Welcome back, readers! I apologize for the super late update, I still can't believe how fast time flew by! It was hard to find some time to just sit down and start typing, I was really busy with personal life. I've also updated Album Collection! I hope this chapter will satisfy you all.
Before we start, I must announce there was an important alteration (heh, Alteration Hydradrive) to the last chapter: King doesn't state by what means Nahum and Tormentor will head to Slave of Agony's temple.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter.
- In response to HunterHQ's review:
"There's a reason why Mirg and Ylil aren't present, but it will be stated later on. Also, they did create Almark and Nina; they didn't leave the Star Relics completely unchecked."
- In response to ScreamGirl4998's review:
"That...makes me happy a little. I know I'm doing a good job of making King a villain!"
- In response to Guest's review:
"I was skeptical about Sevens at first, but with the recent news, I'm looking forward to seeing the storm it will bring. I honestly know nothing of the newest Master Rules; I wasn't really interested in them as I'm not a competitive player and I only focus on this story's format (and Arc-V's due to Redux)."
- In response to Erik's review:
"Sorry about Trickstar's naming patterns and Betrayal; back then even I didn't know the direction this story should go and, as a novice, I didn't put much care into it either (like in Kioku vs. KoH's case). I was thinking of revising many of Season 1's cards in Season 3 and 4, which do include Clustars. And yes, they're somewhat based on Tellarknights and Constellars, but Crusadias came way later, which does raise the question if Konami reads my story. XD
And about the continuous backrow... I had to learn that the hard way, aka "try to negate a normal spell/trap by using MST on it". I'll never forget the confused face I made when the effect wasn't negated even if MST destroyed the card."
- In response to ZarcEternal's review:
"On a totally unrelated note, thanks for making me realize I'm a perfectionist when it comes to my writing with your last Album Collection review." XD
- In response to DivadX's review:
"Bakugan...damn, that brings back a lot of childhood memories. Sadly, Kai wasn't based on Hydron and I'm not sure if he'll use Tachyon as it doesn't have a Cipher variant (maybe I could make one...?)."
- In response to Lindia Fullmoon's review:
"Since it negates, I didn't opt for a protective effect on purpose (in fact, Grangadez has one and he doesn't negate; to skip the opponent's turn only happens once, while Grandeen can negate up to four times). Also, her evolved form does get sweet protection. Since Lib holds the World Key, it won't appear until it's officially revealed Nina's a Star Relic, in other words, Season 4. That's an interesting combo."
- In response to Noobmaster's review:
"Kioku forgave them for what they did back then, especially after the help they provided starting from Revolver giving Dragons to Kioku to helping the heroes defeat Lightning and Bohman."
- In response to Unnamed's review:
"The twins did lose themselves for a minute there, especially when the gods inside them reacted to the whole thing. As you said, Jin was lucky Bohman was there to save the day."
(Season 3)
Extra Turn 7:
Echoing Darkness
Fourth day after Bohman's defeat...
"I advise you to slow down."
"Eeeh?"
Nahum's red eyebrows furrowed at Tormentor's words, clearly skeptical and annoyed of what he just heard. He eats as much as he wants and how he wants! It deeply annoys Nahum when someone interrupts his feast with stupid orders or comments like 'slow down or you'll choke.'
"Or?" Nahum asked with a roll of his eyes, accompanied by the wave of the grilled steak burger in his right hand. He then bit down another mouthful of it using those sharp, serrated fangs of his, lastly stuffing his mouth with French fries. Grease gleamed on his lips and fingers, but he didn't seem to care.
Tormentor, who sat on the opposite side of the table filled with food only Nahum was eating, replied with a silent stare. His ominous appearance of a living skeleton possessing a tiny violet glow radiating from inside his empty eye sockets and wearing elaborate, obsidian armor adorned with violet edges was replaced by a tall, fair-skinned man in his thirties with shoulder-length violet hair that had two tufts spiraling into horn-like shapes, rainbow-colored irises, and wearing a black robe with sleeves embroidered with white threads, a black vest, and a white undershirt.
The Star Lance usually assumes this form when he has to infiltrate in public areas, but he distinctly preferred his skeleton form: these clothes make too much noise when he moves, the hair sometimes falls into his eyes, and some humans shoot lustful glances his way—it all angers him.
"This isn't the Virtual World." Tormentor said. "You can't choke when you eat data, but in the real world where you have to eat human food, you can."
The Star Armor replied with a shrug, grabbing a thick, crispy thigh and sinking his fangs into the soft flesh. Tormentor counted a total of six empty plates on their table; Tormentor didn't eat a single grain, it was all work of his fellow Star Relic.
Any restaurant visited by Nahum makes a killing as he tends to order the best food they could offer him, which is usually the most expensive as well, but his ill manners are and will always be a displeasure to behold. In fact, Nahum is never allowed to head to a restaurant without a companion: someone has to apologize to the patrons for the mess their comrade leaves behind.
Keeping a positive relationship with restaurants is important in case they would ever have to return there. Nahum just doesn't understand this, hence why he makes a mess in the first place.
Nahum's greed was eventually satisfied when he added two more plates to his collection, and after Tormentor paid the check and bid farewell to the cashier, the two headed to their next location. It was Nahum who broke the silence that formed between them after he locked the door to Apex Supermarket's rooftop.
