Moans came from the daiyoukai towering Sagakin, their sound caught somewhere between ecstasy and insanity. He stared at the crimson sky, the only source of light in the pocket dimension he had created with All Over The World's, no, his powers. Previously he was only able to create illusions using his imagination and the inner fears of his victims. Now with the very fabric of existence in his palm, said illusions could become reality, meaning he could give birth to anything he willed. The countless possible horrors he could unleash thrilled him to no end. But before he could begin painting his masterpiece, there was still the matter of establishing his ultimate dominance. With a single raised arm, he stretched the pocket dimension, bringing in the scientists and military investigating Sagakin's disappearance, alongside the surrounding plains, beach and sea, and soon, the rest of Japan, Asia, and ultimately the entirety of Earth. The planet would disappear from the cosmos, isolated in his own dimension until he would fully morph it into his image. Only after the great injustice brought over him was corrected and he would finally rule his own realm as he was destined upon birth, would the fallen prince turn his sights to the kingdom which had forsaken him and make it feel his cold revenge.

Chaos began to spread around the world as all nations grew alarmed by the sudden change of the sky and the disappearance of both day and night. As soon as Earth had been fully absorbed into his dimension, Shishima's face appeared in the bloody heavens and his hissed echoed voice resounded for all humans to hear, "Hear ye, oh fallen and rotten mankind, for the day of your judgment has finally come! For far too long have you mortals been allowed to freely roam and sin on this Earth. As the centuries passed you all grew wiser and developed with each generation, but in your blind search for progress you have forsaken that which was most crucial in your battle against the afterlife – faith. Now as I stand before you, I can do nothing but thank both you and all of your ancestors for putting behind superstition and embracing the material. In your foolish pride, you have allowed me, who have been wandering your world since the times of your nations' founders, to finally arise from the shadows towards my rightful glory! You will know my name as Shishima, the God of Earth and bringer of a new era as I lay my wrath upon you! All those who wish to inherit my future will renounce any other faiths and sacrifice their fellow man in my honor. Let go of the shackles of love, embrace the madness of solitude and bring tribute to your new master, so that you will be blessed when my shadow falls upon your worthless soul! Through the death of the many shall the few inherit the new Earth! The time has come and the choice is yours."

Not long after he concluded his speech, the lion daiyoukai saw strange glowing dots in the horizon. Narrowing his eyes, he noticed they were three nuclear missiles, all coming from the East. Amused at the pathetic human attempt to put an end to his reign, especially since they would have done more damage to the planet than to himself, he smirked. Perhaps a demonstration of his power was needed. As the first of three missiles approached Sagakin, he punched the rocket and it spun backwards into the second, the explosion a mere spark in the sky for him, a terrifying light spectacle for the humans beneath. When the third missile was about to collide with him, he merely grabbed it and threw it back with an even greater speed in the direction it came from. In only a matter of minutes, it hit and exploded on American soil, and there was nothing they could do to prevent it.

"That is Shishima-sama for you! Human weapons of mass destruction pale in comparison to his greatness!" Borof cheered, fist pumping the air.

"Glory to Shishima, our Lord, our one and only God!" Shinobu shouted her praises while still kneeling on the ground. "Behold, the new era has finally begun!"

"Sheesh, can you calm down with the religious mumbo jumbo for five seconds and have some fun?" asked the unimpressed plushie.

"Mind your own business, you worthless toy!" the girl snapped back at him.

"Worthless? Ha, you fool have no idea just how wrong you are. I'll have you know that I, the great Borof-sama, have accomplished-" Before the obnoxious wolf could begin his bragging, Hajime ran from behind and kicked him in the back, sending him straight into Shinobu, the two of them rolling down the asphalt and colliding against a streetlight.

"That takes care of them," Sayo said as she regained her composure.

"Please go to the college and make sure both Jack and Lori are safe," the blond asked as he took off his backpack, offering it to her. "Here, take my first aid kit and tend to their wounds."

"What about Shishima?"

"Leave him to me. It's as you said, Sayo; this is humanity's last chance, and like my grandmother before me, I will take the final stand for us all!"

