Big thanks to Big duels, Ulrich362, tsukikami02, Jason, Playerhood18, Yuka Kuroshiro, dvdryms, sparck, GamingGuy84, Elbarto4000, D3lph0xL03r, NeoFGD, BrokenKnight4561 for reviewing the previous chapter!

Hopefully you'll enjoy reading this chapter.


SECOND FLOOR – TEMPLE OF CALAMITY – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARTIFICIAL DIMENSION

"You've done well trapping in this dome. But I have also did a research on Action Cards, so I have prepared this just in case." Shing replied while he fiddled the touchscreen of his Duel Disk until there was a sound coming from it.

{ACTION FIELD DETECTED. ACTION CARD DISRUPTOR, DEPLOYED}

Following the announcement, Reiji noticed the Action Cards he has spotted disintegrated.

"You have disabled the Action Cards. I should have suspected that." Reiji responded wile fixing his glasses.

"In a game, it's normal for us to be prepared if we want to clear it. But now you are in my territory. That makes me the game master here. I'm the one controlling the flow of this game." Shing replied. He would never let anyone disrupt his game. As the game master, he has the privilege to make this game the way he likes.

"I won't be so sure if I were you." Reiji replied, beginning the Duel.

[DUEL!]

"I'm going first. From my hand, I summon Verz Castor (ATK: 1750 / DEF: 550 / LV: 4)." Shing summoned Verz Castor in Attack Position in the Main Zone.

"When Verz Castor is Normal Summoned, I can Normal Summon 1 Verz Monster in addition to my Normal Summon or Set." Shing summoned Verz Heliopore (ATK: 1950/ DEF: 650 / LV: 4) in Attack Position beside Castor.

"I overlay Verz Castor and Verz Heliopore! Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank 4! Verz Bahamut (ATK: 2350 / DEF: 1350 / RNK: 4 / ORU: 2)!" Shing summoned Bahamut in Attack Position in the Main Zone.

"I end my Turn." Shing concluded. During his observation in ARC-V, he had heard lots of things from Reiji. He knew the young man was not someone to be underestimated. That why this time he included his main support cards into his Deck. He had built up his strongest Deck so far.

"My Turn. From my hand, I activate the Continuous Magic: Forbidden Dark Contract with the Swamp King! Due to its effect, I can Special Summon the Level 7 DDD Wisdom King Chaos Apocalypse (ATK: 2700 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 7 / PS: 4) from my hand, with its monster effects negated." Reiji summoned Chaos Apocalypse in Attack Position in the Main Zone.

"Because of Forbidden Dark Contract with the Swamp King, when I use the Special Summoned Chaos Apocalypse as a material, I can perform a Fusion Summon without a Fusion Magic. I fuse Chaos Apocalypse with the DD Lamia in my hand!" Reiji formed the Fusion Vortex, entering Chaos Apocalypse and Lamia into the portal.

"King who watches over the future of this chaotic world. Drink the blood that will be shed in the future and become a hero who shall conquer the dragon! Fusion Summon! Be born! Level 8! DDD Cruel Dragon King Beowulf (ATK: 3000 / DEF: 2500 / LV: 8)!" Reiji summoned Beowulf in Attack Position in the Main Zone.

"DD Lamia was used as a Fusion Material and sent to the graveyard, but once per turn, by sending a Dark Contract card to the graveyard, I can Special Summon it. I send the currently active Forbidden Dark Contract with the Swamp King to the graveyard, and Special Summon the Tuner Monster, DD Lamia." Reiji summoned Lamia in Attack Position in the Main Zone.

"Using the Scale 6 DD Savant Thomas, and the Scale 8 DD Savant Nikola, I set the Pendulum Scale! With this, I can simultaneously summon Level 7 monsters! Immense power that shakes my very soul, reside within me and become the new light that rends the darkness! Pendulum Summon! Be reborn from the Extra Deck! DDD Wisdom King Chaos Apocalypse!" Reiji revived Chaos Apocalypse in Attack Position beside Lamia in the Main Zone.

"Then, I tune the Level 7 Chaos Apocalypse with the Level 1 DD Lamia! Brandish your sword dyed in crimson blood, and step over the corpses of the heroes! Synchro Summon! Be born! Level 8! DDD Cursed-Blood King Siegfried (ATK: 2800 / DEF: 2200 / LV: 8)!" Reiji summoned Siegfried in Attack Position in the Main Zone beside Beowulf.

"DDD Cursed-Blood King Siegfried can negate the effect of a face-up Magic or Trap card on the field until the next Standby Phase!" Reiji revealed before pointing at the Xyz Monster.

"Battle! I attack Verz Bahamut with Beowulf!" Reiji declared his first attack. The Fusion Monster raised its claws against Bahamut, making a high leap to crush the the Xyz Monster.

"I activate Verz Helipole's effect! By banishing it from Graveyard, I can negate the destruction of Verz Monster until my next Standby Phase and draw 2 cards!" Shing banished Helipole, creating a barrier constructed from the Verz Monster's spirit that blocked Beowulf's attack, deflecting it back. He then added two cards into his hand.

SHING LP: 4000 = 3350

"Next I attack with Siegfried!" Reiji proceeded with the second attack. Even if it couldn't be destroyed, Shing would still receive damage. Siegfried slashed its sword at Bahamut, leaving a slash scar on its chest.

SHING LP: 3350 = 2900

"I set a card and end my Turn." Reiji concluded.

"My Turn. When my opponent controls more monsters than I do, I can Special Summon Vers Mandrago (ATK: 1550 / DEF: 1450 / LV: 4) from my hand." Shing summoned Mandrago in Attack Position beside Bahamut in the Main Zone.

"From my hand, I summon Verz Castor." Shing summoned another copy of Castor in Attack Position beside Mandrago in Attack Position. Shing didn't waste any moment to open the Link Summoning Circuit, setting Castor on the Top-Arrow and Mandrago on the Bottom-Arrow.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Inverz Origin (ATK: 2000 / LINK: 2 / LM: Top, Bottom)!" Shing summoned Inverz Origin in Attack Position in the Link Monster Zone.

