The semester at the Glass Palace ended and Yuri and his friends finally fulfilled the courses needed to go to Duelist Academy next year. Their graduation was the sensation of the city. Confetti and rice rained down on Rassay as Yuri and his friends were paraded through the white-cobbled streets on the back of a white wagon being led by Pegai, beautiful winged horses from Stas's kingdom of Monde. They walked into the Spire of the Kings to begin the coronation ceremony which lasted for hours.
The large doors of the throne room creaked open.
Yami looked down at Yuri and smiled joyfully. Though the day had come sooner than he had hoped, he felt relieved knowing that all his hard work and scheming to keep Yuri safe had finally paid off.
The baby boy he saw all those years ago, was now back and ready to fulfill his destiny as High King. Yugi came out of the Puzzle and stood next to Yami in his phantom form. Yuri could see Yugi and nodded at him while his little friend raised a thumb in congratulations.
Yami held the Red Dragon Crown high above Yuri's head. The Crown of the Prince.
Serenity wiped her tears away with a handkerchief as she watched Yuri, a boy so close to her heart she could have called him her son, get crowned by the King of Games.
Yami placed the Red Dragon Crown on Yuri's brow and said: "May his road to the Heart-Earth Crown be blessed by the Goddesses."
"Long Live the High King!" shouted Antilles.
"Long Live the High King!" the people shouted. "Long Live the High King!"
A man in elegant robes of saffron chased with silver bowed before Yuri.
"Your Grace," he said getting up. "I am Professor Rubeus Wyrmlord of the Academy of Rassay for Gifted Children. And today, two of my best students from the elementary level would like to duel before you as a gift for your new rule. And the winner will be selected to go to the esteemed School of Kings."
"You may begin," said Yuri.
Two little Edlori boys wearing their school uniforms came out of the crowd and bowed.
"Oh, they're so adorable," said Alexandra, standing in the crowd with her father and uncle.
The little boy with curly blond hair went red in the face and waved to the queen. They took their places before activating their Duel Disks.
"Duel!" they shouted.
They had 2000 Life Points.
"I will start first, Jacob," said the boy with curly blond hair named James. "I summon Beaver Warrior in attack mode and place one card face down."
Beaver Warrior
ATK/1200 DEF/1500
"You won't be going to the School of Kings playing monsters like that!" said Jacob. "I place two cards face down and then play Ray and Temperature in defense mode!"
A sun-looking monster took shape and almost filled the throne room. A wind with a face swirled around it.
Ray and Temperature
ATK/1000 DEF/1000
"My draw!" said James. "I summon The All-Seeing White Tiger!"
"Well," said Alexandra. "Doesn't that bring back memories."
"Yeah," Yuri said sadly. "Makes we want to go back even more."
"Don't worry, my love. You'll get what's coming to you and more."
The All-Seeing White Tiger
ATK/1300 DEF/500
"I will attack your Ray and Temperature with my Beaver Warrior!" James announced.
"I don't think so!" said Jacob, just as the Beaver Warrior was in mid jump, ready to slash the Sun and North Wind with his diamond-shaped sword. "Reveal face-down card, The Reliable Guardian! This spell card will boost my monster's defense by seven hundred points!"
The North Wind blew Beaver Warrior away and then shot another gust of wind at James, dealing five hundred damage to his Life Points. He now stood at 1500.
A dull applause from the crowd after all the ruckus had settled down.
"I play a card face down and end my turn," said James.
"I summon, Warrior Dai Grepher in attack mode!" shouted Jacob, after he drew his card, marking the beginning of his turn. His strong warrior came to the field wielding a magic sword of glowing blue steel and a guard and handle of gold.
Warrior Dai Grepher
ATK/1700 DEF/1600
"And now I activate my face down card, Reinforcements which I will use on my Ray and Temperature and boost their attack by five hundred points."
The two monsters attacked both of James's monsters for a combined total of seven hundred points, reducing James to 800 Life Points.
"Well, I can clearly see the winner here," Alexandra said, shoving a cupcake into her mouth from the platter beside her.
"Yeah, no doubt," said Yuri.
"My turn!" said James. He looked at his card. "Yes! I activate the ritual-spell card, War-Lion Ritual!"
"A ritual!" cried Jacob.
"That's right!" said James. "And I'm offering my Wolf Axewielder and my Silver Fang in order to summon Super War-Lion."
Wolf Axewielder and Silver Fang teleported to the field. Then a ghostly spirit in the form of a lion then manifested itself over the two monsters and grabbed them with its large clutches. It took their life forces and then became the creature.
The crowd gave another dull applause when the twelve-foot tall beast came onto the playing field.
A lion with tan fur and spots of dark brown with a long red mane roared and pounded its chest.
Super War-Lion
ATK/2300 DEF/2100
"Oh," said Alexandra. "I stand correct it. It looks like little James has the card to turn things around."
Yuri didn't answer her, for he felt his heart dropping sadly in his chest. The Super War-Lion was the monster card his old friend Nick went bonkers for. He remembered how crazy Nick went when the monster was too expensive for him to purchase. He missed his old friends so much.
Nick. Tyson. Carter. Patty; her little dog, Max. Jeannie…. And Crystal.
James attacked Ray and Temperature, dealing 1300 damage to Jacob. His Life Points dropped to 700 and then James ended the duel with Ookzai, a fiery spell that did 800 damage to a player's Life Points.
Jacob's points went to 0. He fell to his knees sadly. "No, how could I lose? I was so close to winning."
"James is the…" said Yuri. "I hate this. You two dueled amicably. You both can go to the school."
"Your Grace!" the two boys said happily. They then ran to each other and hugged, jumping up and down with joy.
Yuri went down from the throne and asked Yami to step down and join him.
"This day does not belong to just me, but to all who sacrificed everything to see this day come to fruition. But none sacrificed more than this man. Master Yu-Gi-Oh, my teacher and friend. It is thanks to him that I wear the crown and have been kept safe from those who would do me harm. And it is thanks to him that I have mastered Termnnia's most beloved game."
He held up his deck.
"I have encountered many duelists along my road here, but this man. He doesn't just play Duel Monsters. He is Duel Monsters!"
The crowd applauded.
"Yu-Gi-Oh means Game King. And this game is king around here. So, from henceforth. Duel Monsters will be known to men as…YU-GI-OH!"
Yuri held Yami's arm up high.
The crowd cheered loudly.
Kaiba was not all that pleased by the sound of that. "What?" he said. "Huh?"
"Not bad," said Mokuba, standing in the crowd with his group. "Has a nice ring to it."
When the sun had set and the guests made their leave, Yuri and his friends had wine in the balcony of the top floor watching the Bay of Kings glistening below them.
"Ah, Yuri-boy," said Pegasus. "I have someone who wants to meet you."
"Oh, hello there," Yuri said looking down at Jocelia. "What's your name?"
"Jocelia Pegasus, Your Grace," the baby angel said lifting the hem of her skirt to do curtsy. "Pleased to meet you."
"She's so cute!" squealed Alexandra. "Oh, Pegasus, she's so well brought up."
"Gets it from her mother," said Jocelia's knight-champion.
