City of Fire

by Blax

In a dark century, a group of young men use powerful creatures called Cree to battle the evil forces of the N00b Armies. They are the last line of defense that protects the great City of Janime. Using their powers, they wage duels of darkess against the

42. Sagitar's Lonely Battle

Chapter 42: Sagitar's Lonely Battle. Battle of Chess?

"Looks like I've finally found you, my prey."

Bann looked around. "Garu! Show yourself you coward."

Garu jumped down from the trees above. "I see you did away with your brother. You're becoming more like me every minute."

Bann's eyes widened when he heard those words. "No, I'm not!"

Bann pulled his sword from its scabbard and rushed at Garu. Garu formed one of his Guardian's weapons and struck back. One thrust of the large, purple sword easily shattered Bann's.

"You're still not up to par with me. Your swordsmanship is pitiful. Your dueling is… well, it makes me laugh."

"That so, huh? If my dueling is so bad… then I challenge you. If I win, you return my brother's soul."

"Normally, I wouldn't waste my time with the likes of you, but if you insist…"

"DUEL!" they both shouted.

"I'll start," Garu said. "I set a monster. Turn end."

"That's it? I summon Dark Blade."

The black clad knight swung his two swords.

"Dark Blade, attack the shadow monster!"

Dark Blade charged at the monster enveloped in shadows. The shadows swept away to reveal Backup Guardna, who grabbed both of Dark Blade's swords and shattered them.

"Now you will see the power behind my deck. I activate Twin Swords of Flashing Light."

Two swords that looked that like bolts of lightning shot down from the heavens and struck the field.

'I have to ditch some Cree to use this… so I choose Trouse.' "Now that my swords are on the field, I activate Soul Exchange. This allows me to use your Dark Blade in place of a tribute for my monster. Now I summon Guardian Tryce!"

Dark Blade's soul was drained and he vanished from the field. His soul then formed into a tan skinned man with blue hair and a yellow vest. He landed on the ground and grabbed the twin swords.

"Since my Guardian can't attack right now, I'll just cast a Spell and end my turn."

'Those swords weakened his Guardian. Why would he play them?' "I summon Blade Knight. Blade Knight, attack Tryce!"

This knight shone brilliantly in silver armor. His sword and shield also shined bright silver. He struck Tryce with his sword, cutting the Guardian in half. Blood shot out of the wound and drenched the knight's sword.

"I activate Self Tribute. By giving up some of my life, I can save my Guardian's."

Tryce reappeared on the field, whole and unscathed.

'What's with this guy? He just gave up that much life just to save his creature?' "I cast a Spell. Your move."

"You look confused," Garu said, clutching his sides. "Why would I save my monster? My Cree are like my family. I won't let them die like I let my loved ones."

"I thought you…"

"What? Killed them? No, just my brother. My brother killed my family and I killed him. I activate Wicked Breaking Flamberge. Then I summon Guardian Baou and equip him with the sword."

The same large purple sword appeared on the field. This time, a black shadow wrapped around it, forming into a bat-like demon.

"I activate Guardian Burst, giving Baou a momentary increase in strength. Now, attack Blade Knight!"

Baou flew at Blade Knight and slashed him with his sword. He then absorbed his body and blew back to the opposite side of the field.

"Now that your field is clear, I attack directly with Tryce."

"I activate Draining Shield. This increases my Life Points by your Guardian's attack."

"Did I forget to mention that Tryce can attack twice?"

Tryce struck again, slashing Bann across the chest.

'Damn…'

"I told you that you weren't a match for me."

'Someone's been trailing me,' Sagitar thought. He was walking deliberately now so he could try to get some info on where and what was tracking him. 'In the trees to the right, jumping from branch to branch, young male, average weight.' "There!" Sagitar spun around.

His momentum was enough to send three knives spiraling at whoever was following him. The man jumped out of the tree and landed across from the Bloodwing.

"Who are you and what do you want with me?"

"My name is Shredder Fritz. Master Darsus has ordered me to tail you. If you try anything funny, I'm supposed to eliminate you."

"Eliminate me? You think you can defeat a Bloodwing? Your Darsus is a fool. I warned him and now he will die."

Sagitar began to spread his wings but was stopped by Fritz, who had quickly placed a knife to his neck. Sagitar stopped his transformation and backed away a few inches.

"Well, you're interesting," Sagitar chuckled, patting his now empty knife pouch.

