Chapter Ten: The Muzzle of Nemesis
"Dad?" There was a certain apprehension to Allen's voice as he entered into the study where his father sat in wait, a certain book resting in one of his hands while the other was perched on the side of his face "What was it you wanted to speak to me about?"
"Allen." Zitor began with a tone harsh enough to cause the usually overconfident duelist shake "I know you've been sneaking out of the house when I'm out and there's no use trying to deny it. That black eye of ours is more than enough evidence." Allen began to subconsciously rub said eye as his dad's tirade continued "Listen here. Orders are the easiest thing in the world to follow, one shouldn't need to be intelligent to realise that we as humans require rules and orders to function smoothly as a society. However, if one steps out of line… Let's just say that person isn't long for this society."
"Dad! I was just talking to Sat! I didn't mean to disobey you." After starting with a shout, Allen finish went out on a whimper, burying his face in his hands, unable to bring himself to face his father.
Zitor started to rhythmically tap his free hand on the desk "Nevertheless, you did so, but I'll be lenient since you and Marlon have been friends for the past 10 years so I suppose it's to be expected."
Allen breathed a momentary sigh of relief but was still on edge. He felt that there was still more to come, his father may have returned to reading but that didn't mean that he was done. His father was only finished when he said he was finished.
His suspicions where confirmed when Zitor began to quote from the book in his usual calm tone "If there is a God who rules this world, it is stern, merciless, and definitely an evil being. A being that is far too great. God keeps forcing us to confront these cruel fates. As those are simply the rules of this world! I think it's time we took over God's work. We, soldiers, will take God's place.' Are you aware of Degurechaff's work, Allen?" He said sternly, not lifting his eyes from the page.
"I can't say I am, Dad." It wasn't a total lie, on numerous occasions when he was younger Allen had crept into the study and seen the books his father collated over the years. Degurechaff, he found, had become the most prominent author in the collection. The Kurati duelist had little knowledge on the true content of the novels but titles such as 'On humanity and faith.' And 'Being X's system: How society is broken.' Weren't exactly subtle hints. "I don't think there's a reason for me to be." The words slipped out of his mouth before he could even realise.
"Hmm." Zitor hummed contently before speaking again "Maybe it'll help you to learn that nothing happens without a reason. No matter how ridiculous it all seems, something has triggered it for a reason." The head of development then discarded the book and store his son down in full force "Although, that is just the tip of the iceberg, only people who are ascendant even above the angels have the ability to do so. That shall be all, Allen."
(Next Day)(SOL Technologies)
"Lucifinia, would you care to explain to us just what is happening?" The virtual chessboard was laid out again, the three executives' pieces facing down a rather smug looking Zitor. It was Bishop that had initiated the conversation. "Not only has the security of the system been all but eroded by Hanoi's attacks, the very foundation of this network you claim to have created has been compromised by this mysterious Seraph individual. Explain yourself now."
"I'm deeply sorry for letting this situation slip as much as I have." Zitor replied, totally unfazed by the questioning, the reply even had the slightest hint of arrogance laden within it "However, to hang the albatross around my neck is a grave mistake. Many of the decisions of the security department were taken outside of my control. Kitamura is a wastrel who can't do anything but screw up."
"Regardless, that still leaves the question of Seraph." Rook interjected "Someone how he managed to hack into the code of the network, something you are directly responsible for."
In response, Zitor shrugged and simply waved the concern off "You never know with hackers these days, Playmaker and his helper have broken through numerous times and Hanoi have created a private server, a server that we are incapable of locating. So in all fairness, Seraph is doing nothing out of the ordinary."
"Nonsense!" Rook scoffed "If this is left to continue the whole network will cease to exist!"
"Then we will simply build it from scratch again." Zitor replied without missing a beat, going right back on the offensive "Remember, this isn't the first form of the cyberse network we've created, it will certainly not be the last. This is simply progress marching forward, survival of the fittest and victory always comes to those who are the first to adapt. In layman's terms, you have little need to be panicking like you are now."
"Lucifinia!" Bishop cut in before anyone said something they may regret "This meeting has run its course. However, if you go back and this situation fails to get better, expect our prior agreements to be null and void.
At this Zitor's face hardened and the suffocating smugness vanished from his person "That I will not allow and I already have a system in place to make sure that it doesn't."
"This is your last chance Lucifinia, make sure that nothing on the level of the Anothers happen again and your job is safe. Fail and we'll have to have a discussion on your worth to the company. That is all."
"Yes, Sir." Zitor bowed before turning and leaving the room, the board evaporating as he walked out with a scowl on his face, pulling out his phone and barging into the passing Akira and Hayami on his way through.
'Lucifinia… What are you planning?' Akira thought, turning back around 'No matter the event you always seem to have some sort of peripheral role in everything.'
"M-Mr. Zaizen, w-what's wrong with M-Mr Lucifinia?" Hayami, his assistant stuttered, hiding her face behind the clipboard she was carrying.
"Lucifinia is like an enigma wrapped in a mystery. It is impossible to truly understand what goes on in that man's head but I would bet that he's been told something that he didn't want to hear." Akira replied, his eyes were narrowed in the direction Zitor had taken off in.
'I'll get you one day Lucifinia.'
(Den Academy)
'I swear to god, if I have to listen through another word out of this prat's mouth, I'm going to turn him into an another!' The event that had triggered this thought in Sateriasis' head was that upon the beginning of the duel club, Naoki had immediately shoved his tablet in everyone's faces "Hanoi are doing whatever they like! How can we just let them run amok?!"
