A nice and peaceful day on Duel Academy abruptly came to a stop for one of the best Duelists there: Ushiwaka.
Three Obelisk Blue students wanted to gain fame by beating him in a three-on-one Duel, however Ushiwaka ended the Duel within only three of his turns, meanwhile Ushiwaka's sister Rao found a challenge in Susanoo, a tough Duelist who used a Deck unknown to her, Susanoo took down Rao and took her with him, when Ushiwaka saw that he decided to give chase.
2. The First Seal.
Ushiwaka was driving fast, too fast to be responsible the for him unknown assailant who took his sister couldn't be too far at that moment he saw the assailant passing him from the other direction, his sister was not longer tied to his D-Wheel and he had ditched the trench coat and hood, from what Ushiwaka could see he was mid twenties, he had short, black hair neatly combed, his face was angular and rough-looking, he had a beard and no mustache, his clothes were simple, a black T-shirt, army pants and black combat boots, as the man passed Ushiwaka the latter shouted at him to stop then he turned his D-Wheel around to give chase however that was not necessary Susanoo stopped his D-Wheel.
Ushiwaka stopped next to him: 'You, a guy wearing a trench coat with a hood driving the exact same D-Wheel as you kidnapped my sister, where is she?' Ushiwaka growled, the man looked dumbfounded.
'The hell you talking about?' Susanoo replied Ushiwaka quickly drew his Wakizashi and pointed the weapon at the other man's throat.
'Calm down would you.' Susanoo said, not even fazed by the situation.
'I don't know what you're talking about, why don't you lower your weapon and explain what is going on, start by telling me your name, my name is Susanoo.'
Ushiwaka slowly lowered his sword but he kept it close: 'Ushiwaka.' He said: 'My sister was taken by someone with your build and D-Wheel, I was chasing him then I passed you, want to tell me where you brought her?'
Susanoo shook his head: 'This is a misunderstanding, I kidnapped nobody, I was just on my way to a Duel Academy near here to pick up a girl, you see I am a mercenary and Duelist for hire my client wants to speak to a girl, I was asked to pick her up I was not to take no for an answer.' Susanoo explained.
'Duel Academy, I just came from that place now don't tell me your target was named Rao?'
Susanoo got a surprised look on his face: 'So I was ordered to bring Rao, your sister to my client right before I arrive someone who has my build and D-Wheel kidnaps her, you give chase which is obvious and you come across me.' Susanoo summarized.
'That sounds right, now no more games mercenary tell me where you brought her.' Ushiwaka pointed his sword as Susanoo's throat again.
'Look, you don't think straight.' The mercenary replied he gently pushed the sword down: 'This is the only road, there are no exits if I had taken your sister where could I have hidden her then? Obviously I don't have her with me right now.'
Deep down Ushiwaka knew that Susanoo was right he lowered his sword even more now holding it pointed down at the road.
'Why don't you come with me, I know where your sister could be, if this is a trick from my client she should be at his lab, you can see for yourself weather I speak the truth if not we can always Duel it out then and there.'
Ushiwaka and Susanoo stood there for a few seconds, Ushiwaka aimed his sword at Susanoo again, after a few seconds he put the sword away, without saying anything both Duelists mounted their D-Wheels Susanoo took the lead.
Somewhat under an hour later the two reached their destination, an old, abandoned building, the building was surrounded by a simple fence keeping people out, everywhere on the fence hung warning signs that it was dangerous to enter the building because it was about to collapse, on one part the fence was cut open.
'This is a facade.' Susanoo said as he stepped through the opening, Ushiwaka followed him.
'The building is vacant, bought by my client the collapse warning are fake, we need to enter the basement that is where your sister will be if she is here.'
When the two Duelists entered the basement it looked like what you'd expect from a basement, it was dusty and full of cobwebs, most of the basement was filled with carton boxes and wooden crates most of which were empty, the others were filled with random stuff you would find in a house, a gigantic wine rack lined up to the far side of the basement.
'Not much here ain't it?' Ushiwaka asked in a sarcastic tone, Susanoo said nothing instead he opened one of the wine casks instead of wine it contained a single button, Susanoo pressed it and to Ushiwaka's surprise a hidden door in the rack opened up Ushiwaka peered through the opening the only thing he saw was a long staircase leading down through a dark tunnel.
Susanoo in the meantime found a flashlight in one of the boxes he turned it on. 'Let's go.' He simply said.