Fritz dropped ten knives onto the ground. "I challenge you to a duel."

"I'll start by summoning Vilepawn Archfiend. Then I cast a Spell and end my turn."

"I set a monster and a spell…"

"Is that all? I activate Seal of Blood. Now our lives are intertwined by the power of this trap. Vilepawn causes us to both take damage. Now, attack the set monster!"

Vilepawn attacked the shadowy figure with his blade arm. The figure was revealed as Puppet Pawn! The defense of the pawn was equal to the attack of the other so the battle was cancelled out.

'He's much more interesting than I thought.' "I cast a Spell. Your turn."

"I cast a Spell and switch Puppet Pawn to attack. Then I activate Sword and Shield. Your Vilepawn as a weak Defense while my Puppet Pawn as a high defense… Puppet Pawn, attack the Vilepawn!"

The black and white warrior slashed Vilepawn with his short sword. The weaker pawn vanished in a flash.

"Don't underestimate me."

"I cast two Spells and activate Spiral Spear Shot. Now that there is only one creature in my mind… I summon Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight!"

Gaia trotted out on purple horse as always. He lifted both lances into the air and charged.

"Gaia, attack Backup Guardna with Spiral Spear Shot!"

Gaia struck the large demon, but his attack was repelled. Backup Guardna grabbed both lances with his arms and threw Gaia backwards.

"I activated my Spell, the Reliable Guardian. My Backup Guardna is very reliable, stopping your knight's attack with little ease."

"Uggh…" Bann moaned a bit as he took the recoil of the attack. "I end my turn."

"I fuse Tryce and Baou to summon Guardian Chaost. The fusion of Light and Darkness may not be enough to take out your knight, but with this Black War Hammer, I'm sure I can shake him up a bit."

A large hammer appeared in the hands of Chaost. He flew down at Gaia and prepared to smash him, but Gaia lifted his lance and blocked the oncoming assault.

"Like you protected your Guardna with a Spell, I protected my knight with Knight's Shield."

"It won't be enough. Next turn I'll just kill him."

"I start by activating Knights of the Gale. At the cost of some of my life, I can trade in Swift Gaia for the original Gaia the Fierce Knight. Then I activate my cast Spell, Treasures from Heaven, refilling both our minds. Then I activate my next set Spell, Polymerization, fusing Gaia and Curse of Dragon to form Gaia the Dragon Champion. Gaia, attack the Backup Guardna!"

Gaia flew down on Curse of Dragon's back and the two destroyed the Backup Guardna.

"Because of the Spiral Spear Shot, you take damage. Plus, I can add something from my Creepool to my mind. Finally, I cast a Spell. Turn end."

"Gaia still isn't strong enough to beat my Guardian. Chaost, attack Gaia and avenge Backup Guardna."

Chaost lifted the large hammer and jumped into the air to deliver the finishing blow to Gaia.

"I activate Disarmament!"

The Black War Hammer vanished! Gaia struck back at Chaost, separating them into Tryce and Baou, who landed on the field, slightly stunned.

"And then there were two."

"I activate Archfiend's Roar, bringing back Vilepawn Archfiend. Then I summon Infernalqueen Archfiend. Vilepawn, attack Puppet Pawn!"

"Puppet Pawn, counterattack!"

The black pawn and the white pawn attacked each other, exploding in fiery rage.

"Now that you're defenseless, Infernalqueen, attack directly!"

"I activate Soul Resurrection, reviving my Puppet Pawn."

"Infernalqueen, stop!"

The red demon stopped just before hitting the Puppet Pawn.

"Turn end."

"Alright… I'll activate Promotion. This allows me to upgrade my Puppet Pawn to Special Summon Puppet Queen."

Puppet Pawn vanished in a flash. In its place stood a large, black and white statuesque woman with no face appeared in its place.

'Crap. That thing's strong.'

"I place her in Defense Position and cast a Spell. Your turn."

"What! You could have just dealt some serious damage to me!"

"In chess, you need to be strategic. I don't need to damage you as long as your Archfiends are doing all the work for me. All I need is a strong defense. Then I sit back and wait."

"You're right…" Sagitar said as Infernalqueen drained some more of his life away. "That's why I will send us to the Layer of Ten-Thousand Demon Lords. Activate Pandemonium!"

The ground beneath them rose and swallowed them up. Within the darkness, the fires of the Pandemonium ignited as they arrived within the pits of hell.

