Chapter 26

Duel of the Soul

Author's note: just to not get in trouble, I should remind everyone that I don't own anything YuGiOh. I just own my characters and Dark Mage of the Sea owns hers.

When a sentence is **like this**, it's sign language. When a sentence is ~like this~, it's phoenix speech.

Thank you, Dark Mage of the Sea, my coauthor and best friend.

Raphael looked up. "I've been waiting for you, Nameless Pharaoh."

He then tossed Yami a card. Tarra took it before her guardian could catch it. ~We're not doing that again!~

Raphael calmly said, "Do not worry. The card is harmless."

Tarra wanted to hiss but Yami touched her wing. "It's all right, Tarra. Let me have it."

Hesitant, Tarra gave Yami the card. Looking at it, he paled: the Claw of Hermos. "So you're the one who took down Joey and Mai!"

Raphael shook his head. "Mai was the one who defeated Joey."

Tarra wondered, ~Then what happened to Mai?~

As if hearing her, Raphael said, "Mai is the way she is because she foolishly rebelled against Lord Dartz!"

Realizing Raphael was implying Mai dueled him, Yami's hand started to shake. "Joey's feelings did reach Mai."

Raphael said, "I suppose both Joey and Mai would have wanted you to have that card. So I'd take care of that card if I were you."

Tarra hissed as Yami growled, "Raphael! Do you feel any pain?! Your heart, your chest…hell, does anything hurt?! Pegasus…Weevil…Rex…Mai…Joey…Aibou…Tiki…" he remembered what "Tima" looked like, "…even my Tima…how many have you stolen?! Even Alister and Valon…even your comrades had their souls ripped away! How can you not feel a thing?!"

Raphael explained, "I told you before: this world can't be saved as long as humans are poisoning it! That is true destiny! In order to understand such destiny, all you can do is accept it and offer yourself to it. I myself want to understand my destiny. That's why I will not hesitate to offer my soul and very life if need be!"

Yami demanded, "How can a duelist such as yourself submit to a destiny Dartz has forced on you? Isn't that the point of having unique souls: having unique destinies?!"

"The wheels of destiny have already begun to move. This era is about to begin its new chapter! None can stop it!"

The Frenchman looked up; Yami did the same and saw the shadow of a serpent-like creature slithering through the sky. "What is that?"

Tarra ruffled her feathers. ~Whatever it is, I have a bad feeling about it.~

Raphael took a deep breath. "Soon…Lord Dartz will open the great Door of Destiny. When he does, all answers will be given to us. For that day, Pharaoh…duel me again!" Tarra got nervous, especially when Raphael continued, "Remember, I defeated you that day. As per the rules of the Orichalcos, the loser's soul gets taken. I was given four Seals to ensure all souls were taken…but yours was not."

Yami reached up and gripped Tima's necklace. 'They took my place…'

Raphael stated, "I do not know why destiny has set us down this road. But compared to the destiny Lord Dartz has prophesized…this has become irrelevant." He held up his Chaos Dual Disk. "You cannot defeat me. Our fate has been determined. I shall prove it!"

Yami had heard enough. "Raphael, why must we be tied down by destiny?! It's true, I want to duel you again. But not because of destiny; it's because you are a True Duelist!"

"You are wrong. This duel has already been predetermined. This time…" he held up the Seal of Orichalcos, "…your soul will be taken!"

Yami tensed up and Tarra screeched. Stepping forward, Raphael pulled out his deck. "Here is where your destiny is. Let us determine with our own hands where road destiny will take you down."

As they shuffled each other's decks, Yami said in a strong voice, "Even if you give me the Seal of Orichalcos, I will not use it."

Raphael's eyes zeroed in on the Queen's Necklace. "I know. You've already paid for what you did."

Yami glared. "Do not speak of her."

Raphael said nothing. Tarra looked at Yami. ~Calm yourself.~

Yami mentally nodded and focused. 'This time, I want him to destroy the Seal…with his own hands.'

Their decks shuffled, Raphael went back to his spot. Yami looked at Tarra. 'Go find the others.'

