will only lead us to our doom." His voice echoed in the empty room, a stark reminder that, despite his growing frustration, he was left with no one to share his attitude. Lost in thought, Aknadin''s gaze remained fixed on the device, oblivious to the strange stillness around him. The air felt charged, thick with an unshakeable tension, as a shadowy figure appeared silently on the window sill. *BAM!* Before Aknadin could react, the figure lunged forward, grabbing him by the neck and pinning him against the wall with rming speed. "Now, now, rx; I''m not here to kill you this time..." Bakura smirked, his grip easing just enough for Aknadin to catch a breath. "Y... You!" Aknadin croaked, eyes filled with a mix of hatred and disbelief. "There''s no point in struggling. You can call for guards, but they won''t being," Bakura warned, his voiceced with a menacing chuckle. "What... do you want?" Aknadin growled, his heart pounding as he faced the man who had brought chaos to their lives. "Well, I find you to be the more logical out of the bunch," Bakura replied, a glimmer of interest sparking in his eyes. "You will definitely be useful..." "What..." With a wicked grin, Bakura released him, sending Aknadin crumpling to the floor. He gasped, coughing as he tried to regain hisposure, but the sight of Bakura opening his coat, revealing the Millennium Ring hanging around his neck, stole his breath. "That''s!" Aknadin couldn''t finish his sentence, shock rendering him momentarily speechless. "So it''s true..." With a flick of his wrist, dark energy oozed from the Millennium Ring, slithering across the floor like a living thing. Aknadin''s instincts kicked in; he summoned his spirit, but it was futile. Diabound quickly subdued the monster, overpowering Aknadin with an overwhelming sense of despair. Struggling frantically, Aknadin felt the dark energy seep into his chest, paralyzing him as pain shot through his body. He copsed, gasping as the rage and frustration that had consumed him twisted into something darker, something more sinister. Instead of fighting, a strange inclination to submit crept over him. Finally, as the dark energy dissipated, Yami Bakura watched with a satisfied smile. He delivered a swift kick to Aknadin''s body. "Stand." With great effort, Aknadin pushed himself up, his body trembling as he knelt before Bakura, the words escaping his lips almost involuntarily, "My lord..." "Hah..." Yami Bakura''s smile widened, a glint of wicked amusement dancing in his eyes. "This is getting interesting..." I hope you enjoy it Chapter 100: True Evil Rises Chapter 100: True Evil Rises ? [3rd POV] Yami Bakura gazed at the kneeling Aknadin, a sly smile curling at the edges of his mouth. His mind was already crafting his next move. But before he could finalize his n, he sensed a presence outside the room and let out a soft chuckle. "So, they''vee uninvited," he murmured, casting a nce at the man bowing before him. "Aknadin." "Yes, my lord?" Aknadin replied, his tone devoid of any emotion. "What is that pitiful Pharaoh up to these days?" Yami Bakura asked, his curiosityced with amusement. "They intend to explore the vige of Kul Ena, hoping to gain an advantage over you..." "Is that so?" Yami Bakuraughed, a sinister glint in his eye. "Listen closely." Smiling, he began to exin his schemes... When he finished, Yami Bakura took a deep breath and smirked, "Do you understand?" "Yes, my lord..." Aknadin replied, nodding as he slowly rose to his feet. Suddenly, the doors to the chamber burst open, and soldiers flooded into the room. "Bakura!" Yami Yugi''s voice thundered, raw with fury. "I knew I''d sensed your presence!" He strode in, nked by the four sacred guardians, each gripping their Millennium Items, their expression filled with hostility. Without a moment''s hesitation, Yami Bakurashed out, kicking Aknadin in the stomach and sending him hurtling towards the group. Unaware of his betrayal, Seto instinctively caught him as he fell, and Aknadin let out a pained groan. "What have you done?" Yami Yugi demanded, his fists clenched tight. A slow smile spread across Yami Bakura''s face as he moved toward the window. "Ah, Pharaoh. I was hoping you''d make an appearance... You see, I uncovered something interesting during my little adventure, and I thought you''d enjoy the surprise." With a flourish, he lifted his hand, revealing the Millennium Ring dangling from his fingers. Yami Yugi''s eyes widened, and beside him, Isis gasped, covering her mouth in horror. "Mahad..." she whispered, stricken. "No..." "You vile creature!" Seto roared, rage shing in his eyes. "Battle Ox, I summon you!" The towering spirit leapt forward, axe in hand, but Diabound appeared, its ws intercepting the attack with ease. "It seems I''ve overstayed my wee," Yami Bakura taunted, stepping onto the windowsill. "Until next time." Without a backward nce, he let himself fall, and with a silentmand, Diabound followed, its ws digging into the sandstone wall to slow his descent. "After him!" Yami Yugi ordered, charging out of the room, the others close behind. Aknadin still weakened and clutching his side, was quickly sent to the infirmary while the remaining sacred guardians raced to pursue Yami Bakura into the night. A few minutester... "Seto..." Kisara murmured, worry evident in her eyes as she watched him saddle his horse. Seto ced his hands on her shoulders, his expression softening. "Stay here. The guards will protect you. Don''t worry-I''ll be back soon." Kisara managed a small smile, brushing a gentle kiss on his cheek. "Then I''ll await your return... Be careful." "I... I will," he replied, a hint of embarrassment colouring his face as he quickly mounted his horse. Just as he prepared to leave, Yuna appeared, halting him with a raised hand. "Miss Yuna?" "Hold on... I need to tell you something." Yuna floated close, casting a cautious nce at Kisara, who stood a few steps away, then whispered urgently, "Aknadin-don''t trust him under any circumstances." Seto blinked, caught off guard. "Excuse me?" "I mean it," Yuna insisted, her voice low and intense. "He''s no longer on our side. Be on your guard." Seto nearly lost his bnce, gripping the reins tightly. "Are you certain?" "Do I have a reason to lie? I''ll deal with him here," Yuna replied, arms crossed resolutely. "Just make sure you return as soon as possible..." Seto nodded solemnly. "Understood." With a final nce, he nudged his horse forward and rode out of the stables. Outside, Yami Yugi and the other Sacred Guardians awaited, their expressions steely. The Pharaoh urged his horse forward, his voice resolute. "Let''s go. We have no time to waste." At hismand, the horses broke into a gallop, the sound of thundering hooves echoing across the desert sands as they raced down the streets of Memphis and out of the city... [Yuna''s POV] "Yuna, will Seto be alright? I don''t doubt the strength of the Pharaoh and the Sacred Guardians, but Bakura... he''s so dangerous," Kisara said anxiously, her gaze distant and worried. Smiling gently, I patted her head. "He''ll be fine. Don''t underestimate him." My tone softened, but my gaze shifted coldly as I nced back at the pce. "Yuna, what''s wrong?" she asked, catching my change in expression. "It''s... nothing," I began, pausing before letting out a small chuckle. I''d promised to be honest with Kisara, and I couldn''t break that promise. "It''s Aknadin. I don''t trust him." "Lord Aknadin?!" Kisara gasped, her reaction mirroring Seto''s earlier surprise. "I can''t say for sure, but go find Shimmon and stay with him, just in case," I instructed. With a nod, Kisara turned and hurried off to meet her teacher. Once she was gone, I floated over the pce walls, moving swiftly until I reached the treatment room. Ensuring the hall was empty, I wedged a heavy shelf across the door to block any unexpected visitors. Inside, the room was lined with beds draped in thin veils for privacy. In the far corner, only one bed was upied. I slipped past the curtain, revealing Aknadin asleep and oblivious. In the original timeline, Yami Bakura used the Millennium Ring to bring out the darkness in Aknadin''s heart, turning him against Yami Yugi and setting off a chain of disastrous events. Typically, I would''ve overlooked his betrayal, but he''d yed a hand in Kisara''s death... "It''s nothing personal, Aknadin... but between you and Kisara, I''d choose her every time." I summoned the Dragon Knight of Creation, his presence solidifying by my side. Responding to my silentmand, the Dragon Knight raised his sword and swung down... *CLANG!* The sharp ring of metal echoed through the room as a shadowy figure emerged from Aknadin''s own shadow, intercepting the strike with an axe and shield. The beast resembled a jackal, its two heads covered in matted fur and crude armour. Snarling, it pushed the Dragon Knight back, drool dripping from its jaws. Aknadin''s eyes flickered open, and he sat up slowly, his gaze cold as he scanned the room. His expression showed no surprise, only a dark, calcted awareness as he took in the scene. "Who goes there? How dare you attempt to assassinate a Sacred Guardian?!" Aknadin''s voice rang out, filled with indignation. I cursed under my breath. Was he feigning unconsciousness this whole time? No matter-I''d hoped to do this quietly, but that was no longer an option. With a frown, Imanded my spirit to strike again. The Dragon Knight of Creation thrust his de forward, aiming directly at Aknadin. "Two-Headed Jackal, defend!" Aknadin shouted, and his spirit moved swiftly, intercepting the de with its shield. But I''d anticipated this. Without hesitation, I summoned the Herald of Creation behind him. BOOM! In a sh, my spirit raised her staff,unching a zing fireball that engulfed Aknadin''s position, tearing through the room. As the smoke cleared, my stomach tightened. Aknadin was still standing. Behind himy the remains of a charred spirit, hastily summoned to absorb the blow. Aknadin grimaced, coughing as blood trickled from his lips, yet his eyes burned with cold fury as he red at the spirits surrounding him. "Fine," he sneered, his gaze shifting, searching the room for me, unable to spot me standing in the middle of the room. "If you don''t show yourself, then I''ll just destroy both of your spirits here!" The sound of approaching footsteps echoed in the corridor. ''The guards are on their way,'' I thought, clenching my jaw. My Ba was draining fast, and time was slipping through my fingers. "Attack again!" I ordered, sending both spirits forward. Working in perfect harmony, the knight and mage pressed Aknadin back, forcing him closer to the crumbling wall under their relentless assault. "ENOUGH!!" Aknadin bellowed, a surge of dark energy erupting from his body, sting everything around him. The room''s walls shattered, revealing the crimson sunset beyond. As the Dragon Knight of Creation charged through the wreckage to reach him, a ck appendage shot from Aknadin''s shadow, swatting the knight back. A sinister smile twisted across Aknadin''s face as a purplish shroud of darkness wrapped around him, pulsing with unnatural power. Fully assimting with the darkness in his heart, he''s no longer shackled by his duty, and a dark magical power flowed around him. "I no longer need to hide," he said, his voice dripping with malevolence. "I serve a new master, one who shares my vision and intelligence..." The walls were blown apart, and the soldiers caught sight of Aknadin''s transformation from both inside and outside the pce. He raised his arms, addressing the evening sky. "Now, I shall see my lord''s will fulfilled." "Herald of Creation, stop him!" I yelled, desperation seeping into my voice. The mage moved quickly, casting a spell, but it was toote. Shadows twisted around Aknadin, forming an imprable barrier, then enveloping him entirely until his figure was obscured within a sphere of darkness. I watched, helpless, as the shadow sphere shrank into nothingness, taking Aknadin with it, leaving only me and my spirits in the shattered remains of the treatment room... [3rd POV] Meanwhile, out in the vast desert of Egypt, Yami Yugi and the Sacred Guardians raced fiercely in pursuit of Yami Bakura. The desert sand, though rough, had not yet swallowed his trail entirely. "Pharaoh, look!" Seto called, pointing toward the distant figure of Bakura riding ahead of them. Yami Yugi''s eyes narrowed as he felt the familiar surge of power from when he''d summoned Obelisk the Tormentor. Drawing upon his DiaDhank, he channelled his Ba into the device, which began to glow with intense light. "Almighty protector of the sun and sky, I beg of thee, please heed my cry. Transform thyself from an orb of light and bring me victory in this fight. I beseech thee, grace our humble game. But first, I shall... call out thy name: Winged Dragon of Ra!" The sky overhead seemed to brighten as if the day had broken anew, and a deafening roar filled the desert air. A colossal shadow descended, and the mighty Winged Dragon of Ra spread its wings over the sands, its brilliant light reflecting across the barrenndscape. The god''s gaze locked onto Yami Bakura, and it released a zing beam of orange energy from its jaw. "Diabound, block it!" Yami Bakuramanded, crossing his arms as Diabound threw itself in front of the attack. It absorbed the fiery st, and with its free hand, it seized a boulder from the distant dunes, hurling it back toward the oing party. The Winged Dragon of Ra retaliated with another beam, splitting the massive rock in two, the fragments raining down like jagged meteors. "Watch out!" Shada shouted, summoning his spirit. "Zelua, protect us!" A majestic humanoid bird appeared behind Shada, its wings unfurling. With a sweep of its arms, it sent a barrage of wind des, shredding the debris to dust. As they pressed forward, the outline of abandoned buildings began to emerge over the crest of the next dune. Dpidated and dark, the vige stood eerily silent, its ancient structures showing no signs of life. Yami Bakura spurred his horse ahead, disappearing into the shadowed alleys. As he faded from view, the quietness of the ce sent a chill down everyone''s spine. "Is that the ce?" Isis asked, her frown mirroring the unease of herpanions. Yami Yugi raised a hand, signalling for caution. "Stay alert. He''s leading us here for a reason." Their horses slowed to a trot as they reached the heart of the empty vige. The square was deste, with only the distant whisper of the desert wind breaking the silence. The Guardians exchanged tense nces, each one feeling the heavy weight of the quiet, eerie atmosphere surrounding them. "This will take too long if we explore the vige together. I propose we split up," the Pharaoh announced, his tone calm but firm. "Seto and Karim, you''ll form one group. Shada, you and Isis will form another." Seto frowned, "And what about you, your Highness?" "I''ll go alone," Yami Yugi replied, silencing any protest with a determined look. "No objections." Reluctantly, the Sacred Guardians nodded. Without dy, they each set off into the dark vige, beginning their search for any secrets this shadowed ce might hold. A few minutester... Seto walked in silence down the abandoned streets, his thoughts drifting. Yuna''s warning about Aknadin gnawed at him, and the fact that Aknadin had remained back at the pce weighed heavily on his mind. "Is something on your mind, Lord Seto?" Karim asked, noting hispanion''s distraction. Seto shook his head, "Just a trivial concern. It''s nothing." Karim gave him a wary look. "Regardless, we must stay vignt here," he cautioned. Seto sighed, then nodded, pushing his worries aside. Yet, even as he tried to focus, his thoughts kept returning to Yuna''s words. Then, unexpectedly, they both spotted a figure moving in the distance. "Halt!" Karim shouted, taking a step forward. "State your name and business!" The figure came closer, revealing a familiar face. "Lord Karim, Lord Seto... it''s me." "Aknadin!" Karim eximed, astonished. "What are you doing here?" Seto''s face darkened, and he raised a hand. "Stop! How do we know you''re the real Aknadin? You were recovering back at the pce." With a steady smile, Aknadin spoke calmly, "After recovering, I immediately came to assist. I couldn''t allow the Pharaoh to face danger while I stayed behind." "Your words seem reasonable enough, but they''re not proof," Seto said, his voice sharp. He nced at Karim. "Karim, if you would." Karim nodded, stepping forward and lifting the Millennium Scale. As it glowed, the scale began to tremble violently, both sides swaying under intense pressure. The two guardians watched with bated breath until the scale finally tipped,nding heavily on the side of darkness. In that instant, time seemed to slow. Seto moved just as Aknadin''s lips twisted into a wicked grin. Shadows rose from behind Karim, forming a sharp spike that struck him in the side. "Traitor!" Seto shouted, his voice filled with a mix of fury and betrayal. Before Seto could react, a horde of monsters flooded the street. Karim clutched his wound, gasping, "Lord Seto... you have to get out of here." "And leave you behind?" Seto retorted, his voiceced with anguish. Karim managed a weak smile, "Go... the Pharaoh needs to know the truth. You must tell him... Aknadin has betrayed us." Seto hesitated, fists clenched, but he knew there was no time. With one final look, he turned and retreated, his heart heavy. Watching him go, Karim straightened himself, a fierce resolve lighting his eyes. "I am a Sacred Guardian, and I will fulfil my duty... even if it costs my life! I summon Curse of Dragon!" The creature appeared, a slender dragon with golden scales and jagged spikes. Karim raised a hand, his voice resolute, "Destroy them all!" The Curse of Dragon unleashed a wave of fire, enveloping the street in a sea of mes... Elsewhere in Kul Ena... Yami Yugi''s footsteps echoed as he wandered deeper into the vige, his sense of unease growing with each step. The Millennium Puzzle around his neck pulsed as if trying to warn him of an unseen danger. Atst, he reached the edge of the vige, where the ground sloped up to a towering cliff face, forming a natural wall against intruders. A dark cave entrancey before him, and his instincts urged him forward. Ignoring the chill creeping down his spine, he entered, pushing through the shadows until he reached the end of the passage. What he saw there left him speechless. The cavern was vast void as if a great force had hollowed out the heart of the mountain, with leaving behind an empty hall that echoed with a chilling silence. At the centre loomed a massive stone carving that dominated the floor, its design resembling a sarcophagus ominous intent. Intricate slots were meticulously carved into the stone''s forehead, eyes, chest, hands, and lower body. Yami Yugi''s brow furrowed in unease. "What could be hidden beneath that sarcophagus?" A deep sense of foreboding gripped him, a foul presence that made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. Suddenly, he felt a chilling aura behind him. He scowled and turned slowly, confronting Yami Bakura. "What is this ce? What is that stone carving?" "This is the Mortuary Temple," Bakura replied, his voice dripping with malice as he stepped closer. "That," he gestured menacingly at the carving behind Yugi, "is the Millennium Stone. It was forged from the blood, flesh, and bones of ny-nine souls from this vige..." Yami Yugi''s eyes widened, shock rendering him momentarily speechless. "You can''t be serious!" "It is the truth," Bakura sneered, his twisted smile betraying his glee. "These so-called divine items are birthed from the death of my family!" "Is this why you''re doing this? For revenge?" Yami Yugi''s voice was thick with anger and pity. "Yes," Bakura replied coldly. "Even in death, my people will not be forgotten. Their darkness festers beneath that stone, waiting for release. I will gather all the Millennium Items and unleash what lies within!" "You think I''ll let you seed?" Yami Yugi shouted defiantly, clenching his fists. "I understand your pain, but I won''t stand by and let you bring this to fruition!" "Toote for a reason," Bakura hissed. "You will all perish!" With that, they both activated their DiaDhank, the air crackling with energy. "Die!" Five Minutes Later... "Your Highness!" Frantic voices echoed from outside the cave as the Sacred Guardians finally arrived, having learned of the dire situation from Seto. A heavy weight of sorrow fell over them as they mourned Karim''s sacrifice... They burst into the chamber to find chaos, craters pockmarked the ground, and in the midst of the wreckage, Yami Bakura and Yami Yugi fought fiercely. Diabound, coiling like a serpent, lunged at Slifer the Sky Dragon, tightening its grip around the Egyptian God''s neck. The guardians longed to intervene, but an overwhelming tide of monsters surged into the room, blocking their path. Yami Bakura''s minions poured in, a relentless wave that kept the Sacred Guardians at bay... Amidst the turmoil, Bakura cast a sly nce at the Pharaoh. "As much as I''d love to prolong this little game, it''s time to end it. Aknadin!" From the shadows, Aknadin emerged and attacked Yami Yugi, leaving the Pharaoh reeling in confusion. With his opportunity seized, Yami Bakura slipped past the fray, approaching the Millennium Stone at the centre of the room. He began to chant, his voice rising with dark intensity. "Stop him!" Seto yelled, desperation filling his voice as the guardians attempted to thwart Bakura''s n, only to be met by swarming monsters shielding the thief king. With each incantation, the Millennium Items gleamed ominously, their power waning as the connection to their wielders weakened. The room trembled with energy, and when Bakura concluded his chant, a devastating shockwave erupted. A piercing scream erupted from Aknadin as the Millennium Eye was torn from his socket while the other artifacts broke free from the Sacred Guardians'' grasp. Even the Millennium Puzzle, Yami Yugi''s steadfastpanion, was ripped away... The Millennium Items flew toward the sarcophagus, slotting into ce with a resounding finality. *BOOOOM!