"Jinzo attacks your monster for game!"

The dark-haired youth grinned as his prized monster destroyed what was left of his opponent's Life Points. The dark sky that was Yami faded away as the duel ended. "Thanks for the upgrade," he said as his Duel Disk updated his team's status. His opponent, a boy wearing a cowboy hat, grumbled a short reply before stalking off.

Toel Affman was feeling good about himself, and more than a little pleased with the progress he made. Since the start of the yesterday he and his team had decided to part way, each deciding it easier to earn points when split and to meet up at the Citadel once they have earned enough points. He had dueled seven so far, and had beaten every single one. He smirked as he saw that his team was already at Green, already halfway to Gold. At this rate, we'll be the first team join the official tournament.

Just as he was about to find his next prey, a faceless figure moved in front of him. Toel jerked back, startled. Then he noticed that it was no more than a man wearing a mask, with his cloak drawn closely around him. Anger swept away whatever emotions he had before. He was about to shout at him but the man spoke first.

"I saw you duel." The man's voice came out in a sibilant hiss. "I wish to duel you." From beneath his cloak he produced a Duel Disk.

Toel was smirking cruelly in his mind. So, the prey has come to the predator. How interesting. He chuckled darkly. The fool probably wasn't even aware of how good he truly was, and he was about to make him pay for startling him. He made some space between him and the man, and activated his Duel Disk. This will be a piece of cake, he thought as he allowed the man his first turn.

Ten minutes later he was sprawled on the ground, his mouth agape and his soulless eyes staring at the sky.

The masked man folded in his Duel Disk and looked towards the east. The trap is set. Now come take the bait, Kira Chihaza!


Kira turned sharply as he felt the aura of magic in the distant horizons. What the…

"Is everything alright Kira?" Suain asked, noticing his friend's behavior.

"…Yeah," Kira replied absently. But he had already changed their path, now moving towards the source of the magic. Suain and Lacus stared after him, puzzled by his behavior, before following him.

Kira moved amongst the trees, a deep fear growing in him. That aura of magic was familiar to him, too familiar.

He was lying on the ground, clutching his stomach. Blood flowed from his temples, trailing down his face. The taste of iron was strong in his mouth. But still he refused to comply with his torturer's request.

His torturer looked down at him, his eyes blazing with a deep anger bordering on rage. "Why don't you just give in and embrace the power?" the man shouted. He kicked him sharply at the side. Kira groaned painfully. The man hawked and spat at him. "Stupid son…"

Kira looked up at the man he had once called father. Then something lashed out at him, striking him at his temple. Kira screamed in pain. Looking up he saw his mother, who was holding the whip. "Stupid son, just embrace the power already," his mother said contemptuously. Kira kept quiet, refusing to obey. The whip cracked against his skull, and he screamed again. Then another blow landed, and another, and yet another, until it seemed that she had gone into a frenzy, lashing continuously while laughing maniacally. Kira endured the blows, feeling the energy and emotions building up in him. He contained them as best as he could, until he could hold it no longer. "Enough!" he thundered. Magic surged in his veins, coursing through his body. He pushed his parents back with a single wave of his hands. Both his parents stumbled back, shocked. Both then they began to grin maliciously. "He has embraced the power. He has embraced the power!" they shouted gleefully.

"Yes, I have embraced the power," Kira said, suddenly appearing in front of them. His hand was held high above his head, clenched in a fist; wisps of aura flowed around it. "And you two have served your purpose. Now die!" He slammed his fist into the ground. And then all was white.

"Brother, we're here," Zephyr informed him.

Kira nodded, too caught up in old memories to notice that Zephyr was standing beside him in physical form. When he did however, he jerked back in shock. "Zephyr, how?"

"It appears the Blood Magic here is strong enough to enable me to exist in the physical plane. But I think we owe your friends some explanations."

Kira looked at Suain and Lacus and, indeed, the two were staring at them, shocked. "I can explain this," Kira assured them.

"Unfortunately that explanation will have to wait, Kira Chihaza." Kira turned sharply. A cloaked man wearing a faceless mask was facing him. He raised his hand and sent a ball of energy towards him. Kira ducked and the ball went pass him to slam into Zephyr. He was sent flying away. "Who…"

"Introductions are unimportant now, Kira Chihaza," the man said behind him, another ball of energy already in his hands.

Kira gritted his teeth as he realized he would not be able to dodge this blow.

The man released the ball of energy… towards Lacus. Kira's eyes widened in fear. "Lacus, get down!"

But it was too late. The ball of energy slammed into Lacus's side. Lacus stood staring at the scorched mark in surprise, before dropping to the ground, unconscious. "Lacus!" Suain shouted.

