Do you intend to do some history between Gabriel and Lilith? In the game, Lilith bases her human form identically to Gabriel's human form when she pretended to be a nun.

In the game this was never explained, was this simply a way for Lilith to mock Gabriel or something more complex and personal between them? -Lucian Naruto

Ngl I think Lilith was just trolling Gabriel. I imagine they were probably catty to each other in the past though.

Chapter 21 When Hope and Despair Flip

Odd-Eyes suddenly flinched, raising his head as he felt a deeply unsettling power.

"Odd-Eyes what's going on?!", Nanashi asked as the dragon turned.

Odd-Eyes sweated nervously not knowing what this was. It was a new malevolent force he's never felt before.

Somewhere…

Issachar didn't know where he was as he found himself looking around. He suddenly recognized it as he looked down to see a Samurai with soulless eyes making him jump.

"T-this is…! I did…", Issachar said.

"You sacrificed his life for power just as I do…", an unknown voice said, drawing Issachar's attention.

At Ginza…

Isabeau sweated nervously, nearly stumbling at the power she felt. It was so intense and dark. Much more unsettlingly that power was coming from her fellow…around him clung a wild thick black aura which leaked pure unadulterated malice.

Lilith was engulfed in a flash of light with Issachar as it seemed she was about to lea-

"No…You won't get away…I won't let you…", her fellow said in a much deeper tone of voice.

Lilith was completely stunned as she was pounced on by the Samurai clad in darkness. Despite Issachar's unconscious form being teleported away she wasn't. Judging from her body language she was completely shocked. He gripped her arms tightly with a vice-like grip. Her eyes met up to see Flynn's eyes which were glowing red along with his signer mark.

"You will duel me for Issachar's soul! If not I'll just kill you!", Flynn hissed.

Jonathan and Navarre made it back over to Isabeau's side, stunned at Flynn's transformation. His body seemed to be engulfed in dark energy that looked like a dark shadow which covered most of his body. In spite of the situation they could hear Lilith chuckling.

"That's right, give into your anger.", Lilith said.

She suddenly gasped when Flynn grabbed her by the neck, hoisting her up. His glowing crimson eyes burned with intense rage.

"Duel me!", Flynn demanded.

"Hoy, Flynn snap out of it!", Navarre called out, shakily.

"He simply needs another push and his old self will be completely gone.", Lilith thought.

"Fine, then if you lose, why don't I take another one of your fellows? How about the lovely lady o-", Lilith was saying before Flynn punched her so hard her helmet broke.

Lilith stumbled in surprise at the strength of the blow. She took off her helmet revealing her face to look eerily similar to Sister Gabby.

"Why does Lilith look like Gabriel?! This must be some sort of trick!", Jonathan questioned.

"I won't lose…I'm going to destroy you!", Flynn replied, completely blinded by anger.

Isabeau sweated realizing she was suddenly a betting chip now. It wasn't that she didn't have faith in Flynn, but he wasn't himself right now. Not to mention they didn't know the extent of Lilith's capabilities. Flynn raised up his gauntlet to duel.

"Hoy, Flynn! I know you want to save Issachar, but think about this! Your betting your fellow's life!", Jonathan said as he got in front of Flynn.

Flynn glared at him, before pushing him out of the way.

"Jonathan…if you get in my way again I'll destroy you too.", Flynn threatened, completely surprising them.

Something was very wrong with Flynn as they already realized. It was not only his appearance that changed, but his behavior did as well. Lilith was left with hardly a choice by Flynn except to raise her duel disk to duel. Isabeau sweated nervously not only because of the current circumstances, but the eerie sense of deja vu she felt. Flynn was completely berserk right now with no control over himself or his power. The Shadow Realm reappeared as they started their duel.

Somewhere…

"We are the same…that's why I will become one with you…then we can seek further strength!", the voice said, appearing as a black shadow.

"What if I refuse?", Issachar questioned, feeling extremely nervous.

"Whoever said you had choice…?", the shadow questioned before growing claws that pinned Issachar down.

