His face still red from his outburst; Yuri followed Stefan and Avi up the stairs to the podium. He asked Michael and Jon to join him, and they followed. An announcer on the intercom shouted the arrival of Prince Yuri and King Stefan and Avellana. The crowd went wild ("I think they love her most." King Stefan whispered into Yuri's ear). From the balcony, Yuri could see everything. There was a large gap behind the amphitheater which revealed the marvelous blue waters of the Vankim Bay.
"Where's Ser Gerhalos?" Avi whined.
"I don't know My Lady," said Stefan. "No one has seen him." He looked at Yuri and said, "Smile, My Lord. Don't be so nervous."
Yuri never thought he would give a speech before an audience of thousands. He supposed it was a skill he needed to develop throughout his years, for there was no doubt in his mind that he would be giving more speeches in the future when he was crowned High King. He exhaled and forced his mouth into a smile and then raised his arm into the air waving to the crowd.
"LONG LIVE THE KING!" the crowd shouted at Yuri. "LONG LIVE THE KING!"
King, Yuri thought. No, High King. The odds of being chosen for such a destiny was a trillion to one. He would have had a better chance of winning the lottery back on Earth than being chosen for this position yet fate dealt either a marvelous or cruel hand to get him here. Even after all he had been through, the training with the Legion, the battles with various monsters, and the climbing of the mountain to achieve his three precious cards, he still felt like he didn't want the title. As grand as being named High King has he had a feeling in his gut that this job was not meant for him. The job proved daunting for even Tiberius the Uniter who was the first High King of Termnnia. But he was a man capable for the job. Yuri had been nothing more than a child playing card games for most of his life. He felt something cool and soft squeeze his hand.
He turned to his left and saw Avi smiling at him. She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "It's going to be all right," she said softly and fixed his crown. "You're going to rule well. You're not alone in this little prince."
She walked forward to the podium, and the crowd jumped to their feet seeing their beloved Summoner take the stage. Avi laughed seeing both mages and Yeyunists all together in the arena. She held out a hand to pacify the crowd, but it was not enough to contain their excitement. She grinned beautifully and then put a finger to her lips. "Shhh," she shushed them gently. And slowly the noise went down as though someone lowered the volume with a remote. Then all was quiet, save for the seagulls in the air and the waves crashing against the rock. A few helicopters above rumbled.
"Everyone," she finally said. "It is with great pleasure that I finally say, the war with the North is over."
The crowd cheered.
King Stefan took the podium after her speech. He cleared his throat as he brought his lips to the microphones and called for his fellow members of the Faith to lay down their arms and shake hands with the nearest mage or duelist or non-human standing next to them. He promised a new age of prosperity for the Church after this day.
An era of reconstruction and a renaissance for the kingdom, as he announced that as of today, the Daltons were going to share the machines with the North. Stefan announced that Naralia would become modernized much like Domino, starting with the capital of Lionhold. One of the priests started to protest. He may have disagreed, but there were many followers of the faith amongst the crowd who cheered at the prospect of a new Naralia.
"To prove this is a new day!" shouted Stefan. "Watch as I shake hands with the man my father has called an enemy for so long!"
He beckoned Prince Yuri to come to him. Yuri took a few steps toward the microphone and Stefan took Yuri's hand and shook it. He put an arm around his new ally, and the camera's flashed, and the crowd thundered.
He patted Yuri on the back and let him go. "And allow me to introduce you to the future queen of Naralia! A magic-user we have persecuted for far too long. With her aid, she will help me, us, build a new North. A new home!"
The crowd went bonkers at his announcement. Stefan signaled for Avi to join him. She walked forward and took his hand. He then embraced her passionately for a very long kiss. Yami scowled at the sight. His ears bombarded by whoops, whistles, and cheers for the crowd.
"I know this must be hard for you, spirit," Yugi said, looking up at Yami in his phantom form.
"This is not what I wanted for her. In reality, I wanted Avi to marry another." He looked at Yuri, who was also feeling uncomfortable from the kiss.
"This is blasphemy!" spat a priest in red and gold garbs. "The archbishop kisses a witch!"
"Be quiet!" said Jon.
"The days of political correctness are over, Father," said Michael. "Too long have weak rulers let you rape our land with your radicalization. Prince Yuri and we, his friends, are in charge now. You either adapt to the new rules and live with our culture peacefully or you can get out."
