After dealing with their fears Ushiwaka, Rao and Susanoo found themselves back in Hoji's laboratory, before they could put an end to the Thalmor scientist it was made clear that Hoji still had plans left, as natural disaster happened all over Japan at the exact same time Hoji's final card will be revealed.
5. Shadow of the Serpent.
'It's over Hoji.' Ushiwaka said the professor replied with laughter.
'Indeed it is, for Hoji it's over Hoji doesn't exist anymore.'
Susanoo stamped his foot on the ground.
'Then who am I looking at?' He shouted.
'Hoji and I made a deal.' The creature possessing Hoji said.
'My soul is locked away.' The professor started: 'The portal behind me shall open my prison, however I needed outside help to build the portal, this mortal Hoji was eager to help me, after all I'll be the new God of your realm, the only thing he needed to do was to pledge his soul to me.'
Hoji turned around, the device started to buzz and the portal grew bigger.
'In the five hours you were stuck in your nightmare realms I've had my puppet make preparations.' The professor said in a sinister tone suddenly some television screens sprung to life, they all showed different news channels.
'As you can see we're at the coast where an undersea earthquake...' The reporter of one of the screens said the camera showed the Pacific Ocean where a tidal wave just had hit the coast, the water was slowly rising.
'Earthquakes has destroyed a part of center...' Another reporter was telling, the screen showed buildings being destroyed, fires everywhere all the while heavy rain poured down, lightning kept striking buildings and the streets alike.
A third screen showed just flooded streets, a reporter was just getting into a helicopter, there were no signs of earthquakes, due to the heavy wind the helicopter had difficulty staying on course.
'Your portal is tearing the land apart! Shut it down!' Rao shouted.
'And you think I care? Once I am out of this prison the world will be torn asunder, I shall rebuild it.'
Suddenly the portal grew bigger at the same time a new earthquake hit, all the screens changed to one image, the prime minister of Japan was sitting in what looked like a bunker, the camera was zoomed in on him and the table in front of him.
'The mysterious weather phenomenons are continuing to ravage across Japan, our scientists face a riddle which at this time cannot be solved.' He sounded confident but his eyes told a different story.
'The people who died during this event are still rising and we have no true grasp on the numbers yet, I have instructed the authorities to evacuate, there are still some safe places in the country, I will ask all civilians to pack only the utmost important belongings and prepare for evacuation, please, please follow the instructions of the authorities...'
Hoji turned the screens off.
'If only a fraction of my powers can cause this, you can imagine what happens once I break out.' Hoji spread his arms, the portal grew bigger once more the ground trembled, cracks appeared in the floor of the lab, eight shadowy, snake-like figures appeared out of the portal behind Hoji.
The air in the lab became heavy, Susanoo dropped to his knees, Ushiwaka could barely keep himself standing, Rao clasped her hand together as her instinct kicked in, a mysterious power flowed through her body, the air cleared around them, Susanoo took a few deep breaths before he crawled back up.
'Interesting.' Hoji spoke, his voice sounded deeper than normal.
'The light of the Goddess?' Hoji said: 'Looks like this realm is not completely abandoned.'
Hoji lowered his arms, the shapes behind him became more clear.'
'Serpentine heads? And eight of them?' Ushiwaka muttered.
'Yamata-No-Orochi?' Rao gasped.
Rao and Ushiwaka looked at each other.
'If he really is Orochi, he is not at full power.' Ushiwaka stated: 'Hoji used the Orichalcos which took his soul when he left his soulless body behind Orochi must have taken control of it, question is where is the original soul?'
The professor chuckled: 'My soul is still here, Orochi protected me, a part of my soul was caught by the Orichalcos, that was my sacrifice to Orochi, his magic fills the missing part making me more powerful, though Orochi speaks through me I still hold full control.'
Hoji stretched his left arm his scythe-like Orichalcos Duel Disk appeared around his wrist.
'Rao, Susanoo we have only one shot at this, let's beat this demon.' Ushiwaka activated his own custom Duel Disk, quickly he took another Duel Disk out of his backpack, it had a light-pink base with a white blade on which the cards could be placed, the blade consisted of two pieces that were folded against the side of the base.
Rao caught the Duel Disk and strapped it on.
'Fits perfectly Ushiwaka, I had it in the nightmare realm but the real deal fits even better.' She said the two pieces of the blade folded out.
'Duel!' Ushiwaka, Susanoo and Rao shouted.
(Ushiwaka: 8000), (Susanoo: 8000) & (Rao: 8000) - (Hoji: 8000)
Black fog entered the room it circled around the three heroes.
'That feeling this fog gives, it's not normal be sure not to touch it.' Rao warned.
'Your petty magic will not hold my miasma at bay, the magic of the goddess won't hold me!' Orochi roared.
'We'll see.' Ushiwaka growled.
'I summon Gearfried the Iron Knight!' The knight clad in black armor appeared before him, the fog moved out of the way from where he was standing. (1800 ATK)
'I end my turn.'
'My turn.' Susanoo growled: 'I can't lose here, I am named after the legendary hero who killed Orochi in the past, time to live up to that name.' Quickly he drew his card.
'I summon Superheavy Samurai Flutist.'
A soothing, yet haunting melody sounded through the lab, the ancient, mechanical warrior marched onto the field. (500 ATK)
'Now I tribute Flutist so I can special summon Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei.'
Flutist started to play a different melody, slowly it faded from view and in it's place appeared the giant, metal warrior it crouched down on one knee, holding it's fork-like spear in front of it. (3500 DEF)
'That's all for now.' Susanoo stated.
'My turn.' Rao stated Ushiwaka was surprised by the new determination his sister had.
'I discard Dark Magician Girl so I can special summon Apprentice Illusion Magician.' She explained she showed the Dark Magician Girl card before discarding it then in a puff of purple smoke appeared the long-haired, magical girl her hair was tied in two tails, her outfit resembling that of the Dark Magician Girl. (2000 ATK)
'Now I normal summon Chocolate Magician Girl.' Rao stated another puff of smoke appeared on the field, this one was blue out of it stepped the blue-haired magical girl wearing her revealing, dark-blue top and matching miniskirt, gloves and boots. (1600 ATK)
'My turn ends.' She stated.
