THE ENCOUNTER OF LOST SOULS
Chapter Ten: And the Duels Wage on. . .
"We'll follow Battle City rules. Each player will start at 4000 life points," the robed figure told his opponent.
The other Yugi got startled, as he felt something materialize on his arm – a duel tray.
"We'll just see what you're made of," the hooded man taunted.
The duel counter started at 4000 Life Points per player.
The other Yugi drew the first five cards. He drew another card, marking the beginning of his turn and the duel. "I place two cards face down on the field. Then I place a monster face down, defense mode."
"My turn," the hooded man declared after drawing his first six cards. "I place one monster face down in defense mode. I set two cards, face down. Then, before I end my turn, I activate Chorus of Sanctuary and Chain Energy!"
As soon as Chorus of Sanctuary was placed on the field, a beautiful cherub appeared and fluttered around the field – settling itself in front of the hooded man. The adorable sight, however, was marred by the appearance of a blue monster with glowing mystical yellow chains binding its hands and feet – marking the activation of the Chain Energy card on the field.
Chorus of Sanctuary
Field / Normal Magic Card
Increase the DEF of all Defense Position monsters by 500 points
Chain Energy
Continuous Magic Card
As long as this card remains face-up on the field, both you and your opponent must pay 500 Life Points per card to play or Set cards from your respective hands.
The other Yugi was stunned.
"That's right! Beginning your turn, each one of us has to pay 500 points for every card played from the hand. I'll make this duel as painful for you as possible."
"You're the one who's going to hurt," the other Yugi countered. He then drew a card from his deck, and mused, "Summoned Skull (Fiend, ATK 2500 / DEF 1200)! I might as well take the offensive..."
He then declared his move. "I sacrifice my face-down monster for Summoned Skull."
A fiend with a skull's head and sinister-looking white and purple wings materialized in front of him.
Due to Chain Energy, the duel counter decreased the other Yugi's life points by 500, leaving him with 3500.
"Summoned Skull – attack his face down monster!" he commanded.
The hooded man declared, "I activate a trap – Castle Walls! It increases the defense points of my monster by 500."
As soon as the other Yugi attacked, it was revealed that the hooded man's face down monster was Castle of Dark Illusions (Fiend, ATK 920/ DEF 1930).
The counter for Castle of Dark Illusions calculated the adjustments due to Castle Walls and Chorus of Sanctuary.
One thousand defense points were added to Castle of Dark Illusions, bumping up its defense by 2930 – which was 430 points more than Summoned Skull's attack strength.
"You lose another 430 points, Mutou Yugi!"
The other Yugi's forehead crinkled, as he cringed at the result. He lost 930 life points due to Chain Energy and the failed attack. His overall life points now stood at 3070. As he kept his focus on the duel, he mused, "He keeps hiding behind his monster, and I'm penalized every time I place a card on the field. I have to figure out a way around this…."
"I end my turn."
"I thought that you would," the hooded man noted sarcastically as he drew a card for his turn.
He glared maliciously at the other Yugi, as he was ready to use the card that he just drew. "I activate Pot of Greed, which lets me draw an additional two cards from my deck."
The life point counter for the hooded man deducted 500 from his 4000 life points.
After drawing the two additional cards, he said, "I set a card face down, and I activate Yami!"
Yami
Field / Magic Card
Increase the ATK and DEF of all Fiend and Spellcaster-Type monsters by 200 points. Also decreases the ATK and DEF of all Fairy-Type monsters by 200 points.
"You made a fatal mistake," the other Yugi noted with his usual sly grin, referring to the fact that Castle of Dark Illusions would have been better off with Chorus of Sanctuary being on the field rather than Yami.
The monster counter made the necessary calculations once Yami was placed on the field. It increased the attack and defense points of Castle of Dark Illusions (ATK 1120 / DEF 2130). Yami's appearance on the field eliminated the effect of Chorus of Sanctuary – sending the latter card to the graveyard.