"I activate Verz Bahamut's effect. Once per Turn, I can detach an Overlay Unit and take control of a monster my opponent controls until my next Standby Phase!" Shing detached the first Overlay Unit, taking control of Reiji's Beowulf, leaving him with only Siegfried.

"While this card is in an Extra Monster Zone, if a monster would be Special Summoned from the Extra Deck to the Main Monster Zone, it must be Summoned in the zone this card points to. While this card points to a monster, neither player can target it with card effects, also it cannot be destroyed by battle or card effect." Shing warned the DDD user. Since Inverz Origina's Bottom-Arrow pointed at Bahamut, the said second effect was activated.

"Battle! I attack Siegfried with Dragon King Beowulf!" Shing immediately used Reiji's monster against him. Beowulf crushed through its clawed hand against Siegfried's abdomen, destroying the Synchro Monster.

REIJI LP: 4000 = 3800

"Inverz Origin's effect! Once per turn, when monsters on the field is destroyed by battle or by card effect, I can Special Summon Level 4 or lower Verz monsters from my Deck in Defense Position, up the number destroyed." Shing summoned another copy of Verz Mandrago in Defense Position beside Bahamut in the Main Zone.

"Battle! I attack directly with Verz Bahamut!" Shing continued his attack. Now Reiji's Field was wide open. The red orb on Bahamut's chest glowed as red blast was charging in its throat. The Xyz Monster opened its mouth wide and shot the accumulated energy blast, nearly blowing Reiji away. The Leo Corporation president kneeled down from the damage he took.

REIJI LP: 3800 = 1450

"Lastly, I attack directly with Inverz Origin!" Shing declared for the finishing blow. However, Reiji then chose at that moment to open his Reverse Card.

"Trap Card: DDD Contract Change! I banish DDD Monster in my Graveyard with highest ATK to reduce the battle damage to 0 and add 1 Level 4 or lower DD Pendulum Monster from my Deck to my hand!" Reiji discarded Siegfriend, adding DD Magical Savant Edison to his hand as he dodged the Link Monster's attack by jumping to the side.

"So you save that Trap Card for this moment. Should have seen that. I end my Turn." Shing concluded. He didn't expect Reiji to survive his last attack, but Reiji was still playing in the palm of his hand. His flow was not broken. He was still controlling this game.

"I sure you want to continue? You're playing in my perfect game. As I said, I'm the game master here. Do you think you can beat the one who has absolute control of the game?" Shing questioned. He looked into Reiji's eyes, and knew what the young man was thinking. His determination to win was still burning. The DDD user was positive he still has chance to win.

"Just like how nothing is absolute in the business world, nothing is absolute in Dueling! No matter how careful your risk hedging is, there will still be holes in your plan." Reiji replied while returning to his feet, wiping the dust from his shirt before momentarily took off his glasses to clean the visors.

"Realizing them and making sure that they are promptly dealt with, is the duty of those who stand at the top." Reiji emphasized the last part. He wasn't exactly the best Duelist in the whole ARC-V. He had lost to Yuya before after so long standing on the top of Dueling World in Standard Dimension. However, he was standing on the top of LDS, the whole Leo Corporation. For the whole year, he had polished his skill and increased the growth of the organization with his own hands and wit. If he couldn't do that, he didn't deserve to be standing on the top of LDS.

"My Turn! With the set Pendulum Scale, I Pendulum Summon! Be revived from the Extra Deck!" Reiji revived Chaos Apocalypse for the second time in Attack Position in the Main Zone.

"From my hand, I summon DD Magical Savant Edison (ATK: 900 / DEF: 0 / LV: 2)!" Reiji summoned Savant Edison in Attack Position beside Chaos Apocalypse.

"I activate Savant Edison's effect! Using this card, I can perform Fusion Summon using it and a DD or DDD Monster on my Field! I fuse Chaos Apocalypse and Savant Edison!" Reiji formed another bigger Fusion Vortex, entering his two monsters where they merged into stronger being.

"Fusion Summon! Reveal yourself! Level 10! D/D/D Ultimate Doom King Purplish Hell Armageddon (ATK: 3500 / DEF: 3000 / LV: 10 / PS: 1)!" Reiji summoned his Fusion-Pendulum Hell Armageddon in Attack Position in the Main Zone.

"When Edison is used as a material to summon Fusion-Pendulum Monster, the Fusion Monster's ATK is increased by 1000!" Reiji increased Purplish Hell Armageddon's ATK to 4500.

"I activate Purplish Hell Armageddon's effect! Once per Turn, I can destroy 1 monster my opponent controls and inflict damage equal to the destroyed monster's ATK had on the Field!" Reiji targeted Verz Bahamut. The purple orb on Purplish Hell Armageddon's body glowed. The Dragon head opened its mouth, shooting hot flame that burned down the Xyz Monster.

SHING LP: 2900 = 550

"When a monster is destroyed, I can Special Summon Level 4 or lower Inverz Monster from my Deck in Defense Position!" Shing summoned Ladybug (ATK: 1200 / DEF: 400 / LV: 4) in Defense Position from his Deck. His calm expression started to falter as his Xyz Monster was destroyed.

"Battle! I attack Inverz Origin with DDD Ultimate Doom King Purplish Hell Armageddon!" Reiji continued his attack, directing his Fusion-Pendulum Monster to shoot another blast.

"I activate Verz Ladybugs' effect! When an Inverz or Verz monster is targeted for an attack on the Turn this card is summoned, I can negate the attack!" Shing declared as Ladybug moved forward, blocking Purplish Hell Armageddon's flame from reaching the Link Monster.

"I have heard so much about you while I'm staying at ARC-V. But I never expected that you are strong enough to reach this far against me. It's both marvelous and irritating." Shing remarked. While a game became fun when a strong player appeared, he also found it irritating that someone managed to disrupt the flow of his gameplay.