When Stefan and Avi's lips were free from the kiss, Stefan signaled Yuri to join him. "Do want a kiss to Your Grace?"
The crowd laughed.
Stefan put an arm over Yuri and another over Avi. "Behold, our new alliance. And may the days of High King Yuri be blessed!"
The crowd cheered one final time.
Confetti fell all around them, and then everyone in the stadium began to sing the Termnnian anthem, both mage, and Yeyunist, hand in hand. But the celebrations would not last for long. Explosions suddenly rocked the amphitheater and helicopters swarmed overhead holding metal crates. There were soldiers above in rickety iron armor with white surcoats and gun magazines attached to boiled leather holsters here and there on their person giving them a poor tactical look.
The soldiers shouted: "Yeyu be praised!" and dropped the crates on the audience. They attempted to run, but their constant pushing and shoving slowed them down, and the crates fell on top of them crushing them and killing them. More crates were dropped and from the top of the amphitheater, more soldiers rappelled into the stadium blasting their weapons. Yuri knew rifles, for his older brother, Buzz back on Earth was a religious gun collector. Those weapons seemed hand made. Though crude they seemed well forged. Some of them even had elemental enchantments. One soldier had his enchanted with ice damage and when he fired he froze poor souls who couldn't get away and then his comrades took out bronze swords and smashed them to pieces.
Aldara and Fira grabbed Avi and formed a diamond formation as they escorted her off the balcony. Yuri could see boats on the sea loaded with corsairs who had crates of their own loaded on the decks of their ships. When the soldiers caused enough chaos, their leader, a mercenary in well-polished steel armor with tactical holsters pressed a gooey on a holographic wrist display on his gauntlet.
"Less this be a lesson, of the fury of our lord and master Yeyu, the Lord of the Fires of Judgement!" he shouted.
The crates opened.
"They like to play with monsters. So we'll give them monsters!"
The crates slowly opened. Steam hissed out of the machinations opening the doors. They were pounded down by a horde of wild Duel Monsters. Ooguchi, Ocubeam, Stone Ghost, the lobster-like Zarigun, Man-Eater Bug, and fiendish creatures such as Neck Hunter, Shadow Specter, Saggi the Dark Clown, Phantom Ghost, Megirus Light, and Blue-Eyed Silver Zombie. Winged creatures took to the skies such as Whiptail Crow, Mabarrel, One-Eyed Shield Dragon, a swarm of purple eyes called Monster Eye, Air Eater, Gale Dogra, and Skullbird. From the sea, the terrorists opened a metal crate and let lose the largest Duel Monster of the attack, a Dice Armadillo.
"By the Ten Hells!" shouted Michael. "How?"
"We can worry about that later!" Marcel cried out unsheathing his blade. "Let's take care of these beasts and sort out the who's and why's afterward."
"Finally," Jon sneered drawing his blade from the sheath on his back. "I was getting a little bored. Time to cut me up some Yeyunists."
"CHARGE!" Yuri shouted, drawing his jeweled, at least he tried to. Unsheathing his weapon proved rather difficult for him. He finally got it. "Okay, for real this time," he pointed his sword at the monsters. "CHARGE!"
"Where's your lightforged sword?" Michael asked as he ran down the spiral pathway towards the stadium.
"I left it in Pegasus' care," said Yuri. "Now come on, where is your weapon? I thought you were the Lord of One-Hundred Swords."
Michael grinned and held out his hands. Two beautifully crafted swords materialized into his palms. Five more appeared and danced divinely around him.
"Woah," Yuri and Jon and the others croaked.
"I'll explain my gift later," said Michael. His twin swords erupted in into flames. His left one was engulfed in ordinary flames, but his right one was scorched in blue fire. Fire and Ice, they were called. They ran into the eye of the storm, the lower stands where the monsters came out of the crates.
Jaeyoung drew his Zhanmadao, sent to him by his five generals in Uzume as a token of good luck in school and with High King Yuri. He leaped into the air and jabbed the long blade into the mouth of a charging Man-Eater Bug. Jon searched around for an opponent and spotted an Ooguchi feasting on the body of a woman. The creature looked up at join chomping on a large chunk of meat. It's round lips normally a shade of lime-yellow were dark red like lipstick. It snarled at Jon feeling content with fresh meat.