Due to Yami, the other Yugi's Summoned Skull, being a fiend monster as well, increased in attack and defense strength (new ATK 2700 / DEF 1400).
"My turn is not done yet," the hooded man declared. I now activate the face card I set on the previous turn – Chain Energy!"
"Another one?" the other Yugi exclaimed.
"Yes, I have three Chain Energy cards in my deck. Now, each of us will be penalized 1000 life points for each card played on the field. It's your turn, although I don't know how you can get yourself out of this mess."
The duel counter made the necessary adjustments for the hooded man's life points. Due to playing three cards during his turn, his life points were deducted by 1500 – dwindling down his 4000 life points to 2500.
"I have encountered a man such as you before – a coward hiding behind his defenses!" the other Yugi boldly stated, as he recalled one of Pegasus' eliminators at Duelist Kingdom.
"You'll pay for that remark with your Puzzle and the God Cards. Start your turn!"
The other Yugi drew a card marking his turn. He mused as he looked at the card he drew and analyzed the progression of the duel, "Ah – Black Luster Soldier! I just need the ritual card, and all will be well. Before I summon him, I need to get rid of those Chain Energy cards. I'm not going to attack just yet. That cover card of his might be a trap..."
He then audibly declared, "I place one monster in defense mode, and I end my turn."
The other Yugi's life point counter deducted 1000 life points due to the two Chain Energy cards – dwindling down his life points by 2070.
"And you call me the coward," the hooded man mocked him – referring to the fact that Summoned Skull did not attack. He then drew a card for this turn, and added it to his hand. "I'm not going to lay any cards on the field. Instead, I'll activate the magic card I set down on the previous turn – Chain Energy!"
"Oh, no…now for each card played, the player's life points will be deducted by 1500!"
"You're very perceptive, Mutou Yugi! It will get worse as the duel progresses!" the hooded man gloated. "I end my turn."
Since the hooded man did not lay any cards on his turn, his life points remained at 2500.
The other Yugi intently looked at his deck, as he pondered, "I need to draw the right card." He then drew a card from his deck, and looked at it. "I lay one card face down," he declared, as he placed the card he just drew face down on his Magic and Trap slot.
His life point counter immediately deducted 1500 life points due to the three Chain Energy cards on the field, dwindling down his life points to 570.
"Summoned Skull – attack Castle of Dark Illusions! Lightning Strike!"
Summoned Skull used his Lightning Strike to attack – and defeat – Castle of Dark Illusions. Since Castle of Dark Illusions was in defense mode, no life points were deducted from the hooded man.
"I end my turn," he declared, as he crossed his hands in front of him.
"Minor setback, but you only have 570 life points left – one attack and you're gone!" the hooded man bragged.
"All it takes is one more turn to defeat you!" the other Yugi boldly declared, as he gestured the number one using his index finger.
"You're so full of it!" the hooded man haughtily dismissed the other Yugi's claim. He then drew a card for his turn. "I lay this card face down on the field."
His life point counter deducted 1500 life points due to his three Chain Energy cards. "I end my turn."
"This duel is over!" the other Yugi reiterated, as he drew a card for his turn and placed all his faith in his deck.
Seeing the card that he drew was the one he needed, he immediately placed it on the field. "I activate my magic card – Black Luster Ritual. I now sacrifice Gaia the Fierce Knight on my hand, and my monster on the field."
As soon as the Black Luster Ritual card was activated, a huge cauldron with a warrior's crest appeared on the field. It then sucked in Gaia the Fierce Knight and Kuriboh. Light and darkness created by the ritual mingled into a chaotic portal – accepting the tributes to summon a tall and muscular swordsman donned in blue and silver armor.
"Black Luster Soldier, attack his monster! Double Blade Strike!"
Black Luster Soldier easily eliminated the hooded man's face down card – another Castle of Dark Illusions.