* The ground shuddered violently, and a massive chasm opened beneath everyone, plunging into an unfathomable abyss. Grinning maniacally, Yami Bakura spread his arms wide, proiming, "Atst! Take my soul and body as a sacrifice! Bring evil upon thisnd! I call upon you, the one true God, Zorc Necrophades!!" Dark tendrils wrapped around Bakura and Diabound, dragging them into the void. From the darkness, a colossal purplish arm emerged, wing its way into the world. It was a grotesque figure adorned with twisted horns, bat-like wings, and a massive dragon appendage jutting grotesquely from its chest... The creature towered over Slifer the Sky Dragon, its monstrous head smashing through the ceiling, shattering stone as moonlight flooded into the chamber. It red down with blood- red eyes, and an icy shiver raced down the spines of all who beheld it. The sensation was far removed from the overwhelming presence of the Egyptian God; this was something primal, something far more terrifying. For the first time, the Pharaoh and then/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Sacred Guardians felt genuine dread... Zorc Necrophades, the Great Evil God, had been resurrected... I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 101: Took You Long Enough Chapter 101: Took You Long Enough ? [3rd POV] Paralyzed by genuine fear, the Sacred Guardians found themselves unable to move. The evil god loomed over them, its emotionless snarl conveying their insignificance as if they were mere ants beneath its feet. When Zorc Necrophades stirred, the sky rained debris, jolting the Pharaoh and the Sacred Guardians into action. They barely scrambled to safety before rubble crashed down where they had stood moments before. The Guardians exchanged a quick nce, all arriving at the same conclusion: they needed to retreat, or they would meet their end here. Before they could act, the rubble shifted, and Aknadin emerged from the debris. Rage filled the Guardians'' eyes, particrly Seto''s, who had personally witnessed his betrayal. "Lord Seto!" Shada called, but Seto was already sprinting toward the Millennium Stone. He seized the Millennium Rod, channelling its power, and fired a projectile at Aknadin. But, to Seto''s shock, a shimmering barrier appeared, deflecting the attack. Looking up, Seto found Zorc Necrophades staring at him, freezing him in ce. The god then turned his gaze to Aknadin, who was still struggling to recover, his wounds bleeding onto the floor. Sensing the god''s attention, Aknadin straightened and bowed deeply, his voice rasping as he spoke. "My lord... please grant your loyal servant an order..." "Aknadin, you traitor!" Seto shouted, clenching his fists as he felt Zorc Necrophades'' oppressive presence weigh down on him. Zorc Necrophades narrowed its eyes and sneered, its mouth revealing rows of jagged teeth. The god raised a finger, and a beam of dark energy shot forth, striking Aknadin. The man gasped as unspeakable agony coursed through him, his body warping and transforming. His nails grew into ws, his skin darkened, and his form stretched taller, towering over Seto. Aknadin''s single remaining eye glowed blood red as the Millennium Eye returned to his other socket. His tattered robes morphed into dark purple armour, a flowing cape draping from his shoulders. His face, now half-concealed by a ck-and-white mask, bore a single line down the centre, with the Millennium Eye gleaming ominously through it. From behind the mask, a wild red mane spilled out, framing his withering face in a twisted ferocity. As the pain finally subsided, Aknadin took in his new form. Whatever was left of his uncorrupted soul had vanished, leaving behind only a demon in his skin. He flexed his transformed body, a dark chuckle escaping his lips as he revelled in his newfound power. He felt invincible, as if even the Pharaoh himself would stand no chance against him. Seto clenched his teeth as Aknadin''s gaze settled on him, brimming with a twisted satisfaction. "Lord Seto..." Aknadin spoke, his voice now a deep, resonant growl. "Join me." "What?" Seto''s eyes widened in disbelief at the absurdity of the offer. He stared at Aknadin''s outstretched hand, a surge of anger rising within him. "Don''t make meugh. Why would I ever side with a traitor like you?!" Aknadin''s mouth twisted into a smirk. "A traitor... yes," he murmured, hisughter echoing with a sinister edge. "But in time, you''ll understand the truth." With a simple gesture, Aknadin raised his hand, summoning a portal beneath Seto''s feet. Before Seto could react, the ground vanished, and he plunged into the darkness, Aknadin following close behind. [Yuna''s POV] "This is bad, really bad!" I clutched the sides of my head, pacing anxiously around the room. "Yuna, please, calm down," Kisara urged, her voice steady but concerned. "Calm?! How can I be calm?" I shouted, letting out a deep sigh as I dropped into a seat, staring at the message before me. {Task: 17} {1. Assist ????? in passing the Trial of Memories} {2. Defeat Zorc Necrophades} {Reward: #!)%*^(} The mission had changed, which could only mean one thing: Yami Bakura had seeded in summoning the evil god. Although this was inevitable, a part of me had hoped they would prevent it... "Here, have some tea..." Kisara murmured, gently sliding a teacup toward me. I epted, taking a long sip before sighing again. Worry furrowed my brow as I grasped Kisara''s hand, muttering, "This has to go right... it just has to." I bit the tip of my thumb, trying to stifle the rising sense of dread. My instincts were screaming, but I couldn''t understand why. Soon, though, I''d have my answer... "Yuna... what''s that?" Kisara asked, pointing to something outside the window. I squinted, seeing something dark floating in the distance. "Are those... people?" I murmured, realizing there were two figures in the sky. One of them raised an arm, conjuring a sphere that began hurtling toward us.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om My eyes widened. "Watch out!" I yelled, diving toward Kisara and pushing her to the floor. *BOOOOOOOOOM* [3rd POV] A massive explosion rocked the pce, obliterating an entire side of the building. "NOOOOOOO!" Seto screamed, struggling violently against his bindings. As he watched the dark energy m into the room where Kisara was, despair and rage surged through him. He felt as though his very soul had been torn from his body. "You... I will kill you!!" Seto howled, his bloodshot eyes locked onto Aknadin with seething hatred. Aknadin met his re with a calm smirk. "With your current strength, you couldn''t even scratch me." He nced at the mes spreading from the explosion. "And if you keep struggling, she won''t be the only one to suffer from your actions." As they descended to the ground, Aknadin summoned Zorc''s dark power to dispatch the remaining soldiers. Seto could only watch, helpless, as they fell one by one. When silence settled over the area, broken only by the crackling mes, Aknadin turned back to Seto, releasing the magic that held him captive. Seto crumpled to the floor, slowly rising, his eyes hollow and lifeless. "Seems you''re finally in the mood to talk," Aknadin observed. "The girl you care about, she''s not entirely gone. Not yet, at least." At the mention of Kisara, Seto''s expression hardened. Aknadin''s smile was hidden beneath his mask as he knelt by a fallen soldier, infusing the corpse with dark magic. Instantly, the soldier''s eyes snapped open, and he sat up, nk and lifeless. "This is the power of the great god," Aknadin said proudly. "Even death bends to its will." Seto stared at the reanimated soldier, his voice filled with disgust. "You call that living?" Aknadin chuckled. "I only provided him a fraction of my power. With enough, I could restore his memories and heal his injuries in an instant." With a snap of his fingers, the soldier copsed, lifeless once more. "Why..." Seto muttered, a mix of confusion and horror clouding his face. "Why would you do this?" "Because the current Pharaoh is unfit to rule," Aknadin replied, his eyes gleaming. "Someone stronger, someone more worthy, must take his ce. That person is you." Seto scoffed, clenching his fists. "Do you really think it''s that simple? I''m amoner. I don''te from a noble family." "Oh, but you do," Aknadin said, his voice filled with twisted delight. "After all, you are my son." "What?" Seto''s eyes widened, disbelief flooding his expression. "It may sound absurd, but it''s all true," Aknadin began, his tone unexpectedly solemn. "I left you and your mother long ago, knowing that my sins in creating the Millennium Items could one day endanger your lives. I worried, but I tookfort in seeing you grow into something far beyond my expectations..." He paused, letting the words sink in. "As the brother of Aknamkanon, the previous Pharaoh, you are more than qualified to im the throne." Aknadin extended his hand, his voice thick with a promise that seemed almost enticing. "So take my hand. Join me. You can bring her back, and you''ll wield powers beyond your wildest dreams." Seto stared at the outstretched hand, his mind clouded with grief and confusion. The agony of Kisara''s loss weighed heavily on him, and in his haze, he could see only the sweetness of Aknadin''s offer, missing the poison lurking beneath. Meanwhile... [Yuna''s POV] "Are you okay?" I asked Kisara, gently holding her shoulders as we steadied ourselves. A golden barrier shimmered around us, cast by the Herald of Creation just in time to shield us from the explosion. "Yuna, you''re bleeding..." Kisara''s voice was shaky as she noticed the blood trickling from a cut on my head. I reached up, fingers brushing the wound. "It''s just a scratch," I assured her. "Probably some shrapnel." After confirming we were both unharmed, I instructed the Herald to expand the barrier, pushing aside the debris trapping us. As the dust settled, I took in the wreckage around us. Kisara''s belongingsy in ruins, but we had more significant concerns. "What was that... just now?" Her voice trembled, fear mingling with shock. "Don''t worry," I said. "I''ll go check it out. Just stay here, alright?" But as I turned to leave, Kisara grabbed my hand, her grip surprisingly firm. "I''ming with you," she insisted. "I know I may not be much help, but I want to try." Her resolve was unwavering, and I found myself nodding. Leaving her here alone didn''t sit right with me either, so together, we ventured through the devastated halls. Along the way, we encountered several servants and guards trapped beneath rubble. With the Herald''s aid, we quickly freed them, the barrier protecting us as we worked. "I hope Teacher is alright..." Kisara murmured, ncing at the injured we passed. "He will be," I replied, trying to reassure her. "Shimon was a Sacred Guardian once-he knows how to handle himself." She nodded, and we continued toward the ce where we''dst seen the dark figures looming in the sky. The pce, once so peaceful, nowy under a heavy, ominous silence. We walked cautiously, finally arriving at the central courtyard just outside the pce''s main entrance, where the tension hung thick in the air. There, we stumbled upon two figures facing each other in the distance, and we quickly hid ourselves behind the debris. Squinting her eyes, Kisara quietly gasped and covered her mouth. "Seto..." Kisara murmured, her voice trembling. I frowned, my gaze fixed on the figure beside him. "That''s Aknadin..." I spat, the memory of his new appearance from the show shing in my mind. In reality, he looked even more menacing. Kisara''s desperate eyes met mine, and I sighed quietly to myself. "Here goes nothing..." I whispered, summoning the Herald of Creation to conjure a ball of fire,unching it toward Aknadin. But before the attack could hit its mark, Aknadin raised a barrier, and my fireball collided harmlessly against the dark shield. "Tsk..." I stepped forward, positioning myself protectively in front of Kisara, who quickly huddled behind me. "Who dares...?" Aknadin muttered, his gaze fixing on us. "Ah... so you survived..." He sneered, noticing Kisara behind me. "And you... you must be the one who attempted to assassinate me earlier." "Well, it''s nothing personal," I said with a nervous smile. "So don''t hold a grudge." "Likewise..." Aknadin replied, raising both arms. "Let''s finish what we started!" Just as I took a step forward, a dark beam shot toward me. I dodged just in time, looking up to see it hadn''te from Aknadin but from the man standing behind him. "S... Seto?" Kisara yelped in disbelief. "What are you doing?!" Seto stood there, pointing the Millennium Rod at me, his expression vacant. His pupils were cloudy and unfocused as if he were nothing more than a puppet. "He can''t hear you," Aknadin chuckled, relishing the moment. "His mind is trapped within his own body,pletely under my control." I red at Aknadin, my resolve hardening as I ordered the Herald of Creation to fire another shot. This time, Aknadin deftly sidestepped, and the fireball erupted behind him in a shower of sparks. "Yuna, please handle Lord Aknadin. I''ll deal with Seto," Kisara proposed, her expression serious. I stared at her, concern flooding my thoughts. "I promise I''ll be careful!" she insisted, determination gleaming in her eyes. "Just don''t get hurt..." I sighed, knowing I had to trust her. Turning my focus back to Aknadin, I reminded myself that the faster I defeated him, the sooner Kisara would be safe. Summoning the Dragon Knight of Creation, I felt a surge of power course through me as we faced the evil mage, who began to ascend slowly into the air. "Then let''s begin..." he sneered, a dark energy crackling around him, and under mymand, my two spirits charged fearlessly into battle... [3rd POV] The Dragon Knight of Creation leapt into the air, swinging his sword in a powerful downward sh. Aknadin countered with a shield of dark magic, effortlessly blocking the attack and knocking the Dragon Knight back. Laughing cruelly, Aknadin pursued him, but the Herald of Creation swiftly intercepted him with a barrage of magic. Seizing the moment of hesitation, the Dragon Knight counterattacked, reappearing behind Aknadin with his de. "Such a rudimentary strategy!" Aknadin scoffed, and without warning, a ck spike shot out of the shadows. The Dragon Knight was forced to defend, but the sheer force of the spike sent him crashing into the wall. As Aknadin closed in on the vulnerable knight, the Herald of Creation fired magic desperately to cover him. "Dragon Knight of Creation, return!" Yuna shouted, quickly unsummoning her spirit. Aknadin, sensing the change, immediately shifted his focus toward her and dashed forward. In a panic, Yuna resummoned the Dragon Knight of Creation just in time. He stood firm in front of her, ready to protect his master. *BOOOOM!* Aknadin unleashed a ck, pulsatingser that struck the Dragon Knight in the stomach. The knight crumpled under the force, bursting into shards. Yuna gasped, the bacsh from losing her spirit leaving her breathless. Though she could sense the Dragon Knight of Creation''s essence lingering, he needed time to recover, leaving her with only the Herald of Creation at her side. Struggling against the pain, Yunamanded the Herald to attack once more. The magic struck Aknadin''s blind spot,nding a hit, but it was hardly enough. She watched in horror as Aknadin''s injuries healed almost instantly. "It''s useless," he taunted, his voice dripping with disdain. "You can barely keep up with two spirits. What''s the point when you have only one?" With a chilling smile, Aknadin brought his hands together, summoning dark spikes that had previously assailed the Dragon Knight, and the attack rushed towards her. The Herald of Creation responded with a magical shield, but it was toote. Aknadin summoned des of darkness,unching them toward her with deadly precision. Yuna braced herself, knowing that she had to find a way to endure or risk losing everything. [Yuna''s POV] Yuna coughed a mouthful of blood as the Herald of Creation was defeated. Copsing from exhaustion, she red at Aknadin, who was slowly descending from the sky. "Like I said, it''s useless," Aknadin stated condescendingly. "No matter how much you try." Gritting her teeth in frustration, Yuna attempted to stand, but her legs buckled beneath her, and she groaned in exasperation. "Seems like you still don''t understand. I will show you that everything is truly hopeless..." Aknadin raised his hand, aiming not at her but at Kisara, who was desperately trying to stop Seto in the distance. Dark energy gathered at Aknadin''s fingertip, spinning and condensing ominously. "No!" Yuna yelled. In a moment of desperation, she grabbed a broken sword from a fallen soldier nearby and hurled herself at the evil mage. Caught off guard by her sudden burst of energy, Aknadin was momentarily stunned as the de plunged into his arm. The dark energy dissipated, and the spell was interrupted. Aknadin instinctively bent over, anger shing across his face as he turned to Yuna. Seizing her neck, Aknadin lifted her effortlessly off the ground. With a single swing, he hurled her toward a wall. "D... Dragon Knight of Creation!" Yuna screamed. A half-summoned knight appeared behind her, still not fully recovered. He wrapped his only arm around her just before they crashed into the pce wall. Upon impact, the Dragon Knight of Creation exploded, and Yuna wasn''t able to shield herself from the collision. A sharp pain shot up her back, and she coughed out even more blood. Struggling to remain conscious, she watched Aknadin approach, his hand gathering dark magic. "Congrattions, you have volunteered to die first..." "Screw you..." she cursed hatefully. "Is that really yourst words?" Aknadin scoffed. "Very well... Die..." In that moment, Yuna''s gaze met Kisara''s in the distance. Her friend''s eyes widened in horror as she dropped everything and sprinted toward her. No... go away... Yuna''s lips moved, but no sound escaped. She desperately tried to crawl away from the path of the projectile, yet it was clear that her body would not obey. ''Damn...'' she thought, staring at Aknadin''s face and wishing she could punch him just once before she died. Her vision began to fade to darkness as the magic in Aknadin''s hand expanded, the anticipation of her death weighing heavily on her mind. Suddenly, a loud voice rang out from a distance. "Blue Eyes White Dragon! Attack, Burst Stream of Destruction!" A deafening roar shook the sky, and a brilliant beam collided with Aknadin, sending the mage flying backward. "K... Kisara..." Yuna uttered in a daze, expecting to see her friend protecting her. "The Blue Eyes White Dragon... Did you...?" But when her vision cleared, she gasped in disbelief. A figure stood before her, dressed in a long white sleeveless coat, ck shirt, and pants. His brown hair framed a broad back that shielded her as he faced Aknadin, fists clenched, and a distinctive Duel Disk on his arms shining with various lights. "N... No way..." Yuna mumbled, her voice barely a whisper. "Who... are you?" Kisara asked warily, ncing back at Yuna. "Which insolent?!" Aknadin hissed, his injuries beginning to regenerate rapidly. "Take that historical brain of yours and listen closely," the man spoke coldly with his arms crossed. "My name is Seto Kaiba! I will make sure that you genuinely regret that you''re still alive..." I hope you enjoy it Chapter 102: Fist meet Magic Chapter 102: Fist meet Magic ? Sorry for the dy, guys. I''ve been pretty busy. Next week might also be dyed, but I will try my best. For the remainder, when both Seto are present. Seto Kaiba will continue being Kaiba, and Priest Seto will be Seto. [Lork Aknadin Current Form] [3rd POV] "Is that really you...?" Yuna whispered, her voice trembling. With a shaky hand, she reached out. "K... Kaiba..." she groaned, pulling herself from the rubble. As she stumbled forward, Seto rushed to catch her, his face tightening with concern. "Your face..." His eyes darkened as he noticed the blood smeared on her lips. It was as though the floodgates of her emotions had finally burst. For five long years, Yuna had devoted herself to caring for Kisara, burying thoughts of her home deep inside. But now, wrapped in Kaiba''s arms, she broke down, tears streaming uncontrobly. "Does it hurt?" Kaiba asked gently. "Idiot... Stupid... Dumb..." she pouted and gripped his shirt, "Why are you sote..." Kaiba smiled wryly and patted her head, "I''m sorry... But I''m here now." From a distance, Aknadin watched the intimate moment with a scowl. His pride was wounded from being ignored, and he secretly cast a spell. But before it could take effect, Blue Eyes White Dragon lunged at him, and Aknadin barely dodged the attack. Frowning, he turned to Kaiba, who was ring at him with the corner of his eyes. His expression was eerily cold, and that same hostility was transmitted through Blue Eyes White Dragon''s growl. "Just sit still. I''ll handle this," Kaibamanded. Yuna frowned, wiping thest of her tears. "I''m not going to just sit back. I''ve got a score to settle," she hissed. Knowing her stubbornness all too well, Kaiba gave a curt nod. "Fine, but take a breather for now." He sighed, resigned, as Yuna reluctantly sat down. Reaching into his coat, Kaiba pulled out several y tablets and handed them to her. "These belong to you, don''t they?" Yuna''s eyes widened as she picked up one of the tablets, her surprise quickly turning into a bright smile. "Thank you..." She clutched them tightly to her chest, her heartbeat quickening with excitement. Her fingers traced the familiar symbol of a dragon etched onto the tablet, and her grin deepened. With her eyes closed, she could feel the energy of the beings trapped inside, their presence pulsing through her. Determined, Yuna opened her eyes and, with a resolute nod, shattered the tablets against the floor. *WOOOSH* Suddenly, a radiant light poured from the cracks in the tablets, flowing into Yuna''s body. Clenching and unclenching her fists, she felt whole, like a missing piece of her had finally returned. "Yuna!!" Kisara appeared from the side, rushing to hug her tightly. "I really thought!" "I''m alright," Yuna reassured her with a warm smile. "I just need a short break. But shouldn''t you be focused on Seto?" "I''ve tried..." Kisara bit her lip in frustration. "No matter what I do, nothing''s working." Yuna''s gaze shifted to Priest Seto, who stood in the distance, motionless like a puppet. With Aknadin entirely upied by Kaiba, his control over Priest Seto had weakened. "Keep trying. I know you can do it, Kisara," Yuna said with confidence. "I''ll make sure Aknadin doesn''t interfere." "Okay..." Kisara nodded, letting out a relieved sigh, but her curiosity got the best of her as she nced at Kaiba. "By the way, who is he? He looks so much like..." Yuna scratched her cheek,ughing awkwardly. "He''s... um, my Seto," she said, smiling bashfully and avoiding eye contact. "I see..." Kisara mumbled, her expression shifting to a pout. "So that''s the guy you choose over me, huh?" Yuna sighed. "Just go and save your Seto." As Kisara was about to leave, she called out, "Wait! Could I borrow some Ba, please?" Kisara''s frown melted into a smile. "Only if you promise to kick his a**." Yuna grinned, nodding as they sped hands. "Good luck, Kisara." "You too." With that, they split off, each preparing to face their respective battles. Meanwhile, Aknadin barely evaded Blue Eyes White Dragon''s devastating beam, only to be pursued again as the dragon lunged forward. Soaring into the air, Aknadin conjured multiple ck spheres and hurled them toward the dragon. With a mighty sweep of its wings, Blue Eyes White Dragon deflected the spheres, which exploded harmlessly against its scales. In a sh, the dragon burst through the smoke, its jaws snapping at Aknadin, who narrowly dodged once more. "All that talk, and all you can do is run away," Kaiba taunted, his voiceced with arrogance and Aknadin''s face twisted with rage, a vein pulsing on his forehead. Despite his calm exterior, Kaiba could feel his insides boiling with fury. When he arrived through the portal in the dead of night, he split off from Yugi and the others, who were searching for the Pharaoh. Sensing something, Kaiba slowly made his way towards the pce in the city, and inside, he was relieved and horrified by what he had seen. Spotting Yuna about to die, his body spun into action. Uncertain of the logic behind his actions, Kaiba trusted his instincts. He summoned Blue Eyes White Dragon, and with a deafening roar, the monster unleashed a st that sent Aknadin flying. Only after confirming that Yuna wasn''t seriously injured did Kaiba finally allow himself to slightly lower his guard. But the seething hatred he felt toward Aknadin remained. Kaiba was determined to make him pay. Gritting his teeth, Aknadin fired off a series of magical attacks in rapid session. Yet, none of them could pierce the imprable scales of Blue Eyes White Dragon. "Kuh... What a powerful spirit..." he muttered through clenched teeth. Desperate, Aknadin raised his hands to the sky. Dark chains erupted from the ground, wrapping tightly around the dragon''s limbs. Blue Eyes White Dragon howled in fury, thrashing against the bindings, but the more it struggled, the more chains reinforced its hold. Seizing the opportunity, Aknadin hurled several ck des directly at Kaiba. Blue Eyes White Dragon tried to shield its master with its tail but only managed to deflect half of the iing projectiles. Kaiba barely managed to dodge, but the ck des still grazed his side and face, leaving fresh cuts in their wake. As he touched the wound on his cheek, his scowl deepened while Aknadin''s confidence surged. "Without that spirit protecting you, you''re just like any other weak mortal..." Aknadin sneered. Kaiba smirked coldly. "Yeah? And without your magic tricks, you''re just an old man who''s outlived his usefulness." "You... you bastard!" Aknadin roared, his anger blinding him. His attacks grew more savage, each one fueled by rage. Kaiba''s wounds multiplied as he struggled to evade the relentless onught, the cuts on his body deepening with each strike. *WHOOOSH* Here''s a refined version of the passage: Kaiba rolled to the side just as Aknadin''s assault tore apart the ground beside him. Blue Eyes White Dragon struggled to break free, but the chains tightened with each movement, trapping the mighty creature. "What will you do now?!" Aknadin cackled, his voice dripping with malice. "Now die!!" Despite the grim situation, Kaiba remained unfazed. With calm precision, he dodged every one of Aknadin''s attacks. His mind was