Phantom's Requiem
Chapter 34
At Last
(Theme for this chapter: "What Have You Done" by Within Temptation)
"This would be so much easier if you just stopped struggling," a man in black military garb stated, his gaze transfixed on a tired and bruised Yugo, who was panting while holding his injured left arm, Rin standing behind him. "There's nothing you can do to protect her now. You'll give out any minute now, and she'll come back with us, willingly or not."
"What gave you that idea? I haven't even started trying yet," the teen chuckled, grinning.
'He's right, though. I've been fighting these guys off for hours now. I'm almost at my limits. Those other two aren't helping, either. I'm hurt and exhausted. I'll have to end this quickly. I don't want to have to use it, but I might not have a choice at this rate. But... ever since then, it feels like something's starting to change about me. She doesn't want to show it, but... Rin's afraid of me,' he thought, glancing towards the girl behind him, remembering what had happened after he'd defeated Yuri.
"Yugo! What happened?! Where's Yuri?!" Rin cried in worry, rapidly glancing around the room.
"I won, Rin. But we can't go home yet. There's something else I have to do," Yugo said. To be honest, he didn't know what made him say that. Even after accomplishing his goal, he felt like something was... missing. There was something gnawing at him from inside, but he didn't know what it was, exactly. All he really knew back then was that he had to find Yuto.
"What? But why not? We're together again, and we can go home now, can't we?! Talk to me!" She was hyperventilating at this point, tears streaming down her face. So, then why...
"JUST SHUT UP ALREADY! Give me one goddamn minute to think! I didn't come all this way just to hear you bitch at me!" he screamed. Why? Why did he say that?! He wasn't even sure that his thoughts during that moment were his. It felt like three separate voices all ringing out at once. What frightened him was that his voice, or at least, he thought it was his... it seemed to be the only one disagreeing with them. He could hear her sobbing now. He wanted to embrace her, to whisper sweet nothings into her ear. He hit her, knocking her to the floor. He. Hit. Rin.
"Why? Why are you doing this?" she choked. "What happened to you, Yugo? It's like I don't even know you anymore," she wept, her tears hitting the cold stone below. The next few moments were a blur that ended with him pinning her to the floor by her wrists. Her screams of terror were the last thing he heard before everything went black.
'She doesn't even want to be here with me now. If it were up to her, she'd probably be far away. The only reason she's still by my side is because that's the best way not to get captured again. She probably hates me now. I'd probably hate me too, after going through what she did. But which me should I hate? The me who did it, the me who allowed it, or the me who was too weak to stop it? Yuto should be getting here soon. Maybe he can end it. Maybe... we can finally... become one.'
"Well, Sanders... can't say it hasn't been fun, but we really need to get going now. I'm ending this now," Yugo smirked.
"Big words from someone so small," Sanders laughed. "Besides, you're not leaving here until you drop dead or hand her over. Those are your only options."
Turn ?: Yugo
Yugo LP/Hand: 600/2
Sanders LP/Hand: 1500/5
Battle Beast LP/Hand: 2600/1
"I wasn't asking for permission to leave. We're going, whether you like it or not. I draw. I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card Night Ride," Yugo declared, a smile spreading over his face. "This is where the fun starts."
When Yuto arrived in the Fusion Dimension, the sounds of waves and a breeze from the ocean were the last things he had expected. But as he wandered the castle's courtyard, he was surprised by just how peaceful it felt. For a moment, it caused his heart to falter. For so long, he'd been focused on destroying Academia for what they'd done to his home, but now... Now he wondered if doing to Fusion what they'd done to Heartland was really just. Seeing all these people enjoying their lives... was causing them to experience the suffering and misery he'd experienced right?
When he'd arrived, he was expecting the same bloodthirsty soldiers that had destroyed his world, but what he was seeing now was the furthest thing from that. His mind drifted to what Yuya and Ruri had believed. That dueling was meant to bring smiles, not to hurt people. Just a few days earlier, he felt that Academia had to be destroyed before that ideal could be realized. But here, in this moment, he wasn't sure what he believed.
