Chapter 35: Rebirth by Fire Part 2: Lord of the Burning Marshes

"...You... Are you... the one... who desires our power? The power to create destruction? The power to materialize anything? Are you the one who seeks to evolve?"

Kageru shivered as he listened to the deep, commanding sound of the voice questioning him. He quickly, but hesistantly answered. " Y-yeah... who are you?"

The spirit proudly replied "I'm am... as of now, the one who commands this clan; The Lavals... I am known by many as the Laval Judgment Lord.. And I am the one, who judges.. whether or not... you're worthy of obtaining our power..."

The spirit, upon finishing his introduction, finally materialized before Kageru. Its very form was that of a tall figure with a body covered in hardened magma. The creature was clad in bright, well-forged armor, and wore a war-torn, red cape around his neck, with an armor tasset that served as its compliment. A small, fire-shaped insignia was carved all over its armor, with one shining brightly in gold at the tip of its forehead. The flame served as the tribe's emblem. The spirit concentrated its bright, burning eyes towards the young duelist who sought him.

Kageru didn't know what to think or what to say in front of the seemingly powerful lord standing before him. He hoped that with all his hardwork, that the spirit and its followers would finally acknowledge him and asked "Well... I've passed all your little tests.. So I think I'm good...er... right?"

The large molten lord looked Kageru over, trying to measure his inner strength and potential. "Hmmm... You have indeed passed the trials, and have proven to be a very capable duelist..." The spirit suddenly looked somewhat displeased. "However, you are not fully ready yet..."

"What!?" Kageru's eyes widened, upon hearing the judgment lord's response. He knew good and well, that he had passed all his trials, had finally created a spiritual connection to the spirits of duel monsters. He felt ready to take part in what ever lay ahead of the Red Nova Tournament and the DT Grand Championships. He clenched both teeth and hands, feeling furious at its answer and demanded to know why. "Wh-what else do I need to do? I already did what I had to didn't I? What else is there!? You think I'm some street performer for you punks to watch and play around with!? You better pay up what you owe me!"

The spirit, displeased with Kageru's tone, began to growl with anger. Its body began to shroud itself with burning force that could be unleashed at any second.

"Kageru, control yourself..." Blaine placed a hand on Kageru's shoulder, and began to warn him of his attitude. "I understand your frustration. However, angering the spirits who have not yet favored you will only make matters worse. Please... You must listen to what he has to say first."

"Tcch... Fine..." Kageru pulled himself away from Blaine, and slowly approached the Laval Judgment Lord with a half-hearted apology. "Sorry..."

"Hmmmmm..." The Judgment Lord placed his hand on Kageru's head, and commanded. "The creatures... the ones you currently lead... Show them to me..."

"W-what?" Kageru wondered.

Noire understood well and explained from behind him. "Your deck. Give him your deck."

"Oh right!" Kageru did as followed, and presented his deck to the spirit, who then placed it between his two large palms.

The cards in Kageru's deck began to levitate as the spirit concentrated. "(Hmmmmmm... Ah.. Yes... Our lost anscestors... The proud Flamvells... So... This boy... So he shares the same blood as her... Interesting...)" Kageru's deck was now encircled with fire generated from its palm.

Kageru, seeing his deck fully ignited with fire, began to panic."H-Hey! My deck! What are you-" Noire quickly cut him off, and told him to continue watching patiently.

The flames ceased, and Kageru's deck landed upon the spirit's palm unscathed and was returned safely. Kageru looked through his cards to check for any damages. What he found laying in his hands however, came with a sudden surprise; while some of his cards remained the same, new spells, traps, and monsters were mysteriously added into the mix. Kageru looked over and also found a part of his deck trapped within a bright burning sphere. "M-my deck... Wh-a... What did ya do my cards? And what are-"

The spirit explained. "Rejoice, for I have just graced you with the evolved power of our people. And with it... you must now demonstrate your ability to wield it. I believe you will find a few of our emissaries ready to appraise your worth."

Kageru felt mixed emotions within him. One, surely caused from excitement. He could not believe his eyes, and wanted confirmation. "So... is this? My-"

"Deck? Not quite yet." Blaine answered. " As the spirit said, you must prove your worth by using these cards."

"... I see. Alright then. So whose's gonna be my opponent?" Kageru asked, readying himself for whatever awaited him.

Kageru's question was answered upon, watching as Noire walked towards the other end of the volcanic field around them. " Your opponent... shall be me..."

Kageru found himself slightly surprised. "...Noire?..."

"Yes" Noire acknowledged. Having full understanding of what the next test needed, she explained Kageru's next goal. "... For the final test... you must surpass your own strength, if you wish to obtain power." Noire quickly armed herself with dark-grey DT Duel Disk and activated it. "Prepare yourself Kageru Hinodama... I... shall be the one to test you... Show me what you've learned... Prove your worth to me..."