clear, and he knew he needed to buy as much time as possible. After all, who said he was fighting this battle alone? *BOOOOOM* Suddenly, a bright orange me sted into Aknadin''s back, sending him crashing to the ground with a scream. The sheer force pinned him to the floor. As the mes subsided, Aknadin turned with a furious re toward the source of the attack, his mask barely hiding his shock. He expected to see Blue-Eyes White Dragon free from its chains, but instead, apletely different dragon soared above him. Its golden scales shined in the air, contrasting sharply with Blue-Eyes'' pale form. Its underbelly was silver, and sharp spikes and horns lined its back and joints. The dragon''s blood-red eyes locked onto Aknadin with seething contempt before letting out a deafening roar. In one mighty st, it shattered the chains that bound Blue-Eyes White Dragon. "Did I keep you waiting?" Yuna asked, stepping beside Kaiba. "You might still be hurt," Kaiba said, his voice edged with concern. "I can handle this a bit longer." "And let you fight alone?" she teased with a small smile. "You looked like you were barely hanging on. Besides, this will end faster if we fight together." Kaiba couldn''t argue with that. He gave a nod, and Yuna''s smile brightened. Just then, Aknadin struggled back to his feet, his breath ragged, and it was clear his regeneration had slowed. "Let''s finish this," Kaiba muttered. Together, theymanded their dragons to strike, determined to end the battle once and for all... [Kisara''s POV] "Seto, please, snap out of it!" I shook his arms desperately, but he remained as lifeless as ever, his gaze vacant. BOOOOM I screamed, instinctively covering my head with my hands as a golden dragon crashed to the ground nearby. Its deafening roar echoed as it shook off the debris clinging to its back before charging at Lord Aknadin once more. "Yuna and that man... they''re fighting with everything they''ve got," I mumbled helplessly, my voice trembling. "And here I am, useless..." Staring into Seto''s empty eyes, I felt a deep pang of loss. My fingers tightened around his hand as frustration bubbled up inside me. "There''s got to be something I can do..." I muttered under my breath, my mind racing. As my eyes darted around frantically, I spotted something-the Millennium Rod, gripped tightly in Seto''s hand. Its surface shimmered in the night, reflecting my troubled face. With a sense of urgency, I reached for it. Seto flinched, and my heart leapt in surprise. But I didn''t hesitate. I grabbed the Millennium Rod, and instantly, a blinding light exploded from it. Before I couldprehend what was happening, everything went dark. The world around me fell eerily silent. I looked around, confused and disoriented, and found myself standing in what could only be described as a ck void, empty and isting. Not a single soul in sight. Uneasily, I began to walk through the void, one hand outstretched, searching for something, anything. My heart pounded in my chest as I ventured deeper into the darkness when, atst, something appeared in the distance, an object faint but tangible. However, as I drew closer, I quickly realized that what I saw wasn''t an object but a person... "S... Seto!!" I yelped, rushing toward him. He sat hunched on the ground, hugging his knees, lost in a daze. Concerned, I ced my hands on his shoulders and gently shook him. "Seto, Seto, are you okay?!" At the sound of my voice, his fingers twitched, and he slowly lifted his head. "K... Kisara?" "Thank goodness! I found you!" I eximed, relief flooding through me. "I don''t know where we are right now, but if you give me some time, I''ll figure something out!" Seto stared at me, a frown creasing his brow as the light slowly returned to his eyes. Suddenly, he straightened his back and stood up, confusion etched across his face. "What is this...?" "Seto?" "You''re not Kisara," he muttered coldly, his breath shaky with tension. "I... I saw the explosions and mes... Kisara is dead..." "What? No! Yuna and I survived! Look!" I frantically waved my hands. "I''m really okay." "H... How can I believe you?" He shot back, his scepticism palpable. "You might just be a figment of my imagination..." "You have to believe me, Seto," I urged gently. "I''m safe." I reached out my hand and lightly patted his shoulder. "If you don''t believe me, then let me tell you something only we would know," I offered, forcing a smile as Seto looked at me in confusion. "During our first date, there was a bandit robbing a stall on the street. Trying to impress me, you decided to personally apprehend the robber, but you tripped over a dog po..." Suddenly, Seto covered my mouth with his hand, his face flushing with embarrassment. "Stop... I believe you..." He pulled me into a tight embrace, and I felt his tears soaking into my back. "I thought I lost you..." "I should be the one saying that!" Iughed, relief washing over me. "I''m so d you''re okay..." Once he had calmed down, Seto released me and nced around, confusion creeping into his expression. "Where are we?" "I''m not sure... I was brought here when I touched the Millennium Rod," I replied, wearing a thoughtful expression. "But it seems we''re blocked from the outside world..." "I see..." Seto muttered. "Then there must be a way to escape..." As we pondered our next move, a ck mist suddenly enveloped us. A hollow growl echoed through the void as the mist gradually morphed into a figure. "You!!" Seto shouted at Aknadin, who materialized before us. He quickly positioned himself between me and the looming threat. "Yes, me..." Aknadin hissed, his voiceced with malice as he clutched the side of his face. "As if there isn''t enough trouble already. How dare you defy me now?!" Despite his anger, his dishevelled appearance and asional tremors suggested he was more weakened than before. Yuna and that man were evidently giving him more trouble than I had anticipated. Yet, even in his weakened state, Aknadin''s power was undeniable, and I could feel my body tense. "Fine... I''ll get rid of you two. I can always revive you once I eliminate them all!!" With a furious roar, Aknadin unleashed a massive wave of magic. Pushing me aside, Seto was struck square in the chest with the force of his attack. "Seto!" I cried out as he was thrown into the distance. Coughing, Seto grasped his chest in pain, clearly unable to fight. He tried to stand, gritting his teeth against the agony, but Aknadin kicked him back to the ground as if toying with him. Just as I prepared to rush to his side, Aknadin''s figure suddenly materialized in front of me. He gripped my neck and lifted me off the ground, leaving my legs iling helplessly. "It was you who always hindered me... Unlike everyone else, I won''t indulge in your delusions..." "Delusions?" I retorted through strained breaths. "It''s you, Lord Aknadin, who can''t ept that there may be another way to save everyone. You can call me naive, but I won''t give up until I''ve truly done everything I can..." His annoyance red, and I felt his grip around my throat tighten. "Then die while you continue to live in your fantasy..." As my ability to breathe slipped away, my mind began to fragment. Time slowed, and my senses dulled. My heartbeat thundered in my ears, drowning everything else out, while a numbing sensation spread through my limbs, my fingertips tingling. Amidst the haze, I couldn''t shake the image of Seto''s pained expression as Aknadin harmed him right before my eyes. A searing anger ignited within me as I stared at Aknadin, growing stronger with each passing second. Heat coursed through my body, and I instinctively reached out, grabbing Aknadin''s wrist. My fingers tightened around his arm until an unnatural sound echoed through the air. Suddenly, Aknadin was sted away by an unseen force, and I crumpled to the floor. Groaning, the heat within me continued to rise, and my pupils trembled. This rage wasn''t my own; it felt like someone or something was channelling anger on my behalf. Confused, I ced my palm on the ground, only to quickly retract it in shock. Imprinted on the floor was a massive w print, marked by four sharp ws. Slowly, I rose to my feet, my body swaying dizzily as I grasped my head. A sharp pain assaulted my mind, and a feminine voice whispered in my ear. Let me out... I will protect you... "Who are you..." I mumbled to the voice. Your Spirit and Soul... Your forever guardian... Summon Me... Call upon my name... Words continuously flowed into my head, and I frowned. Gradually, I lost control of my lips, and I uttered in a trance: "With scales white as the moon and eyes blue as the sky... Please respond to my desperate cry... Let my enemies sumb to your might... I summon you, Blue Eyes White Dragon, take flight!" *WOOOOOOSH* A surge of energy enveloped me, apanied by a thunderous roar. I turned to see a majestic dragon, its white scales shimmering in the light as it pped its mighty wings. At that moment, I felt an unbreakable connection to this divine creature. "My spirit..." I whispered in awe. Regaining myposure, I fixed my gaze on Aknadin, who was momentarily transfixed by "Blue the sight of my Blue Eyes White Dragon. Raising my finger to point at him, I dered, Eyes White Dragon, attack!" Without a moment''s hesitation, the dragon unleashed a brilliant st of white energy, incinerating Aknadin in a dazzling disy of power. [3rd POV] Meanwhile, in the outside world... Aknadin coughed violently, blood pouring from his mouth and streaming down the crack of his mask. He could feel the remnants of the consciousness he had injected into Seto being obliterated, leaving his mind in disarray. Before he could react, arge stinger pierced his body. Hissing mischievously, the Starving Venom Fusion Dragon hurled him toward the Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand. How had ite to this? Aknadin had always believed his power was unrivalled, that not even a sacred guardian could stand against him. Yet here he was, being tossed around like a ragdoll. While he thought he could manage when it was only Blue Eyes White Dragon and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, Aknadin couldn''t believe his eyes when Yuna summoned a second dragon, pressuring him even further... "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!" Yuna shouted as the two dragons opened their mouths, revealing a fierce glow of orange and purple. "Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Wipe him from the face of the earth!" Kaibamanded, and the white dragon responded in kind. In a synchronized assault, the dragons unleashed their devastating breaths, merging into a swirling tempest of white, purple, and gold. In a final, desperate bid for survival, Aknadin screamed and conjured a pale ck shield, bracing for the impending onught. BOOOOOM Here''s a refined version of your passage: He gritted his teeth as the heat from the three attacks seared his arms. Ignoring the pain coursing through his body, Aknadin poured all his power into reinforcing his shield. If he could survive this onught, he might find a way to escape and recover... As the shield held firm, a slow smile crept across Aknadin''s face. Yes... as long as I maintain this spell... But he had forgotten that Yuna and Kaiba weren''t the only ones fighting against him. "My spirit, Blue Eyes White Dragon, attack Lord Aknadin!" Kisara shouted fiercely, having awakened from Seto''s mind. "GAH!" Aknadin screamed, hastily conjuring another shield behind him. "Perish, you traitor!" Priest Seto roared,unching a powerful spell with his Millennium Rod, sting the already weakened shield. With attacks converging from all sides, the barrier Aknadin had painstakingly constructed shattered under the relentless onught. A blinding explosion erupted, illuminating the night sky and momentarily turning it into day... When the sky returned to normal, Aknadin''s body dropped down from the sky. His body waspletely charred, and his limbs were broken. His regenerative ability has stopped working, and he can only wait until his body shuts downpletely. "H...How..." "You kept talking about our efforts being useless..." Yuna approached him and muttered coldly, "But in the end, it was your greed and the power that you borrowed being useless..." "Y... You!!!" Aknadin gasped, and Yuna turned her back towards him. "Take yourst moments to reflect..." She spoke calmly and walked away to where Kaiba and Kisara were waiting. "No... no... I WILL AT LEAST TAKE YOU WITH ME!!!" Aknadin threw himself towards Yuna, purplish mes gathered in his hands, "DIE!!!" However, already expecting this, Yuna merely sighed in disappointment, "House Dragonmaid... Finish him..." Before Aknadin''s attack couldnd, a tall woman in a servant uniform appeared and punched him in the face, shattering his mask. Breaking his guard, the maid grasped his cor with one hand while clenching her fist with the other. With a smile, House Dragon Maid tossed him into the air and unleashed a loud cry: "ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORAAAAAAAA!!!!" In just three seconds, Aknadin was struck dozens of times in various areas of his body. With onest punch, his was sent flying into the air. With a thud, Aknadin''s corpsey on the ground, and his body began to emit steam, gradually returning to its original form before he was given Zorc''s power.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "Farewell..." Yuna nodded briefly at his corpse before turning seriously at her friends. Despite the fierce battle that urred moments ago, she knew that there was no time to rx. Zorc Necrophades will soon arrive, and they have a lot to prepare... I hope you enjoy it. Chapter 103: Calm before the storm Chapter 103: Calm before the storm ? [3rd POV] Walking towards Kaiba, Yuna dismissed her spirits and took a deep, steadying breath. Her face had gone pale, and she could feel the toll her power had taken on her body. With a resigned sigh, she touched her upper lip and frowned as a thin line of blood trickled down from her nose. "Tsk..." she muttered, clicking her teeth in frustration as she wiped it away. Now was no time to falter; the most crucial battley just ahead. But as she took her next step, the world tilted sharply, and her vision blurred. Her body overcame with exhaustion, and she copsed. Yet, before Yuna fell, Kaiba quickly caught her. "You need rest," he ordered. "No... I''m fine..." she tried to insist, but before she could protest further, Kaiba lifted her effortlessly into his arms. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she found herself cradled in a princess carry. "Put me down... I''m probably too heavy..." "Not at all. You''re light," he replied, his gaze steady, intensifying her blush. "But stay still; if you fidget, it''ll only make it harder to hold you." "Nn..." Yuna nodded in embarrassment, sinking into an awkward silence as he walked. The gentle rhythm of his steps swayed her, each movement lulling her closer to sleep. Soon, her heavy eyelids fluttered closed, and she gave in, letting the weariness finally take her. "Kaiba..." Yuna murmured in a daze, her voice faint and distant. "Are you... there?" "Yes, I''m here." Kaiba''s reply seemed to reach her as she smiled softly, half-conscious, and a hum escaped her lips. Without thinking, she nestled her head against his chest, and he tensed, caught off guard by the closeness. "I''m d... I missed you," she mumbled, her words slurring as sleep began to overtake her. "I don''t think... I can hold on for another year..." Kaiba''s steps faltered. Her words lingered in the air, too raw to ignore. He looked down at her, a seriousness darkening his gaze. "Yuna... just how long have you been here, in this ce?" She giggled softly as if hearing something funny in his question and lifted a sleepy hand, holding up five fingers. "Guess that makes me older than you now... Kaiba." Before he could reply, her eyes fluttered closed, her breathing softened, and she drifted off, leaving him standing in silence. Staring at her sleeping face, Kaiba lowered his head in aplicated emotion. "I''m sorry..." he muttered under his breath, the words slipping out before he could stop them. "I''m so sorry..." Though it wasn''t his fault, Kaiba felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. If only he''d arrived at the museum sooner or if only he''d stopped Bakura before he activated the Millennium Stone, perhaps all this could have been avoided. Yuna shifted slightly in her sleep, and Kaiba''s hold instinctively tightened. For a moment, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at his lips. If Yugi and the others could see him now, they would be shocked, maybe even a little horrified, to see that familiar, steely expression soften. "Yuna!" A sudden voice cut through the stillness, jolting Kaiba back to the present. He looked up, watching Kisara hurrying toward him, her gaze fixed entirely on Yuna''s peaceful face. When her eyes met him, Kisara hesitated, standing awkwardly before him.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "She''s just asleep," Kaiba reassured her, and Kisara visibly rxed, letting out a breath she''d been holding. "T...thank you," she stammered, nodding. "It''s alreadyte, and I think...we could all use some rest." Kaiba nced down at Yuna once more, his expression unreadable as he quietly nodded in agreement. Kisara gestured for Kaiba to follow. Together, they passed Priest Seto, who was waiting silently nearby, and the two men locked eyes, both freezing up in ce... "I appreciate your help in the battle against Aknadin," Seto said in a formal tone. "I did what I had to do," Kaiba replied coolly. They continued to look at each other, both feeling a strange, unnerving sense of nostalgia. ''This guy... looked too much like me...'', Kaiba thought, a subtle frown crossing his face. ''They say life may be full of coincidences, but this... is just too much...'' Seto mused, equally perplexed. "Come on, what are you two standing there for?" Kisara broke in, her voice cutting through the silence. "Let''s go." Both men, suddenly aware of how awkward they looked, cleared their throats and hurried to follow her. Inside the pce, they found Shimon tirelessly organizing the panicked crowd. Relieved to find Kisara safe, she exined the situation that led to the subsequent battle outside. Shakened from Aknadin''s betrayal, the elder sighed heavily, a shadow of sorrow crossing his face, but he quickly regained hisposure and arranged rooms for Seto and Kisara to rest. Priest Seto offered a brief farewell before retreating to his chambers, while Kisara led Kaiba down a corridor to a modest room, a far cry from thevish quarters that had been lost in the battle. It was the same kind of small, simple room she had once upied as an apprentice, and the familiarity brought a soft smile to her face. "Here," she murmured, patting the bed. Kaiba, moving with uncharacteristic gentleness,id Yuna down as if she were made of ss. His expression softened as he stepped back to watch her rest. Watching Yuna sleep, Kisara stroked her hair gently, a fond smile softening her face. Kaiba stood nearby, feeling an unspoken hesitation. It wasn''t his ce to interrupt this quiet moment. "You must be wondering who I am, right?" Kisara finally broke the silence, ncing up at him. Kaiba gave a slow nod, though his gaze was full of questions. Kisara, however, chuckled softly, leaving him momentarily bewildered. "Fu fu fu... Sorry, I was just surprised at how much you two are alike. You even have the same name. Anyway, please call me Kisara." She paused, and her expression grew serious. "You must be confused. But before I exin, tell me, "How much do you truly know about Yuna''s situation?" Kaiba took a moment, choosing his words carefully. "All I know is... she''s been here for a long time." Kisara nodded, a trace of sadness in her eyes. "Yes, five and a half years, to be exact. But the reality is even harsher... in all that time, only a select few could even see her." Her voice grew soft. "For five and a half years, Yuna has been like a ghost, visible only to me... drifting through these halls with no one else to talk to." She paused, looking at Kaiba. "It''s much like you." Kaiba''s eyes widened slightly as the truth dawned on him. The entire time he''d been here, only Kisara and Seto had acknowledged him, while the rest of the pce staff seemed to overlook him entirely as though he were invisible. "I always wished she could have more people to share her days with," Kisara continued, her voice thick with regret. "But no matter how hard I tried, I could only ease the emptiness of her loneliness so much..." "But I will keep filling that void, no matter how long it takes," Kisara said with quiet resolve. "Yuna has given me a life I could never have dreamed of. She''s like a sister to me, someone I deeply cherish." Gently caressing Yuna''s face, Kisara let out a softugh. "You know... she spoke of you sometimes. There was always this nostalgic, almost regretful look when she did." Kaiba swallowed, his pulse quickening. "What... did she say about me?" Kisara''s lips curved into a mischievous smile. "Stubborn, blunt, prideful, snobbish..." she recited, watching his reaction. "Oh, and let''s not forget that air of superiority you apparently carry around." Kaiba shifted, looking away. "That..." "Fu fu... she also said you''re kind, honourable, dependable. Someone who''d do anything to protect those he cares about," Kisara continued softly. "She hoped, one day, to be part of that small circle of yours." Kaiba''s chest tightened. "Is... is there more?" With a yful smirk, Kisara shrugged. "That, you''ll have to ask her yourself. But Seto..." Her expression softened, the teasing reced by a gentle seriousness. "I hope you''re truly the man Yuna believes you are." Kaiba took a moment, her words sinking in, resonating deeper than he''d expected. Before he could respond, Kisara chuckled. "It''ste. Would you like me to get a chair for you?" "No need," Kaiba replied, masking his emotions. "I''ll find somewhere outside." He moved toward the door, hesitating for a brief moment to nce back at Yuna, her face peaceful in sleep. His expression shifted, a hint of somethingplicated passing over his features before he stepped into the hallway, letting the door close behind him... [Yuna''s POV] Sometime Later... "Uhhh..." I groaned, blinking as I slowly came to. I yawned and sat up, still half-dazed. "Yuna, you''re awake," Kisara''s voice was soft beside me, and I turned to see her closing the book she''d been reading. "Kisara? How long was I out?" I asked, rubbing my eyes. "Only about an hour," she said, leaning in to hug me. "You can sleep more if you want." "Thanks, but I don''t think we have that luxury..." I murmured, feeling a wave of worry. Kisara''s smile faded, and I felt her hug tightened, "Do you think we can win?" she asked softly, her voiceced with fear. "I mean... we''re fighting a god." I let out a long breath, unsure how to respond. "Honestly... I don''t know." Kisara''s gaze fell, but I forced a smile, trying to sound reassuring. "But we''ve already beaten him once. What''s to stop us from winning again?" Kisara nodded slowly, though I knew she was as anxious as I was. "You''re right... there''s no point in being anxious if we''re going to fight either way." After a moment, she released me, and I stretched, still feeling tired from everything that had happened. "By the way... where''s Kaiba?" "Oh, he said he''d rest outside," Kisara replied. As we reached the door, she gave me a sly look. "I''ll leave you two alone. I need to discuss our strategy with my master." I blushed, seeing her smirk, and gave her a yful pinch on the cheek. "Don''t tease me! You''re just as bad when ites to Priest Seto." "I don''t know what you''re talking about," she replied innocently, nudging me toward the door. "You should hurry! You should''ve seen his face when he was holding you!" Before I could respond, she pushed me out of the room, leaving me standing there, flustered but smiling. "Huh?! What are you talking about?!" I shouted after her, but Kisara was already out of sight, leaving me with more questions than answers. With a sigh, I shook my head and started down the hallway. Even thiste at night, the pce was buzzing with soldiers, their eyes wary and on edge. The battle with Aknadin had shaken everyone to the core, and the signs of destruction still lingered, a constant reminder of the fight that had taken ce. Thanks to Shimon, things seemed to have calmed somewhat, though I was sure a few people had seen our dragons soaring in the sky, and the rumours must have already spread. After wandering for a bit, I finally spotted Kaiba sitting alone on the steps leading down to the courtyard where the battle had unfolded. Aknadin''s body had already been removed, but the stone floor was scarred, marked by craters, w scratches, and scorch marks from our battle. I walked up beside Kaiba and sat down quietly, watching him as he gazed up at the full moon hanging high in the sky. After a moment, I broke the silence. "Didn''t peg you as the type to enjoy this type of thing." "It was always typical for me to workte into the night," Kaiba replied, his eyes finally shifting from the moon to me. "So, sitting here... getting lost in thought... it''s refreshing." But his expression held a weight I couldn''t ignore; his gaze was anxious and almost hesitant. After a pause, he finally spoke. "That woman... Kisara. She told me what you went through." "Ah... I see," I replied, scratching my cheek with a nervous smile. "I mean, I''ve had time to get used to it, right? And look on the bright side, I can finally talk normally now." Kaiba chuckled, but the sadness in his eyes didn''t waver. "True... but that''s not really how you feel, is it?" His words struck right through me, and I quickly turned my gaze away, hugging my knees tightly. "What do you think?" I retorted softly. Kaiba seemed to wrestle with his thoughts before he spoke again, his voice almost a whisper. "Sano I..." "No, Kaiba, it''s not your fault..." I interrupted with a sign. "We never expected something like this to happen in the first ce, so I don''t want to hear any self-deprecating talk from you." "Alright..." Kaiba nodded, falling silent. The weight of our conversation lingered between us, and I turned my gaze back to the moon. Since being trapped in this ce, I had lost count of how many times I had stared at the moon. Yet, no matter how often I looked, it never bored me. Each time felt like discovering a new facet of that giant rock floating in the night sky. "I always think about you guys during moments like this..." I murmured out of the blue. "Sometimes I wonder if I never return, if maybe I should have tried to talk to you all more?" With a smile, I leaned against Kaiba''s shoulder, and I felt him stiffen in surprise at the contact. "Mokuba... Serenity... Noah... I really missed all of you. When I saw you again, I felt happier than I had in a long time..." Kaiba''s gaze turned serious. "There are so many things I want to tell you, but I know we don''t have much time. The evil god will be here soon..." "Can you try?" he asked softly, sincerity radiating from his words. I met his intense gaze, caught off guard by the genuine curiosity behind it. Despite his usual composed demeanour, there was a vulnerability there that drew me in. "Uh, yeah, sure... But don''t get mad if it''s a bit boring!" "I won''t..." He responded solemnly, and I nodded "Well, here goes... After the Millennium Stone took me," I started, my mind flickering over the past five years. 