"Okay then. Tell me. What is your plan, Naoki?" Sateriasis said feigning interest "Because without a plan in advance, you will get nowhere."
Naoki's face fell but he soldiered on "It shouldn't matter about a plan! Since Link VRAINS is in trouble, the duel club should take action! Right, Zaizen? President?"
Sateriasis had to cover his mouth to muffle a laugh "You do realise that if we do take action. There is a high likelihood that we'll all be turned into Anothers."
Naoki made on desperate last glance to the president who then spoke "You want us to take action? You want us to go into Link VRAINS and duel against Hanoi?"
"Well… I'm going! I can't stay on the side lines anym-"
"No! Marlon's right, it's too dangerous. If you or anyone in this club get turned into Anothers, I'll regret it forever. The duel club is suspended until the Another issue is resolved."
"But…!"
"No, the President and Marlon are correct we shouldn't go into VRAINS." Aoi said, rather despondent.
It was then on the feed of VRAINS, that Playmaker had appeared to the salvation of a rather idiotic person who thought they could defeat the Knights. "We'll let Playmaker handle the situation. We'll meet again when there is peace." Hosoda got up from his seat and went to the door with everyone bar Sateriasis, Aoi and Naoki following him out.
"Come on! You two will help right?!" Naoki appealed in desperation.
"Listen here and listen well, Naoki." Sateriasis began "There's a big difference between being brave and being reckless. At the moment there is no need for useless duelists to go into the fray, you should leave it to the professionals like Go, Playmaker and Blue Angel, whenever the latter gets her finger out of her ass." He finished distastefully, side eyeing the charisma duelist sitting next to him.
Aoi bit her lip. She had originally planned to fight alongside the two aforementioned duelists, but when they had offered it to her. She walked away… Like a coward. The reason why still wasn't exactly clear to her, was it fear of failing? Was it fear of once more falling victim to Hanoi's virus? If anything, the fact she had been previously wronged by the cyber terrorist group would serve as motivation for making sure it wouldn't happen to anyone else. Was she just being selfish?
"What would you do in this kind of situation, Zaizen?" Sateriasis said snapping her out of her reverie.
There was definitely something off about the question and the fact Aoi could see Sateriasis trying his best to keep a straight face didn't exactly help her quell her suspicions "I'm not sure really. I agree with you that innocent people shouldn't be reckless and jump head first into the fire but where I disagree with you is that we should leave it to the 'professionals', everyone has the ability to beat Hanoi."
'Real smooth, Blue Angel. Let us see how well that holds up in practice.' Sateriasis thought, hiding the dark smirk behind his hand.
(Later) (Hanoi)
Revolver stood silently in the base by himself watching the plan he had set out be put into motion. It was true that Dr Genome's failure was unforeseen and unwanted by every one of the higher ups in the organisation, but if they could fulfil his father's goal then his sacrifice wouldn't be in vain.
Baira had already left for the second phase of the mission and Mammon, who Revolver wanted to keep in reserve due to the lingering damage from the Seraph duel, had insisted on going with her. Not really giving a concreate reason, but the two of them knew exactly why he want to go so he relented after much prodding.
It was in this climate that he felt the hairs on the back of his neck suddenly stand up, just as an arrow of data passed by his head. The sound of footsteps also began to reverberate around the base. "If you want to face me then stop hiding in the shadows. Who are you?"
"Y'know, I was always told that you shouldn't ask questions that you don't want to know the answer to." Said a voice from somewhere in the base, it was modulated much like Mammon's was but this time it held more demonical air to it.
Revolver growled, that voice was all too familiar "Show yourself!" He declared fervently.
"Well then, who am I to deny your request? Master Revolver." The voice said in a mocking tone as their body came into view. The figure that emerged stood at about 6'3, easily towering over the leader of the Knights of Hanoi, it was also very clearly male. He was clad in long green hooded cloak, underneath was a bronze armour set. It contrasted greatly with the glistening golden rings that adorned his arms and neck. Attached to his right arm was an old fashioned black duel disk. To finish the look off was a black mask with ornate blue markings on it and a singular eyehole which showed off the figure's purple eye.
"I'll ask you once more, how did you get here?"
The figure simply laughed dryly "Do you remember the other day? Where Genome duelled Go while Mammon and Seraph faced off? Don't you think that Seraph's circuit went down a little too easily?" Revolver's eyes widened and he felt sick in stomach, that uneasy feeling he had at the time was now justified. "By terminating it, you led me straight to your base."
"The Master of the Hellish Yard, is that the title you're taking now?" Revolver said with a creeping sense of ire in his voice.
"If you don't mind that is." The hellish master scoffed, rolling his eyes "But that's a mouthful, if we're to continue this conversation call me Zamiel."
"Fine then, Zamiel." Revolver spat out, almost as if the name was a poison on his tongue.
Zamiel could only laugh "Y'know I expected you to change over the course of these ten years, yet, it would appear that you're still the same tortured soul, no matter what persona you take on." The visible eye gained a sight mischievous glint to it while his voice started to alter to a more Seraph like tone "Be it the angelic image of a saviour you carried then, or the devilish one of the fearsome cyber-terrorist you now cultivate, all you truly are is a boy who feels ensnared by the chains of his father's work and is now honour bound to fulfil the madman's wishes."