Tarra shook her head. ~No. I'm not leaving you. I want to make sure my Guardian is safe.~

Yami smirked. 'Thank you, Tarra.'

Raphael started, playing Guarded Treasure, allowing him to draw two cards each turn as long as he discarded his current hand. He then played Backup Gardna (DEF 2200) and played a card face down. Yami summoned Queen's Knight (DEF 1600). 'He's planning on using the Seal of Orichalcos; that much is clear. But when…?'

Raphael drew and smirked. "Nameless Pharaoh. My friends will be very happy to see you again."

He played Gravity Axe, allowing him to summon Guardian Grarl (ATK 3000 with Gravity Axe). Grarl destroyed Queen's Knight but Yami revived her with Monster Reborn (ATK 1500). He then summoned King's Knight (ATK 1600); since he had both the King and the Queen, he was able to summon Jack's Knight (ATK 1900). He then activated Brave Attack, making Raphael remember. "You played that card to defeat Dark Obelisk!"

Yami nodded. "All their attack points will be combined, allowing me to defeat an enemy!"

Raphael smirked. "You still haven't learned. Last time, you sacrificed your monsters and lost!"

Tarra hissed but calmed down when Yami spoke. "Your words will no longer sway me! I believe in the bond I have with each and every one of my monsters!"

The three Knights started to attack but Raphael destroyed Brave Attack with Guardian Force (it could be activated since there were no Guardian monsters in the graveyard). "Don't you dare come after me with such low-level tricks."

Yami gritted his teeth. 'He's making smart moves. And when he decides to use the Seal of Orichalcos…'

Tarra heard his thoughts. ~Do you really think he'll use it?~

Hearing her worried tone, Yami leaned his face against her. 'I can't imagine it…'

Raphael played Butterfly Dagger and gave it to Backup Gardna, rising its ATK to 800. Because of Butterfly Dagger, he was able to summon Guardian Elma (ATK 1300). He then activated Elma's special ability, equipping her with a magic card (Guardian Shield) from the graveyard; the shield raised her DEF to 1500. Backup Gardna then gave the Butterfly Dagger to Elma, raising her ATK to 1600. Elma attacked and destroyed Queen's Knight and Grarl destroyed King's Knight, reducing Yami's life points to 2500. Yami mentally took a deep breath. 'He's strong…even without the Seal.'

Knowing he needed more monsters to defend himself, Yami played Five Star Twilight, sacrificing Jack's Knight (a 5-star monster) to summon the Five Kuriboh Brothers (300 x5). He then discarded a tarp card from his hand and activated Kuriboo's (the white monster) special ability: Kuriboo temporarily swallowed his brothers to grow and then rammed himself into Grarl, reducing its ATK to 1500. The brothers then combined into Kuribabylon (ATK 1500), making Raphael scoff. "Nothing to worry about. Their ATK match!"

Yami declared, "I'm not done."

He activated Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying Gravity Axe and bringing Grarl's ATK down to 1000. Kuribabylon went on the attack but Elma protected Grarl with Guardian Shield. While the shield was destroyed and Raphael's life points went down to 3500, Grarl was safe. 'I almost forgot Raphael protects his monsters at his own life's expense.'

He played a card face down and ended his turn. 'This is how you fight, Raphael…not wanting to see a single monsters in your graveyard. Because of your strong bonds, that is proof you are not the type of duelist who would even consider the Seal of Orichalcos.'

Tarra was about to point out Raphael dueled Mai and Mai was now soulless when Yami spoke up. "How you duel…it is nothing like what the Seal of Orichalcos brings out! You have so much respect for your monsters and are willing to do anything for them; because of that, I know you will not give into your heart's darkness."

Raphael drew. "You are right, Pharaoh. But…no matter how correct that is, it's not enough to understand destiny. When you accept your own darkness and make it a part of you after you've given up everything…it is only then that you see a light at the end of the tunnel. When you do so, a much larger destiny is set before you! You and I are very much alike…more than I think you want to admit; nonetheless, we've chosen different paths. That is why you can't utilize your own strength of its fullest. Allow me to show you this card's true strength!"