"This Duel is like a chess where you won't win unless you defeat the King, or like beginning shogi match without one's rook or bishop. I know that you won't admit defeat, so I'm going to finish you off on my next Turn." Reiji said firmly, holding his gaze against Shing in calculating and analytical way.

"You know me well." Shing replied with a shrug. It was just as Reiji said, he has no intention to surrender in this Duel, and no other Duels either.

"My Turn! I summon Verz Python (ATK: 1200 / DEF: 1500 / LV: 4)!" Shing summoned the card he just drew immediately in Attack Position. This was his one and only chance now that he has three Level 4 Verz monsters.

"I overlay my three Verz Monsters! Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank 4! Verz Ouroboros (ATK: 2750 / DEF: 1950 / RNK: 4 / ORU: 3)!" Shing summoned Ouroboros in Attack Position in the Main Zone.

"I activate Verz Ouroboros' effect! Once per Turn, by detaching an Overlay Unit, I can return a card my opponent controls to the hand!" Shing detached the first Overlay Unit, obviously Reiji's only monster on the Field as his target. As Purplish Hell Armageddon was also a Fusion Monster, it won't return to hand, but to Extra Deck.

"I activate Edison's effect! I banish it to negate the card effect!" Reiji banished Edison from his Graveyard, negating Ouroboros' effect.

Shing clicked his tongue quietly. He didn't have any card left in his hand or any set card. His cards in his Graveyard cannot help him overpowering Reiji's Fusion-Pendulum Monster. As much as he loathed admitting it but with his remaining LP, it was possible for Reiji to take him down in the next Turn. He didn't want to lose, but he has no chance of winning at this moment. But he didn't want to surrender either. He won't let himself losing this game in his own territory.

"So it comes to this. I admit it, you're amazing, Reiji Akaba." Shing admitted in his mind.

"Battle! I attack Purplish Hell Armageddon with Verz Ouroboros!" Shing declared, surprising Reiji as the monster has lower ATK and Shing didn't show any indication of using its effect that could benefit him against Purplish Hell Armageddon.

"Was he giving up?" Reiji wondered, but quickly dismissed this. One look at Shing and he knew the man refused to lose.

"I activate Ladybug's effect in the Graveyard! When a Verz or Inverz Monster battles, I can banish it to inflict the damage to both players!" Shing banished Ladybug from his Graveyard as Ouroboros and Purplish Hell Armageddon clashed against each other.

"What?!" Reiji exclaimed, completely taken aback.

Ourobors and Purplish Hell Armageddon's flames exploded, blowing away Reiji and Shing while also destroying the entire floor they were standing. If it were not for the blow, Reiji and Shing would have fallen already, but they managed to hanging onto the small remaining floor.

SHING LP: 550 = 0

REIJI LP: 1450 = 0

Pulling themselves to the remaining floors, Reiji and Shing panted from the nerve-wracking and tense explosion. They stared at the huge hole their monsters have caused. Reiji hoped that Yukiya and Dennis who were downstairs were safe.

"You're too late." Shing told Reiji from the other side of the destroyed floor.

Before Reiji could as what he meant, he noticed black smoke starting to come from upstairs along with loud noises that he couldn't comprehend. He looked at Shing, demanding answers, and the Inverz user smiled tiredly.

"The ritual has begun."

APOPHIS DOMAIN – LINK VRAINS – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARTIFICIAL DIMENSION

"Is that your avatar? What a peculiar choice for the one who looks down on human." Yuri said while staring at the avatar that Apophis took form of. The Dragon of Calamity was clearly viewing himself superior than humans. But yet, he was using an avatar that was a human no matter how you look at it. That felt hypocritical.

"As for the moment I don't have a physical body, I can change to whatever form I wish within my domain in LINK VRAINS. I chose this form because Kurt insisted for me to look more...humanoid." Apophis explained while looking at his hands. The first-born prince demanded for him to look more proper for his own dignity and keep up appearance as to not attracting unwanted attention just in case.

"The both of you seem to have a complicated relationship. You and the first-born prince." Yuri commented. From his observation, Apophis and Kurt seemed to have a toxic relationship, there's no sugarcoating it, that's exactly what it is. Neither one of them like being around the other, simply put they are "tolerating" each other for the job.

"Indeed. It is an unfortunate relationship. I unfortunately need him." Apophis said with pure disappointment and annoyance.

"Need him?" Yuri raised a brow in question. He had heard from Ryo that Apophis and Kurt were working together because they have reached a compromise. But hearing Apophis just now, it was more like he was keeping Kurt around because he needed him. Like his life was depended on Kurt.

Apophis didn't answer further. Instead, dark was growing across his skin. It was smooth and pearly as though he were entirely covered in scales. His eyes had turned a deep, blackish red like glowing embers in a dying fire, and red, glowing marks grew down from his eyes like tear tracks. When he smiled at them, his lips were full of fangs, and Yuri almost shrank back.

"That form...it's almost like Zarc when we fought him last year...!" Yuri thought, recalling Zarc's demonic form when he was using Yuya's body and also the body formed through Real Solid Vision.

"As I thought, I feel a lot better in this form for this Duel." Apophis said with his eyes glinting in satisfaction as his avatar modification. He narrowed his eyes at Yuri, enjoying the concealed uneasiness in the Predator Plants' form. He might be able to fool everyone, but not him. He could sense a tiny bit fear that was starting to form inside the boy.

"For you to become my servant, I need to send you to the pit of despair." Apophis stated, activating his Duel Disk. That was precisely why he had instructed Tsukasa to forcefully logged Yuri into LINK VRAINS. It takes more than just defeating Yuri to make him his useful servant. He must break him completely and then absorbed his negative energies.

"I have to refuse. I'm serving no one but myself." Yuri retorted while also activating his Duel Disk, beginning the Duel.

[DUEL!]