Revolver tried his best to keep his face impassive but it was betrayed by his body language, evidenced by the tight grip he had arm, which if any tighter could've possibly drawn blood "You just described why I fight on, Zamiel." At that the person in question let out an amused sound "By fulfilling my Father's goals, not only are the vile Ignises eradicated, my Father too can pass on peacefully."
"Then let me test that resolve." Zamiel said, extending his duel disk arm out "If you can defeat me in a duel then I'll leave you be for the next stage of your plan and I'll even go as far as to tell my disciple that he should stave off any further attacks on your men, in addition to having him formally apologise for the incident the other day." The Seraph like tone vanished and the demonic one had returned in full force.
"So be it, I accept your conditions." Revolver said as the layout for the master duel appeared in the centre between them 'With the doors of heaven and hell barred, there is no other but the guard, the Master of the Hellish Yard. Everything this man touches ends up causing pain and suffering, I stop him here and now.'
"Master Duel!" Both of them declared simultaneously.
Revolver LP: 4000 Zamiel LP: 4000 Cardsx5
Turn 1
"I'll be going first." Zamiel stated calmly, plucking one of the cards from his hand "To start, I summon Free Shooter Drax!" The monster that appeared was certainly interesting in its design. One on half it looked like an ordinary, albeit, slightly grizzled human but on the other side it was a demon set ablaze in in a sea of fire. Carried in the human's hand was a long hunting rifle while the demon half carried a trident.
Free Shooter Drax, Level 4, Pyro, FIRE, Effect (0/0)
'0 attack points. He lampoons me for sticking to the past but he's barely changed himself!' Revolver thought with an increasing sense of ire, his eyes flickering over to Zamiel's frame once more. Even the way the man was holding himself caused anger to flare in him, Revolver mused that under the mask he was probably wearing that same shit-eating grin from all those years ago.
"I'm sure you remember this card." Yes, that grin was almost certainly planted on his lips. "I now activate its effect, by paying 200 life points I can summon one more copy of this card from my deck." The copy materialised beside its originator, this time the demonic and human sides were swapped around.
Zamiel's LP: 4000 – 3800
"Next comes the Continuous Spell Hunting Zone!" The card art depicted the scene of three brawny looking huntsman riding on top of purebred horse, they were chasing down what appeared to be a demonic hybrid of sorts "This card can only be activated when there are two monsters of the same name on my field, when it is active on my side of the field all monsters that I control can't be targeted for attacks, instead it is changed to a direct attack on me."
'His and Spectre's styles are essentially the same, except that while Spectre is focused on keeping his life points to the maximum, he instead decreases his as much as possible.'
There was a clatter of metal on metal that reverberated eerily around the base as Zamiel threw out his arm "Ascend from the black void! My circuit of despair! The summoning conditions are two Free Shooter fire monsters! I set my two Draxes into the link markers!" Both huntsmen dissolved into black mist which slinked its way to the top and top right markers. "Circuit combine! Link 2! Free Shooter Zander!"
Out of the void in the centre between the two duelists, a pair of black gloved hands slowly pulled a body up from the depths of the link gate. This time round the monster was fully human and a towering specimen at that. With a cocky grin on his face, Zander was holding a double barrelled shotgun which was locked firmly to his shoulder. He was also wearing a get up that included numerous knifes laden on a belt.
Free Shooter Zander, Link 2, Pyro, FIRE, Effect (0) Link Markers: Top and Top right
"Zander's effect. This monster gains 200 attack points for each Free Shooter with a different name in my graveyard."
Zander's ATK: 0 – 200
"Finally, I'll set one card face down and end my turn." The card appeared on the field and then vanished with Zander turning intangible as well. "It's your move."
Zamiel's Cards x1
Turn 2
"I draw." There was a slight quirk of Revolver's lips as he saw the card he drew, he knew exactly how to go about this "To start, since you control a Link monster I can Special summon Gateway Dragon to the field!" A golden mechanical dragon appeared on the field in the Middle Monster Zone.
Gateway Dragon, Level 4, Dragon, DARK, Effect (1600/1400)
"Gateway Dragon's effect activates. Once per turn I can Special Summon one level 4 or lower dragon type monster from my hand!" He moved to tap the middle card "I summon Sniffer Dragon to the fray!" A bipedal dragon with red and white scales, wearing some armour pieces, emerged from a blue portal with a roar in Revolver's Far Left Monster Zone.
Sniffer Dragon, Level 2, Dragon, DARK, Effect (800/400)
"Sniffer Dragon's effect activates upon its summon! I can add one dragon type monster from my deck to my hand, I add another Sniffer Dragon which I then summon to the field." The copy took up the final zone that wasn't linked to Zander's markers. It was highly likely that due to its weak attack and the way its markers were positioned that it held some sort of hidden effect. Then there was the addition of that facedown card, with Seraph being his so called disciple, there was no doubt that it would weaken his attack.
"Appear! The future circuit that lights up my path! The summoning conditions are at least two monsters! I set both Sniffer Dragons and Gateway Dragon in the Link Markers!" The three Dragon monster transformed into red energy and flew to the link square "Circuit combine! Appear! Link 3! Three Burst Dragon!"
Revolver's Link Monster was a medium sized red armoured dragon with sharp teeth and claws that had a torso like a bullet chamber and three cannons that stuck out from said chamber.
