Kailyn faced off against the Dark Signer Arenin, for a minute it looked like Kailyn could actually win the Duel but Arenin used the Effect of Uru to take control over Ancient Fairy Dragon and winning the Duel by attacking the Signer with her own Dragon.

Then Jack stepped to the front and now the Dark Signer has to face the Blade's leader.

56. Thread of Fate - Part 2.

Jack didn't let Arenin out of his sights as he waked towards his opponent, the Bosmer looked tired.

'Jack let's end this.' The Dark Signer stated he showed his activated Duel Disk Jack activated his.

'And so the hero reached the end of his journey, only one adversary to overcome, his hardest challenge yet.'

Jack took position across from the Bosmer.

'Everyone went silent, everything went silent it was only the hero and the villain.'

Jack noticed something in Arenin, not only did he sound tired he sounded off as well.

'Arenin what's going on? How did you let it come to this?'

For a second the Bosmer's eyes became softer.

'A hard life Jack.' He replied with a sigh.

'You know what life in the slums is like, you've been there, you've seen it, my childhood was hard, I was always drawn to the forest, I loved plants, trees and animals, I mostly kept to myself that made a target for bullies, since I had no girlfriend and refused to find one they called me gay, savages they were hating on everyone that didn't fit in their idea of normal.' Arenin paused, his eyes darkened again.

'At that age I could feel magic even if there was not much of it, besides the forest I was fascinated with reading and telling stories, at that time I didn't know what a Bosmer was or a Spinner but I knew I wanted to devote my life to bring happiness to people through reading, giving my own spin to existing tales and even write some myself when I got older, I never had time for a relation.' He looked at Kailyn.

'I love her you know, I want her to be happy.'

His attention shifted back to Jack.

'I know she joined the Blades out of her free will, she showed me that in our Duel, but she is a slave to the believe of the Blades, a sweet girl like her don't deserve that, I stay with my own believes Jack and I will set her free from you.'

Jack shook his head he knew talking to Arenin would have no result.

'So those bullies, how did that end?' He asked Arenin laughed, a hollow laugh.

'You obviously know there were points spread over this world where little magic seeped through, one of such wells was in my favorite forest, over the months of being exposed to the magic changed me, once I was strong enough I confronted my bullies I used my words to deal with them, I gave them such a trauma they will never recover.'

Arenin's eyes became sad for a moment.

'A day later I met Duban, he told me what I was and what I could do, it was like he was in my mind, he showed me what should be done, with Duban's help I could make a better world, years later magic fully returns, my body changed to what it is now and my power grew to what it is today, I have Duban to thank for a lot of this, after I have dealt with this I'm gonna deal with real slavers, humans in underground rings who use Mer as slaves.' Arenin crossed his arms.

'Now Jack freeing Kailyn from an idea is also saving Mer from slavery, you take good care of her, she is free to do what she wants excepts when she is forced to fight for your so-called ideals.'

Arenin drew his five cards, so did Jack.

'Well then Arenin if you think I'm so wrong then defeat me.'

(Jack: 8000) - (Arenin: 8000)

Jack looked at his card he smiled.

'Why are you smiling? Your hand should be the worst hand you ever had.' Arenin stammered.

'Surprised?' Jack replied with a grin.

'Why isn't my magic working on you?' Arenin growled he sounded angry.

'I know your magic let you access the knowledge of the person ensnared, that is how you can decide what cards people get.' Jack started but Arenin interrupted him.

'There is no way you can cancel my magic, it's still in effect I feel it!' The Bosmer howled.

'I cannot negate your magic, instead I had Juliet build a Deck for me, even I don't know what's in it.'

Arenin cleared his throat: 'You think you're so smart now? I still can decide what I get, so it's your random draws from a Deck you don't even know against my perfect draws.'

Jack looked over his hand, took two cards and placed them in his Duel Disk, both appeared facedown vertically in front of him.

'Let's keep you guessing for now.' The Dragonborn said, nodding to Arenin that he ended his turn.

'Of course you know I have what I need.' Arenin boasted.

'Now I don't know what you have, that bothers me, but the hero faces whatever difficulty comes before him without hesitation, the courage flows through his body as his first creature arrives.' The Bosmer placed a card on his Duel Disk, out of the a nearby tree appeared three green lights, then the Spyder Spider descended from it. (1500 ATK)

'Spyder Spider attacks directly!' Arenin shouted, the small creature lunged forward.