A few minutes later Ushiwaka and Susanoo entered the hideout, it was hidden deep under the ground behind a hidden passage in the basement, it was rather dark, Susanoo pressed a light switch, slowly the lights turned on, they stood in what looked like a laboratory, Ushiwaka gasped. 'Rao!' He yelled, his sister was hooked up to some weird-looking spherical computer, she was strapped to a chair, wires with needles at the tips were stuck in her arms and legs, stickers with wires were attached to her head, the middle of the room was cleared, all kind of machine were placed around the center forming some sort of Duel Arena, the walls of the lab were lined with shelves, the shelves were filled with all kinds of boxes, empty glass bottles, filled glass bottles and chemistry equipment, next to the door they entered stood a coat rack there were several white lab coats on the rack. 'Rao!' Ushiwaka roared again.
A door at the other end of the room opened. 'She can't hear you.' A calm voice spoke, Ushiwaka looked at the man who just entered the room, the man appeared to be in his mid-fifties he had short gray hair at a younger age his hair would have been black, he had a matching ring-beard and a small mustache, his eyes were blue, his outfit consisted of brown horn-rimmed glasses, a brown buttoned-up shirt with black tie, brown cotton pants, black, slick shoes and a white lab coat he wore open. 'Hoji.' Susanoo growled. 'It seems my diversion worked.' The professor said he walked to the machine Rao was strapped onto. 'I knew you would rebel against me Susanoo, never trust a mercenary, that is why I hired some help, someone who looks like you.'
'Why?' Susanoo asked, Hoji turned around to look at Rao: 'Fascinating, this girl has access to the Spirit World, I only need a trigger, her brother being in danger will be that trigger, Susanoo I knew that if I had your dopplegänger kidnap this girl the brother would search for you and I knew that if that happened you would lead the brother right to me.' Hoji turned around facing Ushiwaka and Susanoo, he removed his lab coat and threw it aside, then he rolled up his sleeves, revealing that his right hand and a big part of his right arm were badly burned, probably in a failed experiment, then he grabbed a black Duel Disk off the table, there were strange runes etched on the top of the Disk, when it activated a scythe-like blade folded out of the Duel Disk, giving the thing a sinister appearance.
'Susanoo.' Ushiwaka said: 'If I can trust you, find a way to get my sister out of that machine, I will take on Hoji.' Ushiwaka activated his Duel Disk, Hoji merely chuckled. 'Duel!' They both shouted.
(Professor Hoji: 8000) - (Ushiwaka: 8000)
Ushiwaka drew his first five cards at once, Hoji however drew them one at a time neatly arranging them in his hand. 'As your elder I shall take the first turn.' The professor choose a card from his hand. 'I summon Psychic Armor Head.' A helmet started to materialize around Hoji's head, the top of the helmet was white the part that fell under the chin was blue, a black visor appeared in front of his eyes. (0 ATK)
'My turn ends.' The professor stated.
'That is one weird Monster, I've never seen a Monster that attaches itself to the Duelist, I must be careful.' Ushiwaka drew his card.
'I normal summon Marauding Captain.' Before Ushiwaka a battle-hardened veteran Warrior with short blond hair appeared his green armor was dented and scratched, he unsheathed his two swords. (1200 ATK)
'Through the effect of Marauding Captain I special summon Gearfried the Iron Knight.' Next to Marauding Captain appeared a Warrior clad in black, plated armor. (1800 ATK)
'Marauding Captain attacks Psychic Armor Head!' Ushiwaka commanded, the warrior ran up to Hoji striking the helmet with each of his swords, the helmet cracked and broke in two pieces. 'Gearfried go!' The second warrior ran up to Hoji ramming his sword through the professor's chest, Hoji bended over and started to cough, after a few minutes he managed to recover himself.
(Professor Hoji: 8000- 5000) - (Ushiwaka: 8000)
'I don't know what you want Hoji, but is this worth dying over?' Ushiwaka asked. 'You don't understand.' The professor replied: 'Winning or losing doesn't matter to me now, I am dead anyway, better get something off of my own agenda don't you agree?'
Ushiwaka said nothing, instead he placed a card in his Duel Disk, it appeared face-down behind Marauding Captain. 'Turn end.'
Hoji drew his card, he grinned as he saw what he got. 'First of all since Psychic Armor Head is in my Graveyard I can special summon it.' The helmet reappeared around Hoji's head. (0 ATK)
'I activate Royal Decree!' Ushiwaka interrupted Hoji, his Trap card spun around, Hoji chuckled: 'Trying to block my Trap cards? I don't need Trap cards.' Hoji took a card from his hand.
'Now I must inform you mister Ushiwaka, this card was given to me by my boss, he plans something big with it but it needs to be tested, that is why I am here.' The professor stated.