"As I expected, we're going for a ride on your magical horse." the Star Armor noted.
"It's only logical we would." Tormentor replied as he walked up to a large TV laid on the ground, placed there by himself on his yesterday mission. His horse program, or Helhest as he named it, can fly without making a single sound and is equipped with its creator's stealth program. In IRL, Helhest's the best mean of transport to not attract unwanted attention.
Tormentor snapped his fingers, causing the screen to glow violet, and he stepped into it. Nahum luckily didn't have to wait much until the Star Lance re-emerged in his skeleton form and riding Helhest, the skeleton horse clad in obsidian armor adorned with violet edges and a double-horned helmet that covered its supposedly empty eye sockets.
Nahum mounted the beast and they took off northwest, toward Mt. Hagen and Slave of Agony's temple. They weren't one minute into the flight that Nahum spoke again, frustrated.
"Can't this thing go a little- oh, I don't know- faster!?"
"For someone who dislikes talkative people, you're quite the loudmouth." Tormentor remarked with a huff, raising his voice over the blowing wind. "You're a contradiction."
"What did you just say!?" a vein throbbed on Nahum's forehead. "If this thing—"
"Helhest."
"Yeah, that..." Nahum was taken aback when Tormentor glanced at him. OK, so this creation must mean a lot to him. "In any case, if...it?"
"They." Tormentor turned his gaze ahead.
"Uh-huh..." Nahum sweatdropped. That's just weird in his opinion, but whatever floats the Star Lance's boat floats his, too. They have to get to the temple one way or another, and Nahum doesn't have the patience to walk or jog there. "If they would go faster, I wouldn't be talking in the first place."
"We have no reason to go faster," Tormentor explained. "We're going to arrive at our destination in roughly ten minutes, giving us plenty of time to carry out the mission."
"So I'm supposed to just sit and wait silently?" Nahum asked sarcastically. "You know me better than that!"
The armored skeleton didn't reply, instead, he opened a segment of his left gauntlet and revealed a mini boombox speaker inside. Upon taking notice of this, Nahum gritted his teeth.
"Don't you dare put on—"
[Oooh aah! The whoole wide wooorld!]
"...Rock music!" Nahum was interrupted by the said music, which Tormentor o so loved to listen to in his free time. It's bizarre for a quiet being like Tormentor to be found of such a loud genre that the other Star Relics, except for Kisskill and Almark, detested. Back in the day, those three often did karaoke sessions with rock music, but immediately stopped after Almark left.
Ten tormenting minutes later (pun totally intended), they arrived at a small temple buried in the side of the mountain and surrounded by tall trees. It was entirely made out of stone and covered by vines and moss, and its front was divided into three parts: there was a big entrance on the middle, on the left the wall was engraved with flames and badly depicted bats, while on the right there were clouds and stars. Its roof was flat and held three statues: a faceless male on his knees and holding his head in the middle, a male with a human body, bat wings, and a dragon head who outstretched his left palm towards the middle on the left, and a female with a human body, tiger ears, a peacock tail, and angel wings who mirrored the latter's gesture on the right.
"Those are Mirg and Ylil..." Nahum's eyes narrowed as he focused on the left and right statues. He then glanced at the middle. "So that's Slave of Agony? It's as if they're cornering a human with their presence... This temple sure gives a positive impression of the Twin Gods." he added sarcastically.
"All of Mirg and Ylil's temples have three statues, and their positions reference a myth." Tormentor stopped the music and closed his gauntlet. Helhest slowed down and started circling the temple. "Also, geographically speaking, the sun always sets in the west and rises in the east."
"This isn't your first time at a temple." Nahum remembered. The Star Lance's also responsible for Saryuja Skull Dread's freedom. "Hmph, let's get this over with!"
Tormentor gave a silent nod and Helhest dived down, coming into contact with a transparent, green barrier that abruptly appeared to intercept them, releasing green sparks as the skeleton horse didn't back down.
"Tch, that bastard Almark's Barrier!" Nahum gritted his teeth. They knew the temple was under a Barrier's supervision, but damn, it's stubborn like the one who deployed it.
Normally, enemy Star Relics and gods cannot enter a Barrier, but there are ways to get around them: a god may pressure its divine aura upon a Barrier in order to weaken it, allowing the enemy to force themselves in. This method takes around a month to be carried out, but if more gods pressure a Barrier at once, the duration varies. King has six gods on his side who've done so, and it took them three days to weaken it.
Forcing yourself in would trigger alarms in the Barrier's creator's mind, however, thanks to Tormentor's stealth program they can avoid detection when entering but not while exiting. The Star Relics' algorithms were devised by mastermind programmers and their powers derive from Mirg's and Ylil's ichor; it isn't a walk in the park to hijack their abilities, even among themselves.
Helhest managed to slip past the Barrier, and the Star Relics dismounted them when they landed a couple of feet before the temple's entrance. Nahum was stretching his arms and legs when he addressed his comrade.
"Was there a Barrier around Saryuja's temple, too?" when Tormentor nodded, he scoffed. "He enjoys setting traps to slow us down but doesn't intervene personally. A viewer, not an actor; typical—"
"Don't underestimate Almark."
