Chapter 27 A Night To Remember

The king had heard the Samurai are very resistant to change. They have operated the same way as when they were founded. That's why 'this' was necessary. It seemed most Samurai wouldn't be convinced through violence upon them.

"Well, it is your stubbornness which is at fault for what is about to transpire.", the king thought as he sat in a fancy chair rather than his throne.

The ball had begun in a big luxurious building made for this very occasion. Luxurors and servants filled the halls of the grand building. Shadows of human figures shifted in the shadows.

The prentice Samurai walked in slowly and awkwardly led by Flynn and Navarre. Flynn wore the clothes that they had picked out earlier. A light blue long sleeved tunic that was buttoned together with silver designs along the edges and white pants. He had simple grey shoes and his hair was down with the silver accessory in his hair. The Mallory crest had been pinned to his tunic. He also wore his white scarf and wore white gloves. Navarre wore an elaborate gold cloak and a green tunic with gold shoes. On his cloak was a light blue crest depicting Trisula. He wore his scarf as well.

Issachar found himself staring at Flynn, never seeing him look quite this fancy before. Issachar wore a yellow tunic and darker colored pants. He wore a dark red cloak. Walter grumbled pulling the collar of his light gold tabard with a long sleeved black shirt under it. He had on blue pants and black shoes. He also had a blue hat on his head.

"This is way too stuffy and hot. I can't wait till this dumb ball is over.", Walter complained.

Jonathan wore red robes and a frilly shirt underneath. His robes had gold along the edges and he wore a red hat. He had a white crest depicting Ancient Sacred Wyvern on his robes. Isabeau wore a red and white dress. She wore a yellow split hat. Her dress had a gold crest pinned to it depicting some sort of knight. She wore more makeup than usual.

Outside…

Crown Samurai and normal guards guarded the outside. They tensed as a few figures approached them.

Inside…

Many interested eyes turned to the prentices' presence. Murmuring ensues as Flynn walks forward confidently leading them. Flynn keeps his posture upright and confident as many eyes are on him. Mostly women stared at Flynn.

"My little Flynn looks so adorable! I wish I could have helped him get ready!", Maria thought as she watched from upstairs with Lord Damien and a few blonde women and men.

"So, there he is. I haven't seen Flynn since he was an infant.", Maria's sister said as she walked down the stairs.

Maria looked annoyed as she and her husband were forced to stay there.

"Don't forget he's Lord Flynn now, sister.", one of the blond men reminded.

"Oh he looks dashing.", one of the blonde women commented.

Navarre's father watched from one of the balconies with his arms behind his back. With him was his wife and daughter. He kept a very scrutinizing gaze on the prentice Samurai appraising them. Issachar was a bit skittish staying close to Flynn. He felt very nervous and out of place at such a fancy gathering. Walter simply leaned against the wall after getting some wine. When he took a sip he was surprised at how good it was.

Flashback

"Hoy, Walter! I may not be able to go being a Casualry and all, but you better not horse around at the ball! This is your chance to earn the respect of the Luxurors so they will stop messing with you!", Gina said as she pointed at Walter.

"Alright…I'll try as long as they don't pi-", Walter was saying.

"No cursing either! You have to appear proper at least for this one day. I want you to live the good life and this is your ticket into their good graces.", Gina replied as the two lightly blushed.

"I never thought about it that way. I was just going along with Navarre because he was being such a drama queen about it.", Walter replied.

Flashback end

He wondered if he should try talking to someone. Though, by the looks of some of them they seemed like the type to agitate him. Isabeau sweat dropped when she was led away by her sister, Stella. Her arm was wrapped around hers.

"Hoy, this is the perfect time to find you a husband. Your all prettied up and there's quite a selection here.", Stella said.

Jonathan was with Navarre looking at the large crowd. The former blushed nervously as he looked over. He made his way to ask a girl to dance.

"Hoy, Lord Flynn. May I have this dance?", Maria's sister asked.

Flynn turned to see his aunt though didn't recognize her as such.

"It would be an honor, madam.", Flynn replied, with a light bow.

She held out her hand that he lightly touched. Issachar sweat dropped at the idea of Flynn dancing with such an older woman. However, Flynn being overly polite accepted regardless. Flynn made sure to be careful with his movements still not being fully used to dancing.

"May I ask for your name, madam?", Flynn asked, politely.

"My name is Brianna Anderson. I am the first daughter of the Anderson family.", Maria's sister introduced.

However, Flynn still looked oblivious not recognizing the name. Though, he noted she looked similar to his mother.

"How exactly do you know me, madam Anderson?", Flynn replied, very formally.

"You have become a rather popular topic of gossip. After all, who would've thought a Casualry Samurai would be revealed to really be a Luxuror? It's like something out of a fairy story. Especially with how famous your family is and the mystery that had surrounded the incident from 17 years ago.", Brianna replied.

"It came as a shock to me as well. I was raised my whole life as a Casualry. It's been strange trying to adjust to such a revelation.", Flynn replied.

"Despite your upbringing your blood seems to have prevailed in the end. I thought your Casualry upbringing would have made you boorish, but you seem to be rather pleasant instead.", Brianna replied.

