Aurasoul: Hey everyone! Welcome to another chapter of Yugioh Zexal!
Hotaru: Where have you been?
Aurasoul: A gosh darn cruise with no Internet drove me crazy now I don't own Zexal only my OCs but Antares and Sirius belong to Barian-chan, Shane to Shane Kor, Bakura to 0713MM, and Barian-chan and I share Lyra and also a shout out to MM for helping me with my work so now enjoy the show!
Chapter 21
Yuma opened his eyes and gasped as he and the others in their own signature color mist floated in the space-like dimension.
"Is that Astral World?!" Yuma gaped.
"Way to go Hotaru, Kaito; you guys and V actually got us here. Or well, close enough."
"Indeed; I have to say it was impressive." Astral nodded.
"Yeah the portal was makeshift at best but we managed." Hotaru smirked, in her vermillion mist.
"Though what should we do? We don't exactly know where to exactly go to find Darka." Manami frowned, in her sea blue mist.
Then suddenly, a rainbow like light flashed past them making them gasp.
"What was that?!" Yuma said shocked. Then the light stopped. In front of them appeared Rainbow Kuriboh.
"A Kuriboh?" Astrana said surprised.
"Wait, that isn't just any Kuriboh. It's my Dad's Rainbow Kuriboh!" Yuma gasped.
"Kazuma-sensei's?!" Hotaru and Manami gasped.
"Yuma are you sure?" Kaito questioned in his red mist.
"Sure I'm sure! I know my Dad's monsters when I see it." Yuma replied.
"Kuri kuri." Rainbow Kuriboh squeaked.
"It seems it wishes for us to follow it." Astral noted.
"Wait, if this Rainbow Kuriboh really is Kazuma-sensei's, then it might also mean that he's here too like Darka." Hotaru said.
"We'll if that's the case." Yuma said, facing Rainbow Kuriboh.
"Mind leading the way Rainbow Kuriboh?"
"Kuri!" Rainbow Kuriboh squeaked in reply before flying off.
"Ah! Wait up!" Yuma yelled.
They then began flying after Rainbow Kuriboh as it flew deep within the center.
"Yuma wake up."
Yuma groaned before he slowly opened his eyes and looked to see Astral floating over him.
"Astral what happened?" Yuma asked, rubbing his head.
"We lost conscious when we followed Rainbow Kuriboh." Hotaru spoke up.
Yuma looked around and was surprised to see Hotaru in her Astral being form as she stood with the others as he got up.
"Hotaru you changed." Yuma noted.
"Yeah guess when we got on the planet my body automatically changed in my Astral being form." Hotaru explained before turning to face her half Barian sister.
"How are you feeling Manami?"
"Fine so far. Thankfully my Chaos and Human side are helping." Manami said with a small smile.
"That's good." Hotaru nodded, before looking around while Kaito huffed.
"Come on you guys, no more wasting time here." Kaito told them.
"Darka could be in trouble and I myself do not want to find out what will happen to her while she's here. The sooner we find her the quicker we can get out of here."
Unintentionally and unknowingly, Kaito was clenching his fists. "Easy Kaito. First we gotta figure out our location considering we landed in unknown territory." Hotaru frowned.
"I know you wanna find Darka quickly; we all do. But we have to be cautious."
"Hey Astral, Astrana, do you guys recognize this area?" Yuma asked, looking at the Astral being twins.
The two shook their heads sadly "Unfortunately, we don't have enough of our memories to fully distinguish this area." Astral said.
"Then we walk. Though I still have a bad feeling." Hotaru frowned.
"Me too." Manami began, turning and gasped.
They followed her gaze and gasped seeing the tower like buildings before them.
"Woah! This place is huge!" Yuma gaped.
"Looks like finding Darka is going to be even more difficult." Hotaru sighed.
"Best we get started then." Astrana frowned.
They then began walking when Yuma looked down.
"What's all this?" He questioned. They all looked down as well.
"Plants? There's plant life in Astral World?" Manami asked, surprised.
"Hardly; since they look dead." Hotaru frowned.
"Guess someone forgot to water them." Yuma said, as he kneeled and looked.
"They're practically everywhere."
"Indeed they are." Astral frowned.
Yuma reached down; touching the vines and suddenly they began glowing gold much to their shock as the plants became rejuvenate again and green.
"Woah!" Manami gasped.
"Holy Crimson! What the hell did you do Yuma?!" Hotaru yelled.
"Nothing! I just touched them I swear!" Yuma spoke quickly.
Then suddenly, lightning struck down; heading toward them to their shock. Quickly, Hotaru formed her flames blocking the lightning.
"Woah! What was that?!" Yuma gaped.
Hotaru put out her flames as they looked to see a yellow energy like being standing in front of them.
"You should not be here." The yellow energy being spoke towards the group in a deep/commanding voice.
He glanced at each and every member of the group before continuing."Yuma Tsukumo, Astral, Astrana, Hotaru, and Manami Shinori." He spoke.
"How does he know our names?" Manami gaped, shocked.
"Least he doesn't know Kaito's." Hotaru muttered.
However, upon Hotaru saying that, it was as if a jinx. The yellow energy being turned to face Kaito. The energy being's eyes narrowed to mere slits; as if trying to exert his anger towards the blonde-haired teen. "You're…...You're related to the one that attacked this world! Haruto Tenjo, right?" He questioned.
At the mention of Haruto, a trigger within Kaito went off. He instantly clenched his fists and glared at the energy being before them. "What do you know of Haruto?!" Kaito demanded.
"And more importantly, where's Darka?!"
"Kaito calm down!" Astral frowned.
"That being isn't someone we can take lightly."
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Yuma questioned in shock.
"Darka? Oh I see." The energy being spoke coldly.
"So you came to retrieve Darkalicia. Well that won't happen. You all will be contained."
Then suddenly, dog-like monsters appeared in front of him; making them gasp as they growled. "N-Nice pups!" Yuma began.
"Start running!" Hotaru yelled.
Quickly they turned and began running as the monsters chased after them.
"This can't get any worse!" Yuma yelled.
Then they gasped as they fell off a cliff. "Spoke too soon Yuma!" Hotaru yelled as they fell.