Orochi drew his card for a second he closed his eyes when he opened them they were glowing, the air inside became heavy then Orochi shouted some words in an unknown language the floor started to glow green and slowly The Seal of Orichalcos formed.
'How is that possible?' Ushiwaka stammered.
Orochi replied with a chuckle then he spoke: 'The Seal of Orichalcos wasn't a card to begin with, it was actual magic originating from the sunken city Atlantis, when Dartz revealed himself he needed a way to use the Orichalcos as magic wasn't as strong back then, the cursed seal was made into a card so anyone could use it.' This sounded more like Hoji speaking.
'I see, so someone with an insane control over magic can harness it's power without a card.' Ushiwaka said.
'Not really.' The voice of Hoji replied: 'Only someone with an insane amount of magic will be able to do this, no human can perform a feat like this, not even my boss.'
Then Orochi stopped him: 'Enough, in the terms of your precious game this Seal of Orichalcos has all the effects of the card version, but now I can play another Field Spell on top of it.' With these words Orochi placed a card in his field slot.
Ushiwaka felt it coming.
'Brace yourself!' He shouted as a wave of magic washed over them Susanoo grabbed Rao and held her close to him he was strong enough to keep them both standing, Ushiwaka could barely keep himself standing.
Slowly the laboratory disappeared and made place for a wide, outside space surrounded by huge snow-topped mountains around them, the ground quickly became covered in grass with several trees growing behind the Duelists, the middle of the valley stayed clear, then the fog rolled in a thick, purple fog that slowly spread around the area it made it hard to breathe, behind Orochi appeared the eight heads, this time more clear than that they were before, they were shimmering in the light of the red moon that peaked from behind the mountain.
Rao shrieked as she pointed at the ground, the fog was slowly circling around the ground where it touched the ground the grass died, many bodies of dead warriors clad in ancient Samurai armor laid spread between the trees, swords, spears and other weapons laid between the bodies many arrows were stuck in the grass, the field was colored red with blood.
Orochi spread his arms purple smoke rose from the ground slowly swirling towards the heavens, it took seconds for Ushiwaka to realize that the smoke looked like human faces, all of them seemed to be in pain, their shrieks and moans filled the air.
'This is the Cursed Realm.' Orochi spoke his voice seem to come from each of the eight heads.
'This card cannot be removed nor can it's effects be negated.' This was Hoji who now had his body back for his own soul, the professor continued: 'First thing's first when activated each Duelist gains one Cursed Soul Counter.' Behind him appeared one of the purple ghost-like souls then one appeared behind Ushiwaka, Rao and Susanoo each.
'The three of you share a field thus you share your counters, when there are eight Cursed Soul Counters on your field you lose, during each Standby Phase the turn player gains one Counter.' He took a card from his hand.
'I activate my Spell card: Soul Suffering.' The card appeared on the field first before it got consumed by the purple fog.
'This card gives each of my opponents one Cursed Soul Counter then I gain the same amount.' Hoji casually explained as three more of the souls appeared behind Ushiwaka's team for a total of six, then three more appeared behind Hoji giving him four in total.
'Now the main mechanic of this Field Spell, you can remove up to two Cursed Soul Counters from your side of the field, those Counters are used instead of tributes for the advanced summon of a monster, but the catch is whenever a Cursed Soul Counter is removed from the field, the owner of that Counter takes five-hundred points of damage.'
Hoji choose another card from his hand and placed it in his Duel Disk it appeared as a Continuous Spell card.
'This is Wicked Soul Sacrifice.' The Hoji spoke: 'As long as this card is on the field I take no damage when one of my Cursed Soul Counters is removed.'
Then the voice of Orochi interrupted Hoji: 'Two of the Counters will pass to my realm, so that my servant can roam the world of light.'
Two of the four souls behind Hoji disappeared seconds later a shriek pierced the air, a green, poisonous mist appeared in the middle of the field then an earthquake caused the ground to break open, a monstrous creature slowly crawled out, it was a gigantic centipede it's hide was a brownish red, countless small horns grew out of the countless segments of it's body, it's head was twice the size of a human, it's giant maw that could swallow a man whole was filled with rows on rows of sharp teeth, it had two, black eyes, two giant horns stuck out of the front of it's head, it's tail end was smaller than the rest of the segments, it had two horns on the sides where the poisonous mist poured out of, a small stream of poisonous liquid slowly dripped out of the beast's maw, the sign of the Orichalcos appeared on the head of the beast. (2000- 2500 ATK)
'This is Giant Demon Centipede - Omukade, it's poison covers the field affecting everyone present.' This was Orochi talking the centipede let out another roar more poison spread over the field, the other monsters quickly became weaker. (Gearfried: 1800- 900 ATK, Big Benkei: 1000- 500 DEF, Chocolate: 1600- 800 ATK, Apprentice: 2000- 1000 ATK)
'Omukade attacks Gearfried the Iron Knight, Hell's Poison!' Hoji commanded the demonic insect roared as it heaved it's upper body into the air then spewed forth a massive puddle of poison, the screams and moans of Gearfried echoed through the landscape as the warrior slowly melted into nothingness.
(Ushiwaka: 8000- 6400), (Susanoo: 8000) & (Rao: 8000) - (Hoji: 8000)
'One of my creatures killed a monster in battle, the tormented soul of the victim lingers.' Orochi spoke: 'I summon that soul to do my bidding, come forth Vengeful Ghost - Yurei.' A shadowy figure appeared on the field hovering in mid-air, it looked like Gearfried the Iron Knight, his armor busted with pieces missing, the front of the helmet was gone revealing an black void with two red eyes piercing out of it, it had two shadowy hands floating in front of it as the warrior's original arms were missing, the creature made gurgling sounds, the brand of the Orichalcos shone on the small part of the helmet that remained intact. (1800- 2300 ATK)
'As long as there are at least three Cursed Soul Counters on the field of my opponent Yurei can attack twice.' Hoji explained then he pointed at Apprentice Illusion Magician.