"You want some?" Jon asked. "Bring it on!"
The beast charged but then Michael jumped from the top of a crate and flipped elegantly. The five swords he summoned formed into a halo that cut off the monster's head so cleanly and so quickly that it still charged at Jon thinking nothing had happened. Blood spurted out of its neck, and the head came rolling off. The four legs of the beast went limp, and the body slumped lifelessly before Jon's feat.
"YOU BASTARD!" Jon shouted furiously. "It still counts as mine! Damn show off."
"Look at them go!" Tordo shouted from the safety of a VIP box.
"Let me join them!" Avi demanded. "I want to fight too!"
"What's with Stefan?" Fira asked. "He's just standing there, smiling."
"Bastard!" snarled Ser Arthur. "I bet he had something to do with this!"
"No, that's impossible!" said Avi. "He couldn't have done this!"
"Then why does he stand there basking in the chaos?" Fira said angrily. "He played us all for fools." She took the safety off her rifle. "One bullet to the brain and I will end this." She aimed down her multi-vision scope. The targeter zoomed in on Stefan's head.
"DON'T!" shouted Avi. "FIRA DON'T!"
Down below, Yuri and the others fought the monsters.
"It's Yuri and the princes!" a terrorist shouted. "Let's end this now."
"Yeah let's get 'em!"
"Get those bastards!"
"When Naralia learns that we killed Prince Yuri, they will build a statue in our honor!"
Fira noticed the soldiers swarming towards them. The Templar of the Church were surprisingly marching to engage the terrorists and the monster horde they brought out. Perhaps Stefan was true to his word. Whatever the case, the Templars fighting the attackers was enough to get her to cease aiming at Stefan. Meanwhile, in the docks, the corsairs in their ships poured out and began attacking civilians. A shadow loomed over the stadium. She turned her head and saw that Avi was missing.
"Where's the Summoner?" she demanded.
"LOOK!" shouted Tordo. He was pointing at the sky. Avi was flying into the bay on Arvas' back.
"Oh, that girl!" Fira pouted.
The corsairs pointed up at the sky. Avi glared at them, her eyes burning like molten platinum. She held out her arm, and her staff appeared onto her hand. She gave it a beautiful twirl. Two white arcane circles morphed on either side of her. White-Horned Dragon and Light and Darkness Dragon flew out from the circles and roared when they arrived into Termnnia. Her staff glowed, and Prime Material Dragon emerged.
"Eyath ian, inflimarus!" she shouted in Norman.
The three dragons roared and dove down towards the bay. Avi held onto her stomach as Arvas flew like a bullet towards the ships. The wind whipped her face, and her hair flew all around her. Arrows and bullets whistled by her face. White-Horned Dragon flew to the east and blasted four ships with his fiery breath. Light and Darkness Dragon fired its blackish laser beam and caused the targets to blow into black mushroom clouds snapping with blue sparks.
Yuri dodged an attack from an incoming Skull Bird. The pink-fleshed bird monster swooped down for another strike. Yuri jumped atop of a pile of rubble which gave him enough height to reach the bird and cut off one of its wings. The Skull Bird screeched and crashed into the bay. Yuri turned to see what was next. His eyes beheld chaos. The stones of the amphitheater were painted red with the blood of the fallen, many of them civilians who came to celebrate peace. Yuri ground his teeth in anger. He should have listened to his friends. The Church was never to be trusted. Even though he saw Templars fighting against the terrorists and their monsters, Yuri had no doubt in his mind King Stefan was behind all the bloodshed. He heard blasts from the bay as Avi and her dragons decimated the corsairs. Fira and Aldara were at the top level providing overwatch for Yuri and his friends.
"I'm running out of ammo!" shouted Fira.
"This is my last magazine." Aldara tossed it at her. "Make it count."
Yuri then spotted Jon in a fierce fight with a Man-Eater Bug. The beast overpowered him and whacked him to the other side of the stadium with a whack that knocked him out. Yuri looked up at the balcony and spotted Stefan still standing there with his eyes closed. He was smiling as he muttered words. He was locked in prayer. No doubt he was thanking his false god for the destruction.