Then suddenly, a rainbow light flashed once again.
Soon they were in a boat that was made of Rainbow Kuriboh.
Lightning crashed down in Barian World as Misael and Durbe stood in the tower. "Are you serious?" Misael questioned.
"Yes. There's no mistake." Durbe confirmed. "I went to those ruins many times since then and saw the sealed memories of Nasch, Merag, and I. Then... I slowly remembered... My memories before I became a Barian. That's right we were indeed humans in the past."
"How can that be?" Misael replied, shocked before he grew wide eyed in realization. "Then... The memories I sensed inside those ruins...!"
Darka flashed in Misael's mind causing him to clutch his hands tightly as Durbe went on. "All of us were revived as Barians after those incidents. And if those legends from the ruins are indeed our memories, then Nasch is..."
The lightning crashed down as Misael realized it as well. "Don't tell me!" He began. "Then does this mean?!"
"Yes within those ruins I had found our Lost One." Durbe nodded. "All this time and we had it all wrong. I will bring back Nasch and Merag now and hopefully our Lost One will follow as well."
"Well this is handy." Yuma spoke, shocked.
"At least we're safe." Manami sighed, relieved.
"Though just who was that?"
"Whoever he is, he obviously knows us and Darka. And the fact he attacked us goes to show he's an enemy." Hotaru frowned.
"Just what the hell is going on in this world?!"
"Thanks for saving us Rainbow Kuriboh." Yuma said.
"Now we just gotta stay clear of-"
Suddenly, the energy being appeared ahead of them; making them gasp. "Guess I spoke too soon!" Yuma yelled.
Rainbow Kuriboh made a quick turnaround. But then the being appeared in front of them once again. "Wait! Wasn't he just behind us a second ago?!" Yuma yelled shocked.
Rainbow Kuriboh turned again. "Try all around us!" Hotaru yelled, seeing as they were now surrounded.
"He's gonna get us!" Yuma yelled, as the being reached for them.
Then suddenly, Rainbow Kuriboh glowed before disappearing with them underwater as a bubble. "Holy Crimson!" Hotaru gaped.
"Rainbow Kuriboh you are incredible!" Yuma grinned.
"Incredible is right." Astrana agreed, stunned.
"He shouldn't be able to find us down here." Manami said.
"I wouldn't be so sure." Astral frowned.
"Oh come on. Astral there's no way-" Yuma began.
Suddenly, the being appeared in front of them once again. "Seriously?!" Yuma and Hotaru gaped, shocked.
The being's eyes glowed as it launched tentacles at the boat; shattering Rainbow Kuriboh's bubble to their shock Yuma, Kaito, Hotaru, Astral, and Astrana quickly covered their mouths as Manami, the only one who could breathe underwater, gasped as the being came after them. Rainbow Kuriboh appeared in front of them again' spewing out a smokescreen before leading them away until reaching an underground cave where they surfaced for air. "Baaah! Too close!" Yuma panted, as they all swam to the edge and sat down catching their breath.
"That's for sure." Hotaru agreed, panting.
"This is getting old fast, and we're nowhere near close to finding Darka." Kaito panted.
Hotaru formed, a small fire to warm their bodies while Rainbow Kuriboh watched them.
"Though we are lucky that Rainbow Kuriboh was with us." Astrana said, looking at said monster.
"Yes. It's thanks to it that we managed to get away." Astral nodded.
"Yeah a boat, a bubble, smokescreen." Yuma listed.
"Now if only it could lead us to Darka." Hotaru sighed as she squeezed water out of her hair.
Then suddenly Rainbow Kuriboh's eyes glowed shining a light making them look up and they gasped seeing Kazuma.
"Hey Yuma." He smiled.
"It's my Dad!" Yuma gasped.
"Kazuma-sensei!" Hotaru and Manami gasped.
"No doubt Hotaru, Manami, Astral, and Astrana are with you as well, so listen carefully. You must know that Darka is in danger." Kazuma spoke.
"The Guardian of this world has passed judgement onto her. As a result, he is going against not only the Sages, but to the Giver of Life as well."
"The Giver of Life?!" Manami gasped.
"So then the Sages Nyx and Bakura truly are helping Darka in the Giver of Life's name." Astral frowned.
"But why Darka?"
"It seems Darka is connected to the Giver of Life and her disappearance 22 years ago. Even more reason for you to hurry and save her." Kazuma continued.
"Darka is connected to the Giver of Life's disappearance?! This doesn't make any sense!" Hotaru frowned, slightly frustrated.
"But you must be careful as well. The Guardian has also deemed Astral and Astrana, a danger/traitors to the people here. As such they will be erased if caught." Kazuma frowned.
They gasped looking at Astral and Astrana shocked as the two grew wide eyed. "No way! I mean they were the ones that sent Astral and Astrana to Earth! Now that thing is gonna try to erase them?!" Yuma gaped, shocked.
"That's not gonna happen!" Kaito spoke up, determination in his voice.
"Not on my watch!"
"Aw he does care." Hotaru smirked, Kaito felt his face turn red when Hotaru said that.
"Rainbow Kuriboh will guide you all to where Darka is. Be safe; I'm counting on you all." Kazuma spoke with a smile.
"You're the only ones that can save her."
And with that, Kazuma's image disappeared. Rainbow Kuriboh then turned to face them.
"Well guess we have our guide. Let's go!" Yuma grinned.
They nodded as they followed Rainbow Kuriboh. As they did, Astrana floated to Kaito's side. "Kaito what you said back there." She began, before closing her eyes with a smile.
"Thank you. Me and my brother are glad you're one of our friends."
Kaito turned to face Astrana. He too, smiled, even if it was a light one. "Don't worry about it." Kaito told the female Astral being.
Shark sat in Rio's hospital room looking at her with a frown. "Rio, during that accident, did we really lose our lives"? He wondered.
"But you and I are both here right now".
Shark then remembered the crest. Why would the crest of the legend of the ruins be at our home? I just don't get it." He frowned.
Shark closed his eyes as the memories of his childhood and the ruins began overlapping as he opened his eyes again. "Just what on earth is going on"-
Then Shark looked and gasped standing from his seat to suddenly see a familiar face. "You! You're Durbe! Why are you here"?! He demanded.