After everything that happened between the two of them, there was nothing left to say. With an understanding nod, she replied, "Good luck." And thus she ran, leaving everyone's fates in his hands. At last, the moment that he and his enemy had been waiting for had come. Taking a deep breath, Hajime mustered his courage and shouted upwards:

"Shishima!" The lion demon turned his glare down at him. "For the sake of those you killed, for the future of mankind, I, Hajime Shirayama, challenge you to a duel!"

In response, the daiyoukai reached down and grabbed the human with his giant hand, raising him in the sky so that he was at the level of his sharp face. Despite having different features from young Subaru's face, Hajime recognized anywhere that malicious smile which betrayed excitement and anticipation. He knew this fiend was entertained by their rivalry and tortured him mentally only to gain a reaction, no different from the petty bullies he had seen in high school, except the stakes were much higher.

"I accept your challenge, Hajime," he spoke, his breath reeking of decomposing corpses. "Today is the day we will be parting ways. Either you defeat me and allow humanity to resume its course of decadence in technology and progress, or I defeat you and crush humanity's last hopes, thus cementing my dominion over this world once and for all!" Using his powers, Shishima made Hajime float in the air at his level and had two dueling tables appear in the air for his opponent and himself. The demon's own deck also appeared on the table, the cards being set up by his telekinetic powers. "I want you to know that no matter the outcome, you have been a worthy adversary and a fun playmate, and for that you have my eternal gratitude!"

"Your gratitude means nothing to me, you psychopath!" the young one raised his voice with indignation. "You've killed my best friend and my grandmother, you've terrorized Sagakin with your murders, you've threatened my friends and family; I literally want you out of my life now and forever, and if I can get rid of you by dueling, then so fucking be it!"

"Ever the blunt one, I see. That is exactly why I've followed you so closely, mortal. This frustration of yours is an absolute delight for me, it has fed me so well. But alas, all good things must come to an end, so let us settle our score once and for all, Hajime!"

Using his powers, Shishima projected their final confrontation on the sky all over the world, for every human to see his ultimate triumph. There and then, beneath mankind's collective eyes, their shields materialized, thus marking the beginning of their fateful match.

"I summon Mixel, Strange Stone," Hajime said and a creature made of red stone which was shaped like a plane appeared by his side.

"I summon School Man and destroy both of our creatures." A mud creature possessing a school building appeared and immediately exploded, taking the other creature down with it.

"I cast Three Sword's Judgment, check the top three cards of my deck and add Shuketsuno Seisai Zett to my hand. Then I put this spell face up on one of my shields."

"I summon Time Tripper, Shadow of Stagnation, now your mana enters tapped." A fat ghost with two pairs of arms and a giant mouth on its belly appeared by Shishima's side.

"I cast Tenseino Seisai Zett and return a shield to my hand, then I place this spell face up on another shield."

"I summon Jenny, the Dismantling Doll, show me your hand!" The white-haired doll wearing a dark red dress and wielding a razor weapon appeared next to the fat ghost and Hajime reluctantly revealed three cards - Shuketsuno Seisai Zett, Ghiramessiah Savark Calibur and Kirazeus Savark, the middle one ending up discarded. "Time Tripper, break his shield with Tenseino Seisai Zett!"

"Sabaki Z, I discard Furious Broken Mask Judgment and cast Tenseino Seisai Zett again. I return another shield to my hand and add the spell face up on another shield."

"Keh, reducing the number of your shields so drastically? You're playing a risky game there, Hajime."

"I summon Daiyamonsho, Choukounosabaki and end." A being whose limbs were made of purple crystal, its white metallic head with one red eye, all these body parts united by bright beams of light, appeared in the battle zone by Hajime's side.

"I summon Ninjariban, Dragon Edge and bring out Greene, Dragon Soul Ruins." A blue ninja plushie appeared alongside a green ruined building with a dragon head above its entrance, which sent the top card of its owner's deck to his mana zone. "Jenny, break his shield with Tenseino Seisai Zett!"