He was jolted from his thoughts by hushed murmurs and people making way around him. They kneeled as a man in a purple outfit approached him, followed by a man with white hair. He couldn't care less about the follower, but the man in front he immediately recognized. The man who'd ruined his home. The man he'd come to Standard to investigate. The man responsible for Ruri's kidnapping.
Standing before him was Leo Akaba, better known as "the Professor".
For a moment, they merely stood there, sizing each other up, until Leo cleared his throat to speak.
"You must have some questions," the Professor said.
"A few," Yuto replied. "First, where's Ruri? Second, how did you know I was coming? And third, why are you here?"
"You'll see Ruri soon enough. That aside, with Yugo's appearance a few days ago, followed by Yuzu Hiiragi's capture, it stood to reason you'd be here soon," the bald man explained.
"You didn't answer my third question," the teen said with a glare.
"How astute of you. As for your third question, I ignored it simply because I feel no obligation to answer it. If you would, come with me. I'll take you to Ruri. She's no longer a necessity for ARC-V. You can take her back with you now," the head of Academia said, beginning to walk away.
"ARC-V?" the black-haired boy parroted, attempting to catch up. "And how do I know this isn't a trap?" he asked, assuming a brisk pace to match the older man's.
"ARC-V is the key to the Arc Area Project. In addition, you don't know that it's not a trap," Leo said coldly. "It's a matter of faith."
"Faith?"
"Yes. Let me ask you something, Yuto. Why did you venture to Standard to investigate the company I founded? What led you to believe that my company would be a part of the Arc Area Project without any proof?"
"..."
"It was faith. Belief in the absence of evidence. That's what I'm asking you to have in me now," the Professor concluded.
"Forgive me if I'm not particularly trusting of the man responsible for the destruction of my home and the genocide of my people. Why should I believe in you now after three years of you making my life a living hell?" Yuto hissed.
"I didn't card you the moment we met, did I? If I were really such a bad person, why would I have brought Dennis back just before that ruffian you call your best friend carded him?"
"You mean Dennis is-?!"
"Yes. The flash simply obscured it. I don't want pointless bloodshed in this war any more than you do. I started this war for a reason, you know. Contrary to what you may believe about me, I'm not a warmongering sociopath. I orchestrated this entire conflict to bring back my daughter."
"... You had a daughter?" the teen asked, his ears perking up at the information. He didn't want to admit it, but Leo had a point. Yuto had believed he was just some power-hungry maniac bent on multiversal conquest. He hated to say it, but he'd never once stopped to consider that the leader of Academia might have had a deeper reason for what he did. He still didn't agree with his methods, but knowing that all of this death and destruction had a purpose sparked something inside of him. The man was no longer an unknown element. He was flawed, just like everyone else. He was human. Just a father who wanted his daughter back. Yuto could relate to the struggle of someone going to extreme lengths to bring back a loved one. That was what he was doing now, wasn't it?
"Her name was Ray Akaba. She died a long time ago. Years before you or Reiji were born. She gave up her life to save those of others. I never even got to say goodbye. Ultimately, I left my family to try to find a way to bring her back. That's what lead to the creation of Academia and ARC-V. I'm sure you know how it feels to lose someone close to you."
"Yeah... I do..."
"I'm not trying to make you feel guilty about anything you've done so far. I just wanted you to understand why I did the things I did."
"Did you ever regret any of it?"
"If I could've found a more peaceful way to revive Ray, I would've used it. Unfortunately, the process isn't an exact science. I wish I didn't have to sacrifice so many innocents for one person. I don't regret any of the sacrifices I've made, however, as long as it's for her sake. We should be arriving at the base of the Western Tower shortly. I've already dismissed the guard and I'll be taking my leave now. Take Ruri and leave when you're ready," the man finished, turning around and beginning his trek back to the castle.
As Yuto approached the entrance to the tower, he saw that Ruri was already there waiting for him.
"Ruri!" he waved, running towards her.
"Yuto! I've missed you so much!" she yelled, jumping into his open arms.
