Episode 30: Ancient Struggle
Morning broke. Zakei quickly got everyone up. It was time to move out. He and Bann had not yet told the others what had happened during the night. They decided to wait until they hit the road and discuss it during lunch.
"Yawn…" Jesi finally woke up after several budges from Recks.
Tiamat was already gathering the supplies and Vaila was helping. All that was left was Migome, who refused to get up until the sun was a nice yellow color. After five minutes of persuasion, he finally got her up. Zakei wasn't pleased that they were five minutes behind schedule and said that the five minutes would be taken out of lunchtime and sleep that night. He was a very stern leader.
Six hours later, they were still hiking, but now, the hills were gone, replaced by rocky mountainous areas.
"Keep on your guard everyone," Zakei warned. He knew that they were deep into Reckah territory now and they could be ambushed at any moment. Also, he was afraid that one of them might end up sealed within the Orichalcos.
Shortly after, Dark Magician Girl appeared by his side.
'Hey… um… Dark Magician Girl.'
"Did you forget my name?"
'Actually, the problem is, I don't really know your name, unless Dark Magician Girl is it.'
"Oh, I see. Well… you can call me Kanya if you like."
'Kanya? Okay. Hey wait, won't the others think it's weird that you are walking beside me?'
"None of them can see me, well with the exception of Bann."
"Huh?" Zakei looked back at Bann. Then he rubbed his eyes and saw strange girl next to him. 'Who the hell?'
"That's Kia, or as you know her, Queen's Knight."
'That's Queen's Knight! What happened to her armor?'
"She doesn't where it all the time. Look."
Dark Magician Girl lifted her staff and twirled it in the air. Zakei looked up at the twirling staff that was twirled like a baton. When he looked back down at Kanya, her clothes had changed. She now wore a hiking outfit.
'What the?' "Um… Bann!"
Bann walked over to Zakei. "What is it… why is Dark Magician Girl wearing… oh, never mind."
"She says her name is Kanya and that her name is Ki…"
"Kia, I know. It's weird but I think as we got stronger, developing our powers more, at some point our Cree started to take on personalities based off of our own traits. It's sort of a strange schizophrenia, but we aren't crazy."
"Well, as long as you can see here too, then I won't… you know."
"Okay. Hey, how about we stop for lunch. I think it's time we told the others about the Seal."
"You're right." Zakei turned to the others and shouted, "Hey, we're gonna stop for lunch now. Also, Bann and I have something important to tell you."
"Dammit. Where the hell is it? If I don't find it soon, he'll… he might… no, I must find it. Where is that stone? I must have dropped it around… what was that?"
The mysterious figure crept around the bush to find seven Anims sitting around a stone basin, eating their lunch and discussing something important.
'So, those must be the Anims who beat Gensin last night. They don't look so strong. I'm sure I can take one of the weaker ones without the stone. I'll ambush them. Once I win without the stone, I won't be in trouble. Alright.'
"So, what you're saying is that this Seal has the power to take peoples' souls?" asked Jesi.
"Yeah, and not only that, it gives and advantage to whoever uses it. The Reckah's powers were all increased, including those of his monsters," Zakei answered.
"So, we better be careful. Without Legendary Dragons, we don't stand much of a chance against this Seal," said Migome.
"Yeah…" Bann started.
"So you guys both got one. I'm sure we will get them too," Tiamat said cheerfully.
"No. I spoke to King Archer about the Dragons. Only three exist. That means if one of us is to get it, then the others won't," Bann told the others.
"Then we'll just have to be careful, but don't think that just because you have a Dragon, that you two are immortal," Vaila pointed out.
About and hour later, they were all walking again up the slopes of the mountainside. Everything was peaceful. Bann had been having an uneasy feeling. If they had been ambushed last night, why hadn't they been attacked yet? They were an easy target. Were they being allowed into the area so they could be taken by some plan? Were the Reckah afraid because they knew one of there own was defeated?