'Vengeful Wail!' Hoji shouted the ghost let out an high-pitch shriek, Ushiwaka and the others had to covered their eyes, the Spellcaster squirmed in pain suddenly the shrieking stopped and Rao's monster laid still.
(Ushiwaka: 6400), (Susanoo: 8000) & (Rao: 8000- 6700) - (Hoji: 8000)
'Next Chocolate Magician Girl.' Hoji said this time a ghostly sword appeared in the hands of the Yurei then it lunged forward.
'I use the effect of Chocolate Magician Girl, I special summon Dark Magician Girl from the Graveyard then Yurei must attack with half it's attack points.' In an explosion of petals the Dark Magician Girl leaped onto the field. (2000 ATK)
The Yurei changed directions as if an invisible force pulled it towards Dark Magician Girl the Spellcaster aimed her staff, the vengeful ghost became weaker. (2300- 1150 ATK)
'Omukade can do more, once a monster is summoned I can remove one Cursed Soul Counter from the field of my opponent which deals no damage, to halve the attack points of that monster.' The gross insect spewed it's poison all over the Dark Magician Girl who fell to her knees. (2000- 1000 ATK)
one of the souls behind the trio disappeared leaving five. Then the ghost sword cleaved Dark Magician Girl in half.
(Ushiwaka: 6400), (Susanoo: 8000) & (Rao: 6700- 6550) - (Hoji: 8000)
'I move to my Main Phase Two and move Omukade to the back row.' Hoji stated as he moved the cards around.
'I end my turn.'
Ushiwaka looked over the field before he drew his card a sixth soul appeared behind him.
'I take thousand damage for two tributes.' Ushiwaka stated the spirits passed through his body before they disappeared leaving four behind.
(Ushiwaka: 6400- 5400), (Susanoo: 8000) & (Rao: 6550) - (Orochi: 8000)
'I normal summon Gilford the Lightning!' Ushiwaka shouted lightning struck twice on the field before him with a loud war-cry the muscular warrior leaped onto the field wearing his armor and tattered, red cape his sword casually rested on his shoulder. (2800 ATK)
'Brother he will halve the attack power of Gilford like he did to Dark Magician Girl.' Rao sounded worried but Ushiwaka shook his head.
'An effect like that needs restrictions, this Field Spell is all about the Counters and the monster effects tie into that, since we get a counter each turn Omukade could indefinitely weaken our monsters, even if these creatures are real they need to abide the laws of Duel Monsters, except for the God cards there can be no overpowered monsters.'
Hoji started to clap: 'So you figured it out? You need at least five Counters will I be able to use the effect of Omukade, but Yurei stands in the way and next turn you have five Cursed Soul Counters again.' Hoji spoke.
'For now Yurei will do.' Ushiwaka replied Gilford held his sword aloft lightning struck the specter.
(Ushiwaka: 5400), (Susanoo: 8000) & (Rao: 6550) - (Hoji: 8000- 7500)
'They way is open Susanoo, strike true.' Ushiwaka said.
'Thank you, I will.' Susanoo replied as he drew his card a fifth soul appeared behind them.
'I use two of the Cursed Soul Counters.' The two spirits passed through Susanoo.
(Ushiwaka: 5400), (Susanoo: 8000- 7000) & (Rao: 6550) - (Hoji: 7500)
'I normal summon a second Big Benkei!' Another one of the mechanical samurai appeared next to the first one. (1000 ATK)
'I use the effect of Big Benkei to change it to defense mode.' Susanoo stated as the machine crouched down. (3500 ATK)
'Here's the kicker Hoji, Big Benkei can attack from defense mode using it's defense points for damage calculation.'
Hoji chuckled: 'I give myself four Cursed Soul Counters!' The professor shouted, a total of six souls now floated behind him.
'By doing this I special summon four Tormented Soul Tokens to my field.'
Four smaller souls appeared before him, their faces were stuck in an eternal scream. (0 DEF x4)
'Both my Big Benkei attack a Token.' Susanoo said both machines stood up they used their spears to pierce through the tormented souls, with a screech they disappeared.
'Rao make it count, he can't produce more Tokens or else he loses the next turn.' Susanoo said.
Rao drew her card, a fourth soul appeared behind them.
'This time I shall use a Cursed Soul Counter.' Rao stated the soul passed through her body.
(Ushiwaka: 5400), (Susanoo: 7000) & (Rao: 6550- 6050) - (Hoji: 7500)
'I normal summon Dark Magician Girl.' Rao stated in an explosion of petals the Spellcaster leaped on the field again, she looked angry. (2000 ATK)
'Next Sage's Stone.' Rao continued as she played the Spell card, a tiny, blue, drop-shaped crystal slowly descended in front of Dark Magician Girl, the Spellcaster touched it.
'This allows me to special summon Dark Magician from my Deck.' Rao stated.
The moment Dark Magician Girl touched the stone the male Spellcaster came out of an explosion of purple smoke. (2500 ATK)
'Next Thousand Knives.' Rao continued a second Spell card flashed on the field, countless knives appeared around Dark Magician the wizard pointed at Omukade, the first couple of knives bounced off of the demon's armor, slowly cracks appeared in the armor, the assault of knives continued and finally the beast gave in, with a screech it fell down and slowly dissolved in green mist.
'Chocolate Magician Girl, Dark Magician Girl destroy the Tokens!' Rao commanded, the two Spellcasters crossed their staffs and an explosion of colorful smoke ripped through the Tokens.
'Dark Magic Attack!' Rao then yelled Dark Magician twirled his staff around before pointing it at Hoji a powerful, magic blast forced the professor back a few meters.
(Ushiwaka: 5400), (Susanoo: 7000) & (Rao: 6050) - (Hoji: 7500- 5000)
Hoji drew his card without saying anything, a seventh Cursed Soul Counter appeared behind him.
'I send two of the souls to my master.' Hoji stated, two of the snake's heads lunged forward devouring the souls.
'With this I call upon another servant, the Demon Spider - Jorogumo!'
