Chapter 10: The calling

Yuina was driving away from Café la Geen and a defeated Heitmann on her stolen Duel Runner. She never thought about Dueling like that, but if this was to continue, it could provide an excellent early morning buzz. Dueling like that got her enervated and ready to face the new day. On the other hand, the fun of the game was somewhat tainted by the fact that the opponent was an enemy of hers who refused to acknowledge her, and although she was able to take pride in being a strong Duelist, it was soured by not being entirely fun.

Oh well, at least she could return to her old friends, and maybe test her new thoughts on early-morning Dueling. The trip took another few hours, but she was back in Satellite at the hideout, where Hibiki and Kumiko announced that they were just touching up the first Runner they stole. They chose to give it to her instead of modifying the one she stole, as a 'Welcome Back' present, and announcing the completion of the Raptor.

"Well done on the completion of your initiation," the same person from the previous night spoke, hiding in shadows.

"So I'm in, just like that?" Yuina asked.

"Yes. We look for strong people to join the Brotherhood, but everyone is strong in some way. What we need to find out is if you are strong enough in what you consider your strongest area. We also were looking for commitment."

"So, why did you want me to join?"

"Our leader needs your help."

"Who is this 'leader' of yours?"

"Even we do not know. He prefers us to operate separately, and we, the Four Pyres, are the only ones to see him."

"Then grant me an audience. I don't like working for shadows!"

"Alas, we cannot. He only relays the wishes of the gods, and as one gifted with such perception, he must be protected."

"Fine, have it your way. What's next?"

"We know not, he has as of yet not received any more visions."

Yuina spent the next day conversing with Daichi, Hibiki, Kumiko and Akane about what the Ember Brotherhood had them do, finding out that it was due to their efforts that the four were able to find her again. Before that, the Ember Brotherhood was trying to restore things to a state of balance since a disaster half a year ago, and recruit more people. Where Daichi's crew came in was when there were some incidents of Duel-related violence.

Otherwise, the Ember Brotherhood just kept them sheltered and away from prying eyes to such an extent that, even if you were in the same area, you wouldn't see them unless they wanted you to. This Brotherhood seemed to have extensive knowledge of the underground sewer system, using that to move around and avoid Sector Security.

It was all very good in theory, Yuina thought, but there had to be more to them than that. She had seen and experienced too much to believe in the notion of charity, especially from an order that just pops out of the woodwork.

"I have been contacted," the Brotherhood member with them spoke, on the second day after she returned from Heitmann. "You have new orders."

"Okay, what are they now?" Yuina sighed. These people were starting to bug her.

"Are you aware of a set of three Duel Monster Cards called the Sacred Beasts?"

"Not really."

"They consist of three god-cards. The first is Uria, Lord of Searing Flames, true sovereign of fire. The second is Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder, who commands the very lightning itself. The last is Raviel, Lord of Phantasms, and a harbinger of darkness."

"What about them?"

"Our god has communicated with our leader, and the cards have escaped their prison. They have even marked three Duelists with their sigils."

"What makes these cards dangerous?"

"They have the power to drain the energies of Duel Monsters spirits. It has happened before: there is a Duel Academy that has seen them summoned, and there are records from that time that the spirits within the cards deteriorated until close to death. The only thing that saved them was that the Sacred Beasts were defeated and re-sealed, returning the stolen energy. If they are allowed to roam free, the Spirit World could be facing genocide.

"So what do we do?"

"Yuina, our leader has seen fit to entrust you with the mission to hunt down these Sacred Beast Holders. Duel and defeat them, and bring the Sacred Beasts back to us."

"Why to you? Wouldn't it be better to just re-seal them in their prison again?"

"It isn't as simple as that. You cannot simply incarcerate a Sacred Beast by locking it in an airtight box. It will find its way out again, as it has on a number of occasions. Only our god can seal the evil away permanently, but only our leader can receive the power. Exercise extreme caution though, the Duelists bearing these beasts are not to be taken lightly. They have already destroyed two of our allies."

"Allies? Who?"

"Although our leader hasn't met any yet, our god has told us that we are blessed with many other allies who fight against the evil of these cards."

"Where can I find them?"

"Why do you want that information?"

"It's just that, if these Sacred Beasts are as powerful as you say they are, I'm going to need backup, and I'd rather have people who know what we are up against aiding me."

"Understandable, but all our leader was told was that they are out there. You will have to find them yourself."

"So all that we know of our allies is that we have them? Now I see why you need me; you guys are too damned lazy to find out who your friends are. When do you want me to move out?"

"As soon as possible."

"Okay. Kumiko, is the Raptor ready?"

"Yes," Kumiko responded.

"Right. I'll be going now then," Yuina announced as she got on the remodeled Duel Runner and sped off. Her orders were intriguing, but she wasn't quite ready to comply. After all, she was told to get the three Sacred Beasts, and she herself held one of them, while two dear friends held the others; two friends who she wasn't willing to stab in the back.

Just who was the Ember Brotherhood in the first place? She sped off into the distance, unaware that someone was following her…