"I'm going first! I activate Magic Card: Fusion. I fuse Moray Nephentes and Sarcodes Iguana in my hand! Two beautiful flowers with insect-alluring fragrance become the dragon with dripping poison and consume until your hunger is satisfied! Fusion Summon! Appear! Level 7! Starve Venemy Dragon (ATK: 2500 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 7 / PS: 1)!" Yuri summoned Starve Venemy in Attack Position.

"I set 2 cards and end my Turn." Yuri concluded.

"My Turn. I summon Executioner – Makyura (ATK: 1600 / DEF: 1200 / LV: 4)." Apophis summoned Makyura in Attack Position.

"I set 2 cards and end my Turn." Apophis concluded.

"I activate Starve Venemy's effect! Once per Turn I can negate and steal my opponent's monster's effect, lower the monster's ATK and DEF by 500, and inflict the same damage to my opponent!" Yuri decreased Makyura's ATK to 1100 and DEF to 700 before having Starve Venemy to shot a green miasma blast that inflicted equal damage to the Dragon of Calamity.

APOPHIS LP: 4000 = 3500

"Battle! I attack Makyura with Starve Venemy!" Yuri declared attack, pointing at the Demon-Type Monster. Starve Venemy opened its maw, shooting green blast towards Makyura.

"When my opponent declares attack while I control one Demon-Type Monster, I can send that monster I control and one Demon-Type Monster from my hand to Special Summon Darkness Neosphere (ATK: 4000 / DEF: 4000 / LV: 10)!" Apophis sent Makyura and a Demon-Type card from his hand to the Graveyard, summoning Neosphere in Attack Position, replacing Makyura to fight against the Fusion-Pendulum Monster.

"Summoning a Level 10 monster with 4000 ATK during my Battle Phase?!" Yuri's eyes were widened in disbelief at the sudden appearance of such a strong Demon Monster. Clicking his tongue, Yuri opened the first card has set.

"Quick-Play Spell: Predator Bloom! I negate destruction of a DARK Monster I control and Special Summon 1 Predator Plants Monster from my Deck!" Yuri summoned Predator Plants Tarantula Lavender (ATK: 800 / DEF: 900 / LV: 3) in Defense Position. Immediately afterwards, Starve Venom's blast was deflected by a black wave unleashed by Neosphere, hitting the miasma back to the dragon itself.

YURI LP: 4000 = 2500

Starve Venemy howled in pain from its own attack. It nearly fell it were not for its strong will power. That infuriated the dragon. Starve Venemy now was glaring and growling sinisterly at the Demon-Type Monster.

"I end my Turn." Yuri concluded.

"It has only been the beginning, and yet you already lost almost half your life, boy." Apophis sneered. "Why don't you just Surrender now? That'll make it easier for the both of us."

"In your dreams." Yuri snorted, which made Apophis snickered even more.

"You need to stop that tough act, boy. Even if you lose, no one will feel losing anything." Apophis said, confusing Yuri.

"I beg your pardon?" Yuri said, feeling offended.

"Nobody would miss you even if you're dead." Apophis said, his voice like ice in Yuri's veins. But what hit him the most was his words. Yuri felt a stinging pain in his chest when Apophis said that. It was the words he has beein trying to avoid all these times. Apophis knew he has pushed the right button, and he will continue.

"My Turn. I summon Vise Devil – Viser Death (ATK: 500 / DEF: 1200 / LV: 4)." Apophis summoned Viser Death in Attack Position.

"Battle! I attack Starve Venemy Dragon with Neosphere!" Apophis attacked back. Neosphere opened its third eye, glaring at the Fusion-Pendulum Monster before shooting black laser-like energy that went straight towards the dragon.

"I activate Predator Plants Tarantula Lavender's effect! When a DARK Monster I control is targeted for an attack while this card is on the Field, I can perform Fusion Summon using this card and the targeted monster as replacement for one of the materials listed in the card!" Yuri formed the Fusion Vortex, sending Tarantula Lavender and Starve Venemy into the vortex as the both of them swirled into one being.

"Fusion Summon! Appear! Level 8! Predator Plants – Dragostapelia (ATK: 2700 / DEF: 1900 / LV: 8)!" Yuri summoned Dragostapelia in Attack Position, replacing Starve Venemy's position.

"I activate Dragostapelia's effect! I can place 1 Predator Counter on 1 face-up monster that my opponent controls! That monster's Level become 1 and its effect negated!" Yuri placed one counter on Neosphere, making its Level 1 and negated its powers.

"Next I activate Continuous Trap: Predator Bombardment! Monsters with Predator Counter will have their ATKs halved!" Yuri opened his second Reverse Card, halving Neosphere's ATK to 2000.

"Trap Card: Elixir of Transmutation! Demon-Type Monster I control cannot be destroyed by Battle and its ATK becomes 0 until the end of Battle Phase!" Apophis opened his first Reverse Card, giving a bottle to Neosphere. The Demon Monster drank the whole bottle, enabling Neosphere to endure the counterattack from the dragon.

APOPHIS LP: 3500 = 2800

"Nice counter, but I'm not done yet! I activate Trap Card: Card of Last Will. When my monster's ATK becomes 0, I can draw 5 cards." Apophis opened his second Trap, drawing 5 cards as Neosphere's ATK has become 0.

"Next, Viser Death can attack opponent directly! Go, Viser Death! Let him experience pain!" Apophis declared the second attack.

Viser Death clamped its vise onto Yuri's head and began to slowly crush it. Yuri screamed in pain. He felt his head was going to be crushed. The moment Viser Death removed itself from him; Yuri clutched the part where his head was squeezed. The pain stayed that he was positive it was going to crush his brain too eventually.

YURI LP: 2500 = 2000

"I set 2 cards and end my Turn." Apophis concluded. He gleefully stared at Yuri's wobbly form. It took him everything he had to keep standing. The boy was resilient more than he thought. But he should have expected that from a war veteran.