"Ryoga… No… Nasch it's time for your awakening"! Durbe said.
Soon they managed to get back on the surface.
"Ok we're above." Hotaru noted.
"Since Rainbow Kuriboh is with us, that means we can summon Duel Monsters. So..."
Hotaru put on her duel disk; activating it.
"Come forth Phoenix!"
At once in a blaze, Millennium Blazing Phoenix appeared with a screech. "We can Summon out other monsters." Hotaru added.
"Ah sweet!" Yuma grinned as he got on Phoenix.
The others got on as Hotaru allowed her wings to appear they then flew off; following Rainbow Kuriboh.
"We'll be able to get to Darka in no time!" Yuma grinned.
"Let us hope so." Kaito added.
But then suddenly, bird-like monsters appeared before them to their shock. The bird-like monsters flew towards them. They screeched while flying; and thus, hitting Hotaru and Phoenix.
"Aaah!" Hotaru cried out as Phoenix screeched.
Then one of the birds damaged Phoenix's wings, making it screech in pain and fall. "Guys!" Hotaru gasped.
Luckily, Phoenix managed to cushion their fall before it disappeared. "Stopping us again." Astral frowned, as the being once again appeared.
"You will leave willingly, or by force." The energy being told the group.
Kaito stood up and glared at the energy being. "Not a chance!" Kaito snapped.
"If you allow us to get Darka back, then will leave!"
"As I said, you will never go to Darkalicia." The being said coldly.
"Oh yeah?" Kaito shot back.
"Well sorry, but I'm getting my girlfriend back! With, or without your cooperation!"
"Spoken like a true Shinori. We'll make one out of you yet Kaito." Hotaru smirked.
At this, the energy being huffed in irritation. "Hmph as you wish then." He said.
With that, lightning began shooting down toward them; causing them to quickly run."This guy doesn't want us around thats for sure!" Yuma yelled as they ran.
"Well too bad for him, we're not going anywhere!" Hotaru yelled.
"Now till we get Darka and figure out what the hell is going on!"
Then as they reached a bridge. The lightning struck, destroying it; causing them to gasp and scream as they fall.
Yuma groaned opening his eyes before he gasped.
"Guys!" He called.
"We're here Yuma." Yuma looked to see the others up and beginning to stand Rainbow Kuriboh above him as he began to stand up. "Where are we?" He questioned.
"We don't know. When we awoke we were here." Astral explained.
"Kinda looks like a church." Manami noted softly, looking around.
"Though how did we get here?" Hotaru questioned with a frown.
"We have brought you here. Do not worry; here you can rest and hide from you are ready to go finish your mission."
A sphere of light appeared before they before becoming a female Astral being standing before them.
"Who are you?" Yuma gasped.
"I am Ena." She spoke.
"Ena were you the one that saved us and brought us here?" Astral questioned.
"I am, but you must also thank the ones who had sensed your arrival." Ena told them.
Then two more spheres of light appeared forming as Megumi and Isamu. They were shocked to see cracks on their faces. Though Hotaru and Manami gasped in shock.
"Hello. We have been expecting you." Megumi said with a kind smile.
"Huh? Who are you?" Yuma began.
But swiftly Hotaru grabbed Yuma getting him to kneel making him yelp.
"Show some respect Yuma! You too Kaito!" She hissed, looking at Kaito as Manami kneeled as well.
"Kneel dammit!"
"Wait huh? Why do we?" Yuma began.
"Yuma that's the Queen and Prince of Astral World!" Manami hissed.
"Eh?!" Yuma gaped, shocked.
"Oh please; there is no need to kneel." Isamu said.
"After all, we have been expecting your arrival Yuma Tsukumo, Astral, Astrana, Hotaru, and Manami Shinori."
"Though we are quite surprised to see you here Kaito Tenjo." Megumi remarked, facing Kaito.
Kaito turned to face Megumi and he released a huff, not wanting to reveal too much about his feelings.
"I'm here to get Darka back as much as these guy do." Kaito replied while gesturing to the others within the group.
"I see." Megumi said with a small smile.
"Well it's best we introduce ourselves I am. Megumi, Queen of Astral World."
"And I am Isamu, Prince of Astral World." Isamu said with a bow, before standing and facing Astral and Astrana.
"And it is good to see you two again; Astral and Astrana."
The two grew wide eyed as Astral then spoke. "Prince Isamu, if I may ask, what has happened to you and Queen Megumi?" He questioned.
"It is the same to us as the others." Isamu frowned.
"Others?" Yuma questioned.
Then more spheres of light appeared; forming as other Astral Beings. "Each of them are inhabitants of this World that have become tragically ill." Megumi frowned sadly.
"Ill?" Astrana asked, shocked.
"Yes; their life force weakens with each breath they take." Ena said.
"Isn't there anyway to help them?!" Yuma questioned.
"Yes, but do so, you must simply touch them." Ena explained, looking at Yuma along with Hotaru and Manami.
"Touch them?" Hotaru questioned, before she gasped remembering how Yuma restored the plant life near the water.
"Could it be that simple?"
"Indeed. Please, one of you share your life force with this boy; he needs you." Ena said, as a young Astral being stepped forward putting out his hand showing even more cracks.
Yuma walked forward, kneeling in front of the boy and carefully touched his hand and then a bright gold glow shined making them gasp as the Astral Being was then healed the cracks gone from his body.
"How did I do that?" Yuma said, stunned.
"Chaos. That was Chaos isn't it?" Manami said, shocked.
"Indeed. The same Chaos that no longer exist in this World." Ena nodded.
"Yes. I recall hearing of this when Darka read to us the Shinori history." Astral said.
"The Will of Astral World saw Chaos as dangerous. Saying it was weakening this World. The Giver of Life disagreed and wished to find another way of the reason of the weakening of Astral World."
"But the Will refused to wait seeing as how Astral World was weakened. As a result, the Giver of Life removed the Chaos of Astral World and formed Barian World." Astrana explained.
"Yes; one of our biggest mistakes to have made." Megumi frowned.
"By purging ourselves of Chaos, we lost part of ourselves in the process and now this world is Suffering; even more than it already has."