"Eeeh?" Nahum's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Tormentor continued to pet Helhest, who didn't show any signs of pleasure or disdain whatsoever. "What do you mean?"
"We haven't seen Almark for ten years, ever since the betrayal. King talked with him via voice calls from time to time, but that's about it." Tormentor stated. "But Kisskill and I have spoken to him in flesh."
"Bones in your case, but whatever." Nahum chirmed in.
His comment was ignored. "Kisskill didn't but I've sensed it... Almark changed."
"You can't be serious." Nahum folded his arms. "He whined like a spoiled brat when you and Kisskill retreated. He would've done the same ten years ago."
"The human face is nothing more nor less than a mask."
"Are you implying he's stupid on purpose?"
"I'm not sure..." Tormentor admitted as he faced Nahum. "And that's why you shouldn't underestimate him. What's behind his mask? The idiocy of a child? The intelligence of a mastermind? The power of a doomsday weapon?" there was a pause. "...Also...I believe he's a forced viewer."
"Forced?" Nahum muttered. "By who? Kaiba? Or...Mirg?" Tormentor slowly shook his head, admitting he didn't know and causing anger to spark in the red-haired male's soul. "If you don't know, why do you bring it up!? Now it's bugging me, too!"
"It's a warning." Tormentor said and walked past him, summoning the miniature version of his Monster self. "Saryuja's temple was filled with KaibaCorp's security cameras and ancient traps. If we set even one off, our enemy will immediately know we're here. I've memorized how to avoid the traps, but you have to imitate my exact steps."
"Tch, fine." Nahum nodded, having turned serious again. It would take too much to hack all cameras, hence why they're skipping that.
The glowing, violet gem and highlights on Tormentor's spear proved to be an efficient luminous source as the two Star Relics wandered into the temple's darkness. Nahum stayed silent as he focused on replicating Tormentor's steps that avoided tripwires and trigger plate, which more than probably opened pits to chasms of spikes, fired arrows, or set free stone boulders.
After about ten minutes of walking in corridors, they came across a large and open room whose stone walls were decorated with ancient paintings. A security camera was hanging from each corner of the rectangular-shaped room, and on its other side, an ornate box-shaped sarcophagus of stone with an array of pink tourmaline gems on its sides and a miniature statue of Mirg and Ylil made out of obsidian gemstone on its top was awaiting the Star Relics.
"Slave of Agony..." Nahum narrowed his eyes at the sarcophagus. He could feel the aura of the sealed beast in it, and it's as if the temperature had gone down by ten degrees from when they entered the room. Tormentor's expression couldn't contour to reveal his own vexation. "...What an annoying feeling..."
"This is what I felt back at Saryuja's temple as well." Tormentor muttered. It was an intense hatred aimed at the Twin Gods; considering the story between them, it's no surprise. "I'll hack the two on the left."
"Right's mine, then." Nahum nodded in acknowledgment. Tormentor couldn't envelop the sealed beast with his stealth program as the sarcophagus repelled it, and awakening it could cause some raucous the security cameras would notice, so they're forced to hack the ones in the room to proceed.
Their eyes started glowing red and violet as they accessed the hardwares' programs and started hacking. It's a rather annoying speed bump they couldn't detect the cameras from outside the Barrier, or else they could've hacked them beforehand; it took them hours to loop the recordings in the surveillance system, and as he waited for the effects to take hold, Nahum glanced at the walls.
Only those tied to the Incident Genesis and Star Relics know of Mirg's and Ylil's existence, and fewer ones know the myths related to the Twin Gods. These paintings tell one of those myths.
In the long, forgotten past, during a temporary stay in the human realm, Mirg found a cave that housed obsidian and pink tourmaline. Delighted, he wished to gift them to Ylil who goes crazy over gems, particularly obsidian as it reminds her of her brother's darkness, but has no luck when it comes to obtaining them.
Using his powers, Mirg molded the cave into this very temple and hid all the gems in this room. He then left, intending to notifying his sister after he completed his task. Things went downhill when a human adventurer found the newly created temple and wondered in, getting his hands on the gems.
Mirg returned to harvest his gift that night, but when he saw the empty room, in a fit of rage, he ordered his most dangerous hunter to find the being that had the courage to steal his sister's gift and capture them alive if possible. It didn't take long for his hunter to return, a frightened human in one hand and a pouch of gems in the other.
Mirg then banished the human's soul into this sarcophagus for eternity as a penalty, and was driven to madness by loneliness and dread inside it, earning the title "Slave of Agony". Ylil naturally caught wind of this shortly after she received her beautiful present, but her brother refused to set the human free.
She begrudgingly accepted his decision, but after obtaining his perplexed consent, she decorated the temple and sarcophagus with those very gems that, unbeknownst to Mirg, were dipped into the holy water of The Fountain in the Sky. At New Year's Eve, when midnight hits, it's said the gems light up and ease the Slave's agony by showing him pleasant dreams.
Nahum nor Tormentor think what Mirg did was...strange. He punished a thief. Maybe it was an overreaction, but Mirg always ranked his sister above everything else, even himself. Tormentor spun the spear in his hand and walked up to the sarcophagus once the surveillance system was dealt with, snapping Nahum out of his thoughts.