A hissing sound filled the air out of nowhere webs draped themselves around the field, slowly a beautiful woman came walking on the field, she wore a blood-red dress, her long, black hair reached to her back, she had long bangs on the front framing her face, she smiled then opened her mouth unleashing a loud screech, black smoke gathered around her as slowly she started to change, six more spider-like legs grew out of her sides, her original legs changed into spider legs as well, the lower half of her body grew into that of a spider, it was covered in small horns and scarlet-red scales, her upper half stayed human, now completely naked the bangs fell over her breasts, her mouth grew larger when she opened it rows of sharp teeth greeted Ushiwaka her eyes started to glow red, the Orichalcos burned on her head. (2500- 3000 ATK)
'Jorogumo's effect activates.' Hoji stated: 'When summoned she can capture one monster the opponent controls and use that as an equip card.'
The demon spread her arms, many webs quickly appeared around Dark Magician, slowly the hideous spider demon dragged the Spellcaster towards her.
'Now Jorogumo attacks Dark Magician Girl, Web of Darkness!' Hoji commanded.
Jorogumo leaped into the air webs shot out of the tips of her fingers, the demon yanked Dark Magician Girl into the air then slammed her back on the ground, leaving the Spellcaster broken.
(Ushiwaka: 5400), (Susanoo: 7000) & (Rao: 6050- 5050) - (Hoji: 5000)
Hoji took another card from his hand and placed it in his Duel Disk, the face-down card appeared behind Jorogumo. 'I end my turn.'
Ushiwaka looked at Rao then at Susanoo his sister and new friend seemed to be fine quickly he drew his card, a fourth soul appeared behind him.
'I equip Gilford the Lightning with Gravity Axe - Grarl!'
Gilford's sword got replaced by a double-bladed, heavily ornamented battle axe, the warrior became slightly stronger. (2800- 3300 ATK)
'Gilford attacks Jorogumo!' Ushiwaka shouted, the warrior leaped forward rising the axe above his head.
'When Jorogumo has a monster equipped.' Hoji spoke: 'I can give attack points from the equipped monster to Jorogumo until the End Phase, the remaining attack points of the equipped monster becomes it's new original attack power, when that monster has no attack points left it is destroyed.'
Jorogumo grabbed the cocooned Dark Magician she bit in his neck.
(Jorogumo: 3000- 3400 ATK, Dark Magician: 2500- 2100 ATK)
Jorogumo created a shield out of webs she blocked Gilford's axe, as the warrior tried to retreat the demon spider used her web to grab him out of the air and flung him against the Seal of Orichalcos Gilford was incinerated in mere seconds.
(Ushiwaka: 5400- 5300), (Susanoo: 7000) & (Rao: 5050) - (Hoji: 5000)
'I must end my turn.' Ushiwaka said with a growl, Jorogumo grew weaker again. (3400- 3000 ATK)
Susanoo said nothing as he drew his card, a fifth Cursed Soul Counter appeared.
'I activate Spirit of Rage.' Hoji stated his face-down Trap card opened up.
'This card remains until my next End Phase, as long as this card is on the field battles must be conducted and cannot be negated, all monsters of the opponent go into attack mode.' Hoji crossed his arms.
'Well guess this is it.' Susanoo said he didn't look worried at all, both of his mechanical samurai stood up. (1000 ATK x2)
Both of them leaped forward.
'I use the effect of Jorogumo again.' Hoji stated again Dark Magician got bitten, the Spellcaster grew weaker once more.
(Jorogumo: 3000- 4500 ATK, Dark Magician: 2100- 600 ATK)
Jorogumo lifted her front four legs revealing that the first set of legs were as sharp as blades, she caught Big Benkei with the second set of legs then impaled the machine with the first set.
(Ushiwaka: 5300), (Susanoo: 7000- 3500) & (Rao: 5050) - (Hoji: 5000)
The second Big Benkei called of it's attack but Jorogumo used her webs to ensnare the robot then dragged it in and impaling it like she did the first one. Susanoo closed his eyes as his remaining Life Points counted down.
(Ushiwaka: 5300), (Susanoo: 3500- 0) & (Rao: 5050) - (Hoji: 5000)
Susanoo fell to his knees a green light shot through him when the light faded Susanoo was gone.
'What did you do?' Rao asked.
'The Duel is not over yet.' Hoji said: 'As long as the Duel is going the player who gets defeated are placed in a separate dimension only if all three of you lose I can claim all the souls, should you manage to win the souls I have captured would be released.'
Rao let out a sigh of relieve.
'Now.' The professor said: 'Since two attacks have been called you lose two Cursed Soul Counters but you take no damage for that.' He explained with a moan two of the souls disappeared leaving only three.
'And since your partner is out of the game the turn immediately goes to the next Duelist, this also means that Jorogumo loses her extra attack points.' Hoji concluded, the demonic spider became weaker once more. (4500- 3000 ATK)
Rao drew her card, a fourth soul appeared behind her.
'Since I must battle I do that first.' She stated Chocolate Magician Girl leaped into the air but she was pulled down by Jorogumo's webs then pulled towards her and impaled by her legs, one of the souls behind Rao disappeared.
(Ushiwaka: 5300), (Susanoo: 0) & (Rao: 5050- 3650) - (Hoji: 5000)
'Now that's out of the way I summon Berry Magician Girl.' In a puff of pink smoke appeared a small fairy, hardly bigger than Rao's hand, she had short, blond hair with two large bangs framing her face, she wore a dark-purple outfit her limbs were glowing with a light-blue light she had the same colored wings on her back, she had a pacifier in her mouth. (400 ATK)
'Through Berry's effect I can add a Magician Girl to my hand, but I skip on that now.' Rao stated then she waved as a sign she ended her turn.
Hoji quickly drew his card, a sixth soul appeared behind him.
'Jorogumo attack Berry Magician Girl!' He shouted.
'The effect of Berry Magician Girl allows me to change her to defense.'