"Ser Tiberius the Lion Knight," said Alexandra. "Father has told me so many stories about you. To think you're this little angel's champion."
"I had to beat two-score of honorable knights to achieve that honor," said Tiberius.
"I knew your mother, Jocelia," said Alexandra, squatting down to look at her eye-to-eye. "She was a good woman."
"Thank you, Your Grace," said Jocelia.
Alexandra kissed the top of her head. "Pegasus, may I steal your daughter for a second. Girl talk."
Pegasus let out his creepy chuckle and stirred his wine cup. "Oh, by all means."
"Come, little one," said Alexandra.
"Yay," said Jocelia.
When they were gone, another group approached him. The Princess Evelyn and her friends. They greeted Yuri and bowed.
"You must be Evelyn!" said Yuri, "Just the person I wanted to see."
Evelyn stood up. Her love, Dancer, did as well and held her hand. "What could you want with me, Your Grace?" she asked.
Yuri stepped forward to get a better look at them. "Ezra is good friends with my future Court Magician, Phoenix. She told me of your predicament with your parents."
"Oh?"
"I know how it feels, princess," said Alexandra. "I've been pressured to marry many times in my life. No woman should have to go through something like that, especially under pain of death."
"Come with me," said Yuri.
"We'll be here," said Marcel.
Yuri led Evelyn to his office while Stas poured drinks.
"I am sorry, too," said Yuri. He sat down behind his desk, opened a drawer and took out a roll of parchment. He began to scribble something with a purple quill. "I know this isn't the same as having me for a husband, but remember, Ser Kevin Garat took your late brother's place as a Knight of the Royal Termnnian Table."
"Yes," said Evelyn.
"Therefore, Elleria is an ally to the crown. You and your country will be well protected under the guard of the armies of the alliance and the God Cards. I will see to it, that your country receives the aid it needs after so many years of war with the North and the Church, who are now under the watch of the Termnnian people."
"I hope she is all right," said Evelyn. "She became somewhat of a friend to me."
"Well, searching for True Dragons is perilous," said Yuri. "But she is strong and is surrounded by powerful allies. She'll be just fine." He put the paper into an envelope and sealed it with hot burgundy wax. He pressed down on it with a stamp bearing the symbol of the High King.
"I consider you and Ser Dancer my friends," he said, handing her the letter. "You both will be put under my care. Your treasury will receive five hundred thousand gold Star Chips every year so long as our Alliance is strong. And as I said earlier, your people will be under the guard of the God Cards. Show this to your parents and tell them that if anything happens to you, the Termnnian Alliance is over and they lose everything. The money. The armies. And the God Cards. Elleria is your home, and it shall be always."
"Oh, Yuri, I…"
"Hush, dearest," said Dancer. "The Crown Prince of Termnnia speaks."
Evelyn sobbed. "This...this is a dream come true. I...I don't know what to say."
"Don't say anything more, Evelyn," said Yuri. "I am loyal to my friends. I will never let them get hurt. You are free from your parents, who, might I add, are not fit to rule a country. Evelyn. I am putting you into power in Elleria."
"My parents would never…"
"Oh, they will. And they must. This is the order of the King of Kings. Well, future King of Kings anyway. If they have a problem with that, I'm sure they can take it up with the Big Five who are still waiting for their money."
He flicked his wrist while handing her the letter. Evelyn took the envelope.
"May you and Ser Dancer have a happy marriage, Evelyn. Rule well."
Evelyn's lips trembled, She hugged Yuri and gave him a peck on the cheek. "Thank you."
"Not a problem, Princess. Now come on, we've got a party in the kitchen and they're all waiting for us."
None of them found sleep that night. When the sun arose, they were herded into the dining hall by the senators for breakfast. Yuri found no peace while he had his meal, for photographers from Domino constantly snapped pictures of him and the girls of his group, dining together at the head of the table. It seemed surreal to see the High King, the queen, and the Knights of the Termnnian Table eating in their pajamas while celebrating their first day in office. Alexandra gave the photographers a peek of her shoulder for a tease. Yuri patted her on the forearm telling her to behave.
Soon Yugi and his gang arrived to join them. The cameras flashed so quickly it irritated Yuri. "ACK!" he screamed, shutting his eyes and blocking his face with his hand.
The Black Luster Soldiers shooed them all away to let the High King and his friends eat in peace. But that peace would not last long.
"My Lord!" a knight from the Royal Guard said coming into the dining hall with a basket.
"What's this?" asked Yuri.
"I bring urgent news from the South and from Thara."
"What is that?" said Jon, his wife, Summer, was sitting on his lap. Their son, Titus, was yanking the table mats. Jon, yanked them from the baby's grip and told him: "No. That's not a toy."
"Prince Hector and his forces are marching to the Kingslands. They have declared war on you."
Yami rolled his eyes. "That boy is a fool."
"I'll say, you have the God Cards!" said Jaeyoung.
"So what should we do?' asked Stas.
"We must ride against him!" said Ryon, slamming his fist on his palm. "That's what we must do!"
Yuri stood up. He heard many horrible things about his so-called cousin. The atrocities he committed in the Coastal Kingdoms have been ignored for far too long. "ASSEMBLE THE ARMY!" he announced.
The people in the throne room cheered. They were ready for war.
"Yuri," said Dancer. "It's going to take some time for our forces to prepare."
"I know," said Yuri. "So, I need you to lead a fighting force of Black Luster Soldiers and Buster Bladers to hold them back until we can assemble our forces."
"How many can you spare?" Dancer asked.
"All of them," said Yuri.
"You can't do that, Your Grace," said Peter. "We need the city protected."
"The city has its guard does it not?" said Antilles.
"Yes, but Rassay's enemies do not fear the guard they fear the Black Luster Soldiers."
"There are still the Seven Swords Warriors guarding the city," said Antilles.
"And I can have Bruton protect the skies," said Alexandra. "Oh, do send for him, uncle. I haven't seen my Des Volstgalph in a while."
"So be it," said Peter. "Young King, I hope you know what you're doing."
"Go, Dancer," said Yuri. "Assemble your forces."
"At your command Your Grace," said Dancer.
Dancer
"You're postponing our wedding?" Evelyn sobbed at Dancer, both still living in their private villa atop the city of Rassay.
"I really don't want to do this with you, Evelyn," Dancer said using a whetstone to sharpen his sword in front of the balcony with a grand view of the Rassay Colosseum where Yuri would oversee a Duel Monsters and jousting tournament before he left the city to go to war with his cousin, Hector.
"A carriage back to Elleria has already been prepared for you," Dancer said. "See that you take it."
"Dancer, I can't go back without you?"
"You have Yuri's note, do you not?" He put the sword back into its scabbard. And got up to prepare his gear for the games. "You'd best leave. I'm not going to continue fighting with you about this, Evelyn."
"But you promised me that…"
"Things have changed!" Dancer shouted, silencing her. The vast halls amplified his shout twofold giving the Knight of Wine and Songs more authority over Evelyn.
Evelyn's lips trembled. She crossed her arms and quickly made an about-face to turn her back on him.
