There won't be another lemon in this story, the previous chapter was the final one. Oh, besides this one, there are only two duels left in this story. This is a Kazama-centric chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own it but I would like to think that Kazuki Takahashi would be proud.

Me: (sighes and munches on a sugar cookie) I wish my grass were emo, that way it would cut itself.

Chapter Forty-Eight: Awaken

Thousand of duel fanatics screamed at the top of their lungs as the final duel of the International Tournament continued. A young girl with blonde hair and green eyes was currently dueling the "God" of the Pro League and was holding her own.

She wore a red jacket over a yellow t-shirt and blue jeans. Her yellow and red sneakers skidded across the dueling platform as Kazama's monster made a direct strike to her life points.

Kazama: 2000/Girl: 1500

The girl smiled, "Your defintely the strongest opponent I've ever faced, which will make it all the more sweeter when I crush you." She said confidently, despite the fact that she had no monsters on the field.

"I activate my Damage Condenser!" The girl said as she discarded the last card in her hand to the graveyard. This card allows me to special summon a monster from my deck with equal or less attack points than the amount of damage I took." The girl says as her Summoned Skull(2500/1200) rises from the graveyard.

"My Fruit of Life increases my life points by 500 points." Kazama says as his life point counter increases by 500 points.

Kazama: 2500/Girl: 1500

The girl drew the only card in her hand from her deck, it was Pot of Greed, she smirked once she saw what it was. "I activate Pot of Greed!" She declared as she drew two more cards from her deck, getting Sakuretsu Armor and Great Maju Garzett(0/0).

"I tribute my Summoned Skull in order to summon Great Maju Garzett(0/0)." The girl declares as the fiendish monster appears on her field.

"This card's attack points become twice the number of the card used to tribute summon it." The girl explains as her monster doubles in size, it's attack points resting at 5000.

"Your Israfel(2500/2500) will be destroyed and you'll lose exactly 2500 life points, and I'll become the first since that guy from Duel Academy to defeat you!" She declared as her monster charged at Kazama's weaker one.

Kazama smirked, "When Isfarel is attacked I can tribute him in order to special summon one Kou, the Angel of Poetry(1700/1500) and one Otsu, the Angel of Music(1700/1500) from graveyard." Kazama says as the monster splits into two identical monsters.

The girl frowns, "I set one card face-down and end my turn."

Kazama draws a card from his deck, "My Tree of Sephiroth's effect activates, Gevurah-Power of Intention! You cannot activate any spell or trap cards in response to an attack." Kazama informs his opponent.

The girl looks down at her face-down card. 'It shouldn't matter much. There's no way he'll be able to summon a monster that's stronger than my own.' The girl thought to herself.

"I tribute my two monsters in order to summon Tabris, the Angel of Free Will(?/?) in attack mode." Unlike most of Kazama's monster a young man with silver hair and crimson eyes appeared on Kazama's field, he wore casual clothing.

"This monster's attack and defense increases by 500 points times the number of angel-type monsters in my hand, on my field, and in my graveyard." Kazama says as his monster's attack and defense points increased to 5000, matching the girl's monster.

The girl frowned, "So what? They'll just kill each other." Kazama shook his head, "Every turn my monster randomly activates one of it's three effects, hence the free will part." He says as his monster seemed to be deep in thought.

After a few moments the monster seemed to make up his mind, pointing at the girl's monster, it promptly exploded, surprising the girl. "What the-"

"My monster activated it's first effect. Destroy one monster on my opponent's side of the field." He said. The girl stepped back, she knew it was over, with Kazama's powerful continuous spell card in effect she wouldn't be able to activate her Sakuretsu Armor.

"Tabris, attack her life points directly!" Kazama declared as the monster walked over to the girl, giving her a light kiss on her forehead, depleting the last of her life points.

Kazama: 2500/Girl: 0

The entire stadium erupted into cheers as the announcer declared Kazama the winner of the tournament. Kazama walked over to his opponent, looking down at her since she was significantly shorter. "I've won...but I wouldn't mind dueling you again. Only one other person has managed to last as long as you did against me." Kazama says as he thinks about the duel he had with his daughter from the future a while back.