"Viser Death will slowly squeeze your head. It cannot be targeted for an attack for three Turns. In my third Turn, it will drill into your head at fast speed." Apophis warned Yuri who was still trying to recover from the pain.

"It's painful, isn't it? And that is just the start. The next pain will be even more unbearable. I still have lots I want to use under my sleeve." Apophis told the Predator Plants user condescendingly.

"Think of it as retribution for all the suffering you have caused. For the lives you have stolen." Apophis began slowly. He knew the darkness within the boy's heart. He sensed all of his anger, doubt, and fear. He will expose them slowly, pulling them all out, and unleash them all.

"Shut up! Shut your mouth!" Yuri yelled furiously as he tried to ignore the pain from both his head and mind, glaring at Apophis. The Dragon of Calamity looked pleased in return.

"My Turn! I activate Magic Card: Fusion Pillars. Monsters that I used as Fusion Materials can be special summoned with their Effects negated." Yuri revived Moray Nephentes and Sarcodes Iguana in Attack Position.

"And then from my hand, I summon Predator Plants Banksia Butterfly (ATK: 800 / DEF: 700 / LV: 2)." Yuri summoned Banksia Butterfly in Attack Position beside Moray Nephentes and Sarcodes Iguana.

"Appear, the circuit of thorn that open the path to the abyss!" Yuri opened the Link Summoning Circuit above him.

"Arrowhead confirmed! The summoning condition is at least 1 Predator Plants Monster! I set Starve Venemy Dragon, Predator Plants Banksia Butterfly, and Predator Plants Sarcodes Iguana in the Link Markers! Circuit Combine!" Yuri set Moray Nephentes at the Top Link Marker, Banksia Butterfly at the Bottom-Left Link Marker, and Sarcodes Iguana at the Upper-Right Link Marker.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Cyber Venom Dragon (ATK: 2300 / Link: 3 / LM: Top, Bottom-Left, Upper-Right)!" Yuri summoned his Link Monster in Attack Position beside Dragostapelia.

"I activate Cyber Venom Dragon's effect! I can lower the ATK of my opponent's monster equal to the total ATK and DEF of a monster pointed by its Link Marker!" Yuri lowered Neosphere's ATK equal to Viser Death's ATK and DEF combined, making the Level 10 Monster's current ATK at merely 300.

"Battle! I attack Neosphere with Cyber Venom Dragon!" Yuri declared attack once more. Cyber Venom opened its mouth to shoot its pink laser. However, at that moment, Apophis then opened his Reverse Card.

"Continuous Trap: Gibbet Cage! When my opponent's monster declares attack while I control Demon-Type Monster on my Field, that monster cannot attack and its effect negated as long as this card is on the Field!" Apophis summoned a metal cage that trapped the Link dragon, completely immobilizing it within the hanging cage like a criminal shown to the public while awaiting a slow miserable death.

"I am a sadist in a way, but this guy is even worse than me." Yuri remarked in his mind at the cards resembling torture tools that Apophis have summoned so far.

"Then I attack Neosphere with Dragostapelia!" Yuri continued his attack. Cyber Venom's effect might have been sealed, but Dragostapelia was still active, so Neosphere's ATK was still halved and its effect was still negated. Dragostapelia began its attack again, shooting sticky green miasma that slowly melting Neosphere's body.

"I banish Elixir of Transmutation to negate destruction!" Apophis banished his Trap, allowing Neosphere to survived the melting miasma with a few burns.

APOPHIS LP: 2800 = 2100

"I set a card and end my Turn." Yuri concluded.

"Even now, you're actually enjoying hurting people with your Dueling, aren't you?" Apophis remarked in amusement.

"What?"

"You have promised that you would change. But in the end deep down you know you can't. You're actually feeling good whenever you defeat your opponent mercilessly…something that is hated by your friends." Apophis emphasized the last part, grinning when he caught Yuri's body flinching. His words were affecting the boy effectively.

"Ever since you were a child, you wanted to be acknowledged, didn't you? To be loved? But that is just impossible. And in the last war, you've made things worse. It's already too late for you. Even though they act they're okay, they're actually still hold a deep grudge against you. Do you really think you've been forgiven?"

When Yuri realized it, he saw his hand stained by blood and cards scattered on the floor beneath him. He was here again. He was within the nightmare again. He saw those people whose lives he had ruined. They were reaching out to him with those eyes filled with desire for revenge and he couldn't move at all. When Yuri snapped out of it, he didn't know since when he was holding his breath. He didn't know since when he was sweating so badly. He didn't know since when his body was trembling so terribly.

Clenching his fists tight and bit his lips as hard as he could, Yuri tried to get a hold of himself. He was still in the middle of a Duel. He must not get distracted. He must win.

"You're unwanted and unneeded." Apophis added, which completely snapped the Predator Plants user.

"That is none of your business!" Yuri yelled back, desperately trying to contain his emotions inside.

However, Yuri knew better that Apophis hit the mark. And then that pain returned again. Yuri was burning up on the inside again like in the dream. His eyes were so hot that he couldn't see all he could think about was the horrible burning sensation of the other three, stabbing into his brain, dragging on him like invisible, fiery ropes, making his hands curl into claws. The emotions he had been containing were threatening to erupt. The emotions he so desperately tried avoid.

"You don't deserve forgiveness after what you have done, boy. My Turn! I summon Byser Shock (ATK: 800 / DEF: 600 / LV: 4)!" Apophis summoned Byser Shock in Attack Position.

"When Byser Shock is on the Field, all set Cards my opponent controls return to hand." Apophis revealed, returning Yuri's set card back to his hand.

"Also, I activate Continuous Trap: Rise of the Demonic Armies! All Level 4 or lower Demon-Type monsters I control can now make direct attack!" Apophis opened his other Reverse Card, surrounding the whole Field in a black mist. Viser Death and Byser Shocker's eyes glowed as they turned to Yuri.

"Nothing on the Field is going to protect you. Embrace the pain and enter the darkness!" Apophis laughed maliciously as he directed both Viser Death and Byser Shocker to attack Yuri directly.