"King Stefan has betrayed us," said Dancer. "Evelyn, not only are we at war with the North again, but we're fighting against the Church of Yeyu now. However, we have a High King who can deal with them."
"There are plenty of warriors to go fight against Guy in his stronghold!" shouted Evelyn. "Why you?"
"Because I am a soldier of Termnnia!" said Dancer. "These are orders from Yuri, and I am loyal to my High King. Besides, the princes have departed earlier today. They have ridden to their homes to collect their forces."
"A letter to their fathers cannot suffice?" Evelyn asked.
"It's not that simple, love," Dancer said, coming from behind to hug her. Evelyn swatted him away.
"Don't touch me!" she said, turning around furiously to glare at him.
"My friends are in command of the armies now," said Dancer. "That was the terms of the alliance. Remember, Master Yu-Gi-Oh promised the kings of Termnnia protection under the guard of the God Cards on the condition they surrender control of the armies to their sons."
"I know about the alliance!" spat Evelyn.
"I'll be fine," he said looking into her eyes.
Evelyn blushed, smiled, and turned away. She could not resist his dark brown eyes sparkling like a chocolate diamond. It was his best weapon to use against Evelyn when she was angry.
"Ah, I've got you," he chuckled.
"I hate it when you do that," she giggled. "Just promise me, everything will be okay. Promise me that you'll come home. I want to marry you so badly."
"And we will be married, my love. You have no reason to fear your parents anymore. It pains me that they put you up to this."
"And Yuri, too," said Evelyn. "I have never felt so embarrassed."
"Well, put that behind you now, Evelyn. You are the Queen of Elleria now."
"Could you do me a favor, dearest?" Evelyn asked.
"Anything."
"Spend your last night before your ride to battle with me."
"I can't think of a better way to celebrate knocking down the competition than an evening with you."
Trumpets blared from the Grand Colosseum of Rassay. They both could hear the crowd cheering from within its massive walls of stone with carvings of ancient duelists and knights along the walls. The colorful banners waving atop the building waved gleefully against the beautiful blue sky.
"It's so huge," said Evelyn, walking towards the balcony. She placed her hands on the limestone railing covered with emerald green vines.
"You're going to fight the best knights in Emboldor in that?" she asked.
"No," Dancer answered, coming from behind her and kissing her neck. "I'm going to beat the best knights in Emboldor in that."
Yuri
"All hail High King Yuri!" shouted a herald from the King's Balcony once Yuri entered his private seating with the family from House Dragonheart behind him.
Alexandra got a few complementary whistles as she glimmered beside Yuri in a cape of gold and wearing a white leotard with flowery designs. Her hair went down her left shoulder in a long braid.
Yami, Seto, Mokuba, Pegasus with Jocelia in hand and Tiberius and Gekko following.
Alexandra's uncles' Peter and Antilles strolled in after them. Her cousin, Dalaris Dragonslayer surprisingly came out with them as well.
"Cousin!" said Alexandra, taking her seat beside Yuri. "When did you get here?"
"Not that long ago," Dalaris responded, sitting with Antilles. She looked at Yuri and bowed. "High King of Termnnia. What an honor."
"Thank you," said Yuri. "So tell me, Dalaris, why do they call you Dragonslayer?"
"Isn't the name obvious, Your Grace?" Antilles answered brusquely. "She killed a True Dragon in her youth."
"No kidding?" said Yuri. "And what kind of dragon was it?"
"That is a topic best left alone," Antilles said, silencing Dalaris with a wave of his hand before she spoke.
"Forgive me, Your Grace," Dalaris said bowing. "Family matters."
"We are family now are we not?"
"By marriage, yes," Antilles said, turning to look at Yuri. "But the grim tale of my daughter and the True Dragon she has slain is a farce best kept within our flesh and blood."
"I-I understand, Antilles," said Yuri. "I did not mean to offend."
"There are some secrets in this world that are better left unsaid," said Antilles. "Pardon me, Your Grace. I did not mean to snap at you, but it is a very delicate business."
The people hooted and whistled once Mai followed dressed in a gown of white with a headdress peacock feathers.
"My Lady, you look most exquisite this day," said Peter.
"That's putting it mildly," Ricky agreed, hopping up and down, Yuri's armored shoulder.
"Easy," Yuri whispered. "You misbehave and I'm throwing you outside."
"You are too kind Councilor," Mai said, sitting beside the small man. "Yuri must have a lot of confidence in you to have named you Councilor, the Left Hand of the King."
"One day," he assured her as he poured himself wine with a glass pitcher, "one day, My Lady, I will move onward to the Right Hand."
"Is that so?" said Mai. "And how soon may that be Little Man?"
Peter looked at her with cunning in his grin and in his beady brown eyes. "Soon."
"So, what's the objective to this, Master?" Yuri asked, leaning towards Yami.
"The jousters chestplates carry 1500 Life Points. Each hit from the opponent's lance is minus five hundred Life Points. The one who deducts their opponent's Life Points, or, knocks them off their horse is the winner."
"That's all?" Yuri asked.
"No, that's not all," said Seto Kaiba. "The knights each select one monster to join them in the tilt. The monster appears next to them as a Phantom. It forces the jousters to think on their feet because the monsters will attempt to knock the riders off as well."
"How do you defend against a monster?" Yuri asked.
"That's up to the knight," said Seto. "There is no magic way to get them not to dehorse you."
A roar of trumpets blasted across the arena. The herald stood and made his announcement.
"Presenting the first tilt of the evening! From the East Gate! I present to you, Ser Dancer of the House Firewing, The Knight of Wine and Song!"
Dancer rode out into the stadium atop his white armored stallion. There were silver bells jangling on the beautiful snowy white mane. He wore his silver armor as he usually does when he jousts.
"Yeah, Dancer!" Yuri cheered.
"You seem rather excited," said Pegasus. "Have you ever seen a Duel Monsters joust before?"
"A Duel Monster's Joust?" Yuri asked.
"By that expression, I guess not," Pegasus chuckled.
"Don't spoil the fun, Pegasus," said Antilles. "Let Yuri enjoy the surprise."
"And presenting, from the West Gate," cried the herald. "The Captain of the Guard himself, Joey Wheeler come forth and prove your worth!"
"O, joy," grumbled Seto.
Joey came riding out of the gates atop a black warhorse in jet black armor resembling a Red-Eyes Black Dragon.
Joey was armored from head to heel in colossal black enameled plate which faded to dark red on the trim. His head covered in his helmet crested with a Red-Eyes Black Dragon mounted on top enameled black with red sparkling rubies for eyes. He had a long black cape with red on the underside fastened to his gorget. The lance he carried was black with the top carved into a Red-Eyes Black Dragon's head with glowing red eyes and red smoke spewing from its mouth.
He held up his lance as his horse took a few laps around the stadium sands so the crowd could admire him.
They cheered and whistled for him. Then, Dancer and Joey walked in circles around each other.
"It's going to be hard for Dancer to unseat that," Alexis said, sitting in the front row with Evelyn.
Evelyn nodded in agreement.
"Joey Wheeler may have been a legend back in his day," said Antoine, "but this is Dancer's time now. There is no better knight to pass the torch to."
"You seem so sure," said Ezra.