"Mother you should not blame yourself. You nor Father knew this would happen." Isamu frowned.
"Maybe so, but it still doesn't change the fact that because of our decision, not only is this World in danger; but Barian World and Earth as well. That is why you all must hurry to Darkalicia-sama before it is too late." Megumi frowned, turning to face the others.
"Sama?" Manami questioned, surprised.
"Ok now I'm really confused. What does that thing, Eliphas was his name, want with Darka? And how is she connected to the Giver of Life's disappearance 22 years ago?" Hotaru questioned.
"Your questions will be answered soon enough."
They turned and were shocked to see Bakura walking toward them in his Barian form. "It's you!" Yuma gaped while Bakura bowed.
"I knew you would find a way to come here." He said, before standing back up to his full height.
He then walked towards Manami, reaching in his sleeve to get out a necklace that held a purple crystal. "Wear this; it will allow you to be in your Barian form with no pain." He continued.
"What?" Manami gaped, shocked.
"This is known as a Harmonic Crystal created by the Giver of Life. It helps Barians turn to their Barian forms here." He explained, showing his own under his robes.
Manami grew wide eyed taking the necklace before putting it on at once she glowed transforming to her Barian form; making them gasp. Bakura only nodded upon seeing the transformation.
"There is a hidden entrance here that will lead you straight to Darkalicia-sama, Nyx is there watching over her healing. You must-"
"Ugh."
They looked and gasped to see Nyx coming out of an entrance injured as she dropped to her knees. "Nyx!" Bakura gasped, rushing to his fellow Sage.
"Nyx what happened to you?" Megumi questioned, kneeling to Nyx.
"Eliphas… He's going completely AWOL! He's planning on disrupting Darkalicia-sama's healing…!" Nyx winced.
"Oh no! He's made his move already." Megumi said, horrified.
"Indeed." Bakura grimaced, standing to face the others.
"Come. I'll lead you to her, but we must hurry."
"You don't have to tell us twice." Astrana frowned.
"Let's get going!" Yuma yelled.
"I'm coming too! That damn Eliphas is gonna get a piece of my mind!" Nyx growled, standing up.
They quickly then ran through the door; heading upstairs before lifting a stone from the floor as they stepped up.
"Kuri kuri!" Rainbow Kuriboh squeaked, motioning toward the tallest of the towers.
"Darkalicia-sama is at that tower. Come." Bakura told them.
They quickly ran; going to the tower and going up the spiral stairs reaching a tall stairway as they ran to the top panting."We.. Finally reached the top..." Yuma panted; almost out of breath.
"Darka!" Astrana suddenly gasped.
They looked up and gasped to see Darka in a crystal on a shrine of sorts with a replica of the Empress's Key hung above. Darka looked to be unconscious in the crystal; her coat gone with her locket hanging as if in midair in the crystal around her neck. Her blouse slightly torn to show her injury of a large cracked gash, even slight cracks along her body around the injury as it glowed silver.
"Darka!" Kaito yelled, rushing to her, with Astrana closely behind him.
"Finally found her." Hotaru said with a soft smile.
Astrana touched the crystal tears of relief in her eyes before she gasp seeing the wound as the others followed to them. "We placed Darkalicia-sama in a stasis in the crystal in order to heal her." Nyx said.
"A stasis?" Astrana questioned, shocked.
"That injury is like poison; it is slowly spreading within Darkalicia-sama's body to kill her. We placed her in that crystal in order to stop it and to heal her." Nyx explained.
"But the healing has been slow and…"
"And what?" Kaito suddenly snapped.
"To put it simply, the healing process should be done. But something is stopping it, or more like as if she can't finish her healing. We're not sure." Nyx frowned.
Kaito huffed in slight irritation upon hearing that. "Then me and Manami will take over for her healing. We're top notch healers." Hotaru said.
"Yeah we'll get her out of the crystal and-" Manami began.
"You're not going anywhere."
They gasped, turning to see the being. "You're!" Yuma gasped.
"My name is Eliphas. I am the Will to Astral World." Eliphas spoke, the energy from his body gone to show his true self.
"Yeah well listen up, Darka is coming back with us!" Yuma yelled.
"No she is not. For you see Darkalicia was born for a much greater purpose than any of you can ever fathom." Eliphas explained.
"And if she stays with you, she will only be corrupted once more just like with what you've done to Astral and Astrana."
"Corrupt? Explain yourself." Astral frowned.
"Very well. You and Astrana were given a twin purpose. To destroy Barian World and to guide our World to its Destiny of evolving its power." Eliphas explained.
"And to do so, you two had to remain pure. But not only has the Chaos Energy of these people tainted you two, but you have become traitors to this World for working with Barians; such as the Barian Guardians."
"The Barian Guardians do not wish for war between their World and Astral World! They wish to show the Barian Emperors that we can all coexist together just as the Giver of Life had planned for." Astrana frowned.
"We are merely following the Will of the Successor to our Creator."
"The Giver of Life." Eliphas frowned.
"She was foolish to believe something like that and now she has paid the price for her foolishness."
"What do you mean? You make it sound like she's here right now." Hotaru frowned.
"That is because she is." Eliphas glared, motioning to Darka.
"For she is here Darkalicia the Second Giver of Life. The same who had supposedly disappeared 22 years ago!"
The others gasped in shock at this. "Darka is the Giver of Life?!" Yuma gaped while Kaito only glared at Eliphas.
"Cut the crap! There's no way she can be the Giver of Life!" Hotaru snarled.
"It's impossible! Darka was originally born a human before gaining her powers and she doesn't even have memories of her past life! If she was the Giver of Life, her memories would still be there." Manami retorted.
"True that is a fact, but the lost of her memories were by your faults, Queen Manami of the United Lands of the Poseidon Ocean and Fire, Guardian of Umbra Patriae." Eliphas said with a frown.
Hotaru and Manami paled while Yuma looked at them. "Wait Guardian? You mean like Number 65 told us in the ruins? And what does he mean Queen?" He questioned.
"5000 years ago, these two were once a Queen and Guardian who worked with the Barian Emperors back when they were human. Darkalicia knew of this and when upon reincarnating herself decided to reincarnate them alongside her. But as a result of doing so, the process was disrupted and she lost her memories because of them." Eliphas explained in a cold manner.