"I finally found you," he whispered. "I never stopped looking for you. I swore that I would bring you back, even if it took forever, and I did. It finally happened," he smiled.
"You didn't have to say it, you know," she laughed in response, a tear rolling down her face. "I always knew you'd find me eventually. You took a bit longer than I'd like you to have, though."
Chuckling at her sentiment, he wiped the tear off of her cheek. "Sorry. A lot of things happened along the way."
"Oh, yeah? Like what? What could have possibly taken my knight in shining armor three years to find me? You weren't messing around with another girl or anything, were you? You were pretty close to Kotori for years before we met, after all." she grinned, with a gleam in her eye, her last comment causing him to blush furiously.
"O-of course not! Kotori was like a sister to me! I helped fend off an invasion, went to Standard, mistook a guy that looks like me for another guy that looks like me, investigated Synchro for connections to Fusion that didn't seem to be there, and took down Academia's Commander-in-Chief."
"Sounds like you've been busy. I knew you weren't doing anything like that, anyway. I just wanted to tease you. You're cute when you're blushing," she snickered, causing him to go as red as Yuya's hair. Granted, she didn't know who Yuya was, but Yuto felt that things were probably better off that way for now, anyway.
"You know, I was worried that you wouldn't be the same when I saw you again, Yuto. But you really haven't changed at all."
"You think so?"
"Yep. You're the same Yuto I knew three years ago. Wait, you said 'was' when you mentioned Kotori a few minutes ago. Does that mean...?"
"Yeah. It does. She was found by Obelisk Force and carded while out on a supply run a few months after you were captured."
"Oh. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-" she began, only to be cut off by Yuto placing his index finger over her lips.
"Hey. This is our moment right now. We can talk about all that stuff later," he smiled. She began to mirror the expression, until a searing pain ripped through her skull. Pushing him away, she began to scream, tears streaming down her face.
"Ruri?! What's wrong?! RURI!" he yelled, panicked.
"Yuto... run," she whispered, crying. She ignited the blade of her Duel Disk, challenging him.
"Yuto!" Yuya cried, making his presence known. "What are we going to do?! If we beat Ruri, then we might be able to help her, but we'll have to fight her. And if we don't fight her, whatever's controlling her might not be stopped."
"Looks like it. Either way, she or whatever's controlling her probably won't let us leave until we win. Are you ready, partner?"
"Yuto. I have an idea, but you'll have to trust me on this."
"What do you have in mind?"
"Let me handle this. You just found her again, and right now, I can't stand back and watch you go through more pain! Please, let me handle this for you!"
"..."
"Yuto?"
"... Yuya."
"Yeah?"
"This is my fight, not yours. If I run away now, knowing that I could've done something... I'll never be able to forgive myself. How could I ever look at her again after backing down? I can't accept that. I want you to understand. This is something only I can do."
"Yeah... I understand. Just remember that I'm with you all the way."
"Thank you... Yuya," he finished. Turning his attention to his now-foe, he called out to her. "Ruri! I don't know what's going on with you, but I swear I'll save you! I've come too far to turn back now! So please, just hold on! Just for a little longer!"
"Duel!"
Yuto Tsukasa
VS
Ruri Kurosaki
No Action Field
Duel Start
Turn 1: Ruri
Yuto LP/Hand: 4000/5
Ruri LP/Hand: 4000/5
"I'm starting this Duel! I activate the effect of Turquoise Warbler in my hand! Since neither player controls a monster, I can Special Summon it from my hand!"
Lyrilusc – Turquoise Warbler
WIND
Level 1
ATK: 100
DEF: 100
[ Winged Beast / Effect ]
If there are no monsters on the field, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). When this card is Special Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 Level 1 "Lyrilusc" monster from your hand.