As if to answer his questions, in the distance, three birds started to fly toward them.
'Strange. I've never seen birds like…' "Everybody get down!"
The Bashers all hit the ground as three women with wings began to fly overhead and attack the seven.
"Enough of this. Timaeus attack!"
Timaeus flew down from the mountains and attacked the harpies in a teal blur.
"Bann, what the hell are you thinking? Don't you have any respect for women?"
"Shut up Zakei. Try helping."
"Fi…fine. Critias, help Timaeus."
The second dragon appeared, flying down to help his comrade. The two managed to drive off the Harpies.
"What the hell? Harpies? Do they exist in the mountains?"
"I doubt it. I'm guessing that those were Cree. Something is up there. That was a warning."
"Then I say we go meet this guy."
"Huh? Vaila, what are you saying?"
"If he wants to warn us, then that means he is frightened and is driving us off so he doesn't have to fight. You beat one of their own. You have two Legendary Dragons. This guy doesn't want to mess with you."
"Good point. We have to continue anyway. Let's go."
They continued on the path.
'So, they didn't listen to my warning, huh? Well, then I'm just going to have to kill one of them.'
The mysterious man ran off again, finding a place to cut them off.
"Stop."
"Why?"
"He's here. Whoever sent those harpies on is hiding right here."
"How do you know, Vaila?"
"She's a master tactician. There has to be some strategical reason to hide here."
"Nope, I can see his hair sticking out from that rock."
"I guess my hiding place wasn't so good, after all. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is…"
"Can it. I don't care what your name is."
"Well, you aren't very nice. Like I was saying, my name is Tarvis."
"Vaila, let me handle this. If he has the Seal, then…"
"No, you had your shots. Besides, he doesn't have the Seal."
"Oh, and what makes you say that, my dear?"
"Why would you go to all this trouble to make us go a different way and hide yourself? If you had the Seal, you would be more confident and have met us in the open. Bann, I'm taking this one. Sit back and enjoy the show."
"Fine, go ahead."
"You're gonna wish you never said that. In fact, I do have the Seal. I… just won't use it. I can beat you without it."
"Yeah, sure. Duel!"
"Duel!"
"I'll start. I summon Ancient Gear Soldier. Then I cast one Spell and end my turn."
"Alright, then its my move. I summon Harpie Lady 1."
"I know about your Harpies. They are equal attack to my Gear Soldier. You attack and they both go down."
"That's what you think."
"Huh?"
"This version of Harpie Lady has a special ability. All my Wind Monsters gain additional attack, and since Harpie Lady is a Wind Monster herself, her own attack increases!"
"Oh crap. Vaila, do something!"
'I can't. My trap wasn't made for protecting me.'
"Now, attack Ancient Gear Soldier!"
Harpie Lady flew down to the field and struck the mechanical soldier. The strange, geared mech broke into a pile of metal and vanished. Vaila took damage from the attack, grabbing her chest as she coughed.
"Very good. You managed to deal some damage to me, but you've activated my Trap!"
"What?"
"I activate Damage Condenser!"
A strange pod appeared on the field. The damage Vaila suffered was transferred to the pod, which was struck with electricity. The pod exploded, revealing a small robot.
"I Special Summoned Ancient Gear from my Creepool, and since I have another Ancient Gear in my mind, I can Special Summon that too."
A second Ancient Gear appeared on the field.
'She has two weak monsters now. What could she be planning?' "I cast one Spell. End turn."
"My turn, and I sacrifice both my Ancient Gears to Special Summon Ancient Gear Golem!"
The Ancient Gear vanished. The earth behind Vaila began to shake as an enormous golem machine rose from the ground.
"Now that is a monster," Jesi said.
"He… hey Vaila, you aren't really thinking of attacking that Harpie, are you?" Zakei yelled at her.
"Zakei, shut up! Now, Ancient Gear Golem, attack!"
"I activ…"
"You can't activate anything when my Gear Golem attacks!"
"Uh…"
"Ultimate Pound!"