"This… this isn't an illusion. You've sent us to the true Pandemonium."

"Yes, I have," Sagitar laughed. "I summon Shadowknight. Then I cast a Spell and end my turn. When this duel is through, your body will remain here, in Pandemonium, for all eternity."

"That's quite a boast. I cast a Spell and end my turn."

"I use the effect of Infernalqueen to increase Shadowknight's attack. Then I equip Infernalqueen with the Demon Axe, Axe of Despair."

Infernalqueen's right arm twisted into the shape of an axe.

"Shadowknight, attack Puppet Queen!"

Shadowknight jumped into action, swinging his glowing red sword-arm at the Queen, but both remained on the field.

"I told you not to underestimate my defense. I activate Castle Wall. Now my Queen's defense is equal to your Shadowknight's attack."

Shadowknight moved back to his defending position.

'Great, how do I break through that?'

"Bann?"

"Bann, what's going on? Isn't that Garu?"

Tiamat and Zakei entered the clearing where Bann and Garu were locked in battle.

"Get away…"

"What?"

"Get away now! You were supposed to head for Darsus."

"Hey, I'm the leader here."

Tryce and Baou stared down Bann's side of the field where only Gaia met their gaze, flying high on Curse of Dragon's back.

"This is my battle. I have to avenge my brother."

Zakei's eyes widened and Tiamat's jaw dropped.

"Recks… he, Garu killed him?" Zakei asked.

"Don't make me laugh," Garu responded. "It was Bann who slew his brother and took his soul. I only helped him along." He pointed to the green stone around his neck. "Now, I believe it's your turn, so let's see you get your vengeance. Become me, become your hatred!"

"You bastard! Gaia, attack Guardian Baou!"

Gaia and Baou flew at each other. Baou swung his sword as Gaia raised his lance. As Baou struck, an icy crystal prison began to cover Gaia and the dragon's bodies. In the end, both were trapped with the thick stone and fell to the earth.

"I've trapped your knight within the Crystal Seal. It can't attack, defend, or move. It's a useless monster."

"I… end my turn."

"Bann…" Tiamat started.

Bann's eyes were lit like a wildfire. His teeth were bared and he stared, unblinking at Garu. Tiamat and Zakei just watched, unable to do a thing.

"Please tell me he's lying. You couldn't have… you didn't…"

"I did. Garu forced Recks and myself into a duel where the Orichalcos… it took hold of me. In the end, I attacked with Timaeus and finished the duel."

Zakei and Tiamat just stared, but something about Bann's story wasn't adding up. They knew that Timaeus couldn't have been summoned if Bann was under the influence of the Orichalcos.

"Bann, you're leaving something out. What happened."

"Bann turned to look at his friends. He forced me to do it. He took back the Orichalcos and forced me to attack him. Recks gave up his life to save mine…" He turned back to look at Garu, "…and I'm going to make him pay! He forced me to get rid of my own brother."

"Yes, let me feel your vengeance! Your pain, your lust, your anger! It pleasures me so!"

"Garu… you're despicable."

"You have no idea what I can do. I activate…" Garu grabbed the chain around his neck and ripped it off. He then held the glowing green stone high in the air and finished, "… the Seal of Orichalcos!"

The ground around them shook. The stone radiated an intense light that reflected the hatred of the opponents. The eerie glow blocked out all other light and blinded the field.

"What's going on?" Tiamat asked. "The Seal has never acted this way."

"This is the true power of the Seal. This is what happens when two souls are locked in combat with hatred that knows no bounds!" Garu laughed evilly.

As the light died down the Seal appeared beneath Bann and Garu, spinning rapidly. It was unsure which duelist to ensnare.

"Watch what happens when two souls face each other in eternal combat!"

The Seal stopped and the symbol in the center began to form.

"What is this?" Bann asked. "The symbols on the outside ring… they're different."

"That's not all that's different," Garu replied.

Instead of the normal hexagram six-point star, the Seal formed an octagon. Then, within the octagon, a differently shaped hexagram formed.

"What's going on here?

On Garu's forehead, the new Seal of Orichalcos appeared. Then, opposite him, the same began to appear on Bann's forehead. Dark auras swept over both of them as the Seal took its grasp.

"What do you think? I used you to attain a greater power. This is the Seal of Ereberos. I'm no stooge of Darsus. I used him, my brother, and you."