The two flinched, as if they were slapped by Eliphas himself. So then the memories. Hotaru thought horrified.
Are real. Manami thought shocked.
"Because of you all, we have lost 3 of our saviors. But I can change that." Eliphas told them.
"I shall rid Darkalicia of her memories of her life on Earth, along with-"
"Shut your mouth!" Kaito interjected. Eliphas stopped cold in what he was saying and turned to glare at Kaito.
"Excuse me?" Eliphas snarled as Kaito glared back at Eliphas just as hard.
"That's not gonna happen." Kaito replied coldly.
"Daka doesn't need to be changed because of your petty views on the Barians. Not all of them are bad you know. But you claim that Barians are all bad and must be erased. You think of them as some disease has to be eradicated. Even one as such as me that doesn't like them, I find that to be the most disgusting thing I've ever heard."
"Yeah! I mean here's one of the kindest Barians you'll meet in your life!" Yuma yelled, motioning to Manami.
"Eliphas, to do something like this goes against Darkalicia-sama's Will, along with the Gods. It is an act of betrayal." Bakura stated.
But lightning was shot down hitting Bakura."AHHH!" He cried out falling to his knees.
"Bakura!" Nyx gasped.
"You dare speak of betrayal when your existence is one Sage. I will never understand the reason for the Original Giver of Life's reasoning for creating you alongside Nyx, but it was a mistake on her part. As well as giving Darkalicia the idea of Astral Beings and Barians can coexist. Once I rid of her memories, she shall be the Leader to our goal and the defeat of the Barians!" Eliphas declared, looking at Astral and Astrana.
"Not only that, but I will also take you two back as well!"
"Now hold on! Just because Astral and Astrana changed a bit because of me and Darka doesn't mean they have to be erased!" Yuma argued back.
"All the days the four of us laughed together, cried together, argued together, and especially when we duel together! We all changed because of each other! To me, Astral is a part of me; while Astrana is a part of Darka! And me and Darka are like a part of them!"
"Not only that, but Darka has been the biggest and greatest influence to all of us." Hotaru added, motioning to Kaito.
"This one especially."
Kaito felt his face heat up again when Hotaru mentioned him and Darka in her sentence. "You dare do anything to her and you'll not only have us to deal with, but all our friends and family who care about Darka just as much as we do!" Manami scowled.
"Hmph. It doesn't matter what any of you do. Darkalicia is a being high above all of you and her Fate is sealed." Eliphas frowned.
"It has been sealed the moment she was chosen 5000 years ago to be the Successor to the previous Giver of Life. As such, I will not let her leave this World."
Yuma was about challenge Eliphas for the freedom of Darka, but Kaito intervened and stepped forward; as if knowing what Yuma was thinking and was about to say.
"Then let's duel for Darka's freedom Eliphas!" Kaito declared.
Eliphas stared at Kaito with dual-colored eyes for several moments. "You duel me?" Eliphas questioned.
"Hold on Kaito; I was gonna duel him!" Yuma yelled.
"Stay out of this Yuma!" Kaito shot back.
"Getting Darka back is my problem! I myself cannot allow Eliphas to do what he wants with Darka! Despite what he said about her, he crossed a line that one does not cross. I'm sure Manami and Hotaru feel the same way I do right now."
"Damn straight!" Hotaru growled, Manami nodding in agreement.
"It's best you let him Yuma." Astral said.
"Yeah." Yuma nodded with a gulp.
"Oh? And pray tell what line had I crossed?" Eliphas asked.
Kaito folded his arms over his chest. "It's quite simple Eliphas." Kaito retorted.
"You said that Darka's memories of her time on Earth should be erased. If that were to happen, then she wouldn't remember me, nor her other friends. But it seems you don't care about that. You only want to use her for your selfish ways."
Kaito pointed his right index finger at Eliphas. "And for that I cannot accept!" He activated his half crescent moon-like duel disk.
"Are you prepared to repent Eliphas? My Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon will make sure of that!"
Galaxy Eyes? He couldn't mean. Eliphas thought.
"Do not think I shall allow you to do this alone Kaito."
Astrana stepped forward; reverting to her human form forming her duel disk her eyes cold as ice with deep anger. "Eliphas has pushed my limit. And daring to do something to Darka was his mistake." She said coldly.
Eliphas glanced from Kaito to Astrana. His glare at Astrana was even colder than his glare at Kaito. "You dare fight against your own kind just to save Darkalicia from her original purpose Astrana?" Eliphas asked coldy.
He closed his eyes, then opened them again. "Very well. But should you 2 lose…" Eliphas points his right index finger at the 2 daring to oppose him.
"Not only will Darkalicia lose all of her memories as a human, but all of your Numbers will be stripped from you! Is that clear?"
"What?!" Yuma gaped, shocked.
"But the Numbers are Astral's and Astrana's memories!" Manami gasped.
"I see. So you plan to wipe their memories clean off too; Astral and Astrana along with the humans." Nyx glared.
They gasped; facing Nyx as Eliphas glared at Nyx. "That is correct. Darkalicia's existence shouldn't even be known to ordinary humans such as the ones who have tainted her, along with Astral and Astrana. That is why they too shall forget her." He spoke coldly.
"Lose our memories of Darka?" Manami asked, horrified.
"That's going too far you bastard!" Hotaru snarled.
"It does not matter what you think." Eliphas replied coldly.
"It will come to pass."
"I don't think so!" Kaito countered before he glanced at Astrana.
"Ready?"
"Of course." Astrana nodded, as her duel disk formed on her wrist.
"Eliphas, you claim that doing all this will help our World. But we will prove how wrong you are!"
"We shall see." Eliphas replied coldly as his duel disk appeared.
Kaito did his Photon Transformation. Shortly after, the Augmented Reality Link established itself. All 3 duelists had drawn their 5 card starting hands.
"Let's duel!"
"Since this will be a 2 vs 1 duel, I shall have double the LP of 8000, while you 2 have 4000." Eliphas told them.
"Fine. I'll go first draw!" Astrana said.
"I Normal Summon Light Sage in ATK mode!"
