One fateful encounter forever changes the life of a young boy.
"You don't have to do any of this you know." The words came straight from the mouth of a peach-skinned young woman. Her peaceful, yet firm eyes of scarlet stare down at a tan-skin young boy with black hair aiming a rifle at her.
"Shut up," the boy snarls, not wanting to even consider her words. "I don't take no orders from Wynnians." He raises his barrel towards her head, resolving to pull the trigger. "Stand aside and get out of here."
"Why don't you just shoot me and be done with it."
"My orders don't involve you." He eyeballs at the one crying child hiding behind her long orange hair. It is a boy of her race, no older than he was. "Stand aside. I ain't repeating myself again."
"You won't shoot. I can see it. You're better than that."
It sounds to him as no more than a typical mind game. And yet, both his arms waver, unable to act. He couldn't fathom why. He shouldn't need to, for this is his role. His orders. And should he fail it would only lead to dire, unimaginably cruel consequences. The more he wastes time, the more he endangers his own being.
Her words only continue to sink further into his soul. "You know this is wrong," she adds again taking a gamble with a forward step.
"Y-You sure you wanna test me right now!?" He aims again with trigger finger itching. "I will unload this whole damned mag and then some until your ugly Wynnian half-breed face is mushed over my lava-loaded soil! You wouldn't be the first!"
"If it makes you feel better lil champ go ahead. But, I won't be ditching the little guy by me any time soon. I'm sure you understand that much."
He tells himself to just get the job over with, but he couldn't stand it. Even as her planting stare is resolute and fearless, there is no other form of resistance. "Screw you. Why don't fight back at least you damned coward! Show some dignity!"
"Afraid, I can't. You've got me beat, so you win. Simple as that. Go on and end it already if you're so adamant about returning to that life as the Kurenai nation's slave dog."
"What kind of mind game are you trying to play? You screwed in the head or something? I'm a Hiitan, and you're a Wynnian. You're my enemy, I fire. Don't you get it!? There is no turning anywhere else!"
"What I get what's been forcibly implanted into your mind. Do you really believe your choices are that limited?"
He has no answer. Until now, the only one he would ever need is that this is war. Plain and simply war. Out of four nations, he is a soldier of Kurenai, one of the Hiitan race. The only order that continues to drill him is the order to wipe out all the other nations and their people inhabiting the continent. He has no need for compassion, no need to understand, and to know why. All that is important is to follow, conquer, and take what can be taken. Should he succeed, he gets to live. An easy by the book formula.
But deep down, he wonders what the bigger point is. The wavering in him grows his discomfort further. She sees this as a sign that there is more to him. Deciding to act, she speaks. "Why don't you drop that thing and come with us. I know how to get of here. I can take you out of Kurenai and into someplace better. A place where you get to be just you. Ya know?"
And just like that, he is given another door. No attaching strings, no loop hole or anything he needed to claw out of. The young girl is giving him an offer beyond anything. His aim lowers to deep thought.
"So? What do you say?" She asks again. "Oh. I'm Akane Hinodama by the way. Got a name lil champ?"
Yu-Gi-Oh! The Termina Saga
Opening Theme: "One Unaffected by Hades" by Get in The Ring
Ending Theme: "Desirable Dream" by Get in The Ring
The Fervent Challenger of Doriado City
11 Years Later
"So, this it huh?" The now nineteen-year-old young boy, Kageru's crimson red eyes latch onto the brand-new duel disk sitting securely behind a locked glass counter. Even while expecting it to be far beyond anything he could normally purchase, the price tag with several non-dotted figures is nothing short of intimidating. Nevertheless, he pulls open a bank account app out of habit to check his current balance.
"Ugh. Story of my life." He thinks to himself over comparing the two outrageously far apart numbers. "Five months of manual labor, bus only once a week, and nothing but canned meat and fruits for the past two months, yet I'm still short twenty thousand... Minimum wage sucks." He sighs stressing over at the device, trying to think of any other approaches to save. "Maybe I should start offering Tetsu to take some his evening weekend supply runs."
While preoccupying himself, he remains aware that sets of nearby eyes were policing him. He puffs out an annoyed breath, ever certain that a scene is about to take place "I step out in the middle of this city for the first time in weeks, and not even ten minutes after I walk in here? Great."