'I activate Scapegoat!' Jack shouted, in a flash of light appeared the four-colored sheep. (0 DEF x4)

'Spyder Spider attacks the red Token.' Arenin corrected his move.

'I activate Waboku!' Jack replied before him appeared the priestesses in blue robes they blocked the spider, quickly it retreated back to it's tree.

'My turn.' Jack stated as he drew his card.

'I Summon Rose, Warrior of Revenge!' Before Mario appeared a young-looking girl, she had long, red hair tied in a ponytail, she wore a black bodysuit with reinforced shoulder pads and a white scarf in her right hand she held a sword. (1600 ATK)

'Now I Tune Level four Rose with the four Level one Tokens!' Rose started to glow and four rings appeared then one-by-one the colored sheep leaped through.

'Gathering stars light the way to my destiny, soul of the ancient dragon reborn! Synchro Summon! Shine, Stardust Dragon!'

A bright, white light illuminated the temple, white dust fell slowly down from the heavens, with a roar the majestic dragon dropped down from the clouds, landing on top of the temple. (2500 ATK)

'Attack Spyder Spider!' Jack shouted: 'Shooting Sonic!'

The dragon let out a roar before unleashing it's devastating attack the tree with Spyder Spider in it got completely obliterated.

(Jack: 8000) - (Arenin: 7000)

Arenin drew he added the card to his hand without looking at it.

'Dovahkiin since you have Monsters and I do not I Special Summon Dark Tuner Spider Cocoon.' The creepy, dark spider crawled up from out of the ground. (0 ATK)

'Now I Normal Summon Dark Spider.' Out of the tree that stood next to the Dark Tuner dropped the dark-green skinned spider. (0 ATK)

'First I increase the Level of Spider Cocoon by two through the Effect of Dark Spider, then Dark Tuning!' Arenin shouted, the black orbs shot into the body of Dark Spider the creature was in huge pain as all it's power got drained, then it changed into a cocoon.

'Tied by the threads of fate! Caught in the web of darkness, all hope fades into oblivion! Dark Synchro, show yourself! Underground Arachnid!' Arenin chanted, black mist came out of the cocoon then it broke open and the terrifying creature stood before Jack half spider half human-like, the beast snarled and Stardust Dragon snarled back. (2400 ATK)

The hero knew this was it, his avatar had graced the field, soon evil would be vanquished and the Bosmer would be free once more.' Arenin spoke he then looked at Jack. 'Underground Arachnid capture that Stardust Dragon!'

Webs appeared around the Signer Dragon slowly it was pulled towards the Dark Synchro.

'I activate Assault on GHQ!' Jack roared Juliet smiled as Jack's facedown card opened up.

'By targeting Stardust Dragon for destruction you must discard the top two cards from your Deck.' Jack explained then Stardust Dragon started to glow, the webs broke.

'I activate Stardust Dragon's Effect when it is targeted for destruction I can Tribute it to destroy the card that would destroy Stardust Dragon, then with the End Phase Stardust Dragon returns.' Jack said the Signer Dragon disappeared leaving only white dust, Assault on GHQ exploded.

Arenin had a look of shock on his face. 'Underground Arachnid direct attack!' He roared Jack braced himself he felt the incredible pain in his body as the dark being grabbed him from the ground and bit him.

(Jack: 5600) - (Arenin: 7000)

'The will of the hero never falters, even when facing the unknown he finds a way to fight through.' Arenin said as he placed a card in his Duel Disk it materialized behind his Dark Synchro, then in a flash of light Stardust Dragon reappeared this time it landed on the Field in front of Jack. (2500 ATK)

Jack saw fear in the eyes of Arenin, slowly the Bosmer was losing grip on his own reality, Jack felt the magic around him become lighter.

Jack reached into his pocket he took out one of the small, glass bottles filled with the flames that were able to destroy the Dark Synchro's, without saying anything he threw it at Stardust Dragon, the Signer Dragon caught it in it's maw and broke the bottle, the majestic dragon let out a roar as flames spouted from it's maw.