The two cards' clamps held Yuri in place, while they attacked. Viser Death pushed its clamps into his head while Byser Shocker unleashed electricity that shocked Yuri's entire body. Yuri couldn't stop himself from screaming from the overwhelming pain that shot through him to the very core.

YURI LP: 2000 = 300

Yuri fell flat on the ground when the two monsters finally freed him. Even after they let him go, he was still in pain as if the attack still continuing. He writhed in agony and distress as every part of his body convulsed with shocks. It lasted until his voice broke from the screaming and writhing, leaving him twitched and terrified on the ground.

"I activate Magic Card: Healing Scale. I can increase the LP of my opponent equal to the damage he has taken this Turn." Apophis recovered Yuri's LP, almost like negating the damage he had inflicted on him earlier.

YURI LP: 300 = 2000

"You healed...me...after...that...? What...are you...planning?" Yuri asked, voice hoarse from screaming and fear.

"I do not wish for this Duel to end now. I still need to hurt you more." Apophis said so casually with all too sweet smile that promised greater pain.

"You're going to regret that...!" Yuri forced himself to stand up and began his Turn.

"My Turn! I activate Magic Card: Link Fusion! I fuse Cyber Venom Dragon and Predator Plants Ophrys Scorpio in my Hand! Poisonous dragon with hungry fangs! Sweet smelling flower that invites the abyss! Now become one and indulges all as you desire! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 10! Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon (ATK: 3300 / DEF: 2500 / LV: 10)!" Yuri summoned Greedy Venom in Attack Position.

As Cyber Venom has left the Field, Apophis' Gibbet Cage was destroyed.

"I activate Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon's effect! I can make a monster's ATK 0 and negate its effect!" Yuri chose Neosphere, binding its arms and legs with Greed Venom's protrusions as it reducing its ATK to 0, which rendered the Demon-Type Monster completely powerless.

"I'll end you with this! Battle! I attack Neosphere with Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon!" Yuri declared attack. Greedy Venom opened the mouth on its stomach, shooting destructive and toxic green blast towards the Demon monster.

"I activate Gibbet Cage's effect in the Graveyard. By banishing it, I can negate your monster's attack and effect until the end of this Turn!" Apophis banised his Continuous Trap. The cage once again reappeared on the Field, this time imprisoning Greedy Venom, stopping its ATK and sealing its power, which reverted Neosphere's ATK.

"Getting hasty, aren't you? You should have realized by now that what I'm saying is correct." Apophis taunted further. His eyes slit, knowing the boy was going to reach his breaking point.

"I said shut up! It's none of your business!" Yuri lashed out again. However, he didn't feel better at all. The black smoke lurking inside was getting stronger and it scared him. He felt he was going to be engulfed by the smoke soon.

"Have you ever placed yourself in their positions? Have you ever thought how they feel to see and be near with the very person who had inflicted them suffering? Just by seeing you, they are reminded of their suffering." Apophis slowly concealed himself into the black mist, leaving Yuri seemingly alone in complete darkness.

"Your very existence made them suffer. All these times you're trying to atone is actually just to run away from reality. You don't want your existence to disappear even though you knew you only made people suffer. You're just being selfish." He continued, his voice echoing throughout the area like a ghost.

"Shut up! No! That's not it…! I'm not…! I don't…!" Yuri held his head with his both hands and closed his eyes tight, trying to shake away the black smoke filling him. But he couldn't. Because all this time he actually thought it would be better for him if he were to disappear. He wouldn't have to cause all this pain and sadness that he saw in all the people's faces he had wronged. He thought maybe that would fix it. If he was gone, everyone could rest easy again.

Ryo's words when during their trainings gave him hope. Serena's words when she gave him the pendant under the moonlight at the party gave him encouragement. They pushed him forward towards the light that could free him from this horrible feeling in his chest.

But maybe that was a mirage? Maybe he was just deluding himself. He was only protecting himself so that he didn't need to atone for what he did. Deep down, he was only thinking for himself.

"Appear! The circuit that leads to calamity!" Apophis opened the Link Summoning Circuit, setting Viser Death and Byser Shocker on the Link Markers and combined the circuit.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Perpetual King Demon (ATK: 2000 / LINK: 2 / LM: Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right)!" Apophis summoned Perpetua King Demon in Attack Position. The monster emerged from the darkness while Apophis was still hiding behind the black mist, away from Yuri's view.

"I summon Statue of Apega (ATK: 300 / DEF: 800 / LV: 4)!" Apophis summoned Statue of Apega in Attack Position.

"When Statue of Apega is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 5 Demon-Type Monster from my Deck!" Apophis summoned Archfiend Guillotine (ATK: 1400 / DEF: 200 / LV: 5) in Attack Position beside Apega.

"I activate Rise of the Demon Army's effect! By banishing it, all Level 5 or lower Demon-Type Monster I control can attack directly until the end of this Turn!" Apophis banished his Continuous Trap in his Graveyard, directing his two newly summoned monsters at Yuri whose mind was still in shambles.

Yuri was too late to realize at the incoming attack that he didn't have a chance to react. Statue of Apega, resembling a woman dressed in expensive clothing, appeared from behind the Predator Plants user and closed its arms. The monster's arms, hands, and breasts were covered with iron nails, crushing Yuri to it. Archfiend Guillotine then on Yuri's left side, cutting off his left arm that let out red particles of data like blood. Yuri's scream of pain was even worse than before. The stabbing pain coupled with his inner turmoil was crushing him.

YURI LP: 2000 = 300

"You don't have any reason to stay here where no one would forgive you. What's the point of staying? You can't atone anything when your very existence brought pain upon others." Apophis' voice echoed again, still hiding his form within the black mist while staring at Yuri who was holding his left arm that has been cut. If it were in the real life, he would be bleeding to death. Yuri was still standing, but he had grown weak from the attack.