10 minutester... "Thankfully, Kisara knew how to read and write. That gave us some hope," I added, remembering the early days. "I''ll never forget how ecstatic I was when she passed the exam... Her whole life transformed right before our eyes," I continued a hint of pride in my voice. 20 minutester... "It was surreal, though... Priest Seto, he''s so much like you but entirely different, you know?" I hesitated, trying to capture the memory. "But in the end, it was Kisara he fell for, and I promised myself I''d support her, no matter what." I continued recounting everything I could think of, and Kaiba listened intently, asionally asking questions. With each passing moment, I felt my cheeks heat up, and I found myself enjoying the act of storytelling more than I expected. "That''s pretty much it..." I finally wrapped up, taking a deep breath. "How was it?" "You truly cared about that Kisara woman, don''t you?" Kaiba said, a wry smile ying at the corners of his lips. "What? Don''t get jealous now?" I joked, inching a bit closer until our shoulders touched. I intended to lighten the atmosphere, but to my surprise, Kaiba remained stoic, and I sensed my yful banter was starting to backfire. "Sano... No, Yuna..." Kaiba suddenly spoke up in a solemn tone, drawing my attention. "Uh, yes?!" I jumped slightly at the mention of my first name. "When this is over... I will give you my response then." He dered with a seriousness that took me by surprise, "As long as your feelings remain the same after all this time..." "You..." I froze at his statement, my heart racing as I buried my face in my knees. Remain the same? As I recalled everything that had happened in the battle, I realized my feelings had grown even stronger than before... "If you let me down... I will never forgive you..." I warned, the thought of being hurt again sending a shiver down my spine. I couldn''t even bear to imagine that I had been yed this entire time. "I promise... My answer won''t disappoint you." Kaiba smiled, and I felt my cheeks flush. The warmth spread through me, making me feel both giddy and nervous. Quickly backing away, I searched for an excuse to escape the moment, "I remembered I have something to do..." Standing up, I turned to walk away, but hisughter rang out behind me, and I couldn''t help but pout in response, "What''s so funny?! Do you know how embarrassing your words are? Are you actually trying to drive me...." *ROAARRRRRRRRRR* Suddenly, both of us froze when a deafening roar shook our entire surroundings. The calming atmosphere of the night has disappeared, reced with an indescribably dread that consumed us. Turning our heads, we gazed into the distance, where a massive ck mass was approaching us. "Yuna..." I nodded with a grim expression, "Zorc Necrophades is here..." I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 104: Zorc Necrophades Chapter 104: Zorc Necrophades ? [3rd POV] "MAN, THE BATTLE STATIONS!" the captain''s voice boomed across the ramparts, sparking a frenzy of activity as soldiers moved frantically along the fortress walls. In the distance, a colossal figure lumbered toward the city. Each of its thunderous steps sent shockwaves through the earth, and its massive, shadowy frame cast an ominous silhouette against the horizon. Protruding from the god''s stomach, a dragon''s head roared ferociously, unleashing torrents of purplish mes that scorched the air. "Look, there''s the Pharaoh!" one of the soldiers cried out, pointing to a distant figure in front of the evil god. Gritting his teeth, Yami Yugi and the Sacred Guardians rode hurriedly, their faces grim with desperation and weary. After the treacherous Aknadin abducted Priest Seto, the guardians fought tooth and nail to escape. Bursting from the cave, they were met with a horde of enraged beasts, driven to madness by the presence of Zorc Necrophades. Despite their exhaustion, the guardians rode on for hours, relentlessly pursued by the sinister Zorc. The realization dawned on them that the malevolent god was toying with them, maintaining menacing proximity yet staying just out of reach, savouring their terror. As they neared the city, the gates swung open, and the guardians surged inside. Yami Yugi, pushing his horse to the limit, finally reached the pce and copsed from his steed, gasping for breath. "Your Majesty!" Shimon eximed, rushing to his side to support him. "Shimon... Gather the troops..." Yami Yugi rasped, struggling to speak. "Don''t worry, my lord. Priest Seto has already briefed us on the situation. All the citizens have been evacuated, and the soldiers are on standby, awaiting yourmand." "Priest Seto is here?" The Pharaoh muttered, "Then is Aknadin defeated?" "Yes..." Shimon nodded calmly, though the pain of betrayal shadowed his expression. "I see," Yami Yugi said, straightening himself and casting a determined gaze towards the looming figure of Zorc Necrophades in the distance. "Prepare for war..." Outside, Zorc Necrophades surveyed the soldiers mounting the walls with an ominous smile. Relishing the unfolding chaos, he conjured dark magic in his hands, summoning dozens of portals from which monstrous beings began to pour out. "Fire!!" the soldiers yelled, and hundreds of ming arrows shot into the sky, illuminating the night like a fiery constetion. As the arrows rained down, a chorus of beastly screeches echoed through the desert. The soldiers cheered, their spirits momentarily lifted, and readied themselves for a second volley. However, the sheer number of monsters surging through the portals overwhelmed the archers'' speed. "They''re climbing the walls!!" the guards screamed as creatures with razor-sharp ws scaled the stone surfaces. In a desperate defence, the soldiers thrust their spears at the ascending beasts; each sh a brutal struggle for survival. Zorc Necrophades watched the intense battle with a twisted sense of glee; the humans'' anguished screams were a symphony to its ears. With a snarl, he extended a finger, and wisps of dark magic coiled from his fingertip, slowly forming the shape of a man. When the magic dissipated, Yami Bakura stood there, clenching and unclenching his fist in a daze. He distinctly remembered sacrificing himself to summon Zorc Necrophades. How was he alive?n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om He looked up and met the gaze of the evil god''s red, dted pupils. A torrent of knowledge surged into his mind. Slowly, a sinister smile spread across Yami Bakura''s face as he nodded in understanding. "Your wish is mymand... I promise to kill the Pharaoh with my own hands..." he vowed. Fixing his gaze on the distant pce, Yami Bakuraughed menacingly. With an ominous grin, he began his unhurried march toward the city, his mind consumed by the singr thought of Yami Yugi''s demise... [Yuna''s POV] "Your Majesty! The north gate has been breached!" a messenger announced, wiping away cold sweat from his brow. "Tell the soldiers defending that area to retreat!" Yami Yugimanded, "We will fight them in the streets!" The messenger quickly hurried off to ry the Pharaoh''s orders to the generals, leaving the rest of us alone in the room. Pinching the bridge of his nose, Yami Yugi struggled against his exhaustion as he surveyed the battle from the balcony. "Kaiba and I will help," I dered, and Kaiba nodded. "Thank you..." Yami Yugi replied with a weary smile. "We will need all the assistance we can get." "By the way, where are Yugi and the others?" I asked, noting theirck of presence. "I don''t know..." Yami Yugi admitted, shaking his head. "As expected of them," Kaiba muttered, crossing his arms. "Running away like cowards..." "Kaiba," I hissed, and he quickly shut his mouth, averting my gaze. Despite my recrimination, even I could feel slightly annoyed by their absence. Though much had changed in the trial, I remembered this time when Yugi and his friends went to the Valley of the Kings, where they would discover the Pharoah''s true name. "In the end, we just have to stall for time..." I mumbled to myself before looking at Yami Yugi. "Alright, we''ll do what we can." Without waiting for a reply, we both left the room, ready to provide as much help in the battle as we can... Walking quietly with Kaiba, we found Kisara waiting outside as she nervously paced around the corridors. "Kisara," I called gently with a smile, "Please stay here and look after the Pharaoh." "What will you be doing?" she asked, worry etched on her face. "Kaiba and I will go clear out the monsters, so remain here. We will be back soon..." Hugging Kisara, I smiled reassuringly. "I promise I will look after myself. So please, stay here and protect the Pharaoh, alright?" "Fine..." She nodded reluctantly. "Even my Seto is going to fight... I feel troubled being the only one staying." "That''s all the more reason you should stay," I exined. "With every soldier busy defending Memphis, there''s no one to protect the Pharaoh. If he gets hurt, it will be all over." "Don''t worry, I truly won''t be out for long," I assured her and we left the pce... Once outside, we were greeted by an inferno engulfing the city, mingled with the screams of beasts and humans. Watching an unattended horde rush towards the pce, I clenched my teeth and stepped forward. Stretching out my arm, I felt the spirit residing within my soul and chanted coldly, "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, burn them all..." *WOOOOOSH** Suddenly, the entire street was engulfed in mes as a colossal figure soared overhead. As the beasts tried to find another route around the wall of mes, their path was suddenly blocked by Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, whonded with a thunderous thud. Its red pupils glowed menacingly as it surveyed the monsters like prey, and with a deafening roar, the dragon incinerated the beasts to ashes. Once the coasts were clear, I unsummoned my dragon. "Guh..." I groaned, feeling a wave of dizziness assault my head. "You should have let me handle it," Kaiba muttered with a severe expression, and I smiled wryly. "I''m just venting. Don''t worry, I''m fine since I''m not coughing blood yet," I joked, but Kaiba''s mood darkened, and he lifted me over his shoulder in one smooth motion. "I''ve changed my mind. I''m taking you back to the pce," Kaiba said nonchntly, heading back. "Wait, put me down! I''m really fine!!" I protested. But before I couldin further, my voice was suddenly drowned out by a deafening roar. Simultaneously, we turned our heads to see Zorc Necrophades breaching the walls. The evil god''s massive frame shattered the stone structures effortlessly, advancing towards the pce at the city centre. Our expressions turned grim as the god approached. "Do you have a n?" Kaiba asked, his face tense. "Right now, we can only stall for time," I replied. "The longer we hold Zorc Necrophades in ce, the higher our chances of winning. That''s our best and only option." Sighing, Kaiba gently set me down. "Alright... But stay close to me." "Okay," I nodded, summoning Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon as the two dragons materialised behind me. "You ready?" "Yeah," Kaiba smirked, activating his duel disk. Drawing four consecutive cards, he held them aloft. "I will use the spell, Polymerisation! Fusing the three Blue-Eyes White Dragons in my hand to summon my loyal servant, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!" As the three-headed spirit manifested behind Kaiba, I smacked my lips enviously. Forget about using spells; I couldn''t even properly summon my spirits without keeling over... Sighing, I smiled helplessly and nodded, "Let''s go!" We shouted simultaneously, and the three dragons took to the sky, eager to test their strength against a god. Twenty Minutes Later... Amidst the battle, the dragons fought savagely, attacking Zorc Necrophades with their breaths and ws. However, no matter how much damage they inflicted, Zorc Necrophades''s wounds healed easily and only caused the spirits to grow tired until they finally made a mistake... "Watch it!" Kaiba shouted, pulling me towards him when Starving Venom Fusion Dragon crashed to the ground where I was previously standing. The dragon groaned, struggling to stand before copsing in agony. "Oh no..." I murmured sadly, stroking the dragon''s neck. "Take a break, you did well." At my soothing voice, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon grunted before closing its eyes and returning to my soul. Biting my lips, I turned my head and watched Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon soaring through the air. Circling Zorc Necrophades, the two dragons unleashed blinding beams of light upon its colossal form. Yet, regardless of their massive firepower, the evil god seemed unfazed, retaliating with an indescribable amount of dark magic. Shadowy tornadoes swirled around Zorc, and tendrils made of ck, pulsating massshed out, demolishing buildings effortlessly. "Nothing is working..." I heard Kaiba mutter under his breath. Clenching my fists in frustration, I couldn''t refute his words. It truly felt like everything we did was useless... "Careful!" I yelled as a stray tendril suddenlyshed towards us. In a swift motion, Kaiba drew another card from his Duel Disk and raised it into the air. "I summon Kaiser Sea Horse!" In an instant, a dark blue warrior materialized before us, taking the brunt of the tendril''s strike. Kaiba copsed, and I frantically supported him. "Take a deep breath... Let your soul recover," I urged, patting his back. However, there was no time to rest. I quickly threw us to the side just before another tendril struck. Gritting his teeth, Kaiba dug through his deck and pulled out a spell card. "R... Ring of Defense!" A protective shield spread around us, and momentster, a dark beam of ck magic shattered the barrier, sending us flying. "Kaiba!" I screamed. He hugged my body as we skidded across the ground. Staring at his back, I saw blood-dripping burns through his ripped clothes. Summoning Nurse Dragonmaid, I watched as the young maid pulled out a first aid kit from thin air before swiftly attending to his wounds. Noticing Kaiba''s incapacitated state, the two dragons'' attacks became more ferocious, trying to distract Zorc Necrophades for as long as possible. "We can''t beat this..." I mumbled resignedly, seeing that none of our attacks was effective. When Nurse Dragonmaid finished her procedures, Kaiba managed to open his eyes, and I sighed in relief. Sitting up, he clutched his head in pain and spoke with exhaustion, "We must go back to the pce... To regroup..." Agreeing, I called Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, and we climbed onto the dragon''s back. Together, we flew over the city, watching the chaos unfold below. The soldiers were on a full retreat as the number of monsters didn''t seem to decrease one bit, and they flooded further deep into the city. "The city..." I said miserably, "It''s all gone..." With the amount of time I have spent here, I have grown quite fond of this ce, and it was disheartening to see it going into ruin... While dwelling on the sad sight, I sensed something in the corner of my vision. Instantly, I pushed Kaiba down as dozens of sharp des flew over our heads. Staring behind us, I spotted Zorc Necrophades manifesting ck swords andunching them towards our direction. The god''s other hand gripped Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon''s necks. The dragon was covered in wounds as it hung limply at Zorc''s mercy. *SNAP* Clenching its fist, Zorc Necrophades snapped its neck, and the dragon burst into dust. Immediately upon its death, Kaiba keeled over and gasped in agony. Unfortunately, the god didn''t even give us moments to recover as des continued to fly past us. *ROAR* Suddenly, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand howled as several des struck the dragon''s body, digging deeply into its flesh. Sumbed to its injuries, we began to fall. With a thunderous noise, the dragon crashed into the ground, and we were thrown off. "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!" I cried and crawled towards my spirit. Opening one of its eyes, the dragon groaned sorrowfully before vanishing into particles of light as if apologising to me that it couldn''t fight harder... At the bacsh, I immediately vomited a mouthful of blood, staining my clothes and hands. Moving my head, I spotted Kaiba lying not so far from me, who was unconscious from the crash. Blood dripped down from the wound on his head, leaving a long trail that flowed down onto the floor. "Kaiba..." I whimpered, and my vision became hazy. Before long, I copsed, and everything turned dark... [3rd POV] "Yuna!!" Kisara screamed as she rushed out of the pce, with Yami Yugi following close behind her. Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand''s crash shook the entire building, driving the two towards themotion. Once outside, they both saw Yuna and Kaiba lying by a pile of rubble, their eyes closed with blood all around them. It was truly hell outside. The soldiers were making a desperatest stand at the top of the stairs. The Sacred Guardians fight fervently amongst the crowd, pushing the monsters back with their spirits. While everyone was shocked by the sudden appearance of the dragon, they didn''t have time to even react as they could only focus on defending against the crazed beasts. Approaching the two, Yami Yugi ced his fingers by their necks and sighed with relief, "They are still alive..." "Goodness..." Kisara muttered and covered her mouth, "Your Highness, we must get them to safety..." However, Yami Yugi shook his head, "I''m afraid we don''t have the time to do that..." He spoke grimly and red at Zorc Necrophades standing before them. Its tall frame easily towered the long set of stairs that led to the pce, causing the two to look up until their necks hurt. Roaring, the god swept his arm, sending a group of soldiers and monsters flying, but before the men fell to their deaths, they were rescued by Blue Eyes White Dragon, who Kisara had summoned just in time... "My lord!" Shimon shouted while staring at the rampaging god, "Please buy me time!" "Understood!" Yami Yugi called upon Slifer the Sky Dragon, and the dragon relentlessly attacked Zorc Necrophades, trying to get its attention away from the elderly man. As the battle raged on, Shimon closed his eyes and channelled his Ba as he tapped into a spirit that was locked deep into the chasm of the Egyptian temple. In the past, this spirit alone was able to turn the tide of the entire invasion. Legend have said that it defeated thousands of soldiers in a single night. But from its power came a considerable risk, so it was sealed away into five separate bs. "Shada, pass me the Millennium Key!" He urged, and Shada hurriedly handed Shimon the artifact. Recalling the familiar sensation of the artifact in his hand, Shimon channelled the Key''s power and unlocked all five seals. "Kugh..." Suddenly, under Kisara and Shada''s panic, Shimon coughed a little bit of blood as he felt his life force diminishing, "I''m getting too old for this..." Gritting his teeth, he continued to spend his life force as five portals began to form in the air. Instantly, Yami Yugi and the guardians felt an ominous energying through the portals that seemed to connect into the shape of a pentagon. From the sides and bottom portals, golden limbs made of stone emerged from the gate. On the limbs'' wrists and ankles were shackles that once bound the being in ce. Finally, the portals all merged into one, and the spirit''s face finally revealed itself. It has a muscr body adorned in armour with various Egyptian symbols and characters. Its face was stuck in a stern expression with a glowing fierce expression while wearing a pharaoh''s headdress with an ornament of a serpent. Fully emerging from the portal, the spirit roared deafeningly, and its height quickly matched Zorc Necrophades, and the two beings red at each other. "Exodia... The forbidden one..." Yami Yugi muttered in shock as he was finally able to learn the origin of Yugi''s grandfather''s secret cards. "As I call upon you, oh spirit!" Shimon shouted as the statue''s eyes gleamed with fury, "Unleash your power right here and now... Exodia, the Forbidden One, obliterate!!" I hope you enjoy it. Chapter 105: Zorc Necrophades (2) Chapter 105: Zorc Necrophades (2) ? Apologise for the dy. But I will release another chapter on the very next day. [3rd POV] With a thunderous roar, a dazzling light gathered in Exodia''s palm, radiating immense power. With a fierce push, Exodia unleashed a brilliant beam that struck Zorc Necrophades square in the chest. The god let out a spine-chilling howl and stumbled backward, reeling from the impact. Seizing the moment, Exodia charged forward, refusing to give Zorc Necrophades any chance to recover. *BOOOOOM* Exodia''s fists came crashing down like hammers, eliciting a furious roar from the evil god. Struggling to regain its footing, Zorc Necrophades lunged, only to be seized by the horns and hurled across the city like a rag doll. "It''s working!" Kisara eximed excitedly. Yet, her excitement was short-lived as she nced at Shimon''s pallid face. Controlling Exodia was taking a heavy toll, and Shimon''s exhaustion was bing palpable. As Exodia closed in on the fallen Zorc Necrophades, the dragon head protruding from the malevolent god''s stomachshed out, sinking its teeth into Exodia''s arm. The colossal statue struggled to free itself, but before it could break free, Zorc Necrophades summoned a massive tendril, striking with incredible force. BOOOOM Exodia crashed into the pce, obliterating the ancient and beautiful structure that had stood for centuries. Cracks spread across Exodia''s body as Shimon fell to one knee, the strain of controlling the spirit taking its toll. Although Exodia''s wounds healed, the energy it had consumed was rming. Gritting his teeth, Shimon struggled to rise, his gaze fixed on Zorc Necrophades in the distance. The injuries inflicted upon the evil god had already regenerated, and Zorc Necrophades grinned wickedly. While one drew from the boundless power of darkness, the other relied on the lifeforce of a single human... As Shimon''s condition deteriorated, Kisara and Shada pleaded with him to unsummon the spirit. Yet, they both knew that Exodia was the only force keeping them in the fight. In a bid to aid their struggle, Yami Yugi quicklymanded the Egyptian Gods to join the attack on Zorc Necrophades. With these powerful reinforcements, a glimmer of hope rekindled in their eyes as they saw the evil god being visibly pushed back... Yet... "BEHIND YOU!!" Kisara suddenly screamed. *STAB* To everyone''s shock, Shada coughed up a mouthful of blood as a sharp w pierced through his stomach, lifting his body into the air. When the ws retracted, Shada dropped to the ground, revealing a sizeable grey demon with horns and a snake-like lower body standing behind him. Suddenly, a familiar, crazedughter echoed from the rubble. Yami Yugi''s expression instantly darkened as he red at the figure emerging from the debris. "Bakura..." he spat, his voice filled with loathing. "Good evening, Pharaoh. Are you surprised to see me again?" Yami Bakura sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. "How are you here? Your life was sacrificed to summon Zorc Necrophades," Yami Yugi questioned, his voice edged with suspicion and disbelief. "Yes, for a normal human, that is..." Yami Bakura chuckled before exining in a sly tone, "Pharoah, we are not so different..." "What are you sprouting about..." Yami Yugi uttered in confusion. "As you may already know, Pharaoh, in the past, you were fortunate enough to best Zorc Necrophades and seal both yourself and the god within the Millennium Puzzle. At that time, you believed it was the end. But that was far from the truth..." "With thest of its power, Zorc Necrophades fused a part of its soul with Thief King Bakura, whom you slew, and ced that new soul into the Millennium Ring, biding its time for revival in the real world once again!" Laughing maniacally, Yami Bakura spread his arms wide. "That time is now!" "Then Bakura this entire time..." "He''s merely a mindless host for me to manipte, simr to your patheticpanion that freely lends his body to you." Yami Bakura spat in disgust. "But that''s not the point now. I will finally have my revenge..." Lost in thought, Yami Yugi stared at Yami Bakura in a daze, grappling with the weight of this revtion. However, Kisara''s urgent cries jolted him back to reality. "Shada, Shada!!" She screamed and held him in her arms, "Just stay awake; I will go and find a doctor..." "No..." Shada croaked, his voice weak as he stopped Kisara from trying to help. Slowly, he lifted one trembling hand and gently tapped her forehead with a wry smile. "Already too late..."