Three Burst Dragon, Link 3, Dragon, DARK, Effect (2400) Link Markers: Top, Left and Bottom
"Is that really your plan?" Zamiel asked with a mocking tone, sounding like an amalgamation between Mammon and Seraph "Don't think that I don't know all of your cards' effects, I know you summoned that card hoping to use its effect to negate the activation of my trap card which you assumed to be a battle trap, correct?"
Revolver growled but relented "Yes."
His reaction earned a dry laugh from the hellish master "And using that alongside what I already know about you, I can predict your exact moves. I activate the trap Hunting Bullet Storm!" This new card showed Zander alongside another Free Shooter Link Monster that was cloaked in the shadows, the only thing seen was long sniper riffle. Beneath them was a mass of soldiers running straight into a hail of bullets, "This card can only be activate if I control a Free Shooter Link Monster and my opponent has a Link Monster with a higher Link Rating than mine!"
Revolver gritted his teeth, he really should've expected this, the man was a natural manipulator outside of dueling, so many had fallen under his sway and walked right into his hands, becoming nothing more than puppets dancing along to his game.
"Bullet Storm's effect is as follows. This card now equips itself to your monster." The card dissolved into a black fog, slowly but surely it encased the dragon "Now, your monster's effect is negated and its attack is cut in half for the duration that this card remains on the field."
Three Burst Dragon's ATK: 2400 – 1200
"The only downside of this card would be that every standby phase I have to pay 500 life points in order to keep this card on the field." Zamiel commented as smug and arrogant as ever.
There was only one move left for Revolver now this turn, albeit through heavily gritted teeth "I set two cards facedown and end my turn."
Revolver's cards x2
It was just then that Three Burst Dragon suddenly turned and fired on his owner. It was only due to his quick reflexes that Revolver was able to dodge the bullet.
Revolver's LP: 4000 – 3500
"Oh, I forgot to mention. As long as the monster that is equipped with Bullet Strom remains active on the field, you'll take 500 points of damage at the end of each of your turns." Zamiel watched with glee at his increasing control of the duel and Revolver's misfortunes.
"You're pitiful." Zamiel said coldly, fiddling with one of the golden rings on his wrist "But I suppose that runs in your family. Your father was much the same, before the Lost Incident he was so full of a desire to make humanity better in his words, like you already know, he set out to make humanity's legacy and successors. He wanted to be a creator, an omnipotent god, yet he became impotent instead, a shell of his former self. It was pitiful."
It took an inhuman effort from Revolver to prevent himself from attacking the man physically "You have no right to talk about him that way. At least during all that time he retained his humanity unlike you."
"You really believe that?" Zamiel couldn't believe his ears "My, you're just as deluded as he was. The man used young children as his subjects. Don't you remember every individual scream of the children? Don't you remember not being able to save all of them? Words can only do so much."
Revolver grasped his arm tightly and his lip quivered, everything the hellish master had said there was true. When he had first discovered the project it was a shock to his very being, he saw those children dueling to survive and tortured upon their defeats. He couldn't believe that his father had done this. He could still remember the worried faces of Aso and Kyoko when they had found him wondering around the place in a daze.
However, he couldn't let himself fall into Zamiel's trap. To make him break was his goal and Revolver wouldn't dare give that man any sign of victory.
But there was still one outlying issue 'If that's what his face down card was, then why did he activate Hunting Zone and leave himself open for attack if he was just going to block it?'
Turn 3
"My turn, I draw. Now, to keep Bullet Strom active on the field, I must pay 500 life points." The mist surrounded the hellish master, who stood firm and unflinching when it started to shock him.
Zamiel's LP: 3800 – 3300
"From my hand, I activate the Spell Ascendant Art – Hunting!" At the mention at the name Ascendant Art, Revolver stepped back, the images of Seraph and Mammon's duel flashed into his head. The card showed the monster which had previously been hidden by shadows being watched over by Shi who was surveying the battle field "I do hope my student doesn't mind that I took one of his cards. But I think he knows that one must do everything humanly possible to win. This Ascendant Art has the following effect, by destroying one Spell or Trap card I control my Free Shooter Link Monster gains attack points equal to the total difference in our life points until the end of the turn! I destroy Bullet Storm!" The Trap card was rather ironically destroyed in a hail of bullets and the mist which had covered Three Burst Dragon vanished from the monster, yet still remained present on the field.
Three Burst Dragon's ATK: 1200 – 2400
Revolver was definitely confused now, Zamiel's plan seemed to follow no real rhyme or reason, all that move had done was significantly strength his field. Just what as he really planning? Revolver narrowed his yellow eyes towards the enigma in front of him.
"Now, since Bullet Storm was destroyed, the duelist who owns the card in question gets hit with an additional 500 points of damage." The mist retuned to Zamiel's person, decreasing his life points once more.
Zamiel's LP: 3300 – 2800
"And if you remember, Zander for the rest of this turn due to Ascendant Art – Hunting gains attack points equal to the difference in our life points!"
Zander's ATK: 200 – 900
"It doesn't stop there either! I activate the second effect of Hunting Zone! By paying 500 life points I can have my monster attack you directly this turn, the only penalty will be that the damage dealt has to be cut in half!" That declaration didn't faze Revolver in the slightest, he was already prepared for this kind of event this duel would soon be over.
Zamiel's LP: 2800 – 2300
Zander's ATK: 900 – 1400
"Battle! Zander attacks you directly!" Zander grinned and took the shotgun off his shoulder, the hunter then loosed the two salvos at the Leader of the Knights of Hanoi.
