Chapter 21 - Children of Inferno
The sun was setting, and the orange light was glistening off the calm sea. Not too far off the coast, the group just entered a two-story house. As soon as they entered, Ella called out Niall's name, almost by instinct, even though she knew he wouldn't be there.
"You guys make yourself comfortable." - she instructed the others - "I'll have a look around the house to check if anyone's been here recently."
Almost everyone sat down, some on the sofa, and some on the floor, all exhausted from the eight-hour walk. Immediately after Ella exited the room, Sara noticed someone out the window.
"It appears we have company." - she said and barely managed to lift her hand and point at who she saw - "It's another Fiend."
"Well, who's going to take care of this one?" - Daniel asked, getting ready to join everyone in sitting down. Before he managed that, everyone picked him to fight the Fiend, using "you're the only one still standing" as an excuse. Daniel sighed.
"I didn't want to get any rest anyways." - he grumbled, and headed for the door, as the sun continued to set. Nobody immediately followed him outside, as they were all on the brink of sleep after sitting down.
Daniel waited for a few seconds, and silently looked at the woman approaching him. Once she did, she whispered something into her duel disk, but Daniel couldn't catch anything she said. The voice that replied to her was also barely audible, but she understood what was being said perfectly, nodded, and activated her duel disk. Daniel followed suit, trying to convince himself he's not tired.
"You and the rest of your friends are coming with me!" - she told Daniel, perhaps a bit too loudly, and drew her opening five cards.
"Dream on." - Daniel replied.
Turn 1 - Fiend 006 (LP - 4000 / Hand - 5 / Field - X)
"To start off, I'll activate Hazy Pillar!" - the Fiend wasted no time. A large bright fire appeared behind her, then shot up into the sky and formed a giant blazing pillar.
"Then, I summon Hazy Flame Sphynx! (FIRE/Beast-Warrior/Level 6/ATK 1900/DEF 1900)" - a sphinx hovered slightly off the ground. Its fur was the same colour as that of a lion, its long, flowing mane was a bright shade of orange, and the tip of its tail was on fire.
"But that's a Level 6 monster." - Daniel commented.
"Hazy Pillar allows me to Normal Summon Hazy Flame monsters with no tributes." - the Fiend elaborated - "Now, I activate Sphynx's effect. I guess what type of card will be on the top of my deck, and if I get it right, I can Special Summon a FIRE monster from my hand. Ready?"
Daniel nodded.
"That seems a bit risky. What if she gets it wrong?" - he thought.
"The card on the top of my deck is a monster!" - the Fiend said. A glowing card appeared above her, and the glow slowly faded to reveal what card it was.
"Well, it's Hazy Flame Peryton, so I got it right! Impressive, right?" - she didn't sound the slightest bit enthused about getting it right - "And you know what happens now."
"I know what happens. Would you just play?" - Daniel rolled his eyes.
"Not before you tell me what happens next." - the Fiend replied.
"Well we're going to be standing here for a long time then." - Daniel stubbornly refused to humour her request.
"Well fine." - the Fiend gave up - "I Special Summon Hazy Flame Hydra (FIRE/Dinosaur/Level 6/ATK 2300/DEF 200) from my hand!".
Another massive creature hovered above the ground, lit up by the bright flaming pillar behind it. Its snake-like body slowly changed colour from bright green to yellow, and ended in eight red flaming heads, each moving around with a mind of its own.
"Now, I overlay my Level 6 Hazy Flame Sphynx and Hazy Flame Hydra! Rise from the flames in a hazy flame of glory, and turn your enemies to stone! Xyz Summon! Hazy Flame Basiltrice! (FIRE/Pyro/Rank 6/ATK 2500/DEF 1800)" - a six-legged rooster appeared, with bright flaming wings and a dragon-like tail. Its head, which was enveloped in blue flames, was connected to its red body by a long neck covered in turquoise feathers.
"Next, since I used Hydra for an Xyz Summon, I can attach 1 Hazy Flame monster from my graveyard to the summoned Xyz Monster as material!" - the Fiend's graveyard was glowing red, and out of it came a sphere that stared orbiting around Basiltrice - "Now, since Basiltrice has 3 materials, it gains 200 ATK for each of its materials!"
Hazy Flame Basiltrice: ATK 2500 + 600 = 3100
"Also, I use the effect of Hazy Pillar, and attach Hazy Flame Griffin from my hand to Basiltrice as Xyz Material as well!"
Hazy Flame Basiltrice: ATK 3100 + 200 = 3300
"And just for your information, since Hazy Flame Basiltrice, has four materials, it now cannot be targeted by your card effects." - the Fiend finished her turn.
Turn 2 - Daniel (LP - 4000 / Hand - 5 / Field - X)
"My turn then!" - Daniel said, but wasn't sure of what he could do in the current situation.