Phoenix, who sat beside her laughed at Antoine's confidence in Dancer. "We shall see if Dancer has what it takes to dehorse the champion of the colosseum," she said.
"Oh boy!" said Jocelia. "Ser Dancer Firewing sure is handsome!"
"You have already chosen a favorite?" Alexandra asked. "Come, sit with me, little one."
"May I sit with Princess Alexandra, papa?" Jocelia asked sweetly.
"I don't see why not," Pegasus said letting Jocelia take her seat with the king and queen.
"Did you go to school with him?" Jocelia asked as Alexandra picked her up and seated her on her lap.
Dancer finished trotting around the sands with his white stallion and then he reached into a compartment in his cape and placed something on the tip of his lance. He rode to the King's Balcony and handed whatever it was to Evelyn.
The crowd erupted with playful laughter when they saw that Dancer was presenting her a white lace garter with blue silk butterflies.
Evelyn blushed and laughed while hid her face in her hands before she took the token. She lifted her dress and put her leg on the railing to put it on in front of Dancer.
The crowd applauded. Women cried; heartbroken that the arguably most handsome knight in Termnnia had already found his love in the Ellerian princess.
"Their romance never ceases to amaze me," said Yuri.
"Will you ever be that romantic with me, Your Grace?" Alexandra teased.
Evelyn blew Dancer a kiss before the trumpets blared again announcing the start of their tilt.
"Aren't they a wonderful couple!" shouted the herald. "May Ana bless their marriage for years to come. And now, riders, take your positions!"
Joey and Dancer shook hands and then rode off to their places on the lanes. Once they got there, the crowd cheered loudly, for now, was the time to choose a monster.
Joey held out his arm and then a Duel Disk magically morphed from his vambrace. Dancer did the same as well.
"I summon!" shouted Joey, holding up his card, "Meteor Black Comet Dragon!"
The crowd cheered and children screamed in a panic once the Phantom of the mighty beast took form beside Joey.
"What the!" cried Yuri. "Look at the size of that thing!"
"Joey's a champion jouster," said Yami. "Once a rider reaches that level he or she can summon anything they want."
"How is Dancer going to defend himself against that!" Yuri asked.
"Let's see," said Alexandra.
Jocelia squeaked with excitement of her lap. Alexandra kissed the top of her head.
"Dancer!" shouted the herald. "Choose your monster!"
Dancer nodded. "I choose a Fusion Summon!" he shouted, holding up two cards.
Kanan the Swordmistress and Firewing Pegasus. The cards started glowing blue and he crossed them over one another for the fusion summon.
Kanan appeared riding atop Firewing Pegasus, save its hair was white and its flaming wings and mane were bright blue. Kanan had a long ponytail and wore racy armor of silver plate with a short, glittery white cape. She held out her sword and it was engulfed in blue flames.
"Behold!" shouted the herald. "Dancer summoned Lady Kanan the Knight of the Firewing as his monster!"
A horn blew.
Joey's dragon roared and Kanan's steed neighed loudly.
The two riders lowered their lances and then charged. The dragon caused the stadium to shake violently with each step. It opened its mouth, ready to devour Dancer who was gaining speed down the lanes. The young knight didn't seem to care. Kanan rode from behind and used her sword to scare Meteor Black Comet Dragon away.
Joey emerged from a wall of flames left behind from the fiery wings of the dragon he summoned. Dancer was so confused. His confidence faded. One moment he saw Meteor Black Comet Dragon get scared off and going to battle Kanan and the next there was Joey.
WHAM!
"Ugh!" Dancer cried out. Joey's lance hit him hard on the chest.
Evelyn stood from her seat and cried out in shock. A direct hit, but Dancer was strong enough to remain atop his horse. Still, he took a hit and his Life Points went down to 1000.
"Hut, hut, hut, hut!" Joey shouted, calling back his dragon.
The dragon roared and backed off. Kanan, made a clicking sound to get her fiery-winged steed to trot back alongside Dancer.
"Oooooooh," went the crowd as Dancer and Joey charged at one another again. The Comet Dragon stomped at Dancer again and raised his claw ready to swipe him away.
Dancer wanted to shield himself from the oncoming attack but he knew if he took his eyes off of Joey for a second he would get another strike to the chest and lose more Life Points, or the tilt itself if he got knocked off his horse.
And Joey was coming in faster and more determined to knock young Dancer off the horse.
Kanan and her steed jolted past Dancer. She slashed the dragon in the hand sending him away.
Now it was Dancer and Joey alone.
"Come on Dancer!" Antoine cheered, clapping his hands. "Knock his ass off!"
WHACK!
Both lances missed their mark, though Joey took a hit on his shield. They got into position and charged again.
"Oooooooh!" went the crowd again.
Their monsters tried again to cause distraction, but Dancer was so used to the battles they had that his eyes were now glued onto Joey.
But then Meteor Black Comet Dragon's tail got in the way for what felt like a second. And like a curtain rising, the tail lifted and revealed Joey.
WHAM!
Direct hit on Dancer. Another 500 points lost. Now the young knight was at 500. One more hit and he was done. He needed to get Joey dehorsed if he hoped to make it to the next round.
Dancer felt like his chest was going to burst. Joey was a heavy hitter and the dragon-headed lance being pushed by such momentum was like taking a bullet to the chest.
"My Lady," said Dancer to Kana. "I need you to fight your hardest. Keep that dragon off me."
Kanan nodded in agreement.
Joey and Dancer then rode to their lanes and charged again. Their horses galloped with all their might.
Their monsters were ready to attack.
The Meteor Black Comet Dragon roared and stomped toward Dancer. Kanan galloped by, and slashed the creature back then attempted to hit Joey with her shield. It distracted him enough for Dancer to aim and make his mark.
WHAM!
"AW GEEZ!" Joey shouted, taking a direct hit on the chest.
The crowd jeered. The women jumped to their feet and started chanting Dancer's name. Dancer's stallion trotted around the sands victoriously. He held out his arms, hands still clutching his sword and shield, and waved to the crowd while giving a mighty battle cry.
"YES!" shouted Evelyn. She clapped.
"Yeah!" cheered Antoine. "That's what I'm talking about!"
"Don't get cocky, young knight," Alexandra said over Jocelia's happy cries.
"Did you see, Your Grace!" Jocelia said looking at Yuri. "Did you see!"
"I think Ser Dancer has just gained an admirer," said Alexandra.
Again, Joey and Dancer took place at the end of the pavilion.
"Ooooooh!" went the crowd.
WHACK!
"NYEH!" Joey shouted as he flipped off his horse and fell to the ground.
"Ser Dancer is the victor!" shouted the herald.
The crowd got on their feet and the phantom monsters vanished. Dancer removed his helmet and dropped his weapons. He walked about in circles basking in the admiration of the crowd. He looked at the balcony to see his love. She was jumping with joy, blowing him kisses.
Joey got up and massaged his collarbone. It snapped from the fall, but Elvish medicine would make it heal in the morning.
"Congratulations," said Joey, shaking hands with Dancer. "Looks like I just passed da torch."
"Thank you, Joey," Dancer went to his knees. "Thank you for an honorable tilt."
