Chapter 30: Guardians of Light

"Are we there yet?"

"No."

"How about now?"

"No."

"How abou-"

"Hassleberry, does it look like we're there yet? Because I don't think so!"

"Alright, sheesh. No need to bite my head off."

Syrus groaned internally. They had been searching the corridor for what felt like an eternity with no success. Not even a duel spirit or a sign of what they were looking for. Syrus was beginning to wonder if they would ever get out.

Just then, they heard the unmistakable sound of a duel going on deeper down in the tunnel.

"Did you hear that?"

"Yeah. It might be one of the others!"

"Come on, let's go check it out!"

And so they sprinted down the tunnel. Coming to the end, they found two duelists stood in front of a large door. The first one was a animated suit of armor, but the other they recognized. Or at least, Syrus did...

"Blair?"

"Who?"

"Long story, I'll explain after."

Blair turned to them, giving them a friendly wave.

"Hey guys, long time no see! We'll catch up once I beat Old Iron here."

"Fat chance! Even though you're a fair maiden, I shall not hesitate to defeat you."

"We'll see about that."

DUEL!

Blair: 8000

Spirit of the Six Samurai: 8000

"I'll start things off. To start, I set one monster face down. Next, I set two cards face down and end my turn."

"An interesting start, but it shall not stop me! I summon The Six Samurai- Zanji (1800/1300) in attack mode! Next, I equip him with Legendary Ebon Steed, giving him 200 extra attack and defense (1800-2000/1300-1500). Attack her face down monster!"

The futuristic Samurai mounted the black steed and charge, revealing its opponent to be a small, white and yellow wolf which pounced, destroying the horse and sending Zanji to the ground (2000-1800/1500-1300).

"What? Explain!"

"Gladly. That was my Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter. When he's flipped face up, I can destroy one card on the field. I wanted to destroy your monster, but I guess your equip spell took the hit. Afterwards, I must send the top three cards of my deck to the graveyard."

Just then, her graveyard glowed, and out popped a more humanoid wolf with the same kind of color scheme as her first monster.

"Oh, and that would be Wulf, Lightsworn Beast (2100/300). If he's sent from my deck to the graveyard, he special summons himself to the field."

"Hmm, not bad. I set two cards face down and end my turn."

Syrus and Hassleberry watched with interest.

"Lightsworn? You ever hear of cards like that?"

"I've heard rumors. From what I've heard, they have incredibly strong effects, but come at the cost of milling your own deck."

"Man, that's hardcore. I hope your friend can handle it."

"Oh, don't worry boys, I can. First, I summon Jain, Lightsworn Paladin (1800/1200) in attack mode. Next, I equip her with Lightsworn Sabre, giving her 700 extra attack points (1800-2500). Jain, attack his Zanji, and when she attacks a monster she gains 300 extra attack (2500-2800)."

Jain brought her sword down, cutting the samurai in 2.

Spirit: 7000

"Now my Wulf, attack him directly!

The spirit raised his sword to block, but it did him no good as the attack struck him hard, nearly knocking him off of his feet.

Spirit: 4900

"I'll end my turn there, and Jain's effect activates. Every end phase, I must send the top two cards of my deck to the graveyard."

"Keep it up, girl, and you will have no cards left to draw. And you know what'll happen next..."

"Worry about yourself, tin can!"

"As you wish. First, I activate my trap card, Return of the Six Samurai to bring back Zanji. Next, I summon The Six Samurai-Nisashi (1400/700) in attack mode, and equip him with United We Stand. Now for each monster I control, he gains 800 attack points (1400-3000). What's more, since I control another Six Samurai, he can attack twice during each battle phase. Nisashi, destroy her monsters!"

The newest samurai leapt, slashing both monsters apart with his dual blades.

Blair: 6600

"You're next, Zanji! Attack her directly!"

Blair had only a minute to prepare herself before the reborn Samurai cut her down, nearly causing her to fall.

Blair: 4800

"I end my turn, and as such Zanji is destroyed (3000-2200). Make this move count, for it will be your last."

"Oh, it will, because this duel is over! I activate my face down, Glorious Illusion! This brings back Jain, but I tribute her to summon Celestia, Lightsworn Angel (2300/200) in attack mode! And when she's tribute summoned using a lightsworn, I can mill the top 4 cards from my deck to destroy two of your cards, so say goodbye to your Samurai and face down!"

"Oh no!"

"Go, Purge of Light!"

Celestia brought her hands together, creating a large orb before launching it, creating a massive explosion that took The Spirit's whole field with it.

"And guess what? One of those cards was a Lightsworn Sabre, and when its milled I can equip it to a Lightsworn monster, like my Angel (2300-3000). Next, I equip her with Megamorph, doubling her attack points (3000-6000). Attack him directly and end this duel!"

The Samurai could only watch in horror as the Angel flew right up to him and sent a beam of light right into his chest, sending him flying right into the metal door.

Spirt of the Six Samurai: 0000

Blair wins!

As the Samurai picked himself up, he found himself beginning to fade. Despite this, he was at peace, and smiled at Blair.

"Thank you, fair maiden. Because of you, I can finally rest in peace."

With that, his soul left the armor and flew off into the distance, leaving the armor to fall lifelessly to the ground. Sighing with relief, Blair turned to her audience.

"What's up?"

"Why are you here, Blair?"

"Probably the same reason you're here, I guess. That creepy Kozaky guy offered to help me get home if I got that part for him. So I reach this dude's forge, but that spirit dude wouldn't let me pass until I dueled him. And that's when you came in. So...what's new?"

"What's going on?"

Everyone turned to see the others coming from their respective tunnels.

"Jaden!"

Jaden had no time to react before Blair glomped him, much to Alexis's annoyance.

"Oh, hey Blair. You're here too, huh?"

"Yep! So we might as well stick together."

"Yeah, I guess."

After pulling Blair apart, everyone turned their attention to the giant door.

"So, this it, huh?"

"Yep. So, do we knock or..."

Just then, the door slowly opened.

"Or...wait for that to happen."

"ENTER."