Once again in his life Kira felt the familiar surge of power. And this time, he did nothing to stop it. He screamed.


Zephyr had smashed through several trees before one halted his momentum. Tasting the familiar taste of iron, he spat out the blood in his mouth. "That guy is strong," he muttered. Then he felt it. The familiar surge of power…

Kira! He thought in despair. And then he vanished.


The masked man stared at the black sphere which had formed, waiting patiently and eagerly. Come to me, the original "Kira Chihaza". Come! A gleeful sound escaped his lips as the sphere started to compress and contrast; energy crackling around it. It exploded.

The masked man was hurled backwards. When he recovered he couldn't help but look at the figure in front of him in awe. His hair was pointed and slightly drawn back, the color darker than night itself. Wisps of dark aura emerged from him, adding to his imposing figure. But it was the eyes which commanded the most power; a pair of dark voids that seemed to devour everything. The man felt a tingle rush through him, a mix of both fear and excitement. So this is the original. Amazing. "Finally, the real you. Let's see how good you really are then." He drew back his hand and fired a bolt of energy, his speed doubled from before.

The man who was once Kira swayed. The bolt sailed harmlessly past him. "So that's it huh?" the masked man said. "Well how about this?" He raised his arms and started chanting. Balls of energy started to materialize in the air around him, until he had assembled a mass of them. His arms shot forward, and so did the balls. Explosion after explosion occurred as each ball connected. The masked man looked as the destruction continued in front of him, grinning in satisfaction under his masked.

"Pups should not pretend to be wolves," a deep voice said behind him.

The masked man spun in shock. There he stood, not a single hair on him touched. The fear was deep in the masked man now, and he began to sweat profusely. This guy is inhuman. "Kira" took a step forward and the man jumped back in fright. He chuckled darkly. "What a puppy!"

The masked man drew his cloak back angrily, revealing his Duel Disk. "You may be good at magic. But let's see how well you are in dueling. I challenge you to a Darkness Game!" A wave of darkness spread over them.

The masked man activated his Duel Disk, drawing five cards. "Well, are you going to play or what?" he asked "Kira", who just stood staring at the surrounding, obviously unimpressed.

"Darkness Game level 2? How about Darkness Game level 6!" He chuckled again as the masked man gasped. Lightning crackled in the skies above, and the darkness around them intensified. "Puppies should never play with wolves," "Kira" said menacingly. "Remember that."

Masked man: 4000
"Kira": 4000

He drew six cards. "One reverse card and Shadow Beast—Rainbolt (1500/1500) in attack mode." A brown-backed card and a wolf with marine blue fur appeared on the field. "End turn."

The masked man drew his card and sneered. "Putting such a weak monster on the field; you must really be underestimating me. So let me show you what I can do. First is Pot of Greed which lets me draw two." He drew his two cards and slid them into his Duel Disk. "I'll lay two cards face-down and end my turn."

Masked man: 4000
"Kira": 4000

"Kira" drew and gestured towards his set card. "Time Jump speeds the turn by three." The masked man frowned at such a pointless play. "Kira" grinned and pointed towards Rainbolt. "When Rainbolt is in field for three turns or more, it can turn into a magic card known as Wolf's Rain." The beast disappeared and dark clouds started to gather above. A faint drizzle started to descend upon the field. "And now--"

"Kira!" A sudden voice interrupted him. "Kira" swung to the voice, and snarled with displeasure as he saw Suain and Lacus. "Kira, you need to help me. Lacus… she's breathing too fast. Indeed she was; her breaths coming out in quick pants, sweat trickling down her face.

"That's because you two are in this place you fool. Who asked you two to come here anyway?" "Kira's" arm snapped out.

Suain cried out as he was flung out of the darkness. He landed on the ground with a soft "thud". Glancing upwards he managed to brace himself for impact before Lacus catapulted into him. He grunted as he caught her. Looking back at the dome of darkness where he felt something cold touch of him. That wasn't Kira. Kira would never treat him or Lacus in such a cold manner. Shuddering, he checked on Lacus. Her breathing was easier now, and without the mark at her side it was as if she was sleeping. He looked back at the dome. "Whatever it is that has gotten into you Kira, I'll bring you back."

Back inside the dome "Kira" had already ended his turn, having set a monster and two cards.