"I activate the effect of Turquoise Warbler! Since I Special Summoned it, I'm allowed to Special Summon a Level 1 'Lyrilusc' monster from my hand! Come out! Cobalt Sparrow! Cobalt Sparrow's effect then activates! It allows me to add another Cobalt Sparrow to my hand since it was Special Summoned! Next, I activate the effect of Sapphire Swallow! I Special Summon it and a Level 1 'Lyrilusc' monster from my hand! Then, since I Special Summoned Cobalt Sparrow, I'm allowed to add a third Cobalt Sparrow to my hand! I Normal Summon the third Cobalt Sparrow, and Overlay five Level 1 monsters to Xyz Summon!"
"That's good. Doesn't look like her strategy has changed from how it was back then. In that case, all I have to do is..." Yuto mused, looking at his hand.
"Birds with beautiful wings, gather on the battlefield and take brilliant flight! Xyz Summon! Dance in the sky! Rank 1! Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale!"
Lyrilusc – Assembled Nightingale
2 or more Level 1 "Lyrilusc" monsters
WIND
Rank 1
ATK: 0
DEF: 0
[ Winged Beast / Xyz / Effect ]
This card gains 100 ATK for each Xyz Material attached to it. This card can attack directly a number of times each Battle Phase, up to the number of Xyz Materials attached to it. If this face-up card on the field would be destroyed by battle or card effect, you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card instead, also you take no battle damage from this battle.
"That'll be all for this turn."
"She's good. An Xyz summon using five monsters while only using three of the cards in her starting hand," Yuya commented.
"Yeah. She is. I have a plan, though. Whether or not it'll work is another question entirely."
Turn 2: Yuto
Yuto LP/Hand: 4000/5
Ruri LP/Hand: 4000/2
"It's my turn! Draw! With my Scale 3 Xiangke Magician, and Scale 8 Xiangsheng Magician, I set the Pendulum Scale! With this, I can Summon monsters from Levels 4 to 7 simultaneously! Souls of knights gathered in the ether, converge here! I Pendulum Summon two monsters! Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon and The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm! Then, I activate the effect of The Phantom Knights of Stained Greaves in my hand! If a 'The Phantom Knights' monster is Special Summoned to my field, I can Special Summon this monster from my hand, and its Level is increased by 1!"
The Phantom Knights of Stained Greaves
DARK
Level 3 (4)
ATK: 1200
DEF: 600
[ Warrior / Effect ]
If a "The Phantom Knights" monster(s) is Special Summoned to your field (except during the Damage Step): You can Special Summon this card from your hand, then you can increase the Level of this card by 1.
"I Overlay Level 4 Stained Greaves and Cloven Helm! Fangs of rebellion unleashed from the darkness, rise up! Rank 4 Xyz Summon! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon! The effect of Xiangke Magician now activates! I change the Rank of Dark Rebellion to a Level during this turn! Meaning Dark Rebellion is now Level 4. Next, the effect of Xiangsheng Magician activates! I target another monster on the field and change Dark Rebellion's Level to become equal to that target's! Currently, the only other monster on the field with a Level is Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon. Dark Rebellion becomes Level 7!"
"So you have two Level 7 monsters. What was the point of that?" Ruri laughed. "It's not like you have any Rank 7 Xyz monsters to take advantage of with it. And even if you did, why use Dark Rebellion as one its materials. What a waste."
Ignoring her, he continued. "I Overlay Level 7 Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon and Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon! The black scale of wrath engulfs the blazing eyes and calls forth purifying rays from the sky! Reveal the soul of lightning and fangs of power! Xyz Summon! Rank 7! Now ascend! Conquering dragon from out of the abyss! Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon – Overload! I activate the effect of this monster! I detach one of this Overload's Xyz Materials, and all other monsters on the field are destroyed, then my opponent takes damage equal to the highest ATK among them! Overload Storm!" he called out, as a bolt of violet lightning struck Assembled Nightingale.
"I activate the effect of Assembled Nightingale!" Ruri cried. "I detach one of Nightingale's materials to negate its destruction from this effect!"
Assembled Nightingale ATK: 500 – 100 = 400
"Just as planned."
"Battle! Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon attacks Assembled Nightingale! Disaster Spiral!" Yuto called, as his ace charged towards Assembly Nightingale, cloaking itself in a wave of fire and lightning.