Ancient Gear Golem unleashed its huge fist on Harpie Lady, pushing her right into Tarvis, who went flying and hit the ground.
"You bitch. That hurt."
"I told you that you weren't a match for me."
"We'll see, especially after my next turn."
"I cast a Spell. Yes, we will see."
"I activate Monster Reborn. This Special Summons my Harpie Lady back to the field. Also, I activate Elegant Egotist, multiplying my Harpie into three."
Two new Harpies appeared on the field next to Harpie Lady.
"Yes! More Harpies!"
"SHUT UP!" the Bashers all yelled at Zakei.
"Before I finish my move, I'll set a trap, not that it will matter. I activate Harpie Lady Phoenix Formation!"
"What?"
The Harpies formed up. Blue flames surrounded them, taking the shape of a phoenix. The blue phoenix flew at Ancient Gear Golem, incinerating his metal body. Then the flames engulfed the ashes and got stronger, burning Vaila with its intense heat.
"AHHHH!" Vaila screamed as the Phoenix continued to surround her like an inferno. She fell to the ground, screaming in pain.
"Heh ha ha ha ha ha ha! I told you that you weren't a match for my harpies. Give up and let the big boys play."
"Screw… you…" Vaila said weakly. Her clothes were charred from the flames. She slowly rose to her feet. "Is that all, because I really would like to start my turn."
"Fine, go."
"I cast two spells. Then I activate Swords of Revealing Light." 'I have nothing to really protect me. Hopefully my Swords will buy me some time to come up with a plan.' "Go."
"Your Swords aren't going to help you at all. I activate Harpie's Feather Duster!"
The Harpies flew into the air, flapping their wings and blowing away the Swords of Light. Two statues appeared on Vaila's side of the field and they too broke.
"You activated my traps, destroying my Statues of the Wicked. Now I can Special Summon two Wicked Tokens to defend me."
"Like it'll do you any good. I activate Nightmare Tri-Mirror, Special Summoning more Harpie Ladies."
A mirror appeared before Tarvis, reflecting the image of the two Wicked Tokens. The reflections transformed into two Harpie Ladies who flew out of the Mirror.
"They can't attack this turn, but my other Harpies can! Harpie Lady 2 and 3, destroy the Wicked Tokens. Then Harpie Lady 1, attack directly!
The two Harpies struck the Wicked Tokens, destroying them. Then the last Harpie attacked Vaila, throwing her back again. Blood stained her clothes from the scratch marks.
"I think that's it. Would you like to throw in the towel now?"
"No…"
"Fine, that was your last chance. Next turn, I will strike you down will all my Harpies. I cast a Spell and end my turn."
'Ah, here's something promising.' "You might want to rethink that. I activate Cost Down. Then I Summon Ancient Gear Beast."
A mechanical lion-like machine jumped out of the bushes and landed in front of Vaila. He bared his teeth and howled.
"Then, I activate Ancient Gear Castle. This fortress gives my Gear Beast even more attack."
The huge fortress rose from the ground behind Vaila.
"Now, attack with Vicious Fang!"
Ancient Gear Beast lashed out at one of the Harpies.
"Not so fast. Activate Harpie Lady Sparrow Formation."
Once again, the Harpies formed up. Orange flames surrounded them this time. The flames caused Ancient Gear Beast to stop in its tracks. The orange phoenix flew at Ancient Gear Beast, who narrowly jumped out of the way and avoided the attack. The phoenix then flew beside Tarvis. The flames dispersed and the Harpie Ladies landed back on the ground.
"O… kay… how did you activate that?"
"My Sparrow Formation is a special trap. Nothing can negate its activation. I've saved my Harpies from being harmed once again."
'Great. How am I going to get past all these strong spells? Time to go on the defensive again.' "I cast two spells. Your move."
"I offer the two Harpie Lady Clones as a tribute, summoning Harpie's Pet Dragon! Then I activate another Elogant Egotist, summoning the Harpie Lady Sisters."