"YOU!" Yuri shouted. He dashed up the ramp to the top floor. Fights were going on all around him. Michael cut a dark clown in half before he spotted Yuri dashing up the ramp to the podium, sword in hand, and fiery anger in his eyes. He knew of Yuri's intent and dashed after him to protect him from terrorists and monsters.
White-Horned Dragon burned the last of the ships. The corsairs ran about screaming in agony while the fires burned their bodies. Avi fell limp on Arva's neck exhausted.
"My Lady," Arvas said to her. "Are you all right?"
"I am exhausted," Avi groaned. "I never summoned all of you at once like this. My power grows stronger it seems."
"And so does his," Arvas said, staring at White-Horned Dragon who started to glow. He became bulkier and bigger and grew another set of wings. "Congratulations, Avi."
"AVI!" shouted Ser Damien, riding towards her atop his Luster Dragon. Throvor was riding behind him, his face green with air sickness.
"Where is Ser Gerhalos?" Avi cried out weakly.
"You'd best return to the amphitheater," said Ser Damien. "Yuri looks like he's lost his mind. He's charging towards your betrothed."
"What? But why?"
"Unless you want to be widowed before you're wedding you'd best stop asking questions and get back there and stop him Summoner!" shouted Throvor.
Avi nodded and instructed Arvas to take her back to the stadium. A thick column of black smoke rose into the blue skies. She could hear sirens from the fire department and the tactical police forces.
"I hope I'm not too late."
"STEFAN!" Yuri shouted, getting closer to the young king. Now he was holding up his arms and vividly looking toward the skies. Yuri gave an energetic battle cry and raised his sword up high ready to cut off his head.
"Traitor!" shouted Michael. His aura of swords dancing even more pugnaciously. ("YURI NO!" Avi shouted, getting closer to him). Jon joined him. Followed by Ryon, Stas, Jaeyoung, and Marcel. All of them ready to get a piece of their enemy. Their charge was halted when Yuri ran into the face of a barrel. The abbot was holding a rifle, shaking with rage.
"You dare point a weapon at the High King?" Michael asked.
"And doesn't Yeyu forbid you to use guns?" Jon asked.
"There are exceptions!" snapped the abbot. "Let the king do what he needs to do!"
"You mean stand there and do nothing as innocents die!" barked Marcel. "Step aside, or we will cut you down with him."
"That rifle bolt-action," said Michael. "There are many of us, and our armor is strong. You will die if you continue to stand in our way."
"Look!" shouted Stas.
A blue arcane circle spun underneath Stefan's feet. A chain reached down into the circle and pulled out a creature not seen since the dawn of time.
"It can't be!" gasped Yuri.
The beast's metamorphosis was complete, and the world beheld the sight of a Duel Monster. Not just any Duel Monster. It was...Exodia.
"Impossible," said Marcel.
Exodia, Master of the Guard
Exodia, Master of the Guard towered over the stadium, looking down at the many foes for it to destroy. Its body was still wrapped in chains. He broke them with his arms while a choir from nowhere sang for his arrival.
Yuri began to wonder how? How could such a person be worthy of this creature so fearsome, so magnificent? Monsters looked impressive on their cards but seeing them come out and show their true fury was a sight that brought tears to Yuri's eyes. He dropped his sword, watching the great beast destroy the monsters with a blue laser blast from each of his fingertips.
Gunfire then peppered Exodia from the lead terrorist's helicopter, but it was a foolish move. Leviathan Dragon felt no pain and received no damage and then sent out a powerful soundwave from its mouth that caused the helicopter to explode, killing him and his crew. Once the water dragon Leviathan Dragon summoned had its fill, it dove into the bay to drown those it picked up.
People crowded into the stadium, pushing and shoving to get a glimpse of the monster that saved them. They pumped their fists into the air and cheered for it. Whistles and gleeful shouts filled the stadium as the Master of the Guard roared.
Avi watched with disbelief from atop Arvas. White-Horned Dragon snarled with confusion as did Light and Darkness Dragon and Prime Material Dragon.
Exodia was once again wrapped in the divine chains that kept him locked in another realm. He growled sadly, for he wanted to stay here in this world even longer. Stefan looked at it with a prideful grin planted on his face. He took a moment to bask in the cheers of the people below shouting his name. Yuri and his friends seemed almost forgotten. Everyone, no matter what their belief came together and cheered for Stefan.