"Assembled Nightingale's effect! I detach one of its materials to negate destruction and prevent damage from this battle!"
Assembled Nightingale ATK: 400 – 100 = 300
"Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon – Overload's effect! If this card was Xyz Summoned using an Xyz Monster as one of its materials, it can make a second and third attack during each Battle Phase! The second attack! Disaster Spiral!" he shouted once again, causing Overload, which had been blown into the air by Assembled Nightingale creating a strong wind to defend itself from to previous attack, to divebomb its foe.
"Tch. What a pain. Assembled Nightingale's effect! I detach a material to prevent destruction from this battle and reduce the damage to zero!" Assembled Nightingale once again created a current, however, this once was only strong enough to keep Overload suspended in the air above it, though it was desparately trying to break through.
Assembled Nightingale ATK: 300 – 100 = 200
"The third attack! Disaster Spiral!" Overload began pushing once again, nearly overpowering Nightingale.
"Nightingale's effect! I detach a material to nullify this battle!" Ruri declared, and Nightingale this time was able to produce a wind strong enough to push Overload back to its owner's side of the field.
Assembled Nightingale ATK: 200 – 100 = 100
"I hope you got something out of that. In case you haven't noticed, nothing came of that dragon or this turn! Next turn, I'll take a chunk out of your Life Points with Nightingale!" Ruri laughed darkly.
"Are you sure about that?" Yuto smirked. "Ask yourself this. 'Why would I try to destroy Nightingale four times even though I knew I wouldn't be able to destroy it this turn?'"
Eyes widening in shock, she growled. "You were doing it to remove Xyz Materials from Nightingale to reduce both its ATK and number of attacks."
"That's right. You're safe for this turn, but know this. Next turn, I'll show no mercy. I will save Ruri! You hear that?! You have one turn left to live, so make it count. Then I'll free her from your control."
"I wonder about that," called a voice from above. Gazing up, Yuto saw a Solid Vision display of Leo Akaba's face.
"How long have you been watching?" he asked.
"Long enough to know that you've fused with Yuya Sakaki. When I met you, I had hoped that you were alone."
"You know about Yuya? And how do you know that we-?"
"I told you, didn't I? I said my daughter Ray had given up her life to save those of others. What I didn't say was what she was saving them from. Tell me. Have you ever heard the name Zarc?"
"Zarc?" Yuto gasped, breaking out into a cold sweat, as the memories of his nightmare days prior came flooding back to him. In his stupor, he began reciting the nightmare.
"You did this..."
"You destroyed this place..."
"You killed them all..."
"This is your hell..."
"You sacrificed hundreds for one..."
"You sacrificed millions for power..."
"You are a murderer..."
"You caused this..."
"It's time to repent..."
"Zarc..."
"You are Zarc..."
"It's time to repent..."
"It's time to repent, Zarc..."
"I'm-"
"-Zarc. So... it was me?"
"You are Zarc, yes. At least, in a way. When Ray defeated Zarc, the world was split into the four dimensions we now know. Zarc was split alongside it. He was separated into four boys, each with the same face."
"It's us, isn't it? Me, Yuya, Yugo, and Yuri. We're Zarc, aren't we?" Yuto asked, lowering his head.
"That's correct. But what I haven't mentioned yet is that Ray was split, as well."
"Ruri, Yuzu, Serena, and Rin," he muttered.
"Also correct. This is why I require the four of them for ARC-V."
"So why make me fight Ruri, then?!" he screamed. "You said you didn't want to cause any unnecessary bloodshed before! Or was that all a lie, too?!"
"It wasn't a lie. Originally, this duel was a test to see if you had merged with Yuya Sakaki, or if he was uninvolved in the conflict. Now that I know that the two of you have merged, you have become a dangerous element and must be eliminated. Regardless of how far you try to run from the other fragments of Zarc, Zarc will eventually cause his remaining incarnations to meet and revive him. This is for everyone's good. I'm sorry, but there's no other way. The only comfort I take in this is that you have not yet succumbed to Zarc's will. Ruri, continue," he instructed.
