A strong breeze gripped the duel arena while the late afternoon sun gave off a warm red light. Though, while not the optimal conditions for a duel, it was almost over. The trees surrounding the outdoor duel fields were covered in orange red leaves that signified the soon to come winter as did the few low grey clouds that dotted the sky. The scenery was one of peace and completely opposed the intensity of the duel that was taking place in its midst. As if to thwart the peace of the surroundings, the Augmented Reality vision on both duelists D-Gazers displayed it only in ruins. Trees were split in half and thrown all over the place and the apartment complex that extended in front of the duel arena was nothing more than rubble and debris.

Amongst the songs of birds and insects the heavy breathing of both duelists was most certainly apparent. They'd been at it for hours – both ferociously duelling one another time and again as if it was some kind of ritual. Though, now, the relief of one of them was soon to be at hand as even the insects could sense the bad situation he'd managed to get himself into. Beads of sweat dripped from his brow as he tried to focus on his opponent who, too, was panting heavily from the day's efforts. With only 600 Life Points and no hand; there wasn't much he could do. This fact was made more apparent as his lone monster was about to be attacked by his opponent's ace.

Unlike himself: his monster stood proud as ever against the orange sky and broken backdrop. It always had and, even when faced against such an opponent as it was, it wouldn't back down. No, that was the duelist's job; but even the lowest of duelists knew there was no honour in backing down. Zak, for one, was most certainly not a low duelist and he would see this duel to the end regardless of how it ended. He looked again at his monster – Bujin Yamato – and wondered if it knew by now that it was about to be destroyed by his opponent for the umpteenth time that day. Zak knew that its seemingly mere 1800 Attack Points weren't nearly enough to shield him from the 2700 that were about to close the curtains once again.

His tired eyes closed as he awaited the familiar sound of his Life Points hitting zero. But, in its place, was another familiar sound. This sound wasn't one caused by the Augmented Reality, however, as it came from within Zak's own soul. By now Zak had gotten used to it after hearing it for so long; though it still made him shiver to hear Number Zero's voice.

"Losing again, Zak?" The voice was as cold and heartless as the deepest galaxy, "Typical."

Typical. The word resounded through Zak's mind in a meaningless echo. It, itself, was nothing short of typical. Typical for Number Zero to pop up in the midst of a losing duel and typical for it to insult Zak's skills and resolve. And, if only to make matters worse, it was also typical for Zero to try and possess Zak every chance it got. Typical to be typical.

"It doesn't seem you have a way out of this loss," Zero laughed coolly, "There would be no point in taking over."

Zak sighed and watched on as the shining shockwave of his opponent's attack encapsulated Bujin Yamato – eradicating not only it – but the rest of Zak's few Life Points. Zero wasn't wrong; as always. The shockwave destroyed the remaining stable ground that Zak's feet had been planted causing him to be blasted back into a few bushes which had done nothing but endure Zak's defeats time and again. Zak's failure once again signified the removal of the Augmented Reality that gripped the arena: repairing itself in the blink of an eye. The bushes that Zak now lay in, however, weren't given such a benefit.

[Zak: 0]

[Angel Wins!]

"That's the fourth loss in a row, sweetie," Angel yelled from across the battlefield before striding over to Zak. She stretched out her arm to her opponent and helped him to his feet. "You sure the Bujin archetype is good for you?"

Zak shook his head, looked at his Duel Disk and pulled the deck from its slot. He shuffled through the 40 cards worth of War Gods, armoured animals and spell & trap support.

"I should have sent Bujingi Sinyou through Yamato's effect last turn," Zak eventually replied, "I need to read my opponent better and play against them rather than just play the deck."

"That deck happens to be the fifth one you've tried since Barian. You haven't been able to settle on one since, well, you know…"

He knew. Angel was referring to the loss of their favourite cards: Darkshine Dragon and Goddess of Light. Being ex-Numbers hadn't exactly allowed them to last all too long since having their powers removed. One day they'd just faded into nothing but Blank cards, taking the hearts of their owners with them. To Zak, not having Darkshine Dragon was nothing short of feeling empty as a Duelist, and he was certain Angel felt the same about her Goddess of Light. But, while she had been able to move on and continue playing her Agent deck – Zak had moved from deck to deck to try and fill his void. Gadget, Thunder, Dino-Rabbit and even Evilswarm had all been at a loss. He'd learned their styles and played them a few times. None, however, could fill the void his Darkshine Dragon had left. Now he was trying the Bujin deck and hoping for a change in that pattern.

'It's okay," Zak smiled, "I want to continue with this one. It's not like the others. They all focused too heavily on Xyz Summoning whereas this prides just… protecting the King. Less Xyz focus is probably better for me. One more round?"

Angel gave a small groan, "My god, Zakky, you're never satisfied are you? Fine, one more. Then we're showering and going out to dinner like we agreed."

She winked at him before heading back toward the other end of the duel arena. Zak could do nothing but grin at his girlfriend's back. Dueling then dinner? She knew him too well. The Augmented Reality vision restarted as the sun began to set. Send Sinyou, Zak thought, Sinyou is Honest don't forget.

"The offer to use my deck still stands," Zero's voice rang through his head, which Zak ignored. Though he didn't know what Zero's deck actually was – Zak wasn't about to let the Dark God of all Numbers have any sway over him. Being stuck within his soul was enough.

The duel raged on for a solid half hour – twice as long as the four duels before it. Zak kept his mind going while playing as he concentrated on his and Angel's card interactions. Bujingi Turtle negates targeting and Bujingi Hare negates destruction. Small reminders to make sure he knew what he was doing. Okay, use Bujingi Crane when Master Hyperion attacks to beat it. Search Bujincarnation off Bujin Mikazuchi at End Phase and save it for later.

Finally it came down to Angel residing on her Ancient Sacred Wyvern, one set card and 1200 LP and Zak with only 300 LP and one card in hand. Due to its own effect Ancient Sacred Wyvern stood at a proud 3000 ATK - which would surely run through Zak's currently empty field directly into his LP. It was Zak's Main Phase now and, after a brief double check of the card in his hand, he paused and tried to calculate the correct combo to create a clear-cut victory.

"Start by activating Bujincarnation…" Came Zero's sarcasm, "Remind me. Who beat me all those months ago? You are clearly not him." Zak ignored the voice.

"I activate Bujincarnation!" He then shouted out, "I get to Special Summon a Bujin monster from both my Graveyard and Banished Zone; however I can't use them for an Xyz Summon unless it's that of a Beast, Beast-Warrior or Winged-Beast type monster. I summon Bujin Yamato from my Graveyard and Bujingi Turtle from my Banished Zone!"

"And do what with them then? Get over Wyvern? Last I checked you need Bujingi Crane in hand to do that! But I helped you build that deck and I know the only two you use are in your Graveyard!" Came Angel's banter from across the slowly darkening battlefield, "Hey! Why are you smiling like that?!"

Zak's grin grew as he raised his arm, "Crane is only one possible way to win within the Bujin archetype – but I'll beat you with another!"

"Yeah yeah, sweetie. You said that every other duel and looked how that turned out. Just admit defeat so we can go out-"

"I overlay Level 4 Bujin Yamato and Bujingi Turtle!" Zak interrupted, not willing to let Angel act high and mighty another second, "Descend before us! The Emperor of Storms and first of the kings: Bujintei Susanowo!"

[Bujintei Susanowo/ Rank 4]

[2400 ATK/ 1600 DEF]

[LIGHT/ Beast-Warrior]