In Ginza…

"Duel!", the two said.

Flynn LP 4000

Yuriko LP 4000

Jonathan tried to push himself back up and Isabeau lent him a hand. His expression looked extremely pained, but not from the physical kind. His fists were shaking intensely.

"I understand he wants to save Issachar, but that's no reason to risk you.", Jonathan said.

"He's not thinking logically right now. I can see it in his eyes. He's completely driven by anger right now. This anger is so intense it's like it's been building up for some time now it's taken over…", Isabeau replied.

"It's very worrying…he's not like himself at all. Flynn would never want to barter his fellows lives…", Navarre commented.

She couldn't help, but feel concerned for his current mental state. He's already lost his parents now when faced with losing his best friend he might completely lose it.

"I draw!", Flynn said, his draw created a gust of wind so powerful it blew them down.

Flynn

Hand: 6

Around the draw crackled extremely dark energy and angered ghostly howls.

"I activate Pot of Greed allowing me to draw two cards!", Flynn said.

Flynn

Hand: 7

"I activate Foolish Burial allowing me to send a monster from my deck to my graveyard! I choose Plaguespreader Zombie!", Flynn said.

Flynn

Hand: 6

"I summon Zombie Master and I'll use his effect discarding a monster from my hand to special summon a zombie monster from my graveyard! I choose Plaguespreader Zombie!", Flynn said.

Flynn

Hand: 5

Plaguespreader Zombie and Zombie Master looked over to Flynn sweating nervously. His monsters looked extremely concerned to see his current state.

"F-Flynn?!", Plaguespreader questioned.

Flynn simply looked back at the tuner coldly before continuing his plays.

"I shall tune Plaguespreader Zombie with Zombie Master! Ruler of darkness slumbering within the depths! Rise up once more to reclaim your kingdom! Synchro summon! Level 6! Revived King Ha Des!", Flynn chanted.

"Now, he's going to summon Beelze…that nefarious spirit must have taken control of him.", Jonathan said.

"I activate the effect of Plaguespreader Zombie allowing me to special summon it in exchange for returning a card in my hand to the top of my deck.", Flynn said.

Flynn

Hand: 4

"I shall tune Plaguespreader Zombie with Ha Des! Unyielding beast unable to be overcome through sheer might! A fierce storm stirs as the twin headed beast of destruction awakens! Synchro summon! Level 8! Beelze of the Diabolic Dragons!", Flynn chanted.

As the sinister dragon appeared on Flynn's side of the field his dark aura intensified. The glow in his eyes also becoming more intense.

"I will set two cards facedown and end my turn.", Flynn said.

Flynn

Hand: 2

"How interesting it's only your first time, but you're wielding the power of darkness so well. I draw!", Lilith said.

Yuriko

Hand: 6

Isabeau tried to approach Flynn, but his aura only became more chaotic as if it wanted to repel everyone away from him. Despite it she just barely stayed standing wanting to get closer. She could see Flynn's eyes were bland over their crimson glow.

"I activate the effect of Dark Grepher allowing me to discard a level 5 or higher dark monster to special summon him.", Lilith said, discarding Tri-Horned Dragon.

Yuriko

Hand: 4

Dark Grepher

(WARRIOR/DARK/EFFECT/ ATK 1700/ DEF 1600/ LV4)

Effect: You can Special Summon this card (from your hand) by discarding 1 Level 5 or higher DARK monster. Once per turn: You can discard 1 DARK monster; send 1 DARK monster from your Deck to the GY.

"I will activate his effect allowing me to discard a dark monster from my hand to send a dark monster from my deck to the graveyard. I will send Djinn Presider of Rituals.", Lilith said as she revealed the card she discarded to be Djinn Releaser of Rituals.

"Nathan used Releaser to completely lock off Issachar's ability to special summon…this doesn't look good. Flynn…", Isabeau said.

"She's serious now…", Jonathan said.

"Now, that I have exactly three dark monsters in my graveyard I can special summon Dark Armed Dragon.", Lilith said as the other prentices looked nervous.