'Sounds to me the card can be lethal so why use it? Unless you got in discredit with your boss and this is his way of getting rid of you.' Ushiwaka remarked, Hoji shook his head. 'No this is for the Thalmor, it is a great honor to give my life for that cause, besides testing this card allows me to test a theory of my own.' Hoji looked at Susanoo who was still trying to disable the machine Rao was attached to. 'My investigation is probably more lethal than this card.'
Hoji placed the card in his field slot, the runes on top of his Duel Disk started to glow with a green light, slowly a green pentagram started to form on the floor, the same runes that were on the Duel Disk appeared on the outer side of the pentagram, then a wall made of green light appeared around the runes, Hoji started to laugh, he spread his arms slowly the same pentagram that was now on the floor appeared on the professor's forehead, the man took a few deep breaths.
'Okay enough.' Ushiwaka said: 'Susanoo just smash the machine I'm done with this.' Susanoo picked a hammer from one of the shelves.
'I won't do that, unless you want to kill the girl.' Hoji spoke, his voice sounded deeper, more threatening: 'She is directly connected with the Spirit World, the energy that she releases allows me to communicate with other realms and that is my experiment! The world is about to change and when it does I will be there to take it all.'
Ushiwaka shook his head: 'You're demented, I will find some professional help for you.' Ushiwaka wanted to leave but as he tried to pass the barrier he couldn't. 'Oh, did I forget to mention? As long as my Seal of Orichalcos is active the only way the Duel ends is when one player loses.' Hoji said with a slight smirk.
'In that case bring it.' Ushiwaka replied.
'It is still my turn I believe.' The professor said as he took a card from his hand. 'Now I set one Monster.' A horizontally placed card appeared before him. 'The Orichalcos allows me to use Spell and Trap card zones as Monster card Zones, so I move my Psychic Armor Head to the back.' Hoji explained, he placed the card in the Spell Slot: 'Now you must first attack the monsters in the regular Monster card zone before you can attack those on the back row.' Hoji concluded his explanation, he then declared the end of his turn.
'My turn.' Ushiwaka stated as he drew his card.
'I summon Command Knight.' A female warrior clad in fancy-looking red armor appeared before Ushiwaka, she rested her hand on the golden hilt of her sword. (1200 ATK)
'With Command Knight on my field all Warriors become stronger.' Ushiwaka explained. (Command Knight: 1200- 1600 ATK, Gearfried: 1800- 2200 ATK, Marauding Captain: 1200- 1600 ATK)
'Marauding Captain attack that hidden Monster!' Ushiwaka roared, the veteran charged in, the mystery card disappeared a blue armor appeared around Hoji's body, it had shoulder guards and pieces that protected Hoji's sides, butt and crotch area. (2500 DEF)
Marauding Captain struck the armor with his sword that instantly cracked, small slivers of metal fell on the ground.
(Professor Hoji: 5000) - (Ushiwaka: 8000- 7100)
'As you can see, my Active Guard is quite sturdy.' Hoji said with a smirk.
'In that case I end my turn.' Ushiwaka concluded.
'I use the effect of my Psychic Armor Head to add Buster Pyle to my hand.' Hoji stated, a card slipped from almost the bottom of his Deck as the automated search system did its work the professor took the card and added it to his hand. 'Now I normal summon Buster Pyle.' The professor continued, a blue, armored gloves with white fingers appeared on Hoji's right hand, there was a device attached to the wrist of the glove that could shoot arrows, two arrows were already loaded in. (0- 500 ATK)
'I attack Marauding Captain with Buster Pyle.' Hoji said as he aimed his hand at the Monster, one arrow shot out of the device with incredible speed, Marauding Captain however caught the arrow with his bare hand.
'I take no damage from a battle involved Buster Pyle, nor can Buster Pyle be destroyed by battle, however at the end of the battle phase the attack target is destroyed and you take five-hundred damage.' Hoji explained, the second arrow was shot at Marauding Captain, this time the arrow pierced right through Marauding Captain's chest then buried itself in Ushiwaka's chest, Marauding Captain clutched his chest before he fell down and disappeared.
(Professor Hoji: 5000) - (Ushiwaka: 7100- 6600)
'I must admit I am quite exited.' Ushiwaka sounded all fired up, quickly he drew his card. 'I summon Warrior Lady of the Wasteland!'