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "Don''t say that!" Kisara cried, her voice cracking as tears streamed down her face. "Look, if I just stop the bleeding, we can buy enough time to get the wounds stitched up!" Kisara tried to act optimistic and maintained a calm smile. However, as the blood continuously flowed through the holes in Shada''s chest, her expression cracked, and she bit her lips to suppress the tears. "Kisara..." Shada interrupted, his voice barely above a whisper as he coughed. "Just stop talking. You must save your strength!" Kisara yelled and pressed her palms against the wound, "Focus on staying awake!" "Stop... It''s useless now..." Shada muttered and weakly removed Kisara''s hands. "Kisara... Don''t mess up now... You guys better win..." "Shada..." With a faint chuckle, his eyelids slowly fluttered closed. And with one final,boured breath, Shada passed away, his body still warm in her arms. It all happened so suddenly. Kisara sat frozen, her hands trembling as she cradled Shada''s lifeless body. Herp was soaked with his blood, and she shivered uncontrobly, her mind struggling to process the loss. But before she could even mourn, a wickedugh echoed through the air. Bakura''s Diabound struck again, this time aiming straight for her. *BOOOOOM* Suddenly, a massive fist swung into the path of Diabound, halting the demon''s advance. With a furious roar, Diabound staggered back, but Shimon''s voice cut through the chaos. "Snap out of it!!" he shouted, his words strained with effort as he coughed, "We can''t lose focus now!" Kisara flinched at the intensity of her master''s tone, but as she looked closer, she noticed a single teardrop fall from Shimon''s eye, a silent testament to the grief he couldn''t fully contain. Despite his determination to remain strong, even he could not escape the sorrow of their loss. Without wasting any more time, Shimonmanded Exodia to swiftly turn around and punch Zorc Necrophades in the face, shattering one of its horns. In retaliation, Zorc Necrophades unleashed a torrent of dark magic, sending a cascade of explosions rippling across Exodia''s body. Before the spirit could even recover, the evil god gathered a massive amount of power and hurled a colossal vertical de toward Exodia. "Obliterate!!" Shimon roared, his voice filled with desperate strength as Exodia fired another beam of pure energy from its palm. The de collided with the beam, cleaving it in two with a deafening crack before shing into Exodia''s form. The statue howled in agony as a deep gash tore vertically across its body, running from its face all the way down to its lower body, leaving a trail of burning light in its wake. Light seeped through the wound as Exodia''s body split apart before bursting into the sand. "KARGH!!" Shimon screamed and grasped his chest. His heart bursting from the insurmountable bacsh to the death of Exodia. "Master!" Kisara yelped with a pale expression, unable toprehend everything that was happening. Gritting his teeth, Shimon fought against the overwhelming darkness threatening to consume him. His vision blurred, but his gaze remained fixed on hisst remaining student. With every ounce of his remaining strength, he extended his trembling hand, holding out the Millennium Key, "Take it..." Kisara froze in shock, but under Shimon''s urging, she hesitantly reached out her palms. cing the Millennium Key in her hands, Shimon nodded with satisfaction, "Protect the Pharoah... Fulfil your duty..." As Shimon fell forward, Kisara quickly caught her master and hugged him tightly. "Live..." With one final whisper, the light in Shimon''s eyes dimmed, joining Shada in the afterlife... Kisara sobbed, her heart shaken tremendously at the sudden death of her master and best friend. Gently setting Shimon''s body on the floor, Kisara brought the Millennium Key close to her chest. "It was about time for that old geezer to croak," Yami Bakura remarked in the distance, causing the Pharoah and Kisara to flinch. "BAKURAAA!!!" Yami Yugi shouted ragefully and directed Obelisk the Tormentor towards his opponent. However, the Egyptian God''s path was stopped by Zorc Necrophades, who grinned maliciously. "It''s pointless, Pharoah," Yami Bakura, "You cannot afford to send away even one God! Now you''repletely defenceless!!" Diabound charged, and Yami Yugi rolled to the side as the demon''s ws left a deep mark on where he was standing just a few seconds ago. As Yami Yugi was about to reach for the sword at his waist, Diabound was suddenly sted by a white beam, sending the demon crashing into a pile of debris. "No, you won''t be fighting the Pharoah..." Kisara spoke calmly as Blue Eyes White Dragon roared behind her, "Your opponent will be me." Despite her tranquil tone, her pupils showed an indescribable fury and hatred. Yami Bakura clicked his teeth and frantically called upon Diabound, and the demon burst out from the rubble. However, Kisara seemed unfazed, and she stared at the spirit as if it were a pest. Slowly raising her right hand, her voice devoid of any emotions as she uttered a singlemand towards the white dragon. "Kill him..." Blue-Eyes White Dragon rampaged towards Yami Bakura, destroying everything in its path. He barely managed to dodge the dragon''s onught, shock flooding his senses as he was caught off guard by the spirit''s overwhelming power. In a panic, he summoned his other spirits to defend him, but they were obliterated in an instant by a single swipe of Blue-Eyes'' ws. ''What kind of spirit is this?!'' Yami Bakura thought in disbelief. ''How could it be this powerful?!'' "Diabound!!" he bellowed, calling his demon in a desperate bid to counterattack. Diabound emerged from the shadows,unching a surprise strike. But the attack easily bounced off Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s wings, leaving him stunned. "Who the hell are you..." Yami Bakura snarled warily. Kisara, who was consumed with anger, paused before ring at him, "There is no need for you to know who I am... But I will tell you one thing: I will make sure you pay..." [Yuna''s POV] Meanwhile... "Ugh... My head..." I grunted in pain and opened my eyes. Enduring the sensation, I sat up. My entire body was screaming in agony as if needles were stabbing into my skin. Beside me was Kaiba, who was still unconscious from the injuries. Checking his pulse, I was relieved to be able to feel a heartbeat, and I began analysing the situation on the battlefield. The soldiers were fighting fiercely against the wave of monsters. Yami Yugi attacked Zorc Necrophades with his Egyptian Gods and Kisara... To my surprise, I found her engaged in an intense duel with Yami Bakura using her Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Their battle was the shiest out of everyone, with Diabound firing dark magic, which was countered by Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s beam, and the whole fight seemed like an unorthodox light show. As the battle went on, it was clear to everyone that Yami Bakura was losing ground. The strength of Blue-Eyes White Dragon was impossible to ignore, and Diabound was nothingpared to the mighty dragon. Wanting to join the fight, I called upon the spirits residing in my soul. Starving Venom Fusion Dragon and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand were still in no condition to battle, which only led to House Dragonmaid being the best option. When the beautiful maid appeared, she quickly caught my fragile body, "Go and support Kisara..." I ordered, and the spirit nodded. Carefully setting me back down, Dragon Maid clenched her fists and dashed towards Yami Bakura at a blinding speed. Sensing danger, Yami Bakura instinctively leaned away as clouds of dust blew past him. *BOOOOOM* House Dragonmaid''s fist shattered the wall behind him before slowly turning around with murderous intent. "Yuna!" Kisara eximed while Yami Bakura''s expression soured. Smiling tiredly, I ordered the House Dragonmaid to attack once more, and Diabound frantically rushed towards the maid to defend its master. However, Blue Eyes White Dragon had already anticipated Diabound''s movement and sted the demon away with its white breath. *BAMMM* House Dragonmaid''s fist struck Yami Bakura''s face, and his body was sent ragdolling across the floor. Instantly, I felt all the pain I went through be worth it as I was able to get a front-row seat to a well-deserved beating... "Argh..." Yami Bakura gasped and clutched his bleeding nose, "Y... You dare!!" He staggered awkwardly and red at me with anger. Unfazed by Yami Bakura''s hostility, Imanded House Dragonmaid, who grabbed him by the cor of his shirt. Diabound, still roaring furiously, was pinned down beneath Blue Eyes White Dragon''s feet, unable to move. "You... You really dare..." *BAMM* "Shut up," I uttered with disgust, and House Dragonmaid punched him again with her free hand, "You have no idea how much I have been through!" *BAMMM* "Scum!!" *BAMMM* "TRASH!" *BAM* With each swing from House Dragonmaid, Yami Bakura''s face became more of a bloodied mess, and he groaned in a daze. "But you know what angers me the most is that you kept harming people I care about..." I hissed. "Ku Ku Ku... So what... Are you going to kill me?" Yami Bakura snorted, and I scowled. "No," I answered, and House Dragonmaid released him, "But she will..." Gesturing behind him, Yami Bakura nervously turned around and gazed at the massive jaw filled with sharp teeth. Before he could react, Blue Eyes White Dragon bit down, not leaving even a single trace of him behind... "Yuna..." Kisara copsed onto her knees. Her chest heaved with exhaustion, and she stared at the ground in a daze. As I approached her, Kisara slowly looked at me and bit her lips, "Yuna... Shimon and Shada..." Nodding quietly, I reached out my hand, "We can''t stop now... I know this is hard, but for their sake, we have to keep fighting." "So Kisara, after we win this. Let''s cry our hearts out... Together..." Staring at the outstretched hand, Kisara took a deep breath and pped both sides of her face. Grabbing my hand, I gently pulled her up and patted her shoulders. "I bet they are very proud of you..." Smiling, I hugged her, "Now let''s win this thing..." I hope you enjoy it. The next chapter will be the final one for this arc. Chapter 106: Im sorry for being selfish Chapter 106: I''m sorry for being selfish ? [3rd POV] As the war raged on, the soldiers desperately stabbed or shed the monsters. Yet, as time went on, the soldiers began falling one by one due to exhaustion. The only reason they were able tost this long was thanks to Priest Seto and Isis, who were gasping for breath as the two needed to fill in the spot that Shada had left behind... Despite the presence of the Evil God, they fought on because everyone knew that their Pharaoh was fighting a more intense battle than any of them. *BOOOM* x5 A barrage of explosions rang out in the sky like fireworks when the three Egyptian Gods unleashed their great attacks on Zorc Necrophade''s massive body. Zorc Necrophades roared deafeningly as it tried to snatch the pesky gods from the air. *sh* Suddenly, Zorc Necrophades''s vision went dark when two fast figures flew past its face. Flying side by side, Blue Eyes White Dragon and Dragonmaid Sheou roared, leaving cuts around the monster''s joints and hindering its motion. However, despite the damages inflicted, the god''s wounds healed just as fast, leaving them in a losing battle of attrition. "Why won''t it just die?!" Yuna growled in frustration. Yami Yugi gritted his teeth, finding himself agreeing with Yuna''s statement. No matter what they threw at God, Zorc Necrophades would instantly recover and return fiercer than before. As if it was the final straw, Yuna copsed on all fours, sweat beading down her face, "Sano, recall your spirit and rest." Yami Yugi suggested while ncing at her. "We can''t afford to lose manpower..." Yuna retorted while wiping the blood off the edge of her lips, "I will try and support you both." As the fight continued, Kisara and Atem began focusing on all of the attacks. At the same time, Yuna ordered her dragon to target the weak spots and distract Zorc Necrophades, allowing the others to deal with maximum damage. Ignoring their exhaustion, they kept fighting. Suddenly, they heard a loud explosion echoing on the side of a battlefield and several familiar voices. "Dark Magician, Dark Magic Attack!" "Dark Magician Girl, Dark Burning Attack!" "Red-Eyes ck Dragon, Infernal Fire st!" The sounds of the monsters'' cries reached their ears. Looking into the distance, the Pharoah spotted several figures running towards him, and he broke into a relieved smile. "Partner!" Yugi yelled happily, his friends following behind him. Arriving by the Pharoah''s side, Yami Yugi chuckled upon meeting hispanions again. Without wasting any more time, he quickly exined the current situation. Nodding withplex emotions, Yugi began retelling their experience in the Valley of the Kings, where they went through various traps and hidden passages before finally reaching thest tomb and finding Aknamkanon''s grave, where Atem''s name was inscribed on the wall. "Unfortunately, we couldn''t make heads or tails of the thing," Joey exined while scratching the side of his head. Confused, T¨¦a showed Yami Yugi her phone, where she took a picture of the wall. "That''s..." The Pharaoh stared at the Heiroglyphs in a daze. "Woah?!" Joey and Tristan eximed as suddenly the phone in Yami Yugi''s hand shone brilliantly. Memories began flooding into his brain, and the Pharoah clutched his head in agony. Slowly opening his eyes, he stared at Zorc Necrophades quietly, slowly digesting everything in his head. "P...Partner?" Yugi called hesitantly as Yami Yugi stood up, "Y... You''re crying..." Touching his face, Yami Yugi felt something wet on his finger, finding himself in tears. The memories of his friends and family became vivid, and he subconsciously reminisced on those memories. However, that moment became short-lived when he remembered they were currently in a fierce battle. "Yugi..." The Pharoah smiled gratefully, "Thank you..." With a determined expression, he approached Zorc Necrophades as the Millennium Puzzle began to unveil. "I call upon the power of my Artifact to once again seal this darkness and send it back to its eternal prison! I, King Atem, shall banish you once more!" Golden chains burst out from the Millennium Puzzle, wrapping around each of the God''s limbs. Zorc Necrophades struggled as it was gradually dragged towards the artifact. The Pharoah, Atem, gritted his teeth as he fought God in a tug of war. One struggled to capture and seal it into the Millennium Puzzle while the other tried to break free. Everyone watched with anticipation, cheering for Atem in their hearts, "Is this it..." Yuna mumbled hopefully. But the following sound made her heart drop... *Crack...* It was so subtle that she could''ve missed it if she wasn''t careful. But the sound only grew louder and louder as it became more evident. Suddenly, the chains snapped, sending Atem skidding across the floor. "How..." Atem muttered, confused by the ineffectiveness of the spell. However, when he saw Zorc Necrophade''s eyes, he noticed that the god had expected the spell the entire time. That''s when a sudden realisation hit him: just because he regained his memories, what''s stopping Zorc Necrophades from remembering theirs? It was clearly connected to Yami Bakura in some way, so it was natural for the god to be aware of what was happening this entire time... With a malicious grin, Zorc Necrophades brought its palms together, creating a ckish sphere. The sphere grew, easily reaching the size of the pce and with a roar, itunched the projectile in their direction... *BOOOOOOOM* An unknown amount of timeter... Fierce dark magic exploded all around them, and all Kisara could hear were the soldiers'' and monsters'' fearful cries as they were wiped without a trace... Releasing her barrier, she gasped, copsed on all fours and observed her surroundings. Dragonmaid Sheou unfurled her wings, revealing Yuna panting for breath. In her arms was Kaiba, who remained unconscious from his injuries. Behind her was Atem, who used Slifer the Sky Dragon to protect him and his friends, while just beside him were Seto and Isis, who were also able to shield themselves with their Millennium Items. Out of hundreds of people fighting for their lives, with just a single attack, Zorc Necrophades was able to wipe out almost all of them... Simultaneously, Dragonmaid Sheou and slifer, the Sky Dragon, copsed, wounds littered all over their bodies, and Yuna and Atem copsed along with them. Kisara froze, and she found herself truly in a hopeless situation. People she relied on were either dead or close to death, and she burst into tears. Never in her life has she ever found herself at a loss of what to do... "Atem!" Yugi shouted as the Pharoah groaned and tried to stand. Knowing the sacrifice required for them to win, he tightly gripped the Millennium Puzzle with resolve. Was this truly the purpose of the trial? Now that Atem has discovered his name, must he follow his previous fate once more? Yet, no matter how much he thought about this, Atem couldn''t figure out whether his judgement was correct, nor did he have the time to find another solution. "There is a forbidden spell... One that was used in thest resort." Atem exined, "This is because the price that you must pay to activate the spell is more than just your life..." "Thank you for finding my name..." He spoke sincerely at Yugi, "But I must apologise that all your efforts will be in vain..." "Wait, my friend, don''t tell me..." Yugi gasped in shock before shaking his head, "No, there has to be another way!" "I''m sorry..." Atem smiled wryly and stood up. But his wounds caused him to falter, and he dropped the Millennium Puzzle. However, before the artifact fell to the ground, a slender hand suddenly reached out and caught the Millennium item, "No... He is right. There is another method." Kisara muttered confidently and stared at Atem with a firm resolve. "Your Highness... Please use my soul instead.." "Kisara... You can''t be serious!" Seto shouted and shook her shoulders in a mixture of disbelief, "Your Majesty, use me instead!" "That won''t work, Seto..." Kisara smiled sadly and shook her head, "Your Ba is almost used up already, but I still have more than enough." "I won''t allow it!" Seto screamed while clutching his face, "No, have someone else do it instead!" Despite his childishints, no one could reprimand him, knowing what hen/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om would lose... "Seto..." Kisara sighed and hugged him. Lost in her embrace, Seto burst into tears and gripped her wrist tightly. "In the past, I always have to rely on you or Yuna to protect me. Now, for the first time, I was able to protect both of you." She muttered softly, "I''m sorry, Seto... for being selfish..." "Kisara, wait..." "Sleep," Before Seto could react, Kisara activated the powers of the Millennium Key. Deliberately, this caused him to fall unconscious when his guard was down. Turning to Atem, she pleaded earnestly, "Please Pharoah... We don''t have much time... Please allow this faithful servant to fulfil her duty towards this country onest time." "Do you truly understand the consequences?" Item questioned solemnly, "This is not death; your entire existence will be erased, and your soul will not reincarnate from the afterlife..." Unlike Yami Bakura, who was an extension of Zorc Necrophades itself, Kisara''s identity will bepletely removed from this world. It was as if she never existed in the first ce... "Of course, and I''m prepared for what will happen." Kisara smiled reassuringly, "So please don''t be guilty..." Biting his lips, Atem nodded reluctantly, and the two held out their hands, holding the Millennium Puzzle. With trembling breath, Atem began to chant, and a golden ring formed around them. Realising what was about to happen, Zorc Necrophades tried to stop them, but a massive golden shield formed around the entire pce. The God hissed and stared at Isis standing in the corner. Blood dripped down her nose as she burned her life force on casting this shield. With each strike of its fists, cracks formed on the barrier and Isis endured. Seeing Kisara''s resolve, a raging fire burned in her heart, and she must also do everything she can to protect and honour her decision. As the chant reached its climax, Atem gently stepped back as the magic circle surrounded Kisara. With a sad smile, she raised the Millennium Puzzle into the air as a warmth engulfed her. Slowly, Kisara felt energy leaving her body, and her eyelids dimmed slightly. The circle expanded and formed a wall of light all around her, and her