The small fairy landed she then curled up in a ball and fell asleep. (400 DEF)
'This also allows me to special summon a Magician Girl from my Deck.' Rao stated, in a puff of smoke another Dark Magician Girl appeared. (2000 ATK)
Jorogumo took a leap then landed on the small fairy impaling her as she did, without so much as a look the demon spider leaped back to her place.
'I end my turn which means that Spirit of Rage is also destroyed.' The professor stated his Trap card exploded in countless pixels.
Ushiwaka looked at his sister, the look in her eyes told him she had a plan.
He drew his card a fifth soul appeared behind them as he did.
'I shall set a monster.' Ushiwaka stated, the face-down card appeared in front of him.
'I end my turn.' He stated then he looked at Rao: 'Whatever you have planned do it now.'
Rao nodded as she drew her card a sixth soul appeared.
'I spend five-hundred Life Points first.' She stated as one of the souls passed through her.
(Ushiwaka: 5300), (Susanoo: 0) & (Rao: 3650- 3150) - (Hoji: 5000)
'This allows me to normal summon Apprentice Illusion Magician.' The Spellcaster leaped out of a puff of smoke next to Dark Magician Girl. (2000 ATK)
'Now I build the Overlay Network!' Dark Magician Girl and Apprentice Illusion Magician changed into two black orbs they swirled together into the air, a vortex opened up the orbs disappeared through it.
'Protectors of the realm, combine your forces to call upon the master magician! Xyz Summon Rank six Magi Magi Magician Gal!'
Seconds later a sorceress descended from it, she looked like an older Dark Magician Girl wearing a similar outfit completely black, she landed gracefully on the field, the two black orbs circling around her. (2400 ATK: 2 ORU)
'I detach one material from Magi Magi Magician Gal to take control over Jorogumo.' Rao said with a grin, she folded her arms, the Spellcaster started to cast a spell. (Magician Gal: 2- 1 ORU)
One of the black orbs disappeared and slowly the spider demon walked over to Rao, the Orichalcos disappeared from the head. (3000- 2500 ATK)
'Dark Magician, I'm sorry this will hurt a bit but I'll set you free.'
Once more Jorogumo bit Dark Magician this time taking his remaining power. (2500- 3100 ATK)
'Now that Dark Magician has no attack points left he is automatically destroyed.' Rao said as she could read the card effect now, the Spellcaster let out a sigh of relieve he disappeared in a puff of black smoke.
'Now to destroy Jorogumo, since it will be destroyed when attacking without a monster equipped.' Rao read the card, the demon spider shot her webs at Hoji but he simply swapped them away.
(Ushiwaka: 5300), (Susanoo: 0) & (Rao: 3150) - (Hoji: 5000- 1900)
Jorogumo let out a loud screech as she violently exploded.
Ushiwaka looked at Hoji's face, he had a devilish smile on his face.
'Now Magi Magi Magician Gal finish this!' Rao shouted.
'No!' Ushiwaka yelled but he was too late the Spellcaster fired her blast, Hoji spread his arms ice rose around him forming a shield, a violent blizzard whipped up out of nowhere, Magi Magi Magician Gal got encased in ice in a second. (2400- 0 ATK)
Before Hoji stood a young-looking woman, she wore white kimono-like robes, she had long, white hair reaching to halfway her back, she had snow-white skin, her eyes were glowing red, her lips were blue, she was slightly hovering above the ground, snow swirled all around her, the Orichalcos burned on her head. (3500- 4000 ATK)
'Snow Demon - Yuki-Onna.' Hoji said: 'Can only be special summoned when I would lose the Duel from a direct attack, she makes the attacking monster useless taking away all their effects and attack powers, nor can the affected monster change battle positions.'
A seventh soul appeared behind Hoji.
'Yuki-Onna is only here as a sacrifice.' The snow lady looked back a shocked expression on her face, before she could do anything eight pillars of pure darkness shot through the ground.
'Everything is in place, a Level twelve special summoned monster is the requirement.' Hoji shouted.
One-by-one the shadowy snake heads disappeared from behind him.
'The Orichalcos allows me to break the veil between realms, slowly the pillars of darkness disappeared the snake-heads were now clearly visible, each head was covered with black and brownish-red scales, the eyes were glowing yellow, black smoke came through the nostrils each maw was filled with rows of sharp-black teeth many horns covered each head and neck, all eight heads were connected to a massive, black body ending in a long tail of which Ushiwaka couldn't see the end.
'Yamata-No-Orochi, the serpent of darkness, the greatest Yokai that ever roamed this world! And the last Yokai this world will ever see!' Hoji's voice now was a combination of his own voice and that of Orochi.
Ushiwaka was trembling in fear, Rao tried to hide behind her brother.
'Now here is how things work.' Hoji spoke.
'The body of my master can't physically be here, this is only a semblance this means for now he has to abide to the rules of the game, the main body is the actual monster placed on my back row, each head is a Token, each Token gains thousand attack points for each Token on the field, the body has no attack power, other card effects don't affect Orochi and the main body can't be attacked as long as there are Tokens on the field.'
Each of the eight heads started to glow. (Body: 0 ATK, Token: 0- 8000 ATK x8)
'I use one of Orochi's effects, I can remove all Cursed Soul Counters from the field, that deals no damage but I recover thousand Life Points for each one!' Hoji spread his arms the souls were drawn towards Orochi one-by-one the serpent devoured them, an unholy red light surrounded Hoji.
(Ushiwaka: 5300), (Susanoo: 0) & (Rao: 3150) - (Hoji: 1900- 13.900)
'Devour them Orochi!' One of the heads lunged forward grabbing Magi Magi Magician Gal tearing her in half.
(Ushiwaka: 5300), (Susanoo: 0) & (Rao: 3150- 0) - (Hoji: 13.900)
'Rao!' Ushiwaka yelled the body of his sister disappeared before his eyes.
Slowly Ushiwaka turned towards Hoji his eyes filled with anger.
'I have seven attacks left.' Hoji said he crossed his arms.
'Devour him! Orochi!'
Armed Samurai - Ben Kei appeared crouching before Ushiwaka the serpent head bit the small warrior to pieces.