The Seal below them pulsated. It turned a blood red color and so did the Seal above their eyes. Both Bann and Garu's eyes also turned a blood red.

"I… will not… be made a pawn!"

The Seal vanished from Bann and changed back into the Seal of Orichalcos.

"What happened? This is… I was supposed to attain great powers. What have you done to the Seal of Ereberos?"

"Your Seal can't take hold of me. It has no power over me any longer."

"I cast two Spells. Then I switch Puppet Queen to attack position. Puppet Queen, attack Shadowknight."

Puppet Queen lifted her scepter and shot a blast of energy at the demon, who vaporized.

"Then I cast two Spells. Your move."

"First, I use my Infernalqueen's ability to increase her attack. Then I summon Desrook."

"And I'll chain that summoning with A Rival Appears. Now I summon Puppet Rook."

Another black and white warrior appeared. This one had a castle-like crown on top of its head.

"I place him in defense position."

'So, even if I destroy his Puppet Queen, my Desrook can't break through his Puppet Rook.' "Fine, then I attack Puppet Queen with Infernalqueen."

Infernalqueen lifted her scepter to attack.

"Not so fast. Forgetting my second cast spell? I activate Friendly Fire!"

Infernalqueen turned around and attacked Desrook. Desrook countered with his own attack. Both monsters destroyed each other in a large, fiery blast.

"Now, you take the damage from the battle between the two. In addition, you're defenseless. Next turn, it's checkmate."

"I wouldn't count on it, Reckah. I cast two Spells. Turn end."

"I summon Puppet Knight. Now, attack the Bloodwing directly!"

Puppet Queen, Puppet Rook, and Puppet Knight all attacked Sagitar.

"I told you not to count on it. I activate Mirror Force. This will deflect all of your attacks back at you!"

"Checkmate, Sagitar the Bloodwing. I activate Total Defense Formation, switching all of my Puppet Chess Monsters to defense. Now your Mirror Force is useless and my monsters can still attack!"

"I figured you'd try a defensive tactic, so I set this. Activate Dark Mirror Force!"

The Mirror Force Barrier that Sagitar created turned black. It shot out again, destroying all of Fritz' monsters.

"My chess monsters! What happened?"

"By hiding in defense, the Dark Mirror Force was able to completely wipe them out. This duel's over."

"NOOOO! My monsters!"

"I was so close… I would have attained the power of the Ereberos. Your soul is mine," said an enraged Garu. "I equip Tryce with the Butterfly Dagger. Then I summon Guardian Elma and use Tailor of the Fickle to give her back her dagger. Guardians, embrace the powers of the Seal!"

The dark powers of the Orichalcos swept over Elma, Tryce, and Baou. On their foreheads, the Seal ignited in green flame and their eyes burned with red light.

"I cast a Spell. Your turn."

"Bann, you can beat this guy. You've already beaten the Seal."

"Beaten the Seal? No, he's only managed to push it back. Soon, he will come to know the true horrors of the Seal of Orichalcos, and when he gives into its power, then I will forge the Seal of Ereberos!"

"You talk too much. I will never give in to you. I cast a Spell and summon Command Knight."

A red armored female knight appeared on the field.

"She has a very nifty ability that you might like to know."

"What's that?"

"She powers up all of my Knights, including Gaia!"

"No…" Garu looked on in horror as Gaia burst out of the Crystal Seal.

"Gaia, attack Guardian Tryce!"

Gaia flew up into the air on Curse of Dragon's wings. Together, the two flew down the field and struck Tryce, who vanished in a pillar of light. As the light faded, a larger Guardian with red hair and tan skin, wearing a blue vest and holding the Twin Swords of Flashing Light.

"What the hell is that?"

"Meet Guardian Trouse! Trouse, attack Gaia the Dragon Champion!"

Trouse stabbed the ground with the sword in his left hand as the Seal of Orichalcos appeared on his forehead. The Seal seemed to make him grow much larger and he lifted one large arm into the air and grabbed Curse of Dragon. He then used his right arm to plunge the second sword into Gaia as Curse of Dragon was crushed. Both fell from the sky, dead long before touching the ground.

"As you know, the Twin Swords of Flashing Light allow my Guardian to attack twice."

Trouse lifted the sword that he had plunged into the ground earlier and flung it at Command Knight, who was cut in half. The sword then flew back to Trouse like a boomerang, which Trouse caught nimbly.