A woman with long, blond hair appeared in front of Ushiwaka, she wore a green top that revealed her midriff, a matching miniskirt and knee-high boots, her right arm was wrapped in bandages, to finish off her outfit she also wore a tattered brown cape and a hat with a wide brim of the same color as her cape, her sword hung loosely on her back. (1100- 1500 ATK)
'Next I equip Command Knight with Axe of Despair!'
The wicked-looking axe appeared in the hand of the female warrior. (1600- 2600 ATK)
'Command Knight attacks Active Guard!' The lady warrior charged in the wicked axe kept to her side, as she approached Hoji she leaped into the air moving the axe above her head, she brought it down with a powerful strike, Hoji used his Buster Pyle to block the strike, Command Knight landed on her feet and immediately leaped back to Ushiwaka's side.
'When I control two Armor monsters I can redirect one attack to another, since I choose Buster Pyle I took no battle damage and Buster Pyle is not destroyed by it's own Effects.' Hoji explained with a grin.
'So you're more crafty than I thought, fine I'll end my turn.' Ushiwaka stated.
'With the effect of Psychic Armor Head I add Big Bang Blow to my hand.' Hoji stated, this time the top card slipped from his Deck.
'I summon Big Bang Blow.' Hoji stated, more blue armor appeared around his right arm, the shoulder got covered in white armor. (0- 500 ATK)
'I move Buster Pyle and Active Guard to the back row.' The professor said as he shifted the cards around on his Duel Disk.
'Next I activate Mystical Space Typhoon.' He continued, a powerful wind blew Ushiwaka's Royal Decree away.
'I shall end my turn with a face-down card.' Hoji concluded his turn.
Ushiwaka wanted to draw his card, he noticed some hesitation.
'Do I feel fear? Is this madman getting to me? No I don't fear anything' Ushiwaka shook his head and drew his card. 'By the way, you said you don't need Trap cards, then why did you destroy my Royal Decree?' Ushiwaka noticed.
'I don't necessarily need Trap cards in order to win, if they make my victory faster I gladly use them.' The professor replied: 'Now I activate my Trap card.' Hoji stated, Ushiwaka gasped as he saw it was Battle Mania.
'This is where I kill you Ushiwaka.' Hoji calmly spoke.
'Not if I get to you first, Command Knight attack!' The woman ran in again charging at Hoji with her axe.
'Since Big bang Blow is the only monster on the front row that is the attack target.' Hoji said, as soon as the axe came down Hoji blocked it using his right arm, the shoulder armor and upper arm armor cracked and broke.
(Professor Hoji: 5000- 2900) - (Ushiwaka: 6600)
'You destroyed Big Bang Blow!' Hoji laughed, small black holes appeared all over the Field.
'Destroying that monster destroys all monster on the field then both players take damage equal to the attack points of all Monsters they control!' Hoji spread his arms, the three armor pieces he wore slowly started to fall apart, Gearfried, Warrior Lady and Command Knight were all sucked into one of the small, black holes, then all of a sudden lightning struck on several places throughout the lab, Ushiwaka and Hoji were both hit slamming them both against the wall of the Orichalcos, Susanoo ran and ducked for cover, lightning struck several of the machines around the room, the light flickered and died out as the generator that supplied the lab broke down.
(Professor Hoji: 2900- 1400) - (Ushiwaka: 6600- 300)
As soon as the lightning storm subsided Susanoo came out of his cover.
'Ushiwaka!' He roared as he saw his new friend laying motionless against the seal, Hoji wasn't moving either.
'Ushiwaka please respond!' Susanoo roared again.
'Don't bother.' Hoji's weak voice answered Susanoo's call.
'The Orichalcos makes me stronger, I barely survived, no chance he survived.' Hoji slowly crawled back onto his feet, he was leaning against the Orichalcos wall.
'For formalities the Duel is not over yet, I'll give Ushiwaka five minutes to do something, if he fails to do so I win.'
'You know Hoji, you just defeated yourself.' Susanoo said with a smile on his face.
The professor simply looked at Susanoo he said nothing.
'You know you are still trapped inside that Seal of Orichalcos of yours, that lightning storm you created shut down the power in this entire facility.' Susanoo started to pace up and down, making Hoji more annoyed.
'You can't reach me Hoji, so I can do this.' Susanoo said in a taunting voice as he slowly walked up to the chair Rao was trapped in.
'Now without power it should be safe to get her out of that chair, since the blackout does not seem to have fried her brain.' Susanoo continued as he first untied Rao.
'Don't you dare!' Hoji shouted, one by one Susanoo started to remove the stickers after that was done he carefully started to pull the needles out, the moment the last needle was removed Rao slowly opened her eyes, she let out a shriek as she saw Susanoo.