Then, seeing that the hooded man's field was wide open for a direct attack, the other Yugi then commanded, "Summoned Skull, launch a direct attack on our opponent. Lightning Strike!"
Summoned Skull's attack zeroed out the hooded man's life points.
"No! This can't be!" the hooded man moaned in disbelief, as he looked down on the ground.
"It is," the other Yugi deadpanned. "You lost."
Minutes later, the hooded man then maniacally laughed. "You may have won this duel, and your precious items – for now. However, for each item you just won back, a friend of yours will take its place. One way or another, we'll get what we want from you!"
The fog further thickened, until it enveloped the hooded man – his mocking voice echoing through the Shadow Realm.
"Farewell, Mutou Yugi! You and the crest-wielder will soon realize that we do not make idle threats"
In another area of the infinitely vast Shadow Realm, a confrontation was taking place between Emrys and the robed woman. The latter still had her hand extended – coaxing Emrys to come with her.
"Why the bloody hell are you going through these great lengths?" a shivering Emrys asked with a perplexed and equally angry look, as the rain continued to pour.
"I was sent to help you clarify everything," the robed woman gently replied.
Emrys sarcastically chuckled. "What do you think I am – stupid?"
"On the contrary, we're fully aware that you're gifted. You haven't even begun to scratch the surface about your true nature," the robed woman noted. "Come with me, and all will be clear to you."
"No – I don't think so!" Emrys retorted.
"Then you're going to duel for your life! I'll make sure that you'll beg for a quick death!"
A duel tray immediately materialized in both players' arm – startling Emrys.
The hooded woman declared. "We'll observe Battle City rules. I'll go first."
The life point counters spun and then reflected 4000 life points for each player. The hooded woman drew five cards, plus another to initiate her turn. She then malignly grinned. "Feel this, crest-wielder! I activate Ookazi!"
Ookazi
Normal Magic Card
Inflict 800 of direct damage to your opponent's Life Points.
Multiple fireballs coming from all directions materialized and hit Emrys' body. Each hit sent her reeling back in pain. The rain, as fiercely as it poured, did not have any weakening effect on the fireballs.
"That's only the beginning," the hooded woman laughed mercilessly.
Before Emrys could recover from the mental and physical pain caused by her direct attack, the hooded woman declared, "I now activate Tremendous Fire!"
Tremendous Fire
Normal Magic Card
Inflict 1000 of direct damage to your opponent's Life Points, and inflict 500 of direct damage to your own Life Points
Balls of flame appeared and ricocheted – each one hitting Emrys' already battered body, and half hitting the hooded woman. The oppressor was not fazed from the flames.
Emrys, on the other hand, screamed in excruciating agony – sending her knee-first down on the ground. For a second, she lost consciousness and then struggled to get up. Her efforts, however, felt as if it they were further tearing her up inside.
The duel counter for Emrys' life points started deducting 1800 life points from her original 4000 – dwindling down her life points to 2200 – and this was even before she began her turn.
"I'm not done yet," the hooded woman declared. "I place La Jinn, the Mystical Genie of the Lamp (ATK 1800 / DEF 1000) in attack mode!"
A green-skinned genie materializes from a copper antique lamp that appeared from the void – waiting for further instructions as it grinned menacingly at Emrys.
"It's now your turn, crest-wielder. Unless, of course, you want to surrender…."
Emrys was able to get up on her feet, although she was still in great pain and her head was reeling. Her chest was hurting, as it heaved for air. The pain, however, did not stop her from drawing her six cards – five for the first hand, and another one to begin her turn. "I place one monster face down, defense position. Then I place two cards face down on the field." After performing the moves, she declared, "I end my turn."
The hooded woman drew a card to start her turn. Looking at the card she just drew, her eyes glinted. "I activate Ookazi!"
"Not so fast!" Emrys yelled, as she flung her hand in front of her. "I activate Magic Jammer!"
Magic Jammer
Counter Trap Card
Discard 1 card from your hand to the Graveyard to negate the activation of a Magic Card and destroy it.