"This is the end… Baou, Elma, attack directly and end this duel!"

"I activate Return of the Round Table. This allows me to Special Summon up to five knights from my Graveyard. I choose to summon Gaia the Fierce Knight, Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight, Command Knight, and Blade Knight."

The four knights rode onto the field on mighty steeds. Garu saw that his Guardians were no match.

"I end my turn."

"I will never give up to the likes of you." 'Why am I so weak? I remember all those times, all those defeats. I will not lose to someone like you.

"Why do you continue? You constantly lose."

"Shut up, Drake. I will defeat you."

"Oh yeah? Bolshack Dragon, finish this weakling off so that his soul can be fed to the Beast!"

"That's enough, Drake. If you continue, it will be you who loses."

"Master Darsus? Why did you stop me? We don't need a weakling who can only defend himself."

"Look at the damage you've sustained just from attacking his so-called 'weak defense'. Oh mighty Seal, I release those who you hold."

The Seal of Orichalcos that surrounded Drake and Fritz vanished.

"Weakling," Drake sneered and walked off.

Fritz watched Drake as he left and turned his gaze to the ground. "I'm sorry Master Darsus. I'm sorry for being so weak."

"Do not heed the words of Drake. He is a fool. You need only listen to me."

Fritz looked up at Darsus' cold blue eyes. "What do you mean?"

Darsus pulled a shard of the Orichalcos from his satchel. "We have gathered new souls. However, this one seems to be incomplete and useless. I have fused the soul within this shard." Darsus walked up to Fritz and placed the shard on his forehead. The blue gem began to melt into his skin as he screamed. "Let this shard of the Orichalcos fuse with your soul!"

Fritz hit the ground, sweating profusely. His breathing was shallow and his arms could barely keep him up. With his left hand, he clutch the Orichalcos stone that hung around his neck.'

Fritz clutched the Orichalcos stone that hung around his neck. He pulled it off and lifted it into the air. "I will get the full soul. I activate the Seal of Orichalcos!" '"You have a great powers lurking within you, Shredder Fritz. Use the Seal of Orichalcos to awaken your full potential." Don't worry, Master Darsus. I will not let you down.'

The Seal appeared in the sky and circled around Fritz and Sagitar.

"Please, the Seal of Orichalcos? This Darsus must really think that he's…" 'No, he can't… damn!' "Shadowknight, attack directly!"

A second Shadowknight appeared and slashed Fritz, who barely fidgeted as the Seal transformed him.

"I cast two Spells. Your turn."

The rocky walls around them began to crash as the Seal broke away Pandemonium.

"Now, I use the power of this shard of the Orichalcos!" A green gem began to glow in Fritz' forehead. "I summon Crystalknight Archlord!"

A shining knight in crystalline armor appeared. He had a large, blue sword in hand and a shield of diamond in the other. The Seal appeared on its forehead and the blue armor turned a dark red. It's white, angelic wings turned black and its eyes glowed an evil red color.

"This is a whole new game, Sagitar the Bloodwing."

"My turn. I activate…" 'Sweet.' "… Union Attack! This lets all of my knights attack as one. Gaia, Swift Gaia, Command, and Blade, attack Guardian Trouse!"

The two Gaias impaled Trouse with their lances. Then Command Knight and Blade Knight rode in and stabbed Trouse with their swords. Trouse buckled and fell, vaporizing in another pillar of light. In his place, Tryce reappeared with his blue hair and yellow vest, wielding both swords.

"You may have destroyed Trouse, but now I can show you his special ability!"

Tryce vanished in a flash of light and reappeared behind Gaia. He swung both of his swords and Gaia vanished. Bann grabbed his sides as he felt the attack.

"Ha ha ha ha… you won't be able to take much more of this duel."

"You'd be surprised, Garu. I've been to hell and back. You don't scare me. Two cast Spells. Your move."

"I don't scare you? Well, then I'm not doing my job. I activate Forced Burial. By giving up some of my life, I can force you to three monsters from Creepool to the Graveyard. Choose your monsters."

"Fine. I pick Brave Knight, Knight Champion, and Familiar Knight."

'Good, now I have more monsters to feed to Eatos' sword.' "I activate Monster Reincarnation. This lets me return Backup Guardna to my mind, who I now summon. Then I cast a Spell and end my turn."

"Thanks for sending those monsters to my grave."

"What?"