"I activate the Trap Magic Cylinder!" One of Revolver's facedowns turned face up to reveal the image of two cylinders, with one absorbing the attack and the other sending it away "This card not only negates your monster's attack but you are also dealt the damage that I would've taken!" The rounds were quickly sucked into the incoming cylinder and fired out the other towards Zamiel.
However, the person in question only laughed the bullets raced towards him, wagging his finger condescendingly "I don't think I can allow that. Zander's effect activates! When this card has no monster linked to it, it is unaffected by Spell or Trap cards when it attacks!"
Revolver staggered back and gritted his teeth, so that was the main effect. "In addition to that, I activate the last card in my hand, the Quick-Play Spell card, Hunting Hell Strom!" This card was rather simple in its design, just having a large fireball consuming most of the image while two Draxes were trying to out run it "This card now gives Zander the ability to attack again, however, this time round, he will gain half of his current attack points!"
Zander's ATK: 1400 – 2100
"What!" A fiery aura surrounded Zander as his eyes glowed a menacing red, his gun also transformed into a single shot long barrelled handgun, within the flash of the gun and the sound reaching his ears, Revolver was skidding across the base with a huge hole in his right shoulder.
Revolver's LP: 3500 – 2450
"Luckily for yourself, Hell Storm's effect doesn't supersede Hunting Zone's effect so you dodge the bullet on that occasion." Zamiel said with a mocking tone as the hole was gradually closed by red data.
"I don't know how many times I've seen this scene before." Zamiel's gleeful tone was enough to take Revolver's attention away from the searing pain he felt and towards his opposite number "Someone grovelling at my feet, the sinner's fate under my discretion and the inevitable payoff to follow from the higher ups. It happened with your father and I'm willing to bet that I'll be even more irreplaceable when you are licking my boots."
"If you weren't aware, I'm still not finished, I can't allow myself to lose to the likes of you!" Revolver declared in bold defiance.
However, all his stand earned him was another amused snort "Your father said the exact same thing ten years ago and look what that earned him. You'd do well not to anger me any further than you already have."
"You'll never win." Revolver said, albeit much quieter now with certain images and events replaying in his mind "I refuse to lose to anyone who isn't human."
Immediately from the use of the word 'human' one could tell that Zamiel had an adverse reaction, the sound of metal once more penetrated the air as the hellish master moved furiously "Silence! Don't you dare call me inhuman! I'm just as human as anyone else is! If anything your father is the inhuman one, he put his faith in Ai, he was deluded!"
Seeing the success he had, Revolver smirked "Then what is SOL Technologies' plan for the Ignises? If you claim to hold as much sway as you do then why is there no co-ordinated effort to eliminate the Ignises or to locate and destroy the cyberse world?"
The hellish master emitted a low demonical growl "Wouldn't you like to know?" He sneered, forgoing his modulator for the time being, revealing the true voice of the man "I don't believe in the path my company is following, that much I can reveal. That path can only lead to chaos and destruction. But the reason they were led down this path was because of the delusions of a mad man, who sought something as insane as preserving 'humanity's legacy'. You, my friend, are just as deluded as he was. That is why I despise you with every part of my being! I'll shatter you into a million fragments because after all it doesn't matter what it was before, once you break something it is nothing but trash!" The demonic voice faded back in as the speech came to an end.
Revolver smirked triumphantly, the hellish master's little weakness had just laid itself bare.
"I continue my turn by activating the last effect of Bullet Strom from my graveyard! I banish it alongside one Free Shooter from my graveyard to summon the remaining Drax that resides in it." Drax jumped back onto the field in Zamiel's Middle Monster Zone.
"Ascend from the Hellish Yard! My circuit of despair! The summoning conditions are one Free Shooter Link Monster and at least one Free Shooter effect monster! Circuit combine! Link 3! Behold, the demon huntsman! Free Shooter Nemesis!"
Free Shooter Nemesis, Link 3, Pyro, FIRE, Effect (0) Link Markers: Top, Bottom left, Bottom Right
This new monster stood in stark contrast to Zander before him. This Free Shooter was a full blooded demon with horns, a tail and sharp claws. Wrapped around its neck was a necklace of what looked to be finger bones while the rest of his body was covered by some torn fur garb. Currently it had one squinted looking down the snipper riffle it was holding, the other was glowing a similar yellow to Revolver's own eyes. "With that I end my turn."
Zamiel's cards x0
Turn 4
"I draw." Revolver looked rather smug as he added the new card to his hand and made a move to select another card "Since both you and I control a Link Monster I can activate this card, the Spell Marker Charge! This card allows me to draw two new cards from my deck." The two cards ejected themselves from Revolver's deck as he explained the rest of the card "However, I must show you the cards taken and they are banished from my hand if they remain there at the end of my turn." The two cards were revealed to be a monster that Zamiel recognised as being Magnarokket Dragon and an unknown spell card.
"I now activate the Field Spell card Revolve Boot Sector! And I immediately use its effect to summon Anesthrokket Dragon and Sniffer Dragon from my hand!" The syringe headed mechanical dragon appeared on the field, linked to Three Burst Dragon's bottom marker whilst the final copy of Sniffer Dragon emerged right beside it.