"A-alright... I'll take you on!" Kageru with serious eyes, accepted and quickly took out his duel disk in response.

Blaine stood by the sidelines, wishing him good fortune. "Good luck Kageru. I'm sure you'll do well. Show the spirits of this valley your might."

Kageru nodded with appreciation. "Thanks Blaine... ( Alright then... let's see what you guys can do!)"

The Laval Lord moved up towards the center side in the middle of the two to spectate. " Now... begin the trial!..."

DT DUEL DISK SET... LINK ESTABLISHED... MATCH MODE SELECTING... TERMINAL DEATH MATCH: MEDIUM INTENSITY SELECTED...

DUEL!

Kageru LP 8000

Noire LP 8000

"I think I'll have first go. Draw!" Kageru looked over his hand. He felt unsure of what to start with, seeing that soem of his cards were now different, however he felt slightly at ease, knowing some familiar ones remained, and upon reading some of their effects he prepared his move. "(Ok then...) I'll start by activating Foolish Burial. This spell allows me to send any monster from me deck to the grave. I think... I'll send... Laval Forest Sprite."

Kageru still felt unsure if he made the correct play, but went along. "I'll set one monster in defense mode. I'll place one card face-down and end my turn."

Noire silently drew and made her plays. "Draw... Summoning Flamvell Firedog in attack mode..."

"What?!" Kageru froze with disbelief at what the name he just heard. As Noire played the card, the very same flaming hound with a magmatic body leapt on the field and howled. However its appearance seemed somewhat different. The creature's body was colored in a dark grey hue, with black aura emitting from all over its figure.

Flamvell Firedog LV4 FIRE/Beast

ATK 1900

DEF 200

"W-why? H-how could you-"

The Judgment Lord reminded him. "It is as I have said. For you to truly evolve, you must first surpass your own strength."

Noire proceeded to take the offensive. "Battlephase... Firedog, devour his face-down... Infernal Fang Rush..."

"Urgh?" Kageru flinched as the black hound mouned its fierce assault. Its jaw opened wide, as the creature pounced at Kageru's defenseless monster, which revealed itself as small magma-bodied creature with chains. The creature seemed to be carrying with it a small device operated by a tiny wheel. It fell in terror, as the hounded tore it to miniscule ashes.

"My face-down monster was Laval Miller, and since it was destroyed by battle and sent to the grave, I can send two Laval mosnters from my deck to the graveyard... I'll send both Laval Magma Cannoneer, and Laval Burner to my graveyard."

From the the very grave, the destroyed Laval Miller suddenly rose as a spirit, and for a short time, it began to rapidly operate the contraption that it held beside it. The device suddenly connected with Kageru's deck, and began to mill two of his selected monsters.

Noire continued. "Very well, I shall chain Firedog's effect... I can special summon a FIRE monster with 200 or less DEF from my Deck... I special summon Flamvell Grunika..." With Noire's command, the flaming dragon, now colored in a dark-grey hue instead of purple rose to the field.

Flamvell Grunika LV4 FIRE/Dragon

ATK 1700

DEF 200

"Grrr..." Kageru clenched his teeth at disbelief that he was now facing the very deck, he and his late sister used, and was surprised to find that Noire seemed capable as well. He shook his head, trying to maintain focus. "Fine... But first I'll play the trap; Avenging Successor! This continuous trap activates if I sent a card from my deck to the grave this turn. The trap allows me to add a monster from my deck with a level equal to or lower than double the amount of cards I sent this turn. Since I just sent two monsters, I can add a LV4 or lower monster from my deck! And I think I'll add Laval Cannon to my hand!"

Noire waited before continuing her attack. "I believe your done then?... Very well... Grunika... attack directly... Scorching Powerforce!" The dark dragon, concentrated a small sphere of flame within its right palm, and leapt at Kageru as it forced the sphere directly onto his body. Kageru, knowing the kind of match he was in, braced himself for the attack, however the intense heat, was still overwhelming.

"Urrghhh!.. (Shoot! It hurts!.. Grrrgh! it hurts!)"

Kageru LP 8000-1700=6300

Noire finished the rest of her turn. "I place two cards face-down... That shall be all... Your move... If you can still stand that is..."

"Huff puff...*pant* *pant*..." Kageru took deep breaths, as he struggled trying to pull his partially incinerated body up. It was only the first damage dealt, but was enough to leave a small burnt bruise on his stomach, which was enough to show him how intense the match he is in now. He could barely stand, let alone, hold his cards.

"Can you not stand anymore?" mocked the spirit. "You have barely begun this match. Have you given up already?"

Kageru, with furious look, managed to exchange a weak grin, as he finally got his body upright. "He..hehehe... Are you kidding?... Urgh... I've only just started... Argh... This is where the fun begins right?... *pant*pant* Let's go!"