Whether they are due to the fiery-like streaks around his pupils or his deeply tan skin, no one could mistake that Kageru is a native of the eastern country, Kurenai, a Hiitan. The most noticeably grotesque sign however, are the traces of a massive burnt scar spreading near half of his lower face with only a cotton bandage masking it. The mere sight of him is already making those nearby uneasy.
A female store clerk, the last person he wants to have to confrontation with, approaches him. "Sir, you have been standing there for quite long enough. Are you planning on purchasing anything at all this time?" she asks with folded arms.
He sighs. "Well, not exactly today. But- "
"Then, I am afraid I'll have to ask you to leave."
"Easy lady!" he answers, gesturing her to calm down, " I get it. The face, right? I'm not here to stir trouble. Just give me a moment to- "
"Sorry sir, but you need to go."
His voice starts to raise, "What the hell's the problem? I just got here."
"We cannot have you further causing unrest among the other customers. If you do not cooperate, I WILL be forced to call the authorities." She makes the threat clear with the alarm device in her hand.
He bites down on his lower lip, trying to calm his slowly raising fists from doing anything rash, reminding himself not to be too surprised. This treatment is already commonplace for rare encounters with Hiitans and is bound to happen sooner or later.
Like a mantra, he thinks back to the words of his older sister telling him so. 'Brush it off lil champ. It ain't worth it". Somehow the practice manages to relax him, if only just enough to think of a reply. "Look. You guys reserve merchandise, right? I got 5k of Zeft in my card to cover the percent. Just gimme time to- "
"Sorry, but I'm afraid not sir. Again, please leave."
"For the love of- You can't be serious! I wasn't doing ANYTHING. And last I checked, you've been doing it for the past three generations of DT disk models. Isn't that right?"
She shakes her head, attempting to deny it. "Uh uh. Not for this particular one sir."
"Quit screwing with me. I said I wasn't doing crap!"
"Final warning. PLEASE. LEAVE."
The increase in her volume is made worse with the hostile glares from the other shoppers and associates. Some start to spread gossip. Not wanting to attract any further attention, he shuts himself silent and bids the lady farewell with a bitter nod and a flick of his middle finger.
Not long after, a young man accompanied by men in suits approach from behind. "As usual, another Hiitan appallingly lacking in manners, acting as he can strut about, and do as he would please."
The pompous tone draws all attention to his silver-lined cyan suit and porcelain white complexion. The multitude would recognize this young man of Erian descent as none other than Lionel Orcas, son of a well-known fishing company owner from the northern country, Aoi.
"The fact that this fine employee bothered to conduct with an animal like yourself in a professional manner deserves at least some level of gratitude," He follows up with a courtly, flattering smile that causes the clerk to fluster like an old maid being greeted by a noble.
"Oh sure. Love the service," Kageru replies, rolling his eyes back to her with a piercing grin. "Thanks for kindly giving me, a potential paying customer, the boot for whatever bullshit reason."
"Well, you did make it clear that you are not purchasing anything at all," Lionel adds. "So, thus you are wasting time for these busy bees." The clerk up-tightly nods in agreement. "Just what were you planning to do? Continue to permeate the public's fine air with the stench of your hideous presence? Resort to your typical Hiitan alternatives, like thievery or violence."
"Sure. Keep telling yourself that. While you're at it, mind spitting out what YOUR deal is? Don't you have some meeting to run, or some boat papers to sign Fisher Price? Because I hardly see how any of this is your business to begin with."
The stares worsen, and the men next to Lionel start assert themselves forward. The crowd's reaction is nothing short of repugnance over the fact this Hiitan would even raise his voice to someone of his stature, even while his own guards are present.
"Ah! Funny you should ask." Acting as he is in control of the commotion, he pulls out a checkbook from his suit pocket and starts to fill it in pen. "See, I myself, am a little short on funds today, so I figured it would best if I could have that very duel disk reserved until then."
The sight of the newly inked paper tearing to lets a chuckle of disgust in Kageru.
"Absolutely Mr. Orcas!" The clerk gleams, happily snatching out the payment from his hand without another thought. "I'll have you rung up in just a short moment!"
"Un. Freaking. Believable…"
"Thank you, my lady, and would be so kind as to fulfill a simple favor for me?" He motions her over to whisper his request. She nods with each spoken detail, then skips off right after to fulfill as told.