His ability... Nahum folded his arms. God Killer, the authority to kill a god or negate their powers with that spear. The gods themselves loathe this kind of power...as do humans opposed by gods. We're some lucky bastards to have Tormentor on our side.
The Star Lance swung his weapon without hesitation at the sarcophagus, piercing it and blowing dust in all directions. Tormentor removed his spear and took several steps back, until standing beside his comrade whose body tensed as the gems suddenly cracked in unison and released purple mist.
A deep moan came from the mist, which slowly took a featureless humanoid shape with a constantly opened red mouth. "Y-Y-You...o-o-over some gems...m-m-made me suffer...f-f-for so long..." it stuttered, crawling out of the broken spot. It moved its head this way and that, inexistent eyes fixated on the Star Relics.
"I saw humans create better horror characters. Sorry pal, but enough with this nonsense." Nahum took a step forward—but took it back when the spirit shrieked, retracting into the sarcophagus until its waist in fear.
"Y-Y-You...w-w-won't seal me again... Y-Y-You leave me alone!" it shrieked again, this time in anger.
"What's its problem?" Nahum's eyebrows furrowed.
"Saryuja reacted the same way." Tormentor spoke up. "It can sense Mirg's ichor in us. It thinks we're Mirg."
"Why were you and boss keeping that to yourselves?" Nahum grunted in annoyance.
"It would've annoyed you." Tormentor simply said.
"...True..." Nahum huffed and stepped forward again. "Listen here, you...whatever you are!" he shouted for the first time since entering the temple, and caused the spirit to jerk its head with a gasp. "This outdoor activity is starting to really get to my nerves! I also don't give a damn who you think we are! You have two options: you come with us or we force you to!"
"Y-Y-You leave me alone..." the spirit gripped its head. "You leave me alone!"
The ground in front of the spirit shook as lines emerged from it, forming a Duel mat. In response to this action, a holographic mat appeared before Nahum.
"How convenient, it can Duel..." the red-haired male glanced at Tormentor, who shrugged. He then glared at his opponent. "Fine, let's get this over with!"
"DUEL!" they shouted in unison.
Slave of Agony's spirit: LP 4000
VS
Nahum: LP 4000
(The Duel is conducted as a Master Duel.)
"Ware no turn!" Nahum swung his right arm to the side, causing his five cards to appear. Five stone tablets fell from the ceiling in front of the spirit, a phenomenon that didn't scare it at all. "What the? Are those cards?"
"Yes." Tormentor replied. "Saryuja Dueled with those as well."
"Uh-huh..." Nahum decided to roll with it. "I set a Monster and two cards face-down! I end my turn!"
"Draw card!" the spirit declared, and another tablet fell down. "I stipulate a contract with the metal devil to summon it as my servant!"
"You do what!?" Nahum exclaimed, totally confused by what he just heard.
One of the stone tablets turned around, revealing Fiend's Sanctuary before it faded away. Seconds later, a Monster whose body was composed of silver beads appeared on its field.
Metal Fiend Token: Dark / Fiend / ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / LV: 1
"Oi! That's not how we explain what cards do around here!" Nahum pointed an accusing finger at the spirit. "Learn before you challenge a modern player!"
"Saryuja Dueled the same way." Tormentor chimed in. "They know how to Duel, but not like us."
"If only one creature of darkness exists on my field, I can summon a new servant!" the spirit stated, ignoring Nahum's 'I said that's not how we Duel!' shout. "I-I-I will escape...with YOUR GEMS! APPEAR! DARK TUNER - GOD'S BOON!"
Following the spirit's blood-curdling scream, a large eye entirely made out of pink tourmaline with a slitted iris and electricity crackling inside of it appeared beside the Token, its long obsidian-colored tentacles thrashing around from its back.
Dark Tuner - God's Boon: Dark / Rock / Dark Tuner / Effect / ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / LV: 11
"A Dark Tuner!?" Nahum's eyes widen in surprise, a sentiment shared by Tormentor. "Don't tell me this thing's true form is a—"
"God's Boon...the metal devil...call forth a new darkness!" the area darkened as God's Boon turned into purple particles and shot into Metal Fiend Token's body, causing it to explode in particles which took the form of two rings. They glowed before uniting into one to vanish in a black flash. Ten miniature rings materialized where the two rings were seconds ago, surrounded by numerous black orbs emitting an eerie aura. A black beam shot past them, from which the outline of a Monster emerged. "My real self! Slave of Agony - Hermit Soul!"
The outline was filled by a purple mist that took a featureless humanoid shape with two red eyes, pointy legs, and clawed hands. Stone with cracked pink and black gems in it and chains surrounded its head- except for its triangular eyes-, shoulders, forearms, and legs, while God's Boon was buried in its torso. It landed in the Extra Monster Zone on its user's right.
Slave of Agony - Hermit Soul: Dark / Fiend / Dark Synchro / Effect / ATK: 1600 / DEF: 1600 / LV: -10
"Dark Synchro Monster..." Nahum finished his earlier sentence. He then grinned. "Honestly, I thought this thing will be a Link Monster like Saryuja, but this is better. If we manage to tame it..."
"We'll be able to fabricate Dark Tuners and Dark Synchros." Tormentor finished for him.