Anesthrokket Dragon, Level 1, Dragon, DARK, Effect, (0/2200)
"I activate the Spell Link Coin!" The unknown spell had quickly revealed itself, dissolving from Revolver's hand to the field "For this card I must send one Link Monster I control to the graveyard." Three Burst Dragon quickly dissolved into a sea of cerulean pixels, leaving the hellish master perplexed "Now, I send cards from the top of my deck to the graveyard equivalent to the Link Rating of the sent monster. Three Burst Dragon had three." The three cards made themselves known and Revolver's smirk grew ever wider "I add the monster ShellBurst Dragon!"
Revolver continued his move whilst the Hellish master looked on rather uninterestingly, finding the ground far more entertaining than listening to some angsty teen shout about dragons.
"Using its effect from my hand I can summon ShellBurst Dragon directly to the field!" The new Dragon was just as small as the other ones but it had more obvious purple scales and was hat least half organic. In its chest was four cannons, all pointed directly at Zamiel.
ShellBurst Dragon, Level 4, Dragon, DARK, Effect (1200/600)
"This card can be summoned to the field so long as I control two different Rokket monsters and do you know the best part of this…?" He drawled mimicking his hunter's own mocking speech.
"What?" Zamiel replied.
"If my opponent controls a Link Monster and I don't, that opponent lose 200 life points for each Marker that Link Monster has! Fire!" Three of the cannons swiftly lit and launched their salvos at Zamiel, the first one tearing a gap in the left side of his body, blowing him back and removing the hood revealing the man's spiky blue hair. The second shot landed lust inches away from the centre of Zamiel's body, landing just under his right arm. However, he wasn't so lucky the third time with the lead ball striking the right side of his face, tearing half of his mask off in the process alongside a good half of the hellish master's face being scarred.
Zamiel's LP: 2300 – 1700
"I'm not done either!" Revolver said much to the chagrin of Zamiel, who had just picked himself off the floor "I use my normal summon for the turn to summon Metalrokket Dragon to the field!" The arrival of his final dragon meant that the stage was all set.
"Now, appear before me! The future circuit that lights up my path! The summoning conditions are at least three effect monsters!" The four Dragon monsters transformed into red energy and flew to the link square "Circuit combine! My new wind that pierces through the closed world! Link summon! Appear, Link 4 Borreload Dragon!" A dragon that was covered in sliver amour, had luminous neon green wings and a torso which looked like a revolver appeared on Revolver's field. There was nothing but pure hatred in its eyes as it looked down at Zamiel, who despite the setbacks and his seemingly impending defeat, was looking completely unfazed.
Borreload Dragon, Link 4, Dragon, DARK, Effect (3000) Link Markers: Bottom Left, Bottom Right, Middle Left and Middle Right
"I activate Borreload Dragon's effect! Once per turn I can target one monster my opponent controls and negate its effect and cause it to lose 500 attack and points." Revolver didn't care much for the attack decrease since Nemesis didn't have any point, he was more concerned about any trouble some effect it may have. "Anti-enemy Varret!" Borreload's chamber locked into position and fired at Nemesis.
In response Zamiel tutted and shook his head "Have you learned nothing? So long as the Link Markers of Nemesis remain open, my monster is immune from any card effects that target it!" The bullet phased through Nemesis and disappeared deep into the base.
"That doesn't matter! You only have 1700 Life Points left and Borreload Dragon has 3000, in addition not only does your monster have 0 attack points but your Hunting Zone Spell means that you're the only target and with no cards in your hand it is game over."
"Oh really?" Zamiel said sounding amused at the whole situation "Well… Why don't you attack already? If I'm really on the verge of losing then you should have nothing to worry about." The smirk which appeared to be ever present on his face only grew wider with each passing second.
Revolver went to declare the attack, but as the words formed they just as quickly vanished on his tongue, leaving him incredibly confused 'Why can't I speak?! What the hell is going on?!'
"What's this? Cat got your tongue? Although, I wouldn't put it past you to have gone silent in somebody's time of need." Revolver's eyes widened as Zamiel's lips curled backwards "After all, ten years ago, you left barely enough time to save the children of the Lost Incident. Who knows what would've happened if you acted sooner? Maybe the damage done to those innocent children would've been weakened somewhat."
"Silence…" Revolver wanted to come out as the strong imposing leader of the Knights of Hanoi, instead all that came out was the voice of the scared eight year old who had first wondered into his father's dark secret.
"Now, tell me, Ryoken Kogami. Do you know what happened to all those children? Because I sure do." That revelation hit Revolver for six and his eyes widened to astronomical proportions "In fact, I have information on their current whereabouts and status. Take for example the subject that made the Dark Ignis, one of the two you reached out to. He's now an emissary of revenge, ready to crush your group and even you, his saviour. His whole life thanks to that incident has become nothing but cold endless fury."
There was an eerie silence that settled over the base, Revolver wanted to shout at the top of lungs but something was still stopping him "Luckily for you, SOL Technologies has already devised the plan for his capture and if he thinks he can simply log out of VRAINS to escape us then he's sorely mistaken."
"Don't you dare!" Revolver shouted, finally finding his voice after Zamiel's speech.
"Oh? Showing affinity for the enemy are we?" Zamiel said mockingly "Even if I didn't want to capture Playmaker and Ignis, the order has already been agree on by all parties. That's just the chain of command."
"Borreload, direct attack! Crush him! Thunder Varrel canon!" Revolver yelled fervently, completely ignoring the last part of Zamiel's soliloquy. The energy that had gathered in the Borreload's cannon was unleashed in one all mighty burst with only one aim in mind.