"Now I have enough monsters to do this! I remove Gaia the Fierce Knight, Familiar Knight, Dark Blade, Knight Champion, and Brave Knight from play so I can sacrifice Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight, Blade Knight, and Command Knight."

All five knights appeared in a ring of light that surrounded the knights already on the field. A pillar of light rained down from the sky and the three knights vanished. In their place, four silver knights and one golden knight appeared

"Arrive and awaken Knights of the Round Table!"

The five knights all took out their weapons and waited to battle.

"Turn end."

"Game end."

"What?"

"It is time to see the power I used to defeat your brother."

'Rooko? That looks like one of Rooko's Archlord monsters, but how did he…?"

"Crystalknight, attack the Shadowknight!"

Crystalknight rushed Shadowknight and took him down.

"Now to tell your Crystalknight's effect. All battle damage he inflicts is doubled!"

"…"

"Your move, Sagitar, and don't forget. Pandemonium is gone, so all of your Archfiends damage you."

"I know," Sagitar said. 'Which is why this next move is so risky.' "Before I start my turn, I activate my two traps, a Rival Appears and Archfiend's Roar. I Special Summon Infernalqueen and Terrorking. Since I've done this before my turn, I take damage from their effects. I also get to use Infernalqueen's effect to increase Terroking's attack. Terrorking, attack Crystalknight!"

Terrorking lifted his sword and slashed the knight, breaking him clear in half.

"I cast a Spell and end my turn."

"I summon Mysticpawn, cast a Spell, and end my turn."

"My move. Before Terrorking inflicts damage, I'll activate Demon Regenerator to increase my life by his attack." Sagitar began to glow and eerie violet red. "Much better. Terrorking, attack the Mysticpawn!"

"I activate Archlord Crossing. This lets me sacrifice my Mysticpawn to summon Crystalknight!"

The crystalline knight once again appeared on the field in place of the pawn.

'Damn!' "Terrorking, stop!"

Terroking stopped and put down his sword.

"Fighting with a king is the most dangerous move you could make. There could always be a knight waiting to jump you."

"I cast two spells. Make your damn move."

"With pleasure," Fritz grinned. His body began to bask in a white light.

"What are you doing?"

"Like your Archfiends take life from you, my Archlords give life to me. I summon Whitebishop and cast a Spell. Then I'll have Crystalknight attack."

Crystalknight stabbed Terrorking in the heart, but the demon didn't die. Instead, the wound closed and a dark energy surrounded him.

"What's the meaning of this?"

"I activate Demonic Rebirth. By killing him, you've only made him stronger. Terrorking, counterattack! I'll also activate Seal of Blood so you take the damage I take. Now take out the Whitebishop!"

"I activate my bishop's ability."

Crystalknight stood in front of the bishop, defending him. Terrorking destroyed the knight again. Mysticpawn appeared in the knight's place.

"I cast a Spell and end my turn," Sagitar said, dissatisfied.

"I summon Shiningqueen."

Another Archlord appeared. This one, female, also turned a dark red and her wings blackened.

"Then I activate Union Attack."

Shiningqueen, Mysticpawn, and Whitebishop all teamed up on Terrorking, taking him down.

"I use the ability of my Desrook to return Terrorking to the field."

"Check."

"I attack…"

"I use the ability of Whitebishop to transfer your attack to Mysticpawn."

Terrorking slashed the pawn, which exploded from the force of the demon sword.

"I summon a Vilepawn and cast two spells. Your turn."

"It's time to stage the blitz! I use Shiningqueen's effect to increase her attack. Then I summon Holyking. Shiningqueen, attack the Terrorking!"

"You forgot about my traps."

"Traps can't help you now. You don't have the life to use them."

"That's why I have to get it back. I activate Alter for Tribute."

An alter rose from the ground. On it, Vilepawn lay. His life was extracted and he turned to dust as his soul was forced into Sagitar's.

"Now that I've gained some life back, I activate Trap of Darkness!"

A dark, spherical object appeared next to Sagitar. He put his hand next to it and forced some of his life energy into it.

"What's that?"

"You'll see…" he said, a little short of breath.

The Archlords continued their attack on Sagitar.

Sagitar closed his eyes and yelled, "MIRROR FORCE!"

The orb of darkness shifted and the Mirror Force Barrier appeared, deflecting the attacks of the Archlords and sending them right back at them.

"I send Mightyrook to the grave to revive Holyking."