The girl smiled, "Thanks."

Kazama turned away from the girl, lifting his arm with his duel disk strapped on it into the air as a sign of his victory, causing the crowded stadium to cheer even louder.


Kazama shifted uncomfortably as he made his way towards his private jet, Anna latched unto his arm. "Could you...not do this in public?" He asked.

The two suddenly stopped as the surrounding area went pitch black. "What's going on?" Kazama asked no one in particular, his voice echoing throughout the darkness.

A blue light begins to illuminate the area as a man in a black coat appears, his eyes glowing a bright blue. "Who are you?" Kazama asked the man, though he did recognize the coat he wore, he wasn't sure who he was dealing with.

A pitch black duel disk appeared on the man's arm. Looking up, the man stayed silent, his glowing blue eyes glowing ever brighter. Kazama frowned as the duel disk on his arm shifted into place.

The man smirked slightly, "Light...the ultimate enemy of darkness." He said in a deep voice as his duel disk shifted into place as well. The man pulled down his hood, revealing the face of Tyler, though he looked as if he was possessed.

Kazama frowned, "I don't know what's going on or who you are, but I will defeat you." He said as he drew six cards from his deck, his opponent drawing five from his own. Anna stepped back as the duel began, but close enough to Kazama that he knew where she was without having to look back.

Kazama: 4000/Tyler: 4000

"By paying 2000 life points I activate the Tree of Sephiroth!" Kazama says as a radiant tree shoot up from the vast darkness, shining brilliantly. Tyler stepped back as the intense rays showered over his field.

Kazama: 2000/Tyler: 4000

"Next I activate the continuous spell cards Fruit of Wisdom and Fruit of Life!" Kazama declares as two strange fruits emerge on the tree. "While Fruit of Life is on the field, Fruit of Wisdom can't be destroyed and vice-versa, and when both Fruit of Life and Fruit of Wisdom are on the field Tree of Sephiroth can't be destroyed. In other words...there's no way to destroy them." Kazama informs his opponent.

Tyler remains silent as Kazama continues his turn. "I summon Ramiel(3000/0) in attack mode!" A translucent octahedron appears on Kazama's field, a drill emerges from it's apex, slamming into the ground.

"Fruit of Life increases my life points by 500 points for each angel-type monster on my field." Kazama says as his life point counter increases slightly.

Kazama: 2500/Tyler: 4000

Tyler looked a bit perplexed as he drew a card from his deck, 'A four star monster with 3000 attack points?' An extra slot extends from the man's duel disk as he places the field spell card Darkness unto it. "This card allows me to set five specific trap cards from my deck unto my field." Tyler says as the five cards appear in his spell/trap card zone.

"At the end of my turn the five set cards are randomized and I am not allowed to check them." He informs his opponent.

Kazama arches a brow, this was definitely a strategy he had never seen before. "I summon Darkness Eye(0/1000) in defense mode." Tyler says as the eyeball monster appears on his field. "I end my turn."

Kazama drew a card from his deck, "The first effect of my Tree activates, Malkuth-Power of Accomplishment! This effect allows me to choose to increas my life points by 500 times the number of cards on my field or in my hand, I chose my field."

Kazama: 4500/Tyler: 4000

"I summon Arael, the Angel of Birds(1000/1000) in defense mode." A massive glowing winged creature appears over the field. "If your wondering why I'm not attacking my monster's special effect doesn't allow it to attack, instead it's the only card on my field that you can attack." Kazama says.

"I activate the effect of Darkness." Tyler says as the two conitinuous trap cards Zero and Infinity flipped upwards, surprising his opponent. "All cards between Zero and Infinity activate!" Tyler exclaims as Darkness 3, 2, and 1 activate.

"Darkness 3 inflicts 1000 points of damage to my opponent after it's activation." Tyler explains as a dark aura engulfs Kazama, draining away his life points.