Emrys' opponent growled at her failed attempt to inflict more pain on her. However, she continued her turn. "I summon Neo the Magic Swordsman (ATK 1700 / DEF 1000)!"
A handsome blonde-haired, armored, gloved swordsman appeared on the field. He held a sword on his right hand, and his left hand was upward as it emitted sparks of mystical energy.
"Neo – attack the face down card!" the hooded woman commanded.
As Neo the Magic Swordsman lunged for the offensive, Emrys' face down monster – the Wall of Illusions – revealed itself
Wall of Illusions
(Fiend / Effect / ATK 1000 / DEF 1850)
The monster attacking this creature is returned to its owner's hand. Any damage resulting from the attack is calculated normally.
Neo the Magic Swordsman returned to the hooded woman's hand. Also due to Neo's failed attack, his owner's life points dwindled down by 150 – settling to 3350 at the end of her turn.
Emrys' life points remained at 2200.
"Thank goodness with Magic Jammer," Emrys pondered as she felt the pain and agony shooting inside her body. She then drew a card from her deck, added it into her hand, and placed another card on the field. "I summon Dark Elf in attack mode!"
Dark Elf
(Spellcaster / Effect / ATK 2000 / DEF 800)
You must pay 1000 Life Points for this monster to attack
A beautiful, dark haired woman appeared on the field. She was dressed similarly to her sister, the Mystical Elf. As lovely as she was, her face reflected a tantalizing and sinister gaze.
Since she surmised that she could not afford to lose any more life points by having Dark Elf attack, she declared, "I end my turn."
Her life points remained at 2200.
"It's my turn." The hooded woman then drew a card to begin. Her lips curled up in an evil snicker. "You were able to block my earlier attack, but this time, you won't be so lucky. I activate Ookazi!"
Another series of fireballs shot from the sky – each one hitting Emrys' already-frail body.
She, once again, fell on the damp ground. With hands and knees so raw from falling down, her tears flowed freely. Her muscles lost hold from the unbearable pain and torture, as her life point counter subtracted another 800 points – bringing down her overall life points down to 1400.
The hooded woman laughed, as she saw her opponent barely holding on. "Where's your stalwart arrogance now, crest-wielder? You don't deserve the gifts – or the destiny – that you were given!"
"I don't know what the hell you were just babbling about, but I'm going to wipe the smirk off your covered face by beating you in this duel!" Emrys said with balled fists and clenched teeth. She once again struggled to get up.
"You're in no position to make threats, crest-wielder! You're losing life points slowly but surely, and my turn hasn't ended yet."
"I place Neo the Magic Swordsman in attack mode, and then end my turn," the hooded opponent stated, as she gloated at the suffering she caused Emrys during her turn. Her life points remained at 3350.
Emrys, with every muscle of her body convulsing from pain and the shivering cold brought by the rain, drew a card from her deck. Satisfied with her draw, she immediately placed that card, saying,
"I use Pot of Greed – allowing me to draw an additional two cards for this turn."
A green pot with a ghoulish face emerged on the field.
She then drew two cards before the magical pot disappeared – adding one on her hand, and placing the other on the field. "I activate Dian Keto the Cure Master!"
Dian Keto the Cure Master
Normal Magic Card
Increase your Life Points by 1000 points.
Emrys' counter added 1000 due to Dian Keto the Cure Master – bringing her up to 2400 life points.
Breathing in deeply first to maintain her consciousness, she then said aloud, "I end my turn."
The hooded woman drew a card from her deck and added it to her hand. She pulled out another card from her hand to use in this round.
"You're barely hanging on, crest-wielder," she taunted. "How does it feel to have life slowly ebbing away from you?"
Emrys gave her a deadpan look.
The hooded woman crossed her left hand in front of her and held her right arm, still mocking her opponent. "What – no reaction from you? If that's the case, let me give you a good taste of it. Better yet, he would get a good taste of you…. For my only move this turn, I activate Just Desserts!"