"Getting over that flaming bird is quite an ask." - he thought as he drew the card, which revealed itself to be Luster Pendulum - "Or not."
"I activate two Igknight Paladin in my Pendulum Scales!" - two familiar lavender warriors appeared on the field, one each side of Daniel, with him standing in the middle.
"Next, I'll use their effects!" - the Paladins disappeared off the field as swiftly as they appeared - "And add Igknight Margrave from my deck to my hand! Using the Scale 5 Margrave and the Scale 2 Igknight Cavalier in my hand, I set the Pendulum Scale!"
The pink warrior in the glowing pillar on the left sported several knives, while the red one on the right only had two blades, which were also disguised as guns.
"Now, from my extra deck, I Pendulum Summon both my Igknight Paladins (FIRE/Warrior/Level 4/ATK 1400/DEF 1900), and from my hand, Luster Pendulum, the Dracoslayer! (LIGHT/Dragon/Tuner/Level 4/ATK 1850/DEF 0)"
"There it is." - the Fiend thought.
Back in the house, Ella just came back into the living room, where everyone was still sitting down. She quickly scanned the room, and noticed one person was curiously missing. Before she could ask anything, a question came her way.
"Anything weird around the house?" - Jonas asked.
"No. Everything looks untouched." - she replied - "Where's Daniel?"
"Outside." - Hannah said, as she got up to stretch - "A Fiend came by and we picked him to duel."
"I tune my Level 4 Luster Pendulum, the Dracoslayer and Level 4 Igknight Paladin!" - Daniel's voice came from the outside. Despite the fact she barely heard it, Ella's eyes immediately widened, and she rushed outside. Nobody was in any particular rush to follow her, though they did all start slowly getting up to see how Daniel is getting on.
"Combine! The bond of the Igknights and the might of the Dracoslayers! Channel the strength of your fallen comrades and ascend from the ashes of Armageddon! Synchro Summon! Ignister Prominence, the Blasting Dracoslayer! (FIRE/Dragon/Level 8/ATK 2850/DEF 0)" - Ignister's mighty wings kept him hovering above the ground, and the dust settled.
"I'll use Ignister's effect to destroy Igknight Paladin, and shuffle Hazy Flame Basiltrice back into the deck!" - Daniel exclaimed.
"But…" - the Fiend was about to object, but was distracted by Ella suddenly bursting out of the house behind Daniel, and by the time she remembered what she was going to say, Daniel finished her thought for her.
"Ignister doesn't target, if that's what you're wondering." - Igknight Paladin was consumed by a large flame, followed by a large explosion on the Fiend's side of the field, and both fields now remained empty, apart from one giant red dragon.
"Ignister, direct attack!" - Daniel said. He didn't feel exhausted anymore, and almost felt reinvigorated by the past five minutes. The Fiend barely managed to utter the word "crap" before being blown back by Ignister's fierce attack
Fiend 006: LP 4000 - 2850 = 1150
"I end my turn."
Just as the Fiend was about to draw her card, and try to somehow rebound after losing her boss monster, someone interrupted the duel.
"It's time we put an end to this." - Ella said, and activated her duel disk.
"I don't think that's necessary." - Daniel looked at her, but she didn't listen to him, and started her turn.
Turn 3 - Ella (LP - 4000 / Hand - 5 / Field - X)
"I can't draw this turn, since I joined in so abruptly." - Ella thought - "But this hand is good enough."
"If she really wants to help, then I guess it's fine." - Daniel thought - "Well, let's see what she can do."
"Using the Scale 1 Metalfoes Silverd, and Scale 8 Metalfoes Volflame, I set the Pendulum Scale!" - the two monsters appeared either side of her, though without the vehicles they are usually riding - "And I'll use Volflame's effect, destroy Silverd, and set a Metalfoes Fusion from my deck!"
The card was set vertically in front of her, but it didn't stay face-down for long, as she immediately activated it.
"From my hand, I fuse Metalfoes Volflame and Metalfoes Steelen! Merge, man and machine! Take flight, mythical master of mountains, and soar through the skies as the sun glistens off your silver steel! Fusion Summon, Metalfoes Mithrilium! (FIRE/Psychic/Level 6/ATK 2600/DEF 1000)" - a female warrior appeared, heavily resembling Silverd. Her steel armour glistened silver, and attached to her back were plane wings with a bright green edge.
"Next, I place Metalfoes Goldriver in my Pendulum Scale, and Pendulum Summon, back from the extra deck, Metalfoes Silverd! (FIRE/Psychic/Level 3/ATK 1700/DEF 100)!"
"Alright, that should be more than enough to finish her off!" - despite his earlier complaints about the duel being interrupted, Daniel sounded enthused because it was coming to a close.