The hellish master could only sigh at Revolver's brazen attack "Pathetic. I activate Nemesis' effect! When I'm the target of the direct attack this card will instead become the target." The previously intangible Free Shooter returned to the corporeal realm as the attack inched ever closer "Here's the thing, when this card that I control is involved in an attack from an opponent's monster, during the battle phase only, it gains attack points equal to the monster attacking it!" Revolver recoiled upon hearing that as a purple mist slinked out of the ground and surrounded Nemesis.
Nemesis' ATK: 0 – 3000
Revolver gritted his teeth as Nemesis shot back at Borreload, both blasts landing at the same time, creating two huge explosions "Luckily for you, the monster attacking Nemesis is safe from destruction but so is Nemesis, which leads to its last effect. The monster that was targeted by this effect not only loses half of its attack permanently but its owner is also dealt 500 points of damage for each Link Monster currently on the field!"
As soon as the explosion had settled, Revolver spotted Nemesis reloading its riffle before it took aim and fired, the bullet travelled faster than expected and succeeded in cutting deep into its intended target Revolver's right arm, causing the person in question to howl in pain.
Borreload's ATK: 3000 – 1500
Revolver's LP: 2450 – 1450
"However, there is one downside for this effect. I must now half my life points as a cost." Nemesis then turned on its own creator and lined up his shot, gouging a deeper hole into the master's face just under his right eye, it joining alongside the other scars from Revolver's cannon which had yet to heal.
Zamiel's LP: 1700 – 850
"I-I end my turn…" Revolver barely manged to etch out in between increasing haggard breaths.
Nemesis' ATK: 3000 – 0
Revolver's Cards x0
Turn 5
"Draw." The hellish master frowned momentarily at the drawn card before recomposing himself "I activate the final effect of Hunting Zone! By sending this card I control to the graveyard, I can add one Free Shooter from the graveyard back to my hand. That means that Free Shooter Drax is coming back to the field" As quick as the card had ejected its self, it had been slapped on the duel disk. Taking position in Zamiel's Middle Monster Zone.
"Unfortunately, since Hunting Zone has now left the field, I lose life points equal to the number of Link Markers I control." The dark mist slithered out of the graveyard of Zamiel's disk, zapping his points down once more.
Zamiel's LP: 850 – 550
"Drax's effect, by paying 200 life points I can summon the last remaining copy from my deck." The last copy of the Free Shooter took up position in the Far Left Monster Zone.
Zamiel's LP: 550 – 350
"The summoning conditions are two Free Shooter fire monsters. Circuit combine! Free Shooter Zander!" The second version of the card took position in the Middle Monster Zone just under Nemesis. "Since there is now a monster linked to him, I can activate Zander's true effect! When this card is linked to a Free Shooter Link Monster I control, it gains attack points equal to the total amount of Link Markers on the field x200! In layman's terms that is 2200 attack points!" The cocky huntsman's muscles bulged as the power filled him.
Zander's ATK: 0 – 2200
"Battle!" Zamiel declared fervently "Nemesis attack Borreload Dragon! You know what happens next, Nemesis now gains Borreload's attack points!" The speeding bullet pierced the wind with an increased strength as it headed towards Borreload.
Nemesis' ATK: 0 – 1500
"Return fire, Borreload!" The encroaching bullet was snuffed out by the torrent that was Borreload Dragon's attack.
Zamiel, however, wasn't at all concerned, smirking triumphantly in a sadistic fashion "Nemesis' second effect now triggers, your Borreload now loses half of its attack points once more!"
Borreload's ATK: 1500 – 750
"Ah, we've finally come full circle! It looks like your sordid story is finally coming to end. Zander now has enough attack points to bring your life points down to 0." The hellish master looked at the human huntsman who all of a sudden turned to him and nodded, with his grin going crooked "This ends here! Free Shooter Zander! Shatter him! Dual Blast!"
Zander momentarily traded glances with Revolver, then without any hesitation sent out what should've been Revolver's death knell. However, the leader of the Knights of Hanoi wasn't going to go down this easily.
"How foolish of you…" Revolver drawled in a deep baritone causing Zamiel's smirk to recede ever so slightly "Did you forget that I had another face down card?" When the hellish master didn't reply Revolver continued on "To the likes of you, there is something I won't do… I will NEVER lose! I activate the Trap Card Mirror Force!" At the mention of the card's name, Zamiel's face contorted yet there was still no movement on his side "Since one of your monsters declared an attack I can destroy all monsters that are in attack position on your side of the field!"
Zander's shots were absorbed into the card and were swiftly blasted back at him, destroying the monster "Since his Link Makers are still open, Nemesis is immune from this effect." Zamiel said through gritted teeth as the blast dissipated. "I end my turn here."
Zamiel's cards x1
Turn 6
"I draw. Now, during my standby phase the second effect of Link Coin activates! The monster that was sent to the graveyard the previous turn is now revived! Resurrect! Three Burst Dragon!" The mechanical dragon emerged from the portal with a great cry.
He didn't miss a beat as he declared his next move "Battle! Borreload Dragon attacks Free Shooter Nemesis! Anti-enemy Varret!"
"Nemesis' effect. His attack is now the same as Borreload." For the third time in the duel, the two monsters clashed with the result being exactly the same, except for the fact that now Revolver had a hard counter to it.
Nemesis ATK: 0 – 750
"That doesn't matter! Three Burst Dragon! End this!" The three turreted dragon blasted the Free Shooter and despite the monster's desperate attempts to dodge the blasts it was finally hit, tearing a massive whole straight through its chest causing the final blow to the hellish master's life points.