"I believe that's check."

"You wish. We now have a king each. That leaves us with only one possibility. A stalemate. Neither of us wins. The Seal takes us both."

"I refuse to give up. I have a purpose in life that I must fulfill."

Terrorking's eyes glowed as he took some more of Sagitar's life.

"Then it looks like I win," Fritz said. "If you don't give in to the stalemate, your own demon will take your soul, himself."

"It is time to see the power I used to defeat your brother," Garu laughed, maniacally. "I activate the Celestial Sword."

A long, narrow, and beautifully crafted blade appeared on the field.

"And to use this sword, I summon Guardian Eatos! Since there aren't any monsters in my Graveyard, I can summon her free of sacrifice."

A beautiful woman appeared behind Garu. She had beautiful white wings and an eagle's head headdress. Soon after, the Seal took control of her. Her eyes turned blazing red from a soft golden color. Her beautiful white wings turned black and an evil grin appeared on her face. She picked up the Celestial Sword and pointed it at Bann. The souls of Swift Gaia, Command Knight, and Blade Knight were sucked out of him and drawn next to Eatos.

"This is what happens when you don't treat your monsters with respect. I refuse to let my Guardians die. You don't care. This is your fate. Prepare for the end."

The souls of the three knights were sucked into the Celestial Sword. Eatos flew at the five knights for the decisive blow sure to finish the duel.

"I won't lose and I won't tie. This duel ends here and now. I summon Darkbishop. Then I activate Demon Opposition."

Two Shadowknight Archfiends and Vilepawn Archfiend appeared next to Terrorking. They surrounded Holyking.

"This is the end. I've trapped you."

"No, how could I have not foreseen this!"

"Checkmate!"

Darkbishop attacked Holyking, but Holyking struck back. This gave Terrorking the opportunity to attack. He lifted his right hand, absorbing the two Shadowknights and the Vilepawn. The formed a ball of red hot energy.

"Attack with Genocide Laser!"

Terrorking shot the energy out of his palm. The blast struck Holyking and shot right through him, striking Shredder Fritz. The Seal of Orichalcos surrounded him and absorbed his soul. The cave around them crumbled away. Sagitar transformed into his demonic form and flew out. Beneath him, what was the gateway to Pandemonium, closed up with Fritz' body still inside, just as Sagitar has promised it would be.

"Well, Darsus. I warned you. Now you will feel my wrath."

"This is the end!"

"I won't let it end like this!"

The Knights of the Round Table put their swords together, fending off the Eatos' attack. Eatos continued her plummet, but was slowly losing ground!

"What is this? How can she be losing?"

The five knights took their chance. They combined their power and struck Eatos, destroying her. The Celestial Sword hit the ground and shattered.

"Ee…Eatos…" Garu said, shocked that his Guardian could have lost. "How?"

"I activated my Trap, Knight's Seal. It negated the effect of the Celestial Sword so Eatos' attack was returned to normal. This gave my knights the power to counterattack and defeat her."

Garu stared at the ground. His face was covered in shadow. "Heh… heh heh… ha ha ha hahahahahahahaha!"

"What's so funny? I just destroyed your best monster."

"Best… monster?"

Garu looked up. The Seal on his head began to change. His eyes lit on fire. Beneath them, the Seal changed again. It spun rapidly. A large dark aura emanated over Garu. He continued to laugh maliciously. In front of him, something began to form from the ashes of Eatos. The ground opened up and a bandaged hand made its way out of the earth.

"Rise… Guardian Deathscythe!"

What appeared to be a dead Eatos rose from the ground and sat on the field. A large scythe appeared in her hand. On her face, a half black, half white mask sat on her face. She was almost completely bandaged up. Stone armor sat on various parts of her body.

"I Special Summon Saint Knight Isaac," Bann said. "Isaac, attack Deathscythe!"

Isaac attacked the undead guardian, but it had no effect.

"What?"

"By sending Guardian Kay'est to the grave, I was able to save her. You won't take her away from me again."

The Seal stopped spinning. It reformed as the Ereberos Seal. Isaac vanished from the field.

"I switch Guardian Deathscythe to attack position."

Deathscythe stood up. As she did, Tryce, Baou, Elma, and Backup Guardna vanished. As the were pulled into the Graveyard, Deathscythe absorbed their souls, increasing her own power.

"Deathscythe, attack…"

Next time on City of Fire: Inevitable