"Stay quiet." - Ella cut him off - "I activate the effect of Metalfoes Fusion in the graveyard, shuffling it back into my deck to draw 1 card."
She took Fusion out of her graveyard, let the duel disk shuffle the deck for a few seconds, then drew a card. At this point, everyone came out of the house to watch the duel.
"And, I activate the effect of Metalfoes Mithrilium, and shuffle Volflame and Silverd from my graveyard into the deck…"
"This all seems a bit unnecessary, I mean she could just attack and…" - Daniel thought, but was interrupted, shocked by what followed.
"…and return Ignister Prominence, the Blasting Dracoslayer to the hand. Or to the extra deck, if you will."
Everyone watching the duel, as well as Daniel, was overwhelmed by confusion as Ignister disappeared off the field.
"Battle!" - Ella didn't pause to try and explain herself - "Metalfoes Silverd, get that Fiend out of my sight!"
Fiend 006: LP 1150 - 1150 = 0
The Fiend collapsed to the ground again, as she only barely managed to recover from Ignister's earlier attack. Nobody paid attention to the fact that she teleported away almost immediately, and Ella turned towards Daniel. He looked at her with slight fear in his eyes, hoping that what was about to happen wouldn't.
"Metalfoes Mithrilium…" - Ella said through gritted teeth - "…direct attack!"
Daniel: LP 4000 - 2600 = 1400
After the attack, Daniel looked at her, still laying down on the ground. She set one card, and ended her turn.
Turn 4 - Daniel (LP - 1400 / Hand - 2 / Field - Pendulum Zones: Igknight Cavalier, Igknight Margrave)
"I don't know why you did that, and I don't particularly care." - Daniel got back up on his feet, and drew a card - "But since it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get."
Daniel completely lost his cool, and looked at Ella with the eyes of a demon, causing her to briefly lose her cool.
"From my extra deck, I Pendulum Summon 2 Igknight Paladin and Luster Pendulum, the Dracoslayer once more!" - three monsters appeared in front of him, two heavily armoured warriors and one humanoid dragon, all in attack position.
"I tune the Level 4 Luster Pendulum and the Level 4 Igknight Paladin! The bond of the Igknights and the might of the Dracoslayers combine to create the ultimate destruction deity! Consume the souls of the fallen, ascend from the ashes of Armageddon, and crush the infidel that dares roam this world! Synchro Summon, Ignister Prominence, the Blasting Dracoslayer!" - a shroud of darkness appeared behind Daniel briefly, and two bright red eyes sparkled in the middle of it, before the black mist dispersed and Ignister flew out of it.
"I use Ignister's effect!" - Daniel growled - "I destroy Metalfoes Silverd, and shuffle Metalfoes Mithrilium into the deck!"
"What the hell is happening?" - Carla asked, still not being able to fully comprehend what she was seeing.
"Why the hell is it happening is a better question." - Hannah said.
"I don't know." - Sara provided a pointless answer - "But if this effect goes through, Ella's done for."
Ella smiled.
"I activate Fullmetalfoes Fusion, allowing me to Fusion Summon a Metalfoes monster, but more importantly, causing Ignister to lose its target!"
Mithrilium shot up in the sky, quickly followed by Silverd, as Daniel looked on, disappointed that his plan didn't go through.
"Merge, man and machine! Break the silence and ignite the spark of justice! Rise, rebel, and rain down the flames of revolution! Fusion Summon, Fullmetalfoes Alkahest! (FIRE/Psychic/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0)" - a brand new monster appeared. Its purple hair was covered by a large hat, resembling that of a witch, and it sported a long cape. The vehicle parts on its arms and around its cape were made out of a strange metal that looked like it had the ability to change colour, though currently it was a dull shade of dark grey. Finally, in its right hand was a staff with an energy core on top of it, the exact same core that appears to power all Metalfoes vehicles.
"Also, when Mithrilium is sent to the graveyard, I can summon back a Metalfoes Pendulum Monster from my extra deck! Come back once more, Metalfoes Silverd!" - Ella wrapped her move up.
"That's your big plan? A monster with no ATK?" - Daniel laughed - "Battle Phase! Ignister, get that thing out of my sight." - Ella didn't look the slightest bit disturbed by the incoming attack.
"I activate the effect of Fullmetalfoes Alkahest, allowing me to take one of your Effect Monsters…" - she said, and Ignister's attack stopped abruptly - "…and equip it to Alkahest!" - Alkahest's armour changed colour from grey to bright red, as Ignister was absorbed into the core atop its staff.
"When Alkahest is equipped with a monster, he gains DEF equal to that monster's ATK!" - Ella said.
Fullmetalfoes Alkahest: DEF 0 + 2850 = 2850
Daniel helplessly watched that entire sequence of events unfolding, and had no choice but to end his turn.