The gigantic red dragon flew down from the mountain. At the same time, one of the Harpies split in three again. With five Harpies on the field, Harpie's Pet Dragon got a serious boost of power, added on to the fact that it got more attack strength from Harpie Lady 1.
"Time to lose, Vaila. I warned you. Harpie's Pet Dragon, attack Ancient Gear Beast."
The Dragon opened its mouth to unleash a fire ball.
"Not so fast. I activate Ordeal of Traveler. Now you get to see some things in my mind. If you can guess what they are, you get to attack, but if you get it wrong… What am I thinking?"
"You… a monster. You are thinking of a monster."
"Wrong, a Spell!" Vaila answered, revealing her Ancient Gear Drill.
"Damn."
"Say goodbye to your Pet Dragon."
Harpie's Pet Dragon vanished from the field.
"My turn, I believe."
"Just let me set a Spell and switch my Harpies to Defense Position."
"Woot! No Harpies destroyed!
"Zakei, I swear if you don't shut up, once I beat this guy, I'm gonna kick your ass."
"Uh… sorry."
"Heh, this will do. I activate Ancient Gear Factory."
A gigantic assembly line rose up next to the Ancient Gear Fortress.
"Now, I remove Ancient Gear Golem, Ancient Gear Soldier, and two Ancient Gears from play…"
Spare parts from these four monsters started to be placed on the conveyer belt, loading them into the chamber. Stars lit up on the top of the assembly line. The gears began to turn and steam shot out of the chamber.
"…to summon another Ancient Gear Golem."
Finally the chamber opened to reveal a new Ancient Gear Golem, hot out of the factory.
"Now, I activate Ancient Gear Drill. This allows me to set a Spell from my Creepool. Now, it's time to end this. I activate Battle Advance. Let me explain. Battle Advance allows up both to activate one Spell that we've either set on the field or is in our minds. Then, we can each choose one monster on the field and have it attack directly."
"Ha, well, I didn't realize you were so stupid. I activate Triangle Ecstasy Spark. This powers up my Harpie Lady Sisters. Now attack directly!"
The Harpie Lady Sisters formed a triangle and shot a wave of energy at Vaila, who hit the ground.
"You lose."
"Nope… I have some life left in me. If you had used the Seal, you probably would have won, too. Now for my move, I activate my set Limiter Removal, doubling my Ancient Gear Golem's attack. Now attack directly!"
Ancient Gear Golem lifted its fist and hit Tarvis. The Harpies flew out of the way of the attack as Tarvis fell backwards off the edge of the cliff.
"I think I won," Vaila said and passed out where she lay.
"Whe…where am I?"
"You failed me… Tarvis," said a robed man, whose back was turned, watching a pool of water.
"Master! Oh master, I'm sorry. The Orichalcos Stone, it…"
"It knew you were unworthy… so it left you. You really disappoint me. You couldn't even take out one of them."
"Please, my lord. Give me another chance. If I had used the Seal, I know I could have beaten her!"
"You rely too much on the Seal's power. It is not a tool for your own benefit. You disgust me."
"No, no my lord. I swear I would have won."
"Perhaps you would have, but you didn't. Do you know why you are still alive?"
"Uh… no."
"Because I revived you. Can't let a good soul go to waste, can we?"
"Nah… no! Anything but that! NO!" Tavis screamed.
A flash of green light covered the walls of the chamber and Tarvis hit the ground, silent. The cloaked man continued to watch the reflecting pool.
"Get that filth out of here. Throw him into the pit."
"Yes, master."
"Garu."
"Yes, master?"
"I want you to watch those Anims very closely. From what Dismay tells us, they are quite strong. Also, keep a watch on Dismay. I don't trust him, either."
"Yes, master. Is there anything else you would like me to do?"
"Yes. Send Drake to duel the one with the dragons."
"Yes, Lord Darsus."
Next time on City of Fire: The Last Miracle
Tiamat duels a