A man with spikish black hair with crimson eyes appeared on the field wearing white spellcaster robes with gold lines.
Light Sage
Level: 4
Atk Points: 1500
Def Points: 700
"When Light Sage is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon another Sage monster from my hand. I Special Summon Sea Sage!" Astrana declared.
A man with longish dark blue hair and sea blue eyes appeared next to Light Sage wearing blue spellcaster robes with black lines.
Sea Sage
Level: 4
Atk Points: 1700
Def Points: 1000
When Sea Sage is Special Summoned, I can add a Spell card from my deck to my hand." Astrana said, as she added a card from her deck to her hand.
"Sweet! Now she has two level four monsters." Yuma grinned.
"I overlay Level 4 Light and Sea Sage!" Astrana announced, Light Sage being enveloped by yellow mist and Sea Sage being enveloped by blue mist going to the Overlay Network.
"With these two monsters I build the Overlay Network! Xyz summon, Bloom Number 38! Allow this enchantress to spread her wonder of magic! Rose Enchantress!"
And in a gust of petal wind Rose Enchantress appeared on the field.
Number 38: Rose Enchantress
Rank: 4
Atk Points: 2600
Def Points: 2000
"So that is the Number created by you and Darkalicia. What a disgrace." Eliphas frowned.
"Rose Enchantress is the symbol of mine and Darka's courage! She has helped us through good times and bad. Helped us pull through the worst situations in a duel! She is the very foundation of our friendship! So I suggest watching what you say about Rose Enchantress." Astrana frowned.
"And know this Eliphas, Darka's original purpose is to form peace between Astral World and Barian World. Don't mix your delusions with her righteous goal. I set a card facedown and end my turn."
Eliphas just scowled at Astrana's words,"Say what you want, but this "bond" you speak of is pointless. You cannot stop Darkalicia's Fate!" Eliphas told them coldy.
"It's my turn you 2; I draw!"
Eliphas drew his 6th card and observed it. He then looked over the cards in his hand carefully before thinking of a strategy in mind. He then pulled card out of his hand and revealed it to them."Since you control a monster while I don't, I can Special Summon New Order Magician from my hand!" Eliphas declared.
Upon doing so, a magician wearing a cloak with several symbols on it. The magician held its staff upright.
(New Order Magician, Level 4, attribute: LIGHT, type; Spellcaster, ATK/DEF: 1800/1000.)
"New Order?" Yuma questioned.
"I never seen a monster like that before." Hotaru frowned.
"This is my Deck." Eliphas told them while Kaito just scowled at Eliphas's explanation.
"'New Order'?" Please." Kaito retorted, Eliphas then glared at Kaito.
"You should not underestimate what you don't understand." Eliphas told the blonde teen.
"Speaking of which, I activate my monster's effect. When it's Special Summoned by its own effect, I can add 1 New Order Spell/Trap card from my Deck to my hand. And I choose the Field Spell New Order Palace!"
A card slipped itself out of his Deck, and thus he pulled out of Deck and to his hand. "A Field Spell." Astrana frowned.
"That's correct.' Eliphas replied.
"And now I shall activate it!"
Upon inserting the card into the Field Spell Zone of his duel disk, the background of the area turned into that of the inside of a palace. Kaito observed their new surroundings, not really impressed. "Nice palace." Kaito told the Will of Astral World sarcastically.
"If you're trying to impress me you failed miserably."
"Kaito be cautious; this field isn't just for show." Astrana frowned.
Kaito glanced at Astrana and only nodded, then turned back to Eliphas. "Astrana is correct." Eliphas replied.
"This Field Spell is for more than just a show. But you'll find that out soon. Next, I shall Normal Summon New Order Swordsman from my hand!"
A yellow armored warrior appeared onto Eliphas's field and next to the Magician.
(New Order Swordsman, Level 4, attribute: LIGHT, type: Warrior, ATK/DEF: 1900/1800.)
Eliphas continued as a card ejected itself out of his deck and he added it to his hand. "And when my Swordsman is Summoned, I can add a New Order card from my Deck to my hand. Such as my New Order Draw Spell card!" He spoke.
"Seriously?" Yuma groaned.
"And Eliphas isn't even done." Astral added with a frown.
"Correct Astral." Eliphas replied, as he raised his right arm up.
"I now overlay my Level 4 Swordsman and Magician!"
The 2 Level 4 monsters turned into yellow mist and flew upward and towards the center of his field. "With these 2 monster I build the Overlay Network and Xyz Summon! Appear New Orders 4! Etheric Anubis!"
The Overlay Network exploded similarly to that of a Number monster when it's Xyz Summoned. But instead of a Number, the symbol of Etheric Anubis flashed brightly before them and small beast-like creature appeared onto the field with 2 Overlay Units spinning around it.
(New Orders 4 Etheric Anubis, Rank 4, attribute: LIGHT, type: Beast/Xyz, ATK/DEF: 1000. Xyz Materials: 2.)
At the sight of the Xyz monster, Kaito stared at it while Yuma was puzzled. "Ehhhhhh? Why would he give up 2 monsters that had more ATK than that monster?" Yuma wondered aloud.
Nyx glanced at Yuma and scowled. "Hmph; just watch boy. Eliphas is starting up his favorite strategy." Nyx frowned.
Kaito then looked at the field spell. "It's glowing." He noted.
"As well as Eliphas's deck."
A Counter appeared on the palace wall as Eliphas drew another card from the deck; putting his hand back to 6."Whenever I Xyz Summon a New Orders Xyz monster, not only does my field gain 1 New Order Counter, but I get to draw a card from my deck." Eliphas explained.
He grabbed 3 cards from his hand placed them into the Spell/Trap card Zones of his duel disks.
"I Set 3 cards and end my turn."
The 3 cards appeared onto his field.
Kaito put his right hand atop his Deck, a small smile appeared on his lips."Your Xyz monster does not scare me." Kaito told Eliphas.
"Now time to for you understand why I'm the Number Hunter and why I'm feared! Here I go! I draw!"
Kaito drew his 6th card and added it to his hand. He grinned when he saw his hand. Perfect! Kaito thought.
With this, I can do some serious damage to his game!