The duelist in question stood silently as the blasts landed around him, the last half of his mask being blown off as well.
Zamiel's LP: 350 – 0
Revolver: Win!
Revolver panted heavily. The duel had really taken a lot out of him and the damage dealt by Zamiel's cards had still yet to heal. That didn't matter though, he had defeated the man who had haunted him for ten years.
Yet there was something that didn't seem right about it. Zamiel had ended the duel with one card still left in his hand. It was highly improbable that it didn't have some sort of usefulness, so why didn't he use it?
"Seven bullets were once given to the original Free Shooter. Six of the bullets would hit whatever the huntsman so desired. However, the seventh bullet… Was to be controlled by the demon huntsman himself." Cryptic didn't even begin to describe the hellish master's comments as the person in question took off deep into the base, vanishing with one final statement "The bird of Hermes is my name, eating my wings to make me tame."
(Elsewhere in Link VRAINS)
"The Another virus." Colt surveyed the scene around him, he was close enough to notice that when the nearby Playmaker made his way to a fallen Knight and demanded the removal program, said Knight disintegrated in a similar manner to Dr Genome did before revealing the mastermind "I can only assume that the Knights are also under its effect. For if they lose, they're purged from the ranks." Underneath his mask, he smirked "How interesting."
As his D-board sped by, he jumped off the roof he was perched upon, soon coming face to face with a lone Knight searching for a target "Now, repent for all your sins!" He declared, fashioning his hand into a gun gesture
"Who the hell are you?!" The Knight shouted back, clearly confused.
"I'm Colt and I'll be the one to take you and your entire odious group down!"
The Knight grinned "Is that so? Well! You mightn't be Playmaker or Go Onizuka but I'll be more than happy to eliminate you for Master Revolver!"
"Duel!"
(Time Skip)
"Any last words?" Colt asked, almost mockingly as Retributioner store down the cowering Knight, who couldn't so much as fashion a word. "A man of few words I see. No matter, Retributioner attacks you directly! Wrath shot!"
The disguised assassin pulled out two revolvers and fired crimson bullets sapping the last remaining life points the Knight had.
Knight's LP: ? – 0
Colt: Win!
The sheer velocity of the bullets and the forward motion of the speed duel, lead to the Knight being catapulted against a nearby building, sliding the structure until he hit the earth with Colt following swiftly down to face him.
However, just as Colt went to interrogate the knight, the effects of the virus had kicked in and he was soon painfully dissolved into a sea of grey, leaving nothing but the destroyed landscape behind.
"Tch." Colt clicked his tongue in annoyance "At least that's one less Hanoi in the system. If only they stuck around long enough to give info." It was then that the image of a certain spiky haired individual flashed into his mind "I wonder…"
But his reverie was rudely interrupted by a rather annoying high pitch voice that he was steadily growing to hate by each passing second 'Playmaker, look! It's that Colt guy again! Maybe if we corner him now, we'll get him to tell us SOL's plans!' Ai squawked
"Honestly, I thought Seraph was an asshole but you're starting to usurp even him for that place. I don't know whether to laugh or cry." Colt deadpanned causing the Ignis to splutter some sort of reply which quickly became indecipherable, not that it really mattered to the two humans who were busy trying to put on their best strong man personas.
"What do you want?" Playmaker said, cutting any unnecessary filler out of the conversation.
"You have something I want, that data you took from the SOL databank not only included info on the Lost incident. It also contained data on the project that tore my life in two. The Inferno project!" Colt declared.
'Inferno project?' Ai squawked, jumping out of the duel disk to take his semi physical form 'I'm sure that the only thing one there was related to the Lost Incident…' Ai muttered scratching his head.
Meanwhile, Playmaker was going through his memory to try and see if there was indeed info on what Colt was claiming. He could vaguely remember Zitor saying something along those lines. First he looked down at Ai "I think you should shut up. He's talking to me and if I don't erase your coding, he certainly will." Then he turned his gaze to the Codecracker duelist, who was growing more irate by the second.
However, before he could speak, Colt had jumped in "Hold it. I've got a better idea. How about you and I duel for it? If I win not only do I gain your Ignis but also the data you hold on the inferno project. SOL Technologies would be very pleased…" He said leering at Ai who shrunk back into the duel disk with a muffled cry of 'P-protect me, P-playmaker!'
Playmaker didn't look fazed and although he really wanted to focus on Hanoi in addition to not wanting to give up the Ignis to SOL, if what the hunter said was true then who was he to stand in the way? "I accept your conditions."
The wind of the datastorm started to pick up around as their D-boards began to speed towards them "It's time to see if you're really all you're cracked up to be. You may have bested people like Revolver, Mammon and even Lucifinia but I'm a whole different beast!"
"Speed Duel!"
A/N: Well, this took a lot longer than I really wanted. I actually began to write another story in the downtime when I was thinking what to put in this chapter. It was actually my first attempt at writing a non-Yugioh story and it is still in the works, so don't expect this to be updated until sometime in late January/early February in the new year.
Anyway, I want to mention something about this specific chapter. The duel between the Master of the Hellish Yard and Revolver may seem too quick pacing wise but there is a specific reason why it happened. Also, if there is someone who gets the reference I made at the start of the chapter without looking it up then I applaud you.
The only question have this time is: What did you think of the duel in this chapter? I'm just curious to know.