"LONG LIVE STEFAN! LONG LIVE STEFAN!"
Yami slowly walked towards Yuri and his friends, staring at the dragon.
"How?" Yuri asked.
"I don't know." Was all Yami could say.
"Yuri!" Avi called, running up the steps. "Good work."
"Did you know about this?" Yuri asked the Summoner with complete shock.
"No. No, I swear. But this only strengthens our alliance. A high figure from the Church is also a Summoner."
"I suppose she's right," said Marcel.
"Is everyone all right?" Stefan asked approaching the group.
"How were you able to acquire this power?" Yami asked.
"I was born with it," answered Stefan. "Father was furious when he saw me calling it. I was only five at the time. The beast nearly drained me, killing me almost, but I told father I would get stronger if he sent me to the Citadel and Duelist Academy to learn how to control it. Naturally, he refused my request to join either. We are a family of the faith, and father wanted it to remain that way. He sent me to live with the Pope and become of Follower of Yeyu. He had hoped the faith would make me forget this gift I had. But I always practiced summoning my creature. I am a man of faith, but I wield magic. The Church wanted me executed, but I was a crown prince of Naralia, and even my father had limits when it came to their unjust decisions. So you see, Master Yu-Gi-Oh, that is why I wanted Avellana to be my betrothed. We are both Summoners of Termnnia's mightiest monsters. With my influence upon the people, we can finally end the violence between our cultures and unite our forces against our true enemy. The Orcs."
"So be it," said Yami.
"Do I have your blessing, Master Yu-Gi-Oh? It seems Avi's closest figure, Ser Gerhalos, has left. Now that father figure is you."
"What do you say, Master?" Avi asked, slipping her arm around Stefan's waist.
"You have my blessing," said Yami.
Yuri sighed with heartache. He did well to hide it from them. He had somewhat of a crush on Avi. But he forced his mouth into a smile to show his appreciation for their marriage. He still had his doubts, but the Leviathan Dragon he summoned almost washed it away. Almost.
"My Lady," Throvor said, waddling past Yami and the princes. Ser Damien followed glumly.
"Have you found Ser Gerhalos?" Avi asked.
"We were attacked by assailants in the forests just outside the city," said Ser Damien. "They were attacking Ser Gerhalos."
Avi swallowed.
"Did you save him?"
"Well, we arrived on timeā¦"
"Ser Gerhalos!" Avi said immediately. She didn't want stories. "Where is he?"
"He fell," Throvor said almost in a sob.
Ser Damien walked to Avi and took her hand, opening it and placed the silver necklace that Ser Gerhalos intended to give her onto her palm.
"I am sorry, My Lady," said Ser Damien. "'Take care of Avi for me,' were his last words. And I promise you that is what I intend to do."
Avi said nothing, staring into the silver pendant. She knew of its story. Ser Gerhalos had told her about his cub. But, she never knew he wished to give it to her as a gift when she found all her dragons. She felt darkness consuming her. Her legs got wobbly. The whole world was spinning.
"AVI!" shouted Yuri. He dashed by Yami and grabbed her before she fell.
"GUARD!" shouted Stefan.
Two Templars rushed towards Avi. Their chainmail and plate jingling with every step. Stefan sped forward to examine Avi. She was out. He rubbed her face sympathetically. "The Summoner needs rest. Take her to my quarters in the House of Gray at once."
"It will be done My Lord," one of the Templars said, scooping Avi from Yuri's arms. They marched away. Ser Damien and Throvor reunited with Ser Arthur, Tordo, Aldara, and Fira. Baby Tiragon chirped sadly on Aldara's shoulder, understanding that he would never see Ser Gerhalos again. The Summoner's companions said farewell to Yuri and his friends, then marched after Avi.
"What now?" Jon asked.
"We go back to the academy and finish your studies," said Yami. "There is nothing more we can do here."
"What about Avi?" Marcel asked.
"She is in good hands," said Yami. "The dragons are her affair. The future of Termnnia is yours. In due time, your paths will meet again."
"I hope she finds comfort in the coming days," said Michael. "Ser Gerhalos was a valiant knight. May the grace of the Goddesses take him to the Gardens."