"I'm alone..." the spirit murmured. It then raised its voice, and Hermit Soul's mist increased in density and God's Boon started glowing. "I'm all alone!"
(Hermit Soul: 1600→3200 ATK/DEF)
"Its stats doubled?" Nahum's eyes widen. He checked the Monster's effects in his mind. "...Tch, that's annoying. If that bastard spirit controls no other Monsters, Hermit Soul's Attack and Defense are doubled and is unaffected by my card effects."
"I equip myself with this!" the spirit declared as an eerie sword materialized in Hermit Soul's right hand. "And this!" a sword with the same hilt as the first one but possessing a blade of blue flames appeared in its left hand.
"Solitary Sword of Poison and Solitary Sword of Perdition!?" Nahum gritted his teeth. "Poison doubles the original Attack and Defense of the equipped Monster during the damage calculation if it battles my Monster, and Perdition banishes my Monsters after damage calculation in case the equipped Monster doesn't destroy them by battle!"
But if the spirit controls a Monster other than the equipped one, the Equip Spells are sent to the Graveyard. Tormentor thought impassively. I see. This spirit's deck focuses on controlling only Hermit Soul and enhancing its strength.
"Battle! I attack your creature!"
"They're called Monsters, dammit! This ain't Duel Masters!" Nahum growled as his face-down Monster was replaced by a one-eyed, insect-like machine with wings and streaks over its body that pumped red codes instead of blood. "I activate Krawler Receptor's Flip effect! I add one "Krawler" Monster from my Deck to my hand, and I choose Krawler Axon!"
Krawler Receptor: Earth / Insect / Flip / Effect / ATK: 900 / DEF: 1200 / LV: 2
(Hermit Soul: 3200→6400 ATK/DEF)
Hermit Soul swung its swords in unison, releasing an X-shaped energy slash that disintegrated Receptor.
(Hermit Soul: 6400→3200 ATK/DEF)
"Turn End!" the spirit shouted and two face-down tablets appeared in its Spell & Trap Zone.
"Finally! Ware no turn!" Nahum announced. "Draw! I set a Monster face-down! Then, I activate the Continuous Trap Star Relic's Puppets and use its first effect. I target my newly set Monster and change it to face-up Defense Position!"
The set Monster was replaced by a one-eyed, insect-like machine with clawed hind legs and forelegs and streaks over its body that pumped red codes.
Krawler Axon: Earth / Insect / Flip / Effect / ATK: 500 / DEF: 1800 / LV: 2
"I activate Krawler Axon's Flip effect! I target and destroy one Spell or Trap Card on the field. My target is one of your face-downs!" Nahum pointed forward.
"You won't defeat me!" the spirit gestured at the targeted face-down tablet, which flipped up to reveal Waboku before fading away.
"So this turn he won't take any battle damage and I can't destroy his Monster by battle..." Nahum clicked his tongue. "In that case, time for Plan B. I activate the Spell Card Swarm on the Star Relic and use its first effect!"
A card, which depicted a swarm of "Krawler" Monsters approaching the viewer at a fast rate, appeared.
"Since I control a Krawler, I can Special Summon two Krawler Tokens to my field!" Nahum stated as two small, one-eyed, insect-like machines each with a long tail and streaks over its body that pumped red codes appeared around Axon.
Krawler Token: Earth / Insect / ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / LV: 1 - (x2)
"Come to me! The Circuit to feed on!" Nahum was surrounded by a red aura, which then shot into the sky and conjured a Link Portal. "The summoning conditions are two Krawlers! I set Axon and one Token! Link Summon! Devour, Link 2! X-Krawler Qualiark!"
The said Monsters turned into red beams and launched into the Link Markers, and a giant insect-like machine with wing-shaped appendages and streaks over its body that pumped red codes emerged from the portal and floated above the Extra Monster Zone on its user's right.
X-Krawler Qualiark: Earth / Insect / Effect / ATK: 2000 / Link 2: Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right
"I activate the Continuous Trap Krawler Palladion!" Nahum declared. "It's Special Summoned to my field as an Effect Monster!"
A one-eyed, insect-like machine made of gold with streaks over its body that pumped light blue codes instead of red ones appeared under Qualiark's Bottom-Right Marker.
"Since it was Special Summoned by its effect to a zone a Link Monster points to, I can activate Krawler Palladion's effect to add one "Star Relic" card from my Deck to my hand!" a red circle formed around his left wrist, from which a card emerged. "I add Star Relic's Front to my hand. Another Circuit to feed on, come to me! The summoning conditions are two Monsters with different names! I set Palladion and the Token! Link Summon! Devour, Link 2! Troymare Phoenix!"
The phoenix-shaped Monster composed of red energy and random, mechanical parts attached to its body emerged from the portal with a screech and landed under Qualiark's Bottom-Right Marker.
Troymare Phoenix: ATK 1900 / Link 2: Top, Right
"As it was Link Summoned, I can activate Phoenix's effect!" Nahum yelled. "I discard one card from my hand, then target one Spell or Trap Card you control and destroy it! Devour the Solitary Sword of Perdition!"
The flaming sword exploded into particles at those words.
"The third Circuit to feed on, come to me!" Nahum grinned as another Link Portal opened. "The summoning conditions are two or more Monsters Special Summoned from the Extra Deck! I set the Link 2 Qualiark and Phoenix! Link Summon! Devour, Link 4! Jack-Knights Palladion Astram!"