However Flynn's expression of absolute hate didn't change.

"I summon Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands allowing me to add a ritual monster or spell to my hand. I choose the ritual spell Cycle of the World.", Lilith said.

Cycle of the World

(Ritual Spell)

Effect: This card is used to Ritual Summon "Ruin, Queen of Oblivion" or "Demise, King of Armageddon". You must also Tribute monsters from your field whose total Levels equal or exceed the Level of the Ritual Monster you Ritual Summon. During your Main Phase, except the turn this card was sent to the GY: You can shuffle this card into the Deck; add 1 "End of the World" from your Deck to your hand, then, you can add 1 "Ruin, Queen of Oblivion" or "Demise, King of Armageddon" from your GY to your hand.

"Now, I will sacrifice Djinn Releaser of Rituals, Djinn Presider of Rituals and Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands! The goddess of destruction that heralds the end awakens! Her appearance signals the end of the world! Level 10! Ruin, Supreme Queen of Oblivion!", Lilith chanted.

Yuriko

Hand: 2

Ruin, Supreme Queen of Oblivion

(FAIRY/LIGHT/RITUAL/EFFECT/ ATK 2900/ DEF 3000/ LV10)

Effect: You can Ritual Summon this card with "Cycle of the World". This card's name becomes "Ruin, Queen of Oblivion" while in the hand or on the field. While this Ritual Summoned card is on the field, Ritual Monsters you control cannot be destroyed by card effects. If all monsters used to Ritual Summon this card were Ritual Monsters, it can make a second attack during each Battle Phase. If this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle: You can inflict damage to your opponent equal to that destroyed monster's original ATK.

She summoned the powerful monster in defense mode.

"Since, I used Releaser as material for my ritual summon you can't special summon monsters while my ritual monster is on the field. I activate the effect of Dark Armed Dragon banishing Tri-Horned Dragon to destroy your left facedown. Dark Destruction! Now, I end my turn. So what will you do now?", Lilith said.

Flynn was silent for a moment, dipping his head. This made Lilith smirk.

However, she was suddenly taken aback when Flynn burst into laughter. He raised his head revealing a devilish smile. The shadow cast over his face only further pronouncing his glowing eyes. His fellows were completely horrified seeing such an expression on their leader.

"Is that all you have? After all of that your monsters are still merely cowering before my monster! I'll destroy you quickly! I draw!", Flynn said, stunning his fellows as his draw was just as intense as the previous.

Flynn

Hand: 3

"I activate Zombie World turning all monsters on the field and in the graveyard into zombies!", Flynn said.

Flynn

Hand: 2

The familiar scenery enveloped the area turning all the monsters into zombies.

"I activate Marionette Mite's effect allowing me to discard it and take control of a zombie or fiend monster on your field! I choose Ruin!", Flynn said.

Flynn

Hand: 1

Lilith's eyes widened at how easily her monster was dealt with.

"Now, I will tribute your worthless monster to summon Red-Eyes Zombie Dragon! It only needs on zombie monster as a tribute!", Flynn said.

Flynn

Hand: 0

"Now, I shall attack Dark Grepher with Red-Eyes! Inferno Necro Blast!", Flynn declared.

Even just the attack on her monster blew Lilith back.

Yuriko LP 4000 - 700 = 3300

"His power has completely exceeded our expectations!", Lilith thought.

"I activate the effect of Red-Eyes allowing me to special summon a zombie monster he destroys on my side of the field! Dragonic Domination!", Flynn said.

"He's completely dismantling that insane board…", Navarre commented, sounding absolutely terrified.

"I shall attack Dark Armed Dragon with Beelze! Dual Diabolic Roaring Cannon!", Flynn declared.

The impact of her monster being destroyed by Beelze sent her against the wall.

Yuriko LP 3300 - 200 = 3100

"Now, I attack you directly with your own Dark Grepher!", Flynn declared.