Flynn narrowed his eyes at the Casualry jab. Issachar scoffed seeing she was another uppity Luxuror. Despite this Flynn continued the dance as promised.

"Oh…it seems I've offended you. I am sorry about that.", Brianna apologized, recognizing his discomfort.

"It's alright. I am used to comments like that.", Flynn replied.

"It seems I have messed up making a second first impression on my nephew.", Brianna said with as sigh and Flynn raised his eyebrow.

"Nephew?", Flynn questioned

"I see you still haven't noticed. Your mother Maria Anderson or as she has been going by for the past 17 years Maria Alexander is my younger sister.", Brianna explained as Flynn's eyes widened.

"Oh…I did see you looked similar to mother but…", Flynn said as Brianna giggled.

"As you said it must be rather shocking. I can't imagine suddenly having your world upended by such a revelation. The last time I saw you were still drinking from Maria's tit. Now, here you are as a full grown man.", Brianna replied.

"Right…I'm still getting used to the idea that I had all this family I never knew about. I didn't even know I had siblings. My parents told me I was an only child.", Flynn replied.

"That is quite cruel of them, lying to you like that. Had those master Samurai not recognized your eyes you might have never known.", Brianna replied.

"My eyes?", Flynn questioned.

"I see you don't know that either. I am sure you noticed there aren't many people in Mikado with green eyes. It's a rather rare trait to have. Only very few families even have that trait, all of which are Luxurors . Considering my family is one known for our green eyes and you have a zombie deck it wasn't hard to put two and two together.", Brianna explained.

"That's how they found out who I was? I noticed no one in my village had them. But, I never realized my eyes were that rare.", Flynn replied.

"Your physical features really gave it away. It's not just your eyes, your hair and even some of your other facial features were indicators.", Brianna replied, giggling.

Flynn's eyes widened at all this. He knew he looked different from the others in his village, but he didn't think about it too much. He assumed there were a lot more people who looked similar to him outside the village. He didn't think it was that rare. But, the more he thinks about it and with how much more of the world he's seen he can see what she means. Most people in general had brown hair and brown eyes.

Outside…

The normal guards laid unconscious, surprising the figures. They became even more confused as the crown Samurai opened the door letting them in.

Inside…

He heard growling nearby drawing his attention. He sweat dropped when he saw his mother being rushed after by the servants watching her. She got in between them pulling Flynn away from Brianna.

"How long did you expect me to sit there while you won't let me interact with my son?", Maria said.

"Mother's here?! That must mean father is as well…I really hope the ritual users don't attack.", Flynn thought.

"Well, sister, I had to wait 17 whole years to interact with my nephew again. You've only had to wait for a couple of days.", Brianna replied, putting her hands on her hips.

"I'm his mother, it's different.", Maria replied and she gripped Flynn's hand who sweat dropped.

"How exactly?!", Brianna questioned in disbelief.

David sweat dropped while he watched this from the balcony. Lord Damien grimaced as the two sisters squabbled.

"Looks like Maria wants to hog our nephew all to herself.", Maria's brother said.

"She's had him for 17 years. We should get to have some time with him. Maria's always been so stingy.", a different blonde woman said.

"It's like two Marias…my worst nightmare…", Issachar thought.

Stella grumbled as Isabeau completed another dance looking unimpressed.

"You're being way too picky. That fellow was a total hotty.", Stella said.

"I didn't like his personality.", Isabeau replied.

She looked over to see Jonathan dancing with a face flushed in embarrassment. Navarre seemed to be looking for his father.

"I suppose I'll just have to try another suitor.", Isabeau said.

However she was surprised to hear no response. Her attention had been focused to Navarre who had drawn her attention.

"Hoy, Stella?", Isabeau questioned, before turning to her sister.

Her blood ran cold as she saw her body fall to the ground. Her eyes were blank and lifeless with no visible wound. Panic welled up inside her as she hastily checked her pulse. She was alive, but she wasn't moving and her body wasn't unconscious considering her eyes were wide open. Isabeau heard surprised gasps and looked over to see most of those attending had suddenly collapsed in the same manner.

"Hoy, mother wake up!", Flynn said, shaking Maria as he held her in his arms.

Panic started to fill Flynn as he got no response. He recognized those blank eyes all too well. When he looked around he noticed a few people still standing: the Samurai, Lord Damien, the king, and few others. That's when he caught sight of his father. Lord Damien looked completely shocked to see him suddenly fall over. Brianna had fallen into the same state too. From under Walter's hat he pulled out his gauntlet growling angrily as figures entered the building.

Doomkaiser growled lowly from his deck and a chorus of ghoulish angered howls joined in. The zombie dragon appeared behind him in spirit form as he continued to growl.

Flynn held his mother close to his chest. A maelstrom of emotions flooded through his mind as he tried to hold back his tears. He felt something deep within him breaking apart. However, now was not the time for grievance. He glared at the intruders and he took off his gloves revealing his gauntlet underneath. He instantly turned on his gauntlet which already had his deck inside and the blade materialized with a hum. Then he unbuttoned his tunic revealing his Samurai uniform underneath. The others prentices pulled out their hidden gauntlets glaring at the intruders.