A grown-up version of Chosen by the Star Chalice fully clad in futuristic silver armor with light blue circuits, hair and a cape of the same color leaped out of a portal and landed where Qualiark was seconds ago, brandishing its sword against its shield.
Jack-Knights Palladion Astram: Light / Cyberse / Effect / ATK: 3000 / Link 4: Left, Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right, Right
"I set one card face-down and end my turn!" Nahum concluded.
"Draw card!" the spirit added a tablet to its collection. "Battle! I attack your servant!"
"You didn't call it 'creature', but you're still a fool! Once per battle, during damage calculation, if Jack-Knights Palladion Astram battles a Special Summoned Monster, I can activate its effect! It gains Attack equal to the opponent's Monster's Attack during that damage calculation only! Blue Sky Thrust!"
The circuits on Astram's armor and weapons and its eyes glowed brightly as Hermit Soul approached it.
(Hermit Soul: 3200→6400 ATK/DEF; Astram: 3000→9400 ATK)
The two Monsters swung their weapons at each other and Hermit Soul's sword shattered upon touching Astram's, resulting in the Dark Synchro Monster getting bisected by the hero. It exploded after a pained moan, and the shock waves hit the spirit who also moaned.
Slave of Agony's spirit: LP 4000 - 3000 = 1000
(Astram: 9400→3000 ATK)
"N-N-No...No! No! You won't defeat me!" the spirit howled in fear as its remaining face-down tablet flipped up, revealing the spirit itself gripping its head. "I will return! And win!"
A GY Portal opened in its Middle Main Monster Zone, from which Hermit Soul emerged with a roar.
(Hermit Soul: 1600→2000→4000 ATK/DEF)
"Turn End!"
"Eternal Agony." Tormentor read the card's effects. "A Trap which resurrects Hermit Soul during the Main Phase and gifts it a new effect."
"It boosts its stats by 400 and negates the effects of Monsters it battles during damage calculation." Nahum concluded. He then licked his lips, and his pupils slitted. "Time to devour you. Ware no turn, draw! I activate the Trap Card Star Relic's Front!"
A card, whose artwork was divided into seven segments each depicting a Field Spell related to the Star Relic's lore, appeared.
"With its effect, I place the Field Spell Shadows Creeping on the Star Relic from my Deck face-up into my Field Zone!" Nahum gestured at his field as the Field Spell appeared. "I activate its effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon one Level 2 or lower Insect from my hand in face-up or face-down Defense Position! Come to me, Krawler Glia!"
A set Monster appeared behind Astram.
"I activate the Continuous Trap Star Relic's Puppets' first effect! I target my newly set Monster and change it to face-up Defense Position!"
The set Monster was replaced by a one-eyed, insect-like machine with wings, chains attached to its back, and streaks over its body that pumped red codes.
Krawler Glia: Earth / Insect / Flip / Effect / ATK: 700 / DEF: 1500 / LV: 2
"The Field Spell Shadows Creeping on the Star Relic's effect!" Nahum exclaimed. "All Krawlers on the field gain 300 Attack and Defense!"
Glia screeched as its eye and streaks glowed brighter.
(Glia: 700→1000 ATK, 1500→1800 DEF)
"I activate Glia's Flip effect! I can Special Summon one Krawler from my hand or Graveyard in face-up Attack Position or face-down Defense Position, except another Glia! Come back, Receptor!"
Receptor emerged from a GY Portal on Glia's right, its eye and streaks glowed brightly.
(Receptor: 900→1200 ATK, 1200→1500 DEF)
"Using the Level 2 Glia and Receptor, I build the Overlay Network!" after summoning the X-shaped portal and opening a swirling galaxy portal, he chanted. "Loathsome hunger! All within sight is yours to chew on! Xyz Summon!"
The galaxy exploded, and a stream of DNA appeared before breaking apart and taking the form of his Xyz Monster.
"Devour, Rank 2! X-Krawler Merkleus!"
To reveal itself was a one-eyed, humanoid machine with Glia's and Receptor's wings attached to its back, Krawler Palladion's legs as its claws, and streaks over its body that pumped red codes. It landed under Astram's Bottom-Left Marker, two Overlay Units circling behind it.
X-Krawler Merkleus: Earth / Insect / Xyz / Effect / ATK: 1900→2200 / DEF: 2400→2700 / RK: 2
"I activate Merkleus's effect!" Nahum declared with a grin. "During my Main Phase, I can target one Earth-Attributed Insect-Type Monster in my Graveyard and detach one Overlay Unit from Merkleus to Special Summon that target in face-up Attack Position with its effects negated. Come back, Qualiark!"
Qualiark emerged from a GY Portal on Merkleus's left.
(Qualiark: 2000→2300 ATK)
Nahum let loose of a long exhale as his fingers twitched; he resembled a hungry beast, itching to get his hands on his next meal. "I activate Star Relic's Mind Meld's effect in my Graveyard, which I discarded through Troymare Phoenix. I banish it and target Astram on my field to Special Summon Krawler Myelin from my Deck in face-down Defense Position to my zone Astram points to!"