Kazama: 3500/Tyler: 4000

"For every continuous trap card with Darkness in it's title that activates after this card my opponent losing an additional 1000 life points." Kazama winces as his life counter drops even further.

Kazama: 1500/Tyler: 4000

"I set one card, Fruit of Life increases my life points thanks to my angel-type monsters." Kazama says as his life points increase by 1000 points as Tyler's cards randomized once again.

Kazama: 2500/Tyler: 4000

Tyler draws a card from his deck. "During my opponent's standby phase Arael inflicts 500 points of damage to my opponent." Kazama says as his large monster hovers over Tyler, producing an extreme beam of light that slams into the man.

Kazama: 2500/Tyler: 3500

"I switch my Darkness Eye to attack mode. When this card is in attack mode I can normal summon one monster in my hand without tirbute." Tyler says as his Darkness Destroyer(ATK:2300) appears on his field.

"Zero and Infinity activate again!" Tyler exclaimed as the two continuous trap cards face forward, three cards between them once again. The three cards face forward as well, revealing Darkness 2, 1, and 3.

"When Darkness 2 activates after Zero and Infinity a monster on my field gains 1000 attack points." Tyler says as his monster's attack strength increases to 3300.

"My monster gains 2000 more attack points from Darkness 1 and Darkness 3." Tyler explains as his monster's attack points shoot up to 5300, stronger than both of Kazama's monsters. "My monster can attack twice and deal damage through defense." Tyler explains.

"Since Ramiel's effect allows me to only attack it, I'm going to destroy it first!" Tyler's monster charged up an orb of pure dark energy as it prepared to strike Kazama.

Kazama motioned to his set card, "Battle Against the Odds activates only when my monster battles with a monster that is stronger than it, it doubles my monster's attack points!" Kazama says as his monster's attack points increase to 6000, strong enough to crush Tyler's monster.

Tiny particles of light formed in front of Kazama's monster before they merged together, creating a powerful beam of destruction that easily ripped through Tyler's monster.

Kazama: 2500/Tyler: 2800

Kazama smirked, "Don't think that I'll lose that easily, I didn't get my title for nothing." He says smugly. "I end my turn." Tyler says as his trap cards once again randomize.

Kazama draws a card from his deck, "My Tree's next special effect activates, Yesod-Power of Manifesting! This effect allows me to special summon an angel-type monster from my hand regardless of summoning conditions!"

A massive and bizarrely-shaped creature appears on Kazama's field. It has an elongated body, with three eye-like markings(one in the center and one on either side of it's body), and three stem-like growths projecting radially at both ends.

"This is Sahaquiel, the Angel of Skies(1900/400). This card negates the effect of all non-type angel monsters on my opponent's field." Kazama says, surprising Tyler. Kazama smirks, "Just as I thought, your Darkness Eye allows you to pinpoint exactly which cards to activate.

Tyler frowns, he hadn't thought that Kazama would figure it out so easily. "I activate the effect of Darkness!" Tyler exclaims as Zero and Infinity flips upward, surprising Kazama. "How did you-"

Tyler smirked, "It seems luck is on my side." Tyler says as the card between the two trap cards reveals itself as Darkness 1. "This card destroys one card on your field, "I choose Sahaquiel." Tyler says as the monster explodes.

"I can still get rid of your Darkness Eye." Kazama says as Arael switches to attack mode. "Arael, attack that weak monster!" Kazama orders. A yellow beam of light slams into Tyler's monster, destroying it.

Kazama: 2500/Tyler: 1800

"My Fruit of Wisdom allows me to switch my Arael into defense mode and my Fruit of Life increases my life points by 1000 points." Kazama says as his turn ends.

Kazama: 3500/Tyler: 1800

As Tyler drew a card Arael once again unleashed a beam of light that rained down on his field due to it's special effect.