"Not this particular one, she says. Not this one my ass," Kageru murmurs as he watches her pass by him. "Someone ought to shove a particular one in yours."
Another pompous chortle erupts out the Erian as he confronts him again. "I suppose I should thank you for keeping the item warm for me Mr. er-"
His stare is uncaring. He really did not want to bother with this irritable man-child any further but decides to humor him out of the little shred of patience and courtesy he had left. "Kageru. It's Kageru."
"Right. Right. Mr. Kagrow…"
He responds to the blatant butcher of his name with a smile near ready to bash a row of knuckles through his skull.
"See here Mr. Kagrow, perhaps you aren't aware, but the latest duel disk models are meant to be obtained by those ACTUALLY participating in the upcoming DTGC."
"Really, detective? Did you just figure that out?"
"You- "His eyes lift as he starts to chortle. "YOU are actually going to participate? Am I hearing this right?"
"Yeah. And if I am, what? Got a problem?"
Further whispers circle within the watchers that cuts when the Erian blows up in his usual snobbish laugh. "Preposterous. I guess you lot of magma dwellers will take up any opportunity to stir up a scuffle with the rest of us folk, wouldn't you?"
"Magma dweller. Wow. Got anything that isn't from overused, ancient era diction gramps?"
"How about, red-tongued dog?"
He toots a whistle. "Now there is something I haven't heard in a while. I'll definitely write it in my notes of pampered, man-child Erian insults that hurt most."
"Hmph. Whatever. Just what is your plan dog? Do you seriously intend to waste the rewarded distribution of resources for the sake of restoring the shambles of your infernal country?"
Kageru simply chuckles.
The gesture causes him to laugh even harder. "You have some idiotic degree of moxie, I see. I mean, do you actually believe you even stand a chance against the multitude of organized duelists with sponsors and their fellow countryfolk at their beck and call?"
"Probably a few. Though honestly, I'm sure a lot of you pampered pricks spend more time writing checks and sipping wine than actually deckbuilding and playtesting. If you were actually tied to one of the four Legion Lords, I suppose I'd be shaking a bit. But, as of right now, you're just another barking snowflake waving his checkbook around."
The Erian begins to fume. "The nerve of-"
"And don't get me wrong. I'm not in this for Kurenai. Just to settle a personal matter. It's got nothing to do with that decade-old damned war that you softies just can't seem to get over."
A man within the crowd yells, "Yeah right! As if! With you monsters, everything is personal!"
And the rest begin to join one after another.
"Selfish, murderous savages! You should've joined the union when you had a chance! Too bad for you! You rabid dogs get what you deserve!"
"What a pussy! Not gonna threaten back!? And you all used to go on about how you're the superior people and all that! Ha!"
It was not long before they began to rally. The hateful chants and roars continue to grow fiercer.
Lionel delightfully watches as they freely batter bitter words on all sides. Seeing it, it was turning into the perfect escalating platform. "Now. Now. Calm down everyone. Let us not jump to conclusion. Though Mr. Kagrow over here may seem completely unwavering in his… utterly whimsical decision to participate, I highly doubt he would actually do us any harm of the sort."
The silent crowd turn to him with odd looks. With their garnering attention, the tone shifts to being humorous, "I mean; it's not like he would even WIN the tournament, right? Meeting the requirements to even join is already looking to be a pipe dream chore for the poor little puppy, who can't even get dear mother's allowance for a duel disk."
Though the people burst into laughter, and their threats quickly turn to mockery, Kageru uncaringly listens in. He takes out a half-finished bottle of iced coffee from his bag and sips it nonchalantly in between.
With that, Lionel continues to run his theatrics. "Since we're all in good spirits here, how about some entertainment hmmm?"
The clerk arrives with two old duel disks in hand, as he asks this. The first is carelessly flung at Kageru's feet.
He arms the other. "I'll further my point by putting down the mangy little fire pooch down here; with a grand, old duel. What do you say, citizens of Doriado City!?" And out resounds the multitude of cheers.
"Good! Good! And how about you Mr. Kagrow? I have set up the perfect chance for you to demolish all doubt of your abilities." He cockily flips his over-gelled hair. "Of course,… if you're too squeamish to face moi, I can understand that as well."