"Sabaki Z, I discard Tenseino Seisai Zett and cast Tamashiugatsu Kouseino Seisai Zett, which sends Time Tripper face up on your shields. The spell then goes face up on my last shield and I draw a card from Daiyamonsho's effect. My turn, I summon Zett, Kiramekuseisen and add Sky Dragon's Final Judgment from the top of my deck face up on my shield." A cycloptic humanoid made of white crystals and with two golden swords for arms appeared as well by Hajime's side. "Now with Zett's effect, whenever a card is added into my shield zone, the next Light card I use costs 3 mana less, so I cast Shuketsuno Seisai Zett by paying a single mana! I reveal the top two cards of my deck and add both Triguard Charger and Furious Broken Mask Judgment to my hand. The spell then goes face up on my shield and I draw again from Daiyamonsho."

"I see you've upgraded your deck once again since our last duel. I like this new progression of yours, Hajime. I hope you're ready, because the fun has begun - I summon Hellborof, Supreme Dragon Edge and bring out Welcome Hell, Supreme Devil King Palace!" The winged and horned purple wolf plushie appeared and caused Time Tripper, Shadow of Stagnation and Bochiborof, Aloof Fighter to fall from the top of his owner's deck into his graveyard, after which he made the winged demonic palace descend from a hole in the sky. "Welcome Hell revives Bochiborof!" The long-haired purple wolf plushie also appeared, causing Honenbe, Skeletal Guardian, Vader, Dark Armor and Mad Demon Excellency / Demon Hand to land in his owner's graveyard, the latter of which went back into his hand. "Ninjariban, attack and Welcome Hell revives Honenbe as well!" The purple skull with two pairs of bat wings appeared, causing Ninjariban, Dragon Edge, Hellborof, Supreme Dragon Edge and Rousseau Montes / Monte Scale Sign to land in their owner's graveyard, the latter of which went into his hand. "Ninjariban, break his final shield!"

"I turn all three cards face down on my last shield and bring out Ghiramessiah Savark Calibur!" A slender serpentine dragon made of blue crystal, its wings made of sharp sapphire spears, a red gem glowing on its chest and a blue sword decorated with golden stars on its crotch appeared and blocked the plushie's attack, shattering it to pieces.

"I end my turn and destroy Jenny, Honenbe, Bochiborof and Hellborof to flip Welcome Hell into Deathgoros, Supreme Devil Corrupt King!" The winged palace fired a beam on the four creatures and obliterated them all, after which it broke open, revealing the Demon Command Dragon sealed inside, who wielded his own bone scythe. "Deathgoros destroys Zett and Ghiramessiah Savark Calibur!" The creature gave a terrifying roar and slashed both Metallicas in half with his blade.

Hajime gulped at the sight of Shishima's finisher. Once again his control proved to be weak to the foe's removals. If he could not find a way to keep up with him, it would all be over.

"Do not fear," a familiar masculine warm voice spoke in his head. "Draw your next card."

"Who said that?" the blond mentally wondered as he stared at his deck.

"I promise I will be by your side in this duel until the very end," the voice continued. "Be brave, we will get through this together!"

Hajime drew his next card and smiled, whispering to it, "So it's you..." Turning back to his opponent, he loudly declared, "I summon Kirazeus Savark and send Deathgoros to your shields!"

"Deathgoros flips back to Welcome Hell!" Shishima announced as a slender serpentine dragon made of gold and dark purple crystal, its wings made of sharp golden spears, a red eye glowing on its chest and a brilliant sword of light in its sharp claws, appeared and slashed his creature, forcing it to revert to its demonic palace form. "My turn, I cast Demon Hand and destroy Kirazeus Savark!"