Kazama: 3500/Tyler: 1300

"I summon Darkness Outsider(ATK:0) in attack mode." A strange plant-like monster connected to a stem emerges on the field. "By discarding one card from my hand I can swap the positions of one monster on my field and a monster in your deck." Tyler exclaims as he discards his Darkness Seed(1000/1000) into his graveayrd. Tentacles shoot out of his monster, latching onto Kazama's deck.

"What the hell?" Kazama exclaims as a card is pulled out of his deck and replaced with Tyler's monster. "I've seen a few of your duels and this card will be most useful, I've chosen Leliel, the Angel of Night(0/0) in attack mode."

A large, floating, black and white patterned sphere appears on Tyler's field, causing Kazama to grimace upon seeing it. "If this card battles a monster that is level seven or lower that monster is destroyed without caculating battle damage." Kazama said.

Tyler smirked, "Which means your Ramiel won't stand a chance, even with it's 3000 attack points. When the combined attack points of monster's on my field are zero I can special summon Dark Slime(DEF:0) in defense mode, this card's attack and defense power equals one monster on your field." Tyler says as his monster takes on the appearance of Kazama's Ramiel(3000/0).

"Leliel, attack Ramiel!" The new monster re-manifests itself as a large black shadow, piercing through Kazama's monster and pulling it within itself. "I end my turn." Tyler says.

Kazama draws a card from his deck, his Tree's next effect activating. "Hod-Observational Power allows me to view your hand for the duration of my turn." Kazama says as a holographic image of Tyler's hand appears overhead.

"I summon Sachiel, the Angel of Water(1800/0) in attack mode!" A massive, vaguely humanoid creature with large bony structures on it's shoulders and torso, gill-like structures on it's legs, tridactyl hands, and a distinctive beaked mask emerges on to Kazama's field.

"When this card attacks it gains 500 attack points, I'm going to have it attack your Darkness Slime!" Kazama ordered as his monster punched trough the slime, destroying it.

"I'll end my turn at that." Kazama says as his Fruit of Life increases his life points by 1000 more points.

Kazama: 4500/Tyler: 1300

Tyler slips a card from his deck, once again Arael unleashes a beam of energy, draining his life points even further.

Kazama: 4500/Tyker: 800

"I summon Darkness Necro Slime(ATK:0) in attack mode. By sending this card to my graveyard I can special summon one monster with Darkness in it's naem from my graveyard." Tyler says as his Darkness Eye returns in defense mode.

"You may have more life points than I do, but the advantage belongs to me, Leliel, attack Arael!" Kazama's monster is pulled into Tyler's, finally destroying it. "I end my turn." Tyler says, now more confident that he once again had his Darkness Eye back on his field.

Kazama frowns slightly as he draws a card, declaring the next effect of his continuous spell card, "Netzach-Power of Eternal protects my monster from any type of destruction until my next standby phase." Kazama says.

"I activate the effect of Darkness!" Tyler exclaims as Zero and Infinity reveals themselves, two cards between them. The three cards flip forward as well, Darkness 3, 2, and 1. "Darkness 3 inflicts 1000 points of damage to my opponent and an additional 1000 points of damage for Darkness 2 and 1." Tyler exclaims as a dark aura engulfs Kazama, depleting his life points.

Kazama: 1500/Tyler: 800

"I set one card face-down, Fruit of Life increases my life points by 500 points." Kazama says as a golden aura encases his body, increasing his life points.

Kazama: 2000/Tyler: 800

Tyler draws a card, "Darkness Seed was previously sent to my graveyard from my hand due to my Darkness Outsider's effect, according to his special effect I am allowed to special summon it to my field."

As Tyler's monster appears on the field Tyler continues his turn, "I tribute my Darkness Seed in order to summon Darkness Bramble(ATK:2000) in attack mode." A strange monster with sycthes for arms appears on Tyler's side of the field.

"Now I'll activate the effect of Darkness!" Tyler declares as Zero and Infinity activates, Darkness 2 activating afterwards, increasing Tyler's monster's attack points to 3000. "Your continuous spell card may protect your monster from destruction this turn, but I can still inflict damage."