'I activate Monster Reborn.' Jack then stated in a flash of light Rose reappeared. (1600 ATK)

'Stardust Dragon attack Underground Arachnid! Shooting Sonic!'

Stardust Dragon took flight it started to rain blue flames over the spider creature, the Dark Synchro cried in pain as black smoke slowly came from it's body, Stardust Dragon continued it's relentless assault finally Underground Arachnid gave in, it fell to the ground with a last struggle it fell silent then exploded in a black fog that formed a skull in the sky before disappearing.

(Jack: 5600) - (Arenin: 6900)

'Now Rose direct attack!' Jack shouted the lady grabbed her sword with both hands before she charged in.

'Whenever Rose deals damage she deals an additional 300 Effect Damage after that.' Jack explained, Rose leaped in the air bringing her sword down across Arenin's chest then she quickly made an horizontal slash across his chest after that before retreating back to Jack's side.

(Jack: 5600) - (Arenin: 5000)

'I'm not giving up Dragonborn, I activate Fires of Doomsday!' Arenin shouted his Spell card opened up and two small one-eyed creatures made of black flames appeared before him. (0 DEF x2)

'So Arenin, ready to start the real Duel? It seems you have all cards in place.' Jack remarked.

Arenin was sweating, for a brief second Jack saw fear in the Bosmer's eyes, his eyes were asking for help then Arenin drew, the purple lines broke through the ground around the temple the Mark of the Spider burned on Arenin's arm, Jack's arm glowed as well.

'First I activate Spider Web.' Arenin stated, the Dark Signer has dropped all pretense his expression had changed, Jack filled the magic around him change, they were in Arenin's own crafted world now, the crystals were still stuck in the ground from his Duel against Kailyn the thin threads appeared between the crystals.

'Now I Release my two Tokens!' Arenin roared as he spread his arm, the pulsating, rock, heart rose to the sky above the temple.

'The souls of thousands, caught in the web of deceit, spinning the tale of my victory! Descent Earthbound God Uru!' Arenin chanted, the heart broke open unleashing black fog all over the area, slowly the massive spider Uru appeared climbing the temple. (3000 ATK)

'Uru extinguish their light of hope, attack Stardust Dragon! Hell Thread!'

The Earthbound God spun it's web around Stardust slowly the Signer Dragon was dragged in, the Earthbound God crushed Stardust with little to no issue.

(Jack: 5100) - (Arenin: 5000)

'Uru is changed to Defense Mode due to Spider Web.' Arenin stated, the Earthbound God crouched down staying alert. (3000 DEF)

'Next I shall Set two cards and end my turn.' The Bosmer said as both card materialized in front of him in a vertical position.

Jack drew his card he looked at Arenin's facedown cards.

'Here's my chance, Rose attacks directly!' Jack shouted.

The female warrior drew her sword then charged in.

'I activate Brilliant Shine Art!' Arenin replied his reversed card opened up.

'Your direct attack becomes an attack on Uru!'

Rose gasped as webs quickly wrapped around her, Uru drew her in then slammed her against the ground in front of Jack.

(Jack: 3700) - (Arenin: 5000)

'Since Rose battled she now goes into defense mode.' Arenin said with a grin, the warrior sheathed her sword then she knelt down on one knee. (600 DEF)

'In that case I Set a card and end my turn.' Jack stated as his card materialized behind Rose.

Arenin quickly drew his card, his Dark Signer Mark glowed brighter than before, Jack looked at his companions who were watching in silence still enthralled by Arenin's spell their Signer Marks were glowing as well it was then that Jack noticed the throbbing and burning feeling in his arm.

'I activate Zero Gravity!' Arenin then shouted his Trap card opened up.

'This changes the Battle Positions of all Monsters.' The Bosmer explained both Rose and Uru stood up. (Rose: 1600 ATK, Uru: 3000 ATK)

Next I Summon Dark Spider.' The small, green spider appeared before Arenin.

'Next I use the Effect of Uru, by using Dark Spider as a Tribute I can take control over Rose.'

Dark Spider dissolved in a black mist that got absorbed by the Earthbound God.

Uru let out a roar as it's webs shot out to grab Rose.

'I activate Interdimensional Matter Transporter!' Jack said his Trap card opened up and the weird machine appeared on the Field, Rose quickly hopped in and the machine disappeared right before the webs would hit, then Jack braced himself.