A set Monster appeared under Astram's Bottom-Right Marker.
"Next, I activate the Spell Card Book of Taiyou! It flips the face-down Myelin to face-up Attack Position, letting its Flip effect activate!" Nahum stated as the set Monster was replaced by a one-eyed, heavyset insect-like machine with wires thrashing from its sides and streaks over its body that pumped red codes. "I target Dark Tuner - God's Boon in your Graveyard and banish it!"
Krawler Myelin: Earth / Insect / Flip / Effect / ATK: 700→1000 / DEF: 1300→1600 / LV: 2
"Th-Th-The gems...! The gems!" the spirit gasped. "My gems!"
"Your gems are mine now!" Nahum exclaimed, no signs of mercy in his voice. "Myelin, do it!"
God's Boon emerged from a GY Portal on the spirit's field but it was immediately tackled to the ground by Myelin, which clutched its tentacles with its wires and rested its heavy body on its target. A segment of Myelin's armor under its eye opened, revealing a fanged mouth with a long tongue, and it proceeded to devour God's Boon. When it finished, it closed its armor and returned to its owner's side.
"Come to me! The Circuit to feed on!" Nahum exclaimed. "The summoning conditions are two Krawlers! I set Merkleus and Qualiark! Link Summon! Devour, Link 2! X-Krawler Somas!"
A giant beetle-like machine with four wing-shaped appendages on its back, six legs, and streaks over its body that pumped red codes emerged from the portal and landed under Astram's Bottom-Left Marker.
X-Krawler Somas: Earth / Insect / Effect / ATK: 2000→2300 / Link 2: Left, Bottom-Right
"Another Circuit to feed on, come to me! The summoning conditions are two or more Monsters, including an Earth Insect Monster! I set the Link 4 Astram and Myelin! Link Summon! Echo chewing sounds as you devour the opposing forces! Link 4! X-Krawler Superior Enteris!"
A spider-like machine double the size of the previously summoned X-Krawlers with eight legs, six eyes, and streaks over its body that pumped red codes emerged from the portal and landed on Somas's left.
X-Krawler Superior Enteris: Earth / Insect / Effect / ATK: 2700→3000 / Link 4: Left, Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right, Right
"Battle!" Nahum threw an arm to the side, before thrusting it back forward. "Superior Enteris, attack Hermit Soul! At this moment, Superior Enteris's effect activates! If my "Krawler" Monster attacks an opponent's Monster, during damage calculation only, its stats become equal to the stats of the opponent's battling Monster plus 300!"
"Before my ability, you can't!" the spirit interjected.
"Think again." Nahum chuckled. "Somas's effect! Attacking "Krawler" Monsters it points to are unaffected by my opponent's card effects, meaning Superior Enteris's effects won't be negated! Do it, Nemesis Fang!"
The Link 4 screeched as its eyes and streaks glowed brighter.
(Superior Enteris: 3000→4300 ATK)
A segment of Superior Enteris's armor under its eyes opened, revealing a fanged mouth with a long tongue that immediately shot out and coiled around Hermit Soul, capturing the Dark Synchro Monster. The tongue retracted into its mouth and Hermit Soul was eaten.
Slave of Agony's spirit: LP 1000 - 300 = 700
(Superior Enteris: 4300→3000 ATK)
"The last bite!" Nahum pointed forward. "X-Krawler Somas attacks you directly!"
Somas rammed its head into the spirit, causing it to howl in pain.
Slave of Agony's spirit: LP 700 - 2300 = 0
Winner: Nahum!
The remaining cards on the field vanished and the room returned to normal as the spirit's body slowly dissipated, vanishing with an echoing groan and leaving no traces behind.
"Oi, what gives?" Nahum rubbed his head with a hand, frowning. His pupils returned to normal as the Duel ended. "Where did it go? Don't tell me it escaped!"
"No." Tormentor replied and walked up to the sarcophagus. He extracted two cards from there, scrutinizing them for some seconds before showing them to his comrade: they were Dark Tuner - God's Boon and Slave of Agony - Hermit Soul...
Fan-made Cards/Skills:
Slave of Agony's spirit:
Dark Tuner - God's Boon (Dark/Rock/Dark Tuner/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 11)
This card cannot be used as a Synchro Material, except for the Synchro Summon of a Dark Synchro Monster. If you control exactly 1 DARK monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). You can only Special Summon 1 "Dark Tuner - God's Boon" per turn this way.
Slave of Agony - Hermit Soul (Dark/Fiend/Dark Synchro/Effect/ATK: 1600/DEF: 1600/LV: -10)
1 non-Tuner monster - "Dark Tuner - God's Boon"
Must be Synchro Summoned and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways. If you control no other monsters, this card's ATK/DEF are doubled and is unaffected by your opponent's card effects. If you would take damage, you can banish this card and "Dark Tuner - God's Boon" from your GY and gain 1000 LP instead.
Solitary Sword of Perdition
Equip Spell
Equip only to a monster you control. If the equipped monster battles an opponent's monster but does not destroy it by that battle, after damage calculation: You can banish that opponent's monster. If you control a monster other than the equipped monster, send this card to the GY. You can only control 1 "Solitary Sword of Perdition".