Dancer had only a few moments to rest before his next match. He jousted against the best knights in Rassay and was the finalist.
He, again, basked in the crowd's admiration after he toppled Ser Degor Redwood the Wasp of Buckletree.
Again, he looked to the King's Balcony to look upon the loving face of his future wife, so full of joy she was shedding tears.
"FOR YOU!" he shouted, dramatically pointing at her.
He then noticed something. There was an empty seat in the balcony. Another blare of trumpets thundered across the Colosseum.
"AND NOW!" shouted the herald. "Ser Dancer, you have faced the best knights in the country. For this, you have earned the honor of fighting the one and only Eradicator of Anubis!"
"What?" Dancer gasped, losing all his breath.
Evelyn looked around in the King's Balcony and spotted the empty seat.
The trumpets thundered again as the West Gate opened. Rose petals fell like red rain onto the sands.
The crowd erupted into a loud and booming applause as a knight in gold, gem-encrusted armor with a white cloth-of-gold cape and a sword of light-forged steel entered the arena.
"YURI!" shouted Dancer. "The prize of the tournament is a fight with you?"
"Indeed," said Yuri. "I need a warm up before going into battle. And who better to spar against than the best knight in Elleria and Emboldor. The Champion of the Grand Colosseum. Not many people have risen to the rank of Champion in Termnnia. It is a title only few warriors have been blessed with. If you beat me, you could skip to the rank of Legend."
"Your Grace," said Dancer. "I could hurt you?"
"HA! Does that mean you think you're better than me?" Yuri sneered flipping his sword around in circles with his wrist.
His shield had gold wings and gold spikes with a mirrored surface that had the insignia of the High King embedded in diamonds. His name was laser engraved onto the surface.
"Yuri don't do this?" Dancer begged.
"Don't go easy on me, Dancer," said Yuri. "If I detect you're not at your best, I will kill you in front of Evelyn."
"What's gotten into you?"
"Life is not fair," Yuri moaned sadly. "Just when you think you mean something in this world, you learn you are just a pawn in someone else's game."
"What are you talking about, Yuri?"
"I'm going to miss you, Dancer. Let's put up a good fight. Could you at least give me that? The honor of having a great fight?"
"What are you talking about, Yuri?"
"See to it that Lady Avi is taken care of. We need her now more than ever."
He walked to Dancer and whispered something in his ear.
"What do you suppose they're saying?" Phoenix asked.
"I wish I knew," said Evelyn. "But do mine eyes deceive me? Or is Dancer sobbing?"
"Probably fighting my husband is too much for him," Alexandra said sitting next to Evelyn.
Jocelia followed to join them and sat again on Alexandra's lap. "Wow," she said, "I hope one day I'll marry a handsome knight in golden armor like Yuri!"
"Perhaps you will, little one." Alexandra kissed the top of her head again and patted it.
"My Dancer is no coward, Your Grace," said Evelyn. "I think the honor of them fighting in a stage such as this is emotional. Dancer has always wanted to fight in this arena since he was a boy squiring for Ser Mandred the Black Paladin of Elleria. He just dehorsed the Captain of the Guard, Joey Wheeler, a soldier he has admired since childhood. Now he faces one of his dearest friends, and the High King. Yuri."
"They shake hands," said Alexandra. "What do you say, Evelyn? A thousand gold Star Chips on my husband."
"Hah! You're on. I wager a thousand on mine."
"It was an honor, Daveed." Dancer blinked his tears away. "I wish there was another way."
"Let's do this," said Yuri. "But we won't be fighting alone."
He raised his sword to the air and summoned Black Tyranno.
Dancer took a few steps back, put on his helmet and then summoned Legendary General Kanan.
"My Lady Kanan," Yuri whispered.
Kanan the Swordmistress' other form smiled and bowed.
Yuri put on his helmet. It was winged at the sides and the top crested with gold statues of Obelisk, Slifer and Ra. A long white plume protruded from behind them and arched down to Yuri's back.
"Ready, Yuri!" shouted Dancer. He unsheathed his twin black blades. "I'm going to give this all I've got."
Black Tyranno roared as he stood behind Yuri.
"Good!" shouted Yuri. "Because if you do, Evelyn's going to be a widow before she even gets married."
Yuri and Dancer circled one another in the sands. Dancer elegantly spun his swords around to try and catch Yuri off guard. Black Tyranno snarled taking gigantic steps that mimicked Yuri's. Legendary General Kanan banged her sword on her tower shield.
Dancer made the first move. Yuri blocked his first sword with his light-forged blade. The divine sword sparked from the impact.
The crowd cheered, pleased that the match was finally taking place.
Dancer attempted to attack with his other sword, but Yuri blocked it with his shield. Kanan attempted to get Yuri from his exposed left flank but she was swatted away by Black Tyranno's tail.
It roared triumphantly.
Yuri kicked Dancer in the chest and backed up allowing Black Tyranno to step forward to make an attack.
Dancer rolled out of the way as the jaws snapped, missing him by inches. He performed another graceful roll under the dinosaur Duel Monster and double slashed both of Black Tyranno's ankles with an elegant spin.
Black Tyranno roared and fell to the ground. Dust flew all around him.
"Oh!" groaned the crowd. Amazed that Dancer handled himself well against Yuri's signature creature.
As Dancer basked in the realization he injured Black Tyranno, Yuri took the moment to strike.
Dancer saw this and blocked. More sparks from Yuri's blade erupted all around them.
"An impressive youth, that Dancer," said Antilles. "He fought like a lion throughout the entire tournament and still has the strength to battle Yuri with such ferocity.
"Shall I consider him as a Sword of the King?" Peter suggested.
"And get in the way of young love?" Mai asked, referring to Evelyn who was sitting in front of her. "Highly unlikely."
"He and I are to be wed after the war, Councilor," said Evelyn.
"Ah, yes," said Peter. "My apologies, princess. Or should I say Regent of Elleria, considering Yuri just ousted both your parents from power."
"It is time someone did," said Ser Kevin, standing alone in the shade. "The King of the Rock did not serve his country well."
"Forcing you to marry the High King?" scoffed Daralis. "How imprudent."
"As is the mind when twisted by greed," said Evelyn. "I can only hope they accept this bit of news well."
"They should, love," said Alexandra. "It is the command of the High King. And if anything happens to you they will lose all benefits of Master Yu-Gi-Oh's alliance, so why should you worry?"
"My parents aren't accustomed to change," said Evelyn. "Have those Star Chips ready, Your Grace. My husband is beating yours."
Meanwhile, down below, Yuri was blocking attacks from both Kanan and Dancer while Black Tyranno was doing his best to get up.
He bashed Kanan in the face with his shield and kicked Dancer in the stomach and then spun away to get a good distance from them. Black Tyranno got back on his feet and roared behind Yuri.
The stadium shook from the mighty roar. Yuri stood still like a statue and banged his sword on his shield, demanding a challenge from Dancer.
The crowd cheered at Yuri's skills and Black Tyranno's fortitude.
Yuri bowed for the crowd, causing them to get up on their feet and cheer loudly.
"You did not think it would be that easy, did you?" Alexandra teased.