'Uru! Hell Thread!' Arenin hissed Jack's screams filled the air the webs tightly wrapped around him nearly crushing him, after what felt like minutes the attack let up, Jack crawled back up Arenin was hissing and foaming, his eyes filled with madness.

(Jack: 700) - (Arenin: 5000)

'Jack you're tougher than you look I give you that.' Arenin hissed.

'I shall end my turn now which means Rose returns.' The Bosmer stated the weird machine reappeared on the Field and Rose leaped out. (1600 ATK)

Jack quickly drew his card.

'I activate One Day of Peace.' He stated the Spell card appeared on the Field. 'Now we both draw a card and we don't take damage until the end of your turn Arenin.' Jack explained they both drew then a soft light surrounded both Duelists.

'Now I activate Foolish Burial.' Jack smiled as he let his Duel Disk to pick a card for him without looking he discarded it.

'Now Arenin not even I know what card I just send to my Graveyard, so you can't manipulate it.'

Arenin chuckled: 'You don't get it do you? It doesn't matter what happens here you have roughly two hours left you won't make it, why not turn back enjoy your last free moments.'

Jack shook his head: 'Even if I wanted I couldn't I made a promise to the Dragon God of Time.' Jack took a card from his hand.

'I Summon Infernal Dragon!' With a roar a black dragon appeared before Jack his belly was white, it's large wings were dark-red and it had a trident at the end of it's tail, smoke came through it's nostrils. (2000 ATK)

'I Tune both my Monsters both Level four!' Jack shouted first Rose changed into four rings the dragon flew through them.

'The fiery wrath burning within, become the fire that banishes the night! Synchro Summon, the burning soul personified! Red Dragon Archfiend!'

Arenin gasped as with a roar Juliet's Signer Dragon dropped down from the sky, the Signer Mark on Juliet's arm started to shine even brighter, Jack looked at his girlfriend she slowly started to wake up from the spell, Red Dragon Archfiend landed before Jack with a roar spewing flames into the sky. (3000 ATK)

'Since attacking has no use now I shall Set this card.' Jack's card appeared behind Red Dragon Archfiend.

'Jack?' Juliet then said Jack looked back Juliet seemed confused.

'Take it easy Juliet, I've got this I won't let this world fall not with your soul at my side.' He turned back to face the Bosmer.

'Your move again Arenin.'

The Bosmer took a deep breath before he drew his card, he gave a quick glance to the still frozen Kailyn.

'I'll free you I promise.' He muttered.

'I Summon Relinquished Spider!' Before Arenin appeared a small critter, a one-eyed spider with a giant, yellow egg-like orb on it's back. (300ATK)

'I Release Relinquished Spider to take control over Red Dragon Archfiend.'

Uru shot out it's webs slowly the massive dragon was dragged over to Arenin's side.

'Now Red Dragon Archfiend attacks directly!' Arenin commanded.

'Smart move Arenin.' Jack replied a barrier appeared before him blocking the blast.

'Even though One Day of Peace is active and I take no damage this attack changes Red Dragon Archfiend to Defense Mode.' Jack watched as his dragon flew back to his side then crouched down. (2000 DEF)

'It's good you realize in what situation I brought you Jack, now just for insurance I shall Set this.' The Bosmer said the facedown card appeared on his side of the Field, he then looked away his eyes closed.

'My turn.' Jack stated as he drew his card.

'First I Summon Battle Fader.' Jack stated before him appeared the weird, Fiendish, clock-like creature. (0 ATK)

'Next I activate Red Screen!' Jack continued as his facedown card opened up.

'With Red Dragon Archfiend on the Field I can Destroy Red Screen and Special Summon a Level One Tuner.'

An explosion of light illuminated the temple Arenin fell on his knees his hands grabbing his head he was in clear pain, behind Jack his allies started to move, all magic in the area seem to disappear on the horizon the shape of the Crimson Dragon was visible, when the light died out Majestic Dragon was hovering next to Red Nova. (0 ATK)

'You know what comes now!' Jack roared as he spread his arms, the sky got illuminated once again all three of Jack's Monsters started to glow.

'Flames of hatred burned out and reborn into hope! Synchro Summon, illuminate this realm in soothing light! Majestic Red Dragon!'