Kageru skillfully tosses his now empty drink bottle into a waste can, then cracks his neck. "Eh. Why not? I could use a big name win to boost my record for entry anyways." He picks up his device from the floor and arms it as well. "You sure you don't wanna use the DT model disks for something like this? Make things a little more… you know? Genuine?"
A sweat drop streams down the side of the Erian's head as he swallows to find a quick excuse. In a corny, heroic voice, he answers, "H-ha! U-Unlike you brutes, I actually care for the safety of these good people and prefer that they be not caught in the backlash of our duel."
"Sure. Keep telling yourself that." Holstering on his belt are both a red and an orange deck box, one of which he chooses from. He thinks for a brief moment to decide, but eventually, goes with the one in red. "I'm good to go with this bad boy." He says so, playfully tossing the box up and down.
"Confident, are you?" He points a finger at him in an attempt at provocation. "You better be, because I'll be using this opportunity to test out a few of my brand-new cards that are currently in development. Let us take our match outside the lot for a much better view. Follow me, everyone!"
Outside of the electronics warehouse lies a large plot serving as the walkway to the entrance. One could easily get a spacious view of Doriado just by taking a step outside. The layout is just what one expects from other major advanced cities. Skyscrapers, busy streets, signs, lights, rows, and columns of buildings lined up, with roads extending far and wide and patches of nature segmenting all over. What made the architecture especially notable especially, are the very organic shapes and curves in their designs, as if surrounding one in a space of ginormous, spiraling, white sea shells, with gold-strip plating, and the thematic color combinations of blue, green, and brown.
"It's time to begin!" says Lionel. "Are you ready citizens!?" The round of applause marks that it is resoundingly definite yes.
The two combatants stare each other on opposing sides of the land. Amassing spectators and those with their recording devices at the ready, gather. The cheers are unsurprisingly in Lionel's favor, but it wouldn't matter one bit to Kageru, who had been quietly and impatiently waiting to start.
"Let us move onto our waltz Mr. Kagrow!"
"Finally… Sheesh."
The duelists simultaneously draw their starting hand of five cards. Lights emanate from both devices flash and cover the areas in front of them. Their bout begins on link.
"DUEL!"
Kageru LP 4000
Lionel LP 4000
Kageru is first in turns. "I
"I'll start off easy on ya. Setting a monster and two face-downs. You're up."
Lionel grins as he draws. "Is that all? How the mighty Hiitan has fallen." The snobbish look at the six cards in hand comes with a declaration. "It was not as eventful as I had hoped but continue to enjoy my one and only needed the turn, dear folks!"
Sounds of peaked anticipation spark up the spectators.
"Now, watch as I begin the lowly worm's swift end with this! I summon the Sea Serpent Warrior of Darkness!"
A spear-wielder in purple armor leaps into battle. (LV4 1800 ATK/1500 DEF)
Kageru's eye brows scrunch in a cringe upon seeing such an old vanilla monster. "You… can't be serious." The viewers are also dumbfound, but cheer nonetheless.
"Fufufu. It may appear to be just a no-good, effect-less monster, but that is about to change! Time to equip my warrior with not one, but TWO equip spells! I activate both my Phantasm Spiral Crash AND Phantasm Spiral Grip!"
The two spells flash behind Lionel's monster, augmenting its spear with twin torrents of coiling water.
"Spiral Crash grants my warrior the piercing ability, while Spiral Grip grants it an extra 500 ATK points!" (ATK 1800+500=2300)
"I enter my battle phase. Go my faithful knight of the deep! Charge through his set monster!"
A rapid geyser propels the warrior. He plunges the spear with a crashing drive. The impaled victim is a green turtle with a mechanical shell.
UFO Turtle
DEF 1200
The turtle explodes upon defeat. Its shattered data bits shower at the owner.
Kageru LP 4000-1100=2900
Kageru places the monster in his grave, then searches his deck. "Thanks a lot. UFO Turtle's effect lets me special summon Blazewing Butterfly in attack mode." (LV4 1500 ATK/1500 DEF)
The Erian blurts out another annoyingly confident laugh "Really? That pathetic antique of a deck? How disappointing."
"Says the guy with a field of cards that make starter decks look threatening."