Yami paled. "Raphael, no!"

Raphael played the Seal of Orichalcos just as the gang arrived. Tarra tightened her grip on Yami's shoulder, not wanting to be blown away. Yami was too focused on Raphael to notice his friends were there: with the Seal on his forehead and his eyes tinted red, Raphael looked like a different man. Tarra looked and noticed the same thing, especially since she understood Yami's respect for the Frenchman. ~How could he…?~

Yami asked aloud, "Why must a duelist such as yourself do this?"

Raphael declared, "I have to do all I can in this duel. I will take your soul and prove the destiny Lord Dartz has shown me is real and true."

Yami looked disappointed as Raphael continued, "I shall show you the true power of the Seal of Orichalcos, one that allows you to fight side by side with the darkness in your heart!"

All his monsters' ATK got affected by the Seal: Backup Gardna's became 1000, Grarl's became 3000, and Elma's became 2100. Yami tensed up. 'Darkness within the heart…will you really hold onto the bonds with your monsters within the Seal?'

Grarl attacked and destroyed Kuribabylon, reducing Yami's life points to 1000. Yami quickly played Rope of Life, reviving Kuribabylon (ATK 2300). Raphael played a card face down before ending his turn.

Mokuba wondered, "Will Yugi be okay? He only has 1000 life points left!"

Tristan nodded. "Of course he will! He's won duels with way less!"

Merina pointed out, "But he has to deal with the Seal as well."

Kaiba quietly agreed.

Yami turned Kuribabylon back into the Five Kuriboh Brothers and then activated Kuribeh's (the blue monster) special ability: combining the brothers into Kuribandit (ATK 1000). He then played Dark Magic Curtain, sacrificing half his life points (leaving him with 500) to summon Dark Magician (ATK 2500). Dark Magician attacked Elma but Raphael played Guardian Formation, putting Elma in the back row and out of harm's way. Raphael then activated Celestial sword – Eatos. Yami ended his turn, his eyes fixed on the sword. 'Will that monster come out soon?'

Raphael smirked. "Nameless Pharaoh, allow me to show you another nightmare."

He summoned Guardian Eatos. As soon as she appeared on the field, however, she gripped her head and screamed. Her wings turned black and the Seal appeared on her forehead, giving her eyes the evil, red tint and making her ATK 3000. Tarra shuddered and looked away. ~That cry…that was horrible.~

Yami agreed. "Are you really not affected by Eatos turning into that form?"

Raphael scoffed with a smirk. "Is that something for you to worry about now?"

Eatos took up the sword that summoned her, raising her ATK to 3300. Yami sacrificed Kuribandit for its special ability: draw five cards and send the monsters to the graveyard. As he sent three to the graveyard, Tarra looked at him. ~You know how Eatos gets power.~

Yami still looked determined. 'I know what I'm doing, Tarra; trust me.'

Tarra's eyes sparkled. Raphael said, "Gambling on a last hand, eh? You can't defeat Eatos like that!"

He activated Eatos' special ability, Soul of the Sacred Sword. Yami's Duel Disk was forced up and Eatos absorbed the souls of the monsters in the graveyard, raising her ATK to 7000. When Yami got control of his arm back, Raphael sneered, "Looks like you didn't manage to get the card you needed."

Yami glared as Raphael had Eatos attack Dark Magician. Suddenly, Eatos' sword turned to stone and shattered just before it touched Dark Magician and her ATK dropped back to 3000. Raphael was stunned, making Yami smirk. "Such a pity. You were wrong: the card I wanted was neither a magic nor a trap card…it was this."

Getting a card from the graveyard, he held up Electromagnetic Turtle: because it was in the graveyard, it sent out an electromagnetic pulse that ended the turn. Tarra looked at Eatos. ~I don't like seeing her like that.~

Yami mentally nodded. 'Me neither.' "You were wrong, Raphael! You shouldn't have used the Seal of Orichalcos!"

Raphael glared. "Only someone who only half-heartedly believes in the darkness of the heart would say something like that!"