She was slashed across the chest by her own monster. His sword was surrounded by the same dark energy as the one around Flynn. It caused a gaping wound.

Yuriko LP 3100 - 1700 = 1400

The other prentices looked stunned to see Flynn easily reduce Lilith's field to nothing. She was left on the ground severely injured from just his first wave of attacks. As the smoke cleared from Flynn's attacks the smoke only showed a silhouette with a sinister smile. The prentices were completely stunned and honestly terrified. Jonathan stumbled back and Navarre gaped in disbelief. Isabeau sweated nervously unsure of what would happen even if Flynn did win.

At Shinjuku…

"I feel an extremely malicious power…a power that could threaten the entire world…", Odd-Eyes said, sweating nervously and the humans looked terrified.

At Ginza…

Flynn's smirk was far more unsettling than any of his usual ones. His aura briefly formed a dark dragon before returning to normal.

"We must do something. That evil needs to be purged from Flynn quickly or who knows what could happen.", Jonathan said.

Isabeau started approaching Flynn once more.

"I-I draw…", Lilith said after struggling up to her feet.

Yuriko

Hand: 3

"I activate Monster Reborn…allowing me to bring back Ruin in defense mode…then I set a monster facedown…", Lilith said.

Yuriko

Hand: 1

"Pathetic! I draw!", Flynn said, Isabeau struggled to stay in position from yet another intense draw.

Flynn

Hand: 1

"I activate Raigeki destroying your last pathetic attempt at defense!", Flynn declared as a dark cloud swirled over him.

The lightning of Raigeki was now an eerie pitch black as it struck, annihilating Lilith's monsters.

"I shall attack you directly with Dark Grepher!", Flynn declared.

Lilith was struck again by another blow drawing copious amounts of blood. She struggled to heal the wounds like she easily did before.

Yuriko LP 1400 - 1700 = 0

"I shall attack you directly with Red-Eyes! Inferno Necro Blast!", Flynn declared.

Yuriko LP 0 - 2400 = 0

Lilith could hardly move, looking dead already after being hit by Red-Eyes' enhanced fire. Flynn smiled devilishly as he wasn't done ready to declare another attack.

"I shall attack you directly with Beel-", Flynn said, suddenly stopping.

Flynn flinched in surprise when Isabeau grabbed his arm.

"It's over, Flynn! You've won!", Isabeau said.

Flynn growled as his eyes glowed.

"Think Flynn! This is exactly what she wants! She wants you to act like this! Do you think this is what Issachar wants?", Isabeau replied.

"I have to destroy her so she can never harm others again!", Flynn barked, back trying to get his arm loose from her grip, but it failed.

This made Flynn growl more only to be met with a stern gaze.

"Weren't you threatening to kill Jonathan? Your fellow! You're not yourself right now! That's what she wants from you!", Isabeau replied.

Flynn seemed to react to this slightly; she was starting to break through to the real Flynn.

"You can't let her win. If you kill her right now blinded by anger, she will win.", Isabeau said.

Flynn looked over to Lilith who was on the ground injured greatly. There was still that smirk the whole time she had been encouraging him to continue with what he was doing.

"Don't forget you've already beaten her.", Isabeau reminded.

"Does that mean?!", Flynn thought as his eyes widened and the glow vanished.

The darkness around him dwindled around him as he turned off his gauntlet and approached Lilith with Isabeau.

"Where did you transport Issachar?", Flynn questioned.

"…hehe…you think I'll tell you. That duel may have been quick but so are spirits at devouring souls.", Lilith replied as Flynn's eyebrow twitched.

He almost yanked her by the collar again before he remembered Isabeau words. Flynn looked at his hands as the last few minutes came back to him. Before it seemed like a complete blur. He stepped back and Isabeau put a hand on his shoulder.

"What was I doing? Isabeau's right I wasn't myself at all. Was I taken over…?", Flynn thought, as he became pale.

He remembered only seeing red after the spirit approached Issachar.

"If Issachar held out for that long he's safe. Otherwise…I just have to believe in him.", Flynn thought, his eyes widening when he remembered something.