"Fufufu. If you actually believe that these equip spells granted such duly basic bonuses, you are about to regret not bolstering your pitiful defenses any further."
"That so? Well, how about you just keep playing your moves, instead of running your mouth?"
"If you insist Mr. Kagrow! Behold, as I release their devastating effects!" He raises his hand to signal the activations.
"Spiral Crash triggers when my equipped monster finishes its battle! I can instantly summon my mightiest creature to the field!" The aquatic knight points up its energy-gathering spear to summon forth a massive whirlpool beneath its adjacent monster zone.
"Come forth, the pure-blooded king of the ocean, Phantasm Spiral Dragon!" A colossal, cerulean-winged leviathan emerges from the vortex. (LV8 2900 ATK/2900 DEF)
"And now, it's Spiral Grip's turn to resolve! Since the wielder also destroyed a monster in battle, I can not only inflict 1000 points of damage to your life points, but I can once again call out another Phantasm Spiral Dragon!"
The second spring of water roars out another vortex. A copy of the same creature enters the fray with a violent splash of tackling waves to the opposing duelist.
"Arise my second Phantasm Spiral Dragon!". (LV8 2900 ATK/DEF 2900)
Kageru LP 2900-1000=1900
"If I am not mistaken it is still my battle phase," adds Lionel. "Now go my first ever so precious dragon! Demolish that insect!" The leviathan's powerful wings splash out even harder torrents of water towards its target.
The Hiitan alarmingly presses the button on his face-down. "Activate quick-play spell, Super Double Summon! I target the gemini monster, Blazewing Butterfly and turn it into an effect monster!"
"Ha! Waste of cards! Attack!" The fiery insect shatters from the swallowing waves.
Kageru LP 1900-1400=500
The crowd erupts in excitement.
"Yeah! Show that punk what for!"
"Beat down that sorry Hiitan trash!"
Lional savors every bit of it.
But much to their surprise, the one they have been cheering down was still smirking. He hasn't even been broken in the slightest. "Heh. Not bad at all, but this is as far as you go." He flips open his face-down, "I play Gemini Trap Hole!"
"You what?!"
His smirk gleams and grows wider. "Oh, so know what it does? Guess you might wanna invest in dealing with backrow, cuz by taking out my second summoned butterfly, you just lost your whole monster board!"
The release of the insect's Gemini abilities opens a gaping, quaking fissure from beneath its remains. All that levitate over Lionel's field are helpless.
"My monsters! My strongest creatures!" His eyes bursts into tears. "N-no matter! I'll pay you back a thousand-fold in my next turn! I end!"
Kageru wiggles his head and finger. "Sorry Fisher Price, but you had your shot. And you only get one." He draws, but the card would not matter, for all that he needs is already in hand. "I'll start this finale with Foolish Burial! With this, I'll ditch Phoenix Gearfried from my deck to the grave!" He grabs the card, sends it into the chosen slot, then shuffles.
"Next, I summon another Blazewing Butterfly!" (LV4 1500 ATK/1500 DEF)
"My turn to show off an equip spell! I activate Supervise!" A fiery aura ignites to unleash the insect's hidden Gemini powers, as it did the last turn.
Lionel's eyes rise up helplessly, already seeing his opponent's end board, and his own defeat. "No! Noooo!"
"Tributing my butterfly gives a free gemini monster from my grave. So, I'll do just that, and special summon Phoenix Gearfried in attack mode!" The released creature is reduced to ashes, and from it, a blazing knight of white and red is born, standing heroically with sword and shield in hand. (LV8 ATK 2800/2200 DEF)
"Now Supervise's grave effect triggers and revives my other Blazewing Butterfly!" (LV4 ATK 1500/1500 DEF)
He compares the total attack of his monsters to his opponent's life, then smirks, knowing his victory. "Hey look. I guess you were right about it being your last turn."
The two monsters on his field appear ready to attack, waiting only for his call to do so. He pauses to savor the look of the comically shriveling Erians who drops to his knees. With an arm stretching out, his countdown begins.
"And here. We… Go." Hearing his fingers snap, the field of fire monsters charge to finish the job.