"No! Shut up! Stop it!" Yuri shouted out. He didn't want to hear it. He didn't want to hear this any longer.

"There's only one way to atone for your sins."

Yuri gasped when some of the mist formed into his counterparts and the girls. They were all staring at Yuri resentfully, eyes filled with disappointment. Yuri was visibly shaken. He couldn't contain his emotions anymore. He took a few steps back as they continued to stare at him with those cold gazes. The words he was afraid to hear started coming out from their mouths one after another. And again, in his mind, he saw the people he had carded and killed. With their bloody faces, they come closer to him.

"You really can't do it after all."

"You're worthless."

"I'm tired of it. You're just a burden."

"It feels nice being away from you."

"You're the worst."

"You never learn."

"I hate you very much."

And then he was alone again, back in the pitch-black darkness that he always saw inside his dream. No. He wasn't exactly alone. In front of him stood his 11 years old self who was staring at him with disgust like seeing a bug that he wanted to smash. He looked indifferent of the pain he experienced like he deserved to be hurt that way.

"This is the first time I have seen someone as terrible and despicable as you are."

His younger self said to him with contempt filling his tone.

"Are you not ashamed to be alive?"

With that, Yuri shattered.

Yuri's body shook and a quiet sob leaked out from behind the hard line of his clenched teeth. He stumbled, overcome with sorrow and fell. His voice was noticeably missing. In its place was a whirlwind of fear and regret. Yuri shut down everything. He closed his heart, shutting down his connection to the others, to Apophis, to the whole world in general. He retreated as deep into his own mind as he could. It was all just too much. He couldn't do it anymore.

"I activate Statue of Apega's effect. By releasing it, and Archfiend Guillotine, I can add their ATKs to another Demon-Type Monster I control." Apophis finally emerged from the black mist, increasing his Link Monster's ATK to 3700.

"Battle. I attack Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon with Perpetual King Demon."

As Apophis declared, Perpetual King Demon gathered the whole black mist into its palms, forming a giant black energy sphere filled with so much malice and various negative emotions. The Link Monster rose up its arms, ready to throw the sphere at Yuri. Greedy Venom immediately stood in front of its master, howling at the Link Monster above. Even as the sphere was thrown, Yuri didn't do anything. He just sat there, eyes growing lifeless as each second passed. He didn't feel anything. Not the cry of his dragon when the sphere exploded, or the pain in his body as he was blown away.

All he knew was he was tired. He couldn't take this anymore.

YURI LP: 300 = 0

By the time Ryo arrived at the domain where Apophis was supposed to be, he found Yuri lying motionlessly on the ground. His clothes were all torn in tatters and bruises covering his whole body. But what bothered him the most was the tear-stained cheek on his face. Ryo stared hard at Yuri's unconscious form. He felt a seething pain in his chest when he saw Yuri like this. He has a strong urge to rush to him and embraced his former pupil in his arms. It pained him seeing like this.

"Oh, Ryo. You came just as the Duel finished." Apophis said, standing between Yuri and Ryo as he faced the latter. The moment their eyes met, Ryo looked away from both him and Yuri. The urge to go to Yuri got weaker. He didn't need to ask what Shiki had told him about their plan with Yuri. Seeing the boy's condition has confirmed it.

"How is the preparation offline?" Apophis asked Kurt who appeared behind him after the area cleared up, no longer dark. Not far from him were Zira and Dante who have been watching the whole thing and waited until it was finished.

"It's done. Tsukasa has made sure of it." Kurt informed.

"All that left is changing him into one of us now." Apophis said as he turned to Yuri. He then approached the unconscious boy. Sticking to his plan, he will make the boy his Duel Monster servant. The boy has already been filled with negative emotions, which means a great deal of negative energies. That would make him an ideal Duel Monster servant.

Ryo stretched his arm at Apophis' back, but didn't dare to make a move. He opened his mouth, not wanting the Dragon of Calamity to take another step closer to Yuri.

"Wait–"

Just before Ryo could speak, Apophis abruptly jumped back, dodging a snap of a torn whip from hitting him. This alerted the lieutenant and commander who quickly moved to cover Kurt and Apophis, eyeing sharply at where their master was nearly hit by the whip. And then, from above, Starve Venom crashed in, standing protectively in front of Yuri.

Standing on Starve Venom's palm was a beautiful girl with long wavy violet hair and green eyes. She has a yellow fringe, parted in the middle that falls below her eyes with longer sections framing her face. When she removed her blue robes, she wore a white suit with tassled accents and a ribbon from her shoulder to waist. Around her neck she wore a bow with a jewel at the center over an ascot. Attached to the jewel are two thin ropes that connect to the accent on her right shoulder. Under her blazer she has a dark colored waistcoat. She also wore thigh high boots.

"No way... That's...!" Dante trailed off when he noticed the girl.

"It's you, Starve Venom." Apophis addressed both the dragon and the girl calmly, not looking surprise by their entrance. If he did, he concealed it well.

"It has been a long time, Apophis." The girl greeted back while flinging her hair behind.

"And us too!"

Following Starve Venom and the girl were Ray and Hayabusa who arrived riding on Rise Falcon. They stood in front of the girl and Starve Venom, gesturing the two to tend to Yuri while they were facing their enemies. Having been worried for the Predator Plants user, the girl and the dragon checked on Yuri.

"Ray and Hayabusa." Dante stated while narrowing his eyes at Ray.

"I'm shocked to see you're still alive, Ray. I see now that you're the one who intercepted the transfer of the dragons and made them like this." Dante was genuinely surprised. He was positive he had her after he defeated her in a Duel a month ago. Even if she survived, his virus was supposed to render her into a coma. But she somehow managed to keep her consciousness online. Still, from the fact that Yukiya has been hunting him down to look for a way to save her, that means her real body was in a coma, which means the virus still affecting her to an extent.

"You have the removal program that can log me out of here, right? I'll be taking that from you." Ray demanded, staring sharply at Dante. She has finally found him.