Tyler's monster cuts through Kazama's monster, who withstands the attack thanks to the special effect of Tree of Sephiroth.

Kazama: 800/Tyler: 800

"At my end phase if my life points are below 4000, my monster makes it 4000." Dark energy washing over Tyler as his life point counter shoots up.

Kazama: 800/Tyler: 4000

Kazama draws a card, smirking slightly as he explains his card's next effect, "Tipheret-Creative Power activates only when I have one monster on my field, I can select one monster on your field and add it's attack and defense points to my own." Kazama says as his monster's attack points increase to 3800.

"I activate Zero and Infinity once again." The two cards flip up, Darkness 2 flipping upwards as well. "My monster gains 1000 attack points.

"It's still not strong enough to defeat my monster, but just to make sure that I can take you out in this turn I'm going to remove three angel-type monsters in my graveyard from play in order to special summon Zeruel, the Angel of Strength(3500/3000) in attack mode." Kazama says as three of his monsters slide out of his graveyard slot.

A large floating creature with a malformed skull/face, folding foil-like arms, and armor-like skin appears on the field, towering over every other monster on the field.

"Zeruel, attack Leliel! Since Zeruel is a level nine monster this strike will destroy it!" A particle beam released from the powerful monster slams into Leliel, destroying it, causing massive damage to his opponent.

Kazama: 800/Tyler: 500

"Now Sachiel, end this duel, destroy Darkness Bramble!"

Tyler smirks, "By discarding my Darkness Raincrow in my hand to the graveyard I can tribute my Darkness Bramble in order to special summon Darkness Neosphere(4000/4000) in attack mode."

Kazama frowns upon seeing the new monster, victory had been snatched away from him so easily, on Tyler's next turn he would be back at 4000 life points. "Since I haven't normal summoned yet I'll summon Gaghiel, the Angel of Fish(2100/0) in defense mode.

An aquatic being with a massive body and long jaws filled with sharp teeth appeared on Kazama's field. "Fruit of Wisdom allows me to switch one angel-type monster on my field to defense mode." Kazama says as Sachiel crouches defensively.

"Fruit of Life increases my life points by 1500 points."

Kazama: 2300/Tyler: 500

Tyler draws a card, "I activate Zero and Infinity!" The two cards once again flipped upwards, three cards between them flipping up as well, Darkness 1, 2, and 3.

"This card destroys a card on your field, and another for every card with Darkness in it's name afterwards." Kazama shields himself as all three monsters on his field are destroyed.

"Angel's Retribution increases my life points by 1000 points for every angel-type monster on my field!" Kazama says as his trap card activates, a bright light washing over him.

Kazama: 5300/Tyler: 500

Tyler frowned, Kazama had managed to prolong his defeat. "Darkness Neosphere, attack!" The monster slams the hilt of it's weapon into Kazama's gut, causing him to fall to his knees in pain, his life point counter dropping.

Kazama: 1300/Tyler: 500

"At my end phase my monster increases my life points to 4000 if my current life points are below that amount." Tyler says as his life point counter shoots up.

Kazama: 1300/Tyler: 4000

Tyler looks down at his opponent, "Is this the best the "God" of the Pro League can muster? Is this the best that the Light of Ruin can muster?"

Anna runs to Kazama's side, helping him up. "What the hell did you just call me?" He asks.

"The Light of Ruin that Jaden defeated once before, is not completely gone, it sleeps within you, by destroying you, I will be the one to finally purge it from this world!" Tyler exclaims.

Kazama draws a card from his deck, absolutely seething. "Gevurah-Power of Intention activates, you cannot chain spell or trap cards to my monster's attack."

Tyler smirked as Zero and Infinity activates, "Darkness 3 inflicts 1000 points of damage." Kazama winces as the dark energy washes over his body, his life point counter dropping once again.

Kazama: 300/Tyler: 4000

"I have 4000 life points while you only have 300 left, what do you think you can really do?" He asks.