"I set a card. Turn end," Yuto declared.
Turn 3: Ruri
Yuto LP/Hand: 4000/0
Ruri LP/Hand: 4000/2
"It's about time! I Draw! I activate the Continuous Spell Card Lyrilusc Cage! As long as this card remains on the field, a monster my opponent controls can't attack or activate its effects! Next, I activate the Spell Card Overlay Regen, to give Assembled Nightingale an additional material. Finally, I activate Parasite Discharge, to Special Summon a Fusion Parasite from my Deck!"
Lyrilusc Cage
Continuous Spell Card
Target 1 monster your opponent controls; that target cannot attack or activate its effects. When that monster leaves the field, destroy this card.
-x-
Parasite Discharge
Spell Card
Special Summon 1 "Fusion Parasite" from your hand, Deck, or Graveyard.
-x-
Overlay Regen
Spell Card
Target 1 face-up Xyz Monster on the field; attach this card to it as an Xyz Material.
-x-
Assembled Nightingale ORU 1 - 2
-x-
Assembled Nightingale ATK: 100 + 100 = 200
-x-
Fusion Parasite
DARK
Level 1
ATK: 0
DEF: 0
[ Insect / Effect ]
While this card is face-up on the field, it can be used as a substitute for any 1 Fusion Material listed on the Fusion Monster Card. If this card is Special Summoned: You can Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Materials, including this card, then equip this card from the Graveyard to the Fusion Summoned monster. If the equipped monster would be destroyed by battle or card effect, destroy this card instead.
"Fusion Parasite's effect! Since this monster was Special Summoned, it allows me to perform a Fusion Summon using monsters I control, including itself!"
"Fusion?!" Yuto and Yuya exclaimed in unison.
"This is bad. It won't be like before when we were prepared for Assembled Nightingale and could effectively counter. We have to be on high alert for this next one," Yuya said.
"Yeah, we'll have to be careful with this one."
"Twitter of the songbird that resounds in the dark night. Become one with the inner voice and cry more intensely! Fusion Summon! Fly down! Noble isolated night bird! Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale!"
Lyrilusc – Independent Nightingale
Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale + 1 "Lyrilusc" monster
DARK
Level 1 (3)
ATK: 1000 (2500)
DEF: 0
[ Winged Beast / Fusion / Effect ]
This card's Level is increased by the number of Xyz Materials that the "Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale" used as Material for this card's Fusion Summon had. This card's ATK becomes the sum of this card's Level x 500 and this card's original ATK. Once per turn: You can inflict damage to your opponent equal to this card's Level x 500.
"Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale's effect! Once per turn, I can inflict damage to my opponent equal to this card's current ATK. Independent Nightingale's ATK is 2500. It can't defeat Overload just yet, but this is still bad for you." Ruri chuckled.
Yuto LP: 4000 – 2500 = 1500
"How does it feel to have one turn left to live?" she asked. "It hurts, doesn't it?"
"I... will not... lose to you," Yuto groaned, the exhaustion he felt starting to catch up to him as he tried to push himself off of the ground.
"And what are you going to do at this point? You have no cards left in your hand and only one monster, which can't even do anything. You're finished."
"She's right. There's no point in struggling anymore. No matter what you do, Independent Nightingale will deplete the rest of your Life Points next turn. Why even bother fighting?"
"I told you. I'm going to save Ruri. And if beating whatever's controlling her right now is what I have to do, that's what I'll do."
"If there's one thing I can give you, it's that you're funny," Ruri grinned sinisterly. "Even if you manage to win, nothing will change. You remember Fusion Parasite, don't you? There's one in here," she laughed, pointing towards her head. "You can't free me, so why not just give up already? It'll be quick and painless. Well, I can't guarantee that it'll be painless."
However, unbeknownst to both Ruri and the Professor, Yuto was currently standing face-to-face with the blazing dragon.
"You're back," it said simply.
Not responding to its statement, Yuto merely looked up toward it, making and never breaking eye contact.