Susanoo slowly backed off he showed Rao his hands to show her he was unarmed, quickly he started to explain what had happened up until the point where Ushiwaka was knocked out.
'Should I remind you that you only have one minute left before I win.' Hoji said.
Rao closed her eyes, she seemed to sank away in a deep sleep as a bit of drool left her mouth.
Ushiwaka opened his eyes, he looked around him, everywhere was darkness, he noticed he was laying down, as he tried to stand up he couldn't move.
'Your will is quite strong.' A hissing voice spoke from out of the darkness.
'Where are you?' Ushiwaka asked.
'I am the darkness.' The voice spoke again.
'The outrage of my human vessel knocked you out cold, your soul is slowly being drained by the Orichalcos, you are dying and this is purgatory.'
Ushiwaka tried again to stand up, this time he managed to albeit slowly.
'Curious.' The voice hissed: 'Maybe I have to kill you myself!'
The entire realm started to shake, a gigantic silhouette appeared a loud roar deafened Ushiwaka, eight pairs of glowing eyes lit up in the darkness.
'I will enjoy this... to devour a warrior of legend!' The creature howled, then suddenly a beam of light lit up the area, Ushiwaka could briefly see eight snake-like heads connected to a mountain-sized body, eight smaller beams of light pierced each of the creature's heads, with a loud howl the beast retreated.
Ushiwaka simply stood there shielding his eyes with his hands, when the light disappeared Rao stood in front of him.
'Rao?' Ushiwaka stammered.
'No time brother, Susanoo saved me, you were knocked out because lightning struck you, that awful professor is still standing, he has given you five minutes to make a move, you only have about twenty seconds left.
'Ten seconds left.' Hoji said with a sneer.
Then Ushiwaka's finger moved he slipped a card into his Duel Disk.
'I activate The Warrior Returning Alive.' He groaned.
As the Spell card flashed on the field, Hoji cursed loudly, Ushiwaka took a few moments to stand up, meanwhile a card slipped out from his Graveyard.
'Now I summon the Marauding Captain I just got back.' He stated as he took the card and immediately played it, through it's Effect I Special Summon a second one from my hand.'
Ushiwaka quickly played another card, two of the captains appeared before him. (1200 ATK x2)
'Next I set a card and end my turn.' Ushiwaka stated, the card materialized behind one of the captains.
'Now you've done it, you just couldn't stay down.' Hoji removed his glasses his right eye was glowing red while his left eye was still green.
'What is up with his eye? That ain't human.' Ushiwaka thought.
'I special summon Psychic Armor Head.' Hoji said breaking Ushiwaka's thoughts, the blue helmet reappeared on Hoji's head once again. (0 DEF)
'Now the spell card: Full Armor Gravitation!' Hoji roared, his card flashed on the Field. 'I draw ten cards then special summon all Armor Monsters among them.'
Quickly the professor drew the cards.
'I summon: Active Guard, Big Bang Blow, Jet Gauntlet, Over Boost, Advanced Shield, Buster Pyle, Buster Knuckle, Burning Knuckle and Trap Buster!'
Hoji spread his arms, first the body armor reappeared around his body. (2500 DEF) Followed by the Big Bang Blow, a full armor appeared around his left arm that was Jet Gauntlet, a small white shield appeared around his left wrist, that was Advanced Shield, then Buster Pyle reappeared, followed by a gauntlet around his left hand that was Buster Knuckle, followed by even more more armor around his left arm that came from Trap Buster then mostly white armor with blue accents appeared around his legs and feet, that was Overboost. (0 DEF x7)
And finally a new set of armor appeared around his right arm, that was Burning Knuckle. (0- 500 ATK)
'Burning Knuckle gains two-hundred attack points for each Armor Monster I control.' Hoji stated, sparks appeared around his right arm as power surged through it. (500- 2500 ATK)
'I use the effect of Overboost, which allows an Armor Monster to attack directly!' Hoji roared, he took a leap, the jets under his boots activated, with an incredible speed he launched himself over Ushiwaka's Monster homing in on the Duelist.
'I activate Defense Draw!' Ushiwaka roared, a shield appeared around him just in time, Hoji slammed against the barrier with a sickening smack.
When Hoji landed his boots cracked and crumbled.
'Looks like your boots couldn't take it Hoji.' Ushiwaka said with a sneer as he drew his card.
'How did you know my Trap Buster only would negate Trap cards that targeted an Armor Monster or would destroy two or more?' Hoji asked.
'Frankly I did not, I just hoped you could not stop this Trap card.' Ushiwaka simply replied.