Tarra mentally sighed. ~Hold your breath. You're getting nowhere with him.~

Yami glared but kept playing. He summoned Big Shield Gardna (DEF 2600), switched Dark Magician to defense mode (DEF 2100), and played a card face down. Raphael declared, "Even if all your monsters are in defense mode, it is useless!"

Eatos attacked Dark Magician again but Yami had an old trick up his sleeve: he hid Dark Magician and Big Shield Gardna thanks to the trap card Magical Hats. The hat Eatos' attack hit and destroyed Big Shield Gardna. "Raphael, if your destiny is guiding you every step of the way, all you have to do is guess!"

Elma attacked the middle hat; it was empty. Grarl attacked the left hat; it was also empty. Dark Magician was in the right hat and emerged unscathed. Tarra cheered as Yami declared, "It appears fate hasn't decided its outcome yet."

At first shocked, Raphael recovered and played Rod of Silence – Kay'est, allowing him to summon Guardian Kay'est (ATK 1500 thanks to the Orichalcos). Yami played Graceful Charity and drew three cards. Before he discarded two of them, he smirked and Tarra's eyes sparkled. After discarding two cards, he played the Eye of Timaeus. Timaeus combined with Dark Magician and created Amulet Dragon (ATK 2900). Since it was summoned, its special ability was activated, allowing it to absorb a magic card in the graveyard. It also received 300 ATK for every magic card in the graveyard. Yami had eight so its ATK became 5300. The dragon destroyed Eatos, almost making Raphael pass out in shock. Eatos appeared before Raphael, wings white again, before disappearing. Tarra suddenly looked up. ~She thanked us…~

Suddenly, the Orichalcos dome started to pulsate. His Seal throbbing red and green, Raphael was shaking in anger. "Eatos is in the graveyard…but her corpse will bring forth a new soul!"

A chasm opened and a new creature climbed out. Masked, it was wrapped in bandages and its outfit was ripped to shreds. It was Guardian Deathscythe (DEF 2000). Tarra screeched. ~Those clothes! Those wings! That's Eatos!~

Deathscythe's ATK was 3000 thanks to the Orichalcos. But Raphael equipped it with Reaper Scythe, which also gave Deathscythe 500 more ATK for every monster in the graveyard: its ATK rose to 3500. Yami realized, "Wait, you intentionally let me put Eatos in the graveyard?!"

"Because Eatos is dead, Deathscythe is the new savior…for, you see, while Deathscythe is on the field, I cannot summon another monster."

Yami tried to protest but Raphael cut him off with, "Save your ending speech; it's too early."

Switching Deathscythe to attack position, Raphael did something out of character: he sacrificed all his other monsters. Tarra screeched and Yami paled, "Don't do this! This isn't you!"

Raphael ignored Yami as Deathscythe's ATK rose to 5300. Raphael smirked. "I have surpassed the darkness in my heart."

Deathscythe killed Amulet Dragon, leaving Yami defenseless and with only 300 life points left. Refusing to give up on either Raphael or the duel, Yami played Card of Sanctity, replenishing their hands up to six cards. He immediately summoned Watapon (ATK 200) (it could be summoned if it was drawn from a card effect). Watapon was then sacrificed to summon Dark Magician Girl (DEF 1700). Yami ended his turn after playing a card face down. Raphael declared, "I will end your struggle by taking your head!"

Raphael played Obedience, making Dark Magician Girl change to attack mode for when Deathscythe attacked. "This is the last attack…the conclusion to both our fates!"

Deathscythe started to attack but Yami quickly activated Magical Pigeon. Deathscythe ended up slicing a top hat, which turned into two doves. Furious, Raphael placed two cards face down and ended his turn. When the two doves flew back and turned back into Dark Magician Girl in defense mode, Raphael asked, "Why? Why is fate always using me as a plaything? Why do you always benefit from it?!"

Yami closed his eyes. "When this battle ends, something will change. That's what I believe, anyway." He looked up. "How we'll change, I can't say. But I will give it my all to see that change! That is all!"