body glowed in a beautiful hue. "This is fine..." She muttered quietly to herself, "This way... Everyone will be safe..." Kisara closed her eyes in eptance as the spell gradually reached its finalisation. However... Suddenly, a figure burst into the wall of light, catching Kisara off guard, and she hurriedly caught the person in front of her. "Y... Yuna?!" she yelped in shock, and her calm expression vanished. "You idiot!!!" Yuna screamed angrily, "Why would you do such a thing?!" "No... That''s not the point. You have to go away right now..." Kisara stuttered in a panic, and Yuna scoffed. "Go where?!" She shouted, "Do you really think I would let you do this!?" "Yuna, please..." Under Yuna''s dejected gaze, Kisara wavered, and she bit her lips. "Idiot..." Yuna hugged her tightly, "Are you really going through with this?" "Yes..." She nodded with determination, "If I don''t, I will lose everyone, which was something I dread even more..." Trying to act like a mature adult, Kisara stood by her decision. Yuna was speechless at Kisara''s tone, and her fingers trembled as she held onto the corner of her sleeves, "But you won''t just die... You will disappear..." Tears fell down her eyes, and she cried, "Why would you go this far?" "Yuna, there''s never going to be a true happy ending without a form of sacrifice." Kisara exined slowly, "But to be able to save everyone with just my measly soul? That''s more than a happy ending for me, and I will do anything to achieve it..." Listening to her exnation, Yuna shook her head, "No... That''s not my happy ending!" Suddenly, Yuna reached out and sped their hands together, "But like you said, Kisara, I will also do anything to achieve my happy ending..." "Y... Yuna?!" Kisara uttered in surprise as their bodies pressed against each other, "What are you doing?!" "What do you think? I will sacrifice myself too..." When she raised her head, Kisara saw her bright smile with tears streaming down both of her eyes, "Kisara, I promised you that I would always be by your side, and I refused to break that vow." "But you will get wiped out as well!!" She shrieked and tried to pull away. "That might be the case," Yuna agreed readily, "But if there''s the possibility that I can use my soul to share this burden with you. We might be able to survive." "How can we trust that?!" Kisara yelled, "That''s crazy!" "It is, but I''m willing to try if that means you will be able to survive..." Yuna stated softly, "I won''t let my family die..." "Yuna..." Kisara mumbled, and the fear she was hiding finally showed through her gaze. She found the bravado that she put up was crumbling, and the two tightly embraced each other for comfort. Both of them were terrified, but they didn''t run away as they were ready to sacrifice for each of their goals of saving everyone... "SANO!!!" Yugi and Atem shouted in a panic when they noticed that Yuna wasn''t leaving the magic circle as the golden light became blindingly vibrant. Looking at her friends, she smiled and shook her head. Stroking Kisara''s hair, she saw her fingers slowly turning into particles of light. Despite the threat of being wiped out of existence, the sensation felt soothing and warm. "Don''t worry... We will definitely see each other again..." Yuna whispered, and Kisara grinned. "Yeah..." She cried with happiness, "Thank you for everything..." "Thank you as well..." Yunaughed. Together with onest embrace, Kisara and Yuna burst into light, and they vanished into specks that floated towards the stars... *WOOOOOSH* Zorc Necrophades finally busted through the barrier, but it was already toote. A blinding light engulfed the entire city. Instantly, all the injuries everyone had suffered began healing at a rapid pace. To Atem and his friend''s shock, even the people who had passed away started to wake one by one as if their death was a lie... Suddenly, to Atem''s shock, the three Egyptian Gods appeared before their eyes. Their figures turned white as they fused into the shape of a woman with wings. Her height easily matched Zorc Necrophades, and her body was adorned with gold-coloured ceremonial battle armour. On her head, she wore an ornamental helmet that resembled the head of the Winged Dragon of Ra... Sensing the powerful energy from the new foe, Zorc Necrophades howled and lunged fearlessly. However, to everyone''s shock, the woman calmly waved her hand, firing a ming beam that pierced through God''s chest like paper. Such malevolent darkness... You shall be purged. Before Zorc Necrophades could react, a wall of fire surrounded the evil god, and it roared as its flesh burned fiercely. No matter what it does, the mes won''t seem to go away, and they are convulsed in agony. Begone... With a clench of her fist, Zorc Necrophades was instantly burned to a crisp, leaving not even an ounce of the god behind. My name is Hctie, the Creator of Light, the Goddess of this world... My poor children, due to my ipetence, I allowed such a creature to spawn on this mortal ne. I have reverted all the damage this creature has done. I''m proud of all of you. Please rest now... You have won... With a final farewell, Hctie closed her eyes and vanished. When they finally registered what had happened, the soldiers raised their weapons and cheered, hugging each other with joy while some burst into tears as their friends who they thought had died came back to life. However, Atem and others couldn''t find themself celebrating. Staring at the spot where Yuna and Kisara previously stood, they felt a sense of loss as they stared into space absentmindedly. The Trial of Memories has beenpleted... A monotonous voice echoed in their heads as a bluish portal manifested behind them. While it should have been joyous for Yugi and his friends, none of them were able to smile, knowing what sacrifices had been made toplete this trial... "Y... Your Majesty..." Atem nced beside him and saw Shimon standing up shakily, his fatal woundspletely healed. "What happened?" "Shimon..." Atem muttered and hurriedly supported the elderly man, "It''s over... We have won..." With shaky breath, he exined the appearance of the Goddess who annihted the evil god. "I see..." Shimon smiled with relief, but he frowned when he observed his surroundings. "My lord, do you perhaps know where my student is? I''m quite worried, and I want to make sure she''s safe..." Atem froze, and he averted his gaze. Unable to answer his question. "Kisara!" Another familiar voice shouted in worry, "Kisara, where are you?!" Turning towards the source of themotion, Atem watched Priest Seto shout nervously before quickly approaching him, "Your majesty, where is Lady Kisara?!" "That..." Atem paused before lowering his head. Like a broken record yer, only two words flowed out of his mouth... "I''m sorry..." Meanwhile... [??? POV] "Where am I?" I muttered out loud and opened my eyes. Everything was utterly dark, and my body twitched in fear at this silent ckness. *Step Step* Suddenly, I heard footsteps behind me, and I turned around before copsing onto my knees. Tears streamed down my face as I hesitantly called out to the woman gracefully approaching me. "Kisara..." I mumbled with a choked voice, my shoulders slumping with relief. Raising her head, Kisara smiled lovingly as we embraced each other. "What happened... Did we survive? Where are we?" Dozens of questions burst out of my lips as I held her warily in this environment. "Aki..." Kisara spoke softly, "It''s okay..." "Why are you calling me that..." I questioned anxiously, confused by her strange choice of words. However, when I observed my appearance, I found myself back in my original body, where I still lived on Earth. I found my outfit changed into a simple grey uniform. My height shrunken, and my hair colour changed from ocean blue to ck. Touching my face and hair, I could feel the familiar round sses and twin braids hanging down my back. "This is..." I muttered in a much quieter and timid voice, "My old body... What''s happening to me?!" Suddenly, our surroundings were filled with light; in front of us stood a tall woman shining with a divine light, and it wasn''t long for me to grasp her identity... "Hctie... Why are you here..." "Aki," Kisara grasped my hand, "It''s alright," Following her gaze, my eyes widened as I stared at my body. No, to be more urate, the body of Yuna Sano with her back facing us. Without turning around, Yuna walked deeper into the darkness, and I subconsciously tried to follow her. However, Kisara stopped me, tightly holding onto my hand. "What''s going on?" I asked uneasily, and Kisara smiled wryly. "It''s up to Yuna now..." She muttered, "We can only cheer her on on the sidelines, but in time, we will learn the truth." Nodding, we watched Yuna''s figure be distant, eventually disappearing into the darkness. Still smiling, Kisara led me towards Hctie, and the god weed us with open arms. "It''s really okay..." I heard Kisaraforting me, "In time, we will get that happy ending we wished for..." I hope you enjoy it. Chapter 107: The Other Self Chapter 107: The Other Self ? Couldn''t control myself and want to keep writing this week. [3rd POV] Sometimeter... The sound of the school bell chimed rhythmically, and beautiful pink petals gently fell from the cherry blossom trees. At the start of a new school year, the students excitedly caught up with each other on their holidays, creating a warm atmosphere throughout the entire school. However, in one of the ssrooms, the atmosphere inside was nothing but depressing. It was all because of one person sitting in the front row; his silence and gloominess spread through the entire ssroom, causing the other students to remain quiet with tension. Clenching his fists, Seto stared at his desk in a daze. His mind kept thinking about a certain girl who had been worrying him for thest few days... "Hey Kaiba..." Suddenly, someone called his name, and he slowly lifted his head. Meeting Yugi''s anxious gaze, he stared at him and his friends standing behind him, "What do you want..." "Is Sano awake yet?" He asked anxiously, "We were all really worried about her..." Seto flinched when Yuna''s name was suddenly mentioned. Instantly, his mood worsened as he was reminded of that incident. It has already been one week since they have returned from the Trial of Memories, and Yuna has not shown a single sign of waking up. The doctors couldn''t identify the cause, and Seto could do nothing but wait. Every day, he stayed by her side, and as time passed, the anxiety in his heart continued to grow. Clicking his teeth, Seto stood up, not wanting to continue the conversation. As he barged past Yugi and his friends, Seto suddenly stopped beside Bakura, who fidgeted nervously. Before anyone could react, Seto lifted him into the air by the cor and red at him with utter hatred. "Wait, Kaiba! It''s not Bakura''s fault! It was the evil spirit residing in the Millennium Ring!" Yugi tried to reason with him. "Calm down, would ya?!" Joey shouted while he and Tristan tried to pull him away, "What will Sano-san feel about this?!" Suddenly, Seto let go, and Bakura dropped to the floor. Lowering his arms, he slowly turned to Joey coldly, "What did you say..." "I''m just saying you''re not thinking straight right now! Sano-san probably won''t be impressed if she heard you beating up people!" Joey blurted out, and his friends frowned at his inability to keep quiet. Fuming, Setoshed out with his fist, but it was suddenly stopped when his wrist was caught in midair. "Kaiba," Atem, who had suddenly taken Yugi''s ce, spoke firmly, "Stop this at once." "Or what..." Seto gritted his teeth and broke free from his grasp. "I understand your anger," Atem muttered dejectedly. His face showed aplicated emotion when his gaze fell onto Bakura, "But we must not vent our anger this way..." Staring at Atem''s eyes, Seto saw his deep understanding as they both shared the same regret. Clicking his teeth, he left the ssroom, pushing past the Homeroom Teacher who had just arrived. Walking through the hallway, Seto sighed with mncholy. Over time, Seto still found himself saddened by Yuna''s situation. However, that''s not what''s bothering him. What pained him the most was not being there. Throughout the entire battle, he remained unconscious while Yuna willingly sacrificed herself for the sake of others. By the time he regained consciousness, it was already toote... If only he were awake... If only he were stronger... Will things turn out differently? *CLANG CRASH* In a fit of rage, Seto punched the nearby window,pletely shattering it and scaring the students nearby, "I will have someone fix this." He said to a nearby teacher, who nodded frantically. Suddenly, the phone in Seto''s pocket buzzed, "What?" He growled but froze when he heard the message. Without even waiting for the other person to finish speaking, Seto rushed out of the school; four words kept repeating in his head. Yuna Sano is awake... 20 minutester... *BAMM* The door to the hospital room burst open as Seto rushed into the room. His chest heaved with exhaustion, and his eyes fixed on the person sitting on the hospital bed. Immediately, he wrapped his arms around Yuna, hugging her tightly, "Yuna..." He muttered with relief, "You woken up..." However, when Yuna didn''t respond, Seto noticed her staring at him strangely. Her expression was stuck in a frown as she gazed at Seto''s face, "Your. Hands." A cold but soft voice echoed throughout the room, "Get. Off." "Yuna?" Seto eximed when she pushed him away. "My first Name." Yuna scowled, "We''re not that intimate." Seto paused, caught off guard by her curt attitude. "Y... Yuna, what''s wrong?" Seto asked nervously. Reaching out his hand, he was stunned when Yuna pped it away. Her face was full of discontent and disgust, "Stay away." "Do you not remember me?" "You''re Seto Kaiba." To Seto''s disbelief, she easily answered the question, "A ssmate from school." "Is that really all?" Seto uttered in a devastated tone, but Yuna merely clicked her teeth. "Is there more?" She retorted, "Now leave." With Yuna''s sharp urging, Seto eventually left the room; his heart filled with shock and disappointment. An Hour Later... Outside of Yuna''s hospital room, Seto stared at the nervous doctor before him. "Based on the tests, we can safely conclude that Miss Sano suffers from a form of memory loss." "Then how was she able to remember my name?" Seto questioned suspiciously. "To be exact, she has forgotten everything that happened in thest year." The doctor gulped, "We couldn''t figure out the cause of this symptom, and there doesn''t seem to be any damage to her brain." "When we disclosed this information to Miss Sano, she showed a great amount of distress, and apparently, thest memory Miss Sano had was when she was resting in her residence." "Is there really no way of helping her remember?" Seto asked, and the doctor hesitantly shook his head. "Unfortunately, at this time, there is no real treatment for memory loss." The doctor sighed and took off his sses, "We can only prescribe her Anti-depressants to help with her severe reaction towards the news..." Excusing himself, the doctor quickly escaped from Seto''s scrutinizing gaze. Staring through the one-way window of the testing room, he watched Yuna calmly sitting in the hospital bed. Beside her was Mokuba, who was showing her videos through his phone. "Big Sister, this is you in that video; you were one of the best duellists in the world!" Mokuba said passionately, causing her to frown. "...Duellist?" Yuna questioned and watched intently on the phone. It was a video of her duelling against Zane Trusdale in the Grand Champion Ship. It was truly a serene sight, with monsters appearing on the field, battling each other fiercely. When Yuna''s eyes turned to her on the screen, she scowled in disbelief at her confident attitude, which was the direct opposite of her cold and distant personality... "How is that me?" She questioned doubtfully. "No, that''s really Big Sister!" Mokuba reassured. As Yuna continued to watch the video, she remembered the name of the card game she wasN?v(el)B\\jnn ying. It was a very popr card game that she had seen people in school ying. However, she never imagined herself ying that game as well... As Yuna continued to scroll through the countless videos on Mokuba''s phone. She suddenly froze when she stumbled upon a single photo. "Ah, that!" Mokuba yelled in a panic and took the phone away from her. However, it was toote, as Yuna had already seen everything. The picture was taken secretly from a distance, but two figures could be seen clearly. It was an image of Yuna and Seto walking side by side in Kaiba Land. Their hands were tightly intertwined as they smiled bashfully at each other. Yuna''s mind wentpletely nk in shock and disbelief. She finally understood why Seto was acting strangely earlier... "That photo." Yuna mumbled callously, "My rtionship with Kaiba. What is it?" "Uhhh..." Mokuba rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, "Big bro didn''t tell me much... But..." "Spill it." "Ummm, you guys..." Mokuba''s face became slightly red with embarrassment, "Kissed..." The sudden bomb shell caught Yunapletely off guard, and she stared at Mokuba in shock. Covering her lips, she felt an immense difort, and anxiety washes over her. Yuna couldn''t believe she had ever acted this way. It was the opposite of her normal behaviour, and the thought of it left her with disgust. Touching her lips, Yuna''s pupils trembled, and a terrifying thought crossed her mind. What if it isn''t a simple memory loss? Even if she couldn''t remember, there''s no way that she could change this drastically over a year... It''s like someone else had taken over her body instead... What if she''s right, and there''s actually another person controlling her body like a puppet? That person have changed her life so drastically in such a short amount of time, and Yuna was afraid that they mighte back... "Please leave..." Yuna suddenly spoke icily while bringing her hands close to her chest. "Big Sister..." Mokuba whimpered, on the verge of tears. "Go." Under her firm pressure, Mokuba eventually left the room. When the door closed behind him, Yuna gasped for breath as she stared at her hands, which showed faint blood when she dug her nails into her palm. At that moment, Yuna could feel her hands instinctively trying to reach out and pat Mokuba''s head, which only left her nothing but uneasiness. Suddenly, the door opened, and Seto reappeared. Knowing her current state, he hid his anxiety and calmly stood by the door. "The doctors said you can be discharged this afternoon." Seto exined while staring at Yuna, who had her face buried in her pillow, "Would you like me to assign someone to take you home?" "Why go so far?" Yuna lifted the corner of her face and muttered, "I''m not the same person. Not the one that you know." "It may look like that to you." Seto replied while ncing into the distance, "But you''re still the same, in my opinion." "I''m not!" Yuna denied loudly and sat up. Running her hand through her hair, she red at Seto with annoyance, "I''m not her..." "Yuna..." "I want to be alone." Yuna crossed her arms and averted his gaze, "I will go home myself." Nodding, Seto showed a pained expression before smiling wryly, "I understand... Please be careful, and I will see you school..." Bidding farewell, Seto exited the room. Staring at the door, Yuna bit her lips in frustration. Although the interaction was short, she could feel her heart beating excitedly at his presence... Hourster... By the time Yuna arrived home, the sun was already setting down. When she entered the living room, she was once again stunned by her other self. The room waspletely refurbished with brand-new furniture and electronics. Compared to her original living environment, this could be considered a full upgrade. Frowning subconsciously, Yuna entered the bedroom and was relieved to find it like how she remembered. However, there were some items that she had never seen before sitting on her desk. Picking up the Duel Disk on the table, her body felt an extreme familiarity with the device. Beside it were several Duel Monster Cards stacked on top of each other, forming a deck. Observing them, Yuna did not understand the premise of the card game, so she eventually set them aside. She had considered maybe throwing them away, but her instincts were screaming at her not to do that. Finally, Yuna found her phone that had been gathering dust next to her duel disk. Typing in her password, she was d that it managed to open before scrolling through it to check if it had been tampered with. When Yuna entered her bank ount, she almost dropped the phone when she saw the number of zeros behind a single number, disbelief that the millions worth of USD were her own. Thankfully, other than the money, there weren''t many things changed, and Yuna sighed. Turning her attention back to the Duel Monster Cards, Yuna hesitantly picked up the first card on top of the deck. It was a picture of a Golden Dragon with red eyes, "Divine Dragon lord Felgrand..." She read out the name, unable to grasp theplex emotions in her heart. Suddenly, Yuna touched the side of her face and felt the tears streaming down her eyes. Confused, Yuna stared at her finger at a loss. "Why," Yuna mumbled while copsing onto her bed. Overwhelmed with exhaustion, she felt sleepiness creep in as Yuna went to bed crying, and in her hand was the card Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, resting tightly between her fingers... A few days Later... For the following week, Yuna quietly attended school. Ignoring Yugi and his friends who tried to greet her, she focused on the lessons taught by her teacher. However, a year of being absent has greatly affected her psyche, causing her to be always tired and in a moment of agitation. She has no idea what her other self has done to the people around her, and Yuna does not bother to find out. Thus, it continued to act its cold usual self, keeping a safe distance from anyone who tried to approach. It had always been this way ever since her parents died, and Yuna was content to keep it like this. Yuna had already stopped feeling lonely because, in the end, people would only disappoint her again, like how her distant rtives never tried to support her after her parent''s death or how her friends were never there when she needed them the most... Yuna pondered absentmindedly before her gaze wandered to the boy sitting at the front. Yuna must admit that Seto has been bothering her mind as ofte. Keeping his promise of not annoying her, Seto has been leaving some subtle hint of kindness when she''s near him, and when their eyes met, Yuna could always see a sense of longing in his gaze. However, each time he tried to approach her, she would heartlessly push him away, leaving him heartbroken. Even if she had truly said some hurtful things, Seto would have attempted to talk to her again the next day... "Confusing..." Yuna muttered under her breath. Even after all she had done, why hasn''t he moved on yet? As the school bell rang, signalling the end, Yuna quickly left. Passing by Seto''s desk, she could feel his eyes trained on her like a hawk. Feeling disturbed, she hurriedly exited the ssroom door and made her way home... Once home, Yuna tossed her backpack to the side. She dragged her body to her bedroom. For several days now, she could not get any sleep, lost in the nightmares of her body being controlled without her knowing, doing things without her consent... Every time, she would wake up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat. Unable to fall back to sleep unless she takes the medicine provided by the doctors. Upon entering her bedroom, Yuna sank onto her bed. Opening her eyes, she nced at the Duel Monsters cards on the table. After the emotional outburst from holding the Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand card, Yuna discovered several other cards that create a simr reaction. cing neatly side by side, Yuna ran her fingers along each card. She doesn''t understand why these cards could make her feel this way or this deep rtionship she had with each one... The only way to get an answer was to ask her other self. But Yuna was afraid of losing control of her body once more... "Just who are you..." Yuna mumbled sadly, "Why can''t I remember anything... Who was the Yuna during that one