Elsewhere…

Ys looked up with his golden and red eyes.

"Now, it is finally time.", Ys said.

With Flynn…

It was not the time of grievance because now was the time for vengeance. Anger flowed through Flynn like never before.

"I am going to destroy every single last one of them…", Flynn thought, venomously.

Issachar looked nervous as he saw the intense rage in Flynn's eyes. Crown Samurai had quickly taken the king to safety. The Samurai all pounced on the ritual users as they revealed themselves. Some of the ritual users were transformed, but that didn't help…

"Death Spectral Howling!", Flynn called out, finishing off another ritual user with ease.

They looked fearful at the prentice Samurai, especially Flynn who glared at them the most intensely. He showed absolutely no mercy in his duels, beating them down as fast as possible. He had already beaten five as Jonathan finished off another one.

"Hoy, there little Flynn! I guess you didn't get so lucky this time! Your folks souls were very tasty!", a familiar voice taunted, drawing Flynn's attention.

He saw Nathan waving at him through the crowd. Flynn raised his gauntlet as Nathan ran off.

"Flynn, wait!", Issachar said as Flynn chased after him.

Strangely he ran into Naraku and the others soon followed after dealing with every ritual user in their way with amazing speed.

"H-how is this possible?! After all the souls we sacrificed we should be invincible!", a ritual user questioned.

"Thank The Lord Gaston wasn't here…this is so horrible!", Navarre thought, sadly.

He had just gotten back downstairs after seeing his family lying motionless. He was surprised to see other Samurai had pounced on the ritual users and helped defeat them.

"Everything has gone exactly as planned.", the official said as he watched with the king.

Issachar grew increasingly worried when Flynn practically kicked the Naraku door off its hinges. He wasn't thinking clearly at all, completely blinded by rage. Issachar had to push himself to keep up with how fast Flynn was running. Even the evil spirits were frightened of the enraged Flynn. They hid as he ran past.

"Why won't this stop?! I just want to…stop this from continuing…", Flynn thought.

Through his mind flashed the faces of the soulless Samurai. Then to the possessed Issachar to Vincent and his family. Then the people who died in Nathan's shadow game to his siblings now…most of the rest of his family.

"I need power…to make it stop.", Flynn thought.

"Wait, Flynn we're going past the third stratum.", Issachar said, however either Flynn didn't care or didn't hear him.

He ran into the fourth forbidden stratum completely focused on Nathan. Issachar could hear the chorus of ghostly howls that made the spirits warily avoid Flynn. They stopped before a door leading somewhere else in the stratum. The others were trying to find Flynn seeing he had been led away in Naraku.

"I've never seen you this mad before, little Flynn. I suppose you're missing mommy and daddy already.", Nathan taunted as Flynn raised his gauntlet.

If looks could kill Nathan would be dead on the floor a thousand times over.

"Shut up.", Flynn replied, harshly.

His voice was in a lower tone than usual. Issachar put his hand on his shoulder trying to calm him down. Issachar's worry grew as he could see a malicious black aura around Flynn. He didn't know what this was, but it was dark as night. Something was different in his eyes, they were dark and no longer had interest in talking things out. Worryingly something about it felt eerily familiar to Issachar. Oddly he imagined a strange image where he saw another copy of himself.

"Give them back!", Flynn demanded.

"Only if you win, little Flynn. But, what should I get if I win…ahh…how about I complete my Alexander collection with your soul.", Nathan taunted, before materializing a demonic gauntlet.

Burroughs activated the coin toss function.

"Duel!/Duel.", the two said.

Flynn LP 4000

Nathan LP 4000

Elsewhere in Naraku…

Ys was about to open a door with some message written on it.

"Stop, Ys!", Hope called out.

Ys turned to the commander with a smile on his face.

"It seems you've found me. However you cannot stop me now. Soon I will become the new God of this world.", Ys replied.

Elsewhere in Naraku…

It was difficult for Isabeau to hold all her emotions in but she kept a cool head. Every time she challenged a ritual user she demanded for the stolen souls to be returned. However they all claimed they were gone. It all seemed completely unreal. She had just been talking to Stella not too long ago now she was…

"I think they're going to ambush, Flynn! That's probably why their leading him away!", Jonathan said.

"Those stupid bastards…they're going to pay for this. Even after knocking all those guys down earlier I'm still not satisfied.", Walter replied.

"It seems like Flynn has completely lost it. We have to make sure we don't lose him too.", Isabeau said.

With the king…

"Now, none of those Samurai's will question going to the underground.", the king said.

Near the building…

The ritual users were astounded at how easily they were swatted down. They no longer had the element of surprise on their side and the Samurai dealt with them handily. All of them besides Ys and Nathan were soon apprehended.

In the fourth stratum…

Burroughs activated the coin toss function.

"Duel!", Ys and Hope said.

Hope LP 4000

Ys LP 4000

"I will not allow you to descend further, Ys! I draw!", Hope said as he drew a card.

Hope

Hand: 6

To be continued…