Turn 5 - Ella (LP - 4000 / Hand - 0 / Field - Monsters: Fullmetalfoes Alkahest, Metalfoes Silverd, Spells/Traps: Ignister Prominence, the Blasting Dracoslayer, Pendulum Zones: Metalfoes Goldriver, Metalfoes Volflame)
"Let's get this over with!" - Ella said, not even looking at the card she drew, knowing that it's completely unimportant - "I activate the effect of Metalfoes Goldriver in my Pendulum Scale, destroy Metalfoes Volflame and set Metalfoes Fusion from my deck!"
Daniel knew what was coming, and tried to remain calm, despite the fury inside him, but he had another thing coming.
"Oh, by the way, when summoning a Metalfoes Fusion Monster, I can use anything equipped to Alkahest as Fusion Material."
Daniel now started to lose his cool as well, but managed to restrain himself for now.
"I activate the set Metalfoes Fusion, and fuse Metalfoes Silverd, Fullmetalfoes Alkahest, as well as Ignister Prominence, the Blasting Dracoslayer! Merge, man and machine! Expurgate the evil from this dead world, and end everything your eyes touch! Rise, the ultimate killing machine, welded by the fires of death! Fusion Summon! Metalfoes Crimsonite! (FIRE/Psychic/Level 9/ATK 3000/DEF 3000)" - a man with a strange blonde haircut was piloting a giant orange mech, completely exposed in the cockpit. Two large exhausts were on the machine's shoulders, and out of them came flames as bright as the two blades the robot wielded in its hands.
"Metalfoes Crimsonite!" - Ella exclaimed the monster's name, but then took a brief pause to look at Daniel, before continuing with the attack - "Attack Igknight Paladin!"
As the robot charged the helpless warrior, a barely noticeable tear rolled down Ella's right cheek. She briefly closed her eyes, and heard a large explosion, followed by an almost demonic scream. The duel was over.
Daniel: LP 1400 - 1400 = 0
She wiped away the tear, which nobody noticed as they were all looking at her in shock, then ran over to Daniel, who was laying down on the ground. He started getting up when she came up to him, and pinned him down to the floor.
"What did you do to him?" - whatever sadness was inside Ella now disappeared. She pressed down on him even harder, as he started to struggle.
"What are you talking about?" - Daniel's voice got a bit quieter than previously, and sounded less demonic and more confused about what was going on. Ella wasn't backing down, but Sara and Jonas' combined strength managed to pull her off Daniel, allowing him to get up.
"Let me…" - Ella protested to no avail.
"No, I'm not letting you do anything!" - Sara said - "You need to explain yourself right about now!"
"What is there to explain? He took Ian! I just joined the duel to force him to explain what he did!"
Ella's explanation seemed to cause more confusion within the group. Daniel wanted to defend himself, but decided to stay quiet, and let others do the arguing for him.
"What are you on about?" - Hannah stepped forward.
"Also, who is Ian?" - Daniel dared to ask.
"Ian's my brother. He went missing yesterday morning. But you know that." - she told Daniel in a voice full of vitriol.
"We weren't even here yesterday morning!" - Daniel cried, but Hannah and Sara simultaneously signalled him to calm down.
"Why do you think Daniel took Ian?" - Sara asked.
"I have proof." - Ella said.
"Yeah, but what is it?" - Sara continued.
"He plays Igknights." - Ella said briefly, not explaining a whole lot, and Sara tilted her head slightly.
"You've lost me here." - Hannah said - "How does this make him guilty of something he didn't do?"
Ella didn't reply, and instead asked Daniel a question.
"How long have you had this deck for?"
"Ten years. Or something like that." - Daniel mumbled a reply.
"Yeah, like hell." - Ella said.
"I mean, I don't know how long he's had the deck for." - Sara joined the conversation again once her brain tried to stop processing all the information being thrown at it - "But I can guarantee that he's been playing Igknights for at least a couple of months now."
"No, not possible." - Ella kept being stubborn, realizing that everyone is turning against her.
"I witnessed him play Igknights with my very eyes, you can't just say I'm lying."
"Okay, so if you're telling the truth, tell me one thing." - Ella calmed down a bit. Everyone nodded, ready for the question.
"Why does he have Ian's deck?"
Everyone looked at her as if she was crazy. Daniel's expression didn't change at all, and he remained as confused as ever. Sara squinted her eyes and opened her mouth slightly, trying to somehow process what she just heard. Hannah's head twitched when she heard what Ella said, and Jonas and Carla looked at each other as if either of them knew the answer to Ella's question.
The sun finished setting, the cloud cover cleared, and the first stars appeared in the sky. The wasteland was shrouded in darkness.