"Wait, Issachar can't be more than eight feet away from me or he'd-", Flynn said.

He looked around in panic.

"I'm calling him, Flynn!", Jonathan said.

Flynn froze as he looked at Jonathan touching his gauntlet screen.

"He's still helping me after threatening him…what was up with me? I'm…", Flynn thought.

Jonathan's eyes widened as he got a visual for a split second of Issachar sweating nervously before something blocked the screen and turned off the call.

"I didn't see any lightning around him. Perhaps Lilith dispelled that magic?", Jonathan said.

"It would make sense considering what she was planning. It looked like someone else cut off the communication so he may be stuck with her allies.", Navarre said.

"That makes sense…", Flynn replied, quietly.

His chest was still full of shame remembering how he had treated his fellows. They rely on him and he…Flynn grabbed Lilith and cuffed her.

"We now have Lilith so we can try to find out everything we can from her after returning her to Mikado. Also…", Flynn said as he looked down ashamed.

His fellows quickly realized what he was thinking.

"I am deeply sorry. Isabeau, Jonathan…I shouldn't have acted like that no matter what she did. I had no right to bet your life, Isabeau or to threaten you, Jonathan.", Flynn said as he bowed.

"We're just glad you're back to normal. We could tell you weren't in your right mind then.", Jonathan assured.

"Even still I shouldn't have lost control…", Flynn replied.

"Everything will be alright, Flynn. We're here for you. We all know how important Issachar is to you so if you need to talk to get the feelings out you can.", Isabeau replied as she held his hand.

Flynn grimaced, not feeling worthy of their assurances or faith. They started making their way out of the underground chamber finding themselves back in the temple. However, an entire army of the Ring awaited them.

"I'm afraid this won't be so easy for you, Samurai. You have all of the Ring to get past.", Lilith said.

"There's no need.", an unfamiliar voice said.

This drew their attention to a male Ring member. He had a rather large stomach and black hair tied up in a bun along with blue eyes. On the center of his head a red dot.

"The rule here in the Ring of Gaea is that the weak or worthless. Considering Lady Yuriko's condition she must have been defeated by you meaning she's weak.", the male Ring member said.

"You…", Lilith said as he narrowed her eyes at him specifically.

"He's correct, those are the laws. Even our founder is not above them. Heh. I really didn't expect the Samurai to attack so quickly though. You blue Samurai really are quite bold.", Kaga said as she walked up.

"The Black Samurai has always been our target. As long as the rest of you don't give us reasons to we won't go after you.", Flynn said.

"So, says the ones who struck first attacking Takuya!", a Ring member called out.

Flynn looked away at the mention of Takuya. He remembered hurting him badly too.

"He was in our way…", Flynn replied.

"It seems under those fancy suits you Samurai are just as cut-throat as the rest of us. You may be let off now, but next time we meet I can't guarantee you'll live through it.", Kaga said, snickering.

Flynn's expression looked calm, but he was still gripped with self-loathing. He messed up hurting Takuya even if he didn't want to he did and he can't take that back. From their perspective they were the aggressors just like the Black Samurai was for them.

"Please believe we didn't want to hurt him so much. Things just happened…", Isabeau replied as she looked away.

Even as they walked past there was massive tension in the room which made Navarre sweat buckets. Jonathan was thinking about the Ring's words as he looked back. He was trying to imagine how they probably looked from their perspective.

"To them we must really look like the bad guys. I wonder if the ritual users in Mikado see us the same way.", Jonathan though as he looked up.

Somewhere…

Issachar's head felt like a garbled mess as his and another's memories floated through his mind. It felt confused on who he or what was; Issachar or Diabolos. He heard someone trying to contact him through his gauntlet and he tried to respond as he sweated. However a foot covered his gauntlet screen before turning it off. Issachar looked up trying to see who it was.

"It seems we meet again, Issachar.", Hikaru said with her hands on her hips and was revealed as the one who stopped the communication.

To be continued…