"With the effect of my Kirazeus, I burn Time Tripper off of your shield and my creature stays!" Hajime retorted and watched how the pair of blue demonic hands tried to crush his crystal dragon, only for it to slash them away with the light sword. "My turn then, I cast Triguard Charger and return all cards from my last shield into my hand. Then I add a card from my hand as a new shield and put the spell into my mana zone. Afterwards I cast Shuketsuno Seisai Zett, reveal the top two cards of my deck and add both Furious Broken Mask Judgment and Ghiramessiah Savark Calibur into my hand. I put the spell face up on my shield and draw a card from Daiyamonsho. Next I cast Furious Broken Mask Judgment, draw a card, put it face up on my shield and draw again from Daiyamonsho. Kirazeus Savark, Dragon Double Break his shields! I add a new shield and a Triguard Charger face up on it."

The daiyoukai spread his arms and leather wings wide, welcoming the attack which slashed two of his shields. The shards quickly united back into cards which went into his hand and he revealed one of them saying:

"Shield trigger, I cast Inferno Sign and revive Hellborof." The winged and horned wolf plushie reappeared, causing another copy of himself and a Spiner, Shock Doctor to fall into the owner's graveyard. "I bring out Blacko, Dragon Soul Palace, choose and discard a card." A purple demonic palace with a dragon head above its entrance appeared while Hajime tossed Mixel, Strange Stone / Jamming Chaff into his graveyard. "Now it's my turn, I cast Monte Scale Sign and revive another Hellborof, who brings out Reddull, Dragon Soul Castle, which grants him speed attacker!" A second wolf plushie appeared, alongside a Japanese-styled red castle with flaming swords at its edges. "I attack with Hellborof and revive Ninjariban, who brings out Whitey, Dragon Soul Church, which freezes your Kirazeus Savark!" A blue ninja plushie appeared alongside a floating golden church with a dragon's head above its entrance, which fired a beam and bound the opposing crystal dragon. "Hellborof, break his final shield!"

"Daiyamonsho, block the attack!" The Metallica stood in the plushie's way and was cut in half with his bone scythe. "When Daiyamonsho is destroyed, he goes face up on my shield."

"I attack with my second Hellborof and revive another Ninjariban, who brings out Bluenika, Dragon Soul Fortress!" A floating blue fortress with a dragon head appeared, after which all five buildings united. "Super Dragsolution – All Over The World, Supreme True Dragon Soul!"

Everything froze. Sounds ceased, as if all living beings collectively became deaf. As the titanic robotic being made of buildings materialized in the stratosphere and cast its shadow upon the entirety of Earth, Shishima's body was enveloped in its rainbow aura and soon it turned into cosmic matter, countless stars and galaxies being reflected in its shape. The only remaining feature were his pupils, two glowing red dots staring down from between the constellations. It all resonated with him - every heartbeat, breath, thought, he was one with all the souls in his pocket dimension. He was no longer merely accepted by All Over The World as its owner, now they shared the same power, the same body, the same fate.

"Feast thine eyes on thy God!" Shishima's voice telepathically spoke inside every human's mind.

"Don't let yourself be intimidated by him!" Kirazeus Savark spoke to his owner. "Even Gods can be brought down by the strength in man's heart, for it was man who created God and not the other way around!"

"Thank you." Hajime nodded at his creature and then he watched how all cards in their hands, graveyards and battle zone were shuffled back into their decks. "This isn't over yet, Shishima! I burn Furious Broken Mask Judgment off of my shield and keep Kirazeus Savark in the battle zone!"

"I draw a card from Bluenika's effect. All Over The World, break his final shield!" Shishima ordered and the youth shielded himself from the powerful blast of the robotic creature which shattered his remaining shield. Thankfully, the crystal dragon flew behind him to keep him from getting blasted away. "I pass the turn to you, mortal."

"I cast Triguard Charger and put a card from my hand as a new shield. Then I summon Daiyamonsho, Choukounosabaki."

"I summon Honenbe, Skeletal Guardian." The purple skull with two pairs of bat wings appeared, causing Jenny, the Dismantling Doll, Vader, Dark Armor and Hellborof, Supreme Dragon Edge to go into its owner's graveyard, the latter going back into his hand. "All Over The World, destroy Kirazeus Savark!"