Raphael smirked with amusement. "Me change? Do you think my destiny is that strange?!"

Yami remembered what Yugi said at the Stone Wilderness ("If you can't recognize when you hurt yourself or aren't aware of your opponent's darkness in his heart, you can't understand others' pain and sorrow. Weevil, Mai, even the Three Swordsmen of Doma…you can't see or hear their suffering!"). 'You were right, Aibou. Aibou, Tiki, my love, give me your strengths.' He drew and realized, 'This will save him.'

He spoke up, "Raphael, I am hearing for the first time your cries."

Raphael raised his eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

Yami nodded. "When Eatos went to the graveyard and when you sacrificed your guardians…your heart was crying."

Raphael scoffed. "What's gotten into you all of a sudden?"

"Something Aibou, his sister, and Tima taught me. If you are not aware of your opponent's darkness in your heart, you can't comprehend their pain and suffering! I will now help you shoulder the darkness in your heart!" Raphael tried to silence him but Yami continued, "I will use this card to ease your heart's cries of pain!"

He played Underworld Circle, a card that would let them summon monsters from the graveyard. When their monsters disappeared, Tarra noticed how terrified Raphael looked. ~Keep going! You almost got him!~

The Seal spun, darkening the dome…

Yami found himself walking through a thick fog. "Where am I?"

The fog cleared enough for him to see he was in a cemetery. 'I remember playing Underworld Circle…but this is real.'

Suddenly, something landed on his shoulder, making him jump. ~Pharaoh, it's me!~

Yami sighed in relief and touched Tarra. "I'm glad you're here. Have you seen Raphael?"

Tarra started to shake her head when the fog cleared to reveal Raphael standing in front of them. But he was looking to their right. Looking, they saw someone running towards them. The figure came into focus and Raphael paled: it was a younger him. Young Raphael ran past them and Raphael gave chase, with Yami and Tarra following. They lost sight of Young Raphael but came across four gravestones. Raphael looked at them and numbly said, "These are for my family…"

Tarra looked behind them and squawked. As it started to rain, the men looked and saw Dartz with Young Raphael. Raphael took a few steps forward. "This… I remember this day…"

"You mean this is your memory?"

Dartz said to Young Raphael. "It is always the same. No matter how far or fast you run, the destination always the same. Do you know why? You are too afraid to admit the truth…that they are dead." Dartz started to smile, almost like a therapist. "You were the only survivor of that shipwreck."

Young Raphael looked heartbroken as he remembered getting separated from Julian and Sonia. Raphael's stoic face started to crumble as Dartz continued to speak. "You think that, if you survived, your family must have too. But fate chose only you to survive…while your family perished. Those who cannot accept reality can never understand the answers of destiny. Once you accept it, the answers will become clear to you in time." Young Raphael started to back away but Dartz said, "It is time you saw the truth with your own eyes…" he turned and pointed, "…that your family sleeps their eternal sleep here!"

Young Raphael walked towards the graves, though he was hesitant. Seeing the names on the gravestones, he collapsed to his knees. But Dartz smirked darkly. "That is not seeing with your own eyes. If you truly wish to leave, you know what you need to do!"

Understanding, Young Raphael started to dig with his own hands. As they watched, Yami shook his head. "This isn't right…"

Tarra agreed. ~It's just too horrible…~

Raphael said nothing. Young Raphael continued to dig, eventually creating a large pit. Dartz went to the edge to watch. Young Raphael soon discovered the horrible truth: he found two child-sized skulls. Clutching them, he screamed in despair. Yami's eyes widened. "That can't be! Raphael's family was supposed to be missing!"

Tarra remembered, ~Raphael told us his distant family took him in and never told him about his immediate family.~

Young Raphael cried bitterly until someone reached out for him. He looked and saw it was Eatos. She reached for the skulls and Young Raphael gave them to her. She held them close, like a mother holding her children. Young Raphael watched her until Dartz threw in a Chaos Duel Disk. "This is the first step, Raphael…towards your destiny."

Putting on the Chaos Duel Disk, Young Raphael climbed out of the pit and drew the first card: the Seal of Orichalcos. Dartz ordered, "Activate your fate!"