"Only if you can." Dante replied, raising his Duel Disk. He was more than ready to duke it out.

"How is he?" Hayabusa asked the girl behind him.

"Not good. He is in state of shock. We have to get him out of here." She replied, embracing Yuri tightly but gently with great care in her arms. Starve Venom let out a faint crying sound; gently nudging its head to Yuri's who still won't wake up.

"You think we're going to let you go so easily?" Zira stated, raising her Duel Disk too.

"And now it's become rowdy. We leave them to you." Kurt said with a sigh before turning his back on them together with Apophis.

"How about Yuri?" Ryo asked.

"Once you're finished, we'll be back to change him. The preparation offline is more important. We have waited too long for this." Apophis replied sharply before turning to Kurt. His eyes were serious and so did Kurt.

"It is the time to fulfil the first part of our bargain." Apophis stated.

"I know. I've been waiting for this too." Kurt replied.

ALTAR – THIRD FLOOR – TEMPLE OF CALAMITY – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARTIFICIAL DIMENSION

Yuya, Serena, 'Odd-Eyes' and Celica have finally reached the third floor. When they arrived there, the first thing they saw were Yuri and Kurt lying unconscious on top of the altar with Tsukasa watching over them. Their bodies were chained, but Tsukasa was releasing them from it. When he realized their presence, Tsukasa flicked his fingers, summoning three devotees.

"That's Yuri and Kurt!" Yuya exclaimed, looking at his Fusion counterpart and the first-born prince.

"Why Kurt is also in the altar?!" Celica exclaimed. While they were concerned for Yuri, they were also bewildered by the fact Kurt was also chained to the altar. They could understand Yuri, but for what reason to place Kurt on the altar?

"Foolish question deserve no answer. It's time for you to die here." Tsukasa replied coldly, activating his Duel Disk.

Before they could make a move towards Yuri, the symbols and circles beneath the altar was shining red. Black smoke started oozing out following the red light, filling the entire altar, covering Yuri and Kurt's bodies. Serena attempted to reach for Yuri, but Yuya held her as they didn't know what would happen if they get into the altar now. From the smoke, Kurt came out first. However, there was something different about him.

"Kurt...?" Celica uttered uneasily. His blond hair and brown eyes turned full black. His skin was pale almost like a corpse. He threw away his glasses, stepping it on the ground. But what bothered her most was the sinister murderous presence coming from him that she knew supposed to only belong to one being.

"Finally, I have gained this body." 'Kurt' said with malicious smile while staring at his hands. He clenched them once and then twice to get the feeling of having a body. This was real.

Tsukasa and the three devotees quickly turned to 'Kurt'. To Yuya, Celica, and Serena's surprise, all four men kneeled to Kurt like he was their superior. In the devotees' case, how they went as far as touching their heads to the ground was like how they were worshipping their 'god'. And their one and only god was…

"I am glad for you, Your Excellency." Tsukasa said, addressing the black haired teen.

"W-what?" Celica's eyes hardened and so did Yuya and Serena. They were confused. The only being they would refer as 'Your Excellency' was Apophis. Only him and no one else. But yet they now were calling Kurt with that title.

Not finished with that, this time Yuri came out from the smoke. But similarly as Kurt, his eyes turned black. The color of his hair darkened. His was skin paler.

"Yuri!" Serena exclaimed. For a second, relief passed her chest, but dread quickly replaced it when 'Kurt' spoke to Yuri.

"How is that Yuri boy's body for you, Kurt?" He asked, referring Yuri with the first-born prince's name, confusing them Serena and the others further. Why 'Kurt' referred Yuri with his own name?

'Yuri' then smiled. That cocky smile resembled Yuri's, but Yuya and Serena knew better it was still different. There was something deeper in that smile that Yuri didn't have.

"I feel perfect." 'Yuri' replied.

'Yuri' straightened his collar. He removed the pendant hanging around his neck and threw it away, skidding it towards Serena. The indigo haired girl looked in disbelief at the pendant she gave to him as present. He threw it away just like that right in front of her. She kneeled, picking the pendant.

She stared up at 'Yuri' again who still has that wrong smile.

"Yu...ri...?"

Was this person really Yuri?


NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW:

Ascend of the Malevolent Army – Having taken control of Kurt's body, Apophis calls forth his armies to attack the Lancers who are guarding the airship. Kurt, who is possessing Yuri's body, reveals about the bargain he had made with Apophis.


This chapter is finally done! It's quite hard to write this one. I'm quite exhausted. The reason Shing vs. Reiji Duel ended in a Draw is the same as why Celica vs. Geist ended in a Draw in the previous chapter. But aside from that, I think Shing would make a good rival for Reiji, so I still want to keep him around.

Yuri fans, please don't throw rocks on me! I know this is painful for Yuri, but as I said, it's necessary for his character development! Have I done well making Apophis a cruel, sadistic, and hateful villain in this chapter? I want to make him a villain that would make you glad once he is dead. To make him that way, I even based some of his cards from torture devices.

About Starve Venom being a girl, this is my reason: Just because the Four Magicians are based on the Four Dragons, I don't think it means they are the dragons themselves in human form. Above all, I just can't imagine of Clear Wing of all dragons as a girl. I personally prefer Clear Wing as a boy. Starve Venom on the other hand is easy to imagine as both boy and girl, either one is fine. And I knew many of you thought Clear Wing would be a girl, and honestly, I thought it would be boring if it's too predictable so I make human Starve Venom a girl here.

If you are disappointed by my decision, then I am sorry. But please do understand that this is a fanfiction. People often write fanfiction to unleash what they wish to see but can't in the original work, and I am one of those people. I don't want to write something that is hard for me to write or what I dislike, and regret it afterwards. Ever since I started Bonds of Pendulum, I have decided to write the way I want and the way I like. Even when I'm putting comments and opinions of others into consideration, in the end, I still write what I think won't give me any regret.

Sorry for any error! Will be fixed later!

Please don't forget to review this chapter!