"Daiyamonsho, block the attack and he goes face up on my shield!" The small Metallica took the blast instead of the crystal dragon, perishing, but its image reappearing on its owner's shield. "My turn, Kirazeus Savark finally untaps. I cast Tamashiugatsu Kouseino Seisai Zett and send Honenbe face up to your shields, then the spell also goes face up on my shield. I attack with Kirazeus Savark and Dragon Double Breaker, I add a new shield and Three Swords' Judgment face up on it!"

Shishima calmly witnessed the crystal dragon slash off two more of his shields. He took the cards into his hand and said, "I summon Hellborof and bring out Welcome Hell." The wolf plushie once more appeared alongside the demonic palace, with BloodRayne, Start Dash and Ninjariban, Dragon Edge going into their owner's graveyard. "Welcome Hell revives Ninjariban, whom I equip with Migawari, Nightmare Swastika." The ninja plushie appeared, wielding a red shuriken. "Then I summon School Man and destroy both Ninjariban and himself. Ninjariban stays and Migawari 3D Dragsolutions into Utsusemihenge, Blame Demon Dragon!" The mud creature appeared and immediately exploded, the plushie tossing its shuriken in the air to save himself, said weapon transforming into a winged black and blue dragon made of plush.

"I burn Honenbe off of your shield and Kirazeus Savark doesn't get destroyed."

"All Over The World, destroy Kirazeus Savark!"

"I burn Daiyamonsho off of my shield and he doesn't get destroyed again."

"I end my turn and Dragsolution - I destroy Hellborof, Ninjariban, All Over The World and Utsusemihenge. Since All Over The World is tapped, it stays. I return four cards from my graveyard to the bottom of my deck for Utsusemihenge to stay as well. Then I flip Welcome Hell into Deathgoros, Supreme Devil Corrupt King and destroy Kirazeus Savark!"

"I burn Three Swords' Judgment off of my shield and he stays yet again." Hajime drew his next card and a thrill he never felt before suddenly filled him, almost as if for the very first moment in those twenty years of living he fully felt alive. There it was, the key to ending the nightmare which had plagued him for so long. "I summon another Kirazeus Savark and send All Over The World back to the hyperspatial zone!"

"What the...?" Shishima stared at the second crystal dragon which emerged and immediately slashed the Dragheart Creature. The slice left by the light sword burned its humanoid body, and the destruction began spreading to the church, fortress, palace and ruins. One by one, each of the five buildings fell apart, disappearing in an explosion of gigantic proportions which the planet's inhabitants saw as fireworks. The shadow which covered Earth had vanished. As soon as it was gone, Shishima's body was no longer made of cosmic matter, but it reverted to that of a lion daiyoukai. He could feel the power leaving each of the five cards as they were separated and sent back to the hyperspatial zone. "No..." he whispered, still unable to comprehend how in one moment he had the tip of existence in his palm and in the next he had lost it all. "Stop, don't leave me, no!" he shrieked as the power was bled dry out of the cards and disappeared back in the universe where it belonged.

"Would a God pathetically beg for a creature to not be destroyed?" asked Hajime, a satisfied smirk on his face as he finally witnessed his enemy knocked off of his mighty throne. "Do you remember our first duel, back at the college? I was right on that night - you're just a monstrous murderer. You've wielded the power of All Over The World and confused yourself with a God. At the end of it all, you are nothing but a lowly demon, an empty shell with no meaning whatsoever!"

Shishima could not even properly pay attention to the youth's words. He felt the power leave his body, and thus he could no longer maintain the size of his pocket dimension, which began shrinking, freeing the Earth from his tyrannical shackles. The only part of the planet which would remain under it was Sagakin. Their duel would no longer be broadcast in the sky, but after witnessing the destruction of his ultimate weapon, humanity had gotten the message loud and clear that its messenger had triumphed, even if temporarily. Still, if he could at least defeat the mortal in a duel, his pride would remain intact and he could find another way to summon All Over The World again. Yes, all was not lost, he just had to resist. But his vision was becoming blurry, a sudden migraine was creeping inside his head.

"Kirazeus Savark, attack! I add Savark DG face up on one of my shields, now break his final shield!" Hajime ordered and his creature slashed away the last opposing shield.