Young Raphael obeyed. The Seal formed around him, physical hurting him. Dartz ignored his screams. "Give yourself to the darkness in your heart; only then can you be one with it and surpass it. When you do, you will be given the answer to your destiny."

The Seal formed on Young Raphael's forehead and the Seal grew. When it reached Eatos, the skulls dissolved away and she burst into flames. Young Raphael turned in time to see her burning body fall into the pit. He wanted to help but Dartz almost chuckled. Guardian Deathscythe arose from the pit and Dartz proclaimed, "This is the monster of your own creation…born from the darkness in your heart."

The memory faded into blackness, making Tarra shiver. ~That was too much…~

Raphael spoke. "My destiny was decided that day. Merging with the darkness in my heart and throwing myself into it saved me."

Yami refused to believe that. "If you are truly saved, why do you feel sad when you send your monsters to the graveyard?! If you've truly thrown yourself to fate, you shouldn't care at all!"

Raphael smirked in amusement. "What do you presume to know about me, Nameless Pharaoh?"

Yami declared, "I know you don't want your monsters to go through what your family went through! You're not just sad when your monsters go to the graveyard: you're afraid of the graveyard itself!"

Tarra looked at Raphael as if seeing him for the first time. ~That is the real Raphael.~

Raphael stated, "I have given myself to the darkness in my heart all those years ago!" The Seal reappeared on his forehead. "I can't turn back!"

The dome cleared, revealing Dark Magician Girl gone. But Yami realized something was wrong. When Underworld Circle is activated, all monsters from the deck were removed, the players could summon a monster from the graveyard once per turn, and all monsters on the field were destroyed. "Why is Deathscythe still on the field?!"

Raphael answered, "By discarding a card from my hand, Deathscythe can avoid death. Of course, I'm not the one who chooses which card is discarded; Deathscythe does! You see, not even I can remove Deathscythe."

Yami remembered, "As long as Deathscythe is on the field, you can't summon another monster. So you mean you can't bring your monsters back?!"

Raphael snapped, "I told you can't turn back! My destiny is handled by Deathscythe!"

Tarra looked at Yami. ~Remember what Dartz said about Deathscythe? This is the personification of Raphael's darkness of the heart!~

Yami realized Tarra was right. 'If I don't defeat that creature…Raphael…'

Thanks to Underworld Circle, he summoned Dark Magician in attack mode. He then played a card face down. When Raphael drew, Yami summoned Jack's Knight in attack mode. Deathscythe started to attack Dark Magician but Yami played Zero Gravity, making all monsters change to defense mode. But Raphael smirked and played Spirit Hunting, returning Deathscythe to attack mode. Deathscythe destroyed Yami's two defense monsters (another element of Spirit Hunting). Yami quickly summoned Dark Magician Girl in attack mode. He then played Altar of Restoration, allowing him to return a card to his hand if he discarded the top two cards in his deck. He chose the Eye of Timaeus and created with it Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight (ATK 2600). Raphael remembered its special ability (destroy an opponent's monster if player discards a card). Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight attacked but it was useless thanks to Deathscythe's special ability. Yami ended his turn by playing a card face down. Raphael drew, allowing Yami to summon Queen's Knight in attack mode. Raphael discarded one of the cards he just drew. Because of how he discarded it, Yami was able to see, 'Monster Reborn…I got an idea!'

Raphael activated Orichalcos Sword of Sealing, stabbing Timaeus in the claw and sealing its special ability. Deathscythe destroyed the Dragon Knight and all of Yami's life points…except 10. At the last second, Yami had activated Reduction Barrier, reducing the battle damage to a 1/10. "This isn't over, Raphael! I won't give up until I lose every life point I have!"

Raphael was getting annoyed. "Are you blind, Nameless Pharaoh?! This game is set in stone; you cannot alter destiny!"

Yami glared. "That destiny you preach and the darkness in your heart…" he pointed to Deathscythe, "…will be destroyed when I kill that monster!"