Kazama holds up the card he had just drawn, "By negating the effects of my Fruit of Wisdom I can activate this card, Black Moon!" Tyler looks up as a white legless giant, whose face is covered with a mask displaying seven masks descends from the darkness.

"This is Lilith, the Second Angel(4500/0) in attack mode." Tyler gritted his teeth, he hadn't thought that Kazama would be able to summon such a powerful monster. "It doesn't matter, your monster is just as strong as mine, they'll only end up destroying each other.

Kazama smirked, "I activate Lilith's special ability, I can equip her with a monster in my graveyard and increase her attack points by that amount." Kazama says as Zeruel attaches to Lilith, increasing her attack points to 8000.

Upon seeing the attack points of Kazama's monster Kazama falls to his knees. "It's...it's all over. I've failed...I've failed you...my sister." He says to himself. "Lilith, shine your rays of judgement upon my enemy!" Kazama declares as the monster glows intensely, destroying the darkness and returning Kazama and Anna back Paris, France.

The only thing left of the man named Tyler is his black duel disk, the cards he had were burned to a crisp. Kazama suddenly clutches his chest in pain as his hear beat begins to speed up.

Anna runs over to his side as he collapses to his kneesm his eyes wide in pain. "What's wrong Kazama!?" Anna exclaims as an unearthly scream escapes the pro duelist's mouth.

When the scream finally subsides Kazama stands up, as if nothing had happened, surprising and confusing Anna. "Um, are you okay." She asks, touching his shoulder.

Kazama's back was turned to her. "Were going to Duel Academy." He said, his eyes glowing brightly, the Light of Ruin that was locked deep inside his body had been released, and it had it's sight set on a certain Hero duelist.

Well, that's it for now, pretty good, ne? Anyway please review!

Next time: The Light of Ruin has been reborn within Kazama and seeks revenge upon everyone's favorite Hero duelist. How will Jaden deal with his toughest opponent yet?

Kazama (New Cards Played Against Girl)

Israfel, the Twin Angel of Poetry and Music: (Earth/Angel 8/2500/2500)
This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card cannot be Special Summoned except by the effect of "Kou, the Angel of Poetry" or "Otsu, the Angel of Music." This card can attack twice during the battle phase. If this card is attacked you can tribute this card to special summon one "Kou, the Angel of Poetry" and "Otsu, the Angel of Music" from your graveyard.

Tabris, the Angel of Free Will: (Earth/Angel 10)
This card cannot be Special Summoned. The attack and defense of this card becomes 500 times the number of angel-type monsters in your hand, field, and graveyard. If this card attacks your opponent directly this card's attack points are halved. Once per turn randomly activate one of these effects.
-Destroy one monster on your opponent's side of the field.
-Destroy one spell or trap card on your opponent's side of the field.
-Discard one card from your opponent's hand.

Kazama (New Cards Played Against Tyler)

Ramiel, the Angel of Thunder: (Light/Angel 4/3000/0)
This card cannot declare an attack. As long as this card remains face-up on the field your opponent can only select this card as an attack target.

Arael, the Angel of Birds: (Wind/Angel 4/1000/1000)
Inflict 500 points of damage to your opponent each of their standby phases.

Leliel, the Angel of the Night: (Dark/Angel 8/0/0)
If this card battles a monster that is level seven or lower destroy that card without applying damage caculation.

Sahaquiel, the Angel of Skies: (Wind/Angel 4/1900/400)
Negate the effects of all non-angel-type monsters on the field.

Black Moon (Spell)
Negate the effects of one face-up Fruit of Wisdom. Special summon one "Lilith, the Second Angel" from your hand or deck.

Lilith, the Second Angel: (Light/Angel 11/4500/0)
This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This cannot be Special Summoned except by the effects of "Black Moon." You can equip one angel-type monster from your graveyard to this monster, this monster's attack and defense points increase by that monster's attack and defense point. If this monster would be destroyed, destroy the equipped monster instead. Inflict 1000 points of damage to your life points at your end phase as long as this monster is on your field.

Until next time, I'm out!