Hoji cursed, his voice was shaking as keeping the power of the Seal of Orichalcos under control took a great deal out of him.
'Now it's my turn Hoji.' Ushiwaka said, he was all serious now, he drew his card.
'I activate Monster Reborn!' He roared, in a flash of light Gearfried reappeared on the Field. (1800 ATK)
'I'm sick of you Hoji.' Ushiwaka scoffed.
'I release all three of my Monsters!' Ushiwaka shouted, as soon as he said it a low rumble was heard in the distance, then suddenly Gearfried and the two Marauding Captains got struck by lightning. 'I advance summon Gilford the Lightning!' Ushiwaka roared, lightning struck around the Field several times, slowly a Monster appeared, a wild-looking man clad in heavy armor leaving his arms and legs bare, he wore a a tattered cape and a matching cloth around his waist he held a large two-handed sword in front of him. (2800 ATK)
'When Gilford the Lightning is summoned by using three tributes all Monsters my opponent controls are destroyed.' Ushiwaka casually said, Hoji took a step back, muttering incoherently to himself, Gilford held the sword in the air, lightning struck it then he aimed the electrified sword at Hoji a beam of electricity hit the professor who was send flying and smacked against the side of the Orichalcos, his entire armor laid in pieces around him, before Hoji could recover both Ushiwaka and Gilford charged in, Gilford gave Hoji a slice across his chest, at the same time Ushiwaka drew his Wakizashi and stabbed Hoji through the chest.
(Professor Hoji: 1400- 0) - (Ushiwaka: 300)
Hoji's shirt quickly colored red with his blood, slowly he placed his hand on his chest to stop the bleeding.
Ushiwaka in the meantime shook the blood of his sword and put it back in the sheath.
Hoji slowly lifted his head, his green eye had turned gray the red eye was still glowing, blood was dripping from the sides of his mouth, suddenly the green seal started to shrink, it passed through Ushiwaka until only Hoji was still surrounded by the thing, then a bright green light shot through the circle and Hoji, when the light had died out the entire seal was gone, Hoji's body slumped over like a rag doll being dropped.
Ushiwaka approached Hoji, without even looking at the man Ushiwaka took the Duel Disk and removed the Field Spell card, there was now a picture of Hoji on the card inside the seal, before Ushiwaka could say anything a chilling laughter filled the laboratory Hoji's body was lifted from the ground like a puppeteer suddenly giving a yank to the strings, the blood on him disappeared and the wound quickly healed, the shirt and pants of the man ripped as he grew a bit and gained more muscles, the skin of the man turned sickly gray, his hair turned white and grew until it reached his waist, two large horns grew out of his forehead they slightly curved upwards, his left eye turned back from gray into green as life returned back to it, his red eye started to glow even brighter, the white of his green eye turned pitch black, the skin of his burned right arm disappeared leaving only the bones, a black mist surrounded that arm.
Hoji chuckled as he saw Ushiwaka, Susanoo and Rao the latter two were cowering in fear, Ushiwaka was perfectly calm.
'Never seen a demon before?' Hoji asked, his voice was much deeper than it was before, Ushiwaka felt a chill going down his spine.
'This was my little experiment.' Hoji continued.
'The girl can communicate with the world of the spirits, so can I albeit a different part of Realm of Spirits.'
Hoji paused for a moment Ushiwaka slowly moved his hand towards his sword.
'But summoning a demon is pretty hard, there is almost no magic in this world, there are some cracks where magic seeps through, this lab is build on one of those spots, the machines channel it, so opening the gate to the Spirit Realm was easy, I actually wanted to use the girl as a host for this demon, however that plan failed.'
Ushiwaka's hand was now on the hilt of his sword, Hoji didn't seem to notice.
'So I decided to use my own body, I had to get rid of the soul, that, the Orichalcos took care of, the soul of the losing Duelist is taken by the Seal of Orichalcos, without a soul the demon could inhabit this body, now we share it's power.'
Suddenly Ushiwaka leaped forward drawing his blade, Hoji only smiled, he snapped his finger and time seemed to slow down.
'I could kill you myself, but it is better if I harvest your souls instead, I will seal you in the Realm of Darkness there you will be consumed by your fears.'
Three black holes opened Susanoo, Rao and Ushiwaka were each dragged into one by a shadowy hand.
Ushiwaka looked around him, he was back at his home, he stood in the middle of his child-home room, it was a complete mess there were clothes everywhere, some old posters of metal bands hung on the walls, for the rest there was a small desk with a computer set-up, a bed and a small table with a lot of cards on them, the weirdest things was a mirror standing against the back wall and the entire room was mirrored from back when he lived there.