Just Desserts
Normal Trap Card
Inflict 500 points of Direct Damage to your opponent's Life Points for each monster you opponent has on the field.
A ghoul-like, obese glutton surfaced from the void – its arms stretching from his owner's side of the field onto Emrys. He then reached inside her chest, squeezed something, slowly pulled out her essence, and maniacally laughed as he saw his victim's eyes roll upward in excruciating pain.
Desperately gasping for air, she firmly clutched her chest while the seemingly endless process of deducting her life points took place. She felt as if her heart was being ripped out of her chest. The whole area, for her, began to spin due to the loss of much-needed oxygen – as well as her body, mind, and soul being taxed beyond its limits.
The ghoul continued its work until Emrys' counter deducted 1000 – dwindling back her life points to 1400, and nullifying the life-restoring powers of Dian Keto the Cure Master.
Emrys fell to the ground once again, still grasping her chest and gasping for air. She closed her eyes for a second, and was about to flicker into unconsciousness. Deep within the back of her mind, she heard voices calling out to her, "Get up, Alexa!" The voices brought her back from the brink of unconsciousness - and oblivion.
The hooded woman remained at 3350 life points at the end of her turn.
"I have to commend you, crest-wielder. You're as powerful as they say you are. Yet, your powers won't be enough to save you. Don't you realize that you'll die very shortly, if you continue to resist? All this pain of yours will end, if you just come with me…."
Emrys opened her eyes, as tears of agony flowed down to her cheeks. Barely managing to stand up, she spat, "I'd rather die than come with you!"
"Then you'll get your wish," the hooded woman coldly responded. "Start your pathetic turn!"
Emrys mused, as she stared at her deck and drew a card from it, "Please let me draw what I need from you…."
For seconds, she stared at the card she just drew, and then added it to her hand. Pulling out another card, she declared in between pain-filled breaths, "I sacrifice Wall of Illusions and Dark Elf, to summon the Red Eyes Black Dragon!"
The two sacrificial monsters were sucked in by a mystic cyclone materializing from above, and in their place took an onyx-colored majestic dragon – with ferocious-looking claws and malevolently glowing red eyes.
A weakened Emrys declared, "Red Eyes Black Dragon – attack La Jinn!"
The Red Eyes Black Dragon (ATK 2400 / DEF 2000) hurled his signature molten fireballs on the other side of the field, eliminating La Jinn, the Mystical Genie of the Lamp and deducting 600 life points from his owner.
The hooded woman's counter adjusted to 2750 life points due to the attack.
"I end my turn," Emrys noted with a sneer.
The hooded woman angrily drew a card, and wickedly looked at Emrys' direction, saying, "I'm going to see you squirm again! One move for this turn will be fine by me…. I activate Just Desserts!"
The same ghoulish figure that tormented Emrys earlier appeared on the field and reached out for her chest. He did not stop squeezing the life out of her until 500 was deducted from her victim's life points.
Emrys now stood at a bare 900 life points, while her opponent had 2750 life points left.
"Either you're a glutton for punishment, or you're getting used to this realm," the hooded woman noted. "Don't worry. In a few turns, you'll be living here….for eternity!"
"That's what you think," Emrys weakly countered, still reeling from the latest direct assault. She pulled out a card from her deck and added to her hand.
"I place one monster face down on the field, and I end my turn."
By the end of her turn, she had 900 life points left; and the hooded woman had 2750 life points.
The hooded woman drew a card from her deck, and added it to her hand. Pointing at the opposite side of the field, she commanded, "Neo – attack that face down card!"
Neo the Magic Swordsman's sword hit Emrys face down monster – a young woman in colorful magician's garb and armed with a crescent-tipped staff.
Emrys' face down monster was the Magician of Faith. Even though the mage was destroyed, Neo the Magic Swordsman's attack triggered her special effect.