"I didn't know you treated your friends so harshly, Kira Chihaza," the masked man remarked as he drew. "I summon Spirit of Harp (800/2000) in defense mode." A golden-robed woman appeared, her fingers slowly strumming the harp, creating an almost hypnotic sound. "Beautiful music isn't it? I play Swords of Revealing Light as well." Beams of light shot down from the sky, impaling "Kira's" set monster; they revealed a wolf with dirt-brown fur. "You flipped over Shadow Beast—Quicksand (1600/600), not that he has any flipping effects." The masked man sneered. "Even if it did, any monsters flipped by Swords of Revealing Light cannot activate their flip effects anyway. Also, it prevents you from attacking for three turns." He looked his cards over. "I guess I end. Make your move Kira Chihaza."

"I'm getting tired of you and that idiot calling me with that false name. My name is Vincent Valentine and you had best remember it." He snapped the top card off his deck. "Wolf's Rain's effect activates! Once per full turn it can destroy one magic or trap card." He pointed at the Swords of Revealing Light. "Now!" The masked man raised his arms to shield himself as a bolt of lightning incinerated his card. "Shadow Beast—Windstalker (1900/200) in attack mode." Another wolf joined the field, its fur pale green. Vincent motioned to his face-down cards; both flipped over. "Wolf's Howl activates if I have more than one Shadow Beast on the field. It returns your monster to your hand." The two wolves howled. The Spirit of Harp screamed in fright and disappeared from the field. Vincent pointed to his other card. "Beast's Rage increases my monsters' attack by 1000 for the turn on the condition that are switched to defense mode at the end of the turn." (2600/600) (2900/200) "Attack now!"

The two wolves snarled and leapt forward. The masked man pressed a button on his Duel Disk. "Negate Attack negates your attack and ends your battle phase," he said. He was taken by surprise, however, when Windstalker blurred past the vortex that had formed. The masked man screamed as the beast smashed his mask with its paws. He quickly covered his face with his hand, holding his cracked mask in place.

Vincent sneered. "Windstalker can bypass any traps. A pity that Quicksand can't. End turn." The two wolves knelt. (1600/600) (1900/200)

Masked man: 1100
Vincent: 4000

The masked man was still holding onto his mask. Suddenly he drew back his head and laughed. Vincent stared at the man unflinching. "I wanted to wait until the end of this duel," the man said as the cracks on his mask grew larger, pieces falling to the ground. "But I suppose now is a good time as any." The mask fell off.

Vincent drew a sharp breath. He knew this man. He had killed him once…

Pitch black eyes stared into sapphire ones. The silence between the two men grew. "What's the matter cousin?" Jacqualine Valentine grinned. "Cat got your tongue?" He drew his card and played it immediately. "Graceful Charity lets me draw two." An angel holding three cards appeared in front of him. "Thank you my dear," he said amiably, adding the cards into his hand "Allow me to reward you." He picked two cards and handed them to her.

"Oh please, your pretence sickens me to my stomach," Vincent growled.

Jacqualine shook his head as the angel disappeared. "Such behavior is unworthy of the clan leader, cousin. Although," he glared hatefully at Vincent, "it is what I'd expect from a person who massacred his own clan."

"Just take your turn."

"I will. I'll summon Spirit of Harp and place three cards face-down to end my turn." The golden robed lady returned to the field.

Vincent drew. "I don't know how you came back, but I killed you once and I can do it again. Wolf's Rain destroys the card on the left." Lightning crashed on the card.

"Thank you. By destroying Repayment for Losses you allowed me to draw one card." His other card flipped up. "Duplicating Device allows me to copy the effect of Repayment for Losses. So I draw two cards." Jacqualine drew and added the cards to his hand.

Vincent felt the building anger within him but suppressed it. This is no time to let your emotions get over your head, he told himself. He looked at his hand and considered his options. Picking a card from his hand, he slid it into his Duel Disk. "Card Destruction forces us to discard our hand and draw equal to the number of cards we discarded." Vincent drew two, noticing Jacqualine paling as he discarded his hand and drew a new one. He looked his cards over and frowned. "Switch Quicksand and Windstalker to attack mode. Turn end."

Jacqualine reached for his deck; Kira noticed how they trembled, though Jacqualine tried to hide it. Jacqualine drew and then smiled devilishly as he saw the card. "DNA Regeneration allows me to retrieve as many cards with the words that I name from the graveyard. I name 'Forbidden One'." Two cards shot out from the graveyard slot. Jacqualine caught them and added them to his hand. "Are you scared cousin? I already have four pieces of Exodia in my hand. One more and you die," he taunted. He picked a card from his hand. "Swords of Revealing Light should do nicely in stalling you again." Again the swords descended from the skies.