'Consumed by our fears? Got you there Hoji, I fear nothing.' Ushiwaka muttered, he slowly walked to his door before he could touch the knob a familiar voice sounded from behind him: 'Surprised?' the voice asked, Ushiwaka turned around only to see another Ushiwaka stepping out of the mirror he carried a Duel Disk around his right arm instead of his left.
'You're not real.' Ushiwaka bluntly said.
'I am very much real Ushiwaka, but I am not you... yet.' Slowly the second Ushiwaka started to change, it grew to twice the size of him, barely fitting into the room, it had disproportioned large arms and legs, the head of the creature was bald and entirely blank.
'Everyone has a fear Ushiwaka.' The demon spoke.
Susanoo landed on the ground with a loud smack, quickly he stood up, it was completely dark around him except for the crossroad he stood on.
He looked at the road, each end of it went into a black void.
A crashed car stood on the side of the road, he could see two people laying on the road, the people were not recognizable, yet Susanoo knew who they were, one of them was supposed to be his uncle from his father's side the other, smaller, male figure was his cousin.
'The accident.' Susanoo whispered his body started to tremble all over.
That day Susanoo went to the amusement park with his uncle and cousin, Susanoo was six years old, on their way back their car got hit by a truck from behind his cousin was dead immediately crushed between the front of the truck and the chair Susanoo sat on, Susanoo's uncle was still conscious he managed to get Susanoo out of the car, his uncle manage to climb out after him he died on the street, Susanoo was severely injured, he passed out shortly after he woke up in the hospital almost a month later.
The truck driver drove off after the crash, almost an hour later his truck got stopped by police the driver turned out to be under the influence of drugs, from that day forth there was only one thing Susanoo feared.
Then a chill filled the air, it crept in Susanoo's body.
'There is no need to fear me.' An ominous voice filled the air, quickly Susanoo turned around, he saw a creature floating in mid-air, it was mostly a black, ragged cloak and matching hood, two glowing red eyes peered from under the hood, a pair of skeletal hands came from under the cloak, the creature lowered it's hood revealing a skeletal face, the demon opened it's right hand a black scythe appeared in it.
Rao looked around her, she was stuck in what seemed to be a baby's room, the wall was painted pink a broken cradle stood in one of the corners, there were several shelves hanging on the wall filled with porcelain dolls, as Rao moved so did the doll heads, it was dark inside, only the red light of the unholy moon shone through the half-open window.
Then she heard a child crying, Rao slowly moved towards the door ignoring the dolls, as she opened the door she let out a shriek of fear.
Rao was looking into an enormous room, the sides of the room were filled with dolls, the room was dark and in the middle of the room sat the most horrifying creature she could imagine, a creature made of flesh, it had the form of a human child, the body was emaciated, the adult-sized limbs of the creature were disjointed, on top of the child body sat the head of an adult, that is what disturbed Rao the most, the face had some wrinkles, a small nose resembling her own, green eyes and shoulder-length, brown hair, half of the face was seem to be melting, the flesh was loose and nearly slipped off the skull, a mask made of human flesh covered that half, the mask's stern, green eyes were looking at Rao, the face was wrinkled, the nose was broad and was a bit slanted like it had been broken in the past.
Rao fell to her knees, she started to tremble all over.
'Mom, dad, no!' She cried, the creature finally moved making a gurgling sound.
'You disappointed us again ''thing'' you are useless!' A female voice filled the hallway, Rao started to sob.
'Maybe I should tie you to your bed again!' A male voice then shouted, this came from the mask.
Next time:
Trapped inside an unknown realm Ushiwaka, his sister: Rao and Dueling mercenary: Susanoo face a difficult challenge their own fears: Kagami: The Reflection Demon, Shinigami: the Embodiment of Death and Mojiretsu: The Puppet Demon. ''The End of Fear - Part 1'' coming next.
Card details:
Psychic Armor Head
Type: Machine/Armor
Attribute: Earth
Level: 4
ATK: 0
DEF: 500
During your Draw Phase, you can add 1 Armor monster from your Deck to your hand instead of conducting your normal draw. During your Standby Phase, if this card is in your Graveyard, you can Special Summon it in face-up Attack Position. This card cannot attack. (Only 1 Armor monster can attack per turn. If you control 2 or more Armor monsters, and 1 is selected as an attack target, you can change the target to another Armor monster you control.)