"It seems they're both evenly matched," said Jocelia.
Yuri then clung to his sword from the blade and started slashing at Dancer with his sharpened guard and pommel.
"Half-swording," said Pegasus. "Well, well. Those Aurelians taught Yuri prodigiously."
"Aren't you enjoying the games, Kaiba?" Yami asked, holding a cup of fruit juice.
"I could settle for a good duel right about now," Seto scoffed.
"There's more to life than dueling, Kaiba," said Tristan.
"Not for a Kaiba," said Seto.
He closed his eyes, remembering that was what he taught Cora. Goddesses only knew where she was right about now. Had Ms. Goldwine found her? He hoped not.
Yuri blocked a flurry of attacks from Dancer with his shield. Black Tyranno lunged for Dancer causing him to back away and letting Yuri spin to safety.
He was doing something with his sword.
"Is Yuri unscrewing the pommel?" Dalaris asked.
"What on Earth is he doing?" asked Peter.
Yuri finally unscrewed the pommel from his sword and tossed it at Dancer. It bounced off his helmet and plopped to the sand.
The crowd groaned with a million cringes.
Dancer stood rooted to the spot.
"What. Was. That?" Dancer asked.
"He did not just do what I think he did, did he?," groaned Antilles.
"What was that excellent display of swordsmanship, brother?" Peter asked.
"Yuri...tried Ending Him Rightly." Antilles face-palmed himself.
"Ha," said Yuri. "That doesn't work after all."
Jocelia closed her eyes when she saw Dancer attempting to slash Yuri's back. Black Tyranno rammed the young knight with his head and sent him flying a yard away.
Dancer rolled to a stop.
"Uh, excuse me," Mokuba said timidly. "May I sit here, Miss Jocelia."
"Just call me Jocelia, silly."
"Uh, thank you? Can I…can I kiss your hand?"
Jocelia blushed and let Mokuba kiss it as he asked.
"I know I may not look it," he said, still clutching her hand, "but I'm a pretty good fighter too."
"You are good with that sword?" Jocelia asked, pointing at Mokuba's red, jeweled, flame-bladed shortsword, called a flamberge.
He personally named it Dragonbreath, because the wavy sword came out of the brass head of a dragon with its mouth opened.
"Yeah, my older brother, Seto, hired a private instructor for me. I can do half the moves that Ser Dancer and High King Yuri are doing down there. And I'm a pretty good Yu-Gi-Oh player too! I…I could be your knight."
"But you're not a knight," said Jocelia.
"No, not yet, but you're a Lady, right? You could knight me. I could be your sworn protector."
"You sure you want to serve the daughter of the man who once took your soul, Mokuba?" Alexandra asked rudely.
"She's not the one who did it!" snapped Mokuba. "And last I checked this did not concern you!"
"We shall see," said Jocelia. "But if you want to be my knight you have to do whatever I tell you and come with me wherever I go. That's what a true knight does."
"Of course!" said Mokuba with a salute.
"You are to refer to me as My Lady," said Jocelia.
"What!" shouted Mokuba.
"Those are the rules, Mokuba," said Mai. "Knights always refer to their lady fair as My Lady."
"Yes, My Lady," said Mokuba.
"Don't forget to bow," commanded Jocelia.
"You're not going to make things easy for me, are you?" asked Mokuba.
"You think we make our husband's lives easy?" Alexandra asked.
Evelyn nodded with agreement.
"If you can last two days as my gentleman," said Jocelia (Ooooh! Went the crowd as Yuri and Black Tyranno both knocked Kanan and Dancer on their backs) "I will knight you and buy you proper armor. I will not be served by a knight in glittery raiment."
"It's not what a man wears that makes a knight," said Mokuba.
"No," Jocelia said with a giggle, "but it's always been my dream to be guarded by a knight in shining armor."
"That's enough, children," said Evelyn. "The fight intensifies."
"And things go in my Yuri's favor," Alexandra said and then bit into an apple.
"Just watch," boasted Antoine, "My friend Dancer is going to make Yuri cry for a yield!"
Yuri blocked another of Dancer's attacks with his shield. Dancer grunted; for the blade got stuck. Yuri took this time to thrust his shield to the right and tossed Dancer's second sword away.
"You were saying?" said Alexandra.
Thump! Thump! Thump! Yuri pounded his sword on his shield yet again to taunt Dancer.
Dancer and Yuri fought for nearly two hours before they collapsed to the ground exhausted.
"Damn," Yuri panted from inside his helmet. "There's no stopping you is there?"
"I can say the same about you." Dancer sat up and removed his helmet. "I think we should call it a draw."
"Yeah, I think if I can stand my ground against you for this long, those soldiers in my cousin's army stand no chance."
"Both fighters can no longer commence!" shouted the herald. "This match is a draw!"
The crowd stood up on their feet and applauded.
Black Tyranno and Legendary General Kanan disappeared.
"If what you say is true," said Dancer. "Then I suppose I shall wait and see how the next turn of events unfold in the academy."
"Speak of this to no one," said Yuri.
"You have my word, Your Grace," said Dancer. "I am sorry your path must lead you down a dark road. But there is always a light in the end. I pray you find it and discover peace."
"Thanks, Dancer. Oh, and do get your deck prepared for the academy. There are going to be a score of new cards coming out and we both need to prepare for them. Especially that new guy Yusaku and his Link Summoning."
"Until that time comes let us relish this moment together, my friend!"
Dancer and Yuri stood up from the sand. They raised their arms up in triumph.
Evelyn
Evelyn sat behind her desk, fixing her deck by the glow of a candelabra. As she worked on new strategies to use for the new semester at the academy, she listened carefully for any sign of him. All her ears could pick up was the sound of crickets and cicadas in the Star Garden outside her room. She heard the door knock. Evelyn's heart skipped a beat. She hoped with every fiber of her being that it was him. Surely enough, Dancer came into view. He greeted her with a smile. He wore a white loose shirt which was opened to reveal his chiseled chest causing Evelyn to feel excitement.
She stood up from her desk and put her cards away. Evelyn looked at him and smiled back.
She wore a white see-through gown that sparkled when she exposed herself to the moonlight. Underneath the gown, she wore nothing. Seeing her naked body through the veil of the dress, Dancer felt himself growing hard like his sword. Evelyn's hair was curled and speckled with white silk flowers. The both of them walked slowly towards each other. The necklace around Evelyn's neck, a gift from Dancer for her birthday, shimmered like a thousand embers. Dancer ran his fingers through Evelyn's curls. Evelyn let out a coo like a dove and rested her cheek on his hand. Her eyelashes flapped like the wings of a raven, tickling Dancer's hand. She pressed his hand closer to her face and rocked back and forth.
Dancer slowly raised his hands and fondled her breasts as he kissed her, then slid his fingers down her belly to her womanhood. Evelyn shivered, feeling his fingers tickle her lips. Dancer helped her pull the gown over her head. Bumps began to form on her skin when she felt the wind cool her body dripping with sweat. Dancer wrapped his arms around Evelyn and grasped her buttocks before he lifted her and carried her to bed to mount her. Evelyn's yelp were soft and petit. She grasped her sheets with all her might, feeling pleasure and the force of Dancer's obelisk-like manhood penetrate her from behind. He smacked her buttocks to excite her, then bent down and kissed her back before he ran his tongue down her spine. When he found his pleasure, he gasped and roared like a mighty dragon, filling her with his seed.