"It didn't work the last time. It won't work this time. And if you think you can assemble Exodia before I finish you, you are dead wrong," Vincent replied, unperturbed by the fact his opponent had four pieces of Exodia in his hand. He drew. Lightning crashed on the final face-down card. Vincent looked at the card he had drawn, and stared at Jacqualine in the eye. "Next turn, you die," he announced quietly. "Turn end."

Jacqualine stared back at his cousin's eyes while slowly drawing his card, and felt fear. Vincent wasn't lying. If he didn't do anything this turn he would die in the next turn. He looked at the brown back of the card he had drawn, and slowly turned it over. He was disappointed as he saw it was not what he wanted. Setting it down, he ended his turn.

Vincent drew, and again lightning descended on the field, destroying the Swords of Revealing Light. "Quicksand…sorry." The wolf stared at him and lowered his head as if in acknowledgement. "I sacrifice Quicksand to summon Blood Beast—Terrorfang (2200/1500)." A pitch black wolf entered the field, its crimson eyes staring unblinkingly at its prey. "Finish it." The black wolf ran forward, followed closely by its kin. The Spirit of Harp screamed as the dark wolf's jaws closed onto her throat, swiftly joined by Jacqualine as Windstalker did the same to him.

Jacqualine: 0
Vincent: 4000

Vincent watched as Jacqualine stumbled, trying to close the wound with scrabbling fingers. The man trembled for a moment, and then with a last gasp he died. Vincent shook his head as the darkness began to devour the body. When it was done he waved his hands at the darkness. They dissipated.

A figure moved on his right. Vincent swayed, the blow missing him by inches. It was Suain. "What do you think you're doing?" he asked him, giving the thick branch in his hands the briefest of a glance.

"I don't know who you are, but I demand that you bring back Kira!" Suain yelled a battle cry. Using the branch as a cudgel, he swung it at Vincent. The blow missed him. Suain stumbled forward, off balance, and tripped over Vincent's outstretched leg, falling to his knees. He scrambled back to his feet. Again he charged at him.

The two continued on like this, until Vincent was caught off guard when Suain threw the branch him. He caught the branch in mid air, but Suain was already in front of him. He punched him in the stomach, followed by a head butt. Vincent stumbled back.

Suain darted in again, but before he knew it he was being flying backwards, crashing into a nearby tree. Wincing in pain, he made to get up but found himself unable to move. Glancing upwards he saw Vincent approach him.

"I'll give you points for courage," Vincent said, throwing the branch in front of him, "but that's all the credit I'm giving you." He turned his back on him, and Suain found that he was able to move again. Silently he gathered the branch again and, with Vincent's back still turned towards him, swung it at him with all his might.

Vincent took two quick steps backwards. His head snapped back, hammering into Suain's face. The branch dropped to the ground. Spinning on his heels his hand snapped outwards, grabbing onto Suain's wrist. Lifting the arm he stepped behind Suain and twisted the arm sharply. Suain cried out in pain. Vincent shoved him forward. Suain landed heavily beside Lacus. "Understand me," Vincent said aloud. "I have no desire to fight you, but if you continue that stun but once more I shall kill you." He transferred his gaze to Lacus. "Besides, save your energy for mourning. Your friend is dying."

Suain stared at Lacus. Her face was pale, contorted into one of pain. Greenish wisps were sizzling out from the burning wound. "What is happening to her?"

"Fire and poison magic. A devious mix. By making it seem like a fire spell he had secretly inserted a portion of poison magic. It is eating away her body cells, like acid. I expect the vocal cords already destroyed, which is why she didn't make a single sound." Suain flinched at his matter-of-fact tone.

"Do something!"

"What for?"

"She's a friend, you insensitive jerk!" Suain yelled at him.

"Wrong. She's a friend of the one you know as Kira." Vincent corrected him. "I am not him nor will I pretend to be him." He turned his back on them and slowly walked away.

"Wait!" Vincent stopped and tilted his head, staring at Suain from the corners of his eyes.

Suain had activated his Duel Disk. "I'll duel you! If I win you must cure Lacus."

"…Competitions like this seem so ridiculous when you don't even understand the significance behind them." He spun around, the Duel Disk humming to life. It turned into a shade of black. The furthest end was grey, slowly turning darker until it was black at the other. "Be that as it may however, I shall accept the challenge."

The two men faced off against each other.

"Duel!"


Rex the Emerald Dragon: I noticed that you started to slow down on your work too. Keep up the spirit man. Your work is good. Or are you having exams like I am?

john: Just to let you know, I prefer my own created cards to the ones already existing, overpowered as they may be (though I do my best to keep they manageable). So it's not what you think. Nice guess though.

Darksoulkai: Hey, a new reviewer. Glad you like the story. I'll do my best to update soon.