Active Guard
Type: Machine/Armor
Attribute: Earth
Level: 4
ATK: 0
DEF: 2500
You take no damage this turn. If you use this effect, destroy this card during the End Phase. (Only 1 Armor monster can attack per turn. If you control 2 or more Armor monsters, and 1 is selected as an attack target, you can change the target to another Armor monster you control.)
Buster Pyle
Type: Machine/Armor
Attribute: Earth
Level: 4
ATK: 0
DEF: 0
This card cannot be destroyed by battle. You take no Battle Damage from battles involving this card. If this card attacks an opponent's monster, destroy that monster after damage calculation, and inflict 500 damage to your opponent. (Only 1 Armor monster can attack per turn. If you control 2 or more Armor monsters, and 1 is selected as an attack target, you can change the target to another Armor monster you control.)
Big Bang Blow
Type: Machine/Armor
Attribute: Earth
Level: 4
ATK: 0
DEF: 0
If this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard while you control 2 or more monsters, inflict damage to each player equal to the total ATK of each monster they control. After that, destroy all monsters on the field. (Only 1 Armor monster can attack per turn. If you control 2 or more Armor monsters, and 1 is selected as an attack target, you can change the target to another Armor monster you control.)
Jet Gauntlet
Type: Machine/Armor
Attribute: Earth
Level: 4
ATK: 0
DEF: 1500
If this card battles an opponent's monster, you can destroy both monsters at the start of the Damage Step (without damage calculation). (Only 1 Armor monster can attack per turn. If you control 2 or more Armor monsters, and 1 is selected as an attack target, you can change the target to another Armor monster you control.)
Over Boost
Type: Machine/Armor
Attribute: Earth
Level: 4
ATK: 0
DEF: 1000
Armor monsters you control can attack your opponent directly. If an Armor monster attacks your opponent directly with this effect, destroy this card during the End Phase. (Only 1 Armor monster can attack per turn. If you control 2 or more Armor monsters, and 1 is selected as an attack target, you can change the target to another Armor monster you control.)
Advanced Shield
Type: Machine/Armor
Attribute: Earth
Level: 4
ATK: 1000
DEF: 0
If you control no face-up Armor monsters, you cannot Summon this card. This card cannot declare an attack. (Only 1 Armor monster can attack per turn. If you control 2 or more Armor monsters, and 1 is selected as an attack target, you can change the target to another Armor monster you control.)
Buster Knuckle
Type: Machine/Armor
Attribute: Earth
Level: 3
ATK: 0
DEF: 0
If you control no face-up Armor monsters, you cannot Summon this card. This card gains 200 ATK for each face-up Armor monster you control. During battle between this attacking card and a Defense Position monster whose DEF is lower than the ATK of this card, inflict the difference as Battle Damage to your opponent. (Only 1 Armor monster can attack per turn. If you control 2 or more Armor monsters, and 1 is selected as an attack target, you can change the target to another Armor monster you control.)
Burning Knuckle
Type: Machine/Armor
Attribute: Earth
Level: 3
ATK: 0
DEF: 1000
This card gains 200 ATK for each face-up Armor monster you control. If this card attacks and is destroyed by battle with your opponent's monster, you can select 1 face-up monster on the field, and have it lose ATK equal to this card's ATK. (Only 1 Armor monster can attack per turn. If you control 2 or more Armor monsters, and 1 is selected as an attack target, you can change the target to another Armor monster you control.)
Trap Buster
Type: Machine/Armor
Attribute: Earth
Level: 3
ATK: 0
DEF: 0
Negate the effects of your opponent's Trap Cards that target 1 Armor monster you control or would destroy 2 or more monsters on the field. (Only 1 Armor monster can attack per turn. If you control 2 or more Armor monsters, and 1 is selected as an attack target, you can change the target to another Armor monster you control.)
Full Armor Gravitation
Normal Spell card
Pick up the top 10 cards of your Deck. Special Summon as many Armor monsters as possible from among those cards, in the order they were picked up, then remove the remaining cards from play.
Note: All of the above cards were used by Valon in several episodes of the Yu-Gi-Oh anime, all credits goes to the creative writers of those episodes.
The Seal of Orichalcos (anime effect)
Field Spell card
If thou would seek our power
A great power dwells within thyself
It shall dwell within
Offer unto us a sacrifice
And we shall be resurrected
Effect:
This card increases the ATK of its controller's monsters by 500. This card's controller can Summon monsters in their Spell & Trap Zones, which cannot be attacked unless there are no monsters in their Monster Zones. This card's controller can move monsters from their Monster Zones to their Spell & Trap Zones. This card cannot be destroyed by card effects.