"You got rid of All Over The World, I hope you're proud of yourself."

"I actually am, Shishima!" the blond smugly replied. "And I will be even more satisfied when I finally defeat you and cleanse the world of your poison!"

"You foolish boy, you won't get rid of me that easily!" the lion threatened back. "I cast Demon Wolf, Howling Moonlight Castle and with its Mana Arms 5 I destroy your untapped Kirazeus Savark!" A pack of blue demonic wolves encircled the creature.

"I burn Savark DG off of my shield and he stays." The dragon roared and slashed the wolves away with his sword of light.

"I attack Kirazeus Savark with Deathgoros, mill Time Tripper and revive School Man. I destroy School Man and Utsusemihenge, return the last four cards of my graveyard to the bottom of my deck to keep the latter, now you must choose and destroy one of your creatures!"

"I destroy my tapped Kirazeus Savark and the attack of Deathgoros ceases."

"Fine then. Utsusemihenge, break his final shields!" Shishima ordered and the ninja dragon flew towards the opponent and slashed away his two shields with a katana.

"My turn then, I summon Ghiramessiah Savark Calibur." Once more the slender serpentine dragon made of blue crystals appeared next to its incarnation made of purple crystals. "Kirazeus Savark, attack and... Attack Chance - I cast Sky Dragon's Final Judgment and freeze all of your creatures!" The dragon flew in the air and made a rain of golden arrows fall upon the battle zone, binding both Utsusemihenge and Deathgoros to the ground. "Kirazeus Savark, todomeda!"

"Ninja Strike 4, I summon Falconer, Lightfang Ninja and block the attack!" The small white plane appeared and was slashed into pieces by the light sword.

"I remember how you've prevented me from defeating you in our first duel in the same way, Shishima. However, this time around there will be a different outcome - Sky Dragon's Final Judgment untaps all of my Master Dragons!"

"What in the actual hell? This can't be..." the lion demon uttered, shocked that his tricks did not work and his rival had outsmarted him in every possible way.

"Kirazeus Savark, todomeda!" Hajime shouted from the top of his lungs, putting all of his pent up frustrations in that one attack.

Before he knew it, Shishima was cut by the same sword of light, which threw him in the air. As he fell backwards, all of his past lives flashed before his very eyes. He remembered the Abyss, Koushishi's tortures, Akushishi's care, Fukurokuju's lessons, Nekohana's love, the night which changed everything and had him bound to human bodies in that wretched cycle of reincarnation, the conquests and killing sprees he partook in with each painful rebirth, the nightmares, human suffering, negative emotions, physical pain, feelings of satisfaction, laughter, ambition, hatred, it all flashed in front of his eyes in those solemn moments. How close he was to achieving his final goals and how easily he lost yet again. But Hajime had defeated him fair and square, and deep inside he knew that he had enjoyed each second of their duel. The knowledge that the great Shishima fell in a duel of epic proportions was his only consolation. Closing his eyes, his enormous body collapsed upon the Western wing of Sagakin, crushing many buildings underneath its weight.

Both dueling tables fell, but Kirazeus Savark was quick to fly beneath and have Hajime land on his back while Ghiramessiah Savark Calibur fetched his owner's deck.

"Did I do it?" the young one asked in disbelief.

"Yes, Shishima has been defeated. Look around, the world is reverting to its natural state!" the dragon motioned to the sky which reverted to its blue color, the sun's rays once more blessing the lost city as fresh air filled its streets.

"His pocket dimension is gone, that means we've saved Sagakin!"

"Not only, you've saved your entire planet and even spared the universe of his evil. Congratulations, Hajime Shirayama, we knew we have chosen well!"

Both creatures landed on the street, one setting him down and the other offering his deck. With a proud nod from both Savarks, they parted ways with their owner. Hajime took a deep breath and looked around - death and ruin was everywhere, but at last, after those two weeks of trial and error, of sweat and blood, his hopes had finally transpired. They could all move on and start anew, while Shishima's legacy would ultimately share his fate and become a defeated and humiliated corpse for all the world to see. Yes, he stared ahead at a bright future.