Slowly the light faded a bit, the roar of the massive dragon was deafening, the four-winged snake-like dragon flew over the Field, it started to circle around Uru. (4000 ATK)

Arenin opened his eyes.

'This light, what have I been doing?' The Bosmer stammered.

'Arenin, I use the Effect of Majestic Red Dragon to negate the Effect of Uru, then it's Attack Points increase with the amount Uru has.' Jack stated his Dragon roared again Uru's glowing, red lines died out Arenin was just standing there his mouth open in awe, Majestic Red Dragon roared again. (4000- 7000 ATK)

'Majestic Red Dragon attack Earthbound God Uru!' Jack roared.

'I activate Shrink!' Arenin reacted his facedown card opened up, the Bosmer then looked at Kailyn he smiled.

'I see now what fool I've been, I was stuck in our past of being slaves to humans, I forgot that times had changed.' He chuckled: 'That is what stories do to someone's mind, my dear Kailyn, I am deeply sorry and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.'

He then looked at Uru.

'I use Shrink to halve the Attack Points of Uru.' He stated the Earthbound God became weaker. (3000- 1500 ATK)

With one last screech the evil creature was faded away by the divine light of Majestic Red Dragon.

(Jack: 700) - (Arenin: 0)

Arenin had a serene smile on his face, the purple lines around the temple died out, the Bosmer closed his eyes as his body slowly started to fade away in dust.

'Jack, you've brought me peace, if I get a second chance I hope things will be different between us.' With these words Arenin completely faded.

'I will find a way I promise.' Jack whispered.

It took a minute before Arenin's magic was gone completely once everyone could move normally again he checked if everyone was okay, together they stepped into the temple grounds.

It was all Jack had expected, a barren squire devoid of life giant stairs led up to the main entrance, a barrier surrounded the structure, Jack took the two rune keys he held them above his head, slowly the runes floated towards the barrier.

'Close your eyes and cover your ears.' Serana said the group was just in time when a flash of light too bright for human eyes flashed followed by an ear-deafening, screeching sound.

When they opened their eyes the barrier was gone.

'Okay from here on out we need to be careful.' Jack started but he was stopped by a cackling laughter, a group of drones hovered before the stairs they carried holo-projectors much like the ones used in Duel Disks, the drones showed a woman she was wearing a black-leather catsuit her normally silver hair was now covered by a hooded cloak she wore loosely over the catsuit, you could see her white mask covering the top half of her face.

'Richard.' Jack calmly spoke.

'Sara.' Richard growled.

The woman removed her hood revealing her silver hair she then threw off the cloak finally she removed the mask revealing her face, there were four Criminal Marks on her face one under her right eye and on her right cheek, one under her left eye and a triangle-shaped one on her chin.

Sara took a step to the side revealing she had a man tied up to a chair behind her, he had a rag in his mouth and was blindfolded, he was wearing a Sector Security uniform, the man appeared to be in his fifties.

'Arthur!' Richard shouted.

'He can't hear you my dear, only I can.' Sara replied with a soft, sweet voice, she then removed the blindfold.

'Now Richard you know you shouldn't let your toys lay around.' She started to pace up and down.

'Arthur has nothing to do with this Sara, it's me you want I'm here!'

Sara smiled as she shook her head.

'Little Arthur here has everything to do with this, he's your toy Richy, you had him drive me to that damnable facility.' Sara replied.

'He was following orders, he had nothing to do with your capture, that was me, the command to transport you came from me, I take full responsibility for that.' Richard tried but he was met with Sara's laughter.

'No Richy Arty here is your toy, you're used to the fact that people return your toys to you if you misplace them.' Sara disappeared from view for a second because she bent down to grab something, when she came back into view she held a shotgun, slowly she pushed the shotgun in the face of Arthur who was now screaming through the rag in his mouth.

'You need to learn Richy that sometimes your toys get broken.'

Richard watched in shock, Jack and the others looked away then the sound of the shot echoed over the temple grounds then silence.

Next time:

With Arenin gone the Blades entered the temple grounds.

Their victory however was short lived as Sara revealed herself.

Now the Blades are trapped inside a deadly maze inside the temple and are forced to play Sara's demented game. ''The Embodiment of Vengeance'' coming next.