Deathscythe trembled at that proclamation. Yami drew, summoned Big Shield Gardna in defense mode from the graveyard, and activated Pot of Greed. He looked at the cards and saw one of them was Hermos. 'I finally found you…'

He looked at Tarra, who nodded. First, he played Spider Web, allowing him to get Monster Reborn from Raphael's graveyard. "If you won't light your heart, I will!"

Raphael realized what Yami was saying as Yami revived Guardian Eatos. Raphael and Deathscythe trembled before her. Tarra looked up at her as Yami looked at Joey 'Joey…give me strength…'

Yami played the Claw of Hermos. Earthzina cried out in joy as Tristan grinned, "Joey, Yugi's using Hermos!"

Despite him being soulless, Earthzina could have sworn there was a small smile on his lips. Hermos combined with Queen's Knight to create Goddess Bow and gave the bow to Eatos, raising her ATK to 5000. Knowing Deathscythe lost 500 ATK because Eatos was revived, Yami felt confidant; Raphael did not. "They're equal! Do you want them to kill each other? Even if that's your plan, Deathscythe won't die! Destiny cannot and will not change!"

Yami firmly said, "Remember, Raphael; remember the bonds you have with your family and with your monsters! Those bonds alone can change destiny!"

Raphael had a flashback to his fateful birthday, where Julian and Sonia gave him Eatos. He also flashbacked to being on the island, being watched over by Eatos, Grarl, and Kay'est. At that moment, Eatos attacked and Deathscythe tried to counter. But Yami activated Goddess Bow's special ability, allowing Yami to ignore the battle damage and keep attacking if an opponent's special ability was activated. The arrow became six, hitting Deathscythe and burning it. Because of all the arrows, Raphael's cards disintegrated until his hand was empty, not allowing Deathscythe to revive. Deathscythe burned until its mask remained. Smiling sadly, Eatos took the mask and cradled it like she cradled the skulls. Raphael cried out to her as Eatos flew to heaven. He collapsed, making Yami mentally nod. "I thought so. Eatos was the one you called out to in the end."

Tarra agreed. ~Backed a demon but wanted the protection of his guardian angel.~

Yami nodded. "Raphael…you weren't able to truly merge with the darkness in your heart. No…you were lonely after what happened to your family. You tried to find solace in Dartz and his fictional destiny. The darkness in your heart…nothing more than an illusion. Your fate hasn't been decided yet."

Tarra nodded. ~He needs to find it for himself.~

Taking a deep breath, Raphael said, "No matter what…the Seal takes a soul without prejudice. No one can deny that fact."

Yami got tense, worrying he still got nowhere. Raphael used Underworld Circle to bring back Guardian Grarl. But then he played Soul Charge, allowing him to also summon Backup Gardna, Guardian Elna, and Guardian Kay'est to the field. Tristan cursed, "Damn it! That bastard's still after Yugi!"

Merina shook her head as Kaiba explained, "Monsters revived with Soul Charge can't attack the turn they're summoned."

Confused, Mokuba asked, "So why do it?"

Raphael looked up at the sky, looking peaceful. "No more monsters in the graveyard…I am at ease."

Yami and Tarra felt touched but then remembered Soul Charge took 500 life points for every monster revived. Raphael had given up his life points to revive his monsters. The Seal closed in around him. Yami tried to get to him but stopped when Eatos came down from heaven. All the monsters turned and looked at Raphael, their Seals fading. Raphael smiled. "Everyone…"

He suddenly froze: Sonia and Julian were latched onto his arms. Seeing his parents standing in front of Eatos, Raphael smiled with tears in his eyes. Eatos and the guardians took the souls back to heaven as his Orichalcos stone shattered and the Seal disappeared, leaving his soul behind. The Frenchman wondered, "Why wasn't my soul taken?"

Yami said, "The Seal is powered by the darkness in the player's heart."

Raphael protested, "Then I should have—"

Tarra shook her head as Yami explained, "You conquered the darkness in your heart."