"Your eyes hold no hesitation, unlike the last time. You seem much more willing to accept my offer now. However, your gaze is also filled with despair."
After a few moments, he finally replied.
"... If I accept your offer, will you help me destroy Academia?"
"Gladly. I am you and you are me. My power was born from your hatred, and is yours to use as you please." Lowering itself down, it placed its head within arms' reach.
As he began to stretch out his hand towards its head, he could faintly hear someone calling out and begging for him to stop from behind him, but at this point, it was all white noise. As he placed his hand on its head, only one thought went through his mind.
Leo Akaba will pay.
Turn 4: Yuto
Yuto LP/Hand: 1500/0
Ruri LP/Hand: 4000/0
At that moment, a dark aura burst from his body, its intensity blowing Ruri back. As he staggered to his feet, he limply placed his hand on top of his deck to begin his turn. Silently drawing a card from the top of his deck, he activated it without looking at it or declaring its name, knowing exactly what it was and what he had to do ahead of time. Overlord Form.
"You can take my life," he growled, using Overload as the material to Xyz Summon the blazing dragon.
"You can take my home," he formed a fist with his hand, and flames engulfed the field.
"But taking Ruri," he continued, as the flames devoured everything on the field, the blazing dragon excluded. "IS UNFORGIVABLE!" he bellowed.
Blazing Dragon ATK: 3000 + 200 (x4) = 3800
The flames exploded around them, creating an inferno. Yuto could feel it charring his skin, but he paid it no mind. Commanding his dragon to attack, he watched as the flames enveloped Ruri, leaving her gasping for breath afterwards.
Ruri LP 4000 – 3800 = 200
"No more," she pleaded. "I give up. So, please. No more."
Yuto's expression began to soften and his eyes lost their glow. What was he doing? Why can't he think of anything but his own blinding fury? Those were his thoughts... until he heard her start to laugh.
"I knew it. You can't go through with it. Even if I'm being controlled by this bug, you won't hurt me. How pathetic. Well, next turn will decide the match. One of us will win or l-"
She immediately regretted taunting him once he roared in agony and fury, causing the dark aura to return with more ferocity than ever before, and she struggled just to stay standing in its wake.
"There will be no 'next turn'! The blazing dragon attacks a second time! Immolation Disaster Inferno!"
"It can attack twice?!" she cried in fear and pain as she was engulfed by the flames once again.
"I was going to spare you before this, but now... now you've pissed me off. Burn to death," he commanded. Just before the flames completely covered the area, he glared at the display of Leo Akaba and whispered the words "you're next."
As the raging fire subsided, so too did his Awakening, and Yuto fell to his knees. He couldn't remember anything past Leo telling him about the bug and... Ruri! His head darting back and forth anxiously, he spotted her lying on the ground, with multiple burn marks on her skin and clothes. Did he do this? Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Yuya, who turned away from him. Crawling over to Ruri, he began mumbling frantic apologies. And as he blacked out from exhaustion, he realized that, for the first time, he was truly...
alone...
So... how's that for dark? Anyways, the title of this chapter has a triple meaning. Try to guess what each meaning is and I'll tell you if you were right or not next chapter.
Ulrich362's Review: No problem, I wouldn't spoil things even if i did know them. The match between Yuto and Kaito was great, though Yuto was lucky Kaito didn't use his Cipher Interfere card. Yuzu being kidnapped is definitely a bad thing though I have a sneaking suspicion there's more going on there. As for Yuya's conversation with S though... that might be the most interesting part of the chapter. It almost sounded like the blazing dragon is really the one in charge and S is being... not controlled but I guess maybe coerced to take this path? Maybe not that exactly but it definitely changes the dynamic between those two. Awesome chapter, looking forward to the update. Oh, and don't worry about the delay, good to see you again.
Well, I appreciate that. Glad you enjoyed Yuto VS Kaito. It's been two months at this point, but I remember that I had a lot of fun writing that one. Anyways, sorry for *another* months-long delay, and hope you enjoyed the chapter.