Dancer
The rumble of a hundred thousand horse riders thundered in the morning light. Sitting atop his stallion Dancer took out a black handkerchief from his cape. It belonged to Evelyn. The fabric contained her sweet scent. He gave it a long sniff and wrapped it around the guard of his sword. He kissed his blade and awaited Naafina's instructions. She rode towards him on the back of a white stage with polished steel plates on the torso to shield its heart from arrows.
Joey and Ren were on either side of him atop their horses. The Buster Bladers stood with them. Dancer was amazed at their size, even from the top of his stallion. The warriors were as tall as a full-grown man on a horse.
"I don't think we can survive that," Ren said coldly.
Hector's Cavalry began to speed up. The horsemen in the distance made a cheer as loud as an arena. A huge cloud of dust erupted all around them as the riders picked up speed.
Dancer looked at one of his bannermaids and gave a nod. The bannermaid raised her flag and waved it.
"Four hundred yards!" shouted Dancer.
"Ankala galai!" shouted the Ellerian battlemaiden.
"Ankala galai!" echoed the archers.
They raised their white bows.
"Hold!" shouted Dancer.
"Anto!" the battlemaiden echoed. "Eran!" She ordered her soldiers to let her arrows fly.
The arrows were released and took to the air.
Dancer looked at the sky and saw the arrows blackening the sky like a flock of birds. The arrows pierced into the enemy.
Though the enemy had lost many of their riders, their momentum did not stop. Still they kept charging. The ground rumbled with their charge. The flags bearing the colors of many knights and soldiers of numerous Emboldorian houses were starting to come clearer.
"Three hundred!" shouted Dancer.
"Entrela galai!"
The arrows released again. More riders fell. The horses who got struck flipped and fell to the ground causing many more horses to tumble.
Despite their losses, they still kept coming. The riders raised their weapons. The steel of their swords, axes, clubs, spears, and halberds shimmered in the light of the sun.
"Two hundred!" shouted Dancer. "Form ranks! Prepare for the charge!"
The last of the arrows flew and then Ren led a battalion of riflemen to the front. They placed a line of shields and used the curves to rest their rifles.
"Make each shot count!" Ren commanded. "Small bursts only."
Dancer held his breath, hoping Ren's force would decimate the incoming riders. The rifles popped.
The first two rows of riders fell dead and the ground eagerly drank their blood. But they kept on with their charge.
Goddesses! Dancer thought. Would nothing stop them?
The soldiers of Hector's army now charged over the hill. Ren and his riflemen ran back into the ranks and left their shields behind, for they contained explosives which decimated the enemy numbers.
The limbs of man and horse flew into the air with the column of smoke and debris. And yet still, they kept on with their charge. It was time to meet them head on.
Dancer led the charge. Three hundred of his knights. One thousand Buster Bladers. Two hundred Nymph riders and at least twenty-three hundred mercenary knights on the rear.
Their small force against ninety-thousand horsemen. And there were still two million more soldiers probably making their way over the hills by now.
Dancer couldn't help but smile. Would this be the last he would see of the day. If so he looked at the sky, prayed to the Antalai the Goddess of War, and bid Evelyn farewell if he would fall.
The riders he led formed long rows of two. Then, as they got closer to the enemy riders, they broke the rows and formed a large wall.
The Gray Hills echoed with a fierce battle cry from both factions. The riders under the flag of King Hector formed a mile-long pincer formation on both sides of Dancer's fighters before they completely encircled them.
For a moment, time stood still for Dancer. All he could hear was his heavy breathing from inside his ebony helm.
WHACK!
The Knights of the Reach plowed through two rows of the enemy ranks before they fell off their own steeds.
One of the warriors within the ranks of Hector's Calvary was Ser Merlon the Monstrous. He was dressed from head to heel in dark gray armor plate with a leather surcoat. No one was safe from him. He smashed skulls with his sword. Dragged knights from their horses and ripped their heads off with his bare hands. He even massacred four Buster Bladers.
Arrows continued to fly from the mountains. Guy stood from his seat and laughed at their feeble attempts to quell Hector's army. A bannermaid on a hill waved a red flag before she was stabbed in the back by an enemy soldier. Yet as she fell she still waved her colors to signal the charge of the foot soldiers. The archers dropped their bows and drew their silver twin blades and made a charge into the fray alongside the Black Luster Soldiers.
Dancer tried his best to fight on. He got in the back of the head by a ball and chain which knocked him to the ground. He searched around the battlefield, dazed, confused, and in pain.
The bodies of countless Buster Bladers looked at him from their resting places. Hundreds of knights lay piled on the ground. He looked up after getting on his hands.
So, this is how it ends? Dance thought to himself.
Soon, every soldier Dancer had commanded was rounded up and bound. Two soldiers fighting for Hector picked Dancer up from his arms and dragged him to a rock.
This is it, he thought. Evelyn. I love you.
The soldiers pushed Dancer's neck onto the stone. Then, the executioner walked towards him and jabbed his sword onto the ground.
"Dancer," said the executioner. "Dancer, is that you?"
Dancer wearily looked up and saw Ser Baxter smiling down at him.
"You," said Dancer. "I thought my master killed you in the Battle of Fairfield.
"No. He let me go. Ser Manfred the Black Paladin was chivalrous to the very end so I heard. And you. You were but a boy and his squire when I last saw you. Now, you are a knight commanding armies and marrying the queen regent of Elleria. You've been rather busy haven't you? I thought I would never see your face again."
"Well, I'm here," Dancer barked. "What do you intend to do."
"Show you the mercy your master showed me. But, as for your army, they will be executed."
A horn blew in the distance. Dancer turned his head as best he could with his aching neck and saw the horizon was blackened by a massive fighting force the likes of which he had never seen.
Dancer felt like he wanted to break down into tears. There were so many soldiers approaching that he felt the ground tremble at his knees.
Then, he heard something in the wind. Singing. There was a feint sound of a choir singing.
To the west, he turned his head. From the gray veil of the mists of the Gray Hills, he saw an army approaching forming like ghosts. And the army was massive in size. They outlined the horizon for miles and kept pouring in from over the hills. And up above, he saw them
Slifer the Sky Dragon swooped over the battlefield and roared, announcing the coming of his master.
Obelisk the Tormentor marched proudly over the soldiers. The Winged Dragon of Ra was perched on his shoulder. The earth rumbled with the march of five hundred thousand men.
A rider approached Ser Baxter.
"Inform King Hector!" Baxter said. "Prince Yuri is here!"
Yuri
He was surrounded by a forest of banners from Houses of every region and color.
The Turtledove of the Gardners, the winged sword of House Taylor, the Red-Eyes of House Wheeler, the sea turtle of House Jadeweed, the rhino of House Ieon.