Before anyone could understand what just happened, the building started to shake. Tarra looked at Earthzina. ~Can you stop this?~

Earthzina shook her head. ~This isn't the earth.~

Raphael knew. "You need to leave! The building is collapsing!"

Just then, the roof split in two and destroyed the elevator, leaving the humans stranded. Merina looked at Torru. "You and the other phoenixes need to get us out of here!"

Before they could take flight, Rowland arrived with the KaibaCorp helicopter. It landed on the nearby helicopter landing pad and everyone raced to get to safety. Yami, however, was lagging behind because he was helping Raphael. "You okay, Raphael?"

Raphael murmured, "My apologies…"

Suddenly, the staircase crumbled and detached from the wall. Tarra was about to pick them both up when Raphael tossed Yami onto the launch pad. The Frenchman managed to grab the ledge before the staircase fell. Tarra screeched. ~Hang on! I'll come get you!~

Raphael calmly reached into his coat and pulled out a memory card. "Take this!" Tarra grabbed it and Raphael shouted, "Go! Change your destiny with your own hands!"

The helicopter lifted into the air. The ledge broke, sending Raphael plummeting into the chasm. Yami's heart broke as Tarra pulled on his jacket. ~Pharaoh! We need to go!~

The helicopter got low enough for Yami to jump on, just in time before the building collapsed. As they flew off, Yami's heart went out to Raphael. But his attention was drawn to Paradias HQ: the exterior crumbled away, revealing an ancient, sinister-looking temple. Merina shuddered. "So that's what Paradias really looks like."

Tristan wondered, "Do you think we were tricked by some sort of magic spell?"

Yami stated, "Not just us…the entire city…the entire world." Tarra gave the memory card to Kaiba and Yami explained, "Take this. Raphael gave it to me."

Taking out his PDA, Kaiba inserted the card. It was a map with a red dot in the middle of the ocean. "Rowland! Take us here!"

He tossed the PDA to his nervous assistant, who nodded. Suddenly, they were surrounded by military helicopters. Kaiba recognized them. "That's the Navy! Are they with Dartz as well?!"

One of the pilots motioned for them to follow. Sensing they had no choice, they obeyed. Moments later, they were passed by a dark cloud, which turned out to be a swarm of insects. One hit Tristan in the face but Kaiba managed to catch one. "It's a locust."

Everyone looked out at the swarm, not sure what to make of them.

Dartz chanted before the altar, recalling the Orichalcos Soldiers. Once they were gone, he stood up and looked behind him. "Now…"

"Tima" was leaning against a pillar, trembling. "No…get out…!" "She" gritted "her" teeth. 'No! I will not let this body reject me!'

"She" got a sharp jolt of pain, dropping "her" to "her" knees. "She" held "herself," taking hissing breaths. 'How could…just seeing…the Pharaoh…do this to me…?!'

"She" looked up and saw a glowing light in the outline of a woman. "Tima" hissed, "Be gone! The Orichalcos was supposed to have taken you! This is my body now!"

The light did not move, making "Tima" growl in pain. Unbeknownst to her, Dartz was standing behind "her." He could not see the light but he knew what was happening, making him frown. 'I can't believe a small piece of the Queen's heart is strong enough to fight the Darkness of the Orichalcos.'

Walking up to her, he made himself known. "Lady Queen Tima…"

Still hugging "herself," "Tima" looked up at him. "Lord Dartz…I…"

Dartz got down to "her" level and caressed "her" scarred cheek. "There now…my Queen, you suffer from so much pain. I can make it disappear."

"Tima" frantically nodded. "Yes…please do…I can't have this bitch win…"

Dartz smiled softly and hugged "her" close. "Tima" leaned into the hug and closed "her" eyes when "she" felt his hand on the back of "her" neck. He put his lips close to "her" ear and whispered, "I'll be taking this back."

"Tima" eyes snapped open as Dartz stood up from "her," taking the choker with him. Soulless again, Tima's eyes dulled and she collapsed to the ground. Dartz stared coldly at her body. "Forgive me, my dear, but you have outlived your usefulness. Your body is what the Leviathan needs now." He looked up and smirked. "Now…let it begin…"