Eternal Agony
Normal Trap
During the Main Phase: Target 1 "Slave of Agony - Hermit Soul" in your GY or Banish Zone; Special Summon it, ignoring its summoning conditions, and it gains the following effect.
- This card gains 400 ATK/DEF, and during damage calculation, the effects of monsters it battles are negated. If you control a monster other than this card, send this card to the GY.
You can only activate 1 "Eternal Agony" per turn.
Nahum:
Swarm on the Star Relic
Normal Spell
Activate 1 of the following effects.
- If you control a "Krawler" monster, Special Summon 2 "Krawler Tokens" (Earth/Insect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 1).
- Shuffle into the Deck, 5 of your "Krawler" cards with different names that are in your hand or GY, and/or face-up on your field, then draw 2 cards. ("Krawler" Link Monsters count as 2.)
You can only activate 1 "Swarm on the Star Relic" per turn.
Star Relic's Front
Normal Trap
Place 1 "Star Relic", "Palladion", "Guardragon", or "Orphegel" Field Spell from your Deck face-up into your Field Zone. That card cannot be destroyed by the opponent's card effects. If an "X" monster(s) and/or a "Star Relic" card(s) you control would be destroyed by battle or card effect, you can banish this card from your GY instead. (X is the archetype listed in the text of the card in your Field Zone.) You can only use each effect of "Star Relic's Front" once per turn.
X-Krawler Merkleus (Earth/Insect/Xyz/Effect/ATK: 1900/DEF: 2400/RK: 2)
2 Level 2 monsters
During your Main Phase: You can target 1 EARTH Insect monster in your GY; detach 1 material from this card, and if you do, Special Summon it in face-up Attack Position (in which case negate its effects, if any) or in face-down Defense Position. You can only use this effect of "X-Krawler Merkleus" once per turn. Once per turn, if a "Krawler" monster you control is flipped face-up: You can add 1 "Krawler" card from your Deck or GY to your hand.
[Trivia: this card's a reference to the Merkel nerve endings.]
Krawler Myelin (Earth/Insect/Flip/Effect/ATK: 700/DEF: 1300/LV: 2)
FLIP: You can target 1 card in your opponent's GY or Charge Zone; banish it.
If this face-up card in its owner's control leaves the field because of an opponent's card effect: You can Special Summon 2 "Krawler" monsters with different names from your Deck in face-down Defense Position, except "Krawler Myelin". You can only use each effect of "Krawler Myelin" once per turn.
[Trivia: this card's a reference to the Myelin.]
X-Krawler Somas (Earth/Insect/Effect/ATK: 2000/Link 2: Left, Bottom-Right)
2 "Krawler" monsters
Attacking "Krawler" monsters this card points to are unaffected by your opponent's card effects and if they inflict battle damage to your opponent, gain LP equal to the dealt damage. If this face-up card is destroyed by battle, or leaves the field because of an opponent's card effect while its owner controls it: You can target 2 "Krawler" monsters with different names in your GY; Special Summon them in face-down Defense Position.
[Trivia: this card's a reference to the soma.]
X-Krawler Superior Enteris (Earth/Insect/Effect/ATK: 2700/Link 4: Left, Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right, Right)
2+ monsters, including an EARTH Insect monster
"Krawler" monsters this card points to cannot be targeted for attacks and can inflict piercing battle damage. If "Krawler" monsters you control attack an opponent's monster, during damage calculation only, their ATK/DEF become equal to the ATK/DEF of the opponent's battling monster +300. If this face-up card is destroyed by battle, or leaves the field because of an opponent's card effect while its owner controls it: You can target 2 "Krawler" monsters with different names in your GY; Special Summon them in face-down Defense Position.
[Trivia: this card's a reference to the enteric nervous system.]
Damn, I didn't think I'll have to use all but one of the Custom Cards I prepared for Nahum! XD
In this chapter, we get to see more of the Star Relics' personalities. Starting with Nahum, he's very short-tempered and eats a lot, two aspects that are easy to spot in his Dueling (like when he uses the words "to feed on" and "devour" or snaps at his opponent). Something I'd like to point out is that he isn't sadistic, he's just... aggressive, and this doesn't mean he isn't thoughtful. He was able to brilliantly defeat the spirit by summoning a new Link 2 and 4 Krawler Link Monster that made sure to surpass Hermit Soul's effect and ATK.
Tormentor, as always, barely shows any emotions and we learn new things about him like his human form and Helhest. For those who wish to see him Duel, fear not: he'll soon get his own Duel... heh heh. Since the spirit knowing how Duel was so convenient, I thought of adding a twist to it: as Tormentor stated, it knows how to Duel but not like them. Now the spirit's in King's hands, which means the evil guys can have Dark Synchros too! Yay us!
A lot of info about the Star Relics and Twin Gods appeared in this chapter, but in case you're still confused or such do not worry: I'll shortly update my profile page with all the new details! Ummm... Mirg doesn't come off as a very friendly guy in this chapter... but you readers don't know how sweet he can be yet, so don't go making weird assumptions! I guess it's time for an Album Collection chapter regarding that myth!
Reviews really make my day and it's a great way to communicate with you readers, and maybe find out errors I can avoid making. Please review, and with that said, I'll see you all next time!
QOTC: If a character could get their hands on a Dark Synchro, who should it be and why?