Magician of Faith
(Spellcaster / Effect / ATK 300 / DEF 400)
FLIP: Select 1 Magic Card from your Graveyard and return it to your hand.
Emrys then opened up her right palm, and closed her eyes as she expressed her wish. Immediately, a card materialized on her palm and she added that card to her hand.
Since the Magician of Faith was in defense mode, she remained at 900 life points; and the hooded woman was still at 2750 life points.
Emrys pulled a card from her deck, and added it to her hand. "First, I activate Pot of Greed – the magic card I got back, thanks to my Magician of Faith."
As the green pot that aided her before re-emerged from the void, she drew two additional cards from her deck. She glanced at her cards, looked at the opposite end of the field, and uttered with such certainty, "This duel ends now…"
The hooded woman braced herself, wondering what would be her opponent's next move.
"I activate Polymerization – to fuse my Red Eyes Black Dragon and Meteor Dragon into the Meteor Black Dragon (ATK 3500)!"
Polymerization
Normal Magic Card
Fuses 2 or more Fusion-material Monsters to form a new Fusion Monster.
The essence of the two sacrifices merged into a mystic swirl until it morphed into a gigantic and fierce dragon that emitted almost unbearable heat. His meteor scales were a mixture of bright magenta, orange, yellow, and red – perpetually changing colors as the molten fire continued to burn.
"I then equip Black Meteor Dragon with Axe of Despair – making him even more ferocious!"
Axe of Despair
Normal Magic Card / Equipment
Add 1000 points to the equipped Monster's ATK and DEF
As soon as Axe of Despair was equipped on Meteor Black Dragon, the monster's attack increased to 4500. The dragon's roar reverberated throughout the entire realm, and his scales burned brighter with vengeance.
"Meteor Black Dragon – attack Neo!" Emrys commanded. "Meteor Flame Stream!"
The dragon obeyed his master's command, extinguishing Neo the Magic Swordsman with just one fiery breath.
The hooded woman's counter noted the attack - subtracting her life points down to zero, and winning the duel for Emrys. She let out a blood-curdling shriek.
The victor fell on her knees, as her opponent's counter went to zero.
The hooded woman, still infuriated over the disappointing outcome of the duel, disappeared with the pouring rain and engulfing fog. Her voice echoed, "You have made your decision. Since you won't come with us, the old man will take your place!"
Emrys – physically, mentally, and spiritually overtaxed – fell face down on the muddy ground and slipped into unconsciousness.
The fog began to clear after the duels were over.
The other Yugi saw a soaking wet and unconscious Emrys on the ground. He quickly ran to her side and carefully lifted her back. As his heart sank in fear for her well-being, he whispered, "Emrys?"
"The duel..." Emrys mumbled, as her consciousness stirred her a little. Still in agony, she winced as she tried to move.
Although the other Yugi was relieved, he was also surprised that her soul survived. He knew that for someone to endure the Shadow Realm, one must possess the mental and spiritual fortitude. Even his young spirit vessel, who was already exposed to the Shadow Realm numerous times, still had trouble holding on his own for a couple of minutes – let alone enduring an entire duel.
"She kept calling me crest-wielder…."
The other Yugi became startled, recalling that the hooded man mentioned that word before disappearing into the void.
Suddenly, the ground shook with such magnitude that the ground split and caused a huge gap in between. The event happened so suddenly that there was no time to react – or prevent them from falling into the abyss.
Their screams reverberated into the deep void as they helplessly plunged down into the bottomless abyss.
End of Chapter Ten
Author's Note
If you want to find out more about Emrys' parents, how they die, and how she takes it, read my short story There Will Come Soft Rain – a prequel set two years before the events narrated in The Encounter of Lost Souls.
Normal Disclaimer
Yu-Gi-Oh is the copyrighted property of Kazuki Takahashi. Alexa, Yoshiko, Koji, as well as this fan fiction, are the properties of the author. This fan fiction is written for entertainment purposes only – thereby releasing the author from any liabilities.