Once Ushiwaka's only defense was gone the second head closed in on him, Ushiwaka closed his eyes a warm, golden light exploded around him filling his body then he felt the head striking him and everything went black.
Ushiwaka opened his eyes, he didn't feel his body as he looked around the only thing he saw was a beautiful space filled with golden clouds, a soft golden light gave him a feeling of safety.
'Where am I?' Ushiwaka wondered, he looked at his wrist his Duel Disk was still active, then he felt something change as he looked around dark clouds drifted into view.
'Orochi.' Ushiwaka growled.
'He can't touch you here as long as my light is here.' A warm sounding female voice spoke.
Ushiwaka turned around he saw an orb of light slowly descending the golden light became brighter and slowly a figure appeared, she was about three times the size of Ushiwaka, a woman with long, black hair tied in a tail on her back held together by a hair ornament that resembled the sun, the rest of her hair was loosely tied alongside the tail.
the face of the woman was painted white two streaks of red pain reached up diagonally from the outer corners of her eyes, a half circle was painted in the middle of her forehead against her hairline, she wore a red, sleeveless dress with white half-sleeved robes over it, the underside of the white robes were decorated by a difficult pattern of lines, the dress and robes were tied around her waist by a belt made of red and white cloth tied with strings of red beads.
Ushiwaka didn't know why but he knelt down on one knee holding his right arms across his stomach his left arm loosely alongside his body, he held his head bowed down.
'Please stand human.' The woman spoke Ushiwaka hesitated but slowly he stood up, he swallowed before he spoke: 'Who are you?'
The woman smiled a soft, warm smile.
'My name is Amaterasu.' She replied.
'The Sun Goddess? That Amaterasu?' He already knew the answer.
The woman simply nodded.
'Guess I shouldn't be surprised.' He muttered as he looked to the dark clouds created by Orochi.
Ushiwaka looked at the Goddess again then he sat down.
'Guess that's it then, at least my death was painless thanks for that.' He dropped himself on his back.
'You are mistaken human.' Amaterasu spoke: 'You are not dead, I pulled you out before the final blow.' Ushiwaka groaned as he stood back up.
'Just when I thought I could relax.' He sighted.
'Orochi should not be awake.' The Sun Goddess spoke: 'His awakening caused my own awakening, Orochi has chosen his champion behind the scenes when I was still asleep, normally I can prepare my own champion to fight that serpent.' She paused for a moment.
'Let me guess, that's where I came along? Volunteering to fight Orochi even though I didn't know he was behind it?'
Again the Goddess nodded. 'Orochi isn't on his full power, his full awakening can be prevented, I can muster the little strength I have to banish him, but you need to do it.'
Ushiwaka sat down again he scratched his chin as he was in deep thoughts.
'Then I want to make a deal, you want to see our realm saved, your reasons as to why are your own, but there is something in return that I want.' He looked up to the Goddess she had an amused smile on her face.
'You are a bold one, you speak to me as if I were one of your own kind.' Amaterasu replied Ushiwaka shrugged: 'The things I've seen today, it puts things in a different light shall we say, now Orochi made a mess of Japan nature is entirely out of control, the whole country is being ravaged and I don't know how many people died, reverse that and I help you get rid of Orochi.' He looked Amaterasu directly in her golden eyes.
'I can and I can't.' The goddess calmly replied: 'Bringing the people back from the dead is forbidden, their souls are in peace now, returning them to your realm will only scare and confuse them, they will be ''messed up'' as you humans say, so here is my deal I can bring balance back to nature, calm things down, I can repair all the damage Orochi has done except for one area, all the people over your entire world will be brought to sleep, they wake up in their beds tomorrow morning, the news will tell them Japan got hit by earthquakes one area is completely destroyed that's where all Orochi's victims died.'
The two stared at each other then Ushiwaka sighted: 'Guess we have a deal then, not about to argue with a Goddess about the ethics of life and death.'
Suddenly Ushiwaka fell an incredible force pull him out of the pleasant realm he was in before, he opened his eyes back at the lab Hoji and Orochi before him, a wall of light was pushing back the head that had attacked him.
(Ushiwaka: 5300- 100), (Susanoo: 0) & (Rao: 0) - (Hoji: 13.900)
When the wall of light disappeared Amaterasu stood before him. (0- 8000 ATK)
'What?' Hoji hissed.
'Omikami - Amaterasu!' Ushiwaka shouted: 'She can only be special summoned when my Life Points would become zero from a direct attack, it automatically ends the Battle Phase and the attack power of Amaterasu is equal to the amount of battle damage negated.' Ushiwaka explained.
'It matters not.' Orochi hissed: 'My darkness devours Gods!'
Ushiwaka said nothing he drew his card.
One of the souls appeared behind him.
'Amaterasu attacks one of Orochi's heads! Holy Sun Scorcher!'
Amaterasu put her hands together a giant orb of light materialized in front of her, gracefully she threw the ball at one of the heads, the serpent of darkness howled as the head vaporized, the neck crashed down of the ground lifeless, a second soul appeared behind Ushiwaka.
'Whenever you destroy one of the Tokens you gain another Counter.' Hoji chuckled.
'See if I care.' Ushiwaka replied: 'Amaterasu cannot be destroyed by battle when fighting a monster with equal attack points, now for each monster destroyed her attack points increase by thousand and at the start of the Battle Phase she gains one additional attack for each monster my opponent controls.' (8000- 9000 ATK)
Amaterasu spread her arms eight blades make of pure light materialized in front of her in a circle.
'Smite this serpent! Sword of the Creator God!' Five swords cleaved off five heads of Orochi, Amaterasu started to glow as she gained more strength. (8000- 14.000 ATK)
Five more souls appeared behind Ushiwaka.
'I take no damage as long as I control Orochi.' Hoji laughed: 'Now you have seven Counters you can't attack and I only need to end my turn you just caused your own demise!'