"How ironic that I have a monster similar to your Magician." Kaito told Eliphas.
"Except unlike yours, I Special Summon it from my regardless if you control monsters or not! Now come! Photon Thrasher!"
A blue and grey armored warrior appeared on Kaito's field wielding his sword.
(Photon Thrasher, Level 4, attribute; LIGHT, type: Warrior, ATK/DEF: 2100/0.)
Eliphas stared at the monster. However, Kaito was not finished. To prove this, he grabbed another card from his hand. "Next since I control a Photon monster, I can Special Photon Advancer from my hand!"
A blue armored warrior appeared onto Kaito's field next to Thrasher. This warrior however, did not hold any weapon. It used its fists for combat instead.
(Photon Advancer, Level 4, attribute; LIGHT, type: Warrior, ATK/DEF: 2000/1000 (Originally 1000 ATK.)
Yuma grinned seeing the 2 monsters."Two monsters with at least 2000 attack points." Astral remarked.
"Here it comes!" Yuma grinned.
However, Kaito did something else entirely. Instead of tributing his 2 monsters for Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon, like Yuma and Astral were hoping would happen, Kaito raised his right arm upwards.
"I overlay my Level 4 Photon Thrasher and Advancer!" Kaito declared.
When he did this, Yuma sweatdropped. "Ehhhhhh?!" He gaped.
"Why do that? He could have Summoned Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon right there just now!"
Eliphas just watched as the 2 monsters turned into yellow mist and flew upwards into the air. "With these 2 monster I build the Overlay Network and Xyz Summon! Appear Lord of the Galaxy! Starliege Lord Galaxion!" Kaito yelled.
The Overlay Network exploded and out came an armored warrior holding a sword. Its armor seemed to be made out of space particles.
(Starliege Lord Galaxion, Rank 4, type: Warrior/Xyz, attribute: LIGHT, ATK/DEF: 2000/2100. Xyz materials: 2.)
"Oh he's going all out! Nice!" Hotaru grinned.
Kaito thrusted his right arm forward. "But I'm not done yet!" He declared.
"Now by using both of Starliege's overlay units, I can Special Summon 1 Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon from my Deck!"
Despite Eliphas's calmness so far, he was quite surprised by that effect. Once he heard the dragon's name however, he scowled. "So….Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon shall emerge…" Eliphas noted, seemingly not impressed.
"Wait, it can't be the same could it?" Nyx whispered to Bakura.
"We'll see." Bakura whispered back.
Kaito grabbed the Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon card that slipped itself out of his deck and placed it into his hand. As he did so, the tailpiece appeared in his arm, representing Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon itself. Kaito then threw the tailpiece part of his dragon into the air as he began to chant. "Here comes the monster more savage than a supernova! With a cataclysmic force of ten black holes put together! A cosmic scourge that vaporizes anything in its path: Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!"
The tailpiece exploded, and out came Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon. Its galaxy-like eyes flashed a bright blue, as did its wings and dark blue scaled body. Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon roared towards Eliphas's direction of the field.
(Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon, type: Dragon, attribute; LIGHT, Level 8, ATK/DEF: 3000/2500.)
"Is it just me, or does Galaxy Eyes seem mad?" Manami paled.
"I wouldn't be surprised if she was. She must've heard what Eliphas plans to do to Darka. Like Tamer; like Dragon." Hotaru said.
"Plus, if both of Kaito's attacks succeed, he'll be able to deal 4000 points of damage to Eliphas." Yuma calculated, Astral just closed his eyes and sighed.
"Yuma, brute force doesn't always win duels." Astral spoke as he re-opened his eyes.
"I'm sure Kaito himself knows that. That's why I predict he'll attack with Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon first."
Nyx looked stunned by the presence of Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon. "It really is Galaxy Eyes... Just who is this human?" She wondered in a whisper.
"Someone who is gifted." Bakura replied in a whispering tone.
"Kaito, I take it you have a plan?" Astrana asked, Kaito glanced towards Astrana and nodded. His lips formed a sly smile.
"Of course I do Astrana." Kaito responded. "I wouldn't be the duelist I am now if I had little to no strategy would I?"
Astrana gave a light chuckle. "I suppose not." She remarked, before glaring coldly in Eliphas's direction.
"Now let's teach Eliphas a lesson for thinking he can make Darka his little puppet."
Eliphas glared back at Astrana and frowned deeply. "Says the traitor." Eliphas remarked.
Kaito thrusted his right arm forward. "Oh, I intend to teach Eliphas a lesson Astrana!" Kaito retorted.
"Now go Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon! Attack New Orders 4 Etheric Anubis with Photon Stream of Destruction!"
And Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon did just that. It unleashed a galactic stream of energy towards the Xyz monster. "Alright!" Yuma fist pumped. "With that, Eliphas will take 2000 points of damage!"
"Don't be so sure Yuma." Astral told his human friend.
"There's a reason behind Kaito attacking with his dragon first."
Eliphas watched as the attack from Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon came spiraling towards his monster. He just chuckled to himself. "Despite Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon's strength, you've only damaged yourself." Eliphas retorted.
"To prove this, I activate the trap card Mysterious Mirror! Not only is my monster not destroyed in battle and I don't take any damage from said battle, but you take the damage I should've taken!"
Galaxy-Eyes's Photon Stream of Destruction hit the mirror that appeared in from of Anubis. However, just as the mirror was gonna reflect the damage at Kaito, Kaito began to laugh. This confused Eliphas. "What's so funny boy?" Eliphas asked sharply.
Yuma and Astral glanced at each other and grinned. They knew full well what Kaito was laughing about. Kaito stopped laughing and grinned.
"Simple Eliphas." Kaito replied. "I activate the effect of Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon! When this card battles against an opponent's monster, it banishes itself and the opponent's monster!"
Both the Photon Dragon and Anubis vanished from the field. Along with both of Anubis's overlay units going to the Graveyard. Eliphas gaped in surprise.
"What?" He questioned.
"Which means with you now defenseless, my Starliege Lord Galaxion can strike you down a notch!" Kaito declared.
However, something caught Kaito's eye. Eliphas had added a card from his Deck to his hand.
"Hey, how did you do that?" He questioned.