Lionel LP 4000-1500-2800=0
The match's outcome is met with the multitude of gaping mouths and horrid faces of disbelief from the crowd. They stare and tremble, as the victor coolly shuts off the disk and tosses it back to the nearby clerk's feet. With that, the Hiitan walks away, but not before calling out to the one sulking on the ground.
"Hey Orcas."
The fluttering Erian looks to him with reluctant curiosity.
"Hella short as it was… Not a bad game." And he leaves on that good note. Those who stood, back out of the way.
Lionel watches his departrure, still near speechless. "Yes… A good game indeed."
The result of their duel had set off a wildfire of people snapping pictures with some trying to get a hold of a few questions from the defeated. Before it gets out of hand, Lionel is given safe escort to his limousine. There, he ponders briefly on what had just transpired. "A peculiar fellow that one is," he mutters.
Just then, a phone device from within the car rings. Seeing the name, he quickly answers.
The speaker is a young woman. "Good afternoon, Mr. Orcas. Did you have an enjoyable match?"
"Ah. Lady Castelle. It's truly an honor to finally speak with you. I take it you wish to confirm our deal in person?"
"Yes. I will be arriving in Doriado City with your new cards momentarily. But for now, can you confirm the information I asked you to gather?"
"The first and only pure blood Hiitan I have ever encountered in this city, I'm sure of it. As for the deck he uses, it was a basic Gemini deck, geared towards swift comeback potential."
"Hmmm. That definitely sounds more like a Hiitan play style. Anything else?"
"The boy has some rather, disturbing looking scars. Among the worst I have ever seen. I've heard stories of how Kurenai treats their soldiers." He felt his stomach churn, the more he thought about the mentioned scars. "But, that boy, is a mystery. Perhaps, those rumors of them having runaway test subjects have been true after all."
"Is that so? Then it seems, you have indeed found the one I seek. Thank you once again Mr. Orcas. I'll see you soon." The transmission is cut.
It is now almost evening and over an hour after the game. Kageru lays stealthily over the side of a building in an alley, hood over his head to keep attention away. He is busy looking over at his phone, checking both his current duel record, and the time. "Just a few months left to get all the payments and registration huh?" he thinks, putting the phone away. He then reaches into his other pocket, taking out a charm in the shape of a chibi flaming dog. He stares at it for a few seconds before the trinket is flip back. Inside shows an engraving of a note.
You owe your sis an iced coffee and a smile. Got it lil champ? – Akane
His heart pounds with pain. It was the last present he would receive from her, and the more he thought, the more vivid the girl's voice became. Her laughter, her flare in the face of a duel, and what little moments he was able to share with this person, he never could stop thinking about them. He briefly hugs the charm close to his chest before putting it away. The time to head out was coming soon.
As he continues down the bustling road, he suddenly stops. Up on a billboard-sized screen, an announcer from a recently finished tournament speaks.
"And we have another striking victory for Albus Aldebrand! Further adding to his incredible recent streaks this past year! I think we can all safely say, that this young gentleman will be among the favored to win this year's DTGC! So now that we're here, may I get a few words from the champ on what you hope to do in the big event?"
There in full view, stood an aloof young man with long, auburn hair, bearing both the eyes of a Hiitan, and the skin of an Erian. "I'm hoping that by gaining victory, I may finally guide this wretched continent into a brighter future." There was clear coldness in his voice.
Kageru grips hard. The sight of this man never ceases to spark a fury within him. "Hope you enjoyed the high life these past couple of years. Because I'm gonna drag you down from that peak one of these days, you murdering bastard." And he plans to make it so up on the grand stage of the Duel Terminal Grand Championship.
(AN: That's chapter 1. If you can leave some feedback, i'd super appreciates it. The rest of chapters will definitely be longer, but I wanted to keep this 1st one easy to pick up. More details will be coming in as you go on, and the further you go, the crazier things will get, I assure you. I also wanted to keep things a bit bright for now.
As for the setting, this story is in its own universe, but I don't mind some random, interdimensional/time warp collabs if that comes about. the ruleset will be more of the Master Rule one that started with Arc-V, so no, Link monsters and all that jazz are not in this story... At least not for a looooooong time, as people who keep up with DT storyline ought to know.
I don't much to say, but feel free to shoot questions, and again, feedback my way. That is the good stuff that motivates me. Hope you have a fine, dandy day.)
-Last revised at 7/16/2018-