Ushiwaka smiled he pointed at Hoji, two more swords cleaved off the last two heads, two more souls appeared behind Ushiwaka then a beam of light caused them all to disappear, Amaterasu became stronger yet again. (14.000- 16.000 ATK)
'Only way I can lose the Duel now is by decking out or taking damage, your Field Spell no longer affects me, now Amaterasu destroy the body!' The Sun Goddess grabbed the last sword with one swing the body of Orochi dissolved into nothingness.
'Since those were additional attacks Amaterasu's original attack remains.' Ushiwaka spoke.
'I curse you and your realm!' Orochi howled: 'When I have my full power your realm shall be plunged in darkness!'
Ushiwaka looked at Amaterasu then he saw the Orichalcos Stone around Hoji's neck. 'Amaterasu take him down!' He roared, the Goddess thrust the sword forward through Hoji's chest at the same time Ushiwaka leaped forward he grabbed Hoji's hand and the Orichalcos Stone he forced the stone in Hoji's hand then pushed it against the barrier, cracks appeared in the Seal of Orichalcos, Hoji howled as the power left his body then the seal exploded launching Hoji and Ushiwaka backwards, they landed hard on the ground.
(Ushiwaka: 100), (Susanoo: 0) & (Rao: 0) - (Hoji: 13.900- 0)
Ushiwaka smiled at Amaterasu.
'Thank you.' The Goddess spoke: 'My promise will be fulfilled.' Slowly she faded away then Rao and Susanoo reappeared in the middle of the lab, Hoji tried to stand up. 'Oh no you don't.' Susanoo growled as with a mighty punch he knocked the professor out, before any of them could well react to the situation a sensation of sleep came over them one by one they fell on the floor.
The next day.
Ushiwaka suddenly woke up he found himself in his bed back at Duel Academy, as he stood up he heard a groan, when he looked at the bed next to him he found a confused Susanoo, slowly the door to their room opened a confused Rao stepped into the room.
'What the? What am I doing here?' Susanoo groaned then he grabbed his head. 'Headache is terrible.' Then he noticed Ushiwaka.
'Tell me did I drink too much and did you brought me here?' Then something hit him.
'Wait, that Seal of Orichalcos that wasn't a dream then?' Both Ushiwaka and Rao shook their heads.
'Part of a deal I made with Amaterasu, she would restore the damage Orochi caused except for one area.' Ushiwaka said then he quickly turned on the television, it showed a news reporter standing in a ravaged area.
'An update of the sudden earthquake that hit Japan last night, the official death count is still not known but it will be in the tens of thousands.'
Ushiwaka quickly turned off the television.
'Something is wrong here.' Ushiwaka then said: 'I've asked for Amaterasu to repair the damage, she couldn't bring back the dead so she would erase the memories of what happened tonight so that the people would wake up today and an earthquake hit explaining the deaths Orochi caused, we should have been part of that but clearly we remember everything.'
Then Ushiwaka felt something burning in his pocket quickly he took out a card and a blackened ring with a black stone on it, the stone was pulsating with an unholy red light, the moment Ushiwaka grabbed the ring the pulsating stopped, he then looked at the card it was The Seal of Orichalcos the eight heads of Orochi were visible inside the Seal.
'Orochi's soul is sealed in this ring, that must have happened when I broke the Orichalcos with it, could that be the reason we remember? Since we all were so closely involved?' Ushiwaka muttered.
The next day.
It didn't take long for Duel Academy to close down until further notice because of the Earthquake, Susanoo had quietly sneaked out of Duel Academy while Ushiwaka and Rao were picked up by their parents, Ushiwaka was playing a casual game in his room when Rao suddenly entered, she held two envelopes, they looked official a red seal closed the letter, Rao's letter was already open Ushiwaka quickly opened his.
It was an invitation for a Duel tournament held within a month's time, it would be held on an island near America Oblivion Island it was called, Duelists from over the entire world were invited with huge prizes for the winner, it was signed by a man named Lucien Black.
Ushiwaka then took three objects out of the envelope, one looked like an ancient scroll, when he opened it he saw a map of the island with letters and numbers, the other three things were two cards they also had letters and numbers on them, there was a small note attached to one of the cards, that the scroll they held in combination with eight of the cards would point the way to a key you would need to enter the finals, those cards would be the ante in the Duels during the tournament, there were eight keys in total.
'I've already called Susanoo, he got a letter as well, he plans to enter asked if the three of us could meet up so we can go together.'
Ushiwaka looked at her sister then back at the envelope. 'This symbol on the seal.' He said: 'I've seen it before in Hoji's lab, this can't be coincidence, I'm gonna go to that tournament to get some answers.' Ushiwaka said Rao could see the determination in his eyes.
Unknown place.
Hoji slowly opened his eyes, he was surprised to find himself alive, he looked at his skeletal arm it was normal again.
'Survived by the skin of your teeth.' An unknown male voice spoke Hoji looked around him, he was laying in a dark room, the lack of windows and the dank air told him he was underground.
'I felt the magic burst from that Amaterasu.' This was a woman's voice.
'It is ironic to think that it was Amaterasu who saved you there.' The man spoke again: 'She brought everyone to sleep to fix the damage you caused, that gave us enough time to pull you out.'
Hoji tried to stand up but his legs were too weak, the woman came closer, she helped him up.
'You were lucky my two disciples found you.' Hoji looked around to see where the woman's voice came from, a shadow of a large, female figure appeared seemingly out of nowhere behind the young man and woman, both of them backed away to the sides and bowed down.
'And you are?' Hoji asked looking at the new woman.
'A servant of a being we call the Dark God' The woman replied then she pointed the kneeling girl. 'Akai here went through great lengths to get you here, at least consider my offer.'
Next time:
With Orochi gone Japan is saved.
Ushiwaka's adventures are not over yet.
Who are the mysterious people who saved Hoji? That answer will be answered at a different time.
Giant Demon Centipede - Omukade
Type: Insect/Effect
Attribute: Earth
Level: 7
ATK: 2000
DEF: 1700
When this card is Normal Summoned target 1 Monster on the Field halve that target's ATK. When there are 5 or more ''Cursed Soul Counters'' on your opponent's side of the Field the ATK of all their Monsters is halved. These changes remain until this card leaves the Field or when there are 3 or less ''Cursed Soul Counters'' on their side of the Field. When your opponent Summons a Monster you can have your opponent lose a ''Cursed Soul Counter'' halve the Summoned Monster's ATK, your opponent takes no damage from removing the ''Cursed Soul Counter''.