Hector could see Yuri all the way from his perch atop the hill overlooking his forces. He looked at Francine who shot him a content smile, for she was excited to see what Hector had learned over the past year. Now, at long last, he would finally confront his cousin. He and Francine rode down the hill with an escort of knights to meet with Yuri.
Yuri, the Princes of Termnnia, and Phoenix who represented the Mages Guild in the Citadel, rode out in front of the army. They held onto poles bearing both the banners of their respective Houses and the flag of the High King.
Alexandra was riding beside Yuri, smiling in a white gown of silk and plated with silver steel.
Obelisk stomped behind them. The Winged Dragon of Ra flew from Obelisk's shoulder and landed beside him with a thunderous crash. Slifer still encircled the army of King Hector in the sky. He alone could wipe out hector's forces with a single blast from his second mouth.
Hector and Francine finally came face to face with Yuri and his friends, all of them adorned in the armor of their fathers while Yuri was in the set of gold and jewels that the Elves gave to him to celebrate his inheritance to the throne when he was a baby.
Yuri rode forward past his friends. Their banners flapped in the wind. Alexandra then rode ahead to join him in confronting Hector.
Hector and Francine rode in front of their knights. Hector had his nose up in the air with a smug ear-to-ear grin.
They stopped. Hector grinned as he scanned Yuri and his princely knights.
"Well, well, well," he said, "A bear, a lion, a Pegasus, a red serpent, a lynx, a pretty little mage girl, a black stag ...and a tyrannosaurus runt!"
He referred to Yuri. "And you," he said looking at Alexandra. "I thought you were going to be my bride."
"I told you once," said Alexandra, "in the cave when you rudely spied on me as I was bathing, that you were nothing but a boy over his head. And that I could not wait to see your so-called Shadow Lady's predictions get proven wrong? Well today is that day, Hector. You are finished."
"I think not," laughed Hector. "Right now, I want what's mine. I want the Heart-Earth Crown and the Diamond Throne."
"I don't care what you want, Hector," said Yuri. "As of right now, I have a sword in your throat. You are in no position to be making demands of anyone."
"I think I am," said Hector. "I have you outnumbered."
"Are you blind, Hector?" laughed Alexandra. "Look above us?"
"He is but a beast who will soon learn who his true master is," said Hector.
"You truly are something else, aren't you?' said Alexandra.
"I know I am," said Hector. "One way or another, Obelisk, Slifer, and Ra will serve me. And one way or another I will have you for my wife. Make no mistake of that."
"Right," said Michael. "What sigil is that? That doesn't look like the sigil of House Delgado."
"Because it's not. It's my own," said Hector. "I am too great to be known as Delgado any longer. It is the sigil of my new house, Ironclaw."
"House Ironclaw?" Yuri taunted. His friends laughed.
"What are those monsters on the coat of arms in your banner?" Jon asked.
"Lord Hector has taken the sigil of the Ancient Beasts," said Francine. "Monsters so powerful, they put your Divine Beasts to their knees in the War of the Giants, Yuri. Hector is this close to finding them. That is why we have come here to defy you. Not out of impatience. But for your sake. Hector's Ancient Beasts will bring ruin to you and your friends. Surrender now to avoid death. When he is High King, Hector will name you all knights of his own order."
"Ah, the Shadow Lady we heard so much about," said Ryon.
The woman smiled as she ignored him and looked back at Yuri. "You should kneel before your cousin, Yuri. He is the true Song that the Divines sang about many years ago."
"So you claim Horakhty a liar?" said Yuri. "She asked me to be the instrument of her will. Not Hector."
"It doesn't matter what she says," said Hector. "The Diamond Throne is mine. By right! I have the blood of Norman the Conqueror flowing in my veins. The Millennium Necklace around my sorceress's neck has given her visions of me wielding the Ancient Beasts. And they have shown us visions of the monsters that prowl this field bowing to me. Now get out of my way and let me have my throne."
"No," said Yuri.
"Then I will force…"
"Your men to an untimely death," interrupted Alexandra.
Obelisk clenched his fist. An aura of blue energy enveloped it. He was ready to strike the army down with Fist of Fate. Hector's men, flinched in fear. Some even broke ranks and rode away.
"She is right," said Yuri. "Swallow your pride and go home, Hector. It is over. Withdraw now, or you will be the cause of the deaths of two million men."
Obelisk looked down at Hector and snarled.
Slifer was taking another pass over the army ready to strike. The Winged Dragon of Ra was also ready for a go at Hector's forces.
Francine whispered into Hector's ear, reddened by anger.
"Very well, Yuri," said Hector. "I'll let you have today. Enjoy it while you can. Your reign is coming to an end. I can sense it."
He rode away.
Yuri was looking very pale. He was breathing heavily and was swaying from side to side. The Divine Beasts took a toll on his body.
Francine smiled when she saw this.
"I suggest you stop playing king now, Yuri," said Francine. "The coming of the one true king is near. He will be the one who saves us from the coming darkness. And you…you will be nothing more than a memory. Have your fun at Duelist Academy. They will be your last days on earth."
She gave her horse a kick and followed Hector. The army followed in retreat. Many, if not all, the soldiers within the army were relieved that Hector saw reason and ceased fighting.
Yuri and his friends then rode to the prisoner's camp to deal with the mercenaries fighting for the Church of Yeyu. Their priests walked up to him, pleading for their lives.
"On your knees," Yuri commanded, tapping the tip of his sword on the ground.
The priests sobbed and did what they were told.
"I am Termnnia," said Yuri. "And so long as I am the High King, the belief in Yeyu is outlawed in my kingdom. Your chapels will be raised to the ground. Your Templars will be disbanded. Your people will learn to accept the faith of the Goddesses or believe in nothing at all. Those who don't will be sent to the nearest ship back to Balodrum. I say again, to all of you! The Faith of Yeyu is hereby banned. Under pain of death."
Yuri raised the sword over his head to begin the execution of the mercenary commanders. But he felt his body give way. He dropped his sword and he fell backward like a stone, landing on the ground with a loud thud.
"YURI!" everyone shouted.
"Yuri!" cried Serenity.
"Guard!" shouted Joey.
"What is wrong?" asked Xifeng.
"Yuri?" said Yami, holding him. He felt his cheeks. "Goddesses, he's as cold as ice."
"Oh no!" Tristan said, placing his hands on the side of his head. "Yuri, come on buddy, don't do this."
Yami put an ear to Yuri's mouth. He felt like someone had pierced his insides with a sword.
He looked around at everyone.
"He's not breathing."
"YURI!" everyone shouted.
A palanquin was brought over. Joey, Duke, Yami and Michael put Yuri into it and then the Black Luster Soldiers carrying the palanquin took him away.
The commander got on his feet behind Yami's back. He brushed the pebbles off his hands and tidied his robes. "Weak king you've got there, eh?" he said, relieved to have been spared.
"YAH!" Yami shouted, slashing Knox across the throat.
The commander gurgled. Two Knights grabbed him and dragged him away while Yami transformed back into Yugi.
Yugi picked up Yuri's sword and walked to the commander as the Black Luster Soldiers held him. With a powerful thrust, Yugi ended the miserable life.
The head rolled away towards the foot of a Buster Blader, who stomped on as though it was a bug.