year?" Before Yuna could get lost in her thoughts, the doorbell in her house suddenly rang loudly. When she opened the door, there was a man with light brown skin in front of her. He''s dressed in white and cream robes with a turban over his head. Dangling around his neck was arge golden key. "Lady Sano." The man greeted Yuna with a smile, "It''s about time we talk." I hope you enjoy it! Chapter 108: Finding the Truth Chapter 108: Finding the Truth ? [3rd POV] "Who are you? You''de to the wrong ce," Yuna hissed suspiciously while peeking through the small slit of the door. "But I believe I have, Lady Sano." The man corrected calmly, "If you would only let mee in, I will exin everything to you." "Not interested," Yuna responded swiftly. When she tried to close the door, Shadi suddenly stuck his foot through the crack, stopping her. "I sincerely hope you will reconsider," Shadi suggested with a smile. "After all, the main focus of our conversation will be about your other self..." Yuna''s body immediately stiffened, and she stared at Shadi in disbelief. Struggling between the shock of his deration and his trustworthiness, she carefully opened the door and allowed Shadi to enter. Guiding him to the living room, Yuna and Shadi sat at the dining table as they stared at each other. "Speak now," Yuna demanded sharply. Her gaze was full of caution towards the man who was able to uncover her deepest concern, and she nervously rubbed her wrist under the table. "Before we begin, I wish to inform you that I bear no ill will towards Lady Sano," Shadi announced and held up both hands in surrender. "If you''re not trying to hurt me. What''s the point of doing all this..." Yuna questioned, unable toprehend any other reason what Shadi would do with the critical information other than ckmail her. "Well, I''m simply repaying a favour," Shadi smiled wryly while staring at his calloused hands, "For your other self, that is...." Taking a sharp breath, Yuna bit her lips with aplicated emotion. Having her suspicions fully confirmed, Yuna felt a shiver down her spine. The fact that there was someone out there controlling her, acting as her, being her for a full year, made Yuna''s skin crawl. "Why... Why should I believe you?" She scowled warily, "You''re just going to get her back, aren''t you..." Clenching her fists, Yuna felt a wave of immense anger and frustration, "You''re like the rest of them..." For days, people have approached her and interacted with her. However, Yuna knew that they were not here for her but for the other Yuna who had befriended them for the past year. All these rtionships that she wasn''t aware of made her want to vomit. However, what angered her the most was their disappointment when they realised she was not the same. It was wrong; why did she have to sit through their dissatisfaction? Why was she the one being punished for this unexinable event? As Shadi remained silent, Yuna fumed, and the discontent in her heart came bursting out like a tsunami... "This is my body! Mine!" She screamed and stood up, "How could I just give it away?!" "I didn''t ask to get possessed. Why can''t I live in peace?! It''s not fair!!" Crying, Yuna sank back into her seat and grasped her head in shock, "Why... Why do I have to go..." Yuna wept in despair, her tears staining the table. She was the original owner of her own body, so why does she have to give it up for a mere stranger? It simply wasn''t fair... Watching her cry, Shadi hummed sadly. Extending his arm, he handed Yuna a handkerchief, and she wiped her eyes. "Lady Sano, we have no intent of forcing you to donate your body to your other self... This will be the same for everyone else..." "How can I believe that?" Yuna muttered with doubt. "You can''t," Shadi smiled and shook his head, "But instead, believe in your other self... Because she will never wish for you to sacrifice yourself, Lady Sano..." "The other me..." Yuna muttered in a daze, "What is she like..." "That''s something I can''t answer for myself..." Shadi answered honestly, "Perhaps you may ask her associates." "That''s not possible..." Yuna replied, knowing her awkward rtionship with the others. "Then that''s something you can ask her yourself." Shadi smiled sincerely, "Which is my purpose here today..." Yuna''s expression contorted; right now, the man sitting before her was giving her the impression of a professional scammer. Staring at his outstretched hand, Yuna clicked her teeth. Despite how shady it was, Yuna couldn''t suppress her curiosity. She wanted answers. She wanted to know why her body was taken over and wanted to find out the truth... "So, will you ept my help?" Shadi asked. "Fine..." Yuna groaned and shook his hand. Laughing, Shadi stood up, "Great, by the way. I rmend you take some time off school. After all, we will be going overseas..." Yuna: .... Forget about being a professional scammer; Shadi''sbel has suddenly upgraded to a maniptive human trafficker... "Whatever you''re imagining, I assure you it won''t happen." Shadi hurriedly added under Yuna''s judgemental gaze. "Alright..." She nodded warily, and he sighed. "Let''s go tomorrow," He said and moved to the door, "Prepare all the necessary necessities. I don''t know how long it will take." With a brief goodbye, Shadi left, and Yuna was once again alone in her home. Feeling that the conversation still felt surreal, she anxiously stood up and stared at the close door. "Right... I need to prepare..." Snapping out of her daze, Yuna swiftly entered her room to pack. When her hands stopped at the Duel Monster cards, Yuna frowned in a state of hesitance. Finally resigning to her instinct, Yuna carefully stuffed the cards into her bag, feeling that there was something more to them than she was led to know. "I will definitely find out the truth..." Yuna mumbled to herself. No matter how long or gruelling this journey may be. Yuna will only be satisfied when all of her questions get answered and when she finally meets her other self... Dayster... Just as Shadi exined, Yuna found a message at her front door telling her to leave Japan first thing in the morning. Having never gone onto a ne, let alone another country, Yuna was obviously tense. However, when she arrived at the airport, Yuna was stunned to find that her boarding area was in the VIP section of the airport. While double-checking her ticket, a woman suddenly approached Yuna with a benevolent smile. "Miss Sano, we have been awaiting you..." The woman said and bowed respectfully, "Please call me Ishizu, and I will be the one escorting you on your journey." "Mr Shadi has already briefed us on the situation, and we will be meeting him in Egypt." "Egypt?" Yuna furrowed her brows in surprise, "We''re going to Egypt?" "Yes, that''s right," Ishizu chuckled with amusement, "Don''t worry, I will make sure that Miss Sano will stay safe for the entirety of the travel." Nodding, Yuna stared at Ishizu strangely when she sensed her over-friendly attitude. It wasn''t hard for her to figure out that the person in front of her also knew more than she led Yuna to believe... "Your rtionship with me, what is it?" Yuna questioned, "How much do you know?" "Well, I wasn''t able to register the full situation." Ishizu admitted with an embarrassed smile, "But I''m aware that Miss Sano currently can''t remember anything that transpired in the past year." "That means we''ve met before. Correct?" "Yes..." Ishizu nodded and chuckled, "Our family is forever in Miss Sano''s debt. Which is why we''re assisting Miss Sano with everything we can." Once again, someone was helping Yuna due to her other self, and it left a bitter taste in her mouth, "What did I do to deserve such hospitality?" "You saved my brother from going down the wrong path," Ishizu exined, and Yuna''s face showed a slight disappointment at the answer. "It may sound simple, but the world will be quite affected if his ns seed." "Let''s continue our conversation once we''re in the air," Ishizu suggested and led Yuna into the ne. Inside, Yuna was once again blown away by the over-the-top luxury, unlike the typical rows and rows of seats in a normal ne. The one she''s features multiple rooms, ranging from bedrooms,rge wardrobe and private toilets. "Miss Sano, please sit here," Upon Ishizu''s beckoning, Yuna sat down on one of therge seats. Her lips subtly crept into a satisfied smile at theforts of the fabric. "I''m d you enjoy it." Ishizu pointed out, and the small smile quickly wiped off her face, returning to her usual impassive expression. Sitting in silence, the ne finally took off, and Yuna stared out the window in awe. Watching her city grow smaller and smaller, the clouds eventually covered her vision, and Yuna regretfully tore her gaze away. Turning her head, she finally stared at Ishizu, who was observing her keenly. "What was I like... What is our rtionship?" Taking a long sip of her wine, Ishizu calmly thought about Yuna''s question. Yet a strange thought crossed her mind, and she smiled yfully. "Well, Miss Sano and I were quite close." Ishizu spoke mysteriously, "In fact, I tend to treat Miss Sano like a younger sister of mine..." "I see...." Yuna muttered, unsure how she should feel about this new information. "Of course, Miss Sano was quite also adorable." Ishizu continued and lied shamelessly, "You were always quite affectionate and enjoyed embracing me whenever we met." "That..." Yuna squirmed ufortably, "Seemed unlikely..." "But it is true." Ishizu insisted and ced down her ss, "Would you like to try? Maybe this can help you remember something..." Holding out her arms in invitation, Yuna stared at Ishizu in difort and didn''t know how to react, "I... will pass..." "That''s a shame," Ishizuughed, "I was actually looking quite forward to it..." Realising Ishizu was merely messing with her, Yuna scowled deeply and blushed with embarrassment, "Don''t joke about such things..." Ishizu giggled and took another sip of her wine, "Who says I''m joking? During a trip, you even slept on myp once..." "Stop it..." Yuna mumbled, unable to tell what was true and what was false anymore, as Ishizu''sughter echoed throughout the flight. Sixteen Hours Later... When the ne finallynded, Yuna stepped out of the aircraft with a gaunt expression. Despite the over-the-top luxury, travelling for the first time still left her exhausted. Just below the steps, Yuna noticed two men waiting for them, "These two men are my brothers, Marik and Odion. They will also be helping you throughout the journey." Nodding, Yuna scanned both of their faces. She thought about the troublesome brother that Ishizu was referring to, and her eyes subconsciously wandered to Marik. "Is... Is there something on my face?" Ignoring his question, Yuna turned to therge jeep awaiting them, "Where are we going?" "Well..." Ishizu chuckled and pulled out a map of the Sahara desert. "This is where we will be going..." Pointing at a certain spot on the map, Yuna frowned in disbelief, and she felt stupid for thinking that they would be going somewhere normal. "Let''s go," Ishizu urged and closed the map, "Get ready, it''s going to be a long ride..." Without any more exnation, she urged Yuna to get in the car, and they set off to the ce where she would get her answers... A dayter... Travelling for quite some time, they finally stopped at an oasis in the desert. Stopping the jeep, Yuna and the Isthars stepped out as they stared at the patches of greenery amongst the dry sand. "This is the location we were told to bring you," Odion''s voice trailed off, "But there doesn''t seem to be anything here..." Taking a deep breath, Yuna carefully climbed down the hall and approached the oasis. Confusion spread across her face. Was this really the ce? Wandering through the desert floor, Yuna suddenly stopped when her foot hit something hard. Wiping away the sand underneath her feet was a tough sandstone brick floor running all the way between two trees. With Marik and Odion''s help, they cleared the branches, revealing a cave. The entrance was damaged from years of weathering, leaving only a vertical opening. "I hope Miss Sano isn''t considering entering that cave," Ishizu spoke with concern, "It looks quite dangerous." Kneeling by the entrance, Yuna shined her shlight into the hole. Thankfully, it wasn''t that deep, and Yuna was able to see the bottom. As her curiosity outweighed the risk, Yuna confidently tossed her bag into the hole. "Will be back soon," Despite Ishtar''s protest, Yuna leapt down, and she let out a soft groan when shended inside. Waving her shlight around her, Yuna found an entrance leading deeper inside the cave, and she carefully entered. Walking silently, she discovered more man-made structures, such as sandstone pirs, remnants of mounted torches and hieroglyphics carved onto the walls, assuring her that she may be in the right ce...n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om After exploring for ten minutes, Yuna finally reached the end, and she held a sharp breath. Before Yuna was arge square room, torches were mounted around the walls, and Hieroglyphs were carved out of every nook and cranny of the room. As her eyes wandered to the centre, Yuna paused in awe as a statue of a woman stood before her. The statue was created intricately, and the woman truly looked beautiful with her hands sped together in a prayer. "This..." Yuna mumbled in shock and subconsciously approached the statue. Noticing a set of small Hieroglyphs at the foot of the statue, Yuna gently ran her fingers along the text with a hint of mncholy. "Kisara," Suddenly, a voice hushed, and she quickly turned around, finding Shadi standing behind her, donning a solemn expression. "It''s you..." Yuna frowned and stood up, "What did you say..." "Kisara, that was her name," Shadi continued, "That is the text written on the statue." Repeating the name to herself, Yuna felt an overwhelming sadness. Unable to understand the sudden surge of emotions, she sighed and turned her attention to the other Heiroglyhps all around the room. "These texts, what are they?" "Epitaphs..." Shadi exined, "All these are words left by people after her sacrifice." Curious by those Epitahs, she urged Shadi to read them out, and she listened patiently while a twisting emotion formed in her heart. My only wish is to see you again. I want to see your smile one more time... I love you... - Seto. Apassionate idiot... Even in the end, she thought about others first rather than herself... - Shada. You have left too early, my dear... I regret that I wasn''t able to teach you any more lessons... - Shimon A hero that we should all strive to be. - Isis We will never forget what you have done. I promise to protect the city you sacrificed for. Thank you... - Atem. From nobles, soldiers and even servants, every inch of this room was chiselled with a small message for the woman for whom this tomb was built. "What did Kisara do..." Yuna asked softly. "The greatest sacrifice of all." Shadi answered, "Her death saved this world..." Suddenly, the Millennium Key hanging by his neck glowed, catching the twopletely off guard. Along with the statue, both began to emit a blinding light. "What''s happening?!" Yuna yelled, but before she could get an answer, her entire vision went white... I hope you enjoy it. Chapter 109: Answers Chapter 109: Answers ? Sorry for the dy; I wasn''t able to get it to the point where I was satisfied with the chapter, so I spent more time polishing it. There may be another chapteringter this week, but I''m not sure if I can get the one after done in time, so we will see. [3rd POV] When Yuna regained consciousness, she found herself in apletely different room. This one was smaller, sleeker, and undeniably modern. The stark white walls, a bed neatly tucked into the corner, and the glow of a brightputer screen created a sense of strange familiarity. As she absorbed her surroundings, the sound of a ttering keyboard and mouse reached her ears. "A... Aki! This guy is using Dimension Shifter on me!" a woman yelled, mming her hand on the table. "I can''t take this anymore! They have to be cheating!" There was a quiet rustling from the bed, and a girl poked out from under the covers, "Don''t you have a Called By the Grave in your hand? Just use that." She mumbled softly, and herrge, round sses were slightly askew, giving her a sleepy, unimpressed look. "I... I did, but then they used that Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion or whatever!" the woman wailed, her frustration boiling over. In the next moment, her face fellpletely. "They''re ying Kashtira too..." "Just give up already," the girl replied indifferently. "Such is the fate of a Blue-Eyes White Dragon yer..." "Don''t insult the power of my spirit!" the woman huffed, pouting dramatically as she stood up. Her white hair cascaded over her shoulders as she grabbed the girl and yanked her out of bed. "K...Kisara, stop!" Aki yelped, struggling as Kisara mercilessly squished her cheeks and tugged at her face like a mischievous sibling. Watching the chaotic scene unfold, Yuna furrowed her brows, unsure of what to do. Slowly, she stood up, her movements careful. But the instant she did, both Kisara and Aki froze mid- action and turned their heads toward her in unison. "Ah... Sorry, you have to see that..." Kisara eximed softly and released Aki, who hurriedly darted behind her back. Straightening the wrinkles in her dress, Kisara greeted Yuna with a smile, "It''s nice to finally meet you, Yuna Sano." Controlling her expression, Yuna examined the woman more carefully. Staring at her face, Yuna recalled her appearance. She looked eerily simr to the woman from the statue she had seen earlier, and it wasn''t difficult to deduce her identity. "You''re Kisara..." Yuna called out, and the woman smiled gracefully. "Yes, that''s right," Kisara replied, bowing slightly. She gestured toward the girl behind her. "This girl here is called Aki. We have both been waiting for you." "Hello..." Aki waved timidly, and Yuna nodded in return. Kisara''s smile deepened as she flicked her wrist lightly. In an instant, the entire room dissolved around them. Yuna blinked and found herself seated at a table in an endless white void, with Kisara and Aki calmly sitting beside her. "We are currently in a different dimension where time flows differently from the real world," Kisara exined, patting her chest. "In fact, we are not even here physically, but spiritually." "I... I don''t understand," Yuna mumbled, her confusion clear. "How is any of this even possible?" Kisara gave an apologetic smile. "It''s difficult for us to exin as well. But it feels as though fate has brought us all together here today." Yuna remained silent, unsure how to respond. Fate? Who could believe in something as abstract as that? Yuna tore her gaze away from the amused Kisara and focused on the girl sitting timidly across from her. Aki fumbled with her sses, shrinking behind Kisara, her face a mix of nervousness and guilt. As Yuna looked into Aki''s eyes, an overwhelming sense of familiarity washed over her. With each anxious fidget from Aki, Yuna''s eyes widened. At that moment, she realized what her instincts had been trying to tell her. "It''s you..." Yuna muttered, her voice barely a whisper. Aki visibly shrank back. "You''re the one who stole my body..." A heavy silence settled over the room, thick with tension. It was so palpable it felt as though the atmosphere could be sliced through with a knife. Kisara froze, her pupils trembling as she watched the intense stare between Yuna and Aki, unsure of how to intervene. Dozens of different scenarios had yed out in Yuna''s mind when she finally met her other self. Her face shifted through a myriad ofplicated emotions as she grappled with how she should feel. Should she be angry, sad, or frustrated? Yet, none of those emotions surfaced. Instead, only one word lingered in her mind. "Why..." Yuna asked, her voice trembling with a mixture of loss and confusion as she looked at Aki. "Yuna, I..." Aki paused, unable to continue, her words caught in her throat. She nced at Yuna''s face, terrified of her reaction, and tears began to fall. "I''m sorry..." "Aki..." Kisara mumbled, her voice filled with worry as she gently patted Aki''s back. But she quickly shook her head, struggling to hold herposure. "It''s okay; she deserves to know everything," Aki said, taking a deep breath. Wiping away her tears, she turned to Yuna, her expression resolute. "It all started when I died..." "Hold on, died?" Yuna interrupted, her confusion evident. "What do you mean?" Aki took a shaky breath, trying to steady herself. "I''m not originally from this world," she exined. "I lived on another Earth, one very simr to this, though with some minor differences. In that world, I suffered an ident and passed away. But the next thing I knew, I woke up in your body with all my memories intact." Yuna stared in disbelief, but Aki pressed on, her voice softening. "At first, I was excited... excited for a second chance at life, a chance to explore this new world. For the first time in my existence, I could make friends and have people who actually cared about me... For the first time... I wasn''t lonely..." "I know it''s wrong, and you have every right to be mad at me..." Aki murmured, her voice breaking. "My life had already ended, and it''s not fair for me to take someone else''s just to satisfy my greed." "I''m sorry... I''m so sorry..." Aki finished, her gaze fixed on the ground. She fidgeted nervously, too afraid to look up and see Yuna''s reaction. Yuna, listening to her, found herself at aplete loss. If what Aki said was true, then she never intended to possess anyone, let alone Yuna. But still, it was unfair. Yuna had lost a year of her life, and that loss weighed heavily on her heart. In the end, the question lingered in Yuna''s mind: who should she me? Both of them were victims, caught in an ident neither had ever asked for. Despite the confusion and hurt, Yuna found herself unable to direct her anger at Aki. It was as if her own body was silently pleading for forgiveness, making it difficult for Yuna to hold any resentment. "I..." Yuna''s voice faltered, and she looked away, struggling to find the right words. "I know it''s not your fault... But I also don''t think I can ept your apology." Yuna hugged herself tightly, her voice shaky as she admitted, "It was scary... In the blink of an eye, I suddenly lost a year of my life. Knowing that, during that time, my body was... doing things on its own, without my control... It''s terrifying..." "However..." Yuna paused, gathering her thoughts. "I know Aki isn''t a bad person. I''ve heard about the things you''ve done... and that''s why I want to try and forgive you." Stretching out her hand, Yuna found herself saying words she never expected to. "Will you be my first friend?" Aki flinched, her eyes wide with shock as she gazed at Yuna''s outstretched hand. Hesitantly, she took it, but in an instant, she pulled Yuna into a tight hug, tears streaming down her face. The embrace was so sudden that Yuna froze for a moment, awkwardly patting Aki''s back. "Fu fu fu..." Kisara chuckled from the side, watching the scene unfold. "I''m d things turned out well. Aki''s been thinking about this for quite some time now..." "Shush..." Aki blushed in embarrassment, and Yuna couldn''t help but smile, sharing in the warmth of the moment. ''Is this what it''s like to have friends...?'' Yuna wondered, feeling a sense of excitement she had never experienced before. ''It feels nice...'' As the atmosphere grew warmer, everyone returned to their seats at the table. Aki took a deep breath and began to recount everything that had happened during the year Yuna had been possessed. At first, Yuna could only blink in disbelief at the absurd fairy tale Aki was telling. Duel Monsters weren''t just a game but a battle involving spirits from other dimensions. Viins used gods to try to take over the world. It all sounded so insane that Yuna would''ve sworn she was listening to the plot of a cartoon. "That''s pretty much what happened," Aki said, her voice steady despite the surreal nature of her words. "After I sacrificed myself, hoping Kisara''s soul would survive, we both ended up here..." "But I still don''t understand..." Yuna mumbled, her confusion deepening. "Why were we all brought together? Why didn''t Aki possess anyone else?" "Because I deemed it not to be..." A