Vengeful Ghost - Yurei
Type: Zombie/Effect
Attribute: Dark
Level: 10
ATK: 1800
DEF: 0
This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card cannot be Special Summoned. This card can only be Special Summoned from your hand when a Monster you controls destroys an opponent's Monster by Battle. This card can attack 2x during each Battle Phase as long as there are 3 or more ''Cursed Soul Counters'' on your opponent's side of the Field.
Spider Demon - Jorogumo
Type: Insect/Effect
Attribute: Earth
Level: 8
ATK: 2500
DEF: 1200
When this card is Normal Summoned you can target 1 Monster your opponent controls Equip the target Monster to this card. When a Monster is Equipped to this card you can decrease the Original ATK of the Equipped Monster in increments of 100 ATK (the remaining ATK becomes the new Original ATK) then increase the ATK of this card by the same amount until the End Phase. When the Equipped Monster's ATK becomes 0 Destroy the Equipped Monster. When this card Battles without a Monster Equipped, destroy this card at the end of the Damage Step.
Snow Demon - Yuki-Onna
Type: Fiend/Effect
Attribute: Water
Level: 12
ATK: 3500
DEF: 2000
This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card cannot be Special Summoned. This card can only be Special Summoned from your hand when your opponent declares a Direct Attack that will make your LP 0. When this card is Summoned target the attacking Monster that Monster's ATK becomes 0 and it cannot be used for a Summon nor can it change it's Battle Position.
Serpent of Darkness - Yamata-no-Orochi
Type: Divine Beast/Effect
Attribute: Divine
Level: 12
ATK: 0
DEF: 0
This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card cannot be Special Summoned. This card can only be Special Summoned from your hand by Tributing a Level 12 Special Summoned Monster you control. This card is unaffected by other card Effects, this card can only exist in face-up Attack Position. When this card is Summoned Special Summon up to 8 ''Serpent Head Tokens'' (Dragon/DARK/Level 12/ATK ?/DEF 0). The ATK of a ''Serpent Head Token'' is equal to the amount of ''Serpent Head Tokens'' you control x1000. As long as this card remains on the Field you cannot lose the Duel to the Effect of ''Cursed Realm''. When this card is Special Summoned you can remove all ''Cursed Soul Counter'' (no damage is taken by this Effect) increase your LP by 1000 for each ''Cursed Soul Counter'' removed by this Effect. As long as you control other Monsters this card cannot be targeted for an attack. This card cannot be removed from the Field except when destroyed by Battle. As long as you control this card you take no Damage from battles. When a ''Serpent Head Token'' is destroyed by Battle place a ''Cursed Soul Counter'' on the Field of the player who destroyed it. During your Standby Phase you can Summon up to 8 ''Serpent Head Tokens''. You cannot control more than 8 ''Serpent Head Tokens''. During your next Standby Phase after this card was destroyed by Battle Special Summon this card from the Graveyard ignoring it's Summon conditions.
Omikami - Amaterasu
Type: Creator God/Effect
Attribute: Divine
Level: 12
ATK: ?
DEF: 0
This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card cannot be Special Summoned. This card can only be Special Summoned from your hand when your opponent declares a Direct Attack that will make your LP 0 negate that attack. This card is unaffected by other card Effects. When this card is Special Summoned your LP become 100 and cannot be increased. When this card is Special Summoned end the Battle Phase. As long as you control this card the only way you can lose a Duel is by taking Battle Damage or Decking out. The ATK of this card is equal to Battle Damage you would have taken from the negated attack. This card gains an additional attack for each Monster your opponent has on the Field during the Battle Phase. This card's ATK increase by 1000 for each Monster it destroys by Battle. This card cannot be Destroyed by battle with a Monster with equal ATK.
Cursed Realm
Field Spell card
This card's activation cannot be negated. This card cannot be removed from the Field. This card's Effect cannot be negated. When this card is activated place 1 ''Cursed Soul Counter'' for each player on a side of the Field. During the Standby Phase the turn player gains 1 ''Cursed Soul Counter'' on their side of the Field. When a side of the Field has 8 ''Cursed Soul Counter'' that player(s) lose the Duel. A player can remove up to 2 ''Cursed Soul Counters'' as a substitute for a Tribute Summon. When a ''Cursed Soul Counter'' is removed the player who had the 'Cursed Soul Counter'' takes 500 Damage to their LP. During either player's turn the controller of this card can gain up to 5 ''Cursed Soul Counter'' Special Summon a ''Tormented Soul Token'' (Fiend/DARK/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0) for each ''Cursed Soul Counter'' gained by this Effect.
Wicked Soul Sacrifice
Continuous Spell card
You take no Damage when you remove a ''Cursed Soul Counter''.
Soul Suffering
Normal Spell card
Your opponent(s) gain a ''Cursed Soul Counter'' on their Field, then you gain the same amount of ''Cursed Soul Counters''.
Rage of the Serpent God
Equip Spell card
When you control ''Serpent of Darkness - Yamata no Orochi'' and ''Cursed Realm'' Equip this card to 1 ''Serpent Head Token'' the Equipped Monster is the only Monster that can attack, also increase the ATK of the Equipped Monster by 1000 for each ''Cursed Soul Counter'' on either Field. This card's Effect cannot be negated.
Spirit of Rage
Continuous Trap card
Activate only during your opponent's turn. As long as you control this card the Battle Phase must be conducted and cannot be negated. When the Battle Phase starts all Monsters your opponent are changed to face-up Attack Position and must attack. Attacks cannot be negated. Destroy this face-up card during your next End Phase. For every time an opponent's Monster declared a Battle 1 ''Cursed Soul Counter'' is removed from their Field, your opponent takes no damage for that.
Note: All of the above cards were created by me, nobody is allowed to use these cards for their own stories.