"Simple Kaito." Eliphas retorted.
"When my Swordsman hit the Graveyard, it allowed me to add 1 Rank-Up-Magic Spell card from my Deck to my hand. Such as my Rank-Up-Magic New Order Force!"
Kaito scowled at that. "So what if you got another card in your hand? You can't stop my Starliege Lord Galaxion's attack!" Kaito countered.
"Now go my Lord Galaxion! Attack Eliphas directly!"
The galactic warrior leapt forward towards Eliphas; sword raised up and ready to slash Eliphas for the damage. However, Eliphas seemed to have little to no concern written on his face regarding Kaito's attack at him directly. He's unfazed...? Unless...! Astrana thought; gasping.
Eliphas's frown deepened even more. A hint of disapproval on his face. "Foolish Kaito!" Eliphas countered.
"I saw right through your Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon's effect! And because I have, I'm allowed to activate the effect of my New Order Defender in my hand!"
An armored warrior appeared out of the card Eliphas revealed and onto Eliphas's field in DEF mode. The warrior raised its sword up and blocked Lord Galaxion's attack.
(New Order Defender, Level 4, type: Warrior, attribute: LIGHT, ATK/DEF: 1000/2400.)
"What?!" Kaito gaped in surprise.
"You gotta be kidding!" Yuma gaped.
Kaito clenched his teeth, slightly frustrated that his attempt to damage the Will of Astral World failed. Then again, Eliphas was no ordinary duelist. "Since the Battle Phase is over, both Anubis and Galaxy-Eyes return to the field." Kaito spoke up.
"And since that's the case, for every overlay unit Anubis lost, Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon gains 500 ATK! Since Anubis lost 2 overlay units, Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon gains 1000 ATK."
Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon roared as it absorbed the ghostly forms of Anubis's overlay units.
(Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon's ATK: 3000 + 1000 = 4000.)
Kaito looked at his hand again and he smirked. Good thing I did Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon first. Kaito thought.
And good thing I checked my hand again.
Kaito pulled a card out of his hand and revealed it to Eliphas. "Alright Listen up Eliphas!" Kaito bellowed.
The Will of Astral World looked at Kaito with a frown. "I'm not giving up to save Darka from your idealism! And I shall prove it right now! I activate the Spell card, Miracle Galaxy!" Kaito yelled.
"Miracle Galaxy?" Eliphas repeated.
"Thanks to this, since the Battle Phase ended, and I did not take any damage during that Battle Phase, this card allows me to target 1 monster on my field, and when I do, I can reconduct my Battle Phase with that 1 monster I targeted with this card's effect!" Kaito smirked.
Eliphas's expression turned from a cold look to a shocked one.
"Say what?!" He demanded
"You heard me!" Kaito snapped.
"And the monster I choose is…..Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!"
Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon roared at being picked by Miracle Galaxy's effect. Kaito thrusted his right hand forward. "Now Galaxy-Eyes! Attack Anubis with Photon Stream of Destruction! And this time I won't stop you!" Kaito yelled.
Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon unleashed its Photon Stream of Destruction on New Orders 4 Etheric Anubis and destroyed it. The explosion from the attack pushed Eliphas backwards. Lucky for him, he stood his ground and brushed off any loose debris from his armor.
(Eliphas's LP: 8000 - 3000 = 5000.)
"That's showing him Kaito!" Manami cheered.
Before Kaito could add on to that, Eliphas thrusted his right hand forward. "You may have damaged me, but this duel is far over!" Eliphas shot back.
"I activate my trap card, Ascension Spiral! By banishing Anubis from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon 1 monster from my Extra Deck that's 2 Ranks higher!"
"Seriously?!" Yuma groaned.
"This guy just doesn't let up!" Hotaru hissed.
"A Rank Up..." Astrana frowned. "Without the use of a Rank-Up-Magic card…"
"Go Rank-Up Xyz Evolution!" Eliphas announced.
"Come forth! New Orders 6 Etheric Apophis!"
The Overlay Network exploded once more; bringing forth the massive snake-like creature.
(New Orders 6 Etheric Apophis, Rank 6, type: Reptile, attribute: LIGHT, ATK/DEF: 2500/1000.)
Manami couldn't help but shriek in fear; stepping back. "A snake…! It just had to be a snake…!" She groaned.
Kaito stared the monster down before re-entering his Main Phase 2. He grabbed 2 cards from his hand and Set them."I end my turn with 2 face-downs." Kaito finished.
"Guess it's back to that delusional man over there."
Eliphas gave Kaito a cold glare in regards to his insult. "You should watch your tone considering you have no right to speak with what your brother had done to our World." Eliphas stated coldly.
When Eliphas brought up Haruto, Kaito felt his anger rising. "Leave my brother Haruto out of this!" Kaito snapped.
"Besides, it wasn't his fault. It was Tron's."
Eliphas just released a cold chuckle. "I do not care who's fault it may be." Eliphas replied.
"The fact is that our World has been damaged by Barian Power. Which in turn was used by you humans."
"Faker and Tron were manipulated by Vector. But that does not mean that all Barians are truly evil. The Barians we know have honor and would never resort to something like that." Astrana frowned
Eliphas's glare turned from Kaito to Astrana. "What would you know, traitor?" Eliphas snapped.
Astrana flinched before frowning. "More than you could ever know. Such as the fact I know you only turned away Chaos and Barians for you fear their power for what happened all those years ago." She scowled.
"I fear nothing." Eliphas spoke coldly.
Yet deep down, he was denying it. "Now back to the duel! I draw!" He yelled.
Before Eliphas drew, the top card of his Deck, along with his right hand began to glow a bright yellow color.
"Wait that glow!" Yuma gasped.
"It can't be!" Astral gaped, shocked.
"Impossible!" Astrana grew wide eyed.
"You know little to nothing of my true power. So in that case, why don't I give you a small glimpse of it?" Eliphas yelled. "Go! Shining Draw!"
Aurasoul: And its done! And over 8 thousand my longest chapter yet! And the OC cards Eliphas is using belong to 0713MM by the way.
Astrana: Next time will be the continuation of the duel.
Manami: Along with Shark's confrontation with Durbe.
Hotaru: So until then.
Yuma: Read and review!