voice echoed in all three of the girls'' ears, catching them off guard. Their surroundings went white for a moment, and when their vision cleared, they found themselves face-to-face with a tall woman floating before them. She wore a luxurious white robe adorned with a ceremonial golden chest te. Luminous wings extended from her back, shimmering with divine light. On her head, arge crown with intricate designs glowed softly, marking her unmistakable divine status. "H... Hctie, the Creator of Light," Aki muttered under her breath. Yuna turned to her, wide-eyed, seeking an exnation. "She''s the Goddess of this world..." Aki added softly, her voice filled with awe. "Go... Goddess..." Yuna stammered, still in shock, her gaze fixed on Hctie in disbelief. "Please rest easy and speakfortably," Hctie said with a gentle smile, her presence exuding warmth. "I won''t be offended by such a petty reason." "Um... Hctie-sama..." It was Kisara who spoke up first, her voice steady despite the weight of the situation. "Could you tell us why we''re here?" "As you guessed earlier, this ce is my domain, detached from the real world," Hctie exined, her voice soft yet resonant. "The reason I''m here is to present my gift to the one who saved the world and fulfilled a promise I made long ago..." "I don''t understand, what promise?" Aki asked, her curiosity piqued. "Was it one made with Ten Thousand Dragon?" Hctie shook her head gently, her smile softening. "The promise was made not with my brother but with my dear niece. You may know her as the dragon of the Blue Eyes." At that, Kisara''s eyes widened in realization, her heart pounding as the weight of Hctie''s words settled in. "The Blue Eyes White Dragon..." She muttered and clutched her chest, "But it still doesn''t make sense; what kind of promise did Blue Eyes White Dragon make with a Hctie-sama?" "A promise for a second chance..." the Goddess said softly, her gaze turning sympathetic as she stared at Kisara. "Are you aware of your original fate in the past?" "Yes, Aki told me that Lord Aknadin killed me when the darkness of Zorc Necrophades corrupted him," Kisara replied, a diforted nod apanying her words. "Indeed," Hctie confirmed, her voice tinged with sorrow. "But there is more to the story. After the pharaoh sealed himself along with the malicious creature in the Millennium Puzzle, peace was restored to the world once more." "However, everything changed when the new Pharaoh, known as Seto, took control..." Hctie continued, her tone grave. "Unable to handle the loss of his lover, the new Pharaoh sought powers no mortal should possess. In his grief and desperation, he resorted to dark magic, forcibly summoning me from the depths of my slumber, awakening me after millennia of rest..." Aki and Kisara both gasped, their hands instinctively covering their mouths in disbelief. The notion that Seto would resort to such extreme measures was unfathomable to them. They exchanged looks, struggling toprehend the depth of his actions. "He demanded the revival of Kisara, an act that c the very na of life and order itself," Hctie continued, her voice steady but heavy with the weight of the past. "Of course, I rejected his demands. To tamper with fate in such a way was unforgivable, and I nned to curse him for his sin." "However, I stopped," Hctie said, her tone softening slightly. "And to my surprise, not only did the mortal beg me to reconsider, but my niece also pleaded with me as well. I had never seen her so attached to a human that she would defy me like that..." "But I assume that''s not enough to change your mind..." Yuna interrupted, her frown deepening as she tried to understand theplexity of the situation. Hctie nodded inN?v(el)B\\jnn acknowledgment. "That''s right. Although I adored my niece, I still couldn''t bend the rules I had established eons ago. Some things, no matter the plea, must remain unchanged." "Then why did you do it?" Aki asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. "I can''t imagine what Blue-Eyes White Dragon could have done to make you break your own rule..." Hctie let out a soft sigh, her expression distant, "Knowing my firm stance on the matter, my niece did something that had never been done before. She willingly challenged my authority as a god..." "Gathering spirits weaker than her own," Hctie continued, her voiceced with admiration, "she fearlessly waged a battle against me. She even had my nephew, whom you may know as the Dragon of Gold, join in the fight." "All for a single human," Hctie said, her gaze softening slightly as she looked at Kisara. "I couldn''t understand why she would go this far to save Kisara, and unfortunately, such earthly attachment was beyond me..." "But her resolve shone through, unlike anything I have seen." Kisara''s voice trembled as she processed the weight of Hctie''s words. "So you broke your own rules... because of your affection for Blue Eyes White Dragon?" she whispered, her tone a mix of disbelief and awe. Hctie chuckled softly, the sound almost melodic. "Yes... you could say something like that." The goddess''s eyes softened as she gazed at Kisara. "Instead of breaking thews of the world, I offered an alternative. I vowed that Kisara''s soul would be reincarnated after several millennia, alongside the reincarnation of the man you once knew. But even with that, it was not a simple solution." "By that time, Zorc Necrophades'' magic had already ravaged your soul," Hctie continued, her voice grave. "It could not be easily restored. The damage was too great, even for me." "If I were to repair it, Kisara would no longer be herself. She would be an artificial being forged from my power. So, I chose a different path. I fragmented what remained of her soul into several parts." "One part contained Kisara''s identity and memories..." "Another part allowed me to create a vessel, one that would house her soul once it was restored." "And the final piece was sent to another world to regrow what had been lost. Kisara''s current form was too fragile to withstand the energy of this realm." "Kisara..." "Yuna..." "Aki..." Hctie''s gaze softened. "These fragmented souls... are the three of you." I hope you enjoy it. Chapter 110: Proof of Your Affection Chapter 110: Proof of Your Affection ? [3rd POV] The sudden revtion caught thempletely off guard, and they stared at each other in shock. Such an outrageous exnation seemed to solve all the remaining mysteries in their mind. "This is why Aki was able to possess Yuna''s body when I manually retrieved her soul from the other world." "So the reason I died was..." Aki paused, staring at Hctie in disbelief. "I do apologise... But if I had let you remain longer, it would have been much harder to bring your soul back into my possession." "Hold on. If what you''re saying is true, why can''t I remember anything?" Yuna asked, confusion etched on her face. Like I should be able to recall getting merged?" "Although all three of you share the same essence, you have developed distinct identities. Forcing Aki''s soul into your body would have caused a severe bacsh, potentially destroying both of your psyches," Hctie exined. "This was why I sealed Yuna away for the time being and let Aki limate with this world before slowly unlocking each memory one by one and merging you three together safely." Hctie continued. "But that was the original n..." Suddenly, Hctie gazed at both Aki and Kisara with an exasperated expression before shaking her head with a wry smile. "I was still surprised by Kisara sacrificing herself to protect Aki during your battle against the boy who took control of one of my children..." "Aki told me about that before... But howe I don''t remember any of it?" Kisara mumbled in confusion. "That''s because you''re not the same Kisara as the one that''s supposed to be used. The original Kisara''s soul haspletely vanished, leaving a vacant spot. Due to this problem, I had to slightly alter the Trial of Memories that was made for the Pharaoh." "It was changed so that Aki would personally travel back in time and stay with you, who was still alive. This would allow Aki to gradually absorb parts of her soul and rece the original Kisara." "However... both of you derailed from that n once more..." The goddess sighed loudly, causing Aki and Kisara to flinch. They stared at Hctie nervously, fearing that they had offended the god in some way. "The Pharaoh and hispanions were supposed to find another method to summon me, revolving around using their powers to fuse the three Egyptian gods," Hctie began. "But without the battle with the dark spirit named Bakura inside the Valley of the Kings, which would lead them to the correct method, the course of events was altered. Since Kisara had survived, Yami Bakura went to find the Pharaoh directly instead, resulting in the incorrect spell being discovered." Kisara muttered, almost to herself, "Funny how life works... But if I died, I might never be here now." She smiled softly, a mixture of relief and sadness in her eyes. "That may be the case. By staying together for five years, Aki has gathered more than enough Ba from Kisara to copy your personalityter..." "But that''s where you''re wrong," Aki said, shaking her head. Kisara is Kisara, and no one, not even a clone, can rece her. That''s why I will always save her, no matter what." "Which is what you did... If you had not also jumped into the summoning circle, Kisara would not have survived..." At Hctie''s exnation, Aki puffed up her chest with pride, and Kisara smiled sheepishly. Watching the twoughing joyfully at each other, Yuna sighed and turned to the Goddess with a solemn expression. "So are you saying that the pass has changed? If you refuse to revive someone, why are you so willing to change the past? Isn''t that worse?" She pointed out. "Indeed, but that is not how time travelling works. There won''t be an effect without a cause." "Just because the past was changed doesn''t remove the original events; it is merely padded over it as the past needed to happen for you to change it." "But if the timeline were removed, there would never be a need to change the past, and that means Aki would never be there to save Kisara, so that the original event would transpire anyway. Such an interesting paradox, isn''t it?" Hctieughed in amusement while the three tilted their heads in confusion. "Then what will happen to us now?" Yuna asked while suffering from a headache from all the information. "As I mentioned earlier, I''m here to fulfil my promise. With all the preparationsplete, I will now repair your soul and merge the three of you into one..." The three girls exchanged tense nces, various concerns evident in their eyes. Summoning her courage, Aki stepped forward and asked the question that had been on their minds: "If we merge... what exactly will happen to us?" Hctie smiled gently, her presence radiating calm reassurance. "Since Yuna is the main body, she will incorporate the memories and experiences of Aki and Kisara." "However," she continued, "that''s only the surface. In reality, all your memories, skills, and personalities will be seamlessly fused into one cohesive identity. You will be a new person, embodying the essence of all three." The girls looked at each other, processing this news. "Does that answer satisfy you?" Hctie asked, her gaze soft and understanding. "Yes, that''s fine," Aki smiled with relief, and Kisara nodded in agreement. "Hold on!" Yuna interrupted abruptly. "How are you two so calm about this?! The Goddess said it''s like I''m stealing your memories!" "Well, it''s not like we''re dying," Kisara exined with an awkwardugh. "Besides, it''s not like we have any unfinished business left in this world." "What are you talking about? Of course, you do!" Yuna shouted, pointing at Aki. "What about your friends? What about Kaiba?" "Is that what you''re worried about?" Akiughed sheepishly and blushed. Smiling, she gently poked Yuna''s cheek. "As Kisara said, we''re not really leaving. That means rtionships with everyone will be yours as well." "But what if I don''t even like Kaiba?! Are you really willing to bet everything on me?!" As Yuna''s panic escted, Aki burst intoughter and pulled her into a tight hug. She gently patted Yuna''s head, aforting smile on her face. "You know," she whispered, "the old Kisara once told me something I couldn''t understand until now." "What did she say?" Yuna asked, her voice trembling. "It''s okay... I don''t mind if you like him because... I''m you." Aki spoke softly, her words a warm reassurance. She then stepped back and turned to Hctie. With a wave, she called out, "Goddess-sama, we''re ready now!!" Hctie''s serene expression remained unchanged. "Then please stay still. It may feel a little strange..." A brilliant light enveloped them, and their bodies glowed with a golden hue. "Cheer up; it''s not like we''re being erased," Kisara said, noticing Yuna''s sad gaze. "Although our time together was brief, we were both so d to have met you." Kisara smiled warmly, holding Yuna''s hands. "I know you have your problems, but I hope that once you merge with us, you may find yourself trusting people again." Releasing her hands, Kisara stepped back, making way for Aki, who calmly tapped Yuna''s shoulder. "My memories will be very useful to you since there''s some stuff that will happen in the future you need to prepare for. Also, I''m giving you my duelling skills. You will understand how important they will be soon." "Will we meet again?" Yuna asked, tears streaming down her face. Despite her sadness, Aki and Kisara clutched their stomachs inughter. "What are you talking about? We''re not going anywhere." Kisara giggled, "In fact, we''re going to be closer than ever before." Finally, Yuna broke into a small smile and nodded. With onest look at each other, a sh of white erupted before her eyes, and Yuna lost consciousness... An unknown amount of timeter, Yuna opened her eyes and clutched her head in difort. The flood of new memories felt disjointed, and she winced, trying to process them slowly, one by one. It felt like she was Yuna, Aki, and Kisara at the same time, as their memories came back to her simultaneously. All the emotions and thoughts from the three girls formed into one, and Yuna subconsciously smiled as Aki and Kisara''s happiness flowed into her. "I understand it may be a little overwhelming. This is the first time I''m doing something like this..." "It''s fine..." Yuna muttered awkwardly, struggling to control her emotions, "Am I really okay?"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "There seemed to be no abnormality in your body and soul. Congrattions, Yuna, everything is okay now..." "I see..." Yuna''s shoulders sagged with relief. All the worries of her damaged soul were finally fixed. It was an overwhelming sensation, and Yuna truly found herselfplete. "I believe you still have some unsettled business to tend to..." "Ah yes..." Yuna blushed and grasped her chest. Her heart beats rapidly upon thinking about a certain man who was still waiting for her after all this time... "Thank you..." She bowed gratefully, and Hctie shook her head. "I''m not the one who you should be thanking. This is farewell, Yuna Sano; I hope you may live a much more fulfilling life..." With a small wave of her hand, Yuna''s surroundings began to spin. By the time she realised what had happened, she was back in Kisara''s tomb. ncing around, she found herself alone. When she remembered Shadi wasst seen with her, Yuna called his name but received no response. Enveloped in this silence, she suddenly heard a loud nk beneath her and found the Millennium Key resting by her foot. Picking up the Millennium Item, Yuna recalled that she had used the Millennium Key back during the battle against Zorc Necrophades. Even after this time, the Key seemed to still remember her past life and smoothly epted her as its wielder. Feeling the cold gold surface of the artifact, Yuna wore the Millennium Key around her neck like a ne. "Now, how do I get out of here..." Yuna mumbled curiously and looked up at the roof. Feeling something in her back pocket, she found her Duel Monsters cards and chuckled, "That''s right... Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand,e out." Tapping into her soul, she felt the dragon within her stir excitedly. When she lifted her head, she saw a majestic dragon covered in shimmering golden scales. Yuna''s smile widened as she reached out and scratched the dragon''s neck, feeling a deep connection between them. "Did I make you guys worry?" Yuna asked gently, and the dragon let out a low growl, "It''s all right now... I won''t be going anywhere." Climbing onto the dragon''s back, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand roared and unleashed a bright beam, shattering the stone ceiling, and the sunlight struck Yuna''s face. WOOSH The dragon soared into the air, and the wind generated from its wings sent sand flying in every direction. "Miss Sano!!" ncing into the distance, Yuna spotted the Ishtars, whose eyes widened with shock at the sudden appearance of the golden dragon. Yuna ordered the dragon tond, and Ishizu hurriedly approached her with concern, asking, "Did you finish your business here?" "Yes," Yuna smiled, "Sorry for the trouble." "I''m just relieved that Miss Sano was able to find what she''s looking for." Ishizu replied, "Will we depart now?" "Ah..." Yuna nced at Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, who was observing her in silence. Thanks, but I will make my way back." "Of course," Ishizu nodded in understanding, "I pray that you will stay safe on your journey." Yuna smiled gratefully and climbed back onto her dragon. Tapping its back, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand took off into the sky. Its speed was much faster than any ne as we easily left the desert and reached the ocean. Staring at the sky, Yuna couldn''t get the thought of Kaiba out of Her head. It truly was strange; while Aki and Kisara part of her were excited, Yuna was more reserved and hesitant, unable to share the same feeling as the other two... But in the end, it was something she had to confront. Sighing deeply, Yuna gazed into the distance in a daze. What was she supposed to do? Sometimeter... In the head office of Kaiba Corps, Seto stared at the paperwork sprawled on his desk. His face was a mix of anger and sorrow as he desperately tried to distract himself through his work. *Snap* This was the tenth pen that broke today, and the ink was sprayed onto his hands. Sighing, he tossed the broken pen into the trash and cleaned his hands in the private bathroom of his office. Staring at his reflection through the cracked mirror, Seto clicked his teeth and called Noah, who briefly appeared on a monitor in the room. "I thought I told you to get someone to rece that." He scolded while pointing at the fist print in the ss. "I did, but you immediately sent them away, telling them that you needed time alone," Noah replied calmly, "When was thest time you ate?" "Why do you care..." "I''m just saying, you looked like you can copse at any moment." Noah shrugged, looking into the distance, "Go take a break. I cancelled all your meetings for the day." "Fine..." Seto muttered, too tired to argue. However, before he could try to rx, his private phone buzzed, and Seto frowned. Taking the device out of his pocket, Seto froze in shock and almost dropped his phone. "What''s wrong?" Ignoring Noah''s question, Seto rushed out of the room. The previous exhaustionpletely vanished from his face. Rushing out of the building, he sprinted with all his might and disregarded everything around him. After sprinting for ten relentless minutes, Seto finally reached Domino High. The school''s gates were locked for the weekend, but that didn''t stop him. With a swift leap, he vaulted over the gate and dashed up the stairs, his heart pounding in his chest. He burst through the rooftop door, panting heavily. His gaze immediately locked onto the woman standing there, her silhouette framed by the sunset. Her calm demeanour contrasted sharply with the storm of emotions swirling within him. Her ocean-blue hair gently flowed in the wind as she slowly turned around and met his gaze. Seto flinched as her crystal blue eyes swept over him, and her lips slowly curved into a sweet smile that made his heart flutter. "Yuna..." Seto gulped, and she hummed. "Good evening, Seto," Yuna greeted him calmly: "It''s nice to see you again." Light returned to his eyes, and he muttered in a hesitant tone, "Your memories... Is it back?" "You can say something like that... I..." Before Yuna could finish, she was suddenly pulled into a tight embrace, and her eyes widened slightly as she felt Seto''s trembling hands on her back. "You''re really back..." Seto mumbled with bated breath, and Yuna smiled wryly. Gently, she removed Seto''s hands and moved away from him. Approaching the balcony, Yuna sighed deeply with aplicated emotion. "Yuna..." Seto called and walked towards her, but she quickly stopped him. "Just stand back!" Yuna yelled, her tone almost pleading. Her expression was filled with longing and hesitation, and she grasped her chest in difort. "I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to scare you like that..." "What''s wrong?" Seto asked, his face full of worry. Yuna bit her lips, struggling with something internally. "Seto, do you trust me?" Yuna asked. Seto was caught off guard by the personal question, but he nodded confidently, and Yuna smiled. "Then please, listen to what I''m about to say..." Yuna began, her voice steady but urgent. Without waiting for a response, sheid bare everything she had been hiding. Seto could only blink, trying to process her words. Out of all the things he had expected to hear, the knowledge that she had once lived in another world was certainly not one of them... "The me that fell in love with you was the Yuna that used to live in the other world, and it was only recently that we all became one person, our memories and soul merging into one..." "I... I don''t understand?" Seto muttered. "Seto..." Yuna smiled wryly. The Yuna who loves you and the current me are not the same person, but we have beenbined. Knowing that Yuna is gone, do you still feel the same way?" "Didn''t you say it yourself? Weren''t you all basically the same person? Why would my feelings be any different?" Seto replied softly, "Even if you can''t feel it yourself, I know that you are still you and that Yuna has never changed, whether you got your memories back or not..." "Fu fu fu..." Yuna giggled, "I knew you would say something like that." "But..." She sighed sadly, "I''m not sure I can feel the same..." "Even right now, my heart is beating so fast, it is going crazy... But it is because of the emotions from the past Yuna that I had inherited..." "So please prove to me that those feelings are really mine!" Yuna shouted, bringing her hands to her chest. "Prove that these emotions aren''t just remnants of my past life that still linger in my body!" Tossing her bag towards him, Seto caught it and found a standard Kaiba Corps Duel Disk inside. "Seto Kaiba... I challenge you to a duel!" Yuna equipped her Duel Disk onto her, and the device came to life as the two parts snapped together, resembling an arm de, "I won''t be going easy..." "Yuna..." Seto gulped nervously, and he stared at the Duel Disk in the bag with hesitation. Of all those times he duelled for glory, this was the first where he might lose something much more... Anxiety gued his heart as the fear of losing swept over him. He must admit it: Yuna was one of the strongest duellists he knows, and Seto wasn''t sure if he could win. Perhaps... Seto nced at his back pocket, where several cards rested. It was still a prototype, and he wasn''t sure if it would work. However, for him to win, he couldn''t even show a sign of weakness... Taking a deep breath, Seto slid the Duel Disk onto his wrist and inserted the new cards and his deck into the device. Regaining hisposure, he stared at Yuna with his usual confidence, "I won''t lose. Yuna, I will defeat you!" Nodding with relief, Yuna smiled softly, "I hope so too..." "DUEL!" X2 [Yuna Sano: 4000 LP] [Seto Kaiba: 4000 LP] I hope you enjoy it; it''s been so long since thest duel. Sorry if this chapter may be a bit confusing, I will try and answer the questions. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!